And thus in turn Dame Eurycleia spake:
“Well hast thou said, my son, but suffer me To bring thee clothes, a tunic and a cloak, Nor with those rags on thy broad shoulders stand In thine own palace; it becomes thee not.”
Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus:
“First let a fire be kindled in this hall.”
He spake, and Eurycleia, the dear nurse, Obeyed, and brought the sulphur and the fire. Ulysses steeped in smoke the royal pile. Both hall and court.
The matron, passing through The stately palace of Ulysses, climbed The stair to find and summon all the maids. And forth they issued, bearing in their hands Torches, and, crowding round Ulysses, gave Glad greeting, seized his hands, embraced him, kissed His hands and brow and shoulders. The desire To weep for joy o’ercame the chief; his eyes O’erflowed with tears; he sobbed; he knew them all.