high among the clouds, they yet bear rule Both o’er mankind and o’er the living
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.