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The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839-45). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Author: Homer
Translator: Thomas Hobbes
Editor: Sir William Molesworth

Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. XXI.

Penelope bringeth forth her husband’s bow, which the suitors could not bend. Ulysses makes himself known to Eumaus and Philœtius. He bends the bow.

Penelope, the suitors’ strength to try,
Who soon’st could bend her noble husband’s bow,
And through the axes make his arrow fly,
And whom she was to marry now to know,
5To a high chamber up the stairs she went,

Wherein Ulysses’ precious goods did stand.
There hung upon a pin the bow unbent;
The well-made key she carried in her hand.
This bow was given him by Iphitus
10At Sparta. But Ulysses with him met

First at Messena; for it fell out thus.
Ulysses then was there about a debt.
Messena men their ships had put ashore
At Ithaca, and thence had ta’en a prey
15Of sheep, which was in number fifteen score,

And, with the shepherds, carried them away.
This was the cause Ulysses thither went.
’Twas a long way, and he scarce past a boy;
But by his father and the lords was sent
20T’ ask reparation for this annoy.

But Iphitus twelve mares had lost; each one
A young mule had that followed her behind,
(Which of his death were the occasion),
And at Messena these he thought to find.
25But as he was returning back again,

And came unto the house of Hercules,
That mighty man first did him entertain,
And after, killing him, his mares did seize.
This was the man that to Ulysses gave
30The bow; and from him had a sword and spear.

But Hercules had sent him to his grave,
Ere they had tasted one another’s cheer.
This bow he carried not to Ilium,
Nor ever had made use of it in fray;

Penelope bringeth forth her husband’s bow, which the suitors could not bend.

35But often had it in his hand at home;

For only as a monument it lay.
Penelope now standing at the door,
Quickly the bolt strook back with her great key,
The valves fly open suddenly and roar;
40As when a great bull roars, so roared they.

Penelope went in, and up she stepp’d
Upon a board whereon were standing chests,
In which, ’mongst odours sweet, the clothes were kept,
The costly garments, robes, and coats, and vests.
45Thence to the bow she reach’d, and from the pin

She took it as it hung there in the case;
And sitting down, her lap she laid it in.
Aloud she wept, and tears ran down apace:
And when she long enough had weeping been,
50The bow she did unto the suitors bear,

And quiver with it full of arrows keen:
The axes by her women carried were.
Then with her scarf she shaded both her cheeks,
Having a waiting-woman on each hand;
55Unto her gallant suitors thus she speaks:

Hear me, you lusty suitors that here stand,
Using this house, not yours, continually,
To eat and drink in at another’s cost;
And for it do pretend no reason why,
60But as contenders who shall love me most.

Lo here; to him I make myself a prize,
Who this good bow with greatest ease shall bend,
And whose aim’d arrow through these axes flies,
With him from this most blessed house I’ll wend.
65This said, Eumæus th’ axes and the bow

By her command unto the suitors bears;
And as he went, his eyes for grief o’erflow,
Nor could Philœtius abstain from tears;
For which Antinous gave them this reproof:
70You foolish clowns, what ails you to shed tears?

Has she not for her husband grief enough?
That you must add your sorrow unto hers.
Sit silently, eat and drink quietly;
Or if you needs must weep, go weep without.
75Leave the bow here, the suitors’ strength to try,

And that it may be carried round about.
Not that I think there’s any man among
Us all can bend it as Ulysses could:
For I remember him though I were young.
80So said he; though he thought he bend it should,

And also shoot through th’ axes every one,
Though he were only the first to be shot.
For he the other suitors had set on,
And was the first contriver of the plot.
85Telemachus then to the suitors spake:

Sure Jove, said he, bereav’d me has of sense;
My mother tells me she’ll a husband take,
And, leaving me, depart with him from hence;
And I here merry am that should be sad.
90But be ’t as ’t will, the game must now begin,

For such a wife as ne’er Achaia had,
Nor in Mysen or Argos was e’er seen,
Nor Pyle, nor Ithaca, nor in Epire.
But what need I set forth my mother’s praise?
95You know’t yourselves. Therefore I you desire

To put off all excuses and delays.
And I myself will be the first to try
This mighty bow, whether I can or no,
And through the axes make the arrow fly.
100’Twill grieve me less to let my mother go;

Since I have strength to bend my father’s bow,
Why should I doubt of governing his state?
And from him presently his coat did throw
And sword, and then fell to delineate
105The ground whereon the axes were to stand.

On one long line he set them all upright.
The wooers admir’d the justness of his hand;
For why the like was ne’er done in his sight.
Then went he to the sill to try the bow.
110Thrice he essay’d it, and was near it still.

And thrice again relenting let it go.
Once more had done it. But ’twas not his will;
For then his father check’d him with a wink.
Alas! then, said Telemachus, must this
115Be all my strength? Too young I am, I think.

Come, let one take the bow that elder is.
This said, the bow and arrow he laid by,
And to the seat went where he sat before.
Then, said Antinous, The bow let’s try,
120In order as we sit. Let him therefore

Try first, whose table next the cupboard is,
And so to the right hand up, one by one.
The other suitors all approved this.
Leiodes was the first; so he begun;
125His place was low’st. He to the threshold went

To try his force; but to his tender hand
And feeble arms the bow would not relent.
Then down he laid it there, and lets it stand;
And to the suitors spake: This bow, says he,
130I cannot bend, some other take ’t in hand.

It’s like of many lords the death to be,
When by the strongest it comes to be mann’d.
For better ’tis to die than live and miss
The hopes you hither come for ev’ry day.

Ulysses makes himself known to Eumæus and Philœtius.

135And what is ’t any of you hope but this,

That you Ulysses’ consort marry may?
But when he shall this bow have understood,
Let him some other lady woo at ease
Amongst th’ Achæans whom he shall think good,
140And let Penelope take whom she please.

This said, the bow and arrow he set by,
And to the seat went where he sat before,
And by Antinous was angrily,
As soon as he had spoke, rebuk’d therefore.
145What say you? That this bow the death shall be

Of many lords? Why so? ’Cause you have not
The strength to bend it. Others have, you’ll see;
But you for bending bows were not begot.
Then to Melantheus he turn’d and said,
150Let fire be made, and a great chair set by ’t,

And let upon it cushions be laid,
And let us have good store of tallow white,
T’ anoint and warm, and supple make the bow,
And try if we perhaps may bend it then.
155Fire, chair, and cushions came, and grease enough,

But to no purpose; too weak were the men.
Antinous yet and Eurymachus
Gave it not over; these two were the best
Of all the suitors that came to the house:
160No hope at all remained for the rest.

Eumæus and Philœtius then went out
Together; after them Ulysses went,
And when they were the gate and court without,
Himself unto them to discover meant.
165And fair he spake them: Master of the kine,

And you Eumæus, master of the swine,
Shall I keep in, or speak a thought of mine?
To speak it out my heart does me incline.
What if Ulysses should come suddenly,
170Brought by some God, and stand before this rout,

On whose side, his or theirs, would you then be?
What your mind prompts you to, speak freely out.
Then answer’d him the master of the kine,
O that the Gods above would have it so,
175You’ld see the virtue of these hands of mine.

The master of the swine then said so too.
When now the hearts of both of them he knew,
He spake again and said, ’Tis I am he,
That after twenty years return to you;
180And know you longed have this day to see.

Of all my servants I find only you
That wish me here. If therefore it shall please
The Gods by me the suitors to subdue,
I’ll give you wealth enough to live at ease,
185And houses near me, and shall wedded live,

And brothers of Telemachus shall be.
And that you may assuredly believe
Ulysses speaks it, you a sign shall see.
With that he pull’d his rags beside his thigh,
190And lets them see the place the boar had rent,

Then when upon Parnassus’ mountain high
He with his uncle’s sons a hunting went.
And then they fling their arms about Ulysses,
And kiss his hand and shoulders, weeping sore;
195And he again embraced them with kisses,

Nor had till sunset weeping given o’er,
But that Ulysses hinder’d it. Give o’er, said he,
Your weeping, lest that some one come out hither,
And tell within what here without they see.
200Go in, but one by one, not altogether.

First I’ll go in, and then come you. Now mark.
I’ll pray the suitors I the bow may try.
If to my motion they refuse to hark,
Give it into my hand as you pass by;
205And you Eumæus bid the women shut

The house-doors all, nor suffer any one
O’ th’ men without the house his head to put.
And though within they hap to hear men groan,
That they stir not, but ply their business.
210The utter gate Philœtius lock you fast,

That to the house there may be no access.
This said, into the hall again he pass’d,
And after him his servants. Now the bow
Was in Eurymachus his hand by th’ fire.
215He warm’d and rubb’d, and did what he could do,

But for to bend it he was ne’er the nigher.
At this he vex’d, and took it heinously,
And, O, said he, ’tis not for my own part
I troubled am, but for the company,
220’Tis chiefly that I take so much to heart.

Nor is it for a wife that I complain;
For in Achaia ladies be enough;
But that we hope Penelope to gain,
Although we cannot bend Ulysses’ bow.
225Then, said Antinous, ’Twill not be so.

This day unto Apollo sacred is,
And not a day for bending of the bow;
Therefore to lay it by is not amiss.
And let the axes stand still as they do;
230For ’tis not like they will be stolen away,

And so go in and offer wine unto
The God. The bow may till to-morrow stay.
And bid Melanthus in the morning bring
Goats of the fattest, and whereof the savour

The suitors unable to bend the bow, which is bent by Ulysses.

235May from Apollo, of all archers king,

For bending of the bow procure us favour.
They all agree. Into the house they went.
The officers for hands the water hold;
The waiters fill the cups, and them present;
240And when they drunk had each man what he would,

Then spake Ulysses to the suitors thus:
Hear me, ye suitors, what I have to say,
Antinous, and you, Eurymachus,
For to you two ’tis chiefly that I pray;
245Since you the bending of the bow remit

To th’ Gods, to give to whom they please; and they
To-morrow doubtless will determine it;
Let me now of the bow make an essay,
That I may know whether my strength be spent,
250And what I could before now cannot do;

Whether I still be firm or do relent
With hardship, and with want of looking to.
These words of his made all the suitors mad
With fear that he indeed would bend the bow.
255Antinous gave him language very bad.

Thou wretched stranger, is it not enough
That of our feast thou hast an equal part,
And that of our discourse (and none but thou,
Stranger and beggar) made a hearer art?
260’Tis wine that makes thee not thyself to know;

For wine serves all men so that drink too much.
Wine hurt Eurytion, the centaur great;
His carriage in Perithous’ house was such,
Among the Lapithæ sitting at meat,
265That angry with ’t they were, and all arose,

And with sharp iron cut off both his ears,
And with the same they pared off his nose.
Away the cause of his own harm he bears.
From that day on, centaurs and men are foes.
270Themselves men hurt by wine immoderate.

So if you bend the bow, your ears you’ll lose;
For you’ll find here no prating advocate;
But to king Takim forthwith you shall go,
And he will of you make a cruel end.
275Therefore sit still, and let alone the bow;

Nor with men younger than yourself contend.
Then, said Penelope, I’d have you know,
Antinous, that you did very ill
To wrong Telemachus his guest. What though
280He bend the bow, d’ye think I take him will

For husband? I am sure you think not so.
Let none of you be sad with fear of that.
Then to her said Eurymachus, No, no;
That’s not the thing that we be troubled at.
285’Tis of our honour that we jealous be:

For how will men and women, think you, prate;
But that such suitors woo Penelope
As could not bend Ulysses’ bow, but that
A beggar that pass’d by by chance could bend it?
290Which unto us will be no little shame.

Who, said she, live on others’ means and spend it,
Should not stand much on honour and on fame;
Besides, this stranger is well made and tall,
And of a great man says he is the son.
295Give him the bow to try his strength withal;

For this I’ll promise him, and see it done:
If he do bend it, I’ll on him bestow
Good clothing, and a handsome coat and vest,
Shoes to his feet, dart, sword with edges two,
300And send him to such place as he thinks best.

Then spake to her Telemachus her son:
Mother, to give the bow, or to deny ’t,
Is in my power, and hinder me can none
In Elis, or Achaia, or here right from
305From giving it unto this stranger here,

If I think fit. But mother, pray go now
Up to your chamber, and look to your work,
And leave to us to dispute of the bow.
She mused on, and thought his counsel wise;
310And being in her chamber sore did weep

For the absence of her husband, till her eyes
By th’ Goddess Pallas closed were with sleep.
Eumæus now had brought the bow about,
And come it was to where Ulysses sat.
315The suitors all at once then cried out,

Swineherd, rogue, lout, what meanest thou by that?
If the Gods please to favour our design,
Thou shalt be slain and carried out of sight,
And there devoured be by thy own swine.
320This put Eumæus into a great fright.

Telemachus then roar’d on th’ other part,
Bear on the bow (t’ obey all is not best),
I’ll pelt thee, though that thou my elder art,
With stones home to thy hogsties, like a beast;
325For I the stronger am. O that I were

But so much stronger than these suitors all,
I soon of some of them the house should clear.
They laugh’d at this, and bated of their gall.
Eumæus then took up the bow agen,
330And gave it to Ulysses in his hand.

This done, Euryclea he called then.
It is, said he, Telemachus’ command
To lock the doors all; and that if you hear
Noise in the house of blows, or groaning men,
335Let none go forth, but at their work stay there.

This said, Euryclea went in agen,
And lock’d the doors. Philœtius likewise
Went silently and shut the utter gate,
And with a ship-rope that lay by, it ties,
340And coming back sits where before he sate;

And look’d upon Ulysses, who, to know
What work the worms had in his absence made;
This way and that way turning was the bow.
At this the suitors one t’ another said,
345This beggar surely has no little skill

In bows or in bow-stealing, or of ’s own
He has one like ’t, or make one like it will,
He doth examine it so up and down.
Another said, As he shall bend the bow,
350So let him find, as he is begging alms.

So mock’d they. When he view’d it had enough,
And holden it awhile had in his palms,
He bent it. As a fiddler does not spend
Very much labour the sheep’s gut to strain,
355So he, Ulysses his strong bow to bend

Did put himself to very little pain.
Then with his left hand he the string essay’d;
It sounded like the singing of a swallow.
The suitors then began to be afraid,
360And mighty claps of thunder straightway follow.

Jove’s token very welcome was t’ Ulysses.
Then to the bow he set a shaft, and there
Sitting, shot through the axes, not one misses.
The rest of th’ arrows in the quiver were.
365Then turning to Telemachus he said,

I have not sham’d you, nor have miss’d one axe,
Nor long a bending of the bow I staid:
You see then that the woo’rs me falsely tax.
But now ’tis time for after suppering,
370Ere day be done, and taking such delights,

As cups, discourse, and pleasant music bring;
For these of feasting are the common rites.
Then to his son with ’s eye he beckoned.
Telemachus that well him understood,
375With spear in hand and helmet on his head,

Came unto him, and close by his chair stood.

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LIB. XXI. - Homer, The English Works, vol. X (Iliad and Odyssey) [1839]

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LIB. XXI.