Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/221

364—402. here safe: and let us then consult, in what way things may best be done."

Thus having spoken, the goddess descended the dark cave, seeking hiding-places through the cave; but Ulysses carried all the things near, the gold, and the brass not worn down, and the well-made garments, which the Phæacians had given him. And he set them well in order; and Pallas Minerva, daughter of Ægis-bearing Jove, placed a stone against the door. And they sitting down near the roots of the sacred olive, plotted destruction against the overbearing suitors. And the blue-eyed goddess Minerva began a discourse to him:

"O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-planning Ulysses, consider how thou mayest lay thy hands upon the shameless suitors, who now for three years are lording it over thy palace, wooing thy godlike wife, and giving her bridal gifts. But she, ever lamenting in her mind for thy return, gives hopes to all, and makes promises to each man, sending forth messages to them; but her mind meditates other things."

But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "O gods, surely I was now about to perish in my palace, after the evil fate of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, hadst not thou, O goddess, told me every thing rightly. But come, weave a counsel, how I may be revenged on them: and do thou thyself stand near me, putting confident courage within me, such as when we destroyed the noble head-gear of Troy. If thou wouldst stand near me thus eager, O blue-eyed one, I would fight even with three hundred men, together with thee, O venerable goddess, when thou wouldst readily assist me."

But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva then answered: "I indeed will be present with thee, nor shalt thou escape my notice, when indeed we shall have prepared these things, and I think that some one of the suitors, who are consuming thy property, will pollute the vast pavement with his blood and brains. But come, I will make thee unknown to all mortals; I will wither thy beautiful skin on thy bent limbs, and will destroy the auburn hairs from thine head, and will put a cloak around thee, which a man would loathe seeing one wear it. And I will blear thine eyes, which before were beautiful, that thou mayest appear unseemly to all the suitors, and to thy wife