This sacred truth attest, each genial power,

Who bless the board, and guard this friendly bower!

Before thou quit the dome (nor long delay)

Thy wish produced in act, with pleased survey,

Thy wondering eyes shall view: his rightful reign

By arms avow’d Ulysses shall regain,

And to the shades devote the suitor-train.”


“O Jove supreme! (the raptured swain replies,)

With deeds consummate soon the promised joys!

These aged nerves, with new-born vigour strung,

In that blest cause should emulate the young.”

Assents Eumaeus to the prayer address’d;

And equal ardours fire his loyal breast.


Meantime the suitors urge the prince’s fate,

And deathful arts employ the dire debate:

When in his airy tour, the bird of Jove

Truss’d with his sinewy pounce a trembling dove;

Sinister to their hope! This omen eyed

Amphinomus, who thus presaging cried:


“The gods from force and fraud the prince defend;

O peers! the sanguinary scheme suspend:

Your future thought let sable fate employ;

And give the present hour to genial joy.”


From council straight the assenting peerage ceased,

And in the dome prepared the genial feast.

Disrobed, their vests apart in order lay,

Then all with speed succinct the victims slay:

With sheep and shaggy goats the porkers bled,

And the proud steer was on the marble spread.

With fire prepared, they deal the morsels round,

Wine, rosy-bright, the brimming goblets crown’d,

By sage Eumaeus borne; the purple tide

Melanthius from an ample jar supplied:

High canisters of bread Philaetius placed;

And eager all devour the rich repast.

Disposed apart, Ulysses shares the treat;

A trivet table, and ignobler seat,

The prince appoints; but to his sire assigns

The tasteful inwards, and nectareous wines.

“Partake, my guest (he cried), without control

The social feast, and drain the cheering bowl:

Dread not the railer’s laugh, nor ruffian’s rage;

No vulgar roof protects thy honour’d age;