1Ἑρμῆς δὲ ψυχὰς Κυλλήνιος ἐξεκαλεῖτοNow Cyllenian Hermes called forth the souls
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων· ἔχε δὲ ῥάβδον μετὰ χερσὶνof the suitors; he held in his hands the wand,
καλὴν χρυσείην, τῇ τʼ ἀνδρῶν ὄμματα θέλγειthe beautiful golden wand with which he charms the eyes of men,
ὧν ἐθέλει, τοὺς δʼ αὖτε καὶ ὑπνώοντας ἐγείρει·whomever he wishes, and others again he wakes from sleep;
5τῇ ῥʼ ἄγε κινήσας, ταὶ δὲ τρίζουσαι ἕποντο.with this he roused and led them, and they followed gibbering.
ὡς δʼ ὅτε νυκτερίδες μυχῷ ἄντρου θεσπεσίοιοAs when bats in the recess of a wondrous cave
τρίζουσαι ποτέονται, ἐπεί κέ τις ἀποπέσῃσινflit gibbering, when one of them has fallen
ὁρμαθοῦ ἐκ πέτρης, ἀνά τʼ ἀλλήλῃσιν ἔχονται,from the cluster on the rock, and they cling to one another,
ὣς αἱ τετριγυῖαι ἅμʼ ἤϊσαν· ἦρχε δʼ ἄρα σφινso these went with him gibbering; and Hermes led them,
10Ἑρμείας ἀκάκητα κατʼ εὐρώεντα κέλευθα.Hermes the kindly, down the dank ways.
πὰρ δʼ ἴσαν Ὠκεανοῦ τε ῥοὰς καὶ Λευκάδα πέτρην,They passed the streams of Ocean and the White Rock,
ἠδὲ παρʼ Ἠελίοιο πύλας καὶ δῆμον ὀνείρωνand past the gates of the Sun and the land of dreams
ἤϊσαν· αἶψα δʼ ἵκοντο κατʼ ἀσφοδελὸν λειμῶνα,they went; and quickly they came to the meadow of asphodel,
ἔνθα τε ναίουσι ψυχαί, εἴδωλα καμόντων.where the souls dwell, the phantoms of the dead.
15εὗρον δὲ ψυχὴν Πηληϊάδεω ἈχιλῆοςAnd they found the soul of Achilles, son of Peleus,
καὶ Πατροκλῆος καὶ ἀμύμονος Ἀντιλόχοιοand of Patroclus, and of blameless Antilochus,
Αἴαντός θʼ, ὃς ἄριστος ἔην εἶδός τε δέμας τεand of Ajax, who was best in form and stature
τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετʼ ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐδαοof all the other Danaans after the blameless son of Peleus.
ὣς οἱ μὲν περὶ κεῖνον ὁμίλεον· ἀγχίμολον δὲSo these were gathered about him; and close by
20ἤλυθʼ ἔπι ψυχὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαοcame the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus,
ἀχνυμένη· περὶ δʼ ἄλλαι ἀγηγέραθʼ, ὅσσαι ἅμʼ αὐτῷgrieving; and about him others were assembled, all who with him
οἴκῳ ἐν Αἰγίσθοιο θάνον καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον.died in the house of Aegisthus and met their fate.
τὸν προτέρη ψυχὴ προσεφώνεε Πηλεΐωνος·To him first spoke the soul of the son of Peleus:
Ἀτρεΐδη, περὶ μέν σʼ ἔφαμεν Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ"Son of Atreus, we thought that you above all heroes
25ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων φίλον ἔμμεναι ἤματα πάντα,were dear to Zeus who delights in thunder, all your days,
οὕνεκα πολλοῖσίν τε καὶ ἰφθίμοισιν ἄνασσεςbecause you were lord over many and mighty men
δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅθι πάσχομεν ἄλγεʼ Ἀχαιοί.in the land of the Trojans, where we Achaeans suffered pains.
ἦ τʼ ἄρα καὶ σοὶ πρῶϊ παραστήσεσθαι ἔμελλενYet on you too the ruinous fate was destined
μοῖρʼ ὀλοή, τὴν οὔ τις ἀλεύεται ὅς κε γένηται.to come early, the fate no man born escapes.
30ὡς ὄφελες τιμῆς ἀπονήμενος, ἧς περ ἄνασσες,Would that you had met your death and doom,
δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων θάνατον καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν·enjoying the honor you commanded, in the land of the Trojans;
τῷ κέν τοι τύμβον μὲν ἐποίησαν Παναχαιοί,then all the Achaeans would have made you a tomb,
ἠδέ κε καὶ σῷ παιδὶ μέγα κλέος ἤραʼ ὀπίσσω·and for your son you would have won great glory hereafter;
νῦν δʼ ἄρα σʼ οἰκτίστῳ θανάτῳ εἵμαρτο ἁλῶναι.but now it was fated you be caught by the most piteous death."
35τὸν δʼ αὖτε ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀτρείδαο·Then the soul of the son of Atreus spoke to him:
ὄλβιε Πηλέος υἱέ, θεοῖς ἐπιείκελʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ,"Fortunate son of Peleus, godlike Achilles,
ὃς θάνες ἐν Τροίῃ ἑκὰς Ἄργεος· ἀμφὶ δέ σʼ ἄλλοιwho died at Troy far from Argos; and around you others
κτείνοντο Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν υἷες ἄριστοι,were being slain, the best sons of the Trojans and Achaeans,
μαρνάμενοι περὶ σεῖο· σὺ δʼ ἐν στροφάλιγγι κονίηςfighting for your body; and you in the whirl of dust
40κεῖσο μέγας μεγαλωστί, λελασμένος ἱπποσυνάων.lay mighty in your might, forgetful of your horsemanship.
ἡμεῖς δὲ πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐμαρνάμεθʼ· οὐδέ κε πάμπανAnd we fought all day long, nor would we ever
παυσάμεθα πτολέμου, εἰ μὴ Ζεὺς λαίλαπι παῦσεν.have ceased from battle, had not Zeus stopped it with a storm.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί σʼ ἐπὶ νῆας ἐνείκαμεν ἐκ πολέμοιο,But when we had carried you from the fighting to the ships,
κάτθεμεν ἐν λεχέεσσι, καθήραντες χρόα καλὸνwe laid you on a bier, and cleansed your fair flesh
45ὕδατί τε λιαρῷ καὶ ἀλείφατι· πολλὰ δέ σʼ ἀμφὶwith warm water and with oil; and around you the Danaans
δάκρυα θερμὰ χέον Δαναοὶ κείροντό τε χαίτας.shed many hot tears and cut off their hair.
μήτηρ δʼ ἐξ ἁλὸς ἦλθε σὺν ἀθανάτῃς ἁλίῃσινAnd your mother came from the sea with the immortal sea-nymphs
ἀγγελίης ἀΐουσα· βοὴ δʼ ἐπὶ πόντον ὀρώρειwhen she heard the news; and a cry rose over the deep,
θεσπεσίη, ὑπὸ δὲ τρόμος ἔλλαβε πάντας Ἀχαιούς·an unearthly cry, and trembling seized all the Achaeans;
50καί νύ κʼ ἀναΐξαντες ἔβαν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας,and now they would have leapt up and gone to the hollow ships,
εἰ μὴ ἀνὴρ κατέρυκε παλαιά τε πολλά τε εἰδώς,had not a man restrained them who knew many things of old,
Νέστωρ, οὗ καὶ πρόσθεν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλή·Nestor, whose counsel had before proved best;
ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·he, with good will toward them, spoke and addressed them:
ἴσχεσθʼ, Ἀργεῖοι, μὴ φεύγετε, κοῦροι
Ἀχαιῶν·"Hold, Argives; do not flee, you young men of the Achaeans;
55μήτηρ ἐξ ἁλὸς ἥδε σὺν ἀθανάτῃς ἁλίῃσινthis is his mother coming from the sea with the immortal sea-nymphs
ἔρχεται, οὗ παιδὸς τεθνηότος ἀντιόωσα.to meet her dead son."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἔσχοντο φόβου μεγάθυμοι
Ἀχαιοί·So he spoke, and the great-hearted Achaeans held back from their fear;
ἀμφὶ δέ σʼ ἔστησαν κοῦραι ἁλίοιο γέροντοςand around you stood the daughters of the Old Man of the Sea,
οἴκτρʼ ὀλοφυρόμεναι, περὶ δʼ ἄμβροτα εἵματα ἕσσαν.piteously wailing, and they wrapped you in immortal garments.
60Μοῦσαι δʼ ἐννέα πᾶσαι ἀμειβόμεναι ὀπὶ καλῇAnd the Muses, all nine, answering one another with lovely voice,
θρήνεον· ἔνθα κεν οὔ τινʼ ἀδάκρυτόν γʼ ἐνόησαςraised the dirge; there you would not have seen a single man untearful
Ἀργείων· τοῖον γὰρ ὑπώρορε Μοῦσα λίγεια.among the Argives, so the clear-voiced Muse stirred them.
ἑπτὰ δὲ καὶ δέκα μέν σε ὁμῶς νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρFor seventeen nights alike and days
κλαίομεν ἀθάνατοί τε θεοὶ θνητοί τʼ ἄνθρωποι·we wept for you, immortal gods and mortal men;
65ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῃ δʼ ἔδομεν πυρί, πολλὰ δέ σʼ ἀμφὶand on the eighteenth we gave you to the fire, and around you
μῆλα κατεκτάνομεν μάλα πίονα καὶ ἕλικας βοῦς.we slaughtered many sheep, well-fattened, and shambling cattle.
καίεο δʼ ἔν τʼ ἐσθῆτι θεῶν καὶ ἀλείφατι πολλῷAnd you were burned in the garments of the gods and in abundant oil
καὶ μέλιτι γλυκερῷ· πολλοὶ δʼ ἥρωες Ἀχαιοὶand in sweet honey; and many Achaean heroes
τεύχεσιν ἐρρώσαντο πυρὴν πέρι καιομένοιο,moved in their armor around the pyre as you burned,
70πεζοί θʼ ἱππῆές τε· πολὺς δʼ ὀρυμαγδὸς ὀρώρειfootmen and horsemen; and a great din arose.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δή σε φλὸξ ἤνυσεν Ἡφαίστοιο,But when the flame of Hephaestus had consumed you,
ἠῶθεν δή τοι λέγομεν λεύκʼ ὀστέʼ, Ἀχιλλεῦ,at dawn we gathered your white bones, Achilles,
οἴνῳ ἐν ἀκρήτῳ καὶ ἀλείφατι· δῶκε δὲ μήτηρin unmixed wine and in oil; and your mother gave
χρύσεον ἀμφιφορῆα· Διωνύσοιο δὲ δῶρονa golden urn with two handles: she said it was the gift
75φάσκʼ ἔμεναι, ἔργον δὲ περικλυτοῦ Ἡφαίστοιο.of Dionysus, and the work of far-famed Hephaestus.
ἐν τῷ τοι κεῖται λεύκʼ ὀστέα, φαίδιμʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ,In it lie your white bones, glorious Achilles,
μίγδα δὲ Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο θανόντος,mingled with those of dead Patroclus, son of Menoetius,
χωρὶς δʼ Ἀντιλόχοιο, τὸν ἔξοχα τῖες ἁπάντωνbut apart from Antilochus, whom you honored beyond all
τῶν ἄλλων ἑτάρων, μετὰ Πάτροκλόν γε θανόντα.the rest of your companions, after Patroclus was dead.
80ἀμφʼ αὐτοῖσι δʼ ἔπειτα μέγαν καὶ ἀμύμονα τύμβονAnd over them then a great and faultless mound
χεύαμεν Ἀργείων ἱερὸς στρατὸς αἰχμητάωνwe heaped up, we the sacred host of Argive spearmen,
ἀκτῇ ἔπι προὐχούσῃ, ἐπὶ πλατεῖ Ἑλλησπόντῳ,on a jutting headland, by the broad Hellespont,
ὥς κεν τηλεφανὴς ἐκ ποντόφιν ἀνδράσιν εἴηso it might be seen far off across the sea by men,
τοῖς οἳ νῦν γεγάασι καὶ οἳ μετόπισθεν ἔσονται.both those now living and those to be born hereafter.
85μήτηρ δʼ αἰτήσασα θεοὺς περικαλλέʼ ἄεθλαAnd your mother, asking the gods for gifts, set beautiful prizes
θῆκε μέσῳ ἐν ἀγῶνι ἀριστήεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.in the midst of the field for the noblest of the Achaeans.
ἤδη μὲν πολέων τάφῳ ἀνδρῶν ἀντεβόλησαςAlready at the funerals of many warriors you have taken part,
ἡρώων, ὅτε κέν ποτʼ ἀποφθιμένου βασιλῆοςof heroes, when at the death of a king
ζώννυνταί τε νέοι καὶ ἐπεντύνονται ἄεθλα·the young men gird themselves and make ready for the games;
90ἀλλά κε κεῖνα μάλιστα ἰδὼν θηήσαο θυμῷ,but those most of all, had you seen them, would have amazed your heart,
οἷʼ ἐπὶ σοὶ κατέθηκε θεὰ περικαλλέʼ ἄεθλα,such lovely prizes as the goddess set in your honor,
ἀργυρόπεζα Θέτις· μάλα γὰρ φίλος ἦσθα θεοῖσιν.silver-footed Thetis; for very dear you were to the gods.
ὣς σὺ μὲν οὐδὲ θανὼν ὄνομʼ ὤλεσας, ἀλλά τοι αἰεὶSo not even in death did you lose your name, but always
πάντας ἐπʼ ἀνθρώπους κλέος ἔσσεται ἐσθλόν, Ἀχιλλεῦ,among all men your fame shall be noble, Achilles;
95αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ τί τόδʼ ἦδος, ἐπεὶ πόλεμον τολύπευσα;but for me, what joy is this, now that I have wound up the war?
ἐν νόστῳ γάρ μοι Ζεὺς μήσατο λυγρὸν ὄλεθρονFor on my return Zeus devised a grievous destruction
Αἰγίσθου ὑπὸ χερσὶ καὶ οὐλομένης ἀλόχοιο.at the hands of Aegisthus and my accursed wife.
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,So these two spoke such things to each other,
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφʼ ἦλθε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης,and near to them came the guide, the slayer of Argus,
100ψυχὰς μνηστήρων κατάγων Ὀδυσῆϊ δαμέντων,leading down the souls of the suitors slain by Odysseus.
τὼ δʼ ἄρα θαμβήσαντʼ ἰθὺς κίον, ὡς ἐσιδέσθην.And amazed, the two went straight toward them, when they saw them.
ἔγνω δὲ ψυχὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος ἈτρεΐδαοAnd the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, knew
παῖδα φίλον Μελανῆος, ἀγακλυτὸν Ἀμφιμέδοντα·the dear son of Melaneus, glorious Amphimedon;
ξεῖνος γάρ οἱ ἔην Ἰθάκῃ ἔνι οἰκία ναίων.for he had been his guest-friend, dwelling in a house in Ithaca.
105τὸν προτέρη ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀτρεΐδαο·And to him first the soul of the son of Atreus spoke:
Ἀμφίμεδον, τί παθόντες ἐρεμνὴν γαῖαν ἔδυτε"Amphimedon, what has befallen you, that you sink into the dark earth,
πάντες κεκριμένοι καὶ ὁμήλικες; οὐδέ κεν ἄλλωςall of you chosen men and of one age? Not otherwise
κρινάμενος λέξαιτο κατὰ πτόλιν ἄνδρας ἀρίστους.could a man choosing throughout a city pick the noblest.
ἦ ὔμμʼ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν,Was it in your ships Poseidon overwhelmed you,
110ὄρσας ἀργαλέους ἀνέμους καὶ κύματα μακρά;rousing cruel winds and long waves?
ἦ που ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσουOr did hostile men do you harm on dry land
βοῦς περιταμνομένους ἠδʼ οἰῶν πώεα καλά,as you were cutting off their cattle and fine flocks of sheep,
ἠὲ περὶ πτόλιος μαχεούμενοι ἠδὲ γυναικῶν;or fighting for their city and their women?
εἰπέ μοι εἰρομένῳ· ξεῖνος δέ τοι εὔχομαι εἶναι.Tell me, since I ask; I claim to be your guest-friend.
115ἦ οὐ μέμνῃ ὅτε κεῖσε κατήλυθον ὑμέτερον δῶ,Do you not remember when I came down there to your house,
ὀτρυνέων Ὀδυσῆα σὺν ἀντιθέῳ Μενελάῳurging Odysseus to go with godlike Menelaus
Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμʼ ἕπεσθαι ἐϋσσέλμων ἐπὶ νηῶν;to Ilium along with us on the well-benched ships?
μηνὶ δʼ ἄρʼ οὔλῳ πάντα περήσαμεν εὐρέα πόντον,A whole month it took us to cross the wide sea,
σπουδῇ παρπεπιθόντες Ὀδυσσῆα πτολίπορθον.scarcely persuading Odysseus, the sacker of cities."
120τὸν δʼ αὖτε ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀμφιμέδοντος·Then the soul of Amphimedon answered him in turn:
Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε, ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον,"Son of Atreus, most glorious, lord of men Agamemnon,
μέμνημαι τάδε πάντα, διοτρεφές, ὡς ἀγορεύεις·I remember all these things, god-nurtured one, as you tell them;
σοὶ δʼ ἐγὼ εὖ μάλα πάντα καὶ ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω,and I will recount to you all of it exactly and truly,
ἡμετέρου θανάτοιο κακὸν τέλος, οἷον ἐτύχθη.the evil end of our death, how it came about.
125μνώμεθʼ Ὀδυσσῆος δὴν οἰχομένοιο δάμαρτα·We were courting the wife of Odysseus, so long gone;
ἡ δʼ οὔτʼ ἠρνεῖτο στυγερὸν γάμον οὔτʼ ἐτελεύτα,and she neither refused the hateful marriage nor made an end,
ἡμῖν φραζομένη θάνατον καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν,for she was plotting death and black doom against us,
ἀλλὰ δόλον τόνδʼ ἄλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμήριξε·but she contrived in her mind this other trick besides:
στησαμένη μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ὕφαινε,she set up a great loom in the halls and began to weave,
130λεπτὸν καὶ περίμετρον· ἄφαρ δʼ ἡμῖν μετέειπε·a delicate web, immense in size, and at once she said to us:
κοῦροι ἐμοὶ μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ θάνε δῖος
Ὀδυσσεύς,'Young men, my suitors, since godlike Odysseus is dead,
μίμνετʼ ἐπειγόμενοι τὸν ἐμὸν γάμον, εἰς ὅ κε φᾶροςbe patient, though eager for my marriage, until I finish
ἐκτελέσω, μή μοι μεταμώνια νήματʼ ὄληται,this robe—let my spun thread not perish uselessly—
Λαέρτῃ ἥρωϊ ταφήϊον, εἰς ὅτε κέν μινa shroud for the hero Laertes, against the time when
135μοῖρʼ ὀλοὴ καθέλῃσι τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο,the ruinous doom of death that lays men low will take him,
μή τίς μοι κατὰ δῆμον Ἀχαιϊάδων νεμεσήσῃ,lest some woman of the Achaeans in the land blame me,
αἴ κεν ἄτερ σπείρου κεῖται πολλὰ κτεατίσσας.if he should lie without a shroud who had won so much.'
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, ἡμῖν δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
ἀγήνωρ.So she spoke, and our proud hearts were persuaded.
ἔνθα καὶ ἠματίη μὲν ὑφαίνεσκεν μέγαν ἱστόν,Then by day she would weave at the great loom,
140νύκτας δʼ ἀλλύεσκεν, ἐπεὶ δαΐδας παραθεῖτο.but by night she would unravel it, once she set torches beside her.
ὣς τρίετες μὲν ἔληθε δόλῳ καὶ ἔπειθεν Ἀχαιούς·So for three years she deceived by guile and persuaded the Achaeans;
ἀλλʼ ὅτε τέτρατον ἦλθεν ἔτος καὶ ἐπήλυθον ὧραι,but when the fourth year came and the seasons rolled round,
μηνῶν φθινόντων, περὶ δʼ ἤματα πόλλʼ ἐτελέσθη,as the months waned and many days were completed,
καὶ τότε δή τις ἔειπε γυναικῶν, ἣ σάφα ᾔδη,then one of the women, who knew it clearly, told us,
145καὶ τήν γʼ ἀλλύουσαν ἐφεύρομεν ἀγλαὸν ἱστόν.and we caught her unraveling the shining web.
ὣς τὸ μὲν ἐξετέλεσσε καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλουσʼ, ὑπʼ ἀνάγκης.So she finished it against her will, by compulsion.
εὖθʼ ἡ φᾶρος ἔδειξεν, ὑφήνασα μέγαν ἱστόν,When she had shown the robe, having woven the great loom,
πλύνασʼ, ἠελίῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠὲ σελήνῃ,and washed it, shining like the sun or the moon,
καὶ τότε δή ῥʼ Ὀδυσῆα κακός ποθεν ἤγαγε δαίμωνthen some evil spirit brought Odysseus from somewhere
150ἀγροῦ ἐπʼ ἐσχατιήν, ὅθι δώματα ναῖε συβώτης.to the outlying farm, where the swineherd lived in his dwelling.
ἔνθʼ ἦλθεν φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,There came the dear son of godlike Odysseus,
ἐκ Πύλου ἠμαθόεντος ἰὼν σὺν νηῒ μελαίνῃ·arriving from sandy Pylos in his black ship;
τὼ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν θάνατον κακὸν ἀρτύναντεand the two, contriving an evil death for the suitors,
ἵκοντο προτὶ ἄστυ περικλυτόν, ἦ τοι Ὀδυσσεὺςcame to the famous city—Odysseus, indeed,
155ὕστερος, αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος πρόσθʼ ἡγεμόνευε.the later, while Telemachus went before to lead him.
τὸν δὲ συβώτης ἦγε κακὰ χροῒ εἵματʼ ἔχοντα,And the swineherd brought him wearing foul clothes on his body,
πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠδὲ γέροντιlike a wretched beggar and an old man,
σκηπτόμενον· τὰ δὲ λυγρὰ περὶ χροῒ εἵματα ἕστο·leaning on a staff; and sorry garments hung about his body;
οὐδέ τις ἡμείων δύνατο γνῶναι τὸν ἐόνταand none of us was able to know that it was he
160ἐξαπίνης προφανέντʼ, οὐδʼ οἳ προγενέστεροι ἦσαν,appearing suddenly, not even those who were older,
ἀλλʼ ἔπεσίν τε κακοῖσιν ἐνίσσομεν ἠδὲ βολῇσιν.but with evil words we reviled him and with things thrown.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τῆος ἐτόλμα ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἑοῖσιYet for a time he endured within his own halls,
βαλλόμενος καὶ ἐνισσόμενος τετληότι θυμῷ·pelted and reviled, with an enduring heart;
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή μιν ἔγειρε Διὸς νοός αἰγιόχοιο,but when the will of Zeus who holds the aegis roused him,
165σὺν μὲν Τηλεμάχῳ περικαλλέα τεύχεʼ ἀείραςtogether with Telemachus he lifted the beautiful armor
ἐς θάλαμον κατέθηκε καὶ ἐκλήϊσεν ὀχῆας,and laid it in the storeroom and shot home the bolts,
αὐτὰρ ὁ ἣν ἄλοχον πολυκερδείῃσιν ἄνωγεand then in his great cunning he bade his wife
τόξον μνηστήρεσσι θέμεν πολιόν τε σίδηρον,to set the bow before the suitors and the gray iron,
ἡμῖν αἰνομόροισιν ἀέθλια καὶ φόνου ἀρχήν.for us doomed men a contest and the beginning of slaughter.
170οὐδέ τις ἡμείων δύνατο κρατεροῖο βιοῖοAnd not one of us was able on that mighty bow
νευρὴν ἐντανύσαι, πολλὸν δʼ ἐπιδευέες ἦμεν.to stretch the string, for we fell far short of it.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε χεῖρας ἵκανεν Ὀδυσσῆος μέγα τόξον,But when the great bow came into the hands of Odysseus,
ἔνθʼ ἡμεῖς μὲν πάντες ὁμοκλέομεν ἐπέεσσιthen all of us cried out together with our words
τόξον μὴ δόμεναι, μηδʼ εἰ μάλα πολλʼ ἀγορεύοι·not to give him the bow, however much he pleaded;
175Τηλέμαχος δέ μιν οἶος ἐποτρύνων ἐκέλευσεν.Telemachus alone urged him on and bade him take it.
αὐτὰρ ὁ δέξατο χειρὶ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,Then he took it in his hand, much-enduring godlike Odysseus,
ῥηϊδίως δʼ ἐτάνυσσε βιόν, διὰ δʼ ἧκε σιδήρου,and easily strung the bow, and sent a shaft through the iron,
στῆ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰών, ταχέας δʼ ἐκχεύατʼ ὀϊστοὺςand went and stood on the threshold, and poured out the swift arrows,
δεινὸν παπταίνων, βάλε δʼ Ἀντίνοον βασιλῆα.glaring terribly, and struck down the lord Antinous.
180αὐτὰρ ἔπειτʼ ἄλλοις ἐφίει βέλεα στονόεντα,And after that he let fly his grievous shafts at the others,
ἄντα τιτυσκόμενος· τοὶ δʼ ἀγχιστῖνοι ἔπιπτον.aiming straight; and they fell thick, one on another.
γνωτὸν δʼ ἦν ὅ ῥά τίς σφι θεῶν ἐπιτάρροθος ἦεν·It was plain that some god was their helper,
αὐτίκα γὰρ κατὰ δώματʼ ἐπισπόμενοι μένεϊ σφῷfor at once through the halls, following their own fury,
κτεῖνον ἐπιστροφάδην, τῶν δὲ στόνος ὤρνυτʼ ἀεικὴςthey killed men left and right, and a hideous groaning rose
185κράτων τυπτομένων, δάπεδον δʼ ἅπαν αἵματι θῦεν.from heads being smitten, and all the floor ran with blood.
ὣς ἡμεῖς, Ἀγάμεμνον, ἀπωλόμεθʼ, ὧν ἔτι καὶ νῦνSo we perished, Agamemnon, whose bodies even now
σώματʼ ἀκηδέα κεῖται ἐνὶ μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆος·lie uncared-for in the halls of Odysseus;
οὐ γάρ πω ἴσασι φίλοι κατὰ δώμαθʼ ἑκάστου,for our friends in each man's house do not yet know,
οἵ κʼ ἀπονίψαντες μέλανα βρότον ἐξ ὠτειλέωνthose who would wash the black gore from our wounds
190κατθέμενοι γοάοιεν· ὃ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ θανόντων.and lay us out and mourn us; for that is the honor of the dead.
τὸν δʼ αὖτε ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀτρεΐδαο·Then in answer the soul of the son of Atreus spoke to him:
ὄλβιε Λαέρταο πάϊ, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,"Fortunate son of Laertes, resourceful Odysseus,
ἦ ἄρα σὺν μεγάλῃ ἀρετῇ ἐκτήσω ἄκοιτιν.truly with great excellence you won yourself a wife.
ὡς ἀγαθαὶ φρένες ἦσαν ἀμύμονι Πηνελοπείῃ,How good was the understanding in blameless Penelope,
195κούρῃ Ἰκαρίου· ὡς εὖ μέμνητʼ Ὀδυσῆος,daughter of Icarius, how well she remembered Odysseus,
ἀνδρὸς κουριδίου· τῷ οἱ κλέος οὔ ποτʼ ὀλεῖταιher wedded husband; therefore the fame of her excellence
ἧς ἀρετῆς, τεύξουσι δʼ ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἀοιδὴνshall never perish, and the immortals will fashion
ἀθάνατοι χαρίεσσαν ἐχέφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,for men upon the earth a song of grace for prudent Penelope,
οὐχ ὡς Τυνδαρέου κούρη κακὰ μήσατο ἔργα,not as the daughter of Tyndareus devised evil deeds,
200κουρίδιον κτείνασα πόσιν, στυγερὴ δέ τʼ ἀοιδὴkilling her wedded husband; and a hateful song
ἔσσετʼ ἐπʼ ἀνθρώπους, χαλεπὴν δέ τε φῆμιν ὀπάσσειshall follow her among men, and lay a harsh report
θηλυτέρῃσι γυναιξί, καὶ ἥ κʼ εὐεργὸς ἔῃσιν.upon women, even upon her who does what is good.
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,So these two spoke such things to one another,
ἑσταότʼ εἰν Ἀΐδαο δόμοις, ὑπὸ κεύθεσι γαίης·standing in the house of Hades, beneath the hidden places of the earth;
205οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ ἐκ πόλιος κατέβαν, τάχα δʼ ἀγρὸν
ἵκοντοand the others, when they had come down from the city, quickly reached the farm,
καλὸν Λαέρταο τετυγμένον, ὅν ῥά ποτʼ αὐτὸςthe fine and well-built land of Laertes, which he himself once
Λαέρτης κτεάτισσεν, ἐπεὶ μάλα πόλλʼ ἐμόγησεν.had won for his own, when he had toiled exceedingly hard.
ἔνθα οἱ οἶκος ἔην, περὶ δὲ κλίσιον θέε πάντη,There was his house, and around it ran a shelter on every side,
ἐν τῷ σιτέσκοντο καὶ ἵζανον ἠδὲ ἴαυονin which the bondsmen ate and sat and slept,
210δμῶες ἀναγκαῖοι, τοί οἱ φίλα ἐργάζοντο.the servants of necessity, who did his pleasure in their work.
ἐν δὲ γυνὴ Σικελὴ γρηῢς πέλεν, ἥ ῥα γέρονταAnd among them was an old Sicilian woman, who tended the old man
ἐνδυκέως κομέεσκεν ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ, νόσφι πόληος.with care upon the farm, far from the city.
ἔνθʼ Ὀδυσεὺς δμώεσσι καὶ υἱέϊ μῦθον ἔειπεν·There Odysseus spoke his word to the servants and his son:
ὑμεῖς μὲν νῦν ἔλθετʼ ἐϋκτίμενον δόμον εἴσω,"Go now, you men, into the well-built house,
215δεῖπνον δʼ αἶψα συῶν ἱερεύσατε ὅς τις ἄριστος·and quickly make a meal of whichever swine is best;
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ πατρὸς πειρήσομαι ἡμετέροιο,but I will make trial of our father,
αἴ κέ μʼ ἐπιγνώῃ καὶ φράσσεται ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,whether he will know me and mark me with his eyes,
ἦέ κεν ἀγνοιῇσι, πολὺν χρόνον ἀμφὶς ἐόντα.or fail to know me, having been long apart from him."
ὣς εἰπὼν δμώεσσιν ἀρήϊα τεύχεʼ ἔδωκεν.So speaking he gave the war-gear into the servants' hands.
220οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα δόμονδε θοῶς κίον, αὐτὰρ ὈδυσσεὺςThen they went swiftly toward the house, but Odysseus
ἆσσον ἴεν πολυκάρπου ἀλωῆς πειρητίζων.drew nearer to the fruitful orchard, making his trial.
οὐδʼ εὗρεν Δολίον, μέγαν ὄρχατον ἐσκαταβαίνων,He did not find Dolius, going down into the great close,
οὐδέ τινα δμώων οὐδʼ υἱῶν· ἀλλʼ ἄρα τοί γεnor any of the servants nor the sons; but they had gone
αἱμασιὰς λέξοντες ἀλωῆς ἔμμεναι ἕρκοςto gather stones for walls to be a fence about the orchard,
225ᾤχοντʼ, αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσι γέρων ὁδὸν ἡγεμόνευε.and the old man went before them, leading the way.
τὸν δʼ οἶον πατέρʼ εὗρεν ἐϋκτιμένῃ ἐν ἀλωῇ,But he found his father alone in the well-tended orchard,
λιστρεύοντα φυτόν· ῥυπόωντα δὲ ἕστο χιτῶναdigging about a plant; he wore a filthy tunic,
ῥαπτὸν ἀεικέλιον, περὶ δὲ κνήμῃσι βοείαςpatched and unseemly, and about his shins he had bound
κνημῖδας ῥαπτὰς δέδετο, γραπτῦς ἀλεείνων,stitched leggings of oxhide, to guard against the scratches,
230χειρῖδάς τʼ ἐπὶ χερσὶ βάτων ἕνεκʼ· αὐτὰρ ὕπερθενand gloves upon his hands because of the brambles; and above,
αἰγείην κυνέην κεφαλῇ ἔχε, πένθος ἀέξων.upon his head, he wore a cap of goatskin, nursing his grief.
τὸν δʼ ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε πολύτλας δῖος ὈδυσσεὺςBut when much-enduring godlike Odysseus saw him,
γήραϊ τειρόμενον, μέγα δὲ φρεσὶ πένθος ἔχοντα,worn down by old age and holding great grief in his heart,
στὰς ἄρʼ ὑπὸ βλωθρὴν ὄγχνην κατὰ δάκρυον εἶβε.he stood beneath a tall pear tree and let the tears fall.
235μερμήριξε δʼ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸνThen he pondered in his mind and in his heart
κύσσαι καὶ περιφῦναι ἑὸν πατέρʼ, ἠδὲ ἕκασταwhether to kiss and embrace his father, and tell him each thing,
εἰπεῖν, ὡς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτʼ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,how he had come and reached his native land,
ἦ πρῶτʼ ἐξερέοιτο ἕκαστά τε πειρήσαιτο.or first to question him and make trial of each thing.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,And as he pondered, this seemed to him the better course:
240πρῶτον κερτομίοις ἐπέεσσιν πειρηθῆναι.first to make trial of him with taunting words.
τὰ φρονέων ἰθὺς κίεν αὐτοῦ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.Pondering this, godlike Odysseus went straight toward him.
ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν κατέχων κεφαλὴν φυτὸν ἀμφελάχαινε·He, indeed, with head bent low, was digging round a plant;
τὸν δὲ παριστάμενος προσεφώνεε φαίδιμος υἱός·and standing beside him his glorious son addressed him:
ὦ γέρον, οὐκ ἀδαημονίη σʼ ἔχει ἀμφιπολεύειν"Old man, no lack of skill is yours in tending
245ὄρχατον, ἀλλʼ εὖ τοι κομιδὴ ἔχει, οὐδέ τι πάμπαν,the orchard, but your care is good, and nothing at all,
οὐ φυτόν, οὐ συκέη, οὐκ ἄμπελος, οὐ μὲν ἐλαίη,no plant, no fig tree, no vine, nor yet an olive,
οὐκ ὄγχνη, οὐ πρασιή τοι ἄνευ κομιδῆς κατὰ κῆπον.no pear, no garden bed, lacks tending here in the plot.
ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ μὴ χόλον ἔνθεο θυμῷBut another thing I will tell you—do not take anger to heart:
αὐτόν σʼ οὐκ ἀγαθὴ κομιδὴ ἔχει, ἀλλʼ ἅμα γῆραςno good care attends yourself, but with a wretched
250λυγρὸν ἔχεις αὐχμεῖς τε κακῶς καὶ ἀεικέα ἕσσαι.old age you go, all squalid and clothed unseemly.
οὐ μὲν ἀεργίης γε ἄναξ ἕνεκʼ οὔ σε κομίζει,Surely it is not for idleness your master neglects you,
οὐδέ τί τοι δούλειον ἐπιπρέπει εἰσοράασθαιnor is there anything servile to look upon in you,
εἶδος καὶ μέγεθος· βασιλῆϊ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικας.in build and stature; for you resemble a kingly man.
τοιούτῳ δὲ ἔοικας, ἐπεὶ λούσαιτο φάγοι τε,You resemble the sort of man who, once he had bathed and eaten,
255εὑδέμεναι μαλακῶς· ἡ γὰρ δίκη ἐστὶ γερόντων.would sleep softly; for that is the due of old men.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,But come, tell me this, and recount it truly:
τεῦ δμὼς εἶς ἀνδρῶν; τεῦ δʼ ὄρχατον ἀμφιπολεύεις;whose slave among men are you? whose orchard do you tend?
καὶ μοι τοῦτʼ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδῶ,And tell me this in truth, that I may know it well,
εἰ ἐτεόν γʼ Ἰθάκην τήνδʼ ἱκόμεθʼ, ὥς μοι ἔειπενwhether we have truly come to this Ithaca, as told me
260οὗτος ἀνὴρ νῦν δὴ ξυμβλήμενος ἐνθάδʼ ἰόντι,by that man who just now met me on my way here,
οὔ τι μάλʼ ἀρτίφρων, ἐπεὶ οὐ τόλμησεν ἕκασταnot very sound of mind, since he did not dare in each thing
εἰπεῖν ἠδʼ ἐπακοῦσαι ἐμὸν ἔπος, ὡς ἐρέεινονto speak or heed my word, when I was asking
ἀμφὶ ξείνῳ ἐμῷ, ἤ που ζώει τε καὶ ἔστινabout a guest-friend of mine, whether he lives and is,
ἦ ἤδη τέθνηκε καὶ εἰν Ἀΐδαο δόμοισιν.or is already dead and in the house of Hades.
265ἐκ γάρ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον·For I will tell you plainly—mark and listen to me:
ἄνδρα ποτʼ ἐξείνισσα φίλῃ ἐνὶ πατρίδι γαίῃa man I once entertained in my own native land,
ἡμέτερόνδʼ ἐλθόντα, καὶ οὔ πω τις βροτὸς ἄλλοςwhen he came to our house, and never yet has another mortal
ξείνων τηλεδαπῶν φιλίων ἐμὸν ἵκετο δῶμα·of guests from afar been dearer come into my home;
εὔχετο δʼ ἐξ Ἰθάκης γένος ἔμμεναι, αὐτὰρ ἔφασκεhe claimed to be by birth from Ithaca, and he said
270Λαέρτην Ἀρκεισιάδην πατέρʼ ἔμμεναι αὐτῷ.that Laertes, son of Arceisius, was his father.
τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ πρὸς δώματʼ ἄγων ἐῢ ἐξείνισσα,Him I led to my house and entertained him well,
ἐνδυκέως φιλέων, πολλῶν κατὰ οἶκον ἐόντων,treating him kindly, from the plentiful stores within,
καί οἱ δῶρα πόρον ξεινήϊα, οἷα ἐῴκει.and I gave him guest-gifts, such as befitted:
χρυσοῦ μέν οἱ δῶκʼ εὐεργέος ἑπτὰ τάλαντα,seven talents of well-wrought gold I gave him,
275δῶκα δέ οἱ κρητῆρα πανάργυρον ἀνθεμόεντα,and I gave him a mixing bowl all of silver, flower-chased,
δώδεκα δʼ ἁπλοΐδας χλαίνας, τόσσους δὲ τάπητας,and twelve cloaks of single fold, and as many rugs,
τόσσα δὲ φάρεα καλά, τόσους δʼ ἐπὶ τοῖσι χιτῶνας,and as many fine mantles, and as many tunics besides,
χωρὶς δʼ αὖτε γυναῖκας, ἀμύμονα ἔργα ἰδυίας,and apart from these, women skilled in blameless work,
τέσσαρας εἰδαλίμας, ἃς ἤθελεν αὐτὸς ἑλέσθαι.four comely ones, whom he wished himself to choose."
280τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα πατὴρ κατὰ δάκρυον
εἴβων·Then his father answered him, letting the tears fall:
ξεῖνʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν γαῖαν ἱκάνεις, ἣν ἐρεείνεις,"Stranger, you have indeed come to the land you ask about,
ὑβρισταὶ δʼ αὐτὴν καὶ ἀτάσθαλοι ἄνδρες ἔχουσιν·but insolent and reckless men now hold it.
δῶρα δʼ ἐτώσια ταῦτα χαρίζεο, μυρίʼ ὀπάζων·Those gifts you gave, and gave in thousands, were given in vain.
εἰ γάρ μιν ζωόν γʼ ἐκίχεις Ἰθάκης ἐνὶ δήμῳ,For had you found him alive in the land of Ithaca,
285τῷ κέν σʼ εὖ δώροισιν ἀμειψάμενος ἀπέπεμψεthen he would have sent you off well repaid with gifts
καὶ ξενίῃ ἀγαθῇ ἡ γὰρ θέμις, ὅς τις ὑπάρξῃ.and with good hospitality, as is right for whoever begins it.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,But come, tell me this and recount it truly:
πόστον δὴ ἔτος ἐστίν, ὅτε ξείνισσας ἐκεῖνονhow many years is it now, since you entertained him,
σὸν ξεῖνον δύστηνον, ἐμὸν παῖδʼ, εἴ ποτʼ ἔην γε,that unlucky guest of yours, my son—if ever he was—
290δύσμορον; ὅν που τῆλε φίλων καὶ πατρίδος αἴηςthat ill-fated one, whom, far from his friends and native land,
ἠέ που ἐν πόντῳ φάγον ἰχθύες, ἢ ἐπὶ χέρσουsomewhere at sea the fish have eaten, or on dry land
θηρσὶ καὶ οἰωνοῖσιν ἕλωρ γένετʼ· οὐδέ ἑ μήτηρhe became prey to beasts and birds; and neither his mother
κλαῦσε περιστείλασα πατήρ θʼ, οἵ μιν τεκόμεσθα·wept and wrapped him in a shroud, nor his father—we who bore him;
οὐδʼ ἄλοχος πολύδωρος, ἐχέφρων Πηνελόπεια,nor did his richly-dowered wife, prudent Penelope,
295κώκυσʼ ἐν λεχέεσσιν ἑὸν πόσιν, ὡς ἐπεῴκει,wail over her husband on the bier, as was fitting,
ὀφθαλμοὺς καθελοῦσα· τὸ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ θανόντων.and close his eyes—for that is the due of the dead.
καί μοι τοῦτʼ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδῶ·And tell me this truly, so that I may know well:
τίς πόθεν εἶς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ τοκῆες;who are you among men, and from where? Where is your city and parents?
ποῦ δὲ νηῦς ἕστηκε θοή, ἥ σʼ ἤγαγε δεῦροAnd where is the swift ship moored that brought you here
300ἀντιθέους θʼ ἑτάρους; ἦ ἔμπορος εἰλήλουθαςwith your godlike companions? Or did you come as a passenger
νηὸς ἐπʼ ἀλλοτρίης, οἱ δʼ ἐκβήσαντες ἔβησαν;on another's ship, who set you down and departed?"
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι πάντα μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω."Then I will tell you everything most truly.
εἰμὶ μὲν ἐξ Ἀλύβαντος, ὅθι κλυτὰ δώματα ναίω,I am from Alybas, where I dwell in famous halls,
305υἱὸς Ἀφείδαντος Πολυπημονίδαο ἄνακτος·the son of Apheidas, son of Polypemon the lord;
αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γʼ ὄνομʼ ἐστὶν Ἐπήριτος· ἀλλά με δαίμωνand my own name is Eperitus; but some god
πλάγξʼ ἀπὸ Σικανίης δεῦρʼ ἐλθέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα·drove me astray from Sicania to come here against my will;
νηῦς δέ μοι ἥδʼ ἕστηκεν ἐπʼ ἀγροῦ νόσφι πόληος.and my ship lies moored yonder by the field, away from the city.
αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆϊ τόδε δὴ πέμπτον ἔτος ἐστίν,But as for Odysseus, this is now the fifth year
310ἐξ οὗ κεῖθεν ἔβη καὶ ἐμῆς ἀπελήλυθε πάτρης,since he went from there and departed from my homeland,
δύσμορος· ἦ τέ οἱ ἐσθλοὶ ἔσαν ὄρνιθες ἰόντι,ill-fated man; yet the birds were favorable as he went,
δεξιοί, οἷς χαίρων μὲν ἐγὼν ἀπέπεμπον ἐκεῖνον,on the right, so that I rejoiced to send him on his way,
χαῖρε δὲ κεῖνος ἰών· θυμὸς δʼ ἔτι νῶϊν ἐώλπειand he rejoiced to go; and the heart in us both still hoped
μίξεσθαι ξενίῃ ἠδʼ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα διδώσειν.to meet again in friendship and to give splendid gifts."
315ὣς φάτο, τὸν δʼ ἄχεος νεφέλη ἐκάλυψε μέλαινα·So he spoke, and a black cloud of grief covered the old man;
ἀμφοτέρῃσι δὲ χερσὶν ἑλὼν κόνιν αἰθαλόεσσανand with both hands he took the sooty dust
χεύατο κὰκ κεφαλῆς πολιῆς, ἁδινὰ στεναχίζων.and poured it down over his grey head, groaning without pause.
τοῦ δʼ ὠρίνετο θυμός, ἀνὰ ῥῖνας δέ οἱ ἤδηAnd Odysseus's heart was stirred, and up through his nostrils now
δριμὺ μένος προὔτυψε φίλον πατέρʼ εἰσορόωντι.a sharp force rushed as he looked upon his dear father.
320κύσσε δέ μιν περιφὺς ἐπιάλμενος, ἠδὲ προσηύδα·He sprang forward and embraced and kissed him, and said:
κεῖνος μέν τοι ὅδʼ αὐτὸς ἐγώ, πάτερ, ὃν σὺ
μεταλλᾷς,"That man am I myself, father, the one you ask about,
ἤλυθον εἰκοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.come home in the twentieth year to my native land.
ἀλλʼ ἴσχεο κλαυθμοῖο γόοιό τε δακρυόεντος.But hold back from weeping and from tearful lament.
ἐκ γάρ τοι ἐρέω· μάλα δὲ χρὴ σπευδέμεν ἔμπης·For I will tell you—though we must make great haste—
325μνηστῆρας κατέπεφνον ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισι,I have slain the suitors within our own halls,
λώβην τινύμενος θυμαλγέα καὶ κακὰ ἔργα.avenging their heart-galling outrage and their evil deeds."
τὸν δʼ αὖ Λαέρτης ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·Then Laertes answered him again and spoke:
εἰ μὲν δὴ Ὀδυσεύς γε ἐμὸς πάϊς ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνεις,"If you are truly Odysseus, my son, come home,
σῆμά τί μοι νῦν εἰπὲ ἀριφραδές, ὄφρα πεποίθω.then give me now some clear sign, so that I may believe."
330τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
οὐλὴν μὲν πρῶτον τήνδε φράσαι ὀφθαλμοῖσι,"First look upon this scar here with your eyes,
τὴν ἐν Παρνησῷ μʼ ἔλασεν σῦς λευκῷ ὀδόντιthe one the boar struck with his white tusk on Parnassus
οἰχόμενον· σὺ δέ με προΐεις καὶ πότνια μήτηρwhen I had gone there; and you sent me forth, and my honored mother,
ἐς πατέρʼ Αὐτόλυκον μητρὸς φίλον, ὄφρʼ ἂν ἑλοίμηνto Autolycus, my mother's dear father, that I might take
335δῶρα, τὰ δεῦρο μολών μοι ὑπέσχετο καὶ κατένευσεν.the gifts he promised and nodded to me when he came here.
εἰ δʼ ἄγε τοι καὶ δένδρεʼ ἐϋκτιμένην κατʼ ἀλωὴνCome, and let me tell you also of the trees in the well-tilled orchard
εἴπω, ἅ μοί ποτʼ ἔδωκας, ἐγὼ δʼ ᾔτεόν σε ἕκασταthat once you gave me—I would ask you for each one
παιδνὸς ἐών, κατὰ κῆπον ἐπισπόμενος· διὰ δʼ αὐτῶνwhen I was a child, following you through the garden; and among them
ἱκνεύμεσθα, σὺ δʼ ὠνόμασας καὶ ἔειπες ἕκαστα.we walked, and you named and told me of each one.
340ὄγχνας μοι δῶκας τρισκαίδεκα καὶ δέκα μηλέας,You gave me thirteen pear trees and ten apple trees,
συκέας τεσσαράκοντʼ· ὄρχους δέ μοι ὧδʼ ὀνόμηναςand forty fig trees; and rows of vines you named to me
δώσειν πεντήκοντα, διατρύγιος δὲ ἕκαστοςto give, fifty of them, and each one
ἤην· ἔνθα δʼ ἀνὰ σταφυλαὶ παντοῖαι ἔασιν—bore in its season, and there grapes of every kind hang—
ὁππότε δὴ Διὸς ὧραι ἐπιβρίσειαν ὕπερθεν.whenever the seasons of Zeus press down upon them from above."
345ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δʼ αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον
ἦτορ,So he spoke, and the old man's knees and dear heart went slack,
σήματʼ ἀναγνόντος τά οἱ ἔμπεδα πέφραδʼ Ὀδυσσεύς.as he knew the signs that Odysseus told him surely.
ἀμφὶ δὲ παιδὶ φίλῳ βάλε πήχεε· τὸν δὲ ποτὶ οἷHe threw both arms around his dear son; and to himself
εἷλεν ἀποψύχοντα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.much-enduring godlike Odysseus drew him as he swooned.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἄμπνυτο καὶ ἐς φρένα θυμὸς ἀγέρθη,But when he had caught his breath and the spirit gathered in his mind,
350ἐξαῦτις μύθοισιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·once more he spoke in answer, saying:
Ζεῦ πάτερ, ἦ ῥα ἔτʼ ἔστε θεοὶ κατὰ μακρὸν
Ὄλυμπον,"Father Zeus, so you gods are still upon high Olympus,
εἰ ἐτεὸν μνηστῆρες ἀτάσθαλον ὕβριν ἔτισαν.if the suitors have truly paid for their reckless outrage!
νῦν δʼ αἰνῶς δείδοικα κατὰ φρένα μὴ τάχα πάντεςBut now I dread terribly in my heart that soon
ἐνθάδʼ ἐπέλθωσιν Ἰθακήσιοι, ἀγγελίας δὲall the men of Ithaca may come against us here,
355πάντη ἐποτρύνωσι Κεφαλλήνων πολίεσσι.and send out messages everywhere to the cities of the Cephallenians."
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις
Ὀδυσσεύς·Then resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
θάρσει, μή τοι ταῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶ σῇσι μελόντων."Take courage, and let not these things trouble your heart.
ἀλλʼ ἴομεν προτὶ οἶκον, ὃς ὀρχάτου ἐγγύθι κεῖται·But let us go to the house that lies near the orchard;
ἔνθα δὲ Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτηνthere I sent ahead Telemachus and the herdsman and the swineherd,
360προὔπεμψʼ, ὡς ἂν δεῖπνον ἐφοπλίσσωσι τάχιστα.so they might make ready a meal as quickly as they can."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσαντε βάτην πρὸς δώματα καλά.So the two of them spoke, and went toward the beautiful house.
οἱ δʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἵκοντο δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,And when they came to the well-built dwelling,
εὗρον Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτηνthey found Telemachus and the herdsman and the swineherd
ταμνομένους κρέα πολλὰ κερῶντάς τʼ αἴθοπα οἶνον.carving abundant meat and mixing the glowing wine.
365τόφρα δὲ Λαέρτην μεγαλήτορα ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳMeanwhile in his house great-hearted Laertes
ἀμφίπολος Σικελὴ λοῦσεν καὶ χρῖσεν ἐλαίῳ,was bathed by the Sicilian handmaid and anointed with oil,
ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα χλαῖναν καλὴν βάλεν· αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνηand about him she cast a beautiful cloak; but Athena,
ἄγχι παρισταμένη μέλεʼ ἤλδανε ποιμένι λαῶν,standing close beside him, filled out the limbs of the shepherd of the people,
μείζονα δʼ ἠὲ πάρος καὶ πάσσονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι.and made him taller and stouter to look upon than before.
370ἐκ δʼ ἀσαμίνθου βῆ· θαύμαζε δέ μιν φίλος υἱός,He stepped out of the bath, and his dear son marveled at him,
ὡς ἴδεν ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖς ἐναλίγκιον ἄντην·when he saw him face to face like the immortal gods;
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and he spoke to him and addressed him in winged words:
ὦ πάτερ, ἦ μάλα τίς σε θεῶν αἰειγενετάων"Father, surely one of the gods who live forever
εἶδός τε μέγεθός τε ἀμείνονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι.has made you better to look upon in form and stature."
375τὸν δʼ αὖ Λαέρτης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then wise Laertes answered him in turn:
αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,"Would, by Father Zeus and Athena and Apollo,
οἷος Νήρικον εἷλον, ἐϋκτίμενον πτολίεθρον,that such as I was when I took Nericus, the well-built citadel,
ἀκτὴν ἠπείροιο, Κεφαλλήνεσσιν ἀνάσσων,the headland of the mainland, ruling over the Cephallenians—
τοῖος ἐών τοι χθιζὸς ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιν,would that with such strength I had stood yesterday in our house,
380τεύχεʼ ἔχων ὤμοισιν, ἐφεστάμεναι καὶ ἀμύνεινarmor on my shoulders, to stand beside you and fight off
ἄνδρας μνηστῆρας· τῷ κε σφέων γούνατʼ ἔλυσαthe suitor men! Then I would have loosed the knees of many
πολλῶν ἐν μεγάροισι, σὺ δὲ φρένας ἔνδον ἐγήθεις.of them in the halls, and you would have rejoiced in your heart within."
ὣς οἷ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον.So they spoke such things to one another.
οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε δαῖτα,And when they had ceased from their labor and made ready the meal,
385ἑξείης ἕζοντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε·they sat down in order on the couches and the chairs.
ἔνθʼ οἱ μὲν δείπνῳ ἐπεχείρεον, ἀγχίμολον δὲThen they set their hands to the food, and near at hand
ἦλθʼ ὁ γέρων Δολίος, σὺν δʼ υἱεῖς τοῖο γέροντος,came the old man Dolius, and with him the old man's sons,
ἐξ ἔργων μογέοντες, ἐπεὶ προμολοῦσα κάλεσσενweary from their work, for their mother had gone out and called them,
μήτηρ γρηῦς Σικελή, ἥ σφεας τρέφε καί ῥα γέρονταthe old Sicilian woman, who reared them and tended the old man
390ἐνδυκέως κομέεσκεν, ἐπεὶ κατὰ γῆρας ἔμαρψεν.kindly, since old age had laid hold of him.
οἱ δʼ ὡς οὖν Ὀδυσῆα ἴδον φράσσαντό τε θυμῷ,And when they saw Odysseus and marked him in their hearts,
ἔσταν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεθηπότες· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςthey stood in the halls astonished; but Odysseus
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι καθαπτόμενος προσέειπεν·addressed them with gentle words and said:
ὦ γέρον, ἵζʼ ἐπὶ δεῖπνον, ἀπεκλελάθεσθε δὲ
θάμβευς·"Old man, sit down to the meal, and put aside your astonishment;
395δηρὸν γὰρ σίτῳ ἐπιχειρήσειν μεμαῶτεςfor long, though eager to set our hands to the food,
μίμνομεν ἐν μεγάροις, ὑμέας ποτιδέγμενοι αἰεί.we have waited in the halls, always expecting you."
ὣς ἄρ ἔφη, Δολίος δʼ ἰθὺς κίε χεῖρε πετάσσαςSo he spoke, and Dolius came straight up with both hands
ἀμφοτέρας, Ὀδυσεῦς δὲ λαβὼν κύσε χεῖρʼ ἐπὶ καρπῷ,spread wide, and taking Odysseus's hand he kissed it at the wrist,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and he spoke to him and addressed him in winged words:
400ὦ φίλʼ, ἐπεὶ νόστησας ἐελδομένοισι μάλʼ ἡμῖν"Dear master, since you have come back to us who longed for it greatly,
οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ὀϊομένοισι, θεοὶ δέ σʼ ἀνήγαγον αὐτοί,when we no longer hoped it—and the gods themselves brought you home—
οὖλέ τε καὶ μάλα χαῖρε, θεοὶ δέ τοι ὄλβια δοῖεν.hail, and rejoice greatly, and may the gods grant you blessings.
καί μοι τοῦτʼ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδῶ,Now tell me this truly, so that I may know it well:
ἢ ἤδη σάφα οἶδε περίφρων Πηνελόπειαdoes prudent Penelope already know for certain
405νοστήσαντά σε δεῦρʼ, ἦ ἄγγελον ὀτρύνωμεν.that you have returned here, or should we send a messenger?"
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις ὈδυσσεύςThen resourceful Odysseus answered him and said:
ὦ γέρον, ἤδη οἶδε· τί σε χρὴ ταῦτα πένεσθαι;"Old man, she knows already; why must you trouble yourself with this?"
ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δʼ αὖτις ἄρʼ ἕζετʼ ἐϋξέστου ἐπὶ
δίφρου.So he spoke, and the man sat down again on the polished chair.
ὣς δʼ αὔτως παῖδες Δολίου κλυτὸν ἀμφʼ ὈδυσῆαAnd in the same way the sons of Dolius, around famous Odysseus,
410δεικανόωντʼ ἐπέεσσι καὶ ἐν χείρεσσι φύοντο,greeted him with words and clasped him by the hands,
ἑξείης δʼ ἕζοντο παραὶ Δολίον, πατέρα σφόν.and they sat down in order beside Dolius, their father.
ὣς οἱ μὲν περὶ δεῖπνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι πένοντο·So they busied themselves with the meal in the halls;
Ὄσσα δʼ ἄρʼ ἄγγελος ὦκα κατὰ πτόλιν ᾤχετο πάντη,but Rumor the messenger went swiftly through the whole city,
μνηστήρων στυγερὸν θάνατον καὶ κῆρʼ ἐνέπουσα.telling of the suitors' hateful death and doom.
415οἱ δʼ ἄρʼ ὁμῶς ἀΐοντες ἐφοίτων ἄλλοθεν ἄλλοςAnd the people, hearing it all together, came thronging from every side
μυχμῷ τε στοναχῇ τε δόμων προπάροιθʼ Ὀδυσῆος,with groaning and lament before the house of Odysseus,
ἐκ δὲ νέκυς οἴκων φόρεον καὶ θάπτον ἕκαστοι,and each carried the dead out of the house and buried them,
τοὺς δʼ ἐξ ἀλλάων πολίων οἶκόνδε ἕκαστονand those from other cities they sent home, each man,
πέμπον ἄγειν ἁλιεῦσι θοῇς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ τιθέντες·placing them with fishermen on their swift ships to be conveyed.
420αὐτοὶ δʼ εἰς ἀγορὴν κίον ἀθρόοι, ἀχνύμενοι κῆρ.Then they went to the assembly in a body, grieving at heart.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τʼ ἐγένοντο,But when they were gathered and come together,
τοῖσιν δʼ Εὐπείθης ἀνά θʼ ἵστατο καὶ μετέειπε·Eupeithes stood up among them and spoke,
παιδὸς γάρ οἱ ἄλαστον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ πένθος ἔκειτο,for unforgotten grief for his son lay in his heart,
Ἀντινόου, τὸν πρῶτον ἐνήρατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·for Antinous, whom godlike Odysseus had killed first;
425τοῦ ὅ γε δάκρυ χέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·shedding tears for him he addressed them and spoke:
ὦ φίλοι, ἦ μέγα ἔργον ἀνὴρ ὅδʼ ἐμήσατʼ
Ἀχαιούς·"Friends, truly a great deed this man has plotted against the Achaeans!
τοὺς μὲν σὺν νήεσσιν ἄγων πολέας τε καὶ ἐσθλοὺςSome he led away in ships, many and noble,
ὤλεσε μὲν νῆας γλαφυράς, ἀπὸ δʼ ὤλεσε λαούς·and lost the hollow ships, and lost the men outright;
τοὺς δʼ ἐλθὼν ἔκτεινε Κεφαλλήνων ὄχʼ ἀρίστους,and others, coming home, he has killed, far the best of the Cephallenians.
430ἀλλʼ ἄγετε, πρὶν τοῦτον ἢ ἐς Πύλον ὦκα ἱκέσθαιBut come, before this man goes swiftly either to Pylos
ἢ καὶ ἐς Ἤλιδα δῖαν, ὅθι κρατέουσιν Ἐπειοί,or to bright Elis, where the Epeians hold power,
ἴομεν· ἦ καὶ ἔπειτα κατηφέες ἐσσόμεθʼ αἰεί·let us go; else we shall be shamed forever after.
λώβη γὰρ τάδε γʼ ἐστὶ καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι,For this is a disgrace even for men to come to hear of,
εἰ δὴ μὴ παίδων τε κασιγνήτων τε φονῆαςif we do not avenge ourselves on the murderers of our sons
435τισόμεθʼ. οὐκ ἂν ἐμοί γε μετὰ φρεσὶν ἡδὺ γένοιτοand our brothers. To me at least it would be no sweet thing
ζωέμεν, ἀλλὰ τάχιστα θανὼν φθιμένοισι μετείην.to go on living, but rather to die at once and be among the dead.
ἀλλʼ ἴομεν, μὴ φθέωσι περαιωθέντες ἐκεῖνοι.But let us go, lest they get across the water before us."
ὣς φάτο δάκρυ χέων, οἶκτος δʼ ἕλε πάντας
Ἀχαιούς.So he spoke, shedding tears, and pity seized all the Achaeans.
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφʼ ἦλθε Μέδων καὶ θεῖος ἀοιδὸςBut Medon came near to them, and the divine singer,
440ἐκ μεγάρων Ὀδυσῆος, ἐπεί σφεας ὕπνος ἀνῆκεν,out of the halls of Odysseus, when sleep had released them,
ἔσταν δʼ ἐν μέσσοισι· τάφος δʼ ἕλεν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον.They stood in the midst, and stupor seized each man.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Μέδων πεπνυμένα εἰδώς·And among them spoke Medon, versed in prudence:
κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι· οὐ γὰρ
Ὀδυσσεὺς"Hear me now, men of Ithaca: for not against
ἀθανάτων ἀέκητι θεῶν τάδʼ ἐμήσατο ἔργα·the will of the immortal gods did Odysseus contrive these deeds.
445αὐτὸς ἐγὼν εἶδον θεὸν ἄμβροτον, ὅς ῥʼ ὈδυσῆϊI myself saw a deathless god, who beside Odysseus
ἐγγύθεν ἑστήκει καὶ Μέντορι πάντα ἐῴκει.stood close and in all things resembled Mentor.
ἀθάνατος δὲ θεὸς τοτὲ μὲν προπάροιθʼ ὈδυσῆοςAnd the immortal god now before Odysseus
φαίνετο θαρσύνων, τοτὲ δὲ μνηστῆρας ὀρίνωνappeared, giving him courage, now, driving the suitors in terror,
θῦνε κατὰ μέγαρον· τοὶ δʼ ἀγχιστῖνοι ἔπιπτον.rushed through the hall, and they fell in heaps one on another."
450ὣς φάτο, τοὺς δʼ ἄρα πάντας ὑπὸ χλωρὸν δέος
ᾕρει.So he spoke, and pale fear seized them all.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως ἉλιθέρσηςAnd among them spoke the old hero Halitherses,
Μαστορίδης· ὁ γὰρ οἶος ὅρα πρόσσω καὶ ὀπίσσω·son of Mastor; for he alone saw before and behind.
ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·With good will toward them he addressed the gathering and spoke:
κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν
εἴπω·"Hear me now, men of Ithaca, whatever I may say:
455ὑμετέρῃ κακότητι, φίλοι, τάδε ἔργα γένοντο·by your own cowardice, friends, these deeds came to pass;
οὐ γὰρ ἐμοὶ πείθεσθʼ, οὐ Μέντορι ποιμένι λαῶν,for you would not obey me, nor Mentor, shepherd of the people,
ὑμετέρους παῖδας καταπαυέμεν ἀφροσυνάων,to make your sons cease from their folly,
οἳ μέγα ἔργον ἔρεξαν ἀτασθαλίῃσι κακῇσι,who did a great wrong through their wicked recklessness,
κτήματα κείροντες καὶ ἀτιμάζοντες ἄκοιτινwasting the goods and dishonoring the wife
460ἀνδρὸς ἀριστῆος· τὸν δʼ οὐκέτι φάντο νέεσθαι.of a man among the best; they thought he would return no more.
καὶ νῦν ὧδε γένοιτο. πίθεσθέ μοι ὡς ἀγορεύω·And now let it be thus. Obey me, as I declare:
μὴ ἴομεν, μή πού τις ἐπίσπαστον κακὸν εὕρῃ.let us not go out, lest someone bring on himself a self-sought evil."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρʼ ἀνήϊξαν μεγάλῳ ἀλαλητῷSo he spoke, and they leapt up with a great outcry,
ἡμίσεων πλείους· τοὶ δʼ ἀθρόοι αὐτόθι μίμνον·more than half of them; but the rest stayed there together,
465οὐ γὰρ σφιν ἅδε μῦθος ἐνὶ φρεσίν, ἀλλʼ Εὐπείθειfor this speech did not please their hearts, but to Eupeithes
πείθοντʼ· αἶψα δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ τεύχεα ἐσσεύοντο.they gave heed; and at once then they rushed for their armor.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἕσσαντο περὶ χροῒ νώροπα χαλκόν,But when they had clothed their bodies in gleaming bronze,
ἀθρόοι ἠγερέθοντο πρὸ ἄστεος εὐρυχόροιο.they gathered together in a throng before the wide-spaced city.
τοῖσιν δʼ Εὐπείθης ἡγήσατο νηπιέῃσι·And Eupeithes led them in his folly;
470φῆ δʼ ὅ γε τίσεσθαι παιδὸς φόνον, οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλενhe thought to avenge his son's murder, yet he was not
ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, ἀλλʼ αὐτοῦ πότμον ἐφέψειν.to come back again, but there to meet his doom.
αὐτὰρ Ἀθηναίη Ζῆνα Κρονίωνα προσηύδα·But Athena spoke to Zeus, son of Cronos:
ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε, Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,"Our father, son of Cronos, highest of the rulers,
εἰπέ μοι εἰρομένῃ, τί νύ τοι νόος ἔνδοθι κεύθει;tell me, since I ask, what does your mind conceal within?
475ἢ προτέρω πόλεμόν τε κακὸν καὶ φύλοπιν αἰνὴνWill you further bring about evil war and the dread din of battle,
τεύξεις, ἦ φιλότητα μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισι τίθησθα;or will you set friendship between the two sides?"
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered her and said:
τέκνον ἐμόν, τί με ταῦτα διείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς;"My child, why do you question me and inquire of these things?
οὐ γὰρ δὴ τοῦτον μὲν ἐβούλευσας νόον αὐτή,Did you not yourself devise this plan,
480ὡς ἦ τοι κείνους Ὀδυσεὺς ἀποτίσεται ἐλθών;that Odysseus indeed should come and take vengeance on those men?
ἔρξον ὅπως ἐθέλεις· ἐρέω τέ τοι ὡς ἐπέοικεν.Do as you wish; but I will tell you what is fitting.
ἐπεὶ δὴ μνηστῆρας ἐτίσατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,Since godlike Odysseus has taken vengeance on the suitors,
ὅρκια πιστὰ ταμόντες ὁ μὲν βασιλευέτω αἰεί,let them swear a solemn oath, and let him be king forever,
ἡμεῖς δʼ αὖ παίδων τε κασιγνήτων τε φόνοιοand let us make them forget the slaying
485ἔκλησιν θέωμεν· τοὶ δʼ ἀλλήλους φιλεόντωνof their sons and brothers; let them love one another
ὡς τὸ πάρος, πλοῦτος δὲ καὶ εἰρήνη ἅλις ἔστω.as before, and let wealth and peace abound among them."
ὣς εἰπὼν ὤτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην,So he spoke, and urged on Athena, already eager,
βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀΐξασα.and she went darting down from the peaks of Olympus.
οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν σίτοιο μελίφρονος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,Now when they had put away desire for the honeyed food,
490τοῖς δʼ ἄρα μύθων ἦρχε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·then much-enduring godlike Odysseus began to speak among them:
ἐξελθών τις ἴδοι μὴ δὴ σχεδὸν ὦσι κιόντες."Let someone go out and see they are not now coming near."
ὣς ἔφατʼ· ἐκ δʼ υἱὸς Δολίου κίεν, ὡς ἐκέλευεν·So he spoke, and a son of Dolius went out at his bidding;
στῆ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰών, τοὺς δὲ σχεδὸν ἔσιδε πάντας·he stood on the threshold as he went, and saw them all close by,
αἶψα δʼ Ὀδυσσῆα ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·and at once he spoke winged words to Odysseus:
495οἵδε δὴ ἐγγὺς ἔασʼ· ἀλλʼ ὁπλιζώμεθα θᾶσσον."These men are near now; let us arm ourselves quickly."
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ὤρνυντο καὶ ἐν τεύχεσσι δύοντο,So he spoke, and they rose and clothed themselves in armor,
τέσσαρες ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆʼ, ἓξ δʼ υἱεῖς οἱ Δολίοιο·four around Odysseus, and the six sons of Dolius,
ἐν δʼ ἄρα Λαέρτης Δολίος τʼ ἐς τεύχεʼ ἔδυνον,and among them Laertes and Dolius put on armor,
καὶ πολιοί περ ἐόντες, ἀναγκαῖοι πολεμισταί.gray-haired though they were, warriors of necessity.
500αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἕσσαντο περὶ χροῒ νώροπα χαλκόν,But when they had clothed their flesh in gleaming bronze,
ὤϊξάν ῥα θύρας, ἐκ δʼ ἤϊον, ἄρχε δʼ Ὀδυσσεύς.they opened the doors and went out, and Odysseus led.
τοῖσι δʼ ἐπʼ ἀγχίμολον θυγάτηρ Διὸς ἦλθεν ἈθήνηAnd near to them came Athena, daughter of Zeus,
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν.likened to Mentor in both form and voice.
τὴν μὲν ἰδὼν γήθησε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Seeing her, much-enduring godlike Odysseus rejoiced,
505αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον προσεφώνεεν ὃν φίλον υἱόν·and at once he spoke to Telemachus, his dear son:
Τηλέμαχʼ, ἤδη μὲν τόδε γʼ εἴσεαι αὐτὸς
ἐπελθών,"Telemachus, now you yourself will learn this, coming forward
ἀνδρῶν μαρναμένων ἵνα τε κρίνονται ἄριστοι,where men fight and the best are singled out,
μή τι καταισχύνειν πατέρων γένος, οἳ τὸ πάρος περnot to shame the race of your fathers, who long ago
ἀλκῇ τʼ ἠνορέῃ τε κεκάσμεθα πᾶσαν ἐπʼ αἶαν.in strength and manhood have been foremost over all the earth."
510τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·Then thoughtful Telemachus answered him in turn:
ὄψεαι, αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα, πάτερ φίλε, τῷδʼ ἐπὶ θυμῷ"You will see, dear father, if you wish, that in this spirit
οὔ τι καταισχύνοντα τεὸν γένος, ὡς ἀγορεύεις.I shall in no way shame your race, as you say."
ὣς φάτο, Λαέρτης δʼ ἐχάρη καὶ μῦθον ἔειπε·So he spoke, and Laertes rejoiced and said his word:
τίς νύ μοι ἡμέρη ἥδε, θεοὶ φίλοι; ἦ μάλα χαίρω·"What day is this for me, dear gods? Truly I rejoice:
515υἱός θʼ υἱωνός τʼ ἀρετῆς πέρι δῆριν ἔχουσιν.my son and my grandson are contending over valor."
τὸν δὲ παρισταμένη προσέφη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then grey-eyed Athena stood beside him and said:
ὦ Ἀρκεισιάδη, πάντων πολὺ φίλταθʼ ἑταίρων,"Son of Arceisius, far dearest of all my companions,
εὐξάμενος κούρῃ γλαυκώπιδι καὶ Διὶ πατρί,pray to the grey-eyed maiden and to father Zeus,
αἶψα μαλʼ ἀμπεπαλὼν προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος.then straightway lift and hurl your long-shadowed spear."
520ὣς φάτο, καί ῥʼ ἔμπνευσε μένος μέγα Παλλὰς
ἈθήνηSo spoke Pallas Athena, and breathed great strength into him.
εὐξάμενος δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα Διὸς κούρῃ μεγάλοιο,Then, when he had prayed to the daughter of great Zeus,
αἶψα μάλʼ ἀμπεπαλὼν προΐει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,straightway he swung and hurled his long-shadowed spear,
καὶ βάλεν Εὐπείθεα κόρυθος διὰ χαλκοπαρῄου.and struck Eupeithes through the bronze-cheeked helmet.
ἡ δʼ οὐκ ἔγχος ἔρυτο, διαπρὸ δὲ εἴσατο χαλκός,It did not hold the spear; the bronze drove clean through,
525δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχεʼ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ.and he fell with a thud, and his armor clattered upon him.
ἐν δʼ ἔπεσον προμάχοις Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ φαίδιμος υἱός,Then Odysseus and his glorious son fell on the front ranks,
τύπτον δὲ ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισι.and struck with swords and with double-edged spears.
καί νύ κε δὴ πάντας ὄλεσαν καὶ ἔθηκαν ἀνόστους,And now they would have killed them all and left none to return,
εἰ μὴ Ἀθηναίη, κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο,had not Athena, daughter of Zeus who bears the aegis,
530ἤϋσεν φωνῇ, κατὰ ἔσχεθε λαὸν ἅπαντα.cried out with her voice and held back the whole host:
ἴσχεσθε πτολέμου, Ἰθακήσιοι, ἀργαλέοιο,"Hold back, men of Ithaca, from grievous war,
ὥς κεν ἀναιμωτί γε διακρινθῆτε τάχιστα.so that without bloodshed you may part at once."
ὣς φάτʼ Ἀθηναίη, τοὺς δὲ χλωρὸν δέος εἷλεν·So spoke Athena, and pale fear seized them,
τῶν δʼ ἄρα δεισάντων ἐκ χειρῶν ἔπτατο τεύχεα,and in their terror the weapons flew from their hands,
535πάντα δʼ ἐπὶ χθονὶ πῖπτε, θεᾶς ὄπα φωνησάσης·and all fell to the ground at the voice of the goddess crying out;
πρὸς δὲ πόλιν τρωπῶντο λιλαιόμενοι βιότοιο.and they turned toward the city, longing for their lives.
σμερδαλέον δʼ ἐβόησε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,Then terribly cried much-enduring godlike Odysseus,
οἴμησεν δὲ ἀλεὶς ὥς τʼ αἰετὸς ὑψιπετήεις.and gathering himself he swooped like a high-flying eagle.
καὶ τότε δὴ Κρονίδης ἀφίει ψολόεντα κεραυνόν,And then the son of Cronos let fly a smoking thunderbolt,
540κὰδ δʼ ἔπεσε πρόσθε γλαυκώπιδος ὀβριμοπάτρης.and it fell before the grey-eyed daughter of a mighty father.
δὴ τότʼ Ὀδυσσῆα προσέφη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·Then grey-eyed Athena spoke to Odysseus:
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,"Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, resourceful Odysseus,
ἴσχεο, παῦε δὲ νεῖκος ὁμοιΐου πολέμοιο,hold back, and cease the strife of leveling war,
μή πως τοι Κρονίδης κεχολώσεται εὐρύοπα Ζεύς.lest far-seeing Zeus, son of Cronos, be angered with you."
545ὣς φάτʼ Ἀθηναίη, ὁ δʼ ἐπείθετο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ.So spoke Athena, and he obeyed, and rejoiced in his heart.
ὅρκια δʼ αὖ κατόπισθε μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔθηκενAnd oaths thereafter between the two sides she established,
Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη, κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο,Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus who bears the aegis,
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν.likened to Mentor both in form and in voice.