_Pen._ What means this fight? what hath been done? _Tel._ Thou knowest not? The robbers are all slain. _Pen._ All slain! _Tel._ My father Is here. _Pen._ Son, son! _Tel._ He hath returned—’Tis true— And in his vengeance slain them all. _Pen._ What say’st thou? _Tel._ Mother, believe: our sorrow is o’er. ’Tis he, The man disguised, who spake with thee last night: But now himself. _Eum._ O lady, ’tis the master, 2740 Just as he was. _Tel._ The tidings hath o’ercome her. Stand from before her. _Re-enter Ulysses, as himself._ _Ul._ Now o’er my threshold step I as myself, None will gainsay my coming. Ah here, my son! _Tel._ She learned her joy too quickly. As I spake She fell back swooning. _Ul._ Watch by her awhile. (_To Eum. and neatherd._) Drag ye these bodies forth, and hide the blood; That there be nought to shock her wakening sense. And all ye maids begone. I know to winnow Good wheat from chaff: and what I spake to you Shall be to-day accomplished. (_Exeunt Maids._) Ha, what see I? 2751 Beneath yon skins a coward skulks—one more— Traitor, come forth! _Phem._ (_appearing from under skins_). O my good lord and master, Have pity upon me. _Ul._ (_to Eum._). Take him to the court, And slay him there. _Phem._ Master, have pity on me: I am but a minstrel, and have done no wrong. _Tel._ Father, I plead for him: ’tis Phemius. Spare him. _Ul._ Well, be thou spared;—the only one— And live to tell the tale. See, ’tis thy trade. Go from the hall. [_Exeunt Phemius and neatherd._ (_To Tel._) Now all is ready, son: 2760 Doth she not wake? _Tel._ Ay, now I think she awakes. _Ul._ Stand thou in sight. Now, dearest wife, awake! Wife, wife, awake! That word and in my voice Should call thee from the grave. Dost thou not hear? _Pen._ Who spake? _Ul._ I speak to thee again. _Pen._ Thy hand. _Ul._ I hold thee, and thou me. ’Tis I. I kiss thee. _Pen._ ’Tis thou. Let it be waking life, or death, Or dream, I see thee.— _Ul._ Truest and bravest heart, our patient years Are crowned with joy. 2770 _Pen._ O love, thou comest in time. _Athena appears on the threshold._ _ATHENA._