Book II

things to come, nor wouldst thou stir Telemachus to anger, in the hope Of bearing to thy house some gift from him. Now let me say, and be assured my words Will be fulfilled: experienced as thou art, If thou by treacherous speeches shalt inflame A younger man than thou to violent deeds, The sharper punishment shall first be his, But we will lay on thee a penalty, Old man, which thou shalt find it hard to bear, And bitterly wilt thou repent. And now Let me persuade Telemachus to send His mother to her father. They will make A marriage for her there, and give with her A liberal dowry, such as may become A favorite daughter on her wedding-day, Else never will the sons of Greece renounce, I think, the difficult suit. We do not fear Telemachus himself, though glib of speech, Nor care we for the empty oracle Which thou, old man, dost utter, making thee Only more hated. Still will his estate Be wasted, nor will order e’er return While she defers her marriage with some prince Of the Achaians. We shall urge our suit For that most excellent of womankind As rivals, nor withdraw to seek the hand