-215] THE BEGGAR IN THE PALACB 2§I

(Eurynome,9 said Penelope, * I know your kind heart, but you
shouldn't encourage me in this way to have a bath and anoint
my cheeks. The gods of Olympus robbed me of any charms I
may have had, on the day when my husband took ship and
sailed away. However, tell Autonoe and Hippodameia to come
here, so that they can attend me in the hall. I am not going to
brave that masculine company alone: modesty forbids/

While the old woman went offthrough the house to take this
message to the maids and send them to their mistress, the god-
dess Athene carried her scheme a step further by making Pene-
lope so drowsy that her whole body relaxed and she fell back
sound asleep on the couch where she was sitting. The great
goddess then endowed her with more than human gifts in order
that the young lords might be overcome by her beauty. First
she cleansed her fair cheeks with a divine cosmetic like that used
by Cythereia when she puts on her lovely crown to join the
Graces in their delightful dance. Then she gave her the appear-
ance of greater stature and size; and she made her skin whiter
than ivory that has just been sawn. When her work was done
the goddess withdrew, and the white-armed maids came up
from another part of the house. The sound of their voices as they
approached woke up Penelope, who rubbed her cheeks with
her hands and exclaimed: 'What a wonderful sleep, in spite of
all my troubles! I wish holy Artemis would grant me a death as
sweet as that, this very moment, and save me from wasting my
life in anguish and longing for all the excellences of my dear
husband, who was the best man in all Achaea.'

She left her gay apartment and went downstairs, not by her-
self, but with the two waiting-women in attendance. When she
reached her lovers the great lady drew a fold other bright head-
dress across her cheeks and took her stand by a pillar of the
massive roof, with one other faithful maids on either side.

Her appearance staggered the Suitors. Their hearts were
melted by desire, and. every man among them prayed that he
might hold her in his arms. But Penelope turned to her son.
"Telemachus/ she said, 'your wits have deserted you. As a boy