Page 226 - the-odyssey

Achaeans were fighting before Troy, but from the day on
which we went on board ship after having sacked the city of
Priam, and heaven dispersed us—from that day, Minerva, I
saw no more of you, and cannot ever remember your com-
ing to my ship to help me in a difficulty; I had to wander
on sick and sorry till the gods delivered me from evil and
I reached the city of the Phaeacians, where you encouraged
me and took me into the town. {120} And now, I beseech
you in your father’s name, tell me the truth, for I do not be-
lieve I am really back in Ithaca. I am in some other country
and you are mocking me and deceiving me in all you have
been saying. Tell me then truly, have I really got back to my
own country?’
‘You are always taking something of that sort in your
head,’ replied Minerva, ‘and that is why I cannot desert you
in your afflictions; you are so plausible, shrewd and shifty.
Any one but yourself on returning from so long a voyage
would at once have gone home to see his wife and children,
but you do not seem to care about asking after them or hear-
ing any news about them till you have exploited your wife,
who remains at home vainly grieving for you, and having
no peace night or day for the tears she sheds on your behalf.
As for my not coming near you, I was never uneasy about
you, for I was certain you would get back safely though you
would lose all your men, and I did not wish to quarrel with
my uncle Neptune, who never forgave you for having blind-
ed his son. {121} I will now, however, point out to you the
lie of the land, and you will then perhaps believe me. This is
the haven of the old merman Phorcys, and here is the olive