But him thou didst thus address in answer, O swineherd Eumæus: "Therefore I will tell thee all things truly, child. He boasts his race [to be] from wide Crete, and he says that wandering he has been tossed about to many cities of mortals; for so for him the deity destined these things. He has now at length come to my stall, having escaped from a ship of the Thesprotians: but I will give him in charge to thee: do as thou desirest; he professes himself to be thy suppliant."
But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "O Eumæus, truly thou hast spoken this word very grievous to my mind: for how shall I receive the stranger in my house? I myself am young, and I do not yet trust in my hands to ward off a man, when any one is first wroth with me; and my mother's mind is meditating in doubt in her breast, whether she should remain here with me, and should take care of the house, reverencing the bed of her husband, and the voice of the people, or should now accompany him of the Grecians, whatever most excellent man woos her in the palace, and offers her most [gifts]. But as to the stranger, since he has come to thy house, I will put on him a cloak and tunic, beautiful garments; and I will give to him a double-edged sword, and sandals for his feet, and I will send him wherever his heart and mind commands him. But if thou desirest it, take care of him, detaining him in thy stalls: and I will send hither garments, and all his food to eat, that he may not waste away thee and thy companions. But I will not suffer him to go there amongst the suitors; for they possess too infatuate insolence, lest they scoff at him, and there will be grievous sorrow for me. But it is difficult for one man to do any thing amongst many, although [he be] mighty; since they are much superior."
But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn: "O my friend, since indeed it is lawful for me to answer, ye much gall my heart, in truth, when I hear what shameful things you say the suitors devise in the palace, against the will of thee who art such a one. Tell me, whether thou art willingly subdued, or do the people, following the voice of a deity, hate thee publicly: or dost thou find any fault with [the conduct of] brothers,[1] in whom, fighting, a man is wont to trust, even if a mighty contest should arise. For would that
- ↑ See Eustathius.
