’Of Ithaca have I heard tell, even in broad Crete, far over the seas; and now have I come hither myself with these my goods.  And I left as much again to my children, when I turned outlaw for the slaying of the dear son of Idomeneus, Orsilochus, swift of foot, who in wide Crete was the swiftest of all men that live by bread.  Now he would have despoiled me of all that booty of Troy, for the which I had endured pain of heart, in passing through the wars of men, and the grievous waves of the sea, for this cause that I would not do a favour to his father, and make me his squire in the land of the Trojans, but commanded other fellowship of mine own.  So I smote him with a bronze-shod spear as he came home from the field, lying in ambush for him by the wayside, with one of my companions.  And dark midnight held the heavens, and no man marked us, but privily I took his life away.  Now after I had slain him with the sharp spear, straightway I went to a ship and besought the lordly Phoenicians, and gave them spoil to their hearts’ desire.  I charged them to take me on board, and land me at Pylos or at goodly Elis where the Epeans bear rule.  Howbeit of a truth, the might of the wind drave them out of their course, sore against their will, nor did they wilfully play me false.  Thence we were driven wandering, and came hither by night.  And with much ado we rowed onward into harbour, nor took we any thought of supper, though we stood sore in need thereof, but even as we were we stept ashore and all lay down.  Then over me there came sweet slumber in my weariness, but they took forth my goods from the hollow ship, and set them by me where I myself lay upon the sands.  Then they went on board, and departed for the fair-lying land of Sidon; while as for me I was left stricken at heart.’

So spake he and the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, smiled, and caressed him with her hand; and straightway she changed to the semblance of a woman, fair and tall, and skilled in splendid handiwork.  And uttering her voice she spake unto him winged words: 

’Crafty must he be, and knavish, who would outdo thee in all manner of guile, even if it were a god encountered thee.  Hardy man, subtle of wit, of guile insatiate, so thou wast not even in thine own country to cease from thy sleights and knavish words, which thou lovest from the bottom of thine heart!  But come, no more let us tell of these things, being both of us practised in deceits, for that thou art of all men far the first in counsel and in discourse, and I in the company of all the gods win renown for my wit and wile.  Yet thou knewest not me, Pallas Athene, daughter of Zeus, who am always by thee and guard thee in all adventures.  Yea, and I made thee to be beloved of all the Phaeacians.  And now am I come hither to contrive a plot with thee and to hide away the goods, that by my counsel and design the noble Phaeacians gave thee on thy homeward way.  And I would tell thee how great a measure of trouble thou art ordained to fulfil within thy well-builded house.  But do thou harden thy heart, for so it must be, and tell none neither man nor woman of all the folk, that thou hast indeed returned from wandering, but in silence endure much sorrow, submitting thee to the despite of men.’