{* Reading [Greek]}

Therewith, as he went past, he kicked Odysseus on the hip, in his witlessness, yet he drave him not from the path, but he abode steadfast.  And Odysseus pondered whether he should rush upon him and take away his life with the staff, or lift him in his grasp {*} and smite his head to the earth.  Yet he hardened his heart to endure and refrained himself.  And the swineherd looked at the other and rebuked him, and lifting up his hands prayed aloud: 

{* [Greek] is perhaps best taken as an adverb in [Greek] formed from [Greek], though some letters of the word are still left obscure.  Most modern commentators, however, derive it from [Greek] and [Greek] ’near the ground; hence, in this context, ‘lift him by the feet.’}

’Nymphs of the well-water, daughters of Zeus, if ever Odysseus burned on your altars pieces of the thighs of rams or kids, in their covering of rich fat, fulfil for me this wish:—­oh that he, even he, may come home, and that some god may bring him!  Then would he scatter all thy bravery, which now thou flauntest insolently, wandering ever about the city, while evil shepherds destroy the flock.’

Then Melanthius, the goatherd, answered:  ’Lo now, what a word has this evil-witted dog been saying!  Some day I will take him in a black decked ship far from Ithaca, that he may bring me in much livelihood.  Would God that Apollo, of the silver bow, might smite Telemachus to-day in the halls, or that he might fall before the wooers, so surely as for Odysseus the day of returning has in a far land gone by!’

So he spake and left them there as they walked slowly on.  But Melanthius stepped forth, and came very speedily to the house of the prince, and straightway he went in and sat down among the wooers, over against Eurymachus, who chiefly showed him kindness.  And they that ministered set by him a portion of flesh, and the grave dame brought wheaten bread and set it by him to eat.  Now Odysseus and the goodly swineherd drew near and stood by, and the sound of the hollow lyre rang around them, for Phemius was lifting up his voice amid the company in song, and Odysseus caught the swineherd by the hand, and spake, saying: 

’Eumaeus, verily this is the fair house of Odysseus, and right easily might it be known and marked even among many.  There is building beyond building, and the court of the house is cunningly wrought with a wall and battlements, and well-fenced are the folding doors; no man may hold it in disdain.  And I see that many men keep revel within, for the savour of the fat rises upward, {*} and the voice of the lyre is heard there, which the gods have made to be the mate of the feast.’

{* Reading [Greek]}

Then didst thou make answer, swineherd Eumaeus:  ’Easily thou knowest it, for indeed thou never lackest understanding.  But come, let us advise us, how things shall fall out here.  Either do thou go first within the fair-lying halls, and join the company of the wooers, so will I remain here, or if thou wilt, abide here, and I will go before thy face, and tarry not long, lest one see thee without, and hurl at thee or strike thee.  Look well to this, I bid thee.’