Medon Defends Odysseus

35So spoke he, weeping; and the Greeks were moved
With pity as they heard him. Now appeared
The herald Medon and the sacred bard,
As, rising from the sleep of night, they left
The palace of Odysseus. They stood forth
Amid the multitude, who all beheld
With wonder. Then sagacious Medon spoke: —

36“Give ear, you men of Ithaca, and know
That not without the approval of the gods
Odysseus has done this. I saw, myself,
One of the immortals taking part with him,
In all things like to Mentor. Now the god
Standing before Odysseus strengthened him
For combat, and now drove the routed band
Of suitors through the hall; in heaps they fell.”