Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/226

190 livelihood was immense, no one of heroes, either of black Epirus, or Ithaca itself, possesses so much; nor do twenty men together possess so much wealth; but I will reckon it for thee. He has twelve herds on the continent; as many flocks of sheep, as many herds of swine, and strangers and herdsmen there feed as many large flocks of goats. And there they feed large flocks of goats, eleven in all, on the extreme part of the land; and excellent men superintend them. Each of them daily brings home a goat, whichever appears to be the best of the fatted goats. But I guard and keep these swine, and having chosen out the best of the swine, I send it away to them."

Thus he spoke; but he briskly eat the meat, and greedily drank the wine, in silence; and he planted (in mind) evils for the suitors. But when he had supped, and strengthened his mind with food, having filled the cup from which he himself drank, he gave it to him, full of wine; but he received it, and rejoiced in mind, and addressing him spoke winged words:

"O friend, who thus opulent and powerful, as thou sayest, purchased thee with his possessions? thou sayest that he perished for the sake of the honour of Agamemnon. Tell me, in case by chance I know him, who is such a one. For Jove perhaps knows this, and the other immortal gods, if having seen him I could give news of him; for over many [lands] have I wandered."

But him the swineherd, chieftain of men, immediately answered: "O old man, no man having come after wandering, bringing news of him, would persuade his wife and beloved son. But wandering fellows, in want of support, speak falsehoods to no purpose, nor do they wish to relate the truth. But whoever, having wandered, arrives at the people of Ithaca, he, coming to my mistress, speaks deceitful things. But she, having received him well, entertains him, and investigates every thing, and the tears fall from the eyes of her weeping, as is the wont of woman, when her husband perishes elsewhere. Perhaps thou, even thyself, O old man, would fabricate some story, [if any one would give thee a cloak and tunic as garments]. But the dogs and swift birds already have