Still disguised as a beggar, I entered my home. I was then stopped in my tracks by the suitor, Antinous. He bellowed out then, "God! What evil wind blew in this pest? Get over, stand in the passage! Nudge my table, will you? Egyptian whips are sweet to what you'll come to here, you nosing rat, making your pitch to everyone! These men have bread to throw away on you because it is not theirs. Who cares? Who spares another's food, when he has more than plenty?"
With disgust I backed away, and spoke,
"A pity that you have more looks than heart. You'd grudge a pinch of salt form your own larder to your own handyman. You sit here, fat on others' meat, and cannot bring yourself to rummage out a crust of bread for me!" And all the while my son, brave and strong of heart, sat there watching, fists balled in anger.
I could see the anger in Antinous' eyes when he answered "You think you'll shuffle off and get away after that impudence? Oh, no you don't!" The stool he let fly hit my right shoulder, on the packed muscle under my shoulder blade- it had no effect that anyone saw. I shook my head as I walked on, thinking of the bloody death I would deal to this monster of a man later. I turned to face the crowd and met eyes with all as I spoke,
"One word only, my lords, and suitors of the famous queen. One think i have to say. There is no pain, no burden for the heart when blows come to a man, and he defending his own cattle- his own cows and lambs. He it was otherwise. Antinous hit me for being driven on by hunger- how many bitter seas men cross for hunger! May Antinous meet his death before his wedding day!"
There were many threats made and people did take up for me, the old beggar, people with good still in their hearts. My wife, Penelope, heard the blow and knew who gave it. She murmured now: "Would god you could be hit yourself, Antinous- hit by Apollo's bow shot!"
Her housekeeper put in: "He and no other? If all we pray for this to pass, not one would live to dawn!"
Her mistress spoke softly to her: "Oh, Nan they are a bad lot; they intend ruin for all of us; but Antinous appears a blacker-hearted hound than any. Here is a poor man come, a wanderer driven by want to beg his bread, and everyone in hall gave bits, to cram his bag-only Antinous threw a stool, and banged his shoulder!"
The mistress, thinking in her chamber among her maids, she called to the forester and said: "Go to that man on my behalf, Eumaeus, and send him here so I can greet and question him. Abroad in the great world, he may have heard rumors about Odysseus. He may have known him!"
My wife, still had hope in her heart that I would return, but did not know, I had already returned. We would be together soon, and forever more!
