Telemachus' Arrival at Eumaeus' Hut

Meanwhile, in the hut, Odysseus and the noble swineherd were preparing breakfast at dawn, having lit a fire, and they had sent out the herdsmen with the gathering swine; but the loud-barking dogs fawned upon Telemachus, and did not bark as he approached.

And noble Odysseus noticed the dogs fawning, and the sound of footsteps came around him.

And straightway he spoke winged words to Eumaeus: "Eumaeus, surely some companion of yours is coming here, or some other acquaintance, since the dogs are not barking, but are fawning; and I hear the sound of feet." Not yet was the whole word spoken, when his dear son stood in the doorway.

In amazement the swineherd sprang up, and from his hands fell the vessels with which he was busied, mixing the sparkling wine.

And he went to meet his master, and kissed his head, and both his beautiful eyes, and both his hands; and a big tear fell from him.

And as a father, with a loving heart, welcomes his son who comes from a far country in the tenth year, his only son, grown-up, for whom he has suffered many sorrows, so then did the noble swineherd cling to godlike Telemachus and kissed him all over, as one escaped from death; and weeping, he spoke winged words to him: "You have come, Telemachus, my sweet light.

I thought indeed I should never see you again, after you went in your ship to Pylos.

But come now, enter, dear child, so that my heart may delight in looking at you, who have newly come from elsewhere and are within.

For you do not often visit the fields or the herdsmen, but stay in the town; for so, it seems, it has pleased your heart, to look upon the ruinous crowd of suitors." And him in turn wise Telemachus answered: "So shall it be, father; for your sake have I come here, that I may see you with my eyes and hear your word, and know whether my mother still abides in the halls, or whether already some other man has married her, and the bed of Odysseus perhaps, for lack of sleepers, lies covered with foul spiderwebs." To him in turn spoke the swineherd, leader of men: "Indeed, she still remains with patient heart in your halls; and ever mournfully nights and days waste away as she sheds tears." So saying, he took from him the bronze spear; and Telemachus went inside and stepped over the stone threshold.

As he came near, his father Odysseus yielded his seat to him; but Telemachus from the other side checked him and said: "Sit, stranger; we shall find a seat elsewhere in our station, and here is a man who will set one for us." So he spoke, and Odysseus went back and sat down; and for Telemachus the swineherd spread green brushwood beneath, and a fleece on top; there then sat down the dear son of Odysseus.

And before them the swineherd set platters of meats, roasted, which they had left over from eating on the previous day; and he quickly heaped up bread in baskets, and mixed sweet-tasting wine in a wooden bowl; and he himself sat down opposite godlike Odysseus.

They stretched forth their hands to the food that lay ready before them.

But when they had put away the desire for drink and food, then indeed Telemachus spoke to the noble swineherd: "Father, from where did this stranger come to you?

How did sailors bring him to Ithaca?

Who did they claim to be?

For I do not think he came here on foot." To him in turn you answered, Eumaeus the swineherd: "Indeed, my child, I will tell you the whole truth.

He claims his descent from broad Crete, and says that he has wandered through many cities of men, roaming about; for so, he says, the god spun these threads for him.

But now, having escaped from a ship of Thesprotian men, he has come to my station, and I will hand him over to you.

Do as you wish; he claims to be your suppliant."