“O father Jove, assuredly the gods Dwell on the Olympian height, since we behold The arrogant suitors punished for their crimes. Yet much I fear lest all the Ithacans Throng hither, and send messages to rouse Against us all the Cephallenian states.”
Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus: “Take courage; let no thought like that disturb Thy mind; but let us hasten to the house. Telemachus is there, with whom I sent The herdsman and the swineherd, bidding them Make ready with all speed our evening meal.”
Thus talked the twain, and toward the dwelling took Their way, and entering the commodious rooms They found Telemachus, and by his side The herdsman and the keeper of the swine, Dividing for the feast the plenteous meats, And mingling the dark wine. Then to the bath Came the Sicilian dame, and ministered To the large-souled Laertes, and with oil Anointed him, and wrapped a sumptuous cloak About him. Pallas gave the monarch’s limbs An ampler roundness; taller to the sight He stood, and statelier. As he left the bath, His son beheld with wonder in his eyes, So like a god Laertes seemed, and thus Ulysses said to him in winged words:—
“Someone among the ever-living gods Hath surely shed, O father, on thy form And aspect all this grace and majesty.”
The sage Laertes answered: “Father Jove, And Pallas and Apollo! would that I Were now as when I took the citadel Of Nericus, the strongly built, beside The seashore of Epirus, leading on My Cephallenians! With such strength as then, Armed for the fray, I would have met and fought The suitors in the palace yesterday, And struck down many lifeless in the hall, And greatly would thy spirit have rejoiced.”
So talked they with each other. When they all Ceased from their task, and saw their meal prepared, They sat them down in order on the thrones And seats, and each put forth his hand and shared The banquet.