livelihood by the recital of the very same poems. This at once determined

him to set out for Chios. No vessel happened then to be setting sail

thither, but he found one ready to Start for Erythrae, a town of Ionia,

which faces that island, and he prevailed upon the seamen to allow him to

accompany them. Having embarked, he invoked a favourable wind, and prayed

that he might be able to expose the imposture of Thestorides, who, by his

breach of hospitality, had drawn down the wrath of Jove the Hospitable.

At Erythrae, Homer fortunately met with a person who had known him in

Phocoea, by whose assistance he at length, after some difficulty, reached

the little hamlet of Pithys. Here he met with an adventure, which we will

continue in the words of our author. "Having set out from Pithys, Homer

went on, attracted by the cries of some goats that were pasturing. The

dogs barked on his approach, and he cried out. Glaucus (for that was the

name of the goat-herd) heard his voice, ran up quickly, called off his

dogs, and drove them away from Homer. For or some time he stood wondering

how a blind man should have reached such a place alone, and what could be

his design in coming. He then went up to him, and inquired who he was, and

how he had come to desolate places and untrodden spots, and of what he

stood in need. Homer, by recounting to him the whole history of his

misfortunes, moved him with compassion; and he took him, and led him to

his cot, and having lit a fire, bade him sup.(9)

The dogs, instead of eating, kept barking at the stranger, according to

their usual habit. Whereupon Homer addressed Glaucus thus: O Glaucus, my

friend, prythee attend to my behest. First give the dogs their supper at

The Iliad of Homer