Book X

Homeric Greek

1ἄλλοι μὲν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν

εὗδον παννύχιοι μαλακῷ δεδμημένοι ὕπνῳ:

ἀλλ' οὐκ Ἀτρεί̈δην Ἀγαμέμνονα ποιμένα λαῶν

ὕπνος ἔχε γλυκερὸς πολλὰ φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντα.

5ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἀστράπτῃ πόσις Ἥρης ἠϋκόμοιο

Transliteration

1alloi men para nēusin aristēes Panachaiōn

heudon pannuchioi malakōi dedmēmenoi hupnōi:

all' ouk Atreïdēn Agamemnona poimena laōn

hupnos eche glukeros polla phresin hormainonta.

5hōs d' hot' an astraptēi posis Hērēs ēükomoio

English · Butler

Now the other princes of the Achaeans slept soundly the whole night through, but Agamemnon son of Atreus was troubled, so that he could get no rest. As when fair Hera's lord flashes his lightning in token of great rain or hail or snow when the snow-flakes whiten the ground, or again as a sign that he will open

Homeric Greek

τεύχων ἢ πολὺν ὄμβρον ἀθέσφατον ἠὲ χάλαζαν

ἢ νιφετόν, ὅτε πέρ τε χιὼν ἐπάλυνεν ἀρούρας,

ἠέ ποθι πτολέμοιο μέγα στόμα πευκεδανοῖο,

ὣς πυκίν' ἐν στήθεσσιν ἀνεστενάχιζ' Ἀγαμέμνων

10νειόθεν ἐκ κραδίης, τρομέοντο δέ οἱ φρένες ἐντός.

Transliteration

teuchōn ē polun ombron athesphaton ēe chalazan

ē nipheton, hote per te chiōn epalunen arouras,

ēe pothi ptolemoio mega stoma peukedanoio,

hōs pukin' en stēthessin anestenachiz' Agamemnōn

10neiothen ek kradiēs, tromeonto de hoi phrenes entos.

English · Butler

the wide jaws of hungry war, even so did Agamemnon heave many a heavy sigh, for his soul trembled within him. When he looked upon the plain of Troy he marveled at the many watchfires burning in front of Ilion, and at the sound of

Homeric Greek

ἤτοι ὅτ' ἐς πεδίον τὸ Τρωϊκὸν ἀθρήσειε,

θαύμαζεν πυρὰ πολλὰ τὰ καίετο Ἰλιόθι πρὸ

αὐλῶν συρίγγων τ' ἐνοπὴν ὅμαδόν τ' ἀνθρώπων.

αὐτὰρ ὅτ' ἐς νῆάς τε ἴδοι καὶ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν,

15πολλὰς ἐκ κεφαλῆς προθελύμνους ἕλκετο χαίτας

Transliteration

ētoi hot' es pedion to Trōïkon athrēseie,

thaumazen pura polla ta kaieto Iliothi pro

aulōn suringōn t' enopēn homadon t' anthrōpōn.

autar hot' es nēas te idoi kai laon Achaiōn,

15pollas ek kephalēs prothelumnous helketo chaitas

English · Butler

pipes and flutes and of the hum of men, but when presently he turned towards the ships and hosts of the Achaeans, he tore his hair by handfuls before Zeus on high, and groaned aloud for the very disquietness of his soul. In the end he deemed it best

Homeric Greek

ὑψόθ' ἐόντι Διί, μέγα δ' ἔστενε κυδάλιμον κῆρ.

ἥδε δέ οἱ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλὴ

Νέστορ' ἔπι πρῶτον Νηλήϊον ἐλθέμεν ἀνδρῶν,

εἴ τινά οἱ σὺν μῆτιν ἀμύμονα τεκτήναιτο,

20ἥ τις ἀλεξίκακος πᾶσιν Δαναοῖσι γένοιτο.

Transliteration

hupsoth' eonti Dii, mega d' estene kudalimon kēr.

hēde de hoi kata thumon aristē phaineto boulē

Nestor' epi prōton Nēlēïon elthemen andrōn,

ei tina hoi sun mētin amumona tektēnaito,

20hē tis alexikakos pasin Danaoisi genoito.

English · Butler

to go at once to Nestor son of Neleus, and see if between them they could find any way of the Achaeans from destruction. He therefore rose, put on his shirt, bound his sandals about his comely feet, flung the skin

Homeric Greek

ὀρθωθεὶς δ' ἔνδυνε περὶ στήθεσσι χιτῶνα,

ποσσὶ δ' ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

ἀμφὶ δ' ἔπειτα δαφοινὸν ἑέσσατο δέρμα λέοντος

αἴθωνος μεγάλοιο ποδηνεκές, εἵλετο δ' ἔγχος.

25ὣς δ' αὔτως Μενέλαον ἔχε τρόμος: οὐδὲ γὰρ αὐτῷ

Transliteration

orthōtheis d' endune peri stēthessi chitōna,

possi d' hupo liparoisin edēsato kala pedila,

amphi d' epeita daphoinon heessato derma leontos

aithōnos megaloio podēnekes, heileto d' enchos.

25hōs d' autōs Menelaon eche tromos: oude gar autōi

English · Butler

of a huge tawny lion over his shoulders - a skin that reached his feet- and took his spear in his hand. Neither could Menelaos sleep, for he, too, boded ill for the Argives who for his sake had sailed from far over the seas to fight the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἐφίζανε: μή τι πάθοιεν

Ἀργεῖοι, τοὶ δὴ ἕθεν εἵνεκα πουλὺν ἐφ' ὑγρὴν

ἤλυθον ἐς Τροίην πόλεμον θρασὺν ὁρμαίνοντες.

παρδαλέῃ μὲν πρῶτα μετάφρενον εὐρὺ κάλυψε

30ποικίλῃ, αὐτὰρ ἐπὶ στεφάνην κεφαλῆφιν ἀείρας

Transliteration

hupnos epi blepharoisin ephizane: mē ti pathoien

Argeioi, toi dē hethen heineka poulun eph' hugrēn

ēluthon es Troiēn polemon thrasun hormainontes.

pardaleēi men prōta metaphrenon euru kalupse

30poikilēi, autar epi stephanēn kephalēphin aeiras

English · Butler

Neither could Menelaos sleep, for he, too, boded ill for the Argives who for his sake had sailed from far over the seas to fight the Trojans. He covered his broad back with the skin of a spotted panther, put a casque of bronze upon his head, and took his spear in his brawny hand. Then he went to rouse his brother, who was by far the most powerful of the Achaeans, and was honored in his district as though he were a god. He found him by the stern of

Homeric Greek

θήκατο χαλκείην, δόρυ δ' εἵλετο χειρὶ παχείῃ.

βῆ δ' ἴμεν ἀνστήσων ὃν ἀδελφεόν, ὃς μέγα πάντων

Ἀργείων ἤνασσε, θεὸς δ' ὣς τίετο δήμῳ.

τὸν δ' εὗρ' ἀμφ' ὤμοισι τιθήμενον ἔντεα καλὰ

35νηὶ̈ πάρα πρύμνῃ: τῷ δ' ἀσπάσιος γένετ' ἐλθών.

Transliteration

thēkato chalkeiēn, doru d' heileto cheiri pacheiēi.

bē d' imen anstēsōn hon adelpheon, hos mega pantōn

Argeiōn ēnasse, theos d' hōs tieto dēmōi.

ton d' heur' amph' ōmoisi tithēmenon entea kala

35nēï para prumnēi: tōi d' aspasios genet' elthōn.

English · Butler

his ship already putting his goodly array about his shoulders, and right glad was he that his brother had come. Menelaos spoke first. "Why," said he, "my dear brother, are you thus arming?

Homeric Greek

τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος:

τίφθ' οὕτως ἠθεῖε κορύσσεαι; ἦ τιν' ἑταίρων

ὀτρυνέεις Τρώεσσιν ἐπίσκοπον; ἀλλὰ μάλ' αἰνῶς

δείδω μὴ οὔ τίς τοι ὑπόσχηται τόδε ἔργον

40ἄνδρας δυσμενέας σκοπιαζέμεν οἶος ἐπελθὼν

Transliteration

ton proteros proseeipe boēn agathos Menelaos:

tiphth' houtōs ētheie korusseai; ē tin' hetairōn

otruneeis Trōessin episkopon; alla mal' ainōs

deidō mē ou tis toi huposchētai tode ergon

40andras dusmeneas skopiazemen oios epelthōn

English · Butler

Are you going to send any of our comrades to exploit the Trojans? I greatly fear that no one will do you this service, and spy upon the enemy alone in the dead of night. It will be a deed

Homeric Greek

νύκτα δι' ἀμβροσίην: μάλα τις θρασυκάρδιος ἔσται.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων:

χρεὼ βουλῆς ἐμὲ καὶ σὲ διοτρεφὲς ὦ Μενέλαε

κερδαλέης, ἥ τίς κεν ἐρύσσεται ἠδὲ σαώσει

45Ἀργείους καὶ νῆας, ἐπεὶ Διὸς ἐτράπετο φρήν.

Transliteration

nukta di' ambrosiēn: mala tis thrasukardios estai.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē kreiōn Agamemnōn:

chreō boulēs eme kai se diotrephes ō Menelae

kerdaleēs, hē tis ken erussetai ēde saōsei

45Argeious kai nēas, epei Dios etrapeto phrēn.

English · Butler

of great daring." And King Agamemnon answered, "Menelaos, we both of us need shrewd counsel to save the Argives and our ships, for Zeus has changed his mind, and inclines towards Hektor's sacrifices rather than ours. I never saw nor heard tell of any man as having wrought such ruin in one day as Hektor has now wrought against the

Homeric Greek

Ἑκτορέοις ἄρα μᾶλλον ἐπὶ φρένα θῆχ' ἱεροῖσιν:

οὐ γάρ πω ἰδόμην, οὐδ' ἔκλυον αὐδήσαντος

ἄνδρ' ἕνα τοσσάδε μέρμερ' ἐπ' ἤματι μητίσασθαι,

ὅσσ' Ἕκτωρ ἔρρεξε Διὶ̈ φίλος υἷας Ἀχαιῶν

50αὔτως, οὔτε θεᾶς υἱὸς φίλος οὔτε θεοῖο.

Transliteration

Hektoreois ara mallon epi phrena thēch' hieroisin:

ou gar pō idomēn, oud' ekluon audēsantos

andr' hena tossade mermer' ep' ēmati mētisasthai,

hoss' Hektōr errexe Diï philos huias Achaiōn

50autōs, oute theas huios philos oute theoio.

English · Butler

sons of the Achaeans - and that too of his own unaided self, for he is son neither to god nor goddess. The Argives will rue it long and deeply. Run, therefore, with all speed by the line of the ships, and call Ajax and Idomeneus. Meanwhile I will go to Nestor,

Homeric Greek

ἔργα δ' ἔρεξ' ὅσα φημὶ μελησέμεν Ἀργείοισι

δηθά τε καὶ δολιχόν: τόσα γὰρ κακὰ μήσατ' Ἀχαιούς.

ἀλλ' ἴθι νῦν Αἴαντα καὶ Ἰδομενῆα κάλεσσον

ῥίμφα θέων παρὰ νῆας: ἐγὼ δ' ἐπὶ Νέστορα δῖον

55εἶμι, καὶ ὀτρυνέω ἀνστήμεναι, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσιν

Transliteration

erga d' erex' hosa phēmi melēsemen Argeioisi

dētha te kai dolichon: tosa gar kaka mēsat' Achaious.

all' ithi nun Aianta kai Idomenēa kalesson

rhimpha theōn para nēas: egō d' epi Nestora dion

55eimi, kai otruneō anstēmenai, ai k' ethelēisin

English · Butler

and bid him rise and go about among the companies of our sentinels to give them their instructions; they will listen to him sooner than to any man, for his own son, and Meriones brother in arms to Idomeneus, are leaders over them. It was

Homeric Greek

ἐλθεῖν ἐς φυλάκων ἱερὸν τέλος ἠδ' ἐπιτεῖλαι.

κείνῳ γάρ κε μάλιστα πιθοίατο: τοῖο γὰρ υἱὸς

σημαίνει φυλάκεσσι καὶ Ἰδομενῆος ὀπάων

Μηριόνης: τοῖσιν γὰρ ἐπετράπομέν γε μάλιστα.

60τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος:

Transliteration

elthein es phulakōn hieron telos ēd' epiteilai.

keinōi gar ke malista pithoiato: toio gar huios

sēmainei phulakessi kai Idomenēos opaōn

Mērionēs: toisin gar epetrapomen ge malista.

60ton d' ēmeibet' epeita boēn agathos Menelaos:

English · Butler

to them more particularly that we gave this charge." Menelaos replied, "How do I take your meaning?

Homeric Greek

πῶς γάρ μοι μύθῳ ἐπιτέλλεαι ἠδὲ κελεύεις;

αὖθι μένω μετὰ τοῖσι δεδεγμένος εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθῃς,

ἦε θέω μετὰ σ' αὖτις, ἐπὴν εὖ τοῖς ἐπιτείλω;

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων,

65αὖθι μένειν, μή πως ἀβροτάξομεν ἀλλήλοιιν

Transliteration

pōs gar moi muthōi epitelleai ēde keleueis;

authi menō meta toisi dedegmenos eis ho ken elthēis,

ēe theō meta s' autis, epēn eu tois epiteilō;

ton d' aute proseeipen anax andrōn Agamemnōn,

65authi menein, mē pōs abrotaxomen allēloiin

English · Butler

Menelaos replied, "How do I take your meaning? Am I to stay with them and wait your coming, or shall I return here as soon as I have given your orders?" "Wait," answered King Agamemnon, "for there are so many paths about the camp that we might miss one another. Call every man on your way, and bid him be stirring; name him by his lineage and

Homeric Greek

ἐρχομένω: πολλαὶ γὰρ ἀνὰ στρατόν εἰσι κέλευθοι.

φθέγγεο δ' ᾗ κεν ἴῃσθα καὶ ἐγρήγορθαι ἄνωχθι

πατρόθεν ἐκ γενεῆς ὀνομάζων ἄνδρα ἕκαστον

πάντας κυδαίνων: μηδὲ μεγαλίζεο θυμῷ,

70ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτοί περ πονεώμεθα: ὧδέ που ἄμμι

Transliteration

erchomenō: pollai gar ana straton eisi keleuthoi.

phthengeo d' hēi ken iēistha kai egrēgorthai anōchthi

patrothen ek geneēs onomazōn andra hekaston

pantas kudainōn: mēde megalizeo thumōi,

70alla kai autoi per poneōmetha: hōde pou ammi

English · Butler

by his father's name, give each all titular observance, and stand not too much upon your own dignity; we must take our full share of toil, for at our birth Zeus laid this heavy

Homeric Greek

Ζεὺς ἐπὶ γιγνομένοισιν ἵει κακότητα βαρεῖαν.

ὣς εἰπὼν ἀπέπεμπεν ἀδελφεὸν εὖ ἐπιτείλας:

αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ ῥ' ἰέναι μετὰ Νέστορα ποιμένα λαῶν:

τὸν δ' εὗρεν παρά τε κλισίῃ καὶ νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ

75εὐνῇ ἔνι μαλακῇ: παρὰ δ' ἔντεα ποικίλ' ἔκειτο

Transliteration

Zeus epi gignomenoisin hiei kakotēta bareian.

hōs eipōn apepempen adelpheon eu epiteilas:

autar ho bē rh' ienai meta Nestora poimena laōn:

ton d' heuren para te klisiēi kai nēï melainēi

75eunēi eni malakēi: para d' entea poikil' ekeito

English · Butler

burden upon us." With these instructions he sent his brother on his way, and went on to Nestor shepherd of his people. He found him sleeping in his tent hard by his own ship; his goodly armor lay beside him - his shield, his two spears and his helmet; beside him also lay the gleaming belt with

Homeric Greek

ἀσπὶς καὶ δύο δοῦρε φαεινή τε τρυφάλεια.

πὰρ δὲ ζωστὴρ κεῖτο παναίολος, ᾧ ῥ' ὁ γεραιὸς

ζώννυθ' ὅτ' ἐς πόλεμον φθισήνορα θωρήσσοιτο

λαὸν ἄγων, ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ἐπέτρεπε γήραϊ λυγρῷ.

80ὀρθωθεὶς δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' ἀγκῶνος κεφαλὴν ἐπαείρας

Transliteration

aspis kai duo doure phaeinē te truphaleia.

par de zōstēr keito panaiolos, hōi rh' ho geraios

zōnnuth' hot' es polemon phthisēnora thōrēssoito

laon agōn, epei ou men epetrepe gēraï lugrōi.

80orthōtheis d' ar' ep' ankōnos kephalēn epaeiras

English · Butler

which the old man girded himself when he armed to lead his people into battle - for his age stayed him not. He raised himself on his elbow and looked up at Agamemnon. "Who is it," said he, "that goes thus about the host and

Homeric Greek

Ἀτρεί̈δην προσέειπε καὶ ἐξερεείνετο μύθῳ:

τίς δ' οὗτος κατὰ νῆας ἀνὰ στρατὸν ἔρχεαι οἶος

νύκτα δι' ὀρφναίην, ὅτε θ' εὕδουσι βροτοὶ ἄλλοι,

ἠέ τιν' οὐρήων διζήμενος, ἤ τιν' ἑταίρων;

85φθέγγεο, μηδ' ἀκέων ἐπ' ἔμ' ἔρχεο: τίπτε δέ σε χρεώ;

Transliteration

Atreïdēn proseeipe kai exereeineto muthōi:

tis d' houtos kata nēas ana straton ercheai oios

nukta di' orphnaiēn, hote th' heudousi brotoi alloi,

ēe tin' ourēōn dizēmenos, ē tin' hetairōn;

85phthengeo, mēd' akeōn ep' em' ercheo: tipte de se chreō;

English · Butler

the ships alone and in the dead of night, when men are sleeping? Are you looking for one of your mules or for some comrade? Do not stand there and say nothing, but speak. What is your

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων:

ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν

γνώσεαι Ἀτρεί̈δην Ἀγαμέμνονα, τὸν περὶ πάντων

Ζεὺς ἐνέηκε πόνοισι διαμπερὲς εἰς ὅ κ' ἀϋτμὴ

90ἐν στήθεσσι μένῃ καί μοι φίλα γούνατ' ὀρώρῃ.

Transliteration

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita anax andrōn Agamemnōn:

ō Nestor Nēlēïadē mega kudos Achaiōn

gnōseai Atreïdēn Agamemnona, ton peri pantōn

Zeus eneēke ponoisi diamperes eis ho k' aütmē

90en stēthessi menēi kai moi phila gounat' orōrēi.

English · Butler

business?" And Agamemnon answered, "Nestor, son of Neleus, honor to the Achaean name, it is I, Agamemnon son of Atreus, on whom Zeus has laid labor and sorrow so long as there is breath in my body and my limbs carry me. I am thus abroad because sleep sits not upon my eyelids, but my heart is big with war and with the jeopardy of the Achaeans. I am in great fear for the Danaans.

Homeric Greek

πλάζομαι ὧδ' ἐπεὶ οὔ μοι ἐπ' ὄμμασι νήδυμος ὕπνος

ἱζάνει, ἀλλὰ μέλει πόλεμος καὶ κήδε' Ἀχαιῶν.

αἰνῶς γὰρ Δαναῶν περιδείδια, οὐδέ μοι ἦτορ

ἔμπεδον, ἀλλ' ἀλαλύκτημαι, κραδίη δέ μοι ἔξω

95στηθέων ἐκθρῴσκει, τρομέει δ' ὑπὸ φαίδιμα γυῖα.

Transliteration

plazomai hōd' epei ou moi ep' ommasi nēdumos hupnos

hizanei, alla melei polemos kai kēde' Achaiōn.

ainōs gar Danaōn perideidia, oude moi ētor

empedon, all' alaluktēmai, kradiē de moi exō

95stētheōn ekthrōiskei, tromeei d' hupo phaidima guia.

English · Butler

I am at sea, and without sure counsel; my heart beats as though it would leap out of my body, and my limbs fail me. If then you can do anything - for you too cannot sleep - let us go the round

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' εἴ τι δραίνεις, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ σέ γ' ὕπνος ἱκάνει,

δεῦρ' ἐς τοὺς φύλακας καταβήομεν, ὄφρα ἴδωμεν

μὴ τοὶ μὲν καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνῳ

κοιμήσωνται, ἀτὰρ φυλακῆς ἐπὶ πάγχυ λάθωνται.

100δυσμενέες δ' ἄνδρες σχεδὸν εἵαται: οὐδέ τι ἴδμεν

Transliteration

all' ei ti draineis, epei oude se g' hupnos hikanei,

deur' es tous phulakas katabēomen, ophra idōmen

mē toi men kamatōi adēkotes ēde kai hupnōi

koimēsōntai, atar phulakēs epi panchu lathōntai.

100dusmenees d' andres schedon heiatai: oude ti idmen

English · Butler

of the watch, and see whether they are drowsy with toil and sleeping to the neglect of their duty. The enemy is encamped hard and we know not but he may

Homeric Greek

μή πως καὶ διὰ νύκτα μενοινήσωσι μάχεσθαι.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

Ἀτρεί̈δη κύδιστε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον

οὔ θην Ἕκτορι πάντα νοήματα μητίετα Ζεὺς

105ἐκτελέει, ὅσα πού νυν ἐέλπεται: ἀλλά μιν οἴω

Transliteration

mē pōs kai dia nukta menoinēsōsi machesthai.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

Atreïdē kudiste anax andrōn Agamemnon

ou thēn Hektori panta noēmata mētieta Zeus

105ekteleei, hosa pou nun eelpetai: alla min oiō

English · Butler

attack us by night." Nestor replied, "Most noble son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, Zeus will not do all for Hektor that Hektor thinks he will; he will have troubles yet in plenty if Achilles will lay aside his anger. I will go with you, and we will rouse others, either the son of Tydeus, or Odysseus, or fleet Ajax and the valiant son of Phyleus.

Homeric Greek

κήδεσι μοχθήσειν καὶ πλείοσιν, εἴ κεν Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἐκ χόλου ἀργαλέοιο μεταστρέψῃ φίλον ἦτορ.

σοὶ δὲ μάλ' ἕψομ' ἐγώ: ποτὶ δ' αὖ καὶ ἐγείρομεν ἄλλους

ἠμὲν Τυδεί̈δην δουρὶ κλυτὸν ἠδ' Ὀδυσῆα

110ἠδ' Αἴαντα ταχὺν καὶ Φυλέος ἄλκιμον υἱόν.

Transliteration

kēdesi mochthēsein kai pleiosin, ei ken Achilleus

ek cholou argaleoio metastrepsēi philon ētor.

soi de mal' hepsom' egō: poti d' au kai egeiromen allous

ēmen Tudeïdēn douri kluton ēd' Odusēa

110ēd' Aianta tachun kai Phuleos alkimon huion.

English · Butler

Some one had also better go and call Ajax and King Idomeneus, for their ships are not near at hand but the farthest of all. I cannot however refrain from blaming

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' εἴ τις καὶ τούσδε μετοιχόμενος καλέσειεν

ἀντίθεόν τ' Αἴαντα καὶ Ἰδομενῆα ἄνακτα:

τῶν γὰρ νῆες ἔασιν ἑκαστάτω, οὐδὲ μάλ' ἐγγύς.

ἀλλὰ φίλον περ ἐόντα καὶ αἰδοῖον Μενέλαον

115νεικέσω, εἴ πέρ μοι νεμεσήσεαι, οὐδ' ἐπικεύσω

Transliteration

all' ei tis kai tousde metoichomenos kaleseien

antitheon t' Aianta kai Idomenēa anakta:

tōn gar nēes easin hekastatō, oude mal' engus.

alla philon per eonta kai aidoion Menelaon

115neikesō, ei per moi nemesēseai, oud' epikeusō

English · Butler

Menelaos, much as I love him and respect him - and I will say so plainly, even at the risk of offending you - for sleeping and leaving all this trouble to yourself.

Homeric Greek

ὡς εὕδει, σοὶ δ' οἴῳ ἐπέτρεψεν πονέεσθαι.

νῦν ὄφελεν κατὰ πάντας ἀριστῆας πονέεσθαι

λισσόμενος: χρειὼ γὰρ ἱκάνεται οὐκέτ' ἀνεκτός.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων:

120ὦ γέρον ἄλλοτε μέν σε καὶ αἰτιάασθαι ἄνωγα:

Transliteration

hōs heudei, soi d' oiōi epetrepsen poneesthai.

nun ophelen kata pantas aristēas poneesthai

lissomenos: chreiō gar hikanetai ouket' anektos.

ton d' aute proseeipen anax andrōn Agamemnōn:

120ō geron allote men se kai aitiaasthai anōga:

English · Butler

and I will say so plainly, even at the risk of offending you - for sleeping and leaving all this trouble to yourself. He ought to be going about imploring aid from all the princes of the Achaeans, for we are in extreme danger." And Agamemnon answered, "Sir, you may sometimes blame him justly, for he is often remiss and unwilling to exert himself - not indeed from sloth, nor yet lack of thought, but because he looks to me and expects me to take the lead. On this occasion, however, he was awake before I was, and came to me of his own accord.

Homeric Greek

πολλάκι γὰρ μεθιεῖ τε καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλει πονέεσθαι

οὔτ' ὄκνῳ εἴκων οὔτ' ἀφραδίῃσι νόοιο,

ἀλλ' ἐμέ τ' εἰσορόων καὶ ἐμὴν ποτιδέγμενος ὁρμήν.

νῦν δ' ἐμέο πρότερος μάλ' ἐπέγρετο καί μοι ἐπέστη:

125τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ προέηκα καλήμεναι οὓς σὺ μεταλλᾷς.

Transliteration

pollaki gar methiei te kai ouk ethelei poneesthai

out' oknōi eikōn out' aphradiēisi nooio,

all' eme t' eisoroōn kai emēn potidegmenos hormēn.

nun d' emeo proteros mal' epegreto kai moi epestē:

125ton men egō proeēka kalēmenai hous su metallāis.

English · Butler

I have already sent him to call the very men whom you have named. And now let us be going. We shall find them with the watch outside the gates, for it was there I said

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἴομεν: κείνους δὲ κιχησόμεθα πρὸ πυλάων

ἐν φυλάκεσσ', ἵνα γάρ σφιν ἐπέφραδον ἠγερέθεσθαι.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

οὕτως οὔ τίς οἱ νεμεσήσεται οὐδ' ἀπιθήσει

130Ἀργείων, ὅτε κέν τιν' ἐποτρύνῃ καὶ ἀνώγῃ.

Transliteration

all' iomen: keinous de kichēsometha pro pulaōn

en phulakess', hina gar sphin epephradon ēgerethesthai.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

houtōs ou tis hoi nemesēsetai oud' apithēsei

130Argeiōn, hote ken tin' epotrunēi kai anōgēi.

English · Butler

that we would meet them." "In that case," answered Nestor, "the Argives will not blame him nor disobey his orders when he urges them to fight or gives them instructions."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰπὼν ἔνδυνε περὶ στήθεσσι χιτῶνα,

ποσσὶ δ' ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρα χλαῖναν περονήσατο φοινικόεσσαν

διπλῆν ἐκταδίην, οὔλη δ' ἐπενήνοθε λάχνη.

135εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἀκαχμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

Transliteration

hōs eipōn endune peri stēthessi chitōna,

possi d' hupo liparoisin edēsato kala pedila,

amphi d' ara chlainan peronēsato phoinikoessan

diplēn ektadiēn, oulē d' epenēnothe lachnē.

135heileto d' alkimon enchos akachmenon oxeï chalkōi,

English · Butler

With this he put on his shirt, and bound his sandals about his comely feet. He buckled on his purple coat, of two thicknesses, large, and of a rough shaggy texture, grasped his redoubtable bronze-shod spear, and wended his way along the line of the Achaean ships. First he called loudly to Odysseus peer of

Homeric Greek

βῆ δ' ἰέναι κατὰ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων.

πρῶτον ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆα Διὶ μῆτιν ἀτάλαντον

ἐξ ὕπνου ἀνέγειρε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ

φθεγξάμενος: τὸν δ' αἶψα περὶ φρένας ἤλυθ' ἰωή,

140ἐκ δ' ἦλθε κλισίης καί σφεας πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:

Transliteration

bē d' ienai kata nēas Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn.

prōton epeit' Odusēa Dii mētin atalanton

ex hupnou anegeire Gerēnios hippota Nestōr

phthenxamenos: ton d' aipsa peri phrenas ēluth' iōē,

140ek d' ēlthe klisiēs kai spheas pros muthon eeipe:

English · Butler

gods in counsel and woke him, for he was soon roused by the sound of the battle-cry. He came outside his tent and said, "Why do you go thus alone about the host, and along the line of the ships in the stillness of the night? What is it that you find so urgent?"

Homeric Greek

τίφθ' οὕτω κατὰ νῆας ἀνὰ στρατὸν οἶοι ἀλᾶσθε

νύκτα δι' ἀμβροσίην, ὅ τι δὴ χρειὼ τόσον ἵκει;

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη πολυμήχαν' Ὀδυσσεῦ

145μὴ νεμέσα: τοῖον γὰρ ἄχος βεβίηκεν Ἀχαιούς.

Transliteration

tiphth' houtō kata nēas ana straton oioi alasthe

nukta di' ambrosiēn, ho ti dē chreiō toson hikei;

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

diogenes Laertiadē polumēchan' Odusseu

145mē nemesa: toion gar achos bebiēken Achaious.

English · Butler

And Nestor horseman of Gerene answered, "Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, take it not amiss, for the Achaeans are in great sorrow. Come with me and let us wake some other, who may advise

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἕπε', ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλον ἐγείρομεν ὅν τ' ἐπέοικε

βουλὰς βουλεύειν, ἢ φευγέμεν ἠὲ μάχεσθαι.

ὣς φάθ', ὃ δὲ κλισίην δὲ κιὼν πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεὺς

ποικίλον ἀμφ' ὤμοισι σάκος θέτο, βῆ δὲ μετ' αὐτούς.

150βὰν δ' ἐπὶ Τυδεί̈δην Διομήδεα: τὸν δὲ κίχανον

Transliteration

all' hepe', ophra kai allon egeiromen hon t' epeoike

boulas bouleuein, ē pheugemen ēe machesthai.

hōs phath', ho de klisiēn de kiōn polumētis Odusseus

poikilon amph' ōmoisi sakos theto, bē de met' autous.

150ban d' epi Tudeïdēn Diomēdea: ton de kichanon

English · Butler

well with us whether we shall fight or flee." On this Odysseus went at once into his tent, put his shield about his shoulders and came out with them. First they went to Diomedes son of Tydeus, and found him outside his tent clad in his

Homeric Greek

ἐκτὸς ἀπὸ κλισίης σὺν τεύχεσιν: ἀμφὶ δ' ἑταῖροι

εὗδον, ὑπὸ κρασὶν δ' ἔχον ἀσπίδας: ἔγχεα δέ σφιν

ὄρθ' ἐπὶ σαυρωτῆρος ἐλήλατο, τῆλε δὲ χαλκὸς

λάμφ' ὥς τε στεροπὴ πατρὸς Διός: αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἥρως

155εὗδ', ὑπὸ δ' ἔστρωτο ῥινὸν βοὸς ἀγραύλοιο,

Transliteration

ektos apo klisiēs sun teuchesin: amphi d' hetairoi

heudon, hupo krasin d' echon aspidas: enchea de sphin

orth' epi saurōtēros elēlato, tēle de chalkos

lamph' hōs te steropē patros Dios: autar ho g' hērōs

155heud', hupo d' estrōto rhinon boos agrauloio,

English · Butler

armor with his comrades sleeping round him and using their shields as pillows; as for their spears, they stood upright on the spikes of their butts that were driven into the ground, and the burnished bronze flashed afar like the lightning of father Zeus. The hero was sleeping upon the skin of an ox, with a piece of fine carpet under his head; Nestor went up to him and stirred him with

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὑπὸ κράτεσφι τάπης τετάνυστο φαεινός.

τὸν παρστὰς ἀνέγειρε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,

λὰξ ποδὶ κινήσας, ὄτρυνέ τε νείκεσέ τ' ἄντην:

ἔγρεο Τυδέος υἱέ: τί πάννυχον ὕπνον ἀωτεῖς;

160οὐκ ἀί̈εις ὡς Τρῶες ἐπὶ θρωσμῷ πεδίοιο

Transliteration

autar hupo kratesphi tapēs tetanusto phaeinos.

ton parstas anegeire Gerēnios hippota Nestōr,

lax podi kinēsas, otrune te neikese t' antēn:

egreo Tudeos huie: ti pannuchon hupnon aōteis;

160ouk aïeis hōs Trōes epi thrōsmōi pedioio

English · Butler

his heel to rouse him, upbraiding him and urging him to bestir himself. "Wake up," he exclaimed, "son of Tydeus. How can you sleep on in this way? Can you not see that the Trojans are encamped on the brow of the plain hard by our ships,

Homeric Greek

εἵαται ἄγχι νεῶν, ὀλίγος δ' ἔτι χῶρος ἐρύκει;

ὣς φάθ', ὃ δ' ἐξ ὕπνοιο μάλα κραιπνῶς ἀνόρουσε,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

σχέτλιός ἐσσι γεραιέ: σὺ μὲν πόνου οὔ ποτε λήγεις.

165οὔ νυ καὶ ἄλλοι ἔασι νεώτεροι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

heiatai anchi neōn, oligos d' eti chōros erukei;

hōs phath', ho d' ex hupnoio mala kraipnōs anorouse,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

schetlios essi geraie: su men ponou ou pote lēgeis.

165ou nu kai alloi easi neōteroi huies Achaiōn

English · Butler

with but a little space between us and them?" On these words Diomedes leaped up instantly and said, "Old man, your heart is of iron; you rest not one moment from your labors. Are there no younger men among the Achaeans who could go about to rouse the princes? There is

Homeric Greek

οἵ κεν ἔπειτα ἕκαστον ἐγείρειαν βασιλήων

πάντῃ ἐποιχόμενοι; σὺ δ' ἀμήχανός ἐσσι γεραιέ.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα φίλος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.

170εἰσὶν μέν μοι παῖδες ἀμύμονες, εἰσὶ δὲ λαοὶ

Transliteration

hoi ken epeita hekaston egeireian basilēōn

pantēi epoichomenoi; su d' amēchanos essi geraie.

ton d' aute proseeipe Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

nai dē tauta ge panta philos kata moiran eeipes.

170eisin men moi paides amumones, eisi de laoi

English · Butler

no tiring you." And Nestor horseman of Gerene made answer, "My son, all that you have said is true. I have good sons, and also many people who might call the chieftains, but the Achaeans are in the gravest danger;

Homeric Greek

καὶ πολέες, τῶν κέν τις ἐποιχόμενος καλέσειεν:

ἀλλὰ μάλα μεγάλη χρειὼ βεβίηκεν Ἀχαιούς.

νῦν γὰρ δὴ πάντεσσιν ἐπὶ ξυροῦ ἵσταται ἀκμῆς

ἢ μάλα λυγρὸς ὄλεθρος Ἀχαιοῖς ἠὲ βιῶναι.

175ἀλλ' ἴθι νῦν Αἴαντα ταχὺν καὶ Φυλέος υἱὸν

Transliteration

kai polees, tōn ken tis epoichomenos kaleseien:

alla mala megalē chreiō bebiēken Achaious.

nun gar dē pantessin epi xurou histatai akmēs

ē mala lugros olethros Achaiois ēe biōnai.

175all' ithi nun Aianta tachun kai Phuleos huion

English · Butler

life and death are balanced as it were on the edge of a razor. Go then, for you are younger than I, and of your courtesy rouse Ajax and the

Homeric Greek

ἄνστησον: σὺ γάρ ἐσσι νεώτερος: εἴ μ' ἐλεαίρεις.

ὣς φάθ', ὃ δ' ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἑέσσατο δέρμα λέοντος

αἴθωνος μεγάλοιο ποδηνεκές, εἵλετο δ' ἔγχος.

βῆ δ' ἰέναι, τοὺς δ' ἔνθεν ἀναστήσας ἄγεν ἥρως.

180οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ φυλάκεσσιν ἐν ἀγρομένοισιν ἔμιχθεν,

Transliteration

anstēson: su gar essi neōteros: ei m' eleaireis.

hōs phath', ho d' amph' ōmoisin heessato derma leontos

aithōnos megaloio podēnekes, heileto d' enchos.

bē d' ienai, tous d' enthen anastēsas agen hērōs.

180hoi d' hote dē phulakessin en agromenoisin emichthen,

English · Butler

fleet son of Phyleus." Diomedes threw the skin of a great tawny lion about his shoulders - a skin that reached his feet - and grasped his spear. When he had roused the heroes, he brought them back with him; they then went the round of those who were on guard, and found the leaders not sleeping at their posts but wakeful and sitting with their arms about them.

Homeric Greek

οὐδὲ μὲν εὕδοντας φυλάκων ἡγήτορας εὗρον,

ἀλλ' ἐγρηγορτὶ σὺν τεύχεσιν εἵατο πάντες.

ὡς δὲ κύνες περὶ μῆλα δυσωρήσωνται ἐν αὐλῇ

θηρὸς ἀκούσαντες κρατερόφρονος, ὅς τε καθ' ὕλην

185ἔρχηται δι' ὄρεσφι: πολὺς δ' ὀρυμαγδὸς ἐπ' αὐτῷ

Transliteration

oude men heudontas phulakōn hēgētoras heuron,

all' egrēgorti sun teuchesin heiato pantes.

hōs de kunes peri mēla dusōrēsōntai en aulēi

thēros akousantes kraterophronos, hos te kath' hulēn

185erchētai di' oresphi: polus d' orumagdos ep' autōi

English · Butler

As sheep dogs that watch their flocks when they are yarded, and hear a wild beast coming through the mountain forest towards them - forthwith there is a hue and cry of dogs and men, and slumber is broken -

Homeric Greek

ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ κυνῶν, ἀπό τέ σφισιν ὕπνος ὄλωλεν:

ὣς τῶν νήδυμος ὕπνος ἀπὸ βλεφάροιιν ὀλώλει

νύκτα φυλασσομένοισι κακήν: πεδίον δὲ γὰρ αἰεὶ

τετράφαθ', ὁππότ' ἐπὶ Τρώων ἀί̈οιεν ἰόντων.

190τοὺς δ' ὃ γέρων γήθησεν ἰδὼν θάρσυνέ τε μύθῳ

Transliteration

andrōn ēde kunōn, apo te sphisin hupnos olōlen:

hōs tōn nēdumos hupnos apo blepharoiin olōlei

nukta phulassomenoisi kakēn: pedion de gar aiei

tetraphath', hoppot' epi Trōōn aïoien iontōn.

190tous d' ho gerōn gēthēsen idōn tharsune te muthōi

English · Butler

even so was sleep chased from the eyes of the Achaeans as they kept the watches of the wicked night, for they turned constantly towards the plain whenever they heard any stir among the Trojans. The old man was glad bade them be of good cheer. "Watch on, my children," said

Homeric Greek

καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

οὕτω νῦν φίλα τέκνα φυλάσσετε: μηδέ τιν' ὕπνος

αἱρείτω, μὴ χάρμα γενώμεθα δυσμενέεσσιν.

ὣς εἰπὼν τάφροιο διέσσυτο: τοὶ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο

195Ἀργείων βασιλῆες ὅσοι κεκλήατο βουλήν.

Transliteration

kai spheas phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

houtō nun phila tekna phulassete: mēde tin' hupnos

haireitō, mē charma genōmetha dusmeneessin.

hōs eipōn taphroio diessuto: toi d' ham' heponto

195Argeiōn basilēes hosoi keklēato boulēn.

English · Butler

he, "and let not sleep get hold upon you, lest our enemies triumph over us." With this he passed the trench, and with him the other chiefs of the Achaeans who had been called to the council. Meriones and the brave son of Nestor went also, for the princes bade them.

Homeric Greek

τοῖς δ' ἅμα Μηριόνης καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸς υἱὸς

ἤϊσαν: αὐτοὶ γὰρ κάλεον συμμητιάασθαι.

τάφρον δ' ἐκδιαβάντες ὀρυκτὴν ἑδριόωντο

ἐν καθαρῷ, ὅθι δὴ νεκύων διεφαίνετο χῶρος

200πιπτόντων: ὅθεν αὖτις ἀπετράπετ' ὄβριμος Ἕκτωρ

Transliteration

tois d' hama Mērionēs kai Nestoros aglaos huios

ēïsan: autoi gar kaleon summētiaasthai.

taphron d' ekdiabantes oruktēn hedrioōnto

en katharōi, hothi dē nekuōn diephaineto chōros

200piptontōn: hothen autis apetrapet' obrimos Hektōr

English · Butler

When they were beyond the trench that was dug round the wall they held their meeting on the open ground where there was a space clear of corpses, for it was here that when night fell Hektor had turned back from his onslaught on the Argives.

Homeric Greek

ὀλλὺς Ἀργείους, ὅτε δὴ περὶ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν.

ἔνθα καθεζόμενοι ἔπε' ἀλλήλοισι πίφαυσκον:

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

ὦ φίλοι οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἀνὴρ πεπίθοιθ' ἑῷ αὐτοῦ

205θυμῷ τολμήεντι μετὰ Τρῶας μεγαθύμους

Transliteration

ollus Argeious, hote dē peri nux ekalupsen.

entha kathezomenoi epe' allēloisi piphauskon:

toisi de muthōn ērche Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

ō philoi ouk an dē tis anēr pepithoith' heōi autou

205thumōi tolmēenti meta Trōas megathumous

English · Butler

They sat down, therefore, and held debate with one another. Nestor spoke first. "My friends," said he, "is there any man bold enough to venture the Trojans, and cut off some

Homeric Greek

ἐλθεῖν, εἴ τινά που δηί̈ων ἕλοι ἐσχατόωντα,

ἤ τινά που καὶ φῆμιν ἐνὶ Τρώεσσι πύθοιτο,

ἅσσά τε μητιόωσι μετὰ σφίσιν, ἢ μεμάασιν

αὖθι μένειν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀπόπροθεν, ἦε πόλιν δὲ

210ἂψ ἀναχωρήσουσιν, ἐπεὶ δαμάσαντό γ' Ἀχαιούς.

Transliteration

elthein, ei tina pou dēïōn heloi eschatoōnta,

ē tina pou kai phēmin eni Trōessi puthoito,

hassa te mētioōsi meta sphisin, ē memaasin

authi menein para nēusin apoprothen, ēe polin de

210aps anachōrēsousin, epei damasanto g' Achaious.

English · Butler

straggler, or us news of what the enemy mean to do whether they will stay here by the ships away from the city, or whether, now that they have worsted the Achaeans, they will retire within their walls. If he could learn all this and come back safely here, his fame would be high

Homeric Greek

ταῦτά κε πάντα πύθοιτο, καὶ ἂψ εἰς ἡμέας ἔλθοι

ἀσκηθής: μέγα κέν οἱ ὑπουράνιον κλέος εἴη

πάντας ἐπ' ἀνθρώπους, καί οἱ δόσις ἔσσεται ἐσθλή:

ὅσσοι γὰρ νήεσσιν ἐπικρατέουσιν ἄριστοι

215τῶν πάντων οἱ ἕκαστος ὄϊν δώσουσι μέλαιναν

Transliteration

tauta ke panta puthoito, kai aps eis hēmeas elthoi

askēthēs: mega ken hoi hupouranion kleos eiē

pantas ep' anthrōpous, kai hoi dosis essetai esthlē:

hossoi gar nēessin epikrateousin aristoi

215tōn pantōn hoi hekastos oïn dōsousi melainan

English · Butler

as heaven in the mouths of all men, and he would be rewarded richly; for the chiefs from all our ships would each of them give him a black ewe with her lamb - which is a present of surpassing value -

Homeric Greek

θῆλυν ὑπόρρηνον: τῇ μὲν κτέρας οὐδὲν ὁμοῖον,

αἰεὶ δ' ἐν δαίτῃσι καὶ εἰλαπίνῃσι παρέσται.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.

τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης:

220Νέστορ ἔμ' ὀτρύνει κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ

Transliteration

thēlun huporrēnon: tēi men kteras ouden homoion,

aiei d' en daitēisi kai eilapinēisi parestai.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi.

toisi de kai meteeipe boēn agathos Diomēdēs:

220Nestor em' otrunei kradiē kai thumos agēnōr

English · Butler

and he would be asked as a guest to all feasts and clan-gatherings." They all held their peace, but Diomedes of the loud war-cry spoke saying, "Nestor, gladly will I visit the host of the Trojans over against us, but if another will go with me I shall do so in greater confidence and comfort. When two men are together, one of them may see some opportunity which the other has not caught sight of;

Homeric Greek

ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων δῦναι στρατὸν ἐγγὺς ἐόντων

Τρώων: ἀλλ' εἴ τίς μοι ἀνὴρ ἅμ' ἕποιτο καὶ ἄλλος

μᾶλλον θαλπωρὴ καὶ θαρσαλεώτερον ἔσται.

σύν τε δύ' ἐρχομένω καί τε πρὸ ὃ τοῦ ἐνόησεν

225ὅππως κέρδος ἔῃ: μοῦνος δ' εἴ πέρ τε νοήσῃ

Transliteration

andrōn dusmeneōn dunai straton engus eontōn

Trōōn: all' ei tis moi anēr ham' hepoito kai allos

mallon thalpōrē kai tharsaleōteron estai.

sun te du' erchomenō kai te pro ho tou enoēsen

225hoppōs kerdos eēi: mounos d' ei per te noēsēi

English · Butler

if a man is alone he is less full of resource, and his

Homeric Greek

ἀλλά τέ οἱ βράσσων τε νόος, λεπτὴ δέ τε μῆτις.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἔθελον Διομήδεϊ πολλοὶ ἕπεσθαι.

ἠθελέτην Αἴαντε δύω θεράποντες Ἄρηος,

ἤθελε Μηριόνης, μάλα δ' ἤθελε Νέστορος υἱός,

230ἤθελε δ' Ἀτρεί̈δης δουρικλειτὸς Μενέλαος,

Transliteration

alla te hoi brassōn te noos, leptē de te mētis.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ethelon Diomēdeï polloi hepesthai.

ētheletēn Aiante duō therapontes Arēos,

ēthele Mērionēs, mala d' ēthele Nestoros huios,

230ēthele d' Atreïdēs dourikleitos Menelaos,

English · Butler

wit is weaker." On this several offered to go with Diomedes. The two Ajaxes, squires of Ares, Meriones, and the son of Nestor all wanted to go, so did Menelaos son of Atreus; Odysseus also wished to go among the host

Homeric Greek

ἤθελε δ' ὁ τλήμων Ὀδυσεὺς καταδῦναι ὅμιλον

Τρώων: αἰεὶ γάρ οἱ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸς ἐτόλμα.

τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων:

Τυδεί̈δη Διόμηδες ἐμῷ κεχαρισμένε θυμῷ

235τὸν μὲν δὴ ἕταρόν γ' αἱρήσεαι ὅν κ' ἐθέλῃσθα,

Transliteration

ēthele d' ho tlēmōn Oduseus katadunai homilon

Trōōn: aiei gar hoi eni phresi thumos etolma.

toisi de kai meteeipen anax andrōn Agamemnōn:

Tudeïdē Diomēdes emōi kecharismene thumōi

235ton men dē hetaron g' hairēseai hon k' ethelēistha,

English · Butler

of the Trojans, for he was ever full of daring, and thereon Agamemnon king of men spoke thus: "Diomedes," said he, "son of Tydeus, man after my own heart, choose your comrade for yourself - take the best man of those that have offered, for many would now go with you. Do not through delicacy reject

Homeric Greek

φαινομένων τὸν ἄριστον, ἐπεὶ μεμάασί γε πολλοί.

μηδὲ σύ γ' αἰδόμενος σῇσι φρεσὶ τὸν μὲν ἀρείω

καλλείπειν, σὺ δὲ χείρον' ὀπάσσεαι αἰδοῖ εἴκων

ἐς γενεὴν ὁρόων, μηδ' εἰ βασιλεύτερός ἐστιν.

240ὣς ἔφατ', ἔδεισεν δὲ περὶ ξανθῷ Μενελάῳ.

Transliteration

phainomenōn ton ariston, epei memaasi ge polloi.

mēde su g' aidomenos sēisi phresi ton men areiō

kalleipein, su de cheiron' opasseai aidoi eikōn

es geneēn horoōn, mēd' ei basileuteros estin.

240hōs ephat', edeisen de peri xanthōi Menelaōi.

English · Butler

the better man, and take the worst out of respect for his lineage, because he is of more royal blood." He said this because he feared for Menelaos.

Homeric Greek

τοῖς δ' αὖτις μετέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης:

εἰ μὲν δὴ ἕταρόν γε κελεύετέ μ' αὐτὸν ἑλέσθαι,

πῶς ἂν ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆος ἐγὼ θείοιο λαθοίμην,

οὗ πέρι μὲν πρόφρων κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ

245ἐν πάντεσσι πόνοισι, φιλεῖ δέ ἑ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

Transliteration

tois d' autis meteeipe boēn agathos Diomēdēs:

ei men dē hetaron ge keleuete m' auton helesthai,

pōs an epeit' Odusēos egō theioio lathoimēn,

hou peri men prophrōn kradiē kai thumos agēnōr

245en pantessi ponoisi, philei de he Pallas Athēnē.

English · Butler

He said this because he feared for Menelaos. Diomedes answered, "If you bid me take the man of my own choice, how in that case can I fail to think of Odysseus, than whom there is no man more eager to face all kinds of danger - and Pallas Athena loves him well? If he were to go with me

Homeric Greek

τούτου γ' ἑσπομένοιο καὶ ἐκ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο

ἄμφω νοστήσαιμεν, ἐπεὶ περίοιδε νοῆσαι.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

Τυδεί̈δη μήτ' ἄρ με μάλ' αἴνεε μήτέ τι νείκει:

250εἰδόσι γάρ τοι ταῦτα μετ' Ἀργείοις ἀγορεύεις.

Transliteration

toutou g' hespomenoio kai ek puros aithomenoio

amphō nostēsaimen, epei perioide noēsai.

ton d' aute proseeipe polutlas dios Odusseus:

Tudeïdē mēt' ar me mal' ainee mēte ti neikei:

250eidosi gar toi tauta met' Argeiois agoreueis.

English · Butler

we should pass safely through fire itself, for he is quick to see and understand." "Son of Tydeus," replied Odysseus, "say neither good nor ill about me, for you are among Argives who know me well. Let us be going, for the night wanes and dawn is at hand. The stars have gone forward,

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἴομεν: μάλα γὰρ νὺξ ἄνεται, ἐγγύθι δ' ἠώς,

ἄστρα δὲ δὴ προβέβηκε, παροίχωκεν δὲ πλέων νὺξ

τῶν δύο μοιράων, τριτάτη δ' ἔτι μοῖρα λέλειπται.

ὣς εἰπόνθ' ὅπλοισιν ἔνι δεινοῖσιν ἐδύτην.

255Τυδεί̈δῃ μὲν δῶκε μενεπτόλεμος Θρασυμήδης

Transliteration

all' iomen: mala gar nux anetai, enguthi d' ēōs,

astra de dē probebēke, paroichōken de pleōn nux

tōn duo moiraōn, tritatē d' eti moira leleiptai.

hōs eiponth' hoploisin eni deinoisin edutēn.

255Tudeïdēi men dōke meneptolemos Thrasumēdēs

English · Butler

two-thirds of the night are already spent, and the third is alone left us." They then put on their armor. Brave Thrasymedes provided the son of Tydeus with a

Homeric Greek

φάσγανον ἄμφηκες: τὸ δ' ἑὸν παρὰ νηὶ̈ λέλειπτο:

καὶ σάκος: ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κυνέην κεφαλῆφιν ἔθηκε

ταυρείην, ἄφαλόν τε καὶ ἄλλοφον, ἥ τε καταῖτυξ

κέκληται, ῥύεται δὲ κάρη θαλερῶν αἰζηῶν.

260Μηριόνης δ' Ὀδυσῆϊ δίδου βιὸν ἠδὲ φαρέτρην

Transliteration

phasganon amphēkes: to d' heon para nēï leleipto:

kai sakos: amphi de hoi kuneēn kephalēphin ethēke

taureiēn, aphalon te kai allophon, hē te kataitux

keklētai, rhuetai de karē thalerōn aizēōn.

260Mērionēs d' Odusēï didou bion ēde pharetrēn

English · Butler

sword and a shield (for he had left his own at his ship) and on his head he set a helmet of bull's hide without either peak or crest; it is called a skull-cap and is a common headgear. Meriones found a bow and quiver for Odysseus, and on his head he set a leathern helmet that

Homeric Greek

καὶ ξίφος, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κυνέην κεφαλῆφιν ἔθηκε

ῥινοῦ ποιητήν: πολέσιν δ' ἔντοσθεν ἱμᾶσιν

ἐντέτατο στερεῶς: ἔκτοσθε δὲ λευκοὶ ὀδόντες

ἀργιόδοντος ὑὸς θαμέες ἔχον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα

265εὖ καὶ ἐπισταμένως: μέσσῃ δ' ἐνὶ πῖλος ἀρήρει.

Transliteration

kai xiphos, amphi de hoi kuneēn kephalēphin ethēke

rhinou poiētēn: polesin d' entosthen himasin

entetato stereōs: ektosthe de leukoi odontes

argiodontos huos thamees echon entha kai entha

265eu kai epistamenōs: messēi d' eni pilos arērei.

English · Butler

was lined with a strong plaiting of leathern thongs, while on the outside it was thickly studded with boar's teeth, well and skillfully set into it; next the head there was an inner lining of felt. This helmet had been stolen by Autolykos out of Eleon when he broke into the house of Amyntor son of Ormenus.

Homeric Greek

τήν ῥά ποτ' ἐξ Ἐλεῶνος Ἀμύντορος Ὀρμενίδαο

ἐξέλετ' Αὐτόλυκος πυκινὸν δόμον ἀντιτορήσας,

Σκάνδειαν δ' ἄρα δῶκε Κυθηρίῳ Ἀμφιδάμαντι:

Ἀμφιδάμας δὲ Μόλῳ δῶκε ξεινήϊον εἶναι,

270αὐτὰρ ὃ Μηριόνῃ δῶκεν ᾧ παιδὶ φορῆναι:

Transliteration

tēn rha pot' ex Eleōnos Amuntoros Ormenidao

exelet' Autolukos pukinon domon antitorēsas,

Skandeian d' ara dōke Kuthēriōi Amphidamanti:

Amphidamas de Molōi dōke xeinēïon einai,

270autar ho Mērionēi dōken hōi paidi phorēnai:

English · Butler

He gave it to Amphidamas of Cythera to take to Scandea, and Amphidamas gave it as a guest-gift to Molos, who gave it to his son Meriones; and now it was set upon the

Homeric Greek

δὴ τότ' Ὀδυσσῆος πύκασεν κάρη ἀμφιτεθεῖσα.

τὼ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν ὅπλοισιν ἔνι δεινοῖσιν ἐδύτην,

βάν ῥ' ἰέναι, λιπέτην δὲ κατ' αὐτόθι πάντας ἀρίστους.

τοῖσι δὲ δεξιὸν ἧκεν ἐρῳδιὸν ἐγγὺς ὁδοῖο

275Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη: τοὶ δ' οὐκ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι

Transliteration

dē tot' Odussēos pukasen karē amphitetheisa.

tō d' epei oun hoploisin eni deinoisin edutēn,

ban rh' ienai, lipetēn de kat' autothi pantas aristous.

toisi de dexion hēken erōidion engus hodoio

275Pallas Athēnaiē: toi d' ouk idon ophthalmoisi

English · Butler

head of Odysseus. When the pair had armed, they set out, and left the other chieftains behind them. Pallas Athena sent them a heron by the wayside upon their right hands; they could not see it for the darkness, but they heard its cry. Odysseus was glad when he heard

Homeric Greek

νύκτα δι' ὀρφναίην, ἀλλὰ κλάγξαντος ἄκουσαν.

χαῖρε δὲ τῷ ὄρνιθ' Ὀδυσεύς, ἠρᾶτο δ' Ἀθήνῃ:

κλῦθί μευ αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος, ἥ τέ μοι αἰεὶ

ἐν πάντεσσι πόνοισι παρίστασαι, οὐδέ σε λήθω

280κινύμενος: νῦν αὖτε μάλιστά με φῖλαι Ἀθήνη,

Transliteration

nukta di' orphnaiēn, alla klanxantos akousan.

chaire de tōi ornith' Oduseus, ērato d' Athēnēi:

kluthi meu aigiochoio Dios tekos, hē te moi aiei

en pantessi ponoisi paristasai, oude se lēthō

280kinumenos: nun aute malista me philai Athēnē,

English · Butler

it and prayed to Athena: "Hear me," he cried, "daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, you who spy out all my ways and who are with me in all my hardships ; befriend me in this mine hour, and grant that we may return to the ships covered

Homeric Greek

δὸς δὲ πάλιν ἐπὶ νῆας ἐϋκλεῖας ἀφικέσθαι

ῥέξαντας μέγα ἔργον, ὅ κε Τρώεσσι μελήσῃ.

δεύτερος αὖτ' ἠρᾶτο βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης:

κέκλυθι νῦν καὶ ἐμεῖο Διὸς τέκος Ἀτρυτώνη:

285σπεῖό μοι ὡς ὅτε πατρὶ ἅμ' ἕσπεο Τυδέϊ δίῳ

Transliteration

dos de palin epi nēas eükleias aphikesthai

rhexantas mega ergon, ho ke Trōessi melēsēi.

deuteros aut' ērato boēn agathos Diomēdēs:

kekluthi nun kai emeio Dios tekos Atrutōnē:

285speio moi hōs hote patri ham' hespeo Tudeï diōi

English · Butler

with glory after having achieved some mighty exploit that shall bring sorrow to the Trojans." Then Diomedes of the loud war-cry also prayed: "Hear me too," said he, "daughter of Zeus, unweariable; be with me even as you were with my noble father Tydeus when he went to Thebes as envoy sent by the Achaeans. He left the Achaeans by the banks of the river Aesopos, and went to the city bearing a message of peace to the Cadmeans;

Homeric Greek

ἐς Θήβας, ὅτε τε πρὸ Ἀχαιῶν ἄγγελος ᾔει.

τοὺς δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' Ἀσωπῷ λίπε χαλκοχίτωνας Ἀχαιούς,

αὐτὰρ ὃ μειλίχιον μῦθον φέρε Καδμείοισι

κεῖσ': ἀτὰρ ἂψ ἀπιὼν μάλα μέρμερα μήσατο ἔργα

290σὺν σοὶ δῖα θεά, ὅτε οἱ πρόφρασσα παρέστης.

Transliteration

es Thēbas, hote te pro Achaiōn angelos ēiei.

tous d' ar' ep' Asōpōi lipe chalkochitōnas Achaious,

autar ho meilichion muthon phere Kadmeioisi

keis': atar aps apiōn mala mermera mēsato erga

290sun soi dia thea, hote hoi prophrassa parestēs.

English · Butler

on his return thence, with your help, goddess, he did great deeds of daring, for you were his ready helper. Even so guide me and guard me now, and in return I will offer you in sacrifice a broad-browed heifer of a year old, unbroken, and never yet brought by man under the yoke.

Homeric Greek

ὣς νῦν μοι ἐθέλουσα παρίσταο καί με φύλασσε.

σοὶ δ' αὖ ἐγὼ ῥέξω βοῦν ἦνιν εὐρυμέτωπον

ἀδμήτην, ἣν οὔ πω ὑπὸ ζυγὸν ἤγαγεν ἀνήρ:

τήν τοι ἐγὼ ῥέξω χρυσὸν κέρασιν περιχεύας.

295ὣς ἔφαν εὐχόμενοι, τῶν δ' ἔκλυε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

Transliteration

hōs nun moi ethelousa paristao kai me phulasse.

soi d' au egō rhexō boun ēnin eurumetōpon

admētēn, hēn ou pō hupo zugon ēgagen anēr:

tēn toi egō rhexō chruson kerasin pericheuas.

295hōs ephan euchomenoi, tōn d' eklue Pallas Athēnē.

English · Butler

I will gild her horns and will offer her up to you in sacrifice." Thus they prayed, and Pallas Athena heard their prayer.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ ἠρήσαντο Διὸς κούρῃ μεγάλοιο,

βάν ῥ' ἴμεν ὥς τε λέοντε δύω διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν

ἂμ φόνον, ἂν νέκυας, διά τ' ἔντεα καὶ μέλαν αἷμα.

οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ Τρῶας ἀγήνορας εἴασεν Ἕκτωρ

300εὕδειν, ἀλλ' ἄμυδις κικλήσκετο πάντας ἀρίστους,

Transliteration

hoi d' epei ērēsanto Dios kourēi megaloio,

ban rh' imen hōs te leonte duō dia nukta melainan

am phonon, an nekuas, dia t' entea kai melan haima.

oude men oude Trōas agēnoras eiasen Hektōr

300heudein, all' amudis kiklēsketo pantas aristous,

English · Butler

Thus they prayed, and Pallas Athena heard their prayer. When they had done praying to the daughter of great Zeus, they went their way like two lions prowling by night amid the armor and blood-stained bodies of them that had fallen. Neither again did Hektor let the Trojans sleep; for he too called the princes and councilors of the Trojans that he might set his counsel before them. "Is there one," said he, "who for a

Homeric Greek

ὅσσοι ἔσαν Τρώων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες:

τοὺς ὅ γε συγκαλέσας πυκινὴν ἀρτύνετο βουλήν:

τίς κέν μοι τόδε ἔργον ὑποσχόμενος τελέσειε

δώρῳ ἔπι μεγάλῳ; μισθὸς δέ οἱ ἄρκιος ἔσται.

305δώσω γὰρ δίφρόν τε δύω τ' ἐριαύχενας ἵππους

Transliteration

hossoi esan Trōōn hēgētores ēde medontes:

tous ho ge sunkalesas pukinēn artuneto boulēn:

tis ken moi tode ergon huposchomenos teleseie

dōrōi epi megalōi; misthos de hoi arkios estai.

305dōsō gar diphron te duō t' eriauchenas hippous

English · Butler

great reward will do me the service of which I will tell you? He shall be well paid if he will. I will give him a chariot and a couple of horses, the fleetest that can be found at the ships of the Achaeans, if he will dare this thing;

Homeric Greek

οἵ κεν ἄριστοι ἔωσι θοῇς ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν

ὅς τίς κε τλαίη, οἷ τ' αὐτῷ κῦδος ἄροιτο,

νηῶν ὠκυπόρων σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν, ἔκ τε πυθέσθαι

ἠέ φυλάσσονται νῆες θοαὶ ὡς τὸ πάρος περ,

310ἦ ἤδη χείρεσσιν ὑφ' ἡμετέρῃσι δαμέντες

Transliteration

hoi ken aristoi eōsi thoēis epi nēusin Achaiōn

hos tis ke tlaiē, hoi t' autōi kudos aroito,

nēōn ōkuporōn schedon elthemen, ek te puthesthai

ēe phulassontai nēes thoai hōs to paros per,

310ē ēdē cheiressin huph' hēmeterēisi damentes

English · Butler

and he will win infinite honor to boot; he must go to the ships and find out whether they are still guarded as heretofore, or whether now that we have beaten them the Achaeans

Homeric Greek

φύξιν βουλεύουσι μετὰ σφίσιν, οὐδ' ἐθέλουσι

νύκτα φυλασσέμεναι, καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες αἰνῷ.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.

ἦν δέ τις ἐν Τρώεσσι Δόλων Εὐμήδεος υἱὸς

315κήρυκος θείοιο πολύχρυσος πολύχαλκος,

Transliteration

phuxin bouleuousi meta sphisin, oud' ethelousi

nukta phulassemenai, kamatōi adēkotes ainōi.

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi.

ēn de tis en Trōessi Dolōn Eumēdeos huios

315kērukos theioio poluchrusos poluchalkos,

English · Butler

design to flee, and through sheer exhaustion are neglecting to keep their watches." They all held their peace; but there was among the Trojans a certain man named Dolon, son of Eumedes, the famous herald - a man rich in gold and bronze. He was ill-favored, but a good runner, and was an only son among five sisters. He it was that now addressed the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ὃς δή τοι εἶδος μὲν ἔην κακός, ἀλλὰ ποδώκης:

αὐτὰρ ὃ μοῦνος ἔην μετὰ πέντε κασιγνήτῃσιν.

ὅς ῥα τότε Τρωσίν τε καὶ Ἕκτορι μῦθον ἔειπεν:

Ἕκτορ ἔμ' ὀτρύνει κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ

320νηῶν ὠκυπόρων σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν ἔκ τε πυθέσθαι.

Transliteration

hos dē toi eidos men eēn kakos, alla podōkēs:

autar ho mounos eēn meta pente kasignētēisin.

hos rha tote Trōsin te kai Hektori muthon eeipen:

Hektor em' otrunei kradiē kai thumos agēnōr

320nēōn ōkuporōn schedon elthemen ek te puthesthai.

English · Butler

"I, Hektor," said he, "Will to the ships and will exploit them. But first hold up your scepter and swear that you will give me the chariot, equipped with bronze, and the horses that now carry the noble son of Peleus. I will make you a good scout, and will not fail you.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τὸ σκῆπτρον ἀνάσχεο, καί μοι ὄμοσσον

ἦ μὲν τοὺς ἵππους τε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλα χαλκῷ

δωσέμεν, οἳ φορέουσιν ἀμύμονα Πηλεί̈ωνα,

σοὶ δ' ἐγὼ οὐχ ἅλιος σκοπὸς ἔσσομαι οὐδ' ἀπὸ δόξης:

325τόφρα γὰρ ἐς στρατὸν εἶμι διαμπερὲς ὄφρ' ἂν ἵκωμαι

Transliteration

all' age moi to skēptron anascheo, kai moi omosson

ē men tous hippous te kai harmata poikila chalkōi

dōsemen, hoi phoreousin amumona Pēleïōna,

soi d' egō ouch halios skopos essomai oud' apo doxēs:

325tophra gar es straton eimi diamperes ophr' an hikōmai

English · Butler

I will go through the host from one end to the other till I come to the ship of Agamemnon, where I take it the princes of

Homeric Greek

νῆ' Ἀγαμεμνονέην, ὅθι που μέλλουσιν ἄριστοι

βουλὰς βουλεύειν ἢ φευγέμεν ἠὲ μάχεσθαι.

ὣς φάθ', ὃ δ' ἐν χερσὶ σκῆπτρον λάβε καί οἱ ὄμοσσεν:

ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς αὐτὸς ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης

330μὴ μὲν τοῖς ἵπποισιν ἀνὴρ ἐποχήσεται ἄλλος

Transliteration

nē' Agamemnoneēn, hothi pou mellousin aristoi

boulas bouleuein ē pheugemen ēe machesthai.

hōs phath', ho d' en chersi skēptron labe kai hoi omossen:

istō nun Zeus autos erigdoupos posis Hērēs

330mē men tois hippoisin anēr epochēsetai allos

English · Butler

the Achaeans are now consulting whether they shall fight or flee." When he had done speaking Hektor held up his scepter, and swore him his oath saying, "May Zeus the thundering husband of Hera bear witness that no other Trojan but yourself shall mount those steeds,

Homeric Greek

Τρώων, ἀλλά σέ φημι διαμπερὲς ἀγλαϊεῖσθαι.

ὣς φάτο καί ῥ' ἐπίορκον ἐπώμοσε, τὸν δ' ὀρόθυνεν:

αὐτίκα δ' ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἐβάλλετο καμπύλα τόξα,

ἕσσατο δ' ἔκτοσθεν ῥινὸν πολιοῖο λύκοιο,

335κρατὶ δ' ἐπὶ κτιδέην κυνέην, ἕλε δ' ὀξὺν ἄκοντα,

Transliteration

Trōōn, alla se phēmi diamperes aglaïeisthai.

hōs phato kai rh' epiorkon epōmose, ton d' orothunen:

autika d' amph' ōmoisin eballeto kampula toxa,

hessato d' ektosthen rhinon polioio lukoio,

335krati d' epi ktideēn kuneēn, hele d' oxun akonta,

English · Butler

and that you shall have your will with them for ever." The oath he swore was bootless, but it made Dolon more keen on going. He hung his bow over his shoulder, and as an overall he wore the skin of a gray wolf, while on his head he set a cap of ferret skin. Then he took a pointed javelin, and left the

Homeric Greek

βῆ δ' ἰέναι προτὶ νῆας ἀπὸ στρατοῦ: οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔμελλεν

ἐλθὼν ἐκ νηῶν ἂψ Ἕκτορι μῦθον ἀποίσειν.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἵππων τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν κάλλιφ' ὅμιλον,

βῆ ῥ' ἀν' ὁδὸν μεμαώς: τὸν δὲ φράσατο προσιόντα

340διογενὴς Ὀδυσεύς, Διομήδεα δὲ προσέειπεν:

Transliteration

bē d' ienai proti nēas apo stratou: oud' ar' emellen

elthōn ek nēōn aps Hektori muthon apoisein.

all' hote dē rh' hippōn te kai andrōn kalliph' homilon,

bē rh' an' hodon memaōs: ton de phrasato prosionta

340diogenēs Oduseus, Diomēdea de proseeipen:

English · Butler

camp for the ships, but he was not to return with any news for Hektor. When he had left the horses and the troops behind him, he made all speed on his way, but Odysseus perceived his coming and said to Diomedes, "Diomedes, here is some one from the camp; I am not sure whether he is a

Homeric Greek

οὗτός τις Διόμηδες ἀπὸ στρατοῦ ἔρχεται ἀνήρ,

οὐκ οἶδ' ἢ νήεσσιν ἐπίσκοπος ἡμετέρῃσιν,

ἦ τινα συλήσων νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.

ἀλλ' ἐῶμέν μιν πρῶτα παρεξελθεῖν πεδίοιο

345τυτθόν: ἔπειτα δέ κ' αὐτὸν ἐπαί̈ξαντες ἕλοιμεν

Transliteration

houtos tis Diomēdes apo stratou erchetai anēr,

ouk oid' ē nēessin episkopos hēmeterēisin,

ē tina sulēsōn nekuōn katatethnēōtōn.

all' eōmen min prōta parexelthein pedioio

345tutthon: epeita de k' auton epaïxantes heloimen

English · Butler

spy, or whether it is some thief who would plunder the bodies of the dead; let him get a little past us, we can then spring upon him and take him. If, however, he is too quick for us, go after him with your spear and hem him in

Homeric Greek

καρπαλίμως: εἰ δ' ἄμμε παραφθαίησι πόδεσσιν,

αἰεί μιν ἐπὶ νῆας ἀπὸ στρατόφι προτιειλεῖν

ἔγχει ἐπαί̈σσων, μή πως προτὶ ἄστυ ἀλύξῃ.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσαντε παρὲξ ὁδοῦ ἐν νεκύεσσι

350κλινθήτην: ὃ δ' ἄρ' ὦκα παρέδραμεν ἀφραδίῃσιν.

Transliteration

karpalimōs: ei d' amme paraphthaiēsi podessin,

aiei min epi nēas apo stratophi protieilein

enchei epaïssōn, mē pōs proti astu aluxēi.

hōs ara phōnēsante parex hodou en nekuessi

350klinthētēn: ho d' ar' ōka paredramen aphradiēisin.

English · Butler

towards the ships away from the Trojan camp, to prevent his getting back to the town." With this they turned out of their way and lay down among the corpses. Dolon suspected nothing and soon passed them, but when he

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἀπέην ὅσσόν τ' ἐπὶ οὖρα πέλονται

ἡμιόνων: αἱ γάρ τε βοῶν προφερέστεραί εἰσιν

ἑλκέμεναι νειοῖο βαθείης πηκτὸν ἄροτρον:

τὼ μὲν ἐπεδραμέτην, ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἔστη δοῦπον ἀκούσας.

355ἔλπετο γὰρ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀποστρέψοντας ἑταίρους

Transliteration

all' hote dē rh' apeēn hosson t' epi oura pelontai

hēmionōn: hai gar te boōn propheresterai eisin

helkemenai neioio batheiēs pēkton arotron:

tō men epedrametēn, ho d' ar' estē doupon akousas.

355elpeto gar kata thumon apostrepsontas hetairous

English · Butler

had got about as far as the distance by which a mule-plowed furrow exceeds one that has been ploughed by oxen (for mules can plow fallow land quicker than oxen) they ran after him, and when he heard their footsteps he stood still, for he made sure they were friends from the Trojan camp come by Hektor's orders to bid him return;

Homeric Greek

ἐκ Τρώων ἰέναι πάλιν Ἕκτορος ὀτρύναντος.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἄπεσαν δουρηνεκὲς ἢ καὶ ἔλασσον,

γνῶ ῥ' ἄνδρας δηί̈ους, λαιψηρὰ δὲ γούνατ' ἐνώμα

φευγέμεναι: τοὶ δ' αἶψα διώκειν ὁρμήθησαν.

360ὡς δ' ὅτε καρχαρόδοντε δύω κύνε εἰδότε θήρης

Transliteration

ek Trōōn ienai palin Hektoros otrunantos.

all' hote dē rh' apesan dourēnekes ē kai elasson,

gnō rh' andras dēïous, laipsēra de gounat' enōma

pheugemenai: toi d' aipsa diōkein hormēthēsan.

360hōs d' hote karcharodonte duō kune eidote thērēs

English · Butler

when, however, they were only a spear's cast, or less away form him, he saw that they were enemies as fast as his legs could take him. The others gave chase at once, and as a couple of well-trained hounds press forward after a doe or hare that runs screaming in front of them,

Homeric Greek

ἢ κεμάδ' ἠὲ λαγωὸν ἐπείγετον ἐμμενὲς αἰεὶ

χῶρον ἀν' ὑλήενθ', ὃ δέ τε προθέῃσι μεμηκώς,

ὣς τὸν Τυδεί̈δης ἠδ' ὃ πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεὺς

λαοῦ ἀποτμήξαντε διώκετον ἐμμενὲς αἰεί.

365ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τάχ' ἔμελλε μιγήσεσθαι φυλάκεσσι

Transliteration

ē kemad' ēe lagōon epeigeton emmenes aiei

chōron an' hulēenth', ho de te protheēisi memēkōs,

hōs ton Tudeïdēs ēd' ho ptoliporthos Odusseus

laou apotmēxante diōketon emmenes aiei.

365all' hote dē tach' emelle migēsesthai phulakessi

English · Butler

even so did the son of Tydeus and Odysseus pursue Dolon and cut him off from his own people. But when he had fled so far towards the ships that he would soon have fallen in with the outposts, Athena infused fresh strength into the son of Tydeus for fear some

Homeric Greek

φεύγων ἐς νῆας, τότε δὴ μένος ἔμβαλ' Ἀθήνη

Τυδεί̈δῃ, ἵνα μή τις Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

φθαίη ἐπευξάμενος βαλέειν, ὃ δὲ δεύτερος ἔλθοι.

δουρὶ δ' ἐπαί̈σσων προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης:

370ἠὲ μέν' ἠέ σε δουρὶ κιχήσομαι, οὐδέ σέ φημι

Transliteration

pheugōn es nēas, tote dē menos embal' Athēnē

Tudeïdēi, hina mē tis Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn

phthaiē epeuxamenos baleein, ho de deuteros elthoi.

douri d' epaïssōn prosephē krateros Diomēdēs:

370ēe men' ēe se douri kichēsomai, oude se phēmi

English · Butler

other of the Achaeans might have the glory of being first to hit him, and he might himself be only second; he therefore sprang forward with his spear and said, "Stand, or I shall throw my spear, and in that case I

Homeric Greek

δηρὸν ἐμῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ἀλύξειν αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἔγχος ἀφῆκεν, ἑκὼν δ' ἡμάρτανε φωτός:

δεξιτερὸν δ' ὑπὲρ ὦμον ἐύ̈ξου δουρὸς ἀκωκὴ

ἐν γαίῃ ἐπάγη: ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἔστη τάρβησέν τε

375βαμβαίνων: ἄραβος δὲ διὰ στόμα γίγνετ' ὀδόντων:

Transliteration

dēron emēs apo cheiros aluxein aipun olethron.

ē rha kai enchos aphēken, hekōn d' hēmartane phōtos:

dexiteron d' huper ōmon eüxou douros akōkē

en gaiēi epagē: ho d' ar' estē tarbēsen te

375bambainōn: arabos de dia stoma gignet' odontōn:

English · Butler

shall soon make an end of you." He threw as he spoke, but missed his aim on purpose. The dart flew over the man's right shoulder, and then stuck in the ground. He stood stock still, trembling and in great fear; his teeth chattered, and he turned pale with fear.

Homeric Greek

χλωρὸς ὑπαὶ δείους: τὼ δ' ἀσθμαίνοντε κιχήτην,

χειρῶν δ' ἁψάσθην: ὃ δὲ δακρύσας ἔπος ηὔδα:

ζωγρεῖτ', αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐμὲ λύσομαι: ἔστι γὰρ ἔνδον

χαλκός τε χρυσός τε πολύκμητός τε σίδηρος,

380τῶν κ' ὔμμιν χαρίσαιτο πατὴρ ἀπερείσι' ἄποινα

Transliteration

chlōros hupai deious: tō d' asthmainonte kichētēn,

cheirōn d' hapsasthēn: ho de dakrusas epos ēuda:

zōgreit', autar egōn eme lusomai: esti gar endon

chalkos te chrusos te polukmētos te sidēros,

380tōn k' ummin charisaito patēr apereisi' apoina

English · Butler

The two came breathless up to him and seized his hands, whereon he began to weep and said, "Take me alive; I will ransom myself; we have great store of gold, bronze, and wrought iron, and from this my father will satisfy you with a very large ransom, should he hear of

Homeric Greek

εἴ κεν ἐμὲ ζωὸν πεπύθοιτ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

θάρσει, μηδέ τί τοι θάνατος καταθύμιος ἔστω.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον:

385πῇ δὴ οὕτως ἐπὶ νῆας ἀπὸ στρατοῦ ἔρχεαι οἷος

Transliteration

ei ken eme zōon peputhoit' epi nēusin Achaiōn.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:

tharsei, mēde ti toi thanatos katathumios estō.

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon:

385pēi dē houtōs epi nēas apo stratou ercheai hoios

English · Butler

my being alive at the ships of the Achaeans." "Fear not," replied Odysseus, "let no thought of death be in your mind; but tell me, and tell me true, why are you thus going about alone in the dead of night away from your camp and towards the ships, while other men are sleeping? Is it to plunder the bodies of the slain, or did Hektor send you to spy out what was going on at the ships?

Homeric Greek

νύκτα δι' ὀρφναίην, ὅτε θ' εὕδουσι βροτοὶ ἄλλοι;

ἤ τινα συλήσων νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων;

ἦ σ' Ἕκτωρ προέηκε διασκοπιᾶσθαι ἕκαστα

νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς; ἦ σ' αὐτὸν θυμὸς ἀνῆκε;

390τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Δόλων, ὑπὸ δ' ἔτρεμε γυῖα:

Transliteration

nukta di' orphnaiēn, hote th' heudousi brotoi alloi;

ē tina sulēsōn nekuōn katatethnēōtōn;

ē s' Hektōr proeēke diaskopiasthai hekasta

nēas epi glaphuras; ē s' auton thumos anēke;

390ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Dolōn, hupo d' etreme guia:

English · Butler

Or did you come here of your own mere notion

Homeric Greek

πολλῇσίν μ' ἄτῃσι παρὲκ νόον ἤγαγεν Ἕκτωρ,

ὅς μοι Πηλεί̈ωνος ἀγαυοῦ μώνυχας ἵππους

δωσέμεναι κατένευσε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλα χαλκῷ,

ἠνώγει δέ μ' ἰόντα θοὴν διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν

395ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν, ἔκ τε πυθέσθαι

Transliteration

pollēisin m' atēisi parek noon ēgagen Hektōr,

hos moi Pēleïōnos agauou mōnuchas hippous

dōsemenai kateneuse kai harmata poikila chalkōi,

ēnōgei de m' ionta thoēn dia nukta melainan

395andrōn dusmeneōn schedon elthemen, ek te puthesthai

English · Butler

?" Dolon answered, his limbs trembling beneath him: "Hektor, with his vain flattering promises, lured me into derangement. He said he would give me the horses of the noble son of Peleus and his bronze-bedizened chariot; he bade me go through the darkness of the fleeing night, get close to the enemy,

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ φυλάσσονται νῆες θοαὶ ὡς τὸ πάρος περ,

ἦ ἤδη χείρεσσιν ὑφ' ἡμετέρῃσι δαμέντες

φύξιν βουλεύουσι μετὰ σφίσιν, οὐδ' ἐθέλουσι

νύκτα φυλασσέμεναι, καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες αἰνῷ.

400τὸν δ' ἐπιμειδήσας προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

ēe phulassontai nēes thoai hōs to paros per,

ē ēdē cheiressin huph' hēmeterēisi damentes

phuxin bouleuousi meta sphisin, oud' ethelousi

nukta phulassemenai, kamatōi adēkotes ainōi.

400ton d' epimeidēsas prosephē polumētis Odusseus:

English · Butler

and find out whether the ships are still guarded as heretofore, or whether, now that we have beaten them, the Achaeans design to flee, and through sheer exhaustion are neglecting to keep their watches." Odysseus smiled at him and answered, "You had indeed set your heart upon a great reward, but the horses of the descendant of Aiakos are hardly to be kept in hand or driven by any other mortal man than Achilles himself, whose mother was an immortal.

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥά νύ τοι μεγάλων δώρων ἐπεμαίετο θυμὸς

ἵππων Αἰακίδαο δαί̈φρονος: οἳ δ' ἀλεγεινοὶ

ἀνδράσι γε θνητοῖσι δαμήμεναι ἠδ' ὀχέεσθαι

ἄλλῳ γ' ἢ Ἀχιλῆϊ, τὸν ἀθανάτη τέκε μήτηρ.

405ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον:

Transliteration

ē rha nu toi megalōn dōrōn epemaieto thumos

hippōn Aiakidao daïphronos: hoi d' alegeinoi

andrasi ge thnētoisi damēmenai ēd' ocheesthai

allōi g' ē Achilēï, ton athanatē teke mētēr.

405all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon:

English · Butler

Odysseus smiled at him and answered, "You had indeed set your heart upon a great reward, but the horses of the descendant of Aiakos are hardly to be kept in hand or driven by any other mortal man than Achilles himself, whose mother was an immortal. But tell me, and tell me true, where did you leave Hektor when you started? Where lies his armor and his horses? How, too, are the watches and sleeping-ground of the Trojans ordered? What are their plans? Will they stay here

Homeric Greek

ποῦ νῦν δεῦρο κιὼν λίπες Ἕκτορα ποιμένα λαῶν;

ποῦ δέ οἱ ἔντεα κεῖται ἀρήϊα, ποῦ δέ οἱ ἵπποι;

πῶς δαὶ τῶν ἄλλων Τρώων φυλακαί τε καὶ εὐναί;

ἅσσά τε μητιόωσι μετὰ σφίσιν, ἢ μεμάασιν

410αὖθι μένειν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀπόπροθεν, ἦε πόλιν δὲ

Transliteration

pou nun deuro kiōn lipes Hektora poimena laōn;

pou de hoi entea keitai arēïa, pou de hoi hippoi;

pōs dai tōn allōn Trōōn phulakai te kai eunai;

hassa te mētioōsi meta sphisin, ē memaasin

410authi menein para nēusin apoprothen, ēe polin de

English · Butler

by the ships and away from the city, or now that they have worsted the Achaeans, will they retire

Homeric Greek

ἂψ ἀναχωρήσουσιν, ἐπεὶ δαμάσαντό γ' Ἀχαιούς.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Δόλων Εὐμήδεος υἱός:

τοὶ γὰρ ἐγώ τοι ταῦτα μάλ' ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω.

Ἕκτωρ μὲν μετὰ τοῖσιν, ὅσοι βουληφόροι εἰσί,

415βουλὰς βουλεύει θείου παρὰ σήματι Ἴλου

Transliteration

aps anachōrēsousin, epei damasanto g' Achaious.

ton d' aute proseeipe Dolōn Eumēdeos huios:

toi gar egō toi tauta mal' atrekeōs katalexō.

Hektōr men meta toisin, hosoi boulēphoroi eisi,

415boulas bouleuei theiou para sēmati Ilou

English · Butler

within their walls?" And Dolon answered, "I will tell you truly all. Hektor and the other councilors are now holding conference by the monument of great Ilos, away from the general tumult; as for the guards about which you ask me, there is no chosen watch to keep guard over the host. The Trojans have their watchfires, for they are bound to have them;

Homeric Greek

νόσφιν ἀπὸ φλοίσβου: φυλακὰς δ' ἃς εἴρεαι ἥρως

οὔ τις κεκριμένη ῥύεται στρατὸν οὐδὲ φυλάσσει.

ὅσσαι μὲν Τρώων πυρὸς ἐσχάραι, οἷσιν ἀνάγκη

οἷ δ' ἐγρηγόρθασι φυλασσέμεναί τε κέλονται

420ἀλλήλοις: ἀτὰρ αὖτε πολύκλητοι ἐπίκουροι

Transliteration

nosphin apo phloisbou: phulakas d' has eireai hērōs

ou tis kekrimenē rhuetai straton oude phulassei.

hossai men Trōōn puros escharai, hoisin anankē

hoi d' egrēgorthasi phulassemenai te kelontai

420allēlois: atar aute poluklētoi epikouroi

English · Butler

they, therefore, are awake and keep each other to their duty as sentinels; but the allies who have come from other places are asleep and leave it to the Trojans to keep

Homeric Greek

εὕδουσι: Τρωσὶν γὰρ ἐπιτραπέουσι φυλάσσειν:

οὐ γάρ σφιν παῖδες σχεδὸν εἵαται οὐδὲ γυναῖκες.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

πῶς γὰρ νῦν Τρώεσσι μεμιγμένοι ἱπποδάμοισιν

425εὕδουσ' ἦ ἀπάνευθε; δίειπέ μοι ὄφρα δαείω.

Transliteration

heudousi: Trōsin gar epitrapeousi phulassein:

ou gar sphin paides schedon heiatai oude gunaikes.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:

pōs gar nun Trōessi memigmenoi hippodamoisin

425heudous' ē apaneuthe; dieipe moi ophra daeiō.

English · Butler

guard, for their wives and children are not here." Odysseus then said, "Now tell me; are they sleeping among the Trojan troops, or do they lie apart? Explain this that I may understand it."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Δόλων Εὐμήδεος υἱός:

τοὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ ταῦτα μάλ' ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω.

πρὸς μὲν ἁλὸς Κᾶρες καὶ Παίονες ἀγκυλότοξοι

καὶ Λέλεγες καὶ Καύκωνες δῖοί τε Πελασγοί,

430πρὸς Θύμβρης δ' ἔλαχον Λύκιοι Μυσοί τ' ἀγέρωχοι

Transliteration

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Dolōn Eumēdeos huios:

toi gar egō kai tauta mal' atrekeōs katalexō.

pros men halos Kares kai Paiones ankulotoxoi

kai Leleges kai Kaukōnes dioi te Pelasgoi,

430pros Thumbrēs d' elachon Lukioi Musoi t' agerōchoi

English · Butler

"I will tell you truly all," replied Dolon. "To the seaward lie the Carians, the Paeonian bowmen, the Leleges, the Cauconians, and the noble Pelasgi. The Lysians and proud Mysians,

Homeric Greek

καὶ Φρύγες ἱππόμαχοι καὶ Μῄονες ἱπποκορυσταί.

ἀλλὰ τί ἢ ἐμὲ ταῦτα διεξερέεσθε ἕκαστα;

εἰ γὰρ δὴ μέματον Τρώων καταδῦναι ὅμιλον

Θρήϊκες οἷδ' ἀπάνευθε νεήλυδες ἔσχατοι ἄλλων:

435ἐν δέ σφιν Ῥῆσος βασιλεὺς πάϊς Ἠϊονῆος.

Transliteration

kai Phruges hippomachoi kai Mēiones hippokorustai.

alla ti ē eme tauta diexereesthe hekasta;

ei gar dē mematon Trōōn katadunai homilon

Thrēïkes hoid' apaneuthe neēludes eschatoi allōn:

435en de sphin Rhēsos basileus païs Ēïonēos.

English · Butler

with the Phrygians and Meonians, have their place on the side towards Thymbra; but why ask about an this? If you want to find your way into the host of the Trojans, there are the Thracians, who have lately come here and lie apart from the others at the far end of the camp; and they have Rhesus son of Eioneus for their king.

Homeric Greek

τοῦ δὴ καλλίστους ἵππους ἴδον ἠδὲ μεγίστους:

λευκότεροι χιόνος, θείειν δ' ἀνέμοισιν ὁμοῖοι:

ἅρμα δέ οἱ χρυσῷ τε καὶ ἀργύρῳ εὖ ἤσκηται:

τεύχεα δὲ χρύσεια πελώρια θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι

440ἤλυθ' ἔχων: τὰ μὲν οὔ τι καταθνητοῖσιν ἔοικεν

Transliteration

tou dē kallistous hippous idon ēde megistous:

leukoteroi chionos, theiein d' anemoisin homoioi:

harma de hoi chrusōi te kai argurōi eu ēskētai:

teuchea de chruseia pelōria thauma idesthai

440ēluth' echōn: ta men ou ti katathnētoisin eoiken

English · Butler

His horses are the finest and strongest that I have ever seen, they are whiter than snow and fleeter than any wind that blows. His chariot is equipped with silver and gold, and he has brought his marvelous golden armor, of the rarest workmanship -

Homeric Greek

ἄνδρεσσιν φορέειν, ἀλλ' ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.

ἀλλ' ἐμὲ μὲν νῦν νηυσὶ πελάσσετον ὠκυπόροισιν,

ἠέ με δήσαντες λίπετ' αὐτόθι νηλέϊ δεσμῷ,

ὄφρά κεν ἔλθητον καὶ πειρηθῆτον ἐμεῖο

445ἠὲ κατ' αἶσαν ἔειπον ἐν ὑμῖν, ἦε καὶ οὐκί.

Transliteration

andressin phoreein, all' athanatoisi theoisin.

all' eme men nun nēusi pelasseton ōkuporoisin,

ēe me dēsantes lipet' autothi nēleï desmōi,

ophra ken elthēton kai peirēthēton emeio

445ēe kat' aisan eeipon en humin, ēe kai ouki.

English · Butler

too splendid for any mortal man to carry, and meet only for the gods. Now, therefore, take me to the ships or bind me securely here, until you come back and have proved my words whether

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης:

μὴ δή μοι φύξίν γε Δόλων ἐμβάλλεο θυμῷ:

ἐσθλά περ ἀγγείλας, ἐπεὶ ἵκεο χεῖρας ἐς ἁμάς.

εἰ μὲν γάρ κέ σε νῦν ἀπολύσομεν ἠὲ μεθῶμεν,

450ἦ τε καὶ ὕστερον εἶσθα θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

ton d' ar' hupodra idōn prosephē krateros Diomēdēs:

mē dē moi phuxin ge Dolōn emballeo thumōi:

esthla per angeilas, epei hikeo cheiras es hamas.

ei men gar ke se nun apolusomen ēe methōmen,

450ē te kai husteron eistha thoas epi nēas Achaiōn

English · Butler

they be false or true." Diomedes looked sternly at him and answered, "Think not, Dolon, for all the good information you have given us, that you shall escape now you are in our hands, for if we ransom you or let you go, you will come some second

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ διοπτεύσων ἢ ἐναντίβιον πολεμίξων:

εἰ δέ κ' ἐμῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶ δαμεὶς ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσῃς,

οὐκέτ' ἔπειτα σὺ πῆμά ποτ' ἔσσεαι Ἀργείοισιν.

ἦ, καὶ ὃ μέν μιν ἔμελλε γενείου χειρὶ παχείῃ

455ἁψάμενος λίσσεσθαι, ὃ δ' αὐχένα μέσσον ἔλασσε

Transliteration

ēe diopteusōn ē enantibion polemixōn:

ei de k' emēis hupo chersi dameis apo thumon olessēis,

ouket' epeita su pēma pot' esseai Argeioisin.

ē, kai ho men min emelle geneiou cheiri pacheiēi

455hapsamenos lissesthai, ho d' auchena messon elasse

English · Butler

time to the ships of the Achaeans either as a spy or as an open enemy, but if I kill you and an end of you, you will give no more trouble." On this Dolon would have caught him by the beard to beseech him further, but Diomedes struck him in the middle of his neck with his sword and cut through both sinews so that his head fell rolling in the dust while he was yet speaking. They took the ferret-skin cap from his head, and also the wolf-skin, the bow, and his long spear.

Homeric Greek

φασγάνῳ ἀί̈ξας, ἀπὸ δ' ἄμφω κέρσε τένοντε:

φθεγγομένου δ' ἄρα τοῦ γε κάρη κονίῃσιν ἐμίχθη.

τοῦ δ' ἀπὸ μὲν κτιδέην κυνέην κεφαλῆφιν ἕλοντο

καὶ λυκέην καὶ τόξα παλίντονα καὶ δόρυ μακρόν:

460καὶ τά γ' Ἀθηναίῃ ληί̈τιδι δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

Transliteration

phasganōi aïxas, apo d' amphō kerse tenonte:

phthengomenou d' ara tou ge karē koniēisin emichthē.

tou d' apo men ktideēn kuneēn kephalēphin helonto

kai lukeēn kai toxa palintona kai doru makron:

460kai ta g' Athēnaiēi lēïtidi dios Odusseus

English · Butler

Odysseus hung them up aloft in honor of Athena the goddess of plunder, and prayed saying, "Accept these, goddess, for we give them to you in preference to all the gods in Olympus:

Homeric Greek

ὑψόσ' ἀνέσχεθε χειρὶ καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα:

χαῖρε θεὰ τοῖσδεσσι: σὲ γὰρ πρώτην ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ

πάντων ἀθανάτων ἐπιδωσόμεθ': ἀλλὰ καὶ αὖτις

πέμψον ἐπὶ Θρῃκῶν ἀνδρῶν ἵππους τε καὶ εὐνάς.

465ὣς ἄρ' ἐφώνησεν, καὶ ἀπὸ ἕθεν ὑψόσ' ἀείρας

Transliteration

hupsos' aneschethe cheiri kai euchomenos epos ēuda:

chaire thea toisdessi: se gar prōtēn en Olumpōi

pantōn athanatōn epidōsometh': alla kai autis

pempson epi Thrēikōn andrōn hippous te kai eunas.

465hōs ar' ephōnēsen, kai apo hethen hupsos' aeiras

English · Butler

therefore speed us still further towards the horses and sleeping-ground of the Thracians." With these words he took the spoils and set them upon a tamarisk tree, and they made a mark at the place by pulling up reeds and gathering boughs of tamarisk that they might not miss it as they came back through the fleeing hours of darkness.

Homeric Greek

θῆκεν ἀνὰ μυρίκην: δέελον δ' ἐπὶ σῆμά τ' ἔθηκε

συμμάρψας δόνακας μυρίκης τ' ἐριθηλέας ὄζους,

μὴ λάθοι αὖτις ἰόντε θοὴν διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν.

τὼ δὲ βάτην προτέρω διά τ' ἔντεα καὶ μέλαν αἷμα,

470αἶψα δ' ἐπὶ Θρῃκῶν ἀνδρῶν τέλος ἷξον ἰόντες.

Transliteration

thēken ana murikēn: deelon d' epi sēma t' ethēke

summarpsas donakas murikēs t' erithēleas ozous,

mē lathoi autis ionte thoēn dia nukta melainan.

tō de batēn proterō dia t' entea kai melan haima,

470aipsa d' epi Thrēikōn andrōn telos hixon iontes.

English · Butler

With these words he took the spoils and set them upon a tamarisk tree, and they made a mark at the place by pulling up reeds and gathering boughs of tamarisk that they might not miss it as they came back through the fleeing hours of darkness. The two then went onwards amid the fallen armor and the blood, and came presently to the company of Thracian warriors, who were sleeping, tired out with their day's toil; their goodly armor was lying on the ground beside them all in order, in three rows, and each man had his yoke of horses beside him.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' εὗδον καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες, ἔντεα δέ σφιν

καλὰ παρ' αὐτοῖσι χθονὶ κέκλιτο εὖ κατὰ κόσμον

τριστοιχί: παρὰ δέ σφιν ἑκάστῳ δίζυγες ἵπποι.

Ῥῆσος δ' ἐν μέσῳ εὗδε, παρ' αὐτῷ δ' ὠκέες ἵπποι

475ἐξ ἐπιδιφριάδος πυμάτης ἱμᾶσι δέδεντο.

Transliteration

hoi d' heudon kamatōi adēkotes, entea de sphin

kala par' autoisi chthoni keklito eu kata kosmon

tristoichi: para de sphin hekastōi dizuges hippoi.

Rhēsos d' en mesōi heude, par' autōi d' ōkees hippoi

475ex epidiphriados pumatēs himasi dedento.

English · Butler

Rhesus was sleeping in the middle, and hard by him his horses were made fast to the topmost rim of his chariot. Odysseus from some way off saw him and said, "This, Diomedes, is the man, and these are the horses about which Dolon whom we killed told us.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς προπάροιθεν ἰδὼν Διομήδεϊ δεῖξεν:

οὗτός τοι Διόμηδες ἀνήρ, οὗτοι δέ τοι ἵπποι,

οὓς νῶϊν πίφαυσκε Δόλων ὃν ἐπέφνομεν ἡμεῖς.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ πρόφερε κρατερὸν μένος: οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ

480ἑστάμεναι μέλεον σὺν τεύχεσιν, ἀλλὰ λύ' ἵππους:

Transliteration

ton d' Oduseus proparoithen idōn Diomēdeï deixen:

houtos toi Diomēdes anēr, houtoi de toi hippoi,

hous nōïn piphauske Dolōn hon epephnomen hēmeis.

all' age dē prophere krateron menos: oude ti se chrē

480hestamenai meleon sun teuchesin, alla lu' hippous:

English · Butler

Do your very utmost; dally not about your armor, but loose the horses at once - or else kill the men yourself, while

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ σύ γ' ἄνδρας ἔναιρε, μελήσουσιν δ' ἐμοὶ ἵπποι.

ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἔμπνευσε μένος γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,

κτεῖνε δ' ἐπιστροφάδην: τῶν δὲ στόνος ὄρνυτ' ἀεικὴς

ἄορι θεινομένων, ἐρυθαίνετο δ' αἵματι γαῖα.

485ὡς δὲ λέων μήλοισιν ἀσημάντοισιν ἐπελθὼν

Transliteration

ēe su g' andras enaire, melēsousin d' emoi hippoi.

hōs phato, tōi d' empneuse menos glaukōpis Athēnē,

kteine d' epistrophadēn: tōn de stonos ornut' aeikēs

aori theinomenōn, eruthaineto d' haimati gaia.

485hōs de leōn mēloisin asēmantoisin epelthōn

English · Butler

I see to the horses." Thereon Athena put courage into the heart of Diomedes, and he smote them right and left. They made a hideous groaning as they were being hacked about, and the earth was red with their blood. As a lion springs furiously upon a flock of sheep or goats when he finds without

Homeric Greek

αἴγεσιν ἢ ὀί̈εσσι κακὰ φρονέων ἐνορούσῃ,

ὣς μὲν Θρήϊκας ἄνδρας ἐπῴχετο Τυδέος υἱὸς

ὄφρα δυώδεκ' ἔπεφνεν: ἀτὰρ πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεὺς

ὅν τινα Τυδεί̈δης ἄορι πλήξειε παραστὰς

490τὸν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς μετόπισθε λαβὼν ποδὸς ἐξερύσασκε,

Transliteration

aigesin ē oïessi kaka phroneōn enorousēi,

hōs men Thrēïkas andras epōicheto Tudeos huios

ophra duōdek' epephnen: atar polumētis Odusseus

hon tina Tudeïdēs aori plēxeie parastas

490ton d' Oduseus metopisthe labōn podos exerusaske,

English · Butler

their shepherd, so did the son of Tydeus set upon the Thracian warriors till he had killed twelve. As he killed them Odysseus came and drew them aside by their feet one by one, that the horses might go forward freely without being frightened as they passed over the dead bodies, for they were not yet used to them.

Homeric Greek

τὰ φρονέων κατὰ θυμὸν ὅπως καλλίτριχες ἵπποι

ῥεῖα διέλθοιεν μηδὲ τρομεοίατο θυμῷ

νεκροῖς ἀμβαίνοντες: ἀήθεσσον γὰρ ἔτ' αὐτῶν.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ βασιλῆα κιχήσατο Τυδέος υἱός,

495τὸν τρισκαιδέκατον μελιηδέα θυμὸν ἀπηύρα

Transliteration

ta phroneōn kata thumon hopōs kallitriches hippoi

rheia dielthoien mēde tromeoiato thumōi

nekrois ambainontes: aēthesson gar et' autōn.

all' hote dē basilēa kichēsato Tudeos huios,

495ton triskaidekaton meliēdea thumon apēura

English · Butler

When the son of Tydeus came to the king, he killed him too (which made thirteen), as he was breathing hard, for by the counsel of Athena an evil dream, the seed of Oeneus, hovered that night over his head.

Homeric Greek

ἀσθμαίνοντα: κακὸν γὰρ ὄναρ κεφαλῆφιν ἐπέστη

τὴν νύκτ' Οἰνεί̈δαο πάϊς διὰ μῆτιν Ἀθήνης.

τόφρα δ' ἄρ' ὃ τλήμων Ὀδυσεὺς λύε μώνυχας ἵππους,

σὺν δ' ἤειρεν ἱμᾶσι καὶ ἐξήλαυνεν ὁμίλου

500τόξῳ ἐπιπλήσσων, ἐπεὶ οὐ μάστιγα φαεινὴν

Transliteration

asthmainonta: kakon gar onar kephalēphin epestē

tēn nukt' Oineïdao païs dia mētin Athēnēs.

tophra d' ar' ho tlēmōn Oduseus lue mōnuchas hippous,

sun d' ēeiren himasi kai exēlaunen homilou

500toxōi epiplēssōn, epei ou mastiga phaeinēn

English · Butler

Meanwhile Odysseus untied the horses, made them fast one to another and drove them off, striking them with his bow, for he had forgotten to take the whip from the chariot. Then he whistled

Homeric Greek

ποικίλου ἐκ δίφροιο νοήσατο χερσὶν ἑλέσθαι:

ῥοίζησεν δ' ἄρα πιφαύσκων Διομήδεϊ δίῳ.

αὐτὰρ ὃ μερμήριζε μένων ὅ τι κύντατον ἕρδοι,

ἢ ὅ γε δίφρον ἑλών, ὅθι ποικίλα τεύχε' ἔκειτο,

505ῥυμοῦ ἐξερύοι ἢ ἐκφέροι ὑψόσ' ἀείρας,

Transliteration

poikilou ek diphroio noēsato chersin helesthai:

rhoizēsen d' ara piphauskōn Diomēdeï diōi.

autar ho mermērize menōn ho ti kuntaton herdoi,

ē ho ge diphron helōn, hothi poikila teuche' ekeito,

505rhumou exeruoi ē ekpheroi hupsos' aeiras,

English · Butler

as a sign to Diomedes. But Diomedes stayed where he was, thinking what other daring deed he might accomplish. He was doubting whether to take the chariot in which the king's armor was lying, and draw it

Homeric Greek

ἦ ἔτι τῶν πλεόνων Θρῃκῶν ἀπὸ θυμὸν ἕλοιτο.

εἷος ὃ ταῦθ' ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα, τόφρα δ' Ἀθήνη

ἐγγύθεν ἱσταμένη προσέφη Διομήδεα δῖον:

νόστου δὴ μνῆσαι μεγαθύμου Τυδέος υἱὲ

510νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς, μὴ καὶ πεφοβημένος ἔλθῃς,

Transliteration

ē eti tōn pleonōn Thrēikōn apo thumon heloito.

heios ho tauth' hōrmaine kata phrena, tophra d' Athēnē

enguthen histamenē prosephē Diomēdea dion:

nostou dē mnēsai megathumou Tudeos huie

510nēas epi glaphuras, mē kai pephobēmenos elthēis,

English · Butler

out by the pole, or to lift the armor out and carry it off; or whether again, he should not kill some more Thracians. While he was thus hesitating Athena came up to him and said, "Make your homecoming, Diomedes, to the ships or you may be driven

Homeric Greek

μή πού τις καὶ Τρῶας ἐγείρῃσιν θεὸς ἄλλος.

ὣς φάθ', ὃ δὲ ξυνέηκε θεᾶς ὄπα φωνησάσης,

καρπαλίμως δ' ἵππων ἐπεβήσετο: κόψε δ' Ὀδυσσεὺς

τόξῳ: τοὶ δ' ἐπέτοντο θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.

515οὐδ' ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχ' ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

mē pou tis kai Trōas egeirēisin theos allos.

hōs phath', ho de xuneēke theas opa phōnēsasēs,

karpalimōs d' hippōn epebēseto: kopse d' Odusseus

toxōi: toi d' epetonto thoas epi nēas Achaiōn.

515oud' alaoskopiēn eich' argurotoxos Apollōn

English · Butler

thither, should some other god rouse the Trojans." Diomedes knew that it was the goddess, and at once sprang upon the horses. Odysseus beat them with his bow and they flew onward to the ships of the Achaeans. But Apollo kept no blind look-out when he saw Athena with the son of Tydeus.

Homeric Greek

ὡς ἴδ' Ἀθηναίην μετὰ Τυδέος υἱὸν ἕπουσαν:

τῇ κοτέων Τρώων κατεδύσετο πουλὺν ὅμιλον,

ὦρσεν δὲ Θρῃκῶν βουληφόρον Ἱπποκόωντα

Ῥήσου ἀνεψιὸν ἐσθλόν: ὃ δ' ἐξ ὕπνου ἀνορούσας

520ὡς ἴδε χῶρον ἐρῆμον, ὅθ' ἕστασαν ὠκέες ἵπποι,

Transliteration

hōs id' Athēnaiēn meta Tudeos huion hepousan:

tēi koteōn Trōōn kateduseto poulun homilon,

ōrsen de Thrēikōn boulēphoron Hippokoōnta

Rhēsou anepsion esthlon: ho d' ex hupnou anorousas

520hōs ide chōron erēmon, hoth' hestasan ōkees hippoi,

English · Butler

But Apollo kept no blind look-out when he saw Athena with the son of Tydeus. He was angry with her, and coming to the host of the Trojans he roused Hippokoön, a counselor of the Thracians and a noble kinsman of Rhesus. He started up out of his sleep and saw that the horses were no longer in their place, and that the men were gasping in their death-agony; on this he groaned aloud, and called upon his friend by name.

Homeric Greek

ἄνδράς τ' ἀσπαίροντας ἐν ἀργαλέῃσι φονῇσιν,

ᾤμωξέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα φίλον τ' ὀνόμηνεν ἑταῖρον.

Τρώων δὲ κλαγγή τε καὶ ἄσπετος ὦρτο κυδοιμὸς

θυνόντων ἄμυδις: θηεῦντο δὲ μέρμερα ἔργα

525ὅσσ' ἄνδρες ῥέξαντες ἔβαν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας.

Transliteration

andras t' aspairontas en argaleēisi phonēisin,

ōimōxen t' ar' epeita philon t' onomēnen hetairon.

Trōōn de klangē te kai aspetos ōrto kudoimos

thunontōn amudis: thēeunto de mermera erga

525hoss' andres rhexantes eban koilas epi nēas.

English · Butler

Then the whole Trojan camp was in an uproar as the people kept hurrying together, and they marveled at the deeds of the heroes who had now got away towards the ships.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἵκανον ὅθι σκοπὸν Ἕκτορος ἔκταν,

ἔνθ' Ὀδυσεὺς μὲν ἔρυξε Διὶ̈ φίλος ὠκέας ἵππους,

Τυδεί̈δης δὲ χαμᾶζε θορὼν ἔναρα βροτόεντα

ἐν χείρεσσ' Ὀδυσῆϊ τίθει, ἐπεβήσετο δ' ἵππων:

530μάστιξεν δ' ἵππους, τὼ δ' οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην

Transliteration

hoi d' hote dē rh' hikanon hothi skopon Hektoros ektan,

enth' Oduseus men eruxe Diï philos ōkeas hippous,

Tudeïdēs de chamaze thorōn enara brotoenta

en cheiress' Odusēï tithei, epebēseto d' hippōn:

530mastixen d' hippous, tō d' ouk aekonte petesthēn

English · Butler

When they reached the place where they had killed Hektor's scout, Odysseus stayed his horses, and the son of Tydeus, leaping to the ground, placed the blood-stained spoils in the hands of Odysseus and remounted: then he lashed the horses onwards, and they flew forward nothing loath towards the ships as though of their own free will. Nestor was first to hear the tramp of their feet. "My friends," said he, "princes and counselors of the Argives, shall I guess right or wrong? - but I must say what I think: there is a sound in my ears as of the tramp of horses.

Homeric Greek

νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς: τῇ γὰρ φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ.

Νέστωρ δὲ πρῶτος κτύπον ἄϊε φώνησέν τε:

ὦ φίλοι Ἀργείων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες

ψεύσομαι, ἦ ἔτυμον ἐρέω; κέλεται δέ με θυμός.

535ἵππων μ' ὠκυπόδων ἀμφὶ κτύπος οὔατα βάλλει.

Transliteration

nēas epi glaphuras: tēi gar philon epleto thumōi.

Nestōr de prōtos ktupon aïe phōnēsen te:

ō philoi Argeiōn hēgētores ēde medontes

pseusomai, ē etumon ereō; keletai de me thumos.

535hippōn m' ōkupodōn amphi ktupos ouata ballei.

English · Butler

I hope it may Diomedes and Odysseus driving in horses from the Trojans, but I much fear that

Homeric Greek

αἲ γὰρ δὴ Ὀδυσεύς τε καὶ ὃ κρατερὸς Διομήδης

ὧδ' ἄφαρ ἐκ Τρώων ἐλασαίατο μώνυχας ἵππους:

ἀλλ' αἰνῶς δείδοικα κατὰ φρένα μή τι πάθωσιν

Ἀργείων οἳ ἄριστοι ὑπὸ Τρώων ὀρυμαγδοῦ.

540οὔ πω πᾶν εἴρητο ἔπος ὅτ' ἄρ' ἤλυθον αὐτοί.

Transliteration

ai gar dē Oduseus te kai ho krateros Diomēdēs

hōd' aphar ek Trōōn elasaiato mōnuchas hippous:

all' ainōs deidoika kata phrena mē ti pathōsin

Argeiōn hoi aristoi hupo Trōōn orumagdou.

540ou pō pan eirēto epos hot' ar' ēluthon autoi.

English · Butler

the bravest of the Argives may have come to some harm at their hands." He had hardly done speaking when the two men came in and dismounted, whereon the others shook hands right gladly with them and congratulated them.

Homeric Greek

καί ῥ' οἳ μὲν κατέβησαν ἐπὶ χθόνα, τοὶ δὲ χαρέντες

δεξιῇ ἠσπάζοντο ἔπεσσί τε μειλιχίοισι:

πρῶτος δ' ἐξερέεινε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:

εἴπ' ἄγε μ' ὦ πολύαιν' Ὀδυσεῦ μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν

545ὅππως τοῦσδ' ἵππους λάβετον καταδύντες ὅμιλον

Transliteration

kai rh' hoi men katebēsan epi chthona, toi de charentes

dexiēi ēspazonto epessi te meilichioisi:

prōtos d' exereeine Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:

eip' age m' ō poluain' Oduseu mega kudos Achaiōn

545hoppōs tousd' hippous labeton kataduntes homilon

English · Butler

He had hardly done speaking when the two men came in and dismounted, whereon the others shook hands right gladly with them and congratulated them. Nestor horseman of Gerene was first to question them. "Tell me," said he, "renowned Odysseus, how did you two come by these horses? Did you steal in among the Trojan forces, or did some god meet you and give them to you? They are like sunbeams. I am well conversant with the

Homeric Greek

Τρώων, ἦ τίς σφωε πόρεν θεὸς ἀντιβολήσας.

αἰνῶς ἀκτίνεσσιν ἐοικότες ἠελίοιο.

αἰεὶ μὲν Τρώεσσ' ἐπιμίσγομαι, οὐδέ τί φημι

μιμνάζειν παρὰ νηυσὶ γέρων περ ἐὼν πολεμιστής:

550ἀλλ' οὔ πω τοίους ἵππους ἴδον οὐδὲ νόησα.

Transliteration

Trōōn, ē tis sphōe poren theos antibolēsas.

ainōs aktinessin eoikotes ēelioio.

aiei men Trōess' epimisgomai, oude ti phēmi

mimnazein para nēusi gerōn per eōn polemistēs:

550all' ou pō toious hippous idon oude noēsa.

English · Butler

Trojans, for old warrior though I am I never hold back by the ships, but I never yet saw or heard of such horses as these are. Surely some god must have met you and given them

Homeric Greek

ἀλλά τιν' ὔμμ' ὀί̈ω δόμεναι θεὸν ἀντιάσαντα:

ἀμφοτέρω γὰρ σφῶϊ φιλεῖ νεφεληγερέτα Ζεὺς

κούρη τ' αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

555ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

alla tin' umm' oïō domenai theon antiasanta:

amphoterō gar sphōï philei nephelēgereta Zeus

kourē t' aigiochoio Dios glaukōpis Athēnē.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:

555ō Nestor Nēlēïadē mega kudos Achaiōn

English · Butler

to you, for you are both of dear to Zeus, and to Zeus' daughter Athena." And Odysseus answered, "Nestor son of Neleus, honor to the Achaean name, heaven, if it so will, can give us even better horses than these, for the gods are far mightier than we are. These horses, however, about which you ask me, are freshly come from Thrace.

Homeric Greek

ῥεῖα θεός γ' ἐθέλων καὶ ἀμείνονας ἠέ περ οἵδε

ἵππους δωρήσαιτ', ἐπεὶ ἢ πολὺ φέρτεροί εἰσιν.

ἵπποι δ' οἵδε γεραιὲ νεήλυδες οὓς ἐρεείνεις

Θρηί̈κιοι: τὸν δέ σφιν ἄνακτ' ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης

560ἔκτανε, πὰρ δ' ἑτάρους δυοκαίδεκα πάντας ἀρίστους.

Transliteration

rheia theos g' ethelōn kai ameinonas ēe per hoide

hippous dōrēsait', epei ē polu pherteroi eisin.

hippoi d' hoide geraie neēludes hous ereeineis

Thrēïkioi: ton de sphin anakt' agathos Diomēdēs

560ektane, par d' hetarous duokaideka pantas aristous.

English · Butler

Diomedes killed their king with the twelve bravest of his companions. Hard by the ships we took a thirteenth man - a scout whom Hektor and the

Homeric Greek

τὸν τρισκαιδέκατον σκοπὸν εἵλομεν ἐγγύθι νηῶν,

τόν ῥα διοπτῆρα στρατοῦ ἔμμεναι ἡμετέροιο

Ἕκτωρ τε προέηκε καὶ ἄλλοι Τρῶες ἀγαυοί.

ὣς εἰπὼν τάφροιο διήλασε μώνυχας ἵππους

565καγχαλόων: ἅμα δ' ἄλλοι ἴσαν χαίροντες Ἀχαιοί.

Transliteration

ton triskaidekaton skopon heilomen enguthi nēōn,

ton rha dioptēra stratou emmenai hēmeteroio

Hektōr te proeēke kai alloi Trōes agauoi.

hōs eipōn taphroio diēlase mōnuchas hippous

565kanchaloōn: hama d' alloi isan chairontes Achaioi.

English · Butler

other Trojans had sent as a spy upon our ships." He laughed as he spoke and drove the horses over the ditch, while the other Achaeans followed him gladly. When they reached the strongly built quarters of the

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' ὅτε Τυδεί̈δεω κλισίην εὔτυκτον ἵκοντο,

ἵππους μὲν κατέδησαν ἐϋτμήτοισιν ἱμᾶσι

φάτνῃ ἐφ' ἱππείῃ, ὅθι περ Διομήδεος ἵπποι

ἕστασαν ὠκύποδες μελιηδέα πυρὸν ἔδοντες:

570νηὶ̈ δ' ἐνὶ πρυμνῇ ἔναρα βροτόεντα Δόλωνος

Transliteration

hoi d' hote Tudeïdeō klisiēn eutukton hikonto,

hippous men katedēsan eütmētoisin himasi

phatnēi eph' hippeiēi, hothi per Diomēdeos hippoi

hestasan ōkupodes meliēdea puron edontes:

570nēï d' eni prumnēi enara brotoenta Dolōnos

English · Butler

son of Tydeus, they tied the horses with thongs of leather to the manger, where the steeds of Diomedes stood eating their sweet grain, but Odysseus hung the blood-stained spoils of Dolon at the stern of his ship, that they might prepare a sacred offering to Athena. As for themselves, they went into the

Homeric Greek

θῆκ' Ὀδυσεύς, ὄφρ' ἱρὸν ἑτοιμασσαίατ' Ἀθήνῃ.

αὐτοὶ δ' ἱδρῶ πολλὸν ἀπενίζοντο θαλάσσῃ

ἐσβάντες κνήμας τε ἰδὲ λόφον ἀμφί τε μηρούς.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί σφιν κῦμα θαλάσσης ἱδρῶ πολλὸν

575νίψεν ἀπὸ χρωτὸς καὶ ἀνέψυχθεν φίλον ἦτορ,

Transliteration

thēk' Oduseus, ophr' hiron hetoimassaiat' Athēnēi.

autoi d' hidrō pollon apenizonto thalassēi

esbantes knēmas te ide lophon amphi te mērous.

autar epei sphin kuma thalassēs hidrō pollon

575nipsen apo chrōtos kai anepsuchthen philon ētor,

English · Butler

sea and washed the sweat from their bodies, and from their necks and thighs. When the sea-water had taken all the sweat from off them, and had refreshed them, they went into the baths and washed themselves. After they had so done and had anointed themselves with

Homeric Greek

ἔς ῥ' ἀσαμίνθους βάντες ἐϋξέστας λούσαντο.

τὼ δὲ λοεσσαμένω καὶ ἀλειψαμένω λίπ' ἐλαίῳ

δείπνῳ ἐφιζανέτην, ἀπὸ δὲ κρητῆρος Ἀθήνῃ

πλείου ἀφυσσόμενοι λεῖβον μελιηδέα οἶνον.

Transliteration

es rh' asaminthous bantes eüxestas lousanto.

tō de loessamenō kai aleipsamenō lip' elaiōi

deipnōi ephizanetēn, apo de krētēros Athēnēi

pleiou aphussomenoi leibon meliēdea oinon.

English · Butler

oil, they sat down to table, and drawing from a full mixing-bowl, made a drink-offering of wine to Athena.