And now as the ranks squared off, breathing fury –
four at the sill confronting a larger, stronger force
arrayed inside the hall – now Zeus’s daughter Athena,
taking the build and voice of Mentor, swept in
and Odysseus, thrilled to see her, cried out,
"Rescue us, Mentor, now it’s life or death!
Remember your old comrade – all the service
I offered you! We were boys together!"
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 22, 212-219. Odysseus battles the suitors with his son Telemachus, swineherd Eumaeus and cowherd Philoetius, but they are heavily outnumbered. When Athena appears disguised as Mentor, a relieved and delighted Odysseus pleads for help and begs to be rescued.