Odysseus is indignant at the suggestion that his wonderful handiwork has been destroyed; but Penelope does not mind about his anger, for she is convinced at last that he is indeed her husband. _Then as he spake were loosened her knees and the heart in her bosom, Since to herself she confessed that the token was sure that he gave her. Bursting in tears, straightway to Odysseus she ran and embraced him, Casting her arms on his neck and kissing his head and exclaiming: “Gaze not upon me in anger, Odysseus! In all thou hast shown thee Wisest of men—and thou knowst that the gods have sent us affliction, Jealous to see us abiding in happiness one with the other.... Ever and ever again hath my heart in the depths of my bosom Shuddered with fear lest any with tales might haply deceive me.... Now ... I believe! for thou giv’st me a token unerring—the secret Touching the bed.... Yea, I believe! thou hast conquered my heart, however unloving!”_[8] Odysseus’s anger quickly melts as he clasps his sweet wife in his arms; and so we may leave Penelope in her happiness. Homer has one word more to say about her, however. It occurs, with apparent naïveté, almost like a curious little afterthought, in the last book of the poem. But there is really exquisite art in it. The souls of the suitors have gone wailing on their way to the World of the Dead; and there they meet the great Greek heroes who died at Troy. There too, they meet the haughty spirit of King Agamemnon, murdered by his wife on his return to Mycenæ. To him the suitors tell their tale of the faithful wife of Odysseus, and their ignominious end. And then from Agamemnon’s lips, bitterly contrasting his wife with Penelope, falls what is perhaps the noblest and most impressive tribute to her: “_O fortunate Laertes’ son, Odysseus many-counselled, who a wife So virtuous and so excellent have won!_ “_How rightly minded from of old was she, Icarius’ child, unblamed Penelope! How well remembered she her wedded lord Odysseus! Therefore undecayed shall be_ “_Her fame for worth, among mankind so long Shall the immortals make a lovely song Of chaste Penelope._“[7] ----- Footnote 7: From Professor J. W. Mackail’s translation of the _Odyssey_ (John Murray). Footnote 8: From Mr H. B. Cotterill’s translation of the _Odyssey_ (Harrap & Co.). _Homer: Circe_ Penelope is not the only woman in the _Odyssey_, although she is far the most prominent. Round her are grouped three other woman-figures—Calypso, Circe, and Nausicaa; and although two of them are goddesses rather than women, they seem none the less deliberately chosen, with the sweet youthfulness of Nausicaa, to enhance the dignity of Penelope.