Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/246

210 where the Epeans rule. From thence he sent it on to the swift islands, meditating whether he should escape death or be taken.

In the mean time Ulysses and the divine swineherd were feasting in the tent: and near them the other men feasted. But when they had taken away the desire of eating and drinking, Ulysses addressed them, trying the swineherd, whether he would still kindly entertain him, and desire him to remain there in the stall, or would incite him to go to the city:

"Hear me now, O Eumæus, and ye all the rest of his companions, at dawn I desire to go to the city, in order to beg, that I may not waste away thee and thy companions. But suggest to me well, and also give me a good guide, who indeed may lead me thither: but I myself will wander through the city by necessity, [to see] if any one will give me a small measure of wine, and a meal-cake. And coming to the house of divine Ulysses, I would fain tell the news to prudent Penelope: and I would be mixed with the overbearing suitors, [to see] if they will give me a meal, since they have countless dainties. Quickly would I well perform amongst them, whatever they wished. For I will tell thee, but do thou understand and listen to me, by the will of the messenger Mercury, who indeed awards grace and renown to the works of all men, in serving no other mortal would contend with me, both to keep up a fire well, and to cleave dry faggots, and to carve, and roast, and pour out wine, such things as inferiors are wont to do for the good."

But him thou, O swineherd Eumæus, didst address in great sorrow: "Ah me! stranger, why has this thought been in thy mind? certainly thou altogether desirest to perish there, if thou art willing to enter the crowd of suitors, whose insolence and violence reaches to the steely heaven. There are not such attendants for them, but [there are] young men, clothed well in cloaks and tunics, and always shining as to their heads and beautiful faces, who attend upon them: and the well-polished tables are heavily laden with bread and meat, and wine. But stay here; for no one is hurt by thee being present, neither I, nor any other of my companions, whom I have. But when