Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/367

419—459. forum, sorrowing in their heart. But when they were assembled, and were collected together, Eupithes rose up, and addressed them, for not-to-be-forgotten grief lay upon his mind for his son, Antinous, whom divine Ulyssea slew first: for whom he pouring forth tears, harangued and addressed them:

"O friends, indeed this man has done a heinous deed against the Grecians; some indeed taking in his ships, many and brave men, he has lost his hollow ships, and destroyed all the people; but others he has slain on his return, far the best of the Cephallenians. But come, before this man either quickly reaches Pylos, or divine Elis, where the Epeians rule, let us go; or hereafter we shall always be ashamed. For these things indeed are a disgrace even for posterity to hear. But if we shall not be revenged on the murderers of our sons and brothers, it would not be pleasant for me in my mind to live: but dying as soon as possible, might I be amongst the deceased. But let us go, lest they anticipate us, passing over."

Thus he spoke, shedding tears, and pity seized all the Grecians. But Medon and the divine bard came near them from the palace of Ulysses, when sleep had left them. And they stood in the middle; and astonishment seized each man. And Medon, knowing prudent things, addressed them:

"Hear me now, Ithacans; for Ulysses did not devise these deeds without the will of the gods; I myself saw an immortal god, who stood near Ulysses, and he was in every thing like unto Mentor. But the immortal god at one time appeared before Ulysses, encouraging him, and at another inciting the suitors, made them rush in flight through the palace; and they fell near to one another."

Thus he spoke; and pale fear seized upon all of them. And the old hero Alitherses, son of Mastor, addressed them; for he alone saw what was past and what was to come; he, thinking well, harangued and addressed them:

"Listen now, Ithacans, to what I am going to say. These deeds, my friends, were done by your own wickedness: for ye did not obey me nor Mentor, the shepherd of the people, so as to make your sons cease from their foolish deeds; who have done a heinous deed through their evil infatuation, wasting the property and insulting the wife of an excellent man, who