Melanthius Rearms Suitors

16In the strong wall there was a postern door,
And, near the outer threshold of the pile,
A passage from it to a narrow lane,
Closed with well-fitting doors. Odysseus bade
The noble swineherd take his station there.
And guard it well, as now the only way
Of entrance. Agelaus called aloud
To all his fellows, and bespoke them thus: —

17“Friends! will no one among you all go up
To yonder postern door, and make our plight
Known to the people? Then the alarm would spread,
And this man haply will have shot his last.”

18Melanthius, keeper of the goats, replied:
“Nay, noble Agelaus; it is too near
The palace gate; the entrance of the lane
Is narrow, and a single man, if brave,
Against us all might hold it. I will bring
Arms from the chamber to equip you all;
For there within, and nowhere else, I deem,
Odysseus and his son laid up their arms.”

19Thus having said, the keeper of the goats,
Melanthius, climbed the palace stairs, and gained
The chamber of Odysseus. Taking thence
Twelve shields, as many spears, as many helms
Of brass, with each its heavy horsehair plume,
He came, and gave them to the suitors’ hands.
Then sank the hero’s heart, and his knees shook
As he beheld the suitors putting on
Their armor, and uplifting their long spears.
The mighty task appalled him, and he thus
Bespoke Telemachus with winged words: —