He spake, nor were his words in vain. The dame Made fast the doors of that magnificent hall, While silently Philoetius hastened forth And locked the portals of the high-walled court.
A cable of the barque of Byblos lay Beneath the portico—it once had served A galley—and with this the herdsman tied The portals, and, returning, took the seat Whence he had risen, but ever kept his eye Fixed on his lord.
Ulysses, meantime, held The bow, and, turning it, intently eyed Side after side, and tried each part in turn, For fear that worms, while he was far away, Had pierced the horn. At this, a youth among The suitors, turning to his neighbor, said:—
“Lo an inspector and a judge of bows! Perhaps he has a bow like that at home, Or else would make one like it. How he shifts The thing with busy hands from side to side— The vagabond, well trained in knavish tricks!”
Then also said another insolent youth:
“May he in all things be as fortunate As now, when he shall try to bend that bow!”
Such was their