Athena Tests Odysseus

32He spoke, and woke new anger in the heart
Of Athena, and she chid Odysseus thus: —

33“Odysseus, you are not, in might of arm
And courage, what you were when waging war
Nine years without a pause against the men
Of Troy for Helen’s sake, the child of Zeus,
And many did you slay in deadly strife,
And Priam’s city, with its spacious streets,
Was taken through your counsels. How is it
That, coming to your own possessions here
And your own palace, you do sadly find
Your ancient valor fail you in the strife
Against the suitors? Now draw near, my friend,
And stand by me, and see what I shall do,
And own that Mentor, son of Alcimus,
Amid a press of foes requites your love.”

34She spoke, but gave not to Odysseus yet
The certain victory; for she meant to put
To further proof the courage and the might
Both of Odysseus and his emulous son.
To the broad palace roof she rose, and sat
In shape a swallow. Agelaus now,
Damastor’s son, cheered on with gallant words
His friends; so also did Amphimedon,
Eurynomus, and Demoptolemus,
Polyctor’s son, Peisander, and with these
Sagacious Polybus. These six excelled
In valor all the suitors who survived,
And they were fighting for their lives. The bow
And the fleet shafts had smitten down their peers.
Thus to his fellows Agelaus spoke: —

35“O friends, this man will now be forced to stay
His fatal hand. See, Mentor leaves his side,
After much empty boasting, and those four
Are at the entrance gate alone. Now aim
At him with your long spears —not all at once,
Let six first hurl their weapons, and may Zeus
Grant that we strike Odysseus down, and win
Great glory! For the others at his side
We care but little, if their leader fail.”

36He spoke; they hearkened. Eagerly they cast
Their lances. Athena made their aim to err.
One struck a pillar of the massive pile;
One struck the panelled door; one ashen shaft,
Heavy with metal, rang against the wall.