shrubs, with all our armor on. ’Twas an inclement night, and the north-wind Blew bitter chill, the cold snow fell and lay White like hoar frost; ice gathered on our shields. The rest had cloaks and tunics, and they slept At ease, their shoulders covered with their shields. I only, when I joined the squadron, left My cloak unwisely, for I had not thought Of such fierce cold. I went but with my shield And my embroidered girdle. When the night Was in its later watches, and the stars Were turning toward their set, I thus bespake Ulysses near me, thrusting in his side My elbow, and he listened readily:—
“ ‘Son of Laertes, nobly born and wise! Ulysses, I shall not be long among The living; for I perish with the cold. I have no cloak; some god misled my thought, So that I brought one garment and no more, And now I see there is no help for me.’
“I spake, and instantly his mind conceived This stratagem—such was his readiness In council and in battle—and he said To me in a low voice: ‘Be silent now, And let no others of the Achaians hear!’ And leaning on his elbow thus he spake:—
“ ‘Hear me, my friends: a dream has come from heaven Into my sleep. Far from our ships we lie; And now let someone haste to bear from us This word to Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, The shepherd of the people, that he send More warriors to this ambush from the fleet.’
“He spake, and Thoas instantly arose— Andraemon’s son—and threw his purple cloak Aside, and hastened toward the fleet. I took Gladly the garment he had left, and lay Till Morning in her golden chariot came.
And now I would that I were young again, And in the vigor of my prime, for then Someone among the swineherds in the stalls Would find, I think, a cloak for me, through love And reverence of such a man; but now They hold me in slight favor, dressed in rags.”
And thus, Eumaeus, thou didst make reply: