“Yes—”
“And this splendid row of pear trees also?”
“Yes—”
“And that thou didst often walk among these hedges in friendly talk with him, telling him the name and use of each bush?”
“Yes, yes—!”
“How he will rejoice when he returns to find thee in thy old haunts.”
“But ye gods! How dost thou know this? Thine eyes shine! Thou tremblest? Yes, thou art Ulysses, my son! By Jupiter, it is he!”
“Yes, father, it is thy son. Oh, contain thyself. Take care, father.”
Laertes now cried aloud: “If thou art really my son Ulysses returned, give me a sign, a convincing token, by which I may know thee.”
“Examine this scar which the boar gave me upon Parnassus,” answered Ulysses gayly. “Thou and my loving mother didst send me to grandsire Autolycus to fetch the gifts which he had promised me.”