N/A BONIAS
THE NETHERLANDS
Odysseus as seen by Agamemnon
We emerged from the back of the palace to look down on farm lands spreading away in all directions; the centre of Ithaka was more fertile than its rim. As we were about to descend the steps an old woman appeared from nowhere, holding a babe.
’Lady the Prince is crying. It is past his feeding time.’
Penelope took him instantly, cradling him in her arms.
’This is Odysseus’ son?’ I asked.
’Yes, this is Telemachos.’
I brushed the fat cheek with my finger, then moved onward; the fate of the father was of far greater moment. We walked through a grove of olive trees so old their tortured trunks were thicker than a bull, and found ourselves in a walled area containing more bare soil than it did fruit trees. At which moment we saw Odysseus. Menelaos muttered something in a choked voice, but I could only gape. He was furrowing the ground with the oddest team I have ever seen hitched to a plough -an ox and a mule. They hauled and jerked in opposite directions, the plough heaved and went sideways, the furrow was as crooked as Sisyphos. On his red head Odysseus wore a peasant’s felt cap, and threw something haphazardly over his left shoulder.
’What is he doing?’ asked Menelaos.
’Sowing salt,’ said Penelope stonily.
Babbling senselessly to himself, laughing insanely, Odysseus ploughed and sowed his salt. Though he must have seen us, no light of recognition came into his eyes; they shone instead with the unmistakable glare of madness. The one man we needed above all others was beyond our reach.
I couldn't bear to watch. ’Come, let us leave him,’ I said.
The plough was close to us now, its team growing angrier, harder to control. And without warning Palamedes leaped. While Menelaos and I stood paralysed, Palamedes snatched the child from Penelope’s arms and set him down almost under the ox’s hooves. Screaming shrilly, she tried to go to the babe, but Palamedes held her back. Then the team came to halt; Odysseus ran in front of the ox and picked up his son.
’What is it?’ asked Menelaos. ’Is he sane after all?’
’As sane as a man can be,’ said Palamedes, smiling.
’He feigned madness?’ I asked.
’Of course, sire. How else could he avoid honouring the Oath he swore?’
’But how did you know?’ from Menelaos, bewildered.
’I found a talkative servant outside the Throne Room. He told me that Odysseus was given a house oracle yesterday. It appears that if he goes to Troy, he must remain away from Ithaka for twenty years,’ said Palamedes, enjoying his little triumph.
Odysseus gave the child to Penelope, who wept in earnest now. Everyone knew Odysseus was a great actor, but Penelope could act too. Fitting mates, that pair. His arms were about her and his grey eyes were fixed upon Palamedes. Their expression was not pleasant. Palamedes had incurred the hatred of one who could wait a lifetime for the perfect opportunity to be revenged.
’I am found out,’ said Odysseus impenitently. ’I take it you need my services, sire?’
’I do. Why so reluctant Odysseus?’
’War against Troy will be a long and bloody business, sire. I want no part of it.’
Yet another who insisted it would be a long campaign! But how could Troy possibly withstand a hundred thousand men, no matter how high its walls?
I returned to Mykenai with Odysseus in my train, having put him in full possession of the facts. No need trying to tell him that Helen had been kidnapped. As usual he was a mine of advice and information. Not once had he turned back to see Ithaka fade across the waters; not once had I seen evidence that he would miss his wife - or she him, for that matter. They were controlled and stuffed with secrets, Odysseus and Penelope of the webbed face.