And I will send him raiment, with supplies
Of all sorts, lest he burthen thee and thine. 100
But where the suitors come, there shall not he
With my consent, nor stand exposed to pride
And petulance like theirs, lest by some sneer
They wound him, and through him, wound also me;
For little is it that the boldest can 105
Against so many; numbers will prevail.
Him answer'd then Ulysses toil-inured.
Oh amiable and good! since even I
Am free to answer thee, I will avow
My heart within me torn by what I hear 110
Of those injurious suitors, who the house
Infest of one noble as thou appear'st.
But say—submittest thou to their controul
Willingly, or because the people, sway'd
By some response oracular, incline 115
Against thee? Thou hast brothers, it may chance,
Slow to assist thee—for a brother's aid
Is of importance in whatever cause.
For oh that I had youth as I have will,
Or that renown'd Ulysses were my sire, 120
Or that himself might wander home again.
Whereof hope yet remains! then might I lose
My head, that moment, by an alien's hand,
If I would fail, ent'ring Ulysses' gate,
To be the bane and mischief of them all. 125
But if alone to multitudes opposed
I should
