Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/322

314 Might suffer woe, while these devour his wealth? Him answer'd then Pallas cærulean-eyed. Grieve thou not much for him. I sent him forth Myself, that there arrived, he might acquire Honour and fame. No suff'rings finds he there, But in Atrides' palace safe resides, Enjoying all abundance. Him, in truth, The suitors watch close ambush'd on the Deep, Intent to slay him ere he reach his home, But shall not as I judge, till of themselves The earth hide some who make thee, now, a prey. So saying, the Goddess touch'd him with a wand. At once o'er all his agile limbs she parch'd The polish'd skin; she wither'd to the root His wavy locks; and cloath'd him with the hide Deform'd of wrinkled age; she charged with rheums His eyes before so vivid, and a cloak And kirtle gave him, tatter'd, both, and foul, And smutch'd with smoak; then, casting over all An huge old deer-skin bald, with a long staff She furnish'd him, and with a wallet patch'd On all sides, dangling by a twisted thong. Thus all their plan adjusted, diff'rent ways Chey took, and she, seeking Ulysses' son, To Lacedæmon's spacious realm repair'd.