presses this necessity? Is it belike that one of you has heard Of an approaching foe, and can declare The tidings clearly? Or would he propose And urge some other matter which concerns The public weal? A just and generous mind I deem is his, and ’tis my hope that Jove Will bring to pass the good at which he aims.”
As thus he spake Ulysses’ son rejoiced In his auspicious words, nor longer kept His seat, but, yielding to an inward force, Rose midst them all to speak, while in his hand Pisenor, the sagacious counsellor And herald, placed the sceptre. Then he turned To the old man, Aegyptius, speaking thus:—
“O aged man, not far from thee is he Who called this council, as thou soon shalt know Mine chiefly is the trouble; I have brought No news of an approaching foe, which I Was first to hear, and would declare to all, Nor urge I other matters which concern The public weal; my own necessity— The evil that has fallen on my house— Constrains me; it is twofold. First, that I Have lost an excellent father, who was king Among you, and ruled o’er you with a sway As gentle as a father’s. Greater yet Is the next evil, and will soon o’erthrow My house and waste my substance utterly. Suitors, the sons of those who, in our isle, Hold the chief rank, importunately press Round my unwilling mother. They disdain To ask her of Icarius, that the king Her father may endow her, and bestow His daughter on the man who best may gain His favor, but with every day they come Into our palace, sacrificing here Oxen and sheep and fatling goats, and hold High festival, and drink the purple wine Unstinted, with unbounded waste; for here Is no man like Ulysses to repel The mischief from my house. Not such are we As he was, to resist the wrong. We pass For weaklings, immature in valor, yet If I had but the power, assuredly I would resist, for by these men are done Insufferable things, nor does my house Perish with honor. Ye yourselves should feel Shame at these doings; ye should dread reproach From those who dwell around us, and should fear The offended gods, lest they repay these crimes With