Ulysses and Penelope After the Slaughter
Descent of Penelope to the hall—Her doubts of the identity of Ulysses removed by evident tokens given by Ulysses—Her transport at their removal—His narrative of his adventures—Departure of Ulysses with his son, the herdsman, and the swineherd, to the country.
Up to the royal bower the matron went With an exulting heart, to tell the queen That her beloved husband was within. With knees that faltered not, and quick light step She went, and, standing by her mistress, said:—
“Awake, Penelope, dear child, and see With thine own eyes what thou hast pined for long. Ulysses has returned; thy lord is here, Though late, and he has slain the arrogant crew Of suitors, who disgraced his house, and made His wealth a spoil, and dared insult his son.”
And thus discreet Penelope replied: “The gods, dear nurse, have made thee mad; for they Have power to change the wisest men to fools, And make the foolish wise, and they have warped Thy mind once sound. How canst thou mock me thus, Amidst my sorrows, with such idle tales? Why wake me from the pleasant sleep that closed My lids so softly? Never have I slept So sweetly since Ulysses went from me To that bad city, which no tongue should name. Go, then; return into the lower rooms. Had any of my women save thyself Brought such a message to disturb my sleep, I would have sent her back into the hall With angry words; thy years are thy excuse.”
But Eurycleia, the dear nurse, rejoined: “Nay, my dear child, I mock thee not. Most true It is that thy Ulysses has returned, And here he is at home, as I have said. The stranger whom they scoffed at in the hall Is he; and