So he spake, and they all held their peace.  Then Amphinomus made harangue and spake out among them; he was the famous son of Nisus the prince, the son of Aretias, and he led the wooers that came from out Dulichium, a land rich in wheat and in grass, and more than all the rest his words were pleasing to Penelope, for he was of an understanding mind.  And now of his good will he made harangue, and spake among them: 

’Friends, I for one would not choose to kill Telemachus; it is a fearful thing to slay one of the stock of kings!  Nay, first let us seek to the counsel of the gods, and if the oracles of great Zeus approve, myself I will slay him and bid all the rest to aid.  But if the gods are disposed to avert it, I bid you to refrain.’

So spake Amphinomus, and his saying pleased them well.  Then straightway they arose and went to the house of Odysseus, and entering in sat down on the polished seats.

Then the wise Penelope had a new thought, namely, to show herself to the wooers, so despiteful in their insolence; for she had heard of the death of her son that was to be in the halls, seeing that Medon the henchman had told her of it; who heard their counsels.  So she went on her way to the hall, with the women her handmaids.  Now when that fair lady had come unto the wooers, she stood by the pillar of the well-builded roof, holding up her glistening tire before her face, and rebuked Antinous and spake and hailed him: 

’Antinous, full of all insolence, deviser of mischief! and yet they say that in the land of Ithaca thou art chiefest among thy peers in counsel and in speech.  Nay, no such man dost thou show thyself.  Fool! why indeed dost thou contrive death and doom for Telemachus, and hast no regard unto suppliants who have Zeus to witness?  Nay but it is an impious thing to contrive evil one against another.  What! knowest thou not of the day when thy father fled to this house in fear of the people, for verily they were exceeding wroth against him, because he had followed with Taphian sea robbers and harried the Thesprotians, who were at peace with us.  So they wished to destroy thy father and wrest from him his dear life, and utterly to devour all his great and abundant livelihood; but Odysseus stayed and withheld them, for all their desire.  His house thou now consumest without atonement, and his wife thou wooest, and wouldst slay his son, and dost greatly grieve me.  But I bid thee cease, and command the others to do likewise.’

Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered her saying:  ’Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, take courage, and let not thy heart be careful for these things.  The man is not, nor shall be, nor ever shall be born, that shall stretch forth his hands against Telemachus, thy son, while I live and am on earth and see the light.  For thus will I declare to thee, and it shall surely come to pass.  Right quickly shall the black blood of such an one flow about our spear; for Odysseus, waster of cities, of a truth did many a time set me too upon his knees, and gave me roasted flesh into my hand, and held the red wine to my lips.  Wherefore Telemachus is far the dearest of all men to me, and I bid him have no fear of death, not from the wooers’ hands; but from the gods none may avoid it.’