Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/278

242 work for them by necessity. But me they gave to a stranger who met them [to take to] Cyprus, Demetor, son of Iasus, who reigned by his might over Cyprus. From thence I am now come hither to this place, suffering harm."

But him Antinous answered and addressed in turn: "What deity brought this pest to [us], a trouble of our feast? Stand out, then, in the middle far off from my table, lest soon thou shouldst reach a bitter Egypt and Cyprus: since thou art some daring and shameless beggar. Thou standest near all in their turn; but they foolishly give to thee: since there is no restraint, nor commiseration to give of another's property, since each has much.

But him much-planning Ulysses, on retiring, addressed: "Alas! thou hast not a mind in addition to thy beauty of form: thou wouldst not give even a grain of salt from thine house to thine own suppliant, thou, who now sitting down at another man's [table], hast not had the heart to give some bread to me, taking it away: but thou hast much before thee."

Thus he spoke; but Antinous was still more wrathful at heart, and looking sternly upon him, he addressed to him winged words: "Now indeed I no longer think that thou wilt retire well through out of the palace, since thou now speakest reproachful things."

Thus he spoke: and taking a footstool, he struck his (Ulysses') right shoulder at the bottom, on the back: but he stood firm, as a rock; nor did the weapon of Antinous cause him to stumble, but in silence he moved his head, deeply devising evils; and going back to the threshold, he sat down, and put down his well-filled satchel; and addressed the suitors:

"Hear me, ye suitors of the illustrious queen, whilst I speak the things which the mind in my breast commands me. There is no sorrow in one's mind, nor grief at all, when a man fighting for his own possessions is stricken, either for his oxen, or white sheep: but Antinous struck me on account of my sad belly, pernicious, which gives many evils to men. But if there are any where gods and Erinnyes of poor men, may the end of death reach him before his marriage."

But him Antinous, son of Eupithes, addressed in turn: "Eat quiet, O stranger, sitting down, or go away elsewhere; lest young men drag thee through the house (such things thou speakest!) either by the foot, or by the hand, and flay thee entirely."