where,—that so our further course may be explained by me, and heard by thee, and sped by the joint work of both.
Neoptolemus.
King Odysseus, the task that thou settest lies not far off; methinks I see such a cave as thou hast described.
Od. Above thee, or below? I perceive it not.
Ne. Here, high up;—and of footsteps not a sound.
Od. Look that he be not lodged there, asleep.30
Ne. I see an empty chamber,—no man therein.
Od. And no provision in it for man's abode?
Ne. Aye, a mattress of leaves, as if for some one who makes his lodging here.
Od. And all else is bare? Nought else beneath the roof?
Ne. Just a rude cup of wood, the work of a sorry craftsman; and this tinder-stuff therewith.
Od. His is the household store whereof thou tellest.
Ne. Ha! Yes, and here are some rags withal, drying in the sun,—stained with matter from some grievous sore.
Od. The man dwells in these regions, clearly,40 and is somewhere not far off; how could one go far afield, with foot maimed by that inveterate plague? No, he hath gone forth in quest of food, or of some soothing herb, haply, that he hath noted somewhere. Send thine attendant, therefore, to keep watch, lest the foe come on