Thinkest thou indeed that this is the worst fate among men? Nay, it is no bad thing to be a king. Straightway one's house grows rich and oneself is held in greater honor. However, there are other kings of the Achaeansįull many in seagirt Ithaca, both young and old.

Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered him: But I will be lord of our own house and of the slaves that goodly Odysseus won for me.” One of these haply may have this place, since goodly Odysseus is dead. “Telemachus, this matter verily lies on the knees of the gods, who of the Achaeans shall be king in sea-girt Ithaca but as for thy possessions, thou mayest keep them thyself, and be lord in thine own house.

How he started up, and was straightway gone! Nor did he wait to be known and yet he seemed no base man to look upon.” Of what land does he declare himself to be? Where are his kinsmen and his native fields? Does he bring some tidings of thy father's coming, or came he hither in furtherance of some matter of his own? Never may that man come who by violence and against thy will shall wrest thy possessions from thee, while men yet live in Ithaca.īut I am fain, good sir, to ask thee of the stranger, whence this man comes. No longer do I put trust in tidings, whencesoever they may come, Then wise Telemachus answered him: “Eurymachus, surely my father's home-coming is lost and gone.

Hand of fate ithaca