He spake; they hearkened and obeyed, and went Up to the chamber unperceived by him Who stood within and searched a nook for arms.
On each side of the entrance, by its posts, They waited for Melanthius. Soon appeared The goatherd at the threshold of the room, Bearing a beautiful helmet in one hand, And in the other a broad ancient shield, Defaced by age and mould. Laertes once, The hero, bore it when a youth, but now Long time it lay unused, with gaping seams.
They sprang and seized the goatherd, dragging him Back to the chamber by the hair; and there They cast him, in an agony of fear, Upon the floor, and bound his hands and feet With a stout cord behind his back, as bade The great Ulysses, much-enduring son Of old Laertes. Round him then they looped A double cord, and swung him up beside A lofty pillar, till they brought him near The timbers of the roof. And then didst thou, Eumaeus, say to him in jeering words:—
“Melanthius, there mayst thou keep watch all night On a soft bed, a fitting place for thee; And when the Mother of the Dawn shall come Upon her golden seat from ocean’s streams, Thou wilt not fail to see her. Thou mayst then Drive thy goats hither for the suitors’ feast.”
They left him in that painful plight, and put Their armor on, and closed the shining door, And went, and by Ulysses, versed in wiles, Stood breathing valor. Four were they who stood Upon that threshold, while their foes within Were many and brave. Then Pallas, child of Jove, Drew near, like Mentor both in shape and voice. Ulysses saw her, and rejoiced and said:—
“Come, Mentor, to the aid of one who loves And has befriended thee, thy peer in age.”
Thus said Ulysses, but believed he spake To Pallas, scatterer of hosts. Fierce shouts Came from the suitors in the hall, and first, Thus Agelaüs railed, Damastor’s son:—