Odyssey

The man, O Muse, inform, that many a way

ἄνδρα μοι ἔννεπε, μοῦσα, πολύτροπον, ὃς μάλα πολλὰ

Wound with his wisdom to his wished stay;

πλάγχθη, ἐπεὶ Τροίης ἱερὸν πτολίεθρον ἔπερσεν·

That wander'd wondrous far, when he the town

πολλῶν δʼ ἀνθρώπων ἴδεν ἄστεα καὶ νόον ἔγνω,

Of sacred Troy had sack'd and shiver'd down;

πολλὰ δʼ ὅ γʼ ἐν πόντῳ πάθεν ἄλγεα ὃν κατὰ θυμόν,

The cities of a world of nations,

ἀρνύμενος ἥν τε ψυχὴν καὶ νόστον ἑταίρων.

With all their manners, minds, and fashions,

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς ἑτάρους ἐρρύσατο, ἱέμενός περ·

He saw and knew; at sea felt many woes,

αὐτῶν γὰρ σφετέρῃσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο,

Much care sustain'd, to save from overthrows

νήπιοι, οἳ κατὰ βοῦς Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιο

Himself and friends in their retreat for home;

ἤσθιον· αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσιν ἀφείλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ.

But so their fates he could not overcome,

τῶν ἁμόθεν γε, θεά, θύγατερ Διός, εἰπὲ καὶ ἡμῖν.

Though much he thirsted it. O men unwise,

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες, ὅσοι φύγον αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον,

They perish'd by their own impieties!

οἴκοι ἔσαν, πόλεμόν τε πεφευγότες ἠδὲ θάλασσαν·

That in their hunger's rapine would not shun

τὸν δʼ οἶον νόστου κεχρημένον ἠδὲ γυναικὸς

The oxen of the lofty-going Sun,

νύμφη πότνιʼ ἔρυκε Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάων

Who therefore from their eyes the day bereft

ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι, λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι.

Of safe return. These acts, in some part left,

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἔτος ἦλθε περιπλομένων ἐνιαυτῶν,

Tell us, as others, deified Seed of Jove.

τῷ οἱ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι

Now all the rest that austere death outstrove

εἰς Ἰθάκην, οὐδʼ ἔνθα πεφυγμένος ἦεν ἀέθλων

At Troy's long siege at home safe anchor'd are,

καὶ μετὰ οἷσι φίλοισι. θεοὶ δʼ ἐλέαιρον ἅπαντες

Free from the malice both of sea and war;

νόσφι Ποσειδάωνος· ὁ δʼ ἀσπερχὲς μενέαινεν

Only Ulysses is denied access

ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆι πάρος ἣν γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι.

To wife and home. The grace of Goddesses,

ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν Αἰθίοπας μετεκίαθε τηλόθʼ ἐόντας,

The rev'rend nymph Calypso, did detain

Αἰθίοπας τοὶ διχθὰ δεδαίαται, ἔσχατοι ἀνδρῶν,

Him in her caves, past all the race of men

οἱ μὲν δυσομένου Ὑπερίονος οἱ δʼ ἀνιόντος,

Enflam'd to make him her lov'd lord and spouse.

ἀντιόων ταύρων τε καὶ ἀρνειῶν ἑκατόμβης.

And when the Gods had destin'd that his house,

ἔνθʼ ὅ γʼ ἐτέρπετο δαιτὶ παρήμενος· οἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι

Which Ithaca on her rough bosom bears,

Ζηνὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν Ὀλυμπίου ἁθρόοι ἦσαν.

(The point of time wrought out by ambient years)

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε·

Should be his haven, Contention still extends

μνήσατο γὰρ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονος Αἰγίσθοιο,

Her envy to him, ev'n amongst his friends.

τόν ῥʼ Ἀγαμεμνονίδης τηλεκλυτὸς ἔκτανʼ Ὀρέστης·

All Gods took pity on him; only he,

τοῦ ὅ γʼ ἐπιμνησθεὶς ἔπεʼ ἀθανάτοισι μετηύδα·

That girds earth in the cincture of the sea,

ὢ πόποι, οἷον δή νυ θεοὺς βροτοὶ αἰτιόωνται·

Divine Ulysses ever did envy,

ἐξ ἡμέων γάρ φασι κάκʼ ἔμμεναι, οἱ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ

And made the fix'd port of his birth to fly.

σφῇσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὑπὲρ μόρον ἄλγεʼ ἔχουσιν,

But he himself solemniz'd a retreat

ὡς καὶ νῦν Αἴγισθος ὑπὲρ μόρον Ἀτρεΐδαο

To th' Æthiops, far dissunder'd in their seat,

γῆμʼ ἄλοχον μνηστήν, τὸν δʼ ἔκτανε νοστήσαντα,

(In two parts parted, at the sun's descent,

εἰδὼς αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον, ἐπεὶ πρό οἱ εἴπομεν ἡμεῖς,

And underneath his golden orient,

Ἑρμείαν πέμψαντες, ἐύσκοπον ἀργεϊφόντην,

The first and last of men) t' enjoy their feast

μήτʼ αὐτὸν κτείνειν μήτε μνάασθαι ἄκοιτιν·

Of bulls and lambs, in hecatombs addrest;

ἐκ γὰρ Ὀρέσταο τίσις ἔσσεται Ἀτρεΐδαο,

At which he sat, giv'n over to delight.

ὁππότʼ ἂν ἡβήσῃ τε καὶ ἧς ἱμείρεται αἴης.

The other Gods in heav'n's supremest height

ὣς ἔφαθʼ Ἑρμείας, ἀλλʼ οὐ φρένας Αἰγίσθοιο

Were all in council met; to whom began

πεῖθʼ ἀγαθὰ φρονέων· νῦν δʼ ἁθρόα πάντʼ ἀπέτισεν.

The mighty Father both of God and man

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

Discourse, inducing matter that inclin'd

ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,

To wise Ulysses, calling to his mind

καὶ λίην κεῖνός γε ἐοικότι κεῖται ὀλέθρῳ·

Faultful Ægisthus, who to death was done

ὡς ἀπόλοιτο καὶ ἄλλος, ὅτις τοιαῦτά γε ῥέζοι·

By young Orestes, Agamemnon's son.

ἀλλά μοι ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆι δαΐφρονι δαίεται ἦτορ,

His memory to the Immortals then

δυσμόρῳ, ὃς δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχει

Mov'd Jove thus deeply: "O how falsely men

νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ, ὅθι τʼ ὀμφαλός ἐστι θαλάσσης.

Accuse us Gods as authors of their ill!

νῆσος δενδρήεσσα, θεὰ δʼ ἐν δώματα ναίει,

When, by the bane their own bad lives instill,

Ἄτλαντος θυγάτηρ ὀλοόφρονος, ὅς τε θαλάσσης

They suffer all the mis'ries of their states,

πάσης βένθεα οἶδεν, ἔχει δέ τε κίονας αὐτὸς

Past our inflictions, and beyond their fates.

μακράς, αἳ γαῖάν τε καὶ οὐρανὸν ἀμφὶς ἔχουσιν.

As now Ægisthus, past his fate, did wed

τοῦ θυγάτηρ δύστηνον ὀδυρόμενον κατερύκει,

The wife of Agamemnon, and (in dread

To suffer death himself) to shun his ill,

Incurr'd it by the loose bent of his will,

In slaughtering Atrides in retreat.

Which we foretold him would so hardly set

To his murd'rous purpose, sending Mercury

That slaughter'd Argus, our consid'rate spy,

To give him this charge: 'Do not wed his wife,

Nor murder him; for thou shalt buy his life

With ransom of thine own, impos'd on thee

By his Orestes, when in him shall be

Atrides'-self renew'd, and but the prime

Of youth's spring put abroad, in thirst to climb

His haughty father's throne by his high acts.'

These words of Hermes wrought not into facts

Ægisthus' powers; good counsel he despis'd,

And to that good his ill is sacrific'd."

Pallas, whose eyes did sparkle like the skies,

Answer'd: "O Sire! Supreme of Deities,

Ægisthus pass'd his fate, and had desert

To warrant our infliction; and convert

May all the pains such impious men inflict

On innocent suff'rers to revenge as strict,

Their own hearts eating. But, that Ithacus,

Thus never meriting, should suffer thus,

I deeply suffer. His more pious mind

Divides him from these fortunes. Though unkind

Is piety to him, giving him a fate

More suff'ring than the most unfortunate,

So long kept friendless in a sea-girt soil,

Where the sea's navel is a sylvan isle,

αἰεὶ δὲ μαλακοῖσι καὶ αἱμυλίοισι λόγοισιν

In which the Goddess dwells that doth derive

θέλγει, ὅπως Ἰθάκης ἐπιλήσεται· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεύς,

Her birth from Atlas, who of all alive

ἱέμενος καὶ καπνὸν ἀποθρῴσκοντα νοῆσαι

The motion and the fashion doth command

ἧς γαίης, θανέειν ἱμείρεται. οὐδέ νυ σοί περ

With his wise mind, whose forces understand

ἐντρέπεται φίλον ἦτορ, Ὀλύμπιε. οὔ νύ τʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς

The inmost deeps and gulfs of all the seas,

Ἀργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ χαρίζετο ἱερὰ ῥέζων

Who (for his skill of things superior) stays

Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ; τί νύ οἱ τόσον ὠδύσαο, Ζεῦ;

The two steep columns that prop earth and heav'n.

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·

His daughter 'tis, who holds this homeless-driv'n

τέκνον ἐμόν, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων.

Still mourning with her; evermore profuse

πῶς ἂν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἐγὼ θείοιο λαθοίμην,

Of soft and winning speeches, that abuse

ὃς περὶ μὲν νόον ἐστὶ βροτῶν, περὶ δʼ ἱρὰ θεοῖσιν

And make so languishingly, and possest

ἀθανάτοισιν ἔδωκε, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν;

With so remiss a mind her loved guest,

ἀλλὰ Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος ἀσκελὲς αἰεὶ

Manage the action of his way for home.

Κύκλωπος κεχόλωται, ὃν ὀφθαλμοῦ ἀλάωσεν,

Where he, though in affection overcome,

ἀντίθεον Πολύφημον, ὅου κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον

In judgment yet more longs to show his hopes

πᾶσιν Κυκλώπεσσι· Θόωσα δέ μιν τέκε νύμφη,

His country's smoke leap from her chimney tops,

Φόρκυνος θυγάτηρ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο μέδοντος,

And death asks in her arms. Yet never shall

ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι Ποσειδάωνι μιγεῖσα.

Thy lov'd heart be converted on his thrall,

ἐκ τοῦ δὴ Ὀδυσῆα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων

Austere Olympius. Did not ever he,

οὔ τι κατακτείνει, πλάζει δʼ ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης.

In ample Troy, thy altars gratify,

ἀλλʼ ἄγεθʼ, ἡμεῖς οἵδε περιφραζώμεθα πάντες

And Grecians' fleet make in thy off'rings swim?

νόστον, ὅπως ἔλθῃσι· Ποσειδάων δὲ μεθήσει

Jove, why still then burns thy wrath to him?"

ὃν χόλον· οὐ μὲν γάρ τι δυνήσεται ἀντία πάντων

The Cloud-assembler answer'd: "What words fly,

ἀθανάτων ἀέκητι θεῶν ἐριδαινέμεν οἶος.

Bold daughter, from thy pale of ivory?

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

As if I ever could cast from my care

ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,

Divine Ulysses, who exceeds so far

εἰ μὲν δὴ νῦν τοῦτο φίλον μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιν,

All men in wisdom, and so oft hath giv'n

νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε,

To all th' Immortals thron'd in ample heav'n

Ἑρμείαν μὲν ἔπειτα διάκτορον ἀργεϊφόντην

So great and sacred gifts? But his decrees,

νῆσον ἐς Ὠγυγίην ὀτρύνομεν, ὄφρα τάχιστα

That holds the earth in with his nimble knees,

νύμφῃ ἐυπλοκάμῳ εἴπῃ νημερτέα βουλήν,

Stand to Ulysses' longings so extreme,

νόστον Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὥς κε νέηται·

For taking from the God-foe Polypheme

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν Ἰθάκηνδʼ ἐσελεύσομαι, ὄφρα οἱ υἱὸν

His only eye; a Cyclop, that excell'd

μᾶλλον ἐποτρύνω καί οἱ μένος ἐν φρεσὶ θείω,

All other Cyclops, with whose burden swell'd

εἰς ἀγορὴν καλέσαντα κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιοὺς

The nymph Thoosa, the divine increase

πᾶσι μνηστήρεσσιν ἀπειπέμεν, οἵ τέ οἱ αἰεὶ

Of Phorcys' seed, a great God of the seas.

μῆλʼ ἁδινὰ σφάζουσι καὶ εἰλίποδας ἕλικας βοῦς.

She mix'd with Neptune in his hollow caves,

πέμψω δʼ ἐς Σπάρτην τε καὶ ἐς Πύλον ἠμαθόεντα

And bore this Cyclop to that God of waves.

νόστον πευσόμενον πατρὸς φίλου, ἤν που ἀκούσῃ,

For whose lost eye, th' Earth-shaker did not kill

ἠδʼ ἵνα μιν κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἔχῃσιν.

Erring Ulysses, but reserves him still

ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

In life for more death. But use we our pow'rs,

ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια, τά μιν φέρον ἠμὲν ἐφʼ ὑγρὴν

And round about us cast these cares of ours,

ἠδʼ ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν ἅμα πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο·

All to discover how we may prefer

εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέι χαλκῷ,

His wish'd retreat, and Neptune make forbear

βριθὺ μέγα στιβαρόν, τῷ δάμνησι στίχας ἀνδρῶν

His stern eye to him, since no one God can,

ἡρώων, τοῖσίν τε κοτέσσεται ὀβριμοπάτρη.

In spite of all, prevail, but 'gainst a man."

βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀίξασα,

To this, this answer made the grey-eyed Maid:

στῆ δʼ Ἰθάκης ἐνὶ δήμῳ ἐπὶ προθύροις Ὀδυσῆος,

"Supreme of rulers, since so well apaid

οὐδοῦ ἐπʼ αὐλείου· παλάμῃ δʼ ἔχε χάλκεον ἔγχος,

The blesséd Gods are all then, now, in thee,

εἰδομένη ξείνῳ, Ταφίων ἡγήτορι Μέντῃ.

To limit wise Ulysses' misery,

εὗρε δʼ ἄρα μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας. οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα

And that you speak as you referr'd to me

πεσσοῖσι προπάροιθε θυράων θυμὸν ἔτερπον

Prescription for the means, in this sort be

ἥμενοι ἐν ῥινοῖσι βοῶν, οὓς ἔκτανον αὐτοί·

Their sacred order: Let us now address

κήρυκες δʼ αὐτοῖσι καὶ ὀτρηροὶ θεράποντες

With utmost speed our swift Argicides,

οἱ μὲν οἶνον ἔμισγον ἐνὶ κρητῆρσι καὶ ὕδωρ,

To tell the nymph that bears the golden tress

οἱ δʼ αὖτε σπόγγοισι πολυτρήτοισι τραπέζας

In th' isle Ogygia, that 'tis our will

She should not stay our lov'd Ulysses still,

But suffer his return; and then will I

To Ithaca, to make his son apply

His sire's inquest the more; infusing force

Into his soul, to summon the concourse

Of curl'd-head Greeks to council, and deter

Each wooer, that hath been the slaughterer

Of his fat sheep and crooked-headed beeves.

From more wrong to his mother, and their leaves

Take in such terms as fit deserts so great.

To Sparta then, and Pylos, where doth beat

Bright Amathus, the flood, and epithet

To all that kingdom, my advice shall send

The spirit-advanc'd Prince, to the pious end

Of seeking his lost father, if he may

Receive report from Fame where rests his stay;

And make, besides, his own successive worth

Known to the world, and set in action forth."

This said, her wing'd shoes to her feet she tied,

Form'd all of gold, and all eternified,

That on the round earth or the sea sustain'd

Her ravish'd substance swift as gusts of wind.

Then took she her strong lance with steel made keen,

Great, massy, active, that whole hosts of men,

Though all heroës, conquers, if her ire

Their wrongs inflame, back'd by so great a Sire.

Down from Olympus' tops she headlong div'd,

And swift as thought in Ithaca arriv'd,

Close at Ulysses' gates; in whose first court

νίζον καὶ πρότιθεν, τοὶ δὲ κρέα πολλὰ δατεῦντο.

She made her stand, and, for her breast's support,

τὴν δὲ πολὺ πρῶτος ἴδε Τηλέμαχος θεοειδής,

Lean'd on her iron lance; her form imprest

ἧστο γὰρ ἐν μνηστῆρσι φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,

With Mentas' likeness, come as being a guest.

ὀσσόμενος πατέρʼ ἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ φρεσίν, εἴ ποθεν ἐλθὼν

There found she those proud wooers, that were then

μνηστήρων τῶν μὲν σκέδασιν κατὰ δώματα θείη,

Set on those ox-hides that themselves had slain,

τιμὴν δʼ αὐτὸς ἔχοι καὶ δώμασιν οἷσιν ἀνάσσοι.

Before the gates, and all at dice were playing.

τὰ φρονέων, μνηστῆρσι μεθήμενος, εἴσιδʼ Ἀθήνην.

To them the heralds, and the rest obeying,

βῆ δʼ ἰθὺς προθύροιο, νεμεσσήθη δʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ

Fill'd wine and water; some, still as they play'd,

ξεῖνον δηθὰ θύρῃσιν ἐφεστάμεν· ἐγγύθι δὲ στὰς

And some, for solemn supper's state, purvey'd,

χεῖρʼ ἕλε δεξιτερὴν καὶ ἐδέξατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

With porous sponges cleansing tables, serv'd

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

With much rich feast; of which to all they kerv'd.

χαῖρε, ξεῖνε, παρʼ ἄμμι φιλήσεαι· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

God-like Telemachus amongst them sat,

δείπνου πασσάμενος μυθήσεαι ὅττεό σε χρή.

Griev'd much in mind; and in his heart begat

ὣς εἰπὼν ἡγεῖθʼ, ἡ δʼ ἕσπετο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

All representment of his absent sire,

οἱ δʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἔντοσθεν ἔσαν δόμου ὑψηλοῖο,

How, come from far-off parts, his spirits would fire

ἔγχος μέν ῥʼ ἔστησε φέρων πρὸς κίονα μακρὴν

With those proud wooers' sight, with slaughter parting

δουροδόκης ἔντοσθεν ἐυξόου, ἔνθα περ ἄλλα

Their bold concourse, and to himself converting

ἔγχεʼ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἵστατο πολλά,

The honours they usurp'd, his own commanding.

αὐτὴν δʼ ἐς θρόνον εἷσεν ἄγων, ὑπὸ λῖτα πετάσσας,

In this discourse, he first saw Pallas standing,

καλὸν δαιδάλεον· ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν.

Unbidden entry; up rose, and addrest

πὰρ δʼ αὐτὸς κλισμὸν θέτο ποικίλον, ἔκτοθεν ἄλλων

His pace right to her, angry that a guest

μνηστήρων, μὴ ξεῖνος ἀνιηθεὶς ὀρυμαγδῷ

Should stand so long at gate; and, coming near,

δείπνῳ ἁδήσειεν, ὑπερφιάλοισι μετελθών,

Her right hand took, took in his own her spear,

ἠδʼ ἵνα μιν περὶ πατρὸς ἀποιχομένοιο ἔροιτο.

And thus saluted: "Grace to your repair,

χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα

Fair guest, your welcome shall be likewise fair.

καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,

Enter, and, cheer'd with feast, disclose th' intent

νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.

That caus'd your coming." This said, first he went,

σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,

And Pallas follow'd. To a room they came,

εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων·

Steep, and of state; the jav'lin of the Dame

δαιτρὸς δὲ κρειῶν πίνακας παρέθηκεν ἀείρας

He set against a pillar vast and high,

παντοίων, παρὰ δέ σφι τίθει χρύσεια κύπελλα·

Amidst a large and bright-kept armory,

κῆρυξ δʼ αὐτοῖσιν θάμʼ ἐπῴχετο οἰνοχοεύων.

Which was, besides, with woods of lances grac'd

ἐς δʼ ἦλθον μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες. οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα

Of his grave father's. In a throne he plac'd

ἑξείης ἕζοντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,

The man-turn'd Goddess, under which was spread

τοῖσι δὲ κήρυκες μὲν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν,

A carpet, rich and of deviceful thread;

σῖτον δὲ δμῳαὶ παρενήνεον ἐν κανέοισιν,

A footstool staying her feet; and by her chair

κοῦροι δὲ κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο.

Another seat (all garnish'd wondrous fair,

οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

To rest or sleep on in the day) he set,

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο

Far from the prease of wooers, lest at meat

μνηστῆρες, τοῖσιν μὲν ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἄλλα μεμήλει,

The noise they still made might offend his guest,

μολπή τʼ ὀρχηστύς τε· τὰ γάρ τʼ ἀναθήματα δαιτός·

Disturbing him at banquet or at rest,

κῆρυξ δʼ ἐν χερσὶν κίθαριν περικαλλέα θῆκεν

Ev'n to his combat with that pride of theirs,

Φημίῳ, ὅς ῥʼ ἤειδε παρὰ μνηστῆρσιν ἀνάγκῃ.

That kept no noble form in their affairs.

ἦ τοι ὁ φορμίζων ἀνεβάλλετο καλὸν ἀείδειν.

And these he set far from them, much the rather

αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος προσέφη γλαυκῶπιν Ἀθήνην,

To question freely of his absent father.

ἄγχι σχὼν κεφαλήν, ἵνα μὴ πευθοίαθʼ οἱ ἄλλοι·

A table fairly-polish'd then was spread,

ξεῖνε φίλʼ, ἦ καί μοι νεμεσήσεαι ὅττι κεν εἴπω;

On which a rev'rend officer set bread,

τούτοισιν μὲν ταῦτα μέλει, κίθαρις καὶ ἀοιδή,

And other servitors all sorts of meat

ῥεῖʼ, ἐπεὶ ἀλλότριον βίοτον νήποινον ἔδουσιν,

(Salads, and flesh, such as their haste could get)

ἀνέρος, οὗ δή που λεύκʼ ὀστέα πύθεται ὄμβρῳ

Serv'd with observance in. And then the sewer

κείμενʼ ἐπʼ ἠπείρου, ἢ εἰν ἁλὶ κῦμα κυλίνδει.

Pour'd water from a great and golden ewer,

εἰ κεῖνόν γʼ Ἰθάκηνδε ἰδοίατο νοστήσαντα,

That from their hands t' a silver caldron ran.

πάντες κʼ ἀρησαίατʼ ἐλαφρότεροι πόδας εἶναι

Both wash'd, and seated close, the voiceful man

ἢ ἀφνειότεροι χρυσοῖό τε ἐσθῆτός τε.

Fetch'd cups of gold, and set by them, and round

νῦν δʼ ὁ μὲν ὣς ἀπόλωλε κακὸν μόρον, οὐδέ τις ἡμῖν

Those cups with wine with all endeavour crown'd.

Then rush'd in the rude wooers, themselves plac'd;

The heralds water gave; the maids in haste

Serv'd bread from baskets. When, of all prepar'd

And set before them, the bold wooers shar'd,

Their pages plying their cups past the rest.

But lusty wooers must do more than feast;

For now, their hungers and their thirsts allay'd,

They call'd for songs and dances; those, they said,

Were th' ornaments of feast. The herald straight

A harp, carv'd full of artificial sleight,

Thrust into Phemius', a learn'd singer's, hand,

Who, till he much was urg'd, on terms did stand,

But, after, play'd and sung with all his art.

Telemachus to Pallas then (apart,

His ear inclining close, that none might hear)

In this sort said: "My guest, exceeding dear,

Will you not sit incens'd with what I say?

These are the cares these men take; feast and play.

Which eas'ly they may use, because they eat,

Free and unpunish'd, of another's meat;

And of a man's, whose white bones wasting lie

In some far region; with th' incessancy

Of show'rs pour'd down upon them, lying ashore,

Or in the seas wash'd nak'd. Who, if he wore

Those bones with flesh and life and industry,

And these might here in Ithaca set eye

On him return'd, they all would wish to be

Either past other in celerity

Of feet and knees, and not contend t' exceed

In golden garments. But his virtues feed

θαλπωρή, εἴ πέρ τις ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων

The fate of ill death; nor is left to me

φῇσιν ἐλεύσεσθαι· τοῦ δʼ ὤλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ.

The least hope of his life's recovery,

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·

No, not if any of the mortal race

τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ τοκῆες;

Should tell me his return; the cheerful face

ὁπποίης τʼ ἐπὶ νηὸς ἀφίκεο· πῶς δέ σε ναῦται

Of his return'd day never will appear.

ἤγαγον εἰς Ἰθάκην; τίνες ἔμμεναι εὐχετόωντο;

But tell me, and let Truth your witness bear,

οὐ μὲν γάρ τί σε πεζὸν ὀίομαι ἐνθάδʼ ἱκέσθαι.

Who, and from whence you are? What city's birth?

καί μοι τοῦτʼ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρʼ ἐὺ εἰδῶ,

What parents? In what vessel set you forth?

ἠὲ νέον μεθέπεις ἦ καὶ πατρώιός ἐσσι

And with what mariners arriv'd you here?

ξεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πολλοὶ ἴσαν ἀνέρες ἡμέτερον δῶ

I cannot think you a foot passenger.

ἄλλοι, ἐπεὶ καὶ κεῖνος ἐπίστροφος ἦν ἀνθρώπων.

Recount then to me all, to teach me well

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

Fit usage for your worth. And if it fell

τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι ταῦτα μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.

In chance now first that you thus see us here,

Μέντης Ἀγχιάλοιο δαΐφρονος εὔχομαι εἶναι

Or that in former passages you were

υἱός, ἀτὰρ Ταφίοισι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσω.

My father's guest? For many men have been

νῦν δʼ ὧδε ξὺν νηὶ κατήλυθον ἠδʼ ἑτάροισιν

Guests to my father. Studious of men

πλέων ἐπὶ οἴνοπα πόντον ἐπʼ ἀλλοθρόους ἀνθρώπους,

His sociable nature ever was."

ἐς Τεμέσην μετὰ χαλκόν, ἄγω δʼ αἴθωνα σίδηρον.

On him again the grey-eyed Maid did pass

νηῦς δέ μοι ἥδʼ ἕστηκεν ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ νόσφι πόληος,

This kind reply: "I'll answer passing true

ἐν λιμένι Ῥείθρῳ ὑπὸ Νηίῳ ὑλήεντι.

All thou hast ask'd: My birth his honour drew

ξεῖνοι δʼ ἀλλήλων πατρώιοι εὐχόμεθʼ εἶναι

From wise Anchialus. The name I bear

ἐξ ἀρχῆς, εἴ πέρ τε γέροντʼ εἴρηαι ἐπελθὼν

Is Mentas, the commanding islander

Λαέρτην ἥρωα, τὸν οὐκέτι φασὶ πόλινδε

Of all the Taphians studious in the art

ἔρχεσθʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀπάνευθεν ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ πήματα πάσχειν

Of navigation; having touch'd this part

γρηὶ σὺν ἀμφιπόλῳ, ἥ οἱ βρῶσίν τε πόσιν τε

With ship and men, of purpose to maintain

παρτιθεῖ, εὖτʼ ἄν μιν κάματος κατὰ γυῖα λάβῃσιν

Course through the dark seas t' other-languag'd men;

ἑρπύζοντʼ ἀνὰ γουνὸν ἀλωῆς οἰνοπέδοιο.

And Temesis sustains the city's name

νῦν δʼ ἦλθον· δὴ γάρ μιν ἔφαντʼ ἐπιδήμιον εἶναι,

For which my ship is bound, made known by fame

σὸν πατέρʼ· ἀλλά νυ τόν γε θεοὶ βλάπτουσι κελεύθου.

For rich in brass, which my occasions need,

οὐ γάρ πω τέθνηκεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

And therefore bring I shining steel in stead,

ἀλλʼ ἔτι που ζωὸς κατερύκεται εὐρέι πόντῳ

Which their use wants, yet makes my vessel's freight,

νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ, χαλεποὶ δέ μιν ἄνδρες ἔχουσιν

That near a plough'd field rides at anchor's weight,

ἄγριοι, οἵ που κεῖνον ἐρυκανόωσʼ ἀέκοντα.

Apart this city, in the harbour call'd

αὐτὰρ νῦν τοι ἐγὼ μαντεύσομαι, ὡς ἐνὶ θυμῷ

Rhethrus, whose waves with Neius' woods are wall'd.

ἀθάνατοι βάλλουσι καὶ ὡς τελέεσθαι ὀίω,

Thy sire and I were ever mutual guests,

οὔτε τι μάντις ἐὼν οὔτʼ οἰωνῶν σάφα εἰδώς.

At either's house still interchanging feasts.

οὔ τοι ἔτι δηρόν γε φίλης ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης

I glory in it. Ask, when thou shalt see

ἔσσεται, οὐδʼ εἴ πέρ τε σιδήρεα δέσματʼ ἔχῃσιν·

Laertes, th' old heroë, these of me,

φράσσεται ὥς κε νέηται, ἐπεὶ πολυμήχανός ἐστιν.

From the beginning. He, men say, no more

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

Visits the city, but will needs deplore

εἰ δὴ ἐξ αὐτοῖο τόσος πάϊς εἰς Ὀδυσῆος.

His son's believ'd loss in a private field;

αἰνῶς μὲν κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὄμματα καλὰ ἔοικας

One old maid only at his hands to yield

κείνῳ, ἐπεὶ θαμὰ τοῖον ἐμισγόμεθʼ ἀλλήλοισιν,

Food to his life, as oft as labour makes

πρίν γε τὸν ἐς Τροίην ἀναβήμεναι, ἔνθα περ ἄλλοι

His old limbs faint; which, though he creeps, he takes

Ἀργείων οἱ ἄριστοι ἔβαν κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσίν·

Along a fruitful plain, set all with vines,

ἐκ τοῦ δʼ οὔτʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἐγὼν ἴδον οὔτʼ ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνος.

Which husbandman-like, though a king, he proins.

τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

But now I come to be thy father's guest;

τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.

I hear he wanders, while these wooers feast.

μήτηρ μέν τέ μέ φησι τοῦ ἔμμεναι, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε

And (as th' Immortals prompt me at this hour)

οὐκ οἶδʼ· οὐ γάρ πώ τις ἑὸν γόνον αὐτὸς ἀνέγνω.

I'll tell thee, out of a prophetic pow'r,

ὡς δὴ ἐγώ γʼ ὄφελον μάκαρός νύ τευ ἔμμεναι υἱὸς

(Not as profess'd a prophet, nor clear seen

ἀνέρος, ὃν κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖς ἔπι γῆρας ἔτετμε.

At all times what shall after chance to men)

νῦν δʼ ὃς ἀποτμότατος γένετο θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων,

What I conceive, for this time, will be true:

τοῦ μʼ ἔκ φασι γενέσθαι, ἐπεὶ σύ με τοῦτʼ ἐρεείνεις.

The Gods' inflictions keep your sire from you.

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

Divine Ulysses, yet, abides not dead

οὐ μέν τοι γενεήν γε θεοὶ νώνυμνον ὀπίσσω

Above earth, nor beneath, nor buried

In any seas, as you did late conceive,

But, with the broad sea sieg'd, is kept alive

Within an isle by rude and upland men,

That in his spite his passage home detain.

Yet long it shall not be before he tread

His country's dear earth, though solicited,

And held from his return, with iron chains;

For he hath wit to forge a world of trains,

And will, of all, be sure to make good one

For his return, so much relied upon.

But tell me, and be true: Art thou indeed

So much a son, as to be said the seed

Of Ithacus himself? Exceeding much

Thy forehead and fair eyes at his form touch;

For oftentimes we met, as you and I

Meet at this hour, before he did apply

His pow'rs for Troy, when other Grecian states

In hollow ships were his associates.

But, since that time, mine eyes could never see

Renown'd Ulysses, nor met his with me."

The wise Telemachus again replied:

"You shall with all I know be satisfied.

My mother certain says I am his son;

I know not; nor was ever simply known

By any child the sure truth of his sire.

But would my veins had took in living fire

From some man happy, rather than one wise,

Whom age might see seis'd of what youth made prise.

But he whoever of the mortal race

Is most unblest, he holds my father's place.

θῆκαν, ἐπεὶ σέ γε τοῖον ἐγείνατο Πηνελόπεια.

This, since you ask, I answer." She, again:

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·

"The Gods sure did not make the future strain

τίς δαίς, τίς δὲ ὅμιλος ὅδʼ ἔπλετο; τίπτε δέ σε χρεώ;

Both of thy race and days obscure to thee,

εἰλαπίνη ἠὲ γάμος; ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἔρανος τάδε γʼ ἐστίν·

Since thou wert born so of Penelope.

ὥς τέ μοι ὑβρίζοντες ὑπερφιάλως δοκέουσι

The style may by thy after acts be won,

δαίνυσθαι κατὰ δῶμα. νεμεσσήσαιτό κεν ἀνὴρ

Of so great sire the high undoubted son.

αἴσχεα πόλλʼ ὁρόων, ὅς τις πινυτός γε μετέλθοι.

Say truth in this then: What's this feasting here?

τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

What all this rout? Is all this nuptial cheer?

ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ ἂρ δὴ ταῦτά μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς,

Or else some friendly banquet made by thee?

μέλλεν μέν ποτε οἶκος ὅδʼ ἀφνειὸς καὶ ἀμύμων

For here no shots are, where all sharers be.

ἔμμεναι, ὄφρʼ ἔτι κεῖνος ἀνὴρ ἐπιδήμιος ἦεν·

Past measure contumeliously this crew

νῦν δʼ ἑτέρως ἐβόλοντο θεοὶ κακὰ μητιόωντες,

Fare through thy house; which should th' ingenuous view

οἳ κεῖνον μὲν ἄιστον ἐποίησαν περὶ πάντων

Of any good or wise man come and find,

ἀνθρώπων, ἐπεὶ οὔ κε θανόντι περ ὧδʼ ἀκαχοίμην,

(Impiety seeing play'd in ev'ry kind)

εἰ μετὰ οἷς ἑτάροισι δάμη Τρώων ἐνὶ δήμῳ,

He could not but through ev'ry vein be mov'd."

ἠὲ φίλων ἐν χερσίν, ἐπεὶ πόλεμον τολύπευσεν.

Again Telemachus: "My guest much lov'd.

τῷ κέν οἱ τύμβον μὲν ἐποίησαν Παναχαιοί,

Since you demand and sift these sights so far,

ἠδέ κε καὶ ᾧ παιδὶ μέγα κλέος ἤρατʼ ὀπίσσω.

I grant 'twere fit a house so regular,

νῦν δέ μιν ἀκλειῶς ἅρπυιαι ἀνηρείψαντο·

Rich, and so faultless once in government,

οἴχετʼ ἄιστος ἄπυστος, ἐμοὶ δʼ ὀδύνας τε γόους τε

Should still at all parts the same form present

κάλλιπεν. οὐδέ τι κεῖνον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω

That gave it glory while her lord was here.

οἶον, ἐπεί νύ μοι ἄλλα θεοὶ κακὰ κήδεʼ ἔτευξαν.

But now the Gods, that us displeasure bear,

ὅσσοι γὰρ νήσοισιν ἐπικρατέουσιν ἄριστοι,

Have otherwise appointed, and disgrace

Δουλιχίῳ τε Σάμῃ τε καὶ ὑλήεντι Ζακύνθῳ,

My father most of all the mortal race.

ἠδʼ ὅσσοι κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν,

For whom I could not mourn so were he dead,

τόσσοι μητέρʼ ἐμὴν μνῶνται, τρύχουσι δὲ οἶκον.

Amongst his fellow-captains slaughteréd

ἡ δʼ οὔτʼ ἀρνεῖται στυγερὸν γάμον οὔτε τελευτὴν

By common enemies, or in the hands

ποιῆσαι δύναται· τοὶ δὲ φθινύθουσιν ἔδοντες

Of his kind friends had ended his commands,

οἶκον ἐμόν· τάχα δή με διαρραίσουσι καὶ αὐτόν.

After he had egregiously bestow'd

τὸν δʼ ἐπαλαστήσασα προσηύδα Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη·

His pow'r and order in a war so vow'd,

ὢ πόποι, ἦ δὴ πολλὸν ἀποιχομένου Ὀδυσῆος

And to his tomb all Greeks their grace had done,

δεύῃ, ὅ κε μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφείη.

That to all ages he might leave his son

εἰ γὰρ νῦν ἐλθὼν δόμου ἐν πρώτῃσι θύρῃσι

Immortal honour; but now Harpies have

σταίη, ἔχων πήληκα καὶ ἀσπίδα καὶ δύο δοῦρε,

Digg'd in their gorges his abhorréd grave.

τοῖος ἐὼν οἷόν μιν ἐγὼ τὰ πρῶτʼ ἐνόησα

Obscure, inglorious, death hath made his end,

οἴκῳ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ πίνοντά τε τερπόμενόν τε,

And me, for glories, to all griefs contend.

ἐξ Ἐφύρης ἀνιόντα παρʼ Ἴλου Μερμερίδαο—

Nor shall I any more mourn him alone,

ᾤχετο γὰρ καὶ κεῖσε θοῆς ἐπὶ νηὸς Ὀδυσσεὺς

The Gods have giv'n me other cause of moan.

φάρμακον ἀνδροφόνον διζήμενος, ὄφρα οἱ εἴη

For look how many optimates remain

ἰοὺς χρίεσθαι χαλκήρεας· ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν οὔ οἱ

In Samos, or the shores Dulichian,

δῶκεν, ἐπεί ῥα θεοὺς νεμεσίζετο αἰὲν ἐόντας,

Shady Zacynthus, or how many bear

ἀλλὰ πατήρ οἱ δῶκεν ἐμός· φιλέεσκε γὰρ αἰνῶς—

Rule in the rough brows of this island here;

τοῖος ἐὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμιλήσειεν Ὀδυσσεύς·

So many now my mother and this house

πάντες κʼ ὠκύμοροί τε γενοίατο πικρόγαμοί τε.

At all parts make defam'd and ruinous;

ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται,

And she her hateful nuptials nor denies,

ἤ κεν νοστήσας ἀποτίσεται, ἦε καὶ οὐκί,

Nor will despatch their importunities,

οἷσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι· σὲ δὲ φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα,

Though she beholds them spoil still as they feast

ὅππως κε μνηστῆρας ἀπώσεαι ἐκ μεγάροιο.

All my free house yields, and the little rest

εἰ δʼ ἄγε νῦν ξυνίει καὶ ἐμῶν ἐμπάζεο μύθων·

Of my dead sire in me perhaps intend

αὔριον εἰς ἀγορὴν καλέσας ἥρωας Ἀχαιοὺς

To bring ere long to some untimely end."

μῦθον πέφραδε πᾶσι, θεοὶ δʼ ἐπὶ μάρτυροι ἔστων.

This Pallas sigh'd and answer'd: "O," said she,

μνηστῆρας μὲν ἐπὶ σφέτερα σκίδνασθαι ἄνωχθι,

"Absent Ulysses is much miss'd by thee,

μητέρα δʼ, εἴ οἱ θυμὸς ἐφορμᾶται γαμέεσθαι,

That on these shameless suitors he might lay

ἂψ ἴτω ἐς μέγαρον πατρὸς μέγα δυναμένοιο·

His wreakful hands. Should he now come, and stay

οἱ δὲ γάμον τεύξουσι καὶ ἀρτυνέουσιν ἔεδνα

In thy court's first gates, arm'd with helm and shield,

And two such darts as I have seen him wield,

When first I saw him in our Taphian court,

Feasting, and doing his desert's disport;

When from Ephyrus he return'd by us

From Ilus, son to Centaur Mermerus,

To whom he travell'd through the wat'ry dreads,

For bane to poison his sharp arrows' heads,

That death, but touch'd, caus'd; which he would not give,

Because he fear'd the Gods that ever live

Would plague such death with death; and yet their fear

Was to my father's bosom not so dear

As was thy father's love; (for what he sought

My loving father found him to a thought.)

If such as then Ulysses might but meet

With these proud wooers, all were at his feet

But instant dead men, and their nuptialls

Would prove as bitter as their dying galls.

But these things in the Gods' knees are repos'd,

If his return shall see with wreak inclos'd,

These in his house, or he return no more;

And therefore I advise thee to explore

All ways thyself, to set these wooers gone;

To which end give me fit attentión:

To-morrow into solemn council call

The Greek heroës, and declare to all

(The Gods being witness) what thy pleasure is.

Command to towns of their nativity

These frontless wooers. If thy mother's mind

Stands to her second nuptials so inclin'd,

Return she to her royal father's tow'rs,

πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε φίλης ἐπὶ παιδὸς ἕπεσθαι.

Where th' one of these may wed her, and her dow'rs

σοὶ δʼ αὐτῷ πυκινῶς ὑποθήσομαι, αἴ κε πίθηαι·

Make rich, and such as may consort with grace

νῆʼ ἄρσας ἐρέτῃσιν ἐείκοσιν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,

So dear a daughter of so great a race

ἔρχεο πευσόμενος πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο,

And thee I warn as well (if thou as well

ἤν τίς τοι εἴπῃσι βροτῶν, ἢ ὄσσαν ἀκούσῃς

Wilt hear and follow) take thy best-built sail,

ἐκ Διός, ἥ τε μάλιστα φέρει κλέος ἀνθρώποισι.

With twenty oars mann'd, and haste t' inquire

πρῶτα μὲν ἐς Πύλον ἐλθὲ καὶ εἴρεο Νέστορα δῖον,

Where the abode is of thy absent sire,

κεῖθεν δὲ Σπάρτηνδε παρὰ ξανθὸν Μενέλαον·

If any can inform thee, or thine ear

ὃς γὰρ δεύτατος ἦλθεν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων.

From Jove the fame of his retreat may hear,

εἰ μέν κεν πατρὸς βίοτον καὶ νόστον ἀκούσῃς,

For chiefly Jove gives all that honours men.

ἦ τʼ ἂν τρυχόμενός περ ἔτι τλαίης ἐνιαυτόν·

To Pylos first be thy addression then,

εἰ δέ κε τεθνηῶτος ἀκούσῃς μηδʼ ἔτʼ ἐόντος,

To god-like Nestor; thence to Sparta haste,

νοστήσας δὴ ἔπειτα φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν

To gold-lock'd Menelaus, who was last

σῆμά τέ οἱ χεῦαι καὶ ἐπὶ κτέρεα κτερεΐξαι

Of all the brass-arm'd Greeks that sail'd from Troy;

πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε, καὶ ἀνέρι μητέρα δοῦναι.

And try from both these, if thou canst enjoy

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ ταῦτα τελευτήσῃς τε καὶ ἔρξῃς,

News of thy sire's return'd life anywhere,

φράζεσθαι δὴ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸν

Though sad thou suffer'st in his search a year.

ὅππως κε μνηστῆρας ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεοῖσι

If of his death thou hear'st, return thou home,

κτείνῃς ἠὲ δόλῳ ἢ ἀμφαδόν· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ

And to his memory erect a tomb,

νηπιάας ὀχέειν, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι τηλίκος ἐσσι.

Performing parent-rites, of feast and game,

ἢ οὐκ ἀίεις οἷον κλέος ἔλλαβε δῖος Ὀρέστης

Pompous, and such as best may fit his fame;

πάντας ἐπʼ ἀνθρώπους, ἐπεὶ ἔκτανε πατροφονῆα,

And then thy mother a fit husband give.

Αἴγισθον δολόμητιν, ὅ οἱ πατέρα κλυτὸν ἔκτα;

These past, consider how thou mayst deprive

καὶ σύ, φίλος, μάλα γάρ σʼ ὁρόω καλόν τε μέγαν τε,

Of worthless life these wooers in thy house,

ἄλκιμος ἔσσʼ, ἵνα τίς σε καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἐὺ εἴπῃ.

By open force, or projects enginous.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν κατελεύσομαι ἤδη

Things childish fit not thee; th' art so no more.

ἠδʼ ἑτάρους, οἵ πού με μάλʼ ἀσχαλόωσι μένοντες·

Hast thou not heard, how all men did adore

σοὶ δʼ αὐτῷ μελέτω, καὶ ἐμῶν ἐμπάζεο μύθων.

Divine Orestes, after he had slain

τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

Ægisthus murd'ring by a treach'rous train

ξεῖνʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα φίλα φρονέων ἀγορεύεις,

His famous father? Be then, my most lov'd,

ὥς τε πατὴρ ᾧ παιδί, καὶ οὔ ποτε λήσομαι αὐτῶν.

Valiant and manly, ev'ry way approv'd

ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν ἐπίμεινον, ἐπειγόμενός περ ὁδοῖο,

As great as he. I see thy person fit,

ὄφρα λοεσσάμενός τε τεταρπόμενός τε φίλον κῆρ,

Noble thy mind, and excellent thy wit,

δῶρον ἔχων ἐπὶ νῆα κίῃς, χαίρων ἐνὶ θυμῷ,

All giv'n thee so to use and manage here

τιμῆεν, μάλα καλόν, ὅ τοι κειμήλιον ἔσται

That ev'n past death they may their memories bear.

ἐξ ἐμεῦ, οἷα φίλοι ξεῖνοι ξείνοισι διδοῦσι.

In meantime I'll descend to ship and men,

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

That much expect me. Be observant then

μή μʼ ἔτι νῦν κατέρυκε, λιλαιόμενόν περ ὁδοῖο.

Of my advice, and careful to maintain

δῶρον δʼ ὅττι κέ μοι δοῦναι φίλον ἦτορ ἀνώγῃ,

In equal acts thy royal father's reign."

αὖτις ἀνερχομένῳ δόμεναι οἶκόνδε φέρεσθαι,

Telemachus replied: "You ope, fair guest,

καὶ μάλα καλὸν ἑλών· σοὶ δʼ ἄξιον ἔσται ἀμοιβῆς.

A friend's heart in your speech, as well exprest

ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ἀπέβη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,

As might a father serve t' inform his son;

ὄρνις δʼ ὣς ἀνόπαια διέπτατο· τῷ δʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ

All which sure place have in my memory won.

θῆκε μένος καὶ θάρσος, ὑπέμνησέν τέ ἑ πατρὸς

Abide yet, though your voyage calls away,

μᾶλλον ἔτʼ ἢ τὸ πάροιθεν. ὁ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσι νοήσας

That, having bath'd, and dignified your stay

θάμβησεν κατὰ θυμόν· ὀίσατο γὰρ θεὸν εἶναι.

With some more honour, you may yet beside

αὐτίκα δὲ μνηστῆρας ἐπῴχετο ἰσόθεος φώς.

Delight your mind by being gratified

τοῖσι δʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇ

With some rich present taken in your way,

ἥατʼ ἀκούοντες· ὁ δʼ Ἀχαιῶν νόστον ἄειδε

That, as a jewel, your respect may lay

λυγρόν, ὃν ἐκ Τροίης ἐπετείλατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

Up in your treasury, bestow'd by me,

τοῦ δʼ ὑπερωιόθεν φρεσὶ σύνθετο θέσπιν ἀοιδὴν

As free friends use to guests of such degree."

κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·

"Detain me not," said she, "so much inclin'd

κλίμακα δʼ ὑψηλὴν κατεβήσετο οἷο δόμοιο,

To haste my voyage. What thy loved mind

οὐκ οἴη, ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύʼ ἕποντο.

Commands to give, at my return this way,

ἡ δʼ ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,

Bestow on me, that I directly may

στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,

Convey it home; which more of price to me

The more it asks my recompense to thee."

This said, away grey-eyed Minerva flew,

Like to a mounting lark; and did endue

His mind with strength and boldness, and much more

Made him his father long for than before;

And weighing better who his guest might be,

He stood amaz'd, and thought a Deity

Was there descended; to whose will he fram'd

His pow'rs at all parts, and went so inflam'd

Amongst the wooers, who were silent set,

To hear a poet sing the sad retreat

The Greeks perform'd from Troy; which was from thence

Proclaim'd by Pallas, pain of her offence.

When which divine song was perceiv'd to bear

That mournful subject by the list'ning ear

Of wise Penelope, Icarius' seed,

Who from an upper room had giv'n it heed,

Down she descended by a winding stair,

Not solely, but the state in her repair

Two maids of honour made. And when this queen

Of women stoop'd so low, she might be seen

By all her wooers. In the door, aloof,

Ent'ring the hall grac'd with a goodly roof,

She stood, in shade of graceful veils, implied

About her beauties; on her either side,

Her honour'd women. When, to tears mov'd, thus

She chid the sacred singer: "Phemiüs,

You know a number more of these great deeds

Of Gods and men, that are the sacred seeds,

ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα·

And proper subjects, of a poet's song,

ἀμφίπολος δʼ ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.

And those due pleasures that to men belong,

δακρύσασα δʼ ἔπειτα προσηύδα θεῖον ἀοιδόν·

Besides these facts that furnish Troy's retreat,

Φήμιε, πολλὰ γὰρ ἄλλα βροτῶν θελκτήρια οἶδας,

Sing one of those to these, that round your seat

ἔργʼ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε, τά τε κλείουσιν ἀοιδοί·

They may with silence sit, and taste their wine;

τῶν ἕν γέ σφιν ἄειδε παρήμενος, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇ

But cease this song, that through these ears of mine

οἶνον πινόντων· ταύτης δʼ ἀποπαύεʼ ἀοιδῆς

Conveys deserv'd occasion to my heart

λυγρῆς, ἥ τέ μοι αἰεὶ ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον κῆρ

Of endless sorrows, of which the desert

τείρει, ἐπεί με μάλιστα καθίκετο πένθος ἄλαστον.

In me unmeasur'd is past all these men,

τοίην γὰρ κεφαλὴν ποθέω μεμνημένη αἰεί,

So endless is the memory I retain,

ἀνδρός, τοῦ κλέος εὐρὺ καθʼ Ἑλλάδα καὶ μέσον Ἄργος.

And so desertful is that memory,

τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

Of such a man as hath a dignity

μῆτερ ἐμή, τί τʼ ἄρα φθονέεις ἐρίηρον ἀοιδὸν

So broad it spreads itself through all the pride

τέρπειν ὅππῃ οἱ νόος ὄρνυται; οὔ νύ τʼ ἀοιδοὶ

Of Greece and Argos." To the queen replied

αἴτιοι, ἀλλά ποθι Ζεὺς αἴτιος, ὅς τε δίδωσιν

Inspir'd Telemachus: "Why thus envies

ἀνδράσιν ἀλφηστῇσιν, ὅπως ἐθέλῃσιν, ἑκάστῳ.

My mother him that fits societies

τούτῳ δʼ οὐ νέμεσις Δαναῶν κακὸν οἶτον ἀείδειν·

With so much harmony, to let him please

τὴν γὰρ ἀοιδὴν μᾶλλον ἐπικλείουσʼ ἄνθρωποι,

His own mind in his will to honour these?

ἥ τις ἀκουόντεσσι νεωτάτη ἀμφιπέληται.

For these ingenious and first sort of men,

σοὶ δʼ ἐπιτολμάτω κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀκούειν·

That do immediately from Jove retain

οὐ γὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς οἶος ἀπώλεσε νόστιμον ἦμαρ

Their singing raptures, are by Jove as well

ἐν Τροίῃ, πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι φῶτες ὄλοντο.

Inspir'd with choice of what their songs impell,

ἀλλʼ εἰς οἶκον ἰοῦσα τὰ σʼ αὐτῆς ἔργα κόμιζε,

Jove's will is free in it, and therefore theirs.

ἱστόν τʼ ἠλακάτην τε, καὶ ἀμφιπόλοισι κέλευε

Nor is this man to blame, that the repairs

ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι· μῦθος δʼ ἄνδρεσσι μελήσει

The Greeks make homeward sings; for his fresh muse

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

Men still most celebrate that sings most news.

ἡ μὲν θαμβήσασα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει·

And therefore in his note your ears employ:

παιδὸς γὰρ μῦθον πεπνυμένον ἔνθετο θυμῷ.

For not Ulysses only lost in Troy

ἐς δʼ ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶ

The day of his return, but numbers more

κλαῖεν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνον

The deadly ruins of his fortunes bore.

ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

Go you then in, and take your work in hand,

μνηστῆρες δʼ ὁμάδησαν ἀνὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα,

Your web, and distaff; and your maids command

πάντες δʼ ἠρήσαντο παραὶ λεχέεσσι κλιθῆναι.

To ply their fit work. Words to men are due,

τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἤρχετο μύθων·

And those reproving counsels you pursue,

μητρὸς ἐμῆς μνηστῆρες ὑπέρβιον ὕβριν ἔχοντες,

And most to me of all men, since I bear

νῦν μὲν δαινύμενοι τερπώμεθα, μηδὲ βοητὺς

The rule of all things that are manag'd here."

ἔστω, ἐπεὶ τόδε καλὸν ἀκουέμεν ἐστὶν ἀοιδοῦ

She went amaz'd away, and in her heart

τοιοῦδʼ οἷος ὅδʼ ἐστί, θεοῖς ἐναλίγκιος αὐδήν.

Laid up the wisdom Pallas did impart

ἠῶθεν δʼ ἀγορήνδε καθεζώμεσθα κιόντες

To her lov'd son so lately, turn'd again

πάντες, ἵνʼ ὕμιν μῦθον ἀπηλεγέως ἀποείπω,

Up to her chamber, and no more would reign

ἐξιέναι μεγάρων· ἄλλας δʼ ἀλεγύνετε δαῖτας,

In manly counsels. To her women she

ὑμὰ κτήματʼ ἔδοντες, ἀμειβόμενοι κατὰ οἴκους.

Applied her sway; and to the wooers he

εἰ δʼ ὕμιν δοκέει τόδε λωίτερον καὶ ἄμεινον

Began new orders, other spirits bewray'd

ἔμμεναι, ἀνδρὸς ἑνὸς βίοτον νήποινον ὀλέσθαι,

Than those in spite of which the wooers sway'd.

κείρετʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ θεοὺς ἐπιβώσομαι αἰὲν ἐόντας,

And (whiles his mother's tears still wash'd her eyes,

αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς δῷσι παλίντιτα ἔργα γενέσθαι·

Till grey Minerva did those tears surprise

νήποινοί κεν ἔπειτα δόμων ἔντοσθεν ὄλοισθε.

With timely sleep, and that her wooers did rouse

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἐν χείλεσι φύντες

Rude tumult up through all the shady house,

Τηλέμαχον θαύμαζον, ὃ θαρσαλέως ἀγόρευεν.

Dispos'd to sleep because their widow was)

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·

Telemachus this new-giv'n spirit did pass

Τηλέμαχʼ, ἦ μάλα δή σε διδάσκουσιν θεοὶ αὐτοὶ

On their old insolence: "Ho! you that are,

ὑψαγόρην τʼ ἔμεναι καὶ θαρσαλέως ἀγορεύειν·

My mother's wooers! much too high ye bear

μὴ σέ γʼ ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ βασιλῆα Κρονίων

Your petulant spirits; sit; and, while ye may

ποιήσειεν, ὅ τοι γενεῇ πατρώιόν ἐστιν.