Book I

Homeric Greek

1ἄνδρα μοι ἔννεπε, μοῦσα, πολύτροπον, ὃς μάλα πολλὰ

πλάγχθη, ἐπεὶ Τροίης ἱερὸν πτολίεθρον ἔπερσεν:

πολλῶν δ' ἀνθρώπων ἴδεν ἄστεα καὶ νόον ἔγνω,

πολλὰ δ' ὅ γ' ἐν πόντῳ πάθεν ἄλγεα ὃν κατὰ θυμόν,

5ἀρνύμενος ἥν τε ψυχὴν καὶ νόστον ἑταίρων.

Transliteration

1andra moi ennepe, mousa, polutropon, hos mala polla

planchthē, epei Troiēs hieron ptoliethron epersen:

pollōn d' anthrōpōn iden astea kai noon egnō,

polla d' ho g' en pontōi pathen algea hon kata thumon,

5arnumenos hēn te psuchēn kai noston hetairōn.

English · Butler

Tell me, O Muse, of that many-sided hero who traveled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy. Many cities did he visit, and many were the people with whose customs and thinking he was acquainted; many things he suffered at sea while seeking to save his own life and to achieve the safe homecoming of his companions; but do what he might he could not save his men, for they perished through their own sheer recklessness in eating the cattle of the Sun-god Helios;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὣς ἑτάρους ἐρρύσατο, ἱέμενός περ:

αὐτῶν γὰρ σφετέρῃσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο,

νήπιοι, οἳ κατὰ βοῦς Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιο

ἤσθιον: αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσιν ἀφείλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ.

10τῶν ἁμόθεν γε, θεά, θύγατερ Διός, εἰπὲ καὶ ἡμῖν.

Transliteration

all' oud' hōs hetarous errusato, hiemenos per:

autōn gar spheterēisin atasthaliēisin olonto,

nēpioi, hoi kata bous Huperionos Ēelioio

ēsthion: autar ho toisin apheileto nostimon ēmar.

10tōn hamothen ge, thea, thugater Dios, eipe kai hēmin.

English · Butler

so the god prevented them from ever reaching home. Tell me, as you have told those who came before me, about all these things, O daughter of Zeus, starting from whatsoever point you choose.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθ' ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες, ὅσοι φύγον αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον,

οἴκοι ἔσαν, πόλεμόν τε πεφευγότες ἠδὲ θάλασσαν:

τὸν δ' οἶον νόστου κεχρημένον ἠδὲ γυναικὸς

νύμφη πότνι' ἔρυκε Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάων

15ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι, λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι.

Transliteration

enth' alloi men pantes, hosoi phugon aipun olethron,

oikoi esan, polemon te pepheugotes ēde thalassan:

ton d' oion nostou kechrēmenon ēde gunaikos

numphē potni' eruke Kalupsō dia theaōn

15en spessi glaphuroisi, lilaiomenē posin einai.

English · Butler

So now all who escaped death in battle or by shipwreck had got safely home except Odysseus, and he, though he was longing for his return to his wife and country, was detained by the goddess Calypso, who had got him into a large cave and wanted to marry him. But as years went by, there came a time when the gods settled that he should go back to Ithaca; even then, however, when he was among his own people, his trials were not yet over; nevertheless all the gods

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ ἔτος ἦλθε περιπλομένων ἐνιαυτῶν,

τῷ οἱ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι

εἰς Ἰθάκην, οὐδ' ἔνθα πεφυγμένος ἦεν ἀέθλων

καὶ μετὰ οἷσι φίλοισι. θεοὶ δ' ἐλέαιρον ἅπαντες

20νόσφι Ποσειδάωνος: ὁ δ' ἀσπερχὲς μενέαινεν

Transliteration

all' hote dē etos ēlthe periplomenōn eniautōn,

tōi hoi epeklōsanto theoi oikonde neesthai

eis Ithakēn, oud' entha pephugmenos ēen aethlōn

kai meta hoisi philoisi. theoi d' eleairon hapantes

20nosphi Poseidaōnos: ho d' asperches meneainen

English · Butler

had now begun to pity him except Poseidon, who still persecuted him without ceasing and would not let

Homeric Greek

ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆι πάρος ἣν γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι.

ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν Αἰθίοπας μετεκίαθε τηλόθ' ἐόντας,

Αἰθίοπας τοὶ διχθὰ δεδαίαται, ἔσχατοι ἀνδρῶν,

οἱ μὲν δυσομένου Ὑπερίονος οἱ δ' ἀνιόντος,

25ἀντιόων ταύρων τε καὶ ἀρνειῶν ἑκατόμβης.

Transliteration

antitheōi Odusēi paros hēn gaian hikesthai.

all' ho men Aithiopas metekiathe tēloth' eontas,

Aithiopas toi dichtha dedaiatai, eschatoi andrōn,

hoi men dusomenou Huperionos hoi d' aniontos,

25antioōn taurōn te kai arneiōn hekatombēs.

English · Butler

him get home. Now Poseidon had gone off to the Ethiopians, who are at the world's end, and lie in two halves, the one looking West and the other East. He had gone there to accept a hecatomb of sheep and oxen, and was enjoying himself at his festival; but the other gods met in the house of Olympian Zeus, and the sire of gods and men spoke first.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθ' ὅ γ' ἐτέρπετο δαιτὶ παρήμενος: οἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι

Ζηνὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν Ὀλυμπίου ἁθρόοι ἦσαν.

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε:

μνήσατο γὰρ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονος Αἰγίσθοιο,

30τόν ῥ' Ἀγαμεμνονίδης τηλεκλυτὸς ἔκταν' Ὀρέστης:

Transliteration

enth' ho g' eterpeto daiti parēmenos: hoi de dē alloi

Zēnos eni megaroisin Olumpiou hathrooi ēsan.

toisi de muthōn ērche patēr andrōn te theōn te:

mnēsato gar kata thumon amumonos Aigisthoio,

30ton rh' Agamemnonidēs tēleklutos ektan' Orestēs:

English · Butler

At that moment he was thinking of Aigisthos, who had been killed by Agamemnon's son Orestes; so he said to the other

Homeric Greek

τοῦ ὅ γ' ἐπιμνησθεὶς ἔπε' ἀθανάτοισι μετηύδα:

"ὢ πόποι, οἷον δή νυ θεοὺς βροτοὶ αἰτιόωνται:

ἐξ ἡμέων γάρ φασι κάκ' ἔμμεναι, οἱ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ

σφῇσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὑπὲρ μόρον ἄλγε' ἔχουσιν,

35ὡς καὶ νῦν Αἴγισθος ὑπὲρ μόρον Ἀτρεί̈δαο

Transliteration

tou ho g' epimnēstheis epe' athanatoisi metēuda:

"ō popoi, hoion dē nu theous brotoi aitioōntai:

ex hēmeōn gar phasi kak' emmenai, hoi de kai autoi

sphēisin atasthaliēisin huper moron alge' echousin,

35hōs kai nun Aigisthos huper moron Atreïdao

English · Butler

gods: "See now, how men consider us gods responsible for what is after all nothing but their own folly. Look at Aigisthos; he must needs make love to Agamemnon's wife unrighteously and then kill Agamemnon, though he knew it would be the death of him;

Homeric Greek

γῆμ' ἄλοχον μνηστήν, τὸν δ' ἔκτανε νοστήσαντα,

εἰδὼς αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον, ἐπεὶ πρό οἱ εἴπομεν ἡμεῖς,

Ἑρμείαν πέμψαντες, ἐύσκοπον ἀργεϊφόντην,

μήτ' αὐτὸν κτείνειν μήτε μνάασθαι ἄκοιτιν:

40ἐκ γὰρ Ὀρέσταο τίσις ἔσσεται Ἀτρεί̈δαο,

Transliteration

gēm' alochon mnēstēn, ton d' ektane nostēsanta,

eidōs aipun olethron, epei pro hoi eipomen hēmeis,

Hermeian pempsantes, euskopon argeïphontēn,

mēt' auton kteinein mēte mnaasthai akoitin:

40ek gar Orestao tisis essetai Atreïdao,

English · Butler

for I sent Hermes to warn him not to do either of these things, inasmuch as Orestes would be sure to take his revenge when he grew up and wanted to return home. Hermes told him this in all good will

Homeric Greek

ὁππότ' ἂν ἡβήσῃ τε καὶ ἧς ἱμείρεται αἴης.

ὣς ἔφαθ' Ἑρμείας, ἀλλ' οὐ φρένας Αἰγίσθοιο

πεῖθ' ἀγαθὰ φρονέων: νῦν δ' ἁθρόα πάντ' ἀπέτισεν."

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

45"ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,

Transliteration

hoppot' an hēbēsēi te kai hēs himeiretai aiēs.

hōs ephath' Hermeias, all' ou phrenas Aigisthoio

peith' agatha phroneōn: nun d' hathroa pant' apetisen."

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:

45"ō pater hēmetere Kronidē, hupate kreiontōn,

English · Butler

but he would not listen, and now he has paid for everything in full." Then Athena said, "Father, son of Kronos, King of kings, it served Aigisthos right, and so it would any one else who does as he did; but Aigisthos is neither here nor there; it is for Odysseus that my heart bleeds, when I think of his sufferings in that lonely sea-girt island, far away, poor man, from all his friends. It is an island covered with forest,

Homeric Greek

καὶ λίην κεῖνός γε ἐοικότι κεῖται ὀλέθρῳ:

ὡς ἀπόλοιτο καὶ ἄλλος, ὅτις τοιαῦτά γε ῥέζοι:

ἀλλά μοι ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆι δαί̈φρονι δαίεται ἦτορ,

δυσμόρῳ, ὃς δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχει

50νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ, ὅθι τ' ὀμφαλός ἐστι θαλάσσης.

Transliteration

kai liēn keinos ge eoikoti keitai olethrōi:

hōs apoloito kai allos, hotis toiauta ge rhezoi:

alla moi amph' Odusēi daïphroni daietai ētor,

dusmorōi, hos dē dētha philōn apo pēmata paschei

50nēsōi en amphirutēi, hothi t' omphalos esti thalassēs.

English · Butler

in the very middle of the sea, and a goddess lives there, daughter of the magician Atlas, who looks after the bottom of the ocean, and carries the great columns that keep heaven and earth asunder. This daughter of Atlas has got

Homeric Greek

νῆσος δενδρήεσσα, θεὰ δ' ἐν δώματα ναίει,

Ἄτλαντος θυγάτηρ ὀλοόφρονος, ὅς τε θαλάσσης

πάσης βένθεα οἶδεν, ἔχει δέ τε κίονας αὐτὸς

μακράς, αἳ γαῖάν τε καὶ οὐρανὸν ἀμφὶς ἔχουσιν.

55τοῦ θυγάτηρ δύστηνον ὀδυρόμενον κατερύκει,

Transliteration

nēsos dendrēessa, thea d' en dōmata naiei,

Atlantos thugatēr oloophronos, hos te thalassēs

pasēs benthea oiden, echei de te kionas autos

makras, hai gaian te kai ouranon amphis echousin.

55tou thugatēr dustēnon oduromenon katerukei,

English · Butler

hold of poor unhappy Odysseus, and keeps trying by every kind of blandishment to make him forget his home, so that he is tired of life, and thinks of nothing but how he may once more see the smoke of his own chimneys.

Homeric Greek

αἰεὶ δὲ μαλακοῖσι καὶ αἱμυλίοισι λόγοισιν

θέλγει, ὅπως Ἰθάκης ἐπιλήσεται: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεύς,

ἱέμενος καὶ καπνὸν ἀποθρῴσκοντα νοῆσαι

ἧς γαίης, θανέειν ἱμείρεται. οὐδέ νυ σοί περ

60ἐντρέπεται φίλον ἦτορ, Ὀλύμπιε. οὔ νύ τ' Ὀδυσσεὺς

Transliteration

aiei de malakoisi kai haimulioisi logoisin

thelgei, hopōs Ithakēs epilēsetai: autar Odusseus,

hiemenos kai kapnon apothrōiskonta noēsai

hēs gaiēs, thaneein himeiretai. oude nu soi per

60entrepetai philon ētor, Olumpie. ou nu t' Odusseus

English · Butler

You, sir, take no heed of this, and yet when Odysseus was before Troy did he not propitiate you with many a burnt sacrifice? Why then should you keep on

Homeric Greek

Ἀργείων παρὰ νηυσὶ χαρίζετο ἱερὰ ῥέζων

Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ; τί νύ οἱ τόσον ὠδύσαο, Ζεῦ;"

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:"

"τέκνον ἐμόν, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων.

65πῶς ἂν ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆος ἐγὼ θείοιο λαθοίμην,

Transliteration

Argeiōn para nēusi charizeto hiera rhezōn

Troiēi en eureiēi; ti nu hoi toson ōdusao, Zeu;"

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:"

"teknon emon, poion se epos phugen herkos odontōn.

65pōs an epeit' Odusēos egō theioio lathoimēn,

English · Butler

being so angry with him?" And Zeus said, "My child, what are you talking about? How can I forget Odysseus than whom there is no more capable man on

Homeric Greek

ὃς περὶ μὲν νόον ἐστὶ βροτῶν, περὶ δ' ἱρὰ θεοῖσιν

ἀθανάτοισιν ἔδωκε, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν;

ἀλλὰ Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος ἀσκελὲς αἰεὶ

Κύκλωπος κεχόλωται, ὃν ὀφθαλμοῦ ἀλάωσεν,

70ἀντίθεον Πολύφημον, ὅου κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον

Transliteration

hos peri men noon esti brotōn, peri d' hira theoisin

athanatoisin edōke, toi ouranon eurun echousin;

alla Poseidaōn gaiēochos askeles aiei

Kuklōpos kecholōtai, hon ophthalmou alaōsen,

70antitheon Poluphēmon, hoou kratos esti megiston

English · Butler

earth, nor more liberal in his offerings to the immortal gods that live in heaven? Bear in mind, however, that Poseidon is still furious with Odysseus for having blinded an eye of Polyphemus king of the Cyclopes. Polyphemus is son to Poseidon by the nymph Thoosa, daughter to the sea-king Phorkys; therefore though he will not kill Odysseus outright, he torments him by preventing him from his homecoming.

Homeric Greek

πᾶσιν Κυκλώπεσσι: Θόωσα δέ μιν τέκε νύμφη,

Φόρκυνος θυγάτηρ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο μέδοντος,

ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι Ποσειδάωνι μιγεῖσα.

ἐκ τοῦ δὴ Ὀδυσῆα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων

75οὔ τι κατακτείνει, πλάζει δ' ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης.

Transliteration

pasin Kuklōpessi: Thoōsa de min teke numphē,

Phorkunos thugatēr halos atrugetoio medontos,

en spessi glaphuroisi Poseidaōni migeisa.

ek tou dē Odusēa Poseidaōn enosichthōn

75ou ti katakteinei, plazei d' apo patridos aiēs.

English · Butler

Still, let us lay our heads together and see how we can help him to return; Poseidon will then be pacified, for if we are all

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγεθ', ἡμεῖς οἵδε περιφραζώμεθα πάντες

νόστον, ὅπως ἔλθῃσι: Ποσειδάων δὲ μεθήσει

ὃν χόλον: οὐ μὲν γὰρ τι δυνήσεται ἀντία πάντων

ἀθανάτων ἀέκητι θεῶν ἐριδαινέμεν οἶος."

80τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

Transliteration

all' ageth', hēmeis hoide periphrazōmetha pantes

noston, hopōs elthēisi: Poseidaōn de methēsei

hon cholon: ou men gar ti dunēsetai antia pantōn

athanatōn aekēti theōn eridainemen oios."

80ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:

English · Butler

of a mind he can hardly stand out against us." And Athena said, "Father, son of Kronos, King of kings, if, then, the gods now mean that Odysseus should get home, we should first send Hermes to the Ogygian island to tell Calypso that we have made up our minds and that he is to have his homecoming.

Homeric Greek

"ὦ πάτερ ἡμέτερε Κρονίδη, ὕπατε κρειόντων,

εἰ μὲν δὴ νῦν τοῦτο φίλον μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιν,

νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε,

Ἑρμείαν μὲν ἔπειτα διάκτορον ἀργεϊφόντην

85νῆσον ἐς Ὠγυγίην ὀτρύνομεν, ὄφρα τάχιστα

Transliteration

"ō pater hēmetere Kronidē, hupate kreiontōn,

ei men dē nun touto philon makaressi theoisin,

nostēsai Odusēa poluphrona honde domonde,

Hermeian men epeita diaktoron argeïphontēn

85nēson es Ōgugiēn otrunomen, ophra tachista

English · Butler

And Athena said, "Father, son of Kronos, King of kings, if, then, the gods now mean that Odysseus should get home, we should first send Hermes to the Ogygian island to tell Calypso that we have made up our minds and that he is to have his homecoming. In the meantime I will go to Ithaca, to put heart into Odysseus' son Telemakhos; I will embolden him to call the Achaeans in assembly, and speak out to the suitors of his mother Penelope, who persist in eating up any number of his sheep and oxen;

Homeric Greek

νύμφῃ ἐυπλοκάμῳ εἴπῃ νημερτέα βουλήν,

νόστον Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὥς κε νέηται:

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν Ἰθάκηνδ' ἐσελεύσομαι, ὄφρα οἱ υἱὸν

μᾶλλον ἐποτρύνω καί οἱ μένος ἐν φρεσὶ θείω,

90εἰς ἀγορὴν καλέσαντα κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιοὺς

Transliteration

numphēi euplokamōi eipēi nēmertea boulēn,

noston Odussēos talasiphronos, hōs ke neētai:

autar egōn Ithakēnd' eseleusomai, ophra hoi huion

mallon epotrunō kai hoi menos en phresi theiō,

90eis agorēn kalesanta karē komoōntas Achaious

English · Butler

I will also conduct him to Sparta and to Pylos, to see if he can hear anything

Homeric Greek

πᾶσι μνηστήρεσσιν ἀπειπέμεν, οἵ τέ οἱ αἰεὶ

μῆλ' ἁδινὰ σφάζουσι καὶ εἰλίποδας ἕλικας βοῦς.

πέμψω δ' ἐς Σπάρτην τε καὶ ἐς Πύλον ἠμαθόεντα

νόστον πευσόμενον πατρὸς φίλου, ἤν που ἀκούσῃ,

95ἠδ' ἵνα μιν κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἔχῃσιν."

Transliteration

pasi mnēstēressin apeipemen, hoi te hoi aiei

mēl' hadina sphazousi kai eilipodas helikas bous.

pempsō d' es Spartēn te kai es Pulon ēmathoenta

noston peusomenon patros philou, ēn pou akousēi,

95ēd' hina min kleos esthlon en anthrōpoisin echēisin."

English · Butler

about the return of his dear father - for this will give him genuine fame throughout humankind."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰποῦσ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια, τά μιν φέρον ἠμὲν ἐφ' ὑγρὴν

ἠδ' ἐπ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν ἅμα πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο:

εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέι χαλκῷ,

100βριθὺ μέγα στιβαρόν, τῷ δάμνησι στίχας ἀνδρῶν

Transliteration

hōs eipous' hupo possin edēsato kala pedila,

ambrosia chruseia, ta min pheron ēmen eph' hugrēn

ēd' ep' apeirona gaian hama pnoiēis anemoio:

heileto d' alkimon enchos, akachmenon oxei chalkōi,

100brithu mega stibaron, tōi damnēsi stichas andrōn

English · Butler

So saying she bound on her glittering golden sandals, imperishable, with which she can fly like the wind over land or sea; she grasped the redoubtable bronze-shod spear, so stout and sturdy and strong, wherewith she quells the ranks of heroes who have displeased her, and down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus, whereon forthwith she was in the dêmos of Ithaca, at the gateway of Odysseus' house, disguised as a visitor, Mentes, chief of the Taphians, and she held a bronze spear in her hand. There she found the lordly suitors seated on hides of the oxen which they had killed and eaten, and playing draughts in front of the house.

Homeric Greek

ἡρώων, τοῖσίν τε κοτέσσεται ὀβριμοπάτρη.

βῆ δὲ κατ' Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀίξασα,

στῆ δ' Ἰθάκης ἐνὶ δήμῳ ἐπὶ προθύροις Ὀδυσῆος,

οὐδοῦ ἐπ' αὐλείου: παλάμῃ δ' ἔχε χάλκεον ἔγχος,

105εἰδομένη ξείνῳ, Ταφίων ἡγήτορι Μέντῃ.

Transliteration

hērōōn, toisin te kotessetai obrimopatrē.

bē de kat' Oulumpoio karēnōn aixasa,

stē d' Ithakēs eni dēmōi epi prothurois Odusēos,

oudou ep' auleiou: palamēi d' eche chalkeon enchos,

105eidomenē xeinōi, Taphiōn hēgētori Mentēi.

English · Butler

Men-servants and pages were bustling about to wait upon them, some mixing wine with water

Homeric Greek

εὗρε δ' ἄρα μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας. οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα

πεσσοῖσι προπάροιθε θυράων θυμὸν ἔτερπον

ἥμενοι ἐν ῥινοῖσι βοῶν, οὓς ἔκτανον αὐτοί:

κήρυκες δ' αὐτοῖσι καὶ ὀτρηροὶ θεράποντες

110οἱ μὲν οἶνον ἔμισγον ἐνὶ κρητῆρσι καὶ ὕδωρ,

Transliteration

heure d' ara mnēstēras agēnoras. hoi men epeita

pessoisi proparoithe thuraōn thumon eterpon

hēmenoi en rhinoisi boōn, hous ektanon autoi:

kērukes d' autoisi kai otrēroi therapontes

110hoi men oinon emisgon eni krētērsi kai hudōr,

English · Butler

in the mixing-bowls, some cleaning down the tables with wet sponges and laying them out again, and

Homeric Greek

οἱ δ' αὖτε σπόγγοισι πολυτρήτοισι τραπέζας

νίζον καὶ πρότιθεν, τοὶ δὲ κρέα πολλὰ δατεῦντο.

τὴν δὲ πολὺ πρῶτος ἴδε Τηλέμαχος θεοειδής,

ἧστο γὰρ ἐν μνηστῆρσι φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,

115ὀσσόμενος πατέρ ἐσθλὸν ἐνὶ φρεσίν, εἴ ποθεν ἐλθὼν

Transliteration

hoi d' aute spongoisi polutrētoisi trapezas

nizon kai protithen, toi de krea polla dateunto.

tēn de polu prōtos ide Tēlemachos theoeidēs,

hēsto gar en mnēstērsi philon tetiēmenos ētor,

115ossomenos pater esthlon eni phresin, ei pothen elthōn

English · Butler

some cutting up great quantities of meat. Telemakhos saw her long before any one else did. He was sitting moodily among the suitors thinking about his brave father, and how he would send them fleeing out

Homeric Greek

μνηστήρων τῶν μὲν σκέδασιν κατὰ δώματα θείη,

τιμὴν δ' αὐτὸς ἔχοι καὶ δώμασιν οἷσιν ἀνάσσοι.

τὰ φρονέων, μνηστῆρσι μεθήμενος, εἴσιδ' Ἀθήνην.

βῆ δ' ἰθὺς προθύροιο, νεμεσσήθη δ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ

120ξεῖνον δηθὰ θύρῃσιν ἐφεστάμεν: ἐγγύθι δὲ στὰς

Transliteration

mnēstērōn tōn men skedasin kata dōmata theiē,

timēn d' autos echoi kai dōmasin hoisin anassoi.

ta phroneōn, mnēstērsi methēmenos, eisid' Athēnēn.

bē d' ithus prothuroio, nemessēthē d' eni thumōi

120xeinon dētha thurēisin ephestamen: enguthi de stas

English · Butler

of the house, if he were to come to his own again and be honored as in days gone by. Thus brooding as he sat among them, he caught sight of Athena and went straight to the gate, for he was vexed that a stranger should be kept waiting for admittance. He took her right hand in his own, and bade her give him her spear.

Homeric Greek

χεῖρ' ἕλε δεξιτερὴν καὶ ἐδέξατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"χαῖρε, ξεῖνε, παρ' ἄμμι φιλήσεαι: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

δείπνου πασσάμενος μυθήσεαι ὅττεό σε χρή."

125"ὣς εἰπὼν ἡγεῖθ', ἡ δ' ἕσπετο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

Transliteration

cheir' hele dexiterēn kai edexato chalkeon enchos,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"chaire, xeine, par' ammi philēseai: autar epeita

deipnou passamenos muthēseai hotteo se chrē."

125"hōs eipōn hēgeith', hē d' hespeto Pallas Athēnē.

English · Butler

"Welcome," said he, "to our house, and when you have partaken of food you shall tell us what you have come for." He led the way as he spoke, and Athena followed him.

Homeric Greek

οἱ δ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἔντοσθεν ἔσαν δόμου ὑψηλοῖο,

ἔγχος μέν ῥ' ἔστησε φέρων πρὸς κίονα μακρὴν

δουροδόκης ἔντοσθεν ἐυξόου, ἔνθα περ ἄλλα

ἔγχε' Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἵστατο πολλά,

130αὐτὴν δ' ἐς θρόνον εἷσεν ἄγων, ὑπὸ λῖτα πετάσσας,

Transliteration

hoi d' hote dē rh' entosthen esan domou hupsēloio,

enchos men rh' estēse pherōn pros kiona makrēn

dourodokēs entosthen euxoou, entha per alla

enche' Odussēos talasiphronos histato polla,

130autēn d' es thronon heisen agōn, hupo lita petassas,

English · Butler

He led the way as he spoke, and Athena followed him. When they were within he took her spear and set it in the spear - stand against a strong bearing-post along with the many other spears of his unhappy father, and he conducted her to a richly decorated seat under which he threw a cloth of damask. There was a footstool also for her feet,

Homeric Greek

καλὸν δαιδάλεον: ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν.

πὰρ δ' αὐτὸς κλισμὸν θέτο ποικίλον, ἔκτοθεν ἄλλων

μνηστήρων, μὴ ξεῖνος ἀνιηθεὶς ὀρυμαγδῷ

δείπνῳ ἁδήσειεν, ὑπερφιάλοισι μετελθών,

135ἠδ' ἵνα μιν περὶ πατρὸς ἀποιχομένοιο ἔροιτο.

Transliteration

kalon daidaleon: hupo de thrēnus posin ēen.

par d' autos klismon theto poikilon, ektothen allōn

mnēstērōn, mē xeinos aniētheis orumagdōi

deipnōi hadēseien, huperphialoisi metelthōn,

135ēd' hina min peri patros apoichomenoio eroito.

English · Butler

and he set another seat near her for himself, away from the suitors, that she might not be annoyed while eating by their noise and insolence, and that he might ask her more freely about his father.

Homeric Greek

χέρνιβα δ' ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα

καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,

νίψασθαι: παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.

σῖτον δ' αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,

140εἴδατα πόλλ' ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων:

Transliteration

cherniba d' amphipolos prochoōi epecheue pherousa

kalēi chruseiēi, huper argureoio lebētos,

nipsasthai: para de xestēn etanusse trapezan.

siton d' aidoiē tamiē parethēke pherousa,

140eidata poll' epitheisa, charizomenē pareontōn:

English · Butler

A maid servant then brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for them to wash their hands, and she drew a clean table beside them. An upper servant brought them bread, and offered them many good things of what there was in the house, the carver fetched them plates of all manner of

Homeric Greek

δαιτρὸς δὲ κρειῶν πίνακας παρέθηκεν ἀείρας

παντοίων, παρὰ δέ σφι τίθει χρύσεια κύπελλα:

κῆρυξ δ' αὐτοῖσιν θάμ' ἐπῴχετο οἰνοχοεύων.

ἐς δ' ἦλθον μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες. οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα

145ἑξείης ἕζοντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,

Transliteration

daitros de kreiōn pinakas parethēken aeiras

pantoiōn, para de sphi tithei chruseia kupella:

kērux d' autoisin tham' epōicheto oinochoeuōn.

es d' ēlthon mnēstēres agēnores. hoi men epeita

145hexeiēs hezonto kata klismous te thronous te,

English · Butler

meats and set cups of gold by their side, and a man-servant brought them wine and poured it out for them. Then the suitors came in and took their places on the benches and seats. Forthwith men servants poured water over their hands,

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δὲ κήρυκες μὲν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν,

σῖτον δὲ δμῳαὶ παρενήνεον ἐν κανέοισιν,

κοῦροι δὲ κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο.

οἱ δ' ἐπ' ὀνείαθ' ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

150αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο

Transliteration

toisi de kērukes men hudōr epi cheiras echeuan,

siton de dmōiai parenēneon en kaneoisin,

kouroi de krētēras epestepsanto potoio.

hoi d' ep' oneiath' hetoima prokeimena cheiras iallon.

150autar epei posios kai edētuos ex eron hento

English · Butler

maids went round with the bread-baskets, pages filled the mixing-bowls with wine and water, and they laid their hands upon the good things that were before them. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink they wanted music and dancing, which are the crowning embellishments

Homeric Greek

μνηστῆρες, τοῖσιν μὲν ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἄλλα μεμήλει,

μολπή τ' ὀρχηστύς τε: τὰ γὰρ τ' ἀναθήματα δαιτός:

κῆρυξ δ' ἐν χερσὶν κίθαριν περικαλλέα θῆκεν

Φημίῳ, ὅς ῥ' ἤειδε παρὰ μνηστῆρσιν ἀνάγκῃ.

155ἦ τοι ὁ φορμίζων ἀνεβάλλετο καλὸν ἀείδειν.

Transliteration

mnēstēres, toisin men eni phresin alla memēlei,

molpē t' orchēstus te: ta gar t' anathēmata daitos:

kērux d' en chersin kitharin perikallea thēken

Phēmiōi, hos rh' ēeide para mnēstērsin anankēi.

155ē toi ho phormizōn aneballeto kalon aeidein.

English · Butler

of a banquet, so a servant brought a lyre to Phemios, whom they compelled perforce to sing to them. As soon as he touched his lyre and began to sing Telemakhos spoke low to Athena, with his

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος προσέφη γλαυκῶπιν Ἀθήνην,

ἄγχι σχὼν κεφαλήν, ἵνα μὴ πευθοίαθ' οἱ ἄλλοι:

"ξεῖνε φίλ', ἦ καὶ μοι νεμεσήσεαι ὅττι κεν εἴπω;

τούτοισιν μὲν ταῦτα μέλει, κίθαρις καὶ ἀοιδή,

160ῥεῖ', ἐπεὶ ἀλλότριον βίοτον νήποινον ἔδουσιν,

Transliteration

autar Tēlemachos prosephē glaukōpin Athēnēn,

anchi schōn kephalēn, hina mē peuthoiath' hoi alloi:

"xeine phil', ē kai moi nemesēseai hotti ken eipō;

toutoisin men tauta melei, kitharis kai aoidē,

160rhei', epei allotrion bioton nēpoinon edousin,

English · Butler

head close to hers that no man might hear. "I hope, sir," said he, "that you will not be offended with what I am going to say. Singing comes cheap to those who do not pay for it, and all this is done at the cost of

Homeric Greek

ἀνέρος, οὗ δή που λεύκ' ὀστέα πύθεται ὄμβρῳ

κείμεν' ἐπ' ἠπείρου, ἢ εἰν ἁλὶ κῦμα κυλίνδει.

εἰ κεῖνόν γ' Ἰθάκηνδε ἰδοίατο νοστήσαντα,

πάντες κ' ἀρησαίατ' ἐλαφρότεροι πόδας εἶναι

165ἢ ἀφνειότεροι χρυσοῖό τε ἐσθῆτός τε.

Transliteration

aneros, hou dē pou leuk' ostea puthetai ombrōi

keimen' ep' ēpeirou, ē ein hali kuma kulindei.

ei keinon g' Ithakēnde idoiato nostēsanta,

pantes k' arēsaiat' elaphroteroi podas einai

165ē aphneioteroi chrusoio te esthētos te.

English · Butler

one whose bones lie rotting in some wilderness or grinding to powder in the surf. If these men were to see my father come back to Ithaca they would pray for longer legs rather than a longer purse, for wealth would not serve them; but he, alas, has fallen on an ill fate, and even when people do sometimes say that he is coming, we no longer heed them;

Homeric Greek

νῦν δ' ὁ μὲν ὣς ἀπόλωλε κακὸν μόρον, οὐδέ τις ἡμῖν

θαλπωρή, εἴ πέρ τις ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων

φῇσιν ἐλεύσεσθαι: τοῦ δ' ὤλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον:

170τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ τοκῆες;

Transliteration

nun d' ho men hōs apolōle kakon moron, oude tis hēmin

thalpōrē, ei per tis epichthoniōn anthrōpōn

phēisin eleusesthai: tou d' ōleto nostimon ēmar.

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon:

170tis pothen eis andrōn; pothi toi polis ēde tokēes;

English · Butler

we shall never see him again. And now, sir, tell me and tell me true, who you are and where you come from. Tell me of your town and parents, what manner of ship you came in, how your crew brought you to Ithaca, and of what

Homeric Greek

ὁπποίης τ' ἐπὶ νηὸς ἀφίκεο: πῶς δέ σε ναῦται

ἤγαγον εἰς Ἰθάκην; τίνες ἔμμεναι εὐχετόωντο;

οὐ μὲν γὰρ τί σε πεζὸν ὀίομαι ἐνθάδ' ἱκέσθαι.

καί μοι τοῦτ' ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρ' ἐὺ εἰδῶ,

175ἠὲ νέον μεθέπεις ἦ καὶ πατρώιός ἐσσι

Transliteration

hoppoiēs t' epi nēos aphikeo: pōs de se nautai

ēgagon eis Ithakēn; tines emmenai euchetoōnto;

ou men gar ti se pezon oiomai enthad' hikesthai.

kai moi tout' agoreuson etētumon, ophr' eu eidō,

175ēe neon methepeis ē kai patrōios essi

English · Butler

nation they declared themselves to be - for you cannot have come by land. Tell me also truly, for I want to know, are you a stranger to this house, or have you been here in my father's time? In the old days we had many visitors

Homeric Greek

ξεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πολλοὶ ἴσαν ἀνέρες ἡμέτερον δῶ

ἄλλοι, ἐπεὶ καὶ κεῖνος ἐπίστροφος ἦν ἀνθρώπων."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

"τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι ταῦτα μάλ' ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.

180Μέντης Ἀγχιάλοιο δαί̈φρονος εὔχομαι εἶναι

Transliteration

xeinos, epei polloi isan aneres hēmeteron dō

alloi, epei kai keinos epistrophos ēn anthrōpōn."

ton d' aute proseeipe thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:

"toigar egō toi tauta mal' atrekeōs agoreusō.

180Mentēs Anchialoio daïphronos euchomai einai

English · Butler

for my father went about much himself." And Athena answered, "I will tell you truly and particularly all about it. I am Mentes, son of Anchialos, and I am King of the Taphians. I have come here with my ship and crew,

Homeric Greek

υἱός, ἀτὰρ Ταφίοισι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσω.

νῦν δ' ὧδε ξὺν νηὶ κατήλυθον ἠδ' ἑτάροισιν

πλέων ἐπὶ οἴνοπα πόντον ἐπ' ἀλλοθρόους ἀνθρώπους,

ἐς Τεμέσην μετὰ χαλκόν, ἄγω δ' αἴθωνα σίδηρον.

185νηῦς δέ μοι ἥδ' ἕστηκεν ἐπ' ἀγροῦ νόσφι πόληος,

Transliteration

huios, atar Taphioisi philēretmoisin anassō.

nun d' hōde xun nēi katēluthon ēd' hetaroisin

pleōn epi oinopa ponton ep' allothroous anthrōpous,

es Temesēn meta chalkon, agō d' aithōna sidēron.

185nēus de moi hēd' hestēken ep' agrou nosphi polēos,

English · Butler

on a voyage to men of a foreign tongue being bound for Temesa with a cargo of iron, and I shall bring back copper. As for my ship, it lies over yonder off the open country away from the town, in the harbor Rheithron under the wooded mountain Neritum. Our fathers were friends before us, as old Laertes will tell you, if you will go and ask him.

Homeric Greek

ἐν λιμένι Ῥείθρῳ ὑπὸ Νηίῳ ὑλήεντι.

ξεῖνοι δ' ἀλλήλων πατρώιοι εὐχόμεθ' εἶναι

ἐξ ἀρχῆς, εἴ πέρ τε γέροντ' εἴρηαι ἐπελθὼν

Λαέρτην ἥρωα, τὸν οὐκέτι φασὶ πόλινδε

190ἔρχεσθ', ἀλλ' ἀπάνευθεν ἐπ' ἀγροῦ πήματα πάσχειν

Transliteration

en limeni Rheithrōi hupo Nēiōi hulēenti.

xeinoi d' allēlōn patrōioi euchometh' einai

ex archēs, ei per te geront' eirēai epelthōn

Laertēn hērōa, ton ouketi phasi polinde

190erchesth', all' apaneuthen ep' agrou pēmata paschein

English · Butler

They say, however, that he never comes to town now, and lives by himself in the country, faring hardly, with an old woman to look after him and get his dinner for him, when he comes in tired from pottering about his vineyard. They told me your father was at home

Homeric Greek

γρηὶ σὺν ἀμφιπόλῳ, ἥ οἱ βρῶσίν τε πόσιν τε

παρτιθεῖ, εὖτ' ἄν μιν κάματος κατὰ γυῖα λάβῃσιν

ἑρπύζοντ' ἀνὰ γουνὸν ἀλωῆς οἰνοπέδοιο.

νῦν δ' ἦλθον: δὴ γάρ μιν ἔφαντ' ἐπιδήμιον εἶναι,

195σὸν πατέρ': ἀλλά νυ τόν γε θεοὶ βλάπτουσι κελεύθου.

Transliteration

grēi sun amphipolōi, hē hoi brōsin te posin te

partithei, eut' an min kamatos kata guia labēisin

herpuzont' ana gounon alōēs oinopedoio.

nun d' ēlthon: dē gar min ephant' epidēmion einai,

195son pater': alla nu ton ge theoi blaptousi keleuthou.

English · Butler

again, and that was why I came, but it seems the gods are still keeping him back, for he is not dead yet not on the mainland. It is more likely he is on some sea-girt island in mid ocean, or a prisoner among savages who are detaining him against his will. I am no seer, and know

Homeric Greek

οὐ γάρ πω τέθνηκεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

ἀλλ' ἔτι που ζωὸς κατερύκεται εὐρέι πόντῳ

νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ, χαλεποὶ δέ μιν ἄνδρες ἔχουσιν

ἄγριοι, οἵ που κεῖνον ἐρυκανόωσ' ἀέκοντα.

200αὐτὰρ νῦν τοι ἐγὼ μαντεύσομαι, ὡς ἐνὶ θυμῷ

Transliteration

ou gar pō tethnēken epi chthoni dios Odusseus,

all' eti pou zōos kateruketai eurei pontōi

nēsōi en amphirutēi, chalepoi de min andres echousin

agrioi, hoi pou keinon erukanoōs' aekonta.

200autar nun toi egō manteusomai, hōs eni thumōi

English · Butler

very little about omens, but I speak as it is borne in upon me from heaven, and assure you that he will not be away much longer; for he is a man of such resource that even though he

Homeric Greek

ἀθάνατοι βάλλουσι καὶ ὡς τελέεσθαι ὀίω,

οὔτε τι μάντις ἐὼν οὔτ' οἰωνῶν σάφα εἰδώς.

οὔ τοι ἔτι δηρόν γε φίλης ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης

ἔσσεται, οὐδ' εἴ πέρ τε σιδήρεα δέσματ' ἔχῃσιν:

205φράσσεται ὥς κε νέηται, ἐπεὶ πολυμήχανός ἐστιν.

Transliteration

athanatoi ballousi kai hōs teleesthai oiō,

oute ti mantis eōn out' oiōnōn sapha eidōs.

ou toi eti dēron ge philēs apo patridos aiēs

essetai, oud' ei per te sidērea desmat' echēisin:

205phrassetai hōs ke neētai, epei polumēchanos estin.

English · Butler

were in chains of iron he would find some means of getting home again. But tell me, and tell me true, can Odysseus really have such a fine looking young man for a son? You are indeed wonderfully like him about the

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

εἰ δὴ ἐξ αὐτοῖο τόσος πάϊς εἰς Ὀδυσῆος.

αἰνῶς μὲν κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὄμματα καλὰ ἔοικας

κείνῳ, ἐπεὶ θαμὰ τοῖον ἐμισγόμεθ' ἀλλήλοισιν,

210πρίν γε τὸν ἐς Τροίην ἀναβήμεναι, ἔνθα περ ἄλλοι

Transliteration

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

ei dē ex autoio tosos païs eis Odusēos.

ainōs men kephalēn te kai ommata kala eoikas

keinōi, epei thama toion emisgometh' allēloisin,

210prin ge ton es Troiēn anabēmenai, entha per alloi

English · Butler

head and eyes, for we were close friends before he set sail for Troy where the flower of all the Argives went also. Since that time we

Homeric Greek

Ἀργείων οἱ ἄριστοι ἔβαν κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσίν:

ἐκ τοῦ δ' οὔτ' Ὀδυσῆα ἐγὼν ἴδον οὔτ' ἔμ' ἐκεῖνος."

τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλ' ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.

215μήτηρ μέν τέ μέ φησι τοῦ ἔμμεναι, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε

Transliteration

Argeiōn hoi aristoi eban koilēis eni nēusin:

ek tou d' out' Odusēa egōn idon out' em' ekeinos."

tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:

"toigar egō toi, xeine, mal' atrekeōs agoreusō.

215mētēr men te me phēsi tou emmenai, autar egō ge

English · Butler

have never either of us seen the other." "My mother," answered Telemakhos, "tells me I am son to Odysseus, but it is a wise child that knows his own father. Would that I were son

Homeric Greek

οὐκ οἶδ': οὐ γάρ πώ τις ἑὸν γόνον αὐτὸς ἀνέγνω.

ὡς δὴ ἐγώ γ' ὄφελον μάκαρός νύ τευ ἔμμεναι υἱὸς

ἀνέρος, ὃν κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖς ἔπι γῆρας ἔτετμε.

νῦν δ' ὃς ἀποτμότατος γένετο θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων,

220τοῦ μ' ἔκ φασι γενέσθαι, ἐπεὶ σύ με τοῦτ' ἐρεείνεις."

Transliteration

ouk oid': ou gar pō tis heon gonon autos anegnō.

hōs dē egō g' ophelon makaros nu teu emmenai huios

aneros, hon kteatessin heois epi gēras etetme.

nun d' hos apotmotatos geneto thnētōn anthrōpōn,

220tou m' ek phasi genesthai, epei su me tout' ereeineis."

English · Butler

to one who had grown old upon his own estates, for, since you ask me, there is no more ill-starred man under heaven

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

"οὐ μέν τοι γενεήν γε θεοὶ νώνυμνον ὀπίσσω

θῆκαν, ἐπεὶ σέ γε τοῖον ἐγείνατο Πηνελόπεια.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον:

225τίς δαίς, τίς δὲ ὅμιλος ὅδ' ἔπλετο; τίπτε δέ σε χρεώ;

Transliteration

ton d' aute proseeipe thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:

"ou men toi geneēn ge theoi nōnumnon opissō

thēkan, epei se ge toion egeinato Pēnelopeia.

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon:

225tis dais, tis de homilos hod' epleto; tipte de se chreō;

English · Butler

than he who they tell me is my father." And Athena said, "There is no fear of your race dying out yet, while Penelope has such a fine son as you are. But tell me, and tell me true, what is the meaning of all this feasting, and who are these people? What is it all about?

Homeric Greek

εἰλαπίνη ἠὲ γάμος; ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἔρανος τάδε γ' ἐστίν:

ὥς τέ μοι ὑβρίζοντες ὑπερφιάλως δοκέουσι

δαίνυσθαι κατὰ δῶμα. νεμεσσήσαιτό κεν ἀνὴρ

αἴσχεα πόλλ' ὁρόων, ὅς τις πινυτός γε μετέλθοι."

230τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

eilapinē ēe gamos; epei ouk eranos tade g' estin:

hōs te moi hubrizontes huperphialōs dokeousi

dainusthai kata dōma. nemessēsaito ken anēr

aischea poll' horoōn, hos tis pinutos ge metelthoi."

230tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:

English · Butler

Have you some banquet, or is there a wedding in the family - for no one seems to be bringing any provisions of his own? And the guests - how atrociously they are behaving; what riot they make over the whole house; it is enough to disgust any respectable person who comes near them." "Sir," said Telemakhos, "as regards your question, so long as my father was here it was well with us and with the house, but the gods in their displeasure have willed it otherwise, and have hidden him away more closely than mortal man was ever yet hidden.

Homeric Greek

"ξεῖν', ἐπεὶ ἂρ δὴ ταῦτά μ' ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς,

μέλλεν μέν ποτε οἶκος ὅδ' ἀφνειὸς καὶ ἀμύμων

ἔμμεναι, ὄφρ' ἔτι κεῖνος ἀνὴρ ἐπιδήμιος ἦεν:

νῦν δ' ἑτέρως ἐβόλοντο θεοὶ κακὰ μητιόωντες,

235οἳ κεῖνον μὲν ἄιστον ἐποίησαν περὶ πάντων

Transliteration

"xein', epei ar dē tauta m' aneireai ēde metallāis,

mellen men pote oikos hod' aphneios kai amumōn

emmenai, ophr' eti keinos anēr epidēmios ēen:

nun d' heterōs ebolonto theoi kaka mētioōntes,

235hoi keinon men aiston epoiēsan peri pantōn

English · Butler

"Sir," said Telemakhos, "as regards your question, so long as my father was here it was well with us and with the house, but the gods in their displeasure have willed it otherwise, and have hidden him away more closely than mortal man was ever yet hidden. I could have borne it better even though he were dead, if he had fallen with his men in the dêmos of Troy, or had died with friends around him when the days of his fighting were done; for then the Achaeans would have built a mound over his ashes, and I should myself have been heir to his renown ;

Homeric Greek

ἀνθρώπων, ἐπεὶ οὔ κε θανόντι περ ὧδ' ἀκαχοίμην,

εἰ μετὰ οἷς ἑτάροισι δάμη Τρώων ἐνὶ δήμῳ,

ἠὲ φίλων ἐν χερσίν, ἐπεὶ πόλεμον τολύπευσεν.

τῷ κέν οἱ τύμβον μὲν ἐποίησαν Παναχαιοί,

240ἠδέ κε καὶ ᾧ παιδὶ μέγα κλέος ἤρατ' ὀπίσσω.

Transliteration

anthrōpōn, epei ou ke thanonti per hōd' akachoimēn,

ei meta hois hetaroisi damē Trōōn eni dēmōi,

ēe philōn en chersin, epei polemon tolupeusen.

tōi ken hoi tumbon men epoiēsan Panachaioi,

240ēde ke kai hōi paidi mega kleos ērat' opissō.

English · Butler

but now the storm-winds have spirited him away we know not wither; he is gone without leaving so much as a trace behind him, and I inherit nothing but dismay. Nor does the matter end simply with grief for the loss of my father; heaven has laid sorrows upon me of yet another kind; for the chiefs from all our

Homeric Greek

νῦν δέ μιν ἀκλειῶς ἅρπυιαι ἀνηρείψαντο:

οἴχετ' ἄιστος ἄπυστος, ἐμοὶ δ' ὀδύνας τε γόους τε

κάλλιπεν. οὐδέ τι κεῖνον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω

οἶον, ἐπεί νύ μοι ἄλλα θεοὶ κακὰ κήδε' ἔτευξαν.

245ὅσσοι γὰρ νήσοισιν ἐπικρατέουσιν ἄριστοι,

Transliteration

nun de min akleiōs harpuiai anēreipsanto:

oichet' aistos apustos, emoi d' odunas te goous te

kallipen. oude ti keinon oduromenos stenachizō

oion, epei nu moi alla theoi kaka kēde' eteuxan.

245hossoi gar nēsoisin epikrateousin aristoi,

English · Butler

islands, Dulichium, Same, and the woodland island of Zacynthus, as also all the principal men of Ithaca itself, are eating up my house under the pretext of paying their court

Homeric Greek

Δουλιχίῳ τε Σάμῃ τε καὶ ὑλήεντι Ζακύνθῳ,

ἠδ' ὅσσοι κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν,

τόσσοι μητέρ' ἐμὴν μνῶνται, τρύχουσι δὲ οἶκον.

ἡ δ' οὔτ' ἀρνεῖται στυγερὸν γάμον οὔτε τελευτὴν

250ποιῆσαι δύναται: τοὶ δὲ φθινύθουσιν ἔδοντες

Transliteration

Doulichiōi te Samēi te kai hulēenti Zakunthōi,

ēd' hossoi kranaēn Ithakēn kata koiraneousin,

tossoi mēter' emēn mnōntai, truchousi de oikon.

hē d' out' arneitai stugeron gamon oute teleutēn

250poiēsai dunatai: toi de phthinuthousin edontes

English · Butler

to my mother, who will neither point blank say that she will not marry, nor yet bring matters to an end; so they are making havoc of my estate, and before long will

Homeric Greek

οἶκον ἐμόν: τάχα δή με διαρραίσουσι καὶ αὐτόν."

τὸν δ' ἐπαλαστήσασα προσηύδα Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη:

"ὢ πόποι, ἦ δὴ πολλὸν ἀποιχομένου Ὀδυσῆος

δεύῃ, ὅ κε μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφείη.

255εἰ γὰρ νῦν ἐλθὼν δόμου ἐν πρώτῃσι θύρῃσι

Transliteration

oikon emon: tacha dē me diarraisousi kai auton."

ton d' epalastēsasa prosēuda Pallas Athēnē:

"ō popoi, ē dē pollon apoichomenou Odusēos

deuēi, ho ke mnēstērsin anaidesi cheiras epheiē.

255ei gar nun elthōn domou en prōtēisi thurēisi

English · Butler

do so also with myself." "Is that so?" exclaimed Athena, "then you do indeed want Odysseus home again. Give him his helmet, shield, and a couple lances, and if he is the man he was when I first knew him in our

Homeric Greek

σταίη, ἔχων πήληκα καὶ ἀσπίδα καὶ δύο δοῦρε,

τοῖος ἐὼν οἷόν μιν ἐγὼ τὰ πρῶτ' ἐνόησα

οἴκῳ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ πίνοντά τε τερπόμενόν τε,

ἐξ Ἐφύρης ἀνιόντα παρ' Ἴλου Μερμερίδαο--

260ᾤχετο γὰρ καὶ κεῖσε θοῆς ἐπὶ νηὸς Ὀδυσσεὺς

Transliteration

staiē, echōn pēlēka kai aspida kai duo doure,

toios eōn hoion min egō ta prōt' enoēsa

oikōi en hēmeterōi pinonta te terpomenon te,

ex Ephurēs anionta par' Ilou Mermeridao--

260ōicheto gar kai keise thoēs epi nēos Odusseus

English · Butler

house, drinking and making merry, he would soon lay his hands about these rascally suitors, were he to stand once more upon his own threshold. He was then coming from Ephyra, where he had been to beg poison for his arrows from Ilos, son of Mermerus. Ilos feared the ever-living gods and

Homeric Greek

φάρμακον ἀνδροφόνον διζήμενος, ὄφρα οἱ εἴη

ἰοὺς χρίεσθαι χαλκήρεας: ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν οὔ οἱ

δῶκεν, ἐπεί ῥα θεοὺς νεμεσίζετο αἰὲν ἐόντας,

ἀλλὰ πατήρ οἱ δῶκεν ἐμός: φιλέεσκε γὰρ αἰνῶς--

265τοῖος ἐὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμιλήσειεν Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

pharmakon androphonon dizēmenos, ophra hoi eiē

ious chriesthai chalkēreas: all' ho men ou hoi

dōken, epei rha theous nemesizeto aien eontas,

alla patēr hoi dōken emos: phileeske gar ainōs--

265toios eōn mnēstērsin homilēseien Odusseus:

English · Butler

would not give him any, but my father let him have some, for he was very fond of him. If Odysseus is the man he then was these suitors will have a swift

Homeric Greek

πάντες κ' ὠκύμοροί τε γενοίατο πικρόγαμοί τε.

ἀλλ' ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται,

ἤ κεν νοστήσας ἀποτίσεται, ἦε καὶ οὐκί,

οἷσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι: σὲ δὲ φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα,

270ὅππως κε μνηστῆρας ἀπώσεαι ἐκ μεγάροιο.

Transliteration

pantes k' ōkumoroi te genoiato pikrogamoi te.

all' ē toi men tauta theōn en gounasi keitai,

ē ken nostēsas apotisetai, ēe kai ouki,

hoisin eni megaroisi: se de phrazesthai anōga,

270hoppōs ke mnēstēras apōseai ek megaroio.

English · Butler

doom and a sorry wedding. "But there! It rests with heaven to determine whether he is to return, and take his revenge in his own house or no; I would, however, urge you to set about trying to get rid of these suitors at once. Take my advice, call the Achaean heroes in assembly

Homeric Greek

εἰ δ' ἄγε νῦν ξυνίει καὶ ἐμῶν ἐμπάζεο μύθων:

αὔριον εἰς ἀγορὴν καλέσας ἥρωας Ἀχαιοὺς

μῦθον πέφραδε πᾶσι, θεοὶ δ' ἐπὶ μάρτυροι ἔστων.

μνηστῆρας μὲν ἐπὶ σφέτερα σκίδνασθαι ἄνωχθι,

275μητέρα δ', εἴ οἱ θυμὸς ἐφορμᾶται γαμέεσθαι,

Transliteration

ei d' age nun xuniei kai emōn empazeo muthōn:

aurion eis agorēn kalesas hērōas Achaious

muthon pephrade pasi, theoi d' epi marturoi estōn.

mnēstēras men epi sphetera skidnasthai anōchthi,

275mētera d', ei hoi thumos ephormatai gameesthai,

English · Butler

tomorrow -lay your case before them, and call heaven to bear you witness. Bid the suitors take themselves off, each to his own place, and if your mother's mind is set on marrying again, let her go back to her father, who will find her a husband and provide

Homeric Greek

ἂψ ἴτω ἐς μέγαρον πατρὸς μέγα δυναμένοιο:

οἱ δὲ γάμον τεύξουσι καὶ ἀρτυνέουσιν ἔεδνα

πολλὰ μάλ', ὅσσα ἔοικε φίλης ἐπὶ παιδὸς ἕπεσθαι.

σοὶ δ' αὐτῷ πυκινῶς ὑποθήσομαι, αἴ κε πίθηαι:

280νῆ' ἄρσας ἐρέτῃσιν ἐείκοσιν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,

Transliteration

aps itō es megaron patros mega dunamenoio:

hoi de gamon teuxousi kai artuneousin eedna

polla mal', hossa eoike philēs epi paidos hepesthai.

soi d' autōi pukinōs hupothēsomai, ai ke pithēai:

280nē' arsas eretēisin eeikosin, hē tis aristē,

English · Butler

her with all the marriage gifts that so dear a daughter may expect. As for yourself, let me prevail upon you to take the best ship you can get, with a crew of twenty men, and go in quest of your father who has so long been missing. Some one may tell you something, or (and

Homeric Greek

ἔρχεο πευσόμενος πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο,

ἤν τίς τοι εἴπῃσι βροτῶν, ἢ ὄσσαν ἀκούσῃς

ἐκ Διός, ἥ τε μάλιστα φέρει κλέος ἀνθρώποισι.

πρῶτα μὲν ἐς Πύλον ἐλθὲ καὶ εἴρεο Νέστορα δῖον,

285κεῖθεν δὲ Σπάρτηνδε παρὰ ξανθὸν Μενέλαον:

Transliteration

ercheo peusomenos patros dēn oichomenoio,

ēn tis toi eipēisi brotōn, ē ossan akousēis

ek Dios, hē te malista pherei kleos anthrōpoisi.

prōta men es Pulon elthe kai eireo Nestora dion,

285keithen de Spartēnde para xanthon Menelaon:

English · Butler

people often hear things in this way) some heaven-sent message may direct you. First go to Pylos and ask Nestor; thence go on to Sparta and visit Menelaos, for he got home last of all the Achaeans; if you hear that your father is alive and about to achieve his homecoming, you can

Homeric Greek

ὃς γὰρ δεύτατος ἦλθεν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων.

εἰ μέν κεν πατρὸς βίοτον καὶ νόστον ἀκούσῃς,

ἦ τ' ἂν τρυχόμενός περ ἔτι τλαίης ἐνιαυτόν:

εἰ δέ κε τεθνηῶτος ἀκούσῃς μηδ' ἔτ' ἐόντος,

290νοστήσας δὴ ἔπειτα φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν

Transliteration

hos gar deutatos ēlthen Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn.

ei men ken patros bioton kai noston akousēis,

ē t' an truchomenos per eti tlaiēs eniauton:

ei de ke tethnēōtos akousēis mēd' et' eontos,

290nostēsas dē epeita philēn es patrida gaian

English · Butler

put up with the waste these suitors will make for yet another twelve months. If on the other hand you hear of his death, come home at once, celebrate his funeral rites with all due pomp, build a grave marker to his memory, and make your mother marry again. Then, having done all this, think it

Homeric Greek

σῆμά τέ οἱ χεῦαι καὶ ἐπὶ κτέρεα κτερεί̈ξαι

πολλὰ μάλ', ὅσσα ἔοικε, καὶ ἀνέρι μητέρα δοῦναι.

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ ταῦτα τελευτήσῃς τε καὶ ἔρξῃς,

φράζεσθαι δὴ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸν

295ὅππως κε μνηστῆρας ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεοῖσι

Transliteration

sēma te hoi cheuai kai epi kterea ktereïxai

polla mal', hossa eoike, kai aneri mētera dounai.

autar epēn dē tauta teleutēsēis te kai erxēis,

phrazesthai dē epeita kata phrena kai kata thumon

295hoppōs ke mnēstēras eni megaroisi teoisi

English · Butler

well over in your mind how, by fair means or foul, you may kill these suitors in your own house. You are too old to plead infancy any longer; have you not heard how people are singing Orestes' praises for having killed his father's murderer Aigisthos? You are a fine, smart looking young man;

Homeric Greek

κτείνῃς ἠὲ δόλῳ ἢ ἀμφαδόν: οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ

νηπιάας ὀχέειν, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι τηλίκος ἐσσι.

ἢ οὐκ ἀίεις οἷον κλέος ἔλλαβε δῖος Ὀρέστης

πάντας ἐπ' ἀνθρώπους, ἐπεὶ ἔκτανε πατροφονῆα,

300Αἴγισθον δολόμητιν, ὅ οἱ πατέρα κλυτὸν ἔκτα;

Transliteration

kteinēis ēe dolōi ē amphadon: oude ti se chrē

nēpiaas ocheein, epei ouketi tēlikos essi.

ē ouk aieis hoion kleos ellabe dios Orestēs

pantas ep' anthrōpous, epei ektane patrophonēa,

300Aigisthon dolomētin, ho hoi patera kluton ekta;

English · Butler

show your mettle, then, and make yourself a name in story. Now, however, I must go back to my ship and to my crew, who will be impatient if I keep them waiting longer; think the

Homeric Greek

καὶ σύ, φίλος, μάλα γάρ σ' ὁρόω καλόν τε μέγαν τε,

ἄλκιμος ἔσσ', ἵνα τίς σε καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἐὺ εἴπῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν κατελεύσομαι ἤδη

ἠδ' ἑτάρους, οἵ πού με μάλ' ἀσχαλόωσι μένοντες:

305σοὶ δ' αὐτῷ μελέτω, καὶ ἐμῶν ἐμπάζεο μύθων."

Transliteration

kai su, philos, mala gar s' horoō kalon te megan te,

alkimos ess', hina tis se kai opsigonōn eu eipēi.

autar egōn epi nēa thoēn kateleusomai ēdē

ēd' hetarous, hoi pou me mal' aschaloōsi menontes:

305soi d' autōi meletō, kai emōn empazeo muthōn."

English · Butler

matter over for yourself, and remember what I have said to you."

Homeric Greek

τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"ξεῖν', ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα φίλα φρονέων ἀγορεύεις,

ὥς τε πατὴρ ᾧ παιδί, καὶ οὔ ποτε λήσομαι αὐτῶν.

ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν ἐπίμεινον, ἐπειγόμενός περ ὁδοῖο,

310ὄφρα λοεσσάμενός τε τεταρπόμενός τε φίλον κῆρ,

Transliteration

tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:

"xein', ē toi men tauta phila phroneōn agoreueis,

hōs te patēr hōi paidi, kai ou pote lēsomai autōn.

all' age nun epimeinon, epeigomenos per hodoio,

310ophra loessamenos te tetarpomenos te philon kēr,

English · Butler

"Sir," answered Telemakhos, "it has been very kind of you to talk to me in this way, as though I were your own son, and I will do all you tell me; I know you want to be getting on with your voyage, but stay a little longer till you have taken a bath and refreshed yourself. I will then give you a present, and you shall go on your way rejoicing; I will give you one of great beauty and value - a

Homeric Greek

δῶρον ἔχων ἐπὶ νῆα κίῃς, χαίρων ἐνὶ θυμῷ,

τιμῆεν, μάλα καλόν, ὅ τοι κειμήλιον ἔσται

ἐξ ἐμεῦ, οἷα φίλοι ξεῖνοι ξείνοισι διδοῦσι."

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

315"μή μ' ἔτι νῦν κατέρυκε, λιλαιόμενόν περ ὁδοῖο.

Transliteration

dōron echōn epi nēa kiēis, chairōn eni thumōi,

timēen, mala kalon, ho toi keimēlion estai

ex emeu, hoia philoi xeinoi xeinoisi didousi."

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:

315"mē m' eti nun kateruke, lilaiomenon per hodoio.

English · Butler

keepsake such as only dear friends give to one another." Athena answered, "Do not try to keep me, for I would be on my way at once. As for any present you may be disposed to make me,

Homeric Greek

δῶρον δ' ὅττι κέ μοι δοῦναι φίλον ἦτορ ἀνώγῃ,

αὖτις ἀνερχομένῳ δόμεναι οἶκόνδε φέρεσθαι,

καὶ μάλα καλὸν ἑλών: σοὶ δ' ἄξιον ἔσται ἀμοιβῆς."

ἡ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἀπέβη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,

320ὄρνις δ' ὣς ἀνόπαια διέπτατο: τῷ δ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ

Transliteration

dōron d' hotti ke moi dounai philon ētor anōgēi,

autis anerchomenōi domenai oikonde pheresthai,

kai mala kalon helōn: soi d' axion estai amoibēs."

hē men ar' hōs eipous' apebē glaukōpis Athēnē,

320ornis d' hōs anopaia dieptato: tōi d' eni thumōi

English · Butler

keep it till I come again, and I will take it home with me. You shall give me a very good one, and I will give you one of no less value in return." With these words she flew away like a bird into the air, but she had given Telemakhos courage, and had made him think more than ever about his father. He felt the change, wondered

Homeric Greek

θῆκε μένος καὶ θάρσος, ὑπέμνησέν τέ ἑ πατρὸς

μᾶλλον ἔτ' ἢ τὸ πάροιθεν. ὁ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσι νοήσας

θάμβησεν κατὰ θυμόν: ὀίσατο γὰρ θεὸν εἶναι.

αὐτίκα δὲ μνηστῆρας ἐπῴχετο ἰσόθεος φώς.

325τοῖσι δ' ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇ

Transliteration

thēke menos kai tharsos, hupemnēsen te he patros

mallon et' ē to paroithen. ho de phresin hēisi noēsas

thambēsen kata thumon: oisato gar theon einai.

autika de mnēstēras epōicheto isotheos phōs.

325toisi d' aoidos aeide periklutos, hoi de siōpēi

English · Butler

at it, and knew that the stranger had been a god, so he went straight to where the suitors were sitting. Phemios was still singing, and his hearers sat rapt in silence as he told the baneful tale of the homecoming from Troy, and the ills Athena had laid upon the Achaeans.

Homeric Greek

ἥατ' ἀκούοντες: ὁ δ' Ἀχαιῶν νόστον ἄειδε

λυγρόν, ὃν ἐκ Τροίης ἐπετείλατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

τοῦ δ' ὑπερωιόθεν φρεσὶ σύνθετο θέσπιν ἀοιδὴν

κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:

330κλίμακα δ' ὑψηλὴν κατεβήσετο οἷο δόμοιο,

Transliteration

hēat' akouontes: ho d' Achaiōn noston aeide

lugron, hon ek Troiēs epeteilato Pallas Athēnē.

tou d' huperōiothen phresi suntheto thespin aoidēn

kourē Ikarioio, periphrōn Pēnelopeia:

330klimaka d' hupsēlēn katebēseto hoio domoio,

English · Butler

Phemios was still singing, and his hearers sat rapt in silence as he told the baneful tale of the homecoming from Troy, and the ills Athena had laid upon the Achaeans. Penelope, daughter of Ikarios, heard his song from her room upstairs, and came down by the great staircase, not alone, but attended by two of her handmaids. When she reached the suitors she stood by one of

Homeric Greek

οὐκ οἴη, ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύ' ἕποντο.

ἡ δ' ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,

στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,

ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα:

335ἀμφίπολος δ' ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.

Transliteration

ouk oiē, hama tēi ge kai amphipoloi du' heponto.

hē d' hote dē mnēstēras aphiketo dia gunaikōn,

stē rha para stathmon tegeos puka poiētoio,

anta pareiaōn schomenē lipara krēdemna:

335amphipolos d' ara hoi kednē hekaterthe parestē.

English · Butler

the bearing posts that supported the roof of the cloisters with a staid maiden on either side of her. She held a veil, moreover, before her face, and

Homeric Greek

δακρύσασα δ' ἔπειτα προσηύδα θεῖον ἀοιδόν:

"Φήμιε, πολλὰ γὰρ ἄλλα βροτῶν θελκτήρια οἶδας,

ἔργ' ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε, τά τε κλείουσιν ἀοιδοί:

τῶν ἕν γέ σφιν ἄειδε παρήμενος, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇ

340οἶνον πινόντων: ταύτης δ' ἀποπαύε' ἀοιδῆς

Transliteration

dakrusasa d' epeita prosēuda theion aoidon:

"Phēmie, polla gar alla brotōn thelktēria oidas,

erg' andrōn te theōn te, ta te kleiousin aoidoi:

tōn hen ge sphin aeide parēmenos, hoi de siōpēi

340oinon pinontōn: tautēs d' apopaue' aoidēs

English · Butler

was weeping bitterly. "Phemios," she cried, "you know many another feat of gods and heroes, such as poets love to celebrate. Sing the suitors some one of these, and let them drink their wine in silence, but cease this sad tale, for it

Homeric Greek

λυγρῆς, ἥ τέ μοι αἰεὶ ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον κῆρ

τείρει, ἐπεί με μάλιστα καθίκετο πένθος ἄλαστον.

τοίην γὰρ κεφαλὴν ποθέω μεμνημένη αἰεί,

ἀνδρός, τοῦ κλέος εὐρὺ καθ' Ἑλλάδα καὶ μέσον Ἄργος."

345τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

lugrēs, hē te moi aiei eni stēthessi philon kēr

teirei, epei me malista kathiketo penthos alaston.

toiēn gar kephalēn potheō memnēmenē aiei,

andros, tou kleos euru kath' Hellada kai meson Argos."

345tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:

English · Butler

breaks my sorrowful heart, and reminds me of my lost husband for whom I have grief ever without ceasing, and whose name was great over all Hellas and middle Argos." "Mother," answered Telemakhos, "let the bard sing what he has a mind to; bards are not responsible for the ills they sing of; it is Zeus, not they, who is responsible, and who sends weal or woe upon humankind according to his own good pleasure.

Homeric Greek

"μῆτερ ἐμή, τί τ' ἄρα φθονέεις ἐρίηρον ἀοιδὸν

τέρπειν ὅππῃ οἱ νόος ὄρνυται; οὔ νύ τ' ἀοιδοὶ

αἴτιοι, ἀλλά ποθι Ζεὺς αἴτιος, ὅς τε δίδωσιν

ἀνδράσιν ἀλφηστῇσιν, ὅπως ἐθέλῃσιν, ἑκάστῳ.

350τούτῳ δ' οὐ νέμεσις Δαναῶν κακὸν οἶτον ἀείδειν:

Transliteration

"mēter emē, ti t' ara phthoneeis eriēron aoidon

terpein hoppēi hoi noos ornutai; ou nu t' aoidoi

aitioi, alla pothi Zeus aitios, hos te didōsin

andrasin alphēstēisin, hopōs ethelēisin, hekastōi.

350toutōi d' ou nemesis Danaōn kakon oiton aeidein:

English · Butler

"Mother," answered Telemakhos, "let the bard sing what he has a mind to; bards are not responsible for the ills they sing of; it is Zeus, not they, who is responsible, and who sends weal or woe upon humankind according to his own good pleasure. There should be no feeling of nemesis against this one for singing the ill-fated return of the Danaans, for people always favor most warmly the kleos of the latest songs. Make up your mind to it and bear it; Odysseus is not the only man

Homeric Greek

τὴν γὰρ ἀοιδὴν μᾶλλον ἐπικλείουσ' ἄνθρωποι,

ἥ τις ἀκουόντεσσι νεωτάτη ἀμφιπέληται.

σοί δ' ἐπιτολμάτω κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀκούειν:

οὐ γὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς οἶος ἀπώλεσε νόστιμον ἦμαρ

355ἐν Τροίῃ, πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι φῶτες ὄλοντο.

Transliteration

tēn gar aoidēn mallon epikleious' anthrōpoi,

hē tis akouontessi neōtatē amphipelētai.

soi d' epitolmatō kradiē kai thumos akouein:

ou gar Odusseus oios apōlese nostimon ēmar

355en Troiēi, polloi de kai alloi phōtes olonto.

English · Butler

who never came back from Troy, but many another went down as well as he. Go, then, within the house and busy yourself with your daily duties, your loom, your distaff, and the ordering of your servants; for speech is man's matter, and

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' εἰς οἶκον ἰοῦσα τὰ σ' αὐτῆς ἔργα κόμιζε,

ἱστόν τ' ἠλακάτην τε, καὶ ἀμφιπόλοισι κέλευε

ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι: μῦθος δ' ἄνδρεσσι μελήσει

πᾶσι, μάλιστα δ' ἐμοί: τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ."

360ἡ μὲν θαμβήσασα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει:

Transliteration

all' eis oikon iousa ta s' autēs erga komize,

histon t' ēlakatēn te, kai amphipoloisi keleue

ergon epoichesthai: muthos d' andressi melēsei

pasi, malista d' emoi: tou gar kratos est' eni oikōi."

360hē men thambēsasa palin oikonde bebēkei:

English · Butler

mine above all others - for it is I who am master here." She went wondering back into the house, and laid her son's saying in her heart.

Homeric Greek

παιδὸς γὰρ μῦθον πεπνυμένον ἔνθετο θυμῷ.

ἐς δ' ὑπερῷ' ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶ

κλαῖεν ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆα φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνον

ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

365μνηστῆρες δ' ὁμάδησαν ἀνὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα,

Transliteration

paidos gar muthon pepnumenon entheto thumōi.

es d' huperōi' anabasa sun amphipoloisi gunaixi

klaien epeit' Odusēa philon posin, ophra hoi hupnon

hēdun epi blepharoisi bale glaukōpis Athēnē.

365mnēstēres d' homadēsan ana megara skioenta,

English · Butler

She went wondering back into the house, and laid her son's saying in her heart. Then, going upstairs with her handmaids into her room, she mourned her dear husband till Athena shed sweet sleep over her eyes. But the suitors were clamorous throughout the covered cloisters, and prayed each

Homeric Greek

πάντες δ' ἠρήσαντο παραὶ λεχέεσσι κλιθῆναι.

τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἤρχετο μύθων:

"μητρὸς ἐμῆς μνηστῆρες ὑπέρβιον ὕβριν ἔχοντες,

νῦν μὲν δαινύμενοι τερπώμεθα, μηδὲ βοητὺς

370ἔστω, ἐπεὶ τόδε καλὸν ἀκουέμεν ἐστὶν ἀοιδοῦ

Transliteration

pantes d' ērēsanto parai lecheessi klithēnai.

toisi de Tēlemachos pepnumenos ērcheto muthōn:

"mētros emēs mnēstēres huperbion hubrin echontes,

nun men dainumenoi terpōmetha, mēde boētus

370estō, epei tode kalon akouemen estin aoidou

English · Butler

one that he might be her bed fellow. Then Telemakhos spoke, "You suitors of my mother," he cried, "you with your overweening hubris, let us feast at our pleasure now, and let there be no brawling, for it is a rare thing to hear a man with such a divine voice as Phemios has; but in the morning meet me in full assembly that I may give you formal notice to depart, and feast at one another's houses, turn and turn about, at your own cost. If on the other hand you

Homeric Greek

τοιοῦδ' οἷος ὅδ' ἐστί, θεοῖς ἐναλίγκιος αὐδήν.

ἠῶθεν δ' ἀγορήνδε καθεζώμεσθα κιόντες

πάντες, ἵν' ὕμιν μῦθον ἀπηλεγέως ἀποείπω,

ἐξιέναι μεγάρων: ἄλλας δ' ἀλεγύνετε δαῖτας,

375ὑμὰ κτήματ' ἔδοντες, ἀμειβόμενοι κατὰ οἴκους.

Transliteration

toioud' hoios hod' esti, theois enalinkios audēn.

ēōthen d' agorēnde kathezōmestha kiontes

pantes, hin' humin muthon apēlegeōs apoeipō,

exienai megarōn: allas d' alegunete daitas,

375huma ktēmat' edontes, ameibomenoi kata oikous.

English · Butler

choose to persist in sponging upon one man, heaven help me, but Zeus shall reckon with you in

Homeric Greek

εἰ δ' ὕμιν δοκέει τόδε λωίτερον καὶ ἄμεινον

ἔμμεναι, ἀνδρὸς ἑνὸς βίοτον νήποινον ὀλέσθαι,

κείρετ': ἐγὼ δὲ θεοὺς ἐπιβώσομαι αἰὲν ἐόντας,

αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς δῷσι παλίντιτα ἔργα γενέσθαι:

380νήποινοί κεν ἔπειτα δόμων ἔντοσθεν ὄλοισθε."

Transliteration

ei d' humin dokeei tode lōiteron kai ameinon

emmenai, andros henos bioton nēpoinon olesthai,

keiret': egō de theous epibōsomai aien eontas,

ai ke pothi Zeus dōisi palintita erga genesthai:

380nēpoinoi ken epeita domōn entosthen oloisthe."

English · Butler

full, and when you fall in my father's house there shall be no man to avenge you."

Homeric Greek

"ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἐν χείλεσι φύντες

Τηλέμαχον θαύμαζον, ὃ θαρσαλέως ἀγόρευεν.

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός:

"Τηλέμαχ', ἦ μάλα δή σε διδάσκουσιν θεοὶ αὐτοὶ

385ὑψαγόρην τ' ἔμεναι καὶ θαρσαλέως ἀγορεύειν:

Transliteration

"hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes odax en cheilesi phuntes

Tēlemachon thaumazon, ho tharsaleōs agoreuen.

ton d' aut' Antinoos prosephē, Eupeitheos huios:

"Tēlemach', ē mala dē se didaskousin theoi autoi

385hupsagorēn t' emenai kai tharsaleōs agoreuein:

English · Butler

The suitors bit their lips as they heard him, and marveled at the boldness of his speech. Then, Antinoos, son of Eupeithes, said, "The gods seem to have given you lessons in bluster and tall talking; may Zeus never grant you to be chief

Homeric Greek

μὴ σέ γ' ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ βασιλῆα Κρονίων

ποιήσειεν, ὅ τοι γενεῇ πατρώιόν ἐστιν."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"Ἀντίνο', ἦ καί μοι νεμεσήσεαι ὅττι κεν εἴπω;

390καὶ κεν τοῦτ' ἐθέλοιμι Διός γε διδόντος ἀρέσθαι.

Transliteration

mē se g' en amphialōi Ithakēi basilēa Kroniōn

poiēseien, ho toi geneēi patrōion estin."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:

"Antino', ē kai moi nemesēseai hotti ken eipō;

390kai ken tout' etheloimi Dios ge didontos aresthai.

English · Butler

in Ithaca as your father was before you." Telemakhos answered, "Antinoos, do not chide with me, but, god willing, I will be chief too if I can. Is this the worst fate you can think of for me? It is no bad thing to be a chief, for it brings both riches and honor.

Homeric Greek

ἦ φῂς τοῦτο κάκιστον ἐν ἀνθρώποισι τετύχθαι;

οὐ μὲν γάρ τι κακὸν βασιλευέμεν: αἶψά τέ οἱ δῶ

ἀφνειὸν πέλεται καὶ τιμηέστερος αὐτός.

ἀλλ' ἦ τοι βασιλῆες Ἀχαιῶν εἰσὶ καὶ ἄλλοι

395πολλοὶ ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ, νέοι ἠδὲ παλαιοί,

Transliteration

ē phēis touto kakiston en anthrōpoisi tetuchthai;

ou men gar ti kakon basileuemen: aipsa te hoi dō

aphneion peletai kai timēesteros autos.

all' ē toi basilēes Achaiōn eisi kai alloi

395polloi en amphialōi Ithakēi, neoi ēde palaioi,

English · Butler

Still, now that Odysseus is dead there are many great men in Ithaca both old and young, and some other may take the lead among them; nevertheless I will be chief in my own

Homeric Greek

τῶν κέν τις τόδ' ἔχῃσιν, ἐπεὶ θάνε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν οἴκοιο ἄναξ ἔσομ' ἡμετέροιο

καὶ δμώων, οὕς μοι ληίσσατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς."

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύμαχος Πολύβου πάϊς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

400"Τηλέμαχ', ἦ τοι ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται,

Transliteration

tōn ken tis tod' echēisin, epei thane dios Odusseus:

autar egōn oikoio anax esom' hēmeteroio

kai dmōōn, hous moi lēissato dios Odusseus."

ton d' aut' Eurumachos Polubou païs antion ēuda:

400"Tēlemach', ē toi tauta theōn en gounasi keitai,

English · Butler

house, and will rule those whom Odysseus has won for me." Then Eurymakhos, son of Polybos, answered, "It rests with heaven to decide who shall be chief among us, but you shall be master in your own house and over your own possessions; no one while there is a man in Ithaca shall do you violence nor rob you. And now, my good man, I want to know about this stranger.

Homeric Greek

ὅς τις ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ βασιλεύσει Ἀχαιῶν:

κτήματα δ' αὐτὸς ἔχοις καὶ δώμασιν οἷσιν ἀνάσσοις.

μὴ γὰρ ὅ γ' ἔλθοι ἀνὴρ ὅς τίς σ' ἀέκοντα βίηφιν

κτήματ' ἀπορραίσει, Ἰθάκης ἔτι ναιετοώσης.

405ἀλλ' ἐθέλω σε, φέριστε, περὶ ξείνοιο ἐρέσθαι,

Transliteration

hos tis en amphialōi Ithakēi basileusei Achaiōn:

ktēmata d' autos echois kai dōmasin hoisin anassois.

mē gar ho g' elthoi anēr hos tis s' aekonta biēphin

ktēmat' aporraisei, Ithakēs eti naietoōsēs.

405all' ethelō se, pheriste, peri xeinoio eresthai,

English · Butler

What country does he come from? Of what family is he, and where is his estate? Has he brought you news about the return of your father, or was he on business of his own? He seemed a well-to-do

Homeric Greek

ὁππόθεν οὗτος ἀνήρ, ποίης δ' ἐξ εὔχεται εἶναι

γαίης, ποῦ δέ νύ οἱ γενεὴ καὶ πατρὶς ἄρουρα.

ἠέ τιν' ἀγγελίην πατρὸς φέρει ἐρχομένοιο,

ἦ ἑὸν αὐτοῦ χρεῖος ἐελδόμενος τόδ' ἱκάνει;

410οἷον ἀναί̈ξας ἄφαρ οἴχεται, οὐδ' ὑπέμεινε

Transliteration

hoppothen houtos anēr, poiēs d' ex euchetai einai

gaiēs, pou de nu hoi geneē kai patris aroura.

ēe tin' angeliēn patros pherei erchomenoio,

ē heon autou chreios eeldomenos tod' hikanei;

410hoion anaïxas aphar oichetai, oud' hupemeine

English · Butler

man, but he hurried off so suddenly that he was gone in a moment before we could get

Homeric Greek

γνώμεναι: οὐ μὲν γάρ τι κακῷ εἰς ὦπα ἐῴκει."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"Εὐρύμαχ', ἦ τοι νόστος ἀπώλετο πατρὸς ἐμοῖο:

οὔτ' οὖν ἀγγελίῃ ἔτι πείθομαι, εἴ ποθεν ἔλθοι,

415οὔτε θεοπροπίης ἐμπάζομαι, ἥν τινα μήτηρ

Transliteration

gnōmenai: ou men gar ti kakōi eis ōpa eōikei."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:

"Eurumach', ē toi nostos apōleto patros emoio:

out' oun angeliēi eti peithomai, ei pothen elthoi,

415oute theopropiēs empazomai, hēn tina mētēr

English · Butler

to know him." "The nostos of my father is dead and gone," answered Telemakhos, "and even if some rumor reaches me I put no more faith in it now. My mother does indeed sometimes send for a soothsayer and question him, but I give his prophesying no heed. As for the stranger, he

Homeric Greek

ἐς μέγαρον καλέσασα θεοπρόπον ἐξερέηται.

ξεῖνος δ' οὗτος ἐμὸς πατρώιος ἐκ Τάφου ἐστίν,

Μέντης δ' Ἀγχιάλοιο δαί̈φρονος εὔχεται εἶναι

υἱός, ἀτὰρ Ταφίοισι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσει."

420ὣς φάτο Τηλέμαχος, φρεσὶ δ' ἀθανάτην θεὸν ἔγνω.

Transliteration

es megaron kalesasa theopropon exereētai.

xeinos d' houtos emos patrōios ek Taphou estin,

Mentēs d' Anchialoio daïphronos euchetai einai

huios, atar Taphioisi philēretmoisin anassei."

420hōs phato Tēlemachos, phresi d' athanatēn theon egnō.

English · Butler

was Mentes, son of Anchialos, chief of the Taphians, an old friend of my father's." But in his heart he knew that it had been the goddess.

Homeric Greek

οἱ δ' εἰς ὀρχηστύν τε καὶ ἱμερόεσσαν ἀοιδὴν

τρεψάμενοι τέρποντο, μένον δ' ἐπὶ ἕσπερον ἐλθεῖν.

τοῖσι δὲ τερπομένοισι μέλας ἐπὶ ἕσπερος ἦλθε:

δὴ τότε κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκόνδε ἕκαστος.

425Τηλέμαχος δ', ὅθι οἱ θάλαμος περικαλλέος αὐλῆς

Transliteration

hoi d' eis orchēstun te kai himeroessan aoidēn

trepsamenoi terponto, menon d' epi hesperon elthein.

toisi de terpomenoisi melas epi hesperos ēlthe:

dē tote kakkeiontes eban oikonde hekastos.

425Tēlemachos d', hothi hoi thalamos perikalleos aulēs

English · Butler

The suitors then returned to their singing and dancing until the evening; but when night fell upon their pleasuring they went home to bed each in his own abode. Telemakhos' room was high up in a tower that looked on to the outer court; there, then, he went, brooding and full of thought. A good old woman, Eurykleia, daughter of Ops, the son of Pisenor, went before him with a couple of blazing torches. Laertes had bought her with his own wealth when she was quite young;

Homeric Greek

ὑψηλὸς δέδμητο περισκέπτῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ,

ἔνθ' ἔβη εἰς εὐνὴν πολλὰ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζων.

τῷ δ' ἄρ' ἅμ' αἰθομένας δαί̈δας φέρε κεδνὰ ἰδυῖα

Εὐρύκλει', Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο,

430τήν ποτε Λαέρτης πρίατο κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖσιν

Transliteration

hupsēlos dedmēto periskeptōi eni chōrōi,

enth' ebē eis eunēn polla phresi mermērizōn.

tōi d' ar' ham' aithomenas daïdas phere kedna iduia

Euruklei', Ōpos thugatēr Peisēnoridao,

430tēn pote Laertēs priato kteatessin heoisin

English · Butler

he gave the worth of twenty oxen for her, and showed as much respect to her in his household as he did to his own wedded wife, but he did not take her to his bed for he feared his wife's resentment. She it was who now lighted Telemakhos to his

Homeric Greek

πρωθήβην ἔτ' ἐοῦσαν, ἐεικοσάβοια δ' ἔδωκεν,

ἶσα δέ μιν κεδνῇ ἀλόχῳ τίεν ἐν μεγάροισιν,

εὐνῇ δ' οὔ ποτ' ἔμικτο, χόλον δ' ἀλέεινε γυναικός:

ἥ οἱ ἅμ' αἰθομένας δαί̈δας φέρε, καί ἑ μάλιστα

435δμῳάων φιλέεσκε, καὶ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα.

Transliteration

prōthēbēn et' eousan, eeikosaboia d' edōken,

isa de min kednēi alochōi tien en megaroisin,

eunēi d' ou pot' emikto, cholon d' aleeine gunaikos:

hē hoi ham' aithomenas daïdas phere, kai he malista

435dmōiaōn phileeske, kai etrephe tutthon eonta.

English · Butler

room, and she loved him better than any of the other women in the house did, for she had nursed him when he was a baby. He opened the door of his bed room and sat down upon the bed; as he took off his shirt he gave it to the good old woman, who

Homeric Greek

ὤιξεν δὲ θύρας θαλάμου πύκα ποιητοῖο,

ἕζετο δ' ἐν λέκτρῳ, μαλακὸν δ' ἔκδυνε χιτῶνα:

καὶ τὸν μὲν γραίης πυκιμηδέος ἔμβαλε χερσίν.

ἡ μὲν τὸν πτύξασα καὶ ἀσκήσασα χιτῶνα,

440πασσάλῳ ἀγκρεμάσασα παρὰ τρητοῖσι λέχεσσι

Transliteration

ōixen de thuras thalamou puka poiētoio,

hezeto d' en lektrōi, malakon d' ekdune chitōna:

kai ton men graiēs pukimēdeos embale chersin.

hē men ton ptuxasa kai askēsasa chitōna,

440passalōi ankremasasa para trētoisi lechessi

English · Butler

folded it tidily up, and hung it for him over a peg by his bed side, after which she went out, pulled the door to by a silver catch, and drew the bolt home by means of the strap. But Telemakhos as he lay covered

Homeric Greek

βῆ ῥ' ἴμεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο, θύρην δ' ἐπέρυσσε κορώνῃ

ἀργυρέῃ, ἐπὶ δὲ κληῖδ' ἐτάνυσσεν ἱμάντι.

ἔνθ' ὅ γε παννύχιος, κεκαλυμμένος οἰὸς ἀώτῳ,

βούλευε φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ὁδὸν τὴν πέφραδ' Ἀθήνη.

Transliteration

bē rh' imen ek thalamoio, thurēn d' eperusse korōnēi

argureēi, epi de klēid' etanussen himanti.

enth' ho ge pannuchios, kekalummenos oios aōtōi,

bouleue phresin hēisin hodon tēn pephrad' Athēnē.

English · Butler

with a woolen fleece kept thinking all night through of his intended voyage and of the counsel that Athena had given him.