Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/250

214 the palace, a very cunning child, that can run with one out of doors; him I would take on board ship; and he would gain a large price for you, wheresoever ye may transport him [for sale] to foreign men.

Thus having spoken, she departed to the beautiful house: but they, remaining there amongst us for a whole year, purchased much substance in their hollow ship: but when the hollow ship was now laden for them to return, then they sent a messenger, to tell the woman; a very skilful man came to the house of my sire, having a golden necklace, and it was set in amber: the handmaidens and my venerable mother turned it round and round with their hands in the palace, and beheld it with their eyes; promising a price [for it]: but he made the sign to her in silence. He however, having made the sign, went to the hollow ship; but she, laying hold of me by the hand, led me out of doors from the house: and she found in the portico both the cups, and the tables of the men who had been feasting, who attended upon my sire: they indeed had gone out to the session, and to the assembly of the people: and she quickly concealing three bowls under her bosom, carried them out; and I followed through my thoughtlessness; and the sun set, and all the ways were overshadowed. And we going swiftly reached the renowned haven; there was the fast-sailing ship of the Phœnicians. They then embarking sailed over the moist ways, having put us on board; and Jove sent a favourable gale. For six days we continually sailed both nights and day; but when Jove, the son of Saturn, brought on the seventh day, then shaft-rejoicing Diana struck the woman; and she resounded as she fell in the hold, like a sea gull: and they threw her out to become a prey to sea-calves, and fishes; but I was left sorrowing at heart. And the wind and the water carrying them along made them approach Ithaca; there Laertes purchased me with his possessions. Thus I beheld this land with my eyes.

But him Jove-born Ulysses answered in discourse: "O Eumæus, very much hast thou moved my mind in my breast, relating each of these things, how many griefs thou hast suffered in thy mind. But however Jove has given good unto thee even with misfortune, since having toiled much thou hast come to the house of a mild man, who liberally affords thee