among them, and has scattered them In springtime, when the days are growing long. Meantime, like falcons with curved claws and beaks, That, coming from the mountain summits, pounce Upon the smaller birds, and make them fly Close to the fields among the snares they dread, And seize and slay, nor can the birds resist Or fly, and at the multitude of prey The fowlers’ hearts are glad; so did the four Smite right and left the suitors hurrying through The palace-hall, and fearful moans arose As heads were smitten by the sword, and all The pavement swam with blood. Leiodes then Sprang forward to Ulysses, clasped his knees, And supplicated him with winged words:—
“I come, Ulysses, to thy knees. Respect And spare me. Never have I said or done, Among the women of thy household, aught That could be blamed, and I essayed to check The wrongs of other suitors. Little heed They gave my counsels, nor withheld their hands From evil deeds, and therefore have they drawn Upon themselves an evil fate. But I, Who have done nothing—I their soothsayer— Must I too die? Then is there no reward Among the sons of men for worthy deeds.”