_Some wooers._ Charge all together. Down! _Tel._ Now, robbers, die. 2649 _Eur._ Ah! ah! I am slain. [_Falls dead._ _The others._ Fly, fly, fly, fly. [_Exeunt._ _Tel._ They are caught. [_Cries without._ _Ul._ While I stand here and shoot, fetch forth the arms. [_Shoots._ _Wooers_ (_without_). To the gate; to the gate. Ulysses is returned. Fly, fly! Throw wide the gate. The gate, the gate! _Eum._ Master, ’tis thou indeed: and I not know thee! _Ul._ Serve me but now, as when thou knew’st me not. [_Shoots. Cries._ _Tel._ See here thy shield, my father, and the spears. _Ul._ Now forth with me and fear not, for the goddess Is with us. We will stand upon the threshold, And from that vantage fight. Be we hard pressed, Retire within, and bar the door. Now forth! 2660 [_Exeunt Ul., Tel., Eum., and neatherd in fighting order. The doors close behind them._ _Re-enter Penelope and maids._ _Maids_ (_entering down the stairs_). They are gone: they are gone without. The hall is still. _Pen._ Hark! hark! They fight without. Telemachus, Telemachus, my son! Ah! evil day! The bow, the bow. And corpses in the hall. _1st Maid._ Woe, woe: see ’tis the lord Eurymachus, Slain by a spear. _2nd Maid._ Another by the wall. Beauteous Antinous. Alas, alas! _Pen._ Hark how they shout. Alas, my son, my son! They slay him in the court. His haughty spirit Proudly rebuking them hath done it. I hear 2670 His speech that taunts them still. _2nd Maid._ Shall I look forth? _1st._ Ay, to the door and spy—Softly one wing Draw back and spy between. (_Here the door is opened by Maid 2._) Ah me, the noise, And din of arms. _2nd._ Lady, the prince is safe. _Pen._ What seest thou? tell me. _2nd._ O, but see thyself The deadly fight. _Pen._ I dare not look upon it. Who fights ’gainst whom? _2nd._ The beggar on the stair Deals death around, and by him stand the prince, The neatherd, and Eumæus. Ah! he is struck! Nay, nay. They keep all off with spear and shield. [_Cries without._ _Pen._ Alas, the shrieks of death. I faint, ho! help me. Lead me to the chair. [_Sits down._ _1st._ They may burst in: beseech thee, Back to thy chamber! 2681