A dark cloud of sorrow fell upon Laertes as he listened. He filled both hands with the dust from off the ground and poured it over his grey head, groaning heavily as he did so. The heart of Ulysses was touched, and his nostrils quivered as he looked upon his father; then he sprang towards him, flung his arms about him and kissed him, saying, "I am he, father, about whom you are asking- I have returned after having been away for twenty years. But cease your sighing and lamentation- we have no time to lose, for I should tell you that I have been killing the suitors in my house, to punish them for their insolence and crimes."