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The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839-45). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Author: Homer
Translator: Thomas Hobbes
Editor: Sir William Molesworth

Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. XVI.

Telemachus sends Eumæus to the city to tell his mother of his return; and how in the mean time Ulysses discovers himself to his son.

Eumæus and Ulysses risen were,
And men, for dinner, sent out to fetch hogs,
And fire was made. Ulysses chanc’d to hear
One tread without, and whining of the dogs
5That barked not, and to Eumæus said:

Some one of your acquaintance now comes in;
I hear his feet. The dogs are well appai’d.
These words scarce said, Telemachus was seen.
Eumæus, who then temp’ring was of wine,
10Lets fall his cups, and meets him at the door;

Kisses his head and hands, and both his eyne,
And presently with tears his eyes run o’er.
As when a loving father sees his son
That had been ten years absent, and for whom
15He had lamented long, come home alone;

So glad was he Telemachus was come,
And hugg’d him as one that had ’scap’d but then
From death; and weeping said, O are you come?
I never thought to see you more, sweet man,
20Since first I knew to Pyle you went from home.

But come, come in, dear heart, that I may fill
Myself with looking, you’re not oft among
Your herdsmen in the field, but almost still
I’ th’ city, in the suitors’ dismal throng.

Telemachus sends Eumæus to tell his mother of his return.

25Yes, said Telemachus, for why, I come

To see you, and to ask about my mother;
Whether she still remaining be at home,
Or gone be with a suitor one or other,
Leaving her husband’s chamber and his bed
30With cobwebs hung for want of furniture?

No, she yet stays, Eumæus answered,
And great the grief is which she doth endure;
And day and night the tears fall from her eyes.
Telemachus went in. His father there
35To give him place did from his chair arise.

Sit still, said he, I’ll find a seat elsewhere
In my own house. This man will one provide.
This said, he past unto another seat,
To which Eumæus a wool-fell applied
40With rushes under it. Then brought in meat,

Trenchers of meat roasted the day before,
And in a basket sets on bread of wheat,
And in an ivy-tankard wine good store,
And o’er against Ulysses takes his seat.
45Then on the meat prepar’d their hands they laid.

When thirst and hunger nothing more requir’d,
Telemachus unto Eumæus said,
And thus about his new-come guest inquir’d:
Father, said he, I pray you tell me now,
50His own, his father’s, and his country’s name;

And farther I desire you let me know
Where are the mariners that with him came
Unto this place? And tell me this likewise,
Where rideth the good ship that brought him to’t?
55For verily I can no way devise,

How he should come on horseback or on foot.
To this Eumæus answered agen:
He says himself that he was born in Creet,
And seen the cities has of many men,
60Wand’ring about, for Jove so thought it meet.

Thesprotian rats got him aboard their ship,
And forced were in Ithaca to land;
There he found means to give them all the slip;
So came to mine, and from mine to your hand.
65I give him you, as you think best to use.

To this again Telemachus replies:
That which you say, Eumæus, is bad news.
How to receive him I cannot devise.
I am too young to save him with my hands,
70If injury be done him by the wooers.

And at this time my mother doubtful stands,
Whether to stay within my father’s doors,
And with the people her good name maintain,
Or with that suitor wed and go away,
75That to her shall afford the greatest gain.

But since the stranger at your house doth stay,
I’ll give him garments, a good coat and vest,
A spear in’s hand, and good shoes to his feet,
And him convey to what place he thinks best.
80Or if to keep him here you think it meet,

I’ll hither for him garments send and food,
That he no charge be to your family.
To set him with the suitors ’tis not good
For me nor him, they so unruly be.
85He’ll be derided there, and I shall grieve,

But ’gainst so many men what can be done?
The strength of one man cannot him relieve.
Ulysses then made answer to his son.
Oh! friend, said he, it bites my heart to hear
90What of the suitors in your house you say,

How ’gainst your mind they proudly domineer.
It is because you willingly give way?
Or that your people by divinity
Adverse are to you or your government?
95Or are your kindred, that should stand you by

In quarrel and in battle, discontent?
Oh, were I young, and of the mind I am,
Or that I were the great Ulysses’ son,
Or he himself, and wand’ring hither came,
100I’d have my head cut off by any one,

If I were not reveng’d upon them all.
And though they were too hard for me alone,
I’d rather in my own house fighting fall,
Than daily see such ugly things there done.
105Strangers abus’d, maids tous’d ill favour’dly,

And corn and wine consumed without end,
And to no purpose foolishly; for why,
They never shall arrive where they intend.
Then said Telemachus: No word o’ th’ Gods
110Hath me deprived of the people’s love,

Nor any brother is with me at odds,
Nor any other cause I know but Jove.
How many lords within these isles do sway,
Same, Dulichium, Ithaca, and Zant,
115So many suitors duly every day

For marriage with my mother my house haunt.
Whilst she can none put off, and will none marry,
They spend my corn and wine, and cattle kill,
And eating here, and drinking still they tarry,
120And me perhaps, at last, they murther will.

But what they shall do none but God can tell.
But, father, go you to Penelope,
And let her know I am arrived well.
And let no other person know but she.

Ulysses discovers himself to his son.

125And after you have told her, tarry not.

Make haste. At your return, I shall be here,
For many are they that my death do plot.
True, said Eumæus, but not ill it were
To let Laertes know it by the way,
130Who when his grief but for Ulysses was,

Did oversee his workmen all the day,
But since by sea to Pylus you did pass,
He neither oversees his husbandry,
Nor eats his meat, as still he did before;
135But groaning and lamenting woefully

Liveth. Telemachus did thus reply:
The case is hard. But grieved though he be,
Let him alone; go not out of your way.
For first I wish my father here to see,
140If in my choice to have my wishes lay.

But pray my mother thither send a maid,
To tell Laertes secretly the news.
When to him thus Telemachus had said,
Eumæus on his feet tied on his shoes.
145Ulysses and his son now left alone,

Came Pallas to them. At the door she stood;
But by Telemachus she was not known.
Gods are not known but by whom they think good.
Ulysses knew her. Fair she was and tall,
150And of a grave wise matron had the look;

And by the dogs perceiv’d was. For they all
Whining and terrified the place forsook.
A sign t’ Ulysses she made with her brow.
Then he went forth, and she unto him spake.
155Son of Laertes, wise Ulysses, now

Your son with your design acquainted make;
And when you have the suitors’ fate contrived,
Go to the city both. ’Twill not be long
Before I at your combat be arrived,
160And give you my assistance in the throng.

And stroak’d him over with a wand of gold,
And presently his rags were cloak and coat;
His cheeks were plump; his beard black to behold,
To which his goodly locks unlike were not.
165This done, the Goddess mounted to the skies.

Ulysses to the house again retir’d;
But from him then his son turn’d off his eyes.
So much this alteration he admir’d;
He thought it was some God, and to him said,
170You are some God descended from the sky;

Your colour’s better, better you arrayed.
Save us. Our gifts shall on your altar lie.
And then Ulysses said, God I am none.
What ails you with the Gods me to compare?
175For I your father am, whom you bemoan,

And for whom you have had such pain and care;
And then embrac’d and kiss’d his son, and wept,
So that the ground he stood upon was wet,
Though hitherto his eyes he dry had kept;
180But by his son believ’d he was not yet.

You’re not, says he, my father, but some spright
That flatters me into more misery.
Of mortal men there’s none that has the might
To do such things without a deity.
185A God indeed can man’s decay redeem;

You were but now an old man ill arrayed;
And now like one new come from heaven seem;
To this Ulysses answered and said,
Telemachus, be not amaz’d too much;
190Other Ulysses you shall never see.

I am the man, although my luck be such,
As after twenty year not known to be;
The change you see was by Athena wrought,
That made me what she list, for she can do’t.
195A beggar old, or youth in a fine coat,

And handsome cloak, and other garment to’t;
For easy ’tis for Gods on mortal men
To lay on glory, and the same displace.
This said, Ulysses sat him down. And then
200Telemachus his father did embrace,

And then they both together wept and sobb’d,
As eagles or as vultures, when they see
Their nests by country-people spoil’d and robb’d,
And young ones kill’d before they fledged be;
205So wept these two, and weeping there had staid

Perhaps until the closing of the day,
But that Telemachus t’ Ulysses said,
Father, how came you t’ Ithaca, I pray?
Where are the seamen that set you ashore?
210For sure I am you could not come by land.

In a good ship, said he, I was brought o’er
From th’ Isle Phœacia, and left o’ th’ sand;
That people, strangers all that thither come,
Convoy unto the place where they would be;
215And when I was desirous to go home,

At Ithaca asleep they landed me,
Enrich’d with presents, garments, gold and brass;
And in a cave I hidden have the same;
And, as I by Athena counsell’d was,
220The suitors’ fate to weave I hither came.

Tell me how many now they are, that we
Consider may if we two and no more
Shall be enough to get the victory,
Or must we of some else the aid implore?
225O father, said his son, you are renown’d

For a good councillor, a man of might;
But very hard the thing is you propound,
That two men should against so many fight.
They are not only ten, or two times ten,
230But many more. Their number, let me see,

From out Dulichium two-and-fifty men;
And with them lusty serving men twice three.
From Same chosen men come twenty-four;
Twenty from Zant, and twelve of Ithaca.
235Medon, the squire, a fiddler, and what more?

Two cooks that of a feast had learnt the law.
’Twill be but ill revenge to fight them all;
Therefore I think it best to look for aid,
And some good neighbour to assist you call.
240To this Ulysses answered and said,

Consider then, and cast it in your mind,
Whether we two, Pallas and Jove to boot,
Will serve, or must we other succours find?
Then said his son, O father, that will do’t.
245Those friends indeed will serve us very much.

Immortals against mortals have great odds;
Higher they stand, and of themselves are such,
As would too hard be for all th’ other Gods.
Yes, said Ulysses, if the woo’rs and I
250Come but to battle once, ’twill not be long

Ere such good aids will have the victory,
And make an end of this unruly throng.
But you, Telemachus, go early home
To-morrow morning; mingle with the rabble;
255I after you will with Eumæus come,

Like to a beggar old and miserable;
Where if you see me us’d ill-favour’dly,
Thrown at, or pull’d about the house by th’ heels,
As unconcern’d, endure it patiently,
260What pain soever thereby your heart feels;

But yet with gentle words you may persuade them;
For sure I am they will not you obey,
The Gods immortal have so stupid made them,
As on themselves to bring their fatal day.
265But now to what I say attentive be.

When Pallas shall me prompt, I’ll with my head
Make you a sign. As soon as that you see,
Let th’ arms in th’ hall away be carried,
And say, if any suitor ask wherefore,
270The fire hath hurt them, and they are not now

Such as Ulysses left them heretofore,
When with the Greeks t’ Ilium he did go.
Or say, for fear some quarrel should arise,
By th’ indiscretion of one or other,
275You thought the council would not be unwise,

To take them thence. One drawn sword draws another.
But two spears, two swords, and two shields keep still,
To take in hand when we onset make.
Jove from mistrust and Pallas keep them will:
280And farther from me this instruction take.

As I your father am, and you my son,
Of my return a word let no man hear,
Father, or wife, or servant any one;
To speak of it in company forbear.
285But let’s of the maid-servants you and I

Endeavour what we can to know the mind;
And your men-servants also I would try,
From whom you honour or dishonour find.
Father, then said Telemachus, you’ll see,
290I am not loose of tongue. But ’tis not good

The men to question. ’Twill lost labour be,
Because without the house they have their food,
Though there they havoc of your substance make.
Do as you please. ’Tis a long business
295Of ev’ry one of them account to take.

Inform yourself of th’ women’s wickedness,
I would not willingly go up and down
To ev’ry lodge, what there is done to see.
For our work done, theirs will be better known,
300If you with signs from Jove acquainted be.

Thus they discours’d. The mariners meanwhile
Had brought into the haven of the town
The ship that brought Telemachus from Pyle;
Then drew it up to land, the sails pull’d down.
305The presents unto Clytius they bear,

And to Penelope a man they sent,
That of her son’s arrival she might hear,
And how unto Eumæus’ lodge he went,
And sent the ship to put her out of fear,
310Lest she should for his absence longer weep.

Eumæus was for the same business there;
He from his lodge, the other from the deep.
He told the queen th’ arrival of her son;
And to her maids the other told the same.
315And when they both their messages had done,

Back to Telemachus Eumæus came;
At this the suitors vex’d, look’d down and sad,
And out o’ th’ gates together went, where they
Amongst themselves a consultation had,
320And to them thus Eurylochus ’gan say.

’Tis very strange, Telemachus is come,
We thought he never should return agen;
But since ’tis so, to call our fellows home,
Let’s hire and man a boat with fishermen.
325His words scarce out, Amphinomus comes near,

And turning towards th’ haven them espied
Furling their sails, and laughing said, Th’are here,
You need not any messenger provide.
Some God sure told him of them, or else they
330Saw the ship coming by, but were too slow

To overtake her. This said, they away
Down to the water’s-side together go;
And up unto the land the ship they hale;
Their servants what was in her bear away.
335And then to consultation they fall,

Nor with them suffer’d any else to stay.
To them Antinous began and said,
The Gods Telemachus have strangely kept.
Our scouts from morn to night o’ th’ mountains stayed,
340Nor on the land by night we ever slept,

But rowed up and down until ’twas day.
We thought he could not ’scape in any wise;
And yet some dæmon brought him has away.
Come, let us how to kill him here devise:
345For whilst he lives our work will not be done;

Crafty he is, and can his purpose hide;
Nor have we yet sufficiently won
The people of the town with us to side.
The multitude to council he will call,
350And ranting tell them that we go about

To murther him, and so enflame them all,
That from our country they will cast us out,
And make us beg our bread. Which to eschew
Let’s kill him in the fields, or in the way;
355Divide his goods amongst us, as is due.

His houses to his mother leave we may,
To give to him with whom she means to marry.
If this you like not, but that he shall stay,
And have his father’s state, then let’s not tarry,
360But each man to his own house go his way,

And there contend who shall the best endow her,
And in her favour the superior be;
Or let the fates dispose the happy hour
To whom she has a mind to. So said he.
365Then spake Amphinomus, the noble son

Of the rich Nisus Aretiades,
Amongst the wooers inferior to none,
And best of all Penelope did please.
Telemachus, said he, I would not kill;
370’Tis dangerous to slay the royal blood;

But let us first of Jove inquire the will;
If he command, I’ll do’t, and say ’tis good;
If he forbid, I wish you to desist.
So said Amphinomus, and ’twas thought fit;
375And presently the council was dismiss’d:

And then into the house they go and sit.
And now Penelope resolved t’ appear
Before her suitors sitting in the hall.
For to her son she knew they traitors were;
380Medon, that with them was, had told her all.

Down to the hall she went, and in the door
Having a woman at each hand, she staid,
And proud Antinous rebuked sore.
Antinous, you traitor impudent, she said,
385In Ithaca the glory you have got

Of wit and eloquence. You are belied.
Madman, what ails you, my son’s death to plot,
And to his strangers here to show such pride?
Poor strangers have their passport from the Gods.
390To do them wrong is great impiety;

And worse between themselves to be at odds.
You know your father hither once did fly,
Fearing the people whom he had offended,
Joining with Tophian thieves to make a prey
395Of Thesprote cattle, and were here defended

Against the Thesprotes, though our friends were they.
They slain him had, and seized his estate,
But that Ulysses saved him; and now,
For to requite him, what d’ye, O ingrate?
400You eat his cattle; and his wife you woo,

And kill my son, and daily me molest.
Desist, I tell you, and the rest persuade
To leave these evil courses, you were best.
To this Eurylochus then answer made.
405Icarius’ daughter, wise Penelope,

Fear not. None shall lay hands upon your son,
As long as I am living and can see;
Who does, his blood shall on my spear down run.
His father oft has set me on his knee,
410And given me good wine, and good meat roast.

Afraid of any wooer you need not be;
Telemachus of all men I love most.
Of death from God’s hand none can warrant you;
But as for us you may securely sleep.
415So said he, and yet then his death did brew.

Away went then Penelope to weep,
And wept till Pallas came and clos’d her eyes;
And to Ulysses and his son at night
Eumæus came. A swine they sacrifice;
420And then did Pallas from the sky alight,

And with her rod return’d Ulysses old,
And ill array’d, for fear he should be known
T’ Eumæus or Penelope, and told
By them to others, and abroad be blown.
425Telemachus then to Eumæus said:

Eumæus, are you come? what news from town?
The suitors, are they come, that me way-laid?
Or do they for me still look up and down?
Then said Eumæus, I did not inquire,
430Upon my message only was my mind;

That done, to make haste back was my desire.
But there I chanc’d a messenger to find,
Sent by your mates to tell Penelope,
And he the news t’ your mother first did tell.
435I saw a ship that new came in from sea,

But whether that were it, I know not well.
Aboard were many arms and many men;
And though I were not sure, I thought ’twas it.
Telemachus on ’s father smiled then,
440But so as that Eumæus could not see ’t.

Then came their supper in, which they fell to.
A supper good they had, and were well pleased;
And when their hunger had no more to do,
With gentle sleep their fear and care disseised.

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LIB. XVI. - Homer, The English Works, vol. X (Iliad and Odyssey) [1839]

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Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. XVI.