Before Odysseus left her island, Circe warned him about the Sirens, who lured sailors to their meadow with sweet song, never to return. Thus forewarned, when the sea fell calm and the strains of song were heard, Odysseus stopped up his comrades’ ears with wax, and they bound him to the mast so that he could listen in safety.

When Odysseus heard the Sirens’ song, he begged his crew to free him and let him follow the voices. But they hardened their hearts, bound him tighter and rowed harder. As soon the Sirens were out of earshot, Odysseus gave the signal and the crew, after removing the wax from their ears, released their grateful captain from his bonds.

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