Thus she spake, and the steadfast goodly Odysseus rejoiced because she drew from them gifts, and beguiled their souls with soothing words, while her heart was set on other things.

Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered her again:  ’Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, the gifts which any of the Achaeans may choose to bring hither, do thou take; for it were ill to withhold a gift.  But we for our part will neither go to our lands nor otherwhere, before thou art wedded to the best man of the Achaeans.’

So spake Antinous, and the saying pleased them well, and each man sent a henchman to bring his gifts.  For Antinous his henchman bare a broidered robe, great and very fair, wherein were golden brooches, twelve in all, fitted with well bent clasps.  And the henchman straightway bare Eurymachus a golden chain of curious work, strung with amber beads, shining like the sun.  And his squires bare for Eurydamas a pair of ear-rings, with three drops well wrought, and much grace shone from them.  And out of the house of Peisander the prince, the son of Polyctor, the squire brought a necklet, a very lovely jewel.  And likewise the Achaeans brought each one some other beautiful gift.

Then the fair lady went aloft to her upper chamber, and her attendant maidens bare for her the lovely gifts, while the wooers turned to dancing and the delight of song, and therein took their pleasure, and awaited the coming of eventide.  And dark evening came on them at their pastime.  Anon they set up three braziers in the halls, to give them light, and on these they laid firewood all around, faggots seasoned long since and sere, and new split with the axe.  And midway by the braziers they placed torches, and the maids of Odysseus, of the hardy heart, held up the lights in turn.  Then the prince Odysseus of many counsels himself spake among them saying: 

’Ye maidens of Odysseus, the lord so long afar, get ye into the chambers where the honoured queen abides, and twist the yarn at her side, and gladden her heart as ye sit in the chamber, or card the wools with your hands; but I will minister light to all these that are here.  For even if they are minded to wait the throned Dawn, they shall not outstay me, so long enduring am I.’

So he spake, but they laughed and looked one at the other.  And the fair Melantho chid him shamefully, Melantho that Dolius begat, but Penelope reared, and entreated her tenderly as she had been her own child, and gave her playthings to her heart’s desire.  Yet, for all that, sorrow for Penelope touched not her heart, but she loved Eurymachus and was his paramour.  Now she chid Odysseus with railing words: 

’Wretched guest, surely thou art some brain-struck man, seeing that thou dost not choose to go and sleep at a smithy, or at some place of common resort, but here thou pratest much and boldly among many lords and hast no fear at heart.  Verily wine has got about thy wits, or perchance thou art always of this mind, and so thou dost babble idly.  Art thou beside thyself for joy, because thou hast beaten the beggar Irus?  Take heed lest a better man than Irus rise up presently against thee, to lay his mighty hands about thy head and bedabble thee with blood, and send thee hence from the house.’