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(2ofQyrrL J^t^^ <rurx.cUcu/ M
-^
THE
ODYSSEY OF HOMER
RENDEBED INTO
ENGLISH BLANK VERSE.
BY
GEOEGE MUSGRAVE, M.A.
RRASENOSE COLLEGE,
OXFORD.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. IL
LONDON:
HELL ANT) T)ALT)Y, FLEET STREET.
186.5.
5k fc:i.9:ro ,ri)^
HARVARD
lUNlVERSlTYl
LIBRARY
nftl 11 la54
u»nx)H:
B. CLAT, ttOK, AND TATLOB, rBllTEIIIS,
BREAD HTRKR HILL.
ARGUMENT.
BOOK XIII.
Ul^aea Laving related Lia ftJventiirea to King Alcinoiis and his consort,
in, throngh tbc kind elforta of tliat jiriuce, jilacfd on board u vcnstd of tho
riiwacinnit while iu a jirofouud slcoji, aiid in that state is conveyed across
MMi to tUf sliore of his nntivc ial« of Ithaca. Tlio crew lift him out of
the ship and lay liini down on the beach, still asleep ; and having de-
posited at his side the vahiuhle presents bestowed on him by the Flin'ocians,
they em))ark and set off on their voyage homeward. Neptune, carrying
out a threat of long-standing, transforms the ship into a huge rock, just
as it waa nearing the Phseocian jjort, and in this state it is beheld, in great
consternation, by the natives, idnerva approaches Ulys8<'8, disguised,
w)An he has awaked fri^n his deep slecj^i, and then reveals to him her
real presence, and holds coixferenco witb liini oB the subject of Penelope's
suitbrs. She aids him in depositing his treasures in a cav% and transforms
Iiim into an yld man, bvaring the appearance of a meadicaint ... 1
BOOK XIV.
in the disgnise effected by Minerva, finds his way to the hat of
eus, a devoted servant af his household in former days, and now
charged with the care of numerous herds of swine. Eumieus gives him a
ootdial welcome : npou which he commences a narrative, mere invention,
of his adventures ; stating, incidentally, tLat UlysMs would, at no distant
date, return to Ithaca ; — the king of the Thesprotiana having, as he asserts,
intimated this to him as a certainty. At the instance of Ennueus ha takes
up his quarters in the homestall cottage 26
ARGUMENT.
BOOK XV.
Hinerra proceeds to Sparta, to withdraw Telpraachns from the court of
Menelaus. Appearing to him in 1i vision, she exhorta him to retuni home.
Telcmaohus leaves Sparta, tourlies at Phenp, anJ arrives at Pylog. As he
prc[iare« to embark on iMxiril a vessel Kiiunl for Ithaca, he is accosted by a
sootfiaayer of Ar^os, uf the numo of ThKoclymenuH, stating; himself to 1)«
■ nu exile from his country, in conseijneucc of a homicide. Telrmaehus
yiehis to his entreaty to take him oa Iward. Gumiens relates to Ulyii.ses,
tbongh unaware of his guest's identity, how he himself first entered
Ithaca. At length, Telcniuchus laiuls ii^uiii iu Itha<Mi, and sending the
'Vessel into port, ami conimitling Tln'oolyitiemis to the care of ifs crow,
pmce<)dH\o t)|)B cot of Eumjcus fiS
BOOK jy\.
Teleinachua, wi-ieomed most joyfully by Euonieus, enters into convcma-
tion with the lioggar-Uko guest, being wholly unconscious of that stranger
being hi.s uwn father ; and, suhseijueutly, iiis])iitcliea Eumieus to the town
in whifli the palace of IHysses atooil, —that he might there n]iiirize
Penelope of her sou's (Telemaclms) safe retuni from Liicedieinon. During
his ab.sence, Minerva onuflca Ulysses to rtsiume his natural aspect, ond
hereupon he reveals to TeleiUHr-hu.s that he is his fiitUer.
A seleoteil nuinlier of Feaeloiie's suitors who had si't out with the
design of waylaying the vessel in which young Telemnchus would bo
sailing homeward to Ithaca, and of putting him to death, — having missed
him, return disappointed. • They are detected in funning fiirthur pluiH for
his destnictiou. Penelope's upbmidiug spcccli to their Icailer, ^V^tiuoiis,
• Miuerva agaiu transforms ITlysatis into a seeming lioggar ... 8S
BOOK XVII.
Tolcmschas relate* to his mother incidents of his recent excursion.^ He
also makes Icnown to her Theoclymenus, from whom she receives a jfositivo
declaration that hot husband will to a certauity bo soon in his native huid
and jialace. Eumieus then takes Ulysses into the city, and into the
premises of his own palatial home. Tliough in the disguise of a ragged
meudictmt, he is recognised by his old dog Argus, who, after twenty years'
absence, recognises him, but is too feeble to rise. The faithfid creature
dies almost immediately aftenvarda. Ulysses enters the great ban(iueting
hall of the palace, and sees the hundred and eight princes who were suitors
of Penelope. He is grossly insulti-.i by them. Pcm-Ioiie in her couvorsa-
tion with Euniieus, having leanu'd fnmi him that a stranger had reaehoil
his house who bronght 8<imc tidings of Ulysses, requests that he may bo
introduced to her. Ulysses being informed hereof tells Euuiiens of his
design to make this visit at the close of the day, when fhere would be no
other person in the palace 112
A TtGUMENT.
BOOK XVIII.
UlyBMS enters tbe hall of hit palncc while the suitors are feasting, and
in the guisv of a luemlicant luka ulins of them. Being chn]lenge<l to a
personal en<X)untcr by Hiiother habiteil like liimself, a bei^gnr, «1ko, (nanie«l
Irua) he li^ht» ami nearly kills him at the firxt blow. Ainphiiiomua, a
Huitor, treats him with gttiA indignity, nnd Ulysu-ea inveighs against hia
iusolenee, and intimates that the lortl of that mansion would suuu be there.
Penelope, determining to make her snitom ]iay rielUy for the pririlage of
bving permitted to ask her hauci in marriage, reminds them tjiat they
ought to make her hamlsowe presents. They comply Tbi'^nftr^ described.
Eurymiu'hiw in the hdglit of Jii.s elfronler)- throws .1 ! Ulysses,
and missing Us aim, ui>3etji-the cup-l)earpl> At tL ,^ <i"UQL^m-
phisemusi, the party breaks oil .* . 148
BOOK XIX.
ITIyaaea and Telemachus, the halls lieing emjity, cause the women to be
locked up in their several ehsinbers ; and then eoUect together all the
arms in the palai.-e, and stow them away in the armoury in the up]>er jiart
of the bttiliUng. Ulysses, still in disguise, is introduced as a fugitive
stranger to his wife Penelope, and recounts to her a long narrative — a
fiction — in which ho mentions thot ho had seen Ulysses in tlie isle of
Crete. Having permitted hia old nurae Euryclea to wash hia fevt, sho
recognises him by a soar loft by the tooth of a wild boar on the occasion of
Ulysses hunting, a^ a youth, in Pamnastts. Ho strictly forbids her to
mention the discovery to any one. An Demount of the l>oar hunt ^ *
Penelope is much distressed by the long narrative, and gives ordorn for
his being pro\-ided with a bed in the Testibule ........ 1 69
BOOK XX.
Ulysses taking up with the accommodation offered for a sleeping place
in the vestibule of his own palace, lies for some time awake deliberating
whether he should put to death all the female servants, of whose sliameful
conduct, in his long absence, he had l)een fully inforraod. Minerva, in a
vision, assures him that he will he empowered to destroy all the suitors.
Ue decides on a reKj)ite with reganl to the women of the household. Tele-
rnachus provides a scAt for hi.s father in the bampiet-hall, apart from the
suitors. He is again insulted. Minerva produics an hysterical laugh
among them, which is succeeded by misgivings, and an undefined dread of
approaching evil ; but they resume eating and drinking, though Theoely-
menus forbo<les mischief 202
Ad lu^eount of tho huge bow of Ulyasea which had been stowed away in
his annoury Juriug tho twenty yeara of his nbscaco, Penelope proposes
lliut there shall be a contest, — as to who, of all tho suitors, should with
greatest ea.s«i beinl tho how and draw the string up to thu arrow notclL
lit' r hand to be tho prize. One after »nother uiukes the attempt and fails.
Telcmachus, taking it up, is just oa the point of succeeding when ad-
monished, by a signal from his fatlier, to lay tho bow aside, U ly sses gives
directions that every door and avenue of egress sliould be fast closed, and
tlien calls on EunuEOs to hoiiil tlie bow and quiver to him. This is ro-
aisted by the suitors, who express their contempt at his presuming, as a
mendicant, even to touch the bow ; 'but Tulemachus insists on liis being
permitted to handle and use it,
Ulysses aiming at the twelve rings or eyelets of iron, sends the arrow
throQgh the whole of them, and, noilding to Telcmachns, gives him to
understand that tho moment is now at hand wliiii he will turn the bow
to the use ho had long contem]ilatoil, and then sjiriugs on to the elevated
■lab of tho great threshold at the door of the bouquet hall . . , 223
BOOK XX U.
Ulysiios seconded by Telemachus, Euma-us, and I'hilietius, (the herdsman
entrusted with the care of his cattle in Ithoea,) Iwgins by shooting down
Antinoiis the leuilur of all the suitors; and then follows the massacre
of the whole number. Twelve of the female aer^'ants who.se conduct had
been most fla^tious are hanged. Melautius, a goathei'd, who had grossly
outraged Ulysse.s, is suspended from ii rafter while the auitora are being
slaughturLd, and i.s then taken down and dispatcUwl. The bard Phemius
is spared, and iledou, also, the herald 216
BOOK XXlll.
Having for some considerable time evinced utter dbbclief of Ulysses' identity,
Penelope, convinced by certain teats, most joyfully welcomes him as
her long lost huslmnd. He then gives her au authentic account of hLs
wanderings and troubles,
In the morning, afterwards, he sets out with his son and Eumicus and
Philiiitius, ou his way to the resideuco of his aged father, Liicrtcs 27!)
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
BOOK xin.
rilHUS spoke Ulysses, aa in silence all
Beneath that palace roof sate motionless
And into raptiire chann'd : but, words, at length
Alcinoiis found ; — " Ulysses ! since a guest
At these strong braseu-hasM and lofty halls
Thou art amv'd, ev'n thus to thine own home
Methinks thou wilt return ; nor, though so long
By sore afBictions harass'd, will thy course
On further wand' rings force thee. But, to you
Pha-acians 1 1 now speak, and on you all
This charge woidd lay who as my constant guests
The choicest wine within our palace quaff,
To princes only proffer'd, and the strains
Of our Bard's minstrelsy so oft have heard.
Know ye — that in a shining coffer laid
(For full contentment of our stranger guest)
Are vestments, high-wrought gold, and other gifts,
All that Phseacia's senatorial lorfs
Have hither brought : But, now, I say, let each
His share contribute tow'rds two sev'ral gifts —
jrA cauldron and large tripod ; shares which we,
VOU It B
lO
'S
20
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIII.
Ourselves, when we assemblies shall convene,
As o'er the people ruling, will repay :
For, from a single giver such a gift
Too miich by far demands."
Alcinous spoke, 25
And all assenting heard, as to their homes
And to Night's slumbers the assembly mov'd.
But when again the rosy-finger'd morn.
Daughter of daM'n, ai*ose, ^\^tb eager haste
They to the ship rcpair'd, and store of brass 30 j
(Such as a manly chieftain's need befits)
They carried down ; and with adjustment nice
Alcinoiis the treasure stow'd ; — himself
Beneath tlie benches stooping of tlie ship,
So to dispose of all, that injury none 35
Might to Ulysses' rowers with their stroke
Of oars impetuous ui-giiig on, accrue.
Then, to the palace of the king return'd,
A banquet they prepar'd : Alcinoiis
An ox to Jove, the darkly clouded son 40
Of Saturn, sacrificing ; as to Him
Whose sway is over all. And when the thiglis
They now had duly burnt, a splendid feast
They spread, and of abundance took their fill ;
Demodociis, t!ie bard by Hcav'n iuspir'd, 45J
And by the people glorified, his lay
Among the gue-sts attuiiing ; but, intent
Upon the setting of the radiant sun,
From time to time Ulysses, whose sole thought
Was his Return, upon the solar beams 50
His glances an.xious bent ; and. as a man
Book XIII.]
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Under whose Imnds two dark red beeves the plough
Across some fidlow havii, a whole day, drawn, —
His ev'ning meal is craving for, while now
. The rays of the declining sun a joy 55
Impart, and for his supper leave him free,
With lame knees to it hast'ning ; — ev'n thus dear
Was to Ulysses' eyes the sinking disc
Of that daj'^s sim : and then immediate speech
With the Pha?acians (of their oars so proud) 60
He strove to gain, Alcinoiis in these words
'Bove all addressing ; —
" King Alcinotis !
Of all this race most noble I when to HeaVn
Libations ye have made, oh ! speed me hence
Without a care ! And, now, to all ' Farewell ! ' 6$
All that my heart desirVl, — an escort safe.
And ev'ry gift w^hich Friendliness bestows,
Have to the full been granted : And may Heav'n
In my behalf its blessing shed hei'eon !
Mny I, on my return, my blameless wife 70
And those I love at home in safety find ;
And may you all who here remain the joy
For evermore continue of those wives
Whom in your youth ye wedded, and of sons
And daughters born to you ! Each sev'ral grace 75
Of Goodness may the gods upon them shed,
And ne'er may Fate the common weal atllict ! " •
He ended, and with general acclaim
His words they hail'd, wliose matter so discreet
And wortliy seem'd, that mandate straight went forth
b2
80
4 nOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book Xin.
Tlmt on lu8 way the Stranger should he sped.
And then the monarch on his herald caU'd : —
" Pontonoiia ! when thou a cup haat mix'd,
To all within the palace carry wine,
That, having pray'rs to Jupiter uplift, 85
This Stranger to his couatiy we may speed,"
He spoke, and the rich wine Pontonoiis blent
And unto all in order sent it round ;
Each to the hlcst immortals who on high
The Empyrean inhabit from his place, 90
Ev'n where he sate, libations off'ring.
And then Ulysses rose, and, the round cup
Into Areti's hand delivering,
With these wing'd words saluted her : — " Farewell !
O queen ! for evermore farewell ! till age 95
Kxtreme, and Death, which is the lot of all.
Shall thee in turn o'ertake : but, now, I go I
And may'st thou with thy children and the tribe
"Who own thy sov'reignty, and with their king
Alcinoiis, in this thy palace Uve, 100
And pleasure taste unceasing."
"With these words
Noble Ulysses o'er tlie threijhold stepp'd :
But, onward had the king a herald sent,
To the sea-shore and well-appointed ship
The way to lead. Aretfe, too, a train
Of handmaids with him sent ; — one in her hands
A well-wash'd robe and vestment carrying,
Another, with a heavy coffer charg'd.
Her bidding did : a third a store of bread
los
Book XII I.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
And dark wiiie bore : and, when the ship they reach'd, i lo
His noble escort, as the several gifts
They took on board, Qirovision fit of meat
And drink) %rithin the vessel's hold
StoVd it away : And, then upon the deck
A coverlet and flaxen cloths they spread, 115
That at the stern in sound deep sleep recL'n'd
Ulysses might repose ; but, he huuself
On shipboard stepp'd, and, utt'ring not a word.
To rest compos'd himself, while they, each man
His bench in order taking, from the stone 120
(Right tlirougli for anch'rage bor'd), their cable loos'd ;
And then, with heads back thrown, upon their oars
The surges' spray uplifted, wlule calm sleep
Upon his eyelids fell, such as through night
No wtiking moments knew, — repose most sweet, 125
The nearest semblance bearing of real death.
But, as when four yok'd stallions, on the plain.
By the thong's lash excited upward spring,
And, on one impulse borne, careering fly, —
So rose in air the vessel's stem, while waves 130
Of deepest purple tint from Ocean's depth
With hollow roar dash'd after it. She sped
And sway'd not : nor could falcon hawk, of birds
The swiftest, have on wing her pace maintain'd.
Thus did that flying bark the waters cleave — 135
The man conveying who a mind might boast
With that of gods in counsel fit to cope, —
In battles oft ; in tempests often wreck'd : —
And now, without a fear, he sleeping lay
And all the suff'rings of his life forgot. 140
C HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIII.
Just as a star of most resplendent ray-
Began to rise, wliose Lriglitiifss eniineut
The liglit of Morning, mother of the day,
Is wont to usher in, the goodly ship.
On Ocean's ways a trav'Uer, near'd tlie i/sle. 145
Now, on th' Ithacian coasts a port there is
From Phorcys nam'd, (the (Jld Man of the Soa,)
And two steep hanks within it lie whose length
Towards the port extends, and all the force
Of blust'ring wuida, which from without assail, 1 50
A shelter fonn ; and in this haven safe,
Wlien their secluded station they have reach'd,
The well-built ships without a hawser rest
A full-leav'd Olive at the haven's mouth
Its foliage spreads ; and nigh it is a cave 1 5 5
Delectable, a shaded haunt to Nymphs
Nam'd " Naiads," consecrate : and cups of stone
And rundlets in it stand ; and bees therein
Their honey store ; and distaffs all of stone,
Of length excessive, in that cave .are seen, 160
The wonder of all eyes ! while, in a stream
That ceases not, the water-springs well iorth.
Two portals hath it. Those towards the North
By mortals may he enter'd : Those oppos'd
And Southward situate more sacred are, 165
And none hereby may pass ; — th' immortal gods
Alone admittance gaining. To this point,
By them of erst well known, th' e-scorting crew
Urg'd onward, and by more than half its length
(Such was her nite of speed, and such the might
Of those who row'd,) the vessel on to land
H Book XIH.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^H
H Ean fast aground : and from tliat well-lmOt bark
^H
^1 They now stepp'd on the beach.* Ulysses firet
^^1
^1 From off the deck, in his fair coverlet
^^H
H And linen raiment wrapt, still sunk in sleep,
175 ^^1
^B They lifted down, and on the sand dispoa'd ;
^^H
^B And from the hold the treasures they remov'd
^^1
H WTiich, through high-soul'd Minen'a's furth'ring aid,
^^H
H Phceacia's nobles (when, on his return.
^^H
H Their shores he left,) had made his own : and these
i8o ^^^1
H Together heap'd where that fam'd Olive-tree
^^H
H Its roots outspread, they plae'd apart, secure,
^^H
H Lest, haply, ere Ulysses should awake,
^^H
H Some casual passer-by should do him Avrong.
^^H
H But, they themselves upon their voyage home
i8s ^M
H Forthwith embark'd. Nor of those angry threats
^^H
^1 Was Neptune now oblivious which at first
^^H
H He at Ulysses launch'd, but counsel thus
^^^
^^ Of Jove he ask'd :—
^H
V " Jupiter ! no more
^1
H Shall I among tli' immortals be rever'd,
^^H
H Since mortals, — the Phteacians, who kin
^^^H
H With me would claim — no homage pay to me :
^^^H
H For, 'twas but only now my word was pass'd
^^^H
H That at his home Ulysses should arrive
^^^^1
^B By long afflictions trit-d ; and that return
195 ^^^1
H I in nowise have tliwarted, since thou first
^^H
H Assurance to him gavest and consent.
^^H
H But they this chief in a swift-sailing bark
^^H
H Have over sea transported, — in a sleep
^^H
H Profound imiuers'd,— and on th' Ithacian coast
^^^1
H Have they just landed him ; A heap of gifts —
J
8 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Buok Xlll.
Brass and fine gold, and a fine woven vest
Have tliey with lavisli hand' on him hestow'd; —
Abundance, snch as never from sack'd Tioy
Ulysses would have carried off, had he 205
Unscath'd his home regain 'd, and his due share
Of all the spoil receiv'd."
But, to these words
The cloud-compelling Joi'e this answer made : —
"Nay, nay ! all-puissant Neptune ! what is this
That thou hast uttev'd ? Tlw? imuiortal gods
None such indignity on thee would cast I
No light oflenee it were contempt to fling
Upon the oldest, worthiest of their race !
But, if there he of living mortals one
"Who, hy tyrannic insolence and pow'r
Impell'd, would dare to spui'n thee, thou the means
Of vengeance in the future ever hast.
On thine own will, and on the wish which first
Thy mind would prompt, decide at once to act"
210
21S
To him earth-shaking Neptune this reply 220
Immediate made : " O thou who with dai-k clouds
Thyself surroundest ! — promptly would my will
Thy counsel follow, Lut thy kindled ire
AVith dread I ever contemplate and shun.
This heauteous sliip of the PhEcaciaii fleet, 225
Now on the clouded ocean homeward bound,
(Ulysses' escort having all fulfill' d)
I fain would utterly annihilate —
That, henceforth, in this transport, such as men
In safest conduct carries, they may pause, 230
Book XIII.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
And persevere no more : and fain would I
Around tlieir citj' a vast mountain tlirow."
To this the cloud-compelling Jove reply
Compliajit made : — " My friend I as I conceive.
This best thine aim will meet : — 'SNTieu from the town 235
Tlie whole cullectivc populace their gaze
Shall on the ship be fixing — a vast mass
Of stone, (the semblance bearing of a ship,)
Do thou near land upix-ar, that ev'ry man
In wonderment may staro ; And that great moimt 240
Ai-ound their city throw ! " And when the god
That shakes the Earth luid this suggestion heard,
To Scheria, from whence Phaeacia's tribes
Their race derive, he hasten'd, and awhile
His station there niaintain'd. The shiji, at length, 245
That o'er the sea-ways had her course pursued,
"With rapid onward progress now drew nigh.
And, alongside, the Shaker of the Earth
That instant nish'd, and into stony rock
Her fabric chang'd, so that in land which forni'd 250
The bottom of the sea it rooted stood :
And tills, (with stroke from dowuturn'd hand alone
Inflicted,) Neptune to accomplish rose,
And straightway to remoter regions aped-
But, that Pha;acian multitude— the men 255
WTio, in long oars exulting, o'er tlie seas
Such fame were wont to reap, in eager words
Each other question'd, and with eyeballs fixt
On him to whom he spake, one man would thus
The other challenge : — " WTio is this, alas I 260
10
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIII.
That thus the rapid vessel on her course
Ev'n into harbour speeding, in tlie deep
Has thus iufix'd her ? But a moment since,
She stood entire before iis I " Thus spoke one.
But how this came to pass they little knew.
265
At length Alcinoiis spake, and to their ears
These wonla address'd : — " Alas ! with too great trutli
To me, at length, each presage is fullill'd.
Which, ill long byfjone years, my sire pronounc'd,
That Neiitune — fur that, we an escort sure 270
To men upon the wat'ry main afford, —
Would with his anger visit us ! He said
That at some epoch of the time to come
Tlic god a splendid vessel would destroy.
By our PhaEacians mann'd, when lioraeward bound 275
From an eacoitiug voyage over sea ;
And that a mighty mouutaui would the breadth
Of our whole city cover. Such events
The veteran foretold ; and ev'ry word
Is now at length confirai'd ; But, come \ let this 280
Henceforth be binding ou us all, as I
Command now give : No longer be it ours
Safe conduct to provide, come here who may
Our native city ent'ring : and twelve bulls
From out the hertls selected will we straight 285
To Neptune ofler, if he will but gi'ace
Eelenting show, and with this dreadful mount
Our city overwhelm not" The king ceas'd.
And they with timid souls the bulls prepar'd ;
And all the leaders and the princely chiefs 290
Of the Phseacian people, as beside
Book XIIL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. 11
The altars of their sacrifice they stood,
To Neptune, that great monarch, offer'd pray'r.
Meanwhile, Ulysses from that sleep profoiuid
Upon the soil of Ms lov'd fatherland 295
Awaking, recognis'd it not, — so long
Had he from that terrene an exile liv'd —
And PaUas, now, Jove's daughter, round his form
A vapour rais'd, that he in ev'ry eye
A stranger might appear, and that her lips 300
Might first tu him tell all, and that nor wife,
Nor citizens, nor friends, the chief should know,
Ere on the suitors ev'ry cruel wrong
Full vengeance he had wreak'd. Thus, all that met
The prince's eye a different aspect wore — 305
The long extended roads — the havens wide
Tor shelter so well fonu'd — the steep cliff's sides
To solar rays uplifted, and the trees
In foliage so abundant ! Tliua stood he —
As to his feet with eager haste he sprang, 310
And on the region gaz'd that gave liiru Ijirth ;
Till in regi'ct he moan'd, and with his hand
His thigh desponding stmck, and sad at heart,
Ev'n thus to grief gave wor<is : —
" Woe ! woe ! alas !
'Mid all the homes of mortal men, wJiat land 315
Have I at last attain 'd to ? Are they sons
Of violence ? Of harsh and cruel mind
Are they ; find of all sense of right devoid ?
Or to all strangei-s would they welcome give.
And doth a godlike spirit in them sway ? 320
12
BOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book Xlll.
Where now shall 1 these many treasures store ?
And wliithei' am 1 wand'riug still ? Would, now.
That I with the Phjeacians had but ataid '
Some other pow'rfiil prince I might have sought,
Who would his guest have made me, and his aid 325
In a safe escort on my voyage home
Have granted me ' But, in what spot recluse
I may these large possessions now secure
I know not ; Here they must not lie ; for soon
The spoil of plundering hands would they become. 330
Unhappy me ! TJie lenders and great chiefs
Of the I'haiacians in their judgment eiT'd,
And from strict right in this, at least, have swerv'd.
In thus to a strange coast transporting me :
To Western Ithaca their promise firm 335
Assur'd me I should come — , but this their word
They \mfulfill'd have left. May Jove himaeU'
Who penalty retributive demands,
This wrong on them avenge ' Man's destiny
He makes his care ; and Man's offence from him 340
Its punishment receives. But, now will I
My gather'd treasures count, and by the tale
Discover whether that escorting crew
Have aught thereof purloin'd, and in their sliip
Far hence couvey'd it." Ceasing then to speak, 345
Ulysses of the tripods, in whose form
Such beauty shone, the uuiuber duly told;
The cauldrons, too, he coimted ; and the vests
Of texture so resplendent ; of which gifts
He miss'd not one ; but, for his native land 350
His soul still yeam'd, and, as along the shore
Of the loud roaring main he slowly paced,
Book XIII.l
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
IS
In poignant griuf he sorrow'd. Then, at length,
Pallas before him stood, — a young man's fonu
Assuming, (one that tended sheep) of mould 355
Most delicate, as might the sons of kings beseem. —
A beauteous mantle, double in its folds,
About her shoulders hung ; — and 'neath her feet
So soft she sandals wore ; and in her hand
A lance she grasp'd. At sight of her, great joy 360
Ulysses felt, — drew nigh to her, and thus
In rapid utt'rance hail'd her : —
'* my friend !
Since thee in this terreue I first have met,
Be welcome I and with no ungenial thoughts
Upon me look I These treasures at my side 365
On my behalf protect, and me myself
From peril guard : for though as to some god
I this petition make, and to thy knees
A suppliant come. Oli ! tell me in all truth.
That T may fully learn, — what realm is this ? 370
What people ? Of what genemtiun sprung
Are all these men around ? Is it some isle
To Westward lying ? or is this a tract
That from the rich-soii'd fields of tlie main land
Its length extends to seaward ? " Thus address'd, 375
The goddess of the gleaming eye replied : —
" Witless art tliou, stranger ! or, from far
Art thou indeed arriv'd, if of this land
Such questions thou woidd'st ask. Unknown, indeed.
Inglorious it is not ! Many a tribe 380
Of those that Eastward live and face the sun,
u
HOMERS ODYSSEY.
[Book XII I.
And of the dwellers in thick darkling gloom,
This isle well know. A rugged face it hath,
For the yok'd steeds unapt ; — and yet the soil,
In narrow bounds compris'd, no barren waste
Exhibits ; for, wlieat-liarvests here abound,
And vintages therewith : the timely show'rs.
The rip'ning dews, attend on it. For feed
Of goats and beeves it hath a just renown ;
AVith all varieties of wood it tlirives,
And constant streaming waters through it flow.
Wherefore, Stranger ! e'eu to Troy itself,
Far as men say it is from Cirecce, the name
Of Ithaca would make its mention known ! "
385
390
Tlie shephei-d youth here ended : and that chief 39I
So oft in perOs tried, Ulysses, all
Witli transport heard ; — and in his fatherland
His heart at length rejoiced, as Pallas, child
Of aegis-bearing Jove, the truth disclos'd.
And now again accosting her, these words,
With rapid accents utt'ring, in a speech
Deceitful he iuserted, — and her theme
Caught up to frame a fiction — the reverse
Of all tlie ti'uth ; such wily cimning still
His mind would fain iudulge in : — " Ev'n in Crete, 405
That spacious isle, and over sea remote.
Of Ithaca I heard : but here, at length
Am I myself with these possessions come,
And yet a fugitive, — who just so much
Have for my absent cliUdren elsewhere left, 4 15"
Since I the swift-of-foot Orsdochus,
Idomeneus' dear eon, in doatlj laid low —
Book Xm.] HOSIER'S ODYSSEY.
15
(Him who in all the spacious isle of Crete
All youths of enterprise with liis fleet feet
So far outshone ; — ) for that uiy spoils from Ti'oy 41 5
He would have seiz'd — ; the booty, which to win
Such woes I had encounter'd ; — hardships dread
'Mid foes, upon the scene of War ; — 'mid waves,
When on the ocean tost ! And this because
His father 'mid the legion'd hosts of Troy 420
I would not stoop to humour, — while o'er those
Who with me serv'd a rule supreme I held.
HLs death-wound with a braseu spear I gave ;
In ambush witli a comrade near the road
Secreted, and as from the fields he came 425
Awaiting liim. Tliick night the sky oliscur'd,
Nor did a man desciy us ; — and his ken
I 'scap'd, forsooth, in cutting short his life !
And when with weapon keen this deed was done,
I, without lingering, in a ship em bark 'd 430
And the i-eno\vn'd Pliteacian nation sought.
And, aa their supphant, gave them from my spoils
Such gifts as won their hearts : And then did I
Petition make that tliey would bear me thence,
And upon Pylos land me, or the port 435
Divine of Elis enter, where their sway
The Epeans hold supreme : but raging winds
Their vessels from these ports, to thek great grief.
Far distant drove them. Not a wish had they
To play me false ! But, on ihf. waters cast, 440
This coast by night we reacli'd, and with great toil
Into the haven row'd. Of any food
Our evening meal to furnisli no man spoke ;
All eager as we were to eat : but all.
Ui JIOMEJ^S ODTSSET. [Book XIII.
»'v»»t «» \v»> w-vtvv tho dark-ribbM \-essel left 445
AhvI ou tUo iHtrth nvlinVL And here calm sleep
\tv t\»il-\\v»m fhinu» soou s«u\l ; while they my goods
W>«\ v»wt thoir ship rvnuoving, ou this spot,
NVh\Mv { \K\\yK\ tho s»U\lhilU lay outstretch'd,
l^^«^sv«\l »W«\ aH : which havii^ dv>ne. their course 450
VH'^^ <>v\» A^<A»W «UvV to j^ivk^-aii* stwrd,
Vwn^ \ \\«\,^ ^sv^xx Vv-«t< >»^ U»t1 alone."*
^v <,-»*s«>,n{, ^i;^i, ^\. ".vu^^xwl ,!^>^le(s$ smil'd.
\^^» *t NX «i,'S *!i,vN^V,!^ NA5fc,- >.5s. iroi she tooch'd.
■•iUv' kn Sv* (<v^^,^ ^ >*vvr,»;; * s>«3:>iiBfc.v took. — 455
Avw^ xUc xxith Kk"jv;.i spftv>.. ir. -;;nt ^atis $p«^e:
• A>u«x\ ind,>v.. AT.,! rii: . : c-:> »< w b»
W ^^^ u> *U grddes of cusiiir.j: >i^. u.d :h\^lf, 460
KVw Ihxni^h a cod thy rlx-al Mren\ «:q*js :
O (t^^kUxss in all fe«Iii^ : In jky ^btuu^
Wr owr shifting '. and in tricky fcinis
Insatiate, — even heie upon the soil
'n»at gave thee biith, thou would'st iK>t feds* pretexts 465
And glostng s{>eeches have fondue — s-uch frauds
As from thy childhood have l^een dear to thee.
^V>nu\ now ! since we are both in plotting vers'd,
U>t us this theme abandon : for of men
Thon art in counsel and iu gifts of speech 470
fho foremost held ; and 'mid the immortal gods
Myself in just discernment and the use
^f ready guile stand eminent : — But, say,
1 Hd'st thou not know me, Pallas, child of Jove ?
Mo, who in all thy trials by thee stand 47 S
Book XIII] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^H
And thy defender am, and to the race
^H
Of those PhEEacians tliy cause endear'd 1
^^^^1
And hither am I come, that I some plan
^^^^1
May with thee frame, and all the wealth conceal
^^H
Which the Phaeacians have on thee bestow'd,
480 ^^H
Eetuming, as my counsel and my wish
^^1
Had prompted thee, to thy paternal land ;
^^1
And that I may forewarn thee of the pangs
^^H
That thou art doom'd in thy palatial home
^^1
Ev*!! yet to suffer. By thy fate constrain'd
^^1
Bear up against them all ; hut, no one tell
^^H
Amid all men and women, that thou thus
^^1
A wand'rer art arriv'd : the rude assaults
^^1
Of banded foes endure, and though thy ^vrongs
^^1
1 Innumerable grieve, in silence bear."
^^^1
To this astute Ulysses thus replied : —
^1
" Quick of perception as a man may he,
^H
goddess, with no sure discerning ken
^H
"Would he thy form be prompt to recognise ;
^H
For, thou the semblance canst of any take.
^H
But, this full well I know that in times past
^^1
Thy kindly grace befriended me while we
^^^H
The sons of Greece our battles wag'd at Troy.
^^^^1
But, when we had King Priam's lofty tow'rs
^^^H
In ruin laid, and in our fleets embark'd.
^^^H
And the celestial power had our hosts
^^^H
Upon the ocean scatter'd, I no more
^^^H
Thy presence haU'd, nor on my vessel's deck
^^H
Did I behold thee stepping ; that thine aid
^^H
Might from misfortune shield me. But, my course
505 ^^1
Was but incessant wand'ring, and my heart
^^1
VOL n. c
■
^^^L
^^^^^^1
18
HOMERS ODYSSEY. [Book XIIL
Was all subdued within me, till the gods
From fearful pei-il timely rescue brought.
And tliine inspiriting speech upon the shore
Of the Phreneian land my mind arous'd ; 5 to
Thyself into their unknown city's street
My guide becoming. But, by thy great Sire
Do I conjure thee — for not even now
Think I that Western Ithaca's terrene
I st^nd upon, but on some other land 515
My fuot have placed : nay, and I tliink that thou
In all that thou hast said, thy tale hast told
But to beguile me, and \tpon my sense
A cheat impose I In all good faith declare
If unto my lov'd country I am coma" 520
Wliereto the blue-eyed goddess thus replied :
" On this sumiLse thy mind incessant dweUs,
And, therefore, in thy heaviness of heart
I cannot thee abandon ; — for that thou
A fluent speaker art, — of mind acute, 525
And in thy judgment sound From wand'rtngs wide
As thine have been with an exulting heart
Returning, any other man liis wife
And childi'en, his palatial halls within,
Would fain have stiiv'ii to see : But, no delight 53?
Would home to tliee impart, if thou thyself
Should'st there take cognizance, or question ask.
Ere by some test thy consort thou approve,
Wlio purposeless within thy palace sits,
WhCe nights and days revolving fast consume 53^
And leave her to hor soitow. I, indeed.
On thy account misgivings cherish'd none.
Book Xin.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
19
But deep conviction felt tlmt thy return,
Though all thy crew were lost, thou would'st effect.
Bat, with my uncle Neptune was I loth 540
Herein to strive, whose wrath implacable
A^inst thee raged, for that thy deed it was
Which blinded liis lov'd son. But, now, attend,
And to thine eyes the sight of Ithaca
Will I make known, and thou wilt then believe. 545
The port thou see'st, the name of Phorcys bcare
(The old man of the sea ;) the olive, this —
■VNTiich near the haven's entrance its large leaves
Conspicuous shows ; and near it is a cave
Delectable, cool, shady — to those nymphs 550
Call'd ' Naiads * consecrate. The wide arch'd grot
Is this where thou didst many a hecatomb
All perfect to the Nymphs on altars place :
And yonder is Mount Neritos with woods
Umbrageous cloth'd." The goddess, as these words 555
She ended, all that vapour which, till now,
Had like a cloud invested him, dispers'd,
And all the ground lay manifest ; wliereat
The toil-worn chief Ulysses with great joy
Rejoic'd indeed — as his paternal soil 560
With rapture he now hail'd, and on the swade
Of plenty-yielding grass a kiss impress'd.
And instantly he with uplifted hands
The Nymphs invok'd : —
" Naiad Nymphs, of Jove
The daughters all ! No hopes had I conceiVd 565
Of ever thus beholding you : — but now
With humble vows these salutations glad
c 2
20 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XHL
I here present ; and, as of old, will gifts
As off'rings bring, if Dian, child of Jove,
The huntress, her consent with all good will 570
Shall grant, that I may length of days enjoy,
And my lov'd son, too, may his line increase."
Minerva, goddess of the gleaming eye.
Now again spoke : — " Let not thy courage droop :
Nor let these thoughts of thine thy mind perplex ! 575
Come ! — let us now at once in the far depth
Of this unearthly grotto all the bulk
Of thine acquirM treasure safely stow.
That here it may uninjur'd rest : and then
That we in conf'rence may due counsel take, 580
How best to do what must ere long be done."
Thus having spoken, to the darkling cave
The goddess downward stepp'd, and secret nooks
Fit for concealment sought ; and in his hands
Ulysses all that round him lay uprais'd 585
To carry in — the gold and unworn bi-ass
And vestments of make exquisite, — the gifts
Of the Fhseacians' bounty : and all these
He aptly rang'd, till Pallas, child of Jove,
A stone to close it placed against the door. 590
Then near the sacred olive's roots their seat
For converse having chosen, — a dread doom
That haughty suitor train to overwhelm
They fail'd not to prepare. And hereupon
The goddess this address, as counsel, spoke : 595
" thou, in stratagem and plot so vers'd
Book XIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^1
Laertes' Jove-bom son, Ulysses, hear !
^H
And ponder well how thou upon that crowd
^^1
Of daring suitors thine avenging hand
^^H
At length may 'at lay ; — on them who through three
^^^H
With sway presumptuous have thy pahice nil'd,
6oi ^^^H
Thy godlike consort with their hateful suit
^^^^1
And gifts of dowry harassing, while she,
^^H
In sorrow brooding on the heavy doubts
^^1
Of thy return, to each a hope holds out
^^H
And promises and messages to all
^^B
Vouchsafes to send ; but far away from these
^^H
The thoughta of thy Penelope withdraw."
^H
^^^ To this the shrewd Ulysses thus replied —
^H
H " Shame on it ! T, too, clearly, in my turn
6io ^^H
H In my own palace should the death have died.
^^H
H And the dire fate of Agamemnon, son
^^H
H Of Atreus, shar'd, had not thy warning words,
^^B
■ goddess : told these truths. Now let thy mind
^1
■ The plot contrive which on that hateful crew
6is ■
H May all my vengeance wreak — and then do thou
^^H
H Thyself beside me stand, and in my soul
^^H
H Such daimtless valour rouse as in me wrought
^^H
H When we the crested pride of Uion's tow'ra
^^H
^^B Cast down in overthrow. If, in that hour,
620 ^^H
^^H 0, azure-eyed ! thou would'st but at my side
_^^l
H Thy presence grant, I, with three hundred men,
^^^1
H By thy prompt succour champion'd to the fight,
^^H
H While thou stood'st by, in conflict would engage."
^H
H Pallas thus promptly answer'd " At thy side
625 ■
^^^ Most surely will I stand, nor my regards
]
22
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIII.
Shalt thou escape, when our coiubin'd designs
We shall have well matur'd : and many a one
Among that suitor train who at this hour
Thy substance are consuming, with his blood 630
And seatter'd brains shall in thy princely halls
The spacious pavemeut foul : But, now, awhile.
To all that see thee wUl I make thee strange :
Tliy clear fine skin on tott'ring limbs shall stirink, —
That dark brown hair from off thine head shall fall, — 635
And sucli a mantle will I round thee throw
As any man, that saw it worn, would spuni.
And a ilim shadiuess upon thine eyes.
So brilliant now, will I diffuse, whereby
In sight of all the suitors^-of thy wife — 640
And son, — whom in thy palace thou hast left,
Au aspect uninviting thou may'st wear.
But, first do thou the Swineherd's dwelling seek.
The keeper of thy swine : a man whose heart
In fondness turns to thee — who loves thy son 645
And thy discreet Penelope. With his swine
Wilt thuu upon him light ; for near the rock
Of Corax and at Ai-ethusa's fount
Are they now grazing, acorns for their food
That nourish strength collecting, while from pools 650
Py mire detil'd they drink: — those aliments
Which in such herds the thriving fat increase.
With him abide, and at his side the tale
Of all he knoweth, hear : WTiile I my course
To Sparta, (for its beauteous women fam'd) 65 j
Weanwhile nmst shape, — Telc.niachus, (that son
So dear to thee, Ulysses !) to protect.
He to wide Lucedaemon's court, the home
Uous XI 11.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Of Menelaus, went ; if haply there
He tidings aught might gain uf thee, aud learu
If anywhere ou earth thou still surviv'dst."
23
660
To this Ulysses, full of thought, replied : —
" Omniscient as thou art, why didst thou uot
His mind liereon inform ? To this intent
Was it, that o'er the waters of that sea
Which harvests never yield, a wanderer
He might be ever sorrowing ? and foes
His substance waste at home?"
665
To which appeal
The blue-eyed goddess thus : — " Let not thy sou
Thy thoughts o'crmuch engross : 'twas I myself 670
That into Sparta led him, there to win
A name of high repute ; — no toil hatli he
To strive in there ; — for, at Atrides' court
In perfect ease he lives, and in that home
Is plenty heap'd around him. But, a band 675
Of certain youths there ai-e who, in a nook
Conceal' d, on shipboard wait for Idm, — intent
His life to take ere on his native soil
Again he sets his foot. But this^ methinks,
Shall never be. — On some one of that crowd 680
^\^lo at this moment all thy worldly wealth
Are reckless wasting, sooner shall the earth
For ever close." As thus she ceas'd to speak,
Minerva with a wand Ulysses touch'd.
And his clear skin contracted upon limbs 685
That now were bending, and the dai-k brown hair
She from his scalp rciiiov'd, and all his frame
24 HOMER'S ODTSSET. [Book Xin.
With the skin cover'd of decrepit age :
His eyes, till then so radiant, she dimm'd ;
Unsightliness stUl worse, — a ragged vest, 690
And a torn mantle with unseemly dirt
And murky smoke defil'd she round him threw :
On this again the broad and undress'd hide
Of a fleet deer she plac'd : a staff, besides,
She gave him, and a pouch of ugliest make, 695
With many a rent conspicuous ; and a belt
Of plaited rush, to sling it, from it hung.
When they, the goddess and the chief, had thus
Their counsels blent, they parted : — and forthwith
Minerva, young Telemachus to find.
Her way to glorious Lacedsemon sped. 701
VSO OF THE THIRTEENTH BOOK.
^^ Book XIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. SS ^^H
^^^^ BOOK ^^H
H l-i^"^' *^™°^ *''*^ haven by a rough straight path ^^^|
H Which through the mountain thickets into tracts ^^^^|
H. Of sylvan growth and forest rogions led, ^^^H
H Ulysses bent his steps, by Pallas' self ^^^H
H Instructed where that noble higli-soul'd one 5 ^^^H
H Eumffius, in whose charge were left his swine, — ^^^H
^1 (Of all his serving train most sedulous ^^^H
^^^ And for his good most thoughtful — ) would be found. ^^^|
^^^ Seated he found him in that open court ^^^H
H Where, on a far-seen site, liis homestead rose — to ^^^H
H A dwelling large and handsome, and so rear'd ^^^H
^^^ That one a circuit might around it make ; ^^^H
^^H And this the guardian of the herd himself ^^^H
^^^ Had, in his prince's absence, for the swine ^^^^|
^1 Consid'ratc built, when nor Penelope 1 5 ^^^^|
^^^ Nor aged Laertes of that forethought knew. ^^^H
^^B From lai^ge stones thither dmwu the fabric rose, ^^^H
^m And prickly pear above, as coping, bore. ^^^H
H A pali.sade around, thickset and close, ^^^H
H From the dark pith of some oak sapling riv'n, 20 ^^^H
^^^ Without he fix'd : And, this wide court within ^^^H
86
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIV.
Twelve styes he built, each to the other close.
The hei-ds' retreat for sleep ; and ev'ry sty
Its fifty sows (that in the mire itself
Delight to couch) coutain'd ; — the females, they,
For breeding kept : but — a far smaller herd, —
Beyond tli' enclosure lodg'd, slept all the males :
Fewer, indeed ; for those the despot throng
Of suitors, as they ate, made less and less ;
Tlie swineherd ever out of that sleek stock
The fat and best surreiid'ring : — Yet, of these
Three hundred and thrice twenty number'd he.
Hereto contiguous statiou'd slept four dogs.
The aspect bearing of wild savage beasts.
But, by Eiuufeus bred.
2S
30
Now, he, himself, 35
(An ox-hide meaauring out, of beauteous tint,)
A sandal fr^om the cuttings aptly form'd
To either foot was shaping : Other hands,
His helpers, each with sep'rate duties charg'd,
Had forward gone : — three with the grazing swiue ; 40
The fourth into the city sent, — a sow
For the presumptuous suitors, by constraint,
There to deliver ; that in sacrifice
They to their full content on flesh might feast
But, suddenly, as, ever on the bark, 45
Those dogs Ulysses saw, with outcry loud
They tow'i'ds him rush'd ; but, he, with wary thought,
At once sate down, and from his hand let fall
The staff he held : yet, still, might he some harm
"Which ill would have beseem'd him, even here 50
Have thus encounter'd, — hero, in his own folds !
Book XIV.]
HOMER'S ODYISSKY.
87
Had not Eunieeus with swift-flyiug feet
Through the porch entry rush'd, and on his Prince
Immediate follow'd, aa the bullock's hide,
Whereon at work he sate, fell from his hands. 55
Then, all his dogs rebuking, he mth throw
Most lavish of loose stones the brutes beat ofif.
In various roads dispersing them ; and then
The prince he thus address'd : — " ag^d man !
With such a sudden onset those four dogs 60
Had well nigh kilt'd thee ; and upljraidings stern
Hadst thou upon me heap'd : although the gods
Have other griefs and pangs into my lot
Already cast ; for, here hold I my seat,
A godlike prince's fate to wail and mourn, 65
And these sleek lierds' condition to maintain
For strangers to devour ; while, haply, he
A mere subsistence craving among tribes
And towns of alien race is roaming far —
If he, indeed, as yet survives, the light JO
Of day beholding ! But, come, follow me,
And to my herdsman's cot repair, old man !
That there, with ample meat and wine content,
Thy tale thou may'st naiTate, from whence thou cam'st.
And all the sorrows of the past detail." 75
Thus speaking, the good swineherd to his cot
The pathway took, and when he now M'ithin
His stranger guest had led, he bade him sit,
And 'neatli him certain cuttings from the shrubs
In order rang'd, and over these the skin
Of a wild shaggy goat ; a coiich to form
In breadth and depth capacious, And at heart
80
28
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XTV.
Ulysses joy'd, for that his swineherd tlxus
With welcome had receiv'd liim, and these words
Hereat he spoke : " Stranger ! May great Jove
And all th' immortal gods the dearest wish
Accord tliee ol' thy heart ; for tlmt thou hast
This coi'ilial welcome granted nie." Whereto
Eumaeus, in these words replying, spake : —
85
" stranger ! 'Twcre a wrongful act of mine, go
Ev'n should a wretch more hapless than thyself
Before me come, on such a stranger's claim
To cast contempt : for ev'ry one Unknown
And ev'iy Mendicant from Jove Himself
His claim prefers. But, snaall indeed though kind 95
Are our donations all ; as is the wont
Of serving men who in misgivings live
Continual, when young masters rule supreme.
For, of a truth, the gods have the return
Of him long thwarted, who with warm regard lOO
Once favour'd me, and with substantial gifts
Ere now would have endow'd me ; such, indeed.
As a good master to the servant gives
Who hath long serv'd him, (and upon whose toil
God from on high hath kindly increase giv'n) 105
A dwelling of his own, — a plot of land —
And such a wife as many a one would woo :
Not but that here the work on which my day
Of life is spent augments alike and thrives.
Thus, had he here grown old, — my master, too, 1 10
My lot would have enrich'd. But, he is gone !
And truly might I wish that Helen's race
Had all and utterly extinct become,
Book XIV.] HOMER'S 0D7SSET.
^^1
Wlio multitudes of men to death conaign'd :
^H
For, he, too, for king Agamemnon's fame
lis ^^1
To Ilion went, — that stud of matchless steeds —
^^H
To War's encounter with the hosts of Troy."
^1
Thus having spoken, he his swineherd's cloak
^1
In haste about him girt, and to the styes
^^H
With hunying steps betook him, where the young
I20 ^^^1
Of all the sows were litter'd, and herefrom
^^H
Having two chosen, to his cot he led,
^^^
And there, as sacrifices, slaixghter'd both.
^^H
Then, having scalded and iu portions carv'd,
^^1
On spits he fix'd them : and, when all was roast.
125 ^H
Hot from the spits he carried ev'ry piece
^^1
And by Ulysses placed it. Then, white meal
^^^H
Upon the flesh he strcVd, and in a cup
^^^H
Of ivy-wood the racy wine he mix'd.
^^1
And face to face before the Chieftain sate.
130 ^^1
With this address exliorting him : — " Eat, now,
^^1
Sti-anger, of the swine which we in store
^^^H
For all the household at the Palace keep ;
^^^H
But, on the fatten'd swine the suitors feast.
^^^H
Wlio neither for that future which their deeds
135 ^^^1
Must in due time avenge, or for the claims
^^1
Of pity take one thought. The blessed gods
^^1
No favoiu- to flagitious- acts concede;
^^H
But to all houfiiir, rectitude, and deeds
^^1
Tliat piety in mortal men bespeak :
140 ^^^1
EVn open enemies and men of wills
^^H
Implacable, who on some alien coast
^^1
Invaders land, and »mto whom great Jove
l^^l
Hath spoil therefrom allotted, and who thus
1
30
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Ik>OK XIV.
Their ships liave laded, and each homeward turn'd, 145
Ev'n among these, I say, a certain sense
Of retribution that shall come, prevails,
And no light dread withal. Now, even these,
These .suitoi'S, have some inkling gain'd, or voice
Of some god heard, as to my master's fate 1 50
And piteous end ; for, with no upright suit
Woo they my mistress ; neither to their homes
Consent they to return ; but, unrestraiu'd,
With despot insolence my master's stores
And worldly means they ravage and consume, 155
And all is reckless, unreflecting waste !
Let pass what number may of nights and days
(By Jove's permission ending and begun),
One victim, (nay, nor two) will not suffice
For them as slaughter'd victims to destroy : — 1 60
And, for Ids wine — ^to never ceasing loss,
By rude and careless drawing of it off.
They subject it. And, yet, his means of life
Enormous were. No hero of them all.
Whether of dark Epirus, nr the isle 165
Of Ithaca itself such treasure hath.
Not twice ten owners with their blended all
Such affluence can boast ; but, to thine ear
Will I the sum detail : — Upon main land
Twelve herds he hath ; Of sheep, as many flocks : 1 70
Of swine, the same : And strangers in his pay.
And shepherds, a like multitude of goats
In pasture tend. Eleven of these flocks.
Each very large, upon the point extreme
Of grazing land are fed ; and worthy men 175
Are they who overlook them : day by day
Book XIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. 31
Eacli homeward brings a goat, whichever seems
In all those herds best fatten'd. But, these swine
Watch I and tend myself: and, of the best
Selection making, to that suitor train 1 80
I send it straight"
Ev'n thus Eumaeus spake,
And rav'nously did Ulysses of the meat
Before him eat, and with a vehement draught
Drank down the proffer'd wine, but mute remain'd.
And in the deep recesses of his soul 185
A scheme of vengeance fram'd which on the crowd
Of suitors should ahght. But, when his meal
Euraffius had now ended, and his strength
With food refresh'd, he, when the selfsame cup
From which he drank was to the brim re-fiU'd, 190
The wine to his guest proffer'd, who witli joy
The draught accepted, and with rapid words
His host address'd : " My friend ! who is the lord
In wealth and influence eminent who thus,
As thou the tale recoimtest, hath thyself 19S
With his dominions piirchas'd ? This thou saidst,
That in king Agamemnon's glory's cause
He lost his life : Now, tell me — for the chance
Of my this man already having known
Whom thou thus sett'st before me. Haply Jove 200
And all tlie other gods this full well know
That if I have beheld him I couUl now
Some tidings give thee of him ; for, in climes
Unnimiber'd have my lengthaome wand'rings been."
To this the swinelierd, instant in reply,
205
32
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIV.
These words return'd : " Old man ! In vain would one
WTio after world-wide roaming should arrive
With tidings of our prince, his wife or son
Endeavour to convince. Mere loiterers
That in sheer want of victual vagrant stroll, 2lo~
Yet to he messengers of truth disdain,
To lies at random fain would utt'ranee give :
Of these, whoever, having long time rov'd.
Among tlie folk of Ithaca sets foot
Forthwith my mistress seeks, and in her ear 2 1 5
Some fresh imposture mutters : Wliereat she
With kindly welcome greets him, and the whole
Of this deliver'd narrative perpends,
Till from her flooding eyes the teardrops fall,
As of that woman's life a usage is
Whose husband in a distant land has fall'n.
Nay, haply, even thou thyself, old man I
Some tale would'st forge, if any for thy wear
A cloak would give thee and close fitting vest !
But, no : the dogs and many a swift-wing 'd bird
Have but too surely from his body's bones
Their cov 'ring torn ; and life hath fled from him !
Or, fishes have his carcase in the sea,
May be, devom'd ; — and his denuded frame
In mounds of sand envelop'd lies on shore.
Tlius, far from hence hath he to fate succumb'd ;
And heavy woe is in the future stor'd
For all who love him ; above all, for me :
For, never more, wherever I may turn.
Shall I another master, so benign.
So gentle, find '. no, not if to the house
My steps I were to bend where in this world
Book XIV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
33
I first (Irew \-ital breath, and where stall dwell
My father aud my mother, whose joint care
My nourishment supplied : not that for these 240
Such deep regret I cherish, although fain
Would I once more on my parental soil
Gaze with these eyes upon them : but the grief
With wliich the lost Ulysses I deplore
Fills my whole heart. And though here, on this spot, 245
He standeth not, Stranger ! a deep sense
Of reverential homage o'er me comes
While I his name pronounce : for wondrous love
He bore me ever, and in all his thoughts
My welfare he perpended ; for wMch cause, 250
However distant be our sep'rate lots,
' My elder brother ' I Ulysses call ! "
To this the noble, long-enduring Chief,
Ulysses, thus replied : — " My friend ! since thou
With utter unbelief my speech receiv'st — 255
Since not a single thought thou cherishest
That this return shall ever be, — and faith
Thy mind herein hath none, — not only this
Will I declare, but with an oath affirm.
That on his way Ulysses hither speeds : 260
And my good tidings do thou thus requite —
When once again within his own good liouse
He shall set foot, do thou, in that same hour,
Becoming raiment round mo throw ; — a cloak
And vest withal : But, not ere this shall be 265
Will I, however urgent be my need.
Such garb accept ; for, he who to his want
Succumbing would the speech of guile employ
VOL. 11. D
34 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Boor XIV.
By me is loath'd as I the portals would
Of Hell itself detest. But, now, may Jove 270
Of Gods supreme bear witness, — and the board
Of this thy hospitality, and the hearth
Of unimpeach'd Ulj'sses, upon which
I here am standing — of a surety all.
As I am now to thee declaring it, 275 '
Shall come to pass : aye, in this very year
Ulysses will return ! This month will end, —
The next will open on us, and his home
Shall he then repossess, and full revenge
On that man wreak whoever in this land 280
Would contumely upon his consort fling,
Or on his honour'd son."
To all which words
Didst thou, Eumseus, this rejoinder make :—
" Old man ! for all such welcome tidings ne'er
Shall I the recompense thou namest pay : 285
Ne'er to his home Ulysses cometh more !
Drink on, and let our converse upon themes
From this far diff 'rent dwell ; and to my mind
Becall the past no more : for, all my heart
Within me 'gins to sorrow, speak who will 290
Of my much-honour'd prince. The oath thou nam'st
We will abandon. Let Ulysses come
As 'tis my wish he may ; aye, and the wish
Of his Penelope, his agM sire
Laertes, and high-soul'd Telemachus. 295
And now for him, anew, (the only son
Ulysses hath,) my heart is deeply grieVd :
For, like some tender scion did the gods
Book XIV.]
HOMERS ODYSSEY.
S6
That ofifspring cherish ! And my speech it waa
That, noble as he show'd, in mind and parts 300
No less endow'd than his lov'd father was,
Would he among his fellownieu be found.
But, some immortal god, or .some mere man.
His steadfast mind has driv'n distract, for now
Is he to holy Pylos Island gone 305
Fresh tidings of his father's fate to seek ;
And those presumptuous suitors in some coign
Of secret watch are lurking, on his life
Intent, as he shidl homeward bend his course ;
And this, that all the great Arcesian race 3 10
And ev'n the name thereof from this our isle
Of Ithaca may ever be cut off.
But, let this pass ; and speak no more of him,
A captive or far fugitive. May Jove,
The son of Saturn, his protecting hand 315
Above him deign t' extend I But, come, old man !
The tale of thine ovm suff'rings let me hear :
In all good faith inform me, that the truth
I thus may learn ; ^Vho art thou ? From what race
Of men descended 1 Wiere, upon this earth, 320
Standeth thy native city ? Where are those
To whom thy birth thou owest? In what sort
Of vessel cam'st thou hither? And, her crew?
How did they to this coast of Ithaca
Thy way effect? Their designation, what ? 325
For, ne'er, methinks, this spot thou gain'dst on foot."
To this acute Ulysses thus replied : —
" Then, with account concise will I all this
To thee detaiL But, were there at command
36
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIV-
Such ample store of food and gen'rous wine 330
As might us two for yet long time to come
Here in this cot of thine suffice to feed,
And each day's leisurely repast afford
While those around their sev'ral tasks should ply,
I should not even then my tale conclude ; 335
No, not if the revolving year pass'd by
Wliile I on my afflictions dwelt, and all
Which by divine decree I bad to brook.
" My lineage from the tiibes of spacious Crete
I rightly trace, where of a -wealthy man 340
I was the son : though many another youth
Was in his palace born and bred, the sons
Of hLs own wedded wife ; but to myself
A concubine gave birth ; one who the place
Of mother by ray father's pui-chase fill'd. 345
Castor Hylaeides, from whom I sprang.
In like regard upheld me with his sons
Of lawful issue : he, liimself, by all
Among the Cretans, like some god, esteem'd.
So flourishing his fortunes were, — so rich 350
Was all his state, — so noble were his sons !
Still did Death's doom to Pinto's realms my sire
At length consign ; and his high-spirited sons
His wealth between them parted, and their shares
By lot deterrain'd; but, to me, indeed, 355
But little, save a house, apportion'd they.
Still, on the strength of my acknowledg'd worth,
A wife I wedded, such as wealth}' men
Might well have chosen ; for no empty pride
Did I display, nor in the time of war 360
Book XIV,]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
87
Did I a recreant prove. But, all this, now
Availetb uie no longer : still, methinks,
Thou in the standing stubble wilt discern
All that the plant hath been. Distress extreme
Hath fixt its hold on me ; yet, time hath been 365
When Mars and Pallas all my spirit rous'd
To val'rous daring ; prowess wliich through ranks
Resistless rush'd, when from my troop the best
Of gallant soldiers I had draughted off
From some close covert to waylay our foe 370
And sore defeat inflict on him. My thoughts
Would never then before my eyes bring death,
But evermore the foremost, spear in baud.
Upon the hostile front to throw myself.
Each foe, as I displaced him, I destroy'd. 375
" Such was I on the field of fight : Field-work
Had never charm for me ; nor, indoor life —
Though oft it proves the nursery of the great.
My heart was ever in the best-oar'd ships —
In warlike expeditions, and in spears 380
Of brilliant finish, darts, and implements
Of baneful use, from which the gen'ral mind
Revolted turns away. But, in muie eyes
These most delectable appear'd, and these
The Deity himself was evermore 385
To my young mind presenting. One man this
For liis life's enei^es, another that
With ardour chooses. Ere the sons of Greece
With hostile expedition sail'd for Troy,
Nine times had I o'er troops and gallant fleets 390
The chief command 'gainst alien armies held.
38 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIV.
And all success attended ma Herefrom
'Twas mine to choose the spoil that I prefen-'d.
And much did I thereafter gain by lot.
Thus speedily my house began to thrive, 395
And I soon rose to greatness, and the show
Of homage 'mid the Cretans I receiv'd.
But, when far-seeing Jove his will had bent
On that abhorr'd invasion which the thews
And sinews of so many hath destroy'd, 400
The charge on me was laid and on that chief
Renown'd Idomeneus to head the fleet
Then bound for Troy : and no device avail'd
This service to evade ; the popular voice
At that time domineering. Nine long years 405
We sons of Greece were battling. In the tenth.
When Priam's city was in ruins laid.
We homeward with our ships set sail ; but God
The Greeks on ocean scatter'd ; and on me
The all-wise Jove a grievous fate impos'd : 410
For, but for one brief month the joy I felt
Of my dear parents' love ; — the converse shar'd
Of her whom in her youth I made my wife ;
And on my gains subsisted. Then, my thoughts
A voyage prompted to th' Egyptian coast 415
With weU-trimm'd ships and comrades brave to sail.
And nine ships fitted I, and with all speed
Were aU their crews assembled ; and six days
These comrades of my choice to feasting gave :
For many slaughter'd beasts into their hands 420
Deliver'd I, as ofiTrings to the gods
And for their festive board. But, on the sev'nth
Crete's ample territory having left
Book XIV.]
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
39
With a biisk Northern wind, right fair, we sail'd.
As lightly, too, as if the ocean tide
Were vnih. us flowing ; nor, indeed, did one
Of all my ships a hurt sustain ; but there
Unhann'd we lay, and from all sickness free,
Tlie Avind, alone, and steersmen guiding ua.
425
" On the fifth day at that fair-flowing land 430
Of Egypt we aniv'd, and all my fleet
In great -iEgyptus' river-sti-eam I moor'd,
And on my lov'd associates laid command
Close by their fleet to tarry, and each ship
To haul ashore : fit sentries, too, I placed 435
On certain points their watch to hold : But they
To restive impulse yielding, and the bent
Of their own wiU enforcing, in brief space
The loveliest fields of the Eg}-ptians spoil'd,
Their wives and tender infants carried off 440
And massacred : and quickly did the cry
Of suff'ring reach the city, whence the crowd,
By screams arous'd, at early mom rush'd forth
TiU all the fields ai-omid with troops of hoi-so
And infautrj' and bright brass panoply 445
Were overspread ; and then did Jove, whose might
In thunderbolts rejoiceth, craven fear
In all njy comrades waken, nor did one
The risen adversary dare to face,
Beset as from all quarters all our band 450
That moment were with peril and dwniay.
There with keen sword-blade many of our crews
Did Egypt's hosts hew down ; and some alive
They captive took, and to forc'd toil condenm'd.
40
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIV.
But, Jove, at length, this project in my mind 455
Began to raise ; — (but, would that on that spot
I, too, my death bad met, and in tlie land
Of Egj'pt cloa'd my fate ! for, even then,
Fresh sufferings awaited mo) — my casque
From off my head I took, and from my arm 460
My buckler disengag'd, and from my hand
My spear cast down, and right before the steeds
Of the king's chariot rusliing, on hia knees
I threw myself and kiss'd them : whereupon
My rescue he effectfd, and the sense
Of pity show'd, and having by his side
"Within hia chariot placed me, homeward turn'd
And thither led me all in tears suffus'd.
Ev'n as we went, full many a hostile aim
The ashen-shafted spear against me rais'd — 470
Exasp'rate as tliey were ; ami on my life
Intent they rush'd upon me, but their king
The death-stroke parried, while the wTath of Jove
(Protector of the friendless) he rever'd —
That god whose anger from aU wrongful acts 475
Above all else revolts.
For many years
I there abode, and among Egyjit's tribes
No slender wealth amass'd ; for none were slow
In the bestowal of their gifts. But when
The eighth year's course began, a certain man,
Phoenician born, before me came ; in wiles
Deep skill'd, a greedy knave, whose art
Abundant mischief among men had WTOught,
And now by sluewdneas overcoming me
480
Book XIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
From I^ypt's shores withdrew rae, and at length 485
Phceiiicia reach 'd where his domestic hearth
And all his substance lay. With hini a year
Entire I liv'd ; but, M-hen the months and days
Their course had run, and the revolving year
A new career began, and, in their turn, 490
The seasons reappear'd, my passage he
In a sea-going bark to Libya bound
"Would fain suggest, that I with him for sale
A cargo might convey : whereas, the scheme
Was but one hollow trick, whereby myself 495
He might on board that ship to Libya bear
And into slav'ry at huge profit sell !
" In that same ship I aail'd with him, although •
My mind was then misgiving me. Her course
Before a brisk and fair North wind she kept 500
Till midway passage beyond Crete we reach'd :
And then ilid Jove their final doom decree : —
For, when we now had left the isle, and land
No longer, but the sky and sea
Alone to eyes were visible, the son 505
Of Saturn a grey cloud above the ship
In air o'erhung, beneath whose gloom, the sea
In darkness lay, Jove, with continual crash
Thunder'd on high, and on that merchant-ship
A bolt of light'ning hurl'd, and halfway round 5 10
By Jove's flash stnick she reel'd, and with the fume
Of sulphur instant fiU'd ; and ev'ry man
From off her deck into the billows dropp'd.
Like sea-birds on the wave around the hull
There were they toss'd ; but all return to them 515
42
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIV.
The god denied^ yet right into my grasp.
In all the anguish of my niiud, did Jove
The yet unshiver'd floating mast direct
Tliat I might yet be eav'd ! Here holding fast,
O'er the great deep by the death-dealing winds 520
"Was I transported. Tor nine days I thus
O'er billows drove, but in the tenth dark night
A huge convolving wave roll'd drifting ou
To th' shore of the Thesprotians. There the king,
The hero Pheidon, the entire free gift 525
Of welcome on me lavish'd ; for, his son,
As drawing nigh he found lue by the cold
And struggling quite o'ercouie, with aiding hand
Upi-ais'd me, and my leading guide became
Until the mansion of his sire he reach'd. 530
And there for raiment be around me threw
A mantle and a vest. And in this home
I mention of Ulysses heanl : for he,
Pheidon, affirm'd that he Ms host had been
And a warm welcome on the guest bestow'd 535
To his own land returniug. Hereupon
The treasure heap he show'd me, — bra-ss and gold
And polisli'd steel which, gath'riug for his own,
Ulysses had amass'd : and any home
To the tenth generation might that wealth 540
Have well maintain'd ; such store of it there lay
In the king's palace hoarded. But that chief,
He said, was to Dodona gone, advice
Celestial to solicit firom the Oak
Of Jove, whose top in crested foliage tow'rs, 545
His voyage to direct, as now again.
By pubUc entry or by screen'd approach.
Book XIV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
The wealthy citizens of Ithaca,
So long time exil'd, he would fain rejoin.
49
"Then, on his hearth libation having made, 550
He, on an oath, assur'd me tliat the ship
Was from the shore thrust Ibrth, and aO its crew
To prompt attendance held who should the Chief
Conduct to his lov'd fatherlnnd. But me
He first despatch'd ; for a Thespi"otian keel 555
By chance was to Dulichium bound, the land
In whcaten crops abounding : and command
To that ship's crew he gave with escort prompt
To lead me to the king Acastus' coui-t
But, that to all past soiTows some fresh source 560
Of sufTring might be added, a base plot
These men's minds enter 'd thus to deal with me ; —
As soon afi our sea-going ship a point
From land remote had reach'd, that instant they
To-days of Slav'ry doom'd me. Upon this, 565
My mantle and my vest — my raiment aU —
They took from me, and round my body flung
In Ueu thereof these tatters and this strip
Of merest rags which thou with thine own eyes
Art at this moment gazing on. That night 570
Off the till'd lands of Western Ithaca
They laid their ship, in which, with a stout rope,
They tightly bound me down, and then to shore
Betook themselves, and in all haste a meal
Upon the shingle ate. But gods they were 575
Who without effort all my fetters loos'd ;
And then when I a strip about my brows
In folds had bound, through the smooth rudder's length
44
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIV.
I glided down, and to the briuy flood
My breast committed, and with outstretcb'd hands 5S0
The waters cleft, and swam ; and in brief space
The station I had quitted — from their place
Of landing now far distant ; But my steps
Into the copse of a free blossoming wood
Upled me, where, upon my breast laid flat, 585
Awhile I paus'd ; they, all the time, with moans
Their loss bewailing, though no good they judg'd
From further search could come : whereat again
On board they went. But, without effort made,
The gods thus screen'd me, and, from that retreat 590
Down guiding me, my steps have thus far led
That to this shelt'ring station I might come.
And reach a wise and xmderstandiug man : —
For, Fate so wills it, — I am atUl to live 1 "
To this, Eumaens, did'st thou thus reply : — 595
" Most hapless of all strangers ! In my mind
Strong feelings hast thou rous'd, while thou thy tale
Hast at such length naiTated : Such distress
Hast thou endur'd I Thy wanderings so long !
But, still, methinks, the statements thou hast made 600
Cohere not weU ; no, nor \vill all thou say's!
Of great Ulysses' fate my mind con\ancc.
Becomes it thee, considering who thou art.
To apeak thus recklessly, and idly lie ?
As to my prince's safe return, of this 605
I fully conscious am that lie the hate
Of aU the gods incuiT'd, for that they fail'd
To bow his spirit among Trojan foes
Or by the hands of traitor friends, when he
Book XIV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
45
I
I
I
Alone wound up the heavy task of War. 6io
Then would all CJreece have rear'd on high hia tomb,
And glorious fame had he acluev'd ; — renown
That to hia son in ages yet unborn
Should have descended. But, by Harpies, now,
Of all the honour ^v^ong'd that should be his, 615
Hath he been torn away. Myself, indeed,
From men withdrawn, among these swine abide j
Nor ever to the city visit make
Save when discreet Penelope, as news
From any quarter reaches her, may chance 620
To urge my going. But, the crowds that throng
His palace-courts continual question ask —
Both they who our long-exil'd prince lament.
And they whose hearts e.xult while all his wealth
(As yet \uu-each'd by vengeance) they conaumc. 625
Yet, for my part, no joy have I deriv'd
From eager seeking and from question ask'd,
From that day forth on which by forg'd report
A native of jEtolia play'd me false,
"Who stated that, upon the death of one 630
By his baud slain, he over many a realm
Had wander'd wide, and thus my dwelling reach' d.
"With sedulous zeal I welcom'd him. He said
He saw Ulysses with Idonicncus
Upon the isle of Crete, where he his ships 635
Shiver 'd by storms was tarrying to refit.
His tale was that Ulysses there declar'd
That, in the summer days or autumn-tide.
With many a gather'd treasure, and with bands
Of noble comrades, home would he return, 640
And now, do thou, old man, in sorrow vers'd t
46 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIV.
For that the deity to this retreat
Thy steps hath led, seek not with feigu'd accounts
To gladden me, nor my belief beguile ;
For, on that ground regard nor welcome none 645
Wilt thou from me e'er win : my sole constraint
Would Jove then be, who round the stranger throws
His guardian care ; and that mere pity's dole
Which, haply, is thy due."
Hereon, the Chief
In many a counsel apt, Ulysses, spoke : — 650
" An unbelieving mind hast thou, indeed !
By no sworn oath have I inveigled thee,
Nor would I sway thee now. But, come, this pact
Let us alternate frame, and may the gods
Th' Olympian realms inhabiting to both 655
Their witness bear ! If to this house of thine
Thy soVreign lord shall come, — then, with a cloak
And vest, as my apparel, to the isle
Dulichium send me (where I fain wotild be) ;
But, if thy prince arrive not, as my words 660
Are now affirming, give thy servants charge
From a steep rock to fling me, that henceforth
Each coming beggar may the deed eschew
Of trying to cajole."
The swineherd thus
In turn rejoin'd : " Stranger ! High renown 665
And worth, indeed, among all men at large
Would in that case be mine to win, in time
Then current, and in years that must ensue —
That I, when underneath this home-stall's roof
Book XIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
I had receiv'il tliee and with welcome hail'd.
Should afterwards a murdVous onslaught make,
And rob thee of thy very life ! How prompt
Should then my deprecating pray'r, if thus
I could transgress, to Saturn's son ascend !
But, lo ! for our repast the time draws iiigh ;
And those who here ray occupations share
"Will speedily come in, that in the cot
They may an ample ev'ning meal prepare."
675
Such intercourse of kindly speech they held.
And now the swine approach 'd, and they, withal, 680
Who fed them, and whose care it was to close
Within their wonted sleeping place the herds.
And such a grunt arose from all those swine
Their styes re-entering as tongue of man
Could ill describe ; but, to his fellow binds 685
Eumteus these few woi-da address 'd : — " The best
Of all those swine bring hither, that the beast
I may in sacrificial slaughter kill,
And to my guest here offer, who from far
A wanderer is coma And we, ourselves, 690
Hereon may well regale, on whom the charge
Of all these white-tusk'd swine hath heavy Iain
And no brief labour cost us ; while there are
Who all the iVuit of our perpetual toil
Are, unrestrain'd, ilevouring." As he spake, 695
With temper'd steel a billet log he clave,
And, presently, the herds a huge fat sow
Of five yeara' growth led in, and on the hearth
At once a standing made for it ; nor then
Of all the rev'rence to the immortals due 700
48
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIV.
Did tliat swineherd (riglit-minJed as he was)
Oblivious prove, but, first fruits offering,
The hair from off the viftim'a head he pluck'd
And to the fire consign'd, and all the gods
In pray'r invok'd that shrewd ITlysses might 705"
His home regain. Then, with the oaken hi-and
Uplifted (which he clave) the sow lie smote,
And life was momently extmct. They next
The throat iucis'd, and all the bristles singed ;
And with all speed tlie carcase was cut np. 710"
The swineheixl then upon the luscious fat
The cruder portions placed, from ev'ry side
Beginning with the limbs : some fragments, too,
Sprinkling with flour he on the embere cast :
The remnants they cut small, and on the spits /is'
Adroitly fix'd and roasted and drew off.
Then upon boards the mass entire they rang'd,
And to his feet Eumajus rose, (whose mind
For all that now was due was taking thought)
The joints and flesh to sever ; and as thus 720"
He cai-viug stood, the wl lole in seven parts
He now apportion'd : one, upon a vow,
He to the Nymphs and Mercury assign'd
The son of Maia ; and to all around
The residue he handed : but his guest 725
Ulysses with the white-tusk'd sow's long chine
He, as of special courtesy, supplied,
And caus'd his princely spirit to rejoice ;
So that from that for ever fertile mind
These thoughts in words found utt'rance; — "May'st thou be
To father Jove as dear as thou by me
Art at this moment held, who all this good
Book XIV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
49
On such a being as in thy regards
I must appear, hast with all rev'rence heap'd !'
But thus didst thou, Eumteus, in few words 735
Make answer : — " Eat I thou guest of mine, whose soul
No earthly spirit testifies ' With all
That now before thee lieth make good cheer !
The deity one boon may grant, and one
Withhold, as to his judgment seemeth best ; 740
For is he not omnipotent 1" He spake ;
And to the gods the primal oft"'rings made,
And, having of the wine libations pour'd,
He in Ulysses' hands, (e'en those of liim
Who many a city had in overthrow 745
Destructive laid,) the brimming goblet plac'd.
And near his poition his own station took.
Then did Mesaulius at that board their bread
To each present, — he whom, of his own thought,
(And to Laertes and the queen unknown) 750
Eumseus, when his prince was far away,
Had as a bondsman taken. His own means
Of certain Taphians bought him. And on all
That on the table spread before them lay
Did they now lay their hand ; but, when no more 755
For wine or viands they began to care,
MesaiUius the feast's remains withdrew ; —
And with abundant bread and tle.sh content
They soon to bed ward hasten'd. But the night
Untoward, with a clouded moon, drew on, 760
And through its darkUng hours downpouring show'rs
From Jove in Heaven fell, and that West wind.
Whose blast the sure precursor proves of rain.
VOL. IL E
60
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIV.
Began to rage ; an J, while it yet blew hanl,
Ulysses ailfd to those around, as though 765
The swineherd he would pittve, and for himself
Eumteus' mantle borrow, — if, indeed,
He would the cov'ring lead, or of some hind
That serv'd him there the like petition make ;
For, with but only a too sedulous zeal 770
The swineherd had befriended him : And thus
Ulysses 'gan to speak : —
" Hear, now, the words,
Eumftns ! and all you who witli him ser\'e !
To which, altliough to vaunt I may appear,
I must give utt'rance ; for that crazing wine
Has set me on, which oft the wisest man
Ei-e now hath stirr'd up into noisy song,
Or into burst of friv'lous laughter thrown.
Nay, even rous'd to dancing, or some speech
Impulsive prompted, which 'twere better far
Had ne'er been utter'd. But, since now at length
This outer}' I have made, what more reraailis
To tell you I withhold not. Would that I
Were still in youthful prime, and that my pow'rs
"Were now as then robust, when 'neath the walls
Of Uion I a secret sally plann'd
And headed, too : ITIysses and the son
Of Atrens, Menelaus, took the lead,
And, as a third, I also held command ;
For this of me they ask'd. And when the town
And its high tow'ring ramparts we had reach'd.
We in dense shrubs around the bulwarks lay,
And among bulrushes and swamps crept close
790
Book XIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
61
Upon our weapons resting, night the while
With dire disasters Iiaving gather'd round, and wind 795
With freezing rigour blowing from the North ;
Snow overhead impending — and a rime
Of cold intense, so that about our shields
The ice encrusted lay. Now, in that band
Each man his mantle and due raiment wore 800
And tranquil slept, and with their bucklers all
Their shoulders had well coverVl. I alone
^Vhen with ray comrades I went forth, no cold
Extreme like this surmising, had my cloak
Unwisely left behind, and on I went 805
With my shield only and a glossy belt
Accoutred ; but, when now the night one third
Had well nigh wasted, and the stars had set,
I to Ulysses spoke, who near me lay,
And with my elbow stirr'd him ; but, his ear 810
Was prompt to hearken, and my words were these : —
" ' thou in counael ever reatly ! Son
Of aged Laertes ! not much longer space
Of time shall I 'mid U%'ing men be found ;
For, tliis chill air is killing me : no cloak
Have I to wear : some god on me this guile
Hath practis'd, that with this sole tunic clad
I here should be : but, help for it ia none !'
I ceas'd to speak ; but, he without demur
On this expedient lighted ; — so alert
Was he at all times to advise or fight !
And in an undertone he thus replied : —
815
820
' • Remain thou mute ; lest any Greek at hand
K 2
52
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIV
Thy voice o'erhear.' So mumuir'd he, and then.
His head upon his elbow resting, thus
Aloud exclaim'd : —
825
' Attend to me, my friends !
A heav'n-scnt dream hath on my slumbers stol'n :
Far are we from our ships : let one of you
To Agamemnon, son of Atreus, speed
(The pastor of his peiople,) that command 830
He may this instant issue for more men
To join us from the fleet.' Such were his words,
And, all alacrity, iVndremon's son,
Thoas, upstarting to his feet, liis cloak
Of purple hue threw down, and to the fleet 835
Began to nm ; and with no little glee
Did I the while, till golden-tlironi^d morn
Again shone forth, within that raiment lie !
Oh 1 that I were this moment young as then !
Would that my vigour were as then robust ! 840
For, then, some herd that in this home-stall serves
His cloak would offer ; for twain reasons, too —
From impulse of mere kindness—, and the sense
Of del'rence owing to the man I am :
But, as it is, while this vile garb around 845
My body hangs, they view me with mere scorn.'
" But, to thi.s speech Eumfcns thus in turn
Eesponsive spake : — ' Old man ! In all thy tale
Thyself art irreproachable, nor word
Of idle import or to right oppos'd
Have thy lips utter'd. For which cause, no vest
Shalt tlimi for this time want, or aught else miss
Book XIV.J UU.MER'S UUY.SHEY.
^^1
Which should the wants of such a suppliant meet.
^H
Wlio iu keen .suir'riugs hatli been tried, and thus
^^^
Eutreaty iimkes ; but, at return of morn.
t^ss ^H
Thou thine own tatters must perforce resume ;
^^H
For, changes num'roiis of such cloaks and clothes
^^1
For men to don we have not ; one alone
^^H
Here have we for each uiati : But. when that son
' ^^1
Whom well Ulysses loveth shall return,
^^1
He, of his own accord, will for thy wear
^^1
A mantle and close-fitting vest bestow,
j^^l
And to such place despatch thee as thy wisli
^^1
May urge thee tiret to visit." With these words
^^H
Eumaius to Ids feet at once upsprang,
865 ^^H
And near the embei*s on the hearth a couch
^^^1
In order rang'd, and hides of sheep and goats
^^^^^^H
Upon it flung : aud there Ulysses lay —
^^^^^^^1
And over him a mantle thick and wide
^^^^^^^H
Tlie swineherd cast, which, should a Hooding rain
8;o ^^^1
Tremendous fall, might timely change supply.
^^H
Thus, in tliat cot Ulysses slept, and near
^1
Slumber'd the youthful herdsmen ; but, no couch
"^^1
From all his herded swine so distant placed
^^1
Eumseus would content ; and, stepping out,
875 ^H
He certain weapons chose, at sight of which
^^H
Ulysses' heart was gladdeu'd, thus to mark
^^H
How, when himself was distant deeui'd, such zeal
^^1
His substance was protecting. A keen blade
^^1
Eumteus round liis brawny shoulders slung.
880 ^^1
And a stout, close, compactly woven cloak
^^1
From the rude blast to screen him, with the wool
^^H
Of a huge, high-fed goat, he round him threw,
I
54 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIV.
And a well sharpen'd lance he grasp'd, from dogs
Or men to hold him harmless. Thus array'd 885
He sallied forth, that where the white-tosk'd swine
Beneath a cavern, — ^from the Northern gale
Securely shelter'd — ^lay, he too might lie. 888
END OP THE POUKTBENTH BOOK.
Book XV.
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
S5
BOOK XV.
TTER way, meanwhile, to Sparta's ample site
Pallas Minerva sped, the noble son
Of great Ulysses to remind ; — to prompt
His voyage home ; and urge a quick return.
And tliere Telemachus ami Nestor's son l
In the gxiest chamlier of the entrance hall
Of Menelaus' home she found recliu'd.
The son of Nestor in repose most sweet
Unconscious lay : no sleep Telemachus,
Tliat night, subdued ; for, through its lieav'n-seut hem's, lo
His anxious luiud with many a heavy thought
His absent father's destiny revolv'd :
And Pallas, as beside his couch she stood.
Thus 'gan to sjieak : — " Telemachus ! No more
Will it avail thee, through so many days 15
From thine own home thus absent, to remain
A wanderer ; — in that palatial house
At once thy treasures leaving, and a crowd
Of proud presumptuous ones ; lest they in lota
That wealth dividing should at length disperse, 20
96
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
And thou a thriftless voyage shalt have made.
Now, with all speed great Menelaiis urge —
(That chief in fight so valiant ! — ) that forthwith
He from this port dispatch thee ; that at home
Thine nnoffending mother thou may'st find: 25
Now that her father and her brothers urge
Her nuptials with Eurymachus, — ev'n him
Who all his rivals in resplendent gifts
Exceeds, and, in those oiTriuga which to brides
AU suitors make, a lavish increase adds. 30
Well may'st thou dread lest from that princely home
Some portion of its wealth, in spite of thee,
Withdrawn should be. Nor unobserv'd of thee
Is this strong impulse in a woman's mind ; —
Her aim it is the house to elevate 35
Of him who shall her consort be ; but, thought
From that time forth for any offspring bom
To her first husband, or for him to whom
Her maiden troth was given — (him now dead — )
She taketh none, nor of his destiny 40
Aught question asketh she ! Go, now, thyself^
And from thy household the most trusty choose.
And all that thou posses-sest to her hands
At once confide ; until before thine eyes
The gods a worthy wife at length shall bring. 45
" But, more than this must I disclose ; and this
Perpend thou well ; — Of all that suitor throng
The leaders at this moment eager watch,
In secret covert to surprise thee, keep,
Twixt Ithaca and rugged Samos' isle.
Upon thy death intent, ere on the soil
50
Rook XV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
bl
Of thy paternal land thou set thy foot :
But, this, methinks, shall never he : The earth
Will sooner certain of those suitors claim
Who all thy means are wasting. From the isle 55
Steer thy good ship aloof; and in the night
Spread thou thy sails, and some inunortal god
(WTioe'er thy champion and deliv'rer be !)
Shall on thy stein propitious breezes waft.
But, when thou first on the Ithacian shore 60
Thy landing shalt accomplish, to the town
Thy ship and all it.s crew with haste dispatch.
And first the Herd seek out who of thy swine
The keeper is ; — wlio with a genial soul
Affecteth thee. Beneath his roof that night 65
Take thou thy rest, and bid him hereupon
The city visit, that Penelope
He may apprize of thee from Pylos' isle
Securely lauded and in safety lodg'd."
Thus having spoken, to Olympus' height Jo
Her course she sped ; but, from his gentle sleep
Telemachus the son of Nestor wak'd,
As with his heel he touch'd him, and these words
In the same moment spake : — " Pisistratus !
Thou son of Nestor, rise ! and, bringing out 75
Thy strong-hoof'd coui-sers, to the chariot's yoke
Attach them that we may our journey speed."
But, unto this Pisistratus, the son
Of Nestor, answer made : — " Telemachus !
However this our journey we may urge, 80
Through the dark night we cannot drive : but, mom
08
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
Will soon be breaking : rest awhile, at least,
Until that hero, on whose spear the fame
Of battle rests, Atrides Menelaus —
Of sundry gifts a donor — shall them aU
Within yon chariot stow, and many a speech
Of cordial kindness adding, shall us both
Upon our journey speed Througliout his liff,
A guest the gen'raus man should keep in mind
Who to his home hath welcom'd him."
85
He spoke, 90
And Morning on her golden throne anew
In light returu'd ; and Menelaus, bold
And brave in fields of fight, was from his couch
And from the fair-hair'd Helen's side uprLs'n,
And now approach'd his guests ; but, when the son 95
Of great Ulysses saw Idui, the brave youth
A glossy tunic with all haste drew on,
And o'er liis manly shoulders a broad cloak
Enfolding, through the chamber-door went forth,
And thus his host address'd : — " O Menelaus ! 100
The son of Atreus ! thou, whom Jove himself
llath cherish'd, — of thy peojile Chieftain nani'd !
Speed me, I pray thee, to that well-lov'd spot.
My fatherland ; for, to regain that home
My heart within me yearns."
To which appeal 105
That valiant warrior Menelaus thus : —
" Telemachus ! a ling'ring space of time
I will not here detain thee, thy return
So ardently desiring. With reproach
Book XV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
99
Should I the host iipbmd wlio to his guests no
A welcome gave, and with extreme regard
One should esteem ; — another fiercely hate !
Those acts which to strict equity conform
Are worthiest ever : and the selfsame wrong
Doth he commit who from his home would drive 1 1 5
The guest who fain would linger there, — ^with him
Who stays the man that on his way would speed.
And graceful is it, on a guest receiv'd
All friendliness to lavish ; — and to one,
Who fain would leave us, with a ready will 120
To proffer means of quitting. But, do thou
With me here tarry until splendid gifts
1 shall have bi'ought, and on the chariot raug'd.
That here thine eyes may view them ; and command
Will I unto our handmaids give, a meal 125
In our palatial hall to spread : so much
As stores mthin, at present, may supply.
It wakens courage and a merry heart,
And a refreshing stay is it, on meats
To sit and feast ere oh a leugthsome route, 130
The bounds of which they know not, trav'Uers start.
But, if through Hellas and the central point
Of Argos thou would'st now thy progress shape,
I will myself thine escort be : my steeds
Shall to their yoke be hai'ness'd. and the homes 135
Of men and cities shall thou look upon,
Not one of whom without a p.iiting gift
Will from their coasts dismiss us, but some pledge
To beai- away will bring, — a tripod, say,
Of brazen work, a cakhou, or two mules, 140
Or a gold cup."
60
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
But, thus, in sage reply,
Telemachus : — " Menelaus ! son
Of Atreus, cherish'd one of Jove himself,
Great leader of thy people ! Fain would I
To my own bouse return ; for, when that home 145
I quitted, no protector left I there
My own to care for, lest, while thus my sire —
That godlike man ! — I seek, myself on deatli.
May be, should rush ; or, treasure of great price
Should, in the palace stolen, from my hands 150
Thus pass away for ever."
But, when this
Brave Menelaus beard, an order prompt
Both to his queen and her attendant tmin
Of handmaids he gave out a feast forthwith
Within the pakce to prejiare, such store 155
Of viands bimying on. iis iu those balls
Uptreasur'd lay : And Etroneus, son
Of aged Boiitheus, from bis sleep arous'd,
(For, at a distance dwelt be not) approach'd
And from bold Menelaus order took 160
To kindle embers and some flesh to roast :
And not unmindful of that strait command
The serving man, as be gave ear, remain'd.
But, to his chambers, where sweet scented fumes
Were all diffus'd, great Menelaus went, 165
Not singly ent'ring there, — for Helen, too,
And Megapenthes at his side stepp'd closa
But when that treasury they reach'd where lay
His boap'd abundance, Atreus' son a cup
Of globous form selected, and his son 170
Book XV.]
HOMEk'S ODYSHEY.
61
Youiig Megapenthes a wrought silver bowl
He bade remove ; and by the coffer's aide
Where all th' embroider'd raiments, (by herself
In beauty work'd,) were lyiug, Helen stood : —
Helen ! of woniankiud most goddess like, 175
One of these garments, which by far the rest
In size surpass'd and in the needle's art,
Uprais'd to view, and brought it forth from where
In the last layer it lay, and like a star
Efl'ulgent gleara'd. And now through all the house 1 80
They took their way, until Telemachus
Without they found, and Menelaus then
The youth address'd : — " Telemachus ! May Jove,
That consort of Queen Juno, who on high
In crashing thunder soundeth, so to thee 185
Thy journey homeward speed, as thou liast wish'd :
But, gifts from wealth within my mansion stor'd
Will I on thee bestow, which in themselvea
Most ornate are and costly ; a carv'd bowl
Present I here — all silver — but with gold igo
The rim is blent, and Vulcan's work is it.
The hero Phfediinus, Sidonia's king,
Tliis upon me bestow'd as from his home.
Where I had welcome found, I took my way ;
And now is it my wish to make it thine." 195
With these words ending, in his hands the cup
Atrides placed ; and Megapenthes next.
The silver bowl uplifting, brought it round
And right before him laid it: Helen then,
Who near liim stood, th' embroid'i'y in her hands
Awhile retaining, the young chief address'd : —
200
62
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
" And thia, too, is a gift from me, dear youth !
A keepsake may it be from Helen's liaiids,
Till, wlien the happiest of all nuptials thou
Shalt in due season celebrate, thy bride
With this may be adom'd : but now, meantime,
In thy lov'J mother's keepiug let it rest
Within thy palace stor'd ; and with glad heart
May'st thou that noble home and country reach I "
205
With this address, into the young man's hands 2 1 o
The scarf she gave, and he with joy elate
The gift accepted : and Pisistratus,
Tlie presents gath'ring, in the \vicker frame
Of his sire's chariot placed them, and for all
That care requLr'd took thought. Then to his house 215
The fair-hair'd Menelaus led his guests,
Wliere, on the well-rang'd benches and on thrones
They took their seats ; and in a golden cruse
Of beauteous form a handmaid water brought
And o'er a silver caldron pouring it 220
For due ablutions cav'd ; and at their side
A shining table placed : and then did she
Who o'er that house had oversight a meal
Begin to spread, with many a viand choice
The board supplying, while from food in store 225
Their taste she strove t' indulge. And nigh at hand
Boetheus' son the meat in portions carv'd,
And to each guest presented ; and the son
Of Menelaus as their Cup-bearer
The wine draughts profi'er'd, and on that repast, 230
Tlius fur their relish .serv'd, their hands they laid.
But, whuu for wine.s and viands relish none
Book XV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
6S
To either guest remain'd, Telemachus
And Nestor's noble son the horses yok'd,
And into their bright inlaid chariot sprang, 235
From the gnest-chaiuber and re-echoing porch
Departure making. And, then, Atreus' son,
Tlie fair-hair'd Menelaus, in hia hands
A golden cup extending, fill'd with wine,
(That, ere they started, the libation due 240
He there might make) his youthful guests rejoin'd.
And, as before their horses' heads he stood.
He with the cup saluted them, and spake i —
" Farewell ! ye youths ! and greetings from me bear
To Nestor, ' pastor of Ms people,' uam'd —
For, through the long campaigns in which we sons
Of Greece with Troy did battle, he to me
A loving father','* tenderness evinc'd."
24s
To which Telemachus replied : — " Rest sure,
thou of Jove upheld ! that witli thy wish 250
Compliant we, when home we shall arrive.
To Nestor will thy gracious words report.
And then, too, when to Ithaca restor'd
.^Vnd hi my home seciu-e, may I the tale
To gi-eat Ulysses, under his own roof, 2J5
Recount, how I came hither, and from tliee
Such gen'rous welcome met, and gifts at once
So num'rous and so costly brought away."
While thus he speaking stood, on his right hand
A bird flew down : an eagle — in its clutch
A large white goose retaining, a tamL' frjwl
260
64
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[BtxjK XV.
From out the open court : anti in its track
A throng of men and woiuen with loud cry
Came pressing onward ; hut, the bird, as now
Above their heads it hover'd, to their right
Wheel'd round, the horses fronting : at which sight
They no light joy evinc'd, and ev'ry heart
Around them grew elate : whereat the son
Of Neator, young Pisistratus, these words
Enq^uiring spoke : — " Now 3 Menelaus ! Chief
Of all this people, and of Jove himself
Long cherish'd 1 Say, if the great god on high
This portent hath to us alone display'd,
Or to thyself?"
26s
270
Thus did he anxious ask ;
But, Menelaus, that illustrious Chief
Of Mars so highly favour' d, paus'd awhUe,
As though with inward musings to decide
How this might well be answer'd ; but, ere word
Her husband spake, the long-rob'd Helen thus
The youth address'd : —
275
" Now, to my speech attend — 280
And, as th' immortals shall my thoughts impel,
(Moreover, as, methinks, will come to pass,)
This presage I enounce : — Ev'n as this Bird
From that high mountain which its birthplace is.
And where its yoimg are fledg'd, at one tierce swoop 285
The goose bore off which in these princely halls
On dainty food has thriven,^ — even thus
Ulysses by unnumber'd suflTrings tried
And ou far regions as a wand'rer cast.
Book XV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
05
Will homeward come, and his full vengeance wreak, 290
Or, is ere now amv'd, nnd fate condign
For all the suitors of his wife prepures."
■ To this discreet Tclemachns replied : —
" May Jove whose crashing thunder peals on high,
Consort of Juno, thy divining words 395
In time fulfil ! Then, in my futher's home
Would I to thee my vows uplift, as though
A goddess there invoking 1 "
With these words
The scourging thong on either horse he laid
And with impetuous start the city left, 3CXJ
Making at once for th' plain. And through that day
The steeds their yoke upon theii- shoulders shook
Until the sun went down, and dusky gloom
All paths and causeways darken'd ; Phera; then
They reach'd, and into Diodes' abode 305
At once their entry made ; (The son was ho
Of tliat Orsilochus whose sire the name
Of Alpheus bore,) and there, to sleep compos'd,
That night they lay ; and Diodes ■with gifts
Eurich'd them both ; such as a host to guests 310
Is wont to offer. But, when rosy mom
Upon them shone the steeds again they yok'd
And into that bright inlaid chariot stepp'd,
And from the porch and corridor where winds
Loud echoes rais'd, theif way began to speed. 3 1 5
And sharply did the charioteer the pace
Of those fleet hoi-ses quicken, as the thong
He constant plied ; though, nothing lotli, they flew.
Soon reach'd they Pylos' soaring tow'rs, and then
VOU IL F
66
HOMER'S ODYSSEY;
[Book XV.
Teleniachus thus Nestor's son address'd : — 320
" son of Nestor ! how wilt thou that word
To me fulfil which, granting my request,
Thou did'st in good faith pledge ? We, from the first,
Ev'n for the love our fiitliers intcrchang'd.
Fast friends must term oiu'selves : our ages, too, 325
Co-equal make us ; and to make us one,
Heuceforth, in mind, this journey more and more
Will now avail ; but, further than the ship
Convey me not ; let nie here take my stand ;
Lest, while my will far otherwise inclines, 330
Tliiue aged sire, upon the thought intent
Of making me liia guest, should in his house
Entreat me stay : whereas, an urgent cause
My prompt return enforces."
Thus spake he,
And Nestor'sson reflected how aiight 335
He should the promise keep j perpending which
This seemin<;ly best counsel he pursued : —
His horses to the ship and ocean's brink
Aside conducting, those resplendent gifts,
The raiment and the gold, so recent brought 340
From Menelaus' home, in the ship's stem
He made secure ; and, as to use all speed
His friend he counsell'd, in wiug'd accents spake: —
" Enter without delay thy ship, and word
To all thy comrades send, ere I my home 345
Eegain, and my aged sire of this apprize :
For on my mind imprest, — and deeply, too —
Is that quick temp'rament my father owns.
He woidd not part with thee, but would himself
_b.
Book XV.]
nOMER'S OLYSSBY.
Here, on tliis spot, his welcome speak : nor yet,
Methinks, wilt thou hence empty-handed soil,
For hot will be his anger ! "
With these words
The glossy-coated horses he drove home
To holy Pylos' city, and with speed
His dwelling reach'd. Telemnchua, meantime,
With eager exhortations on his crfw
Commandment laid : — " Now, in our dark-ribb'd sliip,
My friends ! her gear aiTangc ; and we ourselves,
Our voyage to complete, will put to sea."
355
So spake he, and they all with ready ear 360
The orders heeded, and in haste the deck
Ascended, and upon the benches sate.
Thus earnestly to all the toils impos'd
Was he his thoughts devoting, as with pniyV
To Pallas, at the stern, he off' rings made, 365
'WTien, on the sudden, right before him stoi>d
An alien, a soothsayer, from the town
Of Argos fleeing, on the death of one
By Ilia hand slain : H<' from Melanipus' race
His generations trac'd, who of old time 370
In Pylos liv'd, — the mother of sleek sheep —
And wealth had he possess'd, — a noble house
Among the Pyliaus owning, till at length
Among some other tribes a homo he sought
From his own people fleeing, and from one 375
Of all men living the most noble decra'd.
High-minded Neleus, who through one whole year
Had all the substance of his wealth by force
F 2
68
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book. XV .
To Ilia own lands annex'd : But he, the while,
By tie and pledge severe was in the house
Of Phylacus a captive held, and pongs
Most cruel thei-e endur'd, both in his suit
Of Nelcus' daughter, and through a dread blow
His luind awhile deranging, wLicli that Pow'r,
The Fury, fearful to encounter, struck.
But, from the threaten'd doom of death he fled.
And when from Phylace to Pylos' meads
The bellowing oxen he perforce had driv'n,
For noble Neleus' most unworthy acts
He vengeance took, and to his brother's joy 390
A bride for him o'er sea escorted home.
Then with another race his day of life
Awhile he spent, and Argos made his home,
Whose fertile meads in thriving flocks abound :
And there, so will'd his Fate, he tarried long 395
And over many an Argive clan held rule :
A wife, too, there he wedded, and a house
Whose vaulted roof rose high in air he built.
And of two gallant sons, Antiphates
And Mantius, the sire became. The firat 400
In after years Oicleus' father waa ;
And this Oicleus parent was, in turn.
Of that Amphiarjius styl'd of old
" The ndlier of the nations," whom at heart
Tlie Ecgis-bearing Jove and Phoibus, too, 405
With ev'ry show of favour dearly lov'd :
Still on the threshold, even, of old age
He never stood, but victim \o the bribes
By faithless woman taken, died in Thebea.
Alcmffion and Aniphilochus his sons 410
Book XV.]
nOMER'S ODYSSEY.
C9
Surviv'd liira : — and to Mantius, too, were bom
Two sons : the elder, Polypliides nam'd, —
The younger Clytus : but, Aurora, thron'd
In golden light, from among living uion
Young Clytus took away ; (a fate wkick he 415
Solely to his surpassing beauty ow'd,)
That with th' immortals only he might live.
But, when this Ainphiarans was no more,
Phcebus on Polj'phides, as a sago
Of thoughts subUnie, and among men the best 420
Of mortals held, prophetic pow'r bestow'd ;
And, (while to indignation by bis sire
At that time mov'd) the Hj^ieresian state
He rul'd supreme, and from his fixt abode
To men at large in divination spoke. 425
This man's son Theocljrmenus it was
Who now was drawing nigh, and within sight
Of young Telemachus his station took
As near the dark-ribb'd ship that youth his pray'r.
Libations duly made, was olTring up : 430
And with wing'd words he thus accosted him : —
" friend ! for that I meet thee on this spot
In hallow'd rites of sacrifice engag'd,
By these, and by the deity himself.
Yea, and by thine own proper self and all 43S
Who with thee company, declare to me
Thus of thee question asking, — and the truth
Withhold not — \Mio art thou ? and of what race
Of men descended ? In what spot of earth
Standeth thy city ? And thy parents, where ? " 440
70
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
Discreiit Tuleniacbus tlius answer made : —
" Stranger ! in plirase sulficiently exact
Will I inform tliee : — I fi'ora Ithaca
My lineage trace : Ulysses, (if, indeed,
Such a man ever liv'd !) my father is :
But, no ;- — to death, and iu some fearful sliape.
Hath he succumb'd ; and for this cause a ci-ew
Of eonirades choosing and a dark-ribb'd ship
I hither ciime, my long lost father's fate
Alas ! to learn."
441
Then TheoclyraeHus 450
Still further spoke : — " And from my native land
I, too, must now absent myself, this hand
A kinsman having kill'd. He brothers had
And friends, too, muny, iu the Argive realm.
And potent is the influence of Greece. 455
The doom, then, — the destruction wliich from these
Appeal's to threaten me., T flee : and fate
A fugitive, too, made me among men.
Oh ! let me, tlicrefore, in thy ship embark
Thy suppliant oa I am, and into flight 460
Thus driven ; lest my life they take, — for now,
Ev'u while I speak, methinka they tniek my steps."
To him Telemachus : " From my good ship
I surely will not spurn thee, if therein
Thou fain would'st forward speed : Come thou with me,
Aud on such store as in reserve we hold 466
Shalt thou regale." Thus speaking, from his hand
He took his brass-tipp'd spear, and on the deck
Of the trim ship sccur'd it ; he himself
Book XV.]
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
His vessel'R side ascending, and his seat 470
In the stem taking. Theocljinenus
He at his side bade sit, as now the crew
The hawser ropes were loosing : and command
Tt'lemachus now issued the ship's gear
To get in trim ; and tliey with eager will 475
At once complied, as in its hole the mast
Of pine-tree they uprais'd, and witli stout ropes
To the cross-deck secnr'd it, and the saUs
With twisted ox-hide hoistetl. And a wind
Propitious did tlie Llue-eycd Pallas grant — 480
A breeze that on the currents briskly blew,
So that with quicken'd speed the ship her course
Might through the ocean's briny billows speed.
At length they Crouiii near'd, aiid Clialeis fani'd
For its fair-flowing waters ; and the sun 485
Now set, and all the liighways of the deep
In shrouding darkness lay. The vessel then
By a good tack made Pherae, as. she drove
Before the genial breeze of a fair wind
By Jove himself vouclisafd. The haUow'd site 490
Of Elis next they reach'd, where sway supreme
The Epians hold. And from this point his bark
Telemachus upon the isles bore down
"Whose promontories sharp just catch the eye.
Doubtful if he should death itself evade, 495
Or, on some evil like a captive fall
Meanwhile, Ulysses in the swineherd's hut
With noble-soul'd Eumffius feasted well ;
And nigh at hand regaling lay the hinds
Who at that station labour'd. And when now
72 HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
To eat or drink yet longer none desir'd,
Ulysses thus began, — intent to test
The swineherd whether welcome such as tliis
Ho still would proffei-, and entreaty make
That he would in that shepherd's cot remain,
Or to the city let him beud liis way ; —
[Book XV.
505
" Eumaeus : and all you who round him serve !
Mark what I now would say : At early dawn
I fain woidd to the city turn my steps
And there solicit alms, that staying here 510
Thine and thy comrades' store I may not spoU.
Complete instructions give me, and a guide
Eeliable supply, who may my way
Fmm hence point out : but, I from street to street
Will, as of urgent need, a vagrant roam, 5 1 5
For chance of a poor cup- full, and a cate
Of wheaten bread- And when within the halls
Of the high-soul'd Ulysses I arrive,
I shall new tidings to Peuelope
Pretend to bring, and 'mid that saucy throng 520
Of suitors will I throw myself, their hearts
To prove, if they who at unnumbered feasta
Luxurious feed, to me a scrap would spare I
Adi'oitly as a serving man could I,
Command me as they might, among them wait ; 525
For, this may I well say, — and, mark me well
And hearken : — by good-wUl of him who bears
The messages of Jove, — that Mercury
Who upon all that men can deftly do
A kindly favour and repute confei's, 530
No living man would with me try to cope
Book XV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
In cherishing the fire upon the hearth,
In cutting up sear kindling wood ; in th' art
Of car\-ing meat and roasting, and in th' act
Of pouring out the wine — ; such offices
As for their fellow-men of high degree
Subordinates perform."
535
But to this speech
Eumseus ! worthiest swineherd ! in distress
Thou thus repliedst : — " Alas 3 alas ! my guest
How can a thought like this thy mind have cross'd ! 540
Surely, on death itself thy heart is bent
If thou among those suitors, — a bold throng
Whose arrogance and outrages to heaVn
Itself uprise, would'st throw thyself. Such men
As thou among them serve not, but mere youths 545
In cloaks and vests attractively airay'd,
Wlio with their bright and glossy heads of hair
And features full of beauty on them wait.
The tables, highly polish'd, bear a load
Most ponderous of bread and meat and wine. 550
No : bide thou here ! No one, — nor I, nor those
That with me serve can by thy presence loss
Of anything sustain : but, when the son
Of great Ulysses shall at length arrive,
A mantle and a tunic on thy limbs 555
"Will he himself bestow, and speed thy way
To whatsoever home thou fain would'st reach."
Hereto Ulysses, who of cares and ills
Such weight had borne, this answer made : " To Jove
May'st thuu, Eumievis ! ever be as dear 560
74
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
As thou by me art Iiekl, whose welcome here
An end of all my wand'ring and of toils
Most harassing hath made. What plight more ills
On Man entails than being forc'd to roam !
But, through their baneful gluttony how oft 565
Do men with troubles load themselves, whose lot
Is exile and adversity and woe !
Well, then ! since here thou would'at that I should stay,
And bid'st me that dear youth's return await.
Tell me, I pray thee, how the Mother fares 570
Of tldno Ulysses, — and his Father, whom
Wien he from Ithaca set sail, he left
Upon the confines of a ripe old age :
Are they, as chance may have ordain'd, still found
'Mid those on whom the sun yet throws his beams, 575
Or, both deceas'd, to Pluto's realm consign 'd ? "
To him Eumteua thus : — " A faithful tale,
Stranger ! will I narrate : Laertes lives —
Rut, pray'r to Jove is ever off'ring up
That ling'ring, as he doth, the walla within 580
Of his own palace, life that earthly frame
May soon relinquish : for, with anguish keen
He sorrows for his long-lost son, ami her
\Vhom in her maiden prime he took to wife,
(Itight minded as she was !) who, by her death 585
In poignant grief imraers'd him, and the sense
Of premature decay induced ; for, she
Whelm'd in regret for her illustrious son
A death most piteous died ! May no such end
Be any one's that, near my dwelling lodg'd, 590
My friend hath prov'd, and kindly deeds perform'd !
Po„K XV.]
HOMER •&• OB YSSE Y.
Tfl
While yet she liv'd, indeed, my joy it was
To seek her out, and question ask of her ;
For, with her noble daughter Ctimena
In flowing garments roli'd, her youngest born, 595
My infancy she cherish'd ; with that child
My li-aining I receivM, and hardly less
Than Ctimena did she myself regard.
But, when to loveable Youth's prime we grew,
To Samoa was this daughter sent ; and great 600
The dowry presents were, by suitors made.
But, for myself a rural home was chos'n.
Where with a mantle and close-fitting vest,
Eaiment most splendid, she had furnish'd me,
And sandals for my feet supplied, when now 605
Uer luve for me more kind than ever prov'd :
All which I now must miss ; but the blest gods
On that employ to which my time I give
Increase of profit have bestow'd, and thus
Provision have 1 found of meat and drink, 610
And, upon supplication any, whose appeals
My rev'rence claim'd, have timely succour giv'n.
But, from my queenly mistress not one word
Of comfort, — not one proof of kind good will
Hath it been mine to meet with, since that pest 615
Upon her home hath falt'n, — that tyiunt throng
That seek her hand. And freedom great of speech
Would her attendants, even to her face,
Fain exercise, and into all things pry : —
On gluttony and wine their minds are set, 620
And, thereupon, through rural haunts to range —
Of some fresh tale the bearers ; which the mind
Of all such servants evermore elates."
76
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
Whereto Ulysses, in reply ; — " 'Tig strange !
Etimajus ! that when thou an urchin wast 625
Thou should'at so far from thy paternal soil
And from tliy kin have wander'd : Come, now, say
And in good faith, inform me — Did thy home,
(That broad and spacious town within whose walls
Thy parents dwell) to rapine fall a prey, 630
Or did some feU marauders on thee rush
While over flocks or herds thy lonesome watch
Thou wast maiutjiining, and on board their sliips
Embarking bear thee off to the domains
Of him thou here art serving, and did he 635
By rigliteous purchase gain thee ? "
WTiereujito
The chief of aU Earth's swineherds thus replied ; —
" Stranger ! since thus thou questionest, and fain
So much from me would' st learn, remain thou mute,
And, thy seat here raaiutainiug, take thine ease 640
And drink that wine : Tlie nights are leugthsomc, now.
And we to slumber may betake ourselves,
As we may equally with raptiir'd ears
To some recital listen. 'Tia not well
That thou before thy wonted hour the couch 645
Of rest shouldst seek : for, slumber in excess
A hurt becomes. And, yet, let any here
Who in good earnest wishes it, go hence
And freely sleep ; but, when, at morning light
He lii3 repast hath made, let him take thought 650
For my dear master's swine. Let us, meanwhile,
Within tliis hut potations free enjoy.
And to our full contentment eat, while each
Book XV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
77
Tlie mem'ry wakens of his own past griefs ;
For, let but timo enough elapse, the man 655
Who has sharp trials brook'd, and through the world
A wand'rer rov'd, will oa his by-gone woe
Exulting dwell. However, to the tale
Proceed we, which shall thy enquiries meet : —
" An isle there is, whose name thou may'st have heard, 660
Which off Ortygia lies, where Sol appears
To tnm his course ; 'tis Syria call'd : — in breadth
Not far extending, but exceeding rich
Is all its soil ; for grazing stock most apt ; —
In flocks abounding, and of vineyards full, 665
In wheat crops, too, prolific. Famine there
The natives never visits ; nor, indeed,
Comes baneful malady in any form
To make the people sufler, but, as men
Their families among, in the chief town, 670
In age begin to droop, — that god who wields
The silver bow, Apollo, at his side
Diana bringing, with those gentle shafts
"Which painless wounds inflict, the ag^d ones
Assails and kills. Two cities in this isle 675
And two departments are there ; — each of which
By equal distribution shares alike :
And there did Ctesius (Jrmenides,
My father, like some god, o'er both hold inile.
" At this our isle, at length, arriv'd a crew,
Phceniciana all, — (that nation which on sea
Eenowu have ever won) — shrewd, greedy knaves
Who an enormous cargo had on board
680
78
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
Of toys and playthings. Now, about this time,
Beneath my princely father's roof there liv'd 685
A woman of their country, with the gifts
Of fairest features and fine stature grar'd,
And in all female's fancy-work expert.
This woman to these subtle traders soon
A victim fell One, converse with her held 690
Where, near the moorings of their ship, the sea
Her bath supplied : and here his couch and love
He wheedled her to share : Persuasion strong
Wliich, be their skill aud talents what they may,
The minds of women into folly leads. 695
Then question ask'd he of her, who she was —
And of what land a native ; — whereupon,
With answer prompt, her father's house she naui'd : —
' Sidon my birthplace is, — a site which brass
Abundant yields ; — and I the daughter am 700
Of Arybas, a rich and affluent sire —
But, certain Taphians, men to rapine prone,
Eude hands upon nie laid, as from the meads
My steps were homeward wending, and, at once
On shipboard thrusting me, to that same house 705
Where now I serve they bore me oflf, — a sale
Thus of my freedom making ; — but, a sum
Of no poor mean amount the buyer pairL'
" But, further question the Phcunician ask'd : —
' Doth, now, thy mind impel thee with ourselves
Tljy home again to visit, there once more
Thy father's and tby mother's house to see,
And on themselves to bend thine eyes? For still
Are they both living ; — still reputed rich.'
710
Book XV.l
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
n
" And thus replied she : — ' Ev'n thus let it be : 715
If by a vow you mai-iiiera your fiiith
Consent to bind, that to my native home
Unharm'd you will transport nie.' And the oath,
As she presci'ib'd, thi-y swore. And when tlieir word
They tlius bad pledg'd and ratified, once more 720
The woman spoke, and with tliem parley held :
' Henceforth, remain ye mute ; and let not one
Of your associates, when upon the road
Or, haply, by the bubbling spring we meet,
A word to me address, lest any one, 725
Into the mansion having made his way.
Should my aged loi-d apprize, and he, some guile
Surmising, should myself in cruel bonds
Forthwith confine, and some sure project frame
To work your ruin. Now, — all speech repress, 730
And such provision as you need, go, buy :
And when yoiir ship is with due victual stor'd
Let a prompt message reach me in the house.
And gold, and whatsoever else to hand
May at the moment come, will I bring down, 735
Aye, and with all goodwill would I much more.
My voyage-costs to pay, as value give
For in this good man's palace have I chaise
Of his own son, a knowing wily child,
Tliat alongside in open air could ran, 740
And he, too, in your vessel should embark,
And, to whatever foreign tribe you sell.
He would a gain of no light worth secure.'
" Thus speaking, to the lordly house she sped ;
But, they, among our people a full year
745
80
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XV.
Abiding still, a cargo of great bulk
For their large vessel bought, and when its hold
Was with its full freight loaded, and the time
For their return arriv'd, a messenger
Was to this woman sent. A cunning man 750
My father's house thus enter'd, in his hand
A golden necklace bearing, ev'17 link
With bits of amber jointed : and our maids
And my rever'd, lov'd mother, (at that time
Within the palace group'd) on ev'ry aide, 755
As in their hands they movd it to and fro,
The necklace vieVd, and on it fix'd their gaze.
And payment for it tender'd ; but, a sign
Tliis dealer to my nurse in silence made,
Which done — he to the vessel's side return'd ; 760
And she, that very instant, by the hand
When she had seiz'd me, into open air
From out the house went forth, and in the porch
The cups and tables lighted on where those
Who on my father waited had regal'd, 765
And now were to the public meeting gone,
And to the people's counciL Hereupon,
With rapid action, in her bosom's folds
Tliree bowls she hid, and safely took away, —
I, witless ! running with her, — as the sun 770
Began to set, and every road and track
In shrouded darkness lay. But, with all speed
The well-known port we reach'd, off which there lay
The fleeting fast Phwnician ship, whose crew
When they on deck had placed us, hoisted sail 775
And o'er the wat'iy ways their voyage made,
Joye granting wind propitious. Night and day
ISooK XV. J
UOMEU 'S OD YSSE Y.
81
For six whole days wo tlirough the waters sped.
But, when the son of Saturn, niiglity Jove,
The niorning of the seveuth day led in, 780
Dian, — that arrow-queen, the woman smote ;
And with a hollow hea>'j' sound, — a cry
Like some sea-bird emitting, — in the hold
She downward fell ; whence, tn become the food
(Jf porpoises and fisli, upon the deep 783
They cast her forth, and I, a mourning child,
With them remain'd : but, wind and the sea-wave
Their course befriending, to th' Ithacian coast
At length the vessel took, where with his means
Of wealtli Laertes bought me ; and to this 790
I owe that with these eyes of mine the laud
Of Ithaca T ever saw."
Hereto
Ulysses, — from the race of Jove himself
Divinely sprang, — congenial answer made ; —
" Eumseus ! much hast thou my mind irapress'd, 795
Tliy tale to me recounting, and the wrongs
Thy spirit hatli encoiuitcr'd. Nathless, Jovo
With all this dire adversity much good
Hath also blended ; for that at the close
Of long continuing labours thou at last 800
Tlie house hast enter'd of a kindly soul
^\^lo meat and drink in ample store prevides ;
And fortunate appears the life thou liv'st,
Wlule through Earth's scatter'd cities and the homes
Of man so long a wand'rer, here I stand." 805
Such commune hold tiiey ; no long sleep t' enjoy,
VOL. 11.
82 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XV.
So brief a time reclining : for, the mom
In beauty thron'd soon broke. But, on the beach
The comrades of Telemachus their sails
Had now begun to strike, and in all haste 8io
The mast were low'ring, that the ship itself
They might into the port by rowing bring.
The anchors they cast out, the hawser ropes
Made fast, and on the ocean-brink stepp'd forth ;
And, their repast preparing, the dark wine 8 1 5
Diluted for their drink. When now, howe'er.
Their fill of this provision they had ta'en.
Discreet Telemachus thus spoke : — " Launch now
Our ship, and for the city make, while I
Inland awhile proceed, my hinds to see ; 820
But, in the eventide, when I my lands
Now under tillage have survey'd, myself
Will to the city also bend my steps.
And with the morning light, the wage will I
To each man for his ended voyage pay, 825
And ample shall your feasting be on meat
And sweetly flavour'd wine."
To whom again
Spoke Theoclymenus : — " But, my dear son !
Whither shall I betake myself? Whoso house,
'Mid all who rugged Ithaca control, 830
Shall I presume to visit ? To the home,
At once, of thy dear mother, thine own house.
Shall I proceed?"
To which Telemachus : —
" But for good reasons, I should bid thee seek
Book XV.J IIO.\fh:R'S ODYSSEY.
83
■
Our Iiouse, direct, where failure noue c<»ulti be
83s
^^k
Of prompt and conliiil welcome : As, it is,
^^1
Thou Ul enough would'st tare : for I, myself,
^^1
Perforce must absent be ; and audience none
^^1
Will my lov'd mother grant, for by that throng
^^1
Of suitors rarely is she seen ; but far
840
^^H
From all remov'd she in an upper room
^^1
A web is ever wea^-ing. But, the uame
^^H
Of one, indeed, will I to thee disclose
^^1
To whom, as to thy host, thou may'st resort —
^^H
Eurymachus, the noble-minded son
845 1
^^H
Of Polybus the wise, wliom all the mind
^^^1
Of Ithaca, as though a god, reveres :
^H
For, he by far the worthiest is ; and keen
_^^|
Is his desire the consort to become
^^H
Of my wooed mother, and the homage win
850 1
^^H
Which is Ulysses' own. But, Jove whose throne
^^^1
Is on Olympus, — Jove, who in the skies
.■
^^^1
Immortal dwells, alone the future scans
1
^^^1
Which may the day of their o'erwbelming doom,
^^H
Long before marriage, to its endiiiff bring."
8SS
^H
While thus he spoke, a hawk — the herald swift
^H
Of Phcebus — on his right appear'd, a dove
^^H
In its claws Iiolding, as the liird it tore
^^H
And to the ground its feathnrs threw midway,
^^H
Between the ship auil gi-eat Ulysses' son.
860
^^^1
And Theoclymenus fivm out the throng
^^H
Of his associates calling him and hold
^^H
Of his hand taking, to Telemachus
^^H
These words address'd : — " Telemachus ! This bird
^^H
Flew not upon thy right without tli' intent
.i2
ii6
1
8* HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XV.
Of the celestial pow'r ; for when these eyes
Its coming right before me maik'd, I kenn'd
A portent from on high. 'Mid all the clans
Of Ithaca no generation shows
More princely than thine own : but, to all time 870
Its honouis will be dominant."
The son
Of great Ulysses thus rejoin'd : — " I well
May wish, stranger ! that these words of thine
Just utter'd may, in time, be all fulfill'd ;
For, promptly then should'st thou of my goodwill 875
Full proof behold, and presents from my hand
So many win, that all who thee should see
Thus richly gifted would thy fortune hail
And call thee happy."
To Piraeus, next.
His comrade true he spoke : — " Piraeus ! son 880
Of Clytius, — seeing that in all things else
More faithfully than all who with me sail'd
To Pylos thou obe/dst me, — so, ev'n now,
This stranger here, within thy walls receiv'd.
With all due zeal make welcome ; and the shows 885
Of all observance testify till I
Myself shall be returning."
In few words
Pirseus — ^whose good spear renown had won —
Thus answer'd : — " Though, Telemachus ! thou here
Should'st for long time be tarrying, I this man 890
With due r^ard wUl tend, and nought that host
To guest should kindly proffer shall he wani."
Book XV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. 85
Then the ship's deck Telemachus again
Ascending, bade his comrades speed on board
And loose the cables ; and with earnest haste 895
They muster'd all, and on the benches sate :
He, the meanwhile, beneath his feet a pair
Of beauteous sandals binding, as a spear
Of supple strength whose point with sharpen'd brass
Was deftly wrought, he from the deck withdrew ; 900
And then the ropes they loos'd, and launching forth
They to the city, as Telemachus
Had order issued, instantly set sail.
But, he with quickly pacing feet his way
UphUl pursued, until the hut he reach'd 905
Where lay the herds of his unnumber'd swine,
'Midst whom Eumaeus, — noblest of his race
And to his masters kind and faithful — slept. 908
END OF THE FIFTEENTH BOOK.
86 HOMERS ODYHISKY. [Book XVI.
BOOK XVI.
TITEANWHILE, Ulysses and that noble herd,
The guardian of his swine, in the lone hut,
Some embers having kindled on its hearth.
For their repast made ready, and the liinds
Despatch'd with-swine that on the herbage graz'd. 5
But, now did those same dogs, whose wont it was
To bark in fierceness, on Telemachus
Begin to fewn, nor, as he nearer drew,
Rais'd they a yell : and, when their kindly mood
Ulysses mark'd, and the sound overheard 10
Of human foot's approach, these few wing'd words
He to the swineherd spoke : — " 'Tis vety sure,
Eumseus ! that some inmate of thy home
Will soon his entry make, or one with thee
Familiar grown ; for, look ! the dogs bark not, 1 5
But fondly gather round him, and the sound
I hear of coming feet"
Scarce had these words
His lips escap'd when at the entrance gate
His lov'd son stood ! The swineherd, all amaz'd,
Book XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
87 ^^H
Sprang to Ids feet, and, iis Iio rose, the cups
^^H
Wliicli for the mixing of the dtitk rich wine
^^H
He at the moment handled, from his hold
^^^^^1
Fell instant to the ground. He forward stepp'd
^^^^H
Tlie prince to hail, and on his brow a kiss
^^^H
Of sahitatioii press'd and both his eyes,
^H
So radiant, and his hands ; — and the warm tear
^^H
From his own eyes down flow'd the wliile, and as
^^1
When some fond father in a close embrace
^^1
His son enfold.s — his only one — the child
^^1
Of his old age, from some far distant land
^^B
In the tenth year returning, and for whom
^^H
Full many a bitter pang of anxious ctu-e
^^1
He hath encounter'd, — so that high soul'd man
^^1
The swineherd, as Telemachus lie held
^^1
And hung upon, all over kiss'd ; as one
^^1
From death deliver'd — and in tones of grief
^^1
These hurried words pronounc'd : — " Then art thou
^^^1
Sweet light of mine ! Telemnohus ! What time
^^1
Thou in that ship to Pylos snU'dst, I said
^^1
I never more should see thee : but, draw nigh —
^^1
My own dear child ! Come in : — that on this sjxit
^^^
I may with joyful spirit, in my hut,
^H
These eyes upou thee fix, so freah arriv'd
i^^^^^^^l
From regions far from home 1 Unfrcquent, too,
^^^1
Have been thy visits to the.se rural haunta,
^H
Or among those who o'er thy many herds
^H
Take oversight ; for, 'mid the geu'ral mass
^^1
Of the Ithaciaus liv'st thou, — since thy will
^^1
Spectator hath constrain'd thee to remain
^^1
Of all that waste and havoc which the crowd
^^1
Of suitors on thy father's house have brought."
^ 1
88
lIOMEh'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XVI.
Telemachus thus answer'd : — " My assent,
My frieud ! tliou hast : since for thy sake, indeed.
Am I here come, that with these eyes of mine
1 may upon thee gaze, aud from thy lips 55
Sure tidinga leam, if in our palace yet
My mother lives, or whether oi' that crowd
Some suitor have her wedded lord become,
And that same couch, whereon Ulysses lay.
So long left tenantless, be cast aside 6o
And by defiling cobwehs overgrown,"
Eiimaius, best of men, this answer made : —
" Most certainly in thy palatial home
She liveth still, aud with a tranquil soul
Eudureth loug ; but, all her uiglits aud days, 65
So dreary, she in tearful grief consumes."
Thus, — speeches interchaug'd — Telemachus
His brazen spear resum'd, and, passing on,
Cross'd the stone threshold ; but, as nigh he drew
To where Ulysses sate, the father fain 70
Woidd from his seat have mov'd, but, as in front
Telemachus now stood, he this forbade,
And thus ejcclaim'd ; — " O stmnger ! where thou art ,
Sit, prithee, still ; for, in tliLs cot of ours
Some sent sliall we discover, and the hand 75
Is uigb which will provide it." Tiius spoke lie.
And stood no longer, for, with bnishwood green
The swineherd piled a heap, witli woolly fleece
Surmounted, and Ulysses' much-lov'd son
Tliereon sate down. And, near them both, the Iterd 80
Eoast flesh in trenchers placed ; — meat from tlieir meal
Of the day previous left ; and bread with haste
Book XVI.]
IJOMEli'S ODYSSEY.
89
I
In baskets scrv'd he up, and iu a cup
Of ivy-wood a luscious wiue draugbt mix'd ;
And then to great Ulysses face to face 85
His station took ; and all to that repast
Thus duly ranged before tlieni laid their hands ;
Till, when nor meat nor drink could furtlier tempt,
Tclcuinchus the swineheril thus jiddress'd : —
" My friend ! whence comes this stranger ? In wliat mode
Did any mariners on this our coast 9 1
Contrive to land him? Of what nice did they
Themselves declare to be? For liere, methinks,
As a pedestrian came he not !"
Wliereto
Eum.Tus ! thus rcplied'st thou : — " All this, child ! 95
Will I correctly state : — In spacious Crete
Ilis Uueage he would trace, and mention makes
Of peopled cities numberless whereto
His wanderings had driven him ; a fate
To which some god had destin'd him. At length, 100
A fugitive from some Tiiesjirotiau ship,
He to my hut has fuund his way, from whence
To thee wiU I consign him. Tliine own will
Consult. He is thy suppliant declar'd."
To this Telemachus : — " In all thou say'st, 105
Eumffius ! thou my sph-it hast much griev'd.
For, how could I a welcome in my home
To this strange guest afford ? I am but young,
And on my hands rely not yet. the man
To thrust aside who first on me would fain 1 10
A quarrel fix : and in my mother's mind
IK)
JfO.VER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XVL
Doubt lingers still, and oft dotli she revolve
Whether with mc to tarry here, and charge
Of our domain to keep, her husband's couch
With due i-egard revering and the voice 115
Of all our people, — or, that Greek accept
And follow, whosoever in the crowd
That now their suit are pressing worthiest proves
And richest dowry offers. But, since now
This stranger to thy hut is come, a cloak 120
And vest will I pro\ade, — apparel rich ;
A two-edg'd sword, too, as a further gift.
Shall he receive, and sandals for his feet : —
And whither his desire may be to sail
I will his transport care for. But, if thou 125
Would'st this fain do, — let him thy care liecome
And in thy homestead keep him. Eaiment meet
And victual, too, abundant will I send.
That neither thine nor thy associates' store
He may impov'rish. But, among that crowd 130
Of suitors entrance none, with my consent.
Shall he attempt : ftjr, far too mad a pride
Exhibit they ; and, what if tliey should jeer,
And mock him ! Tliat to me were bitter grief !
No light exploit has one lone man t' achieve 135
Wlio would contend with many, — let his might
Be what it may : and his they far exceed."
To this Ulysses — that high-minded one,
So oft in trials vers'd, — rejoin'd : — " My friend !
Since T with freedom may thus speak, I'll say
Thy words have torn my very heart, while tlius
Thou to my ear the odious tale hast brought
140
Book XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^H
Of all that ill that palacu {as thou say'st)
^H
Tlie suitors are designing, to the will
^^H
So adverse of a boing like thyself !
145 ^H
Tell me — : Haat thou without a murmnr stoopM
^^H
To this contrnlment ? fir, to some •^'oJ's voice
^^1
Their jiulgineiit yieldui^, do the common herd
^H
Their public hatred vent on thee ? or, blame
^^1
Dost thou attach to brothers on whose strenj^h
150 ^^1
A man would fain rely, arise what might
^^1
From fierce contending strife ? Oh ! would that I
^^1
Were but as yoiuig in body as in mind !
^^1
Or that Telemachus, or even he
^^1
(That chief without reproach 1) Ulysses' self
155 ^H
Might hither find his way, a wanderer, —
^^H
(For even yet, may be, a hope sur%ives)
^^H
Oh ! then might any mortal man this head
^^^^k
From off my shoulders take, if I my foot
^^^H
Once having on Ulysses' threshold placed
160 ^^1
Prov'd not to aU that crew a deadly bane !
^^H
But, if, indeed, my single-handed pow'r
^^^^^
Were by their mxiltitude o'erwhelm'd, cv'n then
^^^H
Far sooner in my owti palatial home
^^1
Wotdd I my deathblow meet, than day by day
165 ^H
Such shameful outi-oge look upon, as blows
^^H
To strangers nidely given, — handmaids dragg'd
^^^
Most brutally through those most noble halls, —
^^1
The wine drawn off incessantly, and bread
^^1
In wanton waste consum'd ; — no good, nn end
170 ^^1
In all this aim'd at ; on pretext of that
^^H
TpVhich never is to be."
^H
^^H Telemachus
A
92 HOMER'S OBYSSEY. [Book XVI.
Thus answer made : — " In all good faith will I
To this reply, stranger ! Anger none
Cherish the people 'gainst me ; no, nor hate ; 175
Neither impeach I brothers on whose strength
A man would fain rely, arise what might
From fierce contending strife. For, Saturn's son
Hath thus our house left isolate : one son
Alone Arcesius had, Laertes — sire in turn 180
Of our Ulysses only, whose sole child
I myself am, and in his lonely house
He left me, and in me had comfort none.
For this cause, foes unnumber'd throng our home :
As many princes as these islands sway — . 185
Dulychium, Samos, and Zacynthus crown'd
With forest growth ; as many, too, as pow'r
In rugged Ithaca assume, their court
Are to my mother paying, and the source
Of all our means are hasting to destroy. 190
The odious suit she cares not to reject.
Nor any termination to 't contrive :
But they, meanwhile, my substance idly spend
And will to nought reduce it, aye, and soon
An end wUl make of me. But, all this still 195
Bests on the will and pleasure of the gods.
" Father Eumseus ! speed thou quickly hence,
And to discreet Penelope impart
That I from Pylos am arriv'd and safe.
And here will I abide : but, when this news 2cx)
Thou hast to her, and her alone, convey'd,
Return thou hither ; nor let any Greek
Among them all the wiser be ; for great
Book XVI.] UOMERS ODYSSEY
93
The uumbfr is on my destniction bent."
Then, () Eunia?us I sjjaliost thou : — " Of this 205
I am awave, and all have wl'U iliscern'd :
Thou speak'st to cue who taketli thought hereon.
But, say — and tell me frankly, shall I now
At once with message on this errand speed
To sorrow-stnick Laertes, who thuugh long 210
For Ids Ulysses sorrowing M-ould oft
Our works of husbandry inspect, and ate
And drank with those who in the palace serv'd
Wlien humour so impell'd him ; but, .=ince thou
To Pylos in that slu[» thy voj-agc mad'st, 2 r 5
Nor eats, nor drinks (for such is the report),
Nor labour sup'rintends, but moaning sits
In heaviness and grief, until the skin
Shrinks on his aged bones."
Telemachus
In turn : — " Thy news are painful ; but, to grief 220
We for the present must abandon him :
For, if at all 'twere giv'n to mortal men
Their dearest wish to single out and gain.
Far before all would I the safe retm-n
Of my lov'd father ask for. No ; — do thou, 225
When thou thy tale hast told, the hut regain.
And stray not in the fields in search nf him,
But charge my mother that, of all unseen.
She send, at once, that handmaid whose sole care
The household rules, the vct'rau to apprize." 230
Thus spoke I he prince, and on the swineherd press 'd
Compliance with his counsel : antl forthwith
94 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVI.
KumoDus, sandals taking up, his feet
For jounioying bound and tow'rds the city sped.
Yot, did ho not, as from the hut he mov'd, 235
Minerva's glance elude, who now drew nigh
In form most like a woman fair in mien
And tall in stature, — one in all the arts
Of fomalu handiwork expert : and thus
At tho door-entry of the hut she stood 240
To grwit Ulysses manifest, but from sight
Or notice of Tolemachus withheld :
For not unto all mortals do the gods
TI»on>««<lvo8 jvvoal. Ulysses and the dogs
Tho );ihUU<s8 aiw ; but not a bark was heard ; — 245
For with u howl tho creatures tlirough the hut
Kush'd right across, as with a winking eye
Miuorvn siguall'd ; and with conscious glance
I'lyiwoa liailM hor present deity.
Thou ftxuu tho hut forth stepping, till the space 250
Uoyoml tho main wall lying round he reach'd,
Tho Ohiof at length before th' immortal stood.
And Pallas thus address'd him : — " Jove-bom son
Of aged Laertes ! in so many wiles
Export! ITlysses! In the hour that is 255
Tljy son apprize, nor longer hide the truth
That all thy counsels being now matured
Wliich shall upon those suitors' heads their death
And doom bring down, he and thyself may now
The far-fam'd city enter ; nor will I • 260
For any lengthen'd space of time withdraw ;
So keen is my desire in this sharp tight
My part with ye to bear."
Book XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
95
Minerva spoke,
And with a golden wand Ulysses toucli'd :
A robe of purest fi-eshness, and a vest 265
Aljout his chest she drew, and increase great
Of bulk, and aspect of more youthful years
Bestow'd on him ; and now again his skin
A swarthy hue as.sum'd ; his hollow cheeks
Fill'd out, and downward, too, from chin to gorge 270
Cropp'd out a gorgeous beard of rich black hair.
Thus having wrou<^ht, the goddess disappear'd.
And to the hut Ulysses beut his steps,
At sight of whom, with e}'es ujton him fixt.
His lov'd son in astounding wonder stood, 275
And by a sudden di-ead o'ercome, as though
In presence of some gud, his glance awhile
Averted, as in these wing'd words he spake : —
" stranger ! to my sight ti'ansform'd thou seem'st
From what a moment, only, since thou wast ! 280
Diverse is all tliy raiment, and thy skin
The tint it lately bure no longer shows.
Thou, of a certain truth, some god must be
And an immortal habitant of lugh heav'n.
Thy grace bestow on me, that sacrifice 285
TliJit shall be welcome we may celebrate
And gifts in gold elab'rate offer thee."
Whereon, that patient Chief, Ulysses, thus
In answer instant spuke : — " No god am I !
What semblance would'st thou to th' immoital ones
In me discover? — I thy father am.
On whose account thou, with a sadden'd heart,
Woe upon woe encount'riug hast so long
290
96 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. . [Book xV^
From lawless ones indignant outrage borne."
Then did he kiss his son, as down liis cheek 29S
A tear he shed which fell to ground ; for yet •
Had he, without once yielding, his full heart
Perforce restrain'd : but, young Telemachus
(Nowise convinc'd that this his father was)
This prompt rejoinder made : — " No : — thou my sire 300
Ulysses art not ! But, herein some god
Would fain beguile me, that with grief enhanc'd
I may continue sorrowing. No man
Of mortal bom by any pow'r of mind
Could this which I now look upon have wrought ; 305
For that no easy feat would ev'n a god,
Howe'er desirous, find it, thus to make
A man, or young or old ! But only now
Thou wast, of a most certain truth, in years
Well stricken, and in garb repulsive cloth'd : 310
And, now, behold ! thou all the semblance liast
Of those blest gods whose home is in the skies ! "
But, answer thus Ulysses made ; — " My son !
No longer will it now be just that thou
Should'st thus beyond all bounds in wonder muse, 3 1 5
And as one stupefied the coming gi-eet
Of thy dear father hither : for, than he
No other as Ulysses on this land
Will ever set liis foot : — but I, the man
Himself in many a dire affliction tried, 320
And to long wand'ring doom'd, have now, in this
The twentieth year, upon my native soil
At length a landing made. The change thou seest
The work of that Minerva is whose soul
^P^K XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^^
In forays oft di'liglitetli, iiml whose pow'r,
325 ^^
(For such a pow'r she hatli) from time to time
H
My semblance fashion'd at her will ; the fonu
^^B
Now choosing of a mendicant, and next
^^1
Of youthful visag'd man, around whose limlw
^^^
Hung raiment elegant. A facile act
330 ^H
Is it with those wlio th' Eraiiyrean hold
^1
A being of the Earth to elevate
^1
Or to degrade."
^H
Tlius speaking, lie sate down ;
^1
But, now, Teleraauhus, in close euibraco
^^H
His noble father fokling, wept indeed ;
335 ^H
And tearful was that tenderness ; — for both
^^H
Tow'rds sorrow yeam'd, and with a louder plaint
^^1
Did each to grief give utt'rauce than that cry
^^H
Wliich eagles or crook-talon'd vultures raise.
^^1
From whom some hinds their iintledg'd young have stol'n. ^^^^|
Drops, that might move to pity, from their eyes
341 ^^M
Were tliey now shedding, and upon the flood
^^H
Of that most tearful sadness would the beams
^^^^1
Of the fast-setting sun have haply fall'n,
^^^H
Had not Teleuiaelnis in hui-ried speech
345 ^H
His father thus appeal'd to : — " In what ship,
^^1
Dear father mine ! did mariners to this coast
^^H
Of Ithaca convey thee ? Of what land
^^H
Did they report themselves? for that, melliinks.
^^H
As a pedestrian thou cam'st not here."
3SO ^^1
V Patient Ulysses thus : — " The facts, my child, i
H I will relate to thee. That people, fam'd '
^1
^^H
H For good shii>- service, tlif Pliioadans,
^^1
^L VOL. U.
\
98
HOMEli'S ODYSSEY.
[BooE xvr.
Wliose wont it is sure passage to provide
For wliosoever on their shore alights, 355
To this our coast escorted me. A crow
"Who o'er tlie main in a fast sailing hark
Cunvt-y'd me {hy {>rofoiiiule.st slt'cp subdued)
Left nic, still sleeping, here : and splendid gifts
Had they hestow'd on me, of brass and gold 360
Abundant, and choice raiment from their looms ;
Treasures which, by celestial promptings led,
I left to lie in caves hard by. And now
By counsel of Minen-a am 1 come
A conference to hold which shall decide 365
The bloody doom and death of all our foes.
Speak, then ; their numbers in my ear reheai-se : —
Describe, them, too ; — that I at once may learn
How num'ruus and of what dcgi-ee they are ;
For, then will T, — when counsel of that mind 370
I shall have ta'en which no upbraiding knows —
The doubt resolve, if we by other hands
Unaided could against them all make head.
Or, failing this, extoraiil .succours seek."
Telemachus discreetly thus replied : — 375
" O father ! Of thy glorioua renown
Have I through life been hearing ; — that tliy hands
Were all in all a waiTior's ; that thy thoughts
In conf'rence were all wisdom : but, these words
Of thine are somewhat startluig, — and surprise 380
Intense cornea over me. It cannot be
That two should in a conflict suigly strive
With many and most pow'rful. For, not ten
Alone, nor twice ten, only — ; many more
IJOOK XVI.]
JIOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Tlie throng compose, and speed Oy shall thou
Their force discover : — From Uulichium
Come fifty-two young men, select esteera'd,
And six attendants form their train. A score
And four from Samos island, too, arriv'd :
Twenty there were who from Zacynthus canie,-
AU youths of Greece : — From Ithaca itself
Twelve ; mid all held to ho the Lest o' th' isle :
With these the herald Medon companies.
And that old bard of heav'n-inspii-kl song ;
Two serving-uien, in culinary art
Adepts esteera'd, the multitude complete.
390
395
" If with all these in one compacted hand
We should within the palace have to cope,
What have I not to fear lest, there arriv'd,
Thou would'st at but too dire and tlread a cost 400
The wrongs their aiTogance has wrought avenga
If thou to any one, whose aiding hand
Would succoiu- bring, thy thoughts coiUd'st now direct,
Name him at once, and say whose willing mind
With zeal would thus Iwfriend iis."
This appeal
Ulysses answer'd thus : — " Then shaJt thou hear :
Peri>eud thou this, and listen ; and reflect
Wliotliev Minerva and our father Jove
Would meet our need ; — or, shall I further still
For clmmpions seek, to aid us ? "
405
111 his turn 4I
Tek'iiuiclius thus spoke : — " Thest; whom thuu n;iiii'st
h2
1€0
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XVI.
Are powerful allies, iiuleed [ albeit throu'd
On high, in th' clouds of Heaven : and their sway
O'er all the race of mortal Man extends.
And o'er Immortals, too ! "
The godlike Chief 415
To this made answer : — " But fov a brief apace
Will these celestials tany ere the cry
And din of that sharp conflict shall be heard,
And the dread issues of the slaught'ring Pow'r
Shall, in my own palatial lialls, lietween 420
These hated suitors and ourselves be tried.
But, at the break of day return thou home
And all thy wonted converse with the crowd
Of those false-hearted ones renew ; for then
Shall our Euma-us lead me to the town, 425
As a mean meutUcaut and aged man
Again disguis'd : and if in mine own house
They contumely should cast on me, do thou
"With a stout heart endure it while I thus
Such outrage niay be suff 'ring ; aye, although 430
They through the house should hale me by my feet.
Or, even darts and missiles throw at me.
Though of all this thou may'st a witness prove, —
Forbear, and check tlij'self ; yet, in soft terms
Thou may'st appeal, and from those senseless acts 435
Exhort tlieiu to refrain ; but, to tliy words
Eegard will they pay none : — for, that dread day
Which shall pronoimce their doom is but too nigh.
And further will I counsel thee, and this
Keep ivell in mind ; "WTien I'allas (all whose thoughts
Are wisdom) shall such admonition give, 441
Book XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY,
101
With inclination of my head a sign
Will I to thee convey, at sight whereof
Do thou aa many martial weapons seize
As in the palace lie, and in the depths 445
Of the high chamber stow them ; and, when quest
Sliall by the suitors for those arms be made,
With gentle speech beguile them, and say thus : —
' Beyond the reach of smoke are they secure :
So unlike as they now appear to those 450
Which, when for Troy he sjiU'd, Ulysses left:
For, foul are they become in ev'ry jjart
Where vapour from the fire has sullied them ;
And this, too, which of greater import seems,
Tlie son of Saturn bade me keep in mind : — 455
The hazard that, if, haply, through excess
Ye should break forth inebriate, and in strife
Among yourselves be struggling, — with those arms
Ye might each other pierce, and all the grace
Of hospitable banquets and tlie suit 460
Which ye are here pui-suing, tuni to shame :
For the steel blade itself lures men to blood.'
" But, for ourselves, Telemachus ! alone —
Leave thou two swords, two spears, and two good shields
Of bull's liide form'd, upon our anus to bear ; 465
That when on these we shall have thrown ourselves
We instantly may handle them ; and then
Pallas Minerva and the allwise Jove
A spell of weakness on our foe wUl cast :
And, more than this 1 lay on thee : my words 470
Most faithfully ubseive ! If thou indeed
iVj't a true child of mine, imd if my blood
102 HOMERS ODYSSEY. [Book XVI.
lu thee be flowing, — let no mortal leani
That in that home Ulysses is amv'd :
Let not Laertes, nor Eumaeus know, 475
Nor any one that in that palace serves.
No, nor Penelope herself : — for, thou
And I alone the female mind must sift
That there prevails ; and all the serving men
In turn approve ; each one that in his heart 480
Reveres and fears us ; or with mere contempt
Regards us both, and without thought of thee,
(Considering who thou art !) thine honour wounds."
The noble son then spoke : — " Father mine !
The spirit that I own, in time to come 485
Methinks thou wilt discern. No thoughtless turn
Hath my mind ever taken ; — but, thy plan,
Methinks, will neither of us twain befriend ; —
And, I beseech thee, ponder on't awhile :
Foi, tedious would that session be which thou, 490
On this stem scrutiny intent, must hold.
While, in thy palace undisturb'd, that crowd
With ruffian hands are laying waste thy wealth
And nothing sparing. I would urge thee, stiU,
Those women to discover by whose acts 495
Thou outrag'd art, — and, those without offence.
But, &in would I forego the men to test
At their own dwellings ; for, at later date
This work might we accomplish, if, indeed.
Thou of some guiding portent knowledge hast 500
By aegis-bearing Jove to thee vouchsaf 'd."
Thus intcrchang'd they counsel ; — but, meantime.
Book XVI.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
103
Tliiit goodly bark wliit-li young Telcmachus
And all his comrades had from Tylos borne,
Was to th' Ithacian port brouglit in, — and now, 505
When through the deepest water they liad pass'd.
The ship they dragg'd ashore, and the brave crew
Tlio weapons took thori'lVom, and all tliose gifts,
So splendid deem'd, to Clytius' house convey'd.
A hendd tlien to find Ulysses' house 5 1 o
They forward urg'd, wliu to Penelope
The tidings might announce that on the isle
Teleniachus had landed, and the ship
Still under sail had to the city scut ;
That the illustrious queen in timid doubt 5 1 5
No tear should shed of tenderness. The twain,
Herald and swineherd, of the self-same news
To the princess dispatcli'd to make report.
Met on the way ; and when the house they reach'd
Of their high-iniiided prince, the herald thus, 520
Amid the handmaids standing, cried aloud : —
" Queen ! thy much lov'd son is safe arriv'd ! "
But, having to Penelope drawn nigh.
The swinelicrd to her car the message brought
Entire, which her dear son had bid him give. 525
And, when he all had told, his way he took
The herd-stall to regain, and from the courts
iVnd palace timi'd away. But, all the throng
Of those proud suitoi-s sadden'd were at heart,
.cVud in amazement ponder'd : and, forthwith. 530
From out the palace issuing, the space
Before the mansion's outer wall they Hll'd,
And there, at each gate-entry took their seats.
104 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVI.
Eurymaclms, the sott^of Polybus
An exhortation thus commenc'd : — " My friends ! 535
A bold exploit, indeed, hath, with display
Of wondrous daring, by Telemachiis
Been just achiev'd ; — I of this voyage speak,
Which we affirm'd he never would effect !
But, come :— we will our fleetest vessel launch, 540
And fishermen as rowers will enlist.
Who, with all expedition us'd, our friends
May thus advise and quickly homeward send."
Scarce had he ceas'd, before Amphinomus,
His station shifting, the dark ship descried 545
In the deep harbour floating, and the crew
Taking in sail, and in their hands the oars
On high uplifting : and with careless laugh
He thus exclaim'd : — " No longer need have we
To speed a messenger ! Here, in the port 5 50
Are all our crew ! And some immortal god
Hath their informant been, or, they themselves
The ship descried through ocean making way.
And fail'd to overtake it."
Tims spake he,
And they, all rising, to the beach repair'd 555
And drew their ship ashore ; — their serving-men
(A worthy band) the weapons from the hold
To land removing. But, the suitors now
The Forum in a body sought ; though none
Into that council-hall admittance found, 560
Or young or old, themselves except ; or seats
Beside them shar'd. And here Antinoiis,
8on of Eupithes, his harangue commenc'd : —
Book XVI.J
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
105
" Most strange is this ! How Lave th' immortal gods
This man from puril rescued ! Day by day 565
Our scouts, in turns, upon those breezy heif^hts
Tliat jutted out to sea their watch nuintain'd,
And from the setting of the sun we ne'er,
Througliout the livelong night, on shore took sleep,
13ut, in our rapid sailing Lark, at sea 57°
The morn awaited ; as iu covert close
Ou this Teleniachus to fall we lay,
AVhum having seiz'd we there shouhl have destroy 'd.
Mcauwliile, some god ui>on this very shoie
Has lauded him ! Now, let us here some scheme 575
Complete which may Telemacliua take oflF,
Nor let him e'er again our grasp elude ;
For, while he Uves. I certain am, our ends
Will never be nttaiu'd. In ruatters gmvu
Whereon t' advise, and in nil pow'r of thouglit, 580
Ho is, himself, most able ; and the voice
Of all the populace has long since ceas'd
To bring to us reports we care to hear.
Now, eiv he can the Greeks to conf rence call,
Tiike you good heed r — for, as I think, no more 585
Will he inactive prove, but ou us all
Uis anger vent, and, being once stirr'd up.
He %vlll to ev'r)' one proclaim how we
To kill him by a l)loiKly death had schem'd.
And faii'd to seize our man. Tlien, as these deeds, 590
So wicked deem'd, their hearing reach, the crowd
WiU adverse sentence pass ; and fear there is
That they herewith may offer ^aoleuce,
And from this land of ours expel us all.
And we some alien home perforce must seek. 595
106 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVI.
Let us beforehand with him prove, and far
From where he in the city is, — ^in fields.
Or in some road where he is journeying.
His life proceed to take ; and thus may we
His wealth and all his substance make our own, 600
By lots the whole partitioning, and then
The palace to his mother's use concede,
And to the lord she may in wedlock choose.
But, if such reasoning please you not — ; if this
Your will the rather is, that he his life 605
And all the wealth of his forefathers' home
Should still retain, — no longer let us here,
In numbers thronging, with om- wonted waste
Those treasures squander which their owner's heart
So dear esteems, — but, let each man of us, 610
No longer in the palace lodg'd, his suit
With proffer'd dowry press ; and then may she
To the most lavish donor of such gifts
(The man by fate allotted) yield her hand."
He ended ; and they all sate mute : — Whereat 61 5
Amphinomus uprose, — [the noble son
Of Nisus, king Aretias' princely heir]
AVho from Dulichium's verdant meads and plains
For rich wheat harvests fam'd, the leader was
Of fifty-one young suitors ; he, himself, 620
As one with gifts of pleasant speech endow'd,
By queen Penelope most welcome held :
For the best sense had he, and us'd it, too.
He, with a kindlier mind, this gi*ave address
To all around deliver'd : — " No — my friends ! 625
Myself, for one, can no desiiv avow
DoaK XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
107
Tci kill Teleniacbus. An awful crime
Is it to slaughter one of kingly race I
First let us from the gods some guidance seek, —
Tlien — if the will of Jove omnipotent, 630
As by the oracle declar'd, this deed
SI1.1II counsel us to do, — myself the blow
Will strike, and all of you to action urge :
Hut, if the goila our purpose would divert.
My earnest word of counsel is — Forbear !" 635
Thus spake Amphiuomus, and his appeal
Their full approval gain'd, and from their seats
Uprising all towards Ulysses' house
Their steps began to bend; and, there airiv'd.
Upon a polish'd throne each suitor sate.
640
But, startling was the fresh surprise propar'd
The minds of that proud overbearing crowd
To overtake, which now Penelope
Hereelf was fraujiug, who in her own home
The menac'd murder of lier son had heai-d 645
By Medon told, the herald who their plot,
While list'ning, had discover'd ; and she now
Witli all her female train into tlie hall
Of that palatial mansion entry made ;
And, as the haughty crowd her eyes discern 'd, 650
A station near the pillar which upbore
The goodly roof above her she assmn'd,
And to her cheek a veil she held while thus
Her speech she to Autiuoiis addruss'd
And (by his mime arraigu'd) upbraided him : — 655
108
I/OMEJf'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XVI.
" Aiitiiioiis ! malignant that tliou art —
Malicious plotter ! Common fame, forsooth !
Speaks of thee as the ablest of thine age,
Both iu sound judgment and in speech, 'mid all
Who liere in Ilhaca rt'surt r hut. no — 660
Tliou of a truth art not that man ! Mad fool !
Wherefore hast thou the death aiul mortal doom
Of my Telemaehus design'd ? nor heed
To 3U])pHauts takest aught, whose cause and claims
Jove testities ? Uuhallow'd is the thought . 665
That injury against our neighbour schemes.
What ! Hast thou never learn'd how to tliis home
Thy father, fleeing here, for safety came,
By panic terror of our people scar'd,
Indignant as they were, for that, intent 670
On chasing across sea the Taphiau crews
(That pirates were,) he the Thesprotians' rights
Had reckless spurn'd ? And these were our allies :
Aye — and they fain thy parent woidd have kill'd.
His heart's life-hlood liave taken, and his wealth, 675
Ample and precious as it was, dispers'd ;
But that Ulysses stay'd their hands, and though
To wreak their vengeance raging, drove them ofl":
And this same man's inheritance thou now
With contumely art squandering ; his wife 680
Thou with thy suit art harassing; — his son
Thou seek'st to murder, and upon myself
A load hast heap'd of mis'rj* ! But, henceforth,
I bid thee pause : and see that thou like cliarge
To all thy fellows give."
In prompt reply
685
Book XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
109
Eurjnnachus the son of Polybus
Uprose aud spake : — " Most just Penelope !
Daughter of Icarus ! Renounce diatruat : —
Let nought that thou hast dwelt on be to thee
A cause of dread. The man exists not here, 6go
Nor heri' will ever come, nnr will !:« horn,
Wlio on thy son Telemaubus his hand
"Will dare to lay, while I, at least, survive
The sunlight to behold. For, tliis to thee,
qneen ! I here declare, — and all my words 695
Fulfill'd shall be — liis lit'u-blood from my spear
Should in an instant ilrop ; for that the Chief
Who many a city had in ruins laitl,
TJlysses, ofttimes, wlien upon his knees
He, in my childhood, seated me, choice bits 700
Of roasted meat between my fingers i)ut,
And 'twixt my lips, red wine ! And for this cause
Telemaclms to me the dearest far
Of all men living is ; nor warning aught
Would I for my part give him, death to dread 705
From any .'^uitor here : From hand divine
No man that fate can shun,"
Thus ended he.
Her spirit comforting, — but, in his heart
Ho was a murder compassing ! Then pass'd
Penelope into those upper rooms
Where splendour shone around, and there, in teai-s.
She her lov'd husband mourn 'd, till o'er her eyes
MineiTa sweetly soothing slumber shed.
710
At even-tide the swineherd, homeward bent,
ito
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XVI.
Ulysses and Telemachus rcjoin'd ; 715
And they, a tender swine of one year's age
For the repast of ev'ning liavinj; slain,
Their meal, like men well practis'd, had pre])av'<l :
But, now, Minei-va, at Ulyssos' side
Her station taking, struck him %vith a wand, 720
Antl all the semblance of an aged man
Once more in him created, and vile garb
Around his person cast, that in this guise
Eumscus, as his master face to face
He look'd upon, no feature might detect 725
And ill his mind perpend it ; or foithwitli
To queen Penelope thereon report.
Telemachus first spoke : " Here, then, thou com'st,
Most cxccUcnt Eiuna-us ! K^ow, what tale
Is in the city current ? Are the throng
Of tyrant suitors from that lurking place
Where late they lay in watch, come home agaiu ?
Or do they still their vigil keep, myself
And ship expecting ? "
73Q
To which words,
Eumtcus ! thou thus gaVst reply : — " Concern 735
I felt not tins to learn or question ask.
As through the streets I pass'd ; for, all my care.
When of my message rid, "was with all haste
This herd-stall to regain : But one whose speed
Was great indeed, — a hemld from thy crew 740
With news dispatfh'd, — fell in with me, and he
Thy mother first inform'd ; — But, — for this fact
I well can speak, as with these eyes of mine
Book XVI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. Ill
I saw it : Just as now beyond the walls
I hurried of the city, where the ridge 745
Of Hermes runs, a swiftly sailing ship
I saw our harbour ent'ring ; and a troop
Of men were there on board ; — deep laden, too.
It seem'd with shields and iron-shod long spears ;
And ' These are they ! methought — : though for a truth
I must not vouch it ! ' "
Thus EumsBUS spoke : 75 1
And at his words Telemachus with smiles
His eye upon his father fix'd, but glance
On good EumiBus bent he none. At length
From all exertion ceasing, as a meal 755
Of ample viands they had now prepar'd,
They ate at ease, nor thought had they to take
Lest each should not his equal portion share. •
But, when for drink or eating relish all
Began to cease, their thoughts to bedward tum'd, 760
And all the blessed gift of slumber shar'd.
KND OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK.
112 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVIL
BOOK XVII.
"DUT, when the rosy morn, dawn's offspring, rose,
Telemachus, with beauteous sandals shod.
And with a sturdy jav'lin arm'd, which well
His grasping palm befitted, tow'rds the town
His journey took ; and to the swineherd thus 5
At parting spoke : — " Now, fatherly old man !
I tcthe city must my steps direct
That my lov'd mother may, at length, her eyes
Upon me bend ; for, this pernicious grief
And flooding sorrow never, as I think, 10
Will she abandon, until face to face
She shall thus see me : but, this earnest charge
I lay on thee — Our hapless stranger guest
Conduct thou to the city, that he there
May as a mendicant some food entreat ; 1 5
And then may any one at will a cate
Of wheaten bread and a small cupfull give :
But, hamper'd and distracted as my mind
With trouble is, I cannot for the needs
Provide of aU. And if the stranger's ire 20
Hereat shall chafe, so much the worse for him !
For in frank phrase to speak is my delight."
Book XVll.J HOMER'S ODYHSEY.
113
The shrewd Ulysses hereupon thus spoke :^
" My friend ! No wish of mioe would stay me here :
"fis better that a mendicant in town 25
For food should be a suppliant than in fields :
For, whosoever hath a kindly will
May thus befriend me. And, no longer now
Avails my age that here, among the swine,
I should abide, and such a master serve 30
As would to all requirements of his will
Obedience claim. Go thou ; — and this good man,
With thy request compliant, will forthwith
Conduct me to the city ; — when, at least,
From these hot embers on the hearth some warmth 3 5
I shall have felt, and heat from the sun's rays
Shall from on high be gleaming ; for the garb
WTiich on my limbs is hanging is so spare
And wretched, that the early matin rime
May with its chill o'ei-pow'r me ; and ye say 40
The city distant lieth." Tims spake he.
And with light onward step TeLcmachus
Through the hut hasted, — schemes of vengeance dire
On all the suitors plotting. But, when now
He had the palace reach'd, his spear he lower'd — 45
By the tall bearing-pillar of the roof
Awhile to leave it ; and, the threshold stone
Of that proud mansion crossing, pass'd within.
Him, long before the eyes of others saw.
His nurse, aged Euryclea recognis'd 50
As on each throne-like seat, which cunning art
So variously had fashion 'd, she a fleece
Of wool was laying ; and with tearful eyes
She onward rush'd. All the handmaidens, too.
VOL. IL I
114
UOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVII,
Thftt with her in the princely mansion scrv'd 55
Of brave Ulysses, roiind about him tUrong'd,
And, with most tender welcome, on liis brow
And shoulders many a kiss of joy impress'd.
Then from her chamber came Penelope —
The goddess-presence of Diana's self 6o
Or golden Venus rivalling, and, all tears.
Her darling son in her enfolding arms
Awhile she held, and kisses on his head
And both his eyes, so radiant, impress'd.
And in the tones of sorrow these wing'd words 65
Began to utter : — " Thou, at length, art come !
Telemachus ! my own sweet light ! My thought
Hath lung time been that never, never more
Should I upon thee look, — since in that ship
Without my knowledge and against my wish 70
Thou sail'tlst to Pylos, — of thy father's fate
Fresh tidings there to leam. But, tell me, now,
^Vhat, haply, have those eyes of thiue beheld."
To this discreet Telemachus replied : —
'* Mother mine ! renew not thon my woes 75
Nor move my heart within me, who but now
From death in its most fearful form have fled ;
But, having thine ablutions made, and robes
Of spotless purity around thee thrown.
With all thy female train to th' upper room 80I
From hence go forth, and there to all the gods
A vow pronounce that hallow'd hecatombs
Tliou wilt on altai-s uffcr up, if Jove
The deed of our retributive revenge
Will anywise effect for us. But, I 85
Book XVII.] HOMER'S ODYSSKi'.
Must to tlie Forum speed, a stranger tlience
To bring alonj^ who on my voyage home
Hath my associate been, and whom, indeed,
With my brave comrades onward I dispatch'd,
And on Pirjeus this commandment laid
That when he home had led liim, he as host
Should welcome him and witFi nil zeal regard
Till I myself should couif."
115
90
He ceas'd to speak,
But, ev'ry word, unwing'd, sunk deep in her ;
^Vjid Queen Penelope, when in her bath gj
Ablution she had made, and witli the robes
Of spotless purity her form array'd,
To all the gods a solemn vow prouoimc'd,
That on the altai-s haUow'd hecntombs
She would as ofiTrings lay, if Jove himself loo
The deed of just retributive revenge
Would anywise effect. Then, spear in hand,
Telemachus the palace left, — his dogs
So swift o' foot, close following ; and a charm
Unearthly did Minerva round him throw, 105
As all on his advancing presence gaz'd
With admiration wond'ring. Ev'n the crowd
Of those presumptuous suitoi-s throng'd around
With speeches fair upon their Hps, — but wrongs
Most foul in mind and heart contemplating. 1 1 o
But, as he from this concourse tum'd aside,
Telemachus to Mentor made advance,
With whom in converse join'd sate Antiphus
And Alitherses, who from earliest years
His father's fiieuds hml prov'd ; and at theii- side 1 1 5
I 2
116
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVII,
ire sate liim down, a3 they, all eftgerness,
Bade him from first to last his tale narrate.
And then drew nigh Piraeua (he whose spear
So oft had won him fame) the stranger giie.st
Leading into the Fonim, — from whose side 1 20
Telemachus, but for a moment, tum'd,
And then approach 'd them, when Pirseus tlms : —
" Telemachus ! send women with all speed
To where I dwell, that I may send to thee
All Menelaiis' gifts." But, to these words 125'
Telemachus discreetly thus replied : —
'* Pirwus ! On the issues of these days
We cannot reckon : If the hateful crowd
Of suitors should within the palace walls
By treach'ry take my life, and all the wealth 1 36"
WTiich from my ancestors on me devolv'd
Attempt to make their booty, my heart's wish
Is that thyself, or some of these our friends,
Should claim and ever hold it as your own.
But, if the seed I am about to sow 1 3 J
Shall in the death and overwhelming doom
Of these fell suitora germinate, — do thou
In gleeful triumph bring (while large content
My own heart fills) those gifts to my own home."
Then did he that long harass'd man, his guest, 1 40
Into the palace lead, and when they now
"Within the mansion stood, their cloaks they laid
On couches and on thrones, and in the baths
Of sliining marble their ablutions made ;
And when th' attendant maidens had their feet 145
Fir.st lav'd, ami oily unguent.s on them pour'd.
Book XVII.J IIOMER'8 OJJYSSEY.
117
In woollen mantles and more seemly garb
They rob'd themaelves, and from those polish'd baths
Forth issuing, upon the couches sate.
Then in a aiuuptuous golden vase contain'd 1 50
A handmaid brought in water : this she pom-'d
Upon a laver all in silver wrought
And for all cleausiug apt ; and close at hand
A polish'd table placed : And tlieji did she
Who, winning all respect, had oversight 155
Of the palatial storehouse, set on bread,
And many cates therewitli before them placed
Of zest moat delicate, therewith to please
As the supply at hand her wish might serve.
And opposite sate Queen Penelope 160
Upon a couch recumbent where the shaft
Of a tall column of the palace rose.
And in her hands the threads of finest wool
She from a distaff wound. And now did they
The proffer'd viands handling freely eat, 165
Until, when appetite no longer crav'd,
Penelope, appealing, thus began :
" my Telemachus ! to th' upper room
Will I, indeed, ascend ; and on that couch
There throw myself which, flooded with my tears, 170
So wretched hath become since with the sons
Of Atreus my Ulysses sail'd for Troy.
And now, alas ! though at this moment none
Of all that hateful crowd of suitors yet
Have in the palace set their foot — , thyself 175
From me tb' exact recital would'st withhold
Which of thy father's coming houic might speak.
M6
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVII.
Or tidings any of his destiny
From anywhere report." To which in turn
Telemachus : —
" To all that thou haat ask'd i So
Assenting, iny mother ! I will now
A faithful tale narrate. To Pj'los tirst
Our course we shap'd, and Nestor's regal home —
(The pastor of his people call'd) : and he
In those high halls as an accepted guest 1 85
With cordial welcome nobly greeted me ;
And, as a father hails with joy the son
Just to that home retum'd from which by space
And time he long hath parted been, eVn thus
With zealous care did Nestor and his sons,
Illustrious as they are, my weifai-e tend.
But tidings none, from any one on earth,
Of the forlorn Ulysses had he gain'd,
Or living or defunct ; but, on my way
With two yok'd horses and a cai- complete \<)\
Did Nestor speed me to that prince whose spear
In war had won imperishable fame —
Atrides Menelaus ; and Tvith him
Saw I that Argive Helen, in whose cause
(So wUl'd the gods) the legiou'd hosts of CJreece
And Troia such alflictive Uls endur'd.
And Menelaus, who, in battle strife
So valiant ever shone, with question prompt
The earnest wish desir'd to learn which thus
To glorious Sparta had transported me : 205
And all the truth I instantly reveal'd ;
And he thereon thus spoke : — ' Ah ! shame upou't !
Book XVII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
119
These puny dastards, then, would fain the couch
Have slept in of the bravest of the brave !
As when a hind that wandera from her young 2lo
But lat<>ly dropp'd, and still from parent's milk
Their nurture drawing — , lays them where but now
A lion couch'd ; — then strays to browzc, and roania
Tlie hill-side woodlands through and verdant meads—
And that fierce lion, to his den retuni'd, 2 1 5
A direful doom on fawn and hind inflicts.
So will Ulysses on those foes of thine
Tlic sternest vengeance wi-eak. Father Jove !
Minerva, too, and Phcebus I invoke —
Would he were now as w!ien, in days gone by, 220
In Lesbos' city, — beauteous in its site —
lie rose to wrestle in a contest sharp
"With Philomela's son, and with rude force
Gave hun a fall ;— to all the Greeks a joy !
Sliould this Ulysses on those suitors fall, 225
Their doom were prompt enough : their nuptial days
In bitter rites would end ! But, for that tale
Which at my hands thou askest and with prayer
So earnest plead'st for, utterance of mine
Evasive should not 'scape mo, nor would I 230
Thy hope deceive ; but what that j)rophet true —
The old Man of the Sea to me disclos'd,
I will repeat ; — withholding not one word.
This he affirm'd, that in a certain isle
Ulysses, so long harass'd, he beheld 235
All bath'd in tears, in the palatial home
Of that fam'd nymph Cal}'pso, who, by force
Was there detaining him ; nor pow'r had he
To reach his native land : for, not a ship
120
UOMER'H ODYSSEY.
[Book XVII.
240
With oai-s equipp'd had he, or fit comates
To pilot him acrosa the spreading seaa.'
Such was the tale hy Menelaua, son
Of Atreua, told ; — on hearing which, my course
I homeward tum'd, and the immortal gods
Who to the shore of my lov'd fatherland 245
Sped that return, propitious breezes sent."
Thus spake Telemachus ; and many a thought
And feeling in his list'ning Mother rous'd —
When Theoclymeuus thus zealous spoke : —
" august consort of Laertes* son ! 250
Herein this youth no certain knowledge hath —
But, mark thou well my woi-ds ; — for, error none
In those averments will be found which now
1 am ahout to utter ; nor reserve
Will I maintain. Let Jove, o'er Gods supreme, 255
My speech attest ; — that hoard, too, where thy guests
Such welcome meet ; and great Ulysses' hearth
Whereto I have drawn nigh — , that at this hour
Ulysses may in his own fatherland
Be sitting found, or slowly stealing on, 260
As he into the gross atrocious wrongs
That here are rife an inquest stern pursues.
And for each suitor of them all a doom
Wliioli shall o'erwhelm them hastens. Of all this
The omens I discem'd as on the deck
Of our good ship I lay, and to thy son
Telemachus, that moment, I spoke out."
To whom Penelope : — " I would, indted,
O stranger ! that these auguiies of thine
Book XVII.] UOMER'S ODYSSEY. 121
Might their fulfilment meet ! lor, promptly then 270
Shouldst thou my cordial kindness feel, and gifts
From me receive, possessing which, all friends
That met thee thy good fortune would salute."
Such interchange of speech awhile they held :
Meanwhile, upon tlie Hat smooth levell'd swade, 275
IJefore Ulysses' princely courts outspread,
The suitors of Penelope were met
With quoits and lances to disport themselves.
Where, in days past, with scorn and contumely
Tlieir wont had been to revel. But, as now 2S0
The hour of ev'niug meal approach'd, and flocks
From all the pastures round came thronging in
(The wonted herdsmen leading them), these words
The herald Medon to the suitor traiu
Began t' addi-ess : — (For, of the heralds, he 285
Most favour'd of them was, and at their feasts
Attendance gave :) " Young men ! since from your games
Thus far contentment large you have deriv'd,
Ke-enter now the mansion, that our feast *
We may in order set ; for, as the hour 290
Most opportune for night's repast draws uigh,
'Tia no unwise resolve to eat thereof ! "
He ended : and, with one accord upris'n.
They to the palace turn'd ; and, there arriv'd.
Their mantles on the couches and the thrones
They tlirew aside, and of the full-grown sheep
And prime conditiou'd goatfi made sacrifice,
And falten'd swine they added, and a cow
From off the pastui'es taken, that the feast
29s
IS2
nOMEJi'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVII.
Complelu miglit lie: But, iu tbc self-same Lour 300
Ulysses and EumEeus from the hut
Were their departure hast'ning for the town ;
And thus the liigh-soul'd swineherd reas'ning spake : —
" Stranger ! since thine earnest wish it seems
(And 'twas my master's charge upon mo laid) 305
This day the town to enter, — be it thus : —
But, fain would I myself in thee behold
The trustful overlooker of these stalls :
Yet, with the homage of respect and fear
Herein to him must I defer, whose wrath 310
I haply niiglit provoke ; and the rebukes
Of those who with a sov'reigu power rule
Are in their nature stern. But, speed we now !
For day hath well nigh glided past, and when
The eve sets in the air will keener prove." 3 1 5
But, full of many counsels, to these words
Ulysses thus replied : — " All this I know :
What thou hast urg'd, escap'd uie not ; and that
Which thou eiijoinest is to one address'd
Who well hatii comprehended : Go we, then, 320
And all the journey through be thou my guide ;
But, if thou chance to have by thee a shoot
Already from its parent stem lopp'd off.
Bestow on me the same, my weight to poise,
For, of a slipp'ry pat!i thou mention mad'st" 325
lie spoke : — and from his shoulders downward slung
A leathern pouch most mean to look upon
And full of rents ; a plaited band withaL
But u(»w Emmeus iu LHyssos' hand
■ Book XVII.] HOMERS ODYHSEY.
^^1
1 A staff whicli niiglit a man iuspirit plac'cl ;
330 ^^1
H And forward sped the twain : tlie dogs, ineauwldli',
^^H
^L^ And men behind them leaving, o'er the hut
^^1
^H Safe guardianship to keep ; and in this guise
^^1
The swineherd to the town his master led ;
^^H
The semblance beai-ing of a mendicant
335 ^^1
In sorriest plight, and of one bow'd l>y ugc
^^1
And by a stafl" supported ; vilest garb
^^1
About his body hanging. Even thus,
^^1
Along the rough road trudging, they at length
^^H
The town approacli'd, and that fiiir bubbling fount
340 ^^1
Drew nigh to — (by the skill of man contriv'd) —
^^H
The people's constant and entire supply —
^^1
Which Ithacus and Neritus of old
^^H
Had with Polyctor giv'n. All circling round
^^1
Arose a copse of poplar trees whose growth
^H
In kindly moisture throve ; for, from a crag
^^H
Tliat high in air uprose, a frigid stream
^^1
Was ever do^vnward rushing. On tliat height
^^H
An altar stood whereon wlioever there
^^H
Theu- journey's course directed, to the Nymphs
35U ^^1
A votive off'ring made ; — iVnd, at this spot
^^H
Melantius, son of Dolius, with the twain
^^1
Ulysses and Eumreua met ; as he
^^H
The goats was leading which of all the henls
^^1
The sleekest were by far — ; an ev'niug meal
355 ^H
To furnish for the suitors ; and two hinds
^^H
Were following close ; But, as, at length, his glance
^^1
On the wayfarers feU, he with vile speech
^^H
Hy name Eunifcus taunted, and at both.
^^1
With gestures full of outrage and affront.
360 ^M
u*
no M EH' a ODYSSEY.
365
370
[Book XVU
UJ to mil, and bmve Ulysses' ire
yVwttk'J witliin liini as he thus exclaim'd :
«• Horc, sure ! is the mean leader of the mean !
;\ii(l tliuH tlu! lU-ily for evermore
TIic lik.j liiika with the like. Unhappy wretch,
KuuiusUB I whither mnya't tliou chauce to lead
ThiM Btarviiliiig wight, this pestVing mendicant,
Thia kill-joy at our meals ! who, as from door
To door-pust he his shifting station takes.
IIJH HliMulders will be rubbini^, wliile for bits
Hi! (not for tripod or for caldron) begs !
Sl>ould'«t thou to mo thy comrade here consign
About my houae-stalls to keep watch, — my pens
To clean, — and a green bough to hold in hand,
To lure the kids aloni,' — , If nought but whey
His bcv'rnge were, he wo\ild a stout thigh grow !
But, no t Since he in mischief an adept
Must long have been, with no good will would he
To labour turn : he, at the people's heels
For ever cowering, his choice has made 380
For his insatiate maw to beg alone :
]Uit, frankly 1 dcclai-e to thee, — (and all
Thus told and threaten'd will fulfilment meet, — )
If to Ulysses' mansion he shoidd come.
Ilia ribs, while he with missiles through the halls 385
Un ev'ry side shall bo assail'd, will soon
Full many a footstool graze and fret away
As, from men's hands, around his head they'll fly ! "
375
lie ended, and as by Ulysses' side
He onward pass'd, — in his mad insolence
He at the prince's hip a leap essay 'd
390
Book XVII.] HOMER'FI ODTSSIEY.
135
And kickVl it ; but, iHsplaccment from the spot
Compell'd he none : — unstagger'd and uuniov'd
Ulysses stood, but, pausing, raus'd awhile
Whether with rapid onset he at once 395
Melantius' life should with the cudgel take,
Or, having from the ground his body raisM,
The head dash down to earth. But, he forlmre.
And bent his mind t' endure. "WTiereat, with eyes
Upon him fix't, the swineherd words of blame 400
Began to utter, as, with hands and voice
Uplifted he thus pray'd : — " fountain nymphs !
Daughters of Jove ! If, ever, at your fane
LHysses hath the thighs of victims burnt.
With luscious fat of lambs or tender kids 405
The portions cov'ring — , grant me but the boon
Tliat this same Prince may hither live to come.
And may the deity his escort prove !
Then would he all those insults which thou, thus,
Melantius ! fl ingest — , scatter to the winds — 410
Stray vagabond as in this town of ours
Thou long hast been ! For, shepheida villanous
Make sheep and herds as vile ! "
Melantius
The goat- herd thus retorting spoke : — " How now I
What has this dog, in all pernicious arts 4 1 5
So vers'd, been pleas'd to tell us ! — that same one
Wliom on some coming day, from Ithaca
On boanl a well appointed darlt-ribb'd ship
I shall to distant regions see dispatcli'd.
Where? a rich living he may earn for me : 420
For, may Apollo of the silver bow
l« wu*^ tt.uts— ^.tfi. nt ratio. « ~z&sr '
"%«» <h tdft ^ae« «(rr!i «b« Sf ."^wcmc Je^
'^ «^t«.-uiv.di4'(««- i>Kt!«». *» -sat- trstf '"SBsinF
^\»»> V«tvHii^ >*i^". t %-fcw jt tt^on micas «ft
V V\i\^ W'5 ?> V'Joiiciv-us- .a. 3i«;ai sj/uj
i\>i< ^'^■<tu.iu> Yifci lis- tJiass.-.'^ C-sivaic cvoiiUKHi: A
l>V»«» out tho »»tWt n»5 ; and tbe ««n 450
With wall tuh) i»|utt^ is *k>ni\i .-—Its docss
Book XVIL]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
That folding close are with no mean skill wrought :
A palace, truly, such as uoue wuiild acorn :
But, a dense throng, meseems, are in its halls
A high feast holding, and a savour rich
Of some burnt sacrifice is rising here,
And a melodious harp, too, from within
Its tone gives out, hy the immoital gods
Associate of these hanquetings ordain'd"
127
455
Wliereto, Emna?us ! thou this answer mad'st : — 4^0
" Well hast thou judg'd, who ou none other theuie
Discernment want'st ; but, come ! how next to act
Let us duo counsel take. Wilt thou the firat
This noble dwelling enter, I the while
lu this spot tarrying ? Or, if to stay 465
Tliou woiild'st prefer, I will myself precede :
But, linger not, — lest any one that here
His glance may cast on thee, should with a blow
Assail, or spurn thee hence : for which ill chance
I charge thee to take thought."
To whom, in tuni, 470
Patient Ulysses thus : — " Tlus know I well —
I am reflecting : and what thou advis st
Is by my forethought met. Advance thou first.
And I will hero abide, for, stranger none
Am I to wounds by throw of missiles made, 475
Or to assailant blows. Within tliis breast
Is a stout heart to sutler ! On the waves,
And on the fields of tight, how many shocks
Have I encounter'd ! So let this mischance
Refal me as it may. But, power none 480
128
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [IkxiK XVII.
Hiith man a hungiy stomach to hide close !
A pestilent exactor, which at times
To ills unniiraber'd among men may lead.
Ou its behalf, broad ships witli all their gear
Are for the seas equipp'd, and plagues inllict
On those whose ports befriend them not."
485
Ev'n thus
They converse held. Now, Ancus, the aged dog
Of the wayworn Ulysses, stretcli'd at length.
His head and ears was seen to raise ! Of old
Ulysses' self had fed and rear'd liim up, 490
But use of him made none ; — for, hut too soon
To sacred Uion he his voyage took.
The youngsters had, ere then, the mountain-goats
And deer and hares puraued with him ; but, wlien
His owner from that home was distant gone, 495
Arous, — despis'd — amid manure was left
Of mules and oxen, which in heaps immense
Before the doors was mass'd, until some hinds
That in UIys,ses' homestead serv'd, a load
Would thence cart out upon tlie spacious lands 500
As compost to disperse : and thiLs the prey
Of insects vile lay Abgus. But, when now
So nigh Ulysses he beheld, his tail
He to and fro mov'd cheerily : his ears
He instant dropp'd ; but, to that master's feet 505
<1nce more to drag him — strength avail'd him none.
Ulysses, as the faithful swineherd's glance
"With ease he shunn'd, and from a distant siwt
Upon the creature gaz'd, a falling tear
Boon XVII.] HOMER'S ODYftSET.
FiTun his eye wipM away ; Imt to liis herd
In the same moment spake : — " A marvel 'tis,
EiimtEua ! that in such defilins dirt
That dog should lie ! Of beauteous form is he,
But, whether lie, thus gifted, in the course
Was fleet us lie is handsome ; or, for use
Waa valueless, as are the hounds which men
Beneath their tahles keep, I cannot learn :
As a mere show do masters for him care ? "
515
Hereto, Eumseus ! in reply thoii spak'st : —
" This, I may tnily tell thee, is the dog 520
Of one who far from hence has died the death.
Were he hut all, in frame and in exploits,
That of old time he was, when from this home
Ulysses sail'J for Troy, thou at the proof
Roth of his speed oud spirit wrmld'st, indeed, 525
Have wond'ring gaz'd : for, never from the heasts
That chasing into glens and forests dense
He had t' encounter, was he known to flinch ;
And well tmceil he their whereabout ! But, now
Is he on evil fallen, and his lord 530
Hath in some unknown region, from this soil
(His fatherland) remote, to fate siiccumb'd.
The reckless handmaids hei-e no kindly care
On Argus have vouchsaf'd : but, servants tlius.
When their employoi-s can no longer i-ule, 535
All inclination lose to what is right :
And Jove, that from on high beholds us all.
Cup half of any man's good points annuls
When that day comes upon him which liia life
To a slave's lot reduces."
VOL II. K
im
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
With tliese words
The noble house be enter'd, and his steps
To where the suitor train were thronging bent.
But, in the selfsame hour in which his eyes
Upon Ulysses, ai'tcr twenty years,
One moment rested, the dark gloom of death
On Arous fell.
[Cook XVI f.
S40
545
But, as Eumteus, now.
The palace hall was enterLrig, the eye
Of young Teleniachus, 'mid all that there
Were gath'ring round, by far the foremost was
The swineherd to descry ; and by a sign 550
He promptly to himself Eunia5us led.
Who, as he round liim glanc'd, a casual seat
From that attendant's side remov'd who heaps
Of viands to tlie crowd was offering
That there had met to feast. The seat thus ta'en 555
He at the table of Telemachus,
Now fronting him, aiTang'd : and there a place
Himself assum'd ; whereat, as he his share
Drew forth, the herald meat before him rang'd,
And bread from out the basket drew. j^
And now, 560
After brief lapse, Ulysses his own hall
Had well-nigh enter'd, — as a mendicant
Disguis'd, and as an aged decrepit man
That on his staff walk'd feebly : raiment vile
About his limbs was hanging, and a place 565
Upon the inner ashen sill he chose
Book XVII.J UUMER'ii ODYSSEY. 131
Where, 'gainst a cypress column (which, of old,
Some artist hand liad with ingenious toU
To a liigh polish brought ; and all its length
By plummet rul'd) — he sate Mm down and lean'd. 570
But, to his side the swineherd summoning,
Telemachus thus spoke — (a loaf entire
From out the splendid basket drawing forth,
And meat — so much as in his clasping hands
He could comprise, — into Eumanis' own, 575
The meantime, heaping) " To yon stranger take
What here I give thee, and to him the whole
Present ; and then an alms let him entreat,
And all the crowd of suitors supplicate.
No mendicant his diffidence should plead." 580
He spoke, and at the words Eumaeus sped.
Till, by Ulysses standing, these brief words
He utter'd : — " Stranger! this Telemachus
To thee a gift hath sent, and charge on thee
He lays to ask of all an alms ; the throng
Of suitora thus petitioning, — and lulds
That mendicants no diffidence should plead."
58s
Ulysses, ever ready, this reply
In turn address'd : — " O Jove ' 'mid men at large.
May happiness on this Telemachus 550
For ever light ; and whatsoever thought
His mind revolves, with all success desir'd
Be it to him fulfiD'd" Such were his words,
And in both hands the portion ha-sing ta'en,
He at Ilia feet, where that mean wallet lay, 5^5
k2
132
I/OMEli'S ODYSSET. [Book XVII.
Outspread it ; and while Phfiinius in the hall
His minstrel melody was tuning, ate.
Ulysses ceas'd to eat, — the bard to sing,
And loud the din of suitors' voices rose,
When Pallas to Ulysses drawing nigh 6cx)
With exhortation urg'd him in that crowd
An off'ring to beseech of wheaten cakes ;
That of the suitors he the reverent
And godless might discern . Not that herein
A single one from his impending doom 605
The goddess wonld exempt. Thus, from the right
A circuit making, of each guest an alms
With outstretch'd lijinds, as one to begging train'd,
He 'gan to ask : and tliey, as pity mov'd.
Gave, in their turns, — but in amazement gaz'd, 610
And of each other question, who this man
Might be, and whence, began t« ask ; until
Melantius the goat-herd with this speech
The crowd address'd : — " Ye who the noble queen
Are here with your suit urging, to my words 615
Attend awliile : they to this stranger point —
For, I before have seen hira. To this spot
The swineherd has condurted him ; but I
No certain knowledge of him yet have gain'd,
Nor of what tribe he comes at all can learn." 620
He ended : but, Antinoiis with blame
Eumaeus thus aiTaign'd : — " O Swineheixl ! thou
Thyself but too well knowTi ! Why to this town
Hast thou this man conducted? Of the tribes
Of vagrants and mean mendicants that prey
625
r
BuOK XVIL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Aa kill-joys on our banquets, have we not
A concourse ample ? Is it nought to thee
That sueh aa these, here gath'ring, all the means
Will of thy master waste ? And whence, forsooth,
Hast thou thus forwanl eall'd him ? "
133
But, hereto 630
Swineherd ! didst thou instant answer make : —
" Antinoiia ! though thou may'st fortune boast.
Thou apeakest as but ill beseemeth thee : —
For, who that from an unfamiliar home
Himself at feasts arrives, a stranger-guest 635
Would welcome make save from the number chos'n
Of handicraftsmen, soothsayers, or those
Who can diseases heal, or galleys build.
Or some inspired minstrel who with song
The guests might charm ; for these o'er the wide world 640
Are at all feasts made welcome None the hand
Of this good fellowship to one so like
To eat him out of house and home would give !
But, above all that here as suitors sit,
Thou ever to Ulysses' household stem 645
And harsh thyself approvest ; and to me
This in excess. But none account hereof
Make I at all while Queen Penelope
And noble-soid'd Telemachus these halls
Sliall dwell in as their own."
To which, in turn,
Telemachus : — " Eemain thou mute ; — nor thus
In many words rejoin : Antinous
1 ij carping speech is ever wont to strive
650
134
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XVII.
And others prompts to follow him." He spoke,
And to Antiuiiiis turning thus in haste 655
These words appealing cast : — " AntinotLs !
Ev'n as a father would his son's, so thou
My welfare guardest ! — who from this my home
Would'st urge lue, in these harshest terms of si)ei;ch
A stranger to expel. Ne'er may the god 660
This act accomplish'd see ! Take of those meats
And on the man bestow it. No demur
Make I, forsooth ! For, 'twas my own cdnnuand.
Nor is such dole my mothtr's will, nor that
Of any that in all the household serve 665
Of nohle-soul'd Ulysses. As to thee, —
No impulse thus to give in all thy heart
Finds place; for thou far mthfr would'st thyself
Those viands gorge, than aught for othci-s spare."
Antinoiis, in retort : — " Telemachus ! 670
Braggart in speech, — in temper uncontroll'd !
What words have pass'd tliy lips ? If ev'iy one
Among us suitors uumher'd to this man
The like should give, thine house for full three months
Might well suffice to keep him in his home ! " 675
Thus having spoken he a footstool seiz'd
Which underneath the table where he sate
Tdl now had lain, and, while the feast should lixst,
On this he rested his anointed feet.
All other suitors from their portions gave, 680
And on Ulysses' wallet bread and meat
In turn bestow'd ; aad he, as now agjiiii
The threshold he approach'd, on these the gifts
Of Grecian men's compassion to regale.
Book XVII.] UOMER'S ODYHSEY.
135
His station uear AntinoUs chose, and thus 685
That chief hai-angu'd : — " yriend ! give thou in thy turn :
Thou seem'st not, in miae eyes, the meanest grade
Among these Greeks to fill, — but over all
Pre-eminence to hold, who, as it were,
A princely state maintainest : for which cause 690
It well would thee become some richer dole
Than thy compeers have given to bestow ; —
Not bread alone : — And o'er the wide terrene
We live on I'd extol thee : for, in trutli,
I, too, in times bygone, of ample means 695
Possess'd, a goodly home enjoy'd whose wealth
'Mid fellow-men was flourishiug ; and aid
On roaming strangere, of whatever rank.
And whatsoe'er their wants might be, liestow'd.
And crowds, too, I maintain'd of serving men, 70x3
And much had I of all which in this liie
A prosp'roiis lot maintains, and by mankind
Is alHuence call'd. But, Jupiter himself",
The sou of Saturn, (such was the caprice
Of his high will) my wealth's destruction wrought, 705
Who on a lengthsome voyage, which my death
Untimely compass'd, with a roving band
Of pirates sent me forth, th' Egyptian coast
To land upon ; and in Egyptus' stream
Our galleys did I moor. And by this fleet 710
My commdes chui'g'd 1 to abide, and hale
Each keel to shore. Injunction, too, I gave
On eVry jutting point a watch to set.
But, they by wanton lawlessness impell'd,
And their own will asserting, with all speed jrij
The fairest pastm-es of th' Egj-jjlians' lands
136
UOMER'6 ODYSSEY. [Book XVII.
Began to spoil ; their wives and infant babes
They captive took and slaughter'd, till the cry
Of panic with all speed the city fill'd.
And in the early morn, while yet the shouts 720
Were in their ears, in thickly inust'ring troops
The burghers onwaiti came until the plain
With hoata of infantry and horse (whose brass
Shone dazzling bright) on ev'ry side was throng'd.
But, Jove, who in the thunder-crash delights, 725
A sudden fright among my commdes spread,
And not a man darud face his foe : the doom
Of their impending ruin hemm'd them in ;
And on that spot did the Egj^jtian arm
With its keen sword kill many : Some, indeed, 730
That with me companied they captive took
And living spar'd, wlio with forc'd labour might
Henceforth in Egypt toil. Myself, howe'er,
They to a casual stranger yielded up —
Demetas, son of lasus, who ride 735
O'ei' Cyprus held ; and unto Cypiiis' shore
Would thence transport me. From which isle, at length.
After sharp suff'ring am I hither come."
Still, on retort intent, Antinoiis thus : —
" Now ' Which of all the gods tliis plague hath sent !
This kill-joy, — to our feast ? Thy station, then, 741
Take thou iji yonder centre, — from the board
Where now I sit far distant ; lest betimes
I'pon an Egj'pt as replete with harm
And Cypi-us, too, thou haply should'st aliglit : 745
Some bold and barcfac'd mendicant art thou I
To all thou mak'st approach, and without thought
1
Book XVII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
137
On thee they waste tlieir bounty ; for, no check
Nor thought consid'rate weighs where from the goods
Of others all are giving, while each man 750
So much has to enjoy 1 "
But, to this speech
Ulysses, ever ready in reply.
As he withdrew, thus answer'd : — " Sad, indeed,
Appeai-eth this, that with thy graceful shape
Thou hast no feelings ! For, from thine own house,
Tliou would'st not on a supplinut at thy feet
The merest gi-ain of salt bestow ; ev'n thou
Who, at this moment, at the gen'rous board
Tims sitting of another, mercy none
Could'st in tliy bosom feel of yonder bread
To take and give me ; while before thy face
So great abundance lieth ! "
75S
760
Thus spoke he :
Whereat Antiuous with tiercer ire
Hegan to chafe, and as a savage glance
He cast at him, in these wing'd accents spoke :
" Now, to a certainty opine I not
That thou from hence wilt safely make thy way,
Who such revilings dar'st to fling ! "
76s
And now,
The footstool seizing, on Ulysses' back
'Neath the right shoulder he a blow let fall :
But, rock-like, aU nnmov'd, the Chieftain stood,
Nor ev'n to make him stjigger did the stroke
Thus by Antiuous hurl'd at him avail.
770
138
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVII.
Ulysses, mute continuing, shook liis head,
As in liis inmost soul the day of fate
He bi-ooded on ; and, to the threshold stone
Eeturning, he his seat resum'd, and there
His now well-loaded wallet placed, and thus
To all the suitors spoke ; —
775
" All ye who here
The suitors are of the most noble queen, 780
Your audience grant while 1 to ev'iy tlnmght
My heart is prompting sluill my utt'rauce give ; —
No heaviness of spirit, nor regi'et
Should that man feel who, to defend his own,
On conflict rushes and a wound receives, 785
For his fat oxen fighting or white sheep :
But, this Antinous my shoulder hit
My stomach's claims resenting — , that fell cause
Of mortal bane ! that mischief-working plague
Which many a disaster upon men 790
Is known to bring! But, if there gods should be
Or dread avenging Powers which the cause
Of hapless Need befriend, may Dtath his course
Before his nuptial day untimely close ! "
To this Antinous, Eupithes' sou, 795
Kejuin'd : — " Stranger ! eat thou, and be still !
And keep thou there thy seat, or from tliia hnll
Betake thyself, lest, railer aa thou art.
Our youngsters either by thy feet or hands
Should in a moment draw thee through the house 800
And scrape thy skin from off thee ! "
Here paus'd he —
Book XVII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
139
But, all that crowd with auger vehement
Took to themselves the shame ; and, of the youths
One cried aloud ; — " AntinoiLs ! that blow
But ill became thee which yon wand'ring wretch 805
From thee receiv'd, — doom'd as thou art for this.
If any god in heav'n there be — to die.
For that the gods, like strangers from some land
Remote appearing, and in nuiny a form
By men beheld, tlu'oughout their cities walk, 810
Th' impiety or virtues of our race
With scrutiny contemplating. "
Such words
Ev'u from the suitors issued ; — though regard
Antinoiis paid none. But, anguish keen
Folt young Telemachus for him who thus
A blow had to abide : No tear- to earth
Did he, that moment, from his eyelids shed.
But mute remain'd and shook his head, — as deep
In thought the scheme of vengeance he revolv'd.
8«S
Now, when Penelope the tidings leam'd 820
Of Iiim who this fell outrage in her halls
Had but just brook'd, she to her maidens cried : —
" Ev'n thus may he, the god who from his bow
Such glory wins, Apollo, smite thyself ! "
To whom Eurynome, who o'er that house 825
Had oversight, this answer promptly made : —
" Ev'n so ! And were the boon, for wliich our pray'rs
Continual plead, but granted, not a man
Of al I these suitors would the tlawning see
Of "olden-thi-onM moru !"
140
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book W'lL
Penelope
Thus further spake : — " Nurse ! Odious are they all — 83 1
For, baneful are their plots and wiles ; but, he,
Antinoiis, above them all the guise
Of Fate's dark agent bears. Some wretched one,
A stranger, through the palace haply i-oams, 83 5
And, by his need compell'd, a bounty asks :
The gen'ral crowd his wallet well supplied
And of their portions gave ; but, with a stool
This fellow smote his shoulder ! "
Thus spake she
Amid the handmaids in her chamber thron'd. 840
Meanwhile Ulysses ou his ample store
Was left to feast : but, having to her side
The swineherd called, Penelope these words
lu brief address'd : — " Hence, good Euma'us ! speed
And bid that stranger hither come, that I 845
Myself may here some commuue with hini bold.
And question ask if of Ulysses aught
He tidings may have heard, or with his eyes
Upon him luok'd ; for, he the aspect wears
Of one who much in hapless plight hath roam'd." 850
But, thus, Eimia3us ! didst thou answer make : —
" Lady ! if these assembleJ Greeks were hush'd.
The tale he could relate would, of a truth.
Thy bosom cheer : for, I, myself, three nights
This stranger lodg'd ; and three days in my hut
Et'sought him to abide ; since he the first
My home approach'd when from tlie ship his flight
Ue had eflecled : but, not even yet
8SS
Hook XVII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY,
141
Hath hp. the narrative of all the ills
He hath encounter'd clos'd : And, as when one 860
A minstrel eyes who, gifted of the gods,
That lay attunes which men delight to hear,
And they would fain in one incessant song
To his sweet singing listen, — so, in truth,
Did^he, as near me in my cot he sate, 865
My senses woo. And this his story is —
That he in times bygone the father's friend
Of thine Ulysses was, and that in Crete
(Cradle of Minos' race) he us'd to dwell :
From thence is he come hither, by distress 870
Much harass'd and from shore to shore his course
'Mid rough repulses urging. And this tale
He holds to, that report to hira was made
Of thine Ulysses being yet alive
And with a wealthy people domicil'd, 875
From the Thesprotian nation not remote :
Moreover, that much wealth he homeward brings,"
To him, in turn, Penelope : — " Attend !
And to my presence summon him ; that he
Himself may speak before me. As for these,
The suitors, at the portals let them sit,
Or in the halls dispos'd ; if thus to mirth
Their heart.s incline. In their own homes, forsooth,
Undamag'd rests then- substance ; — all their bread
And wine withal : stores which their ser\'ing men
As their support consume ; while these, their lords.
Day after day this our palatial home
Their sole resort regarding, all our beeves
And sheep and fatten'd goats iu sacrifice
880
885
142
HOMER S OD YSSE Y,
[Book XVII.
Cease not to slaughter, but continual feast 890
Regale in, and our purple streaming wine
With reckless waste are quaffing, while a store
Immense of household treasure melts away :
For, no such man, forsooth, among us stands
As was Ulysses, from this princely house 895
Such outi-age to avert : But, should he come
And on this land tliat gave him bii'th set foot,
A speedy vengeance would he Avith his son
On all these injuries wreak I "
She ended thus.
And, at this moment, young Telemachus 900
Sueez'd boist'rously, — that all the palace through
Tlie echoes rang resounding ; and the queen
Liugli'd at the noise, outright ; and with wing'd words
Eumjeus thus address'd : — "Come, Swineherd, now —
That stranger bring before me. See'st thou not 905
How to each utter'd word of mine my son
Hath just now sneez'd ? As sure as tl»is hath happ'd
No death-blow its accomplishment shall want
Tliat on those suitors falls : not one shall death
And the Fates' doom evade. But, more I'll say — 910
And mark it well ! If I, in all he saith
Shall truth discern, a mantle on his limbs
Will I bestow, — a tunic, too ; such garb
As shall be beauteous deem'd. "
She ceas'd to speak.
And, at her bidding, forth the swineherd sped,
And at Ulysses' side thus quickly spoke, —
" Fatherly stranger ! Queeu Penelope,
91S
Book XVII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
143 ^^H
The mother of Telemachus, this call
^^H
On thee hath made. The workings of her mind,
'^^1
Ev'n in her sorrow, urge her thus to seek
^^^1
Some tidings which her husband's fate may tell :
^^1
And should she in thy speech the tale of truth
^^1
Hereby discern, thy body with a cloak
^H
And tunic will she clothe ; whereof thy need
^^1
At present ia extreme : and then for bread
925 ^H
Among the people suppliant, with food
^^1
Thou -ftTjt thy stomach fill, and ev'ry one
^^H
Whose mind inclines will of his bounty give."
^^1
But, patieut-soul'd Ulysses thus replied : —
^^1
" Eumaeus ! at no distant day will I
930 ^^1
The whole true tale to sage Penelope,
^^H
The child of Icaiiia, relate : for, much
^^H
Do I of her Ulysses know, who oucc
^^1
The self-same heavy perils with him shar'd.
^^1
But, of that throng of suitors whose fell pride
935 ^H
And savage outrages at Heav'n itself
^^H
Defiance cast, I own my fear. Ev'n now
^^^H
That wretch who struck me, a.s along the hall,
^^^H
An unoffending man, I took my way.
^^H
Hath giv'n me pain, which nor Telemachus'
^^1
■ Nor any other's arm avail'd t' avert.
^^H
B Entreat thou, then, Penelope, howe'er
^^1
' These thoughts may press, that she till set of sun
^^1
Within the palace rest ; and in that hour
^^^
H Let her these questions ask of me who then
^H
1 Of her lov'd husband's voyage home may speak ;
^^1
■ And to tlie kiniUed embers on her hearth
^^H
1 May she enjiiin me uigher to apprnaeli ;
^^1
^^^ For, Kon-y raiineut have I worn, as thou
■ fl
144
HOMER'S ODYSSFA'.
Thyself can'st testify, from tlie first hour
In which thy suppliant I became."
[Book XVII.
9SO
He spoke.
And, thus addrcss'd, the swineherd througli the hall
Mov'd onward ; but, as on the threshold stone
His foot he placed, Penelope these words
Enquiring spoke : — "Eumteus I would'st thou not 9SS~
Tlie stranger hither lead ? What thoughts are these
WTiich lie, poor wand'rer, eherislies ? Doth dread
Of any one discourage him ? or from aught '
Within our palace shrinks he 1 He whose life
Is but a vagrant's his own foe becomes 960
When to false shame succumbing."
To which words
Eumeeos! thou responsive spak'st: — " Herein
With judgment hath he spoken, as, indeed.
The thought would be uf others, — fleeing thus
Fixtm the rude scoffs of overbearing Man. 965
He prays thee till the set of sun forbear.
And for thyself, lady, would.st thou best
Herein consult, discourec witli iiiin to hold.
All else withdrawn ; and his recital hear."
Penelope hereto replied : — " This man, 970
Whoe'er he be, no thoughtless one appears :
For, in none other spot of Earth are men
Who thus like these run riot, and in acts
Of such mad outrage revel."
Thus spake she,
And as in that presumptuous throng again 975
Book XVIL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. 146
Eumseus mingled, these few rapid words
He in tlie ear of young Telemachus,
That none might overhear, close whisp'ring breath'd : —
" Friend ! I shall now depart, — the swine to heed,
And other cares, — which thy possessions are 980
And my life's means supply. But, in this home
Claim thou the gen'itil oversight : thyself
'Bove all take heed to : think thou — and beware
That thou no wrong encounter ; for, these Greeks,
Too many, only, are on mischief bent, 985
Whom, ere we suffer wrong, may Jove confound ! "
To whom Telemachus ; — " father mine I
This will I do : and thou, too, when the meal
Of parting day is eaten, go thy ways,
And with the mom choice sacrifices bring ;
For, to all these, the rites prescrib'd, will I
With the Immortals' heed, in season, give."
990
Thus spoke Eumseus, and upon a couch
By polish burnish'd bright his seat resmn'd,
Wlience, when on proffer'd meat and drink withal 995
He had regal'd, he to the home-stall sj^ed.
And the wide courts and the palatial hall
(Now throng 'd with feasters) left ; — for they, the crowd
Of suitors, in the dance and song their sport.
As eventide drew nigh, rejoic'd to take. icxao
END OP THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK.
146 HOMERS ODYSSEY. [Book XVI 1 1.
BOOK XVJII.
I^TOW to that hall of feaating, came there one —
A common mendicant-^, who through the streets
Of Ithaca's fair city ask'd for alms ;
But, in his gluttony all h^gars else,
Eating and drinking ever, far outdid. 5
Nor thews, nor sinews had he of man's strength,
But, to the eye a huge and heavy bulk
Of stature he display'd. The name he bore,
Amseus, from his birth his mother gave ;
But Irus, only, all th' Ithacian youths 10
Were wont to call him ; for, that at command
The messages of any he would bear.
Upon the spot arriv'd, from his own halls
This mendicant would have Ulysses driv'n ;
And with rebuke abusive thus began : — 1 5
" Away ! old man ! and from this porch retreat.
Ere by the foot thou hence be dragg'd along :
Seeest thou not that all around are signs
To me, this moment, making, and their wish
Convey that I should hale thee forth ? But, shame 20
As yet deters me. Come ! arise, and go —
Book XVIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
147
Lest hand to hand encounter should erelong
Between us hap." But, with fierce, augry glance
The shrewd Ulysses eyeing hina, thus spoke : —
" Fellow 1 No injury by deed or M'urd 25
Am I on thee inflicting ; nor the gifts
Of others' bounty evixy I, which thou
Abundant tak'st. This threshold ample space
For both of us affords ; and shame it were
That thou with thy invidious soul shouldst grasp 30
At that which is another's to receive !
But, thou a vagrant's life appear'st to lead,
As, indeed, is my lot ; for that the gods
Pause long ere they the gift of wealth bestow.
But, in this manual conflict to engage 35
Provoke me not too urgently, — lest rage
Thou shouldst excite, and it maj' chance that I,
Old as I am, that chest of thine and lips
May here with blood disfigure ; and more peace
To-morrow would be mine ! For, to those halls 40
Of Prince Ulysses, aged Laertes' son,
I cannot think thou ever wouldst return "
Hereto the vagrant Irus, in high wrath.
Rejoinder made : — " Ye gods ! how trippingly
This greedy beggar, here, holds forth ! so like 45
To some old crone that in the furnace works —
But, to his hurt I'll something try : — A blow
From these two hands of mine would all his teeth
From either jaw upon the earth disperse.
As though a swine's they were, that in the field 50
On stubble feeds. Now, then, thy belt secure ! —
That all here sitting may our conflict view,
l2
148
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVllL
'Gainst one another match 'd : Yet, liow canst thou
With me, thy junior, fight ? "
To such fierce strife
Incited both, thoy on that threshold stood 5 5
Which in the fraut of the high iwrtals shone.
And to the struggle did Antinolia
Urge either on, as, with a joyous laugh,
He on the suitors call'd : — " My friends ! such feat
As this hath never yet been here aehiev'd ! 60
Oh ! what a merry pastime hath some god
For this fair house provided ! To such strife
Are this strange mendicant and Irus rous'd
As with their fists to battle ; and at once
We man to man will place them." As he spoke, 65
All, laughing loud, uprose, as round the twain
Of iU-cloth'd mendicants they circling throng'd :
And then Antinoiis, Eupithes' son,
Tlie crowd address'd : — " Most noble suitors ! Hear !
W^hile I some preface make : kids' paunches here 70
Are on the embers lying, which, witli fat
And blood for supper &tufi"d, are set apart :
Now — whichsoever of these two shall win.
The better man thus proving, — from his place
T-et him step forth, and from those conduiients 75
His free selection make : and from heact'forth
In our good company that man shall feast,
Nor will we other mendicants permit
These halls to enter and our bounty claim."
Antinoiis ended, and right well his speech 8d
The list'jiing throng contented ; but, just theu
Book XVIII.J UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
U9
Ulysses — ever in all cminsel prompt
Aud \vith shrewd thought consulting, briefly spoke :
" Good men ! 'tis an unequal match which he
Who with old age is stiicken, and his strength
In suffring has exhausted, undertakes,
Wlieu with a junior he contends : but. Want,
The craving need of victual, goads me on
And to hard knocks oft subjects me. Come ! then,
Pronounce ye, all here present, solemn vow
That none around me, for this Irus' sake.
Will with the hand of violence myself
While fighting smite, and with o'erpow'riug force
Crush me and give him vict'iy."
85
90
Thus spake he —
And they, as he besought, an oath pronounc'd 95
Such act al)juring. And, when all had sworn
And their oath ratified, Telemachus
Ulysses thus addresa'd : — " If with thy strength
And thy bold spirit, stranger, thou prevail
To thrust him out, — fear not one Grecian here 1 100
Fur, whosoe'er on thee should lay his hand
With a whole multitude must look to cope :
I at this feast preside : Eurj'machus,
Antinniis, too, — both lords of regal rank.
My feelings share." He ended, and assent 105
The general mind express'd ; and hereupon
Ulysses with liis mean and ragged garb
His waist engirding, fair, stout thighs display'd.
And then, too, did his shoulders broad and chest
And vig'rous arms their might tlcclare, as now 1 10
Minerva, to his side drawn near, the limbs
150
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book 'Si\m.
Of this stauncli chieftain of his race enlarg'J.
The suitors, one and all, in wonder gaz'd ; —
And one, with glances on his neighbour bent,
These jesting words enounc'd : — " No long time hence 115
This carrier of our errands on himself
Miscan-iage direful will have brought ! Such thighs
From underneath his tatters tliis aged man
Hath brouglit to view ! " Such comments they exchang'd.
But Irus' spirit with a dire alarm 1 20
Was miserably scar'd ; thougli, in his plight
Of teiTor the retainers in that hall
For the encounter girding him, by force
The beggar drew along, aa all his frame
In panic shook. But, with reproaches stem 125
Antiiioiis thus upbraided him : — " Now ! mark !
Thou gross, preteuLious braggart ! May thy days
At once be ended, and career cut short,
If thus thou tak'st to quaking, and in awe
So terrible this aged man wouldst dread, 1 30
Worn as he is with sHfl"ring, wliich his days
Of tvnul>le brought upou him. But, in phrase
Distinct I speak to thee, and this my speech
Shall be fulM'd,— If he the battle win
And thou inferior prove, — in some dark ship 135
I to Epinis will transport thee hence,
And to its king consign thee — Echetus—
All men's Destroj'er eall'd, wlio, with the knife
Kelentless will thy nose and ears cut off.
And on thy very groin his hounds let loose 140
And bid theui fill tlieir maw." Thus stern he spoke;
"Whereat still greater tremor Irus' frame
Began to shake ; but, to a central spot
Book XVIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
151
They led him out, until the two their fists
III uir upheld : And now th' heroic prince, 145
Ulysses, doubtful paus'd, — such blow to strike
As should upon the spot — where down he'd fall —
The wretch's life tletermine, — or, a stroke
Less heavy aim, and fell him to the ground.
And better coiinsel seem'd it, as he thus 150
Kedecting mus'd, with gentler force to hit —
That not a Grecian there Ids proper self
Might recognise. Both combatants their bauds
Before them raising, — Irus, first, a blow
On the right shoulder of Ulysses dealt ; 155
Whereat, the Chief his neck below the ear
Struck quick, and all the bony structure broke.
That instant, from his mouth the ilark blood rush'd.
And prostrate on the ground lie moaning lay,
And ground his teeth, and with his sprawling heels 160
The pavement beat. But ev'ry lordly prince
That suitor crowd among, as high in air
Their hands they rais'd, with laughter wellnigh died,
As now Ulysses, having by the foot
Fall'n Irua seiz'd, straight through the vestibule 1 65
His body drew, until the court thereof
And doors he reach'd, and there, at length, his bulk
Deposited, and, 'gainst th' enclosing wall
Dispos'd liira all aslant, as in his hand
His stall' he placed, and in brief accents spoke : — 1 70
" Here take thou up thy station, and the hounds
AnA hogs beat off ; nor, poltroon as thou art,
The lord and master henceforth claim to be
Of strangers and of mendicants ; lest ill,
Perchance, more grievous still, shojild thee befal 1 " 175
162
UOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book ^VIII.
He euded, and his wallet poor and mean,
And all in rags, about his shoulders flung, —
A plaited band sustaining it. And thus,
The threshold-stone regaining, he sate down.
Tlie suitors all, with jocund laugh, in words 1 80
Of courteous speech saluting him : " May Jove
And all the gods, stranger, thy heart's wish
And all thy mind would most desire, fulfil !
Tliou ! that this wretch, whom nought could satisfy.
Hast from the people among whom he begg'd 185
Just driven out for ever ! For we soon
Will to Epirus send him, and it« prince
King Echetus — the coumion bane of men."
Tluis spoke they : and in these portentous signs
Tlie gi'eat and noble-soul'd Ulysses joy'd : igo
And now Autinoiis beside his seat
A kid's paunch placed, with fat and blood well fill'd ;
And, after him, Amphiuomus, two loaves
From out his basket lifting, rang'd them near.
And from a golden cup this pledge pronounc'd: — 195
" Fatherly stranger ! health to thee ! May fate.
In time to come, befriend thee ! though as yet
Thou be with evil hamper'd."
To which speech
Ulysses thus replied : " Amphinomus !
A judgment most discreet, methinks, thou hast:
And wise, too, was tliy father, of whose fame
Report hath reachVl me : I of Nisus speak,
Who in DuHcliium's isle is valiant deem'd
And wealthy. Thou his sou accounted wast.
200
Book it VIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
153
And willing seem'st to be, and aide, too, aoj
On converse thus to enter : for which cause
I thus incline t' address thee : and iiiay'st thou
My words pei-pend and heed. Of all that lives
And moves on Earth, nought feebler it sustains
Thau Man lunisell", who, while th' immortal gods 2io
With prowess gift hiiu, and he all his strength
In supple knees can exercise, from bane
In years to come believes himself exempt :
But, let the same blest deities his lot
With sorrow sadden, — all his spirit grieves, 215
And with reluctance sulleidy submits.
For. by the existence self which Jove the sire
Of men and gods accords, the mind of Man
Ta ever fonu'd ! The day hath been, when I
In this world flourish'd ; blindly foolish acts 220
At times committing ; — and while on my sire
And brothers I relied, to might and strength
Abandon'd whoUy. No : to wickedness
Let no man yield ; but with a quiet soul
The bounty of the gods (whate'er may be 225
Their gifts) enjoy. To what outrageous ^vrong8
Have I here been a witness ! by this crowd
Of suitors schem'd, who in such ruthless waste
The substance are consuming, and the wife
Insulting, of a man who, as me seems, 230
Will not much longer from all those he loves
And from his home be absent, but to both
Prove very near ! But, to thine home (by eyes
Unseen) may some god guide thee, when that prince
To his lov'd native country sliall return ! 235
i'or, not without bloodsheddiiig will that throng
154
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVI 1 1.
Of suitors and Ulysaes part, when lie
Beneath this roof his presence shall declare,"
UlyBses ended ; — and Autonymiis,
Libation having to the gods outpour'd, ^40"
The rich wine drauk, and in the Stranger's hand
(The chieftain of the people !} placed the cup.
But, through those princely halls the suitor paced
like one in spirit drooping, ds his liead
From time to time he shook, and at his heart,
E'en now, misgivings felt : hut, not to him
'Twas giv'n Ids doom to shun ; — Minerva's sell"
Decreeing, that the hand and wielded spear
Of young Telemachxis in bold assault
His life should take. And on the thmn^d seat 250"
By him so recent fill'd, Autonymus
His place resum'd.
Now Pallas, in that hour.
The mind of Icarus' fair daughter mov'd
Her presence to the whole assembled band
Of suitors to display : their inmost heart
To open and to test, wliile kindly grace
And rev'rence from her consort and her sou,
Exceeding all past fondness, she should win.
With a forced laugh her mind was thus reveal'd;
" Eurynome ! My humour 'tis (howe'er
Herefrom, as yet, I shrunk) this suitor train —
Ungenial to my soul, as they all are,
To stand before : Init, to my son a word
In season spoken, would 1 hiin address —
That with less cordial fellowship this crowd
255
Book XVIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
166
Of suitors he should greet ; — a haughty crew
Whose speeches are so fair, and whose designs
With foulest purpose follow."
To which words
Euiynonie, who o'er the household train
Had oversight, thus answer'd : — " In good sooth, 270
My child, hast thou all this discreetly ui^'d :
Go, — and thy son exhort, and nought withhold —
But, thine ablutions make, — thy cheeks anoint —
Aa now thou art appear thou not ! thy face
By weeping marr'd : So real an ill is it 275
In endless grief to fret. Thy son those years
Can number now which that, — a bearded man —
He luight uttain, thou on his natal morn
With passionate entreaty didst the gods
Immortal supplicate." To whom, in turn, 280
The queen rejoinder made : — " Eurynome !
All zealous as on my behalf thou speak'st,
This counsel, prithee, tender not, — that I
These limbs should lave, — this skin with oil anoint, —
For those immortal deities who thrones 285
In high Olympus fill have all the charms
Of beauty taken from me since my lord
In his broad ships departed : — but, bid thou
Antiuoii attend, and at her side
Hippodamia, — that beside me they 290
Their station in the palace-hall may fill :
For, 'midst that crowd, alone, 'tis not for me
(Who well may shrink) my presence to accord."
She spoke, and the aged woman through the coiuts
Of that palatial house obedient sped, 295
156
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XVIJI.
With the queen's mandate to the maidens charg'd,
And their rcturii comrnauding. Then anew
Did Pallas, goddess of the gleaming eye,
Her thought employ, and o'er Penelope
A gentle sleep diffus'd, — wherein reclin'd
Awhile she slumher'd, as along the couch
In perfect ease resolv'd her body lay ;
The goddess, meantime, those celestial gifts
Bestowing which the Greeks' enraptur'd gaze
Would instant fix. Her lovely featurc-s first
With that ambrosial unction she bedew'd
Wherewith anointed briglit-zon'd Venus shines
Wlien the love wak'ning choral train she joins
Of all the Graces. To her stature height —
To all her shape she fulness gave, for eye
To rest on ; and sawn ivory less white
Than her fair skin had shone. The goddess now
(Her gracious will accomplish'd) disappear'd, —
And fi-om the palace, as in fluent talk
They onward Imsten'd, the two handmaids came :
And at that moment her soft soothing sleep
The slumb'ring queen forsook, and with both hands
Her lineaments she smooth'd, as thus she spake : —
" The gentlest of all slumber hath but now,
E'en while in sadness stcep'd, my senses wrapt !
Oh ' that the chaste Diatia would at once
Like mild dismissal of my spirit grant,
That I, no longer sorrowing in heart,
My day of life should thus consume, — the gifts
So numberless of a lov'd consort's worth
Deploring ever ; — in such high esteem
Throughout aU Greece he shone I " She ceas'd to speak
300
305
330
ISooK XVIIL] ISOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^H
And from the beauteous upper chamber stcpp'd.
^H
Not unattended, for in her descent
^^H
Two handmaids follow'd close. And, as the throny
330 ^^1
Of suitors they approacli'd, Penelope
^^1
Her station at the bearing-pillar took
^^H
Of the firm massive roof, and to her face,
H
(While on each hand a modest damsel stood,)
^^H
A veil of texture exquisite upheld.
^^1
Enrh suitor at that sight throughout his frame
^^H
A tremor felt ; and by love's witchery
^^1
Were they beguil'd ! Whereat more keen and fierce
^^H
The passion raged that beauteous one to win !
^1
Then to Telemachus appealing thus
340 ^^1
Tlie queenly mother spoke ; — " Telemachus !
^^1
No longer is thy spirit resolute —
^^1
Nor stable thy designs : Ev'n when a child
^^1
For thine advantage didst thou better think.
^^H
But, now — to thy full stature grown, and thus
345 ^^1
Tlie flow'r appi-oachiiig of young man's estate,
^^H
(And would not any stranger, as thy form
^^1
And comeliness he gaz'd on, in thee hail
^^^H
The son of one most blest !) — thy bent of thought
^^^H
And purpose ill become thee : What an act
3SO ^^H
Is this witliiu our palace peqvetrate,
^^^H
That thou so vile an outrage to sustain
^^^H
A stranger hast penuittcd '{ How is't now ?
^^1
If any stranger, that in these our halls
^^H
A seat should fill, such usage is to brook
355 ^H
As from that seat would drag him, on thyself
^^H
At th' hand of ev'ry man woiUd fall the shame
^^^
^^ And censure most degraiUng."
J
15,S
HOMES' S ODYSSEY. [Book XVUI.
In reply
Telenmchus thus spoke : — " mother mine !
My spirit chafes not at thy -wTath. AVliate'er 360
May here transpire, — good may it be or worse —
I mark, and in my inmost thoughts revolve
In days bygone I a mere childling was ;
But, the best counsels ever to think out
I find not : for, this throng that side by side 365
Continual sit and baneful schemes concoct
My sense confound ; and helpers have I none.
But, nowise at the bidding of these lords
(Thy suitors) did the stranger mendicant
With Iras figlit. The stranger's strength by far 370
More sturdy prov'd ! father Jove ! and ye
Minerva and Apollo, I invoke —
Grant that in tliis our palace overthrown, —
Some in the vestibule, some in the house, —
These suitors may at length their heads, too, shake, 375
And each with limbs unnerv'd be prostrate laid
As in the court gate-entry, at this hoiu-.
Yon Irus, like one drunk, from side to side
His head lets drop, — unable on his feet
To stand or homeward to return, — ^if home, 380
Forsooth ! he have : but, sliatter'd there he lies."
Such converse held they : but, Eurymachus
Penelope thus greeted : — " Daughter fair
Of Icarus, — discreet Penelope !
If all th' lasian Argive Greeks on thee
Thoir gaze might bend, a train more numerous
VMt roitors would with each returning morn
^ this thy home be feasting found ; for, all
38s
liooK XVIII] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
IStf
Of woiuankiml, in loveliness ami shape,
As in all gifts nf iniutl, ilost thou surpass."
390
To wbom Penelope : — " Eurymachus !
The gods of all my merits, aU my grace
And beauty reft me when the Grecian force
For Troy on shipboard sailVl, among whrtse host
Went forth my spouse Ulysses. Were he now 395
Upon his home to enter, and, the charge
At once assuming, all this household rule,
My good report might haply into realms
More distant spread, and ampler homage win :
But, sad is now my destiny ; such woes 400
Have the gods thrust lapon me ! When from hence
My consort went, and liis lov'd fatherland
Prepar'd to quit, my right hand by the wrist
He took, and thus exhorted me : — ' My Queen !
That all the well-gi-eav'd Grecians should from Troy 405
Unscath'd return I caimot hope : — Report
The Trojan people names as men of war.
Spearmen and archers, horsemen that on steeds
Swift-footed fight ; who in brief space of time
The mighty conflict of a gen'ral wtu- 410
Would to its issues bring : and for this cause
Within my knowledge falls it not to say
That God to this my Jiome a safe return
Will deign to grant, or that before Troy wall
I be not captive taken. But, the chaise 415
Of all around thee here on thee I lay : —
For both my parents that within fhe.se walls
Palatial dwell, take thought ; with that same love
Protecting them which guards them now, — nay, more
160
HO ME It's ODYSSEY.
[Book XVIII.
(When I shall absent be) of care impend. 420 ,
And, for our son, — when tliou upon his chin
A beard shalt see, — the consort to thyself
Take thou whom thou may'st choose ; and of our house
Telcmachus leave inmate.'
" All these words
Were by ray husband spoken ; and th' events
Are come to pass. But, dark will be that gloom
Wluch upon nuptials whence my suul recoils —
Lost as I am ' — would fall ; and all my wealth
Has Jove now wrested from me. And the sense
Of this rude wrong affects me : — Ne'er, as now 430
It hath befall'n, tlid suitors woo whose aim
A wmthy bride, the child of some rich chief,
It was to win, and who in rivalry
Would ever vie. They oxen and fat sheep
Were wont to send for the young virgin's friends 435
A feast to make ; and splendid gifts they gave ;
But, not upon the substance did tliey prey
Of others, and at others' cost make waste."
Thus spake she ; and Ulysses' noble soul
Exulted as of preaents from that crew 440
She thus laid hold, and with such glozing speech
Their hearts entrapp'd ; but he in other scliemes
From these remote, to these unlike, was wrapt
Antinoiis, Eupithes' sou, in turn
Tlius briefly .spake ; — " Penelope ! fair child
Of Icarus ! whichever of us Greeks
Shall presents bring to thee, accept them all ;
For graceless is refusal of a gift.
44S
Book XVIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
IGl
But, we to occupation none will turn
Nor ebewhere lodge, tQl thou of the best man
'Mid all tbe Greeks that woo thee, shalt be brid&"
450
Thus spoke Antinoiis, and with his words
All seem'd well-pleas'd ; — and each a herald sent
The gifts to bring : and to Antinoiis first
A broad and gorgeous robe, with many a hue 45 5
Ernbroider'd, came : Twelve golden clasps in all
Were in it work'd, and with well -twisted hooka
Throughout fast clos'd. And to Eurymachus
Without delay a necklace came of gold
In amber set, resplendent as the sun, 460
And by inventive art superbly wrought
And by two servants to Eurydaiiias
Were ear-rings brought with three bright brilliants strung
Of handiwork most exc^uisite, wlmnce rays
Of beauty sparkled. To Pisander, prince 465
Of regal rank, Polyctor's son, his train
Attendant a rich collar brought ; — a gift
In all its features splendid : gifts diverse,
And all most costly, from the sev'ral Greeks
Thus flowing in. And now to where on high 470
Her chambers lay the noble queen return'd.
And at her side the handmaids of her train
The splendid gifts for dowry offer'd bore.
Meanwhile, her suitors, to the dance and song
Delightsome all devoted, until eve 475
Their feast prolong'd ; and the dark shades of night
Upon their sport descended. Then did tliey
Witliin those halls three frames for burning brands
Above the pavement raise, which light might yield,
VOL. II. M
162
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVIII.
Aud sear wood all around them heap'd, long since
Of moisture freed, and in extremest state
Of dryness cut, and with sharp metal cleft.
And torches of the pine herewith they blent :
And these the maidens in Ulysses' halls
Were left by turns to kindle : but that Chief
In mind so noble, in design so prompt,
Thus to the damsels si)ake : — '• Ye handmaids all
Of Prince Ulysses' house 1 — (that Chief from home
So long estrang'd I — ) the palace-cliambers seek
"Where sits your honour'd queen ; imil at her side
Tlie spindles turn, and while beneath that roof
Ye serve, for her contentment working sit
And thus her spiiit recreate, — the wool
Meantune with your hands carding. I myself
For these below the fire-liglit will maintain ;
And if tUl break of golden-thronM morn
Their humour be to revel, not eVn thus
Shall they ray spirit weary : — Strength have I
Excessive toil to cope with."
49S
Thus spake he.
But with a mocking laugh that female group
His speech contemn'd, and at each other stared.
Fair-faced Melantho with a shameless jeer
Insulted him : She Dolius' daughter was.
But, by Penelope from childhood rear'd,
And, while with toys her fancy she amus'd.
As her own oflspring cherish'd : but, no pang
Of sorrow did Melantho kuow, when grief
Penelope a mourner made : Her love
She to Eurymaclm.s urhallow'd gave,
500
Hook XVllI.] UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
163
But with insulting tongue Ulysses spurn'd : — 510
" Thou miserable stranger ! all whose \s-its
Are palsied, and who neither in some forge
Nor in the beggars' haunt thy sleep would'st snatch,
Here liaafc thou to a crowd with saucy speech
Been holding forth, and nothing seem'st to fear ! 515
'Tia wine that hath thy senses seiz'd, or thus
On gossip is thy very nature bent.
In empty boasting, then, would'st thou, as one
Beside himself with joyfulness — iuduli^e.
For that the wand'ring Irus thou hast crush'd ! 520
Take thou good heed, tlien, that no abler man
Than Irus soon appear, whose sturdy hands
Thy head belab'ring shall from out the house
"With streaming blood disfigui'd drive thee forth."
To whom Ulysses, grimly frowning, thus: — 525
" Go forth from hence, and quickly, too, I will —
Thou shameless one I and to Telemachua
Thy speech rehearse, that, not long hence, his sword
May limb by limb thy carcase cut tiud hew I "
Thus speaking, all that female crew he scared — 530
And through the palace with all liaste they sped,
Tlieir knees in terror shaking ; for, at heart
Felt they how surely all might come to pass !
But, there the Chieftain stood ; his glance on all
Around liim casting, as from those hot hearths
The flick'ring light he scatter'd, while his thoughts
Ou deeds were musing which not unfultill'd
The future was to leave. But, in those tuuiits
Which well the heart miglit wound did i'allas yet
M 2
535
164
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVIII.
The suitors leave t' indulge, as though anew
By sufferings Ulysses' soul to try :
And thus Euiymaclius, with scornful gibes
At great Ulysses fluiig, a mocking laugh
From ev'ry suitor forc'cl ; — " Now, mark my words.
All ye who here to this majestic queen
Your court are pajing, — while to ev'ry thought
My mind conceives I utterance shall give : —
Not without guidance, seems it, of some god
Cometh this stranger to Ulysses' house ;
But, as to me appea:-s, that torch-Uke flame
Is fi'om himself, — from his own head cliffus'd :
For hair thereon none, not a lock, hath he ! "
Then at that Chieftain, who in overthrow
Had many a city whelm'd, — this scoff he threw : —
" Stranger ! woiild'st thou to work consent, were I
In some far-distant corner of the land
To place thee, (and good wages should 'st thou take)
Where thou might'st stones for building walls pick up
And tall trees set in earth ? A year entire
Would I with victual feed thee, and thy limbs
With raiment clothe ; aye, and beneath those feet
Would sandals fit. But, no ; — since thou the trade
Of vice hast leam'd, with no good-will would'st thou
Thy work incline to finish : All thy wish
Is thus among the populace to beg.
Till thou that rav'nous maw of thine canst fill ! "
To whom Ulysses thus : — " If, in Spring time,
Eurymachus ! when days more leugthsome are.
We might as rivals in the meadow work,
And well to hand the grassy herbage lay.
Book XVIII.) HoMEH'S ODYSSEY.
165
And I a well-curv'd sickle had, and thou
The like wert handling, that an ample proof
We of our labour might thus make, till dark
Both fasting ; — or, again, if beeves there ■were
Which we might have to guide, — prime of their kind, 575
Fat, bulky, and with hay well fed, in age
Alike, and the same weight inur'd to bear.
And no weak points betraying in their strength ;
And, if a field, four acres in its breadth.
Before us lay, the clods whereof, when plough'd, 580
Would to the coulter yield, — then would thine eyes
Their witness bear, as fujTows I would cleave
On fiirrows following :— or, if, again,
Jove, on this very day, in any spot
To mortal strife should call me, and a shield, 585
Two jav'lins, and a helmet, — brass entire —
About my brows I had, mysell' should'st thou
Among the foremost in the front i-anks see,
And on my craving stomach cease to jest.
Thou grossly hast revil'd me ; for, thine heart 590
A bad one is : a high and mighty lord
Thou deem'st thyself, for that a verj' few
(And those, too, far from good,) thy comrades are ;
But, should Ulysses homeward come, and this
His native soil attain, yon palace-gates, 595
However wide, too strait for thee would prove.
When through the vestibule, in panic flight.
Thou should'st beyond the doors essay to run ! "
He finish'd : but Eurymachus in wrath
More rabid still, and \vith a savage glance, 600
Thus instantly retorted : — " Ah ! thou wretch !
Some hurt, be thou assur'd, and not lung hence
166 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVIIL
Will I engage to do thee, who hast thus
In this assembly such audacious speech
Presum'd to use ; and with no sense of fear 605
Thy mind declar'st. The wine thou hast imbib'd
Thy wits hath craz'd, or from thy birth, forsooth,
Thou vapid babbler ! this thy way hath been.
Of this, then, would'st thou make thine empty boast.
That thou the vagrant Irus hast subdued ? " 610
With these words ending, he a footstool seiz'd \
But by Dulichian Amphinomus,
Close to his knees, Ulysses lay, — in dread
Of what might from Eurymachus befal —
And the Cup-bearer, when that stool was hurl'd, 615
On his right hand was smitten, and the bowl,
Down dash'd upon the pavement, loudly rang :
But, with a moan the bearer of that cup
Fell prostrate : and an uproar from the throng
Of suitors in the darken'd hall arose ; 620
And one, as he his neighbour eyed, thus spake : —
" Would that this vagrant stranger in some spot
From here remote had died the death, ere here
He had arriv'd ; for, such a strife as this
He then had ne'er provok'd : But, here are we 625
About a mendicant disputing, all.
And further relish of a noble feast
Shall we know none ; for, all that is most vile
Is the ascendant gaining."
Then, at length,
Telemachus — that prince most excellent — 630
Thus speaking interpos'd :— " Sirs ! Ye in this
Book XVIIL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
1C7
Like madmen bear yourselves ! No more can ye
Your wild excess in meat and drink disguise :
Some god, may be, hatli rous'd ye ! Now, as all
Have well regal'd, let each man to hia home
At ouce repair, anil, ns the will may prompt,
Upon your couches throw yourselves : yet, none
Would I from hence unwilling send."
63s
He ceas'd,
And they, as in their sniother'd rage their lips
Were biting, on Telemachus with looks 640
Of wonder gaz'd ; for that with such free speech
He thus his mind declar'd. But, in reply,
Amphinomus, king Nisus' sou, whose sire
Aretias was, these words emphatic spake ; —
" My friends ! No man among you who in terms 645
Of MTaugUng hath an onset made, can well
At that which in right reason hath been urg'd
Indignant feel No longer with affronts
This stranger vex, nor any others here
That in the noble-soul'd Ulysses' house 650
Attendance giva Come ! let the cup-heai'er
The primal off'rings with the goblets make,
That, all libations made, we in our homes
Repose may seek ; and in those princely halls
Let us the stranger to Tflemachus 655
And to his care, as his own guest, commend ;
For, at a libei-al home is he arriv'd."
He spake, and with these words which to the mind
jOf all were welcome doem'd, his counsel clos'd.
And ]\Iclius,— a heraUl in the isle 660
Dulychium traiu'd, Amphinomus to serve,
1C« HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XVIIL
A bowl of blended wine for all prepar'd.
And unto each in order bore the cup,
Till ev'ry one, to the immortal gods
Libations having pour'd, rich liquor quafif 'd : 665
But, when again they had drink-off'rings made
And of that wine to full contentment drunk.
Each to his home return'd, and sank to rest 668
END OF THK ElQllTKENTH BOOK.
I
I
Book XIX.] UUMEIVS ODYSSEY.
169
BOOK XIX.
TITEANWHILE, in his own princely palace left,
Ulysses with Minerva on that doom
Which on the suitors was ere loug t<j light
Gi-dve counsel took. And io Teleiuachus,
No longer pausing, he thus promptly spoke : — 5
" All martial weapons thou, at once, my son,
Within must hide : The suitors, when, perchance,
For these our arms they ask, with gentle speech
Thou wilt beguile, and say : — 'From smoke secure
Have I at length dispos'd them ; for that now 10
No semblance to that panoply they bear,
Which, when to Troy he sail'd, Ulysses left :
Ev'n as the reek of fire hath on them psiss'd,
So are they now begrim'd : and reason still
More gn* ^e, hereto impelling me, have I — 1 5
Ev'n from on high thus counsell'd — k'st, may Iil'.
Yourselves by wine incited, aiul in strife
Vindictive raging, should each other wound ;
And on our banquets and the suit you ui-ge,
Dishonour bring ; for the steel blade itself 20
Lures men to blood.' "
He ended, and hercwitli
Telemachus compliant to the Nurse
170 HOMER'S ODYSSEY.' [Book XIX.
Aged Euryclea call'd and order gave : —
" Nurse ! heed me well : within the chambers close
All females here confine ; while I those arms 25
In brightness once so splendid (my dear sire's)
Shall in some chamber store ; all which by smoke
Defil'd have been, while from his home remote
Ulysses hath been ling'ring, and no care
His armour hath protected. I, indeed, 30
But a mere infant was : but my desire
Would now in some sure shelter place them all.
Where the hot air might enter not."
Hereto
His fond nurse Euryclea thus rejoin'd : —
" Ah ! would that thou, dear child, due thought would'st
take, 35
Thyself discreetly care for, and this home
Protect, and of thine own the guardian prove !
Yet, stay ! — Who at thy side a light shall bear ?
For, those, the handmaids, who the kindled torch
Before thee would have borne, thine interdict 40
Forbids me summon."
To her question, thus
Telemachus replied : — " This stranger's hands
The lights shall bear : for, thus unoccupied
Win I no longer leave the man who bread
Of mine has eaten, though from far he come." 45
He spoke ; and in her mind his word deep sank :
And all the gates of that palatial house
She duly clos'd. And now with eager haste
Ulysses and his noble son tlie helms
Book XlX.l
HOMER' 8 ODYSSEY.
And central-bossM shields and shai-pen'd speara
In deep recesses stor'd : — Minerva's self
A golden lamp from which soft beauteous light
Before them glisten'd canying ; Wliereupon
Teleniachus, all eager, spoke : — " Mine eyes,
Father ! upon this stupendous sight
Are wond'ring fixt : — The palace-walls around,
Tlie panell'd bays, the pine-wood beams, the shafts
Of the tall pillai-s all at once in light
As from some ai-dent flame before me shine !
Most surely, some divinity, some one
Of those who in the Iwiindless skies above
Eternal reign, is here !"
55
6o
But, to these words
Ulysses thus : — " Ecmain thou mute — : thy tliouglits
Awhile control ; nor question of me ask.
This is the priv'lege by the gods enjoy 'd 6$
Who in Olympus reign. But, go thou hence.
And on thy couch seek slumber. Here will I
My station hold, that curious in th' extreme
I may thy Mother render, and the train
That on her presence wait : for, from my lips 70
Will she, in sadness, all my hist'ry ask."
Thus spake the prince ; arid through the paliioi' halls
Telemachus withdrew ; — that place of rest
Where, when in gentle slumbers sunk, his wont
Had been to lie ; and here the heav'nly mom
Awaiting he reclined. Below, meanwhile,
Ulysses with Miner\'a, on that doom
Which on the suitors was ere long to ligb
75
172
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIX,
Deep consultation held. And iu this horn-,
(Diana's self, or golden Venus, like) So
Forth from her chambers came Penelope :
Her throne-like seat with ivory adom'd,
And silver, which Tcmalius' art liad wrought.
Was by the glowing embers on the heartli
In order rang'd ; that footstool for her feet 85
Surmounting wliich the craftsman's skill thereto
So deftly had conjoin'd : and on the stool
Was stretch'd a noble fleece. Hereon she sate.
Thuu from the palace white-arm'd handmaids came ;
And bread abundant, and the banquet-lwards, 90
With all the cups in which that lawless crew
So recent had been revelling, remov'd.
Tlie fire from out the glowing brands they threw,
And on the ashes ample store of wood
Began to cast, a light to give, and heat 95
Around diffuse : and now again her scoffs
Melantho at Ulysses cast : — " What ! still,
Stranger ! would'st tliou all our house annoy,
Thus iu the night tlu'ough these palatial courts
Intent on roving ? At us women all 100
Art thou thus come to stare ? Beyond the gates
Betake thyself, thou wretch ! and eat thy food ;
Or, soon, and witli a torch belabour'd, too,
Shalt thou out-doors be driven."
But, hereto,
With darkling frowns beholding her, reply
Ulysses made ; — " Thou wretcli ! why thus on me
Witlt lhi»t nialiguant heart of Uiine launch forth !
Is't that I am but lean, and on my limbs
105
—I
Book XIX.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
173
Poor raiment wear, and of the people beg ?
Need lays its burdens on me; and the lot no
Of wanderers and mendicants I share ;
But, I, in times bygone, (of ample means
Possess'd,) a goodly home enjoy'd, whose wealth
'Mid fellow-men was flourishing ; and aid
On roaming strangers, of whatever rank 1 1 S
And whatsoe'er their wants might be, bestow'd ;
And crowds, too, I maintain'd of 8er\-ing-men,
And much had I of all which in this life
A proap'rous lot maintains, and by mankind
Is affluence deem'd : l)ut, Jupiter liimself, 1 20
The son of Saturn, — siich was the caprice
Of his high will — my wealth's destruction wrought.
Take thou good heed, then, Woman ' lest those charms
Wlierewith, 'mid all these handmaids, thou art deck'd,
Thou cease to wear : for, peril may there be 125
That or thy mistress, bearing thee some grudge,
Her anger make thee feel, — or, that his home
Ulysses' self regain : for, of such hope
A portion yet remains. But, if to death
He have ero this succumb'd, and no such pow'r 1 30
Thus to return be his, by Phoebus' grace
A son (and what a son he is thou know'st !)
Telemachus, he hath ; and women none
Of all that in this palace with high hand
Have sinning liv'd, his scrutiny shall 'scape ; 135
For, he uo more a stripling will be found."
He ended ; and Penelope, his words
O'erhearing, on her handmaid cast rebuke.
And, menacing, thus spoke : — " Presumptuous thou
174
HOMRR'H OUTSSEY.
IUX.K XIX.
And iuipudent ' Thou slmlt my judgment feel — 140
An act audacious nishing on, for wliicli
Thou with thy head shalt answer ! Well thou know'st
Ev'n by myself appriz'd, that from tlie lips
Of this same stranger who within our walls
Is hither come, I, sorrowing as 1 am, 145
Would tidings of my absent husband ask."
She ended, and to her who o'er that house
And ail its stores had oversight, these words
Address'd ; — " Euronyme ! a seat bring thou
And o'er it spread a fleece, that, at my side
Here placed, the stranger may his tale recount,
And to my own woixis listen ; so great wish
Have I to question him."
Thus spake the queen.
And with all speed EuronjTue a seat
With brilliant polish shining duly brought.
And o'er it strctch'd a fleece, whercon at length
That long-enduring, noble-minded man
Ulysses sate ; and thus Penelope
Upon that converse enter'd : — " Stranger guest !
I, for my part, must this first query make —
Who art thou ? Of what race ? Thy city, where ?
Thy parents, who?"
But, thoughtful and astute,
Ulysses in these words responsive spoke : —
" Lady ! None that o'er th' interminous Earth
As mortal men exist could thee impeach !
Tliy good report to Heav'n itself ascends !
Ev'n as the glory of some king whose name
150
•55
160
165
}'.OOK XJX.]
HOMER'S ODY.SSE).
173
Lives irn.'proaclmble, — who, like some goil,
O'er multitudinous and valiant tribes
Dominion holds, and law and truth maintains. 170
For him the dark rich loam of Earth its crops
Of wheat and hurley hears ; and trees witli I'ruit
Abundant bend, and pastures thriving flocks
Of sheep send fortli — while, to his righteous sway
Its homage paying, Ocean yields its fish. 175
Beneath that monarch's rule the public niuid
To goodness leans. While, tlten, within the.se walls
Thy presence I behold, of all thiiigs else
Bid me here speak ; but, of the line I boast,
And of ray native soil inquiry none, 180
I pray thee, make ; leat, aa the sadd'ning past
To mem'rj' I recal, thou with fresh grief
This heart aWict. In many a heavy sigh
My sorrow speaks ; but, in a stranger's home
On this account to groan and melt in tears 1 85
Would ill become me ; for, with endless plaints
To cherish thus one's mis'rj* doth itself
A sadder ill become ; and fear there is
That from among thine household some reproach
Might on me fall, — nay, Lady, thou thyself 190
Might'st comment make injurious, and affirm
Tluit with excess of wine alone depress 'd
I thus gave way, and over-swam with tears ! "
But the discreet Penelope these words
In answer spake : " stranger I of a truth
The gods of all my merits, all my grace,
And beauty reft me when the Grecian force
For Troy on shipboard sail'd, among who.se host
19s
176
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIX,
Went forth my spouse Ulysses. Were he now
Upon his home to enter, and, the charge
At once assuming, all tliis household rule,
My good report might haply into realms
More distant spread, and ampler homage win :
But, sad is now my destiny ; — such woes
Have the gods thrust upon me ! For, those chiefs 205
That o'er Dulychium and Samos' isles
As sov'reigns sway, and in the sylvan realm
Wield power of Zacynthus, and these lords
That hero in Western Itliaca hold rule,
Are one and all with courtsliip to my will
Most adverse urging me, and all the wealth
Of this my home consuming : For which cause
No heed take I of strangers, or of those
Wlio here resort as fugitives ; nor aught
Regard I any heralds who their posts
Among the people fill : for, all my heart
For my Ulysses yearns and melts away.
But, these my nuptials fain would force ; and I,
Like one that into clews her wool would wind.
Beguiling feints spin out ; Some god at first 220
Into my mind the thought instill'd, — as here
I in my palace sate, — a robe to work
Of breadth exceeding ; and a web whose threads
Were of the finest (being, itself, immense)
I then erected, and began to weave j
And hereupon my wcwers thus address'd ; —
' Young men ! who seek my hand — since that great Chiel
So like a god, Ulysses, is no more —
Forbear to press my nuptials till this veil
I shall have finish'd ; that the threads I use z
Book XDL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
177
May not with purpose unfulfiU'd be spoilt.
A shroud is it, for that heroic chief
Laertes, when that fearful doom is nigh
Which shall arrest and lay him out at length ;
Lest any one among the dames of Greece
Upbraidings should upon me heap, if he,
Who liv'd in affluence, entomb'd should lie
Without auch covering.'
235
These were my words.
And their proud spirits for the time complied.
But, hereupon, throughout the day, ray work 240
I plied of weaving xipon that vast web,
And when the night drew on, with torches placed
Beside me, ev'ry thread did I imloose !
Thus thiiough three years did I my work conceal,
And o'er those Greeks by stratagem prevail' d, 245
But, as the hours sped on, and tliis fourth year
At length was come, the months expiring fast
And all the number of the days simmi'd up.
They all the feint detected ; on my work
With sudden onset rushing : — to this act 250
By certain of our shameless handmaids led
Who to keep watch no longer cared, — and then
They with upbraidings bitter loaded me.
Thus did I, most unwilling, and by force
Of sheer constraint, that web at last complete. 255
But from these nuptials I no rescue see —
Alternative, expedient, — none appears !
My parents eagerly such marriage urge,
My son the utter loss of all his means
With indignation views ; — for, all their
VOL, II. N
178
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
£BooK XIX.,
270
By him is noted, — now, as a man grown
And of gi-eat Jove himsell' to honour rais'd.
Right competent his own to hold and rule.
Nathlesa thine origin reveal — ; the stock
From whence thou sprang' st : — for, neither from aw oak 265
Of auciont story could'st thou trace tliy Inrtli,
Nor from a stony rock ! "
To which appeal
Astute Ulysses thus : — " O thou ! who wife
Most lionour'd of Ulysses art — , the son
Of ^ed Laertes — would'st thou nut forhear
From question of my lineage ? — Then, will I
Hereon begin to speak ; though sadder still
Wilt thou my sorrow render than till now
It yet hatli prov'd. And this must ever hap
When from his native land so long estrang'd
A man hath liv'd, — as I am, still — , whose lot
A wanderer hath made me, and through homes
Unnumber'd of Earth's citizens have roam'd
Distressful woes enduring : but, though thus
My destiny declares itself, the tale
Thou at my hand art seeking I will tell ; —
Thy questions I will answer : —
In the uiidst
Of the dark ocean is a certain isle
Beauteous in aspect, fertile in its soil,
(Of Crete I speak) by water compass'd round.
And with vast numbers peopled, whose amoiuit,
O'er ninety cities spread, unknown remains.
'Mid habitants of race diverse thus fus'd
Tongues as diverse prevail : Achaians there
275
280
Book XIX.] UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
179 ^^H
And Eteocretans, men of noble minds,
^^H
Commingled dwell, — Cydonians and that race
^^H
Of Dorians whom men the ' triple tribe '
^^^^1
Are -wont to call, and the Pelasgian stock
^^^H
Of noblest genemtion. 'Mid all these
^^^H
Stands a vast city, Cnossus, where of old
295 ^H
Keign'd Minos who at each revolving term
^^H
Of nine years with the mighty Jove himself
^^1
Was commune said to hold ; — the father he
^^H
Of my own sire Deucalion the Great
^1
Deucalion two sons begot — ; myself
^^1
And king Idomeneus who, in those ships
^^H
That with curved prows the waters cleav'd, to Ti-oy
^^H
With Ati-eus' sons the expedition joia'd.
^^1
My name, and not unhonour'd, yEthon is.
^^H
And I the junior am : my brother, first
305 ^^1
By birth, was, also, iu repute the best.
^^H
In Crete I saw Ulysses, on whom gifts
^^1
Which hosts to guests should ofler I bestow'd.
^^1
The storms had thither driv'n him, as his ship
^^^H
To Ilion he was steering, and his course
310 ^^^H
From off the Maleans tow'nls Amnisus shap'd —
^^H
A port most peiilous, where from the gale
^^1
He scarce a rescue found. Here stands the grot
^^H
Of Dytheia. And, without delay
^^1
To Cnossus hast'ning, for Idomeneus
315 ^^1
He search began, as one to him endear 'd
^^H
And as a guest much honour'd ; — but, for Troy
^^1
Ten or eleven days before, this friend
^^^
Iu his good ship had sail'tL Then, I myself.
'^^^M
To my own home conducting him, with zeal
32c ^^1
N 2
1
180
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[EooK XJX-
Ulysaes greeted, and from ample means
Which by me lay a cordial welcome gave :
Wheat-meal in our great city's streets procur'd ;
Before him and his comrades, too, I placed.
And, (by some means procuring it,) supply
Of purple wine, and oxen for a feast.
That full contentment they might feel, I brought.
Twelve days these noble Grecians here remain'd :
A Northern blast of mighty force their ships
From shore was ever driving, nor aground
Permitted them to run ; (some adverse god
Wfts in the gale) but, on the thirteenth morn
The wind was hush'd, and they their anchor weigh'd."
330
He paus'd ; — a tale of fictions most like truths
Having thus far narrated ; and her tears, 335
As pale and paler she became, fast flow'd :
And as on some high mountain peaks the snow
Which, on the breeze of ev'ning borne, had fall'n.
Thaws and disperses in the early mom.
And river-torrents from the melting mass 340
Increase of flood derive ; — e'en thus her cheeks,
So lovely, seem'd with eVry falling tear
In sorrow to resolve themselves, — while plaints
Eegretful she was pouring forth for him
Her husband, who, that moment at her side 345
Was seated close ! And the heart's tender pulse
Of pity felt Ulysses for the wife
Thus grievously lamenting ; but, like horn
Or steel his eyes were set, — nor iji tht'ir lids
Was tremor seen ; for, by a feint tlie tt^ars 350
From starting he restrain'd. Hut, to the fill
Book XIX.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Her flooding aorrow having thus indulg'd,
Penelope this answer made : —
"Thy truth,
Stranger ! may I, as it seemeth, test :
U" this be certain, as thy words affirm.
That thou my husband and his chosen fi-ieuds
Hast in thy dwelling welcom'd, — tell me, then.
In what apparel were his limbs array'd ?
Himself describe : What aspect as a man
Presented he ? And those associates
That with him compauied ? — These, too, pourtray,"
Ulysses, ever- ready, thus replied : —
" Lady I this to tell thee, after time
So long since past not easy is ; for now
The twentieth year revolving is since hence
Ulysses went, and from my country sail'd :
But, as to my remembrance all thou ask'st
May now recur, the same will I relate.
High soul'd Ulysses in a double cloak
Of purple wool was habited ; a brooch
Of gold thereto was fitted, in two sheaths :
But, all the top was in Mosaic wrought,
Wherein a dog was seen, with his fore-feet
A speckled fawn fast holding, and his gaze
Upon its struggles fixing. Wrought with gold.
The work was deem'd a wonder : One, the hound,
The young deer throttling, seem'd therein to joy :
^^K The gasping captive, striving to get free,
^^H Its feet r~~— •'» ♦•~ '.ge. This splendid garb
^^1 About acli like the jiud
182
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XUL
Of some dried succulent bulb it seem'd t' invest ;
In texture all so delicate, — in hues
As radiant as the sun : and many a dame
In admiration eyed it. But, of this
Would I remind thee, — and for this, indeed, 385
Thou thought must take. — Unknown is it to me
Wliether with this apparel here, at home,
Ulysses had his form array'd, — or, all
That thus he wore, from one of his comates
When in the fleet embarking for tlie war, 39o"
Or from some stranger, as a gift, receiv'd :
For, lov'd was he by many ; and in Greece
His fellow rarely coidd be found. Myself
A brazen sword bestow'd on him, — a cloak
Of purple hue, most fair to look upon, 395
And doubling in its folds ; a tunic, too.
Which to liis feet descended : and with marks
Of rev*rence, in a well-appointed ship
I from the port despatch'd him. In his train
There walked a certain herald, one whose years 406~
His own somewhat outnumber'd ; and of him
And of his aspect can 1 speak : for, round
His shoulders seem'd, and dingy was his skin.
And thick and curhug was his shock of hair:
The name Eurybates he bore, and best 405"
Among the baud that his associates Ibrm'd
Ulysses this man deem'd ; for he it was
Whoso ev'ry thought accorded with his own."
He paus'd awhile, and in her sorrowing heart
Still sadder giiefs awaken 'd as she thus
The tokens by Ulysses with such truth
410
Book XIX.] HOMER'S ODYSaEV.
Recorded, well discern'd. But, now, her fill
Of weeping having ta'en, again slie spoke : —
"From this time forth, Stranger! though, in truth.
When thou in this my palace first appear'dst,
My sympathy was with thee — thou most dear
To me must ever prove, and in regard
Most highly held ; — for, T, with these my liands.
The raiment to Ulysses gave, whereof
Thy tale hath mention made : from th' inner room, 420
Where they were folded, bringing them : that broech
So brilliant, to adorn him, I affix'd !
But, never more to his lov'd native land
Eestor'd shall I regain him : a dire fat«
Was that which my Ulysses in his ship 425
To Ilion sent, — that city of all ills !
Which I abhor to name."
Whereto the Chief,
In counsels so well vers'd : — " thou, the wife
Most honour 'd, of Ulysses ! with this grief
On thy lov'd lord's behalf no longer mar
The beauty of thy countenance ; nor waste
The powers of thy mind : not that reproof
Of mine, indeed, could'st thou herein incur —
For, any matron of that consort reft
Whom marrii^jc rite had duly made her own.
To whom her love she gave, and children bore,
(Tliough with Ulysses he might never vie,
Whom to a god the common voice compares)
Must for that lost one giieve : but, from this time
Forbear thou all Innicnt ; — and mark my wortls, —
For, of n trutli will I declare, ami this
184
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XDL
From thee mthhold not, — that but now
A brief time only since, I tidings leam'd
That to th' Ithacian shore, his native land,
Ulysses was returning ; that to live 445
He still was spar'd, and with a wealthy race
Neighbours to the Thesprotians domicil'd ;
That treasure in abundance and most rare
He homeward was conveying, — gifts indeed.
From divers tribes solicited : but those, 450
His well-lov'd comrades in his joumeyings.
Their ship, too, as from the Trinacriau isle
Their course they were pursuiug, he had lost.
Jove and Apollu with indignant ire
Against him rag'd ; for, his comates had slain 45 5
The oxen of the Sun. Their fate they met
Beneath the swelling waves of the great deep :
But on the keel of the WTeck'd bark to shore
A mighty billow drove him, and the laud
Of that Phajaciau people who to gods 460
Have been by moi-tals liken'd, he thus reach 'd.
Such homage here he met as to some god
Was rather due : their gifts they heap'd on him.
And escort ofl'er'd which to Ithaca
His course should speed, unscath'd : and long ago 465
Here had Ulysses lauded, but the thought
His mind was swaying, over wide expanse
Of foreign realms to roam, and store of wealth
To gather in ; for, of all men that live,
Ulysses best the source of profit knew ! 470
Nor with him would another think to cope,
As Pheidon, king of the Thesprotians,
When in his palace a drink-offering
Book XIX.] HOMER'S ODYHSEY.
He had out-pour'd, assur'd me, — and with oath
^^1
^H
Deelar'd that for Ulysses a fit ship
475 ^^1
Had to the be^ch beeu drawn, and all ila crew
^^1
To start prepar'd, who should his escort be
^^1
To this his native shore. But, in advance
^^^1
The monarch sent me ; — a Thesprotian bark,
^^^1
Being to tliat Dulichium bound where wheat
^^H
In richest crops is gamer'd. And the king
^^1
Those treasures, which Ulysses had amass'd,
^^H
Display'd before me — ; substance which might well
^^H
To tlie tenth generation of his line
^^1
Another man maintain : so gi-eat amount
485 ^H
Of wealth, Ulysses' own, in this king's house
^^1
Was there preserv'd. His guest, the monarch said,
^^H
Was to Dodona gone, advice divine
^^1
From the high soaring oak-top of great Jove
^^1
In that inquiry to obtain, whereby,
^^H
When on his native shore he should have stepp'd,
^^H
(Though now so many years therefrom estrang'd)
^^1
The mode of his return he best might shape ;
^^H
In sight of all, or in couciwlment close.
^H
" Tlierefore, in safety lie survives ; and nigh
495 ^H
Is fast approaching, never more so long,
^^H
No, nor so far from friends and fatherland
^^H
Hereafter to be sever'd. But a pledge
^^1
Will I here tender, — and may mighty Jove
^^1
In goodness as in pow'r above all gods
^^1
Supreme, — the hearth, too, of Ulysses' home
^^H
(That chieftain irreproachable !) whereto
^^^^1
I have drawn nigh — the oath I swear, attest —
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H
^^^ AH that I have recounted shall ibrlhwith
1
186
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Most surely, as I told thee, be ftilfill'd :
Ulysses in the twelvemoutli that now is —
This actual month concluded, and the next
In its due couree succeeding, — will arriva"
Penelope thus answer'd : — " Would that all
Thou hast announc'd might surely come to pass ! 510
Thy friend thou soon should'st find me ; — at my hand
Such uum'rous gifts receiving as, when seen,
Would many a greeting on thy fortunes prompt :
But, this alone is on my thoughts impresa'd
Which, only, is to happeu : — To this home 5 1 5
Ulysses comes no more ! And from this place
No conduct must thou look for : None there are
Wlio in this palace can commandment give
As once Ulysses did, (but will no more)
The parting guest to speed, or welcome give 5 20
To strangers, worthiest of all regard.
" But, handmaids mine ! This stranger's bath prepare —
A place of rest — , couch, cloaks, and coverlets
Of glossy briglitness strew for him, — that warmth
Tlirough night, till goklen-thronM morn the day 525
Bring on, may ciierish him. But, at the dawn
At his ablutions tend him, and with oils
His limbs anoiut, that near Tuleniachus
In these our chambers seated, be (my son;
May for liis meal take thought. And woe to him 530
Auxid the inmates all who shall this nmn
Annoying grieve ! No longer on tjiis home
Shall such offender thrive, be his affront
Or choler, what it may ! For, bow should'st thou,
Book XIX.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Stranger ! this excellence above my sex
In mind and thougbtfulness at all discern
If in a guise so wretched, — ^in a garb
So vile, thou should'st within my palace walk
Sit here and eat ? Man's life is brief, indeed — !
He who, himself, is hard, and to the deed
Of hai-shness is consenting, is the one
On whom, while living, all his fellow-men
Will execrations heap ; and at his death
The contumely of scorn contemptuous lliug :
While he who is, himself, without reproach,
And of offence his conscience void would keep.
In this esteem is held, — that through the world
WUl strangers witness to his goodness bear.
And multitudes shall of his merits speak."
S40
545
But, to these words Ulysses, in his mind 550
Full many a thought revolving, thus replied : —
" honour'd consort of Ulysses, — son
Of aged Laertes ! cloaks and coverlets
Of sumptuous fabric have in my regards
A mere encunibi-ance seem'd, since in my bark 555
By long oars over ocean depths impell'd,
The snow-topp'd mountain range of Crete I left.
No : fain would I, as through long waking nights
I used to lie, still rest : for, in a bed
Jlost pitifid to view for many a night, 560
The beauteous mom awaiting, have I slept.
" The baths in which ablution for my feet
Tliou offeit'st, to me no solace are :
None of the females who in this thy home
188
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XJX
Attendant serve, my feet, to lave, shall touch ;
Save that some agM one there be whose mind
Full well her duty knows, and, like myself,
Hath many a burd'ning care ere now endur d.
That such a one as this my feet should wash
Demur would I make none."
Penelope
Thus answ'ring spake : — " Dear stranger ! (dear, 1 say-
For, not until this moment to our house
Hath stranger from afar with such a mind
As thine drawn near, — in all its thoughts discreet ;
Nor such a welcome hath receiv'd ; — such tact
Thy duent speech iu all that's just displays.
An agM matron have I here at hand —
Prudence itself is she, — who in the days
Of infancy his faithful nurse became
And rear'd liim — poor unhappy child ! with liauds
Wliich from his mother in the natal hour
The prince Ulysses newly born receiv'd.
She, though but feeble now, thy feet shall lave.
' Come, then — , my trusty Euryclea 1 rise,
And in the foot-bath wash the feet of one
Who with thy master equal years may count :
For, haply, may Ulysses' self in feet
And hands be now his counteiport : so quick
In its approaches is old age when men
In suffring or in years are doom'd to grow.' "
She ended : and the ag^d one, her brows
With either hand concealing, the warm tears
Of sadness shed, as, with lamenting voice
She thus exclaim'd : — " Ah ! woe is me, poor child 1
580
S85
590
Book XIX.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
189
On thy beMlf so pow'rleaa, 80 perplex'd ! 595
Jove, of a truth, above all mortals born
With grudge must have pursued thee, though tliy luind
Waa ever godlike : For, no living man
Hath ever to that thunder-loving Jove
So many thigh-bone sacrifices burnt, 600
And hecatombs select on altars laid,
As thou to him hast ofifer'd, with the pray'r
That into age advanc'd thou for thyself
Thy son in peace and quietude might'st rear ;
And, lo I he hath the day of thy return "605
Thus utterly denied thee ! And with jeers
Full many a woman, haply, dares to mock,
(EVn as these shameless handmaids have on Uim
Their insults flung, Stranger !) when in homes
Of foreign hosts he, as a guest, is lodg'd. 610
From their gross outrages and endless scoffs
Thou art withdrawing, nor consent would'st yield
That any hands of theirs thy limbs should lave ;
But, lo ! the daughter of fam'd Icarus,
Penelope, — that prudent queen, — on me, 615
Thereunto nothing loth, tliis charge hath laid,
And, therefore, will I, both for her lov'd sake
And for thine own, thy feet, Stranger I lave :
Not but that all my inmost thoughts the while
Pertiirbiid are %vith many an anxious doubt ; 620
For, mark thou well my words — ; Full many a guest
Long before now in sorry plight hath come.
But, never have I, as methinks, on one
These eyes of mine yet fix'd who, both in fo;
In tone of voice, in shape of feet, — so like
To great Ulysses seem'd ! "
ido
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIX.
To which the Chief,
In answer ever ready, thus i-eplied ; —
" Woman ! in age well stricken as thou art !
What thou hast now atfinii'd hath been by all
That ou Ulysses and myselt' have look'd
Alike asserted ; — that resemblance strong
Between us both is manifest ; — as thou
Not without judgment hast, thyself, declar'd."
630
He finish'd speaking, as the aged one
A shining caldron took, which for a bath 635
His feet to wash should serve ; and copious streams
Of cold and tepid water mix'd, while yet
Ulysses at the hearth his station held ;
But, on the sudden, to a dark recess
He, in all hast-e, withdrew, — quick as the thought 640
Across hia mind was passing, that the Nurse
When she upon hia scar her eye should fix
Himself at once might hereby recognise.
And all his plans and purpos'd deeds make known.
She, to her princely master drawing nigh, 645
His feet began to wash, and, at a glance
llie scar descried. Now, this a wound reveal'd
Which, in a time long past, with its white tusk
A boar had made, && in Parnassus' woods
He with Autolycus and his two sons 650
To hunt was speeding. This the noted sire
Of his own mother was ; one who his race
In knavery outdid and idle oaths,
By the god Mercury himself inspir'd,
Upon whose altars he the welcome thighs 65 5
Of lambs and kids had oifer'd : but, the chace
Book XlX.l HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
101 ^^1
Ulysses with this prince, all joy ! pursued.
^1
Autolycus, of erat, among the homes
^^^
Of Ithaca's most wealthy lords arriv'd,
^^H
The new-bom son of his lov'd daughter found,
66o ^^M
And when of supper he an end had made
^^H
This Eur)'clea on his parent knees
^^1
The infant placed, and thus appealing spoke : —
^^M
"Autolycus ! thine be the choice a name
^^H
To this dear child, thy daughter's son, to give,
665 ^^M
In many a pray'r long ask'd for ! " Whereunto
^^^
Autolycus : — " Do ye, my son-in-law,
^^H
My daughter, too — the name whei-eof I now
^^1
Shall utt'rance make bestow on him ; for, here
^^H
Am I at length arriv'd, by many a nxan
670 ^^^1
And woman on this many-feeding Earth
^^H
At heart detested ; for which cause the name
^^1
' 0DUSEU8' let him bear ; and, when a man
^^1
Upgrown, he to his great maternal house
^^1
Here in Pannassus where my treasures lie
675 ^H
Shall one day come, and hence a gift shall take,
^^H
And homeward shall with merry heart rutuin."
^^1
Mijuiful hereof, Ulysses, that his host
^^1
Might richly gift him, to I'arnassus went.
^^1
Autolycus himself and all his sons
680 ^^1
With outstretch'd hands and words of blandest speecli ^^^|
Their welcome gave : but, Araphithea,— she
^^M
Who his own mother's parent was, her arms
^^H
Around Ulysses throwing, on his brow
^^1
And both his radiant eyes a kias impress'd :
685 ^H
And then Autolycus on his brave sons
^^H
Commandment laid a bantiuet to prepare ;
1
192
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book
And to his urgent voice they, as they heard.
Obedience instant yielded ; and a beeve
Of five yeara' age, — all promptitude — led in,
And skinn'd and dress'd and into quarters hew'd.
With aptest handling sev'ring it ; the fleah
On apits to fix, and skilfully to roast ;
And all the parts they portion'd ; at which feastd
From mom till eve they sate : nor, could desire
More equally divided banquet crave.
But, when the sun declin'd, and the thick gloom
Of night upon them fell, to rest they hied
And slumber's gift eujoy'd. The roseate mom,
Daughter of dawn returning — for the chace
They started all ; Autolycus' two sons
And dogs withal, and in their hunt conjoin'd
Ulysses ; and Parnassus' soaring slopas
With forests clad they reach' d, and at quick speed
The breezy summit gain'd, — the solar rays
From the soft fluent swelling ocean depth
Ev'n at that instant rising, on the face
Of Earth to strike : and now into the glen
The huntsmen sped, their dogs, in front, the track
Of wild boars seeking ; in their rear, the sons
Of old Autolycua close following ; —
And, hast'ning tow'rds the dogs, IHysses' self
A long spear wielding which upon his path
Its shadow cast. Within a copse, hard by.
With shrubs impervious, a huge boar lay.
The currents of the winds with moisture charg'd
Through that dark jungle never blew : the Sun
With his bright beams in vain cssay'd to pierce :
No falling rains could soak through there : so dense
^OOK XIX.]
HOMER'S 01) YSSEY.
193
Appear'd the brake, the wild boar's lair, where nought 720
But strew'd sear leaves in heaps stupendous lay.
But, now, around was heard th' approaching tread
Of hunters and of hounds, as with a rush
They onward forced tljeir way ; and in their front
Out of the forest brake the monster rose, 725
His bristly mane erecting, and with eyes
That flashing seem'd with fire ! Before all else
Ulysses foremost sprang, witli sturdy liand
His long spuar wielding, — all iutent to strike
And wound ; but, with a stroke, whicii all lus speed 730
Outsped, the boar his knee attack 'd, and flesh
In a broad gash ripp'd up, as all oblique
His tusk he drove ; though, bone he fail'd to touch.
But, on the monster, with a thrust direct
Tlirough liis right shoulder piercing, did the spear 735
Of great Ulysses lunge, till the bright point
Transverse projected, and with shrieking groan
The wild boar sank in dust ; and life so fled.
Then with all zeal did those true-liearttid youths
The wound of great Ulysses tend ; their skill 740
Expertly binding it, and the dark blood
By incantation stauncliiug, — till with speed
Their father's house was reach'd. Autolycus
And his brave sons a perfect cure pcrfomi'd,
With sumptuous gifts enrich 'd him ; atfd, clato 745
With joy, Ulysses on that journey sped
lov'd Ithaca a hiipjjy man
and witli gl"'' "vulting hearts
' I _
194
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIX.
Question on question asking, — liow the scar
Inflicted was, — what anguish he endur'd :
And faithful was his narrative, whicli told
How at Parnassus, with Autolycus
And his two sons, arriv'd, the chace he join'd.
And how the white-tusk'd hoar assailant smote.
750'
But agiJ-d Euryclea, as the limb
She on her hand laid flat and would have wip'd.
The scar descried, well knowing it ; and loose
From her hands' grasp let fall the foot ; — his leg
Into the caldron falling, which aside
That instant roU'd ; and from the hollow brass
"Went forth a resonant clang, as o'er the gi'ound
The outpour'd water rusli'd. Delight and pain
In the same moment the aged matron's mind
O'ercoming quite ; — her eyes with tears suffus'd, 765
Her voice by thick and frequent sobs suppress'd.
As on Ulysses' beard her hand she laid,
And thus exclaim'd : — " My child ! my precious one !
TJiou of a verj' tmth Ulysses art !
Though, not till I had thus around my lord 770
Tliese hands so freely thrown, the certain truth
Did I attain to." Such were her glad words.
And to Penelope her eyes she turu'd,
All eager to apprize her that e'en there
Her consort, in the house, before her stood. 775
But, neither on the matron, face to face,
To gaze, nor ev'n her presence there to note,
Was it that moment to Penelope
Accorded, all whose thoughts Minerva's self
Was ijresent to direct : but, as his arm 780
Book XIX] HOM&'Ji'S ODYSSEY.
195
I
Ulysses stretch'd, the matron by her throat
He with his right hand seiz'tl ; and with the left
His body tow'rds her shifted, and these words
In tremor spoke : — " Nurse ! Why would'st thou a doom
Destructive bring upon me? Thou it was 785
WWo in thy bosom cherish 'd me : Behold !
How, after endless suflf 'rings, I am thus,
EVn in the twentieth year of exile, come.
And on my native country's soil I stand :
But, now, — that with thy recognising glance 790
Thou hast discern'd me, — and 'tis Gud himself
That this perception gave thee, — be thou mute !
Lest, haply, in this palace other ears
Hereof should knowledge gain ; for, this to thee
I here announce, — and it shall come to pass — 79S
If CJod shall under my avenging hand
These vaunting suitors crush, — [and thou prove false]
Ev'n though my nurse tliou wast, I will not then
Thyself from death exempt, when^ in that hour
Tlie guilty _women of this h(juse I slay." 800
Whereto the prudent Euryclea thus : —
" What utterance of thine is this, my child ?
Well knowest thou my stedfastness : my mind
No weakness knows, for, like the stubborn rock,
Or steel it-self, will I reserve maintain.
More will I tell thee, and my speech mark thou —
If God these vaunting suitors at thy feet
Vouchsafe to prostrate, then will I the tale
By numbers give thee of that femaJe crew
L That in thy palace serve ; of those whose acts
I Thyself insult, and thoee who guiltless live."
805
8m
196 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XLX.
To whom Ulysses : — " Nurse ! why thus on thee
Should it devolve th' offenders to declare ?
The need of this exists not : well can I
MyseK these women designate, and each 815
Amid the numbers know : do thou, meantime.
From speech hereon, in all reserve, refrain ;
And to th' immortals all our cause refer."
He ended ; and from that palatial hall
The agM Euryclea went her way 820
A second bath to bring, — for, from the first
All water had escap'd : and when he now
Had this ablution made, and she the oil
Anointing had applied, once more his seat
Ulysses to the hearth, for warmth, drew nigh, 825
But, with his tatter'd garb the scar couceal'd :
And then Penelope discourse renew'd : —
" Stranger ! For yet a little longer space
Would I of thee ask question, though the hour
Approacheth fast for slumber and repose 830
For all on whom, ev'n in the depth of woe.
Delightsome sleep may fall ; but, on myself
The deity hath countless sorrows heap'd.
And, through the day, this my resource hath been.
To sigh and moan, and of my chosen tasks 835
And my handmaidens' work take ovei-sight,
Till, at approach of night, when slumber's couch
To aU lies open, I upon my bed
In turn recline where ceaseless, poignant cares
My heart still fret, and make life one lament ! S40
As when the nightingale, (the daughter nam'd
Of Pandarus) that from some thicket green
Hook XIX.] lIOilER'S ODYSSEY.
Iil7
In early Spring her cliarniing soug outpours —
'Mid the dense houghs liigh ptTch'd, — and chaugeful notes
With her far-sounding voice incessant triJls, — 845
A dirge for her lov'd Ityhis, whom, of old,
(A royal progeny, — ICing Zethus' son)
With brasen weapon she unconscious slew ; —
So, by two thoughts at variance, — first t-o this,
Then to that counsel leaning, is my mind 850
Disturb 'd and harass'd : whether with my son
Here to abide and with determined sway
All that is mine, my wealth, my household train.
And this vast lofty palace duly guard,
And reverence to all my nuptial vows .S55
And to the voices of my people pay ;
Or, with that best of all the Greeks consort
^\^lo here within my own palatial hails
His suit is urging, and with countless gifts
For bridal meet enriehes me. While yet 860
My son a child and thoughtless was, a Imr
To nianiage stood oppos'd ; for, in the house
Of him who had my husband been, that chiM
Was not tt) lodge alone : but, now, adult
And into man's estate upgrown, his pra/r 865
Implores me from this palace to depart,
Indignant as he is when to that wealth
A thought he gives, which, to his utter loss,
These Greeks are daily wasting. But — , attend !
This dream for me interpret, and vrith ears 870
Attentive list : — In this my house a score
Of geese from water-troughs were eating wheat ;
And I, as I beheld them, felt delight,
Till a large eiini.'-bi-uk'd eagle, at one swouji
108
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XIX.
From some liigh mount descending, broke their necks
And kiU'd them all ; and in the palace court
"Were they all left in heaps ; but he aloft
Rose soaring into air. Though in a dream.
In tears was I suffus'd, and cried aloud ;
And the fair-hair'd Greek women in a group
Aroimd me gather'd with lamentings loud
For that this eagle had my geese deatroy'd ;
Wlien, to the spot returning, on that beam
Which our roof cornice form'd, the slayer sate.
And, from his station, with the voice of man
Detain'd me, thus exclaiming : —
' Cheer thy heart !
Thou daughter of the far-famM Icarus !
This no illusion, but all n.>al, is :
tUI which shall be fulfill'd to thee : TIxe geese
Thy suitors ai-e, and I who, heretofore.
An eagle was, am now, thy husband, come,
Who upon all these suitors will a doom
Most ignominious bring.' These words he spake.
And I awoke ; and, glancing round, the geese
Their wheat-gi-ains eating in the self-same spot
Again beside the water-trough I saw ! "
To wliich Ulysses thus replying spoke : —
" Lady ! Interpretation of thy dream
Beside this can be none ! for, how its truth
Will be fulfiU'd, Ulysses hath, himself.
To thee announc'd : and all these suitors' doom
Is manifest become, nor will a man
That destin'd death elude,"
880
900
BooE XIX.]
UOiJEH'ii ODYSSEY.
199
But, now, in turn
Rcjoin'd Penelope : — " And, yet, do dreams
Stranger ! all solution oft defy, 905
And mere confusion prove ; nor, unto men,
Comes ev'rythi:ig to pass : For, all these dreams.
So evanescent, through two portals pass : —
One gate of horn, and one of ivory ;
Whatever dreams through that sawn ivory come 9 1 o
Delusive are, and such announcements make
As ever come to nought ; but, those, again,
Which through the polish'd horn come forth, the truth
Will to the mortal who has seen them prove.
Yet, fram this gate the fearful dream I saw 9 1 5
1 cannot think hath issued : of a truth.
Most welcome to myself and to my son
Were its fulfilment. But, this more, besides.
Will I disclose to thee : perpend it well —
Tliis is the morning — hateful to hear uani'd — 920
Which from Ulysses' home must me remove ;
For, as a trial of contending skill
Will I those battle-axi's forward bring
Which, twelve ui number, like some vessel's ribs,
His wont it was in these palatial courts 925
In set array to fix ; through all of which
He, at wide distance station'd, would with ease
His arrow send. Now, to these suitors all
Will I this challenge offer : — Who.soe'er
With greatest ease Ulysses' bow shall bend 930
And through the same twelve axes shoot the dart.
Shall bid me follow him, and I thi.s home
Will leave, where, as a maiden, rich in
Of beauty and of wealth, 1 entrance ra
200 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XIX.
Event, which, haply, as I think, may still 935
To mem'ry even in a dream recur."
And hereto shrewd Ulysses : " Honour'd wife
Of Prince Ulysses ! Let no more delays
This contest in thy house defer ; for he,
Ulysses, in all counsels vers'd, will here 940
His entry make ere they this shining bow
In their hands clutching shall its string outstretch.
And through those iron rings the aiTow drive."
And thus the queen replied : — " If 'twere thy -will,
O Stranger ! at my side, these walls within, • 945
Thus seated to continue, sleep this night
Mine eyelids would not close : but, slumberless
And waking ever, not a man could live :
Th' immortal gods to ev'ry mortal man
Throughout this teeming Earth a certain lot 950
And order have assign'd : but, for my part.
Within the upper chamber on that couch
Shall I recline which, water'd with my tears,
A bed of sorrow hath become to me
Ev'n from that hour when for unhappy Troy 955
(A name to be abhorr'd !) Ulysses sail'd.
There, there, shall I recline : but, in our home
Take thou thy rest ; upon the floor itself
A sleeping place contriving, or let some
A couch for thee arrange."
These parting words 960
She utter'd, and towards the couch on high,
In her fail* chamber, hasten'd ; not alone
Book XIX.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. 201
But, by her handmaids companied ; and there,
While they around her in attendance stood.
She for Ulysses her lov'd consort wept, — 965
Tin, on her eyelids, as she mourning lay,
Blue-eyed Minerva a sweet slumber shed. 967
END OP THE NINETEENTH BOOK.
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Boo
it
il
BOOK XX.
TN his own vestibule Ulysses slept,
-L Where on the ground an ox's hide untann'd
He for a couch had spread, with many a fleece
From sheep supplied, which, for their lavish feasts
The Grecian guests had sacrific'd. O'er these.
As he recumbent lay, Eurynome
A mantle threw ; and thus with sleepless lids
Awhile he mus'd, as on th' avenging doom
Which now, at length, o'er all those suitors hung.
His thoughts were deeply pond'ring. And the throng
Of those vile handmaids who in revel loose
With the Greek guests consorted oft, were now
Forth from the palace trooping, in free sport
And jocund laugh elate : Whereat enrag'd
Ulysses the resolve, a moment, weigh'd
Whether upon that crew to rush, and death
To all and each deal out, or, for once more
And the last time, their converse with the crowd
Of suitors to endure ; his very heart
Growling, as 'twere, within him : and as when
The dogs among their whelps at strangers snarl,
Eeady to fly upon them, — even thus
BfWK XX.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
203
Did great Ulysses' spirit, murmuruig, groan, —
By this ettront'ry atagger'd ; and his breast
Indignant beating, he the heart within 25
In these sad words rebuk'd : — " Bear up, my soul !
The time hath been when outrage worse than this
Thou hadst to undergo, upon that day
When CircLors, in-esistible in strength,
Thy comrades brave devour'd : To this awhile 30
Wast thou constrain'd to yield, till from hia cave,
WTien to thy thoughts Death certain seem'd, by craft
Thou wast deliver'iL" With such reprimand
His spirit he restrain'd, and that Ijrave heart
At anchor rode, and Patience held it fast : 35
But, ev'n as when a man at some fierce fire
A savoury paunch with fat and blood replete
From side to side turns oft, intent with speed
Most prompt to roast it ; — so, from right to lell
Ulysses swaying lay, as he his plans 40
Eevolv'd how, single against numbers, he
Tliat daring band of suitors might an'cst.
And, now, from HeaVn descending, to his side
Minerva's self drew near, — a female form
Presenting, as above his head she stood, 45
And in these words appealing spake ; — " Why thus
A sleepless watcher liest thou, whose fate
*Bove all men's seemeth hardest I Tliis same house
Wliere thou art lodg'd is thine ; and in this home
Is thy wife living ; and thy son, too, — one 50
Whom any man would joy to call his own."
To whom Ulysses, upon counsels grave
Continually intent, replied : — " With truth.
204 UOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XX.
O goddess ! hast thou spoken ; but, my thoughts
On this, incessant, dwell — , how, I — all lone, 55
My grasp on this bold daring crowd may lay :
They in one mass are ever must'ring here.
And, what yet more would all my care engross.
Should I, by Jove's own counsels and tliine own.
These suitors slay, how w^ould my secret flight 60
Thereafter be secur'd ? For this, I pray,
goddess, coimsel take."
But, Pallas thus
In turn replied : — " Distrustful one ! Man's faith
Would even on his fellow-man rely,
A mortal — , one inferior, far, — nor vers'd 65
In coimsels and expedients infinite :
But, I, a deity, before thee stand.
In all thy trials guarding thee : and this
In phrase express I here to thee declare.
Though fifty bands of mortals that in speech 70
Articulate use their tongues around us rose
In conflict fierce to kill us both intent,
StUl should'st thou prove the man that all those beeves
And fatten'd flocks should to thy homestall drive.
But, now let Sleep prevail on thee — ; a grief 75
Is it throughout the livelong night to watch.
From all thy sorrows shalt thou soon be fi-eed."
The goddess ceas'd, and o'er Ulysses' eyes
Sound sleep induc'd, as to th' Olympian height
She upward soar'd ; and slumber all his frame go
At once possess'd ; and every carking care
Was in that sleep resolv'd, and ev'ry limb
Book XX.]
IIOMEIVS ODYSSEY.
205
Relax'il; luit, one tlien- wus whu sleepless watcb'd —
That wife who all her duties knew, and now
On her soft couch sate weepinj,', till, at length, 85
With sorrow sated, the high-minded queen
Thus to Diuna pray'd : — " Diaa ! child
Of Jove ! thou goddess evenuore rcver'd !
Would that an arrow iu my tmubled heart
This moment thrusting, thou with sudden wound 90
My life would'st end, or that some thunderstorm
Tearing me hence would with impetuous rush
This body through the ilini, dark road of Death
Transport, and to the ruduent ocean's floods
At once consign me : As when, of old time, 95
The whirlwinds Pandarus' daughtei's snatch'd away,
(The gods hoth parents slaying) in their home
All orjilmns left, whose nourishment to aid
Celestial Veuus cheese and honey sent
And luscious wine ; and Juno, as her gift, 100
Excelling loveliness and wisdom gavu
'Bove all their sex transcendant. Diari chaste
Hereto tall stature addetl ; and all skill
In Works of Art Minerva's grace eoufcrr'd.
But, when celestial Venus to the heights i05
Ascended of Olympus, there to sue
In these young oiithaus' cause for that assent
Wliieh should the contract of their nuptials seal.
Of Jove himself, who in the thuuder-crash
On high exults, the suppliant she became — 1 10
Jove, who men's prosp'rous destinies discerns
And all their adverse, too : but, while she thug
On high was pleading, each of these fair maitls
Was by the spoiler Harpies borne away,
20G
HOMER' a ODYSSEY.
[Book
Who to the Furies (those detested three)
As ministrants consign'd them : — Thiis, ev'n thus,
May those immortals, who th' Olympian Iiomes
On high iiihaliit, my existence close ;
Or, may fair-hair'd Diana's dart destroy.
If even in the nether realms of Earth
By all abhorr'd, on my Ulysses' form
I might but bend these eyes ; and no worse mind
Tlian his survive to gladden. What ! though Man
With heavy heart throughout the livelong day
The tear of sorrow shed, — this is a doom
Wliich, if through night he sleep, he Mrill endure :
For, when his eyelids arc in slumber clos'd.
Oblivious lieth he of all, — of good
Or ill : But on my senses hath some god
Ungenial visions forced ; for, in this night
Methought that one who hia resemblance bore
Beside me lay, — the counterpart of lum
Who for the Grecian catiii> this palace left :
And gladness fill'd my heart, for, I no dream,
Methought, was seeing, but a sight most real I"
She ceas'd to speak, but, as the golden mom
Tliat instant rose, the voice of her lament
The eiir of great Ulysses reach'd, and doubt
His miud awhile perplex'd, for, near his head
And recognising him she seem'd to stand.
But, from his place of rest the cloak and fleece
Upraising, which through night Ixineath him lay.
Upon a throne that in the palace stood
He ranged them ; but the ox's hide without
Before the portals laid, and with his hands
Book XX.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
S07
To Jov(; uplift, in aupplication pray'd : —
" Father Jove ! and you, ye gods ! whose will
Benignant over the dry land and sea
To mine own home hath hrougbt me, — for, that ye
With many a grief have tried me, — Grant that one
'Mid tliose who on this spot may wakiug be
May with a voice of portent from within
Now speak to me ; and, from the court without
Let some sure sign divine from Jove appear ! "
I go
Thus spoke he, sappliant, and the all-wise Jove 155
His invocation heard, and from the heights
Eesplendent of Ol3Tnpua, amid clouds
That instant thunder'd ; and Ulysses' heart
Thereat rejoic'd : — And from the house itself
A female slave that near him stood, and corn 160
At his own mills was grinding, — a good word
Of presage apoke. Twelve females in these mills
Incessant labour' d, as the Hour they made
Of barley and of wheat (" Man's marrow " tenn'd).
All, save herself, their wheat -grain having ground, 165
In slumber lay : she, only, of their band
The most infirm, to toil had not yet ceas'd ;
But, the mill stopping, pray'd — , and in her words
An omen to her lord unconscious spoke : —
" O Father Jove ! who over gods and men 170
Dominion hold'st, thou from the starry heav'n
"With heavy peals hast thunder'd, yet, no cloud
In all the sky above apparent is :
This as a portent to some man vouchsaf'd
Hast thou display'd : fulfil, now, to myself 175
Unhappy being that I am, this boon
308
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XX.
Which of Uiy grace I ask : Upon this day
May all the suit«ra of Penelope
For the last time from now for evermore
A meal to make them joyful in these halls
Of great Ulysses eat, — the self same they
Who with this painful Liboiir have my kuees
(While I their grain stood grinding here), relax'd :
Aye, — at a final banquet may they feast ! "
180
So spoke the woman ; her presaging voice 1 85
And Jove'a loud thunder, in Ulysses' heart
Great joy awaking, — for, believ'd he now
That vengeance on th' offenders must descend.
Then woke the other handmaids, in that home
So ornate and superb ; and on the hearth 190
A fire, which none might soon extinguish, lit.
And, from his couch Telemachus upris'n
His raiment donn'd, and a keen-bladed sword
Around his shoulder slung, — ('neath liis smooth feet
Most beauteous sandals binding,) and a spear 195
Of stubborn strength with sharp brass tipp'd assimi'd.
Tlie threshold having reach'd, he paus'd, and thus
Ag^d Euryclea question'd : — " Say, dear nurse !
MTiether thou in our palace hast a couch
And lit refreshment for this stranger found ? 200
Hath he, where best he could, uucared-for lain ?
For, even thus, all thoughtful as she is.
Might my lov'd mother act ! Two men here came,
With the same faculty of mortal speech
Alike endow'd ; but, of tliese twain, the worst 205
She with distinction gnitiiies, — and heuce,
Not without slight, the best she hath dismiss'd ! "
Book XX.]
UOMER'S ODYSfSEY.
209
But, in iT'juiudcr — Euvyeleti : — " Child !
The ineproacliable reproacli tliou not !
For, aeated here, for just so long a space 210
As his own humour pleas'd, the wine he quaff'd ;
And, aa to bread — (one ask'd him) — he thereof
No more desir'd : but, now when she herself
For night's repose and sleep was taking thought.
Thy mother to her handmaids gave command 215
A couch to spread for him : but, he like one
By weariness quite vanquish'd, and by fate
Most adverse bow'd, desire none expreas'd
On bed or coverlet his sleep t' enjoy,
But, on a bull's hide all untann'd and skins 220
Of sheep set up his rest ; and o'er his limbs
A mantle we then threw."
Such were bar words,
And from the palace, spear in hand, forth went
Telemachus, — his fleet hounds following :
The well-greav'd Greeks he iu the Fonim join'd, 225
And, as the courts he trode, aged Eurjxlea,
Daughter of Ops, Piseuor's son, the throng
Of handmaids thus instructed : " Hither now
In numbers come ! Use speed ! These pavements sweep
And sprinkle ; upon all these high-WTOught thrones 230
Rich purple cov'rings spread : and in their turn
Let others of you with the inoisten'd sponge
Those tables wipe all round ; each goblet cleanse
And all the double cups with high wrought art
Ornate : Let others from the fountain side 235
With haste the water bring : for, from these halls
Brief will the smtors' absence be ; so soon
VOL. It P
810
HOMER'S ODTSSET.
[Book XX.
Is their return appoiated, and the feast
A gen'ral banquet is to be for all."
Thus spoke the matron, and with ready ears
Her words they noted. Twenty to the fount,
Tliat in the shade rose darkling, instant sped ;
And others in the palace their set tasks
With all expertness plied. Then, folloMring close.
Came all the servants of the Greeks, by whom
The wood with sure and dext'rous axe was cleft^
As now the women from the spring retum'd ;
And, leading in three fatten'd swine, the prime
Of all the styes, the swineherd next arriv'd.
These in the beauteous couits to graze awhile
Eumaeus left, and then, in tones subdued,
Ulysses question'd : — " Stranger ! do these Greeks
With show of more respect observe thee now.
Or, as at first, within .these walls, their scom
Upon thee fling ? To whom Ulysses thus : —
" Eumseus ! Would that vengeance from the gods
Might on that bold presumptuous pride alight
Wherewith, in wanton outrage, ev'iy scheme
Of infamy in this palatial house
(No home of theirs !) they cease not to design,
And shame's restraints repudiate." In these words
Tlius briefly comiiiun'd they : But, hereupon
Drew nigh Melantius, a flock of goats
Conducting, which, of all that graz'd at field,
Were finest deem'd, yet for the suitors' feast
Were now to serve. Two hinds that with him came
Beneath the echoing corrid(jr tliese goats
Awhile bound last ; and then with sneering taunts
Melantius Ulysses thu.1 assail'd :
250
260
Bo'JK XX.]
HOMER'S ODYHSEY.
211
"What ! Stranger [ wilt thou still this liouse infest, 270
At each man's hand a mendicant ? Out-dooi's
Wilt thou not bide? Now, ne'er shall we, methinks.
Our matter end ere with these hands of oura
We fight it out. All decency defied.
Here art thou Legging ! Other feasts than this 275
Are there by Grecians given ! " Tlius rail'd he :
Ulysses answer made not, but Ids head
In silence shook, aa in his inmost heart
Tlie schemes he fraiii'd of vengeance. After this,
A heifer leading in and fatteu'd goats, 280
All for tlie suitors' feast, Philtetius came ;
One who might well a leader be. But, these
The ferry-men had carried o'er, whose boat
Might any others, whosoever would,
Across the stream convey : And all the herd 285
Within the echoing comdor he bound.
And of Eumaeus next inquir'd, who nigh
Beside him stood : — " What stranger may this be,
Swineherd ! who so lately in our homes
Hath his appearance made ? Of what descent 290
Doth he declare himself? Where is his race?
And where his fatherland ? lU fat*d man I
Yet, in his aspect princely ! But, the gods
In many a sorrow will those mortals plunge
Who roam and ramble oft ; when ev'n on kings 295
They toil impose and trouble." Ending thus,
Ulysses he approach'd, and, with the hand
Of fellowship out-stretch'd, thus eager spake : —
" Fatherly stranger ! hail ! Though many a giief
Lie heavy on tliee now, in years to come
p2
300
312
HOMEH'S ODYSSEY.
[ItOOK XX.
3»o
315
May'st thou all happiness enjoy ! Jove '
None of the gods more hurtful ills than thou
Inflicteth ever : Sympathy with man
Even with niort,al8 thine own oft'spring deem'd.
Thou testifiest none ; but, in distress
And bitter sorrows bleudest all alike.
In ev'rj' pore the shock I felt, when first
On thee I look'd, Stranger ! and mine eyes
With tears began to stream, when at that sight
Ulyssca I to mind recall'd ; fiir, thus,
Methought, he in such sorry raiment cloth'd
May, at this very moment, among men
A wand'rer be, — if he, on any spot
The breath of life be breathing, and the light
Of Heaven's sun beholding : but, if gone.
And in the home of Pluto with the dead
An inmate be, — alas ! for that just man
Ulysses ! who, when I a stripling was,
Amid the Cfipbalenians, in charge
Of all his oxen placed me ; and those herds
One hardly now coidd count ; nor could increase
Of such broad fronted beeves in like extent
To any other man accrue. Yet, this
The flock I lead, mere strangers bid me bring
That they themselves may feed thereon ; nor thonght 32T
Take they for that dear sou who in these halls
Palatial dwells ; nor vengeance from on high
Seem they to dread, all eager as they are
The wealth to seize of the long exil'd prince.
Oft have my tJiougbts thus pcmder'd : ' 'Twere most vile
While yet the sou is living, that the shores -^^j
Of some strange nation I, witJi all tlie.se herds.
320
Book XX.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Should strive to reach, and into alien hands
My charge consign : But, this more painful is,
My station here to hold and o'er the beeves
That others are, — not mine — a watch maintain,
And grief like this encounter. Long ago
Had I gone hence, and as a fugitive
Some other potent ruler's homestead reach'd,
(For, wrongs like mine can be no more emlur'd)
But that the thought still weigh'd with me, that he,
That most ill-fated man, might from some realm
At length arrive, and a wide scatt'ring make
Of all those suitors to their seVral homes."
213
335
340
But, hereto answer great Ulysses made : — 345
" Herdsman ! for that thou neither of the vile
Nor of the foolish any seujblauce bear'st,
And I assurance feel that all thy thoughts
Are by right judgment rul'd, — I'll speak to thee,
And to my speech this sacred oath will add, — 350
And may great Jove, o'er aU the gods supreme,
Tliat oath attest, — and th' hospitable board
And th' irreproachable Ulysses' hearth,
Wliereto I came a stranger, witness bear —
Ulysses, of a certain truth, his home 355
Will reach whilst here thou art, and, if thou wilt.
With thine own eyes shalt thou the destin'd death
Of all the suitors that here rule behold."
Whereto the herdsman, guardian of those beeves,
These words in turn addi'css'd : — " Oh ! that the son 360
Of Saturn might these words of thine fulfil !
Soon should' st thou learn, Stranger ' what my strength
314
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Boos XX.
And hands avail to do ! " And with like pray'r
Euma^us all th* iumiortal gods invok'd
That to his own Ulyssea might return.
36s
Such commune held they ; wliile the suitors' plot
The doom and death of young Telemachiis
Ayaiii was aimpassing : but, on their left
Flew a high-soaring eagle, in its clutch
A trembling dove retaining : at which sight 370
Amphinomiis tlie suitors in these words
Emphatic wam'd ; — " My friends ! the plot we schemed —
The taking off of young Telemaehus —
Will in our hands but fail. The feast, alone.
Be now our care." Thus spake Aniphinomus, 375
And they assenting heard ; and now, at length,
Ulysses' mansion eut'riug, on e;ich couch
And throne the cloaks they spread, and full-grown sheep
And prime sleek goats they slaughter'd : fatten'd swine
And a young grass-fed cow they sacrific'd.
Whereof the roasted entrails in due shares
They portions offer 'd ; but, in mixing-bowls
The wine tlicy blended, and the cups to each
The Swineherd bore ; and then in baskets rich
PhUaitius bread distributed ; and wine
Melantius stood out-pouruig, while all hands
Were on the viands wliich before tbciin lay
In that high festival outstretch'd. jVnd now
Telemaehus, on shrewd expedient bent.
Up to the tlireshold entrance of the hall
His father led, and near him a mean stool
And paltiy table placed, whereon a share
Of th' iimer-uicat was serv'd ; and as the wine
380
38s
390
Book XX,] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
216
Into a golden cup he pour'd, these words
Therewith pronounc'd : — " Eetain thou here this seat, 395
And when men chink, drink thou ; for, I, myself,
The insults and the hands from thee will ward
Of eViy suitor here ; for that this house
For gen'ral concourse serves not : this the home
Of Prince Ulysses is, and for myself 4CX)
Did he, the owner, hold it : — And from word
Or deed that may give pain (to you I speak,
Ye Suitors !) see tliat ye refrain ; lest wrath
And conflict sharp should follow on't ! "
Heoeas'd,
And they, as each his teeth indignant groimd, 405
Such fearless speech with wonder heard, — till one,
Antinous, Eupithes' son, thus spoke : —
" Grecians 1 however hard it be to bear,
Let U8 the menace of Telemachus
In good part take : He this address has made 410
And no light threat appended. Jove himself.
The son of Sat\im, our designs forbade.
Or m these halls, loud speaker as he is.
Should we have hush'd his talking ! "
In such phrase
Antinous spake ; but, heed to any word 415
Telemachus gave none. And now in pomp
Of sanctity the heralds through the streets
A hecatomb to the immortal gods
Were bringing onward, and the long hair'd Greeks
Within far-shooting Phcebus' shadowy groves 420
In thronging numbers round that otfring met.
216
UO MEETS ODYSSEY.
[Book XX.
But, when, within the palace, those who seiVd
The outer-parts had roast, and, drawing forth.
To ev'iy guest liis portion had assign'd,
A glorious banquet was in order set
And manciples before Ulysses' seat
A portion placed as ample as their own.
In shares assign'd, — and the strict charge herein
Of his lov'd sou Telenmchus obey'd.
425
And yet, exemption total from all jeers 430
Which, from the mocking suitors, in that hour.
His heart might sting, Miner\'a granted not ;
That sadness still might with this access try
Xaertes' sou, Ulysses. In tlitit tlirong
Of suitors sate there one, in wickedness 435
Long vors'd, Ctcsippus nam'd, whose native home
In Samos lay, and who, in his sire's wealth
All confident, the wife presum'd to woo
Of long-cstrang'd Ulysses ; and he thus
That baud of iusolents address'd : — " Your ears, 440
Ye lortUy suitors I give me, while a word
I at this time would offer : Equal share
With all, as of old custom, — so it seems —
This stranger, here, must needs enjoy : for, gloom
To cast upon the spirits of such guests 445
As to the mansion of Telemachus
May chance to come, nor gracious were nor right :
But, look you, — I a hospitable boon
WUl on tliis man bestow, that he iu turn
May either to the keeper of the baths, 450
Or to some other of the menial train
That in the house of great Ulysses serve,
Book XX.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
iVi
Gratiiity may offer ! " As he ceas'd,
With his coarse hand an ox's foot, which near
Had chanc'd to lie, he from the basket drew, 455
A.nd hurl'd it from him ; but, with slight incline
Ulysses' head the missile shunn'd, as he
In bitterness a grin sardonic sniil'd ;
But, only on the firm compacted wall
Did that ox-foot alight : Whereat this speech 460
Telemachus at vile Ctesippus cast : —
" Ctesippus ! hadst thou known it, 'twas thy gain
Tliat tliou the stranger fuil'dst to hit : The blow
He deftly scap'd ; and, but for that, my spear
Eight through thy body would these hands have thrust ; 465
And then for thine interment would thy sire
Have here been sometime busied ; — not on rites
Of iiuirriage aU intent ! This understood —
Let no one in this house of mine, henceforth,
Vile outrage offer me ! A child, indeed, 470
I for a time continued ; but, with all
Am I now conversant : with good and ill
Am I familiar. With forbearance long
Have we refraiu'd, when this our eyes beheld —
Our fatlings slaughter'd, our wiue drunk, our bread 475
Alike consum'd : So hanl is it for one
The might to stem of many ! But, beware !
In this malignant spirit further wrong
Attempt not to inflict on me : though this
I here announce,— if with the sword itself 480
Thou fain my life would'st take, this, even this.
My own desire would be ! and better far
Were Death itself, than upon acts so vile
Unceasingly to look ; on stranger-s thus
218
HOifER'S ODYSSEY.
With outrage gross insulted, and on men
That through these walla the women-eervants hale.
In revelry most shanieless."
With these woi"ds
He finish'd speaking, and in silence all
As hearers sate, till Agelaus thus
(Damastor's son) began : —
" My &ienda ! with speech 490
On justice bas'd no suitor here, whose words
Tliat carp at and condouaa it, should be wroth.
No further insults on this stranger cast,
Nor servant outrage that in this tlie house
Of great Ulysses works. Yet, one mild word
Would I to young Telemachus but speak
And to his Mother — , if with their goodwill
That word might meet : So long as all oiu* hopes
On shrewd Ulysses' coming home reUed,
Without reproach, indeed, might she her days
In this her mansion spend, and on the crowd
Of suitors that surround her law enforce :
More seemly this, if, to his native land
Kestor'd, Ulysses this his home should reach :
But, this must now apparent be to all,
That here he comes no more ! — Telemachus !
Thy station at thy Mother's side go, take !
And tliis injunction lay on her — , the man
She shall prefer, — with gifts the most profuse —
At once to wed ; that thou witli merry heart
Th' estate of thine inheritance may hold,
And banquet keep and wassail ; she, the while,
On the domain nf othei-s entering,"
500
510
Book XX.]
nOMEWS ODYSSEY.
219
But, in reply, Tcleniuchus : — " Not so —
O Agelaua ■ By great Jove himself^ 5 1 5
And by my father's wrongs, I swear, — (whose death
May but too certain prove, or, who in reahua
From Ithaca remote may, at this hour,
A wand'rer be — ) no interpos'd dissent
Of mine my Mother's marriage has delay'd, 520
M;^- exhortation was, that one to wed
On whom her choice might fall, and from whose hand
Most costly gifts were lavish'd ; But, from hence, —
My palace — 'gainst her wish ! and witli the speech
Of harshness to extniJe her ! Shame forbids — 525
And ne'er may God permit it ! "
Tims spake he.
But, now it was that in th' assembled crowd
Of all those siiitorSj Pallas a wild laugh
Of ecstasy awak'd, and all their minds
Into confusion plung'd. Unnatural 530
And forc'd was all that uurth. Crude meat they ate
With blood, as 'twere, deKl'd ; and ev'iy eye
Witli tears began to fill, and each man's mind
Began to bode some evlL Then it was
That thus spake Tlieoclymenus : — " Poor fools ! 535
What plague is now upon you ? All your heads.
Features, and knees beneath, are in dark gloom
Alike involVd ! An outbreak of distress
la here ! and cheeks with overflow of tears
Are moisten'd all ! The walls and panels, too, 540
'Twixt columns frjim'd, so beauteous ' are with gouts
Of blood besprinkled ! Ev'n the portico —
The hftU, itself — with shapes is throug'd, that seem
220 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book Xx!
The gloom to enter of the nether world !
The Sun itself from out the heav'n above 545
Is perishing, — and a thick gath'ring mist.
As though in judgment sent, around us hangs ! "
He ended ; but, they all with laugh jocose
His words receiv'd, as, turning to the crowd,
Eurymachus, the son of Polybus, 550
This comment made : — " This stranger, who so late
From unknown quarters is among us cast.
Is weak become in intellect ! Yoimg men !
With all dispatch do ye through yonder door
Into the Forum speed him ! since this scene 555
He is with Night comparing ! "
But, hereto
In answer Theoclymenus rejoin'd : —
" Eurymachus ! on no account from thee
Would I such guides request : for eyes have I
And ears and my two feet ; — a mind withal 560
By no means pitiful, — ^by aid whereof
Will I through yonder portals pass, who see
The evil which before you lies, the doom
So nigh at hand, and by no suitor here
Of all your number to be shunn'd, who now 565
While many a man in great Ulysses' hall
You mock and outrage, are for evil deeds
Inventive counsels taking."
With which words
The noble pile he quitted, and at once
Piraeus sought, who with a cheerful heart r ^q
His welcome gave. The suitors all, meantime,
Book XX.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
221
As on the other each his glances bent,
And at the guests of yoimp Telemachus
(The strangers) jeer'd, — his spirit rous'd to wrath,
When one rash youth thus arrogantly spake : 575
" Telemachus ! No man that guests receives
Has viler than tliine own : a mendicant
And vagrant hast thou here, — his need of bread
And wine declaring, — in all handicraft
Most ignorant, in strength coutemptible, — 580
A mere dea<l weight on Ejirth ! The other, too,
Must needa bi'gin to utter prophecies !
But, would'st thou only on my counsel act,
This would, indeed, our interest best serve.
If both these strangers in a roomy bark 585
We hence coidd ship, to some Sicilian mart
Consigning them, where we might sell them well ! "
Thus spoke in turn the suitors ; But their speech
Telemachus contemptuous heard, as mute
His eyes he now upon his Father tix'd,
The moment waiting when on that vile crew
He should avenging hand begin to lay.
Meantime, upon a beauteous seat enthron'd.
Which all tb' assembly fronted, the fair child
Of Icarus, Penelope, the words
Of each that spoke o'urhcard. But, they, all glee.
For their high banquet now prepar'd, whose sweet
And heart-delighting relish gave to all
Contentment full : for, sacrifices vast
Had for the viands in that feast been slain :
Yet more ungenial meal wherewith a man
His day should end there could not be than that
590
595
222 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XX,
Which the celestial Goddess and the prince.
So noble-soul'd, were, in a little while.
About to place before these very guests
Who, long before, in machinations vile.
Their joint exploits in shameless sin had plann'd ! 607
END OF THE TWENTIETH BOOK.
Book XXL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
223
BOOK XXI.
"OUT now in Queen Penelope's pure mind
•^-^ Minerva, goddess of the gleaming eye.
This counsel prompted, that the bow itself
And pale steel-pointed arrows which, reserv'd.
In Prince Ulysses' palace still hnd lain.
She should before the throng of suitors bring, —
The guerdon of a contest first to prove ;
Precursor, next, of carnage ! And for these
The steep stair mounting of that princely house,
A well-wrought, beauteous, brazen key she took.
And in her own fair rounded hand its ring
Of ivory held. Herewith, as all her train
Of handmaids on her waited, she in haste
Tlie furthest chamber sought where lay upstor'd
The prince's treasures — , brass and gold and steel
Of work elaborate ; and 'mid the heap
Eepos'd his unbent bow ; — the quiver, too,
Receptacle of shafts, wherein secur'd
Was many a dart wliich groans of agony
Might well awake ; — gifts, which in times bygoD'
One Iphitus, the sou of Eurytos,
lO
IS
224
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[JiOOK
A stranger, but with god-like mind endow'd,
In Lacedffimon meeting him, bestow'd.
Their earliest greetings on Messene's soil
They interchang'd, when with Orsilochus
(A warlike host) located. At this spot
A debt to claim, of the whole people ow'd,
Ulysses had arriv'd. — Messenian men
Three hundred sheep and those who of the flock
Had oversight, in vessels over sea
From Ithaca had suatcli'd, and for all these
(As on a mission in the public cause)
By his own sire and other chiefs dispatch'd,
UlyBses, a mere youth, had made demand.
But Iphitus in search of his lost steeds
Was thither come :— twelve mares and, under them,
Hard drudging luules which at uo distant day
His doom and death entail'd on him : his guest
First to the mansion leading him of one
Wlio in exploits of mightiest eminence
No rival knew, — the hero Hercules —
That high-soul'd son of Jupiter himself.
Who, though unto his hearth this Iphitus
He had a welcome giv'u, slew the man :
Haixi-hearted one ! who neither wrath divine
Cousider'd, nor the hospitable board
Which he before him spread ; but in his house
Those hard-hoof'd steeds of Iphitus detain'd,
A day arriv'd when he, with his own hand,
To death cousign'd himself. But Iphitus,
While on his mares intent, Ulysses met
And this bow gave him which great Eur}'tus
Book XXI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
225
Of ol<l liad wielded, but, who in his home,
(A lofty mansion,) dying, to liis son
As a bequest transferr'd ; and in his turn 55
Ulysses to this stranger a sharp sword
And a stout lance presented, — the first pledge
Of kindness which might close alliance bind :
Yet did they never at snch mutual board
Thei-eafter sit, for, Hereiiles the blow 60
That life destroy'd, ere that conld be, had struck.
This bow, then, at the hand of Iphitus
Ulysses gain'd, but in that dark-ribb'd ship
Which was to bear him to the scene of war
He took it not. In these palatial halls 65
A kindly stranger's mem'ry to revere
It ever lay, though, ere his liome he left,
O'er his own lands that bow Ulysses bore.
But, when the noble queen her chamber reach'd
Its oaken threshold crossing which of old 70
A craftsman had with dext'rous art made bright
And by the standard squar'd — (Tn this erect
Stood bearing pillars and 'mid these were doors
Of entry interspevs'd, that brilliant shone)
She in all haste the thong 0' the ring releas'd, 75
And, with a hurrying hand the key t' insert,
Tlie door bolts backward drove, as straightest aim
At either she directed : and a sound
Re-echoed which the lowing of some bull
Grazing in verdant mead might emulate ; 80
So loudly resonant rung those ornate doors
As each by keys was stricken, and at once
Tliey open stood before her. Here arriv'd.
The topmost floor she sought where in array
VOL. II. Q
ssr
HOMES'S ODYSSBY.
[Book XXL
The coffers stood, and in them many a vest
With richest perfume fragrant. And from hence
With oiitstrctch'd hand detaching it, the bow
From its suspending wall-hook she releas'd
And the bright sheath which cas'd it. Then, awhile,
Down sitting there, Penelope the sheath
Upon her knees austain'd, and with loud cry
To plaintive sadness yielded. But, the bow
From out its covering at length she drew,
And having now her fill of sorrow's tears
In weeping ta'en, the palace and its hall
Of banquet she re-enter'd, and the throng
Of noble suitors sought, — ^the bow unstrung
And its full quiver bearing, in whose sheath,
W^th death-groans fraught, so many arrows lay.
A coffer, too, the handmaids with her brought,
"Wherein lay steel, in ample store, and brass.
The treasure of the prince. But, now, at length,
Into the presence of her suitors brought,
Penelope her station near the shaft
Of a roof-bearing pillar chose, a veil
Of finest tissue 'round her features drawn.
And a discreet handmaiden on each side
Her royal presence tending ; and these words
To all the throng there gather'd she address'd : —
" Hear me I ye princely suitors ! who to feast
Continual of viands and of wines
Within these walls resort, and on our home
Oppressive burdens lay while so long time
My consort absent lingers, and no ground
Can for your trespass herein urge, but hopes
Book XXI.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Of uuptial contract inaking; ainl myself
Tlie bride to be ! Attend to me, whom thus
TLe prize of competition you have made —
This mighty bow, Ulysses' own, I here
Before you all produce ; and whosoe'er
Tills self-same bow, as here he handles it,
With greatest ease shall stretch, and through the rings
Of all twelve axes shall an arrow shoot,
Tlie man will be whom I shall follow hence.
This palace qiutting which, while yet a girl,
I enter'd, rich in beauty, rich in wealth
Life's maintenance providing ; all of which
Long hence shall I in memoiy retain,
Aye, ev'n in dreams recalling ! "
I20
"S
Thus spake she.
And on the noble-minded Herd command 130
Immediate laid the bow and weapons bright
To place in view of all With flooding eyes
Eumffius from her hands the bow receiv'd
And put it forth. The herdsman, too, whose glance
From a remoter spot beheld, his teara 135
Restrain'd not when his maater's bow he kenn'd :
But, in rebuke, Antinous challeng'd both : —
" Ye senseless clowns ! who thus upon the things
That for the passing day alone suffice
Such thought can take, and such concern evince! 140
Ye poor, faint-hearted couple ! wherefore thus
Have ye your tears let flow, and the queen's heart
AVithin her sadden'd, whose afflicted soul
Since she her much lov'd consort lost, enough
as had to bear with ; — Sit ve mute,
gi-i
g2
HOMERS ODYSSEY.
[Boor XSI
At this our feast, or, out of doors remov'd.
Go, snivel tliere ! but, leave us here the bow
A contest to originate which must
Amhition leave insatiate : for, metbinks,
No suitor here will this bright shining bow
With ease succeed in ben<ling. No such man,
'Mid all our number, as Ulysses lives !
These eyes of mine have look'd ou Idni : My mind
Eecalls him still, — but I a mere child was."
ISC
1 60
He ended : but a hope he had at heart 155
Tliat he the string would stretch, and through each axe
An arrow shoot : howbeit, this same lord
The first was fated of an arrow's point
To taste directed by Ulysses' hand,
His, whom in his own paJace, as he sate,
He with contempt had mock'd, and all the throng
Of suitors rous'd against him. But, at length,
Telemachua thus spoke ; — " Now, of a truth.
Hath Jove, the son of Saturn, o'er my brain
The sense induc'd of craziness ! So sound
In judgment as she is, my mother, here
To all declares that from this home withdrawn
She a new spouse will follow ! I must laugh —
And in my silly mind feel all elate !
But, look you ! All you suitors ! Forasmuch
As for a prize this contest ia to be,
There ia not, at this moment, in all Greece,
In holy Pylos, or in Argos be 't,
Nor in Myeenfp, nor in Ithaca
Itself, or dark Epirus, woman bom
That with my mother can compare ; and this
16s
m
IJOOK XXI.
HOMEirs ODYSSEY.
Ye, of yourselves, well know : WTiy should I, then,
My mother thus extol I But, come you, now,
By no excuses party this, nor pause
Evasive longer make in these attempts
To bend yon bow ; that we with our own eyes
May see you all : nay, I myself the feat
Would now essay ; but, if herein I won
And through the axes should au arrow shuot,
My honour'd mother, mth another join'd
Should ne'er behind her leave me in this home
To grieve all sorrowfid, — let be what might
My pow'r my fatlier's noble prize to gain."
1 80
185
He ended, and upon his feet erect
His pui-ple cloak from off his shoulders threw 190
And his keen sword, too, disengag'd ; and first
The battle axes he set up ; — a trench
In one long line then digging and by rule
Its straightness testing ; and around each axe
Tlie earth he gather'd close, down stamping it, 195
While wonder all beholdera seiz'd who mark'd
With what adjustment nice the axes all
(Before that moment never seen) he rang'd.
And, on the threshold stepping, there he stood
And tried the bow, and thrice he felt it bend, 200
All eager as he was to draw it home,
But, thrice his pow'r he cheek'd, not without hope
That he the string would stretch, and through the rings
An arrow shoot ; And, now, at the fourth turn.
With force upon it brought to bear, his thought ""^e
Was to have bent it fully, but a nod
From great Ulysses stay'd him all intent
330
UOMER\^ ODYSSEY.
[Book XXI
To bond and shoot. Whereat Telemachus
Tliese words to all address'd : — " Fie ou't ! In times
That yet must come I shall a poltroon prove, 210
Or puny, or, maybe, my youth it is !
And in these hands reliance place I not
A man, who first should urge me, to repel.
But, onward come ! ye others, who in strength
My masters are ; Try you, and let us end ! " 215
Thus speaking, on its end the bow he placed.
'Gainst the bright panels slanted of the wall.
And on its beauteous tip the weapon left.
This done, the seat just quitted, he resuni'd :
And then Antinoiis, Eupithes' son.
These words suggestive spake : — " Now, to the right
Rise all of you ; — from that spot starting whence
Tlie pourer of the wine h is range begins."
Antinoiis thus : — And all assent express'd.
Leiodea, son of CEnops, from liis seat
First rose : The suitors' priest he was, who slew
And nifer'd victims, Near the golden vase
And in the furtliest comer he his place
Habitual fiU'd — ; a man whose mind on pride
And sin alone was bent ; and with a grudge
Eyed ev'ry suitor present. "With his hand
The bow he clutch'd ; the arrows, too, he eyed, —
And to the threshold stepping he the bow
Essay'd to bend, but stretch'd it not ; fur, soon.
His hands in archery untried and soft.
He 'gan to tire ; and tlius the crowd address'd : —
" My friends ! I cannot bend it : to the hand
I yield it of another : — for, this bow
220
22;
^30
235
Book XXI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
SSI
From many a chief among you will hia life
And spii it take ; and better were such death 240
Than to live on and onward, but to fail
Of that for which, as day to day succeeda,
We muster here ! Ev'u in this very hour
Some one a hope is nursing, some one thinks
He shall Penelope, Ulysses' wife, 245
In maniage win ; but, when this bow his eyes
Have well examin'd and his hands have tried.
Let him some other woman 'mid the throng
Of Grecian maids, so beauteous in attire,
With courtship and rich bridal presents woo : 250
And let Penelope that auitov choose
Of dowrj'-gifts most lavish, and who comes
Aa though predestin'd for her."
Thus spoke he,
And set aside the bow where, deftly join'd,
The bright-faced folding-dours their panels show'd, 255
And on its beauteous tip tlie weapon left.
Aslant to rest, as his vacated seat
He hasten'd to resume. But, with rebuke
AntinoUs his soothsayer thus met : —
" Leiodes ! what ungenial, scaring words 260
Are these that thou hast utter'd ! With disgust
I hear thee say that since no pow'r of thine
That bow can bend, it shall of life and soul
Rid many a suitor here I For archery
Thou wast not born : To draw the bow and shoot 265
Into this world thy mother brought thee not :
But, lordly suitors many here there are
Wlio speedily that bow shall bend."
232
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXI
He ceas'd —
And to Melantius the goat-herd thus
Commandment gave : — " Now ! \vith all speed a fire
Within these walls enkindle, and, close by,
A long bench place, and skins upon it spread.
And some stiff fat from th' offices within
Forthwith produce ; that we who younger are
May o'er the embers hold the bow, wliich, waiin'd.
We will with fat besmear and supple make.
Then trj' to shoot, and all this contest close."
XI
270
He ended ; and Melantius the fire
Which with a flame unwearied bum'd soon lit.
And, a bench thereto bringing, near the flame 280"
He placed it, and a skin upon it spread :
Then brought he from witliiu the stiJTen'd fat
Wherewith the bow, now warm'd, the youths around
Anointed ; and the bow again they tried
And bend't they could not ; for, in needful strength 285
Far short they fell. But, for a time, aloof
Antinoiis and brave Euryniachus,
In all the suitor-train pre-eminent,
From further trial stood. And, now, the herd
And swineherd of Ulysses from that hall 290
Together went : Ulysses on their steps
Quick following : Tlie gates and courtj'ards past,
Ulysses then in gentle tones these wortls
To both address'd : — " herdsman I and to thee
O swineherd ! too, I speak : Shall I at once 295
This revelation utter, or withhold >.
Yet are my feeh'ngs urging me to speak :
If from some quarter, and moat suddenly.
Book XXL]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
233
Ulysses now should come : or, if some god
Should hither lead him, — what would be your minds, 300
What men would ye, his person to defend,
Approve yourselves ? Would ye these suitors here
Abet and aid ? Say, to whose cause your hearts
Ajid minds would lean ? "
The henlsman of the beeves
First spake : — " O father Jove ! would'st thou but grant 305
The wish that tliis same man miylit eonie, some god
To this spot guiding him ! thou then should'st learn
What these two hands and strength of mine could do ! "
Even thus, also, to the gods on high
EumEEUs pray'd that, to his home restor'd, 310
The thoughtful, shi-ewd Ulysses might appear.
And now, (their inmost feelings full well lenm'd,)
He thus at once address'd them : — " Know ye, then,
That on tliis spot I, even I myself.
By countless suft'Vings tried, before you stand ! 315
In this, the twentieth, year upon the soil
That gave me birth am I arriVd, and well
I know that of my household I from you
Glad welcome shall receive ; though not a wish
Have I in any other's pray'r o'erheard 320
That to this home I ever might return !
To you my real intents, then, and the wish
I fain would sec fidlill'd will I disclose : —
If God these loi-dly suitors by my hand
Shall overthrow, on both of you fit wives 325
Will I bestow, and substance give and homes
Near to mine own erected ; and thenceforth
234
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXI.
The comrades and the brothers shall ye be
Of my Telemachus : and simple proof
Will I, moreover, grant you, (that myself 330
Ye may most surely recognise, and test
Most certain use, that credence to confirm) —
The scar — ^which erst, at date remote, a boar
With its white tusk inflicted when the chace
I with the sons of prince Autolychus 331
Had in Parnassus followed." With these words
His tatter'd garb from off that wound he rais'd.
And they the scar beholding and right well
Of all the truth herein assur'd, — both wept.
Their arms around him throwing, and his form
In their embraces folding, as his head
And shoulders, too, they kiss'd ; and he, in turn.
Upon their heads and liaiids his kiss impress'd :
And on that joyful weeping would the sun
At length have set had not Ulysses thus 3^*5
The twain repreas'd, and, timely speaking, sooth 'd : —
" To tears and sighs give way no more ; lest sight
Hereof some comer from the palace gain.
And this our meeting speak of. To that hall
Eeturn we not together : one by one, — jrg
I first ; and you next following ; and be this
The secret of our plan ; — Tliat crowd, foraooth.
Of haughty suitors will to you i-efuse
The bow and quiver in my hands to place :
Do thou, Eumeeus, through the palace courts ^ci
Thyself that weapon briug, and in my hands
Deposit ; and on all the female train
Injunction lay to lock the palace doors,
(AU whicli close fitted are) and iJ', perchance,
Book XXI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Of all that in our courts attendance give
There should be one who moaninga overhear
And tumult in the palace, — from the doors
Let none step forth, but, at their own set tasks
In silence bide. Philajtius ! to thee
This charge I give that ev'ry entry-gate,
The courts within, thou with a key secure
And o'er each lock its fast'ning promptly throw."
36s
Thus having spoken, he the goodly pile
Ke-enter'd, and the seat he vacant lul't
Eesuni'd : and next the hei-d and swineherd came :
Meanwliile, as in his grasp Eur}'machus
The bow still held, and either side in turn
By the bright flame made warm, yet, even then,
In vain essay 'd to bend it, his proud heart.
Ambition's prizes seeking, deeply griev'd, —
And in vexation thus he spake : — " Shame on't !
Pain, — pain which not myself, alone, but all
Cannot but goad ! 'Tis not the chance thus lost
Of marriage with the queen that I deplore,
GrievM as, at heart, I am ; — for, many a dame
In Greece is there, — e'en here in Ithaca,
And other cities, too : but, that in strength
So far inferior to this high-soul'd man
Ulysses we sliould prove that ev'n his bow
To bend we all have fail'd ; discredit gross !
For ev'n remote posterity to leai-n ! "
370
375
380
385
But, thus Antinoiis, Eupithea' son.
Hereto replied ; — " Eurj'machus ! not thus
Is it to be J and thou, thyself, the tiuth
i 236 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XX
Caunot but know ; for, at this present hour, 35
I The people, here, a sacred festival
1} To their great god are holding. Who, then, now
That bow shotild bend ? In quiet for a while
Let us the weapon leave : the axes all
We, likewise, may permit to stand ; for, none, 35
Methinks, this palace ent'ring will approach
To move them hence. And, come ! let him who here
|j The wine outpours drink-off'rings with the cups
Prepare to make, that, these libations o'er.
We may the bow deposit : and, at dawn, 4c
Melantius the goat-herd do thou bid
That kids, the best of all the flock, he bring.
The thighs whereof to Phoebus off'ring up
(That Archer so pre-eminent !) again
The bow we'll try and all this contest end." ^
i
1
Thus spoke Antinous, and with them all
His words a welcome found. Upon their hands
The heralds water pour'd ; each vase with wine
The young men crown'd, and when from ev'ry cup
First ofif'rings were outpour'd, their shares to all 41
They portion'd out. And now, libations made.
And wine to full contentment drunk, a feint
The shrewd Ulysses schem'd, and in these words
The crowd address'd : — " Hear me ! ye lords wlio here
Your suit to this most noble lady urge, 41
While to my thoughts I thus would utt'rance give.
And, herein, to Eurymachus in chief
And great Antinous, — for that his speech
Sound judgment marks, — I chiefly would appeal :
Let no one, for the present, for that bow 42(
Book XXI.] UOMEIVS ODYSSEY. 237
Take further thought : Ti> the immortal gods
Conmiended be it ! With returning morn
The god will strength upon that man hestow
To whom his will inclines. But, band me now
That shining bow, that I in hand and strength 425
May with yon tiy to cope ; if that, indeed,
I stiil the nerve retain which m these limbs
Now so relax'd I once could boast ; unless
My roamuig life and want of tending care
Have of all prowess reft me."
With these words 430
Ulysses ceas'd ; but indignation fierce
In all th' assembly rag'd, as though in fear
That lie the shining bow might haply bend ;
And in stern reprimand Antinoiis
These words address'd : — " Thou wretch of all who tlnis 436
As strangers come ! Not ev'n a particle
Of sense hast thou. What ! is it not enough
That thou may'st here among us purssaut lords
Tliis feast partiike ! that without slightest stint
The banquet thou hast shar'd, and all our talk 440
And speeches listen'd to ; — no stranger guest
Or mendicant, save thou thyself, a word
Of all we said o'erheaving I Wine so rich
Brings thee to hanu, which others, also, hurts
Wlioe'er they be that to excess will swill, 445
And decent measure heed not. Wine it was
ITiat that notorious Centaur of old time
Serv'd to distract, — Eurytion — when, as guest
Of great Pirithous, the Lfipitha'
He had t' encounter, and his brain with di'ink 450
238
IIOMKWS ODYSSEY.
[Book
He had confounded. Deeds of dreadful uote
In his host's house he, like a maniac, wrought ;
And when indignant fury the whole crowd
Of those iDustrious injur'd heroes seiz'd,
They on Eurytion and all his crew
Vindictive rushing haled them through the porcli.
And in the open air their ears cut off
And nostrils with the sword. He from thenceforth
In ev'ry feeling outrag'd, trod his course,
With endless suff'rings frantic ; and 'twixt man
And Centaur was there evermore fell hate :
But, all this direful ill upon himself
Eur)'tiou, through excess in wine, drew down.
Thus do I to thyself most fearful ill
Announce if thou that bow shall bend ; for aid
In any home of ours none tliou'lt find,
But, in some galley, to king Echetus,
' All men's destroyer ' call'd, we'll send thee straight
And thence is no deliv'ronca Without stir
Thy wine drink down, and with far younger men
Attempt not thus to vie."
45S'
But, in her turn
Penelope thus spake : — " Antiuotis !
It neither gracious is, nor rightful seems
The guests of my Telemachus, whoe'er
They chance to be, thus gibing to insult
ThLnk'st thou that if this stranger, in his hands
And single prowess trusting, should yon bow —
The great bow of Ulysses — bend, he to his home
Would think to lead me, and liis consort make ?
Tlmt hope hath never in his breast found place.
Book XXI.] HOMERS ODYSSEY. 239
Neither let any of yourselves that here
At this our banquet sit this thought conceive
And fret therewith ; for, most unworthy 't is."
Euiyroachus, the son of Polybus,
In turn rejoiu'd : — " just Penelopti ! 485
Daughter of Icarus ! None here opine
That he will homeward lead thee : That, indeed,
Improbable all deem ! But, we with shame
The vague reports reflect on which both men
And women scatter : lest, in days to come, 490
Some Greeks of low degree should thus exclaim : —
' A paltry band are these who have the wife
Of a renown'd and faultless chieftain wooed !
For none of them his poiish'd bow could bend :
A wand'ring mendicant at length appear'd, 495
"With great ease bent the bow, aud through each axe
The arrow shot : ' — Now, tliis would they put forth,
And our fair fame revile ! "
Penelope
Thus answer'd : — " O Eurymaehus ! fair fame
Can never in the people's mind be theirs
Who a good man's possessions eat to waste.
And, without ceasing, injure him ! Why thus
Upon yourselves such inculpations bring ?
This stranger is of lofty height ; weU built,
And, in extraction, hath himself declar'd
The offspring of a noble. Come ! To him
That shining bow hand over, that our eyes
May witness bear ; for this I here announce,
And this, too, in performance shall not fail :
500
t!
t
II
240 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXI.
If he should bend it, and Apollo grac« J'lO
Around him shed and honour, — I myself
Will with a cloak and tunic, beauteous garb,
This man array, and a sharp lance wiU add.
All dogs and hostile men to keep at bay ;
A double edgM sword, too, shall be his ; 515
And sandals for his feet ; and to such home
As thought and wish may urge him to regain
I will at once dispatch him."
• j To which speech
\ i Telemachus in turn : — " Of all these Greeks,
mother ! none here present can that bow 520
I ; Concede to any, or refuse, — ^but as
My will assents : be they the lords that rule
In this our rugged Ithaca, or sway
In the rich pastur'd isles of Elis hold.
Now, of these princes none shall my designs 525
Presume to thwart, should my own choice decide
Upon this stranger to bestow the bow
And make it his, to take it to his home.
Now, hie thee to thy chamber, — ply thy task,
The web and distaff, and thy handmaids charge 5 3c
That they with speed their seVral biddings do.
But, for the bow — , man's province 'tis due thought
To take for it ; though this my special care
Must now become, — in that within these walls
The sole controul as lord I exercisa"
53i
Much wond'ring as he spake, Penelope
At once withdrew ; her son's judicious words
Deeply revolving : but, when with her maids
Book XXI.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
241
Tho upper chamber rtie regain M, the tears
For her Ulysses flow'd, and there she mourn'J 540
The husband so well lov'd, till sweetest sleep
Upon her lids the blue-eyed Pallas shed.
Meanwhile Eumajus, having on the bow
His hands just laid, was bearing it, when all,
Prom eVry side of that presumptuous crowd 545
* That throng'd the palace hall, in fierce reproach
The swineherd's passage stay'd ; and one vain youth
Thus shoutfd : — " "Wliither, now, unhappy wretch !
Thou mad-brain'd swineherd ! art thou that curv'd bow
From hence conveying ? Some of those fleet hounds 550
Tliou hast among thy swine been feeding up,
Of all men else, shall make an end of thee,
And that, too, soon enough, if that the god
Apollo and tli' immortal deities
"Will but oxir cause befriend."
Thus clamour'd they ; 555
"Whereat Eumjcus handling bow and sliarts
In fear replaced them all ; the outcries fierce
Of that great crowd impelling him : aiui then
"With menace loud from where, oppos'd, he stood,
Telemachus thus cried : — " Now, then, old friend f 560
Hie onward with that bow ! — (Small gain to tJiee
Who would'st obey us all alU<e I) lest I,
The youngest, should up country speed thy way
With many a stone pursuing thee, whose strength
Is more than mateh'd by mine : — And in such might 565
How fain woulil I all this assembled crowd
Of suitors that tliis palace throng excel !
Soon would I from this home of mine some man
VOL. II. R
242
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXI.
From out their iiuniIxT in most fearful pliglit
Upon liis journey seutl : for what Lut ill
Are they for ever plotting ! "
570
In such wiinls
Spoke out Telemachus, but with loud langh
The speech tliey met, and all their hitt«r rage
As though in mirth compress'd. EuniEBUS then,
As through the hanquet-hall IiLs way he made.
At length apjiroacli'd Ulysses, and the bow
Into his Iiiinds deliver'd : then, aside.
To Eurj'clea he these words address'd :
" Most though tfxd Euryclea ! this command
Telemachus enjoins thee : that all doors,
Close fitting a'^ they are, this mansion througli,
Thou straiglitway lcx;k : and, if, these courts within,
Our household should the sound of heavy moans
Or tumult overhear, let none abroad
Step forth, but their own work in silence ply."
Sucli warning word he spoko, antl in her niiiid
Uuwing'd it settled down. And ev'ry door
In that well peopled mansion-house she lock'd.
rhiltetius, meantime, with sUent tread
From out the liouse into the open nir
A leap eflected, and the gates he clos'd
Of the well guarded court. Now, 'ueath the porch
There chanc'd to lie a si lip-rope from the plant
Papyms twisted, witli which band each gate
Philtetius made fast, and then went in.
Here did he once again the seat ivsunie
Not long before left vacant, uud his eyea
590
Book XXL]
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
243
Upon Ulysses tix'd, who now his bow
Was in liis hands upraising, — eViy part
In turn inspecting ; on this side and that 600
With scrutiny most nice all through its length
The weapon eyeing, in the dread of worms
That might, while he the sovereign prince in lands
liemote had liv'd, the horn have eaten thrfnigh.
And one by-stander, as his neighbour's glance 605
He chanc'd to fix, thus spoke : " This man, forsooth,
Is an adniirer of all bows, or oft,
Maybe, purloins them, or at his own home
Hath such another, or his wish it is
The like to fabricate : so earnestly 6 1 o
Doth he, mere vagrant as he is, and apt
At all iniquity, that bow turn round,
And this and that part handle." Next in turn
A haughty youth thus shouted : " So much gain
May this man reap as, at some distant date, 615
Is his to be when he the bow shall bend."
Thus talk'd by turns the suitors ; but that uhit-f —
In coimsels shrewd and numberless long vers'd —
Ulysses, when the mighty bow in hand
He freely held, and on all sides survey'd,
(Like one who, both in harp and song adept.
With ease a string to a new peg adapts.
The sheep-gut at both ends well fastening)
Bent with all ease that pond'roua bow, whose string
With his right hand he seiz'd and, stretcliing, tried ;
And with euphonious note it instant twang'd
Which might a swallow's emulate : whereat
Dire consternation o'er the suitors fell,
r2
620
625
211
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXI-
Aml pallid grew each countenance, as Jove,
His portent granting, tluiniler'd louil ou high ; 630
And then did that high-soul'd one, — hy such toils
Unnuinher'd tried, Ulysses, joy in heart,
The omen marking which on his behalf
The son of wily Saturn thus vouchsaf'd ;
And at this moment he an arrow seiz'd 635
Which, out of sheath, was Ijnug nigh ; the rest
Within the quiver stor'd, as but too soon
Those Grecians were to leani. And when this shaft
Across the centre piece between the liorns
Of tliat great bow was laid, the string he drew 640
And the notch, thereto fitted, of the dart ;
Yet, from his seat uprose not, but with aim
At the mark straight before him levell'd, shot ;
Nor, in that line of axes, from the ring
TJiat first stood open miss'd he one : the dart 645
Brass-pointed through and through the distant door
Its point had driv'n : and now Telemachus
IIo thus adilress'd : — " Telemachus ! the man
Who as a stranger in thy palace sits
Hath no discredit done thee ; for the mark 650
I have in nowise miss'd, nor space of time
Consuni'd 1 in attempts to bend that bow :
My powers are unshaken. On this jioint
These suitors who their insidts on me Hing
No longer can impeach lue ! But, 'tis time 655
That, while the daylight serves, these Greeks a meal
To close the day should spread ; and in the song
And harp, which fitly crown a feast, rejoice."
He ended thusj and with uplifted brows
Book XXI.] EOMER'S ODYSSEY. 245
To Ms lov'd son Telemachus a sign 660
That moment gave, who his keen bladed sword
About him girded, and upon his spear
Laid a firm hold ; and, thiis, in shining brass
His station at his Father's side he took. 664
END OF THE TWENTY-FIEST BOOK.
346 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXn.
BOOK XXII.
A ND now Ulysses, of his beggar's guise
-^^ Th' encumb'ring tatters having cast aside,
On to the broad and spacious threshold leap'd,
The bow and the full quiver in his hands
Fast holding, till, outpour'd before his feet j
The arrows on the pavement lay ; and thus
The suitors he address'd : — " At length, the end
Of all this contest is attain'd, and none
Can overturn it : but, I now must learn
Whether with like success another mark lo
I may but hit, wlxich not a man as yet
Hath ever touch'd : but may Apollo's self
My pray'r's entreaty hear ! " And, as he ceas'd.
The deadly arrow at Antinoiis
Ulysses pointed, as a beauteous cup 1 5
Two handled, all of gold, he with both hands
Was at that moment lifting, on a draught
Of wine intent : but, of th' impending stroke
Of gory death no dread surmise felt he !
For, who that at a feast 'mid countless guests 20
A place should fill, could for the deed take thought
Book XX IL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
2^1
Tliiit uiw. tlierc was wlio, liy a tlironj^'ing crowd
SurrouiiJeil, would, alouPj liowevev strong
And in vast might confiding, such a doom
Of fearful death and overwhelming fate 2$
Upon Ilia head bring down ! But, at his throat
Ulysses aiming sent the shaft direct,
And through that flesh so delicate the point.
His neck transfixing, pierc'd ; and, backward fall'u,
Tlie wounded wretch turn'd over, as the cup 30
Fell from his hand, and through his nostrils' tubes
Man's life-ljldod giish'd. Tiie table )ty his foot
Was forward thrust ; the moats that lay theroon
Were o'er the pavement scatter'd ; — bread and flesh.
For that feast roast, in fold disorder raixt, 35
At once were spoilt. But, when the prostrate lord
Was by his fellow suitors seen, a din
Of loudest clamour through the mansion rose :
They bounded, each mau from liis seat : in fright
On all sides they the building eyed, — their gaze 40
Upon the strong compacted walla they fix'd,
But, not a shield, nor gooil strong spear was there
Tiiat hand might clutch, as they with raging wmth
Their fierce reproaches on Ulysses cast : —
" Stranger ! accursed is thine aim which thus 45
An arrow shoots at men ! From this day forth
Hast thou with contests done : a death condign,
Aye, and most ceiiain, waits thee, who the youtli
Hast but this moment kill'd, of all ihc prime
Of Ithaca the noblest : and for this 50
Shall vultures in tliis spot thy flesh devour."
Each in his mind his thouLihts heroon revolv'd :
248
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. (rooK XXII.
For this siirmis'tl they till^ tliat with design
Ulysses hail not kill'J. Inspiisate they !
"Who felt not in that hour that one and all
Upon the verge of tlieir own niin stood !
But, with a grim regard, Ulysses thus
Indignant cried : — " Ye hounds ! Your thought it was
That never more should I, to home restored,
From Troy return : And therefore all my means
Of Life's subsistence have ye here laid waste —
The Imndniiiids of my household with rude force
Youi' wont hath been to outrage, and, while I
Myself a living man on earth sui-viv'd,
Ye have as suitors my espoused wife
In maniage sought ; the anger of the gods
Tliat rule on high despising, — and the thought
t)f that revenge whicli, at some future day,
Shoidd overtake you from the hauils of men.
A ruin that shall overwhelm you all
Is now at hand : 'tis here ! " He eeas'd to speak,
Aud panic, that all faces blanch' d, the crowd
That instant seiz'd ; ami each his eager eyes
Around him cast and refuge sought, to 'scape
The horrid fate impending. One, alone,
Eurymachus, a speech essay 'd : — " If thou,
Ulysses of this Isle of Ithaca,
Art really liither come, thou hast with truth
Of what hath past been speaking, — aye, of all
The Grecians here have done ; — the acts of sin
Within the palace and iu lands beyond
Foully coumiittcd : But, now lies he there
Who all this set on foot, Autinolis !
He, he it was, who brought these deeds to pass ;
55
Book XXII.] nOMEB'S ODYSSEY. 249
And this without fond wish or craving need 85
That should a marriage long for, but with thought
On oliject most diverse, which Jove the son
Of Saturn hath denied him — ev'n that he
Antinoiis himself should o'er this realm
Of pop'lous Ithaca as sov'reign rale : 90
And fain would he thy son, in ambush caught,
Have done to death. But, now is he at length
By a most righteous retribution slain.
Spare us who thine own lieges are, and wo
Among ourselves, as with the common voice 95
Of a whole people, will the sum make up
Of all that in thy palace hath been drunk
Or eaten : each of us our sev'ral debts
Herein discharging ; — ev'ry man his score
Of beeves contributing and brass and gold 100
To thy heart's fidl content nitnt ; though till now
None might thine indignation's wrath condemn."
But, hereupon with frowns of bitter scorn
Ulysses thus retorted : — " Not if all
That thou wast heir to, Eurjanachus ! 105
All thy possessions, in the hour that is.
Thou would'st to me suiTender, — with the gift
Of all that thou from any source on Earth
Could'at to that fortune add, would I my hands
From this their bloody work of death withhold 1 10
Till ev'ry wanton outrage and foul wrong
By this crew perpetrate I had aveng'd :
Now shall you all election make, — ui fight
Here hand to band to brave me, or to flee —
So many as fi'om death and fate eiindi<,ai 115
250 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXI
Can their deliv'rance gain ! But, not a man
Believe I will his deadly doom evade."
Thus cried Ulysses, as their trembling knees
Shook under them, and ev'ry heart gave way :
And to tlie crowd appealing yet once more i :
Eurymachus was heard : — " comrades mine !
On you I call, — for, his resistless hands
This man will never stay : — That bow he holds
Jj And quiver, too ; and from his standing-place
On that bright threshold will he arrows shoot i :
Till all of us lie low. Let the stern joy
Of Battle now be uppermost ! Your swords
From out their scabbards draw ye, and, for shields,
'Gainst those quick-slaying daits the tables lift.
And then let all in one compacted mass i j
Make head against him, if from where he stands, —
Ev'n from that threshold and the door beyond —
We can but drive him forth : Tlien, street by street,
Let us the city scour, and, with all speed
That man can use, be loud alarums rais'd: 1 1
Then not long liug'ring will that moment be
When his last shaft on Earth this man shall shoot ! "
Thus speaking he his bi-azen falchion drew
Two edg'd and keenly trenchant, arm'd with which
As he a fearful howl sent forth, a spring i^
He on Ulysses made, who, as he leap'd.
An arrow shot which, near the nipple driv'n,
Piere'd through the breast till in the liver^s lobe
The flying shaft stuck fast. Eurymachus
His brandish'd sword flung down, and with a rush i^
Book XXII.
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
2b\
Tlic table's end to reach, liown, reeling, fell,
And, in that fall, from ofl" the festal l)oai'J
Were with him swept the viands and round cup ;
And heavily did his brow the pavement strike,
In the heart's anguish writhing, while the throne. 1 50
His empty seat, now rock'd at ev'ry blow
From both his feet iii death's convulsions giv'n.
Till darkness dimm'd his eyes. Then, with a bound
Upon Ulysses nish'd Amphinomua ;
And his keen blade he drew, as by the door 1 55
A passage, haply, to enforce ; — but this
Teleniachus foresaw, and with his spear,
Brass-pointed, from behind, Aiuphinomus
Between the shoulders smote, till, through his chest
The weapon pierced, and with resounding clash 160
He forward fell and with his front entire
The floor beiu^ath him struck : yet from that spot
Teleniachus with hast« withilrew ; the spear
In the slaiu man thus leaving, as the thought
With no light terror away'd him, that some Greek 165
While he from out the body that long lance
Would fain be drawing, might upon lam fall,
And with a sword transfix him, or with stroke
In front deliver 'd, wound. Thus, with a run,
His post ho shifted, and in earnest haste 170
His father soon rejoin'd, and at Lis side
These hunied words pronounc'd : — " father mine !
A shield will I now bring thee and two speara,
A brazen casque, too, which thy brows may fit ;
And I, myself, with haste a suit will fetch 175
For tliis encounter apt, wherein my limbs
I may invest : the like, too, ahM. be found
252
nOMEirS ODYSSEY.
[Book
Both for Eumfcus' and the herd's defence :
For well 'twill be 'gainst this affray to arm."
To whom Ulysses : — " Run ! and with thee bring
The anns thou nam'st, while I have shafts still left
That may defend mo ; lest, — my single might
Alone oppos'd — they move me from tliia door."
He spoke ; and, on his father's words intent,
Telemachns that upper chamber sought
AVTiere lay his nolile weapons. From that store
Four shields, eight lances, and four brazen helms
With horse-hair plumes thick crested, he drew forth
And with the burden to his father sped ;
Eut, first did he on his own limbs the brass
Defensive gird ; and, in like panoply
Refulgent arm'd, the twain retainers true
Tlieir station took, and round TJlysses stood.
He, whOe the store of arrows serv'd the foe
To keep at bay, transfix'd them, one by one ;
As at each suitor he the weapon aim'd,
And side by side they fell But, when, at length,
Th' exhausted heap the sov'reigu prince's bow
No more could arm, he 'gainst a colmnu's shaft,
Which l>y the walls of that fair palace rose,
The weapon left to stand ; and now did he
A sliield of four ox-ludes around him brace ;
A helm with plume of liorse-hair, wJiich in shape
Of crest most formidable .shook on high,
He to his head secured, and two great spears
With brazen points surmounted took withaL
Book XXII.] UOMER'S 0D7SSE7. 253
Now in that well-compacted palace- wall
A lofty door tliere stood by stairs approach 'd,
And, (nigh the tlireshold which remotest lay,)
The passage to a narrow lane would lead ; 2io
But, tliis with doors of nicest work was clos'd :
And here Ulysses hade tlie swineherd watch,
Uis station taking near ; for, through this pass
Alone could access he attain'd ; and this
From Agelaus an appeaKng speech 2 1 5
To all the suitors drew : — " commdes mine I
Will none amongst us to that door aloft
Hia way essay to force, and rouse the town ?
With instant speed should we th' alarum spread,
Aud then, may be, tliis man for the last time 220
An arrow will have shot."
But, to this cry
Melantius the goat-herd answcr'd thus : —
" Agelaus ' who from Jove himself
Thy race derivest ! none could this effect :
The noble gates of this palatial hall 225
Are very liigh : — the head of tluit strait lane
Most arduous is to enter ; and one man
If of a galliuit spirit might alone
Eepel us all ; hut, look you, I, myself.
Will from the armoury fit weapons fetch 230
Wliercwith to fence you ; for, therein, methinks,
And there, alone, Ulysses and his son,
So noble deem'd, the arms we neetl have stow'd."
Thus speaking to the cliauiher-loft he sped,
Tlu-ough the strait corridora of that vast house 235
S54
nOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXII.
His passage nialdng, and Iroui thtnce twelve sliields,
Aud spears aud brazen Lelniets twelve with plumes
Of borse-hair thickly crested he drew forth,
And with dispatch most prompt he re-appear'd
His burdens bearing, and among the throng 240"
The weapons soon divided : at which sight
Ulysses' knees beneath him 'gan to shake,
And Ills bold heart gave way, to see them thus
"With liis own weapons arming, and Ids spears
In hostile hands thus brandish'd. This, he thought, 245"
A fearful ending threaten'd, aud these words
In hurried accents to Tolemachus
He now address'd : — " Tclemaehus ! tliis figlit
With evil fraught hath by some female slave
That ill the palace works been forced on us, 250
Or by Mekntius' self."
But, in reply,
Teleniaclnis : " father ! I, myself,
This ovei'siglit confess ; and no one else
The cause hath prov'iL Tiiat chamber door, which close
Is in its structure fitted, 1 but now 255
Left open ; aud their watcher with more thought
His bidding did : But, good Euma3U3 ! haste
And close that door, and leani thou if this act
lie of our women's doing, or of his,
Melantius, the son of Dolius, 260
Whom strongly I suspect." Thus commiui'd they,
As, for the second time, Melantius
Was to the clmmlier bast'uing, fresh supply
Of those brig! it arms to bring. But, note hereof
Had the slirewd swineherd taken, and these words 265
Book XXII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
255
To great Ulysses, by whose side Itc stooil,
In haste tiildress'd : — " Ulysses ! thou shrewd sou
Of old Laertes ! to that armoury
In th' upiier chamber, is that very man
Whom we suspect, pernicious as he is, 270
Again about t' ascend : — Speak thou but once —
Whether, if I the better of the t%vain
In strength should prove, — my hand should slay him there,
Or hale him here to thee, that countless acta
Flagitious in this house of thine by hira 275
Coniuiitted, Ihuu may'st thus avenge." AVTiereto
Ulysses thus : — " I and Tclemachus
Will these illustrious suitors that are here
Within the palace thronging, let their rage
Fume as it may, withstand : but, go ye two, 280
And when above his head both feet and hands
Ye shall have backward bent, into that room
Melantius cast and that same chamber's doors
Behind you make secure : — around his waist
A twisted cord bind fa.st, and up the shaft 285
Of some tall pillar liuist him, tUl his head
The ceiling well nigh touch, that while as yet
Tlie life is in him he, for a long spell,
May in this torment linger."
Thus spake he :
They Iword ; and, all obedience, went on high 290
Jfelantius' glance evading, who within
Fur urnis was searching in that chamber's store,
■Wliile these two near the pillars took their stand.
At length, across the tlireshold came he forth,
In one hand bearing a most beauteous casque, 295
256 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XX]
And in the other a broad buckler, old.
High dried and worthless, which, in years bygone,
Laertes own'd, and as a youth had borne,
But, now apart was thrown ; and ev'ry thread
That bound the belts was broken. With a rush 3c
These twain upon the wretch Melantius fell.
And by his hair into the chamber dragg'd
To cast him on the floor, while he his fate
In dolorous plight was rueing. Hands and feet
With such a fetter as his heart, indeed, 3c
Might bring to grief, they bound ; that backward turn
Observing well to give them which, in charge
Most strict Ulysses had enjoin'd : and then,
A cord aroimd him winding, with a hoist
They to a lofty piUar drew him up, 31
And near the ceiling rafters left him slung.
And thus, swineherd ! with a bitter scofif
Did'st thou deride him : — " Now Melantius !
Throughout the night thou shalt thy vigil keep
On a soft couch reclining, as thyself 3
Might well become : nor, when from Ocean's flood
The daughter of the dawn, the golden-thron'd.
Shall visit Earth will she thy ken evade
WhUe for the suitors thou towards this house
The goats shalt drive, — provision for a feast !" »
Thus was Melantiiis left, in doleful chains
To hang upon the stretch. His foes, the while.
Their armour having donn'd, and the bright door
Behind them closing, to Ulysses sped :
And there again they stood, the very breath ,
Book XXII.l
IIOMEIi'S ODYSSEY.
2m
Of valour's self exhaling ! Tlicy whose feet
The threshold made their station, four alone !
The baud that in the palace ball stood mass'd.
Large numbei's counting still, and still unawed.
But, now, behold ! The daughter of great Jove, 330
Minerva's self drew nigh, in Mentor's form
And voice disguis'd ; and greatly did the heart
Of bold Ulysses joy when thus his eyes
On Pallas fell ; — " Mentor I in this scene
Of conflict be our shield ! In me recall 335
The comrade dear to thee, who in my time
Good service render'd thee ; and we in years
Of life arc equal."
In such phrase he spoke,
In full belief that Pallas he address'd.
Who stirs the minds of nations. But, with threats 340
Were all the suitors mging, who their front
Opposing held ; and, first, Daniastor's son —
Young Age-laua, in rebuke exclaiia'd : —
" Mentor I Let not Ulysses with that tongue
Cajole thee 'gainst the suitors to take part, 345
And him to screen and succour ! For, Iierein
Will our intents, as I conceive, be met : —
When we these twain, both sire and son, have kill'd.
Thou wilt, thyself, in turn, — who with such thoughts
Would in this palace work thy will — be slain, 350
And here beside them lie ; with thine own life
For all their acts atoning. When, thy might
We shall with stroke of sword have thus laid low.
All that thoii hast of treasure, in thy house
VOL II. S
208
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXIL
Or in tliy lands, we with Ulysses' wealth
Will blend ill common, nor a son of thine
Or diiughtet will we tolerate in homes
Of thine to live ; no, nor thy cherish'd wife
Within the city of this Isle to dwell."
He ended : but, Minerva's outrag'd soul 360
Was more and more exaap'rate, and, in speech
Indignant, at Ulysses tliis reproach
The goddess cast : — " Thy prowess fails thee now,
Ulysses ! Valour hast thou none, as when.
In white-arm'd, noble father'd Helen's cause. 365
Through nine years warring with the hosts of Troy
Thou foughtest, and no intermission knew'st.
How many did'st thou in tliat fearful strife
In death lay low I The wide-way'd citadel
Of Piiam by thine own shrewd counsels fell
Why, therefore, now — to home and wealth restor'd.
In thine own house an inmate, hast thou thus.
Among these suitors thrown, in spirit quail'd ?
But, draw thou nigh, my weakling I At my side
Thy station take — , and an exploit attest, 375
That thou may'st learn how, when a foe assails.
Mentor Alcimedes can good repay."
Thus spoke Minerva ; but, triumphant might
Which should th' antagonist at once subdue
She to Ulysses gave not ; aU the strength
And all the valour b<jth of ske and son
(That youth ujion a warrior's fame intent)
She tested still, and to the vaulted roof
Of that refulgent j>alace soaring high, —
Book XXII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
259 ^^4,
The sembknco of a swallow having U'en —
3S5 ^H
A station she assum'd. Damastor's soa.
^^H
Young Agelaug, with exciting shout
^^1
The suitor crowd inspiriting, as did
^^1
Eurj'nomus and bold Anipliimedon,
^^H
With Denioptolemus, Piscuor (son
^^1
Of fam'd Polyctor,) and brave Polybua :
^^H
For, these in courage all their peers outshone —
^^1
So many aa, indeed, yet liv'd ! and still
^^^
For life were battling desp'rate : for, the bow
^^H
And its swift flying arrows had the rest
^^1
In deatli laid low ; and Agelaus thus
^^H
His comrades urg'd : — " My friends ! that man will
now ^^^H
The arm we deem'd resistless cease to wield :
^^H
For, even Mentor, after those vain boasts
^^1
On his behalf, has quitted him : Our foes
^^^1
At the first gate their station hold, alone, —
^^1
Now, therefore, hurl not all at once your spears,
^^H
But, onward come — six first — in the advance.
^^1
If Jove on high will but the boon concede
^^H
That this Ulysses may here wounded drop.
405 ^^1
And we the honour reap : for th' other throe.
^^H
Wlien he lies low, no thought have we to tAke.
^^1
Thus ui^''d he them, and, aa the word he gave.
^^1
They in all furiousness their lances hurl'd ;
^^H
But, so Minerva rul'd, they useless tlew :
410 ^^^1
One struck a column of the princely hall —
^^1
Another the compactly fitted door —
^^1
An ashen spear, brass-loaded, in the wall
^^H
Its point infix'd : — and, now, when ev'ry lance
^^1
Ulysses had evaded by the arms
415 ^fl
Of those proud suitors hurl'd, he on his son
^^1
s2
\
2G0
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXU.
And the two herdsmen, liia retainers, call'd : —
" Now, dear ones ! would I say — ^"Tis now for us
Our spears to fling into this hostile band
Wlio, upon WTongs already done, this wrong
Would further heap that they our blood would shed !
420
He spoke ; and right ahead their javelins flew : —
Ulysses Demoptolemus struck down :
Teleraachus, — Euryades : — and next
Fell, by Eunueus' weapon, Elatus.
The herdsman's spear I'isauder prostrate laid-
All these the spacious pavement with their teetli,
Down smitten, bit : The still surviving band
To the far comer of the hall gave way ;
Wiereat Ulysses and his three a nish
Upon the slaughter'd made, and from each corpse
The javelin drew, as, with aa impulse wild.
Spear upon spear, again, the suitora hurl'd :
But, 80 Minerva rul'd, they useless flew —
One struck 11 column of the princely hall —
Another, the compactly fitted door —
An ashen spear, brass loaded, in the wall
Its point iufix'd, when now Amphimedon
The hand of young Telemachus just graz'd.
As o'er his wrist the brazen weapon pass'd,
The first skin slightly wounding. His long lance
Ctesippus at the herd Eumajus aim'd —
Above his shield a lightly scratching wound
Upon the shoulder leaving ; for, beyond
Tlie weapon flew, and on the pavement dropp'd.
Fresh onset then Ulysses' little band
Upon the suitora made, — tlieir piercing spears
430'
Book XXII,]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
201
Into the masses tlinisting ; and that chief
Ulysses who in direst overthrow
So many citadels had raz'd, Eurydaraaa
Now with a spear laid lifeless, as his son
Telemachus Amphimedon stnick down, —
And the staunch swineherd, Polybus. The herd
In charge of whom Ulysses' oxen graz'd,
Ctesippus wounded on the chest, and thus
Above him cried exulting : — " Now, son
Of Polytherses I who so fond of jeers
Hast ever been — , to this thy fool's caprice
Give way no more ! nor in great swelling woitls
Presume to speak. All matter for the tongue
Defer thou to the gods, whose pow'r herein
Transcendeth thine indeed ! A good return
Am I now making thee for all the use
Thou gavest to Ulysses of thy foot,
Upon a day when as a mendicant
This his own house he paced." Tlie herd, whose wont
'Mid crook-honi'd beeves it wtis to toil, these woi-ds
[Upbraiding spoke, while, hand to hand, in fight,
Ulysses, with a lauce, Damastor's son
Assiiilant smote ; and young Telemachus
Evenor's son, Leiocritus, vrith woufld
Continuous through the midriff pierc'd, — the pf)int
Right through transfixing him ; and on his face
He fell, and all the space his eyes between
Upon the pavement press'd.
And now it was
That from on high, the lofty roof beneath,
Pallas her man-destroying legis held,
45 o
455
460
465
470
475
262
UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXII.
And ev'ry suitor of them, all, the fright
Of panic felt, as through the princely halls
In flight they rush'd : a£ when in vernal prime
When daylight lingers long, a herd of beeves.
In grassy meadow gmzing, all at once
Are by some roving gad-fly driven wild —
And as those crooked talon 'd, hook-beak'd birds —
The vultures — from some nionntain heights to earth
Down flying, on those little feather'd ones
Unpitying fall, which o'er the plain, in dread
Of bird-nets, cowering creep, — and with a swoop
Kill ev'ry one, — and nought is there at band
That could protect, or their escape secure —
(But, men in prey thus captur'd ev'n exult !)
Tlius did Ulysses and his three a rush
Upon those suitors make, — on ev'ry side
Down hewing till a bellow most uncouth
From smitten men arose, upon whose sculls
The death stroke fell ; and all the pavement round
Was with the carnage reeking. Then it was
That at Ulysses' feet a suppliant prone
Leiodes knelt ; and, as his knees he grasp'd.
In hurried accents spake : — " I prostrate fall,
Beseeching thee, Ulysses ! Heed my pra/r
And mercy graut ; — for, to no woman here
That in thy palace serves have I in word
Or deed done wrong ; — nay, when the suitors all
Were upon evil bent 'twas even I
That would have stay'd them ; but, to my restraint
Obedience none tliey yielded which fttnu acts
Flagitious had dcterr'd them. Thus, through sin.
Through their own vices, this degrading doom
480
485
490
495
500
505
Look XXII. ] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Have they drawn down upon them ; while I now
Who have in nought transgress'd, and who to them
A priest have been and soothsayer, must needs
Lie down and die : so void of all reward
For righteous deeds the future ever proves."
263
S'O
But, with indignant frown, Ulysses thus 5 1 5
Leiodes anawer'd : — " If these men among
Thou hast an Augur call'd thyself, thou oft
Must in this palace have thy pray'r uplift
That such an ending as ray safe return
Might ne'er bo mine to meet ; that my lov'd wife 520
Might, also, in thy train a bride walk forth,
And offspring bear to thee : And, for all this.
The death that to a hard cold bed thy limbs
At once consigns, thou wilt not now evade."
Thus having spoken, ■with his sturdy hand 525
A sword Ulysses clutch'd which, as he fell,
Young Agelaus to the groxuid had dash'd :
Herewith, as through the middle of his neck
The weapon drove, he slew him ; and his head,
With a loud sliriek, was mingled with the dust. 530
But, Phemius, the son of Terpius,
The bard who at the suitors' fi-asts his songs
Had only by compulsion sung, this doom
Was not to share. He, near the highest gate
His station kept, and his melodious harp
Was holding still, as in his inmost thoughts
Two counsels he revolv'd — , these halls to quit
And at the altar of Uerccean Jove
SIS
264
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXII.
To hold his seat, where in burnt sacrifice
Laertes and Ulysses many a thigh ' 540
Of oxen had consum'd — , or, rushing forth,
Ulysses' knees embrace, and with the pray'r
Of suppliants make appeal : At length, his harp
Upon the pavement resting, 'twixt the cup
And silver-studded throne, Ulysses* knees 545
He rush'd upon, and, holding there, these words
In hurried utl'rance spake : — " With earnest suit,
Ulysses ! I implore thee : With respect
Thy suppliant look upon, and pity show !
In sorrow only at some future day 5 50
Would it recoil on thee, if thou in death
Should'st at this present lay me low, — a bard
Who to the gods above and men on Earth
Am wont to tune my lay ; Self-tauglit am I —
And God it is who with all strains of song 555
Alone my mind inspir'd ; and to thyself.
As to some god, am I not bound to sing ?
Oh ! take not thou my head from me : Tliat sou
Wliom thou well lov'st, Telemachus, to this
Would witness bear, how neither with good- will 560
Nor with desire have I to these thy halls
At any time drawn nigh, among the crowd
Of suitoi-s that liere feasting sate, to sing.
By men in nunibei's banded,— men in strength
My own o'crpow'ring, was I, by mere force, 565
To this thy palace brought."
So pray'd the bard.
And just Telcuiauhus his wortls o'ei'heiud,
And promptly tlms his father, standing nigh.
Book XXII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Exhorted :— " Stay thiue hand ! On no account
This unoffending man with swoi-d of thine
Think thou to wound : — The hendd Medon, too,
Will we preserve, who, in this very home,
When hut a child I was, with constant care
Was wont to tend me ; if Philietius
Or the good swinehei-d, in this slaught'ring fi'ay
Have not already kill'd him ; or, witli thee
Thyself in wrath he met when in the hall
Thou wast on conflict rushing." Tliis he spake —
And Medon, a shrewd tlunker, heard it all ;
For, 'neath a throne-like seat he cowering lay.
And, such a dismal ending to elude,
A bidlock'a hide around him, newly flay'd,
He there had wrapp'd ; and from beneath the seat
He instant rose, and promptly from Iiia limbs
The hide detaching, to Telcmacliua
He forward rush'd, and, as his knees he held.
Thus suppliant and in treni'lous utt'rance spake : —
" friend of mine ' here, sun'ly, am I still —
But, calm thyself — and to thy father speak.
That, all tremendous as in might he is,
He with the sword make not an end of me.
In this <he height of his indignant wrath
Kagiiig against those suitors wlio his wealth
Have in this princely home been sfjuundfriiig, —
Fools ! that to thee no court, no honour paid ! "
But, as he smil'd on him, Ulysses thus
The herald cheer'd : " Be of good courage, then.
For that Teleuiaehus hath set thee free.
Aye, aud from death prcsei-v'd ; — that hereuiHju
266
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XX 1 1.
Tliou iiiay'st reflect, and 'midst tliy fellows urge, 600
How wiser far good conduct ever proves
Than bad. But, quit thou now these inner halls —
Make for the porch, and from this scene of blood
Apart withdrawn, sit thou out-doors with him
\Vlio in so many songs abounds, — the bard ; 605
Wliile I my labours in this house complete,
AVhich need may yet compel."
Tims ended he.
And, from the palace going forth, tliuse twain
Tlieir station at the altar uf great Jove
Together took ; their oycs from side to side 610
Around them casting, as at ev'ry turn
Their fate they still distrusted. But, with search
Most eager did Ulysses eacli recess
Of that vast house explore, on any man
Still living thus to light who there might lurk 6>5
An awful fate eluding. But, his eye
Beheld them all in blood and dust laid low
And ui great heaps dispers'd, the finny prey
Resembling which the fishermen to shore,
From out the surging sea, in meshes fine 620
Cast on the shelving beach, where ev'ry one
Among that scaly tribe, now on the sand
Thrown out, its loss of Ocean's flood bewails,
"While the sun's torrid radiance each fish
Condemns to die : Ev'n thus that suitor train, 625
One on another lying, scatter'd lay.
And now Ulysses his lov'J son address'd : —
"Telemachus! list! Summon to my side
Nurse Euryclea, that with her awhile
Look XXn.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
267
I may confer." Telemachus his sire 630
At once obey'd, and, throwing back the door,
The nurse address'd : — " Itise thou ! and hither speed
O agfed one ! Thou matron, full of years !
"Who over alt the handmaids that here serve
The charge hast held : Come — , 'tia my sire that calls, 635
That he may sijcak to thee." Herewith he ceas'd ;
But, not a word on her was lost : — The doors
Of that thick peopled mansion-house she op'd,
And to his presence hasten'd, as her steps
Telemachus preceded. There at length 640
Ulysses 'mid the slain and dead she found.
With human gore and carnage aU defil'd :
As when a lion who some pastur'd ox
Hath just devour'd strides forth, and all his breast
And either jaw with blood besraear'd is seen, 645
And all his countenance terrific glares ; —
So reeking stood Ulysses, — feet below
And hands above ensanguin'd. But, at sight
Of corses atrew'd around 'mid flow of blood
Unutterably great, — exploit immense 650
To gaze on ! Euryclea rais'd a shout :
But, with preventive check and firm restraint
Ulysses all her ardent impulse stny'd.
And thus in haste address'd her : — " In thy breast
Confiue these transports, agM one! Becalm! 655
Hence with all exclamations ! All the joy
Uuhallow'd is that over a slain foe
Would thus exult. The fate by Heav'n decreed
And their own senseless acts the men thou seest
Have thus o'erthrown : for, none of morJals Iturn 660
Deprav'd or righteous that this home appruach'd
268 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XX IL
Did they regard ; and through blind folly's acts
Have they this ignominious fate invok'd :
But, look thou ! Eaiyclea ! From thy lips
Let me the numbers of those women learn 665
Who, in this palace serving, on my home
Disgrace have cast, or from offence are free."
To him, in turn, the well lov'd Nurse replied : —
" Thou question ask'st ; and, for this cause, the trath
Will I declare : — In this palatial home 670
Thou fifty female servants hast, all whom
In execution of allotted works
We have been training ; — either to card wool.
Or in mere menial offices to serve.
Of these there twelve have been who on a course 675
Of life immodest have set out, and heed
To me, or to Penelope, paid none.
Telemachus has but of late to age
Adult attain'd ; and, so his Mother rol'd,
To these our women orders issued none. 680
But, come, now ! To that chamber, which on high
In this thy mansion's upper story shines,
I will forthwith ascend, and to thy wife
On whom some god hath genial slumber shed.
All this disco v'ry make."
But, to her speech 685
Ulysses thus replied : — " Not for a while
From that repose awaken her : Bid thou
Those women hither come who, in days past.
Have such dishonour wrought."
He ceas'd to speak —
Book XXIL] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
2C9
And through his palace the old matron sped, 690
His mandate to convey, and in that hall
Their presence to command His son, meanwhile,
The swineherd and the herdsman to his side
Ulysses call'd, and with wing'd words the three
Forthwith address'd ; — " Now, from this spot convey 695
The dead that lie around, and aid therein
Let certain women give : and then with sponge
And water all these very heauteous thrones
And tables cleanse ; and, when the house witliin
Ye shall in oi-der most complete have ranged, 700
Bring out therefrom the handmaids just coudemn'd ;
And when between the circling vestibule
And the fair court of this palatial hall
Ye shall have led them, with your long swords strike,
And with redoubled stroke those women woimd, 705
Till ye have ev'ry life destroy *d, and they
All memorj- of Venus shall have lost.
To whom, in secret union with the crowd
Of these dead suitoi-s they their minds had giv'n."
He ended ; and in one collective throng 7 10
Came in those handmaids, — many a dolorous moan
Ontpouring and in tcara dissolv'd. The dead
They first remov'd, and in the corridor
Of the well-fencfed court-yard plac'd each corpse ;
Against each other jostling, as the task 7 1 5
They struggled to complete ; — for, quick dispatch
Ulysses' self, in stern command, enforc'd.
And by constraint were gU the slaughtur'd dead
Thus borne along. Tlicn all those beauteous thrones
And tables were with sponge and water cleans'd. 720
270
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book
\
The pavement of tliat vast and strong-built house
Telemachus, EumiEUB, and the herd
With hoe and shovel into cleanness smooth'd ;
The handmaids all its gross defiling dirt
Removing, till without the palace gates
All was cast forth. And when, in each recess,
Tlie building throngh, completest order reign 'd.
Between the vestibule and the fair court
Of that palatial hall Telemachus,
Euma3us, and tlie herd the women led.
And in a space coufiu'd, from whence escape
Waa all cut off, they shut them in, and then
Telemachus these words pronounc'd : — " In death
That any slightest show of honour wears
I would not that these women's lives should end ;
Females who on my head disgrace have heap'd.
And on my mother's, too ; and with the crowd
Of all her suitors shameless commerce held."
He spake ; — and to a lofty pillar's shaft
The hawser bmding of a dark-ribb'd ship.
Around the vaulted roof the ropo he cast
And from on high a running noose drew down.
Whence none the pavement with her feet could touclT]
And OS when thrushes, with their outspread wings.
Or doves, against a net, which in some copse
Extended Imngs have on a sudden dash'd,
(As they their nests were nearing), and a bed.
Which hath their foe become, includes them all — ■
So did this female gi'oup their hoods in line
One with the other hold, and round their necks
Were slip-knots run, that by the direst death
Book XXII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
271
They all might perish. For a space, indeed.
They witli their feet in grasping spasm strove.
But, all was over sooa Melantius
Was through the corridor and hall led out 755
The amied men his nostrils and his ears
With pitiless blade excis'd : his very groin
Was to the rav'nous maw of hounds laid bare ;
And both his hands and feet, — so hotly raged
Avenging wrath I — were from his body hewn. 760
Telemachus, at length, and both the herds
When they their hands and feet by blood defil'd
Had in ablution cleans'd, the house regain'd
Aud there Ulysses join'd. The work hud now
Its full completion reach'd. But, Euryclea
Ulysses now address'd : — " Thou aged one !
Some sulphur hither bring, which may the taint
Of all this evil remedy. Bring fire : —
That I throughout the palace may a fume
Of purifying vapours raise ; and then
Do thou the presence of Penelope
With her attendant female train request,
And bid all handmaids, in this house, appear ! "
765
770
Whereto the well-lov'd nurse : — " Wliat now, my child !
Tliou hast enjoin'd beseems thee well : but, come I 775
Fit raiment will I bring thee ; both a cloak
And tunic. But, upon this palace floor
Thy station in such plight no more maintain, —
Those ample shoulders thus in tatters cloth'd !
This were enough, indeed, to make one wrath ! " 780
Ulysses, ever ready, thus rejoin'd : —
272 HOMER'S 0DTSSE7. [Book XXII.
" Before all else let me that cleansing fire
/ In this my palace see." No more spoke he ;
For, not regardless did the matron hear.
But, fire produced and sulphur ; and herewith 785
Ulysses all the palace purified.
The house and its great halL The ag^ dame
Her way then through her prince's mansion took.
The female train to summon, and the speed
Of all to hasten : and forthwith they came 790
Each with a torch in hand, — and then, indeed.
Did they around Ulysses throng ! All msh'd
To welcome and with fond embrace to load—
His head they kiss'd and shoulders, and fast hold
Took they of both his hands, until his heart 795
An impulse soft began to feel which tears
And sighs of sadness prompted, — for, right well
Ulysses, as he pondered, knew them all ! 798
END OP THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK.
'.
Book XX II I.J HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
273
BOOK XXIII.
A GED Euryclea willi ivjiptiing lit-iirt
■^^^ The upper cliaiubei-s of the palace sought,
The tidiugs in Ler mistress' ear to pour
That ia his home at leiigtli her husband stood.
The ancient nurso new vigour in !ier Iciiees,
As on slxe hasten'd, felt ; and with stiuiige speed
Her i'ect upon that message niov'd, till now
O'er the couch bending she thus eager spoke : —
" Wake from this sleep ! Penelope ' dear child !
And with thosii oyea of thine the fond desire
Of thy life's days behold ; — IJe is arriv'd !
Ulysses — tardy as his coming was —
Tliis house, his home hath reach'd ! The suitors, all.
That proud prcauuiptuous crew, — he hath destroy'd ;
The men who lill'd this home with cares, — whose greed
His fortune wasted, — wlin with liansh control
His sou o'erpower'd."
lO
But, Penelope
Thus in her turn rejoin'd : — " Dear nurse ! the gods
Tliy reason have derang'd ! Their pow'r avails
To make the shrewdest matl, and turn tlie mind
VOL. IL T
20
274 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIII.
Of folly into wisdoni. Thus have they
Tliy senses injur'd, who, in days bygone,
Hadst intellect unerring. Wherefore thus.
Amid my many sorrows, with such words —
The utterance of merest foolishness — 25
Would'st thou thy mistress mock ? Why from sweet sleoi)
Which, like some veil my eyelids closing round.
Had held me fast, hast thou awaken'd me ?
For, never since to that ill-omen'd Troy,
(The very name of which I fain would shun.) 30
Ulysses sail'd, have I in such deep sleep
Eeposing lain. But, listen, now : descend.
And to the palace wend from hence thy way ;
For, from among the women of my court.
Had any other come, — ^the messenger 35
Of tidings such as thine, and from my sleej)
Thus rous'd me, with rebuke of no light wrath
Shoidd I have bid her henco her steps retrace
And in the palace bide : but, length of life
Is now a good turn serving thee ! "
Hereto ^
The well-lov'd Euiyclca urged reply : —
" I mock thee not, dear child 1 In all good truth
Ulysses is here come : His home, — again
I say it — he has reach'd ; that wanderer
Whom ev'ry one within these palace walls .r
With contumely had spum'd. Of this return
And of his presence here, Telemachus
For some time past was 'ware ; but — (rightly juUg'd)
This consciousness of his returning sire
He had to none reveal'd ; that all the wrongs -0
«00K XXIII] IIOMEirS ODYSSEY. 27 r,
Ily tliese pifsuiiiptuous suitors perpetrato
That parent might avengu."
Thus spake the nurse,
Aud, — all delight, — reiiclopc, as now
She from her coucli ujispnuig, that aged one
In her embraces folded, while her eyes 55
A tear let fall, and thus in haste she spoke : —
" Come, then, dear nureo 1 If, of a certain truth,
lie, as thou say'st, his home hath reach'd, — say, next,
How did he, all alone, upon this crowd
Of shameless suitors fall, while they the house 60
As constant inmates held ? "
Hereto the nurse
Eeplyuig : — " Nought saw I, — and question none
I aak'd : Tlie dying moans alone I beard
Of those who in that slaughter fell. We all
In panic fear wore crouching in each nook 65
Of th' upper-chamber story, where the doors.
So well compacted, aU protection gave ;
For that thy son Telemachus as yet
No summons from that spot to move Imd brought :
His father, later in the day, the youth 70
To call me sent. Ulysses then I found
'Mid the dead bodies stiiuding which all round
Were each on th' other lying ; — the whole space
Of the stone pavement cov'ring. Joy, indeed.
Would all thy heart have fiU'd, hadst thou but then 75
Thy consort seen, so like a lion smear'd
With blood and gore ! The corpses of the slain
Are all in the court-entry stow'd ; but, he
T 2
276 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XX III.
With sulph'rous exhalations, from a fire
On the hall-pavement kindled, hath thine bouse 80
All beauteous purified, and now at length
Hath bade me call thee to him : Follow me, —
That, after countless miseries endur'd.
Your hearts the transports of this joy may feel '
Tliis hope, at last, — This hope, so long deferr'd, 85
Is now fulfill'd ! On his domestic hearth
He, even he, the living man himself.
Hath placed his foot ; and thee and his dear son
Hath he in this palatial mansion found ; and here.
Its walls within, hath he on all that crew go
That wooed thee for thy hand, but on himself
Base wrongs had heap'd, an ample vengeance ta'en."
Still, in reply, Penelope these words
To Euryclea spake : — " Oh ! my lov'd nurse !
Boast not so proudly ! laughing there so loud ! gj
Full weU thou know'st the greetings of delight
He would from all within these walls receive —
From me, how far beyond them all ! From him
Our son, too ; who to us existence owes.
But, these are no true tidings,— as thy lips iqo
Have just declar'd them : Some one of the gods
Tliosc princely suitora hath in death laid low.
The outrage thus resenting of a pride
Which griev'd all hearts, and of their many acts
Of sin most foul : for, to no living man jqc
Of mortals born, the righteous or the vile,
Appear who might, paid they regard. Tlie fate
Tliey now have met, their anogance provok'd.
But — , for Ulysses ■ From Achaia's shoix'S
Book XXin,] IfOifER'S ODYSSEY. 277
Far distant, in all eifurts to gain home 1 10
He utterly hath fail'd ; and he himseK
Uath to death's doom succumb'd."
But, Euryclea
Her speech resum'd : — " My child ! What words are. these
Tliat from thy lips have pass'd! T\niat! did thy thouf;lits
Furhid thee to believe that he who now 1 1 5
Upon his hearth is staudiny, — thiuo own lunl —
Would e'er,lua home regain ? But, slow indeed
lOf all belief hast thou long been. Now, list !
'Proof yet more sure will I before thee bring —
The selfsame scar which, with its ivory tusk 120
A boar once on him left, I with these eyea
While I his feet was laving, recognis'd :
And much I long'd, that moment, to thyself
My knowledge to impart : but, he my lips
With both hands closing (so discreetly wise 125
In that discernment was he) interdict
Upon me laid against my telling thee.
Oh ! do but follow me ! and I this gage
Will for myself lay down : If I deceit
Should hei-ein use, thou by the worst of dcalhs 1 30
Shalt take my life."
Hei-eto Penelope
In answer spake : — " Bear nurse ! Too hard for thee
To fathom ai-e the counsels of the gods —
{Those beings that in life eternal live — )
Though thou indeed be shrewil : But, go we hence 135,
My sou to seek, — that I upon tlie heaps
Of those slain suitors may my glance, too, bend —
And look on him who kiU'd them!"
278 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIII.
"With these words.
The upper chamber leaving, her descent
She now began to make ; and many a thought 140
Was in her inmost heart revolving then,
Whether of that dear husband fk>m a spot
Somewhat remote she first should question ask.
Or, all at once into close presence brought.
Her kisses on his head impress, — his hands 145
Within her own enclose : but, when at length
The hall she reach'd and the stone threshold cross'd,
A seat she took from whence Ulysses' form
By the bright fire illumin'd she beheld,
As by the wall right opposite he sate. 1 50
'Gainst a high column leaning was he seen —
His eyes upon the pavement fixt, as though
In expectation musing whether first
That noble wife at sight of him would speak :
But, long time sate she mute, as o'er her sense 1 55
Amazement fell : At one time with a gaze
Intently fixt she eyed him : then, on view
Of that vile garb which on his body hung
All recognition fail'd. Telemachus,
At length, in tone reproachful spake, and thus igg
The queen rebuk'd : —
" O mother mine ! and, yet,
Misnam'd ' a mother * now ! who thus so hard
In feeling sittest there, — why thus apart
Bemainest thou, nor at my father's side
Thy place hast taken, or a question ask'd, ,g»
Or with intensely curious searching words
Thy scrutiny begun ? No wife that lives
Book XXIII.) HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
Would ill a spirit so unkind have thus
From lier own husband kept aloof, — a man
Who, after twenty miserable years
Of sufl'ring, had his native land regain'd !
But, harder than a rock must be thy heart."
S79
170
To him, in turn, Penelope : — " My child I
My mind is in profound amazement wrapt :
Nor accents can I utter, — nor of him, 175
Tlie man wno sits before me, tiuestion a^k —
Nor gaze intent upon hia features fix :
But, if of very truth Ulysses 'tis —
If he indeed his home hath here regain'd —
Far better than hereby shall we ourselves 180
Discern and recognise ; for tests there are
By us well known, to othei-a unreveal'd,
Which we shall try." Thus spake Penelope;
But, great Ulysses smil'd, and to his son
These hurried words address'd : — " Telemachus ! 185
See thou that in our pidace this approof
Thy mother make ; and with aaaurauce stroi^
Will she far better know me. On this scene.
For that I filthy seem, and in this garb
So vilely am array'd, the present slight 190
She puts upon me ; and not yet admits
That I am he, her own ! But, take we thouj^ht
For what most prudent now may seem. The mim
Who may a single citizen have kili'd
(One who but few behind him leaves, his death 195
Thcreal'ter to avenge) to flight would take
And all his kindred leave and native soil ;
But, we a city's garrison, as 't were.
280 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXllI.
Have ju8t destroy'd ;— the prime, by far, of all
Whom Ithaca among her youth enroll'd : 200
Wherefore, on this, I pray thee, well reflect."
Telemachus thus answer'd : — " Thou thyself
Alone, dear father ! this can handle best ;
For that the public voice thy counsels deem
Tlie soimdest ever ; nor, 'mid living men 205
Would one be found that could with thee conijK'te :
]Jut, we with readiest zeal will in thy steps
Be followers found, and, to our pow'rs' extent,
I deem we shall no failing nerves betray ! "
Whereto the shrewd Ulysses thus replied : — 210
" Tliis, then, as most expedient, I advise :
When ye, yourselves, ablution shall have inade.
And tunics put upon you, this command
To aU the handmaids in our palace give.
That they, too, quickly in array appear, 2 1 5
And let the gifted minstrel with his harp
Melodious wake the sport-exciting dance ;
That they who on the wayside path that sound
As casual passers-by may hear, or who
In homes contiguous dwell, may mention make 220
Of some gay marriage feast ; — lest, (ere we hence
To our well-timber'd land excursion make,)
Wide rumour'd news of that most bloody death
Which all the suitors hath but now destroy'd.
Should through the city spread ; and hereupon 225
We wiU with due reflection meditate.
And all the good perpend whicli iu our hands
Great Jove may deign to place."
Book XXIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
281
Ulysses thus
Ilis connael gave ; they henrd him, and complied :
And each of them, ablutions having made, 230
His tunic donn'd : The women, in their turn
Array 'd, stepp'd forth ; and the inspired bard
His hollow harp began to sound, the love
Of dulcet song inspiring and of dance
That aU might join reproachless : till the house, 235
lu deep full t<)ne8 that rose and fell around,
Its uulioes sent from boundinf; feet of men
With fair-zon'd women jubilant, till a voice
From one, without that mansion, ou whose ear
The sound was falling, thus excloini'd : " 'Tis true ! 240
Some one, at length, hath this long courted queen
In marriage taken to himself ! Poor fool !
She held not out till he should come wiiom firet
She in her maiden prime her consort matle ;
Nor charge of his vast mansion hath she kept" 245
Thus casual conuuent made they — ; of events
Just past, or how transpiring, ignorant.
Euix^nyme, the while, in liis own house,
(^Vhere oversight of all she held.) the feet
Of great Ulysses wash'd, and o'er his skin 250
Tlie fluid unguents pour'd ; a splendid rolie
And tunic, too, arouud his fonii siie ilrew.
And beauty, in large measure, from his brow
Minerva downward shed ; — increase of height,
Incrense of bulk l)estowing. From his head 255
Tlie hair like hyacinthiiie Uow'rs in locks
Tliat clust'ring curl'd slie scntler'd. And, as whcu
Sittuu uunninj' cmflsnian whom in various art
282 HOMER'S ODYSSET. [Book XXLII.
Both Vulcan and Minerva have endow'd.
The silver with rich gold surmounts, and work 260
Ornate therewith completes, — so, round his head
And shoulders did the goddess grace diffuse ;
And, all the semblance hearing of some god.
Forth stepp'd he from the bath ; and on that seat.
From whence he recent rose, again enthrou'd, 265
He to the queen sate opposite, and thus
Appealing spake : — " great and reVrend daiue !
Tlie deities that on Olympus' heights
Eternal dwell a heart have given thee
'Bove all thy sex most obdurate : No wife, 270
Thyself except, would thus with stubborn heart
Have from her husband shnrnk, — a man in grief
So long immers'd, and who his native soil
Had only in the twentieth year regain'd !
But, come thou, Euryclea ! Nui-se ! — a couch 275
Prepare for me, that I in lonely rest
May on that bed recline : for, 't is a heart
Of iron which beneath that bosom lies ! "
But, to these words Penelope, in turn,
Itejoinder made : — " great and noble sir ! 280
'Tis in no haughty spirit that I thus
Myself comport ; nor with delib'rate slight
Or with intense astonishment these eyes
Upon thee bend : No : — well can I recall
What my Ulysses was when from this isle 285
Of Ithaca he in that galley saU'd
By long-oar'd rowers mann'd. But, come thou, Niu-se !
See that in that same chamber which, in strength
So durable, he (in the days long past)
TlooK XXIII.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. 283
Himself constructed, — thou a thick bed liiy : 290
Throw coverlets aud wool thereon, with cloaks
And rugs of tissue elegant."
She ceas'd ;
Her lord hereby intent to test, — who thus
The wife who well her duty conjugal
Knew how to fill, in mournful tone address'd : — 295
" Lady ! heart-grieving and most sad is this
Which thou hast just commanded ! Who is it
That hath my bed to any spot remote
From where it stood, remov'd ? An arduous task
Were it for any one, however skill'd, 300
That couch to sliift ; — except .some god, indeed.
Who might with ease, if so he will'd, anew
Its station fix. But, not a man that lives, —
Though with the strength of youthful piime endow'd,
Could without toO extreme that couch displace. 305
A feature of groat note is in its frame
(So curiously wrought) work'd up, — whereon ray hand
Alone, and no one's else, ivns occupied : —
Within our palace-court a leafy shrub
Of olive once uprose which in fiJ] growth 310
Was thriving on a stem which semblance bore
In thickness to some pillar : About this,
As round a centre, I a chamber built
Until with close compacted stones its height
Complete was crown'd, and a fit roof above 3 1 5
Was carried over : Hero, too, were there doors
Close shutting and with well-join'd panels frara'd.
That olive then of all its leaves I stripp'd,
Aud having from the stem all branches clear'd,
284 HOMER'S ODYSSKY. [Book XXIII.
I with sharp metal, deftly and with skill 320
The tools applying, to a polish bright
This pillar brought and by a standard's gage
I work'd it straight : and when the gouge's edge
The flutings had incis'd, this of my bed
The staunch support became : and from this stem 325
The work of polisliing I plied till all
In brightness stood. With gold and silver then
And ivory designs was it inlaid.
And then did I a thong outstretch from hide
Of heifer cut, which in rich purple dyed 330
Shone brightly beautiful. This is the test !
The signal proof I here to thee uphold !
Not that I knowledge any yet have gain'd,
Lady ! whether still that bed stands firm.
Or whether some strange hand the olive's root 335
Excising have my rest set up elsewhere."
He ended : but her knees beneath ber sank —
Her heart within her fainted, as the proofs
She now so well discern'd, — (which with such truth
Ulysses had detail'd) — and with a burst 340
Of tears she forward rush'd ; and as around
His neck she threw her hands, his head she kiss'd
And thus exclaim'd : — " Bend not one angry look
On me, Ulysses ! thou who hast a mind
That better far than all men can discern ! 345
The gods a painful struggling life on thee
Impos'd, who, in their envy, grudg'd that wc.
In union close abiding, should the bliss
Enjoy of our youth's prime, and stand at last
l^pon the threshold of a good old age. 350
Book XXIII] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^H
Lt't me uot now thine anger feel, nor sense
^H
Of iniligiiation wake in tSiL'e fur that
^^H
In these embraces fond 1 lield thee not
^^H
When first mine eyes upon tliee fell : for, doiibt
^^1
irnth, day hy day, with shuddering distrust
^^1
My bosom Jill'd, lest some one with forg'd tale
^^H
Should hither come deluding me : so great
^^1
Their number is who, for mere lucre's sake,
^^1
The basest arts will use 1 That Argive wife,
^^1
Helen, great Jove's own progeny, had ne'er
^H
Her love and self to a Tuere alien giv'n.
^^H
Had she but known that the brave sons of Greece
^^1
Would to that land restore her which at heart
^^1
She held most dear. Some deity it was
^^1
Tliat to an act so vile her siiirit niov'd !
36s ^H
No forethought took she for that dretul event,
^^H
That dire first cause which wlielm'd ils, too, in woe.
^^1
But, now, — Smce thou hast proofs so dear atlduced,
^^1
(All in our chamber manifest) which none
^^1
Of moilal born save thou and I have seen,
370 ^^1
The handmaid Aetoris except, whom erst
^^H
My father gave me when I hither came,
^^1
And who our guarded chamber door halli kejit, —
^^1
Thou hast conviction on me forc'J, — though Jiaid,
^^1
Moat hard, I felt it, — such belief to yield."
375 ^^1
Thus spake Penelope, — iu her lord's breast
^1
Distressful passion 'wak'ning : He, all tears.
^^1
To that sweet consort clung who all the claims
^^1
Of duty so well knew — : And, as when land
^^1
A sight most juxiciuus to the swiiiuaer's eyes
380 ^H
At length begins to loom, when in the deep
\
S86
UOMBR'H ODYSSEY. [Book XXIII.
Some goodly bark by Neptune has been uierg'd,
'Mid sweeping hurricanes and billows dark ;
And small their number is who in that wreck
By swimming on to shore the hoary waves
Of ocean have evaded, and with limbs
In spume saline encas'd, have on the beach
At length set foot, from dread destruction fi-eed — ,
Thus, in her sight delightful to regard
Seem'd great Ulysses, from around whose neck
Her fair white arms not yet had she releas'd :
Aud o'er their tearful joy had orient mom
All roseate shone, but for Minerva's thought —
On their behalf benignly provident —
Who tlie prolong'd niglit-honrs, as to their close
They 'gan to wane, still fuiHier stay'd ; and M(jni
'Neath Ocean waves detain'd from her gold throne ;
And those swift steeds forbade her yet to yoke —
Lampus and Phaeton — , coursers that the day
Draw on apace, and light convey to Man.
385
390
400
But, thus, at length, Ulysses spoke : — " As yet,
Dear consort ! from the close are we remote
Of trouble that must try us : Toil extreme
And measureless remains : before us lie
Tasks heavy and most aitluous — , but, still,
By me, of urgent need, to be jierform'd :
For, this was by Tiresias' shade premis'd
When I to Pluto's mansions my descent
As an enquirer made, — the means to learn
How I aud my companions might our homes
lu safety resich. But, coiiie ! dear consort mine !
To bedward speed us — , that, ev'n now, our rest
Book XXIII.] IIOMEIVS ODYSSEY. 267
In slumber seeking, we the lx>ou may gain
Of gentle soothing sleep."
To whoin, again,
Penelope : — " Whenever thy desire 4 ' 5
Such rest demands — (Cor that th' immortal gods
Have to this noble home and to the laud
Of thy forefathers brought tliee — ) a fit cnuch
Shall surely be at hand : — but, since of toil
Tliou hast just spoken, — and, maybe, 'tis God 420
That to thy mem'ry brings it — , come ! these Uisks
Detail to uie : At later date, methinks,
I should this knowledge gain, — but, hann there's none
If now at once I learn it."
To these words
Ulysses, in so many counsels vers'd, 425
This answer made : — " unreflecting one !
Why thus, so earnest pleading, would'st thou still
Such narrative prolong ? But, of the past.
The story of my lifu, will I yet speak
Aiul nought withhold, and, yet, thine heart herein 430
No joy will feel, nor mine ; for that the Seer
To many a peopled city shap'd my course
Enjoining me in these my hands an oar
To bear along till I the i*ealm should reach
Of men who of the sea are ignorant 435
And who of aliments with salt combiu'd
Were never known to eat : who never saw
A dark-prow'd ship, nor those smooth-bladed oars
Which ships jiropel as pinions. But, this sign —
A plain one, too ! — he cave me (nor to thee 440
288 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIII.
Shall it rest unreveal'd)— when in my path •
Another, on his travels, should appear
And tell me that, across my shoulder thrown,
A winnowing-fan I carried, I thereat
(For, so Tiresias charg'd me) was this oar 445
To set upright in earth ; and having then
To Neptune fJaultless sacrifices burnt, —
A ram, a bull, and boar, — the mate of swine —
My journey homeward take, and hecatombs
To those immortal deities who th' expanse 450
Of Heaven inhabit, duly offer up :
This, too, he added, that from off the Sea
Death would hereafter light on me, — a close
Of life most calm ; such as my days would end
By blest old age alone subdued, while all 45 5
That round me might be dwelling would the lot
Of thriving nations share. All this, he said.
Would in the issue happen."
In reply
Penelope : — " If the immortal gods
Shall with the years of thine advancing age 460
A lot more prosp'rous blend, good hope remains.
Should ill befal, thou shalt uninjur'd flee."
Such commune held they, while Emynome
And th' agM Nurse, by radiant torches' light
Illumin'd, plied their task : A couch they spread 465
Of fitting thickness and of coVrings soft ;
And then, this done, in her own place of rest
The ancient matron hasten'd to recline.
And to the household's stations took her way.
Book XXIII.] UOMEH'S ODYSSEY. 389
r>ut, shu wlio oVr the clmnibers oversight 470
Continual held, Euryiiome, a torch
In her hands bearing, led them to their couch,
And thence, — hor guidance ended, — to her own
Forthwith repair'd, as they that ancient hcd
Aw\ rest therein, all hap]iiness, resuni'd. 475
Meantime, Teleuiachus, tlie henl. and he
Who of the swine had charge, from furtlier dance
Their feet withdrew, and bade the handniai<ls cease ;
And in the shady palace shelter'd slept.
And now Ulysses ami Penelope, 480
Their fill of gladness taking, new deliglit
In converse free antl long recitals felt :
She, best of women, joying to relate
Wliat outrages within her palace walls
She had to brook, as that ])ernicion3 throng 485
Of suitors she beheld who, in her nanic,
Such hertls of oxen and such flocks of .sheep.
The fiitlings, kill'd ; and from the store-s of wine
Such lavish draughts had drawn. He, in his turn,
(Tlie Chief, of Jove's own lineage sprung) the plagues 490
lie, in liis day, on fellow men had brouglit,
Now to his queen narrateil, and the pangs
Of anguish he himself in many a toil
Had burne and struggled through : And .she a charm
Ecstatic felt in list'ning ; nor did sle<>p, 495
Until that tale was told, her eyelids close : —
His conquest, first in order, Iio reliears'd
Of the Ciconian tribe, and liow llif coast
Ami fertile fields of the Lotophagi
VOL. u. IT
290
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXllI.
He lighted on ; and, next, the many wrongs 500
By Polyplienins done, and how the devth
Of his brave comrades, whom the Cyclops seiz'd
And pitiless devour'd, he had aveng'd :
And how to ^olus at length he came,
Who genial welcome gave him, and from thence 505
Upon his voyage sped hiui, thoiigh the fates
Ordain'd that not as yet he home should reach —
The hurricanoe from his sea-track'd course
Back driving him, in sorrow most profound,
Across the teeming main : and how he next 5 10 1
To Lffiatrigonia came, whose city's gates
So widely sep'mte stood, and wliere his fleet
Was broken up, and all that with him sad'd.
His well-greav'd crews, their doom incuiT'd; — himself
Alone life saving in a dark-rihh'd ship : 515
The guile, too, he describ'd, and divers arts
Of Circe, and the passage, in a bark
Uf many rowers made, to the vast realms
Of riuto, that he conference might liold
And counsel from Tiresias of Thebes 520!
(A shadowy soul) obtain : and here did he
His comrades, all, behold : the mother, too,
Who gave him birth and when an infant babe
Had clierish'd him. In narrative he told
How he the Sireus' blended voices heard, 525 '
And rcach'd those rocks " The Waud'rers " call'd, and then j
The dread Charybdis and that Scylla, ne'er
By men, yet, scathless shunu'd ; and how his crew
The oxen slaiighter'd of the Suu ; and Jove
Fniiii ou high fulminant tlie flying bark 530'
With fumid bolt had stricken, and the whole
Book XXIIL] UOMER'S ODYSSEY.
291
Of his dear comrades iu the waters sunk,
Though he, limiself, from that dread doom was sov'd.
The stoiy, too, Ulysses now detail'd
How to the islo Ogygia he was bomo 535
And to the n}inph Calypso came, who there
The inmate made hira of her cavernous grot.
Eager to make him evermore her own ;
How there she fed him, and assurance gave
That she would an immortal make him, — freed 540
Through all existence from old age ; hut, how
By no persuasion could she bend his wLU ;
How, also, after suffering extreme,
The land of the rhaeacian race he reoch'd.
Who in their hearts had homage to him paid 545
As though 'twere to some god ; and with a ship
ConveyM him to the land, to liim so dear.
That gave hiui birth ; and brass and gold in gifts
Most bountiful, and raiments, too, bestow'tL
This was the theme he last had touch'd, wlien sleep 550
Of gentlest slumber, which his frame entire
To ease was yielding up, upon him fell.
And of all biu'd'ning cares that miud reliev'd.
But, now, to thoughts herefrom diverse her mind
Minerva giving, (as belief arose 555
That both his couch and sleep to full content
Ulysses had enjoy'd — ) from Ocean's depths
The golden-thronfed mother of the dawn
In zealous baste arous'd, that she her light
To mortals might dispense ; and fri>m his bed 5^
Of softness rose the Chief, and on his wife
This charge enjoin'd : — " Dear wife of mine ! we both,
u 2
2 92 HOMER'S ODYSSET. [Book XXUI.
After so many trials, have of grief
A surfeit felt : thyself — when 'twas thy wont
To fret and weep, in doubt of my return 565
Which could but load me with o'erwhelming toil ;^
And Jupiter, and every other god
In bonds had fetter'd me, whose ev'ry thought
In carking care dwelt on my native land.
Now, — since we both upon that couch have lain 570
So long, so dearly wish'd for ! let thy care
To such of all my substance be address'd
As here in tliis our palace is preserv'd.
But, as to all my sheep wliich that proud crew
Of suitors have devour'd, I will, myself, 575
From flocks around reprisals largely make.
And others shall the Greeks make goodj till thus
Shall all my folds be stock'd therewith. My steps
To our well-timber'd land I now must bend.
My admirable father there to see, 580
Who day by day has o'er my absence moum'd :
Now, upon thee, although with mind discreet
Thou be endow'd, — this further charge I lay ;
For, at the sunrise wiU report be rife
About the suitors whom within these walls 585
I have destroy'd : — With all thy female train
Go thou to th' upper chamber, and thy seat
Therein select : look not abroad therefrom.
Nor questions ask of any."
Thus spake he.
And round his shoulders his bright armour braced : ego
Tolemachus from slumber lie awak'd.
The herdsman, and Eumteus ; — of each one
Book XXIII.] UOilER'H ODYSSEY. 293
Desiring that with martial arms eqiiipp'd
They would go forth. And they, in brazen mail
Accoutred, went compliant : and the doors 595
Wide op'ning, sallied forth, — Ulysses' self
The way before them leading. Day, indeed.
Was on the Earth in light ; but, with all haste
In gloom enshrouding them, Minerva's will
Made Night, — and from the city led them fortL 600
KXD OF THE TWENTY-THIUD BOOK.
294 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
BOOK XXIV.
MERCURY, worshipp'd at Cyllene's fane,
His summons to the slaughter'd suitors' shades
Proclaiming stood ; the beauteous golden rod
On high upholding at whose touch the eyes
Of men he charms at will, or out of sleep 5
(Their lids uprais'd) can wake them ; and herewith
The shadowy throug he urged to move, — in front
On-leading ; and with short sharp wailing cries
Most inarticulate, they foUow'd close :
And as when in the inmost cavernous depths 10
Of some mysterious cave the flitting bats
Twitter in air, when, off the string where each
From the rock pendant to the other clings,
A single one hath fallen, — even thus
The shades of the defunct in huddled mass 1 5
With murmurs shrill but voiceless mov'd along,
As through the dank and dusky passages
The gracious Mercury led the way. The tides
Of Ocean and Epirus' whit'ning cliff
They first approach'd : the portals of the Sun 20
They next gain'd sight of, and the land of dreams ;
And quickly on the meads of asphodel
Book XXIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
295 ^^1
Their entry made, where disembodied roam
^H
The spirits of tlie dead. The soul they found
^^H
Of Peleus' son, Acliilles : th' image, too,
^H
Saw they of brave Patroclus, and withal
^^H
Antilitehus the irrcproaehiible,
^H
And Ajax, who m mien luid stature (next
^^1
To Peleus' noble son) of all Greeks else
^^H
Stood chief. But, all, around their leader group'd.
^H
In gath'ring multitude began to tlirong ;
^H
Whfn Agamemnon's soul, king Atreus' son.
^^1
With mournful plaint drew nigh, and at his side
^^1
Stood, hovering, as many as with him
^H
Had in the palace of /Egisthus fall'n
^H
And their own doom provok'd : To him forthwith
. ^^H
The .soul of Peleus' son these words addreas'd : —
.^1
" son of Atreus ! 'bove all heroes else
^1
We deem'd thee beat of Jove belov'd, — of him
^H
Who 'mid the thunder-bolts his pastime take.s —
^^1
For that o'er numberless ami noble men
^^1
In the wide population of that Troy,
^1
Where we the Grecians such sharj» trials bore,
^^H
Thou ral'dat supreme : but, fate most murderous
^H
Was, of a truth, to prove thy doom : on thee
^H
That destiny untimely fell which none
^1
Of raoiials bom can shun. Oh I would that thou
^^^
In full enjoyment of that glorious fame
^H
In which thou reign'dst hadst in the battle-field
^^1
Of Troy thy death-stroke met ! Achaia then
^H
United would thy moniunent have rais'd.
^^1
And great had been the heirship of renown
^^1
To thy lov'd son descending : but, behold !
m
296 IJOMEIVS ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV
Thy fate it was of death most piteous
To feel the stern arrest ! "
Hereto, in turn, 55
The soul of Atreus' son replying spoke : —
" Godlike Achilles ! Peleus' envied son !
Thou who from Argos distant to tliy doom
Before Troy's wall didst yield, while in dense throng
The noblest heroes of the rival hosts 60
Of Troy and Greece on thy behalf met fate
And fell beside thee ! On that great death-scene
At length lay'st thou in greatness, while the dust
In whirlwind swept around thee, now no more
For the war-horse or chariot to take thought. 65
All through that day we fought, nor interval
Had the grim war's encounter any known.
Had not great Jove with darkling clouds and blast
Of raging hurricane a truce compell'd.
And when from off that battle-field thy corse 70
Was to the moorings of our galleys borne,
Upon a couch we laid thee, — thy fair skin
With tepid water laving, and with oil
Anointing thee, while, all around, the Greeks
In bitter grief look'd on, and scalding tears 75
In floods were shedding ; and each man his hair
To tonsure close submitted. And when now
Tliy mother's ear the tidings reach'd, the deep
With the immortal sea-nymphs in her train
She instant left ; and from the ocean-waves g^
Came forth a liollow and mysterious groan
At sound whereof a panic of great fear
On all the Grecians fell, and with a rush
U.POK XXIV.] UOMEirS ODYSSEY.
2t»;
llad they cm board tlie licet a rt-fuge suuylit
But for the interpos'd restraint of one 85
In ancient lore and gen'ral knowledge vera'd,
Nestor, who long before had counsel giv'n
Wliich wisest seeni'd, and who, with judgment sound
And exliortation, timely hearing gain'd : —
' Stay ! Argives ! stay — flee not, ye youths of Greece ! 90
For this the coming of his mother is
Fi-om the great depths of Ocean, with her train
Of nyniplis inarine, immortal ; to take thought
For hur now lifeless son.' Such were his words,
And all the terror of those high-soid'd Greeks 95
At once was sooth'd : and round thy body stood
The daughters of the Old ilau of the Sea
With shrill lament deidoring thee, and folds
(Jf niiment by no hand of mortals wrought
About thee casting. There, too, plunged in giief, 100
As each with her sweet voice the plaint of woe
To th' other's mournful wail responsive rais'd.
All the nine Muse.'s stood : nor one dry eye
'Alid all the thronging multitude of Greeks
"Would any one have noted ; to .such height 105
Of sorrow did the clear-voiced lluses' diige
AH hearts awaken. Sev'nteen nights and days
Th' inunortal gods and we, mere mortal men,
Thy loss bewail'd ; but, on the eij^htecnth day
Upon the flaming pile thy form we placed, 1 1 o
And many a fatten'd sheep and crook-horn'd ox
Ai'ound it slew ; and, (in such raiment swath'd
As anj' one of the inmiortal gods
Might fitly have invested, — ) to the tire
"Wast thou consign'd, and in abnuilance rich 1 r 5
298
HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
Of ungiients and of honey didst thou lie.
Around that flaming pile -where thy remains
Consuming lay, a countless warrior-l)and, —
Heroes of Greece that in Iier Icgion'd hosts
On horse contended and on foot, — in arms
Came rushing on, and round thy body ran
Till all the air the din perturbing felt.
But, when the flame of Vulcan had at length
Thy frame consum'd, we, in the matin light.
Thy white bones, Achilles ! gather'd up ;
"With purest wine and unguents laving them ; —
And then a golden vessel in our hands
Thy mother placed ; — the gift, she said, it was
Of Bacchus, and renownW Vulcan's work.
In this, great Achilles ! treasur'd up
Were thy blanch'd bones, and witli them blended lay
The bones of dead Patroclus. son renown'd
Of brave Menoetius : all apart from these
"Were those of lov'd Antilochus, whom first
Of all thy brother warriors in regard
After Patroclus we in honour held.
Then we, the hallow'd legions of that host
Wliich Greece had anu'd for war, a tomb immense
And glorious to behold around thee rear'd
High on a headland of broad Hellespont,
Where, from tlic far horizon of the main,
It well might be discern'd by men that still
Upon this Earth are dwelling, and by those
Thcreou to live hereafter. And, this done,
Thy mother, upon pra/r to heav'n uplift,
To all the cliiefs of Greece suggestions made
For contests most superb, the central space
120
12?
«30
!40
Book XXIV.]
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
299
Of a vast ring to occupy. These eyes
lu times bygone tlie Ijiuial liuve beheld
Of many a hero, when, upon th' event 1 50
Of some gi"eat sovereign's decease, young men
Their loins have girded up, and for the test
Of prowess made them ready ; but. at sight
Of tbesf, with w<jnd'ring ntlmiration struck,
I paus'd to think how noble in display 1 5 5
These contests were which, for thy mem'ry's sake,
The silver-footed goddess had ordaiii'd :
But, by th' immortals wast thou held most dear.
Thus, ev'u in death, thy name ceas'd not to live,
Achilles ! No ! Wherever men shall bi-eathe, 160
"With glory shall they ever honour thee !
Yet, when the strife of war I had compos'd,
How did that triumph for my peace avail ?
When Jove a doom so wretched had design'd
At base ^gj'sthus' hand, and my fell wife's, 165
To end my day of life I " Such interchange
Of speech they held : but great Jove's messenger,
(\"\lio Argus slew) approach'd, the souls with him
Of all those suitors leading whom the arm
Of great Ulysses master'd : at which sight 1 70
Araaz'd, the heroes, as each sev'ral shade
They recogniz'd, as though to greet, approach'd.
Atrides Agamemnon's soul at once
AmphLmedon, Melantius' son, descried.
Whom, in his mansion on th' Ithacian soil 175
Once occupied, he had as host receiv'd ;
And first Atrides spake : —
' Amphimc<loii I
300 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
What doom hath thus upon ye fall'n, that all
The choicest of your peoples, — All in years
Co-equal as ye are, ye thus have reach'd i8o
This darkness of the nether Earth ? Ill fate
Alone could thus the State's most noble sons
Have singled out. Did Neptune in your fleet
This fell destruction work, — ^the adverse winds
And long waves rousing, or have ruthless foes 1 85
Upon the main land haply laid you low.
In gen'ral fight contending for their bulls
And the best fleec'd of all their sheep ? or war
Have ye for citadels or damsels waged ?
Now, speak to me in answer ; for, I claim igo
To be thy guest. Say — canst thou not recall
How, at thine house arriving, urgent suit
I with the noble Menelaus made
Ulysses to gain o'er, that in our fleet
He should our expedition join to Troy? igj
A month entire on the broad out-spread main
We in that voyage spent, yet, hardly then
Had that Ulysses won, whose conqu'ring might
So many cities had in niin laid."
The shade of young Amphimedon in speech 200
Eesponsive thus began : — " noble son
Of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men,
Well can I these events at length recall,
And with recital full and most exact
The fearful tale will tell of what a death 205
We aU were doom'd to die. The wife we sought
In maniage of Ulysses, — from her home
So long estranged : and to those nuptial ties
Book XXIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY,
^^1
(1 lowever in her sight dctestuble)
^1
iJeiiitil gavL=! slie none ; but, of our suit
2IO ^^H
An end refus'd to nifike, — her sole design
^^1
Being in deadly doom to whelm us nlL
^^1
But, tlds device, too, had she well contriv'd —
^^1
When in her pakce a large web (whose threads
^H
"Were of tlie finest and exceeding wide)
^H
She had erected, she began to weave,
^H
And presently these words to us address'd : —
^1
' Young men, who seek my hand — since that great cl
^H
So like a god, Ulysses, is no more, —
^H
Forbear to press my nuptials till this veil
^^H
I shall have finish'd, that the threails I use
^^1
May not with purpose unfidfill'd be spoilt.
^H
A shroud is it for that heroic chief
^^1
Laertes, when that fearful doom is nigh
^H
Wliich shall arrest and lay him out at length :
^^1
Lest any one among the dames of Greece
^H
Upbraidings should upon me heap, if he.
^H
Who liv'd in affluence, should lie outomb'd
^^1
Without such covering." Those were her words,
^H
And we, right-minded men, at once gave way.
^H
But, hereupon, throughout the day she plied
^H
Ifer work of weaving upon that vast web.
^^1
And when the night drew on, (with torches placed
^^1
Beside lier,) she unluosen'd aU the tlireads !
^^1
Tlius through three years did she by stratagem
235 ^H
Evade us, and upon tlie Greeks prevaD'd,
^^H
But, as the houi-s sped on, and this fourth year
^^^H
At length was come, a handmaid (one of those
^^^H
^^ Well 'ware of it; the fact to us leveal'd —
\
302 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
Aye, and we came upon her picking out 240
That glorious web : so that, against her will.
She only by constraint completed it.
But, when, at length that vast web having wov'n.
The robe she brought to view, and all her work
In cleansing streams had purified till bright 245
As Sun or Moon it shone, — some hostile god
Ulysses homeward, from some spot on Earth
To us unknown, — ^to the most distant point
Of Ithaca was leading, where the herd
Who kept his swine in his own homestall dwelt. 250
At this same hut arriv'd the well-lov'd son
Of great Ulysses, having from a ship
(From sandy Pylos freighted) disembark'd. .
And these, when they their plot had perfected
By death most dire the suitors to take off, 255
The noble city enter'd. Foremost came
Telemachus : His father last arriv'd,
Led by the swineherd, and a garb most vile
Upon his body wearing, as the guise.
In fact, of a low mendicant he bore 260
And of an ag^d man, who on his staff
Decrepit lean'd : and none of us who there
Were at that moment sitting, when he thus
All sudden came upon us — (not eVn they
Who oldest were of all our company) 265
The man could recognize : nay, in harsh terms
And ev'u with blows we flouted him : — all which
He, — thus in his own palace rudely struck.
And with gross speech revil'd, — most patient bore.
Till, by great aegis-bearing Jove arous'd, 270
And his young son Telemachus the arms
Book XXIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
303
(So splendid) of liis father bearing off
In th' armoury to stow them aud with bolts
To make that chamber fast, — he, all his wit
Inventive using, to his wife gave charge 275
Tlie bow and white steel-pointed darts to fetch,
And bid the suitoi-s herewith try their skill
And in a contest vie which should our doom
Host miserable seal, and death itself
Initiate. Not one of us the string 280
Of that stout bow could draw ; for, far too weak
We all were prov'd : but when Ulysses' turn
To handle that stupendous weapon came,
We with one voice agahist the swineherd rail'd
And bade liini not deliver it, though much 285
Ti-leniachuH insisted : but, alone
The youth prevail'd and his command enforced.
Then tUd the great Ulysses with his hands
That weapon grasp : with ease the bow he bent.
And through the rings of steel the arrow shot 290
Then, to the tlireshold springing, up he stood
And, with terrilic glances, tlart on dart
Among our band sent tlying, and the prince
Antinoiis kill'd : nye — , and with truest aim.
Those deadly shails upon the rest he pour'd, 295
Aud suitor upon suitor fell around !
Moat manifest it was that in that hour
Some one of the immortals was his aid
Immediate granting : for, with swift pursuit,
The palace through, upon our band they press'd, 300
On cv'ry side down he whig us, till moans
Most piteous and a bcUow most uncouth
From smitten men arose, upon whose sculls
304 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Cooic XXIV.
The death-stroke fell ; and ^l the pavement round
Was with the carnage reeking. By such doom, 305
royal Agamenmon, died we all,
Whose corses, at this hour, within the walls
Of prince Ulysses' palace lie ; of rites
Funereal depriv'd ; — for, not as yet
Have those who lov'd us in their sev'ral homes 3 10
Of this our fatal ending heard ; the friends
Who, having from our wounds the clotted blood
Lav'd and remov'd, would on the bier their slain
Have duly laid, and their bereavement M'ail'd :
The last of honour which the dead can know." 3 1 5
To whom Atrides thus : — " favour'd son
Of aged Laertes ! with what gallant soul
Didst thou thy wife regain ! Wliat noble thoughts
That irreproachable Penelope,
Daughter of Icarus, must have maintain'd ! 320
How true to that Ulysses whom in youth
She as her consort wedded, and whose worth
Shall in renown imperishable live
"Wliile the immortals will in beauteous song
Tlie name of wise Penelope preserve. 325
Not thus did Tyndarus' base daughter shine,
Who with designs iniquitous the prince
Her consort slew, — him whom in maiden prime
She had in marriage wedded : scorn alone
Her mem'ry among men must ever mark, 330
For, she above all women vers'd in bane
Of deadly ill hath ignominy cast
Not on herself alone, but on the race
Of foniale kind in ages yet unborn,
Book XXIY.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
^^H
Aye, cv'n on women active in all good."
335 ^^1
Such interchange of speech did shade with shade
^^H
In riuto's home, the depths of Earth, enjoy :
^^H
Meanwhile, Ulysses and Telemaclius
^^H
And th' herds that with thoni conipniiicd, their way
^^1
From out the city taking, on the tract
340 ^^1
Soon lighted of Laertes' well-till'd fields,
^^H
All wluch the ancient chief with heavy toil
^^^
Had gotten to himself. There stood his house,
^^1
And there its court with the out-buildings round,
^^1
Wherein his mancipated servants fed,
345 ^^1
And lodgment found and rest, such works among
^^1
As beet his fancies huniour'd. There, too, dwelt
' ^^H
An aged Sicilian woman who with cai-e
^^1
Assiduous in that rural houiesteail (far
^^H
From the great city) o'er the vet'rau wateh'd.
350 ^^1
At length Ulysses on Ids son and those
^^H
"NVho in their train were waiting this command,
^^^
As he dismiss'd them, laid : — " Proceed you, now,
^^^
And on tliis mansion's pleasant seat at once
^^H
Your entry make, and from the choicest swine
^^1
Make ready a repast : but, I, meanwhile,
^^H
Will proof of my dear father's memory make.
^^1
WHiether he wiU with quick discerning eye
^^H
My fixce recall, or, after such long years
^^1
Of absence, fail to know me for his own."
^^^1
Thus speaking, he his weapons in the hands
^1
Of his attendants placed, who with all haste
^^H
The dwelling enter'd ; but, upon the test
^^^
Intent by which his father he might try,
^^^
Ulysses to the fertile vineyard sped.
^^1
VOL 11. X
H^^^l
306
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
[Book XXR'.
Doliua, indectl, he found not, as liis steps
He bent to the great orchard, nor of those
"Who serv'd him, any ; nor of sons that there
Were to Laertes bom. These from the spot
Were at that raoraent absent, mounds of stones 370
Collecting for the vineyard's rising wall :
And Dolius their way had led. Thus, lone
Upon that thriving vineyard's plcbsant site
His ogid sire he found, — around a plant
Tlie earth upturning. In a filthy garb 375
With stitches niarr'd and altogether vile
The old man was apparell'd : Round his legs
Some pads of ox-hide made and coarsely sewn.
To fend off thorns, he had secur'd ; and gloves
Upon his hands he wore, the wounds to shun 380
15y prickly briars thrcateu'd. On his head
A cap was set of goat-skin : In his heart
Regi'ct and sorrow was he cherisliing.
When the high-soul'd Ulysses, (who, himself,
So long with griefs had struggled) saw his sire
Thus by old age worn down, thus deeply griev'd, —
And near a pear-tree standing — , he shed tears,
And ponder'd musing, whether in his arms
At once t' enfold his father and a kiss
Impress and tell him all, how he at last
His native soil and home had reach'd ; — or, first*
Of the aged man ask questions, and a test
On ev'ry point apply ; and, best it seem'd,
WHten in hia thoughts each counsel he had weigh 'd.
With some few stinging taunts essay to make,
And with this bent a station face to face
3SS
390
395
Book XXIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
307
Ulyases near his father took, who still
As round about the plant he dug, his head
Was downward bending ; and when close the two
Together stood, the noble son thus sjjiike : — 400
" Old man ! with no unknowing husbandry
Canst thou an orchard cultivate : thy care
In order duly tends it, nor a plant
Here meets the eye, of fig-tree or of vine,
Olive or pear, nor plot of earth which seems 405
Unheeded and forlorn : But, on one point
Will I now speak to thee ; and let thy heart
No indignation feel thereat — , llegard.
Such as is due, provides not for thyself;
For, thine old age is wretchedness, indeed ; 410
And, beside this, thou art most vilely clad.
And aU thy garb is shameful : In such plight
Can no employer leave thee, for tliat thou
An idler art : thy features and thine height
No serving man's presentment bear, for, thou 4 r 5
The likeness, rather, of a sov'reign prince
Displayest, and as one might be esteem 'd
Who, when ablution he had made and food
Tliereafter taken, should in slumbers soft
His rest enjoy : for, this the priv'lege is 420
Of men far gone in years : but, come, thus much
Eecount to me, and say, in all good faifli,
WTiom servest thou ? ^Vllose orchard dost thou keejt
And of this truth assurance give to me
That from thy words I may more certain feel 425
Of entrance into Ithaca, wl
But now appriz'd me I had^
Not over wise, who. as I
308 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
My path was crossing, niggai-d of his speech
And of my own impatient when request 430
I made of him for tidings of my host.
Whether he yet be living and 'mong men.
Or dead, and in the realms of gloomy Dis :
For, this, in truth, my simple stoiy is —
Give it thy heed, awhile, and hear me speak : 435
I once in my own well-lov'd fatherland
A man receiv'd who to my house had come.
Than whom not one, 'mid all the guests that since
From foreign shores my home have visited,
More welcome hath been deem'd. His race, he said, 440
In Ithaca took rise, and his sire's name
Laertes was, son of Arcesias.
A genial host I prov'd : 1 took him home.
And, ev'n while many in that home were lodg'd.
Hearty reception gave him, and such gifts 445
As well becometh it a host should make,
Bestow'd on him ; sev'n talents of fine gold
I gave him, and a cup with flowers chas'd
And all in silver wrought ; — twelve single cloaks
As many works of wool-embroidery ; — .cq
Of beauteous vests and tunics, like supplies :
Wherewith went four fair women, all expert
In handiwork of faultless taste, — a group
He fain would make his own, and with lum took."
Hereto, as from his eyelids dropp'd a tear, .,,
His father made reply : — " Most certain 't is,
stranger ! that the country thou hast reach'd.
Of which thou question askest ; — But, a throng
Of bold licentious men who all controul
Book XXIV.] IIOMER'S ODYSSEY.
309
Defy have here possession claim'd. In vain 460
Hast thou thy bounty's largess niftde, and gifts
Innumerable heap'd ; for, would that thou
Among these citizens of Ithaca
Thy guest hadst living found ! He then, in turn,
Thy parting hence had speeded, and with proofs 465
Most geu'rous of kind welconiu striven thus
liequital full to msike : — the privilege
Of hiin who in such bounty takes the lead.
But, tell me — and precisely say — what space
Hath lups'd since thou didst thine ill-fated guest, 470
My son, thus kindly greet \ — If son it was,
Uidiappy one ! wliom either in the deep
From friends and from his native land remote
The fishes have devour'd ; or, amojig beasts
And birds on the mainland a prey he lies ! 475
No luuther (as his body she laid out)
Her sad lament mis'd over him, nor I, —
That father who with her had giv'n him life.
No, — nor did that discreet Penelope
His wife so richly dow'rd, for her Inv'd lord 480
All sorrowing grieve, and, as had well beconu'.
His eyes beside the death-bed close : the due
Of homage to the dead. But, tell me this —
And, nought withholding, freely speak to me —
Who ait thou ? and from whence 'mid living men 485
Art thou aniv'd ? Thy city's name ? and those
Who gave thee birth ? Where is that Ueet bark inoor'd
Wliich thee and thy good comrades hither brought?
Or, didst thou in some stranger's ship embnrWM
Tliy passage make o'er sea, and having t
Til this ovir shore convey 'd thee, are the,
310 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Bo<« XXIV.
Ulysses thus : — " To all that thou hast ask'd
Full answer can I render. I, myself.
From Alybas am come, -where an abode
I dwell in which enjoys no mean repute : 495
For parentage — , I am Apheidas' son,
"Who royal Polypemon's offspring was ;
And I am nam'd Epheritus : but, fate
So order'd that, amid my wand'rings wide,
I from Sioania, most unwillingly, 500
Should here have landed : but, right opposite
To certain pastures from the town remote
My ship is moor'd. More than four years have pass'd
Since Alybas Ulysses left, and thus,
111 fated man ! my coimtry saw no more : 505
Yet, on his right, as he was setting saU,
Birds most propitious in their omens flew.
Whereat elate I sped him on his way.
And he like joy at that departure felt ;
Our hearts the hope still nursing that as host 5 10
And guest we yet might meet, and splendid gifts
Thus again interchange."
He ended here.
And round that agM parent a dark gloom
Of sorrow 'gan to gather, as the dust
Of ashes gath'ring into both his hands c i c
He held it up, and on his hoaiy hairs
With long deep sighs and moanings let it fall :
Whereat Ulysses' heart was wrung, — ^the gush
Of feelings that could no repression know
EVn in his nostrils throbbing, as his glance 520
On his lov'd father rested, and, as now
Book XXIV.l
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
311
A spring he forward made, — ^in close embrace
He folded, — fell upon — him ; and a kiss
Impressiiig thus exclaim'd : — '' That man himself
Am 1, O Father ! even he of whom
Thou fain would'st tidings learn : and here at length,
Ev'n in the twentieth year, have I set foot
Upon my native soil ! But, cease to weep^
Cease from this flooding sorrow ; — for, with truth
I say it — and I well may haste to speak —
Those suitors have I in my palace slain.
And all their tjTant arrogance and acts
Of cruel outrage in their deaths aveug'd."
525
S30
Laertes thus in answer : " If thou be
My very son Ulysses, — If thou here 535
At k'Ugth be come, some signal luark produce
That I may yield belief." Wliereto, in tuni,
Ulysses ; — " Let thine eyes, then, first this scar
Behold which, in Parnassus, when I there
My visit paid, a boar with its white tusk 540
Upou me left. That expedition thou
And my most houour'd mother bad design'd.
That from Autolycus, her sire, the gifts
I might receive which, when in this thy home
A guest he liv'd, he promis'd should be miue, 545
And should by him be given : — but, agaiu, —
I will the number of those trees detail
Which, when I yet was but a child, thy stops
Close following through the vineyard, and request
For each of them was making, thou, thyself, 550
Here in this orchard diilst bestow on me.
\Vc had just reach'd them, and their sev'i-al names
312 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
Thou wast recounting, and I leam'd them alL
;^!l1iou gaVst me thirteen pear-treei^j — half-a-score
Of apple-trees, and forty which their crop ||^
Of figs were bearing : Fifty rows of vines *
Were, also, to be mine ; each alley set
With plant of com ; — ^not but that grapes of kind.
Abundant in varieties, were there,
When at Jove's will the clusters heavy gcgw .; .-SA^
And in due season ripen'd." v ':■■■ - r'-
Thus spake he.
And now Laertes' knees beneath him sank.
And ev'ry nerve gave way, as he the proofs
So absolute, so certain aU, discem'd —
And round his weU-lov'd son his arms he threw tge
As to his breast Ulysses the aged sire.
Whose heart had fainted, press'd. But when his pow'rs
Eeviving seem'd, and once again in life
His spirit rose, thus instantly he spake ; —
" Jupiter ! of a most certain truth cjq
Do ye immortal gods still reign sublime
In high Olympus thron'd. if true it be
That all these suitors have Ihe penalty
Of their blind folly paid : still, no light dread
I cannot but yet feel, i3st the whole mass 575
Of our Ithacian citizens should here
Appeai-ance quickly make, and far and near
The Cephallenian states by summons rouse."
To whom Ulysses : — " Courage take ! nor thought
For all this, anxious, cherish ; but our steps cgQ
To that fair mansion bend which nigh at hand
Book XXIV. J BOMEJi'S ODYSSEY.
313
Upon tliis orchard borders : for, therfito,
As in advance, sent I IJelemachns, *
TTw herdsiuiuj and Eumcons, tlmt with speed
They might prepare our supi)er." Thus nmch said, 585
The twain into that gnudly dwelling pass'd.
And, there aniv'd, Tcleiuachus, the herd
And swineherd found, provision large of meat
portions sev'ring, as, in tvim, the draughts
Of darkling vrine they mLx'd. In his own home, 590
Meantime, his aged Sicilian slave the feet
Of great Laertes wash'd, and with rich oil
Anointed him, and o'er his form a cloak
Of beauteous tissue threw ; and (drawing nigh)
Minerva's self the People's Pastor's limbs 59S
With ampler bulk augmented, and in strength
And stature nobler than before to view
Tlie man entire enduw'd. And from the bath
He issued forth, — Ulysses with sxirprise
His sire beholding as the semblance clear 600
He show'd of some immortal ; and these words
In rapid speech he utter'd : — " Father mine !
Surely some god this grandeur to thy mien
And stature hath imparted ! " Whereunto,
In turn, Laertes thus : — " O Father Jove ! 605
MineiTa ! and Apollo ! Would that I
Might but have yesterday's encounter join'J
With warrior's harness on my back, — that li'oc)p
Of suitors to do battle vrith ! as when,
The sov'reign rule o'er Cephallenia's state 610
At that time swa)'ing, Nericus' proud fort
On the mftin land I levell'd : Many a knee
hat presumptuous crew beneath my might
314
nOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
ShniUd there bavo Iww'J in death : — and thou, my son !
Should' st have with joy exulted."
Such discourse 615]
ITeld they awhile : and now, as each hi3 work
Of preparatiun for the feast had done,
On couch or tluxiue all took their seats, and liands
Upon the viands laid : and Dolius
The veteran and both the old man's sons 620 ]
(yroni works of husbandry awhile withdrawn)
In company drew nigh them ; for, the crone
Their mother, the Sicilian, who from birth
Had brought them up, their presence in the bouse
Had but now summon'd, and with watclifid zeal 625
Tlmt agtd man she tended, — by gresit length
Of years well nigh subdueil But, these, at sight
Of gi'eat^Ulysses, as their wond'riiig minds
To recognise bun strove, upon that spot
In all amazement stood, till in the words 6_jo
Of mild rebuke addressing fhem, the Chief
At length thus spake ; — " Old man ! at our repast
Sit thou and eat, and this intense surprise
Indulge no more ; for, we long time witliin
Have here been ling'ring, on the meal intent 5^5
To lay our hands ; and 't is for thee we wait."
He ended thus : — and Dolius with step
Direct towards him hasted, — both his arms
In air extending, and, Ulysses* hand
"Withhi his own compressing, on the wrist
A kiss impress'd, and thus excited spake : —
" thou beluv'd ! SincCj then, thou ai't i-etum'd.
640
Book XXIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
315
•
Ami to our eyes restor'd who long'd for thee.
But hopo bad cast aside, — the gods tliemselves
Have hither led thee ! Hail thou ! and in joy 645
Of no light gladness triumph I May the gods
All happiness confer on thee ! but, say —
That I may full assurance feel, — Doth yet
I'enelope of this thy coming know ?
Or, shall we, instantly, with all dispatch, 650
From hence informants send ? "
Ulysses thus : —
" Old man ! already is my queen aware :
Wherefore for this should'st thou take thought ? " He
ceaa'd,
And Dolius upon the shining seat
His place resum'd ; and with like words his sons 655
Ulysses gladly greeted, and his bands
Grasp 'd in their own, and to their father's side
In order then retum'd : and this repast
Was in Laertes' mansion thus enjoy'd.
And now was i-umour, like some messenger, 660
Throughout the city spreading, the dire death
And final doom proclaiming of that throng
Wliich had Penelope in marriage sought.
And they to whom tlie tidings came, from homes
In ev'ry quarter rush'd, and at the gates 665
Of prince Ulysses' bouse with wail and moan
Began to gather round, and from the court
The corses of the slain remoVd, and each
To buriiil cairieiL Tliose among the dead
Who from the cities of far distant lands 670
316 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
Had living come they to the barks consign'd
Of fishermen which each to his own home
Might o'er the waters bear. And then in groups.
With heavy hearts, the men of Ithaca
In their own Forum muster'd. Tliere arriv'd 675
And in full number met, Eupeithes rose
And speech began : for, on his mind a load
Of grief was lying, which oblivion none
Could ever know, — ^his son Antinoiis
Deploring, whom, of all the suitors first, ggo
Ulysses slew, and on whose loss, as tears
Of sorrow he shed freely, he thus spake : —
" My friends ! This man a deed of dreadful note
'Gainst Grecia's sons hath wrought : On board his fleet
So many of our host, — so gaUant, all, — 685
He took with him 1 The ships were wholly lost,
Our people in them, too : And others, now.
The very prime of CephaUenia's youth.
Hath he just slaughter'd. Come, then, — ere this man
Shall either in all haste on Pylos land 690
Or holy Elis, where th' Epeians sway.
Let us set forward ; or, in years to come
We with disgrace shall all the past recall.
And all who shall suiTive us will with shame
The tale thereof receive. If on the heads 695
Of those who have our sons and brothers slain
We shall no vengeance wreak, no joy wiU life
My heart afford : No — by a speedy death
May I 'mid those that are no more be found !
But, let us hence depart, lest they their course 700
Forthwith pursuing should before us cross.
And our designs, thus passing, overtake.
Book XXIV.] IIO^fER'S ODYSSEY.
317 ^^1
He finished speaking, as the t<^ars of giief
^H
Aiiew he shed, aud jiity at that sight
^^1
Each Grecian heart was soft'ning. But 'twas now
70s ^H
That Medon and the heav'n-inspirM bard.
^H
From sleep arisen, left the pnlace-gates,
^^1
And to the crowd di-ew niglt Their place at ouce
^^1
They in the centre took : ajid witli the gaze
^^1
Of wonder all beheld tliem. Medon, first.
710 ^H
A man of thoughts discreet, thus earnest spake : —
^H
" Hear me, awhile, ye men of Ithaca !
^^1
Not without sanction of the heav'nly will
^^1
Did prince Ulysses this great deed design :
^H
I with these eyes did an immortal god
7>5 ^H
Beside him see, — in ev'ry single point
^^1
To Mentor liken'd : and this deity
^^1
Before Ulysses at one moment stood
^H
All confidence inspiring ; then, iu turn.
^H
The suitors goaded on, till, in defeat
720 ^H
They fled on ev'ry side, and man by man
^^1
Lay low in deatli."
^^r He spoke, and pallid dread
^1
^1
On all that heard him fell. Then, Mastor's s«(ii,
^^1
Tlie agM Alitherses, who of all
^H
That there assembled stood alone coidd ken
^H
The past aiul future, with judicious mind
^^1
His thoughts revolv'd, and thus began to speak : —
^^1
" Give ear, you Ithacans ! to what my lips
^^1
Are now about to utter : The past deed
^^1
Was through your own sin perjietrate. No heed
730 ^H
Paid ye to me or Mentor, (' shepherd ' nam'd
^^1
Of all his peoitlf) when we warning gitve
J
318 HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
Your sons' insensate arrogance to check.
Who in their own blind folly had a wrong
Atrocious wrought when they the treasur'd 'wealth 735
Conspir'd to squander, and the wife to shame
Of a right noble man, who never more.
As they concetv'd, would to his own return.
Let this, then, be our course : As I suggest.
So yield ye your compliance ; and no steps 740
Aggressive take we, lest some man of you
Should a disastrous fate upon his head
By his own act draw down."
Thus argued he ;
But, with loud clamours forth they rush'd, — a mass
Of more than half the multitude : the rest 74,5
Were in the Forum left : for, favour none
Found Medon's words with those whose ready mind
Eupeithes' counsel follow'd. These in haste
To arm themselves rush'd forth, tmd when in mail
Of shining brass their limbs they had array 'd, 750
A crowd before the spacious city's wall
Their numbers form'd ; Eupeithes, at their head.
Leading them in their madness : he, himself.
Proclaiming that the murder of his son
W|8 now to be aveng'd; though to the spot 755
Whence this Advance he made, he never more
Was fated to return, but, on his head
His doom invok'd. '
To Jupiter, meanwhile.
The son of Saturn, Pallas thus appeal'd :—
" father mine ! Thou son of Saturn ! King 760
Book XXIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY. 319
Of kings supreme ! reveal to me who ask,
Wliat counsels art thou in thy secret mind
Perpending ? Would'st thou liorrid war provoke
And conflicts fearful ? or, to friendly pact
Hast thou the mind of either foe incliu'd 1 " 765
To whom the cloud-compelling Jove : — " My chQd 1
Why hast thou question ask'd hereon of me ?
Say, — hast thou not thyself this counsel planu'd.
That, to his home reator'd, Ulysses thus
Shoidd ou his foes wreak vengeance ? As thy wOl
Would have it, act ! But, how it best beseems
I here announce to thee : Since on this bond
Of suitors great Ulysses is aveng'd,
Let him, henceforth, when oaths of fealty
Shall have been duly sworn, his sway resume :
But, of slain sons and brothel's be 't our care
Oblivion to induce, that, as of old.
Each man may love his fellow ; and let wealth
And peace, henceforth, in plenteousness abound ! "
770
775
Thus speaking, he the mind, already prompt.
Of I'allas mov'd ; and from th' Olympian heights
Down rushing went she forth.
780
Btnp, now, all wish
O'er their repast to linger having ceas'd,
Ulysses thus advis'd : — " Let oue of you
Step forth without, and with observance mark
Who may approach be making."
78s
Thus spoke he ;
320 * • HOMER'S ODYSSEY. [Book XXIV.
And, with his words compliant, forth tKere %ent
A son of Dolius, who, as foot he placed
Upon the threshold, saw the hostile crowd
/'-•In dose approach advancing, and with speed 790
Ho hail'd Ulysses — "They are nigji at hand !
**. Without delay our weapons let us s^jipi"
<F Uprose Aey all ; — and in their sm<n|lf«tooiI :
Four at Ulysses' side, and the six sons
Of Dolius, and with these Laertes, too, 795
And Dolius, themselves, their arms took up,
Grey-hair'd with age, albeit, and, of need.
As fighting men accoutred ; but, when brass
That brilliant shone around them they had girt.
The gates they open'd wide, and sallied forth, — 800
Ulysses leading on : and now again •
Minerva, child of Jove, as Mentor's form
And voice she took upon her, at their side
In presence stood ; at sight of whom the heart
Of great Ulysses joy'd, and with these words, 805
In the same instant, his lov'd son he hail'd : —
" Telemachus ! now wilt thou full proof make
Of what thou art. — ^Advancing to attack —
Where battle rages, and the bravest hearts
Are soon discern'd — thou wilt upon the race 810
Of thy forefathers no dishonour cast,
WTio, ev'ry man of us the wide world through.
In might and manly prowess have surpass'd."
But, hereto, young Telemachus, in turn :
" Dear father ! If, indeed, thy wish it be — 8 1 5
Thou shalt bear witness that (the word was thine)
No shame will I upon thy race entail."
Book XXIV.] HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
331
Thus spake he, and Laertos, ovcrjoy'd,
ExclaimM aloud : — " O my lov'd Mends ! what day
Is now arriv'd ! Great happiness is this ! 820
My son, aye, and my grandson, too, would vie
Tn claiihs to merit ! "
BuTj^inerva, now.
As to the aged Chieftain ^she di-ow close.
In exhortation spake ; — " Arcesias' son I
Of all my comrades best belov'd ! — with pray'r 825
Unto the virgin with the gleaming eye
And to gi'eat Jove iipliJt, poise thou with speed
Tliat spear of thine w hich such long shadow casts,
And hurl it forth ! " She spake : — and with vast might
His frame at once endow'd ; and, when the pray'r 830
To gi'eat Jove's daughter he had offer'd up.
He pois'd, and then drew back, and then in air
Ilurl'd onward that long shafted spear whose point
Right through Eupeithes' bniss-cheek'd helmet drove
AVliich nought could that dire weapon's wound avert, 835
Through all entirely penetrant. "With the crash
Tliat mark'd his hea\-y fall, the clang of anus
Eesouuding rung. And on the foremost ranks
Of combatants Ulysses and his son
(That youtli in fame uprising) onset made 840
With swords assailant and with two-edg'd speai-s ;
And now would they have all of them laid low
And from all hope of voyage home cut off,
Had not the child of scgis-bearing Jove,
Minerva, with a voice sublime exclaim'd, 845
And thai fierce multitude to silence hush'd,
VOL. u. T
323 HOMMitS ODY^SLBX^^ [Book XXIY.
As thus she spake : — " From this xevolting sfcrife
Cease ye ! men of Ithaca ! From hence
Your forces each withdraw, that with all speed, .
But, without Further bloodshed, ye may part." 850
Thus spake the goddess, aud a panic dread
Its paleness cast o'er alL Fiyn ev'ry hand
Of that,||firighted multitude the arms
Immediate flew, and, at the voice on high
iJivinely speaking, prostrate all fell dcwn, 855
Ere to the city, trembling for their lives,
Tlie host of them retreated. Then with shout
TciTilic did Ulysses onward rush,
As, like some lofty soaring eagle rous'd.
He all his might collected, — when, behold ! 860
The son of Saturn from on high a bolt
Of thunder hurl'd which at the goddess' feet
(His blue-eyed daughter's) smould'ring fell ; and tli^n
Minerva thus to great Ulysses spake : —
" thou, who in resources infinite 865
Aboundest ! Aged Laertes' glorious son !
Ulysses ! hold thy hand, and cease this strife !
\Vliich, else, a war would wage on either foe
Tlie selfsame bane entailing — ; lest that son
Of Saturn, Jove himself, who from afar Sjo
In thund'rings loud is heard, his wrath condign
May haply make thee feel."
Thus Pallas spake,
And he, submissive hearing, at his heart
Book XXIY.J JgOMSH'S (mjSS£Y. 323
A joy exultaat felt ; a8..Pallas, now,
The daughter of tlie iegis-bearing Jove, 875
Again in Mentor's likeness, — both in form
And in his voice's tone — resemblance nice
Maintaining, seal'd the mutual pledge of Peace. 878
THE END.
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