Journal VI:The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis
I did not tell the men what I had learned, for I knew that they would not want to leave and go to their deaths. I followed all of the instructions of Circe and, tied to the mast, I listened to the heavenly song of the Sirens. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. All that I knew was that I must meet the source of those voices no matter what the cost. I cried out for my bonds to be broken, but Eurylochus and the man nearest to him came and they tightened the knots till I could not move. Their song soon faded, but still they sang on in my head and when Tydeus and Eurylochus came and untied me I fought to jump off the ship, but they held me firm. Tydeus bent over and whispered "I am your friend Polites." This made me stop long enough to come back to my senses. Though I longed to hear the voices of the Sirens once more I understood that this was not possible.
As their island faded from sight we came into the realm of Charybdis. I encouraged my men. I told them to not lose heart though we passes by a greater danger than that posed by the Cyclops. We must steer straight and pass by this great whirlpool of death. And so I steered them instead toward the great cliff that contained Scylla, and the price we paid. As we passed by each head grabbed one man off the deck and they squirmed trying to loosen her hold, but none prevailed. This was the worst for as each was being dragged to her cave they called out my name and that was their last word. I knew that they trusted that I would save them. They all trusted me and it struck me through the heart, for I knew that I could do nothing to stop it. Instead I urged the men to row faster and pass her by fore she would be able to poke out one of her heads again. As we passed out of sight the last of the screams was cut off, and I broke down and sank to the deck. Tydeus came to comfort me, but I brushed him away. I did not want to talk for I knew that I had killed those men just as well as if I had stabbed them all clean through with my sword. Tydeus would not be shaken, and he sat down beside me, putting a hand on my back. He could not have completely understood, but the touch gave me the strength to carry on.