1ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,When early-born rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
δὴ τότʼ ἔπειθʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλαthen indeed he bound beneath his feet the fine sandals,
Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,Telemachus, the dear son of godlike Odysseus,
εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ὅ οἱ παλάμηφιν ἀρήρει,and took up the strong spear that fitted well his palm,
5ἄστυδε ἱέμενος, καὶ ἑὸν προσέειπε συβώτην·eager for the city, and he spoke to his swineherd:
ἄττʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν ἐγὼν εἶμʼ ἐς πόλιν, ὄφρα με
μήτηρ"Old friend, I am going now to the city, so that my mother
ὄψεται· οὐ γάρ μιν πρόσθεν παύσεσθαι ὀΐωmay see me; for I think she will not cease before this
κλαυθμοῦ τε στυγεροῖο γόοιό τε δακρυόεντος,from her hateful weeping and her tearful lament,
πρίν γʼ αὐτόν με ἴδηται· ἀτὰρ σοί γʼ ὧδʼ ἐπιτέλλω.until she has seen me myself; but this I charge you with:
10τὸν ξεῖνον δύστηνον ἄγʼ ἐς πόλιν, ὄφρʼ ἂν ἐκεῖθιLead the wretched stranger to the city, so that there
δαῖτα πτωχεύῃ· δώσει δέ οἱ ὅς κʼ ἐθέλῃσιhe may beg for his meal; whoever wishes will give him
πύρνον καὶ κοτύλην· ἐμὲ δʼ οὔ πως ἔστιν ἅπανταςa morsel and a cup; I cannot possibly take on
ἀνθρώπους ἀνέχεσθαι, ἔχοντά περ ἄλγεα θυμῷ·the burden of all men, having troubles of my own in my heart.
ὁ ξεῖνος δʼ εἴ περ μάλα μηνίει, ἄλγιον αὐτῷAnd if the stranger takes it very ill, the worse will be
15ἔσσεται· ἦ γὰρ ἐμοὶ φίλʼ ἀληθέα μυθήσασθαι.for him; for I love to speak the truth."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
ὦ φίλος, οὐδέ τοι αὐτὸς ἐρύκεσθαι μενεαίνω·"My friend, I myself have no wish to be kept back;
πτωχῷ βέλτερόν ἐστι κατὰ πτόλιν ἠὲ κατʼ ἀγροὺςit is better for a beggar to beg his meal about the town
δαῖτα πτωχεύειν· δώσει δέ μοι ὅς κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν.than through the fields; whoever wishes will give to me.
20οὐ γὰρ ἐπὶ σταθμοῖσι μένειν ἔτι τηλίκος εἰμί,For I am no longer of an age to wait at the farmstead,
ὥστʼ ἐπιτειλαμένῳ σημάντορι πάντα πιθέσθαι.so as to obey in all things a master's command.
ἀλλʼ ἔρχευ· ἐμὲ δʼ ἄξει ἀνὴρ ὅδε, τὸν σὺ κελεύεις,But go; this man will lead me, the one you order,
αὐτίκʼ ἐπεί κε πυρὸς θερέω ἀλέη τε γένηται.the moment I have warmed at the fire and it grows mild.
αἰνῶς γὰρ τάδε εἵματʼ ἔχω κακά· μή με δαμάσσῃFor dreadfully poor are these clothes I have; I fear the frost
25στίβη ὑπηοίη· ἕκαθεν δέ τε ἄστυ φάτʼ εἶναι.of morning may overcome me; and you say the town is far off."
ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ διὰ σταθμοῖο βεβήκει,So he spoke, and Telemachus went out through the farmstead,
κραιπνὰ ποσὶ προβιβάς, κακὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσι φύτευεν.striding swiftly on his feet, sowing evil for the suitors.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἵκανε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,But when he came to the well-established house,
ἔγχος μέν ῥʼ ἔστησε φέρων πρὸς κίονα μακρήν,he set his spear he carried against a tall pillar,
30αὐτὸς δʼ εἴσω ἴεν καὶ ὑπέρβη λάϊνον οὐδόν.and he himself went inside and crossed the stone threshold.
τὸν δὲ πολὺ πρώτη εἶδε τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια,Far before all the rest his nurse Eurycleia saw him,
κώεα καστορνῦσα θρόνοις ἔνι δαιδαλέοισι,as she was spreading fleeces on the elaborate chairs,
δακρύσασα δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἰθὺς κίεν· ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἄλλαιand she went straight to him weeping; and about him the other
δμῳαὶ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἠγερέθοντο,slave-women of enduring-hearted Odysseus gathered,
35καὶ κύνεον ἀγαπαζόμεναι κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὤμους.and kissed him lovingly on his head and shoulders.
ἡ δʼ ἴεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,And prudent Penelope came out of her chamber,
Ἀρτέμιδι ἰκέλη ἠὲ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ,like Artemis or golden Aphrodite,
ἀμφὶ δὲ παιδὶ φίλῳ βάλε πήχεε δακρύσασα,and threw her arms about her dear son, weeping,
κύσσε δέ μιν κεφαλήν τε καὶ ἄμφω φάεα καλά,and kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes,
40καί ῥʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and lamenting she spoke winged words to him:
ἦλθες, Τηλέμαχε, γλυκερὸν φάος. οὔ σʼ ἔτʼ ἐγώ
γεYou have come, Telemachus, sweet light. I thought I would
ὄψεσθαι ἐφάμην, ἐπεὶ ᾤχεο νηῒ Πύλονδεnever see you again, once you sailed off to Pylos
λάθρη, ἐμεῦ ἀέκητι, φίλου μετὰ πατρὸς ἀκουήν.in secret, against my will, seeking word of your dear father.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι κατάλεξον ὅπως ἤντησας ὀπωπῆς.But come now, tell me how you met with the sight of him.
45τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus said to her in answer:
μῆτερ ἐμή, μή μοι γόον ὄρνυθι μηδέ μοι ἦτορMy mother, do not stir up grief in me, nor set my heart
ἐν στήθεσσιν ὄρινε φυγόντι περ αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον·in my breast churning, when I have just escaped from sheer destruction;
ἀλλʼ ὑδρηναμένη, καθαρὰ χροῒ εἵμαθʼ ἑλοῦσα,but wash yourself, and take fresh garments for your body,
εἰς ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶνand go up to the upper chamber with your serving-women,
50εὔχεο πᾶσι θεοῖσι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβαςand vow to all the gods to offer whole hecatombs,
ῥέξειν, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς ἄντιτα ἔργα τελέσσῃ.if only Zeus should somehow bring these deeds to requital.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἀγορὴν ἐσελεύσομαι, ὄφρα καλέσσωBut I myself will go to the assembly, so that I may summon
ξεῖνον, ὅτις μοι κεῖθεν ἅμʼ ἕσπετο δεῦρο κιόντι.a stranger who came here with me on my journey home.
τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ προὔπεμψα σὺν ἀντιθέοις ἑτάροισι,I sent him on ahead with my godlike companions,
55Πείραιον δέ μιν ἠνώγεα προτὶ οἶκον ἄγονταand I bade Piraeus lead him to his house
ἐνδυκέως φιλέειν καὶ τιέμεν, εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθω.and cherish him kindly and honor him, until I should come.
ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, τῇ δʼ ἄπτερος ἔπλετο μῦθος.So he spoke, and his word remained unwinged for her.
ἡ δʼ ὑδρηναμένη, καθαρὰ χροῒ εἵμαθʼ ἑλοῦσα,And she washed herself, and took fresh garments for her body,
εὔχετο πᾶσι θεοῖσι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβαςand vowed to all the gods to offer whole hecatombs,
60ῥέξειν, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς ἄντιτα ἔργα τελέσσῃ.if only Zeus should somehow bring these deeds to requital.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκειThen Telemachus went striding out through the hall
ἔγχος ἔχων· ἅμα τῷ γε δύω κύνες ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.holding his spear; and two swift dogs went along with him.
θεσπεσίην δʼ ἄρα τῷ γε χάριν κατέχευεν Ἀθήνη·And upon him Athena poured a wondrous grace,
τὸν δʼ ἄρα πάντες λαοὶ ἐπερχόμενον θηεῦντο.and all the people gazed at him as he came on.
65ἀμφὶ δέ μιν μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες ἠγερέθοντοAbout him the arrogant suitors gathered,
ἔσθλʼ ἀγορεύοντες, κακὰ δὲ φρεσὶ βυσσοδόμευον.speaking fair words, but brooding evils deep in their hearts.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τῶν μὲν ἔπειτα ἀλεύατο πουλὺν ὅμιλον,But he then avoided the great throng of them,
ἀλλʼ ἵνα Μέντωρ ἧστο καὶ Ἄντιφος ἠδʼ Ἁλιθέρσης,and went where Mentor was sitting, and Antiphus, and Halitherses,
οἵ τε οἱ ἐξ ἀρχῆς πατρώϊοι ἦσαν ἑταῖροι,who from the beginning were his father's companions,
70ἔνθα καθέζετʼ ἰών· τοὶ δʼ ἐξερέεινον ἕκαστα.there he went and sat down; and they questioned him on all things.
τοῖσι δὲ Πείραιος δουρικλυτὸς ἐγγύθεν ἦλθενAnd Piraeus, famed for the spear, came near to them
ξεῖνον ἄγων ἀγορήνδε διὰ πτόλιν· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴνleading the stranger through the town to the assembly; nor for long
Τηλέμαχος ξείνοιο ἑκὰς τράπετʼ, ἀλλὰ παρέστη.did Telemachus turn away from the stranger, but stood beside him.
τὸν καὶ Πείραιος πρότερος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·And Piraeus was first to speak a word to him:
75Τηλέμαχʼ, αἶψʼ ὄτρυνον ἐμὸν ποτὶ δῶμα
γυναῖκας,Telemachus, be quick to send the women to my house,
ὥς τοι δῶρʼ ἀποπέμψω, ἅ τοι Μενέλαος ἔδωκε.so I may send you the gifts that Menelaus gave you.
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus said to him in answer:
Πείραιʼ, οὐ γάρ τʼ ἴδμεν ὅπως ἔσται τάδε ἔργα.Piraeus, we do not know how these matters will turn out.
εἴ κεν ἐμὲ μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες ἐν μεγάροισιIf the arrogant suitors in the halls
80λάθρη κτείναντες πατρώϊα πάντα δάσωνται,should kill me by stealth and divide all my father's goods,
αὐτὸν ἔχοντά σε βούλομʼ ἐπαυρέμεν, ἤ τινα τῶνδε·I would rather you yourself had profit from them, or one of my own.
εἰ δέ κʼ ἐγὼ τούτοισι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φυτεύσω,But if I sow death and doom for these men,
δὴ τότε μοι χαίροντι φέρειν πρὸς δώματα χαίρων.then bring them gladly to my house, and I will be glad.
ὣς εἰπὼν ξεῖνον ταλαπείριον ἦγεν ἐς οἶκον.So speaking, he led the long-suffering stranger to his house.
85αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἵκοντο δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,And when they came to the well-built dwelling,
χλαίνας μὲν κατέθεντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,they laid their cloaks down on the chairs and thrones,
ἐς δʼ ἀσαμίνθους βάντες ἐϋξέστας λούσαντο.and stepping into the polished tubs they bathed.
τοὺς δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν δμῳαὶ λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ,And when the serving women had washed them and rubbed them with oil,
ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα χλαίνας οὔλας βάλον ἠδὲ χιτῶνας,and cast thick cloaks about them and tunics as well,
90ἔκ ῥʼ ἀσαμίνθων βάντες ἐπὶ κλισμοῖσι καθῖζον.they stepped from the tubs and sat down on the chairs.
χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσαA handmaid brought water for the hands and poured it
καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,from a lovely golden pitcher over 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,The honored housekeeper brought and set out bread,
95εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων.laying many dishes on it, gracious with her store.
μήτηρ δʼ ἀντίον ἷζε παρὰ σταθμὸν μεγάροιοAnd the mother sat facing them by the doorpost of the hall,
κλισμῷ κεκλιμένη, λέπτʼ ἠλάκατα στρωφῶσα.leaning back in her chair, spinning fine threads on the distaff.
οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον,And they put their hands to the good things laid ready before them,
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,but when they had put away the desire for drink and food,
100τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·prudent Penelope was first to speak among them:
Τηλέμαχʼ, ἦ τοι ἐγὼν ὑπερώϊον εἰσαναβᾶσαTelemachus, I will go up to my upper chamber
λέξομαι εἰς εὐνήν, ἥ μοι στονόεσσα τέτυκται,and lie down on my bed, which has become a place of groaning for me,
αἰεὶ δάκρυσʼ ἐμοῖσι πεφυρμένη, ἐξ οὗ Ὀδυσσεὺςforever wet with my tears, ever since Odysseus
ᾤχεθʼ ἅμʼ Ἀτρεΐδῃσιν ἐς Ἴλιον· οὐδέ μοι ἔτλης,went with the sons of Atreus to Ilion; nor did you have the heart,
105πρὶν ἐλθεῖν μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας ἐς τόδε δῶμα,before the arrogant suitors came into this house,
νόστον σοῦ πατρὸς σάφα εἰπέμεν, εἴ που ἄκουσας.to tell me clearly of your father's return, if you had heard anything.
τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus said to her in answer:
τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, μῆτερ, ἀληθείην καταλέξω.Well then, mother, I will tell you the truth.
ᾠχόμεθʼ ἔς τε Πύλον καὶ Νέστορα, ποιμένα λαῶν·We went to Pylos and to Nestor, shepherd of the people,
110δεξάμενος δέ με κεῖνος ἐν ὑψηλοῖσι δόμοισινand receiving me in his high halls
ἐνδυκέως ἐφίλει, ὡς εἴ τε πατὴρ ἑὸν υἱὸνhe loved me tenderly, as a father loves his own son
ἐλθόντα χρόνιον νέον ἄλλοθεν· ὣς ἐμὲ κεῖνοςcome home after long, newly from afar; so did he
ἐνδυκέως ἐκόμιζε σὺν υἱάσι κυδαλίμοισιν.tend me tenderly, with his glorious sons.
αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος οὔ ποτʼ ἔφασκεν,But of Odysseus of the steadfast heart he said he had never heard,
115ζωοῦ οὐδὲ θανόντος, ἐπιχθονίων τευ ἀκοῦσαι·from any man on earth, whether living or dead;
ἀλλά μʼ ἐς Ἀτρεΐδην, δουρικλειτὸν Μενέλαον,but to the son of Atreus, Menelaus famed for the spear,
ἵπποισι προὔπεμψε καὶ ἅρμασι κολλητοῖσιν.he sent me on with horses and a jointed chariot.
ἔνθʼ ἴδον Ἀργείην Ἑλένην, ἧς εἵνεκα πολλὰThere I saw Argive Helen, for whose sake many
Ἀργεῖοι Τρῶές τε θεῶν ἰότητι μόγησαν.Argives and Trojans suffered by the will of the gods.
120εἴρετο δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς ΜενέλαοςAnd at once Menelaus, good at the war cry, asked me
ὅττευ χρηΐζων ἱκόμην Λακεδαίμονα δῖαν·for what I wanted when I came to shining Lacedaemon.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τῷ πᾶσαν ἀληθείην κατέλεξα·And I told him the whole truth, the entire story.
καὶ τότε δή με ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·And then he answered me and spoke these words:
ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ κρατερόφρονος ἀνδρὸς ἐν
εὐνῇ"Shame upon them! In the bed of a strong-hearted man
125ἤθελον εὐνηθῆναι, ἀνάλκιδες αὐτοὶ ἐόντες.they longed to lie, and they themselves are cowards.
ὡς δʼ ὁπότʼ ἐν ξυλόχῳ ἔλαφος κρατεροῖο λέοντοςAs when in the thicket a deer has laid her fawns,
νεβροὺς κοιμήσασα νεηγενέας γαλαθηνοὺςnew-born and still at the breast, to sleep beside a mighty lion,
κνημοὺς ἐξερέῃσι καὶ ἄγκεα ποιήενταthen goes out searching the ridges and the grassy glens,
βοσκομένη, ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα ἑὴν εἰσήλυθεν εὐνήν,grazing, and afterward the lion comes back to his lair,
130ἀμφοτέροισι δὲ τοῖσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφῆκεν,and lets loose an ugly doom on both of them,
ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς κείνοισιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφήσει.so will Odysseus let loose an ugly doom on those men.
αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,Would, father Zeus and Athena and Apollo,
τοῖος ἐὼν οἷός ποτʼ ἐϋκτιμένῃ ἐνὶ Λέσβῳthat as he was once in well-built Lesbos,
ἐξ ἔριδος Φιλομηλεΐδῃ ἐπάλαισεν ἀναστάς,when he rose in the quarrel and wrestled Philomeleides,
135κὰδ δʼ ἔβαλε κρατερῶς, κεχάροντο δὲ πάντες Ἀχαιοί,and threw him down hard, and all the Achaeans rejoiced—
τοῖος ἐὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμιλήσειεν Ὀδυσσεύς·such a man might Odysseus meet the suitors as!
πάντες κʼ ὠκύμοροί τε γενοίατο πικρόγαμοί τε.Then all would find a swift doom and a bitter marriage.
ταῦτα δʼ ἅ μʼ εἰρωτᾷς καὶ λίσσεαι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γεBut as for these things you ask me and beg to know,
ἄλλα παρὲξ εἴποιμι παρακλιδὸν οὐδʼ ἀπατήσω,I will not speak evasively or turn aside, nor will I deceive you,
140ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν μοι ἔειπε γέρων ἅλιος νημερτής,but the things the unerring Old Man of the Sea told me,
τῶν οὐδέν τοι ἐγὼ κρύψω ἔπος οὐδʼ ἐπικεύσω.of these I will hide from you not one word, nor keep them back.
φῆ μιν ὅ γʼ ἐν νήσῳ ἰδέειν κρατέρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔχοντα,He said he saw him on an island, holding hard griefs,
νύμφης ἐν μεγάροισι Καλυψοῦς, ἥ μιν ἀνάγκῃin the halls of the nymph Calypso, who by force
ἴσχει· ὁ δʼ οὐ δύναται ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι.keeps him; and he cannot reach his native land.
145οὐ γάρ οἱ πάρα νῆες ἐπήρετμοι καὶ ἑταῖροι,For he has no ships fitted with oars, and no companions
οἵ κέν μιν πέμποιεν ἐπʼ εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσηςwho might send him over the broad back of the sea.
ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀτρεΐδης, δουρικλειτὸς Μενέλαος.So spoke the son of Atreus, Menelaus famed for the spear.
ταῦτα τελευτήσας νεόμην· ἔδοσαν δέ μοι οὖρονWhen I had finished these things I set out home; the immortals gave me
ἀθάνατοι, τοί μʼ ὦκα φίλην ἐς πατρίδʼ ἔπεμψαν.a fair wind, and swiftly sent me to my dear native land."
150ὣς φάτο, τῇ δʼ ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε.So he spoke, and he stirred the heart in her breast.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής·And among them spoke godlike Theoclymenus:
ὦ γύναι αἰδοίη Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος,"O honored wife of Odysseus, son of Laertes,
ἦ τοι ὅ γʼ οὐ σάφα οἶδεν, ἐμεῖο δὲ σύνθεο μῦθον·truly he does not know clearly; but heed my word,
ἀτρεκέως γάρ σοι μαντεύσομαι οὐδʼ ἐπικεύσω·for I will prophesy to you exactly, and hide nothing.
155ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς πρῶτα θεῶν, ξενίη τε τράπεζαLet Zeus now be my witness first among the gods, and the hospitable table,
ἱστίη τʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ἣν ἀφικάνω,and the hearth of blameless Odysseus, to which I have come,
ὡς ἦ τοι Ὀδυσεὺς ἤδη ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ,that truly Odysseus is already here in his native land,
ἥμενος ἢ ἕρπων, τάδε πευθόμενος κακὰ ἔργα,sitting or moving, learning of these evil deeds,
ἔστιν, ἀτὰρ μνηστῆρσι κακὸν πάντεσσι φυτεύει·and he is planting an evil seed for all the suitors.
160τοῖον ἐγὼν οἰωνὸν ἐϋσσέλμου ἐπὶ νηὸςSuch a bird-sign I marked as I sat on the well-benched ship,
ἥμενος ἐφρασάμην καὶ Τηλεμάχῳ ἐγεγώνευν.as I sat there, and I called out to Telemachus."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·And prudent Penelope answered him in turn:
αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο, ξεῖνε, ἔπος τετελεσμένον εἴη·"If only this word of yours, stranger, might be fulfilled!
τῷ κε τάχα γνοίης φιλότητά τε πολλά τε δῶραThen you would soon know my friendship and many gifts
165ἐξ ἐμεῦ, ὡς ἄν τίς σε συναντόμενος μακαρίζοι.from me, so that whoever met you would call you blessed."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,So they spoke such things to one another,
μνηστῆρες δὲ πάροιθεν Ὀδυσσῆος μεγάροιοbut the suitors, in front of the hall of Odysseus,
δίσκοισιν τέρποντο καὶ αἰγανέῃσιν ἱέντες,took their pleasure hurling discuses and throwing spears,
ἐν τυκτῷ δαπέδῳ, ὅθι περ πάρος ὕβριν ἔχοντες.on the leveled ground, where before too they held their arrogance.
170ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ δείπνηστος ἔην καὶ ἐπήλυθε μῆλαBut when it was time for dinner and the flocks came in
πάντοθεν ἐξ ἀγρῶν, οἱ δʼ ἤγαγον οἳ τὸ πάρος περ,from every side out of the fields, and those who always drove them,
καὶ τότε δή σφιν ἔειπε Μέδων· ὃς γάρ ῥα μάλισταthen indeed Medon spoke to them, for he most of all
ἥνδανε κηρύκων, καὶ σφιν παρεγίγνετο δαιτί·pleased them among the heralds, and shared their feast:
κοῦροι, ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντες ἐτέρφθητε φρένʼ
ἀέθλοις,"Young men, since now you have all delighted your hearts in the games,
175ἔρχεσθε πρὸς δώμαθʼ, ἵνʼ ἐντυνώμεθα δαῖτα·come to the house, so we may make ready the feast;
οὐ μὲν γάρ τι χέρειον ἐν ὥρῃ δεῖπνον ἑλέσθαι.for it is no bad thing to take dinner in due season."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἀνστάντες ἔβαν πείθοντό τε
μύθῳ.So he spoke, and they rose and went, and obeyed his word.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἵκοντο δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,And when they came to the well-built house,
χλαίνας μὲν κατέθεντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,they laid their cloaks upon the couches and chairs,
180οἱ δʼ ἱέρευον ὄϊς μεγάλους καὶ πίονας αἶγας,and they slaughtered great sheep and fat goats,
ἵρευον δὲ σύας σιάλους καὶ βοῦν ἀγελαίην,they slaughtered plump swine and a cow from the herd,
δαῖτʼ ἐντυνόμενοι. τοὶ δʼ ἐξ ἀγροῖο πόλινδεmaking ready the feast. And those two from the country toward the city
ὠτρύνοντʼ Ὀδυσεύς τʼ ἰέναι καὶ δῖος ὑφορβός.readied themselves to go, Odysseus and the godlike swineherd.
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν·And the swineherd, leader of men, began to speak among them:
185ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ ἂρ δὴ ἔπειτα πόλινδʼ ἰέναι
μενεαίνεις"Stranger, since indeed you now are eager to go to the city
σήμερον, ὡς ἐπέτελλεν ἄναξ ἐμός—ἦ σʼ ἂν ἐγώ γεtoday, as my master ordered—though I myself would rather
αὐτοῦ βουλοίμην σταθμῶν ῥυτῆρα λιπέσθαι·you were left here as a keeper of the steadings;
ἀλλὰ τὸν αἰδέομαι καὶ δείδια, μή μοι ὀπίσσωbut I hold him in awe and fear that afterward he
νεικείῃ· χαλεπαὶ δέ τʼ ἀνάκτων εἰσὶν ὁμοκλαί—may rebuke me; and harsh are the reproaches of masters—
190ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν ἴομεν· δὴ γὰρ μέμβλωκε μάλισταbut come now, let us go; for the day has mostly
ἦμαρ, ἀτὰρ τάχα τοι ποτὶ ἕσπερα ῥίγιον ἔσται.passed away, and soon toward evening it will be colder for you."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·And resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
γιγνώσκω, φρονέω· τά γε δὴ νοέοντι κελεύεις."I understand, I know; you order one who already means it.
ἀλλʼ ἴομεν, σὺ δʼ ἔπειτα διαμπερὲς ἡγεμόνευε.But let us go, and you lead the whole way after that.
195δὸς δέ μοι, εἴ ποθί τοι ῥόπαλον τετμημένον ἐστίν,And give me, if somewhere you have a staff cut to size,
σκηρίπτεσθʼ, ἐπεὶ ἦ φατʼ ἀρισφαλέʼ ἔμμεναι οὐδόν.to lean on, since you said the path is very slippery."
ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισιν ἀεικέα βάλλετο πήρην,So he spoke, and about his shoulders he slung his unseemly pouch,
πυκνὰ ῥωγαλέην· ἐν δὲ στρόφος ἦεν ἀορτήρ·full of holes; and there was a twisted cord for a strap.
Εὔμαιος δʼ ἄρα οἱ σκῆπτρον θυμαρὲς ἔδωκε.And Eumaeus gave him a staff to his liking.
200τὼ βήτην, σταθμὸν δὲ κύνες καὶ βώτορες ἄνδρεςThe two set off, and the dogs and the herdsmen
ῥύατʼ ὄπισθε μένοντες· ὁ δʼ ἐς πόλιν ἦγεν ἄνακταkept guard, staying behind; but he led his lord to the city
πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠδὲ γέροντι,looking like a wretched beggar and an old man,
σκηπτόμενον· τὰ δὲ λυγρὰ περὶ χροῒ εἵματα ἕστο.leaning on a staff, and about his body he wore sorry rags.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ στείχοντες ὁδὸν κάτα παιπαλόεσσανBut when, walking down the rugged path,
205ἄστεος ἐγγὺς ἔσαν καὶ ἐπὶ κρήνην ἀφίκοντοthey were near the town and came to the fountain,
τυκτὴν καλλίροον, ὅθεν ὑδρεύοντο πολῖται,well-built and fair-flowing, where the townsfolk drew their water,
τὴν ποίησʼ Ἴθακος καὶ Νήριτος ἠδὲ Πολύκτωρ·which Ithacus made, and Neritus, and Polyctor;
ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ αἰγείρων ὑδατοτρεφέων ἦν ἄλσος,and around it was a grove of water-nourished poplars,
πάντοσε κυκλοτερές, κατὰ δὲ ψυχρὸν ῥέεν ὕδωρcircling on every side, and cold water flowed down
210ὑψόθεν ἐκ πέτρης· βωμὸς δʼ ἐφύπερθε τέτυκτοfrom high off the rock; and above an altar was built
νυμφάων, ὅθι πάντες ἐπιρρέζεσκον ὁδῖται·to the Nymphs, where all wayfarers made offering;
ἔνθα σφέας ἐκίχανʼ υἱὸς Δολίοιο Μελανθεὺςthere Melanthius, the son of Dolius, came upon them,
αἶγας ἄγων, αἳ πᾶσι μετέπρεπον αἰπολίοισι,driving goats that stood out among all the herds,
δεῖπνον μνηστήρεσσι· δύω δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο νομῆες.a meal for the suitors; and two herdsmen followed with him.
215τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν νείκεσσεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν,And seeing them he reviled them, and spoke and called out
ἔκπαγλον καὶ ἀεικές· ὄρινε δὲ κῆρ Ὀδυσῆος·dreadful and unseemly words, and stirred the heart of Odysseus:
νῦν μὲν δὴ μάλα πάγχυ κακὸς κακὸν ἡγηλάζει,"Now indeed one utter rascal is leading a rascal,
ὡς αἰεὶ τὸν ὁμοῖον ἄγει θεὸς ὡς τὸν ὁμοῖον.as ever the god brings like man to his like.
πῇ δὴ τόνδε μολοβρὸν ἄγεις, ἀμέγαρτε συβῶτα,Where are you leading this glutton, you miserable swineherd,
220πτωχὸν ἀνιηρόν δαιτῶν ἀπολυμαντῆρα;this tiresome beggar, this spoiler of feasts?
ὃς πολλῇς φλιῇσι παραστὰς θλίψεται ὤμους,He will stand and rub his shoulders on many a doorpost,
αἰτίζων ἀκόλους, οὐκ ἄορας οὐδὲ λέβητας·begging for scraps, not for swords or cauldrons.
τόν κʼ εἴ μοι δοίης σταθμῶν ῥυτῆρα γενέσθαιIf you would give him to me to be a watchman of the folds,
σηκοκόρον τʼ ἔμεναι θαλλόν τʼ ἐρίφοισι φορῆναι,and to be a stall-sweeper and to carry green shoots to the kids,
225καί κεν ὀρὸν πίνων μεγάλην ἐπιγουνίδα θεῖτο.then drinking whey he might grow himself a stout thigh.
ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν δὴ ἔργα κάκʼ ἔμμαθεν, οὐκ ἐθελήσειBut since now he has learned only evil ways, he will not be willing
ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι, ἀλλὰ πτώσσων κατὰ δῆμονto set his hand to work, but skulking through the land
βούλεται αἰτίζων βόσκειν ἣν γαστέρʼ ἄναλτον.he chooses to beg and feed his insatiable belly.
ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·But I will speak out, and it will be a thing accomplished:
230αἴ κʼ ἔλθῃ πρὸς δώματʼ Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,if he comes to the house of godlike Odysseus,
πολλά οἱ ἀμφὶ κάρη σφέλα ἀνδρῶν ἐκ παλαμάωνmany a footstool flung by the hands of men about his head
πλευραὶ ἀποτρίψουσι δόμον κάτα βαλλομένοιο.his ribs will wear away, as he is pelted through the house."
ὣς φάτο, καὶ παριὼν λὰξ ἔνθορεν ἀφραδίῃσινSo he spoke, and passing by, in his folly he kicked out
ἰσχίῳ· οὐδέ μιν ἐκτὸς ἀταρπιτοῦ ἐστυφέλιξεν,at the hip; but he did not knock him off the path,
235ἀλλʼ ἔμενʼ ἀσφαλέως· ὁ δὲ μερμήριξεν Ὀδυσσεὺςand he stood steady; and Odysseus pondered
ἠὲ μεταΐξας ῥοπάλῳ ἐκ θυμὸν ἕλοιτο,whether to rush at him and take his life with the cudgel,
ἦ πρὸς γῆν ἐλάσειε κάρη ἀμφουδὶς ἀείρας.or to lift him bodily and dash his head to the ground.
ἀλλʼ ἐπετόλμησε, φρεσὶ δʼ ἔσχετο· τὸν δὲ συβώτηςBut he held out, and kept it in his heart; and the swineherd
νείκεσʼ ἐσάντα ἰδών, μέγα δʼ εὔξατο χεῖρας ἀνασχών·reviled him to his face, and prayed aloud, lifting up his hands:
240νύμφαι κρηναῖαι, κοῦραι Διός, εἴ ποτʼ
Ὀδυσσεὺς"Fountain Nymphs, daughters of Zeus, if ever Odysseus
ὔμμʼ ἐπὶ μηρίʼ ἔκηε, καλύψας πίονι δημῷ,burned thigh-pieces for you, wrapping them in rich fat,
ἀρνῶν ἠδʼ ἐρίφων, τόδε μοι κρηήνατʼ ἐέλδωρ,of lambs and kids, then grant me this my longing:
ὡς ἔλθοι μὲν κεῖνος ἀνήρ, ἀγάγοι δέ ἑ δαίμων·that that man might come, and some god bring him home;
τῷ κέ τοι ἀγλαΐας γε διασκεδάσειεν ἁπάσας,he would scatter for you all your splendors,
245τὰς νῦν ὑβρίζων φορέεις, ἀλαλήμενος αἰεὶthese you now flaunt in insolence, forever wandering
ἄστυ κάτʼ· αὐτὰρ μῆλα κακοὶ φθείρουσι νομῆες.through the town, while worthless herdsmen ruin the flocks."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν·Then Melanthius, the goatherd of goats, answered him:
ὢ πόποι, οἶον ἔειπε κύων ὀλοφώϊα εἰδώς,"For shame, what a thing this dog has said, knowing only ruin,
τόν ποτʼ ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἐϋσσέλμοιο μελαίνηςwhom one day aboard a black and well-benched ship
250ἄξω τῆλʼ Ἰθάκης, ἵνα μοι βίοτον πολὺν ἄλφοι.I will carry far from Ithaca, to fetch me great profit.
αἲ γὰρ Τηλέμαχον βάλοι ἀργυρότοξος ἈπόλλωνWould that Apollo of the silver bow might strike Telemachus
σήμερον ἐν μεγάροις, ἢ ὑπὸ μνηστῆρσι δαμείη,today in the halls, or that he be brought down by the suitors,
ὡς Ὀδυσῆΐ γε τηλοῦ ἀπώλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ.as surely for Odysseus the day of return is lost far off."
ὣς εἰπὼν τοὺς μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ ἦκα κιόντας,So saying, he left them there, moving slowly on,
255αὐτὰρ ὁ βῆ, μάλα δʼ ὦκα δόμους ἵκανεν ἄνακτος.but he went ahead, and very swiftly reached the master's house.
αὐτίκα δʼ εἴσω ἴεν, μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσι καθῖζεν,At once he went inside, and sat down among the suitors,
ἀντίον Εὐρυμάχου· τὸν γὰρ φιλέεσκε μάλιστα.opposite Eurymachus; for it was him he loved the most.
τῷ πάρα μὲν κρειῶν μοῖραν θέσαν οἳ πονέοντο,Beside him those who served set a portion of meat,
σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσαand the honored housekeeper brought and placed bread before him
260ἔδμεναι. ἀγχίμολον δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸςto eat. Then Odysseus and the godlike swineherd drew near
στήτην ἐρχομένω, περὶ δέ σφεας ἤλυθʼ ἰωὴand halted as they came, and about them rose the sound
φόρμιγγος γλαφυρῆς· ἀνὰ γάρ σφισι βάλλετʼ ἀείδεινof the hollow lyre; for Phemius was lifting his voice
Φήμιος· αὐτὰρ ὁ χειρὸς ἑλὼν προσέειπε συβώτην·in song; and he took the swineherd by the hand and spoke:
Εὔμαιʼ, ἦ μάλα δὴ τάδε δώματα κάλʼ Ὀδυσῆος,"Eumaeus, surely this is the fair house of Odysseus,
265ῥεῖα δʼ ἀρίγνωτʼ ἐστὶ καὶ ἐν πολλοῖσιν ἰδέσθαι.and easy to know, marked out even among many.
ἐξ ἑτέρων ἕτερʼ ἐστίν, ἐπήσκηται δέ οἱ αὐλὴOne part stands beyond another, and the courtyard is fashioned
τοίχῳ καὶ θριγκοῖσι, θύραι δʼ εὐερκέες εἰσὶwith wall and coping, and the doors are strong, well-guarded,
δικλίδες· οὐκ ἄν τίς μιν ἀνὴρ ὑπεροπλίσσαιτο.double-folding; no man could take it by force.
γιγνώσκω δʼ ὅτι πολλοὶ ἐν αὐτῷ δαῖτα τίθενταιAnd I know that many men within it hold their feast,
270ἄνδρες, ἐπεὶ κνίση μὲν ἀνήνοθεν, ἐν δέ τε φόρμιγξsince the savor of roasting rises, and within the lyre
ἠπύει, ἣν ἄρα δαιτὶ θεοὶ ποίησαν ἑταίρην.sounds out, which the gods have made the companion of the feast."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then answering him you spoke, Eumaeus the swineherd:
ῥεῖʼ ἔγνως, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ τά τʼ ἄλλα πέρ ἐσσʼ ἀνοήμων."Easily you knew it, since in other things too you are no fool.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ φραζώμεθʼ ὅπως ἔσται τάδε ἔργα.But come now, let us think how these matters will be.
275ἠὲ σὺ πρῶτος ἔσελθε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,Either you go first into the well-built house,
δύσεο δὲ μνηστῆρας, ἐγὼ δʼ ὑπολείψομαι αὐτοῦ·and enter among the suitors, and I will remain here;
εἰ δʼ ἐθέλεις, ἐπίμεινον, ἐγὼ δʼ εἶμι προπάροιθε·or if you wish, wait, and I will go ahead;
μηδὲ σὺ δηθύνειν, μή τίς σʼ ἔκτοσθε νοήσαςbut do not linger, lest someone, marking you outside,
ἢ βάλῃ ἢ ἐλάσῃ· τὰ δέ σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.throw at you or drive you off; these things I bid you heed."
280τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then answered him much-enduring godlike Odysseus:
γιγνώσκω, φρονέω· τά γε δὴ νοέοντι κελεύεις."I know it, I understand: you bid one who already sees.
ἀλλʼ ἔρχευ προπάροιθεν, ἐγὼ δʼ ὑπολείψομαι αὐτοῦ.But go ahead, and I will stay behind here.
οὐ γάρ τι πληγέων ἀδαήμων οὐδὲ βολάων·For I am no stranger to blows nor to things thrown;
τολμήεις μοι θυμός, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ πέπονθαmy heart is enduring, since I have suffered many evils
285κύμασι καὶ πολέμῳ· μετὰ καὶ τόδε τοῖσι γενέσθω·on the waves and in war; let this too be added to them.
γαστέρα δʼ οὔ πως ἔστιν ἀποκρύψαι μεμαυῖαν,But the belly, ravenous, there is no way to hide it,
οὐλομένην, ἣ πολλὰ κάκʼ ἀνθρώποισι δίδωσι,the accursed thing, which gives men many evils,
τῆς ἕνεκεν καὶ νῆες ἐΰζυγοι ὁπλίζονταιfor whose sake even the well-benched ships are fitted out
πόντον ἐπʼ ἀτρύγετον, κακὰ δυσμενέεσσι φέρουσαι.over the barren sea, bringing evil to enemies."
290ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·So they spoke such things to one another;
ἂν δὲ κύων κεφαλήν τε καὶ οὔατα κείμενος ἔσχεν,and a dog that lay there lifted his head and ears,
Ἄργος, Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὅν ῥά ποτʼ αὐτὸςArgos, the dog of enduring-hearted Odysseus, whom once he himself
θρέψε μέν, οὐδʼ ἀπόνητο, πάρος δʼ εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρὴνhad reared, but had no joy of him, for before that to sacred Ilion
ᾤχετο. τὸν δὲ πάροιθεν ἀγίνεσκον νέοι ἄνδρεςhe went. In earlier days the young men used to take him
295αἶγας ἐπʼ ἀγροτέρας ἠδὲ πρόκας ἠδὲ λαγωούς·after the wild goats and the deer and the hares;
δὴ τότε κεῖτʼ ἀπόθεστος ἀποιχομένοιο ἄνακτος,but now he lay neglected, his master gone away,
ἐν πολλῇ κόπρῳ, ἥ οἱ προπάροιθε θυράωνin the deep dung of mules and cattle, which before the gates
ἡμιόνων τε βοῶν τε ἅλις κέχυτʼ, ὄφρʼ ἂν ἄγοιενlay heaped in abundance, until the servants of Odysseus
δμῶες Ὀδυσσῆος τέμενος μέγα κοπρήσοντες·should carry it off to dung his great estate;
300ἔνθα κύων κεῖτʼ Ἄργος, ἐνίπλειος κυνοραιστέων.there lay the dog Argos, full of ticks.
δὴ τότε γʼ, ὡς ἐνόησεν Ὀδυσσέα ἐγγὺς ἐόντα,And now, when he sensed that Odysseus was near,
οὐρῇ μέν ῥʼ ὅ γʼ ἔσηνε καὶ οὔατα κάββαλεν ἄμφω,he wagged his tail and dropped both his ears,
ἆσσον δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἔπειτα δυνήσατο οἷο ἄνακτοςbut no longer had he the strength to come nearer
ἐλθέμεν· αὐτὰρ ὁ νόσφιν ἰδὼν ἀπομόρξατο δάκρυ,to his master; and Odysseus, looking aside, wiped away a tear,
305ῥεῖα λαθὼν Εὔμαιον, ἄφαρ δʼ ἐρεείνετο μύθῳ·easily hiding it from Eumaeus, and at once questioned him with words:
Εὔμαιʼ, ἦ μάλα θαῦμα, κύων ὅδε κεῖτʼ ἐνὶ
κόπρῳ."Eumaeus, this is a great wonder, this dog lying in the dung.
καλὸς μὲν δέμας ἐστίν, ἀτὰρ τόδε γʼ οὐ σάφα οἶδα,He is beautiful in build, but this I do not clearly know,
εἰ δὴ καὶ ταχὺς ἔσκε θέειν ἐπὶ εἴδεϊ τῷδε,whether he was also swift to run to match this look of his,
ἦ αὔτως οἷοί τε τραπεζῆες κύνες ἀνδρῶνor was merely such as the table-dogs of men
310γίγνοντʼ· ἀγλαΐης δʼ ἕνεκεν κομέουσιν ἄνακτες.turn out to be, that masters keep for show."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then answering him you spoke, Eumaeus the swineherd:
καὶ λίην ἀνδρός γε κύων ὅδε τῆλε θανόντος."Indeed this is the dog of a man who died far away.
εἰ τοιόσδʼ εἴη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ ἔργα,If he were such in build and in deeds
οἷόν μιν Τροίηνδε κιὼν κατέλειπεν Ὀδυσσεύς,as when Odysseus left him going to Troy,
315αἶψά κε θηήσαιο ἰδὼν ταχυτῆτα καὶ ἀλκήν.you would soon marvel to see his speed and strength.
οὐ μὲν γάρ τι φύγεσκε βαθείης βένθεσιν ὕληςFor nothing that he chased ever escaped him in the depths of the deep wood,
κνώδαλον, ὅττι δίοιτο· καὶ ἴχνεσι γὰρ περιῄδη·no wild creature; and in tracking he was surpassing skilled.
νῦν δʼ ἔχεται κακότητι, ἄναξ δέ οἱ ἄλλοθι πάτρηςBut now he is held by misery, and his master, far from his own land,
ὤλετο, τὸν δὲ γυναῖκες ἀκηδέες οὐ κομέουσι.has perished, and the careless women do not tend him.
320δμῶες δʼ, εὖτʼ ἂν μηκέτʼ ἐπικρατέωσιν ἄνακτες,Servants, when their masters no longer rule over them,
οὐκέτʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐθέλουσιν ἐναίσιμα ἐργάζεσθαι·no longer wish then to do their work rightly.
ἥμισυ γάρ τʼ ἀρετῆς ἀποαίνυται εὐρύοπα ΖεὺςFor wide-thundering Zeus takes away half a man's worth
ἀνέρος, εὖτʼ ἄν μιν κατὰ δούλιον ἦμαρ ἕλῃσιν.from him, on the day that slavery seizes him."
ὣς εἰπὼν εἰσῆλθε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,So speaking he entered the well-built halls,
325βῆ δʼ ἰθὺς μεγάροιο μετὰ μνηστῆρας ἀγαυούς.and went straight through the hall among the lordly suitors.
Ἄργον δʼ αὖ κατὰ μοῖρʼ ἔλαβεν μέλανος θανάτοιο,But the fate of black death now seized upon Argos,
αὐτίκʼ ἰδόντʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἐεικοστῷ ἐνιαυτῷ.as soon as he had seen Odysseus in the twentieth year.
τὸν δὲ πολὺ πρῶτος ἴδε Τηλέμαχος θεοειδὴςGodlike Telemachus was by far the first to see him,
ἐρχόμενον κατὰ δῶμα συβώτην, ὦκα δʼ ἔπειταthe swineherd, coming through the hall, and quickly then
330νεῦσʼ ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσας· ὁ δὲ παπτήνας ἕλε δίφρονhe nodded, calling him near; and glancing around he took a stool
κείμενον, ἔνθα τε δαιτρὸς ἐφίζεσκε κρέα πολλὰthat stood there, where the carver used to sit, cutting up
δαιόμενος μνηστῆρσι δόμον κάτα δαινυμένοισι·much meat for the suitors as they feasted through the hall.
τὸν κατέθηκε φέρων πρὸς Τηλεμάχοιο τράπεζανThis he carried and set beside Telemachus's table,
ἀντίον, ἔνθα δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτὸς ἐφέζετο· τῷ δʼ ἄρα κῆρυξacross from him, and there he sat himself down; and for him the herald
335μοῖραν ἑλὼν ἐτίθει κανέου τʼ ἐκ σῖτον ἀείρας.took a portion and set it out, and lifted bread from the basket.
ἀγχίμολον δὲ μετʼ αὐτὸν ἐδύσετο δώματʼ
Ὀδυσσεύς,And close behind him Odysseus entered the halls,
πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιος ἠδὲ γέροντι,like a wretched beggar and an old man,
σκηπτόμενος· τὰ δὲ λυγρὰ περὶ χροΐ εἵματα ἕστο.leaning on a staff; and about his body he wore sorry clothes.
ἷζε δʼ ἐπὶ μελίνου οὐδοῦ ἔντοσθε θυράων,He sat down on the ash-wood threshold inside the doorway,
340κλινάμενος σταθμῷ κυπαρισσίνῳ, ὅν ποτε τέκτωνleaning against a cypress doorpost, which once a carpenter
ξέσσεν ἐπισταμένως καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν.had planed with skill and made straight to the line.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσας προσέειπε συβώτην,Then Telemachus, calling him near, spoke to the swineherd,
ἄρτον τʼ οὖλον ἑλὼν περικαλλέος ἐκ κανέοιοtaking a whole loaf from the beautiful basket
καὶ κρέας, ὥς οἱ χεῖρες ἐχάνδανον ἀμφιβαλόντι·and meat, as much as his hands could hold when he grasped it:
345δὸς τῷ ξείνῳ ταῦτα φέρων αὐτόν τε κέλευε"Carry these and give them to the stranger, and bid him
αἰτίζειν μάλα πάντας ἐποιχόμενον μνηστῆρας·go among all the suitors and beg from every one;
αἰδὼς δʼ οὐκ ἀγαθὴ κεχρημένῳ ἀνδρὶ παρεῖναι.shame is no good companion for a man in need."
ὣς φάτο, βῆ δὲ συφορβός, ἐπεὶ τὸν μῦθον
ἄκουσεν,So he spoke, and the swineherd went, when he heard the word,
ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντʼ ἀγόρευε·and standing close beside him spoke winged words:
350Τηλέμαχός τοι, ξεῖνε, διδοῖ τάδε, καί σε
κελεύει"Telemachus gives you these, stranger, and bids you
αἰτίζειν μάλα πάντας ἐποιχόμενον μνηστῆρας·go among all the suitors and beg from every one;
αἰδῶ δʼ οὐκ ἀγαθήν φησʼ ἔμμεναι ἀνδρὶ προΐκτῃ.he says shame is no good thing for a man who begs."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then answering him spoke resourceful Odysseus:
Ζεῦ ἄνα, Τηλέμαχόν μοι ἐν ἀνδράσιν ὄλβιον εἶναι,"Lord Zeus, grant that Telemachus be blessed among men,
355καί οἱ πάντα γένοιθʼ ὅσσα φρεσὶν ᾗσι μενοινᾷ.and that all he longs for in his heart come to pass."
ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφοτέρῃσιν ἐδέξατο καὶ κατέθηκενHe spoke, and took it in both hands, and set it down
αὖθι ποδῶν προπάροιθεν, ἀεικελίης ἐπὶ πήρης,there before his feet, on the unseemly wallet,
ἤσθιε δʼ ἧος ἀοιδὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἄειδεν·and ate as long as the bard was singing in the halls;
εὖθʼ ὁ δεδειπνήκειν, ὁ δʼ ἐπαύετο θεῖος ἀοιδός.when he had finished his meal, the divine bard ceased.
360μνηστῆρες δʼ ὁμάδησαν ἀνὰ μέγαρʼ. αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνη,And the suitors raised a clamor through the halls. But then Athena,
ἄγχι παρισταμένη Λαερτιάδην Ὀδυσῆαstanding close beside the son of Laertes, Odysseus,
ὤτρυνʼ, ὡς ἂν πύρνα κατὰ μνηστῆρας ἀγείροι,urged him to gather crusts of bread among the suitors,
γνοίη θʼ οἵ τινές εἰσιν ἐναίσιμοι οἵ τʼ ἀθέμιστοι·and learn which of them were decent, which were lawless—
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὥς τινʼ ἔμελλʼ ἀπαλεξήσειν κακότητος.though not for that would she save any one from ruin.
365βῆ δʼ ἴμεν αἰτήσων ἐνδέξια φῶτα ἕκαστον,He went to beg from each man, moving to the right,
πάντοσε χεῖρʼ ὀρέγων, ὡς εἰ πτωχὸς πάλαι εἴη.stretching out his hand on all sides, like a beggar of long standing.
οἱ δʼ ἐλεαίροντες δίδοσαν, καὶ ἐθάμβεον αὐτόν,And they gave in pity, and were amazed at him,
ἀλλήλους τʼ εἴροντο τίς εἴη καὶ πόθεν ἔλθοι.and asked each other who he was and whence he came.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν·Then among them spoke Melanthius, the herder of goats:
370κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης,"Hear me, suitors of the glorious queen,
τοῦδε περὶ ξείνου· ἦ γάρ μιν πρόσθεν ὄπωπα.about this stranger; for indeed I have seen him before.
ἦ τοι μέν οἱ δεῦρο συβώτης ἡγεμόνευεν,The swineherd led him here, that much is true,
αὐτὸν δʼ οὐ σάφα οἶδα, πόθεν γένος εὔχεται εἶναι.but himself I do not clearly know, nor of what stock he claims to be."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἔπεσιν νείκεσσε συβώτην·So he spoke, and Antinous rebuked the swineherd with words:
375ὦ ἀρίγνωτε συβῶτα, τίη δὲ σὺ τόνδε πόλινδε"You notorious swineherd, why did you bring this fellow
ἤγαγες; ἦ οὐχ ἅλις ἧμιν ἀλήμονές εἰσι καὶ ἄλλοι,to the city? Have we not enough vagabonds already,
πτωχοὶ ἀνιηροί, δαιτῶν ἀπολυμαντῆρες;troublesome beggars, spoilers of the feast?
ἦ ὄνοσαι ὅτι τοι βίοτον κατέδουσιν ἄνακτοςOr do you find it too little that they gather here
ἐνθάδʼ ἀγειρόμενοι, σὺ δὲ καὶ προτὶ τόνδʼ ἐκάλεσσας;to devour your master's living, that you must call this one too?"
380τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then answering him you spoke, Eumaeus the swineherd:
Ἀντίνοʼ, οὐ μὲν καλὰ καὶ ἐσθλὸς ἐὼν ἀγορεύεις·"Antinous, you speak no good words, noble though you are.
τίς γὰρ δὴ ξεῖνον καλεῖ ἄλλοθεν αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼνFor who himself goes out and calls a stranger
ἄλλον γʼ, εἰ μὴ τῶν οἳ δημιοεργοὶ ἔασι,from elsewhere, unless he be one who works for the people,
μάντιν ἢ ἰητῆρα κακῶν ἢ τέκτονα δούρων,a prophet, or a healer of ills, or a builder of timbers,
385ἢ καὶ θέσπιν ἀοιδόν, ὅ κεν τέρπῃσιν ἀείδων;or a divine bard, who gives delight with his singing?
οὗτοι γὰρ κλητοί γε βροτῶν ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν·These are the men that mortals summon over the boundless earth;
πτωχὸν δʼ οὐκ ἄν τις καλέοι τρύξοντα ἓ αὐτόν.no one would call a beggar to eat him out of house.
ἀλλʼ αἰεὶ χαλεπὸς περὶ πάντων εἶς μνηστήρωνBut you are always harsh, beyond all the suitors,
δμωσὶν Ὀδυσσῆος, πέρι δʼ αὖτʼ ἐμοί· αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γεto the servants of Odysseus, and to me most of all; yet I
390οὐκ ἀλέγω, ἧός μοι ἐχέφρων Πηνελόπειαdo not care, so long as prudent Penelope
ζώει ἐνὶ μεγάροις καὶ Τηλέμαχος θεοειδής.lives in the halls, and godlike Telemachus."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus said to him in answer:
σίγα, μή μοι τοῦτον ἀμείβεο πολλὰ ἔπεσσιν·"Be silent, do not answer this man with many words;
Ἀντίνοος δʼ εἴωθε κακῶς ἐρεθιζέμεν αἰεὶAntinous is used to always provoking us with cruelty,
395μύθοισιν χαλεποῖσιν, ἐποτρύνει δὲ καὶ ἄλλους.with harsh speeches, and he stirs up the others too."
ἦ ῥα καὶ Ἀντίνοον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·And he spoke winged words to Antinous:
Ἀντίνοʼ, ἦ μευ καλὰ πατὴρ ὣς κήδεαι υἷος,"Antinous, you care for me nobly, like a father for his son,
ὃς τὸν ξεῖνον ἄνωγας ἀπὸ μεγάροιο διέσθαιyou who bid me drive this stranger from the hall
μύθῳ ἀναγκαίῳ· μὴ τοῦτο θεὸς τελέσειε.with a compelling word—may no god bring that to pass.
400δός οἱ ἑλών· οὔ τοι φθονέω· κέλομαι γὰρ ἐγώ γε·Take something and give it him; I do not begrudge it—I bid you.
μήτʼ οὖν μητέρʼ ἐμὴν ἅζευ τό γε μήτε τινʼ ἄλλονDo not defer to my mother in this, nor to any other
δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματʼ Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.of the servants who are in the house of godlike Odysseus.
ἀλλʼ οὔ τοι τοιοῦτον ἐνὶ στήθεσσι νόημα·But no such thought is there in your breast;
αὐτὸς γὰρ φαγέμεν πολὺ βούλεαι ἢ δόμεν ἄλλῳ.you far prefer to eat yourself than to give to another."
405τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέειπε·Then Antinous answered him and said:
Τηλέμαχʼ ὑψαγόρη, μένος ἄσχετε, ποῖον ἔειπες."Telemachus, big talker, unbridled in spirit, what have you said!
εἴ οἱ τόσσον ἅπαντες ὀρέξειαν μνηστῆρες,If all the suitors would offer him as much as this,
καί κέν μιν τρεῖς μῆνας ἀπόπροθεν οἶκος ἐρύκοι.his house would keep him off and away three months at least."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, καὶ θρῆνυν ἑλὼν ὑπέφηνε τραπέζηςSo he spoke, and seizing the footstool he brandished it, the one under the table
410κείμενον, ᾧ ῥʼ ἔπεχεν λιπαροὺς πόδας εἰλαπινάζων·that lay there, on which he rested his shining feet at the feast.
οἱ δʼ ἄλλοι πάντες δίδοσαν, πλῆσαν δʼ ἄρα πήρηνBut all the others gave, and filled his wallet
σίτου καὶ κρειῶν· τάχα δὴ καὶ ἔμελλεν Ὀδυσσεὺςwith bread and meat; and soon Odysseus was about
αὖτις ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰὼν προικὸς γεύσεσθαι Ἀχαιῶν·to go back to the threshold and taste the Achaeans' bounty—
στῆ δὲ παρʼ Ἀντίνοον, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·but he halted beside Antinous, and spoke this word to him:
415δός, φίλος· οὐ μέν μοι δοκέεις ὁ κάκιστος
Ἀχαιῶν"Give, friend; you do not seem to me the worst of the Achaeans,
ἔμμεναι, ἀλλʼ ὤριστος, ἐπεὶ βασιλῆϊ ἔοικας.but the best, since you look like a king.
τῷ σε χρὴ δόμεναι καὶ λώϊον ἠέ περ ἄλλοιSo you should give bread, and even more freely than the others;
σίτου· ἐγὼ δέ κέ σε κλείω κατʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν.and I would spread your fame across the boundless earth.
καὶ γὰρ ἐγώ ποτε οἶκον ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἔναιονFor I too once dwelt in a house among men,
420ὄλβιος ἀφνειὸν καὶ πολλάκι δόσκον ἀλήτῃ,a prosperous man with wealth, and often gave to a wanderer,
τοίῳ ὁποῖος ἔοι καὶ ὅτευ κεχρημένος ἔλθοι·whatever sort he was and with whatever need he came;
ἦσαν δὲ δμῶες μάλα μυρίοι ἄλλα τε πολλὰand I had servants beyond number, and many other things
οἷσίν τʼ εὖ ζώουσι καὶ ἀφνειοὶ καλέονται.by which men live well and are called rich.
ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς ἀλάπαξε Κρονίων—ἤθελε γάρ που—But Zeus the son of Cronos ruined me—for such was his will—
425ὅς μʼ ἅμα ληϊστῆρσι πολυπλάγκτοισιν ἀνῆκενwho sent me off with roving pirates
Αἴγυπτόνδʼ ἰέναι, δολιχὴν ὁδόν, ὄφρʼ ἀπολοίμην.to journey to Egypt, a long road, that I might perish there.
στῆσα δʼ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ποταμῷ νέας ἀμφιελίσσας.I moored my curved ships in the river of Egypt.
ἔνθʼ ἦ τοι μὲν ἐγὼ κελόμην ἐρίηρας ἑταίρουςThere indeed I ordered my trusty companions
αὐτοῦ πὰρ νήεσσι μένειν καὶ νῆας ἔρυσθαι,to stay by the ships and to guard the ships,
430ὀπτῆρας δὲ κατὰ σκοπιὰς ὤτρυνα νέεσθαι.and I sent out scouts to go to the lookout points.
οἱ δʼ ὕβρει εἴξαντες, ἐπισπόμενοι μένεϊ σφῷ,But they, yielding to insolence and driven by their own fury,
αἶψα μάλʼ Αἰγυπτίων ἀνδρῶν περικαλλέας ἀγροὺςvery quickly set to plundering the beautiful fields
πόρθεον, ἐκ δὲ γυναῖκας ἄγον καὶ νήπια τέκνα,of the Egyptian men, and carried off the women and little children,
αὐτούς τʼ ἔκτεινον· τάχα δʼ ἐς πόλιν ἵκετʼ ἀϋτή.and killed the men themselves; and soon the outcry reached the city.
435οἱ δὲ βοῆς ἀΐοντες ἅμʼ ἠοῖ φαινομένηφινAnd they, hearing the shouting, came at the showing of Dawn;
ἦλθον· πλῆτο δὲ πᾶν πεδίον πεζῶν τε καὶ ἵππωνand the whole plain was filled with footmen and horses
χαλκοῦ τε στεροπῆς· ἐν δὲ Ζεὺς τερπικέραυνοςand the flash of bronze; and Zeus who delights in thunder
φύζαν ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισι κακὴν βάλεν, οὐδέ τις ἔτληcast an evil rout upon my companions, and none had the heart
στῆναι ἐναντίβιον· περὶ γὰρ κακὰ πάντοθεν ἔστη.to stand and face them; for on every side stood ruin about us.
440ἔνθʼ ἡμέων πολλοὺς μὲν ἀπέκτανον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,There they killed many of us with the sharp bronze,
τοὺς δʼ ἄναγον ζωούς, σφίσιν ἐργάζεσθαι ἀνάγκῃ.But others they led off alive, to labor for them under compulsion.
αὐτὰρ ἔμʼ ἐς Κύπρον ξείνῳ δόσαν ἀντιάσαντι,And to Cyprus they gave me, to a stranger who met them there,
Δμήτορι Ἰασίδῃ, ὃς Κύπρου ἶφι ἄνασσεν·to Dmetor son of Iasus, who ruled Cyprus by his might;
ἔνθεν δὴ νῦν δεῦρο τόδʼ ἵκω πήματα πάσχων.and from there I come here now, suffering hardships.
445τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·Then Antinous answered him and said:
τίς δαίμων τόδε πῆμα προσήγαγε, δαιτὸς ἀνίην;"What god has brought this plague upon us, this spoiler of the feast?
στῆθʼ οὕτως ἐς μέσσον, ἐμῆς ἀπάνευθε τραπέζης,Stand off there in the middle, away from my table,
μὴ τάχα πικρὴν Αἴγυπτον καὶ Κύπρον ἵκηαι·lest you soon come to a bitter Egypt and a bitter Cyprus;
ὥς τις θαρσαλέος καὶ ἀναιδής ἐσσι προΐκτης.what a bold and shameless beggar you are!
450ἑξείης πάντεσσι παρίστασαι· οἱ δὲ διδοῦσιYou come and stand by each man in turn; and they give
μαψιδίως, ἐπεὶ οὔ τις ἐπίσχεσις οὐδʼ ἐλεητὺςrecklessly, since there is no restraint and no pity
ἀλλοτρίων χαρίσασθαι, ἐπεὶ πάρα πολλὰ ἑκάστῳ.in being generous with another's goods, when each has plenty at hand."
τὸν δʼ ἀναχωρήσας προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·Then drawing back resourceful Odysseus said to him:
ὢ πόποι, οὐκ ἄρα σοί γʼ ἐπὶ εἴδεϊ καὶ φρένες ἦσαν·"Well now, your looks and your wits do not match after all;
455οὐ σύ γʼ ἂν ἐξ οἴκου σῷ ἐπιστάτῃ οὐδʼ ἅλα δοίης,not even a pinch of salt would you give from your own house to your own suppliant,
ὃς νῦν ἀλλοτρίοισι παρήμενος οὔ τί μοι ἔτληςyou who now, sitting at another man's board, could not bring yourself
σίτου ἀποπροελὼν δόμεναι· τὰ δὲ πολλὰ πάρεστιν.to take a morsel of bread and give it me; and here is plenty."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἐχολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,So he spoke, and Antinous grew angrier still in his heart,
καί μιν ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and glaring at him he spoke winged words:
460νῦν δή σʼ οὐκέτι καλὰ διὲκ μεγάροιό γʼ ὀΐω"Now I think you will no longer make it fairly out through the hall
ἂψ ἀναχωρήσειν, ὅτε δὴ καὶ ὀνείδεα βάζεις.and back again, since you fling insults too."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, καὶ θρῆνυν ἑλὼν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον,So he spoke, and seizing the footstool he hurled it at the right shoulder,
πρυμνότατον κατὰ νῶτον· ὁ δʼ ἐστάθη ἠΰτε πέτρηat the base of the back; but he stood firm like a rock,
ἔμπεδον, οὐδʼ ἄρα μιν σφῆλεν βέλος Ἀντινόοιο,unshaken, nor did the missile of Antinous throw him,
465ἀλλʼ ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.but he shook his head in silence, brooding evil in his depths.
ἂψ δʼ ὅ γʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο, κὰδ δʼ ἄρα πήρηνAnd going back to the threshold he sat down, and set down
θῆκεν ἐϋπλείην, μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπε·his well-filled pouch, and spoke among the suitors:
κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης,"Hear me, suitors of the glorious queen,
ὄφρʼ εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.that I may say what the heart in my breast commands me.
470οὐ μὰν οὔτʼ ἄχος ἐστὶ μετὰ φρεσὶν οὔτε τι πένθος,Truly there is no grief in the mind, nor any sorrow,
ὁππότʼ ἀνὴρ περὶ οἷσι μαχειόμενος κτεάτεσσιwhen a man is struck fighting for his own possessions,
βλήεται, ἢ περὶ βουσὶν ἢ ἀργεννῇς ὀΐεσσιν·whether for his cattle or for his white sheep;
αὐτὰρ ἔμʼ Ἀντίνοος βάλε γαστέρος εἵνεκα λυγρῆς,but Antinous struck me for the sake of my wretched belly,
οὐλομένης, ἣ πολλὰ κάκʼ ἀνθρώποισι δίδωσιν.that accursed thing, which gives men so many evils.
475ἀλλʼ εἴ που πτωχῶν γε θεοὶ καὶ Ἐρινύες εἰσίν,But if anywhere there are gods and Furies for beggars,
Ἀντίνοον πρὸ γάμοιο τέλος θανάτοιο κιχείη.may the end of death reach Antinous before his marriage."
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered him:
ἔσθιʼ ἕκηλος, ξεῖνε, καθήμενος, ἢ ἄπιθʼ ἄλλῃ,"Eat in peace, stranger, sitting there, or go elsewhere,
μή σε νέοι διὰ δώματʼ ἐρύσσωσʼ, οἷʼ ἀγορεύεις,lest the young men drag you through the house for such talk of yours,
480ἢ ποδὸς ἢ καὶ χειρός, ἀποδρύψωσι δὲ πάντα.by a foot or by a hand, and strip all the skin from you."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὑπερφιάλως
νεμέσησαν·So he spoke, and they all were arrogantly indignant;
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·and thus would one of the overbearing young men speak:
Ἀντίνοʼ, οὐ μὲν κάλʼ ἔβαλες δύστηνον ἀλήτην,"Antinous, you did wrong to strike the wretched wanderer,
οὐλόμενʼ, εἰ δή πού τις ἐπουράνιος θεός ἐστιν.you doomed man, if he is indeed some god from heaven.
485καί τε θεοὶ ξείνοισιν ἐοικότες ἀλλοδαποῖσι,And the gods, taking the likeness of strangers from afar,
παντοῖοι τελέθοντες, ἐπιστρωφῶσι πόληας,becoming all manner of shapes, roam through the cities,
ἀνθρώπων ὕβριν τε καὶ εὐνομίην ἐφορῶντες.watching over the insolence and good order of men."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφαν μνηστῆρες, ὁ δʼ οὐκ ἐμπάζετο μύθων.So the suitors spoke, but he took no heed of their words.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἐν μὲν κραδίῃ μέγα πένθος ἄεξεAnd Telemachus nursed a great grief in his heart
490βλημένου, οὐδʼ ἄρα δάκρυ χαμαὶ βάλεν ἐκ βλεφάροιϊν,at the blow, yet he let no tear fall to the ground from his eyelids,
ἀλλʼ ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.but silently he shook his head, plotting evils in his depths.
τοῦ δʼ ὡς οὖν ἤκουσε περίφρων ΠηνελόπειαNow when prudent Penelope heard of it,
βλημένου ἐν μεγάρῳ, μετʼ ἄρα δμῳῇσιν ἔειπεν·of the man struck in the hall, she said among her handmaids:
αἴθʼ οὕτως αὐτόν σε βάλοι κλυτότοξος Ἀπόλλων."Would that Apollo of the glorious bow might so strike you yourself!"
495τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρυνόμη ταμίη πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν·Then Eurynome the housekeeper spoke to her in answer:
εἰ γὰρ ἐπʼ ἀρῇσιν τέλος ἡμετέρῃσι γένοιτο·"If only there might be fulfillment of our prayers—
οὐκ ἄν τις τούτων γε ἐΰθρονον Ἠῶ ἵκοιτο.then not one of these men would reach fair-throned Dawn."
τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·And prudent Penelope answered her again:
μαῖʼ, ἐχθροὶ μὲν πάντες, ἐπεὶ κακὰ μηχανόωνται·"Nurse, they are all hateful, since they contrive evils;
500Ἀντίνοος δὲ μάλιστα μελαίνῃ κηρὶ ἔοικε.but Antinous most of all resembles black death.
ξεῖνός τις δύστηνος ἀλητεύει κατὰ δῶμαSome wretched stranger goes wandering through the house,
ἀνέρας αἰτίζων· ἀχρημοσύνη γὰρ ἀνώγει·begging from the men, for need commands him;
ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐνέπλησάν τʼ ἔδοσάν τε,there all the others filled his hands and gave to him,
οὗτος δὲ θρήνυι πρυμνὸν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον.but this one struck his right shoulder with a footstool."
505ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς ἀγόρευε μετὰ δμῳῇσι γυναιξίν,So she spoke there among her serving women,
ἡμένη ἐν θαλάμῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐδείπνεε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·sitting in her chamber; and godlike Odysseus was dining.
ἡ δʼ ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσασα προσηύδα δῖον ὑφορβόν·Then she called the godlike swineherd to her and said:
ἔρχεο, δῖʼ Εὔμαιε, κιὼν τὸν ξεῖνον ἄνωχθι"Go, godlike Eumaeus, and bid the stranger
ἐλθέμεν, ὄφρα τί μιν προσπτύξομαι ἠδʼ ἐρέωμαιcome here, that I may greet him and ask him
510εἴ που Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἠὲ πέπυσταιwhether he has heard anything of stout-hearted Odysseus
ἢ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσι· πολυπλάγκτῳ γὰρ ἔοικε.or seen him with his eyes; for he seems much-wandered."
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶταThen you answered her, Eumaeus the swineherd:
εἰ γάρ τοι, βασίλεια, σιωπήσειαν Ἀχαιοί·"If only, my queen, the Achaeans would fall silent!
οἷʼ ὅ γε μυθεῖται, θέλγοιτό κέ τοι φίλον ἦτορ.Such things he tells as would enchant your very heart.
515τρεῖς γὰρ δή μιν νύκτας ἔχον, τρία δʼ ἤματʼ ἔρυξαFor three nights I kept him, three days I held him
ἐν κλισίῃ· πρῶτον γὰρ ἔμʼ ἵκετο νηὸς ἀποδράς·in my hut; for to me he came first when he fled from a ship;
ἀλλʼ οὔ πω κακότητα διήνυσεν ἣν ἀγορεύων.yet he had not finished the tale of his affliction.
ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀοιδὸν ἀνὴρ ποτιδέρκεται, ὅς τε θεῶν ἒξAs when a man gazes upon a singer who from the gods
ἀείδει δεδαὼς ἔπεʼ ἱμερόεντα βροτοῖσι,has learned to sing words full of longing for mortals,
520τοῦ δʼ ἄμοτον μεμάασιν ἀκουέμεν, ὁππότʼ ἀείδῃ·and they yearn insatiably to hear him whenever he sings—
ὣς ἐμὲ κεῖνος ἔθελγε παρήμενος ἐν μεγάροισι.so did that man enchant me, sitting beside me in the halls.
φησὶ δʼ Ὀδυσσῆος ξεῖνος πατρώϊος εἶναι,He says he is a guest-friend of Odysseus, from his father's house,
Κρήτῃ ναιετάων, ὅθι Μίνωος γένος ἐστίν.dwelling in Crete, where the race of Minos is.
ἔνθεν δὴ νῦν δεῦρο τόδʼ ἵκετο πήματα πάσχων,From there he now has come here, suffering afflictions,
525προπροκυλινδόμενος· στεῦται δʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀκοῦσαι,rolling onward; and he swears he has heard of Odysseus
ἀγχοῦ, Θεσπρωτῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐν πίονι δήμῳ,nearby, in the rich land of the Thesprotian men,
ζωοῦ· πολλὰ δʼ ἄγει κειμήλια ὅνδε δόμονδε.alive; and he brings many treasures home to his house."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him:
ἔρχεο, δεῦρο κάλεσσον, ἵνʼ ἀντίον αὐτὸς ἐνίσπῃ."Go, call him here, that he may tell it to my face.
530οὗτοι δʼ ἠὲ θύρῃσι καθήμενοι ἑψιαάσθων.And let these men take their pleasure sitting at the doors
ἢ αὐτοῦ κατὰ δώματʼ, ἐπεί σφισι θυμὸς ἐΰφρων.or here throughout the house, since their heart is merry.
αὐτῶν μὲν γὰρ κτήματʼ ἀκήρατα κεῖτʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,For their own possessions lie untouched in their homes,
σῖτος καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ· τὰ μὲν οἰκῆες ἔδουσιν,the bread and the sweet wine; those their servants eat,
οἱ δʼ εἰς ἡμέτερον πωλεύμενοι ἤματα πάντα,while they, frequenting our house all our days,
535βοῦς ἱερεύοντες καὶ ὄϊς καὶ πίονας αἶγας,slaughtering our cattle and sheep and fat goats,
εἰλαπινάζουσιν πίνουσί τε αἴθοπα οἶνον,feast and drink the gleaming wine
μαψιδίως· τὰ δὲ πολλὰ κατάνεται. οὐ γὰρ ἔπʼ ἀνήρ,recklessly; and much is wasted. For there is no man,
οἷος Ὀδυσσεὺς ἔσκεν, ἀρὴν ἀπὸ οἴκου ἀμῦναι.such as Odysseus was, to ward off ruin from the house.
εἰ δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτʼ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,But if Odysseus should come and reach his native land,
540αἶψά κε σὺν ᾧ παιδὶ βίας ἀποτίσεται ἀνδρῶν.soon with his son he would avenge the violence of these men."
ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ μέγʼ ἔπταρεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ
δῶμαSo she spoke, and Telemachus sneezed loudly, and all around the house
σμερδαλέον κονάβησε· γέλασσε δὲ Πηνελόπεια,rang terribly; and Penelope laughed,
αἶψα δʼ ἄρʼ Εὔμαιον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and at once she spoke winged words to Eumaeus:
ἔρχεό μοι, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐναντίον ὧδε κάλεσσον."Go now for me, call the stranger here before me.
545οὐχ ὁράᾳς ὅ μοι υἱὸς ἐπέπταρε πᾶσιν ἔπεσσι;Do you not see how my son sneezed at all my words?
τῷ κε καὶ οὐκ ἀτελὴς θάνατος μνηστῆρσι γένοιτοBy this token, death would come to the suitors, not unfulfilled,
πᾶσι μάλʼ, οὐδέ κέ τις θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξει.to every one of them, nor shall any escape death and the fates.
ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν·And another thing I will tell you, and lay it up in your mind:
αἴ κʼ αὐτὸν γνώω νημερτέα πάντʼ ἐνέποντα,if I know him to be telling all things without error,
550ἕσσω μιν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, εἵματα καλά.I will clothe him in a cloak and a tunic, fine garments."
ὣς φάτο, βῆ δὲ συφορβός, ἐπεὶ τὸν μῦθον
ἄκουσεν·So she spoke, and the swineherd went, when he had heard her word;
ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and standing close he spoke winged words:
ξεῖνε πάτερ, καλέει σε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,"Stranger and father, prudent Penelope calls you,
μήτηρ Τηλεμάχοιο· μεταλλῆσαί τί ἑ θυμὸςthe mother of Telemachus; her heart bids her ask
555ἀμφὶ πόσει κέλεται, καὶ κήδεά περ πεπαθυίῃ.something about her husband, grieved as she is with sorrows.
εἰ δέ κέ σε γνώῃ νημερτέα πάντʼ ἐνέποντα,And if she knows you to be telling all things without error,
ἕσσει σε χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, τῶν σὺ μάλισταshe will clothe you in a cloak and a tunic, which most of all
χρηΐζεις· σῖτον δὲ καὶ αἰτίζων κατὰ δῆμονyou need; and your bread you will win by begging through the land,
γαστέρα βοσκήσεις· δώσει δέ τοι ὅς κʼ ἐθέλῃσι.and feed your belly; whoever wishes will give to you."
560τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus answered him:
Εὔμαιʼ, αἶψά κʼ ἐγὼ νημερτέα πάντʼ ἐνέποιμι"Eumaeus, at once I would tell all things without error
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ·to the daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope;
οἶδα γὰρ εὖ περὶ κείνου, ὁμὴν δʼ ἀνεδέγμεθʼ ὀϊζύν.for I know well about that man, and we have borne one common misery.
ἀλλὰ μνηστήρων χαλεπῶν ὑποδείδιʼ ὅμιλον,But I dread the crowd of the harsh suitors,
565τῶν ὕβρις τε βίη τε σιδήρεον οὐρανὸν ἵκει.whose insolence and violence reach the iron sky.
καὶ γὰρ νῦν, ὅτε μʼ οὗτος ἀνὴρ κατὰ δῶμα κιόνταFor even now, when this man, as I went through the hall
οὔ τι κακὸν ῥέξαντα βαλὼν ὀδύνῃσιν ἔδωκεν,doing no harm at all, struck me and gave me over to pains,
οὔτε τι Τηλέμαχος τό γʼ ἐπήρκεσεν οὔτε τις ἄλλος.neither Telemachus nor anyone else warded it off.
τῷ νῦν Πηνελόπειαν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἄνωχθιSo now bid Penelope in the halls,
570μεῖναι, ἐπειγομένην περ, ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα·eager as she is, to wait until the sun goes down;
καὶ τότε μʼ εἰρέσθω πόσιος πέρι νόστιμον ἦμαρ,and then let her ask me about her husband's day of return,
ἀσσοτέρω καθίσασα παραὶ πυρί· εἵματα γάρ τοιseating me nearer beside the fire; for wretched garments
λύγρʼ ἔχω· οἶσθα καὶ αὐτός, ἐπεί σε πρῶθʼ ἱκέτευσα.I have, as you know yourself, since first I came to you as a suppliant."
ὣς φάτο, βῆ δὲ συφορβός, ἐπεὶ τὸν μῦθον ἄκουσε.So he spoke, and the swineherd went, when he had heard his word;
575τὸν δʼ ὑπὲρ οὐδοῦ βάντα προσηύδα Πηνελόπεια·and as he crossed the threshold Penelope addressed him:
οὐ σύ γʼ ἄγεις, Εὔμαιε· τί τοῦτʼ ἐνόησεν
ἀλήτης;"You do not bring him, Eumaeus. What has the wanderer in mind?
ἦ τινά που δείσας ἐξαίσιον ἦε καὶ ἄλλωςDoes he fear someone, some outrage, or is he otherwise
αἰδεῖται κατὰ δῶμα; κακὸς δʼ αἰδοῖος ἀλήτης.ashamed within the hall? A shamefaced wanderer is a poor one."
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·Then you spoke to her in answer, Eumaeus the swineherd:
580μυθεῖται κατὰ μοῖραν, ἅ πέρ κʼ οἴοιτο καὶ ἄλλος,"He speaks fittingly, as any other man might think,
ὕβριν ἀλυσκάζων ἀνδρῶν ὑπερηνορεόντων.shunning the insolence of overbearing men.
ἀλλά σε μεῖναι ἄνωγεν ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα.But he bids you wait until the sun goes down.
καὶ δὲ σοὶ ὧδʼ αὐτῇ πολὺ κάλλιον, ὦ βασίλεια,And for you yourself this is far better, queen,
οἴην πρὸς ξεῖνον φάσθαι ἔπος ἠδʼ ἐπακοῦσαι.to speak your word to the stranger alone, and to hear him."
585τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope said to him in turn:
οὐκ ἄφρων ὁ ξεῖνος· ὀΐεται, ὥς περ ἂν εἴη·"The stranger is not senseless; he guesses how it might be;
οὐ γάρ πού τινες ὧδε καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπωνfor surely there are no other mortal men
ἀνέρες ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωνται.who so devise reckless deeds in their insolence."
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς ἀγόρευεν, ὁ δʼ ᾤχετο δῖος ὑφορβὸςSo she spoke, and the godlike swineherd went away
590μνηστήρων ἐς ὅμιλον, ἐπεὶ διεπέφραδε πάντα.into the crowd of suitors, when he had told all.
αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα,At once he spoke winged words to Telemachus,
ἄγχι σχὼν κεφαλήν, ἵνα μὴ πευθοίαθʼ οἱ ἄλλοι·holding his head close, so the others would not hear:
ὦ φίλʼ, ἐγὼ μὲν ἄπειμι, σύας καὶ κεῖνα
φυλάξων,"Friend, I am going, to guard the swine and those things,
σὸν καὶ ἐμὸν βίοτον· σοὶ δʼ ἐνθάδε πάντα μελόντων.your livelihood and mine; let all things here be your care.
595αὐτὸν μέν σε πρῶτα σάω, καὶ φράζεο θυμῷFirst keep yourself safe, and take thought in your heart
μή τι πάθῃς· πολλοὶ δὲ κακὰ φρονέουσιν Ἀχαιῶν,that you suffer nothing; many of the Achaeans plot evil,
τοὺς Ζεὺς ἐξολέσειε πρὶν ἡμῖν πῆμα γενέσθαι.whom may Zeus destroy before they become a bane to us."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
ἔσσεται οὕτως, ἄττα· σὺ δʼ ἔρχεο δειελιήσας·"So it shall be, old friend; go when you have supped;
600ἠῶθεν δʼ ἰέναι καὶ ἄγειν ἱερήϊα καλά·and at dawn come and bring fine victims for sacrifice;
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ τάδε πάντα καὶ ἀθανάτοισι μελήσει.but all these things shall be my care, and the immortals'."
ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δʼ αὖτις ἄρʼ ἕζετʼ ἐϋξέστου ἐπὶ
δίφρου,So he spoke, and the man sat down again on the polished stool,
πλησάμενος δʼ ἄρα θυμὸν ἐδητύος ἠδὲ ποτῆτοςand when he had filled his heart with food and drink,
βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεναι μεθʼ ὕας, λίπε δʼ ἕρκεά τε μέγαρόν τε,he went off to the swine, leaving the courts and the hall
605πλεῖον δαιτυμόνων· οἱ δʼ ὀρχηστυῖ καὶ ἀοιδῇfull of banqueters; and they with dance and song
τέρποντʼ· ἤδη γὰρ καὶ ἐπήλυθε δείελον ἦμαρ.took their delight; for now the evening day had come upon them.