His father shed tears and
answered, "Sir, you have indeed come to the country that you have
named, but it is fallen into the hands of wicked people. All this
wealth of presents has been given to no purpose. If you could have
found your friend here alive in the dêmos of Ithaca, he
would have entertained you hospitably and would have required your
presents amply when you left him - as would have been only right
considering what you have already given him. But tell me, and tell me
true, how many years is it since you entertained this guest - my
unhappy son, as ever was? Alas! He has perished far from his own
country; the fishes of the sea have eaten him, or he has fallen a
prey to the birds and wild beasts of some continent. Neither his
mother, nor I his father, who were his parents, could throw our arms
about him and wrap him in his shroud, nor could his excellent and
richly dowered wife Penelope bewail her husband as was natural upon
his death bed, and close his eyes according to the offices due to the
departed. But now, tell me truly for I want to know. Who and whence
are you - tell me of your town and parents? Where is the ship lying
that has brought you and your men to Ithaca? Or were you a passenger
on some other man's ship, and those who brought you here have
gone on their way and left you?"
"I will tell you everything,"
answered Odysseus, "quite truly. I come from Alybas, where I have a
fine house. I am son of king Apheidas, who is the son of Polypemon.
My own name is Eperitus; a daimôn drove me off my course
as I was leaving Sicania, and I have been carried here against my
will. As for my ship it is lying over yonder, off the open country
outside the town, and this is the fifth year since Odysseus left my
country. Poor fellow, yet the omens were good for him when he left
me. The birds all flew on our right hands, and both he and I rejoiced
to see them as we parted, for we had every hope that we should have
another friendly meeting and exchange presents."
A dark cloud of sorrow
[akhos] fell upon Laertes as he listened. He filled
both hands with the dust from off the ground and poured it over his
gray head, groaning heavily as he did so. The heart of Odysseus was
touched, and his nostrils quivered as he looked upon his father; then
he sprang towards him, flung his arms about him and kissed him,
saying, "I am he, father, about whom you are asking - I have returned
after having been away for twenty years. But cease your sighing and
lamentation - we have no time to lose, for I should tell you that I
have been killing the suitors in my house, to punish them for their
insolence and crimes."
"If you really are my son
Odysseus," replied Laertes, "and have come back again, you must give
me such manifest proof [sêma] of your identity
as shall convince me."
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