Chapter XXI: Book XVI

_Ulysses and Telemachus become known to one another_.

Ulysses and Eumæus prepared their meal at daybreak.
When Telemachus was reaching the hut, Ulysses observed
that the dogs did not bark, though he heard footsteps,
and enquired whether the visitor was some acquaintance 30
of the swineherd's. He had hardly done speaking when
Telemachus entered, and was welcomed by Eumæus.

"Is my mother still at the house," said he, "or has she 33
left it with another husband, and the bed of Ulysses is
festooned with cobwebs?"

"She is still there," answered Eumæus, "spending her time 36
in tears both night and day."

Eumæus set refreshments before him and when he had done 49
eating he asked who the stranger might be.

When Telemachus heard that Ulysses was a ship-wrecked 68
suppliant he was much displeased. "I am as yet too
young," he said, "to be able to hold my own in the house;
what sufficient support, then, can I give this man?
Still, as he has come to you I will send him clothes and
all necessary food; and let him stay with you; I will not
have him go near the suitors, for harm would be sure to
come of it."

Ulysses expressed his surprise and indignation about the 90
suitors, whereon Telemachus explained still further,
and wound up by telling Eumæus to go at once and inform
Penelope of his return. Eumæus asked if he should turn a
little out of his way and tell Laertes, but Telemachus
said he was not to do so. Penelope would send him word
all in due course.

As soon as Eumæus was gone Minerva came to the hut. 157
Ulysses knew her, and so did the dogs, for they went
whining away to the other end of the yards, but
Telemachus did not see her. She made a sign to Ulysses
that he was to come outside, and when he had done so she
told him he was to reveal himself to his son--whereon
she struck him with her wand, endowed him with a noble
presence, and clothed him in goodly raiment.

Then he went back into the hut and told his son who he 178
was; but for a long while Telemachus would not believe.
At last, however, when he was convinced, the pair flung
their arms about each other's necks, and wept like eagles
or vultures who had been robbed of their young. Indeed
they would have wept till sundown had it not occurred to
Telemachus to ask his father in what ship he had come to
Ithaca, and whose crew it was that had brought him.

Ulysses told him about the Phæacians, and how he had 225
hidden the presents they had given him. "I am now come,"
he said, "by Minerva's advice, to consult with you as
to how we shall take vengeance on the suitors. I would
therefore learn how many there are of them, and consider
whether we two can kill them, or whether we must get help
from outside."

Telemachus said it was hopeless to think of attacking the 240
suitors without assistance. There were fifty-two from
Dulichium, with six followers, twenty-four from Same,
twenty from Zacynthus, and twelve from Ithaca.

Ulysses explained that he could rely on help from Jove 258
and from Minerva, and thought that this would be enough.
"They will not be long in joining us," said he, "when the
fight has begun in good earnest. Go, then, tomorrow to
the town, and join the suitors; let the swineherd bring
me later, disguised as a poor miserable beggar. Never
mind how much violence you may see the suitors do me.
Look on and say nothing, beyond asking them in a friendly
way to leave me alone. Also, find some pretext for
removing the armour from the walls. Say it is taking harm
with the smoke, and that the sight of armour sometimes
sets men fighting, so that it is better away--but leave
two swords, shields and spears for you and me to snatch 295
up."

As they were thus conversing, the ship that had brought 321
Telemachus from Pylos reached the harbour of Ithaca, and
the crew took the presents which Menelaus had given him
to the house of Clytius. They sent a man to tell Penelope
that Telemachus was at the farm, and had sent the ship on
to allay her anxiety. This man and the swineherd met at
the house of Ulysses, and the man said, in the presence
of the maids, "Madam, your son is returned from Pylos;"
but Eumæus stood by her, and told her all that her son
had bidden him. Then he went back to his pig-farm.

The suitors were very angry, and were about sending 342
a ship to fetch those who had been lying in wait for
Telemachus, when Amphinomus, a suitor, happened to
turn round and saw their ship coming into harbour. So
he laughed and said, "We have no need to send, for the
men are here." On this they all went to meet the ship,
and Antinous said that as Telemachus had escaped them
in spite of their great vigilance, they must kill him,
either at the farm or as he was coming thence. Otherwise
he would expose their plot, and they would have the
people rise against them. "If," he concluded, "this does
not please you, and you would let him live, we cannot eat
up his estate any longer, but must go home, urge our suit
each from his own house, and let the one among us take
Penelope who will give most for her, or whose lot it may
happen to be."

Amphinomus, who came from the well-grassed and 394
grain-growing island of Dulichium, then spoke. He was a
man of good natural disposition, and his conversation
was more pleasing to Penelope than that of any of the
other suitors; "I will only consent to kill Telemachus,"
said he, "if the gods give us their approval. It is a
serious thing to kill a man who is of royal race. If
they sanction it, I will be with you; otherwise I am for
letting it alone."

The rest assented, and they went back to the house. 406
But Medon told Penelope of this new plot, so she went
attended by her gentlewomen, stood by one of the
bearing-posts that supported the roof of the cloister,
and bitterly rebuked Antinous for his ingratitude in
forgetting how Ulysses in old days had saved the life of
his father Eupeithes.

Eurymachus then made a fair but false speech vowing 431
eternal friendship to Telemachus, and Penelope returned
to her own room to mourn her husband till Minerva closed
her eyes in slumber.

In the evening Eumæus got back to his hut just as the 452
others had killed a yearling pig and were getting supper
ready. Meanwhile Minerva had again disguised Ulysses as
an old beggar.

"What news from the town, Eumæus?" said Telemachus. "Have 460
the suitors got back with their ship?"

"I did not ask," answered Eumæus, "for when I had 464
given my message I turned straight home; but I met the
messenger from your own crew, who told your mother of
your return before I could do so. As I was coming here,
and was on the hill of Mercury above the town, I saw a
ship with many men and much armour coming into port; so
I suppose it was the suitors, but I cannot be sure."

Telemachus gave his father a look, but so that the 476
swineherd could not see him. Then they all got their
supper and went to bed.