hence Among the suitors, and make ready there The needful stores, and let them all be put In vessels—wine in jars, and meal, the strength Of man, in close thick skins—while I engage, Among the people here, a willing crew. Ships are there in our seagirt Ithaca Full many, new and old, and I will choose The best of these, and see it well equipped. Then will we drag it down to the broad sea.”
Thus Pallas spake, the child of Jupiter. Telemachus obeyed the heavenly voice, And stayed not; home he hastened, where he saw Sadly the arrogant suitors in the hall, Busily flaying goats and roasting swine. Antinoüs, laughing, came to meet the youth. And fastened on his hand, and thus he spake:—
“Telemachus, thou youth of lofty speech And boundless in abuse, let neither word Nor deed that may displease thee vex thy heart, But gayly eat and drink as thou wert wont. The Achaians generously will provide Whatever thou requirest, ship and men— All chosen rowers—that thou mayst arrive Sooner at sacred