He shall not, henceforth, live an exile long 255

From his own shores, no, not although in bands
Of iron held, but will ere long contrive
His own return ; for in expedients, fram'd
With wondrous ingenuity, he abounds.
6 THE ODYSSEY.
Bat tell me true ; art thou, in stature such, 260

Son of himself Ulysses ? for thy face

Aud eyes bright-sparkling, strongly indicate

Ulysses in thee. Frequent have we both

Conversed together thus, thy Sire and I,

Ere yet he went to Troy, the mark to which 265

So many princes of Achaia steer'd.
Him since I saw not, nor Ulysses me.
To whom, Telemachus, discreet, replied.
Stranger ! I tell thee true ; my mother's voice
Affirms me his, but, since no mortal knows 270

His derivation, I affirm it not. '
Would I had been son of some happier sire,
Ordain' d in calm possession of his own
To reach the verge of life. But now, report
Proclaims me his, whom I of all mankind 275

Unhappiest deem. — Thy question is resolved.
Then answer thus Pallas blue-ey'd return* d.
From no ignoble race, in future days,
The Gods shall prove thee sprung, whom so endow' d
With every grace Penelope hath borne. 280

But tell me true. What festival is this ?
This throng, — whence are they ? wherefore hast thou need
Of such a multitude ? Behold I here
A banquet, or a nuptial feast ? for these
Meet not by contribution 3 to regale, 285

With such brutality and din they hold
Their riotous banquet ! A wise man and good
Arriving, now, among them, at the sight
Of such enormities would much be wroth.
To whom replied Telemachus discreet. 290

Since, stranger ! thou hast ask'd, learn also this.
