Homeric Greek
1ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ,
κηληθμῷ δ' ἔσχοντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.
τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀλκίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε:
"ὦ Ὀδυσεῦ, ἐπεὶ ἵκευ ἐμὸν ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς δῶ,
5ὑψερεφές, τῷ σ' οὔ τι παλιμπλαγχθέντα γ' ὀί̈ω
Transliteration
1hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi,
kēlēthmōi d' eschonto kata megara skioenta.
ton d' aut' Alkinoos apameibeto phōnēsen te:
"ō Oduseu, epei hikeu emon poti chalkobates dō,
5hupserephes, tōi s' ou ti palimplanchthenta g' oïō
English · Butler
Thus did he speak, and they all held their peace throughout the covered room, enthralled by the charm of his story, till presently Alkinoos began to speak. "Odysseus," said he, "now that you have reached my house I doubt not you will get home without further misadventure no matter how much you have suffered in the past. To you others, however, who come here night after night to drink my choicest wine and listen to my bard, I would insist as follows.
Homeric Greek
ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, εἰ καὶ μάλα πολλὰ πέπονθας.
ὑμέων δ' ἀνδρὶ ἑκάστῳ ἐφιέμενος τάδε εἴρω,
ὅσσοι ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γερούσιον αἴθοπα οἶνον
αἰεὶ πίνετ' ἐμοῖσιν, ἀκουάζεσθε δ' ἀοιδοῦ.
10εἵματα μὲν δὴ ξείνῳ ἐϋξέστῃ ἐνὶ χηλῷ
Transliteration
aps aponostēsein, ei kai mala polla peponthas.
humeōn d' andri hekastōi ephiemenos tade eirō,
hossoi eni megaroisi gerousion aithopa oinon
aiei pinet' emoisin, akouazesthe d' aoidou.
10heimata men dē xeinōi eüxestēi eni chēlōi
English · Butler
Our guest has already packed up the clothes, wrought gold, and other valuables which you have brought for his acceptance; let us now, therefore, present him further, each one of us, with a large tripod and a cauldron. We will recoup ourselves by the levy of a general rate throughout the dêmos; for private
Homeric Greek
κεῖται καὶ χρυσὸς πολυδαίδαλος ἄλλα τε πάντα
δῶρ', ὅσα Φαιήκων βουληφόροι ἐνθάδ' ἔνεικαν:
ἀλλ' ἄγε οἱ δῶμεν τρίποδα μέγαν ἠδὲ λέβητα
ἀνδρακάς: ἡμεῖς δ' αὖτε ἀγειρόμενοι κατὰ δῆμον
15τισόμεθ': ἀργαλέον γὰρ ἕνα προικὸς χαρίσασθαι."
Transliteration
keitai kai chrusos poludaidalos alla te panta
dōr', hosa Phaiēkōn boulēphoroi enthad' eneikan:
all' age hoi dōmen tripoda megan ēde lebēta
andrakas: hēmeis d' aute ageiromenoi kata dēmon
15tisometh': argaleon gar hena proikos charisasthai."
English · Butler
individuals cannot be expected to bear the burden of such a handsome present."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀλκίνοος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιὴνδανε μῦθος.
οἱ μὲν κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκόνδε ἕκαστος,
ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
νῆάδ' ἐπεσσεύοντο, φέρον δ' εὐήνορα χαλκόν.
20καὶ τὰ μὲν εὖ κατέθηχ' ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,
Transliteration
hōs ephat' Alkinoos, toisin d' epiēndane muthos.
hoi men kakkeiontes eban oikonde hekastos,
ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktulos Ēōs,
nēad' epesseuonto, pheron d' euēnora chalkon.
20kai ta men eu katethēch' hieron menos Alkinooio,
English · Butler
Every one approved of this, and then they went home to bed each in his own abode. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, they hurried down to the ship and brought their cauldrons with them. Alkinoos went on board and saw everything so securely stowed under the ship's benches that nothing could break adrift and injure the rowers. Then they went to the house of Alkinoos
Homeric Greek
αὐτὸς ἰὼν διὰ νηὸς ὑπὸ ζυγά, μή τιν' ἑταίρων
βλάπτοι ἐλαυνόντων, ὁπότε σπερχοίατ' ἐρετμοῖς.
οἱ δ' εἰς Ἀλκινόοιο κίον καὶ δαῖτ' ἀλέγυνον.
τοῖσι δὲ βοῦν ἱέρευσ' ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο
25Ζηνὶ κελαινεφέϊ Κρονίδῃ, ὃς πᾶσιν ἀνάσσει.
Transliteration
autos iōn dia nēos hupo zuga, mē tin' hetairōn
blaptoi elaunontōn, hopote sperchoiat' eretmois.
hoi d' eis Alkinooio kion kai dait' alegunon.
toisi de boun hiereus' hieron menos Alkinooio
25Zēni kelainepheï Kronidēi, hos pasin anassei.
English · Butler
to get dinner, and he sacrificed a bull for them in honor of Zeus who is the lord of all. They set the meats to grill and made an excellent dinner, after which the inspired bard, Demodokos, who was a favorite with every one, sang to them; but Odysseus kept on turning his eyes towards the sun, as though to hasten his setting, for he was longing to be on his way.
Homeric Greek
μῆρα δὲ κήαντες δαίνυντ' ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα
τερπόμενοι: μετὰ δέ σφιν ἐμέλπετο θεῖος ἀοιδός,
Δημόδοκος, λαοῖσι τετιμένος. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
πολλὰ πρὸς ἠέλιον κεφαλὴν τρέπε παμφανόωντα,
30δῦναι ἐπειγόμενος: δὴ γὰρ μενέαινε νέεσθαι.
Transliteration
mēra de kēantes dainunt' erikudea daita
terpomenoi: meta de sphin emelpeto theios aoidos,
Dēmodokos, laoisi tetimenos. autar Odusseus
polla pros ēelion kephalēn trepe pamphanoōnta,
30dunai epeigomenos: dē gar meneaine neesthai.
English · Butler
As one who has been all day ploughing a fallow field with a couple of oxen keeps thinking about his supper and is glad when night comes that he may
Homeric Greek
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀνὴρ δόρποιο λιλαίεται, ᾧ τε πανῆμαρ
νειὸν ἀν' ἕλκητον βόε οἴνοπε πηκτὸν ἄροτρον:
ἀσπασίως δ' ἄρα τῷ κατέδυ φάος ἠελίοιο
δόρπον ἐποίχεσθαι, βλάβεται δέ τε γούνατ' ἰόντι:
35ὣς Ὀδυσῆ' ἀσπαστὸν ἔδυ φάος ἠελίοιο.
Transliteration
hōs d' hot' anēr dorpoio lilaietai, hōi te panēmar
neion an' helkēton boe oinope pēkton arotron:
aspasiōs d' ara tōi katedu phaos ēelioio
dorpon epoichesthai, blabetai de te gounat' ionti:
35hōs Odusē' aspaston edu phaos ēelioio.
English · Butler
go and get it, for it is all his legs can do to carry him, even so did Odysseus rejoice when the sun went down, and he at once
Homeric Greek
αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα,
Ἀλκινόῳ δὲ μάλιστα πιφαυσκόμενος φάτο μῦθον:
"Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,
πέμπετέ με σπείσαντες ἀπήμονα, χαίρετε δ' αὐτοί:
40ἤδη γὰρ τετέλεσται ἅ μοι φίλος ἤθελε θυμός,
Transliteration
aipsa de Phaiēkessi philēretmoisi metēuda,
Alkinoōi de malista piphauskomenos phato muthon:
"Alkinoe kreion, pantōn arideikete laōn,
pempete me speisantes apēmona, chairete d' autoi:
40ēdē gar tetelestai ha moi philos ēthele thumos,
English · Butler
said to the Phaeacians, addressing himself more particularly to King Alkinoos: "Sir, and all of you, farewell. Make your drink-offerings and send me on my way rejoicing, for you have fulfilled my heart's desire by giving me
Homeric Greek
πομπὴ καὶ φίλα δῶρα, τά μοι θεοὶ Οὐρανίωνες
ὄλβια ποιήσειαν: ἀμύμονα δ' οἴκοι ἄκοιτιν
νοστήσας εὕροιμι σὺν ἀρτεμέεσσι φίλοισιν.
ὑμεῖς δ' αὖθι μένοντες ἐϋφραίνοιτε γυναῖκας
45κουριδίας καὶ τέκνα: θεοὶ δ' ἀρετὴν ὀπάσειαν
Transliteration
pompē kai phila dōra, ta moi theoi Ouraniōnes
olbia poiēseian: amumona d' oikoi akoitin
nostēsas heuroimi sun artemeessi philoisin.
humeis d' authi menontes eüphrainoite gunaikas
45kouridias kai tekna: theoi d' aretēn opaseian
English · Butler
an escort, and making me presents, which heaven grant that I may turn to good account ; may I find my admirable wife living in peace among friends, and may you whom I leave behind me give satisfaction to your wives and children; may heaven grant you every good grace, and may no evil
Homeric Greek
παντοίην, καὶ μή τι κακὸν μεταδήμιον εἴη."
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον ἠδ' ἐκέλευον
πεμπέμεναι τὸν ξεῖνον, ἐπεὶ κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπεν.
καὶ τότε κήρυκα προσέφη μένος Ἀλκινόοιο:
50"Ποντόνοε, κρητῆρα κερασσάμενος μέθυ νεῖμον
Transliteration
pantoiēn, kai mē ti kakon metadēmion eiē."
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes epēineon ēd' ekeleuon
pempemenai ton xeinon, epei kata moiran eeipen.
kai tote kēruka prosephē menos Alkinooio:
50"Pontonoe, krētēra kerassamenos methu neimon
English · Butler
thing come among your people." Thus did he speak. His hearers all of them approved his saying and agreed that he should have his escort inasmuch as he had spoken reasonably. Alkinoos therefore said to his servant, "Pontonoos, mix some wine and hand it round to everybody,
Homeric Greek
πᾶσιν ἀνὰ μέγαρον, ὄφρ' εὐξάμενοι Διὶ πατρὶ
τὸν ξεῖνον πέμπωμεν ἑὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν."
ὣς φάτο, Ποντόνοος δὲ μελίφρονα οἶνον ἐκίρνα,
νώμησεν δ' ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπισταδόν: οἱ δὲ θεοῖσιν
55ἔσπεισαν μακάρεσσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,
Transliteration
pasin ana megaron, ophr' euxamenoi Dii patri
ton xeinon pempōmen heēn es patrida gaian."
hōs phato, Pontonoos de meliphrona oinon ekirna,
nōmēsen d' ara pasin epistadon: hoi de theoisin
55espeisan makaressi, toi ouranon eurun echousin,
English · Butler
that we may offer a prayer to father Zeus, and speed our guest upon his way." Pontonoos mixed the wine and handed it to every one in turn; the others each from his own seat made a drink-offering to the
Homeric Greek
αὐτόθεν ἐξ ἑδρέων. ἀνὰ δ' ἵστατο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
Ἀρήτῃ δ' ἐν χειρὶ τίθει δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"χαῖρέ μοι, ὦ βασίλεια, διαμπερές, εἰς ὅ κε γῆρας
60ἔλθῃ καὶ θάνατος, τά τ' ἐπ' ἀνθρώποισι πέλονται.
Transliteration
autothen ex hedreōn. ana d' histato dios Odusseus,
Arētēi d' en cheiri tithei depas amphikupellon,
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"chaire moi, ō basileia, diamperes, eis ho ke gēras
60elthēi kai thanatos, ta t' ep' anthrōpoisi pelontai.
English · Butler
blessed gods that live in heaven, but Odysseus rose and placed the double cup in the hands of queen Arete. "Farewell, queen," said he, "henceforward and for ever, till age and death, the common lot of humankind, lay their hands upon you. I now take my leave;
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ νέομαι: σὺ δὲ τέρπεο τῷδ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
παισί τε καὶ λαοῖσι καὶ Ἀλκινόῳ βασιλῆϊ."
ὣς εἰπὼν ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἐβήσετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
τῷ δ' ἅμα κήρυκα προί̈ει μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,
65ἡγεῖσθαι ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης:
Transliteration
autar egō neomai: su de terpeo tōid' eni oikōi
paisi te kai laoisi kai Alkinoōi basilēï."
hōs eipōn huper oudon ebēseto dios Odusseus,
tōi d' hama kēruka proïei menos Alkinooio,
65hēgeisthai epi nēa thoēn kai thina thalassēs:
English · Butler
be happy in this house with your children, your people, and with king Alkinoos." As he spoke he crossed the threshold, and Alkinoos sent a man to conduct him to his ship and to the sea shore. Arete also sent some maid servants with him - one with a clean shirt and cloak, another to carry his strong-box, and a third with grain and wine.
Homeric Greek
Ἀρήτη δ' ἄρα οἱ δμῳὰς ἅμ' ἔπεμπε γυναῖκας,
τὴν μὲν φᾶρος ἔχουσαν ἐϋπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,
τὴν δ' ἑτέρην χηλὸν πυκινὴν ἅμ' ὄπασσε κομίζειν:
ἡ δ' ἄλλη σῖτόν τ' ἔφερεν καὶ οἶνον ἐρυθρόν.
70αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,
Transliteration
Arētē d' ara hoi dmōias ham' epempe gunaikas,
tēn men pharos echousan eüplunes ēde chitōna,
tēn d' heterēn chēlon pukinēn ham' opasse komizein:
hē d' allē siton t' epheren kai oinon eruthron.
70autar epei rh' epi nēa katēluthon ēde thalassan,
English · Butler
When they got to the water side the crew took these things and put them on board, with all the meat and drink; but for Odysseus they spread a rug and a linen sheet on deck that he might sleep soundly in the stern of the ship. Then he too went on
Homeric Greek
αἶψα τά γ' ἐν νηὶ̈ γλαφυρῇ πομπῆες ἀγαυοὶ
δεξάμενοι κατέθεντο, πόσιν καὶ βρῶσιν ἅπασαν:
κὰδ δ' ἄρ' Ὀδυσσῆϊ στόρεσαν ῥῆγός τε λίνον τε
νηὸς ἐπ' ἰκριόφιν γλαφυρῆς, ἵνα νήγρετον εὕδοι,
75πρυμνῆς: ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ἐβήσετο καὶ κατέλεκτο
Transliteration
aipsa ta g' en nēï glaphurēi pompēes agauoi
dexamenoi katethento, posin kai brōsin hapasan:
kad d' ar' Odussēï storesan rhēgos te linon te
nēos ep' ikriophin glaphurēs, hina nēgreton heudoi,
75prumnēs: an de kai autos ebēseto kai katelekto
English · Butler
board and lay down without a word, but the crew took every man his place in order and loosed the hawser from the pierced stone to which it had been bound. Thereon, when they
Homeric Greek
σιγῇ: τοὶ δὲ καθῖζον ἐπὶ κληῖ̈σιν ἕκαστοι
κόσμῳ, πεῖσμα δ' ἔλυσαν ἀπὸ τρητοῖο λίθοις.
εὖθ' οἱ ἀνακλινθέντες ἀνερρίπτουν ἅλα πηδῷ,
καὶ τῷ νήδυμος ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔπιπτε,
80νήγρετος, ἥδιστος, θανάτῳ ἄγχιστα ἐοικώς.
Transliteration
sigēi: toi de kathizon epi klēïsin hekastoi
kosmōi, peisma d' elusan apo trētoio lithois.
euth' hoi anaklinthentes anerriptoun hala pēdōi,
kai tōi nēdumos hupnos epi blepharoisin epipte,
80nēgretos, hēdistos, thanatōi anchista eoikōs.
English · Butler
began rowing out to sea, Odysseus fell into a deep, sweet, and almost deathlike slumber.
Homeric Greek
ἡ δ', ὥς τ' ἐν πεδίῳ τετράοροι ἄρσενες ἵπποι,
πάντες ἅμ' ὁρμηθέντες ὑπὸ πληγῇσιν ἱμάσθλης,
ὑψόσ' ἀειρόμενοι ῥίμφα πρήσσουσι κέλευθον,
ὣς ἄρα τῆς πρύμνη μὲν ἀείρετο, κῦμα δ' ὄπισθε
85πορφύρεον μέγα θῦε πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης.
Transliteration
hē d', hōs t' en pediōi tetraoroi arsenes hippoi,
pantes ham' hormēthentes hupo plēgēisin himasthlēs,
hupsos' aeiromenoi rhimpha prēssousi keleuthon,
hōs ara tēs prumnē men aeireto, kuma d' opisthe
85porphureon mega thue poluphloisboio thalassēs.
English · Butler
The ship bounded forward on her way as a four in hand chariot flies over the course when the horses feel the whip. Her prow curved as it were the neck of a stallion, and a great wave of dark seething water boiled in her wake. She held steadily on her course, and even a falcon, swiftest of all birds, could not have kept pace with her.
Homeric Greek
ἡ δὲ μάλ' ἀσφαλέως θέεν ἔμπεδον: οὐδέ κεν ἴρηξ
κίρκος ὁμαρτήσειεν, ἐλαφρότατος πετεηνῶν.
ὣς ἡ ῥίμφα θέουσα θαλάσσης κύματ' ἔταμνεν,
ἄνδρα φέρουσα θεοῖς ἐναλίγκια μήδε' ἔχοντα:
90ὃς πρὶν μὲν μάλα πολλὰ πάθ' ἄλγεα ὃν κατὰ θυμὸν
Transliteration
hē de mal' asphaleōs theen empedon: oude ken irēx
kirkos homartēseien, elaphrotatos peteēnōn.
hōs hē rhimpha theousa thalassēs kumat' etamnen,
andra pherousa theois enalinkia mēde' echonta:
90hos prin men mala polla path' algea hon kata thumon
English · Butler
Thus, then, she cut her way through the water. carrying one who was as cunning as the gods, but who was now sleeping peacefully, forgetful of all that he had suffered both on
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν τε πτολέμους ἀλεγεινά τε κύματα πείρων,
δὴ τότε γ' ἀτρέμας εὗδε, λελασμένος ὅσσ' ἐπεπόνθει.
εὖτ' ἀστὴρ ὑπερέσχε φαάντατος, ὅς τε μάλιστα
ἔρχεται ἀγγέλλων φάος Ἠοῦς ἠριγενείης,
95τῆμος δὴ νήσῳ προσεπίλνατο ποντοπόρος νηῦς.
Transliteration
andrōn te ptolemous alegeina te kumata peirōn,
dē tote g' atremas heude, lelasmenos hoss' epeponthei.
eut' astēr huperesche phaantatos, hos te malista
erchetai angellōn phaos Ēous ērigeneiēs,
95tēmos dē nēsōi prosepilnato pontoporos nēus.
English · Butler
the field of battle and by the waves of the weary sea. When the bright star that heralds the approach of dawn began to show. the ship drew near to land. Now there is in the dêmos of Ithaca a haven of the Old One of the Sea, Phorkys,
Homeric Greek
Φόρκυνος δέ τίς ἐστι λιμήν, ἁλίοιο γέροντος,
ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης: δύο δὲ προβλῆτες ἐν αὐτῷ
ἀκταὶ ἀπορρῶγες, λιμένος ποτιπεπτηυῖαι,
αἵ τ' ἀνέμων σκεπόωσι δυσαήων μέγα κῦμα
100ἔκτοθεν: ἔντοσθεν δέ τ' ἄνευ δεσμοῖο μένουσι
Transliteration
Phorkunos de tis esti limēn, halioio gerontos,
en dēmōi Ithakēs: duo de problētes en autōi
aktai aporrōges, limenos potipeptēuiai,
hai t' anemōn skepoōsi dusaēōn mega kuma
100ektothen: entosthen de t' aneu desmoio menousi
English · Butler
which lies between two points that break the line of the sea and shut the harbor in. These shelter it from the storms of wind and sea that rage outside, so that, when once within it, a ship may lie without being even moored. At the head of this harbor there is a large olive tree, and at no distance a fine overarching cavern sacred to the nymphs who are called Naiads.
Homeric Greek
νῆες ἐύ̈σσελμοι, ὅτ' ἂν ὅρμου μέτρον ἵκωνται.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὶ κρατὸς λιμένος τανύφυλλος ἐλαίη,
ἀγχόθι δ' αὐτῆς ἄντρον ἐπήρατον ἠεροειδές,
ἱρὸν νυμφάων αἱ νηϊάδες καλέονται.
105ἐν δὲ κρητῆρές τε καὶ ἀμφιφορῆες ἔασιν
Transliteration
nēes eüsselmoi, hot' an hormou metron hikōntai.
autar epi kratos limenos tanuphullos elaiē,
anchothi d' autēs antron epēraton ēeroeides,
hiron numphaōn hai nēïades kaleontai.
105en de krētēres te kai amphiphorēes easin
English · Butler
There are mixing-bowls within it and wine-jars of stone, and the bees hive there. Moreover, there are great looms of stone on which the nymphs weave their robes of sea purple - very curious to see - and at all times there is water within it. It has two entrances, one
Homeric Greek
λάϊνοι: ἔνθα δ' ἔπειτα τιθαιβώσσουσι μέλισσαι.
ἐν δ' ἱστοὶ λίθεοι περιμήκεες, ἔνθα τε νύμφαι
φάρε' ὑφαίνουσιν ἁλιπόρφυρα, θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι:
ἐν δ' ὕδατ' ἀενάοντα. δύω δέ τέ οἱ θύραι εἰσίν,
110αἱ μὲν πρὸς Βορέαο καταιβαταὶ ἀνθρώποισιν,
Transliteration
laïnoi: entha d' epeita tithaibōssousi melissai.
en d' histoi litheoi perimēkees, entha te numphai
phare' huphainousin haliporphura, thauma idesthai:
en d' hudat' aenaonta. duō de te hoi thurai eisin,
110hai men pros Boreao kataibatai anthrōpoisin,
English · Butler
facing North by which mortals can go down into the cave, while the other comes from the South and is more mysterious; mortals cannot possibly get in by it, it is
Homeric Greek
αἱ δ' αὖ πρὸς Νότου εἰσὶ θεώτεραι: οὐδέ τι κείνῃ
ἄνδρες ἐσέρχονται, ἀλλ' ἀθανάτων ὁδός ἐστιν.
ἔνθ' οἵ γ' εἰσέλασαν, πρὶν εἰδότες: ἡ μὲν ἔπειτα
ἠπείρῳ ἐπέκελσεν, ὅσον τ' ἐπὶ ἥμισυ πάσης,
115σπερχομένη: τοῖον γὰρ ἐπείγετο χέρσ' ἐρετάων:
Transliteration
hai d' au pros Notou eisi theōterai: oude ti keinēi
andres eserchontai, all' athanatōn hodos estin.
enth' hoi g' eiselasan, prin eidotes: hē men epeita
ēpeirōi epekelsen, hoson t' epi hēmisu pasēs,
115sperchomenē: toion gar epeigeto chers' eretaōn:
English · Butler
the way taken by the gods. Into this harbor, then, they took their ship, for they knew the place, She had so much way upon her that she ran half her own length on to the shore; when, however, they had landed, the first thing they did was to lift Odysseus with his rug and linen sheet out of the ship, and lay him down upon the sand still fast asleep. Then they took out the presents which Athena had persuaded the Phaeacians to give him when he was setting out on his voyage homewards.
Homeric Greek
οἱ δ' ἐκ νηὸς βάντες ἐϋζύγου ἤπειρόνδε
πρῶτον Ὀδυσσῆα γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἄειραν
αὐτῷ σύν τε λίνῳ καὶ ῥήγεϊ σιγαλόεντι,
κὰδ δ' ἄρ' ἐπὶ ψαμάθῳ ἔθεσαν δεδμημένον ὕπνῳ,
120ἐκ δὲ κτήματ' ἄειραν, ἅ οἱ Φαίηκες ἀγαυοὶ
Transliteration
hoi d' ek nēos bantes eüzugou ēpeironde
prōton Odussēa glaphurēs ek nēos aeiran
autōi sun te linōi kai rhēgeï sigaloenti,
kad d' ar' epi psamathōi ethesan dedmēmenon hupnōi,
120ek de ktēmat' aeiran, ha hoi Phaiēkes agauoi
English · Butler
They put these all together by the root of the olive tree, away from the road, for fear some passer by might come and steal them before Odysseus awoke; and then
Homeric Greek
ὤπασαν οἴκαδ' ἰόντι διὰ μεγάθυμον Ἀθήνην.
καὶ τὰ μὲν οὖν παρὰ πυθμέν' ἐλαίης ἀθρόα θῆκαν
ἐκτὸς ὁδοῦ, μή πώς τις ὁδιτάων ἀνθρώπων,
πρίν γ' Ὀδυσῆ' ἔγρεσθαι, ἐπελθὼν δηλήσαιτο:
125αὐτοὶ δ' αὖτ' οἶκόνδε πάλιν κίον. οὐδ' ἐνοσίχθων
Transliteration
ōpasan oikad' ionti dia megathumon Athēnēn.
kai ta men oun para puthmen' elaiēs athroa thēkan
ektos hodou, mē pōs tis hoditaōn anthrōpōn,
prin g' Odusē' egresthai, epelthōn dēlēsaito:
125autoi d' aut' oikonde palin kion. oud' enosichthōn
English · Butler
they made the best of their way home again. But Poseidon did not forget the threats with which he had already threatened Odysseus, so he took counsel with Zeus.
Homeric Greek
λήθετ' ἀπειλάων, τὰς ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆϊ
πρῶτον ἐπηπείλησε, Διὸς δ' ἐξείρετο βουλήν:
"Ζεῦ πάτερ, οὐκέτ' ἐγώ γε μετ' ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι
τιμήεις ἔσομαι, ὅτε με βροτοὶ οὔ τι τίουσιν,
130Φαίηκες, τοί πέρ τοι ἐμῆς ἔξ εἰσι γενέθλης.
Transliteration
lēthet' apeilaōn, tas antitheōi Odusēï
prōton epēpeilēse, Dios d' exeireto boulēn:
"Zeu pater, ouket' egō ge met' athanatoisi theoisi
timēeis esomai, hote me brotoi ou ti tiousin,
130Phaiēkes, toi per toi emēs ex eisi genethlēs.
English · Butler
But Poseidon did not forget the threats with which he had already threatened Odysseus, so he took counsel with Zeus. "Father Zeus," said he, "I shall no longer be held in any sort of respect among you gods, if mortals like the Phaeacians, who are my own flesh and blood, show such small regard for me. I said I would get Odysseus home when he had suffered sufficiently. I did not say that he should never have a
Homeric Greek
καὶ γὰρ νῦν Ὀδυσῆ' ἐφάμην κακὰ πολλὰ παθόντα
οἴκαδ' ἐλεύσεσθαι: νόστον δέ οἱ οὔ ποτ' ἀπηύρων
πάγχυ, ἐπεὶ σὺ πρῶτον ὑπέσχεο καὶ κατένευσας.
οἱ δ' εὕδοντ' ἐν νηὶ̈ θοῇ ἐπὶ πόντον ἄγοντες
135κάτθεσαν εἰν Ἰθάκῃ, ἔδοσαν δέ οἱ ἄσπετα δῶρα,
Transliteration
kai gar nun Odusē' ephamēn kaka polla pathonta
oikad' eleusesthai: noston de hoi ou pot' apēurōn
panchu, epei su prōton hupescheo kai kateneusas.
hoi d' heudont' en nēï thoēi epi ponton agontes
135katthesan ein Ithakēi, edosan de hoi aspeta dōra,
English · Butler
homecoming at all, for I knew you had already nodded your head about it, and promised that he should do so; but now they have brought him over the sea in a ship fast asleep and have landed him in Ithaca after loading him with more magnificent presents of bronze, gold, and raiment
Homeric Greek
χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τε ἅλις ἐσθῆτά θ' ὑφαντήν,
πόλλ', ὅσ' ἂν οὐδέ ποτε Τροίης ἐξήρατ' Ὀδυσσεύς,
εἴ περ ἀπήμων ἦλθε, λαχὼν ἀπὸ ληί̈δος αἶσαν."
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεὺς:
140"ὢ πόποι, ἐννοσίγαι' εὐρυσθενές, οἷον ἔειπες.
Transliteration
chalkon te chruson te halis esthēta th' huphantēn,
poll', hos' an oude pote Troiēs exērat' Odusseus,
ei per apēmōn ēlthe, lachōn apo lēïdos aisan."
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:
140"ō popoi, ennosigai' eurusthenes, hoion eeipes.
English · Butler
than he would ever have brought back from Troy, if he had had his share of the spoil and got home without misadventure." And Zeus answered, "What, O Lord of the Earthquake, are you talking about? The gods are by no means wanting in respect for you.
Homeric Greek
οὔ τί σ' ἀτιμάζουσι θεοί: χαλεπὸν δέ κεν εἴη
πρεσβύτατον καὶ ἄριστον ἀτιμίῃσιν ἰάλλειν.
ἀνδρῶν δ' εἴ πέρ τίς σε βίῃ καὶ κάρτεϊ εἴκων
οὔ τι τίει. σοὶ δ' ἐστὶ καὶ ἐξοπίσω τίσις αἰεί.
145ἔρξον ὅπως ἐθέλεις καί τοι φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ."
Transliteration
ou ti s' atimazousi theoi: chalepon de ken eiē
presbutaton kai ariston atimiēisin iallein.
andrōn d' ei per tis se biēi kai karteï eikōn
ou ti tiei. soi d' esti kai exopisō tisis aiei.
145erxon hopōs etheleis kai toi philon epleto thumōi."
English · Butler
It would be monstrous were they to insult one so old and honored as you are. As regards mortals, however, if any of them is indulging in insolence and treating you disrespectfully, it will always rest with yourself to deal with him as you may think proper, so do just as you please."
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων:
"αἶψά κ' ἐγὼν ἔρξαιμι, κελαινεφές, ὡς ἀγορεύεις:
ἀλλὰ σὸν αἰεὶ θυμὸν ὀπίζομαι ἠδ' ἀλεείνω.
νῦν αὖ Φαιήκων ἐθέλω περικαλλέα νῆα,
150ἐκ πομπῆς ἀνιοῦσαν, ἐν ἠεροειδέϊ πόντῳ
Transliteration
ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Poseidaōn enosichthōn:
"aipsa k' egōn erxaimi, kelainephes, hōs agoreueis:
alla son aiei thumon opizomai ēd' aleeinō.
nun au Phaiēkōn ethelō perikallea nēa,
150ek pompēs aniousan, en ēeroeideï pontōi
English · Butler
"I should have done so at once," replied Poseidon, "if I were not anxious to avoid anything that might displease you; now, therefore, I should like to wreck the Phaeacian ship as it is returning from its escort. This will stop them from escorting people in future; and I should also like to envelop their
Homeric Greek
ῥαῖσαι, ἵν' ἤδη σχῶνται, ἀπολλήξωσι δὲ πομπῆς
ἀνθρώπων, μέγα δέ σφιν ὄρος πόλει ἀμφικαλύψαι."
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:
"ὢ πέπον, ὡς μὲν ἐμῷ θυμῷ δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα,
155ὁππότε κεν δὴ πάντες ἐλαυνομένην προί̈δωνται
Transliteration
rhaisai, hin' ēdē schōntai, apollēxōsi de pompēs
anthrōpōn, mega de sphin oros polei amphikalupsai."
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:
"ō pepon, hōs men emōi thumōi dokei einai arista,
155hoppote ken dē pantes elaunomenēn proïdōntai
English · Butler
city under a huge mountain." "My good friend," answered Zeus, "I should recommend you at the very moment when the people from the city are watching the ship on her way, to turn it into a rock near the land and looking like a ship. This will astonish everybody, and you
Homeric Greek
λαοὶ ἀπὸ πτόλιος, θεῖναι λίθον ἐγγύθι γαίης
νηὶ̈ θοῇ ἴκελον, ἵνα θαυμάζωσιν ἅπαντες
ἄνθρωποι, μέγα δέ σφιν ὄρος πόλει ἀμφικαλύψαι."
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γ' ἄκουσε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων,
160βῆ ῥ' ἴμεν ἐς Σχερίην, ὅθι Φαίηκες γεγάασιν.
Transliteration
laoi apo ptolios, theinai lithon enguthi gaiēs
nēï thoēi ikelon, hina thaumazōsin hapantes
anthrōpoi, mega de sphin oros polei amphikalupsai."
autar epei to g' akouse Poseidaōn enosichthōn,
160bē rh' imen es Scheriēn, hothi Phaiēkes gegaasin.
English · Butler
can then envelop their city under the mountain." When earth-encircling Poseidon heard this he went to Scheria where the Phaeacians live, and stayed there till the ship, which was making rapid way, had got close-in. Then he went up to it, turned
Homeric Greek
ἔνθ' ἔμεν': ἡ δὲ μάλα σχεδὸν ἤλυθε ποντοπόρος νηῦς
ῥίμφα διωκομένη: τῆς δὲ σχεδὸν ἦλθ' ἐνοσίχθων,
ὅς μιν λᾶαν ἔθηκε καὶ ἐρρίζωσεν ἔνερθε
χειρὶ καταπρηνεῖ ἐλάσας: ὁ δὲ νόσφι βεβήκει.
165οἱ δὲ πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἔπεα πτερόεντ' ἀγόρευον
Transliteration
enth' emen': hē de mala schedon ēluthe pontoporos nēus
rhimpha diōkomenē: tēs de schedon ēlth' enosichthōn,
hos min laan ethēke kai errizōsen enerthe
cheiri kataprēnei elasas: ho de nosphi bebēkei.
165hoi de pros allēlous epea pteroent' agoreuon
English · Butler
it into stone, and drove it down with the flat of his hand so as to root it in the ground. After this he went away. The Phaeacians then began talking among themselves, and one would turn towards his neighbor, saying, "Who is it that can have rooted the ship in the sea just as she was getting into port?
Homeric Greek
Φαίηκες δολιχήρετμοι, ναυσίκλυτοι ἄνδρες.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον:
"ὤ μοι, τίς δὴ νῆα θοὴν ἐπέδησ' ἐνὶ πόντῳ
οἴκαδ' ἐλαυνομένην; καὶ δὴ προὐφαίνετο πᾶσα."
170ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκε: τὰ δ' οὐκ ἴσαν ὡς ἐτέτυκτο.
Transliteration
Phaiēkes dolichēretmoi, nausiklutoi andres.
hōde de tis eipesken idōn es plēsion allon:
"ō moi, tis dē nēa thoēn epedēs' eni pontōi
oikad' elaunomenēn; kai dē prouphaineto pasa."
170hōs ara tis eipeske: ta d' ouk isan hōs etetukto.
English · Butler
The Phaeacians then began talking among themselves, and one would turn towards his neighbor, saying, "Who is it that can have rooted the ship in the sea just as she was getting into port? We could see the whole of her only a moment ago." This was how they talked, but they knew nothing about it; and Alkinoos said, "I remember now the old prophecy of my father.
Homeric Greek
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀλκίνοος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν:
"ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δή με παλαίφατα θέσφαθ' ἱκάνει
πατρὸς ἐμοῦ, ὃς ἔφασκε Ποσειδάων' ἀγάσασθαι
ἡμῖν, οὕνεκα πομποὶ ἀπήμονές εἰμεν ἁπάντων.
175φῆ ποτὲ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν περικαλλέα, νῆα,
Transliteration
toisin d' Alkinoos agorēsato kai meteeipen:
"ō popoi, ē mala dē me palaiphata thesphath' hikanei
patros emou, hos ephaske Poseidaōn' agasasthai
hēmin, houneka pompoi apēmones eimen hapantōn.
175phē pote Phaiēkōn andrōn perikallea, nēa,
English · Butler
This was how they talked, but they knew nothing about it; and Alkinoos said, "I remember now the old prophecy of my father. He said that Poseidon would be angry with us for taking every one so safely over the sea, and would one day wreck a Phaeacian ship as it was returning from an escort, and envelop our city with a high mountain. This was what my old father used to say, and now it is all coming true.
Homeric Greek
ἐκ πομπῆς ἀνιοῦσαν, ἐν ἠεροειδέϊ πόντῳ
ῥαισέμεναι, μέγα δ' ἧμιν ὄρος πόλει ἀμφικαλύψειν.
ὣς ἀγόρευ' ὁ γέρων: τὰ δὲ δὴ νῦν πάντα τελεῖται.
ἀλλ' ἄγεθ', ὡς ἂν ἐγὼ εἴπω, πειθώμεθα πάντες:
180πομπῆς μὲν παύσασθε βροτῶν, ὅτε κέν τις ἵκηται
Transliteration
ek pompēs aniousan, en ēeroeideï pontōi
rhaisemenai, mega d' hēmin oros polei amphikalupsein.
hōs agoreu' ho gerōn: ta de dē nun panta teleitai.
all' ageth', hōs an egō eipō, peithōmetha pantes:
180pompēs men pausasthe brotōn, hote ken tis hikētai
English · Butler
Now therefore let us all do as I say; in the first place we must leave off giving people escorts when they come here, and in the next let us sacrifice twelve picked bulls to Poseidon that
Homeric Greek
ἡμέτερον προτὶ ἄστυ: Ποσειδάωνι δὲ ταύρους
δώδεκα κεκριμένους ἱερεύσομεν, αἴ κ' ἐλεήσῃ,
μηδ' ἡμῖν περίμηκες ὄρος πόλει ἀμφικαλύψῃ."
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἔδεισαν, ἑτοιμάσσαντο δὲ ταύρους.
185ὣς οἱ μέν ῥ' εὔχοντο Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι
Transliteration
hēmeteron proti astu: Poseidaōni de taurous
dōdeka kekrimenous hiereusomen, ai k' eleēsēi,
mēd' hēmin perimēkes oros polei amphikalupsēi."
hōs ephath', hoi d' edeisan, hetoimassanto de taurous.
185hōs hoi men rh' euchonto Poseidaōni anakti
English · Butler
he may have mercy upon us, and not envelop our city with the high mountain." When the people heard this they were afraid and got ready the bulls. Thus did the chiefs and rulers of the dêmos of the Phaeacians to king Poseidon, standing round his altar; and at the same time Odysseus woke up once more upon his own soil.
Homeric Greek
δήμου Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,
ἑσταότες περὶ βωμόν. ὁ δ' ἔγρετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
εὕδων ἐν γαίῃ πατρωί̈ῃ, οὐδέ μιν ἔγνω,
ἤδη δὴν ἀπεών: περὶ γὰρ θεὸς ἠέρα χεῦε
190Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη, κούρη Διός, ὄφρα μιν αὐτὸν
Transliteration
dēmou Phaiēkōn hēgētores ēde medontes,
hestaotes peri bōmon. ho d' egreto dios Odusseus
heudōn en gaiēi patrōïēi, oude min egnō,
ēdē dēn apeōn: peri gar theos ēera cheue
190Pallas Athēnaiē, kourē Dios, ophra min auton
English · Butler
Thus did the chiefs and rulers of the dêmos of the Phaeacians to king Poseidon, standing round his altar; and at the same time Odysseus woke up once more upon his own soil. He had been so long away that he did not know it again; moreover, Zeus’ daughter Athena had made it a foggy day, so that people might not know of his having come, and that she might tell him everything without either his
Homeric Greek
ἄγνωστον τεύξειεν ἕκαστά τε μυθήσαιτο,
μή μιν πρὶν ἄλοχος γνοίη ἀστοί τε φίλοι τε,
πρὶν πᾶσαν μνηστῆρας ὑπερβασίην ἀποτῖσαι.
τοὔνεκ' ἄρ' ἀλλοειδέα φαινέσκετο πάντα ἄνακτι,
195ἀτραπιτοί τε διηνεκέες λιμένες τε πάνορμοι
Transliteration
agnōston teuxeien hekasta te muthēsaito,
mē min prin alochos gnoiē astoi te philoi te,
prin pasan mnēstēras huperbasiēn apotisai.
tounek' ar' alloeidea phainesketo panta anakti,
195atrapitoi te diēnekees limenes te panormoi
English · Butler
wife or his fellow citizens and friends recognizing him until he had taken his revenge upon the wicked suitors. Everything, therefore, seemed quite different to him - the long straight tracks, the harbors, the precipices, and the goodly trees, appeared all changed as he started up and looked upon his native land.
Homeric Greek
πέτραι τ' ἠλίβατοι καὶ δένδρεα τηλεθόωντα.
στῆ δ' ἄρ' ἀναί̈ξας καί ῥ' εἴσιδε πατρίδα γαῖαν:
ᾤμωξέν τ' ἄρ ἔπειτα καὶ ὣ πεπλήγετο μηρὼ
χερσὶ καταπρηνέσσ', ὀλοφυρόμενος δ' ἔπος ηὔδα:
200"ὤ μοι ἐγώ, τέων αὖτε βροτῶν ἐς γαῖαν ἱκάνω;
Transliteration
petrai t' ēlibatoi kai dendrea tēlethoōnta.
stē d' ar' anaïxas kai rh' eiside patrida gaian:
ōimōxen t' ar epeita kai hō peplēgeto mērō
chersi kataprēness', olophuromenos d' epos ēuda:
200"ō moi egō, teōn aute brotōn es gaian hikanō;
English · Butler
So he smote his thighs with the flat of his hands and cried aloud despairingly. "Alas," he exclaimed, "among what manner of people am I fallen?
Homeric Greek
ἦ ῥ' οἵ γ' ὑβρισταί τε καὶ ἄγριοι οὐδὲ δίκαιοι,
ἦε φιλόξεινοι, καί σφιν νόος ἐστὶ θεουδής;
πῇ δὴ χρήματα πολλὰ φέρω τάδε; πῇ τε καὶ αὐτὸς
πλάζομαι; αἴθ' ὄφελον μεῖναι παρὰ Φαιήκεσσιν
205αὐτοῦ: ἐγὼ δέ κεν ἄλλον ὑπερμενέων βασιλήων
Transliteration
ē rh' hoi g' hubristai te kai agrioi oude dikaioi,
ēe philoxeinoi, kai sphin noos esti theoudēs;
pēi dē chrēmata polla pherō tade; pēi te kai autos
plazomai; aith' ophelon meinai para Phaiēkessin
205autou: egō de ken allon hupermeneōn basilēōn
English · Butler
"Alas," he exclaimed, "among what manner of people am I fallen? Are they savage and uncivilized or hospitable and endowed with god-fearing noos? Where shall I put all this treasure, and which way shall I go? I wish I had stayed over there with the Phaeacians; or I could have gone to some other great chief who would have been good to me and given me an escort. As it is I do not know where to
Homeric Greek
ἐξικόμην, ὅς κέν μ' ἐφίλει καὶ ἔπεμπε νέεσθαι.
νῦν δ' οὔτ' ἄρ πῃ θέσθαι ἐπίσταμαι, οὐδὲ μὲν αὐτοῦ
καλλείψω, μή πώς μοι ἕλωρ ἄλλοισι γένηται.
ὢ πόποι, οὐκ ἄρα πάντα νοήμονες οὐδὲ δίκαιοι
210ἦσαν Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,
Transliteration
exikomēn, hos ken m' ephilei kai epempe neesthai.
nun d' out' ar pēi thesthai epistamai, oude men autou
kalleipsō, mē pōs moi helōr alloisi genētai.
ō popoi, ouk ara panta noēmones oude dikaioi
210ēsan Phaiēkōn hēgētores ēde medontes,
English · Butler
put my treasure, and I cannot leave it here for fear somebody else should get hold of it. In good truth the chiefs and rulers of the Phaeacians have not been dealing fairly by me, and have left me in the wrong country; they said they would take me back to Ithaca and they have not done so: may Zeus the protector of suppliants
Homeric Greek
οἵ μ' εἰς ἄλλην γαῖαν ἀπήγαγον, ἦ τέ μ' ἔφαντο
ἄξειν εἰς Ἰθάκην εὐδείελον, οὐδ' ἐτέλεσσαν.
Ζεὺς σφέας τίσαιτο ἱκετήσιος, ὅς τε καὶ ἄλλους
ἀνθρώπους ἐφορᾷ καὶ τίνυται ὅς τις ἁμάρτῃ.
215ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ τὰ χρήματ' ἀριθμήσω καὶ ἴδωμαι,
Transliteration
hoi m' eis allēn gaian apēgagon, ē te m' ephanto
axein eis Ithakēn eudeielon, oud' etelessan.
Zeus spheas tisaito hiketēsios, hos te kai allous
anthrōpous ephorāi kai tinutai hos tis hamartēi.
215all' age dē ta chrēmat' arithmēsō kai idōmai,
English · Butler
chastise them, for he watches over everybody and punishes those who do wrong. Still, I suppose I must count my goods and see if the crew have gone off
Homeric Greek
μή τί μοι οἴχωνται κοίλης ἐπὶ νηὸς ἄγοντες."
"ὣς εἰπὼν τρίποδας περικαλλέας ἠδὲ λέβητας
ἠρίθμει καὶ χρυσὸν ὑφαντά τε εἵματα καλά.
τῶν μὲν ἄρ' ὀύ τι πόθει: ὁ δ' ὀδύρετο πατρίδα γαῖαν
220ἑρπύζων παρὰ θῖνα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης,
Transliteration
mē ti moi oichōntai koilēs epi nēos agontes."
"hōs eipōn tripodas perikalleas ēde lebētas
ērithmei kai chruson huphanta te heimata kala.
tōn men ar' ou ti pothei: ho d' odureto patrida gaian
220herpuzōn para thina poluphloisboio thalassēs,
English · Butler
with any of them." He counted his goodly coppers and cauldrons, his gold and all his clothes, but there was nothing missing; still he kept grieving about not being in his own country, and wandered up and down by the shore of the sounding sea bewailing his hard fate. Then Athena came up to him disguised as a young shepherd of delicate and princely mien, with a good cloak folded double about her shoulders;
Homeric Greek
πόλλ' ὀλοφυρόμενος. σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη,
ἀνδρὶ δέμας εἰκυῖα νέῳ, ἐπιβώτορι μήλων,
παναπάλῳ, οἷοί τε ἀνάκτων παῖδες ἔασι,
δίπτυχον ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἔχουσ' εὐεργέα λώπην:
225ποσσὶ δ' ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσι πέδιλ' ἔχε, χερσὶ δ' ἄκοντα.
Transliteration
poll' olophuromenos. schedothen de hoi ēlthen Athēnē,
andri demas eikuia neōi, epibōtori mēlōn,
panapalōi, hoioi te anaktōn paides easi,
diptuchon amph' ōmoisin echous' euergea lōpēn:
225possi d' hupo liparoisi pedil' eche, chersi d' akonta.
English · Butler
she had sandals on her comely feet and held a javelin in her hand. Odysseus was glad when he saw her, and
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς γήθησεν ἰδὼν καὶ ἐναντίος ἦλθε,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"ὦ φίλ', ἐπεί σε πρῶτα κιχάνω τῷδ' ἐνὶ χώρῳ,
χαῖρέ τε καὶ μή μοί τι κακῷ νόῳ ἀντιβολήσαις,
230ἀλλὰ σάω μὲν ταῦτα, σάω δ' ἐμέ: σοὶ γὰρ ἐγώ γε
Transliteration
tēn d' Oduseus gēthēsen idōn kai enantios ēlthe,
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"ō phil', epei se prōta kichanō tōid' eni chōrōi,
chaire te kai mē moi ti kakōi noōi antibolēsais,
230alla saō men tauta, saō d' eme: soi gar egō ge
English · Butler
went straight up to her. "My friend," said he, "you are the first person whom I have met with in this country; I salute you, therefore, and beg you to be well disposed in noos towards me. Protect these my goods, and myself too, for I embrace your knees and pray to you as though you were a god.
Homeric Greek
εὔχομαι ὥς τε θεῷ καί σευ φίλα γούναθ' ἱκάνω.
καί μοι τοῦτ' ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρ' ἐὺ̈ εἰδῶ:
τίς γῆ, τίς δῆμος, τίνες ἀνέρες ἐγγεγάασιν;
ἦ πού τις νήσων εὐδείελος, ἦέ τις ἀκτὴ
235κεῖθ' ἁλὶ κεκλιμένη ἐριβώλακος ἠπείροιο;"
Transliteration
euchomai hōs te theōi kai seu phila gounath' hikanō.
kai moi tout' agoreuson etētumon, ophr' eü eidō:
tis gē, tis dēmos, tines aneres engegaasin;
ē pou tis nēsōn eudeielos, ēe tis aktē
235keith' hali keklimenē eribōlakos ēpeiroio;"
English · Butler
Tell me, then, and tell me truly, what land and country is this? Who are its inhabitants? Am I on an island, or is this the sea board of some continent?"
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
"νήπιός εἰς, ὦ ξεῖν', ἢ τηλόθεν εἰλήλουθας,
εἰ δὴ τήνδε τε γαῖαν ἀνείρεαι. οὐδέ τι λίην
οὕτω νώνυμός ἐστιν: ἴσασι δέ μιν μάλα πολλοί,
240ἠμὲν ὅσοι ναίουσι πρὸς ἠῶ τ' ἠέλιόν τε,
Transliteration
ton d' aute proseeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
"nēpios eis, ō xein', ē tēlothen eilēlouthas,
ei dē tēnde te gaian aneireai. oude ti liēn
houtō nōnumos estin: isasi de min mala polloi,
240ēmen hosoi naiousi pros ēō t' ēelion te,
English · Butler
Athena answered, "Stranger, you must be very simple, or must have come from somewhere a long way off, not to know what country this is. It is a very celebrated place, and everybody knows it East and West. It is rugged and not a good driving country, but it is by no means a bad island for what there is of it. It grows any quantity of grain and also wine, for it is watered both by rain and dew;
Homeric Greek
ἠδ' ὅσσοι μετόπισθε ποτὶ ζόφον ἠερόεντα.
ἦ τοι μὲν τρηχεῖα καὶ οὐχ ἱππήλατός ἐστιν,
οὐδὲ λίην λυπρή, ἀτὰρ οὐδ' εὐρεῖα τέτυκται.
ἐν μὲν γάρ οἱ σῖτος ἀθέσφατος, ἐν δέ τε οἶνος
245γίγνεται: αἰεὶ δ' ὄμβρος ἔχει τεθαλυῖά τ' ἐέρση:
Transliteration
ēd' hossoi metopisthe poti zophon ēeroenta.
ē toi men trēcheia kai ouch hippēlatos estin,
oude liēn luprē, atar oud' eureia tetuktai.
en men gar hoi sitos athesphatos, en de te oinos
245gignetai: aiei d' ombros echei tethaluia t' eersē:
English · Butler
it breeds cattle also and goats; all kinds of timber grow here, and there are watering places where the water never runs dry; so, sir, the name of Ithaca is known even as far as
Homeric Greek
αἰγίβοτος δ' ἀγαθὴ καὶ βούβοτος: ἔστι μὲν ὕλη
παντοίη, ἐν δ' ἀρδμοὶ ἐπηετανοὶ παρέασι.
τῷ τοι, ξεῖν', Ἰθάκης γε καὶ ἐς Τροίην ὄνομ' ἵκει,
τήν περ τηλοῦ φασὶν Ἀχαιί̈δος ἔμμεναι αἴης."
250"ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
Transliteration
aigibotos d' agathē kai boubotos: esti men hulē
pantoiē, en d' ardmoi epēetanoi pareasi.
tōi toi, xein', Ithakēs ge kai es Troiēn onom' hikei,
tēn per tēlou phasin Achaiïdos emmenai aiēs."
250"hōs phato, gēthēsen de polutlas dios Odusseus,
English · Butler
Troy, which I understand to be a long way off from this Achaean country." Odysseus was glad at finding himself,
Homeric Greek
χαίρων ᾗ γαίῃ πατρωί̈ῃ, ὥς οἱ ἔειπε
Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη, κούρη Διὸς, αἰγιόχοιο:
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
οὐδ' ὅ γ' ἀληθέα εἶπε, πάλιν δ' ὅ γε λάζετο μῦθον,
255αἰεὶ ἐνὶ στήθεσσι νόον πολυκερδέα νωμῶν:
Transliteration
chairōn hēi gaiēi patrōïēi, hōs hoi eeipe
Pallas Athēnaiē, kourē Dios, aigiochoio:
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:
oud' ho g' alēthea eipe, palin d' ho ge lazeto muthon,
255aiei eni stēthessi noon polukerdea nōmōn:
English · Butler
as Athena told him, in his own country, and he began to answer, but he did not speak the truth, and made up a lying story in the instinctive wiliness of his noos.
Homeric Greek
"πυνθανόμην Ἰθάκης γε καὶ ἐν Κρήτῃ εὐρείῃ,
τηλοῦ ὑπὲρ πόντου: νῦν δ' εἰλήλουθα καὶ αὐτὸς
χρήμασι σὺν τοίσδεσσι: λιπὼν δ' ἔτι παισὶ τοσαῦτα
φεύγω, ἐπεὶ φίλον υἷα κατέκτανον Ἰδομενῆος,
260Ὀρσίλοχον πόδας ὠκύν, ὃς ἐν Κρήτῃ εὐρείῃ
Transliteration
"punthanomēn Ithakēs ge kai en Krētēi eureiēi,
tēlou huper pontou: nun d' eilēloutha kai autos
chrēmasi sun toisdessi: lipōn d' eti paisi tosauta
pheugō, epei philon huia katektanon Idomenēos,
260Orsilochon podas ōkun, hos en Krētēi eureiēi
English · Butler
"I heard of Ithaca," said he, "when I was in Crete beyond the seas, and now it seems I have reached it with all these treasures. I have left as much more behind me for my children, but am fleeing because I killed Orsilokhos son of Idomeneus, the fleetest runner in Crete. I killed him because he wanted to rob me of the spoils I had got from Troy with
Homeric Greek
ἀνέρας ἀλφηστὰς νίκα ταχέεσσι πόδεσσιν,
οὕνεκά με στερέσαι τῆς ληί̈δος ἤθελε πάσης
Τρωϊάδος, τῆς εἵνεκ' ἐγὼ πάθον ἄλγεα θυμῷ,
ἀνδρῶν τε πτολέμους ἀλεγεινά τε κύματα πείρων,
265οὕνεκ' ἄρ' οὐχ ᾧ πατρὶ χαριζόμενος θεράπευον
Transliteration
aneras alphēstas nika tacheessi podessin,
houneka me steresai tēs lēïdos ēthele pasēs
Trōïados, tēs heinek' egō pathon algea thumōi,
andrōn te ptolemous alegeina te kumata peirōn,
265hounek' ar' ouch hōi patri charizomenos therapeuon
English · Butler
so much trouble and danger both on the field of battle and by the waves of the weary sea; he said I had not served his father loyally in the Trojan dêmos as vassal, but had set myself up as an independent ruler, so I lay in wait for him and with one of my
Homeric Greek
δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ἀλλ' ἄλλων ἦρχον ἑταίρων.
τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ κατιόντα βάλον χαλκήρεϊ δουρὶ
ἀγρόθεν, ἐγγὺς ὁδοῖο λοχησάμενος σὺν ἑταίρῳ:
νὺξ δὲ μάλα δνοφερὴ κάτεχ' οὐρανόν, οὐδέ τις ἡμέας
270ἀνθρώπων ἐνόησε, λάθον δέ ἑ θυμὸν ἀπούρας.
Transliteration
dēmōi eni Trōōn, all' allōn ērchon hetairōn.
ton men egō kationta balon chalkēreï douri
agrothen, engus hodoio lochēsamenos sun hetairōi:
nux de mala dnopherē katech' ouranon, oude tis hēmeas
270anthrōpōn enoēse, lathon de he thumon apouras.
English · Butler
followers by the road side, and speared him as he was coming into town from the country. It was a very dark night and nobody saw us; it was not known, therefore, that I had killed him, but as soon as I had done so I went to a ship and
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τόν γε κατέκτανον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,
αὐτίκ' ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νῆα κιὼν Φοίνικας ἀγαυοὺς
ἐλλισάμην, καί σφιν μενοεικέα ληί̈δα δῶκα:
τούς μ' ἐκέλευσα Πύλονδε καταστῆσαι καὶ ἐφέσσαι
275ἢ εἰς Ἤλιδα δῖαν, ὅθι κρατέουσιν Ἐπειοί.
Transliteration
autar epei dē ton ge katektanon oxeï chalkōi,
autik' egōn epi nēa kiōn Phoinikas agauous
ellisamēn, kai sphin menoeikea lēïda dōka:
tous m' ekeleusa Pulonde katastēsai kai ephessai
275ē eis Ēlida dian, hothi krateousin Epeioi.
English · Butler
besought the owners, who were Phoenicians, to take me on board and set me in Pylos or in Elis where the Epeans rule, giving them as much spoil as satisfied them. They meant no guile, but the wind drove them off their course, and we sailed on till we came hither by night.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἦ τοι σφέας κεῖθεν ἀπώσατο ἲς ἀνέμοιο
πόλλ' ἀεκαζομένους, οὐδ' ἤθελον ἐξαπατῆσαι.
κεῖθεν δὲ πλαγχθέντες ἱκάνομεν ἐνθάδε νυκτός.
σπουδῇ δ' ἐς λιμένα προερέσσαμεν, οὐδέ τις ἡμῖν
280δόρπου μνῆστις ἔην, μάλα περ χατέουσιν ἑλέσθαι,
Transliteration
all' ē toi spheas keithen apōsato is anemoio
poll' aekazomenous, oud' ēthelon exapatēsai.
keithen de planchthentes hikanomen enthade nuktos.
spoudēi d' es limena proeressamen, oude tis hēmin
280dorpou mnēstis eēn, mala per chateousin helesthai,
English · Butler
It was all we could do to get inside the harbor, and none of us said a word about supper though we wanted it badly, but we all went on shore and lay down just as we were. I was very tired and fell
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' αὔτως ἀποβάντες ἐκείμεθα νηὸς ἅπαντες.
ἔνθ' ἐμὲ μὲν γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἐπήλυθε κεκμηῶτα,
οἱ δὲ χρήματ' ἐμὰ γλαφυρῆς ἐκ νηὸς ἑλόντες
κάτθεσαν, ἔνθα περ αὐτὸς ἐπὶ ψαμάθοισιν ἐκείμην.
285οἱ δ' ἐς Σιδονίην εὖ ναιομένην ἀναβάντες
Transliteration
all' autōs apobantes ekeimetha nēos hapantes.
enth' eme men glukus hupnos epēluthe kekmēōta,
hoi de chrēmat' ema glaphurēs ek nēos helontes
katthesan, entha per autos epi psamathoisin ekeimēn.
285hoi d' es Sidoniēn eu naiomenēn anabantes
English · Butler
asleep directly, so they took my goods out of the ship, and placed them beside me where I was lying upon the sand. Then they sailed away to Sidonia, and I was left here in
Homeric Greek
ᾤχοντ': αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ λιπόμην ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ."
ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,
χειρί τέ μιν κατέρεξε: δέμας δ' ἤϊκτο γυναικὶ
καλῇ τε μεγάλῃ τε καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα ἰδυίῃ:
290καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
Transliteration
ōichont': autar egō lipomēn akachēmenos ētor."
hōs phato, meidēsen de thea glaukōpis Athēnē,
cheiri te min katerexe: demas d' ēïkto gunaiki
kalēi te megalēi te kai aglaa erga iduiēi:
290kai min phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:
English · Butler
great distress of mind." Such was his story, but Athena smiled and caressed him with her hand. Then she took the form of a woman, fair, stately, and wise, "He must be indeed a shifty and deceitful person," said she, "who could surpass you in all manner of craft even though you had a god for your antagonist.
Homeric Greek
"κερδαλέος κ' εἴη καὶ ἐπίκλοπος ὅς σε παρέλθοι
ἐν πάντεσσι δόλοισι, καὶ εἰ θεὸς ἀντιάσειε.
σχέτλιε, ποικιλομῆτα, δόλων ἆτ', οὐκ ἄρ' ἔμελλες,
οὐδ' ἐν σῇ περ ἐὼν γαίῃ, λήξειν ἀπατάων
295μύθων τε κλοπίων, οἵ τοι πεδόθεν φίλοι εἰσίν.
Transliteration
"kerdaleos k' eiē kai epiklopos hos se parelthoi
en pantessi doloisi, kai ei theos antiaseie.
schetlie, poikilomēta, dolōn at', ouk ar' emelles,
oud' en sēi per eōn gaiēi, lēxein apataōn
295muthōn te klopiōn, hoi toi pedothen philoi eisin.
English · Butler
Daring that you are, full of guile, unwearying in deceit, can you not drop your tricks and your instinctive falsehood, even now that you are in your own country again? We will say no more, however, about this, for we both of us know craftiness upon occasion - you are the best counselor and
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγε, μηκέτι ταῦτα λεγώμεθα, εἰδότες ἄμφω
κέρδε', ἐπεὶ σὺ μέν ἐσσι βροτῶν ὄχ' ἄριστος ἁπάντων
βουλῇ καὶ μύθοισιν, ἐγὼ δ' ἐν πᾶσι θεοῖσι
μήτι τε κλέομαι καὶ κέρδεσιν: οὐδὲ σύ γ' ἔγνως
300Παλλάδ' Ἀθηναίην, κούρην Διός, ἥ τέ τοι αἰεὶ
Transliteration
all' age, mēketi tauta legōmetha, eidotes amphō
kerde', epei su men essi brotōn och' aristos hapantōn
boulēi kai muthoisin, egō d' en pasi theoisi
mēti te kleomai kai kerdesin: oude su g' egnōs
300Pallad' Athēnaiēn, kourēn Dios, hē te toi aiei
English · Butler
orator among all humankind, while I for diplomacy and crafty ways have fame among the gods. Did you not know Zeus’ daughter Athena - me, who have been ever with you, who kept watch over you in all your ordeals, and who made the Phaeacians take so great a liking to you? And now, again, I am come here
Homeric Greek
ἐν πάντεσσι πόνοισι παρίσταμαι ἠδὲ φυλάσσω,
καὶ δέ σε Φαιήκεσσι φίλον πάντεσσιν ἔθηκα,
νῦν αὖ δεῦρ' ἱκόμην, ἵνα τοι σὺν μῆτιν ὑφήνω
χρήματά τε κρύψω, ὅσα τοι Φαίηκες ἀγαυοὶ
305ὤπασαν οἴκαδ' ἰόντι ἐμῇ βουλῇ τε νόῳ τε,
Transliteration
en pantessi ponoisi paristamai ēde phulassō,
kai de se Phaiēkessi philon pantessin ethēka,
nun au deur' hikomēn, hina toi sun mētin huphēnō
chrēmata te krupsō, hosa toi Phaiēkes agauoi
305ōpasan oikad' ionti emēi boulēi te noōi te,
English · Butler
to talk things over with you, and help you to hide the treasure I made the Phaeacians give you; I want to tell you about the troubles that await you in your own house; you have got to face them, but tell no one, neither man nor woman, that you have come home again. Bear everything,
Homeric Greek
εἴπω θ' ὅσσα τοι αἶσα δόμοις ἔνι ποιητοῖσι
κήδε' ἀνασχέσθαι: σὺ δὲ τετλάμεναι καὶ ἀνάγκῃ,
μηδέ τῳ ἐκφάσθαι μήτ' ἀνδρῶν μήτε γυναικῶν,
πάντων, οὕνεκ' ἄρ' ἦλθες ἀλώμενος, ἀλλὰ σιωπῇ
310πάσχειν ἄλγεα πολλά, βίας ὑποδέγμενος ἀνδρῶν."
Transliteration
eipō th' hossa toi aisa domois eni poiētoisi
kēde' anaschesthai: su de tetlamenai kai anankēi,
mēde tōi ekphasthai mēt' andrōn mēte gunaikōn,
pantōn, hounek' ar' ēlthes alōmenos, alla siōpēi
310paschein algea polla, bias hupodegmenos andrōn."
English · Butler
and put up with every man's violent insolence, without a word."
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"ἀργαλέον σε, θεά, γνῶναι βροτῷ ἀντιάσαντι,
καὶ μάλ' ἐπισταμένῳ: σὲ γὰρ αὐτὴν παντὶ ἐί̈σκεις.
τοῦτο δ' ἐγὼν εὖ οἶδ', ὅτι μοι πάρος ἠπίη ἦσθα,
315ἧος ἐνὶ Τροίῃ πολεμίζομεν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.
Transliteration
tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
"argaleon se, thea, gnōnai brotōi antiasanti,
kai mal' epistamenōi: se gar autēn panti eïskeis.
touto d' egōn eu oid', hoti moi paros ēpiē ēstha,
315hēos eni Troiēi polemizomen huies Achaiōn.
English · Butler
And Odysseus answered, "A man, goddess, may know a great deal, but you are so constantly changing your appearance that when he meets you it is a hard matter for him to know whether it is you or not. This much, however, I know exceedingly well; you were very kind to me as long as we Achaeans were fighting before Troy, but from the day on which we went on board ship after having sacked the
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Πριάμοιο πόλιν διεπέρσαμεν αἰπήν,
βῆμεν δ' ἐν νήεσσι, θεὸς δ' ἐκέδασσεν Ἀχαιούς,
οὔ σέ γ' ἔπειτα ἴδον, κούρη Διός, οὐδ' ἐνόησα
νηὸς ἐμῆς ἐπιβᾶσαν, ὅπως τί μοι ἄλγος ἀλάλκοις.
320ἀλλ' αἰεὶ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἔχων δεδαϊγμένον ἦτορ
Transliteration
autar epei Priamoio polin diepersamen aipēn,
bēmen d' en nēessi, theos d' ekedassen Achaious,
ou se g' epeita idon, kourē Dios, oud' enoēsa
nēos emēs epibasan, hopōs ti moi algos alalkois.
320all' aiei phresin hēisin echōn dedaïgmenon ētor
English · Butler
city of Priam, and heaven dispersed us - from that day, Athena, I saw no more of you, and cannot ever remember your coming to my ship to help me in a difficulty; I had to wander on sick and sorry till the gods delivered me from evil and I reached
Homeric Greek
ἠλώμην, ἧός με θεοὶ κακότητος ἔλυσαν:
πρίν γ' ὅτε Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν ἐν πίονι δήμῳ
θάρσυνάς τε ἔπεσσι καὶ ἐς πόλιν ἤγαγες αὐτή.
νῦν δέ σε πρὸς πατρὸς γουνάζομαι--οὐ γὰρ ὀί̈ω
325ἥκειν εἰς Ἰθάκην εὐδείελον, ἀλλά τιν' ἄλλην
Transliteration
ēlōmēn, hēos me theoi kakotētos elusan:
prin g' hote Phaiēkōn andrōn en pioni dēmōi
tharsunas te epessi kai es polin ēgages autē.
nun de se pros patros gounazomai--ou gar oïō
325hēkein eis Ithakēn eudeielon, alla tin' allēn
English · Butler
the dêmos of the Phaeacians, where you encouraged me and took me into the town. And now, I beseech you in your father's name, tell me the truth, for I do not believe I am really back in Ithaca. I am in some other country and you are mocking me and deceiving me in all you have been saying.
Homeric Greek
γαῖαν ἀναστρέφομαι: σὲ δὲ κερτομέουσαν ὀί̈ω
ταῦτ' ἀγορευέμεναι, ἵν' ἐμὰς φρένας ἠπεροπεύσῃς--
εἰπέ μοι εἰ ἐτεόν γε φίλην ἐς πατρίδ' ἱκάνω."
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
330"αἰεί τοι τοιοῦτον ἐνὶ στήθεσσι νόημα:
Transliteration
gaian anastrephomai: se de kertomeousan oïō
taut' agoreuemenai, hin' emas phrenas ēperopeusēis--
eipe moi ei eteon ge philēn es patrid' hikanō."
ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
330"aiei toi toiouton eni stēthessi noēma:
English · Butler
Tell me then truly, have I really got back to my own country?" "You are always taking something of that sort into your head," replied Athena, "and that is why I cannot desert you in your afflictions; you are so plausible, shrewd and shifty. Any one but yourself on returning from so long
Homeric Greek
τῷ σε καὶ οὐ δύναμαι προλιπεῖν δύστηνον ἐόντα,
οὕνεκ' ἐπητής ἐσσι καὶ ἀγχίνοος καὶ ἐχέφρων.
ἀσπασίως γάρ κ' ἄλλος ἀνὴρ ἀλαλήμενος ἐλθὼν
ἵετ' ἐνὶ μεγάροις ἰδέειν παῖδάς τ' ἄλοχόν τε:
335σοὶ δ' οὔ πω φίλον ἐστὶ δαήμεναι οὐδὲ πυθέσθαι,
Transliteration
tōi se kai ou dunamai prolipein dustēnon eonta,
hounek' epētēs essi kai anchinoos kai echephrōn.
aspasiōs gar k' allos anēr alalēmenos elthōn
hiet' eni megarois ideein paidas t' alochon te:
335soi d' ou pō philon esti daēmenai oude puthesthai,
English · Butler
a voyage would at once have gone home to see his wife and children, but you do not seem to care about asking after them or hearing any news about them till you have made trial of your wife, who remains at home vainly grieving
Homeric Greek
πρίν γ' ἔτι σῆς ἀλόχου πειρήσεαι, ἥ τέ τοι αὔτως
ἧσται ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν, ὀϊζυραὶ δέ οἱ αἰεὶ
φθίνουσιν νύκτες τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χεούσῃ.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τὸ μὲν οὔ ποτ' ἀπίστεον, ἀλλ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ
340ᾔδε', ὃ νοστήσεις ὀλέσας ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους:
Transliteration
prin g' eti sēs alochou peirēseai, hē te toi autōs
hēstai eni megaroisin, oïzurai de hoi aiei
phthinousin nuktes te kai ēmata dakru cheousēi.
autar egō to men ou pot' apisteon, all' eni thumōi
340ēide', ho nostēseis olesas apo pantas hetairous:
English · Butler
for you, and having no peace night or day for the tears she sheds on your behalf. As for my not coming near you, I was never uneasy about you, for I was certain you would get back safely though you would lose all your men, and I did
Homeric Greek
ἀλλά τοι οὐκ ἐθέλησα Ποσειδάωνι μάχεσθαι
πατροκασιγνήτῳ, ὅς τοι κότον ἔνθετο θυμῷ,
χωόμενος ὅτι οἱ υἱὸν φίλον ἐξαλάωσας.
ἀλλ' ἄγε τοι δείξω Ἰθάκης ἕδος, ὄφρα πεποίθῃς.
345Φόρκυνος μὲν ὅδ' ἐστὶ λιμήν, ἁλίοιο γέροντος,
Transliteration
alla toi ouk ethelēsa Poseidaōni machesthai
patrokasignētōi, hos toi koton entheto thumōi,
chōomenos hoti hoi huion philon exalaōsas.
all' age toi deixō Ithakēs hedos, ophra pepoithēis.
345Phorkunos men hod' esti limēn, halioio gerontos,
English · Butler
not wish to quarrel with my uncle Poseidon, who never forgave you for having blinded his son. I will now, however, point out to you the lie of the land, and you will then perhaps believe me. This is the haven of the Old One of the Sea, Phorkys,
Homeric Greek
ἥδε δ' ἐπὶ κρατὸς λιμένος τανύφυλλος ἐλαίη:
ἀγχόθι δ' αὐτῆς ἄντρον ἐπήρατον ἠεροειδές,
ἱρὸν νυμφάων, αἳ νηϊάδες καλέονται:
τοῦτο δέ τοι σπέος ἐστὶ κατηρεφές, ἔνθα σὺ πολλὰς
350ἔρδεσκες νύμφῃσι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβας:
Transliteration
hēde d' epi kratos limenos tanuphullos elaiē:
anchothi d' autēs antron epēraton ēeroeides,
hiron numphaōn, hai nēïades kaleontai:
touto de toi speos esti katērephes, entha su pollas
350erdeskes numphēisi telēessas hekatombas:
English · Butler
and here is the olive tree that grows at the head of it; here too is the overarching cavern in which you have offered many an acceptable hecatomb to the nymphs, and this
Homeric Greek
τοῦτο δὲ Νήριτόν ἐστιν ὄρος καταειμένον ὕλῃ."
ὣς εἰποῦσα θεὰ σκέδασ' ἠέρα, εἴσατο δὲ χθών:
γήθησέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
χαίρων ᾗ γαίῃ, κύσε δὲ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν.
355αὐτίκα δὲ νύμφῃς ἠρήσατο, χεῖρας ἀνασχών:
Transliteration
touto de Nēriton estin oros kataeimenon hulēi."
hōs eipousa thea skedas' ēera, eisato de chthōn:
gēthēsen t' ar' epeita polutlas dios Odusseus,
chairōn hēi gaiēi, kuse de zeidōron arouran.
355autika de numphēis ērēsato, cheiras anaschōn:
English · Butler
is the wooded mountain Neritum." As she spoke the goddess dispersed the mist and the land appeared. Then Odysseus rejoiced at finding himself again in his own land, and kissed the bounteous soil; he lifted up his hands and prayed to the nymphs, saying, "Naiad nymphs, daughters of Zeus,
Homeric Greek
"νύμφαι νηϊάδες, κοῦραι Διός, οὔ ποτ' ἐγώ γε
ὄψεσθ' ὔμμ' ἐφάμην: νῦν δ' εὐχωλῇς ἀγανῇσι
χαίρετ': ἀτὰρ καὶ δῶρα διδώσομεν, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ,
αἴ κεν ἐᾷ πρόφρων με Διὸς θυγάτηρ ἀγελείη
360αὐτόν τε ζώειν καί μοι φίλον υἱὸν ἀέξῃ."
Transliteration
"numphai nēïades, kourai Dios, ou pot' egō ge
opsesth' umm' ephamēn: nun d' euchōlēis aganēisi
chairet': atar kai dōra didōsomen, hōs to paros per,
ai ken eāi prophrōn me Dios thugatēr ageleiē
360auton te zōein kai moi philon huion aexēi."
English · Butler
I made sure that I was never again to see you, now therefore I greet you with all loving salutations, and I will bring you offerings as in the old days, if Zeus’ redoubtable daughter will grant me
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
"θάρσει, μή τοι ταῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶ σῇσι μελόντων.
ἀλλὰ χρήματα μὲν μυχῷ ἄντρου θεσπεσίοιο
θείμεν αὐτίκα νῦν, ἵνα περ τάδε τοι σόα μίμνῃ:
365αὐτοὶ δὲ φραζώμεθ' ὅπως ὄχ' ἄριστα γένηται."
Transliteration
ton d' aute proseeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
"tharsei, mē toi tauta meta phresi sēisi melontōn.
alla chrēmata men muchōi antrou thespesioio
theimen autika nun, hina per tade toi soa mimnēi:
365autoi de phrazōmeth' hopōs och' arista genētai."
English · Butler
life, and bring my son to manhood." "Take heart, and do not trouble yourself about that," rejoined Athena, "let us rather set about stowing your things at once in the cave, where they will be quite safe. Let us see how we can best manage it all."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰποῦσα θεὰ δῦνε σπέος ἠεροειδές,
μαιομένη κευθμῶνας ἀνὰ σπέος: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἆσσον πάντ' ἐφόρει, χρυσὸν καὶ ἀτειρέα χαλκὸν
εἵματά τ' εὐποίητα, τά οἱ Φαίηκες ἔδωκαν.
370καὶ τὰ μὲν εὖ κατέθηκε, λίθον δ' ἐπέθηκε θύρῃσι
Transliteration
hōs eipousa thea dune speos ēeroeides,
maiomenē keuthmōnas ana speos: autar Odusseus
asson pant' ephorei, chruson kai ateirea chalkon
heimata t' eupoiēta, ta hoi Phaiēkes edōkan.
370kai ta men eu katethēke, lithon d' epethēke thurēisi
English · Butler
Therewith she went down into the cave to look for the safest hiding places, while Odysseus brought up all the treasure of gold, bronze, and good clothing which the Phaeacians had given him. They stowed everything carefully away, and Athena set a stone against the door of the cave. Then the two sat down by the root of
Homeric Greek
Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη, κούρη Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο.
τὼ δὲ καθεζομένω ἱερῆς παρὰ πυθμέν' ἐλαίης
φραζέσθην μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισιν ὄλεθρον.
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
375"διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχαν' Ὀδυσσεῦ,
Transliteration
Pallas Athēnaiē, kourē Dios aigiochoio.
tō de kathezomenō hierēs para puthmen' elaiēs
phrazesthēn mnēstērsin huperphialoisin olethron.
toisi de muthōn ērche thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
375"diogenes Laertiadē, polumēchan' Odusseu,
English · Butler
the great olive, and consulted how to compass the destruction of the wicked suitors. "Odysseus," said Athena, "noble son of Laertes, think how
Homeric Greek
φράζευ ὅπως μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφήσεις,
οἳ δή τοι τρίετες μέγαρον κάτα κοιρανέουσι,
μνώμενοι ἀντιθέην ἄλοχον καὶ ἕδνα διδόντες:
ἡ δὲ σὸν αἰεὶ νόστον ὀδυρομένη κατὰ θυμὸν
380πάντας μέν ῥ' ἔλπει καὶ ὑπίσχεται ἀνδρὶ ἑκάστῳ,
Transliteration
phrazeu hopōs mnēstērsin anaidesi cheiras ephēseis,
hoi dē toi trietes megaron kata koiraneousi,
mnōmenoi antitheēn alochon kai hedna didontes:
hē de son aiei noston oduromenē kata thumon
380pantas men rh' elpei kai hupischetai andri hekastōi,
English · Butler
you can lay hands on these disreputable people who have been lording it in your house these three years, courting your wife and making wedding presents to her, while she does nothing but mourning your nostos, giving hope and sending encouraging messages to every one of them,
Homeric Greek
ἀγγελίας προϊεῖσα, νόος δέ οἱ ἄλλα μενοινᾷ."
τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεί̈δαο
φθίσεσθαι κακὸν οἶτον ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔμελλον,
385εἰ μή μοι σὺ ἕκαστα, θεά, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.
Transliteration
angelias proïeisa, noos de hoi alla menoināi."
tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
"ō popoi, ē mala dē Agamemnonos Atreïdao
phthisesthai kakon oiton eni megaroisin emellon,
385ei mē moi su hekasta, thea, kata moiran eeipes.
English · Butler
but meaning the very opposite of all she says." And Odysseus answered, "In good truth, goddess, it seems I should have come to much the same bad end in my own house as Agamemnon did, if you had not given me such timely information. Advise me how I shall best avenge myself. Stand by my side and put your courage into my
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγε μῆτιν ὕφηνον, ὅπως ἀποτίσομαι αὐτούς:
πὰρ δέ μοι αὐτὴ στῆθι, μένος πολυθαρσὲς ἐνεῖσα,
οἷον ὅτε Τροίης λύομεν λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα.
αἴ κέ μοι ὣς μεμαυῖα παρασταίης, γλαυκῶπι,
390καί κε τριηκοσίοισιν ἐγὼν ἄνδρεσσι μαχοίμην
Transliteration
all' age mētin huphēnon, hopōs apotisomai autous:
par de moi autē stēthi, menos polutharses eneisa,
hoion hote Troiēs luomen lipara krēdemna.
ai ke moi hōs memauia parastaiēs, glaukōpi,
390kai ke triēkosioisin egōn andressi machoimēn
English · Butler
heart as on the day when we loosed Troy's fair diadem from her brow. Help me now as you did then, and I will fight three hundred men,
Homeric Greek
σὺν σοί, πότνα θεά, ὅτε μοι πρόφρασσ' ἐπαρήγοις."
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
"καὶ λίην τοι ἐγώ γε παρέσσομαι, οὐδέ με λήσεις,
ὁππότε κεν δὴ ταῦτα πενώμεθα: καί τιν' ὀί̈ω
395αἵματί τ' ἐγκεφάλῳ τε παλαξέμεν ἄσπετον οὖδας
Transliteration
sun soi, potna thea, hote moi prophrass' eparēgois."
ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
"kai liēn toi egō ge paressomai, oude me lēseis,
hoppote ken dē tauta penōmetha: kai tin' oïō
395haimati t' enkephalōi te palaxemen aspeton oudas
English · Butler
if you, goddess, will be with me." "Trust me for that," said she, "I will not lose sight of you when once we set about it, and I would imagine that some of those who are devouring your substance will then bespatter the pavement with their blood and brains. I will begin by disguising you so that no human being shall know you; I will cover your body with wrinkles;
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, οἵ τοι βίοτον κατέδουσιν.
ἀλλ' ἄγε σ' ἄγνωστον τεύξω πάντεσσι βροτοῖσι:
κάρψω μὲν χρόα καλὸν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι,
ξανθὰς δ' ἐκ κεφαλῆς ὀλέσω τρίχας, ἀμφὶ δὲ λαῖφος
400ἕσσω ὅ κε στυγέῃσιν ἰδὼν ἄνθρωπον ἔχοντα,
Transliteration
andrōn mnēstērōn, hoi toi bioton katedousin.
all' age s' agnōston teuxō pantessi brotoisi:
karpsō men chroa kalon eni gnamptoisi melessi,
xanthas d' ek kephalēs olesō trichas, amphi de laiphos
400hessō ho ke stugeēisin idōn anthrōpon echonta,
English · Butler
you shall lose all your yellow hair; I will clothe you in a garment that shall fill all who see it with loathing; I will blear your fine eyes for you, and make you an unseemly object in the sight of the suitors, of your wife, and of the son whom you left behind you.
Homeric Greek
κνυζώσω δέ τοι ὄσσε πάρος περικαλλέ' ἐόντε,
ὡς ἂν ἀεικέλιος πᾶσι μνηστῆρσι φανήῃς
σῇ τ' ἀλόχῳ καὶ παιδί, τὸν ἐν μεγάροισιν ἔλειπες.
αὐτὸς δὲ πρώτιστα συβώτην εἰσαφικέσθαι,
405ὅς τοι ὑῶν ἐπίουρος, ὁμῶς δέ τοι ἤπια οἶδε,
Transliteration
knuzōsō de toi osse paros perikalle' eonte,
hōs an aeikelios pasi mnēstērsi phanēēis
sēi t' alochōi kai paidi, ton en megaroisin eleipes.
autos de prōtista subōtēn eisaphikesthai,
405hos toi huōn epiouros, homōs de toi ēpia oide,
English · Butler
Then go at once to the swineherd who is in charge of your pigs; he has been always well affected towards you, and is devoted to Penelope and your son; you will find him feeding his pigs near the rock that is called Raven by the
Homeric Greek
παῖδά τε σὸν φιλέει καὶ ἐχέφρονα Πηνελόπειαν.
δήεις τόν γε σύεσσι παρήμενον: αἱ δὲ νέμονται
πὰρ Κόρακος πέτρῃ ἐπί τε κρήνῃ Ἀρεθούσῃ,
ἔσθουσαι βάλανον μενοεικέα καὶ μέλαν ὕδωρ
410πίνουσαι, τά θ' ὕεσσι τρέφει τεθαλυῖαν ἀλοιφήν.
Transliteration
paida te son phileei kai echephrona Pēnelopeian.
dēeis ton ge suessi parēmenon: hai de nemontai
par Korakos petrēi epi te krēnēi Arethousēi,
esthousai balanon menoeikea kai melan hudōr
410pinousai, ta th' huessi trephei tethaluian aloiphēn.
English · Butler
fountain Arethusa, where they are fattening on beechmast and spring water after their manner. Stay with him and find out how things are going, while I proceed to Sparta and see your
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα μένειν καὶ πάντα παρήμενος ἐξερέεσθαι,
ὄφρ' ἂν ἐγὼν ἔλθω Σπάρτην ἐς καλλιγύναικα
Τηλέμαχον καλέουσα, τεὸν φίλον υἱόν, Ὀδυσσεῦ:
ὅς τοι ἐς εὐρύχορον Λακεδαίμονα πὰρ Μενέλαον
415ᾤχετο πευσόμενος μετὰ σὸν κλέος, εἴ που ἔτ' εἴης."
Transliteration
entha menein kai panta parēmenos exereesthai,
ophr' an egōn elthō Spartēn es kalligunaika
Tēlemachon kaleousa, teon philon huion, Odusseu:
hos toi es euruchoron Lakedaimona par Menelaon
415ōicheto peusomenos meta son kleos, ei pou et' eiēs."
English · Butler
son, who is with Menelaos at Lacedaemon, where he has gone to try and find a report on whether you are still alive."
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"τίπτε τ' ἄρ' οὔ οἱ ἔειπες, ἐνὶ φρεσὶ πάντα ἰδυῖα;
ἦ ἵνα που καὶ κεῖνος ἀλώμενος ἄλγεα πάσχῃ
πόντον ἐπ' ἀτρύγετον: βίοτον δέ οἱ ἄλλοι ἔδουσι;"
420τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
Transliteration
tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
"tipte t' ar' ou hoi eeipes, eni phresi panta iduia;
ē hina pou kai keinos alōmenos algea paschēi
ponton ep' atrugeton: bioton de hoi alloi edousi;"
420ton d' ēmeibet' epeita thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
English · Butler
"But why," said Odysseus, "did you not tell him, for you knew all about it? Did you want him too to go sailing about amid all kinds of hardship while others are eating up his estate?" Athena answered, "Never mind about him, I sent him that he might be well spoken of for having gone.
Homeric Greek
"μὴ δή τοι κεῖνός γε λίην ἐνθύμιος ἔστω.
αὐτή μιν πόμπευον, ἵνα κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἄροιτο
κεῖσ' ἐλθών: ἀτὰρ οὔ τιν' ἔχει πόνον, ἀλλὰ ἕκηλος
ἧσται ἐν Ἀτρεί̈δαο δόμοις, παρὰ δ' ἄσπετα κεῖται.
425ἦ μέν μιν λοχόωσι νέοι σὺν νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ,
Transliteration
"mē dē toi keinos ge liēn enthumios estō.
autē min pompeuon, hina kleos esthlon aroito
keis' elthōn: atar ou tin' echei ponon, alla hekēlos
hēstai en Atreïdao domois, para d' aspeta keitai.
425ē men min lochoōsi neoi sun nēï melainēi,
English · Butler
Athena answered, "Never mind about him, I sent him that he might be well spoken of for having gone. He is in no sort of difficulty, but is staying quite comfortably with Menelaos, and is surrounded with abundance of every kind. The suitors have put out to sea and are lying in wait for him, for they mean to kill him before he can get home. I do not much think they will
Homeric Greek
ἱέμενοι κτεῖναι, πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι:
ἀλλὰ τά γ' οὐκ ὀί̈ω, πρὶν καί τινα γαῖα καθέξει
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, οἵ τοι βίοτον κατέδουσιν."
ὣς ἄρα μιν φαμένη ῥάβδῳ ἐπεμάσσατ' Ἀθήνη.
430κάρψεν μὲν χρόα καλὸν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι,
Transliteration
hiemenoi kteinai, prin patrida gaian hikesthai:
alla ta g' ouk oïō, prin kai tina gaia kathexei
andrōn mnēstērōn, hoi toi bioton katedousin."
hōs ara min phamenē rhabdōi epemassat' Athēnē.
430karpsen men chroa kalon eni gnamptoisi melessi,
English · Butler
succeed, but rather that some of those who are now eating up your estate will first find a grave themselves." As she spoke Athena touched him with her wand and covered him with wrinkles, took away all his yellow hair, and withered the flesh over his whole body;
Homeric Greek
ξανθὰς δ' ἐκ κεφαλῆς ὄλεσε τρίχας, ἀμφὶ δὲ δέρμα
πάντεσσιν μελέεσσι παλαιοῦ θῆκε γέροντος,
κνύζωσεν δέ οἱ ὄσσε πάρος περικαλλέ' ἐόντε:
ἀμφὶ δέ μιν ῥάκος ἄλλο κακὸν βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,
435ῥωγαλέα ῥυπόωντα, κακῷ μεμορυγμένα καπνῷ:
Transliteration
xanthas d' ek kephalēs olese trichas, amphi de derma
pantessin meleessi palaiou thēke gerontos,
knuzōsen de hoi osse paros perikalle' eonte:
amphi de min rhakos allo kakon balen ēde chitōna,
435rhōgalea rhupoōnta, kakōi memorugmena kapnōi:
English · Butler
she bleared his eyes, which were naturally very fine ones; she changed his clothes and threw an old rag of a wrap about him, and a tunic, tattered, filthy, and begrimed with smoke; she also gave him an undressed deer skin as an outer garment, and furnished
Homeric Greek
ἀμφὶ δέ μιν μέγα δέρμα ταχείης ἕσσ' ἐλάφοιο,
ψιλόν: δῶκε δέ οἱ σκῆπτρον καὶ ἀεικέα πήρην,
πυκνὰ ῥωγαλέην: ἐν δὲ στρόφος ἦεν ἀορτήρ.
τώ γ' ὣς βουλεύσαντε διέτμαγεν. ἡ μὲν ἔπειτα
440ἐς Λακεδαίμονα δῖαν ἔβη μετὰ παῖδ' Ὀδυσῆος.
Transliteration
amphi de min mega derma tacheiēs hess' elaphoio,
psilon: dōke de hoi skēptron kai aeikea pērēn,
pukna rhōgaleēn: en de strophos ēen aortēr.
tō g' hōs bouleusante dietmagen. hē men epeita
440es Lakedaimona dian ebē meta paid' Odusēos.
English · Butler
him with a staff and a wallet all in holes, with a twisted thong for him to sling it over his shoulder. When the pair had thus laid their plans they parted, and the goddess went straight to Lacedaemon to fetch Telemakhos.