Penelope’s Anguish

62“O herald! wherefore should my son have gone?
There was no need that he should trust himself
To the swift ships, those horses of the sea,
With which men traverse its unmeasured waste.
Was it that he might leave no name on earth?”

63And then again experienced Medon spoke: —
“I know not whether prompted by some god
Or moved by his own heart your son has sailed
For Pylos, hoping there to hear some news
Of his returning father, or his fate.”

64Thus having said, the herald, traversing
The palace of Odysseus, went his way,
While a keen anguish overpowered the queen,
Nor could she longer bear to keep her place
Upon her seat —and many seats were there —
But on the threshold of her gorgeous rooms
Lay piteously lamenting. Round her came
Her maidens wailing —all, both old and young,
Who formed her household. These Penelope,
Sobbing in her great sorrow, thus bespoke: —