_Enter Telemachus, spear in hand at back; the wooers throng round him as he presses forward._ _Eur._ Welcome, noble prince. _Amph._ All hail, Telemachus! _Ant._ The gods be praised. _Chor._ Hail, noble offspring of a noble sire!— Most gracious son of a most gracious lady!— 1140 Dear to our eyes as is the light of morn— Welcome as softest rain to new-sown fields— _Ctes._ (_aside_). Or like a frost in spring. _TELEMACHUS._ My lords and friends, I thank you all. (_To Pen._) See me returned, dear mother. _Pen._ Welcome, my son. I knew that thou wert come: ’Tis good. (_Aside to Telem._) I had now discharged these lords: I pray thee Rid us their company. _Tel._ My friends, I fear My entrance, just as ye were stood to go, Delays your going: feel not such constraint, Beseech you. We may look to meet again, 1150 If I mistake not. _Ant._ (_aside to wooers_). See how haughtily He bears himself. _Ctes._ (_aside_). Yield not an inch: abide! _Eur._ My lords, let all depart. _Amph._ (_to Pen._). Lady, farewell, To-morrow I will offer at thy feet The best I have. _All._ And I, and I. _Pen._ Farewell. _Tel._ Farewell, my lords. _Ant._ Would I might stay to see the melting joy Of this most happy meeting. _Pen._ Go thy way. If ever grace spake false, ’twas on thy tongue, Falsest Antinous. 1160 _Suitors_ (_going_). Farewell, Farewell. [_They are heard singing without._ To keep good peace we swear, etc.] _Tel._ My dearest mother. _Pen._ O, my noble son, ’Tis joy to kiss thee. Do I see thee safe? But O, thou hast tarried long! And was it kind To make thy journey hence without a word? If thou couldst but have seen my pain, the day I found thee gone, thy pity had surely made Thy duty, and held thee back. But now to see thee, And as thou earnest those rude men abashed,— O, I was proud! _Tel._ Thou canst not more rejoice Than I. _Pen._ I wonder not they were abashed; 1170 Thou hast a freer step, a manlier bearing: I am much to blame keeping thee here at home, Away from fellowship of noble spirits. Whom hast thou seen? _Tel._ Why that were long to tell. _Pen._ I saw thy ship sail in, and then there came Eumæus, saying how thou wert with him, And wouldst not come: then came thy messenger, That thou wert in the town, and on thy way. How was it?