Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/249

411—449. are two cities, and all things are divided twofold; but my father Ctesius Ormenides, like unto the immortals, reigned over both of them.

But there Phœnicians came, men illustrious by sea, cunning fellows bringing numberless trinkets in their black ship. Now there was a Phœnician woman in the house of my sire, beautiful, and large, and skilled in illustrious weaving works. Her then the crafty Phœnician seduced; some one first mingled with her as she was washing, near the hollow ship, in the couch and in love; which things seduce the minds of women, although one should happen to be a good work-woman. Then indeed he asked her, who she was, and whence she came: and she immediately mentioned the lofty-roofed house of her father: 'I boast to be from brass-abounding Sidon, and I am the daughter of with wealth flowing Arybas; but the Taphians, men given to robbery, snatched me away as I was returning from the fields; and taking me away, they transported me for sale to the house of this man; but he gave a fit price [for me].' But her the man, who mingled with her secretly, again addressed: 'Wouldst thou now again come home together with us, that thou mayest behold the lofty-roofed house of thy father and mother, and them too themselves? for they are still alive, and are called opulent.' But him the woman again addressed and answered in discourse. 'This might be, if ye at least were willing, O sailors, to be pledged with an oath, that ye will take me home unharmed.' Thus she spoke, but they all swore as she commanded. But when they had sworn and completed the oath, the woman again addressed and answered them in discourse: 'Now be silent; let not any one of your companions speak to me with words, when he meets me, either in the road, or by chance at the fountain; for fear some one coming to the house, should tell the old man: but he, suspecting me, should bind me with a difficult bond, and should plan destruction for you. But keep your words in your breast, and hasten the purchase of provisions. But when indeed the ship is now full of means of livelihood, then let a message come quickly to me to the house; for I will bring both gold, whatever comes under my hand, and I would also willingly give other things, as payment for my passage: for I nurse the son of the excellent man in