Ctesippus.

What a scurvy beggar!

Eur. Eumæus, I bid thee take thy plague away!

A suitor. Nor want we thee to-day, old swine-driver.

Another. When the meat fails, we’ll send.

Ctes. Rascally knave.

Another. Go fat thy pigs!

Ctes. The hog-tub stands without: If thy old man be hungry, take him there.

Another. Ctesippus, force them forth.

Ctes. Begone, I say: Or I will drive you quicker than ye came.

Eur. Eumæus, hear me: take thy man away.

Eum. Nay, Lord Eurymachus, ’tis never thou Canst say begone to any from this hall, Nay, nor Antinous nor Ctesippus either: But if to me ye say it, ye forget How I stand here of right; nor is it like I stir for you. As for your music-making, Be still yourselves, and we can sit in peace, And listen with you.

Ant. Ye to sit with us, Insolent villain!

Eur. Whatsoe’er thy right, This filthy beggar is beyond all reason. Who is he?

Eum. Lord Eurymachus, this man, Mean as he is, hath here more privilege Than thou. He comes by invitation hither; He is the prince’s suppliant.

Eur. Now, Telemachus, Thou art reproached in this.

Eum. Come to reproach, I know a word.

Ant. Wag not thy beard at us, Thou low-bred hind.

Tel. Indeed, Eurymachus, I am not disgraced; for in my father’s hall Was ever room and welcome for all such As needed food and shelter: nay, and they Who most have need stand first; as doth this man. As for my servant, he hath given an answer To those that have reviled him.

Amph. If so be This beggar is thy guest and suppliant, His fitter place were still the outer court: Invite him thither.

Tel. I have bid him here. And here he shall remain. Fear not, good father, Go sit thee by the hearth: and thou, Amphinomus, Urge me not. I will have my way in this: Were there no other reason than this one, That I will have my way. Take thou that stool, Old man, and sit at ease: none here can touch thee.

Ctes. (to Ul. aside). Dare!

Ant. (to Eur.). Shall we brook this?

Eur. Prince Telemachus, Though thou be very son of great Ulysses, Think not to overrule us thus with words. Dispose thou mayst within fair reason’s bounds Even as thou wilt: so much in courtesy We grant, but not for fear; nor are our spirits Of stuff to suffer what indignities Thy haughty temper may prepare. In this We shall resist thee.

Tel. There be men in Ithaca Call thee not king, Eurymachus; though here Thou take so much on thee.

Ant. Ha! threat’st thou us? Telemachus! what next? This is’t to have been In Lacedæmon. Now may we, who ne’er Have looked upon the godlike Menelaus, Behold his mirror. Why, what game is this? Think’st thou with strength and might upon our side We bandy words? I say this ragged loon Shall not have place with us: the sight of him Hath turned my stomach. If for any bond Of blood or service thou set store by him, Thou mayst do better for his skinny bones Than stow them here. ’Twill not be many hours That he shall trouble us.

Tel. Ay, so may be. But wouldst thou kill him, Lord Antinous, It had been better to have waylaid his ship, Or set an ambush for him in the hills.

Ant. (aside). By heaven, I smart.

Eur. Peace, peace!

Amph. Hark, if the prince Persist, we may not say him nay. Be seated. Maybe our lady’s voice may interpose: Let us defer our grievance to the word Of sage Penelope.

Ant. How shall I sit In presence of such insult?

Eur. Sit thou down.

Ant. (aside to Ul.). Man, as thou lovest life, fly while thou mayst.

ULYSSES (to Ant.).

Kind sir, I am deaf. Ant. I’ll make thee deafer yet.

Tel. Phemius, we listen. Sit thou there, old man. Eumæus, take him meat and wine.

Ul. (sitting at r. front). I thank thee.

Ctes. Go further off, I pray; I’m not thy friend, Thou hoary plague.

Eur. Silence, the music sounds.

(Eumæus bears food to Ulysses, who eats and drinks during Phemius’ ode.)