Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/340

304 not all at the same time send forth your long spears; but come, six of you hurl first, if Jove will grant that Ulysses may be wounded, and that we obtain renown: but for the others there is no care, when he at least shall have fallen."

Thus he spoke; and they all eager hurled their javelins, as he commanded; but Minerva made them all vain. One of them struck the pillar of the well-reared palace, another the closely-fitted door; and the ashen shaft of another, heavy with brass, fell in the wall. But when they had avoided the spears of the suitors, to them much-enduring divine Ulysses began discourse:

"O friends, now would I say that we should hurl our javelins into the crowd of the suitors, who desire to slay us in addition to the former evils."

Thus he spoke; and they all hurled their sharp spears, aiming opposite: Ulysses slew Demoptolemus, and Telemachus Euryades, and the swineherd Elatus, and the herdsmen of oxen slew Pisander: then all of them bit the immense floor with their teeth. But the suitors retreated to the recess of the palace: but they rushed upon them, and took out the spears from the dead. And the suitors again eager hurled their sharp spears; but Minerva made many of them vain. One of them struck the pillar of the well-reared palace, another the closely-fitted door; and the ash of another, heavy with brass, fell in the wall. But Amphimedon struck Telemachus on the hand at the wrist, so as to graze, and the brass hurt the surface of the skin. But Ctesippus grazed Eumæus upon the shoulder over his shield, with his long spear, but it flew over and fell to the ground. But they again with wise, crafty Ulysses, hurled their sharp spears into the crowd of suitors; then city-destroying Ulysses struck Eurydamus, and Telemachus Amphimedon, and the swineherd Polybus; then the herdsman of oxen struck Ctesippus on the breast; and boasting over him, addressed him:

"O son of Polytherses, lover of gibing, do not, yielding to thy folly, altogether speak bigly, but leave words to the gods; since they are much superior. This is a hospitable gift for thee in turn for the foot which thou once gavest godlike Ulysses, while begging through the house."

The herdsman of curved-horned oxen spoke; but Ulysses wounded the son of Damastor hand to hand with a long spear: