All this is over now, yet must I say My calling has been prospered by the gods. From this I have the means to eat and drink, And wherewithal to feast a worthy guest; But from the queen I never have a word Or deed of kindness, since that evil came Upon her house—that crew of lawless men. Greatly the servants would rejoice to speak Before their mistress, and inquire her will, And eat and drink, and carry to their homes Some gift, for gifts delight a servant’s heart.”
Again Ulysses, the sagacious, spake:
“Swineherd Eumaeus, thou, while yet a child, Wert doubtless strangely tossed about the world, Far from thy kindred and thy native land. Now tell me, was the spacious town wherein Thy father and thy mother dwelt laid waste? Or wert thou left among the flocks and herds Untended, and borne off by hostile men, Who came in ships and sold thee to the lord Of these possessions for a worthy price?”
And then the master swineherd spake again: “Since thou dost ask me, stranger, hear my words In silence; sit at ease and drink thy wine. These nights are very long; there’s time enough For sleep, and time to entertain ourselves With talk. It is not fitting to lie down Ere the due hour arrive, and too much sleep Is hurtful. Whosoever here shall feel The strong desire, let him withdraw and sleep, And rise with early morn and break his fast, And tend my master’s swine. Let us remain Within, and drink and feast, and pass the time Gayly, relating what we have endured, Each one of us; for in the after time One who has suffered much and wandered far May take a pleasure even in his griefs.
“But let me tell what thou hast asked of me: > Beyond Ortygia lies an island named Syria; thou must have heard of it. The sun Above it turns his course. It is not large, But fruitful, fit for pasturage, and rich In flocks, abounding both in wine and