_Pen._ Two gates there are in heaven of shadowy dreams, One pair of ivory wrought, and one of horn: 2069 And dreams that through the ivory come to men Are cheating, and show things that shall not be; But such as through the polished horn fly down Are true in issue to their glad beholders: But thence came not my strange dream as I fear, Welcome as ’twere to me and to my son. _Ul._ The dream was true; the interpretation true. If yet thou doubt, me too a goddess sent To warn thee of the thing, which thou, alas, For weariness of hope and long misgiving, Art slow to hear. 2080 _Pen._ What is man’s hope, good friend? Is’t not a beggar in the land of doubt, Seeking as thou shelter and fire and food From day to day? and, while she finds a little, She travels on, comforting life’s affections With scraps and crumbs fall’n from the dish of joy. ’Tis thus hope lives, patient and pleasureless: But time will come when hope must die; she feels The gathering cold and creeping touch of death, And hath no thought but how to pass in peace. Even such my hope, agèd and white as thou, 2090 And near her term. Persist not! Rudely to arouse her But hastens her sure end. Like in spent ashes Which fuel chokes, what little fire remains Burns best unmended. _Ul._ Thou wouldst wrong the gods, Who show such care for thee. _Pen._ Friend, what to do? To-morrow I had purposed—ah, evil morn!— To end disorder, and to do a thing Should part me from this house. I had bethought me Of good Ulysses’ bow, to bring it forth, And make therewith a contest to the wooers; 2100 That if among them there was one could string it, And shoot an arrow thro’ the axes’ heads Set up in line as he was used to set them, That that man I would marry,—and with him Quit my dear home for ever. Now thou say’st Ulysses comes, give me thy counsel, friend, If I should do this thing or wait awhile. _Ul._ Lady, some god hath put it in thine heart: Set thou the axes up: Bring forth the bow: Here is there none can bend it; and maybe 2110 That he, while they but strive with that same bow Shall work thee full revenge for all their wrongs. _Pen._ Bid’st thou me so? _Ul._ Fear not! To-morrow morn Bring forth the bow, the axes, and the arrows. _Pen._ And shall I marry him who shooteth true? _Ul._ Thou shalt find here no archer like thy lord. _Pen._ Then will the bow be offered them in vain? _Ul._ More than in vain for them, but not for thee.