Two Beggars
Then came a man who begged throughout the town of Ithaca, notorious for greed.
He ate and drank nonstop, so he was fat but weak, with no capacity for fighting.
The name his mother gave him as a child
was Arnaeus, but all the young men called him Irus, because he was their messenger.
Now this man tried to chase Odysseus from his own home, and cursed him.
“Get away,
old man! Get out! Or else you will be dragged 10
out by the foot! Do you not see the suitors winking to tell me I must throw you out?
This is embarrassing for me; I must
make you get up right now! Or we must fight!”
Scowling at him, Odysseus said, “Fool!
I did not do you wrong or speak against you.
I am not jealous of another beggar receiving gifts, however much he gets. This doorway can accommodate us both.
Do not hog all the wealth; it is not yours. 20
You seem to be a homeless man, like me. Gods give all mortal blessings. Do not stir me to fight or lose my temper. I am old
but I will crack your ribs and smash your face to bloody pulp—then I will have a day
of peace tomorrow; you will not return here to the palace of Odysseus.”
Irus the vagabond was furious.
“This greedy pig yaks on like some old woman scrubbing an oven! I will hurt him, punch him 30
two-fisted, and rip out his teeth, as farmers pull out the tusks from pigs that damage crops.
Get ready! Let them watch. How could you be
so dumb, to pick a fight with someone younger?”
So on the threshold at the palace doors their furious aggression reached its peak.
Antinous, that saintly lord, incited
the fight and with a chuckle told the suitors,
“My friends! We never had so fine a show
brought to this house before. The gods be thanked, 40
these two are getting ready for a brawl. Quick, let us goad them on!”
They all jumped up, laughing, and gathered round the ragged beggars.
Antinous addressed them.
“Listen, suitors!
Goat stomachs stuffed with fat and blood are roasting over the fire for dinner. Let the beggar
who wins the fight choose one of these and take it; and he can always eat with us in future,
and we will let no other beggar come to share our company.”
They all agreed. 50
The strategist Odysseus deceived them, saying, “My friends, there is no way a man as old as me, worn down by suffering,
can fight a younger man. My hunger forces bad choices, tempting me to take the beating. But swear a mighty oath that none of you will step up to help Irus out and hit me roughly with fists and make me lose to him.”
All of them swore the oath as he had asked. The holy prince Telemachus said,
“Guest, 60
if your brave spirit urges you to fight
against this challenger, you need not worry about the others. Anyone who strikes you will face a multitude. I am your host;
Eurymachus and this Antinous
are sensible and they agree with me.”
They all consented, and Odysseus
took off his rags and tied them round his waist, revealing massive thighs and mighty shoulders, enormous chest and sturdy arms. Athena 70
stood near him and increased his strength, to suit the shepherd of the people. All the suitors
were flabbergasted, and they said,
“This means the end of Irus—brought upon himself!
What muscles underneath the old man’s rags!”
Irus was deeply troubled and afraid;
his heart sank. But the house slaves made him gird his tunic and get ready. He was shaking.
Antinous said,
“Haha, you big show-off!
You would be better dead than so afraid 80
of some old man worn down by suffering.
If this man beats you, proving he is stronger, I will toss you on board a ship and send you off to King Echetus in mainland Greece,
the lord of cruelty and pain. He will
cut off your nose and ears with pitiless bronze, and then your genitals, and he will give them raw to his dogs to eat.”
These words increased his shakiness. Escorted to the ring,
he stood. Both raised their fists. Odysseus, 90
who had endured so many insults, wondered if he should hit him hard enough to kill him, or give him just a tap to knock him down.
A light touch would be best, he thought, in case the suitors cottoned on. They came to blows.
First Irus hit Odysseus’ shoulder;
Odysseus punched Irus on his neck
below the ear, and broke his jaw. Red blood gushed from his mouth, and with a moan he fell,
teeth chattering, legs flailing. Then the suitors 100
threw up their hands to cheer, and died of laughter. Odysseus seized Irus by the foot,
dragging him through the gateway to the courtyard, and propped him by the wall. He put a staff
into his hand, and said,
“Sit there and keep the dogs and pigs away! You good-for-nothing! You must not bully visitors and beggars,
or you will suffer even worse than this!”
Then picking up his ragged bag, he slung it
across his shoulders by the strap and sat 110
beside the door again. The suitors went inside and raised their cups.
“May all the gods and Zeus give you your heart’s desire! That Irus was sponging everywhere, the greedy pig.
You put a stop to him, and we will send him to Echetus, the king of mass destruction.”
Odysseus was thrilled to hear this omen. Antinous set out the big goat’s stomach, stuffed full of blood and fat, in front of him.
Amphinomus provided two bread baskets, 120
and a gold cup of wine, and welcomed him.
“Sir, be our guest, and may your future luck
be good, though now you have so many troubles.”
Odysseus replied, his wits about him, “Amphinomus, you seem intelligent, like Nisus of Dulichium, your father;
I heard about his wealth and excellence,
and that you are his son. You are well-spoken.
Take note of what I say. Of all the creatures
that live and breathe and creep on earth, we humans 130
are weakest. When the gods bestow on us good fortune, and our legs are spry and limber, we think that nothing can ever can go wrong; but when the gods bring misery and pain,
we have to bear our suffering with calm.
Our mood depends on what Zeus sends each day. I once had what most people count as wealth, great riches. I committed many crimes,
of violence, abuses of my power,
abetted by my brothers and my father. 140
No one should turn away from what is right; a man should quietly accept whatever
the gods may give. I see how wickedly the suitors are behaving—wasting wealth and failing to respect the wife of one who soon will come back to his family
and homeland. Very soon! May spirits guide you home, so you do not meet him when he comes.
When he confronts the suitors in this hall there will be blood.”
Eurynome replied, “My child,
your words make sense. But you should wash and oil your skin, not go with blotches on your face
to have this conversation with your son. You should not grieve forever, and your boy is older now. You always begged the gods to let you see him grown up, with a beard.”
Penelope replied with circumspection, “Eurynome, I know you care for me,
but do not tell me I should wash myself 180
and put on oil. The gods destroyed my beauty that day my husband left in hollow ships.
Go call my slave girls, Hippodameia and Autonoe—they must come with me into the hall. I do not want to go
to meet the men alone. It would be shameful.” So the old woman went and called the girls.
Athena’s eyes were bright with plans. She poured sweet sleep onto Penelope, who lay
down on her couch; her joints relaxed; she slept. 190
Athena gave her gifts of godlike power,
to make the men astonished when they saw her. She put ambrosial beauty on her face,
the kind that Aphrodite, wreathed in myrtle, uses before she dances with the Graces.
She also made her shapelier and taller, and made her skin more white than ivory.
The goddess left. The girls came in; their talking woke up the queen. She felt her cheeks and said,
“Despite my bitter grief, a peaceful sleep 200
enveloped me. If only Artemis
would bring me gentle death right now to end my misery. I waste my life in longing
for my beloved husband, who was good at everything—the best of the Achaeans.”
She went down from her sunny room upstairs.
The two slaves went with her. She reached the suitors, and stood beside the central pillar, holding
her gauzy veil before her face. Her two
trustworthy slaves stood either side of her. 210
The suitors weakened at the knees; desire bewitched them, and they longed to lie with her. She spoke to her dear son, Telemachus.
“Telemachus, you are not thinking straight. When you were still a child, you had good sense.
Now you are bigger; you have reached adulthood. You are so tall and so good-looking now!
People can see you are a rich man’s son; even a foreigner would know at once.
And yet your judgment is askew. What happened, 220
that you allowed a guest to be insulted? If strangers in our house are so abused,
what then? You will be shamed! Your reputation will be destroyed!”
Telemachus replied with calculated purpose. “Mother, I do not blame you for being angry. In my heart
I do know right and wrong. I used to be a child; I am not now. But I cannot
even afford to think my own heart’s thoughts. Those evil suitors keep distracting me, 230
and I have no one on my side. This fight between the stranger and that beggar Irus
did not turn out as they had wished; the stranger was much the stronger. Father Zeus! Apollo!
Athena! May the suitors in our house
be beaten and bow down their heads, some in
the house, and some outside. May each man’s body grow weak—like Irus, out there at the gate,
sitting with head slumped down, as if he were intoxicated; he cannot stand up 240
nor go back home. His body is too frail.”
And then Eurymachus spoke up and said, “O Queen Penelope! Wise, prudent daughter of great Icarius! If all the Greeks
could see you now, there would be far more suitors feasting here in your house, from dawn to dusk, because no other woman equals you
in beauty, stature, and well-balanced mind.”
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Penelope replied with caution. “No, |
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the deathless gods destroyed my looks that day |
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the Greeks embarked for Troy, and my own husband |
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Odysseus went with them. If he came |
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and started taking care of me again, |
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I would regain my good name and my beauty. |
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I am weighed down by grief. A spirit set |
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so many troubles on me. At the time |
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that he left Ithaca, my husband grabbed |
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my wrist, took my right hand, and said to me, |
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‘Now wife, I do not think we armored Greeks |
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will all come home unharmed from Troy. They say |
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the Trojans are good warriors with arrows |
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and javelins, and they ride chariots |
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drawn by swift horses, which can quickly turn |
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the tide of war, in which so many die. |
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Some god may bring me home, or I may be |
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captured out there in Troy. I do not know. |
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You must remember this: my parents need |
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to be well cared for in our house, as much |
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as now or more so with me gone away. |
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When our son’s beard has grown, you must get married |
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to any man you choose, and leave your house.’ |
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Those were my husband’s words. The time has come; |
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the night when I must marry is at hand. |
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Terrible! I am cursed! Zeus took away |
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my happiness. Another bitter thought |
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oppresses me: it is not right or proper |
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to court a decent woman in this way, |
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a rich man’s wife, competing for her hand. |
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They ought to bring fat sheep and cows to feed |
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my family, and give fine gifts, not eat 280
what is not theirs, and offer nothing back.”
Odysseus, who had endured so much, was happy she was secretly procuring
presents, and charming them with pretty words, while her mind moved elsewhere.
Antinous said, “Wise Penelope, take all the presents
that any of the Greeks would like to bring.
Refusing gifts is not polite. But we
will not go back to our own farms or elsewhere,
until you choose the best of us to marry.” 290
They all agreed and sent their men for gifts. Antinous brought out a splendid robe, embroidered, with twelve brooches of pure gold pinned to the fabric. And Eurymachus
gave her a necklace, finely worked in gold
set in with amber beads that shone like sunlight. Two slaves brought earrings from Eurydamas.
They sparkled beautifully, and triple clusters like berries hung from each. Pisander’s slave
brought her a lovely choker, finely made. 300
All of the suitors gave her different gifts.
The queen went upstairs to her room; her slaves carried the splendid presents. Then the suitors turned back to watch the dancing and enjoy
the captivating music. They stayed there
in pleasure, till black evening came. They set three braziers to light the whole great hall,
stuffed with dry wood, well seasoned and fresh cut, combined with kindling. The slave girls owned
by firm Odysseus took turns to light them. 310
The king himself had all his wits about him, and said,
“Slave girls! Odysseus, your master, has been long gone. Go back and sit beside
the queen and comfort her. Spin yarn or comb the wool. I can provide these men with light. If they decide to stay here till bright Dawn rides on her lovely throne, I will not be defeated. I am tough.”
At that, the girls began to giggle, peeking at each other.
Pretty Melantho, child of Dolius, 320
had been brought up by Queen Penelope, who gave her toys and treated her just like a daughter. But Melantho, unconcerned about Penelope, was sleeping with Eurymachus. She started to insult Odysseus, and taunt him.
“Poor old stranger!
You are insane! You did not want to sleep out in the smithy or the public shelter;
instead, you come here talking high and mighty
among this crowd of men. Are you not scared? 330
Wine may have dulled your senses, or perhaps you always say such idiotic things.
Has your defeat of Irus made you crazy?
That beggar? Then watch out, a better man
may fight you soon, and punch your face so hard you will be kicked out of this house all drenched in blood.”
Odysseus scowled back and said, “You little dog! I will soon go and tell Telemachus what you have said, so he
can slice you limb from limb!”
That made the women 340
tremble with fear; they thought he spoke the truth. They scattered through the house. He took his stand beside the braziers to keep them lit,
and looked at all the suitors. In his heart
he formed his plans, which soon would be fulfilled.
Athena wanted pain to sink down deep inside Odysseus. She made the suitors
keep taunting him. Eurymachus was jeering to make the others laugh.
“Now listen, suitors!
I have an intuition that this man 350
has come into Odysseus’ house
through some god’s will. His head is shining brightly under the lanterns’ light—perhaps because
he is completely bald!”
And then he turned and asked Odysseus, the city-sacker,
“Stranger, if I was hiring, would you like to labor on a distant farm for me?
You would be paid for sure, if you could plant
tall trees, and build stone walls, and I would give you
your meals all year and clothes, including footwear. 360
But you are only skilled at wickedness. You have no wish to work. You like to beg, traipsing around to stuff your greedy belly.”
Crafty Odysseus said, “How I wish, Eurymachus, that we could have a contest in springtime in the meadow, when the days are growing longer; I would have a scythe of perfect curvature and so would you.
The grass would be abundant; we would test
our skill by working all day long, not eating 370
until late evening. Or if we could plow using a pair of fine and well-fed oxen, strong and both equal in their power to pull, and if we had four acres of good soil,
then you would see if I know how to cut a furrow straight. Or if Zeus suddenly made war begin tomorrow, and I had
two spears, a shield, and a helmet all of bronze close-fitted to my head, you would see me
amid the throng of fighters at the front— 380
and you would not hurl insults at my belly.
You act aggressive, and you think you are
a big strong man, because you spend your time among this tiny group of lowborn louts.
But if Odysseus appeared, the doors—
which are quite wide—would start to seem too narrow, as you were struggling to get away.”
Scowling with rage, Eurymachus replied, “You nasty hobo! I will make you pay
for showing off in front of all of us. 390
You should be scared! The wine has made you stupid, or maybe you are always talking nonsense;
or you are all puffed up from having won over the beggar Irus!”
Then he hurled a footstool at Odysseus, who ducked behind Amphinomus in fear; it hit
the right hand of the slave boy serving wine; the wine jug fell and clattered on the ground.
The boy fell backwards on the dust and moaned.
The suitors’ shouts resounded through the shadows: 400
“Too bad this foreign drifter did not die before he came here causing all this bother! These arguments with beggars are disrupting our banquet; it is spoiling our nice evening. This silly fuss is dominating things.”
Telemachus spoke up with dignity. “Most noble lords! This is insanity.
Perhaps you dined too well, or else some god is stirring you. Now you have finished dinner,
go home and sleep, whenever you are ready. 410
I will not force you out.”
They bit their lips, surprised at the self-confidence he showed.
Amphinomus, the famous son of Nisus, grandson of Lord Aretias, spoke out
to all of them.
“My friends! What he has said was fair; no one need take offense. Do not
abuse the stranger, nor the slaves who work in great Odysseus’ house. The boy
should fill the cups with wine, so we can pour libations, then go home. Telemachus 420
can take care of the stranger—after all, the beggar came to his house.”
They agreed.
And Moulius, the slave Amphinomus
had brought there from Dulichium, mixed wine for all of them and shared the drinks around.
They poured libations to the gods and sipped the cheering wine. When they had had enough, each of them went back home, to his own bed.
