1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:07,200 Book nineteen. Telemachus and Ulysses remove the armor. Ulysses interviews Penelope. Eurycleia, 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:11,480 washes his feet and recognizes the scar on his leg. Penelope tells her 3 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:18,679 dream to Ulysses. Ulysses was left in the cloister, pondering on the means 4 00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:21,719 whereby, with minervous help, he might be able to kill the suitors. 5 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,879 Presently, he said to Telemachus. Telemachus, we must get the armor together 6 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:31,160 and take it down inside. Make some excuse when the suitors ask you why 7 00:00:31,199 --> 00:00:34,520 you have removed it, Say that you have taken it to be out of 8 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:37,560 the way of the smoke, inasmuch as it is no longer what it was 9 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:42,479 when Ulysses went away, but has become soiled and begrimed with sood. Add 10 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:46,079 to this more particularly, that you are afraid Jove may set them on to 11 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:49,520 quarrel over their wine, and that they may do each other some harm, 12 00:00:49,799 --> 00:00:53,719 which may disgrace both the banquet and the willing, for the sight of arms 13 00:00:53,719 --> 00:00:58,840 sometimes tempts people to use them. Telemachus approved of what his father had said, 14 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:03,200 so he called his orse Ereclia and said, nurse, shut the women 15 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:06,400 up in their room. Will I take the armor that my father left behind 16 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:10,680 him down into the storeroom. No one looks after it. Now my father 17 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:14,519 is gone, and it has god all smirched with soot during my own boyhood. 18 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:19,200 I want to take it down where the smoke cannot reach it. I 19 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:23,760 wish child, answered Euryclia that you would take the management of the house into 20 00:01:23,799 --> 00:01:27,760 your own hands altogether and look after all the property yourself. But who is 21 00:01:27,799 --> 00:01:30,680 to go with you and let you to the storeroom. The maids would have 22 00:01:30,719 --> 00:01:34,239 done so, but you would not let them. The stranger, said, 23 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:38,920 Telemachus, shall show me a light. When people eat my bread, they 24 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:42,280 must earn it, no matter where they come from. Euryclia did as she 25 00:01:42,359 --> 00:01:47,359 was told and bolted the women inside their room. Then Ulysses and his son 26 00:01:47,599 --> 00:01:51,159 made all haste to take the helmets, shields, and spears inside, and 27 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:53,719 Minerva went before them with a golden lamp in her hand that shed a soft 28 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:59,480 and brilliant radiance. Whereon Telemachus said, father, my eyes behold a great 29 00:01:59,519 --> 00:02:02,760 marvel. The walls, with the rafters, cross beams and supports on which 30 00:02:02,799 --> 00:02:07,000 they rest, are all glowing as with a flaming fire. Surely there is 31 00:02:07,039 --> 00:02:10,879 some God here who has come down from heaven. Hush, answered Ulysses. 32 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:15,240 Hold your peace and ask no questions, for this is the manner of the 33 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:19,159 gods. Get you to your bed and leave me here to talk with your 34 00:02:19,159 --> 00:02:22,520 mother and the maids. Your mother and her grief will ask me all sorts 35 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,759 of questions. On this Telemachus went by torchlight to the other side of the 36 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:30,639 inner court, to the room in which he always slept. There he lay 37 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:34,680 in his bed till morning, while Ulysses was left in the cloister, pondering 38 00:02:34,719 --> 00:02:37,719 on the means whereby, with Minerva's help, he might be able to kill 39 00:02:37,759 --> 00:02:42,439 the suitors. Then Penelope came down from her room, looking like Venus or 40 00:02:42,479 --> 00:02:46,919 Diana, and they set her a seat inlaid with scrolls of silver and ivory, 41 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:51,319 near the fire in her accustomed place. It had been made by Icmalius, 42 00:02:51,319 --> 00:02:53,520 and had a footstool all in one piece with the seat itself, and 43 00:02:53,599 --> 00:02:57,879 it was covered with a thick fleece. On this she now sat, and 44 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:01,439 the maids came from the women's room to join her. They set about removing 45 00:03:01,479 --> 00:03:06,120 the tables at which the wicked suitors had been dining, and took away the 46 00:03:06,159 --> 00:03:09,560 bread that was left with the cups from which they had drunk. They emptied 47 00:03:09,599 --> 00:03:13,960 the embers, uttered the braziers, and heaped much wood upon them to give 48 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,639 them both light and heat. But Melantho began to rail at Ulysses's second time, 49 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:22,759 and said, stranger, do you mean to pu us by hanging about 50 00:03:22,759 --> 00:03:25,360 the house all night and spying upon the women? Be off, you wretch 51 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:30,439 outside and eat your supper there, or you shall be driven out with a 52 00:03:30,479 --> 00:03:35,960 firebrand. Ulysses scowled at her and answered, my good woman, why should 53 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:38,240 you be so angry with me? Is it because I am not clean and 54 00:03:38,319 --> 00:03:42,879 my clothes are all in rags? And because I am obliged to go begging 55 00:03:42,879 --> 00:03:46,280 about after the manner of tramps and beggars. Generally, I too was a 56 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:51,479 rich man once, and had a fine house of my own. In those 57 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:53,360 days, I gave to many a tramp such as I am now, no 58 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:58,639 matter who he might be, nor what he wanted. I had any number 59 00:03:58,639 --> 00:04:01,680 of servants and all the other things which people have who live well and are 60 00:04:01,719 --> 00:04:06,280 accounted wealthy. But it pleased Jove to take all away from me. Therefore, 61 00:04:06,319 --> 00:04:10,919 a woman, beware lest you too come to lose that pride and place 62 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:15,319 in which you now wanton above your fellows, have a care lest you get 63 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,560 out of favor with your mistress, and lest Ulysses should come home, for 64 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:23,079 there is still a chance that he may do so. Moreover, though he 65 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,120 be as dead as you think he is, yet by Apollo's will, he 66 00:04:26,199 --> 00:04:30,040 has left a son behind him. Tell Himachus, who will note anything done 67 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:32,079 amiss by the maids in the house, for he is now no longer in 68 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,959 his boyhood. Penelope, you heard what he was saying, and scolded the 69 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:42,519 maid impudent baggage. She said, I see how abominably you are behaving, 70 00:04:42,519 --> 00:04:45,600 and you shall smart for it. You know perfectly well, for I told 71 00:04:45,639 --> 00:04:47,959 you myself that I was going to see the stranger and ask him about my 72 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:53,040 husband, for whose sake I am in such continual sorrow. Then she said 73 00:04:53,079 --> 00:04:57,160 to her head, waiting woman, uryinome bring a seat with fleece upon it, 74 00:04:57,199 --> 00:05:00,560 for the stranger to sit upon while he tells his story. Listens to 75 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:04,000 what I have to say. I wish to ask him some questions. Your 76 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:08,199 Ainomeh brought the seat at once and set a fleece upon it, And as 77 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:12,800 soon as Ulysses had sat down. Penelope began by saying, stranger, I 78 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:15,439 shall first ask you who and whence you are? Tell me of your town 79 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:20,319 and parents. Madam answered, ulysses, who in the face of the whole 80 00:05:20,319 --> 00:05:25,199 earth can dare to chide with you? Your fame reaches the firmament of heaven 81 00:05:25,199 --> 00:05:30,199 itself. You are like some blameless king who upholds righteousness, as the monarch 82 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,560 over a great and valiant nation. The earth yielded to eaten barley, the 83 00:05:33,639 --> 00:05:38,439 trees are loaded with fruit, the ewes bring forth lamb, and the sea 84 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:42,360 abounds with fish. By reason of his virtues, and his people do good 85 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:46,519 deeds under him. Nevertheless, as I sit here in your house, ask 86 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:48,680 me some other question, and do not seek to know my race and family, 87 00:05:49,199 --> 00:05:53,959 or you will recall memories that will yet more increase my sorrow. I 88 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:57,399 am full of heaviness. But I ought not to sit weeping and wailing in 89 00:05:57,439 --> 00:06:00,680 another person's house. Nor is it well to be us grieving continually. I 90 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:03,920 shall have one of your servants or even yourself, complaining of me, and 91 00:06:04,079 --> 00:06:09,680 saying that my eyes swim with tears because I am heavy with wine. Then 92 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,879 Penelope answered, the stranger heaven robbed me of all my beauty, whether of 93 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,680 face or figure. When the arguments set sail for Troy and my dear husband 94 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:20,800 with them. If you were to return and look after my affairs, I 95 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:25,439 should be both more respected and I should show a better presence to the world. 96 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:29,240 As it is, I am oppressed with care and with the afflictions which 97 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,519 Heaven has seen fit to heap upon me. The chiefs from all our islands, 98 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:38,079 and to Lichium, Sammy and Zacinthus, as also from Ithaca itself, 99 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:43,040 are wooing me against my will, and are wasting my estate. I can 100 00:06:43,079 --> 00:06:46,120 therefore show no attention to strangers, nor suppliants, nor to the people who 101 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:49,959 say that they are skilled artisans, but am all the time broken hearted over 102 00:06:50,079 --> 00:06:56,120 Ulysses. They want me to marry again at once, and I have invented 103 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:59,839 stratagems in order to deceive them. In the first place, Heaven put it 104 00:07:00,079 --> 00:07:02,399 to my mind to set up a great timber frame in my room and to 105 00:07:02,439 --> 00:07:08,319 begin working upon an enormous piece of fine needlework. Then I said to them, 106 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:13,160 sweethearts, Ulysses is indeed dead. Still, do not press me to 107 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,639 marry again immediately, wait, for I would not have my skill and needlework 108 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:21,720 perish unrecorded till I have finished making a pall for the hero Laerties to be 109 00:07:21,759 --> 00:07:26,639 ready against the time when death shall take him. He is very rich, 110 00:07:26,639 --> 00:07:29,439 and the women of the palace will talk if he is laid out without a 111 00:07:29,519 --> 00:07:32,839 pall. This was what I said, and they assented. Whereon I used 112 00:07:32,839 --> 00:07:36,879 to keep working at my great web all day long, but at night I 113 00:07:36,879 --> 00:07:41,959 would unpick the stitches again by torchlight. I fooled them in this way for 114 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,879 three years without their finding out. But as time wore on, and I 115 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,000 was now in my fourth year, in the waning of the moons, and 116 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:53,720 many days had been accomplished, those good for nothing hussies my maids betrayed me 117 00:07:53,759 --> 00:07:57,879 to the suitors, who broke in upon me and caught me. They were 118 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:01,000 very angry with me, so I was forced to finish my work, whether 119 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,240 I would or no. And now I do not see how I can find 120 00:08:03,279 --> 00:08:07,879 any further shift for getting out of this marriage. My parents are putting great 121 00:08:07,879 --> 00:08:13,040 pressure upon me, and my son chafes at the ravages the suitors are making 122 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,199 upon his estate, for he is now old enough to understand all about it, 123 00:08:16,319 --> 00:08:20,839 and is perfectly able to look after his own affairs, for Heaven has 124 00:08:20,839 --> 00:08:26,040 blessed him with an excellent disposition. Still, notwithstanding all this, tell me 125 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,399 who you are and where you come from, for you must have had a 126 00:08:28,439 --> 00:08:31,840 father and mother of some sort. You cannot be the son of an oak 127 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:37,759 or of a rock, then, Ulysses answered Madam, wife of Ulysses. 128 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:41,240 Since you persist in asking me about my family, I will answer, no 129 00:08:41,279 --> 00:08:46,440 matter what it costs me. People must expect to be pained when they have 130 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,879 been exiled as long as I have, and suffered as much among as many 131 00:08:48,919 --> 00:08:54,360 peoples. Nevertheless, as regards your question, I will tell you all you 132 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:58,559 ask. There is a fair and fruitful island in mid ocean called Crete. 133 00:08:58,919 --> 00:09:01,200 It is thickly peopled, and there are ninety cities in it. The people 134 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:07,200 speak many different languages which overlap one another, for there are Richeans, brave 135 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:11,879 Etocretans, Dorians of threefold race, and noble Pelaski. There is a great 136 00:09:11,919 --> 00:09:16,639 town there, Gnassus, where Minos reigned, who every nine years had a 137 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:22,159 conference with Jove himself. Minos was father to Deucalion, whose son I am. 138 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:26,960 For Deucalion had two sons, Idomeneus and myself. Idomeneus sailed for Troy, 139 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:31,159 and I, who am the younger, am called Athon. My brother, 140 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:35,360 however, was at once the older and the more valiant of the two. 141 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:39,039 Hence it was in Crete that I saw Ulysses and showed him hospitality, 142 00:09:39,399 --> 00:09:41,919 for the winds took him there as he was on his way to Troy, 143 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:45,879 carrying him out of his course from Cape Mollie, and leaving him in Omnisus, 144 00:09:46,039 --> 00:09:48,840 off the cave of Alethua, where the harbors are difficult to enter, 145 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:54,600 and he could hardly find shelter from the winds that were then raging. As 146 00:09:54,639 --> 00:09:58,000 soon as he got there, he went into town and asked for Adomeneus, 147 00:09:58,039 --> 00:10:01,440 claiming to be his old and valued friend. But Idomeneus had already set sail 148 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:05,840 for Troy, some ten or twelve days earlier. So I took him to 149 00:10:05,879 --> 00:10:09,879 my own house and showed him every kind of hospitality, for I had an 150 00:10:09,919 --> 00:10:13,200 abundance of everything. Moreover, I fed the men who were with him with 151 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:18,159 barley meal from the public store, and got subscriptions of wine and oxen for 152 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:22,480 them to sacrifice to their hearts content. They stayed with me twelve days, 153 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:26,120 for there was a gale blowing from the north, so strong that one could 154 00:10:26,159 --> 00:10:30,559 hardly keep one's feet on land. I suppose some unfriendly God had raised it 155 00:10:30,639 --> 00:10:33,480 for them. But on the thirteenth day the wind dropped and they got away. 156 00:10:35,399 --> 00:10:39,279 Many possible tales did Ulysses further tell her, And Penelope wept as she 157 00:10:39,399 --> 00:10:43,639 listened, for her heart was melted as the snow wastes upon the mountain tops 158 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,000 when the winds from the southeast and west have breathed upon it, and thought 159 00:10:48,039 --> 00:10:52,679 it till the rivers run bankful with water. Even so did her cheeks overflow 160 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:56,600 with tears. For the husband, who was all the time sitting by her 161 00:10:56,639 --> 00:11:01,039 side. Ulysses felt for her and was sorry for her, But he kept 162 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,200 his eyes as hard as horn or iron, without letting them so much as 163 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:09,080 quiver. So cunningly did he restrain his tears. Then, when she had 164 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:13,240 relieved herself by weeping, she turned to him and said, now, stranger, 165 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:16,159 I shall put you to the test and see whether or no you really 166 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:20,279 did entertain my husband and his men as you say you did. Tell me 167 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:22,559 then how he was dressed, what kind of man he was to look at, 168 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:28,559 and so also with his companions Madam answered, Ulysses, it is such 169 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:31,320 a long time ago that I can hardly say twenty years are come and gone 170 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:35,759 since he left my home and went elsewhither. But I will tell you as 171 00:11:35,759 --> 00:11:39,879 well as I can recollect. Ulysses wore a mantle of purple wool, double 172 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:43,279 lined, and it was fastened by a gold brooch with two catches for the 173 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:48,200 pen. On the face of this there was a device that showed a dog 174 00:11:48,279 --> 00:11:52,600 holding a spotted fawn between his fore paws, and watching as it lay panting 175 00:11:52,639 --> 00:11:56,559 upon the ground. Everyone marveled at the way in which these things had been 176 00:11:56,559 --> 00:12:00,320 done in gold, the dog looking at the fawn and strangling it, while 177 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:05,240 the fawn was struggling convulsively to escape. As for the shirt that he wore 178 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,639 next to his skin, it was so soft that it fitted him like the 179 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:11,799 skin of an onion, and glistened in the sunlight, to the admiration of 180 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:15,799 all the women who beheld it. Furthermore, I say, I lay my 181 00:12:15,879 --> 00:12:20,039 saying to your heart that I do not know whether Ulysses wore these clothes when 182 00:12:20,039 --> 00:12:22,399 he left home, or whether one of his companions had given them to him 183 00:12:22,399 --> 00:12:26,919 while he was on his voyage, or possibly some one at whose house he 184 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:28,919 was staying, made him a present of them, for he was a man 185 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:33,759 of many friends and had few equals among the Achaeans. I myself gave him 186 00:12:33,799 --> 00:12:37,159 a sort of bronze and a beautiful purple mantle, double lined, with a 187 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,159 shirt that went down to his feet, and I sent him on board his 188 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:45,000 ship with every mark of honor. He had a servant with him a little 189 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,240 older than himself, and I can tell you what he was like. His 190 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:52,039 shoulders were hunched, he was dark, and he had thick, curly hair. 191 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:56,320 His name was Euribatees. And Ulysses treated him with greater familiarity than he 192 00:12:56,360 --> 00:13:01,039 did with any of the others, as being the most like minded with himself. 193 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:05,120 Penelope was moved still more deeply as she heard the indisputable proofs that Ulysses 194 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:09,559 had laid before her, And when she had again found relief in tears, 195 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:13,679 she said to him, stranger, I was already disposed to pity you, 196 00:13:15,039 --> 00:13:18,759 but henceforth you shall be honored and made welcome in my house. It was 197 00:13:18,799 --> 00:13:22,519 I who gave Ulysses these clothes you speak of. I took them out of 198 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:26,120 the storeroom and folded them up myself, and I gave him also the gold 199 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:31,360 brooch to wear his noornament alas I shall never welcome him home again. It 200 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:35,799 was by an ill fate that he ever set out for that detested city whose 201 00:13:35,879 --> 00:13:39,679 very name I cannot bring myself to mansion. Then Ulysses answered, Madam, 202 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:45,759 wife of Ulysses, do not disfigure yourself further by grieving thus bitterly for your 203 00:13:45,799 --> 00:13:50,080 loss, though I can hardly blame you for doing so. A woman who 204 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:54,399 has loved her husband and borne him children would naturally be grieved at losing him, 205 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:56,840 even though he were a worse man than Ulysses, who they say is 206 00:13:56,840 --> 00:14:01,919 like a god. Still your tears and listened to what I can tell you. 207 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:05,559 I will hide nothing from you, and can say with perfect truth that 208 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:09,159 I have lately heard of Ulysses his being alive and on his way home. 209 00:14:09,639 --> 00:14:15,200 He is among the Thesparotians, and is bringing back much valuable treasure that he 210 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:18,039 has begged from one and another of them. But his ship and all his 211 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:22,120 crew were lost as they were leaving the Threnassian island, for Jove and the 212 00:14:22,159 --> 00:14:26,840 Sun God were angry with him because his men had slaughtered the Sun God's cattle, 213 00:14:26,039 --> 00:14:28,960 and they were all drowned to a man. But Ulysses stuck to the 214 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:33,320 keel of his ship and was drifted on to the lands of the Phaeacians, 215 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:35,600 who are near of kin to the immortals, and who treated him as though 216 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:39,279 he had been a god, giving him many presents and wishing to escort him 217 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:43,480 home safe and sound. In fact, Ulysses would have been here long ago, 218 00:14:43,919 --> 00:14:48,120 had he not thought better to go from land to land gathering wealth. 219 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:52,559 For there is no man living who is so wily as he is. There 220 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:56,279 is no one who can compare with him. Fidon, and king of the 221 00:14:56,279 --> 00:14:58,960 Thesprootians, told me all this, and he swore to me, making drink 222 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,639 offerings in his house as he did so that the ship was by the water 223 00:15:03,679 --> 00:15:05,960 side, and the crew found who would take Ulysses to his own country. 224 00:15:07,919 --> 00:15:11,919 He sent me off first, for there happened to be a Thesprotian ship sailing 225 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:15,799 for the weak growing island of Delichium. But he showed me all the treasure 226 00:15:15,879 --> 00:15:18,480 Ulysses had got together, and he had enough lying in the house of King 227 00:15:18,519 --> 00:15:24,360 Phadon to keep his family for ten generations. But the king said Ulysses had 228 00:15:24,399 --> 00:15:28,120 gone to Dodona that he might learn Jove's mind from the high oak tree. 229 00:15:28,799 --> 00:15:31,759 And no whether after so long an absence he should return to Ithaca openly or 230 00:15:31,799 --> 00:15:35,360 in secret, so you may know that he is safe and will be here 231 00:15:35,399 --> 00:15:39,559 shortly. He is close at hand and cannot remain away from home much longer. 232 00:15:39,799 --> 00:15:43,279 Nevertheless, I will confirm my words with an oath, and call Jove, 233 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:46,279 who is the first and mightiest of the gods, to witness, as 234 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:50,600 also that hearth of Ulysses, to which I have now come, that all 235 00:15:50,639 --> 00:15:54,440 I have spoken, shall surely come to pass. Ulysses will return in this 236 00:15:54,519 --> 00:15:58,360 self same year, with the end of this moon, in the beginning of 237 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:02,200 the next, he will be here. May it be even so, answered 238 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,960 Penelope, if your words come true, you shall have such gifts and such 239 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:10,000 good will for me that all who see you shall congratulate you. But I 240 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:14,120 know very well how it will be. Ulysses will not return, neither will 241 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:18,360 you get your escort. Hence, for so surely as that Ulysses ever was, 242 00:16:18,759 --> 00:16:22,799 there are no longer any such masters in this house as he was to 243 00:16:22,919 --> 00:16:26,679 receive honorable strangers or to further them on their way home. And now you 244 00:16:26,799 --> 00:16:30,480 maids, wash his feet for him, and make him bed on a couch 245 00:16:30,519 --> 00:16:34,279 with rugs and blankets, that he may be warm and quiet till morning. 246 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:38,840 Then at daybreak wash him and annoint him again, that he may sit in 247 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:42,759 the cloister and take his meals with Telemachus. It shall be the worse for 248 00:16:42,799 --> 00:16:47,879 any one of these hateful people who is uncivil to him, Like it or 249 00:16:47,919 --> 00:16:51,440 not, he shall have no more to do in this house. For how 250 00:16:51,559 --> 00:16:55,159 sir, shall you be able to learn whether or not I am superior to 251 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:59,159 all others of my sex, both in goodness of heart and understanding, if 252 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:03,879 I let you dine in my cloisters. Squalid and ill clad men live but 253 00:17:03,039 --> 00:17:07,799 for a little season. If they are hard and deal hardly, people wish 254 00:17:07,839 --> 00:17:11,160 them ill so long as they are alive, and speak contemptuously of them when 255 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:15,359 they are dead. But he that is righteous and deals righteously, the people 256 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:18,000 tell of his praises among all the lands, and many shall call him blest. 257 00:17:19,319 --> 00:17:23,839 Ulysses answered, Madam, I have foresworn rugs and blankets from the day 258 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:27,680 I left the snowy ranges of crete to go on shipboard. I will lie 259 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:32,599 as I have lain on many a sleepless night. Hitherto night after night have 260 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:37,319 I passed in any rough sleeping place and waited for morning? Nor again do 261 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:40,480 I like having my feet washed. I shall not let any of the young 262 00:17:40,559 --> 00:17:45,079 hussies about your house touch my feet. But if you have an old and 263 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:48,039 respectable woman who has gone through as much trouble as I have, I will 264 00:17:48,079 --> 00:17:53,000 allow her to wash them. To this penelope, he said, my dear 265 00:17:53,079 --> 00:17:56,720 sir, of all the guests whoever yet came to my house, there never 266 00:17:56,839 --> 00:18:00,720 was one who spoke in all things with such admirable propriety as you do. 267 00:18:02,519 --> 00:18:06,240 There happens to be in the house a most respectable woman, the same who 268 00:18:06,279 --> 00:18:08,880 received my poor dear husband in her arms the night he was born, and 269 00:18:10,039 --> 00:18:14,279 nursed him in infancy. She is very feeble now, but she shall wash 270 00:18:14,279 --> 00:18:18,799 your feet. Come here, said she, Eurycleia, and wash your master's 271 00:18:18,799 --> 00:18:22,319 age. Mate. I suppose Ulysses hands and feet are very much the same 272 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:27,160 now as his are. For trouble ages all of us dreadfully fast on these 273 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:30,839 words. The old woman covered her face with her hands. She began to 274 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:36,119 weep and made lamentations, saying, my dear child, I cannot think whatever 275 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:40,000 I am to do with you, I am certain no one was ever more 276 00:18:40,039 --> 00:18:42,599 God fearing than yourself. And yet Jove hates you. No one in the 277 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:48,079 whole world ever burned him more thigh bones, nor gave him finer hecatombs. 278 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:51,799 When you prayed you might come to a green old age yourself and see your 279 00:18:51,799 --> 00:18:55,920 son grow up to take after you. Yet see how you've prevented you alone 280 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:59,480 from ever getting back to your own home. I have no doubt the woman 281 00:18:59,519 --> 00:19:03,119 in some foreign place which Ulysses have got to are giving at him, as 282 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:06,920 all these slots here have been giving at you. I do not wonder that 283 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,000 you are not choosing to let them wash you after the manner in which they 284 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:14,880 have insulted you. I will wash your feet gladly enough, as Penelope has 285 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:18,759 said I am to do so. I shall wash them both for Penelope's sake 286 00:19:18,759 --> 00:19:22,680 and for your own, For you have raised the most lively feelings of compassion 287 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:26,359 in my mind. And let me say this moreover, which prey attend to. 288 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:30,160 We have had all kinds of strangers in distress come here before now, 289 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:33,279 But I make bold to say that no one ever yet came who was so 290 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:37,559 like Ulysses in figure of voice and feet, as you are. Those who 291 00:19:37,559 --> 00:19:41,839 have seen us both answered, Ulysses, I have always said that we were 292 00:19:41,839 --> 00:19:45,160 wonderfully like each other, and now you have noticed it too. Then the 293 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:48,240 old woman took the cauldron in which she was going to wash his feet and 294 00:19:48,319 --> 00:19:52,079 poured plenty of cold water into it, adding hot till the bath was warm 295 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:56,079 enough. Ulysses sat by the fire, but ere long he turned away from 296 00:19:56,079 --> 00:19:59,759 the light, for it occurred to him that when the old woman had hold 297 00:19:59,799 --> 00:20:03,839 of slag, she would recognize a certain scar which it bore whereon the whole 298 00:20:03,839 --> 00:20:07,880 truth would come out. And indeed, as soon as she began washing her 299 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,440 master, she at once knew the scar as one that had been given him 300 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,480 by a wild boar when he was hunting on Mount Parnassus with his excellent grandfather 301 00:20:15,559 --> 00:20:18,759 Ottoleichas, who was the most accomplished thief and perjurer in the whole world, 302 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:23,960 and with the sons of Autolichas. Mercury himself had endowed him with this gift, 303 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:27,079 for he used to burn the thigh bones of goats and kids to him, 304 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:32,599 so he took pleasure in his companionship. It happened once that Ottolichis had 305 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:36,920 gone to Ithaca and had found the child of his daughter just born. As 306 00:20:36,920 --> 00:20:40,440 soon as he had done his supper, Eurycleia had set the infant upon his 307 00:20:40,519 --> 00:20:44,400 knee and said, Atoleichis, you must find a name for your grandson. 308 00:20:44,839 --> 00:20:48,319 You greatly wished that you might have one son in law and daughter, replied 309 00:20:48,319 --> 00:20:52,640 Ottoleichas, call the child. Thus, I am highly displeased with a large 310 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:56,799 number of people in one place and another, both men and women. So 311 00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:02,279 named the child Ulysses or the child of Anger. When he grows up and 312 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:06,440 comes to visit his mother's family on Mount Parnassus, where my possessions lie, 313 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:08,880 I will make him a present and will send him on his way. Rejoicing, 314 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:14,720 Ulysses therefore went to Parnassus to get the presents from Atolias, who with 315 00:21:14,839 --> 00:21:18,240 his sons, shook hands with him and gave him welcome. His grandmother Amphithea 316 00:21:18,599 --> 00:21:22,119 threw her arms around him and kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes. 317 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:26,559 While Atolias desired his sons to get dinner ready, and they did as he 318 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:30,119 told them. They brought in a five year old bull, flayed it, 319 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:36,079 and made it ready to divide into joints. These they cut carefully into smaller 320 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:40,519 pieces and spitted them. They roasted them sufficiently and served the portions round. 321 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,200 Thus, through the livelong day to the going down of the sun they feasted, 322 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,359 and every man had his full share. So they were all satisfied. 323 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:51,000 But when the sun set and it came on dark, they went to bed 324 00:21:51,039 --> 00:21:55,039 and enjoyed the boon of sleep. When the child of morning, rosy fingered 325 00:21:55,079 --> 00:21:57,720 dawn appeared, the sons of Attolichas went out with their hounds hunting, and 326 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:03,200 Ulysses went too. They kind the wooded slopes of Parnassus and soon reached its 327 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:07,200 breezy upland valleys. But as the sun was beginning to beat upon the fields, 328 00:22:07,519 --> 00:22:11,319 fresh risen from the slow still currents of Oceanus, they came to a 329 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:15,920 mountain dell. The dogs were in front, searching for the tracks of the 330 00:22:15,920 --> 00:22:19,039 beasts they were chasing, and after them came the sons of Autolychus, among 331 00:22:19,079 --> 00:22:22,559 whom was Ulysses, close behind the dogs, and had a long spear in 332 00:22:22,599 --> 00:22:26,799 his hand. Here was the layer of a huge boar among some thick brushwood. 333 00:22:27,559 --> 00:22:30,240 So thence that the wind and rain could not get through it, nor 334 00:22:30,279 --> 00:22:34,160 could the sun's rays pierce it, and the ground underneath lay thick with fallen 335 00:22:34,279 --> 00:22:38,319 leaves. The boar heard the noise of the men's feet and the hounds bang 336 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:41,599 on every side as the huntsman came up to him, so he rushed from 337 00:22:41,599 --> 00:22:45,640 his lair, raised the bristles on his neck, and stood at bay with 338 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,720 fire flashing from his eyes. Ulysses was the first to raise his spear and 339 00:22:48,759 --> 00:22:52,839 tried to drive it into the brute, but the boar was too quick for 340 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:56,680 him and charged him sideways, ripping him above the knee with a gash that 341 00:22:56,759 --> 00:22:59,920 tore deep, though it did not reach the bone. As for the boar, 342 00:23:00,279 --> 00:23:03,119 Ulysses hid him in the right shoulder, and the point of the spear 343 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:06,039 went right through him, so that he fell groaning in the dust until the 344 00:23:06,119 --> 00:23:10,759 life went out of him. The sons of Autolychus busied themselves with the carcass 345 00:23:10,799 --> 00:23:15,319 of the boar and bound Ulysses wound. Then, after saying a spell to 346 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:18,599 start the bleeding, they went home as fast as they could. But when 347 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:23,440 Ottolyichas and his sons had thoroughly healed Ulysses, they made him some splendid presents 348 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:27,839 and sent him back to Ithaca with much mutual good will. When he got 349 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:32,039 back, his father and mother were rejoiced to see him and asked him all 350 00:23:32,079 --> 00:23:34,920 about it and how he had hurt himself to get the scar So he told 351 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:38,079 them how the boar had ripped him when he was out hunting with Ottolichus and 352 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:42,480 his sons on Mount Parnassus. As soon as Euyclia had got the scarred limb 353 00:23:42,559 --> 00:23:45,880 in her hands and had well hold of it, she recognized it and dropped 354 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:51,079 the foot at once. The leg fell into the bath, which rang out 355 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:55,279 him was overturned, so that all the water spilt on the ground. Eurycleia's 356 00:23:55,279 --> 00:23:57,960 eyes, between her joy and her grief, filled with tears. She could 357 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:03,440 not speak, but she caught Ulysses by the beard and said, my dear 358 00:24:03,519 --> 00:24:07,119 child, I am sure you must be Ulysses himself. Only I did not 359 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:11,079 know you till I had actually touched and handled you. As she spoke, 360 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:14,880 she looked towards Penelope, as though wanting to tell her that her dear husband 361 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:18,440 was in the house, But Penelope was unable to look in that direction and 362 00:24:18,559 --> 00:24:22,240 observe what was going on. For Minerva had diverted her attention. So Ulysses 363 00:24:22,279 --> 00:24:26,720 caught Euryclia by the throat with his right hand, and with his left drew 364 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:29,759 her close to him, and said, nurse, do you wish to be 365 00:24:29,799 --> 00:24:33,559 the ruin of me? You who nursed me at your breast? Now that 366 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:36,799 after twenty years of wandering, I am at last come to my own house 367 00:24:36,839 --> 00:24:41,359 again, since it has been borne in upon you by Heaven to recognize me. 368 00:24:41,599 --> 00:24:44,279 Hold your tongue and do not say a word about it to any one 369 00:24:44,319 --> 00:24:47,039 else in the house, for if you do, I tell you, and 370 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:49,480 it shall surely be true, that if Heaven grants me to take the lives 371 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:52,599 of these suitors, I shall not spare you, though you are my own 372 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:57,400 nurse, when I am killing the other women. My child answered, Euyclia, 373 00:24:57,640 --> 00:25:02,079 what are you talking about? You know very well that nothing can either 374 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:04,039 bend or break me. I will hold my tongue like a stone or a 375 00:25:04,039 --> 00:25:08,319 piece of iron. Furthermore, let me say and lay my saying to your 376 00:25:08,319 --> 00:25:12,599 heart. When Heaven has delivered the suitors into your hand, I will give 377 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:15,240 you a list of women in the house who have been ill behaved, and 378 00:25:15,359 --> 00:25:21,319 of those who are guiltless, and Ulysses answered, nurse, you ought not 379 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:23,480 to speak in that way. I am well able to form my own opinion 380 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:27,519 about one and all of them. Hold your tongue and leave everything to heaven. 381 00:25:29,559 --> 00:25:32,799 As he said this, Eurycleia left the cloister to fetch the more water, 382 00:25:33,119 --> 00:25:34,880 for the first had been all spilt. And when she had washed his 383 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:38,720 feet and anointed him with oil, Ulysses drew his seat nearer to the fire 384 00:25:38,799 --> 00:25:44,119 to warm himself, and hid his scar under his rags. Then Penelope began 385 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:47,960 talking to him and said, stranger, I should like to speak with you 386 00:25:48,039 --> 00:25:52,519 briefly about another matter. It is indeed nearly bed time for those at least 387 00:25:52,559 --> 00:25:56,640 two can sleep in spite of sorrow. As for myself, Heaven has given 388 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:00,200 me a life of such unmeasurable woe that even by day, when I am 389 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:03,279 attending to my duties and looking after the servants, I am still weeping and 390 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:08,640 lamenting during the whole time. Then when night comes and we all of us 391 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:12,039 go to bed, I lie awake thinking, and my heart becomes prey to 392 00:26:12,079 --> 00:26:18,559 the most incessant and cruel tortures. As the dun Nightingale, daughter of Pandarius 393 00:26:18,759 --> 00:26:22,440 sings in the early spring from her seat in the shadiest covered head, and 394 00:26:22,559 --> 00:26:26,079 with many a point of trill pours out the tail of how by mishap she 395 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:30,799 killed her own child to Tylus, son of King Zethas. Even so does 396 00:26:30,839 --> 00:26:33,359 my mind toss in turn in its uncertainty, whether I ought to stay with 397 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:37,519 my son here and safeguard my substance, my bondsmen, and the greatness of 398 00:26:37,559 --> 00:26:41,359 my house out of regard for public opinion and the memory of my late husband, 399 00:26:42,039 --> 00:26:45,359 or whether it is now time for me to go with the best of 400 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:49,440 these suitors who are wooing me and making me such magnificent presents. As long 401 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:53,200 as my son was still young and unable to understand, he would not hear 402 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:56,240 of my leaving my husband's house. But now that he is full grown, 403 00:26:56,319 --> 00:27:00,400 he begs and prays me to do so, being in sense did the way 404 00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:03,279 in which the suitors are eating up his property. Listen then to a dream 405 00:27:03,319 --> 00:27:07,839 I have had, and interpret it for me, if you can. I 406 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,000 have twenty geests about the house that eat mash out of a trough, and 407 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:14,880 which I am exceedingly fond of. I dreamed that a great eagle came swooping 408 00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:18,279 down from a mountain and dug his curved beak into the neck of each of 409 00:27:18,279 --> 00:27:21,920 them, till he had killed them all. Presently, he soared off into 410 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:25,720 the sky and left them dead about the yard, whereon I wept in my 411 00:27:25,799 --> 00:27:29,359 dream, till all my maids gathered round me. So piteously was I grieving 412 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:33,839 because the eagle had killed my geese. Then he came back to me again, 413 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:36,839 and, perching on a projecting rafter, spoke to me with a human 414 00:27:36,920 --> 00:27:40,680 voice and told me to leave off crying. Be of good courage. She 415 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:45,319 said, Daughter of Vicarius, this is no dream, but a vision of 416 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:48,359 good omen that shall surely come to pass. The geese are the suitors, 417 00:27:48,559 --> 00:27:52,400 and I am no longer an eagle, but your own husband, who am 418 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:55,640 come back to you, and who will bring these suitors to a disgraceful end. 419 00:27:56,640 --> 00:27:59,200 On this I awoke, and when I looked out, I saw my 420 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:03,920 geese at the eating their mash as usual this dream, Madam replied, Ulysses 421 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:08,640 can admit but one interpretation, for had not Ulysses himself told you how it 422 00:28:08,680 --> 00:28:14,079 should be fulfilled. The death of the suitors is portended, and not one 423 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:18,720 single one of them will escape, and Penelope answered, stranger. Dreams are 424 00:28:18,799 --> 00:28:23,039 very curious and unaccountable things, and they do not, by any means invariably 425 00:28:23,079 --> 00:28:27,880 come true. There are two gates through which these unsubstantial fancies proceed. The 426 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:32,839 one is of Horn, the other Ivory. Those that come through the gate 427 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:36,680 of Ivory are fatuous, but those from the gate of Horn mean something to 428 00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:40,000 those who see them. I do not think, however, that my own 429 00:28:40,079 --> 00:28:42,359 dreams come through the gate of Horn, though I and my son should be 430 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:47,000 most thankful if it proves to have done so. Furthermore, I say, 431 00:28:47,279 --> 00:28:49,759 and lay my saying to your heart, the coming dawn will usher in the 432 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:52,799 ill omened day, that is to sever me from the house of Ulysses. 433 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:56,880 For I am about to hold a tournament of axes. My husband used to 434 00:28:56,880 --> 00:29:00,920 set up twelve axes in the court, one in front of the other, 435 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:03,279 that like the stays upon which a ship is built. He would then go 436 00:29:03,359 --> 00:29:07,519 back from them and shoot an arrow through the whole twelve. I shall make 437 00:29:07,519 --> 00:29:10,640 the suitors try to do the same thing. And whichever of them can string 438 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:14,519 the bow the most easily and send his arrow through all twelve axes him, 439 00:29:14,519 --> 00:29:18,279 will I follow and quit the house of my lawful husband, so goodly and 440 00:29:18,319 --> 00:29:22,480 so abounding in wealth. But even so I doubt not that I shall remember 441 00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:26,640 it in my dreams. Then, Ulysses answered, Madam, wife of Ulysses, 442 00:29:27,079 --> 00:29:30,759 you need not defer your tournament, for Ulysses will return erever they can 443 00:29:30,759 --> 00:29:34,160 string the bow, handle it how they will, and send their arrows through 444 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:37,839 the iron to this penelope. He said, as long, sir, as 445 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:41,599 you sit here and talk to me, I can have no desire to go 446 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:45,839 to bed. Still, people cannot do permanently without sleep, and Heaven has 447 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:49,160 appointed us dwellers on earth a time for all things. I will therefore go 448 00:29:49,319 --> 00:29:52,960 upstairs and recline upon that couch which I have never ceased to flood with my 449 00:29:53,039 --> 00:29:56,480 tears from the day Ulysses set out for the city with a hateful name. 450 00:29:57,279 --> 00:30:02,119 She then went upstairs to her own room, not alone, but attended by 451 00:30:02,119 --> 00:30:06,359 her maids, And when there she lamented her dear husband till Minerva shed sweet 452 00:30:06,359 --> 00:30:11,920 sleep over her eyelids. End of book nineteen