Book 18

There came a common beggar, who through the townbegged in Ithaca, and was noted for his ravenous belly,for ceaseless eating and drinking; and there was no strength in himnor might, though in form he was very big to look upon.Arnaeus was his name; for so his lady mother gave itfrom birth; but all the young men called him Irus,because he went as messenger whenever anyone asked.He came and drove Odysseus from his own house,and reviling him spoke winged words:Give way, old man, from the doorway, lest you soon be dragged by the foot.Do you not hear how they all wink at meand bid me drag you out? Yet I am ashamed.But rise, lest soon there be a quarrel and blows between us.Glowering at him, much-devising Odysseus answered:Strange man, I neither do you any harm nor speak it,nor do I grudge anyone giving, though he had taken much.This threshold will hold us both, and you have no needto begrudge another's goods; you seem to me a wanderereven as I am; but the gods may grant wealth.Do not provoke me too far with your hands, lest you anger me,lest, though old, I defile your chest and lipswith blood; and there would be more quiet for metomorrow; for I do not think you will returna second time to the hall of Laertes' son Odysseus.Angered, the beggar Irus addressed him:Alas, how glibly this greedy glutton talks,like a crone at the oven; on whom I would devise evils,striking with both fists, and I would drive all his teethfrom his jaws to the ground, as if he were a ravening sow.Gird yourself now, so that all these too may knowus fighting; how could you fight a younger man?So the two before the high doorson the polished threshold strove with all their hearts.And the sacred fury of Antinous understood them,and laughing sweetly he spoke among the suitors:Friends, never before has such a thing happened,what delight a god has brought into this house.The stranger and Irus contend with each otherto fight with their hands; come, let us match them quickly.So he spoke, and all leapt up laughing,and they gathered around the two ill-clad beggars.Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spoke among them:Hear me, lordly suitors, that I may say something.These goats' paunches lie in the fire, which for supperwe set there, filled with fat and blood;whichever of the two wins and proves the better,let him rise and take whichever of them he wishes;and ever hereafter he shall share with us, nor shall we allowany other beggar to come in and beg among us.So spoke Antinous, and the word pleased them.But much-devising Odysseus, with crafty mind, said to them:Friends, it is in no way possible for an old man,afflicted with misery, to fight a younger; but my bellythe evil-working drives me on, that I may be subdued by blows.But come now, all swear me a strong oath,that no one, showing favor to Irus, may strike me with heavy handin wickedness, and so subdue me by force to him.So he spoke, and all swore as he commanded.But when they had sworn and finished the oath,then again the sacred strength of Telemachus spoke among them:Stranger, if your heart and lordly spirit urge youto ward off this man, then fear no other of the Achaeans,for whoever strikes you will fight with more than one.I am your host, and the princes approve it,both Antinous and Eurymachus, both men of understanding.So he spoke, and all approved; but Odysseusgirded his rags about his loins, and showed his thighsfair and great, and his broad shoulders appearedand chest and sturdy arms; and Athenastanding near made the limbs of the shepherd of the people grow.And all the suitors marveled exceedingly;and thus one would speak, looking at his neighbor:Soon will Irus be Irus no more and have a self-invited evil,such a thigh the old man shows from beneath his rags.So they spoke, and the spirit of Irus was stirred to evil.Yet even so the servants brought him, girding him by force,all afraid; and his flesh trembled around his limbs.Antinous rebuked him, and spoke and named him:Now may you not be, you boaster, nor ever have been,if you tremble before this man and fear him terribly,an old man, afflicted with misery that has come upon him.But I will speak out, and it shall be accomplished:if this man conquers you and proves the better,I will send you to the mainland, casting you in a black ship,to king Echetus, the destroyer of all mortals,who will cut off your nose and ears with pitiless bronze,and tearing out your privy parts give them raw to the dogs to share.So he spoke, and trembling seized his limbs yet more.They led them to the middle; both raised their hands.Then much-enduring, brilliant Odysseus ponderedwhether to strike so that his life should leave him fallen there,or to strike him lightly and stretch him on the ground.Thus, as he pondered, it seemed better to himto strike lightly, lest the Achaeans notice him.Then as they raised their hands, one struck the right shoulder,Irus; and the other struck his neck beneath the ear, and crushed the boneswithin; at once crimson blood came through his mouth,and he fell bellowing in the dust, and gnashed his teethkicking the earth with his feet; and the noble suitorsdied of laughter, raising their hands. But Odysseusdragged him by the foot through the doorway until he reached the court,and the doors of the porch; and against the courtyard wallhe set him, leaning him back, and put his staff into his hand,and speaking addressed him with winged words:Sit here now and keep off the swine and the dogs,and do not be a lord over strangers and beggars,wretched as you are, lest you get some evil even greater.He spoke, and slung about his shoulders his unseemly wallet,much torn, and in it was a twisted cord for a strap.Then he went back and sat down on the threshold; and they went inlaughing sweetly and greeting him with words:May Zeus give you, stranger, and the other immortal gods,whatever you most desire and is dear to your heart,you who have stopped this glutton from beggingamong the people; for soon we will carry him to the mainlandto king Echetus, destroyer of all mortals.So they spoke, and brilliant Odysseus rejoiced at the omen.And Antinous set before him a great paunch,full of fat and blood; and Amphinomuslifted two loaves from the basket and set them beside him,and pledged him with a golden cup, and spoke:Hail, father stranger, may there be for you hereafterwealth; but now you are held by many troubles.Answering him, much-devising Odysseus said:Amphinomus, truly you seem to me a man of understanding,of such a father too, for I have heard his good repute,that Nisus of Dulichium was both noble and wealthy;from him they say you are born, and you seem a gracious man.Therefore I will tell you, and do you mark it and hear me:Earth nourishes nothing more feeble than man,of all things that breathe and creep upon the earth.For he never thinks he will suffer evil hereafter,as long as the gods grant him excellence and his knees are nimble;but when the blessed gods bring grievous things to pass,he bears them too, unwilling, with an enduring heart.For such is the mind of men upon the earthas the day the father of men and gods brings on.For I too was once destined to be happy among men,and I did many reckless things, yielding to force and might,trusting in my father and in my brothers.Therefore let no man ever be altogether lawless,but let him keep in silence whatever gifts the gods give.Such things I see the suitors recklessly devising,wasting the possessions and dishonoring the wifeof a man who, I say, will no longer be absent from his friendsand fatherland for long; he is very near. But may some deitylead you home out of the way, and may you not meet that man,when he returns to his dear fatherland;for I do not think they will part without bloodshed,the suitors and that man, once he comes beneath the roof.So he spoke, and after the libation drank the honey-sweet wine,and put the cup back into the hands of the marshal of the people.But he went through the house, grieved at heart,nodding with his head; for his spirit foresaw evil.Yet not even so did he escape his fate; Athena bound even himto be subdued by force beneath the hands and spear of Telemachus.Then he sat down again on the chair from which he had risen.And the goddess, bright-eyed Athena, put it into the mindof the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope,to appear before the suitors, so that she might most widenthe hearts of the suitors and be held more honoredby her husband and son than she had been before.She laughed meaninglessly, and spoke and named the word:Eurynome, my heart longs, as never before,to appear before the suitors, hateful as they are to me;and I would speak a word to my son, which would be better for him,not to consort in everything with the overbearing suitors,who speak well to the face but think evil behind.Then the housekeeper Eurynome answered her:Yes indeed, child, you have spoken all this in season.But go and speak a word to your son, and do not hide it,after washing your skin and anointing your cheeks;and do not go with your face thus defiled with tears,for it is worse to mourn endlessly and ever.For your son is already of such an age, the one you above allprayed to the immortals to see with a beard.Then wise Penelope answered her:Eurynome, do not urge these things on me, careful though you are,to wash my skin and anoint myself with oil;for the gods who hold Olympus have destroyed my beauty,ever since that man went in the hollow ships.But bid Autonoe and Hippodamiacome to me, that they may stand beside me in the hall;I will not go alone among men; for I am ashamed.So she spoke, and the old woman went through the hallto tell the women and urge them to come.Then the goddess, bright-eyed Athena, thought of another thing:she poured sweet sleep upon the daughter of Icarius,and she slept, laid back, and all her joints were loosenedthere on the couch; meanwhile the shining goddessgave immortal gifts, that the Achaeans might marvel at her.First she cleansed her fair face with beauty,with ambrosial oil, such as fair-crowned Cythereaanoints herself with when she goes to the lovely dance of the Graces;and she made her taller and fuller to look upon,and made her whiter than sawn ivory.So having done this the shining goddess departed,and the white-armed handmaids came from the hallwith voices as they came; and sweet sleep released her,and she wiped her cheeks with her hands and spoke:Ah, a soft slumber has covered me, deeply stricken as I am.Would that holy Artemis would grant me so soft a deatheven now, so that I might no longer, grieving in my heart,wear away my life, longing for my dear husbandof every excellence, since he was outstanding among the Achaeans.So speaking she came down the shining upper stairs,not alone; two handmaids followed with her.And when the shining one among women came to the suitors,she stood by the doorpost of the well-built roof,holding her shining veil before her cheeks;and a faithful handmaid stood on either side of her.Their knees were loosed on the spot, and their hearts were charmed with desire,and all prayed to lie beside her in bed.And she addressed Telemachus, her dear son:Telemachus, your mind is no longer steadfast, nor your thought;when you were still a child you managed your thoughts with more sense;but now, when you are grown and have reached the measure of youth,and one might say you were the son of a blessed man,looking at your size and beauty, even a stranger,your thoughts are no longer seemly, nor your mind.What a deed has been done in the hall,that you let the stranger be so shamefully treated.How now, if a stranger in our own housesitting here should suffer such from painful dragging about?It would be disgrace and shame for you among men.Then discreet Telemachus answered her:Mother, I do not blame you for being angry;but I myself perceive in my heart and know each thing,both good and worse; before I was still a child.But I cannot see all things wisely;for these men sitting by me strike me from this side and that,these who think evil, and there are none to help me.Yet the battle of the stranger and Irus did not happenby the will of the suitors; he was the stronger by force.Would that, father Zeus, and Athena, and Apollo,so now the suitors in our housemight nod their heads in subjection, some in the courtyard,some within the house, and each man's limbs be loosened,as now that Irus at the courtyard doorssits nodding with his head, like a drunken man,and cannot stand upright on his feet, nor gohome, where his way home is, since his dear limbs are loosened.So these two spoke such words to each other;and Eurymachus addressed Penelope with words:Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope,if all the Achaeans throughout Iasian Argos saw you,more suitors would feast in your housefrom the dawn, since you surpass all womenin beauty and stature and in the mind within you.Then wise Penelope answered him:Eurymachus, the immortals destroyed my excellenceand beauty and form, when the Argives went upto Ilium, and with them went my husband Odysseus.If that man came and cared for my life,my glory would be greater and fairer so.But now I grieve; for a deity has heaped so many evils on me.Indeed, when he went leaving his fatherland behind,he took my hand by the wrist and spoke to me:Wife, I do not think the well-greaved Achaeanswill all return safely unscathed from Troy;for they say the Trojans are fighting men,both spearmen and shooters of arrows,and riders of swift-footed horses, who most quicklydecide the great strife of leveling war.So I do not know whether a god will release me, or I shall be takenthere in Troy; and let all things here be your care.Remember my father and mother in the hall,as now, or even more, while I am far away;and when you see our son bearded,marry whom you wish, leaving your house behind.So he spoke; and now all this is being accomplished.There will be a night when a hateful marriage will meet mein my accursed case, from whom Zeus has taken away prosperity.But this dread grief comes on my heart and spirit:this was not the custom of suitors in former times;those who wish to woo a good woman and a rich man's daughterand vie with one another,themselves bring cattle and sturdy sheep,a feast for the maiden's friends, and give shining gifts;they do not eat up another's livelihood without payment.So she spoke, and much-enduring, brilliant Odysseus rejoiced,because she drew gifts from them, and charmed their heartswith gentle words, while her mind intended other things.Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, addressed her:Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope,whatever Achaean wishes to bring gifts here,accept it; for it is not noble to refuse a gift;but we will not go to our work, nor anywhere else,before you marry whichever Achaean is best.So spoke Antinous, and the word pleased them;and each sent a herald to bring gifts.For Antinous he brought a great, very beautiful robe,embroidered; and in it were twelve brooches, allof gold, fitted with well-bent clasps.And for Eurymachus he brought at once a richly wrought necklace,of gold strung with amber, like the sun.And for Eurydamas two servants brought earrings,with three beads, wrought with care; and much grace shone from them.And from Pisander, son of Polyctor, the prince,a servant brought a necklace, a very beautiful ornament.And each of the other Achaeans brought a fair gift.Then the shining one among women went up to the upper rooms,and her handmaids carried the very beautiful gifts with her;and the men turned to dancing and lovely song,and took their pleasure, and waited for evening to come.And as they took their pleasure, dark evening came upon them.At once they set three torches in the hall,to give light; and around them they put dry wood,long dried, seasoned, newly split with bronze,and mixed in pine splinters; and in turn they kept the flames alive,the maidservants of much-enduring Odysseus. But hehimself, god-born, much-devising Odysseus, said to them:Maidens of Odysseus, whose master has long been gone,go to the rooms where your revered queen is;and beside her whirl the spindles, and delight heras you sit in the hall, or card wool with your hands;and I will provide light for all these men.For even if they wish to wait for well-throned Dawn,they will not overcome me; for I am very much-enduring.So he spoke, and they laughed, and looked at one another.Fair-cheeked Melantho rebuked him shamefully,her whom Dolius fathered, but Penelope raised,and cherished like a child, and gave her toys to please her heart;but even so she had no grief for Penelope in her mind,but she lay with Eurymachus and loved him.She rebuked Odysseus with reproachful words:Wretched stranger, you are surely some man whose wits are stunned,you are not willing to go sleep in the smithyor somewhere in a public portico, but here you talk a great deal,boldly among many men, and in your heartyou fear nothing; either wine has hold of your wits, or alwaysyour mind is such; and so you talk idly.Are you beside yourself because you beat Irus the beggar?Lest someone better than Irus soon rise against you,who, striking you about the head with sturdy hands,may send you out of the house, defiling you with much blood.Glowering at her, much-devising Odysseus said:Soon will I tell Telemachus, you dog, what you are saying,going to him, that he may cut you limb from limb.So speaking, he terrified the women with his words.They went through the house, and each woman's limbs were loosenedwith terror; for they thought he had spoken the truth.But he, giving light beside the burning torches,stood looking toward them all; and his heart ponderedin his breast other things, which were not to be unaccomplished.And Athena did not allow the suitors, proud as they were,to refrain from heart-paining outrage, so that yet moregrief might enter the heart of Laertes' son Odysseus.Among them Eurymachus, son of Polybus, began to speak,taunting Odysseus; and he made laughter for his comrades.Hear me, suitors of the far-famed queen,that I may say what my heart in my breast commands me.Not without a god has this man come to Odysseus' house;indeed it seems to me there is a gleam of torches from him,from his head, since he has no hair on it, not even a little.So he spoke, and at the same time addressed Odysseus, sacker of cities:Stranger, would you be willing to serve as a laborer, if I took you on,on the edge of the farm, and your wage will be sufficient,gathering stones for walls and planting tall trees?There I would provide you grain in plenty,and clothe you in garments and give you shoes for your feet.But since you have learned base works, you will not be willingto go about a task, but you would rather cringe through the countryin order to have means to feed your insatiable belly.Answering him, much-devising Odysseus said:Eurymachus, if only there were a contest of work between us twoin the spring season, when the days grow long,in the meadow, and I held a well-curved sickle,and you held such a one too, that we might make trial of the workfasting until the very dusk, with grass in plenty.Or if there were cattle to drive, the very best,tawny, large, both glutted with grass,of the same age, equal in strength, and their might not feeble,and there were a four-acre field, and the soil yielded to the plow,then you would see me, if I cut a straight furrow through.Or if the son of Cronos should stir up war from somewheretoday, and I had a shield and two spearsand a helmet all of bronze, fitted to my temples,then you would see me mingling among the foremost champions,and you would not speak reproaching me with my belly.But you are very insolent, and your mind is harsh;and you think you are some great and mighty man,because you keep company with few men, and those not good.But if Odysseus came and reached his fatherland,quickly would the doorway, though very broad it is,grow narrow for you as you flee out through the porch.So he spoke, and Eurymachus grew angrier in his heart,and glowering at him spoke winged words:Ah wretch, soon will I work you evil for what you sayso boldly among many men, and in your heartyou fear nothing; either wine has hold of your wits, or alwaysyour mind is such; and so you talk idly.Are you beside yourself because you beat Irus the beggar?So speaking he seized a footstool; but Odysseussat down at the knees of Amphinomus of Dulichium,in fear of Eurymachus; and he struck the cupbearer's right hand,and the pitcher fell to the ground with a clang,and he groaned and fell on his back in the dust.The suitors clamored through the shadowy halls,and thus one would speak, looking at his neighbor:Would that the wandering stranger had perished elsewherebefore he came; then he would not have raised so much din.But now we quarrel about beggars, and there will be nopleasure in the good feast, since the worse prevails.Then the sacred strength of Telemachus spoke among them:Strange men, you are mad, and no longer hide in your heartsfood or drink; surely some god is stirring you up.But having feasted well, go home and lie down,whenever your heart bids you; I drive no one away.So he spoke, and all bit their lips with their teethand marveled at Telemachus, that he spoke so boldly.Then Amphinomus spoke and addressed them,the shining son of Nisus, son of lord Aretias:Friends, surely no one would be angry, attacking with contentious words,at what has been justly said;do not strike the stranger, nor any otherof the servants who are in the house of divine Odysseus.But come, let the cupbearer begin with the cups,that having made libation we may go home and lie down;and let us leave the stranger in the halls of Odysseusto be cared for by Telemachus; for he has come to his dear house.So he spoke, and said a word pleasing to them all.And the hero Mulius mixed a bowl for them,a herald of Dulichium; he was a servant of Amphinomus;and he distributed it to all in turn; and they, to the godshaving made libation to the blessed ones, drank honey-sweet wine.But when they had poured libations and drunk as much as their heart wished,they went each to his own house to lie down.

A common beggar came in, who through the townbegged in Ithaca, and was noted for his greedy belly,endlessly eating and drinking; he had no strengthand no force, though he was very big to look at.Arnaeus was his name; his noble mother gave it to himat birth; but all the young men called him Irus,because he carried messages whenever someone asked.He came and drove Odysseus out of his own house,and, scolding him, spoke winged words:Give way, old man, from the doorway, or you will soon be dragged by the foot.Don't you hear how they all wink at meand tell me to drag you out? Still, I'm ashamed to.Get up, or we'll soon have a quarrel and blows.Glaring at him, clever Odysseus replied:Strange man, I'm doing you no harm and saying none,and I don't begrudge anyone giving, even one who has taken a lot.This threshold will hold us both, and you shouldn'tbegrudge another's goods; you look to me like a wandererjust like me; but the gods may give wealth.Don't provoke me too much with your hands, or you'll make me angry,and then, old as I am, I'll smear your chest and lipswith blood; then there'd be more peace for metomorrow; I don't think you'll come backa second time to the hall of Odysseus, son of Laertes.Angry, the beggar Irus answered him:Good heavens, how glibly this greedy glutton talks,just like an old woman at the oven! I'd plan trouble for him,hitting with both fists, and I'd knock all his teethout of his jaws to the ground, like a plundering sow.Gird yourself now, so all these men may knowwe're fighting; how could you fight a younger man?So the two of them, in front of the high doors,on the polished threshold, quarreled with all their heart.Antinous' sacred fury understood them,and laughing sweetly he said to the suitors:Friends, nothing like this has ever happened before,what a pleasure a god has brought to this house.The stranger and Irus are challenging each otherto fight with their hands; come, let's match them quickly.He spoke, and they all jumped up laughing,and gathered around the two badly dressed beggars.Antinous, son of Eupeithes, said to them:Listen to me, proud suitors, so I can say something.These goat paunches lie in the fire, which for supperwe set there, filled with fat and blood.Whichever of the two wins and proves stronger,let him get up and take whichever one he wants.He'll always share meals with us after that, and we won't letany other beggar come in and beg among us.So Antinous spoke, and the plan pleased them.But clever Odysseus, with a crafty mind, said to them:Friends, an old man worn down by misery can'tfight a younger one; but my belly,the troublemaker, pushes me on to be beaten down by blows.Come now, all of you swear me a strong oaththat no one, to please Irus, will strike me with a heavy handout of wickedness, and so overpower me for him.He spoke, and they all swore as he asked.When they had sworn and finished the oath,then the sacred strength of Telemachus spoke to them:Stranger, if your heart and proud spirit urge youto fight this man off, don't fear any otherof the Achaeans, since whoever strikes you will have many to fight.I am your host, and the princes approve it,both Antinous and Eurymachus, both sensible men.He spoke, and they all approved. Then Odysseusgirded his rags around his waist, and showed his thighs,beautiful and big, and his broad shoulders appeared,his chest and sturdy arms. Then Athenastood close and made the limbs of the shepherd of the people grow stronger.All the suitors were hugely amazed,and one would say, looking at his neighbor:Soon Irus will get a self-invited trouble,such a thigh the old man shows from his rags!So they said, and the spirit of Irus was stirred to trouble.But even so the servants brought him, girding him by force,terrified; his flesh trembled over his limbs.Antinous scolded him and spoke and named him:Now may you not exist, you blusterer, nor ever have been,if you are trembling before this man and terribly afraid,an old man worn down by misery that has come on him.But I'll tell you plainly, and it will be done:if this man beats you and proves stronger,I'll send you to the mainland, throwing you in a black ship,to King Echetus, the destroyer of all mortals,who will cut off your nose and ears with pitiless bronze,and tear out your privates and give them raw to the dogs.He spoke, and trembling seized his limbs even more.They led them to the middle; both raised their hands.Then much-enduring, brilliant Odysseus consideredwhether to hit him so his life left him fallen there,or to hit him lightly and stretch him on the ground.As he thought, it seemed better to himto hit lightly, so the Achaeans wouldn't notice him.Then as they raised their hands, Irus struck his right shoulder,and the other struck his neck under the ear, and crushed the bonesinside; at once crimson blood came through his mouth,and he fell bellowing in the dust, gnashing his teethand kicking the ground with his feet; and the noble suitorsraised their hands and died of laughter. But Odysseusgrabbed his foot and dragged him through the doorway until he reached the courtand the porch doors; and against the courtyard wallhe set him, leaning him back, and put his staff in his hand,and spoke and addressed him with winged words:Sit here now and keep off the pigs and dogs,and don't be a lord over strangers and beggars,wretched as you are, or you may get something even worse.He spoke, and slung his ugly wallet over his shoulders,all torn, with a twisted cord for a strap.Then he went back and sat down on the threshold; and they went in,laughing sweetly and greeting him with words:May Zeus give you, stranger, and the other immortal gods,whatever you most want and is dear to your heart,since you've stopped this glutton from beggingamong the people; soon we'll take him to the mainland,to King Echetus, the destroyer of all mortals.So they said, and brilliant Odysseus rejoiced at the omen.Antinous set a big paunch before him,full of fat and blood; and Amphinomuslifted two loaves from the basket and set them beside him,and toasted him with a golden cup, and said:Greetings, father stranger, may you havewealth in the future; but now you're held by many troubles.Answering him, clever Odysseus said:Amphinomus, you really seem to me a sensible man,from a father like that too, since I heard his good name,that Nisus of Dulichium was noble and rich;they say you're his son, and you look like a courteous man.So I'll tell you, and you mark it and hear me:Earth feeds nothing weaker than man,of all things that breathe and creep on the earth.For he never thinks he'll suffer evil in the future,as long as the gods give him excellence and his knees are nimble.But when the blessed gods bring troubles to pass,he bears them too, unwilling, with an enduring heart.For such is the mind of men on earthas the day the father of men and gods brings on.I too was once meant to be happy among men,and I did many reckless things, yielding to force and might,trusting my father and my brothers.So let no man ever be completely lawless,but let him quietly keep whatever gifts the gods give.I see the suitors recklessly plotting such things,wasting the property and dishonoring the wifeof a man who, I say, will not be away long from his friendsand his homeland; he is very near. But may some godlead you home out of the way, and may you not meet himwhen he comes back to his dear homeland.For I don't think they'll part without blood,the suitors and that man, once he comes under the roof.So he spoke, and after the libation drank the honey-sweet wine,and put the cup back in the hands of the marshal of the people.But he went through the house, grieved at heart,nodding with his head; for his spirit foresaw evil.But even so he didn't escape his fate; Athena bound him tooto be overpowered by the hands and spear of Telemachus.Then he sat down again on the chair he had risen from.The goddess, bright-eyed Athena, put it into the mindof the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope,to appear before the suitors, so she might mostlift the hearts of the suitors and be more honoredby her husband and son than she had been before.She laughed pointlessly and spoke and named the word:Eurynome, my heart longs, as never before,to appear before the suitors, hateful as they are to me.And I'd say a word to my son that would be better for him,not to mix in everything with the overbearing suitors,who speak well to your face and think evil behind your back.The housekeeper Eurynome answered her:Yes indeed, child, you've said all this as you should.But go and speak a word to your son, don't hide it,after washing your skin and anointing your cheeks.And don't go with your face so smeared with tears,since it's worse to mourn endlessly all the time.Your son is already old enough, the one you mostprayed to the immortals to see with a beard.Then wise Penelope answered her:Eurynome, don't urge me to that, careful as you are,to wash my skin and anoint myself with oil.The gods who hold Olympus destroyed my beautyfrom the time that man went off in the hollow ships.But tell Autonoe and Hippodamiato come, so they can stand beside me in the hall.I won't go in among men alone; I'm ashamed to.So she spoke, and the old woman went through the hallto tell the women and urge them to come.Then the goddess, bright-eyed Athena, thought of something else:she poured sweet sleep on the daughter of Icarius,and she slept, leaning back, and all her limbs went loosethere on the couch; meanwhile the shining goddessgave immortal gifts, so the Achaeans would marvel at her.First she cleansed her beautiful face with beauty,with ambrosial oil, the kind fair-crowned Cythereaanoints herself with when she goes to the lovely dance of the Graces.She made her taller and fuller to look at,and made her whiter than sawn ivory.Having done this, the shining goddess left,and the white-armed maids came from the hallwith voices as they came; and sweet sleep released her,and she wiped her cheeks with her hands and said:Ah, soft sleep has covered me, sorely afflicted as I am.If only holy Artemis would give me so soft a deathright now, so that I might no longer, grieving in my heart,waste away my life, longing for my dear husbandand all his excellence, since he was outstanding among the Achaeans.So speaking she came down the shining upper stairs,not alone; two maids followed with her.When the shining one among women came to the suitors,she stood by the doorpost of the well-built roof,holding her shining veil before her cheeks,and a faithful maid stood on either side of her.Their knees went loose right there, and their hearts were charmed with desire,and all prayed to lie beside her in bed.She addressed Telemachus, her dear son:Telemachus, your mind is no longer steady, nor your thought.When you were still a child you managed your thoughts with more sense.But now that you're grown and have reached the measure of youth,and someone might say you're the son of a blessed man,looking at your size and beauty, even a stranger,your thoughts are no longer decent, nor your mind.What a deed has been done in the hall,that you let the stranger be so shamefully treated!How now, if a stranger in our housesitting here suffered such painful dragging about?It would be disgrace and shame for you among people.Then sensible Telemachus answered her:Mother, I don't blame you for being angry.But I see in my heart and know each thing,both the good and the worse; before I was still a child.But I can't understand everything wisely.These men sitting by me strike me from this side and that,these who think evil, and I have no one to help me.Still, the fight between the stranger and Irus didn't happenby the will of the suitors; he was stronger by force.If only, father Zeus, and Athena, and Apollo,the suitors in our house nowwere nodding their heads in subjection, some in the courtyard,some inside the house, and every man's limbs were loose,as now that Irus at the courtyard doorssits nodding his head, like a drunk man,and can't stand upright on his feet or gohome, where his way home is, since his dear limbs are loose.So the two of them said such things to each other.Eurymachus addressed Penelope with words:Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope,if all the Achaeans throughout Iasian Argos saw you,more suitors would feast in your housefrom dawn, since you surpass all womenin beauty and stature and in the mind within you.Then wise Penelope answered him:Eurymachus, the immortals destroyed my excellenceand beauty and form, when the Argives went upto Ilium, and with them went my husband Odysseus.If that man came and cared for my life,my glory would be greater and fairer.But now I grieve; a god has heaped so many troubles on me.Indeed, when he left his homeland behind,he took my hand by the wrist and said to me:Wife, I don't think the well-greaved Achaeanswill all come back safely from Troy.They say the Trojans are fighting men,both spearmen and shooters of arrows,and riders of swift-footed horses, who most quicklydecide the great strife of leveling war.So I don't know whether a god will release me or I'll be takenthere in Troy; but let everything here be your care.Remember my father and mother in the hall,as now, or even more while I'm far away.And when you see our son bearded,marry whoever you wish, leaving your house behind.So he spoke; and now all this is being fulfilled.There will be a night when a hateful marriage meets me,in my accursed case, from whom Zeus has taken prosperity.But this dread grief comes on my heart and spirit:this was not the way of suitors in former times.Those who want to court a good woman and a rich man's daughterand vie with one another,they themselves bring cattle and sturdy sheep,a feast for the girl's friends, and give shining gifts.They don't eat up another's livelihood without paying.So she spoke, and much-enduring, brilliant Odysseus rejoiced,because she drew gifts from them and charmed their heartswith gentle words, while her mind intended other things.Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, addressed her:Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope,whoever of the Achaeans wishes to bring gifts here,accept them; it's not noble to refuse a gift.But we won't go to our work, or anywhere else,before you marry whichever Achaean is best.So Antinous spoke, and the plan pleased them,and each sent a herald to bring gifts.For Antinous he brought a big, very beautiful robe,embroidered; and on it were twelve brooches, allof gold, fitted with well-bent clasps.And for Eurymachus he brought at once a richly worked necklace,of gold strung with amber, like the sun.And for Eurydamas two servants brought earrings,with three beads, carefully made; much grace shone from them.And from Pisander, son of Polyctor, the prince,a servant brought a necklace, a very beautiful ornament.And each of the other Achaeans brought a fine gift.Then the shining one among women went up to the upper rooms,and her maids carried the very beautiful gifts with her;and the men turned to dancing and lovely song,and took their pleasure, and waited for evening to come.And as they took their pleasure, dark evening came on them.At once they set three torches in the hall,to give light; and around them they put dry wood,long dried, seasoned, newly split with bronze,and mixed in pine splinters; and in turn they kept the flames alive,the maidservants of much-enduring Odysseus. But hehimself, god-born, clever Odysseus, said to them:Maids of Odysseus, whose master has long been gone,go to the rooms where your revered queen is,and whirl the spindles beside her, and delight heras you sit in the hall, or card wool with your hands.And I'll provide light for all these men.For even if they want to wait for well-throned Dawn,they won't beat me; I'm very much-enduring.So he spoke, and they laughed and looked at one another.Fair-cheeked Melantho scolded him shamefully,the one Dolius fathered but Penelope raised,and cherished like a child, and gave her toys to please her heart.But even so she had no grief for Penelope in her mind,but she slept with Eurymachus and loved him.She scolded Odysseus with reproachful words:Wretched stranger, you're surely someone whose wits are addled.You won't go sleep in the smithyor somewhere in a public portico, but here you talk a lot,boldly among many men, and in your heartyou're not afraid. Either wine has hold of your wits, or alwaysyour mind is like that; and so you talk nonsense.Are you out of your mind because you beat Irus the beggar?Lest someone better than Irus soon rise against you,who, striking you about the head with sturdy hands,may send you out of the house, smeared with much blood.Glaring at her, clever Odysseus said:Soon I'll tell Telemachus, you dog, what you're saying,going to him, so he cuts you limb from limb.So speaking, he terrified the women with his words.They went through the house, and each woman's limbs went loosewith terror; for they thought he had spoken the truth.But he, giving light beside the burning torches,stood looking at them all; and his heart kept ponderingin his breast other things, which were not to go unaccomplished.And Athena didn't let the suitors, proud as they were,hold back from heart-paining outrage, so that even moregrief might enter the heart of Laertes' son Odysseus.Among them Eurymachus, son of Polybus, began to speak,taunting Odysseus; and he made his comrades laugh.Listen to me, suitors of the far-famed queen,so I can say what my heart in my breast commands me.Not without a god has this man come to Odysseus' house.It seems to me there's a gleam of torches from him,from his head, since he has no hair on it at all.So he spoke, and at the same time addressed Odysseus, sacker of cities:Stranger, would you be willing to work as a hired man, if I took you on,on the edge of the farm, and your pay will be enough,gathering stones for walls and planting tall trees?There I'd give you grain in plenty,and clothe you and give you shoes for your feet.But since you've learned base work, you won't be willingto go about a job, but you'd rather cringe through the countryso you can feed your insatiable belly.Answering him, clever Odysseus said:Eurymachus, if only there were a contest of work between us twoin the spring season, when the days grow long,in the meadow, and I held a well-curved sickle,and you held one too, so we could test the workfasting till dark, with plenty of grass.Or if there were cattle to drive, the very best,tawny, big, both glutted with grass,the same age, equal in strength, and their might not weak,and there were a four-acre field, and the soil gave way to the plow,then you'd see me, if I cut a straight furrow through.Or if Cronos' son should stir up war from somewheretoday, and I had a shield and two spearsand a helmet all of bronze, fitted to my temples,then you'd see me mingling among the foremost fighters,and you wouldn't reproach me about my belly.But you're very insolent, and your mind is harsh.You think you're some great and mighty man,because you keep company with few men, and those not good.But if Odysseus came and reached his homeland,quickly the doorway, broad as it is,would grow narrow for you as you fled out through the porch.So he spoke, and Eurymachus grew angrier in his heart,and glaring at him spoke winged words:Ah, wretch, soon I'll work you evil for what you sayso boldly among many men, and in your heartyou're not afraid. Either wine has hold of your wits, or alwaysyour mind is like that; and so you talk nonsense.Are you out of your mind because you beat Irus the beggar?So speaking he seized a footstool; but Odysseussat down at the knees of Amphinomus of Dulichium,in fear of Eurymachus; and he struck the cupbearer's right hand.The pitcher fell to the ground with a clang,and he groaned and fell on his back in the dust.The suitors clamored through the shadowy halls,and one would say, looking at his neighbor:If only the wandering stranger had died elsewherebefore he came; then he wouldn't have raised so much noise.But now we're quarreling about beggars, and there'll be nopleasure in a good feast, since the worse wins.Then the sacred strength of Telemachus spoke among them:Strange men, you're mad, and you no longer hide in your heartsfood or drink; surely some god is stirring you up.But feast well and go home and lie down,whenever your heart bids you; I don't drive anyone away.So he spoke, and they all bit their lips with their teethand marveled at Telemachus, that he spoke so boldly.Then Amphinomus spoke to them and said,the shining son of Nisus, son of lord Aretias:Friends, surely no one would be angry, attacking with hostile words,at what has been justly said.Don't strike the stranger, or any otherof the servants who are in the house of divine Odysseus.But come, let the cupbearer begin with the cups,so after the libation we can go home and lie down.And let's leave the stranger in the halls of Odysseusto be cared for by Telemachus, for he's come to his dear house.So he spoke, and said a word pleasing to them all.And the hero Mulius mixed a bowl for them,a herald of Dulichium; he was a servant of Amphinomus.He served it to all in turn; and they, to the godsafter the libation to the blessed ones, drank honey-sweet wine.But when they had poured libations and drunk as much as their heart wished,they went each to his own house to lie down.