Then wise Telemachus answered him, saying:  ’Verily, father, I have ever heard of thy great fame, for a warrior hardy of thy hands, and sage in counsel.  But this is a hard saying of thine:  awe comes over me; for it may not be that two men should do battle with many men and stalwart.  For of the wooers there are not barely ten nor twice ten only, but many a decad more:  and straight shalt thou learn the tale of them ere we part.  From Dulichium there be two and fifty chosen lords, and six serving men go with them; and out of Same four and twenty men; and from Zacynthus there are twenty lords of the Achaeans; and from Ithaca itself full twelve men of the best, and with them Medon the henchman, and the divine minstrel, and two squires skilled in carving viands.  If we shall encounter all these within the halls, see thou to it, lest bitter and baneful for us be the vengeance thou takest on their violence at thy coming.  But do thou, if thou canst think of some champion, advise thee of any that may help us with all his heart.’

Then the steadfast goodly Odysseus answered him, saying:  ’Yea now, I will tell thee, and do thou mark and listen to me, and consider whether Athene with Father Zeus will suffice for us twain, or whether I shall cast about for some other champion.’

Then wise Telemachus answered him, saying:  ’Valiant helpers, in sooth, are these two thou namest, whose seat is aloft in the clouds, and they rule among all men and among the deathless gods!’

Then the steadfast goodly Odysseus answered him:  ’Yet will the twain not long keep aloof from the strong tumult of war, when between the wooers and us in my halls is held the trial of the might of Ares.  But as now, do thou go homeward at the breaking of the day, and consort with the proud wooers.  As for me, the swineherd will lead me to the town later in the day, in the likeness of a beggar, a wretched man and an old.  And if they shall evil entreat me in the house, let thy heart harden itself to endure while I am shamefully handled, yea even if they drag me by the feet through the house to the doors, or cast at me and smite me:  still do thou bear the sight.  Howbeit thou shalt surely bid them cease from their folly, exhorting them with smooth words; yet no whit will they hearken, nay for the day of their doom is at hand.  Yet another thing will I tell thee, and do thou ponder it in thy heart.  When Athene, of deep counsel, shall put it into my heart, I will nod to thee with my head and do thou note it, and carry away all thy weapons of war that lie in the halls, and lay them down every one in the secret place of the lofty chamber.  And when the wooers miss them and ask thee concerning them, thou shalt beguile them with soft words, saying: