Page 84 - the-odyssey

here by divine commission, tell me also about that other
unhappy one—is he still alive, or is he already dead and in
the house of Hades?’
And the vision said, ‘I shall not tell you for certain
whether he is alive or dead, and there is no use in idle con-
versation.’
Then it vanished through the thong-hole of the door and
was dissipated into thin air; but Penelope rose from her sleep
refreshed and comforted, so vivid had been her dream.
Meantime the suitors went on board and sailed their
ways over the sea, intent on murdering Telemachus. Now
there is a rocky islet called Asteris, of no great size, in mid
channel between Ithaca and Samos, and there is a harbour
on either side of it where a ship can lie. Here then the Achae-
ans placed themselves in ambush.