obeyed, And twenty went to the dark well to draw The water, while the others busily Bestirred themselves about the house. Then came The servants of the chiefs, and set themselves Neatly to cleave the wood. Then also came The women from the well. The swineherd last Came with three swine, the fattest of the herd. In that fair court he let them feed, and sought Ulysses, greeting him with courteous words:—
“Hast thou, O stranger, found among these Greeks More reverence? Art thou still their mark of scorn?”
Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus: “O that the gods, Eumaeus, would avenge The insolence of those who meditate Violent deeds, and make another’s house Their plotting-place, and feel no touch of shame!”
So talked they with each other. Now appeared Melanthius, keeper of the goats. He brought Goats for the suitors’ banquet; they were choice Beyond all others. With him also came Two goatherds. In the echoing portico He bound his goats. He saw Ulysses there, And thus accosted him with railing words:—