That scar —
as the old nurses cradled his leg and her hands passed down
she felt it, knew it, suddenly let his foot fall —
down it dropped in the basin—bronze clanged,
tipping over, spilling water across the floor.
Joy and torment gripped her heart at once,
tears rush to her eyes—voice chocked in her throat
she reached for Odysseus’ chin and whispered quickly,
“Yes, yes! you are Odysseus—oh dear boy—
I couldn’t know you before…
not till I touched the body of my king!”
(The Odyssey bk. 19.528-538. Fagles trans.)
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20.25-29, KJV)