"O father," he replied, "I have ofttimes heard of your fame for wisdom,
and of the great strength of your arm, but the venturous mind which your
speeches now indicate moves me even to amazement: for in nowise can it
consist with wisdom or a sound mind that two should try their strengths
against a host. Nor five, or ten, or twice ten strong are these suitors,
but many more by much: from Dulichium came there fifty and two, they and
their servants; twice twelve crossed the seas hither from Samos; from
Zacynthus twice ten; of our native Ithacans, men of chief note, are twelve
who aspire to the bed and crown of Penelope; and all these under one
strong roof--a fearful odds against two! My father, there is need of
caution, lest the cup which your great mind so thirsts to taste of
vengeance prove bitter to yourself in the drinking. And therefore it were
well that we should bethink us of some one who might assist us in this
undertaking."

"Thinkest thou," said his father, "if we had Minerva and the king of skies
to be our friends, would their sufficiencies make strong our part; or must
we look out for some further aid yet?"

"They you speak of are above the clouds," said Telemachus, "and are sound
aids indeed; as powers that not only exceed human, but bear the chiefest
sway among the gods themselves."

Then Ulysses gave directions to his son to go and mingle with the suitors,
and in nowise to impart his secret to any, not even to the queen his
mother, but to hold himself in readiness, and to have his weapons and his
good armour in preparation. And he charged him that when he himself should
come to the palace, as he meant to follow shortly after, and present
himself in his beggar's likeness to the suitors, that whatever he should