The beggar Irus angrily rejoined: “Ye gods! this glutton prattles volubly, Like an old woman at the chimney-side. Yet could I do him mischief, smiting him On both his sides, and dashing from his cheeks The teeth to earth, as men are wont to deal With swine that eat the wheat. Now gird thyself, Let these men see us fighting. How canst thou Think to contend with one so young as I?”
Thus fiercely did they wrangle as they stood Beside the polished threshold and before The lofty gates. The stout Antinoüs heard, And, laughing heartily, bespake the rest:—
“Here, friends, is what we never yet have had. Behold the pleasant pastime which the gods Provide for us. These men—the stranger here, And Irus—quarrel, and will come to blows. Let us stand by and bring the combat on.”
He spake. All rose with laughter and came round The ragged beggars, while Eupeithes’ son, Antinoüs, in these words harangued the rest:—
“Ye noble suitors, hear me. At the fire Already lie the paunches of two goats, Preparing for our evening meal, and both Are filled with fat and blood. Whoever shows Himself the better man in this affray, And conquers, he shall take the one of these He chooses, and shall ever afterward Feast at our table, and no man but he Shall ever come among us asking alms.”
He ended. All approved his words, and thus Ulysses, craftily dissembling, said:—
“O friends, it is not well that one so old As I, and broken by calamity, Should fight a younger man; but hunger bids, And I may be o’ercome by blows. But now Swear all a solemn oath, that none of you, To favor Irus, wickedly will raise His mighty hand to smite me, and so aid My adversary to my overthrow.”