1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:07,000 Book twenty four, The Ghosts of the Suitors in Hades, Ulysses and his 2 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:12,039 men go to the house of Laird Case. The people of Ithaca come out 3 00:00:12,119 --> 00:00:22,039 to attack Ulysses, but Minervac concludes a peace. Then Mercury of Silene summoned 4 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:26,679 the ghosts of the Suitors, and in his hand he held the fair golden 5 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:31,839 wand, with which he seals men's eyes in sleep, or wakes them just 6 00:00:32,039 --> 00:00:37,840 as he pleases. With this, he roused the ghosts and led them while 7 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:43,719 they followed, whining and gibbering behind him, as bats fly squealing in the 8 00:00:43,759 --> 00:00:48,320 hollow of some great cave when one of them has fallen out of the cluster 9 00:00:48,439 --> 00:00:54,560 in which they hang. Even so did the ghosts whine and squeal as Mercury, 10 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:58,640 the Healer of sorrow, led them down to the dark abode of death. 11 00:01:00,039 --> 00:01:03,920 When they had passed the waters of Oceanus and the roch Leelchus, they 12 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:10,319 came to the gates of the Sun and the land of Dreams, whereon they 13 00:01:10,359 --> 00:01:15,959 reached the meadow of Asphodel, where dwelled the souls and shadows of them that 14 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:19,799 can labor no more. Here they found the ghost of Achilles, son of 15 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:27,120 Peleus, with those of Patroclus and Telochus, and Ajax, who was the 16 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:34,359 finest and handsomest man of all the Danians, after the son of Pelias himself. 17 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,519 They gathered round the ghost of the son of Pelias, and the ghost 18 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:46,879 of Agamemnon joined them, sorrowing bitterly. Round him were also gathered the ghosts 19 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:52,040 of those who had perished with him in the house of Ajeastus. And the 20 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:57,480 ghost of Achilles spoke, first, son of Atreus, It said, we 21 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:02,519 used to say that Joe had loved you better from the first to last than 22 00:02:02,599 --> 00:02:08,800 any other hero, for you were captain over many and brave men when we 23 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:15,560 were all fighting together before Troy. Yet the hand of death, which no 24 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:21,879 mortal can escape, was laid upon you all too early. Better for you 25 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:27,039 had you fallen at Troy in the heyday of your renown, for the Achaeans 26 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,680 would have built a mound over your ashes, and your son would have been 27 00:02:30,759 --> 00:02:37,400 heir to your good name, whereas it has now been your lot to come 28 00:02:37,439 --> 00:02:44,759 to a most miserable end. Happy son of Pelias, answered the ghost of 29 00:02:44,879 --> 00:02:51,560 Agamemnon, for having died at Troy, far from argos, while the bravest 30 00:02:51,599 --> 00:02:54,919 of the Trojans and the Achaeans fell round you, fighting for your body. 31 00:02:55,879 --> 00:03:02,960 There you lay in the whirling clouds of dust, all huge and hugely heedless. 32 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,960 Now of your chivalry, we fought the whole of the livelong day, 33 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:13,879 Nor should we ever have left off if Jove had not sent a hurricane to 34 00:03:13,879 --> 00:03:17,479 stay us. Then, when we had borne you to the ships out of 35 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:23,520 the fray, we laid you on your bed and cleansed your fair skin with 36 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:30,039 warm water and with ointments. The Danaians tore their hair and wept bitterly round 37 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:35,840 about you. Your mother, when she heard, came with her immortal nymphs 38 00:03:35,879 --> 00:03:39,319 from out of the sea, and the sound of a great whaling went forth 39 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:46,000 over the waters, so that the Achaeans quaked for fear. They would have 40 00:03:46,039 --> 00:03:51,319 fled, panic stricken to their ships, had not wise old Nestor, whose 41 00:03:51,319 --> 00:03:57,319 counsel was ever truest, checked them, saying, hold, our gives fly 42 00:03:57,599 --> 00:04:02,159 not sons of the Achaeans. This is his mother coming from the sea with 43 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:10,120 her immortal niphs to view the body of her son. Thus he spoke, 44 00:04:10,439 --> 00:04:15,360 and the Achaeans feared no more. The daughters of the old Man of the 45 00:04:15,439 --> 00:04:20,759 sea stood round you, weeping bitterly, and clothed you in immortal raiment. 46 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:28,839 The nine muses also came and lifted up their sweet voices in lament, calling 47 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:33,560 and answering one another. There was not an argive, but wept for pity 48 00:04:33,759 --> 00:04:40,720 of the dirge. They chanted days and nights seven and ten we mourned you, 49 00:04:41,639 --> 00:04:46,759 mortals and immortals. But on the eighteenth day we gave you to the 50 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:50,959 flames. And many a fat sheep, with many an ox did we slay 51 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:56,759 in sacrifice. Around you. You were burnt in raiment of the gods, 52 00:04:57,439 --> 00:05:03,240 with rich resins and with honey, while heroes horse and foot clashed their armor 53 00:05:03,399 --> 00:05:08,360 round the pile, as you were burning with a tramp, as of a 54 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:13,959 great multitude. But when the flames of heaven had done their work, we 55 00:05:14,079 --> 00:05:18,839 gathered your white bones at daybreak and laid them in ointments and in pure wine. 56 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:26,000 Your mother brought us a golden vase to hold them, gift of Bacchus, 57 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:31,360 in work of Vulcan himself. In this we mingled your bleached bones with 58 00:05:31,399 --> 00:05:38,199 those of Protroclus, who had gone before you, and separate we enclosed also 59 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:43,879 those of Antilochus, who had been closer to you than any other of your 60 00:05:43,879 --> 00:05:49,920 comrades. Now that Protroclus was no more over these the host of the Argives 61 00:05:49,959 --> 00:05:57,240 built a noble tomb from a point jutting out over the open Hellespont, that 62 00:05:57,319 --> 00:06:01,319 it might be seen from far out upon the sea by those now living and 63 00:06:01,439 --> 00:06:08,879 by them that shall be borne hereafter, your mother begged prizes from the gods 64 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:14,839 and offered them to be contended for by the noblest of the Accaeans. You 65 00:06:14,959 --> 00:06:18,160 must have been present at the funeral of many a hero, when the young 66 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:24,720 men gird themselves and make ready to contend for prizes on the death of some 67 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:31,160 great chieftain. But you never saw such prizes as silver footed Thetis offered in 68 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:36,879 your honor, For the gods loved you well. Thus, even in death, 69 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:43,000 your fame, Achilles, has not been lost, and your name lives 70 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:49,360 evermore among all mankind. But as for me, what solace had I when 71 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:55,399 the days of my fighting were done? For Jove willed my destruction on my 72 00:06:55,480 --> 00:07:01,120 return by the hands of a Juststus and those of my wicked wife. Thus 73 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:05,680 did they converse, and presently Mercury came up to them with the ghosts of 74 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:12,199 the suitors who had been killed by Ulysses. The ghosts of Agamemnon and Achilles 75 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:16,360 were astonished at seeing them and went up to them at once. The ghost 76 00:07:16,439 --> 00:07:25,600 of Agamemnon recognized Amphimidon, son of Melanaeus, who lived in Ithaca and had 77 00:07:25,639 --> 00:07:30,959 been his host, so it began to talk to him. Amphimidon, it 78 00:07:30,079 --> 00:07:34,920 said, what has happened to all you fine young men, all of an 79 00:07:34,959 --> 00:07:40,839 age too, that you come down here under the ground. One could pick 80 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:46,759 no finer body of men from any city. Did Neptum raise his winds and 81 00:07:46,279 --> 00:07:50,959 waves against you when you were at sea? Or did your enemies make an 82 00:07:51,079 --> 00:07:56,600 end of you on the mainland when you were cattle lifting or sheep stealing, 83 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:01,759 or while fighting in defense of your wives and city? Answer my question, 84 00:08:01,279 --> 00:08:07,000 for I have been your guest. Do you not remember how I came to 85 00:08:07,079 --> 00:08:13,800 your house with Menelais to persuade Ulysses to join us with his ships against Troy. 86 00:08:13,879 --> 00:08:18,480 It was a whole month ere we could resume our voyage, for we 87 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:24,040 had hard work to persuade Ulysses to come with us. And the ghost of 88 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:33,240 Amphimidon answered Agamemnon, son of Atrius, king of Men, I remember everything 89 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:37,480 that you have said, and will tell you fully and accurately about the way 90 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:43,360 in which our end was brought about. Ulysses had been long gone, and 91 00:08:43,399 --> 00:08:48,159 we were courting his wife, who did not say point blank that she would 92 00:08:48,159 --> 00:08:54,000 not marry nor yet bring matters to an end, for she meant to compass 93 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:58,240 our destruction. This, then, was the trick she played on us. 94 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:03,639 She set up a great tambour frame in her room and began to work on 95 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:09,279 an enormous piece of fine needlework. Sweethearts, said she, Ulysses, and 96 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:16,279 sindeed dead. Still, do not press me to marry again immediately, wait, 97 00:09:16,519 --> 00:09:20,960 for I would not have my skill in needlework perish unrecorded till I have 98 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:26,720 completed a pall for the hero Laertes, against the time when death shall take 99 00:09:26,799 --> 00:09:31,000 him. He is very rich, and the women of the place will talk 100 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:35,639 if he is laid out without a pall. This is what she said, 101 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:41,799 and we assented. Whereupon we could see her working upon her great web all 102 00:09:41,879 --> 00:09:48,159 day long, but at night she would unpick the stitches again by torchlight. 103 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:52,559 She fooled us in this way for three years without our finding it out. 104 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:58,159 But As time wore on, and she was now in her fourth year in 105 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:03,039 the waning of moon, and many days had been accomplished. One of her 106 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:07,840 maids, who knew what she was doing, told us, and we caught 107 00:10:07,879 --> 00:10:13,240 her in the act of undoing her work. So she had to finish it, 108 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:16,519 whether she would or no. And when she showed us the robe she 109 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:22,759 had made after she had had it washed, its splendor was as that of 110 00:10:22,799 --> 00:10:30,120 the sun or moon. Then some malicious god conveyed Ulysses to the upland farm 111 00:10:30,279 --> 00:10:35,519 where his swineherd lives. Thither presently came also his son, returning from a 112 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:41,679 voyage to Pylos, and the two came to the town when they had hatched 113 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:48,240 their plot for our destruction. Telemachus came first, and then after him, 114 00:10:48,759 --> 00:10:54,399 accompanied by the swineherd, came Ulysses, clad in rags and leaning on a 115 00:10:54,440 --> 00:11:00,759 staff, as though he were some miserable old beggar. He came so expectedly 116 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:05,440 that none of us knew him, not even the older ones among us, 117 00:11:05,519 --> 00:11:11,080 and we reviled him and threw things at him. He endured both being struck 118 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:18,360 and insulted without a word, though he was in his own house, But 119 00:11:18,759 --> 00:11:24,120 when the will of aegis bearing Jove inspired him. He and Telemachus took the 120 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:30,480 armor and hid it in an inner chamber, bolting the doors behind them. 121 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:37,639 Then he cunningly made his wife offer his bow and a quantity of iron, 122 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:43,600 to be contended for by us ill fated suitors. And this was the beginning 123 00:11:43,639 --> 00:11:48,320 of our end, for not one of us could string the bow, nor 124 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:52,120 nearly do so. When it was about to reach the hands of Ulysses, 125 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:58,200 we all of us shouted out that it should not be given him, no 126 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:03,320 matter what he might say. But Telemachus insisted on his having it. When 127 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:09,039 he had got it in his hands, he strung it with ease and sent 128 00:12:09,159 --> 00:12:13,360 his arrow through the iron. Then he stood on the floor the cloister and 129 00:12:13,639 --> 00:12:20,440 poured his arrows on the ground, glaring fiercely about him. First he killed 130 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:26,480 Antinous, and then, aiming straight before him, he let fly his deadly 131 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:31,759 darts, and they fell thick on one another. It was plain that some 132 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:35,720 one of the gods was helping them, for they fell upon us with might 133 00:12:35,799 --> 00:12:41,679 and main throughout the cloisters. And there was a hideous sound of groaning, 134 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:46,320 as our brains were being battered in and the ground seethed with our blood. 135 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:52,759 This, Agamemnon, is how we came by our end. And our bodies 136 00:12:52,759 --> 00:12:58,519 are lying still uncared for in the house of Ulysses, for our friends at 137 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:03,399 home do not yet know what has happened, so that they cannot lay us 138 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:09,960 out and wash the black blood from our wounds, making moan over us to 139 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:20,000 the offices due to the departed. Happy Ulysses, son of Laertes, replied 140 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,679 the ghost of Agamemnon, you are indeed blessed in the possession of a wife 141 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:31,440 endowed with such rare excellence of understanding, and so faithful to her wedded lord, 142 00:13:33,039 --> 00:13:39,919 as Penelope, the daughter of Ecarius. The fame therefore of her virtue 143 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:46,080 shall never die, and the immortals shall compose a song that shall be welcome 144 00:13:46,159 --> 00:13:54,000 to all mankind in honor of the constancy of Penelope. How far otherwise was 145 00:13:54,039 --> 00:14:00,200 the wickedness of the daughter of Tyndareus, who killed her wawful husband. Her 146 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:05,039 song shall be hateful among men, for she has brought disgrace on all womankind, 147 00:14:05,799 --> 00:14:11,000 even on the good ones. Thus did they converse in the house of 148 00:14:11,039 --> 00:14:18,320 Hades, deep down within the bowels of the earth, Meanwhile, Ulysses and 149 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:22,960 the others passed out of the town and soon reached the fair and well tilled 150 00:14:24,159 --> 00:14:30,360 farm of Laertes, which he had reclaimed with infinite labor. Here was his 151 00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:35,679 house, with a lean to running all round it, where the slaves who 152 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:41,919 worked for him slept and sat and ate. While inside the house there was 153 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:48,879 an old cy cellwoman who looked after him in this his country farm. When 154 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,440 Ulysses got there, he said to his son and to the other two, 155 00:14:52,559 --> 00:14:56,679 go to the house and kill the best pig that you can find for dinner. 156 00:14:58,559 --> 00:15:03,759 Meanwhile, I want to see whether my father will know me or fail 157 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:09,799 to recognize me after so long an absence. He then took off his armor 158 00:15:09,399 --> 00:15:16,279 and gave it to Eumaeus and Philoetius, who went straight on to the house, 159 00:15:16,919 --> 00:15:20,799 while he turned off into the vineyard to make trial of his father. 160 00:15:20,679 --> 00:15:26,519 As he went down into the great orchard, he did not see Dolius nor 161 00:15:26,679 --> 00:15:31,200 any of his sons, nor of the other bondsmen, for they were all 162 00:15:31,279 --> 00:15:35,519 gathering thorns to make a fence for the vineyard at the place where the old 163 00:15:35,559 --> 00:15:41,200 man had told them. He therefore found his father alone, hoeing a vine 164 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:46,240 He had on a dirty old shirt, patched and very shabby. His legs 165 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:50,720 were bound round with thongs of ox hide to save him from the brambles, 166 00:15:52,559 --> 00:15:56,440 and he also wore sleeves of leather. He had a goat skin cap on 167 00:15:56,559 --> 00:16:03,200 his head, and was looking very obegone. When Ulysses saw him, so 168 00:16:03,399 --> 00:16:07,960 worn, so old, and full of sorrow, he stood still under a 169 00:16:08,039 --> 00:16:14,879 tall pear tree and began to weep. He doubted whether to embrace him, 170 00:16:15,519 --> 00:16:19,279 kiss him, and tell him all about his having come home, or whether 171 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:25,360 he should first question him and see what he would say. In the end, 172 00:16:25,679 --> 00:16:30,440 he deemed it best to be crafty with him. So in this mind 173 00:16:30,519 --> 00:16:33,799 he went up to his father, who was bending down and digging about a 174 00:16:33,799 --> 00:16:40,840 plant. I see, sir, said Ulysses, that you are an excellent 175 00:16:40,879 --> 00:16:45,039 gardener. What pains you take with it? To be sure, there is 176 00:16:45,159 --> 00:16:48,960 not a single plant, not a fig tree, vine, olive, pear, 177 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:55,559 nor flower bed, but bears the trace of your attention. I trust, 178 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:59,720 however, that you will not be offended if I say that you take 179 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:04,759 or care of your garden than of yourself. You are old, unsavory, 180 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:11,599 and very meanly clad. It cannot be because you are idle that your master 181 00:17:11,759 --> 00:17:17,319 takes such poor care of you. Indeed, your face and figure have nothing 182 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:22,599 of the slave about them, and proclaim you of noble birth. I should 183 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:26,599 have said that you were one of those who should wash well, eat well, 184 00:17:26,079 --> 00:17:30,640 and lie soft at night, as old men have a right to do. 185 00:17:30,559 --> 00:17:36,000 But tell me, and tell me true, whose bondsmen are you? 186 00:17:36,559 --> 00:17:41,200 And in whose garden are you working? Tell me also about another matter. 187 00:17:41,799 --> 00:17:45,640 Is this place that I have come to really Ithaca? I met a man 188 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,920 just now who said so. But he was a dull fellow and had not 189 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:52,720 the patience to hear my story out when I was asking him about an old 190 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:57,559 friend of mine, whether he was still living or was already dead and in 191 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:03,480 the house of Hades. Believe me when I tell you that this man came 192 00:18:03,519 --> 00:18:07,079 to my house once when I was in my own country, and never did 193 00:18:07,279 --> 00:18:12,799 yet any stranger come to me whom I liked better. He said that his 194 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:19,359 family came from Ithaca, and that his father was Laertes, son of Arsasius. 195 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:25,920 I received him hospitably, making him welcome to all the abundance of my 196 00:18:26,039 --> 00:18:30,240 house, and when he went away, I gave him all the customary presents 197 00:18:30,799 --> 00:18:37,839 I gave him seven talents of fine gold and a cup of slid silver with 198 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:42,440 flowers chased upon it. I gave him twelve light cloaks and as many pieces 199 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:48,240 of tapestry. I also gave him twelve cloaks of single fold, twelve rugs, 200 00:18:48,759 --> 00:18:53,880 twelve fair mantles, and an equal number of shirts. To all this, 201 00:18:55,039 --> 00:18:59,799 I added four good looking women, skilled in all useful arts, and 202 00:19:00,039 --> 00:19:06,839 I let him take his choice. His father shed tears and answered, sir, 203 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:11,000 you have indeed come to the country that you have named, but it 204 00:19:11,079 --> 00:19:18,200 has fallen into the hands of wicked people. All this wealth of presence has 205 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:22,079 been given to no purpose. If you could have found your friend here alive 206 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:27,160 in Ithaca, he would have entertained you hospitably, and would have requited your 207 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:33,720 presence amply when you left him, as would have been only right considering what 208 00:19:33,799 --> 00:19:37,920 you had already given him. But tell me, and tell me true, 209 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:45,319 how many years is it since you entertained this guest, my unhappy son, 210 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:52,599 as ever was alas he has perished far from his own country. The fishes 211 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:56,839 of the sea have eaten him, or he has fallen a prey to the 212 00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:03,440 birds and wild beasts of some continent. Neither his mother nor I his father, 213 00:20:03,839 --> 00:20:07,799 who were his parents, could throw our arms about him and wrap him 214 00:20:07,839 --> 00:20:15,319 in his shroud. Nor could his excellent and richly dowered wife, Penelope bewail 215 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:22,319 her husband as was natural upon his deathbed, and to close his eyes according 216 00:20:22,319 --> 00:20:27,759 to the office's due to the departed. But now tell me, truly, 217 00:20:27,839 --> 00:20:33,759 for I want to know who and whence are you. Tell me of your 218 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:37,319 town and parents. Where is the ship lying that has brought you and your 219 00:20:37,319 --> 00:20:42,240 men to Ethaca? Or were you a passenger on some other man's ship, 220 00:20:42,839 --> 00:20:48,160 and those who brought you here have gone on their way and left you. 221 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:55,160 I will tell you everything, answered Ulysses, quite truly. I come from 222 00:20:55,240 --> 00:21:00,799 Alabas, where I have a fine house. I am son of King Affadeus, 223 00:21:00,519 --> 00:21:07,960 who is the son of Polypemmon. My own name is Apparatus. Heaven 224 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:12,079 drove me off my course as I was leaving Sycania, and I have been 225 00:21:12,079 --> 00:21:17,680 carried here against my will. As for my ship, it is lying over 226 00:21:17,799 --> 00:21:22,359 yonder off the open country outside the town. And this is the fifth year 227 00:21:22,519 --> 00:21:29,759 since Ulysses left my country. Poor fellow, Yet the Omens were good for 228 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:33,039 him when he left me. The birds all flew on our right hands, 229 00:21:33,599 --> 00:21:37,880 and both he and I rejoiced to see them as we parted, for we 230 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:45,599 had every hope that we should have another friendly meaning and exchange presence. A 231 00:21:45,799 --> 00:21:52,039 dark cloud of sorrow fell upon Laertes as he listened. He filled both hands 232 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:57,000 with dust from off the ground and poured it over his gray head, groaning 233 00:21:57,119 --> 00:22:03,839 heavily as he did so. The heart of Ulysses was touched and his nostrils 234 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:10,920 quivered as he looked upon his father. Then he sprang towards him, flung 235 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:15,359 his arms about him, and kissed him, saying, I am he father 236 00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:22,000 about whom you are asking. I have returned after having been away for twenty 237 00:22:22,079 --> 00:22:26,720 years. But cease your sighing and lamentation, for we have no time to 238 00:22:26,759 --> 00:22:30,599 lose. For I should tell you that I have been killing the suitors in 239 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:37,359 my house to punish them for their insolence and crimes. If you really are 240 00:22:37,519 --> 00:22:44,559 my son, Ulysses, replied Laertes, and have come back again, you 241 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:52,839 must give me such manifest proof of your identity shall convince me. First observed 242 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:59,519 this scar, answered Ulysses, which I got from a boer's tusk when I 243 00:22:59,559 --> 00:23:04,319 was hunt on Mount Parnassus. You and my mother had sent me to Ottolius, 244 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:10,359 my mother's father, to receive the presence which when he was over here 245 00:23:10,759 --> 00:23:14,880 he had promised to give me. Furthermore, I will point out to you 246 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:18,839 the trees and the vineyard which you gave me, and I asked you all 247 00:23:18,839 --> 00:23:23,240 about them as I followed you round the garden. We went over them all, 248 00:23:23,759 --> 00:23:27,920 and you told me their names and what they all were. You gave 249 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:33,960 me thirteen pear trees, ten apple trees, and forty fig trees. You 250 00:23:34,039 --> 00:23:40,880 also said you would give me fifty rows of vines. There was corn planted 251 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:45,440 between each row, and they yield grapes of every kind when the heat of 252 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:52,160 heaven has been laid heavy upon them. Lair to strength failed him. When 253 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:56,200 he heard the convincing proofs which his son had given him. He threw his 254 00:23:56,440 --> 00:24:00,759 arms about him, and Ulysses had to poor to him or he would have 255 00:24:00,839 --> 00:24:07,319 gone off into a swoon. But as soon as he came to and was 256 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:12,200 beginning to recover his senses, he said, oh, father Jove, then 257 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:18,200 you gods are still in Olympus after all, if the suitors have really been 258 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:25,759 punished for their insolence, and folly. Nevertheless, I am much afraid that 259 00:24:25,799 --> 00:24:30,720 I shall have all the townspeople of Ithaca up here directly, and they will 260 00:24:30,759 --> 00:24:37,839 be sending messengers everywhere throughout the cities of the Cephalenians. Ulysses answered, take 261 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:41,720 heart, and do not trouble yourself about that. But let us go into 262 00:24:41,759 --> 00:24:47,960 the house hard by your garden. I have already told Telemachus, Philoetius, 263 00:24:48,039 --> 00:24:52,640 and Eumaeus to go on there and get dinner ready as soon as possible. 264 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:57,480 Thus conversing, the two made their way towards the house. When they got 265 00:24:57,519 --> 00:25:03,200 there, they found Telemachus, the stockman and the swinnard cutting up meat and 266 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:10,440 mixing wine with water. Then the old si celwoman took Layertis inside and washed 267 00:25:10,519 --> 00:25:14,759 him and anointed him with oil. She put him on a good cloak, 268 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:19,359 and Minerva came up to him and gave him a more imposing presence, making 269 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:23,920 him taller and stouter than before. When he came back, his son was 270 00:25:23,960 --> 00:25:29,640 surprised to see him looking so like an immortal, and said to him, 271 00:25:30,279 --> 00:25:33,920 my dear father, some one of the gods has been making you much taller 272 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:41,519 and better looking. Layertus, answered, wood By father Jove Minerva and Apollo 273 00:25:41,799 --> 00:25:48,319 that I were the man I was when I ruled among the Cephalenians and took 274 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:53,119 Nerichim, that strong fortress on the foreland. If I were still what I 275 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:57,400 then was, and had been in our house yesterday with my armor on, 276 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:03,279 I should have been able to stand by you and help you against the suitors. 277 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:07,200 I should have killed a great many of them, and you would have 278 00:26:07,319 --> 00:26:14,039 rejoiced to see it. Thus did they converse, but the others, when 279 00:26:14,079 --> 00:26:17,759 they had finished their work, and when the feast was ready, left off 280 00:26:17,799 --> 00:26:22,799 working, and took each his proper place on the benches and seats. Then 281 00:26:22,839 --> 00:26:27,440 they began eating, by and by. Old Dolius and his sons left their 282 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:33,039 work and came up for their mother. The Sisil, woman who looked after 283 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:37,440 Laertes, now that he was growing old, had been to fetch them. 284 00:26:37,079 --> 00:26:42,279 When they saw Ulysses and were certain it was he, They stood there lost 285 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:49,119 in astonishment. But Ulysses scolded them good naturedly, and said, sit down 286 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:53,759 to your dinner, old man, and never mind about your surprise. We 287 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:57,599 have been wanting to begin for some time, and I've been waiting for you. 288 00:27:00,079 --> 00:27:04,359 Then Dulius put out both his hands and went up to Ulysses, Sir 289 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:10,440 said, he seizing his master's hand and kissing it at the wrist. We 290 00:27:10,559 --> 00:27:15,720 have been long wishing you home, and now Heaven has restored you to us, 291 00:27:15,279 --> 00:27:21,920 after we had given up hoping. All hail therefore, and may the 292 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:27,119 gods prosper you. But tell me, does Penelope know of your return? 293 00:27:27,799 --> 00:27:33,440 Or shall we send some one to tell her? Old man answered Ulysses, 294 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:38,759 she knows already, so you need not trouble about that. On this he 295 00:27:38,759 --> 00:27:44,720 took his seat, and the sons of Dulius gathered round Ulysses to give him 296 00:27:44,799 --> 00:27:48,519 greeting and embrace him, one after the other. Then they took their seats 297 00:27:48,839 --> 00:27:56,160 in due order near Dulius their father. While they were thus busy getting their 298 00:27:56,200 --> 00:28:02,759 dinner ready, rumor went round the town and noised abroad the terrible fate that 299 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:07,839 had befallen the suitors. As soon therefore, as the people heard of it, 300 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:12,039 they gathered from every quarter, groaning and hooting, before the house of 301 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:18,839 Ulysses. They took the dead away, buried every man his own, and 302 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:23,200 put the bodies of those who came from elsewhere on board the fishing vessels for 303 00:28:23,279 --> 00:28:29,119 the fishermen to take each of them to his own place. They then met 304 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:33,519 angrily in the place of assembly, and when they were got together, Eupaethes 305 00:28:33,799 --> 00:28:40,079 rose to speak. He was overwhelmed with grief for the death of his son 306 00:28:40,599 --> 00:28:45,480 Antinous, who had been the first man killed by Ulysses. So he said, 307 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:53,160 weeping bitterly, my friends, this man has done the Accaian's curate wrong. 308 00:28:55,079 --> 00:28:57,359 He took many of our best men away with him in his fleet, 309 00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:04,480 and he has lost both ships and men. Now moreover, on his return 310 00:29:04,559 --> 00:29:11,440 he has been killing all the foremost men among the Cephallenians. Let us be 311 00:29:11,640 --> 00:29:17,279 up and doing before he can get away to Pylos or to Ellis, where 312 00:29:17,279 --> 00:29:23,599 the Apaeans rule, or we shall be ashamed of ourselves forever afterwards. It 313 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:30,319 will be an everlasting disgrace to us if we do not avenge the murder of 314 00:29:30,359 --> 00:29:34,839 our sons and brothers. For my own part, I should have no more 315 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:41,920 pleasure in life, but had rather die at once. Let us up then 316 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:49,000 and after them before they could cross over to the main land. He wept 317 00:29:49,039 --> 00:29:55,880 as he spoke, and everyone pitied him, but made on and the bard 318 00:29:56,200 --> 00:30:00,279 Femius had now woke up and came to them from the house of Ulysses. 319 00:30:02,279 --> 00:30:06,279 Everyone was astonished at seeing them, for they stood in the middle of the 320 00:30:06,279 --> 00:30:12,680 assembly, and Maidon said hear me, men of Ithaca, Ulysses did not 321 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:18,400 do these things against the will of Heaven. I myself saw an immortal God 322 00:30:18,519 --> 00:30:25,960 take the form of Mentor and stand beside him. This God appeared now in 323 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:30,240 front of him, encouraging him, and now going furiously about the court and 324 00:30:30,359 --> 00:30:37,319 attacking the suitors, whereon they fell thick on one another. On this pale 325 00:30:37,359 --> 00:30:44,599 fear laid hold of them, and old Halithses, son of Mastor, rose 326 00:30:44,680 --> 00:30:48,160 to speak, for he was the only man among them who knew both past 327 00:30:48,279 --> 00:30:55,839 and future. So he spoke to them plainly and in all honesty, saying, 328 00:30:56,039 --> 00:31:00,960 men of Ithaca, it is all your own fault that things have turned 329 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:06,799 out as they have. You would not listen to me, nor yet to 330 00:31:06,960 --> 00:31:11,720 Mentor when he bade you check the folly of your sons, who were doing 331 00:31:11,839 --> 00:31:18,160 much wrong in the wantonness of their hearts, wasting the substance, and dishonoring 332 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:23,319 the wife of a chieftain who they thought would not return. Now, however, 333 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:29,240 let it be as I say, and do as I tell you, 334 00:31:30,119 --> 00:31:33,680 do not go out against Ulysses, or you may find that you have been 335 00:31:33,759 --> 00:31:41,440 drawing down evil on your own heads. That was what he said, And 336 00:31:41,640 --> 00:31:45,920 more than half raised a loud shout, and at once left the assembly. 337 00:31:48,039 --> 00:31:52,599 But the rest stayed where they were, for the speech of Halitherses displeased them, 338 00:31:53,359 --> 00:31:59,799 and they sided with Eupaethes. They therefore hurried off for their armor, 339 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:04,680 and when they had armed themselves, they met together in front of the city, 340 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:09,039 and Eupaiethes led them on. In their folly, he thought he was 341 00:32:09,079 --> 00:32:15,599 going to avenge the murder of his son, whereas in truth he was never 342 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:22,000 to return, but was himself to perish in his attempt. Then Minerva said 343 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:29,519 to Jove, father son of Saturn, King of Kings, answer me this 344 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:35,079 question. What do you propose to do? Will you set them fighting still 345 00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:40,759 further? Or will you make peace between them? And Jove answered, my 346 00:32:42,119 --> 00:32:46,319 child, why should you ask me? Was it not by your own arrangement 347 00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:53,000 that Ulysses came home and took his revenge upon the suitors. Do whatever you 348 00:32:53,079 --> 00:32:59,200 like, but I will tell you what I think will be the most reasonable 349 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:06,559 arrangement. Now that Ulysses is revenged, Let them swear to a solemn covenant 350 00:33:07,279 --> 00:33:12,880 in virtue of which he shall continue to rule, while we cause the others 351 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:19,359 to forgive and forget the massacre of their sons and brothers. Let them then 352 00:33:19,519 --> 00:33:27,319 all become friends as heretofore, and let peace and plenty reign. This was 353 00:33:27,359 --> 00:33:31,640 what Minerva was already eager to bring about, so down she darted from off 354 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:38,480 the topmost summits of Olympus. Now, when Laertes and the others had done 355 00:33:38,519 --> 00:33:44,400 dinner, Ulysses began by saying, some of you, go out and see 356 00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:49,319 if they are not getting close up to us. So one of Dolis's sons 357 00:33:49,799 --> 00:33:53,119 went, as he was bid. Standing on the threshold, he could see 358 00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:59,039 them all quite near, and said to Ulysses, here they are, Let 359 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:02,920 us put on our armor at once. They put on their armor as fast 360 00:34:02,920 --> 00:34:07,880 as they could, that is to say, Ulysses, his three men, 361 00:34:07,079 --> 00:34:13,800 and the six sons of Dulius. Laertes also, and Dulius did the same 362 00:34:14,639 --> 00:34:20,239 warriors by necessity, in spite of their gray hair. When they had all 363 00:34:20,280 --> 00:34:24,559 put on their armor, they opened the gate and sallied forth, Ulysses leading 364 00:34:24,559 --> 00:34:30,519 the way. Then Jove's daughter Minerva came up to them, having assumed the 365 00:34:30,559 --> 00:34:37,639 form and voice of mentor. Ulysses was glad when he saw her and said 366 00:34:37,679 --> 00:34:43,239 to his son Telemachus, Telemachus, now that you are about to fight in 367 00:34:43,280 --> 00:34:49,599 an engagement which will show every man's metal, be sure not to disgrace your 368 00:34:49,639 --> 00:34:55,000 ancestors, who were eminent for their strength and courage all the world over. 369 00:34:57,519 --> 00:35:01,440 You say truly, my dear father and her Telemachus, and you shall see, 370 00:35:01,519 --> 00:35:07,039 if you will, that I am in no mind to disgrace your family. 371 00:35:07,559 --> 00:35:13,119 Laertes was delighted when he heard this. Good Heavens, he exclaimed, 372 00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:19,519 what a day I am enjoying. I do indeed rejoice at it. My 373 00:35:19,639 --> 00:35:25,440 son and grandson are vine with one another in the matter of valor. On 374 00:35:25,599 --> 00:35:31,599 this Minerva came close up to him and said, son of Arcisius, best 375 00:35:31,719 --> 00:35:37,199 friend I have in the world, pray to the blue eyed damsel and to 376 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:44,440 jove her father. Then poise your spear and hurl it. As she spoke, 377 00:35:45,119 --> 00:35:49,880 she infused fresh vigor into him, and when he had prayed to her, 378 00:35:50,400 --> 00:35:55,159 he poised his spear and hurled it. He hit you payeth thee's helmet, 379 00:35:55,880 --> 00:36:00,559 and the spear went right through it. For the helmets stayed at nut, 380 00:36:01,119 --> 00:36:07,000 and the armor rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to the ground. 381 00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:12,159 Meanwhile, Ulysses and his son fell upon the front line of the foe 382 00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:17,119 and smote them with their swords and spears. Indeed, they would have killed 383 00:36:17,159 --> 00:36:22,679 every one of them and prevented them from ever getting home again. Only Minerva 384 00:36:22,760 --> 00:36:30,000 raised her voice aloud and made everyone pause. Men of Ithaca, She cried, 385 00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:36,679 cease this dreadful war, and settle the matter at once without further bloodshed. 386 00:36:37,719 --> 00:36:45,880 On this pale fear seized everyone. They were so frightened that their arms 387 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:51,280 dropped from their hands and fell upon the ground at the sound of the Goddess's 388 00:36:51,360 --> 00:36:57,480 voice, and they fled back to the city for their lives. But Ulysses 389 00:36:57,519 --> 00:37:02,000 gave a great cry, and, gathering himself together, swooped down like a 390 00:37:02,079 --> 00:37:09,079 soaring eagle. Then the son of Saturn sent a thunderbolt of fire that fell 391 00:37:09,239 --> 00:37:15,840 just in front of Minerva. So she said to Ulysses, Ulysses, noble 392 00:37:15,960 --> 00:37:22,440 son of Laertes, stop this warful strife, or Jove will be angry with 393 00:37:22,559 --> 00:37:32,280 you. Thus spoke Minerva, and Ulysses obeyed her gladly. Then Minerva assumed 394 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:40,719 the form and voice of Mentor, and presently made a covenant of peace between 395 00:37:40,760 --> 00:37:51,599 the two contending parties. End of Book twenty four and end of the Odyssey 396 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:55,400 by Homer, as translated by Samuel Butler.