Departure for the Farm

34The blue-eyed Athena had yet new designs;
And when she deemed Odysseus was refreshed
With rest and sleep, in that accustomed bed,
She called Eos, daughter of the dawn,
To rise from ocean in her car of gold,
And shed her light on men. Odysseus rose
From his soft couch, and thus enjoined his spouse: —

35“O wife! enough of misery have we borne
Already —you in weeping for my long
Unhappy absence —I for years withheld
By Zeus and all the other gods
From my return to this dear land, although
I pined for home. Now since upon this couch
We take the place so earnestly desired,
Take you the charge of all that I possess
Here in the palace. For the herds and flocks
Which those high-handed suitors have devoured,
I shall seize many others as a spoil;
The rest the Greeks will bring me, till my stalls
Are filled again. I hasten to my farm
Embowered in trees, to greet the aged man
My excellent father, who continually
Grieves for me. Prudent as you are, I give
This charge; a rumor, with the rising sun,
Will quickly go abroad that I have slain
The suitors in the palace. Now withdraw,
You and your maidens, to the upper room,
And sit and look not forth, nor ask of aught.”

36So spoke the chief, and on his shoulders braced
His glorious armor. Then he called his son,
The herdsman, and the swineherd, bidding them
To take in hand their weapons. They obeyed,
And, having armed themselves in brass, they threw
The portals open. As they all went forth,
Odysseus led the way. The early light
Was on the earth, but Athena, shrouding them
In darkness, led them quickly through the town.