1ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,When early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
ὤρνυτʼ ἄρʼ ἐξ εὐνῆς ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,the sacred majesty of Alcinous rose from his bed,
ἂν δʼ ἄρα διογενὴς ὦρτο πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεύς.and up rose Odysseus, sacker of cities, born of Zeus.
τοῖσιν δʼ ἡγεμόνευʼ ἱερὸν μένος ἈλκινόοιοThe sacred majesty of Alcinous led the way for them
5Φαιήκων ἀγορήνδʼ, ἥ σφιν παρὰ νηυσὶ τέτυκτο.to the Phaeacians' place of assembly, built beside their ships.
ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι λίθοισιThey came and sat down on the polished stones,
πλησίον. ἡ δʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ μετῴχετο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνηclose together. And through the town Pallas Athena went
εἰδομένη κήρυκι δαΐφρονος Ἀλκινόοιο,in the likeness of the herald of wise Alcinous,
νόστον Ὀδυσσῆι μεγαλήτορι μητιόωσα,devising the homecoming for great-hearted Odysseus,
10καί ῥα ἑκάστῳ φωτὶ παρισταμένη φάτο μῦθον·and standing beside each man she spoke her word:
δεῦτʼ ἄγε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,"Come now, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians,
εἰς ἀγορὴν ἰέναι, ὄφρα ξείνοιο πύθησθε,go to the assembly, so you may learn of the stranger
ὃς νέον Ἀλκινόοιο δαΐφρονος ἵκετο δῶμαwho has just come to the house of wise Alcinous,
πόντον ἐπιπλαγχθείς, δέμας ἀθανάτοισιν ὁμοῖος.driven over the sea, in build like the immortals."
15ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ὤτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.So speaking she stirred the strength and spirit of each man.
καρπαλίμως δʼ ἔμπληντο βροτῶν ἀγοραί τε καὶ ἕδραιQuickly the places of assembly and the seats were filled
ἀγρομένων· πολλοὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐθηήσαντο ἰδόντεςwith mortals gathering; and many marveled to look upon
υἱὸν Λαέρταο δαΐφρονα· τῷ δʼ ἄρʼ Ἀθήνηthe wise son of Laertes; for upon him Athena
θεσπεσίην κατέχευε χάριν κεφαλῇ τε καὶ ὤμοιςhad poured a wondrous grace over his head and shoulders,
20καί μιν μακρότερον καὶ πάσσονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι,and made him taller and stouter to behold,
ὥς κεν Φαιήκεσσι φίλος πάντεσσι γένοιτοso that he might be dear to all the Phaeacians,
δεινός τʼ αἰδοῖός τε καὶ ἐκτελέσειεν ἀέθλουςawesome and revered, and might accomplish the contests,
πολλούς, τοὺς Φαίηκες ἐπειρήσαντʼ Ὀδυσῆος.the many the Phaeacians would test against Odysseus.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τʼ ἐγένοντο,But when they were assembled and gathered together,
25τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·Alcinous spoke before them and addressed them:
κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,"Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians,
ὄφρʼ εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.that I may say what the heart in my breast commands me.
ξεῖνος ὅδʼ, οὐκ οἶδʼ ὅς τις, ἀλώμενος ἵκετʼ ἐμὸν δῶ,This stranger here—I know not who—has come to my house wandering,
ἠὲ πρὸς ἠοίων ἦ ἑσπερίων ἀνθρώπων·whether from the men of the east or of the west;
30πομπὴν δʼ ὀτρύνει, καὶ λίσσεται ἔμπεδον εἶναι.and he urges an escort, and prays that it be assured.
ἡμεῖς δʼ, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ, ἐποτρυνώμεθα πομπήν.And we, as before, let us speed on his escort.
οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδέ τις ἄλλος, ὅτις κʼ ἐμὰ δώμαθʼ ἵκηται,For no other man either, whoever comes to my house,
ἐνθάδʼ ὀδυρόμενος δηρὸν μένει εἵνεκα πομπῆς.stays here long grieving for want of escort.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν εἰς ἅλα δῖανBut come, let us drag a black ship down to the bright sea,
35πρωτόπλοον, κούρω δὲ δύω καὶ πεντήκονταone making her first voyage, and let two and fifty
κρινάσθων κατὰ δῆμον, ὅσοι πάρος εἰσὶν ἄριστοι.young men be chosen throughout the land, whoever are the best.
δησάμενοι δʼ ἐὺ πάντες ἐπὶ κληῖσιν ἐρετμὰAnd when you have all lashed your oars well to the tholes,
ἔκβητʼ· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα θοὴν ἀλεγύνετε δαῖταstep out; then afterward make ready a swift feast
ἡμέτερόνδʼ ἐλθόντες· ἐγὼ δʼ ἐὺ πᾶσι παρέξω.coming to my house; and I will provide well for all.
40κούροισιν μὲν ταῦτʼ ἐπιτέλλομαι· αὐτὰρ οἱ ἄλλοιThese things I enjoin upon the young men; but you others,
σκηπτοῦχοι βασιλῆες ἐμὰ πρὸς δώματα καλὰyou sceptered kings, come to my beautiful house,
ἔρχεσθʼ, ὄφρα ξεῖνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι φιλέωμεν,that we may entertain the stranger in the halls,
μηδέ τις ἀρνείσθω. καλέσασθε δὲ θεῖον ἀοιδὸνand let none refuse. And call the godlike singer
Δημόδοκον· τῷ γάρ ῥα θεὸς πέρι δῶκεν ἀοιδὴνDemodocus; for to him the god gave song beyond all others,
45τέρπειν, ὅππῃ θυμὸς ἐποτρύνῃσιν ἀείδειν.to give delight, in whatever way his heart stirs him to sing.
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντοSo having spoken he led the way, and they followed with him,
σκηπτοῦχοι· κῆρυξ δὲ μετῴχετο θεῖον ἀοιδόν.the sceptered kings; and a herald went for the godlike singer.
κούρω δὲ κρινθέντε δύω καὶ πεντήκονταAnd two and fifty chosen young men
βήτην, ὡς ἐκέλευσʼ, ἐπὶ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο.went, as he ordered, to the shore of the barren sea.
50αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,But when they had gone down to the ship and the sea,
νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἁλὸς βένθοσδε ἔρυσσαν,they dragged the black ship down into the deep water,
ἐν δʼ ἱστόν τʼ ἐτίθεντο καὶ ἱστία νηὶ μελαίνῃ,and set the mast and sails in the black ship,
ἠρτύναντο δʼ ἐρετμὰ τροποῖς ἐν δερματίνοισι,and fitted the oars into their leather thongs,
πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν, ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λευκὰ πέτασσαν.all in due order, and spread the white sails wide.
55ὑψοῦ δʼ ἐν νοτίῳ τήν γʼ ὥρμισαν· αὐτὰρ ἔπειταHigh out in the roadstead they moored her; and then afterward
βάν ῥʼ ἴμεν Ἀλκινόοιο δαΐφρονος ἐς μέγα δῶμα.they went to the great house of skilled Alcinous.
πλῆντο δʼ ἄρʼ αἴθουσαί τε καὶ ἕρκεα καὶ δόμοι ἀνδρῶνAnd the porticoes and the courts and the halls were filled
ἀγρομένων· πολλοὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔσαν, νέοι ἠδὲ παλαιοί.with men gathering; and many there were, young and old.
τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀλκίνοος δυοκαίδεκα μῆλʼ ἱέρευσεν,For them Alcinous sacrificed twelve sheep,
60ὀκτὼ δʼ ἀργιόδοντας ὕας, δύο δʼ εἰλίποδας βοῦς·and eight white-tusked swine, and two shambling oxen;
τοὺς δέρον ἀμφί θʼ ἕπον, τετύκοντό τε δαῖτʼ ἐρατεινήν.these they flayed and dressed, and made ready the lovely feast.
κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἄγων ἐρίηρον ἀοιδόν,And the herald came near, leading the trusty singer,
τὸν πέρι μοῦσʼ ἐφίλησε, δίδου δʼ ἀγαθόν τε κακόν τε·whom the Muse loved above all, and gave him good and evil both:
ὀφθαλμῶν μὲν ἄμερσε, δίδου δʼ ἡδεῖαν ἀοιδήν.she robbed him of his eyes, but gave him sweet song.
65τῷ δʼ ἄρα Ποντόνοος θῆκε θρόνον ἀργυρόηλονFor him Pontonous set a silver-studded chair
μέσσῳ δαιτυμόνων, πρὸς κίονα μακρὸν ἐρείσας·in the midst of the feasters, leaning it against a tall pillar;
κὰδ δʼ ἐκ πασσαλόφι κρέμασεν φόρμιγγα λίγειανand from a peg he hung the clear-toned lyre
αὐτοῦ ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καὶ ἐπέφραδε χερσὶν ἑλέσθαιabove his head, and showed him with his hands how to reach it,
κῆρυξ· πὰρ δʼ ἐτίθει κάνεον καλήν τε τράπεζαν,the herald; and beside him he set a basket and a fair table,
70πὰρ δὲ δέπας οἴνοιο, πιεῖν ὅτε θυμὸς ἀνώγοι.and beside it a cup of wine, to drink whenever his heart bade.
οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.And they put forth their hands to the good things lying ready before them.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away desire for drink and food,
μοῦσʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸν ἀνῆκεν ἀειδέμεναι κλέα ἀνδρῶν,the Muse stirred the singer to sing the glories of men,
οἴμης τῆς τότʼ ἄρα κλέος οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἵκανε,from that lay whose fame then reached the wide heaven,
75νεῖκος Ὀδυσσῆος καὶ Πηλεΐδεω Ἀχιλῆος,the quarrel of Odysseus and Achilles son of Peleus,
ὥς ποτε δηρίσαντο θεῶν ἐν δαιτὶ θαλείῃhow once they contended at the gods' rich feast
ἐκπάγλοις ἐπέεσσιν, ἄναξ δʼ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνωνwith furious words, and Agamemnon lord of men
χαῖρε νόῳ, ὅ τʼ ἄριστοι Ἀχαιῶν δηριόωντο.rejoiced in his heart that the best of the Achaeans quarreled.
ὣς γάρ οἱ χρείων μυθήσατο Φοῖβος ἈπόλλωνFor so in prophecy had Phoebus Apollo told him
80Πυθοῖ ἐν ἠγαθέῃ, ὅθʼ ὑπέρβη λάινον οὐδὸνin sacred Pytho, when he crossed the stone threshold
χρησόμενος· τότε γάρ ῥα κυλίνδετο πήματος ἀρχὴto consult the oracle; for then the beginning of woe was rolling on
Τρωσί τε καὶ Δαναοῖσι Διὸς μεγάλου διὰ βουλάς.toward Trojans and Danaans, through the will of great Zeus.
ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός· αὐτὰρ
ὈδυσσεὺςThese things the famous singer sang; but Odysseus,
πορφύρεον μέγα φᾶρος ἑλὼν χερσὶ στιβαρῇσιtaking his great purple cloak in his powerful hands,
85κὰκ κεφαλῆς εἴρυσσε, κάλυψε δὲ καλὰ πρόσωπα·drew it down over his head and hid his handsome face,
αἴδετο γὰρ Φαίηκας ὑπʼ ὀφρύσι δάκρυα λείβων.for he was ashamed to let the Phaeacians see him shedding tears.
ἦ τοι ὅτε λήξειεν ἀείδων θεῖος ἀοιδός,Indeed whenever the divine singer paused in his singing,
δάκρυ ὀμορξάμενος κεφαλῆς ἄπο φᾶρος ἕλεσκεhe would wipe away his tears and draw the cloak from his head,
καὶ δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον ἑλὼν σπείσασκε θεοῖσιν·and taking up the two-handled cup he would pour to the gods;
90αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ ἂψ ἄρχοιτο καὶ ὀτρύνειαν ἀείδεινbut when the singer began again, urged on to sing
Φαιήκων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἐπεὶ τέρποντʼ ἐπέεσσιν,by the best of the Phaeacians, who took delight in his words,
ἂψ Ὀδυσεὺς κατὰ κρᾶτα καλυψάμενος γοάασκεν.again Odysseus covered his head and made his lament.
ἔνθʼ ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ἐλάνθανε δάκρυα λείβων,There, hidden from all the others, he shed his tears,
Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἐπεφράσατʼ ἠδʼ ἐνόησενbut Alcinous alone marked him and took notice,
95ἥμενος ἄγχʼ αὐτοῦ, βαρὺ δὲ στενάχοντος ἄκουσεν.sitting close beside him, and heard him groaning heavily.
αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα·At once he spoke among the Phaeacians who love the oar:
κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες."Hear me, leaders and rulers of the Phaeacians.
ἤδη μὲν δαιτὸς κεκορήμεθα θυμὸν ἐίσηςNow we have satisfied our hearts with the equal feast
φόρμιγγός θʼ, ἣ δαιτὶ συνήορός ἐστι θαλείῃ·and with the lyre, which is the companion of the rich banquet;
100νῦν δʼ ἐξέλθωμεν καὶ ἀέθλων πειρηθῶμενbut now let us go out and make trial of the contests,
πάντων, ὥς χʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνίσπῃ οἷσι φίλοισινall of them, so that the stranger may tell his friends,
οἴκαδε νοστήσας, ὅσσον περιγιγνόμεθʼ ἄλλωνwhen he returns home, how far we surpass others
πύξ τε παλαιμοσύνῃ τε καὶ ἅλμασιν ἠδὲ πόδεσσιν.in boxing and wrestling and in leaping and in speed of foot."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο.So having spoken he led the way, and they followed with him.
105κὰδ δʼ ἐκ πασσαλόφι κρέμασεν φόρμιγγα λίγειαν,And the herald hung the clear-toned lyre on its peg,
Δημοδόκου δʼ ἕλε χεῖρα καὶ ἔξαγεν ἐκ μεγάροιοand took Demodocus by the hand and led him out of the hall,
κῆρυξ· ἦρχε δὲ τῷ αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ἥν περ οἱ ἄλλοιthe herald; and he led him along the same road that the others,
Φαιήκων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἀέθλια θαυμανέοντες.the best of the Phaeacians, took, to marvel at the contests.
βὰν δʼ ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορήν, ἅμα δʼ ἕσπετο πουλὺς ὅμιλος,And they went their way to the assembly, and a great crowd followed,
110μυρίοι· ἂν δʼ ἵσταντο νέοι πολλοί τε καὶ ἐσθλοί.in their thousands; and many noble young men stood up.
ὦρτο μὲν Ἀκρόνεώς τε καὶ Ὠκύαλος καὶ Ἐλατρεύς,Up rose Acroneus and Ocyalus and Elatreus,
Ναυτεύς τε Πρυμνεύς τε καὶ Ἀγχίαλος καὶ Ἐρετμεύς,and Nauteus and Prymneus and Anchialus and Eretmeus,
Ποντεύς τε Πρωρεύς τε, Θόων Ἀναβησίνεώς τεand Ponteus and Proreus, Thoon and Anabesineus
Ἀμφίαλός θʼ, υἱὸς Πολυνήου Τεκτονίδαο·and Amphialus, son of Polyneus son of Tecton;
115ἂν δὲ καὶ Εὐρύαλος, βροτολοιγῷ ἶσος Ἄρηϊ,up rose too Euryalus, the equal of man-destroying Ares,
Ναυβολίδης, ὃς ἄριστος ἔην εἶδός τε δέμας τεson of Naubolus, who was the best in form and build
πάντων Φαιήκων μετʼ ἀμύμονα Λαοδάμαντα.of all the Phaeacians after peerless Laodamas.
ἂν δʼ ἔσταν τρεῖς παῖδες ἀμύμονος Ἀλκινόοιο,And up rose the three sons of peerless Alcinous,
Λαοδάμας θʼ Ἅλιός τε καὶ ἀντίθεος Κλυτόνηος.Laodamas and Halius and godlike Clytoneus.
120οἱ δʼ ἦ τοι πρῶτον μὲν ἐπειρήσαντο πόδεσσι.And these first of all made trial with their feet.
τοῖσι δʼ ἀπὸ νύσσης τέτατο δρόμος· οἱ δʼ ἅμα πάντεςFor them the course was laid out from the starting-line, and all together
καρπαλίμως ἐπέτοντο κονίοντες πεδίοιο·they flew swiftly, raising the dust across the plain;
τῶν δὲ θέειν ὄχʼ ἄριστος ἔην Κλυτόνηος ἀμύμων·and by far the best at running was peerless Clytoneus:
ὅσσον τʼ ἐν νειῷ οὖρον πέλει ἡμιόνοιιν,as far as the range of a team of mules in fallow land,
125τόσσον ὑπεκπροθέων λαοὺς ἵκεθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἐλίποντο.so far ahead he ran and reached the crowd, while the rest fell back.
οἱ δὲ παλαιμοσύνης ἀλεγεινῆς πειρήσαντο·And they made trial of wrestling, that grievous struggle,
τῇ δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπεκαίνυτο πάντας ἀρίστους.and in this Euryalus surpassed all the best men.
ἅλματι δʼ Ἀμφίαλος πάντων προφερέστατος ἦεν·In the jump Amphialus was foremost of them all,
δίσκῳ δʼ αὖ πάντων πολὺ φέρτατος ἦεν Ἐλατρεύς,and with the discus again Elatreus was best by far,
130πὺξ δʼ αὖ Λαοδάμας, ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο.and in boxing Laodamas, the noble son of Alcinous.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντες ἐτέρφθησαν φρένʼ ἀέθλοις,But when they had all delighted their hearts with the games,
τοῖς ἄρα Λαοδάμας μετέφη πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο·then Laodamas, son of Alcinous, spoke among them:
δεῦτε, φίλοι, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐρώμεθα εἴ τινʼ
ἄεθλον"Come, friends, let us ask the stranger whether he knows some contest
οἶδέ τε καὶ δεδάηκε. φυήν γε μὲν οὐ κακός ἐστι,and has been trained in it. In build at least he is no weakling:
135μηρούς τε κνήμας τε καὶ ἄμφω χεῖρας ὕπερθενhis thighs and calves, and his two arms above,
αὐχένα τε στιβαρὸν μέγα τε σθένος· οὐδέ τι ἥβηςand his sturdy neck and great strength; nor is he wanting
δεύεται, ἀλλὰ κακοῖσι συνέρρηκται πολέεσσιν·in youth, but he is broken by many troubles.
οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γέ τί φημι κακώτερον ἄλλο θαλάσσηςFor I say there is nothing worse than the sea
ἄνδρα γε συγχεῦαι, εἰ καὶ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη.to break a man down, however strong he may be."
140τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·Then Euryalus answered him and spoke:
Λαοδάμα, μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες."Laodamas, that word you have spoken is fitting indeed.
αὐτὸς νῦν προκάλεσσαι ἰὼν καὶ πέφραδε μῦθον.Go now yourself and challenge him, and make your speech plain."
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γʼ ἄκουσʼ ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο,But when the noble son of Alcinous heard this,
στῆ ῥʼ ἐς μέσσον ἰὼν καὶ Ὀδυσσῆα προσέειπε·he went and stood in the middle and spoke to Odysseus:
145δεῦρʼ ἄγε καὶ σύ, ξεῖνε πάτερ, πείρησαι ἀέθλων,"Come here too, stranger father, and try your hand at the games,
εἴ τινά που δεδάηκας· ἔοικε δέ σʼ ἴδμεν ἀέθλους·if you have been trained in any; it seems you know the contests.
οὐ μὲν γὰρ μεῖζον κλέος ἀνέρος ὄφρα κʼ ἔῃσιν,For there is no greater glory for a man while he lives
ἤ ὅ τι ποσσίν τε ῥέξῃ καὶ χερσὶν ἑῇσιν.than what he can do with his own feet and hands.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε πείρησαι, σκέδασον δʼ ἀπὸ κήδεα θυμοῦ.Come then, make trial, and scatter the cares from your heart.
150σοὶ δʼ ὁδὸς οὐκέτι δηρὸν ἀπέσσεται, ἀλλά τοι ἤδηYour journey now shall not be delayed for long, but already
νηῦς τε κατείρυσται καὶ ἐπαρτέες εἰσὶν ἑταῖροι.your ship is launched and your companions are ready."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
Λαοδάμα, τί με ταῦτα κελεύετε κερτομέοντες;"Laodamas, why do you urge me to this, mocking me?
κήδεά μοι καὶ μᾶλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἤ περ ἄεθλοι,Cares are more in my heart than games,
155ὃς πρὶν μὲν μάλα πολλὰ πάθον καὶ πολλὰ μόγησα,I who before have suffered much and toiled through much,
νῦν δὲ μεθʼ ὑμετέρῃ ἀγορῇ νόστοιο χατίζωνand now sit in your assembly, longing for my homecoming,
ἧμαι, λισσόμενος βασιλῆά τε πάντα τε δῆμον.making my plea to the king and to all the people."
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο νείκεσέ τʼ
ἄντην·Then Euryalus answered him and reproached him to his face:
οὐ γάρ σʼ οὐδέ, ξεῖνε, δαήμονι φωτὶ ἐίσκω"No, stranger, I do not liken you to a man skilled
160ἄθλων, οἷά τε πολλὰ μετʼ ἀνθρώποισι πέλονται,in games, such as are many among mankind,
ἀλλὰ τῷ, ὅς θʼ ἅμα νηὶ πολυκλήιδι θαμίζων,but rather to a man who, plying often in his many-benched ship,
ἀρχὸς ναυτάων οἵ τε πρηκτῆρες ἔασιν,is captain of sailors who are traders,
φόρτου τε μνήμων καὶ ἐπίσκοπος ᾖσιν ὁδαίωνmindful of his cargo and watchful over his freight
κερδέων θʼ ἁρπαλέων· οὐδʼ ἀθλητῆρι ἔοικας.and the greedy gains he grabs—you are not like an athlete."
165τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then with a dark glance resourceful Odysseus answered him:
ξεῖνʼ, οὐ καλὸν ἔειπες· ἀτασθάλῳ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικας."Stranger, you have not spoken well; you are like a reckless man.
οὕτως οὐ πάντεσσι θεοὶ χαρίεντα διδοῦσινSo it is that the gods do not give their graces to all
ἀνδράσιν, οὔτε φυὴν οὔτʼ ἂρ φρένας οὔτʼ ἀγορητύν.men alike—not build, nor mind, nor eloquence.
ἄλλος μὲν γάρ τʼ εἶδος ἀκιδνότερος πέλει ἀνήρ,For one man is feebler in his looks,
170ἀλλὰ θεὸς μορφὴν ἔπεσι στέφει, οἱ δέ τʼ ἐς αὐτὸνbut the god crowns his words with beauty, and men gaze at him
τερπόμενοι λεύσσουσιν· ὁ δʼ ἀσφαλέως ἀγορεύειdelighting; he speaks on unfaltering,
αἰδοῖ μειλιχίῃ, μετὰ δὲ πρέπει ἀγρομένοισιν,with winning modesty, and shines out among the gathered,
ἐρχόμενον δʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ θεὸν ὣς εἰσορόωσιν.and as he walks the town they look on him as a god.
ἄλλος δʼ αὖ εἶδος μὲν ἀλίγκιος ἀθανάτοισιν,Another again is like the immortals in his looks,
175ἀλλʼ οὔ οἱ χάρις ἀμφιπεριστέφεται ἐπέεσσιν,but no grace is set as a crown about his words,
ὡς καὶ σοὶ εἶδος μὲν ἀριπρεπές, οὐδέ κεν ἄλλωςjust as with you your looks are splendid—not otherwise
οὐδὲ θεὸς τεύξειε, νόον δʼ ἀποφώλιός ἐσσι.could a god have fashioned them—but in mind you are worthless.
ὤρινάς μοι θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισινYou have stirred the spirit in my breast
εἰπὼν οὐ κατὰ κόσμον. ἐγὼ δʼ οὐ νῆις ἀέθλων,by speaking out of order. I am no novice at the games,
180ὡς σύ γε μυθεῖαι, ἀλλʼ ἐν πρώτοισιν ὀίωas you would have it, but I think I was among the first
ἔμμεναι, ὄφρʼ ἥβῃ τε πεποίθεα χερσί τʼ ἐμῇσι.so long as I trusted in my youth and in my hands.
νῦν δʼ ἔχομαι κακότητι καὶ ἄλγεσι· πολλὰ γὰρ ἔτληνBut now I am held down by misery and pains, for I have suffered much,
ἀνδρῶν τε πτολέμους ἀλεγεινά τε κύματα πείρων.passing through wars of men and the grievous waves.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὥς, κακὰ πολλὰ παθών, πειρήσομʼ ἀέθλων·Yet even so, though I have suffered much evil, I will make trial of the games,
185θυμοδακὴς γὰρ μῦθος, ἐπώτρυνας δέ με εἰπών.for your word bit my heart, and by speaking you have goaded me."
ἦ ῥα καὶ αὐτῷ φάρει ἀναΐξας λάβε δίσκονHe spoke, and just as he was, in his cloak, he leapt up and seized a discus,
μείζονα καὶ πάχετον, στιβαρώτερον οὐκ ὀλίγον περa bigger one and thicker, heavier by not a little
ἢ οἵῳ Φαίηκες ἐδίσκεον ἀλλήλοισι.than the one the Phaeacians hurled among themselves.
τόν ῥα περιστρέψας ἧκε στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρός,This he whirled and let fly from his powerful hand,
190βόμβησεν δὲ λίθος· κατὰ δʼ ἔπτηξαν ποτὶ γαίῃand the stone hummed; down they crouched toward the ground,
Φαίηκες δολιχήρετμοι, ναυσίκλυτοι ἄνδρες,the Phaeacians of the long oars, men famed for their ships,
λᾶος ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς· ὁ δʼ ὑπέρπτατο σήματα πάντωνbeneath the rush of the stone; and it flew past the marks of all,
ῥίμφα θέων ἀπὸ χειρός. ἔθηκε δὲ τέρματʼ Ἀθήνηspeeding lightly from his hand. And Athena set the boundary-mark,
ἀνδρὶ δέμας ἐικυῖα, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·likening herself in form to a man, and she spoke and named him:
195καί κʼ ἀλαός τοι, ξεῖνε, διακρίνειε τὸ σῆμα"Even a blind man, stranger, could distinguish this mark,
ἀμφαφόων, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι μεμιγμένον ἐστὶν ὁμίλῳ,groping for it, since it is not mingled with the crowd
ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρῶτον. σὺ δὲ θάρσει τόνδε γʼ ἄεθλον·but lies far first of all. Take heart at this contest at least:
οὔ τις Φαιήκων τόδε γʼ ἵξεται, οὐδʼ ὑπερήσει.no Phaeacian will reach this, or throw beyond it."
ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,So she spoke, and much-enduring godlike Odysseus rejoiced,
200χαὶρων, οὕνεχʼ ἑταῖρον ἐνηέα λεῦσσʼ ἐν ἀγῶνι.glad because he saw a kindly comrade in the assembly.
καὶ τότε κουφότερον μετεφώνεε Φαιήκεσσιν·And then, more lightly, he spoke among the Phaeacians:
τοῦτον νῦν ἀφίκεσθε, νέοι. τάχα δʼ ὕστερον
ἄλλον"Reach that now, young men. Soon after I think I'll throw another,
ἥσειν ἢ τοσσοῦτον ὀίομαι ἢ ἔτι μᾶσσον.as far as this, or even farther still.
τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ὅτινα κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει,And of the rest, whomever the heart and spirit command,
205δεῦρʼ ἄγε πειρηθήτω, ἐπεί μʼ ἐχολώσατε λίην,come here and try me, since you have angered me too much,
ἢ πὺξ ἠὲ πάλῃ ἢ καὶ ποσίν, οὔ τι μεγαίρω,at boxing or wrestling or even in the foot-race—I do not grudge it—
πάντων Φαιήκων, πλήν γʼ αὐτοῦ Λαοδάμαντος.any of the Phaeacians, except Laodamas himself.
ξεῖνος γάρ μοι ὅδʼ ἐστί· τίς ἂν φιλέοντι μάχοιτο;For this man is my host: who would fight with one who befriends him?
ἄφρων δὴ κεῖνός γε καὶ οὐτιδανὸς πέλει ἀνήρ,That man is a fool indeed and worth nothing,
210ὅς τις ξεινοδόκῳ ἔριδα προφέρηται ἀέθλωνwhoever, in a foreign land, offers a challenge of contests
δήμῳ ἐν ἀλλοδαπῷ· ἕο δʼ αὐτοῦ πάντα κολούει.to the host who receives him: he cripples all his own advantage.
τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὔ πέρ τινʼ ἀναίνομαι οὐδʼ ἀθερίζω,But of the rest I refuse and slight no one,
ἀλλʼ ἐθέλω ἴδμεν καὶ πειρηθήμεναι ἄντην.but I am willing to know them and to be tested face to face.
πάντα γὰρ οὐ κακός εἰμι, μετʼ ἀνδράσιν ὅσσοι ἄεθλοι·For I am not bad at all the sports that men engage in.
215εὖ μὲν τόξον οἶδα ἐύξοον ἀμφαφάασθαι·Well do I know how to handle the polished bow:
πρῶτός κʼ ἄνδρα βάλοιμι ὀιστεύσας ἐν ὁμίλῳfirst I would strike my man, shooting into a throng
ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων, εἰ καὶ μάλα πολλοὶ ἑταῖροιof enemy men, even if very many comrades
ἄγχι παρασταῖεν καὶ τοξαζοίατο φωτῶν.stood close beside me and shot at the foemen.
οἶος δή με Φιλοκτήτης ἀπεκαίνυτο τόξῳPhiloctetes alone outdid me with the bow
220δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅτε τοξαζοίμεθʼ Ἀχαιοί.in the land of the Trojans, whenever we Achaeans shot.
τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ἐμέ φημι πολὺ προφερέστερον εἶναι,But of all the others I claim to be far the best,
ὅσσοι νῦν βροτοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ χθονὶ σῖτον ἔδοντες.of all mortals now on earth who eat bread.
ἀνδράσι δὲ προτέροισιν ἐριζέμεν οὐκ ἐθελήσω,With men of former times I will not wish to contend,
οὔθʼ Ἡρακλῆι οὔτʼ Εὐρύτῳ Οιχαλιῆι,not with Heracles, nor with Eurytus of Oechalia,
225οἵ ῥα καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἐρίζεσκον περὶ τόξων.who used to contend even with the immortals in archery.
τῷ ῥα καὶ αἶψʼ ἔθανεν μέγας Εὔρυτος, οὐδʼ ἐπὶ γῆραςAnd so great Eurytus quickly died, nor did old age
ἵκετʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι· χολωσάμενος γὰρ Ἀπόλλωνcome upon him in his halls: for Apollo in anger
ἔκτανεν, οὕνεκά μιν προκαλίζετο τοξάζεσθαι.killed him, because he had challenged him to a shooting-match.
δουρὶ δʼ ἀκοντίζω ὅσον οὐκ ἄλλος τις ὀιστῷ.And with the spear I cast as far as no other man with an arrow.
230οἴοισιν δείδοικα ποσὶν μή τίς με παρέλθῃOnly in the foot-race I fear that one might pass me,
Φαιήκων· λίην γὰρ ἀεικελίως ἐδαμάσθηνsome Phaeacian: for too shamefully was I broken
κύμασιν ἐν πολλοῖς, ἐπεὶ οὐ κομιδὴ κατὰ νῆαamid the many waves, since there was no steady care
ἦεν ἐπηετανός· τῷ μοι φίλα γυῖα λέλυνται.for me aboard the ship: so my dear limbs are undone."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.So he spoke, and they all fell silent, hushed.
235Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·And Alcinous alone answered him and said:
ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀχάριστα μεθʼ ἡμῖν ταῦτʼ
ἀγορεύεις,"Stranger, since it is not ungraciously that you say these things among us,
ἀλλʼ ἐθέλεις ἀρετὴν σὴν φαινέμεν, ἥ τοι ὀπηδεῖ,but you wish to show the valor that attends you,
χωόμενος ὅτι σʼ οὗτος ἀνὴρ ἐν ἀγῶνι παραστὰςangered because this man stood beside you in the contest
νείκεσεν, ὡς ἂν σὴν ἀρετὴν βροτὸς οὔ τις ὄνοιτο,and reviled you—as no mortal would slight your valor
240ὅς τις ἐπίσταιτο ᾗσι φρεσὶν ἄρτια βάζειν·who knew in his mind how to speak what is fitting—
ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν ἐμέθεν ξυνίει ἔπος, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλῳBut come now, mark my word, so that to another
εἴπῃς ἡρώων, ὅτε κεν σοῖς ἐν μεγάροισιof the heroes you may tell it, when in your halls
δαινύῃ παρὰ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ καὶ σοῖσι τέκεσσιν,you feast beside your wife and your own children,
ἡμετέρης ἀρετῆς μεμνημένος, οἷα καὶ ἡμῖνremembering our excellence, what tasks even to us
245Ζεὺς ἐπὶ ἔργα τίθησι διαμπερὲς ἐξ ἔτι πατρῶν.Zeus has appointed, unbroken from our fathers' days.
οὐ γὰρ πυγμάχοι εἰμὲν ἀμύμονες οὐδὲ παλαισταί,For we are not flawless as boxers, nor as wrestlers,
ἀλλὰ ποσὶ κραιπνῶς θέομεν καὶ νηυσὶν ἄριστοι,but swiftly we run on our feet, and are best with ships,
αἰεὶ δʼ ἡμῖν δαίς τε φίλη κίθαρις τε χοροί τεand always dear to us are the feast, the lyre, and dances,
εἵματά τʼ ἐξημοιβὰ λοετρά τε θερμὰ καὶ εὐναί.and changes of clothing, and warm baths, and beds.
250ἀλλʼ ἄγε, Φαιήκων βητάρμονες ὅσσοι ἄριστοι,But come now, all you dancers of the Phaeacians who are best,
παίσατε, ὥς χʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνίσπῃ οἷσι φίλοισινmake your sport, so the stranger may tell his own dear ones,
οἴκαδε νοστήσας, ὅσσον περιγιγνόμεθʼ ἄλλωνwhen he has returned home, how far we surpass others
ναυτιλίῃ καὶ ποσσὶ καὶ ὀρχηστυῖ καὶ ἀοιδῇ.in seamanship and in our feet, in dance and in song.
Δημοδόκῳ δέ τις αἶψα κιὼν φόρμιγγα λίγειανAnd let someone go quickly and fetch for Demodocus the clear lyre,
255οἰσέτω, ἥ που κεῖται ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιν.which lies somewhere in our halls."
ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀλκίνοος θεοείκελος, ὦρτο δὲ κῆρυξSo spoke Alcinous, godlike, and the herald rose up
οἴσων φόρμιγγα γλαφυρὴν δόμου ἐκ βασιλῆος.to bring the hollow lyre from the king's house.
αἰσυμνῆται δὲ κριτοὶ ἐννέα πάντες ἀνέστανAnd the nine chosen umpires all stood up,
δήμιοι, οἳ κατʼ ἀγῶνας ἐὺ πρήσσεσκον ἕκαστα,the public men who managed each thing well in the contests,
260λείηναν δὲ χορόν, καλὸν δʼ εὔρυναν ἀγῶνα.and they smoothed the dancing-floor and widened the fair ring.
κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων φόρμιγγα λίγειανAnd the herald came near, bearing the clear lyre
Δημοδόκῳ· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα κίʼ ἐς μέσον· ἀμφὶ δὲ κοῦροιfor Demodocus; then he stepped into the middle; and around him boys
πρωθῆβαι ἵσταντο, δαήμονες ὀρχηθμοῖο,in the first bloom of youth stood, skilled in the dance,
πέπληγον δὲ χορὸν θεῖον ποσίν. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςand they beat the divine dancing-floor with their feet. But Odysseus
265μαρμαρυγὰς θηεῖτο ποδῶν, θαύμαζε δὲ θυμῷ.gazed at the flashing of their feet, and marveled in his heart.
αὐτὰρ ὁ φορμίζων ἀνεβάλλετο καλὸν ἀείδεινAnd he, playing the lyre, struck up a lovely song
ἀμφʼ Ἄρεος φιλότητος εὐστεφάνου τʼ Ἀφροδίτης,about the love of Ares and fair-crowned Aphrodite,
ὡς τὰ πρῶτα μίγησαν ἐν Ἡφαίστοιο δόμοισιhow first they lay together in the house of Hephaestus
λάθρῃ, πολλὰ δʼ ἔδωκε, λέχος δʼ ᾔσχυνε καὶ εὐνὴνin secret, and he gave many gifts, and shamed the bed and the marriage-couch
270Ἡφαίστοιο ἄνακτος. ἄφαρ δέ οἱ ἄγγελος ἦλθενof the lord Hephaestus. And at once the messenger came to him,
Ἥλιος, ὅ σφʼ ἐνόησε μιγαζομένους φιλότητι.Helios, who had seen them joined together in love.
Ἥφαιστος δʼ ὡς οὖν θυμαλγέα μῦθον ἄκουσε,And Hephaestus, when he heard the heart-grieving tale,
βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐς χαλκεῶνα κακὰ φρεσὶ βυσσοδομεύων,went off to his forge, brooding evil in his heart,
ἐν δʼ ἔθετʼ ἀκμοθέτῳ μέγαν ἄκμονα, κόπτε δὲ δεσμοὺςand set on the anvil-block the great anvil, and forged bonds
275ἀρρήκτους ἀλύτους, ὄφρʼ ἔμπεδον αὖθι μένοιεν.unbreakable, not to be loosed, that they might stay fast there.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τεῦξε δόλον κεχολωμένος Ἄρει,But when he had wrought the snare, angered at Ares,
βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐς θάλαμον, ὅθι οἱ φίλα δέμνιʼ ἔκειτο,he went off to the chamber where his dear bed lay,
ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἑρμῖσιν χέε δέσματα κύκλῳ ἁπάντῃ·and around the bedposts he poured the bonds in a circle everywhere,
πολλὰ δὲ καὶ καθύπερθε μελαθρόφιν ἐξεκέχυντο,and many too were poured down from above, from the roof-beam,
280ἠύτʼ ἀράχνια λεπτά, τά γʼ οὔ κέ τις οὐδὲ ἴδοιτο,fine as spiders' webs, such as no one could even see,
οὐδὲ θεῶν μακάρων· πέρι γὰρ δολόεντα τέτυκτο.not even the blessed gods: it was contrived with utmost cunning.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα δόλον περὶ δέμνια χεῦεν,But when he had poured the whole snare over the bed,
εἴσατʼ ἴμεν ἐς Λῆμνον, ἐυκτίμενον πτολίεθρον,he made as if to go to Lemnos, that well-built citadel,
ἥ οἱ γαιάων πολὺ φιλτάτη ἐστὶν ἁπασέων.which of all lands is far the dearest to him.
285οὐδʼ ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχε χρυσήνιος Ἄρης,Nor did Ares of the golden reins keep a blind watch,
ὡς ἴδεν Ἥφαιστον κλυτοτέχνην νόσφι κιόντα·when he saw Hephaestus, famed craftsman, going off;
βῆ δʼ ἰέναι πρὸς δῶμα περικλυτοῦ Ἡφαίστοιοand he set out for the house of far-famed Hephaestus,
ἰσχανόων φιλότητος ἐυστεφάνου Κυθερείης.craving the love of fair-crowned Cythereia.
ἡ δὲ νέον παρὰ πατρὸς ἐρισθενέος ΚρονίωνοςAnd she, having just come from the presence of her father,
290ἐρχομένη κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζεθʼ· ὁ δʼ εἴσω δώματος ᾔει,the mighty son of Cronus, sat down; and he went inside the house,
ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·and clasped her hand, and spoke a word, and called her by name:
δεῦρο, φίλη, λέκτρονδε τραπείομεν
εὐνηθέντες·"Come, my love, let us to bed and take our pleasure lying down;
οὐ γὰρ ἔθʼ Ἥφαιστος μεταδήμιος, ἀλλά που ἤδηfor Hephaestus is no longer here among the people, but by now
οἴχεται ἐς Λῆμνον μετὰ Σίντιας ἀγριοφώνους.he has gone off to Lemnos, among the wild-tongued Sintians."
295ὣς φάτο, τῇ δʼ ἀσπαστὸν ἐείσατο κοιμηθῆναι.So he spoke, and to her it seemed a welcome thing to lie beside him.
τὼ δʼ ἐς δέμνια βάντε κατέδραθον· ἀμφὶ δὲ δεσμοὶAnd the two went to the bed and lay down; and around them the bonds,
τεχνήεντες ἔχυντο πολύφρονος Ἡφαίστοιο,cunningly wrought, of clever-minded Hephaestus poured down,
οὐδέ τι κινῆσαι μελέων ἦν οὐδʼ ἀναεῖραι.nor was it possible to move a limb or to raise it.
καὶ τότε δὴ γίγνωσκον, ὅ τʼ οὐκέτι φυκτὰ πέλοντο.And then indeed they knew, when there was no more escaping.
300ἀγχίμολον δέ σφʼ ἦλθε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις,And near to them came the far-famed god of the two strong arms,
αὖτις ὑποστρέψας πρὶν Λήμνου γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι·having turned back again before he reached the land of Lemnos;
Ἠέλιος γάρ οἱ σκοπιὴν ἔχεν εἶπέ τε μῦθον.for Helios had kept watch for him and told him the tale.
βῆ δʼ ἴμεναι πρὸς δῶμα φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ·And he set out for his house, grieved at heart;
ἔστη δʼ ἐν προθύροισι, χόλος δέ μιν ἄγριος ᾕρει·and he stood in the forecourt, and wild anger seized him;
305σμερδαλέον δʼ ἐβόησε, γέγωνέ τε πᾶσι θεοῖσιν·and terribly he shouted, and cried out to all the gods:
Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδʼ ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν
ἐόντες,"Father Zeus, and you other blessed gods who are forever,
δεῦθʼ, ἵνα ἔργα γελαστὰ καὶ οὐκ ἐπιεικτὰ ἴδησθε,come here, that you may see deeds laughable and past bearing,
ὡς ἐμὲ χωλὸν ἐόντα Διὸς θυγάτηρ Ἀφροδίτηhow me, being lame, the daughter of Zeus, Aphrodite,
αἰὲν ἀτιμάζει, φιλέει δʼ ἀίδηλον Ἄρηα,forever dishonors, and loves ruinous Ares,
310οὕνεχʼ ὁ μὲν καλός τε καὶ ἀρτίπος, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γεbecause he is handsome and sound of foot, whereas I
ἠπεδανὸς γενόμην. ἀτὰρ οὔ τί μοι αἴτιος ἄλλος,was born a weakling. Yet no other is to blame for this,
ἀλλὰ τοκῆε δύω, τὼ μὴ γείνασθαι ὄφελλον.but my two parents—would they had never begotten me.
ἀλλʼ ὄψεσθʼ, ἵνα τώ γε καθεύδετον ἐν φιλότητιBut you shall see where the two of them sleep in love,
εἰς ἐμὰ δέμνια βάντες, ἐγὼ δʼ ὁρόων ἀκάχημαι.having gone up into my bed, and I grieve to see it.
315οὐ μέν σφεας ἔτʼ ἔολπα μίνυνθά γε κειέμεν οὕτωςYet I think they will not want to lie like this much longer,
καὶ μάλα περ φιλέοντε· τάχʼ οὐκ ἐθελήσετον ἄμφωfor all their great love; soon they will not both wish
εὕδειν· ἀλλά σφωε δόλος καὶ δεσμὸς ἐρύξει,to sleep; but the snare and the bond will hold them fast,
εἰς ὅ κέ μοι μάλα πάντα πατὴρ ἀποδῷσιν ἔεδνα,until her father gives me back every last one of the gifts,
ὅσσα οἱ ἐγγυάλιξα κυνώπιδος εἵνεκα κούρης,all that I handed over for the sake of that dog-faced girl,
320οὕνεκά οἱ καλὴ θυγάτηρ, ἀτὰρ οὐκ ἐχέθυμος.because his daughter is beautiful, but has no self-control."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἀγέροντο θεοὶ ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς
δῶ·So he spoke, and the gods gathered to the bronze-floored house:
ἦλθε Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος, ἦλθʼ ἐριούνηςPoseidon came, holder of the earth, and Hermes came,
Ἑρμείας, ἦλθεν δὲ ἄναξ ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων.the runner of luck, and lord Apollo came, who works from afar.
θηλύτεραι δὲ θεαὶ μένον αἰδοῖ οἴκοι ἑκάστη.But the female goddesses stayed each at home for shame.
325ἔσταν δʼ ἐν προθύροισι θεοί, δωτῆρες ἑάων·The gods, the givers of good things, stood in the forecourt,
ἄσβεστος δʼ ἄρʼ ἐνῶρτο γέλως μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιand unquenchable laughter rose among the blessed gods
τέχνας εἰσορόωσι πολύφρονος Ἡφαίστοιο.as they looked on the arts of Hephaestus, of the many devices.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·And thus one would say, glancing at his neighbor:
οὐκ ἀρετᾷ κακὰ ἔργα· κιχάνει τοι βραδὺς
ὠκύν,"Evil deeds do not prosper; the slow one catches the swift,
330ὡς καὶ νῦν Ἥφαιστος ἐὼν βραδὺς εἷλεν Ἄρηαjust as now Hephaestus, being slow, has caught Ares,
ὠκύτατόν περ ἐόντα θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσιν,swiftest though he is of the gods who hold Olympus,
χωλὸς ἐὼν τέχνῃσι· τὸ καὶ μοιχάγριʼ ὀφέλλει.by his craft, though lame; so Ares owes the fine for adultery."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·So they spoke such things to one another,
Ἑρμῆν δὲ προσέειπεν ἄναξ Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων·but to Hermes lord Apollo, son of Zeus, said:
335Ἑρμεία, Διὸς υἱέ, διάκτορε, δῶτορ ἑάων,"Hermes, son of Zeus, guide and giver of good things,
ἦ ῥά κεν ἐν δεσμοῖς ἐθέλοις κρατεροῖσι πιεσθεὶςwould you truly be willing, pinned in mighty bonds,
εὕδειν ἐν λέκτροισι παρὰ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ;to sleep in bed beside golden Aphrodite?"
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης·Then the guide, slayer of Argus, answered him:
αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο γένοιτο, ἄναξ ἑκατηβόλʼ Ἄπολλον·"Would that this might happen, lord Apollo who shoots from afar!
340δεσμοὶ μὲν τρὶς τόσσοι ἀπείρονες ἀμφὶς ἔχοιεν,Let bonds three times as many, past counting, hold me round,
ὑμεῖς δʼ εἰσορόῳτε θεοὶ πᾶσαί τε θέαιναι,and you look on, all the gods and all the goddesses,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν εὕδοιμι παρὰ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ.so long as I might sleep beside golden Aphrodite."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἐν δὲ γέλως ὦρτʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.So he spoke, and laughter rose among the immortal gods.
οὐδὲ Ποσειδάωνα γέλως ἔχε, λίσσετο δʼ αἰεὶBut laughter did not hold Poseidon; he kept beseeching
345Ἥφαιστον κλυτοεργὸν ὅπως λύσειεν Ἄρηα.Hephaestus, the famed craftsman, to set Ares free.
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·And speaking to him he spoke winged words:
λῦσον· ἐγὼ δέ τοι αὐτὸν ὑπίσχομαι, ὡς σὺ
κελεύεις,"Loose him; and I promise you, as you command,
τίσειν αἴσιμα πάντα μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.that he will pay all that is due among the immortal gods."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις·Then the famed one with crippled legs answered him:
350μή με, Ποσείδαον γαιήοχε, ταῦτα κέλευε·"Do not, Poseidon, holder of the earth, command me this;
δειλαί τοι δειλῶν γε καὶ ἐγγύαι ἐγγυάασθαι.wretched are the pledges of wretched men to guarantee.
πῶς ἂν ἐγώ σε δέοιμι μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν,How could I bind you fast among the immortal gods,
εἴ κεν Ἄρης οἴχοιτο χρέος καὶ δεσμὸν ἀλύξας;if Ares should be gone, escaping both the debt and the bond?"
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων·Then Poseidon the earth-shaker answered him:
355Ἥφαιστʼ, εἴ περ γάρ κεν Ἄρης χρεῖος ὑπαλύξας"Hephaestus, if indeed Ares should slip his debt
οἴχηται φεύγων, αὐτός τοι ἐγὼ τάδε τίσω.and be gone in flight, I myself will pay you this."
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις·Then the famed one with crippled legs answered him:
οὐκ ἔστʼ οὐδὲ ἔοικε τεὸν ἔπος ἀρνήσασθαι."It is not possible, nor fitting, to refuse your word."
ὣς εἰπὼν δεσμὸν ἀνίει μένος Ἡφαίστοιο.So speaking the might of Hephaestus loosed the bond.
360τὼ δʼ ἐπεὶ ἐκ δεσμοῖο λύθεν, κρατεροῦ περ ἐόντος,And when the two were freed from the bond, strong though it was,
αὐτίκʼ ἀναΐξαντε ὁ μὲν Θρῄκηνδε βεβήκει,At once the two sprang up: he went off to Thrace,
ἡ δʼ ἄρα Κύπρον ἵκανε φιλομμειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη,but she came to Cyprus, laughter-loving Aphrodite,
ἐς Πάφον· ἔνθα δέ οἱ τέμενος βωμός τε θυήεις.to Paphos, where she has her precinct and fragrant altar.
ἔνθα δέ μιν Χάριτες λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳThere the Graces bathed her and anointed her with oil,
365ἀμβρότῳ, οἷα θεοὺς ἐπενήνοθεν αἰὲν ἐόντας,ambrosial, such as gleams upon the gods who are forever,
ἀμφὶ δὲ εἵματα ἕσσαν ἐπήρατα, θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι.and clothed her in lovely garments, a wonder to behold.
ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός· αὐτὰρ
ὈδυσσεὺςThese things the far-famed bard was singing; and Odysseus
τέρπετʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀκούων ἠδὲ καὶ ἄλλοιtook delight in his heart to hear them, and so did the others,
Φαίηκες δολιχήρετμοι, ναυσίκλυτοι ἄνδρες.the Phaeacians with their long oars, men famed for their ships.
370Ἀλκίνοος δʼ Ἅλιον καὶ Λαοδάμαντα κέλευσενThen Alcinous ordered Halius and Laodamas
μουνὰξ ὀρχήσασθαι, ἐπεί σφισιν οὔ τις ἔριζεν.to dance alone, since no one could contend with them.
οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν σφαῖραν καλὴν μετὰ χερσὶν ἕλοντο,And when they had taken up the beautiful ball in their hands,
πορφυρέην, τήν σφιν Πόλυβος ποίησε δαΐφρων,the purple one, which skilled Polybus had made for them,
τὴν ἕτερος ῥίπτασκε ποτὶ νέφεα σκιόενταone of them would fling it up toward the shadowy clouds,
375ἰδνωθεὶς ὀπίσω, ὁ δʼ ἀπὸ χθονὸς ὑψόσʼ ἀερθεὶςbending back, and the other, leaping high off the ground,
ῥηιδίως μεθέλεσκε, πάρος ποσὶν οὖδας ἱκέσθαι.would catch it easily before his feet touched earth again.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ σφαίρῃ ἀνʼ ἰθὺν πειρήσαντο,But when they had made their trial throwing the ball straight up,
ὠρχείσθην δὴ ἔπειτα ποτὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃthen the two danced upon the earth, mother of many,
ταρφέʼ ἀμειβομένω· κοῦροι δʼ ἐπελήκεον ἄλλοιweaving swift exchanges; and the other youths kept time,
380ἑστεῶτες κατʼ ἀγῶνα, πολὺς δʼ ὑπὸ κόμπος ὀρώρει.standing about the ring, and a great clamor rose beneath.
δὴ τότʼ ἄρʼ Ἀλκίνοον προσεφώνεε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then godlike Odysseus spoke out to Alcinous:
Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,"Lord Alcinous, most renowned among all your people,
ἠμὲν ἀπείλησας βητάρμονας εἶναι ἀρίστους,you boasted that your dancers were the best of all,
ἠδʼ ἄρʼ ἑτοῖμα τέτυκτο· σέβας μʼ ἔχει εἰσορόωντα.and now it is proved true: wonder holds me as I watch."
385ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δʼ ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,So he spoke, and the sacred might of Alcinous rejoiced,
αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα·and at once he spoke out among the oar-loving Phaeacians:
κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες."Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians.
ὁ ξεῖνος μάλα μοι δοκέει πεπνυμένος εἶναι.This stranger seems to me a man of much wisdom.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε οἱ δῶμεν ξεινήιον, ὡς ἐπιεικές.Come then, let us give him a guest-gift, as is fitting.
390δώδεκα γὰρ κατὰ δῆμον ἀριπρεπέες βασιλῆεςFor twelve illustrious kings hold sway as princes
ἀρχοὶ κραίνουσι, τρισκαιδέκατος δʼ ἐγὼ αὐτός·throughout the land, and I myself am the thirteenth;
τῶν οἱ ἕκαστος φᾶρος ἐυπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶναlet each of you bring for him a well-washed cloak and a tunic
καὶ χρυσοῖο τάλαντον ἐνείκατε τιμήεντος.and a talent of precious gold.
αἶψα δὲ πάντα φέρωμεν ἀολλέα, ὄφρʼ ἐνὶ χερσὶνLet us bring all these together quickly, so that in his hands
395ξεῖνος ἔχων ἐπὶ δόρπον ἴῃ χαίρων ἐνὶ θυμῷ.the stranger may hold them as he goes to supper, rejoicing in his heart.
Εὐρύαλος δέ ἑ αὐτὸν ἀρεσσάσθω ἐπέεσσιAnd let Euryalus make amends to the man himself with words
καὶ δώρῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπεν.and with a gift, since the word he spoke was not fitting."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον ἠδʼ
ἐκέλευον,So he spoke, and they all approved and gave their command,
δῶρα δʼ ἄρʼ οἰσέμεναι πρόεσαν κήρυκα ἕκαστος.and each sent off a herald to bring the gifts.
400τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·Then Euryalus answered him in turn and said:
Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,Alcinous, mighty lord, illustrious among all the people,
τοιγὰρ ἐγὼ τὸν ξεῖνον ἀρέσσομαι, ὡς σὺ κελεύεις.then I will make amends to the stranger, as you command.
δώσω οἱ τόδʼ ἄορ παγχάλκεον, ᾧ ἔπι κώπηI will give him this sword, all of bronze, whose hilt
ἀργυρέη, κολεὸν δὲ νεοπρίστου ἐλέφαντοςis of silver, and a scabbard of fresh-sawn ivory
405ἀμφιδεδίνηται· πολέος δέ οἱ ἄξιον ἔσται.encloses it all around: it will be worth much to him."
ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χερσὶ τίθει ξίφος ἀργυρόηλονSo speaking he put into his hands the silver-studded sword,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and lifting his voice he spoke winged words to him:
χαῖρε, πάτερ ὦ ξεῖνε· ἔπος δʼ εἴ πέρ τι βέβακται"Hail, father stranger; and if some word has been let fall
δεινόν, ἄφαρ τὸ φέροιεν ἀναρπάξασαι ἄελλαι.that was harsh, may the storm-winds snatch it up and bear it away.
410σοὶ δὲ θεοὶ ἄλοχόν τʼ ἰδέειν καὶ πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαιAnd may the gods grant you to see your wife and reach
δοῖεν, ἐπεὶ δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχεις.your native land, since so long, far from your friends, you suffer hardships."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
καὶ σὺ φίλος μάλα χαῖρε, θεοὶ δέ τοι ὄλβια δοῖεν."You too, friend, hail warmly, and may the gods grant you good fortune.
μηδέ τι τοι ξίφεός γε ποθὴ μετόπισθε γένοιτοAnd may you never in time to come feel any longing for this sword,
415τούτου, ὃ δή μοι δῶκας ἀρεσσάμενος ἐπέεσσιν.which you have given me now, making amends with your words."
ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισι θέτο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον.He spoke, and slung across his shoulders the silver-studded sword.
δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος, καὶ τῷ κλυτὰ δῶρα παρῆεν.And the sun went down, and the glorious gifts were there beside him.
καὶ τά γʼ ἐς Ἀλκινόοιο φέρον κήρυκες ἀγαυοί·And these the illustrious heralds carried to the house of Alcinous,
δεξάμενοι δʼ ἄρα παῖδες ἀμύμονος Ἀλκινόοιοand the sons of blameless Alcinous received them
420μητρὶ παρʼ αἰδοίῃ ἔθεσαν περικαλλέα δῶρα.and set the beautiful gifts beside their honored mother.
τοῖσιν δʼ ἡγεμόνευʼ ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,And the sacred might of Alcinous led the way for them,
ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐν ὑψηλοῖσι θρόνοισι.and coming in they sat down on the high thrones.
δή ῥα τότʼ Ἀρήτην προσέφη μένος Ἀλκινόοιο·Then the might of Alcinous spoke to Arete:
δεῦρο, γύναι, φέρε χηλὸν ἀριπρεπέʼ, ἥ τις
ἀρίστη·"Come, wife, bring here a splendid chest, whichever is the best;
425ἐν δʼ αὐτὴ θὲς φᾶρος ἐυπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶνα.and place in it yourself a well-washed cloak and a tunic.
ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ πυρὶ χαλκὸν ἰήνατε, θέρμετε δʼ ὕδωρ,And warm a cauldron of bronze about the fire for him, and heat the water,
ὄφρα λοεσσάμενός τε ἰδών τʼ ἐὺ κείμενα πάνταso that when he has bathed and seen all laid in order,
δῶρα, τά οἱ Φαίηκες ἀμύμονες ἐνθάδʼ ἔνεικαν,the gifts that the blameless Phaeacians have brought him here,
δαιτί τε τέρπηται καὶ ἀοιδῆς ὕμνον ἀκούων.he may take joy in the feast and in hearing the song of the bard.
430καί οἱ ἐγὼ τόδʼ ἄλεισον ἐμὸν περικαλλὲς ὀπάσσω,And I myself will give him this cup of mine, most beautiful,
χρύσεον, ὄφρʼ ἐμέθεν μεμνημένος ἤματα πάνταof gold, so that remembering me all his days
σπένδῃ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ Διί τʼ ἄλλοισίν τε θεοῖσιν.he may pour libation in his hall to Zeus and the other gods."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀρήτη δὲ μετὰ δμῳῇσιν ἔειπενSo he spoke, and Arete gave word to her serving-women
ἀμφὶ πυρὶ στῆσαι τρίποδα μέγαν ὅττι τάχιστα.to set a great tripod over the fire as quickly as they could.
435αἱ δὲ λοετροχόον τρίποδʼ ἵστασαν ἐν πυρὶ κηλέῳ,And they set the tripod for bath-water on the blazing fire,
ἔν δʼ ἄρʼ ὕδωρ ἔχεαν, ὑπὸ δὲ ξύλα δαῖον ἑλοῦσαι.and poured in the water, and taking wood kindled it beneath.
γάστρην μὲν τρίποδος πῦρ ἄμφεπε, θέρμετο δʼ ὕδωρ·The fire licked the belly of the tripod, and the water grew warm;
τόφρα δʼ ἄρʼ Ἀρήτη ξείνῳ περικαλλέα χηλὸνand meanwhile Arete brought out from the chamber for the stranger
ἐξέφερεν θαλάμοιο, τίθει δʼ ἐνὶ κάλλιμα δῶρα,the beautiful chest, and placed in it the splendid gifts,
440ἐσθῆτα χρυσόν τε, τά οἱ Φαίηκες ἔδωκαν·the clothing and the gold, which the Phaeacians had given him;
ἐν δʼ αὐτὴ φᾶρος θῆκεν καλόν τε χιτῶνα,and she herself placed in it a cloak and a fine tunic,
καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and speaking to him she spoke winged words:
αὐτὸς νῦν ἴδε πῶμα, θοῶς δʼ ἐπὶ δεσμὸν
ἴηλον,"Now see to the lid yourself, and quickly cast the fastening over it,
μή τίς τοι καθʼ ὁδὸν δηλήσεται, ὁππότʼ ἂν αὖτεso that no one may harm you on your journey, when again
445εὕδῃσθα γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἰὼν ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃ.you sleep sweet sleep as you go in the black ship."
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γʼ ἄκουσε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,But when much-enduring godlike Odysseus heard this,
αὐτίκʼ ἐπήρτυε πῶμα, θοῶς δʼ ἐπὶ δεσμὸν ἴηλενat once he fitted the lid and quickly cast the fastening over it,
ποικίλον, ὅν ποτέ μιν δέδαε φρεσὶ πότνια Κίρκη·the intricate one, which once queenly Circe taught his mind.
αὐτόδιον δʼ ἄρα μιν ταμίη λούσασθαι ἀνώγειAnd straightway the housekeeper bade him go and bathe,
450ἔς ῥʼ ἀσάμινθον βάνθʼ· ὁ δʼ ἄρ ἀσπασίως ἴδε θυμῷstepping into the tub; and gladly he saw in his heart
θερμὰ λοέτρʼ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι κομιζόμενός γε θάμιζεν,the warm bath, since he had not often been so cared for
ἐπεὶ δὴ λίπε δῶμα Καλυψοῦς ἠυκόμοιο.since he left the house of Calypso of the lovely hair.
τόφρα δέ οἱ κομιδή γε θεῷ ὣς ἔμπεδος ἦεν.But all that while his care had been constant, as for a god.
τὸν δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν δμῳαὶ λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ,Now when the serving-women had bathed him and anointed him with oil,
455ἀμφὶ δέ μιν χλαῖναν καλὴν βάλον ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,and had thrown about him a fine cloak and a tunic,
ἔκ ῥʼ ἀσαμίνθου βὰς ἄνδρας μέτα οἰνοποτῆραςhe stepped out of the tub and went to join the men
ἤιε· Ναυσικάα δὲ θεῶν ἄπο κάλλος ἔχουσαdrinking their wine; and Nausicaa, with beauty from the gods,
στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,stood by the pillar of the strongly built roof,
θαύμαζεν δʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶσα,and marveled at Odysseus, seeing him before her eyes,
460καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and speaking to him she spoke winged words:
χαῖρε, ξεῖνʼ, ἵνα καί ποτʼ ἐὼν ἐν πατρίδι
γαίῃ"Farewell, stranger, so that one day, being in your native land,
μνήσῃ ἐμεῦ, ὅτι μοι πρώτῃ ζωάγριʼ ὀφέλλεις.you may remember me, since to me first you owe your life."
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς.And answering her resourceful Odysseus spoke:
Ναυσικάα θύγατερ μεγαλήτορος Ἀλκινόοιο,"Nausicaa, daughter of great-hearted Alcinous,
465οὕτω νῦν Ζεὺς θείη, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης,may Zeus now so grant it, the loud-thundering husband of Hera,
οἴκαδέ τʼ ἐλθέμεναι καὶ νόστιμον ἦμαρ ἰδέσθαι·that I come home and see the day of my return;
τῷ κέν τοι καὶ κεῖθι θεῷ ὣς εὐχετοῴμηνthen even there I would pray to you as to a god
αἰεὶ ἤματα πάντα· σὺ γάρ μʼ ἐβιώσαο, κούρη.always, all my days; for you gave me back my life, girl."
ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐς θρόνον ἷζε παρʼ Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα·He spoke, and sat down on the throne beside King Alcinous;
470οἱ δʼ ἤδη μοίρας τʼ ἔνεμον κερόωντό τε οἶνον.and now they were serving portions and mixing the wine.
κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἄγων ἐρίηρον ἀοιδόν,And a herald came near leading the trusty bard,
Δημόδοκον λαοῖσι τετιμένον· εἷσε δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτὸνDemodocus, honored among the people; and he seated him
μέσσῳ δαιτυμόνων, πρὸς κίονα μακρὸν ἐρείσας.in the midst of the feasters, leaning him against a tall pillar.
δὴ τότε κήρυκα προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,Then resourceful Odysseus spoke to the herald,
475νώτου ἀποπροταμών, ἐπὶ δὲ πλεῖον ἐλέλειπτο,cutting off a piece of the chine—the greater part was left—
ἀργιόδοντος ὑός, θαλερὴ δʼ ἦν ἀμφὶς ἀλοιφή·of a white-tusked boar, and rich fat lay on either side:
κῆρυξ, τῆ δή, τοῦτο πόρε κρέας, ὄφρα
φάγῃσιν,"Herald, here, take this meat, that he may eat it,
Δημοδόκῳ· καί μιν προσπτύξομαι ἀχνύμενός περ·to Demodocus; and I will embrace him, grieved though I am;
πᾶσι γὰρ ἀνθρώποισιν ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἀοιδοὶfor among all men who walk the earth the bards
480τιμῆς ἔμμοροί εἰσι καὶ αἰδοῦς, οὕνεκʼ ἄρα σφέαςhave their share of honor and reverence, because indeed
οἴμας μοῦσʼ ἐδίδαξε, φίλησε δὲ φῦλον ἀοιδῶν.the Muse taught them her paths, and she loved the tribe of singers."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, κῆρυξ δὲ φέρων ἐν χερσὶν ἔθηκενSo he spoke, and the herald took it and placed it in the hands
ἥρῳ Δημοδόκῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐδέξατο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ.of the hero Demodocus; and he received it, glad at heart.
οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.And they reached out their hands to the good things lying ready before them.
485αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away desire for drink and food,
δὴ τότε Δημόδοκον προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·then resourceful Odysseus spoke to Demodocus:
Δημόδοκʼ, ἔξοχα δή σε βροτῶν αἰνίζομʼ
ἁπάντων."Demodocus, above all mortals I praise you.
ἢ σέ γε μοῦσʼ ἐδίδαξε, Διὸς πάϊς, ἢ σέ γʼ Ἀπόλλων·Either the Muse, daughter of Zeus, has taught you, or Apollo;
λίην γὰρ κατὰ κόσμον Ἀχαιῶν οἶτον ἀείδεις,for all too rightly you sing the fate of the Achaeans,
490ὅσσʼ ἔρξαν τʼ ἔπαθόν τε καὶ ὅσσʼ ἐμόγησαν Ἀχαιοί,all they did and suffered, and all the Achaeans toiled through,
ὥς τέ που ἢ αὐτὸς παρεὼν ἢ ἄλλου ἀκούσας.as though you yourself had been there, or heard it from another.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ μετάβηθι καὶ ἵππου κόσμον ἄεισονBut come now, change your theme, and sing of the building of the horse,
δουρατέου, τὸν Ἐπειὸς ἐποίησεν σὺν Ἀθήνῃ,the wooden one, which Epeius made with Athena,
ὅν ποτʼ ἐς ἀκρόπολιν δόλον ἤγαγε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺςthe trick that godlike Odysseus once brought up to the citadel,
495ἀνδρῶν ἐμπλήσας οἵ ῥʼ Ἴλιον ἐξαλάπαξαν.having filled it with the men who sacked Ilium.
αἴ κεν δή μοι ταῦτα κατὰ μοῖραν καταλέξῃς,If you will recount these things to me in their due order,
αὐτίκʼ ἐγὼ πᾶσιν μυθήσομαι ἀνθρώποισιν,at once I will declare to all mankind
ὡς ἄρα τοι πρόφρων θεὸς ὤπασε θέσπιν ἀοιδήν.how a god, gracious to you, granted you the gift of divine song."
ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δʼ ὁρμηθεὶς θεοῦ ἤρχετο, φαῖνε δʼ
ἀοιδήν,So he spoke, and stirred by the god the bard began, and showed forth his song,
500ἔνθεν ἑλὼν ὡς οἱ μὲν ἐυσσέλμων ἐπὶ νηῶνtaking it up from where the Argives boarded their well-benched ships
βάντες ἀπέπλειον, πῦρ ἐν κλισίῃσι βαλόντες,and sailed away, after casting fire on their huts,
Ἀργεῖοι, τοὶ δʼ ἤδη ἀγακλυτὸν ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆαwhile others, gathered around glorious Odysseus,
ἥατʼ ἐνὶ Τρώων ἀγορῇ κεκαλυμμένοι ἵππῳ·already sat in the assembly of the Trojans, hidden in the horse;
αὐτοὶ γάρ μιν Τρῶες ἐς ἀκρόπολιν ἐρύσαντο.for the Trojans themselves had dragged it up to the citadel.
505ὣς ὁ μὲν ἑστήκει, τοὶ δʼ ἄκριτα πόλλʼ ἀγόρευονSo it stood there, and they spoke long and without settling
ἥμενοι ἀμφʼ αὐτόν· τρίχα δέ σφισιν ἥνδανε βουλή,as they sat around it; and three counsels found favor with them:
ἠὲ διαπλῆξαι κοῖλον δόρυ νηλέι χαλκῷ,either to split the hollow timber with pitiless bronze,
ἢ κατὰ πετράων βαλέειν ἐρύσαντας ἐπʼ ἄκρης,or to drag it to the height and hurl it down among the rocks,
ἢ ἐάαν μέγʼ ἄγαλμα θεῶν θελκτήριον εἶναι,or to let it stand, a great offering to charm the gods,
510τῇ περ δὴ καὶ ἔπειτα τελευτήσεσθαι ἔμελλεν·which indeed was the way it was destined to end;
αἶσα γὰρ ἦν ἀπολέσθαι, ἐπὴν πόλις ἀμφικαλύψῃfor it was their fate to perish, once the city enclosed
δουράτεον μέγαν ἵππον, ὅθʼ ἥατο πάντες ἄριστοιthe great wooden horse, where all the best men sat
Ἀργείων Τρώεσσι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φέροντες.of the Argives, bearing death and doom to the Trojans.
ἤειδεν δʼ ὡς ἄστυ διέπραθον υἷες ἈχαιῶνAnd he sang how the sons of the Achaeans sacked the city,
515ἱππόθεν ἐκχύμενοι, κοῖλον λόχον ἐκπρολιπόντες.pouring out from the horse, leaving their hollow ambush behind.
ἄλλον δʼ ἄλλῃ ἄειδε πόλιν κεραϊζέμεν αἰπήν,He sang how one here, one there, laid waste the steep city,
αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆα προτὶ δώματα Δηιφόβοιοbut Odysseus went, like Ares, to the house of Deiphobus,
βήμεναι, ἠύτʼ Ἄρηα σὺν ἀντιθέῳ Μενελάῳ.together with godlike Menelaus.
κεῖθι δὴ αἰνότατον πόλεμον φάτο τολμήσανταThere, he said, Odysseus dared the most terrible fighting
520νικῆσαι καὶ ἔπειτα διὰ μεγάθυμον Ἀθήνην.and conquered even then, through great-hearted Athena.
ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός· αὐτὰρ
ὈδυσσεὺςThese things the far-famed bard was singing; but Odysseus
τήκετο, δάκρυ δʼ ἔδευεν ὑπὸ βλεφάροισι παρειάς.melted, and tears wet his cheeks beneath his eyelids.
ὡς δὲ γυνὴ κλαίῃσι φίλον πόσιν ἀμφιπεσοῦσα,As a woman weeps, flung down over her dear husband,
ὅς τε ἑῆς πρόσθεν πόλιος λαῶν τε πέσῃσιν,who has fallen before his city and his people,
525ἄστεϊ καὶ τεκέεσσιν ἀμύνων νηλεὲς ἦμαρ·warding off from his town and children the pitiless day;
ἡ μὲν τὸν θνήσκοντα καὶ ἀσπαίροντα ἰδοῦσαand she, seeing him dying and gasping for breath,
ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ χυμένη λίγα κωκύει· οἱ δέ τʼ ὄπισθεpours herself over him with shrill cries; but behind her
κόπτοντες δούρεσσι μετάφρενον ἠδὲ καὶ ὤμουςmen beat her back and shoulders with their spears
εἴρερον εἰσανάγουσι, πόνον τʼ ἐχέμεν καὶ ὀιζύν·and lead her away to bondage, to have toil and misery;
530τῆς δʼ ἐλεεινοτάτῳ ἄχεϊ φθινύθουσι παρειαί·and with the most pitiful grief her cheeks waste away:
ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς ἐλεεινὸν ὑπʼ ὀφρύσι δάκρυον εἶβεν.so did Odysseus shed a pitiful tear beneath his brows.
ἔνθʼ ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ἐλάνθανε δάκρυα λείβων,There from all the others he hid the tears he shed,
Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἐπεφράσατʼ ἠδʼ ἐνόησεν,but Alcinous alone marked him and took note,
ἥμενος ἄγχʼ αὐτοῦ, βαρὺ δὲ στενάχοντος ἄκουσεν.sitting close beside him, and heard him groaning heavily.
535αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα·At once he spoke among the oar-loving Phaeacians:
κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians,
Δημόδοκος δʼ ἤδη σχεθέτω φόρμιγγα λίγειαν·and now let Demodocus hold back his clear-toned lyre;
οὐ γάρ πως πάντεσσι χαριζόμενος τάδʼ ἀείδει.for not to everyone does he give delight in singing this.
ἐξ οὗ δορπέομέν τε καὶ ὤρορε θεῖος ἀοιδός,Since we began the feast and the divine bard was roused,
540ἐκ τοῦ δʼ οὔ πω παύσατʼ ὀιζυροῖο γόοιοfrom that time the stranger has never ceased from wretched lament;
ὁ ξεῖνος· μάλα πού μιν ἄχος φρένας ἀμφιβέβηκεν.some grief, it seems, has surely wrapped itself around his heart.
ἀλλʼ ἄγʼ ὁ μὲν σχεθέτω, ἵνʼ ὁμῶς τερπώμεθα πάντες,But come, let the bard hold back, so we may all take joy alike,
ξεινοδόκοι καὶ ξεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πολὺ κάλλιον οὕτως·hosts and guest, since this is far more fitting so;
εἵνεκα γὰρ ξείνοιο τάδʼ αἰδοίοιο τέτυκται,for it is for the sake of the honored stranger these things are made,
545πομπὴ καὶ φίλα δῶρα, τά οἱ δίδομεν φιλέοντες.the escort and the loving gifts, which we give him in friendship.
ἀντὶ κασιγνήτου ξεῖνός θʼ ἱκέτης τε τέτυκταιA stranger and suppliant is as good as a brother
ἀνέρι, ὅς τʼ ὀλίγον περ ἐπιψαύῃ πραπίδεσσι.to any man whose wits have even a little grasp.
τῷ νῦν μηδὲ σὺ κεῦθε νοήμασι κερδαλέοισινSo do not now hide with cunning thoughts
ὅττι κέ σʼ εἴρωμαι· φάσθαι δέ σε κάλλιόν ἐστιν.whatever I ask you; it is more fitting that you speak.
550εἴπʼ ὄνομʼ ὅττι σε κεῖθι κάλεον μήτηρ τε πατήρ τεTell me the name they called you there, your mother and father
ἄλλοι θʼ οἳ κατὰ ἄστυ καὶ οἳ περιναιετάουσιν.and the others in the city and those who dwell around.
οὐ μὲν γάρ τις πάμπαν ἀνώνυμός ἐστʼ ἀνθρώπων,For no one among men is altogether nameless,
οὐ κακὸς οὐδὲ μὲν ἐσθλός, ἐπὴν τὰ πρῶτα γένηται,neither the base nor the noble, once he has been born,
ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τίθενται, ἐπεί κε τέκωσι, τοκῆες.but on all, when they bring them forth, the parents set a name.
555εἰπὲ δέ μοι γαῖάν τε· τεὴν δῆμόν τε πόλιν τε,And tell me your land, your people, and your city,
ὄφρα σε τῇ πέμπωσι τιτυσκόμεναι φρεσὶ νῆες·so the ships may bring you there, aiming with their minds;
οὐ γὰρ Φαιήκεσσι κυβερνητῆρες ἔασιν,for the Phaeacians have no steersmen,
οὐδέ τι πηδάλιʼ ἔστι, τά τʼ ἄλλαι νῆες ἔχουσιν·nor any rudders, such as other ships possess;
ἀλλʼ αὐταὶ ἴσασι νοήματα καὶ φρένας ἀνδρῶν,but the ships themselves know the thoughts and minds of men,
560καὶ πάντων ἴσασι πόλιας καὶ πίονας ἀγροὺςand they know the cities and rich fields of all peoples,
ἀνθρώπων, καὶ λαῖτμα τάχισθʼ ἁλὸς ἐκπερόωσινand swiftly they cross the gulf of the sea,
ἠέρι καὶ νεφέλῃ κεκαλυμμέναι· οὐδέ ποτέ σφινshrouded in mist and cloud; and never for them
οὔτε τι πημανθῆναι ἔπι δέος οὔτʼ ἀπολέσθαι.is there any fear of being harmed or lost.
ἀλλὰ τόδʼ ὥς ποτε πατρὸς ἐγὼν εἰπόντος ἄκουσαBut this I once heard my father Nausithous
565Ναυσιθόου, ὃς ἔφασκε Ποσειδάωνʼ ἀγάσασθαιsay, when he declared that Poseidon was angry
ἡμῖν, οὕνεκα πομποὶ ἀπήμονές εἰμεν ἁπάντων.with us, because we are safe escorts to all men.
φῆ ποτὲ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν ἐυεργέα νῆαHe said that one day a well-built ship of the Phaeacians,
ἐκ πομπῆς ἀνιοῦσαν ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳreturning from an escort on the misty sea,
ῥαισέμεναι, μέγα δʼ ἧμιν ὄρος πόλει ἀμφικαλύψειν.the god would shatter, and hide our city under a great mountain.
570ὣς ἀγόρευʼ ὁ γέρων· τὰ δέ κεν θεὸς ἢ τελέσειενSo the old man spoke; and these things a god may bring to pass
ἤ κʼ ἀτέλεστʼ εἴη, ὥς οἱ φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ·or leave unfulfilled, as it pleases his heart.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,But come, tell me this and recount it truly,
ὅππῃ ἀπεπλάγχθης τε καὶ ἅς τινας ἵκεο χώραςwhere you were driven astray and to what lands you came
ἀνθρώπων, αὐτούς τε πόλιάς τʼ ἐὺ ναιετοώσας,of men, both themselves and their well-settled cities,
575ἠμὲν ὅσοι χαλεποί τε καὶ ἄγριοι οὐδὲ δίκαιοι,both those who are harsh and wild and without justice,
οἵ τε φιλόξεινοι, καί σφιν νόος ἐστὶ θεουδής.and those who love strangers, and whose minds fear the gods.
εἰπὲ δʼ ὅ τι κλαίεις καὶ ὀδύρεαι ἔνδοθι θυμῷAnd tell why you weep and grieve within your heart
Ἀργείων Δαναῶν ἠδʼ Ἰλίου οἶτον ἀκούων.when you hear the fate of the Argive Danaans and of Ilion.
τὸν δὲ θεοὶ μὲν τεῦξαν, ἐπεκλώσαντο δʼ ὄλεθρονThat the gods fashioned, and spun destruction
580ἀνθρώποις, ἵνα ᾖσι καὶ ἐσσομένοισιν ἀοιδή.for men, so that it might be a song for those yet to come.
ἦ τίς τοι καὶ πηὸς ἀπέφθιτο Ἰλιόθι πρὸDid some kinsman of yours perish before Ilion,
ἐσθλὸς ἐών, γαμβρὸς ἢ πενθερός, οἵ τε μάλισταa noble man, a son-in-law or father-in-law, who are the closest
κήδιστοι τελέθουσι μεθʼ αἷμά τε καὶ γένος αὐτῶν;and dearest after one's own blood and kin?
ἦ τίς που καὶ ἑταῖρος ἀνὴρ κεχαρισμένα εἰδώς,Or was it some companion, a man dear to your heart,
585ἐσθλός; ἐπεὶ οὐ μέν τι κασιγνήτοιο χερείωνa noble one? Since a comrade is in no way lesser
γίγνεται, ὅς κεν ἑταῖρος ἐὼν πεπνυμένα εἰδῇ.than a brother, one who is a companion and knows wise counsel.