Odyssey

In Lacedæmon now, the nurse of whales,

οἱ δʼ ἷξον κοίλην Λακεδαίμονα κητώεσσαν,

These two arriv'd, and found at festivals,

πρὸς δʼ ἄρα δώματʼ ἔλων Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο.

With mighty concourse, the renownéd king,

τὸν δʼ εὗρον δαινύντα γάμον πολλοῖσιν ἔτῃσιν

His son and daughter jointly marrying.

υἱέος ἠδὲ θυγατρὸς ἀμύμονος ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.

Alector's daughter he did give his son,

τὴν μὲν Ἀχιλλῆος ῥηξήνορος υἱέι πέμπεν·

Strong Megapenthes, who his life begun

ἐν Τροίῃ γὰρ πρῶτον ὑπέσχετο καὶ κατένευσε

By Menelaus' bondmaid; whom he knew

δωσέμεναι, τοῖσιν δὲ θεοὶ γάμον ἐξετέλειον.

In years when Helen could no more renew

τὴν ἄρʼ ὅ γʼ ἔνθʼ ἵπποισι καὶ ἅρμασι πέμπε νέεσθαι

In issue like divine Hermione,

Μυρμιδόνων προτὶ ἄστυ περικλυτόν, οἷσιν ἄνασσεν.

Who held in all fair form as high degree

υἱέι δὲ Σπάρτηθεν Ἀλέκτορος ἤγετο κούρην,

As golden Venus. Her he married now

ὅς οἱ τηλύγετος γένετο κρατερὸς Μεγαπένθης

To great Achilles' son, who was by vow

ἐκ δούλης· Ἑλένῃ δὲ θεοὶ γόνον οὐκέτʼ ἔφαινον,

Betroth'd to her at Troy, And thus the Gods

ἐπεὶ δὴ τὸ πρῶτον ἐγείνατο παῖδʼ ἐρατεινήν,

To constant loves give nuptial periods.

Ἑρμιόνην, ἣ εἶδος ἔχε χρυσέης Ἀφροδίτης.

Whose state here past, the Myrmidons' rich town

ὣς οἱ μὲν δαίνυντο καθʼ ὑψερεφὲς μέγα δῶμα

(Of which she shar'd in the imperial crown)

γείτονες ἠδὲ ἔται Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο,

With horse and chariots he resign'd her to.

τερπόμενοι· μετὰ δέ σφιν ἐμέλπετο θεῖος ἀοιδὸς

Mean space, the high huge house with feast did flow

φορμίζων, δοιὼ δὲ κυβιστητῆρε κατʼ αὐτούς,

Of friends and neighbours, joying with the king.

μολπῆς ἐξάρχοντος, ἐδίνευον κατὰ μέσσους.

Amongst whom did a heav'nly poet sing,

τὼ δʼ αὖτʼ ἐν προθύροισι δόμων αὐτώ τε καὶ ἵππω,

And touch his harp. Amongst whom likewise danc'd

Τηλέμαχός θʼ ἥρως καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸς υἱός,

Two, who in that dumb motion advanc'd,

στῆσαν· ὁ δὲ προμολὼν ἴδετο κρείων Ἐτεωνεύς,

Would prompt the singer what to sing and play.

ὀτρηρὸς θεράπων Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο,

All this time in the utter court did stay,

βῆ δʼ ἴμεν ἀγγελέων διὰ δώματα ποιμένι λαῶν,

With horse and chariot, Telemachus,

ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

And Nestor's noble son Pisistratus.

ξείνω δή τινε τώδε, διοτρεφὲς ὦ Μενέλαε,

Whom Eteoneus, coming forth, descried,

ἄνδρε δύω, γενεῇ δὲ Διὸς μεγάλοιο ἔικτον.

And, being a servant to the king, most tried

ἀλλʼ εἴπʼ, ἤ σφωιν καταλύσομεν ὠκέας ἵππους,

In care and his respect, he ran and cried:

ἦ ἄλλον πέμπωμεν ἱκανέμεν, ὅς κε φιλήσῃ.

"Guests, Jove-kept Menelaus, two such men

τὸν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

As are for form of high Saturnius' strain.

οὐ μὲν νήπιος ἦσθα, Βοηθοΐδη Ἐτεωνεῦ,

Inform your pleasure, if we shall unclose

τὸ πρίν· ἀτὰρ μὲν νῦν γε πάϊς ὣς νήπια βάζεις.

Their horse from coach, or say they must dispose

ἦ μὲν δὴ νῶι ξεινήια πολλὰ φαγόντε

Their way to some such house, as may embrace

ἄλλων ἀνθρώπων δεῦρʼ ἱκόμεθʼ, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς

Their known arrival with more welcome grace?"

ἐξοπίσω περ παύσῃ ὀιζύος. ἀλλὰ λύʼ ἵππους

He, angry, answer'd: "Thou didst never show

ξείνων, ἐς δʼ αὐτοὺς προτέρω ἄγε θοινηθῆναι.

Thyself a fool, Boethides, till now;

ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δὲ μεγάροιο διέσσυτο, κέκλετο δʼ ἄλλους

But now, as if turn'd child, a childish speech

ὀτρηροὺς θεράποντας ἅμα σπέσθαι ἑοῖ αὐτῷ.

Vents thy vain spirits. We ourselves now reach

οἱ δʼ ἵππους μὲν λῦσαν ὑπὸ ζυγοῦ ἱδρώοντας,

Our home by much spent hospitality

καὶ τοὺς μὲν κατέδησαν ἐφʼ ἱππείῃσι κάπῃσι,

Of other men; nor know if Jove will try

πὰρ δʼ ἔβαλον ζειάς, ἀνὰ δὲ κρῖ λευκὸν ἔμιξαν,

With other after-wants our state again;

ἅρματα δʼ ἔκλιναν πρὸς ἐνώπια παμφανόωντα,

And therefore from our feast no more detain

αὐτοὺς δʼ εἰσῆγον θεῖον δόμον. οἱ δὲ ἰδόντες

Those welcome guests, but take their steeds from coach,

θαύμαζον κατὰ δῶμα διοτρεφέος βασιλῆος·

And with attendance guide in their approach."

ὥς τε γὰρ ἠελίου αἴγλη πέλεν ἠὲ σελήνης

This said, he rush'd abroad, and call'd some more

δῶμα καθʼ ὑψερεφὲς Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο.

Tried in such service, that together bore

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τάρπησαν ὁρώμενοι ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,

Up to the guests, and took their steeds that swet

ἔς ῥʼ ἀσαμίνθους βάντες ἐυξέστας λούσαντο.

Beneath their yokes from coach; at mangers set,

τοὺς δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν δμῳαὶ λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ,

Wheat and white barley gave them mix'd; and plac'd

ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα χλαίνας οὔλας βάλον ἠδὲ χιτῶνας,

Their chariot by a wall so clear, it cast

ἔς ῥα θρόνους ἕζοντο παρʼ Ἀτρεΐδην Μενέλαον.

A light quite through it. And then they led

χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα

Their guests to the divine house; which so fed

καλῇ χρυσείῃ ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,

Their eyes at all parts with illustrious sights,

νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.

That admiration seiz'd them. Like the lights

σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,

The sun and moon gave, all the palace threw

εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων.

A lustre through it. Satiate with whose view,

δαιτρὸς δὲ κρειῶν πίνακας παρέθηκεν ἀείρας

Down to the king's most bright-kept baths they went,

παντοίων, παρὰ δέ σφι τίθει χρύσεια κύπελλα.

Where handmaids did their services present,

τὼ καὶ δεικνύμενος προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

Bath'd, balm'd them, shirts and well-napt weeds put on,

σίτου θʼ ἅπτεσθον καὶ χαίρετον. αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

And by Atrides' side set each his throne.

δείπνου πασσαμένω εἰρησόμεθʼ, οἵ τινές ἐστον

Then did the handmaid-royal water bring,

ἀνδρῶν· οὐ γὰρ σφῷν γε γένος ἀπόλωλε τοκήων,

And to a laver, rich and glittering,

ἀλλʼ ἀνδρῶν γένος ἐστὲ διοτρεφέων βασιλήων

Of massy gold, pour'd; which she plac'd upon

σκηπτούχων, ἐπεὶ οὔ κε κακοὶ τοιούσδε τέκοιεν.

A silver caldron, into which might run

ὣς φάτο, καί σφιν νῶτα βοὸς παρὰ πίονα θῆκεν

The water as they wash'd. Then set she near

ὄπτʼ ἐν χερσὶν ἑλών, τά ῥά οἱ γέρα πάρθεσαν αὐτῷ.

A polish'd table, on which all the cheer

οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

The present could afford a rev'rend dame,

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

That kept the larder, set. A cook then came,

δὴ τότε Τηλέμαχος προσεφώνεε Νέστορος υἱόν,

And divers dishes, borne thence, serv'd again;

ἄγχι σχὼν κεφαλήν, ἵνα μὴ πευθοίαθʼ οἱ ἄλλοι·

Furnish'd the board with bowls of gold. And then,

φράζεο, Νεστορίδη, τῷ ἐμῷ κεχαρισμένε θυμῷ,

His right hand giv'n the guests, Atrides said:

χαλκοῦ τε στεροπὴν κὰδ δώματα ἠχήεντα

"Eat, and be cheerful. Appetite allay'd,

χρυσοῦ τʼ ἠλέκτρου τε καὶ ἀργύρου ἠδʼ ἐλέφαντος.

I long to ask, of what stock ye descend;

Ζηνός που τοιήδε γʼ Ὀλυμπίου ἔνδοθεν αὐλή,

For not from parents whose race nameless end

ὅσσα τάδʼ ἄσπετα πολλά· σέβας μʼ ἔχει εἰσορόωντα.

We must derive your offspring. Men obscure

τοῦ δʼ ἀγορεύοντος ξύνετο ξανθὸς Μενέλαος,

Could get none such as you. The portraiture

καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

Of Jove-sustain'd and sceptre-bearing kings

τέκνα φίλʼ, ἦ τοι Ζηνὶ βροτῶν οὐκ ἄν τις ἐρίζοι·

Your either person in his presence brings."

ἀθάνατοι γὰρ τοῦ γε δόμοι καὶ κτήματʼ ἔασιν·

An ox's fat chine then they up did lift,

ἀνδρῶν δʼ ἤ κέν τίς μοι ἐρίσσεται, ἠὲ καὶ οὐκί,

And set before the guests; which was a gift,

κτήμασιν. ἦ γὰρ πολλὰ παθὼν καὶ πόλλʼ ἐπαληθεὶς

Sent as an honour to the king's own taste.

ἠγαγόμην ἐν νηυσὶ καὶ ὀγδοάτῳ ἔτει ἦλθον,

They saw yet 'twas but to be eaten plac'd,

Κύπρον Φοινίκην τε καὶ Αἰγυπτίους ἐπαληθείς,

And fell to it. But food and wine's care past,

Αἰθίοπάς θʼ ἱκόμην καὶ Σιδονίους καὶ Ἐρεμβοὺς

Telemachus thus prompted Nestor's son,

(His ear close laying, to be heard of none):

"Consider, thou whom most of my mind esteems,

The brass-work here, how rich it is in beams,

And how, besides, it makes the whole house sound;

What gold, and amber, silver, ivory, round

Is wrought about it. Out of doubt, the hall

Of Jupiter Olympius hath of all

This state the like. How many infinites

Take up to admiration all men's sights!"

Atrides over-heard, and said: "Lov'd son,

No mortal must affect contentión

With Jove, whose dwellings are of endless date.

Perhaps of men some one may emulate,

Or none, my house, or me; for I am one

That many a grave extreme have undergone,

Much error felt by sea, and till th' eighth year,

Had never stay, but wander'd far and near,

Cyprus, Phœnicia, and Sidonia,

And fetch'd the far-off Æthiopia,

Reach'd the Erembi of Arabia,

And Lybia, where with horns ewes yean their lambs,

Which ev'ry full year ewes are three times dams,

Where neither king, nor shepherd, want comes near

Of cheese, or flesh, or sweet milk; all the year

They ever milk their ewes. And here while I

Err'd, gath'ring means to live, one, murd'rously,

Unwares, unseen, bereft my brother's life,

Chiefly betray'd by his abhorréd wife.

So hold I, not enjoying, what you see.

And of your fathers, if they living be,

You must have heard this, since my suff'rings were

καὶ Λιβύην, ἵνα τʼ ἄρνες ἄφαρ κεραοὶ τελέθουσι.

So great and famous; from this palace here

τρὶς γὰρ τίκτει μῆλα τελεσφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτόν.

(So rarely-well-built, furnishéd so well,

ἔνθα μὲν οὔτε ἄναξ ἐπιδευὴς οὔτε τι ποιμὴν

And substancéd with such a precious deal

τυροῦ καὶ κρειῶν οὐδὲ γλυκεροῖο γάλακτος,

Of well-got treasure) banish'd by the doom

ἀλλʼ αἰεὶ παρέχουσιν ἐπηετανὸν γάλα θῆσθαι.

Of Fate, and erring as I had no home.

ἧος ἐγὼ περὶ κεῖνα πολὺν βίοτον συναγείρων

And now I have, and use it, not to take

ἠλώμην, τῆός μοι ἀδελφεὸν ἄλλος ἔπεφνεν

Th' entire delight it offers, but to make

λάθρῃ, ἀνωιστί, δόλῳ οὐλομένης ἀλόχοιο·

Continual wishes, that a triple part

ὣς οὔ τοι χαίρων τοῖσδε κτεάτεσσιν ἀνάσσω.

Of all it holds were wanting, so my heart

καὶ πατέρων τάδε μέλλετʼ ἀκουέμεν, οἵ τινες ὑμῖν

Were eas'd of sorrows, taken for their deaths

εἰσίν, ἐπεὶ μάλα πολλὰ πάθον, καὶ ἀπώλεσα οἶκον

That fell at Troy, by their revivéd breaths.

εὖ μάλα ναιετάοντα, κεχανδότα πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλά.

And thus sit I here weeping, mourning still

ὧν ὄφελον τριτάτην περ ἔχων ἐν δώμασι μοῖραν

Each least man lost; and sometimes make mine ill,

ναίειν, οἱ δʼ ἄνδρες σόοι ἔμμεναι, οἳ τότʼ ὄλοντο

In paying just tears for their loss, my joy.

Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ ἑκὰς Ἄργεος ἱπποβότοιο.

Sometimes I breathe my woes, for in annoy

ἀλλʼ ἔμπης πάντας μὲν ὀδυρόμενος καὶ ἀχεύων

The pleasure soon admits satiety.

πολλάκις ἐν μεγάροισι καθήμενος ἡμετέροισιν

But all these men's wants wet not so mine eye,

ἄλλοτε μέν τε γόῳ φρένα τέρπομαι, ἄλλοτε δʼ αὖτε

Though much they move me, as one sole man's miss,

παύομαι· αἰψηρὸς δὲ κόρος κρυεροῖο γόοιο.

For which my sleep and meat ev'n loathsome is

τῶν πάντων οὐ τόσσον ὀδύρομαι, ἀχνύμενός περ,

In his renew'd thought, since no Greek hath won

ὡς ἑνός, ὅς τέ μοι ὕπνον ἀπεχθαίρει καὶ ἐδωδὴν

Grace for such labours as Laërtes' son

μνωομένῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τις Ἀχαιῶν τόσσʼ ἐμόγησεν,

Hath wrought and suffer'd, to himself nought else

ὅσσʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἐμόγησε καὶ ἤρατο. τῷ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλεν

But future sorrows forging, to me hells

αὐτῷ κήδεʼ ἔσεσθαι, ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄχος αἰὲν ἄλαστον

For his long absence, since I cannot know

κείνου, ὅπως δὴ δηρὸν ἀποίχεται, οὐδέ τι ἴδμεν,

If life or death detain him; since such woe

ζώει ὅ γʼ ἦ τέθνηκεν. ὀδύρονταί νύ που αὐτὸν

For his love, old Laërtes, his wise wife,

Λαέρτης θʼ ὁ γέρων καὶ ἐχέφρων Πηνελόπεια

And poor young son sustains, whom new with life

Τηλέμαχός θʼ, ὃν ἔλειπε νέον γεγαῶτʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.

He left as sireless." This speech grief to tears

ὣς φάτο, τῷ δʼ ἄρα πατρὸς ὑφʼ ἵμερον ὦρσε γόοιο.

(Pour'd from the son's lids on the earth) his ears,

δάκρυ δʼ ἀπὸ βλεφάρων χαμάδις βάλε πατρὸς ἀκούσας,

Told of the father, did excite; who kept

χλαῖναν πορφυρέην ἄντʼ ὀφθαλμοῖιν ἀνασχὼν

His cheeks dry with his red weed as he wept,

ἀμφοτέρῃσιν χερσί. νόησε δέ μιν Μενέλαος,

His both hands us'd therein. Atrides then

μερμήριξε δʼ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,

Began to know him, and did strife retain,

ἠέ μιν αὐτὸν πατρὸς ἐάσειε μνησθῆναι

If he should let himself confess his sire,

ἦ πρῶτʼ ἐξερέοιτο ἕκαστά τε πειρήσαιτο.

Or with all fitting circumstance enquire.

ἧος ὁ ταῦθʼ ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,

While this his thoughts disputed, forth did shine,

ἐκ δʼ Ἑλένη θαλάμοιο θυώδεος ὑψορόφοιο

Like to the golden distaff-deck'd Divine,

ἤλυθεν Ἀρτέμιδι χρυσηλακάτῳ ἐικυῖα.

From her bed's high and odoriferous room,

τῇ δʼ ἄρʼ ἅμʼ Ἀδρήστη κλισίην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκεν,

Helen. To whom, of an elaborate loom,

Ἀλκίππη δὲ τάπητα φέρεν μαλακοῦ ἐρίοιο,

Adresta set a chair; Alcippe brought

Φυλὼ δʼ ἀργύρεον τάλαρον φέρε, τόν οἱ ἔθηκεν

A piece of tapestry of fine wool wrought;

Ἀλκάνδρη, Πολύβοιο δάμαρ, ὃς ἔναιʼ ἐνὶ Θήβῃς

Phylo a silver cabinet conferr'd,

Αἰγυπτίῃς, ὅθι πλεῖστα δόμοις ἐν κτήματα κεῖται·

Giv'n by Alcandra, nuptially endear'd

ὃς Μενελάῳ δῶκε δύʼ ἀργυρέας ἀσαμίνθους,

To lord Polybius, whose abode in Thebes

δοιοὺς δὲ τρίποδας, δέκα δὲ χρυσοῖο τάλαντα.

Th' Ægyptian city was, where wealth in heaps

χωρὶς δʼ αὖθʼ Ἑλένῃ ἄλοχος πόρε κάλλιμα δῶρα·

His famous house held, out of which did go,

χρυσέην τʼ ἠλακάτην τάλαρόν θʼ ὑπόκυκλον ὄπασσεν

In gift t' Atrides, silver bath-tubs two,

ἀργύρεον, χρυσῷ δʼ ἐπὶ χείλεα κεκράαντο.

Two tripods, and of fine gold talents ten.

τόν ῥά οἱ ἀμφίπολος Φυλὼ παρέθηκε φέρουσα

His wife did likewise send to Helen then

νήματος ἀσκητοῖο βεβυσμένον· αὐτὰρ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ

Fair gifts, a distaff that of gold was wrought,

ἠλακάτη τετάνυστο ἰοδνεφὲς εἶρος ἔχουσα.

And that rich cabinet that Phylo brought,

ἕζετο δʼ ἐν κλισμῷ, ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν.

Round, and with gold ribb'd, now of fine thread full;

αὐτίκα δʼ ἥ γʼ ἐπέεσσι πόσιν ἐρέεινεν ἕκαστα·

On which extended (crown'd with finest wool,

ἴδμεν δή, Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, οἵ τινες οἵδε

Of violet gloss) the golden distaff-lay.

ἀνδρῶν εὐχετόωνται ἱκανέμεν ἡμέτερον δῶ;

She took her state-chair, and a foot-stool's stay

ψεύσομαι ἦ ἔτυμον ἐρέω; κέλεται δέ με θυμός.

Had for her feet; and of her husband thus

οὐ γάρ πώ τινά φημι ἐοικότα ὧδε ἰδέσθαι

Ask'd to know all things: "Is it known to us,

οὔτʼ ἄνδρʼ οὔτε γυναῖκα, σέβας μʼ ἔχει εἰσορόωσαν,

King Menelaus, whom these men commend

ὡς ὅδʼ Ὀδυσσῆος μεγαλήτορος υἷι ἔοικε,

Themselves for, that our court now takes to friend?

Τηλεμάχῳ, τὸν ἔλειπε νέον γεγαῶτʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ

I must affirm, be I deceiv'd or no,

κεῖνος ἀνήρ, ὅτʼ ἐμεῖο κυνώπιδος εἵνεκʼ Ἀχαιοὶ

I never yet saw man nor woman so

ἤλθεθʼ ὑπὸ Τροίην πόλεμον θρασὺν ὁρμαίνοντες.

Like one another, as this man is like

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

Ulysses' son. With admiration strike

οὕτω νῦν καὶ ἐγὼ νοέω, γύναι, ὡς σὺ ἐίσκεις·

His looks my thoughts, that they should carry now

κείνου γὰρ τοιοίδε πόδες τοιαίδε τε χεῖρες

Pow'r to persuade me thus, who did but know,

ὀφθαλμῶν τε βολαὶ κεφαλή τʼ ἐφύπερθέ τε χαῖται.

When newly he was born, the form they bore.

καὶ νῦν ἦ τοι ἐγὼ μεμνημένος ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆι

But 'tis his father's grace, whom more and more

μυθεόμην, ὅσα κεῖνος ὀιζύσας ἐμόγησεν

His grace resembles, that makes me retain

ἀμφʼ ἐμοί, αὐτὰρ ὁ πικρὸν ὑπʼ ὀφρύσι δάκρυον εἶβε,

Thought that he now is like Telemachus, then

χλαῖναν πορφυρέην ἄντʼ ὀφθαλμοῖιν ἀνασχών.

Left by his sire, when Greece did undertake

τὸν δʼ αὖ Νεστορίδης Πεισίστρατος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

Troy's bold war for my impudency's sake."

Ἀτρεΐδη Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,

He answer'd: "Now wife, what you think I know,

κείνου μέν τοι ὅδʼ υἱὸς ἐτήτυμον, ὡς ἀγορεύεις·

The true cast of his father's eye doth show

ἀλλὰ σαόφρων ἐστί, νεμεσσᾶται δʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ

In his eyes' order. Both his head and hair,

ὧδʼ ἐλθὼν τὸ πρῶτον ἐπεσβολίας ἀναφαίνειν

His hands and feet, his very father's are.

ἄντα σέθεν, τοῦ νῶι θεοῦ ὣς τερπόμεθʼ αὐδῇ.

Of whom, so well remember'd, I should now

αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ προέηκε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ

Acknowledge for me his continual flow

τῷ ἅμα πομπὸν ἕπεσθαι· ἐέλδετο γάρ σε ἰδέσθαι,

Of cares and perils, yet still patient.

ὄφρα οἱ ἤ τι ἔπος ὑποθήσεαι ἠέ τι ἔργον.

But I should too much move him, that doth vent

πολλὰ γὰρ ἄλγεʼ ἔχει πατρὸς πάϊς οἰχομένοιο

Such bitter tears for that which hath been spoke,

ἐν μεγάροις, ᾧ μὴ ἄλλοι ἀοσσητῆρες ἔωσιν,

Which, shunning soft show, see how he would cloak,

ὡς νῦν Τηλεμάχῳ ὁ μὲν οἴχεται, οὐδέ οἱ ἄλλοι

And with his purple weed his weepings hide."

εἴσʼ οἵ κεν κατὰ δῆμον ἀλάλκοιεν κακότητα.

Then Nestor's son, Pisistratus, replied:

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

"Great pastor of the people, kept of God!

ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ φίλου ἀνέρος υἱὸς ἐμὸν δῶ

He is Ulysses' son, but his abode

Not made before here, and he modest too,

He holds it an indignity to do

A deed so vain, to use the boast of words,

Where your words are on wing; whose voice affords

Delight to us as if a God did break

The air amongst us, and vouchsafe to speak.

But me my father, old duke Nestor, sent

To be his consort hither; his content

Not to be heighten'd so as with your sight,

In hope that therewith words and actions might

Inform his comforts from you, since he is

Extremely griev'd and injur'd by the miss

Of his great father; suff'ring ev'n at home,

And few friends found to help him overcome

His too weak suff'rance, now his sire is gone;

Amongst the people, not afforded one

To check the miseries that mate him thus.

And this the state is of Telemachus."

"O Gods," said he, "how certain, now, I see

My house enjoys that friend's son, that for me

Hath undergone so many willing fights!

Whom I resolv'd, past all the Grecian knights,

To hold in love, if our return by seas

The far-off Thunderer did ever please

To grant our wishes. And to his respect

A palace and a city to erect,

My vow had bound me; whither bringing then

His riches, and his son, and all his men,

From barren Ithaca, (some one sole town

Inhabited about him batter'd down)

ἵκεθʼ, ὃς εἵνεκʼ ἐμεῖο πολέας ἐμόγησεν ἀέθλους·

All should in Argos live. And there would I

καί μιν ἔφην ἐλθόντα φιλησέμεν ἔξοχον ἄλλων

Ease him of rule, and take the empery

Ἀργείων, εἰ νῶιν ὑπεὶρ ἅλα νόστον ἔδωκε

Of all on me. And often here would we,

νηυσὶ θοῇσι γενέσθαι Ὀλύμπιος εὐρύοπα Ζεύς.

Delighting, loving either's company,

καί κέ οἱ Ἄργεϊ νάσσα πόλιν καὶ δώματʼ ἔτευξα,

Meet and converse; whom nothing should divide,

ἐξ Ἰθάκης ἀγαγὼν σὺν κτήμασι καὶ τέκεϊ ᾧ

Till death's black veil did each all over hide.

καὶ πᾶσιν λαοῖσι, μίαν πόλιν ἐξαλαπάξας,

But this perhaps hath been a mean to take

αἳ περιναιετάουσιν, ἀνάσσονται δʼ ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ.

Ev'n God himself with envy; who did make

καί κε θάμʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἐόντες ἐμισγόμεθʼ· οὐδέ κεν ἡμέας

Ulysses therefore only the unblest,

ἄλλο διέκρινεν φιλέοντέ τε τερπομένω τε,

That should not reach his loved country's rest."

πρίν γʼ ὅτε δὴ θανάτοιο μέλαν νέφος ἀμφεκάλυψεν.

These woes made ev'ry one with woe in love;

ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν που μέλλεν ἀγάσσεσθαι θεὸς αὐτός,

Ev'n Argive Helen wept, the Seed of Jove;

ὃς κεῖνον δύστηνον ἀνόστιμον οἶον ἔθηκεν.

Ulysses' son wept; Atreus' son did weep;

ὣς φάτο, τοῖσι δὲ πᾶσιν ὑφʼ ἵμερον ὦρσε γόοιο.

And Nestor's son his eyes in tears did steep,

κλαῖε μὲν Ἀργείη Ἑλένη, Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα,

But his tears fell not from the present cloud

κλαῖε δὲ Τηλέμαχός τε καὶ Ἀτρεΐδης Μενέλαος,

That from Ulysses was exhal'd, but flow'd

οὐδʼ ἄρα Νέστορος υἱὸς ἀδακρύτω ἔχεν ὄσσε·

From brave Antilochus' remember'd due,

μνήσατο γὰρ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονος Ἀντιλόχοιο,

Whom the renown'd Son of the Morning slew,

τόν ῥʼ Ἠοῦς ἔκτεινε φαεινῆς ἀγλαὸς υἱός·

Which yet he thus excus'd: "O Atreus' son!

τοῦ ὅ γʼ ἐπιμνησθεὶς ἔπεα πτερόεντʼ ἀγόρευεν·

Old Nestor says, there lives not such a one

Ἀτρεΐδη, περὶ μέν σε βροτῶν πεπνυμένον εἶναι

Amongst all mortals as Atrides is

Νέστωρ φάσχʼ ὁ γέρων, ὅτʼ ἐπιμνησαίμεθα σεῖο

For deathless wisdom. 'Tis a praise of his,

οἷσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι, καὶ ἀλλήλους ἐρέοιμεν.

Still giv'n in your remembrance, when at home

καὶ νῦν, εἴ τί που ἔστι, πίθοιό μοι· οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γε

Our speech concerns you. Since then overcome

τέρπομʼ ὀδυρόμενος μεταδόρπιος, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἠὼς

You please to be with sorrow, ev'n to tears,

ἔσσεται ἠριγένεια· νεμεσσῶμαί γε μὲν οὐδὲν

That are in wisdom so exempt from peers,

κλαίειν ὅς κε θάνῃσι βροτῶν καὶ πότμον ἐπίσπῃ.

Vouchsafe the like effect in me excuse,

τοῦτό νυ καὶ γέρας οἶον ὀιζυροῖσι βροτοῖσιν,

If it be lawful, I affect no use

κείρασθαί τε κόμην βαλέειν τʼ ἀπὸ δάκρυ παρειῶν.

Of tears thus after meals; at least, at night;

καὶ γὰρ ἐμὸς τέθνηκεν ἀδελφεός, οὔ τι κάκιστος

But when the morn brings forth, with tears, her light,

Ἀργείων· μέλλεις δὲ σὺ ἴδμεναι· οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γε

It shall not then impair me to bestow

ἤντησʼ οὐδὲ ἴδον· περὶ δʼ ἄλλων φασὶ γενέσθαι

My tears on any worthy's overthrow.

Ἀντίλοχον, πέρι μὲν θείειν ταχὺν ἠδὲ μαχητήν.

It is the only rite that wretched men

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

Can do dead friends, to cut hair, and complain.

ὦ φίλʼ, ἐπεὶ τόσα εἶπες, ὅσʼ ἂν πεπνυμένος ἀνὴρ

But Death my brother took, whom none could call

εἴποι καὶ ῥέξειε, καὶ ὃς προγενέστερος εἴη·

The Grecian coward, you best knew of all.

τοίου γὰρ καὶ πατρός, ὃ καὶ πεπνυμένα βάζεις,

I was not there, nor saw, but men report

ῥεῖα δʼ ἀρίγνωτος γόνος ἀνέρος ᾧ τε Κρονίων

Antilochus excell'd the common sort

ὄλβον ἐπικλώσῃ γαμέοντί τε γεινομένῳ τε,

For footmanship, or for the chariot race,

ὡς νῦν Νέστορι δῶκε διαμπερὲς ἤματα πάντα

Or in the fight for hardy hold of place."

αὐτὸν μὲν λιπαρῶς γηρασκέμεν ἐν μεγάροισιν,

"O friend," said he, "since thou hast spoken so,

υἱέας αὖ πινυτούς τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν εἶναι ἀρίστους.

At all parts as one wise should say and do,

ἡμεῖς δὲ κλαυθμὸν μὲν ἐάσομεν, ὃς πρὶν ἐτύχθη,

And like one far beyond thyself in years,

δόρπου δʼ ἐξαῦτις μνησώμεθα, χερσὶ δʼ ἐφʼ ὕδωρ

Thy words shall bounds be to our former tears.

χευάντων. μῦθοι δὲ καὶ ἠῶθέν περ ἔσονται

O he is questionless a right-born son,

Τηλεμάχῳ καὶ ἐμοὶ διαειπέμεν ἀλλήλοισιν.

That of his father hath not only won

ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀσφαλίων δʼ ἄρʼ ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευεν,

The person but the wisdom; and that sire

ὀτρηρὸς θεράπων Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο.

Complete himself that hath a son entire,

οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

Jove did not only his full fate adorn,

ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησʼ Ἑλένη Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα·

When he was wedded, but when he was born.

αὐτίκʼ ἄρʼ εἰς οἶνον βάλε φάρμακον, ἔνθεν ἔπινον,

As now Saturnius, through his life's whole date,

νηπενθές τʼ ἄχολόν τε, κακῶν ἐπίληθον ἁπάντων.

Hath Nestor's bliss rais'd to as steep a state,

ὃς τὸ καταβρόξειεν, ἐπὴν κρητῆρι μιγείη,

Both in his age to keep in peace his house,

οὔ κεν ἐφημέριός γε βάλοι κατὰ δάκρυ παρειῶν,

And to have children wise and valorous.

οὐδʼ εἴ οἱ κατατεθναίη μήτηρ τε πατήρ τε,

But let us not forget our rear feast thus.

οὐδʼ εἴ οἱ προπάροιθεν ἀδελφεὸν ἢ φίλον υἱὸν

Let some give water here. Telemachus!

χαλκῷ δηιόῳεν, ὁ δʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῷτο.

The morning shall yield time to you and me

τοῖα Διὸς θυγάτηρ ἔχε φάρμακα μητιόεντα,

To do what fits, and reason mutually."

ἐσθλά, τά οἱ Πολύδαμνα πόρεν, Θῶνος παράκοιτις

This said, the careful servant of the king,

Αἰγυπτίη, τῇ πλεῖστα φέρει ζείδωρος ἄρουρα

Asphalion, pour'd on th' issue of the spring;

φάρμακα, πολλὰ μὲν ἐσθλὰ μεμιγμένα πολλὰ δὲ λυγρά·

And all to ready feast set ready hand.

ἰητρὸς δὲ ἕκαστος ἐπιστάμενος περὶ πάντων

But Helen now on new device did stand,

ἀνθρώπων· ἦ γὰρ Παιήονός εἰσι γενέθλης.

Infusing straight a medicine to their wine,

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐνέηκε κέλευσέ τε οἰνοχοῆσαι,

That, drowning care and angers; did decline

ἐξαῦτις μύθοισιν ἀμειβομένη προσέειπεν·

All thought of ill. Who drunk her cup could shed

Ἀτρεΐδη Μενέλαε διοτρεφὲς ἠδὲ καὶ οἵδε

All that day not a tear, no not if dead

ἀνδρῶν ἐσθλῶν παῖδες· ἀτὰρ θεὸς ἄλλοτε ἄλλῳ

That day his father or his mother were,

Ζεὺς ἀγαθόν τε κακόν τε διδοῖ· δύναται γὰρ ἅπαντα·

Not if his brother, child, or chiefest dear,

ἦ τοι νῦν δαίνυσθε καθήμενοι ἐν μεγάροισι

He should see murder'd then before his face.

καὶ μύθοις τέρπεσθε· ἐοικότα γὰρ καταλέξω.

Such useful medicines, only borne in grace

πάντα μὲν οὐκ ἂν ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδʼ ὀνομήνω,

Of what was good, would Helen ever have.

ὅσσοι Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονός εἰσιν ἄεθλοι·

And this juice to her Polydamna gave

ἀλλʼ οἷον τόδʼ ἔρεξε καὶ ἔτλη καρτερὸς ἀνὴρ

The wife of Thoon, an Ægyptian born,

δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅθι πάσχετε πήματʼ Ἀχαιοί.

Whose rich earth herbs of medicine do adorn

αὐτόν μιν πληγῇσιν ἀεικελίῃσι δαμάσσας,

In great abundance. Many healthful are,

σπεῖρα κάκʼ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισι βαλών, οἰκῆι ἐοικώς,

And many baneful. Ev'ry man is there

ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων κατέδυ πόλιν εὐρυάγυιαν·

A good physician out of Nature's grace,

ἄλλῳ δʼ αὐτὸν φωτὶ κατακρύπτων ἤισκε,

For all the nation sprung of Pæon's race.

δέκτῃ, ὃς οὐδὲν τοῖος ἔην ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.

When Helen then her medicine had infus'd,

τῷ ἴκελος κατέδυ Τρώων πόλιν, οἱ δʼ ἀβάκησαν

She bad pour wine to it, and this speech us'd:

πάντες· ἐγὼ δέ μιν οἴη ἀνέγνων τοῖον ἐόντα,

"Atrides, and these good men's sons, great Jove

καί μιν ἀνηρώτων· ὁ δὲ κερδοσύνῃ ἀλέεινεν.

Makes good and ill one after other move,

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή μιν ἐγὼ λόεον καὶ χρῖον ἐλαίῳ,

In all things earthly; for he can do all.

ἀμφὶ δὲ εἵματα ἕσσα καὶ ὤμοσα καρτερὸν ὅρκον

The woes past, therefore, he so late let fall,

μὴ μὲν πρὶν Ὀδυσῆα μετὰ Τρώεσσʼ ἀναφῆναι,

The comforts he affords us let us take;

Feast, and, with fit discourses, merry make.

Nor will I other use. As then our blood

Griev'd for Ulysses, since he was so good,

Since he was good, let us delight to hear

How good he was, and what his suff'rings were;

Though ev'ry fight, and ev'ry suff'ring deed,

Patient Ulysses underwent, exceed

My woman's pow'r to number, or to name.

But what he did, and suffer'd, when he came

Amongst the Trojans, where ye Grecians all

Took part with suff'rance, I in part can call

To your kind memories. How with ghastly wounds

Himself he mangled, and the Trojan bounds,

Thrust thick with enemies, adventur'd on,

His royal shoulders having cast upon

Base abject weeds, and enter'd like a slave.

Then, beggar-like, he did of all men crave,

And such a wretch was, as the whole Greek fleet

Brought not besides. And thus through ev'ry street

He crept discov'ring, of no one man known.

And yet through all this diff'rence, I alone

Smoked his true person, talk'd with him; but he

Fled me with wiles still. Nor could we agree,

Till I disclaim'd him quite; and so (as mov'd

With womanly remorse of one that prov'd

So wretched an estate, whate'er he were)

Won him to take my house. And yet ev'n there,

Till freely I, to make him doubtless, swore

A pow'rful oath, to let him reach the shore

Of ships and tents before Troy understood,

πρίν γε τὸν ἐς νῆάς τε θοὰς κλισίας τʼ ἀφικέσθαι,

I could not force on him his proper good.

καὶ τότε δή μοι πάντα νόον κατέλεξεν Ἀχαιῶν.

But then I bath'd and sooth'd him, and he then

πολλοὺς δὲ Τρώων κτείνας ταναήκεϊ χαλκῷ

Confess'd, and told me all; and, having slain

ἦλθε μετʼ Ἀργείους, κατὰ δὲ φρόνιν ἤγαγε πολλήν.

A number of the Trojan guards, retir'd,

ἔνθʼ ἄλλαι Τρῳαὶ λίγʼ ἐκώκυον· αὐτὰρ ἐμὸν κῆρ

And reach'd the fleet, for sleight and force admir'd.

χαῖρʼ, ἐπεὶ ἤδη μοι κραδίη τέτραπτο νέεσθαι

Their husbands' deaths by him the Trojan wives

ἂψ οἶκόνδʼ, ἄτην δὲ μετέστενον, ἣν Ἀφροδίτη

Shriek'd for; but I made triumphs for their lives,

δῶχʼ, ὅτε μʼ ἤγαγε κεῖσε φίλης ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης,

For then my heart conceiv'd, that once again

παῖδά τʼ ἐμὴν νοσφισσαμένην θάλαμόν τε πόσιν τε

I should reach home; and yet did still retain

οὔ τευ δευόμενον, οὔτʼ ἂρ φρένας οὔτε τι εἶδος.

Woe for the slaughters Venus made for me,

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

When both my husband, my Hermione,

ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα, γύναι, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.

And bridal room, she robb'd of so much right,

ἤδη μὲν πολέων ἐδάην βουλήν τε νόον τε

And drew me from my country with her sleight,

ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων, πολλὴν δʼ ἐπελήλυθα γαῖαν·

Though nothing under heaven I here did need,

ἀλλʼ οὔ πω τοιοῦτον ἐγὼν ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,

That could my fancy or my beauty feed."

οἷον Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἔσκε φίλον κῆρ.

Her husband said: "Wife! what you please to tell

οἷον καὶ τόδʼ ἔρεξε καὶ ἔτλη καρτερὸς ἀνὴρ

Is true at all parts, and becomes you well;

ἵππῳ ἔνι ξεστῷ, ἵνʼ ἐνήμεθα πάντες ἄριστοι

And I myself, that now may say have seen

Ἀργείων Τρώεσσι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φέροντες.

The minds and manners of a world of men,

ἦλθες ἔπειτα σὺ κεῖσε· κελευσέμεναι δέ σʼ ἔμελλε

And great heroes, measuring many a ground,

δαίμων, ὃς Τρώεσσιν ἐβούλετο κῦδος ὀρέξαι·

Have never, by these eyes that light me, found

καί τοι Δηΐφοβος θεοείκελος ἕσπετʼ ἰούσῃ.

One with a bosom so to be belov'd,

τρὶς δὲ περίστειξας κοῖλον λόχον ἀμφαφόωσα,

As that in which th' accomplish'd spirit mov'd

ἐκ δʼ ὀνομακλήδην Δαναῶν ὀνόμαζες ἀρίστους,

Of patient Ulysses. What, brave man,

πάντων Ἀργείων φωνὴν ἴσκουσʼ ἀλόχοισιν.

He both did act, and suffer, when he wan

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ Τυδεΐδης καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

The town of Ilion, in the brave-built horse,

ἥμενοι ἐν μέσσοισιν ἀκούσαμεν ὡς ἐβόησας.

When all we chief states of the Grecian force

νῶι μὲν ἀμφοτέρω μενεήναμεν ὁρμηθέντε

Were hous'd together, bringing death and Fate

ἢ ἐξελθέμεναι, ἢ ἔνδοθεν αἶψʼ ὑπακοῦσαι·

Amongst the Trojans, you, wife, may relate;

ἀλλʼ Ὀδυσεὺς κατέρυκε καὶ ἔσχεθεν ἱεμένω περ.

For you, at last, came to us; God, that would

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀκὴν ἔσαν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,

The Trojans' glory give, gave charge you should

Ἄντικλος δὲ σέ γʼ οἶος ἀμείψασθαι ἐπέεσσιν

Approach the engine; and Deiphobus,

ἤθελεν. ἀλλʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἐπὶ μάστακα χερσὶ πίεζεν

The god-like, follow'd. Thrice ye circled us

νωλεμέως κρατερῇσι, σάωσε δὲ πάντας Ἀχαιούς·

With full survey of it; and often tried

τόφρα δʼ ἔχʼ, ὄφρα σε νόσφιν ἀπήγαγε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

The hollow crafts that in it were implied.

τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

When all the voices of their wives in it

Ἀτρεΐδη Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,

You took on you with voice so like and fit,

ἄλγιον· οὐ γάρ οἵ τι τάδʼ ἤρκεσε λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον,

And ev'ry man by name so visited,

οὐδʼ εἴ οἱ κραδίη γε σιδηρέη ἔνδοθεν ἦεν.

That I, Ulysses, the king Diomed,

ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ εἰς εὐνὴν τράπεθʼ ἡμέας, ὄφρα καὶ ἤδη

(Set in the midst, and hearing how you call'd)

ὕπνῳ ὕπο γλυκερῷ ταρπώμεθα κοιμηθέντες.

Tydides, and myself (as half appall'd

ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀργείη δʼ Ἑλένη δμῳῇσι κέλευσεν

With your remorseful plaints) would passing fain

δέμνιʼ ὑπʼ αἰθούσῃ θέμεναι καὶ ῥήγεα καλὰ

Have broke our silence, rather than again

πορφύρεʼ ἐμβαλέειν στορέσαι τʼ ἐφύπερθε τάπητας,

Endure, respectless, their so moving cries.

χλαίνας τʼ ἐνθέμεναι οὔλας καθύπερθεν ἕσασθαι.

But Ithacus our strongest phantasies

αἱ δʼ ἴσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαι,

Contain'd within us from the slenderest noise,

δέμνια δὲ στόρεσαν· ἐκ δὲ ξείνους ἄγε κῆρυξ.

And ev'ry man there sat without a voice.

οἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐν προδόμῳ δόμου αὐτόθι κοιμήσαντο,

Anticlus only would have answer'd thee,

Τηλέμαχός θʼ ἥρως καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸς υἱός·

But his speech Ithacus incessantly

Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ καθεῦδε μυχῷ δόμου ὑψηλοῖο,

With strong hand held in, till, Minerva's call

πὰρ δʼ Ἑλένη τανύπεπλος ἐλέξατο, δῖα γυναικῶν.

Charging thee off, Ulysses sav'd us all."

ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

Telemachus replied: "Much greater is

ὤρνυτʼ ἄρʼ ἐξ εὐνῆφι βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος

My grief, for hearing this high praise of his.

εἵματα ἑσσάμενος, περὶ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτʼ ὤμῳ,

For all this doth not his sad death divert,

ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

Nor can, though in him swell'd an iron heart.

βῆ δʼ ἴμεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο θεῷ ἐναλίγκιος ἄντην,

Prepare, and lead then, if you please, to rest:

Τηλεμάχῳ δὲ παρῖζεν, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·

Sleep, that we hear not, will content us best."

τίπτε δέ σε χρειὼ δεῦρʼ ἤγαγε, Τηλέμαχʼ ἥρως,

Then Argive Helen made her handmaid go,

ἐς Λακεδαίμονα δῖαν, ἐπʼ εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης;

And put fair bedding in the portico,

δήμιον ἦ ἴδιον; τόδε μοι νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες.

Lay purple blankets on, rugs warm and soft,

τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

And cast an arras coverlet aloft.

Ἀτρεΐδη Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,

They torches took, made haste, and made the bed;

ἤλυθον, εἴ τινά μοι κληηδόνα πατρὸς ἐνίσποις.

When both the guests were to their lodgings led

ἐσθίεταί μοι οἶκος, ὄλωλε δὲ πίονα ἔργα,

Within a portico without the house.

δυσμενέων δʼ ἀνδρῶν πλεῖος δόμος, οἵ τέ μοι αἰεὶ

Atrides, and his large-train-wearing spouse,

μῆλʼ ἁδινὰ σφάζουσι καὶ εἰλίποδας ἕλικας βοῦς,

The excellent of women, for the way,

μητρὸς ἐμῆς μνηστῆρες ὑπέρβιον ὕβριν ἔχοντες.

In a retir'd receit, together lay.

τοὔνεκα νῦν τὰ σὰ γούναθʼ ἱκάνομαι, αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα

The Morn arose; the king rose, and put on

κείνου λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον ἐνισπεῖν, εἴ που ὄπωπας

His royal weeds, his sharp sword hung upon

ὀφθαλμοῖσι τεοῖσιν ἢ ἄλλου μῦθον ἄκουσας

His ample shoulders, forth his chamber went,

πλαζομένου· περὶ γάρ μιν ὀιζυρὸν τέκε μήτηρ.

And did the person of a God present.

μηδέ τί μʼ αἰδόμενος μειλίσσεο μηδʼ ἐλεαίρων,

Telemachus accosts him, who begun

ἀλλʼ εὖ μοι κατάλεξον ὅπως ἤντησας ὀπωπῆς.

Speech of his journey's proposition:

λίσσομαι, εἴ ποτέ τοί τι πατὴρ ἐμός, ἐσθλὸς Ὀδυσσεὺς

"And what, my young Ulyssean heroë,

ἢ ἔπος ἠέ τι ἔργον ὑποστὰς ἐξετέλεσσε

Provok'd thee on the broad back of the sea,

δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅθι πάσχετε πήματʼ Ἀχαιοί,

To visit Lacedæmon the divine?

τῶν νῦν μοι μνῆσαι, καί μοι νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες.

Speak truth, some public [good] or only thine?"

τὸν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέθη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·

"I come," said he, "to hear, if any fame

ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ κρατερόφρονος ἀνδρὸς ἐν εὐνῇ

Breath'd of my father to thy notice came.

ἤθελον εὐνηθῆναι ἀνάλκιδες αὐτοὶ ἐόντες.

My house is sack'd, my fat works of the field

ὡς δʼ ὁπότʼ ἐν ξυλόχῳ ἔλαφος κρατεροῖο λέοντος

Are all destroy'd; my house doth nothing yield

νεβροὺς κοιμήσασα νεηγενέας γαλαθηνοὺς

But enemies, that kill my harmless sheep,

κνημοὺς ἐξερέῃσι καὶ ἄγκεα ποιήεντα

And sinewy oxen, nor will ever keep

βοσκομένη, ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα ἑὴν εἰσήλυθεν εὐνήν,

Their steels without them. And these men are they

That woo my mother, most inhumanly

Committing injury on injury.

To thy knees therefore I am come, t' attend

Relation of the sad and wretched end

My erring father felt, if witness'd by

Your own eyes, or the certain news that fly

From others' knowledges. For, more than is

The usual heap of human miseries,

His mother bore him to. Vouchsafe me then,

Without all ruth of what I can sustain,

The plain and simple truth of all you know.

Let me beseech so much, if ever vow

Was made, and put in good effect to you,

At Troy, where suff'rance bred you so much smart,

Upon my father good Ulysses' part,

And quit it now to me (himself in youth)

Unfolding only the uncloséd truth."

He, deeply sighing, answer'd him: "O shame,

That such poor vassals should affect the fame

To share the joys of such a worthy's bed!

As when a hind, her calves late farrowéd,

To give suck, enters the bold lion's den,

He roots of hills and herby vallies then

For food (there feeding) hunting; but at length

Returning to his cavern, gives his strength

The lives of both the mother and her brood

In deaths indecent; so the Wooers' blood

Must pay Ulysses' pow'rs as sharp an end.

O would to Jove, Apollo, and thy friend

The wise Minerva, that thy father were

As once he was, when he his spirits did rear

ἀμφοτέροισι δὲ τοῖσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφῆκεν,

Against Philomelides, in a fight

ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς κείνοισιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφήσει.

Perform'd in well-built Lesbos, where, down-right

αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,

He strook the earth with him, and gat a shout

τοῖος ἐών, οἷός ποτʼ ἐυκτιμένῃ ἐνὶ Λέσβῳ

Of all the Grecians! O, if now full out

ἐξ ἔριδος Φιλομηλεΐδῃ ἐπάλαισεν ἀναστάς,

He were as then, and with the Wooers coped,

κὰδ δʼ ἔβαλε κρατερῶς, κεχάροντο δὲ πάντες Ἀχαιοί,

Short-liv'd they all were, and their nuptials hoped

τοῖος ἐὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμιλήσειεν Ὀδυσσεύς·

Would prove as desp'rate. But, for thy demand

πάντες κʼ ὠκύμοροί τε γενοίατο πικρόγαμοί τε.

Enforc'd with pray'rs, I'll let thee understand

ταῦτα δʼ ἅ μʼ εἰρωτᾷς καὶ λίσσεαι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε

The truth directly, nor decline a thought,

ἄλλα παρὲξ εἴποιμι παρακλιδόν, οὐδʼ ἀπατήσω,

Much less deceive, or sooth thy search in ought;

ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν μοι ἔειπε γέρων ἅλιος νημερτής,

But what the old and still-true-spoken God,

τῶν οὐδέν τοι ἐγὼ κρύψω ἔπος οὐδʼ ἐπικεύσω.

That from the sea breathes oracles abroad,

Αἰγύπτῳ μʼ ἔτι δεῦρο θεοὶ μεμαῶτα νέεσθαι

Disclos'd to me, to thee I'll all impart,

ἔσχον, ἐπεὶ οὔ σφιν ἔρεξα τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβας.

Nor hide one word from thy sollicitous heart.

οἱ δʼ αἰεὶ βούλοντο θεοὶ μεμνῆσθαι ἐφετμέων.

I was in Ægypt, where a mighty time

νῆσος ἔπειτά τις ἔστι πολυκλύστῳ ἐνὶ πόντῳ

The Gods detain'd me, though my natural clime

Αἰγύπτου προπάροιθε, Φάρον δέ ἑ κικλήσκουσι,

I never so desir'd, because their homes

τόσσον ἄνευθʼ ὅσσον τε πανημερίη γλαφυρὴ νηῦς

I did not greet with perfect hecatombs.

ἤνυσεν, ᾗ λιγὺς οὖρος ἐπιπνείῃσιν ὄπισθεν·

For they will put men evermore in mind,

ἐν δὲ λιμὴν ἐύορμος, ὅθεν τʼ ἀπὸ νῆας ἐίσας

How much their masterly commandments bind.

ἐς πόντον βάλλουσιν, ἀφυσσάμενοι μέλαν ὕδωρ.

There is, besides, a certain island, call'd

ἔνθα μʼ ἐείκοσιν ἤματʼ ἔχον θεοί, οὐδέ ποτʼ οὖροι

Pharos, that with the high-wav'd sea is wall'd,

πνείοντες φαίνονθʼ ἁλιαέες, οἵ ῥά τε νηῶν

Just against Ægypt, and so much remote,

πομπῆες γίγνονται ἐπʼ εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης.

As in a whole day, with a fore-gale smote,

καί νύ κεν ἤια πάντα κατέφθιτο καὶ μένεʼ ἀνδρῶν,

A hollow ship can sail. And this isle bears

εἰ μή τίς με θεῶν ὀλοφύρατο καί μʼ ἐσάωσε,

A port most portly, where sea-passengers

Πρωτέος ἰφθίμου θυγάτηρ ἁλίοιο γέροντος,

Put in still for fresh water, and away

Εἰδοθέη· τῇ γάρ ῥα μάλιστά γε θυμὸν ὄρινα.

To sea again. Yet here the Gods did stay

ἥ μʼ οἴῳ ἔρροντι συνήντετο νόσφιν ἑταίρων·

My fleet full twenty days; the winds, that are

αἰεὶ γὰρ περὶ νῆσον ἀλώμενοι ἰχθυάασκον

Masters at sea, no prosp'rous puff would spare

γναμπτοῖς ἀγκίστροισιν, ἔτειρε δὲ γαστέρα λιμός.

To put us off; and all my victuals here

ἡ δέ μευ ἄγχι στᾶσα ἔπος φάτο φώνησέν τε·

Had quite corrupted, as my men's minds were,

νήπιός εἰς, ὦ ξεῖνε, λίην τόσον ἠδὲ χαλίφρων,

Had not a certain Goddess giv'n regard,

ἦε ἑκὼν μεθίεις καὶ τέρπεαι ἄλγεα πάσχων;

And pitied me in an estate so hard;

ὡς δὴ δήθʼ ἐνὶ νήσῳ ἐρύκεαι, οὐδέ τι τέκμωρ

And 'twas Idothea, honour'd Proteus' seed,

εὑρέμεναι δύνασαι, μινύθει δέ τοι ἦτορ ἑταίρων.

That old sea-farer. Her mind I make bleed

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

With my compassion, when (walk'd all alone,

ἐκ μέν τοι ἐρέω, ἥ τις σύ πέρ ἐσσι θεάων,

From all my soldiers, that were ever gone

ὡς ἐγὼ οὔ τι ἑκὼν κατερύκομαι, ἀλλά νυ μέλλω

About the isle on fishing with hooks bent;

ἀθανάτους ἀλιτέσθαι, οἳ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν.

Hunger their bellies on her errand sent)

ἀλλὰ σύ πέρ μοι εἰπέ, θεοὶ δέ τε πάντα ἴσασιν,

She came close to me, spake, and thus began:

ὅς τίς μʼ ἀθανάτων πεδάᾳ καὶ ἔδησε κελεύθου,

'Of all men thou art the most foolish man!

νόστον θʼ, ὡς ἐπὶ πόντον ἐλεύσομαι ἰχθυόεντα.

Or slack in business, or stay'st here of choice,

ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων·

And dost in all thy suff'rances rejoice,

τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.

That thus long liv'st detain'd here, and no end

πωλεῖταί τις δεῦρο γέρων ἅλιος νημερτὴς

Canst give thy tarriance? Thou dost much offend

ἀθάνατος Πρωτεὺς Αἰγύπτιος, ὅς τε θαλάσσης

The minds of all thy fellows.' I replied:

πάσης βένθεα οἶδε, Ποσειδάωνος ὑποδμώς·

'Whoever thou art of the Deified,

τὸν δέ τʼ ἐμόν φασιν πατέρʼ ἔμμεναι ἠδὲ τεκέσθαι.

I must affirm, that no way with my will

τόν γʼ εἴ πως σὺ δύναιο λοχησάμενος λελαβέσθαι,

I make abode here; but, it seems, some ill

ὅς κέν τοι εἴπῃσιν ὁδὸν καὶ μέτρα κελεύθου

The Gods, inhabiting broad heav'n, sustain

νόστον θʼ, ὡς ἐπὶ πόντον ἐλεύσεαι ἰχθυόεντα.

Against my getting off. Inform me then,

καὶ δέ κέ τοι εἴπῃσι, διοτρεφές, αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα,

For Godheads all things know, what God is he

ὅττι τοι ἐν μεγάροισι κακόν τʼ ἀγαθόν τε τέτυκται

That stays my passage from the fishy sea?'

οἰχομένοιο σέθεν δολιχὴν ὁδὸν ἀργαλέην τε.

'Stranger,' said she, 'I'll tell thee true: There lives

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·

An old sea-farer in these seas, that gives

αὐτὴ νῦν φράζευ σὺ λόχον θείοιο γέροντος,

A true solution of all secrets here,

μή πώς με προϊδὼν ἠὲ προδαεὶς ἀλέηται·

Who deathless Proteus is, th' Ægyptian peer,

ἀργαλέος γάρ τʼ ἐστὶ θεὸς βροτῷ ἀνδρὶ δαμῆναι.

Who can the deeps of all the seas exquire,

ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων·

Who Neptune's priest is, and, they say, the sire

τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.

That did beget me. Him, if any way

ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος μέσον οὐρανὸν ἀμφιβεβήκῃ,

Thou couldst inveigle, he would clear display

τῆμος ἄρʼ ἐξ ἁλὸς εἶσι γέρων ἅλιος νημερτὴς

Thy course from hence, and how far off doth lie

πνοιῇ ὕπο Ζεφύροιο μελαίνῃ φρικὶ καλυφθείς,

Thy voyage's whole scope through Neptune's sky.

ἐκ δʼ ἐλθὼν κοιμᾶται ὑπὸ σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσιν·

Informing thee, O God-preserv'd, beside,

ἀμφὶ δέ μιν φῶκαι νέποδες καλῆς ἁλοσύδνης

If thy desires would so be satisfied,

ἁθρόαι εὕδουσιν, πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἐξαναδῦσαι,

Whatever good or ill hath got event,

πικρὸν ἀποπνείουσαι ἁλὸς πολυβενθέος ὀδμήν.

In all the time thy long and hard course spent,

ἔνθα σʼ ἐγὼν ἀγαγοῦσα ἅμʼ ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιν

Since thy departure from thy house.' This said;

εὐνάσω ἑξείης· σὺ δʼ ἐὺ κρίνασθαι ἑταίρους

Again I answer'd: 'Make the sleights display'd

τρεῖς, οἵ τοι παρὰ νηυσὶν ἐυσσέλμοισιν ἄριστοι.

Thy father useth, lest his foresight see,

πάντα δέ τοι ἐρέω ὀλοφώια τοῖο γέροντος.

Or his foreknowledge taking note of me,

φώκας μέν τοι πρῶτον ἀριθμήσει καὶ ἔπεισιν·

He flies the fixt place of his us'd abode.

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν πάσας πεμπάσσεται ἠδὲ ἴδηται,

'Tis hard for man to countermine with God.'

λέξεται ἐν μέσσῃσι νομεὺς ὣς πώεσι μήλων.

She straight replied: 'I'll utter truth in all:

τὸν μὲν ἐπὴν δὴ πρῶτα κατευνηθέντα ἴδησθε,

When heav'n's supremest height the sun doth skall,

καὶ τότʼ ἔπειθʼ ὑμῖν μελέτω κάρτος τε βίη τε,

The old Sea-tell-truth leaves the deeps, and hides

αὖθι δʼ ἔχειν μεμαῶτα καὶ ἐσσύμενόν περ ἀλύξαι.

Amidst a black storm, when the West Wind chides,

πάντα δὲ γιγνόμενος πειρήσεται, ὅσσʼ ἐπὶ γαῖαν

In caves still sleeping. Round about him sleep

ἑρπετὰ γίγνονται, καὶ ὕδωρ καὶ θεσπιδαὲς πῦρ·

(With short feet swimming forth the foamy deep)

ὑμεῖς δʼ ἀστεμφέως ἐχέμεν μᾶλλόν τε πιέζειν.

The sea-calves, lovely Halosydnes call'd,

ἀλλʼ ὅτε κεν δή σʼ αὐτὸς ἀνείρηται ἐπέεσσι,

From whom a noisome odour is exhal'd,

τοῖος ἐὼν οἷόν κε κατευνηθέντα ἴδησθε,

Got from the whirl-pools, on whose earth they lie.

καὶ τότε δὴ σχέσθαι τε βίης λῦσαί τε γέροντα,

Here, when the morn illustrates all the sky,

ἥρως, εἴρεσθαι δέ, θεῶν ὅς τίς σε χαλέπτει,

I'll guide, and seat thee in the fittest place

For the performance thou hast now in chace.

In mean time, reach thy fleet, and choose out three

Of best exploit, to go as aids to thee.

But now I'll show thee all the old God's sleights:

He first will number, and take all the sights

Of those his guard, that on the shore arrives.

When having view'd, and told them forth by fives,

He takes place in their midst, and there doth sleep,

Like to a shepherd midst his flock of sheep.