Page 325 - the-odyssey

me—making drink-offerings in his house as he did so—
that the ship was by the water side and the crew found who
would take Ulysses to his own country. He sent me off first,
for there happened to be a Thesprotian ship sailing for the
wheat-growing island of Dulichium, but he showed me all
the treasure Ulysses had got together, and he had enough
lying in the house of king Pheidon to keep his family for ten
generations; but the king said Ulysses had gone to Dodona
that he might learn Jove’s mind from the high oak tree, and
know whether after so long an absence he should return to
Ithaca openly or in secret. So you may know he is safe and
will be here shortly; he is close at hand and cannot remain
away from home much longer; nevertheless I will confirm
my words with an oath, and call Jove who is the first and
mightiest of all gods to witness, as also that hearth of Ulyss-
es to which I have now come, that all I have spoken shall
surely come to pass. Ulysses will return in this self same
year; with the end of this moon and the beginning of the
next he will be here.’
‘May it be even so,’ answered Penelope; ‘if your words
come true you shall have such gifts and such good will from
me that all who see you shall congratulate you; but I know
very well how it will be. Ulysses will not return, neither
will you get your escort hence, for so surely as that Ulysses
ever was, there are now no longer any such masters in the
house as he was, to receive honourable strangers or to fur-
ther them on their way home. And now, you maids, wash
his feet for him, and make him a bed on a couch with rugs
and blankets, that he may be warm and quiet till morning.

The Odyssey