She bathed; and, robed in white, with all her train,

To every god vow’d hecatombs to bleed,

And call’d Jove’s vengeance on the guilty deed,

Arm’d with his lance, the prince then pass’d the gate,

Two dogs behind, a faithful guard, await;

Pallas his form with grace divine improves:

The gazing crowd admires him as he moves.

Him, gathering round, the haughty suitors greet

With semblance fair, but inward deep deceit,

Their false addresses, generous, he denied.

Pass’d on, and sate by faithful Mentor’s side;

With Antiphus, and Halitherses sage

(His father’s counsellors, revered for age).

Of his own fortunes, and Ulysses’ fame,

Much ask’d the seniors; till Peiraeus came.

The stranger-guest pursued him close behind;

Whom when Telemachus beheld, he join’d.

He (when Peiraeus ask’d for slaves to bring

The gifts and treasures of the Spartan king)

Thus thoughtful answer’d: “Those we shall not move,

Dark and unconscious of the will of Jove;

We know not yet the full event of all:

Stabb’d in his palace if your prince must fall,

Us, and our house, if treason must o’erthrow,

Better a friend possess them than a foe;

If death to these, and vengeance Heaven decree,

Riches are welcome then, not else, to me.

Till then retain the gifts.”—The hero said,

And in his hand the willing stranger led.

Then disarray’d, the shining bath they sought

(With unguents smooth) of polish’d marble wrought:

Obedient handmaids with assistant toil

Supply the limpid wave, and fragrant oil:

Then o’er their limbs refulgent robes they threw,

And fresh from bathing to their seats withdrew.

The golden ewer a nymph attendant brings,

Replenish’d from the pure translucent springs;

With copious streams that golden ewer supplies

A silver layer of capacious size.

They wash: the table, in fair order spread,

Is piled with viands and the strength of bread.

Full opposite, before the folding gate,

The pensive mother sits in humble state;