1ἡ δʼ εἰς εὐρύχορον Λακεδαίμονα Παλλὰς ἈθήνηBut she to Lacedaemon of the wide dancing-grounds, Pallas Athena,
ᾤχετʼ, Ὀδυσσῆος μεγαθύμου φαίδιμον υἱὸνwent, to remind the shining son of great-hearted Odysseus
νόστου ὑπομνήσουσα καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι.of his homecoming, and to urge him to return.
εὗρε δὲ Τηλέμαχον καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸν υἱὸνShe found Telemachus and the glorious son of Nestor
5εὕδοντʼ ἐν προδόμῳ Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο,sleeping in the forecourt of glorious Menelaus—
ἦ τοι Νεστορίδην μαλακῷ δεδμημένον ὕπνῳ·Nestor's son at least subdued by gentle sleep,
Τηλέμαχον δʼ οὐχ ὕπνος ἔχε γλυκύς, ἀλλʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷbut no sweet sleep held Telemachus; within his heart
νύκτα διʼ ἀμβροσίην μελεδήματα πατρὸς ἔγειρεν.through the ambrosial night his cares for his father kept him waking.
ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱσταμένη προσέφη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·And standing near him grey-eyed Athena spoke:
10Τηλέμαχʼ, οὐκέτι καλὰ δόμων ἄπο τῆλʼ
ἀλάλησαι,Telemachus, no longer is it good to wander far from home,
κτήματά τε προλιπὼν ἄνδρας τʼ ἐν σοῖσι δόμοισινleaving your goods behind and men within your house
οὕτω ὑπερφιάλους· μή τοι κατὰ πάντα φάγωσιso overweening; beware they do not eat up all
κτήματα δασσάμενοι, σὺ δὲ τηϋσίην ὁδὸν ἔλθῃς.your goods, dividing them, and you have gone your journey in vain.
ἀλλʼ ὄτρυνε τάχιστα βοὴν ἀγαθὸν ΜενέλαονBut quickly urge Menelaus, good at the war cry,
15πεμπέμεν, ὄφρʼ ἔτι οἴκοι ἀμύμονα μητέρα τέτμῃς.to send you off, so you may still find your blameless mother at home.
ἤδη γάρ ῥα πατήρ τε κασίγνητοί τε κέλονταιFor already her father and her brothers command her
Εὐρυμάχῳ γήμασθαι· ὁ γὰρ περιβάλλει ἅπανταςto marry Eurymachus; for he surpasses all
μνηστῆρας δώροισι καὶ ἐξώφελλεν ἔεδνα·the suitors with gifts and has increased his bride-price.
μή νύ τι σεῦ ἀέκητι δόμων ἐκ κτῆμα φέρηται.Beware lest against your will some treasure be carried from the house.
20οἶσθα γὰρ οἷος θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι γυναικός·For you know what sort of heart is in a woman's breast:
κείνου βούλεται οἶκον ὀφέλλειν ὅς κεν ὀπυίῃ,she wishes to increase the house of the man who weds her,
παίδων δὲ προτέρων καὶ κουριδίοιο φίλοιοand of her former children and her own dear husband,
οὐκέτι μέμνηται τεθνηκότος οὐδὲ μεταλλᾷ.dead now, she no longer thinks, nor asks about them.
ἀλλὰ σύ γʼ ἐλθὼν αὐτὸς ἐπιτρέψειας ἕκασταBut go yourself and entrust each thing
25δμῳάων ἥ τίς τοι ἀρίστη φαίνεται εἶναι,to whichever of your handmaids seems to you the best,
εἰς ὅ κέ τοι φήνωσι θεοὶ κυδρὴν παράκοιτιν.until the gods reveal to you a glorious wife.
ἄλλο δέ τοί τι ἔπος ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο θυμῷ.And another word I will tell you, and lay it up in your heart.
μνηστήρων σʼ ἐπιτηδὲς ἀριστῆες λοχόωσινThe noblest of the suitors purposely lie in wait for you
ἐν πορθμῷ Ἰθάκης τε Σάμοιό τε παιπαλοέσσης.in the strait between Ithaca and rugged Samos,
30ἱέμενοι κτεῖναι, πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι.eager to kill you before you reach your fathers' land.
ἀλλὰ τά γʼ οὐκ ὀΐω· πρὶν καί τινα γαῖα καθέξειBut I do not think so; sooner shall the earth cover some
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, οἵ τοι βίοτον κατέδουσιν.of the suitor men, who devour your living.
ἀλλὰ ἑκὰς νήσων ἀπέχειν εὐεργέα νῆα,But keep your well-built ship far off from the islands,
νυκτὶ δʼ ὁμῶς πλείειν· πέμψει δέ τοι οὖρον ὄπισθενand sail by night as well; a fair wind behind you
35ἀθανάτων ὅς τίς σε φυλάσσει τε ῥύεταί τε.whichever of the immortals guards you and protects you will send.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν πρώτην ἀκτὴν Ἰθάκης ἀφίκηαι,But when you have reached the first headland of Ithaca,
νῆα μὲν ἐς πόλιν ὀτρῦναι καὶ πάντας ἑταίρους,send the ship on to the city with all your companions,
αὐτὸς δὲ πρώτιστα συβώτην εἰσαφικέσθαι,but you yourself first of all go to the swineherd,
ὅς τοι ὑῶν ἐπίουρος, ὁμῶς δέ τοι ἤπια οἶδεν.who keeps your pigs and is kindly disposed toward you.
40ἔνθα δὲ νύκτʼ ἀέσαι· τὸν δʼ ὀτρῦναι πόλιν εἴσωThere pass the night; and send him into the city
ἀγγελίην ἐρέοντα περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,to bear the news to prudent Penelope,
οὕνεκά οἱ σῶς ἐσσὶ καὶ ἐκ Πύλου εἰλήλουθας.that you are safe and have come back from Pylos.
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,So she spoke, and departed to high Olympus,
αὐτὰρ ὁ Νεστορίδην ἐξ ἡδέος ὕπνου ἔγειρενbut he woke the son of Nestor from his sweet sleep,
45λὰξ ποδὶ κινήσας, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν·stirring him with a nudge of his foot, and spoke to him:
ἔγρεο, Νεστορίδη Πεισίστρατε, μώνυχας ἵππους"Wake, son of Nestor, Peisistratus, and lead out
ζεῦξον ὑφʼ ἅρματʼ ἄγων, ὄφρα πρήσσωμεν ὁδοῖο.the single-hooved horses under the yoke, that we may make our way."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Νεστορίδης Πεισίστρατος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then the son of Nestor, Peisistratus, answered him:
Τηλέμαχʼ, οὔ πως ἔστιν ἐπειγομένους περ ὁδοῖο"Telemachus, there is no way, however we press for the road,
50νύκτα διὰ δνοφερὴν ἐλάαν· τάχα δʼ ἔσσεται ἠώς.to drive through the murky night; soon it will be dawn.
ἀλλὰ μένʼ εἰς ὅ κε δῶρα φέρων ἐπιδίφρια θήῃBut wait until the hero, son of Atreus, brings his gifts
ἥρως Ἀτρείδης, δουρικλειτὸς Μενέλαος,and sets them in the car, Menelaus famed for the spear,
καὶ μύθοις ἀγανοῖσι παραυδήσας ἀποπέμψῃ.and speeds you on your way with gentle words.
τοῦ γάρ τε ξεῖνος μιμνήσκεται ἤματα πάνταFor a guest remembers all his days
55ἀνδρὸς ξεινοδόκου, ὅς κεν φιλότητα παράσχῃ.the host who has shown him kindness."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.So he spoke, and at once came Dawn on her golden throne.
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφʼ ἦλθε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος,And Menelaus, good at the war cry, came near to them,
ἀνστὰς ἐξ εὐνῆς, Ἑλένης πάρα καλλικόμοιο.risen from his bed, from the side of fair-haired Helen.
τὸν δʼ ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός,And when the dear son of Odysseus saw him,
60σπερχόμενός ῥα χιτῶνα περὶ χροῒ σιγαλόενταhastily he pulled about his body the gleaming tunic,
δῦνεν, καὶ μέγα φᾶρος ἐπὶ στιβαροῖς βάλετʼ ὤμοιςand threw a great cloak over his sturdy shoulders,
ἥρως, βῆ δὲ θύραζε, παριστάμενος δὲ προσηύδαthe hero, and went out the door, and standing near him spoke,
Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο·Telemachus, the dear son of godlike Odysseus:
Ἀτρεΐδη Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,"Son of Atreus, Menelaus, cherished by Zeus, leader of men,
65ἤδη νῦν μʼ ἀπόπεμπε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν·now send me back to my own native land,
ἤδη γάρ μοι θυμὸς ἐέλδεται οἴκαδʼ ἱκέσθαι.for now my heart longs to reach my home."
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος·Then Menelaus, good at the war cry, answered him:
Τηλέμαχʼ, οὔ τί σʼ ἐγώ γε πολὺν χρόνον ἐνθάδʼ ἐρύξω"Telemachus, I will not hold you here a long time
ἱέμενον νόστοιο· νεμεσσῶμαι δὲ καὶ ἄλλῳwhen you long for your return; I feel resentment at another man too,
70ἀνδρὶ ξεινοδόκῳ, ὅς κʼ ἔξοχα μὲν φιλέῃσιν,a host, who is excessive in his fondness,
ἔξοχα δʼ ἐχθαίρῃσιν· ἀμείνω δʼ αἴσιμα πάντα.and excessive in his dislike; all things in measure are best.
ἶσόν τοι κακόν ἐσθʼ, ὅς τʼ οὐκ ἐθέλοντα νέεσθαιIt is an equal evil, the man who urges on a guest
ξεῖνον ἐποτρύνει καὶ ὃς ἐσσύμενον κατερύκει.unwilling to go, and the one who holds back a guest eager to leave.
χρὴ ξεῖνον παρεόντα φιλεῖν, ἐθέλοντα δὲ πέμπειν.A man should love the guest who is present, and send off the one who wishes to go.
75ἀλλὰ μένʼ εἰς ὅ κε δῶρα φέρων ἐπιδίφρια θείωBut wait until I bring the gifts and set them in the car,
καλά, σὺ δʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδῃς, εἴπω δὲ γυναιξὶfine gifts, and you see them with your own eyes, and I tell the women
δεῖπνον ἐνὶ μεγάροις τετυκεῖν ἅλις ἔνδον ἐόντων.to make ready a meal in the halls from the plenty within.
ἀμφότερον, κῦδός τε καὶ ἀγλαΐη καὶ ὄνειαρ,It is both an honor and a glory and a benefit,
δειπνήσαντας ἴμεν πολλὴν ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν.to have dined before going over the wide, boundless earth.
80εἰ δʼ ἐθέλεις τραφθῆναι ἀνʼ Ἑλλάδα καὶ μέσον Ἄργος,But if you wish to turn aside through Hellas and mid-Argos,
ὄφρα τοι αὐτὸς ἕπωμαι, ὑποζεύξω δέ τοι ἵππους,so that I myself may go with you, and yoke your horses,
ἄστεα δʼ ἀνθρώπων ἡγήσομαι· οὐδέ τις ἡμέαςand guide you to the cities of men; and no one
αὔτως ἀππέμψει, δώσει δέ τι ἕν γε φέρεσθαι,will send us off empty, but will give some one thing to carry,
ἠέ τινα τριπόδων εὐχάλκων ἠὲ λεβήτων,either a tripod of fine bronze or a cauldron,
85ἠὲ δύʼ ἡμιόνους ἠὲ χρύσειον ἄλεισον.or a pair of mules, or a golden drinking-cup.
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
Ἀτρεΐδη Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,"Menelaus, son of Atreus, nurtured of Zeus, leader of peoples,
βούλομαι ἤδη νεῖσθαι ἐφʼ ἡμέτερʼ· οὐ γὰρ ὄπισθενI wish now to return to my own home; for behind me
οὖρον ἰὼν κατέλειπον ἐπὶ κτεάτεσσιν ἐμοῖσιν·I left no guardian, when I came, over my possessions;
90μὴ πατέρʼ ἀντίθεον διζήμενος αὐτὸς ὄλωμαι,I fear that, seeking my godlike father, I myself may perish,
ἤ τί μοι ἐκ μεγάρων κειμήλιον ἐσθλὸν ὄληται.or some fine treasure be lost to me out of my halls."
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γʼ ἄκουσε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος,But when Menelaus, good at the war-cry, heard this,
αὐτίκʼ ἄρʼ ᾗ ἀλόχῳ ἠδὲ δμῳῇσι κέλευσεat once he ordered his wife and the serving-women
δεῖπνον ἐνὶ μεγάροις τετυκεῖν ἅλις ἔνδον ἐόντων.to make ready a meal in the halls from the plenty within.
95ἀγχίμολον δέ οἱ ἦλθε Βοηθοΐδης Ἐτεωνεύς,And Eteoneus, son of Boethous, came close to him,
ἀνστὰς ἐξ εὐνῆς, ἐπεὶ οὐ πολὺ ναῖεν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ·risen from his bed, for he lived not far from him;
τὸν πῦρ κῆαι ἄνωγε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς ΜενέλαοςMenelaus, good at the war-cry, bade him kindle a fire
ὀπτῆσαί τε κρεῶν· ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ οὐκ ἀπίθησεν ἀκούσας.and roast some meat; and hearing, he did not disobey.
αὐτὸς δʼ ἐς θάλαμον κατεβήσετο κηώεντα,And he himself went down into the fragrant storeroom,
100οὐκ οἶος, ἅμα τῷ γʼ Ἑλένη κίε καὶ Μεγαπένθης.not alone: Helen went with him, and Megapenthes.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἵκανον ὅθι κειμήλια κεῖτο,But when they came to where the treasures lay,
Ἀτρεΐδης μὲν ἔπειτα δέπας λάβεν ἀμφικύπελλον,then the son of Atreus took up a two-handled cup,
υἱὸν δὲ κρητῆρα φέρειν Μεγαπένθεʼ ἄνωγενand bade his son Megapenthes carry a mixing-bowl
ἀργύρεον· Ἑλένη δὲ παρίστατο φωριαμοῖσιν,of silver; and Helen stood beside the chests
105ἔνθʼ ἔσαν οἱ πέπλοι παμποίκιλοι, οὓς κάμεν αὐτή.where lay her robes, richly embroidered, which she herself had made.
τῶν ἕνʼ ἀειραμένη Ἑλένη φέρε, δῖα γυναικῶν,Lifting up one of them, Helen carried it, that woman divine,
ὃς κάλλιστος ἔην ποικίλμασιν ἠδὲ μέγιστος,the one most beautiful in its embroideries and the largest,
ἀστὴρ δʼ ὣς ἀπέλαμπεν· ἔκειτο δὲ νείατος ἄλλων.and it shone like a star; it lay lowest of the others.
βὰν δʼ ἰέναι προτέρω διὰ δώματος, ἧος ἵκοντοThen they went on farther through the house, until they reached
110Τηλέμαχον· τὸν δὲ προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος·Telemachus; and fair-haired Menelaus spoke to him:
Τηλέμαχʼ, ἦ τοι νόστον, ὅπως φρεσὶ σῇσι μενοινᾷς,"Telemachus, may your return, just as you desire it in your heart,
ὥς τοι Ζεὺς τελέσειεν, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης.so may Zeus accomplish it for you, the loud-thundering husband of Hera.
δώρων δʼ, ὅσσʼ ἐν ἐμῷ οἴκῳ κειμήλια κεῖται,And of the gifts, as many treasures as lie in my house,
δώσω ὃ κάλλιστον καὶ τιμηέστατόν ἐστι.I will give you the one that is fairest and most honored.
115δώσω τοι κρητῆρα τετυγμένον· ἀργύρεος δὲI will give you a mixing-bowl, well-wrought; and it is all
ἐστὶν ἅπας, χρυσῷ δʼ ἐπὶ χείλεα κεκράανται,of silver, and its rims are finished with gold,
ἔργον δʼ Ἡφαίστοιο· πόρεν δέ ἑ Φαίδιμος ἥρως,the work of Hephaestus; the hero Phaedimus gave it,
Σιδονίων βασιλεύς, ὅθʼ ἑὸς δόμος ἀμφεκάλυψεthe king of the Sidonians, when his house sheltered
κεῖσέ με νοστήσαντα· τεῒν δʼ ἐθέλω τόδʼ ὀπάσσαι.me on my journey there; and I wish to give it to you."
120ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χειρὶ τίθει δέπας ἀμφικύπελλονSo speaking, he placed in his hand the two-handled cup,
ἥρως Ἀτρεΐδης· ὁ δʼ ἄρα κρητῆρα φαεινὸνthe hero son of Atreus; and then the shining mixing-bowl
θῆκʼ αὐτοῦ προπάροιθε φέρων κρατερὸς Μεγαπένθης,strong Megapenthes brought and set before him there,
ἀργύρεον· Ἑλένη δὲ παρίστατο καλλιπάρῃοςthe silver one; and Helen of the lovely cheeks stood by
πέπλον ἔχουσʼ ἐν χερσίν, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·holding a robe in her hands, and she spoke and called out to him:
125δῶρόν τοι καὶ ἐγώ, τέκνον φίλε, τοῦτο
δίδωμι,"I too give you this gift, dear child,
μνῆμʼ Ἑλένης χειρῶν, πολυηράτου ἐς γάμου ὥρην,a keepsake of Helen's hands, for the hour of your longed-for wedding,
σῇ ἀλόχῳ φορέειν· τῆος δὲ φίλῃ παρὰ μητρὶfor your bride to wear; till then let it lie beside your dear mother
κείσθω ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ. σὺ δέ μοι χαίρων ἀφίκοιοin the hall. And may you come rejoicing
οἶκον ἐϋκτίμενον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.to your well-built house and to your native land."
130ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ἐν χερσὶ τίθει, ὁ δʼ ἐδέξατο χαίρων.So speaking she laid it in his hands, and he took it rejoicing.
καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐς πείρινθα τίθει Πεισίστρατος ἥρωςAnd these the hero Peisistratus took and set them
δεξάμενος, καὶ πάντα ἑῷ θηήσατο θυμῷ·in the wicker chest, and marveled at them all in his heart;
τοὺς δʼ ἦγε πρὸς δῶμα κάρη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος.and fair-haired Menelaus led them to the house.
ἑζέσθην δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε.Then they two sat down on the chairs and thrones.
135χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσαAnd a handmaid brought water and poured it over their hands
καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,from a fair golden pitcher, into a silver basin,
νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.for washing; and beside them she drew up a polished table.
σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα·And the honored housekeeper brought bread and set it before them,
εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων·laying on many dishes, gracious with her store;
140πὰρ δὲ Βοηθοΐδης κρέα δαίετο καὶ νέμε μοίρας·and beside them the son of Boethous carved the meat and divided the portions,
οἰνοχόει δʼ υἱὸς Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο.and the son of glorious Menelaus poured the wine.
οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.And they put forth their hands to the good things lying ready before them.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away the desire for drink and food,
δὴ τότε Τηλέμαχος καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸς υἱὸςthen indeed Telemachus and the shining son of Nestor
145ἵππους τε ζεύγνυντʼ ἀνά θʼ ἅρματα ποικίλʼ ἔβαινον,yoked the horses and mounted the inlaid chariot,
ἐκ δʼ ἔλασαν προθύροιο καὶ αἰθούσης ἐριδούπου.and drove out from the forecourt and the echoing portico.
τοὺς δὲ μετʼ Ἀτρεΐδης ἔκιε ξανθὸς Μενέλαος,And after them went the son of Atreus, fair-haired Menelaus,
οἶνον ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ μελίφρονα δεξιτερῆφι,holding in his right hand honey-hearted wine
ἐν δέπαϊ χρυσέῳ, ὄφρα λείψαντε κιοίτην.in a golden cup, that they might pour libation before they went.
150στῆ δʼ ἵππων προπάροιθε, δεδισκόμενος δὲ προσηύδα·He stood before the horses and, drinking their health, spoke:
χαίρετον, ὦ κούρω, καὶ Νέστορι ποιμένι λαῶν"Farewell, you young men, and give my greeting to Nestor, shepherd of the people;
εἰπεῖν· ἦ γὰρ ἐμοί γε πατὴρ ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν,for truly he was gentle to me as a father,
ἧος ἐνὶ Τροίῃ πολεμίζομεν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.while we sons of the Achaeans made war in Troy."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·And thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
155καὶ λίην κείνῳ γε, διοτρεφές, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,"Indeed to him, nurtured of Zeus, just as you say,
πάντα τάδʼ ἐλθόντες καταλέξομεν· αἲ γὰρ ἐγὼν ὣςwe will recount all this on our coming; and would that I,
νοστήσας Ἰθάκηνδε, κιχὼν Ὀδυσῆʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,returning to Ithaca, might find Odysseus in his house
εἴποιμʼ ὡς παρὰ σεῖο τυχὼν φιλότητος ἁπάσηςand tell him how I come from you, having met with all kindness,
ἔρχομαι, αὐτὰρ ἄγω κειμήλια πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλά.and bring with me many fine treasures."
160ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις,As he spoke thus, a bird flew by on the right,
αἰετὸς ἀργὴν χῆνα φέρων ὀνύχεσσι πέλωρον,an eagle, carrying in its talons a great white goose,
ἥμερον ἐξ αὐλῆς· οἱ δʼ ἰΰζοντες ἕποντοa tame one from the yard; and shouting they followed after,
ἀνέρες ἠδὲ γυναῖκες· ὁ δέ σφισιν ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼνmen and women; but the bird, coming near to them,
δεξιὸς ἤϊξε πρόσθʼ ἵππων· οἱ δὲ ἰδόντεςdarted off to the right before the horses; and they, seeing it,
165γήθησαν, καὶ πᾶσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸς ἰάνθη.rejoiced, and in the breast of each the heart grew warm.
τοῖσι δὲ Νεστορίδης Πεισίστρατος ἤρχετο μύθων·And among them Nestor's son Peisistratus began to speak:
φράζεο δή, Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,"Consider now, Menelaus, nurtured of Zeus, leader of the people,
ἢ νῶϊν τόδʼ ἔφηνε θεὸς τέρας ἦε σοὶ αὐτῷ.whether the god has shown this sign for us two or for yourself."
ὣς φάτο, μερμήριξε δʼ ἀρηΐφιλος Μενέλαος,So he spoke, and Menelaus, dear to Ares, pondered
170ὅππως οἱ κατὰ μοῖραν ὑποκρίναιτο νοήσας.how, taking thought, he might rightly interpret it for them.
τὸν δʼ Ἑλένη τανύπεπλος ὑποφθαμένη φάτο μῦθον·But Helen of the trailing robes forestalled him with her word:
κλῦτέ μευ· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μαντεύσομαι, ὡς ἐνὶ
θυμῷ"Hear me; for I will prophesy, as in my heart
ἀθάνατοι βάλλουσι καὶ ὡς τελέεσθαι ὀΐω.the immortals cast it and as I think it will be fulfilled.
ὡς ὅδε χῆνʼ ἥρπαξʼ ἀτιταλλομένην ἐνὶ οἴκῳAs this eagle snatched the goose reared in the house,
175ἐλθὼν ἐξ ὄρεος, ὅθι οἱ γενεή τε τόκος τε,coming from the mountain, where his breed and offspring are,
ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς κακὰ πολλὰ παθὼν καὶ πόλλʼ ἐπαληθεὶςso shall Odysseus, having suffered much and wandered far,
οἴκαδε νοστήσει καὶ τίσεται· ἠὲ καὶ ἤδηcome home and take his vengeance; or even now he is
οἴκοι, ἀτὰρ μνηστῆρσι κακὸν πάντεσσι φυτεύει.at home, and sows the seed of evil for all the suitors."
τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·And thoughtful Telemachus answered her in turn:
180οὕτω νῦν Ζεὺς θείη, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης·"So may Zeus now grant it, the loud-thundering lord of Hera;
τῷ κέν τοι καὶ κεῖθι θεῷ ὣς εὐχετοῴμην.then even there I would pray to you as to a god."
ἦ καὶ ἐφʼ ἵπποιϊν μάστιν βάλεν· οἱ δὲ μάλʼ ὦκαHe spoke, and laid the whip on the horses; and swiftly they
ἤϊξαν πεδίονδε διὰ πτόλιος μεμαῶτες.darted toward the plain, eager, through the city.
οἱ δὲ πανημέριοι σεῖον ζυγὸν ἀμφὶς ἔχοντες.And all day long they shook the yoke they held between them.
185δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί·And the sun set and all the ways grew dark;
ἐς Φηρὰς δʼ ἵκοντο Διοκλῆος ποτὶ δῶμα,and they came to Pherae, to the house of Diocles,
υἱέος Ὀρτιλόχοιο, τὸν Ἀλφειὸς τέκε παῖδα.son of Ortilochus, whom Alpheus begot as his child.
ἔνθα δὲ νύκτʼ ἄεσαν ὁ δὲ τοῖς πὰρ ξείνια θῆκεν.There they slept the night, and he set gifts of friendship beside them.
ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,When early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
190ἵππους τε ζεύγνυντʼ ἀνά θʼ ἅρματα ποικίλʼ ἔβαινον,they yoked the horses and mounted the inlaid chariot,
ἐκ δʼ ἔλασαν προθύροιο καὶ αἰθούσης ἐριδούπου·and drove out from the gateway and the echoing colonnade;
μάστιξεν δʼ ἐλάαν, τὼ δʼ οὐκ ἄκοντε πετέσθην.he flicked them to a run, and the pair flew on, not unwilling.
αἶψα δʼ ἔπειθʼ ἵκοντο Πύλου αἰπὺ πτολίεθρον·And soon then they came to the steep citadel of Pylos;
καὶ τότε Τηλέμαχος προσεφώνεε Νέστορος υἱόν·and then Telemachus spoke to the son of Nestor:
195Νεστορίδη, πῶς κέν μοι ὑποσχόμενος τελέσειας"Son of Nestor, how might you promise and fulfill for me
μῦθον ἐμόν; ξεῖνοι δὲ διαμπερὲς εὐχόμεθʼ εἶναιthis word of mine? We claim to be guest-friends forever
ἐκ πατέρων φιλότητος, ἀτὰρ καὶ ὁμήλικές εἰμεν·through our fathers' love, and we are of one age besides;
ἥδε δʼ ὁδὸς καὶ μᾶλλον ὁμοφροσύνῃσιν ἐνήσει.and this journey will bring us still more to one mind.
μή με παρὲξ ἄγε νῆα, διοτρεφές, ἀλλὰ λίπʼ αὐτοῦ,Do not take me past my ship, nurtured of Zeus, but leave me there,
200μή μʼ ὁ γέρων ἀέκοντα κατάσχῃ ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳlest the old man keep me in his house against my will,
ἱέμενος φιλέειν· ἐμὲ δὲ χρεὼ θᾶσσον ἱκέσθαι.eager to show me kindness—but I must reach home more quickly."
ὣς φάτο, Νεστορίδης δʼ ἄρʼ ἑῷ συμφράσσατο θυμῷ,So he spoke, and Nestor's son took counsel in his heart,
ὅππως οἱ κατὰ μοῖραν ὑποσχόμενος τελέσειεν.how he might rightly promise and fulfill it for him.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι·And to him, pondering, this seemed the better course:
205στρέψʼ ἵππους ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης,he turned the horses toward the swift ship and the sea's shore,
νηῒ δʼ ἐνὶ πρύμνῃ ἐξαίνυτο κάλλιμα δῶρα,and by the ship's stern he set down the beautiful gifts,
ἐσθῆτα χρυσόν τε, τά οἱ Μενέλαος ἔδωκε·the clothing and the gold that Menelaus had given,
καί μιν ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and urging him on he spoke winged words:
σπουδῇ νῦν ἀνάβαινε κέλευέ τε πάντας
ἑταίρους,"Board quickly now, and order all your companions,
210πρὶν ἐμὲ οἴκαδʼ ἱκέσθαι ἀπαγγεῖλαί τε γέροντι.before I reach home and tell the old man of it.
εὖ γὰρ ἐγὼ τόδε οἶδα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν·For well I know this in my mind and in my heart:
οἷος κείνου θυμὸς ὑπέρβιος, οὔ σε μεθήσει,such is his overbearing spirit, he will not let you go,
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸς καλέων δεῦρʼ εἴσεται, οὐδέ ἕ φημιbut he himself will come here calling you, and I say he will not
ἂψ ἰέναι κενεόν· μάλα γὰρ κεχολώσεται ἔμπης.go back empty-handed—he will be very angry all the same."
215ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἔλασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππουςSo having spoken, he drove the fair-maned horses
ἂψ Πυλίων εἰς ἄστυ, θοῶς δʼ ἄρα δώμαθʼ ἵκανε.back to the Pylians' city, and swiftly reached the halls.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνων ἐκέλευσεν·And Telemachus urged and commanded his companions:
ἐγκοσμεῖτε τὰ τεύχεʼ, ἑταῖροι, νηῒ μελαίνῃ,"Set the gear in order, companions, in the black ship,
αὐτοί τʼ ἀμβαίνωμεν, ἵνα πρήσσωμεν ὁδοῖο.and let us go aboard ourselves, that we may make our journey."
220ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδʼ
ἐπίθοντο,So he spoke, and they listened well to him and obeyed,
αἶψα δʼ ἄρʼ εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῗσι καθῖζον.and at once they went aboard and sat down at the oarlocks.
ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν τὰ πονεῖτο καὶ εὔχετο, θῦε δʼ ἈθήνῃNow he was busy with these things and praying, sacrificing to Athena
νηῒ πάρα πρυμνῇ· σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἤλυθεν ἀνὴρbeside the ship's stern, when there came near to him a man
τηλεδαπός, φεύγων ἐξ Ἄργεος ἄνδρα κατακτάς,from a far country, fleeing out of Argos, having killed a man,
225μάντις· ἀτὰρ γενεήν γε Μελάμποδος ἔκγονος ἦεν,a seer; and by descent he was a son of Melampus,
ὃς πρὶν μέν ποτʼ ἔναιε Πύλῳ ἔνι, μητέρι μήλων,who once had lived in Pylos, the mother of flocks,
ἀφνειὸς Πυλίοισι μέγʼ ἔξοχα δώματα ναίων·a rich man among the Pylians, dwelling in a great house;
δὴ τότε γʼ ἄλλων δῆμον ἀφίκετο, πατρίδα φεύγωνbut then he came to the land of others, fleeing his fatherland
Νηλέα τε μεγάθυμον, ἀγαυότατον ζωόντων,and great-hearted Neleus, the noblest of the living,
230ὅς οἱ χρήματα πολλὰ τελεσφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτὸνwho by force held much wealth of his for a full year's turning.
εἶχε βίῃ. ὁ δὲ τῆος ἐνὶ μεγάροις ΦυλάκοιοMeanwhile that other lay in the halls of Phylacus
δεσμῷ ἐν ἀργαλέῳ δέδετο, κρατέρʼ ἄλγεα πάσχωνbound in a grievous bond, suffering strong pains,
εἵνεκα Νηλῆος κούρης ἄτης τε βαρείης,for the sake of Neleus' daughter and the heavy blindness
τήν οἱ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ δασπλῆτις Ἐρινύς.that the goddess, the dread Fury, laid upon his mind.
235ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἔκφυγε κῆρα καὶ ἤλασε βοῦς ἐριμύκουςBut he escaped his doom and drove the loud-lowing cattle
ἐς Πύλον ἐκ Φυλάκης καὶ ἐτίσατο ἔργον ἀεικὲςfrom Phylace to Pylos, and avenged the shameful deed
ἀντίθεον Νηλῆα, κασιγνήτῳ δὲ γυναῖκαon godlike Neleus, and led the woman as bride
ἠγάγετο πρὸς δώμαθʼ. ὁ δʼ ἄλλων ἵκετο δῆμον,to his brother's house. And he himself came to the land of others,
Ἄργος ἐς ἱππόβοτον· τόθι γάρ νύ οἱ αἴσιμον ἦενto horse-pasturing Argos; for there it was his fate
240ναιέμεναι πολλοῖσιν ἀνάσσοντʼ Ἀργείοισινto dwell, lording over many of the Argives;
ἔνθα δʼ ἔγημε γυναῖκα καὶ ὑψερεφὲς θέτο δῶμα,There he married a wife and set up his high-roofed house,
γείνατο δʼ Ἀντιφάτην καὶ Μάντιον, υἷε κραταιώ.and fathered Antiphates and Mantius, two mighty sons.
Ἀντιφάτης μὲν ἔτικτεν Ὀϊκλῆα μεγάθυμον,Antiphates begot great-hearted Oicles,
αὐτὰρ Ὀϊκλείης λαοσσόον Ἀμφιάραον,and Oicles begot Amphiaraus, rouser of hosts,
245ὃν περὶ κῆρι φίλει Ζεύς τʼ αἰγίοχος καὶ Ἀπόλλωνwhom Zeus of the aegis and Apollo loved in their hearts
παντοίην φιλότητʼ· οὐδʼ ἵκετο γήραος οὐδόν,with love of every kind; yet he never reached the threshold of old age,
ἀλλʼ ὄλετʼ ἐν Θήβῃσι γυναίων εἵνεκα δώρων.but perished in Thebes for the sake of a woman's gifts.
τοῦ δʼ υἱεῖς ἐγένοντʼ Ἀλκμαίων Ἀμφίλοχός τε.And his sons were Alcmaeon and Amphilochus.
Μάντιος αὖ τέκετο Πολυφείδεά τε Κλεῖτόν τε·Mantius in turn begot Polypheides and Cleitus;
250ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι Κλεῖτον χρυσόθρονος ἥρπασεν Ἠὼςbut golden-throned Dawn snatched away Cleitus
κάλλεος εἵνεκα οἷο, ἵνʼ ἀθανάτοισι μετείη·for the sake of his beauty, that he might dwell among the immortals;
αὐτὰρ ὑπέρθυμον Πολυφείδεα μάντιν Ἀπόλλωνand high-hearted Polypheides Apollo made
θῆκε βροτῶν ὄχʼ ἄριστον, ἐπεὶ θάνεν Ἀμφιάραος·a seer, far the best of mortals, when Amphiaraus had died;
ὅς ῥʼ Ὑπερησίηνδʼ ἀπενάσσατο πατρὶ χολωθείς,he it was who migrated to Hyperesia, angered at his father,
255ἔνθʼ ὅ γε ναιετάων μαντεύετο πᾶσι βροτοῖσιν.and dwelling there he prophesied to all mortals.
τοῦ μὲν ἄρʼ υἱὸς ἐπῆλθε, Θεοκλύμενος δʼ ὄνομʼ
ἦεν,It was this man's son who came, Theoclymenus by name,
ὃς τότε Τηλεμάχου πέλας ἵστατο· τὸν δʼ ἐκίχανενwho now stood near Telemachus; and he found him
σπένδοντʼ εὐχόμενόν τε θοῇ παρὰ νηῒ μελαίνῃ,pouring libation and praying beside the swift black ship,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and he spoke to him and addressed him with winged words:
260ὦ φίλʼ, ἐπεί σε θύοντα κιχάνω τῷδʼ ἐνὶ χώρῳ,"Friend, since I find you making sacrifice in this place,
λίσσομʼ ὑπὲρ θυέων καὶ δαίμονος, αὐτὰρ ἔπειταI beseech you by your offerings and your god, and then
σῆς τʼ αὐτοῦ κεφαλῆς καὶ ἑταίρων, οἵ τοι ἕπονται,by your own head and by your comrades who follow you,
εἰπέ μοι εἰρομένῳ νημερτέα μηδʼ ἐπικεύσῃς·tell me truly what I ask and do not conceal it:
τίς πόθεν εἶς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ τοκῆες;Who among men are you, and from where? Where is your city and your parents?"
265τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω."Well then, stranger, I will tell you the whole truth.
ἐξ Ἰθάκης γένος εἰμί, πατὴρ δέ μοί ἐστιν Ὀδυσσεύς,By birth I am from Ithaca, and my father is Odysseus,
εἴ ποτʼ ἔην· νῦν δʼ ἤδη ἀπέφθιτο λυγρῷ ὀλέθρῳ.if ever he was; but now he has died a wretched death.
τοὔνεκα νῦν ἑτάρους τε λαβὼν καὶ νῆα μέλαινανThat is why now, taking comrades and a black ship,
270ἦλθον πευσόμενος πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο.I have come to ask about my father, long gone away."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής·Then godlike Theoclymenus spoke to him in turn:
οὕτω τοι καὶ ἐγὼν ἐκ πατρίδος, ἄνδρα κατακτὰς"So I too am far from my homeland, for I killed a man
ἔμφυλον· πολλοὶ δὲ κασίγνητοί τε ἔται τεof my own tribe; and many are his brothers and kinsmen
Ἄργος ἀνʼ ἱππόβοτον, μέγα δὲ κρατέουσιν Ἀχαιῶν.through horse-pasturing Argos, and they hold great power over the Achaeans.
275τῶν ὑπαλευάμενος θάνατον καὶ κῆρα μέλαινανFleeing death from them and the black doom,
φεύγω, ἐπεί νύ μοι αἶσα κατʼ ἀνθρώπους ἀλάλησθαι.I go my way, since it is my lot to wander among men.
ἀλλά με νηὸς ἔφεσσαι, ἐπεί σε φυγὼν ἱκέτευσα,But set me aboard your ship, since I fled and came as suppliant,
μή με κατακτείνωσι· διωκέμεναι γὰρ ὀΐω.lest they kill me; for I think they are in pursuit."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
280οὐ μὲν δή σʼ ἐθέλοντά γʼ ἀπώσω νηὸς ἐΐσης,"I will surely not thrust you away, willing as you are, from my balanced ship;
ἀλλʼ ἕπευ· αὐτὰρ κεῖθι φιλήσεαι, οἷά κʼ ἔχωμεν.but come; there you shall be entertained with what we have."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας οἱ ἐδέξατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,So he spoke, and took from him the bronze spear,
καὶ τό γʼ ἐπʼ ἰκριόφιν τάνυσεν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης·and laid it along the deck of the balanced ship,
ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς νηὸς ἐβήσετο ποντοπόροιο.and himself climbed aboard the seafaring vessel.
285ἐν πρύμνῃ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα καθέζετο, πὰρ δὲ οἷ αὐτῷThen he sat down in the stern, and beside himself
εἷσε Θεοκλύμενον· τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔλυσαν.he seated Theoclymenus; and they loosed the stern cables.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσενAnd Telemachus urged his companions and commanded them
ὅπλων ἅπτεσθαι· τοὶ δʼ ἐσσυμένως ἐπίθοντο.to lay hold of the tackle; and eagerly they obeyed.
ἱστὸν δʼ εἰλάτινον κοίλης ἔντοσθε μεσόδμηςThe pine mast they lifted and set within the hollow box,
290στῆσαν ἀείραντες, κατὰ δὲ προτόνοισιν ἔδησαν,and raised it upright, and made it fast with forestays,
ἕλκον δʼ ἱστία λευκὰ ἐϋστρέπτοισι βοεῦσι.and hauled up the white sail with well-twisted oxhide ropes.
τοῖσιν δʼ ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,And grey-eyed Athena sent them a favoring wind,
λάβρον ἐπαιγίζοντα διʼ αἰθέρος, ὄφρα τάχισταblowing strong through the bright air, so that fastest of all
νηῦς ἀνύσειε θέουσα θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ.the ship in her running might make her way through the salt water of the sea.
295βὰν δὲ παρὰ Κρουνοὺς καὶ Χαλκίδα καλλιρέεθρον.They ran past Crouni and Chalcis of the fair streams.
δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί·The sun went down and all the ways grew dark;
ἡ δὲ Φεὰς ἐπέβαλλεν ἐπειγομένη Διὸς οὔρῳand she made for Pheae, driven by the wind of Zeus,
ἠδὲ παρʼ Ἤλιδα δῖαν, ὅθι κρατέουσιν Ἐπειοί.and past bright Elis, where the Epeans hold sway.
ἔνθεν δʼ αὖ νήσοισιν ἐπιπροέηκε θοῇσιν,From there he steered again toward the swift islands,
300ὁρμαίνων ἤ κεν θάνατον φύγοι ἦ κεν ἁλώῃ.pondering whether he would escape death or be taken.
τὼ δʼ αὖτʼ ἐν κλισίῃ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸςMeanwhile the two, Odysseus and the godlike swineherd,
δορπείτην· παρὰ δέ σφιν ἐδόρπεον ἀνέρες ἄλλοι.were taking supper; and beside them the other men supped too.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away the desire for drink and food,
τοῖς δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς μετέειπε, συβώτεω πειρητίζων,Odysseus spoke among them, making trial of the swineherd,
305ἤ μιν ἔτʼ ἐνδυκέως φιλέοι μεῖναί τε κελεύοιwhether he would still show him kindly welcome and bid him stay
αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ σταθμῷ, ἦ ὀτρύνειε πόλινδε·there at the steading, or would urge him to the city:
κέκλυθι νῦν, Εὔμαιε, καὶ ἄλλοι πάντες
ἑταῖροι·"Hear me now, Eumaeus, and all you other companions.
ἠῶθεν προτὶ ἄστυ λιλαίομαι ἀπονέεσθαιAt dawn I am eager to make my way to the town
πτωχεύσων, ἵνα μή σε κατατρύχω καὶ ἑταίρους.to beg, so that I may not wear you and your comrades down.
310ἀλλά μοι εὖ θʼ ὑπόθευ καὶ ἅμʼ ἡγεμόνʼ ἐσθλὸν ὄπασσονBut counsel me well, and grant me a good guide besides
ὅς κέ με κεῖσʼ ἀγάγῃ· κατὰ δὲ πτόλιν αὐτὸς ἀνάγκῃwho may lead me there; and through the city I myself, of necessity,
πλάγξομαι, αἴ κέν τις κοτύλην καὶ πύρνον ὀρέξῃ.must wander, in hope someone will offer a cup and a crust.
καί κʼ ἐλθὼν πρὸς δώματʼ Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιοAnd coming to the house of godlike Odysseus,
ἀγγελίην εἴποιμι περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,I might tell my news to prudent Penelope,
315καί κε μνηστήρεσσιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μιγείην,and mingle among the overbearing suitors,
εἴ μοι δεῖπνον δοῖεν ὀνείατα μυρίʼ ἔχοντες.in case they might give me a meal, having good things past counting.
αἶψά κεν εὖ δρώοιμι μετὰ σφίσιν ἅσσʼ ἐθέλοιεν.Quickly I would serve them well in whatever they might want.
ἐκ γάρ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον·For I will tell you, and you mark it and hear me:
Ἑρμείαο ἕκητι διακτόρου, ὅς ῥά τε πάντωνby the grace of Hermes the guide, who upon all
320ἀνθρώπων ἔργοισι χάριν καὶ κῦδος ὀπάζει,men's works bestows favor and glory,
δρηστοσύνῃ οὐκ ἄν μοι ἐρίσσειε βροτὸς ἄλλος,no other mortal could rival me in service,
πῦρ τʼ εὖ νηῆσαι διά τε ξύλα δανὰ κεάσσαι,in laying a fire well, in splitting dry wood,
δαιτρεῦσαί τε καὶ ὀπτῆσαι καὶ οἰνοχοῆσαι,in carving meat and roasting it and pouring wine—
οἷά τε τοῖς ἀγαθοῖσι παραδρώωσι χέρηες.such tasks as lesser men perform for the great.
325τὸν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then, deeply troubled, you answered him, Eumaeus the swineherd:
ὤ μοι, ξεῖνε, τίη τοι ἐνὶ φρεσὶ τοῦτο νόημα"Ah me, stranger, why has this notion come
ἔπλετο; ἦ σύ γε πάγχυ λιλαίεαι αὐτόθʼ ὀλέσθαι.into your mind? You must be longing utterly to perish there,
εἰ δὴ μνηστήρων ἐθέλεις καταδῦναι ὅμιλον,if you truly wish to plunge into the throng of suitors,
τῶν ὕβρις τε βίη τε σιδήρεον οὐρανὸν ἵκει.whose outrage and violence reach to the iron sky.
330οὔ τοι τοιοίδʼ εἰσὶν ὑποδρηστῆρες ἐκείνων,Not such as you are the servants who wait upon them,
ἀλλὰ νέοι, χλαίνας εὖ εἱμένοι ἠδὲ χιτῶνας,but young men, well clothed in cloaks and tunics,
αἰεὶ δὲ λιπαροὶ κεφαλὰς καὶ καλὰ πρόσωπα,their heads and handsome faces always gleaming,
οἵ σφιν ὑποδρώωσιν· ἐΰξεστοι δὲ τράπεζαιthese are the ones who serve them; and the polished tables
σίτου καὶ κρειῶν ἠδʼ οἴνου βεβρίθασιν.are laden with bread and meat and wine.
335ἀλλὰ μένʼ· οὐ γάρ τίς τοι ἀνιᾶται παρεόντι,No, stay here; no one is vexed by your presence,
οὔτʼ ἐγὼ οὔτε τις ἄλλος ἑταίρων, οἵ μοι ἔασιν.neither I nor any other of the comrades I have with me.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἔλθῃσιν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός,But when the dear son of Odysseus comes,
κεῖνός σε χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματα ἕσσει,he will clothe you in a cloak and tunic, in garments,
πέμψει δʼ ὅππη σε κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει.and send you wherever your heart and spirit bid you go."
340τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus answered him:
αἴθʼ οὕτως, Εὔμαιε, φίλος Διὶ πατρὶ γένοιο"May you be as dear to Zeus the father, Eumaeus,
ὡς ἐμοί, ὅττι μʼ ἔπαυσας ἄλης καὶ ὀϊζύος αἰνῆς.as you are to me, for you have stopped my wandering and dread misery.
πλαγκτοσύνης δʼ οὐκ ἔστι κακώτερον ἄλλο βροτοῖσιν·Nothing is worse for mortals than a life of roaming;
ἀλλʼ ἕνεκʼ οὐλομένης γαστρὸς κακὰ κήδεʼ ἔχουσινbut for the sake of the accursed belly men bear
345ἀνέρες, ὅν τινʼ ἵκηται ἄλη καὶ πῆμα καὶ ἄλγος.cruel troubles, whoever is beset by wandering and pain and grief.
νῦν δʼ ἐπεὶ ἰσχανάᾳς μεῖναι τέ με κεῖνον ἄνωγας,But now, since you detain me and bid me wait for him,
εἴπʼ ἄγε μοι περὶ μητρὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιοcome, tell me about the mother of godlike Odysseus,
πατρός θʼ, ὃν κατέλειπεν ἰὼν ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ,and his father, whom he left behind at the threshold of old age:
ἤ που ἔτι ζώουσιν ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο,are they perhaps still alive beneath the rays of the sun,
350ἦ ἤδη τεθνᾶσι καὶ εἰν Ἀΐδαο δόμοισι.or already dead and in the house of Hades?"
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν·Then the swineherd answered him, that leader of men:
τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω."Well then, stranger, I will tell you the whole truth exactly.
Λαέρτης μὲν ἔτι ζώει, Διὶ δʼ εὔχεται αἰεὶLaertes is still alive, but always he prays to Zeus
θυμὸν ἀπὸ μελέων φθίσθαι οἷς ἐν μεγάροισιν·that the life may waste from his limbs within his halls;
355ἐκπάγλως γὰρ παιδὸς ὀδύρεται οἰχομένοιοfor terribly he grieves for his son, gone from home,
κουριδίης τʼ ἀλόχοιο δαΐφρονος, ἥ ἑ μάλισταand for his wedded wife, wise-hearted, whose death above all
ἤκαχʼ ἀποφθιμένη καὶ ἐν ὠμῷ γήραϊ θῆκεν.has broken him and cast him into raw old age.
ἡ δʼ ἄχεϊ οὗ παιδὸς ἀπέφθιτο κυδαλίμοιο,And she wasted away in grief for her glorious son,
λευγαλέῳ θανάτῳ, ὡς μὴ θάνοι ὅς τις ἐμοί γεby a wretched death—may no man so die who dwells
360ἐνθάδε ναιετάων φίλος εἴη καὶ φίλα ἔρδοι.here beside me as a friend and does me kindly deeds.
ὄφρα μὲν οὖν δὴ κείνη ἔην, ἀχέουσά περ ἔμπης,Now while she still was living, grieving though she was,
τόφρα τί μοι φίλον ἔσκε μεταλλῆσαι καὶ ἐρέσθαι,it was dear to me to ask her questions and inquire,
οὕνεκά μʼ αὐτὴ θρέψεν ἅμα Κτιμένῃ τανυπέπλῳ,since she herself had raised me beside Ctimene of the long robes,
θυγατέρʼ ἰφθίμῃ, τὴν ὁπλοτάτην τέκε παίδων·her stately daughter, the youngest of the children she bore;
365τῇ ὁμοῦ ἐτρεφόμην, ὀλίγον δέ τί μʼ ἧσσον ἐτίμα.with her I was reared, and she honored me only a little less.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἥβην πολυήρατον ἱκόμεθʼ ἄμφω,But when we both had come to lovely youth,
τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα Σάμηνδʼ ἔδοσαν καὶ μυρίʼ ἕλοντο,they gave her then to Same and took countless gifts,
αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματʼ ἐκείνηwhile as for me, that lady clothed me in cloak and tunic,
καλὰ μάλʼ ἀμφιέσασα, ποσὶν δʼ ὑποδήματα δοῦσαgarments very fine, and gave me sandals for my feet,
370ἀγρόνδε προΐαλλε· φίλει δέ με κηρόθι μᾶλλον.and sent me to the fields; but in her heart she loved me more.
νῦν δʼ ἤδη τούτων ἐπιδεύομαι· ἀλλά μοι αὐτῷNow I go without these things; yet for myself
ἔργον ἀέξουσιν μάκαρες θεοὶ ᾧ ἐπιμίμνω·the blessed gods make prosper the work I stay to do;
τῶν ἔφαγόν τʼ ἔπιόν τε καὶ αἰδοίοισιν ἔδωκα.of this I eat and drink and give to those I honor.
ἐκ δʼ ἄρα δεσποίνης οὐ μείλιχον ἔστιν ἀκοῦσαιBut from my mistress there is nothing gentle to be heard,
375οὔτʼ ἔπος οὔτε τι ἔργον, ἐπεὶ κακὸν ἔμπεσεν οἴκῳ,no word, no deed, since evil fell upon the house,
ἄνδρες ὑπερφίαλοι· μέγα δὲ δμῶες χατέουσινthose overweening men; and greatly the servants long
ἀντία δεσποίνης φάσθαι καὶ ἕκαστα πυθέσθαιto speak before their mistress and learn each thing,
καὶ φαγέμεν πιέμεν τε, ἔπειτα δὲ καί τι φέρεσθαιto eat and drink, and afterward to carry something
ἀγρόνδʼ, οἷά τε θυμὸν ἀεὶ δμώεσσιν ἰαίνει.off to the fields—such things as ever warm a servant's heart."
380τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and spoke:
ὢ πόποι, ὡς ἄρα τυτθὸς ἐών, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα,"Well now, Eumaeus, swineherd, how small you were
πολλὸν ἀπεπλάγχθης σῆς πατρίδος ἠδὲ τοκήων.when you were driven far from your homeland and your parents.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,But come, tell me this, and recount it to me exactly:
ἠὲ διεπράθετο πτόλις ἀνδρῶν εὐρυάγυια,was it sacked, the wide-wayed city of men,
385ᾗ ἔνι ναιετάασκε πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ,in which your father and your lady mother dwelt,
ἦ σέ γε μουνωθέντα παρʼ οἴεσιν ἢ παρὰ βουσὶνor did enemy men, when you were left alone by the sheep
ἄνδρες δυσμενέες νηυσὶν λάβον ἠδʼ ἐπέρασσανor by the cattle, seize you at the ships and sell you
τοῦδʼ ἀνδρὸς πρὸς δώμαθʼ, ὁ δʼ ἄξιον ὦνον ἔδωκε.to this man's house, and he paid a worthy price?"
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν·Then the swineherd answered him, that leader of men:
390ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ ἂρ δὴ ταῦτά μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς,"Stranger, since you ask me these things and inquire,
σιγῇ νῦν ξυνίει καὶ τέρπεο, πῖνέ τε οἶνονlisten now in silence and take delight, and drink your wine
ἥμενος. αἵδε δὲ νύκτες ἀθέσφατοι· ἔστι μὲν εὕδειν,as you sit. These nights are endless: there is time to sleep,
ἔστι δὲ τερπομένοισιν ἀκούειν· οὐδέ τί σε χρή,and time to take delight in listening; nor is there need
πρὶν ὥρη, καταλέχθαι· ἀνίη καὶ πολὺς ὕπνος.for you to lie down before the hour: too much sleep is a weariness.
395τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ὅτινα κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀνώγει,As for the others, let whoever's heart and spirit bid him
εὑδέτω ἐξελθών· ἅμα δʼ ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιgo out and sleep; and at the showing of the dawn,
δειπνήσας ἅμʼ ὕεσσιν ἀνακτορίῃσιν ἑπέσθω.when he has breakfasted, let him follow the master's swine.
νῶϊ δʼ ἐνὶ κλισίῃ πίνοντέ τε δαινυμένω τεBut we two in the hut, drinking and feasting,
κήδεσιν ἀλλήλων τερπώμεθα λευγαλέοισι,will take delight in each other's grievous sorrows,
400μνωομένω· μετὰ γάρ τε καὶ ἄλγεσι τέρπεται ἀνήρ,remembering them; for a man takes delight even in his pains,
ὅς τις δὴ μάλα πολλὰ πάθῃ καὶ πόλλʼ ἐπαληθῇ.whoever has suffered many things and wandered far.
τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέω ὅ μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς.But this I will tell you, since you ask me and inquire.
νῆσός τις Συρίη κικλήσκεται, εἴ που ἀκούεις,There is an island called Syria, if perhaps you have heard,
Ὀρτυγίης καθύπερθεν, ὅθι τροπαὶ ἠελίοιο,above Ortygia, where the sun turns back,
405οὔ τι περιπληθὴς λίην τόσον, ἀλλʼ ἀγαθὴ μέν,not so very crowded with people, but a good land,
εὔβοτος, εὔμηλος, οἰνοπληθής, πολύπυρος.rich in cattle, rich in sheep, full of wine, and heavy with wheat.
πείνη δʼ οὔ ποτε δῆμον ἐσέρχεται, οὐδέ τις ἄλληFamine never enters that country, nor does any other
νοῦσος ἐπὶ στυγερὴ πέλεται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν·hateful sickness come upon wretched mortals;
ἀλλʼ ὅτε γηράσκωσι πόλιν κάτα φῦλʼ ἀνθρώπων,but when the tribes of men grow old throughout the city,
410ἐλθὼν ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων Ἀρτέμιδι ξὺνApollo of the silver bow comes with Artemis
οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχόμενος κατέπεφνεν.and slays them, stealing on them with his gentle arrows.
ἔνθα δύω πόλιες, δίχα δέ σφισι πάντα δέδασται·There are two cities there, and all is divided between them;
τῇσιν δʼ ἀμφοτέρῃσι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐμβασίλευε,and over both my father ruled as king,
Κτήσιος Ὀρμενίδης, ἐπιείκελος ἀθανάτοισιν.Ctesius son of Ormenus, a man like the immortals.
415ἔνθα δὲ Φοίνικες ναυσίκλυτοι ἤλυθον ἄνδρες,And there came Phoenician men, famed for their ships,
τρῶκται, μυρίʼ ἄγοντες ἀθύρματα νηῒ μελαίνῃ.greedy rogues, bringing a thousand trinkets in their black ship.
ἔσκε δὲ πατρὸς ἐμοῖο γυνὴ Φοίνισσʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,Now in my father's house there was a Phoenician woman,
καλή τε μεγάλη τε καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα ἰδυῖα·fair and tall, and skilled in glorious handiwork;
τὴν δʼ ἄρα Φοίνικες πολυπαίπαλοι ἠπερόπευον.and the crafty Phoenicians beguiled her.
420πλυνούσῃ τις πρῶτα μίγη κοίλῃ παρὰ νηῒFirst one of them lay with her, as she washed clothes by the hollow ship,
εὐνῇ καὶ φιλότητι, τά τε φρένας ἠπεροπεύειin love and the bed, things that beguile the minds
θηλυτέρῃσι γυναιξί, καὶ ἥ κʼ εὐεργὸς ἔῃσιν.of womankind, even one who works with skill.
εἰρώτα δὴ ἔπειτα τίς εἴη καὶ πόθεν ἔλθοι·Then he asked her who she was and from where she came;
ἡ δὲ μάλʼ αὐτίκα πατρὸς ἐπέφραδεν ὑψερεφὲς δῶ·and at once she pointed to my father's high-roofed house:
425ἐκ μὲν Σιδῶνος πολυχάλκου εὔχομαι εἶναι,'From Sidon rich in bronze I declare that I am,
κούρη δʼ εἴμʼ Ἀρύβαντος ἐγὼ ῥυδὸν ἀφνειοῖο·and I am the daughter of Arybas, a man of streaming wealth;
ἀλλά μʼ ἀνήρπαξαν Τάφιοι ληΐστορες ἄνδρεςbut Taphian men, raiders, snatched me away
ἀγρόθεν ἐρχομένην, πέρασαν δέ τε δεῦρʼ ἀγαγόντεςas I came from the fields, and brought me here and sold me
τοῦδʼ ἀνδρὸς πρὸς δώμαθʼ· ὁ δʼ ἄξιον ὦνον ἔδωκε.to this man's house; and he paid a fitting price.'
430τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπεν ἀνήρ, ὃς ἐμίσγετο
λάθρη·Then the man who had lain with her in secret said to her:
ἦ ῥά κε νῦν πάλιν αὖτις ἅμʼ ἡμῖν οἴκαδʼ ἕποιο,'Would you now come back home with us again,
ὄφρα ἴδῃ πατρὸς καὶ μητέρος ὑψερεφὲς δῶso that you might see the high-roofed house of your father and mother
αὐτούς τʼ; ἦ γὰρ ἔτʼ εἰσὶ καὶ ἀφνειοὶ καλέονται.and them as well? For they still live and are called wealthy.'
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε γυνὴ καὶ ἀμείβετο
μύθῳ·Then the woman answered him and spoke in reply:
435εἴη κεν καὶ τοῦτʼ, εἴ μοι ἐθέλοιτέ γε, ναῦται,'This too could be, if you sailors would swear an oath to me
ὅρκῳ πιστωθῆναι ἀπήμονά μʼ οἴκαδʼ ἀπάξειν.to bring me home unharmed.'
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπώμνυον ὡς
ἐκέλευεν.So she spoke, and they all swore as she commanded.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ὄμοσάν τε τελεύτησάν τε τὸν ὅρκον,But when they had sworn and completed the oath,
τοῖς δʼ αὖτις μετέειπε γυνὴ καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ·the woman spoke among them again and answered in reply:
440σιγῇ νῦν, μή τίς με προσαυδάτω ἐπέεσσιν'Be silent now, and let none of you address me with words
ὑμετέρων ἑτάρων, ξυμβλήμενος ἢ ἐν ἀγυιῇ,of your company, meeting me either in the street,
ἤ που ἐπὶ κρήνῃ· μή τις ποτὶ δῶμα γέροντιor perhaps at the well; let no one go to the house
ἐλθὼν ἐξείπῃ, ὁ δʼ ὀϊσάμενος καταδήσῃand tell the old man, in case he suspects and binds me
δεσμῷ ἐν ἀργαλέῳ, ὑμῖν δʼ ἐπιφράσσετʼ ὄλεθρον.in painful bonds, and plots destruction for you all.
445ἀλλʼ ἔχετʼ ἐν φρεσὶ μῦθον, ἐπείγετε δʼ ὦνον ὁδαίων.But keep the plan in your minds, and hurry the trade for your cargo.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε κεν δὴ νηῦς πλείη βιότοιο γένηται,And when the ship is laden full with provisions,
ἀγγελίη μοι ἔπειτα θοῶς ἐς δώμαθʼ ἱκέσθω·then let a message come swiftly to me at the house;
οἴσω γὰρ καὶ χρυσόν, ὅτις χʼ ὑποχείριος ἔλθῃ·for I will bring gold too, whatever comes to hand;
καὶ δέ κεν ἄλλʼ ἐπίβαθρον ἐγὼν ἐθέλουσά γε δοίην.and I would gladly give something else as passage-fare.
450παῖδα γὰρ ἀνδρὸς ἑῆος ἐνὶ μεγάροις ἀτιτάλλω,For I am raising in the halls the child of my good master,
κερδαλέον δὴ τοῖον, ἅμα τροχόωντα θύραζε·a clever boy, running along already at my side out of doors;
τόν κεν ἄγοιμʼ ἐπὶ νηός, ὁ δʼ ὑμῖν μυρίον ὦνονhim I could bring aboard the ship, and he would fetch you
ἄλφοι, ὅπῃ περάσητε κατʼ ἀλλοθρόους ἀνθρώπους.a boundless price, wherever you sell him among men of foreign speech.'
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ἀπέβη πρὸς δώματα καλά,So she spoke, and went away to the beautiful house,
455οἱ δʼ ἐνιαυτὸν ἅπαντα παρʼ ἡμῖν αὖθι μένοντεςand they, remaining there with us the whole year through,
ἐν νηῒ γλαφυρῇ βίοτον πολὺν ἐμπολόωντο.traded much livelihood into their hollow ship.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ κοίλη νηῦς ἤχθετο τοῖσι νέεσθαι,But when the hollow ship was laden for them to sail,
καὶ τότʼ ἄρʼ ἄγγελον ἧκαν, ὃς ἀγγείλειε γυναικί.then they sent a messenger to bring word to the woman.
ἤλυθʼ ἀνὴρ πολύϊδρις ἐμοῦ πρὸς δώματα πατρὸςA crafty man came to my father's house
460χρύσεον ὅρμον ἔχων, μετὰ δʼ ἠλέκτροισιν ἔερτο.bearing a golden necklace, strung with amber beads.
τὸν μὲν ἄρʼ ἐν μεγάρῳ δμῳαὶ καὶ πότνια μήτηρThe serving-women in the hall and my honored mother
χερσίν τʼ ἀμφαφόωντο καὶ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶντο,turned it in their hands and gazed on it with their eyes,
ὦνον ὑπισχόμεναι· ὁ δὲ τῇ κατένευσε σιωπῇ.offering a price; and he nodded to her in silence.
ἦ τοι ὁ καννεύσας κοίλην ἐπὶ νῆα βεβήκει,Indeed when he had nodded he went off to the hollow ship,
465ἡ δʼ ἐμὲ χειρὸς ἑλοῦσα δόμων ἐξῆγε θύραζε.and she took me by the hand and led me out of the house.
εὗρε δʼ ἐνὶ προδόμῳ ἠμὲν δέπα ἠδὲ τραπέζαςIn the forecourt she found the cups and the tables
ἀνδρῶν δαιτυμόνων, οἵ μευ πατέρʼ ἀμφεπένοντο.of the men who were feasting, who attended on my father.
οἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐς θῶκον πρόμολον, δήμοιό τε φῆμιν,They had gone off to the session and the people's council,
ἡ δʼ αἶψα τρίʼ ἄλεισα κατακρύψασʼ ὑπὸ κόλπῳand she quickly hid three goblets in the fold of her gown
470ἔκφερεν· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἑπόμην ἀεσιφροσύνῃσι.and carried them out; and I followed in my childish folly.
δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος, σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί·The sun went down, and all the ways grew shadowed;
ἡμεῖς δʼ ἐς λιμένα κλυτὸν ἤλθομεν ὦκα κιόντες,and we came swiftly, hurrying on, to the famous harbor,
ἔνθʼ ἄρα Φοινίκων ἀνδρῶν ἦν ὠκύαλος νηῦς.where lay the swift-sailing ship of the Phoenician men.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀναβάντες ἐπέπλεον ὑγρὰ κέλευθα,They then went aboard and sailed the watery ways,
475νὼ ἀναβησάμενοι· ἐπὶ δὲ Ζεὺς οὖρον ἴαλλεν.taking the two of us on board; and Zeus sent a fair wind.
ἑξῆμαρ μὲν ὁμῶς πλέομεν νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ·For six days we sailed alike by night and by day;
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἕβδομον ἦμαρ ἐπὶ Ζεὺς θῆκε Κρονίων,but when Zeus the son of Cronos brought on the seventh day,
τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα γυναῖκα βάλʼ Ἄρτεμις ἰοχέαιρα,then Artemis who showers arrows struck down the woman,
ἄντλῳ δʼ ἐνδούπησε πεσοῦσʼ ὡς εἰναλίη κήξ.and she fell with a splash into the bilge like a sea-gull.
480καὶ τὴν μὲν φώκῃσι καὶ ἰχθύσι κύρμα γενέσθαιAnd they threw her out to be prey for seals and fishes,
ἔκβαλον· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ λιπόμην ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ·threw her out; and I was left with an aching heart.
τοὺς δʼ Ἰθάκῃ ἐπέλασσε φέρων ἄνεμός τε καὶ ὕδωρ,And wind and water carried them and brought them to Ithaca,
ἔνθα με Λαέρτης πρίατο κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖσιν.and there Laertes bought me with his own possessions.
οὕτω τήνδε τε γαῖαν ἐγὼν ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι.That is how I saw this land here with my eyes.
485τὸν δʼ αὖ διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·Then Odysseus born of Zeus answered him and said:
Εὔμαιʼ, ἦ μάλα δή μοι ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸν ὄρινας"Eumaeus, truly you have stirred the heart within my breast
ταῦτα ἕκαστα λέγων, ὅσα δὴ πάθες ἄλγεα θυμῷ.telling me these things one by one, all the sorrows you suffered.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι σοὶ μὲν παρὰ καὶ κακῷ ἐσθλὸν ἔθηκεBut surely alongside the evil Zeus has set good for you,
Ζεύς, ἐπεὶ ἀνδρὸς δώματʼ ἀφίκεο πολλὰ μογήσαςsince after much toil you came to the house of a kind man,
490ἠπίου, ὃς δή τοι παρέχει βρῶσίν τε πόσιν τεwho provides you food and drink with care,
ἐνδυκέως, ζώεις δʼ ἀγαθὸν βίον· αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γεand you live a good life; but as for me,
πολλὰ βροτῶν ἐπὶ ἄστεʼ ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνω.I have come here after wandering through many towns of mortals."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,So they spoke of such things to each other,
καδδραθέτην δʼ οὐ πολλὸν ἐπὶ χρόνον, ἀλλὰ μίνυνθα·and slept not long a time, but only briefly;
495αἶψα γὰρ Ἠὼς ἦλθεν ἐΰθρονος. οἱ δʼ ἐπὶ χέρσουfor Dawn came quickly on her lovely throne. Meanwhile on land
Τηλεμάχου ἕταροι λύον ἱστία, κὰδ δʼ ἕλον ἱστὸνthe companions of Telemachus loosed the sails and took down the mast
καρπαλίμως, τὴν δʼ εἰς ὅρμον προέρυσσαν ἐρετμοῖς·swiftly, and rowed the ship with oars into the anchorage;
ἐκ δʼ εὐνὰς ἔβαλον, κατὰ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔδησαν·they threw out the mooring-stones and made the stern-cables fast,
ἐκ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βαῖνον ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης,and they themselves stepped out upon the breakers of the sea,
500δεῖπνόν τʼ ἐντύνοντο κερῶντό τε αἴθοπα οἶνον.and made their meal ready and mixed the gleaming wine.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away the desire for drink and food,
τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἤρχετο μύθων·thoughtful Telemachus was the first to speak among them:
ὑμεῖς μὲν νῦν ἄστυδʼ ἐλαύνετε νῆα μέλαιναν,"Now you drive the black ship on to the city,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἀγροὺς ἐπιείσομαι ἠδὲ βοτῆρας·but I will go up to the fields and the herdsmen;
505ἑσπέριος δʼ εἰς ἄστυ ἰδὼν ἐμὰ ἔργα κάτειμι.and at evening, when I have seen my lands, I will come down to town.
ἠῶθεν δέ κεν ὔμμιν ὁδοιπόριον παραθείμην,And in the morning I will set before you a traveler's wage,
δαῖτʼ ἀγαθὴν κρειῶν τε καὶ οἴνου ἡδυπότοιο.a good feast of meat and of sweet-drinking wine."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής·Then godlike Theoclymenus answered him:
πῆ γὰρ ἐγώ, φίλε τέκνον, ἴω; τεῦ δώμαθʼ ἵκωμαι"And where shall I go, dear child? Whose house shall I come to
510ἀνδρῶν οἳ κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν;of the men who hold sway over rugged Ithaca?
ἦ ἰθὺς σῆς μητρὸς ἴω καὶ σοῖο δόμοιο;Or shall I go straight to your mother and to your house?"
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus spoke to him in answer:
ἄλλως μέν σʼ ἂν ἐγώ γε καὶ ἡμέτερόνδε κελοίμην"At any other time I would bid you go to our house,
ἔρχεσθʼ· οὐ γάρ τι ξενίων ποθή· ἀλλὰ σοὶ αὐτῷfor there is no lack of welcome there; but for yourself
515χεῖρον, ἐπεί τοι ἐγὼ μὲν ἀπέσσομαι, οὐδέ σε μήτηρit would be worse, since I will be away, nor will my mother
ὄψεται· οὐ μὲν γάρ τι θαμὰ μνηστῆρσʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳsee you; for she does not often show herself in the house
φαίνεται, ἀλλʼ ἀπὸ τῶν ὑπερωΐῳ ἱστὸν ὑφαίνει.among the suitors, but weaves at her loom apart from them, upstairs.
ἀλλά τοι ἄλλον φῶτα πιφαύσκομαι ὅν κεν ἵκοιο,But I will name to you another man to whom you might go,
Εὐρύμαχον, Πολύβοιο δαΐφρονος ἀγλαὸν υἱόν,Eurymachus, the shining son of skillful Polybus,
520τὸν νῦν ἶσα θεῷ Ἰθακήσιοι εἰσορόωσι·whom now the men of Ithaca look upon as a god;
καὶ γὰρ πολλὸν ἄριστος ἀνὴρ μέμονέν τε μάλισταfor he is by far the best man, and yearns above all others
μητέρʼ ἐμὴν γαμέειν καὶ Ὀδυσσῆος γέρας ἕξειν.to marry my mother and to hold Odysseus's honor.
ἀλλὰ τά γε Ζεὺς οἶδεν Ὀλύμπιος, αἰθέρι ναίων,But these things Zeus of Olympus knows, who dwells in the high air,
εἴ κέ σφι πρὸ γάμοιο τελευτήσει κακὸν ἦμαρ.whether before their marriage he will bring on the evil day."
525ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις,So as he spoke there flew a bird on the right,
κίρκος, Ἀπόλλωνος ταχὺς ἄγγελος· ἐν δὲ πόδεσσιa hawk, the swift messenger of Apollo; and in his talons
τίλλε πέλειαν ἔχων, κατὰ δὲ πτερὰ χεῦεν ἔραζεhe held a dove and plucked her, and shed the feathers to the ground
μεσσηγὺς νηός τε καὶ αὐτοῦ Τηλεμάχοιο.midway between the ship and Telemachus himself.
τὸν δὲ Θεοκλύμενος ἑτάρων ἀπονόσφι καλέσσαςThen Theoclymenus called him apart from his companions,
530ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρὶ ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·and clasped his hand and spoke his word and named him:
Τηλέμαχʼ, οὔ τοι ἄνευ θεοῦ ἔπτατο δεξιὸς
ὄρνις"Telemachus, not without a god flew that bird on the right;
ἔγνων γάρ μιν ἐσάντα ἰδὼν οἰωνὸν ἐόντα.for I knew it as I looked full at it that it was an omen.
ὑμετέρου δʼ οὐκ ἔστι γένος βασιλεύτερον ἄλλοThere is no other line more kingly than yours
ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης, ἀλλʼ ὑμεῖς καρτεροὶ αἰεί.in the land of Ithaca, but you are the mighty ones forever."
535τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus spoke to him in answer:
αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο, ξεῖνε, ἔπος τετελεσμένον εἴη·"Would, stranger, that this word of yours might be fulfilled;
τῷ κε τάχα γνοίης φιλότητά τε πολλά τε δῶραthen you would soon know friendship and many gifts
ἐξ ἐμεῦ, ὡς ἄν τίς σε συναντόμενος μακαρίζοι.from me, so that any who met you would call you blessed."
ἦ καὶ Πείραιον προσεφώνεε, πιστὸν ἑταῖρον·He spoke, and called to Peiraeus, his faithful companion:
540Πείραιε Κλυτίδη, σὺ δέ μοι τά περ ἄλλα μάλιστα"Peiraeus, son of Clytius, you above the rest
πείθῃ ἐμῶν ἑτάρων, οἵ μοι Πύλον εἰς ἅμʼ ἕποντο·obey me of my companions who followed me to Pylos;
καὶ νῦν μοι τὸν ξεῖνον ἄγων ἐν δώμασι σοῖσινso now take this stranger and lead him to your house,
ἐνδυκέως φιλέειν καὶ τιέμεν, εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθω.and treat him kindly and honor him, until I come."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Πείραιος δουρικλυτὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then Peiraeus, famed for the spear, spoke to him in answer:
545Τηλέμαχʼ, εἰ γάρ κεν σὺ πολὺν χρόνον ἐνθάδε μίμνοι,"Telemachus, even if you should stay here a long time,
τόνδε τʼ ἐγὼ κομιῶ, ξενίων δέ οἱ οὐ ποθὴ ἔσται.I will look after this man, and he shall lack no welcome."
ὣς εἰπὼν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβη, ἐκέλευσε δʼ ἑταίρουςSo speaking he went aboard the ship, and ordered his companions
αὐτούς τʼ ἀμβαίνειν ἀνά τε πρυμνήσια λῦσαι.to embark themselves and to loose the stern cables.
οἱ δʼ αἶψʼ εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῗσι καθῖζον.And they at once went aboard and sat at the oarlocks.
550Τηλέμαχος δʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,And Telemachus bound the fair sandals beneath his feet,
εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,and took up his mighty spear, tipped with sharp bronze,
νηὸς ἀπʼ ἰκριόφιν· τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔλυσαν.from the deck of the ship; and they loosed the stern cables.
οἱ μὲν ἀνώσαντες πλέον ἐς πόλιν, ὡς ἐκέλευσεAnd they pushed off and sailed to the city, as he ordered,
Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο·Telemachus, the dear son of godlike Odysseus;
555τὸν δʼ ὦκα προβιβάντα πόδες φέρον, ὄφρʼ ἵκετʼ αὐλήν,but his feet bore him swiftly forward, until he reached the yard,
ἔνθα οἱ ἦσαν ὕες μάλα μυρίαι, ᾗσι συβώτηςwhere his swine were, ten thousand of them, among which the swineherd,
ἐσθλὸς ἐὼν ἐνίαυεν, ἀνάκτεσιν ἤπια εἰδώς,being good, slept, kindly of heart toward his masters.