The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/The Odyssey/Book 22

by Homer

 

BOOK XXII.

 

ARGUMENT.

Ulysses, with the aid of Telemachus. Eumæus and Philætius, slays all the suitors: and twelve of the female servants who had had intercourse with the suitors, are hanged by Telemachus and the herdsman. Melanthius is also killed with greater torments. The herald Medon and the bard Phemius only are saved.

But much-planning Ulysses stripped himself of his rags,^[1] and leaped upon the large threshold, holding the bow, and the quiver full of arrows: and he poured out the swift arrows there before his feet; and addressed the suitors:

"This decisive^[2] contest has at length been accomplished: but now I will see whether I can hit^[3] another mark, which no man as yet has struck, but may Apollo give me glory."

He spoke, and directed the bitter arrow against Antinous. He indeed was about to take up a beautiful cup, golden, with two ears; and he was now handling it with his hands, that he might drink of wine: but slaughter was not a care to him in his mind; (who, forsooth, would think amongst men banqueting, that one alone amongst greater numbers, although very strong, would prepare evil death and black fate for him?) But Ulysses catching him on the throat, struck him with the shaft: and the point came right through his tender neck. And he was rolled to the other side, and the cup fell from the hand of him stricken: and immediately a thick channel of human gore came through his nostrils; and quickly he thrust the table from him, striking it with his foot, and he poured the viands to the ground: both bread and roasted flesh were polluted. But the suitors made a tumult in the house, when they beheld the man fallen. And they leaped out of their thrones, aroused throughout the house, looking about on all sides to the well-built walls: nor was there any where a shield, or doughty spear, to lay hold of. And they chided Ulysses with wrathful words:

"Stranger, evilly dost thou shoot thine arrow at men: no more wilt thou meet with other contests; now bitter destruction is safe for thee. For thou hast just now slain a man, who is far the best of the youths in Ithaca; therefore shall the vultures eat thee here."

Each man reflected,^[4] since they said that he did not willingly slay the man; but this, fools! they did not perceive, how the limits of destruction were closely touching them, even all [of them]. But much-planning Ulysses regarding them sternly, addressed them:

"O dogs, you no longer thought that I should come returning home from the people of the Trojans, wherefore ye consume my property, and lie perforce with my women-servants, and woo my wife, I myself being alive, neither dreading the gods, who possess the wide heaven, nor [fearing] that there will be any vengeance from men hereafter. Now the limits of destruction have closely touched you, even all [of you]."

Thus he spoke; and pale fear seized all of them; [and each looked about, where he might escape bitter destruction.] But Eurymachus alone answering addressed him:

"If indeed thou, the Ithacan Ulysses, hast come, thou hast spoken these things rightly, how many things the Greeks have done, many wicked deeds in the palace, and many in the country. But he now lies down, who was the cause of all, Antinous: for he brought together these deeds; by no means so much desiring or craving marriage, but thinking of other things, which the son of Saturn has not accomplished: that he might himself reign over the people of well-inhabited Ithaca, and having insnared thy son he would have slain him. But he is now slain in fate; and do thou spare thy people: but we afterwards appeasing thee throughout the people, [as to] whatever has been drunk and eaten in the palace, each bringing as payment twenty beeves, will give both brass and gold, until thy heart is glad: but before there was no cause of reproach for thy being angry."

But him much-counselling Ulysses sternly regarding, addressed: "O Eurymachus, even if thou wouldst give me all your paternal property, whatever thou now hast, and should add other things from any where, not even thus would I stop mine hands from slaughter, before I had revenged all their overbearing conduct upon the suitors. Ye now have the choice, either to fight against me, or to fly, whoever can escape death and the Fates. But I do not think any one will escape bitter destruction."

Thus he spoke; and there their knees and heart were loosed. But Eurymachus again a second time addressed them:

"O friends, for^[5] this man will not restrain his invincible hands; but since he has taken the well-polished bow, and the quiver, he will shoot arrows from the polished threshold, until he has slain all of us: but let us be mindful of battle: and do ye draw your swords, and hold up the tables against the quick-fated arrows; and let us all hold together against him, if we can thrust him out from the threshold and the door. But let us go through the city, and let an alarm be raised as quickly as possible. Then will this man soon shoot an arrow for the last time."

Thus having spoken, he drew his sharp sword of brass, sharpened on both sides; and he leaped against him, shouting dreadfully: but at the same time divine Ulysses sending forth a shaft, struck him upon the breast, near the nipple, and he fixed the swift weapon in his liver; and he threw his sword upon the ground from his hand, and rushing round the table^[6] he fell staggering; and he poured the viands on the ground, and the round cup: and he smote the ground with his forehead, sorrowing in mind; and he shook his throne, kicking it with both his feet: and darkness was shed over his eyes. And Amphinomus came against glorious Ulysses rushing upon him: and he drew his sharp sword, in case he might give way from the door: but Telemachus anticipated him, striking him from behind with a brass-pointed spear between the shoulders, and he drove it through his breast: and he resounded as he fell, and struck the ground with his whole forehead. But Telemachus rushed away, leaving the long spear there in Amphinomus; for he very much feared, that some one of the Grecians, as he was drawing out the long spear, would either rush upon him and pierce him with a sword, or strike him with a downward [blow].^[7] But he went running; and quickly came to his dear father: and standing near him he addressed to him winged words:

"O my father, now will I bring thee a shield and two spears, and a brazen helmet, fitted to thy temples, and I myself will go and clothe myself; and I will give others to the swineherd and to the herdsman; for it is better to be armed."

But him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "Run, bring them, while I have arrows to defend myself, lest they move me, being alone, away from the door."

Thus he spoke; and Telemachus obeyed his dear father. And he went to the chamber, where his illustrious arms lay. From thence he took out four shields, and eight spears, and four brazen helmets dense with horse-hair plumes; and he went, carrying them, and very quickly he came to his dear father. But he first of all put on brass around his body; and in like manner the two servants put on beautiful arms, and stood around wise, various-planning Ulysses. But he, as long as he had arrows to ward them off, so long did he still strike one of the suitors in his own house, aiming at him, and they fell near to each other. But when the arrows failed the king shooting, he reclined his bow to stand against a pillar of the well-built palace, against the all-shining walls: and he girt a four-fold shield around his shoulders, and on his illustrious head he placed a well-made helmet with a horse-hair plume, and a terrible crest nodded from above; and he took two strong spears tipt with brass.

Now there was a certain high-raised door^[8] in the well-built wall: and near the farthest threshold of the well-reared palace was a way to a narrow street, but well-fitted doors enclosed it: this Ulysses desired the swineherd to guard, standing near it; for it was the only approach. But Agelaus addressed them, speaking the word to all:

"O friends, will not some one go up to the high-raised door, and tell the people? and there would very quickly be an alarm: then perchance this man will shoot an arrow for the last time."

But him Melanthius, the goatherd, addressed in turn: "It is not possible, O Jove-nurtured Agelaus; for very near are the beautiful doors of the hall, and difficult is the mouth of the

narrow road; and even one man, who is valiant, would hinder us all. But come, I will bring you arms from the chamber wherewith to be equipped: for within, I think, nor any where else have Ulysses and his illustrious son laid up the arms."

Thus having spoken, Melanthius the goatherd ascended to the chambers of Ulysses, through the narrow parts of the palace: from thence he took out twelve shields, and so many spears, and so many brazen helmets, dense with horse-hair: and he went, and quickly carrying them, gave them to the suitors. Then the knees and heart of Ulysses were loosed, when he beheld them putting on the arms, and shaking the long spears in their hands; but it appeared to him a dreadful deed. And quickly he addressed to Telemachus winged words:

"O Telemachus, certainly some one of the women in the palace, or Melanthius, excites an evil war against us."

But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "O father, I myself erred in this, (nor is any one else the cause,) who having opened the closely-fitted door of the chamber left it: but their spy was better. But come, divine Eumæus, shut the door of the chamber, and see if it is any one of the women who does these things, or Melanthius, son of Dolius, whom I think [it is]."

Thus they spoke to one another. But Melanthius the goatherd went again to the chamber, to bring the beautiful arms: but the divine swineherd perceived him, and immediately addressed Ulysses being near:

"O noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, again is that wicked^[9] man, whom we ourselves suspected, going to the chamber: but do thou tell me plainly, whether I shall kill him, if indeed I should be superior [to him]; or bring him here for thee, that thou mayest be revenged for the many overbearing deeds which he has devised in thine house."

But him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "I myself and Telemachus will keep off the noble suitors within the palace, although very eager: but do ye two turning back his feet and hands above, throw him into the chamber, and fasten the doors behind you; and binding a twisted rope from him, draw him up a lofty pillar, and make him draw nigh to the rafters, that for a long time, being alive, he may suffer severe griefs."

Thus he spoke; but they indeed heard him, and obeyed: and they went to the chamber; and they escaped the notice of him who was within. He indeed was searching for arms in the recess of the chamber: but they stood on each side remaining near to the pillars. When Melanthius, the goatherd, came over the threshold, in one hand indeed bearing a beautiful helmet, but in the other a wide shield, old, spoiled with dryness, belonging to the hero Laertes, which he had carried when a youth: at that time it lay aside, and the sewings of the thongs were loosed. But they rushing upon him seized him, and dragged him within by the hair: and they cast him down on the pavement sorrowing in his heart. And they bound his hands and feet together with a mind-grieving bond, having turned them very well entirely back, as the much-enduring son of Laertes, divine Ulysses, had commanded them. And binding a twisted rope from him, they drew him up a lofty pillar, and made him draw near to the rafters. But him thou didst with gibing address, O swineherd Eumæus:

"Now, O Melanthius, shalt thou watch during the whole night, lying down upon a soft bed, as becomes thee: nor will the mother of dawn coming upon thee in her golden throne, from the streams of the ocean, escape thee, when thou drivest goats for the suitors to the house, to get ready a feast."

Thus was he left there, stretched in a woeful bond. But they, having put on arms, and shut the shining door, went to wise, crafty Ulysses. There they stood breathing forth might; those who were upon the threshold, four in number; but those within the house, many and brave. But Minerva, daughter of Jove, came near them, likened unto Mentor both in person and voice. And Ulysses rejoiced on seeing her, and spoke thus:

"Mentor, ward off the fight, and remember me a dear companion, who have done thee good, and thou art of the same age with me."

Thus he spoke, thinking that it was Minerva, the defender of the people. But the suitors from the other side were threatening in the palace; first indeed Agelaus, son of Damastor, chided her:

"Mentor, let not Ulysses wrongly persuade thee with words to fight against the suitors, and to defend him himself. For thus I deem that our counsel will be accomplished; when we have slain them, both father and son, then thou wilt be slain amongst them, such things dost thou meditate to do in the palace; and thou wilt atone for them with thy own head. But when we shall have taken away thy strength with the brass, thy possessions, whatever thou hast, both those within, and those out of doors, we will mix with the possessions of Ulysses: nor will we suffer thy sons or daughters to dwell in thy palaces, nor thy prudent wife to abide in the city of Ithaca."

Thus he spoke; but Minerva was more enraged at heart, and she chided Ulysses with wrathful words:

No longer is thy strength firm, O Ulysses, nor hast thou any courage, such as when thou foughtest after nine years with the Trojans, ever, without ceasing, for white-armed, noble-born Helen: and many men didst thou slay in terrible strife, and by thy counsel was the wide-wayed city of Troy taken. How now then, when thou art come to thine own house and possessions, dost thou fail in being valiant^[10] against the suitors? But come hither, my soft friend, stand near me, and behold a deed, that thou mayest see, what a one Mentor Alcimedes is amongst hostile men, to requite benefits."

She spoke; and did not yet altogether give them a decided^[11] victory, but still tried the strength and courage both of Ulysses and of his glory-seeking son. But rushing up to the roof of the shining palace, she sat down, like unto a swallow to behold. But Agelaus, son of Damastor, incited the suitors, as also [did] Eurynomus, and Amphimedon, and Demoptolemus, and Pisander, son of Polyctor, and warlike Polybus; for in valour they were far the best of the suitors, as many as were still alive, and they fought for their lives: but the others the bow and the fleet arrows had already subdued. And Agelaus spoke to them, addressing discourse to all:

"O friends, now will this man restrain his invincible hands; even Mentor has gone, having spoken vain prayers for him, and they are left alone at the first gates. Now therefore do not all at the same time send forth your long spears; but come, six of you hurl first, if Jove will grant that Ulysses may be wounded, and that we obtain renown: but for the others there is no care, when he at least shall have fallen."

Thus he spoke; and they all eager hurled their javelins, as he commanded; but Minerva made them all vain. One of them struck the pillar of the well-reared palace, another the closely-fitted door; and the ashen shaft of another, heavy with brass, fell in the wall. But when they had avoided the spears of the suitors, to them much-enduring divine Ulysses began discourse:

"O friends, now would I say that we should hurl our javelins into the crowd of the suitors, who desire to slay us in addition to the former evils."

Thus he spoke; and they all hurled their sharp spears, aiming opposite: Ulysses slew Demoptolemus, and Telemachus Euryades, and the swineherd Elatus, and the herdsmen of oxen slew Pisander: then all of them bit the immense floor with their teeth. But the suitors retreated to the recess of the palace: but they rushed upon them, and took out the spears from the dead. And the suitors again eager hurled their sharp spears; but Minerva made many of them vain. One of them struck the pillar of the well-reared palace, another the closely-fitted door; and the ash of another, heavy with brass, fell in the wall. But Amphimedon struck Telemachus on the hand at the wrist, so as to graze, and the brass hurt the surface of the skin. But Ctesippus grazed Eumæus upon the shoulder over his shield, with his long spear, but it flew over and fell to the ground. But they again with wise, crafty Ulysses, hurled their sharp spears into the crowd of suitors; then city-destroying Ulysses struck Eurydamus, and Telemachus Amphimedon, and the swineherd Polybus; then the herdsman of oxen struck Ctesippus on the breast; and boasting over him, addressed him:

"O son of Polytherses, lover of gibing, do not, yielding to thy folly, altogether speak bigly, but leave words to the gods; since they are much superior. This is a hospitable gift for thee in turn for the foot which thou once gavest godlike Ulysses, while begging through the house."

The herdsman of curved-horned oxen spoke; but Ulysses wounded the son of Damastor hand to hand with a long spear: and Telemachus wounded Leiocritus, son of Evenor, with a spear, in the middle of the belly, and he drove the brass entirely through; and he fell on his face, and smote the earth with his whole forehead. Then Minerva held up her man-destroying Ægis on high from the roof; and their minds were fluttered. And they fled through the palace, like herding cattle, upon which a swift gad-fly has rushed, and thrown into confusion, in the spring time, when the days are long.^[12] They, like as crooked-clawed, bow-beaked^[13] vultures, coming from the mountains, pounce upon the birds which go along, crouching at the nets in the plain, but they, leaping upon them, destroy them, nor is there any defence, or escape; and men rejoice in the prey: so they, rushing upon the suitors in the house, struck them upon all sides; and there arose an unseemly mourning from them, while their heads were stricken; and the whole pavement bubbled with gore. And Leiodes rushing seized the knees of Ulysses, and supplicating him, spoke winged words:

"I implore thee, O Ulysses; and do thou reverence me, and pity me; for I do not think that to any of the women in the palace I have spoken or done any thing wicked: but I even restrained the other suitors, whoever did such things. But they did not obey me, so as to keep off their hands from evil deeds. Therefore through their wickedness they have drawn on an unseemly fate. But I, a soothsayer amongst them, having done nothing, will fall. Thus are there no thanks hereafter for good deeds."

But him much-counselling Ulysses sternly regarding, addressed: "If indeed thou dost profess to be a soothsayer amongst them, oftentimes then thou must have prayed in the palace, that the end of a sweet return might be far from me, and that my dear wife might follow thee, and bring forth children [to thee]: therefore shalt thou not escape sad-slumbering death."

Thus having spoken, he took in his strong hand a sword, lying down, which Agelaus, when slain, threw from him upon the ground; with this he smote him in the middle of the neck. And the head of him crying out was mixed in the dust. But Phemius, son of Terpius, the bard, avoided black Fate, who indeed had sung amongst the suitors through compulsion; and he stood holding the clear-toned harp in his hands, near the high gate: and he meditated two ways in his mind, whether, going out of the palace, he should sit at the well-built altar of mighty Hercæan Jove, where Laertes and Ulysses burnt many thighs of oxen; or rushing to Ulysses, should supplicate him at his knees. And thus to him considering it seemed to be better to take hold of the knees of Ulysses, son of Laertes. He indeed placed the hollow harp upon the ground, between the cup and the silver-studded throne: but he himself then rushing to Ulysses, laid hold of his knees, and supplicating him, spoke winged words:

"I entreat thee, O Ulysses; and do thou revere me and pity me: there will be sorrow to thee thyself hereafter, if thou slayest me, a bard, who sing to gods and men. But I am self-taught; and God has breathed into my mind all kinds of songs; and I am able to sing to thee as to a god; therefore do not be desirous to cut off my head. Even Telemachus, thy beloved son, would say thus, how neither willingly, nor desiring [to do so], I have resorted to thy house, to sing at feasts to the suitors, but many more and superior men brought me by compulsion."

Thus he spoke; and the sacred might of Telemachus heard him, and he immediately addressed his father, who was near:

"Restrain thyself, nor by any means wound this blameless man with the brass. And we will save the herald Medon, who always took care of me in our house, while I was a child; if indeed Philætius, or the swineherd, have not already slain him, or he has met with thee when aroused in the house."

Thus he spoke; but Medon, who kenned prudent things, heard him; for he lay crouching under a throne, and a newly-flayed skin of an ox was put around him, avoiding black Fate. And he immediately arose from the throne, and quickly put off the ox hide: then rushing to Telemachus, he laid hold of his knees, and supplicating him, spoke winged words:

"O friend, I indeed am here; but do thou restrain thyself; and speak to thy father, lest, being excessively powerful, he destroy me with the sharp brass, enraged against the suitors, who have wasted his wealth in the palace, but, fools! did not honour thee."

But much-planning Ulysses, smiling on him, addressed him: "Be confident, since he has freed thee and saved thee, that thou mayest know in thy mind, and mayest also tell to another, how far better doing good is than doing evil. But going out of the palace into the hall, sit out of doors, away from the slaughter, thou and the much-voiced bard, whilst I labour in the house, what I have need."

Thus he spoke; and they two went out, going from the palace. Then they sat at the altar of mighty Jove, looking about on all sides, continually expecting death. But Ulysses looked about in his house, whether any one of men still alive was concealed, avoiding black Fate. And he saw them all fallen in blood and dust, in great numbers, as fish, which the fishermen have drawn upon the hollow beach out from the hoary sea with a net of many holes: and they all regretting the waves of the sea have been poured out upon the sands, but their life the shining Sun has taken away: thus then the suitors were poured over one another. Then at length much-planning Ulysses addressed Telemachus:

"Telemachus, come, call to me the nurse Euryclea, that I may tell her something which is in my mind."

Thus he spoke; and Telemachus obeyed his dear father; and moving the door, he addressed the nurse Euryclea: "Now arise [to come] hither, O ancient old woman, thou who art the overseer of our women-servants in the palace: come; my father calls thee, that he may tell thee something."

Thus he spoke; and to her the word was unwinged; and she opened the gates of the well-inhabited palace, and hastened to go: but Telemachus first led the way. She then found Ulysses amongst the slain and dead, besmeared with blood and gore; like as a lion who comes, having devoured a field-dwelling ox, and all his breast, and his cheeks on both sides are bloody; and he is terrible in his visage to behold: thus was Ulysses besmeared as to his feet and hands above. But she, when she beheld the corses, and the immense quantity of blood, proceeded to shout out, since she beheld a terrible deed; but Ulysses restrained and hindered her, although eager, and addressing her, he spoke winged words:

"Rejoice, O aged woman, in thy mind, and restrain thyself, nor shout out; it is not holy to boast over slain men. But the fate of the gods has subdued these, and their foolish deeds; for they respected no one of mortal men, either wicked or good, whoever came to them; therefore through their infatuation they have drawn on an unseemly fate. But come, do thou enumerate tome the women in the palace, both who dishonour me, and who are innocent."

But him the dear nurse Euryclea addressed in turn: "Therefore, my child, will I tell thee the truth. Thou hast fifty women-servants in the palace, which we have taught to work works,^[14] to card fleeces, and to endure servitude: of these twelve have trod the path of shamelessness, neither respecting me nor Penelope herself. But Telemachus has but lately grown up, nor did his mother suffer him to give directions to the women-servants. But come, ascending to the beautiful upper-room, I will tell thy wife, upon whom some god has brought on sleep."

But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "Do not yet rouse her up; but do thou bid the women come hither, who have before devised disgraceful deeds."

Thus he spoke; and the old woman went through the palace to tell the women, and to incite them to return. But he, calling Telemachus and the herdsman and swineherd to him, spoke winged words:

"Now begin to carry away the dead, and bid the women [do so]; and then clean the very beautiful thrones and tables with water and much-perforated sponges. But when ye have arranged all things in the house, taking the handmaidens out of the well-reared palace, strike them with long-pointed swords between the dome and the spotless court of the hall, until ye have taken away the lives of all of them, and they have forgotten Venus, whom they enjoyed with the suitors, and were mingled secretly [in love]."

Thus he spoke; and the women came all together, lamenting sadly, shedding the warm tear. First indeed then they carried away the dead corses, and they placed them under the portico of the well-enclosed court, resting against each other:^[15] and Ulysses himself gave directions, hastening them: and they carried them out even by compulsion. But when they had cleansed the very beautiful thrones and tables, with water, and much perforated sponges. But Telemachus and the herdsman and swineherd polished the pavement of the stout-built house with scrapers; and the handmaidens carried away [the dirt], and put it out of doors. But when they had put in order the whole palace throughout, leading out the handmaidens from the well-made palace, between the dome, and the spotless court of the hall, they shut them up in a narrow place, from whence it was not possible to escape. And prudent Telemachus began to address them:

"I would not indeed take away the life of these [women] with a pure death,^[16] these, who have poured reproaches upon my head, and upon my mother, and have slept with the suitors."

Thus he spoke; and fastening the cable of an azure-prowed ship to a tall column, he threw it round the dome, stretching it out on high, that no one might reach the ground with her feet. But as when either broad-winged thrushes or doves strike against a net, which stood in a thicket, as they are entering their nest, and a hateful bed has received them: so they held their heads in order, and around all their necks were cords, that they might die as miserably as possible. And they struggled convulsively with their feet for a little while, not very long. And they brought Melanthius out through the vestibule and the hall; his nostrils and ears they cut off with the cruel brass; and his secret parts they drew out, for the dogs to eat raw, and they lopped off his hands and feet, with wrathful mind. They then having washed their hands and feet, went to the house, to Ulysses: and the work was completed. But he addressed the dear nurse Euryclea:

"Bring sulphur, O old woman, as a remedy for ills,^[17] and bring me fire, that I may fumigate the palace: and do thou desire Penelope to come hither, with her women attendants: and order all the handmaidens in the house to come."

But him the dear nurse Euryclea addressed in turn: "Of a truth, indeed, my child, hast thou spoken these things rightly. But come, I will bring thee garments, both a cloak and tunic: nor do thou stand thus in the palace, having thy broad shoulders covered with rags: it would be matter for indignation."

But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "First of all now let me have fire in the palace."

Thus he spoke; nor did the dear nurse Euryclea disobey him, and she brought fire and sulphur: and Ulysses well fumigated the palace, and the house, and the hall. The old woman then went up through the beautiful house of Ulysses, to tell the women, and to urge them to come: and they came from the palace, holding a torch in their hands. They indeed were poured around him, and greeted Ulysses, and embracing him, they kissed his head and shoulders, laying hold of his hands: but a sweet desire of wailing and mourning possessed him; for he knew them all in his mind.

 

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1. It is most easy to translate γυμνώθη as if it were the middle voice.
2. See Fishlake on Buttm. Lexil. p. 4, note.
3. I have construed these words as equivalent to εἴσομαι αἴ κε τύχομαι σκοποῦ ἄλλου.
4. See Buttm. Lexil. p. 276, sqq. The interpretation of ἴσκε is very doubtful.
5. It is somewhat difficult to express the force of γὰρ in this passage. Ernesti renders it by enimvero, observing, "habet πάθους ἔμφασιν, aptans huic loco. Enimvero, ut hic se comparat et loquitur, non cessabit vim facere."
6. i. e. the table where he sat.
7. Supply a cognate substantive from τύψας.
8. Few passages in the Odyssey present greater difficulties than the present one. The ancient critics were quite uncertain, as will be evident from the following remarks. Eustathius observes, "Ὀρσοθύρη here signifies some conspicuous entrance, having a high approach, which no one could reach without using a ladder, or jumping and leaping up to it, whence it was called ὀρσοθύρη, i. e. θύρα εἰς ἣν ὄρνυταί τις, wishing to see out from thence." The same etymology is given in Etym. Magn. s. v. fol. 136, A. 2, Hesych. t. ii. p. 789, δι' ἧς ἐστιν ὀροῦσαι καταβαίνοντα, and Apoll. Lex. Hom. s. v. Pollux, i. 8, 2, makes the ὀρσοθύρα the same as the ἀμφίθυρος, opposite to which, as Kuhn there observes, another entrance (ἀντίθυρος) stood. The Schol. on Eur. Med. 134, explains ἀμφίπυλον to mean τὸ ἔχον δύο πύλας καὶ εἰσόδους, μίαν μὲν τὴν αύθεντικὴν, ἑτέραν δὲ, ἥν Ὅμηρος λέγει ὀρσοθύρην. As none of the commentators appear satisfied on the point, I will propose my own explanation. The particle δὲ in vs. 127, is used adversatively, and shows that the ὁδὸς εἰς λαύρην, was distinct from the ὀρσοθύρη. Eumæus (δῖος ὑφορβὸς in vs. 129) is ordered to guard the former way, while the suitors, especially Agelaus, sought to reach the ὀρσοθύρη, which led to the armoury-chamber, to which Melanthius afterwards ascended, (vs. 142,) and there met his death (174, sqq.). The expression ῥῶγας μεγάροιο, in vs. 143, appears to be identical with the ὀρσοθύρη, especially if we compare ἀνέβαινε in vs. 142, with ἀν' ὀρσοθύρην ἀναβαίη in vs. 132. Now, although the alarm might be given from the chamber, to which the ὀρσοθύρη led, (vss. 133, sq.,) yet there was but one entrance, (μία ἐφορμὴ, vs. 130,) by which the people could have rushed to the assistance of the suitors, and defeated the purpose of Ulysses (vs. 134). But Melanthius objects that it was no use to give the alarm, because the door of the hall was close by, and the entrance to the λαύρα was difficult (i. e. narrow, hard of access). It appears to me that the chief difficulty arises from misunderstanding the sense of λαύρα, which the grammarians (see Alberti on Hesych. t. ii. p. 434, and Pollux, ix. 5) unite in interpreting "a narrow street," δι' ἧς ὁ λαὸς εἰσέρχεται, or στενωπός. Hesychius is perhaps nearest the truth, when he also says, τόπος πρὸς ὑποχώρησιν ἀνείμενος, the exedra of the Latins, (cf. Vitruv. v. 11,) or the παραστάδες of Pollux, vii. 27. But I believe that λαύρην here = κοπρῶνα, or ἴπνον, (cf. Pollux, v. 14,) "a jakes" or "draught." So it is used by Aristoph. Pac. 157, ποῖ παρακλίνεις Τοὺς μυκτῆρας πρὸς τὰς λαύρας. Nor am I quite without ancient authority for this supposition; for Hipponax, according to the Etym. Magn. s. v. ὁδὸς, fol. 132. A. 2, understood it in the same sense. If we compare the house of Sallust discovered at Pompeii, (see Library of Entertaining Knowledge, Pompeii, vol. ii. pp. 109, 121,) we shall find that the λαύρα was situated very near the αὐλὴ, as well as that it was closely connected with the private apartments; we may therefore fairly understand the mention of the αὐλὴ in vs. 137, as well as the difficulty of entrance, (ἀργαλέον στόμα λαύρης,) of which Melanthius speaks. I have however translated the passage according to the old interpretation, leaving this new explanation to the consideration of other scholars.
9. On ἀΐδηλος see Buttm. Lexil. p. 47, sqq.
10. ὀλοφύρεαι. Schol. ἀποδειλιᾷς, ὑποκρίνῃ, ὑποδεέστερος γένῃ.
11. Cf. Æsch. Pers. 956, and Alberti on Hesych. t. ii. p. 1481. The more literal meaning would be, "she did not yet give them a victory that overcame the other side." The word appears to be here used actively = "conquering the other side." It is generally the reverse.
12. Cf. Virg. Georg. iii. 146, sqq. Apollon. Rhod. i. 1265, sqq. with the Scholiast.
13. So Cowper.
14. Observe the ancient pleonastic form of expression.
15. In order to support the weight.
16. Eustathius observes, καθαρὸς μὲν ὁ διὰ ξίφους ἐδόκει θάνατος, μιαρὸς δὲ ὁ ἀγχονιμαῖος. Nevertheless, hanging, in later days, was the favourite death with the heroines of tragedy.
17. It was customary to make a lustration in a house in which murder or slaughter had been committed. The student will find illustrations in Lomeier de Lustration. § xxx.