"O Leiodes, what word has escaped thy lips, terrible and grievous? I am indignant at hearing it, if this bow shall in truth deprive the chieftains of their mind and soul; since thou canst not stretch it. For thy venerable mother did not bring thee forth such a one as to be a drawer of the bow and arrows; but other noble suitors will soon stretch it."
Thus he spoke; and he commanded Melanthius the goatherd: "Hasten now, light a fire in the palace, O Melanthius, and near it place both a large seat, and skins upon it, and bring out a large roll of suet, which is within, that we young men, warming it,[1] anointing it with fat, may try the bow, and end the contest."
Thus he spoke; and Melanthius immediately lighted the unwearied fire; and bringing a seat, he placed it near, and skins upon it, and he brought out a large roll of suet, which was within, with which the young men, having warmed it, tried it: nor could they stretch it, for they were very deficient in strength. But Antinous still persisted, and godlike Eurymachus, chiefs among the suitors: and they were far the best in excellence. But the herdsman and the swineherd of divine Ulysses went out of the house, both going together. And after them divine Ulysses went out of the house. But when they were now out of the gates, and the court, addressing them he spoke to them in mild words:
"O herdsman, and thou, swineherd, shall I tell some news, or shall I myself conceal it? but my mind incites me to speak. What kind of men would ye be to defend Ulysses, if he should come from any where very suddenly, and some god should bring him? would ye assist the suitors of Ulysses? Tell me, in what way your heart and mind commands you."
But him the herdsman of oxen addressed in turn: "O father Jove, would that thou wouldst accomplish this wish, so should that man come, and the deity should bring him, thou shouldst know what my power and hands are."
In like manner Eumæus prayed to all the gods, that wise Ulysses should return to his own home. But when he knew their true disposition, immediately answering them with words, he addressed them:
"Within indeed here am I myself, having suffered many evils, I have come in the twentieth year to my paternal land.
- ↑ i. e. the bow.
