All who beheld the eagles were amazed, And wondered what event was near at hand. Among the rest an aged hero spake, Named Halitherses, Mastor’s son. He knew More truly than the others of his age, To augur from the flight of birds, and read The will of fate—and wisely thus he spake:—
“Hear, men of Ithaca, what I shall say. I speak of what most narrowly concerns The suitors, over whom already hangs Great peril, for Ulysses will not be Long at a distance from his home and friends. Even now he is not far, and meditates Slaughter and death to all the suitor train; And evil will ensue to many more Of us, who dwell in sunny Ithaca. Now let us think what measures may restrain These men—or let them of their own accord Desist—the soonest were for them the best. For not as one untaught do I foretell Events to come, but speak of what I know. All things that I predicted to our chief, What time the Argive troops embarked for Troy, And sage Ulysses with them, are fulfilled; I said that after many hardships borne,