1αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ποταμοῖο λίπεν ῥόον ὨκεανοῖοBut when the ship had left the stream of the river Ocean
νηῦς, ἀπὸ δʼ ἵκετο κῦμα θαλάσσης εὐρυπόροιοand come again to the wave of the wide-wayed sea
νῆσόν τʼ Αἰαίην, ὅθι τʼ Ἠοῦς ἠριγενείηςand to the Aeaean island, where are the halls
οἰκία καὶ χοροί εἰσι καὶ ἀντολαὶ Ἠελίοιο,and the dancing-floors of early-born Dawn, and the risings of the Sun,
5νῆα μὲν ἔνθʼ ἐλθόντες ἐκέλσαμεν ἐν ψαμάθοισιν,there, having come, we ran the ship aground on the sands,
ἐκ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βῆμεν ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης·and we ourselves stepped out upon the breaking surf of the sea;
ἔνθα δʼ ἀποβρίξαντες ἐμείναμεν Ἠῶ δῖαν.there we fell asleep and waited for the bright Dawn.
ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,When early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἑτάρους προΐειν ἐς δώματα Κίρκηςthen indeed I sent my companions forth to the halls of Circe
10οἰσέμεναι νεκρόν, Ἐλπήνορα τεθνηῶτα.to bring the corpse, the dead body of Elpenor.
φιτροὺς δʼ αἶψα ταμόντες, ὅθʼ ἀκροτάτη πρόεχʼ ἀκτή,And quickly cutting logs, where the headland jutted highest,
θάπτομεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες.we buried him, grieving, and shedding warm tears.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ νεκρός τʼ ἐκάη καὶ τεύχεα νεκροῦ,But when the corpse was burned, and the dead man's armor,
τύμβον χεύαντες καὶ ἐπὶ στήλην ἐρύσαντεςwe heaped a mound and dragged a pillar up upon it
15πήξαμεν ἀκροτάτῳ τύμβῳ ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν.and fixed on the top of the mound his well-fitted oar.
ἡμεῖς μὲν τὰ ἕκαστα διείπομεν· οὐδʼ ἄρα
ΚίρκηνWe were setting each thing in order; nor indeed did Circe
ἐξ Ἀίδεω ἐλθόντες ἐλήθομεν, ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ὦκαfail to notice us come from Hades, but very quickly
ἦλθʼ ἐντυναμένη· ἅμα δʼ ἀμφίπολοι φέρον αὐτῇshe came, arrayed; and with her the handmaids bore
σῖτον καὶ κρέα πολλὰ καὶ αἴθοπα οἶνον ἐρυθρόν.bread and meat in plenty and gleaming red wine.
20ἡ δʼ ἐν μέσσῳ στᾶσα μετηύδα δῖα θεάων·And standing in the midst she spoke, the shining one among goddesses:
σχέτλιοι, οἳ ζώοντες ὑπήλθετε δῶμʼ Ἀίδαο,"Hard men, who went down alive to the house of Hades,
δισθανέες, ὅτε τʼ ἄλλοι ἅπαξ θνῄσκουσʼ ἄνθρωποι.dying twice, when other men die but once.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ ἐσθίετε βρώμην καὶ πίνετε οἶνονBut come, eat food and drink wine
αὖθι πανημέριοι· ἅμα δʼ ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιhere the whole day long; and when Dawn appears
25πλεύσεσθʼ· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ δείξω ὁδὸν ἠδὲ ἕκασταyou shall sail; and I will show the way and make each thing
σημανέω, ἵνα μή τι κακορραφίῃ ἀλεγεινῇclear, so that not through grievous ill-contrivance
ἢ ἁλὸς ἢ ἐπὶ γῆς ἀλγήσετε πῆμα παθόντες.either on the sea or on the land you may suffer and feel pain."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, ἡμῖν δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
ἀγήνωρ.So she spoke, and our proud spirit consented.
ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύνταSo then the whole day long till the sun went down
30ἥμεθα 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 παρὰ πρυμνήσια νηός,the men lay down to sleep beside the ship's stern-cables,
ἡ δʼ ἐμὲ χειρὸς ἑλοῦσα φίλων ἀπονόσφιν ἑταίρωνbut she, taking me by the hand apart from my dear companions,
εἷσέ τε καὶ προσέλεκτο καὶ ἐξερέεινεν ἕκαστα·made me sit down, and lay beside me, and asked me everything;
35αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τῇ πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν κατέλεξα.and I told her all in due order.
καὶ τότε δή μʼ ἐπέεσσι προσηύδα πότνια Κίρκη·And then queenly Circe spoke to me with words:
ταῦτα μὲν οὕτω πάντα πεπείρανται, σὺ δʼ
ἄκουσον,"All these things, then, have been accomplished thus; but you—listen
ὥς τοι ἐγὼν ἐρέω, μνήσει δέ σε καὶ θεὸς αὐτός.to what I shall tell you, and a god himself will remind you.
Σειρῆνας μὲν πρῶτον ἀφίξεαι, αἵ ῥά τε πάνταςFirst you will come to the Sirens, who cast a spell over all
40ἀνθρώπους θέλγουσιν, ὅτις σφεας εἰσαφίκηται.men, whoever comes to them.
ὅς τις ἀιδρείῃ πελάσῃ καὶ φθόγγον ἀκούσῃWhoever draws near in ignorance and hears the voice
Σειρήνων, τῷ δʼ οὔ τι γυνὴ καὶ νήπια τέκναof the Sirens, never again does his wife and little children
οἴκαδε νοστήσαντι παρίσταται οὐδὲ γάνυνται,stand beside him rejoicing when he has come home,
ἀλλά τε Σειρῆνες λιγυρῇ θέλγουσιν ἀοιδῇbut the Sirens enchant him with their clear-toned song
45ἥμεναι ἐν λειμῶνι, πολὺς δʼ ἀμφʼ ὀστεόφιν θὶςas they sit in a meadow, and around them is a great heap
ἀνδρῶν πυθομένων, περὶ δὲ ῥινοὶ μινύθουσι.of bones of rotting men, and the skins shrivel about them.
ἀλλὰ παρεξελάαν, ἐπὶ δʼ οὔατʼ ἀλεῖψαι ἑταίρωνBut drive your ship past, and smear the ears of your companions
κηρὸν δεψήσας μελιηδέα, μή τις ἀκούσῃwith sweet honeyed wax you have kneaded, so that none of the rest
τῶν ἄλλων· ἀτὰρ αὐτὸς ἀκουέμεν αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα,may hear; but you yourself listen, if you wish,
50δησάντων σʼ ἐν νηὶ θοῇ χεῖράς τε πόδας τεand have them bind you in the swift ship hand and foot,
ὀρθὸν ἐν ἱστοπέδῃ, ἐκ δʼ αὐτοῦ πείρατʼ ἀνήφθω,upright against the mast-block, with the rope-ends fastened to it,
ὄφρα κε τερπόμενος ὄπʼ ἀκούσῃς Σειρήνοιιν.so that you may take delight in hearing the voice of the Sirens.
εἰ δέ κε λίσσηαι ἑτάρους λῦσαί τε κελεύῃς,But if you beg and command your companions to loose you,
οἱ δέ σʼ ἔτι πλεόνεσσι τότʼ ἐν δεσμοῖσι διδέντων.then let them bind you fast with still more bonds.
55αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ τάς γε παρὲξ ἐλάσωσιν ἑταῖροι,But when your companions have driven the ship past them,
ἔνθα τοι οὐκέτʼ ἔπειτα διηνεκέως ἀγορεύσω,then no longer will I tell you in detail
ὁπποτέρη δή τοι ὁδὸς ἔσσεται, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸςwhich of the two roads shall be yours, but you yourself
θυμῷ βουλεύειν· ἐρέω δέ τοι ἀμφοτέρωθεν.must weigh it in your heart; and I will tell you of both.
ἔνθεν μὲν γὰρ πέτραι ἐπηρεφέες, προτὶ δʼ αὐτὰςFor on the one side there are overhanging rocks, and against them
60κῦμα μέγα ῥοχθεῖ κυανώπιδος Ἀμφιτρίτης·the great wave of dark-eyed Amphitrite roars;
Πλαγκτὰς δή τοι τάς γε θεοὶ μάκαρες καλέουσι.the blessed gods, indeed, call these the Wandering Rocks.
τῇ μέν τʼ οὐδὲ ποτητὰ παρέρχεται οὐδὲ πέλειαιBy that way not even winged things pass, not even the doves,
τρήρωνες, ταί τʼ ἀμβροσίην Διὶ πατρὶ φέρουσιν,the timorous ones, that bring ambrosia to father Zeus,
ἀλλά τε καὶ τῶν αἰὲν ἀφαιρεῖται λὶς πέτρη·but even of these the sheer rock always takes one away,
65ἀλλʼ ἄλλην ἐνίησι πατὴρ ἐναρίθμιον εἶναι.and the father sends in another to make up the number.
τῇ δʼ οὔ πώ τις νηῦς φύγεν ἀνδρῶν, ἥ τις ἵκηται,By that way no ship of men has ever escaped, whichever comes,
ἀλλά θʼ ὁμοῦ πίνακάς τε νεῶν καὶ σώματα φωτῶνbut the timbers of ships together and the bodies of men
κύμαθʼ ἁλὸς φορέουσι πυρός τʼ ὀλοοῖο θύελλαι.the waves of the sea carry off, and the blasts of ruinous fire.
οἴη δὴ κείνη γε παρέπλω ποντοπόρος νηῦς,One seagoing ship alone has ever sailed past there,
70Ἀργὼ πᾶσι μέλουσα, παρʼ Αἰήταο πλέουσα.the Argo, of concern to all, sailing home from Aeetes.
καὶ νύ κε τὴν ἔνθʼ ὦκα βάλεν μεγάλας ποτὶ πέτρας,And that one too the wave would soon have flung against the great rocks,
ἀλλʼ Ἥρη παρέπεμψεν, ἐπεὶ φίλος ἦεν Ἰήσων.but Hera sent it past, since Jason was dear to her.
οἱ δὲ δύω σκόπελοι ὁ μὲν οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν
ἱκάνειAnd the two crags: the one reaches the wide heaven
ὀξείῃ κορυφῇ, νεφέλη δέ μιν ἀμφιβέβηκεwith its sharp peak, and a cloud closes round it,
75κυανέη· τὸ μὲν οὔ ποτʼ ἐρωεῖ, οὐδέ ποτʼ αἴθρηa dark cloud; this never leaves, nor does clear sky
κείνου ἔχει κορυφὴν οὔτʼ ἐν θέρει οὔτʼ ἐν ὀπώρῃ.hold that peak, either in summer or in autumn.
οὐδέ κεν ἀμβαίη βροτὸς ἀνὴρ οὐδʼ ἐπιβαίη,No mortal man could climb it, nor set foot upon it,
οὐδʼ εἴ οἱ χεῖρές τε ἐείκοσι καὶ πόδες εἶεν·not even if he had twenty hands and twenty feet;
πέτρη γὰρ λίς ἐστι, περιξεστῇ ἐικυῖα.for the rock is sheer, as though polished all around.
80μέσσῳ δʼ ἐν σκοπέλῳ ἔστι σπέος ἠεροειδές,And in the middle of the crag there is a misty cave,
πρὸς ζόφον εἰς Ἔρεβος τετραμμένον, ᾗ περ ἂν ὑμεῖςturned toward the gloom of Erebus, and it is there
νῆα παρὰ γλαφυρὴν ἰθύνετε, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ.that you must steer your hollow ship, glorious Odysseus.
οὐδέ κεν ἐκ νηὸς γλαφυρῆς αἰζήιος ἀνὴρNot even a strong young man could shoot an arrow
τόξῳ ὀιστεύσας κοῖλον σπέος εἰσαφίκοιτο.from the hollow ship and reach that hollow cave.
85ἔνθα δʼ ἐνὶ Σκύλλη ναίει δεινὸν λελακυῖα.There Scylla dwells, and yelps a terrible yelp.
τῆς ἦ τοι φωνὴ μὲν ὅση σκύλακος νεογιλῆςHer voice, indeed, is no louder than a newborn puppy's,
γίγνεται, αὐτὴ δʼ αὖτε πέλωρ κακόν· οὐδέ κέ τίς μινbut she herself is a monstrous evil; no one would rejoice
γηθήσειεν ἰδών, οὐδʼ εἰ θεὸς ἀντιάσειεν.to look on her, not even a god who came upon her.
τῆς ἦ τοι πόδες εἰσὶ δυώδεκα πάντες ἄωροι,She has twelve feet, all of them dangling in the air,
90ἓξ δέ τέ οἱ δειραὶ περιμήκεες, ἐν δὲ ἑκάστῃand six necks stretching out enormously, and on each
σμερδαλέη κεφαλή, ἐν δὲ τρίστοιχοι ὀδόντεςa hideous head, and in it a triple row of teeth,
πυκνοὶ καὶ θαμέες, πλεῖοι μέλανος θανάτοιο.thick and crowded, full of black death.
μέσση μέν τε κατὰ σπείους κοίλοιο δέδυκεν,Halfway down she is sunk into the hollow cave,
ἔξω δʼ ἐξίσχει κεφαλὰς δεινοῖο βερέθρου,but she holds her heads out from the dreadful pit,
95αὐτοῦ δʼ ἰχθυάᾳ, σκόπελον περιμαιμώωσα,and there she fishes, searching all around the crag
δελφῖνάς τε κύνας τε, καὶ εἴ ποθι μεῖζον ἕλῃσιfor dolphins, and for dogfish, and any larger creature
κῆτος, ἃ μυρία βόσκει ἀγάστονος Ἀμφιτρίτη.she might seize, of the thousands Amphitrite the loud-groaning breeds.
τῇ δʼ οὔ πώ ποτε ναῦται ἀκήριοι εὐχετόωνταιNo sailors ever yet can boast that they have passed her
παρφυγέειν σὺν νηί· φέρει δέ τε κρατὶ ἑκάστῳunharmed with their ship; with each of her heads she carries off
100φῶτʼ ἐξαρπάξασα νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο.a man, snatching him from the dark-prowed vessel.
τὸν δʼ ἕτερον σκόπελον χθαμαλώτερον ὄψει,
Ὀδυσσεῦ.The other crag you will see is lower, Odysseus,
πλησίον ἀλλήλων· καί κεν διοϊστεύσειας.near to the first—you could shoot an arrow across between them.
τῷ δʼ ἐν ἐρινεὸς ἔστι μέγας, φύλλοισι τεθηλώς·On it there is a great fig tree, flourishing with leaves;
τῷ δʼ ὑπὸ δῖα Χάρυβδις ἀναρροιβδεῖ μέλαν ὕδωρ.and beneath it divine Charybdis sucks down the black water.
105τρὶς μὲν γάρ τʼ ἀνίησιν ἐπʼ ἤματι, τρὶς δʼ ἀναροιβδεῖThree times a day she spouts it up, three times she sucks it down,
δεινόν· μὴ σύ γε κεῖθι τύχοις, ὅτε ῥοιβδήσειεν·terribly; may you not be there when she sucks it down,
οὐ γάρ κεν ῥύσαιτό σʼ ὑπὲκ κακοῦ οὐδʼ ἐνοσίχθων.for not even the Earthshaker could save you from that ruin.
ἀλλὰ μάλα Σκύλλης σκοπέλῳ πεπλημένος ὦκαRather, hugging close to Scylla's crag, drive your ship
νῆα παρὲξ ἐλάαν, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερόν ἐστινswiftly past, since it is far better by far
110ἓξ ἑτάρους ἐν νηὶ ποθήμεναι ἢ ἅμα πάντας.to mourn six companions in your ship than all together.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος
προσέειπον·So she spoke, but I answered her and said:
εἰ δʼ ἄγε δή μοι τοῦτο, θεά, νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες,Come now, goddess, tell me this truly:
εἴ πως τὴν ὀλοὴν μὲν ὑπεκπροφύγοιμι Χάρυβδιν,is there some way I might escape from deadly Charybdis
τὴν δέ κʼ ἀμυναίμην, ὅτε μοι σίνοιτό γʼ ἑταίρους.and still fight off the other, when she preys upon my men?
115ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων·So I spoke, and at once the shining goddess answered:
σχέτλιε, καὶ δὴ αὖ τοι πολεμήια ἔργα μέμηλεReckless man, so even now your mind is set on works of war
καὶ πόνος· οὐδὲ θεοῖσιν ὑπείξεαι ἀθανάτοισιν;and toil; will you not yield even to the immortal gods?
ἡ δέ τοι οὐ θνητή, ἀλλʼ ἀθάνατον κακόν ἐστι,She is not mortal, but an immortal evil,
δεινόν τʼ ἀργαλέον τε καὶ ἄγριον οὐδὲ μαχητόν·terrible and grievous and savage, not to be fought;
120οὐδέ τις ἔστʼ ἀλκή· φυγέειν κάρτιστον ἀπʼ αὐτῆς.there is no defense; to flee from her is best of all.
ἢν γὰρ δηθύνῃσθα κορυσσόμενος παρὰ πέτρῃ,For if you linger there, arming yourself beside the rock,
δείδω, μή σʼ ἐξαῦτις ἐφορμηθεῖσα κίχῃσιI fear that she may dart out again and catch you
τόσσῃσιν κεφαλῇσι, τόσους δʼ ἐκ φῶτας ἕληται.with all those heads, and seize as many men once more.
ἀλλὰ μάλα σφοδρῶς ἐλάαν, βωστρεῖν δὲ Κράταιιν,No, drive on with all your strength, and call on Crataiis,
125μητέρα τῆς Σκύλλης, ἥ μιν τέκε πῆμα βροτοῖσιν·the mother of Scylla, who bore her as a bane to mortals;
ἥ μιν ἔπειτʼ ἀποπαύσει ἐς ὕστερον ὁρμηθῆναι.she then will stop her from rushing out a second time.
Θρινακίην δʼ ἐς νῆσον ἀφίξεαι· ἔνθα δὲ
πολλαὶThen you will reach the island of Thrinacia; there many
βόσκοντʼ Ἠελίοιο βόες καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,cattle of the Sun graze, and his sturdy flocks,
ἑπτὰ βοῶν ἀγέλαι, τόσα δʼ οἰῶν πώεα καλά,seven herds of cattle, and as many fine flocks of sheep,
130πεντήκοντα δʼ ἕκαστα. γόνος δʼ οὐ γίγνεται αὐτῶν,fifty in each. And no offspring is born of them,
οὐδέ ποτε φθινύθουσι. θεαὶ δʼ ἐπιποιμένες εἰσίν,nor do they ever perish. Goddesses are their herders,
νύμφαι ἐυπλόκαμοι, Φαέθουσά τε Λαμπετίη τε,nymphs with lovely hair, Phaethousa and Lampetia,
ἃς τέκεν Ἠελίῳ Ὑπερίονι δῖα Νέαιρα.whom shining Neaera bore to Helios Hyperion.
τὰς μὲν ἄρα θρέψασα τεκοῦσά τε πότνια μήτηρThese, when their lady mother had borne and reared them,
135Θρινακίην ἐς νῆσον ἀπῴκισε τηλόθι ναίειν,she sent away to dwell on the island of Thrinacia far off,
μῆλα φυλασσέμεναι πατρώια καὶ ἕλικας βοῦς.to guard their father's flocks and his crook-horned cattle.
τὰς εἰ μέν κʼ ἀσινέας ἐάᾳς νόστου τε μέδηαι,If you leave these unharmed and keep your mind on homecoming,
ἦ τʼ ἂν ἔτʼ εἰς Ἰθάκην κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε·then you may still reach Ithaca, though suffering hardships;
εἰ δέ κε σίνηαι, τότε τοι τεκμαίρομʼ ὄλεθρον,but if you harm them, then I foretell destruction for you,
140νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροις· αὐτὸς δʼ εἴ πέρ κεν ἀλύξῃς,for your ship and your companions; and even if you yourself escape,
ὀψὲ κακῶς νεῖαι, ὀλέσας ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους.you will come home late and in evil case, having lost all your companions.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.So she spoke, and at once Dawn came on her golden throne.
ἡ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀνὰ νῆσον ἀπέστιχε δῖα θεάων·Then she went up the island, that shining goddess,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν ὤτρυνον ἑταίρουςbut I made my way to the ship and urged my companions
145αὐτούς τʼ ἀμβαίνειν ἀνά τε πρυμνήσια λῦσαι·to climb aboard themselves and to loose the stern cables.
οἱ δʼ αἶψʼ εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῖσι καθῖζον.And at once they climbed aboard and sat down at the oarlocks,
ἑξῆς δʼ ἑζόμενοι πολιὴν ἅλα τύπτον ἐρετμοῖς.and sitting in order they struck the grey sea with their oars.
ἡμῖν δʼ αὖ κατόπισθε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιοAnd behind our dark-prowed ship
ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει πλησίστιον, ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον,a following wind that filled the sail, a fine companion,
150Κίρκη ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα.Circe of the lovely hair, dread goddess with a human voice, sent us.
αὐτίκα δʼ ὅπλα ἕκαστα πονησάμενοι κατὰ νῆαAt once, when we had seen to all the tackle throughout the ship,
ἥμεθα· τὴν δʼ ἄνεμός τε κυβερνήτης τʼ ἴθυνε.we sat, and the wind and the helmsman held her straight.
δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἑτάροισι μετηύδων ἀχνύμενος κῆρ·Then I spoke among my companions, grieved at heart:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γὰρ χρὴ ἕνα ἴδμεναι οὐδὲ δύʼ οἴουςFriends, it is not right that one or two alone should know
155θέσφαθʼ ἅ μοι Κίρκη μυθήσατο, δῖα θεάων·the oracles that Circe told me, that shining goddess;
ἀλλʼ ἐρέω μὲν ἐγών, ἵνα εἰδότες ἤ κε θάνωμενbut I will speak them, so that knowing we may either die
ἤ κεν ἀλευάμενοι θάνατον καὶ κῆρα φύγοιμεν.or, avoiding it, escape death and doom.
Σειρήνων μὲν πρῶτον ἀνώγει θεσπεσιάωνFirst she bade us shun the voice of the marvelous
φθόγγον ἀλεύασθαι καὶ λειμῶνʼ ἀνθεμόεντα.Sirens, and their flowering meadow.
160οἶον ἔμʼ ἠνώγει ὄπʼ ἀκουέμεν· ἀλλά με δεσμῷMe alone she bade to listen to their voice; but bind me with a cord
δήσατʼ ἐν ἀργαλέῳ, ὄφρʼ ἔμπεδον αὐτόθι μίμνω,with a hard rope, so that I stay firm there in place,
ὀρθὸν ἐν ἱστοπέδῃ, ἐκ δʼ αὐτοῦ πείρατʼ ἀνήφθω.upright in the mast-socket, and let the ends be fastened to it.
εἰ δέ κε λίσσωμαι ὑμέας λῦσαί τε κελεύω,And if I beg you and command you to loose me,
ὑμεῖς δὲ πλεόνεσσι τότʼ ἐν δεσμοῖσι πιέζειν.then bind me still faster with more bonds.
165ἦ τοι ἐγὼ τὰ ἕκαστα λέγων ἑτάροισι πίφαυσκον·So I spoke, declaring each thing to my companions;
τόφρα δὲ καρπαλίμως ἐξίκετο νηῦς ἐυεργὴςand meanwhile the well-built ship came swiftly
νῆσον Σειρήνοιιν· ἔπειγε γὰρ οὖρος ἀπήμων.to the island of the Sirens, for a harmless wind drove her.
αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτʼ ἄνεμος μὲν ἐπαύσατο ἠδὲ γαλήνηThen all at once the wind ceased and there was
ἔπλετο νηνεμίη, κοίμησε δὲ κύματα δαίμων.a windless calm, and a god lulled the waves to sleep.
170ἀνστάντες δʼ ἕταροι νεὸς ἱστία μηρύσαντοMy companions stood up and furled the ship's sail
καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐν νηὶ γλαφυρῇ θέσαν, οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ἐρετμὰand stowed it in the hollow ship, then sat at the oars
ἑζόμενοι λεύκαινον ὕδωρ ξεστῇς ἐλάτῃσιν.and whitened the water with their polished blades of fir.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ κηροῖο μέγαν τροχὸν ὀξέι χαλκῷBut I, with the sharp bronze, cut a great round of wax
τυτθὰ διατμήξας χερσὶ στιβαρῇσι πίεζον·into little pieces and kneaded them with my strong hands;
175αἶψα δʼ ἰαίνετο κηρός, ἐπεὶ κέλετο μεγάλη ἲςand quickly the wax grew warm, for the great force compelled it,
Ἠελίου τʼ αὐγὴ Ὑπεριονίδαο ἄνακτος·the beam of Helios, the lord son of Hyperion;
ἑξείης δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐπʼ οὔατα πᾶσιν ἄλειψα.and I anointed the ears of all my companions in turn.
οἱ δʼ ἐν νηί μʼ ἔδησαν ὁμοῦ χεῖράς τε πόδας τεAnd they bound me in the ship, hand and foot together,
ὀρθὸν ἐν ἱστοπέδῃ, ἐκ δʼ αὐτοῦ πείρατʼ ἀνῆπτον·upright in the mast-socket, and fastened the ends to it;
180αὐτοὶ δʼ ἑζόμενοι πολιὴν ἅλα τύπτον ἐρετμοῖς.then sitting down they struck the grey sea with their oars.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε τόσσον ἀπῆμεν ὅσον τε γέγωνε βοήσας,But when we were as far off as a man's shout carries,
ῥίμφα διώκοντες, τὰς δʼ οὐ λάθεν ὠκύαλος νηῦςdriving swiftly on, the speeding ship did not escape their notice
ἐγγύθεν ὀρνυμένη, λιγυρὴν δʼ ἔντυνον ἀοιδήν·as it neared, and they raised their clear-toned song:
δεῦρʼ ἄγʼ ἰών, πολύαινʼ Ὀδυσεῦ, μέγα κῦδος
Ἀχαιῶν,Come here, much-praised Odysseus, great glory of the Achaeans,
185νῆα κατάστησον, ἵνα νωιτέρην ὄπ ἀκούσῃς.bring your ship to rest, so you may hear our voice.
οὐ γάρ πώ τις τῇδε παρήλασε νηὶ μελαίνῃ,For no man has ever yet passed by this place in his black ship
πρίν γʼ ἡμέων μελίγηρυν ἀπὸ στομάτων ὄπʼ ἀκοῦσαι,before he heard the honey-sweet voice from our lips,
ἀλλʼ ὅ γε τερψάμενος νεῖται καὶ πλείονα εἰδώς.but he goes on his way delighted, and knowing more.
ἴδμεν γάρ τοι πάνθʼ ὅσʼ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃFor we know all the things that in the wide land of Troy
190Ἀργεῖοι Τρῶές τε θεῶν ἰότητι μόγησαν,the Argives and the Trojans suffered by the will of the gods,
ἴδμεν δʼ, ὅσσα γένηται ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ.and we know whatever happens on the all-nourishing earth.
ὣς φάσαν ἱεῖσαι ὄπα κάλλιμον· αὐτὰρ ἐμὸν κῆρSo they spoke, sending forth their lovely voice; and my heart
ἤθελʼ ἀκουέμεναι, λῦσαί τʼ ἐκέλευον ἑταίρουςlonged to listen, and I commanded my companions to loose me,
ὀφρύσι νευστάζων· οἱ δὲ προπεσόντες ἔρεσσον.nodding with my brows; but they fell to and rowed on.
195αὐτίκα δʼ ἀνστάντες Περιμήδης Εὐρύλοχός τεAt once Perimedes and Eurylochus rose up
πλείοσί μʼ ἐν δεσμοῖσι δέον μᾶλλόν τε πίεζον.and bound me with more bonds and pressed them tighter.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τάς γε παρήλασαν, οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἔπειταBut when they had rowed past the Sirens, and no longer
φθογγῆς Σειρήνων ἠκούομεν οὐδέ τʼ ἀοιδῆς,could we hear their voice or their song,
αἶψʼ ἀπὸ κηρὸν ἕλοντο ἐμοὶ ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι,at once my trusty companions took away the wax
200ὅν σφιν ἐπʼ ὠσὶν ἄλειψʼ, ἐμέ τʼ ἐκ δεσμῶν ἀνέλυσαν.with which I had anointed their ears, and loosed me from my bonds.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τὴν νῆσον ἐλείπομεν, αὐτίκʼ ἔπειταBut when at last we had left the island behind, straightway then
καπνὸν καὶ μέγα κῦμα ἴδον καὶ δοῦπον ἄκουσα.I saw smoke and a great wave and heard a thunderous roar.
τῶν δʼ ἄρα δεισάντων ἐκ χειρῶν ἔπτατʼ ἐρετμά,Terror struck them, and the oars flew from their hands,
βόμβησαν δʼ ἄρα πάντα κατὰ ῥόον· ἔσχετο δʼ αὐτοῦand they clattered, all of them, in the current; and the ship held there,
205νηῦς, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτʼ ἐρετμὰ προήκεα χερσὶν ἔπειγον.for they no longer drove the tapering oars with their hands.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ διὰ νηὸς ἰὼν ὤτρυνον ἑταίρουςBut I went through the ship and urged on my companions
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρασταδὸν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον·with gentle words, standing beside each man in turn:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γάρ πώ τι κακῶν ἀδαήμονές
εἰμεν·"Friends, we are not in any way ignorant of troubles;
οὐ μὲν δὴ τόδε μεῖζον ἕπει κακόν, ἢ ὅτε Κύκλωψthis is no greater evil that awaits us than when the Cyclops
210εἴλει ἐνὶ σπῆι γλαφυρῷ κρατερῆφι βίηφιν·penned us in his hollow cave with mighty force;
ἀλλὰ καὶ ἔνθεν ἐμῇ ἀρετῇ, βουλῇ τε νόῳ τε,yet even from there, by my valor, my counsel and my wit,
ἐκφύγομεν, καί που τῶνδε μνήσεσθαι ὀίω.we escaped, and these things too, I think, we shall remember.
νῦν δʼ ἄγεθʼ, ὡς ἂν ἐγὼ εἴπω, πειθώμεθα πάντες.Now come, as I command, let us all obey.
ὑμεῖς μὲν κώπῃσιν ἁλὸς ῥηγμῖνα βαθεῖανYou, sitting at the oarlocks, strike the deep breaking surf
215τύπτετε κληίδεσσιν ἐφήμενοι, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺςof the sea with your oars, in the hope that Zeus
δώῃ τόνδε γʼ ὄλεθρον ὑπεκφυγέειν καὶ ἀλύξαι·may somehow grant us to flee this destruction and escape it;
σοὶ δέ, κυβερνῆθʼ, ὧδʼ ἐπιτέλλομαι· ἀλλʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷand you, helmsman, this I charge you—lay it up
βάλλευ, ἐπεὶ νηὸς γλαφυρῆς οἰήια νωμᾷς.within your heart, since you handle the hollow ship's steering oar:
τούτου μὲν καπνοῦ καὶ κύματος ἐκτὸς ἔεργεkeep the ship well clear of this smoke and this wave,
220νῆα, σὺ δὲ σκοπέλου ἐπιμαίεο, μή σε λάθῃσιand press hard toward the crag, lest it slip your notice
κεῖσʼ ἐξορμήσασα καὶ ἐς κακὸν ἄμμε βάλῃσθα.and she dart off that way and cast us into ruin."
ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δʼ ὦκα ἐμοῖς ἐπέεσσι πίθοντο.So I spoke, and they quickly obeyed my words.
Σκύλλην δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἐμυθεόμην, ἄπρηκτον ἀνίην,But of Scylla I said nothing—that hopeless grief—
μή πώς μοι δείσαντες ἀπολλήξειαν ἑταῖροιlest somehow my companions, seized with terror, might cease
225εἰρεσίης, ἐντὸς δὲ πυκάζοιεν σφέας αὐτούς.from their rowing, and huddle themselves within the hold.
καὶ τότε δὴ Κίρκης μὲν ἐφημοσύνης ἀλεγεινῆςAnd then indeed I forgot Circe's grievous
λανθανόμην, ἐπεὶ οὔ τί μʼ ἀνώγει θωρήσσεσθαι·command, since she had bidden me not to arm myself;
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ καταδὺς κλυτὰ τεύχεα καὶ δύο δοῦρεbut I put on my glorious armor and, taking two long
μάκρʼ ἐν χερσὶν ἑλὼν εἰς ἴκρια νηὸς ἔβαινονspears in my hands, I climbed onto the ship's foredeck
230πρῴρης· ἔνθεν γάρ μιν ἐδέγμην πρῶτα φανεῖσθαιat the prow; for from there I expected first to see
Σκύλλην πετραίην, ἥ μοι φέρε πῆμʼ ἑτάροισιν.Scylla of the rock, who was bringing ruin to my companions.
οὐδέ πῃ ἀθρῆσαι δυνάμην, ἔκαμον δέ μοι ὄσσεBut nowhere could I make her out, and my eyes grew weary
πάντῃ παπταίνοντι πρὸς ἠεροειδέα πέτρην.as I peered in every direction toward the misty rock.
ἡμεῖς μὲν στεινωπὸν ἀνεπλέομεν γοόωντες·So we sailed up the strait, groaning aloud:
235ἔνθεν μὲν Σκύλλη, ἑτέρωθι δὲ δῖα Χάρυβδιςon this side lay Scylla, and on the other divine Charybdis
δεινὸν ἀνερροίβδησε θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ.sucked down the salt water of the sea in terrible fashion.
ἦ τοι ὅτʼ ἐξεμέσειε, λέβης ὣς ἐν πυρὶ πολλῷTruly, whenever she vomited it up, like a cauldron over a great fire
πᾶσʼ ἀναμορμύρεσκε κυκωμένη, ὑψόσε δʼ ἄχνηshe would seethe and bubble all through her churning, and high above
ἄκροισι σκοπέλοισιν ἐπʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔπιπτεν·the spray would fall upon the topmost peaks of both the crags;
240ἀλλʼ ὅτʼ ἀναβρόξειε θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ,but whenever she gulped down the salt water of the sea,
πᾶσʼ ἔντοσθε φάνεσκε κυκωμένη, ἀμφὶ δὲ πέτρηthe whole seething inside was visible, and around the rock
δεινὸν ἐβεβρύχει, ὑπένερθε δὲ γαῖα φάνεσκεit roared terribly, and below the ground showed dark
ψάμμῳ κυανέη· τοὺς δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει.with sand; and green fear seized my men.
ἡμεῖς μὲν πρὸς τὴν ἴδομεν δείσαντες ὄλεθρον·We looked toward her, dreading destruction,
245τόφρα δέ μοι Σκύλλη γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἑταίρουςand in that moment Scylla snatched from the hollow ship
ἓξ ἕλεθʼ, οἳ χερσίν τε βίηφί τε φέρτατοι ἦσαν.six of my companions, those strongest in hands and force.
σκεψάμενος δʼ ἐς νῆα θοὴν ἅμα καὶ μεθʼ ἑταίρουςTurning to look at my swift ship and toward my crew,
ἤδη τῶν ἐνόησα πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθενalready I noticed the feet and hands of them above me
ὑψόσʼ ἀειρομένων· ἐμὲ δὲ φθέγγοντο καλεῦντεςas they were hoisted high; and they cried out, calling to me,
250ἐξονομακλήδην, τότε γʼ ὕστατον, ἀχνύμενοι κῆρ.by my very name, that last time, in anguish of heart.
ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἐπὶ προβόλῳ ἁλιεὺς περιμήκεϊ ῥάβδῳAs when a fisherman on a jutting rock with his long pole
ἰχθύσι τοῖς ὀλίγοισι δόλον κατὰ εἴδατα βάλλωνcasts down his bait to trick the little fishes,
ἐς πόντον προΐησι βοὸς κέρας ἀγραύλοιο,and lets down into the sea the horn of a field-dwelling ox,
ἀσπαίροντα δʼ ἔπειτα λαβὼν ἔρριψε θύραζε,then catches one and flings it writhing onto the shore,
255ὣς οἵ γʼ ἀσπαίροντες ἀείροντο προτὶ πέτρας·so were they hoisted writhing up against the rocks;
αὐτοῦ δʼ εἰνὶ θύρῃσι κατήσθιε κεκληγῶταςand there at her doors she devoured them, shrieking,
χεῖρας ἐμοὶ ὀρέγοντας ἐν αἰνῇ δηιοτῆτι·reaching out their hands to me in the dread struggle;
οἴκτιστον δὴ κεῖνο ἐμοῖς ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιthat was the most pitiful sight I saw with my eyes
πάντων, ὅσσʼ ἐμόγησα πόρους ἁλὸς ἐξερεείνων.of all I suffered while exploring the pathways of the sea.
260αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πέτρας φύγομεν δεινήν τε ΧάρυβδινBut when we had fled the rocks and dread Charybdis
Σκύλλην τʼ, αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτα θεοῦ ἐς ἀμύμονα νῆσονand Scylla, straightaway then we came to the god's
ἱκόμεθʼ· ἔνθα δʼ ἔσαν καλαὶ βόες εὐρυμέτωποι,blameless island; there were the fine broad-browed cattle,
πολλὰ δὲ ἴφια μῆλʼ Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιο.and many fat flocks of Hyperion the Sun.
δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἔτι πόντῳ ἐὼν ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃThen, while still out at sea in the black ship,
265μυκηθμοῦ τʼ ἤκουσα βοῶν αὐλιζομενάωνI heard the lowing of the cattle in their stalls
οἰῶν τε βληχήν· καί μοι ἔπος ἔμπεσε θυμῷand the bleating of sheep; and there fell upon my heart the word
μάντηος ἀλαοῦ, Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο,of the blind prophet, Theban Tiresias,
Κίρκης τʼ Αἰαίης, ἥ μοι μάλα πόλλʼ ἐπέτελλεand of Aeaean Circe, who charged me strictly many times
νῆσον ἀλεύασθαι τερψιμβρότου Ἠελίοιο.to shun the island of the Sun who gladdens mortals.
270δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἑτάροισι μετηύδων ἀχνύμενος κῆρ·Then I spoke among my companions, grieving in my heart:
κέκλυτέ μευ μύθων κακά περ πάσχοντες
ἑταῖροι,"Hear my words, companions, for all the evils you endure,
ὄφρʼ ὑμῖν εἴπω μαντήια Τειρεσίαοso that I may tell you the prophecies of Tiresias
Κίρκης τʼ Αἰαίης, ἥ μοι μάλα πόλλʼ ἐπέτελλεand of Aeaean Circe, who charged me strictly many times
νῆσον ἀλεύασθαι τερψιμβρότου Ἠελίοιο·to shun the island of the Sun who gladdens mortals;
275ἔνθα γὰρ αἰνότατον κακὸν ἔμμεναι ἄμμιν ἔφασκεν.for there, she said, would be our most dreadful evil.
ἀλλὰ παρὲξ τὴν νῆσον ἐλαύνετε νῆα μέλαιναν.So drive the black ship on past the island."
ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δὲ κατεκλάσθη φίλον ἦτορ.So I spoke, and their dear hearts were broken within them.
αὐτίκα δʼ Εὐρύλοχος στυγερῷ μʼ ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·At once Eurylochus answered me with a hateful word:
σχέτλιός εἰς, Ὀδυσεῦ· περί τοι μένος, οὐδέ τι
γυῖα"You are hard, Odysseus; your strength is great, and your limbs
280κάμνεις· ἦ ῥά νυ σοί γε σιδήρεα πάντα τέτυκται,never tire; truly you are made all of iron,
ὅς ῥʼ ἑτάρους καμάτῳ ἁδηκότας ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνῳyou who will not let your comrades, worn out with toil and sleep,
οὐκ ἐάᾳς γαίης ἐπιβήμεναι, ἔνθα κεν αὖτεset foot on land, where once again upon
νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ λαρὸν τετυκοίμεθα δόρπον,this sea-girt island we might make a savory supper,
ἀλλʼ αὔτως διὰ νύκτα θοὴν ἀλάλησθαι ἄνωγαςbut you command us to wander through the swift night as we are,
285νήσου ἀποπλαγχθέντας ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳ.driven away from the island over the misty sea.
ἐκ νυκτῶν δʼ ἄνεμοι χαλεποί, δηλήματα νηῶν,And out of the nights the harsh winds are born, wreckers of ships;
γίγνονται· πῇ κέν τις ὑπεκφύγοι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον,how could a man escape from sheer destruction,
ἤν πως ἐξαπίνης ἔλθῃ ἀνέμοιο θύελλα,if suddenly a storm-blast of wind should come,
ἢ Νότου ἢ Ζεφύροιο δυσαέος, οἵ τε μάλισταof the South Wind or the ill-blowing West Wind, which above all
290νῆα διαρραίουσι θεῶν ἀέκητι ἀνάκτων.shatter a ship, even against the will of the lordly gods?
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι νῦν μὲν πειθώμεθα νυκτὶ μελαίνῃNo, let us now give way to the black night
δόρπον θʼ ὁπλισόμεσθα θοῇ παρὰ νηὶ μένοντες,and prepare our supper, staying beside the swift ship,
ἠῶθεν δʼ ἀναβάντες ἐνήσομεν εὐρέι πόντῳ.and at dawn we will embark and launch out on the broad sea."
ὣς ἔφατʼ Εὐρύλοχος, ἐπὶ δʼ ᾔνεον ἄλλοι ἑταῖροι.So spoke Eurylochus, and the other comrades approved.
295καὶ τότε δὴ γίγνωσκον ὃ δὴ κακὰ μήδετο δαίμων,And then I knew that some god was plotting evil,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·and I lifted my voice and spoke winged words to him:
Εὐρύλοχʼ, ἦ μάλα δή με βιάζετε μοῦνον ἐόντα."Eurylochus, truly you press me hard, being alone.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν μοι πάντες ὀμόσσατε καρτερὸν ὅρκον·But come now, all of you, swear me a strong oath:
εἴ κέ τινʼ ἠὲ βοῶν ἀγέλην ἢ πῶυ μέγʼ οἰῶνif we come upon some herd of cattle or great flock of sheep,
300εὕρωμεν, μή πού τις ἀτασθαλίῃσι κακῇσινlet no one in his wicked recklessness
ἢ βοῦν ἠέ τι μῆλον ἀποκτάνῃ· ἀλλὰ ἕκηλοιslaughter a single cow or sheep; but quietly
ἐσθίετε βρώμην, τὴν ἀθανάτη πόρε Κίρκη.eat the food that immortal Circe provided."
ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀπώμνυον, ὡς ἐκέλευον.So I spoke, and at once they swore, as I bade them.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ὄμοσάν τε τελεύτησάν τε τὸν ὅρκον,But when they had sworn and finished the oath,
305στήσαμεν ἐν λιμένι γλαφυρῷ ἐυεργέα νῆαwe moored our well-built ship in the hollow harbor
ἄγχʼ ὕδατος γλυκεροῖο, καὶ ἐξαπέβησαν ἑταῖροιnear sweet water, and my comrades went down
νηός, ἔπειτα δὲ δόρπον ἐπισταμένως τετύκοντο.from the ship, and then skillfully made ready their supper.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away desire for drink and food,
μνησάμενοι δὴ ἔπειτα φίλους ἔκλαιον ἑταίρους,then they wept, remembering their dear comrades
310οὓς ἔφαγε Σκύλλη γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἑλοῦσα·whom Scylla had snatched from the hollow ship and devoured;
κλαιόντεσσι δὲ τοῖσιν ἐπήλυθε νήδυμος ὕπνος.and as they wept, sweet sleep came over them.
ἦμος δὲ τρίχα νυκτὸς ἔην, μετὰ δʼ ἄστρα βεβήκει,But when it was the third watch of the night, and the stars had crossed over,
ὦρσεν ἔπι ζαῆν ἄνεμον νεφεληγερέτα ΖεὺςZeus who gathers the clouds roused a hard-blowing wind
λαίλαπι θεσπεσίῃ, σὺν δὲ νεφέεσσι κάλυψεwith a wondrous tempest, and with clouds he covered
315γαῖαν ὁμοῦ καὶ πόντον· ὀρώρει δʼ οὐρανόθεν νύξ.land and sea alike; and night rushed down from heaven.
ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,When early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
νῆα μὲν ὡρμίσαμεν κοῖλον σπέος εἰσερύσαντες.we hauled the ship up and moored it in a hollow cave.
ἔνθα δʼ ἔσαν νυμφέων καλοὶ χοροὶ ἠδὲ θόωκοι·There were the lovely dancing-floors of the nymphs and their seats;
καὶ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἀγορὴν θέμενος μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπον·and then I called an assembly and spoke among them:
320ὦ φίλοι, ἐν γὰρ νηὶ θοῇ βρῶσίς τε πόσις τε"Friends, since there is food and drink in the swift ship,
ἔστιν, τῶν δὲ βοῶν ἀπεχώμεθα, μή τι πάθωμεν·but let us keep away from the cattle, or some harm may come;
δεινοῦ γὰρ θεοῦ αἵδε βόες καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,for these are the cattle and fat flocks of a dread god,
Ἠελίου, ὃς πάντʼ ἐφορᾷ καὶ πάντʼ ἐπακούει.of Helios, who oversees all things and hears all things."
ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ.So I spoke, and their proud spirit was persuaded.
325μῆνα δὲ πάντʼ ἄλληκτος ἄη Νότος, οὐδέ τις ἄλλοςBut for a whole month the South Wind blew unceasing, nor did any other
γίγνετʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀνέμων εἰ μὴ Εὖρός τε Νότος τε.of the winds arise thereafter but the East Wind and the South.
οἱ δʼ ἧος μὲν σῖτον ἔχον καὶ οἶνον ἐρυθρόν,And as long as they had bread and red wine,
τόφρα βοῶν ἀπέχοντο λιλαιόμενοι βιότοιο.so long they kept from the cattle, longing to stay alive.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ νηὸς ἐξέφθιτο ἤια πάντα,But when all the ship's provisions had been spent,
330καὶ δὴ ἄγρην ἐφέπεσκον ἀλητεύοντες ἀνάγκῃ,and now of necessity they roamed and hunted for their catch,
ἰχθῦς ὄρνιθάς τε, φίλας ὅ τι χεῖρας ἵκοιτο,for fish and birds, whatever might come to their dear hands,
γναμπτοῖς ἀγκίστροισιν, ἔτειρε δὲ γαστέρα λιμός·with curved hooks, and hunger gnawed their bellies,
δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἀνὰ νῆσον ἀπέστιχον, ὄφρα θεοῖσινthen indeed I went up through the island, that to the gods
εὐξαίμην, εἴ τίς μοι ὁδὸν φήνειε νέεσθαι.I might pray, in hope one might show me a way to go home.
335ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ διὰ νήσου ἰὼν ἤλυξα ἑταίρους,But when, going through the island, I had escaped my comrades,
χεῖρας νιψάμενος, ὅθʼ ἐπὶ σκέπας ἦν ἀνέμοιο,I washed my hands, where there was shelter from the wind,
ἠρώμην πάντεσσι θεοῖς οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσιν·and prayed to all the gods who hold Olympus;
οἱ δʼ ἄρα μοι γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔχευαν.and they poured sweet sleep upon my eyelids.
Εὐρύλοχος δʼ ἑτάροισι κακῆς ἐξήρχετο βουλῆς·But Eurylochus set forth an evil counsel to his comrades:
340κέκλυτέ μευ μύθων κακά περ πάσχοντες
ἑταῖροι."Hear my words, comrades, for all your suffering.
πάντες μὲν στυγεροὶ θάνατοι δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσι,All deaths are hateful to wretched mortals,
λιμῷ δʼ οἴκτιστον θανέειν καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν.but to die of hunger and meet one's doom is the most pitiful.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ, Ἠελίοιο βοῶν ἐλάσαντες ἀρίσταςCome then, let us drive off the best of Helios' cattle
ῥέξομεν ἀθανάτοισι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν.and sacrifice to the immortals who hold the wide heaven.
345εἰ δέ κεν εἰς Ἰθάκην ἀφικοίμεθα, πατρίδα γαῖαν,And if we should reach Ithaca, our native land,
αἶψά κεν Ἠελίῳ Ὑπερίονι πίονα νηὸνat once we will build for Helios Hyperion a rich temple,
τεύξομεν, ἐν δέ κε θεῖμεν ἀγάλματα πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλά.and set in it many fine offerings.
εἰ δὲ χολωσάμενός τι βοῶν ὀρθοκραιράωνBut if in anger over his straight-horned cattle
νῆʼ ἐθέλῃ ὀλέσαι, ἐπὶ δʼ ἕσπωνται θεοὶ ἄλλοι,he wishes to destroy our ship, and the other gods go with him,
350βούλομʼ ἅπαξ πρὸς κῦμα χανὼν ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσαι,I would rather lose my life at one gulp against the wave
ἢ δηθὰ στρεύγεσθαι ἐὼν ἐν νήσῳ ἐρήμῃ.than waste away slowly, being on a desert island."
ὣς ἔφατʼ Εὐρύλοχος, ἐπὶ δʼ ᾔνεον ἄλλοι
ἑταῖροι.So spoke Eurylochus, and the rest of the comrades assented.
αὐτίκα δʼ Ἠελίοιο βοῶν ἐλάσαντες ἀρίσταςAt once they drove off the best of Helios' cattle
ἐγγύθεν, οὐ γὰρ τῆλε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιοfrom close by, for not far from the dark-prowed ship
355βοσκέσκονθʼ ἕλικες καλαὶ βόες εὐρυμέτωποι·the fine sleek broad-browed cattle were grazing;
τὰς δὲ περίστησάν τε καὶ εὐχετόωντο θεοῖσιν,and they stood around them and prayed to the gods,
φύλλα δρεψάμενοι τέρενα δρυὸς ὑψικόμοιο·plucking the tender leaves of a high-crowned oak;
οὐ γὰρ ἔχον κρῖ λευκὸν ἐυσσέλμου ἐπὶ νηός.for they had no white barley on the well-benched ship.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ εὔξαντο καὶ ἔσφαξαν καὶ ἔδειραν,But when they had prayed and slaughtered and flayed them,
360μηρούς τʼ ἐξέταμον κατά τε κνίσῃ ἐκάλυψανthey cut out the thigh-bones and covered them with fat,
δίπτυχα ποιήσαντες, ἐπʼ αὐτῶν δʼ ὠμοθέτησαν.folding them double, and laid raw flesh upon them.
οὐδʼ εἶχον μέθυ λεῖψαι ἐπʼ αἰθομένοις ἱεροῖσιν,They had no wine to pour over the burning offerings,
ἀλλʼ ὕδατι σπένδοντες ἐπώπτων ἔγκατα πάντα.but they made libation with water and roasted all the entrails.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μῆρʼ ἐκάη καὶ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο,But when the thigh-bones were burned and they had tasted the inner parts,
365μίστυλλόν τʼ ἄρα τἆλλα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὀβελοῖσιν ἔπειραν.they cut up the rest and pierced it on the spits.
καὶ τότε μοι βλεφάρων ἐξέσσυτο νήδυμος ὕπνος,And then sweet sleep rushed away from my eyelids,
βῆν δʼ ἰέναι ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης.and I set out to go to the swift ship and the shore of the sea.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦα κιὼν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης,But when as I went I was near the curved ship,
καὶ τότε με κνίσης ἀμφήλυθεν ἡδὺς ἀυτμή.then the sweet smell of the fat came drifting around me.
370οἰμώξας δὲ θεοῖσι μέγʼ ἀθανάτοισι γεγώνευν·And I groaned and cried aloud to the immortal gods:
Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδʼ ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν
ἐόντες,"Father Zeus, and you other blessed gods who live forever,
ἦ με μάλʼ εἰς ἄτην κοιμήσατε νηλέι ὕπνῳ.surely you lulled me to my ruin with pitiless sleep.
οἱ δʼ ἕταροι μέγα ἔργον ἐμητίσαντο μένοντες.My comrades staying behind have plotted a monstrous deed."
ὠκέα δʼ Ἠελίῳ Ὑπερίονι ἄγγελος ἦλθεAnd swiftly the messenger came to Helios Hyperion,
375Λαμπετίη τανύπεπλος, ὅ οἱ βόας ἔκταμεν ἡμεῖς.Lampetie of the trailing robe, that we had killed his cattle.
αὐτίκα δʼ ἀθανάτοισι μετηύδα χωόμενος κῆρ·At once he spoke among the immortals, angered at heart:
Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδʼ ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν
ἐόντες,"Father Zeus, and you other blessed gods who live forever,
τῖσαι δὴ ἑτάρους Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος,take vengeance now on the comrades of Odysseus, son of Laertes,
οἵ μευ βοῦς ἔκτειναν ὑπέρβιον, ᾗσιν ἐγώ γεwho have insolently killed my cattle, in which I myself
380χαίρεσκον μὲν ἰὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα,took joy as I went up into the starry heaven,
ἠδʼ ὁπότʼ ἂψ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἀπʼ οὐρανόθεν προτραποίμην.and when I turned back again to earth from heaven.
εἰ δέ μοι οὐ τίσουσι βοῶν ἐπιεικέʼ ἀμοιβήν,If they do not pay me fit recompense for the cattle,
δύσομαι εἰς Ἀίδαο καὶ ἐν νεκύεσσι φαείνω.I will go down into Hades and shine among the dead."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα
Ζεύς·Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered him and said:
385Ἠέλιʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν σὺ μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι φάεινε"Helios, shine on among the immortals still,
καὶ θνητοῖσι βροτοῖσιν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν·and among mortal men upon the grain-giving earth;
τῶν δέ κʼ ἐγὼ τάχα νῆα θοὴν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷas for these, soon I will strike their swift ship with a bright thunderbolt
τυτθὰ βαλὼν κεάσαιμι μέσῳ ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ.and shatter it to pieces in the midst of the wine-dark sea."
ταῦτα δʼ ἐγὼν ἤκουσα Καλυψοῦς ἠυκόμοιο·This I heard from Calypso of the lovely hair,
390ἡ δʼ ἔφη Ἑρμείαο διακτόρου αὐτὴ ἀκοῦσαι.and she said she had heard it herself from Hermes the guide.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ
θάλασσαν,But when I had come down to the ship and the sea,
νείκεον ἄλλοθεν ἄλλον ἐπισταδόν, οὐδέ τι μῆχοςI rebuked them, standing over one after another, but no remedy
εὑρέμεναι δυνάμεσθα, βόες δʼ ἀποτέθνασαν ἤδη.could we find, for the cattle were dead already.
τοῖσιν δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτα θεοὶ τέραα προύφαινον·And to them at once the gods showed forth portents:
395εἷρπον μὲν ῥινοί, κρέα δʼ ἀμφʼ ὀβελοῖσι μεμύκει,the hides crawled, and the flesh bellowed about the spits,
ὀπταλέα τε καὶ ὠμά, βοῶν δʼ ὣς γίγνετο φωνή.both roasted and raw, and there came a sound as of cattle.
ἑξῆμαρ μὲν ἔπειτα ἐμοὶ ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροιThen for six days my trusty companions
δαίνυντʼ Ἠελίοιο βοῶν ἐλάσαντες ἀρίστας·feasted, having driven off the best of Helios' cattle;
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἕβδομον ἦμαρ ἐπὶ Ζεὺς θῆκε Κρονίων,but when Zeus, son of Cronos, brought on the seventh day,
400καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτʼ ἄνεμος μὲν ἐπαύσατο λαίλαπι θύων,then the wind ceased raging in its tempest,
ἡμεῖς δʼ αἶψʼ ἀναβάντες ἐνήκαμεν εὐρέι πόντῳ,And we at once climbed aboard and put out on the broad sea,
ἱστὸν στησάμενοι ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λεύκʼ ἐρύσαντες.having raised the mast and hauled up the white sails.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τὴν νῆσον ἐλείπομεν, οὐδέ τις
ἄλληBut when we had left that island, and no other
φαίνετο γαιάων, ἀλλʼ οὐρανὸς ἠδὲ θάλασσα,land showed itself, but only sky and sea,
405δὴ τότε κυανέην νεφέλην ἔστησε Κρονίωνthen indeed the son of Cronos set a dark cloud
νηὸς ὕπερ γλαφυρῆς, ἤχλυσε δὲ πόντος ὑπʼ αὐτῆς.over the hollow ship, and beneath it the sea grew dark.
ἡ δʼ ἔθει οὐ μάλα πολλὸν ἐπὶ χρόνον· αἶψα γὰρ ἦλθεAnd she ran on not so very long a time; for at once there came
κεκληγὼς Ζέφυρος μεγάλῃ σὺν λαίλαπι θύων,shrieking Zephyrus, raging with a great tempest,
ἱστοῦ δὲ προτόνους ἔρρηξʼ ἀνέμοιο θύελλαand the blast of the wind snapped both the forestays
410ἀμφοτέρους· ἱστὸς δʼ ὀπίσω πέσεν, ὅπλα τε πάνταof the mast; and the mast fell backward, and all the tackle
εἰς ἄντλον κατέχυνθʼ. ὁ δʼ ἄρα πρυμνῇ ἐνὶ νηὶspilled into the bilge. And in the stern of the ship
πλῆξε κυβερνήτεω κεφαλήν, σὺν δʼ ὀστέʼ ἄραξεit struck the helmsman's head, and shattered together
πάντʼ ἄμυδις κεφαλῆς· ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ ἀρνευτῆρι ἐοικὼςall the bones of his skull; and like a diver
κάππεσʼ ἀπʼ ἰκριόφιν, λίπε δʼ ὀστέα θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ.he plunged from the deck, and his proud spirit left his bones.
415Ζεὺς δʼ ἄμυδις βρόντησε καὶ ἔμβαλε νηὶ κεραυνόν·And Zeus thundered at once and hurled his bolt on the ship;
ἡ δʼ ἐλελίχθη πᾶσα Διὸς πληγεῖσα κεραυνῷ,and she reeled all through, struck by the bolt of Zeus,
ἐν δὲ θεείου πλῆτο, πέσον δʼ ἐκ νηὸς ἑταῖροι.and she was filled with sulphur, and my companions fell from the ship.
οἱ δὲ κορώνῃσιν ἴκελοι περὶ νῆα μέλαινανAnd like sea-crows they were carried about the black ship
κύμασιν ἐμφορέοντο, θεὸς δʼ ἀποαίνυτο νόστον.upon the waves, and the god took away their homecoming.
420αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ διὰ νηὸς ἐφοίτων, ὄφρʼ ἀπὸ τοίχουςBut I kept ranging through the ship, until the surge
λῦσε κλύδων τρόπιος, τὴν δὲ ψιλὴν φέρε κῦμα,loosed the sides from the keel, and the wave bore it stripped bare,
ἐκ δέ οἱ ἱστὸν ἄραξε ποτὶ τρόπιν. αὐτὰρ ἐπʼ αὐτῷand it snapped the mast off against the keel. But upon it
ἐπίτονος βέβλητο, βοὸς ῥινοῖο τετευχώς·the backstay had been flung, fashioned of ox-hide;
τῷ ῥʼ ἄμφω συνέεργον, ὁμοῦ τρόπιν ἠδὲ καὶ ἱστόν,with this I lashed the two together, keel and mast alike,
425ἑζόμενος δʼ ἐπὶ τοῖς φερόμην ὀλοοῖς ἀνέμοισιν.and sitting upon them I was borne by the deadly winds.
ἔνθʼ ἦ τοι Ζέφυρος μὲν ἐπαύσατο λαίλαπι
θύων,Then indeed Zephyrus ceased raging in its tempest,
ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ Νότος ὦκα, φέρων ἐμῷ ἄλγεα θυμῷ,and Notus came on swiftly, bringing sorrows to my heart,
ὄφρʼ ἔτι τὴν ὀλοὴν ἀναμετρήσαιμι Χάρυβδιν.so that I should measure back again the deadly Charybdis.
παννύχιος φερόμην, ἅμα δʼ ἠελίῳ ἀνιόντιAll night I was borne along, and with the rising of the sun
430ἦλθον ἐπὶ Σκύλλης σκόπελον δεινήν τε Χάρυβδιν.I came to the crag of Scylla and dread Charybdis.
ἡ μὲν ἀνερροίβδησε θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ·She was sucking down the salt water of the sea;
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ ποτὶ μακρὸν ἐρινεὸν ὑψόσʼ ἀερθείς,but I, lifted high toward the tall fig tree,
τῷ προσφὺς ἐχόμην ὡς νυκτερίς. οὐδέ πῃ εἶχονclung close to it and held on like a bat. Nor could I anywhere
οὔτε στηρίξαι ποσὶν ἔμπεδον οὔτʼ ἐπιβῆναι·either plant my feet firmly or climb up onto it,
435ῥίζαι γὰρ ἑκὰς εἶχον, ἀπήωροι δʼ ἔσαν ὄζοι,for the roots stretched far off, and the branches hung aloft,
μακροί τε μεγάλοι τε, κατεσκίαον δὲ Χάρυβδιν.long and great, and they overshadowed Charybdis.
νωλεμέως δʼ ἐχόμην, ὄφρʼ ἐξεμέσειεν ὀπίσσωAnd I held on steadily, until she should vomit back again
ἱστὸν καὶ τρόπιν αὖτις· ἐελδομένῳ δέ μοι ἦλθονthe mast and keel; and to my longing they came
ὄψʼ· ἦμος δʼ ἐπὶ δόρπον ἀνὴρ ἀγορῆθεν ἀνέστηlate; at the hour when a man rises from the assembly for his supper,
440κρίνων νείκεα πολλὰ δικαζομένων αἰζηῶν,one who judges the many quarrels of contending young men,
τῆμος δὴ τά γε δοῦρα Χαρύβδιος ἐξεφαάνθη.then at that hour the timbers came to view out of Charybdis.
ἧκα δʼ ἐγὼ καθύπερθε πόδας καὶ χεῖρε φέρεσθαι,I let my feet and hands swing down to be carried away,
μέσσῳ δʼ ἐνδούπησα παρὲξ περιμήκεα δοῦρα,and I splashed down in the middle, beyond the great long timbers,
ἑζόμενος δʼ ἐπὶ τοῖσι διήρεσα χερσὶν ἐμῇσι.and sitting upon them I rowed onward with my own hands.
445Σκύλλην δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἔασε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τεAnd Scylla the father of men and gods no longer let
εἰσιδέειν· οὐ γάρ κεν ὑπέκφυγον αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.catch sight of me; else I would not have escaped sheer destruction.
ἔνθεν δʼ ἐννῆμαρ φερόμην, δεκάτῃ δέ με νυκτὶFrom there I was borne along nine days, and on the tenth night
νῆσον ἐς Ὠγυγίην πέλασαν θεοί, ἔνθα Καλυψὼthe gods brought me near to the island Ogygia, where Calypso
ναίει ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα,dwells, the lovely-haired, dread goddess with a human voice,
450ἥ μʼ ἐφίλει τʼ ἐκόμει τε. τί τοι τάδε μυθολογεύω;who loved me and cared for me. But why tell you this tale again?
ἤδη γάρ τοι χθιζὸς ἐμυθεόμην ἐνὶ οἴκῳFor only yesterday I told it in this house
σοί τε καὶ ἰφθίμῃ ἀλόχῳ· ἐχθρὸν δέ μοί ἐστινto you and to your noble wife; and it is hateful to me
αὖτις ἀριζήλως εἰρημένα μυθολογεύειν.to tell over again a story once clearly told.