manon’s Reviews > The Odyssey > Status Update

“‘“My friends,” I said, “we may be miserable, but we are not going down to the house of Hades yet, not till our time has come. Get up, and while there’s food and drink on board, let us have something to eat instead of dying here of starvation.””

“With a black look the nimble-witted Odysseus retorted: ‘That, sir, was an unbecoming speech; you strike me as a presumptuous fool. And it shows that the gods do not grave men equally with the attributes of good looks, brains and eloquence.“

“With this Pallas Athena led the way quickly, and Odysseus followed in the steps of the goddess. The Phaeacians, those famous seamen, failed to observe him as he passed them by on his way through the town. For the formidable goddess Athene of the lovely hair prevented it, shedding a magic mist round her favorite in her concern for his safety.”

“When she had finished, bright-eyed Athene withdrew to Olympus, where people say the gods have made their everlasting home. Shaken by no wind, drenched by no showers, and invaded by no snows, it is set in cloudless limpid air with a white radiance playing over all. There the blessed gods spend their days in pleasure, and there the Lady of the Bright Eyes went when she had spoken to the girl.”

“Yet directly he got his wind and breath came into his lungs, he unwound the goddess’ veil from his waist and let it drop into the river as it rushed out to sea. The strong current swept it downstream and in a moment it was in Ino’s hands. Odysseus turned away from the river, threw himself down in the reeds and kissed the bountiful earth.”

“‘Back comes the lion to his lair, and the fawns meet a grisly fate — as will the Suitors at Odysseus’ hand. Once, in the pleasant isle of Lesbos I saw him stand up to Philomeleides in a wrestling-match and bring him down with a mighty throw which delighted all the Acheans. By Father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo, that’s the Odysseus I should like to see these Suitors meet.”

“‘Back comes the lion to his lair, and the fawns meet a grisly fate — as will the Suitors at Odysseus’ hand. Once, in the pleasant isle of Lesbos I saw him stand up to Philomeleides in a wrestling-match and bring him down with a mighty throw which delighted all the Acheans. By Father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo, that’s the Odysseus I should like to see these Suitors meet.”

“‘I do believe,’ said one arrogant young man, ‘that Telemachus wants to cut our throats! And he’s off to sandy Pylos to get help. Perhaps he’ll go as far as Sparta and back, since he’s so thirsty for our blood. Or it may occur to him that the fertile soil of Ephyre is worth a visit. He’ll come home with a deadly poison, drop it in the wine-bowl, and kill us all off.’”

“The goddess spoke and the next moment she was gone, vanishing like a bird through a hole in the roof. In Telemachus’ heart she had implanted spirit and daring, and has brought the image of his father to his mind even more strongly than before. He felt the change and was overcome with awe, for he realized a god had been with him. Then, godlike himself, he rejoined the Suitors.”