Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/324

288 steel. And now he would have stretched it by force, drawing it a fourth time, but Ulysses nodded to restrain him, although eager. And the sacred might of Telemachus addressed them:

"Alas! I shall either hereafter be a coward and weak, or I am younger, and do not yet trust in my hands to ward off a man, when any one first provokes me. But come, you who are better than me in strength, try the bow, and let us end the contest."

Thus having spoken, he laid the bow from him upon the ground, reclining it against the well-polished glued panels: and he reclined the swift weapon there against its beautiful tip. And he sat down again on the throne, from whence he arose. But Antinous, son of Eupithes, addressed them:

"Rise in order to the right, all of you, beginning from the place from whence the wine-pourer begins."

Thus spoke Antinous, and his words pleased them. But Leiodes, son of Ænops, rose first, who was their soothsayer, and sat always inmost near the golden bowl: but wicked deeds were hateful to him alone, and he was indignant at all the suitors: he then first took the bow and the sharp shaft; and he stood, going on the threshold, and tried the bow; nor did he stretch it; for he first wearied his hands, drawing it, they being unpractised and tender, and he addressed the suitors:

"O friends, I cannot stretch it; but let another also take it; for this bow will deprive many chieftains of their mind and soul: since it is much better to die, than living to fail of [the prize], on account of which we are always assembled here, waiting all our days. Now indeed some one hopes in his mind and meditates to marry Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, but when he shall try the bow, and see it, then let him woo some other of the well-clad Grecian women, seeking her with bridal gifts; and let her then marry whoever gives her most [bridal gifts], and comes destined to her."

Thus he spoke, and placed the bow from him, reclining it against the well-polished glued panels, and he reclined the swift weapon there against its beautiful tip; and he sat down again on his seat, from whence he arose. But Antinous chided him, and spoke a word and addressed him: