1ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,When early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
ὤρνυτʼ ἄρʼ ἐξ εὐνῆφιν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱὸςthe dear son of Odysseus rose from his bed,
εἵματα ἑσσάμενος, περὶ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτʼ ὤμῳ,dressed himself, and slung a sharp sword over his shoulder,
ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,and under his shining feet he bound his fine sandals,
5βῆ δʼ ἴμεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο θεῷ ἐναλίγκιος ἄντην.and strode from his chamber, like a god to look upon.
αἶψα δὲ κηρύκεσσι λιγυφθόγγοισι κέλευσεAt once he ordered the clear-voiced heralds
κηρύσσειν ἀγορήνδε κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιούς.to summon the long-haired Achaeans to assembly.
οἱ μὲν ἐκήρυσσον, τοὶ δʼ ἠγείροντο μάλʼ ὦκα.They made the summons, and the men gathered swiftly.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τʼ ἐγένοντο,But when they were assembled and come together,
10βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορήν, παλάμῃ δʼ ἔχε χάλκεον ἔγχος,he made his way to the assembly, gripping a bronze spear,
οὐκ οἶος, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω κύνες ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.not alone, for two swift dogs followed with him.
θεσπεσίην δʼ ἄρα τῷ γε χάριν κατέχευεν Ἀθήνη.And Athena poured a wondrous grace upon him.
τὸν δʼ ἄρα πάντες λαοὶ ἐπερχόμενον θηεῦντο·All the people gazed at him as he came near,
ἕζετο δʼ ἐν πατρὸς θώκῳ, εἶξαν δὲ γέροντες.and he sat in his father's seat, and the elders yielded.
15τοῖσι δʼ ἔπειθʼ ἥρως Αἰγύπτιος ἦρχʼ ἀγορεύειν,Then the hero Aegyptius was first to address them,
ὃς δὴ γήραϊ κυφὸς ἔην καὶ μυρία ᾔδη.a man bent with age, who knew a thousand things.
καὶ γὰρ τοῦ φίλος υἱὸς ἅμʼ ἀντιθέῳ ὈδυσῆιFor his own dear son had gone with godlike Odysseus
Ἴλιον εἰς ἐύπωλον ἔβη κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσίν,to Ilion of the fine horses in the hollow ships,
Ἄντιφος αἰχμητής· τὸν δʼ ἄγριος ἔκτανε ΚύκλωψAntiphus the spearman; and the savage Cyclops killed him
20ἐν σπῆι γλαφυρῷ, πύματον δʼ ὡπλίσσατο δόρπον.in the hollow cave, and made of him his last meal.
τρεῖς δέ οἱ ἄλλοι ἔσαν, καὶ ὁ μὲν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμίλει,Three other sons he had, and one kept the suitors' company,
Εὐρύνομος, δύο δʼ αἰὲν ἔχον πατρώια ἔργα.Eurynomus, while two still worked their father's fields.
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς τοῦ λήθετʼ ὀδυρόμενος καὶ ἀχεύων.But even so he did not forget the lost one, grieving and lamenting.
τοῦ ὅ γε δάκρυ χέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·Shedding tears for him, he rose and spoke among them:
25κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν
εἴπω·Hear me now, men of Ithaca, in what I have to say.
οὔτε ποθʼ ἡμετέρη ἀγορὴ γένετʼ οὔτε θόωκοςNever once has our assembly met, nor our council,
ἐξ οὗ Ὀδυσσεὺς δῖος ἔβη κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσί.since godlike Odysseus went away in the hollow ships.
νῦν δὲ τίς ὧδʼ ἤγειρε; τίνα χρειὼ τόσον ἵκειNow who has called us here? Whom has such need come upon,
ἠὲ νέων ἀνδρῶν ἢ οἳ προγενέστεροί εἰσιν;among the young men, or those who are older?
30ἠέ τινʼ ἀγγελίην στρατοῦ ἔκλυεν ἐρχομένοιο,Has he heard some news of an army coming
ἥν χʼ ἡμῖν σάφα εἴποι, ὅτε πρότερός γε πύθοιτο;that he might tell us plainly, being the first to learn it?
ἦέ τι δήμιον ἄλλο πιφαύσκεται ἠδʼ ἀγορεύει;Or is there some other public matter he would declare and argue?
ἐσθλός μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι, ὀνήμενος. εἴθε οἱ αὐτῷWorthy he seems to me, and blessed. May Zeus
Ζεὺς ἀγαθὸν τελέσειεν, ὅτι φρεσὶν ᾗσι μενοινᾷ.bring to good fulfillment whatever his heart desires.
35ὣς φάτο, χαῖρε δὲ φήμῃ Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός,So he spoke, and the dear son of Odysseus rejoiced at the word,
οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴν ἧστο, μενοίνησεν δʼ ἀγορεύειν,and no longer sat still, but was eager to speak,
στῆ δὲ μέσῃ ἀγορῇ· σκῆπτρον δέ οἱ ἔμβαλε χειρὶand stood in the midst of the assembly; and the herald put the scepter in his hand,
κῆρυξ Πεισήνωρ πεπνυμένα μήδεα εἰδώς.Pisenor, who knew the ways of prudent counsel.
πρῶτον ἔπειτα γέροντα καθαπτόμενος προσέειπεν·Then, addressing the old man first, he spoke:
40ὦ γέρον, οὐχ ἑκὰς οὗτος ἀνήρ, τάχα δʼ εἴσεαι
αὐτός,Old man, that man is not far off, and soon you shall know yourself,
ὃς λαὸν ἤγειρα· μάλιστα δέ μʼ ἄλγος ἱκάνει.it is I who called this gathering; grief above all comes upon me.
οὔτε τινʼ ἀγγελίην στρατοῦ ἔκλυον ἐρχομένοιο,I have heard no news of an army coming,
ἥν χʼ ὑμῖν σάφα εἴπω, ὅτε πρότερός γε πυθοίμην,which I might tell you plainly, having learned it first,
οὔτε τι δήμιον ἄλλο πιφαύσκομαι οὐδʼ ἀγορεύω,nor do I bring to light or argue any other public matter,
45ἀλλʼ ἐμὸν αὐτοῦ χρεῖος, ὅ μοι κακὰ ἔμπεσεν οἴκῳbut my own need, the evil that has fallen on my house—
δοιά· τὸ μὲν πατέρʼ ἐσθλὸν ἀπώλεσα, ὅς ποτʼ ἐν ὑμῖνtwo evils: first, I have lost my noble father, who once was king
τοίσδεσσιν βασίλευε, πατὴρ δʼ ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν·among you here, and was gentle as a father;
νῦν δʼ αὖ καὶ πολὺ μεῖζον, ὃ δὴ τάχα οἶκον ἅπανταand now a far greater one, which soon will utterly
πάγχυ διαρραίσει, βίοτον δʼ ἀπὸ πάμπαν ὀλέσσει.shatter my whole house and destroy my living entirely.
50μητέρι μοι μνηστῆρες ἐπέχραον οὐκ ἐθελούσῃ,Suitors beset my mother against her will,
τῶν ἀνδρῶν φίλοι υἷες, οἳ ἐνθάδε γʼ εἰσὶν ἄριστοι,the dear sons of the men who are the noblest here,
οἳ πατρὸς μὲν ἐς οἶκον ἀπερρίγασι νέεσθαιwho shrink from going to the house of her father
Ἰκαρίου, ὥς κʼ αὐτὸς ἐεδνώσαιτο θύγατρα,Icarius, that he himself might set the bride-price for his daughter
δοίη δʼ ᾧ κʼ ἐθέλοι καί οἱ κεχαρισμένος ἔλθοι·and give her to whom he wished, whoever came pleasing to him.
55οἱ δʼ εἰς ἡμέτερον πωλεύμενοι ἤματα πάντα,Instead they haunt our house day after day,
βοῦς ἱερεύοντες καὶ ὄις καὶ πίονας αἶγαςslaughtering our oxen and sheep and fat goats,
εἰλαπινάζουσιν πίνουσί τε αἴθοπα οἶνονthey feast and drink the flaming wine
μαψιδίως· τὰ δὲ πολλὰ κατάνεται. οὐ γὰρ ἔπʼ ἀνήρ,recklessly; and much is being wasted. For there is no man,
οἷος Ὀδυσσεὺς ἔσκεν, ἀρὴν ἀπὸ οἴκου ἀμῦναι.such as Odysseus was, to ward off ruin from the house.
60ἡμεῖς δʼ οὔ νύ τι τοῖοι ἀμυνέμεν· ἦ καὶ ἔπειταAnd we are not such as to defend it; even hereafter
λευγαλέοι τʼ ἐσόμεσθα καὶ οὐ δεδαηκότες ἀλκήν.we shall be pitiable and untrained in valor.
ἦ τʼ ἂν ἀμυναίμην, εἴ μοι δύναμίς γε παρείη.Truly I would defend it, if the power were mine.
οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ ἀνσχετὰ ἔργα τετεύχαται, οὐδʼ ἔτι καλῶςFor deeds no longer bearable have been done, and no longer fairly
οἶκος ἐμὸς διόλωλε. νεμεσσήθητε καὶ αὐτοί,has my house been destroyed. Feel indignation yourselves,
65ἄλλους τʼ αἰδέσθητε περικτίονας ἀνθρώπους,and have shame before your other neighbors, the men
οἳ περιναιετάουσι· θεῶν δʼ ὑποδείσατε μῆνιν,who dwell around us; and dread the wrath of the gods,
μή τι μεταστρέψωσιν ἀγασσάμενοι κακὰ ἔργα.lest they turn against you, appalled at these evil deeds.
λίσσομαι ἠμὲν Ζηνὸς Ὀλυμπίου ἠδὲ Θέμιστος,I beseech you by Olympian Zeus and by Themis,
ἥ τʼ ἀνδρῶν ἀγορὰς ἠμὲν λύει ἠδὲ καθίζει·who both dissolves the assemblies of men and seats them:
70σχέσθε, φίλοι, καί μʼ οἶον ἐάσατε πένθεϊ λυγρῷhold back, my friends, and leave me alone with grievous grief
τείρεσθʼ, εἰ μή πού τι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐσθλὸς Ὀδυσσεὺςto be worn away—unless my noble father Odysseus
δυσμενέων κάκʼ ἔρεξεν ἐυκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς,ever did harm in enmity to the well-greaved Achaeans,
τῶν μʼ ἀποτινύμενοι κακὰ ῥέζετε δυσμενέοντες,for which in requital you do me harm in enmity,
τούτους ὀτρύνοντες. ἐμοὶ δέ κε κέρδιον εἴηurging these men on. Better it would be for me
75ὑμέας ἐσθέμεναι κειμήλιά τε πρόβασίν τε.that you yourselves devour my treasures and my flocks.
εἴ χʼ ὑμεῖς γε φάγοιτε, τάχʼ ἄν ποτε καὶ τίσις εἴη·If you did eat them, one day there might yet be requital;
τόφρα γὰρ ἂν κατὰ ἄστυ ποτιπτυσσοίμεθα μύθῳfor then throughout the city I would keep pressing my plea,
χρήματʼ ἀπαιτίζοντες, ἕως κʼ ἀπὸ πάντα δοθείη·demanding back my goods, until all were given up.
νῦν δέ μοι ἀπρήκτους ὀδύνας ἐμβάλλετε θυμῷ.But as it is you cast pains beyond remedy upon my heart.
80ὣς φάτο χωόμενος, ποτὶ δὲ σκῆπτρον βάλε γαίῃSo he spoke in anger, and dashed the scepter to the ground,
δάκρυʼ ἀναπρήσας· οἶκτος δʼ ἕλε λαὸν ἅπαντα.bursting into tears; and pity seized the whole assembly.
ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀκὴν ἔσαν, οὐδέ τις ἔτληThen all the others stayed silent, and none dared
Τηλέμαχον μύθοισιν ἀμείψασθαι χαλεποῖσιν·to answer Telemachus with harsh words in reply;
Ἀντίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·Antinous alone spoke out to him in answer:
85Τηλέμαχʼ ὑψαγόρη, μένος ἄσχετε, ποῖον ἔειπες"Telemachus, loud speaker, unbridled in your rage, what have you said,
ἡμέας αἰσχύνων· ἐθέλοις δέ κε μῶμον ἀνάψαι.shaming us? You would like to fasten blame upon us.
σοὶ δʼ οὔ τι μνηστῆρες Ἀχαιῶν αἴτιοί εἰσιν,But the Achaean suitors are in no way to blame for you,
ἀλλὰ φίλη μήτηρ, ἥ τοι πέρι κέρδεα οἶδεν.rather your own dear mother, who beyond all knows her cunning.
ἤδη γὰρ τρίτον ἐστὶν ἔτος, τάχα δʼ εἶσι τέταρτον,For now it is the third year, and soon the fourth will come,
90ἐξ οὗ ἀτέμβει θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.since she cheats the hearts within the breasts of the Achaeans.
πάντας μέν ῥʼ ἔλπει καὶ ὑπίσχεται ἀνδρὶ ἑκάστῳShe holds hope out to all, and makes promises to each man,
ἀγγελίας προϊεῖσα, νόος δέ οἱ ἄλλα μενοινᾷ.sending us messages, but her mind is set on other things.
ἡ δὲ δόλον τόνδʼ ἄλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμήριξε·And this was another trick she devised in her heart:
στησαμένη μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ὕφαινε,she set up a great loom in her halls and began to weave,
95λεπτὸν καὶ περίμετρον· ἄφαρ δʼ ἡμῖν μετέειπε·a fine and enormous web, and at once she said to us:
κοῦροι ἐμοὶ μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ θάνε δῖος
Ὀδυσσεύς,'Young men, my suitors, since godlike Odysseus is dead,
μίμνετʼ ἐπειγόμενοι τὸν ἐμὸν γάμον, εἰς ὅ κε φᾶροςbe patient, though eager for my marriage, until I finish
ἐκτελέσω, μή μοι μεταμώνια νήματʼ ὄληται,this cloak—so that my spinning not be wasted, ruined—
Λαέρτῃ ἥρωι ταφήιον, εἰς ὅτε κέν μινa shroud for the hero Laertes, against the time when
100μοῖρʼ ὀλοὴ καθέλῃσι τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο,the ruinous doom of death that lays men low shall take him,
μή τίς μοι κατὰ δῆμον Ἀχαιϊάδων νεμεσήσῃ.lest any Achaean woman in the land reproach me,
αἴ κεν ἄτερ σπείρου κεῖται πολλὰ κτεατίσσας.if he who won so much should lie without a shroud.'
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, ἡμῖν δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
ἀγήνωρ.So she spoke, and our proud hearts were persuaded.
ἔνθα καὶ ἠματίη μὲν ὑφαίνεσκεν μέγαν ἱστόν,And so by day she would weave at the great loom,
105νύκτας δʼ ἀλλύεσκεν, ἐπεὶ δαΐδας παραθεῖτο.but by night she would unravel it, once she set the torches by.
ὣς τρίετες μὲν ἔληθε δόλῳ καὶ ἔπειθεν Ἀχαιούς·So for three years by her trick she deceived and persuaded the Achaeans;
ἀλλʼ ὅτε τέτρατον ἦλθεν ἔτος καὶ ἐπήλυθον ὧραι,but when the fourth year came and the seasons rolled on,
καὶ τότε δή τις ἔειπε γυναικῶν, ἣ σάφα ᾔδη,then one of her women, who knew it clearly, told us,
καὶ τήν γʼ ἀλλύουσαν ἐφεύρομεν ἀγλαὸν ἱστόν.and we caught her unraveling the shining web.
110ὣς τὸ μὲν ἐξετέλεσσε καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλουσʼ ὑπʼ ἀνάγκης·So she finished it, against her will, under compulsion.
σοὶ δʼ ὧδε μνηστῆρες ὑποκρίνονται, ἵνʼ εἰδῇςTo you the suitors give this answer, so that you may know
αὐτὸς σῷ θυμῷ, εἰδῶσι δὲ πάντες Ἀχαιοί·it in your own heart, and all the Achaeans may know it:
μητέρα σὴν ἀπόπεμψον, ἄνωχθι δέ μιν γαμέεσθαιsend your mother away, and bid her marry
τῷ ὅτεῴ τε πατὴρ κέλεται καὶ ἁνδάνει αὐτῇ.whomever her father commands and pleases her herself.
115εἰ δʼ ἔτʼ ἀνιήσει γε πολὺν χρόνον υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,But if she will go on vexing the sons of the Achaeans a long while,
τὰ φρονέουσʼ ἀνὰ θυμόν, ὅ οἱ πέρι δῶκεν Ἀθήνηminding those things in her heart which Athena granted her beyond others—
ἔργα τʼ ἐπίστασθαι περικαλλέα καὶ φρένας ἐσθλὰςskill in surpassingly beautiful handiwork, and a noble mind,
κέρδεά θʼ, οἷʼ οὔ πώ τινʼ ἀκούομεν οὐδὲ παλαιῶν,and cunning wiles such as we hear of in none even of the ancients,
τάων αἳ πάρος ἦσαν ἐυπλοκαμῖδες Ἀχαιαί,of those Achaean women with lovely hair who lived before,
120Τυρώ τʼ Ἀλκμήνη τε ἐυστέφανός τε Μυκήνη·Tyro and Alcmene and Mycene of the fair crown—
τάων οὔ τις ὁμοῖα νοήματα ΠηνελοπείῃOf these none had thoughts to equal Penelope's;
ᾔδη· ἀτὰρ μὲν τοῦτό γʼ ἐναίσιμον οὐκ ἐνόησε.yet in this one thing her scheme was not fitting.
τόφρα γὰρ οὖν βίοτόν τε τεὸν καὶ κτήματʼ ἔδονται,For they will go on devouring your livelihood and goods
ὄφρα κε κείνη τοῦτον ἔχῃ νόον, ὅν τινά οἱ νῦνso long as she keeps this purpose which the gods
125ἐν στήθεσσι τιθεῖσι θεοί. μέγα μὲν κλέος αὐτῇnow set within her breast. Great glory for herself
ποιεῖτʼ, αὐτὰρ σοί γε ποθὴν πολέος βιότοιο.she wins, but for you the loss of much substance.
ἡμεῖς δʼ οὔτʼ ἐπὶ ἔργα πάρος γʼ ἴμεν οὔτε πῃ ἄλλῃ,We will not go to our own lands, nor anywhere else,
πρίν γʼ αὐτὴν γήμασθαι Ἀχαιῶν ᾧ κʼ ἐθέλῃσι.until she marries whichever of the Achaeans she wishes.
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
130Ἀντίνοʼ, οὔ πως ἔστι δόμων ἀέκουσαν ἀπῶσαιAntinous, there is no way to thrust from the house against her will
ἥ μʼ ἔτεχʼ, ἥ μʼ ἔθρεψε· πατὴρ δʼ ἐμὸς ἄλλοθι γαίης,the one who bore me, who reared me. My father is elsewhere on the earth,
ζώει ὅ γʼ ἦ τέθνηκε· κακὸν δέ με πόλλʼ ἀποτίνεινwhether he lives or has died. It would be a hard thing to pay back so much
Ἰκαρίῳ, αἴ κʼ αὐτὸς ἑκὼν ἀπὸ μητέρα πέμψω.to Icarius, if of my own will I sent my mother away.
ἐκ γὰρ τοῦ πατρὸς κακὰ πείσομαι, ἄλλα δὲ δαίμωνFor from her father I would suffer evils, and a god will give
135δώσει, ἐπεὶ μήτηρ στυγερὰς ἀρήσετʼ ἐρινῦςothers besides, since my mother will call down the loathsome Furies
οἴκου ἀπερχομένη· νέμεσις δέ μοι ἐξ ἀνθρώπωνas she goes from the house; and men's blame will fall on me
ἔσσεται· ὣς οὐ τοῦτον ἐγώ ποτε μῦθον ἐνίψω.as well. So never will I speak that word.
ὑμέτερος δʼ εἰ μὲν θυμὸς νεμεσίζεται αὐτῶν,But if your own hearts feel any indignation at this,
ἔξιτέ μοι μεγάρων, ἄλλας δʼ ἀλεγύνετε δαῖταςget out of my halls, and busy yourselves with other feasts,
140ὑμὰ κτήματʼ ἔδοντες ἀμειβόμενοι κατὰ οἴκους.eating your own goods, taking turns from house to house.
εἰ δʼ ὑμῖν δοκέει τόδε λωίτερον καὶ ἄμεινονBut if this seems to you the better and finer thing—
ἔμμεναι, ἀνδρὸς ἑνὸς βίοτον νήποινον ὀλέσθαι,for one man's living to be destroyed without payment—
κείρετʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ θεοὺς ἐπιβώσομαι αἰὲν ἐόντας,devour it; and I will cry out to the gods everlasting,
αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς δῷσι παλίντιτα ἔργα γενέσθαι.in hope that Zeus may grant deeds of requital,
145νήποινοί κεν ἔπειτα δόμων ἔντοσθεν ὄλοισθε.that then you may perish within these halls unavenged.
ὣς φάτο Τηλέμαχος, τῷ δʼ αἰετὼ εὐρύοπα ΖεὺςSo spoke Telemachus, and far-seeing Zeus sent down for him
ὑψόθεν ἐκ κορυφῆς ὄρεος προέηκε πέτεσθαι.two eagles, launched to fly from the mountain's peak on high.
τὼ δʼ ἕως μέν ῥʼ ἐπέτοντο μετὰ πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιοFor a while they flew on the breath of the wind,
πλησίω ἀλλήλοισι τιταινομένω πτερύγεσσιν·close to one another, their wings outstretched;
150ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μέσσην ἀγορὴν πολύφημον ἱκέσθην,but when they reached the middle of the murmuring assembly,
ἔνθʼ ἐπιδινηθέντε τιναξάσθην πτερὰ πυκνά,there they wheeled about and beat their thick-feathered wings,
ἐς δʼ ἰδέτην πάντων κεφαλάς, ὄσσοντο δʼ ὄλεθρον·and looked down on the heads of all, and their gaze was death;
δρυψαμένω δʼ ὀνύχεσσι παρειὰς ἀμφί τε δειρὰςand tearing with their talons at cheeks and necks on either side
δεξιὼ ἤιξαν διά τʼ οἰκία καὶ πόλιν αὐτῶν.they darted off to the right through the men's houses and city.
155θάμβησαν δʼ ὄρνιθας, ἐπεὶ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν·The people were astonished at the birds, when they saw them with their eyes,
ὥρμηναν δʼ ἀνὰ θυμὸν ἅ περ τελέεσθαι ἔμελλον.and pondered in their hearts what these things would bring to pass.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως ἉλιθέρσηςAnd among them spoke the old hero Halitherses,
Μαστορίδης· ὁ γὰρ οἶος ὁμηλικίην ἐκέκαστοson of Mastor; for he alone of his generation surpassed all
ὄρνιθας γνῶναι καὶ ἐναίσιμα μυθήσασθαι·in knowing birds and telling what was fated;
160ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·with good will toward them he spoke and addressed the assembly:
κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν
εἴπω·Listen to me now, men of Ithaca, to what I say;
μνηστῆρσιν δὲ μάλιστα πιφαυσκόμενος τάδε εἴρω·and to the suitors most of all I speak and declare these things:
τοῖσιν γὰρ μέγα πῆμα κυλίνδεται· οὐ γὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςfor upon them a great disaster is rolling; for Odysseus
δὴν ἀπάνευθε φίλων ὧν ἔσσεται, ἀλλά που ἤδηwill not be long apart from his own, but even now, somewhere,
165ἐγγὺς ἐὼν τοῖσδεσσι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φυτεύειbeing near, he is sowing death and doom for these men,
πάντεσσιν· πολέσιν δὲ καὶ ἄλλοισιν κακὸν ἔσται,for all of them; and evil will come to many others too,
οἳ νεμόμεσθʼ Ἰθάκην ἐυδείελον. ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὶνto us who dwell in clear-seen Ithaca. But long before that
φραζώμεσθʼ, ὥς κεν καταπαύσομεν· οἱ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶlet us take thought how we may stop it; and let them themselves
παυέσθων· καὶ γάρ σφιν ἄφαρ τόδε λώιόν ἐστιν.stop too; and indeed this is at once the better course for them.
170οὐ γὰρ ἀπείρητος μαντεύομαι, ἀλλʼ ἐὺ εἰδώς·For I prophesy not untested, but knowing well;
καὶ γὰρ κείνῳ φημὶ τελευτηθῆναι ἅπαντα,for that man too, I say, all has come to fulfillment
ὥς οἱ ἐμυθεόμην, ὅτε Ἴλιον εἰσανέβαινονas I foretold him, when the Argives went up
Ἀργεῖοι, μετὰ δέ σφιν ἔβη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς.against Ilion, and with them went resourceful Odysseus.
φῆν κακὰ πολλὰ παθόντʼ, ὀλέσαντʼ ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους,I said that after suffering many evils, losing all his companions,
175ἄγνωστον πάντεσσιν ἐεικοστῷ ἐνιαυτῷunknown to all, in the twentieth year
οἴκαδʼ ἐλεύσεσθαι· τὰ δὲ δὴ νῦν πάντα τελεῖται.he would come home; and now all this is being fulfilled.
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύμαχος Πολύβου πάϊς ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered him:
ὦ γέρον, εἰ δʼ ἄγε νῦν μαντεύεο σοῖσι τέκεσσιν"Old man, come now, go home and prophesy to your own children,
οἴκαδʼ ἰών, μή πού τι κακὸν πάσχωσιν ὀπίσσω·lest they suffer some evil hereafter;
180ταῦτα δʼ ἐγὼ σέο πολλὸν ἀμείνων μαντεύεσθαι.but in these matters I am far better than you at prophesying.
ὄρνιθες δέ τε πολλοὶ ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιοMany are the birds that pass beneath the sun's rays,
φοιτῶσʼ, οὐδέ τε πάντες ἐναίσιμοι· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςand not all are ominous; but Odysseus
ὤλετο τῆλʼ, ὡς καὶ σὺ καταφθίσθαι σὺν ἐκείνῳhas perished far away, as you too should have died
ὤφελες. οὐκ ἂν τόσσα θεοπροπέων ἀγόρευες,along with him. Then you would not babble so much divination,
185οὐδέ κε Τηλέμαχον κεχολωμένον ὧδʼ ἀνιείης,nor would you goad Telemachus on in his anger like this,
σῷ οἴκῳ δῶρον ποτιδέγμενος, αἴ κε πόρῃσιν.expecting some gift for your house, if he should give one.
ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·But I tell you, and this thing shall be brought to pass:
αἴ κε νεώτερον ἄνδρα παλαιά τε πολλά τε εἰδὼςif you, knowing much of old and ancient lore,
παρφάμενος ἐπέεσσιν ἐποτρύνῃς χαλεπαίνειν,beguiling a younger man with words, incite him to be harsh,
190αὐτῷ μέν οἱ πρῶτον ἀνιηρέστερον ἔσται,first of all it will be more grievous for him,
πρῆξαι δʼ ἔμπης οὔ τι δυνήσεται εἵνεκα τῶνδε·and he will not for all that be able to do anything because of these men;
σοὶ δέ, γέρον, θωὴν ἐπιθήσομεν, ἥν κʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷand on you, old man, we shall lay a fine, one that in your heart
τίνων ἀσχάλλῃς· χαλεπὸν δέ τοι ἔσσεται ἄλγος.you will grieve to pay; and bitter will be your sorrow.
Τηλεμάχῳ δʼ ἐν πᾶσιν ἐγὼν ὑποθήσομαι αὐτός·And to Telemachus, before all, I myself will give this counsel:
195μητέρα ἣν ἐς πατρὸς ἀνωγέτω ἀπονέεσθαι·let him bid his mother go back to her father's house;
οἱ δὲ γάμον τεύξουσι καὶ ἀρτυνέουσιν ἔεδναand they will arrange a marriage and provide bridal gifts,
πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε φίλης ἐπὶ παιδὸς ἕπεσθαι.very many, as many as should go with a beloved daughter.
οὐ γὰρ πρὶν παύσεσθαι ὀίομαι υἷας ἈχαιῶνFor I do not think the sons of the Achaeans will cease before that
μνηστύος ἀργαλέης, ἐπεὶ οὔ τινα δείδιμεν ἔμπης,from their troublesome wooing, since we fear no one in any case,
200οὔτʼ οὖν Τηλέμαχον μάλα περ πολύμυθον ἐόντα,not even Telemachus, for all that he is full of words,
οὔτε θεοπροπίης ἐμπαζόμεθʼ, ἣν σύ, γεραιέ,nor do we care for the prophecy which you, old man,
μυθέαι ἀκράαντον, ἀπεχθάνεαι δʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον.declare, unfulfilled, and you make yourself more hated still.
χρήματα δʼ αὖτε κακῶς βεβρώσεται, οὐδέ ποτʼ ἶσαHis goods will be devoured in this evil way, and never made
ἔσσεται, ὄφρα κεν ἥ γε διατρίβῃσιν Ἀχαιοὺςgood, so long as she puts off the Achaeans over
205ὃν γάμον· ἡμεῖς δʼ αὖ ποτιδέγμενοι ἤματα πάνταher marriage; while we, waiting all our days,
εἵνεκα τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐριδαίνομεν, οὐδὲ μετʼ ἄλλαςcontend for the sake of her excellence, and do not go after
ἐρχόμεθʼ, ἃς ἐπιεικὲς ὀπυιέμεν ἐστὶν ἑκάστῳ.other women, each of whom would be fit for us to wed.
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
Εὐρύμαχʼ ἠδὲ καὶ ἄλλοι, ὅσοι μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοί,Eurymachus, and you others, all you lordly suitors,
210ταῦτα μὲν οὐχ ὑμέας ἔτι λίσσομαι οὐδʼ ἀγορεύω·about these things I no longer beg you nor make speech;
ἤδη γὰρ τὰ ἴσασι θεοὶ καὶ πάντες Ἀχαιοί.for by now the gods know them, and all the Achaeans.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι δότε νῆα θοὴν καὶ εἴκοσʼ ἑταίρους,But come, give me a swift ship and twenty comrades,
οἵ κέ μοι ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα διαπρήσσωσι κέλευθον.who might accomplish for me the journey this way and that.
εἶμι γὰρ ἐς Σπάρτην τε καὶ ἐς Πύλον ἠμαθόενταFor I will go to Sparta and to sandy Pylos
215νόστον πευσόμενος πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο,to learn of the homecoming of my father, long gone,
ἤν τίς μοι εἴπῃσι βροτῶν ἢ ὄσσαν ἀκούσωin case some mortal tells me, or I hear a rumor
ἐκ Διός, ἥ τε μάλιστα φέρει κλέος ἀνθρώποισιν·from Zeus, which most of all brings men their news.
εἰ μέν κεν πατρὸς βίοτον καὶ νόστον ἀκούσω,If I hear that my father lives and is coming home,
ἦ τʼ ἄν, τρυχόμενός περ, ἔτι τλαίην ἐνιαυτόν·then, worn down as I am, I could still endure a year;
220εἰ δέ κε τεθνηῶτος ἀκούσω μηδʼ ἔτʼ ἐόντος,but if I hear that he is dead and no longer among the living,
νοστήσας δὴ ἔπειτα φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖανthen, returning to my own dear native land,
σῆμά τέ οἱ χεύω καὶ ἐπὶ κτέρεα κτερεΐξωI will heap him a mound and render the funeral rites,
πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε, καὶ ἀνέρι μητέρα δώσω.very many, as many as are fitting, and give my mother to a husband.
ἦ τοι ὅ γʼ ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο, τοῖσι δʼ
ἀνέστηSo he spoke, and sat down again, and among them rose up
225Μέντωρ, ὅς ῥʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος ἦεν ἑταῖρος,Mentor, who had been the comrade of blameless Odysseus,
καί οἱ ἰὼν ἐν νηυσὶν ἐπέτρεπεν οἶκον ἅπαντα,and to him, departing in his ships, he entrusted his whole house,
πείθεσθαί τε γέροντι καὶ ἔμπεδα πάντα φυλάσσειν·to obey the old man and keep all things secure.
ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·He, with good will toward them, made his speech and spoke among them:
κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν
εἴπω·Listen now to me, men of Ithaca, to what I say:
230μή τις ἔτι πρόφρων ἀγανὸς καὶ ἤπιος ἔστωlet no sceptered king henceforth be kindly and gentle
σκηπτοῦχος βασιλεύς, μηδὲ φρεσὶν αἴσιμα εἰδώς,with a ready heart, nor let him know what is right in his mind,
ἀλλʼ αἰεὶ χαλεπός τʼ εἴη καὶ αἴσυλα ῥέζοι·but let him always be harsh and work iniquity,
ὡς οὔ τις μέμνηται Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιοsince no one remembers godlike Odysseus
λαῶν οἷσιν ἄνασσε, πατὴρ δʼ ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν.among the people he ruled, and he was gentle as a father.
235ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας οὔ τι μεγαίρωBut I do not so much begrudge the proud suitors
ἔρδειν ἔργα βίαια κακορραφίῃσι νόοιο·their doing of violent deeds in the malice of their minds;
σφὰς γὰρ παρθέμενοι κεφαλὰς κατέδουσι βιαίωςfor it is their own heads they wager as they devour by force
οἶκον Ὀδυσσῆος, τὸν δʼ οὐκέτι φασὶ νέεσθαι.the house of Odysseus, whom they say will come no more.
νῦν δʼ ἄλλῳ δήμῳ νεμεσίζομαι, οἷον ἅπαντεςBut now it is the rest of the people I resent, how all of you
240ἧσθʼ ἄνεῳ, ἀτὰρ οὔ τι καθαπτόμενοι ἐπέεσσιsit there in silence, and never with words rebuke
παύρους μνηστῆρας καταπαύετε πολλοὶ ἐόντες.and check the suitors, few as they are, though you are many.
τὸν δʼ Εὐηνορίδης Λειώκριτος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then Leocritus, son of Euenor, answered him:
Μέντορ ἀταρτηρέ, φρένας ἠλεέ, ποῖον ἔειπες"Mentor, you reckless fool, out of your wits, what have you said,
ἡμέας ὀτρύνων καταπαυέμεν. ἀργαλέον δὲurging them to check us? It would be hard
245ἀνδράσι καὶ πλεόνεσσι μαχήσασθαι περὶ δαιτί.for men, even outnumbering us, to fight over a feast.
εἴ περ γάρ κʼ Ὀδυσεὺς Ἰθακήσιος αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼνFor even if Odysseus of Ithaca himself should come
δαινυμένους κατὰ δῶμα ἑὸν μνηστῆρας ἀγαυοὺςand long in his heart to drive the proud suitors
ἐξελάσαι μεγάροιο μενοινήσειʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ,out of his hall, as they feast throughout his house,
οὔ κέν οἱ κεχάροιτο γυνή, μάλα περ χατέουσα,his wife would take no joy in his coming, much as she longs for him,
250ἐλθόντʼ, ἀλλά κεν αὐτοῦ ἀεικέα πότμον ἐπίσποι,but there on the spot he would meet a shameful doom,
εἰ πλεόνεσσι μάχοιτο· σὺ δʼ οὐ κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.if he fought against greater numbers. You have not spoken as is right.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε, λαοὶ μὲν σκίδνασθʼ ἐπὶ ἔργα ἕκαστος,But come, let the people scatter, each to his own work,
τούτῳ δʼ ὀτρυνέει Μέντωρ ὁδὸν ἠδʼ Ἁλιθέρσης,and Mentor will speed this man's journey, and Halitherses,
οἵ τέ οἱ ἐξ ἀρχῆς πατρώιοί εἰσιν ἑταῖροι.men who from of old are his father's companions.
255ἀλλʼ ὀίω, καὶ δηθὰ καθήμενος ἀγγελιάωνBut I think he will sit here a long while, waiting for news
πεύσεται εἰν Ἰθάκῃ, τελέει δʼ ὁδὸν οὔ ποτε ταύτην.in Ithaca, and never will accomplish this journey."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, λῦσεν δʼ ἀγορὴν αἰψηρήν.So he spoke, and quickly he dissolved the assembly.
οἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐσκίδναντο ἑὰ πρὸς δώμαθʼ ἕκαστος,They scattered then, each man to his own house,
μνηστῆρες δʼ ἐς δώματʼ ἴσαν θείου Ὀδυσῆος.and the suitors went to the house of godlike Odysseus.
260Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἀπάνευθε κιὼν ἐπὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης,But Telemachus went off apart to the shore of the sea,
χεῖρας νιψάμενος πολιῆς ἁλὸς εὔχετʼ Ἀθήνῃ·and washing his hands in the grey brine he prayed to Athena:
κλῦθί μευ, ὃ χθιζὸς θεὸς ἤλυθες ἡμέτερον δῶ"Hear me, you god who came yesterday to our house
καί μʼ ἐν νηὶ κέλευσας ἐπʼ ἠεροειδέα πόντονand bade me go by ship over the misty sea
νόστον πευσόμενον πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιοto learn of the homecoming of my father, long gone away—
265ἔρχεσθαι· τὰ δὲ πάντα διατρίβουσιν Ἀχαιοί,to go; but all these things the Achaeans delay,
μνηστῆρες δὲ μάλιστα κακῶς ὑπερηνορέοντες.and above all the suitors in their evil arrogance."
ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη,So he spoke in prayer, and Athena came near to him,
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν,likened to Mentor both in form and in voice,
καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and she spoke and addressed him in winged words:
270Τηλέμαχʼ, οὐδʼ ὄπιθεν κακὸς ἔσσεαι οὐδʼ
ἀνοήμων,"Telemachus, you will be neither base nor foolish hereafter,
εἰ δή τοι σοῦ πατρὸς ἐνέστακται μένος ἠύ,if indeed your father's brave spirit is instilled in you,
οἷος κεῖνος ἔην τελέσαι ἔργον τε ἔπος τε·such a man was he to accomplish both deed and word;
οὔ τοι ἔπειθʼ ἁλίη ὁδὸς ἔσσεται οὐδʼ ἀτέλεστος.then this journey of yours will be neither vain nor unfulfilled.
εἰ δʼ οὐ κείνου γʼ ἐσσὶ γόνος καὶ Πηνελοπείης,But if you are not the son of him and of Penelope,
275οὐ σέ γʼ ἔπειτα ἔολπα τελευτήσειν, ἃ μενοινᾷς.then I have no hope you will accomplish what you desire.
παῦροι γάρ τοι παῖδες ὁμοῖοι πατρὶ πέλονται,For few are the sons who turn out equal to their fathers;
οἱ πλέονες κακίους, παῦροι δέ τε πατρὸς ἀρείους.the more are worse, and few are better than their fathers.
ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ οὐδʼ ὄπιθεν κακὸς ἔσσεαι οὐδʼ ἀνοήμων,But since you will be neither base nor foolish hereafter,
οὐδέ σε πάγχυ γε μῆτις Ὀδυσσῆος προλέλοιπεν,nor has the cunning of Odysseus wholly failed you,
280ἐλπωρή τοι ἔπειτα τελευτῆσαι τάδε ἔργα.there is hope, then, that you will accomplish these deeds.
τῶ νῦν μνηστήρων μὲν ἔα βουλήν τε νόον τεSo now let the suitors' counsel and their purpose be,
ἀφραδέων, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι νοήμονες οὐδὲ δίκαιοι·these fools, since they are neither wise nor just;
οὐδέ τι ἴσασιν θάνατον καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν,nor do they know at all of death and the black fate
ὃς δή σφι σχεδόν ἐστιν, ἐπʼ ἤματι πάντας ὀλέσθαι.that stands so near them, to perish all in a single day.
285σοὶ δʼ ὁδὸς οὐκέτι δηρὸν ἀπέσσεται ἣν σὺ μενοινᾷς·But the journey you long for will not be far off now;
τοῖος γάρ τοι ἑταῖρος ἐγὼ πατρώιός εἰμι,such a friend of your father's am I to you,
ὅς τοι νῆα θοὴν στελέω καὶ ἅμʼ ἕψομαι αὐτός.who will fit out a swift ship for you and go along myself.
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν πρὸς δώματʼ ἰὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμίλει,But go now to your house and mingle with the suitors,
ὅπλισσόν τʼ ἤια καὶ ἄγγεσιν ἄρσον ἅπαντα,prepare provisions, and store them all in vessels,
290οἶνον ἐν ἀμφιφορεῦσι, καὶ ἄλφιτα, μυελὸν ἀνδρῶν,wine in the two-handled jars, and barley meal, the marrow of men,
δέρμασιν ἐν πυκινοῖσιν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἀνὰ δῆμον ἑταίρουςin close-sewn skins; and I throughout the district
αἶψʼ ἐθελοντῆρας συλλέξομαι. εἰσὶ δὲ νῆεςwill quickly gather comrades who volunteer. There are ships
πολλαὶ ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ, νέαι ἠδὲ παλαιαί·many in sea-girt Ithaca, both new and old;
τάων μέν τοι ἐγὼν ἐπιόψομαι ἥ τις ἀρίστη,of these I will look out for you which one is best,
295ὦκα δʼ ἐφοπλίσσαντες ἐνήσομεν εὐρέι πόντῳ.and quickly rigging her we will launch her on the broad sea."
ὣς φάτʼ Ἀθηναίη κούρη Διός· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴνSo spoke Athena, daughter of Zeus; and no longer then
Τηλέμαχος παρέμιμνεν, ἐπεὶ θεοῦ ἔκλυεν αὐδήν.did Telemachus linger, once he had heard the god's voice.
βῆ δʼ ἰέναι πρὸς δῶμα, φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,He set off toward the house, grieved at heart,
εὗρε δʼ ἄρα μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας ἐν μεγάροισιν,and there he found the arrogant suitors in the halls,
300αἶγας ἀνιεμένους σιάλους θʼ εὕοντας ἐν αὐλῇ.flaying goats and singeing fatted swine in the courtyard.
Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἰθὺς γελάσας κίε Τηλεμάχοιο,And Antinous came straight up laughing to Telemachus,
ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·and clung to his hand, and spoke a word and named him:
Τηλέμαχʼ ὑψαγόρη, μένος ἄσχετε, μή τί τοι
ἄλλο"Telemachus, loud speaker, unbridled in spirit, let no other
ἐν στήθεσσι κακὸν μελέτω ἔργον τε ἔπος τε,evil deed or word trouble your breast,
305ἀλλά μοι ἐσθιέμεν καὶ πινέμεν, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ.but eat and drink with me as you did before.
ταῦτα δέ τοι μάλα πάντα τελευτήσουσιν Ἀχαιοί,These things the Achaeans will surely accomplish for you all,
νῆα καὶ ἐξαίτους ἐρέτας, ἵνα θᾶσσον ἵκηαιa ship and chosen oarsmen, so you may sooner reach
ἐς Πύλον ἠγαθέην μετʼ ἀγαυοῦ πατρὸς ἀκουήν.holy Pylos to seek word of your noble father."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
310Ἀντίνοʼ, οὔ πως ἔστιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μεθʼ ὑμῖν"Antinous, there is no way among you overweening men
δαίνυσθαί τʼ ἀκέοντα καὶ εὐφραίνεσθαι ἕκηλον.to feast in silence and take my ease in peace.
ἦ οὐχ ἅλις ὡς τὸ πάροιθεν ἐκείρετε πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλὰIs it not enough that before this you sheared away my many
κτήματʼ ἐμά, μνηστῆρες, ἐγὼ δʼ ἔτι νήπιος ἦα;fine possessions, you suitors, while I was still a child?
νῦν δʼ ὅτε δὴ μέγας εἰμὶ καὶ ἄλλων μῦθον ἀκούωνBut now that I am grown and by hearing the talk of others
315πυνθάνομαι, καὶ δή μοι ἀέξεται ἔνδοθι θυμός,learn the truth, and the spirit swells within me,
πειρήσω, ὥς κʼ ὔμμι κακὰς ἐπὶ κῆρας ἰήλω,I will try to cast evil fates upon you,
ἠὲ Πύλονδʼ ἐλθών, ἢ αὐτοῦ τῷδʼ ἐνὶ δήμῳ.whether I go to Pylos, or stay here in this land.
εἶμι μέν, οὐδʼ ἁλίη ὁδὸς ἔσσεται ἣν ἀγορεύω,I will go—nor shall the journey I speak of be in vain—
ἔμπορος· οὐ γὰρ νηὸς ἐπήβολος οὐδʼ ἐρετάωνas a passenger; for I command no ship nor oarsmen
320γίγνομαι· ὥς νύ που ὔμμιν ἐείσατο κέρδιον εἶναι.of my own; so it seemed more to your profit, no doubt."
ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς χεῖρα σπάσατʼ ἈντινόοιοHe spoke, and drew his hand from the hand of Antinous
ῥεῖα· μνηστῆρες δὲ δόμον κάτα δαῖτα πένοντο.easily; and the suitors busied themselves with the feast throughout the house.
οἱ δʼ ἐπελώβευον καὶ ἐκερτόμεον ἐπέεσσιν.They mocked at him and taunted him with their words.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·And thus would one of the overbearing young men speak:
325ἦ μάλα Τηλέμαχος φόνον ἡμῖν μερμηρίζει."Truly Telemachus is plotting our murder.
ἤ τινας ἐκ Πύλου ἄξει ἀμύντορας ἠμαθόεντοςHe will bring back avengers from sandy Pylos,
ἢ ὅ γε καὶ Σπάρτηθεν, ἐπεί νύ περ ἵεται αἰνῶς·or else from Sparta, since he is so terribly eager;
ἠὲ καὶ εἰς Ἐφύρην ἐθέλει, πίειραν ἄρουραν,or he means to go to Ephyra, that rich plowland,
ἐλθεῖν, ὄφρʼ ἔνθεν θυμοφθόρα φάρμακʼ ἐνείκῃ,to fetch from there life-destroying drugs,
330ἐν δὲ βάλῃ κρητῆρι καὶ ἡμέας πάντας ὀλέσσῃ.and cast them in the mixing-bowl and destroy us all."
ἄλλος δʼ αὖτʼ εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·And again another of the overbearing young men would say:
τίς δʼ οἶδʼ, εἴ κε καὶ αὐτὸς ἰὼν κοίλης ἐπὶ νηὸς"Who knows if he too, going off in his hollow ship,
τῆλε φίλων ἀπόληται ἀλώμενος ὥς περ Ὀδυσσεύς;may perish far from his friends, wandering like Odysseus?
οὕτω κεν καὶ μᾶλλον ὀφέλλειεν πόνον ἄμμιν·So would he heap still more toil upon us;
335κτήματα γάρ κεν πάντα δασαίμεθα, οἰκία δʼ αὖτεfor we should divide up all his possessions, and the house
τούτου μητέρι δοῖμεν ἔχειν ἠδʼ ὅς τις ὀπυίοι.we would give to his mother to keep, and to whoever should wed her."
ὣς φάν, ὁ δʼ ὑψόροφον θάλαμον κατεβήσετο πατρὸςSo they spoke, but he went down to his father's high-roofed
εὐρύν, ὅθι νητὸς χρυσὸς καὶ χαλκὸς ἔκειτοstoreroom, broad, where heaped-up gold and bronze lay,
ἐσθής τʼ ἐν χηλοῖσιν ἅλις τʼ ἐυῶδες ἔλαιον·and clothing in chests, and abundant fragrant oil;
340ἐν δὲ πίθοι οἴνοιο παλαιοῦ ἡδυπότοιοand there stood jars of old sweet-tasting wine,
ἕστασαν, ἄκρητον θεῖον ποτὸν ἐντὸς ἔχοντες,holding within them the unmixed divine drink,
ἑξείης ποτὶ τοῖχον ἀρηρότες, εἴ ποτʼ Ὀδυσσεὺςstanding in order against the wall, in case Odysseus
οἴκαδε νοστήσειε καὶ ἄλγεα πολλὰ μογήσας.should ever come home again after suffering many griefs.
κληισταὶ δʼ ἔπεσαν σανίδες πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαι,Fitted double doors, close-jointed, were fastened shut,
345δικλίδες· ἐν δὲ γυνὴ ταμίη νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρshut fast; and a woman, the housekeeper, night and day
ἔσχʼ, ἣ πάντʼ ἐφύλασσε νόου πολυϊδρείῃσιν,kept there, guarding all with the shrewdness of her mind,
Εὐρύκλειʼ, Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο.Eurycleia, daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor.
τὴν τότε Τηλέμαχος προσέφη θαλαμόνδε καλέσσας·To her then Telemachus spoke, calling her into the storeroom:
μαῖʼ, ἄγε δή μοι οἶνον ἐν ἀμφιφορεῦσιν
ἄφυσσον"Nurse, come, draw off for me wine in jars,
350ἡδύν, ὅτις μετὰ τὸν λαρώτατος ὃν σὺ φυλάσσειςsweet wine, the choicest next after that which you keep
κεῖνον ὀιομένη τὸν κάμμορον, εἴ ποθεν ἔλθοιwatch over, thinking of that ill-fated man, in case he should come,
διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξας.Zeus-born Odysseus, escaping death and the fates.
δώδεκα δʼ ἔμπλησον καὶ πώμασιν ἄρσον ἅπαντας.Fill twelve of them, and fit them all with lids.
ἐν δέ μοι ἄλφιτα χεῦον ἐϋρραφέεσσι δοροῖσιν·And pour me barley-meal into well-stitched skins;
355εἴκοσι δʼ ἔστω μέτρα μυληφάτου ἀλφίτου ἀκτῆς.let there be twenty measures of mill-ground barley-meal.
αὐτὴ δʼ οἴη ἴσθι· τὰ δʼ ἁθρόα πάντα τετύχθω·Let you alone know this; let it all be gathered together;
ἑσπέριος γὰρ ἐγὼν αἱρήσομαι, ὁππότε κεν δὴfor in the evening I will take them up, at the hour when
μήτηρ εἰς ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβῇ κοίτου τε μέδηται.my mother goes up to her chamber and turns her mind to sleep.
εἶμι γὰρ ἐς Σπάρτην τε καὶ ἐς Πύλον ἠμαθόενταFor I am going to Sparta and to sandy Pylos
360νόστον πευσόμενος πατρὸς φίλου, ἤν που ἀκούσω.to seek news of my dear father's return, if I may hear of it."
ὣς φάτο, κώκυσεν δὲ φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια,So he spoke, and his dear nurse Eurycleia cried aloud,
καί ῥʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and lamenting she spoke winged words:
τίπτε δέ τοι, φίλε τέκνον, ἐνὶ φρεσὶ τοῦτο νόημα"Why, dear child, has this thought entered
ἔπλετο; πῇ δʼ ἐθέλεις ἰέναι πολλὴν ἐπὶ γαῖανyour mind? Where do you mean to go over the wide earth,
365μοῦνος ἐὼν ἀγαπητός; ὁ δʼ ὤλετο τηλόθι πάτρηςan only son and beloved? He has perished far from his homeland,
διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς ἀλλογνώτῳ ἐνὶ δήμῳ.Zeus-born Odysseus, in a country of strangers.
οἱ δέ τοι αὐτίκʼ ἰόντι κακὰ φράσσονται ὀπίσσω,And these men, the moment you are gone, will plot evil against you,
ὥς κε δόλῳ φθίῃς, τάδε δʼ αὐτοὶ πάντα δάσονται.so that you die by treachery, and they divide all this among themselves.
ἀλλὰ μένʼ αὖθʼ ἐπὶ σοῖσι καθήμενος· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴStay here, sitting among your own; there is no need
370πόντον ἐπʼ ἀτρύγετον κακὰ πάσχειν οὐδʼ ἀλάλησθαι.for you to suffer harm on the barren sea, or to wander."
τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered her in turn:
θάρσει, μαῖʼ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι ἄνευ θεοῦ ἥδε γε βουλή."Take heart, nurse, since this plan is not without a god's will.
ἀλλʼ ὄμοσον μὴ μητρὶ φίλῃ τάδε μυθήσασθαι,But swear to say nothing of this to my dear mother,
πρίν γʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἑνδεκάτη τε δυωδεκάτη τε γένηται,not until eleven or twelve days have passed,
375ἢ αὐτὴν ποθέσαι καὶ ἀφορμηθέντος ἀκοῦσαι,or until she herself misses me and hears that I am gone,
ὡς ἂν μὴ κλαίουσα κατὰ χρόα καλὸν ἰάπτῃ.so that she may not mar her lovely skin with weeping."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, γρῆυς δὲ θεῶν μέγαν ὅρκον ἀπώμνυ.So he spoke, and the old woman swore the great oath of the gods.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ὄμοσέν τε τελεύτησέν τε τὸν ὅρκον,But when she had sworn and completed that oath,
αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτά οἱ οἶνον ἐν ἀμφιφορεῦσιν ἄφυσσεν,at once then she drew off wine for him in jars,
380ἐν δέ οἱ ἄλφιτα χεῦεν ἐϋρραφέεσσι δοροῖσι.and poured barley-meal into the well-stitched skins.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἐς δώματʼ ἰὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμίλει.And Telemachus, going into the hall, joined the suitors.
ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athena, thought of another thing.
Τηλεμάχῳ ἐικυῖα κατὰ πτόλιν ᾤχετο πάντῃ,In the likeness of Telemachus she went everywhere through the city,
καί ῥα ἑκάστῳ φωτὶ παρισταμένη φάτο μῦθον,and standing beside each man she spoke her word,
385ἑσπερίους δʼ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν ἀγέρεσθαι ἀνώγει.and bade them gather at evening by the swift ship.
ἡ δʼ αὖτε Φρονίοιο Νοήμονα φαίδιμον υἱὸνAnd she asked of Noemon, the glorious son of Phronius,
ᾔτεε νῆα θοήν· ὁ δέ οἱ πρόφρων ὑπέδεκτο.a swift ship; and he readily promised it to her.
δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί,The sun went down, and all the ways grew dark,
καὶ τότε νῆα θοὴν ἅλαδʼ εἴρυσε, πάντα δʼ ἐν αὐτῇand then she drew the swift ship down to the sea, and in her
390ὅπλʼ ἐτίθει, τά τε νῆες ἐύσσελμοι φορέουσι.placed all the gear that the well-benched ships carry.
στῆσε δʼ ἐπʼ ἐσχατιῇ λιμένος, περὶ δʼ ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροιShe moored her at the harbor's edge, and around her the good companions
ἁθρόοι ἠγερέθοντο· θεὰ δʼ ὤτρυνεν ἕκαστον.gathered in a crowd; and the goddess urged on each man.
ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athena, thought of another thing.
βῆ ῤʼ ἰέναι πρὸς δώματʼ Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο·She went on her way to the house of godlike Odysseus,
395ἔνθα μνηστήρεσσιν ἐπὶ γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἔχευε,and there she poured sweet sleep upon the suitors,
πλάζε δὲ πίνοντας, χειρῶν δʼ ἔκβαλλε κύπελλα.and made them stray as they drank, and struck the cups from their hands.
οἱ δʼ εὕδειν ὤρνυντο κατὰ πτόλιν, οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴνThey rose to go and sleep throughout the city, nor any longer
ἥατʼ, ἐπεί σφισιν ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔπιπτεν.did they sit, since sleep was falling on their eyelids.
αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχον προσέφη γλαυκῶπις ἈθήνηBut grey-eyed Athena spoke to Telemachus,
400ἐκπροκαλεσσαμένη μεγάρων ἐὺ ναιεταόντων,having called him forth from the well-appointed halls,
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν·likened to Mentor both in form and voice:
Τηλέμαχʼ, ἤδη μέν τοι ἐυκνήμιδες ἑταῖροι"Telemachus, already your well-greaved companions
ἥατʼ ἐπήρετμοι τὴν σὴν ποτιδέγμενοι ὁρμήν·sit at their oars, awaiting your setting out;
ἀλλʼ ἴομεν, μὴ δηθὰ διατρίβωμεν ὁδοῖο.but let us go, and not delay our journey long."
405ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασʼ ἡγήσατο Παλλὰς ἈθήνηSo having spoken, Pallas Athena led the way
καρπαλίμως· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα μετʼ ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο.swiftly; and he then walked behind in the god's footsteps.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,But when they had come down to the ship and the sea,
εὗρον ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ θινὶ κάρη κομόωντας ἑταίρους.they found there on the shore the long-haired companions.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειφʼ ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο·And the sacred might of Telemachus spoke among them:
410δεῦτε, φίλοι, ἤια φερώμεθα· πάντα γὰρ ἤδη"Come, friends, let us bring the provisions; for all of them now
ἁθρόʼ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ. μήτηρ δʼ ἐμὴ οὔ τι πέπυσται,are gathered in the hall. My mother knows nothing,
οὐδʼ ἄλλαι δμωαί, μία δʼ οἴη μῦθον ἄκουσεν.nor the other handmaids; one alone has heard the word."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο.So having spoken he led the way, and they followed with him.
οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντα φέροντες ἐυσσέλμῳ ἐπὶ νηὶAnd they, bringing all things, upon the well-benched ship
415κάτθεσαν, ὡς ἐκέλευσεν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός.stowed them, as the dear son of Odysseus commanded.
ἂν δʼ ἄρα Τηλέμαχος νηὸς βαῖνʼ, ἦρχε δʼ Ἀθήνη,Then Telemachus went aboard the ship, and Athena led,
νηὶ δʼ ἐνὶ πρυμνῇ κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο· ἄγχι δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτῆςand she sat down in the ship's stern; and close beside her
ἕζετο Τηλέμαχος. τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔλυσαν,Telemachus sat. And they loosed the stern cables,
ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βάντες ἐπὶ κληῖσι καθῖζον.and they themselves went aboard and sat down at the oarlocks.
420τοῖσιν δʼ ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,And grey-eyed Athena sent them a favoring wind,
ἀκραῆ Ζέφυρον, κελάδοντʼ ἐπὶ οἴνοπα πόντον.a brisk West Wind, singing over the wine-dark sea.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσενAnd Telemachus, urging on his companions, commanded them
ὅπλων ἅπτεσθαι· τοὶ δʼ ὀτρύνοντος ἄκουσαν.to lay hold of the tackle; and they heard him urging.
ἱστὸν δʼ εἰλάτινον κοίλης ἔντοσθε μεσόδμηςThe mast of fir they raised and set upright
425στῆσαν ἀείραντες, κατὰ δὲ προτόνοισιν ἔδησαν,within the hollow mast-box, and made it fast with forestays,
ἕλκον δʼ ἱστία λευκὰ ἐυστρέπτοισι βοεῦσιν.and hauled the white sails up with well-twisted oxhide ropes.
ἔπρησεν δʼ ἄνεμος μέσον ἱστίον, ἀμφὶ δὲ κῦμαThe wind filled the belly of the sail, and around the prow
στείρῃ πορφύρεον μεγάλʼ ἴαχε νηὸς ἰούσης·the dark wave sang loudly as the ship went on;
ἡ δʼ ἔθεεν κατὰ κῦμα διαπρήσσουσα κέλευθον.and she ran along the wave, accomplishing her course.
430δησάμενοι δʼ ἄρα ὅπλα θοὴν ἀνὰ νῆα μέλαινανThen having lashed the tackle throughout the swift black ship,
στήσαντο κρητῆρας ἐπιστεφέας οἴνοιο,they set up mixing bowls brimming with wine,
λεῖβον δʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖς αἰειγενέτῃσιν,and poured libations to the immortal gods who live forever,
ἐκ πάντων δὲ μάλιστα Διὸς γλαυκώπιδι κούρῃ.and above all to the grey-eyed daughter of Zeus.
παννυχίη μέν ῥʼ ἥ γε καὶ ἠῶ πεῖρε κέλευθον.And all night long and into the dawn she cut her course.