Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/256

220 I were so young in this mind, or the son of blameless Ulysses, or even himself [should come wandering, for there is still some chance of hope], immediately then another man might cut off my head, if I became not an evil to all of them, having come to the palace of Ulysses, the son of Laertes. But if on the contrary they should with numbers overcome me who am alone, I should wish to die slain in mine own palace, rather than always behold these unseemly deeds, strangers harshly insulted, and [men] dragging women servants in an unseemly way through the beautiful house: and wine drawn off, and [the suitors] eating bread uselessly, to no purpose, without an end, for a work that will never be accomplished."

But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "Therefore, O stranger, I will tell thee very truly; neither are all the people wroth with me, hating me, nor do I find fault with brothers, in whom fighting a man is wont to trust, even if a mighty conquest should arise. For thus has the son of Saturn made our race single; Arcesius begot an only son, Laertes, his father again begot Ulysses alone; but Ulysses having begotten me alone, left me in the palace, nor did he have any joy from me: therefore there are numberless enemies in our house. For as many chieftains as rule over the islands, Dulichium, and Samos, and woody Zacynthus, and as many as rule over rugged Ithaca, so many woo my mother, and waste our household. But she does not refuse the hateful marriage, nor can she bring it to a conclusion: but they waste away my property, consuming it; and they will soon destroy me also myself. But however these things lie at the knees of the gods. O father, do thou go quickly, tell to prudent Penelope, that I am safe, and have come from Pylos. But I will remain here: and do thou return hither, having told it to her alone; let not any one of the other Grecians hear it: for many devise evils against me."

But him thou didst address in answer, O swineherd Eumæus: "I know it; I perceive it; thou speakest to one who understands. But come, tell me this, and relate it truly, shall I go a messenger on this same journey to unhappy Laertes, who hitherto greatly grieving for Ulysses, used to oversee the works, and drank and eat with the servants in the house, when the mind in his breast commanded him: but