He sat. Telemachus threw his arms around his father and wept. Desire for lament rose in both. They cried aloud like birds of prey — eagles or crooked-taloned vultures — when country folk have robbed the nest of their unfledged young. So they poured out tearful voices. The light of the sun would have set on their weeping if Telemachus had not spoken first:
“In what ship, father, did sailors bring you to Ithaca? Who did they say they were? For I do not think you came on foot.” Odysseus answered, “I will tell you truly, child. The Phaeacians brought me — famous sailors who give escort to whoever reaches their coast. They carried me sleeping in their swift ship, set me down on Ithaca with splendid gifts of bronze and gold and woven clothes. Those gifts lie stored in caves by the gods’ will.”
Telemachus said, “Father, I have always heard of your fame in war and counsel, but what you say is huge. Awe takes me. Two men cannot fight so many strong young ones. They are not ten or twice ten. Hear the count. From Dulichium fifty-two chosen young men, and six servants with them. From Same twenty-four. From Zacynthus twenty men of Achaea.”
Odysseus said, “Hear me, and consider whether Athena and her father Zeus will be enough, or whether I must look elsewhere.” Telemachus answered, “Those you name are good allies. Though they sit high in the clouds they rule gods and men alike.”
“Those two,” Odysseus went on, “will not stay long out of the fight when the suitors and we clash in my halls. For now, at daybreak go home and mix with the proud suitors. Later the swineherd will lead me to town looking like a wretched old beggar. If they abuse me in the house, let the pain sit in your breast; do not move. Even if they drag me by the feet through the doors, or throw things, endure it and watch. Softly tell them to stop their madness — they will not listen. I give Athena and Zeus the care of that.”
Telemachus said, “Father, you will know my mind in time, and you will find I keep counsel. But I do not think that plan will serve us both. You will waste much time going farm by farm testing men, while the suitors devour your goods without mercy at their ease.”
While they spoke, the ship that had brought Telemachus from Pylos reached Ithaca’s town. They hauled her onto the beach, and proud servants carried the gifts straight to Clytius’s house. They sent a herald to Odysseus’s wise house to tell Penelope that Telemachus was in the country and had told the ship to sail on to the city, so the queen’s heart would not fear and she would not weep. The herald and the loyal swineherd met on the same errand to the woman.
The suitors were stunned and angry. They went outside the great wall of the court and held council by the gates. Eurymachus son of Polybus spoke first: “Friends, Telemachus’s voyage has turned out a serious matter. We thought it would fail. Now let us launch a black ship and gather a crew of rowers to take word as fast as may be to our friends waiting in ambush, and tell them to come home.”
He had barely finished when Amphinomus turned and saw a ship inside the harbor, men striking sail and putting up oars. He laughed and said to the others, “No need for a messenger. They are here already. Either a god told them, or they saw the young man’s ship go by and could not catch her.”
They rose and went to the water. The crew drew the ship ashore. Servants took their armor, and the whole company went up to assembly, but they would not sit with the others. Antinous son of Eupeithes spoke: “See how heaven has kept this man clear of destruction. Day after day we posted lookouts on the headlands, and after sunset we never beached to sleep ashore — we waited on the open sea for Telemachus, meaning to take him — and some spirit brought him home unseen. Let us plan a grim death for him here, and keep him from slipping through our hands again. I do not think our work will prosper while he lives.”