_Ul._ I must be unlike thy thought, son; but in thee I see myself again of twenty years: 730 Nay, I was somewhat thicker, but maybe That will make up; and thou hast got instead Thy mother’s grace. ’Tis true we mostly shape Less to the father. _Tel._ How, sire, didst thou come? _Ul._ A good Phæacian ship brought me last night. I came to land in the dark: and all the spoils I have brought with me are hidden in the cave, Till we may fetch them forth. 738 _Tel._ First come thou home. _Ul._ And would I might. The hope of twenty years Is gathered in this hour. Come home, thou sayst: Ah, son; and would I might; but what of them That stop the way? _Tel._ The suitors of my mother? O, they will fly to hear of thy return. _Ul._ They must not fly. All, where they have done me wrong, Must with their lives atone. This is the cause Of my disguise, that none should know me here But thou, to whom alone I am revealed, That plotting with thee I may draw the net About them. This the goddess bids me, son; To slay thy mother’s wooers. _Tel._ Father, I know 750 Thou art unmatchable among the Greeks In warriorship and wisdom, ay, and here Is none would dare to face thee: yet by tens They reckon, and I fear would overpower thee By very number. _Ul._ Say: how many be they? _Tel._ Out of Dulichium there be two and fifty Princes and lords, each with his serving-man: From Samè, four and twenty: from Zakynthus A score; and even of Ithaca itself Twelve of the best, with Phemius the bard, 760 Medon, and many followers: ’gainst all these We are but two. _Ul._ I fear them not, my son. _Tel._ Seek other aid, I pray, ere ’gainst so many We venture. _Ul._ What, son, sayst thou, if Athena And father Zeus aid us? will they, thou thinkest, Suffice, or must we cast about to find Some other champion? _Tel._ Truly they are the best Thou namest, father; tho’ among the clouds Their seat is, and their countenance withheld From mortal men. _Ul._ They will not hold aloof, 770 When once our spears are plunging in the breasts Of that vain rabble. Goes thy heart with mine? _Tel._ With thee and for thee, father, will I fight, Askest thou? _Ul._ Wilt thou bear to look on me As late thou sawest me, and seeing me so, Find not the least diminishment of love? _Tel._ I never shall forget this godlike mien, Whence to disguise thou deignest as a god.