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trouble； there is nothing worse than being always ways on the tramp；
still； when men have once got low down in the world they will go
through a great deal on behalf of their miserable bellies。 Since
however you press me to stay here and await the return of
Telemachus； tell about Ulysses' mother； and his father whom he left on
the threshold of old age when he set out for Troy。 Are they still
living or are they already dead and in the house of Hades？〃
〃I will tell you all about them；〃 replied Eumaeus； 〃Laertes is still
living and prays heaven to let him depart peacefully his own house；
for he is terribly distressed about the absence of his son； and also
about the death of his wife； which grieved him greatly and aged him
more than anything else did。 She came to an unhappy end through sorrow
for her son： may no friend or neighbour who has dealt kindly by me
come to such an end as she did。 As long as she was still living；
though she was always grieving； I used to like seeing her and asking
her how she did； for she brought me up along with her daughter
Ctimene； the youngest of her children； we were boy and girl
together； and she made little difference between us。 When； however； we
both grew up； they sent Ctimene to Same and received a splendid
dowry for her。 As for me； my mistress gave me a good shirt and cloak
with a pair of sandals for my feet； and sent me off into the
country； but she was just as fond of me as ever。 This is all over now。
Still it has pleased heaven to prosper my work in the situation
which I now hold。 I have enough to eat and drink； and can find
something for any respectable stranger who comes here； but there is no
getting a kind word or deed out of my mistress； for the house has
fallen into the hands of wicked people。 Servants want sometimes to see
their mistress and have a talk with her； they like to have something
to eat and drink at the house； and something too to take back with
them into the country。 This is what will keep servants in a good
humour。〃
Ulysses answered； 〃Then you must have been a very little fellow；
Eumaeus； when you were taken so far away from your home and parents。
Tell me； and tell me true； was the city in which your father and
mother lived sacked and pillaged； or did some enemies carry you off
when you were alone tending sheep or cattle； ship you off here； and
sell you for whatever your master gave them？〃
〃Stranger；〃 replied Eumaeus； 〃as regards your question： sit still；
make yourself comfortable； drink your wine； and listen to me。 The
nights are now at their longest； there is plenty of time both for
sleeping and sitting up talking together； you ought not to go to bed
till bed time； too much sleep is as bad as too little； if any one of
the others wishes to go to bed let him leave us and do so； he can then
take my master's pigs out when he has done breakfast in the morning。
We two will sit here eating and drinking in the hut； and telling one
another stories about our misfortunes； for when a man has suffered
much； and been buffeted about in the world； he takes pleasure in
recalling the memory of sorrows that have long gone by。 As regards
your question； then； my tale is as follows：
〃You may have heard of an island called Syra that lies over above
Ortygia； where the land begins to turn round and look in another
direction。 It is not very thickly peopled； but the soil is good；
with much pasture fit for cattle and sheep； and it abounds with wine
and wheat。 Dearth never comes there； nor are the people plagued by any
sickness； but when they grow old Apollo comes with Diana and kills
them with his painless shafts。 It contains two communities； and the
whole country is divided between these two。 My father Ctesius son of
Ormenus； a man comparable to the gods； reigned over both。
〃Now to this place there came some cunning traders from Phoenicia
（for the Phoenicians are great mariners） in a ship which they had
freighted with gewgaws of all kinds。 There happened to be a Phoenician
woman in my father's house； very tall and comely； and an excellent
servant； these scoundrels got hold of her one day when she was washing
near their ship； seduced her； and cajoled her in ways that no woman
can resist； no matter how good she may be by nature。 The man who had
seduced her asked her who she was and where she came from； and on
this she told him her father's name。 'I come from Sidon；' said she；
'and am daughter to Arybas； a man rolling in wealth。 One day as I
was coming into the town from the country some Taphian pirates
seized me and took me here over the sea； where they sold me to the man
who owns this house； and he gave them their price for me。'
〃The man who had seduced her then said； 'Would you like to come
along with us to see the house of your parents and your parents
themselves？ They are both alive and are said to be well off。'
〃'I will do so gladly；' answered she； 'if you men will first swear
me a solemn oath that you will do me no harm by the way。'
〃They all swore as she told them； and when they had completed
their oath the woman said； 'Hush； and if any of your men meets me in
the street or at the well； do not let him speak to me； for fear some
one should go and tell my master； in which case he would suspect
something。 He would put me in prison； and would have all of you
murdered； keep your own counsel therefore； buy your merchandise as
fast as you can； and send me word when you have done loading。 I will
bring as much gold as I can lay my hands on； and there is something
else also that I can do towards paying my fare。 I am nurse to the
son of the good man of the house； a funny little fellow just able to
run about。 I will carry him off in your ship； and you will get a great
deal of money for him if you take him and sell him in foreign parts。'
〃On this she went back to the house。 The Phoenicians stayed a
whole year till they had loaded their ship with much precious
merchandise； and then； when they had got freight enough； they sent
to tell the woman。 Their messenger； a very cunning fellow； came to
my father's house bringing a necklace of gold with amber beads
strung among it； and while my mother and the servants had it in
their hands admiring it and bargaining about it； he made a sign
quietly to the woman and then went back to the ship； whereon she
took me by the hand and led me out of the house。 In the fore part of
the house she saw the tables set with the cups of guests who had
been feasting with my father； as being in attendance on him； these
were now all gone to a meeting of the public assembly； so she snatched
up three cups and carried them off in the bosom of her dress； while
I followed her； for I knew no better。 The sun was now set； and
darkness was over all the land； so we hurried on as fast as we could
till we reached the harbour； where the Phoenician ship was lying。 When
they had got on board they sailed their ways over the sea； taking us
with them； and Jove sent then a fair wind； six days did we sail both
night and day； but on the seventh day Diana struck the woman and she
fell heavily down into the ship's hold as though she were a sea gull
alighting on the water； so they threw her overboard to the seals and
fishes； and I was left all sorrowful and alone。 Presently the winds
and waves took the ship to Ithaca； where Laertes gave sundry of his
chattels for me； and thus it was that ever I came to set eyes upon
this country。〃
Ulysses answered； 〃Eumaeus； I have heard the story of your
misfortunes with the most lively interest and pity； but Jove has given
you good as well as evil； for in spite of everything you have a good
master； who sees that you always have enough to eat and drink； and you
lead a good life； whereas I am still going about begging my way from
city to city。〃
Thus did they converse； and they had only a very little time left
for sleep； for it was soon daybreak。 In the meantime Telemachus and
his crew were nearing land； so they loosed the sails； took down the
mast； and rowed the ship into the harbour。 They cast out their mooring
stones and made fast the hawsers； they then got out upon the sea
shore； mixed their wine； and got dinner ready。 As soon as they had