The vase reclining floats the floor around!
Smiles dew'd with tears the pleasing strife express'd
Of grief, and joy, alternate in her breast.
Her fluttering words in melting murmurs died;
At length abrupt--"My son!--my king!" she cried.

Her nap ended, Penelope resumes her conversation with the beggar,
telling him she has been favored by a dream portending the death of
the suitors. Still, she realizes there are two kinds of dreams,--those
that come true issuing from Somnus' palace by the gate of horn, while
deceptive dreams pass through an ivory gate. After providing for the
beggar's comfort, Penelope retires, and as usual spends most of the
night mourning for her absent partner.

_Book XX._ Sleeping beneath the portico on the skins of the animals
slain to feast the horde of suitors, Ulysses sees the maids slip out of
the palace to join the suitors, who have wooed them surreptitiously.
Then he falls asleep and is visited by Minerva, who infuses new
strength and courage in his veins. At dawn Ulysses is awakened by
Telemachus, and soon after the house is once more invaded by the
suitors, who with their own hands slay the animals provided for their
food. Once more they display their malevolence by ill treating the
beggar, and taunt Telemachus, who apparently pays no heed to their
words.

_Book XXI._ Meantime Minerva has prompted Penelope to propose to the
suitors to string Ulysses' bow and shoot an arrow through twelve
rings. Armed with this weapon, and followed by handmaids bearing bow,
string, and arrows, Penelope appears in the banquet-hall, where the
suitors eagerly accept her challenge. But, after Antinous has vainly