Resuming then his seat, Eupithes’ son,

The bold Antinous, to the rest begun:

“From where the goblet first begins to flow,

From right to left in order take the bow;

And prove your several strengths.” The princes heard

And first Leiodes, blameless priest, appear’d:

The eldest born of Œnops’ noble race,

Who next the goblet held his holy place:

He, only he, of all the suitor throng,

Their deeds detested, and abjured the wrong.

With tender hands the stubborn horn he strains,

The stubborn horn resisted all his pains!

Already in despair he gives it o’er:

“Take it who will (he cries), I strive no more,

What numerous deaths attend this fatal bow!

What souls and spirits shall it send below!

Better, indeed, to die, and fairly give

Nature her debt, than disappointed live,

With each new sun to some new hope a prey,

Yet still to-morrow falser than to-day.

How long in vain Penelope we sought!

This bow shall ease us of that idle thought,

And send us with some humbler wife to live,

Whom gold shall gain, or destiny shall give.”


Thus speaking, on the floor the bow he placed

(With rich inlay the various floor was graced):

At distance far the feather’d shaft he throws,

And to the seat returns from whence he rose.


To him Antinous thus with fury said:

“What words ill-omen’d from thy lips have fled?

Thy coward-function ever is in fear!

Those arms are dreadful which thou canst not bear,

Why should this bow be fatal to the brave?

Because the priest is born a peaceful slave.

Mark then what others can.” He ended there,

And bade Melanthius a vast pile prepare;

He gives it instant flame, then fast beside

Spreads o’er an ample board a bullock’s hide.

With melted lard they soak the weapon o’er,

Chafe every knot, and supple every pore.

Vain all their art, and all their strength as vain;

The bow inflexible resists their pain.

The force of great Eurymachus alone

And bold Antinous, yet untired, unknown: