Sharing the Feast

22“Eumaeus, be you ever dear to Zeus
As to myself, since with your benefits
You freely honor such a one as I.”

23And you, Eumaeus, made answer thus:
“Eat, venerable stranger, and enjoy
What is before us. At his pleasure God
Gives or withholds; his power is over all.”

24He spoke, and burned to the eternal gods
The firstlings, and poured out the dark red wine,
And to Odysseus, spoiler of walled towns,
Who sat beside the table, gave the cup.
Meantime to each Mesaulius brought the bread —
A servant whom Eumaeus, while his lord
Was far away, had taken for himself,
Without the order of Penelope
Or old Laertes; from the Taphian tribe
With his own goods he bought him. Now the guests
Put forth their hands and shared the ready feast;
And when their thirst and hunger were appeased
Mesaulius took the bread away, and all,
Satiate with food and wine, lay down to rest.