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The families of the suitors, led by Eupeithes father of Antinoös, take arms and attack Odysseus at his father's farm:
Laertes also rejoiced, and said to them:
"What day is this for me, dear gods? I am very happy.
My son and my son's son are contending over their courage."
Then standing close by grey-eyed Athene said to him:
"Son of Arkeisos, far dearest of all my companions,
make your prayer to the grey-eyed girl and to Zeus her father,
then quickly balance your far-shadowing spear, and throw it."
So Pallas Athene spoke, and breathed into him enormous
strength, and, making his prayer to the daughter of great Zeus,
he quickly balance his far-shadowing spear, and threw it,
and struck Eupeithes on the brazen side of his helmet,
nor could the helm hold off the spear, but the bronze smashed clean through.
He fell thunderously, and his armour clattered upon him.
Odysseus and his glorious son fell upon their front fighters,
and began to strike with swords and stab with spears leaf-headed.
And now they would have killed them all, and given none of them
homecoming, had not Athene, daughter of Zeus of the aegis,
cried out in a great voice and held back all the company:
"Hold back, men of Ithaka, from the wearisome fighting,
so that most soon, and without blood, you can settle everything." |
