ODYSSEY BOOK XXI
NOW did a thought that was sent by the grey-eyed goddess Athene
1
Come to the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelopeia,
Bidding her carry the bow and the cold grey axes of iron
Into the hall for the contest—beginning of death for the suitors.
So by the stair that ascended aloft to her chamber she mounted.
5
Here with her fair strong hand she selected a well-curved door-key,
Beautiful, bronzen; and fitted thereon was an ivory handle.
Then to the room of the treasure she went with her maiden attendants,
Even the innermost room where stored was the wealth of her husband,
Many a rich-wrought treasure of bronze and of gold and of iron.
10
Here was the back-bent bow of Odysseus and here was the quiver
Holding the shafts, full many an arrow, the bringer of anguish,
Gifts of a friend he had met when he journeyed to fair Lacedaemon,
Iphitus, Eurytus' son, who was like the immortals of heaven.
Once in Messenian land they had lighted the one on the other,
15
E'en at the house of the wise prince Orsilochus for Odysseus
Thither had come for a debt that was owing from all of the people,
Since in their well-benched vessels Messenian robbers had carried
Off from the Ithacan isle three hundred sheep with the shepherds.
These to recover Odysseus had come from afar as an envoy.
20
Though but a lad he was sent by his sire and the rest of the elders.
Iphitus also was there; he had lost, and was seeking, his horses,
Twelve of them, mares, each one with a strong young mule at the udder.
(These same mares proved later his bane and the cause of his murder
While he was guest of the man who was son of Cronion, the dauntless
25
Hercules—wight that was guilty of many a terrible action;
Yea and he slew him, although as a friend he was there in his homestead,
Wickedly slew him despite of the wrath of the gods and the table
Spread by his hands for a stranger; and, after the man he had murdered,
Also the strong-hoof'd horses he kept for himself at his palace.)
30
Questing for these he had met with Odysseus, and gave him the weapon,
Even the bow that the great prince Eurytus carried, and later
Left to his son when he died in the high-roofed hall of his homestead.
Him with a sharp-edged sword and a powerful lance did Odysseus
Also present a beginning of intimate friendship; but neither
35
Shared of the bread of the other before by the son of Cronion
Murdered was Iphitus, Eurytus' son, who was like the immortals.
Such was the friend who had given the bow; but the godlike Odysseus
Never, when warring he went and aboard of his black-hulled vessels,
Took it, but aye it remained, of his well-loved friend a remembrance,
40
Lying at home, or alone in his native country he bare it.
Now when she came to the room of the treasure, that fairest of women,
Up to the threshold of oak she advanced, which once by the joiner
Smoothly was planed and was cut to the line with the skill of a master
(Posts he had fitted thereto and the glittering doors to the door-posts).
45
Straightway deftly she loosened the strap that was bound to the handle;
Then she inserted the key, and the bolt of the portal she shot back,
Pressing with accurate aim; and as grazing alone in a meadow
Bellows a bull, thus bellowed the doors of the beautiful portal,
Smit by the stroke of the key; and they both flew open before her.
50
Then on the high-built dais she stept, where many a coffer
Stood, in the which were lying her treasures of fragrant apparel.
Here outstretching her hand to the bow of Odysseus, she took it
Off from the peg where sheathed in its glittering case it was hanging.
Then did she seat her, and laying it down on her knees she beheld it
55
Bitterly weeping, and drew from its cover the bow of her husband,
Till, when at last she had sated her soul with her weeping and wailing,
Back to the hall she betook her and came to the arrogant suitors
Bearing the back-bent bow, and carrying also the quiver
Laden with shafts—full many an arrow, the bringer of anguish.
60
Maidens as well came after her bearing a basket with treasures,
Iron and bronze, full many a prize once gained by Odysseus.
So when at last she had come to the suitors, that fairest of women
Stood by the post of the door of the massively builded apartment,
Holding in front of her cheeks soft folds of her glistering head-dress.
65
There as she stood, with a trusty attendant on this and on that side,
Straightway unto the suitors she spake, and thus she addressed them :
"Listen, ye arrogant suitors incessantly haunting my homestead,
Vexing it ever and ever again with your bouts and your banquets
These long years that my lord was away—and never a pretext
70
Other in all that ye said did ye offer (nor could ye invent one)
Save that ye longed to possess me as wife and to force me to marry.
Come now, suitors! Behold, since such is the prize ye compete for,
Here is the bow of the godlike Odysseus! I lay it before you.
Who with his hands most easily stringeth the bow of my husband,
75
Should he be able to shoot clean through all twelve of the axes,
Him will I follow as wife, and shall bid farewell to this mansion,
Beautiful, beautiful home of my girlhood, abounding in comfort,
Home that I often in future, methinks, in my dreams shall remember."
Thus did she speak, and she bade Eumaeus, the good old swineherd,
80
Place for the suitors the bow and the cold grey axes of iron.
Bursting in tears Eumaeus received them and laid them in order.
Also the cowherd lamented, beholding the bow of his master.
Then spake Antinous and addressed them and rudely rebuked them:
“ Babies and boors, that regard but the things of the day as it passeth!
85
Wherefore, you couple of blubbering fools, thus trouble the lady,
Stirring the heart in her bosom again, when her spirit already
Lay o'erwhelmed in its grief at the loss of her well-loved husband?
Nay now, sit at the feast and be silent—or, must ye be weeping,
Get to the door and be gone!—But the bow .. ye can leave it behind you.
90
Fatal, methinks, 'twill prove as a test for the suitors. I trow not
Easy to bend and to string is the smooth-wrought bow that I see there.
Yea, for of all of us here there's never a man that is present
Such as of yore was Odysseus. I saw him myself and remember,
Well I remember, although I was only a child when I saw him."
95
Thus did he speak, while deep in his heart he was hoping to prove him
First of his fellows at stringing the bow and at piercing the axes.
Ay but as first of them all he was fated to taste of an arrow
Sped by the hands of the noble Odysseus, whom lately he flouted,
Sitting at meat in his hall and inciting the others against him.
100
Then spake Telemachus, young valiant prince, to the suitors :
"Heavens! it seemeth that Father Cronion has robbed me of reason!
Here is my own dear mother, although of a good understanding,
Saying she meaneth to follow a stranger and part from her homestead.
Yea and I laugh and rejoice when I hear it as reft of my senses!
105
Well now, suitors, behold! Since such is the prize ye compete for,
Even a lady unrivalled in all of the land of Achaea,
Also in Pylos the fair, and in Argive land and Mycene,
Nay on the Ithacan island itself and the dim dark mainland—
Ah, but ye know it yourselves, and my praise of my mother is needleess.
110
Come, and delay no more with excuses! Arise, and defer not
Longer the trial of stringing the bow! Let us see what shall happen!
Ay and myself were fain to attempt this bow of my father.
Should I be able to string it and pierce with an arrow the axes,
Then shall my mother the queen not leave me alone in my sorrow,
115
Quitting her home as the wife of a stranger, nor leave me behind her,
Should I be able to win me the glorious arms of my father."
E'en as he spake from his neck he unfastened his mantle of crimson,
Sprang to his feet, and unbuckled the sharp-edged sword from his shoulder.
Firstly the axes he fixed in the ground in a trench that he hollowed,
120
One long trench for them all, and straight in a line he arranged them,
Stamping around them the earth—And astonishment seized the beholders,
Seeing him set them in order, although he had learnt it from no one.
Then to the threshold he went and to master the bow he attempted.
Thrice did he make it to quiver in trying to pull it towards him,
125
Thrice did his strength give way; but he hoped natheless in his spirit
Still to be able to string it and pierce with an arrow the axes;
Yea he had strung it perhaps, for the fourth time mightily tugging,
Had not his eager attempt been checked by a nod from Odysseus.
Then did the valiant prince once more to the suitors address him:
130
"Heavens, methinks I shall prove in the end but a coward and weakling!
Else, maybe, I am still but a youth, nor as yet can I trust me
Unto the strength of my hands, should any assail me in anger.
Come now, ye that excel me in bodily strength and in manhood,
Make an essay of the bow! Let us hasten to finish the contest!"
135
These words spoken, the bow from his hands he surrender'd, and placed it
Leaning aslant on the door smooth-polished and finely compacted;
Also the shaft keen-pointed he propped by the beautiful bow-tip.
So he reseated himself on the chair from the which he had risen.
Then spake Antinous, Eupeithes' son, and addressed them :
140
"Rise now, all of my mates! From the left hand make a beginning,
E'en from the place at the which he beginneth that filleth the wine-cups."
So spake Antinous, and his words pleased all of the others.
First of them Oenops' son, Leiodes, rose at his bidding.
He was the priest and diviner, and nigh to the beautiful wine-bowl
145
Innermost ever he sat; and alone in his heart he detested
All the infatuate deeds of the suitors, and viewed them with anger.
Such was the man who was foremost to handle the bow and the arrow.
Up to the threshold he went, and to master the bow he attempted,
Nor was he able to string it, for ere it was bent he was weary
150
Straining his unworn delicate hands; and he said to the suitors:
"Friends, I am wholly unable to string it. I leave it to others.
Ay and this weapon shall rob full many a man, and a brave one,
Soon of his life and his spirit. Indeed far better I hold it
So to be slain than to live and for ever to fail in obtaining
155
All that we vainly expected resorting incessantly hither.
Many a man of us still has a hope in his heart and a longing
Penelopeia to marry, the wife of the godlike Odysseus
Yet I believe when he seeth the bow and essayeth to bend it
Then 'twere wiser a wife of the long-robed maids of Achaea
160
Other to seek and to win with his bride-gifts, letting the lady
Marry the wooer that giveth the most and is destined to wed her."
These words spoken, the bow from his hands he surrender'd and placed it
Leaning aslant on the door smooth-polished and finely compacted;
Also the shaft keen-pointed he propped by the beautiful bow-tip.
165
So he reseated himself on the chair from the which he had risen.
Then spake Antinous and addressed him and rudely rebuked him:
"Leiodes, what word from the door of thy lips hath escaped thee?
Grievous, insulting, I hold it. It rouses my anger to hear thee.
What! shall a bow like this rob many a man and a brave one
170
Soon of his life and his spirit because thou failest to bend it ?
Navy, at thy birth, I assure thee, the lady thy mother produced not
One that was meant for a drawer of bows or a shooter of arrows.
Others among the illustrious suitors will easily string it."
Thus did he speak, and he called to Melanthius master of goatherds:
175
"Ho there! kindle a flame on the hearth of the palace, Melantheus!
Station a good-sized settle anigh with a cover of sheepskin,
Fetch us moreover a ball of the fat that is stored in the larder;
Then shall the young men melt it, and oiling the bow with the unguent
Make an essay at the stringing and speedily finish the contest."
180
Quick at the word was rekindled the restless flame by Melantheus.
Nigh it a good-sized settle he placed with a cover of sheepskin;
Also he fetched them a ball of the fat that was stored in the larder.
This did the young men melt, and they made the attempt; but they could not
String it. The strength for the feat was in all of them utterly wanting.
185
Antinous held back and Eurymachus the heroic,
Chief of the suitors and stronger by far than the others and braver.
Now those twain had withdrawn them, the one by the side of the other,
Even the cowherd and also the swineherd of godlike Odysseus.
Following after them went from the palace Odysseus the hero,
190
Till, when at length they had passed outside of the gate and the courtyard,
Then he uplifted his voice and with words right gentle addressed them :
"Cowherd, and thou, Eumaeus, a thing I am wishing to tell you.
Or shall I hide it within me? My spirit commands me to say it.
What is it like you'd prove in assisting Odysseus, if haply
195
All of a sudden he came from afar and a deity brought him?
Would ye decide on defending the suitors or helping Odysseus?
Speak to me openly! Answer as heart and as spirit command you."
Him gave answer the man who as cowherd tended the cattle:
"Zeus, our Father! if only thou gav'st this prayer a fulfilment :
200
O for the master to come! to be brought by a deity hither!
Then thou'dst learn of my strength and behold how ready my hands be!"
Likewise spake Eumaeus, and calling on all the immortals
Prayed for Odysseus the wise to return once more to his homeland.
Now when we saw that the hearts of the men were steadfastly loyal,
205
Once more speaking he gave them an answer, and thus he addressed them :
"Lo, it is I that am here in my home! Great hardships I suffered.
Now in the twentieth year I am come to the land of my fathers.
Yea and I know that my coming is wished for by none of the others,
Only by you of my thralls; for I hear none other beside you
210
Offering prayer to the gods to restore me again to my homeland.
Only to you will I say what shall happen and truly disclose it.
Should God grant it indeed that I vanquish the arrogant suitors,
Each of you then I will give an estate, and a wife I shall give him;
Homes near mine ye shall have new-builded, and ever in future
215
Even as comrades and brothers of Telemachus I shall treat you.
Come now, also a proof I will give you infallibly certain,
So that ye surely shall know me and feel in your hearts an assurance.
Here is the wound which once by a boar's white tusk was inflicted
While with the sons I was hunting of Autolycus on Parnassus."
220
Spake, and withdrawing his rags from the wound's great scar he disclosed it.
Then those twain, when they looked at it well and had marked it for certain,
Sobbed as they fell on the neck of Odysseus the wise and embraced him,
Lovingly kissing his head and his shoulders in token of welcome.
So did Odysseus as well, and kissed them on hand and on forehead;
225
Yea and the light of the sun were set on the long lamentation
Had not Odysseus himself thus bid them refrain and addressed them :
"Cease ye from wailing and weeping, I pray, lest any perceive it
Issuing forth from the hall, and return to the house and inform them.
Now let us enter again, not going together, but singly,
230
Firstly myself, then you; and let this be arranged and agreed to :
None, I am sure, of the others (I mean of the arrogant suitors)
E'er will allow that the bow shall be placed in my hands, or the quiver.
Therefore, my good Eumaeus, when bearing it round in the palace
Manage to give me the bow in my hands; then order the women,
235
Carefully barring the doors fast-closed of the inner apartment,
There to remain ; and if any shall notice a din or a groaning
Here in the hall of the men, let her nowise venture to issue
Forth of her chamber, but still at her task keep silently working.
Thou, O honest Philoetius, see to the gate of the courtyard;
240
Shut it and bolt it and fasten a rope right firmly about it."
These words spoken, he entered the pleasant abodes of the palace;
There he reseated himself on the chair from the which he had risen.
Likewise entered the twain—those thralls of the godlike Odysseus.
Now it was Eurymachus that was trying the bow, and on all sides
245
Warming it, holding it close to the heat of the flame; but to string it
E'en thus wholly he failed; and he groaned in his valiant spirit
Sorely enraged, and aloud to the others he called and addressed them :
"Heavens! I truly am grieved for myself and for all of you others.
Not for my marriage so much I lament, though great is my sorrow;
250
Many a woman is yet to be found of the race of Achaea
Here in the sea-girt Ithacan isle and in many a city.
Rather I grieve that in strength we're wholly unable to vie with
Godlike Odysseus; for here is his bow, and we have not the power
Even to string it—a thing that with men unborn will disgrace us."
255
Then spake Antinous, Eupeithes' son, and addressed him :
"No, no, Eurymachus! it shall never be thus—and thou know'st it.
Even to-day in the land is the feast of the Archer Apollo,
Festival solemn, on which none bendeth a bow. Let us calmly
Lay it aside; and the axes methinks 'twere better to leave them
260
Just so standing, for none, I am sure, will be likely to steal them,
Venturing nigh to the house of Odysseus the son of Laertes.
Come, let the bearer of wine now prime us the cups for libation.
After the wine we will stow us the well-cooked bow, and will order
Early the morrow Melanthius master of goatherds to bring us
265
Goats, prime beasts, from the whole of his flock as the fattest selected.
So we shall offer the meat of the thighs to the Archer Apollo,
Then once more of the bow make trial and finish the contest."
Thus spake Antinous, and his words pleased all of the others.
Forthwith water was poured on the hands of the guests by the henchmen;
270
Then did the pages, upwreathing on high with the liquor the wine-bowls,
Bear it around to them all, first priming the cups for libation.
Now when at last they had poured and had drunk to their souls' satisfaction,
Thus with a crafty design deep-plotting Odysseus addressed them
"List to my words, O suitors of far-famed Penelopeia,
275
So that I utter a thing that the heart in my bosom commands me.
Chiefly to Eurymachus and to Antinous the heroic
Now I direct my request, for in this he has spoken with reason,
Bidding you cease the essay of the bow and to leave it to heaven;
God will to-morrow the victory grant to the man that he chooseth.
280
Give me however the weapon—the smooth-wrought bow. I will test me
Here in your presence my hands and my strength, if I still am possessed of
Power as once in the supple and well-knit limbs of my body,
Or if a wanderer's life with its beggarly fare hath destroyed it."
Thus did he speak; and they all were filled with unspeakable anger,
285
Fearing the smooth-wrought bow might haply be strung by the stranger.
Then spake Antinous and addressed him and loudly rebuked him:
"Wretched ridiculous stranger! thy wits seem utterly wanting.
Art not content to be sitting at ease midst nobles and princes
Here at the banquet and share in the feast? Wilt also be spying,
290
Listing to all that we say and converse? None other beside thee,
Being a stranger and beggar as thou, e'er ventured to listen.
Wine honey-sweet hath infected thy senses, as many a mortal
Often it harms if he drains it in greedy immoderate potions.
Wine was the bane that distracted the wits of the Centaur, the famous
295
Eurytion, in the palace of Peirithous great-hearted,
While in the Lapithan land; for when wine had confounded his senses
Roused to a fury he wrought foul deeds in the house of the monarch.
Wrath then fell on the band of the heroes: rising in anger
Out of the house by the portal they dragged him, his ears and his nostrils
300
Shorn by the pitiless steel; and with wits distracted he wandered
Bearing the load of his sin with a mind that was weakened by madness.
Hence the beginning was made of the quarrel of men with the Centaurs;
Yea and he first on himself brought ruin when maddened by drinking.
Also for thee great woe I predict if thou haply accomplish
305
Stringing the bow; for of none thou shalt gain thee protection and kindness
Here in the land, but anon in a black-hulled ship we shall send thee
Over to Echetus, king of the mainland and maimer of mortals,
Whence thou shalt never escape with thy life. So quietly sit there!
Drink an thou wilt, but incite not a quarrel with men that be younger!"
310
Him forthwith gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia :
"Antinous, 'twere truly a wrong and unfair to refuse him,
Being the guest of my son, like others that come to the palace.
Weenst thou perhaps, if the stranger in stringing the bow of Odysseus
Were to succeed, on his hands and his strength not vainly relying,
315
Me he shall lead to his home and shall make me his consort? I trow not!
Neither, methinks, doth he hope it himself in the depth of his bosom.
Wherefore none of you fret at the thought nor be troubled in spirit
While at the banquet ye sit. 'Twere possible never and nowise!"
Then spake Polybus' son, prince Eurymachus, and addressed her :
320
"Daughter of Icarius, O wise-souled Penelopeia,
Ne'er did we think of his leading thee home—may heaven forfend it!
Only we dreaded the talk and the tattle of men and of women,
Lest it be said some day by an evilly-minded Achaean
'Lo these fellows a-wooing the wife of a man that excels them
325
Greatly—for even his bow they're wholly unable to string it,
While that a stranger that came to the palace, a beggarly vagrant,
Easily strung it and pierced with an arrow the axes of iron.'
Thus will they speak, and for us such words would prove a dishonour."
Him forthwith gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia:
330
"Eurymachus, fair fame in the land would never be given
Unto the men that, affronting the chief of the people as ye do,
Ruin his home. Then why do ye deem such words a dishonour ?
Lo, this stranger is tall; well built is his body and stalwart ;
Also he claims as his father a man that was brave and was upright.
335
Give him the smooth-wrought bow! Navy, give! Let us see what will happen.
This one thing will I say—it will certainly find a fulfilment:
Should he be able to string it and win such fame of Apollo,
Then I shall clothe him in beautiful raiment, in mantle and tunic,
Give him moreover a lance that from men and from dogs shall protect him,
340
Ay and a two-edged sword, and shall also provide him with sandals.
Then I shall send him wherever his heart and his spirit shall call him."
Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:
"Mother, of all the Achaeans is none entitled as I be
Either to offer the bow to a man as I wish or refuse it.
345
No one—neither the chiefs that in rockbound Ithaca lord it,
Nor in the isles off Elian land, which pastureth horses—
None of them, none, shall compel me unwilling if even I purpose
Once and for all to bestow on the stranger the bow as a present.
Now to thy chamber return and attend to thy own occupation,
350
Even the loom and the distaff, and order thy maiden attendants
Keep to their tasks; we men will attend to the bow and the shooting,
All of us—chiefly myself; it is I that am lord of the household."
Full of amazement she turned her to go to the women's apartment,
Hiding the masterful words of her son deep down in her bosom.
355
So, to her upper apartment ascending with maiden attendants,
Here she lamented Odysseus, her well-loved husband, till gently
Slumber was poured on her lids by the grey-eyed goddess Athene.
Now when the good old swineherd had taken the bow to convey it
Unto the stranger a tumult was raised in the hall by the suitors,
360
Many an insolent youth in the midst of them loudly exclaiming:
"Where art thou taking the bow, thou detestable wretch of a swineherd?
Vagabond! Soon shall the dogs thou hast bred as a guard of thy pig-sties
Tear thee in pieces afar from the dwellings of man, if Apollo
Showeth us favour, as well as the other immortals in heaven."
365
Thus did they speak, and at once did the swineherd who carried it lay it
Down in alarm, since many with clamour assailed him ; but straightway
Telemachus, who was standing apart, spake threatening loudly :
"Come, dad, bring it along! Thou'lt find it unpleasant obeying
Every master that calls. Take care, or I surely shall chase thee
370
Out to the fields and shall pelt thee with stones. I am younger and stronger.
Ay and I would 'twere so with the suitors frequenting my homestead!
Would I excelled them as much in the strength of my arm and in manhood.
Soon were many a one sent forth on a road that he likes not
Out of my palace, for nought they imagine but evil against me."
375
Thus did he speak, but the whole of the suitors as soon as they heard him
Merrily laughed, and allayed was the grievous wrath that their bosoms
Harboured for Telemachus; and the swineherd approaching anigh him
Unto Odysseus the wise gave over the bow and the arrows.
Then did he call forth Eurycleia the nurse and address her :
380
"Telemachus commandeth thee, wise-souled Eurycleia,
Carefully barring the doors fast-closed of the inner apartment,
There to remain; and if any shall notice a din and a groaning
Here in the hall of the men, let her nowise venture to issue
Forth of her chamber, but still at her task keep silently working."
385
PATTEN WILSON.
THE STRINGING OF THE BOW
Thus did he speak, and the words that he uttered abode with her wingless.
Firmly she bolted the doors of the fair-built women's apartment.
Then right stealthily out of the mansion Philoetius hastened;
Firmly he bolted the gate of the well-fenced palace enclosure.
Under the portal was lying a rope of a twy-beaked galley
390
Made of papyrus; with this when the gates he had lashed he re-entered;
Here he reseated himself on the chair from the which he had risen,
Gazing intent at Odysseus, for now with the bow he was busy,
Turning it hither and thither, to test it on this and on that side,
Lest in his absence the worms peradventure had eaten the horn-tips.
395
Meantime many a suitor was muttering thus to his neighbour :
"Truly a judge of a bow and a cunning adept he appeareth!
Either perhaps he possesses a weapon as this in his homestead,
Else he intendeth to make him the like. How deftly he holds it,
Turning it hither and thither, the knowing and mischievous vagrant!"
400
Then would others again of the insolent youths make answer :
"O for this fellow to gain from the gods all profit and glory
Just in the selfsame measure wherein he succeeds with the stringing!"
Such words uttered the suitors. But now deep-plotting Odysseus,
After with care he had handled the great strong bow and had viewed it,
405
E'en as a man that is skilled with the lute and is practised in singing
Easily stretches the string on a new-made peg of his phorminx,
After attaching the ends of the chord tight-twisted of sheepgut,
Thus with the great strong bow did Odysseus, and easily strung it.
Then with his right hand seizing it firmly he tested the bowstring.
410
Under his touch full sweetly it sang, as the voice of a swallow.
Now fell mighty confusion and rage on the suitors: their visage
Changed; while Zeus from the sky crashed terribly, giving a warning.
Greatly exulting thereat long-suffering godlike Odysseus,
Knowing the signal was sent by the all-wise Father Cronion,
415
Seized on the keen-edged arrow that lay on the table beside him
Bare (in the hollow quiver anigh lay all of the others,
Ready—and soon it was fated for many Achaeans to taste them).
Laying the shaft on the bridge and pulling the notch with the bowstring,
E'en from the chair on the which he was sitting he shot, and the arrow
420
Sped with an accurate aim, and it pierced through all of the axes
Right from the first of the helves—straight through them; & out of the last one
Issued the bronze-tipped bolt; and to Telemachus he addressed him:
"Telemachus, thou art nowise shamed by the guest that is sitting
Here in thy palace. I missed not the mark that was set me and laboured
425
Little at stringing the bow, for my strength is as sound as aforetime,
Not as the suitors assert with a scornful despite, to insult me.
Now is the moment at hand! Let us serve the Achaeans their supper
While it is day!—and when supper is done find other amusement,
Singing and dancing—for these are ever the crown of a banquet."
430
Speaking, he nodded. At once, with his sharp sword girded about him,
Telemachus, dear son of the godlike hero Odysseus,
Laying his hand on a spear, sprang forth to the side of his father;
There by a chair on the threshold he stood with his glittering weapons.
Hēraklēs stringing a bow. Silver stater, c. 450–440 BCE, Thebes (Boeotia). 
Swallows, detail of the Spring Fresco at Thera, image via Flickr user 
Original artwork, by Flickr user 