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both past and future； so he spoke to them plainly and in all
honesty； saying；
〃Men of Ithaca； it is all your own fault that things have turned out
as they have； you would not listen to me； nor yet to Mentor； when we
bade you check the folly of your sons who were doing much wrong in the
wantonness of their hearts… wasting the substance and dishonouring the
wife of a chieftain who they thought would not return。 Now； however；
let it be as I say； and do as I tell you。 Do not go out against
Ulysses； or you may find that you have been drawing down evil on
your own heads。〃
This was what he said； and more than half raised a loud shout； and
at once left the assembly。 But the rest stayed where they were； for
the speech of Halitherses displeased them； and they sided with
Eupeithes； they therefore hurried off for their armour； and when
they had armed themselves； they met together in front of the city； and
Eupeithes led them on in their folly。 He thought he was going to
avenge the murder of his son； whereas in truth he was never to return；
but was himself to perish in his attempt。
Then Minerva said to Jove； 〃Father； son of Saturn； king of kings；
answer me this question… What do you propose to do？ Will you set
them fighting still further； or will you make peace between them？〃
And Jove answered； 〃My child； why should you ask me？ Was it not by
your own arrangement that Ulysses came home and took his revenge
upon the suitors？ Do whatever you like； but I will tell you what I
think will be most reasonable arrangement。 Now that Ulysses is
revenged； let them swear to a solemn covenant； in virtue of which he
shall continue to rule； while we cause the others to forgive and
forget the massacre of their sons and brothers。 Let them then all
become friends as heretofore； and let peace and plenty reign。〃
This was what Minerva was already eager to bring about； so down
she darted from off the topmost summits of Olympus。
Now when Laertes and the others had done dinner； Ulysses began by
saying； 〃Some of you go out and see if they are not getting close up
to us。〃 So one of Dolius's sons went as he was bid。 Standing on the
threshold he could see them all quite near； and said to Ulysses； 〃Here
they are； let us put on our armour at once。〃
They put on their armour as fast as they could… that is to say
Ulysses； his three men； and the six sons of Dolius。 Laertes also and
Dolius did the same… warriors by necessity in spite of their grey
hair。 When they had all put on their armour； they opened the gate
and sallied forth； Ulysses leading the way。
Then Jove's daughter Minerva came up to them； having assumed the
form and voice of Mentor。 Ulysses was glad when he saw her； and said
to his son Telemachus； 〃Telemachus； now that are about to fight in
an engagement； which will show every man's mettle； be sure not to
disgrace your ancestors； who were eminent for their strength and
courage all the world over。〃
〃You say truly； my dear father；〃 answered Telemachus； 〃and you shall
see； if you will； that I am in no mind to disgrace your family。〃
Laertes was delighted when he heard this。 〃Good heavens； he
exclaimed； 〃what a day I am enjoying： I do indeed rejoice at it。 My
son and grandson are vying with one another in the matter of valour。〃
On this Minerva came close up to him and said； 〃Son of Arceisius…
best friend I have in the world… pray to the blue…eyed damsel； and
to Jove her father； then poise your spear and hurl it。〃
As she spoke she infused fresh vigour into him； and when he had
prayed to her he poised his spear and hurled it。 He hit Eupeithes'
helmet； and the spear went right through it； for the helmet stayed
it not； and his armour rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to
the ground。 Meantime Ulysses and his son fell the front line of the
foe and smote them with their swords and spears； indeed； they would
have killed every one of them； and prevented them from ever getting
home again； only Minerva raised her voice aloud； and made every one
pause。 〃Men of Ithaca；〃 she cried； cease this dreadful war； and settle
the matter at once without further bloodshed。〃
On this pale fear seized every one； they were so frightened that
their arms dropped from their hands and fell upon the ground at the
sound of the goddess's voice； and they fled back to the city for their
lives。 But Ulysses gave a great cry； and gathering himself together
swooped down like a soaring eagle。 Then the son of Saturn sent a
thunderbolt of fire that fell just in front of Minerva； so she said to
Ulysses； 〃Ulysses； noble son of Laertes； stop this warful strife； or
Jove will be angry with you。〃
Thus spoke Minerva； and Ulysses obeyed her gladly。 Then Minerva
assumed the form and voice of Mentor； and presently made a covenant of
peace between the two contending parties。
…THE END…
XFIR驗MZ�