University of Virginia Library

Pallas (the Goddesse with the sparkling eyes)
Excites Penelope, t'obiect the prise
(The Bow & bright steeles) to the wooers strength;
And here began the strife and blood at length.
She first ascended by a lofty staire,
Her vtmost chamber; of whose doore, her faire
And halfe transparent hand, receiu'd the Key,
Bright, brazen; bitted passing curiousty,
And at it hung a knob of Iuory.
And this did leade her, where was strongly kept
The treasure Royall; in whose store lay he ap't,
Gold, Brasse, and Steele, engrauen with infinite Art;
The crooked Bowe, and Arrowy quiuer, part
Of that rich Magazin. In the Quiuer, were
Arrowes a number; sharpe, and sighing gere.
The Bow was giuen by kinde Eurythides
(Iphitus, fashion'd like the Deities)
To yong Vlysses; when within the Roofe
Of wise Ortilocus, their passe had proofe
Of mutuall meeting in Messena; where
Vlysses claim'd a debt: To whose pay, were
The whole Messenian people bound; since they
From Ithaca, had forc't a wealthy prey
Of Sheepe, and Sheepherds. In their ships they thrust
Three hundred Sheepe together: for whose iust
And instant rendry, old Laertes sent
Vlysses his Ambassador, that went
A long way in the Ambassie; yet then
Bore but the formost Prime, of yongest men.
His Father, sending first to that affaire
His grauest Counsailors, and then his heire.
Iphitus made his way there, hauing lost

Ιππους Δωδεκαθηλειαι Equas duodecem fœminæ

Twelue female horse; and Mules, commended most
For vse of burthen; which were after, cause
Of death, and Fate to him. For (past all Lawes
Of hospitality) Ioues mighty

Hercules.

Son
(Skill'd in great Acts) was his confusion
Close by his house; though at that time his guest:
Respecting neither the apposed Feast
And hospitable Table, that in loue
He set before him; nor the voyce of Ioue:
But, seizing first his Mares, he after slew
His host himselfe. From those Mares serch, now grew
Vlysses knowne t'Iphitus; who, that Bow
At their encounter, did in loue bestow,
Which great Eurytus hand, had borne before
(Iphitus Father) who (at deaths sad dore)
In his steepe Turrets, left it to his Son.
Vlysses gaue him a keene Faulchion,
And mighty Lance; and thus began they there
Their fatall Loues: For after, neuer were
Their mutuall Tables to each other knowne;
Because Ioues Son, th' vnworthy part had showne
Of slaughtering this God-like louing man,
Eurytus Son; who with that Bow began
And ended loue t'Vlysses: who, so deare
A gift esteem'd it, that he would not beare
In his black Fleete, that guest-rite to the war;
But, in fit memory of one so farre
In his affection; brought it home, and kept
His treasure with it; where till now it slept.

And now the Queene of women had intent
To giue it vse; and therefore made ascent
Vp all the staires height, to the chamber dore:
Whose shining leaues, two bright Pilasters bore
To such a Close, when both together went;
It would resist the Aire in their consent.
The Ring she tooke then, and did draw aside
A barre that ran within; and then implide
The Key into the Locke; which gaue a sound
(The Bolt then shooting) as in pasture ground
A Bull doth Low, and make the valleys ring:
So loud the Locke humm'd, when it loosd his Spring,
And ope the doores flew. In she went, along
The lofty chamber, that was boorded strong
With heart of Oake; which many yeares ago
The Architect did smooth and polish so,
That now as then, he made it freshly shine;
And tried the euennesse of it with a Line.

There stood in this roome, Presses that enclos'd
Robes odorferous; by which repos'd
The Bow was vpon pins: Nor from it farre
Hung the round Quiuer, glittering like a Starre;
Both which, her white extended hand tooke downe:
Then sate she low, and made her lap a Crowne
Of both those Reliques; which she wept to see,
And cried quite out with louing memory
Of her deare Lord: To whose worth, paying then
Kinde debts enow: She left; and to the men
Vow'd to her wooing, brought the crooked Bow,
And shaft-receiuing Quiuer, that did slow
With arrowes, beating sighes vp where they fell.
Then, with another Chist, repleate as well
VVith Games won by the King, of Steele and Brasse,
Her Maids attended. Past whom, making passe
To where her wooers were; She made her stay
Amids the faire Hall doore, and kept the ray
Of her bright count'nance hid with veyles so thin,
That though they seem'd t'expose, they let loue in;
Her Maids on both sides stood; and thus she spake.

Heare me, ye wooers, that a pleasure take
To do me sorrow, and my house inuade
To eate and drinke; as if 'twere onely made
To serue your Rapines: My Lord long away;
And you allow'd no colour for your stay
But his still absence; striuing who shall frame
Me for his wife; and (since 'tis made a game)
I heere propose diuine Vlysses Bow
For that great Maister-peece, to which ye vow.
He that can draw it, with least show to striue,
And through these twelue Ax-heads, an arrow driue;
Him will I follow, and this house forgo,
That nourisht me a Maid: now furnisht so
With all things fit; and which I so esteeme
That I shall still liue in it in my dream.
This said, she made Eumæus giue it them.
He tooke, and laide it by; and wept for wo,
And like him, wept Philætius; when the Bow
Of which his King was bearer, he beheld.
Their teares, Antinous manhood much reseld;
And said, Ye rustick fooles! that still each day
Your minds giue ouer to this vaine dismay,
VVhy weepe ye (wretches?) and the widdowes eyes
Tempt with renew'd thought; that would otherwise
Depose her sorrowes, since her Lord is dead,
And teares are idle? Sit, and eate your bread,
Nor whisper more a word; or get ye gone,
And weepe without doores: Let this Bow alone
To our out-matcht contention: For I feare,
The Bow will scarse yeeld draught to any heere.
Heere no such man liues, as Laertes Son
Amongst vs all: I knew him; Thought puts on
His lookes sight now, me thinkes thogh then a child.

Thus shew'd his words doubt, yet his hopes enstild
His strength, the stretcher of Vlysses string,
And his steeles piercer: But his shaft must sing
Through his piercst Pallat first; whom so he wrong'd
In his free roofe; and made the rest ill tongu'd
Against his vertues. Then the sacred heat
That spirited his Son, did further set
Their confidence on fire; and said: O Frends,
Ioue hath bereft my wits: The Queen intends
(Though I must grant her wise) ere long to leaue
Vlysses Court; and to her bed receaue,
Some other Lord: yet nowithstanding, I
Am forc't to laugh, and set my pleasures bye
Like one mad sicke. But wooers, since ye haue
An obiect for your trials now so braue,
As all the broad Achaian earth exceeds:
As sacred Pylos; as the Argiue breads,
As blacke Epyrus, as Mycena's birth;
And as the more-fam'd Ithacensian earth;
All which, your selues well know, and oft haue faide;
(For what neede hath my Mother of my aide
In her aduancement?) Tender no excuse,
For least delay; nor too much time profuse
In stay to draw this Bow; but draw it straight;
Shoot, and the steeles pierce: make all see how sleight
You make these poore barres, to so rich a prise.
No eagrer yet? Come on: My faculties
Shall try the Bowes strength, and the pierced steele:
I will not for my reuerend Mother feele
The sorrowes that I know will seize my heart,
To see her follow any, and depart
From her so long-held home: But first extend
The Bow and Arrow to their tender'd end.
For I am onely to succeede my Sire
In guard of his games; and let none aspire
To their besides possession. This said;
His purple Robe he cast off. By he laide
His well-edg'd sword; and first, a seuerall pit
He digg'd for euery Axe, and strengthen'd it
VVith earth, close ramm'd about it: On a rew
Set them of one height, by a Line he drew
Along the whole twelue; and so orderly
Did euery deed belonging (yet his eye
Neuer before beholding how 'twas done)
That in amaze rose all his lookers on.
Then stood he neere the doore, & prou'd to draw
The stubborne Bow: Thrice tried, & thrice gaue Law
To his vncrown'd attempts: the fourth assay
VVith all force offering, which a signe gaue stay
Giuen by his Father; though hee shew'd a minde
As if he stood right heartily inclinde
To perfect the exploite: when, all was done
In onely drift to set the wooers on.
His weaknesse yet confest; he said, O shame
I either shall be euer of no name,
But proue a wretch: Or else I am too yong,
And must not now presume on pow'rs so strong
As sinewes yet more growing, may ingraft,
To turne a man quite ouer with a shaft.
Besides, to men whose Nerues are best prepar'd;
All great Aduentures, at first proofe, are hard.
But come, you stronger men, attempt this Bow,
And let vs end our labour. Thus, below
A well-ioyn'd boord he laide it; and close by,
The brightly-headed shaft: then thron'd his Thie
Amidst his late-left seate. Antinous then
Bad all arise: but first, who did sustaine
The cups state euer; and did sacrifice
Before they eate still: and that man, bad rise,
Since on the others right hand he was plac't;
Because he held the right hands rising, grac't
VVith best successe still. This direction wun
Supreame applause; and first, rose Oenops Son
Liodes, that was Priest to all the rest,
Sate lowest with the Cup still, and their iest
Could neuer like; but euer was the man
That checkt their follies: and he now began
To taste the Bow: the sharpe shaft tooke, rug'd hard,
And held aloft: and till he quite had marr'd
His delicate tender fingers, could not stir
The churlish string: who therefore did refer
The game to others; saying, that same Bow
(In his presage) would proue the ouerthrow
Of many a chiefe man there: nor thought the Fate
VVas any whit austere; since Deaths short date
Were much the better taken; then long life
Without the ohiect of their amorous strife;
For whom they had burn'd out so many dayes
To finde still other, nothing but delayes
Obtaining in them: and affirm'd that now
Some hop't to haue her: but when that tough Bow
They all had tried, and seene the vtmost done,
They must rest pleasd to cease; and now some one
Of all their other faire veyl'd Grecian Dames
VVith gifts, and dow'r, and Hymeneal Flames;
Let her loue light to him, that most will giue,
And whom the Nuptiall destiny did driue.

Thus laid he on the well-ioyn'd polisht Bord
The Bow, and bright-pil't shaft; and then restor'd
His seate his right. To him, Antinous
Gaue bitter language, and reprou'd him thus.

VVhat words (Liodes) passe thy speeches guard?
That 'tis a worke to beare? And set so hard,
They set vp my disdaine: This Bow must end
The best of vs? since thy armes cannot lend
The string least motion? Thy Mothers throwes
Brought neuer forth thy armes, to draught of Bowes,
Or knitting shafts off. Though thou canst not draw
The sturdy Plant, thou art to vs no law.
Melanthius? Light a fire, and set thereat
A chaire and cushions; & that masse of fat
That lyes within, bring out; that we may set
Our Pages to this Bow, to see it heat
And suppl'd with the suet; and then wee
May giue it draught, and pay this great decree
Vtmost performance. He a mighty fire
Gaue instant flame, put into act th' entire
Command layd on him: Chaire and cushions set;
Laid on the Bow, which straight the Pages het,
Chaft, suppl'd with the Suet to their most;
And still was all their Vnctuous labour lost:
All wooers strengths, too indigent and pore
To draw that Bow: Antinous armes, it tore;
And great Eurymachus (the both cleere best)
Yet both it tir'd, and made them glad to rest.
Forth then went both the Swaines; and after them
Diuine Vlysses, when being past th' extreme
Of all the Gates; with winning words he tride
Their loues, and this askt: Shall my counsailes hide
Their depths from you? My mind would gladly know
If sodainly Vlysses had his Vow
Made good for home; and had some God to guide
His steps and strokes to, to wreak these wooers pride;
Would your aids ioyne on his part, or with theirs?
How stand your hearts affected? They made prayr's,
That some God would please, to returne their Lord;
He then should see, how farre they would affoord
Their liues for his. (He seeing their truth) replied;
I am your Lord; through many a sufferance tried,
Arriu'd now heere; whom twenty yeares haue held
From foorth my Country: yet are not conceal'd
From my sure knowledge; your desires to see
My safe returne. Of all the company
Now seruing heere besides; not one but you
Mine eare hath witnest willing to bestow
Their wishes of my life, so long held dead.
I therefore vow, (which shall be perfected)
That if God please, beneath my hand to leaue
These wooers liuelesse; ye shall both receiue
Wiues from that hand, and meanes; and neere to me
Haue houses built to you: and both shall be
As friends, and brothers to my onely Sonne.
And that ye well may know me; and be wonne
To that assurance: the infallible Signe
The white-tooth'd Bore gaue, this markt knee of mine
When in Parnassus, he was held in chase
By me, and by my famous Grandsires race;
Il'e let you see. Thus seuer'd he his weede
From that his wound; and euery word had deed
In their sure knowledges; VVhich made them cast,
Their armes about him; his broade brest imbrac't,
His necke and shoulders kist. And him, as well
Did those true powers of humane loue compell
To kisse their heads and hands; and to their mone
Had sent the free light of the cheerefull Sunne,
Had not Vlysses broke the ruth, and saide;

Cease teares, and sorrowes, lest wee proue displaide,
By some that issue from the house; and they
Relate to those within. Take each his way,
Not altogether in; but one by one;
First I, then you; and then see this be done:
The enuious wooers will by no meanes giue
The offer of the Bow, and Arrow leaue
To come at me; spight then their pride, do thou
(My good Eumæus) bring both shaft and Bow,
To my hands proofe; and charge the maides before;
That instantly, they shut in euery doore;
That they themselues, (if any tumult rise
Beneath my Roofes; by any that enuies,
My will to vndertake the Game) may gaine
No passage forth, but close at worke containe
With all free quiet; or at least, constrain'd.
And therefore (my Philætius) see maintain'd
(VVhen close the gates are shut) their closure fast;
To which end, be it thy sole worke to cast
Their chaines before them. This said, in he led;
Tooke first his seate, and then they seconded
His entry with their owne. Then tooke in hand
Eurymachus the Bow, made close his stand
Aside the fire; at whose heate, here and there
He warm'd and suppl'd it, yet could not stere
To any draught, the string, with all his Art;
And therefore, sweld in him his glorious heart;
Affirming; that himselfe, and all his friends
Had cause to greeue: Not onely that their ends
They mist in marriage (since enow besides
Kinde Grecian Dames, there liu'd to be their Brides
In Ithaca, and other bordering Townes)
But that to all times future, their renownes
VVould stand disparag'd, if Vlysses Bow
They could not drawe, and yet his wife would woo.

Antinous answer'd; That there could ensue
No shame at all to them: For well he knew,
That this day was kept holy to the Sunne
By all the City: and there should be done
No such prophane act; therefore bad, lay by
The Bow for that day: but the maistery
Of Axes that were set vp, still might stand;
Since that no labour was, not any hand
VVould offer to inuade Vlysses house,
To take, or touch with surreptitious
Or violent hand, what there was left for use.
He therefore bad the Cup-bearer infuse
VVine to the Bolles; that so, with sacrifice
They might let rest the shooting exercise;
And in the morning make Melanthius
The cheefe Goats of his Herd, that so the King
Of Bowes and Archers, they might burne the Thyes
For good successe; and then, attempt the prize.

The rest sate pleasd with this the Heralds straite
Pour'd water on their hands: each Page did waite
VVith his crown'd cup of wine: seru'd euery man
Till all were satisfied: and then began
Vlysses plot of his close purpose, thus:
Heare me, ye much renown'd Eurymachus,
And King Antinous, in cheefe; who well,
And with decorum sacred, doth compell
This dayes obseruance; and be let lay downe
The Bow, all this light; giuing Gods their owne.
The mornings labour, God the more wil blesse,
And strength bestow, where he himselfe shall please.
Against which time, let me presume to pray
Your fauours, with the rest; that this assay,
May my olde armes prooue; trying if there lye
In my poore powers the same actiuity
That long since crown'd them: Or if needy fare
And desolate wandring, haue the web worne bare
Of my lifes thred at all parts; that no more
Can furnish these affaires as heeretofore.
This heat their spleens past measure; blown with fear,
Lest his loth'd temples, would the garland weare
Of that Bowes draught: Antinous vsing speech
To this sowre purpose: Thou most arrant wretch
Of all guests breathing; in no least degree
Grac't with a humane soule: It serues not thee
To feast in peace with vs; take equall share
Of what we reach to; sit, and all things heare
That we speake freely (which no begging guest
Did euer yet) but thou must make request
To mixe with vs in merit of the Queene.
But wine enflames thee; that hath euer beene
The bane of men: whoeuer yet would take
Th' excesse it offers; and the meane for sake.
Wine spoilde the Centaure great Eurytian,
In guest-rites, with the mighty-minded Son
Of bolde Ixion; in his way to warre,
Against the Lapithes; who driuen as farre
As madnesse, with the bold effects of wine;
Did outrage to his kinde hoast; and decline
Other Heroes from him, feasted there;
With so much anger, that they left their cheere,
And dragg'd him forth the fore-court; slit his nose,
Cropt both his eares; and in the ill dispose
His minde then sufferd; drew the fatall day
On his head, with his hoast. For thence the fray
Betwixt the Centaures, and the Lapithes
Had mortall act: but he for his excesse
In spoile of wine, far'd worst himselfe; As thou
For thy large cups, if thy armes draw the Bow,
My minde foretels shalt feane: for not a man
Of all our Consort, that in wisedome can
Boast any fit share, will take prayers then;
But to Echetus, the most sterne of men
A blacke Saile freight with thee; whose worst of ill,
Be sure is past all ransome. Sit then still;
Drinke temperately; and neuer more contend
With men your yongers. This, the Queene did end
With her defence of him; and told his Foe
It was not faire, nor equall t'ouercrow
The poorest Guest her sonne pleas'd t'entertaine
In his free Turrets; with so proud a straine
Of threats, and brauings; asking if he thought
That if the stranger to his armes had brought
The stubborne Bow downe; he should marry her
And beare her home? And said, himselfe should erre
In no such hope; nor of them all the best
That greeu'd at any good, she did her guest,
Should banquet there; since it in no sort show'd
Noblesse in them, nor paid her, what she ow'd
Her owne free rule there. This Eurymachus
Confirm'd and saide; nor feeds it hope in vs
(Icarius daughter) to solemnize Rites
Of Nuptials with thee; Nor in noblest sights
It can shew comely; but to our respects
The rumor, both of sexes, and of Sects
Amongst the people, would breede shame, and feare,
Lest any worst Greeke said; See, men that were
Of meane deseruings, will presume t'aspire
To his wiues bed, whom all men did admire
For fame and merit; could not draw his Bow,
And yet his wife, had foolish pride to woo:
When straight an errant Begger comes and drawes
The Bow with ease, performing all the Lawes
The game beside contain'd; and this would thus,
Proue both indignity and shame to vs.

The Queene replied; The fame of men I see
Beares much price, in your great suppos'd degree;
Yet who can proue (amongst the people great)
That of one so esteem'd of them, the seat
Doth so defame and ruine? And beside,
With what right is this guest thus vilefied
In your high censures? when the man, in blood
Is well

Ευπηγης Bene compactus & coagmentatis.

composd, and great; his parents good.
And therefore giue the Bow to him, to try
His Birth and breeding by his Cheualry.
If his armes draw it; and that Phœbus stands
So great a glory to his strength, my hands
Shall adde this guerdon: Euery sort of weed,
A two-edg'd Sword and Lance, to keepe him freed
From Dogs and Men hereafter; and disinis
His worth to what place tends that heart of his.

Her sonne gaue answere; That it was a wrong
To his free sway, in all things that belong
To guard of that house, to demand the Bow
Of any wooer, and the vse bestow
Vpon the stranger: For the Bow was his,
To giue or to with-hold: No maisteries
Of her proposing, giuing any power
T'empaire his right in things, for any wower;
Or any that rough Ithaca affords;
Any that Elis; of which, no mans words
Nor pow'rs should curbe him (stood he so enclin'd)
To see the Bow in absolute gift resign'd
To that his guest, to beare and vse at will:
And therefore bad his Mother keepe her still
Amongst her women, at her Rocke and Loome;
Bowes were for men: and this Bow did become
Past al mens, his disposure; since his Sire
Left it to him, and all the house entire.

She stood dismaid at this; and in her minde
His wise words laide vp; standing so inclinde
As he had will'd; with all her women, going
Vp to her chamber: there, her teares bestowing
(As euery night she did) on her lou'd Lord,
Til sleepe and Pallas, her fit rest restor'd.

The Bow, Eumæus tooke, and bore away;
Which vp in tumult, and almost in fray
Put all the wooers: One enquiring thus.

Whether Rogue? abiect? wilt thou beare from vs
That Bow proposd? Lay downe, or I protest
Thy dogs shal eate thee, that thou nourishest
To guard thy Swine: amongst whom (left of all)
Thy life shal leaue thee; if the Festiuall
VVe now obserue to Phœbus; may our zeales
Grace with his aide, and all the Deities else.

This threat made good Eumæus yeelde the Bow
To his late place, not knowing what might grow
From such a multitude. And then fell on
Telemachus with threats; and saide, Set gon
That Bow yet further: tis no seruants part
To serue too many Maisters: raise your hart
And beare it off, lest (though your yonger) yet
VVith stones I pelt you to the field with it.
If you and I close, I shal prooue too strong:
I wish, as much too hard for all this throng
The Gods would make me; I should quickly send
Some after, with iust sorrow to their end:
They waste my victles so, and ply my cup,
And do me such shrewd turnes still. This put vp
The wooers all in Laughters; and put downe
Their angers to him; that so late were growne
So graue and bloody, which resolu'd that feare
Of good Eumæus; who did take and beare
The King the Bow; call'd Nurse, and bad her make
The doores all sure; that if mens tumults take
The eares of some within; they may not fly,
But keepe at worke still, close and silently.

These words put wings to her; and close she put
The chamber doore: The Court gates then were shut
By kind Philætius, who straight did go
From out the Hall; and in the Portico
Found laid, a Gable of a Ship, compos'd
Of spongy Bulrushes; with which hee clos'd
(In winding round about them) the Court gates:
Then tooke his place againe, to view the Fates
That quickly follow'd. When he came, he saw
Vlysses viewing, ere he tried to draw
The famous Bow; which euery way he mou'd;
Vp, and downe turning it: in which he prou'd
The plight it was in: fearing chiefly, lest
The hornes were eate with wormes, in so long rest.
But what his thoughts intended, turning so;
And keeping such a search about the Bow:
The wooers little knowing, fell to iest,
And said; Past doubt, he is a man profest
In Bowyers craft, and sees quite through the wood:
Or something (certaine) to be vnderstood
There is, in this his turning of it still:
A cunning Rogue he is, at any ill.

Then spake another proud one; Would to heauen
I might (at will) get Gold, till he hath geuen
That Bow his draught: with these sharp iests, did these
Delightsome woo'rs, their fatall humors please.
But when the wise Vlysses once had laide
His fingers on it; and to proofe suruaide
The stil sound plight it held: As one of skill
In song, and of the Harpe; doth at his will
In tuning of his Instrument; extend
A string out with his pin; touch all, and lend
To euery wel-wreath'd string, his perfect sound,
Strooke all togither: with such ease, drew round
The King, the Bow. Then twang'd he vp the string,
That, as a Swallow, in the aire doth sing
VVith no continu'd tune; but (pausing still)
Twinkes out her scatter'd voice in accents shrill;
So sharpe the string sung, when he gaue it touch,
Once hauing bent and drawne it. Which so much
Amaz'd the wooers, that their colours went
And came, most grieuously. And then, Ioue rent
The aire with thunder; which at heart did chere
The now-enough-sustaining Traueller.
That Ioue, againe, would his attempt enable.
Then tooke he into hand, from off the Table
The first drawne arrow; and a number more
Spent shortly on the wooers. But this One,
He measur'd by his arme (as if not knowne
The length were to him) nockt it then; and drew:
And through the Axes, at the first hole, flew
The steele-chardg'd arrow; which whē he had done,
He thus bespake the Prince: You haue not wonne
Disgrace yet by your Guest; for I haue strook
The marke I shot at; and no such toile tooke
In wearying the Bow, with fat and fire,
As did the wooers: yet reseru'd entire
(Thanke heauen) my strength is; & my selfe am tried,
No man to be so basely vilified
As these men pleas'd to thinke me. But, free way
Take that, and all their pleasures: and while Day
Holds her Torch to you; and the howre of feast
Hath now full date; giue banquet; and the rest
(Poeme and Harpe) that grace a wel-fill'd boorde.

This saide: he beckn'd to his Sonne; whose sword
He straight girt to him: tooke to hand his Lance,
And, compleate arm'd, did to his Sire aduance.