Struck by a Footstool

50He spoke. Antinous grew more angry still,
And frowned and answered him with winged words: —

51“Dealer in saucy words! I hardly think
That you will leave this palace unchastised.”

52He spoke, and raised the footstool in his hand,
And smote Odysseus on the lower part
Of the right shoulder. Like a rock he stood,
Unmoved beneath the blow Antinous gave,
But shook his head in silence as he thought
Of vengeance. Then, returning, he sat down
Upon the threshold, where he laid his scrip
Well filled, and thus bespoke the suitor-train: —

53“Hear me, you suitors of the illustrious queen.
Grief or resentment no man feels for blows
Received by him while fighting for his own —
His beeves or white-woolled sheep. But this man here,
Antinous, dealt that blow on me because
I have an empty stomach; hunger brings
Great mischiefs upon men. If there be gods
Or furies who avenge the poor, may death
Overtake Antinous ere his marriage-day!”