91) Homer Odyssey 13.236

   Then the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him: 
   -A fool are you, stranger, or are come from far, if indeed you ask of this land. 
   Surely it is no wise so nameless, but full many know it, [240] both all those who dwell toward the dawn and the sun, and all those that are behind toward the murky darkness. 
   It is a rugged isle, not fit for driving horses, yet it is not utterly poor, though it be but narrow. 
   Therein grows corn beyond measure, and the wine-grape as well, [245] and the rain never fails it, nor the rich dew. 
   It is a good land for pasturing goats and cows; there are trees of every sort, and in it also pools for watering that fail not the year through. 
   Therefore, stranger, the name of Ithaca has reached even to the land of Troy which, they say, is far from this land of Achaea. 

   [250] So she spoke, and the much-enduring, goodly Ulysses was glad, and rejoiced in his land, the land of his fathers, as he heard the word of Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, who bears the aegis; and he spoke, and addressed her with winged words; yet he spoke not the truth, but checked the word before it was uttered, [255] ever revolving in his breast thoughts of great cunning: 
   -I heard of Ithaca, even in broad Crete, far over the sea; and now have I myself come towards this place with these my goods. And I left as much more with my children, when I fled the land, after I had slain the dear son of Idomeneus, [260] Orsilochus, swift of foot, who in broad Crete surpassed in fleetness all men that live by toil. 
   Now he would have robbed me of all that booty of Troy, for which I had borne grief of heart, passing through wars of men and the grievous waves, [265] for that I would not show favor to his father, and serve as his squire in the land of the Trojans, but commanded other men of my own. 
   So I smote him with my bronze-tipped spear as he came home from the field, lying in wait for him with one of my men by the roadside. A dark night covered the heavens, and no [270] man was ware of us, but unseen I took away his life. 
   Now when I had slain him with the sharp bronze, I went straightway to a ship, and made prayer to the lordly Phoenicians, giving them booty to satisfy their hearts. I bade them take me aboard and land me at Pylos, [275] or at goodly Elis, where the Epeans hold sway. 
   Yet truly the force of the wind thrust them away from that place, sore against their will, nor did they purpose to play me false; but driven wandering from that place we came towards this place by night. With eager haste we rowed on into the harbor, nor had we any [280] thought of supper, sore as was our need of it, but even as we were we went forth from the ship and lay down, one and all. 
   Then upon me came sweet sleep in my weariness, but they took my goods out of the hollow ship and set them where I myself lay on the sands. [285] And they went on board, and departed for the well-peopled land of Sidon; but I was left here, my heart sore troubled.

   So he [Ulysses] spoke, and the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, smiled, and stroked him with her hand, and changed herself to the form of a woman, comely and tall, and skilled in glorious handiwork. 

   [290] And she [Athena] spoke, and addressed him with winged words: 
   -Cunning must he be and knavish, who would go beyond you in all manner of guile, yes, though it were a God that met you. 
   Bold man, crafty in counsel, insatiate in deceit, not even in your own land, it seems, was you to cease from guile [295] and deceitful tales, which you love from the bottom of your heart. 
   But come, let us no longer talk of this, being both well versed in craft, since you are far the best of all men in counsel and in speech, and I among all the Gods am famed for wisdom and craft. 
   Yet you did not know [300] Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, even me, who ever stand by your side, and guard you in all toils. 
   Yes, and I made you beloved by all the Phaeacians. 
   And now am I come towards this place to weave a plan with you, and to hide all the treasure, which the lordly Phaeacians [305] gave you by my counsel and will, when you did set out for home; and to tell you all the measure of affliction it is your fate to fulfill in your well-built house. 
   But do you be strong, for bear it you must, and tell no man of them all nor any woman that you has come back from your wanderings, but in silence [310] endure your many griefs, and submit to the violence of men.
   Then Ulysses of many wiles answered her, and said: 
   -Hard is it, Goddess, for a mortal man to know you when he meets you, how wise to any extent he be, for you take what shape you will. 
   But this I know well, that of old you was kindly toward me, [315] so long as we sons of the Achaeans were warring in the land of Troy. 
   But after we had sacked [Troy] the lofty city of Priam, and had gone away in our ships, and a God [Poseidon] had scattered the Achaeans, never since then have I seen you, daughter of Zeus, nor marked your coming on board my ship, that you might avert sorrow from me. 
   [320] Nay, I ever wandered on, bearing in my breast a stricken heart, till the Gods delivered me from evil, even until in the rich land of the Phaeacians you did cheer me with your words, and yourself lead me to their city. 
   But now I ask earnestly you by your father -- for I think not [325] that I am come to clear-seen Ithaca; nay, it is some other land over which I roam, and you, it seems to me, do speak thus in mockery to beguile my mind -- tell me whether in very truth I am come to my dear native land. 

   Then the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him: 
   [330] -Ever such is the thought in your breast, and therefore it is that I cannot leave you in your sorrow, for you are soft of speech, keen of wit, and prudent. 
   Eagerly would another man on his return from wanderings have hastened to behold in his living rooms his children and his wife; [335] but you are not yet minded to know or learn of anything at all, till you has furthermore proved your wife, who remains as of old in her living rooms, and ever sorrowfully for her the nights and days wane, as she weeps. 
   But as for me, I never doubted of this, but in my heart [340] knew it well, that you would come home after losing all your comrades. 
   Yet, you must know, I was not minded to strive against Poseidon, my father's brother, who laid up wrath in his heart against you, angered that you did blind his dear son. 
   But come, I will show you the land of Ithaca, that you may be sure. 
   [345] This is the harbor of Phorcys, the old man of the sea, and here at the head of the harbor is the long-leafed olive tree, and near it is the pleasant, shadowy cave, sacred to the nymphs that are called Naiads. 
   This, you must know, is the vaulted cave in which you [350] was accustomed to offer to the nymphs many hecatombs that bring fulfillment; and over there is Mount Neriton, clothed with its forests. 
   So spoke the Goddess, and scattered the mist, and the land appeared. 
   Glad then was the much-enduring, goodly Ulysses, rejoicing in his own land, and he kissed the earth, the giver of grain. 
   [355] And straightway he prayed to the nymphs with upstretched hands: 
   -Ye Naiad Nymphs, daughters of Zeus, never did I think to behold you again, but now I hail you with loving prayers. 
   Aye, and gifts too will I give, as before, if the daughter of Zeus, she that drives the spoil, shall graciously grant me [360] to live, and shall bring to manhood my dear son. 

   Then the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him again: 
   -Be of good cheer, and let not these things distress your heart. 
   But let us now without delay set your goods in the innermost recess of the wonderful cave, where they may remain for you in safety, [365] and let us ourselves take thought how all may be far the best. 

   So saying, the Goddess entered the shadowy cave and searched out its hiding-places. 
   And Ulysses brought all the treasure towards that place, the gold and the stubborn bronze and the finely-wrought clothing, which the Phaeacians gave him. 
   [370] These things he carefully laid away, and Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, who bears the aegis, set a stone at the door. 

   Then the two sat them down by the trunk of the sacred olive tree, and devised death for the insolent suitors. 
   And the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, was the first to speak, saying: 
   [375] -Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Ulysses of many devices, take thought how you may put forth your hands on the shameless suitors, who now for three years have been lording it in your living rooms, wooing your godlike wife, and offering suitors' gifts. 
   And she, as she mournfully looks for your coming, [380] offers hopes to all, and has promises for each man, sending them messages, but her mind is set on other things. 
   Then Ulysses of many wiles answered her, and said: 
   -Lo now, of a surety I was like to have perished in my living rooms by the evil fate of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, [385] had not you, Goddess, in due time told me all. 
   But come, weave some plan by which I may requite them; and stand yourself by my side, and endue me with intrepid courage, even as when we loosed the bright diadem of Troy. 
   Would you but stand by my side, you bright-eyed one, as eager as you was then, [390] I would fight even against three hundred men, with you, mighty Goddess, if with a ready heart you would give me aid. 

   Then the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him: 
   -Yes truly, I will be with you, and will not forget you, when we are busied with this work; and it seems to me many a one [395] of the suitors that devour your substance shall bespatter the vast earth with his blood and brains. 
   But come, I will make you unknown to all mortals. 
   I will wrinkle the fair skin on your supple limbs, and destroy the flaxen hair from off your head, and clothe you in a ragged garment, [400] such that one would feel strong repugnance to see a man clothed in that way. 
   And I will dim your two eyes that were before so beautiful, that you may appear mean in the sight of all the suitors, and of your wife, and of your son, whom you did leave in your living rooms. 
   And for yourself, do you go first of all [405] to the swineherd who keeps your swine, and at the same time has a kindly heart towards you, and loves your son and constant Penelope. 
   You will find him remaining by the swine, and they are feeding by the rock of Corax and the spring Arethusa, eating acorns to their heart's content and [410] drinking the black water, things which cause the rich flesh of swine to wax fat. 
   There do you stay, and sitting by his side question him of all things, while I go to Sparta, the land of fair women, to summon from that place Telemachus, your dear son, Ulysses, who went to spacious Lacedaemon to the house of Menelaus, [415] to seek news of you, if you was still anywhere alive. 

   Then Ulysses of many wiles answered her:
   -Why then, I pray you, did you not tell him, you whose mind knows all things?
   Nay, was it unfortunately that he too might suffer afflictions, wandering over the unresting sea, and that others might devour his substance? 
   [420] Then the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him: 
   -Nay really, not for him be your heart overmuch troubled. 
   It was I that guided him, that he might win good report by going towards that place, and he has no toil, but sits in peace in the palace of the son of Atreus, and good cheer past telling is before him. 
   [425] Truly young men in a black ship lie in wait for him, eager to slay him before he comes to his native land, but it seems to me this shall not be. 
   Before that shall the earth cover many a one of the suitors that devour your substance.