his account of his ten years'
wanderings, Ulysses, after banqueting with Alcinous, was conveyed with
his gifts to the ship which was to take him home. Then, while he slept
in the prow, the skilful Phaeacian rowers entered a sheltered Ithacan
bay, where they set sleeper and gifts ashore and departed without
awaiting thanks. They were about to re-enter their own port when
Neptune, discovering they had taken his enemy home, struck their
vessel with his trident, thus transforming it into the galley-shaped
rock still seen there to-day.

Meantime Ulysses, awakening, hid his treasures away in a cave. Then,
accosted by Minerva in disguise, he gave a fantastic account of
himself, to which she lent an amused ear, before assuring him of her
identity and of his wife's fidelity. She then reported the insolence
of the suitors lying in wait to murder Telemachus at his return, and
suggested that Ulysses, in the guise of an aged beggar, should visit
his faithful swineherd until time to make his presence known.

_Book XIV._ Transformed by Minerva into a sordid mendicant, Ulysses
next visits the swineherd, who sets before him the best he has,
complaining that the greedy suitors deplete his herds. This old
servant is comforted when the beggar assures him his master will soon
return and reports having seen him lately. Ulysses' fictitious account
of himself serves as entertainment until the hour for rest, when the
charitable swineherd covers his guest with his best cloak.

_Book XV._ Meantime Minerva, hastening to Sparta, awakens in the heart
of the sleeping Telemachus a keen desire to return home, warns him of
the suitors' ambush, instructs him how to avoid it, and cautions him
on his return to trust none save the women on whose fidelity he can
depend. At dawn, therefore, Telemachus, after offering a sacrifice
and receiving Menelaus' and Helen's parting gifts, sets out, cheered
by favorable omens. Without pausing to visit Nestor,--whose son is to
convey his thanks,--Telemachus embarks, and, following Minerva's
instructions, lands near the swineherd's hut.

_Book XVI._ The swineherd is preparing breakfast, when Ulysses warns
him a friend is coming, for his dogs fawn upon the stranger and do not
bark. A moment later Telemachus enters the hut, and is warmly welcomed
by his servant, who wishes him to occupy the place of honor at his
table. But Telemachus modestly declines it in favor of the aged
stranger, to whom he promises clothes and pro