Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/289

236—280. overcome in our palace, some in the court, and some within the house, and the limbs of each were loosed; as now that Irus sits at the court gates nodding with his head, like unto a drunken man, nor can he stand upright on his feet, nor return home, wherever he has to return: since his limbs are loosed."

Thus then they spoke to one another, but Eurymachus addressed Penelope in words:

"O prudent Penelope, daughter of Icarus, if all the Grecians in Iasian Argos should behold thee, more suitors would feast in thine house in the morning, since thou excellest women, in form and size, and equal mind within."

But him prudent Penelope then answered: "O Eurymachus, the immortals indeed destroyed my excellence, and form, and person, when the Grecians embarked for Troy: and amongst them was my husband Ulysses. If he should come and manage my household, so would my fame be greater and more noble; but now I am grieved, for so many evils has the deity made to rush upon me. When indeed he went away, leaving his paternal land, taking my right hand by the wrist, he addressed me: 'O lady, I think not that all the well-greaved Greeks will return from Troy unharmed, for they say that the Trojans are warriors, both javelin-men, and drawers of arrows, and mounters on swift-footed steeds, who would very soon determine the great contest of equal war. Therefore I know not, whether God will let me return, or whether I shall be taken there in Troy: but let all things here be a care to thee. Be mindful of my father and mother in the palace, as now, or still more, when I am away. But when thou seest our son with a beard, marry whom thou wilt, leaving him in thine house.' Thus he spoke; but all these things are now accomplished. It shall be night when hateful marriage shall meet with me undone; from whom Jove has taken away fortune. But this severe grief comes upon my heart and mind: nor was this the usual custom of suitors hitherto, who wish to woo a good wife, and the daughter of a rich man, and contend with each other: they indeed bring oxen and rich sheep, as a feast for the friends of the damsel, and give glorious gifts; but do not consume the livelihood of others with impunity."

Thus she spoke; and much-enduring divine Ulysses re-