The Argonautica

At once she knew their fugitive doom and the guilt of the murder.

Therefore, showing regard for the law of Zeus of Suppliants,

who rages greatly, yet helps murderers no less,

Circe performed the solemn rite whose power cleanses

pitiless suppliants who approach and settle at the household hearth.

First, for release from murder no deed can reverse,

she stretched a sow's young pig above them; the mother's udders

still brimmed after birth; she soaked their hands in blood

severing its throat; then other offerings she poured,

she soothed the holy Cleanser, Zeus, with poured libations,

great guardian who hears blood-guilty suppliants' prayers.

All polluted scourings were borne outside the palace,

by her Naiad attendants, who arranged every matter for Circe.

Inside she set appeasing cakes upon the sacred hearth,

burned them at the hearth with wineless rites and prayers, so wrath

of dreadful Furies ceased; Zeus himself would turn

his smiling face and gentle heart toward both suppliants,

whether they came with hands polluted by the blood of a stranger

or blood of their own kin, if they came before him burdened with care.

After she duly completed every point of ritual,

she raised the pair and seated both on polished chairs,

Circe herself sat facing them nearby. At once

In full, point after point, she asked their need and voyage,

and whence they came across her land to arrive at her dwelling