me— As to the gods of heaven he poured the wine— That even then a galley was drawn down Into the water, and already manned With rowers, who should take Ulysses home. But me he first dismissed, for at the time A barque of the Thesprotians left the port, Bound for Dulichium’s cornfields. Ere I went He showed the treasures of Ulysses stored In the king’s palace—treasures that might serve To feed the household of another chief To the tenth generation. He who owned That wealth was at Dodona, so the king Declared, inquiring, at the lofty oak Of Jupiter, the counsel of the god How to return to his dear native land, So long a wanderer—whether openly Or else by stealth. So he is safe, and soon Will he be nearer to us; for not long Can he remain away from all his friends And fatherland. To this I plight my oath; Let Jove, the greatest and the best of gods, Be witness, and this hearth of the good prince Ulysses, where I sit, that every word Which I have said to thee will be fulfilled. Within the year Ulysses will return, As this month passes and the next comes in.”
Then spake the sage Penelope again: “Would that it might be thus, O stranger guest, As thou hast said; then shouldst thou have such thanks And bounty at