Thus he spoke; and he sat down again on a well-polished seat, and having satiated his mind with eating and drinking, he went to the swine: and he left the enclosures and the palace full of feasters; but they were delighted with the dance and the song; for afternoon[1] had now come on.
BOOK XVIII.
ARGUMENT.
And there also[2] came a public beggar, who begged through the city of Ithaca, and he surpassed others[3] in his raving belly, to eat and drink without ceasing:[4] nor had he might or force; but he was very large in form to behold. And Arnasus was his name; for this his venerable mother gave him from his birth: but all the young men called him Irus, because he went as a messenger,[5] whenever any one ordered him any where. Who coming wished to drive Ulysses from his own house, and chiding him, he spoke winged words:
"Go, old man, from the portico, lest thou soon be drawn by the foot: dost not thou perceive that all are winking at me, and desire me to drag thee out? but I however am ashamed. But rise, lest soon between us there be contention even with our hands."
But him much-planning Ulysses regarding, sternly addressed: "Sirrah, I neither do nor speak any evil to thee, nor do I grudge that any one should give to thee, although
- ↑ See Buttm. ibid.
- ↑ ἐπὶ = besides Ulysses.
- ↑ The notion of "others" is implied in μετά.
- ↑ Hesych. ἀζηχὲς, διηνεκές, ἀδιάλειπτον. The word also means dry, parched. Cf. Alberti, t. i. p. 119, intpp. on Apoll. Rhod. ii. 99.
- ↑ "Verte: quia pro nuncio ibat. Irus ergo sonat nuncium, atque Iris ergo nunciam." Ernesti. Cf. Alberti on Hesych. t. ii. p. 71.
