Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/270

234 Thus he spoke, and he moved her mind in her breast. But godlike Theoclymenus addressed them:

"O venerable wife of Ulysses, son of Laertes: he indeed does not know it clearly; but do thou regard my discourse; for I will prophesy accurately to thee, nor will I conceal it. Now let Jove, first of the gods, be witness, and thine hospitable table, and the hearth of blameless Ulysses, to which I come, that Ulysses indeed is now sitting in his paternal land, or walking, inquiring concerning these evil deeds, but he is planting evil for all the suitors. Such augury I beheld, sitting on the well-benched ship, and I called out to Telemachus."

But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn: "I wish, O stranger, this word may be accomplished, then wouldst thou speedily experience my friendship, and [receive] many gifts from me, so that any one meeting with thee would give thee joy."

Thus they spoke to one another. But the suitors before the palace of Ulysses were delighted with quoits, and hurling with javelins on the wrought pavement, where even before they practised their insolence. But when it was now supper-time, and the cattle came from the country on all sides, and they brought them, who before [used to bring them]: then indeed did Medon address them, for he most pleased them of the heralds, and with them was present at the feast:

"O youths, since ye have all been delighted in your mind with contests, come to the house, that we may make ready a feast, for it is by no means bad to take supper at the proper season."

Thus he spoke, but they rising up went, and obeyed his word. But when they came to the well-built dwelling, they laid their cloaks down on the benches and thrones, and sacrificed large sheep and fat goats: and they sacrificed fatted swine, and a cow from the herd, making ready a feast: but Ulysses and the divine swineherd hastened to go from the country to the city. But to them the swineherd, chief of men, began discourse:

"O stranger, since thou indeed desirest to go to-day to the city, as my master ordered, (go); certainly I should wish thee to be here a guardian of the stalls; but I reverence and fear him,