Homeric Greek
1"αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ ποταμοῖο λίπεν ῥόον Ὠκεανοῖο
νηῦς, ἀπὸ δ' ἵκετο κῦμα θαλάσσης εὐρυπόροιο
νῆσόν τ' Αἰαίην, ὅθι τ' Ἠοῦς ἠριγενείης
οἰκία καὶ χοροί εἰσι καὶ ἀντολαὶ Ἠελίοιο,
5νῆα μὲν ἔνθ' ἐλθόντες ἐκέλσαμεν ἐν ψαμάθοισιν,
Transliteration
1"autar epei potamoio lipen rhoon Ōkeanoio
nēus, apo d' hiketo kyma thalassēs euryporoio
nēson t' Aiaiēn, hothi t' Ēous ērigeneiēs
oikia kai choroi eisi kai antolai Ēelioio,
5nēa men enth' elthontes ekelsamen en psamathoisin,
English
"After we were clear of the river Okeanos, and had got out into the open sea, we went on till we reached the Aeaean island where there is dawn and sunrise as in other places.
Homeric Greek
ἐκ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βῆμεν ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης:
ἔνθα δ' ἀποβρίξαντες ἐμείναμεν Ἠῶ δῖαν.
"ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
δὴ τότ' ἐγὼν ἑτάρους προί̈ειν ἐς δώματα Κίρκης
10οἰσέμεναι νεκρόν, Ἐλπήνορα τεθνηῶτα.
Transliteration
ek de kai autoi bēmen epi rhēgmini thalassēs:
entha d' apobrixantes emeinamen Ēō dian.
"ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,
dē tot' egōn hetarous proïein es dōmata Kirkēs
10oisemenai nekron, Elpēnora tethnēōta.
English
We then drew our ship on to the sands and disembarked onto the shore, where we went to sleep and waited till day should break. "Then, when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, I sent some men to Circe's house to fetch the body of Elpenor.
Homeric Greek
φιτροὺς δ' αἶψα ταμόντες, ὅθ' ἀκροτάτη πρόεχ' ἀκτή,
θάπτομεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ νεκρός τ' ἐκάη καὶ τεύχεα νεκροῦ,
τύμβον χεύαντες καὶ ἐπὶ στήλην ἐρύσαντες
15πήξαμεν ἀκροτάτῳ τύμβῳ ἐυῆρες ἐρετμόν.
Transliteration
phitrous d' aipsa tamontes, hoth' akrotatē proech' aktē,
thaptomen achnymenoi thaleron kata dakry cheontes.
autar epei nekros t' ekaē kai teuchea nekrou,
tymbon cheuantes kai epi stēlēn erysantes
15pēxamen akrotatōi tymbōi euēres eretmon.
English
We cut firewood from a wood where the headland jutted out into the sea, and after we had wept over him and lamented him we performed his funeral rites. When his body and armor had been burned to ashes, we raised a cairn, set a stone over it, and at the top of the cairn we fixed the oar that he had been used to row with.
Homeric Greek
"ἡμεῖς μὲν τὰ ἕκαστα διείπομεν: οὐδ' ἄρα Κίρκην
ἐξ Ἀίδεω ἐλθόντες ἐλήθομεν, ἀλλὰ μάλ' ὦκα
ἦλθ' ἐντυναμένη: ἅμα δ' ἀμφίπολοι φέρον αὐτῇ
σῖτον καὶ κρέα πολλὰ καὶ αἴθοπα οἶνον ἐρυθρόν.
20ἡ δ' ἐν μέσσῳ στᾶσα μετηύδα δῖα θεάων:
Transliteration
"hēmeis men ta hekasta dieipomen: oud' ara Kirkēn
ex Aideō elthontes elēthomen, alla mal' ōka
ēlth' entynamenē: hama d' amphipoloi pheron autēi
siton kai krea polla kai aithopa oinon erythron.
20hē d' en messōi stasa metēuda dia theaōn:
English
"While we were doing all this, Circe, who knew that we had got back from the house of Hades, dressed herself and came to us as fast as she could; and her maid servants came with her bringing us bread, meat, and wine.
Homeric Greek
"'σχέτλιοι, οἳ ζώοντες ὑπήλθετε δῶμ' Ἀίδαο,
δισθανέες, ὅτε τ' ἄλλοι ἅπαξ θνῄσκουσ' ἄνθρωποι.
ἀλλ' ἄγετ' ἐσθίετε βρώμην καὶ πίνετε οἶνον
αὖθι πανημέριοι: ἅμα δ' ἠοῖ φαινομένηφι
25πλεύσεσθ': αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ δείξω ὁδὸν ἠδὲ ἕκαστα
Transliteration
"'schetlioi, hoi zōontes hypēlthete dōm' Aidao,
disthanees, hote t' alloi hapax thnēiskous' anthrōpoi.
all' aget' esthiete brōmēn kai pinete oinon
authi panēmerioi: hama d' ēoi phainomenēphi
25pleusesth': autar egō deixō hodon ēde hekasta
English
Then she stood in the midst of us and said, ‘You have done a bold thing in going down alive to the house of Hades, and you will have died twice, to other people's once; now, then, stay here for the rest of the day, feast your fill, and go on with your voyage at daybreak tomorrow morning.
Homeric Greek
σημανέω, ἵνα μή τι κακορραφίῃ ἀλεγεινῇ
ἢ ἁλὸς ἢ ἐπὶ γῆς ἀλγήσετε πῆμα παθόντες.'
"ὣς ἔφαθ', ἡμῖν δ' αὖτ' ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ.
ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα
30ἥμεθα δαινύμενοι κρέα τ' ἄσπετα καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ:
Transliteration
sēmaneō, hina mē ti kakorraphiēi alegeinēi
ē halos ē epi gēs algēsete pēma pathontes.'
"hōs ephath', hēmin d' aut' epepeitheto thymos agēnōr.
hōs tote men propan ēmar es ēelion katadynta
30hēmetha dainymenoi krea t' aspeta kai methy hēdy:
English
In the meantime I will tell Odysseus about your course, and will explain everything to him so as to prevent your suffering from misadventure either by land or sea.’ "We agreed to do as she had said, and feasted through the livelong day to the going down of the sun, but when the sun
Homeric Greek
ἦμος δ' ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθεν,
οἱ μὲν κοιμήσαντο παρὰ πρυμνήσια νηός,
ἡ δ' ἐμὲ χειρὸς ἑλοῦσα φίλων ἀπονόσφιν ἑταίρων
εἷσέ τε καὶ προσέλεκτο καὶ ἐξερέεινεν ἕκαστα:
35αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τῇ πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν κατέλεξα.
Transliteration
ēmos d' ēelios katedy kai epi knephas ēlthen,
hoi men koimēsanto para prymnēsia nēos,
hē d' eme cheiros helousa philōn aponosphin hetairōn
heise te kai proselekto kai exereeinen hekasta:
35autar egō tēi panta kata moiran katelexa.
English
had set and it came on dark, the men laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship. Then Circe took me by the hand and bade me be seated away from the others, while she reclined by my
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότε δή μ' ἐπέεσσι προσηύδα πότνια Κίρκη:
"'ταῦτα μὲν οὕτω πάντα πεπείρανται, σὺ δ' ἄκουσον,
ὥς τοι ἐγὼν ἐρέω, μνήσει δέ σε καὶ θεὸς αὐτός.
Σειρῆνας μὲν πρῶτον ἀφίξεαι, αἵ ῥά τε πάντας
40ἀνθρώπους θέλγουσιν, ὅτις σφεας εἰσαφίκηται.
Transliteration
kai tote dē m' epeessi prosēuda potnia Kirkē:
"'tauta men houtō panta pepeirantai, sy d' akouson,
hōs toi egōn ereō, mnēsei de se kai theos autos.
Seirēnas men prōton aphixeai, hai rha te pantas
40anthrōpous thelgousin, hotis spheas eisaphikētai.
English
side and asked me all about our adventures. "‘So far so good,’ said she, when I had ended my story, ‘and now pay attention to what I am about to tell you - heaven itself, indeed, will recall it to your recollection. First you will come to the Sirens who enchant all who come near them.
Homeric Greek
ὅς τις ἀιδρείῃ πελάσῃ καὶ φθόγγον ἀκούσῃ
Σειρήνων, τῷ δ' οὔ τι γυνὴ καὶ νήπια τέκνα
οἴκαδε νοστήσαντι παρίσταται οὐδὲ γάνυνται,
ἀλλά τε Σειρῆνες λιγυρῇ θέλγουσιν ἀοιδῇ
45ἥμεναι ἐν λειμῶνι, πολὺς δ' ἀμφ' ὀστεόφιν θὶς
Transliteration
hos tis aidreiēi pelasēi kai phthongon akousēi
Seirēnōn, tōi d' ou ti gynē kai nēpia tekna
oikade nostēsanti paristatai oude ganyntai,
alla te Seirēnes ligyrēi thelgousin aoidēi
45hēmenai en leimōni, polys d' amph' osteophin this
English
If any one unwarily draws in too close and hears the singing of the Sirens, his wife and children will never welcome him home again, for they sit in a green field and warble him to death with the sweetness of their song.
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν πυθομένων, περὶ δὲ ῥινοὶ μινύθουσι.
ἀλλὰ παρεξελάαν, ἐπὶ δ' οὔατ' ἀλεῖψαι ἑταίρων
κηρὸν δεψήσας μελιηδέα, μή τις ἀκούσῃ
τῶν ἄλλων: ἀτὰρ αὐτὸς ἀκουέμεν αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα,
50δησάντων σ' ἐν νηὶ θοῇ χεῖράς τε πόδας τε
Transliteration
andrōn pythomenōn, peri de rhinoi minythousi.
alla parexelaan, epi d' ouat' aleipsai hetairōn
kēron depsēsas meliēdea, mē tis akousēi
tōn allōn: atar autos akouemen ai k' ethelēistha,
50dēsantōn s' en nēi thoēi cheiras te podas te
English
There is a great heap of dead men's bones lying all around, with the flesh still rotting off them. Therefore pass these Sirens by, and stop your men's ears with wax that none of them may hear; but if you like you can listen yourself, for you may get the men to bind you as you
Homeric Greek
ὀρθὸν ἐν ἱστοπέδῃ, ἐκ δ' αὐτοῦ πείρατ' ἀνήφθω,
ὄφρα κε τερπόμενος ὄπ' ἀκούσῃς Σειρήνοιιν.
εἰ δέ κε λίσσηαι ἑτάρους λῦσαί τε κελεύῃς,
οἱ δέ σ' ἔτι πλεόνεσσι τότ' ἐν δεσμοῖσι διδέντων.
55αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ τάς γε παρὲξ ἐλάσωσιν ἑταῖροι,
Transliteration
orthon en histopedēi, ek d' autou peirat' anēphthō,
ophra ke terpomenos op' akousēis Seirēnoiin.
ei de ke lissēai hetarous lysai te keleuēis,
hoi de s' eti pleonessi tot' en desmoisi didentōn.
55autar epēn dē tas ge parex elasōsin hetairoi,
English
stand upright on a cross-piece half way up the mast, and they must lash the rope's ends to the mast itself, that you may have the pleasure of listening. If you beg and pray the men to unloose you, then they must bind you faster. "‘When your crew have taken you past these Sirens, I
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα τοι οὐκέτ' ἔπειτα διηνεκέως ἀγορεύσω,
ὁπποτέρη δή τοι ὁδὸς ἔσσεται, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸς
θυμῷ βουλεύειν: ἐρέω δέ τοι ἀμφοτέρωθεν.
ἔνθεν μὲν γὰρ πέτραι ἐπηρεφέες, προτὶ δ' αὐτὰς
60κῦμα μέγα ῥοχθεῖ κυανώπιδος Ἀμφιτρίτης:
Transliteration
entha toi ouket' epeita diēnekeōs agoreusō,
hoppoterē dē toi hodos essetai, alla kai autos
thymōi bouleuein: ereō de toi amphoterōthen.
enthen men gar petrai epērephees, proti d' autas
60kyma mega rhochthei kyanōpidos Amphitritēs:
English
cannot give you coherent directions as to which of two courses you are to take; I will lay the two alternatives before you, and you must consider them for yourself. On the one hand there are some overhanging rocks against which the seething deep waves of Amphitrite beat with terrific fury;
Homeric Greek
Πλαγκτὰς δή τοι τάς γε θεοὶ μάκαρες καλέουσι.
τῇ μέν τ' οὐδὲ ποτητὰ παρέρχεται οὐδὲ πέλειαι
τρήρωνες, ταί τ' ἀμβροσίην Διὶ πατρὶ φέρουσιν,
ἀλλά τε καὶ τῶν αἰὲν ἀφαιρεῖται λὶς πέτρη:
65ἀλλ' ἄλλην ἐνίησι πατὴρ ἐναρίθμιον εἶναι.
Transliteration
Planktas dē toi tas ge theoi makares kaleousi.
tēi men t' oude potēta parerchetai oude peleiai
trērōnes, tai t' ambrosiēn Dii patri pherousin,
alla te kai tōn aien aphaireitai lis petrē:
65all' allēn eniēsi patēr enarithmion einai.
English
the blessed gods call these rocks the Wanderers. Here not even a bird may pass, no, not even the timid doves that bring ambrosia to Father Zeus, but the sheer rock always carries off one of them, and Father Zeus has to send another to make up their number;
Homeric Greek
τῇ δ' οὔ πώ τις νηῦς φύγεν ἀνδρῶν, ἥ τις ἵκηται,
ἀλλά θ' ὁμοῦ πίνακάς τε νεῶν καὶ σώματα φωτῶν
κύμαθ' ἁλὸς φορέουσι πυρός τ' ὀλοοῖο θύελλαι.
οἴη δὴ κείνη γε παρέπλω ποντοπόρος νηῦς,
70Ἀργὼ πᾶσι μέλουσα, παρ' Αἰήταο πλέουσα.
Transliteration
tēi d' ou pō tis nēus phygen andrōn, hē tis hikētai,
alla th' homou pinakas te neōn kai sōmata phōtōn
kymath' halos phoreousi pyros t' olooio thyellai.
oiē dē keinē ge pareplō pontoporos nēus,
70Argō pasi melousa, par' Aiētao pleousa.
English
no ship that ever yet came to these rocks has got away again, but the waves and whirlwinds of fire are freighted with wreckage and with the bodies of dead men. The only vessel that ever sailed and got through, was the famous Argo on her way from the house of Aietes, and she
Homeric Greek
καὶ νύ κε τὴν ἔνθ' ὦκα βάλεν μεγάλας ποτὶ πέτρας,
ἀλλ' Ἥρη παρέπεμψεν, ἐπεὶ φίλος ἦεν Ἰήσων.
"'οἱ δὲ δύω σκόπελοι ὁ μὲν οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἱκάνει
ὀξείῃ κορυφῇ, νεφέλη δέ μιν ἀμφιβέβηκε
75κυανέη: τὸ μὲν οὔ ποτ' ἐρωεῖ, οὐδέ ποτ' αἴθρη
Transliteration
kai ny ke tēn enth' ōka balen megalas poti petras,
all' Hērē parepempsen, epei philos ēen Iēsōn.
"'hoi de dyō skopeloi ho men ouranon euryn hikanei
oxeiēi koryphēi, nephelē de min amphibebēke
75kyaneē: to men ou pot' erōei, oude pot' aithrē
English
too would have gone against these great rocks, only that Hera piloted her past them for the love she bore to Jason. "‘Of these two rocks the one reaches heaven and its peak is lost in a dark cloud. This never leaves it, so that the top is never clear not even in summer and early autumn.
Homeric Greek
κείνου ἔχει κορυφὴν οὔτ' ἐν θέρει οὔτ' ἐν ὀπώρῃ.
οὐδέ κεν ἀμβαίη βροτὸς ἀνὴρ οὐδ' ἐπιβαίη,
οὐδ' εἴ οἱ χεῖρές τε ἐείκοσι καὶ πόδες εἶεν:
πέτρη γὰρ λίς ἐστι, περιξεστῇ ἐικυῖα.
80μέσσῳ δ' ἐν σκοπέλῳ ἔστι σπέος ἠεροειδές,
Transliteration
keinou echei koryphēn out' en therei out' en opōrēi.
oude ken ambaiē brotos anēr oud' epibaiē,
oud' ei hoi cheires te eeikosi kai podes eien:
petrē gar lis esti, perixestēi eikuia.
80messōi d' en skopelōi esti speos ēeroeides,
English
No man though he had twenty hands and twenty feet could get a foothold on it and climb it, for it runs sheer up, as smooth as though it had been polished. In the middle of it there is a large cavern, looking West and turned towards Erebus;
Homeric Greek
πρὸς ζόφον εἰς Ἔρεβος τετραμμένον, ᾗ περ ἂν ὑμεῖς
νῆα παρὰ γλαφυρὴν ἰθύνετε, φαίδιμ' Ὀδυσσεῦ.
οὐδέ κεν ἐκ νηὸς γλαφυρῆς αἰζήιος ἀνὴρ
τόξῳ ὀιστεύσας κοῖλον σπέος εἰσαφίκοιτο.
85ἔνθα δ' ἐνὶ Σκύλλη ναίει δεινὸν λελακυῖα.
Transliteration
pros zophon eis Erebos tetrammenon, hēi per an hymeis
nēa para glaphyrēn ithynete, phaidim' Odysseu.
oude ken ek nēos glaphyrēs aizēios anēr
toxōi oisteusas koilon speos eisaphikoito.
85entha d' eni Skyllē naiei deinon lelakuia.
English
you must take your ship this way, but the cave is so high up that not even the stoutest archer could send an arrow into it. Inside it Scylla sits and yelps with a voice that you might take to be that of a young hound,
Homeric Greek
τῆς ἦ τοι φωνὴ μὲν ὅση σκύλακος νεογιλῆς
γίγνεται, αὐτὴ δ' αὖτε πέλωρ κακόν: οὐδέ κέ τίς μιν
γηθήσειεν ἰδών, οὐδ' εἰ θεὸς ἀντιάσειεν.
τῆς ἦ τοι πόδες εἰσὶ δυώδεκα πάντες ἄωροι,
90ἓξ δέ τέ οἱ δειραὶ περιμήκεες, ἐν δὲ ἑκάστῃ
Transliteration
tēs ē toi phōnē men hosē skylakos neogilēs
gignetai, autē d' aute pelōr kakon: oude ke tis min
gēthēseien idōn, oud' ei theos antiaseien.
tēs ē toi podes eisi dyōdeka pantes aōroi,
90hex de te hoi deirai perimēkees, en de hekastēi
English
but in truth she is a dreadful monster and no one - not even a god - could face her without being terror-struck. She has twelve misshapen feet, and six necks of the most prodigious length;
Homeric Greek
σμερδαλέη κεφαλή, ἐν δὲ τρίστοιχοι ὀδόντες
πυκνοὶ καὶ θαμέες, πλεῖοι μέλανος θανάτοιο.
μέσση μέν τε κατὰ σπείους κοίλοιο δέδυκεν,
ἔξω δ' ἐξίσχει κεφαλὰς δεινοῖο βερέθρου,
95αὐτοῦ δ' ἰχθυάᾳ, σκόπελον περιμαιμώωσα,
Transliteration
smerdaleē kephalē, en de tristoichoi odontes
pyknoi kai thamees, pleioi melanos thanatoio.
messē men te kata speious koiloio dedyken,
exō d' exischei kephalas deinoio berethrou,
95autou d' ichthyaāi, skopelon perimaimōōsa,
English
and at the end of each neck she has a frightful head with three rows of teeth in each, all set very close together, so that they would crunch any one to death in a moment, and she sits deep within her shady cell thrusting out her heads and peering all
Homeric Greek
δελφῖνάς τε κύνας τε, καὶ εἴ ποθι μεῖζον ἕλῃσι
κῆτος, ἃ μυρία βόσκει ἀγάστονος Ἀμφιτρίτη.
τῇ δ' οὔ πώ ποτε ναῦται ἀκήριοι εὐχετόωνται
παρφυγέειν σὺν νηί: φέρει δέ τε κρατὶ ἑκάστῳ
100φῶτ' ἐξαρπάξασα νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο.
Transliteration
delphinas te kynas te, kai ei pothi meizon helēisi
kētos, ha myria boskei agastonos Amphitritē.
tēi d' ou pō pote nautai akērioi euchetoōntai
parphygeein syn nēi: pherei de te krati hekastōi
100phōt' exarpaxasa neos kyanoprōiroio.
English
round the rock, fishing for dolphins or dogfish or any larger monster that she can catch, of the thousands with which Amphitrite teems. No ship ever yet got past her without losing some men, for she shoots out all her heads at once, and carries off a man in each mouth.
Homeric Greek
"'τὸν δ' ἕτερον σκόπελον χθαμαλώτερον ὄψει, Ὀδυσσεῦ.
πλησίον ἀλλήλων: καί κεν διοϊστεύσειας.
τῷ δ' ἐν ἐρινεὸς ἔστι μέγας, φύλλοισι τεθηλώς:
τῷ δ' ὑπὸ δῖα Χάρυβδις ἀναρροιβδεῖ μέλαν ὕδωρ.
105τρὶς μὲν γάρ τ' ἀνίησιν ἐπ' ἤματι, τρὶς δ' ἀναροιβδεῖ
Transliteration
"'ton d' heteron skopelon chthamalōteron opsei, Odysseu.
plēsion allēlōn: kai ken dioïsteuseias.
tōi d' en erineos esti megas, phylloisi tethēlōs:
tōi d' hypo dia Charybdis anarroibdei melan hydōr.
105tris men gar t' aniēsin ep' ēmati, tris d' anaroibdei
English
"‘You will find the other rocks lie lower, but they are so close together that there is not more than a bowshot between them., and under it lies the sucking whirlpool of Charybdis. Three times in the day does she vomit forth her waters, and three times she sucks them down again;
Homeric Greek
δεινόν: μὴ σύ γε κεῖθι τύχοις, ὅτε ῥοιβδήσειεν:
οὐ γάρ κεν ῥύσαιτό σ' ὑπὲκ κακοῦ οὐδ' ἐνοσίχθων.
ἀλλὰ μάλα Σκύλλης σκοπέλῳ πεπλημένος ὦκα
νῆα παρὲξ ἐλάαν, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερόν ἐστιν
110ἓξ ἑτάρους ἐν νηὶ ποθήμεναι ἢ ἅμα πάντας.'
Transliteration
deinon: mē sy ge keithi tychois, hote rhoibdēseien:
ou gar ken rhysaito s' hypek kakou oud' enosichthōn.
alla mala Skyllēs skopelōi peplēmenos ōka
nēa parex elaan, epei ē poly pherteron estin
110hex hetarous en nēi pothēmenai ē hama pantas.'
English
see that you be not there when she is sucking, for if you are, Poseidon himself could not save you; you must hug the Scylla side and drive ship by as fast as you can, for you had better lose six men than your whole crew.’
Homeric Greek
"ὣς ἔφατ', αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον:
εἰ δ' ἄγε δή μοι τοῦτο, θεά, νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες,
εἴ πως τὴν ὀλοὴν μὲν ὑπεκπροφύγοιμι Χάρυβδιν,
τὴν δέ κ' ἀμυναίμην, ὅτε μοι σίνοιτό γ' ἑταίρους.'
115"ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δ' αὐτίκ' ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων:
Transliteration
"hōs ephat', autar egō min ameibomenos proseeipon:
ei d' age dē moi touto, thea, nēmertes enispes,
ei pōs tēn oloēn men hypekprophygoimi Charybdin,
tēn de k' amynaimēn, hote moi sinoito g' hetairous.'
115"hōs ephamēn, hē d' autik' ameibeto dia theaōn:
English
"‘Is there no way,’ said I, ‘of escaping Charybdis, and at the same time keeping Scylla off when she is trying to harm my men?’ "‘You dare-devil,’ replied the goddess, ‘you are always wanting to fight somebody or something and to undergo an ordeal ;
Homeric Greek
'σχέτλιε, καὶ δὴ αὖ τοι πολεμήια ἔργα μέμηλε
καὶ πόνος: οὐδὲ θεοῖσιν ὑπείξεαι ἀθανάτοισιν;
ἡ δέ τοι οὐ θνητή, ἀλλ' ἀθάνατον κακόν ἐστι,
δεινόν τ' ἀργαλέον τε καὶ ἄγριον οὐδὲ μαχητόν:
120οὐδέ τις ἔστ' ἀλκή: φυγέειν κάρτιστον ἀπ' αὐτῆς.
Transliteration
'schetlie, kai dē au toi polemēia erga memēle
kai ponos: oude theoisin hypeixeai athanatoisin;
hē de toi ou thnētē, all' athanaton kakon esti,
deinon t' argaleon te kai agrion oude machēton:
120oude tis est' alkē: phygeein kartiston ap' autēs.
English
you will not let yourself be beaten even by the immortals. For Scylla is not mortal; moreover she is savage, extreme, rude, cruel and invincible. There is no help for it; your best chance will be to get by her as fast as ever you can, for if you dawdle about her rock
Homeric Greek
ἢν γὰρ δηθύνῃσθα κορυσσόμενος παρὰ πέτρῃ,
δείδω, μή σ' ἐξαῦτις ἐφορμηθεῖσα κίχῃσι
τόσσῃσιν κεφαλῇσι, τόσους δ' ἐκ φῶτας ἕληται.
ἀλλὰ μάλα σφοδρῶς ἐλάαν, βωστρεῖν δὲ Κράταιιν,
125μητέρα τῆς Σκύλλης, ἥ μιν τέκε πῆμα βροτοῖσιν:
Transliteration
ēn gar dēthynēistha koryssomenos para petrēi,
deidō, mē s' exautis ephormētheisa kichēisi
tossēisin kephalēisi, tosous d' ek phōtas helētai.
alla mala sphodrōs elaan, bōstrein de Krataiin,
125mētera tēs Skyllēs, hē min teke pēma brotoisin:
English
while you are putting on your armor, she may catch you with a second cast of her six heads, and snap up another half dozen of your men; so drive your ship past her at full speed, and roar out lustily to Krataiis who is Scylla's dam, bad luck to her;
Homeric Greek
ἥ μιν ἔπειτ' ἀποπαύσει ἐς ὕστερον ὁρμηθῆναι.
"Θρινακίην δ' ἐς νῆσον ἀφίξεαι: ἔνθα δὲ πολλαὶ
βόσκοντ' Ἠελίοιο βόες καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,
ἑπτὰ βοῶν ἀγέλαι, τόσα δ' οἰῶν πώεα καλά,
130πεντήκοντα δ' ἕκαστα. γόνος δ' οὐ γίγνεται αὐτῶν,
Transliteration
hē min epeit' apopausei es hysteron hormēthēnai.
"Thrinakiēn d' es nēson aphixeai: entha de pollai
boskont' Ēelioio boes kai iphia mēla,
hepta boōn agelai, tosa d' oiōn pōea kala,
130pentēkonta d' hekasta. gonos d' ou gignetai autōn,
English
she will then stop her from making a second raid upon you. "‘You will now come to the Thrinacian island, and here you will see many herds of cattle and flocks of sheep belonging to the sun-god - seven herds of cattle and seven flocks of sheep, with fifty head in each flock.
Homeric Greek
οὐδέ ποτε φθινύθουσι. θεαὶ δ' ἐπιποιμένες εἰσίν,
νύμφαι ἐυπλόκαμοι, Φαέθουσά τε Λαμπετίη τε,
ἃς τέκεν Ἠελίῳ Ὑπερίονι δῖα Νέαιρα.
τὰς μὲν ἄρα θρέψασα τεκοῦσά τε πότνια μήτηρ
135Θρινακίην ἐς νῆσον ἀπῴκισε τηλόθι ναίειν,
Transliteration
oude pote phthinythousi. theai d' epipoimenes eisin,
nymphai euplokamoi, Phaethousa te Lampetiē te,
has teken Ēeliōi Hyperioni dia Neaira.
tas men ara threpsasa tekousa te potnia mētēr
135Thrinakiēn es nēson apōikise tēlothi naiein,
English
They do not breed, nor do they become fewer in number, and they are tended by the goddesses Phaethousa and Lampetie, who are children of the sun-god Hyperion by Neaira. Their mother when she had borne them and had done suckling them sent them to the Thrinacian island, which was a long way off, to live there and look after their father's flocks and herds.
Homeric Greek
μῆλα φυλασσέμεναι πατρώια καὶ ἕλικας βοῦς.
τὰς εἰ μέν κ' ἀσινέας ἐάᾳς νόστου τε μέδηαι,
ἦ τ' ἂν ἔτ' εἰς Ἰθάκην κακά περ πάσχοντες ἵκοισθε:
εἰ δέ κε σίνηαι, τότε τοι τεκμαίρομ' ὄλεθρον,
140νηί τε καὶ ἑτάροις: αὐτὸς δ' εἴ πέρ κεν ἀλύξῃς,
Transliteration
mēla phylassemenai patrōia kai helikas bous.
tas ei men k' asineas eaāis nostou te medēai,
ē t' an et' eis Ithakēn kaka per paschontes hikoisthe:
ei de ke sinēai, tote toi tekmairom' olethron,
140nēi te kai hetarois: autos d' ei per ken alyxēis,
English
If you leave these flocks unharmed, and think of nothing but homecoming, you may yet after much hardship reach Ithaca; but if you harm them, then I forewarn you of the destruction both of your ship and of your comrades;
Homeric Greek
ὀψὲ κακῶς νεῖαι, ὀλέσας ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους.'
"ὣς ἔφατ', αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.
ἡ μὲν ἔπειτ' ἀνὰ νῆσον ἀπέστιχε δῖα θεάων:
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν ὤτρυνον ἑταίρους
145αὐτούς τ' ἀμβαίνειν ἀνά τε πρυμνήσια λῦσαι:
Transliteration
opse kakōs neiai, olesas apo pantas hetairous.'
"hōs ephat', autika de chrysothronos ēlythen Ēōs.
hē men epeit' ana nēson apestiche dia theaōn:
autar egōn epi nēa kiōn ōtrynon hetairous
145autous t' ambainein ana te prymnēsia lysai:
English
and even though you may yourself escape, you will return late, in bad plight, after losing all your men.’ "Here she ended, and dawn enthroned in gold began to show in heaven, whereon she returned inland. I then went on board and told my men to loose the ship from her moorings;
Homeric Greek
οἱ δ' αἶψ' εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῖσι καθῖζον.
ἑξῆς δ' ἑζόμενοι πολιὴν ἅλα τύπτον ἐρετμοῖς.
ἡμῖν δ' αὖ κατόπισθε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο
ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει πλησίστιον, ἐσθλὸν ἑταῖρον,
150Κίρκη ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα.
Transliteration
hoi d' aips' eisbainon kai epi klēisi kathizon.
hexēs d' hezomenoi poliēn hala typton eretmois.
hēmin d' au katopisthe neos kyanoprōiroio
ikmenon ouron hiei plēsistion, esthlon hetairon,
150Kirkē euplokamos, deinē theos audēessa.
English
so they at once got into her, took their places, and began to smite the gray sea with their oars. Presently the great and cunning goddess Circe befriended us with a fair wind that blew dead aft, and stayed steadily with us, keeping our sails well filled, so
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκα δ' ὅπλα ἕκαστα πονησάμενοι κατὰ νῆα
ἥμεθα: τὴν δ' ἄνεμός τε κυβερνήτης τ' ἴθυνε.
"δὴ τότ' ἐγὼν ἑτάροισι μετηύδων ἀχνύμενος κῆρ:
'ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γὰρ χρὴ ἕνα ἴδμεναι οὐδὲ δύ' οἴους
155θέσφαθ' ἅ μοι Κίρκη μυθήσατο, δῖα θεάων:
Transliteration
autika d' hopla hekasta ponēsamenoi kata nēa
hēmetha: tēn d' anemos te kybernētēs t' ithyne.
"dē tot' egōn hetaroisi metēudōn achnymenos kēr:
'ō philoi, ou gar chrē hena idmenai oude dy' oious
155thesphath' ha moi Kirkē mythēsato, dia theaōn:
English
we did whatever wanted doing to the ship's gear, and let her go as wind and helmsman headed her. "Then, being much troubled in mind, I said to my men, ‘My friends, it is not right that one or two of us alone should know the prophecies that Circe has made me, I will therefore tell
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἐρέω μὲν ἐγών, ἵνα εἰδότες ἤ κε θάνωμεν
ἤ κεν ἀλευάμενοι θάνατον καὶ κῆρα φύγοιμεν.
Σειρήνων μὲν πρῶτον ἀνώγει θεσπεσιάων
φθόγγον ἀλεύασθαι καὶ λειμῶν' ἀνθεμόεντα.
160οἶον ἔμ' ἠνώγει ὄπ' ἀκουέμεν: ἀλλά με δεσμῷ
Transliteration
all' ereō men egōn, hina eidotes ē ke thanōmen
ē ken aleuamenoi thanaton kai kēra phygoimen.
Seirēnōn men prōton anōgei thespesiaōn
phthongon aleuasthai kai leimōn' anthemoenta.
160oion em' ēnōgei op' akouemen: alla me desmōi
English
you about them, so that whether we live or die we may do so with our eyes open. First she said we were to keep clear of the Sirens, who sit and sing most beautifully in a field of flowers; but she said I might hear them myself so long as no one else did.
Homeric Greek
δήσατ' ἐν ἀργαλέῳ, ὄφρ' ἔμπεδον αὐτόθι μίμνω,
ὀρθὸν ἐν ἱστοπέδῃ, ἐκ δ' αὐτοῦ πείρατ' ἀνήφθω.
εἰ δέ κε λίσσωμαι ὑμέας λῦσαί τε κελεύω,
ὑμεῖς δὲ πλεόνεσσι τότ' ἐν δεσμοῖσι πιέζειν.'
165"ἦ τοι ἐγὼ τὰ ἕκαστα λέγων ἑτάροισι πίφαυσκον:
Transliteration
dēsat' en argaleōi, ophr' empedon autothi mimnō,
orthon en histopedēi, ek d' autou peirat' anēphthō.
ei de ke lissōmai hymeas lysai te keleuō,
hymeis de pleonessi tot' en desmoisi piezein.'
165"ē toi egō ta hekasta legōn hetaroisi piphauskon:
English
Therefore, take me and bind me to the crosspiece half way up the mast; bind me as I stand upright, with a bond so fast that I cannot possibly break away, and lash the rope's ends to the mast itself. If I beg and pray you to set me free, then bind me more tightly still.’ "I had hardly finished telling everything to the men before
Homeric Greek
τόφρα δὲ καρπαλίμως ἐξίκετο νηῦς ἐυεργὴς
νῆσον Σειρήνοιιν: ἔπειγε γὰρ οὖρος ἀπήμων.
αὐτίκ' ἔπειτ' ἄνεμος μὲν ἐπαύσατο ἠδὲ γαλήνη
ἔπλετο νηνεμίη, κοίμησε δὲ κύματα δαίμων.
170ἀνστάντες δ' ἕταροι νεὸς ἱστία μηρύσαντο
Transliteration
tophra de karpalimōs exiketo nēus euergēs
nēson Seirēnoiin: epeige gar ouros apēmōn.
autik' epeit' anemos men epausato ēde galēnē
epleto nēnemiē, koimēse de kymata daimōn.
170anstantes d' hetaroi neos histia mērysanto
English
we reached the island of the two Sirens, for the wind had been very favorable. Then all of a sudden it fell dead calm; there was not a breath of wind nor a ripple upon the water, so the men furled the sails and stowed them;
Homeric Greek
καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐν νηὶ γλαφυρῇ θέσαν, οἱ δ' ἐπ' ἐρετμὰ
ἑζόμενοι λεύκαινον ὕδωρ ξεστῇς ἐλάτῃσιν.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ κηροῖο μέγαν τροχὸν ὀξέι χαλκῷ
τυτθὰ διατμήξας χερσὶ στιβαρῇσι πίεζον:
175αἶψα δ' ἰαίνετο κηρός, ἐπεὶ κέλετο μεγάλη ἲς
Transliteration
kai ta men en nēi glaphyrēi thesan, hoi d' ep' eretma
hezomenoi leukainon hydōr xestēis elatēisin.
autar egō kēroio megan trochon oxei chalkōi
tyttha diatmēxas chersi stibarēisi piezon:
175aipsa d' iaineto kēros, epei keleto megalē is
English
then taking to their oars they whitened the water with the foam they raised in rowing. Meanwhile I look a large wheel of wax and cut it up small with my sword. Then I kneaded the wax in my strong hands till it became soft, which it soon
Homeric Greek
Ἠελίου τ' αὐγὴ Ὑπεριονίδαο ἄνακτος:
ἑξείης δ' ἑτάροισιν ἐπ' οὔατα πᾶσιν ἄλειψα.
οἱ δ' ἐν νηί μ' ἔδησαν ὁμοῦ χεῖράς τε πόδας τε
ὀρθὸν ἐν ἱστοπέδῃ, ἐκ δ' αὐτοῦ πείρατ' ἀνῆπτον:
180αὐτοὶ δ' ἑζόμενοι πολιὴν ἅλα τύπτον ἐρετμοῖς.
Transliteration
Ēeliou t' augē Hyperionidao anaktos:
hexeiēs d' hetaroisin ep' ouata pasin aleipsa.
hoi d' en nēi m' edēsan homou cheiras te podas te
orthon en histopedēi, ek d' autou peirat' anēpton:
180autoi d' hezomenoi poliēn hala typton eretmois.
English
did between the kneading and the rays of the sun-god son of Hyperion. Then I stopped the ears of all my men, and they bound me hands and feet to the mast as I stood upright on the crosspiece; but they went on rowing themselves.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε τόσσον ἀπῆμεν ὅσον τε γέγωνε βοήσας,
ῥίμφα διώκοντες, τὰς δ' οὐ λάθεν ὠκύαλος νηῦς
ἐγγύθεν ὀρνυμένη, λιγυρὴν δ' ἔντυνον ἀοιδήν:
"'δεῦρ' ἄγ' ἰών, πολύαιν' Ὀδυσεῦ, μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν,
185νῆα κατάστησον, ἵνα νωιτέρην ὄπ ἀκούσῃς.
Transliteration
all' hote tosson apēmen hoson te gegōne boēsas,
rhimpha diōkontes, tas d' ou lathen ōkyalos nēus
engythen ornymenē, ligyrēn d' entynon aoidēn:
"'deur' ag' iōn, polyain' Odyseu, mega kydos Achaiōn,
185nēa katastēson, hina nōiterēn op akousēis.
English
When we had got within earshot of the land, and the ship was going at a good rate, the Sirens saw that we were getting in shore and began with their singing. "‘Come here,’ they sang, ‘renowned Odysseus, honor to the Achaean name, and listen to our two voices.
Homeric Greek
οὐ γάρ πώ τις τῇδε παρήλασε νηὶ μελαίνῃ,
πρίν γ' ἡμέων μελίγηρυν ἀπὸ στομάτων ὄπ' ἀκοῦσαι,
ἀλλ' ὅ γε τερψάμενος νεῖται καὶ πλείονα εἰδώς.
ἴδμεν γάρ τοι πάνθ' ὅσ' ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃ
190Ἀργεῖοι Τρῶές τε θεῶν ἰότητι μόγησαν,
Transliteration
ou gar pō tis tēide parēlase nēi melainēi,
prin g' hēmeōn meligēryn apo stomatōn op' akousai,
all' ho ge terpsamenos neitai kai pleiona eidōs.
idmen gar toi panth' hos' eni Troiēi eureiēi
190Argeioi Trōes te theōn iotēti mogēsan,
English
No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song - and he who listens will go on his way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all the ills that the gods laid upon the Argives and Trojans before Troy, and can tell you
Homeric Greek
ἴδμεν δ', ὅσσα γένηται ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ.'
"ὣς φάσαν ἱεῖσαι ὄπα κάλλιμον: αὐτὰρ ἐμὸν κῆρ
ἤθελ' ἀκουέμεναι, λῦσαί τ' ἐκέλευον ἑταίρους
ὀφρύσι νευστάζων: οἱ δὲ προπεσόντες ἔρεσσον.
195αὐτίκα δ' ἀνστάντες Περιμήδης Εὐρύλοχός τε
Transliteration
idmen d', hossa genētai epi chthoni poulyboteirēi.'
"hōs phasan hieisai opa kallimon: autar emon kēr
ēthel' akouemenai, lysai t' ekeleuon hetairous
ophrysi neustazōn: hoi de propesontes eresson.
195autika d' anstantes Perimēdēs Eurylochos te
English
everything that is going to happen over the whole world.’ "They sang these words most musically, and as I longed to hear them further I made by frowning to my men that they should set me free;
Homeric Greek
πλείοσί μ' ἐν δεσμοῖσι δέον μᾶλλόν τε πίεζον.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τάς γε παρήλασαν, οὐδ' ἔτ' ἔπειτα
φθογγῆς Σειρήνων ἠκούομεν οὐδέ τ' ἀοιδῆς,
αἶψ' ἀπὸ κηρὸν ἕλοντο ἐμοὶ ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι,
200ὅν σφιν ἐπ' ὠσὶν ἄλειψ', ἐμέ τ' ἐκ δεσμῶν ἀνέλυσαν.
Transliteration
pleiosi m' en desmoisi deon mallon te piezon.
autar epei dē tas ge parēlasan, oud' et' epeita
phthongēs Seirēnōn ēkouomen oude t' aoidēs,
aips' apo kēron helonto emoi eriēres hetairoi,
200hon sphin ep' ōsin aleips', eme t' ek desmōn anelysan.
English
but they quickened their stroke, and Eurylokhos and Perimedes bound me with still stronger bonds till we had got out of hearing of the Sirens’ voices. Then my men took the wax from their ears and unbound me.
Homeric Greek
"ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τὴν νῆσον ἐλείπομεν, αὐτίκ' ἔπειτα
καπνὸν καὶ μέγα κῦμα ἴδον καὶ δοῦπον ἄκουσα.
τῶν δ' ἄρα δεισάντων ἐκ χειρῶν ἔπτατ' ἐρετμά,
βόμβησαν δ' ἄρα πάντα κατὰ ῥόον: ἔσχετο δ' αὐτοῦ
205νηῦς, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτ' ἐρετμὰ προήκεα χερσὶν ἔπειγον.
Transliteration
"all' hote dē tēn nēson eleipomen, autik' epeita
kapnon kai mega kyma idon kai doupon akousa.
tōn d' ara deisantōn ek cheirōn eptat' eretma,
bombēsan d' ara panta kata rhoon: escheto d' autou
205nēus, epei ouket' eretma proēkea chersin epeigon.
English
"Immediately after we had got past the island I saw a great wave from which spray was rising, and I heard a loud roaring sound. The men were so frightened that they loosed hold of their oars, for the whole sea resounded with the rushing of the waters, but the ship stayed where it was, for the men had left off rowing.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ διὰ νηὸς ἰὼν ὤτρυνον ἑταίρους
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρασταδὸν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον:
" 'ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γάρ πώ τι κακῶν ἀδαήμονές εἰμεν:
οὐ μὲν δὴ τόδε μεῖζον ἕπει κακόν, ἢ ὅτε Κύκλωψ
210εἴλει ἐνὶ σπῆι γλαφυρῷ κρατερῆφι βίηφιν:
Transliteration
autar egō dia nēos iōn ōtrynon hetairous
meilichiois epeessi parastadon andra hekaston:
" 'ō philoi, ou gar pō ti kakōn adaēmones eimen:
ou men dē tode meizon hepei kakon, ē hote Kyklōps
210eilei eni spēi glaphyrōi kraterēphi biēphin:
English
I went round, therefore, and exhorted them man by man not to lose heart. "‘My friends,’ said I, ‘this is not the first time that we have been in danger, and we are in nothing like so bad a case as when the Cyclops shut us up in his cave by forceful violence ;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ καὶ ἔνθεν ἐμῇ ἀρετῇ, βουλῇ τε νόῳ τε,
ἐκφύγομεν, καί που τῶνδε μνήσεσθαι ὀίω.
νῦν δ' ἄγεθ', ὡς ἂν ἐγὼ εἴπω, πειθώμεθα πάντες.
ὑμεῖς μὲν κώπῃσιν ἁλὸς ῥηγμῖνα βαθεῖαν
215τύπτετε κληίδεσσιν ἐφήμενοι, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς
Transliteration
alla kai enthen emēi aretēi, boulēi te noōi te,
ekphygomen, kai pou tōnde mnēsesthai oiō.
nyn d' ageth', hōs an egō eipō, peithōmetha pantes.
hymeis men kōpēisin halos rhēgmina batheian
215typtete klēidessin ephēmenoi, ai ke pothi Zeus
English
nevertheless, my courage and wise counsel saved us then, and we shall live to look back on all this as well. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say, trust in Zeus and row on with might and main.
Homeric Greek
δώῃ τόνδε γ' ὄλεθρον ὑπεκφυγέειν καὶ ἀλύξαι:
σοὶ δέ, κυβερνῆθ', ὧδ' ἐπιτέλλομαι: ἀλλ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ
βάλλευ, ἐπεὶ νηὸς γλαφυρῆς οἰήια νωμᾷς.
τούτου μὲν καπνοῦ καὶ κύματος ἐκτὸς ἔεργε
220νῆα, σὺ δὲ σκοπέλου ἐπιμαίεο, μή σε λάθῃσι
Transliteration
dōēi tonde g' olethron hypekphygeein kai alyxai:
soi de, kybernēth', hōd' epitellomai: all' eni thymōi
balleu, epei nēos glaphyrēs oiēia nōmāis.
toutou men kapnou kai kymatos ektos eerge
220nēa, sy de skopelou epimaieo, mē se lathēisi
English
As for you, coxswain, these are your orders; attend to them, for the ship is in your hands; turn her head away from these steaming rapids and hug the rock, or she will give you the slip and be over yonder before you know where you
Homeric Greek
κεῖσ' ἐξορμήσασα καὶ ἐς κακὸν ἄμμε βάλῃσθα.'
"ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δ' ὦκα ἐμοῖς ἐπέεσσι πίθοντο.
Σκύλλην δ' οὐκέτ' ἐμυθεόμην, ἄπρηκτον ἀνίην,
μή πώς μοι δείσαντες ἀπολλήξειαν ἑταῖροι
225εἰρεσίης, ἐντὸς δὲ πυκάζοιεν σφέας αὐτούς.
Transliteration
keis' exormēsasa kai es kakon amme balēistha.'
"hōs ephamēn, hoi d' ōka emois epeessi pithonto.
Skyllēn d' ouket' emytheomēn, aprēkton aniēn,
mē pōs moi deisantes apollēxeian hetairoi
225eiresiēs, entos de pykazoien spheas autous.
English
are, and you will be the death of us.’ "So they did as I told them; but I said nothing about the awful monster Scylla, for I knew the men would not go on rowing if I did, but would huddle together in the hold.
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότε δὴ Κίρκης μὲν ἐφημοσύνης ἀλεγεινῆς
λανθανόμην, ἐπεὶ οὔ τί μ' ἀνώγει θωρήσσεσθαι:
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ καταδὺς κλυτὰ τεύχεα καὶ δύο δοῦρε
μάκρ' ἐν χερσὶν ἑλὼν εἰς ἴκρια νηὸς ἔβαινον
230πρῴρης: ἔνθεν γάρ μιν ἐδέγμην πρῶτα φανεῖσθαι
Transliteration
kai tote dē Kirkēs men ephēmosynēs alegeinēs
lanthanomēn, epei ou ti m' anōgei thōrēssesthai:
autar egō katadys klyta teuchea kai dyo doure
makr' en chersin helōn eis ikria nēos ebainon
230prōirēs: enthen gar min edegmēn prōta phaneisthai
English
In one thing only did I disobey Circe's strict instructions - I put on my armor. Then seizing two strong spears I took my stand on the ship's bows, for it was there that I expected first to see the monster of the rock, who was to do my men so much harm;
Homeric Greek
Σκύλλην πετραίην, ἥ μοι φέρε πῆμ' ἑτάροισιν.
οὐδέ πῃ ἀθρῆσαι δυνάμην, ἔκαμον δέ μοι ὄσσε
πάντῃ παπταίνοντι πρὸς ἠεροειδέα πέτρην.
"ἡμεῖς μὲν στεινωπὸν ἀνεπλέομεν γοόωντες:
235ἔνθεν μὲν Σκύλλη, ἑτέρωθι δὲ δῖα Χάρυβδις
Transliteration
Skyllēn petraiēn, hē moi phere pēm' hetaroisin.
oude pēi athrēsai dynamēn, ekamon de moi osse
pantēi paptainonti pros ēeroeidea petrēn.
"hēmeis men steinōpon anepleomen gooōntes:
235enthen men Skyllē, heterōthi de dia Charybdis
English
but I could not make her out anywhere, though I strained my eyes with looking the gloomy rock all over and over. "Then we entered the Straits in great fear of mind, for on the one hand was Scylla, and on the other dread Charybdis kept sucking up the salt water.
Homeric Greek
δεινὸν ἀνερροίβδησε θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ.
ἦ τοι ὅτ' ἐξεμέσειε, λέβης ὣς ἐν πυρὶ πολλῷ
πᾶσ' ἀναμορμύρεσκε κυκωμένη, ὑψόσε δ' ἄχνη
ἄκροισι σκοπέλοισιν ἐπ' ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔπιπτεν:
240ἀλλ' ὅτ' ἀναβρόξειε θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ,
Transliteration
deinon anerroibdēse thalassēs halmyron hydōr.
ē toi hot' exemeseie, lebēs hōs en pyri pollōi
pas' anamormyreske kykōmenē, hypsose d' achnē
akroisi skopeloisin ep' amphoteroisin epipten:
240all' hot' anabroxeie thalassēs halmyron hydōr,
English
As she vomited it up, it was like the water in a cauldron when it is boiling over upon a great fire, and the spray reached the top of the rocks on either side. When she began to suck again, we could see the water all inside whirling round and round, and it made a deafening sound as it broke against the rocks.
Homeric Greek
πᾶσ' ἔντοσθε φάνεσκε κυκωμένη, ἀμφὶ δὲ πέτρη
δεινὸν ἐβεβρύχει, ὑπένερθε δὲ γαῖα φάνεσκε
ψάμμῳ κυανέη: τοὺς δὲ χλωρὸν δέος ᾕρει.
ἡμεῖς μὲν πρὸς τὴν ἴδομεν δείσαντες ὄλεθρον:
245τόφρα δέ μοι Σκύλλη γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἑταίρους
Transliteration
pas' entosthe phaneske kykōmenē, amphi de petrē
deinon ebebrychei, hypenerthe de gaia phaneske
psammōi kyaneē: tous de chlōron deos hēirei.
hēmeis men pros tēn idomen deisantes olethron:
245tophra de moi Skyllē glaphyrēs ek nēos hetairous
English
We could see the bottom of the whirlpool all black with sand and mud, and the men were at their wit's ends for fear. While we were taken up with this, and were expecting each moment to be our last, Scylla pounced down suddenly upon us and violently snatched up my six best men.
Homeric Greek
ἓξ ἕλεθ', οἳ χερσίν τε βίηφί τε φέρτατοι ἦσαν.
σκεψάμενος δ' ἐς νῆα θοὴν ἅμα καὶ μεθ' ἑταίρους
ἤδη τῶν ἐνόησα πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν
ὑψόσ' ἀειρομένων: ἐμὲ δὲ φθέγγοντο καλεῦντες
250ἐξονομακλήδην, τότε γ' ὕστατον, ἀχνύμενοι κῆρ.
Transliteration
hex heleth', hoi chersin te biēphi te phertatoi ēsan.
skepsamenos d' es nēa thoēn hama kai meth' hetairous
ēdē tōn enoēsa podas kai cheiras hyperthen
hypsos' aeiromenōn: eme de phthengonto kaleuntes
250exonomaklēdēn, tote g' hystaton, achnymenoi kēr.
English
I was looking at once after both ship and men, and in a moment I saw their hands and feet ever so high above me, struggling in the air as Scylla was carrying them off, and I heard them call out my name in one last despairing cry.
Homeric Greek
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἐπὶ προβόλῳ ἁλιεὺς περιμήκεϊ ῥάβδῳ
ἰχθύσι τοῖς ὀλίγοισι δόλον κατὰ εἴδατα βάλλων
ἐς πόντον προί̈ησι βοὸς κέρας ἀγραύλοιο,
ἀσπαίροντα δ' ἔπειτα λαβὼν ἔρριψε θύραζε,
255ὣς οἵ γ' ἀσπαίροντες ἀείροντο προτὶ πέτρας:
Transliteration
hōs d' hot' epi probolōi halieus perimēkeï rhabdōi
ichthysi tois oligoisi dolon kata eidata ballōn
es ponton proïēsi boos keras agrauloio,
aspaironta d' epeita labōn erripse thyraze,
255hōs hoi g' aspairontes aeironto proti petras:
English
As a fisherman, seated, spear in hand, upon some jutting rock throws bait into the water to deceive the poor little fishes, and spears them with the ox's horn with which his spear is shod, throwing them gasping on to the land as he catches them one by one - even so did Scylla
Homeric Greek
αὐτοῦ δ' εἰνὶ θύρῃσι κατήσθιε κεκληγῶτας
χεῖρας ἐμοὶ ὀρέγοντας ἐν αἰνῇ δηιοτῆτι:
οἴκτιστον δὴ κεῖνο ἐμοῖς ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι
πάντων, ὅσσ' ἐμόγησα πόρους ἁλὸς ἐξερεείνων.
260"αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πέτρας φύγομεν δεινήν τε Χάρυβδιν
Transliteration
autou d' eini thyrēisi katēsthie keklēgōtas
cheiras emoi oregontas en ainēi dēiotēti:
oiktiston dē keino emois idon ophthalmoisi
pantōn, hoss' emogēsa porous halos exereeinōn.
260"autar epei petras phygomen deinēn te Charybdin
English
land these panting creatures on her rock and munch them up at the mouth of her den, while they screamed and stretched out their hands to me in their mortal agony. This was the most sickening sight that I saw throughout all my voyages. "When we had passed the Wandering rocks, with Scylla
Homeric Greek
Σκύλλην τ', αὐτίκ' ἔπειτα θεοῦ ἐς ἀμύμονα νῆσον
ἱκόμεθ': ἔνθα δ' ἔσαν καλαὶ βόες εὐρυμέτωποι,
πολλὰ δὲ ἴφια μῆλ' Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιο.
δὴ τότ' ἐγὼν ἔτι πόντῳ ἐὼν ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃ
265μυκηθμοῦ τ' ἤκουσα βοῶν αὐλιζομενάων
Transliteration
Skyllēn t', autik' epeita theou es amymona nēson
hikometh': entha d' esan kalai boes eurymetōpoi,
polla de iphia mēl' Hyperionos Ēelioio.
dē tot' egōn eti pontōi eōn en nēi melainēi
265mykēthmou t' ēkousa boōn aulizomenaōn
English
and terrible Charybdis, we reached the noble island of the sun-god, where were the goodly cattle and sheep belonging to the sun Hyperion. While still at sea in my ship I could bear the cattle lowing as they came home to the yards, and the sheep bleating.
Homeric Greek
οἰῶν τε βληχήν: καί μοι ἔπος ἔμπεσε θυμῷ
μάντηος ἀλαοῦ, Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο,
Κίρκης τ' Αἰαίης, ἥ μοι μάλα πόλλ' ἐπέτελλε
νῆσον ἀλεύασθαι τερψιμβρότου Ἠελίοιο.
270δὴ τότ' ἐγὼν ἑτάροισι μετηύδων ἀχνύμενος κῆρ:
Transliteration
oiōn te blēchēn: kai moi epos empese thymōi
mantēos alaou, Thēbaiou Teiresiao,
Kirkēs t' Aiaiēs, hē moi mala poll' epetelle
nēson aleuasthai terpsimbrotou Ēelioio.
270dē tot' egōn hetaroisi metēudōn achnymenos kēr:
English
Then I remembered what the blind Theban seer Teiresias had told me, and how carefully Aeaean Circe had warned me to shun the island of the blessed sun-god. So being much troubled I said to the men, ‘My men, I know you
Homeric Greek
"'κέκλυτέ μευ μύθων κακά περ πάσχοντες ἑταῖροι,
ὄφρ' ὑμῖν εἴπω μαντήια Τειρεσίαο
Κίρκης τ' Αἰαίης, ἥ μοι μάλα πόλλ' ἐπέτελλε
νῆσον ἀλεύασθαι τερψιμβρότου Ἠελίοιο:
275ἔνθα γὰρ αἰνότατον κακὸν ἔμμεναι ἄμμιν ἔφασκεν.
Transliteration
"'keklyte meu mythōn kaka per paschontes hetairoi,
ophr' hymin eipō mantēia Teiresiao
Kirkēs t' Aiaiēs, hē moi mala poll' epetelle
nēson aleuasthai terpsimbrotou Ēelioio:
275entha gar ainotaton kakon emmenai ammin ephasken.
English
are hard pressed, but listen while I tell you the prophecy that Teiresias made me, and how carefully Aeaean Circe warned me to shun the island of the blessed sun-god, for it was here, she said, that our worst danger would lie.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ παρὲξ τὴν νῆσον ἐλαύνετε νῆα μέλαιναν.'
"ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δὲ κατεκλάσθη φίλον ἦτορ.
αὐτίκα δ' Εὐρύλοχος στυγερῷ μ' ἠμείβετο μύθῳ:
"'σχέτλιός εἰς, Ὀδυσεῦ: περί τοι μένος, οὐδέ τι γυῖα
280κάμνεις: ἦ ῥά νυ σοί γε σιδήρεα πάντα τέτυκται,
Transliteration
alla parex tēn nēson elaunete nēa melainan.'
"hōs ephamēn, toisin de kateklasthē philon ētor.
autika d' Eurylochos stygerōi m' ēmeibeto mythōi:
"'schetlios eis, Odyseu: peri toi menos, oude ti guia
280kamneis: ē rha ny soi ge sidērea panta tetyktai,
English
Head the ship, therefore, away from the island.’ "The men were in despair at this, and Eurylokhos at once gave me an insolent answer. ‘Odysseus,’ said he, ‘you are cruel; you are very strong yourself and never get worn out;
Homeric Greek
ὅς ῥ' ἑτάρους καμάτῳ ἁδηκότας ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνῳ
οὐκ ἐάᾳς γαίης ἐπιβήμεναι, ἔνθα κεν αὖτε
νήσῳ ἐν ἀμφιρύτῃ λαρὸν τετυκοίμεθα δόρπον,
ἀλλ' αὔτως διὰ νύκτα θοὴν ἀλάλησθαι ἄνωγας
285νήσου ἀποπλαγχθέντας ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳ.
Transliteration
hos rh' hetarous kamatōi hadēkotas ēde kai hypnōi
ouk eaāis gaiēs epibēmenai, entha ken aute
nēsōi en amphirytēi laron tetykoimetha dorpon,
all' autōs dia nykta thoēn alalēsthai anōgas
285nēsou apoplanchthentas en ēeroeidei pontōi.
English
you seem to be made of iron, and now, though your men are exhausted with toil and want of sleep, you will not let them land and cook themselves a good supper upon this island, but bid them put out to sea and go faring fruitlessly on through the watches of the fleeing night.
Homeric Greek
ἐκ νυκτῶν δ' ἄνεμοι χαλεποί, δηλήματα νηῶν,
γίγνονται: πῇ κέν τις ὑπεκφύγοι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον,
ἤν πως ἐξαπίνης ἔλθῃ ἀνέμοιο θύελλα,
ἢ Νότου ἢ Ζεφύροιο δυσαέος, οἵ τε μάλιστα
290νῆα διαρραίουσι θεῶν ἀέκητι ἀνάκτων.
Transliteration
ek nyktōn d' anemoi chalepoi, dēlēmata nēōn,
gignontai: pēi ken tis hypekphygoi aipyn olethron,
ēn pōs exapinēs elthēi anemoio thyella,
ē Notou ē Zephyroio dysaeos, hoi te malista
290nēa diarraiousi theōn aekēti anaktōn.
English
It is by night that the winds blow hardest and do so much damage; how can we escape should one of those sudden squalls spring up from South West or West, which so often wreck a vessel when our lords the gods are unpropitious?
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἦ τοι νῦν μὲν πειθώμεθα νυκτὶ μελαίνῃ
δόρπον θ' ὁπλισόμεσθα θοῇ παρὰ νηὶ μένοντες,
ἠῶθεν δ' ἀναβάντες ἐνήσομεν εὐρέι πόντῳ.'
"ὣς ἔφατ' Εὐρύλοχος, ἐπὶ δ' ᾔνεον ἄλλοι ἑταῖροι.
295καὶ τότε δὴ γίγνωσκον ὃ δὴ κακὰ μήδετο δαίμων,
Transliteration
all' ē toi nyn men peithōmetha nykti melainēi
dorpon th' hoplisomestha thoēi para nēi menontes,
ēōthen d' anabantes enēsomen eurei pontōi.'
"hōs ephat' Eurylochos, epi d' ēineon alloi hetairoi.
295kai tote dē gignōskon ho dē kaka mēdeto daimōn,
English
Now, therefore, let us obey the call of night and prepare our supper here hard by the ship; tomorrow morning we will go on board again and put out to sea.’ "Thus spoke Eurylokhos, and the men approved his words.
Homeric Greek
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων:
"Εὐρύλοχ', ἦ μάλα δή με βιάζετε μοῦνον ἐόντα.
ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν μοι πάντες ὀμόσσατε καρτερὸν ὅρκον:
εἴ κέ τιν' ἠὲ βοῶν ἀγέλην ἢ πῶυ μέγ' οἰῶν
300εὕρωμεν, μή πού τις ἀτασθαλίῃσι κακῇσιν
Transliteration
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēudōn:
"Euryloch', ē mala dē me biazete mounon eonta.
all' age nyn moi pantes omossate karteron horkon:
ei ke tin' ēe boōn agelēn ē pōu meg' oiōn
300heurōmen, mē pou tis atasthaliēisi kakēisin
English
I saw that a daimôn meant us mischief and said, ‘You force me to yield, for you are many against one, but at any rate each one of you must take his solemn oath that if he meet with a herd of cattle or a large flock of sheep, he will not be so
Homeric Greek
ἢ βοῦν ἠέ τι μῆλον ἀποκτάνῃ: ἀλλὰ ἕκηλοι
ἐσθίετε βρώμην, τὴν ἀθανάτη πόρε Κίρκη.'
"ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δ' αὐτίκ' ἀπώμνυον, ὡς ἐκέλευον.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ὄμοσάν τε τελεύτησάν τε τὸν ὅρκον,
305στήσαμεν ἐν λιμένι γλαφυρῷ ἐυεργέα νῆα
Transliteration
ē boun ēe ti mēlon apoktanēi: alla hekēloi
esthiete brōmēn, tēn athanatē pore Kirkē.'
"hōs ephamēn, hoi d' autik' apōmnyon, hōs ekeleuon.
autar epei rh' omosan te teleutēsan te ton horkon,
305stēsamen en limeni glaphyrōi euergea nēa
English
mad as to kill a single head of either, but will be satisfied with the food that Circe has given us.’ "They all swore as I bade them, and when they had completed their oath we made the ship fast in a harbor that was near a stream of fresh water, and the men went ashore and cooked their suppers.
Homeric Greek
ἄγχ' ὕδατος γλυκεροῖο, καὶ ἐξαπέβησαν ἑταῖροι
νηός, ἔπειτα δὲ δόρπον ἐπισταμένως τετύκοντο.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,
μνησάμενοι δὴ ἔπειτα φίλους ἔκλαιον ἑταίρους,
310οὓς ἔφαγε Σκύλλη γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἑλοῦσα:
Transliteration
anch' hydatos glykeroio, kai exapebēsan hetairoi
nēos, epeita de dorpon epistamenōs tetykonto.
autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,
mnēsamenoi dē epeita philous eklaion hetairous,
310hous ephage Skyllē glaphyrēs ek nēos helousa:
English
As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, they began talking about their poor comrades whom Scylla had snatched up and eaten;
Homeric Greek
κλαιόντεσσι δὲ τοῖσιν ἐπήλυθε νήδυμος ὕπνος.
ἦμος δὲ τρίχα νυκτὸς ἔην, μετὰ δ' ἄστρα βεβήκει,
ὦρσεν ἔπι ζαῆν ἄνεμον νεφεληγερέτα Ζεὺς
λαίλαπι θεσπεσίῃ, σὺν δὲ νεφέεσσι κάλυψε
315γαῖαν ὁμοῦ καὶ πόντον: ὀρώρει δ' οὐρανόθεν νύξ.
Transliteration
klaiontessi de toisin epēlythe nēdymos hypnos.
ēmos de tricha nyktos eēn, meta d' astra bebēkei,
ōrsen epi zaēn anemon nephelēgereta Zeus
lailapi thespesiēi, syn de nepheessi kalypse
315gaian homou kai ponton: orōrei d' ouranothen nyx.
English
this set them weeping and they went on crying till they fell off into a sound sleep. "In the third watch of the night when the stars had shifted their places, Zeus raised a great gale of wind that flew a gale so that land and sea were covered with thick clouds, and night sprang forth out of the heavens.
Homeric Greek
ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
νῆα μὲν ὡρμίσαμεν κοῖλον σπέος εἰσερύσαντες.
ἔνθα δ' ἔσαν νυμφέων καλοὶ χοροὶ ἠδὲ θόωκοι:
καὶ τότ' ἐγὼν ἀγορὴν θέμενος μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπον:
320"ὦ φίλοι, ἐν γὰρ νηὶ θοῇ βρῶσίς τε πόσις τε
Transliteration
ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,
nēa men hōrmisamen koilon speos eiserysantes.
entha d' esan nympheōn kaloi choroi ēde thoōkoi:
kai tot' egōn agorēn themenos meta mython eeipon:
320"ō philoi, en gar nēi thoēi brōsis te posis te
English
When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, we brought the ship to land and drew her into a cave wherein the sea-nymphs hold their courts and dances, and I called the men together in council. "‘My friends,’ said I, ‘we have meat and drink in
Homeric Greek
ἔστιν, τῶν δὲ βοῶν ἀπεχώμεθα, μή τι πάθωμεν:
δεινοῦ γὰρ θεοῦ αἵδε βόες καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,
Ἠελίου, ὃς πάντ' ἐφορᾷ καὶ πάντ' ἐπακούει.'
"ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ.
325μῆνα δὲ πάντ' ἄλληκτος ἄη Νότος, οὐδέ τις ἄλλος
Transliteration
estin, tōn de boōn apechōmetha, mē ti pathōmen:
deinou gar theou haide boes kai iphia mēla,
Ēeliou, hos pant' ephorāi kai pant' epakouei.'
"hōs ephamēn, toisin d' epepeitheto thymos agēnōr.
325mēna de pant' allēktos aē Notos, oude tis allos
English
the ship, let us mind, therefore, and not touch the cattle, or we shall suffer for it; for these cattle and sheep belong to the mighty sun, who sees and gives ear to everything. And again they promised that they would obey. "For a whole month the wind blew steadily from the South, and there was no other wind, but only South and East.
Homeric Greek
γίγνετ' ἔπειτ' ἀνέμων εἰ μὴ Εὖρός τε Νότος τε.
"οἱ δ' ἧος μὲν σῖτον ἔχον καὶ οἶνον ἐρυθρόν,
τόφρα βοῶν ἀπέχοντο λιλαιόμενοι βιότοιο.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ νηὸς ἐξέφθιτο ἤια πάντα,
330καὶ δὴ ἄγρην ἐφέπεσκον ἀλητεύοντες ἀνάγκῃ,
Transliteration
gignet' epeit' anemōn ei mē Euros te Notos te.
"hoi d' hēos men siton echon kai oinon erythron,
tophra boōn apechonto lilaiomenoi biotoio.
all' hote dē nēos exephthito ēia panta,
330kai dē agrēn ephepeskon alēteuontes anankēi,
English
As long as grain and wine held out the men did not touch the cattle when they were hungry; when, however, they had eaten all there was in the ship, they were forced to go further afield, with hook and line, catching birds, and taking whatever they could lay their hands on;
Homeric Greek
ἰχθῦς ὄρνιθάς τε, φίλας ὅ τι χεῖρας ἵκοιτο,
γναμπτοῖς ἀγκίστροισιν, ἔτειρε δὲ γαστέρα λιμός:
δὴ τότ' ἐγὼν ἀνὰ νῆσον ἀπέστιχον, ὄφρα θεοῖσιν
εὐξαίμην, εἴ τίς μοι ὁδὸν φήνειε νέεσθαι.
335ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ διὰ νήσου ἰὼν ἤλυξα ἑταίρους,
Transliteration
ichthys ornithas te, philas ho ti cheiras hikoito,
gnamptois ankistroisin, eteire de gastera limos:
dē tot' egōn ana nēson apestichon, ophra theoisin
euxaimēn, ei tis moi hodon phēneie neesthai.
335all' hote dē dia nēsou iōn ēlyxa hetairous,
English
for they were starving. One day, therefore, I went up inland that I might pray heaven to show me some means of getting away. When I had gone far enough to be clear of all my men, and had found a place that was well sheltered
Homeric Greek
χεῖρας νιψάμενος, ὅθ' ἐπὶ σκέπας ἦν ἀνέμοιο,
ἠρώμην πάντεσσι θεοῖς οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσιν:
οἱ δ' ἄρα μοι γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔχευαν.
Εὐρύλοχος δ' ἑτάροισι κακῆς ἐξήρχετο βουλῆς:
340"'κέκλυτέ μευ μύθων κακά περ πάσχοντες ἑταῖροι.
Transliteration
cheiras nipsamenos, hoth' epi skepas ēn anemoio,
ērōmēn pantessi theois hoi Olympon echousin:
hoi d' ara moi glykyn hypnon epi blepharoisin echeuan.
Eurylochos d' hetaroisi kakēs exērcheto boulēs:
340"'keklyte meu mythōn kaka per paschontes hetairoi.
English
from the wind, I washed my hands and prayed to all the gods in Olympus till by and by they sent me off into a sweet sleep. "Meanwhile Eurylokhos had been giving evil counsel to the men, ‘Listen to me,’ said he, ‘my poor comrades.
Homeric Greek
πάντες μὲν στυγεροὶ θάνατοι δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσι,
λιμῷ δ' οἴκτιστον θανέειν καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν.
ἀλλ' ἄγετ', Ἠελίοιο βοῶν ἐλάσαντες ἀρίστας
ῥέξομεν ἀθανάτοισι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν.
345εἰ δέ κεν εἰς Ἰθάκην ἀφικοίμεθα, πατρίδα γαῖαν,
Transliteration
pantes men stygeroi thanatoi deiloisi brotoisi,
limōi d' oiktiston thaneein kai potmon epispein.
all' aget', Ēelioio boōn elasantes aristas
rhexomen athanatoisi, toi ouranon euryn echousin.
345ei de ken eis Ithakēn aphikoimetha, patrida gaian,
English
All deaths are bad enough but there is none so bad as famine. Why should not we drive in the best of these cows and offer them in sacrifice to the immortal gods? If we ever get back to Ithaca, we can build a fine temple to the sun-god and enrich it with every kind of ornament;
Homeric Greek
αἶψά κεν Ἠελίῳ Ὑπερίονι πίονα νηὸν
τεύξομεν, ἐν δέ κε θεῖμεν ἀγάλματα πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλά.
εἰ δὲ χολωσάμενός τι βοῶν ὀρθοκραιράων
νῆ' ἐθέλῃ ὀλέσαι, ἐπὶ δ' ἕσπωνται θεοὶ ἄλλοι,
350βούλομ' ἅπαξ πρὸς κῦμα χανὼν ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσαι,
Transliteration
aipsa ken Ēeliōi Hyperioni piona nēon
teuxomen, en de ke theimen agalmata polla kai esthla.
ei de cholōsamenos ti boōn orthokrairaōn
nē' ethelēi olesai, epi d' hespōntai theoi alloi,
350boulom' hapax pros kyma chanōn apo thymon olessai,
English
if, however, he is determined to sink our ship out of revenge for these horned cattle, and the other gods are of the same mind, I for one would rather drink salt water once for all and have done with it, than be starved to death by
Homeric Greek
ἢ δηθὰ στρεύγεσθαι ἐὼν ἐν νήσῳ ἐρήμῃ.'
"'ὣς ἔφατ' Εὐρύλοχος, ἐπὶ δ' ᾔνεον ἄλλοι ἑταῖροι.
αὐτίκα δ' Ἠελίοιο βοῶν ἐλάσαντες ἀρίστας
ἐγγύθεν, οὐ γὰρ τῆλε νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο
355βοσκέσκονθ' ἕλικες καλαὶ βόες εὐρυμέτωποι:
Transliteration
ē dētha streugesthai eōn en nēsōi erēmēi.'
"'hōs ephat' Eurylochos, epi d' ēineon alloi hetairoi.
autika d' Ēelioio boōn elasantes aristas
engythen, ou gar tēle neos kyanoprōiroio
355boskeskonth' helikes kalai boes eurymetōpoi:
English
inches in such a desert island as this is.’ "Thus spoke Eurylokhos, and the men approved his words. Now the cattle, so fair and goodly, were feeding not far from the ship; the men, therefore drove in the best of them, and they all stood round them saying their prayers, and using young oak-shoots instead of barley-meal, for there was no barley left.
Homeric Greek
τὰς δὲ περίστησάν τε καὶ εὐχετόωντο θεοῖσιν,
φύλλα δρεψάμενοι τέρενα δρυὸς ὑψικόμοιο:
οὐ γὰρ ἔχον κρῖ λευκὸν ἐυσσέλμου ἐπὶ νηός.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' εὔξαντο καὶ ἔσφαξαν καὶ ἔδειραν,
360μηρούς τ' ἐξέταμον κατά τε κνίσῃ ἐκάλυψαν
Transliteration
tas de peristēsan te kai euchetoōnto theoisin,
phylla drepsamenoi terena dryos hypsikomoio:
ou gar echon kri leukon eusselmou epi nēos.
autar epei rh' euxanto kai esphaxan kai edeiran,
360mērous t' exetamon kata te knisēi ekalypsan
English
When they had done praying they killed the cows and dressed their carcasses; they cut out the thigh bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and set some pieces of raw meat on top of them.
Homeric Greek
δίπτυχα ποιήσαντες, ἐπ' αὐτῶν δ' ὠμοθέτησαν.
οὐδ' εἶχον μέθυ λεῖψαι ἐπ' αἰθομένοις ἱεροῖσιν,
ἀλλ' ὕδατι σπένδοντες ἐπώπτων ἔγκατα πάντα.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μῆρ' ἐκάη καὶ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο,
365μίστυλλόν τ' ἄρα τἆλλα καὶ ἀμφ' ὀβελοῖσιν ἔπειραν.
Transliteration
diptycha poiēsantes, ep' autōn d' ōmothetēsan.
oud' eichon methy leipsai ep' aithomenois hieroisin,
all' hydati spendontes epōptōn enkata panta.
autar epei kata mēr' ekaē kai splanchna pasanto,
365mistyllon t' ara talla kai amph' obeloisin epeiran.
English
They had no wine with which to make drink-offerings over the sacrifice while it was cooking, so they kept pouring on a little water from time to time while the inward meats were being grilled; then, when the thigh bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small and put the pieces upon the spits.
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότε μοι βλεφάρων ἐξέσσυτο νήδυμος ὕπνος,
βῆν δ' ἰέναι ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦα κιὼν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης,
καὶ τότε με κνίσης ἀμφήλυθεν ἡδὺς ἀυτμή.
370οἰμώξας δὲ θεοῖσι μέγ' ἀθανάτοισι γεγώνευν:
Transliteration
kai tote moi blepharōn exessyto nēdymos hypnos,
bēn d' ienai epi nēa thoēn kai thina thalassēs.
all' hote dē schedon ēa kiōn neos amphielissēs,
kai tote me knisēs amphēlythen hēdys autmē.
370oimōxas de theoisi meg' athanatoisi gegōneun:
English
"By this time my deep sleep had left me, and I turned back to the ship and to the sea shore. As I drew near I began to smell hot roast meat, so I groaned out a prayer to the immortal gods.
Homeric Greek
"Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδ' ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες,
ἦ με μάλ' εἰς ἄτην κοιμήσατε νηλέι ὕπνῳ.
οἱ δ' ἕταροι μέγα ἔργον ἐμητίσαντο μένοντες.'
"ὠκέα δ' Ἠελίῳ Ὑπερίονι ἄγγελος ἦλθε
375Λαμπετίη τανύπεπλος, ὅ οἱ βόας ἔκταμεν ἡμεῖς.
Transliteration
"Zeu pater ēd' alloi makares theoi aien eontes,
ē me mal' eis atēn koimēsate nēlei hypnōi.
hoi d' hetaroi mega ergon emētisanto menontes.'
"ōkea d' Ēeliōi Hyperioni angelos ēlthe
375Lampetiē tanypeplos, ho hoi boas ektamen hēmeis.
English
‘Father Zeus,’ I exclaimed, ‘and all you other gods who live in everlasting bliss, you have done me a cruel mischief by the sleep into which you have sent me; see what fine work these men of mine have been making in my absence.’ "Meanwhile Lampetie went straight off to the sun and told him we had been killing his cows, whereon he flew
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκα δ' ἀθανάτοισι μετηύδα χωόμενος κῆρ:
"Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδ' ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες,
τῖσαι δὴ ἑτάρους Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος,
οἵ μευ βοῦς ἔκτειναν ὑπέρβιον, ᾗσιν ἐγώ γε
380χαίρεσκον μὲν ἰὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν ἀστερόεντα,
Transliteration
autika d' athanatoisi metēuda chōomenos kēr:
"Zeu pater ēd' alloi makares theoi aien eontes,
tisai dē hetarous Laertiadeō Odysēos,
hoi meu bous ekteinan hyperbion, hēisin egō ge
380chaireskon men iōn eis ouranon asteroenta,
English
into a great rage, and said to the immortals, ‘Father Zeus, and all you other gods who live in everlasting bliss, I must have vengeance on the crew of Odysseus’ ship: they have had the insolence to kill my cows, which were the one thing I loved to look upon, whether I was going up heaven or down again.
Homeric Greek
ἠδ' ὁπότ' ἂψ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἀπ' οὐρανόθεν προτραποίμην.
εἰ δέ μοι οὐ τίσουσι βοῶν ἐπιεικέ' ἀμοιβήν,
δύσομαι εἰς Ἀίδαο καὶ ἐν νεκύεσσι φαείνω.'
"τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:
385"Ἠέλι', ἦ τοι μὲν σὺ μετ' ἀθανάτοισι φάεινε
Transliteration
ēd' hopot' aps epi gaian ap' ouranothen protrapoimēn.
ei de moi ou tisousi boōn epieike' amoibēn,
dysomai eis Aidao kai en nekyessi phaeinō.'
"ton d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:
385"Ēeli', ē toi men sy met' athanatoisi phaeine
English
If they do not square accounts with me about my cows, I will go down to Hades and shine there among the dead.’ "‘Sun,’ said Zeus, ‘go on shining upon us gods and upon humankind over the fruitful earth.
Homeric Greek
καὶ θνητοῖσι βροτοῖσιν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν:
τῶν δέ κ' ἐγὼ τάχα νῆα θοὴν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷ
τυτθὰ βαλὼν κεάσαιμι μέσῳ ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ.
"ταῦτα δ' ἐγὼν ἤκουσα Καλυψοῦς ἠυκόμοιο:
390ἡ δ' ἔφη Ἑρμείαο διακτόρου αὐτὴ ἀκοῦσαι.
Transliteration
kai thnētoisi brotoisin epi zeidōron arouran:
tōn de k' egō tacha nēa thoēn argēti keraunōi
tyttha balōn keasaimi mesōi eni oinopi pontōi.
"tauta d' egōn ēkousa Kalypsous ēukomoio:
390hē d' ephē Hermeiao diaktorou autē akousai.
English
I will shiver their ship into little pieces with a bolt of white lightning as soon as they get out to sea.’ "I was told all this by Calypso, who said she had heard it from the mouth of Hermes.
Homeric Greek
"αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,
νείκεον ἄλλοθεν ἄλλον ἐπισταδόν, οὐδέ τι μῆχος
εὑρέμεναι δυνάμεσθα, βόες δ' ἀποτέθνασαν ἤδη.
τοῖσιν δ' αὐτίκ' ἔπειτα θεοὶ τέραα προύφαινον:
395εἷρπον μὲν ῥινοί, κρέα δ' ἀμφ' ὀβελοῖσι μεμύκει,
Transliteration
"autar epei rh' epi nēa katēlython ēde thalassan,
neikeon allothen allon epistadon, oude ti mēchos
heuremenai dynamestha, boes d' apotethnasan ēdē.
toisin d' autik' epeita theoi teraa prouphainon:
395heirpon men rhinoi, krea d' amph' obeloisi memykei,
English
"As soon as I got down to my ship and to the sea shore I rebuked each one of the men separately, but we could see no way out of it, for the cows were dead already. And indeed the gods began at once to show signs and wonders among us, for the hides of the cattle crawled about, and the joints upon the spits began to low like cows, and the
Homeric Greek
ὀπταλέα τε καὶ ὠμά, βοῶν δ' ὣς γίγνετο φωνή.
"ἑξῆμαρ μὲν ἔπειτα ἐμοὶ ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι
δαίνυντ' Ἠελίοιο βοῶν ἐλάσαντες ἀρίστας:
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ ἕβδομον ἦμαρ ἐπὶ Ζεὺς θῆκε Κρονίων,
400καὶ τότ' ἔπειτ' ἄνεμος μὲν ἐπαύσατο λαίλαπι θύων,
Transliteration
optalea te kai ōma, boōn d' hōs gigneto phōnē.
"hexēmar men epeita emoi eriēres hetairoi
dainynt' Ēelioio boōn elasantes aristas:
all' hote dē hebdomon ēmar epi Zeus thēke Kroniōn,
400kai tot' epeit' anemos men epausato lailapi thyōn,
English
meat, whether cooked or raw, kept on making a noise just as cows do. "For six days my men kept driving in the best cows and feasting upon them, but when Zeus the son of Kronos had added a seventh day, the fury of the gale abated;
Homeric Greek
ἡμεῖς δ' αἶψ' ἀναβάντες ἐνήκαμεν εὐρέι πόντῳ,
ἱστὸν στησάμενοι ἀνά θ' ἱστία λεύκ' ἐρύσαντες.
"ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τὴν νῆσον ἐλείπομεν, οὐδέ τις ἄλλη
φαίνετο γαιάων, ἀλλ' οὐρανὸς ἠδὲ θάλασσα,
405δὴ τότε κυανέην νεφέλην ἔστησε Κρονίων
Transliteration
hēmeis d' aips' anabantes enēkamen eurei pontōi,
histon stēsamenoi ana th' histia leuk' erysantes.
"all' hote dē tēn nēson eleipomen, oude tis allē
phaineto gaiaōn, all' ouranos ēde thalassa,
405dē tote kyaneēn nephelēn estēse Kroniōn
English
we therefore went on board, raised our masts, spread sail, and put out to sea. As soon as we were well away from the island, and could see nothing but sky and sea, the son of Kronos raised a black cloud over our ship, and the sea grew dark beneath it.
Homeric Greek
νηὸς ὕπερ γλαφυρῆς, ἤχλυσε δὲ πόντος ὑπ' αὐτῆς.
ἡ δ' ἔθει οὐ μάλα πολλὸν ἐπὶ χρόνον: αἶψα γὰρ ἦλθε
κεκληγὼς Ζέφυρος μεγάλῃ σὺν λαίλαπι θύων,
ἱστοῦ δὲ προτόνους ἔρρηξ' ἀνέμοιο θύελλα
410ἀμφοτέρους: ἱστὸς δ' ὀπίσω πέσεν, ὅπλα τε πάντα
Transliteration
nēos hyper glaphyrēs, ēchlyse de pontos hyp' autēs.
hē d' ethei ou mala pollon epi chronon: aipsa gar ēlthe
keklēgōs Zephyros megalēi syn lailapi thyōn,
histou de protonous errēx' anemoio thyella
410amphoterous: histos d' opisō pesen, hopla te panta
English
We did not get on much further, for in another moment we were caught by a terrific squall from the West that snapped the forestays of the mast so that it fell aft, while all the ship's gear tumbled about at the bottom of the vessel.
Homeric Greek
εἰς ἄντλον κατέχυνθ'. ὁ δ' ἄρα πρυμνῇ ἐνὶ νηὶ
πλῆξε κυβερνήτεω κεφαλήν, σὺν δ' ὀστέ' ἄραξε
πάντ' ἄμυδις κεφαλῆς: ὁ δ' ἄρ' ἀρνευτῆρι ἐοικὼς
κάππεσ' ἀπ' ἰκριόφιν, λίπε δ' ὀστέα θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ.
415Ζεὺς δ' ἄμυδις βρόντησε καὶ ἔμβαλε νηὶ κεραυνόν:
Transliteration
eis antlon katechynth'. ho d' ara prymnēi eni nēi
plēxe kybernēteō kephalēn, syn d' oste' araxe
pant' amydis kephalēs: ho d' ar' arneutēri eoikōs
kappes' ap' ikriophin, lipe d' ostea thymos agēnōr.
415Zeus d' amydis brontēse kai embale nēi keraunon:
English
The mast fell upon the head of the helmsman in the ship's stern, so that the bones of his head were crushed to pieces, and he fell overboard as though he were diving, with no more life left in him. "Then Zeus let fly with his thunderbolts, and the ship went round
Homeric Greek
ἡ δ' ἐλελίχθη πᾶσα Διὸς πληγεῖσα κεραυνῷ,
ἐν δὲ θεείου πλῆτο, πέσον δ' ἐκ νηὸς ἑταῖροι.
οἱ δὲ κορώνῃσιν ἴκελοι περὶ νῆα μέλαιναν
κύμασιν ἐμφορέοντο, θεὸς δ' ἀποαίνυτο νόστον.
420αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ διὰ νηὸς ἐφοίτων, ὄφρ' ἀπὸ τοίχους
Transliteration
hē d' elelichthē pasa Dios plēgeisa keraunōi,
en de theeiou plēto, peson d' ek nēos hetairoi.
hoi de korōnēisin ikeloi peri nēa melainan
kymasin emphoreonto, theos d' apoainyto noston.
420autar egō dia nēos ephoitōn, ophr' apo toichous
English
and round, and was filled with fire and brimstone as the lightning struck it. The men all fell into the sea; they were carried about in the water round the ship, looking like so many sea-gulls, but the god presently deprived them of all chance of getting home again. "I stuck to the ship till the sea knocked her sides
Homeric Greek
λῦσε κλύδων τρόπιος, τὴν δὲ ψιλὴν φέρε κῦμα,
ἐκ δέ οἱ ἱστὸν ἄραξε ποτὶ τρόπιν. αὐτὰρ ἐπ' αὐτῷ
ἐπίτονος βέβλητο, βοὸς ῥινοῖο τετευχώς:
τῷ ῥ' ἄμφω συνέεργον, ὁμοῦ τρόπιν ἠδὲ καὶ ἱστόν,
425ἑζόμενος δ' ἐπὶ τοῖς φερόμην ὀλοοῖς ἀνέμοισιν.
Transliteration
lyse klydōn tropios, tēn de psilēn phere kyma,
ek de hoi histon araxe poti tropin. autar ep' autōi
epitonos beblēto, boos rhinoio teteuchōs:
tōi rh' amphō syneergon, homou tropin ēde kai histon,
425hezomenos d' epi tois pheromēn oloois anemoisin.
English
from her keel (which drifted about by itself) and struck the mast out of her in the direction of the keel; but there was a backstay of stout ox-thong still hanging about it, and with this I lashed the mast and keel together, and getting astride of them was carried wherever the winds chose to take me.
Homeric Greek
"ἔνθ' ἦ τοι Ζέφυρος μὲν ἐπαύσατο λαίλαπι θύων,
ἦλθε δ' ἐπὶ Νότος ὦκα, φέρων ἐμῷ ἄλγεα θυμῷ,
ὄφρ' ἔτι τὴν ὀλοὴν ἀναμετρήσαιμι Χάρυβδιν.
παννύχιος φερόμην, ἅμα δ' ἠελίῳ ἀνιόντι
430ἦλθον ἐπὶ Σκύλλης σκόπελον δεινήν τε Χάρυβδιν.
Transliteration
"enth' ē toi Zephyros men epausato lailapi thyōn,
ēlthe d' epi Notos ōka, pherōn emōi algea thymōi,
ophr' eti tēn oloēn anametrēsaimi Charybdin.
pannychios pheromēn, hama d' ēeliōi anionti
430ēlthon epi Skyllēs skopelon deinēn te Charybdin.
English
"The gale from the West had now spent its force, and the wind got into the South again, which frightened me lest I should be taken back to the terrible whirlpool of Charybdis. This indeed was what actually happened, for I was borne along by the waves all night, and by sunrise had reached the rock of Scylla, and the whirlpool.
Homeric Greek
ἡ μὲν ἀνερροίβδησε θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ:
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ ποτὶ μακρὸν ἐρινεὸν ὑψόσ' ἀερθείς,
τῷ προσφὺς ἐχόμην ὡς νυκτερίς. οὐδέ πῃ εἶχον
οὔτε στηρίξαι ποσὶν ἔμπεδον οὔτ' ἐπιβῆναι:
435ῥίζαι γὰρ ἑκὰς εἶχον, ἀπήωροι δ' ἔσαν ὄζοι,
Transliteration
hē men anerroibdēse thalassēs halmyron hydōr:
autar egō poti makron erineon hypsos' aertheis,
tōi prosphys echomēn hōs nykteris. oude pēi eichon
oute stērixai posin empedon out' epibēnai:
435rhizai gar hekas eichon, apēōroi d' esan ozoi,
English
She was then sucking down the salt sea water, but I was carried aloft toward the fig tree, which I caught hold of and clung on to like a bat. I could not plant my feet anywhere so as to stand securely, for the roots were a long way off and the boughs that overshadowed the whole pool were too high, too vast, and too far apart for me to reach them;
Homeric Greek
μακροί τε μεγάλοι τε, κατεσκίαον δὲ Χάρυβδιν.
νωλεμέως δ' ἐχόμην, ὄφρ' ἐξεμέσειεν ὀπίσσω
ἱστὸν καὶ τρόπιν αὖτις: ἐελδομένῳ δέ μοι ἦλθον
ὄψ': ἦμος δ' ἐπὶ δόρπον ἀνὴρ ἀγορῆθεν ἀνέστη
440κρίνων νείκεα πολλὰ δικαζομένων αἰζηῶν,
Transliteration
makroi te megaloi te, kateskiaon de Charybdin.
nōlemeōs d' echomēn, ophr' exemeseien opissō
histon kai tropin autis: eeldomenōi de moi ēlthon
ops': ēmos d' epi dorpon anēr agorēthen anestē
440krinōn neikea polla dikazomenōn aizēōn,
English
so I hung patiently on, waiting till the pool should discharge my mast and raft again - and a very long while it seemed. A juryman is not more glad to get home to supper, after having been long detained in court by troublesome cases, than I was to see my raft beginning to work its way out of the whirlpool again.
Homeric Greek
τῆμος δὴ τά γε δοῦρα Χαρύβδιος ἐξεφαάνθη.
ἧκα δ' ἐγὼ καθύπερθε πόδας καὶ χεῖρε φέρεσθαι,
μέσσῳ δ' ἐνδούπησα παρὲξ περιμήκεα δοῦρα,
ἑζόμενος δ' ἐπὶ τοῖσι διήρεσα χερσὶν ἐμῇσι.
445Σκύλλην δ' οὐκέτ' ἔασε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε
Transliteration
tēmos dē ta ge doura Charybdios exephaanthē.
hēka d' egō kathyperthe podas kai cheire pheresthai,
messōi d' endoupēsa parex perimēkea doura,
hezomenos d' epi toisi diēresa chersin emēisi.
445Skyllēn d' ouket' ease patēr andrōn te theōn te
English
At last I let go with my hands and feet, and fell heavily into the sea, hard by my raft on to which I then got, and began to row with my hands. As for Scylla, the father of gods and men would not let her get further sight
Homeric Greek
εἰσιδέειν: οὐ γάρ κεν ὑπέκφυγον αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.
"ἔνθεν δ' ἐννῆμαρ φερόμην, δεκάτῃ δέ με νυκτὶ
νῆσον ἐς Ὠγυγίην πέλασαν θεοί, ἔνθα Καλυψὼ
ναίει ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα,
450ἥ μ' ἐφίλει τ' ἐκόμει τε. τί τοι τάδε μυθολογεύω;
Transliteration
eisideein: ou gar ken hypekphygon aipyn olethron.
"enthen d' ennēmar pheromēn, dekatēi de me nykti
nēson es Ōgygiēn pelasan theoi, entha Kalypsō
naiei euplokamos, deinē theos audēessa,
450hē m' ephilei t' ekomei te. ti toi tade mythologeuō;
English
of me - otherwise I should have certainly been lost. "Hence I was carried along for nine days till on the tenth night the gods stranded me on the Ogygian island, where dwells the great and powerful goddess Calypso. She took me in and was kind to me, but I need say
Homeric Greek
ἤδη γάρ τοι χθιζὸς ἐμυθεόμην ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
σοί τε καὶ ἰφθίμῃ ἀλόχῳ: ἐχθρὸν δέ μοί ἐστιν
αὖτις ἀριζήλως εἰρημένα μυθολογεύειν."
Transliteration
ēdē gar toi chthizos emytheomēn eni oikōi
soi te kai iphthimēi alochōi: echthron de moi estin
autis arizēlōs eirēmena mythologeuein."
English
no more about this, for I told you and your noble wife all about it yesterday, and it is hateful for me to say the same thing over and over again."