Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/60

24 every thing in vessels, wine in casks, and meal, the marrow of men, in thick skins. But I will immediately collect voluntary companions through the people: for there are many ships in sea-girt Ithaca, both new and old. Of these I will examine which is the best; and having quickly prepared it we will launch it on the wide sea."

Thus spoke Minerva, the daughter of Jove, nor did Telemachus delay a long time, when he heard the voice of the goddess. But he hastened to his house, sorrowing in his heart; and he found the haughty suitors in the palace skinning goats, and roasting fattened swine in the hall. But Antinous laughing went to meet Telemachus, and took hold of his hand, and spoke and called him by name:

"Telemachus, thou lofty speaker, intolerable in spirit, let not any other evil deed or word be a care to thee in thy breast, but eat and drink for my sake as before. But the Grecians will thoroughly get ready all these things, a ship and chosen rowers, that thou mayest more quickly arrive at divine Pylos, in quest of thine illustrious sire."

But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "Antinous, it is not possible for me to feast in quiet and to rejoice peaceably amongst you arrogant ones. It is not enough that hitherto ye suitors have clipped my many and excellent possessions, whilst I was still an infant? But now when I am grown up, and hearing the discourse of others understand it, ay, and my mind increases within me, I will make the experiment, that I may send the evil Fates upon you, either going to Pylos, or here in this people. I will go indeed—nor will the voyage which I mention be vain—as a merchant; for I am not master of a ship nor of rowers; since he has seemed to you to be better."