Thus did they converse.  Eurymachus then came up and said, “Queen Penelope, daughter of Icarius, if all the Achaeans in Iasian Argos could see you at this moment, you would have still more suitors in your house by tomorrow morning, for you are the most admirable woman in the whole world both as regards personal beauty and strength of understanding.”

To this Penelope replied, “Eurymachus, heaven robbed me of all my beauty whether of face or figure when the Argives set sail for Troy and my dear husband with them.  If he were to return and look after my affairs, I should both be more respected and show a better presence to the world.  As it is, I am oppressed with care, and with the afflictions which heaven has seen fit to heap upon me.  My husband foresaw it all, and when he was leaving home he took my right wrist in his hand—­’Wife,’ he said, ’we shall not all of us come safe home from Troy, for the Trojans fight well both with bow and spear.  They are excellent also at fighting from chariots, and nothing decides the issue of a fight sooner than this.  I know not, therefore, whether heaven will send me back to you, or whether I may not fall over there at Troy.  In the meantime do you look after things here.  Take care of my father and mother as at present, and even more so during my absence, but when you see our son growing a beard, then marry whom you will, and leave this your present home.’  This is what he said and now it is all coming true.  A night will come when I shall have to yield myself to a marriage which I detest, for Jove has taken from me all hope of happiness.  This further grief, moreover, cuts me to the very heart.  You suitors are not wooing me after the custom of my country.  When men are courting a woman who they think will be a good wife to them and who is of noble birth, and when they are each trying to win her for himself, they usually bring oxen and sheep to feast the friends of the lady, and they make her magnificent presents, instead of eating up other people’s property without paying for it.”

This was what she said, and Ulysses was glad when he heard her trying to get presents out of the suitors, and flattering them with fair words which he knew she did not mean.

Then Antinous said, “Queen Penelope, daughter of Icarius, take as many presents as you please from any one who will give them to you; it is not well to refuse a present; but we will not go about our business nor stir from where we are, till you have married the best man among us whoever he may be.”

The others applauded what Antinous had said, and each one sent his servant to bring his present.  Antinous’s man returned with a large and lovely dress most exquisitely embroidered.  It had twelve beautifully made brooch pins of pure gold with which to fasten it.  Eurymachus immediately brought her a magnificent chain of gold and amber beads that gleamed like sunlight.  Eurydamas’s two men returned with some earrings fashioned into three brilliant pendants which glistened most beautifully; while king Pisander son of Polyctor gave her a necklace of the rarest workmanship, and every one else brought her a beautiful present of some kind.