swineherd, dost thou lead this hungry fellow, a wretched beggar, a destroyer of feasts: who, standing near many door-posts, will rub his shoulders, begging morsels, not tripods or cauldrons?[1] If thou wouldst give him to me to be a guard of my stalls, and to be a sweeper of the folds, and to carry a branch [of herbs] for the kids,[2] then drinking whey, he would render his thighs stout. But since then he indeed has learnt evil works, he will not be willing to go to work,[3] but crouching amongst the people, he prefers[4] asking alms to feed his insatiable belly. But I tell thee plainly,[5] and this shall be accomplished, if he comes to the dwelling of divine Ulysses, the sides of him being pelted through the house will wear out[6] many foot-stools [thrown] about his head from the hands of men."
Thus he spoke; and going by him, he in his foolishness leapt upon his haunch with his heel; nor did he thrust him out of the path, but he remained without stumbling; and Ulysses meditated, whether rushing swiftly upon him, he should take away his life with a club, or should dash his head against the earth, raising him on the ground. But he endured it, and he refrained in his mind: but the swineherd chided him, looking at him: and uplifting his hands, he prayed aloud:
"O fountain Nymphs, ye daughters of Jove, if ever Ulysses has burnt thighs for you, covering them with the rich fat, of lambs or kids, accomplish this work for me, that that man may come, and the deity may bring him: then would he disperse all the boasting, which you now insulting bear, wandering ever throughout the city: but evil herdsmen destroy the cattle."[7]
But him Melanthius the goatherd in turn addressed: "O
- ↑ i. e. who does not enter the lists in the public contests, of which such gifts were the customary rewards. See Eustathius.
- ↑ This appears to be an allusion to the custom of holding out a branch of herbs or fodder, in order to lure the cattle homeward. The proper Greek phrase is προσείεν θαλλόν. See Ruhnk. on Tim. v. θαλλός, p. 136, sqq.
- ↑ Or "set about work."
- ↑ On the difference between βούλομαι and ἐθέλω, see Buttm. Lexil. p. 194, sqq.
- ↑ ἐκ seems to answer to our phrase "to speak out."
- ↑ Literally, "rub away."
- ↑ Cf. Theocrit. iv. 13. δειλαῖαί γ' αὖται, τὸν βουκόλον ὡς κακὸν εὗρον See Plato Theætet. p. 128. A. ed. Læm.
