Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/369

499—537. put the shining brass around their bodies, they opened the gates, and went out, but Ulysses led the way. And Minerva, the daughter of Jove, came near them, likened unto Mentor both in person and voice. Much-enduring divine Ulysses rejoiced on seeing her, and he immediately addressed his dear son Telemachus:

"Telemachus, thou wilt now know this thyself, coming on, (when men are fighting, where the best are judged to be,) not to disgrace the race of your fathers, we, who before excelled over all the earth in valour and manliness."

But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "Thou shalt see if thou desirest, my dear father, in my mind, that I dishonour not the race, as thou sayest."

Thus he spoke; but Laertes rejoiced, and spoke thus: "What day now is this, my dear friends? Very much do I rejoice; my son and my grandson are having a contention about excellence."

But blue-eyed Minerva standing near addressed him: "O son of Arcesias, far dearest of all my companions, praying to the blue-eyed damsel, and father Jove, very quickly brandish, and send forth a long-shadowing spear."

Thus she spoke; and Pallas Minerva breathed into him great strength; then praying to the daughter of mighty Jove, he very quickly brandished and sent forth a long-shadowing spear, and struck Eupithes through the brazen-cheeked helm; but it did not keep off the spear, but the brass passed entirely through. And he resounded as he fell, and his arms clashed upon him. And Ulysses and his glorious son fell upon the first-fighters; and they beat them with swords and double-edged spears. And now they would have destroyed all, and deprived them of their return, had not Minerva, the daughter of Ægis-bearing Jove, cried out with her loud voice and restrained all the people: "Refrain from difficult war, O Ithacans, that without bloodshed ye may be separated as soon as possible."

Thus spoke Minerva; and pale fear seized them; and the weapons flew from the hands of the frightened, and all fell on the earth, when the goddess had uttered a sound; and they were turned towards the city, anxious for their lives. But much-enduring divine Ulysses shouted out terribly, and he rushed on, gathering himself up like a lofty-flying eagle. And