After Leodes and Eurymachus had failed, and Antinous had tried to get the whole thing postponed, you reveal your scar to Eumaeus the pigman and Philoetius the cowman. You say they won't let you (still of course in your beggar's disguise) take part, but you instruct Eumaeus to hand the bow to you anyway. The women are to be locked in their quarters by your nurse, Eurycleia, while Philoetius bars the outside door.

As you handle the bow fondly, the Suitors insult you ... for the last time. You string the bow as easily as a musician replacing a string on a lyre. You fit an arrow to the bow, and shoot through all twelve axes from where you're sitting on your stool.