“Give ear, ye suitors of the illustrious queen. As to this stranger, I have seen him once. The swineherd brought him; but I know him not, And of what race he is I cannot tell.”
He spake; Antinoüs chid the swineherd thus: “Why hast thou brought him, too well known thyself? Have we not vagabonds enough? enough Of sturdy beggars, pests of every feast. Or is it a light matter that they throng Hither to waste the substance of thy lord, And therefore thou art with this fellow here?”
And thus, Eumaeus, thou didst make reply: “Antinoüs, high as is thy station, thou Hast spoken ill. What man goes ever forth To bid a stranger to his house, unless The stranger be of those whose office is To serve the people, be he seer, or leech, Or architect, or poet heaven-inspired, Whose song is gladly heard? All these are called To feasts wherever men are found; but none Call in the poor, to live upon their means. Antinoüs, thou, of all the suitor-train, Dost ever with the greatest harshness treat The servants of Ulysses, chiefly me. I heed it not while sage Penelope Dwells in the palace with her godlike son.”
Then interposed discreet Telemachus: “Nay, have no strife of words with him, I pray. Antinoüs takes delight in bitter words, And rails, and stirs up railing in the rest.” And then he turned, and thus with winged words Bespake Antinoüs: “Truly thou dost care For me as might a father for a son, Bidding me drive a stranger from my door With violent words—which God forbid. Take now Somewhat and give to him. I grudge it not, Nay, I advise it. Fear not to offend My mother, or displease a single one Of all the household of the godlike chief, Ulysses. But thou hast not thought of this. It suits thee best to feast and never give.”
Antinoüs thus rejoined: “O utterer Of big and braggart words! Telemachus, If all the other suitors would bestow As much as I will, he would not be seen Within these halls for three months yet to come.”