Speaker 1: The fourteenth Book of the Odyssees of Homer. This is
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Recording by Phil Schamp. The Fourteenth Book of the Odyssees
of Homer, translated by George Chapman. The argument Ulysses meets
amidst the field his swain Eumieus, who doth yield kind
guest rights to him, and relate occurrence of his wronged estate.
Another argument, z Ulysses fans for his true good. His
pious swain's faith understood. But he the rough way took
from forth the port through woods and hilltops, seeking the
resort where pallis said divine Eumius lived, who of the
fortunes that were first achieved by godlike Ithacus in household rights,
had more true care than all his proselytes. He found
him sitting in his cottage door, where he had raised
to every airy bloor, a front of great height, and
in such a place that round ye might behold of
circular grace, a walk so wound about it, which the swain,
in absence of his far gone sovereign had built himself
without his queen's supply, or old the airtes to see
safely lie his house. Had heard the inner part he
wrought of stones, that thither his own labors brought, which
with a hedge of thorn he fenced about, and compassed
all the hedge with pails cleft out of sable oak,
that here and there he fixed frequent and thick. Within
his yard. He mixed twelve styes to lodges heard, and
every stye had room and use for fifty swine to lie.
But those were females. All the male swine slept with
out doors. Ever, nor was there herd kept fair like
the female's, since they suffered still great diminustion, He being
forced to kill and send the fattest to the dainty
feasts affected by the ungodly wooing guests. Their number therefore
but three hundred were, and sixty by them mastiffs as
austere as savage beasts lay, ever their fierce strain bred
by the herdsman, a mere prince of men. Their number
four himself was then applied in cutting forth a fair
hued ox's height to fit his feet with shoes. His
servants held guard of his swine, three here and there
at field. The fourth he sent to city with a sow,
which must of force be offered to the vow the
woors made to all satiety to serve, which still they
did those offerings ply. The fate born dogs to bark,
took sudden view of Odysseus, and upon him flew with
open mouth. He cutting to a pall a fierce dog's
fury from his hand, let fall his staff to earth,
and sat him careless down. And yet to him had
won foul wrong been shown where most his right lay
had not. Instantly the herdsman let his hide fall, and
his cry, with frequent stones flung at the dogs repelled
this way, and that their eager course they held. When
through the entry passed. He thus did mourn, Oh Father,
how soon had you near been torn by these rude dogs,
whose hurt had branded me with much neglect of you.
But Deity hath given so many other size and cares
to my attendant state that well, unawares you might be
hurt for me. For here I lie grieving and mourning
for the majesty that godlike wanted to be ruling here.
Since now I fat his swine for others, cheer where
he perhaps airs hungry, up and down in countries, nations, cities,
all unknown, if anywhere he lives yet, and doth see
the sun's sweet beams. But father, follow me, that cheered
with wine and food, you may disclose from whence you
truly gore are and all the woes your age is
subject to. This said he led into his cottage, and
of osure spread a thickened hurdle, on whose top he
strode a wild goat's shaggy skin, and then bestowed his
own couch on it. That was soft and great ulysses
joy to see him so entreat his uncouth presence, saying,
Jove requite and all the immortal gods with that delight.
Thou most desirous thy kind receipt of me, friend to
human hospitality, Eumius answered, guest, if one much worse arrived
here than thyself, it were a curse to my poor
means to let a stranger taste contempt for fit food.
Poor men and unplaced in free seats of their own,
are all from Jove commended to our entertaining love. But
poor is the entertainment I can give, Yet free and
loving of such men as live the lives of servants,
and are ill in fear. Where young lords govern, this
is all the cheer they can afford a stranger. There
was one that used to manage this now desert throne,
to whom the gods did I return, that showed his
curious favor to me, and bestowed possessions on me a
most wished wife, a house and portion, and a servant's life,
fit for the gift a gracious king should give, who
still took pains himself, And God made thrive his personal endeavor,
and to me his work the more increased in which
you see I am now conversant, and therefore much his
hand hath helped me. Had Heaven's will been such, he
might have here grown old. But he is gone, and
would to God the whole succession of Helen might go
with him, since for her so many men died. Whose
fate did confer my liege to Troy in Agamemnon's grace
to spoil her people and her turret's race, This said
his coat to him. He straight did gurd and to
his sties went that contain'd his herd. From whence he
took out too slew both and cut both fairly up
a fire, inflam'd, and put to spit the joints, which
roasted well. He set with spit and all to him
that he might eat from thence his food in all
the singing heat. Yet dredg'd it first with flour, then
fill'd his cup with good sweet wine. Sat then and
cheer'd him up. Eat now, my guest, such lean swine
as our meat for us poor swains. The fat the
woors eat, in whose minds no shame, no remorse doth move,
though well they know the blessed Gods do not love
on godly actions, but respect the right and in the
works of pious men delight. But these are worse than impious.
For those that bow to injustice and profess them foes
to other nations, enter on their land. And Jupiter, to
show his punishing hand upon the invaded for their penance,
then gives favor to their though wicked man, to make
their prey on them, who, having freight their ships with spoil,
enough weigh anchor straight, and each man to his house.
And yet even these, that powerful fear of God's just vengeance,
sees even for that prize in which they so rejoice.
But these men, knowing having heard the voice of God
by some means that said death, hath reft. The ruler here,
will never suffer left the unjust wooing of his wife,
nor take her off an answer. And their own roofs
make their fit retreats. But since on checked they may,
they therefore will make still His goods their prey, without
all spare or end. There is no day nor night
sent out from God that ever they profane with one
beast's blood or only two, but more make spoil of.
And the wrongs they do in meets excess to wine
as well extend which as excessively their riots spend, yet
still leaves. For sure, his means were great, And no
hero that hath choicest seat upon the fruitful neighbor continent,
or in this isle itself so opulent, was as ulysses.
No nor twenty such put all together, did possess so much.
Whose herds and flocks I'll tell to every head upon
the continent he daily fed twelve herds of oxen, no
less flocks of sheep, and as many herds of swine,
stalls large and steep, and equal sorts of goats, which
tenants there, and his own shepherds kept then fed. He
here eleven fair stalls of goats, whose food hath yield
in the extreme part of a neighbor field. Each stall
his herdsman hath an honest swain. Yet every one must
every day sustain the load of one beast, the most
fat and the best of all the stall fed to
the wooer's feast. And I, for my part of the swine,
I keep with more herdsman every day helps deep the
war's appetites in blood of one the most select our
choice can fall upon. To this, Ulysses gave good ear,
and fed and drunk his wine, and vexed and ravish
at his food for mere vexation seeds of all his
stomach sowed to hear his goods go still to glut
of woors. But his dinner done, and stomach fed to satisfaction.
He drunk a full bowl, all of only wine, and
gave it to the guardian of his swine, who took
it and rejoiced to whom he said, O friend, who
is at that so rich, hath paid price for thy service?
Whose commended power thou sayest to grace. The Grecian conqueror
at ilyon perished, Tell me it may fall. I knew
some such the great God knows, and all the other
deathless godheads, if I can, having traveled, tell of such
a man. Eumius answered, father. Never one of all the
strangers that have touched upon this coast with his life's news,
could ever yet of queen or loved son any credit
get these travelers for clothes or for a meal. At
all adventures any lie will tell, nor do they trade
for truth. Not any man that saw the people Ithocansian,
of all their sort, and had the queen's supplies, did
ever tell her any news but lies. She graciously receives them,
yet inquires of all she can, and all in tears expires.
It is the accustomed law that women keep their husbands
elsewhere dead, at home to weep. But do thou quickly, father,
forgeer tail some coat or cloak to keep thee warm withal,
Perhaps some one may yield thee. But for him, vultures
and dogs have torn from limb to limb his poorous skin,
and forth his soul is fled, his course at sea
to fishes forfeited, or on the shore, lies hid in
heaps of sand, and there hath he his ebb, his
native strand, with friend's tears flowing. But to me past
all were tears created. For I never shall find so
humane a royal master. More, whatever sea I seek, whatever shore,
nay to my father or my mother's love, should I
return by whom I breathe and move, Could I so
much joy offer? Nor these eyes, though my desires sustain extremities,
for their sad absence, would so fain be blessed with
sight of their lives in my native nest, as with
Ulysses dead, in whose last rest, O friend, my soul
shall love him. He's not here, Nor do I name
him like a flatterer, but as one thankful for his
love and care to me, a poor man in the
rich so rare. And be he past all shores where
sun can shine, I will invoke him as a soul divine,
O friend, said he to say, and to believe he
cannot live, doth too much license give to incredulity, for
not to speak at needy randon, But my breath to
break in sacred oath. Ulysses shall return, And when his
sight recomforts those that mourn in his own roofs, then
give me cloak and coat and garments worthy of a
man of note, before which though need urge me never
so I'll not receive a thread, but naked go. No
less I hate him than the gates of hell, that
poorness can force an untruth to tell. Let Jove, then,
Heaven's chief God just witness bear, And this thy hospitable
table here, together with unblamed Ulysses house, in which I
find receipt so gracious what I affirm of him, shall
all be true this instant year. Thine eyes even here
shall view thy lord Ulysses. Nay ere this month's end
return'd full home, he shall revenge extend to every one
whose ever deed hath done wrong to his wife and
his illustrious son. O father, he replied, I'll neither give
thy news reward, nor doth Ulysses live. But come enough
of this, Let's drink and eat, and never more his
memory repeat. It grieves my heart to be remember'd thus
by any one of one so glorious. But stand your
oath and your assertions strong, and let Ulysses come for
whom I long, for whom his wife, for whom his
aged sire, for whom his son consumes his god like fire,
whose chance I now must mourn, and ever shall whom
when the gods hath brought to be as tall as
any upright plant, and I had said he would amongst
a court of men, have swayed in councils, and for
form have been admired. Even with his father, some god
misinspired or man took from him his own equal mind,
and passed him for the pillionshore to find his long
lost father in return from whence the wooer's pride waylays
his innocence that of divine Arcesius. All the race may
fade to Ithaca, and not the grace of any name
left to it, But leave we his state. However, if
surprised he be, or if he escape and may Siturnius's hand,
protect him safely to his native land. Do thou, then, father,
show your griefs and cause of your arrival here, Nor
break the laws that truth prescribes you. But relate your
name and of what race you are, your father's fame
and native cities, ship and men unfold that to this
isle conveyed you. Since I hold your here, arrival was
not all by shore, nor that your feet your aged
person bore. He answered him, I'll tell thee all strictly true.
If time and food and wine enough crew within your
roof to us that freely we may sit and banquet.
Let your business be discharged by others. For when all
is done, I cannot easily while the year doth run
his circle round, run over all the woes beneath, which,
by the course of the gods, dispose my sad age labors. First,
I'll tell you then, from ample crete, I fetch my
native strain. My father, wealthy, whose house many a life
brought forth and bread besides by his true wife, but
me a bondmaid, bore his concubine, yet tendered was I
as his lawful line, by him of whose race I
my life profess castor his name surnamed Hilocites a man
in four times by the Cretian state for goods, good children,
and his fortunate success in all acts of no mean esteem,
But death conferring fates have banished him to Pluto's kingdom,
after whom his sons by life divided his possessions and
gave me passing little, yet bestow'd a house on me
to which my virtues wooed a wife from rich men's roofs.
Nor was born low, nor last in fight, though all
nerves fail me now, But I suppose that you, by
thus much seen, know by the stubble what the corn
hath been for past all doubt, affliction, past all mean
hath brought my ajeh. But in seasons past, both Mars
and Palace have with boldness, grace, and fortitude my fortunes.
When I choose choice men for ambush, pressed to have
produced ill to mine enemies, my two venturous spirits set
never death before mine eyes for merit. But far from
first advance, still still I struck dead with my lance,
whoever overtook my speed of foot? Such was I then
for war, But rustic actions ever fled me far, and
household thrift, which breeds a fame, must race in ore
driven ships. Did I my pleasure's place in battles, light, darts, arrows,
sad things all and into others thoughts with horror fall.
But what God put into my mind to me I
still esteemed as my felicity. As men of several medals
are addressed, so several forms are in their souls impressed
before the sons of Greece set foot in Troy nine times.
In chief I did command and joy of men and
ships against our foreign foe, and all I fitly wished succeeded.
So Yet after this I much exploit achieved when straight
my house in all possessions thrived. Yet after that, I
great and reverend grew amongst the Grecians, till the Thunderer
drew our forces out. In his faux Troy decrees a
hateful service that dissolved the knees of many a soldier.
And to this was I and famous, I domin and
joined to apply our ships and powers. Nor was there
to be heard. One reason for denial so preferred was
the unreasonable people's rumor. Nine years we therefore fed the
martial humor, and in the tenth, depeopling Priam's town, we
sailed for home. But God had quickly blown our fleet
in pieces, and to wretched me, the counselor Jove did
much mishap decree. For only one month I had leave
to enjoy my wife and children, and my goods to employ.
But after this my mind for Egypt stood. When nine
fair ships I rigg'd forth for the flood, manned them
with noble soldiers. All things fit for such a voyage
soon were won to it. Yet six days after stayed
my friends and feast, while I in banquets to the
God's addressed much sacred matter for their sacrifice. The seventh
we boarded, and the northern skies lent us a frank
and passing, prosperous gale, for which we bore us free
and easy sail, as we had backed to full and
frolic tide. Nor felt one ship misfortune for her pride.
But safe we sat our sailors and the wind, consenting
in our convoy. When Heaven shined in sacred radiance of
the fifth fair day to sweetly watered Egypt reached our way,
and there we anchored, where I charged my men to
stay aboard and watch, dismissing then some scouts to get
the hilltops and discover they, to their own intemperance given over,
fell straight to forge the rich fields, and thence enforced
both wives and infants with the expense of both their bloods.
When straight the rumor flew up to the city, which
heard up, they drew by day's first break, and all
the field was filled with foot and horse, whose arms
did all things gild. And then the lightning loving deity
cast a foul flight on my soldiers. Nor stood fast
one man of all about whom mischief stood, and with
his stern steel drew in streams the blood. The greater
part fed in their dissolute veins. The rest were saved
and made enthralled swains to the basest usages their bread.
And then even Jove himself supplied my head with saving counsel.
Though I wished to die, and there in Egypt, with
their slaughters lie, so much grief seized me, But Jove
made me yield, dishelm my head, take from my neck
my shield, hurl from my hand my lance, and to
the troop of horse. The king led instantly made up,
embrace and kiss his knees whom pity one, to give
me safety and to make me shun the people's outrage
that made in a main all jointly fired with thirst
to see me slain. He took me to his chariot,
weeping home himself with fear of Jove's wrath. Overcome, who
yielding souls, receives and takes most ill all such as
well may save, yet love to kill. Seven years I
sojourn'd here and treasure gat in good abundance of the
Egyptian state, for all would give. But when the eighth
year began, a knowing fellow that would gnaw a man
like to Avermin, with his hellish brain and many an
honest soul even quick had slain, whose name was Phoenix,
close accosted me, and with insinuations such as he practic'd
on others might consent. He gained to go into Phoenicia,
where remain'd his house and living, and with him I
lived a complete year. But when were all arriv'd the
months and days, and that the year again was turning round,
and every season's reign renewed upon us, we for Libya went,
When still inventing crafts to circumvent. He made pretext that
I should only go and help convey his freight, but
thought not so, for his intent was to have sold
me there and made good gain for finding me a year.
Yet him, I followed, though suspecting this, for being aboard
his ship, I must be his of strong necessity. She
ran the flood, driven with a northern gale, right free
and good amidst the full stream, full on crete. But
then Jove plotted death to him and all his men,
for put off quite from crete, and so far gone
that shore was lost. And we set eye on none,
but all showed heaven and sea above our keel. Jove
pointed right a cloud as black as hell, beneath which
all the sea hid. And from whence Jove thundered, as
his hand would never thence and thick into our ship.
He threw his flash that against a rock or flat.
Her keel did dash with headlong rapture of the sulfur.
All her bulk did savor, and her men let fall
amidst the surges on which all lay tossed like sea
gulls round about her sides and lost. And so God
took all home return from them. But Jove himself, though
plunged in that extreme, recover'd me by thrusting on my
hand the ship's long mast, and that my life might
stand a little more up. I embraced it round and
on the rude winds that did ruins sound. Nine days
we hover'd. In the tenth black night, a huge sea
cast me on Thesprotea's height, where the hero fight on.
That was chief of all the thesprots gave my rack
relief without the price of that redemption that phoenix fish'd
for where the King's loved son came to me, took
me by the hand and led into his court. My
poor life surfeited with cold and labor. And because my
rack chanced on his father's shore, he let not lack
my plight, or coat or cloak, or anything might cherish
heat in me. And here the king said he received
Ulysses as his guest, observ'd him friend like, and his
course at ressed home to his country, showing there to
me Ulysses goods a very treasury of brass and gold
and steel of curious frame, and to the tenth succession
of his name. He laid up wealth enough to serve
beside in that king's house, so hugely amplified his treasure was.
But from his court, the king affirmed him shipped for
the Dodonian spring to hear from out the high haired
oak of Jove, council from him for means to his
remove to his loved country, whence so many a year
he had been absent, if he should appear disguised or manifest,
and further sworn in his mid court at sacrifice before
these very eyes that he had ready there both ship
and soldiers to attend and bear him to his country.
But before it chanced that a thresprootean ship was to
be launched for the much corn renowned Dulchian land, in
which the king gave to his men command to take
and bring me under tenderhand to king a cat justice.
But in ill design of my poor life, did their
desires combine so far forth as might ever keep me
under in fortune's hands, and tear my state insunder. And
when the water treader far away had left the land,
then plotted they the day of my long servitude, and
took from me both coat and cloak, and all things
that might be grace in my habit, and in place
put on these tatter drags, which now you see upon
my wretched bosom. When Heaven's light took sea, they fetched
the field works of fair Ithaca, and in the armed
ship with a well wreathed cord, they straightly bound me,
and did all disboard to shore to supper. In contentious route.
It straight the gods themselves took from about my pressed
limbs the bands with equal ease, and I my head
in rags wrapped, took the seas, descending by the smooth stern,
using then my hands for oars, and made from these
bad men long way in little time. At last I
fetch'd a goodly grove of oaks, whose shore I reach'd,
and cast me prostrate on it. When they knew my
thus made scape about the shores they flew, but soon
not finding held it not their best to seek me further,
but returned to rest aboard their vessel. Me. The gods
lodg'd close, conducting me into the safe repose a good
man's stable yielded, And thus fate this poor hour added
to my living date. O wretched of guests, said he
thy tail hath stirred my mind to much ruth, both
how thou hast erred and suffer'd hearing in such good
parts shown. But what thy changed relation would make known
about ulysses I hold neither true nor will believe. And
what needst thou pursue a lie so rashly, Since he
sure is so as I conceived, for which my skill
shall go the safe return my king wax cannot be.
He is so envied of each deity, so clear, so
cruelly for not in Troy they gave him end, nor
let his corpse enjoy the hands of friends, which well
they might have done. He managed arms to such perfection,
and should have had his sepulcher and all and all
the Greeks to grace his funeral, And this had given
a glory to his son through all time's future. But
his head is run unseen, unhonored, into Harpy's maws. For
my part, I'll not meddle with the cause I live
a separate life amongst my swine. Come at no town
for any need of mine, unless the circularly witted Queen,
when any far come guest is to be seen, that
brings her news, commands me bring a brown about which
all things being in question drawn that touch the king.
They sit, and some are sad for his long absence,
some again are glad to waste his goods Unreek'd all
talking still. But as for me, I nourished little will
to inquire or question of him, since the man that
feigned himself, that fled Aetolian for slaughtering one through many regions,
trade in my stall as his devisory stayed wherewell entreating him.
He told me. Then amongst the Cretans with King I domen.
He saw Ulysses at his ship's repair, that had been
brushed with an enraged air, and that in summer or
in autumn, sure, with all his brave friends and rich furniture,
he would be here, and nothing so nor so. But thou,
an old man taught with so much woe as thou
hast suffered to be seizon true and brought by his fate,
do not here pursue his gratulations with thy cunning lies.
Thou canst not soak so through my faculties. For I
did never either honor THEE or give THEE love to
bring these tales to me. But in my fear of
hospitable jove, thou didst to this pass. My affections move
stand exceeding much incredulous, replied Ulysses. To have witnessed thus
my word an oath, yet yield no trust at all.
But make me now a covenant here, and call the
dreadful gods to witness that takes seat in large olympus.
If your king's retreat prove made even hither, you shall
furnish me with cloak and coat, and make my passage free.
For love, do Lithius, if as fits my vow your
king return. Not let your servants throw my old limbs
headlong from some rock most high, that other poor men
may take fear to lie. The herdsman that had gifts
in him Divine replied, O guest, how shall this fame
of mine, an honest virtue amongst men, remain now and
hereafter without worthy stain? If I that led thee to
my hovel here and made thee fitting hospitable cheer, should
after kill thee and thy loved mind force from thy bones?
Or how should stand in clam with any faith my
will to importune Jove in any prayer hereafter? For is
love come? Now tis supper's our, and instant haste My
men will make home when our sweet were past, will
taste together this discourse they held in mutual kind. When
from a neighbor field his swine and swineherds came, who
in their coats enclosed their herds for sleep, which mighty
throats laid out in entering. Then the godlike swain his
men enjoined us, bring me to be slain a chief
swine female, for my stranger, guest, When altogether we will
take our feast, refreshing now our spirits that all day
take pains, and our swine's good, who may therefore make
for our pains with them? All amends with one, since
others eat our labors and take none. This said his
sharp steel hewed down wood, and they a passing fat
swine hauled out of the sty of five years old,
which to the fire they put. When first you is
from the front, did cut the sacred hair and cast
it in the fire. Then prayed to heaven for still
before desire was served with food, and there so rude abodes.
Not the poor swineherd would forget the gods good souls
they bore, how badsoever were the habits their bodies parts
did bear. When all the deathless deities besought that wise
Ulysses might be safely brought home to his house. Then,
with a log of oak left lying by high lifting it,
a stroke he gave so deadly it made life expire.
Then cut the rest her throat, and all in fire
they hid and singed her cut her up, And then
the master took the office from the men, who on
the altar did the parts impose that served for sacrifice,
beginning close about the belly thorough which he went, and
all the chief fat gathering, gave it vent part dredged
with flour into the sacred flame. Then cut they up
the joints and roasted them, drew all from spit, and
served in dishes. All then rose Eumieus, who was general
in skill, to guide each ackt his fit event, and
all in seven parts cut. The first part went to
service of the nymphs and mercury, to whose names he
did rights of piety in vow's particular, and all the
rest he shared to every one, but his loved guest
he graced with all the chine and of that king,
to have his heart cheared, set up every string which
he observing, said, I would to jove Eumius, thou livedst
in his worthy love as great as mine, that givest
to such a guest as my poor self, of all
thy goods the best, Eumius answered, eat, unhappy wretch, and
to what here is at thy pleasure? Reach this? I have,
this thou wants. Thus God will give. Thus take away
in us and all that live to his will's equal center.
All things fall his mind he must have, for he
can do all. Thus, having eate and to his wine
descended before he served his own thirst. He commended the
first use of it in fit sacrifice, as of his
meat to all the deities, and to the city racer's
hand applied a second cup, whose place was next his side.
Massalius did distribute the meat, to which charge was Eumias,
solely set in absence of ulysses by the queen and Odleerites.
And this man had been bought by Eumius, with his
faculties employed then in the Taffian merchandise, but now to
food opposed that ordered. Thus all fell desire sufficed, Massalius
did take away for bed. Then next they were all
thoroughly satisfied with complete cheer. The night then came ill,
and no taper shined. Jove reined her whole date. The
ever watery wind Zephyr blew loud, and Leirtiades, approving kind
Eumias's carefulness for his whole good wood, made far about us,
say to get some cast off cassock, lest he lay
that rough night cold of him, or any one of
those his servants. When he thus begun hear me Eumaeus
and my other friends, I'll use a speech that to
my glory tends. Since I have drunk wine past my
usual guise. Strong wine commands the fool, and moves the
wise moves, and impels him too to sing and dance,
and break in pleasant laughters, and perchance prefer speech too,
that were better in. But when my spirits, once to
speak begin, I shall not then dissemble. Would to heaven
I were as young, and had my forces driven as
close together as when once our powers we led to
ambush under the Illian towers, where Ithacus and Menelaus were
the two commanders, when it pleased them there to take
myself for third. When to the town and lofty walls
we led, we couched close down, all armed, amidst the
osures and the reeds, which oft times the overflowing river feeds.
The cold night came, and the icy northern gale blew
bleak upon us, after which did fall asnow so cold
it cut as in it beat a frozen water, which
was all concrete. About Our shields like crystal, all made
faine above our arms to clothe and clothe again. And
so we made good shift our shields beside, clapped close
upon our clothes, to rest and hide from all discovery.
But I, poor fool, left my weeds with my men,
because so cool I thought it could not prove, which
thought my pride a little strengthened, being loath to hide
the goodly, glittering garment I had on. And so I
followed with my shield alone and that brave weed. But
when the night near ended her course on earth, and
when the stars descended, I jogged Ulysses, who lay passing near,
and spake to him that had a nimble ear, assuring
him that long I could not lie amongst the living,
for the fervency of that sharp knight would kill me.
Since as then my evil angel made me with my
men leave all weeds but a fine one. But I
know tis vain to talk here wants all remedy. Now
this said he bore that understanding part in his prompt spirit,
that still showed his art in fight and counsel, saying
in a word and that low whispered peace, lest you
afford some Greek note of your softness. No word more,
but made as if his stern austerity bore my plight
no pity. Yet as still he lay his head, reposing
on his hand, gave way to this invention. Hear me,
friends a dream that was of some celestial light, a
beam stood in my sleep before me, prompting me with
this fit. Notice we are far, said he from our fleet.
Let one go then, and trieth Agamemnon will afford supply
to what we now are strong. This stirred a speed
in thoas to the affair whose purple weed he left
for haste, which then I took and lay in quiet
after till the dawn of day. This shift ulysses made
for one in need, And would to Heaven that youth
such spirit did feed now in my nerves, and that
my joints were knitted with such a strength as made
me then held fit to lead men with ulysses. I
should then seem worth a weed that fits a herdsman's men,
for two respects, to gain a thankful friend, and to
a good man's need a good extend, O, father, said Eumaeus.
Thou hast shown good cause for us to give thee
good renown, not using any word that was not freed
from all least ill thou therefore shalt not need or
coat or utter thing that aptly may beseem a wretched
suppliant for defray of this knight's need. But when her
golden throne the morn ascends, you must resume your own,
for here you must not dream of many weeds or
any change at all. We serve our needs as you
do yours, one back, one coat. But when Ulysses loved
son returns, he then shall give you coat and cassock,
and bestow your person where your heart and soul is.
Now this said he rose made near the fire his bed,
which all with goats and sheep skins he bespread, all
which Ulysses with himself did line with whom besides he
changed a gaberdine, thick lind and soft, which still he
made his shift when he would dress him against the
horror drift of tempest when deep winter's season blows. Nor
pleased at him to lie there with his sows. But
while Ulysses slept there and close by the other yonkers,
he abroad would lie and therefore armed him, which set
cheerful fare before Ulysses heart, to see such care of
his goods taken, how far offsoever his fate, his person,
and his wealth should sever. First, then a sharp edged
sword he girt about his well spread shoulders, and to
shelter out the sharp west wind that blew, he put
him on a thick line jacket, and yet cast upon
all that the large hide of a goat well fed
a lance. Then he took with a keen steel head
to be his keep off, both against men and dogs.
And thus went he to rest with his mail hogs,
that still abroad lay underneath a rock shield to the
north wind's ever eager shock. End of the fourteenth book