not though 't had been better so But I desir'd to see the man and try If from him some good gift I might obtain But they with fear were ready for to die And could not think upon him but with pain Then kindled we a fire and kill'd and fed On Flesh and Cheese and for his coming staid He came and a great burthen carried Of wither'd Boughs which at the door he laid His Supper with this Wood he meant to dâ—ess And threw it down wâ—th such a hâ—deous noise As frighted us to th' innermost recess O' th' Cave there lay we and supprest our voice Into the Cave he comes he and his Flock All that was milch the Males he left without Rams and He goats and the Door with a Rock Stops up which two twenty Carts scarce moughâ— Bear above ground and then to milking fell But first he sets unto each Ewe her Lamb In order due to see them suckled well And each young Goat he puts under her Dam. Half of the Milk he turn'd to Curds and put Them into Wicker-Baskets to set up The other half he into Tankards put For drâ—nk to serve him when he was to sup When he had ended all his business He made a fire and thereby spr'd us out What are you says he whence d' ye cross the Seaâ— Is it on business or d' ye rove about As Pyraâ—s walk at Sea to and agen And are content to set their lives at stake So they may mischief do to other men Out hearts diâ—mai'd before this language braâ—e We fear'd his hollow voice and body great But yet I made him answer and said thus We are Achaeans making our retreat Homewards from Troy out Winds have forced us Upon this Coast for Jove would have it so We are a part of Agamemnons Bands Whose glory for his sacking Troy is now Renown'd both far and wide throughout all Lands And now our selves we prostrate at your feet Hoping for some good thing as Visitants Such as all men have commonly thought meet Or for the Gods-sake as to Suppliants As Suppliants we before you here do lie With whom and strangers Jove still goes along He is the God of Hospitality To punish whosoever does them wrong Thus I. But he replied with fell intent Stranger thou art a fool or com'st from far That counsel'st me to fear the punishment Of Jove or for the blessed Gods to care The Cyclopses care not at all for Jove Aegiochus or any other Gods For why we stronger are than those above And if we strength compare we have the odds No no. 'T is not the fear of Jupiter Can me from thee or these with thee restrain Unless I please But tell me truly where The Ship that brought you rides and do not fain This was to sound me But I saw his mind And a deceitful answer did intend My Ship was wreckt by Neptune and by wind Thrown 'gainst the rocks at the Lands furthest end Where all besides my self and these were drown'd To this he answer'd nothing nor said more But snatching up a couple from the ground Knocks out their brains like whelps against the floor Then cuts them into joynts and on them fed Nor did he flesh or bone or entrails leave Like hungry Lion on the Mountains bred Then weep we and to Jove our hands up heave To see such work and have no remedy When he with humane flesh his belly deep Had filld and drunk the milk that stood him by He laid himself along amongst his sheep And slept And then I saw I might him slay 'T was but to draw my good Sword from my side And gently on his brest my hand to lay And to the hilts the Sword in 's body hide Upon new thoughts that purpose I gave o're For certainly it had destroy'd us quite So great the stone was that lay on the door That to remove it was past all our might So there we sighing staid for day and when The Rosie-finger'd morning did appear He made a fire and milkt his flock agen And the young Kids and Lambs new suckled were When all his work was at an end and past Two more of my Companions he takes And on those two he quickly breaks his fast And for his Flock the way he open makes For easily he took the stone away And then again with no less ease he did Set up the same and in its right place lay Than of a Quiver one would do the Lid. His flock with noise he drives up to the hills And in the Den leaves us to meditate How to revenge with Phoebus help our ills At last within my brest this counsel sate Near one o' th' Pens there lay an Olive-Tree Straight and the boughs cut off which when 't was dri'd Dâ—signed was a Walking-staff to be Of the great Cyclops which when we espi'd Of some good Ship we thought might be the Mast Or of a Bark of twenty Oars or more That Neptunes â—ugged waters might have past With a great burthen safe from shore to shore Of this a fathom I cut off and gave it To my Companions to â—aper it They smooth'd and taper'd it as I would have it I sharpn'd it at point as I thought fit Then in the fire the same I hardned well And laid it by with Dung all cover'd o're Which in the Cave from so much Cattle sell For sheep and goats there always were good store From all my Company who did not fear To help me thrust this Bar into his eye I took out four by lot and such they were As I my self did wish the fifth was I. At Ev'ning he returneth with his sheep Into the hollow Cave he brings them all Without he neither sheep nor goat did keep By Presage or upon some Heav'nly Call Then with the stone the Caves mouth up he dams And milks his she-goats and his Ews each one And suckles all his young Kids and his Lambs But after he his work had fully done Another couple of my men he took Then having in my hand an Ivy Kan Of good black Wine I thus unto him spoke Cyclops since you have eaten flesh of man Here drink this good black Wine upon 't and see What excellent good drink we had aboard Whereof I 've hither brought a taste to thee Hoping you will some kindness me afford And some assistance in our Voyage home But so intolerably furious You are that no man will dare near you come Knowing how cruel you have been to us When I had said the good Wine he drank up And was extremely pleased with the same And straightway calling for another Cup Tell me quoth he right now what is thy name And I will give thee that shall please thy heart We Cyclopses have Vines that yield good Wine Which from the Earth by â—ain from Heaven start But this some branch of Nectar is divine When he had said I gave him Wine again Three times I fill'd the Kan and he as oft
Kings the King Since the blest Gods have thought good and decreed Ulysses to his native soil to bring Let 's Hermes send unto the Nymph with speed In th' Isle Ogygia to let her know Our sentence that she may the same obey And I to Ithaca mean while will go And cause his Son to call without delay The Common-Councel and to make him bold To warn his Mothers Suiters to be gone And feast no longer on his Herd and Fold As they before had insolently done To Sparta too I 'll send him and to Pyle T' enquire about his Fathers Navigation That in the world by Travel for a while He may acquire a greater reputation This said upon her feet her shooes she binds Ambrosian Golden shooes that do her bear On land and water swiftly as the winds And takes in hand her brazen-headed Spear A heavy massie and strong Spear the same Wherewith when angry she the armed bands Of mighty men of War does eas'ly tame That was the Spear she carried in her hands Then from the high Olympus leapt she down T'Ulysses house and stood in the Hall-door I' th' shape of Mentes that possest the Crown O' th' Taphian people whom he reigned o'r And thence beheld the Suiters in the Court Sitting upon the hides of beeves which they Themselves had kill'd and wanting other sport Playing at Chess they pass'd their time away Mean while their Officers and Serving-men Were busie mingling water with the wine Others the meat divide others make clean Set up and rub the Tables till they shine Telemachus now with the Suiters sate Fancying in case his father should appear Brought home by th' Gods or by some lucky fate How then these knaves would slink away for fear And he again recover his estate And in his own land rule without a Peer He was the first that spi'd the Goddess and Then presently he hast'ned to the door Receives her Spear and takes her by the hand And both go in she after he before You shall said he stranger be welcome here But first let 's sup and afterwards wee 'l find Sufficient time both for me to inquire And you to tell your business and your mind When they were come into the stately Hall Her Spear within a case he sets upright â—a pillar in which case the Spears were all His father left behind going to fight â—hen led her to a chair which stood upon A dainty Carpet curiously wrought â—nd put t' her feet a stool to rest upon And for himself a handsom stool he brought â—hen did a Maid in a fine golden ewer Bring water for their hands and pours it on â—ver a Bason large of silver pure And set a table to them for both one â—rom others seats remoter than to fear Their rudeness might offend her or that they Might peradventure listening overhear What he and she did of Ulysses say Another sets on bread and other things To eat such as in her charge were at home But flesh of many sorts the carver brings And the cup-bearers often go and come Then came the Suiters in and took their places All on a row To each a table stands And golden boul one way look all their faces The waiters bring in water for their hands The Maids in baskets bring both bread and meat On which they lay their hands with great good will And heartily and hastily they eat And to the brim their cups the Servants fill When they of hunger had pluckt out the sting The lusty Suiters thoughts converted were To dancing and to hear the minstril sing Sports that are consecrated to good chear To Phemius the minstril that was by Unwillingly forc'd by th' unruly throng They brought a Cittern and he presently Began to play and then to sâ—…g a song But to the Goddess Pallas in her ear Telemachus began to speak his mind Not being willing any else should hear Excuse me Friend that I say what I find You see the care of these men what it is Singing and dancing And no wonder since That which they spend is not their own but his Whose bones lie somewhere naked far from hence Unburied it may be on the ground There rotting as he lies i' th' dew and rain Or else at Sea perhaps if he be drown'd The waves his body roll upon the main If him at home the best of them should meet Safely arriv'd in Ithaca he would Much rather wish I think for nimble feet Than to be rich in garments or in gold But Oh! He 's dead and of some cruel death And though some tell us he is coming home 'T is comfortless for he 's bereav'd of breath To Ithaca I ne'r shall see him come But let this pass and tell me truly now Your own your Fathers and your Countries name And further I desire you 'll let me know Whence are the Mariners that with you came Unto this Town and tell me this likewise Where rideth the good ship that brought you to 't For verily I can no way devise How you should come on horsback or on foot And tell me were you never here before Nor saw my Father whilst he here abode For strangers came to visit him good store As having much converst with men abroad I 'll clearly speak said Pallas t'every thing My Father was Anchialus and I Meâ—tes my City Taphos and I King My people to the Oar themselves apply At present bound I am to Tâ—misè For Brass and Iron I carry with me thither Under mount Neion not near Ithaca My Ship at Reithrus rideth safe from weather As for your Father we were mutual Guests Ask the old Lord Laërtes from our youth With one old Maid alone his meat to dress He lives at 's Country-house he 'll tell you truth There creeps he in his Vineyard up and down And I came hither now 'cause I was told By some his Son Ulysses was in Town But 't is not so The Gods do him withhold From his dear wise and native Country still Within an Island where the Savage men By â—orce detain him much against his will But all in vain He shall return agen For I presage and come it shall to pass That am no Prophet nor Birds understand Though he were tied there with Chains of Brass He shall get loose and see his native Land But say are you indeed that are so grown His Son Your heads and eyes are like I mark For we were well to one another known But 't was before he did for Troy imbark With other Princes of the Argive youth But never saw him since That I 'm his Son Said he my Mother says But who in truth Knoweth who 't was that got him I think none If I might chuse my Father I would be His Son that groweth old on 's own estate But whom they tell me is my Father he Of all men is the most unfortunate Then said the Goddess Howsoe'r that be The Gods will never nameless leave your kind That are
she refresh'd him had with meat and wine Noble Ulysses said she you that long so To see your House and Wife without delay If what you were to suffer you did know Before you there arrived you would stay And live with me here and Immortal be Nor than that Wife for whom you take such care Less fairer or less wise can you think me Women with Goddesses cannot compare Goddess said he again I know all this Penelope I not compare with you In form or stature For she mortal is And you Immortal Yet though this be true I cannot chuse but wish my self at home And though I were to perish in the Deep By th'anger of the Gods and never come I 'd rather suffer that than always weep For patience long since I learned have Sufficiently in tempest and in fight This said they both in one part of the Cave To sleep went where in Love they took delight And when the morning was again displai'd Ulysses cloath'd himself with Cloak and Coat The Nymph her self in a great Robe arrai'd Of dainty stuff with Gold all over wrought Which on her loins a golden Girdle ti'd And cover'd with a golden Scarf her head And how Ulysses o'r the Sea so wide Should safely pass she there considered Then puts a Plainer and an Axe in 's hand Two-edged with a Hast of Olive tree Then shew'd him where the greatest Trees did stand And all the way before him walked she And when they were arrived at the Wood Beeches they find Poplars and Fir-trees high Already dry that lie light on the Flood Calypso to her Cavern back did hie Mean while Ulysses twenty Trees brought low And hewed them and plain'd them skilfully And laid them on the ground all in a row At corners square and of one length they lie And then with Wimbles back Calypso came Then pierced them and set them one to one And with strong joynts and nails fast bound the same And by the time that all this he had done As a good ship as broad it was and long Then for his Decks he placed stoops upright On every side and many to be strong And laid upon them planks at equal height Then made his Mast and set it up on end His Rudder and a place to sit and guide And laid on boughs from waves it to defend And all his Cordage made of good Cow-hide And then with Levers set his Raft afloat Four days in making of the Raft he spent When he had done and all his work had wrought Upon the fifth the Nymph away him sent But first she bath'd him and with cloaths arrai'd Fine and persum'd Then wine of pleasant taste One Goat-skin full upon the Raft she laid And one of Water greater by it plac't And Sweet-meats and good Flesh of ev'ry kind And after he his Sails had hoist and spread She fill'd them with a warm and chearful wind Then he astern sate down and governed And on Bootes look'd and Pleiades And on the Bear which people call the Wain Which dogs Orion rising from the Seas But she her self ne'r dives into the Main This Bear she bad him leave on the left hand Then seventeen days he sail'd on th'eighteenth day He came in sight of the Phaeacian Land In that part where it nearest to him lay Which look'd as 't were upon the Sea a skin But now by Neptune who returning was Ulysses Raft from Solymi was seen For o'r those Mountains Neptune was to pass Who wounded at the sight with anger keen Thus said unto himself What what I find While I in Ethiopia have been The Gods about this man have chang'd their mind The Isle Phaeacia is near at hand In which he destin'd is himself to save But yet I think before he be on Land He struggle shall with many a lusty Wave Then with his Trident he the Sea enraged And made a Night of Clouds the Sea upon And 'gainst Ulysses all the Winds engaged And from their Quarters they came out each one Eurus and Notus Zephyr Boreas Each one a mighty Wave against him roll'd And then Ulyssâ—s heart near broken was And with himself himself he thus condol'd Ay me what will become of me at last I fear the Nymph Calypso all this knew Who told me then that as I homeward past I should meet danger Now I find it true With what thick Clouds Jove cover'd has the sky In what a tumult is the Sea And how On ev'ry side the Winds the Water ply And storm My death I see is certain now Thrice four times Argives happy were you who For Agamemnon's sake were slain Would God I At Troy in Battle my life lost had too I' th' show'r of Spears about Achilles Body Then had I had a noble Funeral And great among the Greeks had been my Fame But now a wretched death will me befal For ever will unhear'd-of be my name This said he dash'd was 'gainst a point of Land Which with great force whirled the Raft about And then the Rudder flew out of his hand And he into the water was cast out Of divers Winds then follow'd one great blast And Sail and Tackle o'r broad far off bears And in the middle breaks in two the Mast While he was in the Sea o'r head and ears At last he rais'd his head above the pickle His heavy Cloaths a while had hindred him Then from his hair into his mouth did trickle The brine which he spits out and falls to swim And when he had his Raft recovered And plac'd himself i' th' midst then both together The Wind uncertainly them carried From place to place now hither and now thither Just as the wind in harvest blows Pease-straw Upon the plain field whilst it holds together So on the Sea without a certain Law Ulysses Raft was driven by the Weather In this distress by Iâ—o he was seen A Sea Nymph and Immortal she was then Though Woman Cadmus Daughter she had been And now in Figure of a Water-hen She sat upon the Raft and to him spake What meaneth Neptune that he hates you so Do what he can your liâ—e he shall not take Do what I bid you Off your Garments throw And quit the Raft And to Phaeacia Swim with your hands And there you sâ—â—ll findâ— rest For so it is ordain'd by Fatal Law Here take this Scarf Apply it to your breast And fear not death But when you come to Land Throw 't in the Sea as far off as you can Then turn This said she put it in his hand And diving there alone she left the man Ulysses grieving to himself then says What is it now I am advis'd unto Ay me Some other God now me betrays To quit my Raft I know what I will do For since my refuge is so near at hand Such Counsel I will not too soon obey But do what does with greatest reason stand Upon my Raft I mean so long to stay As it shall hold together
them there no old man is but I The company t' encourage that expect Telemachus Not with Authority But my advise they 'll follow for respect The next day with the Caucons I must be About an old and not a little debt And then that he may Menelaus see With strong swift horses on his way him set This said the Goddess Pallas went away In likeness of an Eagle to the Skies The people star'd and knew not what to say And Nestor wondring saw it with his eyes And took Telemachus by th' hand and said A good man you will be Telemachus And valiant that are by a God convoy'd And this same God that guided you to us Is none but Pallas daughter of great Jove That did at Troy your Father always guide Let me and mine O Goddess have your love And amongst men a Noble Fame and wide A Heifer on your Altar shall be laid That ne'r bare yoke a yearling from the field And gilt shall be her horns So Nestor prai'd And Pallas heaâ—ing to his Pray'r did yield And Nestor to his house then led them all Both Sons and Sons-in-Law and being there They sat on Chairs and Couches in the Hall Then Nestor bids one fill the Temperer With Wine that aged was eleven year From out a Vessel first uncover'd then And when the Wine and water mixed were Then Nestor pray'd and offered And when The Offrings to the Goddess ended were The rest unto their lodgings went away Telemachus by Nestor stai'd was there And in a soft and costly bed he lay And near unto him lay Pisistratus Who of the Sons of Nestor was the last And Nestor in the inmost part of th' house Where by the Queen his wife his bed was plaâ—… Soon as Aurera did the day restore The old Knight Nestor rose up from his bed And sat upon the Bench before the door Oâ—… marble white and smooth that glistered His Father used to sit there before King Neleus but that since he was dead And that King Nestor now the Scepter bore There sat he now and to him gathered Were all his Sons Echephron Stratius Perseus Aretus Godlike Thrasymed Pisistratus Dead was Antilochus Along with them Telemachus they led Then to his Children Nestor spake and said Do quickly Sons what you shall from me hear A Vow I made to Pallas must be paid Who did to me so visibly appear Let one of you unto the Pastures hie And bid a Herdsman bring a Heifer home One to Telemachus his Ship quickly And bid his Mates save two all hither come Another bid the Gilder hither come To gild the sacred Heifers horns with speed The rest stay here to look to things at home That all things may be ready that we need Seats dry wood and fair water So said he Then busie were they all The Heifer came And all Telemachus his Company The Gilder came Laerces was his name And every tool that to his Art belongs And necessary is had in his hands His Anvil and his Hammer and his Tongs And Pallas also now amongst them stands Then fell the man to work on Nestors Gold And so elaborate it was when done That it might please the Goddess to behold Then came in Stratius and Echephron And by the horns they led the Heifer in The Bason and the Ewre and Barly white Aretus brought and with an Axe full keen Stood Thrasymed ready the Beast to sâ—ite Then Nestor prai'd and from the Heifers head Cut off some hair and into th' fire it threw Then prai'd the rest and Barly sprinkled Upon the fire and Thrasymed then slew The Heifer with his Axe and cut in twain The tendons of the neck and down she fell And Nestor's Wife and Daughters shout amain To see the sacred act performed well Pisistratus then cuts the Victims throat And up they held it to let out the blood Into a Pail which Perseus thither brought And to that purpose ready with it stood The life together with the blood outâ—lies Then from the Body they the Bowels draw And next cut off the Shoulders and the Thighs As is of Sacrifice the Riâ—ual Law And them slit into two parts they display And cover them all over with sweet fat Shoulder on Shoulder Thigh on Thigh they lay And Nestor on the Altar burneth that And with it on the fire black wine he poured By him a spit was ready with five points The fire the Thighs the men th' Entrails devoured The rest divided was in smaller joynts To rost on Spits Telemachus the while Into the Bath retired and was there Well bathed and anointed with sweet Oyl By Pâ—lycaste Nestor's daughter dear And in a Robe and Coat clad gloriously And came as if no mortal he had been Into the Hall and sat down Nestor by The meat now ready straightway was brought in Then in the young men came to fill them wine When they with flesh and wine were satisfi'd Then to his Sons said Nestor Children mine The Horses to the Coach see quickly ti'd Away they go and to â—he Coach they set The Horses swift and in it bread and wine A Maid laid in and with it choiâ—est meat Which none but God-fed Kings eat when they dine Up to the Seat then went Telemachus The Seat was large and capable of two And after him went up Pisistratus And Whip and Reins he took his hands into Toucht with the Whip the Horses take the way And all the day long made their Harness shake The Sun went down dark were the Streets Then they At Pherae were And there their rest they take There Diocles Orsilochus his Son Son of Alphaeus them did entertain And with fair Gifts presented them each one But soon as Morning did appear again Their Horses to the Coach again they tie And from the Porch drive them into the way Toucht with the Whip again away they fly The Sun now down and ended was the day LIB IV. ANd then to Lacedaemon come were they And drove up to the House of Menelaus At home they found him For there on that day A double Wedding celebrated was One of his Daughter fair Hermione Whom he before at Troy had promised Of Neoptolemus the Wiâ—e should be And on this day the same accomplished And her he sent unto the Myrmidons Where reigned he To Pthia she was brought And then the second Wedding was his Son's Whom on a woman bond he had begot And Megapenthes nam'd For Helens bed Fruitless was after fair Hermione And he Alector's daughter married Of Lacedaemon Citizen was he And now they merry sat that bidden were Making good chear and hearing Voice and Fiddle And wondring at two Tumblers that were there That moving to the time stood in the middle Mean while by th'Horses th'utter Gate without Telemachus stood and Pisistratus Then Eteâ—neus by chance came out A careful Servant of Menelaus And having seen them in he went agen And being near to where his Master sate O King said he there are
always had an eye In likeness of Alcinous his Squire Who by his Office did the Councel call Their favour for Ulysses to acquire Went through the Streets and there unto them all Said one by one Make haste To Councel go A Stranger new come to the King you 'll see That like a God Immortal is in show This said unto the Councel-House they flee And filled was the House and ev'ry Sear And of his person all admir'd the Grace For Pallas made him had more tall and great And laid more Majesty upon his face To make him welcome to those men she meant And gain him honour at their Exercises When they should put him to experiment Alcinous unto them then arises Hear said he Princes of Pheacia This Man who 't is or whence I cannot say Cast here ashore till then I never saw Since 't is our Custome grant him a Convoy For no man yet unto my house did come By force of weather wandring on the Main Lamenting and desiring to go home That can affirm he sought our help in vain Come then let 's launch a good new Ship and chuse Out two and fifty lusty Youths to row And let them ready have their Oars to use And to my House when that 's done let them go And you the Princes thither come with me That we may well the stranger entertain And let the Singer too sent thither be To give us sometimes of his Art a Strain This said the Princes to his house he led The Squire unto the House the Singer sent The fifty two as they were ordered Down to the Haven where the Ship lay went The Ship they launch and up they set the Mast And then the Yards and Sails they hoised high Their Oars where they be placed should they plac't This done they let her in the water lie Then also to the House went these men up The Porches Court and Rooms with men were fill'd Some old some young The King to make them sup Two Kine eight Swine twice six fat Sheep kill'd These flay'd and dress'd and to the Tables brought Came in the Singer whom the Muses kind Had taught to sing divinely But could not Or would not him preserve from being blind Pontonous the Squire then led him in And set him by a Pillar in the Hall And hung his Fiddle o'r him on a Pin And how to reach it shewed him withal Sets him a Table and a Basket by And a great Bowl of Wine before him plac't To drink as often as he should be dry And when their thirst and hunger was displac't The Singer sung the Song in most request How once Ulysses and Achilles great In high and bitter Language did contest When at a Sacred Feast they sat at Meat And how King Agamemnon pleased was To see the two best of the Greeks fall out For Phoebus told him so 't would come to pass When he at Pythos asked him about The Issue of the Fleet design'd for Troy This Song Demodocus sung to them then Which to Ulysses was of little joy But he his tears to hide before those men Before his eyes his Cloak of Purple drew And when the Singer ceas'd his eyes he dri'd And from before his face his Cloak withdrew And of the Wine perform'd the Sacrifice And when the Lords call'd for the Song anew For they to hear him took no small delight His Cloak again before his eyes he drew And as before again he sob'd and sigh'd Alcinous none else observed it And well enough could hear him sigh and groan For he the nearest there did to him sit And would not to the Princes makeit known But speaking to them all said only this Since you with feasting are well satisfi'd And Musick which to Feasts annexed is Let now our mens activity be tri'd That when the Stranger is where he doth dwell He to his Friends and Countrymen may tell How much we do all other men excel At Wrestling Buffets Leaping Running well Then went the King and Princes out a door The Squire then took the Singer by the hand And hung the Fiddle where it hung before And him led out amongst the rest to stand Unto the Place they went and follow'd were By people numberless the sport to see And many lusty Youths amongst them there Stood out to shew their great ability Out stood Elatreus and Acroneus Eretmeus Thoon Nautes and Prymneus Ambasineus and Amphialus Proteus and Ponteus and Anchialus Ocyalus warlike Euryalus And he that of them most their eye did please Except the first Son of Alcinous For Countenance and Shape Nauholides And then Alcinous his three Sons rise Laodamas Halius Clytoneus And first they all contended for the Prize Of who at Running could his Feet best use Then start they all at once and swiftly run As if they flew And here the Victory The Kings Son Noble Clytoneus won And past them all a lands length very nigh Euryalus at Wrestling was the best Amphialus at Leaping Victor was Elatreus surpassed all the rest To throw the Stone At Cuffs Laodamas When all was done Laodamas up stood Come friends said he let us the Stranger try If he at any of these Games be good For in his person no defect Iâ—…py His Thighs his Knees his Arms his Neck are strongâ—… Nor over-aged yet he seems to me Only he hath indur'd the Sea so long As for that cause he may excused be For than the Sea nothing more potent is To break a man how strong soe'r he be Go said Euryalus 't is not amiss T' invite him to it and his mind to see Then to Ulysses said Laodamas Come Stranger Father Pray your vertue shoâ—… 'T is no dishonour for you in this place To shew your skill at any Game you know As long as Feet and Hands continue strong Come try and cast your careful thoughts away Your Convoy ready is 'T will not be long Before you shall be set upon your way Laodamas then said Ulysses why To these your Games invite you me in scorn Upon whose heart so many sorrows lie And am to nothing with much haraship worn And publikely a uppliant now sit And to the King and People grief profess Think you that Pastimes for such men are fit As from their Country wander in distress Then spake Euryalus uncivilly No no said he I do not think you are Much us'd to Pastimes of Activity But rather one that of a Ship takes care That Merchant-men from place to place convays And mindful of your fraught are and can tell Which are to sudden wealth the nearest ways What Merchandize will not and what will sell And in such boisterous Games has little skill Ulysses frowning on him then repli'd My friend such words are indiscreet and ill The Gods their Gifts as they think fit divide To one of Beauty they deny the grace But give him Language steddy and discreet Whereby he honour'd is i' th' Publike Place And men gaze on him going in the
street I another they have giv'n a fair aspect Like that o' th' Gods but have deni'd him wit So find I in your person no defect Only you want the Grace to say what 's fit Your words have put me into passion In these your Games you say no skill have I. I thought my self inferiour to none Whilst on my youth and hands I could rely But tamed now my strength is with much woe Wandring at Sea and often hurt in fight Yet of your Games I 'll make a trial so Weak as I am So much your words me bite This said he took up a much greater stone Than that which the Phaeacians had flung Nor hollow as a Coyt his Cloak still on And when above his head he had it swung Swiftly away the Stone flew with a hum Which made the brave Phaeacian Seamen couch As o'r their heads they heard it singing come And out went all the other marks by much For Pallas in the likeness of a man Did set a mark at where the stone did light And said the diff'rence be discerned can By feeling though a man had lost his sight And to Ulysses said she Do not fear That any man i'th'Town shall out-throw this Ulysses very glad was this to hear And that amongst them stood one friend of his Then of himself began to speak more high Come Youths throw first as far as I have done And then as far or further throw will I. And for the other Games come any one Since your sharp words provok't me have thereto Buffets or Wrestling or to run the race And see if you at these can me out-do Any of you except Laodamas For I to him am come as to a friend Of whom I hope for succour in my need He were a fool that with him would contend Without whose help his business cannot speed But of the rest not any I refuse And will contend with them for Mastery For I know all the Games the best men use To use the Bowe none abler is than I. When many of us had a mind to kill Some noted Foe and all at once did shoot Though every one of us had the same will My Arrow was the first that found him out At Ilium in trials of the Bowe None found I better than my self but one 'T was Polyctetes Of those that are now I think my self inferiour to none With those of former tim I 'll not compare As Hercules or Eurytus that durst Challenge Apollo Apollo took a care That Prize should not be plai'd kill'd him first As far as other men can shoot an Arrow So far I able am to dart a Spear But lodging I have had at Sea so narrow That I may be out-run by some man here So said Ulysses and all silent sat Except the King who thus unto him said Stranger there 's no man here offended at The words you say For open you have laid Your Vertue when you were thereto constrain'd By the unjust reproaches of this man For such it is as by none can be stain'd But those that nothing say discreetly can And hear me farther what I have to say That t'other Hero's you the same may tell Who with you and your Wife shall feasting stay In what from other men we bear the bell For Cuffs and Wrestling not much praise we merit But our good Ships and Feet are wondrous swift And these Gifts from our Fathers we inherit Dance Song Feasts Fiddle and of Garments shift And Baths and Beds Dance you that dance the best Before the Stranger that his friends among He may say how much we exceed the rest Of men in Ships in Running Dance and Song Fetch out the Fiddle Then the Squire went in To fetch the Fiddle And the Judges rise In number nine who had elected been By publike vote of Games to hold Assize And order took for large room in the middle And made it to be plained well and even When this was done then brought out was the Fiddle And by the Squire was to the Singer given Then came the Youngmen that had learn't to dance And of their age were yet but in the flowr And to the middest of the place advance Their feet play up and down like drops in show'r Such sparkling feet Ulysses ne'r had seen The Singer as he played sung the Song Of Mars and Venus and what love had been Held secretly between them all along And how in Vulcan's house they us'd to meet And what he gave her how the prying Sun As they imbrac'd each other chanc'd to see 't And told her Husband Vulcan what was done How Vulcan to his Forge in anger went And on his Anvil hammer'd out strong Chains Which neither could be broken nor relent And when he made an end had of his pains Into the Chamber went where stood his bed His Net o' th' Bed-posts and the Beams he threw Like Spider-webs about a Chamber spread And then to go to Lemnos made a shew So subtile were the Chains and finely wrought They could by none although a God be seen How Mars to watch his going failed not When Vulcan was gone out then Mans went in How Venus enter'd in new come from Jove And by him sat Mars took her by the hand And to her said Let 's go to bed my Love Vulcan is now at Lemnos gone a land And how they went to bed and made the Net Fall down upon and hold them as they lay And how they knew no way from thence to get But must till Vulcan came to free them stay How Vulcan from hard by came quickly in For back he came before he was half way For by the Sun advertis'd he had been And angerly turn'd back without delay And roaring to the Gods he said D' ye see What work is here and how unseemly ' t is And how Jove's Daughter does dishonour me Because my Limbs are maim'd and whole are his I grant he 's fair nor doth as I do halt Ought she to love him therefore more than me For that my Parents is and not my fault But come ye Gods all and their Posture see I hate the sight yet they must not therefore Hope e'r the sooner for that to be free The Net will suffer them to move no more How keen soever on their love they be And till her Father shall the Dow'r repay Which for the Girl although incontinent I paid him down 'cause fair she was and gay There they shall lie This said the Gods streight went To Vulcan's house Neptune and Mercury And with them with his Silver Bow Apollo And many others But for modesty No Goddess could perswaded be to follow Assoon as they perceived had the craft Which standing in the door they had survey'd At first aloud they altogether laught And by and by to one another said I see that evil works do ill succeed The slow has gotten of the swift the better Vulcan of Mars the God of greatest speed And that by
Drank't off But when it came up to his brain Then spake I to him gentle words and soft Cyclops since you my name desire to know I 'll tell it you and on your word rely My name is Noman all men call me so My Father Mother and my Company To which he soon and sadly made reply Noman I 'll eat you last none shall out-live you Of all that here are of your Company And that 's the gift I promised to give you And having said he laid himself along With bended neck sleeping and vomiting Gobbets of Humane Flesh and Wine among All he before had eaten uttering The Bar with Embers then I covered Till green as 't was with heat I made it shine And with few words my men encouraged Left any should have shrunk from the designe The Bar now hot and ready to flame out And though green wood yet glowing mightily To him my Fellows carried now stout And set the point thereof upon his eye But I my self erecting with my hand Twirled the Bar about with motion nimble As Joyners with a string below do stand To give a piercing motion with a wimble So whilst the Brand was entring I it turn'd The blood that down along it ran was hot And with his Eye the Lids and Brows were burn'd And all his Eye-strings with the fire did strut As when a Smith hath heat his Axe or Spade And quickly quenches it while hot it is To harden it it makes a noise so made His great moist Eye the glowing Brand to hiss He roared so as made the Rocks resound And from his Eye he pull'd with both his hands The burning Brand and threw it to the ground And so a while he there amazed stands And thence for more Cyclopses calls and they Who dwelt about in every hollow Cave Came in some one and some another way And from without the Den ask'd what he 'd have What ails thee Polyphemus so to cry In dead of night and make us break our sleep Goes any one about to make thee die By force or fraud or steal away thy sheep Then Polyphemus answered from his Cave Friends Noman killeth me Why then said they We have no power from sickness you to save You must unto your Father Neptune pray This said they parted each one to his own Dark Cavern Then within my self I laught To think how with my Name the Mighty Clown I so deceived had and gull'd by craft The Cyclops for the stone now groap'd about Found it and threw it down though pained sore Thinking to catch us at our coming out Sitting with Arms extended in the door Such fools he thought us but I formerly Had thought upon the course I was to take And all my cunning and my Art to try Since no less than our lives was now at stake This Counsel 't was that in my brest then sat Male sheep there were within the Cave well fed Fair big and deeply clad in wool and fat And these with twigs ta'ne from Cyclops his bed I bound together three and three each three Bore one under the middlemost fast bound One Ram by far the best of all bore me Under his brest my hands in deep wool wound Thus hung we constantly expecting day The morning came the Males to pasture hie The Ews with strutting Udders bleating stay Their Master sitting there in misery Laid's hand upon their backs as out they past Ne'r thinking of their Bellies we were under Mine heavy with his wool and me came last To whom the Cyclops said seeming to wonder Why silly Ram art thou the last to come Out of the Cave that formerly was ever The foremost to go out and to come home And foremost at the going to the River But now at last Is 't for thy Masters eye Which Noman and his Fellows have put forth O couldst thou speak and tell me where doth lie Hidden within that Noman nothing worth I soon would with his brains besmear the floor And ease my vexed heart within me so Which Noman hath within me wounded sore This said he let the Ram that bore me go Got forth a little from the Den and Yard I left my Ram and set my Fellows free Unto my Ships I brought part of the Herd That to our Fellows we might welcome be We that escapt But they began to weep For those we left behinde us dead till I Commanded them to fetch aboard more sheep And after that their Oars again to ply They brought in more and each man takes his seat And in due order with his Oar in hand The water grey into a foam they beat And rowed us a little way from Land As far as one that hollows can be heard So far I stood from shore I hollow'd then Cyclops Cyclops why were you not afraid To kill and eat as you have done my men For since you strangers do so ill intreat And of the Gods themselves no reck'ning make You ought to have expected vengeance great And that your wicked deeds should you o'retake The Cyclops then provoked with this mock Threw a great stone at us with all his might And first he swing'd round o're his head the Rock Which just behinde the Rudder chanc'd to light And so much stir'd the water falling in That what with th'eddy and'tide from the Main Brought back to th'Land and sure we dead had bin But that I quickly thrust it off again Then bad I my Companions to row Still further off till we were out of fear They pli'd their Oars again and we were now At twice the distance that before we were And then again I to the Cyclops spoke Though my companions would have hindred me Why say they will you still the man provoke How great a stone how far he throws you see How near to Land we were how near to die If he but any one of us hear speak A Rock will straightway from him hither fly And knock our brains out and our Vessel break So said they but with me could nothing do I was resolv'd to vex him bitterly Cyclops quoth I if any ask thee who What was his name that rob'd thee of the eye Say 't was Ulysses Prince of Ithaca Sâ—n to the old Laertes He it was At which the Cyclops howling answered Ha I see old Prophesies are come to pass For Telemus Eury â—…d's that here Dwelled and telling Fortunes went about Told me I'should by name Ulysses fear As he that one daâ— should my eye put out Bâ—t I some strong and in â—…y man expected Of Stature great shoâ—…d come to do that deed And never such a little Wâ—…tch suspected Nor ever did of being drunk take â—…d But come Ulysses nearer that I may Give you a precious gift as you de crve And also to my Father Nâ—ptune pray That you upon the Seas he would preserve For I his Son and he my Father is And to my sight again restore me can He and no other of the Gods in bliss
Town and Country who in numbers great Liker to Giants than to men came out And with huge stones of a mans weight they beat My men and ships A woful noise and wild I heard of dying men and tearing planks When they had slain my men they them enfil'd And carri'd them like Fishes hung in ranks While they did this I had no other hope To save my self but quickly with my Sword My ship being ti'd to th'Rocks to cut the rope And make what haste I could to get aboard My Crew into the Ship leapt all at once And row'd for life till they got far enough From land to stand in fear of throwing stones And glad they had escaped onwards row The rest both ships and men all perished Next at Aeaea Isle ashore we run Where the wise Goddess Circ ' inhabited Aeetes Sister Daughter of the Sun And Perse Daughter of Ocâ—anus There in a good safe Harbour quietly We rest our selves Some God conducted us There full of grief two days and nights we lie Soon as the Morn had shewn us the third day With Spear in hand and Sword girt at my thigh Up to a Mountains top I took my way Some word of man to hear or work to spy Through the thick wood I saw a smoke arise About the place where th' House of Circe stood Then with my self I did a while advise What I should do At last I thought it good To make my people all to dine and then Safely with company to go or send So back I came unto my ship and men But by the way some God was sure my Friend A gallant Stag came by whom heat and thirst Invited had down to the Stream Divine At him I quickly threw my Spear which pierâ—'t Both his sides thorow close beneath the Chine Down dead he falls On 's neck my foot I set Pluckt out the Spear and laid it on the ground To make a Rope I Twigs and Rushes get And his four feet together fast 〈◊〉 bound Within hâ—s legs I place my head and bear His body on my neck 'T was hard to rise Leaning with both my hands upon my Spear He was too great to take up otherwise I threw him down o' th' shore and chear'd my Crew Friends quoth I though our present state be bad Death shall not come I hope before 't is due Come let us ear and drink and not be sad This said they straightway from the ship descend And gaze â—poâ—'â— for 't was a mighty Beast And when their wondering was at an end They washt their hands and drest it for their feast And all the remnant of the day till night We made good chear with Wine Ven'â—on store After the Sun had born from us his light We laid us down to sleep upon the shore But when the Rosie Morn appear'd again I said to all my men who grieved were My Maâ—es although I have endur'd much pain I must intreat you patiently to hear We know not where is West or East nor where The Sun does rise or set nor where we be To me does little hope as yet appear And theresore we must go abroad and see In a low Island rising through the Trees I saw a smoke when I stood on the Hill Though I had utter'd no more words but these They heard them with a very evil will Of Cyclops and Antiphates they speak That had devour'd their Fellows formerly And ready were their hearts with grief to break They weep and whine but without remedy Of my Companions then two Bands I make Of one Eurylochus had the Command The charge o' th' other to my self I take And two and twenty men were in each Band. Who should go first abroad and who should stay We were content should be by Lot defin'd To go fell to Eurylochus Away They weeping went we weeping stai'd behind Down in a Dale they Circes Palace found Built of square stone The place was full of shade Lions and Wolves about it lay o' th' ground Whom Circe tame with Magick Arts had made These flâ—w not at my men but laid their Noses Upon them lovingly and wag'd their tails As Dogs salute their Masters Circe's Doses So much above their Natures fierce prevails Euryloâ—hus i' th' Door stood with his Band. The Goddess Circe busie was within For she a wondrous fine work had in hand Past art of man and sung as she did spin Then did Polites whom I lov'd most dear Of all my Crew speak out unto them all My Friends quoth he somebody singeth there A Goddess or a Woman Let us call This said they call and she sets ope the Gate Bids them come in Fools as they were they enter All but Eurylochus Without he sate Suspecting somewhat therefore durst not venture She places them and sets before them food Cheesecakâ—s of Cheese and Honey Flour Wine But had mixt something with it not so good Of wondrous Vertue with an ill designe For with a Wand as soon as they had din'd She drove them to the sties and there them pentâ— For body head hair voice all but the minde Right Swine they were and grunted as they went There to them threw she Acorns Crabs and Bran The things wherewith Swine commonly are fed Eurylochus stai'd long but not a man Came out to let him know how they had sped Then back he comes at first he could not speak Though he endeavoured he grieved so The sighs and sobs his words did often break Till urg'd by us that long'd the truth to know At last he said Renown'd Ulysses we Passing the woods as we commanded were In a dark Vale a stately Palace see A Goddess or a Woman dwelleth there We call'd and straight she opening the Gate Bids us come in They ill advised enter All but my self Alone without I sate Suspecting fraud and durst no further venture Lost they are all for if they could I know Some of them would have come and brought me word For I staid long enough This said my Bowe I took and at my side my trusty Sword And bad him guide me back the self-same way Then fell he at my feet on both his knees And weeping me intreats to let him stay Your life quoth he amongst the rest you 'll leese To this I said Eurylochus stay you Here at the ship since you are frighted so Eating and drinking with the rest o' th' Crew Necessity compelleth me to go This said I went along the shore till I Was at the entrance of the Valley where The house of Circe stood Then Mercury Encountred me In form he did appear Of a fair youth whose Beard but now began In a soft Down to peep above his face Which is the prime of beauty in a man Alas said he what make you in this place 'Mongst trees and shrubs For I can tell you this Your Mates at Circe's house are lodg'd in sties They now are Swine you 'll of your purpose misâ— You cannot set them free
did say O King Atrides Menelaus now Ev'n now dismiss me let me go my way Then said Atrides Ev'n now you shall go I purpose not to make you longer stay For I conceive 't is not a good mans part To make too much or little of his Guest To hold him when he gladly would depart Or press him to be gone e're he thinks best In Hospitality this Rule is true Love him that stays help forth the going Guest Stay then and take my Gift along with you And your Break-fast of what we have the best For he that will a great days Journy make Will find both joy and profit in his meat And if to visit Greece you pleasure take I 'll with you go and with you I 'll retreat And to the Argive Cities be your Guide And be Presented by each Princely man With whomsoever we at night abide Two Mules a Gold Cup a brave Pot or Pan. Then said Telemachus I needs must go My Father seeking left my self I lose I have left none my Goods to look unto And rob'd my Treasure may be by my foes When that was said forth Menelaus goes To give unto his Wife and Maids command For Break-fast of what then was in the house Then Boetheides who lodg'd near at hand Came in and bidden by Atrides cleaves The wood makes fire lays down the roast Him to his bus'ness then Atrides leaves And down came to his Treasure of great cost He and his Son and Wife Helena There Within a Room lin'd with sweet-smelling wood A Temp'rer to his Son he gave to bear Of Silver pure which 'mongst the Vessels stood And from a Chest where Robes for Matrons were She took up one with great variety Wrought by her self which she her self did bear Shining and bright as any Star i' th' Sky And forth unto Telemachus they come Then said Atrides Jove grant your request And safely may you t' Ithaâ—a come home See here my Gift of all I have the best 'T is massie Silver gilt about the brim By Vulcan made but then it was possest By th' King of Sidon I had it of him When by the way from Troy I was his Guest Then Helen said This Gift too take from me Of Helens handy-work a Monument To give to her that your dear Wife shall be Think it mean while as to your Mother sent Then gave it to Telemachus his hands I' th' Coach Pisistratus then placed all And at the goodly Gifts amazed stands Atrides then led them into the Hall And made them sit and while they sitting were A grave Maid-servant from a Golden Eâ—…re To wash their hands pours on the water clear Over a Bason all of silver pure One Tables sets another lays on Bread And from their store many good things brings out The Messes Boetheides severed Atrides Son the Wine delivered out When their desire of Food was satisfi'd Up rose Telemachus and Nestor's Son And to their Coach they the swift Horses ti'd And in the Coach were ready to be gone And were already got the Court without But after them Atrides followed And in his hand a Gold Cup he brought out Of wine and standing at the horses head Brave Youths said he to Nestor me commend That as a Father was to me at Troy Farewel and may you to your Journeys end With safety travel and arrive with joy Then said Telemachus All this I 'll say I wish at home I may so treated be Within my Fathers house at Ithaca Besides the Presents you have given me As he said this an Eagle dexter flew And seis'd a great white tame Goose grazing near â—he standers-by shouted and cri'd Shue shue But yet away the Eagle bore him clear And none but with the sight was well content Then to Atrides said Pisistratus This Prodigy unto you is â—…sent From Jupiter or is it sent to us While what to answer he was taking care Helen prevented him I will said she First tell you what hereon my own thoughts are And to my mind by th' Gods infused be You saw the Eagle come down from the Hill Where nature placed him to dwell and breed And kill that Goose So shall Ulysses kill The Suiters that upon his Substance feed Or it may be already there he is Devising for the Suiters some ill end O Gods then said Telemachus that this Were so indeed To you then should I send As to a God my Vows This said away They whip their willing Horses through the Town Which on the plain their Harness shake all day And were at Pheres when the Sun went down There Diocles Orsâ—ochus his Son Orsâ—ochus by Alphaeus begot Dwelt and of entertainment want was none Nor acceptable Presents were forgot And when the Morning had her self arrai'd Again they put their Horses to the Coach Which when the Whip they felt once never stai'd Till to the Town of Pyle they did approach Then said Telemachus to Nestors Son You promis'd I your Father should decline But since we here are how can that be done And therefore let us both our Counsels joyn Friends you and I and friends our Fathers were One age we have this Voyage is some tie Draw me not from my ship but leave me here Lest th' old man force me at his house to lie In kindness when I have such need to go This said Pisistratus considered What to make good his promise he should do And then this Counsel came into his head Turn off said he the Coach to the Sea-side And Menelaus Gifts a Shipboard stow And get aboard Your small stay here I 'll hide So your departure shall my Father know For sure I am if he know you are here So violent he is he 'll hither come And call you to his house and stay you there And be a hind'rance to your going home And though away you 'll not be empty sent Yet will he doubtless very angry be This said unto his Father home he went Telemachus then bad his Company To see prepar'd all things for Sayling fit And go aboard aboard went also he The Rowers on their Seats in order sit Thus they about their going busie be Then came a Stranger that a Prophet was And fled from Argos then for Homicide And by descent was of Melampus race And stood near to Telemachus his side For this Melampus once had dwelt in Pyle And rich but fled by Neleus opprest And bound he lay in Prison for a while But afterward he got himself releast And brought to Neleus his Hâ—rds again And had his Daughter Pero for reward But left her with his Brother to remain For wife And then did Pyle no more regard But went to Argos where a wife he got And Children twain had first Antiphates And he the valiant Oicleus begot And Oiâ—â—eus begat Amphiareus That was belov'd by Pallas and by Jove And yet he lived not till he was old He di'd at Thebes betrayed by his love That him discover'd for a Chain of Gold
the grief is which she doth endure And day and night the tear fall from her eyes Telemachus went in His Father there To give him place did from his Chair arise Sit still said he I 'll find a Seat elsewhere In my own house This man will one provide This said he past unto another Seat To which Eumaeus a Wool-fell appli'd With Rushes under it Then brought in meat Trenchers of meat roasted the day before And in a Basket sets on bread of Wheat And in an Ivy Tankard Wine good store And o're against Ulysses takes his seat Then on the meat prepar'd their hands they laid When Thirst and Hunger nothing more requir'd Telemachus unto Eumaeus said And thus about his new-come Guest enquir'd Father said he I pray you tell me now His own his Fathers and his Countries name And farther I desire you let me know Where are the Mariners that with him came Unto this place And tell me this likewise Where rideth the good ship that brought him to 't For verily I can no way devise How he should come on Horsback or on Foot To this Eumaeus answered agen He says himself that he was born in Creet And seen the Cities has of many men Wandring about For Jove so thought it meet Thesprotian Rats got him aboard their Ship And forced were in Ithaca to land There he found means to give them all the slip So came to mine and from mine to your hand I give him you as you think best to use To this again Telemachus replies That which you say Eumaeus is bid news How to receive him I cannot devise I am too young to save him with my hands If injury be done him by the Wooers And at this time my Mother doubtful stands Whether to stay within my Fathers doors And with the people her good name maintain Or with that Suiter wed and go away That to her shall afford the greatest gain But since the Stranger at your house doth stay I 'll give him Garments a good Coat and Vest A Spear in 's hand and good Shoes to his feet And him convey to what place he thinks best Or if to keep him here you think it meet I 'll hither for him Garments send and food That he no charge be to your Family To set him with the Suiters 't is not good For me nor him they so unruly be He 'll be derided there and I shall grieve But 'gainst so many men what can be done The strength of one man cannot him relieve Ulysses then made answer to his Son O Friend said he it bites my heart to hear What of the Suiters in your house you say How 'gainst your mind they proudly domineer Is it because you willingly give way Or that your people by Divinity Adverse are to you or your Government Or are your Kindred that should stand you by In Quarrel and in Battle discontent O were I young and of the mind I am Or that I were the Great Ulysses Son Or he himself and wandring hither came I 'd have my head out off by any one If I were not reveng'd upon them all And though they were too hard for me alone I 'd rather in my own house fighting fall Than daily see such ugly things there done Strangers abus'd Maids tous'd ill-favourdly And Corn and Wine consumed without end And to no purpose foolishly For why They never shall arrive where they intend Then said Telemachus No word o' th' Gods Hath me deprived of the peoples love Nor any Brother is with me at odds Nor any other cause I know but Jove How many Lords within these Isles do sway Same Dulichium Ithaca and Zant So many Suiters duly every day For Marriage with my Mother my house haunt Whilst she can none put off and will none marry They spend my Corn and Wine and cattle kill And eating here and drinking still they tarry And me perhaps at last they murther will But what they shall do none but God can tell But Father go you to Penelope And let her know I am arrived well And let no other person know but she And after you have told her tarry not Make haste At your return I shall be here For many are they that my death do plot True said Eumaeus but not ill it were To let Laertes know it by the way Who when his grief but for Ulysses was Did oversee his Workmen all the day But since by Sea to Pylus you did pass He neither oversees his Husbandry Nor eats his meat as still he did before But groaning and lamenting wofully Liveâ—â— Telemachus did thus reply The case is hard But grieved though he be Let him alone go not out of your way For first I wish my Father here to see If in my choice to have my wishes lay But pray my Mother thither send a Maid Tâ—â—ell Laertes secretly the news When to him thus Telemachus had said Eumaeus on his feet ti'd on his shooes Ulysses and his Son now left alone Came Pallas to them At the door she stood But by Telemachus she was not known Gods are not known but by whom they think good Ulysses knew her Fair she was and tall And of a grave wise Matron had the look And by the Dogs perceiv'd was For they all Whining and terrifi'd the place forsook A signe t'Ulysses she made with her brow Then he went forth and she unto him spake Son of Laertes wise Ulysses now Your Son with your designe acquainted make And when you have the Suiters fate contrived Go to the City both 'T will not be long Before I at your Combate be arrived And give you my assistance in the throng Then stroakt him over with a wand of Gold And presently his Rags were Cloak and Coat His Cheeks were plump His Beard black to behold To which his goodly locks unlike were not This done the Goddess mounted to the Skies Ulysses to the house again retir'd But from him then his Son turn'd off his eyes So much this alteration he admir'd He thought it was some God and to him said You are some God descended from the Sky Your colour 's better better you arraid Save us Our Gifts shall on your Altar lie And then Ulysses said God I am none What all you with the Gods me to compare For I your Father am whom you bemoan And for whom you have had such pain and care And then embrac'd and kiss'd his Son and wept So that the ground he stood upon was weâ— Though hitherto his eyes he dry had kept But by his Son believ'd he was not yet You 're not says he my Father but some Spright That flatters me into more misery Of mortal men there 's none that has the might To do such things without a Dâ—ity A God indeed can mans decay redeem You were but now an old man ill arrai'd And now like one new come from Heaven seem To this Ulysses answered and said Telemachus be not amaz'd too much Other
people all admir'd him as he came The Suiters all about him gathered And spake him fair while in their hearts they frame Plots and devices how his blood to shed But he his seat amongst them quickly quits To Mentor and his Fathers antient friends Altherses Antephus with them he sits And there the time discoursing with them spends Piraeus not long after cometh in And brings his Stranger with him to the place Who there a very little while had been But that Telemachus hard by him was Then said Piraeus to Telemachus Send of your women some to fetch away The goodly Presents you left at my house No said Telemachus let them yet stay I know not yet th' event of our affairs If th'Wooers kill me and my Goods divide I rather had they should be yours than theirs If I kill them and God be on my side Then send them and I 'll take them joyfully And brought away the Stranger with him home And by and by the Suiters thither hie And when they all into the house were come On Couches and on Chairs their Cloaks they lay And presently into their Baths they go And bath'd and oyl'd again themselves array And sat them down And Supper ready now A Maid then water in a Golden Ewre To wash their hands over a Bason brings The Bason also was of silver pure Another on the Tables lays good things That in her keeping were and sets on Bread Penelope sat spinning in the door And then they heartily fell to and sed And when desire of meat and drink was o're Unto her Son Penelopâ— then spake I will said she upon my bed lie down Though there I ever weeping lie awake Since he went with Atrides to Troy-Town Since you would not vouchsase to let me know The news you heard before these men came in Mother said he the truth I 'll you now We went to Pyle and Nestor we have seen And lovingly we entertained were For as a Father entertains his Son Come home from far so were we treated there And welcome to his Children every one But that Ulysses was alive or dead He met with no man that could tell him true But us to go to Sparta counselled And said If any Menelaus knew And us with Coach and Horses did provide Where we saw Helen bane of Greece and Troy He also sent his Son with us for Guide And thither come receiv'd we were with joy Atrides of my coming askt the reason I told him all the truth He answer'd then Oh ho into the strong mans house by Treason Are entred many weak and heartless men As when a Stag and Hind entring the den Of th' absent Lion lulls his whelps with tales Of Hills and Dales the Lion comes agen And tears them into pieces with his nails So shall Ulysses all these rascals slay Oh that the Gods Apollo Pallas Jove Amongst the Suiters bring him would one day Such as when with Phâ—lomelide he strove And threw him flat and made the Argives glad If such Ulysses once amongst them were Short would their lives be and their wedding bad But of the matter whereof you enquire On my own knowledge I can nothing say Noâ— will with rash conjectures you beguile I told was with Calypso he doth stay By Proteus an old Sea-God in an Isse And would come home but wants both ship men To pass him o're the broad back of the Main This said we took our leaves a fair gale then Quickly convei'd us o're the liquid plain After Telemachus had spoken thus Penelope her heart was ill at ease And then spake to her Theoclymenus Wife of Ulysses Laertiades This man said he knows not hear me For I Joves mind foresee Jove first and then the Ghost That takes the care of this blest family And dwelling in it doth maintain the rost You know Ulysses is now in this Isle Sitting or creeping and observes these Wooers What evil deeds they do And he the while The Destiny contriveth of the doers I saw the same at Sea by Augâ—ry And said unto Telemachus no less Oh that the Gods would make it true said she I 'd so reward you that men should you bless While they together thus within discourse The Suiters were gone out to throw the Stone And Darts upon the Green before the doors As they at other times before had done Now Supper-time drew near Sheep home were brought From ev'ry field Then Medon to them spake Who â—mongst the Suiters had most favour got Come in says he and care of Supper take For of these Games I see you have your fill In supping early damage there is â—one Agreed they were none thought the motion ill They then into the Hall went every one On Couches and on Chairs their Cloaks they throw Great Sheep fat Goats enough they sacrifice And franked Swine and from the Herd a Cow Mean while Eumaeus to the City hies Ulysses with him to whom thus he said Come Father let us to the City go Since 't is my Masters will You should have stai'd If my advice you would have hearken'd to But the Commands of Masters are severe The time o' th' day already is much spent And though it will be late e're we be there I fear eâ—…e it be night you will repent And then Ulysses to Eumaeus said I hear I understand I pray go on Only of rugged way I am afraid Give me a good strong staff to lean upon Then on his shoulder he his Scrip did throw Given he had a great Staff to his mind And they two to the Town together go Leaving the Swineherds and the dogs behind Ulysses like a Beggar old and lame And all his Rayment ragged was and wretched But when they near unto the fountain came From which the Citizens their water fetched The fountain sweetly streaming and well made B'Ithacus Neritus Polector Kings That sheth from a high and chilling shade Where in a Poplar Grove arise the Springâ— And there an Altar is and on the same The Passengers to th'Nymphs pay offerings When we were there Melanthus to us came And Goats the fattest of his Herds he brings Whither now goest thou with this Beggar here This trouble-feast who begging scraps and snuâ—â—â— Not Swords and Kettles many blows shall bear Of flying foot-stools and get many cuffs Would thou wouldst give him me my Lodge to keep And lead my Goats afield with a green bough And live on Whey and my Goat-houses sweep And his great knee unto such service bow But hang him he has such a custome got Of Idleness with begging of his food That labour for his living he will not But this I tell you and 't will be made good When he within Ulysses house appears Many a footstool in the Hall will fly From out the Suiters hands about his ears This said he pass'd and kick'd him going by Ulysses still stood firm upon the path Thinking to strike him with his great Staff dead Or otherwise to
kill him in his wrath But in the end his wrath he conquered Eumaeus then held up his hands and pray'd Nymphs of these Fountains Daughters of Greaâ— Jove If the fat Gifts here by Ulysses laid Upon your Altars were receiv'd with love Grant that he may come safely home again By some good Spirit to his house convai'd Then to Melanthius said he all in vain Will be your triumph and your pride allai'd Wherewith you to the Suiters daily go And Knaves remain the Cattle to abate Then said Melanthius again O ho How boldly does this Dog this Raskal prate Whom one day I shall from hence ship away And make of him somewhere abroad good gain Would th' Wooers or Phoebus but as surely slay The Son as 't is t' expect his Father vain When this was said away he went apace And coming to the Suiters in the Hall Against Eurymachus he took his place Whom best he loved of the Suiters all And there the waiters set before him meat The Women of the Pantry brought him bread Ulysses and Eumaeus were not yet Arriv'd but near for close they followed And of the Fiddle they could hear the din. Ulysses said unto Eumaeus then 'T is a fine House Ulysses dwelled in And eas'ly known from those of other men The Court with Wall and Hedge is fenced strong Having strong Gates with two Locks great fast Some Feast here is I hear the sound of Song And Fiddle which with Feast the Gods have plac't Then answered Eumaeus 'T is well guest And other things you mark as well as this But let us now consider what is best In that which at this time our bus'ness is Go you in first and put your self among The Suiters or if you think better so I 'll first go in but do not you stay long Lest you of one another take a blow I hear I understand Go you in first The Seas and Wars have taught me patience Of all my suffrings this is not the worst Of blows and throws I have experience And may the Suiters henceforth have the same The Belly forceth Mortals to much Woe But there is no force can the Belly tame It sets the good Ship on the Sea to go Which t'one another evil fortune bears While they discoursed thus before the door Ulysses Dog held up his head and ears Argus by name that had been long before Well lookt to ere Ulysses went to Tâ—oy They with him cours'd the wild Goat Deer and Hare But all the while his Master was away The Servants of his keeping took no care But on the Dung before the Dooâ— hâ— lay Which there was heap'd to mâ—…ure Fields â—…as From many Mules and Cattle falâ— away There lay the old Dog Argus full of Fleâ—s And as Ulâ—sses near was â—ouch'd his ears And â—auned with his tail but could not rise And which Eumaeus did not see the tears Ready to fall were from Ulysses eyes And then Uâ—…s to Eumaeus said This is a very well-shap'd Dog I see 'T is strange â—o 〈◊〉 â—im on a Duâ—ghâ—l said I know not whether also swiâ—t he â—e Or for his beauty only was he â—ed As Lords make much of Dogs for being fine And at their Tables see them cherished Then answered the Master of the Swine The Master of him is of life bereâ—t If now he were the same for shape and deed He then was when Ulysses here him left You 'ld quickly see he had both strength speed There was no Bâ—ast he once saw in the Wood That could escape him For not only swift But also at a Sent was very good But now himself scarce able is to lift For why his Master being dead and gone He was not left unto the Womans care And when the Master is not looking on Men-servants of their duty careless are For half the vertue taken is away Of whosoever is to service ti'd This said into the house he went his way And Argus having seen his Master di'd Telemachus the first that saw him enter Unto â—â—mâ—odded to come to his Seat A Chopping-board was near him by adventure He took up that whereon to eat his meat And near Telemachus he plac'd the same A Waiter sets before him flesh and bread And after him Ulysses also came Like an old Beggar torn and tattered And said 〈◊〉 Eumaeus Give the Beggar this And bid him go and try the charity Of all the rest and tell him hurtful 't is For Beggars to have too much modesty â—…us then streight went unto the Guest And said Telemaâ—bus doth give you this And bids you try your fortune with the rest For modesty to Beggars hurtful is And then Ulysses to Eumaeus says God bless Telemachus and make him great And always grant him that for which he prays And then with both his hands receiv'd his mean And as the Fiddle with the Feast gives o're Ulysses when he eaten had his meat Sate quiet on the Sill and said no more But still amongst the Woo'â—s the noise was great Then Pallas comes and stands Ulysses by And bids him try the Suiters as they sat Which of them had which wanted charity Though they the same men would be for all that Then rising up before the first he stands And to the right hand onward still he goes To every one and holds up both his hands Like one that well the Art of begging knows They gave him meat and wondred at the man And one another askt Who is 't and whence And then Melanthius to speak began I saw him said he butâ— little since Brought hither by the Master of the Swine But who he is his kinred and his place It is not in my power to divine This said Antinous in choâ—er was O Noble Master of the Swine said he What made you here to introduce this Guest Think you that yet too few the Beggars be That you must needs invite this trouble-feast Your Lords estate the sooner to eat up Good as you are says he you say not right No man a Stranger e're call'd in to Sup And him on no acquaintance did invite Unless he were a man that most men need Prophet Physitian or Armourer Or Fidler at a Feast for when men feed A Song doth add delight unto the chear These use to be invited ev'ry where Who ever call'd a Beggar in to eat But to the Servants you still cruel were And of them all you me the worst did treat But I care little whilst Penelope Alive is and Telemachus her Son Telemachus then had him silent â—e Eumâ—us said he let him now alone He loves to quarrel and set others on Then to Antinous he turn'd and spake Is this as from a Father to his Son To bid me make my Guest my house forsake I 'll never do 't Give him what Alms you will Nor shall my Mother nor I nor a man Nor woman that here dwelleth take it ill But eat than give it seems you better can Then said Antinous These words are
upon his knee Autolycus you are to give she said The Name How shall it named be Then said Autolycus Since I of many Both men and women have incur'd the blame A fitter name I cannot think on any Therefore I say Ulysses be his name And when he 's grown a man send him to me To Mount Parnassus whither if he come He shall of what I have partaker be And from me go not ill contented home And this the cause was that he thither went Autolycus and 's Sons there take Ulysses By th' hand expressing very great content Antithea his Grannam his head kisses And both his eyes Autolycus appoints His Sons to have the Supper very good A Bullock sat they kill flay cut in joynts Roast and in Mesies distribute the â—ood And so they feasted till the day was done And when 't was dark parted and went to sleep But when Aurora had proclaim'd the Sun Which ready was above the Hill to peep Then to Parnassus up the Hunters go The Hounds before went searching out the sent Autolycus his sons were there also Ulysses with them next the Dogs he went And in his hand shook a longshaded Spear The Dogs drew tow'rd a wood So close it was That neither rain nor wind e're entred there Nor yet the beams o' th' Sun could through it pass And heaps of wither'd leaves there lay therein Within this thâ—cket lay a mighty Bâ—re Only the noise of Hounds and men came in When they were very near and not before The Bore rusht cut and fire was in his eye â—…led his neck Ulysses ready was The Bore first wounded had Ulysses thigh The Spear did through the Boars right shoulder pass Slain was the Bore And of Ulysses wound His Unkles toâ—k the care and skilfully They caus'd it to be closed up and bound And wiâ—h a Charm the blood stopt presently His wound soon cured very glad they were And him with many Gifts send glad away At home they ask and he relateth there The Story of the hunting of that day Euryclea on the wound had said her hand And well assured was 't was none but he Which made the water in her eyes to stand And now her joy and grief one passion be Her Speech stuck in her Throat her hand le ts fall Her Masters soot That down the Kettle threw The water runneth out about the Hall And knowing now what she but thought was true You are Ulysses said she O my dear And tow'rd Penelope she lookt aside As if she meant to say Your Husband 's here But Pallas that did mean the truth to hide Still made the Queen to look another way And he with one hand stopt the Nurses breath With th' other held her fast to make her stay Why Nurse said he mean you to be my death Since at your brest I nourished have been And none but you knows me in this disguise These twenty years I here was never seen Let none else know it in the house Be wise For this I tell you and will make it true That of the women some I mean to slay VVhen by my hand the Gods the Woo'rs subdue If you bewray me you shall fare as they Then said Euryclea VVhat needeth this You know my heart can hold like stone or brass And who is honest who dishonest is I 'll tell you if your purpose come to pass No Nurse then said Ulysses tell not me You need not I shall know them ev'ry one Permit all to the Gods and silent be For they best know what best is to be done Then out she went more water to fetch in The first being spilt He washt and 'nointed was And covered the place where th'wound had been And nearer to the fire his Chair he draws Then to them came Penelope and said Stranger I 'll ask you but a little more 'T is almost bed-time and when we are laid Our grief in gentle sleep is passed o're But all the day my tears are my delight Or of my womens work the care I take And after I am gone to bed at night A thousand dismal thoughts keep me awake As Philomela sitting in a tree Mourns with a lamentable voice and shrill For Itylus and turneth restlesly Whom Zethus Son did by misfortune kill Just so my mind divided is in twain Whether to keep my Servants with my Son And my dear Husbands bed and here remain Or marry one o' th' Suiters and be gone To marry and be gone I could not yet My Son too young was yet to rule th' estate And now grown up it makes him vex and fret To see them daily feast within his Gate I 'll tell you now a dream expound it you I 've twenty Geese feeding i' th' yard without A mighty Eagle from the Hills down flew And brake their necks dead they lay all about The Eagle straightway mounted out of sight I dreaming wept To see them at the trough Feeding on steeped wheat I took delight And to bemoan me Ladies came enough And then methought the Eagle came again And on a Beam which through the wall did start He sat and said in humane Language plain Child of Icarius trouble not your heart The thing you see is real not a dream The Geese the Wooers I the Eagle was And now return'd and sitting on the Beam I am your Husband and will bring to pass The death of all your Suiters Then wak'd I And went into the Court my Geese to see And found them all there feeding heartily Unhurt and well as they were wont to be Woman then said Ulysses no man can Expound this Dream but as himself has done That says and does Ulysses is the man The Suiters will be killed every one Then said Penelope Dreams are without Such order as to make a Judgment by And at two Gates men say they issue out The one of Horn th' other of Ivory Thâ—se that pass through the Horn to men of skill Never say any thing but what is sooth But find a word of truth you never will In those that come through th' Elephantine tooth But I much fear that my Dream came this way For I have promised to quit this place And come already is th' unlucky day That must determine who shall gain my grace Twelve Axes here Ulysses set a row Like twelve Boats laid along upon their sides And at a distance standing with his Bowe Through ev'ry one of them his arrow glides And this shall to my Suiters be the Prize He that most easily shall bend the Bowe And through the Axes all his Arrow flies Leaving this blessed house with him I 'll go Then said Ulysses Let the Suiters try If they can bend the Bowe and thorow shoot Through th'Axes if they can for sure am I Ulysses will be here before they do 't Stranger said she whilst you discourse my eyes To sleep will never be enclin'd But since The force of Nature on all Mortals lies I up into my Chamber will go
there O said Ulysses that the Gods would give These men what to their insolence is due Who in a house not theirs so lewdly live As if no modesty at all they knew Then came Melanthus from a place hard by He had the charge o' th' Goats brought the best And spake unto Ulysses spightfully Art thou here still to beg and to molest The Company D' ye mean before you go To taste my fingers Is there no good chear In other places 'mongst the Greeks and so You mean to dwell continually here Then came a third that charge had of the Kine Philoetius by name with him he brought A Heiser and more Gâ—ats on which to dine Over the water in the Ferry-boat Philoetius askt Eumaeus in his 〈◊〉 Who 's this that 's â—â—w come â—â—ther from whence What Countryman and what his Parents were For for his person he may be a Prince God can make Princes go from Land to Land And beg when he will give them misery This said he took Ulysses by the hand And spake unto him kind and lovingly Father I wish you as much happiness As ever you enjoy'd before But now I see you are in very great distress O Jove What God so cruel is as thou Though born thou wert yet pitiest not to see The torments of mankind To think upon Ulysses makes me weep It may be he Thus begs somewhere with such apparel on Or else he 's dead O then I am undone He set me o're his Herds when but a Boy But infinite they 're grown since he is gone Or man would quickly all Cow kind destroy But mine the Suiters force me to bring in For them to eat and ne're regard his Son The Goods to share already they begin Of th' owner that so long now has been gone And I devising was what I should do To take my Caâ—tle with me and be gone And one or other Prince to give them to But that I thought would be unjustly done For they Telemachus his Cattle were Again I thought it labour very sour To stay and keep my Masters Cattle here For others in his absence to devour So here abide I and my self I flatter With hope to see Ulysses one day come Back to his house and the proud Suiters scatter Thus laid the Maâ—â—er of the Kine To whom Ulyssâ—s said Honest you seem and wise I therefore will a secret to you swear By 〈◊〉 on high you shall see with your eyes Ulysses 〈◊〉 you wish to see him here And all these domineering Suiters slay Then O said he that Jove would have it so For I should let you see in such a fray Quickly how much these hands of mine can do Eumaeus also did like Prayer make To see Ulysses there So ended they While they discours'd the Suiters counsel take How they might make Telemachus away Then o're their heads an Eagle flew on high Sinister with a fearful Dove in 's foot Then said Amphinomus Let 's lay this by And think of Supper for we cannot do 't The Suiters all approv'd of what he said And in they went and there on Bench and Seâ— Within Ulysses house their Coats they laid And set themselves to kill and dress their meat Then from the Herd they sacrific'd a Cow And many well-grown sheep and goats well fed And many a very fat and pamper'd Sow Th' entrails they rosted and distributed Eumaeus gave out Cups Philoetius bread Melanthus from the Temp'rer fill'd out wine The Suiters on the meat before them fed With Stomachs good and drank the blood o' th' Vine Telemachus Ulysses in the Hall Hard by the threshold sets and there he sat On an ill-favour'd stool at Table small And gave him his just share of th' entrails fat And for him fill'd a great gold Cup with wine Sit here said he and fare like other men Fear neither blows nor scoffs The house is mine Ulysses is the owner of it When He first possessed it he gave it me And you my Mothers Suiters mock no more But keep the peace as long as here you be For else perhaps arise may trouble sore At first the Suiters knew not how to take Telemachus his words and silent were Admiring that such threatning words he spake So many men provoking without fear But by and by Antinous said thus Since Jove appeared has in his defence Let 's put these threats up of Telemachus Else we should quickly spoil his eloquence So said Antinous But Telemachus Car'd not at all for any thing he said When peace within doors was concluded thus In other Rites o' th' Feast they were imploy'd The Hecatomb they bear throughout the Town Into Apollo's shady Grove divine The upper-joynts in Messes they divide So fill'd their Tables and sat down to dine The portion of Ulysses was no less Than other Suiters had nor more For why Telemachus had order'd every Mess Should equal be and men serv'd equally Amongst the Suiters was a very Knave Ctesippus was his name a rich mans Son And therefore hopâ—d Penelope to have This man to th'Wooers made a motion Hear me you Suiters of Penelâ—pe This Stranger here is equal made to us And therefore reason 't is that also we Should love the Strangers of Tâ—lemachus Lo here 's a Gift I 'll give him that he may Bestow it is 't please him on him or her That empts the Chamber pots or giv 't away To any of Ulysses Bond-men here With that he hurled at Ulysses head A Cows-foot but he turn'd his head the while And from the stroke himself delivered Then smil'd Ulysses a Sardanique smile Telemachus his anger could not hide 'T is well said he you did not hurt him here For else believe it you had surely di'd O' th place run through the body with my Spear And never found a wife here but a gâ—ave Therefore give over thâ—s behaviour wild Of good and bad I now some knâ—wledge have And do nor always take me for a Child What 's past I bear the havock of mâ—…attle My Corn and Wine consumed lavishly T is hard for one with many t' enter battle Use me no longer as an Enemy For fighting to be stain I 'd rather chuse Than see my Guests or Servants harshly us'd My women as they pass about the house To be so basely tug'd touz'd and abus'd This said a while the Suiters silent were But not long after Agelaus spake Let 's not said he against a truth so clear Struggle and what is said in ill part take Nor harshly use the Stranger any more Nor any Servant of Telemachus But yet I have a silly word in store For him and for his Mother and for us Whilst there was hope Ulysses might come home The Suiters had done best at home to stay Expecting him and not have hither come But since there 's none to 's Mother he should say Take one of them for Husband which you please And most shall give you So shall he enjoy His Fathers
means and eat and drink at ease And she with her new Husband go her way To this Telemachus replying says By Jove and by my Fathers misery Who now is lost and dead or somewhere strays Far off from Ithaca it is not I That do my Mother keep from marrying Whom she thinks good I do advise her still To take the man that shall most Treasure bring But I 'll not make her do 't against her will So ended he Then on the Suiters faces Pallas sets up a laughter not their own Nor to be stopt their Senses she displaces Their meat was bloody their hearts were down What is 't poor men said Theoclymenus Your heads and faces are wrapt up in night You weep and groan the Walls Beams of th' house To me seem bloody and left there is no light The Hall and Porch methinks are full of Sprights Ready to go to Hell the Sun has lost His place in Heaven nor are there any lights And dismal darkness hath the House â—ngrost At this they laught Then said Eurymachuâ— This Stranger is not very well let him By those that wait be guided from the House To th'Market-place For all within is dim I am said Theoclymenus not blind I can go to the Market-place alone I have both eyes and ears and feet and mind With these I can go hence Guide need I none And go I will For evil is hard by Which none of you the Suiters shall escape That have so much abus'd the Family This said he parts and left the Woo'rs to gape On one another and with insipid jests To vex Telemachus and themselves please And all upon Telemachuâ— his Guests The words that one of them then said were these Telemachus of all men you 're least able To make an entertainment or a Feast For first you for this Beggar set a Table Who eats and drinks as stoutly as the best But can no work do nor has any force A very burthen to the earth And this A Prophet would be and loves to discourse Of Ill to come My counsel therefore is That you would put these Strangers both aboard Some ship and send them into Sicily They that way may some profit you afford Thus said the Woo'rs but little cared he But silently the signe expecting stood His Father should have giv'n of falling on Penelope mean while sat where she could Hear plainly what was said by ev'ry one And now the Suiters merry Supper made And laughing sat and fed on much good cheat But After-Supper worse none ever had For of the wrong themselves beginners were LIB XXI PEnelope the Suiters strength to try Who soon'st could bend her Noble Husbands Bowe And through the Axes make his Arrow fly And whom she was to marry now to know To a high Chamber up the stairs she went Wherein Ulysses precious goods did stand There hung upon a Pin the Bowe unbent The well made Kev she carri'd in her hand This Bowe was gâ—ven hâ—m by Iphitus At Sparta But Uâ—ysses with him met First at Messena For it fell out thus Ulysses then was there about a debt Messena men thei ships had put ashore At Ithaâ—a and thence had ta'ne a Prey Of slâ—eep whâ—â—n was in number fifteen score And with the Shepherds carri'd them away Thâ— was the â—au Ulysses thither went 'T was a long way and he scarce past a Boy But by his Father and the Lords was sent Task â—eparaâ—â—â—â— for this aâ—â—y But Ipâ—â—tus twelve Mares had lost Each one A young Mule had that fâ—llow'd he behind Which of his â—eatâ— were the occasâ—on And at Messena these he thought to find But as he was reâ—… back agaâ—n And came into the house of Heâ—â—ules That 〈◊〉 first dâ—d him eâ—tertâ—â—n And after killing â—im his Maâ—es 〈◊〉 sâ—ize Thâ—â— was the man that to Ulyssâ—s gave The Bowe And from him had a Sword and Spear But Hercules had sent him to his Grave â—re they had tasted one anothers chear This Bowe he carried not to Ilium Noâ— ever had made use of it in sray But often had it 〈◊〉 his hand at home For only as a Monument it lay Penelope now standing at the door Quickly the Bolt strook baâ—k with her great Key The Valves fly open suddenly and roar As when a great Bull roars â—o râ—ared they Peneloâ—e went in and up she stept Upon a board whereon were standing Chests In which 'mongst odours swâ—eâ— the clothes were kept The costly Gaâ—ments Robes and Coats and Vests Thence to the Bowe she reachâ— and from the Pin She took it as it hung there in the Case And sitting down her lap she laid it in Aloud she wept and tears ran down apace And when she long enough had weeping been The Bowe she did unto the Suiteâ—s bear And Quiâ—er with it full of Arrows keen The Axes by her women carri'd were Then with her Sâ—arf she shaded both her cheeks Having a Waiting-woman on each hand Unto her Gallant Suiters thus she speaks Hear me you lusty Suiters that here stand Using this House not yours continually To eat and drink in at anothers cost And for it do pretend no reason why But as contenders who shall love me most Lo here to him I make my self a prize Who this good Bowe with greatest ease shall bend And whose aim'd Arrow through these Axes flies With him from this most blessed house I 'll wend. This said Eâ—mâ—â—us th'Axes and the Bowe By her command unto the Suiters bears And as he went his eyes for grief o'reflow Nor could Philoetius abstain from tears For which Antinous gave them this reproof You foolish Clowns what ails you to shed tears Has she not for her Husband grief enough That you must add your sorrow unto hers Sit silently eat and drink quietly Or if you needs must weep go weep without Leave the Bowe here the Suiters strength to try And that it may be carried round about Not that I think there 's any man among Us all can bend it as Ulysses could For I remember him though I were young So said he though he thought he bend it should And also shoot through th' Axes every one Though he were only the first to be shot For he the other Suiters had set on And was the first contriver of the Plot. Telemachus then to the Suiters spake Sure Jove said he bereav'd me has of sense My Mother tells me she 'll a Husband take And leaving me depart with him from hence And I here merry am that should be sad But be 't as 't will the Game must now begin For such a wise as ne're Achaia had Nor in Mysen ' or Argos was e're seen Nor Pyle nor Ithaca nor in Epire. But what need I set forth my Mothers praise You know 't your selves Therefore I you desire To put off all excuses and delays And I my self will be the first to try This mighty Bowe whether I can or no And through the Axes make the Arrow fly 'T will grieve
estate With you my women you compell'd to lie And would have wedded whilst I liv'd my Mate No â—ear you had neither of Gods on high Nor of revenge from any mortal man But now a vengeance to you all is nigh At this they frighted were and looked wan And each one peept about what way to take To save his own life if he could by flight None but Eurymachus 〈◊〉 ' Ulysses spake If you Ulysses be you say but right Much harm is done you both in house and field But this Antinous Author was of 't all He set us on and here lies justly kill'd For wedding of your wife his care was small His care was how to make himself here King Which Jove not suffer'd him to bring to pass And to destruction how your Son to bring He chiefly thinking and designing was And since that he deservedly is stain Spare your own people we 'll repair what 's done And what is spent we will make up again And recompence with twenty Cows each one And Brass and Gold till you be satisfi'd If not there 's no man can your anger blame To this Ulysses with a â—our look repli'd Your whole estates and added to the same How much soever you can elsewhere get Too little is to bind me to desist Until the Suiters shall have paid their debt Two ways before you lie take which you list To fight or flie if you will death avoid But fly I think you cannot So said he Eurymachus then to the Suiters said The man will not lay down his Bowe you see But since 't is in his hand and Arrows by And stands upon the threshold of the door His shafts will fly at us continually And till we all be slain will not give o're Let 's therefore take up Tables for defence Against his shafts and Sword in hand run all Unto the door at once and drive him thence And people of the Town together call This said his Sword with double edge he drew And thunder'd him with words But howsoever A deadly shaft first from Ulysses â—lew That enter'd at his brest and stuck in 's liver Down fell his Sword he turns himself quite round And throws his blood about him every way â—icks down the Table meat and Cup to th'ground And with his brow beating the floor he lay And sprawling made the Seat shake with his feet And endless darkness lay upon his eye Then rose Amphinomus and death did meet He thought from thence to make Ulysses fly But by Telemachus prevented was That slew him with his Spear upon the place From back to brest the well-thrown Spear did pass Down with a thump he falls upon his face Telemachus i' th' body left the Spear For why he had good reason to mistrust Amongst so many Swords if he staid there He might be killed by some blow or thrust Then to his Father as he by him stood To fetch down Arms said he 'T will do no harm Two Spears a Buckler and a Helmet good And both Philoetius and Eumaeus arm Run quickly said Ulysses while there be Arrows remaining leâ—t they force me shou'd To quit the door Then quickly up ran he Unto the room wherein the Armour stood Eight Spears four Bucklers and four Helmets good He took and to his Father came again And first he arm'd himself and ready stood The two good Servants themselves armed then Ulysses Arrows till they all were gone Kill'd each his man and one by one they fall But when they all were spent and left was none He sets his Bowe to lean against the wall Over his shoulder he his Buckleâ— cast And puts his well-made Helmet on his head The two Spears with his hand he griped fast And then his posture he considered There was i' th' wall a certain window high By th' Sâ—lâ— whereof a way lay to the Street To which he â—ad Eumaeus have an eye And near it stand But one way was to it Then Agelaus to the Suiters said Why does not some man to that window hast And to the people cry aloud for aid That so this Shooter may have shot his last Then said Meldntheus No no t is in vain The street-door and the Court-gate stand so close That one good man the place may well maintain Against how many s'ever them oppose But well I 'll fetch you Armour â—o put on And weapâ—…s I will bring you out of hand For where they by Ulysses aâ—d his Son Were laid I know the room and where they stand Then up he went Twâ—…ve Bucklâ—rs he brings thence As many Speâ—â—s as many Helmets too The Suâ—â—ers then prepar'd for â—heir defence And now Ulyssâ—s knew not what to do But to â—elemaâ—hus he turn'd and said Th'â—ll women sure oâ— else Melanthâ—us has For th'Wooers gotten Arms and us betrai'd No Father answer'd he my fault it was The door I left uâ—…kt and but put to Which some body observ'd Eumâ—…us now Go lock â—t fast Wâ—thal consider who The women or Melanthâ—â—s serv'd us so Whâ—… thus they talk Melantheus went once more To fetch down Arm◠〈◊〉 saw him then And told Ulysses â—im we thought before To be the man is 〈◊〉 go 〈◊〉 aâ—en Shall I go now and kill him if so be I can or bring him hither to you to endure What you think fit for all his villany Then said Uâ—ysses We two will be sure Telemachus and I to keep these men From going out and therefore go you two And bind his hands and feet together Then Betwixt his body and his legs put through A Rope and at his back tie boards And so Close to a Pillar hoise him up on high Unto the beams of th' house that he may know His fault and feel his pain before he die Then up they went and stood without the door On each side one Melantheus was within At the far end looking for Armour more And after there he long enough had been Out with a Helmet in one hand he came A Buckler in the other great but torn Laâ—rtes in his youth had born the same But now with lying it was mouldy worn As he came out they seiz'd him suddenly And in again they drag'd him by the hair And then his hands unto his feet they tie And up they hoise him as they bidden were This done Eumaeus said unto him jeering In that soft bed Melantheus easily You will observe the Mornings first appearing That for the Woo'rs your Goats may ready be Then armed both and locking up the Door And breathing courage to Ulysses come So that upon the threshold there were four But many were the Suiters in the room Then down unto Ulysses Pallas came In Mentor's shape to whom Ulysses said You are my friend and our age is the same For old acquaintance let me have your aid Though thus he said he thought it Pallas still The Suiters clamor'd Agelaus spake Mentor beware the course you take is ill Against us all Ulysses part to take For 't
is our purpose when these two are slain Father and Son that you the next shall be And of your rashness suffer shall the pain And with his Substance your own mix will we Nor shall your Sons Daughters or Wife live here Pallas was angry at these words of his And chid Ulysses then and askt him where His Courage was And what said she is this The man that bravely sought nine years at Troy And kill'd in fight so many gallant men And he whose prudence did the Town destroy And whines so at his coming home again Come hither Milk-sop says she stand by me And how your old friend Mentor shall require The kindness you have shewn him you shall see Yet presently she would not end the fight For further yet she would the courage try Both of Ulysses and Telemachus And in a Swallows shape she up did fly And sat upon a black Beam of the House Mean while the Suiters by Agâ—laus Amphimedon and Demoptâ—lemus Eurynomus Pisandrus Polybus The best of all the Suiters in the House For many had been killed with the Bowe Encourag'd were Friends said he let 's be bold And at them all our good Spears let us throw So shall we make the man his hands to hold Mentor with theirs his fortune will not mix He and those hopes are gone Upon the Sill There are but four Let 's throw at once but six That if Jove please we may Ulysses kill When he is gone the rest we need not fear The Suiters all approved this advise And then they lanced ev'ry man his Spear But Pallas made it fall out otherwise For from the Beam she soon blew here and there The flying staves whereof one hit the door The two side posts and the walls wounded were When of the Spears the danger was past o're Then said Ulysses Now our turn it is To cast our Spears at this unruly rout That not content with former injuries Do what they can to take our lives to boot This said and taking aim their Spears they threw Ulysses killed Demoptolemus Telemachus Euryades then slew Eumaeus with his Spear kill'd Elatuâ— Pisandrus by Philoetius was slain The Suiters then to the rooms end retreat And to the four gave time to take again The Spears that in the wounds were sticking yet Again they lanced ev'ry man his Spear The Swallow on the Beam still puts them by And by the door walls posts receiv'd they were Telemachus and Eumaeus only Had little scratches one upon the Wrist Eumaeus on the shoulder But the skin Scarce broken was And both the other mist. And then the four amongst the throng threw in Their Spears again And then Ulysses slew Eury amâ—â— And by Telemachus Was slaâ—n Amphiâ—edon Eumâ—us threw And killed Polybus Phâ—â—oetius Then smot Ctesippus and through pierc'd his brest And over him insulting thus he said Bold Prater that in love art with thy jest And to say any thing art not afraid For the Cows foot t' 〈◊〉 thrown take that Ulysses kill'd too Damastoâ—ides Telemachus Leâ—ocratâ—s laid flat With Spear in hand When they had killed these Pallas aloft held forth her frightful shield And then as Cattle stung with a gad-fly In heat of Summer run about the field So round about the Hall the Suiters flie As when the Vultures stoop down from the Hill Upon the Fowl these couch close to the plain Threatned with heavy Clouds they slay and kill These cannot fly away nor turn again So they upon the Suiters fiercely fall And winding with them as they shift their ground They killing went All gore-blood was the Hall And made with thumps and groans a dismal sound Leiodes then kneel'd at Ulysses feet To beg his life I came said he as Priest And told them their behaviour was unmeet And always gave them counsel to desist But nothing that I said would they obey And of their own destruction Authors are There 's not a woman in the house can say I did amiss Must I like these men fare To this Ulysses with a sour look said Did you come with the Suiters as their Priest Then surely for them you have also prai'd That of my coming home I should have mist That with these men you daily might here board Your self your wife and children Therefore die With that he took up Agelaus Sword Which when he di'd fell from him and lay by And with it at a stroke cut off his his head But Phemius the Minstrel scaped free For thither he came not for meat or bread The Suiters forc'd him of necessity He had his Fiddle in his hand and stood Within the door and studi'd what to do Whether unto Ulysses go he shou'd Or out a door unto the Altar go â—'th ' Court whereon with many a sat beast Ulysses oft devoutly had serv'd Jove And having paus'd at â—ast he thought it best To go t'Ulysses and his merâ—y prove Then down he laid his Fiddle on the floor Between the Temp'rer and a studded Chair Then went and sell upon his knees before Ulysses and thus to him made his prayer Save me â—lysses and consider that If you me sâ—â—y â—t after you will grieve I am a Singer but was never taught For Song to me â—he Gods did freely give I sing to Gods and men and have the skill To sing to you as to a God Therefore Of cutting off my head layâ—…y the will Besâ—…es 〈◊〉 can tell you more I was not 〈◊〉 her drawn with smell of roast But many men and strong brought me by foâ—ce Telemachus that knew this was no boast Cri'd out Hold Father ' tâ—s not our best course To slay the innocent and I wâ—uld â—ain Save Meâ—on too that lov'd me from a Boy And took care â—f â—e if he be not slain By coming in your or your Servants way Under a Seat 〈◊〉 himself had laid And wrapt himâ—elâ— up in a raw Cow-hide And hearing what Tâ—…achus had said Skipt nimbly ouâ— â—â—s Câ—w skin cast aside And falling at Telemâ—… his 〈◊〉 He to him said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here I stand Foâ—â—ear I pray 〈◊〉 to you Fathâ—â— be A means that also he may hold his hand For whilst his anger 'gainst the Suiters staid That wasted have his goods and him despis'd Killing each way about him I 'm afraid He might perhaps kill me too unadvis'd Ulysses hearing answer'd thus agen Take courage man There is no danger nigh And this remember and tell other men That Justice better thrives than Knavery Go now into the Court and stay without Both you and Phemius that I may do The bus'ness in the house I am about Then out into the Court away they go And on the Altar of the God they sat Looking about still searing to be slain Ulysses to be sure that none remain Alive and under Seats or Tables squat Searcht well the Hall and found they all were dead As fishes on the shore lie out and by The heat of Phaethon be murdered So did the Woo'rs one on another lie
what they did amiss There never man came to them that can boast He parted from them without injuries So by their wickedness their lives they lost Ulysses may have perisht for all this Euryclea to this again repli'd Dear Child what words are these that from you come Ulysses â—â—ards â—th ' Hall at the fires side And yet you say he never will come home But well I 'll tell you now a surer signe When I was washing of his legs and feet I saw where th'wound was giv'n him by the Swine And had then told you had he thought it meet But with his hand for that cause stopt my breath Come I will lay my life on 't willingly If it be false put me to cruel death To this Penelope did then reply The purpose of the Gods wise though you be You know not Nurse But I 'll go to my Son And there upon the place with him I 'll see What men are slain and who the deed has done Then down she went consulting in her brest Whether at distance it were best to try Or else directly go unto the Guest And there receive and kiss him presently But when into the Hall she entred was Where sitting was Ulysses in the light Of a good fire she went and took a place That was to where he sat just opposite Ulysses lookt o' th' ground expecting what His wife would say but long time she spake not But gazing on her husband mute she sat As one that 's in a trance and has no thought But by and by surveying him she thought 'T was he But seeing him so ill arraid Her mind was chang'd She thought that he 't was not Telemachus his Mother chid and said Mother hard-hearted Mother and unkind Why sit you at such distance from my Father And have so little care to know his mind When many Questions you should ask him rather Another woman would not keep off so From her own Husband that away had staid Twenty years long and suffer'd so much woe But at their meeting somewhat would have said Son said she then I am astonisht so I cannot speak nor look him in the face But whether he Ulysses be or no I shall be certain in a little space For we have signes between us of our own Which we shall soon know 〈◊〉 mother by That to none living but our selves are known Ulysses to his Son then smilingly Said Let Telemachus your Mother try me Perhaps she know me better will anon The cause why now so little she sets by me Is that I have ill-favour'd Garments on But now-let you and I look well about Who kills one man unless great friends he have Must leave his Kin and Country and go out But we have kill'd both many men and brave Therefore consider what is to be done Father said he let that be your own eare So wise as you are men say there is none Our hands to do your pleasure ready are Why then I 'll tell you what is best to do Put on your Coats and let the women all Into the Hall in their best Garments go The Minstrel play and they to dancing sall That he that stands without or dwelleth nigh Unto the house or travelleth that way When he shall hear such mirth and melody May think This surely is the Wedding-day That so before this slaughter Fame have spread Depart we may from hence into the field And 'gainst the people of the Town make head And take such counsel more as Jove shall yield When this was said the men their Coats put on The Damsels dress themselves the Minstrel sung And plaid upon his Fiddle and each one To dancing fell with it the Palace rung And one that heard this as he stood without Said to another by him She is Marri'd Fie Fie she could no longer now hold out So said he ignorant how things were carri'd Mean while Ulysses bath'd and oynted is B'Eurynome and also richly clad With a fair Robe and Coat And beside this Taller and greater Pallas made him had And varnished with black his curled head As one by Vulcan and Athena taught Gold-upon Silver skilfully had spread So Pallas on Ulysses beauty wrought Then from the Bath he like a God came in And sat him down before his wife again And with her to discourse did thus begin Woman said he to speak to you is vain Above all women hardned is your heart What woman else that had her Husband seen After twice ten years absence thus apart From him to sit contented would have been Make me a Bed Nurse what should I do here Man said Penelope Nor mightily I magnifie nor scorn you What you were When you went hence full well remember I. But go Nurse make for him the bed that he Himself fram'd by the Chamber-door without Thus said she but to try if that were he Yet griev'd him to the heart and made him doubt Woman said he who has remov'd my bed It cannot be but by a force Divine With my own hands 't was wrought and finished To th' end thereby it might be known for mine I' th' Court an Olive-tree stood great and tall Thick as a Pillar I about it made A Chamber Of good stone I made the wall And cutting off the boughs the roof I laid And in the wall a good strong door I form When this done I cut up by the root And smóoth'd with Iron Tools a lusty Corm And setting it upright fixt the bed to 't And pierc'd the wood with wimbles where 't was meet And laid on Silver Gold and Ivory A purple-thong unto the door I fit This is the signe for you to know me by Whether it still remain I cannot tell Or ta'ne away and down be cut the Tree This said and she the signe remembring well The tears rowl'd from her eyes Thus weeping she Acknowledgeth and runneth to Ulysses About his neck her milk-white arms she layâ— And both his shoulders and his head she kisses And O Ulysses be not angry says The Gods have giv'n you wisdom but deni'd To satisfie our youth with mutual joy Take it not ill I have you thus far tri'd Since horrour hath possest my mind alway Lest some deceitful man for such there be Too many in the world should hither come And â—latt'ring bring me into infamy Helen of Argos would have staid at home And not gone with th' Adulterer of Troy Had she consider'd that th' Achaeaâ— Lords Might chance to come and fetch her thence away Again into her Country with their Swords This speech inflam'd his love and wet his eyes As a man shipwrackt swimming for his life Rejoyceth when the Land he near him spies So welcome was Ulysses to his wife She hung upon him still nor had let go Till Morning but for Pallas who would not Let Phaeton and Lampus th'Horses two That draw the Morn be set to th'Chariot Then said Ulysses to Penelope O Wife my trouble 's ended are not yet For still there
many more remaining be Long time 't will be ere to the end I get Tiresias did tell me this in Hell When I went thither of his Ghost to know Whether I with my Mates should come home well Or not to Ithaca again and how But come 't is bed-time let us satisfie Our selves with sleep Then said Penelope Your bed made ready shall be presently But since you mention'd have the Prophesie Tell me what said Tiresias I know You 'll tell it me one time or other why If you will may you not tell me it now To this Ulysses did again reply Because you long to know 't I tell you then Tiresias adviseâ— me to go With Oar on shoulder to a place where men Inhabit that the briny Sea not know Nor ever mingle salt with what they eat Nor ever saw the ship with crimson face Nor yet those wings which do the Water beat Call'd Oars to make the good ship go apacâ— Now mark me well When you shall meet a man Just at the end of Neptunes utmost bound Bearing upon his shoulder a Corn-fan Stick down your lusty Oar upon the ground There sacrifice to the worlds Admiral For new admittance a Ram Boar and Bull. Then home again and offer unto all The Gods by name a hundred Oxen full Your death will not ungentle be for which Age shall prepare you and your Soul unglew Insâ—nsibly Your People shall be rich Which round about you dwell All this is true Then said Penelope If this be all Since your old age the Gods will happy make The sorrow yet to come can be but small Whilst thus this couple t'one another spake Mean while their bed with cov'rings soft was clad The Maids return'd i'th'Hall before them stand Eurynome a Torch to light them had And carri'd it before them in her hand Then parting left them under Marriage-Law Telemachus and the good Servants two When they had to the Dancers said Hola Unto their Beds within the Palace go Ulysses and Penelope their joy Converted had into a new content She to Ulysses telleth the annoy She suffer'd from her Suiters impudent What havock they had made of Cows and Sheep And many Barrels of her Wine had wasted And he to her what hurt o' th' Land and Deep He done and suffer'd had While his Tale lasted Well pleas'd she was and had no list to sleep He told her how the Cicons he had beaten How Loâ—e from love of home his men did keep How Cyâ—lops his Companions had eaten And in revenge how he had made him blind How to convey him home he did obtain Of Aeolus a leather-bag of wind Which breaking Prison blew him back again And how in 〈◊〉 he lost His good ships all but one in which he was Told her the wâ—â—es of Ciâ—â—â— what the Ghost In Hell said to 〈◊〉 of â—reâ—â—aâ— To whom he went his fortune for to know In a black ship and with his Mother there Discoursed and saw many a one laid low That in the 〈◊〉 Host had been his Peer And how he heard the tempting Sirâ—â—s â—ing 〈◊〉 conâ—ort and â—â—â—p'd safely by and how By 〈…〉 〈◊〉 â—…iting And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he did â—â—â—ely row How to 〈◊〉 he came and how 〈◊〉 â—epâ— him in a Care where 〈◊〉 To be his wife did proâ—â—â—e to bestow Upon him Youth and 〈◊〉 Now to 〈◊〉 he came where he Much honour'd was and thence by Sea did come 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 liberality With 〈◊〉 and Gold and costly Vestâ—res home And at these words sleep seâ—â—ed on his eyes When 〈◊〉 thought 〈◊〉 satisâ—â—d With bed and sleep â—â—e makes the morning rise And day from 〈◊〉 now no longer hide 〈◊〉 rose and speaking to his 〈◊〉 We haâ—e 〈◊〉 â—e both of us had much â—o You for â—y absence weeping out your liâ—e And I because the Gods would â—aâ—e it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we now again â—â—â—ted be Look to the goods withâ—â— My â—olâ— I 'll â—â—ll Partly with booty from the Enemy And many also my Friends give me will Now to my grieved Father I must go And therefore with your Maids go up again â—or ere the Sun be up the Town will know That in my House the Suiters all are slain Do not so much as look out or enquire This said he puts on Arms. To Arm also His Son and his two men he did require Then they got up and there stood armed too Then open'd they the door and forth they went Ulyssâ—s â—ed the way Daylight was spread But Pallas out a Town them safely sent Into the Field and undiscovered LIB XXIV MEan while unto the house came Mercury A Golden Rod he carri'd 〈◊〉 his haâ—â— Wherewith he lays asleep a Mortal eye And opens it again with the same Wand And at the bloody-heap he calls away The Suiters Souls They all about him fly And as the Rod directeth them the way They follow all but screaming fearfully As in some venerable hollow Cave Where Bats that are at roost upon a stone And from the ledge one â—hance a fall to have The rest scream out and hold fast one by one So screaming all the Souls together fly And first pass by Oceanus his Streams Then by Sol's Gate and Rock of Leucady And then they passed through the Town of Dreams And in a trice to th'Mead ofâ— Asphodel And saw the Soul there of Peleiades For there the Souls of wretched Mortals dwell And of Patroclus and Nestâ—rides The Soul of Ajax Son of Telamon Was also there who 'mongst those Warriours tall The goodliest person was except the Son Of Peleus who did much excel them all To these Atrides Soul came from hard by And theirs whose death had joyned been with his And by Aegistus hand were made to die Then to Atrides said Achilles this Atrides we thought you of all the Host That came to fight against the Town of Troy Had been by the High Gods beloved most For in the Army you bore greatest sway Yet afterwards the first you were to fall T 'had better been Commanding t' have been slain Then had you had a noble Funeral And Tomb whereby your glory might remain But now you di'd a miserable death To this Atrides Soul thus answered Happy were you at Troy to lose your breath With other Argives that there perished Fighting about you in your dusty Bed Stretcht out your feats of Horsmanship forgot But fighting we all day continued And till we gain'd your Body ceased not Nor had we ceased then but for the storm And then we bare your Body to the Fleet And there the blemishes thereof reform With water fair and warm and Unguents sweet The Greeks about you wept and cut their hair Your Mother and her Nymphs then come roar'd The Achaean Army was in such a fear That they were ready a'l to run aboard But Nestor whose advice most currant was Cri'd Stay you Argives this is not the noise Of Armed foes but Th t is now doth pass With all her Nymphs of them this