The Odyssey Page 0,122

Antinouäs in winged words he said: “Antinouäs, finely you care for me, as a father for his son, bidding me drive this stranger forth by a commanding word! The gods let that never be! Take of the food and give him. I do not grudge it; indeed I bid you give. Be not disquieted about my mother or any servant of the house of great Odysseus. But in your breast there is no thought of giving. Far better you like to eat than give to others.”

Then answering said Antinouäs: “Telemachus, of the lofty tongue and the unbridled temper, what do you mean? If every suitor gave as much as I, for three months’ space at least the house would miss him.”

So saying, he seized his stool and drew it out from under the table where it lay. On it he used to set his dainty feet while feasting. Now all the rest had given food and filled with bread and meat the beggar’s wallet. A moment and Odysseus would go back to the threshold to taste the Achaeans’ bounty. Before Antinouäs he paused, and said:

“Give me some food, kind sir! You do not seem the poorest of the Achaeans; rather, the chief; for you are like a king. So you shall give me bread more generously than others, and I will sing your praise the wide world through. For once I lived in luxury among my mates, in a rich house, and often gave to wanderers, careless who they might be or with what needs they came. Servants I had in plenty, and everything besides by which men live at ease and are reputed rich. But Zeus, the son of Kronos, brought me low. His will it was. He sent me with a roving band of plunderers to Egypt, a long voyage, to my ruin. In Egypt’s stream I anchored my curved ships; then to my trusty men I gave command to stay there by the ships and guard the ships, while I sent scouts to points of observation. But giving way to lawlessness and following their own bent, they presently began to pillage the fair fields of the Egyptians, carrying off wives and infant children and slaughtering the men. Soon the din reached the city. The people there, hearing the shouts, came forth at early dawn, and all the plain was filled with footmen and with horsemen and with the gleam of bronze. Then Zeus, the Thunderer, brought on my men a cruel panic, and none dared stand and face the foe. Danger encountered us on every side. So the Egyptians slew many of our men with the sharp sword, and carried others off alive to work for them in bondage. They gave me to a friend who chanced to meet them, upon his way to Cyprus, to Dmetor son of Iasus, who ruled with power in Cyprus. Thence I am now come hither, sore distressed.”

Then answered him Antinouäs and said: “What god has brought us this pest to spoil our feast here? Stand off there in the middle, back from my table, or you shall find a bitter Egypt and a bitter Cyprus too, brazen and shameless beggar that you are! You go to all in turn, and they give lavishly. No scruple or compunction do they feel at being generous with others’ goods, while there remains abundance for themselves.”

Then stepping back said wise Odysseus: “Indeed! In you then wisdom does not go with beauty. From your own house you would not give a suppliant salt, if sitting at another’s table you will not take and give me bread. Yet here there is abundance.”

As he thus spoke, Antinouäs was angered in his heart the more, and looking sternly on him said in winged words: “Now you shall never leave the hall in peace, I think, now you have taunted me.”

So saying, he seized his footstool, flung it and struck Odysseus on the back of the right shoulder, near the spine. Firm as a rock he stood; the missile of Antinouäs did not move him. Silent he shook his head, brooding on evil. Then once more walking toward the threshold, down he sat, laid down his well-filled wallet, and thus addressed the suitors:

“Hearken, you suitors of the illustrious queen, and let me tell you what the heart within me bids. One feels no smart or indignation in his mind if struck while fighting for his own possessions, his oxen, say, or white-wooled sheep; but Antinouäs gave this blow because