? aTToXotro Kal aXXo? ort? rotaura ye peoL
dXXa fjioi dfji^ 'Oova-fji Sa'fypovi Baierat, rjrop,
Sucr/zo/)ft), 05 8^ brjOa (f>L\cov airo TrtjfjLara irdcr^eL
vr)crifiuTr)i oOi T' oyw-^aXo? e<7Tt 0a\d/xara valei,
THE ODYSSEY, I. 5
But Poseidon was gone among the far-off Ethiopians
the Ethiopians, farthest of humankind, divided in two
tribes, part at the setting of the exalted one, part at his
rising there to receive a sacrifice of bulls and rams.
So sitting at the feast he took his pleasure. The other
gods, meanwhile, were gathered in the halls of Zeus upon
Olympos, and among them the father of men and gods
began to speak; for in his mind he mused of gallant
Aigisthos, whom Agamemnon's far-famed son, Orestes,
slew. Mindful of him, he thus addressed the immortals :
" Lo, how men blame the gods ! From us, they say,
spring troubles. Yet of their own perversity, beyond
what is their due, they meet with sorrow ; even as this
Aigisthos, beyond what was his due, married the lawful
wife of the son of Atreus, and slew her husband on his
coming home, though well he knew of his own utter ruin.
For we ourselves forewarned him, dispatching Hermes,
our clear-sighted Speedy-comer, and told him not to slay
the man nor woo the wife. ' For because of the son of
Atreus shall come vengeance from Orestes when he is
grown and feels desire for his land.' This Hermes said,
but did not turn the purpose of Aigisthos by his kind-
ness. Now he has made a full atonement for it all."
Then answered him the goddess, keen-eyed Athene :
" Our father, son of Kronos, most high above all rulers,
that man assuredly lies in befitting ruin. So perish all
who do such deeds ! But now my heart is torn for wise
Odysseus, hapless man, who, long cut off from friends, is
meeting hardship upon a sea-girt island, the navel of the
sea. Woody the island is, and there a goddess dwells,
OAY22EIA2 A.
Ovydr^p o\o6(f>povo<;, 09 re
ftevOea ol$ev, e^ei Se re iciovas avrbs
, at yatdv re Kal ovpavov d/juffrls e^ovcri.
rov Ovydrrjp BIKTTIJVOV 6&vp6fj,evov KarepVKei,, 55
alel Be /juaXaKoicri, Kal aiftvXJowi \6yoia-i
0e\j6i,, O7ro)9 'lOd/crjs eTTiXijcrerai,' avrdp 'OSv&ffevs,
Kal /cairvbv aTroOpojo-Kovra vofjcrai,
, 6aveew l^eiperai. ov&e vv croi Trep
evrpeTrerai (f)i\ov rjrop, 'OXu/iTTte. ov vv r 'OSuo-o-eu9 60
'Apyeiwv Trapd vrjval %ap%TO lepa pe^wv
Tpoly ev evpely ; ri vv ol TQGQV w^vaao, Zev ; '
Trjv & a7ra/Ae/3o/iez>09 Trpocre^r) v(pe\rjypTa
' refcvov e^ov, TTOIOV ae 7ro9 vpoi(ri HoaeiSdcovi
e/c rov &r) ^OSvo-Tja UocreiSdwv evoe Trepifypa^tofieOa iravres
VOO-TOV, O7TC09 ekOyai' TIo(rei&doi)v Se ^eOrjo'ei
ov %6\ov ov fjiev jdp TI Swijo-erai, dvria rrrdvr&v
dOavdrcov de/c^ri, Oewv epi$ai,ve/j,ev 0*09.'
Tbv 8* rj fielder eireira Bed pa rd^Lcrra
VOGTOV ucr(7o9 Ta.apa ol vlbv
fjLa\\ov eirorpvvw, /cat ol fievos eV peal Oeia),
t9 dyoprjv KaXeaavra /cdprj KOfjbowvras *-4^atou9 90
Tracrt, fjLvr)i\ov, rfv TTOV d/covcrrj,
^S* f iva IJLIV Xeo9 eV#Xoz> eV dvOp^iroiO'iv
TO fca\a
rd /uz> epov rjfiev efi vyprjv
rjS* eir direipova yaiav cifjua Trvoifjs dv6/j,oi,o.
100
, rola-lv re Korea-aerat,
fir) &e KO.T OuXv//,7roto tcaptjvcov a/facra,
(rrrj 8* 'lOd/crjs evl SijfjLW eTrl Trpo6vpoi<$ '
ovBov ITT av\6Lov 7ra\dfj,rj 8' e%6 %d\Kov
elBofJievrj fetW, Tafyiwv rjyrjropi,, Mevrrj. 105
eu/>e 8' a/?a fAwrja-Trjpas dyrjvopas. ol pev eVetra
Trea-croiari, TTpoTrdpoiOe Ovpdmv 6v^ov erepirov,
ev pivolat, ftowv, 0^9 e/cravov avroi.
8' avroL(Ti Kal OTptjpol OepaTrovre?
ol /AW ap* olvov c/juo-yov evl Kprjrfjpa't Kal vSeop, HO
THE ODYSSEY, I. 9
if it be now the pleasure of the blessed gods that wise
Odysseus shall return to his own home, let us send
Hermes forth the Guide, the Speedy-comer into the
island of Ogygia, to tell the fair-haired nymph at once
our steadfast purpose, that stout Odysseus shall set forth
upon his homeward way. I, in the mean while, haste to
Ithaka, to rouse his son yet more, and to put vigor in his
breast ; that so, summoning an assembly of the long-
haired Achaians, he may speak out his will to all the
suitors, men who continually butcher his thronging flocks
and swing-paced, crook-horned oxen. And I will send him
forth to Sparta and to sandy Pylos, to seek what he may
hear of his dear father's coming, and so to win a good re-
port amongst mankind."
Saying this, under her feet she bound her beautiful
sandals, immortal, made of gold, which carry her over
the flood and over the boundless land swift as a breath of
wind. She took her ponderous spear, tipped with sharp
bronze, thick, long, and strong, with which she vanquishes
the ranks of men of heroes, even when this daughter
of a mighty sire is roused against them. Then she went
dashing down the ridges of Olympos and in the land of
Ithaka stood by the gate of Odysseus, at the threshold of
his court. Within her hand she held her brazen spear
and seemed the stranger Mentes, the Taphian leader.
Here then she found the lordly suitors. They were amus-
ing themselves with games of draughts before the palace
door, seated on hides of oxen which they themselves had
slain. Pages and busy squires were near ; some mixing
wine and water in the bowls, others with porous sponges
10 OAY22EIA2 A.
ol &' avre (TTroyyoia-i, Tro\vrprJTOi(7C
vi^ov teal TTporiOev, Tol Be Kpea TroXXa Barevvro.
Trjv Be TTO\V TT/JWTO? I'Se T?;XeyLta%09
r^cTTO yap ev /JLV'rja'T'rjpo't, (f)L\ov Ternj/jiev
oaaopevos irarep ea6\ov evl fypecrlv, el iroQev e\6(bv H5
r&v ftev GKebacnv Kara ^w^iara Oelrj,
B' avro9 e^ot /cat Kr^^aaiv olcnv avdo-croi.
TO, /9o^o9 urra/TQ TroXXa,
avrrjv S' 69 Opbvov elaev aywv, VTTO \lra irerda-a-a^j 130
KO\OV BaiBd\eov VTTO Be Opfjvvs iroa\v r)ev.
Trap B J auro9 K\i(7fjibv Oero Trouc'ikov, e/croOev aXXa>z>
, fir) %elvo<$ avirjOels o
778' a/a /JLtv Trepl irarpos d7roi%ofj,evoi,o epoiro. 135
Xepvifia B* a/x^>/7roXo9 nrpo^ow eire^eve (frepovcra
Ka\fj xpvo-eirj, virep dpyvpeoio Xe/37;T09,
vtyacrOai' irapa Be ge&rrjv erdvva-a-e
drop 8' alBolij rajj,lij Trapedrj/ce
etBara ?roXX' eTriOelcra, %apiopevi) Trapeovrcov 1*0
THE ODYSSEY, I. 11
washing tables and laying ready, while others still cut up
a store of meat.
By far the first to see Athene was godlike Telemachos.
For he was sitting with the suitors, sad at heart, pictur-
ing in mind his noble father how he might come from
somewhere, make a scattering of the suitors up and down
the house, take to himself his honors, and be master of
his own. Thinking 011 this while he sat among the suit-
ors, Athene met his eye. Straight to the door he went,
at heart ashamed to have a stranger stand so long before
his gates. So drawing near and grasping her right hand,
he took her brazen spear, and, speaking, said to her in
winged words : " Hail, stranger ; here with us you shall
be welcome, and by and by, when you have tasted food,
you shall make known your needs."
Saying this, he led the way, and Pallas Athene followed.
When they were come within the lofty hall, he carried the
spear to a tall pillar and set it in a well-worn rack, where
also stood many a spear of stout Odysseus. Athene her-
self he led to a chair and seated, spreading a linen cloth
below. Good was the chair and richly wrought ; beneath
it was a footstool for the feet. Beside it, for himself, he
set a sumptuous seat apart from all the suitors, for fear
the stranger, worried by their din, might lose his taste
for food, meeting with churlish men ; and then that he
might ask him, too, about his absent father. Now water
for the hands a servant brought them, in a beautiful pitcher
made of gold, and poured it out over a silver basin for
their washing, and by them spread a polished table. And
the grave housekeeper brought bread and placed before
12 OAY22EIA2 A.
Bairpbs & e Kpeiwv irivatcas TrapeOrjicev delpas
, Trapd Be a$i TiOeu ^pvareua /ei/TreXAa*
8 avrolcriv Qd^ eTTfty^ero olvoyoevcov.
B' rjKOov /AvrjcTTfipes dyijvopes. ol pev eVetra
e^ovro Kara /cXia/jLovs re Opovovs re. 145
&e KTjpvKes fjuev vScop eirl
Be SjjLcoal Trapevtfveov ev
/covpoi & KprjTfjpas eTreo-rtyavTO Troroto.
ol S' 7r ovelaO' erol/jia irpoiceipeva ^etpa? ia\\ov.
avrap eTrel Troato? Kal ebrjrvos ef epov evro 160
fjLVTjo-Tvjpes, rolaiv /j,ev evl (frpea-lv a\\a fJLe^rjKei,
fj,o\7nj T op^rjo-rv^ re* ra yap T avaOij^ara &UTO?.
/crjpvt; 8' eV ftepalv KiOapiv 7repiKa\\ea Office
$r)/jLiq), o? p* ijeiSe Trapa /jLvrjo-Trjpcrw dvdyKr).
97 rot 6 (fropfjil^wv dve/Bak\ero KO\OV deibeiV) 165
avrdp Tr)\e/jLa%o<; Trpoae^rj y\avKO)7riv 'AOrjvrjv,
ay%i o")(wv Ke^akrjv, iva fjur) irevdoiaO^ ol ak\oi'
' Helve (f>l\', r) /cai poi vepecrrjaeai OTTI icev etVa) ;
TOVToicriv fjuev ravra fjLe\et,, KiOapus /cal aot8^,
pel', eTrel d\\6rpi,ov ffiorov vrfTrowov eSovcrw, 160
dvepos ov By TTOV \evtc ocrrea Trvderai ofji/3pq>
KelfJiev ITT rjirelpov, fj elv d\l KV/JLO, /cv\tvBei,.
el Kelvov 7* 'I0d/C7jv&e IBolaro voo-njo-avra,
irdvres K dpr^craiar eKafyporepot, TroSa? elvai,
TJ dfyveiorepoi ^pvcrolo re eor6r)ro^ re. 165
vvv 8' o IJLCV &>5 d7ro\co\ Ka/cov popov, ovSe TIS rjfuv
6a\7ra)prj, ell Trep rt? ^irt^OavUov dvOpcoircov
\ero voarifjiov rj/jiap.
a\\ dye /JLOL roBe elTre /cal drpeicecos Kard\e^ov
T/9 TroOev et? dvBpwv ; TroOt, rot TroXt? ?)Be To/cfjes ; 170
THE ODYSSEY, I. 13
them, setting out food of many a kind, freely giving of
her store. The carver, too, took platters of meat, and
placed before them, meat of all kinds, and set their
golden goblets ready ; while a page, pouring wine, passed
to and fro between them.
Now there came in the lordly suitors. These soon
took seats in order, on couches and on chairs. Pages
poured water on their hands. Maids heaped them bread
in trays, and young men brimmed the bowls with drink.
And on the food spread out before them they laid hands.
So after they had stayed desire for drink and food
these suitors then in their thoughts they turned to
other things, the song and dance, which crown a feast.
And a page put a beautiful lyre into the hands of Phe-
mios, who sang perforce among the suitors. Touching
the lyre, he made his prelude to a beautiful song. Then
said Telemachos to keen-eyed Athene, his head bent close,
that others might not hear :
" Good stranger, will you take offense at what I say?
These things are all their care, the lyre and song,
an easy care, since making no amends, they eat another's
substance, that of a man whose white bones now are rot-
ting in the rain, if lying on the land, or in the sea the
waters roll them round. But were they once to see him
coming home to Ithaka, they all would pray rather for
speed of foot than stores of gold and clothing. But he,
instead, by some hard fate is gone, and naught remains to
us of comfort no, not if any man on earth shall say he
still will come. Passed is his day of coming. But now
declare me this, and plainly tell, who are you ? Of what
3
14 OAY22EIA2 A.
T eirl 1/7705 d^Ueo' TTW? 8e (re vavTai
yayov e5
ov fjiev yap TI ere Tre^bv olo^ai evOdS' ii
/cat fjioi TOVT dyopevaov eTtJTVfJLOv, ofyp ev elbco,
ye veov /jueOeTreis, fj KOI irarpuHos eaai, 175
, eVel TroXXot, tarav avepes rjfjLerepov So)
eVet KOI icelvos eTT/crr/oo^o? TJV a
Tov 8' avre TTpocreeiTre 6ea y\avKW7Tis '
' TOtyap yw rot ravra fji(i)C drpe/cea)^ ayopevaco.
Mez/TT/5 'Ay^iuXoio Ba'fypovos ev%ofjiai, elvat,
wo?, drap TafyiQivi ^tX^per/i-otcrti/ avda-croy.
vvv 8' e58e fui; vrjl Karr)\v6ov r)& erdpoiai,
iT\io)v 67rl olvoira TTOVTOV eir d\\oOpbovs d
6? Tepev Trarpcoioi, ev^ofjied* elvai
, et Tre/) re yepovr eiprjai 7re\0o)V
AaepTrjv tfpG&a, TOV ov/ceri (ftaal 7r6\ivSe
O', aXV aTrdvevOev eV dypov Tr^'yu-ara irda^iv 190
9.
ov rot TL Brjpov ye e\ov /jLarcapo? vv rev Hftp&at uto?
dvepos, ov Kredreffo-iv eot? ein 7^pa? erer/i-e.
vvv 5* 09 a7roT/xoraro9 yevero 6vr)Twv di>0pa)7rci)v,
rov fju K (fraa-i, yeveaOaiy eVel p eri Kelvos avrjp eVtS^yiuo? rjev
vvv ' ere/36)? efioKovro 6eol /ca/ca ^rtocoyre?,
ot Keivov pep aivTov eTTolrja-av Trepl iravrwv 285
avQptaTT&Vt 7rel ov /ce Oavovn Trep coS' afca%oifj,r]v,
el /Ltera ot? eTapotcrt Sdpr) Tpaayv evl
^e i\cov ev %e/oertz/, eVel iroKepov
To5 /cei/ o/ TV/JL/SOV fjuev eTrolrjo-av Uava%ai,ol t
rjSe K Kal w TratSl /*e7a /cXeo? rjpaT OTTtWa). 240
rw 8e JAW aK\eio)s apjrviai, avrjpetyavTO'
' atoTO?, CLTTVCTTOS, e/jiol S' oSu^a? re 7001^9 re
oyS* e' icelvov obvpo/jievos o-reva^i^
olov, eVet i/u yLtot aXXa ^eot Kaica icr) erevgav.
yap vrjcroia-iv eTTiKpareovo-w apiaroi,, 246
re ^dfjLy re at vKrjevn Za/cvv0a),
O(7(70t Kpavarjv ^IBaKTjv Kara Koipaveovai,
fjLrjrep* e^v fJLvwvrai, Tpv^ovai Be ol/cov.
17 S' our' apvelrat, (rrvyepov yd/jLov ovre Te\evrr]v
Suvarcu' rol Se fyQwvQovcriv e^oz/re? 250
/JLOV rd-^a 5r; /^e &iappaLeL7j.
el yap vvv e\0(t)v 8ofj,ov ev Trpwrycri, Ovpya-t,
arTairj, e^o)v 7rij\r)Ka Kal daTrlba Kal Bvo Sovpe,
ro?09 ecbv olov fjiiv ejo) TO, TTpwT* v6rjo~a
oiKto ev rjfMerepa) TTLVOVTCL re rep'jrofjLevov re,
ef 'EQvprjs dvLovra Trap 1 "I\ov Meppeploao'
THE ODYSSEY, I. 19
since now you ask of this and question ine, in former
days this house bade fair to be wealthy and esteemed,
while yet that man was still among his people. But the
hard-purposed gods willed otherwise, who shut him from
our knowledge more than all men beside. For were he
dead, I should not feel such grief if he had fallen
amongst comrades in the Trojan land, or in the arms of
friends when the skein of war was wound. Then would
the whole Achaian host have made his grave, and even for
his son a great name had been gained in after days. Now,
silently the robber winds have swept him off. Gone is he,
past all sight and hearing, and sorrow and sighing he has
left to me. And yet no longer do I grieve and mourn for
him alone ; for now the gods have brought me other sore
distress. For all the nobles that bear sway among the
islands, Doulichion, Same, and woody Zakynthos,
and all who have the power in rocky Ithaka, all woo my
mother and despoil my house. She neither declines the
hated suit, nor has she power to end it ; while they, with
feasting, impoverish my house, and soon will bring me
also to destruction."
Stirred into anger, Pallas Athene spoke: "Alas! in
very truth, you greatly need absent Odysseus, to lay hands
on the shameless suitors. What if even now he came,
and here before his house stood at the outer gate, with
helmet, shield, and his two spears even such as when I
watched him that first day at my own home, drinking and
making merry, on his way from Ephyra, from Ilos, son of
Mermeros. For thither, too, Odysseus went in his swift
20 OAY22EIA2 A.
dvSpo<[>6vov Sity/JLevos, 6(j)pa ol ecrj
lov? ^pleaOat, yakKir} peas' d\\* 6 [lev ov ol
Sw/cev, e7TL pa Qeovs ve/JLecr%To alev eovTas,
d\\d Trarijp ol Sw/cev epos' paSe Tracri, Oeol 8' eTTifjidprvpoi
fj,ev eVt o-Qerepa o-K&vacrOai
8', el ol Ovpos efftop/jLarat yapeeffQat,, 275
ai|r ITCO 9 fjbeyapov irarpos peya Svva/J,evot,o'
ol Se ydfjbov revgovo-i KOI dprvveovcrw eebva
TroXXa /xaV, oacra eoi/ce (friXrjs eVl TratSo? eTrecrOai.
a-ol S' aura) TrvKivws vTroOijo-OfjLai,, al fee TTLOrjaf
vrf apcra? eperrjcnv eeitcoo-w, ij ri? apia-TTj, 280
p%0 7TV(r6/jLVO$ TTaTpOS $7)V ol^OfJieVOlO,
rjv Tt? TOI eiTrycri, fiporwv, rj oo-aav d/covcry?
IK Aibs, rj re /iaXtcrra Qepei, K\eos dvOpcoTTOMTi.
Trpcora pev 9 IIvKov e\6e /cal eipeo Nea-ropa &2ov,
KeWev be ^Trdprrjv^e Trapa %av6ov Meve\aov 285
09 yap Sevraros rj\.6ev ^A^aiwv ^aXfco^r^vcov.
el fiev icev nrarpos /Biorov /cal voarov d/covarjs,
% T' av Tpwxpiievbs Trep eri r\alrjs eviavrov
el Be Ke reOvrjwros d/covcrys fj,r)& er eovros,
or) eTreira pdeo-0ai, 8rj ejrecra Kara fypeva /cal Kara OV/JLOV
OTTTTO)? KG /jLvrjcTTfjpas evl fjie^dpoidi Teoicri 295
rje B6\a) 77 djjL(j)a$dv ovSe ri ae
o-%eeiv, eVet ovfceri ri?X&o$ e, ^)/Xo?, yLtaXa ^a^ cr' opow Ka~kov re peyav re,
eVcr', tVa r/9 ya)v eVt i/?)a ^o^z/ /eareXe^croyitat
778' erapou9> ot x TTOU /ie yLtaX' acr^aXoajcrt
eyLt7Tfeo fjivOwv.' 305
TT)I; 8' a TTfke^a-^o^ TreTrvv^evo^ dvriov yvba'
get,v , rj TOI, fj,v ravra (j)l\a (frpoveaiv dyopeveis,
0)9 T6 Trarrjp c5 TratSt, /cal 01; Trore \rj(ro/jLai, avr&v.
aXX a9 dvoTrala BieTrraro ro3 & ' evl Bvpco
THE ODYSSEY, I. 23
pay the funeral rites, full many, as are due, and you shall
give your mother to a husband. So after you have ended
this and finished all, consider next within your mind and
heart how you may slay the suitors in your halls, whether
by stratagem or open force. You must not hold to child-
ish ways, for you are of childish age no longer. Have
you not heard what fame royal Orestes gained with all
mankind, because he slew the slayer, wily Aigisthos, who
had slain his famous father ? You too, my friend, for
of a truth I find you fair and tall, be strong, that even
men hereafter born may speak your praise. Now go I
down to the swift ship and to my comrades, who no doubt
chafe at waiting. Kely upon yourself, and make my words
your guide."
Then answered her discreet Telemachos : " Stranger,
assuredly in this you speak with kindness, even as a father
to a son. Never shall I forget it. But pray, now, stay,
though eager for your journey; that being bathed, re-
freshed in very soul, you turn to your ship in joyous mood,
bearing a gift of honor, very beautiful, to be to you a
keepsake from myself, even such a thing as dear friends
give to friends."
Then answered him the goddess, keen-eyed Athene :
"Do not detain me longer now, when anxious for my
journey. And whatsoever gift your kind heart bids you
give, give it when I return, for me to carry home. Choose
one exceeding beautiful; it shall be matched in the ex-
change."
Saying this, keen-eyed Athene passed away, even
as a bird a sea - hawk takes its flight. Into his
24 OAY22EIA2 A.
0fjK /j,evos /cat Odpffos, vTre/Avrja-ev re e
eV rj TO irdpoiOev. 6 Be (ftpealv y
Kara Ovpov oio-aro yap deov elvai.
avri/ca Be /jLvrja'T'fjpas eTrco^ero laoOeo^ <&>9.
Tolai 8' acuSo9 dei,Be irepiickvTos, ol Be crKoTrrj 325
etar' d/covovre?' 6 8' 'A%aia)v vocrrov aeiBe
\vypbv, bv IK Tpolr)<$ eVere/Xaro JTaXXa? 'AOyvrj.
Tov S' virepwioOev peal crvvOero Oecnriv doi,Sr)v
Kovprj 'Ixaploio, Treptypcov JT^i/eXoTreta*
K\i/JiaKa 8' vtyrjKrjv KarefiijcreTo olo B6/j,oio, 380
OVK OLt], dfjM rfj ye Kal djjb^liroKoi Bfr ZTTOVTO.
f) 8' ore Br) /jLvrjcTT'rjpas dfyiKero Bla .
9 8* VTrepw' avaj3d(7a &vv ayu.0t7roXot(7t yvvai^l
Kkalev eireur ^O^vcrrja, 9 dyopeve.
Tov ' avr 'Avrivoos 7rpocr(f)rj, EinreiOeos
', fj yitaXa 87? ere StSdo-Kovaiv Oeol avrol
r epevai KOI 6apo-a\ea)S dyopeveiv
r) ere 76 ez^ d/j,id\u) 'lOaKrj ftaati^a Kpoviav
, (/ / / ' >
o TOI yeverj Trarpauov ecrrt.
8' av T^XeyLta^o? TreTrz/u/Ae^o? dvriov rjv&a*
/cai /JLOL vefMecnjcreat, om KGV ewco ;
tcai /cev TOUT' e6e\oi^i A LOS 76 &OZ/TO? dpeaBai.
97 <^)^9 TOVTO KCLKICTTOV V dvOptoTTOlCTI, TTV%OcH, ;
ov fj,ev yap TI Ka/cov jBaaikeve^ev al-^rd Te ol 8w
di,d\(j) 'lOa/cy, veot ^8e T
ra)v Kev Tt? TO'' e^r)(TiVy eVel ^az/e 8t
avrdp eyaiv OL/COIO ava% e&ofju rj^erepoi
KOI $/j,(t)(ov, ou? /Jioi \7)Lo-aaro 8to?
Tof 8' az/r' Evpvfjba^o^, UoKvftov Trots, dvriov
* Trj\fjLa^, r) roi ravra 6e&v ev yovvaai tcelrai,, 400
o? Tt? ev dfJL<$>id\,(p 'lOd/crj (3acrL\vo'ei ^A^aiMV
KTrj/jLara 8' GWTO? e^ot? Aral ScoyLtacrt aola-iv di>d(rcroi$.
fjir) yap o y e\9oi dvrjp o? T/9 epi, ep^o/jievoio,
77 eoi> avrov %peto? e'eX^oyu-e^o? ToS ' licdvei ;
THE ODYSSEY, I. 29
He said, and all with teeth set in their lips marveled
because Telemachos had spoken boldly.
Then said to him Antinoos, Eupeithes' son : " Telema-
chos, surely the gods themselves have you in training for
a man of lofty tongue and a bold speaker. But may the
son of Kronos never make you king in sea-girt Ithaka,
although it is by birth your heritage ! "
Then answered him discreet Telemachos : " Antinoos,
will you feel offense at what I say ? This I would gladly
take, if Zeus would grant it. Do you think such fate the
worst that can befall a man ? Why, it is no bad thing to
be a king! His house grows rich at once, and he him-
self is in more honor. Still, as to kings of the Achaians,
there are many others here in sea-girt Ithaka, both young
and old, some one of whom may take the place, now death
has come to royal Odysseus. But I myself will be the
lord of our own house and of the slaves which were the
spoil of royal Odysseus."
Then answered him Eurymachos, the son of Polybos :
" Telemachos, indeed in the gods' lap it lies to say which
one of the Achaians shall be king in sea-girt Ithaka. Your
substance may you keep, and of your house be lord ; may
the man never come who, heedless of your will, shall strip
you of that substance while Ithaka shall stand. But, good
sir, I would ask about this stranger whence the man
comes, and of what land he calls himself. Where are his
kinsmen and his native fields ? Does he bear tidings of
your father's coming, or comes he here with hope of his
own gains ? How hastily he went ! Not waiting for us
4
30 OAY22EIA2 A.
olov avat^as d(f>ap ot^erat, ou8' vTrefjuewe 410
yiHOfjievai,' ov fiev yap TI /caKat e/9 &>7ra eu>/cet.'
Top 8' av Trj\efjLa^o^ TreTrvv/juevos avriov TjvSa,'
' EvpV/JLa%, T) TQl I/OC7TO? aTTCoXcTO 7TaTpO<$ /jLolo'
OVT ovv ayryehiys en ireiOo/jiai,, el iroOev \0oi t
OVT OeOTTpOTTiT]^ fjL7rdofJLai,, TIV TtVa /JLfJTTJp 415
5 fjieyapov Ka\eaaa-a OeoirpOTrov e^eperjrai.
S' oi'To? e'yLto? TrarpwLos eic Td(f)ov early
' 'Ay%i,d\oio Sa'fypovos ev^erai elvat,
drap Ta^)ioi,(n, i\r)p6TfjLoi,(Tiv dvda-aei!
*&<$ pecrl /jiepprjpl&v.
To5 S' dp a/jb aWoiMevas SaiSas $epe icebva Ibvla
Evpv/c\ei, '/2-7T09 0vrydrr)p Tleicr^vopi^ao,
TT)V 7TOT6 Aa6pT7)5 TTpLttTO KTeaTZVCTW (-01(71, 430
irpwOrilBrjv er eovcrav, eeifco&dfioia 8' eSco/cev,
ldvrj poBoBd/CTV\o 'J
atpvvT ap ef evvrjtyw 'OBvo-crfjos 09 oft' #er' w
l 8' WTTO \i7rapoicriv IBifoaTO Ka\a
/x.6^ e/c 0a\d/j,oio 6eu> eVaX/7/cto?
e /crjpv/ceo'cri, \L r yv@d < y f yoi,o'(, /ceXevcre
ayoprjv&e /capy KO/JLOCOVTO,? '
ol /J 76 ^dpiv /care^evev 'AOrfwrj.
rbv S' apa iravres \aol eTrep^o/nevov Orjevvro*
efero S' eV Trarpos OWKW, el^av Be ryepovre?.
Toicri 8' eVefc^' ^/>a>9 Alyvimos rjpx dyopevew, 16
09 S^ yrfpai KVbs erjv KOI fivpia
at 7a/3 TOU ^>/Xo9 vto9 a//-' dv
effrj Koi\r)S evl vrjvalv,
TOV B' a7pto9 e/crave
ev wrrr)i vpq), TTV/JLCLTOV B' 07r\i(rcraTo BopTrov. 20
e ol a\\oi, eaav, KOI o
/jios, Bvo B' alev e%ov Trarpajia
dXV ovS' W9 TOV \ij0er oBvp6ju,VO<; KOI d-^evcov.
TOV 6 ye Bd/cpv x ecov dyoprfcraTO /cal
II.
THE ASSEMBLY AT ITHAKA, AND THE DEPARTURE OF TELEMACHOS.
SOON as the early, rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, the
dear son of Odysseus rose from bed, put on his clothes,
slung his sharp sword about his shoulder, under his shi-
ning feet bound his fair sandals, and came forth from his
chamber in bearing like a god. Straightway he bade the
clear-voiced heralds summon to an assembly the long-
haired Achaians. Those summoned, and these gathered
very quickly. So when they had been called and all
were come, he set off for the assembly, holding in hand
a brazen spear yet not alone, two swift dogs followed
him, and marvelous was the grace Athene cast about him.
Then all the people gazed as he drew near. He sat
down in his father's seat ; the elders made him way.
The first to speak was lord Aigyptios, a man bowed
down with age, who knew a thousand things. He spoke,
for his dear son had gone with god-like Odysseus in the
hollow ships to Ilios, that land of horses Antiphos, a
spearman. The savage Cyclops killed him in the deep
cave, and on him made a supper last of all. Three
other sons there were; one joined the suitors Euryn-
omos and two still kept their father's farm. Yet not
for them did he forget to mourn and miss that other.
Dropping a tear for him, he thus addressed them, saying :
36 OAY22EIA2 B.
' K.6K\VT Brj VVV fJLV, 'IQo&falOl, OTTi KCV etTTW 25
cure 7TO) r)/j,eTep7) dyoprj yever' ovre 0oo>/eo9
ef ov 'OBvo-aevs Bios eftrj #06X779 evl vrjvcrL
vvv Be r/9 a)B ' rfyeipe ; riva %/>etct) TOCTOV ifcet
ye vecov avSpcov, rj oc Trpoyevearepol elcriv ;
rje TIV dyyehirjv arparov /c\vev ep^o/jLevoio, 30
r)v % rjfjbiv crdfya etVot, ore Trpore/oo? 76 irvOoiro ;
rje TI Srjfjuiov a\\o TT leaver /cer at, T)&' dyopevei ;
6(7^X09 yu-ot $o/cel elvai,, ovrffjuevo?. eWe ol avrw
Zevs dyaObv reXecreiev, o TL (frpea-lv yen fjLevoiva.'
A /2? ^>aro, xaipe 8e tyr^y 'O$va-(rijos <^>/Xo9 vlb? t 36
ouS' a/?' er^, brjv r)<;.
irpcorov eTrecra yepovTa KaOaTrrofievo^ 7rpo9 ^7rt09 rjev
vvv 8' av /cal TTO\V fj,e2ov, o Brj rd^a ol/cov a
Biappal&ei,, fflorov B' aTrb 7rdfj,7rav o
JJLOI, fjLvrja-rijpe^ eire^paov ov/c ede\ov(7r},
TCOV dvBpwv L\ot, fte9 o? evOdBe y eldv
ot 7rar/)09 fJ>ev 69 ol/cov dire ppiy aai veeo-Oat
'I/caplov, W9 K auro9 eeBvaxrcuro Ovyarpa,
Bolrj B' oS K eOeXot, /cat ol Ke%api,o-/jLevo<; e\9oi.
THE ODYSSEY, II. 37
" Hearken now, men of Ithaka, to what I say. Never
has our assembly once been held no single session
since royal Odysseus went in the hollow ships. Who is
it calls us now, in such a fashion ? Who has such urgent
need ? Young or old is he ? Has he heard tidings of an
army's coming, which he would plainly tell to us so soon
as he has learned? Or has he other public matter to
announce and argue? True man he seems to me, and
blest already. Zeus grant him good in all his heart de-
sires ! "
As thus he spoke, the dear son of Odysseus gladdened
at what was said, and kept his seat no longer. He burned
to speak. He rose up in the midst of the assembly, and
in his hand a herald placed the sceptre a herald named
Peisenor, discreet of understanding. Then turning first
to the old man, he thus addressed him :
" Sire, not far off is he, as you full soon shall know, who
called the people hither ; for it is I who am in deepest
trouble. No tidings of an army's coming have I heard,
which I would plainly tell to you so soon as I have
learned ; nor have I other public matter to announce and
argue. Rather it is my private need, ill falling on my
house in twofold wise. For first I lost my noble father,
who was formerly your king kind father as e'er was
and now there comes a still more grievous thing, which
soon will utterly destroy my home and quite cut off my
substance. Suitors beset my mother sorely against her
will, sons of the very men who are the leaders here. They
shrink from going to the house of Ikarios, her father, to
let him count the bride-gifts for his daughter, giving her
38 OAY22EIA2 B.
ol S* et qjjLerepov TTcoKevfJbevoL tffiara iravra, 65
/3oi)? tepevovres KOI 0*9 KOI Triovas alyas,
el\aTnvdovo~i,v wlvowrl re aWorca olvov
ra Be 7ro\\a Kardverai. ov yap eV dvrjp
' OBv&aeiK; e&rcev, dprjv CLTTO OLKOV CL/JLVVCLI,.
S* ov vv n rolot d/jLvve/jbev r} Kai eTreira 60
\vya\eoi r eao/jLecrOa teal ov BeSar) /cores d\fcrfv.
ri r av dfivvalfjLrjv, et poi, Svvafifa ye Trapeirj.
ov yap T dvo-^era epya reTev^arai, ouS' en
ol/cos epos StoXwXe* vefjLevcrrjOrjTe KOI avrol,
aXXou? r' alSecrOrjre TrepiKTtovas dvOpoiTrovs,
ot Trepwaierdovcri' dewv 8' vTrobelo-are ILVJVIV,
fjirj TI fieTao-Tpe-froycriv dyao-adfievot, Kaica epya.
\io-aofjLai fjfLev Zrjvbs 'O\v/j,7rlov rjoe
TI r dvSpwv dyopas rj^ev \vei ^8e
(7^edyoLre, rd^ av rrore KOI
r6(f>pa yap av Kara aarv TroriTrrvo-croi/jLeOa
XpTJ/Aar drrairi^ovres, ew? K dirb rcdvra
vvv Be fioi aTTpijKTOvs oBvvas e/jL/3d\\ere
^/2? (f>dro xwofievos, Trorl Be cr/cfjTrrpov /3aXe yaiy, 8fl
Bdfcpv dvaTrpijo-as oZ/rro? B' e\e \aov arravra.
evO' a\\oi fjiev irdvres aKrjv eaav, ov8e rt9 er\ij
v pvOoiaiv a^d^acrQai yakzirolcriv
Be /JLIV oZo? d/jLetftofjievos TrpocreeiTre*
THE ODYSSEY, II. 39
then to whom he will, whoever meets his favor ; but haunt-
ing this house of ours day after day, killing our oxen,
sheep, and fatted goats, they hold high revel, drinking
sparkling wine with little heed. Much goes to waste, for
no man is there fit like Odysseus to keep damage from
our doors. We are not fit ourselves to guard the house ;
attempting it, we should be pitiful and found unskilled in
conflict. Guard it I would if only strength were mine.
For deeds are done which cannot be borne longer, and with
no decency my house is plundered. Shame you should feel
yourselves, and some respect as well for neighbors living
near you, and awe before the anger of the gods, lest haply
they may turn upon you, vexed with your evil courses.
Nay, I entreat you by Olympian Zeus, and by that Justice
which dissolves and gathers the assemblies of mankind,
forbear, my friends ! Leave me to pine in bitter grief
alone, unless indeed my father, good Odysseus, ever in
malice wronged the mailed Achaians, and in return for
that you now with malice do me wrong, urging these peo-
ple on. Better for me it were you should yourselves de-
vour my stores and herds. If you devoured them, there
might perhaps some day be recompense ; for we would
constantly pursue you with our suit throughout the town,
demanding back our substance till all should be restored.
Now, woes incurable you lay upon my heart."
In wrath he spoke, and dashed the sceptre to the ground,
letting his tears burst forth, and pity fell on all the people.
So all the rest were silent, none else dared to make Telem-
achos a bitter answer. Antinoos alone made answer, say-
ing:
40 OAY22EIA2 B.
vtyayoprj, fievos acr^eTe, irolov eetTre? 85
i e#eAot? Se /ce IAW/JUOV dvdtyai.
trot S' ov rt fjLvrja-rrjpes ' Ayaiwv air col elaiv,
a\\a ap B' r^uv fjuereeiTre' 95
Kovpou, e^ol fjLvrjo-Trjpes, eVet Odve 8^09 ' ' OSvao~ev<;,
fjbifjiver' eirei^ofJLevoi rov efjuov ydfjuov, 6i? o /ce (j>apo<;
KT\e(rcO, fJLtJ /jLOL /JLTafJL(t)V id V1JJJLCIT O\7)TCU, t
A.aeprrj rjpwi Ta(f)?ji,ov t e/? o re Kev ynv
/jLolp* 6\or) KaOekrjcri, Tavr)\eyeos Oavdroio, 100
fit] T/9 l*>oi Kara STJ/JLOV ^A^aud^cov ve/jLeo-rj(7r} t
ai Kev arep cnreipov tcfjrai, 7ro\\a /creartcrcra?.
a)? e'(/>a#', rjfjilv 8' avT eTreireiOeTO OV/JLOS djijvwp.
evOa fcal rj/jLariij p,ev vfyaivecncev fieyav Icrrov,
vv/cras S' d\\veo-fcev, eTrrjv Sa'l'Sas TrapaOelro. 105
&>? T/9/6T69 ^ev e\r)0e SoXft) teal ejreiOev ^A^aiov^'
aXX' ore rerparov rj\6ev ero? /cat eTrrjXvOov wpai,
/col Tore Stf Tt? eenre yvvai/cwv, rj crdfya fi&r),
/cat TTJV Se [JLvrjcrTfjpes VTroKpivovrai, 1v et'8^5
auro? <7G3 Ovfjiq), eiSaHri Se TraWe? '
fjirjrepa O-TJV dTroTrefityov, aV&>^#t Se
To3 orea) re Trarrjp /ceXerat /cat av^dvei avrfj.
THE ODYSSEY, II. 41
" Telemachos, you of the lofty tongue and the un-
bridled temper, what do you mean by putting us to
shame ? On us you would be glad to fasten guilt. I tell
you the Achaian suitors are not at all to blame ; your
mother is to blame, who has a craft beyond all women.
The third year is gone by, and fast the fourth is going,
since she began to mock the hearts in our Achaian breasts.
To all she offers hopes, has promises for each, and sends
us messages, yet her heart has a different purpose. Here
is the last pretext she cunningly devised. Within the hall
she set up a great loom and went to weaving ; fine was
the web and very large ; and then to us said she : ' Young
men who are my suitors, now death has come to royal
Odysseus, forbear to press my marriage till I complete
this robe, its threads must not be wasted, a shroud
for lord Laertes, against the time when the fell doom of
death that lays men low takes hold upon him. Achaian
wives about the land I fear might give me blame, if he
should lie without a shroud he who had great posses-
sions.' Such were her words, and our high hearts as-
sented. Then in the daytime would she weave at the
great web, but in the night unravel, after she brought
the torches. Thus for three years she hid her craft and
cheated the Achaians. But when the fourth year came,
as time rolled on, then at the last one of her maids, who
knew full well, confessed, and we discovered her unravel-
ing the splendid web ; so then she finished it against her
will, perforce. Therefore to you the suitors make this
answer, that you yourself may understand in your own
heart, and that the Achaians all may understand. Send
off your mother! Bid her take in marriage whomever
42 OAY22EIA2 B.
el 8' eV dvt,r) S' av Trj\fjLa^o^ nreTrvvfjievos dvrlov
' 'Avrivd ', ov 7ro>9 eo~Ti 8o/xo)i/ de/covaav aTrcoaai 130
TI /ju ere% J , rj p e6pe^re- Trarrjp 8' e/^o? a\\o6t,
%c06i 6 y r) Te6vr)Ke* KCLKOV Be fj,e TroXX' d
'I/capL(p t ai K avros eKODV aTrb /jLrjrepa 7re/Ln/
etc 7ra)v
ecrcreraf o>? ov TOVTOV eyca Trore fivOov ev
v/j,eTpos 8' el /juev Ou^os ve/jieo-l^e
e^iTe. pot, fjieydpaiv, aXXa? 8' d\eyvveTe
v/jbd KTrffjLaT eSoz/re?, dfjLeijSo/JLevoi, /caTa OIKOVS.
el 8' VJJLIV Bo/ceet, ToBe \coiTepov KOI d/j,eivov
e/jLfjLevai, dvBpbs evb<; ffloTov VTJTTOWOV o\eaOai,
Helper eyco Be Qeovs eVt/Swcro/iai alev eovras,
THE ODYSSEY, II. 43
her father wills and him who pleases her ! Or will she
weary longer yet the sons of the Achaians, mindful at
heart of what Athene in large measure gave her, skill in
fair works, a noble mind, and such a craft as we have
never known in those of old, those who were long ago
fair-haired Achaian women, Tyro, Alkmene, and crowned
Mykene no one of whom had judgment like Penelope ;
and yet, in truth, in this she judged not wisely. For even
so long shall men devour your life and substance as she
retains the mind the gods put in her breast at present.
Great fame she brings upon herself, but brings on you
the loss of large possessions. To our own lands we will
not go, nor elsewhere either, till she shall marry an Acha-
ian whom she will."
Then answered him discreet Telemachos : " Antinoos,
against her will I cannot drive from home the one who
bore me and who brought me up. My father is far away,
alive or dead, and hard it were for me to pay the
heavy charges to Ikarios which I needs must, if of my will
alone I send my mother forth. For from her father's
hand I shall meet ills ; and others God will send, when
my mother calls upon the dread Avengers as she forsakes
the house ; blame, too, will fall upon me from mankind.
Therefore that word I never will pronounce ; and if your
hearts chafe at your footing here, then quit my halls !
Look after other tables and eat what is your own, chang-
ing about from house to house ! Or if it seems to you
more profitable and better to ruin the living of one man,
without amends, go wasting on ! But I will call upon the
gods that live forever and pray that Zeus may grant acts
44 OAY22EIA2 B.
ai KG TroBi Zevs Bwcri, TraXomra epya yeveaOai,.
vrjTTOivoi Kev eTreira BO/ACOV evroa-Oev oKoicrOe.' 145
*/2? cjbaro T^Xe/^a^o?, TO> S' alerco evpvorra Zev<$
v-^r66ev IK Kopvffis opeos irpoerjice
TO) S' ea>9 fJ>ev p' eVero^ro ftera
ore 5^ /uLea-a-rjv dyoprjv iroKv^/Jbov i/cecr07)v, 160
ez/^' eTriSivrjOevTe Ttva^dcrdijv irrepa TTV/CVO,,
6? 8' 1&6T7JV TTCtVTWV K$>a\aS, O(T(TOVTO 8' O\0pOV,
8* 6vv%(r(ri Trapeia? d^L re Seipa?
v Sid r olicia teal Trb\iv avT&v.
@dfjL/3rj(rav 8' opviOas, eVel L&OV 60a\iJ,oii\a>v o)v etrtrerat, aXXa TTOV ^Brj
eyyvs ea>v rolo-Beo-o-t, 6vov KOI Krjpa fyvrevei 165
iravreo-a-iv 7ro\ecn,v Be KCLI aXkoicrw KaKov eWat,
o? vefJLOfJbeaO' 'lOd/crjv evBele\ov. aXXa TTO\V Trplv
pa(f)fjLeo-0' w? Kev Kara'TravcrofJiev ol Be KOI avrol
TravecrOcov Kal ydp affuv d^ap roBe Xcoiov eaTiv.
ov ydp direipriTos /jiavrevo/jiai,, aXX' ev etSco9 170
Kal ydp Kelvqy tyr^u, TeXevrrjOrjvat airavra
iv efty TroX^rt? 'OBv(T(revs.
IHE ODYSSEY, II. 45
of requital. Then beyond all amends, here in this very
house, ruin should fall on you ! "
So spoke Telemachos, and answering him far-seeing
Zeus sent forth a pair of eagles, flying from a mountain
peak on high. These for a time moved down along the
wind, close by each other and with outstretched wings ;
but as they reached the middle of the many-voiced assem-
bly, wheeling in circles there, they flapped their heavy
wings, glared at the heads of all, and death was in their
eyes. Then tearing with their claws each other's cheek
and neck, they darted to the right, across the town and
houses. Men marveled at the birds, as they beheld, and
pondered in their hearts what they should mean. And
to the rest spoke old lord Halitherses, the son of Mastor ;
for he surpassed all people of his time in understanding
birds and telling words of fate. He with good will ad-
dressed them thus, and said :
" Hearken now, men of Ithaka, to what I say ; and to
the suitors with a special meaning do I speak. A great
calamity is theirs, now rolling onward ! For Odysseus
will not long be parted from his friends, but even now is
near, sowing the seeds of death and doom for all men
here. Ay, and on many another, too, shall sorrow fall
on many of us who live in far-seen Ithaka ! But long ere
that, let us consider how to check these men, or rather,
let them check themselves ; that soon shall be their gain.
For not as inexpert I prophesy, but with sure knowledge.
And this I say : all has come true for him which I de-
clared that day the Argive host took ship for Ilios, and
with them wise Odysseus went along. I said that after
46 OAY22EIA2 B.
$r\v /ccuca TroXXa iraBovr, oXecravr OLTTQ Trdvra? eralpovs
ayvcoo~Tov Trdvreo-o-tv eeiKoo~Tq) eviavrq) 176
oi/caB' e\evo~eo-6ai, ra Be Brj vvv irdvra re\eirai,.'
Tov B' avr EvpvfJLa'xos, HdXvftov Trat?, dvrlov qvBa'
' w yepov t el B' aye vvv pavreveo a-olcn,
OIKaS' l(t)V, fJirf 7TOV TL KdKOV Trdd^aXTiV
ravra 8* eyco creo 7ro\\bv OfLelwov ^avreveaOai. 180
opvi,des Be re TroXXot vir avya? rjekioio
^>OLTO)(T\ ovBe re Trdvres evalcrijjLOi,' avrap 'OBva-5 KOI crv Kara^OidOai avv etceLva
w^eXe?. OVK av roaaa OeoirpoTrewv dyopeves,
ovBe tee Tfj\fJLa^ov Ke^oXcofjievov wS' dvieirj^ 186
o-a) OIKM Bwpov TToriBeyfjievos, al /ce iroprjcnv.
aXX' eic rot, epeco, TO Be KOI Tereheajjievov
at Ke vea)repov dvBpa irakaid re TroXXa re et'
7rapdfjLevo<; eVeecrcrtz/ eirorp vvys %a\.7raivei,v t
avra) fjbev ol irpwrov dviripka-repov eVrat, 190
[TTprjgcu B' efJLTT^ ov TI Bvvrjo-eTai, elveica
aol Be, yepov, Ocorjv eTriOrjcrofjiev r)v tc evl
TLVCOV acr^aXX?;?* %a\e7rbv Be rot ecraerai, a
B' ev TTCLVIV eycov VTroOrjcrofjb
ep* erjv 69 Trarpo? dvcoyerco aTroveecrOai, 195
ol Be ydfjbov rev^ovai ical dprvveova-iv eeBva
TroXXa fj,d\\ ocra-a eoiice >/X?79 eVt TratSo?
ov yap Trplv iravo-eaOai, btofuu via? *A%ai
ILVTJO-TVOS dpya\er)pa icev 77 ye Siarplftya-iv '-
T)fJL2 ' CIV TTOTi^ey/JLevOt, tf/jLaTO, TTCLVTa 205
ewefca rrjs dper^ epibalvouev, ov$e per a\\a<$
p%6fjLeO\ a? eVtet/ce? OTrvieuev ecrrlv e/cdo-rq).'
Tbv 6 av r^X-e/za^o? TreTrvv/juevos avrlov rjvSa'
' Evpv/jLax ^Se /cal aXXot, ocrot fjLvrjaT'fjpes dyavol,
ravra ^ev oi>% vfieas en, \io-aojjiai, ov& dyopevw 210
77877 epei tc\eos
el fiev Kev Trarpbs /Blorov KO\ voarov d
T) T CIV, TpV^O/JLeVOS 7Tp, Tl, T\ai7)V
el &e fee TeOvti&Tos dfcovo-o) /JLTJ^ er e'oWo?,
voa-rricras Brj eTreira (j)i\,r)v e? irarpL^a yalav
trrjud re ol %e^co fcal eVl Krepea fcrepet'^a)
TroXXa jjLa\\ oacra eoifce, fcal dvepi fjujrepa
9 TT tt A \ ' >' f't* 5. >
ti TOL o y w? eiTTtov fear ap e^ero, rotcrt o
Mevrcop, 09 p* ' O8u<77}o9 dfjbv/jiovos rjev eralpos,
/cat ot tojy eV vrjvcrlv eTrerpeTrev olicov aTravra,
ireiOeaOai re yepovri real e/ATreSa Trdvra
6 atytv ev(f)povea)v dyopijcraro fcal fjiereeiTre'
' KetcXvTe 77 vvv /lev, 'lOafcrjaioi,, 6m Kev
I^TI rt9 en Trpocfrpwv dyavbs fcal 7777^09 ecrra)
o-/C777rToi)^09 /9acrtX6L'9, ^77^6 a\d<; Kareoovai /3tata>5
ol/cov 'OSfcrer^o?, rbv S' ov/ceri, SrjfJ>q> vefJieai^ofJiai,, olov
fl&6* avew, arap ov TL KaOaTrro/jLevoi,
Travpov? fjLvrjo'Tfjpas /caTaTravere TroXXol eoz/re?.*
Tbv &' EvrjvoplBrjs AeitoicpiTOS avriov
' Mevrop arapTTjpe, (frpevas ^Xee, irolov e
?7yLtea? orpvvwv KaraTrave^ev. dpyaXeov 8e
dvBpdai Kal 7r\e6vear' ev^bfLevos, o"%eB66ev Be ol r)\6ev ^
Mevropt elBopevrj rjfjbev Be/jias tfBe /cat avBrjv,
Kai IJLW (f>a)vrj(racr t eVea irrepbevra Tr
{ Trj\eijLa%, ovB* oinOev tea/cos eaaeai,
el Brf TOI dov Trarpbs eve(7TaKTat, yu-ez/o? r)v, 271
olo? /ceivos erjv reXecrat epyov re eVo? re.
ov TQI 7rei,0' a\Lr] 0805 eaa-erai, ouS' dreXecrro?.
el B* ov Keivov 7' eVcrl 701/09 KOI UT/^eXoTre^?,
ov v,
ovBe re 7rdy%v ye /i^rt? ' OBvo-crrjos irpo\e\oiTrev t
\7ra)pij TOI eTreira re\evrrj(7ai rdBe epya. 280
Tft) VVV fJLV7J(7Tljp(i)V fJ,ev CO, @OV\1JV T VOOV T
acfrpaBecov, eTrel ov TI votjfj,ove<; ovBe Bl/caioi*
ovBe n icraaiv Odvarov KCU /cfjpa pe\aivav,
69 Br) (T^>t, o-^eBov ecrrtv, CTT tffjLari Trdvras oXevOai,.
col B* 6809 ov/ceri Brjpbv airkdorerai rjv av fAevowas* 286
T04O9 yap TOL eralpos eyco Trarpwios
09 rot, vfja Oorjv crreXeto /cal a/A
aXXA (TV fiev 7r/?O9 Bay/tar lav fJLvrjcrTrjpo-iv o/u'Xet,
oir\ia-a-bv T rjia fcal ayyecnv dpaov aTravTa,
olvov ev dfjbtyKJzopev&i, KOI aXfara, pve\ov dvBpcov, 291
Bep/jLao-iv ev TrvKivola-w eya> 8* dva Brj/j,ov eraipovs
al-x/r' 0e\ovTr)pas cruXXefoyu-at. elcrl Be vfjes
TroXXat ev dfifadXay 'I6d/cy, veai rjBe 7ra\aial*
THE ODYSSEY, H. 53
shipboard, over the misty sea, to ask about the coming
home of my long-absent father. All thy commands the
Achaians hinder, the suitors most of all in wicked inso-
lence."
So spoke he in his prayer, and near him came Athene,
taking the guise of Mentor in figure and in voice, and
speaking to him in winged words she said :
" Telemachos, henceforth you shall not be a base man
nor a foolish, if in you stirs your father's hardy spirit, and
you like him can give effect to deed and word. ' But if
you are not sprung from him and from Penelope, then
am I hopeless of your gaining what you seek. Few sons
are like their fathers ; most are worse, few better, than
the father. Yet because you henceforth will not be base
nor foolish, nor has the wisdom of Odysseus wholly failed
you, therefore there is a hope you will one day effect these
deeds.
"Disregard, then, the plans and purposes of the mad
suitors, for they are in no way wise or upright men.
Nothing they know of death and the dark doom which
now is near, so that they all shall perish in a day. But for
yourself, the journey you desire shall not be long delayed.
So truly am I your father's friend, I will provide you a
swift ship and I will be your comrade. But go you to
the palace, mix with the suitors, and prepare the stores,
securing all in vessels wine in jars, and corn, which is
men's marrow, in tight skins while I about the town
quickly select a willing crew. In sea-girt Ithaka are many
ships, ships new and old. Of these I will look out the
54 OAY22EIA2 B.
rdayv fiev TOI eycov 7ri6tyofj,ai, r\ rt? dpi(rrrj t
to/ca S' (f)07r\io-(ravT6S evijcro/JLev evpei, TTOVTM.'
/covprj Aibs* ovS* ap en,
t Oeov eicXvev av$ijv.
7T/309 &>/Ji,a, v %et/)t eVo? T ear r ovo
V"^ay6pr), ^eVo? acr^ere, /AT; T* rot aXXo
/ca/cov //.eXerto epyov re eVo? re,
ecrdie/juev KOI Tnve^ev, a>? TO irdpos irep. 305
rot /j,d\a Trdvra reXevTij&o *
vfja teal efcUrovs eperasy f iva Oaa-crov
9 TIv\ov r)l KOI aXXcaz/ /jLvOov d/covwv
real Stf /AOL degerai evSoOi, Ovpos, 315
e\6(DVy fj avrov TcSS' eVi
ov8' aX/?7 0809 eaaeraL r)v dyopevw,
ov yap 1/7709 7n;ySoXo9 ouS' eperdwv
a>9 i/v TTOU v^iv eelo-aro /cepSiov elvai.'
'JT /?a, Atal eV ^et/oo9 %efy>a crTrdo-ar" ' AVTIVOOIQ
[pela' fivrjo'T'fjpes 8e SOJAOV Kara Saira Trevovro].
THE ODYSSEY, II. 55
best, and quickly making her ready we will launch her on
the open sea."
So spoke Athene, daughter of Zeus. No longer then
lingered Telemachos when he heard the goddess speak.
He set off toward the house, though with a heavy heart,
and found the lordly suitors at the palace flaying goats
and singeing swine within the court. Antinoos with a
laugh came forward to Telemachos, and taking him by
the hand he spoke, and thus addressed him :
" Telemachos, you of the lofty tongue and the unbridled
temper, do not again grow sore in heart at what we do
or say ! No, eat and drink just as you used to do. All
you have asked of course the Achaians will provide the
ship and the picked crew to help you quickly find your
way to sacred Pylos, seeking for tidings of your noble
father."
Then answered him discreet Telemachos: "Antinoos,
I cannot, among you churlish men, sit quietly at table
and calmly take my ease ; for was it not enough that in
the days gone by you suitors wasted much good property
of mine, I still a helpless child? But now that I am
grown, and, hearing the story from the lips of others, un-
derstand, and the heart swells within me, I will do what
I may to bring on your heads an evil doom, whether I go
to Pylos or remain here in the land. But go I will not
vain shall the voyage be of which I speak a passenger
with others, since I can get command of neither ship nor
crew. So seemed it wisest now to you."
He spoke, and from the hand of Antinoos quietly drew
his own. Meanwhile, the suitors in the house were busy
56 OAY22EIA2 B.
ol 8' 7re\a)/3evov KOI e/cepTopeov e
o>8e Be T? eiirecrice vecov VTreprjvopeovTW
' *H fj,d\a Tr)\e/jLa%o<; 6vov
% rivas e/c IIv\ov agei, dfjbvvTopas
rj o ye Kal ^TrdpTrjQev, eireL vv irep ierat,
976 ical els 'Ecfrvpvjv eOeXei, Trleipav apovpav,
e\6elv, o(f>p evOev OvpocftOopa fydpfiaic evel/cy,
ev Be /3d\rj KpTjTrjpi /cal rjfjueas Trdvras oXeVcn?.
M\Xo? S' avr eiTreo-fce venv vTreprjvopeovrcov
f T/5 8' olS' el /ce /cal avro? low Kol\i)<; eVt
r}Xe l\G)V avroX^rat aXwyite^o? w? Trep
OVTCO KeV Kai fJLO\\OV 0(f)e\\lV TTOVOV af
Krrj/jLara yap Kev irdvra Bavai/jLeQa, ol/cia 8' avre
TOVTOV /jLrjrept, Solfjiev e^eiv ^8' 09 rt? '
A /2? v\av\dcrcrei$,
Kelvov ot,ofjiev7j rbv /cdu/j,opov, el iroOev e\6oi
'O&vcrevs Odvarov real K
THE ODYSSEY, II. 57
at their meal. They mocked him, jeering at him in their
talk, and a rude youth would say :
" Really, Teletnachos is plotting for our ruin ! He will
bring champions from sandy Pylos ; or even from Sparta,
so deeply is he stirred ; or else he means to go to Ephyra,
that fertile land, and fetch thence deadly drugs to drop
into our wine-bowl and so destroy us all."
Then would another rude youth answer thus: "Who
knows, if he goes off upon a hollow ship and wanders far
from friends, but he too may be lost just as Odysseus was !
And that would bring us even more to do ; for all his
goods we then must share, and give the house to his
mother, for her to keep her and the man who marries
her."
So ran their talk. But now Telemachos passed down
the house into his father's high-roofed chamber broad
it was where in a pile lay gold and bronze, clothing
in chests, and stores of fragrant oil. Great jars of old
delicious wine were standing there, holding within pure
liquor fit for gods, in order ranged along the wall, in
case Odysseus, after many woes, ever came home again.
Shut were the folding-doors, close-fitting, double ; and here
both night and day a housewife stayed, who in her watch-
ful wisdom guarded all Eurykleia, daughter of Ops,
Peisenor's son. To her Telemachos now spoke, calling her
to the room :
" Good nurse, come draw me wine in jars, sweet wine,
and what is choicest next to the wine you keep, thinking
that ill-starred man will one day come high-born Odys-
seus, safe from death and doom. Fill twelve and fit them
58 OAY22EIA2 B.
BcoBe/ca S' e/jLTrXijaov teal Trca/jLacnv apaov
ev Be jjboi a\(f>ira %evov evppaeecro-i, Bopoicriv
siKocri B' ecrrct) per pa fjiv\7j(j)drov aX^irov d/crfjs. 355
avrr] 8' oirj 10 61* ra 8' dOpoa Trdvra
yap eywv aipijaofjiaL, OTTTrore /cev
V7repq>* ava{3y tcoirov re
yap 9 ^Trdprrjv re /cal e? Hv\ov
VOCTTOV 7reva6/j,evo$ irarpo^ (f>i\ov, ijv TTOV a/covcra).'
A /2? (fxiro, KO)/cvo-V Be l\r) Tpocfrbs Evpvfc\eia,
Kai p* 6\o(f)vpofjuevij eirea Trrepoevra 7rpo(rr)vBa'
t TtVre Be rot, <^/Xe retcvov, evl (frpeal TOVTO
7r\6TO ; Try 8' e'^eXei? levat, 7ro\\r)V eVt yalav
dyaTrrjros ; 08' eoXero T7]\6di
ol Be TOL avri/c IQVTI /ca/cd fypdaaovrai, O
w? /ce B6\(D (f>Olr]S, rdBe 8* avrol Trdvra
aXXa fjbev avO* eVt croicri KaOrjfAevos' ovBe ri ae
TTOVTOV eir drpvyerov /ca/cd nrda^eLV ouS' aXaX^o-^at.'
TTJV B J av T^Xe/ia^o? TreTrvvfjLevos dvriov rjvBa* 371
' Qdp(rei, fj^aT, eirel ou rot avev Oeov ^Se ye @ov\ij.
aXX* ofJLOcrov fir) p^rpi farj rdBe fjbvOrjo-ao-Oai,
TTplv '%eTO Trdvrrj,
Kai pa eicdcrTq) corl Trapiaraaevrj dro /juvOov,
eo-Trep/of? S' eVi vija Ooyv dyepecrOai, dvcoyei. 385
rj S' avre $povioi,o Nor)/j,ova (fraiBiuov vlov
rjree vfja Oorjv o Se ol Trpofypwv VTre&e/CTO.
Avaero r rje\t,o^ CTKLOCOVTO re Tracrat dyvial*
Kai rore vrja 6orjv aXaS' elpvve, irdvra S' ev avry,
o?rV erlOeij rd re vrjes Ivo-aeKfJbOi fyopeovcrt,. 390
o-Tfjae B' eV eV^ar^ XtyiteVo?, irepl ' ecrd\ol eralpoi
aOpooi rpyepeOovro' Oea 8* wrpvvev e/caarov.
"Ev0* avr aXX' evbrjcre 6ea j\avKO)7T^ 'A0rjvrj f
@fj p^ i/jbevai, 7T/30? BwfjiaT' 'O3?;<7o-^o? 6eioio*
evOa /jLvrjo-Tijpecrcriv eVt y\v/cvv virvov e%ve, 395
7rXae Be Trivovras, %6t/3wz/ S' e'/e/3aAAe KV7re\\a.
ol 8* ei/Set^ topvvvTo /cara irro\iv y ovB* ap en Brjv
elar, eVet crfyiaw VTTVOS eVt fS^efydpoicnv eTrnrrev.
avrap TrfKefJba^ov 7rpo7Ti,s ^AOrfvrj
K7rpoKa\e(7? e/ceXevcrev 'O8uo-<7?)o?
av 8' a/^a Tr)\e/jLa%os 1/7709 ySat^', ^/)%e 8' '
vijl 8' eVl 7rpv/j,vr) KaT dp" efero. 7%t 5* ap' avrfjs
efero TrjKefia^o^' rol Be TrpvfjLvrjcri
av Se /cat avrol fidvre? eVl /c\rjla-i /c
rolcriv 8' iKjjbevov o&pov lei yXav/cw
aKparj Zefyvpov, Ke\dowr ejrl oivojra TTOVTOV.
Tr)\e/jLa^o<; 8' erdpoianv eTrorpvvas eice\evcrev
O7r\(0v aTrreaOai,' rol S' brpvvovros a/covaav.
I&TOV 8' elkdnvov KOiKrjs evrocrde /i-ecroS//,?;?
(TTrjp(rl arja-i voijcreis,
d\\a Be KOI Balfjucov viroOrjcrerai' ov jap oia)
ov (re Oect)v ae/cTjri yevecrOai, re rpa^efjiev re.'
*/25 apa (fxovijaaa qyijcraTO ITaXXa? 'AOrjvrj
KapTraki^w^' 6 &' eireira fjuer l^yia ftaive Oeolo.
l%ov 8' e? IIv\lcov dvSpwv ayvplv re KOI eSpa?,
ev0' apa Necrrayp rja-ro crvv vidcriv, ap.l 8' eralpot
Sair evrvvo/jLevoi Kpea r WTTTCOV a\\a r eTreipov.
ol 5' a>9 ovv fetVou? iSov, aOpboi, rj\0ov aTravre?,
Xepaiv T rja-ird^ovTO /cal eSpidaadai dvcoyov.
7T/9WT09 NecrTopiBiys HeLo-iar paras eyyvOev e\0a)v
dp,a KOI iSpvcrev Trapd
Trap re Kaviryv^Ttp Spao-vfj,r)$ei KOI Trarepi &
$o)K S' apa cr7r\do9 Be Trpoarjvoa
aS' 'AOijvatrjv, /covptjv Aibs alyio^oio*
vvv, 0) %ive, IIo(7i,$d(t)vi dva/CTt,*
TOV povos, ov vrore
THE ODYSSEY, III. 69
" Hearken, Poseidon, thou girder of the land, and count
it not too much to give thy suppliants these blessings.
First upon Nestor and his sons bestow all honor; then
to the rest grant gracious recompense, to all the men of
Pylos, for their splendid sacrifice ; and grant still farther
that Telemachos and I may sail away, having accomplished
that for which we came, we and our swift black ship."
Thus did she pray, and was herself fulfilling all. To
Telemachos she passed the beautiful double cup, and in
like manner also prayed the dear son of Odysseus. But
when the rest had roasted all the outer flesh and drawn it
off, dividing the portions, they held a famous feast. And
after they had stayed desire for drink and food, then thus
began the Gerenian horseman Nestor :
" Now, then, it is more suitable to prove our guests and
ask them who they are, since they are refreshed with food.
Strangers, who are you ? Whence do you come, sailing
the watery ways ? Are you upon some errand ? Or do
you rove at random, as the pirates roam the seas, risking
their lives and bringing ill to strangers ? "
Then answered him discreet Telemachos, plucking up
courage; for Athene herself put courage in his heart to
ask about his absent father and to win a good report
among mankind :
" O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaians,
you ask me whence we are, and I will tell you. We come
from Ithaka, under Mount Ne'ion. Our errand is our
own, no public thing, as I will show. I come to gather
scattered tidings of my father, royal long-tried Odysseus,
70 OAY22EIA2 T.
9,
8e ITaTpo/ i cXo9, Oeocfrw /jbijo-rwp drdXavros, no
Kparepbs /cat
aXXa re TroXX' eVt rot9 irdOopev /ca/cd" r/9
ye fivdrjcraiTO KaTaOvrjTcov
THE ODYSSEY, III. 71
who once, they say, fought side by side with you and
sacked the Trojan town. For, as to all the others who were
in the war at Troy, we have obtained some knowledge where
each met his mournful death ; but this man's death the
son of Kronos left unknown. No one can surely say where
he has died ; whether on land he was borne down by foes,
or on the sea among the waves of Amphitrite. Therefore
I now come hither to your knees, to ask if you will tell me
of his mournful death ; whether perhaps you saw it for
yourself with your own eyes, or heard the story from some
wayfarer, for to exceeding grief his mother bore him.
Out of regard for me use no mild word nor yield to
pity, but tell me just how you had sight of him. I do en-
treat you, if ever my father, good Odysseus, in word or
deed kept covenant with you, in that land of the Trojans
where you Achaians suffered, be mindful of it now ; tell
me the very truth."
Then answered him the Gerenian horseman Nestor :
" Ah, friend, you call to mind the pains we bore when in
that land, untamed in spirit as we sons of the Achaians
were all we endured on ship-board on the misty sea,
coasting for plunder wheresoe'er Achilles led ; and all our
fightings round the stronghold of King Priam, where fell
at last our bravest. There warlike Ajax lies, and there
Achilles. There too Patroklos, a peer of gods in counsel.
There my own son, so strong and gallant, Antilochos, ex-
ceeding swift of foot, a famous fighter. And many other
woes we had, added to these. Where is the mortal man
that could recount them all? Nay, though you tarried
72 OAY22EIA2 T.
ouS' et Trevrdere's ye Kai efaere? TrapafMi/JLvcov lie
ej-epeoi? 6Va /ce# irddov /ca/cd Blot ' Ayaiol*
TTpiv /cev dviiridels o~r)v Trarpl&a yaiav i/coio.
elvderes yap a(f)iv /cared paTrro/jiev d^ieirovre^
TravToioKTi SoXoLai, jjudyis 8' ereXeacre Kpoviwv,
evO' ov r/9 Trore /JbiJTiv oi^oiwQj]^vai avryv 120
', eVel yLtaXa TTO\\OV evL/ca Sto? 'OSuo-crei'?
SoXotcrt, Trarrjp reo?, et ereoi/ 76
Keivov etcyovos eVcrf cre/3a? /Lt' e^et elaopocovra.
r) roi ydp pvOol ye eot/core?, ouSe /te fyairjs
avSpa veairepov wSe eot/cora fJivOrjaaaOai. 125
eV#' ^ rot etto? /z,ez/ e'7&> /cat 8 to? 'OSucrcreL'9
cure TTOT' etV dyoprj Sl^ e&d&pev ovr evl /3ov\y,
ov e^ovre vow Kal e7rl(f)povi /5ouX
* 'Apyeioiaw OTTO)? a^' apio-ra yevotro.
avrdp eVet Uptd/jioio TroXiv SieTrepcrafjiev alir^v, 130
/cat Tore ?) ^ei)? \vypbv evl (frpe&l firfSero voarov
'Apyelois, 67rel ov n, vorjfjioves ovBe Bifcaioi,
ecrav rc5 o-facov TroXee? KCLKOV olrov eTre&Trov
eg o\or)<; y\avKa)iri8o^ o^pijjLO'jrdrpr]^, 135
^ r' e/ni> ^Arpei^rjcrt, per d^orepoiaiv eOrj/ce.
TOD Se Kakeo-aajjievfo dyoprjv 69 Tra^ra? '
fjbd-^r, drdp ov Kara KOCTILOV, e? rjekiov
ol 8' rj\6ov otVft) fieffaprjores fie? '
pvOov [JLvOeiaOiriVj TOV eiveica \aov ayeipav.
evO* % TOL Meve\ao<$ dvcoyei, Trdvras '
VOO-TOV fjLt,fj,vr)o-Keo-0cu CTT evpea vwra
ouS' 'Aya/juefjivovi 7rd/ji7rav eijvSave* /3ov\ero ydp pa
\abv epv/ca/ceew, pegai 0* lepd?
THE ODYSSEY, III. 73
five or six years here, asking what woes the great Achai-
ans suffered, wearied ere I could tell, you would return to
your own land.
" During nine years we plotted their destruction, assail-
ing them with craft of every kind, and yet the son of
Kronos hardly brought us through. There no man ever
sought to vie with him in wisdom, for far beyond us all
in craft of every kind was royal Odysseus, your father,
if indeed you are his child. Amazed am I to see ! And
yet, how like in speech ! One would not say a younger
man could speak so like him. There, all that while, royal
Odysseus and I were never once at odds in the assembly
or the council; but with one heart, with understanding,
and with eager purpose, we planned how all might best
be ordered for the Argives.
" Yet after we overthrew the lofty city of Priam, when
we went away in ships and God dispersed the Achaians,
ah, then Zeus purposed in his mind a sad voyage for the
Argives ! For nowise heedful and upright were all. So,
many a one came to an evil end, through the fell wrath
of the dread father's keen-eyed child, who caused a strife
betwixt the two sons of Atreus. For these two summoned
to an assembly all the Achaians, in haste, not in due order,
at the setting sun, and heavy with wine the young Achai-
ans came. Then was declared the reason why they called
the host together. Now Menelaos exhorted all the Achai-
ans to turn their thoughts toward going home on the
broad ocean-ridges ; but this pleased Agamemnon not at
all ; for he sought to stay the host and to offer sacred hec-
74 OAY22EIA2 T.
o>9 TOV 'AOrjvalrjs Beivov %6\ov ega/ceffaiTO, H5
VIJTTIOS, ovBe TO 77877, o ov Treicrecrdai e/jL\\ev
ov yap r al^ra 6ewv TpeTrercu z>oo9 alev eovrwv.
o>9 TO) jj,v ^a\7roL(7iv d/JLi/3o/jieva) eireeo-criv
ea-raorav ol 8' avopovcrav ev/cvrjfJLiBes *A%aiol
'nXV Qwireo-ir), 8/%a Be G^>KJIV ijv&ave /3ov\rj. 150
vv/cra fj,ev aeara^ev %a\7ra (frpealv 6pjj,aivovT<5
eVt yap Zev<; fjpTve Trrj/jua /ca/colo"
8* ol pep veas \KO/JLCV et? a\a Slav
ci r evTidepeaOa ftaQvfavovs re evyov, CTrel ylyvcoa/cov o Brj icava prfBero Bal/jiwv.
evye Be TvBeos i/o9 a/07?to9, aypcre 8' eralpows.
oi/re 8e 8^ fjuerd vwi tie %av6os Meve\aos,
lv Aea-(3(p 8' e/c^ev 8oXt^oi/ TT\OOV opfjuaivovras,
rj KaBvTrepde Xioio veol/j,e0a 7rat7raXoecrijvai repas' avrap 6 y' rjfjul
Beige, Kal rjvwyei, 7re\ayos /JLeaov els Evfioiav
THE ODYSSEY, III. 75
atombs, that so he might appease the dread wrath of
Athene, ah, fool ! who did not know she might not be
persuaded ; but purposes are not lightly changed in gods
who live forever. Thus the two stood exchanging bitter
words, while up sprang other mailed Achaians in wild din,
and different plans found favor. That night we rested,
nursing in our breasts hard thoughts of one another. Zeus
was preparing for us the curse that comes from wrong.
At dawn we dragged our ships into the sacred sea, and
put therein our goods and the low-girdled women. Half
of the host held back, remaining with the son of Atreus,
Agamemnon, the shepherd of the people, half went on
board and sailed. Swiftly our ships ran on ; God smoothed
the billowy deep. Arrived at Tenedos, we offered sacri-
fices to the gods, as homeward bound ; but Zeus deter-
mined we should not yet reach our home, cruel ! to
waken bitter strife a second time. Some turned their
curved ships back and took their way after Odysseus, that
keen prince of varied wisdom, again to work the will of
Agamemnon, son of Atreus. I, with the company of ships
which followed me, pressed onward, for I knew some power
intended ill. On pressed the warlike son of Tydeus, too,
inspiriting his men. Later upon our track came light-
haired Menelaos, and overtook us as at Lesbos we debated
on the long sea voyage, doubtful if we should sail outside
steep Chios, along the island Psyria, keeping it on our
left, or inside Chios and past windy Mimas. We there-
fore begged the god to show some sign, and he made plain
our way, bidding us cut the centre of the sea straight for
Euboea, that so we might escape the sooner out of danger.
76 OAY22EIA2 I\
re/Aveiv, otypa rd^crra vTre/c /ca/coTTjra (frvyoi/jLev. 175
copra 8' eirl Xtyu? ovpos aij/juevcu' al be //,aX' a)ica
/ce\ev6a Bt,eSpa/j,ov, e? be Tepaiarbv
ai, /cardyovro' Hoo-e&dwvi 8e ravpwv
7rl fji'fjp' eOepev, TreAayo? /jueya /jLerpijo-avTes'
rerparov f}/j,ap rjv, or ev "Ap5 T AiyicrOos efjurjcraro \vypbv 6\eOpov.
d\)C r) rot, icelvos fiev eTrio-fjbvyepws cnreTiaev 195
&)? dyaObv KOL TraiSa KaTa^Oi^evoLO \i7recr6ai
avbpos, eVet /cal Kelvos eriaaro Trarpotyovfja,
Al^iaQov $o\6fjLr)TW, o ol Trarepa K\VTOV e/cra.
[/cal (TV, Oeol
Trarpi r e/jbo) Kal efiol' vvv Be %pr) TT\dfjLev
Tov S' T^/Lte/ySer' enreira Teprjvios iTTTrora Nea-rcop' 210
' a) ^>/X', eVet &rj ravrd p ave^vrjaa^ Kal eetTre?,
fyacrl fivTjcrTfipas arjs /jLrjrepos elveKa TroXXou?
ev fj,i\ee(,v yXavKwiris
O)5 TOT* 'OSfCTCTTJO? TTeplKrjBeTO KV$a\lfJLOLO
Br}/ji(t> eve Tpo)cov, 66 1 Trdo-^ofiev a\ye ^A^aioi 220
ov yap TTCO tSoz/ wSe Oeovs dva(f>av$a i\eeiv KTJ&OITO re
TO) Kev rt? Kelv&v ye Kal K\e\d6ot,To ydaoio.'
Tbv 8' av T^Xe/xa%o? TreTrvvpevos dvrlov rjvSa*
' w yepov, ov TTCO TOVTO CTTO? reXeeo-Oai, oico'
\lrjv yap ueya etTre?* ayrj ft e%ei. OVK av efjuoi ye
\7rofj,evq) ra yevoir t ot>8' el Oeol a)? e6e\oi,ev.'
Tov S' avre Trpoo-eewre Oea y\avKa)7ri<; '
' Trj\eaaxe, TTOIOV (re eVo? vyev epKo<; oBo
peia Oeos y eOe\cov Kal Trf\o6ev avSpa
/3ov\ol[j,7]v 8' av eyct> ye Kal a\yea ?roXXa
ol'/ca8e r e\6eaevai Kal VOO-TI/JLOV rjuap lSeo-0ai,
fj e\,0(bv anroKkuQai e^ecrTio?, a>5
THE ODYSSEY, III. 79
that to me the gods would give such power that I might
pay the suitors for their grievous wrongs, for they with
insult work me abominations ! But no such boon did the
gods grant to my father and to me. Now, therefore, all
must simply be endured."
Then answered him the Gerenian horseman Nestor:
" Friend, since you turn my thoughts to this by your own
words, they say that many suitors of your mother, heed-
less of you, work evil in your halls. Pray tell me, do you
willingly submit, or are the people of your land oppos-
ing you, led by some voice of God ? Who knows but yet
Odysseus may return and recompense their outrage, either
alone, or all the Achaians with him ? Ah, might keen-
eyed Athene be pleased to be your friend, as once she
aided great Odysseus, there in the Trojan land where we
Achaians suffered ! For I never knew the gods show
forth such open friendship as Pallas Athene showed in
standing by Odysseus. If now to you she would be such
a friend, and heartily would aid you, it might be some of
these men here would cease to think of marriage."
Then answered him discreet Telemachos : " Ah sire, not
soon, I think, will these words be fulfilled. Strongly you
speak. I am astonished. Hope what I might, such things
could never be, not if the gods should will them."
Then said to him the goddess, keen-eyed Athene:
" Telemachos, what word has passed the barrier of your
teeth? Easily may a god, who will, bring a man safe
from far. But I myself would gladly meet a multitude
of woes, if I might thus reach home and see my day of
coming, and not come home and fall beside my hearth as
80 OAY22EIA2 T.
vrc AlyiaOoio B6\a) KOI fjs a\o%oio. 235
aXX' 97 roc ddvarov fiev O/JLOUOV ov&e Oeoi rrep
teal dvSpl bvvavrai, d\a\KefjLev y OTTTTOTC icev Srj
fJbolp o\orj Kadekycn ravrjKeyeos Oavdroio.'
Trjv S'av r?7\6^a^o? TreTrvvpevos dvriov yv&a'
' Mevrop, fjurj/ceri ravra Xeyco/jLeOa /cij&ofjLevol Trep* 240
Keiv(p 8' OVK6TI VOCTTOS 6TTjrVfJLO^, d\\d
pdaa(7iv dvd%aor6ai, */eve dv&p&v, 245
w? re /jiot dOdvciTos lv$d\\eTai elaopdaaOai.
; 250
77 ovtc "Apyeos rjev 'A^auicov, aXXa Try aXXrj
7T\d^er' eV dvOptorrovs, o Se Oapo-rjaas Karerrefyve ; '
Tov 8' rjfiei(Ber eVetra Tepr)vios L-jrrrora Nearcop*
' roiydp eyct) rot, re/cvov, d\r)6ea rrdvr dyopevaco.
fj roi fjLev rdSe /cavrbs oieai, w? /cev erv^Brj, 255
ei> faovr' AlyiaOov evl /jLeydpoiaiv erer/jiev
'ArpelSrjs TpolijOev low, av0bs Mez^eXao?*
TO) /ce OL ov&e Oavovn 'Xyrrjv errl yalav eyevav,
aXX' dpa rov ye /cvves re /cal olcovol KareSatyav
KeifJLevov ev rreSiw e/ca? acrreo?, ovSe /ce ri? JJLLV 26
K\avcrev 'A^aud^cov /taXa yap /jueya /Arjcraro epyov.
ev yap /ceWi, TroXea? reXeWre? de&\ovs
6 S' evK7j\o TroXX' 67reT6\\ev
Tpoirjv&e KICOV elpvaOai a/cotTiv.
ore &rj piv fjLOipa 6ea)v eVe^Tycre Sa/jLTjvai,,
$7) TOT6 TOV JJ avrityev, v^da/jLaTa re ftpvaov re,
e/creXecra? /Lte7a ep9 o /Aei/ eV^a /careo-fter, eTreiyofjievos Trep o^oto,
O0/)' erapov OdirroL KOI eVl /crepea /creplcreiev.
aXX' ore 8^ /cal Kelvos, IODV eVt olvoira TTOVTOV
ev vrjval lyXacfrvpfjai,, MaXeidayv opos alirv
Ige Oewv, Tore 8^ (TTvyeprjv 6&bv evpvoTra Zevs
(f)pdcraro, Xiyecov S' dvepayv eV avr^eva %ei)e
d re rpo^oevra TreXco/ota, t6ei, 295
5 $aurrbv t /ju/cpbs Be X/#o? /j,eya KV/A dTroepyei.
al /juev dp* evO* rj\6ov, o-TrovBfj 8' rjKv^av o\eOpov
dvBpes, drdp vrfds ye irorl a-TTt^dSeo-crw ea^av
drap ra? Trevre veas fcvavoTrpcopelovs
eirekacrcre (frepcov ave/jios re KOI vbwp. 3
a>? 6 fjuev evOa iro\vv ftloTov /cal ^pvabv dyeipcov
rj\aro %vv vrjvpa Be ravr Al^iaQos efjLijo-aro olicoQi \vypd 9
CTTTaere? S* rfvaffae iroXw^pvaoio Mv/cijwrjs
fcreivas 'Arpel&'ijv, BeSfJLTjro Be Xao? VTT avrq). 30E
TW Be ol oyBodrq) ica/cov rjKvOe Bios 'O/oecrr?;?
ai|r air 'AOrjvd&v, /card 8' etcrave Trarpo^ovrja,
Afyicrdov Boho/jLyTiv, o ol irarepa K\VTOV etcra.
r) TOI rbv KTeivas Balvv rdtXo9, fjir) BrjOd Bopcov UTTO r^X' a
KTij/jLard re 7rpo\nra>v avBpas r ev o~olcri
OVTCO V7repar\ T^eXto? 8' a/?' e8u /cal errl
rola-L Be /cal pereeiTre 6ea y\av/ca)7r
' */2 yepov, fj rot, ravra Kara fjLolpav /care\et;as
aXX' aye rdpvere /JLev yXcbo-a-as, /cepdacr0e &e olvov,
o(j)pa Ilocrei&dcovi ical aXXot? ddavdroicri,
icolroio fji$(t)/jLe6a' rolo yap &pTj.
yap dos oi%e9' VTTO %6ov, ov$e eoi/ce
a Oeoov ev Bairl Baaao-e^ev, aXXa
*H pa A LOS Qvydrrjp, rol 8' e/c\vov
rolcri, Be fcrjpvices fiev vBcop errl %elpa<;
Kovpoi Be fcpTjrijpas erreo-re^ravro rrorolo,
vcD/jLTjcrav 8' apa rcaaiv eTrap^d/Aevot, Be7rde, dvicrrdfjievoi, B' eVe
avrap ejrel (rrrelo-dv r emov 6* oaov r)6e\e OVJJL
Brj ror 'AOrjvaLr) KOI T^Xe/ia^o? OeoeiBrjs
a/j,/Xo? v/o?
bs eV* l/cpwfav /caraXeferat, o$>p av eydt) ye
THE ODYSSEY, III. 87
my sons to be your guides to sacred Lakedaimon, where
lives light-haired Menelaos. Beg him yourself to tell the
very truth. Falsehood he will not speak ; truly upright
is he."
As he thus spoke the sun went down and darkness
came, and the goddess, keen-eyed Athene, said to them :
" Sire, surely these words of yours are fitly spoken. But
come, cut up the tongues and mix the wine, that after we
have poured libations to Poseidon and the rest of the im-
mortals we then may seek our rest, since it is time for
that. For now the light has passed into the west, and it
is not becoming to tarry long at the gods' feast ; rather to
rise and go."
So spoke the daughter of Zeus ; and they hearkened to
her saying. Pages poured water on their hands ; young
men brimmed bowls with drink and served to all, with a
first pious portion for the cup ; they themselves threw the
tongues into the flame, and, rising, poured libations. So
after they had poured and drunk as their hearts wished,
then would Athene and godlike Telemachos set off to-
gether for their hollow ship. But Nestor checked them
and rebuked them, saying :
"Zeus and the rest of the immortal gods forbid that
you should leave my house and turn to the swift ship !
As if I were a man quite without clothes and poor, a man
who had not robes and rugs enough at home for him-
self and friends to sleep in comfort ! But at my house
are beautiful robes and rugs. And never, surely, shall
the son of this Odysseus lie on ship's deck while I am
88 OAY22EIA2 T.
o)Q), eireira Be TralBes evl /jLeydpouri,
eivov<; %ewi%eiv, 05 T/ K epd Boo/juad^ i/crjTCU.' 355
Tbv B* avre 7rpoo~eei7re dea yXavK&TTis 'AOrfwrj'
' ev Brj ravrd y effrrjaOa, yepov ^>tXe* aol Be eoiice
TreiOeo-Oai, eVet TroXu /cd\\iov ovreo?.
OUT09 /i,ez> z/i)^ crot a/u,' e^erai, opa Kev evBrj
(Tolcriv evl fJLeydpoicrw e re /cal viei' So? Be ol LT
01 rot, eXafypbraTOi Qeiew KOI Kapros apicr-TOi* 370
A /2? apa ^wvrjaaa aTrefBrj Be 6eol TrofjLTrfjes eTrovrai. 376
ov pev yap Ti? oB' aXXo? 'OXvpTTLa Boopar e
aXXa ALO<$ dvydrrjp, dye\eirj Tpiroyeveia,
rj TOI Kal irarep eo-0\ov ev 'Apyeloio-iv
aXXa, avao-cr', TKijdi, BiBcodt, Be fjuoc /rXeo? ea6\bv, 380
aurco /cal TraiBea-at, Kal alBolrj r jrapaKoiri t
aol B' av eya> pe^a) j3ovv rjviv evpv/JLTa}7rov t
v, rjv ov 7ra> viro %vybv ijyayev dvtfp*
THE ODYSSEY, HI. 89
living, or while thereafter sons remain within my halls to
entertain such guests as visit house of mine."
Then said to him the goddess, keen - eyed Athene :
" Well have you said in this, kind sir, and good it were
Telemachos should heed, for it is far more seemly so.
Nay, he shall now attend you and sleep within your halls.
But as for me, I go to the black ship to cheer my men and
tell their several duties, for I alone can call myself their
elder ; the others follow me out of friendship, younger
men, all of the age of bold Telemachos. There would I
lay me down by the black hollow ship to-night ; but in
the morning I will go to the bold Kaukonians, where there
are debts now due me, not recent ones nor small. For him,
now he has come to you, send him upon his way by chariot
with your son, and give him horses that have swiftest
speed and best endurance."
Saying this, keen-eyed Athene passed away, in likeness
of an osprey. Awe fell on all beholders. The old man
marveled as he gazed, grasped by the hand Telemachos,
and said as he addressed him :
" Dear friend, you will not prove, I think, a base man,
lacking spirit, if when so young the gods become your
guides ; for this is none else of those who have their dwell-
ing on Olympos than the daughter of Zeus, she who col-
lects the spoil, Tritogeneia, who honored your good father
too amongst the Argives. Ah, queen, be gracious, and
vouchsafe me fair renown, me and my children and my
honored wife, and I will give to thee a glossy heifer,
broad of brow, unbroken, one no man ever brought be-
90 OAY22EIA2 T.
TTJV TOL 670) pega) %pvo~bv Kepaaiv
*/29 e(f)aT ev^opevos, TOV 8' e/cXve IIa\\a<; 'Adijvrj. 385
Tolcriv 8' rjye/AOveve Teprjvws liriroTa Ntarcap,
vldai /cal i\ov vlbv 'OSucro-^o? Oeloto,
TprjToi? ev \e%eecr(Tiv, vir alOovar) epiSovTTG),
Trap $' ap evfifjLeXlrjv IleicrlcrTpaTov, op^afjLOv dvSp&v,
09 ol er' rjiOeos TraiScov fjv ev iiedvrj pooBd/CTV\o<; 'T&)9,
&pvvT ap' ef 6vvrji TeprfVLO^ iTTTTOTa NeaTO)p, 406
K 8' \6(i)V KaT ap' %6T 6irl
01 ol ecrav TrpOTrdpoiOe dvpdmv v-
\evfcol, d7ro(TTi\/3ovTe<; aXe/i\a
o(f>p' TI rot, trpcoTio-Ta Oecov l\dcra-op '
rf poi evapyrjs r)\6e Oeov e? Satra OaXeuav. 420
ay 6 fiev Tre&lovS' eVt fiovv Ira), o(f>pa
-rj Be /3o&jz/ e7ri@ov/c6\o$ dvtfp'
el? S' eVl T^Xe/xa^ou /jLeyaOv/Aov vfja jj,e\aivav
jrdvras low erdpov? dyerw, XtTrerw Se Sv otovs
et? S' au ^pvao^oov Aaep/cea bevpo K6\ea0c0
\6elv, otypa y8oo? ^pwov /cepaaiv TrepL^evrj.
ol S' aXXot yLte^er' avrov aoXXee?, elVare 8'
Kara Sw/jLar dyaK\vrd Saira Treve
re f^Xa T' a/ia\rj^ Tpl%a<; ev Trvpl /3a\\a)V.
Avrap eVet p' ev^avro /cal ov\o^yTa<^ 7rpo/3d\ovTO t
avTiica, IVecrTO/30? i>/o?, VTTepOvjjio
rjKacrev ay^i ends' ?re\e/cu5 8' aireicotye
av^eviov^y \vvev Be ^8009 /^eVo?* at S' o\b\v%av 460
Ovyarepe? re I/UOA re /cat alSolrj Trapd/coins
Necrropos, EvpvBi/cr], irpia-^a KXvfJLevoio OvyaTpwv.
ol /lev eireir ave\bvres OLTTO ^Oovos evpvo&elrjs
ecrftov drap crd%v IIeiapo<$ /ca\bv ftd\ev 7786 ^t
6AC p' dcrapivOov j3fj 8e/i,a5 dOavdroicnv
Trap 8' o 76 Neo-rop lo>v /car ap e^ero, Troiueva \aa>v.
Ol 8' eTrel toTTTiqaav /cpe* vTreprepa /cal epvaavTO, 470
SaivvvO' e^opevot,' eirl 8' dvepev eo-0\ol opovro
olvov otVo^oeO^re? ev\ ^pucreot? BeTrdecracv.
THE ODYSSEY, III. 95
Nestor began the opening rites, of washing hands and
sprinkling meal. And fervently he prayed Athene at be-
ginning, casting the forelocks in the fire.
So after they had prayed and strewn the barley-meal,
forthwith the soia of Nestor, ardent Thrasymedes, drew
near and dealt the blow. The axe cut through the cords
of the neck and broke the heifer's power. A cry went up
from the daughters of Nestor, the sons' wives, and his own
honored wife, Eurydike, the eldest of the daughters of
Klymenos. The sons then raised the beast up from the
trodden earth and held her so, the while Peisistratos, ever
the foremost, cut the throat. And after the black blood
had flowed and life had left the carcase, they straightway
laid it open, quickly cut out the thighs, all in due order,
wrapped them in fat in double layers, and placed raw flesh
thereon. On billets of wood the old man burned them,
and over all poured out the sparkling wine, while young
men by his side held five-pronged spits. So after the
thighs were burned and the inward parts were tasted, they
sliced the rest, and stuck the bits on spits and roasted all,
holding the pointed spits in hand.
Meanwhile to Telemachos fair Polykaste gave a bath,
she who was youngest daughter of Nestor, son of Neleus.
And after she had given the bath and had anointed him
with oil, and put upon him a beautiful robe and tunic,
forth from the bath he came, in bearing like the immortals,
and he went and sat by Nestor, the shepherd of the people.
The others, too, when they had roasted the outer flesh
and drawn it off, sat down and fell to feasting. Men of
degree attended them, pouring the wine into their golden
96 OAY22EIA2 T.
avrdp eirel TTOO-LOS KOL eSrjrvos e'f epov evro,
rolcn Be fjLv06)v fjpxe TeprjVios iinrora Neo-rcop'
oi, aye, T^Xe/ia^w ^aXXtr/o^a? tTTTrou? 475
' <' apjjLCLT ayovres, Iva Trptjo-o-rjaiv oSolo.'
ol 8' apa roO fia\a pev K\VOV
&' egevgav vfi appacnv cw/cea?
ev Be yvvri ra^irj alrov KOI olvov edrjicev
o-^ra re, ola e&ovo-i, Siorpefaes fiacrihfjes. 480
av S' dpa Tr)\e/jLa%o<; irepiKa\\ea jSrjo-ero $tpov T* dvejSawe KOI fjvia Xafero %p 8' ou/c de/covre Trereo-Orjv
9 Tre&iov, \i7r6Tfjv Be Hv\ov aliTv irro\ie6pov. 486
ot Se TravrjfjLepioi crelov %vybv d/j,(f)ldvrj po&oBd/crv\os 'JEfa)?,
t7T7rou9 T' e^evyvvvr dvd & apfiara vrot/c/X' efiaivov
[e/c S' e\aaav irpoOvpoio /cal aldova-f]^ epiSovTrov^
fidcrrigev $' e\dav, ra> S' ou/c de/covre TrerearOrjv.
l%ov 8' 69 TreBiov Trvpyfyopov, evOa 8* eVetra 486
Bvaerd T 276X^09 (TKioavrd re Traa-at, dyviaL
THE ODYSSEY, III. 97
cups. So after they had stayed desire for drink and food,
then thus began the Gerenian horseman Nestor : " Sons,
go and yoke the long-maned horses for Telemachos, and
harness them to the car, that he may make his journey."
Even so he spoke, and very willingly they heeded and
obeyed. Quickly they harnessed the swift horses to the
car. The housewife also put in bread and wine and dain-
ties, such things as heaven-descended princes eat. And
now Telemachos mounted the goodly chariot, and Nestor's
son Peisistratos, ever the foremost, mounted the chariot
with him, and took the reins in hand. He cracked the
whip to start, and not unwillingly the pair flew off into
the plain, left the steep hold of Pylos, and all day long
they rattled the yoke they bore between them.
Now the sun sank and all the ways grew dark, and the
men arrived at Pherai, before the house of Diokles, the
son of Orsilochos, whose father was Alpheios. There for
the night they rested ; he gave them entertainment.
Then, as the early rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, they
harnessed the horses, mounted the bright chariot, and off
they drove from porch and echoing portico. They cracked
the whip to start, and not unwillingly the pair flew off.
So into the plain they came where grew the grain ; and
through this, by and by, they reached their journey's end-
ing. So their swift horses sped them. Then the sun sank
and all the ways grew dark.
OAY22EIA2 A.
Ta tv AaKeScu'fJLovi.
Ol &' l%ov tcoi\rjv AatceBat/jiova
7T/309 B* dpa Bon/tar' e\wv Meve\dov tevBaXi/jioio.
TOV 8* evpov Baivvvra yd/jiov 7roi\\ol(7iv errja-iv
vieos ^8e Owyarpos apvpovos & evl oi/cq).
TTJV [lev 'A%i\Xr]os pri^rjvopo^ vlet, Tre/jLirev
ev Tpoly jap TTpwrov vTrecr^ero teal feareveva-e
i, rolcriv Be Oeol jdfjuov e'fereXetoi/.
ap* o j ev9^ forrrouri KOI ap/iaa-i Tre/iTre
Mvp/jLi$6vcav TTporl darv 7repiK\VTOv, olcnv avaa'O'ev.
vlei 8e ^TrdpTrjOev 'AXe/cropo? rfjero tcovprjv, 10
o ol Tr)\vyeTO<; ryevero Kparepos MeyajrevOrj?
eic 80^X77?' f Xei/?7 ^^ $et rybvov OVKGT efyawov,
evrel Srj TO TTpcorov eyetvaro 7rat8* eparewrjv,
vrjv, rj eZ8o? e%e xpvatTjs 'AtypoSirr)?.
ol fiev SaivvvTo /ca0* u-^epe^e? fieja Sa>fj,a 16
erai Meve\dov Kv$a\tfj,oi,o t
fjuera 8e crQiv e/^A/Trero ^eto?
opfjLicov Soto) Be KvfiurTrjTrjpe KaT
IJ,o\7rrjs efyip'xpvTOS eBlvevov Kara /Ltecrcrou?.
Too S' avT ev TrpoOvpoicrt, BOJJLCOV avrot) re teal
Tij\e/jLa^o<; 0' T^CD? teal NecrTOpos dy\ab$ vlbs, 21
a-rrjcrav o Be irpo^oKwv iBero tcpelwv ' Erecovevs,
Oepdircov Meve\dov Kv^a\i^oio t
8* ifiev dyryeXewv Bia BcajMiTa iroij^evi \awv,
IV.
AT LAKEDAIMON.
INTO the hollows now they came of caverned Lakedai-
mon and drove to the palace of famous Menelaos. They
found him holding a wedding feast for all his kin, in
honor of the son and gentle daughter of his house. To
the son of Achilles, that breaker of men's ranks, he gave
his daughter ; for long ago, at Troy, he made the promise
and agreed to give her, and now the gods brought round
their wedding. Therefore he sent her forth with horses
and with chariots to the famed city of the Myrmidons,
whose king her bridegroom was. For his son he took
as a wife Alektor's daughter out of Sparta, his son be-
ing now full grown, strong Megapenthes, the child of a
slave mother. To Helen did the gods grant no more issue
after she in the early time had borne her lovely child,
Hermione, who had the grace of golden Aphrodite".
Thus at the feast in the great high-roofed house, neigh-
bors and kinsmen of famous Menelaos sat and made
merry. Among them sang the sacred bard and touched
his lyre ; a pair of dancers went whirling down the cen-
tre as he began the song.
But at the palace gate two youths and their horses
stopped, princely Telemachos and the proud son of Nestor.
Great Etefoeus came forth and saw them, he was a
busy squire of famous Menelaos, and passed along the
100 OAY22EIA2 A.
ay%ov 8' Za-rdfMevos eirea irrepoevra TrpocrrjvBa' 26
' Heiva) Btf rwe ro>8e, 8ior/)e<
avBpe Bvo), yevefj Be A LOS fJLeyd\ot,o ei/crov.
a-XX' elir YI o-(f>coiv fcaraXva-o/JLev a)/cea9 tT
^ a\\ov Tre/jLTTco/jiev 1/cave/jLev, 09
Tbv Be ftey 6%0rjcras Trpoae^ %av6os Me^eXao?* 30
' ov /lev viJTTios r)cr6a, ffoTjOoiBrj ^Erewvev,
TO Trpiv arap /j,ev vvv ye Trat? w? VTf]iria ySafet?.
vj /Jiev BTJ v&i ^eivrjia 7ro\\a (frayovre
a\\o)v av6 p(*)7ra)v Bevp* i/c6/jLed\ at tee iroOt, Zei>$
e^oTTiaa) Trep Trava-rj otfvo?. aXXa Xu' ITTTTOU? 35
elva)v, 6? 8' avrovs Trporepd) aye 6owrj67}vcu.'
lX /29 <>dQ', 6 Be fjieydpoio SieacrvTo, /ce/cXero 8' aXXoi/9
orpTjpovs OepaTTovras apa cnreaQai eol avro).
ol 8' wrtrov? yaez/ XOcrai/ VTTO vyov IBpcoovras,
Kal TO 1)9 yw-ez/ /careBrjcrav eft iTrireiycn KaTryo-i,, 40
Trap 8' e/3a\ov feta9, az/a 8e /cpt \ev/cov
apfjLdTa 8' e/c\tvav Trpbs eVcovrta
auTou9 8' eltrfjyov Oelov BO/JLOV ol Be IBovres
Oavfjba^ov Kara 8c5yu-a Biorpetyeos /SacrtX7}o9.
W9 re 7/) yekiov aly\rj 7re\ev ye o-e\tjvr)s 46
B&fia /caO* v^lrepetyes Meve\dov
avrap eVel rdpTrrjo-av opco/jbevoi, o^Oa
C9 p* dw vwra /3oo9 Trapa irLova Qij/cev 65
OTTT ev ^epalv e\(0v, TO, pd ol yepa TrdpOeaav aura).
ol 8' eV bveiaB* ero^fjua TrpoicelfjLeva %eipas ia\\ov.
avrap eVel Troerto? Kal eBrjTVos ef epov evro,
&r) rore T^XeyLta^o? 7rpocreo)vrf(ras eirea Trrepoevra Trpoo-yvSa*
' Tewa >/X', r) rot Zrjvl fiporwv OVK av rt?
aOdvaroi yap rov ye So/z-oi /cal /cnjfjiar ea&w
wv 8* TI /cev rt? poi epicraera^ r)e Kal ov/cl,
r] yap TroXXa TraOcbv Kal TroXX' e
ev vrjv&l Kal oySodrG* erei fj\0o
KvTrpov ^OLVLK7]v re Kal AlyvTTriovs e7r
* iKOfjirjv Kal 2i$ovLOVs Kal '
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 103
housekeeper brought bread and placed before them, set-
ting out food of many a kind, freely giving of her store.
The carver, too, took platters of meat and placed before
them, meat of all kinds, and set their golden goblets ready.
Then, greeting the pair, said light-haired Menelaos :
" Take food, and have good cheer ! and after you have
enjoyed your meal, we will inquire what men you are.
Surely the parent line suffers no loss in you; but you
are of some line of heaven-descended kings who bear the
sceptre. No common men could have such children."
So saying, he set before them fat slices of a chine of
beef, taking up in his hands the roasted flesh which had
been placed before him as the piece of honor ; and on the
food spread out before them they laid hands. But after
they had stayed desire for drink and food, Telemachos
said to Nestor's son, his head bent close that others-
might not hear :
"O son of Nestor, my heart's delight, observe the blaze
of bronze throughout these echoing halls, the gold, the
amber, silver, and ivory ! The court of Olympian Zeus
must be like this within. What untold wealth is here ! I
am amazed to see."
What he was saying light-haired Menelaos overheard,
and speaking to them in winged words he said : " Dear
children, surely mortal man could never vie with Zeus ;
eternal are his halls and his possessions ; but one of hu-
mankind to vie with me in wealth there may or may not
be. Through many woes and wanderings I brought it in
my ships, and I was eight years on the way. Cyprus,
Phoenicia, Egypt, I wandered over ; I came to the Ethio-
104 OAY22EIA2 A.
teal Ai/Bvrjv, r iva T apves aap icepaol re\eOov(n. 86
Tpi? yap TiKrei fjirj\a Te\eo~(f)6pov eZ? eviavrov,
evOa JAW ovre aval; embevrjs ovre rt
rvpov Kal Kpeitov, ov&e Trepl /ceiva TTO\VV (Siorov avvayeipcov
faoo/iiijv, retft)? /jLOL aBe\(f>eov aXXo?
\dOprj, avwicrrl, SoXft) ovKo^evrj
a)? ov TOI %aipwv rotcrSe Kredr
Kal TrarepcDv rdSe //-eXXer' atcovefiev, 01 rtz^e? uyLttz/
elcriv, eTrel fjL(i\a vroXX* 7ra0ov, /cal d7ra)\6ora olfcov 95
ev fjid\a vcuerdovra, /ce^avSora TroXXa Kal e'<7#Xa.
cai' oc^eXoz/ TpirdT'Tjv Trep %a)v ev BwfjLacri, /jbolpav
valew, ol 8' avSpes crooi ep/Jievai,, ot TOT' oKovro
Tpoiy ev eupeirj, e/cas "Apyeos ITTTTO^OTOIO.
aXX' e/uTnys Trdvras pev o^vpofMevo^ Kal d^ev(DV 100
TroXXtt/cfc? eV /Aeydpoiai, KaOrj/mevos rffMerepoLaiv
aXXoTe /Jbev re yo9 ez/09, 05 re pot, VTTVOV dire^Oaipei Kal eSw&rjv 105
jjivwoijievq), eirel ov Tt? ^A^aiS)v Toad e^oyrjo-ev
odd 'OBucreL>? e^oyrjcre /cal rfparo. Ta5 8' ap efjie\\ev
avrut Kvjoe eaeo-Qai, e/juol $' a^o? aiev a\acrrov
Keivov, OTTCO? $r) ofjpbv dTToi^erai,) ovSe TL 'IS/jLev,
fcoet o 7* r) reOvrjKev. obvpovrai vv TTOV avrbv 110
0' o jepwv Kal e^e^pcov Ti^veKoireia
6\ ov eXetTre veov yeyacor evl OIKM.'
I if29 peva Kal Kara Ovpov, 120
e/c 8' 'EXevrj 6a\djjLOio OvcoSeos
rjKvOev, 'Apre/juSi, xpvorrjXaKdra)
ry S* ap* dfju 'ASptjo-rT) K\io-lr)v evrvKrov eQrjKev,
Be raTnjra (frepev /j,a\aKov epioio,
' dpyvpeov rd\apov
rerdvvcrro ioSvecfres elpos e%ovcra. 135
eero S* ev K\iBe IBeaOai,
ovr avp ovre yvval/ca, o-efias JJL e%i ela-opooMrav,
co9 oB* 'OSuo-o-?}o9 fjieya\rfropo<; vu cowe,
, rov e\eirre veov ryeya&r evl O"KG>
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 107
the ground, when he heard his father's name, and he held
with both his hands his purple cloak before his eyes. This
Menelaos marked, and hesitated now within his mind and
heart whether to leave him to make mention of his fa-
ther, or first to question him and prove him through and
through.
While he thus doubted in his mind and heart, forth
from her fragrant high-roofed chamber Helen came, like
golden-shafted Artemis. For her, Adraste placed a well-
wrought chair ; Alkippe brought a carpet of soft wool, and
Phylo a silver basket which Alkandre gave, the wife of
Polybos, who lived in Thebes of Egypt, where wealth in
plenty fills the houses. He gave to Menelaos two silver
baths, a pair of kettles, and ten golden talents. And
then, besides, his wife gave Helen beautiful gifts; she
gave a golden distaff and a basket upon rollers, fashioned
of silver, and its rim finished with gold. This her attend-
ant Phylo now brought and set beside her, filled with a
curious yarn ; across it lay the distaff, charged with dark
wool. Seated upon her chair, beneath there was a foot-
stool for the feet, she straightway questioned thus her
husband closely :
" Do we know, heaven-descended Menelaos, who the men
call themselves that seek our dwelling? Shall I speak
false or true ? My heart impels me. None have I ever
seen, I think, so like another, be it a man or woman
amazed am I to see ! as this man here is like a son of
brave Odysseus, even like Telemachos, who was left a
new-born child at home by him, his father, when you
108 OAY22EIA2 A.
tcelvos dvrjp, or e/xelo KVVtoTriSos eiveK y A%aiol 146
r}\6e6* VTTO Tpolrjv, irokepov 0pa vvv Kal eya) vo0), yvvai, o>5 av
/ceivov yap roio&e TroSe? roialBe re
o 'OBvafji,
, oca /cetvos oitycras ejjuoyrjcrev
avrap o Tri/cpbv VTT o^pvai &d/cpvov el/3e,
op^>vpeijv avr 60a\iJ,ouv avaayav'
Tov 8' av Neo-ropiSrjs ITetcrto-T/oaTo? avriov yv&a' 166
' 'ArpeiBrj Mez/eXae Siorpe^es, op^a^e \avv,
iceivov /JLCV rot oB' vibs errjrvfjLov, co? ayopevew
d\\a araotypcov ecrrt, ve^eo-aarai S' evl Ovfjuco
&B' eXOojv TO TTpwrov eVecrySoX/a? avafyaivew
avr a vedev, rov vwi Oeov w? Tepiro/jLeO' avftfj* 160
avrap epe Trpoerj/ce Teprfvio^ IrcTrora Nearcop
TGO afia TTOfJLTrbv eTreadai' e'eXSero yap (re IBeaOai,
o(f>pa ol % ri eVo? V7ro0ijareai 776 n epyov.
TroXXa yap a\ye %ei, Trar/oo? Trat? ol%o/jLevoio
ev /jieydpois, o5 firj aXXot aocrer^TrJpe? e&ffiv, 166
6 Jt,ev oercu, ov$e ol a\\oi
icr oi Kev Kara Sfjaov d\d\Koiev KaKorrjra.'
Tov 8' d7ra/JLei,l36/jLVO<; Trpoo-e^rj %av6b
' w TTOTTOI, rj fid\a Srj r)v e\06vra tfriXqcre/jLev %o%ov a\\cov
'Apyelcov, el v&iv VTrelp aXa voarov eScoKe
vvjva-l Oofjo-t, yeve&Oai 'OXu/i-Trto? evpvoTra Zeus.
KaL Ke ol "Apyel vdo-cra ir6\iv Kal Say-tar' erevga,
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 109
Achaians, for the sake of worthless me, came under the
walls of Troy, eager for valorous fighting."
Then, answering her, said light-haired Menelaos : " Now
I too note it, wife, even as you trace the likeness ; those
were his feet and hands, that was his glance, that too his
head, and, up above, his hair. And even now, as I began
to call to mind Odysseus and to tell the tale of all the
grievous toils he bore in my behalf, this youth let fall a
bitter tear from under his brows, and held his purple cloak
before his eyes."
Then Nestor's son, Peisistratos, made answer : " O son
of Atreus, heaven-descended Menelaos, leader of hosts, this
is in truth his son, as you have said ; but he is modest and
too bashful in his heart to make a show of talk on his
first coming here, before you too, whose voice we both
enjoy as if it were a god's. The Gerenian horseman,
Nestor, sent me forth from home to be his escort ; for he
desired to see you, hoping that you might give him aid by
word or deed. Ah, many a grief the son of an absent
father meets, even when at home, if other helpers are
not by. So with Telemachos ; the one is gone, and others
there are none throughout the land to ward off ill."
Then, answering him, said light - haired Menelaos :
" What ! Is there then within my house the son of one
so dear, one who for me bore many a conflict ! I used
to say that I should greet his coming far more than that
of all the other Argives, if through the seas Olympian far-
seeing Zeus let our swift ships find passage. In Argos I
would have assigned to him a city, would here have built
HO OAY22EIA2 A.
ef 'lOd/cys dyaycov vvv Krr^iacn KOI re/eel c5 175
KOI Traa-iv "Kaolcri, piav irokiv e'faXa-rrafa?,
cu irepivaierdova'iv, dvdcrcrovrai B /j,oi avrco.
teal K Od/ju evBaS* coi/re? e/juayo/jieO ' ovBe /cev ^ea?
aXXo Bie/cpwev (f>i\6ovTe re repTro/jLeva) re,
irplv y ore &r) Oavdroio /jueXav veos d^eKakv^ev. 180
aXXa ra /JLCV TTOV fjLe\\ev dydcro-ea-Qai, #eo? auro?,
o? KCLVOV Svdro 9 roL(7i Be ivacriv veo5, ov ri
'Apyeicov //.eXXet? Be o~u iS/jievai,' ov yap eyco ye 200
ovBe I'Sov Trepl 8
Trepl fj,ev Oeiew
Tov &' aTra/JLeifiofjuevos Trpoo-tyrj gavObs
re Kpovlow
o\/3ov 67TLK\(i)o-rj ya/jueovrl re yewo/ieva* re,
o>9 vvv Nearopi Sw/ce Stayu-Trepe? r^^ara iravra,,
avrov /JL6V \i7rapcos y^pao-Ke/jLev ev fieydpoiaiVi 210
av TTWVTOVS re /cal ey^ecnv elvau
fr Se KhavO/jbbv fjuev edo-o^ev, o?
fjivOoi Be ical r)>6ev Trep ecrovTat,
/cal efjiol Sta.t7reyLte^ aKXrKoiaLv' 215
9 6oz/ ySaXe l\ov vlov 225
^aX/cw Srjiowev, 6 S* o<^>6a\iJiot(TiV opqiro.
rota ALO<$ Ovydrrjp e%e fydpfjb
ea6\d, rd ol IId\vSa/JLva iropev, S&vos
AlyvTrrirj, rf) rr\ela-ra fyepei fe/S&)/30? apovpa
(frdp/jLaKa, TroXXa fjbev ea&Ka /jLefjay/jueva, TroXXa Be \vypd
iqrpbs Be e/ca<; rjBe /cal oiBe
dvBpwv ea-0\a>v TralBe?' drdp #eo? aXXore aXXo>
Zev? dya06v re /ca/cov re BiBoi- Bvva-rai, yap
T) TOI vvv Batvvo-0e /ca0r}/j,voi eV
Kal pvdois repTrecrOe' eot/cora l Be eifiara ecro-a, /cal w/jioo-a /caprepov op/cov
firj fjiev TTplv 'OBv&Tja fiera Tpcoeaa^ dva(f>rjvai,
Trplv 76 TOV e? vr)ds re Boas K\i,cria<$ T d(j)t,Kecr0ai, t
/cal rore Bij JJLOI, Trdvra voov /careXe^ev ^
TroXXot'5 Be Tp(t)(ov Krewa? ravaij/cel
77X^6 yu-er* 'Apyeiovs, Kara Be povt,v tfyaye 7ro\\ijv.
ev0* aXXat Tpcoal Xty' e/c&icvov avrdp e/jibv /crjp
X a V e ' 7r6 ^ tfl&n P 01 KpaBiTj rerpaTTTo veeo-0ai, 260
a-\fr ol/covB', a,T7)v Be /jLerecrTevov, r)v
8w%', ore p tfyaye /celo-e ^>/X?;5 a?ro
TralBd T efjL7]v voa-^io-crafjLevrjv 6d\afiov re TTOCTW re
ov rev Bevopevov, OVT ap pevas ovre TI
THE ODYSSEY, IT. 115
" Heaven-descended son of Atreus, Menelaos, and you
too, you sons of worthy men, though Zeus to one in one
way, to another in another, distributes good and ill, he
is almighty, yet for the present sit and feast within the
hall, and cheer yourselves with tales. One fitting well the
time I will relate. Fully I could not tell, could not even
name, the many feats of sorely-tried Odysseus. But this
is the sort of deed that brave man did and dared, there
in the Trojan land where you Achaians suffered. Mar-
ring himself with cruel blows, casting a wretched garment
round his shoulders, and looking like a slave, he walked
the wide-wayed city of his foes ; and other than his own
true self he made himself appear in this disguise, even like
a beggar, far as he was from such an one at the Achaian
ships. In such a guise, he walked the Trojans' town ;
they took no notice, one and all ; I alone knew him for
the man he was, and questioned him. With craft he baf-
fled me. But after I had bathed him and anointed him
with oil arid given him clothing, when I had sworn a
heavy oath not to make known Odysseus to the Trojans
till he should reach the swift ships and the tents, then
did he tell me all the mind of the Achaians. So, slaying
many Trojans with his trenchant sword, he went off to the
Argives and carried back much knowledge. Thereat the
other Trojan women raised a loud lament : my soul was
glad, for my heart already turned toward going home
again, and I would mourn the blindness Aphrodite sent
when she lured me thither from my native land, abandon-
ing my child, my chamber, and my husband, a man who
lacked for nothing, either in mind or person."
116 OAY22EIA2 A.
Trjv B' aTrajJieifiofJLevos irpoaefyr) ^avOos Mez/eXao?* 265
' val Brj ravTOi ye TavTa, yvvai, Kara fiolpav ee^Tre?.
77877 fiev 7ro\ea)v eBdrjv /3ov\?jv re voov re
dvBpwv fjpwwv, 7ro\\r)v ' 7re\r)\v6a yalav
aXX' ov TTCO TOLOVTOV ejcov i$ov ofyOaXfJuolcriv
olov 'OSv&cr'fjos ra\acri6vov fcal /crjpa
eTreira crv Kelae" /ce\evcre/j,evai, Be d e/j,e\\e
, 05 TpcDeo-criv eftovXero tcv&os ope^at,* 275
rot Ar)iofto<$ Oeoel/ceXos eairer lovcry.
Be TrepLo-rei^as KoTkov \6%ov a/jL(f>aoTepa) fj,everjvafji,ev opfirjdevre
TI e%e\0epevai,, rj evSoOev aty' vTratcovarai,'
aXV 'OSva-evs /carepv/ce /cal ecr^edev lepeva) Trep.
[evB 1 a\\oi fj,ev Trdvres d/crjv eaav vies 'A^ai,wv t 285
"AvTitc\os Be ere y o?o? apetyacrOai eTreecrcrw
rf9e\ev a\\' 'OBvcrevs eVt pdara/ca
ywXe/xeft)? Kparepfia-i, crdcoo-e Be Trdvras
T0(f)pa S' e%' ocf>pa ere vocriv aTnjyaye JTaXXa?
Tbv B* av Tr)\efjLaxo<; TreTrvvfjuevo? awriov yvBa* 290
' 'ArpeiBrj Meve\ae Biorpe^es, op^a^e Xawz/,
a\yiov ov yap ot n rdB' tfp/cecre \vypbv o\e0pov,
ovB' et ol KpaBtr) ye pa KOI 77877
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 117
Then, answering her, said light-haired Menelaos : " Yes,
all your tale, my wife, is told right well. Ere now I have
made trial of the wisdom and the will of many a hero, and
I have traveled over many lands ; but never with these
eyes have I beheld so true a soul as sorely-tried Odysseus.
This also is the sort of deed that brave man did and dared
within the wooden horse where all we Argive chiefs were
lying, bearing to the Trojans death and doom. Erelong
you passed that way, some god must have impelled you,
seeking to bring the Trojans honor ; godlike Deiphobos
was following after. Thrice walking round our hollow
ambush, touching it here and there, you called by name
the Danaan chiefs, feigning the voice of every Argive's
wife. Now I and the son of Tydeus and royal Odysseus,
crouched in the middle, heard your call, and two of us,
starting up, were minded to go forth, or else to answer
straightway from within ; but Odysseus drew us back and
stayed our rashness. Then all the other sons of the Achai-
ans held their peace. Antiklos only was determined to
make answer to your words ; but Odysseus firmly closed
his mouth with his strong hands, and thus saved all the
Achaians. Throughout the time he held him thus, till
Pallas Athene led you off."
Then answered him discreet Telemachos : " O son of
Atreus, heaven-descended Menelaos, leader of hosts, so
much the harder is it ; all was of no avail against a
mournful death, although an iron heart was in his breast.
Nay, bring us to our beds, that so at last, lulled in sweet
sleep, we be at ease."
118 OAY22EIA2 A.
VTTVW V7TO y\VKepO) TapTTCti/JLeOd KOl^QkvT^ 295
'V29 ecfraT, 'Apyelrj 8* 'JEXei/?; Bj
VTT alOovay 6 eleven, KOI pijyea Ka\a
efjb(3a\eeiv> aTopeo-au T efyvirepOe
' ev6e/jLevcu oyXa? KaOvirepOev
at 8' icrav etc fteydpoio Sao? /juera %ep BO/JLOV avroOt,
6^ fjpco? teal Necrropo^ a^Xao?
Be /caOevBe JAV%O) BO/JLOV v^7j\olo t
Trap 8' r E\evrj Tavv7re7r\o$ e'Xefaro, Bla yvvai/ctov.
' rjpiyeveia dvr} poBoBa,KTV\o$ '
ap* ef evvfj(f)t, /Sor]v ayaOos Me^eXao?
t irepl Be f/^)09 of u
\iTTapola-iv eBrfo-aro /ca\d TreBiXa,
S' l/^ei/ eV Oa\d/jiOio Oeu> eVaX/y/cto? avryv, 310
Se irapl^ev eVo? T' e>ar' 6/c r'
' T/vrre Se SeO/j' tfyay
? Aa/ceBal/jiova Blav, eV evpea vcora
iBiov ; roBe /JLOI, vrj/juepres
av Trj\efjua^o(f ireTrvvpevos avriov tjvBa* 315
' 'ArpeiBrj Meve\ae Biorpe^es, op^a/Jbe
rj\,v6ov, el nvd JJLOI tcXrjrjBova Trarpb?
eadleral fj,oi oZ/co?, oXa)Xe Se iriova pya,
8' dvBp&v 7rXe?o? So/>to9, ot re /z-ot atel
tya a-fyd^ovai, Kal e^X/TroSa? eXt/ca? /Sou?, 320
e'//% fjLvrjcrTrjpes virepfiiov i
Tovveica vvv ra era yovvaO' Itcdvo/jLai, ai K
/celvov \vypbv 6\eOpov evicnrelv, et wov
69 8' OTTOT' ev ffXo^o) eXa^o9 Kparepolo Xeowro?
vs e^eperjat, KCLI dy/cea Troitjevra
, 6 B' eVetra e^z/ icnj\v6ev vvrjv,
d/jL^>orepot,aL Be rolcnv dei/cea TTOT/JLOV etyfj/cev,
w? 'OSucreu? Keivoicrw dei/cea ITOT^QV ecfrijcret,. 340
at 7a/?, Zev re Trdrep KOL 'A0fjvalr) KOI "A7ro\\ov,
roto? eaiv olo? TTOT' ev/cTifievy ev
8' e/3a\e Kparep&s, fce^dpovro Be iravres '
s 346
7TaZ/T9 ^ toKVjLOOL T6 reVOldTO TTlKOja/jio T6.
ravra 8' d p elpwras /cal XtVtreat, ou/c ay 670) 76
aXXa ?rapef etTrotyu-t Trapa/cXiBbv, ovB' a
aXXa ra /-te^ /u-ot eetTre yepwv aXto9
T&V OvBeV TOl 670) KpV^Q) 67TO9 OuS' eTTifCeVCTCO. 350
fi en Bevpo 6eol fjLe/naMTa veeaOai,
l ov o-fyw epe%
OV\OVTO 6eol
vfjcros eireird T49 ecrri 7ro\VK\vcrT(p evl TTOVTO*
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 121
eyes, or heard the story from some wayfarer ; for to ex-
ceeding grief his mother bore him. Out of regard for me
use no mild word nor yield to pity, but tell me just how
you had sight of him. I do entreat you, if ever my father,
good Odysseus, in word or deed kept covenant with you in
that land of the Trojans where you Achaians suffered, be
mindful of it now ; tell me the very truth."
Then, deeply moved, said light - haired Menelaos :
" Heavens ! So in a very brave man's bed they sought to
lie, the weaklings ! As when in the den of a strong lion
a hind has laid asleep her new-born sucking fawns, then
roams the slopes and grassy hollows seeking food, and by
and by into his lair the lion comes, and on both hind and
fawns brings ghastly doom ; so shall Odysseus bring on
them a ghastly doom. Ah, father Zeus, Athene, and
Apollo ! if with the power he showed one day in stately
Lesbos, when he rose and wrestled in a match with Philo-
meleides, and down he threw him heavily, while the Achai-
ans all rejoiced if as he was that day, Odysseus now
might meet the suitors, they all would find quick turns of
fate and bitter rites of marriage. But as to what you
ask with such entreaty, I will not turn and talk of other
things, deceiving you ; but everything that the unerring
old man of the sea told me, in not a word will I disguise
or hide from you.
" At the river of Egypt, eager as I was to hasten hither,
the gods still held me back, because I did not make the
offerings due ; and the gods wish us ever to be mindful of
their precepts. Now in the dashing sea an island lies,
122 OAY22EIA2 A.
AlyvTTTOv irpoTrdpoiOey <&dpov Be e Ki/cXtfcrKovo'i,, 355
roo-crov avevO* ocrcrov re Travrj/jieplrj y\a(j)vpr) vrjvs
ijvvo-ev, TI \iyvs ovpos GTmrveirjcrw
ev Be \i/j,r)v evop/jLos, oOev r diro vfjas
5 TTOVTOV j3d\\ov(TW, dffrvcT&d/jLevoi, /jL\av vocop.
evOa fji eeiicoo-iv r^iaT e%ov 6eol, ovSe TTOT ovpoi,
Trvelovres $>aivov6' aXiaees, o r i pd re
iropTTries ryiyvovrat, eV evpea vwra
/cat vv KCV f)ia Trdvra Karefydiro KOI pkve dvbpwv,
el pr) r/9 fJie 6ewv 6\o^>vparo /cai /A eo-dwae,
U/jcoTeo? l(j>@ifjLov dvjdrrjp, d\ioio yepovros, 865
ElBoBerj. rf) yap pa /xaXterra 76 Ovpov opwa,
r\ IL ofo eppovri, ow^vrero voo-fav eraipw
alel yap Trepl vijaro fytoVTjartv re* 870
z^TTto? 6t9, w %elve, \irjv roaov r)Se
rj etccov peOlew KOI repTreat a\yea
o>5 Brj S^' evl vrfcrw epv/ceai, ov&e TI
evpe/jLevai Svvacrai,, fJuivvOei Be rot, tfrop
w? efyar, avrdp eya> /JLW a//,etyS6//-e^o9 Trpocreenrov 375
ex fjuev rot, epect), TJ rt? av irep evai Oedcov,
W9 670) ov rt /co)v KarepvKo^aiy d\\d vv /j,e\\a)
Te9 eVl TTOVTOV eXevcro/jicu l^Ovoevra.
a>9 ecfrd/jwjv, v) 8* avTiK dftelfiero Bid Oedw
roiyap eyco rot, %elve, ^.aV aTpe/ceas dyopevcra).
Bevpo yepcov
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 123
off the Egyptian coast Pharos they call it distant as
far as a hollow ship runs in a full day's sail when a
whistling wind blows after. By it there lies a bay with a
good anchorage, from which they send the trim ships off
to sea, supplying them with the dark water. Here the
gods kept me twenty days ; not once the winds appeared
that blow along the sea and serve the ships as pilots on
the broad ocean-ridges. So all my stores would have been
spent and my men's courage, had not a certain goddess
pitied and preserved me. This was Eidothea, the daugh-
ter of mighty Proteus, the old man of the sea; for I
deeply touched her heart as she met me on my solitary
way, parted from my companions; for they were ever
roaming round the island, fishing with crooked hooks, and
hunger pinched their bellies. She, drawing near me,
spoke and thus she said : 4 Are you so very helpless,
stranger, and unnerved, or do you purposely give way,
taking a pleasure in your pains ? So long you have been
pent within the island, unable to discover an escape, while
fainter grows the courage of your comrades.'
" So she spoke, and answering her I said : ' Then let me
tell you, whatsoever goddess you may be, that I am held
here through no will of mine, but I must have offended
the immortals, who hold the open sky. Rather tell me
for gods know all which of the immortals chains me
here and bars my progress ; and tell me of my homeward
way, how I may pass along the swarming sea.'
"So I spoke, and straight the heavenly goddess an-
swered: 'Then I will tell you, stranger, very plainly.
There haunts this place a certain old man of the sea, un-
124 OAY22EIA2 A.
addvaros npcorevs Alyvirrios, 09 re 0aXa<7aaw Trarep 1 efju/juevat, rjBe
TOP y e ^ T^ 1 ? "^ Bvvaio Xo^'7?o'a//,ez'0
05 /cez> rot eiTryaw 6Sbv KOI fjuerpa /ce\ei>0ov
VO? ecjxiT, avrap eyco JAW a/^et/SoyLtez/o? Trpoaeenrov
avrr) vvv pdev av \6%oz/ ^e/oto yepovros, 395
^77 Treo? /i6 TTpo'i&GDV ye TrpoSaels aXerjrai,'
dpa>ta rolo yepovros. 410
^>6o/ca9 ftez/ rot Trp&Tov dpi0/j,ij(rei Kal eTreiaw
avrdp eirrjv iraaas Tre/JLTrdo-o-erai rjBe 'IBrjrai,,
Xe^erat ev pecro-ycn,, vo/j,ev<$ a>9 vrcoecrt
rov yitez/ eV^z/ 87; TTpwra Karevv^devra
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 125
erring and immortal, Proteus of Egypt, who knows the
depths of every sea, and is Poseidon's minister. He is,
they say, my father, who begot me. If you could only lie
in wait and seize on him, he would tell you of your course,
the stages of your journey, and of your homeward way,
how you may pass along the swarming sea. And he
could tell you, heaven-descended man, if you desired, all
that has happened at your home, of good or ill, while you
have wandered on your long and toilsome journey.'
" So she spoke, and answering her I said : ' Do you in-
struct me how to lie in wait for the old god, lest lie fore-
seeing or foreknowing may escape. Hard is a god for
mortal man to master.'
" So I spoke, and straight the heavenly goddess an-
swered : ' Then I will tell you, stranger, very plainly.
When now the sun has reached mid-heaven, forth from the
water comes the unerring old man of the sea, at a puff of
the west wind and veiled in the dark ripple. And when
come forth, he lays him down within the hollow caves;
while round him seals, the brood of a fair sea nymph,
huddle and sleep, on rising from the foaming water, and
pungent is the scent they breathe of the unfathomed sea.
There will I bring you at the dawn of day, and lay you in
the line. Meantime do you choose carefully for comrades
the three best men you have among the well-benched ships.
And I will tell you all the old man's magic arts. First he
will count the seals and go their round ; and when he has
told them off by fives and found them all, he will lie down
amongst them, like a shepherd with his flock. As soon as
you see him laid to rest, then summon all your might and
10
126 OAY22EIA2 A.
xal TOT e7ret0' i>fuv /leXero) tcdpros re /3lrj re, 416
avOi ' e^eiv fie^awra KOI la-vvpevbv irep a\v%ai.
iravra 8e ryiyvo/juevos TreiprjaeTai, cxrcf CTTL yaiav
epTrera yiyvovrcu teal vBcop /cal OeaTT&aes irvp'
vpels 8' a(7TeyLK^>G)9 e^efjuev /taXXoV re iriefav.
d\\' ore KCV Stf eVl TTOVTOV ekevde
a)? eiTTOvcr VTTO TTOVTOV eBvaero fcv/JLalvovra.
avrap eywv e?rl i/^a?, o^' eo-raaav ev
r)ia' TroXXa 8e /Ltot KpaSirj irop^vpe KLOVTI,.
avrap eTre
SopTrov 6' 07r\icrdfJLo-0' f eVt T' rfkvOev dfju/Bpoair) vvt;'
Srj Tore KotfJL^drjfJbev eirl pTjyiuvi OdXda-arjs. 430
77/1-09 8' rjpiyeveia dvrj po$oSd/CTV\os 'Jfa)?,
/eat Tore 3^ Trapd Blva 6a\dcrepov(ra 445
r)$v fid\a Trveiovcrav, oXecrcre
traaav & rjolrjv fj,evo/j,ev
^>w/au S' e aXe>5 rj\6ov aoXXee?. at
ef?}5 evvd&VTO Trapa fayfjuvi 6a\da(rw
B J 6 jepcov r)\0* e'f aXo?, eu/?e Se (fxbfeas 450
Tracra? 8* a/^' eTrco^ero, Xe/cro S'
ev S' ^yLtea? TTpcorovs Xeye /c^recrt^, ot8e rt
SoXoi/ elvaf eVetra 8e Xe/cro a
Se Id^ovre^ eireacrvfied' ', aft(/>fc Se
@d\\o/j,6v ouS' 6 yepcov $o\ir)<; CTreXtfOero re^vrj^t 456
aXX' 97 rot TrpwTKrra \ea)v ryever* rjvyeveios,
avrap eireuTa Spd/ccov KOI TrapSaXt? ?;86 /j,eyas crO?*
yiyvero 8' vypbv vbcop ical Sevbpeov u-^rtTrer^Xoz/.
ij/z-et? 8' ao-T6/i.(/)ea)5 e^ofiev TerX^ort ^v/iw.
aXX' ore ST; ' az/taf 6 a)ia elScos, 460
/cat rare 877 /*' eVeecrcrti/ dveipopevos TrpoaeeiTre*
rk vv rot,, 'Arpeos vie, Oe&v crv^pdao-aro /3ouXa9,
o^>/3a ya' eXot? de/covTa Xo^o-a/ze^o? ; reo ere %/o; ;
&>5 e^ar', avrap e /JLLV a/xet/SoyLtet'o? Trpoo-eenrov
di5 eVl TTOVTOV eXe^cro/xat l%6vbevTa. 470
a>5 >djLr)v, 6 $e ju avriic
aXXa yu/aX' wpa rd^icrra
crrjv e*5 nrarpL^ IKOIO TrXecov eVt otVo?ra TTOVTOV.
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 129
the nose of each, she set ambrosia, very sweet of smell, and
this destined the creature's stench. So all the morning
did we wait, with patient hearts. At last the seals came
trooping from the sea, and soon lay down in order on the
beach. At noon the old man came from the sea, found
his fat seals, went over all, and told their number, telling
us first among the creatures, and never in his heart sus-
pected there was fraud. At length he too lay down.
Then with a shout we sprang and threw our arms about
him, and the old man did not forget his crafty arts : but
first he turned into a bearded lion, then into a dragon,
leopard, and huge boar ; he turned into liquid water, into
a branching tree ; still we held firm, with patient hearts.
But when the old man at last grew weary, skilful though
he was in wiles, in open speech he questioned me and said :
" 4 Which of the gods, O son of Atreus, aided your plot
to seize me here against my will, by ambuscade? What
would you have ? '
" So he spoke, and answering him I said : ' You know,
old man, why turn me off with such a question? how I
am long pent in this island, unable to discover an escape,
while fainter grows my heart within. Rather tell me
for gods know all which of the immortals chains me
here and bars my progress, and tell me of my homeward
way, how I may pass along the swarming sea.'
" So I spoke, and straightway answering me said he :
' Nay, but to Zeus and to the other gods you should have
made good offerings on setting forth, if you would quickly
reach your native land, sailing the wine-dark sea ; for now
130 OAY22EIA2 A.
ov yap rot, TTplv palpa 5 e0ar', avrap e/jiol ye KaTK
ovveKa fju avrt? avcoyev eir rjepoe&ea TTOVTOV
Alyvirrov^ ievat,, So\L^rjv 6&bv dpyaXerjv re.
d\\a Kal a>? piv eireac-iv dfjLei
ravra fiev ovrw Srj reXew, yepov, &>? av Ke\evei<$. 485
aXX' aye pot roSe etTre KOI arpe/eea)? Kard\e^ov t
YI irdvTes (TVV vrjva-lv dirri^ove^ r)\6ov 'Amatol,
01)9 Necrrcop Kal eyco \6iropeit TpoirjOev lovres,
r)i rt? a>\er 6\e0pa) dBevKet ^? eVt 1/770?,
776 9 e(t>dfMrjv, 6 Be p avriK d/j,ei/36/j,evo<;
, TI pe ravra Sielpeai ; ovSe rL ere
,, ovBe Safjvai, epbv voov ovBe ae
Srjv aK\avrov eo-earOai,, eTrei K ev iravra 7rv6rjai.
TToXXot fjuev yap TWV ye Sdfjiev, 7ro\\ol Be XtVoi/ro* 495
dp%ol 8' av Bvo fiovvoL 'A^aiMv ^a\Ko^ra)vci)v
ev v6(TTq> aTToXovro ^d^rj Be re Kal a~v TraprjaOa.
el? B* en TTOV fo)o? KarepvKeTai evpet, Trovrq*.
Aias fjiev fjuera vrjvcrl Bd/jirj BoXifflpeT/jLOio-i.
Tvprjo-iv JAW Trpwra IIoo-eiBdcov eVeXao-cre 60t
7TTpr)(7iv /jLeyd\rj(rt,, Kal e^eadoxTe 6 a\dvye Krjpa, Kal tyObftevos Trep
el firj V7rep(f)ia\ov CTTO? e/cySaXe Kal pey
fieya
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 131
it is not permitted you to see your friends and reach your
stately house and native land until you come again to
Egypt's waters, to its heaven-descended stream, and offer
sacred hecatombs to the immortal gods who hold the open
sky. Then shall the gods grant you the course which you
desire.'
" As he spoke thus, my very soul was crushed within me
because he bade me cross again the misty sea and go to
Egypt's river, a long and weary way. Yet still I answered
thus and said : ' Old man, all that you bid me I will do.
Only declare me this and plainly tell, did all the Achai-
ans with their ships return unharmed, whom Nestor and I
left on our setting forth from Troy? Or did men die
by grievous death at sea, or in the arms of friends when
the skein of war was wound ? '
" So I spoke, and straightway answering me said he :
4 O son of Atreus, why question me of this ? Well were
it that you should not see nor comprehend my knowledge.
I think you will not long be free from tears after you
clearly learn of all. Yes, many were cut off and many
spared. Of leaders, only two among the mailed Achaians
died on the journey home as for the battle, you yourself
were there and one, still living, lingers yet somewhere
on the wide sea. Ajax was lost, he and his long-oared
ships. At first Poseidon brought him to the great rocks
of Gyrai and saved him from the sea. And so he might
have escaped his doom, though hated by Athene, had he
not uttered overweening words, puffed up with pride ; for
he said he had escaped the great gulf of the sea in spite of
132 OAY22EIA2 A.
TOV Be IIoo~i,Baa)v ueydtC e/c\vev avBtjcravTO?' 605
ai)TiK eTreiTa Tolaivav e\a)v 'Xjepo'l (TTi/Sapya-w
r/Xacre TvpcU^V Trerprjv, aTro 8' a"%i /5' Alas TO TTp&TOV efa^o/jievos pey adaOr)*
rbv 5' ecfropei KCLTCL TCOVTOV aireLpova KVfjLalvovTa. 610
&>9 o fj,ev evO* aTToXcoXe^, eVet Triev akpvpov vB(op.
<70? Be TTOV efcfaye icijpas aSeX^eo? r)B* vTrdXvgev
ev wr]varl y\a(j)vpfjcrf a-dcoce Be 7roTvi,a r 'Hp'r).
d\\ y ore Brj Ta^ e/jL\\e MaXeidcov o/jo? aljrv
igeo-Oai, TOT Btf jjuv avapTrd^acra Ove\\a 515
TTOVTOV eir l%0voevTa epev fieydXa (TTevd'XpvTay
wypov ITT eo-^aTirjv, oOi BwpaTa vale @ve(TT7)<;
TO Trplv, aTap TOT evcue Sveo~Ti,dBr]<$
d\\' ore Brj Kal KelOev eaiveTO VOCTTQS
aty Be 6eol oftpov crTpetyav, Kal ot/caS* IKOVTO, 5
77 rot 6 fjiev %alpcov CTrefiijo-eTO TraTplBo? at^?,
Kal Kvvei aTTTo/Mevos r)v TraTpiBa' 7ro\\a 8' CLT: avTOV
BaKpva Oepiia %eovT t eTrel a<$ %Be yaiav.
TOV B' ap' aTTO cTKOTTifi^ elBe <7/co7ro?, ov pa KaOelcrev
BoXofjirjTis aycov, VTTO 8' ecr^ero fiiaObv 6
v Boia Ta\avTa' yra? dpi&Tovs 6
el9 rk re /care/crave ftovv 7rl drvrj.
ovBe T*9 'ArpeiSeco erdpwv \L7reO' oi oi CTTOVTO,
ov&e r*9 AlylcrBov, aXX' eKraOev ev fieydpoicrw.
w? e^)(Teai> t TI Kev
Krelvev vTroffrOdfjievos' o~v Be Kev ra(
a>9 efar, avrdp epol KpaBirj Kal Ovpos dyrjvwp
avri<$ evl o-rrjOeo-ai, Kal d^yvfievw rrep IdvOrj'
Kal fjbiv (jxovtfaas errea rrrepoevra Trpoo-rjvBwv. 650
rovrovs pev Brj olBa* o~v Be rplrov dvBp* ovo/
09 r^9 en ^&)09 KarepvKerai evpei, rrbvr MeveXae,
"Apyei ev l7rrro/36rq) Oaveeiv Kal Troruov
d\\d d 9 'H\v(Tiov TreBlov Kal rreipara
dddvaroi Tre/jL^rovaiv, 60 1 %av0bs ( PaBdaav0vs,
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 135
him feasting, as one cuts the ox down in the stall. Not a
man was left who followed the son of Atreus, nor one
who followed Aigisthos ; all died within the hall.'
" As he thus spoke, my very soul was crushed within me,
and sitting on the sands I fell to weeping ; and now my
heart no longer cared to live or see the sunshine. But
when of weeping and of writhing I had had my fill, then
thus began the unerring old man of the sea : ' Do not, O
son of Atreus, long and unceasingly thus weep, because we
know there is no remedy. Seek rather with all speed to
reach your native land ; for either you will find Aigisthos
still alive, or Orestes will have slain him, so forestalling
you, and you might join the funeral feast.'
" So he spoke, and the heart and sturdy spirit in my
breast, grieved as I was, again grew warm ; and speaking
to him in winged words I said : ' Of these men then I
know, but name the third who lingers still alive on the
wide sea ; or be he dead, spite of my grief, I fain would
hear.'
" So I spoke, and straightway answering me said he :
' It is Laertes' son, who dwells in Ithaka. I saw him on an
island, letting the big tears fall, in the halls of the nymph
Kalypso, who holds him there by force. No power has he
to reach his native land, for he has no ships fitted with
oars, nor crews to bear him over the broad ocean-ridges.
As for yourself, heaven-favored Menelaos, it is not God's
decree that you should die and meet your doom in grazing
Argos ; but to the Elysian plain and the earth's limits the
immortal gods shall bear you, where fair-haired Rhada-
136 OAY22EIA2 A.
T 7T6/3 prjlo-rr) /3t,orr) TreXei avOpwTTOKrw 565
ov i/t0ero9, our' a/3 xeifjitov 77-0X1)5 oure TTOT'
dXX' atel Zevpoio \iyit TTVCLOVTOS
'/2/cea^o? avirjo-w d
ovveic e'^et? *E\evr)v tca
a)? eiTroDV VTTO TTOVTOv eSixreTO Kv^alvovTa. 670
avrap epa KV evBe/cdrij re SvcoSeKarTj re
ical Tore o-' eu Tre^o), Scbaa) Se rot dpov voov avrap eireira 59
Ka\ov aXeto-oz/, tVa o-7reV8^<7^a 6eol evi fiev XWTO? TroXv?, eV Se tcvweipov
re eu re t8 ' evpvtyves Kpl \evrcov.
ev S' Iddicr) OVT dp Spo/jioi evpees ovre rt, \ei/j,a)V 605
aiylftoros, Kal fjbd\\ov eV^aro? l7T7ro/36roto.
ov ydp rt9 vr)o-u>v linrrj\aTO^ ovS* evXeipcov,
ai 0* dXl ^e/cXtarai* 'lOdfCT] Be re teal trepl Traa-e&v.'
*fl<; l\ov re/co9, oT dyopevew
roiydp eycD rot ravra (Aerao-Tija'a)' Bvva/jLai ydp.
B', O(7(r ev efjLO) ot/cw icetfirfKLa
b /cd\\t(TTOV Kal ri/jLTjea-rarov
Bcoa-co rot Kprjrrjpa reTvy/Jbevov * dpyvpeos Be , 616
ecmv aTras, ftpvaa) S' eirl %ei\ea Keicpdavrai*
epyov 8* ( Hepov S' evijvopa olvov
(rlrov Be aft aXo^oi Ka\\iKpijBe/Jivoi eTrejjLTrov.
&>9 ot /^ey 7T6/)t BeiTrvov evl fjieydpoKri, Trevovro,
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 139
well could bear to tarry, and not a wish for home or
parents ever would cross me ; for I find a wonderful
pleasure in hearing your tales and talk. But already
friends at sacred Pylos are uneasy, and you still hold me
here. As for the gift that you would give, pray let it be
some keepsake. Horses I will not take to Ithaka, but I
will leave them here to you, an honor ; for you rule
over open plains, where lotus is abundant, marsh-grass
and corn and rye, and the white broad-eared barley. In
Ithaka there are no open runs, no meadows; a land for
goats, and pleasanter than grazing country. Not one of
the islands is a place to drive a horse, none has good
meadows, of all that rest upon the sea ; Ithaka least of all."
He spoke, and Menelaos, good at the war-cry, smiled,
patted him with his hand, and spoke thus, saying :
"Of noble blood you are, dear child, as your words
show. Yes, I will make the change, for well I can.
Out of the gifts stored in my house as keepsakes I will
give the thing most beautiful and precious ; I will give a
well-wrought bowl. It is of solid silver, its rim finished
with gold, the work of Hephaistos. To me lord Phaidi-
mos, the king of the Sidonians, gave it, when his house
once received me upon my homeward way. This I will
gladly give you."
So ran their talk with one another. And now the
guests came to the palace of the noble king. Men drove
up sheep, and brought the cheering wine, and their veiled
wives sent bread. Thus were they busied with the feast
throughout the halls.
140 OAY22EIA2 A.
Be irdpoiOev 'O$v rylyverai,
6? evpvxopov Siaffrfpevai,, evOa poi /LTTTTOI 636
L, VTTO S' fj^lovoi ra\aepyol
r&v Kev TIV eKacrdd^evo^ SafjLaaaifi'rjv.'
', ol 8' dva Ovfibv eOdufteov ov yap (pavTO
5 Hv\ov oi^eadat, NrfKrjiov, d\\d TTOV avrov
dyp&v rj iMij\ot,(7i Trape/jLfjLevai, rje crv/3ot)Trj. 640
Tov 8' avr 'Awrivoos Trpocre^, EvTreiOeos
' vrjfiepTe^ JJLOI, evicnre, TTOT tt>'%ero /cal rtVe?
Kovpot CTTOVT ; 'IQd/crjs e^alperot, fj eol avrov
drjres re S/zwe? re ; Svvairo /ce /cal TO re\eaa-ai>.
Kai fioi TOVT dyopev&ov errfrvjAOv, op' ev elSa), 646
ri ae ftly de/covTOS djrrjvpa vfja pe\aivav,
r^e e/cwv ol Sw/cas, ewel Trpoo-Trrvgaro
Tov B' uio? 3>povioio NOIJ/JLCOV avriov
' auro? e/ccov ol Bw/ca* ri Kev pegeie /cal aXXo?,
OTTTTOT dvrjp TOtOUTO? %Ci)V {JLeXeBtf/Jb
airily ; %a\e7r6v Kev dvrfvacrOai, Boaw elrj.
Kovpoi, 8' 01 /card Bfjpov dpio-revovai,
QI ol 7TOVT- ev 8' dp%ov eya> ftaivovr evoijaa
Mevropa, rje 6eov } rw B' avrw irdvra ea>/cei.
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 141
But before the hall of Odysseus the suitors were mak-
ing merry, throwing the discus and the hunting spear upon
the level pavement, holding riot as of old. Here sat
Antinoos and god-like Eurymachos, the leaders of the
suitors ; for they in manly power were quite the first. To
them Noemon, son of Phronios, now drew near ; and ques-
tioning Antinoos thus he spoke :
"Antinoos, do we know at all, or do we not, when
Telemachos will come from sandy Pylos ? He went off
with a ship of mine, and I have need of her for crossing
to broad Elis, where I keep my twelve brood mares. The
hardy mules, their foals, are still unbroken ; one I would
fetch away and break him in."
So he spoke. The others were amazed. They did not
think Telemachos was gone to Pylos, to the land of
Neleus ; they thought he still was here about the farms,
among the flocks, or with the swineherd.
Then said to him Antinoos, Eupeithes' son : " Tell me
precisely when he went, and what young men were with
him. Picked men of Ithaka, or his own hirelings and
slaves ? That indeed might he do ! And tell the truth
in this, that I may know full well ; did he with violence,
against your will, take the black ship ? Or did you give
it willingly, because he begged it ? "
Then answered him Noemon, son of Phronios : " I gave
it willingly. What else could a man do when one like
him, with troubles on his heart, entreated ? Hard would
it be to keep from giving. The youths who next to us are
noblest in the land are his companions. I marked their
captain as he went on board, and it was Mentor, or a god
11
142 OAY22EIA2 A.
aXXa TO Qavfjid^w iBov evOdSe Mevropa Siov 655
'XJditpv vTTrjolov. Tore 8' /j,/3rj vrjl IIv\ovBe.'
' v /29 apa v\d^co 670
ev TropO/jLO) *I0d/C7)a^', ot 8' apa 7raVre9 ejryveov 778' e/ce\vov
avriK ZTrevr dvo-rdvres e/3av SO/JLOV ek 'OSvcrijos.
Ovo' apa IlrjveXoTreia TTO\VV ^pbvov r^ev aTrixrTO? 675
fjiv0ci)v, 01)9 [Ji>vr)(rTf)pe<; evl (frpecrl pvcrcroBo/jLevov
Kijpvj; ydp ol eetTre MeSayv, 09 etrevOero {3ov\as
auX^9 e/CT09 e'lcn 8 ' avrols Baira
prj jjivrj(7TVpdovTa(,, b fjurj reXeVete Kpovlcov
fie/Jbdaai KaTa/CTafjuev oget, ^aX/cw TOO
oi/ca&e vicra-opevov o 8' ^77 fjuera Trarpo? d/covrjv
e? TIv\ov rjyaQerjv rjS' 69 Aa/ceSai/jLova Slav.'
dro, r^9 8' avTov \vro yovvara KCLI vyptfv.
r) wa /j,r)B' QVO/JU avrov ev dvOpcaTroicn \i7rijTai,;' 710
Trjv 8' rj^eifter eireira MeSwv ireTrvvpeva
' OVK olS' TI r/9 fMV 0eo9 wpopev fje Kal avrov
Ovfjibs (f)(DpfjL^07j ifjLev 9 IIvXov, oe%ea6ai TroXXwz/ Kara olicov eovrwv,
dXX' dp* eV ovBov Ie 7ro\v/cfj,r)TOV
O*iKTp 6\O(f>VpOfjLeV7] ' 7Tpl B S/JLCOdl
Trao-ai, ocrai Kara SW/JLCLT' eaav vkai 7786 TraXatat. 720
r9 3' a&ivov yoo&o-a fjueTyvSa IlrjveXoTreia
' K\vre, >/Xat* Tre/at yap pot 'O\vfJb7Tio<; d\ye e&aicev
e/c Tra&ecDv, ocraai fj,oi O/JLOV rpdfav ^8' eyevovro,
T! TTplv fJLV TTOCTLV (70\bv aTTtoXeaa 0V/JLO\OVTa r
Travroirjs dperrfcri /ce/caafjievov eV Acuvaotaiv, 725
ea-0\bv, TOV /cXeo? evpv fcaO* ( E\\dBa /cal
vvv av TraiS ' dyaTTTjTOV dvTjpei^ravTo 6ve\\ai
aK\ea K fjieydptov, ovB* op/jLrjdevros dfcovcra.
cr^erXtat, 0^8' t^er? irep evl (f)peal 6ecrde etcd
IK Xe%eo)i/ IJL dveryelpai, eTricrrd/jLevai, crdfya Ovfup, 730
OTTTrore /eetz>o? e/3r) Koi\r)v eVl vrja fii\aivav.
el ydp eyo) 7rv06/j,7)v TCLVTTJV 6Bov op/jLaivovra,
ro5 /ce yLt-aX* YI Kev e/JLewe, teal ecravfjuevos irep oBolo
% Ke /jue T0v7)vlav evl fJLeydpoio-iv e\et,7rev.
aXXa rt? OTpTjp&s Aokiov KaXeaeue yepovra, 735
8/iw' e/jbbv ov fioi eSco/ce Trarrjp eri bevpo Kiovarj f
Kai fJboi, tcrjTrov e%6i TroXvSevSpeov, ofypa
Aaeprrj rd$e Trdvra 7rape6/j,evo<;
el 877 TTOU TWO, icelvos evl >pecrl
efeX^a)!/ \aola-iv o&vperai,, ot /jiefidaa-iv 740
ov real 'O8ucr0i(7ai, yovov dvriQkoio!
Trjv 8* avre Trpoa-eeiire i\r), (TV fjuev dp pe Kardicrave wrj\ei,
TI ea ev fjueydpq*' fjbvdov Be rot OVK e
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 147
So saying, he departed along the hall of Odysseus. But
upon her heart-eating anguish fell. No longer had she
power to sit upon a chair, though many were in the room,
but down she sank upon the floor of her rich chamber,
pitifully moaning. Round about, her maids were sobbing
all her household, old and young. And with repeated
cries, Penelope thus spoke :
" Listen, dear maids ! Surely the Olympian gave me
exceeding sorrow, beyond all women born and bred my
mates. For I in former days lost my good husband, a
man of lion heart, for every excellence honored among
the Danaans good man ! his fame is wide through
Hellas and mid-Argos. Moreover now my darling son
the winds have snatched away, silently, from my halls ; I
heard not of his going. Hard-hearted maids ! No one of
you took thought to rouse me from my bed, though well
your own hearts knew what time he went away on the
black hollow ship. Ah, had I learned that he was pur-
posing this journey, surely he would have stayed, however
eager for the journey, or else he should have left me dead
within the hall. But now let some one haste and call old
Dolios, the slave my father gave me at my coming, who
tends my orchard trees ; that he may quickly go, seat
himself by Laertes, and, telling all, learn if Laertes in
his wisdom can devise a way to come before the people
and cry out against the men who seek to crush his race,
the race of great Odysseus."
Thus answered then her good nurse Eurykleia : " Dear
lady, slay me with the ruthless sword or let me live within
the hall ; I will not hide my story. I knew of all. I gave
148 OAY22EIA2 A.
jfoV 70) rdBe Trdvra, iropov Be ol OCTG e/eeXeue, 745
(rlrov Kal /J,e0v rjBv* ejuuev 8' eXero fteyav opKOv
IJLT) Trplv o~ol epeeiv, Trplv BcoBeKaTTjv ry e yeveaOau
rj
0eo2s pa/capea-ai yovrjv 'ApKeicridSao 755
\ d\\' en, TTOV Tt9 eVeo-o-erat 05 KGV e^ya-i,
d 6* vyfrepe^ea Kal aTTOTrpoOi, iriovas dypovs.'
lN /2? (frdro, T^? 5' evvrjcre 7001/5 o~^e^e 8* ocro-e yooio.
f) 8' vSpyvapevr), KaOapd xpo'l iifjuaO' eXoucra,
et9 VTrepw' dve/Baive crvv a//,^>t7roXotcrt yvvaitflv, 76C
ev S' eOer' ov\o%vTas Kave ijvei/cav vTrepOvpot, Oepdirovres.
v^frov 8' ev voria) rrjv 7' wpfLia-av, e/c 8' eySav avroi" 785
evOa Se SopTrov e\ovro, pevov S' eVl ecnrepov ekOelv.
'H 8' vTrepcoItt) avOi Trepfypwv
icelr dp' aviTOS, aTracrro? ebriTvos r)$e
opHaivovG TI ol Odvarov (f>vyot, vlbs d/j,vfj,cov,
rj o y VTTO /JLvrjo-rfjpcriv VTrepid\oi(Ti Sayu-ew;. 790
ocraa 8e fjbepprjpi^e \ecov dvbpwv ev o/^/Xw
SetVa?, oTTTTore /JMV S6\t,ov Trepl KVK\OV dywcri,
roaaa piv oppaivovcrav 7rr)\v0e vrjBv/jLos VTTVOS*
evBe 8' dvaK\t,vOel(ra, \v9ev Be ol d^ea Trdvra.
y 'Ev9' avr aXV evoijcre Oed y\av/c)7ri,$ 'AOijvr)* 795
eiBa)\ov irolrja-e, Befias B' IJIKTO yvvai/cl,
'I 7ap TI Oe
T^v ' rjiieLpeT eVetra irepifyp&v
rjBv /-taXa Kvaxrcrovcr ev ovetp&gari Trv\r) Ke\eai iravaacrOaL oifvos ^8' o&vvdcov
7ro\\e(0v, at //.' epeOovat, Kara (f>peva ical Kara 0v/j,bv,
r) TTplv iiev TTOCTIV ecrO\bv a-TreoXecra OvpoKeovra,
Travroir)? dperfjai Keicaa/JLepov ev AavaoiGiv, 815
9 OVT
TOV &rj 670) KOI jj,d\\ov oSvpofiai ij Trep e'/cea/ou.
rov 8* dpfyiTpopeco Kal BetSia fir) TI,
jj 6 dos rj6\ioi,o,
r) ij8rj TeOvrjKe /cal elv 'AlSao
THE ODYSSEY, IV. 153
never shall the gods that live at ease leave you to weep
and pine ; for still your son is destined to return, since
in the gods' sight he is no transgressor."
Then answered heedful Penelope, very sweetly slum-
bering at the gates of dreams : " Why, sister, have you
come ? You never before were with me, for very far
away you have your dwelling. And you bid me cease
from grief and all the pangs that vex my mind and heart,
me who in former days lost my good husband, a man
of lion heart, for every excellence honored among the
Danaans good man ! his fame is wide through Hellas
and mid-Argos. Moreover now my darling son is gone
on a hollow ship, a mere boy, too, but little skilled in
cares and counsels. Therefore for him I mourn even
more than for that other. For him I tremble, and I fear
that he may meet with ill, either from those within the
land where he is gone, or on the sea. For many are the
foes that plot against him, seeking to slay him before he
gains his native land."
And answering her, said the dim phantom : " Take
heart, and be not in your mind too sore afraid. So true
a guide goes with him as other men have prayed to stand
beside them for powerful is she Pallas Athene. See-
ing you grieve, she pities you, and it was she who sent
me here to tell you so."
Then heedful Penelope said to her : " If you are a god
and have obeyed some heavenly bidding, come tell me also
of that hapless one, if he still lives and sees the sunshine ;
or is he already dead and in the halls of Hades ? "
154 OAY22EIA2 A.
Trjv S' dTra/JLeiftdfJbevov TTpoa-e^rj ei&co\ov dpavpov
' ov fjt,ev rot, icelvov ye &t,r)veKeco<$ dyopeva-co,
%a)ei 6 7', r) re0vr)K' KCLKOV 8' ave/ji(*)\ia ftd^eiv*
' x /2? eljrbv (TradfJiOio irapa /c\r)l$a \tda-07j
9 TTVOICLS dve/Atov r) S' e^ VTTVOV avopovtre
Kovprj ^IicapioiO' 9 8' K Xeftewv Trap' dyavov TiOcovoio
&pvv6\ r iv dOavdroio'L >6&>9 (frepoi rjoe /3porolpe&lv aiai^ia etSeo?'
' alel %aX7ro? T' ew; Kal alcrvka pe&i, 10
c9 ov W fjLeavrjrai ^Obvcrarrjos Qeloio
\awv, olaiv avacro-e, Trarrjp 8' w? ^Trto? r)ev.
o yitei^ ev vr) Kelrai Kparep a\ eiTreiv vrj^eprea f3ov\rjv,
VO(TTOV 'OSua-o-fJo? raKacrifypovos, w? K6 verjrat,
OVT6 BeS)V TTOfJLTrf} OVT
o y eTrl cr^eS/975
K el/co(TTa) ^^eplrjv epi/3? Ti^crovdiy
(Tiv 8* ev vrji vyprjv 45
rj& eir airelpova yaiav a/j,a Trvoifjs dve/jioio.
etXero Be pdfiSov, rfj T dvSp&v ofjupara OeXyei,
&v eOeXei, rovs 8' avre Kal V7rva>ovra$ eyeipei.
rrjv /juera %e/0(7ty %x wv ^rero tcparvs dpyeupovri]?.
Tlieplr^v S' 67Tt/3a9 ef aWepos e/j,7re(Te Trovrq* 9 5fl
(revar eVetr' eirl Kv/J,a \dpq> opviQi eoiKO)?,
09 re Kara Seivovs Ko\7rov$ a\o9 drpvyeroio
dypo!)(T(TCt)v irvKiva Trrepa Several
7ro\eecT(Tiv
THE ODYSSEY, V. 159
speed him along his course with wisdom, as you can,
that he may come unharmed to his own native land, and
the suitors in their ship may be turned back again."
He spoke, and said to Hermes, his dear son : " Hermes,
since in all else you are my messenger, tell to the fair-
haired nymph our steadfast purpose, that hardy Odysseus
shall set forth upon his homeward way, not with gods'
guidance nor with that of mortal man ; but by himself,
upon a strong-built boat, beset with sorrows, in twenty days
he shall reach fertile Scheria, the land of the Phaiakians,
who are kinsmen of the gods. There shall they greatly
honor him, as if he were a god, and bear him on his way
by ship to his own native land, giving him stores of
bronze and gold and clothing, more than Odysseus would
have won from Troy, had he returned unharmed, with his
due share of spoil. Thus, then, it is appointed him to see
his friends and reach his high-roofed house and native
land."
So he spoke, and the guide, the Speedy-comer, did not
disobey ; forthwith under his feet he bound his beautiful
sandals, immortal, made of gold, which carry him over the
flood and over the boundless land swift as a breath of
wind. He took the wand with which he charms to sleep
the eyes of whom he will, while again whom he will he
wakens out of slumber. Holding this in his hand, the
powerful Speedy-comer began his flight ; he crossed Pieria,
then from the upper air dropped down upon the deep and
skimmed along the water like a bird, a gull, which down
the fearful hollows of the barren sea, snatching at fish,
dips its thick plumage in the spray. In such wise, through
160 OAY22EIA2 E.
aXX' ore Brj rrjv vrjcrov d^i/cero T^Xofl' eovpa fjueya a^reo? i/cero, ro3 evt vvpfyr)
valev ev7r\6tcafj,o$' TTJV B' evBoOt, rer/iev eovarav.
Trvp fj>ev JTT' eo-^apocfuv /j,eya Kaiero, r-^Xo^t S'
/ceBpov T' evKedroio 6vov r' ava vfja-ov oScaSe*
SaiofAevwv r) S' evSov doiSidovo"' OTTL /ca\rj,
I(TTOV eTTO^o/jbevrj xpva-elr) tcep/clS' vcfrcuvev.
Be (77reo? dfucfrl 7r
T alyeipos re /cal
evda Be r opvt,Qe<$ Tavva-iTrrepoi, evvd^ovro,
T ipijtces re ravvy\a)(To-oi re /copwvai
, rya-lv re 6a\do-(ria, epya /jLe/JLr)\ev.
B' avrov rerdwa-TO irepl crTreiovs
cbo)(Ta, reOij\et, Be
/cpijvai, B' ef 6/779 iriavpes peov vBart \evicpecrlv yaw.
evOa o-ra? QqeiTO Bidtcropos dpyet,(f>dvTr]s. 75
avrdp eTreiBrj irdvra ec3 &irfaei,vq), 6vT'rj<;.
avrap eVet BeLTrvrja-e KOI tfpape Ovjjibv e&coBf), 95
KOI rore r) /JLIV eTrecrcnv afjieipofievos Trpocreenrev*
' Elpcora? fjb e\66vTa Oea debv avrap eya) rot,
wrjfJLepTecos rov fjuvdov evio-irrjcrw /ce\eai yap.
Zevs e/jie 7' rjVGoyei, Sevp* eKOepev ovtc edeXovra'
Tt? 8' hv eictov TOcrcrovSe SiaSpd/jLOi, aXjjbvpov v&cop 100
ao-irerov ; ovSe TIS wy%i fiporwv ?roXt9> ot re
lepd re pe^ovat, Kal e^alrovs e/caroyLtySa?.
aXXa fjudX 1 ov ?ra)9 ecrrt, At,ov dvBpwv ot acrrv rrepi IIpta/Aoio ^id^ovro
elvderes, Sefcdrq) Be rrb\w rrepaavres e/Brjaav
oi/caS' drap ev voo-rq) 'AOrjvai'Tjv d\irovro,
TI epa)v /cal /cv/ua TreXao-cre.]
rov vvv d rjvayyew dTTOTre/jbire/jLev orrt, rd^icrra"
ov yap ol TTJ& alaa /Xof9 r ISeew /cal l/ceo-dat
THE ODYSSEY, V. 163
dess, questioned Hermes, when she had seated him upon
a bright and shining chair :
"Pray, Hermes of the golden wand, why are you come,
honored and welcome though you are? You were not
often with me hitherto. Speak what you have in mind ;
my heart bids me to do it, if I can do it and it is a thing
that can be done. But follow me first, and let me give
you entertainment."
Speaking thus, the goddess laid a table, loading it with
ambrosia and mixing ruddy nectar ; and so the guide, the
Speedy-comer, drank and ate. But when he had supped
and stayed his heart with food, then thus he answered her
and said :
"Goddess, you question me, a god, about my coming
hither, and I will truly tell my story, as you bid. Zeus
ordered me to come, against my will. Who of his own
accord would cross such stretches of salt sea? Inter-
minable ! And no city of men at hand to make an offer-
ing to the gods and bring them chosen hecatombs. Nev-
ertheless the will of a3gis-bearing Zeus no other god may
cross or set at naught. He says a man is with you in a
more piteous case than any of those who fought before
the town of Priam nine years long, and in the tenth de-
stroyed the city and departed homeward. These on their
homeward way offended Athene, who raised ill winds
against them and a heavy sea. Thus all the rest of his
good comrades perished, but him the driving wind and
water brought in here. This is the man whom Zeus now
bids you send away, and quickly too, for it is not ordained
that he shall perish far from friends ; it is his lot once
164 OAY22EIA2 E.
OLKOV 6*5 vtyopoQov Kal erjv e? TrarpiSa yalav.' iw
fN /25 fydro, plyrj&ev Se Ka\vtyct), Bla Oedcov,
teal fjbiv <$>a)vri(Ta(T eVea Trrepoevra Trpoo-rjvSa'
' 2%T\iol eVre, Oeol, fyXij^oves egoftov a\\cov,
01 re ^eat5 dyda5 S* OTTOT' 'laa-icovt, e'v7rX6/ca/i.o5 drj/jLiJTTjp, 125
w #iy/,ft) 6^acra t fJ'iyf] ^iXorrjri Kal evvy
veiw evi T/)t7roXa>* ovSe S^z/ ^ei/ aTrvo-ros
Zev$, 05 /u^ KaTeirefyve ftaXcbv dpyrjri, Kepavvw*
w? 8' au ^Oi' yttot dyao-06, Oeol, fiporbv avbpa irapelvat.
TOV fiev ejobv eo-dwa-a irepl TpOTTios ySeySawra 130
oloVt ejret ol vr\a Oorjv dpyrjri, /cepavvqy
Zevs eXcra5 /cea(ro~6 fiecra) evl olvoiri TroVro).
evO* a\\ot, /j,ev irdvres dire^>6t,0ev eo-0\ol eratpoi,
TOV S' apa Bevp ave/juos re (frepcov Kal /cvfjua Tre\a(ri\eov re Kal eTpetyov, rf^e (f)a<7Kov 135
Otfcreiv dOdvaTov Kal dytjpwv r/yitara irdvTa.
aXV etrel ov 7T6)5 eVri ALOS voov
OVT I 7rape^e\0elv a\\ov Oeov ovO
eppeTO), el JJULV Kelvos eiroTpvvei, Kal d
TTOVTOV ITT' drpvyeTOv. TrejJL^Irco Se /JLIV ov TTTJ eyco ye
ov yap pot, Trdpa vfjes eTrrfpeTfjuot, Kal eTaipoi,
ot KCV fjiiv TrefjLTTOiev 67T* evpea vcora
avTap ol 'jrpo^pcov VTroOtjao/jiai,, ov&' e
W5 Ace yitaX' dcrKrjBr)? rjv TraTpiSa yalav IKVJTCII.
THE ODYSSEY, V. 165
more to see his friends and reach his high-roofed house
and native land."
As he said this, Kalypso, the heavenly goddess, shud-
dered, and speaking to him in winged words she said:
"You gods are hard and envious beyond all, to grudge
the goddesses their meeting men in open wedlock, when
one makes the man she loves her husband. Thus was it
when the rosy-fingered Dawn had chosen Orion, you gods
that live at ease grudged him to her continually, till at
Ortygia chaste gold -throned Artemis attacked and slew
him with her gentle arrows. When, too, fair-haired De-
mter, following her heart, lay with lasion in the thrice-
ploughed field, not long was Zeus unmindful, but he slew
him, hurling his gleaming bolt. So now again, you gods
grudge me the mortal tarrying here. Yet it was I who
saved him, as he rode astride his keel alone, when Zeus
with a gleaming bolt had smitten his swift ship and
wrecked it in the middle of the wine-dark sea. Thus all
the rest of his good comrades perished, but him the driv-
ing wind and water brought in here. I cared for him
and tended him, and often said that I would make him
an immortal, young forever. But since the will of a3gis-
bearing Zeus no other god may cross or set at naught,
let him depart, if Zeus insists and orders, over the barren
sea ! Only I will not send him on his way, for I have
no ships fitted with oars, nor crews to bear him over the
broad ocean-ridges; but I will freely give him counsel,
and I will not hide how he may come unharmed to his
own native land."
166 OAY22EIA2 E.
B' avTe TrpocreeLTre Bid/cTopo? dpyeitfrovTrjs* 145
* OVTCI) vvv dTTOTre/ATre, Aios B' eiroirL^eo
prf TTCW? TOI, fjueTOTTLO'Oe KOT6crcrd/j,VO<;
'\f2? dpa (frcowrjcras airiftt} Kparv?
TI S' erf 'OSva-o-fjct, /jLeyaXiJTOpa irorvia vv/ju(f>r}
r)C, eVel &rj Zrjvb? e7re/c\vev cvyye\i,dci)V. 150
TOV S' dp' eV dfcrfjs evpe tcaQij/jLevov ovbe iror oVcre
Sa/cpv6(f>iv rep(TovTo, KdTeifteTO Se ry\v/cv<; alow
voarov o&vpo/jbevq), eVet ov/cert rjvbave vv/JLcfrvj.
a\V T] TOI VVKTCIS fjuev laveiTKev /cal dvdy/crj
ev GTrkcrcri y\a(f)vpolo-i Trap' OVK ede\o>v eQeXovcry 155
r)/j,ara B' ev Trerprjcri, fcal rjibvecro-t, /caOi^wv
[Sd/cpvai, KOL (TTOvaxfjcri, /cal d\jeo-t Ovpov epe^dwv}
irovrov eV drpvyerov Bep/cecr/cero Sdicpva \el/3cov.
( Kd/JL/J,Op6, jMTj fJLOl, T V0dS' 6$Vp6O, fJ,r)$6 TOI al(bV 160
i,veT(iy rfSr) ieo-a), Trep'^co Be TOI, ovpov
co? K fjid)C do~Kr)6r)<; o~r)v TraTplBa yaiav
ai /ce Oeol (T^eBly Trepdav fieya
THE ODYSSEY, V. 167
Then said to her the guide, the Speedy-comer : " Even
so, then, let him go ! Beware the wrath of Zeus ! Let
not his anger by and by grow hot against you ! "
So saying, the powerful Speedy-comer went his way,
while the potent nymph hastened to brave Odysseus when
/ she heard the words of Zeus. Upon the shore she found
him sitting, and from his eyes the tears were never dried ;
his sweet life ebbed away in longings for his home, be-
cause the nymph pleased him no more. Yet did he always
lie by night, though by constraint, within the hollow grotto,
unwilling by her willing side ; but in the daytime, sitting
on the rocks and sands, with tears and groans and griefs
racking his heart, he watched the barren sea and poured
forth tears. So drawing near, the heavenly goddess said
to him:
"Ah, ill-starred man, sorrow no longer here, nor let
your days be wasted, for I at last will freely let you go.
Come, then, hew the long timbers and fashion with your
axe a broad-beamed boat; lay a high deck across, and
let it bear you over the misty sea. I will supply you
bread, water, and ruddy wine such as you like, to keep off
hunger ; I will provide you clothing and will send a wind
to follow, that you may come unharmed to your own
native land, if the gods will, who hold the open sky,
for they are mightier than I to purpose or fulfil."
As she said this, royal long-tried Odysseus shuddered,
and speaking to her in winged words he said :
" Some other purpose, goddess, you surely have in this
than aid upon my way, when you thus bid me cross in a
boat that great gulf of the sea terrible, toilsome
168 OAY22EIA2 E.
T dpya\eov re* TO S' ovo eirl vfjes elcrai, 175
iv, aya\\6jj,evcu A LOS ovpa>.
ovb* av eyoDV ae/crjTi credev o"%eir]<$ eTri
el pr) poi TXaiijs ye, 6ea, fjueyav op/cov
fjutj ri /AOL avro) Trrjfjia /catcbv /3oi>Xeucre//,ez>
tN /2? <}>dTo, jjLeiSrjcrev be Ka\v^co, Sla Oedcov, 180
Xeipi re JMV /carepegev eVo? r ear e/c r o
t<9 H Brj a\irp6s J eacrl /cal ovtc a7TO(f)a)\ia
olov Brj rov fjuvBov 7T(l>pd(r0r]s ayopevaat.
iarci) vvv roSe yala Kal ovpavos evpvs vjrepOe
/cal TO Karei/36fjLvov Srvybs vScop, 05 Te fjueyurTOS 185
o/5/co9 Seworaros re TreXet /j,afcdpeo-T(p TrrjfAa /cafcbv ftovXevae/jLev aXXo.
aXXa ra jjuev voea) /cal (^pda-o-o^ai, aaa av eftol Trep
avrfj fjLr)8ol/jL7]v, ore pe %/3eta> rocrov i/cof
Kal yap epol 1/009 ecrrlv evaio-i/jios, ovSe JJLOI, avrfj 190
evl o-rrjOeao-t, o-tSr/peo?, aXX' eXerffjicov.'
apa (fxuvtfo-aa-' fjyrfo-aro $2a Qedcov
o S* eireira per i%via (Salve Oeolo.
y\avpbv 6eb<> ^Se Kal dvrjp,
Kai p' o /lev ev6a KaOe^er eVl Qpovov evOev dveo-rrj 195
'Ep/juelas, vvfifftr} 8' eriOet irdpa iraaav
ecrOeiv Kal iriveiv, ola flporol avSpe?
avrr) S' dvriov l^ev '06^0-0-7709 Oeioio,
rfj 8e Trap* d/jb/3pocri7)v S/ji&al Kal veKrap
ol S' eTr' oveiaO^ erolfjua irpoKeiiieva ^elpas la\\ov. 20
avrap eVet rdpTrrjo-av eSrjrvos r}Se Trorrjro^
Tot9 apa jjivOwv ^/o%e Ka\v^jra), Sia Oedwv
' Awyeves AaepridStj, TroXtyi^az/ '
OVTO> &r) olKovBe {\rjv 69 TrarpLBa yalav
THE ODYSSEY, V. 169
which trim ships cannot cross, although they speed so
fast, glad in the breeze of Zeus. But I will never, not-
withstanding what you say, set foot upon a boat till you
submit, goddess, to swear a mighty oath never again to
plot against me cruel wrong."
He spoke ; Kalypso, the heavenly goddess, smiled, pat-
ted him with her hand and spoke thus, saying:
" You are a cunning rogue, never inclined to folly !
How could you think of uttering such a word ! Hear
this, then, Earth, and the broad Heaven above, and thou
down-flowing water of Styx ! which is the strongest and
most dreaded oath amongst the blessed gods, I never
again will plot against you cruel wrong. Nay, I have
that in mind, and that I here propose, which I should
seek for my own good were such need laid on me. In-
deed, my thoughts are upright; no iron heart is in my
breast, but one of pity."
Saying this, the heavenly goddess led the way in haste,
and he walked after in the footsteps of the goddess. And
now they reached the hollow grotto, the goddess and the
man, and he sat down upon the chair whence Hermes had
arisen. The nymph then set before him all food to eat
and drink which men are wont to use, and took her seat
on the other side, over against noble Odysseus, while for
her needs the maids set forth ambrosia and nectar ; then
on the food spread out before them they laid hands. So
after they had enjoyed their food and drink, then thus
began Kalypso, the heavenly goddess :
" High-born son of Laertes, ready Odysseus, do you so
wish to go home at once to your own native land ? Fare-
170 OAY22EIA2 E.
avrltca vvv eWXet9 levai ; ol ro'Se Sw/za v evxofjiai elvai,
Se vr)v, eVet ov 7r&)9 ovBe eot/ce
d6avdrr)(Tt, Se/z,a9 Kal 6*809 epi^eiv.'
Trjv &' dirapeipopevos irpoo-e^rj TroXv^n^ 'O&v&a-evs'
' TTOTva 6ea, ^77 /JLOI roBe ^coeo olSa Kal avrbs 215
Trdvra fj,d\\ ovveKa crelo Treplfypwv Ilrjve'X.OTreia
eI8o9 dKiBvoTepr) /jbeyeOd? r eicrdvra IBicrOai"
77 pev yap /3poro9 eVrt, o~v B' dOdvaro? /cal dyijpci)*;.
d\\d Kal a>9 0e\c0 /cal eeXBofiai, rffiara Trdvra
o'lKaBe T e\6efj,evai Kal VOCTTL/JLOV rj/jiap ISeo-Oat,. 220
el 8' av r*9 palrja-i Oe&v evl OWOTTI TTOVTO),
T\ijarofjbai> ev (TTijOeo-arw e^cov Ta\a7rev0ea Ovfjuov
77877 yap fjbd\a TroXX' eiradov Kal TroXX* ea6yr}(ra
Kal TroXeyLt&v /Ltera Kal ToBe rola-i yevecrOco.'
77e'Xto9 B* ap* eBv Kal enl Kvefas r)\0ev 225
8* apa TCO 76 /AV%q) (nreiovs y\aapo9 peya evvvro
XeTTTOi/ Kal %apiev, Trepl Be favrjv fBd\er
Ka\rjv xpvo-eirjv Ke$a\r) 8'
Kal TOT* 'O8u prfBero 7rofj,7rtjv.
fj,ev ol ireXeKvv /j,eyav, apaevov ev
THE ODYSSEY, V. 171
well, then, even so ! But if you knew within your mind
what measure of woe you must fulfil before you reach
that native land, you would remain with me and keep this
house and be immortal, spite of your wish to see your
wife, whom you are always longing for day after day.
Yet not beneath her do I count myself, either in form or
stature ; for surely it is unlikely that mortal women rival
the immortals in form and beauty."
Then wise Odysseus answered her and said : " Powerful
goddess, do not for this be wroth with me. Full well I
know that heedful Penelope, compared with you, is poor to
look upon in height and beauty ; for she is human, but
you, being an immortal, are never touched with years.
Yet even so, I wish yes, every day I long to travel
home and see my day of coming. And if again one of
the gods shall wreck me on the wine-dark sea, I will be
patient still, having within my breast a heart well-tried
with trouble; for in times past much have I borne and
much have toiled, in waves and war ; to that, let this be
added."
As he thus spoke the sun went down and darkness
came ; and so the two, hid in the hollow grotto, joyed in
their love, abiding by each other.
Soon as the early rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, quickly
Odysseus dressed in cloak and tunic, and the nymph
dressed herself in a long robe of silver-white, finespun
and graceful, she bound a beautiful golden girdle round
her waist, and set her veil upon her head. Then she pre-
pared to send forth brave Odysseus. She gave him a
great axe, which fitted well his hand; it was an axe of
172 OAY22EIA2 E.
%d\Keov, d/jt,
7repiKa\\e<; i\divov y ev evaprjpos*
8' eTreLra (TKeTTapvov evgoov %>%e 8' 68oto
vrjcrov eV ecr^cm?}?, oQi BevBpea fjua/cpd
K\rf0prj T aiyeipo? r, e\drr) T rjv
ava iraKai, rrrepiKrjXa, TCL ol Tr^oooiev eXa^pw?. 240
avrap eTrei&r) Set!? o6i SevSpea /j,a/cpa Trefyvicei,,
Y] fjuev e/Sr) TTpbs 85)/j,a K.a\v^rco, &ia Qedwv,
avrap o Td/juvero Sovpa' #00)9 Se ol tjvvro epyov.
el/con 8* e/cySaXe TrdvTa, TreheKfcrjaev 8' dpa ^aX/ca>,
fe<7(re S* 67rt<7T5 fcal eVt o-rdBfjL'rjv Wvve. 245
T0(f)pa ' eveifce reperpa KaXi/^rco, $ia dedcov
rerpTjvev S* dpa Trdvra Kal ijp/Jt,o<7ev aKkrfkoicri,
y6fjL(j)Oi(Tiv S' dpa rrjv ye Kal dpfjLOvtya-w dpaa-o-ev.
ocro-ov rt? T' eSa<^o9 ^770? ropvcoa-erai, dvrjp
ev
TOO-CTOV e evpeav
i/cpia $e a"rri
THE ODYSSEY, V. 173
bronze, sharp on both sides, and had a beautiful olive
handle, strongly fastened ; she gave him, too, a polished
adze. And now she led the way far off along the island
to where the trees grew tall alder and poplar and sky-
stretching pine, long-seasoned, very dry, that would float
lightly. When she had shown him where the trees grew
tall, homeward Kalypso went, the heavenly goddess, while
he began to cut the timber. Soon his work was done.
Twenty in all he felled, and trimmed them with the axe,
smoothed them with skill, and to the line he brought them
level. Meanwhile, Kalypso, the heavenly goddess, brought
him augers, and so he bored each piece and fitted them
together and thus with pins and morticings fastened his
boat. As when a man skilful in carpentry fashions the
hull of a broad freight-ship, of such a size Odysseus built
the broad-beamed boat. Putting in decks and jointing
them to close-set ribs he built her, and then with long
side-planking finished off. A mast he made and sail-yard
fitted to it ; he made a rudder, too, with which to steer.
And then he caulked the boat from end to end with wil-
low withes, to guard against the waves, and laid on wood
in plenty. Meanwhile, Kalypso, the heavenly goddess,
brought him cloth to make the sail, and well did he con-
trive this too. Braces and halyards and sheet-ropes he
set up in her and then with levers heaved her down into
the sacred sea.
The fourth day came, and he had finished all. So on
the fifth divine Kalypso sent him from the island, putting
upon him fragrant clothes and giving him a bath. A skin
13
174 OAY22EIA2 E.
ev Be ol do-fcbv eOrjfce 6ea fjbe\avos oivoio 265
rov erepov, erepov 8' vBaTo? peyav, ev Be /cat fja
Ktopv/co)- ev Be ol otya riOei, jjievoeiicea TroXXa*
ovpov Be Trpoerjicev dTnjjjiovd re \iapov re.
yrjOda-vvo? B' ovpy Treraa la-ria So 'OBvcrcrevs.
avrap 6 7rr)Ba\i(p lOvvero re^vrjevTa)^ 270
rj/Aevos' ovBe ol VTTVOS eVt P\evyei,v /jieya irelpap otfuo?, r\ aw Ifcdvet'
d\\' en, fiev fjiiv (f>7jfjii dBrjv e\dav /ca/cor^TO?.' 2 90
A /2? etTTcbi/ o~vvayev vefyekas, erdpa^e Be TTOVTOV
X P (r ^ Tpiaivav e\a>v 7rdo~a<; B' opodvvev
Travrolwv dveutov, i\ov rjrop,
o^0779 Srj eyco 7' o(p>e\ov Oaveeiv teal TTOTJJLOV e
TO) ore (JLOL TrXelcrroi %a\Krfpea Sovpa
eTreppiifrav irepl HrfKeiwvL Oavovri.
rc3 K e\a%ov Krepewv, /cat fiev Xeo? rpyov 'A
vvv Be fie \evja\ea) Oavarto eifiapro aXwrat.'
^/2? apa fuv elTrovT eKacrev peya Kvpa /car
Bewbv eTreao-v/jievov, irepl Se cr^eBl'rjv eXeXtfe.
r^Xe 8' CUTTO o"^e8lrjfJLa9 ' or' OTTtopivos Boperjs fyoperjaw aicdvOas
a/ji TreSiov, irvicwal Se Trpo? a\\ri\rfcriv e^ovrat,
a>5 TT;^ a/i 7T\ayo<; ave^oi epov evda /cat evOa'
aXXore /^eV re IVoro? Bopey 7rpo/3d\eo-K6 $epecr0ai,,
aXXore 8' ar' Evpos Zecfrvpq* el^acnce SiwKeiv.
Tbv Se tSez/ KaS/iou OvydTTjp, ica\\lcr$vpoov elire re
' Kd/Jifjiope, T/TTTe rot o>8e Iloo-eiSdwv evocrl%0a)V
o)Sv<7aT* e/c7ra7Xft)5, ort rot ra;a TroXXa (frvrevet, ; 340
ou /Lter 8?? ere Kara(f>0i(7t f fid\a irep fjueveatvcov.
d\\a /-taX' wS' e/?fat, So/ceeis Se poi ovtc a
eifJMra Tavr aTroBv? o-^eBlrjv dve/jLOKTi
/cd\\i7r, drap %elp6(ro-i veoyv eTTifjbaieo vocrrov
yairjs ^arf/ccov, oOi rot ^olp ecnlv aXvfat. 345
r^ 8e, roSe Kp^e^ivov VTTO (rrepvoio rdwacrai
a/jL/Bporov ovBe rl TOI iradeeiv Seo? ouS' airo\e.
avrap eTrrjv xeipe&ffw e^d^jreai rjireipoio,
a^fr d7ro\v6a\^Lolcn
yalav eycav l&ofjLrjv, oOi JAOI, p 9 av pep tcev Sovpar ev ap^ovirjaiv aprfprj,
Toe$, rjKaa-e 8' avrov.
Kapa\ea)v, T^ fjuev dp re &ieo~KeSao~ y a
W9 T7}9 Sovpara fjuaicpa Siea-KeScKr' . avrap 'OSu<7creL'9 370
afj,(f) evl ^ovpan ftalve, /eeXrjO' a>9 LTTTTOV eXavvcov,
CL/jbara S y egaTreSvve, rd ol Trope Sta KaXw^co.
avriKa Se Kprj^e^vov VTTO (rrepvoio Tavvcrarcv,
Be Trprjvrjs d\l ^aTTTrecre, %tpe TreTda-cras,
Lepacos' tSe Be /cpeicov evoa-i'xOwv, 875
Be /cdprj Trporl ov [AvO^o-dro OVJJLOV
* OVTCO vvv Kaicci TToXXa TTdOwv d\6o) Kara TTOVTOV,
t9 o Kev dvOptoTTOHri BioTpee(79 o ye $aiiJKea9 re
BelBa) fjtfj p eifavTis dvapTrdgaaa
TTOVTOV eir I%0v6evra epr) papea orrevd'XpvTa, 420
rje ri poi KCLI icrjTOS eTTio-o-evrj
% aXo?, old re 7ro\\a rpe9 poi oScaBva-Tai, ArXuro? evvocrlyaios.'
Elopeva Kal Kara Ovpov,
r6(f>pa Be fiLv /jLeya KV/JLO, fyepe rprj^elav ITT dfCTijv. 425
evOa K CLTTO pivovs Bpv^Orj, oTepr)9 V7rd\v^e, 7ra\t,pp60t,ov Be piv avns 430
7r\f}!;V 7ror9 3' ore TrofXvTroSo? 0a\dfj,r)9 rov 7T/309 7T6T/c>77<7i Opaaeidwv diro
pivol aTreBpvtyOev TOV Be fieya KVfjLa /cd\VTJrev. 435
evOa K Br) Bvcrrrjvos vTrep fjuopov
el fjurf e7Ti(j)poo-vvr]V Bw/ce yXav/ccoTT^ '
e^avaBvs, rd r epevyerai iJTreipovBe,
Trape^, 69 yaiav opafjievos, ei TTOV efavpoi,
re 7rapa7r\fjya^ \i^eva^ re OaXdo-o-rjs. 444
aXX' ore Brj irorafjuolo Kara a-ro/jua Ka\\ipooio
l^e veo)v y ry Btf ol ee/eraro %w/)O9 aptcrro9,
Xeto9 Trerpdwv, Kal eVl evya)v eK TTOVTOIO HocreLd(ovo//,ez>09, &>9 Kal eyoi) vvv
aov re poov i\ov icfjp.
SBee Be %/ooa Trdvra, 6d\ao-(ra Be Ktj/ae 7ro\\r) 455
av a-rdfjLa re plvd<$ &' o S' ap' dirvevaTos Kdl avavBos
Kelr o\iy)j7re\e(Dv, /cdfjiaTos Be put alvos '(icavev.
aXX' ore Bij p* e/ATrvvro Kal 69 peva 6vfJib<; dyepOrj,
Kal rore Brj tcpijBe/jLvov diro eo \vo~e Qeoio.
leal TO fiev 9 Trora/xov dXi/jLVpijevra jAeOfjicev, *60
a-^r 8* e(f>epev fieya icvfjua /card poov, al^ra S' ap' '.ZVa>
Sefaro ^epal i\r](riv 6 8' etc Trora/jioto \iacrOe\s
v7reK\lv07], Kvare Be ^etBcopov dpovpav
B* dpa etTre Trpbs ov /jLeya\^ropa
f "fl pot, 70), T/ TrdOco ; TL vv fjiot
el pen K ev Trora/ift) BvcncrjBea vvfcra (f>v\dcr(7O) t 466
fjbij fju dfjLvBw crri/St} re Ka/crj Kal 6rj\vs eeparj
eg o\t,yr)7re\l'rjs Bafjiday KeKa^ora Ovpov
avprj B* eK irorafLov ^v^prj Trveei rf&Oi trpo.
el Be Kev 69 K\t,rvv dvafids Kal Bd&Kiov v\ijv 470
ev 7rvKivol(Ti KaraBpdOa), el //.e pedelrj
Kal Kafjuaros, y\vKepbs Be fioi VTTVOS
BelBto firj 6ijpe