The Old Nurse Knows

40The aged woman, as she took the foot
Into her hands, perceived by touch the scar,
And, letting fall the limb, it struck the vase.
Loud rang the brass, the vase was overturned,
And poured the water forth. At once a rush
Of gladness and of grief came over her heart.
Tears filled her eyes, and her clear voice was choked.
She touched Odysseus on the chin, and said: —

41“Dear child! you are Odysseus, of a truth.
I knew you not till I had touched the scar.”

42So speaking, toward Penelope she turned
Her eyes, about to tell her that her lord
Was in the palace; but the queen saw not,
And all that passed was unperceived by her,
For Athena turned her thoughts another way.
Meantime, Odysseus on the nurse’s throat
Laid his right hand, and with the other drew
The aged woman nearer him, and said: —