_Amph._ Sagest Penelope, thou triflest still. The time is fled when hope might yet imagine Thy husband lived: so long to have sent no word Is surest tidings: if Ulysses lived 1520 He would be here. _Ul._ (_aside_). True, sir. _Amph._ Thy needful patience Have all admired: perpetual widowhood The gods and we forbid. To make an end Of all that thou mislikest in our suit, Is but the boon we crave: choose one of us, Whoe’er it be—to-day. _Pen._ Would all of ye Assent to this? _Ant._ Ay, wherefore sit we here? _Pen._ Indeed, my lords, ye best know why ye came. _Eur._ Worshipful lady, if but all the Achæans Who speak thy name could now behold and hear thee, Then not this house, nay, nor this island’s round, Would hold thy thronging wooers, by so far 1532 Outshinest thou all women of the earth In beauty and in wisdom. _Pen._ Still too wise To fall to flattery; but my grace and favour The gods destroyed that day the Argives sailed ’Gainst Ilion, and bore hence with them my lord: But should he come to rule again his house, Fairer than ever then my fame would be For all this grief and the thick thrusts of fate. 1540 But he, in farewell ere he left his home, Took my right hand in his, and said to me, _Dear wife, we must not think the Achæan army Will all, as they set forth, return from Troy, In numbers and in bravery safe and sound: Our foes are warriors skilled in spear and bow, And horsemen good, say they, such as most quickly Are wont in equal fight to turn the day; Wherefore I know not what may be my hap: But, come the worst, thou here must guard the house, And aye to sire and mother both be kind_ 1551 _As now, or more, since I shall be away. And should I not return to thee, abide Until thou seest our babe upgrown and bearded, When marry whom thou wilt and quit the house._ ’Twas thus he spake, and thus ’tis come about: And not far off that night of hateful marriage Confronts me now; for Zeus hath killed my hope. But ye add pain and anger to my grief, Who come not in the manner of our sires 1560 To woo, when every man that wooed a lady Of substance, rank, and worth, vied with his equals In gifts of flocks and herds, and banqueted All the bride’s household, offering of his own; Not wasting as do ye the house ye seek, And without recompense. _Ant._ See then our gifts. _Pen._ Ay, true: to where your late amendment lies. Let us o’erlook these offerings, ere my maids Bear them away.