When they had done this they
washed their hands and feet and went back into the house, for all was
now over; and Odysseus said to the dear old nurse Eurykleia, "Bring
me sulfur, which cleanses all pollution, and fetch fire also that I
may burn it, and purify the cloisters. Go, moreover, and tell
Penelope to come here with her attendants, and also all the maid
servants that are in the house."
"All that you have said is true,"
answered Eurykleia, "but let me bring you some clean clothes - a
shirt and cloak. Do not keep these rags on your back any longer. It
is not right."
"First light me a fire," replied
Odysseus.
She brought the fire and sulfur,
as he had bidden her, and Odysseus thoroughly purified the cloisters
and both the inner and outer courts. Then she went inside to call the
women and tell them what had happened; whereon they came from their
apartment with torches in their hands, and pressed round Odysseus to
embrace him, kissing his head and shoulders and taking hold of his
hands. It made him feel as if he should like to weep, for he
remembered every one of them.
Homer. The Odyssey. Rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Samuel Butler. Based on public domain edition, revised by Timothy Power and Gregory Nagy. A. C. Fifield, London. 1900 (?).
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