shore Of Pylos, or in Ithaca itself, Or the dark mainland coast. Ye know it well; Why should I praise my mother? Come then, all; Let there be no excuses for delay, Nor longer leave the bow untried, that we May see the event. I too am moved to try; And if I bend the bow, and send a shaft Through all the rings, my gracious mother then Will not, to my great grief, renounce her home, And, following another, leave me here, Although my prowess even now might win The glorious prizes that my father won.”
He spake and, rising, from his shoulders took The purple cloak, and laid the trenchant sword Aside; and first he placed the rings of steel In order, opening for them in the ground A long trench by a line, and stamping close The earth around them. All admired the skill With which he ranged them, never having seen The game before. And then he took his place Upon the threshold, and essayed the bow; And thrice he made the attempt, and thrice gave o’er, Yet hoping still to draw the cord, and send An arrow through the rings. He would have drawn The bow at the fourth trial, but a nod Given by his father caused him to forbear, Though eager for the attempt. And then again The princely youth bespake the suitors thus:—
“Well, this is strange! I may hereafter prove A craven and a weakling, or perchance Am yet too young, and cannot trust my arm To do me right against the man who first Assaults me. Come then, ye whose strength excels My own, and try the bow, and end the strife.”
He spake, and setting down the bow to lean Against the firm smooth panels of the wall, And the swift shaft against the bow’s fair curve, He took again his seat upon the throne From which he rose. And then Eupeithes’ son, Antinoüs, to the crowd of suitors said:—
“Rise one by one, my friends, from right to left. Begin where he begins who pours the wine.”