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[1] 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
- ↑ On ἀΐδηλος see Buttm. Lexil. p. 47, sqq.
