Book II · Episode 4 of 4
Secret Departure
Provisions stowed, the ship slips away
Scenes
- Provisions from Eurycleia — Telemachus secretly asks Eurycleia to pack
- He wants twelve jars of wine packed
- And twenty measures of meal in skins
- Eurycleia weeps, begs him not to go
- He swears the voyage has divine sanction
- She swears an oath of secrecy, obeys
- Athena Readies the Ship — As Telemachus, Athena dulls suitors’ wits
- She takes Telemachus’ shape to gather men
- She borrows a vessel from Noemon
- At sundown she loads and moors it
- Back at the feast she pours sleep
- Cups slip from suitors’ hands, they stagger
- Sailing Through the Night — Crew embarks, Athena sails by night
- They load the hidden stores aboard
- Telemachus sits beside her at the stern
- She sends a fresh west wind
- Ship roars through the dark sea
- Crew pours wine libations to Athena