Odyssey

Thus pray'd the wise and God-observing man.

ὧς ὁ μὲν ἔνθʼ ἠρᾶτο πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

The Maid, by free force of her palfreys, wan

κούρην δὲ προτὶ ἄστυ φέρεν μένος ἡμιόνοιιν.

Access to town, and the renownéd court

ἡ δʼ ὅτε δὴ οὗ πατρὸς ἀγακλυτὰ δώμαθʼ ἵκανε,

Reach'd of her father; where, within the port,

στῆσεν ἄρʼ ἐν προθύροισι, κασίγνητοι δέ μιν ἀμφὶς

She stay'd her coach, and round about her came

ἵσταντʼ ἀθανάτοις ἐναλίγκιοι, οἵ ῥʼ ὑπʼ ἀπήνης

Her brothers, made as of immortal frame,

ἡμιόνους ἔλυον ἐσθῆτά τε ἔσφερον εἴσω.

Who yet disdain'd not, for her love, mean deeds,

αὐτὴ δʼ ἐς θάλαμον ἑὸν ἤιε· δαῖε δέ οἱ πῦρ

But took from coach her mules, brought in her weeds.

γρῆυς Ἀπειραίη, θαλαμηπόλος Εὐρυμέδουσα,

And she ascends her chamber; where purvey'd

τήν ποτʼ Ἀπείρηθεν νέες ἤγαγον ἀμφιέλισσαι·

A quick fire was by her old chamber-maid,

Ἀλκινόῳ δʼ αὐτὴν γέρας ἔξελον, οὕνεκα πᾶσιν

Eurymedusa, th' Aperæan born,

Φαιήκεσσιν ἄνασσε, θεοῦ δʼ ὣς δῆμος ἄκουεν·

And brought by sea from Apera t' adorn

ἣ τρέφε Ναυσικάαν λευκώλενον ἐν μεγάροισιν.

The court of great Alcinous, because

ἥ οἱ πῦρ ἀνέκαιε καὶ εἴσω δόρπον ἐκόσμει.

He gave to all the blest Phæacians laws,

καὶ τότʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς ὦρτο πόλινδʼ ἴμεν· ἀμφὶ δʼ Ἀθήνη

And, like a heav'n-born pow'r in speech, acquir'd

πολλὴν ἠέρα χεῦε φίλα φρονέουσʼ Ὀδυσῆι,

The people's ears. To one then so admir'd,

μή τις Φαιήκων μεγαθύμων ἀντιβολήσας

Eurymedusa was esteem'd no worse

κερτομέοι τʼ ἐπέεσσι καὶ ἐξερέοιθʼ ὅτις εἴη.

Than worth the gift; yet now, grown old, was nurse

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἄρʼ ἔμελλε πόλιν δύσεσθαι ἐραννήν,

To ivory-arm'd Nausicaa, gave heat

ἔνθα οἱ ἀντεβόλησε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,

To all her fires, and dress'd her privy meat.

παρθενικῇ ἐικυῖα νεήνιδι, κάλπιν ἐχούσῃ.

Then rose Ulysses, and made way to town;

στῆ δὲ πρόσθʼ αὐτοῦ, ὁ δʼ ἀνείρετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·

Which ere he reach'd, a mighty mist was thrown

ὦ τέκος, οὐκ ἄν μοι δόμον ἀνέρος ἡγήσαιο

By Pallas round about him, in her care,

Ἀλκινόου, ὃς τοῖσδε μετʼ ἀνθρώποισι ἀνάσσει;

Lest, in the sway of envies popular,

καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ ξεῖνος ταλαπείριος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνω

Some proud Phæacian might foul language pass,

τηλόθεν ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης· τῷ οὔ τινα οἶδα

Justle him up, and ask him what he was.

ἀνθρώπων, οἳ τήνδε πόλιν καὶ γαῖαν ἔχουσιν.

Ent'ring the lovely town yet, through the cloud

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

Pallas appear'd, and like a young wench show'd

τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε πάτερ, δόμον, ὅν με κελεύεις,

Bearing a pitcher, stood before him so

δείξω, ἐπεί μοι πατρὸς ἀμύμονος ἐγγύθι ναίει.

As if objected purposely to know

ἀλλʼ ἴθι σιγῇ τοῖον, ἐγὼ δʼ ὁδὸν ἡγεμονεύσω,

What there he needed; whom he question'd thus:

μηδέ τινʼ ἀνθρώπων προτιόσσεο μηδʼ ἐρέεινε.

"Know you not, daughter, where Alcinous,

οὐ γὰρ ξείνους οἵδε μάλʼ ἀνθρώπους ἀνέχονται,

That rules this town, dwells? I, a poor distrest

οὐδʼ ἀγαπαζόμενοι φιλέουσʼ ὅς κʼ ἄλλοθεν ἔλθῃ.

Mere stranger here, know none I may request

νηυσὶ θοῇσιν τοί γε πεποιθότες ὠκείῃσι

To make this court known to me." She replied:

λαῖτμα μέγʼ ἐκπερόωσιν, ἐπεί σφισι δῶκʼ ἐνοσίχθων·

"Strange father, I will see you satisfied

τῶν νέες ὠκεῖαι ὡς εἰ πτερὸν ἠὲ νόημα.

In that request. My father dwells just by

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασʼ ἡγήσατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη

The house you seek for; but go silently,

καρπαλίμως· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα μετʼ ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο.

Nor ask, nor speak to any other, I

τὸν δʼ ἄρα Φαίηκες ναυσικλυτοὶ οὐκ ἐνόησαν

Shall be enough to show your way. The men

ἐρχόμενον κατὰ ἄστυ διὰ σφέας· οὐ γὰρ Ἀθήνη

That here inhabit do not entertain

εἴα ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεός, ἥ ῥά οἱ ἀχλὺν

With ready kindness strangers, of what worth

θεσπεσίην κατέχευε φίλα φρονέουσʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ.

Or state soever, nor have taken forth

θαύμαζεν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς λιμένας καὶ νῆας ἐίσας

Lessons of civil usage or respect

To men beyond them. They, upon their pow'rs

Of swift ships building, top the wat'ry tow'rs,

And Jove hath giv'n them ships, for sail so wrought,

They cut a feather, and command a thought."

This said, she usher'd him, and after he

Trod in the swift steps of the Deity.

The free-sail'd seamen could not get a sight

Of our Ulysses yet, though he forthright

Both by their houses and their persons past,

Pallas about him such a darkness cast

By her divine pow'r, and her rev'rend care,

She would not give the town-born cause to stare.

He wonder'd, as he past, to see the ports;

The shipping in them; and for all resorts

The goodly market-steads; and aisles beside

For the heroës; walls so large and wide;

Rampires so high, and of such strength withall,

αὐτῶν θʼ ἡρώων ἀγορὰς καὶ τείχεα μακρὰ

It would with wonder any eye appall.

ὑψηλά, σκολόπεσσιν ἀρηρότα, θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι.

At last they reach'd the court, and Pallas said:

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ βασιλῆος ἀγακλυτὰ δώμαθʼ ἵκοντο,

"Now, honour'd stranger, I will see obey'd

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

Your will, to show our ruler's house; 'tis here;

οὗτος δή τοι, ξεῖνε πάτερ, δόμος, ὅν με κελεύεις

Where you shall find kings celebrating cheer.

πεφραδέμεν· δήεις δὲ διοτρεφέας βασιλῆας

Enter amongst them, nor admit a fear.

δαίτην δαινυμένους· σὺ δʼ ἔσω κίε, μηδέ τι θυμῷ

More bold a man is, he prevails the more,

τάρβει· θαρσαλέος γὰρ ἀνὴρ ἐν πᾶσιν ἀμείνων

Though man nor place lie ever saw before.

ἔργοισιν τελέθει, εἰ καί ποθεν ἄλλοθεν ἔλθοι.

You first shall find the queen in court, whose name

δέσποιναν μὲν πρῶτα κιχήσεαι ἐν μεγάροισιν·

Is Arete, of parents born the same

Ἀρήτη δʼ ὄνομʼ ἐστὶν ἐπώνυμον, ἐκ δὲ τοκήων

That was the king her spouse; their pedigree

τῶν αὐτῶν οἵ περ τέκον Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα.

I can report. The great Earth-shaker, he

Ναυσίθοον μὲν πρῶτα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων

Of Peribœa (that her sex out-shone,

γείνατο καὶ Περίβοια, γυναικῶν εἶδος ἀρίστη,

And youngest daughter was t' Eurymedon,

ὁπλοτάτη θυγάτηρ μεγαλήτορος Εὐρυμέδοντος,

Who of th' unmeasur'd-minded giants sway'd

ὅς ποθʼ ὑπερθύμοισι Γιγάντεσσιν βασίλευεν.

Th' imperial sceptre, and the pride allay'd

ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ὤλεσε λαὸν ἀτάσθαλον, ὤλετο δʼ αὐτός·

Of men so impious with cold death, and died

τῇ δὲ Ποσειδάων ἐμίγη καὶ ἐγείνατο παῖδα

Himself soon after) got the magnified

Ναυσίθοον μεγάθυμον, ὃς ἐν Φαίηξιν ἄνασσε·

In mind, Nausithous; whom the kingdom's state

Ναυσίθοος δʼ ἔτεκεν Ῥηξήνορά τʼ Ἀλκίνοόν τε.

First held in supreme rule. Nausithous gat

τὸν μὲν ἄκουρον ἐόντα βάλʼ ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων

Rhexenor, and Alcinous, now king.

νυμφίον ἐν μεγάρῳ, μίαν οἴην παῖδα λιπόντα

Rhexenor (whose seed did no male fruit spring,

Ἀρήτην· τὴν δʼ Ἀλκίνοος ποιήσατʼ ἄκοιτιν,

And whom the silver-bow-grac'd Phœbus slew

καί μιν ἔτισʼ, ὡς οὔ τις ἐπὶ χθονὶ τίεται ἄλλη,

Young in the court) his shed blood did renew

ὅσσαι νῦν γε γυναῖκες ὑπʼ ἀνδράσιν οἶκον ἔχουσιν.

In only Arete, who now is spouse

ὣς κείνη περὶ κῆρι τετίμηταί τε καὶ ἔστιν

To him that rules the kingdom in this house,

ἔκ τε φίλων παίδων ἔκ τʼ αὐτοῦ Ἀλκινόοιο

And is her uncle king Alcinous,

καὶ λαῶν, οἵ μίν ῥα θεὸν ὣς εἰσορόωντες

Who honours her past equal. She may boast

δειδέχαται μύθοισιν, ὅτε στείχῃσʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ.

More honour of him than the honour'd most

οὐ μὲν γάρ τι νόου γε καὶ αὐτὴ δεύεται ἐσθλοῦ·

Of any wife in earth can of her lord,

ᾗσι τʼ ἐὺ φρονέῃσι καὶ ἀνδράσι νείκεα λύει.

How many more soever realms afford,

εἴ κέν τοι κείνη γε φίλα φρονέῃσʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ,

That keep house under husbands. Yet no more

ἐλπωρή τοι ἔπειτα φίλους τʼ ἰδέειν καὶ ἱκέσθαι

Her husband honours her, than her blest store

οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.

Of gracious children. All the city cast

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασʼ ἀπέβη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη

Eyes on her as a Goddess, and give taste

πόντον ἐπʼ ἀτρύγετον, λίπε δὲ Σχερίην ἐρατεινήν,

Of their affections to her in their pray'rs,

ἵκετο δʼ ἐς Μαραθῶνα καὶ εὐρυάγυιαν Ἀθήνην,

Still as she decks the street; for, all affairs

δῦνε δʼ Ἐρεχθῆος πυκινὸν δόμον. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

Wrapt in contention, she dissolves to men.

Ἀλκινόου πρὸς δώματʼ ἴε κλυτά· πολλὰ δέ οἱ κῆρ

Whom she affects, she wants no mind to deign

ὥρμαινʼ ἱσταμένῳ, πρὶν χάλκεον οὐδὸν ἱκέσθαι.

Goodness enough. If her heart stand inclin'd

ὥς τε γὰρ ἠελίου αἴγλη πέλεν ἠὲ σελήνης

To your dispatch, hope all you wish to find,

δῶμα καθʼ ὑψερεφὲς μεγαλήτορος Ἀλκινόοιο.

Your friends, your longing family, and all

χάλκεοι μὲν γὰρ τοῖχοι ἐληλέδατʼ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,

That can within your most affections fall."

This said, away the grey-eyed Goddess flew

Along th' untam'd sea, left the lovely hue

Scheria presented, out-flew Marathon,

And ample-streeted Athens lighted on;

Where to the house, that casts so thick a shade,

Of Erechtheüs she ingression made.

Ulysses to the lofty-builded court

Of king Alcinous made bold resort;

Yet in his heart cast many a thought, before

The brazen pavement of the rich court bore

His enter'd person. Like heav'n's two main lights

The rooms illustrated both days and nights.

On ev'ry side stood firm a wall of brass,

Ev'n from the threshold to the inmost pass,

Which bore a roof up that all-sapphire was.

The brazen thresholds both sides did enfold

Silver pilasters, hung with gates of gold;

Whose portal was of silver; over which

ἐς μυχὸν ἐξ οὐδοῦ, περὶ δὲ θριγκὸς κυάνοιο·

A golden cornice did the front enrich.

χρύσειαι δὲ θύραι πυκινὸν δόμον ἐντὸς ἔεργον·

On each side, dogs, of gold and silver fram'd,

σταθμοὶ δʼ ἀργύρεοι ἐν χαλκέῳ ἕστασαν οὐδῷ,

The house's guard stood: which the Deity lam'd

ἀργύρεον δʼ ἐφʼ ὑπερθύριον, χρυσέη δὲ κορώνη.

With knowing inwards had inspir'd, and made

χρύσειοι δʼ ἑκάτερθε καὶ ἀργύρεοι κύνες ἦσαν,

That death nor age should their estates invade.

οὓς Ἥφαιστος ἔτευξεν ἰδυίῃσι πραπίδεσσι

Along the wall stood ev'ry way a throne,

δῶμα φυλασσέμεναι μεγαλήτορος Ἀλκινόοιο,

From th' entry to the lobby, ev'ry one

ἀθανάτους ὄντας καὶ ἀγήρως ἤματα πάντα.

Cast over with a rich-wrought cloth of state.

ἐν δὲ θρόνοι περὶ τοῖχον ἐρηρέδατʼ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,

Beneath which the Phæacian princes sate

ἐς μυχὸν ἐξ οὐδοῖο διαμπερές, ἔνθʼ ἐνὶ πέπλοι

At wine and food, and feasted all the year.

λεπτοὶ ἐύννητοι βεβλήατο, ἔργα γυναικῶν.

Youths forg'd of gold, at ev'ry table there,

ἔνθα δὲ Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἑδριόωντο

Stood holding flaming torches, that, in night,

πίνοντες καὶ ἔδοντες· ἐπηετανὸν γὰρ ἔχεσκον.

Gave through the house each honour'd guest his light

χρύσειοι δʼ ἄρα κοῦροι ἐυδμήτων ἐπὶ βωμῶν

And, to encounter feast with housewif'ry,

ἕστασαν αἰθομένας δαΐδας μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχοντες,

In one room fifty women did apply

φαίνοντες νύκτας κατὰ δώματα δαιτυμόνεσσι.

Their sev'ral tasks. Some apple-colour'd corn

πεντήκοντα δέ οἱ δμωαὶ κατὰ δῶμα γυναῖκες

Ground in fair querns, and some did spindles turn,

αἱ μὲν ἀλετρεύουσι μύλῃς ἔπι μήλοπα καρπόν,

Some work in looms; no hand least rest receives,

αἱ δʼ ἱστοὺς ὑφόωσι καὶ ἠλάκατα στρωφῶσιν

But all had motion apt as aspen leaves.

ἥμεναι, οἷά τε φύλλα μακεδνῆς αἰγείροιο·

And from the weeds they wove, so fast they laid,

καιρουσσέων δʼ ὀθονέων ἀπολείβεται ὑγρὸν ἔλαιον.

And so thick thrust together thread by thread,

ὅσσον Φαίηκες περὶ πάντων ἴδριες ἀνδρῶν

That th' oil, of which the wool had drunk his fill,

νῆα θοὴν ἐνὶ πόντῳ ἐλαυνέμεν, ὣς δὲ γυναῖκες

Did with his moisture in light dews distill.

ἱστῶν τεχνῆσσαι· πέρι γάρ σφισι δῶκεν Ἀθήνη

As much as the Phæacian men excell'd

ἔργα τʼ ἐπίστασθαι περικαλλέα καὶ φρένας ἐσθλάς.

All other countrymen in art to build

ἔκτοσθεν δʼ αὐλῆς μέγας ὄρχατος ἄγχι θυράων

A swift-sail'd ship; so much the women there

τετράγυος· περὶ δʼ ἕρκος ἐλήλαται ἀμφοτέρωθεν.

For work of webs, past other women were.

ἔνθα δὲ δένδρεα μακρὰ πεφύκασι τηλεθόωντα,

Past mean, by Pallas' means, they understood

ὄγχναι καὶ ῥοιαὶ καὶ μηλέαι ἀγλαόκαρποι

The grace of good works; and had wits as good.

συκέαι τε γλυκεραὶ καὶ ἐλαῖαι τηλεθόωσαι.

Without the hall, and close upon the gate,

τάων οὔ ποτε καρπὸς ἀπόλλυται οὐδʼ ἀπολείπει

A goodly orchard-ground was situate,

χείματος οὐδὲ θέρευς, ἐπετήσιος· ἀλλὰ μάλʼ αἰεὶ

Of near ten acres; about which was led

Ζεφυρίη πνείουσα τὰ μὲν φύει, ἄλλα δὲ πέσσει.

A lofty quickset. In it flourished

ὄγχνη ἐπʼ ὄγχνῃ γηράσκει, μῆλον δʼ ἐπὶ μήλῳ,

High and broad fruit trees, that pomegranates bore,

αὐτὰρ ἐπὶ σταφυλῇ σταφυλή, σῦκον δʼ ἐπὶ σύκῳ.

Sweet figs, pears, olives; and a number more

ἔνθα δέ οἱ πολύκαρπος ἀλωὴ ἐρρίζωται,

Most useful plants did there produce their store,

τῆς ἕτερον μὲν θειλόπεδον λευρῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ

Whose fruits the hardest winter could not kill,

τέρσεται ἠελίῳ, ἑτέρας δʼ ἄρα τε τρυγόωσιν,

Nor hottest summer wither. There was still

ἄλλας δὲ τραπέουσι· πάροιθε δέ τʼ ὄμφακές εἰσιν

Fruit in his proper season all the year.

ἄνθος ἀφιεῖσαι, ἕτεραι δʼ ὑποπερκάζουσιν.

Sweet Zephyr breath'd upon them blasts that were

ἔνθα δὲ κοσμηταὶ πρασιαὶ παρὰ νείατον ὄρχον

Of varied tempers. These he made to bear

παντοῖαι πεφύασιν, ἐπηετανὸν γανόωσαι·

Ripe fruits, these blossoms. Pear grew after pear,

ἐν δὲ δύω κρῆναι ἡ μέν τʼ ἀνὰ κῆπον ἅπαντα

Apple succeeded apple, grape the grape,

σκίδναται, ἡ δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ὑπʼ αὐλῆς οὐδὸν ἵησι

Fig after fig came; time made never rape

Of any dainty there. A spritely vine

Spread here his root, whose fruit a hot sunshine

Made ripe betimes; here grew another green.

Here some were gath'ring, here some pressing, seen.

A large-allotted sev'ral each fruit had;

And all th' adorn'd grounds their appearance made

In flow'r and fruit, at which the king did aim

To the precisest order he could claim.

Two fountains grac'd the garden; of which, one

Pour'd out a winding stream that over-run

The grounds for their use chiefly, th' other went

Close by the lofty palace gate, and lent

The city his sweet benefit. And thus

The Gods the court deck'd of Alcinous.

Patient Ulysses stood a while at gaze,

But, having all observ'd, made instant pace

πρὸς δόμον ὑψηλόν, ὅθεν ὑδρεύοντο πολῖται.

Into the court; where all the peers he found,

τοῖʼ ἄρʼ ἐν Ἀλκινόοιο θεῶν ἔσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα.

And captains of Phæacia, with cups-crown'd

ἔνθα στὰς θηεῖτο πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.

Off'ring to sharp-eyed Hermes, to whom last

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα ἑῷ θηήσατο θυμῷ,

They us'd to sacrifice, when sleep had cast

καρπαλίμως ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἐβήσετο δώματος εἴσω.

His inclination through their thoughts. But these

εὗρε δὲ Φαιήκων ἡγήτορας ἠδὲ μέδοντας

Ulysses pass'd, and forth went; nor their eyes

σπένδοντας δεπάεσσιν ἐυσκόπῳ ἀργεϊφόντῃ,

Took note of him, for Pallas stopp'd the light

ᾧ πυμάτῳ σπένδεσκον, ὅτε μνησαίατο κοίτου.

With mists about him, that, unstay'd, he might

αὐτὰρ ὁ βῆ διὰ δῶμα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

First to Alcinous, and Arete,

πολλὴν ἠέρʼ ἔχων, ἥν οἱ περίχευεν Ἀθήνη,

Present his person; and, of both them, she,

ὄφρʼ ἵκετʼ Ἀρήτην τε καὶ Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα.

By Pallas' counsel, was to have the grace

ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ Ἀρήτης βάλε γούνασι χεῖρας Ὀδυσσεύς,

Of foremost greeting. Therefore his embrace

καὶ τότε δή ῥʼ αὐτοῖο πάλιν χύτο θέσφατος ἀήρ.

He cast about her knee. And then off flew

οἱ δʼ ἄνεῳ ἐγένοντο, δόμον κάτα φῶτα ἰδόντες·

The heav'nly air that hid him. When his view

θαύμαζον δʼ ὁρόωντες. ὁ δὲ λιτάνευεν Ὀδυσσεύς·

With silence and with admiration strook

Ἀρήτη, θύγατερ Ῥηξήνορος ἀντιθέοιο,

The court quite through; but thus he silence broke:

σόν τε πόσιν σά τε γούναθʼ ἱκάνω πολλὰ μογήσας

"Divine Rhexenor's offspring, Arete,

τούσδε τε δαιτυμόνας· τοῖσιν θεοὶ ὄλβια δοῖεν

To thy most honour'd husband, and to thee,

ζωέμεναι, καὶ παισὶν ἐπιτρέψειεν ἕκαστος

A man whom many labours have distrest

κτήματʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γέρας θʼ ὅ τι δῆμος ἔδωκεν·

Is come for comfort, and to ev'ry guest.

αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ πομπὴν ὀτρύνετε πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαι

To all whom heav'n vouchsafe delightsome lives,

θᾶσσον, ἐπεὶ δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχω.

And after to your issue that survives

ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετʼ ἐπʼ ἐσχάρῃ ἐν κονίῃσιν

A good resignment of the goods ye leave,

πὰρ πυρί· οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.

With all the honour that yourselves receive

ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως Ἐχένηος,

Amongst your people. Only this of me

ὃς δὴ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν προγενέστερος ἦεν

Is the ambition; that I may but see

καὶ μύθοισι κέκαστο, παλαιά τε πολλά τε εἰδώς·

(By your vouchsaf'd means, and betimes vouchsaf'd)

ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·

My country-earth; since I have long been left

Ἀλκίνοʼ, οὐ μέν τοι τόδε κάλλιον, οὐδὲ ἔοικε,

To labours, and to errors, barr'd from end,

ξεῖνον μὲν χαμαὶ ἧσθαι ἐπʼ ἐσχάρῃ ἐν κονίῃσιν,

And far from benefit of any friend,"

οἵδε δὲ σὸν μῦθον ποτιδέγμενοι ἰσχανόωνται.

He said no more, but left them dumb with that,

ἄλλʼ ἄγε δὴ ξεῖνον μὲν ἐπὶ θρόνου ἀργυροήλου

Went to the hearth, and in the ashes sat,

εἷσον ἀναστήσας, σὺ δὲ κηρύκεσσι κέλευσον

Aside the fire. At last their silence brake,

οἶνον ἐπικρῆσαι, ἵνα καὶ Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ

And Echinëus, th' old heroë, spake;

σπείσομεν, ὅς θʼ ἱκέτῃσιν ἅμʼ αἰδοίοισιν ὀπηδεῖ·

A man that all Phæacians pass'd in years,

δόρπον δὲ ξείνῳ ταμίη δότω ἔνδον ἐόντων.

And in persuasive eloquence all the peers,

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γʼ ἄκουσʼ ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,

Knew much, and us'd it well; and thus spake he:

χειρὸς ἑλὼν Ὀδυσῆα δαΐφρονα ποικιλομήτην

"Alcinous! It shews not decently,

ὦρσεν ἀπʼ ἐσχαρόφιν καὶ ἐπὶ θρόνου εἷσε φαεινοῦ,

Nor doth your honour what you see admit,

υἱὸν ἀναστήσας ἀγαπήνορα Λαοδάμαντα,

That this your guest should thus abjectly sit,

ὅς οἱ πλησίον ἷζε, μάλιστα δέ μιν φιλέεσκεν.

His chair the earth, the hearth his cushion,

χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα

Ashes as if appos'd for food. A throne,

καλῇ χρυσείῃ ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,

Adorn'd with due rites, stands you more in hand

To see his person plac'd in, and command

That instantly your heralds fill-in wine,

That to the God that doth in lightnings shine

We may do sacrifice; for he is there,

Where these his rev'rend suppliants appear.

Let what you have within be brought abroad,

To sup the stranger. All these would have show'd

This fit respect to him, but that they stay

For your precedence, that should grace the way."

When this had added to the well-inclin'd

And sacred order of Alcinous' mind,

Then of the great-in-wit the hand he seis'd,

And from the ashes his fair person rais'd,

Advanc'd him to a well-adornéd throne,

And from his seat rais'd his most lovéd son,

Laodamas, that next himself was set,

To give him place. The handmaid then did get

An ewer of gold, with water fill'd, which plac'd

νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.

Upon a caldron, all with silver grac'd,

σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,

She pour'd out on their hands. And then was spread

εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων.

A table, which the butler set with bread,

αὐτὰρ ὁ πῖνε καὶ ἦσθε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.

As others serv'd with other food the board,

καὶ τότε κήρυκα προσέφη μένος Ἀλκινόοιο·

In all the choice the present could afford.

Ποντόνοε, κρητῆρα κερασσάμενος μέθυ νεῖμον

Ulysses meat and wine took; and then thus

πᾶσιν ἀνὰ μέγαρον, ἵνα καὶ Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ

The king the herald call'd: "Pontonous!

σπείσομεν, ὅς θʼ ἱκέτῃσιν ἅμʼ αἰδοίοισιν ὀπηδεῖ.

Serve wine through all the house, that all may pay

ὣς φάτο, Ποντόνοος δὲ μελίφρονα οἶνον ἐκίρνα,

Rites to the Lightner, who is still in way

νώμησεν δʼ ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενος δεπάεσσιν.

With humble suppliants, and them pursues

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τʼ ἔπιόν θʼ, ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,

With all benign and hospitable dues."

τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·

Pontonous gave act to all he will'd,

κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες

And honey-sweetness-giving-minds wine fill'd,

ὄφρʼ εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

Disposing it in cups for all to drink.

νῦν μὲν δαισάμενοι κατακείετε οἴκαδʼ ἰόντες·

All having drunk what either's heart could think

ἠῶθεν δὲ γέροντας ἐπὶ πλέονας καλέσαντες

Fit for due sacrifice, Alcinous said:

ξεῖνον ἐνὶ μεγάροις ξεινίσσομεν ἠδὲ θεοῖσιν

"Hear me, ye dukes that the Phæacians lead,

ῥέξομεν ἱερὰ καλά, ἔπειτα δὲ καὶ περὶ πομπῆς

And you our counsellors, that I may now

μνησόμεθʼ, ὥς χʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἄνευθε πόνου καὶ ἀνίης

Discharge the charge my mind suggests to you,

πομπῇ ὑφʼ ἡμετέρῃ ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηται

For this our guest: Feast past, and this night's sleep,

χαίρων καρπαλίμως, εἰ καὶ μάλα τηλόθεν ἐστί,

Next morn, our senate summon'd, we will keep

μηδέ τι μεσσηγύς γε κακὸν καὶ πῆμα πάθῃσι,

Justs, sacred to the Gods, and this our guest

πρίν γε τὸν ἧς γαίης ἐπιβήμεναι· ἔνθα δʼ ἔπειτα

Receive in solemn court with fitting feast;

πείσεται, ἅσσα οἱ αἶσα κατὰ κλῶθές τε βαρεῖαι

Then think of his return, that, under hand

γιγνομένῳ νήσαντο λίνῳ, ὅτε μιν τέκε μήτηρ.

Of our deduction, his natural land

εἰ δέ τις ἀθανάτων γε κατʼ οὐρανοῦ εἰλήλουθεν,

(Without more toil or care, and with delight,

ἄλλο τι δὴ τόδʼ ἔπειτα θεοὶ περιμηχανόωνται.

And that soon giv'n him, how far-hence dissite

αἰεὶ γὰρ τὸ πάρος γε θεοὶ φαίνονται ἐναργεῖς

Soever it can be) he may ascend;

ἡμῖν, εὖτʼ ἔρδωμεν ἀγακλειτὰς ἑκατόμβας,

And in the mean time without wrong attend,

δαίνυνταί τε παρʼ ἄμμι καθήμενοι ἔνθα περ ἡμεῖς.

Or other want, fit means to that ascent.

εἰ δʼ ἄρα τις καὶ μοῦνος ἰὼν ξύμβληται ὁδίτης,

What, after, austere Fates shall make th' event

οὔ τι κατακρύπτουσιν, ἐπεί σφισιν ἐγγύθεν εἰμέν,

Of his life's thread, now spinning, and began

ὥς περ Κύκλωπές τε καὶ ἄγρια φῦλα Γιγάντων.

When his pain'd mother freed his root of man,

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

He must endure in all kinds. If some God

Ἀλκίνοʼ, ἄλλο τί τοι μελέτω φρεσίν· οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γε

Perhaps abides with us in his abode,

ἀθανάτοισιν ἔοικα, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,

And other things will think upon than we,

οὐ δέμας οὐδὲ φυήν, ἀλλὰ θνητοῖσι βροτοῖσιν.

The Gods' wills stand, who ever yet were free

οὕς τινας ὑμεῖς ἴστε μάλιστʼ ὀχέοντας ὀιζὺν

Of their appearance to us, when to them

ἀνθρώπων, τοῖσίν κεν ἐν ἄλγεσιν ἰσωσαίμην.

We offer'd hecatombs of fit esteem,

καὶ δʼ ἔτι κεν καὶ μᾶλλον ἐγὼ κακὰ μυθησαίμην,

And would at feast sit with us, ev'n where we

ὅσσα γε δὴ ξύμπαντα θεῶν ἰότητι μόγησα.

Order'd our session. They would likewise be

ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ μὲν δορπῆσαι ἐάσατε κηδόμενόν περ·

Encount'rers of us, when in way alone

οὐ γάρ τι στυγερῇ ἐπὶ γαστέρι κύντερον ἄλλο

About his fit affairs went any one.

Nor let them cloak themselves in any care

To do us comfort, we as near them are,

As are the Cyclops, or the impious race

Of earthy giants, that would heav'n outface."

Ulysses answer'd: "Let some other doubt

Employ your thoughts than what your words give out,

Which intimate a kind of doubt that I

Should shadow in this shape a Deity.

I bear no such least semblance, or in wit,

Virtue, or person. What may well befit

One of those mortals, whom you chiefly know

Bears up and down the burthen of the woe

Appropriate to poor man, give that to me;

Of whose moans I sit in the most degree,

And might say more, sustaining griefs that all

The Gods consent to; no one 'twixt their fall

And my unpitied shoulders letting down

The least diversion. Be the grace then shown,

ἔπλετο, ἥ τʼ ἐκέλευσεν ἕο μνήσασθαι ἀνάγκῃ

To let me taste your free-giv'n food in peace.

καὶ μάλα τειρόμενον καὶ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ πένθος ἔχοντα,

Through greatest grief the belly must have ease;

ὡς καὶ ἐγὼ πένθος μὲν ἔχω φρεσίν, ἡ δὲ μάλʼ αἰεὶ

Worse than an envious belly nothing is.

ἐσθέμεναι κέλεται καὶ πινέμεν, ἐκ δέ με πάντων

It will command his strict necessities,

ληθάνει ὅσσʼ ἔπαθον, καὶ ἐνιπλησθῆναι ἀνώγει.

Of men most griev'd in body or in mind,

ὑμεῖς δʼ ὀτρύνεσθαι ἅμʼ ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιν,

That are in health, and will not give their kind

ὥς κʼ ἐμὲ τὸν δύστηνον ἐμῆς ἐπιβήσετε πάτρης

A desp'rate wound. When most with cause I grieve,

καί περ πολλὰ παθόντα· ἰδόντα με καὶ λίποι αἰὼν

It bids me still, Eat, man, and drink, and live;

κτῆσιν ἐμήν, δμῶάς τε καὶ ὑψερεφὲς μέγα δῶμα.

And this makes all forgot. Whatever ill

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον ἠδʼ ἐκέλευον

I ever bear, it ever bids me fill.

πεμπέμεναι τὸν ξεῖνον, ἐπεὶ κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπεν.

But this ease is but forc'd, and will not last,

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τʼ ἔπιον θʼ ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,

Till what the mind likes be as well embrac'd;

οἱ μὲν κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκόνδε ἕκαστος,

And therefore let me wish you would partake

αὐτὰρ ὁ ἐν μεγάρῳ ὑπελείπετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

In your late purpose; when the morn shall make

πὰρ δέ οἱ Ἀρήτη τε καὶ Ἀλκίνοος θεοειδὴς

Her next appearance, deign me but the grace,

ἥσθην· ἀμφίπολοι δʼ ἀπεκόσμεον ἔντεα δαιτός.

Unhappy man, that I may once embrace

τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀρήτη λευκώλενος ἤρχετο μύθων·

My country-earth. Though I be still thrust at

ἔγνω γὰρ φᾶρός τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματʼ ἰδοῦσα

By ancient ills, yet make me but see that.

καλά, τά ῥʼ αὐτὴ τεῦξε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξί·

And then let life go, when withal I see

καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

My high-roof'd large house, lands, and family."

ξεῖνε, τὸ μέν σε πρῶτον ἐγὼν εἰρήσομαι αὐτή·

This all approv'd; and each will'd ev'ry one,

τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν; τίς τοι τάδε εἵματʼ ἔδωκεν;

Since he hath said so fairly, set him gone.

οὐ δὴ φῆς ἐπὶ πόντον ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκέσθαι;

Feast past and sacrifice, to sleep all vow

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

Their eyes at either's house. Ulysses now

ἀργαλέον, βασίλεια, διηνεκέως ἀγορεῦσαι

Was left here with Alcinous, and his Queen,

κήδεʼ, ἐπεί μοι πολλὰ δόσαν θεοὶ Οὐρανίωνες·

The all-lov'd Arete. The handmaids then

τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέω ὅ μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς.

The vessel of the banquet took away.

Ὠγυγίη τις νῆσος ἀπόπροθεν εἰν ἁλὶ κεῖται·

When Arete set eye on his array;

ἔνθα μὲν Ἄτλαντος θυγάτηρ, δολόεσσα Καλυψὼ

Knew both his out and under weed, which she

ναίει ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεός· οὐδέ τις αὐτῇ

Made with her maids; and mus'd by what means he

μίσγεται οὔτε θεῶν οὔτε θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων.

Obtain'd their wearing; which she made request

ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ τὸν δύστηνον ἐφέστιον ἤγαγε δαίμων

To know, and wings gave to these speeches: "Guest!

οἶον, ἐπεί μοι νῆα θοὴν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷ

First let me ask, what, and from whence you are?

Ζεὺς ἔλσας ἐκέασσε μέσῳ ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ.

And then, who grac'd you with the weeds you wear?

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀπέφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι,

Said you not lately, you had err'd at seas,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τρόπιν ἀγκὰς ἑλὼν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης

And thence arriv'd here?" Laertiades

ἐννῆμαρ φερόμην· δεκάτῃ δέ με νυκτὶ μελαίνῃ

To this thus answer'd: "'Tis a pain, O Queen,

νῆσον ἐς Ὠγυγίην πέλασαν θεοί, ἔνθα Καλυψὼ

Still to be op'ning wounds wrought deep, and green,

ναίει ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεός, ἥ με λαβοῦσα

Of which the Gods have open'd store in me;

ἐνδυκέως ἐφίλει τε καὶ ἔτρεφεν ἠδὲ ἔφασκε

Yet your will must be serv'd. Far hence, at sea,

θήσειν ἀθάνατον καὶ ἀγήραον ἤματα πάντα·

There lies an isle, that bears Ogygia's name,

ἀλλʼ ἐμὸν οὔ ποτε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔπειθεν.

Where Atlas' daughter, the ingenious dame,

ἔνθα μὲν ἑπτάετες μένον ἔμπεδον, εἵματα δʼ αἰεὶ

Fair-hair'd Calypso lives; a Goddess grave,

δάκρυσι δεύεσκον, τά μοι ἄμβροτα δῶκε Καλυψώ·

And with whom men nor Gods society have;

Yet I, past man unhappy, liv'd alone,

By Heav'n's wrath forc'd, her house-companion.

For Jove had with a fervent lightning cleft

My ship in twain, and far at black sea left

Me and my soldiers; all whose lives I lost.

I in mine arms the keel took, and was tost

Nine days together up from wave to wave.

The tenth grim night, the angry Deities drave

Me and my wrack on th' isle, in which doth dwell

Dreadful Calypso; who exactly well

Receiv'd and nourish'd me, and promise made

To make me deathless, nor should age invade

My pow'rs with his deserts through all my days.

All mov'd not me, and therefore, on her stays,

Sev'n years she made me lie; and there spent I

The long time, steeping in the misery

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ὀγδόατόν μοι ἐπιπλόμενον ἔτος ἦλθεν,

Of ceaseless tears the garments I did wear,

καὶ τότε δή μʼ ἐκέλευσεν ἐποτρύνουσα νέεσθαι

From her fair hand. The eighth revolvéd year

Ζηνὸς ὑπʼ ἀγγελίης, ἢ καὶ νόος ἐτράπετʼ αὐτῆς.

(Or by her chang'd mind, or by charge of Jove)

πέμπε δʼ ἐπὶ σχεδίης πολυδέσμου, πολλὰ δʼ ἔδωκε,

She gave provok'd way to my wish'd remove,

σῖτον καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ, καὶ ἄμβροτα εἵματα ἕσσεν,

And in a many-jointed ship, with wine

οὖρον δὲ προέηκεν ἀπήμονά τε λιαρόν τε.

Dainty in savour, bread, and weeds divine,

ἑπτὰ δὲ καὶ δέκα μὲν πλέον ἤματα ποντοπορεύων,

Sign'd, with a harmless and sweet wind, my pass.

ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῃ δʼ ἐφάνη ὄρεα σκιόεντα

Then sev'nteen days at sea I homeward was,

γαίης ὑμετέρης, γήθησε δέ μοι φίλον ἦτορ

And by the eighteenth the dark hills appear'd

δυσμόρῳ· ἦ γὰρ ἔμελλον ἔτι ξυνέσεσθαι ὀιζυῖ

That your earth thrusts up. Much my heart was cheer'd,

πολλῇ, τήν μοι ἐπῶρσε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων,

Unhappy man, for that was but a beam,

ὅς μοι ἐφορμήσας ἀνέμους κατέδησε κέλευθον,

To show I yet had agonies extreme

ὤρινεν δὲ θάλασσαν ἀθέσφατον, οὐδέ τι κῦμα

To put in suff'rance, which th' Earth-shaker sent,

εἴα ἐπὶ σχεδίης ἁδινὰ στενάχοντα φέρεσθαι.

Crossing my way with tempests violent,

τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα θύελλα διεσκέδασʼ· αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε

Unmeasur'd seas up-lifting, nor would give

νηχόμενος τόδε λαῖτμα διέτμαγον, ὄφρα με γαίῃ

The billows leave to let my vessel live

ὑμετέρῃ ἐπέλασσε φέρων ἄνεμός τε καὶ ὕδωρ.

The least time quiet, that ev'n sigh'd to bear

ἔνθα κέ μʼ ἐκβαίνοντα βιήσατο κῦμʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου,

Their bitter outrage, which, at last, did tear

πέτρῃς πρὸς μεγάλῃσι βαλὸν καὶ ἀτερπέι χώρῳ·

Her sides in pieces, set on by the winds.

ἀλλʼ ἀναχασσάμενος νῆχον πάλιν, ἧος ἐπῆλθον

I yet through-swum the waves that your shore binds,

ἐς ποταμόν, τῇ δή μοι ἐείσατο χῶρος ἄριστος,

Till wind and water threw me up to it;

λεῖος πετράων, καὶ ἐπὶ σκέπας ἦν ἀνέμοιο.

When, coming forth, a ruthless billow smit

ἐκ δʼ ἔπεσον θυμηγερέων, ἐπὶ δʼ ἀμβροσίη νὺξ

Against huge rocks, and an accessless shore,

ἤλυθʼ. ἐγὼ δʼ ἀπάνευθε διιπετέος ποταμοῖο

My mangl'd body. Back again I bore,

ἐκβὰς ἐν θάμνοισι κατέδραθον, ἀμφὶ δὲ φύλλα

And swum till I was fall'n upon a flood,

ἠφυσάμην· ὕπνον δὲ θεὸς κατʼ ἀπείρονα χεῦεν.

Whose shores, methought, on good advantage stood

ἔνθα μὲν ἐν φύλλοισι φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ

For my receipt, rock-free, and fenc'd from wind;

εὗδον παννύχιος καὶ ἐπʼ ἠῶ καὶ μέσον ἦμαρ.

And this I put for, gath'ring up my mind.

δείλετό τʼ ἠέλιος καί με γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἀνῆκεν.

Then the divine night came, and treading earth,

ἀμφιπόλους δʼ ἐπὶ θινὶ τεῆς ἐνόησα θυγατρὸς

Close by the flood that had from Jove her birth,

παιζούσας, ἐν δʼ αὐτὴ ἔην ἐικυῖα θεῇσι·

Within a thicket I repos'd; when round

τὴν ἱκέτευσʼ· ἡ δʼ οὔ τι νοήματος ἤμβροτεν ἐσθλοῦ,

I ruffled up fall'n leaves in heap; and found,

ὡς οὐκ ἂν ἔλποιο νεώτερον ἀντιάσαντα

Let fall from heav'n, a sleep interminate.

ἐρξέμεν· αἰεὶ γάρ τε νεώτεροι ἀφραδέουσιν.

And here my heart, long time excruciate,

ἥ μοι σῖτον ἔδωκεν ἅλις ἠδʼ αἴθοπα οἶνον

Amongst the leaves I rested all that night,

καὶ λοῦσʼ ἐν ποταμῷ καί μοι τάδε εἵματʼ ἔδωκε.

Ev'n till the morning and meridian light.

ταῦτά τοι ἀχνύμενός περ ἀληθείην κατέλεξα.

The sun declining then, delightsome sleep

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·

No longer laid my temples in his steep,

ξεῖνʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν τοῦτο γʼ ἐναίσιμον οὐκ ἐνόησε

But forth I went, and on the shore might see

παῖς ἐμή, οὕνεκά σʼ οὔ τι μετʼ ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶν

Your daughter's maids play. Like a Deity

ἦγεν ἐς ἡμέτερον, σὺ δʼ ἄρα πρώτην ἱκέτευσας.

She shin'd above them; and I pray'd to her,

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

And she in disposition did prefer

ἥρως, μή τοι τοὔνεκʼ ἀμύμονα νείκεε κούρην·

Noblesse, and wisdom, no more low than might

Become the goodness of a Goddess' height.

Nor would you therefore hope, suppos'd distrest

As I was then, and old, to find the least

Of any grace from her, being younger far.

With young folks Wisdom makes her commerce rare.

Yet she in all abundance did bestow

Both wine, that makes the blood in humans grow,

And food, and bath'd me in the flood, and gave

The weeds to me which now ye see me have.

This through my griefs I tell you, and 'tis true."

Alcinous answer'd: "Guest! my daughter knew

Least of what most you give her; nor became

The course she took, to let with ev'ry dame

Your person lackey; nor hath with them brought

Yourself home too; which first you had besought."

"O blame her not," said he, "heroical lord,

Nor let me hear against her worth a word.

She faultless is, and wish'd I would have gone

ἡ μὲν γάρ μʼ ἐκέλευε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισιν ἕπεσθαι,

With all her women home, but I alone

ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἔθελον δείσας αἰσχυνόμενός τε,

Would venture my receipt here, having fear

μή πως καὶ σοὶ θυμὸς ἐπισκύσσαιτο ἰδόντι·

And rev'rend awe of accidents that were

δύσζηλοι γάρ τʼ εἰμὲν ἐπὶ χθονὶ φῦλʼ ἀνθρώπων.

Of likely issue; both your wrath to move,

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·

And to inflame the common people's love

ξεῖνʼ, οὔ μοι τοιοῦτον ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον κῆρ

Of speaking ill, to which they soon give place.

μαψιδίως κεχολῶσθαι· ἀμείνω δʼ αἴσιμα πάντα.

We men are all a most suspicious race."

αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,

"My guest," said he, "I use not to be stirr'd

τοῖος ἐὼν οἷός ἐσσι, τά τε φρονέων ἅ τʼ ἐγώ περ,

To wrath too rashly; and where are preferr'd

παῖδά τʼ ἐμὴν ἐχέμεν καὶ ἐμὸς γαμβρὸς καλέεσθαι

To men's conceits things that may both ways fail,

αὖθι μένων· οἶκον δέ κʼ ἐγὼ καὶ κτήματα δοίην,

The noblest ever should the most prevail.

εἴ κʼ ἐθέλων γε μένοις· ἀέκοντα δέ σʼ οὔ τις ἐρύξει

Would Jove our Father, Pallas, and the Sun,

Φαιήκων· μὴ τοῦτο φίλον Διὶ πατρὶ γένοιτο.

That, were you still as now, and could but run

πομπὴν δʼ ἐς τόδʼ ἐγὼ τεκμαίρομαι, ὄφρʼ ἐὺ εἰδῇς,

One fate with me, you would my daughter wed,

αὔριον ἔς· τῆμος δὲ σὺ μὲν δεδμημένος ὕπνῳ

And be my son-in-law, still vow'd to lead

λέξεαι, οἱ δʼ ἐλόωσι γαλήνην, ὄφρʼ ἂν ἵκηαι

Your rest of life here! I a house would give,

πατρίδα σὴν καὶ δῶμα, καὶ εἴ πού τοι φίλον ἐστίν,

And household goods, so freely you would live,

εἴ περ καὶ μάλα πολλὸν ἑκαστέρω ἔστʼ Εὐβοίης,

Confin'd with us. But 'gainst your will shall none

τήν περ τηλοτάτω φάσʼ ἔμμεναι, οἵ μιν ἴδοντο

Contain you here, since that were violence done

λαῶν ἡμετέρων, ὅτε τε ξανθὸν Ῥαδάμανθυν

To Jove our Father. For your passage home,

ἦγον ἐποψόμενον Τιτυὸν Γαιήιον υἱόν.

That you may well know we can overcome

καὶ μὲν οἱ ἔνθʼ ἦλθον καὶ ἄτερ καμάτοιο τέλεσσαν

So great a voyage, thus it shall succeed:

ἤματι τῷ αὐτῷ καὶ ἀπήνυσαν οἴκαδʼ ὀπίσσω.

To-morrow shall our men take all their heed,

εἰδήσεις δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ὅσσον ἄρισται

While you securely sleep, to see the seas

νῆες ἐμαὶ καὶ κοῦροι ἀναρρίπτειν ἅλα πηδῷ.

In calmest temper, and, if that will please,

ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

Show you your country and your house ere night,

εὐχόμενος δʼ ἄρα εἶπεν, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·

Though far beyond Eubœa be that sight.

Ζεῦ πάτερ, αἴθʼ ὅσα εἶπε τελευτήσειεν ἅπαντα

And this Eubœa, as our subjects say

Ἀλκίνοος· τοῦ μέν κεν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν

That have been there and seen, is far away,

ἄσβεστον κλέος εἴη, ἐγὼ δέ κε πατρίδʼ ἱκοίμην.

Farthest from us of all the parts they know;

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·

And made the trial when they help'd to row

κέκλετο δʼ Ἀρήτη λευκώλενος ἀμφιπόλοισιν

The gold-lock'd Rhadamanth, to give him view

δέμνιʼ ὑπʼ αἰθούσῃ θέμεναι καὶ ῥήγεα καλὰ

Of earth-born Tityus; whom their speeds did show

πορφύρεʼ ἐμβαλέειν, στορέσαι τʼ ἐφύπερθε τάπητας

In that far-off Eubœa, the same day

χλαίνας τʼ ἐνθέμεναι οὔλας καθύπερθεν ἕσασθαι.

They set from hence; and home made good their way

αἱ δʼ ἴσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαι·

With ease again, and him they did convey.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ στόρεσαν πυκινὸν λέχος ἐγκονέουσαι,

Which I report to you, to let you see

ὤτρυνον δʼ Ὀδυσῆα παριστάμεναι ἐπέεσσιν·

How swift my ships are, and how matchlessly

ὄρσο κέων, ὦ ξεῖνε· πεποίηται δέ τοι εὐνή.

My young Phæacians with their oars prevail,

ὣς φάν, τῷ δʼ ἀσπαστὸν ἐείσατο κοιμηθῆναι.

To beat the sea through, and assist a sail."

ὣς ὁ μὲν ἔνθα καθεῦδε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

This cheer'd Ulysses, who in private pray'd:

τρητοῖς ἐν λεχέεσσιν ὑπʼ αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ·

"I would to Jove our Father, what he said,

Ἀλκίνοος δʼ ἄρα λέκτο μυχῷ δόμου ὑψηλοῖο,

He could perform at all parts; he should then

πὰρ δὲ γυνὴ δέσποινα λέχος πόρσυνε καὶ εὐνήν.

Be glorified for ever, and I gain

My natural country." This discourse they had;

When fair-arm'd Arete her handmaids bad

A bed make in the portico, and ply

With clothes, the cov'ring tapestry,

The blankets purple; well-napp'd waistcoats too,

To wear for more warmth. What these had to do,

They torches took and did. The bed purvey'd,

They mov'd Ulysses for his rest, and said:

"Come guest, your bed is fit, now frame to rest."

Motion of sleep was gracious to their guest;

Which now he took profoundly, being laid

Within a loop-hole tow'r, where was convey'd

The sounding portico. The King took rest

In a retir'd part of the house; where drest

The Queen her self a bed, and trundlebed,

And by her lord repos'd her rev'rend head.