1τὼ δʼ αὖτʼ ἐν κλισίῃ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸςMeanwhile the two within the hut, Odysseus and the noble swineherd,
ἐντύνοντο ἄριστον ἅμʼ ἠοῖ, κηαμένω πῦρ,were preparing breakfast with the dawn, having kindled fire,
ἔκπεμψάν τε νομῆας ἅμʼ ἀγρομένοισι σύεσσι·and had sent the herdsmen out with the gathered swine;
Τηλέμαχον δὲ περίσσαινον κύνες ὑλακόμωροι,and the baying dogs fawned around Telemachus,
5οὐδʼ ὕλαον προσιόντα. νόησε δὲ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺςand did not bark as he approached. Godlike Odysseus noticed
σαίνοντάς τε κύνας, περί τε κτύπος ἦλθε ποδοῖϊν.the dogs fawning, and the sound of footsteps came to him.
αἶψα δʼ ἄρʼ Εὔμαιον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·At once he spoke winged words to Eumaeus:
Εὔμαιʼ, ἦ μάλα τίς τοι ἐλεύσεται ἐνθάδʼ
ἑταῖρος"Eumaeus, surely some companion of yours is coming here,
ἢ καὶ γνώριμος ἄλλος, ἐπεὶ κύνες οὐχ ὑλάουσιν,or someone else you know, since the dogs are not barking,
10ἀλλὰ περισσαίνουσι· ποδῶν δʼ ὑπὸ δοῦπον ἀκούω.but fawning around; and I hear the thud of feet."
οὔ πω πᾶν εἴρητο ἔπος, ὅτε οἱ φίλος υἱὸςNot yet was all his word spoken, when his own dear son
ἔστη ἐνὶ προθύροισι. ταφὼν δʼ ἀνόρουσε συβώτης,stood in the doorway. The swineherd sprang up astonished,
ἐκ δʼ ἄρα οἱ χειρῶν πέσον ἄγγεα, τοῖς ἐπονεῖτο,and from his hands the vessels fell that he was busy with,
κιρνὰς αἴθοπα οἶνον. ὁ δʼ ἀντίος ἦλθεν ἄνακτος,as he mixed the gleaming wine. He went to meet his master,
15κύσσε δέ μιν κεφαλήν τε καὶ ἄμφω φάεα καλὰand kissed his head and both his lovely eyes
χεῖράς τʼ ἀμφοτέρας· θαλερὸν δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε δάκρυ.and both his hands; and the swelling tear fell from him.
ὡς δὲ πατὴρ ὃν παῖδα φίλα φρονέων ἀγαπάζῃAs a father, tender-hearted, welcomes his own son
ἐλθόντʼ ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης δεκάτῳ ἐνιαυτῷ,come in the tenth year from a distant land,
μοῦνον τηλύγετον, τῷ ἔπʼ ἄλγεα πολλὰ μογήσῃ,his only son, well-loved, for whom he has suffered many pains,
20ὣς τότε Τηλέμαχον θεοειδέα δῖος ὑφορβὸςso then the noble swineherd, clinging fast, kissed all over
πάντα κύσεν περιφύς, ὡς ἐκ θανάτοιο φυγόντα·godlike Telemachus, as one escaped from death;
καί ῥʼ ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and lamenting he spoke winged words to him:
ἦλθες, Τηλέμαχε, γλυκερὸν φάος. οὔ σʼ ἔτʼ ἐγώ
γε"You have come, Telemachus, sweet light! I said I would never
ὄψεσθαι ἐφάμην, ἐπεὶ ᾤχεο νηῒ Πύλονδε.see you again, once you had gone in your ship to Pylos.
25ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν εἴσελθε, φίλον τέκος, ὄφρα σε θυμῷBut come now, enter, dear child, so that in my heart
τέρψομαι εἰσορόων νέον ἄλλοθεν ἔνδον ἐόντα.I may take joy beholding you, newly come from abroad and here within.
οὐ μὲν γάρ τι θάμʼ ἀγρὸν ἐπέρχεαι οὐδὲ νομῆας,For you do not often visit the fields and the herdsmen,
ἀλλʼ ἐπιδημεύεις· ὣς γάρ νύ τοι εὔαδε θυμῷ,but stay in the town; so it pleases your heart, it seems,
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων ἐσορᾶν ἀΐδηλον ὅμιλον.to look upon the ruinous throng of the suitor men."
30τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
ἔσσεται οὕτως, ἄττα· σέθεν δʼ ἕνεκʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνω,"So it shall be, old friend; but it is for your sake I come here,
ὄφρα σέ τʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδω καὶ μῦθον ἀκούσω,to see you with my eyes and to hear your word,
ἤ μοι ἔτʼ ἐν μεγάροις μήτηρ μένει, ἦέ τις ἤδηwhether my mother still waits in the halls, or whether by now
ἀνδρῶν ἄλλος ἔγημεν, Ὀδυσσῆος δέ που εὐνὴsome other man has married her, and Odysseus' bed,
35χήτει ἐνευναίων κάκʼ ἀράχνια κεῖται ἔχουσα.for lack of bedding, lies covered with foul cobwebs."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν·Then the swineherd, leader of men, spoke to him again:
καὶ λίην κείνη γε μένει τετληότι θυμῷ"Yes, all too surely she waits with an enduring heart
σοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν· ὀϊζυραὶ δέ οἱ αἰεὶthere in your halls; and always in misery
φθίνουσιν νύκτες τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χεούσῃ.her nights and days waste away as she pours out tears."
40ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας οἱ ἐδέξατο χάλκεον ἔγχος·So speaking, he took from him the bronze spear,
αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ εἴσω ἴεν καὶ ὑπέρβη λάϊνον οὐδόν.But he went inside and stepped across the stone threshold.
τῷ δʼ ἕδρης ἐπιόντι πατὴρ ὑπόειξεν Ὀδυσσεύς·As he came, his father Odysseus made to give up his seat,
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἐρήτυε φώνησέν τε·but Telemachus checked him from the other side and spoke:
ἧσʼ, ὦ ξεῖνʼ· ἡμεῖς δὲ καὶ ἄλλοθι δήομεν
ἕδρην"Sit, stranger; we shall find another seat elsewhere
45σταθμῷ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ· πάρα δʼ ἀνὴρ ὃς καταθήσει.in our own steading; and here is a man to set it down."
ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δʼ αὖτις ἰὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο· τῷ δὲ
συβώτης.So he spoke, and Odysseus went back and sat again; and for him the swineherd
χεῦεν ὕπο χλωρὰς ῥῶπας καὶ κῶας ὕπερθεν·strewed green brushwood beneath, and a fleece above;
ἔνθα καθέζετʼ ἔπειτα Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός.there then the dear son of Odysseus took his seat.
τοῖσιν δʼ αὖ κρειῶν πίνακας παρέθηκε συβώτηςAnd before them the swineherd set platters of meat,
50ὀπταλέων, ἅ ῥα τῇ προτέρῃ ὑπέλειπον ἔδοντες,roasted, the pieces they had left over from their eating the day before,
σῖτον δʼ ἐσσυμένως παρενήνεεν ἐν κανέοισιν,and hastily he heaped up bread in baskets,
ἐν δʼ ἄρα κισσυβίῳ κίρνη μελιηδέα οἶνον·and in a bowl of ivywood he mixed honey-sweet wine;
αὐτὸς δʼ ἀντίον ἷζεν Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.and he himself sat down facing godlike Odysseus.
οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.So they stretched out their hands to the good things lying ready before them.
55αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away the desire for drink and food,
δὴ τότε Τηλέμαχος προσεφώνεε δῖον ὑφορβόν·then Telemachus spoke to the noble swineherd:
ἄττα, πόθεν τοι ξεῖνος ὅδʼ ἵκετο; πῶς δέ ἑ
ναῦται"Old friend, from where did this stranger come to you? How did sailors
ἤγαγον εἰς Ἰθάκην; τίνες ἔμμεναι εὐχετόωντο;bring him to Ithaca? What men did they claim to be?
οὐ μὲν γάρ τί ἑ πεζὸν ὀΐομαι ἐνθάδʼ ἱκέσθαι.For I do not think he came here on foot."
60τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then, swineherd Eumaeus, you answered him and said:
τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, τέκνον, ἀληθέα πάντʼ ἀγορεύσω."Well then, my child, I will tell you all the truth.
ἐκ μὲν Κρητάων γένος εὔχεται εὐρειάων,He claims his birth is from spacious Crete,
φησὶ δὲ πολλὰ βροτῶν ἐπὶ ἄστεα δινηθῆναιand he says that he has wandered through the many cities of men,
πλαζόμενος· ὣς γάρ οἱ ἐπέκλωσεν τά γε δαίμων.driven astray; for so some god has spun his fate.
65νῦν αὖ Θεσπρωτῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκ νηὸς ἀποδρὰςNow, having fled from a ship of Thesprotian men,
ἤλυθʼ ἐμὸν πρὸς σταθμόν, ἐγὼ δέ τοι ἐγγυαλίξω·he has come to my steading, and I will hand him over to you;
ἔρξον ὅπως ἐθέλεις· ἱκέτης δέ τοι εὔχεται εἶναι.do as you wish; he claims that he is your suppliant."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
Εὔμαιʼ, ἦ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος θυμαλγὲς ἔειπες·"Eumaeus, truly this word you have spoken cuts my heart;
70πῶς γὰρ δὴ τὸν ξεῖνον ἐγὼν ὑποδέξομαι οἴκῳ;for how am I to receive this stranger in my house?
αὐτὸς μὲν νέος εἰμὶ καὶ οὔ πω χερσὶ πέποιθαI myself am young and cannot yet trust my hands
ἄνδρʼ ἀπαμύνασθαι, ὅτε τις πρότερος χαλεπήνῃ·to fend off a man, when someone first grows harsh with me;
μητρὶ δʼ ἐμῇ δίχα θυμὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζει,and my mother's heart is divided in her breast, two ways,
ἢ αὐτοῦ παρʼ ἐμοί τε μένῃ καὶ δῶμα κομίζῃ,whether to stay here beside me and keep the house,
75εὐνήν τʼ αἰδομένη πόσιος δήμοιό τε φῆμιν,honoring her husband's bed and the voice of the people,
ἦ ἤδη ἅμʼ ἕπηται Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστοςor to go now with whichever of the Achaeans is the best
μνᾶται ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἀνὴρ καὶ πλεῖστα πόρῃσιν.who woos her in the halls and offers the most gifts.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοὶ τὸν ξεῖνον, ἐπεὶ τεὸν ἵκετο δῶμα,But this stranger, since he has come to your house,
ἕσσω μιν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, εἵματα καλά,I will clothe in a cloak and tunic, fair garments,
80δώσω δὲ ξίφος ἄμφηκες καὶ ποσσὶ πέδιλα,and I will give him a two-edged sword and sandals for his feet,
πέμψω δʼ ὅππη μιν κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει.and I will send him wherever his heart and spirit bid.
εἰ δʼ ἐθέλεις, σὺ κόμισσον ἐνὶ σταθμοῖσιν ἐρύξας·But if you wish, keep him here at the steading and care for him;
εἵματα δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἐγὼ πέμψω καὶ σῖτον ἅπανταand I will send clothes here and food, all of it,
ἔδμεναι, ὡς ἂν μή σε κατατρύχῃ καὶ ἑταίρους.for him to eat, so he does not wear you and your comrades down.
85κεῖσε δʼ ἂν οὔ μιν ἐγώ γε μετὰ μνηστῆρας ἐῷμιBut I would not let him go over there among the suitors,
ἔρχεσθαι· λίην γὰρ ἀτάσθαλον ὕβριν ἔχουσι·for they are far too full of reckless insolence;
μή μιν κερτομέωσιν, ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄχος ἔσσεται αἰνόν.they might mock him, and that would be terrible grief to me.
πρῆξαι δʼ ἀργαλέον τι μετὰ πλεόνεσσιν ἐόνταIt is hard for one man to do anything among the many,
ἄνδρα καὶ ἴφθιμον, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτεροί εἰσι.even a strong one, since they are by far the stronger.
90τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus answered him:
ὦ φίλʼ, ἐπεί θήν μοι καὶ ἀμείψασθαι θέμις ἐστίν,Friend, since surely it is lawful for me to answer,
ἦ μάλα μευ καταδάπτετʼ ἀκούοντος φίλον ἦτορ,truly my heart is torn as I hear it,
οἷά φατε μνηστῆρας ἀτάσθαλα μηχανάασθαιthe reckless things you say the suitors plot
ἐν μεγάροις, ἀέκητι σέθεν τοιούτου ἐόντος.in the halls, against your will, you being such a man.
95εἰπέ μοι ἠὲ ἑκὼν ὑποδάμνασαι, ἦ σέ γε λαοὶTell me, do you submit willingly, or do the people
ἐχθαίρουσʼ ἀνὰ δῆμον, ἐπισπόμενοι θεοῦ ὀμφῇ,hate you through the land, following the voice of a god,
ἦ τι κασιγνήτοις ἐπιμέμφεαι, οἷσί περ ἀνὴρor do you blame your brothers, in whom a man
μαρναμένοισι πέποιθε, καὶ εἰ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρηται.trusts in the fighting, even when a great quarrel arises?
αἲ γάρ ἐγὼν οὕτω νέος εἴην τῷδʼ ἐπὶ θυμῷ,If only I were young as I am in spirit,
100ἢ παῖς ἐξ Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος ἠὲ καὶ αὐτός·the son of blameless Odysseus, or Odysseus himself—
αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπʼ ἐμεῖο κάρη τάμοι ἀλλότριος φώς,then straightway let some stranger cut my head from me,
εἰ μὴ ἐγὼ κείνοισι κακὸν πάντεσσι γενοίμην,if I did not become an evil to all of them,
ἐλθὼν ἐς μέγαρον Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.coming into the hall of Odysseus, son of Laertes.
εἰ δʼ αὖ με πληθυῖ δαμασαίατο μοῦνον ἐόντα,But if their numbers overcame me, being alone,
105βουλοίμην κʼ ἐν ἐμοῖσι κατακτάμενος μεγάροισιI would rather be cut down and die in my own halls
τεθνάμεν ἢ τάδε γʼ αἰὲν ἀεικέα ἔργʼ ὁράασθαι,than watch these shameful deeds forever,
ξείνους τε στυφελιζομένους δμῳάς τε γυναῖκαςstrangers roughly handled, and the serving women
ῥυστάζοντας ἀεικελίως κατὰ δώματα καλά,dragged in shameful ways throughout the fair house,
καὶ οἶνον διαφυσσόμενον, καὶ σῖτον ἔδονταςand wine drawn off and wasted, and men devouring food
110μὰψ αὔτως, ἀτέλεστον, ἀνηνύστῳ ἐπὶ ἔργῳ.senselessly, all for nothing, on a business without end.
τὸν 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.
οὔτε τί μοι πᾶς δῆμος ἀπεχθόμενος χαλεπαίνει,It is not that all the people hate me and are harsh,
οὔτε κασιγνήτοις ἐπιμέμφομαι, οἷσί περ ἀνὴρnor do I blame my brothers, in whom a man
115μαρναμένοισι πέποιθε, καὶ εἰ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρηται.trusts in the fighting, even when a great quarrel arises.
ὧδε γὰρ ἡμετέρην γενεὴν μούνωσε Κρονίων·For thus the son of Cronos made our line single:
μοῦνον Λαέρτην Ἀρκείσιος υἱὸν ἔτικτε,Arceisius fathered Laertes an only son,
μοῦνον δʼ αὖτʼ Ὀδυσῆα πατὴρ τέκεν· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςand the father fathered Odysseus alone; and Odysseus
μοῦνον ἔμʼ ἐν μεγάροισι τεκὼν λίπεν οὐδʼ ἀπόνητο.fathered me alone, left me in the halls, and had no joy of me.
120τῷ νῦν δυσμενέες μάλα μυρίοι εἴσʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.And so now enemies past counting are in the house.
ὅσσοι γὰρ νήσοισιν ἐπικρατέουσιν ἄριστοι,For all the nobles who hold power in the islands,
Δουλιχίῳ τε Σάμῃ τε καὶ ὑλήεντι Ζακύνθῳ,in Dulichium and Same and wooded Zacynthus,
ἠδʼ ὅσσοι κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσι,and all who lord it over rugged Ithaca,
τόσσοι μητέρʼ ἐμὴν μνῶνται, τρύχουσι δὲ οἶκον.so many woo my mother and waste the house.
125ἡ δʼ οὔτʼ ἀρνεῖται στυγερὸν γάμον οὔτε τελευτὴνAnd she neither refuses the hateful marriage nor is able
ποιῆσαι δύναται· τοὶ δὲ φθινύθουσιν ἔδοντεςto make an end of it; and they keep devouring
οἶκον ἐμόν· τάχα δή με διαρραίσουσι καὶ αὐτόν.and wasting my house; and soon they will tear me apart as well.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται·But indeed these things rest on the knees of the gods.
ἄττα, σὺ δʼ ἔρχεο θᾶσσον, ἐχέφρονι ΠηνελοπείῃOld friend, go quickly, and to prudent Penelope
130εἴφʼ ὅτι οἱ σῶς εἰμὶ καὶ ἐκ Πύλου εἰλήλουθα.tell that I am safe and have come back from Pylos.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτοῦ μενέω, σὺ δὲ δεῦρο νέεσθαι,But I myself will stay here, and you come back to me,
οἴῃ ἀπαγγείλας· τῶν δʼ ἄλλων μή τις Ἀχαιῶνwhen you have told her alone; let none other of the Achaeans
πευθέσθω· πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐμοὶ κακὰ μηχανόωνται.learn it, for many are plotting evils against me.
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then, swineherd Eumaeus, you answered him and said:
135γιγνώσκω, φρονέω· τά γε δὴ νοέοντι κελεύεις.I know, I understand; you charge one who already means it.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,But come, tell me this and recount it truly:
ἦ καὶ Λαέρτῃ αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ἄγγελος ἔλθωshall I on the same journey go as messenger to Laertes,
δυσμόρῳ, ὃς τῆος μὲν Ὀδυσσῆος μέγʼ ἀχεύωνthe ill-fated man, who till now, grieving greatly for Odysseus,
ἔργα τʼ ἐποπτεύεσκε μετὰ δμώων τʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳwould oversee the work with his slaves in the house
140πῖνε καὶ ἦσθʼ, ὅτε θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀνώγοι·and drink and eat, whenever his heart within his breast urged him;
αὐτὰρ νῦν, ἐξ οὗ σύ γε ᾤχεο νηῒ Πύλονδε,but now, from the time you went by ship to Pylos,
οὔ πω μίν φασιν φαγέμεν καὶ πιέμεν αὔτως,they say he no longer eats or drinks as before,
οὐδʼ ἐπὶ ἔργα ἰδεῖν, ἀλλὰ στοναχῇ τε γόῳ τεnor looks upon the work, but with groaning and lament
ἧσται ὀδυρόμενος, φθινύθει δʼ ἀμφʼ ὀστεόφι χρώς.he sits mourning, and the flesh wastes about his bones.
145τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
ἄλγιον, ἀλλʼ ἔμπης μιν ἐάσομεν, ἀχνύμενοί περ·Harder still, but even so we will let him be, though grieved;
εἰ γὰρ πως εἴη αὐτάγρετα πάντα βροτοῖσι,for if all things were there for mortals' choosing,
πρῶτόν κεν τοῦ πατρὸς ἑλοίμεθα νόστιμον ἦμαρ.first of all we would choose my father's day of return.
ἀλλὰ σύ γʼ ἀγγείλας ὀπίσω κίε, μηδὲ κατʼ ἀγροὺςBut you, when you have told her, come back, and do not roam
150πλάζεσθαι μετʼ ἐκεῖνον· ἀτὰρ πρὸς μητέρα εἰπεῖνthe fields after him; but tell my mother
ἀμφίπολον ταμίην ὀτρυνέμεν ὅττι τάχισταto send the housekeeper, her handmaid, with all speed
κρύβδην· κείνη γὰρ κεν ἀπαγγείλειε γέροντι.and in secret, for she could carry the word to the old man.
ἦ ῥα καὶ ὦρσε συφορβόν· ὁ δʼ εἵλετο χερσὶ
πέδιλα,So he spoke, and roused the swineherd; and he took the sandals in his hands,
δησάμενος δʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶ πόλινδʼ ἴεν. οὐδʼ ἄρʼ Ἀθήνηνand bound them beneath his feet and went to the city. Nor did Athena
155λῆθεν ἀπὸ σταθμοῖο κιὼν Εὔμαιος ὑφορβός,fail to mark Eumaeus the swineherd going from the steading,
ἀλλʼ ἥ γε σχεδὸν ἦλθε· δέμας δʼ ἤϊκτο γυναικὶbut she came near; and her body was like a woman's,
καλῇ τε μεγάλῃ τε καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα ἰδυίῃ.beautiful and tall and skilled in glorious handiwork.
στῆ δὲ κατʼ ἀντίθυρον κλισίης Ὀδυσῆϊ φανεῖσα·She stood at the door of the hut, showing herself to Odysseus;
οὐδʼ ἄρα Τηλέμαχος ἴδεν ἀντίον οὐδʼ ἐνόησεν,but Telemachus did not see her before him or perceive her,
160οὐ γὰρ πω πάντεσσι θεοὶ φαίνονται ἐναργεῖς,for the gods do not appear in clear sight to all;
ἀλλʼ Ὀδυσεύς τε κύνες τε ἴδον, καί ῥʼ οὐχ ὑλάοντοbut Odysseus and the dogs saw her, and they did not bark,
κνυζηθμῷ δʼ ἑτέρωσε διὰ σταθμοῖο φόβηθεν.but with a whimper they shrank cowering to the far side of the yard.
ἡ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ ὀφρύσι νεῦσε· νόησε δὲ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,And she nodded with her brows; godlike Odysseus took her meaning,
ἐκ δʼ ἦλθεν μεγάροιο παρὲκ μέγα τειχίον αὐλῆς,and came out from the hall, past the great wall of the courtyard,
165στῆ δὲ πάροιθʼ αὐτῆς· τὸν δὲ προσέειπεν Ἀθήνη·and stood before her; and Athena spoke to him:
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ."Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, resourceful Odysseus,
ἤδη νῦν σῷ παιδὶ ἔπος φάο μηδʼ ἐπίκευθε,now speak the word to your son and hide it no longer,
ὡς ἄν μνηστῆρσιν θάνατον καὶ κῆρʼ ἀραρόντεso that, having fitted death and doom for the suitors,
ἔρχησθον προτὶ ἄστυ περικλυτόν· οὐδʼ ἐγὼ αὐτὴyou two may go to the far-famed city; nor shall I myself
170δηρὸν ἀπὸ σφῶϊν ἔσομαι μεμαυῖα μάχεσθαι.be long apart from you two, being eager to fight."
ἦ καὶ χρυσείῃ ῥάβδῳ ἐπεμάσσατʼ Ἀθήνη.She spoke, and Athena touched him with her golden wand.
φᾶρος μέν οἱ πρῶτον ἐϋπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶναFirst she set a well-washed cloak and a tunic
θῆκʼ ἀμφὶ στήθεσσι, δέμας δʼ ὤφελλε καὶ ἥβην.about his breast, and increased his stature and his youth.
ἂψ δὲ μελαγχροιὴς γένετο, γναθμοὶ δὲ τάνυσθεν,His skin grew dark again, his cheeks filled out,
175κυάνεαι δʼ ἐγένοντο γενειάδες ἀμφὶ γένειον.and dark grew the beard about his chin.
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς ἔρξασα πάλιν κίεν· αὐτὰρ ὈδυσσεὺςSo having done this she departed again; but Odysseus
ἤϊεν ἐς κλισίην· θάμβησε δέ μιν φίλος υἱός,went into the hut, and his dear son marveled at him,
ταρβήσας δʼ ἑτέρωσε βάλʼ ὄμματα, μὴ θεὸς εἴη,and in awe turned his eyes aside, fearing he was a god,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and lifting his voice he spoke winged words to him:
180ἀλλοῖός μοι, ξεῖνε, φάνης νέον ἠὲ πάροιθεν,"You seem another to me, stranger, than a moment ago,
ἄλλα δὲ εἵματʼ ἔχεις, καί τοι χρὼς οὐκέθʼ ὁμοῖος.other clothes you wear, and your skin is no longer the same.
ἦ μάλα τις θεός ἐσσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν·Surely you are some god, one of those who hold the wide heaven.
ἀλλʼ ἵληθʼ, ἵνα τοι κεχαρισμένα δώομεν ἱρὰBut be gracious, so that we may offer you pleasing sacrifices
ἠδὲ χρύσεα δῶρα, τετυγμένα· φείδεο δʼ ἡμέωνand gifts of gold, fashioned with skill; and spare us."
185τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus answered him:
οὔ τίς τοι θεός εἰμι· τί μʼ ἀθανάτοισιν ἐΐσκεις;"I am no god at all; why liken me to the immortals?
ἀλλὰ πατὴρ τεός εἰμι, τοῦ εἵνεκα σὺ στεναχίζωνNo, I am your father, for whose sake in your grieving
πάσχεις ἄλγεα πολλά, βίας ὑποδέγμενος ἀνδρῶν.you suffer many pains, enduring the violence of men."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας υἱὸν κύσε, κὰδ δὲ παρειῶνSo having spoken he kissed his son, and down his cheeks
190δάκρυον ἧκε χαμᾶζε· πάρος δʼ ἔχε νωλεμὲς αἰεί.let fall a tear to the ground; before he had held it back, always unbroken.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ, οὐ γάρ πω ἐπείθετο ὃν πατέρʼ εἶναι,But Telemachus, since he was not yet persuaded it was his father,
ἐξαῦτίς μιν ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·answered him once again with words and said:
οὐ σύ γʼ Ὀδυσσεύς ἐσσι, πατὴρ ἐμός, ἀλλά με
δαίμων"You are not Odysseus, my father, but some spirit
θέλγει, ὄφρʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω.bewitches me, so that I may grieve and groan still more.
195οὐ γάρ πως ἂν θνητὸς ἀνὴρ τάδε μηχανόῳτοFor in no way could a mortal man contrive these things
ᾧ αὐτοῦ γε νόῳ, ὅτε μὴ θεὸς αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼνby his own wit, unless a god himself came near
ῥηϊδίως ἐθέλων θείη νέον ἠὲ γέροντα.and easily, at his will, made him young or old.
ἦ γάρ τοι νέον ἦσθα γέρων καὶ ἀεικέα ἕσσο·Just now you were an old man, clothed in unseemly rags;
νῦν δὲ θεοῖσιν ἔοικας, οἳ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι.but now you are like the gods who hold the wide heaven."
200τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
Τηλέμαχʼ, οὔ σε ἔοικε φίλον πατέρ ἔνδον ἐόντα"Telemachus, it is not fitting, when your own father is here inside,
οὔτε τι θαυμάζειν περιώσιον οὔτʼ ἀγάασθαι·to marvel beyond measure or to be amazed;
οὐ μὲν γάρ τοι ἔτʼ ἄλλος ἐλεύσεται ἐνθάδʼ Ὀδυσσεύς,for no other Odysseus will ever come here to you,
ἀλλʼ ὅδʼ ἐγὼ τοιόσδε, παθὼν κακά, πολλὰ δʼ ἀληθείς,but I am he, such as you see, who suffered evils and wandered much,
205ἤλυθον εἰκοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.and came in the twentieth year to my native land.
αὐτάρ τοι τόδε ἔργον Ἀθηναίης ἀγελείης,This is the work of Athena, driver of the spoil,
ἥ τέ με τοῖον ἔθηκεν, ὅπως ἐθέλει, δύναται γὰρ,who has made me such as she wishes, for she has the power,
ἄλλοτε μὲν πτωχῷ ἐναλίγκιον, ἄλλοτε δʼ αὖτεnow like a beggar, and now again
ἀνδρὶ νέῳ καὶ καλὰ περὶ χροῒ εἵματʼ ἔχοντι.like a young man with fair clothes about his body.
210ῥηΐδιον δὲ θεοῖσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,It is easy for the gods, who hold the wide heaven,
ἠμὲν κυδῆναι θνητὸν βροτὸν ἠδὲ κακῶσαι.both to glorify a mortal man and to bring him low."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο, Τηλέμαχος δὲSo having spoken he sat down, and Telemachus,
ἀμφιχυθεὶς πατέρʼ ἐσθλὸν ὀδύρετο, δάκρυα λείβων,flinging his arms around his noble father, wept and shed tears,
ἀμφοτέροισι δὲ τοῖσιν ὑφʼ ἵμερος ὦρτο γόοιο·and in both of them the longing for lament arose;
215κλαῖον δὲ λιγέως, ἀδινώτερον ἤ τʼ οἰωνοί,they cried aloud, more shrilly than birds,
φῆναι ἢ αἰγυπιοὶ γαμψώνυχες, οἷσί τε τέκναsea-eagles or vultures with hooked talons, whose young
ἀγρόται ἐξείλοντο πάρος πετεηνὰ γενέσθαι·the country folk have taken before they could fly;
ὣς ἄρα τοί γʼ ἐλεεινὸν ὑπʼ ὀφρύσι δάκρυον εἶβον.so pitifully did the tears fall from beneath their brows.
καί νύ κʼ ὀδυρομένοισιν ἔδυ φάος ἠελίοιο,And now the sun's light would have gone down upon their weeping,
220εἰ μὴ Τηλέμαχος προσεφώνεεν ὃν πατέρʼ αἶψα·had not Telemachus suddenly spoken to his father:
ποίῃ γὰρ νῦν δεῦρο, πάτερ φίλε, νηΐ σε
ναῦται"On what sort of ship, dear father, did the sailors
ἤγαγον εἰς Ἰθάκην; τίνες ἔμμεναι εὐχετόωντο;now bring you here to Ithaca? Who did they claim to be?
οὐ μὲν γάρ τί σε πεζὸν ὀΐομαι ἐνθάδʼ ἱκέσθαι.For surely I do not think you came here on foot."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus answered him:
225τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, τέκνον, ἀληθείην καταλέξω."Then I, my child, will tell you the truth.
Φαίηκές μʼ ἄγαγον ναυσίκλυτοι, οἵ τε καὶ ἄλλουςThe Phaeacians brought me, famed for their ships, who also
ἀνθρώπους πέμπουσιν, ὅτις σφέας εἰσαφίκηται·escort other men, whoever comes to them;
καί μʼ εὕδοντʼ ἐν νηῒ θοῇ ἐπὶ πόντον ἄγοντεςand they carried me sleeping in the swift ship over the sea
κάτθεσαν εἰς Ἰθάκην, ἔπορον δέ μοι ἀγλαὰ δῶρα,and set me down in Ithaca, and gave me splendid gifts,
230χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τε ἅλις ἐσθῆτά θʼ ὑφαντήν.bronze and gold in plenty and woven clothing.
καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐν σπήεσσι θεῶν ἰότητι κέονται·These things lie in the caves by the will of the gods;
νῦν αὖ δεῦρʼ ἱκόμην ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν Ἀθήνης,and now I have come here by the promptings of Athena,
ὄφρα κε δυσμενέεσσι φόνου πέρι βουλεύσωμεν.so that we may plan the slaughter of our enemies.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι μνηστῆρας ἀριθμήσας κατάλεξον,But come, count out for me the suitors and tell me,
235ὄφρʼ εἰδέω ὅσσοι τε καὶ οἵ τινες ἀνέρες εἰσί·so that I may know how many and what men they are;
καί κεν ἐμὸν κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονα μερμηρίξαςand then, having pondered it in my blameless heart,
φράσσομαι, ἤ κεν νῶϊ δυνησόμεθʼ ἀντιφέρεσθαιI shall consider whether we two are able to face them
μούνω ἄνευθʼ ἄλλων, ἦ καὶ διζησόμεθʼ ἄλλους.alone, without others, or whether we must seek out others."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
240ὦ πάτερ, ἦ τοι σεῖο μέγα κλέος αἰὲν ἄκουον,"Father, indeed I have always heard of your great fame,
χεῖράς τʼ αἰχμητὴν ἔμεναι καὶ ἐπίφρονα βουλήν·a spearman with your hands and shrewd in counsel;
ἀλλὰ λίην μέγα εἶπες· ἄγη μʼ ἔχει· οὐδέ κεν εἴηbut you have said too much: amazement grips me. There is no way
ἄνδρε δύω πολλοῖσι καὶ ἰφθίμοισι μάχεσθαι.two men could fight against so many and so strong.
μνηστήρων δʼ οὔτʼ ἂρ δεκὰς ἀτρεκὲς οὔτε δύʼ οἶαι,The suitors are not ten exactly, nor twice ten,
245ἀλλὰ πολὺ πλέονες· τάχα δʼ εἴσεαι ἐνθάδʼ ἀριθμόν.but far more; you shall soon learn their number here.
ἐκ μὲν Δουλιχίοιο δύω καὶ πεντήκονταFrom Dulichium fifty-two young men,
κοῦροι κεκριμένοι, ἓξ δὲ δρηστῆρες ἕπονται·picked ones, and six attendants follow them;
ἐκ δὲ Σάμης πίσυρές τε καὶ εἴκοσι φῶτες ἔασιν,from Same there are twenty-four men,
ἐκ δὲ Ζακύνθου ἔασιν ἐείκοσι κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν,and from Zacynthus there are twenty young Achaeans,
250ἐκ δʼ αὐτῆς Ἰθάκης δυοκαίδεκα πάντες ἄριστοι,and from Ithaca itself twelve, all the best,
καί σφιν ἅμʼ ἐστὶ Μέδων κῆρυξ καὶ θεῖος ἀοιδὸςand with them are Medon the herald and the godlike singer
καὶ δοιὼ θεράποντε, δαήμονε δαιτροσυνάων.and two attendants skilled in carving meat.
τῶν εἴ κεν πάντων ἀντήσομεν ἔνδον ἐόντων,If we should meet all of these while they are inside,
μὴ πολύπικρα καὶ αἰνὰ βίας ἀποτίσεαι ἐλθών.I fear you would pay a bitter and grievous price for coming to avenge their violence.
255ἀλλὰ σύ γʼ, εἰ δύνασαί τινʼ ἀμύντορα μερμηρίξαι,But you, if you can think of any helper,
φράζευ, ὅ κέν τις νῶϊν ἀμύνοι πρόφρονι θυμῷ.consider who might defend us with a willing heart."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus answered him:
τοιγὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον·"Then I will speak; mark me well and hear me.
καὶ φράσαι ἤ κεν νῶϊν Ἀθήνη σὺν Διὶ πατρὶConsider whether Athena with Father Zeus
260ἀρκέσει, ἦέ τινʼ ἄλλον ἀμύντορα μερμηρίξω.will be enough for us, or whether I should think of some other helper."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
ἐσθλώ τοι τούτω γʼ ἐπαμύντορε, τοὺς ἀγορεύεις,"Fine defenders indeed are these two you name,
ὕψι περ ἐν νεφέεσσι καθημένω· ὥ τε καὶ ἄλλοιςthough they sit high among the clouds; and they hold sway
ἀνδράσι τε κρατέουσι καὶ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι.over other men as well and over the immortal gods."
265τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus answered him:
οὐ μέν τοι κείνω γε πολὺν χρόνον ἀμφὶς ἔσεσθον"Those two will not stand long apart
φυλόπιδος κρατερῆς, ὁπότε μνηστῆρσι καὶ ἡμῖνfrom the mighty combat, when between the suitors and us
ἐν μεγάροισιν ἐμοῖσι μένος κρίνηται Ἄρηος.in my halls the fury of Ares is put to the test.
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν ἔρχευ ἅμʼ ἠοῖ φαινομένηφινBut you now, when Dawn appears,
270οἴκαδε, καὶ μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισιν ὁμίλει·go home, and mingle with the arrogant suitors;
αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ προτὶ ἄστυ συβώτης ὕστερον ἄξει,and later the swineherd will bring me to the city,
πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠδὲ γέροντι.looking like a wretched beggar and an old man.
εἰ δέ μʼ ἀτιμήσουσι δόμον κάτα, σὸν δὲ φίλον κῆρAnd if they treat me with contempt about the house, let your own heart
τετλάτω ἐν στήθεσσι κακῶς πάσχοντος ἐμεῖο,endure within your breast while I am badly used,
275ἤν περ καὶ διὰ δῶμα ποδῶν ἕλκωσι θύραζεeven if they drag me by the feet through the hall to the door
ἢ βέλεσι βάλλωσι· σὺ δʼ εἰσορόων ἀνέχεσθαι.or pelt me with missiles; you must look on and bear it.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι παύεσθαι ἀνωγέμεν ἀφροσυνάων,Yet urge them to cease from their follies,
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παραυδῶν· οἱ δέ τοι οὔ τιcoaxing them with gentle words; but they will not
πείσονται· δὴ γάρ σφι παρίσταται αἴσιμον ἦμαρ.obey you at all, for their day of doom is at hand.
280ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν·And another thing I will tell you, and you lay it up in your mind:
ὁππότε κεν πολύβουλος ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θῇσιν Ἀθήνη,when Athena of many counsels puts it in my mind,
νεύσω μέν τοι ἐγὼ κεφαλῇ, σὺ δʼ ἔπειτα νοήσαςI will nod to you with my head, and you then, taking note,
ὅσσα τοι ἐν μεγάροισιν Ἀρήϊα τεύχεα κεῖταιas many warlike arms as lie there in the halls,
ἐς μυχὸν ὑψηλοῦ θαλάμου καταθεῖναι ἀείραςcarry them up and lay them away in the recess of the high chamber,
285πάντα μάλʼ· αὐτὰρ μνηστῆρας μαλακοῖς ἐπέεσσιall of them; but the suitors, with soft words,
παρφάσθαι, ὅτε κέν σε μεταλλῶσιν ποθέοντες·beguile them, when they miss the arms and question you:
ἐκ καπνοῦ κατέθηκʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι τοῖσιν
ἐῴκει"I set them away from the smoke, since they no longer resembled
οἷά ποτε Τροίηνδε κιὼν κατέλειπεν Ὀδυσσεύς,what once Odysseus left behind when he went off to Troy,
ἀλλὰ κατῄκισται, ὅσσον πυρὸς ἵκετʼ ἀϋτμή.but were fouled, so far as the breath of fire had reached them.
290πρὸς δʼ ἔτι καὶ τόδε μεῖζον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε Κρονίων,And besides, the son of Cronos put this greater fear in my mind,
μή πως οἰνωθέντες, ἔριν στήσαντες ἐν ὑμῖν,that somehow, flushed with wine, you might raise a quarrel among yourselves
ἀλλήλους τρώσητε καταισχύνητέ τε δαῖταand wound each other and disgrace the feast
καὶ μνηστύν· αὐτὸς γὰρ ἐφέλκεται ἄνδρα σίδηρος.and your courting; for iron of itself draws a man on."
νῶϊν δʼ οἴοισιν δύο φάσγανα καὶ δύο δοῦρεBut for the two of us alone leave two swords and two spears
295καλλιπέειν καὶ δοιὰ βοάγρια χερσὶν ἑλέσθαι,and two shields of oxhide to take up in our hands,
ὡς ἂν ἐπιθύσαντες ἑλοίμεθα· τοὺς δέ κʼ ἔπειταso that we may seize them when we rush upon the work; and then
Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη θέλξει καὶ μητίετα Ζεύς.Pallas Athena and Zeus the counselor will bewilder them.
ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν·And another thing I will tell you, and you lay it up in your mind:
εἰ ἐτεόν γʼ ἐμός ἐσσι καὶ αἵματος ἡμετέροιο,if you are truly mine and of our blood,
300μή τις ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀκουσάτω ἔνδον ἐόντος,then let no one hear that Odysseus is within,
μήτʼ οὖν Λαέρτης ἴστω τό γε μήτε συβώτηςneither let Laertes know it nor the swineherd,
μήτε τις οἰκήων μήτʼ αὐτὴ Πηνελόπεια,nor any of the household servants, nor Penelope herself,
ἀλλʼ οἶοι σύ τʼ ἐγώ τε γυναικῶν γνώομεν ἰθύν·but only you and I—let us learn the women's leanings;
καί κέ τεο δμώων ἀνδρῶν ἔτι πειρηθεῖμεν,and we might test some of the men, the servants too,
305ἠμὲν ὅπου τις νῶϊ τίει καὶ δείδιε θυμῷ,to see who among them honors us and fears us in his heart,
ἠδʼ ὅτις οὐκ ἀλέγει, σὲ δʼ ἀτιμᾷ τοῖον ἐόντα.and who has no regard, and slights you, being such as you are.
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσεφώνεε φαίδιμος υἱόςThen his glorious son answered him and said:
ὦ πάτερ, ἦ τοι ἐμὸν θυμὸν καὶ ἔπειτά γʼ, ὀΐω,"Father, my spirit you will come to know hereafter, I think,
γνώσεαι· οὐ μὲν γάρ τι χαλιφροσύναι γέ μʼ ἔχουσιν·indeed; for no slackness of mind holds me at all;
310ἀλλʼ οὔ τοι τόδε κέρδος ἐγὼν ἔσσεσθαι ὀΐωbut I do not think this plan of yours will be to our advantage,
ἡμῖν ἀμφοτέροισι· σὲ δὲ φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.to the two of us; I urge you to consider it.
δηθὰ γὰρ αὔτως εἴσῃ ἑκάστου πειρητίζων,For you will spend long time in vain, testing each man,
ἔργα μετερχόμενος· τοὶ δʼ ἐν μεγάροισιν ἕκηλοιgoing about the farms, while they at their ease in the halls
χρήματα δαρδάπτουσιν ὑπέρβιον οὐδʼ ἔπι φειδώ.devour your goods outrageously, and there is no sparing.
315ἀλλʼ ἦ τοί σε γυναῖκας ἐγὼ δεδάασθαι ἄνωγα,But the women, indeed, I urge you to find out,
αἵ τέ σʼ ἀτιμάζουσι καὶ αἳ νηλείτιδές εἰσιν·which of them dishonor you and which are guiltless;
ἀνδρῶν δʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε κατὰ σταθμοὺς ἐθέλοιμιthe men, though, throughout the steadings I would not
ἡμέας πειράζειν, ἀλλʼ ὕστερα ταῦτα πένεσθαι,wish us to test, but to labor at that later,
εἰ ἐτεόν γέ τι οἶσθα Διὸς τέρας αἰγιόχοιο.if in truth you know some sign from Zeus of the aegis."
320ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,So they spoke such things to one another,
ἡ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτʼ Ἰθάκηνδε κατήγετο νηῦς εὐεργής,Then to Ithaca the well-built ship came in,
ἣ φέρε Τηλέμαχον Πυλόθεν καὶ πάντας ἑταίρους.which carried Telemachus from Pylos and all his companions.
οἱ δʼ ὅτε δὴ λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντὸς ἵκοντο,And when they had come inside the deep harbor,
νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἐπʼ ἠπείροιο ἔρυσσαν,they hauled the black ship up onto the dry land,
325τεύχεα δέ σφʼ ἀπένεικαν ὑπέρθυμοι θεράποντες,and their high-spirited attendants carried off the gear,
αὐτίκα δʼ ἐς Κλυτίοιο φέρον περικαλλέα δῶρα.and at once bore the beautiful gifts to the house of Clytius.
αὐτὰρ κήρυκα πρόεσαν δόμον εἰς Ὀδυσῆος,But they sent a herald ahead to the house of Odysseus,
ἀγγελίην ἐρέοντα περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,to tell the message to prudent Penelope,
οὕνεκα Τηλέμαχος μὲν ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ, νῆα δʼ ἀνώγειthat Telemachus was in the country, and had ordered the ship
330ἄστυδʼ ἀποπλείειν, ἵνα μὴ δείσασʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷto sail off toward the city, so that the noble queen,
ἰφθίμη βασίλεια τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβοιafraid in her heart, should not let fall a tender tear.
τὼ δὲ συναντήτην κῆρυξ καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸςAnd these two met, the herald and the godlike swineherd,
τῆς αὐτῆς ἕνεκʼ ἀγγελίης, ἐρέοντε γυναικί.on the same errand, to tell the news to the woman.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἵκοντο δόμον θείου βασιλῆος,But when they had come to the house of the godlike king,
335κῆρυξ μέν ῥα μέσῃσι μετὰ δμῳῇσιν ἔειπεν·the herald spoke out among the serving maids:
ἤδη τοι, βασίλεια, φίλος πάϊς εἰλήλουθε."Now, my queen, your dear son has come home."
Πηνελοπείῃ δʼ εἶπε συβώτης ἄγχι παραστὰςBut the swineherd stood close by Penelope and told her
πάνθʼ ὅσα οἱ φίλος υἱὸς ἀνώγει μυθήσασθαι.all that her dear son had ordered him to say.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πᾶσαν ἐφημοσύνην ἀπέειπε,And when he had delivered the whole of his charge,
340βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεναι μεθʼ ὕας, λίπε δʼ ἕρκεά τε μέγαρόν τε.he went off to join the swine, and left the yard and the hall.
μνηστῆρες δʼ ἀκάχοντο κατήφησάν τʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ,But the suitors were grieved and downcast in their hearts,
ἐκ δʼ ἦλθον μεγάροιο παρὲκ μέγα τειχίον αὐλῆς,and they went out of the hall along the great courtyard wall,
αὐτοῦ δὲ προπάροιθε θυράων ἑδριόωντο.and there before the doors they took their seats.
τοῖσιν δʼ Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἦρχʼ ἀγορεύειν·And among them Eurymachus, son of Polybus, began to speak:
345ὦ φίλοι, ἦ μέγα ἔργον ὑπερφιάλως τετέλεσται"Friends, truly a great deed has been arrogantly accomplished,
Τηλεμάχῳ ὁδὸς ἥδε· φάμεν δέ οἱ οὐ τελέεσθαι.this journey of Telemachus; we thought it would not be done.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν ἥ τις ἀρίστη,But come, let us haul down a black ship, whichever is best,
ἐς δʼ ἐρέτας ἁλιῆας ἀγείρομεν, οἵ κε τάχισταand gather sea-going oarsmen, who with all speed
κείνοις ἀγγείλωσι θοῶς οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι.may tell those men to come home quickly."
350οὔ πω πᾶν εἴρηθʼ, ὅτʼ ἄρʼ Ἀμφίνομος ἴδε νῆα,Not all was yet spoken, when Amphinomus caught sight of the ship,
στρεφθεὶς ἐκ χώρης, λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντός,turning round in his place, inside the deep harbor,
ἱστία τε στέλλοντας ἐρετμά τε χερσὶν ἔχοντας.as they furled the sails and held the oars in their hands.
ἡδὺ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐκγελάσας μετεφώνεεν οἷς ἑτάροισι·And he laughed sweetly and spoke out among his companions:
μή τινʼ ἔτʼ ἀγγελίην ὀτρύνομεν· οἵδε γὰρ
ἔνδον."Let us send no more a message; these men are here inside.
355ἤ τίς σφιν τόδʼ ἔειπε θεῶν, ἢ εἴσιδον αὐτοὶEither some god told them this, or they themselves saw
νῆα παρερχομένην, τὴν δʼ οὐκ ἐδύναντο κιχῆναι.the ship going past, and could not overtake it."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἀνστάντες ἔβαν ἐπὶ θῖνα
θαλάσσης,So he spoke, and they rose and went to the shore of the sea,
αἶψα δὲ νῆα μέλαιναν ἐπʼ ἠπείροιο ἔρυσσαν,and at once they hauled the black ship up onto the dry land,
τεύχεα δέ σφʼ ἀπένεικαν ὑπέρθυμοι θεράποντες.and their high-spirited attendants carried off the gear.
360αὐτοὶ δʼ εἰς ἀγορὴν κίον ἀθρόοι, οὐδέ τινʼ ἄλλονAnd they themselves went in a body to the assembly, and would let no other
εἴων οὔτε νέων μεταΐζειν οὔτε γερόντων.neither young men nor old sit down among them.
τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·And Antinous spoke out among them, the son of Eupeithes:
ὢ πόποι, ὡς τόνδʼ ἄνδρα θεοὶ κακότητος
ἔλυσαν."Damnation, how the gods have freed this man from ruin!
ἤματα μὲν σκοποὶ ἷζον ἐπʼ ἄκριας ἠνεμοέσσαςBy day our watchmen sat on the windy headlands,
365αἰὲν ἐπασσύτεροι· ἅμα δʼ ἠελίῳ καταδύντιalways one after another; and when the sun went down
οὔ ποτʼ ἐπʼ ἠπείρου νύκτʼ ἄσαμεν, ἀλλʼ ἐνὶ πόντῳwe never spent the night on land, but out on the sea
νηῒ θοῇ πλείοντες ἐμίμνομεν Ἠῶ δῖαν,sailing in our swift ship we waited for the bright Dawn,
Τηλέμαχον λοχόωντες, ἵνα φθίσωμεν ἑλόντεςlying in wait for Telemachus, to seize and destroy
αὐτόν· τὸν δʼ ἄρα τῆος ἀπήγαγεν οἴκαδε δαίμων,the man himself; but meanwhile some god has led him home.
370ἡμεῖς δʼ ἐνθάδε οἱ φραζώμεθα λυγρὸν ὄλεθρονNow let us here devise a wretched destruction
Τηλεμάχῳ, μηδʼ ἧμας ὑπεκφύγοι· οὐ γὰρ ὀΐωfor Telemachus, and let him not slip past us; for I do not think
τούτου γε ζώοντος ἀνύσσεσθαι τάδε ἔργα.that while he lives these deeds of ours will reach their end.
αὐτὸς μὲν γὰρ ἐπιστήμων βουλῇ τε νόῳ τε,For he himself is skilled in counsel and in mind,
λαοὶ δʼ οὐκέτι πάμπαν ἐφʼ ἡμῖν ἦρα φέρουσιν.and the people no longer show us any favor at all.
375ἀλλʼ ἄγετε, πρὶν κεῖνον ὁμηγυρίσασθαι ἈχαιοὺςCome then, before he gathers the Achaeans
εἰς ἀγορήν—οὐ γάρ τι μεθησέμεναί μιν ὀΐω,into the assembly—for I do not think he will slacken,
ἀλλʼ ἀπομηνίσει, ἐρέει δʼ ἐν πᾶσιν ἀναστὰςbut will rage on, and rise and declare among them all
οὕνεκά οἱ φόνον αἰπὺν ἐράπτομεν οὐδʼ ἐκίχημεν·that we stitched steep murder for him and did not catch him;
οἱ δʼ οὐκ αἰνήσουσιν ἀκούοντες κακὰ ἔργα·and they will not approve when they hear these evil deeds;
380μή τι κακὸν ῥέξωσι καὶ ἡμέας ἐξελάσωσιbeware lest they do us some harm and drive us out
γαίης ἡμετέρης, ἄλλων δʼ ἀφικώμεθα δῆμον·from our own land, and we come to the country of others.
ἀλλὰ φθέωμεν ἑλόντες ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ νόσφι πόληοςLet us instead be first to take him, in the fields far from the city,
ἢ ἐν ὁδῷ· βίοτον δʼ αὐτοὶ καὶ κτήματʼ ἔχωμεν,or on the road; and let us hold his livelihood and possessions,
δασσάμενοι κατὰ μοῖραν ἐφʼ ἡμέας, οἰκία δʼ αὖτεdividing them fairly among ourselves, but the house
385κείνου μητέρι δοῖμεν ἔχειν ἠδʼ ὅστις ὀπυίοι.let us give to his mother to keep, and to whoever marries her.
εἰ δʼ ὑμῖν ὅδε μῦθος ἀφανδάνει, ἀλλὰ βόλεσθεBut if this proposal is displeasing to you, and you would rather
αὐτόν τε ζώειν καὶ ἔχειν πατρώϊα πάντα,that he live and hold all his father's goods,
μή οἱ χρήματʼ ἔπειτα ἅλις θυμηδέʼ ἔδωμενthen let us no longer gather here and consume in abundance
ἐνθάδʼ ἀγειρόμενοι, ἀλλʼ ἐκ μεγάροιο ἕκαστοςhis heart-cheering wealth, but let each man from his own hall
390μνάσθω ἐέδνοισιν διζήμενος· ἡ δέ κʼ ἔπειταcourt her with wooing gifts; and she then
γήμαιθʼ ὅς κε πλεῖστα πόροι καὶ μόρσιμος ἔλθοι.would marry whoever gives the most and comes as fated."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.So he spoke, and they all became hushed in silence.
τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀμφίνομος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε,Then Amphinomus addressed them and spoke out,
Νίσου φαίδιμος υἱός, Ἀρητιάδαο ἄνακτος,the shining son of Nisus, the lord son of Aretias,
395ὅς ῥʼ ἐκ Δουλιχίου πολυπύρου, ποιήεντος,who from Dulichium, rich in wheat and grass,
ἡγεῖτο μνηστῆρσι, μάλιστα δὲ Πηνελοπείῃled the suitors, and above all to Penelope
ἥνδανε μύθοισι· φρεσὶ γὰρ κέχρητʼ ἀγαθῇσιν·he was pleasing in his words; for he had a good mind.
ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·He with good will toward them addressed them and spoke out:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε κατακτείνειν ἐθέλοιμι"Friends, I for my part would not wish to kill
400Τηλέμαχον· δεινὸν δὲ γένος βασιλήϊόν ἐστινTelemachus; it is a dread thing to slay one of royal stock.
κτείνειν· ἀλλὰ πρῶτα θεῶν εἰρώμεθα βουλάς.to kill; but first let us inquire the gods' designs.
εἰ μέν κʼ αἰνήσωσι Διὸς μεγάλοιο θέμιστες,If the ordinances of great Zeus approve it,
αὐτός τε κτενέω τούς τʼ ἄλλους πάντας ἀνώξω·I myself will kill him and will urge on all the rest;
εἰ δέ κʼ ἀποτρωπῶσι θεοί, παύσασθαι ἄνωγα.but if the gods turn us from it, I bid you cease."
405ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀμφίνομος, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.So spoke Amphinomus, and his word pleased them.
αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀνστάντες ἔβαν δόμον εἰς Ὀδυσῆος,At once then they rose and went to the house of Odysseus,
ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι θρόνοισιν.and when they came they sat on the polished chairs.
ἡ δʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,But prudent Penelope thought of another thing,
μνηστήρεσσι φανῆναι ὑπέρβιον ὕβριν ἔχουσι.to show herself to the suitors who held overweening arrogance.
410πεύθετο γὰρ οὗ παιδὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ὄλεθρον·For she had learned of her son's destruction in the halls;
κῆρυξ γὰρ οἱ ἔειπε Μέδων, ὃς ἐπεύθετο βουλάς.the herald Medon told her, who had learned their plans.
βῆ δʼ ἰέναι μέγαρόνδε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξίν.She went down to the hall with her attendant women.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,But when the shining one among women reached the suitors,
στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,she stood by the pillar of the strongly built roof,
415ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα,holding her glistening veil before her cheeks,
Ἀντίνοον δʼ ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·and she rebuked Antinous, and spoke a word and named him:
Ἀντίνοʼ, ὕβριν ἔχων, κακομήχανε, καὶ δέ σέ
φασιν"Antinous, full of arrogance, contriver of evil—and yet they say
ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης μεθʼ ὁμήλικας ἔμμεν ἄριστονthat in the land of Ithaca among your age-mates you are the best
βουλῇ καὶ μύθοισι· σὺ δʼ οὐκ ἄρα τοῖος ἔησθα.in counsel and in speech; but you were no such man.
420μάργε, τίη δὲ σὺ Τηλεμάχῳ θάνατόν τε μόρον τεMadman, why do you stitch death and doom for Telemachus,
ῥάπτεις, οὐδʼ ἱκέτας ἐμπάζεαι, οἷσιν ἄρα Ζεὺςand take no heed of suppliants, over whom Zeus
μάρτυρος; οὐδʼ ὁσίη κακὰ ῥάπτειν ἀλλήλοισιν.stands witness? It is unholy to stitch evils against each other.
ἦ οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅτε δεῦρο πατὴρ τεὸς ἵκετο φεύγων,Do you not know when your father came here in flight,
δῆμον ὑποδείσας; δὴ γὰρ κεχολώατο λίην,in dread of the people? For they were greatly enraged,
425οὕνεκα ληϊστῆρσιν ἐπισπόμενος Ταφίοισινbecause he had followed the Taphian raiders
ἤκαχε Θεσπρωτούς· οἱ δʼ ἡμῖν ἄρθμιοι ἦσαν·and harried the Thesprotians, who were our allies;
τόν ῥʼ ἔθελον φθῖσαι καὶ ἀπορραῖσαι φίλον ἦτορhim they wished to destroy and to tear out his own heart
ἠδὲ κατὰ ζωὴν φαγέειν μενοεικέα πολλήν·and to devour his great and abundant living;
ἀλλʼ Ὀδυσεὺς κατέρυκε καὶ ἔσχεθεν ἱεμένους περ.but Odysseus restrained them and held them back, eager as they were.
430τοῦ νῦν οἶκον ἄτιμον ἔδεις, μνάᾳ δὲ γυναῖκαNow you eat up his house without payment, you court his wife,
παῖδά τʼ ἀποκτείνεις, ἐμὲ δὲ μεγάλως ἀκαχίζεις·and you would kill his child, and you grieve me greatly;
ἀλλά σε παύσασθαι κέλομαι καὶ ἀνωγέμεν ἄλλους.but I bid you cease, and order the others to do so too."
τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἀντίον
ηὔδα·Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered her:
κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,"Daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope,
435θάρσει· μή τοι ταῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶ σῇσι μελόντων.take courage; let not these things trouble your heart.
οὐκ ἔσθʼ οὗτος ἀνὴρ οὐδʼ ἔσσεται οὐδὲ γένηται,That man does not exist, nor will he, nor be born,
ὅς κεν Τηλεμάχῳ σῷ υἱέϊ χεῖρας ἐποίσειwho will lay hands on Telemachus your son
ζώοντός γʼ ἐμέθεν καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ δερκομένοιο.while I am living and look upon the earth.
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, καὶ μὴν τετελεσμένον ἔσται·For I say this to you, and it shall surely be accomplished:
440αἶψά οἱ αἷμα κελαινὸν ἐρωήσει περὶ δουρὶat once his dark blood will spurt around my spear;
ἡμετέρῳ, ἐπεὶ ἦ καὶ ἐμὲ πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεὺςfor indeed Odysseus, sacker of cities, took me too,
πολλάκι γούνασιν οἷσιν ἐφεσσάμενος κρέας ὀπτὸνand often set me on his knees and gave me roasted meat
ἐν χείρεσσιν ἔθηκεν, ἐπέσχε τε οἶνον ἐρυθρόν.into my hands, and held out to me the red wine.
τῷ μοι Τηλέμαχος πάντων πολὺ φίλτατός ἐστινTherefore Telemachus is by far the dearest of all men
445ἀνδρῶν, οὐδέ τί μιν θάνατον τρομέεσθαι ἄνωγαto me, and I bid him not to tremble at death
ἔκ γε μνηστήρων· θεόθεν δʼ οὐκ ἔστʼ ἀλέασθαι.from the suitors at least; but from the gods there is no escape."
ὣς φάτο θαρσύνων, τῷ δʼ ἤρτυεν αὐτὸς ὄλεθρον.So he spoke, encouraging her, but he himself was contriving her destruction.
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ εἰσαναβᾶσʼ ὑπερώϊα σιγαλόενταThen she, going up to her bright upper chamber,
κλαῖεν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα, φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνονwept for Odysseus, her dear husband, until grey-eyed Athena
450ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.
ἑσπέριος δʼ Ὀδυσῆϊ καὶ υἱέϊ δῖος ὑφορβὸςAt evening the godlike swineherd came back to Odysseus
ἤλυθεν· οἱ δʼ ἄρα δόρπον ἐπισταδὸν ὡπλίζοντο,and his son; and they were busily preparing supper,
σῦν ἱερεύσαντες ἐνιαύσιον. αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνη,having slaughtered a year-old pig. But Athena,
ἄγχι παρισταμένη, Λαερτιάδην Ὀδυσῆαdrawing close beside Odysseus, son of Laertes,
455ῥάβδῳ πεπληγυῖα πάλιν ποίησε γέροντα,struck him with her wand and made him an old man again,
λυγρὰ δὲ εἵματα ἕσσε περὶ χροΐ, μή ἑ συβώτηςand clothed his body in wretched garments, so that the swineherd
γνοίη ἐσάντα ἰδὼν καὶ ἐχέφρονι Πηνελοπείῃmight not know him at a glance and go to prudent Penelope
ἔλθοι ἀπαγγέλλων μηδὲ φρεσὶν εἰρύσσαιτο.to tell the news, and not keep it locked within his heart.
τὸν καὶ Τηλέμαχος πρότερος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν·And Telemachus was first to speak to him:
460ἦλθες, δῖʼ Εὔμαιε. τί δὴ κλέος ἔστʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ;"You have come, godlike Eumaeus. What is the news through the town?
ἦ ῥʼ ἤδη μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες ἔνδον ἔασινAre the lordly suitors now indoors again,
ἐκ λόχου, ἦ ἔτι μʼ αὖτʼ εἰρύαται οἴκαδʼ ἰόντα;back from their ambush, or do they still watch for me on my way home?"
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then you answered him, Eumaeus the swineherd:
οὐκ ἔμελέν μοι ταῦτα μεταλλῆσαι καὶ ἐρέσθαι"I had no mind to ask about these things or inquire,
465ἄστυ καταβλώσκοντα· τάχιστά με θυμὸς ἀνώγειgoing down through the town; my heart bade me most of all,
ἀγγελίην εἰπόντα πάλιν δεῦρʼ ἀπονέεσθαι.when I had told my message, to come back here again.
ὡμήρησε δέ μοι παρʼ ἑταίρων ἄγγελος ὠκύς,A swift messenger from your companions fell in with me,
κῆρυξ, ὃς δὴ πρῶτος ἔπος σῇ μητρὶ ἔειπεν.a herald, who was the first to tell the word to your mother.
ἄλλο δέ τοι τό γε οἶδα· τὸ γὰρ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν.But this other thing I know, for I saw it with my own eyes.
470ἤδη ὑπὲρ πόλιος, ὅθι θʼ Ἕρμαιος λόφος ἐστίν,Already I was on my way above the city, where the hill of Hermes is,
ἦα κιών, ὅτε νῆα θοὴν ἰδόμην κατιοῦσανwhen I saw a swift ship coming down
ἐς λιμένʼ ἡμέτερον· πολλοὶ δʼ ἔσαν ἄνδρες ἐν αὐτῇ,into our harbor; and there were many men in her,
βεβρίθει δὲ σάκεσσι καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισι·and she was weighed down with shields and double-edged spears;
καὶ σφέας ὠΐσθην τοὺς ἔμμεναι, οὐδέ τι οἶδα.and I supposed them to be those men, but I know nothing for certain."
475ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δʼ ἱερὴ ἲς ΤηλεμάχοιοSo he spoke, and the sacred might of Telemachus smiled,
ἐς πατέρʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδών, ἀλέεινε δʼ ὑφορβόν.glancing with his eyes at his father, and avoided the swineherd.
οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε
δαῖτα,Then when they had ceased from their labor and prepared the feast,
δαίνυντʼ, οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐΐσης.they feasted, nor did their heart lack anything of the equal feast.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,But when they had put away the desire for drink and food,
480κοίτου τε μνήσαντο καὶ ὕπνου δῶρον ἕλοντο.they bethought them of rest and took the gift of sleep.