1 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in 2 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:09,439 the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please 3 00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:15,480 visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Moira Fogerty. The Odyssey 4 00:00:15,679 --> 00:00:22,199 by Homer, translated by Samuel Butler, book seventeen. When the 5 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:26,839 child of Morning, rosy fingered Dawn appeared, Telemachus bound on 6 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:30,239 his sandals and took a strong spear that suited his hands, 7 00:00:30,719 --> 00:00:34,159 for he wanted to go into the city. Old friend, 8 00:00:34,399 --> 00:00:37,359 said he to the swineherd. I will now go to 9 00:00:37,399 --> 00:00:39,960 the town and show myself to my mother, for she 10 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,399 will never leave off grieving till she has seen me. 11 00:00:44,039 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 2: As for this. 12 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,799 Speaker 1: Unfortunate stranger, take him to the town and let him 13 00:00:47,799 --> 00:00:49,719 beg there of any one who will give him a 14 00:00:49,759 --> 00:00:52,719 drink and a piece of bread. I have trouble enough 15 00:00:52,759 --> 00:00:55,399 of my own and cannot be burdened with other people. 16 00:00:56,799 --> 00:00:59,119 If this makes him angry, so much the worse for him. 17 00:00:59,479 --> 00:01:02,960 But I like to say what I mean. Then, Ulysses 18 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,359 said sir, I do not want to stay here. A 19 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,319 beggar can always do better in town than country, for 20 00:01:09,439 --> 00:01:12,560 any one who likes can give him something. I am 21 00:01:12,599 --> 00:01:15,120 too old to care about remaining here at the beckoned 22 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,079 call of a master. Therefore, let this man do as 23 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,079 you have just told him, and take me to the 24 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:22,000 town as soon as I have had a warm by 25 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:24,519 the fire, and the day has got little heat in it. 26 00:01:25,239 --> 00:01:28,599 My clothes are wretchedly thin, and this frosty morning I 27 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,400 shall be perished with cold, for you say the city 28 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:36,000 is some way off. On this Telemachus strode off through 29 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:40,159 the yards, brooding his revenge upon the suitors. When he 30 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,840 reached home, he stood his spear against a bearing post 31 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:46,159 of the cloister, crossed the stone floor of the cloister itself, 32 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:51,040 and went inside. Nurse Eurycliu saw him long before any 33 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,680 one else did. She was putting the fleeces on to 34 00:01:53,799 --> 00:01:56,439 the seats, and she burst out crying as she ran 35 00:01:56,519 --> 00:01:59,239 up to him. All the other maids came too, and 36 00:01:59,359 --> 00:02:03,280 covered his head and shoulders with their kisses. Penelope came 37 00:02:03,319 --> 00:02:06,079 out of her room, looking like Diana or Venus, and 38 00:02:06,159 --> 00:02:09,280 wept as she flung her arms about her son. She 39 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:13,080 kissed his forehead and both his beautiful eyes. Light of 40 00:02:13,159 --> 00:02:17,199 my eyes, she cried, as she spoke fondly to him. Oh, 41 00:02:17,319 --> 00:02:20,039 so you are come home again. I made sure I 42 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:22,479 was never going to see you any more, to think 43 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,080 of your having gone off to Pylos without saying anything 44 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:26,759 about it or obtaining my consent. 45 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 2: But come tell me what you saw. 46 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: Do not scold me, mother, answered Telemachus, nor vex me, 47 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,520 seeing what a narrow escape I have had. But wash 48 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:41,360 your face, change your dress, go upstairs with your maids, 49 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:44,840 and promise full and sufficient hecatombs to all the gods, 50 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:48,599 if Jove will only grant us our revenge upon the suitors. 51 00:02:49,039 --> 00:02:51,000 I must now go to the place of assembly to 52 00:02:51,039 --> 00:02:52,680 invite a stranger who has come back. 53 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 2: With me from Pylos. 54 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 1: I sent him on with my crew and told Pereeus 55 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:58,680 to take him home and look after him till I 56 00:02:58,719 --> 00:03:03,039 could come for him myself. She heeded her son's words, 57 00:03:03,479 --> 00:03:07,039 washed her face, changed her dress, and vowed full and 58 00:03:07,159 --> 00:03:10,080 sufficient hecatomes to all the gods if they would only 59 00:03:10,199 --> 00:03:15,240 vouchsafe her revenge upon the suitors. Telemachus went through and 60 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,800 out of the cloisters, spear in hand, not alone, for 61 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:22,680 his two fleet dogs went with him. Minerva endowed him 62 00:03:22,719 --> 00:03:25,759 with a presence of such divine comeliness that all marveled 63 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:28,560 at him as he went by, and the suitors gathered 64 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,400 round him with fair words in their mouths and malice 65 00:03:31,439 --> 00:03:34,360 in their hearts. But he avoided them and went to 66 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:38,840 sit with mentor Antiphus and Halitherses, old friends of his 67 00:03:38,919 --> 00:03:41,919 father's house, and they made him tell them all that 68 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:46,240 had happened to him. Then Pireus came up with Theoclemenus, 69 00:03:46,639 --> 00:03:48,639 whom he had escorted through the town to the place 70 00:03:48,639 --> 00:03:53,520 of assembly, whereon Telemachus at once joined them. Pireus was 71 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:57,240 the first to speak. Telemachus said, he, I wish you 72 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:59,479 would send some of your women to my house to 73 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:01,360 take away the presence Menelaus gave you. 74 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:03,759 Speaker 2: We do not know. 75 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:08,159 Speaker 1: Pereus answered Telemachus, what may happen if the suitors kill 76 00:04:08,199 --> 00:04:10,800 me in my own house and divide my property among them. 77 00:04:11,319 --> 00:04:13,919 I would rather you had the presents than that any 78 00:04:13,919 --> 00:04:16,639 of those people should get hold of them. If, on 79 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,160 the other hand, I managed to kill them, I shall 80 00:04:19,199 --> 00:04:21,879 be much obliged if you will kindly bring me my presents. 81 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,199 With these words, he took thia Clemenus to his own house. 82 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,000 When they got there, they laid their cloaks on the 83 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,800 benches and seats, went into the baths. 84 00:04:31,519 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 2: And washed themselves. 85 00:04:33,399 --> 00:04:35,959 Speaker 1: When the maids had washed and anointed them, and had 86 00:04:35,959 --> 00:04:39,399 given them cloaks and shirts, they took their seats at table. 87 00:04:40,079 --> 00:04:42,920 A maid servant then brought them water in a beautiful 88 00:04:42,959 --> 00:04:46,000 golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for 89 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:48,800 them to wash their hands, and she drew a clean 90 00:04:48,879 --> 00:04:52,680 table beside them. An upper servant brought them bread and 91 00:04:52,759 --> 00:04:54,839 offered them many good things of what there was in 92 00:04:54,879 --> 00:04:59,160 the house. Opposite them sat Penelope, reclining on a couch 93 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,399 by one of the barings posts of the cloister, and spinning. 94 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:05,600 Then they laid their hands on the good things that 95 00:05:05,639 --> 00:05:08,160 were before them, And as soon as they had had 96 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:11,959 enough to eat and drink, Penelope said Telemachus, I shall 97 00:05:11,959 --> 00:05:15,240 go upstairs and lie down on that sad couch, which 98 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:17,839 I have not ceased to water with my tears from 99 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:20,160 the day Ulysses set out for Troy with the sons 100 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,360 of Atreus. You failed, however, to make it clear to 101 00:05:23,399 --> 00:05:26,120 me before the suitors came back to the house whether 102 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,439 or no you had been able to hear anything about 103 00:05:28,439 --> 00:05:32,600 the return of your father. I will tell you then, truth, 104 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:36,399 replied her son. We went to Pylos, and saw Nestor, 105 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:38,959 who took me to his house and treated me as 106 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,160 hospitably as though I were a son of his own 107 00:05:41,519 --> 00:05:45,160 who had just returned after a long absence. So also 108 00:05:45,199 --> 00:05:47,839 did his sons. But he said he had not heard 109 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:51,079 a word from any human being about Ulysses, whether. 110 00:05:50,879 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 2: He was alive or dead. 111 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:56,199 Speaker 1: He sent me therefore, with the chariot and horses to Menelaus. 112 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,199 There I saw Helen, for whose sake so many both 113 00:06:00,319 --> 00:06:03,600 Argives and Trojans were in Heaven's wisdom doomed to suffer. 114 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,079 Menelaus asked me what it was that had brought me 115 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:10,759 to Lacedaemon, and I told him the whole truth. Whereon 116 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:14,680 he said, so then these cowards would usurp a brave 117 00:06:14,759 --> 00:06:17,759 man's bed. A hind might as well lay her new 118 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,240 born young in the lair of a lion and then 119 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:22,120 go off to feed in the forest or in some 120 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:26,000 grassy dell. The lion, when he comes back to his lair, 121 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:28,959 will make short work with the pair of them, and 122 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:33,360 so will Ulysses with these suitors. By Father, Jove, Minerva, 123 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,160 and Apollo. If Ulysses is still the man that he 124 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,959 was when he wrestled with Philomelides in Lesbos, and threw 125 00:06:40,079 --> 00:06:43,360 him so heavily that all the Greeks cheered him. If 126 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:46,319 he is still such and were to come near these suitors, 127 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,319 they would have a short shrift and a sorry wedding. 128 00:06:50,519 --> 00:06:54,040 As regards your question, however, I will not prevaricate nor 129 00:06:54,079 --> 00:06:56,600 deceive you. But what the old man of the sea 130 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:58,959 told me so much, will I tell you in full. 131 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,720 He said he could see Ulysses on an island, sorrowing 132 00:07:02,759 --> 00:07:05,800 bitterly in the house of the nymph Calypso, who was 133 00:07:05,879 --> 00:07:08,639 keeping him prisoner, and he could not reach his home, 134 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,600 for he had no ships nor sailors to take him 135 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:15,319 over the sea. This was what Menelaus told me, And 136 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,079 when I had heard his story, I came away. The 137 00:07:18,079 --> 00:07:20,959 gods then gave me a fair wind, and soon brought 138 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,920 me safe home again. With these words he moved the 139 00:07:24,959 --> 00:07:30,439 heart of Penelope. Then Theoclemenus said to her, Madam, wife 140 00:07:30,439 --> 00:07:35,319 of Ulysses. Telemachus does not understand these things. Listen therefore 141 00:07:35,319 --> 00:07:38,079 to me, for I can divine them surely, and will 142 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,639 hide nothing from you. May Jove, the King of Heaven 143 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:44,920 be my witness, and the rights of hospitality with that 144 00:07:45,079 --> 00:07:48,360 hearth of Ulysses to which I now come. That Ulysses 145 00:07:48,439 --> 00:07:52,279 himself is even now in Ithaca, and either going about 146 00:07:52,279 --> 00:07:55,720 the country or staying in one place, is inquiring into 147 00:07:55,759 --> 00:07:58,839 all these evil deeds, and preparing a day of reckoning 148 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:01,879 for the suitors. I saw an omen when I was 149 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:04,639 on the ship which meant this, and I told Telemachus 150 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:09,920 about it. May it be even so, answered Penelope, if 151 00:08:09,959 --> 00:08:13,160 your words come true, you shall have such gifts and 152 00:08:13,199 --> 00:08:15,759 such good will from me that all who see you 153 00:08:15,759 --> 00:08:21,480 shall congratulate you. Thus did they converse. Meanwhile, the suitors 154 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,240 were throwing discs or aiming with spears at a mark 155 00:08:24,279 --> 00:08:26,759 on the leveled ground in front of the house, and 156 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,360 behaving with all their old insolence. But when it was 157 00:08:30,399 --> 00:08:32,639 now time for dinner, and the flock of sheep and 158 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:35,200 goats had come into the town from all the country 159 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:39,279 round with their shepherds as usual, then Meadon, who was 160 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,519 their favorite servant and who waited upon them at table, said, now, then, 161 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:47,159 my young masters, you have had enough sport, so come 162 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,159 inside that we may get dinner ready. Dinner is not 163 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:54,200 a bad thing. At dinner time, they left their sports 164 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,519 as he told them, And when they were within the house, 165 00:08:56,759 --> 00:08:59,440 they laid their cloaks on the benches and seats inside, 166 00:08:59,799 --> 00:09:03,440 and then sacrificed some sheep, goats, pigs, and a heifer, 167 00:09:03,919 --> 00:09:07,399 all of them fat and well grown. Thus they made 168 00:09:07,399 --> 00:09:11,320 ready for their meal. In the meantime, Ulysses and the 169 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:16,279 swineherd were about starting for the town, and the swineherd said, stranger, 170 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:18,840 I suppose you still want to go to town to day, 171 00:09:18,879 --> 00:09:21,279 as my master said you were to do. For my 172 00:09:21,399 --> 00:09:23,480 own part, I should have liked you to stay here 173 00:09:23,519 --> 00:09:26,000 as a station hand. But I must do as my 174 00:09:26,039 --> 00:09:28,600 master tells me, or he will scold me later on, 175 00:09:29,159 --> 00:09:31,960 and a scolding from one's masters a very serious thing. 176 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:35,799 Let us then be off, for it is now broad day. 177 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,279 It will be night again directly, and then you will 178 00:09:38,279 --> 00:09:39,120 find it colder. 179 00:09:40,399 --> 00:09:41,159 Speaker 2: I know and. 180 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: Understand, you, replied, Ulysses. 181 00:09:43,519 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 2: You need say no more. Let us be going. 182 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,159 Speaker 1: But if you have a stick ready cut, let me 183 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:50,360 have it to walk with, for you say the road 184 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:54,039 is a very rough one. As he spoke, he threw 185 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:57,639 his shabby, old, tattered wallet over his shoulders by the 186 00:09:57,639 --> 00:10:00,279 cord from which it hung, and Eumaeus gave him a 187 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:04,720 stick to his liking. The two then started leaving the station, 188 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,480 in charge of the dogs and herdsmen, who remained behind. 189 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,000 The swineherd led the way, and his master followed after, 190 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:14,559 looking like some broken down old tramp as he leaned 191 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:17,600 upon his staff, and his clothes were all in rags. 192 00:10:18,879 --> 00:10:21,320 When they had got over the rough steep ground and 193 00:10:21,399 --> 00:10:24,039 were nearing the city, they reached the fountain from which 194 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:28,039 the citizens drew their water. This had been made by Ithacus, 195 00:10:28,159 --> 00:10:32,399 Neritus and Polyctor. There was a grove of water loving 196 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:35,960 poplars planted in a circle all round it, and the clear, 197 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:38,960 cold water came down to it from a rock high up, 198 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:41,399 while above the fountain there was an altar to the 199 00:10:41,519 --> 00:10:46,919 nymphs at which all wayfarers used to sacrifice. Here Melanthius, 200 00:10:47,039 --> 00:10:49,679 son of Dlius, overtook them as he was driving down 201 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:52,960 some goats, the best in his flock, for the suitor's dinner, 202 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:56,240 and there were two shepherds with him. When he saw 203 00:10:56,279 --> 00:11:00,000 Eumaeus and Ulysses, he reviled them with outrageous and unst 204 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:05,000 seemly language, which made Ulysses very angry. There you go, 205 00:11:05,279 --> 00:11:08,759 cried he and a precious pair. You are see how 206 00:11:08,799 --> 00:11:11,279 Heaven brings birds of the same feather to one another. 207 00:11:12,039 --> 00:11:16,080 Where pray, master, swineherd, are you taking this poor, miserable object. 208 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:18,399 It would make any one sick to see such a 209 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:21,279 creature at table. A fellow like this never won a 210 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,960 prize for anything in his life, but will go about 211 00:11:24,039 --> 00:11:27,840 rubbing his shoulders against every man's doorpost, and begging not 212 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:31,000 for swords and cauldrons like a man, but only for 213 00:11:31,039 --> 00:11:34,799 a few scraps not worth begging for. If you would 214 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:36,799 give him to me for a hand on my station, 215 00:11:37,279 --> 00:11:39,639 he might do to clean out the folds, or bring 216 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:42,000 a bit of sweet feed to the kids, and he 217 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,600 could fatten his thighs as much as he pleased on whey. 218 00:11:45,519 --> 00:11:47,440 But he has taken to bad ways and will not 219 00:11:47,519 --> 00:11:50,360 go about any kind of work. He will do nothing 220 00:11:50,399 --> 00:11:53,559 but beg victuals all the town over to feed his 221 00:11:53,639 --> 00:11:58,039 insatiable belly. I say therefore, and it shall surely be. 222 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:01,200 If he goes near Ulysses house, he will get his 223 00:12:01,279 --> 00:12:03,320 head broken by the stools. They will fling at him 224 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:07,320 till they turn him out. On this, as he passed, 225 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:09,399 he gave Ulysses a kick on the hip out of 226 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:13,480 pure wantonness. But Ulysses stood firm and did not budge 227 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,559 from the path. For a moment, he doubted whether or 228 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,159 no to fly at Malanthius and kill him with his staff, 229 00:12:19,639 --> 00:12:21,879 or fling him to the ground and beat his brains out. 230 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:25,960 He resolved, however, to endure it and keep himself in check. 231 00:12:26,519 --> 00:12:29,360 But the swineherd looked straight at Melanthius and rebuked him, 232 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:31,879 lifting up his hands and praying to Heaven. As he 233 00:12:31,919 --> 00:12:37,000 did so, fountain nymphs. He cried, Children of Jove, if 234 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,720 ever Ulysses burned you thigh bones covered with fat, whether 235 00:12:40,799 --> 00:12:43,720 of lambs or kids, grant my prayer that Heaven may 236 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,440 send him home. He would soon put an end to 237 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,679 the swaggering threats with which such men as you go 238 00:12:49,799 --> 00:12:53,399 about insulting people, gadding all over the town, while your 239 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:58,039 flocks are going to ruin through bad shepherding. Then Melanthius 240 00:12:58,039 --> 00:13:01,799 the goatherd answered, you, ill conditioned cur what are you 241 00:13:01,919 --> 00:13:05,080 talking about? Some day or other I will put you 242 00:13:05,159 --> 00:13:07,840 on board ship and take you to a foreign country, 243 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,200 where I can sell you and pocket the money you 244 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,159 will fetch. I wish I were as sure that Apollo 245 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,440 would strike Telemachus dead this very day, or that the 246 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,240 suitors would kill him. As I am that Ulysses will 247 00:13:19,279 --> 00:13:23,399 never come home again. With this, he left them to 248 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:26,399 come on at their leisure, while he went quickly forward 249 00:13:26,519 --> 00:13:29,559 and soon reached the house of his master. When he 250 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:31,679 got there, he went in and took his seat among 251 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:35,480 the suitors, opposite Eurymachus, who liked him better than any 252 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,720 of the others. The servants brought him a portion of meat, 253 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:41,440 and an upper woman servant set bread before him that 254 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:45,960 he might eat. Presently, Ulysses and the swineherd came up 255 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,600 to the house and stood by it amid a sound 256 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:51,279 of music, for Femeus was just beginning to sing to 257 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:55,240 the suitors. Then Ulysses took hold of the swineherd's hand 258 00:13:55,399 --> 00:14:00,639 and said, Eumaeus, this house of Ulysses is a very place. 259 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,600 No matter how far you go, you will find few 260 00:14:03,799 --> 00:14:07,639 like it. One building keeps following on after another. The 261 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:10,440 outer court has a wall with battlements all round it. 262 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:14,440 The doors are double folding, and of good workmanship. It 263 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:16,600 would be a hard matter to take it by force 264 00:14:16,639 --> 00:14:19,720 of arms. I perceive too, that there are many people 265 00:14:19,759 --> 00:14:22,639 banqueting within it. For there is a smell of roast meat, 266 00:14:22,919 --> 00:14:25,120 and I hear a sound of music, which the gods 267 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,399 have made to go along with feasting. Then you may 268 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:30,960 have said you have perceived aright. 269 00:14:30,919 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 2: As indeed you generally do. 270 00:14:32,919 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 1: But let us think what will be our best course. 271 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:38,440 Will you go inside first and join the suitors, leaving 272 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:40,679 me here behind you, or will you wait here and 273 00:14:40,759 --> 00:14:43,559 let me go in first, but do not wait long, 274 00:14:43,919 --> 00:14:46,480 or some one may see you loitering about outside and 275 00:14:46,559 --> 00:14:49,840 throw something at you. Consider this matter, I pray you, 276 00:14:50,879 --> 00:14:55,240 and Ulysses answered, I understand and heed. Go in first, 277 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:57,519 and leave me here where I am. I am quite 278 00:14:57,639 --> 00:14:59,600 used to being beaten and having things thrown at me. 279 00:15:00,279 --> 00:15:02,480 I have been so much buffeted about in war and 280 00:15:02,519 --> 00:15:05,519 by sea that I am case hardened. And this too 281 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:08,519 may go with the rest. But a man cannot hide 282 00:15:08,559 --> 00:15:11,320 away the cravings of a hungry belly. This is an 283 00:15:11,399 --> 00:15:14,440 enemy which gives much trouble to all men. It is 284 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:17,120 because of this that ships are fitted out to sail 285 00:15:17,159 --> 00:15:21,440 the seas and to make war upon other people. As 286 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,840 they were thus talking, a dog that had been lying 287 00:15:23,879 --> 00:15:27,360 asleep raised his head and pricked up his ears. This 288 00:15:27,559 --> 00:15:30,759 was Argos, whom Ulysses had bred before setting out for Troy, 289 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:33,200 but he had never had any work out of him. 290 00:15:33,919 --> 00:15:35,639 In the old days, he used to be taken out 291 00:15:35,679 --> 00:15:38,080 by the young men when they went hunting wild goats 292 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:41,879 or deer or hares. But now that his master was gone, 293 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,360 he was lying neglected on the heaps of mule and 294 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:47,279 cowdung that lay in front of the stable doors, till 295 00:15:47,279 --> 00:15:49,600 the men should come and draw it away to manure. 296 00:15:49,679 --> 00:15:53,840 The great close, and he was full of fleas. As 297 00:15:53,879 --> 00:15:56,799 soon as he saw Ulysses standing there, he dropped his 298 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:59,600 ears and wagged his tail, but he could not get 299 00:15:59,679 --> 00:16:03,000 close up to his master. When Ulysses saw the dog 300 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:05,519 on the other side of the yard, dashed a tear 301 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:09,720 from his eyes without Eumaeas seeing it, and said, Eumaeus, 302 00:16:10,279 --> 00:16:12,559 what a noble hound that is over yonder on the 303 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:16,639 manure heap. His build is splendid. Is he as fine 304 00:16:16,639 --> 00:16:19,279 a fellow as he looks? Or is he only one 305 00:16:19,279 --> 00:16:21,480 of those dogs that come begging about a table and 306 00:16:21,519 --> 00:16:26,639 are kept merely for show? This hound, answered Eumaeus, belonged 307 00:16:26,639 --> 00:16:30,200 to him who has died in a far country. If 308 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:32,360 he were what he was. When Ulysses left for Troy. 309 00:16:32,679 --> 00:16:35,399 He would soon show you what he could do. There 310 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:37,399 was not a wild beast in the forest that could 311 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:39,720 get away from him when he was once on its tracks. 312 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:43,159 But now he has fallen on evil times, for his 313 00:16:43,279 --> 00:16:45,759 master is dead and gone, and the women take no 314 00:16:45,879 --> 00:16:48,879 care of him. Servants never do their work when their 315 00:16:48,919 --> 00:16:51,879 master's hand is no longer over them, For Jove takes 316 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:53,879 half the goodness out of a man when he makes 317 00:16:53,879 --> 00:16:57,679 a slave of him. As he spoke, he went inside 318 00:16:57,679 --> 00:17:00,200 the buildings to the cloister where the suitors were, But 319 00:17:00,399 --> 00:17:03,120 Argos died as soon as he had recognized his master. 320 00:17:04,599 --> 00:17:07,839 Telemachus saw Eumaeus long before any one else did, and 321 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:08,559 beckoned him. 322 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 2: To come and sit beside him. 323 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:12,440 Speaker 1: So he looked about and saw a seat lying near 324 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,440 where the carver sat serving out their portions to the suitors. 325 00:17:16,279 --> 00:17:19,559 He picked it up, brought it to Telemachus's table, and 326 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:22,880 sat down opposite him. Then the servant brought him his 327 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:27,799 portion and gave him bread from the bread basket. Immediately afterwards, 328 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:31,680 Ulysses came inside, looking like a poor, miserable old beggar, 329 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,680 leaning on his staff and with his clothes all in rags. 330 00:17:36,839 --> 00:17:39,759 He sat down upon the threshold of ashwood, just inside 331 00:17:39,799 --> 00:17:42,440 the doors leading from the outer to the inner court, 332 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,599 and against a bearing post of cypress wood, which the 333 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:49,119 carpenter had skillfully planed and had made to join truly 334 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:53,359 with rule and line. Telemachus took a whole loaf from 335 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:55,720 the bread basket with as much meat as he could 336 00:17:55,759 --> 00:17:59,039 hold in his two hands, and said to Eumaeus, take 337 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:01,799 this to the stranger, and tell him to go the 338 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:04,599 round of the suitors and beg from them. A beggar 339 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:08,240 must not be shame faced. So Eumaeus went up to 340 00:18:08,319 --> 00:18:12,519 him and said, stranger, Telemachus sends you this, and says 341 00:18:12,519 --> 00:18:14,640 you are to go the round of the suitors begging 342 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:19,599 for beggars must not be shame faced. Ulysses answered, may 343 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:23,079 King Jove, grant all happiness to Telemachus and fulfill the 344 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:27,119 desire of his heart. Then, with both hands he took 345 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:29,640 what Telemachus had sent him and laid it on the 346 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:33,119 dirty old wallet at his feet. He went on eating 347 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,720 it while the bard was singing, and had just finished 348 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:39,160 his dinner. As he left off, the suitors applauded the bard, 349 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,440 whereon Minerva went up to Ulysses, and prompted him to 350 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,880 beg pieces of bread from each one of the suitors, 351 00:18:45,319 --> 00:18:47,200 that he might see what kind of people they were 352 00:18:47,599 --> 00:18:50,359 and tell the good from the bad. But come what might, 353 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:52,599 she was not going to save a single one of them. 354 00:18:53,519 --> 00:18:56,920 Ulysses therefore went on his round, going from left to right, 355 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,400 and stretched out his hands to beg as though he 356 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,559 were a real beggar. Some of them pitied him and 357 00:19:02,599 --> 00:19:05,559 were curious about him, asking one another who he was 358 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:09,440 and where he came from? Whereon the goatherd, Melanthius said, 359 00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:13,000 suitors of my noble mistress, I can tell you something 360 00:19:13,039 --> 00:19:16,319 about him, for I have seen him before the swineherd 361 00:19:16,319 --> 00:19:19,200 brought him here, But I know nothing about the man himself, 362 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:24,359 nor where he comes from. On this Antonus began to 363 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:28,839 abuse the swineherd, You precious idiot, he cried, what have 364 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:30,160 you brought this man to town? 365 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:31,519 Speaker 2: For have we not. 366 00:19:31,599 --> 00:19:34,279 Speaker 1: Tramps and beggars enough already to pester us as we 367 00:19:34,319 --> 00:19:37,079 set up meat? Do you think it a small thing 368 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:39,960 that such people gather here to waste your master's property? 369 00:19:40,319 --> 00:19:43,400 And must you needs bring this man as well? And 370 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:47,359 you mayus, answered, Antinous, your birth is good but your 371 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:50,200 words evil. It was no doing of mine that he 372 00:19:50,279 --> 00:19:53,240 came here. Who is likely to invite a stranger from 373 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:55,720 a foreign country unless it be one of those who 374 00:19:55,759 --> 00:19:58,960 can do public service as a seer, a healer of hurts, 375 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:00,799 a carpenter, or or a bard. 376 00:20:00,559 --> 00:20:02,480 Speaker 2: Who can charm us with his songs. 377 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:06,440 Speaker 1: Such men are welcome all the world over, But no 378 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:08,680 one is likely to ask a beggar who will only 379 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:12,680 worry him. You are always harder on Ulysses servants than 380 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:15,359 any of the other suitors are, and above all on me. 381 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:18,200 But I do not care so long as Telemachus and 382 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:23,400 Penelope are alive and here. But Telemachus said, hush, do 383 00:20:23,519 --> 00:20:26,759 not answer him. Antonus has the bitterest tongue of all 384 00:20:26,759 --> 00:20:30,720 the suitors, and he makes the others worse. Then, turning 385 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,160 to Antonas, he said, Antonus, you take as much care 386 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:37,039 of my interests as though I were your son. Why 387 00:20:37,039 --> 00:20:39,079 should you want to see this stranger turned out of 388 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:43,000 the house. Heaven forbid take something and give it him yourself. 389 00:20:43,319 --> 00:20:45,599 I do not grudge it. I bid you take it, 390 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:49,000 never mind my mother nor any of the other servants 391 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:51,200 in the house. But I know you will not do 392 00:20:51,319 --> 00:20:53,680 what I say, for you are more fond of eating 393 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:57,240 things yourself than of giving them to other people. What 394 00:20:57,319 --> 00:21:01,480 do you mean, Telemachus, replied Antonus, by the swaggering talk. 395 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:03,920 If all the suitors were to give him as much 396 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:06,000 as I will, he would not come here again for 397 00:21:06,039 --> 00:21:10,000 another three months. As he spoke, he drew the stool 398 00:21:10,039 --> 00:21:12,680 on which he rested his dainty feet from under the table, 399 00:21:13,079 --> 00:21:15,119 and made as though he would throw it at Ulysses. 400 00:21:15,599 --> 00:21:18,319 But the other suitors all gave him something and filled 401 00:21:18,319 --> 00:21:21,559 his wallet with bread and meat. He was about, therefore 402 00:21:21,599 --> 00:21:23,640 to go back to the threshold and eat what the 403 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:26,359 suitors had given him, but he first went up to 404 00:21:26,359 --> 00:21:30,519 Antonas and said, sir, give me something. You are not 405 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:33,680 surely the poorest man here. You seem to be a 406 00:21:33,799 --> 00:21:37,279 chief foremost among them all. Therefore you should be the 407 00:21:37,319 --> 00:21:40,079 better giver, and I will tell far and wide of 408 00:21:40,079 --> 00:21:43,400 your bounty. I too was a rich man once, and 409 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:46,319 had a fine house of my own. In those days, 410 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:48,519 I gave to many a tramp such as I now am, 411 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:51,200 no matter who he might be, nor what he wanted. 412 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:54,319 I had any number of servants, and all the other 413 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:57,440 things which people have who live well and are accounted wealthy, 414 00:21:58,039 --> 00:22:00,319 but it pleased Jove to take all away from me. 415 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:03,599 He sent me with a band of roving robbers to Egypt. 416 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,359 It was a long voyage, and I was undone by it. 417 00:22:07,039 --> 00:22:09,880 I stationed my ships and the river Egyptus, and bade 418 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:12,160 my men stay by them and keep guard over them, 419 00:22:12,559 --> 00:22:15,759 while we sent out scouts to reconnoiter from every point 420 00:22:15,759 --> 00:22:19,759 of vantage. But the men disobeyed my orders, took to 421 00:22:19,799 --> 00:22:22,400 their own devices and ravaged the land of the Egyptians, 422 00:22:22,519 --> 00:22:25,680 killing the men and taking their wives and children captives. 423 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:28,960 The alarm was soon carried to the city, and when 424 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,359 they heard the war cry, the people came out at daybreak, 425 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:34,480 till the plain was filled with soldiers horse and foot, 426 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:38,319 and with a gleam of armor. Then Jove spread panic 427 00:22:38,319 --> 00:22:41,039 among my men, and they would no longer face the enemy, 428 00:22:41,039 --> 00:22:44,799 for they found themselves surrounded. The Egyptians killed many of 429 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:47,440 us and took the rest alive to do forced labor 430 00:22:47,519 --> 00:22:50,759 for them. As for myself, they gave me to a 431 00:22:50,799 --> 00:22:54,440 friend who met them to take to Cypress Dmitor by name, 432 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:57,599 son of Yasus, who was a great man in Cyprus. 433 00:22:58,559 --> 00:23:01,200 Thence I am come hither in a state of great misery. 434 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:06,200 Then Antonus said, what God can have sent such a 435 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:09,880 pestilence to plague us during our dinner. Get out into 436 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:11,839 the open part of the court, or I will give 437 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:16,279 you Egypt and Cypress over again for your insolence and importunity. 438 00:23:16,559 --> 00:23:18,759 You have begged of all the others, and they have 439 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:21,839 given you lavishly, for they have abundance round them, and 440 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:24,240 it is easy to be free with other people's property 441 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:27,559 when there is plenty of it. On this Ulysses began 442 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:31,079 to move off and said, your looks, my fine sir, 443 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:34,119 are better than your breeding. If you were in your 444 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:36,160 own house, you would not spare a poor man so 445 00:23:36,279 --> 00:23:38,640 much as a pinch of salt. For though you are 446 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:41,920 in another man's and surrounded with abundance, you cannot find 447 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:44,160 it in you to give him even a piece of bread. 448 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,880 This made Antonus very angry, and he scowled at him, saying, 449 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:51,319 you shall pay for this before you get clear of 450 00:23:51,319 --> 00:23:54,519 the court. With these words, he threw a footstool at 451 00:23:54,559 --> 00:23:56,680 him and hit him on the right shoulder blade near 452 00:23:56,720 --> 00:24:00,759 the top of his back. Ulysses stood firm as a rock, 453 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,039 and the blow did not even stagger him, but he 454 00:24:04,079 --> 00:24:07,680 shook his head in silence as he brooded on his revenge. 455 00:24:08,839 --> 00:24:11,680 Then he went back to the threshold and sat down there, 456 00:24:11,839 --> 00:24:16,240 laying his well filled wallet at his feet. Listen to me, 457 00:24:16,759 --> 00:24:20,440 he cried, you, suitors of Queen Penelope, that I may 458 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:24,359 speak even as I am minded. A man knows neither 459 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:26,720 ache nor pain if he gets hit while fighting for 460 00:24:26,799 --> 00:24:30,039 his money, or for his sheep or his cattle. And 461 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:32,640 even so Antonus has hit me while in the service 462 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:37,839 of my miserable belly, which is always getting people into trouble. Still, 463 00:24:38,279 --> 00:24:40,920 if the poor have gods and avenging deities at all, 464 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:43,759 I pray them that Antonus may come to a bad 465 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:47,680 end before his marriage. Sit where you are and eat 466 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:51,680 your victuals in silence, or be off elsewhere, shouted Antonus. 467 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:54,599 If you say more, I will have you dragged hand 468 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:57,440 and foot through the courts, and the servants shall flay 469 00:24:57,480 --> 00:25:02,200 you alive. The other suitors were much displeased at this, 470 00:25:02,599 --> 00:25:05,440 and one of the young men said, Antonus, you did 471 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:08,039 ill in striking that poor wretch of a tramp. It 472 00:25:08,079 --> 00:25:09,880 will be worse for you if he should turn out 473 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:12,400 to be some god. And we know the gods go 474 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:15,039 about disguised in all sorts of ways, as people from 475 00:25:15,039 --> 00:25:18,160 foreign countries and travel about the world to see who 476 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:22,440 do amiss and who righteously, thus said the suitors, but 477 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:23,519 Antonus paid. 478 00:25:23,279 --> 00:25:24,039 Speaker 2: Them no heed. 479 00:25:24,880 --> 00:25:27,839 Speaker 1: Meanwhile, Telemachus was furious about the blow that had been 480 00:25:27,839 --> 00:25:30,880 given to his father, and though no tear fell from him, 481 00:25:31,279 --> 00:25:36,039 he shook his head in silence and brooded on his revenge. Now, 482 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:38,480 when Penelope heard that the beggar had been struck in 483 00:25:38,519 --> 00:25:42,440 the banquet in cloister, she said, before her maids would 484 00:25:42,519 --> 00:25:45,720 that Apollo would so strike you Antonus, and her waiting 485 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:49,599 woman Eurynymy answered, if our prayers were answered, not one 486 00:25:49,599 --> 00:25:52,039 of the suitors would ever again see the sun rise. 487 00:25:53,079 --> 00:25:56,880 Then Penelope said, Nurse, I hate every single one of them, 488 00:25:57,119 --> 00:26:00,000 for they mean nothing but mischief. But I hate Antony 489 00:26:00,319 --> 00:26:04,480 like the darkness of death itself. A poor, unfortunate tramp 490 00:26:04,480 --> 00:26:08,279 has come begging about the house for sheer want. Every 491 00:26:08,279 --> 00:26:10,839 one else has given him something to put in his wallet, 492 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,680 but Antonas has hit him on the right shoulder blade 493 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:17,480 with a footstool. Thus did she talk with her maids 494 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:20,240 as she sat in her own room, And in the meantime, 495 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:24,359 Ulysses was getting his dinner. Then she called for the swineherd, 496 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:28,079 and said, Eumaeus, go and tell the stranger to come here. 497 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:31,000 Speaker 2: I want to see him and ask him some questions. 498 00:26:31,559 --> 00:26:32,400 He seems to have. 499 00:26:32,279 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 1: Traveled much, and he may have seen or heard something 500 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:39,920 of my unhappy husband. To this, you answered, O swineherd, Eumaeus. 501 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:44,640 If these Achaeans, Madam would only keep quiet, you would 502 00:26:44,680 --> 00:26:47,720 be charmed with the history of his adventures. I had 503 00:26:47,799 --> 00:26:50,079 him three days and three nights with me in my hut, 504 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,599 which was the first place he reached after running away 505 00:26:52,640 --> 00:26:55,279 from his ship, and he has not yet completed the 506 00:26:55,279 --> 00:26:58,599 story of his misfortunes. If he had been the most 507 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:01,680 heaven taught minstrel in the whole world, on whose lips 508 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,680 all hearers hang entranced, I could not have been more 509 00:27:04,759 --> 00:27:07,039 charmed as I sat in my hut and listened to him. 510 00:27:08,119 --> 00:27:10,480 He says there is an old friendship between his house 511 00:27:10,559 --> 00:27:13,319 and that of Ulysses, and that he comes from Crete, 512 00:27:13,599 --> 00:27:16,759 where the descendants of Minos live, after having been driven 513 00:27:16,839 --> 00:27:21,200 hither and thither by every kind of misfortune. He also 514 00:27:21,279 --> 00:27:23,799 declares that he has heard of Ulysses as being alive 515 00:27:24,319 --> 00:27:27,480 and near at hand among the thrust potians, and that 516 00:27:27,559 --> 00:27:31,920 he is bringing great wealth home with him. Call him here, then, 517 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:35,440 said Penelope, that I too may hear his story. As 518 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:37,920 for the suitors, let them take their pleasure indoors or 519 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:40,640 out as they will, for they have nothing to fret about. 520 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:44,440 Their corn and wine remain unwasted in their houses, with 521 00:27:44,559 --> 00:27:47,519 none but servants to consume them. While they keep hanging 522 00:27:47,559 --> 00:27:51,200 about our house day after day, sacrificing our oxen, sheep 523 00:27:51,519 --> 00:27:54,319 and fat goats for their banquets, and never giving so 524 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:56,559 much as a thought to the quantity of wine they drink. 525 00:27:57,319 --> 00:28:00,640 No estate can stand such recklessness, for we have now 526 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:04,119 no Ulysses to protect us. If he were to come again, 527 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:08,119 he and his son would soon have their revenge. As 528 00:28:08,160 --> 00:28:11,680 she spoke, Telemachus sneezed so loudly that the whole house 529 00:28:11,759 --> 00:28:15,680 resounded with it. Penelope laughed when she heard this, and 530 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:19,279 said to Eumaeus, go and call the stranger. Did you 531 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:22,000 not hear how my son sneezed just as I was speaking. 532 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:24,680 This can only mean that all the suitors are going 533 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:28,680 to be killed, and that not one of them shall escape. Furthermore, 534 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:31,599 I say, and lay my saying to your heart if 535 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:34,119 I am satisfied that the stranger is speaking the truth, 536 00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:36,759 I shall give him a shirt and cloak of good wear. 537 00:28:38,039 --> 00:28:42,359 When Eumayas heard this, he went straight to Ulysses and said, father, stranger, 538 00:28:42,799 --> 00:28:45,759 my mistress Penelope, mother of Telemachus, has sent for you. 539 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:48,480 She is in great grief, but she wishes to hear 540 00:28:48,599 --> 00:28:51,440 anything you can tell her about her husband. And if 541 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:54,079 she is satisfied that you are speaking the truth, she 542 00:28:54,119 --> 00:28:56,279 will give you a shirt and cloak, which are the 543 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,240 very things that you are most in want of. As 544 00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:01,359 for bread, you can get enough of that to fill 545 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:03,839 your belly by begging about the town and letting those 546 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:09,680 give that will I will tell Penelope, answered Ulysses, nothing 547 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:13,640 but what is strictly true. I know all about her husband, 548 00:29:13,759 --> 00:29:16,559 and have been partner with him in affliction. But I 549 00:29:16,599 --> 00:29:19,599 am afraid of passing through this crowd of cruel suitors, 550 00:29:20,039 --> 00:29:22,039 for their pride and insolence reach heaven. 551 00:29:23,279 --> 00:29:23,640 Speaker 2: Just now. 552 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:26,319 Speaker 1: Moreover, as I was going about the house without doing 553 00:29:26,359 --> 00:29:28,839 any harm, a man gave me a blow that hurt 554 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:31,960 me very much, But neither Telemachus nor any one else 555 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:36,319 defended me. Tell Penelope, therefore, to be patient and wait 556 00:29:36,359 --> 00:29:39,720 till sundown. Let her give me a seat close up 557 00:29:39,759 --> 00:29:42,400 to the fire, for my clothes are worn very thin. 558 00:29:42,720 --> 00:29:44,519 You know they are, for you have seen them ever 559 00:29:44,559 --> 00:29:47,400 since I first asked you to help me. She can 560 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:50,680 then ask me about the return of her husband. The 561 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:54,000 Swineherd went back when he heard this, and Penelope said, 562 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:56,880 as she saw him cross the threshold, why do you 563 00:29:56,920 --> 00:30:00,119 not bring him here, Eumaeus? Is he afraid that someone 564 00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:02,480 will ill treat him? Or is he shy of coming 565 00:30:02,519 --> 00:30:06,079 inside the house at all? Beggars should not be shamefaced 566 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:10,920 to this, you answered, o Swineherd, Eumaeus. The stranger is 567 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:13,960 quite reasonable. He is avoiding the suitors and is only 568 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:17,160 doing what any one else would do. He asks you 569 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:20,039 to wait till sundown, and it will be much better, madam, 570 00:30:20,079 --> 00:30:22,400 that you should have him all to yourself, when you 571 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:24,119 can hear him and talk to him as you will. 572 00:30:25,319 --> 00:30:28,839 The man is no fool, answered Penelope. It would very 573 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:31,079 likely be as he says, for there are no such 574 00:30:31,119 --> 00:30:34,000 abominable people in the whole world as these men are. 575 00:30:35,359 --> 00:30:38,599 When she had done speaking, Eumaeus went back to the suitors, 576 00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:42,440 for he had explained everything. Then he went up to 577 00:30:42,480 --> 00:30:45,160 Telemachus and said in his ear, so that none could 578 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:48,880 overhear him. My dear sir, I will now go back 579 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:51,319 to the pigs to see after your property and my 580 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:54,799 own business. You will look to what is going on here, 581 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:57,519 but above all be careful to keep out of danger, 582 00:30:57,920 --> 00:31:01,359 for there are many who bear you ill. Will may 583 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:03,319 Jove bring them to a bad end. 584 00:31:03,240 --> 00:31:04,680 Speaker 2: Before they do us a mischief. 585 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:09,400 Speaker 1: Very well, replied Telemachus. Go home when you have had 586 00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:11,559 your dinner, and in the morning come here with the 587 00:31:11,640 --> 00:31:14,480 victims we are to sacrifice for the day. Leave the 588 00:31:14,519 --> 00:31:18,039 rest to heaven and me On this Eumaeus took his 589 00:31:18,079 --> 00:31:20,839 seat again, and when he had finished his dinner, he 590 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:23,319 left the courts and the cloister with the men at table, 591 00:31:23,640 --> 00:31:26,759 and went back to his pigs. As for the suitors, 592 00:31:26,799 --> 00:31:29,880 they presently began to amuse themselves with singing and dancing, 593 00:31:30,240 --> 00:31:33,880 for it was now getting on towards evening. End of 594 00:31:33,960 --> 00:31:40,039 Book seventeen, read by Moira Fogerty in Toronto, Ontario, October 595 00:31:40,079 --> 00:31:41,160 two thousand and six.