be known. She came and bathed His feet, and found the scar. ’Twas where a boar With his white tooth had gashed the limb, as once He journeyed to Parnassus, where he paid A visit to Autolycus and his sons, His mother’s noble father, who excelled All men in craft and oaths, such was the gift Conferred on him by Hermes; for to him Autolycus made grateful offerings, The thighs of lambs and kids, and evermore The god was with him. Once Autolycus Came to the opulent realm of Ithaca, And found his daughter with a son new born; There Eurycleia placed upon his knees The infant, just as he had supped, and said:—
“Give this dear babe, Autolycus, a name— Thy daughter’s son, vouchsafed to many prayers.”
And thus Autolycus in answer spake: “Daughter and son-in-law, be his the name That I shall give. In coming to his isle I bear the hate of many—both of men And women—scattered o’er the nourishing earth; Name him Ulysses therefore, and when, grown To man’s estate, he visits the proud halls Reared at Parnassus, where his mother dwelt And my possessions lie, I will bestow A share on him, and send him home rejoiced.”