"There it was that I heard news
of Odysseus, for the king told me he had entertained him, and shown
him much hospitality while he was on his homeward journey. He showed
me also the treasure of gold, and wrought iron that Odysseus had got
together. There was enough to keep his family for ten generations, so
much had he left in the house of king Pheidon. But the king said
Odysseus had gone to Dodona that he might learn Zeus’ mind from
the god's high oak tree, and know whether after so long an
absence he should return to the dêmos of Ithaca openly,
or in secret. Moreover the king swore in my presence, making
drink-offerings in his own house as he did so, that the ship was by
the water side, and the crew found, that should take him to his own
country. He sent me off however before Odysseus returned, for there
happened to be a Thesprotian ship sailing for the wheat-growing
island of Dulichium, and he told those in charge of her to be sure
and take me safely to King Akastos.
"These men hatched a plot against
me that would have reduced me to the very extreme of misery, for when
the ship had got some way out from land they resolved on selling me
as a slave. They stripped me of the shirt and cloak that I was
wearing, and gave me instead the tattered old clouts in which you now
see me; then, towards nightfall, they reached the tilled lands of
Ithaca, and there they bound me with a strong rope fast in the ship,
while they went on shore to get supper by the sea side. But the gods
soon undid my bonds for me, and having drawn my rags over my head I
slid down the rudder into the sea, where I struck out and swam till I
was well clear of them, and came ashore near a thick wood in which I
lay concealed. They were very angry at my having escaped and went
searching about for me, till at last they thought it was no further
use and went back to their ship. The gods, having hidden me thus
easily, then took me to a good man's door - for it seems that I
am not to die yet awhile."
To this you answered, O swineherd
Eumaios, "Poor unhappy stranger, I have found the story of your
misfortunes extremely interesting, but that part about Odysseus is
not right [kosmos]; and you will never get me to
believe it. Why should a man like you go about telling lies in this
way? I know all about the return [nostos] of my
master. The gods one and all of them detest him, or they would have
taken him before Troy, or let him die with friends around him when
the days of his fighting were done; for then the Achaeans would have
built a mound over his ashes and his son would have been heir to his
kleos, but now the storm winds have spirited him away we know
not where.
"As for me I live out of the way
here with the pigs, and never go to the town unless when Penelope
sends for me on the arrival of some news about Odysseus. Then they
all sit round and ask questions, both those who grieve over the
king's absence, and those who rejoice at it because they can eat
up his property without paying for it. For my own part I have never
cared about asking anyone else since the time when I was taken in by
an Aetolian, who had killed a man and come a long way till at last he
reached my station, and I was very kind to him. He said he had seen
Odysseus with Idomeneus among the Cretans, refitting his ships which
had been damaged in a gale. He said Odysseus would return in the
following summer or autumn with his men, and that he would bring back
much wealth. And now you, you unfortunate old man, since a
daimôn has brought you to my door, do not try to flatter
me in this way with vain hopes. It is not for any such reason that I
shall treat you kindly, but only out of respect for Zeus the god of
hospitality, as fearing him and pitying you."
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