On other thoughts intent, soon as she deem’d
Ulysses with connubial joys sufficed,
And with sweet sleep, at once from Ocean rous’d
The golden-axled chariot of the morn
To illumine earth. Then from his fleecy couch
The Hero sprang, and thus his spouse enjoined.
Against our lot, till wearied with the toil,
My painful absence, thou with ceaseless tears
Deploring, and myself in deep distress
Withheld reluctant from my native shores
By Jove and by the other pow’rs of heav’n.
But since we have in this delightful bed
Met once again, watch thou and keep secure
All my domestic treasures, and ere long
I will replace my num’rous sheep destroy’d
By those imperious suitors, and the Greeks
Shall add yet others till my folds be fill’d.
But to the woodlands go I now—to see
My noble father, who for my sake mourns
Continual; as for thee, my love, although
I know thee wise, I give thee thus in charge.
The sun no sooner shall ascend, than fame
Shall wide divulge the deed that I have done,
Slaying the suitors under my own roof.
Thou, therefore, with thy maidens, sit retired
In thy own chamber at the palace-top,
Nor question ask, nor, curious, look abroad.
His shoulders, called Telemachus; he roused
Eumæus and the herdsman too, and bade
All take their martial weapons in their hands,
Not disobedient they, as he enjoin’d,
Put armour on, and issued from the gates
Ulysses at their head. The earth was now
Enlighten’d, but Minerva them in haste
Led forth into the fields, unseen by all.
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