Combat of Ulysses and Irus
Ulysses insulted by the beggar Irus—Amusement of the suitors, who encourage the quarrel—Victory of Ulysses in the combat with Irus—Manoeuvre of Penelope to obtain presents from the suitors, and its success—Ulysses insulted by Eurymachus—His reply—The cupbearer struck down by a footstool flung at Ulysses by Eurymachus.
There came a common beggar, wont to ask Alms through the town of Ithaca, well known For greediness of stomach, gluttonous And a wine-bibber, but of little strength And courage, though he seemed of powerful mould. Arnaeus was the name which at his birth His mother gave him, but the young men called The fellow Irus, for it was his wont To go on errands, as a messenger, When he was ordered. Coming now, he thought To drive Ulysses out of his own house, And railed at him, and said in winged words:—
“Hence with thee! leave the porch, old man, at once, Lest thou be taken by the foot and dragged Away from it. Dost thou not see how all Around us nod, to bid me drag thee out? I am ashamed to do it. Rise and go, Else haply we may have a strife of blows.”
Ulysses, the sagacious, frowned and said: “Wretch! there is nothing that I do or say To harm thee aught. I do not envy thee What others give thee, though the dole be large; And ample is this threshold for us both. Nor shouldst thou envy others, for thou seemst A straggler like myself. The gods bestow Wealth where they list. But do not challenge me To blows, lest, aged as I am, thou rouse My anger, and I make thy breast and lips Hideous with blood. Tomorrow then will be A quiet day for me, since thou, I trust, In all the time to come, wilt never more Enter the palace of Laertes’ son.”