In very truth it is Ulysses; he is come, as I have said. He is the
stranger whom everybody in the hall has set at naught. Telemachus knew
long ago that he was here, but out of prudence hid his knowledge of his
father till he should have revenge from those bold men for wicked deeds."

So spoke she; and Penelope was glad, and, springing from her bed, fell on
the woman's neck, and let the tears burst from her eyes; and, speaking in
winged words, she said,--

"Nay, tell me, then, dear nurse, and tell me truly; if he is really come
as you declare, how was it he laid hands upon the shameless suitors, being
alone, while they were always here together?"

Then answered her the good nurse Eurycleia, "I did not see; I did not ask;
I only heard the groans of dying men. In a corner of our protected chamber
we sat and trembled,--the doors were tightly closed,--until your son
Telemachus called to me from the hall; for his father bade him call. And
there among the bodies of the slain I found Ulysses standing. All around,
covering the trodden floor, they lay, one on another. It would have warmed
your heart to see him, like a lion, dabbled with blood and gore. Now all
the bodies are collected at the courtyard gate, while he is fumigating the
fair house by lighting a great fire. He sent me here to call you. Follow
me, then, that you may come to gladness in your true hearts together, for
sorely have you suffered. Now the long hope has been at last fulfilled. He
has come back alive to his own hearth, and found you still, you and his
son, within his hall; and upon those who did him wrong, the suitors, on
all of them here in his home he has obtained revenge."

Then heedful Penelope said to her, "Dear nurse, be not too boastful yet,
nor filled with glee. You know how welcome here the sight of him would be
to all, and most to me and to the son we had. But this is no true tale you
tell. Nay, rather some immortal slew the lordly suitors, in anger at their
galling insolence and wicked deeds; for they respected nobody on earth,
bad man or good, who came among them. So for their sins they suffered. But
Ulysses, far from Achaia, lost the hope of coming home; nay, he himself
was lost."

Then answered her the good nurse Eurycleia, "My child, what word has
passed the barrier of your teeth, to say your husband, who is now beside
your hearth, will never come! Your heart is always doubting. Come, then,
and let me name another sign most sure,--the scar t