fate By which we perished. Now our bodies lie Neglected at the palace; for not yet Our kindred, dwelling in our homes, have heard The tidings, nor have come to cleanse our wounds From the dark blood, and lay us on the bier With tears—such honors as are due the dead.”
In turn the soul of Agamemnon spake: “Son of Laertes, fortunate and wise, Ulysses! thou by feats of eminent might And valor dost possess thy wife again. And nobly minded is thy blameless queen, The daughter of Icarius, faithfully Remembering him to whom she gave her troth While yet a virgin. Never shall the fame Of his great valor perish, and the gods Themselves shall frame, for those who dwell on earth, Sweet strains in praise of sage Penelope. Not such was she who treacherously slew The husband of her youth—she of the house Of Tyndarus. Her name among mankind Shall be the hateful burden of a song; And great is the dishonor it has brought On women, even the faithful and the good.”
So talked they with each other, standing there In Pluto’s realm beneath the vaulted earth. Meantime Ulysses, hastening from the town, Came to the fair fields of Laertes, tilled With care. Laertes, after years of toil, Acquired them. There his dwelling stood; a shed Encircled it, where ate and sat and slept The servants of the household, who fulfilled His slightest wish. An old Sicilian dame Was there, who waited, in that distant spot, On her old master with assiduous care. And then Ulysses to his followers said:—
“Go into that fair dwelling, and with speed Slay for our feast the fattest of the swine. I go to prove my father; I would learn Whether he knows me when he sees my face, Or haply knows me not, so long away.”
He spake, and laid his weapons in their hands. Straight toward the house they went. Ulysses passed Into the fruitful orchard, there to prove His father. Going down and far within The garden-plot, he found not Dolius there, Nor any of the servants, nor his sons. All were abroad, old