Odyssey

Aurora rose from high-born Tithon's bed,

Ἠὼς δʼ ἐκ λεχέων παρʼ ἀγαυοῦ Τιθωνοῖο

That men and Gods might be illustrated,

ὤρνυθʼ, ἵνʼ ἀθανάτοισι φόως φέροι ἠδὲ βροτοῖσιν·

And then the Deities sat. Imperial Jove,

οἱ δὲ θεοὶ θῶκόνδε καθίζανον, ἐν δʼ ἄρα τοῖσι

That makes the horrid murmur beat above,

Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης, οὗ τε κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον.

Took place past all, whose height for ever springs,

τοῖσι δʼ Ἀθηναίη λέγε κήδεα πόλλʼ Ὀδυσῆος

And from whom flowers th' eternal pow'r of things.

μνησαμένη· μέλε γάρ οἱ ἐὼν ἐν δώμασι νύμφης·

Then Pallas, mindful of Ulysses, told

Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδʼ ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες,

The many cares that in Calypso's hold

μή τις ἔτι πρόφρων ἀγανὸς καὶ ἤπιος ἔστω

He still sustain'd, when he had felt before

σκηπτοῦχος βασιλεύς, μηδὲ φρεσὶν αἴσιμα εἰδώς,

So much affliction, and such dangers more.

ἀλλʼ αἰεὶ χαλεπός τʼ εἴη καὶ αἴσυλα ῥέζοι·

"O Father," said she, "and ye Ever-blest,

ὡς οὔ τις μέμνηται Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο

Give never king hereafter interest

λαῶν οἷσιν ἄνασσε, πατὴρ δʼ ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν.

In any aid of yours, by serving you,

ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐν νήσῳ κεῖται κρατέρʼ ἄλγεα πάσχων

By being gentle, human, just, but grow

νύμφης ἐν μεγάροισι Καλυψοῦς, ἥ μιν ἀνάγκῃ

Rude, and for ever scornful of your rights,

ἴσχει· ὁ δʼ οὐ δύναται ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι·

All justice ord'ring by their appetites,

οὐ γάρ οἱ πάρα νῆες ἐπήρετμοι καὶ ἑταῖροι,

Since he, that rul'd as it in right behov'd,

οἵ κέν μιν πέμποιεν ἐπʼ εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης.

That all his subjects as his children lov'd,

νῦν αὖ παῖδʼ ἀγαπητὸν ἀποκτεῖναι μεμάασιν

Finds you so thoughtless of him and his birth.

οἴκαδε νισόμενον· ὁ δʼ ἔβη μετὰ πατρὸς ἀκουὴν

Thus men begin to say, ye rule in earth,

ἐς Πύλον ἠγαθέην ἠδʼ ἐς Λακεδαίμονα δῖαν.

And grudge at what ye let him undergo,

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·

Who yet the least part of his suff'rance know:

τέκνον ἐμόν, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων.

Thrall'd in an island, shipwrack'd in his tears,

οὐ γὰρ δὴ τοῦτον μὲν ἐβούλευσας νόον αὐτή,

And, in the fancies that Calypso bears,

ὡς ἦ τοι κείνους Ὀδυσεὺς ἀποτίσεται ἐλθών;

Bound from his birthright, all his shipping gone,

Τηλέμαχον δὲ σὺ πέμψον ἐπισταμένως, δύνασαι γάρ,

And of his soldiers not retaining one.

ὥς κε μάλʼ ἀσκηθὴς ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηται,

And now his most-lov'd son's life doth inflame

μνηστῆρες δʼ ἐν νηὶ· παλιμπετὲς ἀπονέωνται.

Their slaught'rous envies; since his father's fame

ἦ ῥα καὶ Ἑρμείαν, υἱὸν φίλον, ἀντίον ηὔδα·

He puts in pursuit, and is gone as far

Ἑρμεία, σὺ γὰρ αὖτε τά τʼ ἄλλα περ ἄγγελός ἐσσι,

As sacred Pylos, and the singular

νύμφῃ ἐυπλοκάμῳ εἰπεῖν νημερτέα βουλήν,

Dame-breeding Sparta." This, with this reply,

νόστον Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὥς κε νέηται

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

οὔτε θεῶν πομπῇ οὔτε θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων·

Thine own remembrance, daughter? Hast not thou

ἀλλʼ ὅ γʼ ἐπὶ σχεδίης πολυδέσμου πήματα πάσχων

The counsel giv'n thyself, that told thee how

ἤματί κʼ εἰκοστῷ Σχερίην ἐρίβωλον ἵκοιτο,

Ulysses shall with his return address

Φαιήκων ἐς γαῖαν, οἳ ἀγχίθεοι γεγάασιν,

His Wooers wrong? And, for the safe access

οἵ κέν μιν περὶ κῆρι θεὸν ὣς τιμήσουσιν,

His son shall make to his innative port,

πέμψουσιν δʼ ἐν νηὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,

Do thou direct it, in as curious sort

χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τε ἅλις ἐσθῆτά τε δόντες,

As thy wit serves thee; it obeys thy pow'rs;

πόλλʼ, ὅσʼ ἂν οὐδέ ποτε Τροίης ἐξήρατʼ Ὀδυσσεύς,

And in their ship return the speedless Wooers."

εἴ περ ἀπήμων ἦλθε, λαχὼν ἀπὸ ληίδος αἶσαν.

Then turn'd he to his issue Mercury,

ὣς γάρ οἱ μοῖρʼ ἐστὶ φίλους τʼ ἰδέειν καὶ ἱκέσθαι

And said: "Thou hast made good our ambassy

οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ ἑὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.

To th' other Statists, to the Nymph then now,

ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.

On whose fair head a tuft of gold doth grow,

αὐτίκʼ ἔπειθʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

Bear our true-spoken counsel, for retreat

ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια, τά μιν φέρον ἠμὲν ἐφʼ ὑγρὴν

Of patient Ulysses; who shall get

ἠδʼ ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν ἅμα πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο.

No aid from us, nor any mortal man,

εἵλετο δὲ ῥάβδον, τῇ τʼ ἀνδρῶν ὄμματα θέλγει,

But in a patch'd-up skiff (built as he can,

ὧν ἐθέλει, τοὺς δʼ αὖτε καὶ ὑπνώοντας ἐγείρει.

And suff'ring woes enough) the twentieth day

τὴν μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχων πέτετο κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντης.

At fruitful Scheria let him breathe his way,

Πιερίην δʼ ἐπιβὰς ἐξ αἰθέρος ἔμπεσε πόντῳ·

With the Phæacians, that half Deities live,

σεύατʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ κῦμα λάρῳ ὄρνιθι ἐοικώς,

Who like a God will honour him, and give

ὅς τε κατὰ δεινοὺς κόλπους ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο

His wisdom clothes, and ship, and brass, and gold,

ἰχθῦς ἀγρώσσων πυκινὰ πτερὰ δεύεται ἅλμῃ·

More than for gain of Troy he ever told;

τῷ ἴκελος πολέεσσιν ὀχήσατο κύμασιν Ἑρμῆς.

Where, at the whole division of the prey,

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τὴν νῆσον ἀφίκετο τηλόθʼ ἐοῦσαν,

If he a saver were, or got away

ἔνθʼ ἐκ πόντου βὰς ἰοειδέος ἤπειρόνδε

Without a wound, if he should grudge, 'twas well.

ἤιεν, ὄφρα μέγα σπέος ἵκετο, τῷ ἔνι νύμφη

But th' end shall crown all; therefore Fate will deal

ναῖεν ἐυπλόκαμος· τὴν δʼ ἔνδοθι τέτμεν ἐοῦσαν.

So well with him, to let him land, and see

πῦρ μὲν ἐπʼ ἐσχαρόφιν μέγα καίετο, τηλόσε δʼ ὀδμὴ

His native earth, friends, house, and family."

κέδρου τʼ εὐκεάτοιο θύου τʼ ἀνὰ νῆσον ὀδώδει

Thus charg'd he; nor Argicides denied,

δαιομένων· ἡ δʼ ἔνδον ἀοιδιάουσʼ ὀπὶ καλῇ

But to his feet his fair wing'd shoes he tied,

Ambrosian, golden, that in his command

Put either sea, or the unmeasur'd land,

With pace as speedy as a puft of wind.

Then up his rod went, with which he declin'd

The eyes of any waker, when he pleas'd,

And any sleeper, when he wish'd, diseas'd.

This took; he stoop'd Pieria, and thence

Glid through the air, and Neptune's confluence

Kiss'd as he flew, and check'd the waves as light

As any sea-mew in her fishing flight,

Her thick wings sousing in the savory seas.

Like her, he pass'd a world of wilderness;

But when the far-off isle he touch'd, he went

Up from the blue sea to the continent,

And reach'd the ample cavern of the Queen,

Whom he within found, without seldom seen.

A sun-like fire upon the hearth did flame,

The matter precious, and divine the frame,

Of cedar cleft and incense was the pile,

That breath'd an odour round about the isle.

Herself was seated in an inner room,

Whom sweetly sing he heard, and at her loom,

ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένη χρυσείῃ κερκίδʼ ὕφαινεν.

About a curious web, whose yarn she threw

ὕλη δὲ σπέος ἀμφὶ πεφύκει τηλεθόωσα,

In with a golden shittle. A grove grew

κλήθρη τʼ αἴγειρός τε καὶ εὐώδης κυπάρισσος.

In endless spring about her cavern round,

ἔνθα δέ τʼ ὄρνιθες τανυσίπτεροι εὐνάζοντο,

With odorous cypress, pines, and poplars, crown'd,

σκῶπές τʼ ἴρηκές τε τανύγλωσσοί τε κορῶναι

Where hawks, sea-owls, and long-tongued bittours bred,

εἰνάλιαι, τῇσίν τε θαλάσσια ἔργα μέμηλεν.

And other birds their shady pinions spread;

ἡ δʼ αὐτοῦ τετάνυστο περὶ σπείους γλαφυροῖο

All fowls maritimal; none roosted there,

ἡμερὶς ἡβώωσα, τεθήλει δὲ σταφυλῇσι.

But those whose labours in the waters were.

κρῆναι δʼ ἑξείης πίσυρες ῥέον ὕδατι λευκῷ,

A vine did all the hollow cave embrace,

πλησίαι ἀλλήλων τετραμμέναι ἄλλυδις ἄλλη.

Still green, yet still ripe bunches gave it grace.

ἀμφὶ δὲ λειμῶνες μαλακοὶ ἴου ἠδὲ σελίνου

Four fountains, one against another, pour'd

θήλεον. ἔνθα κʼ ἔπειτα καὶ ἀθάνατός περ ἐπελθὼν

Their silver streams; and meadows all enflower'd

θηήσαιτο ἰδὼν καὶ τερφθείη φρεσὶν ᾗσιν.

With sweet balm-gentle, and blue-violets hid,

ἔνθα στὰς θηεῖτο διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.

That deck'd the soft breasts of each fragrant mead.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα ἑῷ θηήσατο θυμῷ,

Should anyone, though he immortal were,

αὐτίκʼ ἄρʼ εἰς εὐρὺ σπέος ἤλυθεν. οὐδέ μιν ἄντην

Arrive and see the sacred objects there,

ἠγνοίησεν ἰδοῦσα Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων·

He would admire them, and be over-joy'd;

οὐ γάρ τʼ ἀγνῶτες θεοὶ ἀλλήλοισι πέλονται

And so stood Hermes' ravish'd pow'rs employ'd,

ἀθάνατοι, οὐδʼ εἴ τις ἀπόπροθι δώματα ναίει.

But having all admir'd, he enter'd on

οὐδʼ ἄρʼ Ὀδυσσῆα μεγαλήτορα ἔνδον ἔτετμεν,

The ample cave, nor could be seen unknown

ἀλλʼ ὅ γʼ ἐπʼ ἀκτῆς κλαῖε καθήμενος, ἔνθα πάρος περ,

Of great Calypso (for all Deities are

δάκρυσι καὶ στοναχῇσι καὶ ἄλγεσι θυμὸν ἐρέχθων.

Prompt in each other's knowledge, though so far

πόντον ἐπʼ ἀτρύγετον δερκέσκετο δάκρυα λείβων.

Sever'd in dwellings) but he could not see

Ἑρμείαν δʼ ἐρέεινε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,

Ulysses there within; without was he,

ἐν θρόνῳ ἱδρύσασα φαεινῷ σιγαλόεντι·

Set sad ashore, where 'twas his use to view

τίπτε μοι, Ἑρμεία χρυσόρραπι, εἰλήλουθας

Th' unquiet sea, sigh'd, wept, and empty drew

αἰδοῖός τε φίλος τε; πάρος γε μὲν οὔ τι θαμίζεις.

His heart of comfort. Plac'd here in her throne,

αὔδα ὅ τι φρονέεις· τελέσαι δέ με θυμὸς ἄνωγεν,

That beams cast up to admiratión,

εἰ δύναμαι τελέσαι γε καὶ εἰ τετελεσμένον ἐστίν.

Divine Calypso question'd Hermes thus:

ἀλλʼ ἕπεο προτέρω, ἵνα τοι πὰρ ξείνια θείω.

"For what cause, dear, and much-esteem'd by us,

ὥς ἄρα φωνήσασα θεὰ παρέθηκε τράπεζαν

Thou golden-rod-adorned Mercury,

ἀμβροσίης πλήσασα, κέρασσε δὲ νέκταρ ἐρυθρόν.

Arriv'st thou here? Thou hast not us'd t' apply

αὐτὰρ ὁ πῖνε καὶ ἦσθε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.

Thy passage this way. Say, whatever be

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δείπνησε καὶ ἤραρε θυμὸν ἐδωδῇ,

Thy heart's desire, my mind commands it thee,

καὶ τότε δή μιν ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·

If in my means it lie, or pow'r of fact.

εἰρωτᾷς μʼ ἐλθόντα θεὰ θεόν· αὐτὰρ ἐγώ τοι

But first, what hospitable rites exact,

νημερτέως τὸν μῦθον ἐνισπήσω· κέλεαι γάρ.

Come yet more near, and take." This said, she set

Ζεὺς ἐμέ γʼ ἠνώγει δεῦρʼ ἐλθέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα·

A table forth, and furnish'd it with meat,

τίς δʼ ἂν ἑκὼν τοσσόνδε διαδράμοι ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ

Such as the Gods taste; and serv'd in with it

ἄσπετον; οὐδέ τις ἄγχι βροτῶν πόλις, οἵ τε θεοῖσιν

Vermilion nectar. When with banquet fit

ἱερά τε ῥέζουσι καὶ ἐξαίτους ἑκατόμβας.

He had confirm'd his spirits, he thus exprest

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ οὔ πως ἔστι Διὸς νόον αἰγιόχοιο

His cause of coming: "Thou hast made request,

οὔτε παρεξελθεῖν ἄλλον θεὸν οὔθʼ ἁλιῶσαι.

Goddess of Goddesses, to understand

φησί τοι ἄνδρα παρεῖναι ὀιζυρώτατον ἄλλων,

My cause of touch here; which thou shalt command,

τῶν ἀνδρῶν, οἳ ἄστυ πέρι Πριάμοιο μάχοντο

And know with truth: Jove caus'd my course to thee

εἰνάετες, δεκάτῳ δὲ πόλιν πέρσαντες ἔβησαν

Against my will, for who would willingly

οἴκαδʼ· ἀτὰρ ἐν νόστῳ Ἀθηναίην ἀλίτοντο,

Lackey along so vast a lake of brine,

ἥ σφιν ἐπῶρσʼ ἄνεμόν τε κακὸν καὶ κύματα μακρά.

Near to no city that the Pow'rs divine

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀπέφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι,

Receives with solemn rites and hecatombs?

τὸν δʼ ἄρα δεῦρʼ ἄνεμός τε φέρων καὶ κῦμα πέλασσε.

But Jove's will ever all law overcomes,

τὸν νῦν σʼ ἠνώγειν ἀποπεμπέμεν ὅττι τάχιστα·

No other God can cross or make it void;

οὐ γάρ οἱ τῇδʼ αἶσα φίλων ἀπονόσφιν ὀλέσθαι,

And he affirms, that one the most annoy'd

ἀλλʼ ἔτι οἱ μοῖρʼ ἐστὶ φίλους τʼ ἰδέειν καὶ ἱκέσθαι

With woes and toils of all those men that fought

οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ ἑὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.

For Priam's city, and to end hath brought

ὣς φάτο, ῥίγησεν δὲ Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,

Nine years in the contention, is with thee.

καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

For in the tenth year, when roy victory

σχέτλιοί ἐστε, θεοί, ζηλήμονες ἔξοχον ἄλλων,

Was won to give the Greeks the spoil of Troy,

οἵ τε θεαῖς ἀγάασθε παρʼ ἀνδράσιν εὐνάζεσθαι

Return they did profess, but not enjoy,

ἀμφαδίην, ἤν τίς τε φίλον ποιήσετʼ ἀκοίτην.

Since Pallas they incens'd, and she the waves

ὣς μὲν ὅτʼ Ὠρίωνʼ ἕλετο ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

By all the winds' pow'r, that blew ope their graves.

τόφρα οἱ ἠγάασθε θεοὶ ῥεῖα ζώοντες,

And there they rested. Only this poor one

ἧος ἐν Ὀρτυγίῃ χρυσόθρονος Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὴ

This coast both winds and waves have cast upon;

Whom now forthwith he wills thee to dismiss,

Affirming that th' unalter'd Destinies

Not only have decreed he shall not die

Apart his friends, but of necessity

Enjoy their sights before those fatal hours,

His country earth reach, and erected tow'rs."

This struck a love-check'd horror through her pow'rs,

When, naming him, she this reply did give:

"Insatiate are ye Gods, past all that live,

In all things you affect; which still converts

Your pow'rs to envies. It afflicts your hearts,

That any Goddess should, as you obtain

The use of earthly dames, enjoy the men,

And most in open marriage. So ye far'd,

When the delicious-finger'd Morning shar'd

Orion's bed; you easy-living States

Could never satisfy your emulous hates,

Till in Ortygia the precise-liv'd Dame,

Gold-thron'd Diana, on him rudely came,

And with her swift shafts slew him. And such pains,

When rich-hair'd Ceres pleas'd to give the reins

To her affections, and the grace did yield

οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν.

Of love and bed, amidst a three-cropp'd field,

ὣς δʼ ὁπότʼ Ἰασίωνι ἐυπλόκαμος Δημήτηρ,

To her Iasion, he paid angry Jove,

ᾧ θυμῷ εἴξασα, μίγη φιλότητι καὶ εὐνῇ

Who lost no long time notice of their love,

νειῷ ἔνι τριπόλῳ· οὐδὲ δὴν ἦεν ἄπυστος

But with a glowing lightning was his death.

Ζεύς, ὅς μιν κατέπεφνε βαλὼν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷ.

And now your envies labour underneath

ὥς δʼ αὖ νῦν μοι ἄγασθε, θεοί, βροτὸν ἄνδρα παρεῖναι.

A mortal's choice of mine; whose life I took

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἐσάωσα περὶ τρόπιος βεβαῶτα

To lib'ral safety, when his ship Jove strook,

οἶον, ἐπεί οἱ νῆα θοὴν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷ

With red-hot flashes, piece-meal in the seas,

Ζεὺς ἔλσας ἐκέασσε μέσῳ ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ.

And all his friends and soldiers succourless

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀπέφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι,

Perish'd but he. Him, cast upon this coast

τὸν δʼ ἄρα δεῦρʼ ἄνεμός τε φέρων καὶ κῦμα πέλασσε.

With blasts and billows, I, in life giv'n lost,

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ φίλεόν τε καὶ ἔτρεφον, ἠδὲ ἔφασκον

Preserv'd alone, lov'd, nourish'd, and did vow

θήσειν ἀθάνατον καὶ ἀγήραον ἤματα πάντα.

To make him deathless, and yet never grow

ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ οὔ πως ἔστι Διὸς νόον αἰγιόχοιο

Crooked, or worn with age, his whole life long.

οὔτε παρεξελθεῖν ἄλλον θεὸν οὔθʼ ἁλιῶσαι,

But since no reason may be made so strong

ἐρρέτω, εἴ μιν κεῖνος ἐποτρύνει καὶ ἀνώγει,

To strive with Jove's will, or to make it vain,

πόντον ἐπʼ ἀτρύγετον· πέμψω δέ μιν οὔ πῃ ἐγώ γε·

No not if all the other Gods should strain

οὐ γάρ μοι πάρα νῆες ἐπήρετμοι καὶ ἑταῖροι,

Their pow'rs against it, let his will be law,

οἵ κέν μιν πέμποιεν ἐπʼ εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης.

So he afford him fit means to withdraw,

αὐτάρ οἱ πρόφρων ὑποθήσομαι, οὐδʼ ἐπικεύσω,

As he commands him, to the raging main.

ὥς κε μάλʼ ἀσκηθὴς ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηται.

But means from me he never shall obtain,

τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης·

For my means yield nor men, nor ship, nor oars,

οὕτω νῦν ἀπόπεμπε, Διὸς δʼ ἐποπίζεο μῆνιν,

To set him off from my so envied shores.

μή πώς τοι μετόπισθε κοτεσσάμενος χαλεπήνῃ.

But if my counsel and good will can aid

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντης·

His safe pass home, my best shall be assay'd."

ἡ δʼ ἐπʼ Ὀδυσσῆα μεγαλήτορα πότνια νύμφη

"Vouchsafe it so," said heav'n's ambassador,

ἤιʼ, ἐπεὶ δὴ Ζηνὸς ἐπέκλυεν ἀγγελιάων.

"And deign it quickly. By all means abhor

τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ ἀκτῆς εὗρε καθήμενον· οὐδέ ποτʼ ὄσσε

T' incense Jove's wrath against thee, that with grace

δακρυόφιν τέρσοντο, κατείβετο δὲ γλυκὺς αἰὼν

He may hereafter all thy wish embrace."

νόστον ὀδυρομένῳ, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι ἥνδανε νύμφη.

Thus took the Argus-killing God his wings.

ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι νύκτας μὲν ἰαύεσκεν καὶ ἀνάγκῃ

And since the rev'rend Nymph these awful things

ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι παρʼ οὐκ ἐθέλων ἐθελούσῃ·

Receiv'd from Jove, she to Ulysses went;

ἤματα δʼ ἂμ πέτρῃσι καὶ ἠιόνεσσι καθίζων

Whom she ashore found, drown'd in discontent,

δάκρυσι καὶ στοναχῇσι καὶ ἄλγεσι θυμὸν ἐρέχθων

His eyes kept never dry he did so mourn,

πόντον ἐπʼ ἀτρύγετον δερκέσκετο δάκρυα λείβων.

And waste his dear age for his wish'd return;

ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱσταμένη προσεφώνεε δῖα θεάων·

Which still without the cave he us'd to do,

κάμμορε, μή μοι ἔτʼ ἐνθάδʼ ὀδύρεο, μηδέ τοι αἰὼν

Because he could not please the Goddess so,

φθινέτω· ἤδη γάρ σε μάλα πρόφρασσʼ ἀποπέμψω.

At night yet, forc'd, together took their rest,

ἀλλʼ ἄγε δούρατα μακρὰ ταμὼν ἁρμόζεο χαλκῷ

The willing Goddess and th' unwilling Guest;

εὐρεῖαν σχεδίην· ἀτὰρ ἴκρια πῆξαι ἐπʼ αὐτῆς

But he all day in rocks, and on the shore,

ὑψοῦ, ὥς σε φέρῃσιν ἐπʼ ἠεροειδέα πόντον.

The vex'd sea view'd, and did his fate deplore.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ σῖτον καὶ ὕδωρ καὶ οἶνον ἐρυθρὸν

Him, now, the Goddess coming near bespake:

ἐνθήσω μενοεικέʼ, ἅ κέν τοι λιμὸν ἐρύκοι,

"Unhappy man, no more discomfort take

εἵματά τʼ ἀμφιέσω· πέμψω δέ τοι οὖρον ὄπισθεν,

For my constraint of thee, nor waste thine age,

ὥς κε μάλʼ ἀσκηθὴς σὴν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηαι,

I now will passing freely disengage

αἴ κε θεοί γʼ ἐθέλωσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,

Thy irksome stay here. Come then, fell thee wood,

οἵ μευ φέρτεροί εἰσι νοῆσαί τε κρῆναί τε.

And build a ship, to save thee from the flood.

ὣς φάτο, ῥίγησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

I'll furnish thee with fresh wave, bread, and wine

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

Ruddy and sweet, that will the piner pine,

ἄλλο τι δὴ σύ, θεά, τόδε μήδεαι, οὐδέ τι πομπήν,

Put garments on thee, give the winds foreright,

ἥ με κέλεαι σχεδίῃ περάαν μέγα λαῖτμα θαλάσσης,

That ev'ry way thy home-bent appetite

δεινόν τʼ ἀργαλέον τε· τὸ δʼ οὐδʼ ἐπὶ νῆες ἐῖσαι

May safe attain to it; if so it please

ὠκύποροι περόωσιν, ἀγαλλόμεναι Διὸς οὔρῳ.

At all parts all the heav'n-hous'd Deities,

οὐδʼ ἂν ἐγὼν ἀέκητι σέθεν σχεδίης ἐπιβαίην,

That more in pow'r are, more in skill, than I,

εἰ μή μοι τλαίης γε, θεά, μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμόσσαι

And more can judge what fits humanity."

μή τί μοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο.

He stood amaz'd at this strange change in her,

ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάων,

And said: "O Goddess! Thy intents prefer

χειρί τέ μιν κατέρεξεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·

Some other project than my parting hence,

ἦ δὴ ἀλιτρός γʼ ἐσσὶ καὶ οὐκ ἀποφώλια εἰδώς,

Commanding things of too high consequence

οἷον δὴ τὸν μῦθον ἐπεφράσθης ἀγορεῦσαι.

For my performance, that myself should build

ἴστω νῦν τόδε γαῖα καὶ οὐρανὸς εὐρὺς ὕπερθε

A ship of pow'r, my home-assays to shield

Against the great sea of such dread to pass;

Which not the best-built ship that ever was

Will pass exulting, when such winds, as Jove

Can thunder up, their trims and tacklings prove.

But could I build one, I would ne'er aboard,

Thy will oppos'd, nor, won, without thy word,

Giv'n in the great oath of the Gods to me,

Not to beguile me in the least degree."

The Goddess smil'd, held hard his hand, and said:

"O y' are a shrewd one, and so habited

In taking heed thou know'st not what it is

To be unwary, nor use words amiss.

How hast thou charm'd me, were I ne'er so sly!

Let earth know then, and heav'n, so broad, so high,

And th' under-sunk waves of th' infernal stream,

(Which is an oath, as terribly supreme,

As any God swears) that I had no thought

But stood with what I spake, nor would have wrought,

Nor counsell'd, any act against thy good;

But ever diligently weigh'd, and stood

On those points in persuading thee, that I

Would use myself in such extremity.

For my mind simple is, and innocent,

καὶ τὸ κατειβόμενον Στυγὸς ὕδωρ, ὅς τε μέγιστος

Not giv'n by cruel sleights to circumvent,

ὅρκος δεινότατός τε πέλει μακάρεσσι θεοῖσι,

Nor bear I in my breast a heart of steel,

μή τί τοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο.

But with the suff'rer willing suff'rance feel."

ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν νοέω καὶ φράσσομαι, ἅσσʼ ἂν ἐμοί περ

This said, the Grace of Goddesses led home,

αὐτῇ μηδοίμην, ὅτε με χρειὼ τόσον ἵκοι·

He trac'd her steps; and, to the cavern come,

καὶ γὰρ ἐμοὶ νόος ἐστὶν ἐναίσιμος, οὐδέ μοι αὐτῇ

In that rich throne, whence Mercury arose,

θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι σιδήρεος, ἀλλʼ ἐλεήμων.

He sat. The Nymph herself did then appose,

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασʼ ἡγήσατο δῖα θεάων

For food and bev'rage, to him all best meat

καρπαλίμως· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα μετʼ ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο.

And drink, that mortals use to taste and eat.

ἷξον δὲ σπεῖος γλαφυρὸν θεὸς ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνήρ,

Then sat she opposite, and for her feast

καί ῥʼ ὁ μὲν ἔνθα καθέζετʼ ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη

Was nectar and ambrosia addrest

Ἑρμείας, νύμφη δʼ ἐτίθει πάρα πᾶσαν ἐδωδήν,

By handmaids to her. Both, what was prepar'd,

ἔσθειν καὶ πίνειν, οἷα βροτοὶ ἄνδρες ἔδουσιν·

Did freely fall to. Having fitly far'd,

αὐτὴ δʼ ἀντίον ἷζεν Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,

The Nymph Calypso this discourse began:

τῇ δὲ παρʼ ἀμβροσίην δμῳαὶ καὶ νέκταρ ἔθηκαν.

"Jove-bred Ulysses! Many-witted man!

οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

Still is thy home so wish'd? So soon, away?

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τάρπησαν ἐδητύος ἠδὲ ποτῆτος,

Be still of cheer, for all the worst I say.

τοῖς ἄρα μύθων ἦρχε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων·

But, if thy soul knew what a sum of woes,

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

For thee to cast up, thy stern Fates impose,

οὕτω δὴ οἶκόνδε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν

Ere to thy country earth thy hopes attain,

αὐτίκα νῦν ἐθέλεις ἰέναι; σὺ δὲ χαῖρε καὶ ἔμπης.

Undoubtedly thy choice would here remain,

εἴ γε μὲν εἰδείης σῇσι φρεσὶν ὅσσα τοι αἶσα

Keep house with me, and be a liver ever.

κήδεʼ ἀναπλῆσαι, πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι,

Which, methinks, should thy house and thee dissever,

ἐνθάδε κʼ αὖθι μένων σὺν ἐμοὶ τόδε δῶμα φυλάσσοις

Though for thy wife there thou art set on fire,

ἀθάνατός τʼ εἴης, ἱμειρόμενός περ ἰδέσθαι

And all thy days are spent in her desire;

σὴν ἄλοχον, τῆς τʼ αἰὲν ἐέλδεαι ἤματα πάντα.

And though it be no boast in me to say

οὐ μέν θην κείνης γε χερείων εὔχομαι εἶναι,

In form and mind I match her ev'ry way.

οὐ δέμας οὐδὲ φυήν, ἐπεὶ οὔ πως οὐδὲ ἔοικεν

Nor can it fit a mortal dame's compare,

θνητὰς ἀθανάτῃσι δέμας καὶ εἶδος ἐρίζειν.

T' affect those terms with us that deathless are."

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

The great-in-counsels made her this reply:

πότνα θεά, μή μοι τόδε χώεο· οἶδα καὶ αὐτὸς

"Renown'd, and to be rev'renc'd, Deity!

πάντα μάλʼ, οὕνεκα σεῖο περίφρων Πηνελόπεια

Let it not move thee, that so much I vow

εἶδος ἀκιδνοτέρη μέγεθός τʼ εἰσάντα ἰδέσθαι·

My comforts to my wife; though well I know

ἡ μὲν γὰρ βροτός ἐστι, σὺ δʼ ἀθάνατος καὶ ἀγήρως.

All cause myself why wise Penelope

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὣς ἐθέλω καὶ ἐέλδομαι ἤματα πάντα

In wit is far inferior to thee,

οἴκαδέ τʼ ἐλθέμεναι καὶ νόστιμον ἦμαρ ἰδέσθαι.

In feature, stature, all the parts of show,

εἰ δʼ αὖ τις ῥαίῃσι θεῶν ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ,

She being a mortal, an immortal thou,

τλήσομαι ἐν στήθεσσιν ἔχων ταλαπενθέα θυμόν·

Old ever growing, and yet never old.

ἤδη γὰρ μάλα πολλὰ πάθον καὶ πολλὰ μόγησα

Yet her desire shall all my days see told,

κύμασι καὶ πολέμῳ· μετὰ καὶ τόδε τοῖσι γενέσθω.

Adding the sight of my returning day,

ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἠέλιος δʼ ἄρʼ ἔδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθεν·

And natural home. If any God shall lay

ἐλθόντες δʼ ἄρα τώ γε μυχῷ σπείους γλαφυροῖο

His hand upon me as I pass the seas,

τερπέσθην φιλότητι, παρʼ ἀλλήλοισι μένοντες.

I'll bear the worst of what his hand shall please,

ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

As having giv'n me such a mind as shall

αὐτίχʼ ὁ μὲν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε ἕννυτʼ Ὀδυσσεύς,

The more still rise the more his hand lets fall.

αὐτὴ δʼ ἀργύφεον φᾶρος μέγα ἕννυτο νύμφη,

In wars and waves my suff'rings were not small.

λεπτὸν καὶ χαρίεν, περὶ δὲ ζώνην βάλετʼ ἰξυῖ

I now have suffer'd much, as much before,

καλὴν χρυσείην, κεφαλῇ δʼ ἐφύπερθε καλύπτρην.

Hereafter let as much result, and more."

καὶ τότʼ Ὀδυσσῆι μεγαλήτορι μήδετο πομπήν·

This said, the sun set, and earth shadows gave;

δῶκέν οἱ πέλεκυν μέγαν, ἄρμενον ἐν παλάμῃσι,

When these two (in an in-room of the cave,

χάλκεον, ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἀκαχμένον· αὐτὰρ ἐν αὐτῷ

Left to themselves) left love no rites undone.

στειλειὸν περικαλλὲς ἐλάινον, εὖ ἐναρηρός·

The early Morn up, up he rose, put on

δῶκε δʼ ἔπειτα σκέπαρνον ἐύξοον· ἦρχε δʼ ὁδοῖο

His in and out weed. She herself enchaces

νήσου ἐπʼ ἐσχατιῆς, ὅθι δένδρεα μακρὰ πεφύκει,

Amidst a white robe, full of all the Graces,

κλήθρη τʼ αἴγειρός τʼ, ἐλάτη τʼ ἦν οὐρανομήκης,

Ample, and pleated thick like fishy scales;

αὖα πάλαι, περίκηλα, τά οἱ πλώοιεν ἐλαφρῶς.

A golden girdle then her waist impales;

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ δεῖξʼ, ὅθι δένδρεα μακρὰ πεφύκει,

Her head a veil decks; and abroad they come.

ἡ μὲν ἔβη πρὸς δῶμα Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,

And now began Ulysses to go home.

αὐτὰρ ὁ τάμνετο δοῦρα· θοῶς δέ οἱ ἤνυτο ἔργον.

A great axe first she gave, that two ways cut,

εἴκοσι δʼ ἔκβαλε πάντα, πελέκκησεν δʼ ἄρα χαλκῷ,

In which a fair well-polish'd helm was put,

ξέσσε δʼ ἐπισταμένως καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν.

That from an olive bough receiv'd his frame.

τόφρα δʼ ἔνεικε τέρετρα Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων·

A plainer then. Then led she, till they came

To lofty woods that did the isle confine.

The fir-tree, poplar, and heav'n-scaling pine,

Had there their offspring. Of which, those that were

Of driest matter, and grew longest there,

He choos'd for lighter sail. This place thus shown,

The Nymph turn'd home. He fell to felling down,

And twenty trees he stoop'd in little space,

Plain'd, used his plumb, did all with artful grace.

In mean time did Calypso wimbles bring.

He bor'd, clos'd, nail'd, and order'd ev'ry thing,

And look how much a ship-wright will allow

A ship of burden (one that best doth know

What fits his art) so large a keel he cast,

Wrought up her decks, and hatches, side-boards, mast,

With willow watlings arm'd her to resist

The billows' outrage, added all she miss'd,

Sail-yards, and stern for guide. The Nymph then brought

Linen for sails, which with dispatch he wrought,

Gables, and halsters, tacklings. All the frame

In four days' space to full perfection came.

The fifth day, they dismiss'd him from the shore,

Weeds neat, and odorous, gave him, victuals store,

τέτρηνεν δʼ ἄρα πάντα καὶ ἥρμοσεν ἀλλήλοισιν,

Wine, strong waters, and a prosp'rous wind,

γόμφοισιν δʼ ἄρα τήν γε καὶ ἁρμονίῃσιν ἄρασσεν.

To which, Ulysses, fit-to-be-divin'd,

ὅσσον τίς τʼ ἔδαφος νηὸς τορνώσεται ἀνὴρ

His sails expos'd, and hoiséd. Off he gat;

φορτίδος εὐρείης, ἐὺ εἰδὼς τεκτοσυνάων,

And cheerful was he. At the stern he sat,

τόσσον ἔπʼ εὐρεῖαν σχεδίην ποιήσατʼ Ὀδυσσεύς.

And steer'd right artfully. Nor sleep could seize

ἴκρια δὲ στήσας, ἀραρὼν θαμέσι σταμίνεσσι,

His eye-lids. He beheld the Pleiades;

ποίει· ἀτὰρ μακρῇσιν ἐπηγκενίδεσσι τελεύτα.

The Bear, surnam'd the Wain, that round doth move

ἐν δʼ ἱστὸν ποίει καὶ ἐπίκριον ἄρμενον αὐτῷ·

About Orion, and keeps still above

πρὸς δʼ ἄρα πηδάλιον ποιήσατο, ὄφρʼ ἰθύνοι.

The billowy ocean; the slow-setting star

φράξε δέ μιν ῥίπεσσι διαμπερὲς οἰσυΐνῃσι

Bootes call'd, by some the Waggoner.

κύματος εἶλαρ ἔμεν· πολλὴν δʼ ἐπεχεύατο ὕλην.

Calypso warn'd him he his course should steer

τόφρα δὲ φάρεʼ ἔνεικε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,

Still to his left hand. Seventeen days did clear

ἱστία ποιήσασθαι· ὁ δʼ εὖ τεχνήσατο καὶ τά.

The cloudy night's command in his moist way,

ἐν δʼ ὑπέρας τε κάλους τε πόδας τʼ ἐνέδησεν ἐν αὐτῇ,

And by the eighteenth light he might display

μοχλοῖσιν δʼ ἄρα τήν γε κατείρυσεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν.

The shady hills of the Phæacian shore,

τέτρατον ἦμαρ ἔην, καὶ τῷ τετέλεστο ἅπαντα·

For which, as to his next abode, he bore.

τῷ δʼ ἄρα πέμπτῳ πέμπʼ ἀπὸ νήσου δῖα Καλυψώ,

The country did a pretty figure yield,

εἵματά τʼ ἀμφιέσασα θυώδεα καὶ λούσασα.

And look'd from off the dark seas like a shield.

ἐν δέ οἱ ἀσκὸν ἔθηκε θεὰ μέλανος οἴνοιο

Imperious Neptune, making his retreat

τὸν ἕτερον, ἕτερον δʼ ὕδατος μέγαν, ἐν δὲ καὶ ᾖα

From th' Æthiopian earth, and taking seat

κωρύκῳ· ἐν δέ οἱ ὄψα τίθει μενοεικέα πολλά·

Upon the mountains of the Solymi,

οὖρον δὲ προέηκεν ἀπήμονά τε λιαρόν τε.

From thence, far off discov'ring, did descry

γηθόσυνος δʼ οὔρῳ πέτασʼ ἱστία δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.

Ulysses his fields ploughing. All on fire

αὐτὰρ ὁ πηδαλίῳ ἰθύνετο τεχνηέντως

The sight straight set his heart, and made desire

ἥμενος, οὐδέ οἱ ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔπιπτεν

Of wreak run over, it did boil so high.

Πληιάδας τʼ ἐσορῶντι καὶ ὀψὲ δύοντα Βοώτην

When, his head nodding; "O impiety,"

Ἄρκτον θʼ, ἣν καὶ ἄμαξαν ἐπίκλησιν καλέουσιν,

He cried out, "now the Gods' inconstancy

ἥ τʼ αὐτοῦ στρέφεται καί τʼ Ὠρίωνα δοκεύει,

Is most apparent, alt'ring their designs

οἴη δʼ ἄμμορός ἐστι λοετρῶν Ὠκεανοῖο·

Since I the Æthiops saw, and here confines

τὴν γὰρ δή μιν ἄνωγε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,

To this Ulysses' fate his misery.

ποντοπορευέμεναι ἐπʼ ἀριστερὰ χειρὸς ἔχοντα.

The great mark, on which all his hopes rely,

ἑπτὰ δὲ καὶ δέκα μὲν πλέεν ἤματα ποντοπορεύων,

Lies in Phæacia. But I hope he shall

ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῃ δʼ ἐφάνη ὄρεα σκιόεντα

Feel woe at height, ere that dead calm befall."

γαίης Φαιήκων, ὅθι τʼ ἄγχιστον πέλεν αὐτῷ·

This said; he, begging, gather'd clouds from land,

εἴσατο δʼ ὡς ὅτε ῥινὸν ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳ.

Frighted the seas up, snatch'd into his hand

τὸν δʼ ἐξ Αἰθιόπων ἀνιὼν κρείων ἐνοσίχθων

His horrid trident, and aloft did toss,

τηλόθεν ἐκ Σολύμων ὀρέων ἴδεν· εἴσατο γάρ οἱ

Of all the winds, all storms he could engross,

πόντον ἐπιπλώων. ὁ δʼ ἐχώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,

All earth took into sea with clouds, grim Night

κινήσας δὲ κάρη προτὶ ὃν μυθήσατο θυμόν·

Fell tumbling headlong from the cope of light,

ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ μετεβούλευσαν θεοὶ ἄλλως

The East and South winds justled in the air,

ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆι ἐμεῖο μετʼ Αἰθιόπεσσιν ἐόντος,

The violent Zephyr, and North making-fair,

καὶ δὴ Φαιήκων γαίης σχεδόν, ἔνθα οἱ αἶσα

Roll'd up the waves before them. And then bent

ἐκφυγέειν μέγα πεῖραρ ὀιζύος, ἥ μιν ἱκάνει.

Ulysses' knees, then all his spirit was spent.

ἀλλʼ ἔτι μέν μίν φημι ἅδην ἐλάαν κακότητος.

In which despair, he thus spake: "Woe is me!

ὣς εἰπὼν σύναγεν νεφέλας, ἐτάραξε δὲ πόντον

What was I born to, man of misery!

χερσὶ τρίαιναν ἑλών· πάσας δʼ ὀρόθυνεν ἀέλλας

Fear tells me now, that, all the Goddess said,

παντοίων ἀνέμων, σὺν δὲ νεφέεσσι κάλυψε

Truth's self will author, that Fate would be paid

γαῖαν ὁμοῦ καὶ πόντον· ὀρώρει δʼ οὐρανόθεν νύξ.

Grief's whole sum due from me, at sea, before

σὺν δʼ Εὖρός τε Νότος τʼ ἔπεσον Ζέφυρός τε δυσαὴς

I reach'd the dear touch of my country's shore.

καὶ Βορέης αἰθρηγενέτης, μέγα κῦμα κυλίνδων.

With what clouds Jove heav'n's heighten'd forehead binds!

καὶ τότʼ Ὀδυσσῆος λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ,

How tyrannize the wraths of all the winds!

ὀχθήσας δʼ ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν·

How all the tops he bottoms with the deeps,

ὤ μοι ἐγὼ δειλός, τί νύ μοι μήκιστα γένηται;

And in the bottoms all the tops he steeps!

δείδω μὴ δὴ πάντα θεὰ νημερτέα εἶπεν,

Thus dreadful is the presence of our death.

ἥ μʼ ἔφατʼ ἐν πόντῳ, πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι,

Thrice four times blest were they that sunk beneath

ἄλγεʼ ἀναπλήσειν· τὰ δὲ δὴ νῦν πάντα τελεῖται.

Their fates at Troy, and did to nought contend

οἵοισιν νεφέεσσι περιστέφει οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν

But to renown Atrides with their end!

Ζεύς, ἐτάραξε δὲ πόντον, ἐπισπέρχουσι δʼ ἄελλαι

I would to God, my hour of death and fate

παντοίων ἀνέμων. νῦν μοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.

That day had held the' pow'r to terminate,

τρὶς μάκαρες Δαναοὶ καὶ τετράκις, οἳ τότʼ ὄλοντο

When show'rs of darts my life bore undepress'd

Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ χάριν Ἀτρεΐδῃσι φέροντες.

About divine Æacides deceas'd!

ὡς δὴ ἐγώ γʼ ὄφελον θανέειν καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν

Then had I been allotted to have died,

By all the Greeks with fun'rals glorified,

(Whence death, encouraging good life, had grown)

Where now I die, by no man mourn'd nor known."

This spoke, a huge wave took him by the head,

And hurl'd him o'er board; ship and all it laid

Inverted quite amidst the waves, but he

Far off from her sprawl'd, strow'd about the sea,

His stern still holding broken off, his mast

Burst in the midst, so horrible a blast

Of mix'd winds struck it. Sails and sail-yards fell

Amongst the billows; and himself did dwell

A long time under water, nor could get

In haste his head out, wave with wave so met

In his depression; and his garments too,

Giv'n by Calypso, gave him much to do,

Hind'ring his swimming; yet he left not so

His drenchéd vessel, for the overthrow

Of her nor him, but gat at length again,

Wrastling with Neptune, hold of her; and then

Sat in her bulk, insulting over death,

Which, with the salt stream prest to stop his breath,

He 'scap'd, and gave the sea again to give

ἤματι τῷ ὅτε μοι πλεῖστοι χαλκήρεα δοῦρα

To other men. His ship so striv'd to live,

Τρῶες ἐπέρριψαν περὶ Πηλεΐωνι θανόντι.

Floating at random, cuff'd from wave to wave.

τῷ κʼ ἔλαχον κτερέων, καί μευ κλέος ἦγον Ἀχαιοί·

As you have seen the North wind when he drave

νῦν δέ λευγαλέῳ θανάτῳ εἵμαρτο ἁλῶναι.

In autumn heaps of thorn-fed grasshoppers

ὣς ἄρα μιν εἰπόντʼ ἔλασεν μέγα κῦμα κατʼ ἄκρης

Hither and thither, one heap this way bears,

δεινὸν ἐπεσσύμενον, περὶ δὲ σχεδίην ἐλέλιξε.

Another that, and makes them often meet

τῆλε δʼ ἀπὸ σχεδίης αὐτὸς πέσε, πηδάλιον δὲ

in his confus'd gales; so Ulysses' fleet

ἐκ χειρῶν προέηκε· μέσον δέ οἱ ἱστὸν ἔαξεν

The winds hurl'd up and down; now Boreas

δεινὴ μισγομένων ἀνέμων ἐλθοῦσα θύελλα,

Toss'd it to Notus, Notus gave it pass

τηλοῦ δὲ σπεῖρον καὶ ἐπίκριον ἔμπεσε πόντῳ.

To Eurus, Eurus Zephyr made pursue

τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόβρυχα θῆκε πολὺν χρόνον, οὐδʼ ἐδυνάσθη

The horrid tennis. This sport call'd the view

αἶψα μάλʼ ἀνσχεθέειν μεγάλου ὑπὸ κύματος ὁρμῆς·

Of Cadmus' daughter, with the narrow heel,

εἵματα γάρ ῥʼ ἐβάρυνε, τά οἱ πόρε δῖα Καλυψώ.

Ino Leucothea, that first did feel

ὀψὲ δὲ δή ῥʼ ἀνέδυ, στόματος δʼ ἐξέπτυσεν ἅλμην

A mortal dame's desires, and had a tongue,

πικρήν, ἥ οἱ πολλὴ ἀπὸ κρατὸς κελάρυζεν.

But now had th' honour to be nam'd among

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς σχεδίης ἐπελήθετο, τειρόμενός περ,

The marine Godheads. She with pity saw

ἀλλὰ μεθορμηθεὶς ἐνὶ κύμασιν ἐλλάβετʼ αὐτῆς,

Ulysses justled thus from flaw to flaw,

ἐν μέσσῃ δὲ καθῖζε τέλος θανάτου ἀλεείνων.

And, like a cormorant in form and flight,

τὴν δʼ ἐφόρει μέγα κῦμα κατὰ ῥόον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα.

Rose from a whirl-pool, on the ship did light,

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ὀπωρινὸς Βορέης φορέῃσιν ἀκάνθας

And thus bespake him: "Why is Neptune thus

ἂμ πεδίον, πυκιναὶ δὲ πρὸς ἀλλήλῃσιν ἔχονται,

In thy pursuit extremely furious,

ὣς τὴν ἂμ πέλαγος ἄνεμοι φέρον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα·

Oppressing thee with such a world of ill,

ἄλλοτε μέν τε Νότος Βορέῃ προβάλεσκε φέρεσθαι,

Ev'n to thy death? He must not serve his will,

ἄλλοτε δʼ αὖτʼ Εὖρος Ζεφύρῳ εἴξασκε διώκειν.

Though 'tis his study. Let me then advise

τὸν δὲ ἴδεν Κάδμου θυγάτηρ, καλλίσφυρος Ἰνώ,

As my thoughts serve; thou shalt not be unwise

Λευκοθέη, ἣ πρὶν μὲν ἔην βροτὸς αὐδήεσσα,

To leave thy weeds and ship to the commands

νῦν δʼ ἁλὸς ἐν πελάγεσσι θεῶν ἒξ ἔμμορε τιμῆς.

Of these rude winds, and work out with thy hands

ἥ ῥʼ Ὀδυσῆʼ ἐλέησεν ἀλώμενον, ἄλγεʼ ἔχοντα,

Pass to Phæacia, where thy austere Fate

αἰθυίῃ δʼ ἐικυῖα ποτῇ ἀνεδύσετο λίμνης,

Is to pursue thee with no more such hate.

ἷζε δʼ ἐπὶ σχεδίης πολυδέσμου εἶπέ τε μῦθον·

Take here this tablet, with this riband strung,

κάμμορε, τίπτε τοι ὧδε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων

And see it still about thy bosom hung;

ὠδύσατʼ ἐκπάγλως, ὅτι τοι κακὰ πολλὰ φυτεύει;

By whose eternal virtue never fear

οὐ μὲν δή σε καταφθίσει μάλα περ μενεαίνων.

To suffer thus again, nor perish here.

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ὧδʼ ἔρξαι, δοκέεις δέ μοι οὐκ ἀπινύσσειν·

But when thou touchest with thy hand the shore,

εἵματα ταῦτʼ ἀποδὺς σχεδίην ἀνέμοισι φέρεσθαι

Then take it from thy neck, nor wear it more,

κάλλιπʼ, ἀτὰρ χείρεσσι νέων ἐπιμαίεο νόστου

But cast it far off from the continent,

γαίης Φαιήκων, ὅθι τοι μοῖρʼ ἐστὶν ἀλύξαι.

And then thy person far ashore present.

τῆ δέ, τόδε κρήδεμνον ὑπὸ στέρνοιο τανύσσαι

Thus gave she him the tablet; and again,

ἄμβροτον· οὐδέ τί τοι παθέειν δέος οὐδʼ ἀπολέσθαι.

Turn'd to a cormorant, div'd, past sight, the main.

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν χείρεσσιν ἐφάψεαι ἠπείροιο,

Patient Ulysses sigh'd at this, and stuck

ἂψ ἀπολυσάμενος βαλέειν εἰς οἴνοπα πόντον

In the conceit of such fair-spoken luck,

πολλὸν ἀπʼ ἠπείρου, αὐτὸς δʼ ἀπονόσφι τραπέσθαι.

And said: "Alas! I must suspect ev'n this,

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα θεὰ κρήδεμνον ἔδωκεν,

Lest any other of the Deities

αὐτὴ δʼ ἂψ ἐς πόντον ἐδύσετο κυμαίνοντα

Add sleight to Neptune's force, to counsel me

αἰθυίῃ ἐικυῖα· μέλαν δέ ἑ κῦμα κάλυψεν.

To leave my vessel, and so far off see

αὐτὰρ ὁ μερμήριξε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

The shore I aim at. Not with thoughts too clear

ὀχθήσας δʼ ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν·

Will I obey her, but to me appear

ὤ μοι ἐγώ, μή τίς μοι ὑφαίνῃσιν δόλον αὖτε

These counsels best: As long as I perceive

ἀθανάτων, ὅ τέ με σχεδίης ἀποβῆναι ἀνώγει.

My ship not quite dissolv'd, I will not leave

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ οὔ πω πείσομʼ, ἐπεὶ ἑκὰς ὀφθαλμοῖσιν

The help she may afford me, but abide,

γαῖαν ἐγὼν ἰδόμην, ὅθι μοι φάτο φύξιμον εἶναι.

And suffer all woes till the worst be tried.

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ὧδʼ ἔρξω, δοκέει δέ μοι εἶναι ἄριστον·

When she is split, I'll swim. No miracle can,

ὄφρʼ ἂν μέν κεν δούρατʼ ἐν ἁρμονίῃσιν ἀρήρῃ,

Past near and clear means, move a knowing man."

τόφρʼ αὐτοῦ μενέω καὶ τλήσομαι ἄλγεα πάσχων·

While this discourse employ'd him, Neptune rais'd

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δή μοι σχεδίην διὰ κῦμα τινάξῃ,

A huge, a high, and horrid sea, that seiz'd

νήξομʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐ μέν τι πάρα προνοῆσαι ἄμεινον.

Him and his ship, and toss'd them through the lake.

ἧος ὁ ταῦθʼ ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,

As when the violent winds together take

ὦρσε δʼ ἐπὶ μέγα κῦμα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων,

Heaps of dry chaff, and hurl them ev'ry way;

δεινόν τʼ ἀργαλέον τε, κατηρεφές, ἤλασε δʼ αὐτόν.

So his long wood-stack Neptune strook astray

ὡς δʼ ἄνεμος ζαὴς ἠΐων θημῶνα τινάξῃ

Then did Ulysses mount on rib, perforce,

καρφαλέων· τὰ μὲν ἄρ τε διεσκέδασʼ ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ·

Like to a rider of a running horse,

To stay himself a time, while he might shift

His drenched weeds, that were Calypso's gift.

When putting straight Leucothea's amulet

About his neck, he all his forces set

To swim, and cast him prostrate to the seas.

When pow'rful Neptune saw the ruthless prease

Of perils siege him thus, he mov'd his head,

And this betwixt him and his heart he said:

"So, now feel ills enow, and struggle so,

Till to your Jove-lov'd islanders you row.

But my mind says, you will not so avoid

This last task too, but be with suff'rance cloy'd."

This said, his rich-man'd horse he mov'd, and reach'd

His house at Ægas. But Minerva fetch'd

The winds from sea, and all their ways but one

Barr'd to their passage; the bleak North alone

She set to blow, the rest she charg'd to keep

Their rages in, and bind themselves in sleep.

But Boreas still flew high to break the seas,

Till Jove-bred Ithacus the more with ease

The navigation-skill'd Phæacian states

Might make his refuge, Death and angry Fates

At length escaping. Two nights, yet, and days

ὣς τῆς δούρατα μακρὰ διεσκέδασʼ. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

He spent in wrastling with the sable seas;

ἀμφʼ ἑνὶ δούρατι βαῖνε, κέληθʼ ὡς ἵππον ἐλαύνων,

In which space, often did his heart propose

εἵματα δʼ ἐξαπέδυνε, τά οἱ πόρε δῖα Καλυψώ.

Death to his eyes. But when Aurora rose,

αὐτίκα δὲ κρήδεμνον ὑπὸ στέρνοιο τάνυσσεν,

And threw the third light from her orient hair,

αὐτὸς δὲ πρηνὴς ἁλὶ κάππεσε, χεῖρε πετάσσας,

The winds grew calm, and clear was all the air,

νηχέμεναι μεμαώς. ἴδε δὲ κρείων ἐνοσίχθων,

Not one breath stirring. Then he might descry,

κινήσας δὲ κάρη προτὶ ὃν μυθήσατο θυμόν·

Rais'd by the high seas, clear, and land was nigh.

οὕτω νῦν κακὰ πολλὰ παθὼν ἀλόω κατὰ πόντον,

And then, look how to good sons that esteem

εἰς ὅ κεν ἀνθρώποισι διοτρεφέεσσι μιγήῃς.

Their father's life dear, (after pains extreme,

ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὥς σε ἔολπα ὀνόσσεσθαι κακότητος.

Felt in some sickness, that hath held him long

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἵμασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππους,

Down to his bed, and with affections strong

ἵκετο δʼ εἰς Αἰγάς, ὅθι οἱ κλυτὰ δώματʼ ἔασιν.

Wasted his body, made his life his load,

αὐτὰρ Ἀθηναίη κούρη Διὸς ἄλλʼ ἐνόησεν.

As being inflicted by some angry God)

ἦ τοι τῶν ἄλλων ἀνέμων κατέδησε κελεύθους,

When on their pray'rs they see descend at length

παύσασθαι δʼ ἐκέλευσε καὶ εὐνηθῆναι ἅπαντας·

Health from the heav'ns, clad all in spirit and strength,

ὦρσε δʼ ἐπὶ κραιπνὸν Βορέην, πρὸ δὲ κύματʼ ἔαξεν,

The sight is precious; so, since here should end

ἧος ὃ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μιγείη

Ulysses' toils, which therein should extend

διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξας.

Health to his country, held to him his sire

ἔνθα δύω νύκτας δύο τʼ ἤματα κύματι πηγῷ

And on which long for him disease did tire,

πλάζετο, πολλὰ δέ οἱ κραδίη προτιόσσετʼ ὄλεθρον.

And then, besides, for his own sake to see

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τρίτον ἦμαρ ἐυπλόκαμος τέλεσʼ Ἠώς,

The shores, the woods so near, such joy had he,

καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτʼ ἄνεμος μὲν ἐπαύσατο ἠδὲ γαλήνη

As those good sons for their recover'd sire.

ἔπλετο νηνεμίη· ὁ δʼ ἄρα σχεδὸν εἴσιδε γαῖαν

Then labour'd feet and all parts to aspire

ὀξὺ μάλα προϊδών, μεγάλου ὑπὸ κύματος ἀρθείς.

To that wish'd continent; which when as near

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἀσπάσιος βίοτος παίδεσσι φανήῃ

He came, as Clamour might inform an ear,

πατρός, ὃς ἐν νούσῳ κεῖται κρατέρʼ ἄλγεα πάσχων,

He heard a sound beat from the sea-bred rocks,

δηρὸν τηκόμενος, στυγερὸς δέ οἱ ἔχραε δαίμων,

Against which gave a huge sea horrid shocks,

ἀσπάσιον δʼ ἄρα τόν γε θεοὶ κακότητος ἔλυσαν,

That belch'd upon the firm land weeds and foam,

ὣς Ὀδυσεῖ ἀσπαστὸν ἐείσατο γαῖα καὶ ὕλη,

With which were all things hid there, where no room

νῆχε δʼ ἐπειγόμενος ποσὶν ἠπείρου ἐπιβῆναι.

Of fit capacity was for any port,

ἀλλʼ ὅτε τόσσον ἀπῆν ὅσσον τε γέγωνε βοήσας,

Nor from the sea for any man's resort,

καὶ δὴ δοῦπον ἄκουσε ποτὶ σπιλάδεσσι θαλάσσης·

The shores, the rocks, the cliff's, so prominent were.

ῥόχθει γὰρ μέγα κῦμα ποτὶ ξερὸν ἠπείροιο

"O," said Ulysses then, "now Jupiter

δεινὸν ἐρευγόμενον, εἴλυτο δὲ πάνθʼ ἁλὸς ἄχνῃ·

Hath giv'n me sight of an unhop'd for shore,

οὐ γὰρ ἔσαν λιμένες νηῶν ὄχοι, οὐδʼ ἐπιωγαί.

Though I have wrought these seas so long, so sore.

ἀλλʼ ἀκταὶ προβλῆτες ἔσαν σπιλάδες τε πάγοι τε·

Of rest yet no place shows the slend'rest prints,

καὶ τότʼ Ὀδυσσῆος λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ,

The rugged shore so bristled is with flints,

ὀχθήσας δʼ ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν·

Against which ev'ry way the waves so flock,

ὤ μοι, ἐπεὶ δὴ γαῖαν ἀελπέα δῶκεν ἰδέσθαι

And all the shore shows as one eminent rock,

Ζεύς, καὶ δὴ τόδε λαῖτμα διατμήξας ἐπέρησα,

So near which 'tis so deep, that not a sand

ἔκβασις οὔ πῃ φαίνεθʼ ἁλὸς πολιοῖο θύραζε·

Is there for any tired foot to stand,

ἔκτοσθεν μὲν γὰρ πάγοι ὀξέες, ἀμφὶ δὲ κῦμα

Nor fly his death-fast-following miseries,

βέβρυχεν ῥόθιον, λισσὴ δʼ ἀναδέδρομε πέτρη,

Lest, if he land, upon him foreright flies

ἀγχιβαθὴς δὲ θάλασσα, καὶ οὔ πως ἔστι πόδεσσι

A churlish wave, to crush him 'gainst a cliff,

στήμεναι ἀμφοτέροισι καὶ ἐκφυγέειν κακότητα·

Worse than vain rend'ring all his landing strife.

μή πώς μʼ ἐκβαίνοντα βάλῃ λίθακι ποτὶ πέτρῃ

And should I swim to seek a hav'n elsewhere,

κῦμα μέγʼ ἁρπάξαν· μελέη δέ μοι ἔσσεται ὁρμή.

Or land less way-beat, I may justly fear

εἰ δέ κʼ ἔτι προτέρω παρανήξομαι, ἤν που ἐφεύρω

I shall be taken with a gale again,

ἠιόνας τε παραπλῆγας λιμένας τε θαλάσσης,

And cast a huge way off into the main;

δείδω μή μʼ ἐξαῦτις ἀναρπάξασα θύελλα

And there the great Earth-shaker (having seen

πόντον ἐπʼ ἰχθυόεντα φέρῃ βαρέα στενάχοντα,

My so near landing, and again his spleen

ἠέ τί μοι καὶ κῆτος ἐπισσεύῃ μέγα δαίμων

Forcing me to him) will some whale send out,

ἐξ ἁλός, οἷά τε πολλὰ τρέφει κλυτὸς Ἀμφιτρίτη·