hardships been, To take the meal before me. Naught exceeds The impatient stomach’s importunity When even the afflicted and the sorrowful Are forced to heed its call. So even now, Midst all the sorrow that is in my heart, It bids me eat and drink, and put aside The thought of my misfortunes till itself Be satiate. But, ye princes, with the dawn Provide for me, in my calamity, The means to reach again my native land. For, after all my hardships, I would die Willingly, could I look on my estates, My servants, and my lofty halls once more.”
He ended; they approved his words, and bade Set forward on his homeward way the guest Who spake so wisely. When they all had made Libations and had drunk, they each withdrew To sleep at home, and left the noble chief Ulysses in the palace, where with him Aretè and her godlike husband sat, While from the feast the maidens bore away The chargers. The white-armed Aretè then Began to speak; for when she cast her eyes On the fair garments which Ulysses wore, She knew the mantle and the tunic well, Wrought by herself and her attendant maids, And thus with winged words bespake the chief:—