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CIRCE,
the Daughter of the Sun, and Perseis the Daughter of Oceanus, who married the King of the Sarmata. She was famous for Magick and Poisoning, if we may believe the Poets, she poisoned her own Husband that she might reign alone, as also several of her Subjects to try the Strength and Effects of her Poisons, which caused them to revolt from her, and drive her out of the Kingdom in Disgrace.
She went and dwelt in an Isle near Tuscany, upon a Promontory which was called by her Name, The Cape of Circe; there she fetched down the Stars from Heaven by her Charms, and miraculously changed Scylla the Daughter of Phorcus into a Sea-monster, as also Picus, King of the Latins into a Bird called a Wood-pecker: The Navy of Ʋlysses being cast upon these Coasts, she by her Inchantments, chan∣ged all his Companions into Hoggs, which he sent to view the Country, upon which he was cast by a Tempest.
Mercury kept Ʋlysses from falling into the same Misfortune, having given him the Herb Moly to preserve him from her Charms, and at the same time admonishing him, that when she struck him with her Red he should draw his Sword and threaten to kill her till she should offer to be Friends with him, and en∣tertain him, and engage her self by the Great Oath of the Gods not to hurt him in any thing. Ʋlysses followed Mercury's Advice ex∣actly, and Circe restored his Companions to their former Shape.