Naming the Guilty

59“Rejoice in spirit, dame, but calm yourself,
And shout not. To exult aloud over those
Who lie in death is an unholy thing.
The pleasure of the gods, and their own guilt,
Brought death on these; for no respect had they
To any of their fellow-men —the good
Or evil —whosoever he might be
That came to them, and thus on their own heads
They drew this fearful fate. Now name to me
The women of the palace; let me know
Who is disloyal, and who innocent.”

60Then thus the well-beloved nurse replied:
“My son, I will declare the truth. There dwell
Here in your palace fifty serving-maids,
Whom we have taught to work, to comb the fleece
And serve the household. Twelve of these have walked
The way of shame. To me they give no heed,
Nor to Penelope herself. Your son
Has just now grown to manhood, and the queen
Has never suffered him to rule the maids;
But let me now, ascending to her room —
The royal bower —apprise your wife, to whom
Some deity has sent the gift of sleep.”

61Odysseus, the sagacious, answered thus:
“Wake her not yet, but go and summon all
The women who have wrought these shameful deeds.”