"
Then Telemachus could hold out no longer, but he gave way now to a full
belief and persuasion, of that which for joy at first he could not credit,
that it was indeed his true and very father that stood before him; and
they embraced, and mingled their tears.
Then said Ulysses, "Tell me who these suitors are, what are their numbers,
and how stands the queen thy mother affected to them?"
"She bears them still in expectation," said Telemachus, "which she never
means to fulfil, that she will accept the hand of some one of them in
second nuptials. For she fears to displease them by an absolute refusal.
So from day to day she lingers them on with hope, which they are content
to bear the deferring of, while they have entertainment at free cost in
our palace."
Then said Ulysses, "Reckon up their numbers that we may know their
strength and ours, if we having none but ourselves may hope to prevail
against them."
"O father," he replied, "I have ofttimes heard of your fame for wisdom,
and of the great strength of your arm, but the venturous mind which your
speeches now indicate moves me even to amazement: for in nowise can it
consist with wisdom or a sound mind that two should try their strengths
against a host. Nor five, or ten, or twice ten strong are these suitors,
but many more by much: from Dulichium came there fifty and two, they and
their servants; twice twelve crossed the seas hither from Samos; from
Zacynthus twice ten; of our native Ithacans, men of chief note, are twelve
who aspire to the bed and crown of Penelope; and all these under one
strong roof--a fearful odds against two! My father, there is need of
caution, lest the cup which your great mind so thirsts to taste of
vengeance prove bitter to yourself in the drinking.
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