Chapter 24 Odysseus mocked

The suitors feasted wildly until dusk.It was getting dark, and the maids set up three braziers in the hall, with pine wood inside, and lit them for lighting.Odysseus, seeing them fanning the flames, approached them and said, "Maids, you must go upstairs to the mercy of the queen. Leave it to me to light the hall!" Even if the suitor feasts until dawn, I won't be exhausted! " The maids looked at each other and laughed loudly.Finally, Melanto, a handsome and young maidservant, said mockingly: "Poor beggar, you don't find a place to spend the night, but here you tell us, you shouldn't stay here, here are noble people. Are you drunk or crazy? Look at you Defeated Iros's happy look! You still have to be careful, don't let a strong man beat you until you vomit blood, and then be dragged out by him." Melanto was raised by Penelope himself Like her own daughter, she is now the mistress of the suitor Eurymachus.

"You shameless little bitch," Odysseus said angrily, "I will tell Telemachus what you said, and he will punish you severely." The maids retreated in fear. go down.Odysseus sat by the brazier fanning the flames, thinking of plans for revenge.Athena encouraged the suitors to continue taunting him.Eurymachus said to his companions: "This man may be a torch sent to us by the gods. You see, his head is bald and there is no hair. Isn't it as bright as a torch?" The words caused a roar of laughter.He turned to Odysseus again and said, "Listen, man! How about being my servant? Then you won't go hungry.

But it seems to me that you would rather beg than work. " "Eurymachus," replied Odysseus in a firm voice, "if only it were spring, and I could go down to the field with you and have a competition to mow. Then we could see who could bear more hardships! Perhaps you would Would like to compete with me in the war to see what kind of person I am. Then you will not dare to laugh at me anymore. You think you are tall and strong because you have not met a strong opponent. Etc Go ahead, if Odysseus does come back, you'll be in for a treat." Eurymachus was furious. "Bastard," he cried, "I'll show you what I can do right now." With that, he grabbed a low stool and threw it at Odysseus.Odysseus stooped to dodge it, but the stool flew over his head and hit the hands of the bartender behind him, and the jug fell to the ground with a clang.

The suitors scolded the stranger for spoiling their conviviality.Finally, Telemachus politely but firmly asked them to go back and rest.Then Amphinomus stood up and said: "Telemachus is right. My friends, let us fill up the golden cup, perform the ceremony, and then each go to bed."