What was it, friend, I heard thee say?— Seest thou the arms, that in the hall Were wont to hang, are gone to-day?— Ay, so they be, sir, one and all.— 2450 Mark you this dust beneath the wall?— Well, sir, what of it?—hark, ’tis said That, as Eumæus took last night The axes from their rank o’erhead, He saw a strange and fearful sight; For all the arms, which never yet Had been disturbed where they were set By good Ulysses years ago, Crumbled before his eyes; and lo! Spear, helm, and shield, without a sound, 2460 Fell down in dust upon the ground.— That was an omen.—True, and we The accomplishment to-day shall see.— Ulysses’ reign is past and fled:— Ay, and his spirit here hath been To do this thing, knowing the queen Should to another man be wed. _The suitor_ (_2nd competitor_). I cannot bend it. _3rd._ Go to, sir, give it me. Thou heldst it wrongly,—but thus.— 2469 _2nd._ Ay, teach me, shew me! _3rd._ Ah! ah! ah! Nay, indeed it yieldeth not. What is it made of? Were’t of Indian horn I must have broke it. Bah! I have wrenched my back! _Eur._ Sirs, ’tis my turn. Ye do us little honour. ’Tis warm to the hand, and well hath drunk the oil. Now be I first to string it. _Wooers._ See! See he will do it if any can.— He is the best, and so ’twill be.— He standeth firm: it yieldeth now.— Well done! Eurymachus will win.— See how his striving body strains!— 2480 Fixed like the image of a man In stone he stands.—Now for it!-The veins Stand out upon his darkening brow.— It slowly yields.—He doth it—Nay, It slippeth back.—He giveth in.— He hath failed, he putteth it away. _Eur._ My friends, I am hurt both for myself and all. And were there but this woman in the world, To miss her could but vex me as it doth. But others be there, and my grief is other. 2490 For that we came in strength so far behind The great Ulysses, that we could not string His bow, will ring our shame in ears unborn. _Ant._ That will not be, Eurymachus,—and thou know’st it. This is Apollo’s feast, and on such day Who should presume in archery? Sit down; And let the bow and other gear abide. Meanwhile pour out libations to the god, And make a sacrifice. To-morrow morn, Be he appeased, we may with his good favour 2500 Find better fortune. _Eur._ ’Tis well spoke, my lords. Consent ye all? _Wooers._ Ay, ay. _Eur._ Then be it so. What saith our honoured lady?