Gifts for the Queen

37She spoke, Odysseus was rejoiced to see
That thus she sought to draw from each a gift,
With fair and artful words. Yet were his thoughts
Intent on other plans. Eupeithes’ son,
Antinous, thus made answer to the queen: —

38“Sage daughter of Icarius, only deign
To take the gifts which any of the Greeks
Will bring —nor is it gracious to reject
A present —yet be sure we go not hence,
To our estates nor elsewhere, till you make
A bridegroom of the best Achaian here.”

39So spoke Antinous. All approved his words,
And each sent forth a herald for his gift.
The herald of Antinous brought to him
A robe of many colors, beautiful
And ample, with twelve golden clasps, which each
Had its well-fitted eye. Eurymachus
Received a golden necklace, richly wrought,
And set with amber beads, that glowed as if
With sunshine. To Eurydamas there came
A pair of earrings, each a triple gem,
Daintily fashioned and of exquisite grace.
Two servants bore them. From Pisander’s house —
Son of the Prince Polyctor —there was brought
A collar of rare beauty. Thus did each
Bestow a different yet becoming gift.
And then that most august of women went
Back to the upper chambers with her maids,
Who bore the sumptuous presents, while below
The suitors turned them to the dance and song,
Amused till evening came. Its darkness stole
Over their pastime. Then they brought and placed
Three hearths to light the palace, heaping them
With wood, well dried and hard and newly cleft.
With this they mingled flaming brands. The maids
Of the great sufferer, Odysseus, fed
The fire by turns. To them the hero spoke: —