im. Such a
violation of the rights of hospitality causes some commotion in the
palace, and so rouses the indignation of Penelope that she expresses a
wish to converse with the beggar, who may have heard of her absent
spouse.

_Book XVIII._ Meantime Ulysses has also come into conflict with the
town-beggar (Irus), a lusty youth, who challenges him to fight. To his
dismay, Ulysses displays such a set of muscles on laying aside his
robe that the insolent challenger wishes to withdraw. He is, however,
compelled by the suitors to fight, and is thoroughly beaten by
Ulysses, whose strength arouses the suitors' admiration. Then, in
reply to their questions, Ulysses favors them with another of those
tales which do far more honor to his imagination than to his veracity.

Meantime Penelope indulges in a nap, during which Minerva restores all
her youthful charms. Then she descends into the hall, to chide
Telemachus for allowing a stranger to be insulted beneath his father's
roof. She next remarks that she foresees she will soon have to choose
a husband among the suitors present, as it is only too evident Ulysses
is dead, and, under pretext of testing their generosity, induces them
all to bestow upon her gifts, which she thriftily adds to her stores.
Beside themselves with joy at the prospect that their long wooing will
soon be over, the suitors sing and dance, until Telemachus advises
them to return home.

_Book XIX._ The suitors having gone, Ulysses helps Telemachus remove
all the weapons, while the faithful nurse mounts guard over the palace
women. Secretly helped by Minerva, father and son accomplish their
task, and are sitting before the fire when Penelope comes to ask the
beggar to relate when and how he met Ulysses. This time the stranger
gives so accurate a description of Ulysses, that Penelope, wishing to
show him some kindness, summons the old nurse to bathe his feet.
Because she herself dozes while this homely task is being performed,
she is not aware that the old nurse recognizes her master by a scar on
his leg, and is cautioned by him not to make his presence known.

Deep o'er his knee inseam'd, remain'd the scar:
Which noted token of the woodland war
When Euryclea found, the ablution ceased;
Down dropp'd the leg, from her slack hand released:
The mingled fluids from the base redound;
The vase reclining floats the floor around!
Smiles dew'd with tears the pleasing strife express'd
Of grief, and joy