sons of Autolycus took care of, and they skilfully bound the wound of godlike blameless Ulysses: and they stopped the black blood by a spell, and quickly reached the house of their dear sire. Autolycus then, and the sons of Autolycus, having healed him well, and having given him splendid gifts, quickly rejoicing, sent him rejoicing to dear Ithaca: but on his return his father and venerable mother rejoiced, and inquired every thing of him, as to the scar, what he suffered: but he related it well to them, how the boar struck him with his white tusk as he was hunting, having come to Parnassus with the sons of Autolycus.
But the old woman, taking it[1] in her hands placed flat, and wiping it, recognised it: and she let his foot fall: and his leg fell in the cauldron; and the brass resounded, and was turned on one side: and the water was poured out on the ground. And joy and grief possessed her mind at the same time; and her eyes were filled with tears: and her warm voice was choked. And touching Ulysses by the beard, she addressed him:
"Certainly, my dear child, thou art Ulysses: nor did I know thee before I had handled my master all round."
She spoke, and looked at Penelope with her eyes, wishing to tell her that her dear husband was within. But she was neither able to look opposite to her, nor to perceive her; for Minerva turned away her thoughts: but Ulysses holding out his hand, took her by the throat with his right hand; and with the other he himself drew her near and addressed her:
"Nurse, why dost thou wish to destroy me? thou thyself didst nourish me at thy breast, but now, having endured many toils I am returned in the twentieth year to my paternal land. But since thou hast perceived me, and God has put it in thy mind, be silent, lest any other in the palace should hear it. For thus I tell thee, and this shall be accomplished, if God shall subdue the proud suitors under me, I shall not spare thee, although thou art my nurse, when I slay the other women servants in my palace."
But him prudent Euryclea addressed in turn: "My child, what word hast thou uttered? thou knowest how firm my mind is, that it does not yield; but I will keep like as some hard rock, or steel: and I will tell thee something else, and
- ↑ i. e. the wounded foot.
