Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/300

264 with tearful mourning, she straightway in answer addressed him:

"Now indeed, O stranger, I think that I will put thee to the test, if in truth, as thou sayest, thou hast entertained my husband with his godlike companions in thy palace. Tell me what kind of garments were put around his body, and himself, what kind of a man he was, and his companions who followed him."

But her much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: "O lady, difficult it is to tell, when so long a time has elapsed between: for it is now the twentieth year since he went thence, and departed from my country; but even so I will tell thee, as my heart makes it seem to me. Divine Ulysses had a purple woollen cloak, double; but there was a clasp of gold made for it with two fastenings: and in front it was variegated: a dog held in its fore feet a spotted fawn, enjoying it panting; and all marvelled at it, how they being of gold, the one strangling the kid was enjoying it, but the other, eager to escape, was convulsively struggling with its feet. That beautiful garment I perceived around his body, like as the rind of a slender onion. So soft was it, and it was shining as the sun: many women indeed gazed upon it. But I will tell thee something else, and do thou lay it up in thy mind; I know not whether Ulysses put these garments on his body at home, or whether some one of his companions gave them to him, as he was going in the swift ship, or perhaps some stranger; since Ulysses was dear to many; for there were few of the Grecians like unto him. And I gave to him a brazen sword, and a beautiful, purple, double cloak, and a garment reaching to his feet; and I sent him away honourably, on a well-benched ship. And a herald, a little older than himself, followed him; and I will tell thee concerning him, what kind of a man he was; round-shouldered, dark-coloured, with curly hair, and his name was Eurybates: but Ulysses honoured him chief among his companions, because he knew in his mind what was proper."