Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/273

248—283. gods, what has the dog, who kens evil things, uttered? him whom I some time will remove far from Ithaca, in a well-benched black ship, that he may gain much livelihood for me. For may silver-bowed Apollo strike Telemachus to-day in the palace, or may he be subdued under the suitors, as the day of return is lost to Ulysses afar off."

Thus having spoken, he left them there going slowly, but he went on, and very quickly reached the dwelling of the king. And he immediately went in, and sat down among the suitors, opposite Eurymachus: for he loved him very much. Those who ministered placed near him his share of food, and the venerable housekeeper bringing bread, set it near him to eat: and Ulysses and the divine swineherd coming stood near; and the sound of the hollow lyre came about them; for Phemius struck up to sing; but he, taking the swineherd by the hand, [thus] addressed him:

"Eumæus, of a truth this dwelling of Ulysses is very beautiful and easy to distinguish, even to behold amongst many. There is one [story] above another; and the court is ornamented with a wall and battlements, and there are well-closing folding-doors; no man would scoff at it. But I perceive that many men are making a banquet in it; since the smoke of the fat rises up, and the lyre speaks within, which the gods have made a companion to the feast."

But him thou didst address in answer, O swineherd Eumæus: "Thou knowest it well; since as to other things thou art not unintelligent: but come, let us now consider how these things will be. Either do thou first enter the well-built house, and go amongst the suitors, and I will remain behind here: but if thou wilt, remain, and I will go before: nor do thou delay, lest some one seeing thee without, should either strike [thee] or drive thee away; I exhort thee to consider these things."

But him much-enduring divine Ulysses then answered: "I know it; I am aware of it; thou commandest these things to one who understands. But do thou go before, and I will remain here: for I am not at all inexperienced in stripes or