ODYSSEY BOOK XVI
NOW in the hut was Odysseus again with the good old swineherd
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Making him ready a breakfast at dawn on the fire they had kindled,
After the herdsmen had started with droves of the pigs to the pastures.
Telemachus then approached; and the dogs from their barking incessant
Ceased as they fawned on their master, & godlike Odysseus perceived them
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Fawning in joy—and a sound as of footsteps approaching resounded.
Quickly he turned to the swineherd, and swift-winged words he addressed him :
"Surely, methinks, Eumaeus, a comrade of thine, or acquaintance,
Soon will be here, for the dogs have suddenly ceased from their barking,
Ay and they fawn in delight; and I notice a noise as of footsteps."
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All these words not yet had he uttered when, lo, in the doorway
Stood his beloved his son! Up leapt in amazement the swineherd,
Out of his hands down-dropping the vessels with which he was busied
Mixing the glittering wine, and to welcome his master he hastened,
Kissed him on both of his cheeks, on his beautiful eyes and his forehead,
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Kissed him on both of his hands, while big tears fell from his eyelids.
Just as a father who welcomes his son with a tender affection,
One that was absent for ten long years in a distant country,
Even his darling, his only begotten, whom much he hath grieved for,
Thus to the godlike Telemachus did the good old swineherd
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Cling, and he kissed him and kissed him, as one that had 'scaped from destruction,
While with a pitiful cry these swift-winged words he addressed him :
“Telemachus, sweet light of my eyes, thou art come! and I thought not
E'er to behold thee again when I knew thee departed for Pylos!
Enter, my child, my belov'd, come, enter! I long to rejoice me
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Seeing thee here in my home just safely arrived from a far land.
Seldom it haps that thou comest to visit thy farm and thy herdsmen;
Ever thou bidest at home, and thou seemest to find it a pleasure
There to remain and to gaze at the ravening horde of the suitors."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :
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"Well, I will do as thou biddest me, dad; 'tis for this I am come here,
Even to see thee and learn all news thou art able to give me,
Whether my mother is still at the palace, or whether already
One of the wooers has won her to wife, and the bed of Odysseus
Stript of its bedding is lying befouled, all covered with cobwebs."
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Forthwith answering spake Eumaeus master of swineherds :
"Ay, assuredly, still with a steadfast heart she abideth
There in the halls of the palace; and filled with the gloom of her sorrow
Waneth the day and waneth the night, while ever she weepeth."
These words spoken, the spear bronze-bladed he took from his master.
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Then stept over the threshold of stone and entered the cottage
Telemachus; and his father Odysseus, who saw him approaching,
Rose to vacate him his seat; but the youth restrained and addressed him:
"Seated remain, O stranger! A seat no doubt I shall find me
Somewhere else in my farm—and here is the man to provide it!"
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Thus did he speak, and Odysseus again sat down, and the swineherd
Strewed for a seat green branches and covered them o'er with a sheepskin;
Here forthwith did the well-loved son of Odysseus recline him,
While that the trenchers of meat were set by the swineherd before them,
Even the rest of the roast that was left of the evening supper;
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Bread moreover he busily hasted to pile in the baskets,
Wine too, sweet as the honey, he mixed in a mazer of ivy;
Then did he sit him adown in the front of the godlike Odysseus.
So they extended their hands to the food that was lying before them,
Till, when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup,
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Then spake Telemachus addressing the good old swineherd :
"Dad, whence cometh the stranger, thy guest? how haps it that sailors
Brought him to Ithacan land? what folk did they boast to belong to?
Seeing, methinks, it was never on foot that he hither has journeyed."
Him then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:
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"Well, now listen, my son, for the whole of the truth I will tell thee.
First, he avows that his home is the widespread island of Creta.
Then he affirms he has strayed through many a city of mortals
Ceaselessly drifting about: such fate did a deity spin him.
Lastly, escaped from a ship in the which Thesprotian sea-folk
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Held him as slave, he arrived at the farm—and to thee I consign him.
Deal with him just as thou willst. As a suppliant, lo, he entreats thee."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :
"Ah, Eumaeus, in sooth 'tis a grievous word thou hast spoken.
How can I hope to receive this stranger as guest in my homestead?
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Lo—for myself—I am still but a youth, nor as yet can I trust me
Unto the strength of my hands, should any assail me in anger,
While for my mother—her heart is divided asunder with doubtings
Whether with me to remain and attend to the needs of the household,
Honouring duly the bed of her lord and the voice of the people;
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Or is she meaning to follow as bride some Ithacan chieftain,
Best of the suitors that woo her—whose offer of gifts is the largest?
Touching the stranger—as now he is come to thy home, I shall give him
Beautiful raiment to clothe him withal, both mantle and tunic;
Also a two-edged sword will I give, and provide him with sandals,
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Ay and will send him wherever his heart and his spirit shall call thee.
Else, if thou wishest to keep him thyself as a guest at the farmstead,
Clothes will I send for him hither and plentiful store of provisions,
Eatables—lest the expense bring ruin on thee and thy fellows.
Thither to go—to the suitors—I certainly ne'er will permit him,
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Seeing in truth these men are mightily wanton and cruel,
Lest they insult him—a thing that to me were terribly grievous, —
Ay, they can injure him too—for the one midst many opponents,
Though right sturdy he seems, were quickly o'ermaxtered by numbers."
Him then in answer addressed long-suffering godlike Odysseus:
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"Friend—for I trow I possess thy permission to offer an answer—
Truly the heart in my bosom is wounded to hear thee recounting
All of the wanton and insolent deeds by the suitors committed
There in the halls of thy home, in despite of thyself and thy manhood.
Say, is it really thy will to submit ? or else do the people
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Hold thee perhaps in abhorrence, induced by a warning from heaven?
Lay'st thou the fault on thy brothers—on whom to support him in fighting
Trusteth a man, how grievous soever the feud that ariseth ?
Would that I too were young and with suchlike feelings affected,
Either the son of Odysseus the peerless, or even Odysseus
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Come from his wanderings back (since ever to hope is permitted);
Then might even an alien churl cut the head from my shoulders
Were I to fail me in proving a bane to the whole of that rabble,
Going at once to the halls of the son of Laertes, Odysseus.
Should however their numbers, alone as I stand, overwhelm me,
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Verily willing I were far rather to fall in my homestead,
Ay and to die, than for ever to see such shameful procedure,
Guests disgracefully treated, and servant-maids of the household
Haled by the men thro' the halls of my beautiful home to dishonour;
Wine too wastefully drawn, and the fellows feasting and feasting
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Recklessly—all for an end that is vain and shall ne'er be accomplished."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:
"Well, O stranger, the truth will I tell thee and plainly declare it :
Neither the whole of the people at all disliketh or hates me,
Nor is the fault in my brothers—on whom to support him in fighting
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Trusteth a man, how grievous soever the feud that ariseth,
Since that Cronion hath doomed our race in its heirs to be single.
Sole was the son that was born to Arceisius, even Laertes;
Sole was the son of Laertes, Odysseus my father, who left me
Sole in his palace as heir, nor ever had joy of his offspring;
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Hence it is come that by foes unnumbered is holden my homestead.
All of the foremost men who as chieftains rule in the islands,
Samos and Dulichium and the woodland heights of Zacynthus,
Ay and as many as well as in rockbound Ithaca lord it,
All come wooing my mother and wasting the wealth of the household.
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She meanwhile dares neither reject their hateful proposals
Nor can she end it; and thus do the men, consuming, devouring,
Ruin my home; me too they will soon o'erwhelm in its ruin.
Nay but we know not the truth; on the knees of the gods it is lying!
Dad, come haste thee away, and to wise-souled Penelopeia
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Say she hath gotten me safely returned from the journey to Pylos.
Here I shall stay. Come hither as soon as the message is given.
Only to her shalt thou give it. Let none of the other Achaeans
Know of it, since full many a man plots evil against me."
Him then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:
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"Ay but I know it, I know it, and well understand what thou biddest !
Yet come, tell me a thing that I ask thee and plainly declare it!
While on the road shall I take to Laertes also a message ?
Ever till now hath the poor old man, though mourning Odysseus,
Seen to the work of the fields, and together with thralls in the farmstead
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Ever hath eaten and drunk when the heart in his bosom enjoined him.
Since however the day thou didst sail in the vessel for Pylos
Never, they say, hath he eaten or drunken again as aforetime,
Nor hath he seen to the work of the fields, but with wailing and moaning
Sitteth and mourns, and the flesh on his bones is for ever decreasing."
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Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:
"Yea, it is sad; but I leave him alone, though truly it grieves me.
Were all things to depend somehow on the ruling of mortals,
First would both of us choose for my father to come to the homeland.
Nay—now, after thy message, return—nor away to the country
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Wander in quest of Laertes, but speak to my mother and bid her
Send her attendant as quickly as e'er she is able, the house-dame,
Secretly; she is the one should carry the news to the grandsire."
PATTEN WILSON.
TELEMACHUS RECOGNIZES HIS FATHER
Hearing the message, the swineherd aroused him and, taking his sandals,
Fastened them under his feet, and he went to the town; but Athene
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Failed not to note, as he came from the farm, Eumaeus the swineherd.
Nigh she approached, and in form she had likened herself to a woman
Beautiful, stately of person, and skilful in exquisite handwork.
Right in the door of the cottage she stood and appeared to Odysseus;
Neither by Telemachus was she seen, though standing before him
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(Nowise to all do immortals reveal them in visible presence);
Only Odysseus perceived her, and also the dogs; but they barked not;
Whining they slunk them away to the end of the cottage and cowered.
Then did she nod to him, moving her brows; and the godlike Odysseus
Noting it went from the cottage and passing the wall of the farmyard
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Halted before her; and thus did the goddess Athena address him :
"Zeus-born son of Laertes, thou wise and wileful Odysseus,
Now is the moment to speak to thy son and reveal him thy story;
So shall ye forge you a plot for the doom and the death of the suitors.
Then to the far-famed city descend; nor fear ye that I too
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Long shall delay to be nigh you—so fiercely I yearn for the combat."
Spake, and her golden wand she extended, and lo, as it touched him,
Firstly a fair fresh mantle around him was cast, and a doublet
Covered his breast, and renewed was his body in stature and manhood;
Dark once more was the tint of his skin, and in face he was fuller;
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Blue-black bristled the beard once more on his chin as aforetime.
This when the goddess had wrought she departed again, and Odysseus
Back to the cottage returned; and his well-loved son with amazement
Stared—and averted his eyes in his dread to behold an immortal.
Then did he open his lips and with swift-winged words he addressed him :
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"Wholly another a moment agone, O stranger, thou seemedst.
Other the clothes thou art wearing and other is also thy person;
Sure thou art one of the gods who inhabit the infinite heaven.
Nay then, grant us thy grace! We will offer thee grateful oblations—
Vessels of gold, well wrought, will we give. Have mercy and spare us!"
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Him then in answer addressed long-suffering godlike Odysseus :
"Sooth, I am none of the gods. Why deemst thou me like an immortal?
Nay, I am nought but thy father—the father for whom thou lamentest,
Suffering many a woe and many an insult enduring."
These words uttered, his son he embraced, and he kissed him, and teardrops
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Fell from his cheek to the earth. (Till now he had ever restrained them.)
Telemachus natheless, still doubting the man was his father,
Once more opened his lips, and in answer he spake to him saying:
"No, thou art never Odysseus my sire, but a spirit from heaven
Come to beguile me, that ever the more I shall mourn in my sorrow.
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Ne'er might wonders as these be devised by the wit of a mortal,
Never at least by himself; but a god that was present to aid him
Easily, just as he willed, might make one youthful or agéd.
'Twas but a moment agone thou wast old and in pitiful raiment;
Now thou art like to the gods who inhabit the infinite heaven."
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Him then in answer addressed these words deep-plotting Odysseus:
"Telemachus, no need to be filled with exceeding amazement
Only for this that thy father is here once more in his homestead.
Ne'er will another Odysseus return but the man that thou seest here,
Even myself, as I am. Long, long have I suffered and wandered;
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Now in the twentieth year I am come to the land of my fathers.
Touching this marvel, Athena the driver of spoil hath performed it,
Making me such as she pleased (to the gods are possible all things),
Changing me now to a beggar in semblance—a moment thereafter
Turning me into a youth that is clad in a beautiful garment.
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Easy is all for the gods who inhabit the infinite heaven,
Either to grant to a man great glory or else to abase him."
These words spoken, he sat him adown. Then bursting in tears fell
Telemachus on the neck of his valiant father and kissed him.
Now in the bosoms of both was a longing awakened for wailing;
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Loudly they cried; more ceaseless the cry than of birds that bewail them,
Ospreys or crook-claw'd vultures lamenting the loss of their younglings
Robbed from the nest by a churl ere yet they had gotten their feathers;
So incessantly fell from their eyelids the pitiful teardrops;
Yea and the light of the sun were set on the long lamentation
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Had not the youth of a sudden exclaimed, addressing his father:
"What was the vessel and what was the crew, dear father, that brought thee
Unto the Ithacan isle? What folk do they boast to belong to?
Seeing, methinks, it was never on foot that thou hither hast journeyed."
Him then in answer addressed long-suffering godlike Odysseus:
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"Well now, listen, my son for the whole of the truth I will tell thee :
Here was I brought by the famed Phaeacian seamen, who ofttimes
Homeward safely escort some wandering wight who arrives there.
While I was lying asleep on the swift-winged vessel they bore me
Over the ocean, and set me on Ithaca; glorious presents
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Also they gave me of bronze and of gold and of woven apparel.
These by the grace of the gods are safely bestowed in a cavern.
Now am I hither arrived by the hest and the help of Athene,
So that we two may plan for the slaying of foes that molest us.
Come now, tell me the tale of the suitors! recount me the number!
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So shall I learn how many and who be the men to be dealt with,
Ay and shall counsel me well with the valiant spirit within me,
Pondering whether we twain shall be able alone to oppose them
Sole and unaided, or needs must seek for the succour of others."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:
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"Father, it's true that I ever was told of thy wonderful prowess,
Told of thy might in the battle as well as thy wisdom in counsel ;
Still—too bold is thy speech. Dread holdeth me. Never, believe me,
Two could hope to contend with so many and valiant foemen.
Nor is it merely a ten, or a double of ten, that they number;
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Greater by far is the tale; thou shalt learn it at once; I will count them.
Hailing from Dulichium, of the choicest youths of the island,
Fifty and two, and they bring in their train six pages to serve them.
Then from the island of Samos a couple of dozen of chieftains;
Also a score at the least of Achaean youths from Zacynthus;
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Lastly, of Ithacan nobles a dozen—the pick of the princes.
Medon the herald is present with these, and an exquisite singer,
Also a couple of carles right skilful in carving at banquets.
Thus, if the whole of the number we find in the palace collected,
Bitter and baleful I fear might prove the attempt to avenge thee.
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Nay but reflect if perchance thou art able to find us a helper;
Think if thou knowest of one that is heartily willing to aid us."
Him then in answer addressed long-suffering godlike Odysseus:
"Well, I will tell thee the truth. Attentively listen and mark me!
Think now! Gained we the help of Athena and also her Father,
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Were it sufficient? or need I to think of another to aid us?"
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:
"Truly redoubtable helpers I hold them—the two that thou namest.
Yea, and although far off in the clouds they are sitting, they also
Rule all things on the earth—not only among the immortals."
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Him then in answer addressed long-suffering godlike Odysseus:
"Verily no long time shalt thou find these twain to absent them
Far from the din of the battle, as soon as the suitors and we two
Put to the test in the halls of my palace the fury of Ares.
Well now, thus let us act: so soon as the morning appeareth
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Thou shalt return and consort thee again with the insolent suitors.
Me then, after a while, shall the swineherd lead to the city
Likened again to a poor old beggar of pitiful aspect.
Should they dishonour me, there in my home, let the heart in thy bosom
Calmly endure it, although right cruel the treatment I suffer;
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E'en if they drag me along by the feet to the gate of the palace,
Yea and attack me with missiles—be calm and behold it in silence!
Natheless, speak an thou wilt, and advise them to cease from their folly !
Urge and enjoin them with gentle entreaty! But ne'er, I assure thee,
Ne'er will they listen; for truly the day of their doom is upon them.
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Also a thing will I say, which carefully mark and remember :
Should in her wisdom the goddess Athena remind and exhort me,
Then with a nod I shall give thee a sign; and as soon as thou not'st it,
All of the weapons of war we possess in the palace collecting
Stow them away in the lofty recess of the room of the treasure,
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Every one and with words of persuasion addressing the suitors
Try to cajole them, if missing the arms they shall ply thee with questions.
Say: 'I've stowed them because of the smoke. They resemble no longer
Those once left by Odysseus behind him when sailing for Troyland;
Ruined is all by the breath of the fire, whereer it has reached them.
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Also a reason was put in my mind by the Father Cronion,
Even the fear lest heated with wine and beginning to quarrel
One on the other ye fall and with blood bring shame on your feastings,
Ay and your wooings; for iron itself attracteth to bloodshed.'
Only remember for us to retain two lances and broadswords,
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Also a couple of targets of oxhide, ready to handle,
So we can rush and possess us thereof; then unto their ruin
Pallas Athena the goddess and counsellor Zeus will entice them.
Further, a thing will I say, which carefully mark and remember :
Art thou indeed of the blood of my fathers and truly my offspring,
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See to it nobody learn that Odysseus is here in his homestead;
Neither Laertes himself may know of it, neither the swineherd;
None of the thralls of the palace, nor Penelopeia thy mother.
Only shall I and thyself the fidelity test of the women,
Ay and of some of the thralls make trial, to gain us assurance
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Whether of all still any remaineth that fears and respects us,
Which too payeth thee neither regard nor esteems thee as master."
Him straightway then in answer addressed his illustrious offspring:
"Father, methinks, right soon of the spirit that dwelleth within me
Proof thou shalt have. Not at all light-minded frivolity guides me.
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Yea, but I deem thy intent would nowise bring an advantage
Either to thee or to me; and I urge thee to give it reflexion.
Time thou wilt spend and in vain thus testing the thralls on the farm-lands
Wandering round; meanwhile these insolent fellows securely
All our wealth in the palace devour, and the waste is unending.
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Still I exhort thee to gain us assurance concerning the women,
Which of them honour thee not and which are guiltless among them.
Going around to the steadings and testing the men I am truly
Loth to advise. 'Twere easy to manage the matter hereafter,
Art thou assured of a pledge from the Father that beareth the aegis."
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While these twain held converse together the one with the other
Nearing the Ithacan port was the well-built vessel that erstwhile
Safely from Pylos had brought prince Telemachus and his comrades.
These, when at last they arrived at the deep expanse of the harbour,
High on the sands uphauling the black-hulled vessel they left her,
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While that the tackle was borne by a band of courageous attendants.
Quickly to Clytius' mansion they carried the beautiful presents;
Then despatching a herald at once to the house of Odysseus
Bade him to carry the message to wise-souled Penelopeia
Telemachus had arrived at the farm and had bidden the vessel
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Keep on her course to the town, that the high-souled lady his mother
Now might rest from her fears and the shedding incessant of teardrops.
These twain lighted the one on the other—the herald and swineherd—
Both of them seeking the queen, with the selfsame news to impart her.
So, when at last they arrived at the house of the glorious chieftain,
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First in the midst of the maiden attendants addressed her the herald :
"Lady, I bring thee a message: thy son is arrived, thy beloved."
Then came forward the swineherd and standing anigh her reported
All of the message her son, her belovéd, had bidden him give her;
Till, when at last he had ended the message enjoined by his master,
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Leaving the palace and garths, once more to his swine he betook him.
Now on the soul of the suitors astonishment fell and confusion.
Out of the hall of the palace they passed by the wall of the courtyard.
There on the benches they sat them adown in the front of the gateway.
Eurymachus then began, prince Polybus' son, to address them :
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"Comrades, truly a fine and an impudent deed hath accomplished
Telemachus with this voyage we thought he'd never accomplish.
Come, let us launch us a good black vessel, the best of the galleys,
Ship then as rowers aboard of it seamen, who quickly as may be
Word to the others shall carry at once to return to the city."
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Not yet all he had uttered when, turning his head as he sat there,
Amphinomus was aware of the ship in the bay of the harbour
Lowering sail, and the oarage at rest in the hands of the rowers.
So with a lightsome laughter he spake in the midst of his comrades:
"Hurry is none for a message—Behold! they are here in the harbour.
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Either a deity told them or else peradventure they sighted,
While she was passing, the vessel, but were not able to catch her."
Thus did he speak, and arising they went to the shore of the ocean.
Speedily here uphauling the black-hulled vessel they beached her,
While that the tackle was borne by a band of courageous attendants.
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Thence in a body they fared to the place of assembly, and no one
Either of youths or of elders besides they permitted to enter.
Then rose Antinoüs, Eupeithes' son, to address them:
"Lo now! surely immortals delivered this fellow from evil !
Sentinels sat all day on the wind-swept height of a headland,
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Many and watching in turn, and at even, when set was the sunlight,
Ne'er did we lay us to sleep on the shore, but afloat on the ocean
Cruised in the swift-winged ship and awaited the sacred morning,
Lying in wait for this fellow himself, to entrap and destroy him,
Telemachus—whom a god meanwhile led homeward in safety.
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Come now, straight let us plan some violent death for this fellow
Telemachus, nor again let him give us the slip—for I warrant
Never as long as the lad is alive shall we settle this matter
Since he is clever himself, with a wit right ready at plotting,
Nor do the people regard us with favour at all as aforetime.
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Come, let us do it before he has called the Achaeans together
Unto a meeting; for ne'er will he slacken his efforts, I warrant;
Nay he will wax in his wrath, and will rise in the council and tell them
How that we wove for his sudden destruction but failed to ensnare him.
Scarce will the people approve when they hear of the shameful proceedings;
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Rather, I fear, they will bring some evil upon us and chase us
Forth from this country of ours to the land of a nation of strangers.
Come, let us hasten to seize him, afar from the town on the farm-lands,
Or on the road. Let us keep for ourselves his estate and his chattels,
Parting them fairly amongst us, but leaving the right to the homestead
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Unto his mother and unto the man who shall win her in marriage.
Should however the word I have spoken displease you, and should ye
Wish him to live and be master of all his paternal possessions,
Then no more let us eat of the pleasant stores of his substance,
Gathering hither to feast; let us each one out of his homestead
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Try with his presents to woo her as wife; and at last she will marry
Him that shall offer the most and is destined by heaven to win her."
So did he speak; but they all sat utterly silent and speechless,
Till prince Amphinomus made answer, and thus he addressed them
(Famed was the prince, and his sire was the son of Aretias, Nisus;
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Leading the suitors he came from the island of pasture and corn-land
Dulichium, and in speech he was pleasing to Penelopeia
Most of them all; for in truth he was gifted with good understanding:)
So with a kindly intent he arose and began to address them:
"Never to speak for myself, O friends—can I wish you to murder
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Telemachus. 'Tis a deed right dreadful to murder a person
Royal of race. Nay, first let us ask for the counsel of heaven.
Should the oracular answers of Zeus the Almighty approve it,
Then will I kill him myself, or will urge all others to do so.
Should the immortals oppose it, I bid you to cease from the project."
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Thus spake Amphinomus, and his words found favour among them.
So forthwith they arose and they went to the house of Odysseus.
Entering here in the hall on the polished seats they reclined them.
Now did a new thought come to the wise-souled Penelopeia,
Even to stand in the sight of the lawless and insolent suitors,
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Since she had heard of the death of her son that was planned in the palace
(Medon the herald informed her, who oft to the plottings had listened).
So to the banqueting-hall she betook her amidst of her maidens,
Till, when at last she had come to the suitors, that fairest of women
Stood by the post of the door of the massively builded apartment
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Holding in front of her cheeks soft folds of her glistering head-dress;
Then she addressed her to Antinous and reproached and rebuked him:
"Antinous, outrageous deviser of evil! They call thee
Here in the Ithacan people of all of thy fellows the foremost
Both as a speaker and also as counsellor. Such thou wast never.
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Madman! Wherefore art weaving for Telemachus his destruction,
Weaving his death, and regardest not suppliants having to help them
Zeus as a witness? A terrible deed is to murder a comrade.
Hast thou forgotten the time when thy sire fled hither for safety
Fearing the people? for truly exceedingly great was their anger,
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Since he had followed a band of the Taphian pirates and with them
Harried Thesprotian folk, the allies of the Ithacan nation;
So they had vowed to destroy him—to tear him the heart from the body—
Ay and to eat his estate—his abundant and splendid possessions.
Then did Odysseus restrain them and curb them in spite of their fury;
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Whose house now thou consum'st with impunity, wooing his consort,
Slaying his son, and bringing on me an unspeakable sorrow.
Nay but I bid thee to cease and to order the others to cease too.”
Forthwith Eurymachus, prince Polybus' son, gave answer :
"Daughter of Icarius, O wise-souled Penelopeia,
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Cease from thy fears, and let nought of this matter disquiet thy spirit.
Nowhere liveth a man nor shall ever be born to existence
Such as to raise 'gainst Telemachus thy beloved a finger
While on the earth I am living at least and beholding the sunlight.
This will I venture to say, and it surely will find a fulfilment :
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Soon with the dark red blood of the man were dripping a spear-blade,
Even my own; for of old did Odysseus, the sacker of cities,
Taking me oft on his knees from the roast some savoury morsel
Set in my hands, and he held to my lips red wine in a goblet.
Therefore is Telemachus most dear to me—even of all men
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Dearest; nor needeth he fear, I assure him, that death shall assail him—
Not from the suitors at least: none 'scapes when it cometh from heaven."
Thus did he comforting speak, but at heart he was plotting to slay him.
Then she ascended again to her glistering upper apartment;
Here she lamented Odysseus her lord, her belovéd, till softly
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Slumber delicious was poured on her eyes by the goddess Athene.
Now in the even to Telemachus and Odysseus the swineherd
Came; and he found them, the one and the other, preparing the supper
After a pig had been slaughtered, a yearling. (Already Athene,
Once more drawing anigh to Odysseus the son of Laertes,
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Back with a stroke of her wand to an aged beggar had changed him,
Also had clad him in sorry apparel, for fear that the swineherd
Seeing him there might know him and tell wise Penelopeia,
Hasting to take her the news, nor keep it concealed in his bosom.)
First spake Telemachus to the swineherd, and thus he addressed him :
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"So thou art back, good friend! Come, tell us the news of the city!
Are they already arrived, those lordly and arrogant suitors,
Back from the ambush, or still do they watch for my homeward returning?"
Him then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd :
"Nay but I cared not at all such tidings to seek and to ask for
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Lounging about in the town; for the spirit within me was urgent,
After my message was done, to depart right speedily homeward.
Also I happened to meet with the messenger swift of thy comrades,
Even thy herald, and he first told to thy mother the tidings.
One thing more however I know—with my eyes I beheld it.
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Just as I reached in my faring the hill that is sacred to Hermes,
Over the city, I sighted a swift-winged ship that was steering
Into the Ithacan harbour with men right many aboard her ;
Filled was the vessel with shields and it bristled with numberless spear-points.
These were (so I imagined) the suitors; but truly I know not."
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Thus did he speak, while smiling the stalwart son of Odysseus
Looked in the eyes of his father, avoiding the gaze of the swineherd.
Now when at last they had finished their work and the supper was ready,
Fell they a-feasting and sated their souls with the banquet abundant,
Till, when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup,
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Then they bethought them of rest and accepted the blessing of slumber.
“Minerva Restoring Ulysses to his Own Shape” (1805). John Flaxman (English, 1755–1826). Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996.