Ere he can call a council of the Greeks. That he will do without delay, and there Will rise in wrath to tell them how we planned His death by violence, and failed; and they Who hear assuredly will not approve The plotted mischief. They may drive us forth With outrage from our country to a land Of strangers. Let us be the first to strike, And slay him in the fields or on the way, And, taking his possessions to ourselves, Share equally his wealth. Then may we give This palace to his mother, and the man Whom she shall wed, whoever he may be. Or if this plan mislike you, and ye choose That he should live, and keep the fair estate That was his father’s, let us not go on Thronging the palace to consume his wealth In revelry, but each with liberal gifts Woo her from his own dwelling; and let him Who gives most generously, and whom fate Most favors, take the lady as his bride.”
He spake, and all were mute. Amphinomus, The illustrious son of royal Nisus, rose. The grandson of Aretias, it was he Who led the suitors from Dulichium’s fields, Grassy and rich in corn. Penelope Liked best his words, for generous was his thought, And with a generous purpose thus he spake:—
“Nay, friends, not mine is the advice to slay Telemachus. It is a fearful thing To take a royal life. Then let us first Inquire the pleasure of the gods. For if The oracles of mighty Jupiter Approve it, I would do the deed myself, Or bid another do it; but if they Consent not, ’tis my counsel to forbear.”
He spake, and all approved. At once they rose, And, entering the palace, sat them down On shining thrones. Meantime Penelope Had formed the purpose to appear before The arrogant suitors, for the news was brought Into her chamber of the plot to slay Her son; the herald Medon overheard, And told her all. So to the hall she went With her attendant maids. The glorious dame Drew near the suitor-train, and took her stand Beside a column of the stately pile, And with a delicate veil before her cheeks Began to speak, and chid Antinoüs thus:—