Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/281

564—601. and we have undergone the same toil. But I dread the crowd of cruel suitors, whose insolence and violence reaches the steely heaven. For even now when this man striking me, as I was going through the house, when I had done no harm, gave me pain, neither did Telemachus nor any other ward off this. Now therefore desire Penelope to remain in the palace, although anxious, until sun-set: and then let her ask me concerning the return of her husband, having made me sit down nearer before the fire; for I have had sad garments; and thou thyself knowest it, since I first entreated thee."

Thus he spoke. And the swineherd went, when he heard his discourse, and Penelope addressed him as he was going over the threshold:

"Dost thou not bring him, O Eumæus? what is this the wanderer has thought of? whether fearing any one greatly? or in any other way has he awe in the palace? but bad is a modest beggar."

But her thou didst address in answer, O swineherd Eumæus: "He speaks rightly, as another also would think, shunning the insolence of haughty men. But he desires thee to wait until sun-set. And thus it is much better for thyself, queen, to speak to the stranger alone, and to listen to him."

But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn: "The stranger does not appear to be foolish, whoever he may be: for not anywhere do any men among mortal men thus insolent contrive infatuate deeds."

Thus she spoke; and the divine swineherd went to the crowd of suitors, when he had informed [her of] all things. And he immediately to Telemachus addressed winged words, holding his head near him, that the others might not hear:

"O friend, I am going away, to guard the swine and other things, yours and my livelihood: but let all things here be thy care. First preserve thyself, and consider in thy mind, that thou dost not suffer any thing: for many of the Grecians devise evil things; whom may Jove destroy, before harm befall us."

But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "So shall it be, father; but do thou go when thou hast spent the afternoon here; but in the morning come, and bring beautiful sacrifices, but all these things shall be a care to me and the immortals."