1 Meanwhile the two in the hut, Odysseus and the noble swineherd, had kindled a fire, and were making ready their breakfast at dawn, and had sent out the herdsmen with the droves of swine; but around Telemachus the baying hounds fawned, 5 and did not bark as he drew near. And noble Odysseus noted the fawning of the hounds, and the sound of footsteps fell upon his ears; and at once he spoke to Eumaeus winged words: “Eumaeus, surely some comrade of yours will be coming, or at least someone you know, for the hounds do not bark, 10 but fawn about him, and I hear the sound of footsteps.” Not yet was the word fully uttered, when his own dear son stood in the doorway. In amazement up sprang the swineherd, and from his hands the vessels fell with which he was busy as he mixed the flaming wine. And he went to meet his lord, 15 and kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes and his two hands, and a big tear fell from him. And as a loving father greets his own dear son, who comes in the tenth year from a distant land—his only son and well-beloved, for whose sake he has borne much sorrow— 20 even so did the noble swineherd then clasp in his arms godlike Telemachus, and kiss him all over as one escaped from death; and with wailing he addressed him with winged words: “You have come, Telemachus, sweet light of my eyes. I thought I should never see you again after you had gone in your ship to Pylos. 25 But come, come in, dear child, that I may delight my heart with looking at you here in my house, who are newly come from other lands. For you do not often visit the farm and the herdsmen, but stay in the town; so, I suppose, has it seemed good to your heart, to look upon the destructive throng of the suitors.” 30 Then wise Telemachus answered him: “So shall it be, father. It is for your sake that I have come here, to see you with my eyes, and to hear you tell whether my mother still remains in the halls, or whether by now some other man has wedded her, and the couch of Odysseus 35 lies perhaps in want of bedding, covered with foul spider-webs.” Then the swineherd, a leader of men, answered him: “Yes, truly, she remains with steadfast heart in your halls, and always sorrowfully for her the nights and the days wane as she weeps.” 40 So saying, he took from him the spear of bronze, and Telemachus went in and passed over the stone threshold. As he drew near, his father, Odysseus, rose from his seat and gave him place, but Telemachus on his part checked him, and said: “Be seated, stranger, and we shall find a seat elsewhere 45 in our farmstead. There is a man here who will set us one.” So he spoke, and Odysseus went back and sat down again, and for Telemachus the swineherd strewed green brushwood beneath and a fleece above it, and there the dear son of Odysseus sat down. Then the swineherd set before them platters 50 of roast meats, which they had left at their meal the day before, and quickly heaped up bread in baskets, and mixed in a bowl of ivy wood honey-sweet wine, and himself sat down opposite divine Odysseus. So they put out their hands to the good food lying ready before them. 55 But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, Telemachus spoke to the noble swineherd, and said: “Father, from where did this stranger come to you? How did sailors bring him to Ithaca? Who did they declare themselves to be? For in no way, I think, did he come here on foot.” 60 To him then, swineherd Eumaeus, did you make answer, and say: “Then truly, my child, I will tell you all the truth. From broad Crete he declares that he has birth, and he says that he has wandered roaming through many cities of mortals; so has a god spun for him this lot. 65 But now he has run away from a ship of the Thesprotians and come to my farmstead, and I shall put him in your hands. Do what you will. He declares himself your suppliant.” Then again wise Telemachus answered him: “Eumaeus, truly this word which you have uttered stings me to the heart. 70 For how am I to welcome this stranger in my house? I am myself but young, nor do I yet trust in my might to defend me against a man, when one grows angry without a cause. And as for my mother, the heart in her breast wavers this way and that, whether to remain here with me and keep the house, 75 respecting the bed of her husband and the voice of the people, or to go now with whoever is best of the Achaeans that woo her in the halls, and offers the most gifts of wooing. But truly, as regards this stranger, now that he has come to your house, I will clothe him in a cloak and tunic, fine clothing, 80 and will give him a two-edged sword, and sandals for his feet, and send him wherever his heart and spirit tell him to go. Or, if you will, keep him here at the farmstead, and care for him, and clothing will I send here and all his food to eat, so that he may not be the ruin of you and of your men. 85 But there I will not allow him to go, to join the company of the suitors, for they are over-full of wanton insolence, lest they mock him, and dread grief come upon me. And to achieve anything is hard for one man among many, however mighty he may be, for truly they are far stronger.” 90 Then the much-enduring, noble Odysseus answered him: “Friend, since surely it is right for me to make answer—truly you rend my heart, as I hear your words, such wantonness you say the suitors devise in the halls in defiance of you, so noble a man. 95 Tell me, are you willingly oppressed in this way? Or do the people throughout the land hate you, following the voice of a god? Or have you cause to blame your brothers, in whose fighting a man trusts even if a great strife arises. I wish that with my present temper I were as young as you, 100 either the son of blameless Odysseus, or Odysseus himself, then at once might some stranger cut my head from off my neck, if I did not prove myself the bane of them all when I had come to the halls of Odysseus, son of Laertes. 105 But if they should overwhelm me by their numbers, alone as I was, far rather would I die, slain in my own halls, than behold continually these shameful deeds, strangers mishandled, and men dragging the handmaidens in shameful fashion through the fair halls, 110 and wine drawn to waste, and men devouring my bread all heedlessly, without limit, with no end to the business.” And wise Telemachus answered him: “Then truly, stranger, I will frankly tell you all. Neither do the people at large bear me any grudge or hatred, 115 nor have I cause to blame brothers, in whose fighting a man trusts, even if a great strife arises. For in this way has the son of Cronos made our house to run in but a single line. As his only son did Arceisius beget Laertes, as his only son again did his father beget Odysseus, and Odysseus 120 begot me as his only son, and left me in his halls, and had no joy of me. Therefore it is that foes past counting are now in the house; for all the princes who hold sway over the islands—Dulichium, and Same, and wooded Zacynthus—and those who lord it over rocky Ithaca, 125 all these woo my mother and lay waste my house. And she neither refuses the hateful marriage, nor is she able to make an end; but they with feasting consume my substance, and will before long bring me, too, to ruin. Yet these things truly lie on the knees of the gods. 130 But, father, go with speed, and tell constant Penelope that she has me safe, and I have come from Pylos. But I will remain here, and come back here, when you have told your tale to her alone; but of the rest of the Achaeans let no one learn it, for many there are who contrive evil against me.” 135 To him then, swineherd Eumaeus, did you make answer, and say: “I see, I take heed; this you ask of one with understanding. But come now, tell me this, and declare it truly; whether I shall go on the self-same way with tidings to Laertes also, wretched man, who for a time, though grieving deeply for Odysseus, 140 was still accustomed to oversee the fields, and would eat and drink with the slaves in the house, as the heart in his breast told him. But now, from the day when you went in your ship to Pylos, they say he has no more eaten and drunk as before, nor overseen the fields, but with groaning and wailing 145 he sits and weeps, and the flesh wastes from off his bones.” Then wise Telemachus answered him: “It is the sadder; but none the less we will let him be, despite our sorrow; for if in any way all things might be had by mortals for the wishing, we should choose first of all the day of my father's return. 150 No, come back, when you have given your message, and do not wander over the fields in search of Laertes; but tell my mother with all speed to send out her handmaid, the housekeeper, secretly, for she might bear word to the old man.” With this he roused the swineherd, and he took his sandals in his hands 155 and bound them beneath his feet and went out to the city. Nor was Athena unaware that the swineherd Eumaeus was gone from the farmstead, but she drew near in the likeness of a woman, beautiful and tall, and skilled in glorious handiwork. And she stood opposite the door of the hut, showing herself to Odysseus, 160 but Telemachus did not see her before him, or notice her; for in no way do the gods appear in manifest presence to all. But Odysseus saw her, and the hounds, and they did not bark, but with whining slunk in fear to the further side of the farmstead. Then she made a sign with her brows, and noble Odysseus perceived it, 165 and went out from the hall, past the great wall of the court, and stood before her, and Athena spoke to him, saying: “Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, even now reveal your word to your son, and do not hide it, so that when you two have planned death and fate for the suitors, 170 you may go to the famous city. Nor will I myself be long away from you, for I am eager for the battle.” With this, Athena touched him with her golden wand. A well-washed cloak and a tunic she first of all cast about his breast, and she increased his stature and his youthful bloom. 175 Once more he grew dark of color, and his cheeks filled out, and dark grew the beard about his chin. Then, when she had done this, she departed, but Odysseus went into the hut. And his dear son marvelled, and, seized with fear, turned his eyes aside, lest it should be a god. 180 And he spoke, and addressed him with winged words: “Of another sort you seem to me now, stranger, than a while ago, and other are the garments you have on, and your color is no longer the same. Surely you are a god, one of those who hold broad heaven. Then be gracious, that we may offer to you acceptable sacrifices 185 and golden gifts, finely wrought; but spare us.” Then the much-enduring, noble Odysseus answered him: “Be sure I am no god; why do you liken me to the immortals? No, I am your father, for whose sake you endure with groaning many griefs, and submit to the violence of men.”⁠a 190 So saying, he kissed his son, and from his cheeks let fall a tear to earth, but before he had always steadfastly held them back. But Telemachus—for he did not yet believe that it was his father—again answered, and spoke to him, saying: “You surely are not my father Odysseus, but some god 195 deceives me, that I may weep and groan yet more. For in no way could a mortal man contrive this by his own wit, unless a god were himself to come to him, and easily by his will make him young or old. For truly just now you were an old man and poorly clad, 200 whereas now you are like the gods, who hold broad heaven.” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Telemachus, it does not become you to wonder too much that your father is in the house, or to be amazed. For you may be sure no other Odysseus will ever come here; 205 but I here, I, even such as you see me, after sufferings and many wanderings, have come in the twentieth year to my native land. But this, you must know, is the work of Athena, driver of the spoil, who makes me such as she will—for she has the power—now like a beggar, and now again 210 like a young man, and one wearing fine clothing about his body. Easy it is for the gods, who hold broad heaven, both to glorify a mortal man and to abase him.” So saying, he sat down, and Telemachus, flinging his arms about his noble father, wept and shed tears, 215 and in the hearts of both arose a longing for lamentation. And they wailed aloud more vehemently than birds, sea-eagles, or vultures with crooked talons, whose young the country-folk have taken from their nest before they were fledged; even so piteously did they let tears fall from beneath their brows. 220 And now would the light of the sun have gone down upon their weeping, had not Telemachus spoken to his father suddenly: “In what manner of ship, dear father, have sailors now brought you here to Ithaca? Who did they declare themselves to be? For in no way, I think, did you come here on foot.” 225 And the much-enduring, noble Odysseus answered him: “Then truly, my child, I will tell you all the truth. The Phaeacians brought me, men famed for their ships, who send other men too on their way, whoever comes to them. And they brought me as I slept in a swift ship over the sea, 230 and set me down in Ithaca, and gave me glorious gifts, stores of bronze and gold and woven clothing. These treasures, by the favour of the gods, are lying in caves. And now I have come here at the bidding of Athena, that we may take counsel about the slaying of our foes. 235 Come now, count me the suitors, and tell their tale, that I may know how many they are and what manner of men, and that I may ponder in my noble heart and decide whether we two shall be able to maintain our cause against them alone without others, or whether we shall also seek out others.” 240 Then wise Telemachus answered him: “Father, in truth I have always heard of your great fame, that you were a warrior in strength of hand and in wise counsel, but this you say is too great; amazement holds me. It could not be that two men should fight against many men and mighty. 245 For of the suitors there are not ten alone, or twice ten, but very many more. Here as we are you shall at once learn their number. From Dulichium there are two and fifty chosen youths, and six serving men attend them; from Same came four and twenty men; 250 from Zacynthus there are twenty youths of the Achaeans; and from Ithaca itself twelve men, all of them the noblest, and with them is Medon, the herald, and the divine minstrel, and two squires skilled in carving meats. If we meet all these within the halls, 255 bitter, I fear, and ruinous will be your coming to avenge violence. Consider, then, if you can think of any helper—one that would aid us two with a ready heart.” Then the much-enduring, noble Odysseus answered him: “Well, then, I will tell you, and take heed and listen to my words, 260 and consider whether for us two Athena, with father Zeus, will be enough, or whether I shall think of some other helper.” Then wise Telemachus answered him: “Good, you may be sure, are these two helpers whom you mention, though high in the clouds they dwell, and they 265 rule over all men alike and the immortal gods.” Then the much-enduring, noble Odysseus answered: “Not long, surely, will those two hold aloof from the mighty fray, when between the suitors and us in my halls the might of Ares is put to the test. 270 But for the present, go at daybreak to your house and join the company of the haughty suitors. As for me, the swineherd will lead me later on to the city in the likeness of a woeful and aged beggar. And if they treat me with contempt in the house, 275 let the heart in your breast endure while I am mistreated, even if they drag me by the feet through the house to the door, or hurl things at me and strike me; still endure to behold it. You shall indeed tell them to cease their folly, seeking to dissuade them with gentle words; yet in no way 280 will they listen to you, for truly their day of doom is at hand. And another thing I will tell you, and lay it to heart. When Athena, rich in counsel, puts it in my mind, I will nod to you with my head; and then, when you note it, take all the weapons of war that lie in your halls, 285 and lay them away one and all in the secret place of the lofty store-room. And as for the suitors, when they miss the arms and question you, deceive them with gentle words, saying: “‘Out of the smoke have I laid them, since they are no longer like those which long ago Odysseus left behind him when he went off to Troy, 290 but are all befouled so far as the breath of the fire has reached them. And furthermore this greater fear has the son of Cronos put in my heart, lest perhaps, when heated with wine, you may set a quarrel afoot among you and wound one another, and so bring shame on your feast and on your wooing. For of itself the iron draws a man to it.’ 295 “But for us two alone leave behind two swords and two spears, and two ox-hide shields for us to grasp, that we may rush upon them and seize them; while as for the suitors, Pallas Athena and Zeus, the counsellor, will deceive them. And another thing I will tell you, and lay it to heart. 300 If in truth you are my son and of our blood, then let no one hear that Odysseus is at home; let neither Laertes know it, nor the swineherd, nor any of the household, nor Penelope herself; but by ourselves you and I will learn the temper of the women. 305 Yes, and we will likewise make trial of many a one of the serving men, and see where any of them honours us two and fears us at heart, and who does not care for us and scorns you, a man so noble.” Then his glorious son answered him, and said: “Father, my spirit, I think, 310 you shall truly come to know hereafter, for no slackness of will possesses me. But I do not think that this plan will be a gain to us both, and so I ask you to take thought. For a long time you will go about in vain, making trial of each man as you visit the farms, while in your halls those others at their ease 315 are wasting your substance in insolent fashion, and there is no sparing. Yet truly, as for the women, I do urge you to learn who among them dishonor you, and who are guiltless. But of the men in the farmsteads I would not have us make trial, but would have us deal with them hereafter, 320 if in very truth you know some sign from Zeus who bears the aegis.” Thus they spoke to one another, but meanwhile into Ithaca put the well-built ship that brought Telemachus and all his comrades from Pylos; and they, when they had come into the deep harbor, 325 drew the black ship up on the shore, while proud squires carried out their armour and at once carried the beautiful gifts to the house of Clytius. But they sent a herald out to the house of Odysseus to bear word to wise Penelope 330 that Telemachus was at the farm, and had told the ship to sail on to the city, lest the noble queen might grow anxious and let round tears fall. So the two met, the herald and the noble swineherd, on the self-same errand, to bear tidings to the lady. 335 And when they reached the palace of the godlike king, the herald spoke out in the midst of the handmaids, and said: “Even now, queen, your son has come back from Pylos.” But the swineherd came close to Penelope and told her all that her dear son had told him to say. 340 And when he had fully told all that had been commanded him, he went his way to the swine and left the courtyard and the hall. But the suitors were dismayed and downcast in spirit, and out they went from the hall past the great wall of the court, and there before the gates they sat down. 345 Then among them Eurymachus, son of Polybus, was the first to speak: “My friends, truly a great deed has been insolently brought to pass by Telemachus, even this journey, and we deemed that he would never see it accomplished. But come, let us launch a black ship, the best we have, and let us get together seamen as rowers that they may at once 350 bear tidings to those others to return home speedily.” Not yet was the word fully uttered when Amphinomus, turning in his place, saw a ship in the deep harbor and men furling the sail, and with oars in their hands. Then, breaking into a merry laugh, he spoke among his comrades: 355 “Let us not be sending a message any more, for here they are at home. Either some god told them of this, or they themselves caught sight of the ship of Telemachus as she sailed by, but could not catch her.” So he spoke, and they rose up and went to the shore of the sea. Swiftly the men drew up the black ship on the shore, 360 and proud squires carried out their armour. They themselves meanwhile went all together to the place of assembly, and they would allow no other to sit with them, either of the young men or the old. Then among them spoke Antinous, son of Eupeithes: “See now, how the gods have delivered this man from destruction. 365 Day by day watchmen sat upon the windy heights, watch always following watch, and at set of sun we never spent a night upon the shore, but sailing over the deep in our swift ship we waited for the bright Dawn, lying in wait for Telemachus, that we might take him and slay 370 the man himself; yet meanwhile some god has brought him home. But, on our part, let us here devise for him a woeful death, even for Telemachus, and let him not escape out of our hands, for I deem that while he lives this work of ours will not prosper. For he is himself shrewd in counsel and in wisdom, 375 and the people in no way show us favour any more. Come, before he gathers the Achaeans to the place of assembly—for I think he will in no way be slow to act, but will be full of wrath, and rising up will declare among them all how we contrived against him utter destruction, but did not catch him; 380 and they will not praise us when they hear of our evil deeds. Beware, then, lest they work us some harm and drive us out from our country, and we come to the land of strangers. No, let us act first, and seize him in the field far from the city, or on the road; and his substance let us ourselves keep, and his wealth, 385 dividing them fairly among us; though the house we would give to his mother to possess, and to him who weds her. But if this plan does not please you, but you choose rather that he should live and keep all the wealth of his fathers, let us not continue to devour his store of pleasant things 390 as we gather together here, but let each man from his own hall woo her with his gifts and seek to win her; and she then would wed him who offers most, and who comes as her fated lord.” So he spoke, and they were all hushed in silence. Then Amphinomus addressed their assembly, and spoke among them. 395 He was the glorious son of the prince Nisus, son of Aretias, and he led the suitors who came from Dulichium, rich in wheat and in grass, and above all the others he pleased Penelope with his words, for he had an understanding heart. He it was who with good intent addressed their assembly, and spoke among them: 400 “Friends, I surely would not choose to kill Telemachus; a dread thing it is to slay one of royal stock. No, let us first seek to learn the will of the gods. If the oracles of great Zeus approve, I will myself slay him, and order all the others to do so; 405 but if the gods turn us from the act, I urge you to desist.” Thus spoke Amphinomus, and his word was pleasing to them. So they arose at once and went to the house of Odysseus, and entering, sat down on the polished seats. Then the wise Penelope took other counsel, 410 to show herself to the suitors, overweening in their insolence. For she had learned of the threatened death of her son in her halls, for the herald Medon told her, who had heard their counsel. So she went her way toward the hall with her handmaids. But when the fair lady reached the suitors, 415 she stood by the doorpost of the well-built hall, holding before her face her shining veil; and she rebuked Antinous, and spoke, and addressed him: “Antinous, full of insolence, deviser of evil! and yet it is you, men say, who excel among all of your years in the land of Ithaca 420 in counsel and in speech. But you, it seems, are not such a man. Madman! why do you devise death and fate for Telemachus, and do not care for suppliants, for whom Zeus is witness. It is an impious thing to plot evil one against another. Do you not know of the time when your father came to this house a fugitive 425 in terror of the people? For in truth they were greatly angered with him because he had joined Taphian pirates and harried the Thesprotians, who were in league with us. Him, then, they were minded to slay, and take from him his life by violence, and utterly to devour his great and pleasant livelihood; 430 but Odysseus held them back, and stayed them despite their eagerness. His house it is that you consume now without atonement, and woo his wife, and seek to slay his son, and on me you bring great distress. No, forbear, I charge you, and tell the rest to forbear.” Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered her: 435 “Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, be of good cheer, and let these things not distress your heart. That man does not live, nor shall live, nor shall ever be born, who shall lay hands upon your son Telemachus while I live and behold the light upon the earth. 440 For thus will I speak out to you, and truly it shall be brought to pass. Quickly shall that man's black blood flow forth about my spear; for in truth me, too, did Odysseus the sacker of cities often set upon his knees, and put roast meat in my hands, and hold to my lips red wine. 445 Therefore Telemachus is far the dearest of all men to me, and I tell him to have no fear of death, at least from the suitors; but from the gods no man can avoid it.” Thus he spoke to cheer her, but against that son he was himself plotting death. So she went up to her bright upper chamber 450 and then bewailed Odysseus, her dear husband, until flashing-eyed Athena cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids. But at evening the noble swineherd came back to Odysseus and his son, and they were busily making ready their supper, and had slain a boar a year old. Then Athena 455 came close to Odysseus, son of Laertes, and struck him with her wand, and again made him an old man; and poor clothing she put about his body, lest the swineherd might look upon him and know him, and might go to bear tidings to constant Penelope, and not hold the secret fast in his heart. 460 Now Telemachus spoke first to the swineherd, and said: “You have come, noble Eumaeus. What news is there in the city? Have the proud suitors by this time come home from their ambush, or are they still watching for me where they were, to take me on my homeward way?” To him, then, swineherd Eumaeus, did you make answer and say: 465 “I was not minded to go about the city, asking and inquiring of this; my heart told me with all speed to come back here when I had given my message. But there joined me a swift messenger from your companions, a herald, who was the first to tell the news to your mother. 470 And this further thing I know, for I saw it with my eyes. I was now above the city, as I went on my way, where the hill of Hermes is, when I saw a swift ship putting into our harbor, and there were many men in her, and she was laden with shields and double-pointed spears. 475 And I thought it was they, but I have no knowledge.” So he spoke, and the strong and mighty Telemachus smiled and with his eyes he glanced at his father, but shunned the swineherd's eye. And when they had ceased from their labour and had made ready the meal, they fell to feasting, nor did their hearts lack anything of the equal feast. 480 But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, they turned their thoughts to rest, and took the gift of sleep.