and tunic: nor do thou stand thus in the palace, having thy broad shoulders covered with rags: it would be matter for indignation."
But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "First of all now let me have fire in the palace."
Thus he spoke; nor did the dear nurse Euryclea disobey him, and she brought fire and sulphur: and Ulysses well fumigated the palace, and the house, and the hall. The old woman then went up through the beautiful house of Ulysses, to tell the women, and to urge them to come: and they came from the palace, holding a torch in their hands. They indeed were poured around him, and greeted Ulysses, and embracing him, they kissed his head and shoulders, laying hold of his hands: but a sweet desire of wailing and mourning possessed him; for he knew them all in his mind.
BOOK XXIII.
ARGUMENT.
And the old woman went up to the upper-room exulting, to tell her mistress that her dear husband was within; and her knees were strengthened, and her feet hastened on;[1] and she stood over her head, and addressed her:
"Arise, Penelope, dear child, that thou mayest behold with thine eyes, things which thou desirest all thy days: Ulysses has arrived, and has reached home, although having come late. And he has slain the haughty suitors, who injured his house, and consumed his wealth, and treated his son with violence."
But her prudent Penelope addressed in turn; "Dear nurse, the gods have driven thee frantic; who indeed are able to make one foolish, although one be very wise, and have
