And thus the master of the herds rejoined:
“Stranger, may Jupiter make good thy words! Then shalt thou see what strength is in my arm.”
Eumaeus also prayed to all the gods, That now the wise Ulysses might return. So talked they with each other, while apart The suitors doomed Telemachus to death, And plotted how to take his life. Just then A bird—an eagle—on the left flew by, High up; his talons held a timid dove. And then Amphinomus bespake the rest:—
“O friends, this plan to slay Telemachus Must fail. And now repair we to the feast.”
So spake Amphinomus, and to his words They all gave heed, and hastened to the halls Of the divine Ulysses, where they laid Their cloaks upon the benches and the thrones, And slaughtering the choice sheep, and fading goats, And porkers, and a heifer from the herd, Roasted the entrails, and distributed A share to each. Next mingled they the wine In the large bowls. The swineherd brought a cup To everyone. Philoetius, chief among The servants, gave from shapely canisters The bread to each. Melanthius poured the wine. Then putting forth their hands, they all partook The ready banquet. With a wise design, Telemachus near the stone threshold placed Ulysses, on a shabby seat, beside A little table, but within the walls Of that strong-pillared pile. He gave him there Part of the entrails, and poured out for him The wine into a cup of gold, and said:—
“Sit here, and drink thy wine among the rest, And from the insults and assaults of these It shall be mine to guard thee. For this house Is not the common property of all; Ulysses first acquired it, and for me— And you, ye suitors, keep your tongues from taunts And hands from force, lest there be wrath and strife.”