By F. S. Marvin, R. J. C. Mayor, and F. M. Stowell

Ulysses sprang to the great threshold with the bow and quiver in his hand.  He poured out the arrows at his feet, and shouted to the princes, “So ends the game you could not play!  Now for another mark which no man has ever hit before!”

With that he shot at Antinous.  He, as it chanced, was just lifting a golden cup from the board, never dreaming that death would meet him there with all his comrades round him at the feast.  But before the wine touched his lips the arrow struck him in the throat, and the cup dropped from his hand, and he fell dying to the floor.  The princes sprang to their feet when they saw their comrade fallen, and looked round the walls for armor, but there was not a spear or shield to be found.  Then they turned in fury on Ulysses:  “Madman, are you shooting at men?  You have slain the noblest youth in Ithaca, and you shall not live to draw bow again.”

But Ulysses faced them sternly and said, “Dogs, you thought that I should never return.  You have rioted in my home, and outraged the women of my household, and you have wooed my own wife while I was yet a living man.  You took no thought for the Gods who rule in heaven, nor for the indignation of men in days hereafter.  Now your time is come.”

All grew pale as he spoke, and Eurymachus alone found words:  “If you are in truth King Ulysses, your words are just; there have been many shameful deeds done upon your lands and in your house.  But Antinous, who was the cause of all, lies dead; it was he who lead us on, hoping that he might take your kingdom for himself.  Spare us now that he has met his doom, for we are your own people; and we will make you full atonement for all that has been eaten and drunk in your halls.”

“Eurymachus, you might give me all you have, but even then I would not hold my hands until I had taken vengeance for every wrong.  You have your choice.  Fight, or fly, if you think that flight can save you.”

At that their knees shook beneath them, but Eurymachus cried, “Comrades, this man will have no mercy.  He has got the bow in his hands, and he will shoot us down from the threshold, so long as there is one of us left alive.  Draw your swords, and guard yourselves, with the tables; and let us all set upon him at once and drive him from the doorway.  If we can reach the city, we are safe.”

As he spoke he drew his sword and sprang forward with a cry; and at the same moment Ulysses shot.  The arrow struck him in the breast, and he dropped forward over the table, while the mist of death sank upon his eyes.  Then Amphinomus made a rush on the doorway.  But Telemachus was too quick for him; he hurled his spear and struck him from behind between the shoulders, and he fell crashing on the floor.  Telemachus sprang back, leaving the spear, for he dared not wait to draw it out.  He darted to his father’s side.  “Father, we ought to have armor; I will go and get weapons for us.”