Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/286

250 "Hail, father stranger! may there be happiness for thee hereafter, but now thou art possessed by many ills."

But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: "O Amphinomus, thou seemest to me to be very prudent: for [thou art] of such a sire: since I have heard his excellent renown, that he is Dulichian Nisus, both brave and opulent: from him they say that thou art born; but thou art like unto an eloquent man. Therefore I tell thee; and do thou consider it, and listen to me. The earth nourishes nothing weaker than man, of all the things, whatever breathe and creep upon the earth. For he says that he shall never suffer any ill hereafter, while the gods give him excellence, and his knees move; but when the blessed gods bring to pass grievous things also, then he bears them too, unwillingly, with a suffering mind. For such is the mind of men upon the earth, as is the day which the father of men and of gods brings on. For I once was prosperous amongst men, and did many infatuate things, yielding to violence and strength, trusting in my father and my brothers. Therefore let not any man be at all lawless, but let him in silence keep the gifts of the gods, whatever they give him. What impious things I perceive the suitors devising, wasting the possessions and dishonouring the wife of a man, whom I do not think will be long absent from his friends and his paternal land; but [he is] very near! yet may the deity take thee out away homeward in secret, nor mayest thou meet him, when he returns to his dear paternal land; for I do not think that the suitors and he will separate without blood, when he comes under the roof."

Thus he spoke; and having poured out a libation, he drank sweet wine: and again he placed the cup in the hands of the leader of the people. But he went through the house, grieving in his dear heart, nodding with his head: for his mind already foreboded. But not thus did he escape Fate; for Minerva bound him, so that he should be bravely overcome by the hand and spear of Telemachus. And he sat down again on the throne from whence he rose. But the blue