Among them, who shall dwell in royal state,
And reap the fruits of fertile fields remote. 915
So saying, she hush'd her sorrow, and her eyes
No longer stream'd. Then, bathed and fresh attired,
Penelope ascended with her train
The upper palace, and a basket stored
With hallow'd cakes off'ring, to Pallas pray'd. 920
Hear matchless daughter of Jove Ægis-arm'd!
If ever wise Ulysses offer'd here
The thighs of fatted kine or sheep to thee,
Now mindful of his piety, preserve
His darling son, and frustrate with a frown 925
The cruelty of these imperious guests!
She said, and wept aloud, whose earnest suit
Pallas received. And now the spacious hall
And gloomy passages with tumult rang
And clamour of that throng, when thus, a youth 930
Insolent as his fellows, dared to speak.
Much woo'd and long, the Queen at length prepares
[1]To chuse another mate, and nought suspects
The bloody death to which her son is doom'd.
So he; but they, meantime, themselves remain'd 935
Untaught, what course the dread concern elsewhere
Had taken, whom Antinoüs thus address'd.
Sirs! one and all, I counsel you, beware
Of such bold boasting unadvised; lest one
O'erhearing you, report your words within. 940
- ↑ Mistaking, perhaps, the sound of her voice, and imagining that she sang.
Vide Barnes in loco.
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