leave two swords and two spears, and two shields of bulls' hides to take in our hands: that rushing upon them we may seize them; but then Pallas Minerva and provident Jove will soften them.'[1]] But I tell thee something else, and do thou lay it up in thy mind; if thou art truly mine and from my blood, let no one hear of Ulysses as being within, let not Laertes know this, nor the swineherd, nor any one of the servants, nor Penelope herself: but thou and I alone may learn the disposition of the women; and we may besides try the menservants, both who honours us and fears us in his mind, and who disregards us, and dishonours thee who art such."
But him his glorious son in answer addressed: "O father, truly I think thou wilt know my mind even hereafter; for laxity of mind does not by any means possess me; but I do not think this will be a profit to either of us; and I exhort thee to consider. For thus thou wilt sit for a long time trying each, going over the works; but they quiet in the palace are consuming thy possessions with violence, nor is there any sparing. But, however, I exhort thee to find out the women, both who dishonour thee, and who are innocent; but I should not wish that we should try the men at their abodes, but to manage these things afterwards, if at least thou art surely acquainted with some sign from Ægis-bearing Jove."
Thus they spoke to one another. But in the mean while the well-built ship, which brought Telemachus and all his companions from Pylos, was drawn up to Ithaca: but when they now came within the very deep haven, they drew the black ship upon the shore, and the noble-minded servants took away their arms; and they immediately carried the beautiful presents to Clytius' [house]. And they sent a herald forward to the house of Ulysses, to tell the news to prudent Penelope, that Telemachus was in the country, but had commanded the ship to sail to the city: that the noble queen, fearing in her mind, might not shed a tender tear. And the herald and the divine swineherd met together, on account of the same message, to tell it to the lady. But when they reached the house of the divine king, the herald said in the middle of the handmaidens: "Now indeed, O queen, thy dear son is arrived."
But the swineherd, standing near Penelope, told all the
- ↑ i. e. make them cowards.
