Ἑρμῆς δὲ ψυχὰς Κυλλήνιος ἐξεκαλεῖτο
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων: ἔχε δὲ ῥάβδον μετὰ χερσὶν
καλὴν χρυσείην, τῇ τ’ ἀνδρῶν ὄμματα θέλγει
ὧν ἐθέλει, τοὺς δ’ αὖτε καὶ ὑπνώοντας ἐγείρει:
[1] Meanwhile Cyllenian Hermes called forth the spirits of the wooers. He held in his hands his wand, a fair wand of gold, wherewith he lulls to sleep the eyes of whom he will, while others again he wakens even out of slumber;
τῇ ῥ’ ἄγε κινήσας, ταὶ δὲ τρίζουσαι ἕποντο. 5
ὡς δ’ ὅτε νυκτερίδες μυχῷ ἄντρου θεσπεσίοιο
τρίζουσαι ποτέονται, ἐπεί κέ τις ἀποπέσῃσιν
ὁρμαθοῦ ἐκ πέτρης, ἀνά τ’ ἀλλήλῃσιν ἔχονται,
ὣς αἱ τετριγυῖαι ἅμ’ ἤι¨σαν: ἦρχε δ’ ἄρα σφιν
[5] with this he roused and led the spirits, and they followed gibbering. And as in the innermost recess of a wondrous cave bats flit about gibbering, when one has fallen from off the rock from the chain in which they cling to one another, so these went with him gibbering, and
Ἑρμείας ἀκάκητα κατ’ εὐρώεντα κέλευθα. 10
πὰρ δ’ ἴσαν Ὠκεανοῦ τε ῥοὰς καὶ Λευκάδα πέτρην,
ἠδὲ παρ’ Ἠελίοιο πύλας καὶ δῆμον ὀνείρων
ἤι¨σαν: αἶψα δ’ ἵκοντο κατ’ ἀσφοδελὸν λειμῶνα,
ἔνθα τε ναίουσι ψυχαί, εἴδωλα καμόντων.
[10] Hermes, the Helper, led them down the dank ways. Past the streams of Oceanus they went, past the rock Leucas, past the gates of the sun and the land of dreams, and quickly came to the mead of asphodel, where the spirits dwell, phantoms of men who have done with toils.
εὗρον δὲ ψυχὴν Πηληι¨άδεω Ἀχιλῆος 15
καὶ Πατροκλῆος καὶ ἀμύμονος Ἀντιλόχοιο
Αἴαντός θ’, ὃς ἄριστος ἔην εἶδός τε δέμας τε
τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετ’ ἀμύμονα Πηλεί¨δαο
ὣς οἱ μὲν περὶ κεῖνον ὁμίλεον: ἀγχίμολον δὲ
[15] Here they found the spirit of Achilles, son of Peleus, and those of Patroclus, of peerless Antilochus, and of Aias, who in comeliness and form was the goodliest of all the Danaans after the peerless son of Peleus. So these were thronging about Achilles, and near to them
ἤλυθ’ ἔπι ψυχὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεί¨δαο 20
ἀχνυμένη: περὶ δ’ ἄλλαι ἀγηγέραθ’, ὅσσαι ἅμ’ αὐτῷ
οἴκῳ ἐν Αἰγίσθοιο θάνον καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον.
τὸν προτέρη ψυχὴ προσεφώνεε Πηλεί¨ωνος:
“Ἀτρεί¨δη, περὶ μέν σ’ ἔφαμεν Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ
[20] drew the spirit of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, sorrowing; and round about him others were gathered, the spirits of all those who were slain with him in the house of Aegisthus, and met their fate. And the spirit of the son of Peleus was first to address him, saying: “Son of Atreus, we deemed that thou
ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων φίλον ἔμμεναι ἤματα πάντα, 25
οὕνεκα πολλοῖσίν τε καὶ ἰφθίμοισιν ἄνασσες
δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅθι πάσχομεν ἄλγε’ Ἀχαιοί.
ἦ τ’ ἄρα καὶ σοὶ πρῶι¨ παραστήσεσθαι ἔμελλεν
μοῖρ’ ὀλοή, τὴν οὔ τις ἀλεύεται ὅς κε γένηται.
[25] above all other heroes wast all thy days dear to Zeus, who hurls the thunderbolt, because thou wast lord over many mighty men in the land of the Trojans, where we Achaeans suffered woes. But verily on thee too was deadly doom to come all too early, the doom that not one avoids of those who are born.
ὡς ὄφελες τιμῆς ἀπονήμενος, ἧς περ ἄνασσες, 30
δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων θάνατον καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν:
τῷ κέν τοι τύμβον μὲν ἐποίησαν Παναχαιοί,
ἠδέ κε καὶ σῷ παιδὶ μέγα κλέος ἤρα’ ὀπίσσω:
νῦν δ’ ἄρα σ’ οἰκτίστῳ θανάτῳ εἵμαρτο ἁλῶναι.”
[30] Ah, would that in the pride of that honor of which thou wast master thou hadst met death and fate in the land of the Trojans. Then would the whole host of the Achaeans have made thee a tomb, and for thy son too wouldst thou have won great glory in days to come; but now, as it seems, it has been decreed that thou shouldst be cut off by a most piteous death.”
τὸν δ’ αὖτε ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀτρείδαο: 35
“ὄλβιε Πηλέος υἱέ, θεοῖς ἐπιείκελ’ Ἀχιλλεῦ,
ὃς θάνες ἐν Τροίῃ ἑκὰς Ἄργεος: ἀμφὶ δέ σ’ ἄλλοι
κτείνοντο Τρώων καὶ Ἀχαιῶν υἷες ἄριστοι,
μαρνάμενοι περὶ σεῖο: σὺ δ’ ἐν στροφάλιγγι κονίης
[35] Then the spirit of the son of Atreus answered him: “Fortunate son of Peleus, godlike Achilles, that wast slain in the land of Troy far from Argos, and about thee others fell, the best of the sons of the Trojans and Achaeans, fighting for thy body; and thou in the whirl of dust
κεῖσο μέγας μεγαλωστί, λελασμένος ἱπποσυνάων. 40
ἡμεῖς δὲ πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐμαρνάμεθ’: οὐδέ κε πάμπαν
παυσάμεθα πτολέμου, εἰ μὴ Ζεὺς λαίλαπι παῦσεν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί σ’ ἐπὶ νῆας ἐνείκαμεν ἐκ πολέμοιο,
κάτθεμεν ἐν λεχέεσσι, καθήραντες χρόα καλὸν
[40] didst lie mighty in thy mightiness, forgetful of thy horsemanship. We on our part strove the whole day long, nor should we ever have stayed from the fight, had not Zeus stayed us with a storm. But after we had borne thee to the ships from out the fight, we laid thee on a bier, and cleansed thy fair flesh
ὕδατί τε λιαρῷ καὶ ἀλείφατι: πολλὰ δέ σ’ ἀμφὶ 45
δάκρυα θερμὰ χέον Δαναοὶ κείροντό τε χαίτας.
μήτηρ δ’ ἐξ ἁλὸς ἦλθε σὺν ἀθανάτῃς ἁλίῃσιν
ἀγγελίης ἀί¨ουσα: βοὴ δ’ ἐπὶ πόντον ὀρώρει
θεσπεσίη, ὑπὸ δὲ τρόμος ἔλλαβε πάντας Ἀχαιούς:
[45] with warm water and with ointment, and many hot tears did the Danaans shed around thee, and they shore their hair. And thy mother came forth from the sea with the immortal sea-nymphs, when she heard the tidings, and a wondrous cry arose over the deep, and thereat trembling laid hold of all the Achaeans.
καί νύ κ’ ἀναί¨ξαντες ἔβαν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας, 50
εἰ μὴ ἀνὴρ κατέρυκε παλαιά τε πολλά τε εἰδώς,
Νέστωρ, οὗ καὶ πρόσθεν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλή:
ὅ σφιν ἐυ¨φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν:
“ἴσχεσθ’, Ἀργεῖοι, μὴ φεύγετε, κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν:
[50] Then would they all have sprung up and rushed to the hollow ships, had not a man, wise in the wisdom of old, stayed them, even Nestor, whose counsel had before appeared the best. He with good intent addressed their assembly, and said: “‘Hold, ye Argives; flee not, Achaean youths.
μήτηρ ἐξ ἁλὸς ἥδε σὺν ἀθανάτῃς ἁλίῃσιν 55
ἔρχεται, οὗ παιδὸς τεθνηότος ἀντιόωσα.”
“ὣς ἔφαθ’, οἱ δ’ ἔσχοντο φόβου μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοί:
ἀμφὶ δέ σ’ ἔστησαν κοῦραι ἁλίοιο γέροντος
οἴκτρ’ ὀλοφυρόμεναι, περὶ δ’ ἄμβροτα εἵματα ἕσσαν.
[55] ’Tis his mother who comes here forth from the sea with the immortal sea-nymphs to look upon the face of her dead son.’ “So he spoke, and the great-hearted Achaeans ceased from their flight. Then around thee stood the daughters of the old man of the sea wailing piteously, and they clothed thee about with immortal raiment.
Μοῦσαι δ’ ἐννέα πᾶσαι ἀμειβόμεναι ὀπὶ καλῇ 60
θρήνεον: ἔνθα κεν οὔ τιν’ ἀδάκρυτόν γ’ ἐνόησας
Ἀργείων: τοῖον γὰρ ὑπώρορε Μοῦσα λίγεια.
ἑπτὰ δὲ καὶ δέκα μέν σε ὁμῶς νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ
κλαίομεν ἀθάνατοί τε θεοὶ θνητοί τ’ ἄνθρωποι:
[60] And the Muses, nine in all, replying to one another with sweet voices, led the dirge. There couldst thou not have seen an Argive but was in tears, so deeply did the clear-toned Muse move their hearts. Thus for seventeen days alike by night and day did we bewail thee, immortal gods and mortal men,
ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῃ δ’ ἔδομεν πυρί, πολλὰ δέ σ’ ἀμφὶ 65
μῆλα κατεκτάνομεν μάλα πίονα καὶ ἕλικας βοῦς.
καίεο δ’ ἔν τ’ ἐσθῆτι θεῶν καὶ ἀλείφατι πολλῷ
καὶ μέλιτι γλυκερῷ: πολλοὶ δ’ ἥρωες Ἀχαιοὶ
τεύχεσιν ἐρρώσαντο πυρὴν πέρι καιομένοιο,
[65] and on the eighteenth we gave thee to the fire, and many well-fatted sheep we slew around thee and sleek kine. So thou wast burned in the raiment of the gods and in abundance of unguents and sweet honey; and many Achaean warriors moved in their armour about the pyre, when thou wast burning,
πεζοί θ’ ἱππῆές τε: πολὺς δ’ ὀρυμαγδὸς ὀρώρει 70
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δή σε φλὸξ ἤνυσεν Ἡφαίστοιο,
ἠῶθεν δή τοι λέγομεν λεύκ’ ὀστέ’, Ἀχιλλεῦ,
οἴνῳ ἐν ἀκρήτῳ καὶ ἀλείφατι: δῶκε δὲ μήτηρ
χρύσεον ἀμφιφορῆα: Διωνύσοιο δὲ δῶρον
[70] both footmen and charioteers, and a great din arose. But when the flame of Hephaestus had made an end of thee, in the morning we gathered thy white bones, Achilles, and laid them in unmixed wine and unguents. Thy mother had given a two-handled, golden urn, and
φάσκ’ ἔμεναι, ἔργον δὲ περικλυτοῦ Ἡφαίστοιο. 75
ἐν τῷ τοι κεῖται λεύκ’ ὀστέα, φαίδιμ’ Ἀχιλλεῦ,
μίγδα δὲ Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο θανόντος,
χωρὶς δ’ Ἀντιλόχοιο, τὸν ἔξοχα τῖες ἁπάντων
τῶν ἄλλων ἑτάρων, μετὰ Πάτροκλόν γε θανόντα.
[75] said that it was the gift of Dionysus, and the handiwork of famed Hephaestus. In this lie thy white bones, glorious Achilles, and mingled with them the bones of the dead Patroclus, son of Menoetius, but apart lie those of Antilochus, whom thou didst honor above all the rest of thy comrades after the dead Patroclus.
ἀμφ’ αὐτοῖσι δ’ ἔπειτα μέγαν καὶ ἀμύμονα τύμβον 80
χεύαμεν Ἀργείων ἱερὸς στρατὸς αἰχμητάων
ἀκτῇ ἔπι προὐχούσῃ, ἐπὶ πλατεῖ Ἑλλησπόντῳ,
ὥς κεν τηλεφανὴς ἐκ ποντόφιν ἀνδράσιν εἴη
τοῖς οἳ νῦν γεγάασι καὶ οἳ μετόπισθεν ἔσονται.
[80] And over them we heaped up a great and goodly tomb, we the mighty host of Argive spearmen, on a projecting headland by the broad Hellespont, that it might be seen from far over the sea both by men that now are and that shall be born hereafter.
μήτηρ δ’ αἰτήσασα θεοὺς περικαλλέ’ ἄεθλα 85
θῆκε μέσῳ ἐν ἀγῶνι ἀριστήεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.
ἤδη μὲν πολέων τάφῳ ἀνδρῶν ἀντεβόλησας
ἡρώων, ὅτε κέν ποτ’ ἀποφθιμένου βασιλῆος
ζώννυνταί τε νέοι καὶ ἐπεντύνονται ἄεθλα:
[85] But thy mother asked of the gods beautiful prizes, and set them in the midst of the list for the chiefs of the Achaeans. Ere now hast thou been present at the funeral games of many men that were warriors, when at the death of a king the young men gird themselves and make ready the contests,
ἀλλά κε κεῖνα μάλιστα ἰδὼν θηήσαο θυμῷ, 90
οἷ’ ἐπὶ σοὶ κατέθηκε θεὰ περικαλλέ’ ἄεθλα,
ἀργυρόπεζα Θέτις: μάλα γὰρ φίλος ἦσθα θεοῖσιν.
ὣς σὺ μὲν οὐδὲ θανὼν ὄνομ’ ὤλεσας, ἀλλά τοι αἰεὶ
πάντας ἐπ’ ἀνθρώπους κλέος ἔσσεται ἐσθλόν, Ἀχιλλεῦ,
[90] but hadst thou seen that sight thou wouldst most have marvelled at heart, such beautiful prizes did the goddess, silver-footed Thetis, set there in thy honor; for very dear wast thou to the gods. Thus not even in death didst thou lose thy name, but ever shalt thou have fair renown among all men, Achilles.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ τί τόδ’ ἦδος, ἐπεὶ πόλεμον τολύπευσα; 95
ἐν νόστῳ γάρ μοι Ζεὺς μήσατο λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον
Αἰγίσθου ὑπὸ χερσὶ καὶ οὐλομένης ἀλόχοιο.”
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφ’ ἦλθε διάκτορος ἀργει¨φόντης,
[95] But, as for me, what pleasure have I now in this, that I wound up the skein of war? For on my return Zeus devised for me a woeful doom at the hands of Aegisthus and my accursed wife.” Thus they spoke to one another, but the messenger, Argeiphontes, drew near,
ψυχὰς μνηστήρων κατάγων Ὀδυσῆι¨ δαμέντων, 100
τὼ δ’ ἄρα θαμβήσαντ’ ἰθὺς κίον, ὡς ἐσιδέσθην.
ἔγνω δὲ ψυχὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεί¨δαο
παῖδα φίλον Μελανῆος, ἀγακλυτὸν Ἀμφιμέδοντα:
ξεῖνος γάρ οἱ ἔην Ἰθάκῃ ἔνι οἰκία ναίων.
[100] leading down the spirits of the wooers slain by Odysseus; and the two, seized with wonder, went straight toward them when they beheld them. And the spirit of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, recognized the dear son of Melaneus, glorious Amphimedon, who had been his host, dwelling in Ithaca.
τὸν προτέρη ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀτρεί¨δαο: 105
“Ἀμφίμεδον, τί παθόντες ἐρεμνὴν γαῖαν ἔδυτε
πάντες κεκριμένοι καὶ ὁμήλικες; οὐδέ κεν ἄλλως
κρινάμενος λέξαιτο κατὰ πτόλιν ἄνδρας ἀρίστους.
ἦ ὔμμ’ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν,
[105] Then the spirit of the son of Atreus spoke first to him and said “Amphimedon, what has befallen you that ye have come down beneath the dark earth, all of you picked men and of like age? One would make no other choice, were one to pick the best men in a city. Did Poseidon smite you on board your ships,
ὄρσας ἀργαλέους ἀνέμους καὶ κύματα μακρά; 110
ἦ που ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντ’ ἐπὶ χέρσου
βοῦς περιταμνομένους ἠδ’ οἰῶν πώεα καλά,
ἠὲ περὶ πτόλιος μαχεούμενοι ἠδὲ γυναικῶν;
εἰπέ μοι εἰρομένῳ: ξεῖνος δέ τοι εὔχομαι εἶναι.
[110] when he had roused cruel winds and long waves? Or did foemen work you harm on the land, while you were cutting off their cattle and fair flocks of sheep, or while they fought in defence of their city and their women? Tell me what I ask; for I declare that I am a friend of thy house.
ἦ οὐ μέμνῃ ὅτε κεῖσε κατήλυθον ὑμέτερον δῶ, 115
ὀτρυνέων Ὀδυσῆα σὺν ἀντιθέῳ Μενελάῳ
Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμ’ ἕπεσθαι ἐυ¨σσέλμων ἐπὶ νηῶν;
μηνὶ δ’ ἄρ’ οὔλῳ πάντα περήσαμεν εὐρέα πόντον,
σπουδῇ παρπεπιθόντες Ὀδυσσῆα πτολίπορθον.”
[115] Dost thou not remember when I came thither to your house with godlike Menelaus to urge Odysseus to go with us to Ilios on the benched ships? A full month it took us to cross all the wide sea, for hardly could we win to our will Odysseus, the sacker of cities.”
τὸν δ’ αὖτε ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀμφιμέδοντος: 120
“Ἀτρεί¨δη κύδιστε, ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον,
μέμνημαι τάδε πάντα, διοτρεφές, ὡς ἀγορεύεις:
σοὶ δ’ ἐγὼ εὖ μάλα πάντα καὶ ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω,
ἡμετέρου θανάτοιο κακὸν τέλος, οἷον ἐτύχθη.
[120] Then the spirit of Amphimedon answered him, and said: “Most glorious son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, I remember all these things, O thou fostered of Zeus, even as thou dost tell them; and on my part I will frankly tell thee all the truth, how for us an evil end of death was wrought.
μνώμεθ’ Ὀδυσσῆος δὴν οἰχομένοιο δάμαρτα: 125
ἡ δ’ οὔτ’ ἠρνεῖτο στυγερὸν γάμον οὔτ’ ἐτελεύτα,
ἡμῖν φραζομένη θάνατον καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν,
ἀλλὰ δόλον τόνδ’ ἄλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμήριξε:
στησαμένη μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ὕφαινε,
[125] We wooed the wife of Odysseus, that had long been gone, and she neither refused the hateful marriage, nor would she ever make an end, devising for us death and black fate. Nay, she contrived in her heart this guileful thing also: she set up in her halls a great web, and fell to weaving —
λεπτὸν καὶ περίμετρον: ἄφαρ δ’ ἡμῖν μετέειπε: 130
“‘κοῦροι ἐμοὶ μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ θάνε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
μίμνετ’ ἐπειγόμενοι τὸν ἐμὸν γάμον, εἰς ὅ κε φᾶρος
ἐκτελέσω, μή μοι μεταμώνια νήματ’ ὄληται,
Λαέρτῃ ἥρωι¨ ταφήι¨ον, εἰς ὅτε κέν μιν
[130] fine of thread was the web and very wide; and straightway she spoke among us: “‘Young men, my wooers, since goodly Odysseus is dead, be patient, though eager for my marriage, until I finish this robe — I would not that my spinning should come to naught — a shroud for the lord Laertes against the time when
μοῖρ’ ὀλοὴ καθέλῃσι τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο, 135
μή τίς μοι κατὰ δῆμον Ἀχαιι¨άδων νεμεσήσῃ,
αἴ κεν ἄτερ σπείρου κεῖται πολλὰ κτεατίσσας.’
“ὣς ἔφαθ’, ἡμῖν δ’ αὖτ’ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ.
ἔνθα καὶ ἠματίη μὲν ὑφαίνεσκεν μέγαν ἱστόν,
[135] the fell fate of grievous death shall strike him down; lest any of the Achaean women in the land should be wroth at me, if he were to lie without a shroud, who had won great possessions.’ “So she spoke, and our proud hearts consented. Then day by day she would weave at the great web,
νύκτας δ’ ἀλλύεσκεν, ἐπεὶ δαί¨δας παραθεῖτο. 140
ὣς τρίετες μὲν ἔληθε δόλῳ καὶ ἔπειθεν Ἀχαιούς:
ἀλλ’ ὅτε τέτρατον ἦλθεν ἔτος καὶ ἐπήλυθον ὧραι,
μηνῶν φθινόντων, περὶ δ’ ἤματα πόλλ’ ἐτελέσθη,
καὶ τότε δή τις ἔειπε γυναικῶν, ἣ σάφα ᾔδη,
[140] but by night would unravel it, when she had let place torches by her. Thus for three years she by her craft kept the Achaeans from knowing, and beguiled them; but when the fourth year came, as the seasons rolled on, as the months waned and many days were brought in their course, even then one of her women who knew all, told us,
καὶ τήν γ’ ἀλλύουσαν ἐφεύρομεν ἀγλαὸν ἱστόν. 145
ὣς τὸ μὲν ἐξετέλεσσε καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλουσ’, ὑπ’ ἀνάγκης.
“εὖθ’ ἡ φᾶρος ἔδειξεν, ὑφήνασα μέγαν ἱστόν,
πλύνασ’, ἠελίῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠὲ σελήνῃ,
καὶ τότε δή ῥ’ Ὀδυσῆα κακός ποθεν ἤγαγε δαίμων
[145] and we caught her unravelling the splendid web. So she finished it against her will perforce. “Now when she had shewn us the robe, after weaving the great web and washing it, and it shone like the sun or the moon, then it was that some cruel god brought Odysseus from somewhere
ἀγροῦ ἐπ’ ἐσχατιήν, ὅθι δώματα ναῖε συβώτης. 150
ἔνθ’ ἦλθεν φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,
ἐκ Πύλου ἠμαθόεντος ἰὼν σὺν νηὶ¨ μελαίνῃ:
τὼ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν θάνατον κακὸν ἀρτύναντε
ἵκοντο προτὶ ἄστυ περικλυτόν, ἦ τοι Ὀδυσσεὺς
[150] to the border of the land, where the swineherd dwelt. Thither too came the dear son of divine Odysseus on his return from sandy Pylos in his black ship, and these two, when they had planned an evil death for the wooers, came to the famous city, Odysseus verily
ὕστερος, αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος πρόσθ’ ἡγεμόνευε. 155
τὸν δὲ συβώτης ἦγε κακὰ χροὶ¨ εἵματ’ ἔχοντα,
πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠδὲ γέροντι
σκηπτόμενον: τὰ δὲ λυγρὰ περὶ χροὶ¨ εἵματα ἕστο:
οὐδέ τις ἡμείων δύνατο γνῶναι τὸν ἐόντα
[155] later, but Telemachus led the way before him. Now the swineherd brought his master, clad in mean raiment, in the likeness of a woeful and aged beggar, leaning on a staff, and miserable was the raiment that he wore about his body; and not one of us could know that it was he,
ἐξαπίνης προφανέντ’, οὐδ’ οἳ προγενέστεροι ἦσαν, 160
ἀλλ’ ἔπεσίν τε κακοῖσιν ἐνίσσομεν ἠδὲ βολῇσιν.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τῆος ἐτόλμα ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἑοῖσι
βαλλόμενος καὶ ἐνισσόμενος τετληότι θυμῷ:
ἀλλ’ ὅτε δή μιν ἔγειρε Διὸς νοός αἰγιόχοιο,
[160] when he appeared so suddenly, no, not even those that were older men, but we assailed him with evil words and with missiles. Howbeit he with steadfast heart endured for a time to be pelted and taunted in his own halls; but when at last the will of Zeus, who bears the aegis, roused him,
σὺν μὲν Τηλεμάχῳ περικαλλέα τεύχε’ ἀείρας 165
ἐς θάλαμον κατέθηκε καὶ ἐκλήι¨σεν ὀχῆας,
αὐτὰρ ὁ ἣν ἄλοχον πολυκερδείῃσιν ἄνωγε
τόξον μνηστήρεσσι θέμεν πολιόν τε σίδηρον,
ἡμῖν αἰνομόροισιν ἀέθλια καὶ φόνου ἀρχήν.
[165] with the help of Telemachus he took all the beautiful arms and laid them away in the store-room and made fast the bolts. Then in his great cunning he bade his wife set before the wooers his bow and the grey iron to be a contest for us ill-fated men and the beginning of death.
οὐδέ τις ἡμείων δύνατο κρατεροῖο βιοῖο 170
νευρὴν ἐντανύσαι, πολλὸν δ’ ἐπιδευέες ἦμεν.
ἀλλ’ ὅτε χεῖρας ἵκανεν Ὀδυσσῆος μέγα τόξον,
ἔνθ’ ἡμεῖς μὲν πάντες ὁμοκλέομεν ἐπέεσσι
τόξον μὴ δόμεναι, μηδ’ εἰ μάλα πολλ’ ἀγορεύοι:
[170] And no man of us was able to stretch the string of the mighty bow; nay, we fell far short of that strength. But when the great bow came to the hands of Odysseus, then we all cried out aloud not to give him the bow, how much soever he might speak;
Τηλέμαχος δέ μιν οἶος ἐποτρύνων ἐκέλευσεν. 175
αὐτὰρ ὁ δέξατο χειρὶ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
ῥηι¨δίως δ’ ἐτάνυσσε βιόν, διὰ δ’ ἧκε σιδήρου,
στῆ δ’ ἄρ’ ἐπ’ οὐδὸν ἰών, ταχέας δ’ ἐκχεύατ’ ὀι¨στοὺς
δεινὸν παπταίνων, βάλε δ’ Ἀντίνοον βασιλῆα.
[175] but Telemachus alone urged him on, and bade him take it. Then he took the bow in his hand, the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus, and with ease did he string it and send an arrow through the iron. Then he went and stood on the threshold, and poured out the swift arrows, glaring about him terribly, and smote king Antinous.
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτ’ ἄλλοις ἐφίει βέλεα στονόεντα, 180
ἄντα τιτυσκόμενος: τοὶ δ’ ἀγχιστῖνοι ἔπιπτον.
γνωτὸν δ’ ἦν ὅ ῥά τίς σφι θεῶν ἐπιτάρροθος ἦεν:
αὐτίκα γὰρ κατὰ δώματ’ ἐπισπόμενοι μένει¨ σφῷ
κτεῖνον ἐπιστροφάδην, τῶν δὲ στόνος ὤρνυτ’ ἀεικὴς
[180] And thereafter upon the others he with sure aim let fly his shafts, fraught with groanings, and the men fell thick and fast. Then was it known that some god was their helper; for straightway rushing on through the halls in their fury they slew men left and right, and therefrom rose hideous groaning,
κράτων τυπτομένων, δάπεδον δ’ ἅπαν αἵματι θῦεν. 185
ὣς ἡμεῖς, Ἀγάμεμνον, ἀπωλόμεθ’, ὧν ἔτι καὶ νῦν
σώματ’ ἀκηδέα κεῖται ἐνὶ μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆος:
οὐ γάρ πω ἴσασι φίλοι κατὰ δώμαθ’ ἑκάστου,
οἵ κ’ ἀπονίψαντες μέλανα βρότον ἐξ ὠτειλέων
[185] as heads were smitten, and all the floor swam with blood. Thus we perished, Agamemnon, and even now our bodies still lie uncared-for in the halls of Odysseus; for our friends in each man’s home know naught as yet — our friends who might wash the black blood from our wounds
κατθέμενοι γοάοιεν: ὃ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ θανόντων.” 190
τὸν δ’ αὖτε ψυχὴ προσεφώνεεν Ἀτρεί¨δαο:
“ὄλβιε Λαέρταο πάι¨, πολυμήχαν’ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
ἦ ἄρα σὺν μεγάλῃ ἀρετῇ ἐκτήσω ἄκοιτιν.
ὡς ἀγαθαὶ φρένες ἦσαν ἀμύμονι Πηνελοπείῃ,
[190] and lay our bodies out with wailing; for that is the due of the dead.” Then the spirit of the son of Atreus answered him: “Happy son of Laertes, Odysseus of many devices, of a truth full of all excellence was the wife thou didst win, so good of understanding was peerless Penelope,
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίου: ὡς εὖ μέμνητ’ Ὀδυσῆος, 195
ἀνδρὸς κουριδίου: τῷ οἱ κλέος οὔ ποτ’ ὀλεῖται
ἧς ἀρετῆς, τεύξουσι δ’ ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἀοιδὴν
ἀθάνατοι χαρίεσσαν ἐχέφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,
οὐχ ὡς Τυνδαρέου κούρη κακὰ μήσατο ἔργα,
[195] daughter of Icarius, in that she was loyally mindful of Odysseus, her wedded husband. Therefore the fame of her virtue shall never perish, but the immortals shall make among men on earth a pleasant song in honor of constant Penelope. Not on this wise did the daughter of Tyndareus devise evil deeds
κουρίδιον κτείνασα πόσιν, στυγερὴ δέ τ’ ἀοιδὴ 200
ἔσσετ’ ἐπ’ ἀνθρώπους, χαλεπὴν δέ τε φῆμιν ὀπάσσει
θηλυτέρῃσι γυναιξί, καὶ ἥ κ’ εὐεργὸς ἔῃσιν.”
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,
ἑσταότ’ εἰν Ἀί¨δαο δόμοις, ὑπὸ κεύθεσι γαίης:
[200] and slay her wedded husband, and hateful shall the song regarding her be among men, and evil repute doth she bring upon all womankind, even upon her that doeth uprightly.” Thus the two spoke to one another, as they stood in the house of Hades beneath the depths of the earth.
οἱ δ’ ἐπεὶ ἐκ πόλιος κατέβαν, τάχα δ’ ἀγρὸν ἵκοντο 205
καλὸν Λαέρταο τετυγμένον, ὅν ῥά ποτ’ αὐτὸς
Λαέρτης κτεάτισσεν, ἐπεὶ μάλα πόλλ’ ἐμόγησεν.
ἔνθα οἱ οἶκος ἔην, περὶ δὲ κλίσιον θέε πάντη,
ἐν τῷ σιτέσκοντο καὶ ἵζανον ἠδὲ ἴαυον
[205] But Odysseus and his men, when they had gone down from the city, quickly came to the fair and well-ordered farm of Laertes, which he had won for himself in days past, and much had he toiled for it. There was his house, and all about it ran the sheds in which ate, and sat, and slept
δμῶες ἀναγκαῖοι, τοί οἱ φίλα ἐργάζοντο. 210
ἐν δὲ γυνὴ Σικελὴ γρηὺ¨ς πέλεν, ἥ ῥα γέροντα
ἐνδυκέως κομέεσκεν ἐπ’ ἀγροῦ, νόσφι πόληος.
ἔνθ’ Ὀδυσεὺς δμώεσσι καὶ υἱέι¨ μῦθον ἔειπεν:
“ὑμεῖς μὲν νῦν ἔλθετ’ ἐυ¨κτίμενον δόμον εἴσω,
[210] the servants that were bondsmen, that did his pleasure; but within it was an old Sicilian woman, who tended the old man with kindly care there at the farm, far from the city. Then Odysseus spoke to the servants and to his son, saying: “Do you now go within the well-built house,
δεῖπνον δ’ αἶψα συῶν ἱερεύσατε ὅς τις ἄριστος: 215
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ πατρὸς πειρήσομαι ἡμετέροιο,
αἴ κέ μ’ ἐπιγνώῃ καὶ φράσσεται ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,
ἦέ κεν ἀγνοιῇσι, πολὺν χρόνον ἀμφὶς ἐόντα.”
ὣς εἰπὼν δμώεσσιν ἀρήι¨α τεύχε’ ἔδωκεν.
[215] and straightway slay for dinner the best of the swine; but I will make trial of my father, and see whether he will recognize me and know me by sight, or whether he will fail to know me, since I have been gone so long a time.” So saying, he gave to the slaves his battle-gear.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα δόμονδε θοῶς κίον, αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς 220
ἆσσον ἴεν πολυκάρπου ἀλωῆς πειρητίζων.
οὐδ’ εὗρεν Δολίον, μέγαν ὄρχατον ἐσκαταβαίνων,
οὐδέ τινα δμώων οὐδ’ υἱῶν: ἀλλ’ ἄρα τοί γε
αἱμασιὰς λέξοντες ἀλωῆς ἔμμεναι ἕρκος
[220] They thereafter went quickly to the house; but Odysseus drew near to the fruitful vineyard in his quest. Now he did not find Dolius as he went down into the great orchard, nor any of his slaves or of his sons, but as it chanced
ᾤχοντ’, αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσι γέρων ὁδὸν ἡγεμόνευε. 225
τὸν δ’ οἶον πατέρ’ εὗρεν ἐυ¨κτιμένῃ ἐν ἀλωῇ,
λιστρεύοντα φυτόν: ῥυπόωντα δὲ ἕστο χιτῶνα
ῥαπτὸν ἀεικέλιον, περὶ δὲ κνήμῃσι βοείας
κνημῖδας ῥαπτὰς δέδετο, γραπτῦς ἀλεείνων,
[225] they had gone to gather stones for the vineyard wall, and the old man was their leader. But he found his father alone in the well-ordered vineyard, digging about a plant; and he was clothed in a foul tunic, patched and wretched, and about his shins he had bound stitched greaves of ox-hide to guard against scratches,
χειρῖδάς τ’ ἐπὶ χερσὶ βάτων ἕνεκ’: αὐτὰρ ὕπερθεν 230
αἰγείην κυνέην κεφαλῇ ἔχε, πένθος ἀέξων.
τὸν δ’ ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
γήραι¨ τειρόμενον, μέγα δὲ φρεσὶ πένθος ἔχοντα,
στὰς ἄρ’ ὑπὸ βλωθρὴν ὄγχνην κατὰ δάκρυον εἶβε.
[230] and he wore gloves upon his hands because of the thorns, and on his head a goatskin cap; and he nursed his sorrow. Now when the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus saw him, worn with old age and laden with great grief at heart, he stood still beneath a tall pear tree, and shed tears.
μερμήριξε δ’ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸν 235
κύσσαι καὶ περιφῦναι ἑὸν πατέρ’, ἠδὲ ἕκαστα
εἰπεῖν, ὡς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτ’ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,
ἦ πρῶτ’ ἐξερέοιτο ἕκαστά τε πειρήσαιτο.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,
[235] Then he debated in mind and heart whether to kiss and embrace his father, and tell him all, how he had returned and come to his native land, or whether he should first question him, and prove him in each thing. And, as he pondered, this seemed to him the better course,
πρῶτον κερτομίοις ἐπέεσσιν πειρηθῆναι. 240
τὰ φρονέων ἰθὺς κίεν αὐτοῦ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν κατέχων κεφαλὴν φυτὸν ἀμφελάχαινε:
τὸν δὲ παριστάμενος προσεφώνεε φαίδιμος υἱός:
“ὦ γέρον, οὐκ ἀδαημονίη σ’ ἔχει ἀμφιπολεύειν
[240] to prove him first with mocking words. So with this in mind the goodly Odysseus went straight toward him. He verily was holding his head down, digging about a plant, and his glorious son came up to him, and addressed him, saying: “Old man, no lack of skill hast thou to tend
ὄρχατον, ἀλλ’ εὖ τοι κομιδὴ ἔχει, οὐδέ τι πάμπαν, 245
οὐ φυτόν, οὐ συκέη, οὐκ ἄμπελος, οὐ μὲν ἐλαίη,
οὐκ ὄγχνη, οὐ πρασιή τοι ἄνευ κομιδῆς κατὰ κῆπον.
ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ μὴ χόλον ἔνθεο θυμῷ
αὐτόν σ’ οὐκ ἀγαθὴ κομιδὴ ἔχει, ἀλλ’ ἅμα γῆρας
[245] a garden; nay, thy care is good, and there is naught whatsoever, either plant or fig tree, or vine, nay, or olive, or pear, or garden-plot in all the field that lacks care. But another thing will I tell thee, and do thou not lay up wrath thereat in thy heart: thou thyself enjoyest no good care, but
λυγρὸν ἔχεις αὐχμεῖς τε κακῶς καὶ ἀεικέα ἕσσαι. 250
οὐ μὲν ἀεργίης γε ἄναξ ἕνεκ’ οὔ σε κομίζει,
οὐδέ τί τοι δούλειον ἐπιπρέπει εἰσοράασθαι
εἶδος καὶ μέγεθος: βασιλῆι¨ γὰρ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικας.
τοιούτῳ δὲ ἔοικας, ἐπεὶ λούσαιτο φάγοι τε,
[250] thou bearest woeful old age, and therewith art foul and unkempt, and clad in mean raiment. Surely it is not because of sloth on thy part that thy master cares not for thee, nor dost thou seem in any wise like a slave to look upon either in form or in stature; for thou art like a king, even like one who, when he has bathed and eaten,
εὑδέμεναι μαλακῶς: ἡ γὰρ δίκη ἐστὶ γερόντων. 255
ἀλλ’ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,
τεῦ δμὼς εἶς ἀνδρῶν; τεῦ δ’ ὄρχατον ἀμφιπολεύεις;
καὶ μοι τοῦτ’ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρ’ ἐὺ¨ εἰδῶ,
εἰ ἐτεόν γ’ Ἰθάκην τήνδ’ ἱκόμεθ’, ὥς μοι ἔειπεν
[255] should sleep soft; for this is the way of old men. But come, tell me this, and declare it truly. Whose slave art thou, and whose orchard dost thou tend? And tell me this also truly, that I may know full well, whether this is indeed Ithaca, to which we are now come, as
οὗτος ἀνὴρ νῦν δὴ ξυμβλήμενος ἐνθάδ’ ἰόντι, 260
οὔ τι μάλ’ ἀρτίφρων, ἐπεὶ οὐ τόλμησεν ἕκαστα
εἰπεῖν ἠδ’ ἐπακοῦσαι ἐμὸν ἔπος, ὡς ἐρέεινον
ἀμφὶ ξείνῳ ἐμῷ, ἤ που ζώει τε καὶ ἔστιν
ἦ ἤδη τέθνηκε καὶ εἰν Ἀί¨δαο δόμοισιν.
[260] a man yonder told me, who met me but now on my way hither. In no wise over sound of wit was he, for he deigned not to tell me of each thing, nor to listen to my word, when I questioned him about a friend of mine, whether haply he still lives, or is now dead and in the house of Hades.
ἐκ γάρ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον: 265
ἄνδρα ποτ’ ἐξείνισσα φίλῃ ἐνὶ πατρίδι γαίῃ
ἡμέτερόνδ’ ἐλθόντα, καὶ οὔ πω τις βροτὸς ἄλλος
ξείνων τηλεδαπῶν φιλίων ἐμὸν ἵκετο δῶμα:
εὔχετο δ’ ἐξ Ἰθάκης γένος ἔμμεναι, αὐτὰρ ἔφασκε
[265] For I will tell thee, and do thou give heed and hearken. I once entertained in my dear native land a man that came to our house, and never did any man beside of strangers that dwell afar come to my house a more welcome guest. He declared that by lineage he came from Ithaca, and said
Λαέρτην Ἀρκεισιάδην πατέρ’ ἔμμεναι αὐτῷ. 270
τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ πρὸς δώματ’ ἄγων ἐὺ¨ ἐξείνισσα,
ἐνδυκέως φιλέων, πολλῶν κατὰ οἶκον ἐόντων,
καί οἱ δῶρα πόρον ξεινήι¨α, οἷα ἐῴκει.
χρυσοῦ μέν οἱ δῶκ’ εὐεργέος ἑπτὰ τάλαντα,
[270] that his own father was Laertes, son of Arceisius. So I took him to the house and gave him entertainment with kindly welcome of the rich store that was within, and I gave him gifts of friendship, such as are meet. Of well-wrought gold
δῶκα δέ οἱ κρητῆρα πανάργυρον ἀνθεμόεντα, 275
δώδεκα δ’ ἁπλοί¨δας χλαίνας, τόσσους δὲ τάπητας,
τόσσα δὲ φάρεα καλά, τόσους δ’ ἐπὶ τοῖσι χιτῶνας,
χωρὶς δ’ αὖτε γυναῖκας, ἀμύμονα ἔργα ἰδυίας,
τέσσαρας εἰδαλίμας, ἃς ἤθελεν αὐτὸς ἑλέσθαι.”
[275] I gave him seven talents, and a mixing-bowl all of silver, embossed with flowers, and twelve cloaks of single fold, and as many coverlets, and as many fair mantles, and as many tunics besides, and furthermore women, skilled in goodly handiwork, four comely women, whom he himself was minded to choose.”
τὸν δ’ ἠμείβετ’ ἔπειτα πατὴρ κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβων: 280
“ξεῖν’, ἦ τοι μὲν γαῖαν ἱκάνεις, ἣν ἐρεείνεις,
ὑβρισταὶ δ’ αὐτὴν καὶ ἀτάσθαλοι ἄνδρες ἔχουσιν:
δῶρα δ’ ἐτώσια ταῦτα χαρίζεο, μυρί’ ὀπάζων:
εἰ γάρ μιν ζωόν γ’ ἐκίχεις Ἰθάκης ἐνὶ δήμῳ,
[280] Then his father answered him, weeping: “Stranger, verily thou art come to the country of which thou dost ask, but wanton and reckless men now possess it. And all in vain didst thou bestow those gifts, the countless gifts thou gavest. For if thou hadst found him yet alive in the land of Ithaca,
τῷ κέν σ’ εὖ δώροισιν ἀμειψάμενος ἀπέπεμψε 285
καὶ ξενίῃ ἀγαθῇ ἡ γὰρ θέμις, ὅς τις ὑπάρξῃ.
ἀλλ’ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,
πόστον δὴ ἔτος ἐστίν, ὅτε ξείνισσας ἐκεῖνον
σὸν ξεῖνον δύστηνον, ἐμὸν παῖδ’, εἴ ποτ’ ἔην γε,
[285] then would he have sent thee on thy way with ample requital of gifts and good entertainment; for that is the due of him who begins the kindness But come, tell me this, and declare it truly. How many years have passed since thou didst entertain that guest, that hapless guest, my son — as sure as ever such a man there was —
δύσμορον; ὅν που τῆλε φίλων καὶ πατρίδος αἴης 290
ἠέ που ἐν πόντῳ φάγον ἰχθύες, ἢ ἐπὶ χέρσου
θηρσὶ καὶ οἰωνοῖσιν ἕλωρ γένετ’: οὐδέ ἑ μήτηρ
κλαῦσε περιστείλασα πατήρ θ’, οἵ μιν τεκόμεσθα:
οὐδ’ ἄλοχος πολύδωρος, ἐχέφρων Πηνελόπεια,
[290] my ill-starred son, whom far from his friends and his native land haply the fishes have devoured in the deep, or on the shore he has become the spoil of beasts and birds? Nor did his mother deck him for burial and weep over him, nor his father, we who gave him birth, no, nor did his wife, wooed with many gifts, constant Penelope,
κώκυσ’ ἐν λεχέεσσιν ἑὸν πόσιν, ὡς ἐπεῴκει, 295
ὀφθαλμοὺς καθελοῦσα: τὸ γὰρ γέρας ἐστὶ θανόντων.
καί μοι τοῦτ’ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρ’ ἐὺ¨ εἰδῶ:
τίς πόθεν εἶς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ τοκῆες;
ποῦ δὲ νηῦς ἕστηκε θοή, ἥ σ’ ἤγαγε δεῦρο
[295] bewail her own husband upon the bier, as was meet, when she had closed his eyes in death; though that is the due of the dead. And tell me this also truly, that I may know full well. Who art thou among men, and from whence? Where is thy city, and where thy parents? Where is the swift ship moored that brought thee hither
ἀντιθέους θ’ ἑτάρους; ἦ ἔμπορος εἰλήλουθας 300
νηὸς ἐπ’ ἀλλοτρίης, οἱ δ’ ἐκβήσαντες ἔβησαν;”
τὸν δ’ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
“τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι πάντα μάλ’ ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω.
εἰμὶ μὲν ἐξ Ἀλύβαντος, ὅθι κλυτὰ δώματα ναίω,
[300] with thy godlike comrades? Or didst thou come as a passenger on another’s ship, and did they depart when they had set thee on shore?” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Then verily will I frankly tell thee all. I come from Alybas, where I have a glorious house,
υἱὸς Ἀφείδαντος Πολυπημονίδαο ἄνακτος: 305
αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γ’ ὄνομ’ ἐστὶν Ἐπήριτος: ἀλλά με δαίμων
πλάγξ’ ἀπὸ Σικανίης δεῦρ’ ἐλθέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα:
νηῦς δέ μοι ἥδ’ ἕστηκεν ἐπ’ ἀγροῦ νόσφι πόληος.
αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆι¨ τόδε δὴ πέμπτον ἔτος ἐστίν,
[305] and I am the son of Apheidas, son of lord Polypemon, and my own name is Eperitus. But a god drove me wandering from Sicania to come hither against my will and my ship lies yonder off the tilled land away from the city. But as for Odysseus, it is now the fifth year
ἐξ οὗ κεῖθεν ἔβη καὶ ἐμῆς ἀπελήλυθε πάτρης, 310
δύσμορος: ἦ τέ οἱ ἐσθλοὶ ἔσαν ὄρνιθες ἰόντι,
δεξιοί, οἷς χαίρων μὲν ἐγὼν ἀπέπεμπον ἐκεῖνον,
χαῖρε δὲ κεῖνος ἰών: θυμὸς δ’ ἔτι νῶι¨ν ἐώλπει
μίξεσθαι ξενίῃ ἠδ’ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα διδώσειν.”
[310] since he went thence, and departed from my country. Hapless man! Yet he had birds of good omen, when he set out, birds upon the right. So I was glad of them, as I sent him on his way, and he went gladly forth, and our hearts hoped that we should yet meet as host and guest and give one another glorious gifts.”
ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ’ ἄχεος νεφέλη ἐκάλυψε μέλαινα: 315
ἀμφοτέρῃσι δὲ χερσὶν ἑλὼν κόνιν αἰθαλόεσσαν
χεύατο κὰκ κεφαλῆς πολιῆς, ἁδινὰ στεναχίζων.
τοῦ δ’ ὠρίνετο θυμός, ἀνὰ ῥῖνας δέ οἱ ἤδη
δριμὺ μένος προὔτυψε φίλον πατέρ’ εἰσορόωντι.
[315] So he spoke, and a dark cloud of grief enwrapped Laertes, and with both his hands he took the dark dust and strewed it over his grey head with ceaseless groaning. Then the heart of Odysseus was stirred, and up through his nostrils shot a keen pang, as he beheld his dear father.
κύσσε δέ μιν περιφὺς ἐπιάλμενος, ἠδὲ προσηύδα: 320
“κεῖνος μέν τοι ὅδ’ αὐτὸς ἐγώ, πάτερ, ὃν σὺ μεταλλᾷς,
ἤλυθον εἰκοστῷ ἔτει¨ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.
ἀλλ’ ἴσχεο κλαυθμοῖο γόοιό τε δακρυόεντος.
ἐκ γάρ τοι ἐρέω: μάλα δὲ χρὴ σπευδέμεν ἔμπης:
[320] And he sprang toward him, and clasped him in his arms, and kissed him, saying: “Lo, father, I here before thee, my very self, am that man of whom thou dost ask; I am come in the twentieth year to my native land. But cease from grief and tearful lamenting, for I will tell thee all, though great is the need of haste.
μνηστῆρας κατέπεφνον ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισι, 325
λώβην τινύμενος θυμαλγέα καὶ κακὰ ἔργα.”
τὸν δ’ αὖ Λαέρτης ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε:
“εἰ μὲν δὴ Ὀδυσεύς γε ἐμὸς πάι¨ς ἐνθάδ’ ἱκάνεις,
σῆμά τί μοι νῦν εἰπὲ ἀριφραδές, ὄφρα πεποίθω.”
[325] The wooers have I slain in our halls, and have taken vengeance on their grievous insolence and their evil deeds.” Then Laertes answered him again, and said: “If it is indeed as Odysseus, my son, that thou art come hither, tell me now some clear sign, that I maybe sure.”
τὸν δ’ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς: 330
“οὐλὴν μὲν πρῶτον τήνδε φράσαι ὀφθαλμοῖσι,
τὴν ἐν Παρνησῷ μ’ ἔλασεν σῦς λευκῷ ὀδόντι
οἰχόμενον: σὺ δέ με προί¨εις καὶ πότνια μήτηρ
ἐς πατέρ’ Αὐτόλυκον μητρὸς φίλον, ὄφρ’ ἂν ἑλοίμην
[330] And Odysseus of many wiles answered him and said: “This scar first do thou mark with thine eyes, the scar of the wound which a boar dealt me with his white tusk on Parnassus, when I had gone thither. It was thou that didst send me forth, thou and my honored mother, to Autolycus, my mother’s father, that I might get
δῶρα, τὰ δεῦρο μολών μοι ὑπέσχετο καὶ κατένευσεν. 335
εἰ δ’ ἄγε τοι καὶ δένδρε’ ἐυ¨κτιμένην κατ’ ἀλωὴν
εἴπω, ἅ μοί ποτ’ ἔδωκας, ἐγὼ δ’ ᾔτεόν σε ἕκαστα
παιδνὸς ἐών, κατὰ κῆπον ἐπισπόμενος: διὰ δ’ αὐτῶν
ἱκνεύμεσθα, σὺ δ’ ὠνόμασας καὶ ἔειπες ἕκαστα.
[335] the gifts which, when he came hither, he promised and agreed to give me. And come, I will tell thee also the trees in the well-ordered garden which once thou gavest me, and I, who was but a child, was following thee through the garden, and asking thee for this and that. It was through these very trees that we passed, and thou didst name them, and tell me of each one.
ὄγχνας μοι δῶκας τρισκαίδεκα καὶ δέκα μηλέας, 340
συκέας τεσσαράκοντ’: ὄρχους δέ μοι ὧδ’ ὀνόμηνας
δώσειν πεντήκοντα, διατρύγιος δὲ ἕκαστος
ἤην: ἔνθα δ’ ἀνὰ σταφυλαὶ παντοῖαι ἔασιν —
ὁππότε δὴ Διὸς ὧραι ἐπιβρίσειαν ὕπερθεν.”
[340] Pear-trees thirteen thou gavest me, and ten apple-trees, and forty fig-trees. And rows of vines too didst thou promise to give me, even as I say, fifty of them, which ripened severally at different times — and upon them are clusters of all sorts — whensoever the seasons of Zeus weighed them down from above.”
ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δ’ αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ, 345
σήματ’ ἀναγνόντος τά οἱ ἔμπεδα πέφραδ’ Ὀδυσσεύς.
ἀμφὶ δὲ παιδὶ φίλῳ βάλε πήχεε: τὸν δὲ ποτὶ οἷ
εἷλεν ἀποψύχοντα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ’ ἄμπνυτο καὶ ἐς φρένα θυμὸς ἀγέρθη,
[345] So he spoke, and his father’s knees were loosened where he stood, and his heart melted, as he knew the sure tokens which Odysseus told him. About his dear son he flung both his arms, and the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus caught him unto him fainting. But when he revived, and his spirit returned again into his breast,
ἐξαῦτις μύθοισιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε: 350
“Ζεῦ πάτερ, ἦ ῥα ἔτ’ ἔστε θεοὶ κατὰ μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,
εἰ ἐτεὸν μνηστῆρες ἀτάσθαλον ὕβριν ἔτισαν.
νῦν δ’ αἰνῶς δείδοικα κατὰ φρένα μὴ τάχα πάντες
ἐνθάδ’ ἐπέλθωσιν Ἰθακήσιοι, ἀγγελίας δὲ
[350] once more he made answer, and spoke, saying: “Father Zeus, verily ye gods yet hold sway on high Olympus, if indeed the wooers have paid the price of their wanton insolence. But now I have wondrous dread at heart, lest straightway all the men of Ithaca come hither against us, and
πάντη ἐποτρύνωσι Κεφαλλήνων πολίεσσι.” 355
τὸν δ’ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
“θάρσει, μή τοι ταῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶ σῇσι μελόντων.
ἀλλ’ ἴομεν προτὶ οἶκον, ὃς ὀρχάτου ἐγγύθι κεῖται:
ἔνθα δὲ Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτην
[355] send messengers everywhere to the cities of the Cephallenians.” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Be of good cheer, and let not these things distress thy heart. But let us go to the house, which lies near the orchard, for thither
προὔπεμψ’, ὡς ἂν δεῖπνον ἐφοπλίσσωσι τάχιστα.” 360
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσαντε βάτην πρὸς δώματα καλά.
οἱ δ’ ὅτε δή ῥ’ ἵκοντο δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,
εὗρον Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτην
ταμνομένους κρέα πολλὰ κερῶντάς τ’ αἴθοπα οἶνον.
[360] I sent forward Telemachus and the neatherd and the swineherd, that with all speed they might prepare our meal.” So spoke the two, and went their way to the goodly house. And when they had come to the stately house, they found Telemachus, and the neatherd, and the swineherd carving flesh in abundance, and mixing the flaming wine.
τόφρα δὲ Λαέρτην μεγαλήτορα ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ 365
ἀμφίπολος Σικελὴ λοῦσεν καὶ χρῖσεν ἐλαίῳ,
ἀμφὶ δ’ ἄρα χλαῖναν καλὴν βάλεν: αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνη
ἄγχι παρισταμένη μέλε’ ἤλδανε ποιμένι λαῶν,
μείζονα δ’ ἠὲ πάρος καὶ πάσσονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι.
[365] Meanwhile the Sicilian handmaid bathed great-hearted Laertes in his house, and anointed him with oil, and about him cast a fair cloak. But Athena drew near, and made greater the limbs of the shepherd of the people, and made him taller than before and mightier to behold.
ἐκ δ’ ἀσαμίνθου βῆ: θαύμαζε δέ μιν φίλος υἱός, 370
ὡς ἴδεν ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖς ἐναλίγκιον ἄντην:
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
“ὦ πάτερ, ἦ μάλα τίς σε θεῶν αἰειγενετάων
εἶδός τε μέγεθός τε ἀμείνονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι.”
[370] Then he came forth from the bath, and his dear son marvelled at him, seeing him in presence like unto the immortal gods. And he spoke, and addressed him with winged words: “Father, surely some one of the gods that are forever has made thee goodlier to behold in comeliness and in stature.”
τὸν δ’ αὖ Λαέρτης πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα: 375
“αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,
οἷος Νήρικον εἷλον, ἐυ¨κτίμενον πτολίεθρον,
ἀκτὴν ἠπείροιο, Κεφαλλήνεσσιν ἀνάσσων,
τοῖος ἐών τοι χθιζὸς ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιν,
[375] Then wise Laertes answered him: “I would, O father Zeus, and Athena, and Apollo, that in such strength as when I took Nericus, the well built citadel on the shore of the mainland, when I was lord of the Cephallenians, even in such strength I had stood by thy side yesterday in our house
τεύχε’ ἔχων ὤμοισιν, ἐφεστάμεναι καὶ ἀμύνειν 380
ἄνδρας μνηστῆρας: τῷ κε σφέων γούνατ’ ἔλυσα
πολλῶν ἐν μεγάροισι, σὺ δὲ φρένας ἔνδον ἐγήθεις.”
ὣς οἷ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον.
οἱ δ’ ἐπεὶ οὖν παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε δαῖτα,
[380] with my armour about my shoulders, and had beaten back the wooers. So should I have loosened the knees of many of them in the halls, and thy heart would have been made glad within thee.” So they spoke to one another. But when the others had ceased from their labour, and had made ready the meal,
ἑξείης ἕζοντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε: 385
ἔνθ’ οἱ μὲν δείπνῳ ἐπεχείρεον, ἀγχίμολον δὲ
ἦλθ’ ὁ γέρων Δολίος, σὺν δ’ υἱεῖς τοῖο γέροντος,
ἐξ ἔργων μογέοντες, ἐπεὶ προμολοῦσα κάλεσσεν
μήτηρ γρηῦς Σικελή, ἥ σφεας τρέφε καί ῥα γέροντα
[385] they sat down in order on the chairs and high seats. Then they were about to set hands to their food, when the old man Dolius drew near, and with him the old man’s sons, wearied from their work in the fields, for their mother, the old Sicilian woman, had gone forth and called them, she who
ἐνδυκέως κομέεσκεν, ἐπεὶ κατὰ γῆρας ἔμαρψεν. 390
οἱ δ’ ὡς οὖν Ὀδυσῆα ἴδον φράσσαντό τε θυμῷ,
ἔσταν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεθηπότες: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι καθαπτόμενος προσέειπεν:
“ὦ γέρον, ἵζ’ ἐπὶ δεῖπνον, ἀπεκλελάθεσθε δὲ θάμβευς:
[390] saw to their food, and tended the old man with kindly care, now that old age had laid hold of him. And they, when they saw Odysseus, and marked him in their minds, stood in the halls lost in wonder. But Odysseus addressed them with gentle words, and said: “Old man, sit down to dinner, and do ye wholly forget your wonder,
δηρὸν γὰρ σίτῳ ἐπιχειρήσειν μεμαῶτες 395
μίμνομεν ἐν μεγάροις, ὑμέας ποτιδέγμενοι αἰεί.”
ὣς ἄρ ἔφη, Δολίος δ’ ἰθὺς κίε χεῖρε πετάσσας
ἀμφοτέρας, Ὀδυσεῦς δὲ λαβὼν κύσε χεῖρ’ ἐπὶ καρπῷ,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
[395] for long have we waited in the halls, though eager to set hands to the food, ever expecting your coming.” So he spoke, and Dolius ran straight toward him with both hands outstretched, and he clasped the hand of Odysseus and kissed it on the wrist, and spoke, and addressed him with winged words:
“ὦ φίλ’, ἐπεὶ νόστησας ἐελδομένοισι μάλ’ ἡμῖν 400
οὐδ’ ἔτ’ ὀι¨ομένοισι, θεοὶ δέ σ’ ἀνήγαγον αὐτοί,
οὖλέ τε καὶ μάλα χαῖρε, θεοὶ δέ τοι ὄλβια δοῖεν.
καί μοι τοῦτ’ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρ’ ἐὺ¨ εἰδῶ,
ἢ ἤδη σάφα οἶδε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια
[400] “Dear master, since thou hast come back to us, who sorely longed for thee, but had no more thought to see thee, and the gods themselves have brought thee — hail to thee, and all welcome, and may the gods grant thee happiness. And tell me this also truly, that I may know full well. Does wise Penelope yet know surely
νοστήσαντά σε δεῦρ’, ἦ ἄγγελον ὀτρύνωμεν.” 405
τὸν δ’ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς
“ὦ γέρον, ἤδη οἶδε: τί σε χρὴ ταῦτα πένεσθαι;”
ὣς φάθ’, ὁ δ’ αὖτις ἄρ’ ἕζετ’ ἐυ¨ξέστου ἐπὶ δίφρου.
ὣς δ’ αὔτως παῖδες Δολίου κλυτὸν ἀμφ’ Ὀδυσῆα
[405] that thou hast come back hither, or shall we send her a messenger?” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Old man, she knows already; why shouldst thou be busied with this?” So he spoke, and the other sat down again on the polished chair. And even in like manner the sons of Dolius gathered around glorious Odysseus
δεικανόωντ’ ἐπέεσσι καὶ ἐν χείρεσσι φύοντο, 410
ἑξείης δ’ ἕζοντο παραὶ Δολίον, πατέρα σφόν.
ὣς οἱ μὲν περὶ δεῖπνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι πένοντο:
Ὄσσα δ’ ἄρ’ ἄγγελος ὦκα κατὰ πτόλιν ᾤχετο πάντη,
μνηστήρων στυγερὸν θάνατον καὶ κῆρ’ ἐνέπουσα.
[410] and greeted him in speech, and clasped his hands. Then they sat down in order beside Dolius, their father. So they were busied with their meal in the halls; but meanwhile Rumor, the messenger, went swiftly throughout all the city, telling of the terrible death and fate of the wooers.
οἱ δ’ ἄρ’ ὁμῶς ἀί¨οντες ἐφοίτων ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος 415
μυχμῷ τε στοναχῇ τε δόμων προπάροιθ’ Ὀδυσῆος,
ἐκ δὲ νέκυς οἴκων φόρεον καὶ θάπτον ἕκαστοι,
τοὺς δ’ ἐξ ἀλλάων πολίων οἶκόνδε ἕκαστον
πέμπον ἄγειν ἁλιεῦσι θοῇς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ τιθέντες:
[415] And the people heard it all at once, and gathered from every side with moanings and wailings before the palace of Odysseus. Forth from the halls they brought each his dead, and buried them; and those from other cities they sent each to his own home, placing them on swift ships for seamen to bear them,
αὐτοὶ δ’ εἰς ἀγορὴν κίον ἀθρόοι, ἀχνύμενοι κῆρ. 420
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ’ ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τ’ ἐγένοντο,
τοῖσιν δ’ Εὐπείθης ἀνά θ’ ἵστατο καὶ μετέειπε:
παιδὸς γάρ οἱ ἄλαστον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ πένθος ἔκειτο,
Ἀντινόου, τὸν πρῶτον ἐνήρατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:
[420] but they themselves went together to the place of assembly, sad at heart. Now when they were assembled and met together Eupeithes arose and spoke among them, for comfortless grief for his son lay heavy on his heart, even for Antinous, the first man whom goodly Odysseus had slain.
τοῦ ὅ γε δάκρυ χέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν: 425
“ὦ φίλοι, ἦ μέγα ἔργον ἀνὴρ ὅδ’ ἐμήσατ’ Ἀχαιούς:
τοὺς μὲν σὺν νήεσσιν ἄγων πολέας τε καὶ ἐσθλοὺς
ὤλεσε μὲν νῆας γλαφυράς, ἀπὸ δ’ ὤλεσε λαούς:
τοὺς δ’ ἐλθὼν ἔκτεινε Κεφαλλήνων ὄχ’ ἀρίστους,
[425] Weeping for him he addressed their assembly and said: “Friends, a monstrous deed has this man of a truth devised against the Achaeans. Some he led forth in his ships, many men and goodly, and he has lost his hollow ships and utterly lost his men; and others again has he slain on his return, and these by far the best of the Cephallenians.
ἀλλ’ ἄγετε, πρὶν τοῦτον ἢ ἐς Πύλον ὦκα ἱκέσθαι 430
ἢ καὶ ἐς Ἤλιδα δῖαν, ὅθι κρατέουσιν Ἐπειοί,
ἴομεν: ἦ καὶ ἔπειτα κατηφέες ἐσσόμεθ’ αἰεί:
λώβη γὰρ τάδε γ’ ἐστὶ καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι,
εἰ δὴ μὴ παίδων τε κασιγνήτων τε φονῆας
[430] Nay then, come, before the fellow goes swiftly to Pylos or to goodly Elis, where the Epeans hold sway, let us go forth; verily even in days to come shall we be disgraced forever. For a shame is this even for men that are yet to be to hear of, if we shall not
τισόμεθ’. οὐκ ἂν ἐμοί γε μετὰ φρεσὶν ἡδὺ γένοιτο 435
ζωέμεν, ἀλλὰ τάχιστα θανὼν φθιμένοισι μετείην.
ἀλλ’ ἴομεν, μὴ φθέωσι περαιωθέντες ἐκεῖνοι.”
ὣς φάτο δάκρυ χέων, οἶκτος δ’ ἕλε πάντας Ἀχαιούς.
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφ’ ἦλθε Μέδων καὶ θεῖος ἀοιδὸς
[435] take vengeance on the slayers of our sons and our brothers. To me surely life would then no more be sweet; rather would I die at once and be among the dead. Nay, let us forth, lest they be too quick for us, and cross over the sea.” So he spoke, weeping, and pity laid hold of all the Achaeans. Then near them came Medon and the divine minstrel
ἐκ μεγάρων Ὀδυσῆος, ἐπεί σφεας ὕπνος ἀνῆκεν, 440
ἔσταν δ’ ἐν μέσσοισι: τάφος δ’ ἕλεν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Μέδων πεπνυμένα εἰδώς:
“κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι: οὐ γὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἀθανάτων ἀέκητι θεῶν τάδ’ ἐμήσατο ἔργα:
[440] from the halls of Odysseus, for sleep had released them; and they took their stand in the midst, and wonder seized every man. Then Medon, wise of heart, spoke among them: “Hearken now to me, men of Ithaca, for verily not without the will of the immortal gods has Odysseus devised these deeds.
αὐτὸς ἐγὼν εἶδον θεὸν ἄμβροτον, ὅς ῥ’ Ὀδυσῆι¨ 445
ἐγγύθεν ἑστήκει καὶ Μέντορι πάντα ἐῴκει.
ἀθάνατος δὲ θεὸς τοτὲ μὲν προπάροιθ’ Ὀδυσῆος
φαίνετο θαρσύνων, τοτὲ δὲ μνηστῆρας ὀρίνων
θῦνε κατὰ μέγαρον: τοὶ δ’ ἀγχιστῖνοι ἔπιπτον.”
[445] Nay, I myself saw an immortal god, who stood close beside Odysseus, and seemed in all things like unto Mentor. Yet as an immortal god now in front of Odysseus would he appear, heartening him, and now again would rage through the hall, scaring the wooers; and they fell thick and fast.”
ὣς φάτο, τοὺς δ’ ἄρα πάντας ὑπὸ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει. 450
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως Ἁλιθέρσης
Μαστορίδης: ὁ γὰρ οἶος ὅρα πρόσσω καὶ ὀπίσσω:
ὅ σφιν ἐυ¨φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε:
“κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν εἴπω:
[450] So he spoke, and thereat pale fear seized them all. Then among them spoke the old lord Halitherses, son of Mastor, for he alone saw before and after: he with good intent addressed their assembly, and said: “Hearken now to me, men of Ithaca, to the word that I shall say.
ὑμετέρῃ κακότητι, φίλοι, τάδε ἔργα γένοντο: 455
οὐ γὰρ ἐμοὶ πείθεσθ’, οὐ Μέντορι ποιμένι λαῶν,
ὑμετέρους παῖδας καταπαυέμεν ἀφροσυνάων,
οἳ μέγα ἔργον ἔρεξαν ἀτασθαλίῃσι κακῇσι,
κτήματα κείροντες καὶ ἀτιμάζοντες ἄκοιτιν
[455] Through your own cowardice, friends, have these deeds been brought to pass, for you would not obey me, nor Mentor, shepherd of the people, to make your sons cease from their folly. They wrought a monstrous deed in their blind and wanton wickedness, wasting the wealth and dishonoring the wife
ἀνδρὸς ἀριστῆος: τὸν δ’ οὐκέτι φάντο νέεσθαι. 460
καὶ νῦν ὧδε γένοιτο. πίθεσθέ μοι ὡς ἀγορεύω:
μὴ ἴομεν, μή πού τις ἐπίσπαστον κακὸν εὕρῃ.”
ὣς ἔφαθ’, οἱ δ’ ἄρ’ ἀνήι¨ξαν μεγάλῳ ἀλαλητῷ
ἡμίσεων πλείους: τοὶ δ’ ἀθρόοι αὐτόθι μίμνον:
[460] of a prince, who, they said, would never more return. Now then be it thus; and do you hearken to me, as I bid. Let us not go forth, lest haply many a one shall find a bane which he has brought upon himself.” So he spoke, but they sprang up with loud cries, more than half of them, but the rest remained together in their seats;
οὐ γὰρ σφιν ἅδε μῦθος ἐνὶ φρεσίν, ἀλλ’ Εὐπείθει 465
πείθοντ’: αἶψα δ’ ἔπειτ’ ἐπὶ τεύχεα ἐσσεύοντο.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ’ ἕσσαντο περὶ χροὶ¨ νώροπα χαλκόν,
ἀθρόοι ἠγερέθοντο πρὸ ἄστεος εὐρυχόροιο.
τοῖσιν δ’ Εὐπείθης ἡγήσατο νηπιέῃσι:
[465] for his speech was not to their mind, but they hearkened to Eupeithes, and quickly thereafter they rushed for their arms. Then when they had clothed their bodies in gleaming bronze, they gathered together in front of the spacious city. And Eupeithes led them in his folly,
φῆ δ’ ὅ γε τίσεσθαι παιδὸς φόνον, οὐδ’ ἄρ’ ἔμελλεν 470
ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, ἀλλ’ αὐτοῦ πότμον ἐφέψειν.
αὐτὰρ Ἀθηναίη Ζῆνα Κρονίωνα προσηύδα:
“ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε, Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,
εἰπέ μοι εἰρομένῃ, τί νύ τοι νόος ἔνδοθι κεύθει;
[470] for he thought to avenge the slaying of his son; yet he was himself never more to come back, but was there to meet his doom. But Athena spoke to Zeus, son of Cronos, saying: “Father of us all, thou son of Cronos, high above all lords, tell to me that ask thee what purpose thy mind now hides within thee.
ἢ προτέρω πόλεμόν τε κακὸν καὶ φύλοπιν αἰνὴν 475
τεύξεις, ἦ φιλότητα μετ’ ἀμφοτέροισι τίθησθα;”
τὴν δ’ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:
“τέκνον ἐμόν, τί με ταῦτα διείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς;
οὐ γὰρ δὴ τοῦτον μὲν ἐβούλευσας νόον αὐτή,
[475] Wilt thou yet further bring to pass evil war and the dread din of battle, or wilt thou establish friendship betwixt the twain?” Then Zeus, the cloud-gatherer, answered her, and said: “My child, why dost thou ask and question me of this? Didst thou not thyself devise this plan,
ὡς ἦ τοι κείνους Ὀδυσεὺς ἀποτίσεται ἐλθών; 480
ἔρξον ὅπως ἐθέλεις: ἐρέω τέ τοι ὡς ἐπέοικεν.
ἐπεὶ δὴ μνηστῆρας ἐτίσατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
ὅρκια πιστὰ ταμόντες ὁ μὲν βασιλευέτω αἰεί,
ἡμεῖς δ’ αὖ παίδων τε κασιγνήτων τε φόνοιο
[480] that verily Odysseus should take vengeance on these men at his coming? Do as thou wilt, but I will tell thee what is fitting. Now that goodly Odysseus has taken vengeance on the wooers, let them swear a solemn oath, and let him be king all his days, and let us on our part
ἔκλησιν θέωμεν: τοὶ δ’ ἀλλήλους φιλεόντων 485
ὡς τὸ πάρος, πλοῦτος δὲ καὶ εἰρήνη ἅλις ἔστω.”
ὣς εἰπὼν ὤτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην,
βῆ δὲ κατ’ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀί¨ξασα.
οἱ δ’ ἐπεὶ οὖν σίτοιο μελίφρονος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,
[485] bring about a forgetting of the slaying of their sons and brothers; and let them love one another as before, and let wealth and peace abound.” So saying, he roused Athena, who was already eager, and she went darting down from the heights of Olympus. But when they had put from them the desire of honey-hearted food,
τοῖς δ’ ἄρα μύθων ἦρχε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς: 490
“ἐξελθών τις ἴδοι μὴ δὴ σχεδὸν ὦσι κιόντες.”
ὣς ἔφατ’: ἐκ δ’ υἱὸς Δολίου κίεν, ὡς ἐκέλευεν:
στῆ δ’ ἄρ’ ἐπ’ οὐδὸν ἰών, τοὺς δὲ σχεδὸν ἔσιδε πάντας:
αἶψα δ’ Ὀδυσσῆα ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
[490] the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus was the first to speak among his company, saying: “Let one go forth and see whether they be not now drawing near.” So he spoke, and a son of Dolius went forth, as he bade; he went and stood upon the threshold, and saw them all close at hand, and straightway he spoke to Odysseus winged words:
“οἵδε δὴ ἐγγὺς ἔασ’: ἀλλ’ ὁπλιζώμεθα θᾶσσον.” 495
ὣς ἔφαθ’, οἱ δ’ ὤρνυντο καὶ ἐν τεύχεσσι δύοντο,
τέσσαρες ἀμφ’ Ὀδυσῆ’, ἓξ δ’ υἱεῖς οἱ Δολίοιο:
ἐν δ’ ἄρα Λαέρτης Δολίος τ’ ἐς τεύχε’ ἔδυνον,
καὶ πολιοί περ ἐόντες, ἀναγκαῖοι πολεμισταί.
[495] “Here they are close at hand. Quick, let us arm.” So he spoke, and they rose up and arrayed themselves in armour: Odysseus and his men were four, and six the sons of Dolius, and among them Laertes and Dolius donned their armour, grey-headed though they were, warriors perforce.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ’ ἕσσαντο περὶ χροὶ¨ νώροπα χαλκόν, 500
ὤι¨ξάν ῥα θύρας, ἐκ δ’ ἤι¨ον, ἄρχε δ’ Ὀδυσσεύς.
τοῖσι δ’ ἐπ’ ἀγχίμολον θυγάτηρ Διὸς ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν.
τὴν μὲν ἰδὼν γήθησε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:
[500] But when they had clothed their bodies in gleaming bronze, they opened the doors and went forth, and Odysseus led them. Then Athena, daughter of Zeus, drew near them in the likeness of Mentor both in form and in voice, and the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus was glad at sight of her,
αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον προσεφώνεεν ὃν φίλον υἱόν: 505
“Τηλέμαχ’, ἤδη μὲν τόδε γ’ εἴσεαι αὐτὸς ἐπελθών,
ἀνδρῶν μαρναμένων ἵνα τε κρίνονται ἄριστοι,
μή τι καταισχύνειν πατέρων γένος, οἳ τὸ πάρος περ
ἀλκῇ τ’ ἠνορέῃ τε κεκάσμεθα πᾶσαν ἐπ’ αἶαν.”
[505] and straightway spoke to Telemachus, his dear son: “Telemachus, now shalt thou learn this — having thyself come to the place of battle, where the best warriors are put to the trial — to bring no disgrace upon the house of thy fathers, for we have ever excelled in strength and in valor over all the earth.”
τὸν δ’ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα: 510
“ὄψεαι, αἴ κ’ ἐθέλῃσθα, πάτερ φίλε, τῷδ’ ἐπὶ θυμῷ
οὔ τι καταισχύνοντα τεὸν γένος, ὡς ἀγορεύεις.”
ὣς φάτο, Λαέρτης δ’ ἐχάρη καὶ μῦθον ἔειπε:
“τίς νύ μοι ἡμέρη ἥδε, θεοὶ φίλοι; ἦ μάλα χαίρω:
[510] And wise Telemachus answered him: “Thou shalt see me, if thou wilt, dear father, in my present temper, bringing no disgrace upon thy house, even as thou sayest.” So said he, and Laertes was glad, and spoke, saying: “What a day is this for me, kind gods!
υἱός θ’ υἱωνός τ’ ἀρετῆς πέρι δῆριν ἔχουσιν.” 515
τὸν δὲ παρισταμένη προσέφη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
“ὦ Ἀρκεισιάδη, πάντων πολὺ φίλταθ’ ἑταίρων,
εὐξάμενος κούρῃ γλαυκώπιδι καὶ Διὶ πατρί,
αἶψα μαλ’ ἀμπεπαλὼν προί¨ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος.”
[515] Verily right glad am I: my son and my son’s son are vying with one another in valor.” Then flashing-eyed Athena came near him and said: “Son of Arceisius, far the dearest of all my friends, make a prayer to the flashing-eyed maiden and to father Zeus, and then straightway raise aloft thy long spear, and hurl it.”
ὣς φάτο, καί ῥ’ ἔμπνευσε μένος μέγα Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη 520
εὐξάμενος δ’ ἄρ’ ἔπειτα Διὸς κούρῃ μεγάλοιο,
αἶψα μάλ’ ἀμπεπαλὼν προί¨ει δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος,
καὶ βάλεν Εὐπείθεα κόρυθος διὰ χαλκοπαρῄου.
ἡ δ’ οὐκ ἔγχος ἔρυτο, διαπρὸ δὲ εἴσατο χαλκός,
[520] So spoke Pallas Athena, and breathed into him great might. Then he prayed to the daughter of great Zeus, and straightway raised aloft his long spear, and hurled it, and smote Eupeithes through the helmet with cheek-piece of bronze. This stayed not the spear, but the bronze passed through,
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, ἀράβησε δὲ τεύχε’ ἐπ’ αὐτῷ. 525
ἐν δ’ ἔπεσον προμάχοις Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ φαίδιμος υἱός,
τύπτον δὲ ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισι.
καί νύ κε δὴ πάντας ὄλεσαν καὶ ἔθηκαν ἀνόστους,
εἰ μὴ Ἀθηναίη, κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο,
[525] and he fell with a thud, and his armour clanged about him. Then on the foremost fighters fell Odysseus and his glorious son, and thrust at them with swords and double-pointed spears. And now would they have slain them all, and cut them off from returning, had not Athena, daughter of Zeus, who bears the aegis,
ἤυ¨σεν φωνῇ, κατὰ ἔσχεθε λαὸν ἅπαντα. 530
“ἴσχεσθε πτολέμου, Ἰθακήσιοι, ἀργαλέοιο,
ὥς κεν ἀναιμωτί γε διακρινθῆτε τάχιστα.”
ὣς φάτ’ Ἀθηναίη, τοὺς δὲ χλωρὸν δέος εἷλεν:
τῶν δ’ ἄρα δεισάντων ἐκ χειρῶν ἔπτατο τεύχεα,
[530] shouted aloud, and checked all the host, saying: “Refrain, men of Ithaca, from grievous war, that with all speed you may part, and that without bloodshed.” So spoke Athena, and pale fear seized them. Then in their terror the arms flew from their hands
πάντα δ’ ἐπὶ χθονὶ πῖπτε, θεᾶς ὄπα φωνησάσης: 535
πρὸς δὲ πόλιν τρωπῶντο λιλαιόμενοι βιότοιο.
σμερδαλέον δ’ ἐβόησε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
οἴμησεν δὲ ἀλεὶς ὥς τ’ αἰετὸς ὑψιπετήεις.
καὶ τότε δὴ Κρονίδης ἀφίει ψολόεντα κεραυνόν,
[535] and fell one and all to the ground, as the goddess uttered her voice, and they turned toward the city, eager to save their lives. Terribly then shouted the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus, and gathering himself together he swooped upon them like an eagle of lofty flight, and at that moment the son of Cronos cast a flaming thunderbolt,
κὰδ δ’ ἔπεσε πρόσθε γλαυκώπιδος ὀβριμοπάτρης. 540
δὴ τότ’ Ὀδυσσῆα προσέφη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
“διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχαν’ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
ἴσχεο, παῦε δὲ νεῖκος ὁμοιί¨ου πολέμοιο,
μή πως τοι Κρονίδης κεχολώσεται εὐρύοπα Ζεύς.”
[540] and down it fell before the flashing-eyed daughter of the mighty sire. Then flashing-eyed Athena spoke to Odysseus saying: “Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, stay thy hand, and make the strife of equal war to cease, lest haply the son of Cronos be wroth with thee, even Zeus, whose voice is borne afar.”
ὣς φάτ’ Ἀθηναίη, ὁ δ’ ἐπείθετο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ. 545
ὅρκια δ’ αὖ κατόπισθε μετ’ ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔθηκεν
Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη, κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο,
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν.
[545] So spoke Athena, and he obeyed, and was glad at heart. Then for all time to come a solemn covenant betwixt the twain was made by Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, who bears the aegis, in the likeness of Mentor both in form and in voice.