In thee, but thou resemblest more a King. Yes--thou resemblest one who, bathed and fed, Should softly sleep; such is the claim of age. But tell me true--for whom labourest thou, And whose this garden? answer me beside, For I would learn; have I indeed arrived In Ithaca, as one whom here I met Ev'n now assured me, but who seem'd a man 310 Not overwise, refusing both to hear My questions, and to answer when I ask'd Concerning one in other days my guest And friend, if he have still his being here, Or have deceas'd and journey'd to the shades. For I will tell thee; therefore mark. Long since A stranger reach'd my house in my own land, Whom I with hospitality receiv'd, Nor ever sojourn'd foreigner with me Whom I lov'd more. He was by birth, he said, 320 Ithacan, and Laertes claim'd his sire, Son of Arcesias. Introducing him Beneath my roof, I entertain'd him well, And proved by gifts his welcome at my board. I gave him seven talents of wrought gold, A goblet, argent all, with flow'rs emboss'd, Twelve single cloaks, twelve carpets, mantles twelve Of brightest lustre, with as many vests, And added four fair damsels, whom he chose Himself, well born and well accomplish'd all. 330 Then thus his ancient sire weeping replied. Stranger! thou hast in truth attain'd the isle Of thy enquiry, but it is possess'd By a rude race, and lawless. Vain, alas! Were all thy num'rous gifts; yet hadst thou found Him living here in Ithaca, with gifts Reciprocated he had sent thee hence, Requiting honourably in his turn Thy hospitality. But give me quick Answer and true. How many have been the years 340 Since thy reception of that hapless guest My son? for mine, my own dear son was he. But him, far distant both from friends and home, Either the fishes of the unknown Deep Have eaten, or wild beasts and fowls of prey, Nor I, or she who bare him, was ordain'd To bathe his shrouded body with our tears, Nor his chaste wife, well-dow'r'd Penelope To close her husband's eyes, and to deplore His doom, which is the privilege of the dead. 350 But tell me also thou, for I would learn, Who art thou? whence? where born? and sprung from whom? The bark in which thou and thy godlike friends Arrived, where is she anchor'd on our coast? Or cam'st thou only passenger on board Another's bark, who landed thee and went? To whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied. I will with all simplicity relate What thou hast ask'd. Of Alybas am I, Where in much state I dwell, son of the rich 360 Apheidas royal Polypemon's son, And I am named Eperitus; by storms Driven from Sicily I have arrived, And yonder, on the margin of the field