BOOK XIX.

ARGUMENT.

THE DISCOVERY OF ULYSSES TO EURYCLEA.

Ulysses and his son remove the weapons out of the armoury.

Ulysses, in conversation with Penelope, gives a fictitious account

of his adventures; then assures her he had formerly entertained

her husband in Crete; and describes exactly his person and dress;

affirms to have heard of him in Phaeacia and Thesprotia, and that

his return is certain, and within a month. He then goes to bathe,

and is attended by Euryclea, who discovers him to be Ulysses by

the scar upon his leg, which he formerly received in hunting the

wild boar on Parnassus. The poet inserts a digression relating

that accident, with all its particulars.

Consulting secret with the blue-eyed maid,

Still in the dome divine Ulysses stay'd:

Revenge mature for act inflamed his breast;

And thus the son the fervent sire address'd:

Instant convey those steely stores of war

To distant rooms, disposed with secret care:

The Odyssey of Homer