_The hut of EUMÆUS. (Same background as Act I.) Some swine seen thro’ pens._ _EUMÆUS_ (_who is cutting a thong for his sandal_). Let man serve God, but not for that require An answerable favour: there is none Outside himself: but yet within himself He hath his guerdon and may be content. Some three and thirty years of servitude Have taught me this; dependence on the gods Wins independence of the gods and fate. 300 I that was born a prince have lived a slave,— No fault of mine;—and still if Zeus so willed That man might look for favour, I might hope Once more, ere I grow old, to make return Unto my royal home and kingly sire, —If yet he lives,—and rule myself the realm I was born heir to: be good king Eumæus, So should it be, Eumæus, king of men. Nay—I must play the king over these swine; 309 This homestead for my kingdom, this hut for palace, This bench my throne, these crowded pens and styes My city; and I will boast ’twere hard to find A commonwealth of men, whom equal justice Flattered in distribution to this pitch Of general content, such fat well-being As holds among my folk, their laws regardant Of them they govern and their good alone. Ay, so: a king of beasts, no king at all. Swineherd Eumæus; who would call me king? Fool, fool! Serve God, Eumæus, and mend thy shoes. And why complain? Had not Laertes too 321 A son that feared the gods? and where is he? Would he not now be glad to be alive, Were’t but to envy me who feed his swine, And guard his goods from robbers, and pretend The hope of his return; which is less like For that Ulysses than for this Eumæus;— There too I best him,—since ’tis easier For any living slave to climb a throne, Than for a king once dead to step again 330 Upon the joyous threshold of his house, And take the loving kisses from the lips Of wife and child.—Hark to the hounds. What foe Invades my kingdom? O a piteous sight. Off, dogs;—why they will rend him—Mesaulius, ho! Cottus, call off the dogs! Will they not leave him? To kennel, curs!—Ye heavens! Beggary Is beggared in this miserable beggar. _Enter Ulysses_ (_disguised_). How wast thou near, old man, to end thy days Beside my gate, and bring me shame and sorrow: And that no fault of mine, so suddenly 341 Hast thou appeared. Come, come, sir; step within. Surely ’tis food thou needest. On this table Are bread and wine, and I can bring thee meat: Sit and be satisfied. _ULYSSES._ Now may the gods, Since thou this day giv’st me so good a welcome, Grant thee thy dearest wish, whate’er it be.