Then Athena drew near them, like Mentor in form and voice. Odysseus was glad and spoke: Mentor, ward off ruin, and remember me, your dear companion. He guessed it was Athena. Agelaus rebuked her: Mentor, do not fight for Odysseus. When we kill father and son, you too will die, and we will strip all you have. Athena grew angrier and rebuked Odysseus: No longer is your force steadfast as when you fought at Troy for Helen and took Priam's city by counsel. How is it you wail now at showing force in your own house? Come, stand by me and watch my deeds. She spoke, but did not yet give him strength to win outright; she meant to test him and his son. She flew up to the roof-beam and sat there as a swallow. Often you say you are my age-mate, Odysseus added, though he knew the goddess heard him.
Agelaus encouraged the best who still lived — Eurynomus, Amphimedon, Demoptolemus, Peisander, and Polybus: Mentor has gone after empty boasts. Six of you cast first; if Zeus grants that Odysseus be hit, the rest will be no trouble. They threw eagerly, but Athena made them all miss — doorpost, door, and wall. Odysseus said: Friends, cast your spears into the press. They threw. Odysseus hit Demoptolemus; Telemachus Euryades; the swineherd Elatus; the cowherd Peisander. The suitors fell back; the others drew their spears from the dead. All these at the same time bit the vast earth with their teeth.
Again the suitors threw. Athena made most miss. Amphimedon grazed Telemachus on the wrist; Ctesippus grazed Eumaeus's shoulder over his shield. Then Odysseus hit Eurydamas; Telemachus Amphimedon; the swineherd Polybus. The cowherd hit Ctesippus in the breast and spoke in triumph: Son of Polytherses, never again talk big. This is your guest-gift for the cow's foot you threw at Odysseus. Odysseus wounded Agelaus in close fight. Telemachus hit Leiocritus in the belly and drove the bronze through; he fell forward. Then Athena held up her man-destroying aegis from the roof; the suitors panicked and fled like cattle stung by a gadfly. The others charged like vultures at smaller birds, striking left and right. A dreadful groaning rose; the whole floor ran with blood. Men would have been glad to watch such a chase; so the hall rang with the slaughter.