Odyssey

"Arriv'd now at our ship, we launch'd, and set

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλθομεν ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,

Our mast up, put forth sail, and in did get

νῆα μὲν ἂρ πάμπρωτον ἐρύσσαμεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν,

Our late-got cattle. Up our sails, we went,

ἐν δʼ ἱστὸν τιθέμεσθα καὶ ἱστία νηὶ μελαίνῃ,

My wayward fellows mourning now th' event.

ἐν δὲ τὰ μῆλα λαβόντες ἐβήσαμεν, ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ

A good companion yet, a foreright wind,

βαίνομεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες.

Circe (the excellent utt'rer of her mind)

ἡμῖν δʼ αὖ κατόπισθε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο

Supplied our murmuring consorts with, that was

ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει πλησίστιον, ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον,

Both speed and guide to our adventurous pass.

Κίρκη εὐπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα.

All day our sails stood to the winds, and made

ἡμεῖς δʼ ὅπλα ἕκαστα πονησάμενοι κατὰ νῆα

Our voyage prosp'rous. Sun then set, and shade

ἥμεθα· τὴν δʼ ἄνεμός τε κυβερνήτης τʼ ἴθυνε.

All ways obscuring, on the bounds we fell

τῆς δὲ πανημερίης τέταθʼ ἱστία ποντοπορούσης·

Of deep Oceanus, where people dwell

δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί.

Whom a perpetual cloud obscures outright,

ἡ δʼ ἐς πείραθʼ ἵκανε βαθυρρόου Ὠκεανοῖο.

To whom the cheerful sun lends never light,

ἔνθα δὲ Κιμμερίων ἀνδρῶν δῆμός τε πόλις τε,

Nor when he mounts the star-sustaining heaven,

ἠέρι καὶ νεφέλῃ κεκαλυμμένοι· οὐδέ ποτʼ αὐτοὺς

Nor when he stoops earth, and sets up the even,

ἠέλιος φαέθων καταδέρκεται ἀκτίνεσσιν,

But night holds fix'd wings, feather'd all with banes,

οὔθʼ ὁπότʼ ἂν στείχῃσι πρὸς οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα,

Above those most unblest Cimmerians.

οὔθʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἂψ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἀπʼ οὐρανόθεν προτράπηται,

Here drew we up our ship, our sheep withdrew,

ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ νὺξ ὀλοὴ τέταται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσι.

And walk'd the shore till we attain'd the view,

νῆα μὲν ἔνθʼ ἐλθόντες ἐκέλσαμεν, ἐκ δὲ τὰ μῆλα

Of that sad region Circe had foreshow'd;

εἱλόμεθʼ· αὐτοὶ δʼ αὖτε παρὰ ῥόον Ὠκεανοῖο

And then the sacred off'rings to be vow'd

ᾔομεν, ὄφρʼ ἐς χῶρον ἀφικόμεθʼ, ὃν φράσε Κίρκη.

Eurylochus and Persimedes bore.

ἔνθʼ ἱερήια μὲν Περιμήδης Εὐρύλοχός τε

When I my sword drew, and earth's womb did gore

ἔσχον· ἐγὼ δʼ ἄορ ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ

Till I a pit digg'd of a cubit round,

βόθρον ὄρυξʼ ὅσσον τε πυγούσιον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,

Which with the liquid sacrifice we crown'd,

ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ δὲ χοὴν χεόμην πᾶσιν νεκύεσσι,

First honey mix'd with wine, then sweet wine neat,

πρῶτα μελικρήτῳ, μετέπειτα δὲ ἡδέι οἴνῳ,

Then water pour'd in, last the flour of wheat.

τὸ τρίτον αὖθʼ ὕδατι· ἐπὶ δʼ ἄλφιτα λευκὰ πάλυνον.

Much I importun'd then the weak-neck'd dead,

πολλὰ δὲ γουνούμην νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα,

And vow'd, when I the barren soil should tread

ἐλθὼν εἰς Ἰθάκην στεῖραν βοῦν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,

Of clifty Ithaca, amidst my hall

ῥέξειν ἐν μεγάροισι πυρήν τʼ ἐμπλησέμεν ἐσθλῶν,

To kill a heifer, my clear best of all,

Τειρεσίῃ δʼ ἀπάνευθεν ὄιν ἱερευσέμεν οἴῳ

And give in off'ring, on a pile compos'd

παμμέλανʼ, ὃς μήλοισι μεταπρέπει ἡμετέροισι.

Of all the choice goods my whole house enclos'd.

τοὺς δʼ ἐπεὶ εὐχωλῇσι λιτῇσί τε, ἔθνεα νεκρῶν,

And to Tiresias himself, alone,

ἐλλισάμην, τὰ δὲ μῆλα λαβὼν ἀπεδειροτόμησα

A sheep coal-black, and the selectest one

ἐς βόθρον, ῥέε δʼ αἷμα κελαινεφές· αἱ δʼ ἀγέροντο

Of all my flocks. When to the Pow'rs beneath,

ψυχαὶ ὑπὲξ Ἐρέβευς νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.

The sacred nation that survive with death,

νύμφαι τʼ ἠίθεοί τε πολύτλητοί τε γέροντες

My pray'rs and vows had done devotions fit,

παρθενικαί τʼ ἀταλαὶ νεοπενθέα θυμὸν ἔχουσαι,

I took the off'rings, and upon the pit

πολλοὶ δʼ οὐτάμενοι χαλκήρεσιν ἐγχείῃσιν,

Bereft their lives. Out gush'd the sable blood,

ἄνδρες ἀρηίφατοι βεβροτωμένα τεύχεʼ ἔχοντες·

And round about me fled out of the flood

οἳ πολλοὶ περὶ βόθρον ἐφοίτων ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος

The souls of the deceas'd. There cluster'd then

θεσπεσίῃ ἰαχῇ· ἐμὲ δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει.

Youths, and their wives, much-suff'ring aged men,

δὴ τότʼ ἔπειθʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσα

Soft tender virgins that but new came there

μῆλα, τὰ δὴ κατέκειτʼ ἐσφαγμένα νηλέι χαλκῷ,

By timeless death, and green their sorrows were.

δείραντας κατακῆαι, ἐπεύξασθαι δὲ θεοῖσιν,

There men-at-arms, with armours all embrew'd,

ἰφθίμῳ τʼ Ἀΐδῃ καὶ ἐπαινῇ Περσεφονείῃ·

Wounded with lances, and with faulchions hew'd,

αὐτὸς δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ

In numbers, up and down the ditch, did stalk,

ἥμην, οὐδʼ εἴων νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα

And threw unmeasur'd cries about their walk,

αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.

So horrid that a bloodless fear surpris'd

πρώτη δὲ ψυχὴ Ἐλπήνορος ἦλθεν ἑταίρου·

My daunted spirits. Straight then I advis'd

οὐ γάρ πω ἐτέθαπτο ὑπὸ χθονὸς εὐρυοδείης·

My friends to flay the slaughter'd sacrifice,

σῶμα γὰρ ἐν Κίρκης μεγάρῳ κατελείπομεν ἡμεῖς

Put them in fire, and to the Deities,

ἄκλαυτον καὶ ἄθαπτον, ἐπεὶ πόνος ἄλλος ἔπειγε.

Stern Pluto and Persephoné, apply

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ,

Exciteful pray'rs. Then drew I from my thigh

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·

My well-edg'd sword, stept in, and firmly stood

Ἐλπῆνορ, πῶς ἦλθες ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠερόεντα;

Betwixt the prease of shadows and the blood,

ἔφθης πεζὸς ἰὼν ἢ ἐγὼ σὺν νηὶ μελαίνῃ.

And would not suffer anyone to dip

ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ οἰμώξας ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·

Within our off'ring his unsolid lip,

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

Before Tiresias that did all controul.

ἆσέ με δαίμονος αἶσα κακὴ καὶ ἀθέσφατος οἶνος.

The first that press'd in was Elpenor's soul,

Κίρκης δʼ ἐν μεγάρῳ καταλέγμενος οὐκ ἐνόησα

His body in the broad-way'd earth as yet

ἄψορρον καταβῆναι ἰὼν ἐς κλίμακα μακρήν,

Unmourn'd, unburied by us, since we swet

ἀλλὰ καταντικρὺ τέγεος πέσον· ἐκ δέ μοι αὐχὴν

With other urgent labours. Yet his smart

ἀστραγάλων ἐάγη, ψυχὴ δʼ Ἄϊδόσδε κατῆλθε.

I wept to see, and rued it from my heart,

νῦν δέ σε τῶν ὄπιθεν γουνάζομαι, οὐ παρεόντων,

Enquiring how he could before me be

πρός τʼ ἀλόχου καὶ πατρός, ὅ σʼ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα,

That came by ship? He, mourning, answer'd me:

Τηλεμάχου θʼ, ὃν μοῦνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔλειπες·

'In Circe's house, the spite some spirit did bear,

οἶδα γὰρ ὡς ἐνθένδε κιὼν δόμου ἐξ Ἀίδαο

And the unspeakable good liquor there,

νῆσον ἐς Αἰαίην σχήσεις ἐυεργέα νῆα·

Hath been my bane; for, being to descend

ἔνθα σʼ ἔπειτα, ἄναξ, κέλομαι μνήσασθαι ἐμεῖο.

A ladder much in height, I did not tend

μή μʼ ἄκλαυτον ἄθαπτον ἰὼν ὄπιθεν καταλείπειν

My way well down, but forwards made a proof

νοσφισθείς, μή τοί τι θεῶν μήνιμα γένωμαι,

To tread the rounds, and from the very roof

ἀλλά με κακκῆαι σὺν τεύχεσιν, ἅσσα μοι ἔστιν,

Fell on my neck, and brake it; and this made

σῆμά τέ μοι χεῦαι πολιῆς ἐπὶ θινὶ θαλάσσης,

My soul thus visit this infernal shade.

ἀνδρὸς δυστήνοιο καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι.

And here, by them that next thyself are dear,

ταῦτά τέ μοι τελέσαι πῆξαί τʼ ἐπὶ τύμβῳ ἐρετμόν,

Thy wife, and father, that a little one

τῷ καὶ ζωὸς ἔρεσσον ἐὼν μετʼ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισιν.

Gave food to thee, and by thy only son

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

At home behind thee left, Telemachus,

ταῦτά τοι, ὦ δύστηνε, τελευτήσω τε καὶ ἔρξω.

Do not depart by stealth, and leave me thus,

Unmourn'd, unburied, lest neglected I

Bring on thyself th' incenséd Deity.

I know that, sail'd from hence, thy ship must touch

On th' isle Ææa; where vouchsafe thus much,

Good king, that, landed, thou wilt instantly

Bestow on me thy royal memory

To this grace, that my body, arms and all,

May rest consum'd in fiery funeral;

And on the foamy shore a sepulchre

Erect to me, that after-times may hear

Of one so hapless. Let me these implore

And fix upon my sepulchre the oar

With which alive I shook the aged seas,

And had of friends the dear societies.'

I told the wretched soul I would fulfill

And execute to th' utmost point his will;

And, all the time we sadly talk'd, I still

My sword above the blood held, when aside

The idol of my friend still amplified

His plaint, as up and down the shades he err'd.

Then my deceaséd mother's soul appear'd,

Fair daughter of Autolycus the great,

Grave Anticlea, whom, when forth I set

For sacred Ilion, I had left alive.

Her sight much mov'd me, and to tears did drive

My note of her decease; and yet not she

(Though in my ruth she held the high'st degree)

Would I admit to touch the sacred blood,

νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβομένω στυγεροῖσιν

Till from Tiresias I had understood

ἥμεθʼ, ἐγὼ μὲν ἄνευθεν ἐφʼ αἵματι φάσγανον ἴσχων,

What Circe told me. At the length did land

εἴδωλον δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἑταίρου πόλλʼ ἀγόρευεν·

Theban Tiresias' soul, and in his hand

ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ μητρὸς κατατεθνηυίης,

Sustain'd a golden sceptre, knew me well,

Αὐτολύκου θυγάτηρ μεγαλήτορος Ἀντίκλεια,

And said: 'O man unhappy, why to hell

τὴν ζωὴν κατέλειπον ἰὼν εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρήν.

Admitt'st thou dark arrival, and the light

τὴν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ·

The sun gives leav'st, to have the horrid sight

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς εἴων προτέρην, πυκινόν περ ἀχεύων,

Of this black region, and the shadows here?

αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.

Now sheathe thy sharp sword, and the pit forbear,

ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο

That I the blood may taste, and then relate

χρύσεον σκῆπτρον ἔχων, ἐμὲ δʼ ἔγνω καὶ προσέειπεν·

The truth of those acts that affect thy fate.'

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

I sheath'd my sword, and left the pit, till he,

τίπτʼ αὖτʼ, ὦ δύστηνε, λιπὼν φάος ἠελίοιο

The black blood tasting, thus instructed me:

ἤλυθες, ὄφρα ἴδῃ νέκυας καὶ ἀτερπέα χῶρον;

'Renown'd Ulysses! All unask'd I know

ἀλλʼ ἀποχάζεο βόθρου, ἄπισχε δὲ φάσγανον ὀξύ,

That all the cause of thy arrival now

αἵματος ὄφρα πίω καί τοι νημερτέα εἴπω.

Is to enquire thy wish'd retreat for home;

ὣς φάτʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἀναχασσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον

Which hardly God will let thee overcome,

κουλεῷ ἐγκατέπηξʼ. ὁ δʼ ἐπεὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινόν,

Since Neptune still will his opposure try,

καὶ τότε δή μʼ ἐπέεσσι προσηύδα μάντις ἀμύμων·

With all his laid-up anger, for the eye

νόστον δίζηαι μελιηδέα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ·

His lov'd son lost to thee. And yet through all

τὸν δέ τοι ἀργαλέον θήσει θεός· οὐ γὰρ ὀίω

Thy suff'ring course (which must be capital)

λήσειν ἐννοσίγαιον, ὅ τοι κότον ἔνθετο θυμῷ

If both thine own affections, and thy friends,

χωόμενος ὅτι οἱ υἱὸν φίλον ἐξαλάωσας.

Thou wilt contain, when thy access ascends

ἀλλʼ ἔτι μέν κε καὶ ὣς κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε,

The three-fork'd island, having 'scap'd the seas,

αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃς σὸν θυμὸν ἐρυκακέειν καὶ ἑταίρων,

Where ye shall find fed on the flow'ry leas

ὁππότε κε πρῶτον πελάσῃς ἐυεργέα νῆα

Fat flocks, and oxen, which the Sun doth own,

Θρινακίῃ νήσῳ, προφυγὼν ἰοειδέα πόντον,

To whom are all things as well heard as shown,

βοσκομένας δʼ εὕρητε βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα

And never dare one head of those to slay,

Ἠελίου, ὃς πάντʼ ἐφορᾷ καὶ πάντʼ ἐπακούει.

But hold unharmful on your wishéd way,

τὰς εἰ μέν κʼ ἀσινέας ἐάᾳς νόστου τε μέδηαι,

Though through enough affliction, yet secure

καί κεν ἔτʼ εἰς Ἰθάκην κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε·

Your Fates shall land ye; but presage says sure,

εἰ δέ κε σίνηαι, τότε τοι τεκμαίρομʼ ὄλεθρον,

If once ye spoil them, spoil to all thy friends,

νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροις. αὐτὸς δʼ εἴ πέρ κεν ἀλύξῃς,

Spoil to thy fleet, and if the justice ends

ὀψὲ κακῶς νεῖαι, ὀλέσας ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους,

Short of thyself, it shall be long before,

νηὸς ἐπʼ ἀλλοτρίης· δήεις δʼ ἐν πήματα οἴκῳ,

And that length forc'd out with inflictions store,

ἄνδρας ὑπερφιάλους, οἵ τοι βίοτον κατέδουσι

When, losing all thy fellows, in a sail

μνώμενοι ἀντιθέην ἄλοχον καὶ ἕδνα διδόντες.

Of foreign built (when most thy Fates prevail

ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι κείνων γε βίας ἀποτίσεαι ἐλθών·

In thy deliv'rance) thus th' event shall sort:

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν μνηστῆρας ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεοῖσι

Thou shalt find shipwrack raging in thy port,

κτείνῃς ἠὲ δόλῳ ἢ ἀμφαδὸν ὀξέι χαλκῷ,

Proud men thy goods consuming, and thy wife

ἔρχεσθαι δὴ ἔπειτα λαβὼν ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν,

Urging with gifts, give charge upon thy life.

εἰς ὅ κε τοὺς ἀφίκηαι οἳ οὐκ ἴσασι θάλασσαν

But all these wrongs revenge shall end to thee,

ἀνέρες, οὐδέ θʼ ἅλεσσι μεμιγμένον εἶδαρ ἔδουσιν·

And force, or cunning, set with slaughter free

οὐδʼ ἄρα τοί γʼ ἴσασι νέας φοινικοπαρῄους

The house of all thy spoilers. Yet again

οὐδʼ ἐυήρεʼ ἐρετμά, τά τε πτερὰ νηυσὶ πέλονται.

Thou shalt a voyage make, and come to men

σῆμα δέ τοι ἐρέω μάλʼ ἀριφραδές, οὐδέ σε λήσει·

That know no sea, nor ships, nor oars that are

ὁππότε κεν δή τοι συμβλήμενος ἄλλος ὁδίτης

Wings to a ship, nor mix with any fare

φήῃ ἀθηρηλοιγὸν ἔχειν ἀνὰ φαιδίμῳ ὤμῳ,

Salt's savoury vapour. Where thou first shalt land,

καὶ τότε δὴ γαίῃ πήξας ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν,

This clear-giv'n sign shall let thee understand,

ῥέξας ἱερὰ καλὰ Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι,

That there those men remain: Assume ashore

ἀρνειὸν ταῦρόν τε συῶν τʼ ἐπιβήτορα κάπρον,

Up to thy royal shoulder a ship oar,

οἴκαδʼ ἀποστείχειν ἔρδειν θʼ ἱερᾶς ἑκατόμβας

With which, when thou shalt meet one on the way

ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι,

That will in country admiration say

πᾶσι μάλʼ ἑξείης. θάνατος δέ τοι ἐξ ἁλὸς αὐτῷ

What dost thou with that wan upon thy neck?

ἀβληχρὸς μάλα τοῖος ἐλεύσεται, ὅς κέ σε πέφνῃ

There fix that wan thy oar, and that shore deck

γήραι ὕπο λιπαρῷ ἀρημένον· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶ

With sacred rites to Neptune; slaughter there

ὄλβιοι ἔσσονται. τὰ δέ τοι νημερτέα εἴρω.

A ram, a bull, and (who for strength doth bear

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

The name of husband to a herd) a boar.

Τειρεσίη, τὰ μὲν ἄρ που ἐπέκλωσαν θεοὶ αὐτοί.

And, coming home, upon thy natural shore,

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·

Give pious hecatombs to all the Gods,

μητρὸς τήνδʼ ὁρόω ψυχὴν κατατεθνηυίης·

Degrees observ'd. And then the periods

ἡ δʼ ἀκέουσʼ ἧσται σχεδὸν αἵματος, οὐδʼ ἑὸν υἱὸν

Of all thy labours in the peace shall end

ἔτλη ἐσάντα ἰδεῖν οὐδὲ προτιμυθήσασθαι.

Of easy death; which shall the less extend

εἰπέ, ἄναξ, πῶς κέν με ἀναγνοίη τὸν ἐόντα;

His passion to thee, that thy foe, the Sea,

ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·

Shall not enforce it, but Death's victory

ῥηΐδιόν τοι ἔπος ἐρέω καὶ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θήσω.

Shall chance in only-earnest-pray-vow'd age,

ὅν τινα μέν κεν ἐᾷς νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων

Obtain'd at home, quite emptied of his rage,

αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, ὁ δέ τοι νημερτὲς ἐνίψει·

Thy subjects round about thee, rich and blest.

ᾧ δέ κʼ ἐπιφθονέῃς, ὁ δέ τοι πάλιν εἶσιν ὀπίσσω.

And here hath Truth summ'd up thy vital rest.'

ὣς φαμένη ψυχὴ μὲν ἔβη δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω

I answer'd him: 'We will suppose all these

Τειρεσίαο ἄνακτος, ἐπεὶ κατὰ θέσφατʼ ἔλεξεν·

Decreed in Deity; let it likewise please

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτοῦ μένον ἔμπεδον, ὄφρʼ ἐπὶ μήτηρ

Tiresias to resolve me, why so near

ἤλυθε καὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινεφές· αὐτίκα δʼ ἔγνω,

The blood and me my mother's soul doth bear,

καί μʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

And yet nor word, nor look, vouchsafe her son?

τέκνον ἐμόν, πῶς ἦλθες ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠερόεντα

Doth she not know me?' 'No,' said he, 'nor none

ζωὸς ἐών; χαλεπὸν δὲ τάδε ζωοῖσιν ὁρᾶσθαι.

Of all these spirits, but myself alone,

μέσσῳ γὰρ μεγάλοι ποταμοὶ καὶ δεινὰ ῥέεθρα,

Knows anything till he shall taste the blood.

Ὠκεανὸς μὲν πρῶτα, τὸν οὔ πως ἔστι περῆσαι

But whomsoever you shall do that good,

πεζὸν ἐόντʼ, ἢν μή τις ἔχῃ ἐυεργέα νῆα.

He will the truth of all you wish unfold;

ἦ νῦν δὴ Τροίηθεν ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνεις

Who you envy it to will all withhold.'

Thus said the kingly soul, and made retreat

Amidst the inner parts of Pluto's seat,

When he had spoke thus by divine instinct.

Still I stood firm, till to the blood's precinct

My mother came, and drunk; and then she knew

I was her son, had passion to renew

Her natural plaints, which thus she did pursue:

'How is it, O my son, that you alive

This deadly-darksome region underdive?

'Twixt which, and earth, so many mighty seas,

And horrid currents, interpose their prease,

Oceanus in chief? Which none (unless

More help'd than you) on foot now can transgress.

A well-built ship he needs that ventures there.

Com'st thou from Troy but now, enforc'd to err

All this time with thy soldiers? Nor hast seen,

Ere this long day, thy country, and thy queen?'

I answer'd: 'That a necessary end

To this infernal state made me contend;

That from the wise Tiresias' Theban soul

I might an oracle involv'd unroll;

For I came nothing near Achaia yet,

Nor on our lov'd earth happy foot had set,

But, mishaps suff'ring, err'd from coast to coast,

Ever since first the mighty Grecian host

Divine Atrides led to Ilion,

And I his follower, to set war upon

The rapeful Trojans; and so pray'd she would

νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροισι πολὺν χρόνον; οὐδέ πω ἦλθες

The fate of that ungentle death unfold,

εἰς Ἰθάκην, οὐδʼ εἶδες ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναῖκα;

That forc'd her thither; if some long disease,

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

Or that the spleen of her-that-arrows-please,

μῆτερ ἐμή, χρειώ με κατήγαγεν εἰς Ἀίδαο

Diana, envious of most eminent dames,

ψυχῇ χρησόμενον Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο·

Had made her th' object of her deadly aims?

οὐ γάρ πω σχεδὸν ἦλθον Ἀχαιΐδος, οὐδέ πω ἁμῆς

My father's state and sons I sought, if they

γῆς ἐπέβην, ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἔχων ἀλάλημαι ὀιζύν,

Kept still my goods? Or they became the prey

ἐξ οὗ τὰ πρώτισθʼ ἑπόμην Ἀγαμέμνονι δίῳ

Of any other, holding me no more

Ἴλιον εἰς ἐύπωλον, ἵνα Τρώεσσι μαχοίμην.

In pow'r of safe return? Or if my store

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·

My wife had kept together with her son?

τίς νύ σε κὴρ ἐδάμασσε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο;

If she her first mind held, or had been won

ἦ δολιχὴ νοῦσος, ἦ Ἄρτεμις ἰοχέαιρα

By some chief Grecian from my love and bed?'

οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν;

All this she answer'd: 'That affliction fed

εἰπὲ δέ μοι πατρός τε καὶ υἱέος, ὃν κατέλειπον,

On her blood still at home, and that to grief

ἢ ἔτι πὰρ κείνοισιν ἐμὸν γέρας, ἦέ τις ἤδη

She all the days and darkness of her life

ἀνδρῶν ἄλλος ἔχει, ἐμὲ δʼ οὐκέτι φασὶ νέεσθαι.

In tears had consecrate. That none possest

εἰπὲ δέ μοι μνηστῆς ἀλόχου βουλήν τε νόον τε,

My famous kingdom's throne, but th' interest

ἠὲ μένει παρὰ παιδὶ καὶ ἔμπεδα πάντα φυλάσσει

My son had in it still he held in peace,

ἦ ἤδη μιν ἔγημεν Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστος.

A court kept like a prince, and his increase

ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο πότνια μήτηρ·

Spent in his subjects' good, administ'ring laws

καὶ λίην κείνη γε μένει τετληότι θυμῷ

With justice, and the general applause

σοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν· ὀιζυραὶ δέ οἱ αἰεὶ

A king should merit, and all call'd him king.

φθίνουσιν νύκτες τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χεούσῃ.

My father kept the upland, labouring,

σὸν δʼ οὔ πώ τις ἔχει καλὸν γέρας, ἀλλὰ ἕκηλος

And shunn'd the city, us'd no sumptuous beds,

Τηλέμαχος τεμένεα νέμεται καὶ δαῖτας ἐίσας

Wonder'd-at furnitures, nor wealthy weeds,

δαίνυται, ἃς ἐπέοικε δικασπόλον ἄνδρʼ ἀλεγύνειν·

But in the winter strew'd about the fire

πάντες γὰρ καλέουσι. πατὴρ δὲ σὸς αὐτόθι μίμνει

Lay with his slaves in ashes, his attire

ἀγρῷ, οὐδὲ πόλινδε κατέρχεται. οὐδέ οἱ εὐναὶ

Like to a beggar's; when the summer came,

δέμνια καὶ χλαῖναι καὶ ῥήγεα σιγαλόεντα,

And autumn all fruits ripen'd with his flame,

ἀλλʼ ὅ γε χεῖμα μὲν εὕδει ὅθι δμῶες ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,

Where grape-charg'd vines made shadows most abound,

ἐν κόνι ἄγχι πυρός, κακὰ δὲ χροῒ εἵματα εἷται·

His couch with fall'n leaves made upon the ground,

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἔλθῃσι θέρος τεθαλυῖά τʼ ὀπώρη,

And here lay he, his sorrow's fruitful state

πάντῃ οἱ κατὰ γουνὸν ἀλωῆς οἰνοπέδοιο

Increasing as he faded for my fate;

φύλλων κεκλιμένων χθαμαλαὶ βεβλήαται εὐναί.

And now the part of age that irksome is

ἔνθʼ ὅ γε κεῖτʼ ἀχέων, μέγα δὲ φρεσὶ πένθος ἀέξει

Lay sadly on him. And that life of his

σὸν νόστον ποθέων, χαλεπὸν δʼ ἐπὶ γῆρας ἱκάνει.

She led, and perish'd in; not slaughter'd by

οὕτω γὰρ καὶ ἐγὼν ὀλόμην καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον·

The Dame that darts lov'd, and her archery;

οὔτʼ ἐμέ γʼ ἐν μεγάροισιν ἐύσκοπος ἰοχέαιρα

Nor by disease invaded, vast and foul,

οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν,

That wastes the body, and sends out the soul

οὔτε τις οὖν μοι νοῦσος ἐπήλυθεν, ἥ τε μάλιστα

With shame and horror; only in her moan,

τηκεδόνι στυγερῇ μελέων ἐξείλετο θυμόν·

For me and my life, she consum'd her own.'

ἀλλά με σός τε πόθος σά τε μήδεα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

She thus, when I had great desire to prove

σή τʼ ἀγανοφροσύνη μελιηδέα θυμὸν ἀπηύρα.

My arms the circle where her soul did move.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γʼ ἔθελον φρεσὶ μερμηρίξας

Thrice prov'd I, thrice she vanish'd like a sleep,

μητρὸς ἐμῆς ψυχὴν ἑλέειν κατατεθνηυίης.

Or fleeting shadow, which struck much more deep

τρὶς μὲν ἐφωρμήθην, ἑλέειν τέ με θυμὸς ἀνώγει,

The wounds my woes made, and made ask her why

τρὶς δέ μοι ἐκ χειρῶν σκιῇ εἴκελον ἢ καὶ ὀνείρῳ

She would my love to her embraces fly,

ἔπτατʼ. ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄχος ὀξὺ γενέσκετο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,

And not vouchsafe that ev'n in hell we might

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·

Pay pious Nature her unalter'd right,

μῆτερ ἐμή, τί νύ μʼ οὐ μίμνεις ἑλέειν μεμαῶτα,

And give Vexation here her cruel fill?

ὄφρα καὶ εἰν Ἀίδαο φίλας περὶ χεῖρε βαλόντε

Should not the Queen here, to augment the ill

ἀμφοτέρω κρυεροῖο τεταρπώμεσθα γόοιο;

Of ev'ry suff'rance, which her office is,

ἦ τί μοι εἴδωλον τόδʼ ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια

Enforce thy idol to afford me this?

ὤτρυνʼ, ὄφρʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω;

'O son,' she answer'd, 'of the race of men

ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο πότνια μήτηρ·

The most unhappy, our most equal Queen

ὤ μοι, τέκνον ἐμόν, περὶ πάντων κάμμορε φωτῶν,

Will mock no solid arms with empty shade,

οὔ τί σε Περσεφόνεια Διὸς θυγάτηρ ἀπαφίσκει,

Nor suffer empty shades again t' invade

ἀλλʼ αὕτη δίκη ἐστὶ βροτῶν, ὅτε τίς κε θάνῃσιν·

Flesh, bones, and nerves; nor will defraud the fire

οὐ γὰρ ἔτι σάρκας τε καὶ ὀστέα ἶνες ἔχουσιν,

Of his last dues, that, soon as spirits expire

ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν τε πυρὸς κρατερὸν μένος αἰθομένοιο

And leave the white bone, are his native right,

δαμνᾷ, ἐπεί κε πρῶτα λίπῃ λεύκʼ ὀστέα θυμός,

When, like a dream, the soul assumes her flight.

ψυχὴ δʼ ἠύτʼ ὄνειρος ἀποπταμένη πεπότηται.

The light then of the living with most haste,

ἀλλὰ φόωσδε τάχιστα λιλαίεο· ταῦτα δὲ πάντα

O son, contend to. This thy little taste

ἴσθʼ, ἵνα καὶ μετόπισθε τεῇ εἴπῃσθα γυναικί.

Of this state is enough; and all this life

νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβόμεθʼ, αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες

Will make a tale fit to be told thy wife.'

ἤλυθον, ὤτρυνεν γὰρ ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια,

This speech we had; when now repair'd to me

ὅσσαι ἀριστήων ἄλοχοι ἔσαν ἠδὲ θύγατρες.

More female spirits, by Persephoné

αἱ δʼ ἀμφʼ αἷμα κελαινὸν ἀολλέες ἠγερέθοντο,

Driv'n on before her. All th' heroës' wives,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ βούλευον ὅπως ἐρέοιμι ἑκάστην.

And daughters, that led there their second lives,

ἥδε δέ μοι κατὰ θυμὸν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλή·

About the black blood throng'd. Of whom yet more

σπασσάμενος τανύηκες ἄορ παχέος παρὰ μηροῦ

My mind impell'd me to inquire, before

οὐκ εἴων πίνειν ἅμα πάσας αἷμα κελαινόν.

I let them all together taste the gore,

αἱ δὲ προμνηστῖναι ἐπήισαν, ἠδὲ ἑκάστη

For then would all have been dispers'd, and gone

ὃν γόνον ἐξαγόρευεν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἐρέεινον ἁπάσας.

Thick as they came. I, therefore, one by one

ἔνθʼ ἦ τοι πρώτην Τυρὼ ἴδον εὐπατέρειαν,

Let taste the pit, my sword drawn from my thigh,

ἣ φάτο Σαλμωνῆος ἀμύμονος ἔκγονος εἶναι,

And stand betwixt them made, when, sev'rally,

φῆ δὲ Κρηθῆος γυνὴ ἔμμεναι Αἰολίδαο·

All told their stocks. The first, that quench'd her fire,

ἣ ποταμοῦ ἠράσσατʼ Ἐνιπῆος θείοιο,

Was Tyro, issued of a noble sire.

ὃς πολὺ κάλλιστος ποταμῶν ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἵησι,

She said she sprung from pure Salmoneus' bed,

καί ῥʼ ἐπʼ Ἐνιπῆος πωλέσκετο καλὰ ῥέεθρα.

And Cretheus, son of Æolus, did wed;

Yet the divine flood Enipëus lov'd,

Who much the most fair stream of all floods mov'd.

Near whose streams Tyro walking, Neptune came,

Like Enipëus, and enjoy'd the dame.

Like to a hill, the blue and snaky flood

Above th' immortal and the mortal stood,

And hid them both, as both together lay,

Just where his current falls into the sea.

Her virgin waist dissolv'd, she slumber'd then;

But when the God had done the work of men,

Her fair hand gently wringing, thus he said:

'Woman! rejoice in our combinéd bed,

For when the year hath run his circle round

(Because the Gods' loves must in fruit abound)

My love shall make, to cheer thy teeming moans,

Thy one dear burden bear two famous sons;

Love well, and bring them up. Go home, and see

That, though of more joy yet I shall be free,

Thou dost not tell, to glorify thy birth;

Thy love is Neptune, shaker of the earth.'

This said, he plung'd into the sea; and she,

Begot with child by him, the light let see

Great Pelias, and Neleus, that became

In Jove's great ministry of mighty fame.

Pelias in broad Iolcus held his throne,

Wealthy in cattle; th' other royal son

Rul'd sandy Pylos. To these issue more

This queen of women to her husband bore,

τῷ δʼ ἄρα εἰσάμενος γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος

Æson, and Pheres, and Amythaon

ἐν προχοῇς ποταμοῦ παρελέξατο δινήεντος·

That for his fight on horseback stoop'd to none.

πορφύρεον δʼ ἄρα κῦμα περιστάθη, οὔρεϊ ἶσον,

Next her, I saw admir'd Antiope,

κυρτωθέν, κρύψεν δὲ θεὸν θνητήν τε γυναῖκα.

Asopus' daughter, who (as much as she

λῦσε δὲ παρθενίην ζώνην, κατὰ δʼ ὕπνον ἔχευεν.

Boasted attraction of great Neptune's love)

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐτέλεσσε θεὸς φιλοτήσια ἔργα,

Boasted to slumber in the arms of Jove,

ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·

And two sons likewise at one burden bore

χαῖρε, γύναι, φιλότητι· περιπλομένου δʼ ἐνιαυτοῦ

To that her all-controlling paramour,

τέξεις ἀγλαὰ τέκνα, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀποφώλιοι εὐναὶ

Amphion, and fair Zethus; that first laid

ἀθανάτων· σὺ δὲ τοὺς κομέειν ἀτιταλλέμεναί τε.

Great Thebes' foundations, and strong walls convey'd

νῦν δʼ ἔρχευ πρὸς δῶμα, καὶ ἴσχεο μηδʼ ὀνομήνῃς·

About her turrets, that seven ports enclos'd,

αὐτὰρ ἐγώ τοί εἰμι Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων.

For though the Thebans much in strength repos'd,

ὣς εἰπὼν ὑπὸ πόντον ἐδύσετο κυμαίνοντα.

Yet had not they the strength to hold their own,

ἡ δʼ ὑποκυσαμένη Πελίην τέκε καὶ Νηλῆα,

Without the added aids of wood and stone.

τὼ κρατερὼ θεράποντε Διὸς μεγάλοιο γενέσθην

Alcmena next I saw, that famous wife

ἀμφοτέρω· Πελίης μὲν ἐν εὐρυχόρῳ Ἰαωλκῷ

Was to Amphitryo, and honour'd life

ναῖε πολύρρηνος, ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐν Πύλῳ ἠμαθόεντι.

Gave to the lion-hearted Hercules,

τοὺς δʼ ἑτέρους Κρηθῆι τέκεν βασίλεια γυναικῶν,

That was of Jove's embrace the great increase.

Αἴσονά τʼ ἠδὲ Φέρητʼ Ἀμυθάονά θʼ ἱππιοχάρμην.

I saw, besides, proud Creon's daughter there,

τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἀντιόπην ἴδον, Ἀσωποῖο θύγατρα,

Bright Megara, that nuptial yoke did wear

ἣ δὴ καὶ Διὸς εὔχετʼ ἐν ἀγκοίνῃσιν ἰαῦσαι,

With Jove's great son, who never field did try

καί ῥʼ ἔτεκεν δύο παῖδʼ, Ἀμφίονά τε Ζῆθόν τε,

But bore to him the flow'r of victory.

οἳ πρῶτοι Θήβης ἕδος ἔκτισαν ἑπταπύλοιο,

The mother then of Œdipus I saw,

πύργωσάν τʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ἀπύργωτόν γʼ ἐδύναντο

Fair Epicasta, that, beyond all law,

ναιέμεν εὐρύχορον Θήβην, κρατερώ περ ἐόντε.

Her own son married, ignorant of kind.

τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἀλκμήνην ἴδον, Ἀμφιτρύωνος ἄκοιτιν,

And he, as darkly taken in his mind,

ἥ ῥʼ Ἡρακλῆα θρασυμέμνονα θυμολέοντα

His mother wedded, and his father slew.

γείνατʼ ἐν ἀγκοίνῃσι Διὸς μεγάλοιο μιγεῖσα·

Whose blind act Heav'n expos'd at length to view,

καὶ Μεγάρην, Κρείοντος ὑπερθύμοιο θύγατρα,

And he in all-lov'd Thebes the supreme state

τὴν ἔχεν Ἀμφιτρύωνος υἱὸς μένος αἰὲν ἀτειρής.

With much moan manag'd, for the heavy fate

μητέρα τʼ Οἰδιπόδαο ἴδον, καλὴν Ἐπικάστην,

The Gods laid on him. She made violent flight

ἣ μέγα ἔργον ἔρεξεν ἀιδρείῃσι νόοιο

To Pluto's dark house from the loathéd light,

γημαμένη ᾧ υἷι· ὁ δʼ ὃν πατέρʼ ἐξεναρίξας

Beneath a steep beam strangled with a cord,

γῆμεν· ἄφαρ δʼ ἀνάπυστα θεοὶ θέσαν ἀνθρώποισιν.

And left her son, in life, pains as abhorr'd

ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐν Θήβῃ πολυηράτῳ ἄλγεα πάσχων

As all the Furies pour'd on her in hell.

Καδμείων ἤνασσε θεῶν ὀλοὰς διὰ βουλάς·

Then saw I Chloris, that did so excell

ἡ δʼ ἔβη εἰς Ἀίδαο πυλάρταο κρατεροῖο,

In answering beauties, that each part had all.

ἁψαμένη βρόχον αἰπὺν ἀφʼ ὑψηλοῖο μελάθρου,

Great Neleus married her, when gifts not small

ᾧ ἄχεϊ σχομένη· τῷ δʼ ἄλγεα κάλλιπʼ ὀπίσσω

Had won her favour, term'd by name of dow'r.

πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα τε μητρὸς Ἐρινύες ἐκτελέουσιν.

She was of all Amphion's seed the flow'r;

καὶ Χλῶριν εἶδον περικαλλέα, τήν ποτε Νηλεὺς

Amphion, call'd Iasides, that then

γῆμεν ἑὸν διὰ κάλλος, ἐπεὶ πόρε μυρία ἕδνα,

Rul'd strongly Myniæan Orchomen,

ὁπλοτάτην κούρην Ἀμφίονος Ἰασίδαο,

And now his daughter rul'd the Pylian throne,

ὅς ποτʼ ἐν Ὀρχομενῷ Μινυείῳ ἶφι ἄνασσεν·

Because her beauty's empire overshone.

ἡ δὲ Πύλου βασίλευε, τέκεν δέ οἱ ἀγλαὰ τέκνα,

She brought her wife-awed husband, Neleús,

Νέστορά τε Χρόνιον τε Περικλύμενόν τʼ ἀγέρωχον.

Nestor much honour'd, Periclymenus,

τοῖσι δʼ ἐπʼ ἰφθίμην Πηρὼ τέκε, θαῦμα βροτοῖσι,

And Chromius, sons with sov'reign virtues grac'd;

τὴν πάντες μνώοντο περικτίται· οὐδʼ ἄρα Νηλεὺς

But after brought a daughter that surpass'd,

τῷ ἐδίδου ὃς μὴ ἕλικας βόας εὐρυμετώπους

Rare-beautied Pero, so for form exact

ἐκ Φυλάκης ἐλάσειε βίης Ἰφικληείης

That Nature to a miracle was rack'd

ἀργαλέας· τὰς δʼ οἶος ὑπέσχετο μάντις ἀμύμων

In her perfections, blaz'd with th' eyes of men;

ἐξελάαν· χαλεπὴ δὲ θεοῦ κατὰ μοῖρα πέδησε,

That made of all the country's hearts a chain,

δεσμοί τʼ ἀργαλέοι καὶ βουκόλοι ἀγροιῶται.

And drew them suitors to her. Which her sire

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μῆνές τε καὶ ἡμέραι ἐξετελεῦντο

Took vantage of, and, since he did aspire

ἂψ περιτελλομένου ἔτεος καὶ ἐπήλυθον ὧραι,

To nothing more than to the broad-brow'd herd

καὶ τότε δή μιν ἔλυσε βίη Ἰφικληείη,

Of oxen, which the common fame so rear'd,

θέσφατα πάντʼ εἰπόντα· Διὸς δʼ ἐτελείετο βουλή.

Own'd by Iphiclus, not a man should be

καὶ Λήδην εἶδον, τὴν Τυνδαρέου παράκοιτιν,

His Pero's husband, that from Phylace

ἥ ῥʼ ὑπὸ Τυνδαρέῳ κρατερόφρονε γείνατο παῖδε,

Those never-yet-driv'n oxen could not drive.

Κάστορά θʼ ἱππόδαμον καὶ πὺξ ἀγαθὸν Πολυδεύκεα,

Yet these a strong hope held him to achieve,

τοὺς ἄμφω ζωοὺς κατέχει φυσίζοος αἶα·

Because a prophet, that had never err'd,

οἳ καὶ νέρθεν γῆς τιμὴν πρὸς Ζηνὸς ἔχοντες

Had said, that only he should be preferr'd

ἄλλοτε μὲν ζώουσʼ ἑτερήμεροι, ἄλλοτε δʼ αὖτε

To their possession. But the equal fate

τεθνᾶσιν· τιμὴν δὲ λελόγχασιν ἶσα θεοῖσι.

Of God withstood his stealth; inextricate

τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἰφιμέδειαν, Ἀλωῆος παράκοιτιν

Imprisoning bands, and sturdy churlish swains

εἴσιδον, ἣ δὴ φάσκε Ποσειδάωνι μιγῆναι,

That were the herdsmen, who withheld with chains

καί ῥʼ ἔτεκεν δύο παῖδε, μινυνθαδίω δʼ ἐγενέσθην,

The stealth-attempter; which was only he

Ὦτόν τʼ ἀντίθεον τηλεκλειτόν τʼ Ἐφιάλτην,

That durst abet the act with prophecy,

οὓς δὴ μηκίστους θρέψε ζείδωρος ἄρουρα

None else would undertake it, and he must;

καὶ πολὺ καλλίστους μετά γε κλυτὸν Ὠρίωνα·

The king would needs a prophet should be just.

ἐννέωροι γὰρ τοί γε καὶ ἐννεαπήχεες ἦσαν

But when some days and months expired were,

εὖρος, ἀτὰρ μῆκός γε γενέσθην ἐννεόργυιοι.

And all the hours had brought about the year,

οἵ ῥα καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἀπειλήτην ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ

The prophet did so satisfy the king

φυλόπιδα στήσειν πολυάικος πολέμοιο.

(Iphiclus, all his cunning questioning)

Ὄσσαν ἐπʼ Οὐλύμπῳ μέμασαν θέμεν, αὐτὰρ ἐπʼ Ὄσσῃ

That he enfranchis'd him; and, all worst done,

Πήλιον εἰνοσίφυλλον, ἵνʼ οὐρανὸς ἀμβατὸς εἴη.

Jove's counsel made th' all-safe conclusión.

καί νύ κεν ἐξετέλεσσαν, εἰ ἥβης μέτρον ἵκοντο·

Then saw I Leda, link'd in nuptial chain

ἀλλʼ ὄλεσεν Διὸς υἱός, ὃν ἠύκομος τέκε Λητώ,

With Tyndarus, to whom she did sustain

ἀμφοτέρω, πρίν σφωιν ὑπὸ κροτάφοισιν ἰούλους

Sons much renown'd for wisdom; Castor one,

ἀνθῆσαι πυκάσαι τε γένυς ἐυανθέι λάχνῃ.

That pass'd for use of horse comparison;

And Pollux, that excell'd in whirlbat fight;

Both these the fruitful earth bore, while the light

Of life inspir'd them; after which, they found

Such grace with Jove, that both liv'd under ground,

By change of days; life still did one sustain,

While th' other died; the dead then liv'd again,

The living dying; both of one self date

Their lives and deaths made by the Gods and Fate.

Iphimedia after Leda came,

That did derive from Neptune too the name

Of father to two admirable sons.

Life yet made short their admiratións,

Who God-opposéd Otus had to name,

And Ephialtes far in sound of fame.

The prodigal earth so fed them, that they grew

To most huge stature, and had fairest hue

Of all men, but Orion, under heav'n.

At nine years old nine cubits they were driv'n

Abroad in breadth, and sprung nine fathoms high.

They threaten'd to give battle to the sky,

And all th' Immortals. They were setting on

Ossa upon Olympus, and upon

Steep Ossa leavy Pelius, that ev'n

They might a highway make with lofty heav'n;

And had perhaps perform'd it, had they liv'd

Till they were striplings; but Jove's son depriv'd

Their limbs of life, before th' age that begins

The flow'r of youth, and should adorn their chins.

Phædra and Procris, with wise Minos' flame,

Φαίδρην τε Πρόκριν τε ἴδον καλήν τʼ Ἀριάδνην,

Bright Ariadne, to the off'ring came.

κούρην Μίνωος ὀλοόφρονος, ἥν ποτε Θησεὺς

Whom whilome Theseus made his prise from Crete,

ἐκ Κρήτης ἐς γουνὸν Ἀθηνάων ἱεράων

That Athens' sacred soil might kiss her feet,

ἦγε μέν, οὐδʼ ἀπόνητο· πάρος δέ μιν Ἄρτεμις ἔκτα

But never could obtain her virgin flow'r,

Δίῃ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ Διονύσου μαρτυρίῃσιν.

Till, in the sea-girt Dia, Dian's pow'r

Μαῖράν τε Κλυμένην τε ἴδον στυγερήν τʼ Ἐριφύλην,

Detain'd his homeward haste, where (in her fane,

ἣ χρυσὸν φίλου ἀνδρὸς ἐδέξατο τιμήεντα.

By Bacchus witness'd) was the fatal wane

πάσας δʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδʼ ὀνομήνω,

Of her prime glory, Mæra, Clymene,

ὅσσας ἡρώων ἀλόχους ἴδον ἠδὲ θύγατρας·

I witness'd there; and loath'd Eriphyle,

πρὶν γάρ κεν καὶ νὺξ φθῖτʼ ἄμβροτος. ἀλλὰ καὶ ὥρη

That honour'd gold more than she lov'd her spouse.

εὕδειν, ἢ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν ἐλθόντʼ ἐς ἑταίρους

But, all th' heroesses in Pluto's house

ἢ αὐτοῦ· πομπὴ δὲ θεοῖς ὑμῖν τε μελήσει.

That then encounter'd me, exceeds my might

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ,

To name or number, and ambrosian night

κηληθμῷ δʼ ἔσχοντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.

Would quite be spent, when now the formal hours

τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀρήτη λευκώλενος ἤρχετο μύθων.

Present to sleep our all disposéd pow'rs,

Φαίηκες, πῶς ὔμμιν ἀνὴρ ὅδε φαίνεται εἶναι

If at my ship, or here. My home-made vow

εἶδός τε μέγεθός τε ἰδὲ φρένας ἔνδον ἐίσας;

I leave for fit grace to the Gods and you."

ξεῖνος δʼ αὖτʼ ἐμός ἐστιν, ἕκαστος δʼ ἔμμορε τιμῆς·

This said; the silence his discourse had made

τῷ μὴ ἐπειγόμενοι ἀποπέμπετε, μηδὲ τὰ δῶρα

With pleasure held still through the house's shade,

οὕτω χρηίζοντι κολούετε· πολλὰ γὰρ ὑμῖν

When white-arm'd Areté this speech began:

κτήματʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι θεῶν ἰότητι κέονται.

"Phæacians! How appears to you this man,

τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως Ἐχένηος,

So goodly person'd, and so match'd with mind?

ὃς δὴ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν προγενέστερος ἦεν·

My guest he is, but all you stand combin'd

ὦ φίλοι, οὐ μὰν ἧμιν ἀπὸ σκοποῦ οὐδʼ ἀπὸ δόξης

In the renown he doth us. Do not then

μυθεῖται βασίλεια περίφρων· ἀλλὰ πίθεσθε.

With careless haste dismiss him, nor the main

Ἀλκινόου δʼ ἐκ τοῦδʼ ἔχεται ἔργον τε ἔπος τε.

Of his dispatch to one so needy maim,

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·

The Gods' free bounty gives us all just claim

τοῦτο μὲν οὕτω δὴ ἔσται ἔπος, αἴ κεν ἐγώ γε

To goods enow." This speech, the oldest man

ζωὸς Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσω·

Of any other Phæacensian,

ξεῖνος δὲ τλήτω μάλα περ νόστοιο χατίζων

The grave heroë, Echinëus, gave

ἔμπης οὖν ἐπιμεῖναι ἐς αὔριον, εἰς ὅ κε πᾶσαν

All approbation, saying: "Friends! ye have

δωτίνην τελέσω· πομπὴ δʼ ἄνδρεσσι μελήσει

The motion of the wise queen in such words

πᾶσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοί· τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστʼ ἐνὶ δήμῳ.

As have not miss'd the mark, with which accords

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

My clear opinion. But Alcinous,

Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,

In word and work, must be our rule." He thus;

εἴ με καὶ εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν ἀνώγοιτʼ αὐτόθι μίμνειν,

And then Alcinous said: "This then must stand,

πομπὴν δʼ ὀτρύνοιτε καὶ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα διδοῖτε,

If while I live I rule in the command

καὶ κε τὸ βουλοίμην, καί κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη,

Of this well-skill'd-in-navigation state:

πλειοτέρῃ σὺν χειρὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαι·

Endure then, guest, though most importunate

καί κʼ αἰδοιότερος καὶ φίλτερος ἀνδράσιν εἴην

Be your affects for home. A little stay

πᾶσιν, ὅσοι μʼ Ἰθάκηνδε ἰδοίατο νοστήσαντα.

If your expectance bear, perhaps it may

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·

Our gifts make more complete. The cares of all

ὦ Ὀδυσεῦ, τὸ μὲν οὔ τί σʼ ἐίσκομεν εἰσορόωντες,

Your due deduction asks; but principal

ἠπεροπῆά τʼ ἔμεν καὶ ἐπίκλοπον, οἷά τε πολλοὺς

I am therein the ruler." He replied:

βόσκει γαῖα μέλαινα πολυσπερέας ἀνθρώπους,

"Alcinous, the most duly glorified

ψεύδεά τʼ ἀρτύνοντας ὅθεν κέ τις οὐδὲ ἴδοιτο·

With rule of all of all men, if you lay

σοὶ δʼ ἔπι μὲν μορφὴ ἐπέων, ἔνι δὲ φρένες ἐσθλαί.

Commandment on me of a whole year's stay,

μῦθον δʼ ὡς ὅτʼ ἀοιδὸς ἐπισταμένως κατέλεξας,

So all the while your preparations rise,

πάντων τʼ Ἀργείων σέο τʼ αὐτοῦ κήδεα λυγρά.

As well in gifts as time, ye can devise

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

No better wish for me; for I shall come

εἴ τινας ἀντιθέων ἑτάρων ἴδες, οἵ τοι ἅμʼ αὐτῷ

Much fuller-handed, and more honoured, home,

Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμʼ ἕποντο καὶ αὐτοῦ πότμον ἐπέσπον.

And dearer to my people, in whose loves

νὺξ δʼ ἥδε μάλα μακρή, ἀθέσφατος· οὐδέ πω ὥρη

The richer evermore the better proves."

εὕδειν ἐν μεγάρῳ, σὺ δέ μοι λέγε θέσκελα ἔργα.

He answer'd: "There is argued in your sight

καί κεν ἐς ἠῶ δῖαν ἀνασχοίμην, ὅτε μοι σὺ

A worth that works not men for benefit,

τλαίης ἐν μεγάρῳ τὰ σὰ κήδεα μυθήσασθαι.

Like prollers or impostors; of which crew,

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

The gentle black earth feeds not up a few,

Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,

Here and there wand'rers, blanching tales and lies,

ὥρη μὲν πολέων μύθων, ὥρη δὲ καὶ ὕπνου·

Of neither praise, nor use. You move our eyes

εἰ δʼ ἔτʼ ἀκουέμεναί γε λιλαίεαι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε

With form, our minds with matter, and our ears

τούτων σοι φθονέοιμι καὶ οἰκτρότερʼ ἄλλʼ ἀγορεύειν,

With elegant oration, such as bears

κήδεʼ ἐμῶν ἑτάρων, οἳ δὴ μετόπισθεν ὄλοντο,

A music in the order'd history

οἳ Τρώων μὲν ὑπεξέφυγον στονόεσσαν ἀυτήν,

It lays before us. Not Demodocus

ἐν νόστῳ δʼ ἀπόλοντο κακῆς ἰότητι γυναικός.

With sweeter strains hath us'd to sing to us

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ψυχὰς μὲν ἀπεσκέδασʼ ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ

All the Greek sorrows, wept out in your own.

ἁγνὴ Περσεφόνεια γυναικῶν θηλυτεράων,

But say: Of all your worthy friends, were none

ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο

Objected to your eyes that consorts were

ἀχνυμένη· περὶ δʼ ἄλλαι ἀγηγέραθʼ, ὅσσοι ἅμʼ αὐτῷ

To Ilion with you, and serv'd destiny there?

οἴκῳ ἐν Αἰγίσθοιο θάνον καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον.

This night is passing long, unmeasur'd, none

ἔγνω δʼ αἶψʼ ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινόν·

Of all my household would to bed yet; on,

κλαῖε δʼ ὅ γε λιγέως, θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβων,

Relate these wondrous things. Were I with you,

πιτνὰς εἰς ἐμὲ χεῖρας, ὀρέξασθαι μενεαίνων·

If you would tell me but your woes, as now,

ἀλλʼ οὐ γάρ οἱ ἔτʼ ἦν ἲς ἔμπεδος οὐδέ τι κῖκυς,

Till the divine Aurora show'd her head,

οἵη περ πάρος ἔσκεν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι.

I should in no night relish thought of bed."

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ,

"Most eminent king," said he, "times all must keep,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·

There's time to speak much, time as much to sleep.

Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε, ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον,

But would you hear still, I will tell you still,

τίς νύ σε κὴρ ἐδάμασσε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο;

And utter more, more miserable ill

ἦε σέ γʼ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν

Of friends than yet, that scap'd the dismal wars,

ὄρσας ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀμέγαρτον ἀυτμήν;

And perish'd homewards, and in household jars

Wag'd by a wicked woman. The chaste Queen

No sooner made these lady ghosts unseen,

Here and there flitting, but mine eyesight won

The soul of Agamemnon, Atreus' son,

Sad, and about him all his train of friends,

That in Ægisthus' house endur'd their ends

With his stern fortune. Having drunk the blood,

He knew me instantly, and forth a flood

Of springing tears gush'd; out he thrust his hands,

With will t' embrace me, but their old commands

Flow'd not about him, nor their weakest part.

I wept to see, and moan'd him from my heart,

And ask'd: 'O Agamemnon! King of men!

What sort of cruel death hath render'd slain

Thy royal person? Neptune in thy fleet

Heav'n and his hellish billows making meet,

Rousing the winds? Or have thy men by land

Done thee this ill, for using thy command,

Past their consents, in diminution

Of those full shares their worths by lot had won

Of sheep or oxen? Or of any town,

In covetous strife, to make their rights thine own

In men or women prisoners?' He replied:

'By none of these in any right I died,

But by Ægisthus and my murd'rous wife

(Bid to a banquet at his house) my life

Hath thus been reft me, to my slaughter led

Like to an ox pretended to be fed.

ἦέ σʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου

So miserably fell I, and with me

βοῦς περιταμνόμενον ἠδʼ οἰῶν πώεα καλά,

My friends lay massacred, as when you see

ἠὲ περὶ πτόλιος μαχεούμενον ἠδὲ γυναικῶν;

At any rich man's nuptials, shot, or feast,

ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·

About his kitchen white-tooth'd swine lie drest.

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

The slaughters of a world of men thine eyes,

οὔτʼ ἐμέ γʼ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν

Both private, and in prease of enemies,

ὄρσας ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀμέγαρτον ἀυτμήν,

Have personally witness'd; but this one

οὔτε μʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου,

Would all thy parts have broken into moan,

ἀλλά μοι Αἴγισθος τεύξας θάνατόν τε μόρον τε

To see how strew'd about our cups and cates,

ἔκτα σὺν οὐλομένῃ ἀλόχῳ, οἶκόνδε καλέσσας,

As tables set with feast, so we with fates,

δειπνίσσας, ὥς τίς τε κατέκτανε βοῦν ἐπὶ φάτνῃ.

All gash'd and slain lay, all the floor embrued

ὣς θάνον οἰκτίστῳ θανάτῳ· περὶ δʼ ἄλλοι ἑταῖροι

With blood and brain. But that which most I rued,

νωλεμέως κτείνοντο σύες ὣς ἀργιόδοντες,

Flew from the heavy voice that Priam's seed,

οἵ ῥά τʼ ἐν ἀφνειοῦ ἀνδρὸς μέγα δυναμένοιο

Cassandra, breath'd, whom, she that wit doth feed

ἢ γάμῳ ἢ ἐράνῳ ἢ εἰλαπίνῃ τεθαλυίῃ.

With baneful crafts, false Clytemnestra, slew,

ἤδη μὲν πολέων φόνῳ ἀνδρῶν ἀντεβόλησας,