on the shore and left the isle?”
Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus:
“I will tell all and truly. I am come From Alybas; a stately dwelling there Is mine, Apheidas is my father, son Of royal Polypemon, and my name Eperitus. Some deity has warped My course astray from the Sicanian coast, And brought me hitherward against my will. My barque lies yonder, stationed by the field Far from the city. This is the fifth year Since parting with me thy Ulysses left My native land for his, ill-fated man! Yet there were flights of birds upon the right Of happy presage as he sailed, and I Dismissed him cheerfully, and cheerfully He went. We hoped that we might yet become Each other’s guests, exchanging princely gifts.”
He spake, and a dark cloud of sorrow came Over Laertes. With both hands he grasped The yellow dust, and over his white head Shed it with piteous groans. Ulysses felt His heart within him melted; the hot breath Rushed through his nostrils as he looked upon His well-beloved father, and he sprang And kissed and clasped him in his arms, and said:—