Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/58

22 whatever are fit; and I will bestow my mother on a husband."

Thus having spoken, he sat down; but Mentor rose up to them, who was the companion of illustrious Ulysses, and when he went in the ships, he committed to him all his family, that the old man should be obeyed, and should keep all things safe, who being well disposed harangued and addressed them:

"Hear now from me, Ithacans, what I shall say. Let not any sceptre-wielding king be any more provident, gentle, and mild, nor let him consider holy deeds in his mind, but let him always be severe and do unjust things; since not one of the people, over whom he reigned, remembers the divine Ulysses, and that he was mild as a father. But I indeed by no means envy the proud suitors doing violent deeds, by the evil devices of their mind; for risking their own lives, they are violently consuming the house of Ulysses, who they say will no longer return. But now I am indignant at the rest of the people: how ye all sit silent; but not at all rebuking with words, do ye restrain the suitors who are few, whilst ye are many."

But him Leiocritus, son of Evenor, answered: "Thou baleful Mentor, foolish in thy mind, what hast thou said, inciting [the people] to restrain us? but it is a difficult thing for even those who are more in number to fight about a feast. For although Ithacan Ulysses himself, approaching, should be eager in his mind to drive out of the palace the illustrious suitors [who are] feasting in his house, even his wife would not rejoice at his coming, although very much desiring it; for he would there draw on his own cruel fate, it he should fight with those who are more in number: but thou hast not spoken rightly. But come, ye people, disperse each to his