1γρηῢς δʼ εἰς ὑπερῷʼ ἀνεβήσετο καγχαλόωσα,The old woman went up to the upper room, exulting,
δεσποίνῃ ἐρέουσα φίλον πόσιν ἔνδον ἐόντα·to tell her mistress that her dear husband was within;
γούνατα δʼ ἐρρώσαντο, πόδες δʼ ὑπερικταίνοντο.her knees moved nimbly, and her feet stumbled beneath her.
στῆ δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν·She stood above her head and spoke to her these words:
5ἔγρεο, Πηνελόπεια, φίλον τέκος, ὄφρα ἴδηαι"Wake, Penelope, dear child, so you may see
ὀφθαλμοῖσι τεοῖσι τά τʼ ἔλδεαι ἤματα πάντα.with your own eyes what you have longed for all your days.
ἦλθʼ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ὀψέ περ ἐλθών.Odysseus has come, has reached his home, late though he came.
μνηστῆρας δʼ ἔκτεινεν ἀγήνορας, οἵ θʼ ἑὸν οἶκονHe has killed the lordly suitors, who plagued his house,
κήδεσκον καὶ κτήματʼ ἔδον βιόωντό τε παῖδα.who devoured his goods and bullied his own son."
10τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered her in turn:
μαῖα φίλη, μάργην σε θεοὶ θέσαν, οἵ τε δύνανται"Dear nurse, the gods have made you mad, they who are able
ἄφρονα ποιῆσαι καὶ ἐπίφρονά περ μάλʼ ἐόντα,to make foolish even one who is very wise,
καί τε χαλιφρονέοντα σαοφροσύνης ἐπέβησαν·and to set the giddy-minded on the path of prudence;
οἵ σέ περ ἔβλαψαν· πρὶν δὲ φρένας αἰσίμη ἦσθα.it is they who have harmed you—before you were sound of mind.
15τίπτε με λωβεύεις πολυπενθέα θυμὸν ἔχουσανWhy do you mock me, whose heart is heavy with sorrow,
ταῦτα παρὲξ ἐρέουσα καὶ ἐξ ὕπνου μʼ ἀνεγείρειςtelling me these wild things and rousing me from sleep,
ἡδέος, ὅς μʼ ἐπέδησε φίλα βλέφαρʼ ἀμφικαλύψας;sweet sleep that bound me, folded close over my eyelids?
οὐ γάρ πω τοιόνδε κατέδραθον, ἐξ οὗ ὈδυσσεὺςNever have I slept so since Odysseus
ᾤχετʼ ἐποψόμενος Κακοΐλιον οὐκ ὀνομαστήν.went off to see that evil Ilium, not to be named.
20ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν κατάβηθι καὶ ἂψ ἔρχευ μέγαρόνδε.But come now, go down and back into the hall.
εἰ γάρ τίς μʼ ἄλλη γε γυναικῶν, αἵ μοι ἔασι,For if any other of the women who serve me
ταῦτʼ ἐλθοῦσʼ ἤγγειλε καὶ ἐξ ὕπνου ἀνέγειρεν,had come and told me this and roused me from my sleep,
τῷ κε τάχα στυγερῶς μιν ἐγὼν ἀπέπεμψα νέεσθαιI would soon have sent her off in bitter fashion
αὖτις ἔσω μέγαρον· σὲ δὲ τοῦτό γε γῆρας ὀνήσει.back through the hall; but your old age spares you this."
25τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια·Then the dear nurse Eurycleia answered her:
οὔ τί σε λωβεύω, τέκνον φίλον, ἀλλʼ ἔτυμόν τοι"I am not mocking you, dear child, but in very truth
ἦλθʼ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ὡς ἀγορεύω,Odysseus has come, has reached his home, as I declare—
ὁ ξεῖνος, τὸν πάντες ἀτίμων ἐν μεγάροισι.the stranger, the one whom all dishonored in the hall.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἄρα μιν πάλαι ᾔδεεν ἔνδον ἐόντα,Telemachus long knew that he was within,
30ἀλλὰ σαοφροσύνῃσι νοήματα πατρὸς ἔκευθεν,but in his prudence he hid his father's designs,
ὄφρʼ ἀνδρῶν τίσαιτο βίην ὑπερηνορεόντων.until he took vengeance on those violent, arrogant men."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, ἡ δʼ ἐχάρη καὶ ἀπὸ λέκτροιο θοροῦσαSo she spoke, and Penelope rejoiced, and leaping from her bed
γρηῒ περιπλέχθη, βλεφάρων δʼ ἀπὸ δάκρυον ἧκεν·she embraced the old woman, and let the tears fall from her eyes;
καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and she spoke to her and addressed her with winged words:
35εἰ δʼ ἄγε δή μοι, μαῖα φίλη, νημερτὲς
ἐνίσπες,"Come now, dear nurse, tell me the unerring truth,
εἰ ἐτεὸν δὴ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,whether indeed he has reached his home, as you declare,
ὅππως δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφῆκεand how he laid his hands on the shameless suitors,
μοῦνος ἐών, οἱ δʼ αἰὲν ἀολλέες ἔνδον ἔμιμνον.being alone, while they always stayed gathered within."
τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια·Then the dear nurse Eurycleia answered her:
40οὐκ ἴδον, οὐ πυθόμην, ἀλλὰ στόνον οἶον ἄκουσα"I did not see, I did not learn, but I heard only the groaning
κτεινομένων· ἡμεῖς δὲ μυχῷ θαλάμων εὐπήκτωνof the dying men; but we sat cowering in a corner
ἥμεθʼ ἀτυζόμεναι, σανίδες δʼ ἔχον εὖ ἀραρυῖαι,of the well-built chambers, and the close-fitted doors held us,
πρίν γʼ ὅτε δή με σὸς υἱὸς ἀπὸ μεγάροιο κάλεσσεuntil at last your son called me out from the hall,
Τηλέμαχος· τὸν γάρ ῥα πατὴρ προέηκε καλέσσαι.Telemachus; for his father had sent him to call me.
45εὗρον ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα μετὰ κταμένοισι νέκυσσινThen I found Odysseus among the bodies of the slain,
ἑσταόθʼ· οἱ δέ μιν ἀμφί, κραταίπεδον οὖδας ἔχοντες,standing there, and around him, upon the hard-packed floor,
κείατʼ ἐπʼ ἀλλήλοισιν· ἰδοῦσά κε θυμὸν ἰάνθης.they lay heaped on each other; you would have warmed your heart to see it.
νῦν δʼ οἱ μὲν δὴ πάντες ἐπʼ αὐλείῃσι θύρῃσινBut now they are all gathered together at the courtyard gates,
ἀθρόοι, αὐτὰρ ὁ δῶμα θεειοῦται περικαλλές,in a heap, while he purifies the beautiful house with brimstone,
50πῦρ μέγα κηάμενος· σὲ δέ με προέηκε καλέσσαι.kindling a great fire; and he sent me to call you.
ἀλλʼ ἕπευ, ὄφρα σφῶϊν ἐϋφροσύνης ἐπιβῆτονSo follow me, that you both may set foot upon gladness
ἀμφοτέρω φίλον ἦτορ, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ πέποσθε.in your hearts, since you have suffered many evils.
νῦν δʼ ἤδη τόδε μακρὸν ἐέλδωρ ἐκτετέλεσται·And now at last this long-cherished wish is fulfilled:
ἦλθε μὲν αὐτὸς ζωὸς ἐφέστιος, εὗρε δὲ καὶ σὲhe has come himself alive to his own hearth, and found both you
55καὶ παῖδʼ ἐν μεγάροισι· κακῶς δʼ οἵ πέρ μιν ἔρεζονand your son in the halls; and those who wronged him,
μνηστῆρες, τοὺς πάντας ἐτίσατο ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.the suitors, on all of them he has taken vengeance in his house."
τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered her in turn:
μαῖα φίλη, μή πω μέγʼ ἐπεύχεο καγχαλόωσα."Dear nurse, do not exult yet so greatly, laughing aloud.
οἶσθα γὰρ ὥς κʼ ἀσπαστὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισι φανείηYou know how welcome he would appear in the halls
60πᾶσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοί τε καὶ υἱέϊ, τὸν τεκόμεσθα·to all, and most of all to me and the son we bore;
ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅδε μῦθος ἐτήτυμος, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,but this tale is not the truth, as you declare it,
ἀλλά τις ἀθανάτων κτεῖνε μνηστῆρας ἀγαυούς,rather some immortal has slain the lordly suitors,
ὕβριν ἀγασσάμενος θυμαλγέα καὶ κακὰ ἔργα.angered at their heart-galling insolence and evil deeds.
οὔ τινα γὰρ τίεσκον ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων,For they honored no one of the men upon the earth,
65οὐ κακὸν οὐδὲ μὲν ἐσθλόν, ὅτις σφέας εἰσαφίκοιτο·neither base nor noble, whoever came among them;
τῷ διʼ ἀτασθαλίας ἔπαθον κακόν· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςso through their recklessness they suffered evil; but Odysseus
ὤλεσε τηλοῦ νόστον Ἀχαιΐδος, ὤλετο δʼ αὐτός.has lost his homecoming far from Achaea, and himself has perished."
τὴν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια·Then the dear nurse Eurycleia answered her:
τέκνον ἐμόν, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων,"My child, what a word has escaped the barrier of your teeth,
70ἣ πόσιν ἔνδον ἐόντα παρʼ ἐσχάρῃ οὔ ποτʼ ἔφησθαto say your husband, who is within beside the hearth, will never
οἴκαδʼ ἐλεύσεσθαι· θυμὸς δέ τοι αἰὲν ἄπιστος.come home; your heart is always slow to believe.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε τοι καὶ σῆμα ἀριφραδὲς ἄλλο τι εἴπω,But come, I will tell you another sign, a plain one:
οὐλήν, τήν ποτέ μιν σῦς ἤλασε λευκῷ ὀδόντι.the scar, which once the boar dealt him with its white tusk.
τὴν ἀπονίζουσα φρασάμην, ἔθελον δὲ σοὶ αὐτῇI noticed it while washing him, and I wanted to tell you
75εἰπέμεν· ἀλλά με κεῖνος ἑλὼν ἐπὶ μάστακα χερσὶνyourself; but he seized me by the mouth with his hands
οὐκ ἔα εἰπέμεναι πολυϊδρείῃσι νόοιο.and would not let me speak, in the great cunning of his mind.
ἀλλʼ ἕπευ· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐμέθεν περιδώσομαι αὐτῆς,So follow me; and I will wager myself upon it,
αἴ κέν σʼ ἐξαπάφω, κτεῖναί μʼ οἰκτίστῳ ὀλέθρῳ.that if I deceive you, you may kill me by the most pitiful death."
τὴν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered her in turn:
80μαῖα φίλη, χαλεπόν σε θεῶν αἰειγενετάων"Dear nurse, it is hard for you to comprehend the designs
δήνεα εἴρυσθαι, μὰλα περ πολύϊδριν ἐοῦσαν.of the gods, however knowing she may be.
ἀλλʼ ἔμπης ἴομεν μετὰ παῖδʼ ἐμόν, ὄφρα ἴδωμαιBut even so, let us go to my son, so that I may see
ἄνδρας μνηστῆρας τεθνηότας, ἠδʼ ὃς ἔπεφνεν.the suitors lying dead, and the one who killed them."
ὣς φαμένη κατέβαινʼ ὑπερώϊα· πολλὰ δέ οἱ κῆρSo speaking she came down from the upper room; and much her heart
85ὥρμαινʼ, ἢ ἀπάνευθε φίλον πόσιν ἐξερεείνοι,debated whether to question her dear husband from a distance,
ἦ παρστᾶσα κύσειε κάρη καὶ χεῖρε λαβοῦσα.or to stand beside him and kiss his head and take his hands.
ἡ δʼ ἐπεὶ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ὑπέρβη λάϊνον οὐδόν,But when she entered and crossed the stone threshold,
ἕζετʼ ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἐναντίη, ἐν πυρὸς αὐγῇ,she sat down facing Odysseus, in the firelight,
τοίχου τοῦ ἑτέρου· ὁ δʼ ἄρα πρὸς κίονα μακρὴνby the farther wall; and he, against a tall pillar,
90ἧστο κάτω ὁρόων, ποτιδέγμενος εἴ τί μιν εἴποιsat looking down, waiting to see whether she would say something,
ἰφθίμη παράκοιτις, ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν.his stately wife, now that she had seen him with her eyes.
ἡ δʼ ἄνεω δὴν ἧστο, τάφος δέ οἱ ἦτορ ἵκανεν·But she sat a long time in silence, and amazement came upon her heart;
ὄψει δʼ ἄλλοτε μέν μιν ἐνωπαδίως ἐσίδεσκεν,now with her eyes she would gaze full upon his face,
ἄλλοτε δʼ ἀγνώσασκε κακὰ χροῒ εἵματʼ ἔχοντα.now she failed to know him, with the poor clothes on his body.
95Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·And Telemachus rebuked her, and spoke a word and named her:
μῆτερ ἐμή, δύσμητερ, ἀπηνέα θυμὸν ἔχουσα,"My mother, cruel mother, with your unyielding heart,
τίφθʼ οὕτω πατρὸς νοσφίζεαι, οὐδὲ παρʼ αὐτὸνwhy do you hold aloof from my father so, and do not sit
ἑζομένη μύθοισιν ἀνείρεαι οὐδὲ μεταλλᾷς;beside him and question him with words and ask him things?
οὐ μέν κʼ ἄλλη γʼ ὧδε γυνὴ τετληότι θυμῷNo other woman would harden her heart like this
100ἀνδρὸς ἀφεσταίη, ὅς οἱ κακὰ πολλὰ μογήσαςand stand apart from her husband, who after many hardships
ἔλθοι ἐεικοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν·has come in the twentieth year to his native land;
σοὶ δʼ αἰεὶ κραδίη στερεωτέρη ἐστὶ λίθοιο.but your heart is always harder than a stone."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him in turn:
τέκνον ἐμόν, θυμός μοι ἐνὶ στήθεσσι τέθηπεν,"My child, the heart in my breast is struck with wonder,
105οὐδέ τι προσφάσθαι δύναμαι ἔπος οὐδʼ ἐρέεσθαιand I have no power to speak a word to him, nor to ask,
οὐδʼ εἰς ὦπα ἰδέσθαι ἐναντίον. εἰ δʼ ἐτεὸν δὴnor to look upon his face straight on. But if in truth
ἔστʼ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ἦ μάλα νῶϊthis is Odysseus, come home at last, then surely we two
γνωσόμεθʼ ἀλλήλων καὶ λώϊον· ἔστι γὰρ ἡμῖνshall know each other, and the better; for we have
σήμαθʼ, ἃ δὴ καὶ νῶϊ κεκρυμμένα ἴδμεν ἀπʼ ἄλλων.signs, which we two know, hidden from all others."
110ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,So she spoke, and much-enduring godlike Odysseus smiled,
αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and at once to Telemachus he spoke winged words:
Τηλέμαχʼ, ἦ τοι μητέρʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔασον"Telemachus, leave your mother in the hall
πειράζειν ἐμέθεν· τάχα δὲ φράσεται καὶ ἄρειον.to test me; soon she will know me the better.
νῦν δʼ ὅττι ῥυπόω, κακὰ δὲ χροῒ εἵματα εἷμαι,Now, because I am filthy and wear poor clothes on my body,
115τοὔνεκʼ ἀτιμάζει με καὶ οὔ πω φησὶ τὸν εἶναι.for this she dishonors me and says I am not the man.
ἡμεῖς δὲ φραζώμεθʼ ὅπως ὄχʼ ἄριστα γένηται.But let us take thought how all may turn out best.
καὶ γάρ τίς θʼ ἕνα φῶτα κατακτείνας ἐνὶ δήμῳ,For whoever has killed a single man among a people,
ᾧ μὴ πολλοὶ ἔωσιν ἀοσσητῆρες ὀπίσσω,one who leaves not many behind to avenge him,
φεύγει πηούς τε προλιπὼν καὶ πατρίδα γαῖαν·goes into exile, leaving his kin and his native land;
120ἡμεῖς δʼ ἕρμα πόληος ἀπέκταμεν, οἳ μέγʼ ἄριστοιbut we have killed the bulwark of the city, those far the best
κούρων εἰν Ἰθάκῃ· τὰ δέ σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.of the young men in Ithaca. Consider this, I bid you."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
αὐτὸς ταῦτά γε λεῦσσε, πάτερ φίλε· σὴν γὰρ ἀρίστην"You yourself see to this, dear father; for they say your counsel
μῆτιν ἐπʼ ἀνθρώπους φάσʼ ἔμμεναι, οὐδέ κέ τίς τοιis the best among men, and no other mortal
125ἄλλος ἀνὴρ ἐρίσειε καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπων.of the men who die could contend with you.
ἡμεῖς δʼ ἐμμεμαῶτες ἅμʼ ἑψόμεθʼ, οὐδέ τί φημιWe will follow you eagerly, and I do not think
ἀλκῆς δευήσεσθαι, ὅση δύναμίς γε πάρεστιν.we shall fall short in courage, as far as strength is in us."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις ὈδυσσεύςThen resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
τοιγὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα."Then I will tell you how it seems best to me.
130πρῶτα μὲν ἂρ λούσασθε καὶ ἀμφιέσασθε χιτῶνας,First wash yourselves and put on your tunics,
δμῳὰς δʼ ἐν μεγάροισιν ἀνώγετε εἵμαθʼ ἑλέσθαι·and bid the serving-women in the halls to take fresh clothing;
αὐτὰρ θεῖος ἀοιδὸς ἔχων φόρμιγγα λίγειανand let the divine singer, holding his clear-toned lyre,
ἡμῖν ἡγείσθω φιλοπαίγμονος ὀρχηθμοῖο,lead us in the playful measure of the dance,
ὥς κέν τις φαίη γάμον ἔμμεναι ἐκτὸς ἀκούων,so that anyone hearing from outside might say it was a wedding,
135ἢ ἀνʼ ὁδὸν στείχων, ἢ οἳ περιναιετάουσι·whether a passer-by along the road, or those who dwell nearby;
μὴ πρόσθε κλέος εὐρὺ φόνου κατὰ ἄστυ γένηταιso that word of the slaughter of the suitors may not spread
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, πρίν γʼ ἡμέας ἐλθέμεν ἔξωwide through the town before we go out
ἀγρὸν ἐς ἡμέτερον πολυδένδρεον· ἔνθα δʼ ἔπειταto our farm with its many trees; and there afterward
φρασσόμεθʼ ὅττι κε κέρδος Ὀλύμπιος ἐγγυαλίξῃ.we will consider what advantage the Olympian may grant us."
140ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδʼ
ἐπίθοντοSo he spoke, and they listened well to him and obeyed.
πρῶτα μὲν οὖν λούσαντο καὶ ἀμφιέσαντο χιτῶνας,First then they washed themselves and put on their tunics,
ὅπλισθεν δὲ γυναῖκες· ὁ δʼ εἵλετο θεῖος ἀοιδὸςand the women dressed; and the divine singer took up
φόρμιγγα γλαφυρήν, ἐν δέ σφισιν ἵμερον ὦρσεhis hollow lyre, and stirred in them the desire
μολπῆς τε γλυκερῆς καὶ ἀμύμονος ὀρχηθμοῖο.for sweet song and for the blameless dance.
145τοῖσιν δὲ μέγα δῶμα περιστεναχίζετο ποσσὶνAnd the great house resounded round about them with the feet
ἀνδρῶν παιζόντων καλλιζώνων τε γυναικῶν.of men dancing and of women with lovely girdles.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε δόμων ἔκτοσθεν ἀκούων·And thus would someone say, hearing from outside the house:
ἦ μάλα δή τις ἔγημε πολυμνήστην βασίλειαν·"Surely someone has married the much-courted queen;
σχετλίη, οὐδʼ ἔτλη πόσιος οὗ κουριδίοιοhard-hearted she, who could not endure for her wedded husband
150εἴρυσθαι μέγα δῶμα διαμπερές, ἧος ἵκοιτο.to keep the great house whole until he should come."
ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκε, τὰ δʼ οὐκ ἴσαν ὡς ἐτέτυκτο.So would someone say, but they did not know how things had happened.
αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆα μεγαλήτορα ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳBut meanwhile the housekeeper Eurynome bathed
Εὐρυνόμη ταμίη λοῦσεν καὶ χρῖσεν ἐλαίῳ,great-hearted Odysseus within his own house, and anointed him with oil,
ἀμφὶ δέ μιν φᾶρος καλὸν βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνα·and cast a fine cloak about him and a tunic;
155αὐτὰρ κὰκ κεφαλῆς κάλλος πολὺ χεῦεν Ἀθήνηand over his head Athena poured great beauty,
μείζονά τʼ εἰσιδέειν καὶ πάσσονα· κὰδ δὲ κάρητοςmaking him taller to behold and stronger; and from his head
οὔλας ἧκε κόμας, ὑακινθίνῳ ἄνθει ὁμοίας.she let flow curling locks, like the hyacinth flower.
ὡς δʼ ὅτε τις χρυσὸν περιχεύεται ἀργύρῳ ἀνὴρAs when a man washes gold over silver,
ἴδρις, ὃν Ἥφαιστος δέδαεν καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνηa skilled man whom Hephaestus and Pallas Athena
160τέχνην παντοίην, χαρίεντα δὲ ἔργα τελείει·have taught all manner of craft, and he brings splendid works to completion;
ὣς μὲν τῷ περίχευε χάριν κεφαλῇ τε καὶ ὤμοις.so she poured grace over his head and shoulders.
ἐκ δʼ ἀσαμίνθου βῆ δέμας ἀθανάτοισιν ὁμοῖος·And out of the bath he stepped, in body like the immortals,
ἂψ δʼ αὖτις κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετʼ ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη,and sat down again upon the chair from which he had risen,
ἀντίον ἧς ἀλόχου, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·facing his wife, and he spoke a word to her:
165δαιμονίη, περί σοί γε γυναικῶν θηλυτεράων"Strange woman, beyond all other soft-skinned women
κῆρ ἀτέραμνον ἔθηκαν Ὀλύμπια δώματʼ ἔχοντες·the dwellers on Olympus made your heart unyielding;
οὐ μέν κʼ ἄλλη γʼ ὧδε γυνὴ τετληότι θυμῷno other woman would hold out with heart so hard
ἀνδρὸς ἀφεσταίη, ὅς οἱ κακὰ πολλὰ μογήσαςand keep from her husband, who after many hard sufferings
ἔλθοι ἐεικοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.came in the twentieth year to his native land.
170ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι, μαῖα, στόρεσον λέχος, ὄφρα καὶ αὐτὸςBut come, nurse, spread me a bed, so that even alone
λέξομαι· ἦ γὰρ τῇ γε σιδήρεον ἐν φρεσὶ ἦτορ.I may lie down; for surely her heart is made of iron."
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him again:
δαιμόνιʼ, οὔτʼ ἄρ τι μεγαλίζομαι οὔτʼ ἀθερίζω"Strange man, I am neither proud nor scornful,
οὔτε λίην ἄγαμαι, μάλα δʼ εὖ οἶδʼ οἷος ἔησθαnor am I overwhelmed, but I know full well how you were
175ἐξ Ἰθάκης ἐπὶ νηὸς ἰὼν δολιχηρέτμοιο.when you went from Ithaca on the ship with its long oars.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε οἱ στόρεσον πυκινὸν λέχος, Εὐρύκλεια,But come, Eurycleia, spread the sturdy bed for him
ἐκτὸς ἐϋσταθέος θαλάμου, τόν ῥʼ αὐτὸς ἐποίει·outside the well-built chamber that he himself made;
ἔνθα οἱ ἐκθεῖσαι πυκινὸν λέχος ἐμβάλετʼ εὐνήν,there set out for him the sturdy bedstead and cast on it the bedding,
κώεα καὶ χλαίνας καὶ ῥήγεα σιγαλόεντα.the fleeces and the cloaks and the glossy coverlets."
180ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη πόσιος πειρωμένη· αὐτὰρ ὈδυσσεὺςSo she spoke, testing her husband; but Odysseus,
ὀχθήσας ἄλοχον προσεφώνεε κεδνὰ ἰδυῖαν·in anger, spoke to his wife who knew his true worth:
ὦ γύναι, ἦ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος θυμαλγὲς ἔειπες·"Wife, this is a bitter word you have spoken.
τίς δέ μοι ἄλλοσε θῆκε λέχος; χαλεπὸν δέ κεν εἴηWho has set my bed elsewhere? It would be hard
καὶ μάλʼ ἐπισταμένῳ, ὅτε μὴ θεὸς αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼνeven for a skilled man, unless a god himself came
185ῥηϊδίως ἐθέλων θείη ἄλλῃ ἐνὶ χώρῃ.and easily by his will set it in another place.
ἀνδρῶν δʼ οὔ κέν τις ζωὸς βροτός, οὐδὲ μάλʼ ἡβῶν,But of living men no mortal, not even one in his prime,
ῥεῖα μετοχλίσσειεν, ἐπεὶ μέγα σῆμα τέτυκταιcould easily pry it up, for a great token is worked
ἐν λέχει ἀσκητῷ· τὸ δʼ ἐγὼ κάμον οὐδέ τις ἄλλος.into the well-made bed; and I built it, no other man.
θάμνος ἔφυ τανύφυλλος ἐλαίης ἕρκεος ἐντός,A long-leaved olive tree was growing within the courtyard,
190ἀκμηνὸς θαλέθων· πάχετος δʼ ἦν ἠΰτε κίων.thriving and vigorous; and it was thick as a pillar.
τῷ δʼ ἐγὼ ἀμφιβαλὼν θάλαμον δέμον, ὄφρʼ ἐτέλεσσα,Around it I built my chamber, until I had finished,
πυκνῇσιν λιθάδεσσι, καὶ εὖ καθύπερθεν ἔρεψα,with close-set stones, and roofed it well overhead,
κολλητὰς δʼ ἐπέθηκα θύρας, πυκινῶς ἀραρυίας.and set on it jointed doors, closely fitted.
καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπέκοψα κόμην τανυφύλλου ἐλαίης,And then I cut away the crown of the long-leaved olive,
195κορμὸν δʼ ἐκ ῥίζης προταμὼν ἀμφέξεσα χαλκῷand trimmed the trunk from the root and smoothed it with the bronze
εὖ καὶ ἐπισταμένως, καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνα,well and skillfully, and made it straight to the line,
ἑρμῖνʼ ἀσκήσας, τέτρηνα δὲ πάντα τερέτρῳ.shaping it into a bedpost, and I bored it all through with the auger.
ἐκ δὲ τοῦ ἀρχόμενος λέχος ἔξεον, ὄφρʼ ἐτέλεσσα,Beginning from this I hewed out the bed, until I had finished it,
δαιδάλλων χρυσῷ τε καὶ ἀργύρῳ ἠδʼ ἐλέφαντι·inlaying it with gold and silver and ivory;
200ἐκ δʼ ἐτάνυσσα ἱμάντα βοὸς φοίνικι φαεινόν.and I stretched across it a thong of oxhide bright with purple.
οὕτω τοι τόδε σῆμα πιφαύσκομαι· οὐδέ τι οἶδα,So I make plain to you this token; but I do not know
ἤ μοι ἔτʼ ἔμπεδόν ἐστι, γύναι, λέχος, ἦέ τις ἤδηwhether my bed still stands firm, wife, or whether some man
ἀνδρῶν ἄλλοσε θῆκε, ταμὼν ὕπο πυθμένʼ ἐλαίης.has already moved it elsewhere, cutting through the olive trunk.
ὣς φάτο, τῆς δʼ αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον
ἦτορ,So he spoke, and her knees went slack there, and her heart,
205σήματʼ ἀναγνούσῃ τά οἱ ἔμπεδα πέφραδʼ Ὀδυσσεύς·as she recognized the sure tokens Odysseus told her.
δακρύσασα δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἰθὺς δράμεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ χεῖραςThen bursting into tears she ran straight to him, and threw her arms
δειρῇ βάλλʼ Ὀδυσῆϊ, κάρη δʼ ἔκυσʼ ἠδὲ προσηύδα·about the neck of Odysseus, and kissed his head, and spoke:
μή μοι, Ὀδυσσεῦ, σκύζευ, ἐπεὶ τά περ ἄλλα
μάλισταDo not be angry with me, Odysseus, since in all other things
ἀνθρώπων πέπνυσο· θεοὶ δʼ ὤπαζον ὀϊζύν,you were the wisest of men; the gods gave us sorrow,
210οἳ νῶϊν ἀγάσαντο παρʼ ἀλλήλοισι μένοντεwho grudged that we two, staying beside each other,
ἥβης ταρπῆναι καὶ γήραος οὐδὸν ἱκέσθαι.should take joy in our youth and reach the threshold of old age.
αὐτὰρ μὴ νῦν μοι τόδε χώεο μηδὲ νεμέσσα,But do not now be enraged at me for this nor resent it,
οὕνεκά σʼ οὐ τὸ πρῶτον, ἐπεὶ ἴδον, ὧδʼ ἀγάπησα.that I did not welcome you so at once, the moment I saw you.
αἰεὶ γάρ μοι θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισινFor always the heart within my breast was shuddering,
215ἐρρίγει μή τίς με βροτῶν ἀπάφοιτο ἔπεσσινfearing lest some man come and deceive me with his words:
ἐλθών· πολλοὶ γὰρ κακὰ κέρδεα βουλεύουσιν.for many men scheme after wicked gains.
οὐδέ κεν Ἀργείη Ἑλένη, Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα,Not even Argive Helen, sprung from Zeus,
ἀνδρὶ παρʼ ἀλλοδαπῷ ἐμίγη φιλότητι καὶ εὐνῇ,would have lain in love and the bed with a foreign man,
εἰ ᾔδη ὅ μιν αὖτις ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶνhad she known that the warlike sons of the Achaeans
220ἀξέμεναι οἶκόνδε φίλην ἐς πατρίδʼ ἔμελλον.were destined to bring her home again to her dear native land.
τὴν δʼ ἦ τοι ῥέξαι θεὸς ὤρορεν ἔργον ἀεικές·A god drove her to do that shameful deed;
τὴν δʼ ἄτην οὐ πρόσθεν ἑῷ ἐγκάτθετο θυμῷnor had she stored that ruin in her heart before,
λυγρήν, ἐξ ἧς πρῶτα καὶ ἡμέας ἵκετο πένθος.the grievous folly from which grief first came to us as well.
νῦν δʼ, ἐπεὶ ἤδη σήματʼ ἀριφραδέα κατέλεξαςBut now, since you have recounted the clear tokens
225εὐνῆς ἡμετέρης, ἣν οὐ βροτὸς ἄλλος ὀπώπει,of our bed, which no other mortal has ever seen,
ἀλλʼ οἶοι σύ τʼ ἐγώ τε καὶ ἀμφίπολος μία μούνη,but only you and I and one single handmaid,
Ἀκτορίς, ἥν μοι δῶκε πατὴρ ἔτι δεῦρο κιούσῃ,Actoris, whom my father gave me when I came here,
ἣ νῶϊν εἴρυτο θύρας πυκινοῦ θαλάμοιο,who kept the doors of our close-built chamber for us,
πείθεις δή μευ θυμόν, ἀπηνέα περ μάλʼ ἐόντα.now you persuade my heart, hard though it is indeed.
230ὣς φάτο, τῷ δʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον ὑφʼ ἵμερον ὦρσε
γόοιο·So she spoke, and stirred in him still more the longing for tears;
κλαῖε δʼ ἔχων ἄλοχον θυμαρέα, κεδνὰ ἰδυῖαν.and he wept, holding his dear and true-hearted wife.
ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἀσπάσιος γῆ νηχομένοισι φανήῃ,As when the land appears welcome to men swimming,
ὧν τε Ποσειδάων εὐεργέα νῆʼ ἐνὶ πόντῳwhose well-built ship Poseidon has shattered on the sea,
ῥαίσῃ, ἐπειγομένην ἀνέμῳ καὶ κύματι πηγῷ·driven on by the wind and the swollen wave;
235παῦροι δʼ ἐξέφυγον πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἤπειρόνδεand few have escaped from the grey sea to the mainland,
νηχόμενοι, πολλὴ δὲ περὶ χροῒ τέτροφεν ἅλμη,swimming, and thick the brine has crusted on their flesh,
ἀσπάσιοι δʼ ἐπέβαν γαίης, κακότητα φυγόντες·and gladly they set foot on land, escaping ruin:
ὣς ἄρα τῇ ἀσπαστὸς ἔην πόσις εἰσοροώσῃ,so welcome to her was her husband as she gazed on him,
δειρῆς δʼ οὔ πω πάμπαν ἀφίετο πήχεε λευκώ.and her white arms would not let go at all from his neck.
240καί νύ κʼ ὀδυρομένοισι φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,And now rosy-fingered Dawn would have appeared upon their weeping,
εἰ μὴ ἄρʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.had grey-eyed Athena not thought of another thing.
νύκτα μὲν ἐν περάτῃ δολιχὴν σχέθεν, Ἠῶ δʼ αὖτεShe held the long night back at its edge, and Dawn again
ῥύσατʼ ἐπʼ Ὠκεανῷ χρυσόθρονον, οὐδʼ ἔα ἵππουςshe held on Ocean's stream, the golden-throned, nor let her yoke
ζεύγνυσθʼ ὠκύποδας, φάος ἀνθρώποισι φέροντας,the swift-footed horses that bring light to men,
245Λάμπον καὶ Φαέθονθʼ, οἵ τʼ Ἠῶ πῶλοι ἄγουσι.Lampus and Phaethon, the colts that draw the Dawn.
καὶ τότʼ ἄρʼ ἣν ἄλοχον προσέφη πολύμητις
ὈδυσσεύςAnd then to his wife spoke resourceful Odysseus:
ὦ γύναι, οὐ γάρ πω πάντων ἐπὶ πείρατʼ ἀέθλων"My wife, we have not yet come to the end of all
ἤλθομεν, ἀλλʼ ἔτʼ ὄπισθεν ἀμέτρητος πόνος ἔσται,our trials, but there is still ahead a measureless labor,
πολλὸς καὶ χαλεπός, τὸν ἐμὲ χρὴ πάντα τελέσσαι.great and hard, which I must bring wholly to fulfillment.
250ὣς γάρ μοι ψυχὴ μαντεύσατο ΤειρεσίαοFor so the soul of Tiresias prophesied to me
ἤματι τῷ ὅτε δὴ κατέβην δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω,on that day when I went down into the house of Hades,
νόστον ἑταίροισιν διζήμενος ἠδʼ ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ.seeking a homecoming for my companions and for myself.
ἀλλʼ ἔρχευ, λέκτρονδʼ ἴομεν, γύναι, ὄφρα καὶ ἤδηBut come, let us go to bed, my wife, so that even now
ὕπνῳ ὕπο γλυκερῷ ταρπώμεθα κοιμηθέντε.we may take our joy, lying down under sweet sleep."
255τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him:
εὐνὴ μὲν δή σοί γε τότʼ ἔσσεται ὁππότε θυμῷ"Your bed shall be ready for you at whatever time
σῷ ἐθέλῃς, ἐπεὶ ἄρ σε θεοὶ ποίησαν ἱκέσθαιyour heart desires it, since the gods have granted you to come
οἶκον ἐϋκτίμενον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν·to your well-built house and to your native land.
ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ ἐφράσθης καί τοι θεὸς ἔμβαλε θυμῷ,But since you have thought of this, and a god has set it in your heart,
260εἴπʼ ἄγε μοι τὸν ἄεθλον, ἐπεὶ καὶ ὄπισθεν, ὀΐω,come, tell me the trial, since even hereafter, I think,
πεύσομαι, αὐτίκα δʼ ἐστὶ δαήμεναι οὔ τι χέρειον.I shall learn of it, and to know it at once is no worse."
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered her:
δαιμονίη, τί τʼ ἄρʼ αὖ με μάλʼ ὀτρύνουσα κελεύεις"Strange woman, why do you so eagerly urge and bid me
εἰπέμεν; αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδʼ ἐπικεύσω.to tell it? Well, I will speak it out and hide nothing.
265οὐ μέν τοι θυμὸς κεχαρήσεται· οὐδὲ γὰρ αὐτὸςYet your heart will take no joy in it, and I myself
χαίρω, ἐπεὶ μάλα πολλὰ βροτῶν ἐπὶ ἄστεʼ ἄνωγενtake none, since he bade me go to very many
ἐλθεῖν, ἐν χείρεσσιν ἔχοντʼ εὐῆρες ἐρετμόν,cities of mortals, holding a well-fitted oar in my hands,
εἰς ὅ κε τοὺς ἀφίκωμαι οἳ οὐκ ἴσασι θάλασσανuntil I come to men who know nothing of the sea,
ἀνέρες, οὐδέ θʼ ἅλεσσι μεμιγμένον εἶδαρ ἔδουσιν·men who eat no food mingled with salt,
270οὐδʼ ἄρα τοί γʼ ἴσασι νέας φοινικοπαρῄους,and who know nothing of ships with crimson-painted cheeks,
οὐδʼ εὐήρεʼ ἐρετμά, τά τε πτερὰ νηυσὶ πέλονται.nor of the well-fitted oars that are the wings of ships.
σῆμα δέ μοι τόδʼ ἔειπεν ἀριφραδές, οὐδέ σε κεύσω·And he told me this sign, very clear, and I will not hide it from you:
ὁππότε κεν δή μοι ξυμβλήμενος ἄλλος ὁδίτηςwhen another wayfarer, meeting me on the road,
φήῃ ἀθηρηλοιγὸν ἔχειν ἀνὰ φαιδίμῳ ὤμῳ,says that I have a winnowing-fan on my shining shoulder,
275καὶ τότε μʼ ἐν γαίῃ πήξαντʼ ἐκέλευεν ἐρετμόν,then he bade me fix my oar in the earth
ἔρξανθʼ ἱερὰ καλὰ Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι,and offer fine sacrifices to the lord Poseidon,
ἀρνειὸν ταῦρόν τε συῶν τʼ ἐπιβήτορα κάπρον,a ram and a bull and a boar that mounts the sows,
οἴκαδʼ ἀποστείχειν, ἔρδειν θʼ ἱερὰς ἑκατόμβαςand to depart for home and offer sacred hecatombs
ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι,to the immortal gods who hold the wide heaven,
280πᾶσι μάλʼ ἑξείης· θάνατος δέ μοι ἐξ ἁλὸς αὐτῷto all of them in order; and death shall come to me from the sea,
ἀβληχρὸς μάλα τοῖος ἐλεύσεται, ὅς κέ με πέφνῃso gentle, such a death that will come to slay me
γήρα’ ὕπο λιπαρῷ ἀρημένον· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶwhen I am worn down by a sleek old age; and around me my people
ὄλβιοι ἔσσονται· τὰ δέ μοι φάτο πάντα τελεῖσθαι.shall be prosperous. All this, he said, would be fulfilled for me.
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·Then prudent Penelope answered him in turn:
285εἰ μὲν δὴ γῆράς γε θεοὶ τελέουσιν ἄρειον,"If indeed the gods will bring to pass a better old age,
ἐλπωρή τοι ἔπειτα κακῶν ὑπάλυξιν ἔσεσθαι.then there is hope of an escape from troubles hereafter."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·So they spoke of such things to one another;
τόφρα δʼ ἄρʼ Εὐρυνόμη τε ἰδὲ τροφὸς ἔντυον εὐνὴνand meanwhile Eurynome and the nurse were making the bed
ἐσθῆτος μαλακῆς, δαΐδων ὕπο λαμπομενάων.ready with soft bedding, under the light of blazing torches.
290αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ στόρεσαν πυκινὸν λέχος ἐγκονέουσαι,But when they had busily spread the well-made couch,
γρηῢς μὲν κείουσα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει,the old woman went back again to her chamber to sleep,
τοῖσιν δʼ Εὐρυνόμη θαλαμηπόλος ἡγεμόνευενand Eurynome the chambermaid led the way for them
ἐρχομένοισι λέχοσδε, δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσα·as they went to their bed, a torch in her hands;
ἐς θάλαμον δʼ ἀγαγοῦσα πάλιν κίεν. οἱ μὲν ἔπειταand when she had led them to the chamber she went back again. And they
295ἀσπάσιοι λέκτροιο παλαιοῦ θεσμὸν ἵκοντο·then came gladly to the rite of their ancient bed.
αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος καὶ βουκόλος ἠδὲ συβώτηςMeanwhile Telemachus and the herdsman and the swineherd
παῦσαν ἄρʼ ὀρχηθμοῖο πόδας, παῦσαν δὲ γυναῖκας,stayed their feet from dancing, stayed the women too,
αὐτοὶ δʼ εὐνάζοντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.and they themselves lay down to sleep throughout the shadowy halls.
τὼ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν φιλότητος ἐταρπήτην ἐρατεινῆς,Then when the two had taken their joy of lovely love,
300τερπέσθην μύθοισι, πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἐνέποντε,they took their joy in words, telling their tales to each other,
ἡ μὲν ὅσʼ ἐν μεγάροισιν ἀνέσχετο δῖα γυναικῶν,she, the woman divine among women, all she had endured in the halls,
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων ἐσορῶσʼ ἀΐδηλον ὅμιλον,looking upon the destructive throng of the suitor men,
οἳ ἕθεν εἵνεκα πολλά, βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,who for her sake slaughtered many oxen and fat sheep,
ἔσφαζον, πολλὸς δὲ πίθων ἠφύσσετο οἶνος·and much wine was drawn off from the jars;
305αὐτὰρ ὁ διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς ὅσα κήδεʼ ἔθηκενbut Zeus-born Odysseus told all the sorrows he had laid
ἀνθρώποις ὅσα τʼ αὐτὸς ὀϊζύσας ἐμόγησε,on other men, and all that he himself had toiled in misery,
πάντʼ ἔλεγʼ· ἡ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐτέρπετʼ ἀκούουσʼ, οὐδέ οἱ ὕπνοςall of it he told; and she rejoiced to hear, nor did sleep
πῖπτεν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι πάρος καταλέξαι ἅπαντα.fall upon her eyelids before he had recounted everything.
ἤρξατο δʼ ὡς πρῶτον Κίκονας δάμασʼ, αὐτὰρ
ἔπειταHe began with how first he subdued the Cicones, and then
310ἦλθʼ ἐς Λωτοφάγων ἀνδρῶν πίειραν ἄρουραν·came to the rich land of the Lotus-eaters;
ἠδʼ ὅσα Κύκλωψ ἔρξε, καὶ ὡς ἀπετίσατο ποινὴνand all the Cyclops did, and how he made him pay the price
ἰφθίμων ἑτάρων, οὓς ἤσθιεν οὐδʼ ἐλέαιρεν·for his strong companions, whom he devoured and showed no pity;
ἠδʼ ὡς Αἴολον ἵκεθʼ, ὅ μιν πρόφρων ὑπέδεκτοand how he came to Aeolus, who received him with a ready heart
καὶ πέμπʼ, οὐδέ πω αἶσα φίλην ἐς πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαιand sent him on his way, but it was not yet his lot to reach
315ἤην, ἀλλά μιν αὖτις ἀναρπάξασα θύελλαhis dear native land, but a storm snatched him up again
πόντον ἐπʼ ἰχθυόεντα φέρεν βαρέα στενάχοντα·and bore him, groaning heavily, over the fish-filled sea;
ἠδʼ ὡς Τηλέπυλον Λαιστρυγονίην ἀφίκανεν,and how he came to Telepylus in the Laestrygonian country,
οἳ νῆάς τʼ ὄλεσαν καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας ἑταίρουςwho destroyed his ships and his well-greaved companions,
πάντας· Ὀδυσσεὺς δʼ οἶος ὑπέκφυγε νηῒ μελαίνῃ·all of them; and Odysseus alone escaped in his black ship;
320καὶ Κίρκης κατέλεξε δόλον πολυμηχανίην τε,and he told of Circe's cunning and her many wiles,
ἠδʼ ὡς εἰς Ἀΐδεω δόμον ἤλυθεν εὐρώεντα,and how he came to the moldering house of Hades,
ψυχῇ χρησόμενος Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο,to consult the spirit of Theban Tiresias,
νηῒ πολυκλήϊδι, καὶ εἴσιδε πάντας ἑταίρουςin his ship with many oarlocks, and saw all his companions
μητέρα θʼ, ἥ μιν ἔτικτε καὶ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα·and his mother, who bore him and reared him when he was little;
325ἠδʼ ὡς Σειρήνων ἁδινάων φθόγγον ἄκουσεν,and how he heard the voice of the thronging Sirens,
ὥς θʼ ἵκετο Πλαγκτὰς πέτρας δεινήν τε Χάρυβδινand how he came to the Wandering Rocks and dread Charybdis
Σκύλλην θʼ, ἣν οὔ πώ ποτʼ ἀκήριοι ἄνδρες ἄλυξαν·and Scylla, whom no men ever yet escaped unharmed;
ἠδʼ ὡς Ἠελίοιο βόας κατέπεφνον ἑταῖροι·and how his companions killed the cattle of the Sun;
ἠδʼ ὡς νῆα θοὴν ἔβαλε ψολόεντι κεραυνῷand how Zeus who thunders on high struck his swift ship
330Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης, ἀπὸ δʼ ἔφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροιwith the smoking thunderbolt, and his brave companions perished,
πάντες ὁμῶς, αὐτὸς δὲ κακὰς ὑπὸ κῆρας ἄλυξεν·all of them together, but he alone escaped the evil fates;
ὥς θʼ ἵκετʼ Ὠγυγίην νῆσον νύμφην τε Καλυψώ,and how he came to the island Ogygia and the nymph Calypso,
ἣ δή μιν κατέρυκε, λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι,who kept him back, longing that he be her husband,
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι, καὶ ἔτρεφεν ἠδὲ ἔφασκεin her hollow caves, and cherished him, and said she would
335θήσειν ἀθάνατον καὶ ἀγήραον ἤματα πάντα·make him immortal and ageless for all his days;
ἀλλὰ τοῦ οὔ ποτε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔπειθεν·but never did she persuade the heart within his breast;
ἠδʼ ὡς ἐς Φαίηκας ἀφίκετο πολλὰ μογήσας,and how he came to the Phaeacians after many hardships,
οἳ δή μιν περὶ κῆρι θεὸν ὣς τιμήσαντοwho honored him in their hearts like a god
καὶ πέμψαν σὺν νηῒ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,and sent him by ship to his dear native land,
340χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τε ἅλις ἐσθῆτά τε δόντες.giving him bronze and gold in plenty and clothing.
τοῦτʼ ἄρα δεύτατον εἶπεν ἔπος, ὅτε οἱ γλυκὺς ὕπνοςThis was the last word he spoke, when sweet sleep,
λυσιμελὴς ἐπόρουσε, λύων μελεδήματα θυμοῦ.loosener of limbs, rushed on him, loosing the cares of his heart.
ἡ δʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then the goddess grey-eyed Athena thought of another thing:
ὁππότε δή ῥʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἐέλπετο ὃν κατὰ θυμὸνwhen she judged that in his heart Odysseus
345εὐνῆς ἧς ἀλόχου ταρπήμεναι ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνου,had had his fill of the pleasure of his wife's bed and of sleep,
αὐτίκʼ ἀπʼ Ὠκεανοῦ χρυσόθρονον ἠριγένειανat once from Ocean she roused the golden-throned
ὦρσεν, ἵνʼ ἀνθρώποισι φόως φέροι· ὦρτο δʼ Ὀδυσσεὺςearly-born one, to bring light to men; and Odysseus rose
εὐνῆς ἐκ μαλακῆς, ἀλόχῳ δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλεν·from the soft bed, and gave this charge to his wife:
ὦ γύναι, ἤδη μὲν πολέων κεκορήμεθʼ ἀέθλων"Wife, by now we have both had our fill of many trials,
350ἀμφοτέρω, σὺ μὲν ἐνθάδʼ ἐμὸν πολυκηδέα νόστονthe two of us, you weeping here for my homecoming
κλαίουσʼ. αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ Ζεὺς ἄλγεσι καὶ θεοὶ ἄλλοιfull of troubles, while Zeus and the other gods
ἱέμενον πεδάασκον ἐμῆς ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης·held me back in pain, longing though I was, far from my native land.
νῦν δʼ ἐπεὶ ἀμφοτέρω πολυήρατον ἱκόμεθʼ εὐνήν,But now that we have both come to the bed we longed for,
κτήματα μὲν τά μοι ἔστι, κομιζέμεν ἐν μεγάροισι,take care of the possessions that are mine within the halls,
355μῆλα δʼ ἅ μοι μνηστῆρες ὑπερφίαλοι κατέκειραν,and as for the flocks the overbearing suitors ravaged from me,
πολλὰ μὲν αὐτὸς ἐγὼ ληΐσσομαι, ἄλλα δʼ Ἀχαιοὶmany I will plunder for myself, and others the Achaeans
δώσουσʼ, εἰς ὅ κε πάντας ἐνιπλήσωσιν ἐπαύλους.will give, until they fill up all my folds again.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι μὲν ἐγὼ πολυδένδρεον ἀγρὸν ἔπειμι,But now I am going to my well-wooded farm
ὀψόμενος πατέρʼ ἐσθλόν, ὅ μοι πυκινῶς ἀκάχηται·to see my noble father, who grieves for me without ceasing;
360σοὶ δέ, γύναι, τάδʼ ἐπιτέλλω, πινυτῇ περ ἐούσῃ·and to you, wife, I give this charge, wise though you are:
αὐτίκα γὰρ φάτις εἶσιν ἅμʼ ἠελίῳ ἀνιόντιFor soon at the rising of the sun a rumor will spread
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, οὓς ἔκτανον ἐν μεγάροισιν·about the suitor men whom I have killed within the halls;
εἰς ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶνso go up to your upper chamber with your serving women
ἧσθαι, μηδέ τινα προτιόσσεο μηδʼ ἐρέεινε.and sit there, and look at no one, and question no one."
365ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισιν ἐδύσετο τεύχεα καλά,So he spoke, and buckled the fine armor about his shoulders,
ὦρσε δὲ Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτην,and roused Telemachus and the oxherd and the swineherd,
πάντας δʼ ἔντεʼ ἄνωγεν ἀρήϊα χερσὶν ἑλέσθαι.and bade them all take warlike weapons in their hands.
οἱ δέ οἱ οὐκ ἀπίθησαν, ἐθωρήσσοντο δὲ χαλκῷ,They did not disobey him, but armed themselves in bronze,
ὤϊξαν δὲ θύρας, ἐκ δʼ ἤϊον· ἦρχε δʼ Ὀδυσσεύς.and opened the doors, and went out; Odysseus led the way.
370ἤδη μὲν φάος ἦεν ἐπὶ χθόνα, τοὺς δʼ ἄρʼ ἈθήνηBy now there was light upon the earth, but Athena,
νυκτὶ κατακρύψασα θοῶς ἐξῆγε πόληος.hiding them in night, led them swiftly out of the city.