As he spoke he sat down, and Telemachus threw his arms about his father and wept.  They were both so much moved that they cried aloud like eagles or vultures with crooked talons that have been robbed of their half fledged young by peasants.  Thus piteously did they weep, and the sun would have gone down upon their mourning if Telemachus had not suddenly said, “In what ship, my dear father, did your crew bring you to Ithaca?  Of what nation did they declare themselves to be—­for you cannot have come by land?”

“I will tell you the truth, my son,” replied Ulysses.  “It was the Phaeacians who brought me here.  They are great sailors, and are in the habit of giving escorts to any one who reaches their coasts.  They took me over the sea while I was fast asleep, and landed me in Ithaca, after giving me many presents in bronze, gold, and raiment.  These things by heaven’s mercy are lying concealed in a cave, and I am now come here on the suggestion of Minerva that we may consult about killing our enemies.  First, therefore, give me a list of the suitors, with their number, that I may learn who, and how many, they are.  I can then turn the matter over in my mind, and see whether we two can fight the whole body of them ourselves, or whether we must find others to help us.”

To this Telemachus answered, “Father, I have always heard of your renown both in the field and in council, but the task you talk of is a very great one:  I am awed at the mere thought of it; two men cannot stand against many and brave ones.  There are not ten suitors only, nor twice ten, but ten many times over; you shall learn their number at once.  There are fifty-two chosen youths from Dulichium, and they have six servants; from Same there are twenty-four; twenty young Achaeans from Zacynthus, and twelve from Ithaca itself, all of them well born.  They have with them a servant Medon, a bard, and two men who can carve at table.  If we face such numbers as this, you may have bitter cause to rue your coming, and your revenge.  See whether you cannot think of some one who would be willing to come and help us.”

“Listen to me,” replied Ulysses, “and think whether Minerva and her father Jove may seem sufficient, or whether I am to try and find some one else as well.”

“Those whom you have named,” answered Telemachus, “are a couple of good allies, for though they dwell high up among the clouds they have power over both gods and men.”

“These two,” continued Ulysses, “will not keep long out of the fray, when the suitors and we join fight in my house.  Now, therefore, return home early to-morrow morning, and go about among the suitors as before.  Later on the swineherd will bring me to the city disguised as a miserable old beggar.  If you see them ill treating me, steel your heart against my sufferings; even though they drag me feet foremost out of the house, or throw things at me, look on and do nothing beyond gently trying to make them behave more reasonably; but they will