The Whole Works of Homer :: :: University of Virginia Library

Vlysses , and diuine Eumæus rose
Soone as the morning could her eyes vnclose:
Made fire; brake fast; And to their Pasture send
The gather'd Herds: on whom, their Swaines attend.
The selfe-tyre barking Dogs, all sawn'd vpon;
Nor bark't, at first sight of Vlysses son.
The whinings of their fawnings yet did greet
Vlysses eares; and sounds of certaine feet;
Who thus bespake Eumæus: Sure some friend,
Or one well knowne comes, that the Mastiues spend
Their mouths no lowder. Onely some one neare
They whine, and leape about; whose feete I heare.

Each word of this speech was not spent, before

Eumæus amaze and kinde welcome of Telemachus.

His Son stood in the entry of the dore.
Out-rusht amaz'd Eumæus: and let go
The cup to earth, that he had labor'd so,
Cleans'd for the neate wine: Did the Prince surprise,
Kist his faire forehead: Both his louely eyes,
Both his white hands; And tender teares distil'd.
There breath'd no kind soul'd Father, that was fild
Lesse with his sonnes embraces, that had liu'd
Ten yeares in farre-off earth; now new retriu'd,
His onely childe too, gotten in his age:
And for whose absence he had felt the rage

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Of griefes vpon him; then for this diuin'd
So much for forme, was this diuine for mind:
VVho kist him through: who grew about him kissing,
As fresh from death scapt. Whō (so long time missing)
He wept for ioy, and said; Thou yet art come,
(Sweet light, sweet Sun-rise) to thy cloudy home.
O (neuer I look't) when once shipt away
For Pylos shores, to see thy turning day.
Come; enter lou'd Son; Let me feast my hart
VVith thy sweete sight; new come, so farre apart.
Nor when you liu'd at home, would you walk downe
Often enough heere, but staide still at Towne:
It pleas'd you then, to cast such forehand view
About your house, on that most

αιδηλον ομιλον, αιδηλος, of αιδης, Orcus, & signifies properly, tenebricosus, or infernalis: so that, perniciosus (which is the Latine translation) is not so fit as damned for that crew of dissolute wooers. The phrase being now vsde to all so licentious.

damned crew.

It shall be so then, Friend (saide he) but now
I come to glad mine eyes with thee, and know
If still my Mother, in her house remaine:
Or if some wooer hath aspir'd to gaine
Of her in Nuptials: for Vlysses bed,
By this, lies all with Spiders cobwebs spred,
In penury of him that should supply it.

She still (said he) holds her most constant quiet,
Aloft thine owne house, for the beds respect:
But for her Lords sad losse; sad nights and daies
Obscure her beauties, and corrupt their raies.

This said; Eumæus, tooke his brazen Speare;
And in he went: when, being enter'd neare
VVithin the stony threshold; From his seat,
His Father rose to him: who would not let
Th' old man remoue; but drew him backe and prest
VVith earnest termes his sitting; Saying, Guest;
Take heere your feate againe; we soone shall get
Within our owne house heere, some other seat:
Heere's one will fetch it. This said; downe againe
His Father sate: and to his sonne, his Swaine
Strew'd faire greene Osiers; and impos'd thereon
A good soft Sheepeskin, which made him a Throne.

Then he appos'd to them, his last-left Roste;
And in a wicker basket, bread engroste:
Fil'd luscious wine; and then tooke opposite seate
To the diuine Vlysses. VVhen the meate
Set there before them; all fell to, and eate.

VVhen they had fed; the Prince said, pray thee say,
Whence coms this guest? what seaman gaue him way
To this our Isle? I hope these feete of his
Could walke no water; who boasts he, he is?

Ile tell all truly Son: From ample Crete
He bosts himselfe; and sayes, his erring feete

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Haue many Cities trod: And God was he
VVhose finger wrought in his infirmity.
But, to my Cottage, the last scape of his,
VVas from a Thesprots Ship. VVhat ere he is,
Ile giue him you: do what you please; His vant
Is, that he is (at most) a suppliant.

Eumæus, (said the Prince) To tell me this,
You haue afflicted my weake Faculties:
For how shall I receiue him to my house
VVith any safety; that suspitious
Of my yong forces (should I be assaide
With any sodaine violence) may want aide
To shield my selfe? Besides, if I go home,
My mother is with two doubts ouercome:
If she shall stay with me, and take fit care
For all such guests, as there seeke guestiue fare;
Her husbands bed respecting, and her fame
Amongst the people: Or her blood may frame
A liking to some wooer, such as best
May bed her in his house; not giuing lest.
And thus am I vnsure, of all meanes free
To vse a Guest there, fit for his degree.
But, being thy Guest; Ile be his supply,
For all weeds, such as mere necessity
Shall more then furnish: Fit him with a sword,
And set him where his heart would haue bene shor'd.
Or (if so pleasd) receiue him in thy Shed:
Ile send thee clothes, I vow; and all the bread
His wish would eate: that to thy men and thee
He be no burthen. But that I should be
His meane to my house; where a company
Of wrong-professing wooers, wildly liue;
I will in no sort author; lest they giue
Foule vse to him; and me, as grauely grieue.
For what great act can any one atchieue
Against a multitude? Although his minde
Retaine a courage of the greatest kinde?
For all minds haue not force in one degree.

Vlysses answer'd; O Friend, since 'tis free

Vlysses to Tele.

For any man, to change fit words with thee;
Ile freely speake. Me thinkes, a woluish powre
My heart puts on, to teare and to deuoure;
To heare your affirmation; that (in spite
Of what may fall on you, made opposite;
Being one of your proportion, birth, and age,
These wooers should in such iniustice rage.
VVhat should the cause be? Do you wilfully
Indure their spoile? Or hath your Empery

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Bene such amongst your people; that, all gather
In troope, and one voice; (which euen God doth father)
And vow your hate so, that they suffer them?
Or blame your Kinsfolks faiths, before th' extream
Of your first stroke hath tried them? whom a man
When strifes, to blowes rise, trusts: though battel ran
In huge and high waues? would to heauen my spirit
Such youth breath'd, as the man that must inherit,
Yet neuer toucht Vlysses: or that he
(But wandring this way) would but come, and see
What my age could atchieue (and there is Fate
For Hope yet left; that he may recreate
His eyes with such an obiect.) This my head
Should any stranger strike off, if starke dead
I strooke not all: the house in open force
Entring with challenge. If their great concourse
Did ouer-lay me, being a man alone;
(VVhich you vrge for your selfe) be you that one.
I rather in mine owne house wish to dye
One death for all; then so indecently
See euermore, deeds worse then death applied;
Guests, wrōg'd with vile words, & blow-giuing pride:
The women-seruants dragg'd in filthy kind
About the faire house; and in corners blind
Made serue the rapes of Ruffins: Food deuour'd
Idely and rudely; wine exhaust, and pour'd
Through throats prophane; and all about a deed,
That's euer wooing, and will neuer speed.

Telemachus to his Father.

Ile tell you (Guest) most truly, saide his Son;
I do not thinke, that all my people ron
One hatefull course against me; Nor accuse
Kinsfolkes that I in strifes of weight, might vse:
But Ioue will haue it so: our Race alone,
(As if made singular) to one, and one
His hand confining. Onely to the King
(Ioue-bred Arcesius) did Laertes spring;
Onely to old Laertes did descend
Vlysses; onely to Vlysses end
Am I the Adiunct; whom he left so yong,
That from me, to him, neuer comfort sprong.
And to all these now (for their race) arise
Vp in their house, a brood of enemies.
As many as in these Isles bow mens knees;
Samos, Dulychius, and the rich in Trees
Zacynthus: Or in this rought Isles command,
So many suiters for the Nuptials stand,
That aske my Mother; and meane space, prefer
Their lusts to all spoile, that dishonor her.

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Nor doth she (though she loaths) deny their suites;
Nor they denials take, though taste their fruites.
But all this time, the state of all things there
Their throats deuoure; and I must shortly beare
A part in all; and yet the periods
Of these designes, lye in the knees of Gods.
Of all Loues then, Eumæus; make quicke way
To wise Penelope; and to her, say
My safe returne from Pylos; and alone
Returne thou hither, hauing made it knowne.
Nor let (besides my Mother) any care
Partake thy Message; since a number beare
My safe returne displeasure. He replied;

I know, and comprehend you; you diuide,
Your minde with one that vnderstands you well.

Eum. to Telem.

But, all in one yet; may I not reueale
To th' old hard-fated

Laertes.

Arcesiades
Your safe returne? who through his whole distres
Felt for Vlysses, did not yet so grieue,
But with his houshold, he had will to liue;
And seru'd his appetite, with wine, and food;
Surueigh'd his husbandry, and did his blood
Some comforts fitting life: But since you tooke
Your ship for Pylos, he would neuer brooke,
Or wine, or food, they say; nor cast an eye
On any labour: but sits weeping by;
And sighing out his sorrowes, ceasselesse mones
Wasting his body, turn'd all skin and bones.

More sad newes still (said he) yet; mourne he still?
For if the rule of all mens workes be will,

Telem. to Eum.

And his will, his way goes: mine stands inclin'd
T'attend the home-turne of my

Intending his Father: whose returne, though hee were far frō knowing, or fully expecting: yet he desir'd to order all things as he were present.

neerer kind.
Do then, what I inioyne; which, giuen effect;
Erre not to field to him, but turne direct.
Entreating first my Mother, with most speed;
And all the secrecy that now serues Neede,
To send this way their store-house Guardian,
And she shall tell all to the aged

Intending to Laertes, all that Eumæus would haue told.

Man.

He tooke his shooes vp; put them on, and went.
Nor was his absence, hid from Ioues descent,
Diuine Minerua: who tooke straight, to view,
A goodly womans shape, that all workes knew:
And, standing in the entry, did prefer
Her sight t'Vlysses. But (though meeting her)
His sonne Telemachus, nor saw, nor knew:
The Gods cleere presences, are knowne to few.
Yet (with Vlysses) euen the Dogs did see,
And would not barke; but, whining louingly,

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Pallas appeares to Vlysses.

Fled to the Stals farre side. VVhere She, her eine
Moou'd to Vlysses. He knew her designe,
And left the house, past the great Sheep-cotes wall,
And stood before her. She bad, Vtter all
Now to his sonne; nor keepe the least vnlosde:
That all the wooers deaths being now disposde,
They might approach the Towne; Affirming, she
Not long would faile, t'assist to victory.

Pallas restores Vlysses youth for a time.

This said; She laide her golden Rod on him;
And with his late-worne weeds grac't euery lim.
His body straitn'd, and his youth instill'd;
His fresh blood call'd vp: euery wrinkle fill'd
About his broken eyes; and on his chin
The browne haire spred. When his whole trim wrought in;
She yssu'd; and he enter'd to his sonne:
VVho stood amaz'd; & thought some God had done
His house that honor: turn'd away his eyes,

Telemachus to his Father.

And sayd; Now Guest, you grace another guise
Then suites your late shew; Other weeds you weare,
And other person. Of the starry spheare
You certainly present some deathlesse God.
Be pleasd, that to your here vouchsaf't abod
VVe may giue sacred rites, and offer Gold

Vlysses to Telē.

To do vs fauour. He replied: I hold
No deified state. VVhy put you thus on me
A Gods resemblance? I am onely he
That beares thy Fathers name: for whose lou'd sake,
Thy youth so grieues: whose absence makes thee take,
Such wrongs of men. Thus kist he him; nor could
Forbeare those teares, that in such mighty hold
He held before: still held, still yssuing euer.
And now (the shores once broke) the springtide neuer
Forbore earth from the cheekes he kist. His sonne,
(By all these violent arguments; not wonne
To credit him his Father) did deny
His kinde assumpt: and said, Some Deity

Tel. to Vlysses.

Fain'd that ioyes cause, to make him grieue the more:
Affirming, that no man, whoeuer wore
The garment of mortality, could take
(By any vtmost power, his soule could make)
Such change into it: since at so much will,
Not Ioue himselfe, could both remoue, and fill
Old age, with youth; and youth, with age so spoile
In such an instant. You wore all the soile
Of age but now, and were old: And but now
You beare that yong grace that the Gods indow

Vlys. to his sonne

Their heauen-borne formes withall. His father saide:
Telemachus? Admire, nor stand dismaide:

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But know thy solid Father; since within,
He answeres all parts, that adorne his skin.
There shall no more Vlyssesses come heere.
I am the man, that now this twentith yeare
(Stil vnder sufferance of a world of ill)
My countrey earth, recouer: 'Tis the will
The Prey-professor Pallas puts in act;
VVho put me thus together; thus distract,
In aged pieces, as euen now you saw,
This youth now rendring. 'Tis within the law
Of her free pow'r. Sometimes to shew me pore;
Sometimes againe, thus amply to restore
My youth, and Ornaments; She still would please.
The Gods can raise, and throw men downe, with ease.

This said; he sat: when his Telemachus pour'd
Himselfe about him: Teares on teares, he shour'd:
And to desire of mone, increast the cloud:
Both wept & howl'd, & laide out shrieks more loud;
Then or the Bird-bone-breaking Eagle reres;
Or Brood-kind Vulture with the crooked Seres,
VVhen rusticke hands, their tender Aries draw,
Before they giue their wings their full-plum'd Law.
But miserably pour'd they from beneath
Their lids, their teares: while both their breasts did breath
As frequent cries: & to their feruent mone,
The light had left the skies; if first the sonne
Their dumbe mones had not vented, with demand
VVhat Ship it was, that gaue the naturall land
To his blest feet? He then, did likewise lay
Hand on his passion; and gaue these words way.

Ile tell thee truth, my sonne; The men that beare
Much fame for shipping, my Reducers were

Vlysses tels his sonne what ship he arriu'd in.

To long-wisht Ithaca; who each man els,
That greets their shore, giue passe to where he dwels.
The Phæacensian Peeres, in one nights date,
(VVhile I fast slept) fetcht th' Ithacensian state:
Grac't me with wealthy gifts: Brasse, store of Gold,
And Robes faire wrought: All which haue secret hold
In Caues, that by the Gods aduice, I chusde.
And now, Minerua's admonitions vsde
For this retreat; that we might heere dispose
In close Discourse, the slaughters of our foes.
Recount the number of the wooers then;
And let me know what name they hold with men:
That my minde, may cast ouer their estates
A curious measure; & conferre the rates
Of our two pow'rs, and theirs: to try; if we
Alone, may propagate to victory

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Our bold encounters of them all, or proue
The kind assistance of some others loue.

Telem. to Vlys.

O Father (he replied) I oft haue heard
Your counsailes, and your force of hand prefer'd
To mighty glory: But your speeches now,
Your ventrous minde, exceeding mighty show.
Euen to amaze they moue me: for in right
Of no fitte counsaile, should be brought to fight,
Two men, 'gainst th' able faction of a throng.
No one two, no one ten; No twice ten strong
These wooers are: but more by much. For know,
That from Dulychius there are fifty two;
All choise yong men: and euery one of these
Six men attend. From Samos crost the Seas
Twice twelue young Gallants. From Zacynthus came
Twice ten. Of Ithaca, the best of name,
Twice six. Of all which, all the State they take,
A sacred Poet, and a Herald make.
Their delicacies, two (of speciall sort
In skill of banquets) serue. And all this port
If we shall dare t'encounter; all thrust vp
In one strong roofe: haue great care lest the cup
Your great mind thirsts, exceeding bitter taste;
And your retreat, commend not to your haste
Your great attempt; but make you say, you buy
Their prides reuenges, at a price too hy.
And therefore (if you could) t'were, well you thought
Of some assistent. Be your spirit wrought
In such a mans election, as may lend
His succours freely, and expresse a Friend.

Vlys. to Telem.

His Father answer'd: Let me aske of thee;
Heare me, consider; and then answer me.
Think'st thou if Pallas, and the King of skies
We had to Friend; would their sufficiencies
Make strong our part? Or that some other yet

Telemachus.

My thoughts must worke for? These (saide he) are set
Aloft the clouds; and are sound aydes indeed:
As pow'rs not onely, that these men exceed;
But beare of all men else the high command;
And hold, of Gods, an ouer-ruling hand.

Vlysses.

VVell then (said he) nor these shall seuer long
Their force and ours, in fights assur'd, and strong.
And then, twixt vs, and them, shall Mars prefer
His strength; to stand our great distinguisher;
When, in mine owne Roofes, I am forc't to blowes.
But when the day, shall first her fires disclose;
Go thou for home, and troope vp with the woo'rs;
Thy wil with theirs ioind; pow'r with their rude powrs

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And after, shall the Herdsman guide to Towne
My steps; my person wholly ouer-growne
With all apparance of a poore old Swaine,
Heauy, and wretched. If their high disdaine
Of my vile presence; make them, my desert
Affect with contumelies; let thy loued heart
Beate in fixt confines of thy bosome still,
And see me suffer, patient of their ill.
I, though they drag me by the heeles, about
Mine owne free earth, and after hurle me out;
Do thou still suffer. Nay, though with their Darts
They beate, and bruise me; beare. But these foul parts
Perswade them to forbeare; and by their names
Cal all with kinde words: bidding, for their shames
Their pleasures cease. If yet they yeeld not way;
There breakes the first light of their fatall day.
In meane space, marke this: VVhen the chiefly wise
Minerua prompts me; Ile informe thine eies
VVith some giuen signe; & then, all th' armes that are
Aloft thy Roofe, in some neere roome prepare
For speediest vse. If those braue men enquire
Thy end in all; still rake vp all thy fire
In faire coole words: and say; I bring them downe
To scoure the smoke off; being so ouer-growne
That one would thinke, all fumes that euer were.
Breath'd since Vlysses losse, reflected here.
These are not like the armes, he left behinde
In way for Troy. Besides, Ioue prompts my minde
In their remoue apart thus, with this thought:
That, if in heighth of wine, there should bee wrought
Some harsh contention twixt you; this apt meane
To mutual bloodshed, may be taken cleane
From out your reach; and all the spoile preuented
Of present Feast: perhaps, euen then presented
My Mothers Nuptials, to your long kinde vowes.
Steele it selfe, ready; drawes a man to blowes.
Thus make their thoughts secure; to vs alone
Two Swords, two Darts; two shields left; wc see done
VVithin our readiest reach; that at our will
VVe may resume, and charge; And all their skil,
Pallas and Ioue, that all iust counsailes breath;
May darken, with securenesse, to their death.
And let me charge thee now, as thou art mine;
And as thy veines mine owne true blood combine:
Let (after this) none know Vlysses nere.
Not any one of all the houshold there;
Not here, the Herdsman: Not Laertes be
Made priuy: nor her selfe, Penelope.

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But onely let thy selfe, and me worke out
The womens thoughts, of all things borne about
The wooers hearts: and then thy men approue,
To know who honors, who with reuerence loue
Our well-weigh'd Memories; and who is won
To faile thy fit right, though my onely Son.

Telemachus to his Father.

You teach (saide he) so punctually now,
As I knew nothing; nor were sprung from you.
I hope, heereafter, you shall better know
VVhat soule I beare; and that it doth not let
The least loose motion, passe his naturall seat.
But this course you propose, will proue, I feare,
Small profit to vs; and could wish your care
VVould weigh it better, as too farre about.
For Time will aske much, to the sifting out
Of each mans disposition, by his deeds.
And, in the meane time, euery wooer feeds
Beyond saciety; nor knowes how to spare.
The women yet, since they more easie are
For our enquiry; I would wish you try
VVho right your state, who do it iniury.
The men I would omit: and these things make
Your labour, after. But to vndertake
The wooers warre; I wish your vtmost speede,
Especially, if you could cheere the deed,
VVith some Oftent from Ioue. Thus (as the Sire
Consented to the Son) did heere expire
Their mutuall speech. And now the Ship was come
That brought the yong Prince, & his soldiers home.
The deepe Hauen (reacht) they drew the Ship ashore;
Tooke all their Armes out, and the rich Gifts bore
To Clitius house. But to Vlysses Court
They sent a Herald first, to make report
To wise Penelope, that safe at field
Her Son was left: yet since the Ship would yield
Most hast to her; he sent that first; and them
To comfort with his vtmost, the extream
He knew she suffer'd. At the Court, now met
The Herald, and the Herdsman; to repeat
One message to the Queene. Both whom (arriu'd
VVithin the gates:) Both to be formost striu'd
In that good Newes. The Herald, he for hast
Amongst the Maids bestow'd it; thinking plac'st
The Queene amongst them. Now (said he) O Queen,
Your lou'd Son is arriu'd. And then was seene
The Queene her selfe: To whom the herdsman tould
All that Telemachus inioyn'd he should.
All which discharg'd; his steps, he backe bestowes,

253

And left, both Court and City, for his Sowes.
The wooers then grew sad; soule-vext, and all
Made forth the Court. When, by the mighty wall,
They tooke their seuerall seate, before the gates;
To whom Eurymachus, initiates
Their vtter'd greeuance. O (sayd he) my Friends;

Eurymachus to the rest.

A worke right great begun, as proudly ends.
VVe said, Telemachus should neuer make
His voyage good; nor this shore euer take
For his returnes receipt: and yet we faile,
And he performes it. Come, let's man a Saile
The best in our election; and bestow
Such souldiers in her, as can swiftest row:
To tell our friends, that way-lay his retreat
'Tis safe perform'd: and make them quickly get
Their ship for Ithaca. This was not said,
Before Amphinomus in Port displaid
The ship arriu'd: her sailes then vnder stroke;
And Oares resum'd. VVhen laughing, thus he spoke:

Moue for no messenger: these men are come;

Amphinomus to the other wooers

Some God hath either told his turning home,
Or they themselues haue seene his ship gone by:
Had her in chase, and lost her. Instantly
They rose, and went to Port: found drawne to Land
The Ship; the souldiers taking Armes in hand.
The woo'rs themselues, to counsaile went, in throng:
And not a man besides, or old, or yong,
Let sit amongst them. Then Eupitheus Sonne
(Antinous) said: See what the Gods haue done:
They onely, haue deliuered from our ill
The men we way-laid; euery windy hill

Antinous to the Wooers.

Hath bin their watch-tow'n where by turns they stood
Continuall Sentinell. And we made good
Our worke as well: For (Sun, once set) we neuer
Slept winke ashore, all night; But made saile euer
This way, and that; euen till the morning kept
Her sacred Station; so to intercept
And take his life, for whom our ambush lay;
And yet hath God, to his returne giuen way.
But let vs prosecute with counsailes, here
His necessary death: nor any where
Let rest his safety; for if he suruiue,
Our sailes will neuer, in wisht Hauens arriue.
Since he is wise, hath soule, and counsaile to
To worke the people, who will neuer do
Our faction fauour. What we then intend
Against his person, giue we present end
Before he call a counsaile; which, beleeue

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His spirit will hast, & point where it doth greeue:
Stand vp amongst them all, and vrge his death
Decreed amongst vs. Which complaint, will breath
A fire about their spleenes; and blow no praise
On our ill labours. Lest they therefore raise
Pow'r to exile vs from our Natiue earth,
And force our liues societies to the birth
Of forreigne countries: let our speeds preuent
His comming home, to this austere complaint;
(At field and farre from Towne, or in some way
Of narrow passage:) with his latest day
Shewne to his forward youth: his goods and lands,
Left to the free diuision of our hands:
The Moouables made al, his Mothers dowre,
And his who-euer, Fate affoords; the powre
To celebrate with her, sweet Hymeus rites.
Or if this please not; but your appetites
Stand to his safety, and to giue him seate
In his whole birth-right; let vs looke to eate
At his cost neuer more: but euery man
Haste to his home: and wed with whom he can
At home; and there, lay first about for dowre,
And then the woman giue his second powre
Of Nuptiall liking: And, for last, apply
His purpose, with most gifts, and destiny.

This, silence caus'd; whose breach, at last, begon
Amphinomus, the much renowned Son
Of Nisus, surnam'd Aretiades;
VVho from Dulychius (full of flowry Leas)
Led all the wooers; and in chiefe did please
The Queene with his discourse; because it grew

φρεσι αγαθησιν Bonis mentibus the plurall number vsed euer by Homer.

From rootes of those good mindes that did indue
His goodly person: who (exceeding wise)
Vs'd this speech: Friends, I neuer will aduise
The Princes death: for 'tis a damned thing
To put to death the yssue of a King.
First therefore, let's examine, what applause
The Gods will giue it. If the equall Lawes
Of Ioue approoue it, I my selfe will be
The man shall kill him; and this companie
Exhort to that minde: If the Gods remaine
Aduerse, and hate it; I aduise, refraine.

This said Amphinomus, and pleas'd them all:
VVhen all arose, and in Vlysses Hall
Tooke seate againe. Then, to the Queene was come
The wooers plot, to kill her sonne at home:
Since their abroad designe had mist successe.
The Herald Medon (who the whole addresse)

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Knew of their counsailes) making the report.
The Goddesse of her sex, with her faire sort
Of louely women; at the large Hals dore
(Her bright cheekes clouded, with a veile shee wore)
Stood, and directed to Antinous
Her sharpe reproofe; which she digested thus:

Antinous? composde of iniury,

Penel. to Antin

Plotter of mischiefe? Though reports that flye
Amongst our Ithacensian people, say
That thou, of all that glory in their sway,
Art best in words and counsailes; Th' art not so.
Fond, busie fellow, why plott'st thou the wo
And slaughter of my Son? and dost not feare
The Presidents of suppliants? when the eare
Of Ioue stoopes to them? 'Tis vniust to do
Slaughter for slaughter; or pay woe, for wo:
Mischiefe for kindnesse; Death for life sought then,
Is an iniustice to be loath'd of men.
Serues not thy knowledge, to remember when
Thy Father fled to vs; who (mou'd to wrath
Against the Taphian the eues) pursu'd with scath
The guiltlesse Thesprots; in whose peoples feare,
Pursuing him for wreake, he landed here.
They after him, professing both their prize
Of all his chiefly valew'd Faculties,
And more priz'd life. Of all whose bloodiest ends
Vlysses curb'd them, though they were his frends.
Yet thou, like one that no Law will allow
The least true honor, eat'st his house vp now
That fed thy Father: woo'st for loue, his wife,
VVhom thus thou grieu'st; & seek'st her sole sons life.
Ceasse, I command thee; and command the rest,
To see all thought of these foule fashions ceast.

Eurymachus replyed; Be confident,

Eurym to Penel.

Thou all of wit made; the most fam'd descent
Of King Icarius: Free thy spirits of feare:
There liues not any one; nor shall liue here
Now, nor hereafter; while my life giues heat
And light to me on earth? that dares entreat
VVith any ill touch, thy well-loued Sonne;
But heere I vow, and heere will see it done,
His life shall staine my Lance. If on his knees
The City-racer,

Vlysses.

Laertiades,
Hath made me sit; put in my hand his foode,
And held his red wine to me: shall the bloode
Of his Telemachus, on my hand lay
The least pollution, that my life can stay?
No: I haue euer charg'd him not to feare

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Deaths threat from any; And for that most deare
Loue of his Father, he shall euer be
Much the most lou'd, of all that liue to me.
Who kils a guiltlesse man, from Man may flye;
From God his searches, all escapes deny.

Thus cheer'd his words; but his affections still
Fear'd not to cherish soule intent to kill,
Euen him, whose life to all liues he prefer'd.

The Queene went vp; and to her loue appear'd
Her Lord so freshly; that she wept, till sleepe
(By Pallas forc't on her) her eyes did sleepe
In his sweet humor. When the Euen was come,
The God-like Herdsman reacht the whole way home.
Vlysses and his Son, for supper drest
A yeare-old Swine; and ere their Host and Guest
Had got their presence; Pallas had put by
With her faire rod, Vlysses royalty;
And render'd him, an aged man againe,
VVith all his vile Integuments; lest his Swaine
Should know him in his trim, & tell his Queene,
In these deepe secrets, being not deeply seene.

Telem. to Eum.

He seene; to him, the Prince these words did vse:
VVelcome diuine Eumaus; Now what newes
Imployes the City? Are the wooers come
Backe from their Scout dismaid? Or heere at home

Eum. to Telem.

VVill they againe attempt me? He replied,
These touch not my care; I was satisfied
To do, with most speed, what I went to do;
My message done, returne. And yet, not so
Came my newes first; a Herald (met with there)
Fore-stal'd my Tale, and told how safe you were.
Besides which meerely necessary thing;
What in my way chanc't, I may ouer bring,
Being what I know, and witnest with mine eyes.

Where the Hermæan Sepulcher doth rise
Aboue the City: I beheld take Port
A Ship; and in her, many a man of sort:
Her freight was shields and Lances; and, me thought
They were the wooers: but of knowledge, nought
Can therein tell you. The Prince smil'd, and knew
They were the wooers; casting secret view
Vpon his Father. But what they intended
Fled far the Herdsman: whose Swaines labors ended,
They drest the Supper; which, past want, was eat.
VVhen all desire suffic'd, of wine, and meat;
Of other humane wants, they tooke supplies
At Sleepes soft hand; who sweetly clos'd their eies.