1ἄνδρα μοι ἔννεπε, μοῦσα, πολύτροπον, ὃς μάλα πολλὰTell me, Muse, of the man of many turns, who wandered
πλάγχθη, ἐπεὶ Τροίης ἱερὸν πτολίεθρον ἔπερσεν·far and wide, once he had sacked the sacred city of Troy;
πολλῶν δʼ ἀνθρώπων ἴδεν ἄστεα καὶ νόον ἔγνω,he saw the cities of many men and learned their minds,
πολλὰ δʼ ὅ γʼ ἐν πόντῳ πάθεν ἄλγεα ὃν κατὰ θυμόν,and on the sea he suffered many pains within his heart,
5ἀρνύμενος ἥν τε ψυχὴν καὶ νόστον ἑταίρων.struggling for his own life and the homecoming of his companions.
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς ἑτάρους ἐρρύσατο, ἱέμενός περ·But even so he did not save his companions, for all his longing—
αὐτῶν γὰρ σφετέρῃσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο,they perished through their own reckless follies,
νήπιοι, οἳ κατὰ βοῦς Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιοthe fools, who devoured the cattle of Hyperion the Sun,
ἤσθιον· αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσιν ἀφείλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ.and he took from them the day of their return.
10τῶν ἁμόθεν γε, θεά, θύγατερ Διός, εἰπὲ καὶ ἡμῖν.Of these things, goddess, daughter of Zeus, tell us too, starting from some point.
ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες, ὅσοι φύγον αἰπὺν
ὄλεθρον,Then all the others, as many as had escaped sheer destruction,
οἴκοι ἔσαν, πόλεμόν τε πεφευγότες ἠδὲ θάλασσαν·were at home, having fled both the war and the sea;
τὸν δʼ οἶον νόστου κεχρημένον ἠδὲ γυναικὸςbut him alone, longing for his homecoming and his wife,
νύμφη πότνιʼ ἔρυκε Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάωνthe lady nymph Calypso held, bright among goddesses,
15ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι, λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι.in her hollow caves, yearning for him to be her husband.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἔτος ἦλθε περιπλομένων ἐνιαυτῶν,But when at last the year came, in the circling of the seasons,
τῷ οἱ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαιin which the gods had spun for him to return home
εἰς Ἰθάκην, οὐδʼ ἔνθα πεφυγμένος ἦεν ἀέθλωνto Ithaca, not even there was he free of his trials,
καὶ μετὰ οἷσι φίλοισι. θεοὶ δʼ ἐλέαιρον ἅπαντεςeven among his own people. And all the gods pitied him
20νόσφι Ποσειδάωνος· ὁ δʼ ἀσπερχὲς μενέαινενexcept Poseidon; he raged relentlessly
ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆι πάρος ἣν γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι.against godlike Odysseus before he reached his own land.
ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν Αἰθίοπας μετεκίαθε τηλόθʼ ἐόντας,But he had gone off to the Ethiopians, far away,
Αἰθίοπας τοὶ διχθὰ δεδαίαται, ἔσχατοι ἀνδρῶν,the Ethiopians who are split in two, the most remote of men,
οἱ μὲν δυσομένου Ὑπερίονος οἱ δʼ ἀνιόντος,some where Hyperion sets, and some where he rises,
25ἀντιόων ταύρων τε καὶ ἀρνειῶν ἑκατόμβης.to receive a hecatomb of bulls and rams.
ἔνθʼ ὅ γʼ ἐτέρπετο δαιτὶ παρήμενος· οἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοιThere he sat and delighted in the feast; but the others
Ζηνὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν Ὀλυμπίου ἁθρόοι ἦσαν.were gathered together in the halls of Olympian Zeus.
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε·And among them the father of men and gods began to speak,
μνήσατο γὰρ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονος Αἰγίσθοιο,for in his heart he remembered blameless Aegisthus,
30τόν ῥʼ Ἀγαμεμνονίδης τηλεκλυτὸς ἔκτανʼ Ὀρέστης·whom far-famed Orestes, Agamemnon's son, had slain;
τοῦ ὅ γʼ ἐπιμνησθεὶς ἔπεʼ ἀθανάτοισι μετηύδα·remembering him, he spoke his words among the immortals:
ὢ πόποι, οἷον δή νυ θεοὺς βροτοὶ αἰτιόωνται·"Ah, how mortals now lay blame upon the gods!
ἐξ ἡμέων γάρ φασι κάκʼ ἔμμεναι, οἱ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶFor they say evils come from us, but they themselves
σφῇσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὑπὲρ μόρον ἄλγεʼ ἔχουσιν,through their own reckless follies have pains beyond their lot,
35ὡς καὶ νῦν Αἴγισθος ὑπὲρ μόρον Ἀτρεΐδαοas now Aegisthus, beyond his lot, married the wedded wife
γῆμʼ ἄλοχον μνηστήν, τὸν δʼ ἔκτανε νοστήσαντα,of Atreus' son, and killed him on his return,
εἰδὼς αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον, ἐπεὶ πρό οἱ εἴπομεν ἡμεῖς,though he knew of sheer destruction, since we told him beforehand,
Ἑρμείαν πέμψαντες, ἐύσκοπον ἀργεϊφόντην,sending Hermes, the keen-sighted slayer of Argus,
μήτʼ αὐτὸν κτείνειν μήτε μνάασθαι ἄκοιτιν·neither to kill the man nor to court his wife;
40ἐκ γὰρ Ὀρέσταο τίσις ἔσσεται Ἀτρεΐδαο,for from Orestes there would come vengeance for Atreus' son,
ὁππότʼ ἂν ἡβήσῃ τε καὶ ἧς ἱμείρεται αἴης.when he came to manhood and longed for his own land.
ὣς ἔφαθʼ Ἑρμείας, ἀλλʼ οὐ φρένας ΑἰγίσθοιοSo spoke Hermes, but he did not persuade the mind
πεῖθʼ ἀγαθὰ φρονέων· νῦν δʼ ἁθρόα πάντʼ ἀπέτισεν.of Aegisthus, for all his good intent; now he has paid for all.
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then the goddess grey-eyed Athena answered him:
45ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,"Our father, son of Cronos, highest of rulers,
καὶ λίην κεῖνός γε ἐοικότι κεῖται ὀλέθρῳ·that man indeed lies fittingly in his ruin;
ὡς ἀπόλοιτο καὶ ἄλλος, ὅτις τοιαῦτά γε ῥέζοι·so may any other perish who does such deeds.
ἀλλά μοι ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆι δαΐφρονι δαίεται ἦτορ,But my heart is torn for wise Odysseus,
δυσμόρῳ, ὃς δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχειthe ill-fated one, who far from his friends has long suffered afflictions
50νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ, ὅθι τʼ ὀμφαλός ἐστι θαλάσσης.on a wave-washed island, where the navel of the sea is.
νῆσος δενδρήεσσα, θεὰ δʼ ἐν δώματα ναίει,It is a wooded island, and a goddess dwells in its halls,
Ἄτλαντος θυγάτηρ ὀλοόφρονος, ὅς τε θαλάσσηςthe daughter of destructive-minded Atlas, who knows
πάσης βένθεα οἶδεν, ἔχει δέ τε κίονας αὐτὸςthe depths of every sea, and himself holds the pillars,
μακράς, αἳ γαῖάν τε καὶ οὐρανὸν ἀμφὶς ἔχουσιν.the tall ones, that keep earth and heaven apart.
55τοῦ θυγάτηρ δύστηνον ὀδυρόμενον κατερύκει,His daughter holds back that wretched, grieving man,
αἰεὶ δὲ μαλακοῖσι καὶ αἱμυλίοισι λόγοισινand always with soft and coaxing words
θέλγει, ὅπως Ἰθάκης ἐπιλήσεται· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεύς,she charms him, so he will forget Ithaca; but Odysseus,
ἱέμενος καὶ καπνὸν ἀποθρῴσκοντα νοῆσαιlonging to see even the smoke leaping up
ἧς γαίης, θανέειν ἱμείρεται. οὐδέ νυ σοί περfrom his own land, yearns to die. And yet your heart
60ἐντρέπεται φίλον ἦτορ, Ὀλύμπιε. οὔ νύ τʼ Ὀδυσσεὺςis not moved at all, Olympian. Did not Odysseus
Ἀργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ χαρίζετο ἱερὰ ῥέζωνbeside the Argive ships gratify you, making sacrifice
Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ; τί νύ οἱ τόσον ὠδύσαο, Ζεῦ;in wide Troy? Why then are you so angry with him, Zeus?"
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·Then Zeus who gathers the clouds answered her and said:
τέκνον ἐμόν, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων."My child, what word has escaped the barrier of your teeth!
65πῶς ἂν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἐγὼ θείοιο λαθοίμην,How then could I forget godlike Odysseus,
ὃς περὶ μὲν νόον ἐστὶ βροτῶν, περὶ δʼ ἱρὰ θεοῖσινwho beyond all mortals is in mind, and beyond all men gave sacrifice
ἀθανάτοισιν ἔδωκε, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν;to the immortal gods, who hold the wide heaven?
ἀλλὰ Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος ἀσκελὲς αἰεὶBut Poseidon the earth-enfolder rages relentlessly, ever,
Κύκλωπος κεχόλωται, ὃν ὀφθαλμοῦ ἀλάωσεν,because of the Cyclops, whom Odysseus blinded of his eye,
70ἀντίθεον Πολύφημον, ὅου κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστονgodlike Polyphemus, whose might is greatest
πᾶσιν Κυκλώπεσσι· Θόωσα δέ μιν τέκε νύμφη,among all the Cyclopes; and the nymph Thoosa bore him,
Φόρκυνος θυγάτηρ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο μέδοντος,daughter of Phorcys, lord of the barren sea,
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι Ποσειδάωνι μιγεῖσα.when she lay with Poseidon in the hollow caves.
ἐκ τοῦ δὴ Ὀδυσῆα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθωνBecause of this Poseidon the earth-shaker
75οὔ τι κατακτείνει, πλάζει δʼ ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης.does not kill Odysseus, but drives him far from his native land.
ἀλλʼ ἄγεθʼ, ἡμεῖς οἵδε περιφραζώμεθα πάντεςBut come, let us all here take careful thought
νόστον, ὅπως ἔλθῃσι· Ποσειδάων δὲ μεθήσειfor his return, how he may come; and Poseidon will let go
ὃν χόλον· οὐ μὲν γάρ τι δυνήσεται ἀντία πάντωνhis anger, for he will not be able against the will of all
ἀθανάτων ἀέκητι θεῶν ἐριδαινέμεν οἶος.the immortal gods to strive alone in his contention."
80τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then the goddess grey-eyed Athena answered him:
ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,"Our father, son of Cronos, highest of rulers,
εἰ μὲν δὴ νῦν τοῦτο φίλον μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιν,if indeed this now is pleasing to the blessed gods,
νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε,that wise Odysseus should return to his own home,
Ἑρμείαν μὲν ἔπειτα διάκτορον ἀργεϊφόντηνthen let us send Hermes the guide, the slayer of Argus,
85νῆσον ἐς Ὠγυγίην ὀτρύνομεν, ὄφρα τάχισταto the island of Ogygia, so that with all speed
νύμφῃ ἐυπλοκάμῳ εἴπῃ νημερτέα βουλήν,he may tell the fair-haired nymph our unerring counsel,
νόστον Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὥς κε νέηται·the return of steadfast Odysseus, that he may come home.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν Ἰθάκηνδʼ ἐσελεύσομαι, ὄφρα οἱ υἱὸνBut I myself will go to Ithaca, so that his son
μᾶλλον ἐποτρύνω καί οἱ μένος ἐν φρεσὶ θείω,I may rouse the more, and set courage in his heart,
90εἰς ἀγορὴν καλέσαντα κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιοὺςto call the long-haired Achaeans into assembly
πᾶσι μνηστήρεσσιν ἀπειπέμεν, οἵ τέ οἱ αἰεὶand speak out against all the suitors, who continually
μῆλʼ ἁδινὰ σφάζουσι καὶ εἰλίποδας ἕλικας βοῦς.slaughter his thronging sheep and his shambling twist-horned cattle.
πέμψω δʼ ἐς Σπάρτην τε καὶ ἐς Πύλον ἠμαθόενταAnd I will send him to Sparta and to sandy Pylos
νόστον πευσόμενον πατρὸς φίλου, ἤν που ἀκούσῃ,to learn of his dear father's return, if he might hear of it,
95ἠδʼ ἵνα μιν κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἔχῃσιν.and so that noble fame among men may be his."
ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,So she spoke, and bound beneath her feet the beautiful sandals,
ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια, τά μιν φέρον ἠμὲν ἐφʼ ὑγρὴνimmortal and golden, which carried her over the waters
ἠδʼ ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν ἅμα πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο·and over the boundless earth with the breath of the wind.
εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέι χαλκῷ,And she took the strong spear, tipped with sharp bronze,
100βριθὺ μέγα στιβαρόν, τῷ δάμνησι στίχας ἀνδρῶνheavy and huge and massive, with which she beats down the ranks of men,
ἡρώων, τοῖσίν τε κοτέσσεται ὀβριμοπάτρη.the heroes against whom she is angered, the daughter of a mighty father.
βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀίξασα,She went darting down from the peaks of Olympus,
στῆ δʼ Ἰθάκης ἐνὶ δήμῳ ἐπὶ προθύροις Ὀδυσῆος,and stood in the land of Ithaca at Odysseus' outer gate,
οὐδοῦ ἐπʼ αὐλείου· παλάμῃ δʼ ἔχε χάλκεον ἔγχος,on the threshold of the court; in her hand she held the bronze spear,
105εἰδομένη ξείνῳ, Ταφίων ἡγήτορι Μέντῃ.likened to a stranger, Mentes, leader of the Taphians.
εὗρε δʼ ἄρα μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας. οἱ μὲν ἔπειταAnd she found the proud suitors. They at that time
πεσσοῖσι προπάροιθε θυράων θυμὸν ἔτερπονwere delighting their hearts with draughts before the doors,
ἥμενοι ἐν ῥινοῖσι βοῶν, οὓς ἔκτανον αὐτοί·sitting on the hides of oxen they had slaughtered themselves;
κήρυκες δʼ αὐτοῖσι καὶ ὀτρηροὶ θεράποντεςand heralds and busy attendants were with them,
110οἱ μὲν οἶνον ἔμισγον ἐνὶ κρητῆρσι καὶ ὕδωρ,some mixing wine with water in the mixing-bowls,
οἱ δʼ αὖτε σπόγγοισι πολυτρήτοισι τραπέζαςand others again wiping the tables with porous sponges
νίζον καὶ πρότιθεν, τοὶ δὲ κρέα πολλὰ δατεῦντο.and setting them out, while others carved abundant meat.
τὴν δὲ πολὺ πρῶτος ἴδε Τηλέμαχος θεοειδής,Godlike Telemachus was by far the first to see her,
ἧστο γὰρ ἐν μνηστῆρσι φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,for he sat among the suitors, grieved at heart,
115ὀσσόμενος πατέρʼ ἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ φρεσίν, εἴ ποθεν ἐλθὼνseeing in his mind his noble father, if he might come from somewhere
μνηστήρων τῶν μὲν σκέδασιν κατὰ δώματα θείη,and make a scattering of the suitors throughout the halls,
τιμὴν δʼ αὐτὸς ἔχοι καὶ δώμασιν οἷσιν ἀνάσσοι.and himself hold his honor and be lord over his own house.
τὰ φρονέων, μνηστῆρσι μεθήμενος, εἴσιδʼ Ἀθήνην.Thinking on these things, sitting among the suitors, he saw Athena.
βῆ δʼ ἰθὺς προθύροιο, νεμεσσήθη δʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷHe went straight to the outer gate, indignant in his heart
120ξεῖνον δηθὰ θύρῃσιν ἐφεστάμεν· ἐγγύθι δὲ στὰςthat a stranger should stand so long at the doors; and standing near
χεῖρʼ ἕλε δεξιτερὴν καὶ ἐδέξατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,he took her right hand and received the bronze spear,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and speaking to her he spoke winged words:
χαῖρε, ξεῖνε, παρʼ ἄμμι φιλήσεαι· αὐτὰρ
ἔπειτα"Welcome, stranger; you shall be treated kindly among us; and then
δείπνου πασσάμενος μυθήσεαι ὅττεό σε χρή.when you have tasted food, you shall tell us what you need."
125ὣς εἰπὼν ἡγεῖθʼ, ἡ δʼ ἕσπετο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.So speaking he led the way, and Pallas Athena followed.
οἱ δʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἔντοσθεν ἔσαν δόμου ὑψηλοῖο,And when they were inside the lofty house,
ἔγχος μέν ῥʼ ἔστησε φέρων πρὸς κίονα μακρὴνhe set the spear he carried against a tall pillar,
δουροδόκης ἔντοσθεν ἐυξόου, ἔνθα περ ἄλλαwithin the polished spear-rack, where many other spears
ἔγχεʼ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἵστατο πολλά,of steadfast Odysseus also stood,
130αὐτὴν δʼ ἐς θρόνον εἷσεν ἄγων, ὑπὸ λῖτα πετάσσας,and he led her and seated her on a chair, spreading a cloth beneath,
καλὸν δαιδάλεον· ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν.a beautiful, richly-wrought one, and beneath was a footstool for her feet.
πὰρ δʼ αὐτὸς κλισμὸν θέτο ποικίλον, ἔκτοθεν ἄλλωνBeside her he set an inlaid seat for himself, apart from the others,
μνηστήρων, μὴ ξεῖνος ἀνιηθεὶς ὀρυμαγδῷthe suitors, lest the stranger, annoyed by the uproar,
δείπνῳ ἁδήσειεν, ὑπερφιάλοισι μετελθών,should take no pleasure in the meal, coming among overbearing men,
135ἠδʼ ἵνα μιν περὶ πατρὸς ἀποιχομένοιο ἔροιτο.and so that he might ask him about his absent father.
χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσαA serving-woman brought water and poured it from a pitcher,
καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,a beautiful golden one, over a silver basin,
νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.for washing, and beside them she drew up a polished table.
σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,And the honored housekeeper brought bread and set it by them,
140εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων·laying out many dishes, favoring them from her store;
δαιτρὸς δὲ κρειῶν πίνακας παρέθηκεν ἀείραςand a carver lifted platters of meat and set them by,
παντοίων, παρὰ δέ σφι τίθει χρύσεια κύπελλα·meats of all kinds, and beside them he placed golden cups;
κῆρυξ δʼ αὐτοῖσιν θάμʼ ἐπῴχετο οἰνοχοεύων.and a herald came often to them, pouring the wine.
ἐς δʼ ἦλθον μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες. οἱ μὲν ἔπειταThen the lordly suitors came in. And they thereafter
145ἑξείης ἕζοντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,sat down in rows on the seats and chairs,
τοῖσι δὲ κήρυκες μὲν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν,and for them the heralds poured water over their hands,
σῖτον δὲ δμῳαὶ παρενήνεον ἐν κανέοισιν,and the serving-women heaped up bread in baskets,
κοῦροι δὲ κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο.and the young men filled the mixing-bowls brimful with drink.
οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.So they reached out their hands to the good things lying ready before them.
150αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντοBut when they had put away their desire for drink and food,
μνηστῆρες, τοῖσιν μὲν ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἄλλα μεμήλει,the suitors, their hearts turned then to other things,
μολπή τʼ ὀρχηστύς τε· τὰ γάρ τʼ ἀναθήματα δαιτός·to song and dancing, for these are the crown of a feast;
κῆρυξ δʼ ἐν χερσὶν κίθαριν περικαλλέα θῆκενand a herald placed a beautiful lyre in the hands
Φημίῳ, ὅς ῥʼ ἤειδε παρὰ μνηστῆρσιν ἀνάγκῃ.of Phemius, who sang among the suitors by compulsion.
155ἦ τοι ὁ φορμίζων ἀνεβάλλετο καλὸν ἀείδειν.Indeed he struck up a prelude, playing, to sing a fine song.
αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος προσέφη γλαυκῶπιν Ἀθήνην,But Telemachus spoke to grey-eyed Athena,
ἄγχι σχὼν κεφαλήν, ἵνα μὴ πευθοίαθʼ οἱ ἄλλοι·holding his head close, so that the others might not hear:
ξεῖνε φίλʼ, ἦ καί μοι νεμεσήσεαι ὅττι κεν εἴπω;"Dear stranger, will you be angry with me for what I say?
τούτοισιν μὲν ταῦτα μέλει, κίθαρις καὶ ἀοιδή,These men care for such things, the lyre and song,
160ῥεῖʼ, ἐπεὶ ἀλλότριον βίοτον νήποινον ἔδουσιν,easily, since they devour another's livelihood unpunished,
ἀνέρος, οὗ δή που λεύκʼ ὀστέα πύθεται ὄμβρῳof a man whose white bones, I suppose, rot in the rain
κείμενʼ ἐπʼ ἠπείρου, ἢ εἰν ἁλὶ κῦμα κυλίνδει.as they lie on the mainland, or the wave rolls them in the sea.
εἰ κεῖνόν γʼ Ἰθάκηνδε ἰδοίατο νοστήσαντα,If they were to see that man come home to Ithaca,
πάντες κʼ ἀρησαίατʼ ἐλαφρότεροι πόδας εἶναιthey would all pray to be swifter in their feet
165ἢ ἀφνειότεροι χρυσοῖό τε ἐσθῆτός τε.rather than richer in gold and clothing.
νῦν δʼ ὁ μὲν ὣς ἀπόλωλε κακὸν μόρον, οὐδέ τις ἡμῖνBut now he has perished by an evil fate, and there is no
θαλπωρή, εἴ πέρ τις ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπωνcomfort for us, even if some man on earth
φῇσιν ἐλεύσεσθαι· τοῦ δʼ ὤλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ.says he will come; his day of return is lost.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·But come now, tell me this and recount it truly:
170τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ τοκῆες;who among men are you? from where? where is your city, your parents?
ὁπποίης τʼ ἐπὶ νηὸς ἀφίκεο· πῶς δέ σε ναῦταιOn what kind of ship did you come? and how did the sailors
ἤγαγον εἰς Ἰθάκην; τίνες ἔμμεναι εὐχετόωντο;bring you to Ithaca? who did they claim to be?
οὐ μὲν γάρ τί σε πεζὸν ὀίομαι ἐνθάδʼ ἱκέσθαι.For I do not think you came here on foot at all.
καί μοι τοῦτʼ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρʼ ἐὺ εἰδῶ,And tell me this in truth, so that I may know well,
175ἠὲ νέον μεθέπεις ἦ καὶ πατρώιός ἐσσιwhether you are new here, or are a guest-friend of my father's
ξεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πολλοὶ ἴσαν ἀνέρες ἡμέτερον δῶfrom long ago, since many other men have come to our house,
ἄλλοι, ἐπεὶ καὶ κεῖνος ἐπίστροφος ἦν ἀνθρώπων.other men, since he too went visiting among men.
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athena, answered him:
τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι ταῦτα μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω."Well then, I will tell you these things very truly.
180Μέντης Ἀγχιάλοιο δαΐφρονος εὔχομαι εἶναιI claim to be Mentes, son of wise Anchialus,
υἱός, ἀτὰρ Ταφίοισι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσω.and I rule over the oar-loving Taphians.
νῦν δʼ ὧδε ξὺν νηὶ κατήλυθον ἠδʼ ἑτάροισινNow I have come here with my ship and my companions,
πλέων ἐπὶ οἴνοπα πόντον ἐπʼ ἀλλοθρόους ἀνθρώπους,sailing over the wine-dark sea to men of foreign speech,
ἐς Τεμέσην μετὰ χαλκόν, ἄγω δʼ αἴθωνα σίδηρον.to Temese after bronze, and I carry gleaming iron.
185νηῦς δέ μοι ἥδʼ ἕστηκεν ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ νόσφι πόληος,My ship stands there out in the country, away from the city,
ἐν λιμένι Ῥείθρῳ ὑπὸ Νηίῳ ὑλήεντι.in the harbor of Rheithron, below wooded Neion.
ξεῖνοι δʼ ἀλλήλων πατρώιοι εὐχόμεθʼ εἶναιWe declare ourselves guest-friends of each other through our fathers,
ἐξ ἀρχῆς, εἴ πέρ τε γέροντʼ εἴρηαι ἐπελθὼνfrom the beginning, if you were to go and ask the old man,
Λαέρτην ἥρωα, τὸν οὐκέτι φασὶ πόλινδεthe hero Laertes, who they say no longer comes
190ἔρχεσθʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀπάνευθεν ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ πήματα πάσχεινto the city, but far off in the country suffers hardships
γρηὶ σὺν ἀμφιπόλῳ, ἥ οἱ βρῶσίν τε πόσιν τεwith an old serving-woman, who sets food and drink
παρτιθεῖ, εὖτʼ ἄν μιν κάματος κατὰ γυῖα λάβῃσινbefore him, whenever weariness takes hold of his limbs
ἑρπύζοντʼ ἀνὰ γουνὸν ἀλωῆς οἰνοπέδοιο.as he creeps up the slope of his vineyard plot.
νῦν δʼ ἦλθον· δὴ γάρ μιν ἔφαντʼ ἐπιδήμιον εἶναι,Now I have come, for they said he was in his own land,
195σὸν πατέρʼ· ἀλλά νυ τόν γε θεοὶ βλάπτουσι κελεύθου.your father; but the gods must be blocking him from his road.
οὐ γάρ πω τέθνηκεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,For godlike Odysseus is not yet dead upon the earth,
ἀλλʼ ἔτι που ζωὸς κατερύκεται εὐρέι πόντῳbut still, I think, he is alive and held back on the wide sea,
νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ, χαλεποὶ δέ μιν ἄνδρες ἔχουσινon an island surrounded by water, and harsh men hold him,
ἄγριοι, οἵ που κεῖνον ἐρυκανόωσʼ ἀέκοντα.savages, who keep him there against his will.
200αὐτὰρ νῦν τοι ἐγὼ μαντεύσομαι, ὡς ἐνὶ θυμῷBut now I will prophesy to you, as in my heart
ἀθάνατοι βάλλουσι καὶ ὡς τελέεσθαι ὀίω,the immortals cast it, and as I think it will be fulfilled,
οὔτε τι μάντις ἐὼν οὔτʼ οἰωνῶν σάφα εἰδώς.though I am no prophet, nor one who knows birds clearly.
οὔ τοι ἔτι δηρόν γε φίλης ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴηςNot for much longer now will he be far from his dear native land,
ἔσσεται, οὐδʼ εἴ πέρ τε σιδήρεα δέσματʼ ἔχῃσιν·not even if iron bonds are holding him fast;
205φράσσεται ὥς κε νέηται, ἐπεὶ πολυμήχανός ἐστιν.he will devise his return, since he is a man of many devices.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,But come, tell me this, and recount it truly:
εἰ δὴ ἐξ αὐτοῖο τόσος πάϊς εἰς Ὀδυσῆος.are you truly his son, grown so tall, of Odysseus himself?
αἰνῶς μὲν κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὄμματα καλὰ ἔοικαςWonderfully in your head and beautiful eyes you are like
κείνῳ, ἐπεὶ θαμὰ τοῖον ἐμισγόμεθʼ ἀλλήλοισιν,that man, since often we mingled with one another
210πρίν γε τὸν ἐς Τροίην ἀναβήμεναι, ἔνθα περ ἄλλοιbefore he went up to Troy, where the others too,
Ἀργείων οἱ ἄριστοι ἔβαν κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσίν·the best of the Argives, went in their hollow ships;
ἐκ τοῦ δʼ οὔτʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἐγὼν ἴδον οὔτʼ ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνος.but since that time I have not seen Odysseus, nor he me.
τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus spoke to her in answer:
τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.Well then, stranger, I will speak to you very truly.
215μήτηρ μέν τέ μέ φησι τοῦ ἔμμεναι, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γεMy mother says I am his, but I myself
οὐκ οἶδʼ· οὐ γάρ πώ τις ἑὸν γόνον αὐτὸς ἀνέγνω.do not know; for no man ever knew his own begetting.
ὡς δὴ ἐγώ γʼ ὄφελον μάκαρός νύ τευ ἔμμεναι υἱὸςHow I wish I had been the son of some blessed
ἀνέρος, ὃν κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖς ἔπι γῆρας ἔτετμε.man, whom old age overtook among his own possessions.
νῦν δʼ ὃς ἀποτμότατος γένετο θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων,But now the most ill-fated of mortal men,
220τοῦ μʼ ἔκ φασι γενέσθαι, ἐπεὶ σύ με τοῦτʼ ἐρεείνεις.of him they say I was born, since you ask me this.
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athena, spoke to him again:
οὐ μέν τοι γενεήν γε θεοὶ νώνυμνον ὀπίσσωSurely the gods have not made your line without a name
θῆκαν, ἐπεὶ σέ γε τοῖον ἐγείνατο Πηνελόπεια.hereafter, since Penelope bore you such as you are.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·But come, tell me this, and recount it truly:
225τίς δαίς, τίς δὲ ὅμιλος ὅδʼ ἔπλετο; τίπτε δέ σε χρεώ;what feast, what gathering is this? What need have you of it?
εἰλαπίνη ἠὲ γάμος; ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἔρανος τάδε γʼ ἐστίν·A banquet or a wedding? For this is no shared meal;
ὥς τέ μοι ὑβρίζοντες ὑπερφιάλως δοκέουσιfor it seems to me these men are running riot, insolent,
δαίνυσθαι κατὰ δῶμα. νεμεσσήσαιτό κεν ἀνὴρfeasting through the house. A man would be filled with wrath
αἴσχεα πόλλʼ ὁρόων, ὅς τις πινυτός γε μετέλθοι.seeing so many shameful things, any man of sense who came among them.
230τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus spoke to her in answer:
ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ ἂρ δὴ ταῦτά μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς,Stranger, since indeed you ask me these things and inquire,
μέλλεν μέν ποτε οἶκος ὅδʼ ἀφνειὸς καὶ ἀμύμωνthis house was once likely to be wealthy and beyond reproach,
ἔμμεναι, ὄφρʼ ἔτι κεῖνος ἀνὴρ ἐπιδήμιος ἦεν·while that man was still here among his people;
νῦν δʼ ἑτέρως ἐβόλοντο θεοὶ κακὰ μητιόωντες,but now the gods have willed otherwise, plotting evils,
235οἳ κεῖνον μὲν ἄιστον ἐποίησαν περὶ πάντωνthey who have made him vanish beyond all
ἀνθρώπων, ἐπεὶ οὔ κε θανόντι περ ὧδʼ ἀκαχοίμην,men, since I would not so grieve even for his death,
εἰ μετὰ οἷς ἑτάροισι δάμη Τρώων ἐνὶ δήμῳ,had he been brought down among his companions in the land of the Trojans,
ἠὲ φίλων ἐν χερσίν, ἐπεὶ πόλεμον τολύπευσεν.or in the arms of his friends, once he had wound up the war.
τῷ κέν οἱ τύμβον μὲν ἐποίησαν Παναχαιοί,Then all the Achaeans would have made him a tomb,
240ἠδέ κε καὶ ᾧ παιδὶ μέγα κλέος ἤρατʼ ὀπίσσω.and for his son too he would have won great glory hereafter.
νῦν δέ μιν ἀκλειῶς ἅρπυιαι ἀνηρείψαντο·But now the storm-winds have snatched him away without glory;
οἴχετʼ ἄιστος ἄπυστος, ἐμοὶ δʼ ὀδύνας τε γόους τεhe is gone, unseen, unheard of, and to me has left
κάλλιπεν. οὐδέ τι κεῖνον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζωpain and lamentation. Nor is it for him alone
οἶον, ἐπεί νύ μοι ἄλλα θεοὶ κακὰ κήδεʼ ἔτευξαν.I mourn and grieve, since the gods have made me other bitter cares.
245ὅσσοι γὰρ νήσοισιν ἐπικρατέουσιν ἄριστοι,For all the nobles who hold power over the islands,
Δουλιχίῳ τε Σάμῃ τε καὶ ὑλήεντι Ζακύνθῳ,over Dulichium and Same and wooded Zacynthus,
ἠδʼ ὅσσοι κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν,and all who lord it over rugged Ithaca,
τόσσοι μητέρʼ ἐμὴν μνῶνται, τρύχουσι δὲ οἶκον.all these court my mother and wear away the house.
ἡ δʼ οὔτʼ ἀρνεῖται στυγερὸν γάμον οὔτε τελευτὴνAnd she neither refuses the hateful marriage nor is able
250ποιῆσαι δύναται· τοὶ δὲ φθινύθουσιν ἔδοντεςto make an end of it; and they devour and waste
οἶκον ἐμόν· τάχα δή με διαρραίσουσι καὶ αὐτόν.my house; and soon they will tear me to pieces too.
τὸν δʼ ἐπαλαστήσασα προσηύδα Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη·Then Pallas Athena, in her indignation, spoke to him:
ὢ πόποι, ἦ δὴ πολλὸν ἀποιχομένου ὈδυσῆοςAh, truly you have great need of Odysseus, far away,
δεύῃ, ὅ κε μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφείη.to lay his hands upon these shameless suitors.
255εἰ γὰρ νῦν ἐλθὼν δόμου ἐν πρώτῃσι θύρῃσιIf only he would come now and stand in the outer doorway of the house,
σταίη, ἔχων πήληκα καὶ ἀσπίδα καὶ δύο δοῦρε,with helmet and shield and two spears,
τοῖος ἐὼν οἷόν μιν ἐγὼ τὰ πρῶτʼ ἐνόησαsuch as he was when first I knew him,
οἴκῳ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ πίνοντά τε τερπόμενόν τε,drinking and taking his ease in our home,
ἐξ Ἐφύρης ἀνιόντα παρʼ Ἴλου Μερμερίδαο—when he came up from Ephyre, from Ilus son of Mermerus—
260ᾤχετο γὰρ καὶ κεῖσε θοῆς ἐπὶ νηὸς Ὀδυσσεὺςfor Odysseus went there too, on his swift ship,
φάρμακον ἀνδροφόνον διζήμενος, ὄφρα οἱ εἴηseeking a man-killing poison, that he might have it
ἰοὺς χρίεσθαι χαλκήρεας· ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν οὔ οἱto smear on his bronze-tipped arrows; but that man would not
δῶκεν, ἐπεί ῥα θεοὺς νεμεσίζετο αἰὲν ἐόντας,give it to him, since he stood in awe of the gods who are forever,
ἀλλὰ πατήρ οἱ δῶκεν ἐμός· φιλέεσκε γὰρ αἰνῶς—yet my father gave it, for he loved him terribly—
265τοῖος ἐὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμιλήσειεν Ὀδυσσεύς·if only Odysseus, such as he was, would come among the suitors,
πάντες κʼ ὠκύμοροί τε γενοίατο πικρόγαμοί τε.then they would all find death swift and marriage bitter.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται,But these things surely lie on the knees of the gods,
ἤ κεν νοστήσας ἀποτίσεται, ἦε καὶ οὐκί,whether he will come home and take his vengeance, or not,
οἷσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι· σὲ δὲ φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα,within his halls; and I bid you consider
270ὅππως κε μνηστῆρας ἀπώσεαι ἐκ μεγάροιο.how you may thrust the suitors out of the hall.
εἰ δʼ ἄγε νῦν ξυνίει καὶ ἐμῶν ἐμπάζεο μύθων·Come now, listen and give heed to my words:
αὔριον εἰς ἀγορὴν καλέσας ἥρωας Ἀχαιοὺςtomorrow call the Achaean heroes to assembly
μῦθον πέφραδε πᾶσι, θεοὶ δʼ ἐπὶ μάρτυροι ἔστων.and speak your word to all, and let the gods be witnesses.
μνηστῆρας μὲν ἐπὶ σφέτερα σκίδνασθαι ἄνωχθι,Bid the suitors scatter, each to his own,
275μητέρα δʼ, εἴ οἱ θυμὸς ἐφορμᾶται γαμέεσθαι,and your mother, if her heart is set on marrying,
ἂψ ἴτω ἐς μέγαρον πατρὸς μέγα δυναμένοιο·let her go back to the hall of her father, a man of great power;
οἱ δὲ γάμον τεύξουσι καὶ ἀρτυνέουσιν ἔεδναand they will arrange the marriage and make ready the gifts,
πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε φίλης ἐπὶ παιδὸς ἕπεσθαι.very many, all that should go with a beloved daughter.
σοὶ δʼ αὐτῷ πυκινῶς ὑποθήσομαι, αἴ κε πίθηαι·And to you yourself I will give shrewd counsel, if you will heed it:
280νῆʼ ἄρσας ἐρέτῃσιν ἐείκοσιν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,fit out a ship with twenty oarsmen, the best there is,
ἔρχεο πευσόμενος πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο,go to seek news of your father, gone so long,
ἤν τίς τοι εἴπῃσι βροτῶν, ἢ ὄσσαν ἀκούσῃςin case some mortal tells you, or you hear a rumor
ἐκ Διός, ἥ τε μάλιστα φέρει κλέος ἀνθρώποισι.from Zeus, which most of all brings men their fame.
πρῶτα μὲν ἐς Πύλον ἐλθὲ καὶ εἴρεο Νέστορα δῖον,First go to Pylos and ask godlike Nestor,
285κεῖθεν δὲ Σπάρτηνδε παρὰ ξανθὸν Μενέλαον·and from there to Sparta, to fair-haired Menelaus;
ὃς γὰρ δεύτατος ἦλθεν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων.for he came home last of the bronze-clad Achaeans.
εἰ μέν κεν πατρὸς βίοτον καὶ νόστον ἀκούσῃς,If you should hear your father is alive and homeward bound,
ἦ τʼ ἂν τρυχόμενός περ ἔτι τλαίης ἐνιαυτόν·then, worn down though you are, you could hold out a year;
εἰ δέ κε τεθνηῶτος ἀκούσῃς μηδʼ ἔτʼ ἐόντος,but if you hear he is dead and no longer living,
290νοστήσας δὴ ἔπειτα φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖανthen, returning to your own dear native land,
σῆμά τέ οἱ χεῦαι καὶ ἐπὶ κτέρεα κτερεΐξαιheap up a mound for him and pay the funeral rites,
πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε, καὶ ἀνέρι μητέρα δοῦναι.very many, all that is fitting, and give your mother to a husband.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ ταῦτα τελευτήσῃς τε καὶ ἔρξῃς,But once you have completed and performed these things,
φράζεσθαι δὴ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸνthen consider well within your mind and heart
295ὅππως κε μνηστῆρας ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεοῖσιhow you may kill the suitors in your halls,
κτείνῃς ἠὲ δόλῳ ἢ ἀμφαδόν· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴwhether by guile or in the open; you must not
νηπιάας ὀχέειν, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι τηλίκος ἐσσι.carry on with childish ways, since you are no longer of an age for that.
ἢ οὐκ ἀίεις οἷον κλέος ἔλλαβε δῖος ὈρέστηςOr have you not heard what fame godlike Orestes won
πάντας ἐπʼ ἀνθρώπους, ἐπεὶ ἔκτανε πατροφονῆα,among all men, when he killed his father's murderer,
300Αἴγισθον δολόμητιν, ὅ οἱ πατέρα κλυτὸν ἔκτα;Aegisthus of the cunning mind, who slew his glorious father?
καὶ σύ, φίλος, μάλα γάρ σʼ ὁρόω καλόν τε μέγαν τε,You too, my friend, for I see you are handsome and tall,
ἄλκιμος ἔσσʼ, ἵνα τίς σε καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἐὺ εἴπῃ.be brave, so that men yet unborn may speak well of you.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν κατελεύσομαι ἤδηBut now I will go down to my swift ship
ἠδʼ ἑτάρους, οἵ πού με μάλʼ ἀσχαλόωσι μένοντες·and my companions, who no doubt grow impatient waiting for me;
305σοὶ δʼ αὐτῷ μελέτω, καὶ ἐμῶν ἐμπάζεο μύθων.see to your own affairs, and take my words to heart.
τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered her in turn:
ξεῖνʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα φίλα φρονέων ἀγορεύεις,"Stranger, indeed you speak these things with kind intent,
ὥς τε πατὴρ ᾧ παιδί, καὶ οὔ ποτε λήσομαι αὐτῶν.as a father to his son, and I will never forget them.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν ἐπίμεινον, ἐπειγόμενός περ ὁδοῖο,But come now, stay, though you are eager for your journey,
310ὄφρα λοεσσάμενός τε τεταρπόμενός τε φίλον κῆρ,so that when you have bathed and delighted your own heart,
δῶρον ἔχων ἐπὶ νῆα κίῃς, χαίρων ἐνὶ θυμῷ,you may go to your ship with a gift, rejoicing in your spirit,
τιμῆεν, μάλα καλόν, ὅ τοι κειμήλιον ἔσταιa precious one, very beautiful, to be a keepsake for you
ἐξ ἐμεῦ, οἷα φίλοι ξεῖνοι ξείνοισι διδοῦσι.from me, such as dear friends give to friends."
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then the goddess grey-eyed Athena answered him:
315μή μʼ ἔτι νῦν κατέρυκε, λιλαιόμενόν περ ὁδοῖο."Do not hold me back any longer now, eager as I am to go.
δῶρον δʼ ὅττι κέ μοι δοῦναι φίλον ἦτορ ἀνώγῃ,But whatever gift your heart bids you give me,
αὖτις ἀνερχομένῳ δόμεναι οἶκόνδε φέρεσθαι,give it when I come again, to carry to my home,
καὶ μάλα καλὸν ἑλών· σοὶ δʼ ἄξιον ἔσται ἀμοιβῆς.and choose a truly fine one; it will earn you its worth in return."
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ἀπέβη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,So speaking grey-eyed Athena went away,
320ὄρνις δʼ ὣς ἀνόπαια διέπτατο· τῷ δʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷand like a bird she flew off through the smoke-hole; and in his spirit
θῆκε μένος καὶ θάρσος, ὑπέμνησέν τέ ἑ πατρὸςshe set strength and courage, and reminded him of his father
μᾶλλον ἔτʼ ἢ τὸ πάροιθεν. ὁ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσι νοήσαςeven more than before. And he, perceiving it in his mind,
θάμβησεν κατὰ θυμόν· ὀίσατο γὰρ θεὸν εἶναι.was astonished in his heart, for he sensed she was a god.
αὐτίκα δὲ μνηστῆρας ἐπῴχετο ἰσόθεος φώς.At once he went among the suitors, a man like the gods.
325τοῖσι δʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇFor them the famous singer was singing, and they in silence
ἥατʼ ἀκούοντες· ὁ δʼ Ἀχαιῶν νόστον ἄειδεsat listening; and he sang of the Achaeans' return
λυγρόν, ὃν ἐκ Τροίης ἐπετείλατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.from Troy, the grievous one that Pallas Athena laid upon them.
τοῦ δʼ ὑπερωιόθεν φρεσὶ σύνθετο θέσπιν ἀοιδὴνAnd from her upper chamber she caught in her mind the divine song,
κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·the daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope;
330κλίμακα δʼ ὑψηλὴν κατεβήσετο οἷο δόμοιο,and she came down the high staircase of her house,
οὐκ οἴη, ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύʼ ἕποντο.not alone, for two handmaids went along with her.
ἡ δʼ ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,And when she reached the suitors, that woman among women,
στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,she stood beside the pillar of the close-built roof,
ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα·holding before her cheeks her shining veil;
335ἀμφίπολος δʼ ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.and a faithful handmaid stood on either side of her.
δακρύσασα δʼ ἔπειτα προσηύδα θεῖον ἀοιδόν·Then weeping she spoke to the divine singer:
Φήμιε, πολλὰ γὰρ ἄλλα βροτῶν θελκτήρια
οἶδας,"Phemius, you know many other things to charm mortals,
ἔργʼ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε, τά τε κλείουσιν ἀοιδοί·deeds of men and gods that the singers make famous;
τῶν ἕν γέ σφιν ἄειδε παρήμενος, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇsing one of these as you sit among them, and let them in silence
340οἶνον πινόντων· ταύτης δʼ ἀποπαύεʼ ἀοιδῆςdrink their wine; but leave off this song,
λυγρῆς, ἥ τέ μοι αἰεὶ ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον κῆρthis grievous one, that always wears away the dear heart
τείρει, ἐπεί με μάλιστα καθίκετο πένθος ἄλαστον.within my breast, since sorrow beyond forgetting has come upon me most of all.
τοίην γὰρ κεφαλὴν ποθέω μεμνημένη αἰεί,For such a head I long for, remembering always,
ἀνδρός, τοῦ κλέος εὐρὺ καθʼ Ἑλλάδα καὶ μέσον Ἄργος.my husband, whose fame is wide through Hellas and mid-Argos."
345τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered her in turn:
μῆτερ ἐμή, τί τʼ ἄρα φθονέεις ἐρίηρον ἀοιδὸν"My mother, why do you begrudge the trusty singer
τέρπειν ὅππῃ οἱ νόος ὄρνυται; οὔ νύ τʼ ἀοιδοὶto give delight however his mind is stirred? It is not the singers
αἴτιοι, ἀλλά ποθι Ζεὺς αἴτιος, ὅς τε δίδωσινwho are to blame, but Zeus somehow is to blame, who gives
ἀνδράσιν ἀλφηστῇσιν, ὅπως ἐθέλῃσιν, ἑκάστῳ.to men who work for bread, to each one as he wills.
350τούτῳ δʼ οὐ νέμεσις Δαναῶν κακὸν οἶτον ἀείδειν·For this man there is no blame to sing the evil doom of the Danaans;
τὴν γὰρ ἀοιδὴν μᾶλλον ἐπικλείουσʼ ἄνθρωποι,for men give more praise to that song
ἥ τις ἀκουόντεσσι νεωτάτη ἀμφιπέληται.which comes round newest to those who hear it.
σοὶ δʼ ἐπιτολμάτω κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀκούειν·Let your heart and spirit be steadfast to listen:
οὐ γὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς οἶος ἀπώλεσε νόστιμον ἦμαρfor Odysseus was not the only one to lose his homecoming day
355ἐν Τροίῃ, πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι φῶτες ὄλοντο.at Troy; many other men perished too.
ἀλλʼ εἰς οἶκον ἰοῦσα τὰ σʼ αὐτῆς ἔργα κόμιζε,But go to your chamber and attend to your own tasks,
ἱστόν τʼ ἠλακάτην τε, καὶ ἀμφιπόλοισι κέλευεthe loom and the distaff, and bid your handmaids
ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι· μῦθος δʼ ἄνδρεσσι μελήσειto ply their work; speech will be the concern of men,
πᾶσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοί· τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.of all, but most of me; for mine is the power in this house."
360ἡ μὲν θαμβήσασα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει·She then in astonishment went back to her chamber,
παιδὸς γὰρ μῦθον πεπνυμένον ἔνθετο θυμῷ.for she took her son's wise words to heart.
ἐς δʼ ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶGoing up to her upper chamber with her attendant women
κλαῖεν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνονshe wept then for Odysseus, her dear husband, until
ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.grey-eyed Athena cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.
365μνηστῆρες δʼ ὁμάδησαν ἀνὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα,But the suitors made an uproar through the shadowy halls,
πάντες δʼ ἠρήσαντο παραὶ λεχέεσσι κλιθῆναι.and every one of them prayed to lie beside her in bed.
τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἤρχετο μύθων·And among them thoughtful Telemachus began to speak:
μητρὸς ἐμῆς μνηστῆρες ὑπέρβιον ὕβριν
ἔχοντες,"Suitors of my mother, you who hold to your overweening insolence,
νῦν μὲν δαινύμενοι τερπώμεθα, μηδὲ βοητὺςnow let us take our pleasure in feasting, and let there be no
370ἔστω, ἐπεὶ τόδε καλὸν ἀκουέμεν ἐστὶν ἀοιδοῦshouting, since this is a fine thing—to hear a singer
τοιοῦδʼ οἷος ὅδʼ ἐστί, θεοῖς ἐναλίγκιος αὐδήν.such as this man is, one like the gods in his voice.
ἠῶθεν δʼ ἀγορήνδε καθεζώμεσθα κιόντεςBut at dawn let us go and sit in the assembly,
πάντες, ἵνʼ ὕμιν μῦθον ἀπηλεγέως ἀποείπω,all of us, so that I may declare my word to you without flinching:
ἐξιέναι μεγάρων· ἄλλας δʼ ἀλεγύνετε δαῖτας,to get out of my halls. See to other feasts,
375ὑμὰ κτήματʼ ἔδοντες, ἀμειβόμενοι κατὰ οἴκους.eating your own possessions, going from house to house in turn.
εἰ δʼ ὕμιν δοκέει τόδε λωίτερον καὶ ἄμεινονBut if this seems to you the better and finer thing—
ἔμμεναι, ἀνδρὸς ἑνὸς βίοτον νήποινον ὀλέσθαι,that one man's living should perish, without recompense—
κείρετʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ θεοὺς ἐπιβώσομαι αἰὲν ἐόντας,then devour it. And I will call upon the gods who live forever,
αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς δῷσι παλίντιτα ἔργα γενέσθαι·in hope that Zeus may grant deeds of requital to come to pass:
380νήποινοί κεν ἔπειτα δόμων ἔντοσθεν ὄλοισθε.then you would perish, unavenged, within these halls."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἐν χείλεσι
φύντεςSo he spoke, and they all bit their lips in anger,
Τηλέμαχον θαύμαζον, ὃ θαρσαλέως ἀγόρευεν.amazed at Telemachus, that he spoke so boldly.
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, addressed him:
Τηλέμαχʼ, ἦ μάλα δή σε διδάσκουσιν θεοὶ αὐτοὶ"Telemachus, surely the very gods are teaching you
385ὑψαγόρην τʼ ἔμεναι καὶ θαρσαλέως ἀγορεύειν·to be a high-talker and to speak so boldly.
μὴ σέ γʼ ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ βασιλῆα ΚρονίωνMay the son of Cronos never make you king
ποιήσειεν, ὅ τοι γενεῇ πατρώιόν ἐστιν.in sea-girt Ithaca, though it is yours by birth, your father's due."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
Ἀντίνοʼ, ἦ καί μοι νεμεσήσεαι ὅττι κεν εἴπω;"Antinous, will you be angry with me for what I say?
390καί κεν τοῦτʼ ἐθέλοιμι Διός γε διδόντος ἀρέσθαι.I would be glad to take even this, if Zeus should grant it.
ἦ φῂς τοῦτο κάκιστον ἐν ἀνθρώποισι τετύχθαι;Do you say this is the worst thing among men?
οὐ μὲν γάρ τι κακὸν βασιλευέμεν· αἶψά τέ οἱ δῶIt is no bad thing to be king: at once one's house
ἀφνειὸν πέλεται καὶ τιμηέστερος αὐτός.grows rich, and the man himself is held in more honor.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι βασιλῆες Ἀχαιῶν εἰσὶ καὶ ἄλλοιBut truly there are other kings of the Achaeans,
395πολλοὶ ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ, νέοι ἠδὲ παλαιοί,many in sea-girt Ithaca, both young and old,
τῶν κέν τις τόδʼ ἔχῃσιν, ἐπεὶ θάνε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·and one of them might hold this, since godlike Odysseus is dead.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν οἴκοιο ἄναξ ἔσομʼ ἡμετέροιοBut I at least will be lord of my own house
καὶ δμώων, οὕς μοι ληίσσατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.and of the slaves that godlike Odysseus won for me as plunder."
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύμαχος Πολύβου πάϊς ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered him in turn:
400Τηλέμαχʼ, ἦ τοι ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται,"Telemachus, these things surely lie on the knees of the gods,
ὅς τις ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ βασιλεύσει Ἀχαιῶν·whoever among the Achaeans shall be king in sea-girt Ithaca.
κτήματα δʼ αὐτὸς ἔχοις καὶ δώμασιν οἷσιν ἀνάσσοις.But keep your goods yourself, and be lord of your own house.
μὴ γὰρ ὅ γʼ ἔλθοι ἀνὴρ ὅς τίς σʼ ἀέκοντα βίηφινMay no such man come who by force against your will
κτήματʼ ἀπορραίσει, Ἰθάκης ἔτι ναιετοώσης.would strip your goods away, while Ithaca is still inhabited.
405ἀλλʼ ἐθέλω σε, φέριστε, περὶ ξείνοιο ἐρέσθαι,But I would like to ask you, my good friend, about the stranger:
ὁππόθεν οὗτος ἀνήρ, ποίης δʼ ἐξ εὔχεται εἶναιwhere this man comes from, and from what land he claims
γαίης, ποῦ δέ νύ οἱ γενεὴ καὶ πατρὶς ἄρουρα.to be, where his family is and his native fields.
ἠέ τινʼ ἀγγελίην πατρὸς φέρει ἐρχομένοιο,Does he bring some tidings of your father's coming,
ἦ ἑὸν αὐτοῦ χρεῖος ἐελδόμενος τόδʼ ἱκάνει;or has he come here seeking some need of his own?
410οἷον ἀναΐξας ἄφαρ οἴχεται, οὐδʼ ὑπέμεινεHow he leapt up and was gone at once, and did not wait
γνώμεναι· οὐ μὲν γάρ τι κακῷ εἰς ὦπα ἐῴκει.to be known; yet he seemed no base man to look upon."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
Εὐρύμαχʼ, ἦ τοι νόστος ἀπώλετο πατρὸς ἐμοῖο·"Eurymachus, my father's homecoming is surely lost.
οὔτʼ οὖν ἀγγελίῃ ἔτι πείθομαι, εἴ ποθεν ἔλθοι,No longer do I trust in any tidings, if they should come,
415οὔτε θεοπροπίης ἐμπάζομαι, ἥν τινα μήτηρnor do I heed any prophecy, whatever one my mother
ἐς μέγαρον καλέσασα θεοπρόπον ἐξερέηται.may inquire of, calling a seer into the hall.
ξεῖνος δʼ οὗτος ἐμὸς πατρώιος ἐκ Τάφου ἐστίν,This stranger is a friend of my father's, from Taphos,
Μέντης δʼ Ἀγχιάλοιο δαΐφρονος εὔχεται εἶναιand he claims to be Mentes, son of wise Anchialus,
υἱός, ἀτὰρ Ταφίοισι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσει.and he rules over the oar-loving Taphians."
420ὣς φάτο Τηλέμαχος, φρεσὶ δʼ ἀθανάτην θεὸν ἔγνω.So spoke Telemachus, but in his heart he knew the immortal goddess.
οἱ δʼ εἰς ὀρχηστύν τε καὶ ἱμερόεσσαν ἀοιδὴνAnd they turned to the dance and the lovely song,
τρεψάμενοι τέρποντο, μένον δʼ ἐπὶ ἕσπερον ἐλθεῖν.and took their pleasure, and waited for evening to come.
τοῖσι δὲ τερπομένοισι μέλας ἐπὶ ἕσπερος ἦλθε·And as they took their pleasure, black evening came upon them;
δὴ τότε κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκόνδε ἕκαστος.then, longing for their beds, each went to his own house.
425Τηλέμαχος δʼ, ὅθι οἱ θάλαμος περικαλλέος αὐλῆςAnd Telemachus, where his chamber was built high
ὑψηλὸς δέδμητο περισκέπτῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ,in the beautiful court, in a place with a view all round,
ἔνθʼ ἔβη εἰς εὐνὴν πολλὰ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζων.went there to his bed, pondering many things in his heart.
τῷ δʼ ἄρʼ ἅμʼ αἰθομένας δαΐδας φέρε κεδνὰ ἰδυῖαAnd beside him, bearing blazing torches, went the faithful-minded
Εὐρύκλειʼ, Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο,Eurycleia, daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor,
430τήν ποτε Λαέρτης πρίατο κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖσινwhom once Laertes had bought with his own possessions
πρωθήβην ἔτʼ ἐοῦσαν, ἐεικοσάβοια δʼ ἔδωκεν,when she was still in her first youth, and gave twenty oxen for her,
ἶσα δέ μιν κεδνῇ ἀλόχῳ τίεν ἐν μεγάροισιν,and he honored her in his halls equal to his faithful wife,
εὐνῇ δʼ οὔ ποτʼ ἔμικτο, χόλον δʼ ἀλέεινε γυναικός·but never lay with her in bed, and shunned his wife's anger.
ἥ οἱ ἅμʼ αἰθομένας δαΐδας φέρε, καί ἑ μάλισταShe it was who bore the blazing torches beside him, and of all
435δμῳάων φιλέεσκε, καὶ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα.the slave women loved him most, and had nursed him when he was little.
ὤιξεν δὲ θύρας θαλάμου πύκα ποιητοῖο,He opened the doors of the well-built chamber,
ἕζετο δʼ ἐν λέκτρῳ, μαλακὸν δʼ ἔκδυνε χιτῶνα·and sat down on the bed, and took off his soft tunic,
καὶ τὸν μὲν γραίης πυκιμηδέος ἔμβαλε χερσίν.and put it into the hands of the shrewd old woman.
ἡ μὲν τὸν πτύξασα καὶ ἀσκήσασα χιτῶνα,And she folded and smoothed the tunic,
440πασσάλῳ ἀγκρεμάσασα παρὰ τρητοῖσι λέχεσσιand hung it on a peg beside the corded bedstead,
βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο, θύρην δʼ ἐπέρυσσε κορώνῃand she went out from the chamber, and pulled the door shut by the handle,
ἀργυρέῃ, ἐπὶ δὲ κληῖδʼ ἐτάνυσσεν ἱμάντι.the silver one, and drew the bolt home with the strap.
ἔνθʼ ὅ γε παννύχιος, κεκαλυμμένος οἰὸς ἀώτῳ,There all night long, wrapped in a fleece of wool,
βούλευε φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ὁδὸν τὴν πέφραδʼ Ἀθήνη.he pondered in his mind the journey Athena had shown him.