![[The Odyssey]](odtit.gif)
Argus the dog
[Odysseus' story] Yes, when you reach the palace you see an old verminous
dog scavenging on a dung-heap. He comes up to you, and despite your disguise
and not having seen you for nearly twenty years, obviously recognises you.
As soon as he knows you are home, he "succumbs to the black hand of death".
You
go into the palace, to test the hospitality : a beggar should be treated
decently and with respect (as you were by Eumaeus). But the Suitors, led
by Antinous and Eurymachus, insult you continually - and sometimes you
find it hard to control yourself. You must not let them suspect anything
until the time is ripe…
During your first day "home",