_Tel._ And there is one besides 2279 Whom we may trust, the neatherd. When time came To close the gate, I thought to take them with me. _Ul._ Ay, do so, son; and order with them thus. When none of all the lords can string the bow, I will call for it: let Eumæus bring it: ’Twill rouse disorder; should thy mother tarry, Make that excuse to bid her to her chamber. When once she is gone, I shoot. _Tel._ With them we are four. _Ul._ Where be our arms? _Tel._ They are hid beneath the stairs. _Ul._ Keep we this side the hall, so shall our foes The sooner seek the door. _Tel._ Hush! see, they come! 2290 _Enter Eurymachus, Antinous, Ctesippus_ (_others following_). _EURYMACHUS._ Good-morrow, prince! _Tel._ Good-morrow, lords. _Eur._ I prithee What mean those axes planted in the court? They mock my judgment. _ANTINOUS._ Now I have wagered, prince, They are set to root: the bronze is out of date; They shall be grafted in the spring with iron. _Tel._ The pleasantry is happier than the wager. This being Apollo’s feast-day, ’tis proposed To do him honour with some archery: The axes are for mark. _CTESIPPUS._ Here’s something new: What is’t? 2300 _Eur._ The walls, the walls. They are bare of arms. Why are they taken down? _Tel._ Moving the axes, ’Twas found the arms, which in their place had hung Untouched for twenty years, were much decayed And perished by the smoke: they are set aside, Where they can be o’erlooked and cleansed from rust. _Enter Amphinomus, the rest after him._ _AMPHINOMUS_ (_and others_). Good-day. _Tel._ Good day. _Amph._ What are these axes, prince, Set in the court? _Tel._ Since all will need to know, Let me tell all. It being Apollo’s feast, The queen, my mother, has decreed a trial Of shooting in his honour; and the axes 2310 Ye ask of, are the mark. She gives the prize: The which, with the conditions of the contest, She shall herself proclaim. Until she comes, Sit ye in peace. _Ctes._ Tell us what prize, I pray. _Tel._ Beseech you, await. _Eur._ Be seated, lords, be seated! _Wooers_ (_sitting_). Can you explain? I am in the dark How axes are an arrow’s mark?— —The arrows, sir, are shot point blank Through the axes’ heads set up in rank. —And that is such a juggling feat, 2320 That when you do it you cannot see’t. _Ant._ Give us some wine. Ho, fellows!