With manly grasp he waved a martial spear;

A radiant sabre graced his purple zone,

And on his foot the golden sandal shone.

His steps impetuous to the portal press’d;

And Euryclea thus he there address’d:


“Say thou to whom my youth its nurture owes,

Was care for due refection and repose

Bestow’d the stranger-guest? Or waits he grieved,

His age not honour’d, nor his wants relieved?

Promiscuous grace on all the queen confers

(In woes bewilder’d, oft the wisest errs).

The wordy vagrant to the dole aspires,

And modest worth with noble scorn retires.”


She thus: “O cease that ever-honour’d name

To blemish now: it ill deserves your blame,

A bowl of generous wine sufficed the guest;

In vain the queen the night refection press’d;

Nor would he court repose in downy state,

Unbless’d, abandon’d to the rage of Fate!

A hide beneath the portico was spread,

And fleecy skins composed an humble bed;

A downy carpet cast with duteous care,

Secured him from the keen nocturnal air.”


His cornel javelin poised with regal port,

To the sage Greeks convened in Themis’ court,

Forth-issuing from the dome the prince repair’d;

Two dogs of chase, a lion-hearted guard,

Behind him sourly stalked. Without delay

The dame divides the labour of the day;

Thus urging to the toil the menial train;


“What marks of luxury the marble stain

Its wonted lustre let the floor regain;

The seats with purple clothe in order due;

And let the abstersive sponge the board renew;

Let some refresh the vase’s sullied mould;

Some bid the goblets boast their native gold;

Some to the spring, with each a jar, repair,

And copious waters pure for bathing bear;

Dispatch! for soon the suitors will essay

The lunar feast-rites to the god of day.”


She said: with duteous haste a bevy fair

Of twenty virgins to the spring repair;

With varied toils the rest adorn the dome.

Magnificent, and blithe, the suitors come.