Page:Homer. The Odyssey (IA homerodyssey00collrich).pdf/56

46 without murmuring. Goddess-like or woman-like, however, she cannot fail to be mortified at the want of any reluctance on her lover's part to leave her. There is something touching in her expostulation:—

Ulysses' reply is honest and manful:—

It cannot but be observed, however, that while Penelope's whole thoughts and interests are concentrated upon her absent husband, the longing of Ulysses is rather after his fatherland than his wife. She is only one of the many component parts of the home-scene which is ever before the wanderer's eyes; and not always the most important part, for his aged father and mother and his young son seem to be at least equal