Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/33

Rh subsistence during his visits, he was usually surrounded by the children of the most noble men of the island.

"We directed our steps towards the mansion of a wealthy man, full of precious things. Gates fly open! Plutos presents himself, accompanied by joyous Mirth and gentle Peace. May the goblets overflow, may the flame ascend from the hearth, may the table groan under its plenteous burden! May the wife of the son of the house come to you drawn by mules, and in a chariot! may she, seated in an amber chair, joyfully spin her wool! I shall return, yea, I shall return, like unto the swallow every year! I am at your gate! Whether you present me with any thing or no, I remain not; I purpose not to live with you!"

These verses are sung every time tribute is levied in the honour of Apollo Pythos.

The spring having arrived, Homer desired to leave Samos for Athens. He sailed for that place, in company with some Samians, and arrived at the island of Ios. They