Meantime the worthy swineherd bore the bow In hand, and all along the palace-halls The suitor-crew were chiding him aloud, And thus an insolent youth among them spake:—
“Thou awkward swineherd, whither goest thou With the curved bow?
Thy own fleet dogs which thou Hast reared shall soon devour thee, far from men And midst thy herds of swine,
if we find grace With Phoebus and the other deathless gods.”
Such were their words; the swineherd where he stood Set down the bow in fear, for many a voice Called to him in the hall. On the other side Shouted Telemachus with threatening words:—
“Nay, father, carry on the bow, nor think To stop at every man’s command; lest I, Though younger than thyself, cast stones at thee, And chase thee to the fields, for I in strength Excel thee. Would that I excelled as far In strength of arm the suitors in these halls, Then would I roughly through the palace-gates Drive many who are plotting mischief now.”
He spake, and all with hearty laughter heard His words, and for their sake allowed their wrath Against the prince to cool. The swineherd went Forward, along the hall, and, drawing near The wise Ulysses, gave into his hands The bow; and then he called the nurse aside, Dame Eurycleia, and bespake her thus:—
“Sage Eurycleia, from Telemachus I charge thee to make fast the solid doors, And then, if any of the maids should hear A groan or other noise of men within, Let her not issue forth, but silently Pursue the task in hand, and keep her place.”