WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:06.000 Book fifteen of the Odyssey by Homer, translated by Samuel Butler. 2 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:11.519 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The Odyssey 3 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:17.320 Book fifteen Minerva summons Telemachus from Lacedemon. He meets with 4 00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.079 Theoclymenus at Pylos and brings him to Ithaca. On landing, 5 00:00:21.239 --> 00:00:25.480 he goes to the hut of Eumaeus. But Minerva went 6 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:28.199 to the fair city of Lacedemon to tell Ulysses son 7 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:31.399 that he was to return at once. She found him 8 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:35.880 in Pisistratus, sleeping in the forecourt of Menelaeus's house. Pisistratus 9 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:38.880 was fast asleep, but Telemachus could get no rest all 10 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.159 night for thinking of his unhappy father. So Minerva went 11 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:45.960 close up to him and said, Telemachus, you should not 12 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:49.079 remain so far away from home any longer, nor leave 13 00:00:49.119 --> 00:00:52.359 your property with such dangerous people in your house. They 14 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:54.759 will eat up everything you have among them, and you 15 00:00:54.759 --> 00:00:58.079 will have been on a fool's Errand ask Menelaus to 16 00:00:58.119 --> 00:01:00.280 send you home at once if he wished to find 17 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:03.640 your excellent mother still there. When you get back, her 18 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:06.799 father and brothers are already urging her to marry Euymicus. 19 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:09.200 Who has given her more than any of the others, 20 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:13.359 and has been greatly increasing his wedding presents. I hope 21 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:15.840 nothing valuable may be taken from the house in spite 22 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:18.840 of you. But you know what women are. They always 23 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:20.519 want to do the best they can for the man 24 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:23.200 who marries them, and never give another thought to the 25 00:01:23.319 --> 00:01:26.439 children of their first husband, nor to their father, either 26 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:29.959 when he is dead and done with. Go home, therefore, 27 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:32.840 and put everything in charge of the most respectable woman 28 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:35.560 servant that you have, until it shall please Heaven to 29 00:01:35.599 --> 00:01:38.239 send you a wife of your own. Let me tell 30 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:41.599 you also of another matter which you had better attend to. 31 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:43.920 The chief men among the suitors are lying in wait 32 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:46.760 for you in the strait between Ithaca and Samos, and 33 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:48.959 they mean to kill you before you can reach home. 34 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:52.599 I do not much think they will succeed. It is 35 00:01:52.680 --> 00:01:54.920 more likely that some of those who are now eating 36 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:58.719 up your property will find a grave themselves. Sail night 37 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.359 and day, and keep your shapes well away from the islands. 38 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.400 The God who watches over you and protects you, will 39 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:07.079 send you a fair wind as soon as you get 40 00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:09.560 to Ithaca. Send your ship and men on to the town. 41 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:12.800 But yourself go straight to the swineherd, who has charge 42 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:16.360 of your pigs. He is well disposed towards you. Stay 43 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:18.879 with him therefore for the night, and then send him 44 00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:20.960 to Penelope to tell her that you have got back 45 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:25.800 safe from Pylos. Then she went back to Olympus. But 46 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:29.120 Telemachus stirred Pisistratus with his heel to rouse him, and said, 47 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.840 wake up, Pisistratus, and yoke the horses to the chariot, 48 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:38.319 for we must set off home. But Pisistratus said, no 49 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:40.639 matter what hurry we are in, we cannot drive in 50 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:44.479 the dark. It will be morning soon. Wait till Menelaeus 51 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:46.639 has brought his presence, and put them in the chariot 52 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:49.080 for us, and then let him say good bye to 53 00:02:49.159 --> 00:02:51.919 us in the usual way. So long as he lives, 54 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.199 a guest should never forget a host who has shown 55 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:59.240 him kindness. As he spoke, day began to break, and Menelaeus, 56 00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:03.479 who had already risen, leaving Helen in bed, came towards them. 57 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:06.080 When Telemachus saw him, he put on his shirt as 58 00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:09.039 fast as he could, threw a great cloak over his shoulders, 59 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:13.120 and went out to meet him. Menelaus said, he let 60 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:15.400 me go back now to my own country, for I 61 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:20.680 want to go home, Aunt Menelaus, answered Telemachus. If you 62 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:24.159 insist on going, I will not detain you. I do 63 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:26.319 not like to see a host either too fond of 64 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:30.080 his guest or too rude to him. Moderation is best 65 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:33.280 in all things, and not letting a man go when 66 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:35.360 he wants to do so is as bad as telling 67 00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:38.080 him to go if he would like to stay. One 68 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:40.120 should treat a guest well as long as he is 69 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:41.840 in the house, and speed him when he wants to 70 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:45.560 leave it. Wait then till I get your beautiful presents 71 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:50.000 into your chariot. Until you have yourself seen them, I 72 00:03:50.039 --> 00:03:52.639 will tell the women to prepare a sufficient dinner for you, 73 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:55.199 of what there may be in the house. It will 74 00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:57.479 be at once more proper and cheaper for you to 75 00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:00.120 get your dinner before setting out on such a long journey. 76 00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:03.960 If moreover you have a fancy for making a tour 77 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:06.639 in Hellas or in the Peloponnese, I will yoke my 78 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:09.960 horses and will conduct you myself through all our principal cities. 79 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:13.479 No one will send us away empty handed. Every one 80 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:16.920 will give us something a bronze tripod, a couple of mules, 81 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:22.000 or a gold cup. Menelaus replied, Telemachus, I want to 82 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:24.720 go home at once, for when I came away, I 83 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:28.279 left my property without protection, and fear that while looking 84 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:31.519 for my father, I shall come to ruin myself or 85 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:34.680 find that something valuable has been stolen during my absence. 86 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:39.600 When Menelaeus heard this, he immediately told his wife and 87 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:41.680 servants to prepare us a fish in dinner from what 88 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:45.160 there might be in the house. At this moment, Etionius 89 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:47.800 joined him, for he lived close by and had just 90 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:50.800 got up, So Menelaus told him to light the fire 91 00:04:50.839 --> 00:04:54.879 and cook some meat, which he at once did. Then 92 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.560 Menelaeus went down into his fragrant storeroom, not alone, but 93 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:02.839 Helen went too with Megapenthes. When he reached the place 94 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:05.519 where the treasures of his house were kept, he selected 95 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:08.439 a double cup and told his son Megapenthes to bring 96 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:12.319 also a silver mixing bowl. Meanwhile, Helen went to the 97 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:14.839 chest where she kept the lovely dresses which she had 98 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:17.519 made with her own hands, and took out one that 99 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:21.560 was largest and most beautifully enriched with embroidery. It glittered 100 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:23.600 like a star and lay at the very bottom of 101 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:26.399 the chest. Then they all came back through the house 102 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:30.680 again till they got to Telemachus, and Meneleu said, Telemachus 103 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:33.920 made Jove, the mighty husband of Juno, bring you safely 104 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:37.240 home according to your desire. I will now present you 105 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:39.639 with the finest and most precious piece of plate in 106 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:43.079 all my house. It is a mixing bowl of pure silver, 107 00:05:43.480 --> 00:05:46.439 except the rim, which is inlaid with gold, and is 108 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:50.399 the work of Vulcan. Fadimus, king of the Sedonians, made 109 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:52.279 me a present of it in the course of a 110 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:54.199 visit that I paid him while I was on my 111 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:56.720 return home. I should like to give it to you 112 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:00.480 With these words, He placed the double cup the hands 113 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:04.040 of Telemachus, while Megapenthes brought the beautiful mixing bowl and 114 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:07.759 set it before him. Hard By stood lovely Helen, with 115 00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:11.800 the robe ready in her hand. I too, my son, said, 116 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:14.600 she have something for you as a keepsake from the 117 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:17.399 hand of Helen. It is for your bride to wear 118 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:20.839 upon her wedding day. Till then get your dear mother 119 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:23.279 to keep it for you. Thus may you go back 120 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:27.560 rejoicing to your own country and to your home. So saying, 121 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:29.839 she gave the robe over to him, and he received 122 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:34.120 it gladly. Then Pisistratus put the presents into the chariot 123 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:37.920 and admired them all as he did so. Presently, Menelaeus 124 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:41.279 took Telemachus and Pisistratus into the house, and they both 125 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:44.319 of them sat down to table. A maid servant brought 126 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:46.720 them water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it 127 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:49.079 into a silver basin for them to wash their hands, 128 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.800 and she drew a clean table beside them. An upper 129 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:55.240 servant brought them bread and offered them many good things 130 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:58.480 of what there was in the house. Attionius carved the 131 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:01.959 meat and gave them eat their portion, while Megapenthes poured 132 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:04.920 out the wine. Then they laid their hands upon the 133 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:07.480 good things that were before them. But as soon as 134 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:09.959 they had had enough to eat and drink, Telemachus and 135 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:13.439 Pisistratus yoked the horses and took their places in the chariot. 136 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:16.600 They drove out through the inner gateway and under the 137 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:20.040 echoing gatehouse of the outer court, and Menelaeus came after 138 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:22.519 them with a golden goblet of wine in his right hand, 139 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:25.680 that they might make a drink offering. Before they set out, 140 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:28.439 he stood in front of the horses and pledged them, saying, 141 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:31.839 farewell to both of you. See that you tell Nestor 142 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:34.480 how I have treated you, For he was as kind 143 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:36.959 to me as any father could be while we Achaeans 144 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:41.879 were fighting before Troy. We will be sure, sir, answered Telemachus, 145 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:44.560 to tell him everything as soon as we see him. 146 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:47.199 I wish I were as certain of finding Ulysses return 147 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:49.519 when I get back to Ithaca, that I might tell 148 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:51.680 him of the very great kindness you have shown me, 149 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:54.519 and of the many beautiful presents I am taking with me. 150 00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:58.279 As he was thus speaking, a bird flew on his 151 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:01.040 right hand, an eagle with a great white goose in 152 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.560 its talons, which it had carried off from the farm yard, 153 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.519 and all the men and women were running after it 154 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:09.399 and shouting. It came quite close up to them and 155 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:11.839 flew away on their right hands in front of the horses. 156 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:15.160 When they saw it, they were glad, and their hearts 157 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:19.759 took comfort with them. Whereon, Pisistratus said, tell me, Menelaus, 158 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.399 has Heaven set this omen for us or for you? 159 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:26.800 Menelaus was thinking what would be the most proper answer 160 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:29.279 for him to make. But Helen was too quick for him, 161 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:32.360 and said, I will read this matter as Heaven has 162 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:34.960 put it in my heart, and as I doubt not 163 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:38.279 that it will come to pass. The eagle came from 164 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:41.000 the mountain where it was bred and has its nest, 165 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:44.919 and in like manner, Ulysses, after having traveled far and 166 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:48.799 suffered much, will return to take his revenge. If indeed 167 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:51.840 he is not back already and hatching mischief for the suitors. 168 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:57.080 May jove so grant, it, replied Telemachus. If it should 169 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:59.440 prove to be so, I will make vows to you 170 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:02.039 as though you were a god, even when I am 171 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:05.879 at home. As he spoke, he lashed his horses, and 172 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:08.559 they started off at full speed through the town towards 173 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:11.720 the open country. They swayed the yoke upon their necks 174 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:14.360 and traveled the whole day long till the sun set 175 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:18.399 and darkness was over the land. Then they reached Ferry, 176 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:21.440 where Diocles lived, to a son of Artilicus, the son 177 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:25.320 of Alpheus. There they passed the night and were treated hospitably. 178 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:29.799 When the child of morning, rosy fingered dawn appeared, they 179 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:32.600 again yoked their horses and their places in the chariot. 180 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:35.480 They drove out through the inner gateway and under the 181 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:39.480 echoing gatehouse of the outer court. Then Pisistratus lashed his 182 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:43.039 horses on, and they flew forward nothing loth ere long 183 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:47.399 they came to Pylos, and then Telemachus said, Pisistratus, I 184 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:49.159 hope you will promise to do what I am going 185 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:52.039 to ask you. You know, our fathers were old friends 186 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:55.399 before us. Moreover, we are both of an age, and 187 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:58.919 this journey has brought us together still more closely. Do 188 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:02.360 not therefore take me past my ship, but leave me there, 189 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.919 for if I go to your father's house, he will 190 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.759 try to keep me in the warmth of his good 191 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:09.399 will towards me, and I must go home at once. 192 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:13.919 Pisistratus thought how he should do as he was asked, 193 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:16.200 and in the end he deemed it best to turn 194 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:19.960 his horses towards the ship and put Menilaeus's beautiful presence 195 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:22.080 of gold and raiment in the stern of the vessel. 196 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:25.759 Then he said, go on board at once, and tell 197 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:27.960 your men to do so also before I can reach 198 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:31.679 home to tell my father. I know how obstinate he is, 199 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:34.279 and am sure he will not let you go. He 200 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:36.480 will come down here to fetch you, and he will 201 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.159 not go back without you, but he will be very 202 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:43.279 angry with this. He drove his goodly steeds back to 203 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:46.159 the city of the Pylians, and soon reached his home. 204 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:50.600 But Telemachus called the men together and gave his orders. Now, 205 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:53.519 my men, said, he get everything in order on board 206 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:57.240 the ship, and let us set out home. Thus did 207 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.600 he speak, and they went on board even as he 208 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:03.600 had said. But as Telemachus was thus busied praying also 209 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:07.120 and sacrificing to Minerva in the ship's stern, there came 210 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:09.919 to him a man from a distant country, a seer, 211 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:12.840 who was flying from Argos because he had killed a man. 212 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:17.440 He was descended from Melampus, who used to live in Pylos, 213 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:20.159 the land of sheep. He was rich and owned a 214 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:23.120 great house, but he was driven into exile by the 215 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:27.200 great and powerful King Nelius. Nelius seized his goods and 216 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:29.960 held them for a whole year, during which he was 217 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:33.039 a close prisoner in the house of King Philicus, and 218 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:35.679 in much distress of mind, both on account of the 219 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:38.320 daughter of Nelius and because he was haunted by a 220 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:42.080 great sorrow that dread Erinis had laid upon him. In 221 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:45.120 the end, however, he escaped with his life, drove the 222 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:48.279 cattle from Pheles to Pylos, avenged the wrong that had 223 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:50.440 been done him, and gave the daughter of Nelius to 224 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.919 his brother. Then he left the country and went to Argos, 225 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.919 where it was ordained that he should reign over much people. 226 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:01.440 There he married, established himself and had two famous sons, 227 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:07.480 Antiphides and Mantius. Antifides became father of Eoeclaius and Eecleus 228 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:10.639 of Amphireus, who was dearly loved both by Jove and 229 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:13.519 by Apollo. But he did not live to an old age, 230 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:16.600 for he was killed in Thebes by reasonable woman's gifts. 231 00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:22.039 His sons were Alcmion and Amphilicus. Mantius, the other son 232 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:27.440 of Melampus, was father to Polyphanes and Cleitus. Aurora, throned 233 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:30.919 in gold, carried off Cleidus for his beauty's sake, that 234 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:34.639 he might dwell among the immortals, But Apollo made Polyphanes 235 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:38.000 the greatest seer in the whole world. Now that Amphiarius 236 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:41.039 was dead, he quarreled with his father and went to 237 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:44.720 live in Hyperasia, where he remained and prophesied for all men. 238 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:48.799 His son, Theoclemius, it was who now came up to 239 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:51.600 Telemachus as he was making drink offerings and praying in 240 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:55.120 his ship. Friend said he, now that I find you 241 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:58.759 sacrificing in this place, I beseech you, by your sacrifices 242 00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:00.879 themselves and by the God to whom you make them. 243 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:03.799 I pray you also by your own head and by 244 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:06.159 those of your followers. Tell me the truth, and nothing 245 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:09.320 but the truth. Who and whence are you? Tell me 246 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:13.879 also of your town and parents. Telemachus said, I will 247 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:16.960 answer you quite truly. I am from Ithaca, and my 248 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:20.279 father is Ulysses, as surely as that he ever lived, 249 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:24.120 But he has come to some miserable end. Therefore I 250 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:26.480 have taken this ship and got my crew together to 251 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:28.679 see if I can hear any news of him, for 252 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:32.879 he has been away a long time. I too, answered 253 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:36.000 the ecclemenus, am in exile, for I have killed a 254 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:39.000 man of my own race. He has many brothers and 255 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:42.960 kinsmen in Argos, and they have great power among the Argives. 256 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:46.360 I am flying to escape death at their hands, and 257 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:48.720 am thus doomed to be a wanderer on the face 258 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:52.320 of the earth. I am your suppliant. Take me therefore 259 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:54.639 on board your ship, that they may not kill me, 260 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:59.600 for I know they are in pursuit. I will not refuse, you, replied, 261 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:03.240 Tell him, if you wish to join us, come therefore, 262 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:06.000 and in Ithaca, we will treat you hospitably according to 263 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:09.759 what we have on this He received their Cleminus's spear 264 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.639 and laid it down on the deck of the ship. 265 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:14.840 He went on board and sat in the stern, bidding 266 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:18.720 Theoclemenus sit beside him. Then the men let go the hawsers. 267 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:22.000 Telemachus told them to catch hold of the ropes, and 268 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:24.960 they made all haste to do so. They set the 269 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:27.639 mast in its socket in the cross plank, raised it 270 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:30.600 and made it fast with the forestays, and they hoisted 271 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:34.639 their white sails with sheets of twisted ox hide. Minervas 272 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:37.039 sent them a fair wind that blew fresh and strong, 273 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:40.559 to take the ship on her course as fast as possible. Thus, 274 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:44.840 then they passed by Crooney and Kelsis. Presently the sun 275 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:48.120 set and darkness was over all the land. The vessel 276 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.879 made a quick passage to Fia, and thence on to Ellis, 277 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:54.960 where the Appeans rule Telemachus then headed her for the 278 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:58.879 Flying Islands, wondering within himself whether he should escape death 279 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:03.279 or should be taken prison. Meanwhile, Ulysses and the swineherd 280 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:05.559 were eating their supper in the hut, and the men 281 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:08.320 supped with them as soon as they had had to 282 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:11.679 eat and drink. Ulysses began trying to prove the swineherd 283 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:14.240 and see whether he would continue to treat him kindly 284 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:16.840 and ask him to stay on at the station or 285 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:21.159 pack him off to the city. So he said, Eumaeus 286 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:23.960 and all of you tomorrow, I want to go away 287 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:26.879 and begin begging about the town, so as to be 288 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:29.960 no more trouble to you or to your men. Give 289 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.200 me your advice therefore, and let me have a good 290 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:34.159 guide to go with me and show me the way. 291 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:37.039 I will go round of the city, begging as I 292 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:39.559 needs must to see if any one will give me 293 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:42.519 a drink and a piece of bread. I should like 294 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:45.080 also to go to the house of Ulysses and bring 295 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:48.200 news of her husband to Queen Penelope. I could then 296 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:50.519 go about among the suitors and see if, out of 297 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:53.679 all their abundance, they will give me a dinner. I 298 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:56.360 should soon make them an excellent servant in all sorts 299 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:59.600 of ways. Listen and believe when I tell you that, 300 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:02.159 by the blessing a mercury, who gives grace and good 301 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:04.759 name to the works of all men, there is no 302 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:07.360 one living who would make a more handy servant than 303 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:12.120 I should. To put fresh wood on the fire, chop fuel, carve, cook, 304 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:15.159 pour out wine, and do all those services that poor 305 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:19.279 men have to do for their betters. The swineherd was 306 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:22.759 very much disturbed when he heard this. Heaven help me, 307 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:26.120 he exclaimed, whatever can have put such a notion as 308 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:29.320 that into your head? If you go near the suitors, 309 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:32.320 you will be undone to a certainty for their pride 310 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:35.799 and insolence. Reach the very heavens, they would never think 311 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:38.639 of taking a man like you for a servant. Their 312 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:42.159 servants are all young men, well dressed, wearing good cloaks 313 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:46.000 and shirts, with well looking faces, and their hair always tidy. 314 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:49.559 The tables are kept quite clean and are loaded with bread, 315 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:52.840 meat and wine. Stay where you are, then you are 316 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:56.759 not in anybody's way. I do not mind your being here, 317 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:59.960 no more do any of the others. And when Telemacha 318 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:02.559 comes home, he will give you a shirt and cloak, 319 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:06.880 and will send you wherever you want to go. Ulysses answered, 320 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:09.640 I hope you may be as clear to the gods 321 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:12.279 as you are to me, for having saved me from 322 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:15.559 going about and getting into trouble. There is nothing worse 323 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:18.640 than being always on the tramp. Still, when men have 324 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:21.079 once got low down in the world, they will go 325 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:25.319 through a great deal on behalf of their miserable bellies. Since, however, 326 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:27.799 you press me to stay here and await the return 327 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:31.519 of Telemachus, tell me about ulysses mother and his father, 328 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:33.799 whom he left on the threshold of old age when 329 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:36.880 he set out for Troy. Are they still living or 330 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:39.400 are they already dead? And in the house of Hades, 331 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:44.359 I will tell you all about them, replied Eumaeus. Laertes 332 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:46.839 is still living, and praise Heaven to let him depart 333 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:50.319 peacefully in his own house, for he is terribly distressed 334 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:53.440 about the absence of his son, and also about the 335 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:56.720 death of his wife, which grieved him greatly and aged 336 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:59.640 him more than anything else did. She came to an 337 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:03.039 unheal happy end through sorrow for her son. May no 338 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:05.920 friend or neighbor who has dealt kindly by me come 339 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:09.079 to such an end as she did as long as 340 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:12.200 she was still living, though she was always grieving. I 341 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:15.240 used to like seeing her and asking her how she did, 342 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:18.119 For she brought me up along with her daughter, Timody, 343 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:21.640 the youngest of her children. We were boy and girl together, 344 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:25.519 and she made little difference between us. When, however, we 345 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:28.759 both grew up. They said Timody to Sammy and received 346 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:32.279 a splendid dowry for her. As for me, my mistress 347 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:34.200 gave me a good shirt and cloak, with a pair 348 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:36.839 of sandals for my feet, and set me off into 349 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:39.400 the country. But she was just as fond of me 350 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:43.720 as ever. This is all over now. Still it has 351 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:46.680 pleased Heaven to prosper my work in the situation which 352 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:49.519 I now hold. I have enough to eat and drink, 353 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:52.720 and can find something for any respectable stranger that comes here. 354 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:55.720 But there is no getting a kind word or deed 355 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:58.559 out of my mistress, for the house has fallen into 356 00:18:58.599 --> 00:19:02.200 the hands of wicked people. Servants want sometimes to see 357 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:04.599 their mistress and have a talk with her. They like 358 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:06.599 to have something to eat and drink at the house, 359 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:09.599 and something too to take back with them into the country. 360 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:12.440 This is what will keep servants in a good humor. 361 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:18.440 Ulysses answered, then you must have been a very little fellow, Eumaeus, 362 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:20.960 when you were taken so far away from your home 363 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:25.160 and parents. Tell me, and tell me true, was the 364 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:28.279 city in which your father and mother lived sacked and pillaged? 365 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:31.000 Or did some enemies carry you off when you were 366 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:34.240 alone tending sheep or cattle, ship you off here and 367 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:39.400 sell you for whatever your master gave them? Stranger, replied Eumaeus, 368 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:44.200 as regards your question, sit still, make yourself comfortable, drink 369 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:47.200 your wine, and listen to me. The nights are now 370 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:49.920 at their longest. There is plenty of time both for 371 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:53.400 sleeping and sitting up talking together. You ought not to 372 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:56.200 go to bed till bedtime. Too much sleep is as 373 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:59.359 bad as too little. If any one of the others 374 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:01.920 wishes to go, let him leave us and do so. 375 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.839 He can then take my master's pigs out. When he 376 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:08.160 has done breakfast. In the morning, we too will sit here, 377 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:10.960 eating and drinking in the hut and telling one another's 378 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:14.640 stories about our misfortunes. For when a man has suffered 379 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:17.559 much and been buffeted about in the world, he takes 380 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:20.599 pleasure in recalling the memory of sorrows that have gone by. 381 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.240 As regards your question, then my tale is as follows. 382 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:28.880 You may have heard of an island called Syrah, that 383 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:32.000 lives over above or Tiga, where the land begins to 384 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:35.240 turn round and look in another direction. It is not 385 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:38.279 very thickly peopled, but the soil is good, with much 386 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:41.400 pasture fit for cattle and sheep, and it abounds with 387 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:45.480 wine and wheat. Darth never comes there, nor are the 388 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:48.759 people plagued by any sickness, But when they grow old, 389 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:52.480 Apollo comes with Diana and kills them with his painless shafts. 390 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:56.839 It contains two communities, and the whole country is divided 391 00:20:56.880 --> 00:21:00.480 between these two. My father Tseus, son of war menas 392 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:04.720 a man comparable to the gods, reigned over both. Now 393 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:07.880 to this place there came some cunning traders from Phoenicia, 394 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:11.519 for the Phoenicians are great mariners. In a ship which 395 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:15.440 they had freighted with gegaws of all kinds, there happened 396 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:18.480 to be a Phoenician woman in my father's house, very 397 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:23.119 tall and comely, and an excellent servant. These scoundrels got 398 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:25.119 hold of her one day when she was washing near 399 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:28.359 their ship seduced her and cajoled her in ways that 400 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:31.240 no woman can resist, no matter how good she may 401 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:34.279