He spake and led the way, and in his steps Pallas Athenè followed.
Entering then The lofty halls, he set the spear upright By a tall column, in the armory With polished walls, where rested many a lance Of the large-souled Ulysses.
Then he placed His guest upon a throne, o’er which he spread A covering many-hued and beautiful, And gave her feet a footstool.
Near to her He drew his parti-colored seat, aloof From where the suitors sat; that so his guest Might not amid those haughty revellers Be wearied with the tumult and enjoy His meal the less, and that himself might ask News of his absent father.
In a bowl Of silver, from a shapely ewer of gold, A maid poured water for the hands, and set A polished table near them.
Then approached A venerable matron bringing bread And delicacies gathered from the board; And he who served the feast before them placed Chargers with various meats, and cups of gold; While round the board a herald moved, and poured Wine for the guests.
The haughty suitors now Came in, and took their places on the thrones And couches; heralds poured upon their hands The water; maidens heaped the canisters With bread, and all put forth their hands to share The banquet on the board, while to the brim Boys filled the beakers.
When the calls of thirst And hunger were appeased, the suitors thought Of other things that well become a feast— Song and the dance. And then a herald brought A shapely harp, and gave it to the hands Of Phemius, who had only by constraint Sung to the suitors. On the chords he struck A prelude to his lay, while, as he played, Telemachus, that others might not hear, Leaned forward, and to blue-eyed Pallas spake:—