| 437 | 438 | 439 | 440 | 441 |
| 1 | 153 | 306 | 459 | 612 |
|
In order due, the steward of the feast,
Who now was busied carving round the board,)
(
Eumaeus took, and placed it near his lord.
Before him instant was the banquet spread,
And the bright basket piled with loaves of bread.
Next came Ulysses lowly at the door,
A figure despicable, old, and poor.
In squalid vests, with many a gaping rent,
Propp'd or a staff, and trembling as he went.
Then, resting on the threshold of the gate,
Against a cypress pillar lean'd his weight
Smooth'd by the workman to a polish'd plane);
The thoughtful son beheld, and call'd his swain
"
These viands, and this bread, Eumaeus! bear,
And let yon mendicant our plenty share:
And let him circle round the suitors' board,
And try the bounty of each gracious lord.
Bold let him ask, encouraged thus by me:
How ill, alas! do want and shame agree!"
His lord's command the faithful servant bears:
The seeming beggar answers with his prayers:
"
Bless'd be Telemachus! in every deed
Inspire him. Jove! in every wish succeed!"
39
4
Page
Quick Jump
|