The multitude that tale, than one and all Groaning they met and murmuring before Ulysses' gates. Bringing the bodies forth, They buried each his friend, but gave the dead 490 Of other cities to be ferried home By fishermen on board their rapid barks. All hasted then to council; sorrow wrung Their hearts, and, the assembly now convened, Arising first Eupithes spake, for grief Sat heavy on his soul, grief for the loss Of his Antinoüs by Ulysses slain Foremost of all, whom mourning, thus he said. My friends! no trivial fruits the Greecians reap Of this man's doings. _Those_ he took with him 500 On board his barks, a num'rous train and bold, Then lost his barks, lost all his num'rous train, And _these_, our noblest, slew at his return. Come therefore--ere he yet escape by flight To Pylus or to noble Elis, realm Of the Epeans, follow him; else shame Attends us and indelible reproach. If we avenge not on these men the blood Of our own sons and brothers, farewell then All that makes life desirable; my wish 510 Henceforth shall be to mingle with the shades. Oh then pursue and seize them ere they fly. Thus he with tears, and pity moved in all. Then, Medon and the sacred bard whom sleep Had lately left, arriving from the house Of Laertiades, approach'd; amid The throng they stood; all wonder'd seeing them, And Medon, prudent senior, thus began. Hear me, my countrymen! Ulysses plann'd With no disapprobation of the Gods 520 The deed that ye deplore. I saw, myself, A Pow'r immortal at the Hero's side, In semblance just of Mentor; now the God, In front apparent, led him on, and now, From side to side of all the palace, urged To flight the suitors; heaps on heaps they fell. He said; then terrour wan seiz'd ev'ry cheek, And Halitherses, Hero old, the son Of Mastor, who alone among them all Knew past, and future, prudent, thus began. 530 Now, O ye men of Ithaca! my words Attentive hear! by your own fault, my friends, This deed hath been perform'd; for when myself And noble Mentor counsell'd you to check The sin and folly of your sons, ye would not. Great was their wickedness, and flagrant wrong They wrought, the wealth devouring and the wife Dishonouring of an illustrious Chief Whom they deem'd destined never to return. But hear my counsel. Go not, lest ye draw 540 Disaster down and woe on your own heads. He ended; then with boist'rous roar (although Part kept their seats) upsprang the multitude, For Halitherses pleased them not, they chose Eupithes' counsel rather; all at once To arms they flew, and clad in dazzling brass Before the city form'd their dense array.