Indecently to rail without offence!

What bounty gives without a rival share;

I ask, what harms not thee, to breathe this air:

Alike on alms we both precarious live:

And canst thou envy when the great relieve?

Know, from the bounteous heavens all riches flow,

And what man gives, the gods by man bestow;

Proud as thou art, henceforth no more be proud,

Lest I imprint my vengeance in thy blood;

Old as I am, should once my fury burn,

How would’st thou fly, nor e’en in thought return!”


“Mere woman-glutton! (thus the churl replied;)

A tongue so flippant, with a throat so wide!

Why cease I, gods! to dash those teeth away,

Like some wild boar’s, that, greedy of his prey,

Uproots the bearded corn? Rise, try the fight,

Gird well thy loins, approach, and feel my might:

Sure of defeat, before the peers engage:

Unequal fight, when youth contends with age!”


Thus in a wordy war their tongues display

More fierce intents, preluding to the fray;

Antinous hears, and in a jovial vein,

Thus with loud laughter to the suitor train:


“This happy day in mirth, my friends, employ,

And lo! the gods conspire to crown our joy;

See ready for the fight, and hand to hand,

Yon surly mendicants contentious stand:

Why urge we not to blows!” Well pleased they spring

Swift from their seats, and thickening form a ring.


To whom Antinous: “Lo! enrich’d with blood,

A kid’s well-fatted entrails (tasteful food)

On glowing embers lie; on him bestow

The choicest portion who subdues his foe;

Grant him unrivall’d in these walls to stay,

The sole attendant on the genial day.”


The lords applaud: Ulysses then with art,

And fears well-feign’d, disguised his dauntless heart.


“Worn as I am with age, decay’d with woe;

Say, is it baseness to decline the foe?

Hard conflict! when calamity and age

With vigorous youth, unknown to cares, engage!

Yet, fearful of disgrace, to try the day

Imperious hunger bids, and I obey;