Amphinomus went for Odysseus with his sharp sword. But Telemachus struck him from behind with a bronze-tipped spear between the shoulders and drove it through his breast. He fell with a thud. Telemachus left the spear in him, fearing someone might rush him as he pulled it out, and ran to his father: Father, now I will bring you a shield and two spears and a bronze helmet; I will arm myself and the swineherd and the cowherd. Run and fetch them, Odysseus answered, while my arrows hold out. Telemachus took four shields, eight spears, and four bronze helmets from the storeroom. First he put bronze on his own body; the two servants armed likewise and stood beside Odysseus. Amphinomus struck the ground full with his forehead as he fell.
As long as he had arrows, Odysseus kept aiming and striking the suitors one by one; they fell thick on one another. Then the arrows failed. He set the bow against the doorpost, put a fourfold shield about his shoulders, set a well-wrought helmet on his head — the horsehair plume nodded terribly — and took two strong spears tipped with bronze. Now he stood ready for close fight in his own hall.