ARGUMENT.

The Fight of Ulyffes and Irus.

THE beggar Irus infults Ulyffes; the fuitors promote the quarrel, in which Irus is worfted, and miferably handled. Penelope defcends, and receives the prefents of the fuitors. The dialogue of Ulyffes with Eurymachus.

THE

ODYSSEY.

WE

HILE fix'd in thought the penfive hero fate,
A mendicant approach'd the royal gate;

A furly vagrant of the giant kind,

The stain of manhood, of a coward mind:
From feaft to feast, infatiate to devour
He flew, attendant on the genial hour.
Him on his mother's knees when babe he lay,
She nam'd Arnæus on his natal day:
But Irus his affociates call'd the boy,
Practis'd the common meffenger to fly;
Irus, a name expreffive of th' employ.

From his own roof, with meditated blows,
He ftrove to drive the man of mighty woes.

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Hence, dotard, hence! and timely speed thy way,
Left dragg'd in, vengeance thou repent thy ftay; is
See how with nods affent yon princely train!
But, honouring age, in mercy I refrain !
In peace away! left, if perfuafions fail,
This arm with blows more eloquent prevail,

To whom, with ftern regard: Oh infolence,
Indecently to rail without offence;
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What

What bounty gives, without a rival share;

I afk, what harms not thee, to breathe this air:
Alike on alms we both precarious live:

And canst thou envy when the great relieve?
Know, from the bounteous Heavens all riches flow,
And what man gives, the Gods by man bestow;
Proud as thou art, henceforth no more be proud,
Left I imprint my vengeance in thy blood;
Old as I am, fhould once my fury burn,

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How would'st thou fly, nor ev'n in thought return?
Mere woman-glutton! (thus the churl reply'd)
A tongue fo flippant, with a throat fo wide!
Why ceafe I, Gods! to dash those teeth away,
Like fome wild boar's, that, greedy of his prey, 35
Uproots the bearded corn? Rise, try the fight,
Gird well thy loins, approach and feel my might:
Sure of defeat, before the peers engage;
Unequal fight! when youth contends with age!
Thus in a wordy war their tongues display
More fierce intents, preluding to the fray;
Antinous hears, and, in a jovial vein,
Thus with loud laughter to the fuitor-train:

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This happy day in mirth, my friends, employ, And, lo! the Gods confpire to crown our joy. See ready for the fight, and hand to hand, Yon furly mendicants contentious ftand; Why urge we not to blows? Well pleas'd they fpring Swift from their feats, and thickening form a ring. To whom Antinous: Lo! enrich'd with blood, 50 A kid's well-fatted entrails (tasteful food)..

On

On glowing embers lie; on him bestow
The choiceft portion who fubdues his foe;
Grant him unrival'd in these walls to stay,
The fole attendant on the genial day.

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The lords applaud: Ulyffes then with art, And fears well-feign'd, difguis'd his dauntless heart: Worn as I am with age, decay'd with woe,

Say, is it basenefs to decline the foe?

Hard conflict! when calamity and age

With vigorous youth, unknown to cares, engage!
Yet, fearful of difgrace, to try the day
Imperious hunger bids, and I obey ;
But fwear, impartial arbiters of right,
Swear to ftand neutral, while we cope in fight.
The peers affent when ftraight his facred head
Telemachus uprais'd, and fternly faid:

Stranger, if prompted to chaftife the wrong

Of this bold infolent; confide, be strong!

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Th' injurious Greek, that dares attempt a blow, 70
That inftant makes Telemachus his foe;

And these my friends* fhall guard the facred ties
Of hospitality, for they are wife.

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Then, girding his strong loins, the king prepares To close in combat, and his body bares; Broad fpread his shoulders, and his nervous thighs By just degrees, like well-turn'd columns, rife: Ample his chest, his arms are round and long, And each ftrong joint Minerva knits more ftrong (Attendant on her chief): the fuitor-crowd With wonder gaze, and gazing fpeak aloud;

* Antinous and Eurymachus.
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Irus!