1ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ πτωχὸς πανδήμιος, ὃς κατὰ ἄστυAnd a public beggar came, one who through the town
πτωχεύεσκʼ Ἰθάκης, μετὰ δʼ ἔπρεπε γαστέρι μάργῃwent begging in Ithaca, notorious for his greedy belly,
ἀζηχὲς φαγέμεν καὶ πιέμεν· οὐδέ οἱ ἦν ἲςeating and drinking without end; he had no strength
οὐδὲ βίη, εἶδος δὲ μάλα μέγας ἦν ὁράασθαι.nor force, but in his bulk he was very big to look upon.
5Ἀρναῖος δʼ ὄνομʼ ἔσκε· τὸ γὰρ θέτο πότνια μήτηρArnaeus was his name, for so his honored mother gave it
ἐκ γενετῆς· Ἶρον δὲ νέοι κίκλησκον ἅπαντες,at his birth; but all the young men called him Irus,
οὕνεκʼ ἀπαγγέλλεσκε κιών, ὅτε πού τις ἀνώγοι·because he ran with messages whenever someone bade him;
ὅς ῥʼ ἐλθὼν Ὀδυσῆα διώκετο οἷο δόμοιο,and now he came and tried to drive Odysseus from his own house,
καί μιν νεικείων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and reviling him he spoke winged words:
10εἶκε, γέρον, προθύρου, μὴ δὴ τάχα καὶ ποδὸς
ἕλκῃ."Get from the doorway, old man, or soon you'll be dragged out by the foot.
οὐκ ἀΐεις ὅτι δή μοι ἐπιλλίζουσιν ἅπαντες,Don't you see how they all wink at me,
ἑλκέμεναι δὲ κέλονται; ἐγὼ δʼ αἰσχύνομαι ἔμπης.urging me to drag you off? Yet I hold back for shame.
ἀλλʼ ἄνα, μὴ τάχα νῶϊν ἔρις καὶ χερσὶ γένηται.Up now, or soon our quarrel will come to blows."
τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then looking darkly at him resourceful Odysseus said:
15δαιμόνιʼ, οὔτε τί σε ῥέζω κακὸν οὔτʼ ἀγορεύω,"Strange man, I do you no harm, nor speak against you,
οὔτε τινὰ φθονέω δόμεναι καὶ πόλλʼ ἀνελόντα.nor do I grudge that any give to you, take as much as you will.
οὐδὸς δʼ ἀμφοτέρους ὅδε χείσεται, οὐδέ τί σε χρὴThis threshold holds us both, and you have no need
ἀλλοτρίων φθονέειν· δοκέεις δέ μοι εἶναι ἀλήτηςto grudge me what is others'. You seem to me a wanderer
ὥς περ ἐγών, ὄλβον δὲ θεοὶ μέλλουσιν ὀπάζειν.even as I am, and it is the gods who grant prosperity.
20χερσὶ δὲ μή τι λίην προκαλίζεο, μή με χολώσῃς,But do not challenge me too far with your fists, or you'll anger me,
μή σε γέρων περ ἐὼν στῆθος καὶ χείλεα φύρσωlest, old as I am, I bloody your chest and lips
αἵματος· ἡσυχίη δʼ ἂν ἐμοὶ καὶ μᾶλλον ἔτʼ εἴηwith your own blood; and then I'd have still greater peace
αὔριον· οὐ μὲν γάρ τί σʼ ὑποστρέψεσθαι ὀΐωtomorrow, for I do not think you'll come back again
δεύτερον ἐς μέγαρον Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.a second time to the hall of Laertes' son Odysseus."
25τὸν δὲ χολωσάμενος προσεφώνεεν Ἶρος ἀλήτης·Then angered, Irus the wanderer answered him:
ὢ πόποι, ὡς ὁ μολοβρὸς ἐπιτροχάδην ἀγορεύει,"Look now, how glibly the guzzler runs off his talk,
γρηῒ καμινοῖ ἶσος· ὃν ἂν κακὰ μητισαίμηνlike an old woman at the oven! I'll plot him mischief,
κόπτων ἀμφοτέρῃσι, χαμαὶ δέ κε πάντας ὀδόνταςstriking with both fists, and knock all his teeth
γναθμῶν ἐξελάσαιμι συὸς ὣς ληϊβοτείρης.to the ground from his jaws, like a pig's that ravages the crops.
30ζῶσαι νῦν, ἵνα πάντες ἐπιγνώωσι καὶ οἵδεGird yourself now, so that all these men may witness
μαρναμένους· πῶς δʼ ἂν σὺ νεωτέρῳ ἀνδρὶ μάχοιο;our fight—but how could you battle a younger man?"
ὣς οἱ μὲν προπάροιθε θυράων ὑψηλάωνSo they, before the lofty doors,
οὐδοῦ ἔπι ξεστοῦ πανθυμαδὸν ὀκριόωντο.on the polished threshold, bristled at each other with full fury.
τοῖϊν δὲ ξυνέηχʼ ἱερὸν μένος Ἀντινόοιο,And the sacred strength of Antinous marked the two of them,
35ἡδὺ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐκγελάσας μετεφώνει μνηστήρεσσιν·and laughing sweetly he spoke out among the suitors:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐ μέν πώ τι πάρος τοιοῦτον ἐτύχθη,"Friends, never yet has such a thing occurred,
οἵην τερπωλὴν θεὸς ἤγαγεν ἐς τόδε δῶμα.what sport the god has brought into this house.
ὁ ξεῖνός τε καὶ Ἶρος ἐρίζετον ἀλλήλοιϊνThe stranger and Irus are challenging each other
χερσὶ μαχέσσασθαι· ἀλλὰ ξυνελάσσομεν ὦκα.to fight with fists—come, let us match them at once!"
40ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀνήϊξαν γελόωντες,So he spoke, and they all leaped up laughing,
ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα πτωχοὺς κακοείμονας ἠγερέθοντο.and gathered round the two beggars in their sorry rags.
τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·And Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spoke out among them:
κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες, ὄφρα τι
εἴπω."Hear me now, lordly suitors, while I say something.
γαστέρες αἵδʼ αἰγῶν κέατʼ ἐν πυρί, τὰς ἐπὶ δόρπῳThese goats' bellies are lying by the fire, that for our supper
45κατθέμεθα κνίσης τε καὶ αἵματος ἐμπλήσαντες·we set aside, stuffing them full of fat and blood.
ὁππότερος δέ κε νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται,Whichever of the two shall win and prove the stronger,
τάων ἥν κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν ἀναστὰς αὐτὸς ἑλέσθω·let him stand up and take for himself whichever he wishes;
αἰεὶ αὖθʼ ἡμῖν μεταδαίσεται, οὐδέ τινʼ ἄλλονand always afterward he shall dine among us, nor will we let
πτωχὸν ἔσω μίσγεσθαι ἐάσομεν αἰτήσοντα.any other beggar come inside to mingle with us begging."
50ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.So spoke Antinous, and the saying pleased them.
τοῖς δὲ δολοφρονέων μετέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·Then, scheming craftily, resourceful Odysseus spoke among them:
ὦ φίλοι, οὔ πως ἔστι νεωτέρῳ ἀνδρὶ μάχεσθαι"Friends, there is no way for a younger man to fight
ἄνδρα γέροντα, δύῃ ἀρημένον· ἀλλά με γαστὴρan old man, worn down by hardship—yet my belly,
ὀτρύνει κακοεργός, ἵνα πληγῇσι δαμείω.that maker of mischief, drives me on, to be beaten with blows.
55ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν μοι πάντες ὀμόσσατε καρτερὸν ὅρκον,But come now, all of you swear me a strong oath,
μή τις ἐπʼ Ἴρῳ ἦρα φέρων ἐμὲ χειρὶ βαρείῃthat no one, doing Irus a favor with a heavy hand,
πλήξῃ ἀτασθάλλων, τούτῳ δέ με ἶφι δαμάσσῃ.will strike me in reckless malice, and beat me down by force for his sake."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀπώμνυον ὡς
ἐκέλευεν.So he spoke, and they all swore as he commanded.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ὄμοσάν τε τελεύτησάν τε τὸν ὅρκον,But when they had sworn and finished the oath,
60τοῖς δʼ αὖτις μετέειφʼ ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο·the sacred strength of Telemachus spoke among them again:
ξεῖνʼ, εἴ σʼ ὀτρύνει κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ"Stranger, if your heart and proud spirit urge you
τοῦτον ἀλέξασθαι, τῶν δʼ ἄλλων μή τινʼ Ἀχαιῶνto fend this man off, then of the other Achaeans
δείδιθʼ, ἐπεὶ πλεόνεσσι μαχήσεται ὅς κέ σε θείνῃ·fear none, since whoever strikes you will fight with many;
ξεινοδόκος μὲν ἐγών, ἐπὶ δʼ αἰνεῖτον βασιλῆες,for I am your host, and the kings approve it,
65Ἀντίνοός τε καὶ Εὐρύμαχος, πεπνυμένω ἄμφω.Antinous and Eurymachus, both of them men of sense."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον· αὐτὰρ
ὈδυσσεὺςSo he spoke, and they all approved it; but Odysseus
ζώσατο μὲν ῥάκεσιν περὶ μήδεα, φαῖνε δὲ μηροὺςgirded his rags about his loins, and showed his thighs,
καλούς τε μεγάλους τε, φάνεν δέ οἱ εὐρέες ὦμοιhandsome and great, and his broad shoulders came to view,
στήθεά τε στιβαροί τε βραχίονες· αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνηhis chest and his sturdy arms; and Athena,
70ἄγχι παρισταμένη μέλεʼ ἤλδανε ποιμένι λαῶν.standing close beside him, filled out the limbs of the shepherd of the people.
μνηστῆρες δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὑπερφιάλως ἀγάσαντο·Then all the suitors were amazed beyond measure;
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·and thus one would say, glancing at his neighbor:
ἦ τάχα Ἶρος Ἄϊρος ἐπίσπαστον κακὸν ἕξει,"Soon Irus, un-Irused, will have the trouble he pulled on himself,
οἵην ἐκ ῥακέων ὁ γέρων ἐπιγουνίδα φαίνει.such a thigh as the old man shows out of his rags."
75ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφαν, Ἴρῳ δὲ κακῶς ὠρίνετο θυμός.So they spoke, and Irus's spirit was stirred to misery.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὣς δρηστῆρες ἄγον ζώσαντες ἀνάγκῃBut even so the servants girded him and led him on by force,
δειδιότα· σάρκες δὲ περιτρομέοντο μέλεσσιν.frightened; and the flesh trembled all over his limbs.
Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·Then Antinous rebuked him, and spoke and called him by name:
νῦν μὲν μήτʼ εἴης, βουγάϊε, μήτε γένοιο,"Better now that you did not exist, you braggart, or ever were born,
80εἰ δὴ τοῦτόν γε τρομέεις καὶ δείδιας αἰνῶς,if indeed you tremble before this man and fear him terribly,
ἄνδρα γέροντα, δύῃ ἀρημένον, ἥ μιν ἱκάνει.an old man, worn down by the misery that has come upon him.
ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·But I will tell you plainly, and it shall be brought to pass:
αἴ κέν σʼ οὗτος νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται,if this man beats you and proves the stronger,
πέμψω σʼ ἤπειρόνδε, βαλὼν ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃ,I will fling you into a black ship and send you to the mainland,
85εἰς Ἔχετον βασιλῆα, βροτῶν δηλήμονα πάντων,to King Echetus, the mangler of all mortals,
ὅς κʼ ἀπὸ ῥῖνα τάμῃσι καὶ οὔατα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ,who will cut off your nose and ears with pitiless bronze,
μήδεά τʼ ἐξερύσας δώῃ κυσὶν ὠμὰ δάσασθαι.and tear away your privates and give them raw to the dogs to eat."
ὣς φάτο, τῷ δʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον ὑπὸ τρόμος ἔλλαβε
γυῖα.So he spoke, and still more the trembling seized his limbs.
ἐς μέσσον δʼ ἄναγον· τὼ δʼ ἄμφω χεῖρας ἀνέσχον.They led him into the middle, and both put up their fists.
90δὴ τότε μερμήριξε πολύτλας δῖος ὈδυσσεὺςThen much-enduring godlike Odysseus pondered
ἢ ἐλάσειʼ ὥς μιν ψυχὴ λίποι αὖθι πεσόντα,whether to strike so his life would leave him where he fell,
ἦέ μιν ἦκʼ ἐλάσειε τανύσσειέν τʼ ἐπὶ γαίῃ.or to hit him lightly and stretch him out on the ground.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,And as he pondered, this seemed to him the better course,
ἦκʼ ἐλάσαι, ἵνα μή μιν ἐπιφρασσαίατʼ Ἀχαιοί.to strike lightly, so that the Achaeans might not mark him.
95δὴ τότʼ ἀνασχομένω ὁ μὲν ἤλασε δεξιὸν ὦμονThen, both raised up, Irus struck at the right shoulder,
Ἶρος, ὁ δʼ αὐχένʼ ἔλασσεν ὑπʼ οὔατος, ὀστέα δʼ εἴσωbut Odysseus hit his neck below the ear, and crushed the bones
ἔθλασεν· αὐτίκα δʼ ἦλθε κατὰ στόμα φοίνιον αἷμα,inward; and at once the red blood came up through his mouth,
κὰδ δʼ ἔπεσʼ ἐν κονίῃσι μακών, σὺν δʼ ἤλασʼ ὀδόνταςand down he fell in the dust with a moan, and gnashed his teeth,
λακτίζων ποσὶ γαῖαν· ἀτὰρ μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοὶkicking the ground with his feet; but the lordly suitors
100χεῖρας ἀνασχόμενοι γέλῳ ἔκθανον. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςthrew up their hands and died of laughter. Then Odysseus
ἕλκε διὲκ προθύροιο λαβὼν ποδός, ὄφρʼ ἵκετʼ αὐλήν,took him by the foot and dragged him out through the porch, till he reached the courtyard
αἰθούσης τε θύρας· καί μιν ποτὶ ἑρκίον αὐλῆςand the gates of the portico; and against the courtyard wall
εἷσεν ἀνακλίνας· σκῆπτρον δέ οἱ ἔμβαλε χειρί,he propped him sitting up, and put a staff in his hand,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and speaking he addressed him in winged words:
105ἐνταυθοῖ νῦν ἧσο σύας τε κύνας τʼ ἀπερύκων,"Sit there now and keep off the pigs and dogs,
μηδὲ σύ γε ξείνων καὶ πτωχῶν κοίρανος εἶναιand do not try to be lord of strangers and beggars,
λυγρὸς ἐών, μή πού τι κακὸν καὶ μεῖζον ἐπαύρῃ.wretch that you are, or you may reap some greater evil still."
ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισιν ἀεικέα βάλλετο πήρην,He spoke, and slung about his shoulders the unseemly wallet,
πυκνὰ ῥωγαλέην· ἐν δὲ στρόφος ἦεν ἀορτήρ.full of holes, and on it was a twisted cord for a strap.
110ἂψ δʼ ὅ γʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο· τοὶ δʼ ἴσαν εἴσωThen back he went and sat down on the threshold; and they went inside
ἡδὺ γελώοντες καὶ δεικανόωντʼ ἐπέεσσι·laughing sweetly, and greeted him with words:
Ζεύς τοι δοίη, ξεῖνε, καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ
ἄλλοι,"May Zeus, stranger, and the other immortal gods
ὅττι μάλιστʼ ἐθέλεις καί τοι φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ,grant you whatever you most desire and is dear to your heart,
ὃς τοῦτον τὸν ἄναλτον ἀλητεύειν ἀπέπαυσαςyou who have stopped this glutton from his begging
115ἐν δήμῳ· τάχα γάρ μιν ἀνάξομεν ἤπειρόνδεthrough the land; for soon we will haul him off to the mainland,
εἰς Ἔχετον βασιλῆα, βροτῶν δηλήμονα πάντων.to King Echetus, the mangler of all mortals."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφαν, χαῖρεν δὲ κλεηδόνι δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.So they spoke, and godlike Odysseus rejoiced at the omen of their words.
Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἄρα οἱ μεγάλην παρὰ γαστέρα θῆκεν,And Antinous set before him a great sausage,
ἐμπλείην κνίσης τε καὶ αἵματος· Ἀμφίνομος δὲstuffed full with fat and blood; and Amphinomus
120ἄρτους ἐκ κανέοιο δύω παρέθηκεν ἀείραςlifted two loaves from the basket and set them beside him,
καὶ δέπαϊ χρυσέῳ δειδίσκετο, φώνησέν τε·and pledged him with a golden cup, and spoke:
χαῖρε, πάτερ ὦ ξεῖνε, γένοιτό τοι ἔς περ
ὀπίσσω"Greetings, father stranger; may prosperity yet come to you
ὄλβος· ἀτὰρ μὲν νῦν γε κακοῖς ἔχεαι πολέεσσι.in time to come; but now you are gripped by many troubles."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
125Ἀμφίνομʼ, ἦ μάλα μοι δοκέεις πεπνυμένος εἶναι·"Amphinomus, truly you seem to me to be a man of sense,
τοίου γὰρ καὶ πατρός, ἐπεὶ κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἄκουον,for such too was your father, since I heard his noble fame,
Νῖσον Δουλιχιῆα ἐΰν τʼ ἔμεν ἀφνειόν τε·that Nisus of Dulichium was a good man and wealthy;
τοῦ σʼ ἔκ φασι γενέσθαι, ἐπητῇ δʼ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικας.from him they say you sprang, and you seem a courteous man.
τοὔνεκά τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον·Therefore I will tell you, and you take it in and hear me:
130οὐδὲν ἀκιδνότερον γαῖα τρέφει ἀνθρώποιο,Of all things that breathe and creep upon the earth,
πάντων ὅσσα τε γαῖαν ἔπι πνείει τε καὶ ἕρπει.earth nurtures nothing feebler than a man.
οὐ μὲν γάρ ποτέ φησι κακὸν πείσεσθαι ὀπίσσω,For he thinks he will never suffer evil in time to come,
ὄφρʼ ἀρετὴν παρέχωσι θεοὶ καὶ γούνατʼ ὀρώρῃ·so long as the gods grant him strength and his knees are quick;
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ καὶ λυγρὰ θεοὶ μάκαρες τελέσωσι,but when the blessed gods bring wretched things to pass,
135καὶ τὰ φέρει ἀεκαζόμενος τετληότι θυμῷ·these too he bears, unwilling, with an enduring heart.
τοῖος γὰρ νόος ἐστὶν ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπωνFor such is the mind of men who dwell upon the earth,
οἷον ἐπʼ ἦμαρ ἄγησι πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε.like the day the father of men and gods brings on them.
καὶ γὰρ ἐγώ ποτʼ ἔμελλον ἐν ἀνδράσιν ὄλβιος εἶναι,I too was once destined to be prosperous among men,
πολλὰ δʼ ἀτάσθαλʼ ἔρεξα βίῃ καὶ κάρτεϊ εἴκων,but I did many reckless things, yielding to force and strength,
140πατρί τʼ ἐμῷ πίσυνος καὶ ἐμοῖσι κασιγνήτοισι.trusting in my father and in my own brothers.
τῷ μή τίς ποτε πάμπαν ἀνὴρ ἀθεμίστιος εἴη,Therefore let no man ever be utterly lawless,
ἀλλʼ ὅ γε σιγῇ δῶρα θεῶν ἔχοι, ὅττι διδοῖεν.but hold in silence the gifts of the gods, whatever they give.
οἷʼ ὁρόω μνηστῆρας ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωντας,Such reckless deeds I see the suitors here devising,
κτήματα κείροντας καὶ ἀτιμάζοντας ἄκοιτινwasting the goods and dishonoring the wife
145ἀνδρός, ὃν οὐκέτι φημὶ φίλων καὶ πατρίδος αἴηςof a man who, I say, will not for long be far
δηρὸν ἀπέσσεσθαι· μάλα δὲ σχεδόν. ἀλλά σε δαίμωνfrom his friends and native land; he is very near. But may some god
οἴκαδʼ ὑπεξαγάγοι, μηδʼ ἀντιάσειας ἐκείνῳ,lead you safely home, and may you not meet him
ὁππότε νοστήσειε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν·when he returns to his own dear native land;
οὐ γὰρ ἀναιμωτί γε διακρινέεσθαι ὀΐωfor I do not think that the suitors and that man
150μνηστῆρας καὶ κεῖνον, ἐπεί κε μέλαθρον ὑπέλθῃ.will part without blood, once he comes beneath his roof."
ὣς φάτο, καὶ σπείσας ἔπιεν μελιηδέα οἶνον,So he spoke, and having poured a libation he drank the honey-sweet wine,
ἂψ δʼ ἐν χερσὶν ἔθηκε δέπας κοσμήτορι λαῶν.and put the cup back into the hands of the marshal of the people.
αὐτὰρ ὁ βῆ διὰ δῶμα φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,But he went off through the hall, grieved at heart,
νευστάζων κεφαλῇ· δὴ γὰρ κακὸν ὄσσετο θυμός.shaking his head; for his spirit foresaw evil.
155ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς φύγε κῆρα· πέδησε δὲ καὶ τὸν ἈθήνηYet even so he did not escape his doom; Athena had bound him too
Τηλεμάχου ὑπὸ χερσὶ καὶ ἔγχεϊ ἶφι δαμῆναι.to be broken by force under the hands and spear of Telemachus.
ἂψ δʼ αὖτις κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετʼ ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη.So he sat down again on the chair from which he had risen.
τῇ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,And now the goddess grey-eyed Athena put it in the mind
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,of the daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope,
160μνηστήρεσσι φανῆναι, ὅπως πετάσειε μάλισταto show herself before the suitors, so that she might most open wide
θυμὸν μνηστήρων ἰδὲ τιμήεσσα γένοιτοthe hearts of the suitors, and become more prized
μᾶλλον πρὸς πόσιός τε καὶ υἱέος ἢ πάρος ἦεν.in the eyes of her husband and her son than she was before.
ἀχρεῖον δʼ ἐγέλασσεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·And she laughed for no reason, and spoke, and called out to her:
Εὐρυνόμη, θυμός μοι ἐέλδεται, οὔ τι πάρος
γε,"Eurynome, my heart longs, as it never did before,
165μνηστήρεσσι φανῆναι, ἀπεχθομένοισί περ ἔμπης·to show myself before the suitors, hateful though they are;
παιδὶ δέ κεν εἴποιμι ἔπος, τό κε κέρδιον εἴη,and I would say a word to my son, one that would be better,
μὴ πάντα μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισιν ὁμιλεῖν,not to keep company always with the arrogant suitors,
οἵ τʼ εὖ μὲν βάζουσι, κακῶς δʼ ὄπιθεν φρονέουσι.who speak fair words, yet plot evil behind them."
τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρυνόμη ταμίη πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν·Then Eurynome the housekeeper answered her with a word:
170ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα, τέκος, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες."Yes indeed, my child, in all this you have spoken rightly.
ἀλλʼ ἴθι καὶ σῷ παιδὶ ἔπος φάο μηδʼ ἐπίκευθε,So go, and speak your word to your son, and hide nothing,
χρῶτʼ ἀπονιψαμένη καὶ ἐπιχρίσασα παρειάς·when you have washed your skin and anointed your cheeks;
μηδʼ οὕτω δακρύοισι πεφυρμένη ἀμφὶ πρόσωπαdo not go with your face all fouled with tears
ἔρχευ, ἐπεὶ κάκιον πενθήμεναι ἄκριτον αἰεί.like this, since it is worse to grieve forever without end.
175ἤδη μὲν γάρ τοι παῖς τηλίκος, ὃν σὺ μάλισταFor now your son is of that age which you especially
ἠρῶ ἀθανάτοισι γενειήσαντα ἰδέσθαι.prayed to the immortals to see bearded."
τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered her in turn:
Εὐρυνόμη, μὴ ταῦτα παραύδα, κηδομένη περ,"Eurynome, do not urge me, though you care for me,
χρῶτʼ ἀπονίπτεσθαι καὶ ἐπιχρίεσθαι ἀλοιφῇ·to wash my skin and anoint myself with oil;
180ἀγλαΐην γὰρ ἐμοί γε θεοί, τοὶ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσιν,for the gods who hold Olympus have destroyed
ὤλεσαν, ἐξ οὗ κεῖνος ἔβη κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσίν.my beauty, from the day that man went off in the hollow ships.
ἀλλά μοι Αὐτονόην τε καὶ Ἱπποδάμειαν ἄνωχθιBut bid Autonoe and Hippodameia
ἐλθέμεν, ὄφρα κέ μοι παρστήετον ἐν μεγάροισιν·come, that they may stand beside me in the halls;
οἴη δʼ οὐκ εἴσειμι μετʼ ἀνέρας· αἰδέομαι γάρ.alone I will not go among the men; I am ashamed."
185ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, γρηῢς δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκειSo she spoke, and the old woman went out through the hall
ἀγγελέουσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι.to give the message to the women and urge them to come.
ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then the goddess grey-eyed Athena thought of another thing:
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο κατὰ γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἔχευεν,over the daughter of Icarius she poured sweet sleep,
εὗδε δʼ ἀνακλινθεῖσα, λύθεν δέ οἱ ἅψεα πάνταand she slept, reclined, and all her limbs were loosened
190αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ κλιντῆρι· τέως δʼ ἄρα δῖα θεάωνthere upon the couch; and meanwhile the queenly goddess
ἄμβροτα δῶρα δίδου, ἵνα μιν θησαίατʼ Ἀχαιοί.gave her immortal gifts, so that the Achaeans might marvel at her.
κάλλεϊ μέν οἱ πρῶτα προσώπατα καλὰ κάθηρενFirst she cleansed her fair face with beauty,
ἀμβροσίῳ, οἵῳ περ ἐϋστέφανος Κυθέρειαwith the ambrosial ointment such as fair-crowned Cythereia
χρίεται, εὖτʼ ἂν ἴῃ Χαρίτων χορὸν ἱμερόεντα·anoints herself, when she goes to the lovely dance of the Graces;
195καί μιν μακροτέρην καὶ πάσσονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι,and she made her taller and fuller to look upon,
λευκοτέρην δʼ ἄρα μιν θῆκε πριστοῦ ἐλέφαντος.and made her whiter than sawn ivory.
ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς ἔρξασʼ ἀπεβήσετο δῖα θεάων,When she had done this, the queenly goddess departed,
ἦλθον δʼ ἀμφίπολοι λευκώλενοι ἐκ μεγάροιοand the white-armed handmaids came from the hall,
φθόγγῳ ἐπερχόμεναι· τὴν δὲ γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἀνῆκε,approaching with a sound; and sweet sleep released her,
200καί ῥʼ ἀπομόρξατο χερσὶ παρειὰς φώνησέν τε·and she wiped her cheeks with her hands and spoke:
ἦ με μάλʼ αἰνοπαθῆ μαλακὸν περὶ κῶμʼ
ἐκάλυψεν.Truly a soft slumber has enfolded me in all my misery.
αἴθε μοι ὣς μαλακὸν θάνατον πόροι Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὴWould that pure Artemis might grant me so soft a death
αὐτίκα νῦν, ἵνα μηκέτʼ ὀδυρομένη κατὰ θυμὸνthis very moment, that I might no longer waste my life away
αἰῶνα φθινύθω, πόσιος ποθέουσα φίλοιοgrieving in my heart, longing for my dear husband's
205παντοίην ἀρετήν, ἐπεὶ ἔξοχος ἦεν Ἀχαιῶν.manifold excellence, since he was foremost among the Achaeans.
ὣς φαμένη κατέβαινʼ ὑπερώϊα σιγαλόεντα,So speaking she went down from the shining upper chamber,
οὐκ οἴη· ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύʼ ἕποντο.not alone; along with her two handmaids followed.
ἡ δʼ ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,And when she reached the suitors, that woman divine,
στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,she stood by the pillar of the close-built roof,
210ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα·holding her shining veil before her cheeks,
ἀμφίπολος δʼ ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.and a faithful handmaid stood on either side of her.
τῶν δʼ αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατʼ, ἔρῳ δʼ ἄρα θυμὸν ἔθελχθεν,Their knees went slack, their hearts were spellbound with desire,
πάντες δʼ ἠρήσαντο παραὶ λεχέεσσι κλιθῆναι.and all of them prayed to lie beside her in her bed.
ἡ δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχον προσεφώνεεν, ὃν φίλον υἱόν·But she spoke then to Telemachus, her dear son:
215Τηλέμαχʼ, οὐκέτι τοι φρένες ἔμπεδοι οὐδὲ
νόημα·Telemachus, your wits and judgment are no longer steady;
παῖς ἔτʼ ἐὼν καὶ μᾶλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ κέρδεʼ ἐνώμας·while still a child you turned shrewder counsels in your mind,
νῦν δʼ, ὅτε δὴ μέγας ἐσσὶ καὶ ἥβης μέτρον ἱκάνεις,but now, when you are grown and reach the measure of youth,
καί κέν τις φαίη γόνον ἔμμεναι ὀλβίου ἀνδρός,and when a stranger looking on your stature and your beauty
ἐς μέγεθος καὶ κάλλος ὁρώμενος, ἀλλότριος φώς,might say you are the offspring of a prosperous man,
220οὐκέτι τοι φρένες εἰσὶν ἐναίσιμοι οὐδὲ νόημα.your wits are no longer sound, nor is your judgment.
οἷον δὴ τόδε ἔργον ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἐτύχθη,What sort of deed is this that has been done in the halls,
ὃς τὸν ξεῖνον ἔασας ἀεικισθήμεναι οὕτως.that you let the stranger be abused in such a way?
πῶς νῦν, εἴ τι ξεῖνος ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισινHow now, if a stranger sitting here in our house
ἥμενος ὧδε πάθοι ῥυστακτύος ἐξ ἀλεγεινῆς;should suffer so from grievous manhandling?
225σοί κʼ αἶσχος λώβη τε μετʼ ἀνθρώποισι πέλοιτο.Shame and disgrace would fall on you among men.
τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered her in turn:
μῆτερ ἐμή, τὸ μὲν οὔ σε νεμεσσῶμαι κεχολῶσθαι·My mother, I do not resent that you are angry;
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ θυμῷ νοέω καὶ οἶδα ἕκαστα,but I take note in my heart and understand each thing,
ἐσθλά τε καὶ τὰ χέρεια· πάρος δʼ ἔτι νήπιος ἦα.both the good and the worse; before I was still a child.
230ἀλλά τοι οὐ δύναμαι πεπνυμένα πάντα νοῆσαι·Yet I cannot manage to think out all things wisely,
ἐκ γάρ με πλήσσουσι παρήμενοι ἄλλοθεν ἄλλοςfor these men, sitting beside me on every side,
οἵδε κακὰ φρονέοντες, ἐμοὶ δʼ οὐκ εἰσὶν ἀρωγοί.drive me to distraction, plotting evil, and I have no helpers.
οὐ μέν τοι ξείνου γε καὶ Ἴρου μῶλος ἐτύχθηBut the brawl of the stranger and Irus did not turn out
μνηστήρων ἰότητι, βίῃ δʼ ὅ γε φέρτερος ἦεν.as the suitors wished, for the stranger was the stronger in force.
235αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,Would, O father Zeus and Athena and Apollo,
οὕτω νῦν μνηστῆρες ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιthat the suitors now in our house
νεύοιεν κεφαλὰς δεδμημένοι, οἱ μὲν ἐν αὐλῇ,might hang their heads, subdued—some of them in the courtyard,
οἱ δʼ ἔντοσθε δόμοιο, λελῦτο δὲ γυῖα ἑκάστου,others inside the house—and each man's limbs be loosened,
ὡς νῦν Ἶρος κεῖνος ἐπʼ αὐλείῃσι θύρῃσινas now that fellow Irus sits by the courtyard gates,
240ἧσται νευστάζων κεφαλῇ, μεθύοντι ἐοικώς,nodding his head, looking like a drunken man,
οὐδʼ ὀρθὸς στῆναι δύναται ποσὶν οὐδὲ νέεσθαιnor can he stand upright on his feet, nor make his way
οἴκαδʼ, ὅπη οἱ νόστος, ἐπεὶ φίλα γυῖα λέλυνται.back home, wherever his road may lie, since his dear limbs are loosened."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·So these two spoke such things to one another;
Εὐρύμαχος δʼ ἐπέεσσι προσηύδα Πηνελόπειαν·and Eurymachus addressed his words to Penelope:
245κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,"Daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope,
εἰ πάντες σε ἴδοιεν ἀνʼ Ἴασον Ἄργος Ἀχαιοί,if all the Achaeans throughout Iasian Argos could see you,
πλέονές κε μνηστῆρες ἐν ὑμετέροισι δόμοισινeven more suitors would be feasting in your halls
ἠῶθεν δαινύατʼ, ἐπεὶ περίεσσι γυναικῶνfrom dawn onward, since you surpass all women
εἶδός τε μέγεθός τε ἰδὲ φρένας ἔνδον ἐΐσας.in beauty and in stature and in the balanced mind within."
250τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him:
Εὐρύμαχʼ, ἦ τοι ἐμὴν ἀρετὴν εἶδός τε δέμας τε"Eurymachus, truly my worth, my beauty and my form,
ὤλεσαν ἀθάνατοι, ὅτε Ἴλιον εἰσανέβαινονthe immortals destroyed, when the Argives embarked
Ἀργεῖοι, μετὰ τοῖσι δʼ ἐμὸς πόσις ᾖεν Ὀδυσσεύς.for Ilion, and among them went my husband Odysseus.
εἰ κεῖνός γʼ ἐλθὼν τὸν ἐμὸν βίον ἀμφιπολεύοι,If he could come back and tend the life I lead,
255μεῖζόν κε κλέος εἴη ἐμὸν καὶ κάλλιον οὕτως.greater would be my fame, and fairer so.
νῦν δʼ ἄχομαι· τόσα γάρ μοι ἐπέσσευεν κακὰ δαίμων.But now I grieve, such evils has some god let loose upon me.
ἦ μὲν δὴ ὅτε τʼ ᾖε λιπὼν κάτα πατρίδα γαῖαν,Truly, when he set out and left his native land,
δεξιτερὴν ἐπὶ καρπῷ ἑλὼν ἐμὲ χεῖρα προσηύδα·he took my right hand by the wrist and spoke to me:
ὦ γύναι, οὐ γὰρ ὀΐω ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιοὺς'My wife, I do not think the well-greaved Achaeans
260ἐκ Τροίης εὖ πάντας ἀπήμονας ἀπονέεσθαι·will all come home from Troy safe and unharmed;
καὶ γὰρ Τρῶάς φασι μαχητὰς ἔμμεναι ἄνδρας,for they say the Trojans too are fighting men,
ἠμὲν ἀκοντιστὰς ἠδὲ ῥυτῆρας ὀϊστῶνboth spearmen and drawers of the bow,
ἵππων τʼ ὠκυπόδων ἐπιβήτορας, οἵ κε τάχισταand mounters of swift-footed horses, who most quickly
ἔκριναν μέγα νεῖκος ὁμοιΐου πολέμοιο.decide the great strife of leveling war.
265τῷ οὐκ οἶδʼ ἤ κέν μʼ ἀνέσει θεός, ἦ κεν ἁλώωSo I do not know whether a god will bring me back, or whether I'll be caught
αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ· σοὶ δʼ ἐνθάδε πάντα μελόντων.there in Troy; but let all things here be your concern.
μεμνῆσθαι πατρὸς καὶ μητέρος ἐν μεγάροισινRemember my father and my mother in the halls
ὡς νῦν, ἢ ἔτι μᾶλλον ἐμεῦ ἀπονόσφιν ἐόντος·as now, or even more, while I am far away;
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ παῖδα γενειήσαντα ἴδηαι,but when you see our son grown to a bearded man,
270γήμασθʼ ᾧ κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα, τεὸν κατὰ δῶμα λιποῦσα.marry whom you will, and leave your house behind.'
κεῖνος τὼς ἀγόρευε· τὰ δὴ νῦν πάντα
τελεῖται.So he spoke; and now all these things are being fulfilled.
νὺξ δʼ ἔσται ὅτε δὴ στυγερὸς γάμος ἀντιβολήσειThe night will come when a hateful marriage will confront
οὐλομένης ἐμέθεν, τῆς τε Ζεὺς ὄλβον ἀπηύρα.me in my ruin, from whom Zeus has taken all happiness.
ἀλλὰ τόδʼ αἰνὸν ἄχος κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἱκάνει·But this bitter grief comes over my heart and spirit:
275μνηστήρων οὐχ ἥδε δίκη τὸ πάροιθε τέτυκτο·this was not the way of suitors in the past;
οἵ τʼ ἀγαθήν τε γυναῖκα καὶ ἀφνειοῖο θύγατραthose who wish to court a noble woman,
μνηστεύειν ἐθέλωσι καὶ ἀλλήλοις ἐρίσωσιν,the daughter of a wealthy man, and vie with one another,
αὐτοὶ τοί γʼ ἀπάγουσι βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,they themselves bring cattle and fat sheep,
κούρης δαῖτα φίλοισι, καὶ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα διδοῦσιν·a feast for the girl's friends, and they give splendid gifts;
280ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἀλλότριον βίοτον νήποινον ἔδουσιν.they do not devour another's livelihood unpaid."
ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,So she spoke, and much-enduring godlike Odysseus rejoiced,
οὕνεκα τῶν μὲν δῶρα παρέλκετο, θέλγε δὲ θυμὸνbecause she drew gifts from them, and charmed their spirits
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι, νόος δέ οἱ ἄλλα μενοίνα.with honeyed words, while her mind was set on other things.
τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός,Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered her:
285κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,"Daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope,
δῶρα μὲν ὅς κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν Ἀχαιῶν ἐνθάδʼ ἐνεῖκαι,whatever gifts of the Achaeans anyone wishes to bring here,
δέξασθʼ. οὐ γὰρ καλὸν ἀνήνασθαι δόσιν ἐστίν·accept them; for it is not right to refuse a gift.
ἡμεῖς δʼ οὔτʼ ἐπὶ ἔργα πάρος γʼ ἴμεν οὔτε πῃ ἄλλῃ,But we will not go to our lands or elsewhere
πρίν γέ σε τῷ γήμασθαι Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστος.before you marry whichever of the Achaeans is best."
290ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος·So spoke Antinous, and the saying pleased them,
δῶρα δʼ ἄρʼ οἰσέμεναι πρόεσαν κήρυκα ἕκαστος.and each man sent a herald to fetch his gifts.
Ἀντινόῳ μὲν ἔνεικε μέγαν περικαλλέα πέπλον,For Antinous he brought a great and beautiful robe,
ποικίλον· ἐν δʼ ἀρʼ ἔσαν περόναι δυοκαίδεκα πᾶσαιrichly embroidered; in it were twelve brooches, all
χρύσειαι, κληῗσιν ἐϋγνάμπτοις ἀραρυῖαι.of gold, fitted with well-curved clasps.
295ὅρμον δʼ Εὐρυμάχῳ πολυδαίδαλον αὐτίκʼ ἔνεικε.For Eurymachus he straightway brought a chain of intricate work,
χρύσεον, ἠλέκτροισιν ἐερμένον ἠέλιον ὥς.of gold, strung with amber beads, like the sun.
ἕρματα δʼ Εὐρυδάμαντι δύω θεράποντες ἔνεικαν,For Eurydamas two attendants brought earrings,
τρίγληνα μορόεντα· χάρις δʼ ἀπελάμπετο πολλή.triple-clustered, mulberry-shaped; great grace shone from them.
ἐκ δʼ ἄρα Πεισάνδροιο Πολυκτορίδαο ἄνακτοςAnd from Peisandrus, lord and son of Polyctor,
300ἴσθμιον ἤνεικεν θεράπων, περικαλλὲς ἄγαλμα.an attendant brought a necklace, a beautiful ornament.
ἄλλο δʼ ἄρʼ ἄλλος δῶρον Ἀχαιῶν καλὸν ἔνεικεν.And each of the Achaeans brought his own fine gift.
ἡ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀνέβαινʼ ὑπερώϊα δῖα γυναικῶν,Then she climbed to the upper chamber, that lady among women,
τῇ δʼ ἄρʼ ἅμʼ ἀμφίπολοι ἔφερον περικαλλέα δῶραand along with her the handmaids carried the beautiful gifts.
οἱ δʼ εἰς ὀρχηστύν τε καὶ ἱμερόεσσαν ἀοιδὴνBut the men turned to dancing and to lovely song
305τρεψάμενοι τέρποντο, μένον δʼ ἐπὶ ἕσπερον ἐλθεῖν.and took their pleasure, waiting for evening to come.
τοῖσι δὲ τερπομένοισι μέλας ἐπὶ ἕσπερος ἦλθεν.And as they took their pleasure the black evening came upon them.
αὐτίκα λαμπτῆρας τρεῖς ἵστασαν ἐν μεγάροισιν,At once they set up three braziers in the halls,
ὄφρα φαείνοιεν· περὶ δὲ ξύλα κάγκανα θῆκαν,to give light; and around them they laid dry wood,
αὖα πάλαι, περίκηλα, νέον κεκεασμένα χαλκῷ,long-seasoned, thoroughly dried, freshly split with bronze,
310καὶ δαΐδας μετέμισγον· ἀμοιβηδὶς δʼ ἀνέφαινονand they mixed in torches; and by turns they kept the flame bright,
δμῳαὶ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος. αὐτὰρ ὁ τῇσινthe handmaids of Odysseus of the steadfast heart. But among them
αὐτὸς διογενῆς μετέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·the god-born, resourceful Odysseus himself spoke out:
δμῳαὶ Ὀδυσσῆος, δὴν οἰχομένοιο ἄνακτος,"Handmaids of Odysseus, your lord so long gone,
ἔρχεσθε πρὸς δώμαθʼ, ἵνʼ αἰδοίη βασίλεια·go to the chambers where the honored queen is,
315τῇ δὲ παρʼ ἠλάκατα στροφαλίζετε, τέρπετε δʼ αὐτὴνand beside her twirl the spindles, and delight her
ἥμεναι ἐν μεγάρῳ, ἢ εἴρια πείκετε χερσίν·as you sit in the hall, or comb the wool with your hands;
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τούτοισι φάος πάντεσσι παρέξω.but I will provide light for all these men.
ἤν περ γάρ κʼ ἐθέλωσιν ἐΰθρονον Ἠῶ μίμνειν,For even if they wish to wait for fair-throned Dawn,
οὔ τί με νικήσουσι· πολυτλήμων δὲ μάλʼ εἰμί.they will not outlast me; I am one who greatly endures."
320ὣς ἔφαθʼ, αἱ δʼ ἐγέλασσαν, ἐς ἀλλήλας δὲ
ἴδοντο.So he spoke, and they laughed, and looked at one another.
τὸν δʼ αἰσχρῶς ἐνένιπε Μελανθὼ καλλιπάρῃος,But Melantho of the lovely cheeks reviled him foully,
τὴν Δολίος μὲν ἔτικτε, κόμισσε δὲ Πηνελόπεια,whom Dolius fathered, and Penelope had reared her,
παῖδα δὲ ὣς ἀτίταλλε, δίδου δʼ ἄρʼ ἀθύρματα θυμῷ·raised her like her own child, and gave her toys to please her heart;
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς ἔχε πένθος ἐνὶ φρεσὶ Πηνελοπείης,yet even so she held no grief for Penelope in her mind,
325ἀλλʼ ἥ γʼ Εὐρυμάχῳ μισγέσκετο καὶ φιλέεσκεν.but slept with Eurymachus and made him her lover.
ἥ ῥʼ Ὀδυσῆʼ ἐνένιπεν ὀνειδείοις ἐπέεσσιν·She reviled Odysseus now with words of insult:
ξεῖνε τάλαν, σύ γέ τις φρένας ἐκπεπαταγμένος
ἐσσί,"Wretched stranger, you must be some man cracked in your wits,
οὐδʼ ἐθέλεις εὕδειν χαλκήϊον ἐς δόμον ἐλθών,and you have no wish to go and sleep in a smithy,
ἠέ που ἐς λέσχην, ἀλλʼ ἐνθάδε πόλλʼ ἀγορεύεις,or in some tavern, but here you keep babbling on,
330θαρσαλέως πολλοῖσι μετʼ ἀνδράσιν, οὐδέ τι θυμῷboldly among so many men, and in your heart you feel
ταρβεῖς· ἦ ῥά σε οἶνος ἔχει φρένας, ἤ νύ τοι αἰεὶno fear. Surely the wine has hold of your wits, or else you always
τοιοῦτος νόος ἐστίν· ὃ καὶ μεταμώνια βάζεις.have such a mind—which makes you talk this idle nonsense.
ἦ ἀλύεις, ὅτι Ἶρον ἐνίκησας τὸν ἀλήτην;Or are you giddy because you beat that vagrant Irus?
μή τίς τοι τάχα Ἴρου ἀμείνων ἄλλος ἀναστῇ,Beware lest some other man better than Irus rise up soon,
335ὅς τίς σʼ ἀμφὶ κάρη κεκοπὼς χερσὶ στιβαρῇσιwho will batter you about the head with his massive hands
δώματος ἐκπέμψῃσι, φορύξας αἵματι πολλῷ.and drive you from the house, all fouled with streams of blood."
τὴν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then looking darkly at her resourceful Odysseus spoke:
ἦ τάχα Τηλεμάχῳ ἐρέω, κύον, οἷʼ ἀγορεύεις,"I will quickly tell Telemachus what you say, you bitch,
κεῖσʼ ἐλθών, ἵνα σʼ αὖθι διὰ μελεϊστὶ τάμῃσιν.going yonder, so that he may cut you here limb from limb."
340ὣς εἰπὼν ἐπέεσσι διεπτοίησε γυναῖκας.So speaking, with his words he scattered the women in terror.
βὰν δʼ ἴμεναι διὰ δῶμα, λύθεν δʼ ὑπὸ γυῖα ἑκάστηςThey went off through the house, and the limbs of each were loosened
ταρβοσύνῃ· φὰν γάρ μιν ἀληθέα μυθήσασθαι.in dread, for they thought that he had spoken the truth.
αὐτὰρ ὁ πὰρ λαμπτῆρσι φαείνων αἰθομένοισινBut he took his stand beside the burning braziers, giving light,
ἑστήκειν ἐς πάντας ὁρώμενος· ἄλλα δέ οἱ κῆρand gazed on all of them; yet other things his heart
345ὥρμαινε φρεσὶν ᾗσιν, ἅ ῥʼ οὐκ ἀτέλεστα γένοντο.was pondering in his breast, that would not go unaccomplished.
μνηστῆρας δʼ οὐ πάμπαν ἀγήνορας εἴα ἈθήνηBut Athena would in no way let the lordly suitors
λώβης ἴσχεσθαι θυμαλγέος, ὄφρʼ ἔτι μᾶλλονhold back from heart-galling outrage, so that still more
δύη ἄχος κραδίην Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.the anguish might sink into the heart of Laertes' son Odysseus.
τοῖσιν δʼ Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἦρχʼ ἀγορεύειν,Among them Eurymachus, son of Polybus, began to speak,
350κερτομέων Ὀδυσῆα· γέλω δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἔτευχε.mocking Odysseus, and stirred up laughter in his comrades:
κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης,"Hear me, you suitors of the glorious queen,
ὄφρʼ εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.so that I may say what the heart in my breast commands me.
οὐκ ἀθεεὶ ὅδʼ ἀνὴρ Ὀδυσήϊον ἐς δόμον ἵκει·Not without a god's will has this man come to Odysseus' house;
ἔμπης μοι δοκέει δαίδων σέλας ἔμμεναι αὐτοῦat any rate it seems to me the torch-glow comes from him,
355κὰκ κεφαλῆς, ἐπεὶ οὔ οἱ ἔνι τρίχες οὐδʼ ἠβαιαί.from his own head, since on it there is no hair, not even a little."
ἦ ῥʼ, ἅμα τε προσέειπεν Ὀδυσσῆα πτολίπορθον·He spoke, and at once addressed Odysseus, sacker of cities:
ξεῖνʼ, ἦ ἄρ κʼ ἐθέλοις θητευέμεν, εἴ σʼ ἀνελοίμην,"Stranger, would you be willing to serve as a hired man, if I took you on,
ἀγροῦ ἐπʼ ἐσχατιῆς—μισθὸς δέ τοι ἄρκιος ἔσται—at the edge of my farm—and your wage would be assured—
αἱμασιάς τε λέγων καὶ δένδρεα μακρὰ φυτεύων;gathering stones for walls and planting the tall trees?
360ἔνθα κʼ ἐγὼ σῖτον μὲν ἐπηετανὸν παρέχοιμι,There I would furnish you with food the year around,
εἵματα δʼ ἀμφιέσαιμι ποσίν θʼ ὑποδήματα δοίην.and clothe your body, and give you sandals for your feet.
ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν δὴ ἔργα κάκʼ ἔμμαθες, οὐκ ἐθελήσειςBut since you have learned only wicked ways, you will not
ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι, ἀλλὰ πτώσσειν κατὰ δῆμονset your hand to work, but choose instead to cower through the land,
βούλεαι, ὄφρʼ ἄν ἔχῃς βόσκειν σὴν γαστέρʼ ἄναλτον.begging, so you can feed that greedy belly of yours."
365τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
Εὐρύμαχʼ, εἰ γὰρ νῶϊν ἔρις ἔργοιο γένοιτο"Eurymachus, if only there were a contest of work between us
ὥρῃ ἐν εἰαρινῇ, ὅτε τʼ ἤματα μακρὰ πέλονται,in the spring season, when the days grow long,
ἐν ποίῃ, δρέπανον μὲν ἐγὼν εὐκαμπὲς ἔχοιμι,out in the meadow, and I had a well-curved sickle,
καὶ δὲ σὺ τοῖον ἔχοις, ἵνα πειρησαίμεθα ἔργουand you had one as well, to test each other at the work,
370νήστιες ἄχρι μάλα κνέφαος, ποίη δὲ παρείη.fasting till the deep dusk, with grass enough at hand—
εἰ δʼ αὖ καὶ βόες εἶεν ἐλαυνέμεν, οἵ περ ἄριστοι,or again if there were oxen to drive, the very best,
αἴθωνες, μεγάλοι, ἄμφω κεκορηότε ποίης,tawny and great, both of them full-fed with grass,
ἥλικες, ἰσοφόροι, τῶν τε σθένος οὐκ ἀλαπαδνόν,of equal age, matched in their load, whose strength is not worn out,
τετράγυον δʼ εἴη, εἴκοι δʼ ὑπὸ βῶλος ἀρότρῳ·and the field were four acres, the sod yielding to the plow—
375τῷ κέ μʼ ἴδοις, εἰ ὦλκα διηνεκέα προταμοίμην.then you would see whether I could cut a furrow straight and unbroken.
εἰ δʼ αὖ καὶ πόλεμόν ποθεν ὁρμήσειε ΚρονίωνOr again if the son of Cronos should stir up war somewhere
σήμερον, αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ σάκος εἴη καὶ δύο δοῦρεthis very day, and I had a shield and two spears
καὶ κυνέη πάγχαλκος, ἐπὶ κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖα,and a helmet all of bronze, fitted close upon my temples,
τῷ κέ μʼ ἴδοις πρώτοισιν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι μιγέντα,then you would see me mingling among the foremost fighters,
380οὐδʼ ἄν μοι τὴν γαστέρʼ ὀνειδίζων ἀγορεύοις.and you would not stand here taunting me about this belly.
ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ὑβρίξεις, καί τοι νόος ἐστὶν ἀπηνής·But you are utterly insolent, and your mind is hard;
καί πού τις δοκέεις μέγας ἔμμεναι ἠδὲ κραταιός,and you fancy yourself, I suppose, some great and mighty man,
οὕνεκα πὰρ παύροισι καὶ οὐκ ἀγαθοῖσιν ὁμιλεῖς.because you keep company with a few, and those not good.
εἰ δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτʼ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,But if Odysseus were to come and reach his native land,
385αἶψά κέ τοι τὰ θύρετρα, καὶ εὐρέα περ μάλʼ ἐόντα,then quickly would these doors, though they are very wide,
φεύγοντι στείνοιτο διὲκ προθύροιο θύραζε.prove too narrow for you as you fled out through the porch."
ὣς ἔφατʼ, Εὐρύμαχος δʼ ἐχολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,So he spoke, and Eurymachus grew still more angry at heart,
καί μιν ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and glaring at him from beneath his brows he spoke winged words:
ἆ δείλʼ, ἦ τάχα τοι τελέω κακόν, οἷʼ
ἀγορεύεις"Ah, wretch, soon I will do you some harm, for the way you talk
390θαρσαλέως πολλοῖσι μετʼ ἀνδράσιν, οὐδέ τι θυμῷso boldly among many men, and there is no fear at all
ταρβεῖς· ἦ ῥά σε οἶνος ἔχει φρένας, ἤ νύ τοι αἰεὶin your heart—surely the wine has seized your wits, or else always
τοιοῦτος νόος ἐστίν· ὃ καὶ μεταμώνια βάζεις.your mind is such as this, that you babble empty words.
ἦ ἀλύεις, ὅτι Ἶρον ἐνίκησας τὸν ἀλήτην;Or are you crazed because you beat that vagabond Irus?"
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας σφέλας ἔλλαβεν· αὐτὰρ ὈδυσσεὺςSo speaking, he seized a footstool; but Odysseus
395Ἀμφινόμου πρὸς γοῦνα καθέζετο Δουλιχιῆος,sat down at the knees of Amphinomus of Dulichium,
Εὐρύμαχον δείσας· ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ οἰνοχόον βάλε χεῖραin fear of Eurymachus; and he struck the wine-pourer on the hand,
δεξιτερήν· πρόχοος δὲ χαμαὶ βόμβησε πεσοῦσα,the right hand, and the jug clanged as it fell to the ground,
αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ οἰμώξας πέσεν ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι.and the man himself groaned and fell backward in the dust.
μνηστῆρες δʼ ὁμάδησαν ἀνὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα,And the suitors clamored throughout the shadowy halls,
400ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·and thus would one speak, glancing at his neighbor near him:
αἴθʼ ὤφελλʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἀλώμενος ἄλλοθʼ ὀλέσθαι"If only the stranger, wandering, had died somewhere else
πρὶν ἐλθεῖν· τῷ οὔ τι τόσον κέλαδον μετέθηκε.before he came; then he would not have stirred up such uproar.
νῦν δὲ περὶ πτωχῶν ἐριδαίνομεν, οὐδέ τι δαιτὸςBut now we quarrel over beggars, and there will be no pleasure
ἐσθλῆς ἔσσεται ἦδος, ἐπεὶ τὰ χερείονα νικᾷ.in the good feast, since these baser things prevail."
405τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειφʼ ἱερὴ ἲς ΤηλεμάχοιοAnd among them the sacred force of Telemachus spoke out:
δαιμόνιοι, μαίνεσθε καὶ οὐκέτι κεύθετε θυμῷ"You madmen, you rage and no longer hide within your hearts
βρωτὺν οὐδὲ ποτῆτα· θεῶν νύ τις ὔμμʼ ὀροθύνει.your food and drink; surely some god goads you on.
ἀλλʼ εὖ δαισάμενοι κατακείετε οἴκαδʼ ἰόντες,But now that you have feasted well, go home and lie down to rest,
ὁππότε θυμὸς ἄνωγε· διώκω δʼ οὔ τινʼ ἐγώ γε.whenever the heart bids you—I drive out no one, not I."
410ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἐν χείλεσι
φύντεςSo he spoke, and they all bit their lips in wonder
Τηλέμαχον θαύμαζον, ὃ θαρσαλέως ἀγόρευε.at Telemachus, because he had spoken so boldly.
τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀμφίνομος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεThen among them Amphinomus made his speech and said,
Νίσου φαίδιμος υἱός, Ἀρητιάδαο ἄνακτος·the glorious son of Nisus, the lord son of Aretias:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἐπὶ ῥηθέντι δικαίῳ"Friends, no one, at a word spoken justly,
415ἀντιβίοις ἐπέεσσι καθαπτόμενος χαλεπαίνοι·should take offense and assail it with hostile words.
μήτε τι τὸν ξεῖνον στυφελίζετε μήτε τινʼ ἄλλονDo not manhandle the stranger, nor any other
δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματʼ Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.of the servants who are in the house of godlike Odysseus.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ, οἰνοχόος μὲν ἐπαρξάσθω δεπάεσσιν,Come now, let the wine-pourer begin the round of cups,
ὄφρα σπείσαντες κατακείομεν οἴκαδʼ ἰόντες·so that we may pour libations and go home to rest;
420τὸν ξεῖνον δὲ ἐῶμεν ἐνὶ μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆοςand let us leave the stranger in the halls of Odysseus
Τηλεμάχῳ μελέμεν· τοῦ γὰρ φίλον ἵκετο δῶμα.to the care of Telemachus, for it is to his dear house he has come."
ὣς φάτο, τοῖσι δὲ πᾶσιν ἑαδότα μῦθον ἔειπε.So he spoke, and his words were pleasing to them all.
τοῖσιν δὲ κρητῆρα κεράσσατο Μούλιος ἥρως,Then the hero Mulius mixed a bowl for them,
κῆρυξ Δουλιχιεύς· θεράπων δʼ ἦν Ἀμφινόμοιο·the herald of Dulichium; he was the attendant of Amphinomus;
425νώμησεν δʼ ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπισταδόν· οἱ δὲ θεοῖσιand he served it to them all, going from man to man; and they to the gods,
σπείσαντες μακάρεσσι πίον μελιηδέα οἶνον.the blessed ones, poured libations and drank the honey-sweet wine.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τʼ ἔπιόν θʼ ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,But when they had poured libations and drunk as much as their hearts desired,
βάν ῥʼ ἴμεναι κείοντες ἑὰ πρὸς δώμαθʼ ἕκαστος.they went off, each to his own house, to lie down and rest.