To the Swineherd’s Lodge

58Then turning to Piraeus he bespoke
That faithful follower thus: “Piraeus, son
Of Clytius, you who ever were the first
To move, at my command, of all the men
Who went with me to Pylos, take, I pray,
This stranger to your house, and there provide
For him, and honor him until I come.”

59Piraeus, mighty with the spear, replied:
“Telemachus, however long your stay,
This man shall be my guest, nor ever lack
Beneath my roof for hospitable care.”

60He spoke, and climbed the deck, and bade his men
Enter the ship and cast the fastenings loose.
Quickly they came together, went on board
And manned the benches, while Telemachus
Bound the fair sandals to his feet, and took
His massive spear with its sharp blade of brass
That lay upon the deck. The men unbound
The hawsers, shoved the galley forth, and sailed
Townward, as they were bidden by the son
Of great Odysseus. Meantime the quick feet
Of the young chieftain bore him on until
He reached the lodge where his great herds of swine
Were fed, and, careful of his master’s wealth,
Beside his charge the worthy swineherd slept.