Page 257 - the-odyssey

and let me have a good guide to go with me and show me
the way. I will go the round of the city begging as I needs
must, to see if any one will give me a drink and a piece of
bread. I should like also to go to the house of Ulysses and
bring news of her husband to Queen Penelope. I could then
go about among the suitors and see if out of all their abun-
dance they will give me a dinner. I should soon make them
an excellent servant in all sorts of ways. Listen and believe
when I tell you that by the blessing of Mercury who gives
grace and good name to the works of all men, there is no
one living who would make a more handy servant than I
should—to put fresh wood on the fire, chop fuel, carve,
cook, pour out wine, and do all those services that poor
men have to do for their betters.’
The swineherd was very much disturbed when he heard
this. ‘Heaven help me,’ he exclaimed, ‘what ever can have
put such a notion as that into your head? If you go near the
suitors you will be undone to a certainty, for their pride and
insolence reach the very heavens. They would never think
of taking a man like you for a servant. Their servants are all
young men, well dressed, wearing good cloaks and shirts,
with well looking faces and their hair always tidy, the tables
are kept quite clean and are loaded with bread, meat, and
wine. Stay where you are, then; you are not in anybody’s
way; I do not mind your being here, no more do any of the
others, and when Telemachus comes home he will give you
a shirt and cloak and will send you wherever you want to
go.’
Ulysses answered, ‘I hope you may be as dear to the gods

The Odyssey