WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:06.280 Book eighteen of the Odyssey by Homer, translated by Samuel Butler. 2 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:11.160 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The Odyssey 3 00:00:11.679 --> 00:00:17.920 Book eighteen, The Fight with Iris. Ulysses warns ampheminus Penelope 4 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:23.879 gets presents from the suitors the braziers. Ulysses rebukes Eurymicus. 5 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:28.480 Now there came a certain common tramp who used to 6 00:00:28.519 --> 00:00:31.239 go begging all over the city of Ithaca, and was 7 00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:36.240 notorious as an incorrigible glutton and drunkard. This man had 8 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:38.880 no strength nor stay in him, but he was a 9 00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:42.880 great hulking fellow. To look at his real name, the 10 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:46.039 one his mother gave him was Arnaeus. By the young 11 00:00:46.119 --> 00:00:48.880 men of the place called him Iris, because he used 12 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:50.960 to run errands for any one who would send him. 13 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:54.840 As soon as he came, he began to insult Ulysses 14 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:57.560 and to try and drive him out of his own house. 15 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:02.280 Be awf old man, he cried from the doorway, or 16 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:05.200 you shall be dragged out neck and heels. Do you 17 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:07.200 not see that they are all giving me the wink 18 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:10.200 and wanting me to turn you out by force? Only 19 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:12.799 I do not like to do. So get up then 20 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:16.120 and go of yourself, or we shall come to blows. 21 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:20.599 Ulysses frowned on him and said, my friend, I do 22 00:01:20.760 --> 00:01:24.000 you no manner of harm. People give you a great deal, 23 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:27.920 but I am not jealous. There is room enough in 24 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:30.640 this doorway for the pair of us, and you need 25 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:33.040 not grudge me things that are not yours to give 26 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:37.000 you seed me just such another tramp as myself. But 27 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:39.840 perhaps the gods will give us better luck by and by. 28 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:43.519 Do not, however, talk too much about fighting, or you 29 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:46.680 will incense me and old though I am, I shall 30 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:49.760 cover your mouth and chest with blood. I shall have 31 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:52.359 more peace tomorrow if I do, for you will not 32 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:56.519 come to the house of Ulysses any more. Iris was 33 00:01:56.640 --> 00:02:00.719 very angry and answered, you, filthy glutton. You run on 34 00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:03.920 trippingly like an old fish. Fag. I have a good 35 00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:06.239 mind to lay both hands about you and knock your 36 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:08.840 teeth out of your head like so many bores tusks. 37 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:12.520 Get ready, therefore, and let these people here stand by 38 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:15.280 and look on. You will never be able to fight 39 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:19.479 one who is much younger than yourself. Thus roundly did 40 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:21.919 they raid one another on the smooth pavement in front 41 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:25.199 of the doorway, And when Antonas saw what was going on. 42 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:28.400 He laughed heartily and said to the others, this is 43 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.919 the finest sport that you ever saw. Heaven never yet 44 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:35.199 sent anything like it into this house. The stranger and 45 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:38.280 Iris have quarreled and are going to fight. Let us 46 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:41.639 set them on to do so at once. The suitors 47 00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:44.759 all came up, laughing, and gathered round the two ragged tramps. 48 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:49.400 Listen to me, said antonas there are some goat's paunches 49 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:51.800 down at the fire, which we have filled with blood 50 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:55.199 and fat and set aside for supper. He who is 51 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:58.080 victorious and proves himself to be the better man, shall 52 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:00.800 have his pick of the lot. He shall be free 53 00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:03.080 of our table, and we will not allow any other 54 00:03:03.080 --> 00:03:07.080 beggar about the house at all. The others all agreed, 55 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:11.080 but ulysses to throw them off the scent, said Sirs. 56 00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:15.280 An old man like myself, worn out with suffering, cannot 57 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:19.039 hold his own against a young one. But my irrepressible 58 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:22.080 belly urges me on, though I know it can only 59 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:25.560 end in my getting a drubbing. You must swear, however, 60 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:27.719 that none of you will give me a foul blow, 61 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:31.800 to favor Iris and secure him the victory. They swore, 62 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:34.560 as he told them, and when they had completed their oath, 63 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:38.680 Telemachus put in a word and said, stranger, if you 64 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:41.280 have a mind to settle with this fellow, you need 65 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:44.759 not be afraid of anyone here. Whoever strikes you will 66 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:47.879 have to fight more than one. I am host, and 67 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:51.400 the other chiefs Antonus and Eurymicus, both of them men 68 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:54.560 of understanding or of the same mind as I am. 69 00:03:55.520 --> 00:03:59.000 Every one ascended, and Ulysses girded his old rags about 70 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:03.080 his loins, thus bearing his stalwart thighs, his broad chest 71 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:07.280 and shoulders, and his mighty arms. But Minerva came up 72 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:10.599 to him and made his limbs even stronger. Still, the 73 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:14.360 suitors were beyond measure astonished, and one would turn towards 74 00:04:14.360 --> 00:04:17.680 his neighbor, saying, the stranger has brought such a thigh 75 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:19.959 out of his old rags that there will soon be 76 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:24.360 nothing left of Iris. Iris began to be very uneasy 77 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:27.120 as he heard them. But the servants girded him by 78 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:29.720 force and brought him into the open part of the 79 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:32.519 court in such a fright that his limbs were all 80 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:37.360 of a tremble. Antonus scolded him and said, you swaggering bully, 81 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:39.839 you ought never to have been born at all. If 82 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:42.040 you are afraid of such an old, broken down creature 83 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:45.839 as this tramp is, I say therefore, and it shall 84 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:49.319 surely be. If he beats you and proves himself the 85 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:52.360 better man, I shall pack you off on board ship 86 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:55.319 to the mainland and send you to King Eicitus, who 87 00:04:55.399 --> 00:04:58.360 kills every one that comes near him. He will cut 88 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:01.120 off your nose and ears, and draw entrails for the 89 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:05.639 dogs to eat. This frightened Iris still more. But they 90 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:07.800 brought him into the middle of the court, and the 91 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:12.199 two men raised their hands to fight. Then Ulysses considered 92 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:14.720 whether he should let drive so hard at him as 93 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:17.079 to make an end of him then and there, or 94 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:19.639 whether he should give him a lighter blow that should 95 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:23.160 only knock him down. In the end, he deemed it 96 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:26.040 best to give the lighter blow, for fear the Achaean 97 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:29.519 should begin to suspect who he was. Then they began 98 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:32.480 to fight, and Iris hit Ulysses on the right shoulder. 99 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:35.480 But Ulysses gave Iris a blow on the neck under 100 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:37.560 the ear that broke in the bones of his skull, 101 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:40.959 and the blood came gushing out of his mouth. He 102 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:44.040 fell groaning in the dust gnashing his teeth and kicking 103 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:47.360 on the ground. But the suitors threw up their hands 104 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:50.639 and nearly died of laughter as Ulysses caught hold of 105 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:53.160 him by the foot and dragged him into the arrow 106 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.519 court as far as the gatehouse. There he propped him 107 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:58.920 up against the wall and put his staff in his hands. 108 00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:03.759 Sit here, said he, and keep the dogs and pigs off. 109 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:07.079 You are a pitiful creature, and if you try to 110 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.040 make yourself king of the beggars any more, you shall 111 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:14.199 fare still worse. Then he threw his dirty old wallet, 112 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.319 all tattered and torn, over his shoulder with the cord 113 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:19.680 by which it hung, and went back to sit down 114 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:23.519 upon the threshold. But the suitors went within the cloisters, 115 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:27.519 laughing and saluting him. May Jove and all the other 116 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:31.079 gods said, they grant you whatever you want for having 117 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:34.199 put an end to the importunity of this insatiable tramp. 118 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:37.199 We will take him over to the mainland, presently to 119 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:40.319 King Ecatus, who kills every one that comes near him. 120 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:45.000 Ulysses hailed this as of good omen and Antonus set 121 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:48.040 a great goat's paunch before him, filled with blood and fat. 122 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:51.959 Amphinymus took two loaves out of the bread basket and 123 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:54.360 brought them to him, pledging him as he did so, 124 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:57.920 in a golden goblet of wine. Good luck to you, 125 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:02.120 he said, father stranger, you are very badly off at present, 126 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:05.120 but I hope you have better times by and by 127 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:10.480 to this, Ulysses answered Amphinymus, you seem to be a 128 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:13.560 man of good understanding, as indeed you may well be. 129 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:17.040 Seeing whose son you are, I have heard your father 130 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:21.040 well spoken of. He is Nissus of Delicium, a man 131 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:24.480 both brave and wealthy. They tell me you are his son, 132 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:28.800 and you appear to be a considerable person. Listen, therefore, 133 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:32.319 and take heed to what I am saying. Man is 134 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:35.480 the vainest of all creatures that have their being upon earth. 135 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:39.319 As long as Heaven vouchsafes him health and strength, he 136 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:42.319 thinks that he shall come to no harm thereafter. And 137 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:45.439 even when the blessed Gods bring sour upon him, he 138 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.920 bears it as if he needs must, and makes the 139 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:51.120 best of it. For God Almighty gives men their daily 140 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.879 minds day by day. I know all about it, for 141 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:57.519 I was a rich man once and did much wrong 142 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:00.720 in the stubbornness of my pride, and in the confidence 143 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:04.240 that my father and my brothers would support me. Therefore, 144 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:07.680 let a man fear God in all things always, and 145 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:10.079 take the good that Heaven may see fit to send 146 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:14.160 him without vain glory. Consider the infamy of what these 147 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:17.199 suitors are doing. See how they are wasting the estate 148 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:20.439 and doing dishonor to the wife of one who is 149 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:25.639 certain to return some day, and that too not long. Hence, nay, 150 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:29.399 he will be here soon. May Heaven send you home 151 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.839 quietly first, that you may not meet him in the 152 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:34.559 day of his coming. For once he is here, the 153 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:39.360 suitors and he will not part bloodlessly. With these words, 154 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:41.840 he made a drink offering, and when he had drunk, 155 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:44.440 he put the gold cup into the hands of Ampheminus, 156 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:47.960 who walked away, serious and bowing his head, for he 157 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.120 foreboded evil. But even so he did not escape destruction, 158 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:55.000 for Minerva had doomed him to fall by the hand 159 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:58.039 of Telemachus. So he took his seat again at the 160 00:08:58.080 --> 00:09:02.159 place from which he had come. Then Minerva put into 161 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:04.759 the mind of Penelope to show herself to the suitors, 162 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:07.480 that she might make them still more enamored of her 163 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:10.519 and win still further honor from her son. And husband. 164 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:15.799 So she fainted a mocking laugh, and said, Eurynymy, I 165 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:18.840 have changed my mind and have a fancy to show 166 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:22.399 myself to the suitors. Although I detest them, I should 167 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:24.679 like also to give my son a hint that he 168 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:26.799 had better not have anything more to do with them. 169 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:33.759 They speak fairly enough, but they mean mischief. My dear child, answered, Eurynymy, 170 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:36.879 all that you have said is true. Go and tell 171 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:40.159 your son about it. But first wash yourself and anoint 172 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:43.039 your face. Do not go about with your cheeks all 173 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:46.120 covered with tears. It is not right that you should 174 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:50.480 grieve so incessantly, for Telemachus, whom you always prayed that 175 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:53.080 you might live to see with a beard, is already 176 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:58.799 grown up. I know, Eurynymy, replied Penelope, that you mean well, 177 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:01.440 but do not try. I persuade me to wash and 178 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:04.440 to anoint myself, for Heaven robbed me of all my 179 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:09.279 beauty on the day my husband sailed. Nevertheless, tell Atonoi 180 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:12.159 and Hippodamia that I want them. They must be with 181 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:14.600 me when I am in the cloister. I am not 182 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:17.600 going among the men alone. It would not be proper 183 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:20.840 for me to do so. On this the old woman 184 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:22.879 went out of the room to bid the maids go 185 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:26.679 to their mistress. In the meantime, Minerva bethought her of 186 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:30.120 another matter and set Penelope off into a sweet slumber. 187 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:33.120 So she laid down on her couch, and her limbs 188 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:36.679 became heavy with sleep. Then the goddess shed grace and 189 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:39.480 beauty over her, that all the Achaeans might admire her. 190 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:43.639 She washed her face with the ambrosial loveliness that Venus 191 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:46.960 wears when she goes dancing. With the graces, she made 192 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:50.159 her taller and of a more commanding figure, while as 193 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:54.320 for her complexion, it was whiter than sawn ivory. When 194 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.240 Minerva had done all this, she went away, whereon the 195 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.960 maids came in from the women's room and woke Penelope 196 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:04.720 with the sound of their talking. What an exquisitely delicious 197 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:07.519 sleep I have been having, said she as she passed 198 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:11.159 her hands over her face. In spite of all my misery, 199 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:14.679 I wish Diana would let me die so sweetly now 200 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:17.519 at this very moment, that I might no longer waste 201 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:20.480 in despair for the loss of my dear husband, who 202 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:23.320 possessed every kind of good quality and was the most 203 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:28.080 distinguished man among the Achaeans. With these words, she came 204 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:31.320 down from her upper room, not alone, but attended by 205 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:34.320 two of her maidens, And when she reached the suitors, 206 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.960 she stood by one of the bearing posts supporting the 207 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:40.000 roof of the cloister, holding a veil before her face, 208 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:43.159 and with a staid made servant on either side of her. 209 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:47.279 As they beheld her, the suitors were so overpowered and 210 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:50.639 became so desperately enamored of her, that each one prayed 211 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:55.080 he might win her for his own Bedfellow Telemachus, said she, 212 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:58.919 addressing her son, I fear you are no longer so 213 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:02.399 discreet and welcome inducted as he used to be. When 214 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:07.039 you were younger, you had a greater sense of propriety. Now, however, 215 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.679 that you are grown up, though a stranger to look 216 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:11.320 at you would take you for the son of a 217 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.600 well to do father. As far as size and good 218 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:16.679 looks go, your conduct is by no means what it 219 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:20.080 should be. What is all this disturbance that has been 220 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:22.919 going on? And how came you to allow a stranger 221 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:26.840 to be so disgracefully ill treated? What would have happened 222 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:29.559 if he had suffered serious injury while a suppliant in 223 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:33.399 our house. Surely this would have been very discreditable to you. 224 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:37.919 I am not surprised, my dear mother, at your displeasure, 225 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:42.200 replied Telemachus. I understand all about it, and know when 226 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.840 things are not as they should be, which I could 227 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:48.519 not do when I was younger. I cannot, however, behave 228 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:52.840 with perfect propriety at all times. First one and then 229 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:55.799 another of these wicked people here keeps driving me out 230 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:58.360 of my mind, and I have no one to stand 231 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:02.039 by me. After all. However, this fight between Iris and 232 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:04.320 the Stranger did not turn out as the suitors meant 233 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:06.840 to do, for the stranger got the best of it. 234 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:10.679 I wish Father Jove, Minerva and Apollo would break the 235 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:13.440 neck of every one of these wooers of yours, some 236 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:16.639 inside the house and some out. And I wish they 237 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.159 might all be as limp as Iris over yonder in 238 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:22.279 the gate of the outer court. See how he nods 239 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:25.200 his head like a drunken man. He has had such 240 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:28.080 a thrashing that he cannot stand on his feet nor 241 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:31.240 get back to his home, wherever that may be, for 242 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:34.960 he has no strength left in him. Thus did they 243 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:40.120 converse Eurymicus then came up and said, Queen Penelope, daughter 244 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:43.480 of Vicarius, if all the Achaeans in the Asian Argus 245 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:46.120 could see you at this moment, they would have still 246 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:49.080 more suitors in your house by tomorrow morning, for you 247 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:52.000 were the most admirable woman in the whole world, both 248 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:57.000 as regards personal beauty and strength of understanding. To this, 249 00:13:57.080 --> 00:14:01.799 Penelope replied Eurymicus. Heaven robbed me of all my beauty, 250 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:04.840 whether a face or figure, when the Argive set sail 251 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:08.480 for Troy, and my dear husband with them. If he 252 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:11.480 were to return and look after my affairs, I should 253 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:14.120 both be more respected and show a better presence to 254 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:17.799 the world. As it is, I am oppressed with care 255 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:21.080 and with afflictions which Heaven has seen fit to heap 256 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:24.879 upon me. My husband foresaw it all, and when he 257 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:28.639 was leaving home, he took my right wrist in his hand. Wife, 258 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:31.240 he said, we shall not all of us come safe 259 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:34.559 home from Troy, for the Trojans fight well, both with 260 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:38.799 beaux and spear. They are excellent also at fighting from chariots, 261 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:41.840 and nothing decides the issue of a fight sooner than this. 262 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:45.919 I know not, therefore, whether Heaven will send me back 263 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:48.720 to you, or whether I shall not fall over there 264 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:52.720 at Troy. In the meantime, do you look after things here? 265 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:56.039 Take care of my father and mother as at present, 266 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:59.480 and even more so during my absence. But when you 267 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:02.639 see oursel ungrowing a beard, then marry whom you will, 268 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:06.679 and leave this your present home. This is what he said, 269 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:10.039 and now it is all coming true. A night will 270 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:12.320 come when I shall have to yield myself to a 271 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:15.440 marriage which I detest, for Jove has taken from me 272 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:19.639 all hope of happiness. This further grief moreover cuts me 273 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:23.000 to the very heart. You suitors are not wooing me, 274 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:27.080 after the custom of my country, when men are courting 275 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:29.440 a woman who they think will be a good wife 276 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:32.080 to them, and who is of noble birth, and when 277 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:34.919 they are each trying to win her for himself, they 278 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.600 usually bring oxen and sheep to feast the friends of 279 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:42.120 the lady, and they make their magnificent presents instead of 280 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:46.360 eating up other people's property without paying for it. This 281 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:49.600 was what she said, and Ulysses was glad when he 282 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.840 heard her trying to get presents out of the suitors 283 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:55.159 and flattering them with fair words which he knew she 284 00:15:55.279 --> 00:16:01.080 did not mean. Then Antona said, Queen Penelope, daughter of Vicarius, 285 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:04.039 take as many presents as you please from anyone who 286 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:06.399 will give them to you. It is not well to 287 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:10.039 refuse a present, But we will not go about our business, 288 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:12.960 nor stir from where we are till you have married 289 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:17.039 the best man among us, whoever he may be. The 290 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:20.480 others applauded what Antinus had said, and each one sent 291 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:24.399 his servant to bring his present. Antinus's man returned with 292 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:29.519 a large and lovely dress, most exquisitely embroidered. It had 293 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:32.919 twelve beautifully made brooch pins of pure gold with which 294 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:37.039 to fasten it. Eurymicus immediately brought her a magnificent chain 295 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:41.840 of gold and amber beads that gleamed like sunlight. Eurynymus's 296 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:44.639 two men returned with some ear rings fashioned into three 297 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:49.840 brilliant pendants, which glistened most beautifully, while King Pissander, son 298 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:53.080 of Pollictor, gave her a necklace of the rarest workmanship, 299 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:57.519 and everyone else brought her a beautiful present of some kind. 300 00:16:57.720 --> 00:17:00.399 Then the queen went back to her room upstairs, and 301 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:04.240 her maids brought the presents after her. Meanwhile, the suitors 302 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:07.359 took to singing and dancing, and stayed till evening came. 303 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:11.000 They danced and sang till it grew dark. They then 304 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:13.920 brought in three braziers to give light, and pile them 305 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:17.920 up with chopped firewood, very old and dry, and they 306 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:20.839 lit torches from them, which the mates held up. Turn 307 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:26.480 and turn about, then, Ulysses, said, maids, servants of Ulysses, 308 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:29.799 who has so long been absent, go to the queen 309 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:33.440 inside the house, sit with her and amuse her, or 310 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:36.599 spin and pick wool. I will hold the light for 311 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:40.599 all these people. They may stay till morning, but shall 312 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:43.440 not beat me, for I can stand a great deal. 313 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:47.880 The maids looked at one another and laughed, while pretty 314 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:53.119 Melantho began to gibe at him contemptuously. She was daughter Todolius, 315 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:55.880 but had been brought up by Penelope, who used to 316 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:58.480 give her toys to play with and looked after her 317 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:01.440 when she was a child. But in spite of all this, 318 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:04.920 she showed no consideration for the sorrows of her mistress, 319 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:09.240 and used to misconduct herself with Eurymicus, with whom she 320 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:13.799 was in love. Poor wretch, said she, are you gone 321 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:16.480 clean out of your mind? Go and sleep in some 322 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:20.559 smithy or place of public gossips instead of chattering here, 323 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.880 Are you not ashamed of opening your mouth before your 324 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:27.680 betters so many of them too? Has the wine been 325 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:30.559 getting into your head? Or do you always babble in 326 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:34.160 this way? You seem to have lost your wits because 327 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:37.240 you beat the tramp iris. Take care that a better 328 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:39.440 man than he does not come and cudgel you about 329 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:42.079 the head till he packed you bleeding out of the house. 330 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:47.440 Vixen replied Ulysses, scowling at her, I will go and 331 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:50.400 tell Telemachus what you have been saying, and he will 332 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:54.279 have you torn limb from limb. With these words, he 333 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:56.839 scared the women, and they went off into the body 334 00:18:56.839 --> 00:19:00.000 of the house. They trembled all over, for they thought 335 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:03.079 thought he would do as he said. But Ulysses took 336 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:06.319 his stand near the burning braziers, holding up torches and 337 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:09.279 looking at the people, brooding the while on things that 338 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:13.720 should surely come to pass. But Minerva would not let 339 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:16.880 the suitors for one moment cease their insolence, for she 340 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:20.440 wanted Ulysses to become even more bitter against them. She 341 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:23.720 therefore set Eurymicus, son of Polybus, on to gibe at him, 342 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:28.559 which made the others laugh. Listen to me, said he you, 343 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:31.920 suitors of Queen Penelope, that I may speak even as 344 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:34.759 I am minded. It is not for nothing that this 345 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:37.960 man has come to the house of Ulysses. I believe 346 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:40.400 the light has not been coming from the torches, but 347 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:43.400 from his own head, for his hair is all gone, 348 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:48.680 every bit of it. Then, turning to Ulysses, he said, stranger, 349 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:51.119 will you work as a servant? If I send you 350 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:53.119 to the wolds and see that you are well paid? 351 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:57.519 Can you build a stone fence or plant trees? I 352 00:19:57.559 --> 00:20:00.000 will have you fed all the year round, and will 353 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:03.319 find you in shoes and clothing. Will you go then? 354 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:07.880 Not you, for you have got into bad ways and 355 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:10.680 do not want to work. You had rather fill your 356 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:16.680 belly by going around the country begging. Eurymicus answered Ulysses, 357 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:19.359 if you and I were to work one against the 358 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:22.160 other in early summer, when the days are at their longest, 359 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:25.720 give me a good scythe and take another yourself, and 360 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:28.279 let us see which will last the longer, Or mow 361 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:31.799 the stronger from dawn till dark when the mowing grass 362 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:35.359 is about, or if you will plow against me. Let 363 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:38.599 us each take a yoke of tawny oxen, well mated 364 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:41.960 and of great strength and endurance. Turn me into a 365 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.680 four acre field, and see whether you or I can 366 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:48.319 drive the straight or furrow. If again war were to 367 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:51.400 break out this day, give me a shield, a couple 368 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:54.119 of spears, and a helmet fitting well upon my temples. 369 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:57.480 You will find me foremost in the fray, and would 370 00:20:57.519 --> 00:21:01.559 seize your jibes about my belly. You are insolent and cruel, 371 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:04.400 and think yourself a great man, because you live in 372 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:08.640 a little world, and that a bad one. If Ulysses 373 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:11.160 comes to his own again, the doors of his house 374 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:13.759 are wide, but you will find them narrow when you 375 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:18.200 try to fly through them. Eurymicus was furious at all this. 376 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:22.400 He scowled at him and cried, you wretch, I will 377 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:24.759 soon pay you out for daring to say such things 378 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:28.079 to me, and in public too. Has the wine been 379 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:30.960 getting into your head? Or do you always babble in 380 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:33.960 this way? You seem to have lost your wits because 381 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:37.960 you beat the tramp Iris with this he caught hold 382 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:41.240 of a footstool, but Ulysses sought protection at the knees 383 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:45.279 of Ampheminus of Delecium, for he was afraid. The stool 384 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:47.400 hit the cup air on his right hand and knocked 385 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:51.160 him down. The man fell with a cry, flat on 386 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:54.240 his back, and his wine jug fell ringing to the ground. 387 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:57.880 The suitors in the covered cloistered were now in an uproar, 388 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:01.359 and one would turn towards his neighbors, saying, I wish 389 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:04.559 the stranger had gone somewhere else. Bad luck to him, 390 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:07.680 for all the trouble he gives us. We cannot permit 391 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:11.200 such disturbance about a beggar. If such ill counsels are 392 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:14.279 to prevail, we shall have no more pleasure at our banquet. 393 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:19.920 On this Telemachus came forward and said, sirs, are you mad? 394 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:22.960 Can you not carry your meat and your liquor decently? 395 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:26.799 Some evil spirit has possessed you. I do not wish 396 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:29.240 to drive any of you away, but you have had 397 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:32.039 your suppers, and the sooner you all go home to bed, 398 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:35.839 the better. The suitors bit their lips and marveled at 399 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:39.680 the boldness of his speech. But Amfeminus, son of Nysus, 400 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:43.000 who was son to Aresius, said, do not let us 401 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:46.519