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94
THE ODYSSEY.
"'Let none of the band this your need understand;
Keep silent.' Then, resting his head on his hand,—
'Friends and comrades of mine,' he exclaimed, 'as a sign,
While I slept has come o'er me a dream all divine.
It has warned me how far from the vessels we lie,
And that some one should go for fresh force to apply;
Keep silent.' Then, resting his head on his hand,—
'Friends and comrades of mine,' he exclaimed, 'as a sign,
While I slept has come o'er me a dream all divine.
It has warned me how far from the vessels we lie,
And that some one should go for fresh force to apply;
"'And his footsteps should lead, disclosing our need,
To King Agamemnon, our chieftain, with speed.'
Thoas rose as he spoke, flung off his red cloak,
And running, his way with the message he took;
While, wrapt in his garment, I pleasantly lay
Till the rise of the golden-throned queen of the day.
To King Agamemnon, our chieftain, with speed.'
Thoas rose as he spoke, flung off his red cloak,
And running, his way with the message he took;
While, wrapt in his garment, I pleasantly lay
Till the rise of the golden-throned queen of the day.
"'If I now were as young, and as fresh, and as strong,
Perhaps here in the stables you swine-herds among
Some a mantle would lend, as the act of a friend,
Or from the respect that on worth should attend;
But small is the honour, I find, that is paid
To one who, like me, is so meanly arrayed.'"
—(Maginn's 'Homeric Ballads.')
Perhaps here in the stables you swine-herds among
Some a mantle would lend, as the act of a friend,
Or from the respect that on worth should attend;
But small is the honour, I find, that is paid
To one who, like me, is so meanly arrayed.'"
—(Maginn's 'Homeric Ballads.')
The self-laudation which the hero, speaking in another person, takes the opportunity to introduce, is in perfect keeping with his character throughout.
The hint so broadly given is quite successful, and Eumæus provides his guest with some warm coverings and a place near the fire; but he himself will not sleep so far from his charge. Wrapped in a mighty windproof cloak, he takes up his quarters for the night under the shelter of a rock, hard by the lair of his swine.
