Telemachus Intervenes

44Then interposed discreet Telemachus:
“Nay, have no strife of words with him, I pray.
Antinous takes delight in bitter words,
And rails, and stirs up railing in the rest.”
And then he turned, and thus with winged words
Bespoke Antinous: “Truly you do care
For me as might a father for a son,
Bidding me drive a stranger from my door
With violent words —which God forbid. Take now
Somewhat and give to him. I grudge it not,
Nay, I advise it. Fear not to offend
My mother, or displease a single one
Of all the household of the godlike chief,
Odysseus. But you have not thought of this.
It suits you best to feast and never give.”

45Antinous thus rejoined: “O utterer
Of big and braggart words! Telemachus,
If all the other suitors would bestow
As much as I will, he would not be seen
Within these halls for three months yet to come.”

46So speaking, he brought forward to the sight,
From underneath the board, a stool, on which
Rested his dainty feet. The others all
Gave somewhat to Odysseus, till his scrip
Was filled with meat and bread. Then as he went
Back to the threshold, there to feast on what
The Greeks had given him in his rounds, he stopped
Beside Antinous, and bespoke him thus: —