So speaking, with his strong right hand he flung A bullock’s foot, which from a canister Hard by he plucked. Ulysses gently bowed His head, and shunned the blow, and grimly smiled. The missile struck the solid wall, and then Telemachus rebuked the suitor thus:—
“Ctesippus, well hast thou escaped with life, Not having hit the stranger, who himself Shrank from the blow; else had I pinned thee through With my sharp spear. Instead of wedding feast, Thy father would have celebrated here Thy funeral rites. Let no man in these halls Bear himself insolently in my sight Hereafter, for my reason now is ripe To know the right from wrong. I was of late A child, and now it is enough to bear That ye should slay our sheep, and drink our wine, And eat our bread—for what can one man do Against so many? Cease this petty war Of wrong and hatred; but if ye desire To take my life, ’tis well; ’twere better so. And rather would I die by violence Than live to see these most unmanly deeds— Guests driven away, and women-servants hauled Through these fair rooms by brutal wassailers.”
He ended, and the assembly all sat mute Till Agelaüs spake, Damastor’s son:—
“O friends! let no man here with carping words Gainsay what is so rightly said, nor yet Insult the stranger more, nor one of those Who serve the household of the godlike chief Ulysses in his palace. I would say This word in kindness to Telemachus And to his mother; may it please them both! While yet the hope was cherished in your hearts That wise Ulysses would return, no blame Could fasten on the queen that she remained Unwedded, and resisted those who came To woo her in the palace. Better