midday
Meanwhile go thou home and make ready all things for victualling the ship , corn and wine and barley-meal , and bestow them heedfully in vessels and in bags of leather . Ships there are in plenty , new and old , in seagirt Ithaca ; I will choose the best of them all , and man her with a crew who will serve thee freely and with all goodwill . '' Away went Telemachus , much comforted in spirit , though his heart fluttered when he thought of the great adventure which lay before him . When he entered the courtyard of his house he found the suitors flaying goats and singeing swine for the midday feast . Antinous hailed his coming with a rude laugh , and running up to him seized his hand and said mockingly : `` Well met , Sir Eloquence ! Thy face , I see , is full of care , as of one who is bent on high designs . But lay thy graver burdens aside for awhile , and eat and drink with us .