more. And when he thought Of sleep, she bade her maidens spread his couch; But he refused a bed and rugs, like one Inured to misery, and beneath the porch Slept on an undressed bull’s hide and the skins Of sheep, and over him we cast a
She spake; Telemachus, his spear in hand, Went forth, his fleet dogs following him. He sought The council where the well-greaved Greeks were met. Meantime the noble Eurycleia, child Of Ops, Pisenor’s son, bespake the maids:—
“Come, some of you, at once, and sweep the floor, And sprinkle it, and on the shapely thrones Spread coverings of purple tapestry; Let others wipe the tables with a sponge, And cleanse the beakers and the double cups, While others go for water to the fount, And bring it quickly, for not long today The suitors will be absent from these halls. They will come early to the general feast.”
She spake; the handmaids hearkened and 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!”