_Ul._ Ay, to content: but, friend, I shall not prey upon thee: an hour or two I’ll rest me here; then, if thou shew the road To good Ulysses’ house, I’ll e’en be gone. Food must be there in plenty: I make no doubt 500 To beg a meal till I may serve for hire. _Eum._ Why, man, what put this folly in thy head? ’Twere the short way to end thy days, to go Among that insolent and godless herd, To tempt their violence. Not such as thou Their servants are: they that attend on them Are young and gaily clad and fair of face: And though the polished tables lack not food, ’Tis not for such as thou the hot feast smokes From morn till eve, and the red wine is poured. 510 Bide here; for here thou vexest none, nor me Nor any of my fellows. Bide awhile, And if Telemachus return, I warrant Thou shalt have no complaint. Hark, I hear feet: Some one now comes. _Ul._ And ’tis a friend; the dogs Bark not, but fawn around. (_Aside._) If this be he! I dare not rise and look. _Enter Telemachus._ _Eum._ Why he! ’tis he! Telemachus, my son Telemachus, Art thou returned in safety? _Ul._ (_aside._) Praised be the gods! I see my son indeed! _TELEMACHUS_ (_to Eum._). You see me, father. 520 _Eum._ Light of mine eyes, thou’rt come, Telemachus; All shall go forward with us once again. _Ul._ (_aside_). He calls him father, and I may not speak. _Tel._ Hath aught been wrong? _Eum._ Nay, nought is changed for that. ’Twas only lack of thee: and with the fear Some ill might hap to thee, what dost thou think Must old Eumæus feel? _Tel._ What couldst thou fear? _Eum._ Didst thou not know? The wooers sent a ship To take thee, son. Thou didst not? Well, some god Protected thee. Now let me look on thee. 531 Come within. Sit thee down. _Tel._ So will I gladly. Ere I would venture to the house, I came To talk with thee, and learn if aught has passed. My mother?... _Eum._ All is well, prince, yet; she bides Patient and brave, and weeps both day and night; Weeps too for thee. Give me thy spear, my son. Now sit thee down. I say we have feared for thee. _Tel._ (_to Ul._). Nay, rise not, stranger; there be other seats, And men to set them.—Pardon me that my joy 540 O’erlooked thee. Thou hast guests, Eumæus? _Eum._ Nay, None but this ancient father. _Tel._ And who is he?