Telemachus, the prudent, thus rejoined:— “Wilt thou be angry at the word I speak, Antinoüs? I would willingly accept The kingly station if conferred by Jove. Dost thou indeed regard it as the worst Of all conditions of mankind? Not so For him who reigns; his house grows opulent, And he the more is honored. Many kings Within the bounds of seagirt Ithaca There are, both young and old, let anyone Bear rule, since great Ulysses is no more; But I will be the lord of mine own house, And o’er my servants whom the godlike chief, Ulysses, brought from war, his share of spoil.”
Eurymachus, the son of Polybus, Addressed the youth in turn: “Assuredly, What man hereafter, of the Achaian race, Shall bear the rule o’er seagirt Ithaca Rests with the gods. But thou shalt keep thy wealth, And may no son of violence come to make A spoil of thy possessions while men dwell In Ithaca. And now, my friend, I ask Who was thy guest; whence came he, of what land Claims he to be, where do his kindred dwell, And where his patrimonial acres lie? With tidings of thy father’s near return Came he, or to receive a debt? How swift Was his departure, waiting not for us To know him! yet in aspect and in air He seemed to be no man of vulgar note.”
Telemachus, the prudent, answered thus:— “My father’s coming, O Eurymachus, Is to be hoped no more; nor can I trust Tidings from whatsoever part they come, Nor pay regard to oracles, although My mother send to bring a soothsayer Within the palace, and inquire of him. But this man was my father’s guest; he comes From Taphos; Mentes is his name, a son Of the brave chief Anchialus; he reigns Over the Taphians, men who love the sea.”
He spake, but in his secret heart he knew The immortal goddess. Then the suitors turned, Delighted, to the dance and cheerful song, And waited for the evening. On their sports The evening with its shadowy blackness came; Then each to his own home withdrew to sleep, While to