Odysseus answered: I am from Alybas; my father is Apheidas son of Polypemon; my name is Eperitus. A god drove me here from Sicania against my will; my ship lies off the open country. As for Odysseus — this is the fifth year since he left my land. The birds were good when he went; we both hoped to meet again in friendship and exchange gifts.
A black cloud of grief covered Laertes. He seized the dusty earth with both hands and poured it over his gray head, groaning. Odysseus's heart was stirred; he sprang forward, clasped him, and kissed him. Father — I am he, I myself. I have come in the twentieth year. Cease your lamentation; there is need of haste. I have killed the suitors in our halls and taken vengeance for their outrage.
If you are truly my son Odysseus, Laertes said, give me a clear sign. First look at this scar, Odysseus answered, which a boar gave me on Parnassus when you and my mother sent me to Autolycus for the gifts he promised. And I will name the trees you once gave me when I was a child following you through the garden: thirteen pears, ten apples, forty figs, and fifty rows of vines ripening at different times.
Laertes's knees went loose as he recognized the signs. He threw his arms about his son; Odysseus caught him as he fainted. When he revived he said: Father Zeus — then you gods are still on Olympus if the suitors have paid for their pride. But I fear the men of Ithaca will come against us here at once, and send word to the Cephallenian cities.
Take courage, Odysseus said. Let us go to the house by the orchard. I sent Telemachus and the herdsmen ahead to prepare dinner.
They found Telemachus and the herdsmen carving meat and mixing wine. The Sicilian woman bathed Laertes and put a fine cloak on him. Athena made him taller and sturdier to look on. Odysseus wondered to see him like the gods. Laertes answered that he wished he had been as he was when he took Nericum — then yesterday in armor he would have stood by his son and unstrung many suitors' knees.