Meanwhile the news of the wooers' violent death had spread like
wildfire through the island, and their kinsmen went with loud clamour
to the house of Odysseus to carry away the dead bodies. When this was
done they gathered together at the place of assembly to devise some
plan of vengeance; and Eupeithes, the father of Antinous, made violent
outcry against Odysseus for his great act of savage justice.
While they were debating, Medon and Phemius appeared on the scene, and
described the manner in which the wooers had met their end. "The hand
of Heaven," said Medon, "was made manifest in the deed. I myself saw
Athene leading the onset, and your sons were laid low like ripe
sheaves before the sickle." This report chilled their courage not a
little; and Halitherses, seeing the effect produced, exerted all his
eloquence to put an end to the blood feud. Nevertheless more than half
of those present persisted in their purpose, and donning their armour
went forth from the town to meet the party of Odysseus.
The encounter took place in front of the farmhouse, where Odysseus and
the others had just taken their morning meal. Laertes, who seemed to
have recovered all the vigour of his youth, led the attack, and by a
well-aimed cast of his lance struck down Eupeithes, the leader of the
opposing party. This success was followed up by a vigorous charge, in
the midst of which a supernatural voice was heard in the air, striking
terror into the assailants of Odysseus, who turned and fled in wild
panic towards the town. They were hotly pursued, and not a man would
have been left alive had not Zeus himself interposed to stay the
slaughter. By his command Athene acted as mediator between Odysseus
and the kinsmen of the wooers, and an oath of amnesty was taken on
both sides, confirmed with solemn prayer and sacrifice.