Sternly the wise Ulysses frowned, and said: “Eurymachus, if thou shouldst offer me All that thou hast, thy father’s wealth entire, And add yet other gifts, not even then Would I refrain from bloodshed, ere my hand Avenged my wrongs upon the suitor-crew. Choose then to fight or flee, whoever hopes Escape from death and fate; yet none of you Will now, I think, avoid that bitter doom.”
He spake. At once their knees and head grew faint, And thus Eurymachus bespake the rest:—
“This man, O friends, to his untamable arm Will give no rest, but with that bow in hand, And quiver, will send forth from where he stands His shafts, till he has slain us all. Prepare For combat then, and draw your swords, and hold The tables up against his deadly shafts, And rush together at him as one man, And drive him from the threshold through the door. Then, hurrying through the city, let us sound The alarm, and soon he will have shot his last.”
He spake, and, drawing his keen two-edged sword Of brass, sprang toward him with a dreadful cry, Just as the great Ulysses, sending forth An arrow, smote the suitor on the breast, Beside the nipple. The swift weapon stood Fixed in his liver; to the ground he flung The sword, and, reeling giddily around The table, fell; he brought with him to earth The viands and the double cup, and smote The pavement with his forehead heavily, And in great agony. With both his feet He struck and shook his throne, and darkness came Over his eyes. Then rushed Amphinomus Against the glorious chief, and drew his sword To thrust him from the door. Telemachus O’ertook him, and between his shoulders drove A brazen lance. Right through his breast it went, And he fell headlong, with his forehead dashed Against the floor. Telemachus drew back, And left his long spear in Amphinomus, Lest, while he drew it forth, someone among The Achaians might attack him with the sword, And thrust him through or hew him down. In haste He reached his father’s side, and quickly said:—