1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:09,199 Book fifteen of the Odyssey by Homer. The Odyssey Book fifteen, Minerva summons 2 00:00:09,199 --> 00:00:14,720 Telemachus from Lacedemmon. He meets with Theoclimenus at Pylos and brings him to Ithaca. 3 00:00:14,919 --> 00:00:19,920 On landing, he goes to the hut of Eumaeus, but Minerva went 4 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:23,920 to the fair city of Lacedaemon to tell Ulysses son that he was to return 5 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:29,039 at once. She found him and Pisistratus sleeping in the forecourt of Menelaus's house. 6 00:00:29,519 --> 00:00:33,719 Pisistratus was fast asleep, but Telemachus could get no rest all night for 7 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:37,840 thinking of his unhappy father. So Minerva went close up to him and said, 8 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:42,679 Telemachus, you should not remain so far away from home any longer, 9 00:00:43,079 --> 00:00:47,240 nor leave your property with such dangerous people in your house. They will eat 10 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,479 up everything you have among them, and you will have been on a fool's 11 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:54,840 Errand ask Menelaus to send you home at once if you wish to find your 12 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:59,560 excellent mother still there when you get back. Her father and brothers are already 13 00:00:59,679 --> 00:01:03,240 urging her to marry Eurymachus, who has given her more than any of the 14 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:07,599 others, and has been greatly increasing his wedding presents. I hope nothing valuable 15 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:11,680 may be taken from the house in spite of you. But you know what 16 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,959 women are. They always want to do the best they can for the man 17 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:18,719 who marries them, and never give another thought to the children of their first 18 00:01:18,799 --> 00:01:22,319 husband, nor to their father, either when he is dead and done with. 19 00:01:23,439 --> 00:01:26,239 Go home therefore, and put everything in charge of the most respectable woman 20 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:30,799 servant that you have, until it shall please Heaven to send you a wife 21 00:01:30,799 --> 00:01:34,560 of your own. Let me tell you also of another matter which you had 22 00:01:34,599 --> 00:01:38,480 better attend to. The chief men among the suitors are lying in wait for 23 00:01:38,519 --> 00:01:42,200 you in the strait between Ithaca and Samos, and they mean to kill you 24 00:01:42,239 --> 00:01:46,280 before you can reach home. I do not much think they will succeed. 25 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,159 It is more likely that some of those who are now eating up your property 26 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:53,599 will find a grave themselves. Sail night and day, and keep your ship 27 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:57,359 well away from the islands. The god who watches over you and protects you 28 00:01:57,599 --> 00:02:01,359 will send you a fair wind as soon as you get to Ithaca. Send 29 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:05,959 your ship and men on to the town, but yourself go straight to the 30 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,080 swineherd who has charge of your pigs. He is well disposed towards you. 31 00:02:09,479 --> 00:02:14,159 Stay with him therefore for the night, and then send him to Penelope to 32 00:02:14,159 --> 00:02:19,159 tell her that you have got back safe from Pylos. Then she went back 33 00:02:19,159 --> 00:02:23,280 to Olympus. But Telemachus stirred Pisistratus with his heel to rouse him, and 34 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:27,280 said, wake up, Pisistratus, and yoke the horses to the chariot, 35 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:32,599 for we must set off home. But Pisistratus said, no matter what hurry 36 00:02:32,599 --> 00:02:37,000 we are in, we cannot drive in the dark. It will be morning 37 00:02:37,039 --> 00:02:39,599 soon. Wait till Menelaus has brought his presence, and put them in the 38 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:44,360 chariot for us, and then let him say goodbye to us in the usual 39 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:47,120 way. So long as he lives, a guest should never forget a host 40 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:52,560 who has shown him kindness. As he spoke, day began to break, 41 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:57,199 and Menelaus, who had already risen, leaving Helen in bed, came towards 42 00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:00,960 them. When Telemachus saw him, he put on his shirt as fast as 43 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:04,120 he could, throw a great cloak over his shoulders, and went out to 44 00:03:04,159 --> 00:03:07,879 meet him. Menelaus said, he let me go back now to my own 45 00:03:07,879 --> 00:03:15,000 country, for I want to go home, and Menelaus answered Telemachus, if 46 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,960 you insist on going, I will not detain you. I do not like 47 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:23,000 to see a host either too fond of his guest or too rude to him. 48 00:03:23,199 --> 00:03:27,759 Moderation is best in all things, and not letting a man go when 49 00:03:27,759 --> 00:03:30,560 he wants to do so is as bad as telling him to go if he 50 00:03:30,599 --> 00:03:34,479 would like to stay. One should treat a guest well as long as he 51 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:36,680 is in the house, and speed him when he wants to leave it. 52 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:42,000 Wait then till I get your beautiful presence into your chariot. Until you have 53 00:03:42,159 --> 00:03:46,960 yourself seen them, I will tell the women to prepare a sufficient dinner for 54 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,960 you, of what there may be in the house. It will be at 55 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:53,599 once more proper and cheaper for you to get your dinner before setting out on 56 00:03:53,599 --> 00:03:58,120 such a long journey. If moreover, you have a fancy for making a 57 00:03:58,159 --> 00:04:01,039 tour in Hellas or in the Peloponnese, I will yoke my horses and will 58 00:04:01,039 --> 00:04:05,319 conduct you myself through all our principal cities. No one will send us away 59 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:10,919 empty handed. Everyone will give us something a bronze tripod, a couple of 60 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:15,560 mules, or a gold cup. Menilaus replied Telemachus, I want to go 61 00:04:15,639 --> 00:04:19,439 home at once, for when I came away, I left my property without 62 00:04:19,519 --> 00:04:24,519 protection, and fear that while looking for my father, I shall come to 63 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:30,040 ruin myself or find that something valuable has been stolen during my absence. When 64 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:34,519 Menilaius heard this, he immediately told his wife and servants to prepare us efficient 65 00:04:34,519 --> 00:04:39,600 dinner from what there might be in the house. At this moment, Etioneus 66 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:43,319 joined him, for he lived close by and had just got up, So 67 00:04:43,439 --> 00:04:46,959 Menileaus told him to light the fire and cook some meat, which he at 68 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:51,839 once did. Then Menileaus went down into his fragrant storeroom, not alone, 69 00:04:51,879 --> 00:04:58,079 but Helen went to with Megapenthes. When he reached the place where the treasures 70 00:04:58,079 --> 00:05:01,519 of his house were kept, he selected double cup and told his son Megapenthes 71 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:06,160 to bring also a silver mixing bowl. Meanwhile, Helen went to the chest 72 00:05:06,199 --> 00:05:10,399 where she kept the lovely dresses which she had made with her own hands, 73 00:05:10,879 --> 00:05:15,480 and took out one that was largest and most beautifully enriched with embroidery. It 74 00:05:15,519 --> 00:05:18,519 glittered like a star and lay at the very bottom of the chest. Then 75 00:05:18,519 --> 00:05:23,560 they all came back through the house again till they got to Telemachus and Menelaus 76 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:28,399 said, Telemachus made Jove, the mighty husband of Juno, bring you safely 77 00:05:28,439 --> 00:05:31,519 home according to your desire. I will now present you with the finest and 78 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:35,720 most precious piece of plate in all my house. It is a mixing bowl 79 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:40,680 of pure silver, except the rim, which is inlaid with gold, and 80 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:45,040 is the work of Vulcan. Fadimas king of the Sedonians, made me a 81 00:05:45,079 --> 00:05:47,240 present of it in the course of a visit that I paid him while I 82 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,279 was on my return home. I should like to give it to you. 83 00:05:51,319 --> 00:05:55,680 With these words, he placed the double cup in the hands of Telemachus, 84 00:05:56,000 --> 00:06:00,839 while Megapenthes brought the beautiful mixing bowl and set it before him. Hard By 85 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,319 stood lovely Helen, with the robe ready in her hand. I too, 86 00:06:04,399 --> 00:06:09,079 my son, said, she have something for you as a keepsake from the 87 00:06:09,079 --> 00:06:12,879 hand of Helen. It is for your bride to wear upon her wedding day. 88 00:06:13,639 --> 00:06:16,160 Till then get your dear mother to keep it for you. Thus may 89 00:06:16,199 --> 00:06:21,000 you go back rejoicing to your own country and to your home. So saying, 90 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:24,879 she gave the robe over to him, and he received it gladly. 91 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:30,399 Then Pisistratus put the presents into the chariot and admired them all as he did 92 00:06:30,439 --> 00:06:34,439 so. Presently, Menelaus took Telemachus and Pisistratus into the house, and they 93 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:39,319 both of them sat down to table. A maid servant brought them water in 94 00:06:39,319 --> 00:06:42,959 a beautiful golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for them to wash 95 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:46,600 their hands, and she drew a clean table beside them. An upper servant 96 00:06:46,639 --> 00:06:49,560 brought them bread and offered them many good things of what there was in the 97 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:56,160 house. Etioneus carved the meat and gave them eat their portions, while Megapenthes 98 00:06:56,160 --> 00:07:00,279 poured out the wine. Then they laid their hands upon the good things were 99 00:07:00,319 --> 00:07:02,560 before them. But as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, 100 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:06,879 Telemachus and Pisistratus yoked the horses and took their places in the chariot. 101 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:12,439 They drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer 102 00:07:12,519 --> 00:07:15,319 court, and Menelaus came after them with a golden goblet of wine in his 103 00:07:15,439 --> 00:07:18,720 right hand, that they might make a drink offering. Before they set out, 104 00:07:19,439 --> 00:07:23,920 he stood in front of the horses and pledged them, saying, farewell 105 00:07:23,959 --> 00:07:27,439 to both of you. See that you tell Nestor how I have treated you, 106 00:07:27,839 --> 00:07:30,800 For he was as kind to me as any father could be while we 107 00:07:30,959 --> 00:07:35,279 Achaeans were fighting before Troy. We will be sure, sir, answered Telemachus, 108 00:07:35,439 --> 00:07:39,800 to tell him everything as soon as we see him. I wish I 109 00:07:39,839 --> 00:07:43,319 were as certain of finding Ulysses return when I get back to Ithaca, that 110 00:07:43,439 --> 00:07:46,600 I might tell him of the very great kindness you have shown me, and 111 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:50,199 of the many beautiful presents I am taking with me. As he was thus 112 00:07:50,199 --> 00:07:54,759 speaking, a bird flew on his right hand, an eagle with a great 113 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,000 white goose in its talents, which it had carried off from the farmyard, 114 00:07:58,879 --> 00:08:01,279 and all the men and women and were running after it and shouting. It 115 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:05,319 came quite close up to them and flew away on their right hands, in 116 00:08:05,399 --> 00:08:09,079 front of the horses. When they saw it, they were glad, and 117 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:13,639 their hearts took comfort with them. Whereon, Pisistratus said, tell me, 118 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:18,759 Menelaus, has Heaven said this omen for us or for you Menelaus was thinking 119 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,879 what would be the most proper answer for him to make, but Helen was 120 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,319 too quick for him, and said, I will read this matter, as 121 00:08:26,319 --> 00:08:28,920 Heaven has put it in my heart, and as I doubt not that it 122 00:08:28,959 --> 00:08:33,159 will come to pass. The eagle came from the mountain where it was bred 123 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:37,919 and has its nest, and in like manner, Ulysses, after having traveled 124 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:43,399 far and suffered much, will return to take his revenge, if indeed he 125 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:48,039 is not back already and hatching mischief for the suitors. May jove so grant, 126 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:52,039 it replied Telemachus. If it should prove to be so, I will 127 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:56,480 make vows to you as though you were a god, even when I am 128 00:08:56,519 --> 00:09:00,919 at home. As he spoke, he lashed his horse, and they started 129 00:09:00,919 --> 00:09:05,080 off at full speed through the town towards the open country. They swayed the 130 00:09:05,159 --> 00:09:09,000 yoke upon their necks and traveled the whole day long till the sun set and 131 00:09:09,159 --> 00:09:13,120 darkness was over the land. Then they reached Fairy, where Diocles lived, 132 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:18,159 to a son of Ortillicus, the son of Alpheus. There they passed the 133 00:09:18,279 --> 00:09:22,240 night and were treated hospitably. When the child of morning, rosy finger dawn 134 00:09:22,279 --> 00:09:26,759 appeared, they again yoked their horses and their places in the chariot. They 135 00:09:26,879 --> 00:09:31,679 drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court. 136 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:37,200 Then Pisistratus lashed his horses on, and they flew forward nothing loth ere 137 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:41,120 long they came to Pylos, and then Telemachus said, Pisistratus, I hope 138 00:09:41,159 --> 00:09:45,080 you will promise to do what I am going to ask you. You know, 139 00:09:45,159 --> 00:09:48,960 our fathers were old friends before us. Moreover, we are both of 140 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:52,320 an age, and this journey has brought us together still more closely. Do 141 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:56,559 not therefore take me past my ship, but leave me there, for if 142 00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:00,360 I go to your father's house, he will try to keep me in the 143 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,879 warmth of his good will towards me, and I must go home at once. 144 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:09,039 Pisistratus thought how he should do as he was asked, and in the 145 00:10:09,159 --> 00:10:13,559 end he deemed it best to turn his horses towards the ship and put Menelaus's 146 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:16,879 beautiful presence of gold and raiment in the stern of the vessel. Then he 147 00:10:16,919 --> 00:10:20,159 said, go on board at once, and tell your men to do so 148 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:24,120 also, before I can reach home to tell my father. I know how 149 00:10:24,159 --> 00:10:28,720 obstinate he is, and am sure he will not let you go. He 150 00:10:28,799 --> 00:10:31,919 will come down here to fetch you, and he will not go back without 151 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:35,879 you, but he will be very angry with this. He drove his goodly 152 00:10:35,919 --> 00:10:39,559 steeds back to the city of the Pylians, and soon reached his home. 153 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:45,440 But Telemachus called the men together and gave his orders. Now, my men, 154 00:10:45,639 --> 00:10:48,879 said, he get everything in order on board the ship, and let 155 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:52,480 us set out home. Thus did he speak, and they went on board 156 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:58,240 even as he had said. But as Telemachus was thus busied praying also and 157 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,440 sacrificing to Minerva in the ship Stern, there came to him a man from 158 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:05,600 a distant country, a seer, who was flying from Argos because he had 159 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:11,360 killed a man. He was descended from Melampus, who used to live in 160 00:11:11,399 --> 00:11:15,240 Pylos, the land of sheep. He was rich and owned a great house, 161 00:11:15,759 --> 00:11:18,159 but he was driven into exile by the great and powerful king Nelius. 162 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:24,279 Nellius seized his goods and held them for a whole year, during which he 163 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:28,559 was a close prisoner in the house of King Philicus, and in much distress 164 00:11:28,639 --> 00:11:31,120 of mind, both on account of the daughter of Nellius and because he was 165 00:11:31,159 --> 00:11:35,679 haunted by a great sorrow that dread Ernes had laid upon him. In the 166 00:11:35,799 --> 00:11:39,679 end, however, he escaped with his life drove the cattle from Philes to 167 00:11:39,759 --> 00:11:43,200 Pylos, avenged the wrong that had been done him, and gave the daughter 168 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:48,360 of Nellius to his brother. Then he left the country and went to Argos, 169 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:52,559 where it was ordained that he should reign over much people. There he 170 00:11:52,639 --> 00:11:58,200 married, established himself and had two famous sons, Antiphides and Manteus. Antiphides 171 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:03,399 became father of Boeclius and Oheclius, of Amphyreus, who was dearly loved both 172 00:12:03,399 --> 00:12:07,000 by Jove and by Apollo. But he did not live to an old age, 173 00:12:07,159 --> 00:12:11,720 for he was killed in thieves by reasonable woman's gifts. His sons were 174 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:18,120 Alcmion and Amphilicus. Manteus, the other son of Melampus, was father to 175 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:24,240 Polyphatees and Cletus. Aurora, throned in gold, carried off Cletus for his 176 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:28,039 beauty's sake, that he might dwell among the immortals, But Apollo made Polyphades 177 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:33,759 the greatest seer in the whole world. Now that Amphiarius was dead, he 178 00:12:33,879 --> 00:12:37,799 quarreled with his father and went to live in Hyperresia, where he remained in 179 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:41,960 prophesied for all men. His son, Theoclemenus, it was who now came 180 00:12:43,039 --> 00:12:46,480 up to Telemachus as he was making drink offerings and praying in his ship. 181 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:50,399 Friend said he, now that I find you sacrificing in this place, I 182 00:12:50,519 --> 00:12:54,080 beseech you, by your sacrifices themselves and by the God to whom you make 183 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:58,799 them. I pray you also by your own head and by those of your 184 00:12:58,799 --> 00:13:01,200 followers. Tell me the truth, and nothing but the truth. Who and 185 00:13:01,279 --> 00:13:07,279 whence are you? Tell me also of your town and parents? Telemachus said, 186 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:11,440 I will answer you quite truly. I am from Ithaca, and my 187 00:13:11,519 --> 00:13:15,960 father is Ulysses, as surely as that he ever lived, but he has 188 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:20,080 come to some miserable end. Therefore I have taken this ship and got my 189 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:22,279 crew together to see if I can hear any news of him, for he 190 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:28,639 has been away a long time. I too, answered theocleminus, am an 191 00:13:28,639 --> 00:13:31,600 exile, for I have killed a man of my own race. He has 192 00:13:31,639 --> 00:13:35,919 many brothers and kinsmen in Argos, and they have great power among the Argives. 193 00:13:37,919 --> 00:13:41,720 I am flying to escape death at their hands, and am thus doomed 194 00:13:41,759 --> 00:13:45,720 to be a wanderer on the face of the earth. I am your suppliant. 195 00:13:45,879 --> 00:13:48,080 Take me therefore on board your ship that they may not kill me, 196 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:54,120 for I know they are in pursuit. I will not refuse you, replied 197 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:58,559 Telemachus. If you wish to join us, come therefore and in Ithaca. 198 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:03,360 We will treat you hospitably according to what we have on this He received their 199 00:14:03,399 --> 00:14:07,120 cleminus spear and laid it down on the deck of the ship. He went 200 00:14:07,159 --> 00:14:09,879 on board and sat in the stern, bidding thea cleminus sit beside him. 201 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:15,559 Then the men let go the hawsers. Telemachus told them to catch hold of 202 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:18,399 the ropes, and they made all haste to do so. They set the 203 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:22,000 mast in a socket in the cross plank, raised it and made it fast 204 00:14:22,039 --> 00:14:26,519 with the forest. Days, and they hoisted their white sails with sheets of 205 00:14:26,519 --> 00:14:31,440 twisted ox hide. Minervas sent them a fair wind that blew fresh and strong, 206 00:14:31,519 --> 00:14:35,000 to take the ship on her course as fast as possible. Thus, 207 00:14:35,039 --> 00:14:39,600 then they passed by Crooney and Chelsis. Presently the sun set and darkness was 208 00:14:39,679 --> 00:14:43,240 over all the land. The vessel made a quick passage to Fia, and 209 00:14:43,279 --> 00:14:48,279 thence on to Ellis, where the Appean's rule. Telemachus then headed her for 210 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:52,879 the Flying Islands, wondering within himself whether he should escape death or should be 211 00:14:52,879 --> 00:14:58,919 taken prisoner. Meanwhile, Ulysses and the swineherd were eating their supper in the 212 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,440 hut, and the men and supped with them. As soon as they had 213 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:05,600 had to eat and drink. Ulysses began trying to prove the swineherd and see 214 00:15:05,639 --> 00:15:09,480 whether he would continue to treat him kindly and ask him to stay on at 215 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:15,559 the station or pack him off to the city. So he said, Eumaeus 216 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:18,440 and all of you, tomorrow, I want to go away and begin begging 217 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:22,840 about the town, so as to be no more trouble to you or to 218 00:15:22,879 --> 00:15:26,679 your men. Give me your advice therefore, and let me have a good 219 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:30,159 guide to go with me and show me the way. I will go round 220 00:15:30,159 --> 00:15:33,879 of the city, begging as I needs must to see if anyone will give 221 00:15:33,919 --> 00:15:37,799 me a drink and a piece of bread. I should like also to go 222 00:15:37,879 --> 00:15:41,600 to the house of Ulysses and bring news of her husband to Queen Penelope. 223 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:45,159 I could then go about among the suitors and see if, out of all 224 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:48,120 their abundance, they will give me a dinner. I should soon make them 225 00:15:48,159 --> 00:15:52,519 an excellent servant in all sorts of ways. Listen and believe when I tell 226 00:15:52,559 --> 00:15:56,879 you that, by the blessing of Mercury, who gives grace and good name 227 00:15:56,919 --> 00:16:00,519 to the works of all men, there is no one living who would make 228 00:16:00,559 --> 00:16:03,399 a more handy servant than I should. To put fresh wood on the fire, 229 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:07,320 chop fuel, carve, cook, pour out wine, and do all 230 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:12,720 those services that poor men have to do for their betters. The swineherd was 231 00:16:12,799 --> 00:16:18,200 very much disturbed when he heard this. Heaven help me, he exclaimed, 232 00:16:18,559 --> 00:16:22,639 whatever can have put such a notion as that into your head? If you 233 00:16:22,759 --> 00:16:26,360 go near the suitors, you will be undone to a certainty, for their 234 00:16:26,399 --> 00:16:30,799 pride and insolence reach the very heavens. They would never think of taking a 235 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,879 man like you for a servant. Their servants are all young men, well 236 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:38,360 dressed, wearing good cloaks and shirts, with well looking faces, and their 237 00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:42,919 hair always tidy. The tables are kept quite clean and are loaded with bread, 238 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:47,399 meat, and wine. Stay where you are, then you are not 239 00:16:47,519 --> 00:16:52,240 in anybody's way. I do not mind your being here, no more do 240 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:55,960 any of the others. And when Telemachus comes home, he will give you 241 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:57,840 a shirt and cloak, and will send you wherever you want to go. 242 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,599 Ulysses answered I hope you may be as clear to the gods as you are 243 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:07,400 to me, for having saved me from going about and getting into trouble. 244 00:17:08,039 --> 00:17:11,920 There is nothing worse than being always on the tramp. Still, when men 245 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,160 have once got low down in the world, they will go through a great 246 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:19,519 deal on behalf of their miserable bellies. Since, however, you press me 247 00:17:19,599 --> 00:17:25,039 to stay here and await the return of Telemachus, tell me about Ulysses mother 248 00:17:25,279 --> 00:17:27,319 and his father, whom he left on the threshold of old age when he 249 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:32,519 set out for Troy. Are they still living or are they already dead? 250 00:17:32,599 --> 00:17:36,480 And in the house of Hades, I will tell you all about them, 251 00:17:36,559 --> 00:17:41,319 replied Eumaeus. Laertes is still living, and praise Heaven to let him depart 252 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:45,720 peacefully in his own house, for he is terribly distressed about the absence of 253 00:17:45,759 --> 00:17:49,000 his son, and also about the death of his wife, which grieved him 254 00:17:49,039 --> 00:17:53,720 greatly and aged him more than anything else did. She came to an unhappy 255 00:17:53,839 --> 00:17:59,119 end through sorrow for her son. May no friend or neighbor who has dealt 256 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:03,480 kindly by me come to such an end as she did. As long as 257 00:18:03,519 --> 00:18:07,640 she was still living, though she was always grieving I used to like seeing 258 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:11,599 her and asking her how she did, For she brought me up along with 259 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:15,400 her daughter, Timmody, the youngest of her children. We were boy and 260 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:18,720 girl together, and she made a little difference between us. When, however, 261 00:18:18,839 --> 00:18:22,759 we both grew up. They sent Timody to Sammy and received a splendid 262 00:18:22,839 --> 00:18:26,680 dowry for her. As for me, my mistress gave me a good shirt 263 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,759 and cloak, with a pair of sandals for my feet, and set me 264 00:18:30,799 --> 00:18:33,279 off into the country. But she was just as fond of me as ever. 265 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:38,720 This is all over now. Still it has pleased Heaven to prosper my 266 00:18:38,759 --> 00:18:42,599 work in the situation which I now hold. I have enough to eat and 267 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:47,799 drink, and can find something for any respectable stranger that comes here. But 268 00:18:48,039 --> 00:18:51,599 there is no getting a kind word or deed out of my mistress, for 269 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:56,440 the house has fallen into the hands of wicked people. Servants want sometimes to 270 00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:59,680 see their mistress and have a talk with her. They'd like to have something 271 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,640 to eat, eat and drink at the house, and something too to take 272 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:06,279 back with them into the country. This is what will keep servants in a 273 00:19:06,319 --> 00:19:11,279 good humor. Ulysses answered, then you must have been a very little fellow, 274 00:19:11,319 --> 00:19:15,039 Eumaeus, when you were taken so far away from your home and parents, 275 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:19,480 tell me, and tell me true, was the city in which your 276 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:25,000 father and mother lived sacked and pillaged? Or did some enemies carry you off 277 00:19:25,039 --> 00:19:29,000 when you were alone tending sheep or cattle, ship you off here and sell 278 00:19:29,079 --> 00:19:33,920 you for whatever your master gave them? Stranger, replied Eumaeus. As regards 279 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:38,359 your question, sit still, make yourself comfortable, drink your wine, and 280 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:42,599 listen to me. The nights are now at their longest. There is plenty 281 00:19:42,599 --> 00:19:47,839 of time both for sleeping and sitting up talking together. You ought not to 282 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:51,599 go to bed till bedtime. Too much sleep is as bad as too little. 283 00:19:52,519 --> 00:19:55,400 If any one of the others wishes to go to bed, let him 284 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:59,200 leave us and do so. He can then take my master's pigs out when 285 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:02,599 he has done breakfast. In the morning, we two will sit here, 286 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:07,000 eating and drinking in the hut and telling one another stories about our misfortunes. 287 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:11,240 For when a man has suffered much and been buffeted about in the world, 288 00:20:11,559 --> 00:20:15,640 he takes pleasure in recalling the memory of sorrows that have gone by. As 289 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:21,680 regards your question, then my tale is as follows. You may have heard 290 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:25,960 of an island called Syrah, that lives over above Ortigia, where the land 291 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:30,359 begins to turn round and look in another direction. It is not very thickly 292 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:33,039 peopled, but the soil is good, with much pasture fit for cattle and 293 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:37,920 sheep, and it abounds with wine and wheat. Darth never comes there, 294 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:42,200 nor are the people plagued by any sickness, but when they grow old, 295 00:20:42,319 --> 00:20:48,960 Apollo comes with Diana and kills them with his painless shafts. It contains two 296 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:52,319 communities, and the whole country is divided between these two. My father, 297 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:56,400 Tesseus, son of Ormenus, a man comparable to the gods, reigned over 298 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:02,839 both. Now to this place there came some cunning traders from Phoenicia, for 299 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:07,319 the Phoenicians are great mariners. In a ship which they had freighted with geegaws 300 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:11,160 of all kinds, there happened to be a Phoenician woman in my father's house, 301 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:17,880 very tall and comely and an excellent servant. These scoundrels got hold of 302 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:22,079 her one day when she was washing near their ship, seduced her and cajoled 303 00:21:22,079 --> 00:21:25,720 her in ways that no woman can resist, no matter how good she may 304 00:21:25,759 --> 00:21:29,480 be by nature. The man who had seduced her asked her who she was 305 00:21:29,519 --> 00:21:33,400 and where she came from, And on this she told him her father's name. 306 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:37,920 I come from Sidon, said she, and am daughter to Erebus, 307 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:41,160 a man rolling in wealth. One day, as I was coming into the 308 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:45,440 town from the country, some Taffian pirates seized me and took me here over 309 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:48,880 the sea, where they sold me to the man who owns this house, 310 00:21:49,279 --> 00:21:53,359 and he gave them their price for me. The man who had seduced her 311 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,720 then said, would you like to come along with us to see the house 312 00:21:56,759 --> 00:22:00,559 of your parents? And your parents themselves they are both alive and are said 313 00:22:00,599 --> 00:22:04,359 to be well off. I will do so, gladly, answered she, 314 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:08,319 if you men will first swear me a solemn oath that you will do me 315 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:11,960 no harm. By the way, they all swore as she told them, 316 00:22:12,079 --> 00:22:17,119 And when they had completed their oath, the woman said, hush, and 317 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:18,839 if any of your men meets me in the street or at the well, 318 00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:22,319 do not let him speak to me, for fear some one should go and 319 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:26,880 tell my master, in which case he would suspect something, he would put 320 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:32,559 me in prison and would have all of you murdered. Keep your own counsel. 321 00:22:32,599 --> 00:22:36,559 Therefore, buy your merchandise as fast as you can, and send me 322 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:38,839 word when you have done loading. I will bring as much gold as I 323 00:22:38,839 --> 00:22:42,119 can lay my hands on. And there is something else also that I can 324 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,880 do towards paying my fare. I am nursed to the son of the good 325 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:49,440 man of the house, a funny little fellow, just able to run about. 326 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:52,680 I will carry him off in your ship, and you will get a 327 00:22:52,680 --> 00:22:56,720 great deal of money for him if you take him and sell him in foreign 328 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:00,240 parts. On this she went back to the house. The Phoenicians stayed a 329 00:23:00,279 --> 00:23:04,519 whole year till they had loaded their ship with much precious merchandise, and then 330 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:08,359 when they had got freight enough, they sent to tell the woman. Their 331 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:12,880 messenger, a very cunning fellow, came to my father's house bringing a necklace 332 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:18,039 of gold with amber beats strung among it, And while my mother and the 333 00:23:18,079 --> 00:23:21,799 servants had it in their hands, admiring it and bargaining about it, he 334 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:25,279 made a sign quietly to the woman, and then went back to the ship, 335 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:27,720 whereon she took me by the hand and led me out of the house. 336 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:32,279 In the fore part of the house, she saw the table set with 337 00:23:32,319 --> 00:23:36,559 the cups of guests who had been feasting with my father as being in attendance 338 00:23:36,599 --> 00:23:40,319 on him. These were now all gone to a meeting of the public assembly. 339 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:44,839 So she snatched up three cups and carried them off in the bosom of 340 00:23:44,839 --> 00:23:48,759 her dress, while I followed her, for I knew no better. The 341 00:23:48,839 --> 00:23:52,839 sun was now set and darkness was over all the land, So we hurried 342 00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:56,519 on as fast as we could, till we reached the harbor where the Phoenician 343 00:23:56,559 --> 00:24:00,720 ship was lying. When they had got on board, they sailed ways over 344 00:24:00,759 --> 00:24:03,319 the sea, taking us with them, and Jove sent them a fair wind. 345 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:08,000 Six days did we sail, both night and day. But on the 346 00:24:08,039 --> 00:24:12,519 seventh day Diana struck the woman, and she fell heavily down into the ship's 347 00:24:12,519 --> 00:24:17,920 hold, as though she were a seagull alighting on the water. So they 348 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:22,279 threw her overboard to the seals and fishes, and I was left all sorrowful 349 00:24:22,319 --> 00:24:26,680 and alone. Presently, the winds and waves took the ship to Ithaca, 350 00:24:26,799 --> 00:24:30,799 where Laertes gave sundry of his chattels for me. And thus it was that 351 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:37,599 ever I came to set eyes upon this country. Ulysses answered Eumaeus, I 352 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:41,079 have heard the story of your misfortunes with the most lively interest and pity. 353 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:45,960 But Jove has given you good as well as evil, for in spite of 354 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:49,160 everything you have a good master who sees that you always have enough to eat 355 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,519 and drink, and you lead a good life, whereas I am still going 356 00:24:53,559 --> 00:24:59,640 about begging my way from city to city. Thus did they converse, and 357 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:03,079 they had only a very little time left for sleep, for it was soon 358 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:07,519 daybreak. In the meantime, Telemachus and his crew were nearing land, so 359 00:25:07,599 --> 00:25:11,039 they loosed the sails, took down the mast, and rowed the ship into 360 00:25:11,079 --> 00:25:15,160 the harbor. They cast out their mooring stones and made fast the hawsers. 361 00:25:15,759 --> 00:25:19,519 They then got out upon the seashore, mixed their wine, and got dinner 362 00:25:19,519 --> 00:25:23,039 ready. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Telemachus 363 00:25:23,039 --> 00:25:26,559 said, take the ship on to the town, but leave me here, 364 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:30,640 for I want to look after the herdsman on one of my farms. In 365 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:33,880 the evening. When I have seen all I want, I will come down 366 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:37,480 to the city, and tomorrow morning, in return for your trouble, I 367 00:25:37,519 --> 00:25:42,240 will give you all a good dinner with meat and wine. Then theo Clemenus 368 00:25:42,319 --> 00:25:47,759 said, and what my dear young friend is to become of me? To 369 00:25:47,759 --> 00:25:51,599 whose house among all your chief men, am I to repair? Or shall 370 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:56,400 I go straight to your own house and to your mother at any other time? 371 00:25:56,559 --> 00:25:59,960 Replied Telemachus, I should have bid you to go to my own house, 372 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:03,279 for you would find no want of hospitality. At the present moment, 373 00:26:03,279 --> 00:26:07,720 however, you would not be comfortable there, for I shall be away, 374 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:11,079 and my mother will not see you. She does not often show herself even 375 00:26:11,119 --> 00:26:15,759 to the suitors, but sits at her loom, weaving in an upper chamber, 376 00:26:15,079 --> 00:26:19,279 out of their way. But I can tell you a man whose house 377 00:26:19,279 --> 00:26:23,680 you can go to. I mean Eurymachus, son of Polybus, who is 378 00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:27,720 held in the highest estimation by every one in Ithaca. He is much the 379 00:26:27,759 --> 00:26:32,559 best man and most persistent wooer of all those who are paying court to my 380 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:37,559 mother and trying to take Ulyssi's place. Jove, however, in Heaven alone 381 00:26:37,599 --> 00:26:41,039 knows whether or no they will come to a bad end before the marriage takes 382 00:26:41,039 --> 00:26:45,880 place. As he was speaking, a bird flew by upon his right hand, 383 00:26:45,319 --> 00:26:49,480 a hawk, Apollo's messenger. It held a dove in its talents, 384 00:26:49,519 --> 00:26:53,200 and the feathers, as it tore them off, fell to the ground midway 385 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:59,759 between Telemachus and the ship. On this Theoclemenus called him apart and caught him 386 00:26:59,759 --> 00:27:03,599 by the hand. Telemachus said, he that bird did not fly on your 387 00:27:03,680 --> 00:27:07,680 right hand without having been sent there by some god. As soon as I 388 00:27:07,720 --> 00:27:11,240 saw it, I knew it was an omen. It means that you will 389 00:27:11,279 --> 00:27:15,960 remain powerful, and there will be no house in Ithaca more royal than your 390 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:21,640 own. I wish it may prove so, answered Telemachus. If it does, 391 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:25,519 I will show you so much good will and give you so many presents 392 00:27:25,559 --> 00:27:30,599 that all who meet you will congratulate you. Then he said to his friend 393 00:27:30,599 --> 00:27:34,319 Pireus, Pireus, son of Clydius, you have throughout shown yourself the most 394 00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:38,119 willing to serve me of all those who have accompanied me to Pylos. I 395 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:42,240 wish you would take this stranger to your own house and entertain him hospitably till 396 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:48,200 I can come for him. And Piraeus answered Telemachus, you may stay away 397 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:51,240 as long as you please, but I will look after him for you, 398 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:55,920 and he shall find no lack of hospitality. As he spoke, he went 399 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:59,720 on board, and bade the others do so also, and loose the hawsers. 400 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:03,039 So they took their places in the ship. But Telemachus bound on his 401 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:07,319 sandals and took a long and doughty spear with a head of sharpened bronze from 402 00:28:07,319 --> 00:28:11,119 the deck of the ship. Then they loosed the hawsers, thrust the ship 403 00:28:11,160 --> 00:28:15,440 off from land, and made on towards the city, as they had been 404 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:18,519 told to do. While Telemachus strode on as fast as he could, till 405 00:28:18,559 --> 00:28:22,519 he reached the homestead where his countless herds of swine were feeding, and where 406 00:28:22,599 --> 00:28:30,200 dwelt the excellent swineherd who was so devoted a servant to his master. End 407 00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:30,079 of Book fifteen.