Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/315

186—227. third, bringing a heifer and fat goats for the suitors. (But ferrymen brought them over, who also conduct other men, whoever comes to them:) and he bound them safely under the resounding portico, and himself then inquired of the swineherd, standing near him:

"What stranger is this, O swineherd, that has lately come to our house? from what men does he boast himself to be? where are his race and paternal country? unhappy one, he is indeed in his person like unto a king. But the gods inflict much-wandering men with woe; when they destine toil even for kings."

He spoke; and standing near him, welcomed him with his hand, and addressing him spoke winged words: "Hail, O father stranger, mayest thou have happiness hereafter: but now thou art possessed with many ills. O father Jove, no other one of the gods is more destructive than thou; thou pitiest not men, when thou hast begotten them thyself, but dost mix them up in misfortune and sad griefs. I sweat when I behold him, and mine eyes wept as I remembered Ulysses; since I think that he, having such garments, is wandering amongst men, if he is any where still alive, and beholds the light of the sun. But if he is now dead, and in the house of Pluto, alas! then for blameless Ulysses, who set me over his beeves when I was still little, in the people of the Cephalenians: but now they are numberless, nor in any other way would the race of broad-foreheaded beeves increase under a man: them others desire me to bring for themselves to eat: nor care they at all for his son in the palace, nor do they fear the vengeance of the gods; for they are now anxious to divide the possessions of the long-absent king. But my mind often revolves this in my dear breast: it is very wicked, when the son is alive, going to another people with the cattle themselves, to take them to foreign men: but this is more sad, remaining here and sitting over another man's beeves, to suffer griefs. I indeed would long ago have fled and gone to some other proud king; since these things are no longer to be borne, but still I think of him, wretched one, if coming from any where he should make a dispersing of the suitors to their houses."

But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: "O herdsman, since thou art not like unto an evil or a foolish