Book 17

Hey, its Odysseus again. Just here to tell everyone how amazing I am at disguising myself! Well it all started this morning when I got up. My son already had his sword tied in and ready to go. What a good boy he is. So, we all got up and Telemakhos decided that should return to sweet Penelope, and that I should also be brought into the city to beg (I wa still a beggar in the swineherd's eyes). So Telemakhos left, and then after we at breakfast we also left. We made our way, but before we did I got myself a walking stick. I was really just trying to play up the part. As we got nearer to the city, we met Melanthios. As soon as he took one look at us both he started to make fun of the odd couple we made. Then he had the nerve to kick me as he passed. I was so angry that I was about to just knock him down with the power of Zeus in my fist. But I had self control, unlike the swineherd. He prayed that Melanthios's flock would perish. Unfortunatly, he was going in the same dirction as us, and stayed with us until we reached my hall. At that point he joined the suitors. I should have known he was one of them. Just as we were about to enter the gate, I saw my old dog, Argos. I loved him so much, and now he lay with the dung. I had to shed a tear, and we moved on. We entered, and Telemakhos gave us bread and meat. However he told us also to go and beg from the suitors. Like Athena said to me, we could see who was decent and who was evil and would be slain first. So we went thorugh the line of suitors, and they filed my bag with bread. However Melanthios had to say somehting, which caused Alkinoos, the worst suitor of them all, to say something about why I shouldn't be there.Some people will just always be evil. Eumaios responded, but Telemakhos saved him the long speech. Alkinoos then tries to impress and calm Telemakhos by giving me a stool. Sarcastically I thank him, but also say how I was burdened with beggars too when I was rich, and was kind to them. Alkinoos did not like that. He just went on and on about what trouble I'll be in with him if I keep going. So I yell at him for his greediness. That was the last straw for him. As I walked away triumfantly, he threw a bench at my back whic sounds worse than it is. I am really going to enjoy this slaughtering of suitors, but the time has not come. I yell at him again, but he stops me and send me off. So I left, but a few minutes later, the swineherd comes out to me saying that the queen wishes my presence. Although I am overwhelmed, I refuse until the darkness and safety. Till then my love, and I waited.