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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. XVII.

Telemachus relates to his mother what he had heard at Pyle and Sparta.

Soon as the rosy morning did appear,
Riseth Telemachus; his shoes puts on,
And takes into his hand his heavy spear,
And hasteth to the city to be gone;
5And said unto Eumæus, Father, I

Am going to the city, there to see
My mother, that will never cease to cry
And sob, till in her sight I standing be;
But the poor stranger guide you to the town,
10With broken meat and wine himself to feed,

Such as he gets by begging up and down.
I cannot maintain all men that have need.
Tak’t how he will. For I love to speak plain.
Then said Ulysses: Sweet friend, nor would I
15Here in the country willingly remain,

For beggars’ wants great cities best supply.
Here at the lodge no service I can do;
And now to learn of others am too old.
With this man to the city I would go,
20But warm me first I would, for very cold

This morning is; I fear this hoary frost.
Far hence the town is, and my garments thin;
And which I reason have to fear the most,
My rags will to the air betray my skin.
25Telemachus then speedily went home,

With mischief to the suitors in his head;
And when he to the palace gate was come,
T’ a pillar sets his spear, and entered.
Euryclea was cov’ring chairs i’ th’ hall,
30And saw him first, and straight unto him went;

And then the other woman-servants all
Declared with much kissing their content;
Then, like Diana or fair Aphrodite,
Penelope came shedding tears of joy,
35And on his shoulders laid her arms milk-white,

And kiss’d his head and eyes, and thus did say:
Telemachus, my dear child, are you here?
I never thought again your face to see,
Since of your father news you went to hear
40At Pyle, by sea, without acquainting me.

But tell me, what at Pyle they of him say?
Mother, said he, pray let me take my breath,
My thoughts in great disorder are to-day;
I come but now from out the jaws of death;
45But with your maids go to your chamber now,

And in your fairest garments you array,
And to th’ immortal Gods all make a vow
A perfect hecatomb to them you’ll pay,
If Jove be pleas’d our losses to restore.
50But I unto the market-place must haste,

To treat a stranger whom I sent before,
And till my coming with Piræus plac’d.
Penelope then to her chamber went,
And put herself into her best array.
55Her vows to all th’ immortal Gods she sent

A perfect hecatomb to them to pay,
If Jove be pleas’d her losses to restore.
Telemachus in hand then takes his spear,
And with two dogs at’s heels went out a door,
60And Pallas made him like a God appear.

The people all admir’d him as he came;
The suitors all about him gathered,
And spake him fair, while in their hearts they frame
Plots and devices how his blood to shed.
65But he his seat amongst them quickly quits,

To Mentor and his father’s ancient friends,
Altherses, Antephus, with them he sits,
And there the time discoursing with them spends.
Piræus not long after cometh in,
70And brings his stranger with him to the place,

Who there a very little while had been
But that Telemachus hard by him was.
Then, said Piræus to Telemachus,
Send of your women some to fetch away
75The goodly presents you left at my house.

No, said Telemachus, let them yet stay,
I know not yet th’ event of our affairs.
If th’ wooers kill me and my goods divide,
I rather had they should be yours than theirs.
80If I kill them, and God be on my side,

Then send them, and I’ll take them joyfully.
And brought away the stranger with him home.
And by-and-bye the suitors thither hie;
And when they all into the house were come,
85On couches and on chairs their cloaks they lay,

And presently into their baths they go;
And bath’d and oil’d, again themselves array,
And sat them down. And supper ready now,
A maid then water in a golden ewer
90To wash their hands over a basin brings;

The basin also was of silver pure.
Another on the tables lays good things,
That in her keeping were, and sets on bread.
Penelope sat spinning in the door.
95And then they heartily fell to and fed;

And when desire of meat and drink was o’er,
Unto her son Penelope then spake:
I will, said she, upon my bed lie down,
Though there I ever weeping lie awake,
100Since he went with Atrides to Troy town,

Since you would not vouchsafe to let me know
The news you heard, before these men came in.
Mother, said he, the truth I’ll tell you now;
We went to Pyle; and Nestor we have seen;
105And lovingly we entertained were.

For as a father entertains his son
Come home from far, so were we treated there,
And welcome to his children every one.
But that Ulysses was alive or dead,
110He met with no man that could tell him true.

But us to go to Sparta counselled,
And said, if any, Menelaus knew;
And us with coach and horses did provide,
(Where we saw Helen, bane of Greece and Troy.)
115He also sent his son with us for guide,

And thither come, receiv’d we were with joy.
Atrides of my coming ask’d the reason.
I told him all the truth. He answer’d then,
Oh ho, into the strong man’s house by treason
120Are enter’d many weak and heartless men;

As when a stag and hind, ent’ring the den
Of th’ absent lion, lulls his whelps with tales
Of hills and dales, the lion comes agen
And tears them into pieces with his nails;
125So shall Ulysses all these rascals slay.

Oh! that the Gods Apollo, Pallas, Jove,
Amongst the suitors bring him would one day,
Such as when with Philomelide he strove,
And threw him flat, and made the Argives glad.
130If such, Ulysses once amongst them were,

Short would their lives be, and their wedding bad.
But of the matter whereof you inquire,
On my knowledge I can nothing say,
Nor will with rash conjectures you beguile.
135I told was, with Calypso he doth stay,

(By Proteus, an old sea-God,) in an isle,
And would come home, but wants both ship and men
To pass him o’er the broad back of the main.
This said, we took our leaves; a fair gale then
140Quickly convey’d us o’er the liquid plain.

After Telemachus had spoken thus,
Penelope her heart was ill at ease.
And then spake to her Theoclymenus:
Wife of Ulysses Laertiades,
145This man, said he, knows not; hear me, for I

Jove’s mind foresee. Jove first, and then the ghost
That takes the care of this bless’d family,
And dwelling in it doth maintain the roast,
You know Ulysses is now in this isle,
150Sitting or creeping, and observes these wooers,

What evil deeds they do; and he the while
The destiny contriveth of the doers.
I saw the same at sea by augury,
And said unto Telemachus no less.
155Oh! that the Gods would make it true, said she,

I’d so reward you that men should you bless.
While they together thus within discourse,
The suitors were gone out to throw the stone
And darts upon the green before the doors,
160As they at other times before had done.

Now supper-time drew near. Sheep home were brought
From ev’ry field. Then Medon to them spake,
Who ’mongst the suitors had most favours got;
Come in, says he, and care of supper take,
165For of these games, I see you have your fill.

In supping early damage there is none.
Agreed they were; none thought the motion ill.
They then into the hall went every one.
On couches and on chairs their cloaks they throw.
170Great sheep, fat goats enough they sacrifice,

And franked swine, and from the herd a cow.
Meanwhile, Eumæus to the city hies,
Ulysses with him, to whom thus he said:
Come, father, let us to the city go,
175Since ’tis my master’s will. You should have staid,

If my advice you would have harkened to.
But the commands of masters are severe;
The time o’ th’ day already is much spent,
And though it will be late ere we be there,
180I fear, ere it be night you will repent.

And then Ulysses to Eumæus said:
I hear, I understand, I pray go on.
Only of rugged way I am afraid;
Give me a good strong staff to lean upon.
185Then on his shoulder he his scrip did throw;

Given he had a great staff to his mind,
And they two to the town together go,
Leaving the swineherds and the dogs behind.
Ulysses like a beggar old and lame,
190And all his raiment ragged was and wretched.

But when they near unto the fountain came
From which the citizens their water fetched,
The fountain sweetly streaming and well made
B’ Ithacus Neritus, Polector, kings,
195That flieth from a high and chilling shade,

Where in a poplar grove arise the springs,
And there an altar is, and on the same
The passengers to th’ nymphs pay offerings.
When we were there, Melanthus to us came,
200And goats, the fattest of his herds, he brings.

Whither now goest thou with this beggar here?
This trouble-feast, who begging scraps and snuffs,
Not swords and kettles, many blows shall bear
Of flying footstools, and get many cuffs.
205Would thou wouldst give him me, my lodge to keep,

And lead my goats afield with a green bough,
And live on whey, and my goat houses sweep,
And his great knee unto to such service bow.
But hang him, he has such a custom got
210Of idleness, with begging of his food,

That labour for his living he will not.
But this I tell you, and ’twill be made good:
When he within Ulysses’ house appears,
Many a footstool in the hall will fly
215From out the suitors’ hands about his ears.

This said, he pass’d, and kick’d him going by;
Ulysses still stood firm upon the path,
Thinking to strike him with his great staff dead,
Or otherwise to kill him in his wrath.
220But in the end his wrath he conquered.

Eumæus then held up his hands and pray’d:
Nymphs of these fountains, daughters of great Jove,
If the fat gifts here by Ulysses laid
Upon your altars were receiv’d with love,
225Grant that he may come safely home again,

By some good spirit to his house convey’d.
Then, (to Melantheus said he,) all in vain
Will be your triumph, and your pride allay’d,
Wherewith you to the suitors daily go;
230And knaves remain the cattle to abate.

Then said Melantheus again, O ho!
How boldly does this dog, this rascal prate!
Whom one day I shall from hence ship away,
And make of him somewhere abroad good gain.
235Would th’ wooers, or Phœbus, but as surely slay

The son, as ’tis t’ expect his father vain.
When this was said, away he went apace,
And coming to the suitors in the hall,
Against Eurymachus he took his place,
240Whom best he loved of the suitors all.

And there the waiters set before him meat;
The women of the pantry brought him bread.
Ulysses and Eumæus were not yet
Arriv’d, but near, for close they followed,
245And of the fiddle they could hear the din.

Ulysses said unto Eumæus then:
’Tis a fine house Ulysses dwelled in,
And eas’ly known from those of other men;
The court with wall and hedge is fenced strong,
250Having strong gates with two locks, great and fast.

Some feast here is; I hear the sound of song,
And fiddle, which with feast the Gods have plac’d.
Then answered Eumæus, ’Tis well guess’d,
And other things you mark as well as this.
255But let us now consider what is best,

In that which at this time our bus’ness is.
Go you in first, and put yourself among
The suitors; or if you think better so,
I’ll first go in, but do not you stay long,
260Lest you of one or other take a blow.

I hear, I understand; go you in first;
The seas and wars have taught me patience.
Of all my suff’rings this is not the worst.
Of blows and throws I have experience;
265And may the suitors henceforth have the same.

The belly forceth mortals to much woe;
But there is no force can the belly tame.
It sets the good ship on the sea to go,
Which t’ one another evil fortune bears.
270While they discoursed thus before the door,

Ulysses’ dog held up his head and ears,
Argus by name, that had been long before
Well look’d to, ere Ulysses went to Troy.
They with him cours’d the wild goat, deer, and hare;
275But all the while his master was away,

The servants of his keeping took no care,
But on the dung before the door he lay,
Which there was heap’d to manure fields and leas,
From many mules and cattle fal’n away.
280There lay the old dog Argus, full of fleas;

And, as Ulysses near was, couch’d his ears,
And fawned with his tail, but could not rise;
And which Eumæus did not see, the tears
Ready to fall were from Ulysses’ eyes.
285And then Ulysses to Eumæus said:

This is a very well-shap’d dog I see,
’Tis strange to see him on a dunghill laid.
I know not whether also swift he be,
Or for his beauty only was he fed,
290As lords make much of dogs for being fine,

And at their tables see them cherished.
Then answered the master of the swine:
The master of him is of life bereft.
If now he were the same for shape and deed
295He then was when Ulysses here him left,

You’d quickly see he had both strength and speed.
There was no beast he once saw in the wood
That could escape him; for not only swift,
But also at a scent was very good:
300But now himself scarce able is to lift;

For why, his master being dead and gone,
He was not left unto the woman’s care;
And when the master is not looking on,
Men-servants of their duty careless are.
305For half the virtue taken is away

Of whosoever is to service tied.
This said, into the house he went his way;
And Argus, having seen his master, died.
Telemachus, the first that saw him enter,
310Unto him nodded to come to his seat.

A chopping-board was near him by adventure;
He took up that, whereon to eat his meat;
And near Telemachus he placed the same.
A waiter sets before him flesh and bread.
315And after him Ulysses also came,

Like an old beggar, torn and tattered;
And said to Eumæus, Give the beggar this,
And bid him go and try the charity
Of all the rest; and tell him hurtful ’tis
320For beggars to have too much modesty.

Eumæus then straight went unto the guest,
And said: Telemachus doth give you this,
And bids you try your fortune with the rest,
For modesty to beggars hurtful is.
325And then Ulysses to Eumæus says:

God bless Telemachus, and make him great,
And always grant him that for which he prays.
And then with both his hands receiv’d his meat.
And as the fiddle with the feast gives o’er,
330Ulysses when he eaten had his meat,

Sate quiet on the sill and said no more.
But still amongst the woo’rs the noise was great.
Then Pallas comes and stands Ulysses by,
And bids him try the suitors as they sat,
335Which of them had, which wanted charity,

Though they the same men would be for all that.
Then rising up, before the first he stands,
And to the right hand onward still he goes
To every one, and holds up both his hands,
340Like one that well the art of begging knows.

They gave him meat, and wonder’d at the man;
And one another ask’d, Who is’t? and whence?
And then Melantheus to speak began:
I saw him, said he, but a little since
345Brought hither by the master of the swine.

But who he is, his kindred, and his place,
It is not in my power to divine.
This said, Antinous in choler was.
Oh, noble master of the swine, said he,
350What made you here to introduce this guest?

Think you that yet too few the beggars be,
That you must needs invite this trouble-feast,
Your lord’s estate the sooner to eat up?
Good as you are, says he, you say not right:
355No man a stranger e’er call’d in to sup,

And him on no acquaintance did invite,
Unless he were a man that most men need,
Prophet, physician, or armourer,
Or fiddler at a feast; for when men feed
360A song doth add delight unto the cheer.

These use to be invited ev’rywhere.
Whoever call’d a beggar in to eat?
But to the servants you still cruel were,
And of them all you me the worst did treat.
365But I care little whilst Penelope

Alive is, and Telemachus, her son.
Telemachus then bad him silent be.
Eumæus, said he, let him now alone;
He loves to quarrel, and set others on.
370Then to Antinous he turn’d and spake,

Is this as from a father to his son,
To bid me make my guest my house forsake?
I’ll never do ’t. Give him what alms you will,
Nor shall my mother, nor I, nor any man,
375Nor woman that here dwelleth, take it ill.

But eat than give, it seems you better can.
Then said Antinous: These words are great,
And passionate, but spoken without need.
If thus we all go on to give him meat,
380He may himself three months together feed.

This said, his footstool to his foot he drew.
Ulysses with his scrip went to the sill,
For it was full, meaning to beg anew.
And first he tries Antinous his will.
385Give a poor stranger, says he; you appear

Amongst th’ Achæans here to be the best;
For like a king you look, and reason ’twere
You should in bounty exceed all the rest,
And I abroad your goodness will make known.
390I could for riches once with most compare,

And kept a great and free house of my own,
And ask’d what want you, man, not what you are.
And many servants had, and things that pass
For happiness amongst us mortals all,
395Till t’ Egypt I by knaves persuaded was

To sail. I’ th’ Nile we let our anchors fall.
There I my fellows bid aboard to stay
And guard the ships; and some to places high
I sent to watch. But mov’d by lucre, they
400On plunder and on rapine had their eye.

The fields they waste, and kill the men, and make
Women and children captives. Then the cry
Arriving at the city, arms they take,
And next day early to the fields they hie,
405With horse and foot. Then thundered the field,

Their armour lighten’d. My men frighted were.
Some taken and made slaves, some flying kill’d,
And all the rest ran scatter’d here and there.
To th’ king of Cyprus I was made a gift,
410Demetor by name, the king of Egypt’s guest.

And to come hither thence, I made hard shift.
Then said Antinous: Stand off you’re best.
What devil to molest us sent this rogue
Unmannerly, that with such impudence
415To beg presumeth here, and to cologue?

Stand off. Or ill at ease I’ll send you hence.
They that have given have done foolishly,
And at another’s cost been charitable.
No wonder in such superfluity.
420Ulysses then retired from the table.

Oh, ho, said he, I had but little skill,
That from the aspect have inferred wit.
Not give, I see, a crum of salt you will
To a poor man that humbly asketh it.
425Antinous at this enrag’d at th’ heart,

Look’d on Ulysses angerly, and said,
To part hence safely thou not likely art;
Since to my face thou dar’st me thus upbraid.
This said, he threw the footstool at his head,
430Which touch’d his shoulder, but remov’d him not.

Then to the sill himself he rendered,
Shaking his head with vengeance in his thought.
Ulysses then unto the suitors spake.
A man, said he, not much is griev’d, a blow
435In fighting for his kine or sheep to take;

But he did for his belly at me throw.
If any care the Gods of poor men have,
Antinous, before he married be,
Is like enough to go into his grave.
440Antinous replies, Sit quietly

And eat your meat, lest taken by the heels
The servants hawl and drag you out o’ th’ gate,
Or use you worse, your tongue so runs on wheels.
At this the rest all discontented sate,
445And one among the rest unto him said,

Antinous, it was unjustly done
To use a stranger so. The Gods, array’d
In poor men’s habits, men’s deeds look upon,
And notice take, who well does, and who ill.
450Telemachus was grieved at the heart

For what was done, but did no tear distil,
But shook his head, and hoped to make them smart.
When what had pass’d was told Penelope,
Apollo strike him to the heart, said she.
455If I my wish had, said Eurynome,

No suitor of them all the morn should see.
Then said Penelope again, ’Tis true,
They all be enemies, and mean us evil;
But he the fiercest is of all the crew,
460And rageth in the house like any devil.

A stranger in distress comes to the door,
Whom want constrained had to beg his bread;
The rest all give him somewhat of their store,
But he a footstool throweth at his head.
465While she thus and her women talking were,

Ulysses supping sat upon the sill.
I fain, said she, would have the beggar here.
Fetch him, Eumæus, talk with him I will;
I’ll ask him if Ulysses he has seen,
470For many men and cities knoweth he.

Eumæus then made answer to the queen;
If once the suitors would but silent be,
You would be pleas’d his history to hear.
Three days and nights he staid with me and end;
475And of his suff’rings much he told me there,

When new arriv’d; but came not to the end.
As when a man that knows the art of song,
Sings lovely words, with sweet and well-tun’d voice,
The man that hears him thinks not the time long;
480So I, in his strange story did rejoice.

He said Ulysses was his father’s guest,
In th’ isle of Crete, where reigneth Minos’ race.
Himself, he said, with many woes oppress’d,
The fates, at last, him tumbled to this place.
485And that he heard Ulysses is hard by,

And that into Thesprotia he’s come,
Alive and well; enriched mightily
With treasure which he now is bringing home.
Then said Penelope: Go, call me hither
490The beggar. I myself will ask him all:

And meanwhile let the suitors chat together
Where they think best, without or in the hall;
For merry they must be, since they feed here,
And their own corn and wine and cattle save,
495And with our cattle make themselves good cheer,

And on our corn and wine no mercy have;
For such as was Ulysses here is none,
That should defend us from their injuries;
But were he hither come, he, and his son,
500Would bring destruction on these enemies.

This said, it chanced Telemachus to sneeze.
She laugh’d, and for the beggar calls agen.
You see, Eumæus, Jove with me agrees,
And certainly slain shall be all these men.
505Go call the beggar, and say this from me,

If I find true what he shall to me say,
He shall with coat and vest rewarded be.
Eumæus to the beggar went his way;
And when he near him was, Father, said he,
510Penelope desires to speak with you;

About Ulysses she inform’d would be,
And said, if she find all you say be true,
She clothe you will with a fair coat and vest,
Which you stand most in need of. But for food,
515By begging in the town you’ll get it best,

Where they relieve you will that shall think good.
Ulysses to Eumæus answered:
Penelope I quickly can inform,
For he and I have jointly suffered.
520But from the suitors I much fear a storm;

Their insolence is known up to the sky;
Just now a footstool one threw at my head,
When given him no cause at all had I,
Nor could I by her son be succoured.
525Therefore entreat Penelope to stay

Until the sun be set and suitors gone,
And by the fire-side hear what I can say.
You see what woful garments I have on.
Then back Eumæus went with his excuse,
530And came without him to Penelope.

How now, said she, does he to come refuse?
They that are bashful but ill beggars be.
Not so, O queen, said he, he is discreet;
He prays you stay till setting of the sun,
535Fearing some danger from the wooers to meet;

And for you also then ’twill best be done.
I see, quoth she, the stranger wants not wit,
For in the world never so many men
Contriving mischief did together sit.
540So said Penelope. Eumæus then

Went down and put himself into the throng,
And to Telemachus said in his ear:
I have been absent from my swine too long;
I go, and to your care leave all things here,
545And chiefly of your life to have a care;

Many there are that bear you evil mind,
And how to take your life contriving are,
But may they first their own destruction find.
Then said Telemachus, And so ’twill be.
550Farewell. But I advise you first to dine;

The bus’ness here leave to the Gods and me.
Then din’d he, and went back unto his swine,
Next morning with more victims to return.
And full he left the hall and court with men,
555Who there themselves to song and dancing turn,

For less than half the day remained then.

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

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LIB. XVII.