The Odysseys of Homer, together with the shorter poems. Homer

bestow on me,

       ‭ Vouchsafe them such as I may bear and save

       ‭ For your sake ever. Horse, I list not have,

       ‭ To keep in Ithaca, but leave them here,

       ‭ To your soil’s dainties, where the broad fields bear

       ‭ Sweet cypers grass, where men-fed lote doth flow,

       ‭ Where wheat-like spelt, and wheat itself, doth grow,

       ‭ Where barley, white, and spreading like a tree;

       ‭ But Ithaca hath neither ground to be,

       ‭ For any length it comprehends, a race

       ‭ To try a horse’s speed, nor any place

       ‭ To make him fat in; fitter far to feed

       ‭ A cliff-bred goat, than raise or please a steed.

       ‭ Of all isles, Ithaca doth least provide

       ‭ Or meads to feed a horse, or ways to ride.”

       ‭ He, smiling, said: “Of good blood art thou, son.

       ‭ What speech, so young! What observatión

       ‭ Hast thou made of the world! I well am pleas’d

       ‭ To change my gifts to thee, as being confess’d

       ‭ Unfit indeed, my store is such I may.

       ‭ Of all my house-gifts then, that up I lay

       ‭ For treasure there, I will bestow on thee

       ‭ The fairest, and of greatest price to me.

       ‭ I will bestow on thee a rich carv’d cup,

       ‭ Of silver all, but all the brims wrought up

       ‭ With finest gold; it was the only thing

       ‭ That the heroical Sidonian king

       ‭ Presented to me, when we were to part

       ‭ At his receipt of me, and ’twas the art

       ‭ Of that great Artist that of heav’n is free;

       ‭ And yet ev’n this will I bestow on thee.”

       ‭ This speech thus ended, guests came, and did bring

       ‭ Muttons, for presents, to the God-like king,

       ‭ And spirit-prompting wine, that strenuous makes.

       ‭ Their riband-wreathed wives brought fruit and cakes.

       ‭ Thus in this house did these their feast apply;

       ‭ And in Ulysses’ house activity

       ‭ The Wooers practis’d; tossing of the spear,

       ‭ The stone, and hurling; thus delighted, where

       ‭ They exercis’d such insolence before,

       ‭ Ev’n in the court that wealthy pavements wore

       ‭ Antinous did still their strifes decide,

       ‭ And he that was in person deified

       ‭ Eurymachus; both ring-leaders of all,

       ‭ For in their virtues they were principal.

       ‭ These by Noëmon, son to Phronius,

       ‭ Were sided now, who made the question thus:

       ‭ “Antinous! Does any friend here know,

       ‭ When this Telemachus returns, or no,

       ‭ From sandy Pylos? He made bold to take

       ‭ My ship with him; of which, I now should make

       ‭ Fit use myself, and sail in her as far

       ‭ As spacious Elis, where of mine there are

       ‭ Twelve delicate mares, and under their sides go

       ‭ Laborious mules, that yet did never know

       ‭ The yoke, nor labour; some of which should bear

       ‭ The taming now, if I could fetch them there.”

       ‭ This speech the rest admir’d, nor dream’d that he

       ‭ Neleïan Pylos ever thought to see,

       ‭ But was at field about his flocks’ survey,

       ‭ Or thought his herdsmen held him so away.

       ‭ Eupitheus son, Antinous, then replied:

       ‭ “When went he, or with what train dignified?

       ‭ Of his selected Ithacensian youth?

       ‭ Prest men, or bond men, were they? Tell the truth.

       ‭ Could he effect this? Let me truly know.

       ‭ To gain thy vessel did he violence show,

       ‭ And us’d her ’gainst thy will? or had her free,

       ‭ When fitting question he had made with thee?”

       ‭ Noëmon answer’d: “I did freely give

       ‭ My vessel to him. Who deserves to live

       ‭ That would do other, when such men as he

       ‭ Did in distress ask? He should churlish be

       ‭ That would deny him. Of our youth the best

       ‭ Amongst the people, to the interest

       ‭ His charge did challenge in them, giving way,

       ‭ With all the tribute all their pow’rs could pay.

       ‭ Their captain, as he took the ship, I knew,

       ‭ Who Mentor was, or God. A Deity’s shew

       ‭ Mask’d in his likeness. But, to think ’twas he,

       ‭ I much admire, for I did clearly see,

       ‭ But yester-morning, God-like Mentor here;

       ‭ Yet th’ other ev’ning he took shipping there,

       ‭ And went for Pylos.” Thus went he for home,

       ‭ And left the rest with envy overcome;

       ‭ Who sat, and pastime left. Eupitheus son,

       ‭ Sad, and with rage his entrails overrun,

       ‭ His eyes like flames, thus interpos’d his speech:

       ‭ “Strange thing! An action of how proud a reach

       ‭ Is here committed by Telemachus!

       ‭ A boy, a child, and we, a sort of us,

       ‭ Vow’d ’gainst his voyage, yet admit it thus!

       ‭ With ship and choice youth of our people too!

       ‭ But let him on, and all his mischief do,

       ‭ Jove shall convert upon himself his pow’rs,

       ‭ Before their ill presum’d he brings on ours.

       ‭ Provide me then a ship, and twenty men

       ‭ To give her manage, that, against again

       ‭ He turns for home, on th’ Ithacensian seas,

       ‭ Or cliffy Samian, I may interprease,

       ‭ Way-lay, and take him, and make all his craft

       ‭ Sail with his ruin for his father saft.”

       ‭ This all applauded, and gave charge to do,

       ‭ Rose, and to greet Ulysses’ house did go.

       ‭ But long time past not, ere Penelope

       ‭ Had notice of their far-fetch’d treachery.

       ‭ Medon the herald told her, who had heard

       ‭ Without the hall how they within conferr’d,