Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/293

393—427. Thus having spoken, he took a stool: but Ulysses sat down at the knees of Dulichian Amphinomus, fearing Eurymachus: and he struck the cup-bearer on his right hand; and the bowl, falling on the ground, resounded; but he, groaning, fell supine in the dust. And the suitors made a tumult in the dark palace; and thus some one said, looking to another near him:

"Would that the stranger, wandering, had perished elsewhere, before he came [here]; then would he not have caused so great a tumult. But now we are contending about a beggar; nor will there be any delight in an excellent banquet, since the worst things prevail."

Then the sacred might of Telemachus addressed them: "Sirs, ye are mad, and no longer eat and drink in quiet: some one of the gods irritates you. But having feasted well, go home, and lie down, when your mind commands you; but I drive no one away."

Thus he spoke; and they all biting their lips with their teeth, marvelled at Telemachus for what he boldly spoke. But Amphinomus, the illustrious son of king Nisus, son of Aretias, harangued and addressed them:

"My friends, no one surely attacking [him] with hostile words, would be angry with what has been spoken justly. Neither insult the stranger any more, nor any other of the servants who are in the house of divine Ulysses. But come, let the cup-bearer make the first offerings with the cups, that having made libations, we going home may lie down: and let us leave the stranger in the palace of Ulysses for Telemachus to take care of: for he has come to his kind house."

Thus he spoke; and he spoke words pleasing to all of them. And the hero Mulius, the Dulichian herald, mixed a bowl for them; but he was the servant of Amphinomus; and he distributed to all in succession: and they having made libations to the blessed gods, drank sweet wine. But when they had made libations, and drunk as much as their mind wished, each went to his own home to lie down to rest.