1Αἰολίην δʼ ἐς νῆσον ἀφικόμεθʼ· ἔνθα δʼ ἔναιενWe came to the Aeolian island; and there lived
Αἴολος Ἱπποτάδης, φίλος ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν,Aeolus son of Hippotas, dear to the immortal gods,
πλωτῇ ἐνὶ νήσῳ· πᾶσαν δέ τέ μιν πέρι τεῖχοςon a floating island; and all around it a wall
χάλκεον ἄρρηκτον, λισσὴ δʼ ἀναδέδρομε πέτρη.of bronze, unbroken, and the sheer rock runs up.
5τοῦ καὶ δώδεκα παῖδες ἐνὶ μεγάροις γεγάασιν,And twelve children were born to him in his halls,
ἓξ μὲν θυγατέρες, ἓξ δʼ υἱέες ἡβώοντες·six of them daughters, and six sons in the bloom of youth;
ἔνθʼ ὅ γε θυγατέρας πόρεν υἱάσιν εἶναι ἀκοίτις.there he gave his daughters to his sons to be their wives.
οἱ δʼ αἰεὶ παρὰ πατρὶ φίλῳ καὶ μητέρι κεδνῇAnd always beside their dear father and their careful mother
δαίνυνται, παρὰ δέ σφιν ὀνείατα μυρία κεῖται,they feast, and countless good things lie beside them,
10κνισῆεν δέ τε δῶμα περιστεναχίζεται αὐλῇand by day the house, savory with smoke, echoes about the court;
ἤματα· νύκτας δʼ αὖτε παρʼ αἰδοίῃς ἀλόχοισινbut by night, again, beside their honored wives
εὕδουσʼ ἔν τε τάπησι καὶ ἐν τρητοῖσι λέχεσσι.they sleep, on coverlets and on corded bedsteads.
καὶ μὲν τῶν ἱκόμεσθα πόλιν καὶ δώματα καλά.And so we came to their city and their fair halls.
μῆνα δὲ πάντα φίλει με καὶ ἐξερέεινεν ἕκαστα,A whole month he loved me and questioned me on each thing,
15Ἴλιον Ἀργείων τε νέας καὶ νόστον Ἀχαιῶν·of Ilion and the Argive ships and the Achaeans' return;
καὶ μὲν ἐγὼ τῷ πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν κατέλεξα.and I recounted all of it to him in due order.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ καὶ ἐγὼν ὁδὸν ᾔτεον ἠδʼ ἐκέλευονBut when I myself asked for the road and bade him
πεμπέμεν, οὐδέ τι κεῖνος ἀνήνατο, τεῦχε δὲ πομπήν.send me on, he refused me nothing, and made ready my escort.
δῶκε δέ μʼ ἐκδείρας ἀσκὸν βοὸς ἐννεώροιο,He gave me a bag, flaying the hide of a nine-year ox,
20ἔνθα δὲ βυκτάων ἀνέμων κατέδησε κέλευθα·and there he bound down the paths of the blustering winds;
κεῖνον γὰρ ταμίην ἀνέμων ποίησε Κρονίων,for the son of Cronos had made him steward of the winds,
ἠμὲν παυέμεναι ἠδʼ ὀρνύμεν, ὅν κʼ ἐθέλῃσι.both to still and to rouse whichever one he wished.
νηὶ δʼ ἐνὶ γλαφυρῇ κατέδει μέρμιθι φαεινῇAnd in the hollow ship he tied it with a shining cord
ἀργυρέῃ, ἵνα μή τι παραπνεύσῃ ὀλίγον περ·of silver, so that not even a little should breathe past;
25αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ πνοιὴν Ζεφύρου προέηκεν ἀῆναι,but for me he sent the breath of the West Wind to blow,
ὄφρα φέροι νῆάς τε καὶ αὐτούς· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλενto carry both ships and men; yet it was not to be
ἐκτελέειν· αὐτῶν γὰρ ἀπωλόμεθʼ ἀφραδίῃσιν.accomplished, for we were lost through our own folly.
ἐννῆμαρ μὲν ὁμῶς πλέομεν νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ,Nine days alike we sailed, by night and by day,
τῇ δεκάτῃ δʼ ἤδη ἀνεφαίνετο πατρὶς ἄρουρα,and on the tenth already our native fields appeared,
30καὶ δὴ πυρπολέοντας ἐλεύσσομεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντες·and now, being near, we could see men tending their fires;
ἔνθʼ ἐμὲ μὲν γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἐπήλυθε κεκμηῶτα,then sweet sleep came upon me, worn out as I was,
αἰεὶ γὰρ πόδα νηὸς ἐνώμων, οὐδέ τῳ ἄλλῳfor always I worked the ship's sheet, and gave it to no other
δῶχʼ ἑτάρων, ἵνα θᾶσσον ἱκοίμεθα πατρίδα γαῖαν·of my companions, that we might come the quicker to our native land;
οἱ δʼ ἕταροι ἐπέεσσι πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,but my companions spoke words to one another,
35καί μʼ ἔφασαν χρυσόν τε καὶ ἄργυρον οἴκαδʼ ἄγεσθαιand said that I was bringing gold and silver home,
δῶρα παρʼ Αἰόλου μεγαλήτορος Ἱπποτάδαο.gifts from Aeolus, great-hearted son of Hippotas.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·And thus one would speak, glancing at his neighbor beside him:
ὦ πόποι, ὡς ὅδε πᾶσι φίλος καὶ τίμιός
ἐστιν"For shame, how this man is loved and honored
ἀνθρώποις, ὅτεών τε πόλιν καὶ γαῖαν ἵκηται.by all people, to whosever city and land he comes.
40πολλὰ μὲν ἐκ Τροίης ἄγεται κειμήλια καλὰMany are the fine treasures he carries out of Troy,
ληίδος, ἡμεῖς δʼ αὖτε ὁμὴν ὁδὸν ἐκτελέσαντεςhis plunder, while we, who accomplished the same journey,
οἴκαδε νισσόμεθα κενεὰς σὺν χεῖρας ἔχοντες·come home with empty hands to show for it;
καὶ νῦν οἱ τάδʼ ἔδωκε χαριζόμενος φιλότητιand now Aeolus has given him these things, freely, in friendship.
Αἴολος. ἀλλʼ ἄγε θᾶσσον ἰδώμεθα ὅττι τάδʼ ἐστίν,Come, let us quickly see what is here,
45ὅσσος τις χρυσός τε καὶ ἄργυρος ἀσκῷ ἔνεστιν.how much gold and silver lies inside the bag."
ὣς ἔφασαν, βουλὴ δὲ κακὴ νίκησεν ἑταίρων·So they spoke, and the evil counsel of my companions won out;
ἀσκὸν μὲν λῦσαν, ἄνεμοι δʼ ἐκ πάντες ὄρουσαν.they loosed the bag, and all the winds rushed out,
τοὺς δʼ αἶψʼ ἁρπάξασα φέρεν πόντονδε θύελλαand at once the storm seized and bore them out to sea,
κλαίοντας, γαίης ἄπο πατρίδος. αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γεweeping, away from their native land. But I,
50ἐγρόμενος κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονα μερμήριξα,waking, pondered within my blameless heart
ἠὲ πεσὼν ἐκ νηὸς ἀποφθίμην ἐνὶ πόντῳ,whether to fling myself from the ship and perish in the sea,
ἦ ἀκέων τλαίην καὶ ἔτι ζωοῖσι μετείην.or to endure in silence and remain still among the living.
ἀλλʼ ἔτλην καὶ ἔμεινα, καλυψάμενος δʼ ἐνὶ νηὶBut I endured and stayed, and covering myself I lay
κείμην. αἱ δʼ ἐφέροντο κακῇ ἀνέμοιο θυέλλῃdown in the ship. And they were borne by the evil storm-wind
55αὖτις ἐπʼ Αἰολίην νῆσον, στενάχοντο δʼ ἑταῖροι.back to the Aeolian island, while my companions groaned.
ἔνθα δʼ ἐπʼ ἠπείρου βῆμεν καὶ ἀφυσσάμεθʼ
ὕδωρ,There we stepped onto the mainland and drew water,
αἶψα δὲ δεῖπνον ἕλοντο θοῇς παρὰ νηυσὶν ἑταῖροι.and at once my companions took their meal beside the swift ships.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σίτοιό τʼ ἐπασσάμεθʼ ἠδὲ ποτῆτος,But when we had tasted food and drink,
δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼ κήρυκά τʼ ὀπασσάμενος καὶ ἑταῖρονthen, taking with me a herald and a companion,
60βῆν εἰς Αἰόλου κλυτὰ δώματα· τὸν δʼ ἐκίχανονI went to the glorious halls of Aeolus; and I found him
δαινύμενον παρὰ ᾗ τʼ ἀλόχῳ καὶ οἷσι τέκεσσιν.feasting beside his wife and his own children.
ἐλθόντες δʼ ἐς δῶμα παρὰ σταθμοῖσιν ἐπʼ οὐδοῦComing to the house, at the doorposts, on the threshold,
ἑζόμεθʼ· οἱ δʼ ἀνὰ θυμὸν ἐθάμβεον ἔκ τʼ ἐρέοντο·we sat down; and they marveled in their hearts and questioned me:
πῶς ἦλθες, Ὀδυσεῦ; τίς τοι κακὸς ἔχραε
δαίμων;"How have you come, Odysseus? What evil god has assailed you?
65ἦ μέν σʼ ἐνδυκέως ἀπεπέμπομεν, ὄφρʼ ἀφίκοιοSurely we sent you off with care, so that you might reach
πατρίδα σὴν καὶ δῶμα καὶ εἴ πού τοι φίλον ἐστίν.your native land and home and whatever is dear to you."
ὣς φάσαν, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μετεφώνεον ἀχνύμενος
κῆρ·So they spoke, and I answered, grieved at heart:
ἄασάν μʼ ἕταροί τε κακοὶ πρὸς τοῖσί τε ὕπνος"My evil companions ruined me, and with them a cruel
σχέτλιος. ἀλλʼ ἀκέσασθε, φίλοι· δύναμις γὰρ ἐν ὑμῖν.sleep. But heal it, my friends, for the power lies in you."
70ὣς ἐφάμην μαλακοῖσι καθαπτόμενος ἐπέεσσιν,So I spoke, addressing them with soft words,
οἱ δʼ ἄνεῳ ἐγένοντο· πατὴρ δʼ ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·but they fell silent; and their father answered with a speech:
ἔρρʼ ἐκ νήσου θᾶσσον, ἐλέγχιστε ζωόντων·"Get off this island quickly, most contemptible of living men!
οὐ γάρ μοι θέμις ἐστὶ κομιζέμεν οὐδʼ ἀποπέμπεινIt is not right for me to help on his way or send off
ἄνδρα τόν, ὅς κε θεοῖσιν ἀπέχθηται μακάρεσσιν·a man who is hated by the blessed gods.
75ἔρρε, ἐπεὶ ἄρα θεοῖσιν ἀπεχθόμενος τόδʼ ἱκάνεις.Be gone, since you come here hated by the immortals."
ὣς εἰπὼν ἀπέπεμπε δόμων βαρέα στενάχοντα.So speaking he sent me from his house, groaning heavily.
ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρω πλέομεν ἀκαχήμενοι ἦτορ.From there we sailed onward, grieved at heart,
τείρετο δʼ ἀνδρῶν θυμὸς ὑπʼ εἰρεσίης ἀλεγεινῆςand the men's spirit was worn down by the painful rowing,
ἡμετέρῃ ματίῃ, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι φαίνετο πομπή.through our own folly, since no escort appeared any longer.
80ἑξῆμαρ μὲν ὁμῶς πλέομεν νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ,Six days alike we sailed, by night and by day,
ἑβδομάτῃ δʼ ἱκόμεσθα Λάμου αἰπὺ πτολίεθρον,and on the seventh we came to Lamos' steep citadel,
Τηλέπυλον Λαιστρυγονίην, ὅθι ποιμένα ποιμὴνTelepylos of the Laestrygonians, where herdsman calls
ἠπύει εἰσελάων, ὁ δέ τʼ ἐξελάων ὑπακούει.to herdsman as he drives in, and the other answers as he drives out.
ἔνθα κʼ ἄυπνος ἀνὴρ δοιοὺς ἐξήρατο μισθούς,There a man who never slept could earn a double wage,
85τὸν μὲν βουκολέων, τὸν δʼ ἄργυφα μῆλα νομεύων·the one from tending cattle, the other from herding silver-white sheep,
ἐγγὺς γὰρ νυκτός τε καὶ ἤματός εἰσι κέλευθοι.for the paths of night and of day are close together.
ἔνθʼ ἐπεὶ ἐς λιμένα κλυτὸν ἤλθομεν, ὃν πέρι πέτρηThere, when we came to the glorious harbor, around which a cliff
ἠλίβατος τετύχηκε διαμπερὲς ἀμφοτέρωθεν,runs sheer and unbroken on either side,
ἀκταὶ δὲ προβλῆτες ἐναντίαι ἀλλήλῃσινand jutting headlands facing one another
90ἐν στόματι προύχουσιν, ἀραιὴ δʼ εἴσοδός ἐστιν,thrust out at the mouth, and the entrance is narrow,
ἔνθʼ οἵ γʼ εἴσω πάντες ἔχον νέας ἀμφιελίσσας.there all of them held their curved ships inside.
αἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἔντοσθεν λιμένος κοίλοιο δέδεντοThese were moored within the hollow harbor,
πλησίαι· οὐ μὲν γάρ ποτʼ ἀέξετο κῦμά γʼ ἐν αὐτῷ,close together; for no wave ever swelled within it,
οὔτε μέγʼ οὔτʼ ὀλίγον, λευκὴ δʼ ἦν ἀμφὶ γαλήνη·neither great nor small, but a bright calm lay all around.
95αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν οἶος σχέθον ἔξω νῆα μέλαιναν,But I alone held my black ship outside,
αὐτοῦ ἐπʼ ἐσχατιῇ, πέτρης ἐκ πείσματα δήσας·there at the very edge, having tied the cables to a rock;
ἔστην δὲ σκοπιὴν ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἀνελθών.and I climbed to a rugged lookout point and stood there.
ἔνθα μὲν οὔτε βοῶν οὔτʼ ἀνδρῶν φαίνετο ἔργα,There no works of oxen or of men appeared,
καπνὸν δʼ οἶον ὁρῶμεν ἀπὸ χθονὸς ἀίσσοντα.only smoke we saw rising up from the land.
100δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἑτάρους προΐειν πεύθεσθαι ἰόντας,Then I sent forward companions to go and learn
οἵ τινες ἀνέρες εἶεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ σῖτον ἔδοντες,what men these were who ate bread upon the earth,
ἄνδρε δύω κρίνας, τρίτατον κήρυχʼ ἅμʼ ὀπάσσας.choosing two men, and sending a third along as herald.
οἱ δʼ ἴσαν ἐκβάντες λείην ὁδόν, ᾗ περ ἄμαξαιThey went off along a smooth road, where wagons
ἄστυδʼ ἀφʼ ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων καταγίνεον ὕλην,used to carry wood down from the high mountains to the town,
105κούρῃ δὲ ξύμβληντο πρὸ ἄστεος ὑδρευούσῃ,and before the city they met a girl drawing water,
θυγατέρʼ ἰφθίμῃ Λαιστρυγόνος Ἀντιφάταο.the strong daughter of the Laestrygonian Antiphates.
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐς κρήνην κατεβήσετο καλλιρέεθρονShe had gone down to the fair-flowing spring,
Ἀρτακίην· ἔνθεν γὰρ ὕδωρ προτὶ ἄστυ φέρεσκον·Artacia, from which they used to carry water to the town;
οἱ δὲ παριστάμενοι προσεφώνεον ἔκ τʼ ἐρέοντοand standing beside her they spoke and questioned her,
110ὅς τις τῶνδʼ εἴη βασιλεὺς καὶ οἷσιν ἀνάσσοι·who was king over these people and whom he ruled;
ἡ δὲ μάλʼ αὐτίκα πατρὸς ἐπέφραδεν ὑψερεφὲς δῶ.and at once she pointed out her father's high-roofed house.
οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ εἰσῆλθον κλυτὰ δώματα, τὴν δὲ γυναῖκαBut when they entered the glorious halls, they found the woman
εὗρον, ὅσην τʼ ὄρεος κορυφήν, κατὰ δʼ ἔστυγον αὐτήν.there, huge as a mountain peak, and they loathed the sight of her.
ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξ ἀγορῆς ἐκάλει κλυτὸν Ἀντιφατῆα,And at once she called from the assembly place glorious Antiphates,
115ὃν πόσιν, ὃς δὴ τοῖσιν ἐμήσατο λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον.her husband, who devised for them a dismal destruction.
αὐτίχʼ ἕνα μάρψας ἑτάρων ὡπλίσσατο δεῖπνον·At once he seized one of my companions and made him his meal;
τὼ δὲ δύʼ ἀίξαντε φυγῇ ἐπὶ νῆας ἱκέσθην.but the other two sprang up and fled and reached the ships.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τεῦχε βοὴν διὰ ἄστεος· οἱ δʼ ἀίοντεςThen he raised a war-cry through the city, and hearing it
φοίτων ἴφθιμοι Λαιστρυγόνες ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος,the mighty Laestrygonians came thronging from every side,
120μυρίοι, οὐκ ἄνδρεσσιν ἐοικότες, ἀλλὰ Γίγασιν.countless, not like men but like the Giants.
οἵ ῥʼ ἀπὸ πετράων ἀνδραχθέσι χερμαδίοισινand from the cliffs they hurled at us with stones no man could lift,
βάλλον· ἄφαρ δὲ κακὸς κόναβος κατὰ νῆας ὀρώρειand at once an evil din arose about the ships,
ἀνδρῶν τʼ ὀλλυμένων νηῶν θʼ ἅμα ἀγνυμενάων·of men dying and of ships being crushed together;
ἰχθῦς δʼ ὣς πείροντες ἀτερπέα δαῖτα φέροντο.and spearing them like fish they carried off their grim feast.
125ὄφρʼ οἱ τοὺς ὄλεκον λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντός,While they were destroying them within the deep-set harbor,
τόφρα δʼ ἐγὼ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦmeanwhile I drew the sharp sword from beside my thigh
τῷ ἀπὸ πείσματʼ ἔκοψα νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο.and with it cut away the cables of my dark-prowed ship.
αἶψα δʼ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσαAt once I urged my companions and commanded them
ἐμβαλέειν κώπῃς, ἵνʼ ὑπὲκ κακότητα φύγοιμεν·to fall to the oars, that we might flee from ruin;
130οἱ δʼ ἅλα πάντες ἀνέρριψαν, δείσαντες ὄλεθρον.and they all tossed the sea up, fearing destruction.
ἀσπασίως δʼ ἐς πόντον ἐπηρεφέας φύγε πέτραςGladly out to sea my ship escaped the overhanging rocks,
νηῦς ἐμή· αὐτὰρ αἱ ἄλλαι ἀολλέες αὐτόθʼ ὄλοντο.but all the others perished there together.
ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρω πλέομεν ἀκαχήμενοι ἦτορ,From there we sailed onward, grieving in our hearts,
ἄσμενοι ἐκ θανάτοιο, φίλους ὀλέσαντες ἑταίρους.glad to be alive, though we had lost dear companions.
135Αἰαίην δʼ ἐς νῆσον ἀφικόμεθʼ· ἔνθα δʼ ἔναιεAnd we came to the island of Aeaea; there dwelt
Κίρκη ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα,Circe of the lovely braids, dread goddess with a human voice,
αὐτοκασιγνήτη ὀλοόφρονος Αἰήταο·own sister of the malign-minded Aeetes;
ἄμφω δʼ ἐκγεγάτην φαεσιμβρότου Ἠελίοιοboth were born of the Sun who gives light to mortals
μητρός τʼ ἐκ Πέρσης, τὴν Ὠκεανὸς τέκε παῖδα.and of a mother, Perse, whom Ocean bore as his child.
140ἔνθα δʼ ἐπʼ ἀκτῆς νηὶ κατηγαγόμεσθα σιωπῇThere we brought our ship in to the shore in silence,
ναύλοχον ἐς λιμένα, καί τις θεὸς ἡγεμόνευεν.into a sheltering harbor, and some god was our guide.
ἔνθα τότʼ ἐκβάντες δύο τʼ ἤματα καὶ δύο νύκταςThere having disembarked, for two days and two nights
κείμεθʼ ὁμοῦ καμάτῳ τε καὶ ἄλγεσι θυμὸν ἔδοντες.we lay, eating our hearts with weariness and sorrows.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τρίτον ἦμαρ ἐυπλόκαμος τέλεσʼ Ἠώς,But when Dawn of the lovely braids brought the third day to pass,
145καὶ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἐμὸν ἔγχος ἑλὼν καὶ φάσγανον ὀξὺthen I took up my spear and my sharp sword
καρπαλίμως παρὰ νηὸς ἀνήιον ἐς περιωπήν,and swiftly went up from the ship to a lookout,
εἴ πως ἔργα ἴδοιμι βροτῶν ἐνοπήν τε πυθοίμην.hoping to see the works of men and to hear their voices.
ἔστην δὲ σκοπιὴν ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἀνελθών,And I stood, having climbed to a rugged place of watch,
καί μοι ἐείσατο καπνὸς ἀπὸ χθονὸς εὐρυοδείης,and there appeared to me smoke from the broad-wayed earth,
150Κίρκης ἐν μεγάροισι, διὰ δρυμὰ πυκνὰ καὶ ὕλην.in the halls of Circe, through the thick brush and woodland.
μερμήριξα δʼ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸνThen I pondered in my mind and in my heart
ἐλθεῖν ἠδὲ πυθέσθαι, ἐπεὶ ἴδον αἴθοπα καπνόν.whether to go and inquire, since I had seen the flashing smoke.
ὧδε δέ μοι φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,And as I considered, this seemed to me the better course,
πρῶτʼ ἐλθόντʼ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσηςfirst to go back to the swift ship and the shore of the sea
155δεῖπνον ἑταίροισιν δόμεναι προέμεν τε πυθέσθαι.and give my companions their meal and send them to inquire.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦα κιὼν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης,But when, as I went, I was near the curved ship,
καὶ τότε τίς με θεῶν ὀλοφύρατο μοῦνον ἐόντα,then some god took pity on me in my loneliness,
ὅς ῥά μοι ὑψίκερων ἔλαφον μέγαν εἰς ὁδὸν αὐτὴνand sent a great high-antlered stag into my very path.
ἧκεν. ὁ μὲν ποταμόνδε κατήιεν ἐκ νομοῦ ὕληςHe was coming down to the river from his woodland pasture
160πιόμενος· δὴ γάρ μιν ἔχεν μένος ἠελίοιο.to drink, for the might of the sun had gripped him.
τὸν δʼ ἐγὼ ἐκβαίνοντα κατʼ ἄκνηστιν μέσα νῶταAs he came out, I struck him in the spine, mid-back,
πλῆξα· τὸ δʼ ἀντικρὺ δόρυ χάλκεον ἐξεπέρησε,and the bronze spear drove straight through him,
κὰδ δʼ ἔπεσʼ ἐν κονίῃσι μακών, ἀπὸ δʼ ἔπτατο θυμός.and he fell in the dust with a bellow, and his spirit flew away.
τῷ δʼ ἐγὼ ἐμβαίνων δόρυ χάλκεον ἐξ ὠτειλῆςI set my foot on him and drew the bronze spear
165εἰρυσάμην· τὸ μὲν αὖθι κατακλίνας ἐπὶ γαίῃout of the wound; then I laid it down upon the ground
εἴασʼ· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ σπασάμην ῥῶπάς τε λύγους τε,and left it there; and I plucked twigs and willow-shoots,
πεῖσμα δʼ, ὅσον τʼ ὄργυιαν, ἐυστρεφὲς ἀμφοτέρωθενand, weaving a rope some fathom's length, well-twisted at both ends,
πλεξάμενος συνέδησα πόδας δεινοῖο πελώρου,I bound together the feet of the monstrous beast,
βῆν δὲ καταλοφάδεια φέρων ἐπὶ νῆα μέλαινανand went, carrying him slung about my neck, to the black ship,
170ἔγχει ἐρειδόμενος, ἐπεὶ οὔ πως ἦεν ἐπʼ ὤμουleaning on my spear, since there was no way to bear him on my shoulder
χειρὶ φέρειν ἑτέρῃ· μάλα γὰρ μέγα θηρίον ἦεν.with the other hand: for he was a very great beast.
κὰδʼ δʼ ἔβαλον προπάροιθε νεός, ἀνέγειρα δʼ ἑταίρουςI threw him down before the ship, and roused my companions
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρασταδὸν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον·with gentle words, coming up to each man in turn:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γάρ πω καταδυσόμεθʼ ἀχνύμενοί
περ"Friends, we shall not yet, for all our grief,
175εἰς Ἀίδαο δόμους, πρὶν μόρσιμον ἦμαρ ἐπέλθῃ·go down to the house of Hades, before the fated day arrives.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ, ὄφρʼ ἐν νηὶ θοῇ βρῶσίς τε πόσις τε,But come, while there is food and drink in the swift ship,
μνησόμεθα βρώμης, μηδὲ τρυχώμεθα λιμῷ.let us think of eating, and not waste away with hunger."
ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δʼ ὦκα ἐμοῖς ἐπέεσσι πίθοντο,So I spoke, and they quickly obeyed my words,
ἐκ δὲ καλυψάμενοι παρὰ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιοand, uncovering their heads along the shore of the barren sea,
180θηήσαντʼ ἔλαφον· μάλα γὰρ μέγα θηρίον ἦεν.they marveled at the stag: for he was a very great beast.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τάρπησαν ὁρώμενοι ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,But when they had taken their fill of looking with their eyes,
χεῖρας νιψάμενοι τεύχοντʼ ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα.they washed their hands and prepared a glorious feast.
ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύνταSo then for that whole day until the setting of the sun
ἥμεθα δαινύμενοι κρέα τʼ ἄσπετα καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ·we sat feasting on abundant meat and sweet wine.
185ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθε,But when the sun went down and darkness came on,
δὴ τότε κοιμήθημεν ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης.then we lay down to sleep upon the breaking of the sea.
ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,When early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
καὶ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἀγορὴν θέμενος μετὰ πᾶσιν ἔειπον·then I called an assembly and spoke among them all:
κέκλυτέ μευ μύθων, κακά περ πάσχοντες
ἑταῖροι·"Hear my words, companions, for all the evils you have suffered:
190ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γάρ τʼ ἴδμεν, ὅπῃ ζόφος οὐδʼ ὅπῃ ἠώς,friends, we do not know where is the dark nor where the dawn,
οὐδʼ ὅπῃ ἠέλιος φαεσίμβροτος εἶσʼ ὑπὸ γαῖαν,nor where the sun that shines on mortals goes down beneath the earth,
οὐδʼ ὅπῃ ἀννεῖται· ἀλλὰ φραζώμεθα θᾶσσονnor where he rises; but let us consider quickly
εἴ τις ἔτʼ ἔσται μῆτις. ἐγὼ δʼ οὔκ οἴομαι εἶναι.whether any plan is left. I think there is none.
εἶδον γὰρ σκοπιὴν ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἀνελθὼνFor I climbed a rugged lookout and saw
195νῆσον, τὴν πέρι πόντος ἀπείριτος ἐστεφάνωται·an island, around which the boundless sea is set like a crown;
αὐτὴ δὲ χθαμαλὴ κεῖται· καπνὸν δʼ ἐνὶ μέσσῃand it lies low itself; and smoke in the midst of it
ἔδρακον ὀφθαλμοῖσι διὰ δρυμὰ πυκνὰ καὶ ὕλην.I saw with my eyes, through the thick brush and woodland."
ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δὲ κατεκλάσθη φίλον ἦτορSo I spoke, and their hearts were broken within them
μνησαμένοις ἔργων Λαιστρυγόνος Ἀντιφάταοwhen they remembered the deeds of Antiphates the Laestrygonian
200Κύκλωπός τε βίης μεγαλήτορος, ἀνδροφάγοιο.and the violence of the great-hearted Cyclops, the man-eater.
κλαῖον δὲ λιγέως θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες·And they wept shrilly, pouring down warm tears;
ἀλλʼ οὐ γάρ τις πρῆξις ἐγίγνετο μυρομένοισιν.but there came no profit from their lamenting.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ δίχα πάντας ἐυκνήμιδας ἑταίρουςThen I divided all my well-greaved companions
ἠρίθμεον, ἀρχὸν δὲ μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν ὄπασσα·into two parts, and set a leader over each,
205τῶν μὲν ἐγὼν ἦρχον, τῶν δʼ Εὐρύλοχος θεοειδής.and I commanded one, and godlike Eurylochus the other.
κλήρους δʼ ἐν κυνέῃ χαλκήρεϊ πάλλομεν ὦκα·Quickly we shook the lots in a bronze-fitted helmet,
ἐκ δʼ ἔθορε κλῆρος μεγαλήτορος Εὐρυλόχοιο.and out leaped the lot of great-hearted Eurylochus.
βῆ δʼ ἰέναι, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω καὶ εἴκοσʼ ἑταῖροιHe set out to go, and with him two-and-twenty companions
κλαίοντες· κατὰ δʼ ἄμμε λίπον γοόωντας ὄπισθεν.weeping; and they left us behind lamenting.
210εὗρον δʼ ἐν βήσσῃσι τετυγμένα δώματα ΚίρκηςThey found in the glades the well-built halls of Circe,
ξεστοῖσιν λάεσσι, περισκέπτῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ·made of polished stone, in a place of wide prospect;
ἀμφὶ δέ μιν λύκοι ἦσαν ὀρέστεροι ἠδὲ λέοντες,and around it were mountain wolves and lions,
τοὺς αὐτὴ κατέθελξεν, ἐπεὶ κακὰ φάρμακʼ ἔδωκεν.whom she herself had bewitched, for she gave them evil drugs.
οὐδʼ οἵ γʼ ὡρμήθησαν ἐπʼ ἀνδράσιν, ἀλλʼ ἄρα τοί γεNor did these rush upon the men, but rather they
215οὐρῇσιν μακρῇσι περισσαίνοντες ἀνέσταν.stood up and fawned about them with their long tails.
ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἀμφὶ ἄνακτα κύνες δαίτηθεν ἰόνταAs when dogs fawn about their master coming from the feast,
σαίνωσʼ, αἰεὶ γάρ τε φέρει μειλίγματα θυμοῦ,for he always brings them dainties to soothe their heart,
ὣς τοὺς ἀμφὶ λύκοι κρατερώνυχες ἠδὲ λέοντεςso the strong-clawed wolves and lions fawned
σαῖνον· τοὶ δʼ ἔδεισαν, ἐπεὶ ἴδον αἰνὰ πέλωρα.about them; but they were afraid when they saw the dread beasts.
220ἔσταν δʼ ἐν προθύροισι θεᾶς καλλιπλοκάμοιο,They stood at the forecourt of the fair-haired goddess,
Κίρκης δʼ ἔνδον ἄκουον ἀειδούσης ὀπὶ καλῇ,and heard Circe within, singing with lovely voice,
ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένης μέγαν ἄμβροτον, οἷα θεάωνas she went about her great immortal loom, such work as goddesses'
λεπτά τε καὶ χαρίεντα καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα πέλονται.is—delicate and graceful and splendid.
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Πολίτης ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν,And among them Polites began to speak, a leader of men,
225ὅς μοι κήδιστος ἑτάρων ἦν κεδνότατός τε·who was dearest to me of my companions and most trusted:
ὦ φίλοι, ἔνδον γάρ τις ἐποιχομένη μέγαν
ἱστὸν"Friends, someone within, going about a great loom,
καλὸν ἀοιδιάει, δάπεδον δʼ ἅπαν ἀμφιμέμυκεν,sings beautifully, and all the floor rings around her,
ἢ θεὸς ἠὲ γυνή· ἀλλὰ φθεγγώμεθα θᾶσσον.some goddess or woman; but let us call out quickly."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, τοὶ δὲ φθέγγοντο καλεῦντες.So he spoke aloud, and they called out, hailing her.
230ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξελθοῦσα θύρας ὤιξε φαεινὰςAnd she came out at once and opened the shining doors
καὶ κάλει· οἱ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἀιδρείῃσιν ἕποντο·and called them; and all together they followed in their folly;
Εὐρύλοχος δʼ ὑπέμεινεν, ὀισάμενος δόλον εἶναι.but Eurylochus held back, suspecting it was a trick.
εἷσεν δʼ εἰσαγαγοῦσα κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,She led them in and seated them on chairs and thrones,
ἐν δέ σφιν τυρόν τε καὶ ἄλφιτα καὶ μέλι χλωρὸνand for them she stirred cheese and barley-meal and yellow honey
235οἴνῳ Πραμνείῳ ἐκύκα· ἀνέμισγε δὲ σίτῳin Pramnian wine; but she mixed into the food
φάρμακα λύγρʼ, ἵνα πάγχυ λαθοίατο πατρίδος αἴης.baneful drugs, that they might wholly forget their native land.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δῶκέν τε καὶ ἔκπιον, αὐτίκʼ ἔπειταBut when she had given it and they drank it down, at once then
ῥάβδῳ πεπληγυῖα κατὰ συφεοῖσιν ἐέργνυ.she struck them with her wand and penned them in the sties.
οἱ δὲ συῶν μὲν ἔχον κεφαλὰς φωνήν τε τρίχας τεAnd they had the heads of swine, the voice, the bristles,
240καὶ δέμας, αὐτὰρ νοῦς ἦν ἔμπεδος, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ.and the body, but their mind stayed firm, as it was before.
ὣς οἱ μὲν κλαίοντες ἐέρχατο, τοῖσι δὲ ΚίρκηSo they were penned there weeping, and beside them Circe
πάρ ῥʼ ἄκυλον βάλανόν τε βάλεν καρπόν τε κρανείηςthrew down mast and acorns and the fruit of the cornel-tree
ἔδμεναι, οἷα σύες χαμαιευνάδες αἰὲν ἔδουσιν.to eat, such things as swine that sleep on the ground always eat.
Εὐρύλοχος δʼ αἶψʼ ἦλθε θοὴν ἐπὶ νῆα μέλαινανBut Eurylochus came at once to the swift black ship
245ἀγγελίην ἑτάρων ἐρέων καὶ ἀδευκέα πότμον.to tell the news of his companions and their bitter doom.
οὐδέ τι ἐκφάσθαι δύνατο ἔπος ἱέμενός περ,Yet he could not utter a word, though he longed to,
κῆρ ἄχεϊ μεγάλῳ βεβολημένος· ἐν δέ οἱ ὄσσεhis heart stricken with great grief; and his eyes
δακρυόφιν πίμπλαντο, γόον δʼ ὠίετο θυμός.filled with tears, and his spirit was set on wailing.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή μιν πάντες ἀγασσάμεθʼ ἐξερέοντες,But when we all pressed him with questions, amazed,
250καὶ τότε τῶν ἄλλων ἑτάρων κατέλεξεν ὄλεθρον·then he recounted the destruction of our other companions:
ἤιομεν, ὡς ἐκέλευες, ἀνὰ δρυμά, φαίδιμʼ
Ὀδυσσεῦ·"We went, as you ordered, through the thickets, glorious Odysseus;
εὕρομεν ἐν βήσσῃσι τετυγμένα δώματα καλὰwe found in the glens a beautiful house well-built
ξεστοῖσιν λάεσσι, περισκέπτῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ.of polished stones, in a place with a view all round.
ἔνθα δέ τις μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένη λίγʼ ἄειδεν,And there someone going up and down a great loom sang clearly,
255ἢ θεὸς ἠὲ γυνή· τοὶ δὲ φθέγγοντο καλεῦντες.goddess or woman; and they called out, hailing her.
ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξελθοῦσα θύρας ὤιξε φαεινὰςAnd she came out at once and opened the shining doors
καὶ κάλει· οἱ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἀιδρείῃσιν ἕποντο·and called them; and all together they followed in their folly;
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ὑπέμεινα, ὀισάμενος δόλον εἶναι.but I held back, suspecting it was a trick.
οἱ δʼ ἅμʼ ἀιστώθησαν ἀολλέες, οὐδέ τις αὐτῶνAnd they all vanished together, and not one of them
260ἐξεφάνη· δηρὸν δὲ καθήμενος ἐσκοπίαζον.appeared again; long I sat and kept watch."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ περὶ μὲν ξίφος
ἀργυρόηλονSo he spoke, and I slung about my shoulders
ὤμοιιν βαλόμην, μέγα χάλκεον, ἀμφὶ δὲ τόξα·the sword studded with silver, great and bronze, and my bow around me,
τὸν δʼ ἂψ ἠνώγεα αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ἡγήσασθαι.and I bade him lead me back again by the same road.
αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἀμφοτέρῃσι λαβὼν ἐλλίσσετο γούνωνBut he took me by the knees with both his hands, imploring,
265καί μʼ ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and grieving he spoke winged words to me:
μή μʼ ἄγε κεῖσʼ ἀέκοντα, διοτρεφές, ἀλλὰ λίπʼ
αὐτοῦ."Do not lead me there against my will, god-nurtured one, but leave me here.
οἶδα γάρ, ὡς οὔτʼ αὐτὸς ἐλεύσεαι οὔτε τινʼ ἄλλονFor I know you will neither come back yourself nor lead
ἄξεις σῶν ἑτάρων. ἀλλὰ ξὺν τοίσδεσι θᾶσσονany other of your companions. No, with these men here let us
φεύγωμεν· ἔτι γάρ κεν ἀλύξαιμεν κακὸν ἦμαρ.flee quickly; for we might still escape the evil day."
270ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος
προσέειπον·So he spoke, but I answered him and said:
Εὐρύλοχʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν σὺ μένʼ αὐτοῦ τῷδʼ ἐνὶ χώρῳ"Eurylochus, then you stay here in this place,
ἔσθων καὶ πίνων κοίλῃ παρὰ νηὶ μελαίνῃ·eating and drinking beside the hollow black ship;
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν εἶμι, κρατερὴ δέ μοι ἔπλετʼ ἀνάγκη.but I will go, for strong necessity has come upon me."
ὣς εἰπὼν παρὰ νηὸς ἀνήιον ἠδὲ θαλάσσης.So speaking I went up from the ship and the sea.
275ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἄρʼ ἔμελλον ἰὼν ἱερὰς ἀνὰ βήσσαςBut when, as I went through the sacred glens, I was about
Κίρκης ἵξεσθαι πολυφαρμάκου ἐς μέγα δῶμα,to reach the great house of Circe rich in drugs,
ἔνθα μοι Ἑρμείας χρυσόρραπις ἀντεβόλησενthere Hermes of the golden wand met me
ἐρχομένῳ πρὸς δῶμα, νεηνίῃ ἀνδρὶ ἐοικώς,as I came toward the house, like a young man
πρῶτον ὑπηνήτῃ, τοῦ περ χαριεστάτη ἥβη·with the first down on his lip, in the most graceful bloom of youth;
280ἔν τʼ ἄρα μοι φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·and he clasped my hand, and spoke and called me by name:
πῇ δὴ αὖτʼ, ὦ δύστηνε, διʼ ἄκριας ἔρχεαι
οἶος,"Where now, unlucky man, do you go alone through the heights,
χώρου ἄιδρις ἐών; ἕταροι δέ τοι οἵδʼ ἐνὶ Κίρκηςignorant of the land? Your companions here in Circe's house
ἔρχαται ὥς τε σύες πυκινοὺς κευθμῶνας ἔχοντες.are penned like swine, holding their crowded lairs.
ἦ τοὺς λυσόμενος δεῦρʼ ἔρχεαι; οὐδέ σέ φημιDo you come here to free them? I tell you, you yourself
285αὐτὸν νοστήσειν, μενέεις δὲ σύ γʼ, ἔνθα περ ἄλλοι.will not return, but you too will stay where the others are.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δή σε κακῶν ἐκλύσομαι ἠδὲ σαώσω.But come, I will release you from these evils and save you.
τῆ, τόδε φάρμακον ἐσθλὸν ἔχων ἐς δώματα ΚίρκηςHere, take this good drug and go into Circe's house
ἔρχευ, ὅ κέν τοι κρατὸς ἀλάλκῃσιν κακὸν ἦμαρ.with it, and it will ward the evil day from your head.
πάντα δέ τοι ἐρέω ὀλοφώια δήνεα Κίρκης.And I will tell you all the deadly wiles of Circe.
290τεύξει τοι κυκεῶ, βαλέει δʼ ἐν φάρμακα σίτῳ.She will make you a potion and cast drugs into the food;
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς θέλξαι σε δυνήσεται· οὐ γὰρ ἐάσειbut even so she will not be able to bewitch you, for the good drug
φάρμακον ἐσθλόν, ὅ τοι δώσω, ἐρέω δὲ ἕκαστα.I give you will not allow it. And I will tell you each thing.
ὁππότε κεν Κίρκη σʼ ἐλάσῃ περιμήκεϊ ῥάβδῳ,When Circe drives at you with her long wand,
δὴ τότε σὺ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦthen draw your sharp sword from beside your thigh
295Κίρκῃ ἐπαῖξαι, ὥς τε κτάμεναι μενεαίνων.and rush at Circe as if eager to kill her.
ἡ δέ σʼ ὑποδείσασα κελήσεται εὐνηθῆναι·And she, shrinking in fear, will bid you lie with her;
ἔνθα σὺ μηκέτʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπανήνασθαι θεοῦ εὐνήν,do not then refuse the bed of the goddess,
ὄφρα κέ τοι λύσῃ θʼ ἑτάρους αὐτόν τε κομίσσῃ·so that she may release your companions and care for you;
ἀλλὰ κέλεσθαί μιν μακάρων μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμόσσαι,but bid her swear the great oath of the blessed gods,
300μή τί τοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο,that she plan no other evil harm against you,
μή σʼ ἀπογυμνωθέντα κακὸν καὶ ἀνήνορα θήῃ.lest, when you are stripped naked, she make you a coward and unmanned."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας πόρε φάρμακον ἀργεϊφόντηςSo speaking, the slayer of Argus gave me the drug,
ἐκ γαίης ἐρύσας, καί μοι φύσιν αὐτοῦ ἔδειξε.drawing it from the earth, and showed me its nature.
ῥίζῃ μὲν μέλαν ἔσκε, γάλακτι δὲ εἴκελον ἄνθος·Its root was black, but the flower was like milk;
305μῶλυ δέ μιν καλέουσι θεοί· χαλεπὸν δέ τʼ ὀρύσσεινthe gods call it moly; it is hard to dig up
ἀνδράσι γε θνητοῖσι, θεοὶ δέ τε πάντα δύνανται.for mortal men, but the gods can do all things.
Ἑρμείας μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν ὌλυμπονThen Hermes departed toward high Olympus
νῆσον ἀνʼ ὑλήεσσαν, ἐγὼ δʼ ἐς δώματα Κίρκηςthrough the wooded island, and I went to Circe's house,
ἤια, πολλὰ δέ μοι κραδίη πόρφυρε κιόντι.and my heart pounded darkly within me as I went.
310ἔστην δʼ εἰνὶ θύρῃσι θεᾶς καλλιπλοκάμοιο·I stood at the doors of the fair-haired goddess;
ἔνθα στὰς ἐβόησα, θεὰ δέ μευ ἔκλυεν αὐδῆς.standing there I shouted, and the goddess heard my voice.
ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξελθοῦσα θύρας ὤιξε φαεινὰςAt once she came out and opened the shining doors
καὶ κάλει· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἑπόμην ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ.and called me in; and I followed, grieved at heart.
εἷσε δέ μʼ εἰσαγαγοῦσα ἐπὶ θρόνου ἀργυροήλουShe led me in and seated me on a silver-studded chair,
315καλοῦ δαιδαλέου· ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν·beautiful and richly wrought, and under my feet was a stool;
τεῦχε δέ μοι κυκεῶ χρυσέῳ δέπαι, ὄφρα πίοιμι,and she made me a potion in a golden cup, for me to drink,
ἐν δέ τε φάρμακον ἧκε, κακὰ φρονέουσʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ.and dropped a drug into it, plotting evil in her heart.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δῶκέν τε καὶ ἔκπιον, οὐδέ μʼ ἔθελξε,But when she had given it and I drank it down, and it did not bewitch me,
ῥάβδῳ πεπληγυῖα ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·she struck me with her wand and spoke and called me by name:
320ἔρχεο νῦν συφεόνδε, μετʼ ἄλλων λέξο ἑταίρων."Go now to the pigsty, and lie down with your other companions."
ὣς φάτʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἄορ ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ
μηροῦSo she spoke, but I drew the sharp sword from my thigh
Κίρκῃ ἐπήιξα ὥς τε κτάμεναι μενεαίνων.and rushed at Circe as though eager to kill her.
ἡ δὲ μέγα ἰάχουσα ὑπέδραμε καὶ λάβε γούνων,But she gave a great cry and ran beneath and clasped my knees,
καί μʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and wailing she spoke to me winged words:
325τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ
τοκῆες;"Who are you among men? Where is your city, and your parents?
θαῦμά μʼ ἔχει ὡς οὔ τι πιὼν τάδε φάρμακʼ ἐθέλχθης·Wonder holds me that you drank these drugs and were not bewitched;
οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδέ τις ἄλλος ἀνὴρ τάδε φάρμακʼ ἀνέτλη,for no other man ever withstood these drugs,
ὅς κε πίῃ καὶ πρῶτον ἀμείψεται ἕρκος ὀδόντων.once he drank and they passed the barrier of his teeth.
σοὶ δέ τις ἐν στήθεσσιν ἀκήλητος νόος ἐστίν.But there is a mind in your breast that cannot be enchanted.
330ἦ σύ γʼ Ὀδυσσεύς ἐσσι πολύτροπος, ὅν τέ μοι αἰεὶSurely you are Odysseus, the man of many turns, whom always
φάσκεν ἐλεύσεσθαι χρυσόρραπις ἀργεϊφόντης,the slayer of Argos with the golden wand told me would come,
ἐκ Τροίης ἀνιόντα θοῇ σὺν νηὶ μελαίνῃ.on his way back from Troy in a swift black ship.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ κολεῷ μὲν ἄορ θέο, νῶι δʼ ἔπειταBut come now, put your sword in its sheath, and let us two
εὐνῆς ἡμετέρης ἐπιβείομεν, ὄφρα μιγέντεgo up into my bed, so that mingled together
335εὐνῇ καὶ φιλότητι πεποίθομεν ἀλλήλοισιν.in love and the bed we may come to trust each other."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος
προσέειπον·So she spoke, but I answered her and said:
ὦ Κίρκη, πῶς γάρ με κέλεαι σοὶ ἤπιον εἶναι,"Circe, how can you bid me be gentle to you,
ἥ μοι σῦς μὲν ἔθηκας ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἑταίρους,you who have made my companions swine in your halls,
αὐτὸν δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἔχουσα δολοφρονέουσα κελεύειςand now hold me here and with treacherous heart bid me
340ἐς θάλαμόν τʼ ἰέναι καὶ σῆς ἐπιβήμεναι εὐνῆς,go into your chamber and mount your bed,
ὄφρα με γυμνωθέντα κακὸν καὶ ἀνήνορα θήῃς.so that once I am naked you may make me a coward and unmanned?
οὐδʼ ἂν ἐγώ γʼ ἐθέλοιμι τεῆς ἐπιβήμεναι εὐνῆς,No, I would not be willing to mount your bed,
εἰ μή μοι τλαίης γε, θεά, μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμόσσαιunless you dare, goddess, to swear me a great oath
μή τί μοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο.that you will plot no other evil mischief against me."
345ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀπώμνυεν, ὡς
ἐκέλευον.So I spoke, and at once she swore as I commanded.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ὄμοσέν τε τελεύτησέν τε τὸν ὅρκον,But when she had sworn and completed the oath,
καὶ τότʼ ἐγὼ Κίρκης ἐπέβην περικαλλέος εὐνῆς.then I mounted the surpassingly beautiful bed of Circe.
ἀμφίπολοι δʼ ἄρα τέως μὲν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι
πένοντοMeanwhile the handmaids were busy through the halls,
τέσσαρες, αἵ οἱ δῶμα κάτα δρήστειραι ἔασι·four of them, who do the housework for her;
350γίγνονται δʼ ἄρα ταί γʼ ἔκ τε κρηνέων ἀπό τʼ ἀλσέωνand they are born from the springs and from the groves
ἔκ θʼ ἱερῶν ποταμῶν, οἵ τʼ εἰς ἅλαδε προρέουσι.and from the sacred rivers that flow forth to the sea.
τάων ἡ μὲν ἔβαλλε θρόνοις ἔνι ῥήγεα καλὰOf these one threw beautiful coverings over the chairs,
πορφύρεα καθύπερθʼ, ὑπένερθε δὲ λῖθʼ ὑπέβαλλεν·purple above, and beneath she laid linen cloths;
ἡ δʼ ἑτέρη προπάροιθε θρόνων ἐτίταινε τραπέζαςanother drew up before the chairs the tables
355ἀργυρέας, ἐπὶ δέ σφι τίθει χρύσεια κάνεια·of silver, and set upon them the golden baskets;
ἡ δὲ τρίτη κρητῆρι μελίφρονα οἶνον ἐκίρναthe third mixed honey-hearted wine in a bowl,
ἡδὺν ἐν ἀργυρέῳ, νέμε δὲ χρύσεια κύπελλα·sweet, in a silver bowl, and dealt out the golden cups;
ἡ δὲ τετάρτη ὕδωρ ἐφόρει καὶ πῦρ ἀνέκαιεthe fourth carried water and kindled a great fire
πολλὸν ὑπὸ τρίποδι μεγάλῳ· ἰαίνετο δʼ ὕδωρ.under the huge tripod; and the water grew warm.
360αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ ζέσσεν ὕδωρ ἐνὶ ἤνοπι χαλκῷ,But when the water boiled in the gleaming bronze,
ἔς ῥʼ ἀσάμινθον ἕσασα λόʼ ἐκ τρίποδος μεγάλοιο,She sat me in the bath and washed me from the great tripod,
θυμῆρες κεράσασα, κατὰ κρατός τε καὶ ὤμων,tempering it to my liking, over my head and shoulders,
ὄφρα μοι ἐκ κάματον θυμοφθόρον εἵλετο γυίων.until she drew from my limbs the spirit-wasting weariness.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ λοῦσέν τε καὶ ἔχρισεν λίπʼ ἐλαίῳ,But when she had washed me and anointed me richly with oil,
365ἀμφὶ δέ με χλαῖναν καλὴν βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,she cast about me a beautiful cloak and a tunic,
εἷσε δέ μʼ εἰσαγαγοῦσα ἐπὶ θρόνου ἀργυροήλουand led me in and sat me down upon a silver-studded chair,
καλοῦ δαιδαλέου, ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν·beautiful, cunningly wrought, and a stool was under my feet;
χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσαand a handmaid brought water in a pitcher and poured it,
καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,a beautiful golden one, over a silver basin,
370νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.for washing; and beside me she drew up a polished table.
σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,And the honored housekeeper brought bread and set it beside me,
εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων.and laid on many dishes, gracious with her store;
ἐσθέμεναι δʼ ἐκέλευεν· ἐμῷ δʼ οὐχ ἥνδανε θυμῷ,and she bade me eat, but it did not please my heart,
ἀλλʼ ἥμην ἀλλοφρονέων, κακὰ δʼ ὄσσετο θυμός.and I sat with my mind elsewhere, and my heart foreboded evil.
375Κίρκη δʼ ὡς ἐνόησεν ἔμʼ ἥμενον οὐδʼ ἐπὶ σίτῳBut when Circe saw me sitting, and not upon the food
χεῖρας ἰάλλοντα, κρατερὸν δέ με πένθος ἔχοντα,laying my hands, gripped by a mighty grief,
ἄγχι παρισταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·she came and stood close by and spoke winged words:
τίφθʼ οὕτως, Ὀδυσεῦ, κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζεαι ἶσος
ἀναύδῳ,"Why do you sit like this, Odysseus, mute as a man without speech,
θυμὸν ἔδων, βρώμης δʼ οὐχ ἅπτεαι οὐδὲ ποτῆτος;eating your heart, and touch neither food nor drink?
380ἦ τινά που δόλον ἄλλον ὀίεαι· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴDo you suspect some other treachery? You have no need
δειδίμεν· ἤδη γάρ τοι ἀπώμοσα καρτερὸν ὅρκον.to fear, for already I have sworn you a mighty oath."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος
προσέειπον·So she spoke, but I answered her and said:
ὦ Κίρκη, τίς γάρ κεν ἀνήρ, ὃς ἐναίσιμος εἴη,"Circe, what man that is righteous could bear
πρὶν τλαίη πάσσασθαι ἐδητύος ἠδὲ ποτῆτος,to taste of food or drink
385πρὶν λύσασθʼ ἑτάρους καὶ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδέσθαι;before he had freed his companions and seen them with his eyes?
ἀλλʼ εἰ δὴ πρόφρασσα πιεῖν φαγέμεν τε κελεύεις,But if in earnest you bid me drink and eat,
λῦσον, ἵνʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδω ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους.set them free, that I may see with my eyes my trusty companions."
ὣς ἐφάμην, Κίρκη δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκειSo I spoke, and Circe went out through the hall
ῥάβδον ἔχουσʼ ἐν χειρί, θύρας δʼ ἀνέῳξε συφειοῦ,with her wand in her hand, and opened the doors of the sty,
390ἐκ δʼ ἔλασεν σιάλοισιν ἐοικότας ἐννεώροισιν.and drove them out, looking like nine-year-old swine.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἔστησαν ἐναντίοι, ἡ δὲ διʼ αὐτῶνThen they stood facing her, and she went through their midst
ἐρχομένη προσάλειφεν ἑκάστῳ φάρμακον ἄλλο.and anointed each one with another drug.
τῶν δʼ ἐκ μὲν μελέων τρίχες ἔρρεον, ἃς πρὶν ἔφυσεAnd from their limbs the bristles fell away, which before had grown
φάρμακον οὐλόμενον, τό σφιν πόρε πότνια Κίρκη·from the ruinous drug that queenly Circe had given them;
395ἄνδρες δʼ ἂψ ἐγένοντο νεώτεροι ἢ πάρος ἦσαν,and they became men again, younger than they were before,
καὶ πολὺ καλλίονες καὶ μείζονες εἰσοράασθαι.and much handsomer and taller to look upon.
ἔγνωσαν δέ μʼ ἐκεῖνοι ἔφυν τʼ ἐν χερσὶν ἕκαστος.And they knew me, and each one clasped my hands.
πᾶσιν δʼ ἱμερόεις ὑπέδυ γόος, ἀμφὶ δὲ δῶμαAnd a longing to weep came over all of them, and around the house
σμερδαλέον κονάβιζε· θεὰ δʼ ἐλέαιρε καὶ αὐτή.it echoed terribly; and the goddess herself was moved to pity.
400ἡ δέ μευ ἄγχι στᾶσα προσηύδα δῖα θεάων·Then she came and stood close by me, that bright one among goddesses:
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,Descended from Zeus, son of Laertes, resourceful Odysseus,
ἔρχεο νῦν ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης.go now to your swift ship and the shore of the sea.
νῆα μὲν ἂρ πάμπρωτον ἐρύσσατε ἤπειρόνδε,First of all haul your ship up onto the land,
κτήματα δʼ ἐν σπήεσσι πελάσσατε ὅπλα τε πάντα·and stow your possessions and all your gear in the caves;
405αὐτὸς δʼ ἂψ ἰέναι καὶ ἄγειν ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους.then come back yourself, and bring your trusty companions.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
ἀγήνωρ,So she spoke, and my proud heart was persuaded,
βῆν δʼ ἰέναι ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης.and I went to the swift ship and the shore of the sea.
εὗρον ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ νηὶ θοῇ ἐρίηρας ἑταίρουςThere by the swift ship I found my trusty companions
οἴκτρʼ ὀλοφυρομένους, θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντας.grieving pitifully, letting the warm tears fall.
410ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἄγραυλοι πόριες περὶ βοῦς ἀγελαίας,As when calves of the farmstead about a herd of cows,
ἐλθούσας ἐς κόπρον, ἐπὴν βοτάνης κορέσωνται,when they come back to the yard, once they have had their fill of grazing,
πᾶσαι ἅμα σκαίρουσιν ἐναντίαι· οὐδʼ ἔτι σηκοὶall together frisk to meet them, and the pens no longer
ἴσχουσʼ, ἀλλʼ ἁδινὸν μυκώμεναι ἀμφιθέουσι·hold them, but with steady lowing they run around
μητέρας· ὣς ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνοι ἐπεὶ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι,their mothers—so those men, when their eyes beheld me,
415δακρυόεντες ἔχυντο· δόκησε δʼ ἄρα σφίσι θυμὸςstreamed to me in tears; and their spirit felt it
ὣς ἔμεν, ὡς εἰ πατρίδʼ ἱκοίατο καὶ πόλιν αὐτὴνas if they had reached their homeland and the very city
τρηχείης Ἰθάκης, ἵνα τʼ ἔτραφεν ἠδʼ ἐγένοντο.of rugged Ithaca, where they were bred and born.
καί μʼ ὀλοφυρόμενοι ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·And grieving they spoke winged words to me:
σοὶ μὲν νοστήσαντι, διοτρεφές, ὣς
ἐχάρημεν,At your homecoming, nurtured of Zeus, we rejoiced
420ὡς εἴ τʼ εἰς Ἰθάκην ἀφικοίμεθα πατρίδα γαῖαν·as if we had come back to Ithaca, our native land;
ἀλλʼ ἄγε, τῶν ἄλλων ἑτάρων κατάλεξον ὄλεθρον.but come, tell us the death of our other companions.
ὣς ἔφαν, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ προσέφην μαλακοῖς
ἐπέεσσι·So they spoke, and I answered them with gentle words:
νῆα μὲν ἂρ πάμπρωτον ἐρύσσομεν ἤπειρόνδε,First of all let us haul the ship up onto the land,
κτήματα δʼ ἐν σπήεσσι πελάσσομεν ὅπλα τε πάντα·and stow our possessions and all our gear in the caves;
425αὐτοὶ δʼ ὀτρύνεσθε ἐμοὶ ἅμα πάντες ἕπεσθαι,and rouse yourselves, all of you, to come along with me,
ὄφρα ἴδηθʼ ἑτάρους ἱεροῖς ἐν δώμασι Κίρκηςso you may see your companions in the sacred halls of Circe
πίνοντας καὶ ἔδοντας· ἐπηετανὸν γὰρ ἔχουσιν.drinking and eating; for they have unfailing plenty.
ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δʼ ὦκα ἐμοῖς ἐπέεσσι πίθοντο.So I spoke, and quickly they obeyed my words.
Εὐρύλοχος δέ μοι οἶος ἐρύκανε πάντας ἑταίρους·But Eurylochus alone would hold back all the companions,
430καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and lifting his voice he spoke winged words to them:
ἆ δειλοί, πόσʼ ἴμεν; τί κακῶν ἱμείρετε
τούτων;Ah, wretched men, where are we going? Why do you crave these evils,
Κίρκης ἐς μέγαρον καταβήμεναι, ἥ κεν ἅπανταςto go down to the hall of Circe, who will make us all
ἢ σῦς ἠὲ λύκους ποιήσεται ἠὲ λέοντας,into swine or wolves or lions,
οἵ κέν οἱ μέγα δῶμα φυλάσσοιμεν καὶ ἀνάγκῃ,so that we would guard her great house under compulsion,
435ὥς περ Κύκλωψ ἔρξʼ, ὅτε οἱ μέσσαυλον ἵκοντοjust as the Cyclops did, when our companions
ἡμέτεροι ἕταροι, σὺν δʼ ὁ θρασὺς εἵπετʼ Ὀδυσσεύς·came to his farmyard, and bold Odysseus went with them—
τούτου γὰρ καὶ κεῖνοι ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο.for through this man's recklessness those too perished.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε μετὰ φρεσὶ μερμήριξα,So he spoke, and I pondered within my heart
σπασσάμενος τανύηκες ἄορ παχέος παρὰ μηροῦ,whether to draw the long-edged sword from beside my stout thigh
440τῷ οἱ ἀποπλήξας κεφαλὴν οὖδάσδε πελάσσαι,and with it strike off his head and bring it to the ground,
καὶ πηῷ περ ἐόντι μάλα σχεδόν· ἀλλά μʼ ἑταῖροιthough he was very near of kin to me. But my companions
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσιν ἐρήτυον ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος·held me back with soothing words, one from this side, one from that:
διογενές, τοῦτον μὲν ἐάσομεν, εἰ σὺ
κελεύεις,God-descended one, we will let this man be, if you command it,
αὐτοῦ πὰρ νηί τε μένειν καὶ νῆα ἔρυσθαι·to stay here by the ship and keep watch over the ship,
445ἡμῖν δʼ ἡγεμόνευʼ ἱερὰ πρὸς δώματα Κίρκης.but lead us on to the sacred house of Circe.
ὣς φάμενοι παρὰ νηὸς ἀνήιον ἠδὲ θαλάσσης.So they spoke, and went up from the ship and from the sea.
οὐδὲ μὲν Εὐρύλοχος κοίλῃ παρὰ νηὶ λέλειπτο,Nor indeed was Eurylochus left behind by the hollow ship,
ἀλλʼ ἕπετʼ· ἔδεισεν γὰρ ἐμὴν ἔκπαγλον ἐνιπήν.but followed, for he feared my terrible rebuke.
τόφρα δὲ τοὺς ἄλλους ἑτάρους ἐν δώμασι ΚίρκηMeanwhile the rest of my companions in her halls Circe
450ἐνδυκέως λοῦσέν τε καὶ ἔχρισεν λίπʼ ἐλαίῳ,bathed with care and anointed them richly with oil,
ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα χλαίνας οὔλας βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνας·and threw about them woolen cloaks and tunics,
δαινυμένους δʼ ἐὺ πάντας ἐφεύρομεν ἐν μεγάροισιν.and we found them all feasting well within the halls.
οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ ἀλλήλους εἶδον φράσσαντό τʼ ἐσάντα,And when they saw and recognized each other face to face,
κλαῖον ὀδυρόμενοι, περὶ δὲ στεναχίζετο δῶμα.they wept and wailed, and the house rang round with groaning.
455ἡ δέ μευ ἄγχι στᾶσα προσηύδα δῖα θεάων·And she, the shining one among goddesses, stood near me and spoke:
μηκέτι νῦν θαλερὸν γόον ὄρνυτε· οἶδα καὶ
αὐτὴNo longer now raise up this swelling lament. I too know
ἠμὲν ὅσʼ ἐν πόντῳ πάθετʼ ἄλγεα ἰχθυόεντι,both how many woes you suffered on the fish-filled sea,
ἠδʼ ὅσʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου.and how many wrongs hostile men did to you on the dry land.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ ἐσθίετε βρώμην καὶ πίνετε οἶνον,But come now, eat your food and drink your wine,
460εἰς ὅ κεν αὖτις θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι λάβητε,until once more you take back the spirit in your breasts
οἷον ὅτε πρώτιστον ἐλείπετε πατρίδα γαῖανsuch as it was when first you left your native land,
τρηχείης Ἰθάκης. νῦν δʼ ἀσκελέες καὶ ἄθυμοι,rugged Ithaca. Now you are withered and spiritless,
αἰὲν ἄλης χαλεπῆς μεμνημένοι, οὐδέ ποθʼ ὕμινforever mindful of your hard wandering, and never has your heart
θυμὸς ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ, ἐπεὶ ἦ μάλα πολλὰ πέποσθε.been given to gladness, since indeed you have suffered much.
465ὣς ἔφαθʼ, ἡμῖν δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
ἀγήνωρ.So she spoke, and our proud hearts were persuaded.
ἔνθα μὲν ἤματα πάντα τελεσφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτὸνThere then, for all our days, to the year's completion,
ἥμεθα δαινύμενοι κρέα τʼ ἄσπετα καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ·we sat feasting on abundant meat and sweet wine.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐνιαυτὸς ἔην, περὶ δʼ ἔτραπον ὧραιBut when a year was gone, and the seasons had turned round
μηνῶν φθινόντων, περὶ δʼ ἤματα μακρὰ τελέσθη,as the months waned, and the long days were fulfilled,
470καὶ τότε μʼ ἐκκαλέσαντες ἔφαν ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι·then my trusty companions called me out and said:
δαιμόνιʼ, ἤδη νῦν μιμνήσκεο πατρίδος
αἴης,Strange man, now at last remember your native land,
εἴ τοι θέσφατόν ἐστι σαωθῆναι καὶ ἱκέσθαιif it is fated for you to be saved and to reach
οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.your high-roofed house and your own native land.
ὣς ἔφαν, αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
ἀγήνωρ.So they spoke, and my proud heart was persuaded.
475ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύνταSo then all day long until the sun went down
ἥμεθα, δαινύμενοι κρέα τʼ ἄσπετα καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ·we sat feasting on abundant meat and sweet wine.
ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθεν,But when the sun went down and darkness came on,
οἱ μὲν κοιμήσαντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.they lay down to sleep throughout the shadowy halls.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Κίρκης ἐπιβὰς περικαλλέος εὐνῆςBut I, mounting the surpassingly beautiful bed of Circe,
480γούνων ἐλλιτάνευσα, θεὰ δέ μευ ἔκλυεν αὐδῆς·beseeched her by her knees, and the goddess heard my voice;
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·and I spoke to her and addressed her with winged words:
ὢ Κίρκη, τέλεσόν μοι ὑπόσχεσιν ἥν περ
ὑπέστης,Circe, fulfill for me the promise that you made,
οἴκαδε πεμψέμεναι· θυμὸς δέ μοι ἔσσυται ἤδη,to send me home; my heart is now eager to go,
ἠδʼ ἄλλων ἑτάρων, οἵ μευ φθινύθουσι φίλον κῆρand my other companions', who wear away my dear heart
485ἀμφʼ ἔμʼ ὀδυρόμενοι, ὅτε που σύ γε νόσφι γένηαι.lamenting around me, whenever you happen to be gone.
ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων·So I spoke, and at once the shining goddess answered:
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, resourceful Odysseus,
μηκέτι νῦν ἀέκοντες ἐμῷ ἐνὶ μίμνετε οἴκῳ.no longer remain in my house against your will.
ἀλλʼ ἄλλην χρὴ πρῶτον ὁδὸν τελέσαι καὶ ἱκέσθαιBut you must first complete another journey and reach
490εἰς Ἀίδαο δόμους καὶ ἐπαινῆς Περσεφονείης,the halls of Hades and dread Persephone,
ψυχῇ χρησομένους Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο,to consult the spirit of Theban Tiresias,
μάντηος ἀλαοῦ, τοῦ τε φρένες ἔμπεδοί εἰσι·the blind seer, whose mind remains steadfast:
τῷ καὶ τεθνηῶτι νόον πόρε Περσεφόνεια,to him, though dead, Persephone gave understanding,
οἴῳ πεπνῦσθαι, τοὶ δὲ σκιαὶ ἀίσσουσιν.to him alone to keep his wits, while the others flit as shadows.
495ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γε κατεκλάσθη φίλον
ἦτορ·So she spoke, and the dear heart within me was broken;
κλαῖον δʼ ἐν λεχέεσσι καθήμενος, οὐδέ νύ μοι κῆρI wept, sitting there on the bed, nor did my heart
ἤθελʼ ἔτι ζώειν καὶ ὁρᾶν φάος ἠελίοιο.wish any longer to live and see the light of the sun.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κλαίων τε κυλινδόμενος τʼ ἐκορέσθην,But when I had had my fill of weeping and writhing,
καὶ τότε δή μιν ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·then at last I answered her and spoke:
500ὢ Κίρκη, τίς γὰρ ταύτην ὁδὸν ἡγεμονεύσει;Circe, who then will guide me on this journey?
εἰς Ἄϊδος δʼ οὔ πώ τις ἀφίκετο νηὶ μελαίνῃ.To Hades no one has ever gone in a black ship.
ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων·So I spoke, and at once the shining goddess answered:
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, resourceful Odysseus,
μή τί τοι ἡγεμόνος γε ποθὴ παρὰ νηὶ μελέσθω,let no need of a guide for your ship trouble you,
505ἱστὸν δὲ στήσας, ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λευκὰ πετάσσαςbut set up the mast and spread the white sails
ἧσθαι· τὴν δέ κέ τοι πνοιὴ Βορέαο φέρῃσιν.and sit still; the breath of the North Wind will carry her for you.
ἀλλʼ ὁπότʼ ἂν δὴ νηὶ διʼ Ὠκεανοῖο περήσῃς,But when in your ship you have crossed through Ocean,
ἔνθʼ ἀκτή τε λάχεια καὶ ἄλσεα Περσεφονείης,there is a low shore and the groves of Persephone,
μακραί τʼ αἴγειροι καὶ ἰτέαι ὠλεσίκαρποι,tall poplars and willows that shed their fruit,
510νῆα μὲν αὐτοῦ κέλσαι ἐπʼ Ὠκεανῷ βαθυδίνῃ,there beach your ship beside deep-eddying Ocean,
αὐτὸς δʼ εἰς Ἀίδεω ἰέναι δόμον εὐρώεντα.and go yourself to the moldering house of Hades.
ἔνθα μὲν εἰς Ἀχέροντα Πυριφλεγέθων τε ῥέουσινThere into Acheron flow Pyriphlegethon
Κώκυτός θʼ, ὃς δὴ Στυγὸς ὕδατός ἐστιν ἀπορρώξ,and Cocytus, which is a branch of the water of Styx,
πέτρη τε ξύνεσίς τε δύω ποταμῶν ἐριδούπων·and a rock, and the meeting of two thundering rivers;
515ἔνθα δʼ ἔπειθʼ, ἥρως, χριμφθεὶς πέλας, ὥς σε κελεύω,there then, hero, drawing close, as I bid you,
βόθρον ὀρύξαι, ὅσον τε πυγούσιον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,dig a pit, about a cubit's length each way,
ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ δὲ χοὴν χεῖσθαι πᾶσιν νεκύεσσιν,and around it pour a libation to all the dead,
πρῶτα μελικρήτῳ, μετέπειτα δὲ ἡδέι οἴνῳ,first with milk and honey, then with sweet wine,
τὸ τρίτον αὖθʼ ὕδατι· ἐπὶ δʼ ἄλφιτα λευκὰ παλύνειν.and a third time with water; and sprinkle white barley over it.
520πολλὰ δὲ γουνοῦσθαι νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα,And earnestly entreat the strengthless heads of the dead,
ἐλθὼν εἰς Ἰθάκην στεῖραν βοῦν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,that when you come to Ithaca a barren cow, the best,
ῥέξειν ἐν μεγάροισι πυρήν τʼ ἐμπλησέμεν ἐσθλῶν,you will sacrifice in your halls, and heap the pyre with treasures,
Τειρεσίῃ δʼ ἀπάνευθεν ὄιν ἱερευσέμεν οἴῳand to Tiresias apart you will offer up a ram alone,
παμμέλανʼ, ὃς μήλοισι μεταπρέπει ὑμετέροισιν.all black, one that stands out among your flocks.
525αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν εὐχῇσι λίσῃ κλυτὰ ἔθνεα νεκρῶν,But when with prayers you have entreated the famous tribes of the dead,
ἔνθʼ ὄιν ἀρνειὸν ῥέζειν θῆλύν τε μέλαινανthere sacrifice a ram and a black ewe,
εἰς Ἔρεβος στρέψας, αὐτὸς δʼ ἀπονόσφι τραπέσθαιturning them toward Erebus, but turn yourself away,
ἱέμενος ποταμοῖο ῥοάων· ἔνθα δὲ πολλαὶstraining toward the streams of the river; and there many
ψυχαὶ ἐλεύσονται νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.souls of the dead who have perished will come.
530δὴ τότʼ ἔπειθʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρῦναι καὶ ἀνῶξαιThen straightway urge your companions and command them
μῆλα, τὰ δὴ κατάκειτʼ ἐσφαγμένα νηλέι χαλκῷ,to flay the sheep that lie there, slaughtered by pitiless bronze,
δείραντας κατακῆαι, ἐπεύξασθαι δὲ θεοῖσιν,and to burn them, and to pray to the gods,
ἰφθίμῳ τʼ Ἀίδῃ καὶ ἐπαινῇ Περσεφονείῃ·to mighty Hades and dread Persephone;
αὐτὸς δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦbut you yourself, drawing the sharp sword from your thigh,
535ἧσθαι, μηδὲ ἐᾶν νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηναsit there, and do not let the strengthless heads of the dead
αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.come near the blood until you have questioned Tiresias.
ἔνθα τοι αὐτίκα μάντις ἐλεύσεται, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,There straightway the seer will come to you, leader of hosts,
ὅς κέν τοι εἴπῃσιν ὁδὸν καὶ μέτρα κελεύθουwho will tell you the way and the measures of your journey,
νόστον θʼ, ὡς ἐπὶ πόντον ἐλεύσεαι ἰχθυόεντα.and your homecoming, how you will cross the teeming sea.
540ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.So she spoke, and at once golden-throned Dawn came on.
ἀμφὶ δέ με χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματα ἕσσεν·She dressed me in clothing, a cloak and a tunic,
αὐτὴ δʼ ἀργύφεον φᾶρος μέγα ἕννυτο νύμφη,and the nymph herself put on a great silvery robe,
λεπτὸν καὶ χαρίεν, περὶ δὲ ζώνην βάλετʼ ἰξυῖdelicate and lovely, and about her waist she cast a belt,
καλὴν χρυσείην, κεφαλῇ δʼ ἐπέθηκε καλύπτρην.a beautiful golden one, and set a veil upon her head.
545αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ διὰ δώματʼ ἰὼν ὤτρυνον ἑταίρουςBut I went through the halls and roused my companions
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρασταδὸν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον·with gentle words, standing beside each man:
μηκέτι νῦν εὕδοντες ἀωτεῖτε γλυκὺν ὕπνον,"No longer now lie sleeping, drinking in sweet slumber,
ἀλλʼ ἴομεν· δὴ γάρ μοι ἐπέφραδε πότνια Κίρκη.but let us go; for queenly Circe has told me the way."
ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
ἀγήνωρ.So I spoke, and their proud spirit was persuaded.
550οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδʼ ἔνθεν περ ἀπήμονας ἦγον ἑταίρους.Yet not even from there did I lead my companions unharmed.
Ἐλπήνωρ δέ τις ἔσκε νεώτατος, οὔτε τι λίηνThere was a certain Elpenor, the youngest, not overly
ἄλκιμος ἐν πολέμῳ οὔτε φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀρηρώς·brave in war nor sound in his wits;
ὅς μοι ἄνευθʼ ἑτάρων ἱεροῖς ἐν δώμασι Κίρκης,who apart from his companions in the sacred house of Circe,
ψύχεος ἱμείρων, κατελέξατο οἰνοβαρείων.longing for coolness, had lain down heavy with wine.
555κινυμένων δʼ ἑτάρων ὅμαδον καὶ δοῦπον ἀκούσαςHearing the noise and clatter of his companions stirring,
ἐξαπίνης ἀνόρουσε καὶ ἐκλάθετο φρεσὶν ᾗσινhe sprang up suddenly and forgot in his mind
ἄψορρον καταβῆναι ἰὼν ἐς κλίμακα μακρήν,to go back down again by the long ladder,
ἀλλὰ καταντικρὺ τέγεος πέσεν· ἐκ δέ οἱ αὐχὴνbut fell straight from the roof; and his neck
ἀστραγάλων ἐάγη, ψυχὴ δʼ Ἄϊδόσδε κατῆλθεν.was broken from the spine, and his soul went down to Hades.
560ἐρχομένοισι δὲ τοῖσιν ἐγὼ μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπον·And to the others as they went I spoke a word:
φάσθε νύ που οἶκόνδε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν"You think, no doubt, that homeward to your dear native land
ἔρχεσθʼ· ἄλλην δʼ ἧμιν ὁδὸν τεκμήρατο Κίρκη,you are going; but Circe has marked out another road for us,
εἰς Ἀίδαο δόμους καὶ ἐπαινῆς Περσεφονείηςto the house of Hades and dread Persephone,
ψυχῇ χρησομένους Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο.to consult the soul of Theban Tiresias."
565ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δὲ κατεκλάσθη φίλον ἦτορ,So I spoke, and their spirit was broken within them,
ἑζόμενοι δὲ κατʼ αὖθι γόων τίλλοντό τε χαίτας·and sitting down where they were they wept and tore their hair;
ἀλλʼ οὐ γάρ τις πρῆξις ἐγίγνετο μυρομένοισιν.but no good came of it, however they lamented.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα
θαλάσσηςAnd when we had come down to the swift ship and the shore of the sea,
ᾔομεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες,grieving, and shedding warm tears in abundance,
570τόφρα δʼ ἄρʼ οἰχομένη Κίρκη παρὰ νηὶ μελαίνῃmeanwhile Circe went and beside the black ship
ἀρνειὸν κατέδησεν ὄιν θῆλύν τε μέλαιναν,tethered a ram and a black ewe,
ῥεῖα παρεξελθοῦσα· τίς ἂν θεὸν οὐκ ἐθέλονταpassing us easily by; who with his eyes could see a god
ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδοιτʼ ἢ ἔνθʼ ἢ ἔνθα κιόντα;going here or there against that god's will?