Return of Ulysses to His Palace
Meeting of Telemachus and Penelope, Ulysses conducted by Eumaeus to the palace, where he is known by the dog Argus, who dies on seeing him—Entrance of Ulysses among the suitors—Assault made by Antinoüs upon Ulysses—Ulysses sent for by Penelope.
Now when the rosy-fingered Morn looked forth— The daughter of the Dawn—Telemachus, The dear son of the great Ulysses, bound The shapely sandals underneath his feet, And took the massive spear that fitted well His grasp, and, as he stood in act to go Up to the town, bespake the swineherd thus:—
“Father, I hasten to the town, that there My mother may behold me; for I think She will not cease to grieve, and fear, and weep, Till her eyes rest on me. I leave with thee The charge of leading our unfortunate guest Into the city, there to beg his bread. Whoever will may give him food and drink. All men I cannot feed, and I have cares Enough already. If he chafe at this, The worse for him. I like to speak my mind.”
And thus Ulysses, the sagacious, spake: “Nor do I wish, my friend, to loiter here. Better it is for one like me to beg In town than in the country. In the town, Whoever chooses will bestow his dole; But here, if I remain about the stalls, I am no longer of an age to do All that a master may require. Go thou; This man, at thy command, will lead me hence, As soon as I have warmed me at the fire, And the air grows milder. This keen morning-cold May end me, and the way, ye say, is long.”
He ended; from the lodge Telemachus Passed quickly, meditating to destroy The suitors. Coming to his stately home, He leaned his spear