meet the goatherd Melanthius, who at the sight of the
beggar breaks out into abuse. There is an inhuman note in his speech,
which we may regard as one result of the present disorder of the
country. Doubtless the swineherd and the goatherd were rivals, and
showed a professional jealousy; but Melanthius had extracted from his
humble calling a disposition quite opposite to that of Eumaeus, and had
become disloyal to his master's House.

The approach to the palace is indicated by the song of the bard and the
noise of feasting guests. Still the disguised Ulysses is recognized by
one living object: his old dog Argo, who dies on the spot out of joy at
seeing his master again. Full of sentiment and tenderness is the
description; it has a modernity of touch which will be often noticed in
this second half of the Odyssey. Much comment has been bestowed upon
the incident; but its most striking characteristic is its symbolism.
The old dog, neglected now, full of vermin, hardly able to crawl, yet
loyal in his heart; why should he not receive the praise of Eumaeus, who
tells of his former skill in the chase! The dog Argo images the House
of Ulysses at present; to such straits has fidelity come. A famous
statement here by Eumaeus cannot be passed over: "The day which makes
the man a slave, Zeus takes half his worth away." True generally of
men, but not of the slave who utters it, he being the fate-compeller.

Ulysses now applies his test of charity to the Suitors. He goes around
to them, asking for alms, like a beggar, that he might observe them
all, and "know who was better and who was worse." But in the end not
one of them was to be spared. Such was the supreme test, that of
charity; how will the Suitors treat the poor beggar? Will they behave
toward him as Eumaeus has? Not by any means; the test calls out the
worst suitor of the lot, Antinous, who finally hurls a stool at the
supposed intruder. The other Suitors give something, not their own;
still they share in the guilt. Is this test of charity, selected by the
poet here, a true test of such characters? One result of the present
violation of law and order is inhumanity, cruelty, disregard of the
fellow-man. Especially marked is their contrast with Eumaeus, who, in
response to the harshness of Antinous, says: "The famous men of earth
(such as the seer, the doctor, the builder, the bard) are invited to
the feast; no one would invite a beggar to an entertainment." Still the
beggar i