Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/227

135—171. torn the skin from his bones; and life has left him; or him the fishes have eaten in the sea, and his bones lie upon the shore, wrapped up in much sand. Thus he perished from hence; but for all his friends hereafter sorrows are prepared, and especially for me; for I shall no longer find another master so mild, wherever I go, not if I should again come to the house of my father and mother where I was first born, and they nurtured me. Nor do I much lament for them, although desiring to behold them again with mine eyes, being in my paternal land; but regret for absent Ulysses possesses me. I have awe in naming him, O stranger, although not present; for he loved me exceedingly, and took care of me in his mind, but I call him 'honoured senior,' although at a distance."

But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn: "O friend, since thou dost altogether deny it, nor thinkest at all that he will return, but thy mind is ever incredulous, yet I will not merely say, but [will say it] with an oath, that Ulysses returns: but let this be the reward of my good news; immediately, when he shall return to his house, [put on me a cloak and tunic, beautiful garments;] but before that, I would not receive them, although very much in want. For he is hated by me, equally with the gates of hell, who, yielding to poverty, speaks deceiving words. Now be witness, Jove, first of the gods, and the hospitable table, and the hearth of blameless Ulysses, to which I am come; surely all these things shall be performed, as I relate them: but Ulysses will return here in this same year; when this month wanes, and another begins, he will return home, and will be revenged upon him, whosoever here dishonours his wife and his noble son."

But him answering thou didst address, O swineherd Eumæus: "O old man, I shall neither pay this reward for good news, nor will Ulysses any more return home; but drink in peace, and let us be mindful of other things besides, nor put me in mind of these things: for surely my mind in my breast is grieved, whenever any one makes mention of the