Again Ulysses, the great sufferer, spake: “Then will I tell thee; listen, and give heed. Think whether Pallas and her father, Jove, Suffice not for us. Need we more allies?”
And then discreet Telemachus rejoined: “Assuredly the twain whom thou hast named Are mighty as allies; for though they sit On high among the clouds, they yet bear rule Both o’er mankind and o’er the living gods.”
Once more Ulysses, the great sufferer, spake: “Not long will they avoid the fierce affray When in my halls the strength of war is tried Between me and the suitor crew. Now go With early morning to thy home, and there Mingle among the suitors. As for me, The swineherd afterward shall lead me hence To town, a wretched beggar seemingly, And very old. If there they scoff at me In mine own palace, let thy faithful heart Endure it, though I suffer; though they seize My feet, and by them drag me to the door, Or strike at me with weapon-blades, look on And bear it; yet reprove with gentle words Their folly. They will never heed reproof; The day of their destruction is at hand. And this I tell thee further, and be sure To keep my words in memory. As soon As Pallas, goddess of wise counsel, gives The warning, I shall nod to thee, and thou, When thou perceivest it, remove at once All weapons from my halls to a recess High in an upper chamber. With soft words Quiet the suitors when they ask thee why. Say, ‘I would take them where there comes no smoke, Since now they seem no longer like to those Left by Ulysses when he sailed for Troy, But soiled and tarnished by the breath of fire. This graver reason, also, Saturn’s son Hath forced upon my mind—that ye by chance, When full of wine and quarrelling, may wound Each other, and disgrace the feast, and bring Shame on your wooing; for the sight of steel Draws men to bloodshed.’ Say but this, and leave Two swords for us, two spears, two oxhide shields, Against the day of combat. Pallas then, And Jove the All-disposer, will unman Their hearts. Moreover, let me say to thee— And keep my words in memory—if thou be My son, and of my blood, let no