of twenty men, The bravest. To the seaside and the ship They went, and down to the deep water drew The ship, and put the mast and sails on board, And fitted duly to their leathern rings The oars, and spread the white sail overhead. Their nimble-handed servants brought them arms, And there they moored the galley, went on board, And supped and waited for the evening star.
Now in the upper chamber the chaste queen, Penelope, lay fasting; food or wine She had not tasted, and her thoughts were still Fixed on her blameless son.
Would he escape The threatened death, or perish by the hands Of the insolent suitors?
As a lion’s thoughts, When, midst a crowd of men, he sees with dread The hostile circle slowly closing round, Such were her thoughts, when balmy sleep at length Came creeping over her as on her couch She lay reclined, her limbs relaxed in rest.