{"id":128,"date":"2021-05-26T09:19:26","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T13:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca\/odyssey\/chapter\/book-xxii\/"},"modified":"2022-02-01T10:54:46","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T15:54:46","slug":"22","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/chapter\/22\/","title":{"raw":"Book XXII","rendered":"Book XXII"},"content":{"raw":"

Argument<\/b><\/h2>\r\nUlysses, with some little assistance from Telemachus, Eum\u00e6us and Phil\u0153tius, slays all the suitors, and twelve of the female servants who had allowed themselves an illicit intercourse with them, are hanged. Melanthius also is punished with miserable mutilation.\r\n\r\nThen, girding up his rags, Ulysses sprang\r\nWith bow and full-charged quiver to the door;\r\nLoose on the broad stone at his feet he pour\u2019d\r\nHis arrows, and the suitors, thus, bespake.\r\nThis prize, though difficult, hath been atchieved.\r\nNow for another mark which never man\r\nStruck yet, but I will strike it if I may,\r\nAnd if Apollo make that glory mine.\r\nHe said, and at Antino\u00fcs aimed direct\r\nA bitter shaft; he, purposing to drink,\r\nBoth hands advanced toward the golden cup\r\nTwin-ear\u2019d, nor aught suspected death so nigh.\r\nFor who, at the full banquet, could suspect\r\nThat any single guest, however brave,\r\nShould plan his death, and execute the blow?\r\nYet him Ulysses with an arrow pierced\r\nFull in the throat, and through his neck behind\r\nStarted the glitt\u2019ring point. Aslant he droop\u2019d;\r\nDown fell the goblet, through his nostrils flew\r\nThe spouted blood, and spurning with his foot\r\nThe board, he spread his viands in the dust.\r\nConfusion, when they saw Antino\u00fcs fall\u2019n,\r\nSeized all the suitors; from the thrones they sprang,\r\nFlew ev\u2019ry way, and on all sides explored\r\nThe palace-walls, but neither sturdy lance\r\nAs erst, nor buckler could they there discern,\r\nThen, furious, to Ulysses thus they spake.\r\nThy arrow, stranger, was ill-aimed; a man\r\nIs no just mark. Thou never shalt dispute\r\nPrize more. Inevitable death is thine.\r\nFor thou hast slain a Prince noblest of all\r\nIn Ithaca, and shalt be vultures\u2019 food.\r\nVarious their judgments were, but none believed\r\nThat he had slain him wittingly, nor saw\r\nTh\u2019 infatuate men fate hov\u2019ring o\u2019er them all.\r\nThen thus Ulysses, louring dark, replied.\r\nO dogs! not fearing aught my safe return\r\nFrom Ilium, ye have shorn my substance close,\r\nLain with my women forcibly, and sought,\r\nWhile yet I lived, to make my consort yours,\r\nHeedless of the inhabitants of heav\u2019n\r\nAlike, and of the just revenge of man.\r\nBut death is on the wing; death for you all.\r\nHe said; their cheeks all faded at the sound,\r\nAnd each with sharpen\u2019d eyes search\u2019d ev\u2019ry nook\r\nFor an escape from his impending doom,\r\nTill thus, alone, Eurymachus replied.\r\nIf thou indeed art he, the mighty Chief\r\nOf Ithaca return\u2019d, thou hast rehears\u2019d\r\nWith truth the crimes committed by the Greeks\r\nFrequent, both in thy house and in thy field.\r\nBut he, already, who was cause of all,\r\nLies slain, Antino\u00fcs; he thy palace fill\u2019d\r\nWith outrage, not solicitous so much\r\nTo win the fair Penelope, but thoughts\r\nFar diff\u2019rent framing, which Saturnian Jove\r\nHath baffled all; to rule, himself, supreme\r\nIn noble Ithaca, when he had kill\u2019d\r\nBy an insidious stratagem thy son.\r\nBut he is slain. Now therefore, spare thy own,\r\nThy people; public reparation due\r\nShall sure be thine, and to appease thy wrath\r\nFor all the waste that, eating, drinking here\r\nWe have committed, we will yield thee, each,\r\nFull twenty beeves, gold paying thee beside\r\nAnd brass, till joy shall fill thee at the sight,\r\nHowever just thine anger was before.\r\nTo whom Ulysses, frowning stern, replied,\r\nEurymachus, would ye contribute each\r\nHis whole inheritance, and other sums\r\nStill add beside, ye should not, even so,\r\nThese hands of mine bribe to abstain from blood,\r\nTill ev\u2019ry suitor suffer for his wrong.\r\nYe have your choice. Fight with me, or escape\r\n(Whoever may) the terrours of his fate,\r\nBut ye all perish, if my thought be true.\r\nHe ended, they with trembling knees and hearts\r\nAll heard, whom thus Eurymachus address\u2019d.\r\nTo your defence, my friends! for respite none\r\nWill he to his victorious hands afford,\r\nBut, arm\u2019d with bow and quiver, will dispatch\r\nShafts from the door till he have slain us all.\r\nTherefore to arms\u2014draw each his sword\u2014oppose\r\nThe tables to his shafts, and all at once\r\nRush on him; that, dislodging him at least\r\nFrom portal and from threshold, we may give\r\nThe city on all sides a loud alarm,\r\nSo shall this archer soon have shot his last.\r\nThus saying, he drew his brazen faulchion keen\r\nOf double edge, and with a dreadful cry\r\nSprang on him; but Ulysses with a shaft\r\nIn that same moment through his bosom driv\u2019n\r\nTransfix\u2019d his liver, and down dropp\u2019d his sword.\r\nHe, staggering around his table, fell\r\nConvolv\u2019d in agonies, and overturn\u2019d\r\nBoth food and wine; his forehead smote the floor;\r\nWoe fill\u2019d his heart, and spurning with his heels\r\nHis vacant seat, he shook it till he died.\r\nThen, with his faulchion drawn, Amphinomus\r\nAdvanced to drive Ulysses from the door,\r\nAnd fierce was his assault; but, from behind,\r\nTelemachus between his shoulders fix\u2019d\r\nA brazen lance, and urged it through his breast.\r\nFull on his front, with hideous sound, he fell.\r\nLeaving the weapon planted in his spine\r\nBack flew Telemachus, lest, had he stood\r\nDrawing it forth, some enemy, perchance,\r\nShould either pierce him with a sudden thrust\r\nOblique, or hew him with a downright edge.\r\nSwift, therefore, to his father\u2019s side he ran,\r\nWhom reaching, in wing\u2019d accents thus he said.\r\nMy father! I will now bring thee a shield,\r\nAn helmet, and two spears; I will enclose\r\nMyself in armour also, and will give\r\nBoth to the herdsmen and Eum\u00e6us arms\r\nExpedient now, and needful for us all.\r\nTo whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied.\r\nRun; fetch them, while I yet have arrows left,\r\nLest, single, I be justled from the door.\r\nHe said, and, at his word, forth went the Prince,\r\nSeeking the chamber where he had secured\r\nThe armour. Thence he took four shields, eight spears,\r\nWith four hair-crested helmets, charged with which\r\nHe hasted to his father\u2019s side again,\r\nAnd, arming first himself, furnish\u2019d with arms\r\nHis two attendants. Then, all clad alike\r\nIn splendid brass, beside the dauntless Chief\r\nUlysses, his auxiliars firm they stood.\r\nHe, while a single arrow unemploy\u2019d\r\nLay at his foot, right-aiming, ever pierced\r\nSome suitor through, and heaps on heaps they fell.\r\nBut when his arrows fail\u2019d the royal Chief,\r\nHis bow reclining at the portal\u2019s side\r\nAgainst the palace-wall, he slung, himself,\r\nA four-fold buckler on his arm, he fix\u2019d\r\nA casque whose crest wav\u2019d awful o\u2019er his brows\r\nOn his illustrious head, and fill\u2019d his gripe\r\nWith two stout spears, well-headed both, with brass.\r\n There was a certain postern in the wall[footnote]If the ancients found it difficult to ascertain clearly the situation of this \u03bf\u03c1\u03c4\u03bf\u03b8\u03c5\u03c1\u03b7, well may we. The Translator has given it the position which to him appeared most probable.\u2014There seem to have been two of these posterns, one leading to a part from which the town might be alarmed, the other to the chamber to which Telemachus went for armour. There was one, perhaps, on each side of the portal, and they appear to have been at some height above the floor.[\/footnote]<\/sup>\r\nAt the gate-side, the customary pass\r\nInto a narrow street, but barr\u2019d secure.\r\nUlysses bade his faithful swine-herd watch\r\nThat egress, station\u2019d near it, for it own\u2019d\r\nOne sole approach; then Agela\u00fcs loud\r\nExhorting all the suitors, thus exclaim\u2019d.\r\n<\/span> Oh friends, will none, ascending to the door\r\nOf yonder postern, summon to our aid\r\nThe populace, and spread a wide alarm?\r\nSo shall this archer soon have shot his last.\r\n<\/span> To whom the keeper of the goats replied\r\nMelanthius. Agela\u00fcs! Prince renown\u2019d!\r\nThat may not be. The postern and the gate[footnote]At which Ulysses stood.[\/footnote]<\/sup>\r\nNeighbour too near each other, and to force\r\nThe narrow egress were a vain attempt;\r\nOne valiant man might thence repulse us all.\r\nBut come\u2014myself will furnish you with arms\r\nFetch\u2019d from above; for there, as I suppose,\r\n(And not elsewhere) Ulysses and his son\r\nHave hidden them, and there they shall be found.\r\nSo spake Melanthius, and, ascending, sought\r\nUlysses\u2019 chambers through the winding stairs\r\nAnd gall\u2019ries of the house. Twelve bucklers thence\r\nHe took, as many spears, and helmets bright\r\nAs many, shagg\u2019d with hair, then swift return\u2019d\r\nAnd gave them to his friends. Trembled the heart\r\nOf brave Ulysses, and his knees, at sight\r\nOf his opposers putting armour on,\r\nAnd shaking each his spear; arduous indeed\r\nNow seem\u2019d his task, and in wing\u2019d accents brief\r\nThus to his son Telemachus he spake.\r\nEither some woman of our train contrives\r\nHard battle for us, furnishing with arms\r\nThe suitors, or Melanthius arms them all.\r\nHim answer\u2019d then Telemachus discrete.\r\nFather, this fault was mine, and be it charged\r\nOn none beside; I left the chamber-door\r\nUnbarr\u2019d, which, more attentive than myself,\r\nTheir spy perceived. But haste, Eum\u00e6us, shut\r\nThe chamber-door, observing well, the while,\r\nIf any women of our train have done\r\nThis deed, or whether, as I more suspect,\r\nMelanthius, Dolius\u2019 son, have giv\u2019n them arms.\r\nThus mutual they conferr\u2019d; meantime, again\r\nMelanthius to the chamber flew in quest\r\nOf other arms. Eum\u00e6us, as he went,\r\nMark\u2019d him, and to Ulysses\u2019 thus he spake.\r\nLaertes\u2019 noble son, for wiles renown\u2019d!\r\nBehold, the traytor, whom ourselves supposed,\r\nSeeks yet again the chamber! Tell me plain,\r\nShall I, should I superior prove in force,\r\nSlay him, or shall I drag him thence to thee,\r\nThat he may suffer at thy hands the doom\r\nDue to his treasons perpetrated oft\r\nAgainst thee, here, even in thy own house?\r\nThen answer thus Ulysses shrewd return\u2019d.\r\nI, with Telemachus, will here immew\r\nThe lordly suitors close, rage as they may.\r\nYe two, the while, bind fast Melanthius\u2019 hands\r\nAnd feet behind his back, then cast him bound\r\nInto the chamber, and (the door secured)\r\nPass underneath his arms a double chain,\r\nAnd by a pillar\u2019s top weigh him aloft\r\nTill he approach the rafters, there to endure,\r\nLiving long time, the mis\u2019ries he hath earned.\r\nHe spake; they prompt obey\u2019d; together both\r\nThey sought the chamber, whom the wretch within\r\nHeard not, exploring ev\u2019ry nook for arms.\r\nThey watching stood the door, from which, at length,\r\nForth came Melanthius, bearing in one hand\r\nA casque, and in the other a broad shield\r\nTime-worn and chapp\u2019d with drought, which in his youth\r\nWarlike Laertes had been wont to bear.\r\nLong time neglected it had lain, till age\r\nHad loosed the sutures of its bands. At once\r\nBoth, springing on him, seized and drew him in\r\nForcibly by his locks, then cast him down\r\nProne on the pavement, trembling at his fate.\r\nWith painful stricture of the cord his hands\r\nThey bound and feet together at his back,\r\nAs their illustrious master had enjoined,\r\nThen weigh\u2019d him with a double chain aloft\r\nBy a tall pillar to the palace-roof,\r\nAnd thus, deriding him, Eum\u00e6us spake.\r\nNow, good Melanthius, on that fleecy bed\r\nReclined, as well befits thee, thou wilt watch\r\nAll night, nor when the golden dawn forsakes\r\nThe ocean stream, will she escape thine eye,\r\nBut thou wilt duly to the palace drive\r\nThe fattest goats, a banquet for thy friends.\r\nSo saying, he left him in his dreadful sling.\r\nThen, arming both, and barring fast the door,\r\nThey sought brave Laertiades again.\r\nAnd now, courageous at the portal stood\r\nThose four, by numbers in the interior house\r\nOpposed of adversaries fierce in arms,\r\nWhen Pallas, in the form and with the voice\r\nApproach\u2019d of Mentor, whom Laertes\u2019 son\r\nBeheld, and joyful at the sight, exclaim\u2019d.\r\nHelp, Mentor! help\u2014now recollect a friend\r\nAnd benefactor, born when thou wast born.\r\nSo he, not unsuspicious that he saw\r\nPallas, the heroine of heav\u2019n. Meantime\r\nThe suitors fill\u2019d with menaces the dome,\r\nAnd Agela\u00fcs, first, Damastor\u2019s son,\r\nIn accents harsh rebuked the Goddess thus.\r\nBeware, oh Mentor! that he lure thee not\r\nTo oppose the suitors and to aid himself,\r\nFor thus will we. Ulysses and his son\r\nBoth slain, in vengeance of thy purpos\u2019d deeds\r\nAgainst us, we will slay thee<\/i> next, and thou\r\nWith thy own head shalt satisfy the wrong.\r\nYour force thus quell\u2019d in battle, all thy wealth\r\nWhether in house or field, mingled with his,\r\nWe will confiscate, neither will we leave\r\nOr son of thine, or daughter in thy house\r\nAlive, nor shall thy virtuous consort more\r\nWithin the walls of Ithaca be seen.\r\nHe ended, and his words with wrath inflamed\r\nMinerva\u2019s heart the more; incensed, she turn\u2019d\r\nTowards Ulysses, whom she thus reproved.\r\nThou neither own\u2019st the courage nor the force,\r\nUlysses, now, which nine whole years thou showd\u2019st\r\nAt Ilium, waging battle obstinate\r\nFor high-born Helen, and in horrid fight\r\nDestroying multitudes, till thy advice\r\nAt last lay\u2019d Priam\u2019s bulwark\u2019d city low.\r\nWhy, in possession of thy proper home\r\nAnd substance, mourn\u2019st thou want of pow\u2019r t\u2019oppose\r\nThe suitors? Stand beside me, mark my deeds,\r\nAnd thou shalt own Mentor Alcimides\r\nA valiant friend, and mindful of thy love.\r\nShe spake; nor made she victory as yet\r\nEntire his own, proving the valour, first,\r\nBoth of the sire and of his glorious son,\r\nBut, springing in a swallow\u2019s form aloft,\r\nPerch\u2019d on a rafter of the splendid roof.\r\nThen, Agela\u00fcs animated loud\r\nThe suitors, whom Eurynomus also roused,\r\nAmphimedon, and Demoptolemus,\r\nAnd Polyctorides, Pisander named,\r\nAnd Polybus the brave; for noblest far\r\nOf all the suitor-chiefs who now survived\r\nAnd fought for life were these. The bow had quell\u2019d\r\nAnd shafts, in quick succession sent, the rest.\r\nThen Agela\u00fcs, thus, harangued them all.\r\nWe soon shall tame, O friends, this warrior\u2019s might,\r\nWhom Mentor, after all his airy vaunts\r\nHath left, and at the portal now remain\r\nThemselves alone. Dismiss not therefore, all,\r\nYour spears together, but with six alone\r\nAssail them first; Jove willing, we shall pierce\r\nUlysses, and subduing him, shall slay\r\nWith ease the rest; their force is safely scorn\u2019d.\r\nHe ceas\u2019d; and, as he bade, six hurl\u2019d the spear\r\nTogether; but Minerva gave them all\r\nA devious flight; one struck a column, one\r\nThe planks of the broad portal, and a third[footnote]The deviation of three only is described, which must be understood, therefore, as instances of the ill success of all.[\/footnote]<\/sup>\r\nFlung right his ashen beam pond\u2019rous with brass\r\nAgainst the wall. Then (ev\u2019ry suitor\u2019s spear\r\nEluded) thus Ulysses gave the word\u2014\r\nNow friends! I counsel you that ye dismiss\r\nYour spears at them<\/i>, who, not content with past\r\nEnormities, thirst also for our blood.\r\nHe said, and with unerring aim, all threw\r\nTheir glitt\u2019ring spears. Ulysses on the ground\r\nStretch\u2019d Demoptolemus; Euryades\r\nFell by Telemachus; the swine-herd slew\r\nEl[)a]tus; and the keeper of the beeves\r\nPisander; in one moment all alike\r\nLay grinding with their teeth the dusty floor.\r\nBack flew the suitors to the farthest wall,\r\nOn whom those valiant four advancing, each\r\nRecover\u2019d, quick, his weapon from the dead.\r\nThen hurl\u2019d the desp\u2019rate suitors yet again\r\nTheir glitt\u2019ring spears, but Pallas gave to each\r\nA frustrate course; one struck a column, one\r\nThe planks of the broad portal, and a third\r\nFlung full his ashen beam against the wall.\r\nYet pierced Amphimedon the Prince\u2019s wrist,\r\nBut slightly, a skin-wound, and o\u2019er his shield\r\nCtesippus reach\u2019d the shoulder of the good\r\nEum\u00e6us, but his glancing weapon swift\r\nO\u2019erflew the mark, and fell. And now the four,\r\nUlysses, dauntless Hero, and his friends\r\nAll hurl\u2019d their spears together in return,\r\nHimself Ulysses, city-waster Chief,\r\nWounded Eurydamas; Ulysses\u2019 son\r\nAmphimedon; the swine-herd Polybus;\r\nAnd in his breast the keeper of the beeves\r\nCtesippus, glorying over whom, he cried.\r\nOh son of Polytherses! whose delight\r\nHath been to taunt and jeer, never again\r\nBoast foolishly, but to the Gods commit\r\nThy tongue, since they are mightier far than thou.\r\nTake this\u2014a compensation for thy pledge\r\nOf hospitality, the huge ox-hoof,\r\nWhich while he roam\u2019d the palace, begging alms,\r\nUlysses at thy bounteous hand received.\r\nSo gloried he; then, grasping still his spear,\r\nUlysses pierced Damastor\u2019s son, and, next,\r\nTelemachus, enforcing his long beam\r\nSheer through his bowels and his back, transpierced\r\nLeiocritus, he prostrate smote the floor.\r\nThen, Pallas from the lofty roof held forth\r\nHer host-confounding \u00c6gis o\u2019er their heads,\r\nWith\u2019ring their souls with fear. They through the hall\r\nFled, scatter\u2019d as an herd, which rapid-wing\u2019d\r\nThe gad-fly dissipates, infester fell\r\nOf beeves, when vernal suns shine hot and long.\r\nBut, as when bow-beak\u2019d vultures crooked-claw\u2019d[footnote]In this simile we seem to have a curious account of the ancient manner of fowling. The nets (for \u03bd\u03b5\u03c6\u03b5\u03b1 is used in that sense by Aristophanes) were spread on a plain; on an adjoining rising ground were stationed they who had charge of the vultures (such Homer calls them) which were trained to the sport. The alarm being given to the birds below, the vultures were loosed, when if any of them escaped their talons, the nets were ready to enclose them. See Eustathius Dacier.[\/footnote]<\/sup>\r\nStoop from the mountains on the smaller fowl;\r\nTerrified at the toils that spread the plain\r\nThe flocks take wing, they, darting from above,\r\nStrike, seize, and slay, resistance or escape\r\nIs none, the fowler\u2019s heart leaps with delight,\r\nSo they, pursuing through the spacious hall\r\nThe suitors, smote them on all sides, their heads\r\nSounded beneath the sword, with hideous groans\r\nThe palace rang, and the floor foamed with blood.\r\nThen flew Leiodes to Ulysses\u2019 knees,\r\nWhich clasping, in wing\u2019d accents thus he cried.\r\nI clasp thy knees, Ulysses! oh respect\r\nMy suit, and spare me! Never have I word\r\nInjurious spoken, or injurious deed\r\nAttempted \u2019gainst the women of thy house,\r\nBut others, so transgressing, oft forbad.\r\nYet they abstain\u2019d not, and a dreadful fate\r\nDue to their wickedness have, therefore, found.\r\nBut I, their soothsayer alone, must fall,\r\nThough unoffending; such is the return\r\nBy mortals made for benefits received!\r\nTo whom Ulysses, louring dark, replied.\r\nIs that thy boast? Hast thou indeed for these\r\nThe seer\u2019s high office fill\u2019d? Then, doubtless, oft\r\nThy pray\u2019r hath been that distant far might prove\r\nThe day delectable of my return,\r\nAnd that my consort might thy own become\r\nTo bear thee children; wherefore thee I doom\r\nTo a dire death which thou shalt not avoid.\r\nSo saying, he caught the faulchion from the floor\r\nWhich Agela\u00fcs had let fall, and smote\r\nLeiodes, while he kneel\u2019d, athwart his neck\r\nSo suddenly, that ere his tongue had ceased\r\nTo plead for life, his head was in the dust.\r\nBut Phemius, son of Terpius, bard divine,\r\nWho, through compulsion, with his song regaled\r\nThe suitors, a like dreadful death escaped.\r\nFast by the postern, harp in hand, he stood,\r\nDoubtful if, issuing, he should take his seat\r\nBeside the altar of Herc\u00e6an Jove,[footnote]So called because he was worshipped within the \u1f18\u03c1\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2 or wall that surrounded the court.[\/footnote]<\/sup>\r\nWhere oft Ulysses offer\u2019d, and his sire,\r\nFat thighs of beeves, or whether he should haste,\r\nAn earnest suppliant, to embrace his knees.\r\nThat course, at length, most pleased him; then, between\r\nThe beaker and an argent-studded throne\r\nHe grounded his sweet lyre, and seizing fast\r\nThe Hero\u2019s knees, him, suppliant, thus address\u2019d.\r\nI clasp thy knees, Ulysses! oh respect\r\nMy suit, and spare me. Thou shalt not escape\r\nRegret thyself hereafter, if thou slay\r\nMe, charmer of the woes of Gods and men.\r\nSelf-taught am I, and treasure in my mind\r\nThemes of all argument from heav\u2019n inspired,\r\nAnd I can sing to thee as to a God.\r\nAh, then, behead me not. Put ev\u2019n the wish\r\nFar from thee! for thy own beloved son\r\nCan witness, that not drawn by choice, or driv\u2019n\r\nBy stress of want, resorting to thine house\r\nI have regaled these revellers so oft,\r\nBut under force of mightier far than I.\r\nSo he; whose words soon as the sacred might\r\nHeard of Telemachus, approaching quick\r\nHis father, thus, humane, he interposed.\r\nHold, harm not with the vengeful faulchion\u2019s edge\r\nThis blameless man; and we will also spare\r\nMedon the herald, who hath ever been\r\nA watchful guardian of my boyish years,\r\nUnless Phil\u0153tius have already slain him,\r\nOr else Eum\u00e6us, or thyself, perchance,\r\nUnconscious, in the tumult of our foes.\r\nHe spake, whom Medon hearing (for he lay\r\nBeneath a throne, and in a new-stript hide\r\nEnfolded, trembling with the dread of death)\r\nSprang from his hiding-place, and casting off\r\nThe skin, flew to Telemachus, embraced\r\nHis knees, and in wing\u2019d accents thus exclaim\u2019d.\r\nPrince! I am here\u2014oh, pity me! repress\r\nThine own, and pacify thy father\u2019s wrath,\r\nThat he destroy not me, through fierce revenge\r\nOf their iniquities who have consumed\r\nHis wealth, and, in their folly scorn\u2019d his son.\r\nTo whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied,\r\nSmiling complacent. Fear not; my own son\r\nHath pleaded for thee. Therefore (taught thyself\r\nThat truth) teach others the superior worth\r\nOf benefits with injuries compared.\r\nBut go ye forth, thou and the sacred bard,\r\nThat ye may sit distant in yonder court\r\nFrom all this carnage, while I give command,\r\nMyself, concerning it, to those within.\r\nHe ceas\u2019d; they going forth, took each his seat\r\nBeside Jove\u2019s altar, but with careful looks\r\nSuspicious, dreading without cease the sword.\r\nMeantime Ulysses search\u2019d his hall, in quest\r\nOf living foes, if any still survived\r\nUnpunish\u2019d; but he found them all alike\r\nWelt\u2019ring in dust and blood; num\u2019rous they lay\r\nLike fishes when they strew the sinuous shore\r\nOf Ocean, from the grey gulph drawn aground\r\nIn nets of many a mesh; they on the sands\r\nLie spread, athirst for the salt wave, till hot\r\nThe gazing sun dries all their life away;\r\nSo lay the suitors heap\u2019d, and thus at length\r\nThe prudent Chief gave order to his son.\r\nTelemachus! bid Euryclea come\r\nQuickly, the nurse, to whom I would impart\r\nThe purpose which now occupies me most.\r\nHe said; obedient to his sire, the Prince\r\nSmote on the door, and summon\u2019d loud the nurse.\r\nArise thou ancient governess of all\r\nOur female menials, and come forth; attend\r\nMy father; he hath somewhat for thine ear.\r\nSo he; nor flew his words useless away,\r\nFor, throwing wide the portal, forth she came,\r\nAnd, by Telemachus conducted, found\r\nEre long Ulysses amid all the slain,\r\nWith blood defiled and dust; dread he appear\u2019d\r\nAs from the pastur\u2019d ox newly-devoured\r\nThe lion stalking back; his ample chest\r\nWith gory drops and his broad cheeks are hung,\r\nTremendous spectacle! such seem\u2019d the Chief,\r\nBlood-stain\u2019d all over. She, the carnage spread\r\nOn all sides seeing, and the pools of blood,\r\nFelt impulse forcible to publish loud\r\nThat wond\u2019rous triumph; but her Lord repress\u2019d\r\nThe shout of rapture ere it burst abroad,\r\nAnd in wing\u2019d accents thus his will enforced.\r\nSilent exult, O ancient matron dear!\r\nShout not, be still. Unholy is the voice\r\nOf loud thanksgiving over slaughter\u2019d men.\r\nTheir own atrocious deeds and the Gods\u2019 will\r\nHave slain all these; for whether noble guest\r\nArrived or base, they scoff\u2019d at all alike,\r\nAnd for their wickedness have, therefore, died.\r\nBut say; of my domestic women, who\r\nHave scorn\u2019d me, and whom find\u2019st thou innocent?\r\nTo whom good Euryclea thus replied.\r\nMy son! I will declare the truth; thou keep\u2019st\r\nFemale domestics fifty in thy house,\r\nWhom we have made intelligent to comb\r\nThe fleece, and to perform whatever task.\r\nOf these, twice six have overpass\u2019d the bounds\r\nOf modesty, respecting neither me,\r\nNor yet the Queen; and thy own son, adult\r\nSo lately, no permission had from her\r\nTo regulate the women of her train.\r\nBut I am gone, I fly with what hath pass\u2019d\r\nTo the Queen\u2019s ear, who nought suspects, so sound\r\nShe sleeps, by some divinity composed.\r\nThen answer, thus, Ulysses wise returned.\r\nHush, and disturb her not. Go. Summon first\r\nThose wantons, who have long deserved to die.\r\nHe ceas\u2019d; then issued forth the ancient dame\r\nTo summon those bad women, and, meantime,\r\nCalling his son, Phil\u0153tius, and Eum\u00e6us,\r\nUlysses in wing\u2019d accents thus began.\r\nBestir ye, and remove the dead; command\r\nThose women also to your help; then cleanse\r\nWith bibulous sponges and with water all\r\nThe seats and tables; when ye shall have thus\r\nSet all in order, lead those women forth,\r\nAnd in the centre of the spacious court,\r\nBetween the scull\u2019ry and the outer-wall\r\nSmite them with your broad faulchions till they lose\r\nIn death the mem\u2019ry of their secret loves\r\nIndulged with wretches lawless as themselves.\r\nHe ended, and the damsels came at once\r\nAll forth, lamenting, and with tepid tears\r\nShow\u2019ring the ground; with mutual labour, first,\r\nBearing the bodies forth into the court,\r\nThey lodged them in the portico; meantime\r\nUlysses, stern, enjoin\u2019d them haste, and, urged\r\nBy sad necessity, they bore all out.\r\nWith sponges and with water, next, they cleansed\r\nThe thrones and tables, while Telemachus\r\nBeesom\u2019d the floor, Eum\u00e6us in that work\r\nAiding him and the keeper of the beeves,\r\nAnd those twelve damsels bearing forth the soil.\r\nThus, order giv\u2019n to all within, they, next,\r\nLed forth the women, whom they shut between\r\nThe scull\u2019ry and the outer-wall in close\r\nDurance, from which no pris\u2019ner could escape,\r\nAnd thus Telemachus discrete began.\r\nAn honourable death is not for these\r\nBy my advice, who have so often heap\u2019d\r\nReproach on mine and on my mother\u2019s head,\r\nAnd held lewd commerce with the suitor-train.\r\nHe said, and noosing a strong galley-rope\r\nTo an huge column, led the cord around\r\nThe spacious dome, suspended so aloft\r\nThat none with quiv\u2019ring feet might reach the floor.\r\nAs when a flight of doves ent\u2019ring the copse,\r\nOr broad-wing\u2019d thrushes, strike against the net\r\nWithin, ill rest, entangled, there they find,\r\nSo they, suspended by the neck, expired\r\nAll in one line together. Death abhorr\u2019d!\r\nWith restless feet awhile they beat the air,\r\nThen ceas\u2019d. And now through vestibule and hall\r\nThey led Melanthius forth. With ruthless steel\r\nThey pared away his ears and nose, pluck\u2019d forth\r\nHis parts of shame, destin\u2019d to feed the dogs,\r\nAnd, still indignant, lopp\u2019d his hands and feet.\r\nThen, laving each his feet and hands, they sought\r\nAgain Ulysses; all their work was done,\r\nAnd thus the Chief to Euryclea spake.\r\nBring blast-averting sulphur, nurse, bring fire!\r\nThat I may fumigate my walls; then bid\r\nPenelope with her attendants down,\r\nAnd summon all the women of her train.\r\nBut Euryclea, thus, his nurse, replied.\r\nMy son! thou hast well said; yet will I first\r\nServe thee with vest and mantle. Stand not here\r\nIn thy own palace cloath\u2019d with tatters foul\r\nAnd beggarly\u2014she will abhor the sight.\r\nThen answer thus Ulysses wise return\u2019d.\r\nNot so. Bring fire for fumigation first.\r\nHe said; nor Euryclea his lov\u2019d nurse\r\nLonger delay\u2019d, but sulphur brought and fire,\r\nWhen he with purifying steams, himself,\r\nVisited ev\u2019ry part, the banquet-room,\r\nThe vestibule, the court. Ranging meantime\r\nHis house magnificent, the matron call\u2019d\r\nThe women to attend their Lord in haste,\r\nAnd they attended, bearing each a torch.\r\nThen gather\u2019d they around him all, sincere\r\nWelcoming his return; with close embrace\r\nEnfolding him, each kiss\u2019d his brows, and each\r\nHis shoulders, and his hands lock\u2019d fast in hers.\r\nHe, irresistible the impulse felt\r\nTo sigh and weep, well recognizing all.","rendered":"

Argument<\/b><\/h2>\n

Ulysses, with some little assistance from Telemachus, Eum\u00e6us and Phil\u0153tius, slays all the suitors, and twelve of the female servants who had allowed themselves an illicit intercourse with them, are hanged. Melanthius also is punished with miserable mutilation.<\/p>\n

Then, girding up his rags, Ulysses sprang
\nWith bow and full-charged quiver to the door;
\nLoose on the broad stone at his feet he pour\u2019d
\nHis arrows, and the suitors, thus, bespake.
\nThis prize, though difficult, hath been atchieved.
\nNow for another mark which never man
\nStruck yet, but I will strike it if I may,
\nAnd if Apollo make that glory mine.
\nHe said, and at Antino\u00fcs aimed direct
\nA bitter shaft; he, purposing to drink,
\nBoth hands advanced toward the golden cup
\nTwin-ear\u2019d, nor aught suspected death so nigh.
\nFor who, at the full banquet, could suspect
\nThat any single guest, however brave,
\nShould plan his death, and execute the blow?
\nYet him Ulysses with an arrow pierced
\nFull in the throat, and through his neck behind
\nStarted the glitt\u2019ring point. Aslant he droop\u2019d;
\nDown fell the goblet, through his nostrils flew
\nThe spouted blood, and spurning with his foot
\nThe board, he spread his viands in the dust.
\nConfusion, when they saw Antino\u00fcs fall\u2019n,
\nSeized all the suitors; from the thrones they sprang,
\nFlew ev\u2019ry way, and on all sides explored
\nThe palace-walls, but neither sturdy lance
\nAs erst, nor buckler could they there discern,
\nThen, furious, to Ulysses thus they spake.
\nThy arrow, stranger, was ill-aimed; a man
\nIs no just mark. Thou never shalt dispute
\nPrize more. Inevitable death is thine.
\nFor thou hast slain a Prince noblest of all
\nIn Ithaca, and shalt be vultures\u2019 food.
\nVarious their judgments were, but none believed
\nThat he had slain him wittingly, nor saw
\nTh\u2019 infatuate men fate hov\u2019ring o\u2019er them all.
\nThen thus Ulysses, louring dark, replied.
\nO dogs! not fearing aught my safe return
\nFrom Ilium, ye have shorn my substance close,
\nLain with my women forcibly, and sought,
\nWhile yet I lived, to make my consort yours,
\nHeedless of the inhabitants of heav\u2019n
\nAlike, and of the just revenge of man.
\nBut death is on the wing; death for you all.
\nHe said; their cheeks all faded at the sound,
\nAnd each with sharpen\u2019d eyes search\u2019d ev\u2019ry nook
\nFor an escape from his impending doom,
\nTill thus, alone, Eurymachus replied.
\nIf thou indeed art he, the mighty Chief
\nOf Ithaca return\u2019d, thou hast rehears\u2019d
\nWith truth the crimes committed by the Greeks
\nFrequent, both in thy house and in thy field.
\nBut he, already, who was cause of all,
\nLies slain, Antino\u00fcs; he thy palace fill\u2019d
\nWith outrage, not solicitous so much
\nTo win the fair Penelope, but thoughts
\nFar diff\u2019rent framing, which Saturnian Jove
\nHath baffled all; to rule, himself, supreme
\nIn noble Ithaca, when he had kill\u2019d
\nBy an insidious stratagem thy son.
\nBut he is slain. Now therefore, spare thy own,
\nThy people; public reparation due
\nShall sure be thine, and to appease thy wrath
\nFor all the waste that, eating, drinking here
\nWe have committed, we will yield thee, each,
\nFull twenty beeves, gold paying thee beside
\nAnd brass, till joy shall fill thee at the sight,
\nHowever just thine anger was before.
\nTo whom Ulysses, frowning stern, replied,
\nEurymachus, would ye contribute each
\nHis whole inheritance, and other sums
\nStill add beside, ye should not, even so,
\nThese hands of mine bribe to abstain from blood,
\nTill ev\u2019ry suitor suffer for his wrong.
\nYe have your choice. Fight with me, or escape
\n(Whoever may) the terrours of his fate,
\nBut ye all perish, if my thought be true.
\nHe ended, they with trembling knees and hearts
\nAll heard, whom thus Eurymachus address\u2019d.
\nTo your defence, my friends! for respite none
\nWill he to his victorious hands afford,
\nBut, arm\u2019d with bow and quiver, will dispatch
\nShafts from the door till he have slain us all.
\nTherefore to arms\u2014draw each his sword\u2014oppose
\nThe tables to his shafts, and all at once
\nRush on him; that, dislodging him at least
\nFrom portal and from threshold, we may give
\nThe city on all sides a loud alarm,
\nSo shall this archer soon have shot his last.
\nThus saying, he drew his brazen faulchion keen
\nOf double edge, and with a dreadful cry
\nSprang on him; but Ulysses with a shaft
\nIn that same moment through his bosom driv\u2019n
\nTransfix\u2019d his liver, and down dropp\u2019d his sword.
\nHe, staggering around his table, fell
\nConvolv\u2019d in agonies, and overturn\u2019d
\nBoth food and wine; his forehead smote the floor;
\nWoe fill\u2019d his heart, and spurning with his heels
\nHis vacant seat, he shook it till he died.
\nThen, with his faulchion drawn, Amphinomus
\nAdvanced to drive Ulysses from the door,
\nAnd fierce was his assault; but, from behind,
\nTelemachus between his shoulders fix\u2019d
\nA brazen lance, and urged it through his breast.
\nFull on his front, with hideous sound, he fell.
\nLeaving the weapon planted in his spine
\nBack flew Telemachus, lest, had he stood
\nDrawing it forth, some enemy, perchance,
\nShould either pierce him with a sudden thrust
\nOblique, or hew him with a downright edge.
\nSwift, therefore, to his father\u2019s side he ran,
\nWhom reaching, in wing\u2019d accents thus he said.
\nMy father! I will now bring thee a shield,
\nAn helmet, and two spears; I will enclose
\nMyself in armour also, and will give
\nBoth to the herdsmen and Eum\u00e6us arms
\nExpedient now, and needful for us all.
\nTo whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied.
\nRun; fetch them, while I yet have arrows left,
\nLest, single, I be justled from the door.
\nHe said, and, at his word, forth went the Prince,
\nSeeking the chamber where he had secured
\nThe armour. Thence he took four shields, eight spears,
\nWith four hair-crested helmets, charged with which
\nHe hasted to his father\u2019s side again,
\nAnd, arming first himself, furnish\u2019d with arms
\nHis two attendants. Then, all clad alike
\nIn splendid brass, beside the dauntless Chief
\nUlysses, his auxiliars firm they stood.
\nHe, while a single arrow unemploy\u2019d
\nLay at his foot, right-aiming, ever pierced
\nSome suitor through, and heaps on heaps they fell.
\nBut when his arrows fail\u2019d the royal Chief,
\nHis bow reclining at the portal\u2019s side
\nAgainst the palace-wall, he slung, himself,
\nA four-fold buckler on his arm, he fix\u2019d
\nA casque whose crest wav\u2019d awful o\u2019er his brows
\nOn his illustrious head, and fill\u2019d his gripe
\nWith two stout spears, well-headed both, with brass.
\n There was a certain postern in the wall[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>
\nAt the gate-side, the customary pass
\nInto a narrow street, but barr\u2019d secure.
\nUlysses bade his faithful swine-herd watch
\nThat egress, station\u2019d near it, for it own\u2019d
\nOne sole approach; then Agela\u00fcs loud
\nExhorting all the suitors, thus exclaim\u2019d.
\n<\/span> Oh friends, will none, ascending to the door
\nOf yonder postern, summon to our aid
\nThe populace, and spread a wide alarm?
\nSo shall this archer soon have shot his last.
\n<\/span> To whom the keeper of the goats replied
\nMelanthius. Agela\u00fcs! Prince renown\u2019d!
\nThat may not be. The postern and the gate[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>
\nNeighbour too near each other, and to force
\nThe narrow egress were a vain attempt;
\nOne valiant man might thence repulse us all.
\nBut come\u2014myself will furnish you with arms
\nFetch\u2019d from above; for there, as I suppose,
\n(And not elsewhere) Ulysses and his son
\nHave hidden them, and there they shall be found.
\nSo spake Melanthius, and, ascending, sought
\nUlysses\u2019 chambers through the winding stairs
\nAnd gall\u2019ries of the house. Twelve bucklers thence
\nHe took, as many spears, and helmets bright
\nAs many, shagg\u2019d with hair, then swift return\u2019d
\nAnd gave them to his friends. Trembled the heart
\nOf brave Ulysses, and his knees, at sight
\nOf his opposers putting armour on,
\nAnd shaking each his spear; arduous indeed
\nNow seem\u2019d his task, and in wing\u2019d accents brief
\nThus to his son Telemachus he spake.
\nEither some woman of our train contrives
\nHard battle for us, furnishing with arms
\nThe suitors, or Melanthius arms them all.
\nHim answer\u2019d then Telemachus discrete.
\nFather, this fault was mine, and be it charged
\nOn none beside; I left the chamber-door
\nUnbarr\u2019d, which, more attentive than myself,
\nTheir spy perceived. But haste, Eum\u00e6us, shut
\nThe chamber-door, observing well, the while,
\nIf any women of our train have done
\nThis deed, or whether, as I more suspect,
\nMelanthius, Dolius\u2019 son, have giv\u2019n them arms.
\nThus mutual they conferr\u2019d; meantime, again
\nMelanthius to the chamber flew in quest
\nOf other arms. Eum\u00e6us, as he went,
\nMark\u2019d him, and to Ulysses\u2019 thus he spake.
\nLaertes\u2019 noble son, for wiles renown\u2019d!
\nBehold, the traytor, whom ourselves supposed,
\nSeeks yet again the chamber! Tell me plain,
\nShall I, should I superior prove in force,
\nSlay him, or shall I drag him thence to thee,
\nThat he may suffer at thy hands the doom
\nDue to his treasons perpetrated oft
\nAgainst thee, here, even in thy own house?
\nThen answer thus Ulysses shrewd return\u2019d.
\nI, with Telemachus, will here immew
\nThe lordly suitors close, rage as they may.
\nYe two, the while, bind fast Melanthius\u2019 hands
\nAnd feet behind his back, then cast him bound
\nInto the chamber, and (the door secured)
\nPass underneath his arms a double chain,
\nAnd by a pillar\u2019s top weigh him aloft
\nTill he approach the rafters, there to endure,
\nLiving long time, the mis\u2019ries he hath earned.
\nHe spake; they prompt obey\u2019d; together both
\nThey sought the chamber, whom the wretch within
\nHeard not, exploring ev\u2019ry nook for arms.
\nThey watching stood the door, from which, at length,
\nForth came Melanthius, bearing in one hand
\nA casque, and in the other a broad shield
\nTime-worn and chapp\u2019d with drought, which in his youth
\nWarlike Laertes had been wont to bear.
\nLong time neglected it had lain, till age
\nHad loosed the sutures of its bands. At once
\nBoth, springing on him, seized and drew him in
\nForcibly by his locks, then cast him down
\nProne on the pavement, trembling at his fate.
\nWith painful stricture of the cord his hands
\nThey bound and feet together at his back,
\nAs their illustrious master had enjoined,
\nThen weigh\u2019d him with a double chain aloft
\nBy a tall pillar to the palace-roof,
\nAnd thus, deriding him, Eum\u00e6us spake.
\nNow, good Melanthius, on that fleecy bed
\nReclined, as well befits thee, thou wilt watch
\nAll night, nor when the golden dawn forsakes
\nThe ocean stream, will she escape thine eye,
\nBut thou wilt duly to the palace drive
\nThe fattest goats, a banquet for thy friends.
\nSo saying, he left him in his dreadful sling.
\nThen, arming both, and barring fast the door,
\nThey sought brave Laertiades again.
\nAnd now, courageous at the portal stood
\nThose four, by numbers in the interior house
\nOpposed of adversaries fierce in arms,
\nWhen Pallas, in the form and with the voice
\nApproach\u2019d of Mentor, whom Laertes\u2019 son
\nBeheld, and joyful at the sight, exclaim\u2019d.
\nHelp, Mentor! help\u2014now recollect a friend
\nAnd benefactor, born when thou wast born.
\nSo he, not unsuspicious that he saw
\nPallas, the heroine of heav\u2019n. Meantime
\nThe suitors fill\u2019d with menaces the dome,
\nAnd Agela\u00fcs, first, Damastor\u2019s son,
\nIn accents harsh rebuked the Goddess thus.
\nBeware, oh Mentor! that he lure thee not
\nTo oppose the suitors and to aid himself,
\nFor thus will we. Ulysses and his son
\nBoth slain, in vengeance of thy purpos\u2019d deeds
\nAgainst us, we will slay thee<\/i> next, and thou
\nWith thy own head shalt satisfy the wrong.
\nYour force thus quell\u2019d in battle, all thy wealth
\nWhether in house or field, mingled with his,
\nWe will confiscate, neither will we leave
\nOr son of thine, or daughter in thy house
\nAlive, nor shall thy virtuous consort more
\nWithin the walls of Ithaca be seen.
\nHe ended, and his words with wrath inflamed
\nMinerva\u2019s heart the more; incensed, she turn\u2019d
\nTowards Ulysses, whom she thus reproved.
\nThou neither own\u2019st the courage nor the force,
\nUlysses, now, which nine whole years thou showd\u2019st
\nAt Ilium, waging battle obstinate
\nFor high-born Helen, and in horrid fight
\nDestroying multitudes, till thy advice
\nAt last lay\u2019d Priam\u2019s bulwark\u2019d city low.
\nWhy, in possession of thy proper home
\nAnd substance, mourn\u2019st thou want of pow\u2019r t\u2019oppose
\nThe suitors? Stand beside me, mark my deeds,
\nAnd thou shalt own Mentor Alcimides
\nA valiant friend, and mindful of thy love.
\nShe spake; nor made she victory as yet
\nEntire his own, proving the valour, first,
\nBoth of the sire and of his glorious son,
\nBut, springing in a swallow\u2019s form aloft,
\nPerch\u2019d on a rafter of the splendid roof.
\nThen, Agela\u00fcs animated loud
\nThe suitors, whom Eurynomus also roused,
\nAmphimedon, and Demoptolemus,
\nAnd Polyctorides, Pisander named,
\nAnd Polybus the brave; for noblest far
\nOf all the suitor-chiefs who now survived
\nAnd fought for life were these. The bow had quell\u2019d
\nAnd shafts, in quick succession sent, the rest.
\nThen Agela\u00fcs, thus, harangued them all.
\nWe soon shall tame, O friends, this warrior\u2019s might,
\nWhom Mentor, after all his airy vaunts
\nHath left, and at the portal now remain
\nThemselves alone. Dismiss not therefore, all,
\nYour spears together, but with six alone
\nAssail them first; Jove willing, we shall pierce
\nUlysses, and subduing him, shall slay
\nWith ease the rest; their force is safely scorn\u2019d.
\nHe ceas\u2019d; and, as he bade, six hurl\u2019d the spear
\nTogether; but Minerva gave them all
\nA devious flight; one struck a column, one
\nThe planks of the broad portal, and a third[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>
\nFlung right his ashen beam pond\u2019rous with brass
\nAgainst the wall. Then (ev\u2019ry suitor\u2019s spear
\nEluded) thus Ulysses gave the word\u2014
\nNow friends! I counsel you that ye dismiss
\nYour spears at them<\/i>, who, not content with past
\nEnormities, thirst also for our blood.
\nHe said, and with unerring aim, all threw
\nTheir glitt\u2019ring spears. Ulysses on the ground
\nStretch\u2019d Demoptolemus; Euryades
\nFell by Telemachus; the swine-herd slew
\nEl[)a]tus; and the keeper of the beeves
\nPisander; in one moment all alike
\nLay grinding with their teeth the dusty floor.
\nBack flew the suitors to the farthest wall,
\nOn whom those valiant four advancing, each
\nRecover\u2019d, quick, his weapon from the dead.
\nThen hurl\u2019d the desp\u2019rate suitors yet again
\nTheir glitt\u2019ring spears, but Pallas gave to each
\nA frustrate course; one struck a column, one
\nThe planks of the broad portal, and a third
\nFlung full his ashen beam against the wall.
\nYet pierced Amphimedon the Prince\u2019s wrist,
\nBut slightly, a skin-wound, and o\u2019er his shield
\nCtesippus reach\u2019d the shoulder of the good
\nEum\u00e6us, but his glancing weapon swift
\nO\u2019erflew the mark, and fell. And now the four,
\nUlysses, dauntless Hero, and his friends
\nAll hurl\u2019d their spears together in return,
\nHimself Ulysses, city-waster Chief,
\nWounded Eurydamas; Ulysses\u2019 son
\nAmphimedon; the swine-herd Polybus;
\nAnd in his breast the keeper of the beeves
\nCtesippus, glorying over whom, he cried.
\nOh son of Polytherses! whose delight
\nHath been to taunt and jeer, never again
\nBoast foolishly, but to the Gods commit
\nThy tongue, since they are mightier far than thou.
\nTake this\u2014a compensation for thy pledge
\nOf hospitality, the huge ox-hoof,
\nWhich while he roam\u2019d the palace, begging alms,
\nUlysses at thy bounteous hand received.
\nSo gloried he; then, grasping still his spear,
\nUlysses pierced Damastor\u2019s son, and, next,
\nTelemachus, enforcing his long beam
\nSheer through his bowels and his back, transpierced
\nLeiocritus, he prostrate smote the floor.
\nThen, Pallas from the lofty roof held forth
\nHer host-confounding \u00c6gis o\u2019er their heads,
\nWith\u2019ring their souls with fear. They through the hall
\nFled, scatter\u2019d as an herd, which rapid-wing\u2019d
\nThe gad-fly dissipates, infester fell
\nOf beeves, when vernal suns shine hot and long.
\nBut, as when bow-beak\u2019d vultures crooked-claw\u2019d[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>
\nStoop from the mountains on the smaller fowl;
\nTerrified at the toils that spread the plain
\nThe flocks take wing, they, darting from above,
\nStrike, seize, and slay, resistance or escape
\nIs none, the fowler\u2019s heart leaps with delight,
\nSo they, pursuing through the spacious hall
\nThe suitors, smote them on all sides, their heads
\nSounded beneath the sword, with hideous groans
\nThe palace rang, and the floor foamed with blood.
\nThen flew Leiodes to Ulysses\u2019 knees,
\nWhich clasping, in wing\u2019d accents thus he cried.
\nI clasp thy knees, Ulysses! oh respect
\nMy suit, and spare me! Never have I word
\nInjurious spoken, or injurious deed
\nAttempted \u2019gainst the women of thy house,
\nBut others, so transgressing, oft forbad.
\nYet they abstain\u2019d not, and a dreadful fate
\nDue to their wickedness have, therefore, found.
\nBut I, their soothsayer alone, must fall,
\nThough unoffending; such is the return
\nBy mortals made for benefits received!
\nTo whom Ulysses, louring dark, replied.
\nIs that thy boast? Hast thou indeed for these
\nThe seer\u2019s high office fill\u2019d? Then, doubtless, oft
\nThy pray\u2019r hath been that distant far might prove
\nThe day delectable of my return,
\nAnd that my consort might thy own become
\nTo bear thee children; wherefore thee I doom
\nTo a dire death which thou shalt not avoid.
\nSo saying, he caught the faulchion from the floor
\nWhich Agela\u00fcs had let fall, and smote
\nLeiodes, while he kneel\u2019d, athwart his neck
\nSo suddenly, that ere his tongue had ceased
\nTo plead for life, his head was in the dust.
\nBut Phemius, son of Terpius, bard divine,
\nWho, through compulsion, with his song regaled
\nThe suitors, a like dreadful death escaped.
\nFast by the postern, harp in hand, he stood,
\nDoubtful if, issuing, he should take his seat
\nBeside the altar of Herc\u00e6an Jove,[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>
\nWhere oft Ulysses offer\u2019d, and his sire,
\nFat thighs of beeves, or whether he should haste,
\nAn earnest suppliant, to embrace his knees.
\nThat course, at length, most pleased him; then, between
\nThe beaker and an argent-studded throne
\nHe grounded his sweet lyre, and seizing fast
\nThe Hero\u2019s knees, him, suppliant, thus address\u2019d.
\nI clasp thy knees, Ulysses! oh respect
\nMy suit, and spare me. Thou shalt not escape
\nRegret thyself hereafter, if thou slay
\nMe, charmer of the woes of Gods and men.
\nSelf-taught am I, and treasure in my mind
\nThemes of all argument from heav\u2019n inspired,
\nAnd I can sing to thee as to a God.
\nAh, then, behead me not. Put ev\u2019n the wish
\nFar from thee! for thy own beloved son
\nCan witness, that not drawn by choice, or driv\u2019n
\nBy stress of want, resorting to thine house
\nI have regaled these revellers so oft,
\nBut under force of mightier far than I.
\nSo he; whose words soon as the sacred might
\nHeard of Telemachus, approaching quick
\nHis father, thus, humane, he interposed.
\nHold, harm not with the vengeful faulchion\u2019s edge
\nThis blameless man; and we will also spare
\nMedon the herald, who hath ever been
\nA watchful guardian of my boyish years,
\nUnless Phil\u0153tius have already slain him,
\nOr else Eum\u00e6us, or thyself, perchance,
\nUnconscious, in the tumult of our foes.
\nHe spake, whom Medon hearing (for he lay
\nBeneath a throne, and in a new-stript hide
\nEnfolded, trembling with the dread of death)
\nSprang from his hiding-place, and casting off
\nThe skin, flew to Telemachus, embraced
\nHis knees, and in wing\u2019d accents thus exclaim\u2019d.
\nPrince! I am here\u2014oh, pity me! repress
\nThine own, and pacify thy father\u2019s wrath,
\nThat he destroy not me, through fierce revenge
\nOf their iniquities who have consumed
\nHis wealth, and, in their folly scorn\u2019d his son.
\nTo whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied,
\nSmiling complacent. Fear not; my own son
\nHath pleaded for thee. Therefore (taught thyself
\nThat truth) teach others the superior worth
\nOf benefits with injuries compared.
\nBut go ye forth, thou and the sacred bard,
\nThat ye may sit distant in yonder court
\nFrom all this carnage, while I give command,
\nMyself, concerning it, to those within.
\nHe ceas\u2019d; they going forth, took each his seat
\nBeside Jove\u2019s altar, but with careful looks
\nSuspicious, dreading without cease the sword.
\nMeantime Ulysses search\u2019d his hall, in quest
\nOf living foes, if any still survived
\nUnpunish\u2019d; but he found them all alike
\nWelt\u2019ring in dust and blood; num\u2019rous they lay
\nLike fishes when they strew the sinuous shore
\nOf Ocean, from the grey gulph drawn aground
\nIn nets of many a mesh; they on the sands
\nLie spread, athirst for the salt wave, till hot
\nThe gazing sun dries all their life away;
\nSo lay the suitors heap\u2019d, and thus at length
\nThe prudent Chief gave order to his son.
\nTelemachus! bid Euryclea come
\nQuickly, the nurse, to whom I would impart
\nThe purpose which now occupies me most.
\nHe said; obedient to his sire, the Prince
\nSmote on the door, and summon\u2019d loud the nurse.
\nArise thou ancient governess of all
\nOur female menials, and come forth; attend
\nMy father; he hath somewhat for thine ear.
\nSo he; nor flew his words useless away,
\nFor, throwing wide the portal, forth she came,
\nAnd, by Telemachus conducted, found
\nEre long Ulysses amid all the slain,
\nWith blood defiled and dust; dread he appear\u2019d
\nAs from the pastur\u2019d ox newly-devoured
\nThe lion stalking back; his ample chest
\nWith gory drops and his broad cheeks are hung,
\nTremendous spectacle! such seem\u2019d the Chief,
\nBlood-stain\u2019d all over. She, the carnage spread
\nOn all sides seeing, and the pools of blood,
\nFelt impulse forcible to publish loud
\nThat wond\u2019rous triumph; but her Lord repress\u2019d
\nThe shout of rapture ere it burst abroad,
\nAnd in wing\u2019d accents thus his will enforced.
\nSilent exult, O ancient matron dear!
\nShout not, be still. Unholy is the voice
\nOf loud thanksgiving over slaughter\u2019d men.
\nTheir own atrocious deeds and the Gods\u2019 will
\nHave slain all these; for whether noble guest
\nArrived or base, they scoff\u2019d at all alike,
\nAnd for their wickedness have, therefore, died.
\nBut say; of my domestic women, who
\nHave scorn\u2019d me, and whom find\u2019st thou innocent?
\nTo whom good Euryclea thus replied.
\nMy son! I will declare the truth; thou keep\u2019st
\nFemale domestics fifty in thy house,
\nWhom we have made intelligent to comb
\nThe fleece, and to perform whatever task.
\nOf these, twice six have overpass\u2019d the bounds
\nOf modesty, respecting neither me,
\nNor yet the Queen; and thy own son, adult
\nSo lately, no permission had from her
\nTo regulate the women of her train.
\nBut I am gone, I fly with what hath pass\u2019d
\nTo the Queen\u2019s ear, who nought suspects, so sound
\nShe sleeps, by some divinity composed.
\nThen answer, thus, Ulysses wise returned.
\nHush, and disturb her not. Go. Summon first
\nThose wantons, who have long deserved to die.
\nHe ceas\u2019d; then issued forth the ancient dame
\nTo summon those bad women, and, meantime,
\nCalling his son, Phil\u0153tius, and Eum\u00e6us,
\nUlysses in wing\u2019d accents thus began.
\nBestir ye, and remove the dead; command
\nThose women also to your help; then cleanse
\nWith bibulous sponges and with water all
\nThe seats and tables; when ye shall have thus
\nSet all in order, lead those women forth,
\nAnd in the centre of the spacious court,
\nBetween the scull\u2019ry and the outer-wall
\nSmite them with your broad faulchions till they lose
\nIn death the mem\u2019ry of their secret loves
\nIndulged with wretches lawless as themselves.
\nHe ended, and the damsels came at once
\nAll forth, lamenting, and with tepid tears
\nShow\u2019ring the ground; with mutual labour, first,
\nBearing the bodies forth into the court,
\nThey lodged them in the portico; meantime
\nUlysses, stern, enjoin\u2019d them haste, and, urged
\nBy sad necessity, they bore all out.
\nWith sponges and with water, next, they cleansed
\nThe thrones and tables, while Telemachus
\nBeesom\u2019d the floor, Eum\u00e6us in that work
\nAiding him and the keeper of the beeves,
\nAnd those twelve damsels bearing forth the soil.
\nThus, order giv\u2019n to all within, they, next,
\nLed forth the women, whom they shut between
\nThe scull\u2019ry and the outer-wall in close
\nDurance, from which no pris\u2019ner could escape,
\nAnd thus Telemachus discrete began.
\nAn honourable death is not for these
\nBy my advice, who have so often heap\u2019d
\nReproach on mine and on my mother\u2019s head,
\nAnd held lewd commerce with the suitor-train.
\nHe said, and noosing a strong galley-rope
\nTo an huge column, led the cord around
\nThe spacious dome, suspended so aloft
\nThat none with quiv\u2019ring feet might reach the floor.
\nAs when a flight of doves ent\u2019ring the copse,
\nOr broad-wing\u2019d thrushes, strike against the net
\nWithin, ill rest, entangled, there they find,
\nSo they, suspended by the neck, expired
\nAll in one line together. Death abhorr\u2019d!
\nWith restless feet awhile they beat the air,
\nThen ceas\u2019d. And now through vestibule and hall
\nThey led Melanthius forth. With ruthless steel
\nThey pared away his ears and nose, pluck\u2019d forth
\nHis parts of shame, destin\u2019d to feed the dogs,
\nAnd, still indignant, lopp\u2019d his hands and feet.
\nThen, laving each his feet and hands, they sought
\nAgain Ulysses; all their work was done,
\nAnd thus the Chief to Euryclea spake.
\nBring blast-averting sulphur, nurse, bring fire!
\nThat I may fumigate my walls; then bid
\nPenelope with her attendants down,
\nAnd summon all the women of her train.
\nBut Euryclea, thus, his nurse, replied.
\nMy son! thou hast well said; yet will I first
\nServe thee with vest and mantle. Stand not here
\nIn thy own palace cloath\u2019d with tatters foul
\nAnd beggarly\u2014she will abhor the sight.
\nThen answer thus Ulysses wise return\u2019d.
\nNot so. Bring fire for fumigation first.
\nHe said; nor Euryclea his lov\u2019d nurse
\nLonger delay\u2019d, but sulphur brought and fire,
\nWhen he with purifying steams, himself,
\nVisited ev\u2019ry part, the banquet-room,
\nThe vestibule, the court. Ranging meantime
\nHis house magnificent, the matron call\u2019d
\nThe women to attend their Lord in haste,
\nAnd they attended, bearing each a torch.
\nThen gather\u2019d they around him all, sincere
\nWelcoming his return; with close embrace
\nEnfolding him, each kiss\u2019d his brows, and each
\nHis shoulders, and his hands lock\u2019d fast in hers.
\nHe, irresistible the impulse felt
\nTo sigh and weep, well recognizing all.<\/p>\n

  1. If the ancients found it difficult to ascertain clearly the situation of this \u03bf\u03c1\u03c4\u03bf\u03b8\u03c5\u03c1\u03b7, well may we. The Translator has given it the position which to him appeared most probable.\u2014There seem to have been two of these posterns, one leading to a part from which the town might be alarmed, the other to the chamber to which Telemachus went for armour. There was one, perhaps, on each side of the portal, and they appear to have been at some height above the floor. ↵<\/a><\/li>
  2. At which Ulysses stood. ↵<\/a><\/li>
  3. The deviation of three only is described, which must be understood, therefore, as instances of the ill success of all. ↵<\/a><\/li>
  4. In this simile we seem to have a curious account of the ancient manner of fowling. The nets (for \u03bd\u03b5\u03c6\u03b5\u03b1 is used in that sense by Aristophanes) were spread on a plain; on an adjoining rising ground were stationed they who had charge of the vultures (such Homer calls them) which were trained to the sport. The alarm being given to the birds below, the vultures were loosed, when if any of them escaped their talons, the nets were ready to enclose them. See Eustathius Dacier. ↵<\/a><\/li>
  5. So called because he was worshipped within the \u1f18\u03c1\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2 or wall that surrounded the court. ↵<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":299,"menu_order":22,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[48],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-128","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":262,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/128\/revisions\/262"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/128\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=128"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=128"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/odyssey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}