1τῇ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,And the goddess grey-eyed Athena set it in her mind,
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,in the mind of Icarius's daughter, prudent Penelope,
τόξον μνηστήρεσσι θέμεν πολιόν τε σίδηρονto set the bow before the suitors and the grey iron
ἐν μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆος, ἀέθλια καὶ φόνου ἀρχήν.in the halls of Odysseus, a contest and the beginning of slaughter.
5κλίμακα δʼ ὑψηλὴν προσεβήσετο οἷο δόμοιο,She climbed the high staircase of her house,
εἵλετο δὲ κληῗδʼ εὐκαμπέα χειρὶ παχείῃand took in her thick hand the well-curved key,
καλὴν χαλκείην· κώπη δʼ ἐλέφαντος ἐπῆεν.beautiful, of bronze, and its handle was of ivory.
βῆ δʼ ἴμεναι θάλαμόνδε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶνShe went to make her way to the storeroom with her serving women,
ἔσχατον· ἔνθα δέ οἱ κειμήλια κεῖτο ἄνακτος,the innermost; there the master's treasures lay,
10χαλκός τε χρυσός τε πολύκμητός τε σίδηρος.bronze and gold and much-wrought iron.
ἔνθα δὲ τόξον κεῖτο παλίντονον ἠδὲ φαρέτρηAnd there lay the back-bent bow and the quiver
ἰοδόκος, πολλοὶ δʼ ἔνεσαν στονόεντες ὀϊστοί,that held the arrows, and many groaning shafts were in it,
δῶρα τά οἱ ξεῖνος Λακεδαίμονι δῶκε τυχήσαςgifts that a guest had given him, met in Lacedaemon,
Ἴφιτος Εὐρυτίδης, ἐπιείκελος ἀθανάτοισι.Iphitus, son of Eurytus, a man like the immortals.
15τὼ δʼ ἐν Μεσσήνῃ ξυμβλήτην ἀλλήλοιϊνThe two of them met each other in Messene,
οἴκῳ ἐν Ὀρτιλόχοιο δαΐφρονος. ἦ τοι Ὀδυσσεὺςin the house of wise-hearted Ortilochus. Indeed Odysseus
ἦλθε μετὰ χρεῖος, τό ῥά οἱ πᾶς δῆμος ὄφελλε·had come to collect a debt that the whole people owed him;
μῆλα γὰρ ἐξ Ἰθάκης Μεσσήνιοι ἄνδρες ἄειρανfor men of Messene had lifted sheep from Ithaca,
νηυσὶ πολυκλήϊσι τριηκόσιʼ ἠδὲ νομῆας.three hundred of them, with their herdsmen, in their many-benched ships.
20τῶν ἕνεκʼ ἐξεσίην πολλὴν ὁδὸν ἦλθεν ὈδυσσεὺςOn their account Odysseus came on a long embassy,
παιδνὸς ἐών· πρὸ γὰρ ἧκε πατὴρ ἄλλοι τε γέροντες.being still a boy; for his father and the other elders sent him.
Ἴφιτος αὖθʼ ἵππους διζήμενος, αἵ οἱ ὄλοντοIphitus in turn had come seeking horses that were lost to him,
δώδεκα θήλειαι, ὑπὸ δʼ ἡμίονοι ταλαεργοί·twelve mares, with sturdy mules still suckling beneath them;
αἳ δή οἱ καὶ ἔπειτα φόνος καὶ μοῖρα γένοντο,and these afterward became his death and doom,
25ἐπεὶ δὴ Διὸς υἱὸν ἀφίκετο καρτερόθυμον,when he came to the strong-hearted son of Zeus,
φῶθʼ Ἡρακλῆα, μεγάλων ἐπιίστορα ἔργων,the man Heracles, who knew great deeds,
ὅς μιν ξεῖνον ἐόντα κατέκτανεν ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,who killed him, a guest though he was, in his own house—
σχέτλιος, οὐδὲ θεῶν ὄπιν ᾐδέσατʼ οὐδὲ τράπεζαν,hard-hearted man, and he cared nothing for the gods' regard, nor for the table
τὴν ἥν οἱ παρέθηκεν· ἔπειτα δὲ πέφνε καὶ αὐτόν,that he had set before him; then he killed him,
30ἵππους δʼ αὐτὸς ἔχε κρατερώνυχας ἐν μεγάροισι.and himself kept the strong-hoofed mares in his halls.
τὰς ἐρέων Ὀδυσῆϊ συνήντετο, δῶκε δὲ τόξον,Seeking these, he met Odysseus, and gave him the bow
τὸ πρὶν μέν ῥʼ ἐφόρει μέγας Εὔρυτος, αὐτὰρ ὁ παιδὶthat great Eurytus had carried before, and to his son
κάλλιπʼ ἀποθνῄσκων ἐν δώμασιν ὑψηλοῖσι.he left it, dying, in his high halls.
τῷ δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ξίφος ὀξὺ καὶ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἔδωκεν,To him Odysseus gave a sharp sword and a strong spear,
35ἀρχὴν ξεινοσύνης προσκηδέος· οὐδὲ τραπέζῃthe beginning of a fond guest-friendship; but at the table
γνώτην ἀλλήλων· πρὶν γὰρ Διὸς υἱὸς ἔπεφνενthey never came to know each other; for before that the son of Zeus killed
Ἴφιτον Εὐρυτίδην, ἐπιείκελον ἀθανάτοισιν,Iphitus, son of Eurytus, a man like the immortals,
ὅς οἱ τόξον ἔδωκε. τὸ δʼ οὔ ποτε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺςwho had given him the bow. But this godlike Odysseus never,
ἐρχόμενος πόλεμόνδε μελαινάων ἐπὶ νηῶνwhen he went to war upon the black ships,
40ᾑρεῖτʼ, ἀλλʼ αὐτοῦ μνῆμα ξείνοιο φίλοιοwould take with him, but it lay at home, a memorial of a dear guest,
κέσκετʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι, φόρει δέ μιν ἧς ἐπὶ γαίης.it lay in his halls, and he carried it only on his own soil.
ἡ δʼ ὅτε δὴ θάλαμον τὸν ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶνBut when she came to that chamber, the woman divine,
οὐδόν τε δρύϊνον προσεβήσετο, τόν ποτε τέκτωνand stepped upon the oaken threshold, which once a carpenter
ξέσσεν ἐπισταμένως καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν,had planed with skill and made straight to the line,
45ἐν δὲ σταθμοὺς ἄρσε, θύρας δʼ ἐπέθηκε φαεινάς,and had fitted the doorposts, and set the shining doors upon them,
αὐτίκʼ ἄρʼ ἥ γʼ ἱμάντα θοῶς ἀπέλυσε κορώνης,at once she loosed the thong swiftly from its hook,
ἐν δὲ κληῗδʼ ἧκε, θυρέων δʼ ἀνέκοπτεν ὀχῆαςand thrust in the key, and drew back the bolts of the doors,
ἄντα τιτυσκομένη· τὰ δʼ ἀνέβραχεν ἠΰτε ταῦροςaiming straight; and they groaned like a bull
βοσκόμενος λειμῶνι· τόσʼ ἔβραχε καλὰ θύρετραgrazing in a meadow: so loudly groaned the fair doors,
50πληγέντα κληΐδι, πετάσθησαν δέ οἱ ὦκα.struck by the key, and quickly they flew open for her.
ἡ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐφʼ ὑψηλῆς σανίδος βῆ· ἔνθα δὲ χηλοὶAnd she stepped up onto the high platform; there the chests
ἕστασαν, ἐν δʼ ἄρα τῇσι θυώδεα εἵματʼ ἔκειτο.were standing, and in them lay the fragrant garments.
ἔνθεν ὀρεξαμένη ἀπὸ πασσάλου αἴνυτο τόξονReaching from there, she took down from its peg the bow
αὐτῷ γωρυτῷ, ὅς οἱ περίκειτο φαεινός.together with the case, the shining case that held it round.
55ἑζομένη δὲ κατʼ αὖθι, φίλοις ἐπὶ γούνασι θεῖσα,And sitting down there, she laid it upon her knees,
κλαῖε μάλα λιγέως, ἐκ δʼ ᾕρεε τόξον ἄνακτος.and wept aloud and shrill, and drew forth the bow of her lord.
ἡ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν τάρφθη πολυδακρύτοιο γόοιο,And when she had taken her fill of tearful lamentation,
βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεναι μέγαρόνδε μετὰ μνηστῆρας ἀγαυοὺςshe went on her way to the hall, among the proud suitors,
τόξον ἔχουσʼ ἐν χειρὶ παλίντονον ἠδὲ φαρέτρηνholding in her hand the back-bent bow and the quiver
60ἰοδόκον· πολλοὶ δʼ ἔνεσαν στονόεντες ὀϊστοί.that holds the arrows; and many groaning shafts were in it.
τῇ δʼ ἄρʼ ἅμʼ ἀμφίπολοι φέρον ὄγκιον, ἔνθα σίδηροςAnd beside her the handmaids carried a chest, in which lay iron
κεῖτο πολὺς καὶ χαλκός, ἀέθλια τοῖο ἄνακτος.in plenty, and bronze, the prizes of her lord.
ἡ δʼ ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,And when she came among the suitors, the woman divine,
στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,she stood beside the doorpost of the strong-built roof,
65ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα.holding before her cheeks her shining veil.
ἀμφίπολος δʼ ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.And a faithful handmaid stood on either side of her.
αὐτίκα δὲ μνηστῆρσι μετηύδα καὶ φάτο μῦθον·And at once she spoke among the suitors and said her word:
κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες, οἳ τόδε
δῶμα"Hear me, you lordly suitors, who have besieged this house
ἐχράετʼ ἐσθιέμεν καὶ πινέμεν ἐμμενὲς αἰεὶto eat and drink here without ceasing, always,
70ἀνδρὸς ἀποιχομένοιο πολὺν χρόνον· οὐδέ τινʼ ἄλληνwhile its man is long gone away; and you could put forward
μύθου ποιήσασθαι ἐπισχεσίην ἐδύνασθε,no other pretext for your talk
ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ ἱέμενοι γῆμαι θέσθαι τε γυναῖκα.but that you longed to marry me and make me your wife.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετε, μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ τόδε φαίνετʼ ἄεθλον.But come now, suitors, since this is shown to be your contest.
θήσω γὰρ μέγα τόξον Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο·I will set before you the great bow of godlike Odysseus,
75ὃς δέ κε ῥηΐτατʼ ἐντανύσῃ βιὸν ἐν παλάμῃσιand whoever most easily strings the bow in his hands
καὶ διοϊστεύσῃ πελέκεων δυοκαίδεκα πάντων,and shoots an arrow clean through all twelve axes,
τῷ κεν ἅμʼ ἑσποίμην, νοσφισσαμένη τόδε δῶμαwith him I will go, forsaking this house
κουρίδιον, μάλα καλόν, ἐνίπλειον βιότοιο,of my marriage, this house so fair and full of livelihood,
τοῦ ποτὲ μεμνήσεσθαι ὀΐομαι ἔν περ ὀνείρῳ.which I think I shall remember even in my dreams."
80ὣς φάτο, καί ῥʼ Εὔμαιον ἀνώγει, δῖον ὑφορβόν,So she spoke, and she ordered Eumaeus, the godlike swineherd,
τόξον μνηστήρεσσι θέμεν πολιόν τε σίδηρον.to set the bow before the suitors, and the grey iron.
δακρύσας δʼ Εὔμαιος ἐδέξατο καὶ κατέθηκε·And weeping Eumaeus took them and laid them down;
κλαῖε δὲ βουκόλος ἄλλοθʼ, ἐπεὶ ἴδε τόξον ἄνακτος.and the cowherd wept elsewhere, when he saw his master's bow.
Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·But Antinous rebuked him, spoke, and called him by name:
85νήπιοι ἀγροιῶται, ἐφημέρια φρονέοντες,"You foolish rustics, thinking only of the passing day,
ἆ δειλώ, τί νυ δάκρυ κατείβετον ἠδὲ γυναικὶyou wretched pair, why do you shed these tears, and stir
θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὀρίνετον; ᾗ τε καὶ ἄλλωςthe heart in the woman's breast? Her spirit even without this
κεῖται ἐν ἄλγεσι θυμός, ἐπεὶ φίλον ὤλεσʼ ἀκοίτην.lies in grief, since she has lost her dear husband.
ἀλλʼ ἀκέων δαίνυσθε καθήμενοι, ἠὲ θύραζεCome, sit and feast in silence, or go outside
90κλαίετον ἐξελθόντε, κατʼ αὐτόθι τόξα λιπόντε,and weep, and leave the bow behind you there,
μνηστήρεσσιν ἄεθλον ἀάατον· οὐ γὰρ ὀΐωa contest for the suitors past all cheating; for I think
ῥηϊδίως τόδε τόξον ἐΰξοον ἐντανύεσθαι.this polished bow will not be strung so easily.
οὐ γάρ τις μέτα τοῖος ἀνὴρ ἐν τοίσδεσι πᾶσινFor there is no man here among all these
οἷος Ὀδυσσεὺς ἔσκεν· ἐγὼ δέ μιν αὐτὸς ὄπωπα,such as Odysseus was; and I myself saw him,
95καὶ γὰρ μνήμων εἰμί, πάϊς δʼ ἔτι νήπιος ἦα.for I remember him, though I was still a foolish child."
ὣς φάτο, τῷ δʼ ἄρα θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐώλπειSo he spoke, but the heart in his breast was hoping
νευρὴν ἐντανύσειν διοϊστεύσειν τε σιδήρου.to string the cord and shoot an arrow through the iron.
ἦ τοι ὀϊστοῦ γε πρῶτος γεύσεσθαι ἔμελλενYet he was destined first to taste the arrow
ἐκ χειρῶν Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ὃν τότʼ ἀτίμαfrom the hands of blameless Odysseus, whom now he slighted,
100ἥμενος ἐν μεγάροις, ἐπὶ δʼ ὤρνυε πάντας ἑταίρους.sitting in the halls, and urged all his companions on.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειφʼ ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο·Then among them spoke the sacred strength of Telemachus:
ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα με Ζεὺς ἄφρονα θῆκε Κρονίων·"Well now, truly Zeus, son of Cronos, has made me witless;
μήτηρ μέν μοί φησι φίλη, πινυτή περ ἐοῦσα,my dear mother, wise though she is, declares to me
ἄλλῳ ἅμʼ ἕψεσθαι νοσφισσαμένη τόδε δῶμα·that she will follow another and forsake this house,
105αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ γελόω καὶ τέρπομαι ἄφρονι θυμῷ.yet I only laugh, and take my pleasure with a witless heart.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετε, μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ τόδε φαίνετʼ ἄεθλον,But come, suitors, since this is shown to be your contest,
οἵη νῦν οὐκ ἔστι γυνὴ κατʼ Ἀχαιΐδα γαῖαν,for such a woman is not now in the Achaean land,
οὔτε Πύλου ἱερῆς οὔτʼ Ἄργεος οὔτε Μυκήνης·not in sacred Pylos, nor in Argos, nor Mycenae,
οὔτʼ αὐτῆς Ἰθάκης οὔτʼ ἠπείροιο μελαίνης·nor in Ithaca itself, nor on the dark mainland—
110καὶ δʼ αὐτοὶ τόδε γʼ ἴστε· τί με χρὴ μητέρος αἴνου;and you yourselves know this; why should I praise my mother?
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μὴ μύνῃσι παρέλκετε μηδʼ ἔτι τόξουBut come, do not put it off with excuses, nor turn away
δηρὸν ἀποτρωπᾶσθε τανυστύος, ὄφρα ἴδωμεν.any longer from the stringing of the bow, that we may see.
καὶ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἐγὼ τοῦ τόξου πειρησαίμην·And I myself would also make trial of this bow;
εἰ δέ κεν ἐντανύσω διοϊστεύσω τε σιδήρου,and if I string it and shoot an arrow through the iron,
115οὔ κέ μοι ἀχνυμένῳ τάδε δώματα πότνια μήτηρthen to my grief the lady my mother would not
λείποι ἅμʼ ἄλλῳ ἰοῦσʼ, ὅτʼ ἐγὼ κατόπισθε λιποίμηνleave these halls and go with another, when I was left behind,
οἷός τʼ ἤδη πατρὸς ἀέθλια κάλʼ ἀνελέσθαι.already able to take up the fine contests of my father."
ἦ καὶ ἀπʼ ὤμοιϊν χλαῖναν θέτο φοινικόεσσανHe spoke, and from his shoulders threw off the purple cloak,
ὀρθὸς ἀναΐξας, ἀπὸ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτʼ ὤμων.springing up straight, and from his shoulders set the sharp sword.
120πρῶτον μὲν πελέκεας στῆσεν, διὰ τάφρον ὀρύξαςFirst he set up the axes, digging one long trench
πᾶσι μίαν μακρήν, καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν,one long trench for all, and straightened them by a line,
ἀμφὶ δὲ γαῖαν ἔναξε· τάφος δʼ ἕλε πάντας ἰδόντας,and stamped the earth about them; wonder seized all who saw
ὡς εὐκόσμως στῆσε· πάρος δʼ οὐ πώ ποτʼ ὀπώπει.how orderly he set them, though he had never seen it before.
στῆ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰὼν καὶ τόξου πειρήτιζε.Then he went and stood on the threshold and made trial of the bow.
125τρὶς μέν μιν πελέμιξεν ἐρύσσεσθαι μενεαίνων,Three times he made it quiver, straining to draw it,
τρὶς δὲ μεθῆκε βίης, ἐπιελπόμενος τό γε θυμῷ,three times he slackened his force, though in his heart he hoped
νευρὴν ἐντανύειν διοϊστεύσειν τε σιδήρου.to string the cord and shoot an arrow through the iron.
καί νύ κε δή ῥʼ ἐτάνυσσε βίῃ τὸ τέταρτον ἀνέλκων,And now at last he would have strung it, hauling it hard a fourth time,
ἀλλʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἀνένευε καὶ ἔσχεθεν ἱέμενόν περ.but Odysseus shook his head and checked him, eager as he was.
130τοῖς δʼ αὖτις μετέειφʼ ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο·Then again the sacred strength of Telemachus spoke among them:
ὢ πόποι, ἦ καὶ ἔπειτα κακός τʼ ἔσομαι καὶ
ἄκικυς,"Oh, shame—I shall surely be a coward and a weakling hereafter,
ἠὲ νεώτερός εἰμι καὶ οὔ πω χερσὶ πέποιθαor else I am too young and cannot yet trust my hands
ἄνδρʼ ἀπαμύνασθαι, ὅτε τις πρότερος χαλεπήνῃ.to defend a man against another who first grows harsh with me.
ἀλλʼ ἄγεθʼ, οἵ περ ἐμεῖο βίῃ προφερέστεροί ἐστε,But come now, you who are stronger than I in force,
135τόξου πειρήσασθε, καὶ ἐκτελέωμεν ἄεθλον.make trial of the bow, and let us finish the contest."
ὣς εἰπὼν τόξον μὲν ἀπὸ ἕο θῆκε χαμᾶζε,So speaking he set the bow down from him on the ground,
κλίνας κολλητῇσιν ἐϋξέστῃς σανίδεσσιν,leaning it against the joined and well-polished planks,
αὐτοῦ δʼ ὠκὺ βέλος καλῇ προσέκλινε κορώνῃ,and there he leaned the swift arrow against the fine curved tip,
ἂψ δʼ αὖτις κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετʼ ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη.and again sat down on the chair from which he had risen.
140τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·Then Antinous spoke among them, son of Eupeithes:
ὄρνυσθʼ ἑξείης ἐπιδέξια πάντες ἑταῖροι,"Rise up in turn, all you companions, from left to right,
ἀρξάμενοι τοῦ χώρου ὅθεν τέ περ οἰνοχοεύει.beginning from the place where the wine is poured."
ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.So spoke Antinous, and the word pleased them.
Λειώδης δὲ πρῶτος ἀνίστατο, Οἴνοπος υἱός,Leiodes was the first to rise, son of Oenops,
145ὅ σφι θυοσκόος ἔσκε, παρὰ κρητῆρα δὲ καλὸνwho was their reader of sacrifices, and beside the fine mixing-bowl
ἷζε μυχοίτατος αἰέν· ἀτασθαλίαι δέ οἱ οἴῳalways sat in the innermost corner; to him alone
ἐχθραὶ ἔσαν, πᾶσιν δὲ νεμέσσα μνηστήρεσσιν·were their reckless deeds hateful, and he was indignant with all the suitors.
ὅς ῥα τότε πρῶτος τόξον λάβε καὶ βέλος ὠκύ.He it was who now first took the bow and the swift arrow.
στῆ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰὼν καὶ τόξου πειρήτιζεν,He went and stood on the threshold and made trial of the bow,
150οὐδέ μιν ἐντάνυσε· πρὶν γὰρ κάμε χεῖρας ἀνέλκωνbut he could not string it; before that he wearied his hands
ἀτρίπτους ἁπαλάς· μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπεν·in the hauling—soft hands, unused to toil—and he spoke among the suitors:
ὦ φίλοι, οὐ μὲν ἐγὼ τανύω, λαβέτω δὲ καὶ
ἄλλος."Friends, I cannot string it—let another take it too.
πολλοὺς γὰρ τόδε τόξον ἀριστῆας κεκαδήσειFor this bow shall rob many nobles here
θυμοῦ καὶ ψυχῆς, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερόν ἐστιof spirit and of life, since it is far better
155τεθνάμεν ἢ ζώοντας ἁμαρτεῖν, οὗθʼ ἕνεκʼ αἰεὶto die than to live on and fail of that
ἐνθάδʼ ὁμιλέομεν, ποτιδέγμενοι ἤματα πάντα.for whose sake we always gather here, waiting all our days.
νῦν μέν τις καὶ ἔλπετʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἠδὲ μενοινᾷNow there is one who hopes in his heart and longs
γῆμαι Πηνελόπειαν, Ὀδυσσῆος παράκοιτιν.to marry Penelope, wife of Odysseus.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν τόξου πειρήσεται ἠδὲ ἴδηται,But when he has made trial of the bow and seen it,
160ἄλλην δή τινʼ ἔπειτα Ἀχαιϊάδων εὐπέπλωνthen let him woo some other of the fair-robed Achaean women,
μνάσθω ἐέδνοισιν διζήμενος· ἡ δέ κʼ ἔπειταlet him woo her with wedding gifts; and she thereafter
γήμαιθʼ ὅς κε πλεῖστα πόροι καὶ μόρσιμος ἔλθοι.will marry the man who offers most and comes as fated."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν καὶ ἀπὸ ἕο τόξον ἔθηκε,So he spoke, and set the bow away from himself,
κλίνας κολλητῇσιν ἐϋξέστῃς σανίδεσσιν,leaning it against the joined and well-planed doors,
165αὐτοῦ δʼ ὠκὺ βέλος καλῇ προσέκλινε κορώνῃ,and against it he leaned the swift arrow, beside the fair curved tip,
ἂψ δʼ αὖτις κατʼ ἄρ ἕζετʼ ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη.and back again he sat down on the seat from which he rose.
Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·But Antinous rebuked him, spoke and called out to him:
Λειῶδες, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων,"Leiodes, what a word has escaped the barrier of your teeth,
δεινόν τʼ ἀργαλέον τε, —νεμεσσῶμαι δέ τʼ ἀκούων—a terrible and grievous thing—it angers me to hear it—
170εἰ δὴ τοῦτό γε τόξον ἀριστῆας κεκαδήσειif indeed this bow shall rob our nobles
θυμοῦ καὶ ψυχῆς, ἐπεὶ οὐ δύνασαι σὺ τανύσσαι.of spirit and of life, because you cannot string it.
οὐ γάρ τοί σέ γε τοῖον ἐγείνατο πότνια μήτηρFor your honored mother did not bear you such a man
οἷόν τε ῥυτῆρα βιοῦ τʼ ἔμεναι καὶ ὀϊστῶν·as could be a drawer of the bow and of arrows;
ἀλλʼ ἄλλοι τανύουσι τάχα μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοί.but soon the other lordly suitors will string it."
175ὣς φάτο, καί ῥʼ ἐκέλευσε Μελάνθιον, αἰπόλον
αἰγῶν·So he spoke, and gave command to Melanthius, the goatherd:
ἄγρει δή, πῦρ κῆον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι, Μελανθεῦ,"Come now, Melanthius, kindle a fire in the halls,
πὰρ δὲ τίθει δίφρον τε μέγαν καὶ κῶας ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ,and set beside it a great chair with a fleece upon it,
ἐκ δὲ στέατος ἔνεικε μέγαν τροχὸν ἔνδον ἐόντος,and bring out a great cake of fat that lies within,
ὄφρα νέοι θάλποντες, ἐπιχρίοντες ἀλοιφῇ,so that we young men, warming the bow and greasing it with fat,
180τόξου πειρώμεσθα καὶ ἐκτελέωμεν ἄεθλον.may make our trial and bring the contest to an end."
ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δʼ αἶψʼ ἀνέκαιε Μελάνθιος ἀκάματον
πῦρ,So he spoke, and Melanthius quickly kindled the tireless fire,
πὰρ δὲ φέρων δίφρον θῆκεν καὶ κῶας ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ,and carrying a chair he set it there with a fleece upon it,
ἐκ δὲ στέατος ἔνεικε μέγαν τροχὸν ἔνδον ἐόντος·and brought out a great cake of fat that lay within;
τῷ ῥα νέοι θάλποντες ἐπειρῶντʼ· οὐδʼ ἐδύναντοwith this the young men warmed the bow and made trial; but they could not
185ἐντανύσαι, πολλὸν δὲ βίης ἐπιδευέες ἦσαν.string it, and they fell far short of the strength for it.
Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἔτʼ ἐπεῖχε καὶ Εὐρύμαχος θεοειδής,Yet Antinous still held back, and godlike Eurymachus,
ἀρχοὶ μνηστήρων· ἀρετῇ δʼ ἔσαν ἔξοχʼ ἄριστοι.leaders of the suitors; in prowess they were far the best.
τὼ δʼ ἐξ οἴκου βῆσαν ὁμαρτήσαντες ἅμʼ ἄμφωBut the two went out from the house together, both of them,
βουκόλος ἠδὲ συφορβὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο·the cowherd and the swineherd of godlike Odysseus;
190ἐκ δʼ αὐτὸς μετὰ τοὺς δόμου ἤλυθε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.and after them godlike Odysseus himself came out of the house.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐκτὸς θυρέων ἔσαν ἠδὲ καὶ αὐλῆς,But when they were beyond the doors and past the courtyard,
φθεγξάμενός σφε ἔπεσσι προσηύδα μειλιχίοισι·he called to them and addressed them with gentle words:
βουκόλε καὶ σύ, συφορβέ, ἔπος τί κε
μυθησαίμην,"Cowherd, and you, swineherd, shall I speak a certain word,
ἦ αὐτὸς κεύθω; φάσθαι δέ με θυμὸς ἀνώγει.or keep it hidden? My heart bids me speak it.
195ποῖοί κʼ εἶτʼ Ὀδυσῆϊ ἀμυνέμεν, εἴ ποθεν ἔλθοιWhat would you be, to defend Odysseus, if from somewhere he should come
ὧδε μάλʼ ἐξαπίνης καί τις θεὸς αὐτὸν ἐνείκαι;thus all at once, and some god should bring him back?
ἤ κε μνηστήρεσσιν ἀμύνοιτʼ ἦ Ὀδυσῆϊ;Would you defend the suitors, or Odysseus?
εἴπαθʼ ὅπως ὑμέας κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει.Tell me as your heart and spirit bid you."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ·Then the man who was herdsman of the cattle answered him:
200Ζεῦ πάτερ, αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο τελευτήσειας ἐέλδωρ,"Father Zeus, would that you might fulfill this wish,
ὡς ἔλθοι μὲν κεῖνος ἀνήρ, ἀγάγοι δέ ἑ δαίμων·that that man might come, and a god might bring him back:
γνοίης χʼ οἵη ἐμὴ δύναμις καὶ χεῖρες ἕπονται.then you would know what strength is mine, what hands attend me."
ὣς δʼ αὔτως Εὔμαιος ἐπεύχετο πᾶσι θεοῖσιAnd in the same way Eumaeus prayed to all the gods
νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε.that many-minded Odysseus might return to his own home.
205αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τῶν γε νόον νημερτέʼ ἀνέγνω,But when he had truly recognized the mind of these two,
ἐξαῦτίς σφε ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·once again he answered them and spoke:
ἔνδον μὲν δὴ ὅδʼ αὐτὸς ἐγώ, κακὰ πολλὰ
μογήσας"Here am I myself, the very man, who after many hardships
ἤλυθον εἰκοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.have come in the twentieth year to my native land.
γιγνώσκω δʼ ὡς σφῶϊν ἐελδομένοισιν ἱκάνωAnd I know that of my slaves you two alone
210οἴοισι δμώων· τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὔ τευ ἄκουσαwelcome my coming; from none of the others have I heard
εὐξαμένου ἐμὲ αὖτις ὑπότροπον οἴκαδʼ ἱκέσθαι.a prayer that I might come back home again.
σφῶϊν δʼ, ὡς ἔσεταί περ, ἀληθείην καταλέξω.To you two I will tell the truth, how it shall be.
εἴ χʼ ὑπʼ ἐμοί γε θεὸς δαμάσῃ μνηστῆρας ἀγαυούς,If some god should subdue the proud suitors beneath me,
ἄξομαι ἀμφοτέροις ἀλόχους καὶ κτήματʼ ὀπάσσωI will bring wives for you both, and grant you possessions,
215οἰκία τʼ ἐγγὺς ἐμεῖο τετυγμένα· καί μοι ἔπειταand houses built near my own; and thereafter to me
Τηλεμάχου ἑτάρω τε κασιγνήτω τε ἔσεσθον.you shall be companions and brothers of Telemachus.
εἰ δʼ ἄγε δή, καὶ σῆμα ἀριφραδὲς ἄλλο τι δείξω,But come, I will show you another plain and certain sign,
ὄφρα μʼ ἐῢ γνῶτον πιστωθῆτόν τʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ,so you may know me well and trust me in your hearts:
οὐλήν, τήν ποτέ με σῦς ἤλασε λευκῷ ὀδόντιthe scar that once a boar dealt me with its white tusk
220Παρνησόνδʼ ἐλθόντα σὺν υἱάσιν Αὐτολύκοιο.when I went to Parnassus with the sons of Autolycus."
ὣς εἰπὼν ῥάκεα μεγάλης ἀποέργαθεν οὐλῆς.So speaking, he drew the rags back from the great scar.
τὼ δʼ ἐπεὶ εἰσιδέτην εὖ τʼ ἐφράσσαντο ἕκαστα,And when the two had seen it and marked each thing well,
κλαῖον ἄρʼ ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆϊ δαΐφρονι χεῖρε βαλόντε,they wept, and threw their arms around wise Odysseus,
καὶ κύνεον ἀγαπαζόμενοι κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὤμουςand kissed him lovingly on the head and shoulders;
225ὣς δʼ αὔτως Ὀδυσεὺς κεφαλὰς καὶ χεῖρας ἔκυσσε.and in the same way Odysseus kissed their heads and hands.
καί νύ κʼ ὀδυρομένοισιν ἔδυ φάος ἠελίοιο,And now the light of the sun would have gone down upon their weeping,
εἰ μὴ Ὀδυσσεὺς αὐτὸς ἐρύκακε φώνησέν τε·had not Odysseus himself checked them and spoken:
παύεσθον κλαυθμοῖο γόοιό τε, μή τις ἴδηται"Cease from your weeping and lament, lest someone see us,
ἐξελθὼν μεγάροιο, ἀτὰρ εἴπῃσι καὶ εἴσω.coming out from the hall, and tell of it within.
230ἀλλὰ προμνηστῖνοι ἐσέλθετε, μηδʼ ἅμα πάντες,But go in one by one, not all together,
πρῶτος ἐγώ, μετὰ δʼ ὔμμες· ἀτὰρ τόδε σῆμα τετύχθω·I first, and you after; and let this be the sign:
ἄλλοι μὲν γὰρ πάντες, ὅσοι μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοί,all the others, as many as are the proud suitors,
οὐκ ἐάσουσιν ἐμοὶ δόμεναι βιὸν ἠδὲ φαρέτρην·will not allow the bow and quiver to be given me;
ἀλλὰ σύ, δῖʼ Εὔμαιε, φέρων ἀνὰ δώματα τόξονbut you, godlike Eumaeus, as you carry the bow through the house,
235ἐν χείρεσσιν ἐμοὶ θέμεναι, εἰπεῖν τε γυναιξὶcome and place it in my hands, and tell the women
κληῗσαι μεγάροιο θύρας πυκινῶς ἀραρυίας,to lock the close-fitted doors of the hall,
ἢν δέ τις ἢ στοναχῆς ἠὲ κτύπου ἔνδον ἀκούσῃand if any of them hears a groaning or a din within
ἀνδρῶν ἡμετέροισιν ἐν ἕρκεσι, μή τι θύραζεof men inside our walls, let her not to the doorway
προβλώσκειν, ἀλλʼ αὐτοῦ ἀκὴν ἔμεναι παρὰ ἔργῳ.come forth, but stay there in silence at her work.
240σοὶ δέ, Φιλοίτιε δῖε, θύρας ἐπιτέλλομαι αὐλῆςAnd to you, godlike Philoetius, I give charge of the courtyard gates,
κληῗσαι κληῗδι, θοῶς δʼ ἐπὶ δεσμὸν ἰῆλαι.to lock with the key, and quickly cast the bar across.
ὣς εἰπὼν εἰσῆλθε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας·So speaking, he went into the well-built halls;
ἕζετʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ δίφρον ἰών, ἔνθεν περ ἀνέστη·he went and sat down on the seat from which he had risen.
ἐς δʼ ἄρα καὶ τὼ δμῶε ἴτην θείου Ὀδυσῆος.And the two servants of godlike Odysseus also came in.
245Εὐρύμαχος δʼ ἤδη τόξον μετὰ χερσὶν ἐνώμα,Now Eurymachus already had the bow turning in his hands,
θάλπων ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα σέλᾳ πυρός· ἀλλά μιν οὐδʼ ὣςwarming it this way and that in the fire's glow; yet even so
ἐντανύσαι δύνατο, μέγα δʼ ἔστενε κυδάλιμον κῆρ·he could not string it, and his proud heart groaned aloud;
ὀχθήσας δʼ ἄρα εἶπεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·and vexed, he spoke a word and called out, saying:
ὢ πόποι, ἧ μοι ἄχος περί τʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ περὶ
πάντων·"Ah, misery — grief for myself and grief for all of us!
250οὔ τι γάμου τοσσοῦτον ὀδύρομαι, ἀχνύμενός περ·Not so much for the marriage do I mourn, though I am grieved:
εἰσὶ καὶ ἄλλαι πολλαὶ Ἀχαιΐδες, αἱ μὲν ἐν αὐτῇthere are many other Achaean women, some here in
ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ, αἱ δʼ ἄλλῃσιν πολίεσσιν·sea-girt Ithaca itself, and some in other cities;
ἀλλʼ εἰ δὴ τοσσόνδε βίης ἐπιδευέες εἰμὲνbut if indeed we are so far short in strength
ἀντιθέου Ὀδυσῆος, ὅ τʼ οὐ δυνάμεσθα τανύσσαιof godlike Odysseus, that we cannot string
255τόξον· ἐλεγχείη δὲ καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι.his bow — a disgrace for men yet to come to hear of."
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered him:
Εὐρύμαχʼ, οὐχ οὕτως ἔσται· νοέεις δὲ καὶ αὐτός."Eurymachus, it will not be so; you see it yourself.
νῦν μὲν γὰρ κατὰ δῆμον ἑορτὴ τοῖο θεοῖοFor now throughout the land is the holy feast
ἁγνή· τίς δέ κε τόξα τιταίνοιτʼ; ἀλλὰ ἕκηλοιof the god; who then would bend a bow? No, quietly
260κάτθετʼ· ἀτὰρ πελέκεάς γε καὶ εἴ κʼ εἰῶμεν ἅπανταςset it down; but the axes — what if we let them all
ἑστάμεν· οὐ μὲν γάρ τινʼ ἀναιρήσεσθαι ὀΐω,stand? For I do not think anyone will carry one off,
ἐλθόντʼ ἐς μέγαρον Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.coming into the hall of Odysseus, son of Laertes.
ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ, οἰνοχόος μὲν ἐπαρξάσθω δεπάεσσιν,Come, let the wine-pourer begin the round with the cups,
ὄφρα σπείσαντες καταθείομεν ἀγκύλα τόξα·so that we may pour libation and lay aside the curved bow;
265ἠῶθεν δὲ κέλεσθε Μελάνθιον, αἰπόλον αἰγῶν,and at dawn tell Melanthius, the goatherd,
αἶγας ἄγειν, αἳ πᾶσι μέγʼ ἔξοχοι αἰπολίοισιν,to bring goats, the finest by far in all the herds,
ὄφρʼ ἐπὶ μηρία θέντες Ἀπόλλωνι κλυτοτόξῳso that, setting the thigh-pieces on the altar of Apollo the famed archer,
τόξου πειρώμεσθα καὶ ἐκτελέωμεν ἄεθλον.we may try the bow and bring the contest to its end."
ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.So spoke Antinous, and the word pleased them well.
270τοῖσι δὲ κήρυκες μὲν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν,Then the heralds poured water over their hands,
κοῦροι δὲ κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο,and the young men filled the mixing-bowls brim-full of drink,
νώμησαν δʼ ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενοι δεπάεσσιν.and served to all, first pouring drops into the cups.
οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν σπεῖσάν τʼ ἔπιόν θʼ ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,But when they had poured libation and drunk as much as their heart desired,
τοῖς δὲ δολοφρονέων μετέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·with crafty mind resourceful Odysseus spoke among them:
275κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης·"Hear me, you suitors of the glorious queen,
ὄφρʼ εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει·while I say what the heart in my breast commands me;
Εὐρύμαχον δὲ μάλιστα καὶ Ἀντίνοον θεοειδέαand Eurymachus above all, and godlike Antinous,
λίσσομʼ, ἐπεὶ καὶ τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπε,I entreat, since he too spoke this word rightly,
νῦν μὲν παῦσαι τόξον, ἐπιτρέψαι δὲ θεοῖσιν·to let the bow be now, and leave the matter to the gods;
280ἠῶθεν δὲ θεὸς δώσει κράτος ᾧ κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν.and at dawn the god will grant the victory to whom he will.
ἀλλʼ ἄγʼ ἐμοὶ δότε τόξον ἐΰξοον, ὄφρα μεθʼ ὑμῖνBut come, give me the polished bow, that among you
χειρῶν καὶ σθένεος πειρήσομαι, ἤ μοι ἔτʼ ἐστὶνI may test my hands and strength, whether there is still
ἴς, οἵη πάρος ἔσκεν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσιν,force in me such as once dwelt in my supple limbs,
ἦ ἤδη μοι ὄλεσσεν ἄλη τʼ ἀκομιστίη τε.or whether wandering and neglect have already destroyed it."
285ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὑπερφιάλως
νεμέσησαν,So he spoke, and they all were violently indignant,
δείσαντες μὴ τόξον ἐΰξοον ἐντανύσειεν.fearing that he might string the polished bow.
Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·And Antinous rebuked him, and spoke, and called out to him:
ἆ δειλὲ ξείνων, ἔνι τοι φρένες οὐδʼ ἠβαιαί·"Ah, wretched stranger, you have no wits at all;
οὐκ ἀγαπᾷς ὃ ἕκηλος ὑπερφιάλοισι μεθʼ ἡμῖνare you not content that at peace among us proud men
290δαίνυσαι, οὐδέ τι δαιτὸς ἀμέρδεαι, αὐτὰρ ἀκούειςyou feast, and are robbed of nothing of the meal, but listen
μύθων ἡμετέρων καὶ ῥήσιος; οὐδέ τις ἄλλοςto our talk and our speaking? No other stranger
ἡμετέρων μύθων ξεῖνος καὶ πτωχὸς ἀκούει.and beggar besides listens to our talk.
οἶνός σε τρώει μελιηδής, ὅς τε καὶ ἄλλουςHoney-sweet wine has undone you, wine that harms others too,
βλάπτει, ὃς ἄν μιν χανδὸν ἕλῃ μηδʼ αἴσιμα πίνῃ.any who take it in gulps and do not drink in measure.
295οἶνος καὶ Κένταυρον, ἀγακλυτὸν Εὐρυτίωνα,Wine crazed the Centaur too, glorious Eurytion,
ἄασʼ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ μεγαθύμου Πειριθόοιο,in the hall of great-hearted Pirithous,
ἐς Λαπίθας ἐλθόνθʼ· ὁ δʼ ἐπεὶ φρένας ἄασεν οἴνῳ,when he came among the Lapiths; and when he had crazed his wits with wine,
μαινόμενος κάκʼ ἔρεξε δόμον κάτα Πειριθόοιο·raging he did evil deeds throughout the house of Pirithous;
ἥρωας δʼ ἄχος εἷλε, διὲκ προθύρου δὲ θύραζεand grief seized the heroes, and out through the porch to the door
300ἕλκον ἀναΐξαντες, ἀπʼ οὔατα νηλέϊ χαλκῷthey dragged him, springing up, and shore off his ears
ῥῖνάς τʼ ἀμήσαντες· ὁ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀασθεὶςand nose with the pitiless bronze; and he, crazed in his wits,
ἤϊεν ἣν ἄτην ὀχέων ἀεσίφρονι θυμῷ.went off bearing his madness in his witless heart.
ἐξ οὗ Κενταύροισι καὶ ἀνδράσι νεῖκος ἐτύχθη,From that came the feud between the Centaurs and men,
οἷ δʼ αὐτῷ πρώτῳ κακὸν εὕρετο οἰνοβαρείων.but he first found evil for himself, heavy with wine.
305ὣς καὶ σοὶ μέγα πῆμα πιφαύσκομαι, αἴ κε τὸ τόξονSo too for you I declare a great disaster, if you should
ἐντανύσῃς· οὐ γάρ τευ ἐπητύος ἀντιβολήσειςstring the bow; for you will meet with no kindness
ἡμετέρῳ ἐνὶ δήμῳ, ἄφαρ δέ σε νηῒ μελαίνῃamong our people, but at once in a black ship
εἰς Ἔχετον βασιλῆα, βροτῶν δηλήμονα πάντων,to King Echetus, mangler of all mortals,
πέμψομεν· ἔνθεν δʼ οὔ τι σαώσεαι· ἀλλὰ ἕκηλοςwe will send you; and from there you will not save yourself. So at ease
310πῖνέ τε, μηδʼ ἐρίδαινε μετʼ ἀνδράσι κουροτέροισιν.drink, and do not quarrel with younger men."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him:
Ἀντίνοʼ, οὐ μὲν καλὸν ἀτέμβειν οὐδὲ δίκαιον"Antinous, it is neither fair nor just
ξείνους Τηλεμάχου, ὅς κεν τάδε δώμαθʼ ἵκηται·to wrong the guests of Telemachus, whoever comes to this house.
ἔλπεαι, αἴ χʼ ὁ ξεῖνος Ὀδυσσῆος μέγα τόξονDo you expect, if the stranger should string Odysseus' great bow,
315ἐντανύσῃ χερσίν τε βίηφί τε ἧφι πιθήσας,with his hands, trusting in his strength,
οἴκαδέ μʼ ἄξεσθαι καὶ ἑὴν θήσεσθαι ἄκοιτιν;that he will lead me home and make me his wife?
οὐδʼ αὐτός που τοῦτό γʼ ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔολπε·Not even he himself, I think, hopes for that in his breast;
μηδέ τις ὑμείων τοῦ γʼ εἵνεκα θυμὸν ἀχεύωνand let none of you, grieving in his heart on that account,
ἐνθάδε δαινύσθω, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ ἔοικεν.feast here, since that would be in no way seemly."
320τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἀντίον
ηὔδα·Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered her:
κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,"Daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope,
οὔ τί σε τόνδʼ ἄξεσθαι ὀϊόμεθʼ· οὐδὲ ἔοικεν·we do not think this man will lead you off, nor is it fitting;
ἀλλʼ αἰσχυνόμενοι φάτιν ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ γυναικῶν,but we feel shame at the talk of men and women,
μή ποτέ τις εἴπῃσι κακώτερος ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶνlest some baser man among the Achaeans should say:
325ἦ πολὺ χείρονες ἄνδρες ἀμύμονος ἀνδρὸς ἄκοιτιν'Far lesser men are wooing the wife of a flawless man,
μνῶνται, οὐδέ τι τόξον ἐΰξοον ἐντανύουσιν·and cannot even string the polished bow;
ἀλλʼ ἄλλος τις πτωχὸς ἀνὴρ ἀλαλήμενος ἐλθὼνbut another, a beggar, came wandering along
ῥηϊδίως ἐτάνυσσε βιόν, διὰ δʼ ἧκε σιδήρου.and easily strung the bow and shot through the iron.'
ὣς ἐρέουσʼ, ἡμῖν δʼ ἂν ἐλέγχεα ταῦτα γένοιτο.So they will say, and this would be our disgrace."
330τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him:
Εὐρύμαχʼ, οὔ πως ἔστιν ἐϋκλεῖας κατὰ δῆμον"Eurymachus, there is no way for those to have good name
ἔμμεναι οἳ δὴ οἶκον ἀτιμάζοντες ἔδουσινamong the people who dishonor and devour the house
ἀνδρὸς ἀριστῆος· τί δʼ ἐλέγχεα ταῦτα τίθεσθε;of a princely man—why count these things as your disgrace?
οὗτος δὲ ξεῖνος μάλα μὲν μέγας ἠδʼ εὐπηγής,This stranger is very tall and well-built,
335πατρὸς δʼ ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ γένος εὔχεται ἔμμεναι υἱός.and claims by birth to be the son of a good father.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε οἱ δότε τόξον ἐΰξοον, ὄφρα ἴδωμεν.Come then, give him the polished bow, and let us see.
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·For I will say this out, and it will be brought to pass:
εἴ κέ μιν ἐντανύσῃ, δώῃ δέ οἱ εὖχος Ἀπόλλων,if he should string it, and Apollo grant him glory,
ἕσσω μιν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, εἵματα καλά,I will clothe him in a cloak and tunic, fair garments,
340δώσω δʼ ὀξὺν ἄκοντα, κυνῶν ἀλκτῆρα καὶ ἀνδρῶν,and give him a sharp javelin, to ward off dogs and men,
καὶ ξίφος ἄμφηκες· δώσω δʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶ πέδιλα,and a two-edged sword; and I will give him sandals for his feet,
πέμψω δʼ ὅππη μιν κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει.and send him wherever his heart and spirit bid him go."
τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered her:
μῆτερ ἐμή, τόξον μὲν Ἀχαιῶν οὔ τις ἐμεῖο"My mother, as for the bow, no one of the Achaeans
345κρείσσων, ᾧ κʼ ἐθέλω, δόμεναί τε καὶ ἀρνήσασθαι,has more right than I to give it or refuse it to whom I will,
οὔθʼ ὅσσοι κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν,neither of those who hold sway over rugged Ithaca,
οὔθʼ ὅσσοι νήσοισι πρὸς Ἤλιδος ἱπποβότοιο·nor of those in the islands toward horse-pasturing Elis;
τῶν οὔ τίς μʼ ἀέκοντα βιήσεται, αἴ κʼ ἐθέλωμιnone of them shall force me against my will, if I choose
καὶ καθάπαξ ξείνῳ δόμεναι τάδε τόξα φέρεσθαι.to give this bow outright to the stranger to carry off.
350ἀλλʼ εἰς οἶκον ἰοῦσα τὰ σʼ αὐτῆς ἔργα κόμιζε,But go to your quarters and see to your own work,
ἱστόν τʼ ἠλακάτην τε, καὶ ἀμφιπόλοισι κέλευεthe loom and the distaff, and bid your handmaids
ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι· τόξον δʼ ἄνδρεσσι μελήσειply their task; the bow shall be the men's concern,
πᾶσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοί· τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.all men's, and mine above all, for mine is the power in this house."
ἡ μὲν θαμβήσασα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει·Amazed, she went back again to her chamber,
355παιδὸς γὰρ μῦθον πεπνυμένον ἔνθετο θυμῷ.for she took to heart her son's wise word.
ἐς δʼ ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶGoing up to the upper room with her handmaid women,
κλαῖεν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα, φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνονshe wept then for Odysseus, her dear husband, until
ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.grey-eyed Athena cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τόξα λαβὼν φέρε καμπύλα δῖος ὑφορβός·But the godlike swineherd took up the curved bow and bore it,
360μνηστῆρες δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὁμόκλεον ἐν μεγάροισιν·and all the suitors clamored aloud throughout the halls;
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·And thus would one of the arrogant young men speak:
πῆ δὴ καμπύλα τόξα φέρεις, ἀμέγαρτε συβῶτα,"Where are you carrying the curved bow, you wretched swineherd,
πλαγκτέ; τάχʼ αὖ σʼ ἐφʼ ὕεσσι κύνες ταχέες κατέδονταιyou vagabond? Soon the swift dogs, out among your pigs,
οἶον ἀπʼ ἀνθρώπων, οὓς ἔτρεφες, εἴ κεν Ἀπόλλωνwill devour you, alone, far from men, if Apollo
365ἡμῖν ἱλήκῃσι καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι.and the other immortal gods prove gracious to us."
ὣς φάσαν, αὐτὰρ, ὁ θῆκε φέρων αὐτῇ ἐνὶ χώρῃ,So they spoke, and he set it down, carrying it to that very spot,
δείσας, οὕνεκα πολλοὶ ὁμόκλεον ἐν μεγάροισιν.in fear, because so many shouted at him through the halls.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἀπειλήσας ἐγεγώνει·But Telemachus from the other side called out in threat:
ἄττα, πρόσω φέρε τόξα· τάχʼ οὐκ εὖ πᾶσι
πιθήσεις"Old friend, bring the bow forward; you will not do well to obey them all—
370μή σε καὶ ὁπλότερός περ ἐὼν ἀγρόνδε δίωμαι,beware, or I, though younger, will chase you to the fields,
βάλλων χερμαδίοισι· βίηφι δὲ φέρτερός εἰμι.pelting you with stones, for I am the stronger in force.
αἲ γὰρ πάντων τόσσον, ὅσοι κατὰ δώματʼ ἔασι,Would that I were so much stronger in hands and force
μνηστήρων χερσίν τε βίηφί τε φέρτερος εἴην·than all the suitors who are here throughout the house;
τῷ κε τάχα στυγερῶς τινʼ ἐγὼ πέμψαιμι νέεσθαιthen I would soon send some of them off in wretched fashion
375ἡμετέρου ἐξ οἴκου, ἐπεὶ κακὰ μηχανόωνται.to depart from our home, since they contrive evil deeds."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἡδὺ
γέλασσανSo he spoke, and they all laughed sweetly at him,
μνηστῆρες, καὶ δὴ μέθιεν χαλεποῖο χόλοιοthe suitors, and let go their bitter anger
Τηλεμάχῳ· τὰ δὲ τόξα φέρων ἀνὰ δῶμα συβώτηςagainst Telemachus; and the swineherd, bearing the bow through the hall,
ἐν χείρεσσʼ Ὀδυσῆϊ δαΐφρονι θῆκε παραστάς.came and set it in the hands of skilled Odysseus.
380ἐκ δὲ καλεσσάμενος προσέφη τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν·And he called out the nurse Eurycleia and addressed her:
Τηλέμαχος κέλεταί σε, περίφρων Εὐρύκλεια,"Telemachus bids you, prudent Eurycleia,
κληῗσαι μεγάροιο θύρας πυκινῶς ἀραρυίας.to lock the well-fitted doors of the hall.
ἢν δέ τις ἤ στοναχῆς ἠὲ κτύπου ἔνδον ἀκούσῃAnd if any of the women within our walls should hear
ἀνδρῶν ἡμετέροισιν ἐν ἕρκεσι, μή τι θύραζεa groaning or a din of men, let none go forth
385προβλώσκειν, ἀλλʼ αὐτοῦ ἀκὴν ἔμεναι παρὰ ἔργῳ.through the door, but keep still there beside her work."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, τῇ δʼ ἄπτερος ἔπλετο μῦθος,So he spoke, and to her the word was without wings,
κλήϊσεν δὲ θύρας μεγάρων εὖ ναιεταόντων.and she locked the doors of the well-built halls.
σιγῇ δʼ ἐξ οἴκοιο Φιλοίτιος ἆλτο θύραζε,And in silence Philoetius sprang out of the house through the door,
κλήϊσεν δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα θύρας εὐερκέος αὐλῆς.and then he locked the doors of the well-fenced courtyard.
390κεῖτο δʼ ὑπʼ αἰθούσῃ ὅπλον νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσηςBeneath the portico lay a hawser of a curved ship,
βύβλινον, ᾧ ῥʼ ἐπέδησε θύρας, ἐς δʼ ἤϊεν αὐτός·of papyrus, with which he bound the doors, and he went in himself;
ἕζετʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ δίφρον ἰών, ἔνθεν περ ἀνέστη,then he sat down, going to the stool from which he had risen,
εἰσορόων Ὀδυσῆα. ὁ δʼ ἤδη τόξον ἐνώμαgazing at Odysseus. But he was already handling the bow,
πάντη ἀναστρωφῶν, πειρώμενος ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,turning it every way, testing it this side and that,
395μὴ κέρα ἶπες ἔδοιεν ἀποιχομένοιο ἄνακτος.lest worms had eaten the horn while its lord was gone.
ὧδε τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·And thus would one speak, looking to another beside him:
ἦ τις θηητὴρ καὶ ἐπίκλοπος ἔπλετο τόξων·"Surely he is some connoisseur and cunning judge of bows;
ἤ ῥά νύ που τοιαῦτα καὶ αὐτῷ οἴκοθι κεῖταιeither such things lie stored at home for him as well,
ἢ ὅ γʼ ἐφορμᾶται ποιησέμεν, ὡς ἐνὶ χερσὶor he is bent on making one, the way in his hands
400νωμᾷ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα κακῶν ἔμπαιος ἀλήτης.he turns it this way and that, this beggar schooled in evils."
ἄλλος δʼ αὖ εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·And another again would say among the arrogant young men:
αἲ γὰρ δὴ τοσσοῦτον ὀνήσιος ἀντιάσειεν"Would that he might meet with just as much good luck
ὡς οὗτός ποτε τοῦτο δυνήσεται ἐντανύσασθαι.as this fellow will one day have in stringing that bow."
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφαν μνηστῆρες· ἀτὰρ πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,So spoke the suitors; but resourceful Odysseus,
405αὐτίκʼ ἐπεὶ μέγα τόξον ἐβάστασε καὶ ἴδε πάντη,as soon as he had lifted the great bow and looked it over,
ὡς ὅτʼ ἀνὴρ φόρμιγγος ἐπιστάμενος καὶ ἀοιδῆςas when a man skilled in the lyre and in song
ῥηϊδίως ἐτάνυσσε νέῳ περὶ κόλλοπι χορδήν,easily stretches a string about a new peg,
ἅψας ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἐϋστρεφὲς ἔντερον οἰός,fastening at both ends the well-twisted sheep-gut,
ὣς ἄρʼ ἄτερ σπουδῆς τάνυσεν μέγα τόξον Ὀδυσσεύς.so without effort Odysseus strung the great bow.
410δεξιτερῇ ἄρα χειρὶ λαβὼν πειρήσατο νευρῆς·Then taking it in his right hand he tested the string,
ἡ δʼ ὑπὸ καλὸν ἄεισε, χελιδόνι εἰκέλη αὐδήν.and it sang beautifully beneath him, like a swallow in voice.
μνηστῆρσιν δʼ ἄρʼ ἄχος γένετο μέγα, πᾶσι δʼ ἄρα χρὼςGreat grief came over the suitors, and the color of them all
ἐτράπετο· Ζεὺς δὲ μεγάλʼ ἔκτυπε σήματα φαίνων·changed; and Zeus thundered loud, showing his signs;
γήθησέν τʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.and then much-enduring godlike Odysseus rejoiced
415ὅττι ῥά οἱ τέρας ἧκε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω·that the son of crooked-counseling Cronos had sent him a portent;
εἵλετο δʼ ὠκὺν ὀϊστόν, ὅ οἱ παρέκειτο τραπέζῃand he took a swift arrow that lay beside him on the table,
γυμνός· τοὶ δʼ ἄλλοι κοίλης ἔντοσθε φαρέτρηςbare; the others lay within the hollow quiver,
κείατο, τῶν τάχʼ ἔμελλον Ἀχαιοὶ πειρήσεσθαι.the ones the Achaeans would soon come to feel.
τόν ῥʼ ἐπὶ πήχει ἑλὼν ἕλκεν νευρὴν γλυφίδας τε,He set it on the bridge, drew the string and the notches,
420αὐτόθεν ἐκ δίφροιο καθήμενος, ἧκε δʼ ὀϊστὸνfrom the very stool where he sat, and let the arrow fly,
ἄντα τιτυσκόμενος, πελέκεων δʼ οὐκ ἤμβροτε πάντωνaiming straight ahead, and did not miss a single one
πρώτης στειλειῆς, διὰ δʼ ἀμπερὲς ἦλθε θύραζεof all the axes' first ring, and clean on through it passed and out the door
ἰὸς χαλκοβαρής· ὁ δὲ Τηλέμαχον προσέειπε·the bronze-weighted shaft; and he spoke to Telemachus:
Τηλέμαχʼ, οὔ σʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν
ἐλέγχει"Telemachus, the stranger sitting in your halls does not
425ἥμενος, οὐδέ τι τοῦ σκοποῦ ἤμβροτον οὐδέ τι τόξονdisgrace you, nor did I miss the mark at all, nor did I labor
δὴν ἔκαμον τανύων· ἔτι μοι μένος ἔμπεδόν ἐστιν,long in stringing the bow; my strength is still unshaken,
οὐχ ὥς με μνηστῆρες ἀτιμάζοντες ὄνονται.not as the suitors in their scorn reproach me.
νῦν δʼ ὥρη καὶ δόρπον Ἀχαιοῖσιν τετυκέσθαιBut now it is time to make supper ready for the Achaeans
ἐν φάει, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα καὶ ἄλλως ἑψιάασθαιwhile there is light, and afterward to make merry in other ways,
430μολπῇ καὶ φόρμιγγι· τὰ γάρ τʼ ἀναθήματα δαιτός.with song and lyre; for these are the ornaments of a feast."
ἦ καὶ ἐπʼ ὀφρύσι νεῦσεν· ὁ δʼ ἀμφέθετο ξίφος
ὀξὺHe spoke, and gave the sign with his brows; and he girded on the sharp sword,
Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,Telemachus, the dear son of godlike Odysseus,
ἀμφὶ δὲ χεῖρα φίλην βάλεν ἔγχεϊ, ἄγχι δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτοῦand closed his own hand about the spear, and near him there
πὰρ θρόνον ἑστήκει κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.beside his chair he took his stand, armed in gleaming bronze.