Homeric Greek
1αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλθομεν ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,
νῆα μὲν ἂρ πάμπρωτον ἐρύσσαμεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν,
ἐν δʼ ἱστὸν τιθέμεσθα καὶ ἱστία νηὶ μελαίνῃ,
ἐν δὲ τὰ μῆλα λαβόντες ἐβήσαμεν, ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ
5βαίνομεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες.
Transliteration
1autar epei rhʼ epi nēa katēlthomen ēde thalassan,
nēa men ar pamprōton eryssamen eis hala dian,
en dʼ histon tithemestha kai histia nēi melainēi,
en de ta mēla labontes ebēsamen, an de kai autoi
5bainomen achnymenoi thaleron kata dakry cheontes.
English
Then, when we had got down to the sea shore we drew our ship into the water and got her mast and sails into her; we also put the sheep on board and took our places, weeping and in great distress of mind.
Homeric Greek
ἡμῖν δʼ αὖ κατόπισθε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο
ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει πλησίστιον, ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον,
Κίρκη εὐπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα.
ἡμεῖς δʼ ὅπλα ἕκαστα πονησάμενοι κατὰ νῆα
10ἥμεθα· τὴν δʼ ἄνεμός τε κυβερνήτης τʼ ἴθυνε.
Transliteration
hēmin dʼ au katopisthe neos kyanoprōiroio
ikmenon ouron hiei plēsistion, esthlon hetairon,
Kirkē euplokamos, deinē theos audēessa.
hēmeis dʼ hopla hekasta ponēsamenoi kata nēa
10hēmetha· tēn dʼ anemos te kybernētēs tʼ ithyne.
English
Circe, that great and cunning goddess, sent us a fair wind that blew dead aft and stayed steadily with us keeping our sails all the time well filled; so we did whatever wanted doing to the ship's gear and let her go as the wind and helmsman headed her.
Homeric Greek
τῆς δὲ πανημερίης τέταθʼ ἱστία ποντοπορούσης·
δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί.
ἡ δʼ ἐς πείραθʼ ἵκανε βαθυρρόου Ὠκεανοῖο.
ἔνθα δὲ Κιμμερίων ἀνδρῶν δῆμός τε πόλις τε,
15ἠέρι καὶ νεφέλῃ κεκαλυμμένοι· οὐδέ ποτʼ αὐτοὺς
Transliteration
tēs de panēmeriēs tetathʼ histia pontoporousēs·
dyseto tʼ ēelios skioōnto te pasai aguiai.
hē dʼ es peirathʼ hikane bathyrroou Ōkeanoio.
entha de Kimmeriōn andrōn dēmos te polis te,
15ēeri kai nephelēi kekalymmenoi· oude potʼ autous
English
All day long her sails were full as she held her course over the sea, but when the sun went down and darkness was over all the earth, we got into the deep waters of the river Okeanos, where lie the dêmos and city of the Cimmerians who live enshrouded
Homeric Greek
ἠέλιος φαέθων καταδέρκεται ἀκτίνεσσιν,
οὔθʼ ὁπότʼ ἂν στείχῃσι πρὸς οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα,
οὔθʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἂψ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἀπʼ οὐρανόθεν προτράπηται,
ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ νὺξ ὀλοὴ τέταται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσι.
20νῆα μὲν ἔνθʼ ἐλθόντες ἐκέλσαμεν, ἐκ δὲ τὰ μῆλα
Transliteration
ēelios phaethōn kataderketai aktinessin,
outhʼ hopotʼ an steichēisi pros ouranon asteroenta,
outhʼ hotʼ an aps epi gaian apʼ ouranothen protrapētai,
allʼ epi nyx oloē tetatai deiloisi brotoisi.
20nēa men enthʼ elthontes ekelsamen, ek de ta mēla
English
in mist and darkness which the rays of the sun never pierce neither at his rising nor as he goes down again out of the heavens, but the poor wretches live in one long melancholy night. When we got there we beached the ship, took the sheep out of her,
Homeric Greek
εἱλόμεθʼ· αὐτοὶ δʼ αὖτε παρὰ ῥόον Ὠκεανοῖο
ᾔομεν, ὄφρʼ ἐς χῶρον ἀφικόμεθʼ, ὃν φράσε Κίρκη.
ἔνθʼ ἱερήια μὲν Περιμήδης Εὐρύλοχός τε
ἔσχον· ἐγὼ δʼ ἄορ ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ
25βόθρον ὄρυξʼ ὅσσον τε πυγούσιον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,
Transliteration
heilomethʼ· autoi dʼ aute para rhoon Ōkeanoio
ēiomen, ophrʼ es chōron aphikomethʼ, hon phrase Kirkē.
enthʼ hierēia men Perimēdēs Eurylochos te
eschon· egō dʼ aor oxy eryssamenos para mērou
25bothron oryxʼ hosson te pygousion entha kai entha,
English
and went along by the waters of Okeanos till we came to the place of which Circe had told us. "Here Perimedes and Eurylokhos held the victims, while I drew my sword and dug the trench a cubit each way.
Homeric Greek
ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ δὲ χοὴν χεόμην πᾶσιν νεκύεσσι,
πρῶτα μελικρήτῳ, μετέπειτα δὲ ἡδέι οἴνῳ,
τὸ τρίτον αὖθʼ ὕδατι· ἐπὶ δʼ ἄλφιτα λευκὰ πάλυνον.
πολλὰ δὲ γουνούμην νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα,
30ἐλθὼν εἰς Ἰθάκην στεῖραν βοῦν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,
Transliteration
amphʼ autōi de choēn cheomēn pasin nekyessi,
prōta melikrētōi, metepeita de hēdei oinōi,
to triton authʼ hydati· epi dʼ alphita leuka palynon.
polla de gounoumēn nekyōn amenēna karēna,
30elthōn eis Ithakēn steiran boun, hē tis aristē,
English
I made a drink-offering to all the dead, first with honey and milk, then with wine, and thirdly with water, and I sprinkled white barley meal over the whole, praying earnestly to the poor feckless ghosts, and promising them that when I got back to Ithaca I would sacrifice
Homeric Greek
ῥέξειν ἐν μεγάροισι πυρήν τʼ ἐμπλησέμεν ἐσθλῶν,
Τειρεσίῃ δʼ ἀπάνευθεν ὄιν ἱερευσέμεν οἴῳ
παμμέλανʼ, ὃς μήλοισι μεταπρέπει ἡμετέροισι.
τοὺς δʼ ἐπεὶ εὐχωλῇσι λιτῇσί τε, ἔθνεα νεκρῶν,
35ἐλλισάμην, τὰ δὲ μῆλα λαβὼν ἀπεδειροτόμησα
Transliteration
rhexein en megaroisi pyrēn tʼ emplēsemen esthlōn,
Teiresiēi dʼ apaneuthen oin hiereusemen oiōi
pammelanʼ, hos mēloisi metaprepei hēmeteroisi.
tous dʼ epei euchōlēisi litēisi te, ethnea nekrōn,
35ellisamēn, ta de mēla labōn apedeirotomēsa
English
a barren heifer for them, the best I had, and would load the pyre with good things. I also particularly promised that Teiresias should have a black sheep to himself, the best in all my flocks.
Homeric Greek
ἐς βόθρον, ῥέε δʼ αἷμα κελαινεφές· αἱ δʼ ἀγέροντο
ψυχαὶ ὑπὲξ Ἐρέβευς νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.
νύμφαι τʼ ἠίθεοί τε πολύτλητοί τε γέροντες
παρθενικαί τʼ ἀταλαὶ νεοπενθέα θυμὸν ἔχουσαι,
40πολλοὶ δʼ οὐτάμενοι χαλκήρεσιν ἐγχείῃσιν,
Transliteration
es bothron, rhee dʼ haima kelainephes· hai dʼ ageronto
psychai hypex Erebeus nekyōn katatethnēōtōn.
nymphai tʼ ēitheoi te polytlētoi te gerontes
parthenikai tʼ atalai neopenthea thymon echousai,
40polloi dʼ outamenoi chalkēresin encheiēisin,
English
When I had prayed sufficiently to the dead, I cut the throats of the two sheep and let the blood run into the trench, whereon the ghosts came trooping up from Erebus - brides, young bachelors, old men worn out with toil, maids who had been crossed in love, and brave men who had been killed in battle, with their armor still smirched with blood;
Homeric Greek
ἄνδρες ἀρηίφατοι βεβροτωμένα τεύχεʼ ἔχοντες·
οἳ πολλοὶ περὶ βόθρον ἐφοίτων ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος
θεσπεσίῃ ἰαχῇ· ἐμὲ δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει.
δὴ τότʼ ἔπειθʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσα
45μῆλα, τὰ δὴ κατέκειτʼ ἐσφαγμένα νηλέι χαλκῷ,
Transliteration
andres arēiphatoi bebrotōmena teucheʼ echontes·
hoi polloi peri bothron ephoitōn allothen allos
thespesiēi iachēi· eme de chlōron deos hēirei.
dē totʼ epeithʼ hetaroisin epotrynas ekeleusa
45mēla, ta dē katekeitʼ esphagmena nēlei chalkōi,
English
they came from every quarter and flitted round the trench with a strange kind of screaming sound that made me turn pale with fear. When I saw them coming I told the men to be quick and flay the carcasses of the two dead sheep and
Homeric Greek
δείραντας κατακῆαι, ἐπεύξασθαι δὲ θεοῖσιν,
ἰφθίμῳ τʼ Ἀΐδῃ καὶ ἐπαινῇ Περσεφονείῃ·
αὐτὸς δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ
ἥμην, οὐδʼ εἴων νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα
50αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.
Transliteration
deirantas katakēai, epeuxasthai de theoisin,
iphthimōi tʼ Aïdēi kai epainēi Persephoneiēi·
autos de xiphos oxy eryssamenos para mērou
hēmēn, oudʼ eiōn nekyōn amenēna karēna
50haimatos asson imen, prin Teiresiao pythesthai.
English
make burnt offerings of them, and at the same time to repeat prayers to Hades and to Persephone; but I sat where I was with my sword drawn and would not let the poor feckless ghosts come near the blood till Teiresias should have answered my questions.
Homeric Greek
πρώτη δὲ ψυχὴ Ἐλπήνορος ἦλθεν ἑταίρου·
οὐ γάρ πω ἐτέθαπτο ὑπὸ χθονὸς εὐρυοδείης·
σῶμα γὰρ ἐν Κίρκης μεγάρῳ κατελείπομεν ἡμεῖς
ἄκλαυτον καὶ ἄθαπτον, ἐπεὶ πόνος ἄλλος ἔπειγε.
55τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ,
Transliteration
prōtē de psychē Elpēnoros ēlthen hetairou·
ou gar pō etethapto hypo chthonos euryodeiēs·
sōma gar en Kirkēs megarōi kateleipomen hēmeis
aklauton kai athapton, epei ponos allos epeige.
55ton men egō dakrysa idōn eleēsa te thymōi,
English
"The first ghost that came was that of my comrade Elpenor, for he had not yet been laid beneath the earth. We had left his body unwaked and unburied in Circe's house, for other labor was pressing us.
Homeric Greek
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·
Ἐλπῆνορ, πῶς ἦλθες ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠερόεντα;
ἔφθης πεζὸς ἰὼν ἢ ἐγὼ σὺν νηὶ μελαίνῃ.
ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ οἰμώξας ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·
60διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
Transliteration
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēudōn·
Elpēnor, pōs ēlthes hypo zophon ēeroenta;
ephthēs pezos iōn ē egō syn nēi melainēi.
hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ oimōxas ēmeibeto mythōi·
60diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchanʼ Odysseu,
English
I was very sorry for him, and cried when I saw him: ‘Elpenor,’ said I, ‘how did you come down here into this gloom and darkness? You have here on foot quicker than I have with my ship.’ "‘Sir,’ he answered with a groan, ‘it was all bad luck of a daimôn, and my own unspeakable drunkenness.
Homeric Greek
ἆσέ με δαίμονος αἶσα κακὴ καὶ ἀθέσφατος οἶνος.
Κίρκης δʼ ἐν μεγάρῳ καταλέγμενος οὐκ ἐνόησα
ἄψορρον καταβῆναι ἰὼν ἐς κλίμακα μακρήν,
ἀλλὰ καταντικρὺ τέγεος πέσον· ἐκ δέ μοι αὐχὴν
65ἀστραγάλων ἐάγη, ψυχὴ δʼ Ἄϊδόσδε κατῆλθε.
Transliteration
ase me daimonos aisa kakē kai athesphatos oinos.
Kirkēs dʼ en megarōi katalegmenos ouk enoēsa
apsorron katabēnai iōn es klimaka makrēn,
alla katantikry tegeos peson· ek de moi auchēn
65astragalōn eagē, psychē dʼ Aïdosde katēlthe.
English
I was lying asleep on the top of Circe's house, and never thought of coming down again by the great staircase, but fell right off the roof and broke my neck, so my soul went down to the house of Hades.
Homeric Greek
νῦν δέ σε τῶν ὄπιθεν γουνάζομαι, οὐ παρεόντων,
πρός τʼ ἀλόχου καὶ πατρός, ὅ σʼ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα,
Τηλεμάχου θʼ, ὃν μοῦνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔλειπες·
οἶδα γὰρ ὡς ἐνθένδε κιὼν δόμου ἐξ Ἀίδαο
70νῆσον ἐς Αἰαίην σχήσεις ἐυεργέα νῆα·
Transliteration
nyn de se tōn opithen gounazomai, ou pareontōn,
pros tʼ alochou kai patros, ho sʼ etrephe tytthon eonta,
Tēlemachou thʼ, hon mounon eni megaroisin eleipes·
oida gar hōs enthende kiōn domou ex Aidao
70nēson es Aiaiēn schēseis euergea nēa·
English
And now I beseech you by all those whom you have left behind you, though they are not here, by your wife, by the father who brought you up when you were a child, and by Telemakhos who is the one hope of your house, do what I shall now ask you.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα σʼ ἔπειτα, ἄναξ, κέλομαι μνήσασθαι ἐμεῖο.
μή μʼ ἄκλαυτον ἄθαπτον ἰὼν ὄπιθεν καταλείπειν
νοσφισθείς, μή τοί τι θεῶν μήνιμα γένωμαι,
ἀλλά με κακκῆαι σὺν τεύχεσιν, ἅσσα μοι ἔστιν,
75σῆμά τέ μοι χεῦαι πολιῆς ἐπὶ θινὶ θαλάσσης,
Transliteration
entha sʼ epeita, anax, kelomai mnēsasthai emeio.
mē mʼ aklauton athapton iōn opithen kataleipein
nosphistheis, mē toi ti theōn mēnima genōmai,
alla me kakkēai syn teuchesin, hassa moi estin,
75sēma te moi cheuai poliēs epi thini thalassēs,
English
I know that when you leave this limbo you will again hold your ship for the Aeaean island. Do not go thence leaving me unwaked and unburied behind you, or I may bring the gods' anger upon you; but burn me with whatever armor I have, build a grave marker for me on the
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρὸς δυστήνοιο καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι.
ταῦτά τέ μοι τελέσαι πῆξαί τʼ ἐπὶ τύμβῳ ἐρετμόν,
τῷ καὶ ζωὸς ἔρεσσον ἐὼν μετʼ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισιν.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·
80ταῦτά τοι, ὦ δύστηνε, τελευτήσω τε καὶ ἔρξω.
Transliteration
andros dystēnoio kai essomenoisi pythesthai.
tauta te moi telesai pēxai tʼ epi tymbōi eretmon,
tōi kai zōos eresson eōn metʼ emois hetaroisin.
hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·
80tauta toi, ō dystēne, teleutēsō te kai erxō.
English
sea shore that may tell people in days to come what a poor unlucky man I was, and plant over my grave the oar I used to row with when I was yet alive and with my messmates.’ And I said, ‘My poor man, I will do all that you have asked of me.’
Homeric Greek
νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβομένω στυγεροῖσιν
ἥμεθʼ, ἐγὼ μὲν ἄνευθεν ἐφʼ αἵματι φάσγανον ἴσχων,
εἴδωλον δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἑταίρου πόλλʼ ἀγόρευεν·
ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ μητρὸς κατατεθνηυίης,
85Αὐτολύκου θυγάτηρ μεγαλήτορος Ἀντίκλεια,
Transliteration
nōi men hōs epeessin ameibomenō stygeroisin
hēmethʼ, egō men aneuthen ephʼ haimati phasganon ischōn,
eidōlon dʼ heterōthen hetairou pollʼ agoreuen·
ēlthe dʼ epi psychē mētros katatethnēuiēs,
85Autolykou thygatēr megalētoros Antikleia,
English
"Thus, then, did we sit and hold sad talk with one another, I on the one side of the trench with my sword held over the blood, and the ghost of my comrade saying all this to me from the other side. Then came the ghost of my dead mother Antikleia, daughter to Autolykos.
Homeric Greek
τὴν ζωὴν κατέλειπον ἰὼν εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρήν.
τὴν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ·
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς εἴων προτέρην, πυκινόν περ ἀχεύων,
αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.
90ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο
Transliteration
tēn zōēn kateleipon iōn eis Ilion hirēn.
tēn men egō dakrysa idōn eleēsa te thymōi·
allʼ oudʼ hōs eiōn proterēn, pykinon per acheuōn,
haimatos asson imen, prin Teiresiao pythesthai.
90ēlthe dʼ epi psychē Thēbaiou Teiresiao
English
I had left her alive when I set out for Troy and was moved to tears when I saw her, but even so, for all my sorrow I would not let her come near the blood till I had asked my questions of Teiresias. "Then came also the ghost of Theban Teiresias, with his golden scepter in his hand.
Homeric Greek
χρύσεον σκῆπτρον ἔχων, ἐμὲ δʼ ἔγνω καὶ προσέειπεν·
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
τίπτʼ αὖτʼ, ὦ δύστηνε, λιπὼν φάος ἠελίοιο
ἤλυθες, ὄφρα ἴδῃ νέκυας καὶ ἀτερπέα χῶρον;
95ἀλλʼ ἀποχάζεο βόθρου, ἄπισχε δὲ φάσγανον ὀξύ,
Transliteration
chryseon skēptron echōn, eme dʼ egnō kai proseeipen·
diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchanʼ Odysseu,
tiptʼ autʼ, ō dystēne, lipōn phaos ēelioio
ēlythes, ophra idēi nekyas kai aterpea chōron;
95allʼ apochazeo bothrou, apische de phasganon oxy,
English
He knew me and said, ‘Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, why, poor man, have you left the light of day and come down to visit the dead in this sad place?
Homeric Greek
αἵματος ὄφρα πίω καί τοι νημερτέα εἴπω.
ὣς φάτʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἀναχασσάμενος ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον
κουλεῷ ἐγκατέπηξʼ. ὁ δʼ ἐπεὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινόν,
καὶ τότε δή μʼ ἐπέεσσι προσηύδα μάντις ἀμύμων·
100νόστον δίζηαι μελιηδέα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ·
Transliteration
haimatos ophra piō kai toi nēmertea eipō.
hōs phatʼ, egō dʼ anachassamenos xiphos argyroēlon
kouleōi enkatepēxʼ. ho dʼ epei pien haima kelainon,
kai tote dē mʼ epeessi prosēuda mantis amymōn·
100noston dizēai meliēdea, phaidimʼ Odysseu·
English
Stand back from the trench and withdraw your sword that I may drink of the blood and answer your questions truly.’ "So I drew back, and sheathed my sword, whereon when he had drank of the blood he began with his prophecy. "You want to know,’ said he, ‘about your return home, but heaven will make this hard for you.
Homeric Greek
τὸν δέ τοι ἀργαλέον θήσει θεός· οὐ γὰρ ὀίω
λήσειν ἐννοσίγαιον, ὅ τοι κότον ἔνθετο θυμῷ
χωόμενος ὅτι οἱ υἱὸν φίλον ἐξαλάωσας.
ἀλλʼ ἔτι μέν κε καὶ ὣς κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε,
105αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃς σὸν θυμὸν ἐρυκακέειν καὶ ἑταίρων,
Transliteration
ton de toi argaleon thēsei theos· ou gar oiō
lēsein ennosigaion, ho toi koton entheto thymōi
chōomenos hoti hoi huion philon exalaōsas.
allʼ eti men ke kai hōs kaka per paschontes hikoisthe,
105ai kʼ ethelēis son thymon erykakeein kai hetairōn,
English
I do not think that you will escape the eye of Poseidon, who still nurses his bitter grudge against you for having blinded his son. Still, after much suffering you may get home if you can restrain yourself and your companions when your ship reaches the Thrinacian island,
Homeric Greek
ὁππότε κε πρῶτον πελάσῃς ἐυεργέα νῆα
Θρινακίῃ νήσῳ, προφυγὼν ἰοειδέα πόντον,
βοσκομένας δʼ εὕρητε βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα
Ἠελίου, ὃς πάντʼ ἐφορᾷ καὶ πάντʼ ἐπακούει.
110τὰς εἰ μέν κʼ ἀσινέας ἐάᾳς νόστου τε μέδηαι,
Transliteration
hoppote ke prōton pelasēis euergea nēa
Thrinakiēi nēsōi, prophygōn ioeidea ponton,
boskomenas dʼ heurēte boas kai iphia mēla
Ēeliou, hos pantʼ ephorāi kai pantʼ epakouei.
110tas ei men kʼ asineas eaāis nostou te medēai,
English
where you will find the sheep and cattle belonging to the sun, who sees and gives ear to everything. If you leave these flocks unharmed and think of nothing but of getting home, you may yet after much hardship reach Ithaca;
Homeric Greek
καί κεν ἔτʼ εἰς Ἰθάκην κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε·
εἰ δέ κε σίνηαι, τότε τοι τεκμαίρομʼ ὄλεθρον,
νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροις. αὐτὸς δʼ εἴ πέρ κεν ἀλύξῃς,
ὀψὲ κακῶς νεῖαι, ὀλέσας ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους,
115νηὸς ἐπʼ ἀλλοτρίης· δήεις δʼ ἐν πήματα οἴκῳ,
Transliteration
kai ken etʼ eis Ithakēn kaka per paschontes hikoisthe·
ei de ke sinēai, tote toi tekmairomʼ olethron,
nēi te kai hetarois. autos dʼ ei per ken alyxēis,
opse kakōs neiai, olesas apo pantas hetairous,
115nēos epʼ allotriēs· dēeis dʼ en pēmata oikōi,
English
but if you harm them, then I forewarn you of the destruction both of your ship and of your men. Even though you may yourself escape, you will return in bad plight after losing all your men, in another man's ship, and you will find trouble in your house, which will be
Homeric Greek
ἄνδρας ὑπερφιάλους, οἵ τοι βίοτον κατέδουσι
μνώμενοι ἀντιθέην ἄλοχον καὶ ἕδνα διδόντες.
ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι κείνων γε βίας ἀποτίσεαι ἐλθών·
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν μνηστῆρας ἐνὶ μεγάροισι τεοῖσι
120κτείνῃς ἠὲ δόλῳ ἢ ἀμφαδὸν ὀξέι χαλκῷ,
Transliteration
andras hyperphialous, hoi toi bioton katedousi
mnōmenoi antitheēn alochon kai hedna didontes.
allʼ ē toi keinōn ge bias apotiseai elthōn·
autar epēn mnēstēras eni megaroisi teoisi
120kteinēis ēe dolōi ē amphadon oxei chalkōi,
English
overrun by high-handed people, who are devouring your substance under the pretext of paying court and making presents to your wife. "‘When you get home you will take your revenge on these suitors; and after you have killed them by force or fraud in your own house, you must take
Homeric Greek
ἔρχεσθαι δὴ ἔπειτα λαβὼν ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν,
εἰς ὅ κε τοὺς ἀφίκηαι οἳ οὐκ ἴσασι θάλασσαν
ἀνέρες, οὐδέ θʼ ἅλεσσι μεμιγμένον εἶδαρ ἔδουσιν·
οὐδʼ ἄρα τοί γʼ ἴσασι νέας φοινικοπαρῄους
125οὐδʼ ἐυήρεʼ ἐρετμά, τά τε πτερὰ νηυσὶ πέλονται.
Transliteration
erchesthai dē epeita labōn euēres eretmon,
eis ho ke tous aphikēai hoi ouk isasi thalassan
aneres, oude thʼ halessi memigmenon eidar edousin·
oudʼ ara toi gʼ isasi neas phoinikoparēious
125oudʼ euēreʼ eretma, ta te ptera nēusi pelontai.
English
a well-made oar and carry it on and on, till you come to a country where the people have never heard of the sea and do not even mix salt with their food, nor do they know anything about ships, and oars that are as the wings of a ship.
Homeric Greek
σῆμα δέ τοι ἐρέω μάλʼ ἀριφραδές, οὐδέ σε λήσει·
ὁππότε κεν δή τοι συμβλήμενος ἄλλος ὁδίτης
φήῃ ἀθηρηλοιγὸν ἔχειν ἀνὰ φαιδίμῳ ὤμῳ,
καὶ τότε δὴ γαίῃ πήξας ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν,
130ῥέξας ἱερὰ καλὰ Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι,
Transliteration
sēma de toi ereō malʼ ariphrades, oude se lēsei·
hoppote ken dē toi symblēmenos allos hoditēs
phēēi athērēloigon echein ana phaidimōi ōmōi,
kai tote dē gaiēi pēxas euēres eretmon,
130rhexas hiera kala Poseidaōni anakti,
English
I will give you this certain token which cannot escape your notice. A wayfarer will meet you and will say it must be a winnowing shovel that you have got upon your shoulder; on this you must fix the oar in the ground and sacrifice a ram, a bull, and a boar to Poseidon.
Homeric Greek
ἀρνειὸν ταῦρόν τε συῶν τʼ ἐπιβήτορα κάπρον,
οἴκαδʼ ἀποστείχειν ἔρδειν θʼ ἱερᾶς ἑκατόμβας
ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι,
πᾶσι μάλʼ ἑξείης. θάνατος δέ τοι ἐξ ἁλὸς αὐτῷ
135ἀβληχρὸς μάλα τοῖος ἐλεύσεται, ὅς κέ σε πέφνῃ
Transliteration
arneion tauron te syōn tʼ epibētora kapron,
oikadʼ aposteichein erdein thʼ hieras hekatombas
athanatoisi theoisi, toi ouranon euryn echousi,
pasi malʼ hexeiēs. thanatos de toi ex halos autōi
135ablēchros mala toios eleusetai, hos ke se pephnēi
English
Then go home and offer hecatombs to the gods in heaven one after the other. As for yourself, death shall come to you from the sea, and your life shall ebb away very gently when you are full of years and peace of mind, and your people shall be prosperous.
Homeric Greek
γήραι ὕπο λιπαρῷ ἀρημένον· ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶ
ὄλβιοι ἔσσονται. τὰ δέ τοι νημερτέα εἴρω.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·
Τειρεσίη, τὰ μὲν ἄρ που ἐπέκλωσαν θεοὶ αὐτοί.
140ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·
Transliteration
gērai hypo liparōi arēmenon· amphi de laoi
olbioi essontai. ta de toi nēmertea eirō.
hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·
Teiresiē, ta men ar pou epeklōsan theoi autoi.
140allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon·
English
All that I have said will come true.’ "‘This,’ I answered, ‘must be as it may please heaven, but tell me and tell me true, I see my poor mother's ghost close by us;
Homeric Greek
μητρὸς τήνδʼ ὁρόω ψυχὴν κατατεθνηυίης·
ἡ δʼ ἀκέουσʼ ἧσται σχεδὸν αἵματος, οὐδʼ ἑὸν υἱὸν
ἔτλη ἐσάντα ἰδεῖν οὐδὲ προτιμυθήσασθαι.
εἰπέ, ἄναξ, πῶς κέν με ἀναγνοίη τὸν ἐόντα;
145ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·
Transliteration
mētros tēndʼ horoō psychēn katatethnēuiēs·
hē dʼ akeousʼ hēstai schedon haimatos, oudʼ heon huion
etlē esanta idein oude protimythēsasthai.
eipe, anax, pōs ken me anagnoiē ton eonta;
145hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipen·
English
she is sitting by the blood without saying a word, and though I am her own son she does not remember me and speak to me; tell me, Sir, how I can make her know me.’ "‘That,’ said he, ‘I can soon do.
Homeric Greek
ῥηΐδιόν τοι ἔπος ἐρέω καὶ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θήσω.
ὅν τινα μέν κεν ἐᾷς νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων
αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, ὁ δέ τοι νημερτὲς ἐνίψει·
ᾧ δέ κʼ ἐπιφθονέῃς, ὁ δέ τοι πάλιν εἶσιν ὀπίσσω.
150ὣς φαμένη ψυχὴ μὲν ἔβη δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω
Transliteration
rhēïdion toi epos ereō kai epi phresi thēsō.
hon tina men ken eāis nekyōn katatethnēōtōn
haimatos asson imen, ho de toi nēmertes enipsei·
hōi de kʼ epiphthoneēis, ho de toi palin eisin opissō.
150hōs phamenē psychē men ebē domon Aïdos eisō
English
Any ghost that you let taste of the blood will talk with you like a reasonable being, but if you do not let them have any blood they will go away again.’ "On this the ghost of Teiresias went back to the house
Homeric Greek
Τειρεσίαο ἄνακτος, ἐπεὶ κατὰ θέσφατʼ ἔλεξεν·
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτοῦ μένον ἔμπεδον, ὄφρʼ ἐπὶ μήτηρ
ἤλυθε καὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινεφές· αὐτίκα δʼ ἔγνω,
καί μʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
155τέκνον ἐμόν, πῶς ἦλθες ὑπὸ ζόφον ἠερόεντα
Transliteration
Teiresiao anaktos, epei kata thesphatʼ elexen·
autar egōn autou menon empedon, ophrʼ epi mētēr
ēlythe kai pien haima kelainephes· autika dʼ egnō,
kai mʼ olophyromenē epea pteroenta prosēuda·
155teknon emon, pōs ēlthes hypo zophon ēeroenta
English
of Hades, for his prophecies had now been spoken, but I sat still where I was until my mother came up and tasted the blood. Then she knew me at once and spoke fondly to me, saying, ‘My son, how did you come down to this abode of darkness while you are still alive?
Homeric Greek
ζωὸς ἐών; χαλεπὸν δὲ τάδε ζωοῖσιν ὁρᾶσθαι.
μέσσῳ γὰρ μεγάλοι ποταμοὶ καὶ δεινὰ ῥέεθρα,
Ὠκεανὸς μὲν πρῶτα, τὸν οὔ πως ἔστι περῆσαι
πεζὸν ἐόντʼ, ἢν μή τις ἔχῃ ἐυεργέα νῆα.
160ἦ νῦν δὴ Τροίηθεν ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνεις
Transliteration
zōos eōn; chalepon de tade zōoisin horasthai.
messōi gar megaloi potamoi kai deina rheethra,
Ōkeanos men prōta, ton ou pōs esti perēsai
pezon eontʼ, ēn mē tis echēi euergea nēa.
160ē nyn dē Troiēthen alōmenos enthadʼ hikaneis
English
It is a hard thing for the living to see these places, for between us and them there are great and terrible waters, and there is Okeanos, which no man can cross on foot, but he must have a good ship to take him.
Homeric Greek
νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροισι πολὺν χρόνον; οὐδέ πω ἦλθες
εἰς Ἰθάκην, οὐδʼ εἶδες ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναῖκα;
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·
μῆτερ ἐμή, χρειώ με κατήγαγεν εἰς Ἀίδαο
165ψυχῇ χρησόμενον Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο·
Transliteration
nēi te kai hetaroisi polyn chronon; oude pō ēlthes
eis Ithakēn, oudʼ eides eni megaroisi gynaika;
hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·
mēter emē, chreiō me katēgagen eis Aidao
165psychēi chrēsomenon Thēbaiou Teiresiao·
English
Are you all this time trying to find your way home from Troy, and have you never yet got back to Ithaca nor seen your wife in your own house?’ "‘Mother,’ said I, ‘I was forced to come here to consult the ghost of the Theban seer Teiresias. I have never yet been near the Achaean land nor set foot on
Homeric Greek
οὐ γάρ πω σχεδὸν ἦλθον Ἀχαιΐδος, οὐδέ πω ἁμῆς
γῆς ἐπέβην, ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἔχων ἀλάλημαι ὀιζύν,
ἐξ οὗ τὰ πρώτισθʼ ἑπόμην Ἀγαμέμνονι δίῳ
Ἴλιον εἰς ἐύπωλον, ἵνα Τρώεσσι μαχοίμην.
170ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·
Transliteration
ou gar pō schedon ēlthon Achaiïdos, oude pō hamēs
gēs epebēn, allʼ aien echōn alalēmai oizyn,
ex hou ta prōtisthʼ hepomēn Agamemnoni diōi
Ilion eis eupōlon, hina Trōessi machoimēn.
170allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon·
English
my native country, and I have had nothing but one long series of misfortunes from the very first day that I set out with Agamemnon for Ilion, the land of noble steeds, to fight the Trojans. But tell me, and tell me true, in what way did you die?
Homeric Greek
τίς νύ σε κὴρ ἐδάμασσε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο;
ἦ δολιχὴ νοῦσος, ἦ Ἄρτεμις ἰοχέαιρα
οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν;
εἰπὲ δέ μοι πατρός τε καὶ υἱέος, ὃν κατέλειπον,
175ἢ ἔτι πὰρ κείνοισιν ἐμὸν γέρας, ἦέ τις ἤδη
Transliteration
tis ny se kēr edamasse tanēlegeos thanatoio;
ē dolichē nousos, ē Artemis iocheaira
hois aganois beleessin epoichomenē katepephnen;
eipe de moi patros te kai huieos, hon kateleipon,
175ē eti par keinoisin emon geras, ēe tis ēdē
English
Did you have a long illness, or did heaven grant you a gentle easy passage to eternity? Tell me also about my father, and the son whom I left behind me; is my property still in their hands, or has some one else got hold of it, who thinks that I shall not return to claim it?
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν ἄλλος ἔχει, ἐμὲ δʼ οὐκέτι φασὶ νέεσθαι.
εἰπὲ δέ μοι μνηστῆς ἀλόχου βουλήν τε νόον τε,
ἠὲ μένει παρὰ παιδὶ καὶ ἔμπεδα πάντα φυλάσσει
ἦ ἤδη μιν ἔγημεν Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστος.
180ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο πότνια μήτηρ·
Transliteration
andrōn allos echei, eme dʼ ouketi phasi neesthai.
eipe de moi mnēstēs alochou boulēn te noon te,
ēe menei para paidi kai empeda panta phylassei
ē ēdē min egēmen Achaiōn hos tis aristos.
180hōs ephamēn, hē dʼ autikʼ ameibeto potnia mētēr·
English
Tell me again what my wife intends doing, and in what mind she is; does she live with my son and guard my estate securely, or has she made the best match she could and married again?’ "My mother answered, ‘Your wife still remains in your house,
Homeric Greek
καὶ λίην κείνη γε μένει τετληότι θυμῷ
σοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν· ὀιζυραὶ δέ οἱ αἰεὶ
φθίνουσιν νύκτες τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χεούσῃ.
σὸν δʼ οὔ πώ τις ἔχει καλὸν γέρας, ἀλλὰ ἕκηλος
185Τηλέμαχος τεμένεα νέμεται καὶ δαῖτας ἐίσας
Transliteration
kai liēn keinē ge menei tetlēoti thymōi
soisin eni megaroisin· oizyrai de hoi aiei
phthinousin nyktes te kai ēmata dakry cheousēi.
son dʼ ou pō tis echei kalon geras, alla hekēlos
185Tēlemachos temenea nemetai kai daitas eisas
English
but she is in great distress of mind and spends her whole time in tears both night and day. No one as yet has got possession of your fine property, and Telemakhos still holds your lands undisturbed.
Homeric Greek
δαίνυται, ἃς ἐπέοικε δικασπόλον ἄνδρʼ ἀλεγύνειν·
πάντες γὰρ καλέουσι. πατὴρ δὲ σὸς αὐτόθι μίμνει
ἀγρῷ, οὐδὲ πόλινδε κατέρχεται. οὐδέ οἱ εὐναὶ
δέμνια καὶ χλαῖναι καὶ ῥήγεα σιγαλόεντα,
190ἀλλʼ ὅ γε χεῖμα μὲν εὕδει ὅθι δμῶες ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,
Transliteration
dainytai, has epeoike dikaspolon andrʼ alegynein·
pantes gar kaleousi. patēr de sos autothi mimnei
agrōi, oude polinde katerchetai. oude hoi eunai
demnia kai chlainai kai rhēgea sigaloenta,
190allʼ ho ge cheima men heudei hothi dmōes eni oikōi,
English
He has to entertain largely, as of course he must, considering his position as a magistrate, and how every one invites him; your father remains at his old place in the country and never goes near the town. He has no comfortable bed nor bedding;
Homeric Greek
ἐν κόνι ἄγχι πυρός, κακὰ δὲ χροῒ εἵματα εἷται·
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἔλθῃσι θέρος τεθαλυῖά τʼ ὀπώρη,
πάντῃ οἱ κατὰ γουνὸν ἀλωῆς οἰνοπέδοιο
φύλλων κεκλιμένων χθαμαλαὶ βεβλήαται εὐναί.
195ἔνθʼ ὅ γε κεῖτʼ ἀχέων, μέγα δὲ φρεσὶ πένθος ἀέξει
Transliteration
en koni anchi pyros, kaka de chroï heimata heitai·
autar epēn elthēisi theros tethaluia tʼ opōrē,
pantēi hoi kata gounon alōēs oinopedoio
phyllōn keklimenōn chthamalai beblēatai eunai.
195enthʼ ho ge keitʼ acheōn, mega de phresi penthos aexei
English
in the winter he sleeps on the floor in front of the fire with the men and goes about all in rags, but in summer, when the warm weather comes on again, he lies out in the vineyard on a bed of vine leaves thrown anyhow upon the ground, in grief.
Homeric Greek
σὸν νόστον ποθέων, χαλεπὸν δʼ ἐπὶ γῆρας ἱκάνει.
οὕτω γὰρ καὶ ἐγὼν ὀλόμην καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον·
οὔτʼ ἐμέ γʼ ἐν μεγάροισιν ἐύσκοπος ἰοχέαιρα
οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν,
200οὔτε τις οὖν μοι νοῦσος ἐπήλυθεν, ἥ τε μάλιστα
Transliteration
son noston potheōn, chalepon dʼ epi gēras hikanei.
houtō gar kai egōn olomēn kai potmon epespon·
outʼ eme gʼ en megaroisin euskopos iocheaira
hois aganois beleessin epoichomenē katepephnen,
200oute tis oun moi nousos epēlythen, hē te malista
English
He is in continual distress about your never having achieved a homecoming, and suffers more and more as he grows older. As for my own end it was in this wise: heaven did not take me swiftly and painlessly in my own house, nor was I attacked by any illness such as those that generally
Homeric Greek
τηκεδόνι στυγερῇ μελέων ἐξείλετο θυμόν·
ἀλλά με σός τε πόθος σά τε μήδεα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
σή τʼ ἀγανοφροσύνη μελιηδέα θυμὸν ἀπηύρα.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γʼ ἔθελον φρεσὶ μερμηρίξας
205μητρὸς ἐμῆς ψυχὴν ἑλέειν κατατεθνηυίης.
Transliteration
tēkedoni stygerēi meleōn exeileto thymon·
alla me sos te pothos sa te mēdea, phaidimʼ Odysseu,
sē tʼ aganophrosynē meliēdea thymon apēura.
hōs ephatʼ, autar egō gʼ ethelon phresi mermērixas
205mētros emēs psychēn heleein katatethnēuiēs.
English
wear people out and kill them, but my longing to know what you were doing and the force of my affection for you - this it was that was the death of me.’ "Then I tried to find some way of embracing my mother's ghost.
Homeric Greek
τρὶς μὲν ἐφωρμήθην, ἑλέειν τέ με θυμὸς ἀνώγει,
τρὶς δέ μοι ἐκ χειρῶν σκιῇ εἴκελον ἢ καὶ ὀνείρῳ
ἔπτατʼ. ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄχος ὀξὺ γενέσκετο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·
210μῆτερ ἐμή, τί νύ μʼ οὐ μίμνεις ἑλέειν μεμαῶτα,
Transliteration
tris men ephōrmēthēn, heleein te me thymos anōgei,
tris de moi ek cheirōn skiēi eikelon ē kai oneirōi
eptatʼ. emoi dʼ achos oxy genesketo kērothi mallon,
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēudōn·
210mēter emē, ti ny mʼ ou mimneis heleein memaōta,
English
Thrice I sprang towards her and tried to clasp her in my arms, but each time she flitted from my embrace as it were a dream or phantom, and being touched to the quick I said to her, ‘Mother, why do you not stay still when I would embrace you?
Homeric Greek
ὄφρα καὶ εἰν Ἀίδαο φίλας περὶ χεῖρε βαλόντε
ἀμφοτέρω κρυεροῖο τεταρπώμεσθα γόοιο;
ἦ τί μοι εἴδωλον τόδʼ ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια
ὤτρυνʼ, ὄφρʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω;
215ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο πότνια μήτηρ·
Transliteration
ophra kai ein Aidao philas peri cheire balonte
amphoterō kryeroio tetarpōmestha gooio;
ē ti moi eidōlon todʼ agauē Persephoneia
ōtrynʼ, ophrʼ eti mallon odyromenos stenachizō;
215hōs ephamēn, hē dʼ autikʼ ameibeto potnia mētēr·
English
If we could throw our arms around one another we might find sad comfort in the sharing of our sorrows even in the house of Hades; does Persephone want to lay a still further load of grief upon me by mocking me with a phantom only?’ "‘My son,’ she answered, ‘most ill-fated of all humankind,
Homeric Greek
ὤ μοι, τέκνον ἐμόν, περὶ πάντων κάμμορε φωτῶν,
οὔ τί σε Περσεφόνεια Διὸς θυγάτηρ ἀπαφίσκει,
ἀλλʼ αὕτη δίκη ἐστὶ βροτῶν, ὅτε τίς κε θάνῃσιν·
οὐ γὰρ ἔτι σάρκας τε καὶ ὀστέα ἶνες ἔχουσιν,
220ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν τε πυρὸς κρατερὸν μένος αἰθομένοιο
Transliteration
ō moi, teknon emon, peri pantōn kammore phōtōn,
ou ti se Persephoneia Dios thygatēr apaphiskei,
allʼ hautē dikē esti brotōn, hote tis ke thanēisin·
ou gar eti sarkas te kai ostea ines echousin,
220alla ta men te pyros krateron menos aithomenoio
English
it is not Persephone that is beguiling you, but all people are like this when they are dead. The sinews no longer hold the flesh and bones together; these perish in the fierceness of consuming fire as soon as life has left the body, and the soul flits away as though it were a dream.
Homeric Greek
δαμνᾷ, ἐπεί κε πρῶτα λίπῃ λεύκʼ ὀστέα θυμός,
ψυχὴ δʼ ἠύτʼ ὄνειρος ἀποπταμένη πεπότηται.
ἀλλὰ φόωσδε τάχιστα λιλαίεο· ταῦτα δὲ πάντα
ἴσθʼ, ἵνα καὶ μετόπισθε τεῇ εἴπῃσθα γυναικί.
225νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβόμεθʼ, αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες
Transliteration
damnāi, epei ke prōta lipēi leukʼ ostea thymos,
psychē dʼ ēutʼ oneiros apoptamenē pepotētai.
alla phoōsde tachista lilaieo· tauta de panta
isthʼ, hina kai metopisthe teēi eipēistha gynaiki.
225nōi men hōs epeessin ameibomethʼ, hai de gynaikes
English
Now, however, go back to the light of day as soon as you can, and note all these things that you may tell them to your wife hereafter.’ "Thus did we converse, and anon Persephone sent up
Homeric Greek
ἤλυθον, ὤτρυνεν γὰρ ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια,
ὅσσαι ἀριστήων ἄλοχοι ἔσαν ἠδὲ θύγατρες.
αἱ δʼ ἀμφʼ αἷμα κελαινὸν ἀολλέες ἠγερέθοντο,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ βούλευον ὅπως ἐρέοιμι ἑκάστην.
230ἥδε δέ μοι κατὰ θυμὸν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλή·
Transliteration
ēlython, ōtrynen gar agauē Persephoneia,
hossai aristēōn alochoi esan ēde thygatres.
hai dʼ amphʼ haima kelainon aollees ēgerethonto,
autar egō bouleuon hopōs ereoimi hekastēn.
230hēde de moi kata thymon aristē phaineto boulē·
English
the ghosts of the wives and daughters of all the most famous men. They gathered in crowds about the blood, and I considered how I might question them severally. In the end I deemed that it would be best to draw the keen blade that
Homeric Greek
σπασσάμενος τανύηκες ἄορ παχέος παρὰ μηροῦ
οὐκ εἴων πίνειν ἅμα πάσας αἷμα κελαινόν.
αἱ δὲ προμνηστῖναι ἐπήισαν, ἠδὲ ἑκάστη
ὃν γόνον ἐξαγόρευεν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἐρέεινον ἁπάσας.
235ἔνθʼ ἦ τοι πρώτην Τυρὼ ἴδον εὐπατέρειαν,
Transliteration
spassamenos tanyēkes aor pacheos para mērou
ouk eiōn pinein hama pasas haima kelainon.
hai de promnēstinai epēisan, ēde hekastē
hon gonon exagoreuen· egō dʼ ereeinon hapasas.
235enthʼ ē toi prōtēn Tyrō idon eupatereian,
English
hung by my sturdy thigh, and keep them from all drinking the blood at once. So they came up one after the other, and each one as I questioned her told me her race and lineage. "The first I saw was Tyro.
Homeric Greek
ἣ φάτο Σαλμωνῆος ἀμύμονος ἔκγονος εἶναι,
φῆ δὲ Κρηθῆος γυνὴ ἔμμεναι Αἰολίδαο·
ἣ ποταμοῦ ἠράσσατʼ Ἐνιπῆος θείοιο,
ὃς πολὺ κάλλιστος ποταμῶν ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἵησι,
240καί ῥʼ ἐπʼ Ἐνιπῆος πωλέσκετο καλὰ ῥέεθρα.
Transliteration
hē phato Salmōnēos amymonos ekgonos einai,
phē de Krēthēos gynē emmenai Aiolidao·
hē potamou ērassatʼ Enipēos theioio,
hos poly kallistos potamōn epi gaian hiēsi,
240kai rhʼ epʼ Enipēos pōlesketo kala rheethra.
English
She was daughter of Salmoneus and wife of Cretheus the son of Aeolus. She fell in love with the river Enipeus who is much the most beautiful river in the whole world. Once when she was taking a walk by his side as usual, Poseidon,
Homeric Greek
τῷ δʼ ἄρα εἰσάμενος γαιήοχος ἐννοσίγαιος
ἐν προχοῇς ποταμοῦ παρελέξατο δινήεντος·
πορφύρεον δʼ ἄρα κῦμα περιστάθη, οὔρεϊ ἶσον,
κυρτωθέν, κρύψεν δὲ θεὸν θνητήν τε γυναῖκα.
245λῦσε δὲ παρθενίην ζώνην, κατὰ δʼ ὕπνον ἔχευεν.
Transliteration
tōi dʼ ara eisamenos gaiēochos ennosigaios
en prochoēis potamou parelexato dinēentos·
porphyreon dʼ ara kyma peristathē, oureï ison,
kyrtōthen, krypsen de theon thnētēn te gynaika.
245lyse de partheniēn zōnēn, kata dʼ hypnon echeuen.
English
disguised as her lover, lay with her at the mouth of the river, and a huge seething wave arched itself like a mountain over them to hide both woman and god, whereon he loosed her virgin girdle and laid her in a deep slumber.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐτέλεσσε θεὸς φιλοτήσια ἔργα,
ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·
χαῖρε, γύναι, φιλότητι· περιπλομένου δʼ ἐνιαυτοῦ
τέξεις ἀγλαὰ τέκνα, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀποφώλιοι εὐναὶ
250ἀθανάτων· σὺ δὲ τοὺς κομέειν ἀτιταλλέμεναί τε.
Transliteration
autar epei rhʼ etelesse theos philotēsia erga,
en tʼ ara hoi phy cheiri, epos tʼ ephatʼ ek tʼ onomaze·
chaire, gynai, philotēti· periplomenou dʼ eniautou
texeis aglaa tekna, epei ouk apophōlioi eunai
250athanatōn· sy de tous komeein atitallemenai te.
English
When the god had accomplished the deed of love, he took her hand in his own and said, ‘Tyro, rejoice in all good will; the embraces of the gods are not fruitless, and you will have fine twins about this time twelve months. Take great care of them.
Homeric Greek
νῦν δʼ ἔρχευ πρὸς δῶμα, καὶ ἴσχεο μηδʼ ὀνομήνῃς·
αὐτὰρ ἐγώ τοί εἰμι Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων.
ὣς εἰπὼν ὑπὸ πόντον ἐδύσετο κυμαίνοντα.
ἡ δʼ ὑποκυσαμένη Πελίην τέκε καὶ Νηλῆα,
255τὼ κρατερὼ θεράποντε Διὸς μεγάλοιο γενέσθην
Transliteration
nyn dʼ ercheu pros dōma, kai ischeo mēdʼ onomēnēis·
autar egō toi eimi Poseidaōn enosichthōn.
hōs eipōn hypo ponton edyseto kymainonta.
hē dʼ hypokysamenē Peliēn teke kai Nēlēa,
255tō kraterō theraponte Dios megaloio genesthēn
English
I am Poseidon, so now go home, but hold your tongue and do not tell any one.’ "Then he dived under the sea, and she in due course bore Pelias and Neleus, who both of them served Zeus with all their might.
Homeric Greek
ἀμφοτέρω· Πελίης μὲν ἐν εὐρυχόρῳ Ἰαωλκῷ
ναῖε πολύρρηνος, ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐν Πύλῳ ἠμαθόεντι.
τοὺς δʼ ἑτέρους Κρηθῆι τέκεν βασίλεια γυναικῶν,
Αἴσονά τʼ ἠδὲ Φέρητʼ Ἀμυθάονά θʼ ἱππιοχάρμην.
260τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἀντιόπην ἴδον, Ἀσωποῖο θύγατρα,
Transliteration
amphoterō· Peliēs men en eurychorōi Iaōlkōi
naie polyrrēnos, ho dʼ arʼ en Pylōi ēmathoenti.
tous dʼ heterous Krēthēi teken basileia gynaikōn,
Aisona tʼ ēde Pherētʼ Amythaona thʼ hippiocharmēn.
260tēn de metʼ Antiopēn idon, Asōpoio thygatra,
English
Pelias was a great breeder of sheep and lived in Iolkos, but the other lived in Pylos. The rest of her children were by Cretheus, namely, Aison, Pheres, and Amythaon, who was a mighty warrior and charioteer. "Next to her I saw Antiope, daughter to Asopos, who
Homeric Greek
ἣ δὴ καὶ Διὸς εὔχετʼ ἐν ἀγκοίνῃσιν ἰαῦσαι,
καί ῥʼ ἔτεκεν δύο παῖδʼ, Ἀμφίονά τε Ζῆθόν τε,
οἳ πρῶτοι Θήβης ἕδος ἔκτισαν ἑπταπύλοιο,
πύργωσάν τʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ἀπύργωτόν γʼ ἐδύναντο
265ναιέμεν εὐρύχορον Θήβην, κρατερώ περ ἐόντε.
Transliteration
hē dē kai Dios euchetʼ en ankoinēisin iausai,
kai rhʼ eteken dyo paidʼ, Amphiona te Zēthon te,
hoi prōtoi Thēbēs hedos ektisan heptapyloio,
pyrgōsan tʼ, epei ou men apyrgōton gʼ edynanto
265naiemen eurychoron Thēbēn, kraterō per eonte.
English
could boast of having slept in the arms of even Zeus himself, and who bore him two sons Amphion and Zethos. These founded Thebes with its seven gates, and built a wall all round it; for strong though they were they could not hold Thebes till they had walled it.
Homeric Greek
τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἀλκμήνην ἴδον, Ἀμφιτρύωνος ἄκοιτιν,
ἥ ῥʼ Ἡρακλῆα θρασυμέμνονα θυμολέοντα
γείνατʼ ἐν ἀγκοίνῃσι Διὸς μεγάλοιο μιγεῖσα·
καὶ Μεγάρην, Κρείοντος ὑπερθύμοιο θύγατρα,
270τὴν ἔχεν Ἀμφιτρύωνος υἱὸς μένος αἰὲν ἀτειρής.
Transliteration
tēn de metʼ Alkmēnēn idon, Amphitryōnos akoitin,
hē rhʼ Hēraklēa thrasymemnona thymoleonta
geinatʼ en ankoinēisi Dios megaloio migeisa·
kai Megarēn, Kreiontos hyperthymoio thygatra,
270tēn echen Amphitryōnos huios menos aien ateirēs.
English
"Then I saw Alkmene, the wife of Amphitryon, who also bore to Zeus indomitable Herakles; and Megara who was daughter to great King Kreon, and married the redoubtable son of Amphitryon.
Homeric Greek
μητέρα τʼ Οἰδιπόδαο ἴδον, καλὴν Ἐπικάστην,
ἣ μέγα ἔργον ἔρεξεν ἀιδρείῃσι νόοιο
γημαμένη ᾧ υἷι· ὁ δʼ ὃν πατέρʼ ἐξεναρίξας
γῆμεν· ἄφαρ δʼ ἀνάπυστα θεοὶ θέσαν ἀνθρώποισιν.
275ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐν Θήβῃ πολυηράτῳ ἄλγεα πάσχων
Transliteration
mētera tʼ Oidipodao idon, kalēn Epikastēn,
hē mega ergon erexen aidreiēisi nooio
gēmamenē hōi huii· ho dʼ hon paterʼ exenarixas
gēmen· aphar dʼ anapysta theoi thesan anthrōpoisin.
275allʼ ho men en Thēbēi polyēratōi algea paschōn
English
"I also saw fair Epikaste mother of king Oedipus whose awful lot it was to marry her own son without suspecting it in her noos. He married her after having killed his father, but the gods proclaimed the whole story to the world;
Homeric Greek
Καδμείων ἤνασσε θεῶν ὀλοὰς διὰ βουλάς·
ἡ δʼ ἔβη εἰς Ἀίδαο πυλάρταο κρατεροῖο,
ἁψαμένη βρόχον αἰπὺν ἀφʼ ὑψηλοῖο μελάθρου,
ᾧ ἄχεϊ σχομένη· τῷ δʼ ἄλγεα κάλλιπʼ ὀπίσσω
280πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα τε μητρὸς Ἐρινύες ἐκτελέουσιν.
Transliteration
Kadmeiōn ēnasse theōn oloas dia boulas·
hē dʼ ebē eis Aidao pylartao krateroio,
hapsamenē brochon aipyn aphʼ hypsēloio melathrou,
hōi acheï schomenē· tōi dʼ algea kallipʼ opissō
280polla malʼ, hossa te mētros Erinyes ekteleousin.
English
whereon he remained king of Thebes, in great grief for the spite the gods had borne him; but Epikaste went to the house of the mighty gatekeeper Hades, having hanged herself for grief, and the avenging spirits haunted him as for an outraged mother - to his ruing bitterly thereafter.
Homeric Greek
καὶ Χλῶριν εἶδον περικαλλέα, τήν ποτε Νηλεὺς
γῆμεν ἑὸν διὰ κάλλος, ἐπεὶ πόρε μυρία ἕδνα,
ὁπλοτάτην κούρην Ἀμφίονος Ἰασίδαο,
ὅς ποτʼ ἐν Ὀρχομενῷ Μινυείῳ ἶφι ἄνασσεν·
285ἡ δὲ Πύλου βασίλευε, τέκεν δέ οἱ ἀγλαὰ τέκνα,
Transliteration
kai Chlōrin eidon perikallea, tēn pote Nēleus
gēmen heon dia kallos, epei pore myria hedna,
hoplotatēn kourēn Amphionos Iasidao,
hos potʼ en Orchomenōi Minyeiōi iphi anassen·
285hē de Pylou basileue, teken de hoi aglaa tekna,
English
"Then I saw Chloris, whom Neleus married for her beauty, having given priceless presents for her. She was youngest daughter to Amphion son of Iasos and king of Minyan Orkhomenos, and was Queen in Pylos.
Homeric Greek
Νέστορά τε Χρόνιον τε Περικλύμενόν τʼ ἀγέρωχον.
τοῖσι δʼ ἐπʼ ἰφθίμην Πηρὼ τέκε, θαῦμα βροτοῖσι,
τὴν πάντες μνώοντο περικτίται· οὐδʼ ἄρα Νηλεὺς
τῷ ἐδίδου ὃς μὴ ἕλικας βόας εὐρυμετώπους
290ἐκ Φυλάκης ἐλάσειε βίης Ἰφικληείης
Transliteration
Nestora te Chronion te Periklymenon tʼ agerōchon.
toisi dʼ epʼ iphthimēn Pērō teke, thauma brotoisi,
tēn pantes mnōonto periktitai· oudʼ ara Nēleus
tōi edidou hos mē helikas boas eurymetōpous
290ek Phylakēs elaseie biēs Iphiklēeiēs
English
She bore Nestor, Chromios, and Periklymenos, and she also bore that marvelously lovely woman Pero, who was wooed by all the country round; but Neleus would only give her to him who should raid the cattle of Iphikles from the grazing grounds of Phylake, and this was a hard task.
Homeric Greek
ἀργαλέας· τὰς δʼ οἶος ὑπέσχετο μάντις ἀμύμων
ἐξελάαν· χαλεπὴ δὲ θεοῦ κατὰ μοῖρα πέδησε,
δεσμοί τʼ ἀργαλέοι καὶ βουκόλοι ἀγροιῶται.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μῆνές τε καὶ ἡμέραι ἐξετελεῦντο
295ἂψ περιτελλομένου ἔτεος καὶ ἐπήλυθον ὧραι,
Transliteration
argaleas· tas dʼ oios hypescheto mantis amymōn
exelaan· chalepē de theou kata moira pedēse,
desmoi tʼ argaleoi kai boukoloi agroiōtai.
allʼ hote dē mēnes te kai hēmerai exeteleunto
295aps peritellomenou eteos kai epēlython hōrai,
English
The only man who would undertake to raid them was a certain excellent seer, but the will of heaven was against him, for the rangers of the cattle caught him and put him in prison; nevertheless when a full year had passed and the same season came round again, Iphikles set him at liberty, after he had expounded all the oracles of heaven.
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότε δή μιν ἔλυσε βίη Ἰφικληείη,
θέσφατα πάντʼ εἰπόντα· Διὸς δʼ ἐτελείετο βουλή.
καὶ Λήδην εἶδον, τὴν Τυνδαρέου παράκοιτιν,
ἥ ῥʼ ὑπὸ Τυνδαρέῳ κρατερόφρονε γείνατο παῖδε,
300Κάστορά θʼ ἱππόδαμον καὶ πὺξ ἀγαθὸν Πολυδεύκεα,
Transliteration
kai tote dē min elyse biē Iphiklēeiē,
thesphata pantʼ eiponta· Dios dʼ eteleieto boulē.
kai Lēdēn eidon, tēn Tyndareou parakoitin,
hē rhʼ hypo Tyndareōi kraterophrone geinato paide,
300Kastora thʼ hippodamon kai pyx agathon Polydeukea,
English
Thus, then, was the will of Zeus accomplished. "And I saw Leda the wife of Tyndarus, who bore him two famous sons, Castor breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer.
Homeric Greek
τοὺς ἄμφω ζωοὺς κατέχει φυσίζοος αἶα·
οἳ καὶ νέρθεν γῆς τιμὴν πρὸς Ζηνὸς ἔχοντες
ἄλλοτε μὲν ζώουσʼ ἑτερήμεροι, ἄλλοτε δʼ αὖτε
τεθνᾶσιν· τιμὴν δὲ λελόγχασιν ἶσα θεοῖσι.
305τὴν δὲ μετʼ Ἰφιμέδειαν, Ἀλωῆος παράκοιτιν
Transliteration
tous amphō zōous katechei physizoos aia·
hoi kai nerthen gēs timēn pros Zēnos echontes
allote men zōousʼ heterēmeroi, allote dʼ aute
tethnasin· timēn de lelonchasin isa theoisi.
305tēn de metʼ Iphimedeian, Alōēos parakoitin
English
Both these heroes are lying under the earth, though they are still alive, for by a special dispensation of Zeus, they die and come to life again, each one of them every other day throughout all time, and they have the rank of gods. "After her I saw Iphimedeia wife of Aloeus who boasted the embrace of Poseidon.
Homeric Greek
εἴσιδον, ἣ δὴ φάσκε Ποσειδάωνι μιγῆναι,
καί ῥʼ ἔτεκεν δύο παῖδε, μινυνθαδίω δʼ ἐγενέσθην,
Ὦτόν τʼ ἀντίθεον τηλεκλειτόν τʼ Ἐφιάλτην,
οὓς δὴ μηκίστους θρέψε ζείδωρος ἄρουρα
310καὶ πολὺ καλλίστους μετά γε κλυτὸν Ὠρίωνα·
Transliteration
eisidon, hē dē phaske Poseidaōni migēnai,
kai rhʼ eteken dyo paide, minynthadiō dʼ egenesthēn,
Ōton tʼ antitheon tēlekleiton tʼ Ephialtēn,
hous dē mēkistous threpse zeidōros aroura
310kai poly kallistous meta ge klyton Ōriōna·
English
She bore two sons Otus and Ephialtes, but both were short lived. They were the finest children that were ever born in this world, and the best looking, Orion only excepted; for at nine years old they were nine fathoms high, and measured nine cubits round the chest.
Homeric Greek
ἐννέωροι γὰρ τοί γε καὶ ἐννεαπήχεες ἦσαν
εὖρος, ἀτὰρ μῆκός γε γενέσθην ἐννεόργυιοι.
οἵ ῥα καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἀπειλήτην ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ
φυλόπιδα στήσειν πολυάικος πολέμοιο.
315Ὄσσαν ἐπʼ Οὐλύμπῳ μέμασαν θέμεν, αὐτὰρ ἐπʼ Ὄσσῃ
Transliteration
enneōroi gar toi ge kai enneapēchees ēsan
euros, atar mēkos ge genesthēn enneorguioi.
hoi rha kai athanatoisin apeilētēn en Olympōi
phylopida stēsein polyaikos polemoio.
315Ossan epʼ Oulympōi memasan themen, autar epʼ Ossēi
English
They threatened to make war with the gods in Olympus, and tried to set Mount Ossa on the top of Mount Olympus, and Mount Pelion on the top of Ossa, that they might scale heaven itself, and
Homeric Greek
Πήλιον εἰνοσίφυλλον, ἵνʼ οὐρανὸς ἀμβατὸς εἴη.
καί νύ κεν ἐξετέλεσσαν, εἰ ἥβης μέτρον ἵκοντο·
ἀλλʼ ὄλεσεν Διὸς υἱός, ὃν ἠύκομος τέκε Λητώ,
ἀμφοτέρω, πρίν σφωιν ὑπὸ κροτάφοισιν ἰούλους
320ἀνθῆσαι πυκάσαι τε γένυς ἐυανθέι λάχνῃ.
Transliteration
Pēlion einosiphyllon, hinʼ ouranos ambatos eiē.
kai ny ken exetelessan, ei hēbēs metron hikonto·
allʼ olesen Dios huios, hon ēukomos teke Lētō,
amphoterō, prin sphōin hypo krotaphoisin ioulous
320anthēsai pykasai te genys euanthei lachnēi.
English
they would have done it too if they had been grown up, but Apollo, son of Leto, killed both of them, before they had got so much as a sign of hair upon their cheeks or chin.
Homeric Greek
Φαίδρην τε Πρόκριν τε ἴδον καλήν τʼ Ἀριάδνην,
κούρην Μίνωος ὀλοόφρονος, ἥν ποτε Θησεὺς
ἐκ Κρήτης ἐς γουνὸν Ἀθηνάων ἱεράων
ἦγε μέν, οὐδʼ ἀπόνητο· πάρος δέ μιν Ἄρτεμις ἔκτα
325Δίῃ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ Διονύσου μαρτυρίῃσιν.
Transliteration
Phaidrēn te Prokrin te idon kalēn tʼ Ariadnēn,
kourēn Minōos oloophronos, hēn pote Thēseus
ek Krētēs es gounon Athēnaōn hieraōn
ēge men, oudʼ aponēto· paros de min Artemis ekta
325Diēi en amphirytēi Dionysou martyriēisin.
English
"Then I saw Phaedra, and Procris, and fair Ariadne daughter of the magician Minos, whom Theseus was carrying off from Crete to Athens, but he did not enjoy her, for before he could do so Artemis killed her in the island of Dia on account of what Bacchus had said against her.
Homeric Greek
Μαῖράν τε Κλυμένην τε ἴδον στυγερήν τʼ Ἐριφύλην,
ἣ χρυσὸν φίλου ἀνδρὸς ἐδέξατο τιμήεντα.
πάσας δʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδʼ ὀνομήνω,
ὅσσας ἡρώων ἀλόχους ἴδον ἠδὲ θύγατρας·
330πρὶν γάρ κεν καὶ νὺξ φθῖτʼ ἄμβροτος. ἀλλὰ καὶ ὥρη
Transliteration
Mairan te Klymenēn te idon stygerēn tʼ Eriphylēn,
hē chryson philou andros edexato timēenta.
pasas dʼ ouk an egō mythēsomai oudʼ onomēnō,
hossas hērōōn alochous idon ēde thygatras·
330prin gar ken kai nyx phthitʼ ambrotos. alla kai hōrē
English
"I also saw Maira and Klymene and hateful Eriphyle, who sold her own husband for gold. But it would take me all night if I were to name every single one of the wives and daughters of heroes whom I saw, and it is time for me to go to bed, either on board ship with my crew, or here.
Homeric Greek
εὕδειν, ἢ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν ἐλθόντʼ ἐς ἑταίρους
ἢ αὐτοῦ· πομπὴ δὲ θεοῖς ὑμῖν τε μελήσει.
ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ,
κηληθμῷ δʼ ἔσχοντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.
335τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀρήτη λευκώλενος ἤρχετο μύθων.
Transliteration
heudein, ē epi nēa thoēn elthontʼ es hetairous
ē autou· pompē de theois hymin te melēsei.
hōs ephathʼ, hoi dʼ ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi,
kēlēthmōi dʼ eschonto kata megara skioenta.
335toisin dʼ Arētē leukōlenos ērcheto mythōn.
English
As for my escort, heaven and yourselves will see to it." Here he ended, and the guests sat all of them enthralled and speechless throughout the covered room. Then Arete said to them:
Homeric Greek
Φαίηκες, πῶς ὔμμιν ἀνὴρ ὅδε φαίνεται εἶναι
εἶδός τε μέγεθός τε ἰδὲ φρένας ἔνδον ἐίσας;
ξεῖνος δʼ αὖτʼ ἐμός ἐστιν, ἕκαστος δʼ ἔμμορε τιμῆς·
τῷ μὴ ἐπειγόμενοι ἀποπέμπετε, μηδὲ τὰ δῶρα
340οὕτω χρηίζοντι κολούετε· πολλὰ γὰρ ὑμῖν
Transliteration
Phaiēkes, pōs ymmin anēr hode phainetai einai
eidos te megethos te ide phrenas endon eisas;
xeinos dʼ autʼ emos estin, hekastos dʼ emmore timēs·
tōi mē epeigomenoi apopempete, mēde ta dōra
340houtō chrēizonti kolouete· polla gar hymin
English
"What do you think of this man, O Phaeacians? Is he not tall and good looking, and is he not clever? True, he is my own guest, but all of you share in the distinction. Do not be in a hurry to send him away, nor be withholding in the presents you make to one who is in such
Homeric Greek
κτήματʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι θεῶν ἰότητι κέονται.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως Ἐχένηος,
ὃς δὴ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν προγενέστερος ἦεν·
ὦ φίλοι, οὐ μὰν ἧμιν ἀπὸ σκοποῦ οὐδʼ ἀπὸ δόξης
345μυθεῖται βασίλεια περίφρων· ἀλλὰ πίθεσθε.
Transliteration
ktēmatʼ eni megaroisi theōn iotēti keontai.
toisi de kai meteeipe gerōn hērōs Echenēos,
hos dē Phaiēkōn andrōn progenesteros ēen·
ō philoi, ou man hēmin apo skopou oudʼ apo doxēs
345mytheitai basileia periphrōn· alla pithesthe.
English
great need, for heaven has blessed all of you with great abundance." Then spoke the aged hero Echeneus who was one of the oldest men among them, "My friends," said he, "what our august queen has just said to us is both reasonable and to the purpose, therefore be persuaded by it;
Homeric Greek
Ἀλκινόου δʼ ἐκ τοῦδʼ ἔχεται ἔργον τε ἔπος τε.
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·
τοῦτο μὲν οὕτω δὴ ἔσται ἔπος, αἴ κεν ἐγώ γε
ζωὸς Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισιν ἀνάσσω·
350ξεῖνος δὲ τλήτω μάλα περ νόστοιο χατίζων
Transliteration
Alkinoou dʼ ek toudʼ echetai ergon te epos te.
ton dʼ autʼ Alkinoos apameibeto phōnēsen te·
touto men houtō dē estai epos, ai ken egō ge
zōos Phaiēkessi philēretmoisin anassō·
350xeinos de tlētō mala per nostoio chatizōn
English
but the decision whether in word or deed rests ultimately with King Alkinoos." "The thing shall be done," exclaimed Alkinoos, "as surely as I still live and reign over the Phaeacians. Our guest is indeed very anxious to get home, still we must persuade him to remain with us until tomorrow, by which time I shall be able to get together the whole sum that I mean to give him.
Homeric Greek
ἔμπης οὖν ἐπιμεῖναι ἐς αὔριον, εἰς ὅ κε πᾶσαν
δωτίνην τελέσω· πομπὴ δʼ ἄνδρεσσι μελήσει
πᾶσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοί· τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστʼ ἐνὶ δήμῳ.
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
355Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,
Transliteration
empēs oun epimeinai es aurion, eis ho ke pasan
dōtinēn telesō· pompē dʼ andressi melēsei
pasi, malista dʼ emoi· tou gar kratos estʼ eni dēmōi.
ton dʼ apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus·
355Alkinoe kreion, pantōn arideikete laōn,
English
As regards his escort it will be a matter for you all, and mine above all others as the chief person in the dêmos." And Odysseus answered, "King Alkinoos, if you were to bid me to stay here for a whole twelve
Homeric Greek
εἴ με καὶ εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν ἀνώγοιτʼ αὐτόθι μίμνειν,
πομπὴν δʼ ὀτρύνοιτε καὶ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα διδοῖτε,
καὶ κε τὸ βουλοίμην, καί κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη,
πλειοτέρῃ σὺν χειρὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαι·
360καί κʼ αἰδοιότερος καὶ φίλτερος ἀνδράσιν εἴην
Transliteration
ei me kai eis eniauton anōgoitʼ autothi mimnein,
pompēn dʼ otrynoite kai aglaa dōra didoite,
kai ke to bouloimēn, kai ken poly kerdion eiē,
pleioterēi syn cheiri philēn es patridʼ hikesthai·
360kai kʼ aidoioteros kai philteros andrasin eiēn
English
months, and then speed me on my way, loaded with your noble gifts, I should obey you gladly and it would redound greatly to my advantage, for I should return fuller-handed to my own people, and should thus be more respected and beloved by all
Homeric Greek
πᾶσιν, ὅσοι μʼ Ἰθάκηνδε ἰδοίατο νοστήσαντα.
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·
ὦ Ὀδυσεῦ, τὸ μὲν οὔ τί σʼ ἐίσκομεν εἰσορόωντες,
ἠπεροπῆά τʼ ἔμεν καὶ ἐπίκλοπον, οἷά τε πολλοὺς
365βόσκει γαῖα μέλαινα πολυσπερέας ἀνθρώπους,
Transliteration
pasin, hosoi mʼ Ithakēnde idoiato nostēsanta.
ton dʼ autʼ Alkinoos apameibeto phōnēsen te·
ō Odyseu, to men ou ti sʼ eiskomen eisoroōntes,
ēperopēa tʼ emen kai epiklopon, hoia te pollous
365boskei gaia melaina polyspereas anthrōpous,
English
who see me when I get back to Ithaca." "Odysseus," replied Alkinoos, "not one of us who sees you has any idea that you are a charlatan or a swindler. I know there are many people going about who tell such plausible stories that it is very hard to
Homeric Greek
ψεύδεά τʼ ἀρτύνοντας ὅθεν κέ τις οὐδὲ ἴδοιτο·
σοὶ δʼ ἔπι μὲν μορφὴ ἐπέων, ἔνι δὲ φρένες ἐσθλαί.
μῦθον δʼ ὡς ὅτʼ ἀοιδὸς ἐπισταμένως κατέλεξας,
πάντων τʼ Ἀργείων σέο τʼ αὐτοῦ κήδεα λυγρά.
370ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,
Transliteration
pseudea tʼ artynontas hothen ke tis oude idoito·
soi dʼ epi men morphē epeōn, eni de phrenes esthlai.
mython dʼ hōs hotʼ aoidos epistamenōs katelexas,
pantōn tʼ Argeiōn seo tʼ autou kēdea lygra.
370allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,
English
see through them, but there is a style about your language which assures me of your good disposition. Moreover you have told the story of your own misfortunes, and those of the Argives, as though you were a practiced bard;
Homeric Greek
εἴ τινας ἀντιθέων ἑτάρων ἴδες, οἵ τοι ἅμʼ αὐτῷ
Ἴλιον εἰς ἅμʼ ἕποντο καὶ αὐτοῦ πότμον ἐπέσπον.
νὺξ δʼ ἥδε μάλα μακρή, ἀθέσφατος· οὐδέ πω ὥρη
εὕδειν ἐν μεγάρῳ, σὺ δέ μοι λέγε θέσκελα ἔργα.
375καί κεν ἐς ἠῶ δῖαν ἀνασχοίμην, ὅτε μοι σὺ
Transliteration
ei tinas antitheōn hetarōn ides, hoi toi hamʼ autōi
Ilion eis hamʼ heponto kai autou potmon epespon.
nyx dʼ hēde mala makrē, athesphatos· oude pō hōrē
heudein en megarōi, sy de moi lege theskela erga.
375kai ken es ēō dian anaschoimēn, hote moi sy
English
but tell me, and tell me true, whether you saw any of the mighty heroes who went to Troy at the same time with yourself, and perished there. The evenings are still at their longest, and it is not yet bed time - go on, therefore, with your divine story, for I could stay here listening till tomorrow morning,
Homeric Greek
τλαίης ἐν μεγάρῳ τὰ σὰ κήδεα μυθήσασθαι.
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,
ὥρη μὲν πολέων μύθων, ὥρη δὲ καὶ ὕπνου·
380εἰ δʼ ἔτʼ ἀκουέμεναί γε λιλαίεαι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε
Transliteration
tlaiēs en megarōi ta sa kēdea mythēsasthai.
ton dʼ apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus·
Alkinoe kreion, pantōn arideikete laōn,
hōrē men poleōn mythōn, hōrē de kai hypnou·
380ei dʼ etʼ akouemenai ge lilaieai, ouk an egō ge
English
so long as you will continue to tell us of your adventures." "Alkinoos," answered Odysseus, "there is a time for making speeches, and a time for going to bed;
Homeric Greek
τούτων σοι φθονέοιμι καὶ οἰκτρότερʼ ἄλλʼ ἀγορεύειν,
κήδεʼ ἐμῶν ἑτάρων, οἳ δὴ μετόπισθεν ὄλοντο,
οἳ Τρώων μὲν ὑπεξέφυγον στονόεσσαν ἀυτήν,
ἐν νόστῳ δʼ ἀπόλοντο κακῆς ἰότητι γυναικός.
385αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ψυχὰς μὲν ἀπεσκέδασʼ ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ
Transliteration
toutōn soi phthoneoimi kai oiktroterʼ allʼ agoreuein,
kēdeʼ emōn hetarōn, hoi dē metopisthen olonto,
hoi Trōōn men hypexephygon stonoessan autēn,
en nostōi dʼ apolonto kakēs iotēti gynaikos.
385autar epei psychas men apeskedasʼ allydis allēi
English
nevertheless, since you so desire, I will not refrain from telling you the still sadder tale of those of my comrades who did not fall fighting with the Trojans, but perished on their return, through the treachery of a wicked woman. "When Persephone had dismissed the female ghosts
Homeric Greek
ἁγνὴ Περσεφόνεια γυναικῶν θηλυτεράων,
ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο
ἀχνυμένη· περὶ δʼ ἄλλαι ἀγηγέραθʼ, ὅσσοι ἅμʼ αὐτῷ
οἴκῳ ἐν Αἰγίσθοιο θάνον καὶ πότμον ἐπέσπον.
390ἔγνω δʼ αἶψʼ ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πίεν αἷμα κελαινόν·
Transliteration
hagnē Persephoneia gynaikōn thēlyteraōn,
ēlthe dʼ epi psychē Agamemnonos Atreïdao
achnymenē· peri dʼ allai agēgerathʼ, hossoi hamʼ autōi
oikōi en Aigisthoio thanon kai potmon epespon.
390egnō dʼ aipsʼ emʼ ekeinos, epei pien haima kelainon·
English
in all directions, the ghost of Agamemnon son of Atreus came sadly up to me, surrounded by those who had perished with him in the house of Aigisthos.
Homeric Greek
κλαῖε δʼ ὅ γε λιγέως, θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβων,
πιτνὰς εἰς ἐμὲ χεῖρας, ὀρέξασθαι μενεαίνων·
ἀλλʼ οὐ γάρ οἱ ἔτʼ ἦν ἲς ἔμπεδος οὐδέ τι κῖκυς,
οἵη περ πάρος ἔσκεν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι.
395τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δάκρυσα ἰδὼν ἐλέησά τε θυμῷ,
Transliteration
klaie dʼ ho ge ligeōs, thaleron kata dakryon eibōn,
pitnas eis eme cheiras, orexasthai meneainōn·
allʼ ou gar hoi etʼ ēn is empedos oude ti kikys,
hoiē per paros esken eni gnamptoisi melessi.
395ton men egō dakrysa idōn eleēsa te thymōi,
English
As soon as he had tasted the blood he knew me, and weeping bitterly stretched out his arms towards me to embrace me; but he had no strength nor substance any more, and I too wept and pitied him as I beheld him.
Homeric Greek
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·
Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε, ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον,
τίς νύ σε κὴρ ἐδάμασσε τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο;
ἦε σέ γʼ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν
400ὄρσας ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀμέγαρτον ἀυτμήν;
Transliteration
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēudōn·
Atreïdē kydiste, anax andrōn Agamemnon,
tis ny se kēr edamasse tanēlegeos thanatoio;
ēe se gʼ en nēessi Poseidaōn edamassen
400orsas argaleōn anemōn amegarton autmēn;
English
‘How did you come by your death,’ said I, ‘King Agamemnon? Did Poseidon raise his winds and waves against you when you were at sea, or did your enemies make an end of you
Homeric Greek
ἦέ σʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου
βοῦς περιταμνόμενον ἠδʼ οἰῶν πώεα καλά,
ἠὲ περὶ πτόλιος μαχεούμενον ἠδὲ γυναικῶν;
ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·
405διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
Transliteration
ēe sʼ anarsioi andres edēlēsantʼ epi chersou
bous peritamnomenon ēdʼ oiōn pōea kala,
ēe peri ptolios macheoumenon ēde gynaikōn;
hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipe·
405diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchanʼ Odysseu,
English
on the mainland when you were cattle-lifting or sheep-stealing, or while they were fighting in defense of their wives and city?’ "‘Odysseus,’ he answered, ‘noble son of Laertes, I was not lost at sea in any storm of
Homeric Greek
οὔτʼ ἐμέ γʼ ἐν νήεσσι Ποσειδάων ἐδάμασσεν
ὄρσας ἀργαλέων ἀνέμων ἀμέγαρτον ἀυτμήν,
οὔτε μʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου,
ἀλλά μοι Αἴγισθος τεύξας θάνατόν τε μόρον τε
410ἔκτα σὺν οὐλομένῃ ἀλόχῳ, οἶκόνδε καλέσσας,
Transliteration
outʼ eme gʼ en nēessi Poseidaōn edamassen
orsas argaleōn anemōn amegarton autmēn,
oute mʼ anarsioi andres edēlēsantʼ epi chersou,
alla moi Aigisthos teuxas thanaton te moron te
410ekta syn oulomenēi alochōi, oikonde kalessas,
English
Poseidon's raising, nor did my foes dispatch me upon the mainland, but Aigisthos and my wicked wife were the death of me between them. He asked me to his house, feasted me, and then butchered me most miserably as though I were a
Homeric Greek
δειπνίσσας, ὥς τίς τε κατέκτανε βοῦν ἐπὶ φάτνῃ.
ὣς θάνον οἰκτίστῳ θανάτῳ· περὶ δʼ ἄλλοι ἑταῖροι
νωλεμέως κτείνοντο σύες ὣς ἀργιόδοντες,
οἵ ῥά τʼ ἐν ἀφνειοῦ ἀνδρὸς μέγα δυναμένοιο
415ἢ γάμῳ ἢ ἐράνῳ ἢ εἰλαπίνῃ τεθαλυίῃ.
Transliteration
deipnissas, hōs tis te katektane boun epi phatnēi.
hōs thanon oiktistōi thanatōi· peri dʼ alloi hetairoi
nōlemeōs kteinonto syes hōs argiodontes,
hoi rha tʼ en aphneiou andros mega dynamenoio
415ē gamōi ē eranōi ē eilapinēi tethaluiēi.
English
fat beast in a slaughter house, while all around me my comrades were slain like sheep or pigs for the wedding breakfast, or dinner-party, or gourmet feast of some great nobleman.
Homeric Greek
ἤδη μὲν πολέων φόνῳ ἀνδρῶν ἀντεβόλησας,
μουνὰξ κτεινομένων καὶ ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ·
ἀλλά κε κεῖνα μάλιστα ἰδὼν ὀλοφύραο θυμῷ,
ὡς ἀμφὶ κρητῆρα τραπέζας τε πληθούσας
420κείμεθʼ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ, δάπεδον δʼ ἅπαν αἵματι θῦεν.
Transliteration
ēdē men poleōn phonōi andrōn antebolēsas,
mounax kteinomenōn kai eni kraterēi hysminēi·
alla ke keina malista idōn olophyrao thymōi,
hōs amphi krētēra trapezas te plēthousas
420keimethʼ eni megarōi, dapedon dʼ hapan haimati thyen.
English
You must have seen numbers of men killed either in a general engagement, or in single combat, but you never saw anything so truly pitiable as the way in which we fell in that room, with the mixing-bowl and the loaded tables lying all about, and the ground reeking with our blood.
Homeric Greek
οἰκτροτάτην δʼ ἤκουσα ὄπα Πριάμοιο θυγατρός,
Κασσάνδρης, τὴν κτεῖνε Κλυταιμνήστρη δολόμητις
ἀμφʼ ἐμοί, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ ποτὶ γαίῃ χεῖρας ἀείρων
βάλλον ἀποθνήσκων περὶ φασγάνῳ· ἡ δὲ κυνῶπις
425νοσφίσατʼ, οὐδέ μοι ἔτλη ἰόντι περ εἰς Ἀίδαο
Transliteration
oiktrotatēn dʼ ēkousa opa Priamoio thygatros,
Kassandrēs, tēn kteine Klytaimnēstrē dolomētis
amphʼ emoi, autar egō poti gaiēi cheiras aeirōn
ballon apothnēskōn peri phasganōi· hē de kynōpis
425nosphisatʼ, oude moi etlē ionti per eis Aidao
English
I heard Priam's daughter Cassandra scream as Clytemnestra killed her close beside me. I lay dying upon the earth with the sword in my body, and raised my hands to kill the slut of a murderess, but she slipped away from me;
Homeric Greek
χερσὶ κατʼ ὀφθαλμοὺς ἑλέειν σύν τε στόμʼ ἐρεῖσαι.
ὣς οὐκ αἰνότερον καὶ κύντερον ἄλλο γυναικός,
ἥ τις δὴ τοιαῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶν ἔργα βάληται·
οἷον δὴ καὶ κείνη ἐμήσατο ἔργον ἀεικές,
430κουριδίῳ τεύξασα πόσει φόνον. ἦ τοι ἔφην γε
Transliteration
chersi katʼ ophthalmous heleein syn te stomʼ ereisai.
hōs ouk ainoteron kai kynteron allo gynaikos,
hē tis dē toiauta meta phresin erga balētai·
hoion dē kai keinē emēsato ergon aeikes,
430kouridiōi teuxasa posei phonon. ē toi ephēn ge
English
she would not even close my lips nor my eyes when I was dying, for there is nothing in this world so cruel and so shameless as a woman when she has fallen into such guilt as hers was. Fancy murdering her own husband!
Homeric Greek
ἀσπάσιος παίδεσσιν ἰδὲ δμώεσσιν ἐμοῖσιν
οἴκαδʼ ἐλεύσεσθαι· ἡ δʼ ἔξοχα λυγρὰ ἰδυῖα
οἷ τε κατʼ αἶσχος ἔχευε καὶ ἐσσομένῃσιν ὀπίσσω
θηλυτέρῃσι γυναιξί, καὶ ἥ κʼ ἐυεργὸς ἔῃσιν.
435ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·
Transliteration
aspasios paidessin ide dmōessin emoisin
oikadʼ eleusesthai· hē dʼ exocha lygra iduia
hoi te katʼ aischos echeue kai essomenēisin opissō
thēlyterēisi gynaixi, kai hē kʼ euergos eēisin.
435hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·
English
I thought I was going to be welcomed home by my children and my servants, but her abominable crime has brought disgrace on herself and all women who shall come after - even on the good ones.’ "And I said, ‘In truth Zeus has hated
Homeric Greek
ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ γόνον Ἀτρέος εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς
ἐκπάγλως ἤχθηρε γυναικείας διὰ βουλὰς
ἐξ ἀρχῆς· Ἑλένης μὲν ἀπωλόμεθʼ εἵνεκα πολλοί,
σοὶ δὲ Κλυταιμνήστρη δόλον ἤρτυε τηλόθʼ ἐόντι.
440ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·
Transliteration
ō popoi, ē mala dē gonon Atreos euryopa Zeus
ekpaglōs ēchthēre gynaikeias dia boulas
ex archēs· Helenēs men apōlomethʼ heineka polloi,
soi de Klytaimnēstrē dolon ērtye tēlothʼ eonti.
440hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipe·
English
the house of Atreus from first to last in the matter of their women's counsels. See how many of us fell for Helen's sake, and now it seems that Clytemnestra hatched mischief against you too during your absence.’
Homeric Greek
τῷ νῦν μή ποτε καὶ σὺ γυναικί περ ἤπιος εἶναι·
μή οἱ μῦθον ἅπαντα πιφαυσκέμεν, ὅν κʼ ἐὺ εἰδῇς,
ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν φάσθαι, τὸ δὲ καὶ κεκρυμμένον εἶναι.
ἀλλʼ οὐ σοί γʼ, Ὀδυσεῦ, φόνος ἔσσεται ἔκ γε γυναικός·
445λίην γὰρ πινυτή τε καὶ εὖ φρεσὶ μήδεα οἶδε
Transliteration
tōi nyn mē pote kai sy gynaiki per ēpios einai·
mē hoi mython hapanta piphauskemen, hon kʼ eu eidēis,
alla to men phasthai, to de kai kekrymmenon einai.
allʼ ou soi gʼ, Odyseu, phonos essetai ek ge gynaikos·
445liēn gar pinytē te kai eu phresi mēdea oide
English
"‘Be sure, therefore,’ continued Agamemnon, ‘and not be too friendly even with your own wife. Do not tell her all that you know perfectly well yourself. Tell her a part only, and keep your own counsel about the rest. Not that your wife, Odysseus, is likely to murder you, for Penelope is a very admirable woman, and has an excellent nature.
Homeric Greek
κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια.
ἦ μέν μιν νύμφην γε νέην κατελείπομεν ἡμεῖς
ἐρχόμενοι πόλεμόνδε· πάϊς δέ οἱ ἦν ἐπὶ μαζῷ
νήπιος, ὅς που νῦν γε μετʼ ἀνδρῶν ἵζει ἀριθμῷ,
450ὄλβιος· ἦ γὰρ τόν γε πατὴρ φίλος ὄψεται ἐλθών,
Transliteration
kourē Ikarioio, periphrōn Pēnelopeia.
ē men min nymphēn ge neēn kateleipomen hēmeis
erchomenoi polemonde· païs de hoi ēn epi mazōi
nēpios, hos pou nyn ge metʼ andrōn hizei arithmōi,
450olbios· ē gar ton ge patēr philos opsetai elthōn,
English
We left her a young bride with an infant at her breast when we set out for Troy. This child no doubt is now grown up happily to man's estate, and he and his father will have a joyful meeting and embrace one another as it is right
Homeric Greek
καὶ κεῖνος πατέρα προσπτύξεται, ἣ θέμις ἐστίν.
ἡ δʼ ἐμὴ οὐδέ περ υἷος ἐνιπλησθῆναι ἄκοιτις
ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἔασε· πάρος δέ με πέφνε καὶ αὐτόν.
ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν·
455κρύβδην, μηδʼ ἀναφανδά, φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν
Transliteration
kai keinos patera prosptyxetai, hē themis estin.
hē dʼ emē oude per huios eniplēsthēnai akoitis
ophthalmoisin ease· paros de me pephne kai auton.
allo de toi ereō, sy dʼ eni phresi balleo sēisin·
455krybdēn, mēdʼ anaphanda, philēn es patrida gaian
English
they should do, whereas my wicked wife did not even allow me the happiness of looking upon my son, but killed me ere I could do so. Furthermore I say - and lay my saying to your heart - do not tell people when you are bringing your ship
Homeric Greek
νῆα κατισχέμεναι· ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι πιστὰ γυναιξίν.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,
εἴ που ἔτι ζώοντος ἀκούετε παιδὸς ἐμοῖο,
ἤ που ἐν Ὀρχομενῷ ἢ ἐν Πύλῳ ἠμαθόεντι,
460ἤ που πὰρ Μενελάῳ ἐνὶ Σπάρτῃ εὐρείῃ·
Transliteration
nēa katischemenai· epei ouketi pista gynaixin.
allʼ age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,
ei pou eti zōontos akouete paidos emoio,
ē pou en Orchomenōi ē en Pylōi ēmathoenti,
460ē pou par Menelaōi eni Spartēi eureiēi·
English
to Ithaca, but steal a march upon them, for after all this there is no trusting women. But now tell me, and tell me true, can you give me any news of my son Orestes? Is he in Orkhomenos, or at Pylos, or is he at Sparta with
Homeric Greek
οὐ γάρ πω τέθνηκεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ δῖος Ὀρέστης.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·
Ἀτρεΐδη, τί με ταῦτα διείρεαι; οὐδέ τι οἶδα,
ζώει ὅ γʼ ἦ τέθνηκε· κακὸν δʼ ἀνεμώλια βάζειν.
465νῶι μὲν ὣς ἐπέεσσιν ἀμειβομένω στυγεροῖσιν
Transliteration
ou gar pō tethnēken epi chthoni dios Orestēs.
hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·
Atreïdē, ti me tauta dieireai; oude ti oida,
zōei ho gʼ ē tethnēke· kakon dʼ anemōlia bazein.
465nōi men hōs epeessin ameibomenō stygeroisin
English
Menelaos - for I presume that he is still living.’ "And I said, ‘Agamemnon, why do you ask me? I do not know whether your son is alive or dead, and it is not right to talk when one does not know.’ "As we two sat weeping and talking thus
Homeric Greek
ἕσταμεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες·
ἦλθε δʼ ἐπὶ ψυχὴ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
καὶ Πατροκλῆος καὶ ἀμύμονος Ἀντιλόχοιο
Αἴαντός θʼ, ὃς ἄριστος ἔην εἶδός τε δέμας τε
470τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετʼ ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα.
Transliteration
hestamen achnymenoi thaleron kata dakry cheontes·
ēlthe dʼ epi psychē Pēlēïadeō Achilēos
kai Patroklēos kai amymonos Antilochoio
Aiantos thʼ, hos aristos eēn eidos te demas te
470tōn allōn Danaōn metʼ amymona Pēleïōna.
English
sadly with one another the ghost of Achilles came up to us with Patroklos, Antilokhos, and Ajax who was the finest and goodliest man of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus.
Homeric Greek
ἔγνω δὲ ψυχή με ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο
καί ῥʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
σχέτλιε, τίπτʼ ἔτι μεῖζον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μήσεαι ἔργον;
475πῶς ἔτλης Ἄϊδόσδε κατελθέμεν, ἔνθα τε νεκροὶ
Transliteration
egnō de psychē me podōkeos Aiakidao
kai rhʼ olophyromenē epea pteroenta prosēuda·
diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchanʼ Odysseu,
schetlie, tiptʼ eti meizon eni phresi mēseai ergon;
475pōs etlēs Aïdosde katelthemen, entha te nekroi
English
The psukhê of the fleet descendant of Aiakos knew me and spoke piteously, saying, ‘Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, what deed of daring will you undertake next, that you venture down to the house of Hades among us silly dead, who are but
Homeric Greek
ἀφραδέες ναίουσι, βροτῶν εἴδωλα καμόντων;
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·
ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ Πηλῆος υἱέ, μέγα φέρτατʼ Ἀχαιῶν,
ἦλθον Τειρεσίαο κατὰ χρέος, εἴ τινα βουλὴν
480εἴποι, ὅπως Ἰθάκην ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἱκοίμην·
Transliteration
aphradees naiousi, brotōn eidōla kamontōn;
hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·
ō Achileu Pēlēos huie, mega phertatʼ Achaiōn,
ēlthon Teiresiao kata chreos, ei tina boulēn
480eipoi, hopōs Ithakēn es paipaloessan hikoimēn·
English
the ghosts of them that can labor no more?’ "And I said, ‘Achilles, son of Peleus, foremost champion of the Achaeans, I came to consult Teiresias, and see if he could advise me about my return home to Ithaca, for I have never yet been able to get near the Achaean land, nor to set foot in my own country, but have been in trouble all the time.
Homeric Greek
οὐ γάρ πω σχεδὸν ἦλθον Ἀχαιΐδος, οὐδέ πω ἁμῆς
γῆς ἐπέβην, ἀλλʼ αἰὲν ἔχω κακά. σεῖο δʼ, Ἀχιλλεῦ,
οὔ τις ἀνὴρ προπάροιθε μακάρτατος οὔτʼ ἄρʼ ὀπίσσω.
πρὶν μὲν γάρ σε ζωὸν ἐτίομεν ἶσα θεοῖσιν
485Ἀργεῖοι, νῦν αὖτε μέγα κρατέεις νεκύεσσιν
Transliteration
ou gar pō schedon ēlthon Achaiïdos, oude pō hamēs
gēs epebēn, allʼ aien echō kaka. seio dʼ, Achilleu,
ou tis anēr proparoithe makartatos outʼ arʼ opissō.
prin men gar se zōon etiomen isa theoisin
485Argeioi, nyn aute mega krateeis nekyessin
English
As for you, Achilles, no one was ever yet so fortunate as you have been, nor ever will be, for you were adored by all us Argives as long as you were alive, and now that you are here you are a great prince among the dead.
Homeric Greek
ἐνθάδʼ ἐών· τῷ μή τι θανὼν ἀκαχίζευ, Ἀχιλλεῦ.
ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·
μὴ δή μοι θάνατόν γε παραύδα, φαίδιμʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ.
βουλοίμην κʼ ἐπάρουρος ἐὼν θητευέμεν ἄλλῳ,
490ἀνδρὶ παρʼ ἀκλήρῳ, ᾧ μὴ βίοτος πολὺς εἴη,
Transliteration
enthadʼ eōn· tōi mē ti thanōn akachizeu, Achilleu.
hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ autikʼ ameibomenos proseeipe·
mē dē moi thanaton ge parauda, phaidimʼ Odysseu.
bouloimēn kʼ eparouros eōn thēteuemen allōi,
490andri parʼ aklērōi, hōi mē biotos polys eiē,
English
Do not, therefore, take it so much to heart even if you are dead.’ "‘Say not a word,’ he answered, ‘in death's favor; I would rather be a paid servant in a poor man's house and be above ground than king of kings among the dead. But give me news about son;
Homeric Greek
ἢ πᾶσιν νεκύεσσι καταφθιμένοισιν ἀνάσσειν.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τοῦ παιδὸς ἀγαυοῦ μῦθον ἐνίσπες,
ἢ ἕπετʼ ἐς πόλεμον πρόμος ἔμμεναι, ἦε καὶ οὐκί.
εἰπὲ δέ μοι Πηλῆος ἀμύμονος, εἴ τι πέπυσσαι,
495ἢ ἔτʼ ἔχει τιμὴν πολέσιν μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσιν,
Transliteration
ē pasin nekyessi kataphthimenoisin anassein.
allʼ age moi tou paidos agauou mython enispes,
ē hepetʼ es polemon promos emmenai, ēe kai ouki.
eipe de moi Pēlēos amymonos, ei ti pepyssai,
495ē etʼ echei timēn polesin meta Myrmidonessin,
English
is he gone to the wars and will he be a great warrior, or is this not so? Tell me also if you have heard anything about my father Peleus - does he still rule among the Myrmidons, or do they show him no respect throughout Hellas and Phthia now that he is old and his limbs fail him?
Homeric Greek
ἦ μιν ἀτιμάζουσιν ἀνʼ Ἑλλάδα τε Φθίην τε,
οὕνεκά μιν κατὰ γῆρας ἔχει χεῖράς τε πόδας τε.
οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπαρωγὸς ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο,
τοῖος ἐών, οἷός ποτʼ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃ
500πέφνον λαὸν ἄριστον, ἀμύνων Ἀργείοισιν·
Transliteration
ē min atimazousin anʼ Hellada te Phthiēn te,
houneka min kata gēras echei cheiras te podas te.
ou gar egōn eparōgos hypʼ augas ēelioio,
toios eōn, hoios potʼ eni Troiēi eureiēi
500pephnon laon ariston, amynōn Argeioisin·
English
Could I but stand by his side, in the light of day, with the same strength that I had when I killed the bravest of our foes upon the plain of Troy - could I but be as I then was and go even
Homeric Greek
εἰ τοιόσδʼ ἔλθοιμι μίνυνθά περ ἐς πατέρος δῶ·
τῷ κέ τεῳ στύξαιμι μένος καὶ χεῖρας ἀάπτους,
οἳ κεῖνον βιόωνται ἐέργουσίν τʼ ἀπὸ τιμῆς.
ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·
505ἦ τοι μὲν Πηλῆος ἀμύμονος οὔ τι πέπυσμαι,
Transliteration
ei toiosdʼ elthoimi minyntha per es pateros dō·
tōi ke teōi styxaimi menos kai cheiras aaptous,
hoi keinon bioōntai eergousin tʼ apo timēs.
hōs ephatʼ, autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon·
505ē toi men Pēlēos amymonos ou ti pepysmai,
English
for a short time to my father's house, any one who tried to do him violence or supersede him would soon feel my strength and invincible hands.’ "‘I have heard nothing,’ I answered, ‘of Peleus, but I can tell you the truth about your son Neoptolemos,
Homeric Greek
αὐτάρ τοι παιδός γε Νεοπτολέμοιο φίλοιο
πᾶσαν ἀληθείην μυθήσομαι, ὥς με κελεύεις·
αὐτὸς γάρ μιν ἐγὼ κοίλης ἐπὶ νηὸς ἐίσης
ἤγαγον ἐκ Σκύρου μετʼ ἐυκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.
510ἦ τοι ὅτʼ ἀμφὶ πόλιν Τροίην φραζοίμεθα βουλάς,
Transliteration
autar toi paidos ge Neoptolemoio philoio
pasan alētheiēn mythēsomai, hōs me keleueis·
autos gar min egō koilēs epi nēos eisēs
ēgagon ek Skyrou metʼ euknēmidas Achaious.
510ē toi hotʼ amphi polin Troiēn phrazoimetha boulas,
English
for I took him in my own ship from Skyros with the Achaeans. In our councils of war before Troy he was always first to speak, and his judgment was unerring. Nestor and I were the only two who could surpass him;
Homeric Greek
αἰεὶ πρῶτος ἔβαζε καὶ οὐχ ἡμάρτανε μύθων·
Νέστωρ ἀντίθεος καὶ ἐγὼ νικάσκομεν οἴω.
αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ ἐν πεδίῳ Τρώων μαρναίμεθα χαλκῷ,
οὔ ποτʼ ἐνὶ πληθυῖ μένεν ἀνδρῶν οὐδʼ ἐν ὁμίλῳ,
515ἀλλὰ πολὺ προθέεσκε τὸ ὃν μένος οὐδενὶ εἴκων,
Transliteration
aiei prōtos ebaze kai ouch hēmartane mythōn·
Nestōr antitheos kai egō nikaskomen oiō.
autar hotʼ en pediōi Trōōn marnaimetha chalkōi,
ou potʼ eni plēthui menen andrōn oudʼ en homilōi,
515alla poly protheeske to hon menos oudeni eikōn,
English
and when it came to fighting on the plain of Troy, he would never remain with the body of his men, but would dash on far in front, foremost of them all in valor. Many a man did he kill in battle - I cannot name every
Homeric Greek
πολλοὺς δʼ ἄνδρας ἔπεφνεν ἐν αἰνῇ δηιοτῆτι.
πάντας δʼ οὐκ ἂν ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδʼ ὀνομήνω,
ὅσσον λαὸν ἔπεφνεν ἀμύνων Ἀργείοισιν,
ἀλλʼ οἷον τὸν Τηλεφίδην κατενήρατο χαλκῷ,
520ἥρωʼ Εὐρύπυλον, πολλοὶ δʼ ἀμφʼ αὐτὸν ἑταῖροι
Transliteration
pollous dʼ andras epephnen en ainēi dēiotēti.
pantas dʼ ouk an egō mythēsomai oudʼ onomēnō,
hosson laon epephnen amynōn Argeioisin,
allʼ hoion ton Tēlephidēn katenērato chalkōi,
520hērōʼ Eurypylon, polloi dʼ amphʼ auton hetairoi
English
single one of those whom he slew while fighting on the side of the Argives, but will only say how he killed that valiant hero Eurypylos son of Telephus, who was the handsomest man I ever saw except Memnon; many others also of the Ceteians fell around him by reason of a woman's bribes.
Homeric Greek
Κήτειοι κτείνοντο γυναίων εἵνεκα δώρων.
κεῖνον δὴ κάλλιστον ἴδον μετὰ Μέμνονα δῖον.
αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ εἰς ἵππον κατεβαίνομεν, ὃν κάμʼ Ἐπειός,
Ἀργείων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἐμοὶ δʼ ἐπὶ πάντα τέταλτο,
525ἠμὲν ἀνακλῖναι πυκινὸν λόχον ἠδʼ ἐπιθεῖναι,
Transliteration
Kēteioi kteinonto gynaiōn heineka dōrōn.
keinon dē kalliston idon meta Memnona dion.
autar hotʼ eis hippon katebainomen, hon kamʼ Epeios,
Argeiōn hoi aristoi, emoi dʼ epi panta tetalto,
525ēmen anaklinai pykinon lochon ēdʼ epitheinai,
English
Moreover, when all the bravest of the Argives went inside the horse that Epeios had made, and it was left to me to settle when we should either open the door of our ambuscade, or close it, though all the other leaders and chief men
Homeric Greek
ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι Δαναῶν ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες
δάκρυά τʼ ὠμόργνυντο τρέμον θʼ ὑπὸ γυῖα ἑκάστου·
κεῖνον δʼ οὔ ποτε πάμπαν ἐγὼν ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν
οὔτʼ ὠχρήσαντα χρόα κάλλιμον οὔτε παρειῶν
530δάκρυ ὀμορξάμενον· ὁ δέ γε μάλα πόλλʼ ἱκέτευεν
Transliteration
enthʼ alloi Danaōn hēgētores ēde medontes
dakrya tʼ ōmorgnynto tremon thʼ hypo guia hekastou·
keinon dʼ ou pote pampan egōn idon ophthalmoisin
outʼ ōchrēsanta chroa kallimon oute pareiōn
530dakry omorxamenon· ho de ge mala pollʼ hiketeuen
English
among the Danaans were drying their eyes and quaking in every limb, I never once saw him turn pale nor wipe a tear from his cheek; he was all the time urging me to break out from the horse - grasping the handle of his sword and his bronze-shod spear, and breathing fury against the foe.
Homeric Greek
ἱππόθεν ἐξέμεναι, ξίφεος δʼ ἐπεμαίετο κώπην
καὶ δόρυ χαλκοβαρές, κακὰ δὲ Τρώεσσι μενοίνα.
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ Πριάμοιο πόλιν διεπέρσαμεν αἰπήν,
μοῖραν καὶ γέρας ἐσθλὸν ἔχων ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβαινεν
535ἀσκηθής, οὔτʼ ἂρ βεβλημένος ὀξέι χαλκῷ
Transliteration
hippothen exemenai, xipheos dʼ epemaieto kōpēn
kai dory chalkobares, kaka de Trōessi menoina.
allʼ hote dē Priamoio polin diepersamen aipēn,
moiran kai geras esthlon echōn epi nēos ebainen
535askēthēs, outʼ ar beblēmenos oxei chalkōi
English
Yet when we had sacked the city of Priam he got his handsome share of the prize wealth and went on board (such is the fortune of war) without a wound upon him, neither from a thrown spear
Homeric Greek
οὔτʼ αὐτοσχεδίην οὐτασμένος, οἷά τε πολλὰ
γίγνεται ἐν πολέμῳ· ἐπιμὶξ δέ τε μαίνεται Ἄρης.
ὣς ἐφάμην, ψυχὴ δὲ ποδώκεος Αἰακίδαο
φοίτα μακρὰ βιβᾶσα κατʼ ἀσφοδελὸν λειμῶνα,
540γηθοσύνη ὅ οἱ υἱὸν ἔφην ἀριδείκετον εἶναι.
Transliteration
outʼ autoschediēn outasmenos, hoia te polla
gignetai en polemōi· epimix de te mainetai Arēs.
hōs ephamēn, psychē de podōkeos Aiakidao
phoita makra bibasa katʼ asphodelon leimōna,
540gēthosynē ho hoi huion ephēn arideiketon einai.
English
nor in close combat, for the rage of Ares is a matter of great chance.’ "When I had told him this, the ghost of Achilles strode off across a meadow full of asphodel, exulting over what I had said concerning the prowess of his son.
Homeric Greek
αἱ δʼ ἄλλαι ψυχαὶ νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων
ἕστασαν ἀχνύμεναι, εἴροντο δὲ κήδεʼ ἑκάστη.
οἴη δʼ Αἴαντος ψυχὴ Τελαμωνιάδαο
νόσφιν ἀφεστήκει, κεχολωμένη εἵνεκα νίκης,
545τήν μιν ἐγὼ νίκησα δικαζόμενος παρὰ νηυσὶ
Transliteration
hai dʼ allai psychai nekyōn katatethnēōtōn
hestasan achnymenai, eironto de kēdeʼ hekastē.
oiē dʼ Aiantos psychē Telamōniadao
nosphin aphestēkei, kecholōmenē heineka nikēs,
545tēn min egō nikēsa dikazomenos para nēusi
English
"The ghosts of other dead men stood near me and told me each his own melancholy tale; but the psukhê of Ajax son of Telamon alone held aloof - still angry with me for having won the cause in our dispute about the armor of Achilles.
Homeric Greek
τεύχεσιν ἀμφʼ Ἀχιλῆος· ἔθηκε δὲ πότνια μήτηρ.
παῖδες δὲ Τρώων δίκασαν καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.
ὡς δὴ μὴ ὄφελον νικᾶν τοιῷδʼ ἐπʼ ἀέθλῳ·
τοίην γὰρ κεφαλὴν ἕνεκʼ αὐτῶν γαῖα κατέσχεν,
550Αἴανθʼ, ὃς πέρι μὲν εἶδος, πέρι δʼ ἔργα τέτυκτο
Transliteration
teuchesin amphʼ Achilēos· ethēke de potnia mētēr.
paides de Trōōn dikasan kai Pallas Athēnē.
hōs dē mē ophelon nikan toiōidʼ epʼ aethlōi·
toiēn gar kephalēn henekʼ autōn gaia kateschen,
550Aianthʼ, hos peri men eidos, peri dʼ erga tetykto
English
Thetis had offered it as a prize, but the Trojan prisoners and Athena were the judges. Would that I had never gained the day in such a contest, for it cost the life of Ajax, who was foremost of all the Danaans after
Homeric Greek
τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετʼ ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα.
τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἐπέεσσι προσηύδων μειλιχίοισιν·
Αἶαν, παῖ Τελαμῶνος ἀμύμονος, οὐκ ἄρʼ ἔμελλες
οὐδὲ θανὼν λήσεσθαι ἐμοὶ χόλου εἵνεκα τευχέων
555οὐλομένων; τὰ δὲ πῆμα θεοὶ θέσαν Ἀργείοισι,
Transliteration
tōn allōn Danaōn metʼ amymona Pēleïōna.
ton men egōn epeessi prosēudōn meilichioisin·
Aian, pai Telamōnos amymonos, ouk arʼ emelles
oude thanōn lēsesthai emoi cholou heineka teucheōn
555oulomenōn; ta de pēma theoi thesan Argeioisi,
English
the son of Peleus, alike in stature and prowess. "When I saw him I tried to pacify him and said, ‘Ajax, will you not forget and forgive even in death, but must the judgment about that hateful armor still rankle with you?
Homeric Greek
τοῖος γάρ σφιν πύργος ἀπώλεο· σεῖο δʼ Ἀχαιοὶ
ἶσον Ἀχιλλῆος κεφαλῇ Πηληϊάδαο
ἀχνύμεθα φθιμένοιο διαμπερές· οὐδέ τις ἄλλος
αἴτιος, ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς Δαναῶν στρατὸν αἰχμητάων
560ἐκπάγλως ἤχθηρε, τεῒν δʼ ἐπὶ μοῖραν ἔθηκεν.
Transliteration
toios gar sphin pyrgos apōleo· seio dʼ Achaioi
ison Achillēos kephalēi Pēlēïadao
achnymetha phthimenoio diamperes· oude tis allos
aitios, alla Zeus Danaōn straton aichmētaōn
560ekpaglōs ēchthēre, teïn dʼ epi moiran ethēken.
English
It cost us Argives dear enough to lose such a tower of strength as you were to us. We mourned you as much as we mourned Achilles son of Peleus himself, nor can the blame be laid on anything but on the spite which Zeus bore against the Danaans, for it was this that
Homeric Greek
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δεῦρο, ἄναξ, ἵνʼ ἔπος καὶ μῦθον ἀκούσῃς
ἡμέτερον· δάμασον δὲ μένος καὶ ἀγήνορα θυμόν.
ὣς ἐφάμην, ὁ δέ μʼ οὐδὲν ἀμείβετο, βῆ δὲ μετʼ ἄλλας
ψυχὰς εἰς Ἔρεβος νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.
565ἔνθα χʼ ὅμως προσέφη κεχολωμένος, ἤ κεν ἐγὼ τόν·
Transliteration
allʼ age deuro, anax, hinʼ epos kai mython akousēis
hēmeteron· damason de menos kai agēnora thymon.
hōs ephamēn, ho de mʼ ouden ameibeto, bē de metʼ allas
psychas eis Erebos nekyōn katatethnēōtōn.
565entha chʼ homōs prosephē kecholōmenos, ē ken egō ton·
English
made him counsel your destruction - come here, therefore, bring your proud spirit into subjection, and hear what I can tell you.’ "He would not answer, but turned away to Erebus and to the other ghosts ; nevertheless, I should have made him talk to me in spite of his being so angry, or
Homeric Greek
ἀλλά μοι ἤθελε θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι
τῶν ἄλλων ψυχὰς ἰδέειν κατατεθνηώτων.
ἔνθʼ ἦ τοι Μίνωα ἴδον, Διὸς ἀγλαὸν υἱόν,
χρύσεον σκῆπτρον ἔχοντα, θεμιστεύοντα νέκυσσιν,
570ἥμενον, οἱ δέ μιν ἀμφὶ δίκας εἴροντο ἄνακτα,
Transliteration
alla moi ēthele thymos eni stēthessi philoisi
tōn allōn psychas ideein katatethnēōtōn.
enthʼ ē toi Minōa idon, Dios aglaon huion,
chryseon skēptron echonta, themisteuonta nekyssin,
570hēmenon, hoi de min amphi dikas eironto anakta,
English
I should have gone talking to him, only that there were still others among the dead whom I desired to see. "Then I saw Minos son of Zeus with his golden scepter in his hand sitting in judgment on the dead, and the ghosts were gathered sitting and standing round him in the
Homeric Greek
ἥμενοι ἑσταότες τε κατʼ εὐρυπυλὲς Ἄϊδος δῶ.
τὸν δὲ μετʼ Ὠρίωνα πελώριον εἰσενόησα
θῆρας ὁμοῦ εἰλεῦντα κατʼ ἀσφοδελὸν λειμῶνα,
τοὺς αὐτὸς κατέπεφνεν ἐν οἰοπόλοισιν ὄρεσσι
575χερσὶν ἔχων ῥόπαλον παγχάλκεον, αἰὲν ἀαγές.
Transliteration
hēmenoi hestaotes te katʼ eurypyles Aïdos dō.
ton de metʼ Ōriōna pelōrion eisenoēsa
thēras homou eileunta katʼ asphodelon leimōna,
tous autos katepephnen en oiopoloisin oressi
575chersin echōn rhopalon panchalkeon, aien aages.
English
spacious house of Hades, to learn his sentences upon them. "After him I saw huge Orion in a meadow full of asphodel driving the ghosts of the wild beasts that he had killed upon the mountains, and he had a great bronze club in his hand, unbreakable for ever and ever.
Homeric Greek
καὶ Τιτυὸν εἶδον, Γαίης ἐρικυδέος υἱόν,
κείμενον ἐν δαπέδῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐπʼ ἐννέα κεῖτο πέλεθρα,
γῦπε δέ μιν ἑκάτερθε παρημένω ἧπαρ ἔκειρον,
δέρτρον ἔσω δύνοντες, ὁ δʼ οὐκ ἀπαμύνετο χερσί·
580Λητὼ γὰρ ἕλκησε, Διὸς κυδρὴν παράκοιτιν,
Transliteration
kai Tityon eidon, Gaiēs erikydeos huion,
keimenon en dapedōi· ho dʼ epʼ ennea keito pelethra,
gype de min hekaterthe parēmenō hēpar ekeiron,
dertron esō dynontes, ho dʼ ouk apamyneto chersi·
580Lētō gar helkēse, Dios kydrēn parakoitin,
English
"And I saw Tityus son of Gaia stretched upon the plain and covering some nine acres of ground. Two vultures on either side of him were digging their beaks into his liver, and he kept on trying to beat them off with his hands, but could not;
Homeric Greek
Πυθώδʼ ἐρχομένην διὰ καλλιχόρου Πανοπῆος.
καὶ μὴν Τάνταλον εἰσεῖδον κρατέρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔχοντα
ἑστεῶτʼ ἐν λίμνῃ· ἡ δὲ προσέπλαζε γενείῳ·
στεῦτο δὲ διψάων, πιέειν δʼ οὐκ εἶχεν ἑλέσθαι·
585ὁσσάκι γὰρ κύψειʼ ὁ γέρων πιέειν μενεαίνων,
Transliteration
Pythōdʼ erchomenēn dia kallichorou Panopēos.
kai mēn Tantalon eiseidon kraterʼ algeʼ echonta
hesteōtʼ en limnēi· hē de proseplaze geneiōi·
steuto de dipsaōn, pieein dʼ ouk eichen helesthai·
585hossaki gar kypseiʼ ho gerōn pieein meneainōn,
English
for he had violated Zeus’ mistress Leto as she was going through Panopeus on her way to Pytho. "I saw also the dreadful fate of Tantalus, who stood in a lake that reached his chin; he was dying to quench his thirst, but could never reach the water, for whenever the poor creature stooped
Homeric Greek
τοσσάχʼ ὕδωρ ἀπολέσκετʼ ἀναβροχέν, ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὶ
γαῖα μέλαινα φάνεσκε, καταζήνασκε δὲ δαίμων.
δένδρεα δʼ ὑψιπέτηλα κατὰ κρῆθεν χέε καρπόν,
ὄγχναι καὶ ῥοιαὶ καὶ μηλέαι ἀγλαόκαρποι
590συκέαι τε γλυκεραὶ καὶ ἐλαῖαι τηλεθόωσαι·
Transliteration
tossachʼ hydōr apolesketʼ anabrochen, amphi de possi
gaia melaina phaneske, katazēnaske de daimōn.
dendrea dʼ hypsipetēla kata krēthen chee karpon,
onchnai kai rhoiai kai mēleai aglaokarpoi
590sykeai te glykerai kai elaiai tēlethoōsai·
English
to drink, it dried up and vanished, so that there was nothing but dry ground - parched by a daimôn. There were tall trees, moreover, that shed their fruit over his head - pears, pomegranates, apples, sweet figs and juicy olives, but whenever the poor
Homeric Greek
τῶν ὁπότʼ ἰθύσειʼ ὁ γέρων ἐπὶ χερσὶ μάσασθαι,
τὰς δʼ ἄνεμος ῥίπτασκε ποτὶ νέφεα σκιόεντα.
καὶ μὴν Σίσυφον εἰσεῖδον κρατέρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔχοντα
λᾶαν βαστάζοντα πελώριον ἀμφοτέρῃσιν.
595ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν σκηριπτόμενος χερσίν τε ποσίν τε
Transliteration
tōn hopotʼ ithyseiʼ ho gerōn epi chersi masasthai,
tas dʼ anemos rhiptaske poti nephea skioenta.
kai mēn Sisyphon eiseidon kraterʼ algeʼ echonta
laan bastazonta pelōrion amphoterēisin.
595ē toi ho men skēriptomenos chersin te posin te
English
creature stretched out his hand to take some, the wind tossed the branches back again to the clouds. "And I saw Sisyphus at his endless task raising his prodigious stone with both his hands. With hands and feet he tried to roll it up to the top of the hill, but always,
Homeric Greek
λᾶαν ἄνω ὤθεσκε ποτὶ λόφον· ἀλλʼ ὅτε μέλλοι
ἄκρον ὑπερβαλέειν, τότʼ ἀποστρέψασκε κραταιίς·
αὖτις ἔπειτα πέδονδε κυλίνδετο λᾶας ἀναιδής.
αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἂψ ὤσασκε τιταινόμενος, κατὰ δʼ ἱδρὼς
600ἔρρεεν ἐκ μελέων, κονίη δʼ ἐκ κρατὸς ὀρώρει.
Transliteration
laan anō ōtheske poti lophon· allʼ hote melloi
akron hyperbaleein, totʼ apostrepsaske krataiis·
autis epeita pedonde kylindeto laas anaidēs.
autar ho gʼ aps ōsaske titainomenos, kata dʼ hidrōs
600erreen ek meleōn, koniē dʼ ek kratos orōrei.
English
just before he could roll it over on to the other side, its weight would be too much for him, and the pitiless stone would come thundering down again on to the plain. Then he would begin trying to push it up hill again, and the sweat ran off him and the steam rose after him.
Homeric Greek
τὸν δὲ μετʼ εἰσενόησα βίην Ἡρακληείην,
εἴδωλον· αὐτὸς δὲ μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι
τέρπεται ἐν θαλίῃς καὶ ἔχει καλλίσφυρον Ἥβην,
παῖδα Διὸς μεγάλοιο καὶ Ἥρης χρυσοπεδίλου.
605ἀμφὶ δέ μιν κλαγγὴ νεκύων ἦν οἰωνῶν ὥς,
Transliteration
ton de metʼ eisenoēsa biēn Hēraklēeiēn,
eidōlon· autos de metʼ athanatoisi theoisi
terpetai en thaliēis kai echei kallisphyron Hēbēn,
paida Dios megaloio kai Hērēs chrysopedilou.
605amphi de min klangē nekyōn ēn oiōnōn hōs,
English
"After him I saw mighty Herakles, but it was his phantom only, for he is feasting ever with the immortal gods, and has lovely Hebe to wife, who is daughter of Zeus and Hera. The ghosts were screaming round him like scared birds flying in all directions.
Homeric Greek
πάντοσʼ ἀτυζομένων· ὁ δʼ ἐρεμνῇ νυκτὶ ἐοικώς,
γυμνὸν τόξον ἔχων καὶ ἐπὶ νευρῆφιν ὀιστόν,
δεινὸν παπταίνων, αἰεὶ βαλέοντι ἐοικώς.
σμερδαλέος δέ οἱ ἀμφὶ περὶ στήθεσσιν ἀορτὴρ
610χρύσεος ἦν τελαμών, ἵνα θέσκελα ἔργα τέτυκτο,
Transliteration
pantosʼ atyzomenōn· ho dʼ eremnēi nykti eoikōs,
gymnon toxon echōn kai epi neurēphin oiston,
deinon paptainōn, aiei baleonti eoikōs.
smerdaleos de hoi amphi peri stēthessin aortēr
610chryseos ēn telamōn, hina theskela erga tetykto,
English
He looked black as night with his bare bow in his hands and his arrow on the string, glaring around as though ever on the point of taking aim. About his breast there was a wondrous golden belt adorned in the most marvelous fashion with bears, wild boars, and lions with gleaming eyes;
Homeric Greek
ἄρκτοι τʼ ἀγρότεροί τε σύες χαροποί τε λέοντες,
ὑσμῖναί τε μάχαι τε φόνοι τʼ ἀνδροκτασίαι τε.
μὴ τεχνησάμενος μηδʼ ἄλλο τι τεχνήσαιτο,
ὃς κεῖνον τελαμῶνα ἑῇ ἐγκάτθετο τέχνῃ.
615ἔγνω δʼ αὖτʼ ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνος, ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,
Transliteration
arktoi tʼ agroteroi te syes charopoi te leontes,
hysminai te machai te phonoi tʼ androktasiai te.
mē technēsamenos mēdʼ allo ti technēsaito,
hos keinon telamōna heēi enkattheto technēi.
615egnō dʼ autʼ emʼ ekeinos, epei iden ophthalmoisin,
English
there was also war, battle, and death. The man who made that belt, do what he might, would never be able to make another like it. Herakles knew me at once when he saw me, and spoke piteously, saying, ‘My poor Odysseus, noble son of
Homeric Greek
καί μʼ ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,
ἆ δείλʼ, ἦ τινὰ καὶ σὺ κακὸν μόρον ἡγηλάζεις,
ὅν περ ἐγὼν ὀχέεσκον ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο.
620Ζηνὸς μὲν πάϊς ἦα Κρονίονος, αὐτὰρ ὀιζὺν
Transliteration
kai mʼ olophyromenos epea pteroenta prosēuda·
diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchanʼ Odysseu,
a deilʼ, ē tina kai sy kakon moron hēgēlazeis,
hon per egōn ocheeskon hypʼ augas ēelioio.
620Zēnos men païs ēa Kronionos, autar oizyn
English
Laertes, are you too leading the same sorry kind of life that I did when I was above ground? I was son of Zeus, but I went through an infinity of suffering, for I became bondsman to one who was far beneath me - a lowly man who set me all manner of labors.
Homeric Greek
εἶχον ἀπειρεσίην· μάλα γὰρ πολὺ χείρονι φωτὶ
δεδμήμην, ὁ δέ μοι χαλεποὺς ἐπετέλλετʼ ἀέθλους.
καί ποτέ μʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἔπεμψε κύνʼ ἄξοντʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ ἄλλον
φράζετο τοῦδέ γέ μοι κρατερώτερον εἶναι ἄεθλον·
625τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἀνένεικα καὶ ἤγαγον ἐξ Ἀίδαο·
Transliteration
eichon apeiresiēn· mala gar poly cheironi phōti
dedmēmēn, ho de moi chalepous epetelletʼ aethlous.
kai pote mʼ enthadʼ epempse kynʼ axontʼ· ou gar etʼ allon
phrazeto toude ge moi kraterōteron einai aethlon·
625ton men egōn aneneika kai ēgagon ex Aidao·
English
He once sent me here to fetch the hell-hound - for he did not think he could find any athlos harder for me than this, but I got the hound out of Hades and brought him to
Homeric Greek
Ἑρμείας δέ μʼ ἔπεμψεν ἰδὲ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.
ὣς εἰπὼν ὁ μὲν αὖτις ἔβη δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω,
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτοῦ μένον ἔμπεδον, εἴ τις ἔτʼ ἔλθοι
ἀνδρῶν ἡρώων, οἳ δὴ τὸ πρόσθεν ὄλοντο.
630καί νύ κʼ ἔτι προτέρους ἴδον ἀνέρας, οὓς ἔθελόν περ,
Transliteration
Hermeias de mʼ epempsen ide glaukōpis Athēnē.
hōs eipōn ho men autis ebē domon Aïdos eisō,
autar egōn autou menon empedon, ei tis etʼ elthoi
andrōn hērōōn, hoi dē to prosthen olonto.
630kai ny kʼ eti proterous idon aneras, hous ethelon per,
English
him, for Hermes and Athena helped me.’ "On this Herakles went down again into the house of Hades, but I stayed where I was in case some other of the mighty dead should come to me. And I should have seen still other of them that are gone before,
Homeric Greek
Θησέα Πειρίθοόν τε, θεῶν ἐρικυδέα τέκνα·
ἀλλὰ πρὶν ἐπὶ ἔθνεʼ ἀγείρετο μυρία νεκρῶν
ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ· ἐμὲ δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει,
μή μοι Γοργείην κεφαλὴν δεινοῖο πελώρου
635ἐξ Ἀίδεω πέμψειεν ἀγαυὴ Περσεφόνεια.
Transliteration
Thēsea Peirithoon te, theōn erikydea tekna·
alla prin epi ethneʼ ageireto myria nekrōn
ēchēi thespesiēi· eme de chlōron deos hēirei,
mē moi Gorgeiēn kephalēn deinoio pelōrou
635ex Aideō pempseien agauē Persephoneia.
English
whom I would fain have seen - Theseus and Peirithoos glorious children of the gods, but so many thousands of ghosts came round me and uttered such appalling cries, that I was panic stricken lest Persephone should send up from the house of Hades the head of that awful monster Gorgon.
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν ἐκέλευον ἑταίρους
αὐτούς τʼ ἀμβαίνειν ἀνά τε πρυμνήσια λῦσαι.
οἱ δʼ αἶψʼ εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῖσι καθῖζον.
τὴν δὲ κατʼ Ὠκεανὸν ποταμὸν φέρε κῦμα ῥόοιο,
640πρῶτα μὲν εἰρεσίῃ, μετέπειτα δὲ κάλλιμος οὖρος.
Transliteration
autikʼ epeitʼ epi nēa kiōn ekeleuon hetairous
autous tʼ ambainein ana te prymnēsia lysai.
hoi dʼ aipsʼ eisbainon kai epi klēisi kathizon.
tēn de katʼ Ōkeanon potamon phere kyma rhooio,
640prōta men eiresiēi, metepeita de kallimos ouros.
English
On this I hastened back to my ship and ordered my men to go on board at once and loose the hawsers; so they embarked and took their places, whereon the ship went down the stream of the river Okeanos. We had to row at first, but presently a fair wind sprang up.