Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/291

321—355. her Dolius indeed begot, but Penelope brought her up, and nurtured her as her own child, and gave her play-things to delight her mind: but not even thus did she possess the grief of Penelope in her breast. But she was mingled with Eurymachus and loved him; she then chided Ulysses with reproachful words:

"Wretched stranger, thou art some one stricken out of thy senses: thou dost not wish to sleep, going to a brazier's house, or to the public meeting-place; but here thou [boldly speakest much amongst many men; nor dost thou fear at all in thy mind: either wine has laid hold of thine understanding, or thou hast always such a disposition, thou who utterest vain words]. Dost thou exult vainly, because thou hast conquered the vagrant Irus? [Take care], lest some other better than Irus should soon rise up, who, cutting thee about the head with his sturdy hands, will send thee out of the house, besmearing thee with much blood."

But her much-planning Ulysses, sternly beholding, addressed: "Surely I will soon go thither, impudent one, and tell Telemachus, what things thou speakest, that he may forthwith cut thee up limb by limb."

Thus having spoken, he terrified the women with his words: and they went through the house; and the limbs of each were loosed under them through fear; for they said [within themselves] that he spoke truly. But he stood looking upon all, giving light near to the burning hearths: moreover his heart meditated in his breast things which were not to be unaccomplished. But Minerva did not suffer the haughty suitors altogether to refrain from their mind-paining insolence, that grief might still more come upon the heart of Ulysses, son of Laertes. And Eurymachus, son of Polybus, began to speak to them, scoffing at Ulysses; and he caused laughter amongst his companions.

"Hear me, ye suitors of the illustrious queen, whilst I speak the things which the mind in my breast commands me. This man does not come to the house of Ulysses without the will of some god: to me however the flame of the torches seems to be from him, and his head; since he has no hair, not even a little."

He spoke, and at the same time addressed city-destroying