Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/235

438—475. the mind of the king; and much-planning Ulysses speaking addressed him: "Mayest thou be so dear to father Jove as thou art to me, since thou honourest me, being such a one, with good things."

But him thou didst address in answer, O swineherd Eumæus: "Eat, O divine one of guests, and delight thyself with these things, such as are present; for God bestows one thing, and refuses another, whatever he wills in his own mind; for he can [do] all things."

He spoke; and made the first offerings to the immortal gods: and having made a libation of dark wine, he placed it in the hands of city-destroying Ulysses, and he sat near his share. And Mesaulius portioned out bread to them, whom the swineherd himself alone had purchased, when his master was absent, without the knowledge of his mistress and of old Laertes. But he bought him from the Taphians with his own possessions. And they stretched out their hands to the viands lying ready before them: but when they had taken away the desire of drinking and eating, Mesaulius took away the food; and they, satiated with bread and flesh, hastened to bed. But an evil dim-mooned night came on, and Jove rained all night: and the mighty West wind, that ever brings rain, blew. And Ulysses addressed them, trying the swineherd, if any how he would take off his cloak and give it to him, or would urge some one else of his companions to do so: since he took great care of him:

"Hear me now, O Eumæus, and all ye others his companions, I shall speak some word boasting: for maddening wine encourages me, which has excited even a very wise man to sing out loudly, and has set him on to laugh affectedly, and to dance, and has given vent to a word, which was better unspoken. But since I have first cried out, I will not conceal it. Would that I were as young, and my strength as firm, as when we led an ambush under Troy, having contrived it. But Ulysses and Menelaus, the son of Atreus, led, but with them I the third ruled: for they desired me. But when indeed we came to the city and the lofty wall, we lay down near the fortifications amongst the thick bushes, crouching under our arms amongst the reeds and marsh: but an evil night