When his followers saw their wise leader making these preparations , they inquired whither he was going , and earnestly besought him not to leave them . `` You are our king , '' cried they ; `` and what is more , you are the wisest man in the whole world , and nothing but your wisdom and courage can get us out of this danger . If you desert us , and go to the enchanted palace , you will suffer the same fate as our poor companions , and not a soul of us will ever see our dear Ithaca again . '' `` As I am your king , '' answered Ulysses , `` and wiser than any of you , it is therefore the more my duty to see what has befallen our comrades , and whether anything can yet be done to rescue them . Wait for me here until tomorrow . If I do not then return , you must hoist sail , and endeavor to find your way to our native land . For my part , I am answerable for the fate of these poor mariners , who have stood by my side in battle , and been so often drenched to the skin , along with me , by the same tempestuous surges . I will either bring them back with me , or perish . '' Had his followers dared , they would have detained him by force . But King Ulysses frowned sternly on them , and shook his spear , and bade them stop him at their peril . Seeing him so determined , they let him go , and sat down on the sand , as disconsolate a set of people as could be , waiting and praying for his return . It happened to Ulysses , just as before , that , when he had gone a few steps from the edge of the cliff , the purple bird came fluttering towards him , crying , `` Peep , peep , pe -- weep ! '' and using all the art it could to persuade him to go no farther . `` What mean you , little bird ? '' cried Ulysses . `` You are arrayed like a king in purple and gold , and wear a golden crown upon your head . Is it because I too am a king , that you desire so earnestly to speak with me ? If you can talk in human language , say what you would have me do . '' `` Peep ! '' answered the purple bird , very dolorously .
`` Peep , peep , pe -- we -- e! '' Certainly there lay some heavy anguish XXXXX the little bird 's heart ; and it was a sorrowful predicament that he could not , at least , have the consolation of telling what it was .
As at for from in that towards until whether with