Page 262 - the-odyssey

who had been feasting with my father, as being in atten-
dance on him; these were now all gone to a meeting of the
public assembly, so she snatched up three cups and carried
them off in the bosom of her dress, while I followed her, for
I knew no better. The sun was now set, and darkness was
over all the land, so we hurried on as fast as we could till we
reached the harbour, where the Phoenician ship was lying.
When they had got on board they sailed their ways over the
sea, taking us with them, and Jove sent then a fair wind; six
days did we sail both night and day, but on the seventh day
Diana struck the woman and she fell heavily down into the
ship’s hold as though she were a sea gull alighting on the
water; so they threw her overboard to the seals and fishes,
and I was left all sorrowful and alone. Presently the winds
and waves took the ship to Ithaca, where Laertes gave sun-
dry of his chattels for me, and thus it was that ever I came to
set eyes upon this country.’
Ulysses answered, ‘Eumaeus, I have heard the story of
your misfortunes with the most lively interest and pity, but
Jove has given you good as well as evil, for in spite of every-
thing you have a good master, who sees that you always have
enough to eat and drink; and you lead a good life, whereas I
am still going about begging my way from city to city.’
Thus did they converse, and they had only a very little
time left for sleep, for it was soon daybreak. In the mean
time Telemachus and his crew were nearing land, so they
loosed the sails, took down the mast, and rowed the ship
into the harbour. {136} They cast out their mooring stones
and made fast the hawsers; they then got out upon the sea

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