Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/106

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98
HOMER's ODYSSEY.
Book IV.

To visit, or the steward of his swine.
Then thus, Eupithes' son, Antinoüs, spake.
Say true. When sail'd he forth? of all our youth,
Whom chose he for his followers? his own train
Of slaves and hirelings? hath he pow'r to effect 780
This also? Tell me too, for I would learn—
Took he perforce thy sable bark away,
Or gav'st it to him at his first demand?
To whom Noëmon, Phronius' son, replied.
I gave it voluntary; what could'st thou, 785
Should such a prince petition for thy bark
In such distress? Hard were it to refuse.
Brave youths (our bravest youths except yourselves)
Attend him forth; and with them I observed
Mentor embarking, ruler o'er them all, 790
Or, if not him, a God; for such he seem'd.
But this much moves my wonder. Yester-morn
I saw, at day-break, noble Mentor here,
Whom shipp'd for Pylus I had seen before.
He ceas'd; and to his father's house return'd; 795
They, hearing, sat aghast. Their games meantime
Finish'd, the suitors on their seats reposed,
To whom Eupithes' son, Antinoüs, next,
Much troubled spake; a black storm overcharged
His bosom, and his vivid eyes flash'd fire. 800
Ye Gods, a proud exploit is here atchieved,
This voyage of Telemachus, by us
Pronounced impracticable; yet the boy

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