Lives of Alcyone

set, he projected all his mesmeric and magical force against him,
and adjured him also to come over at his bidding and to be his
slave. The stream of force poured upon him made Alcyone’ s head
swim for a moment, but as his sight cleared he saw the face of his
mother before him. He rose and said:
“ I come, but not as your slave!”
Bowing deeply before Ulysses, he strode across and
confronted Aries, standing face to face with him, and challenging his
mesmeric power. Aries raised his arm as though to curse him, and
began rapidly uttering spells. Alcyone said nothing more; he spoke
not a single word, but kept his burning eyes fixed upon those of
Aries, and threw all the force of his will into a most determined
resistance. For some minutes they stood thus facing each other
amidst breathless silence. Then Alcyone became conscious that the
power of Aries was failing, and with one great effort of will he raised
his arm and, pointing straight at Aries, said with fell intensity:
“ May the power that thou hast misused depart from thee!”
Even as he uttered the words Aries, realising his defeat, fell to
the ground insensibly. Then Alcyone turned his will on Ulysses, and
called to him:
“ O King, awake! Rise, shake off this evil power and defy the
demons who have seized thee! Come forth from darkness to
light!”
With a great start the King sprang to his feet and came down
the steps until he faced Alcyone, and said:
“ What is this that you have done to me? A great change has
come over me?”