Page:The story of Greece told to boys and girls.djvu/103

 Penelope scarce heard the stranger's words, so troubled were her thoughts. She bade him farewell, then went to her room to weep for her absent lord until 'grey-eyed Athene cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.'

On the morrow Odysseus awoke early, and as he thought of all that he hoped to do that day, he lifted up his hands to Zeus.

'O Father Zeus,' he cried, 'if thou hast led me to mine own country of good will, then give me a sign.' And in answer the god thundered from Olympus, and Odysseus knew the voice of the god and was glad.

Penelope too arose early on this fateful day, and when she had put on her royal robes she came down the wide staircase from her chamber, carrying in her hand the strong key of her lord's treasure-chest.

She unlocked the chest, and taking from it the great bow in its case she laid it upon her knees and wept over it. Then, drawing the bow from its case, she carried it into the hall where the suitors were feasting.

'Ye suitors,' she said, as she laid down before them the bow and the quiver of arrows, 'Ye suitors, who devour this house, making pretence that ye wish to wed me, lo! here is a proof of your skill. Here is the bow of the great Odysseus. Whoso shall bend it easiest in his hands and shoot an arrow nearest to the mark I set, him will I follow, leaving this house of my wedlock, so fair which methinks I shall yet remember, aye, in a dream.'

Then each suitor in turn tried to bend the mighty bow, but each tried in vain.

'Give the bow to me,' cried the beggar, as he saw that the suitors had failed to bend the mighty bow, 'give it to me that I may prove that my hands are strong.'

The princes laughed at the words of the stranger. How should the old man bend the bow which they in their youthful strength were unable to move?

But Telemachus gave the bow into the stranger's hands,