ecovering hears
the news of her lost husband, Odysseus promises her the speedy return
of the latter, answering her excited questions with: "I know him as I
know myself." The queen fears he will be too late, and when the
stranger insinuates to her that the king will perhaps kill the suitors
whom he has discovered in the queen's apartments and cunningly asks,
wether she wants their protection, her long pent up rage against her
pursuers finds vent in a terrible cry for vengeance {387} and for the
annihilation of all her enemies, and falling on her knees before the
beggar she beseeches him to hasten Odysseus' return. The latter, being
at last sure of his wife's faithfullness, reassures her and tells her
to confide in the gods.

The third act opens with Apollo's festival. The statue of the god is
carried before the people, adorned with roses and ivy. The suitors
banquet in the palace, while the true master sits aloof on the steps of
the temple and is mocked at by the crowd, however remains quiet, only
invoking the god to direct his fate.--Trumpets announce the arrival of
the queen, who is loudly hailed by the crowd. She carries her
husband's own bow, and promises to marry whomsoever shall succeed in
bending it, and in shooting the arrow through a series of twelve
rings.--Telemachus is the first to try his luck, hoping to redeem his
beloved mother. But alas, his strength fails him, and he has to hand
the bow on to the suitors, who so goad and taunt him, that the boy
draws his sword. But they are stronger, Telemachus stumbles and the
beggar catches him in his arms, and unfolds his mantle to protect him
whispering: "Telemachus my son, I am thy father." The youth sinks on
his knees, but Odysseus enjoins silence upon him and warns him to be
ready for battle.

Meanwhile the boy is derided by the crowd, and the queen bitterly
disappointed turns to the beggar whispering: "Thy words old man were
false!" But Odysseus replies: "The gods will prove {388} victorious",
and kisses the queen's hand so fervently, that she stares at him as one
in a trance, until he, recovering himself, kisses it again in due
humility. Her eyes once more grow dim, and she leaves the grounds in
dull despair. During this time the bow has passed from hand to hand,
but none can bend it, and the augur Theoclymenus, who hears Jupiter's
thunder and sees the ravens fly over the temple prophesies their
destruction.

Eurymachus at last proposes to throw t