by the ships, and to guard the ship, and I sent forth scouts to range the points of outlook.  Now they gave place to wantonness, being the fools of their own force, and soon they fell to wasting the fields of the Egyptians, exceeding fair, and carried away their wives and infant children, and slew the men.  And the cry came quickly to the city, and the people heard the shout and came forth at the breaking of the day; and all the plain was filled with footmen and horsemen and with the glitter of bronze.  And Zeus, whose joy is in the thunder, sent an evil panic upon my company, and none durst stand and face the foe:  for danger encompassed us on every side.  There they slew many of us with the edge of the sword, and others they led up with them alive to work for them perforce.  But they gave me to a friend who met them, to take to Cyprus, even to Dmetor son of Iasus, who ruled mightily over Cyprus; and thence, behold, am I now come hither in sore distress.’

Then Antinous answered, and spake, saying:  ’What god hath brought this plague hither to trouble the feast?  Stand forth thus in the midst, away from my table, lest thou come soon to a bitter Egypt and a sad Cyprus; for a bold beggar art thou and a shameless.  Thou standest by all in turn and recklessly they give to thee, for they hold not their hand nor feel any ruth in giving freely of others’ goods, for that each man has plenty by him.’

Then Odysseus of many counsels drew back and answered him:  ’Lo now, I see thou hast not wisdom with thy beauty!  From out of thine own house thou wouldest not give even so much as a grain of salt to thy suppliant, thou who now even at another’s board dost sit, and canst not find it in thy heart to take of the bread and give it me, where there is plenty to thy hand.’

He spake, and Antinous was mightily angered at heart, and looked fiercely on him and spake winged words: 

’Henceforth, methinks, thou shalt not get thee out with honour from the hall, seeing thou dost even rail upon me.’

Therewith he caught up the foot-stool and smote Odysseus at the base of the right shoulder by the back.  But he stood firm as a rock, nor reeled he beneath the blow of Antinous, but shook his head in silence, brooding evil in the deep of his heart.  Then he went back to the threshold, and sat him there, and laid down his well-filled scrip, and spake among the wooers: 

’Hear me, ye wooers of the renowned queen, and I will say what my spirit within me bids me.  Verily there is neither pain nor grief of heart, when a man is smitten in battle fighting for his own possessions, whether cattle or white sheep.  But now Antinous hath stricken me for my wretched belly’s sake, a thing accursed, that works much ill for men.  Ah, if indeed there be gods and Avengers of beggars, may the issues of death come upon Antinous before his wedding!’

Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered him:  ’Sit and eat thy meat in quiet, stranger, or get thee elsewhere, lest the young men drag thee by hand or foot through the house for thy evil words, and strip all thy flesh from off thee.’