_Tel._ Adieu, I go into the town. _Pen._ Why wilt thou go? _Tel._ First I must make report To good Noëmon of his ship returned; Then to pay off my crew. _Pen._ Ah, prithee son, Have care: the robbers have a plot to kill thee: They now may lie in wait. ’Tis early dusk. _Tel._ I fear them not. 1289 _Pen._ Indeed I know their minds. _Tel._ The goddess will withhold their impious hands. _Pen._ What goddess trustest thou to aid thee so? _Tel._ Why who but she that hath preserved my sire? _Pen._ Alas! Then take Eumæus with thee, son. _Tel._ I need him not. Farewell. _Pen._ Then if thou goest, Farewell. But do not tarry. _Tel._ Bid prepare My chamber; for at night I shall return. [_Exit._ _Pen._ The gods protect thee.—Would the gods, that made him So handsome, loving, noble, brave, and good, Had given him wisdom; for without that gift, Grace bears no fruit. ’Tis plain to all, my son 1300 Hath not the truth of his advertisement: He wears the semblance only, such as lures And flatters the deceiver. If I am vexed, ’Tis with myself: I looked for better things And suffer in rebuff. That Menelaus, The delicate, self-seeking Menelaus, Should leave his easeful home to avenge a friend, And that friend dead: and then the wizard tales, Calypso and Proteus, and whatever else, And worst of all this ancient beggar-man, 1310 Who hath a tale better than all the tales! Alas, alas! my son, thou wilt have need Of much good care. ’Twas ill I did not send Eumæus with him. Now till he return, Patience—and when he is returned, again Patience—’tis so: patience was made for me; And one by one my deprecative days Bring nought, but as they flee, still cry to-morrow. ACT · IV _The same: many wooers seated about the hall over remains of feast. In front of stage TELEMACHUS_ (L.), _EURYMACHUS_ (C.), _AMPHINOMUS and ANTINOUS_ (R.). _Phemius sitting near: at left of stage a table piled with gifts._ _EURYMACHUS._ Order thou as thou wilt; with mine own hand Will I present my gift. _ANTINOUS._ And so will I. 1320 Shall there be no distinction? _TELEMACHUS._ Sirs, consider How ye would make distinction. Ye are many, And acquiescence in a preference Of two or three were the self-forfeiture By all the rest of further claim in suit. _AMPHINOMUS._ Hark, ’tis well said, Eurymachus; and for one I were content.