Forgotten fingers were upon the latch of his brain, old scenes began to move through it in swift familiar panorama, he was as a man who wakened from a sleep of years.
One word burst from his lips—“Penelope!” His face cleared as though a mist had suddenly dispersed before it, and his walk quickened into a firm, long stride as he came out on to the lawn.
He stopped short as he saw the mouth of the cave. Calypso was pacing up and down with her sinuous graceful step, and at her side walked a tall young man with a golden wand in his hand and winged sandals upon his feet.
And Ulysses knew him for the God Hermes who had given him the sacred herb in Circe’s island and who had led him down the gloomy ways of Hades.
They turned and came towards him.
“He will never wish to go, Hermes,” he heard Calypso say as they drew near.
“King,” said the god, “I am come to you with a message from Father Zeus. He hath seen you lying in this island with the goddess, and bids me tell you of Ithaca and home once more, that your heart may beat strong within you and you may adventure forth and find your wife Penelope in your ancestral house. And the father promises you divine protection. Your long wanderings shall be at an end, and you shall come safely to the land of your heart’s desire. Is it your will to go and leave the lady?”
The goddess laughed a little musical laugh of certain triumph.
“Go!” she cried. “Ah, he will not go, Hermes. Could he not have left me any time these nine long years of love? Go! No, my mariner loves too well the soft couches of Ogygia, and these weak arms can yet hold his wisdom captive. How will you answer, my heart’s love?”
“To Ithaca?” said Ulysses.