Page 269 - the-odyssey

Zacynthus, as also all the principal men of Ithaca itself, are
eating up my house under the pretext of paying court to my
mother, who will neither say point blank that she will not
marry, nor yet bring matters to an end, so they are making
havoc of my estate, and before long will do so with myself
into the bargain. The issue, however, rests with heaven. But
do you, old friend Eumaeus, go at once and tell Penelope
that I am safe and have returned from Pylos. Tell it to her-
self alone, and then come back here without letting any one
else know, for there are many who are plotting mischief
against me.’
‘I understand and heed you,’ replied Eumaeus; ‘you need
instruct me no further, only as I am going that way say
whether I had not better let poor Laertes know that you are
returned. He used to superintend the work on his farm in
spite of his bitter sorrow about Ulysses, and he would eat
and drink at will along with his servants; but they tell me
that from the day on which you set out for Pylos he has nei-
ther eaten nor drunk as he ought to do, nor does he look
after his farm, but sits weeping and wasting the flesh from
off his bones.’
‘More’s the pity,’ answered Telemachus, ‘I am sorry for
him, but we must leave him to himself just now. If peo-
ple could have everything their own way, the first thing I
should choose would be the return of my father; but go, and
give your message; then make haste back again, and do not
turn out of your way to tell Laertes. Tell my mother to send
one of her women secretly with the news at once, and let
him hear it from her.’

The Odyssey