Book XV

Homeric Greek

1ἡ δ' εἰς εὐρύχορον Λακεδαίμονα Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη

ᾤχετ', Ὀδυσσῆος μεγαθύμου φαίδιμον υἱὸν

νόστου ὑπομνήσουσα καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι.

εὗρε δὲ Τηλέμαχον καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸν υἱὸν

5εὕδοντ' ἐν προδόμῳ Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο,

Transliteration

1hē d' eis eurychoron Lakedaimona Pallas Athēnē

ōichet', Odyssēos megathymou phaidimon huion

nostou hypomnēsousa kai otryneousa neesthai.

heure de Tēlemachon kai Nestoros aglaon huion

5heudont' en prodomōi Menelaou kydalimoio,

English

But Athena went to the fair city of Lacedaemon to tell Odysseus’ son that he was to return at once. She found him and Peisistratos sleeping in the forecourt of Menelaos’ house;

Homeric Greek

ἦ τοι Νεστορίδην μαλακῷ δεδμημένον ὕπνῳ:

Τηλέμαχον δ' οὐχ ὕπνος ἔχε γλυκύς, ἀλλ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ

νύκτα δι' ἀμβροσίην μελεδήματα πατρὸς ἔγειρεν.

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη προσέφη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:

10"Τηλέμαχ', οὐκέτι καλὰ δόμων ἄπο τῆλ' ἀλάλησαι,

Transliteration

ē toi Nestoridēn malakōi dedmēmenon hypnōi:

Tēlemachon d' ouch hypnos eche glykys, all' eni thymōi

nykta di' ambrosiēn meledēmata patros egeiren.

anchou d' histamenē prosephē glaukōpis Athēnē:

10"Tēlemach', ouketi kala domōn apo tēl' alalēsai,

English

Peisistratos was fast asleep, but Telemakhos could get no rest all night for thinking of his unhappy father, so Athena went close up to him and said: "Telemakhos, you should not remain so far away from home

Homeric Greek

κτήματά τε προλιπὼν ἄνδρας τ' ἐν σοῖσι δόμοισιν

οὕτω ὑπερφιάλους: μή τοι κατὰ πάντα φάγωσι

κτήματα δασσάμενοι, σὺ δὲ τηϋσίην ὁδὸν ἔλθῃς.

ἀλλ' ὄτρυνε τάχιστα βοὴν ἀγαθὸν Μενέλαον

15πεμπέμεν, ὄφρ' ἔτι οἴκοι ἀμύμονα μητέρα τέτμῃς.

Transliteration

ktēmata te prolipōn andras t' en soisi domoisin

houtō hyperphialous: mē toi kata panta phagōsi

ktēmata dassamenoi, sy de tēÿsiēn hodon elthēis.

all' otryne tachista boēn agathon Menelaon

15pempemen, ophr' eti oikoi amymona mētera tetmēis.

English

any longer, nor leave your property with such dangerous people in your house; they will eat up everything you have among them, and you will have been on a fool's errand. Ask Menelaos to send you home at once if you wish to find your excellent mother still there when you get back.

Homeric Greek

ἤδη γάρ ῥα πατήρ τε κασίγνητοί τε κέλονται

Εὐρυμάχῳ γήμασθαι: ὁ γὰρ περιβάλλει ἅπαντας

μνηστῆρας δώροισι καὶ ἐξώφελλεν ἔεδνα:

μή νύ τι σεῦ ἀέκητι δόμων ἐκ κτῆμα φέρηται.

20οἶσθα γὰρ οἷος θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι γυναικός:

Transliteration

ēdē gar rha patēr te kasignētoi te kelontai

Eurymachōi gēmasthai: ho gar periballei hapantas

mnēstēras dōroisi kai exōphellen eedna:

mē ny ti seu aekēti domōn ek ktēma pherētai.

20oistha gar hoios thymos eni stēthessi gynaikos:

English

Her father and brothers are already urging her to marry Eurymakhos, who has given her more than any of the others, and has been greatly increasing his wedding presents. I hope nothing valuable may have been taken from the house in spite of you, but you know what women are -

Homeric Greek

κείνου βούλεται οἶκον ὀφέλλειν ὅς κεν ὀπυίῃ,

παίδων δὲ προτέρων καὶ κουριδίοιο φίλοιο

οὐκέτι μέμνηται τεθνηκότος οὐδὲ μεταλλᾷ.

ἀλλὰ σύ γ' ἐλθὼν αὐτὸς ἐπιτρέψειας ἕκαστα

25δμῳάων ἥ τίς τοι ἀρίστη φαίνεται εἶναι,

Transliteration

keinou bouletai oikon ophellein hos ken opuiēi,

paidōn de proterōn kai kouridioio philoio

ouketi memnētai tethnēkotos oude metallāi.

alla sy g' elthōn autos epitrepseias hekasta

25dmōiaōn hē tis toi aristē phainetai einai,

English

they always want to do the best they can for the man who marries them, and never give another thought to the children of their first husband, nor to their father either when he is dead and done with. Go home, therefore, and put everything in charge of the most respectable woman

Homeric Greek

εἰς ὅ κέ τοι φήνωσι θεοὶ κυδρὴν παράκοιτιν.

ἄλλο δέ τοί τι ἔπος ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο θυμῷ.

μνηστήρων σ' ἐπιτηδὲς ἀριστῆες λοχόωσιν

ἐν πορθμῷ Ἰθάκης τε Σάμοιό τε παιπαλοέσσης.

30ἱέμενοι κτεῖναι, πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι.

Transliteration

eis ho ke toi phēnōsi theoi kydrēn parakoitin.

allo de toi ti epos ereō, sy de syntheo thymōi.

mnēstērōn s' epitēdes aristēes lochoōsin

en porthmōi Ithakēs te Samoio te paipaloessēs.

30hiemenoi kteinai, prin patrida gaian hikesthai.

English

servant that you have, until it shall please heaven to send you a wife of your own. Let me tell you also of another matter which you had better attend to. The chief men among the suitors are lying in wait for you in the Strait between Ithaca and Samos, and they mean to kill you before you can reach home.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ τά γ' οὐκ ὀί̈ω: πρὶν καί τινα γαῖα καθέξει

ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, οἵ τοι βίοτον κατέδουσιν.

ἀλλὰ ἑκὰς νήσων ἀπέχειν εὐεργέα νῆα,

νυκτὶ δ' ὁμῶς πλείειν: πέμψει δέ τοι οὖρον ὄπισθεν

35ἀθανάτων ὅς τίς σε φυλάσσει τε ῥύεταί τε.

Transliteration

alla ta g' ouk oïō: prin kai tina gaia kathexei

andrōn mnēstērōn, hoi toi bioton katedousin.

alla hekas nēsōn apechein euergea nēa,

nykti d' homōs pleiein: pempsei de toi ouron opisthen

35athanatōn hos tis se phylassei te rhyetai te.

English

I do not much think they will succeed; it is more likely that some of those who are now eating up your property will find a grave themselves. Sail night and day, and keep your ship well away from the islands;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν πρώτην ἀκτὴν Ἰθάκης ἀφίκηαι,

νῆα μὲν ἐς πόλιν ὀτρῦναι καὶ πάντας ἑταίρους,

αὐτὸς δὲ πρώτιστα συβώτην εἰσαφικέσθαι,

ὅς τοι ὑῶν ἐπίουρος, ὁμῶς δέ τοι ἤπια οἶδεν.

40ἔνθα δὲ νύκτ' ἀέσαι: τὸν δ' ὀτρῦναι πόλιν εἴσω

Transliteration

autar epēn prōtēn aktēn Ithakēs aphikēai,

nēa men es polin otrynai kai pantas hetairous,

autos de prōtista sybōtēn eisaphikesthai,

hos toi hyōn epiouros, homōs de toi ēpia oiden.

40entha de nykt' aesai: ton d' otrynai polin eisō

English

the god who watches over you and protects you will send you a fair wind. As soon as you get to Ithaca send your ship and men on to the town, but yourself go straight to the swineherd who has charge your pigs;

Homeric Greek

ἀγγελίην ἐρέοντα περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,

οὕνεκά οἱ σῶς ἐσσὶ καὶ ἐκ Πύλου εἰλήλουθας."

ἡ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,

αὐτὰρ ὁ Νεστορίδην ἐξ ἡδέος ὕπνου ἔγειρεν

45λὰξ ποδὶ κινήσας, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:

Transliteration

angeliēn ereonta periphroni Pēnelopeiēi,

houneka hoi sōs essi kai ek Pylou eilēlouthas."

hē men ar' hōs eipous' apebē pros makron Olympon,

autar ho Nestoridēn ex hēdeos hypnou egeiren

45lax podi kinēsas, kai min pros mython eeipen:

English

he is well disposed towards you, stay with him, therefore, for the night, and then send him to Penelope to tell her that you have got back safe from Pylos." Then she went back to Olympus; but Telemakhos stirred Peisistratos with his heel to rouse him, and said, "Wake up

Homeric Greek

"ἔγρεο, Νεστορίδη Πεισίστρατε, μώνυχας ἵππους

ζεῦξον ὑφ' ἅρματ' ἄγων, ὄφρα πρήσσωμεν ὁδοῖο."

τὸν δ' αὖ Νεστορίδης Πεισίστρατος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"Τηλέμαχ', οὔ πως ἔστιν ἐπειγομένους περ ὁδοῖο

50νύκτα διὰ δνοφερὴν ἐλάαν: τάχα δ' ἔσσεται ἠώς.

Transliteration

"egreo, Nestoridē Peisistrate, mōnychas hippous

zeuxon hyph' harmat' agōn, ophra prēssōmen hodoio."

ton d' au Nestoridēs Peisistratos antion ēuda:

"Tēlemach', ou pōs estin epeigomenous per hodoio

50nykta dia dnopherēn elaan: tacha d' essetai ēōs.

English

Peisistratos, and yoke the horses to the chariot, for we must set off home." But Peisistratos said, "No matter what hurry we are in we cannot drive in the dark. It will be morning soon;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ μέν' εἰς ὅ κε δῶρα φέρων ἐπιδίφρια θήῃ

ἥρως Ἀτρείδης, δουρικλειτὸς Μενέλαος,

καὶ μύθοις ἀγανοῖσι παραυδήσας ἀποπέμψῃ.

τοῦ γάρ τε ξεῖνος μιμνήσκεται ἤματα πάντα

55ἀνδρὸς ξεινοδόκου, ὅς κεν φιλότητα παράσχῃ."

Transliteration

alla men' eis ho ke dōra pherōn epidiphria thēēi

hērōs Atreidēs, dourikleitos Menelaos,

kai mythois aganoisi paraudēsas apopempsēi.

tou gar te xeinos mimnēsketai ēmata panta

55andros xeinodokou, hos ken philotēta paraschēi."

English

wait till Menelaos has brought his presents and put them in the chariot for us; and let him say good-bye to us in the usual way. So long as he lives a guest should never forget a host who has shown him kindness."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατ', αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.

ἀγχίμολον δέ σφ' ἦλθε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος,

ἀνστὰς ἐξ εὐνῆς, Ἑλένης πάρα καλλικόμοιο.

τὸν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησεν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός,

60σπερχόμενός ῥα χιτῶνα περὶ χροὶ̈ σιγαλόεντα

Transliteration

hōs ephat', autika de chrysothronos ēlythen Ēōs.

anchimolon de sph' ēlthe boēn agathos Menelaos,

anstas ex eunēs, Helenēs para kallikomoio.

ton d' hōs oun enoēsen Odyssēos philos huios,

60sperchomenos rha chitōna peri chroï sigaloenta

English

As he spoke day began to break, and Menelaos, who had already risen, leaving Helen in bed, came towards them.

Homeric Greek

δῦνεν, καὶ μέγα φᾶρος ἐπὶ στιβαροῖς βάλετ' ὤμοις

ἥρως, βῆ δὲ θύραζε, παριστάμενος δὲ προσηύδα

Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο:

"Ἀτρεί̈δη Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,

65ἤδη νῦν μ' ἀπόπεμπε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν:

Transliteration

dynen, kai mega pharos epi stibarois balet' ōmois

hērōs, bē de thyraze, paristamenos de prosēuda

Tēlemachos, philos huios Odyssēos theioio:

"Atreïdē Menelae diotrephes, orchame laōn,

65ēdē nyn m' apopempe philēn es patrida gaian:

English

When Telemakhos saw him he put on his shirt as fast as he could, threw a great cloak over his shoulders, and went out to meet him.

Homeric Greek

ἤδη γάρ μοι θυμὸς ἐέλδεται οἴκαδ' ἱκέσθαι."

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος:

"Τηλέμαχ', οὔ τί σ' ἐγώ γε πολὺν χρόνον ἐνθάδ' ἐρύξω

ἱέμενον νόστοιο: νεμεσσῶμαι δὲ καὶ ἄλλῳ

70ἀνδρὶ ξεινοδόκῳ, ὅς κ' ἔξοχα μὲν φιλέῃσιν,

Transliteration

ēdē gar moi thymos eeldetai oikad' hikesthai."

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita boēn agathos Menelaos:

"Tēlemach', ou ti s' egō ge polyn chronon enthad' eryxō

hiemenon nostoio: nemessōmai de kai allōi

70andri xeinodokōi, hos k' exocha men phileēisin,

English

"Menelaos," said he, "let me go back now to my own country, for I want to get home." And Menelaos answered, "Telemakhos, if you insist on going I will not detain you. I do not like to see a host either too fond of his guest or too rude to him.

Homeric Greek

ἔξοχα δ' ἐχθαίρῃσιν: ἀμείνω δ' αἴσιμα πάντα.

ἶσόν τοι κακόν ἐσθ', ὅς τ' οὐκ ἐθέλοντα νέεσθαι

ξεῖνον ἐποτρύνει καὶ ὃς ἐσσύμενον κατερύκει.

χρὴ ξεῖνον παρεόντα φιλεῖν, ἐθέλοντα δὲ πέμπειν.

75ἀλλὰ μέν' εἰς ὅ κε δῶρα φέρων ἐπιδίφρια θείω

Transliteration

exocha d' echthairēisin: ameinō d' aisima panta.

ison toi kakon esth', hos t' ouk ethelonta neesthai

xeinon epotrynei kai hos essymenon katerykei.

chrē xeinon pareonta philein, ethelonta de pempein.

75alla men' eis ho ke dōra pherōn epidiphria theiō

English

Moderation is best in all things, and not letting a man go when he wants to do so is as bad as telling him to go if he would like to stay. One should treat a guest well as long as he is in the house and speed him when he wants to leave it.

Homeric Greek

καλά, σὺ δ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδῃς, εἴπω δὲ γυναιξὶ

δεῖπνον ἐνὶ μεγάροις τετυκεῖν ἅλις ἔνδον ἐόντων.

ἀμφότερον, κῦδός τε καὶ ἀγλαί̈η καὶ ὄνειαρ,

δειπνήσαντας ἴμεν πολλὴν ἐπ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν.

80εἰ δ' ἐθέλεις τραφθῆναι ἀν' Ἑλλάδα καὶ μέσον Ἄργος,

Transliteration

kala, sy d' ophthalmoisin idēis, eipō de gynaixi

deipnon eni megarois tetykein halis endon eontōn.

amphoteron, kydos te kai aglaïē kai oneiar,

deipnēsantas imen pollēn ep' apeirona gaian.

80ei d' etheleis traphthēnai an' Hellada kai meson Argos,

English

Wait, then, till I can get your beautiful presents into your chariot, and till you have yourself seen them. I will tell the women to prepare a sufficient dinner for you of what there may be in the house; it will be at once more proper and cheaper for you to get your dinner before setting out on such a long journey.

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα τοι αὐτὸς ἕπωμαι, ὑποζεύξω δέ τοι ἵππους,

ἄστεα δ' ἀνθρώπων ἡγήσομαι: οὐδέ τις ἡμέας

αὔτως ἀππέμψει, δώσει δέ τι ἕν γε φέρεσθαι,

ἠέ τινα τριπόδων εὐχάλκων ἠὲ λεβήτων,

85ἠὲ δύ' ἡμιόνους ἠὲ χρύσειον ἄλεισον."

Transliteration

ophra toi autos hepōmai, hypozeuxō de toi hippous,

astea d' anthrōpōn hēgēsomai: oude tis hēmeas

autōs appempsei, dōsei de ti hen ge pheresthai,

ēe tina tripodōn euchalkōn ēe lebētōn,

85ēe dy' hēmionous ēe chryseion aleison."

English

If, moreover, you have a fancy for making a tour in Hellas or in the Peloponnese, I will yoke my horses, and will conduct you myself through all our principal cities. No one will send us away empty handed; every one will give us something - a bronze tripod, a couple of mules, or a gold cup."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"Ἀτρεί̈δη Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,

βούλομαι ἤδη νεῖσθαι ἐφ' ἡμέτερ': οὐ γὰρ ὄπισθεν

οὖρον ἰὼν κατέλειπον ἐπὶ κτεάτεσσιν ἐμοῖσιν:

90μὴ πατέρ' ἀντίθεον διζήμενος αὐτὸς ὄλωμαι,

Transliteration

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"Atreïdē Menelae diotrephes, orchame laōn,

boulomai ēdē neisthai eph' hēmeter': ou gar opisthen

ouron iōn kateleipon epi kteatessin emoisin:

90mē pater' antitheon dizēmenos autos olōmai,

English

"Menelaos," replied Telemakhos, "I want to go home at once, for when I came away I left my property without protection, and fear that while looking for my father I shall come to ruin myself, or find that

Homeric Greek

ἤ τί μοι ἐκ μεγάρων κειμήλιον ἐσθλὸν ὄληται."

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γ' ἄκουσε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος,

αὐτίκ' ἄρ' ᾗ ἀλόχῳ ἠδὲ δμῳῇσι κέλευσε

δεῖπνον ἐνὶ μεγάροις τετυκεῖν ἅλις ἔνδον ἐόντων.

95ἀγχίμολον δέ οἱ ἦλθε Βοηθοί̈δης Ἐτεωνεύς,

Transliteration

ē ti moi ek megarōn keimēlion esthlon olētai."

autar epei to g' akouse boēn agathos Menelaos,

autik' ar' hēi alochōi ēde dmōiēisi keleuse

deipnon eni megarois tetykein halis endon eontōn.

95anchimolon de hoi ēlthe Boēthoïdēs Eteōneus,

English

something valuable has been stolen during my absence." When Menelaos heard this he immediately told his wife and servants to prepare a sufficient dinner from what there might be in the house. At this moment Eteoneus joined him, for he lived close by and had just got up;

Homeric Greek

ἀνστὰς ἐξ εὐνῆς, ἐπεὶ οὐ πολὺ ναῖεν ἀπ' αὐτοῦ:

τὸν πῦρ κῆαι ἄνωγε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος

ὀπτῆσαί τε κρεῶν: ὁ δ' ἄρ' οὐκ ἀπίθησεν ἀκούσας.

αὐτὸς δ' ἐς θάλαμον κατεβήσετο κηώεντα,

100οὐκ οἶος, ἅμα τῷ γ' Ἑλένη κίε καὶ Μεγαπένθης.

Transliteration

anstas ex eunēs, epei ou poly naien ap' autou:

ton pyr kēai anōge boēn agathos Menelaos

optēsai te kreōn: ho d' ar' ouk apithēsen akousas.

autos d' es thalamon katebēseto kēōenta,

100ouk oios, hama tōi g' Helenē kie kai Megapenthēs.

English

so Menelaos told him to light the fire and cook some meat, which he at once did. Then Menelaos went down into his fragrant store room, not alone, but Helen went too, with Megapenthes.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἵκανον ὅθι κειμήλια κεῖτο,

Ἀτρεί̈δης μὲν ἔπειτα δέπας λάβεν ἀμφικύπελλον,

υἱὸν δὲ κρητῆρα φέρειν Μεγαπένθε' ἄνωγεν

ἀργύρεον: Ἑλένη δὲ παρίστατο φωριαμοῖσιν,

105ἔνθ' ἔσαν οἱ πέπλοι παμποίκιλοι, οὓς κάμεν αὐτή.

Transliteration

all' hote dē rh' hikanon hothi keimēlia keito,

Atreïdēs men epeita depas laben amphikypellon,

huion de krētēra pherein Megapenthe' anōgen

argyreon: Helenē de paristato phōriamoisin,

105enth' esan hoi peploi pampoikiloi, hous kamen autē.

English

When he reached the place where the treasures of his house were kept, he selected a double cup, and told his son Megapenthes to bring also a silver mixing-bowl. Meanwhile Helen went to the chest where she kept the lovely dresses which she had made with her own hands,

Homeric Greek

τῶν ἕν' ἀειραμένη Ἑλένη φέρε, δῖα γυναικῶν,

ὃς κάλλιστος ἔην ποικίλμασιν ἠδὲ μέγιστος,

ἀστὴρ δ' ὣς ἀπέλαμπεν: ἔκειτο δὲ νείατος ἄλλων.

βὰν δ' ἰέναι προτέρω διὰ δώματος, ἧος ἵκοντο

110Τηλέμαχον: τὸν δὲ προσέφη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος:

Transliteration

tōn hen' aeiramenē Helenē phere, dia gynaikōn,

hos kallistos eēn poikilmasin ēde megistos,

astēr d' hōs apelampen: ekeito de neiatos allōn.

ban d' ienai proterō dia dōmatos, hēos hikonto

110Tēlemachon: ton de prosephē xanthos Menelaos:

English

and took out one that was largest and most beautifully enriched with embroidery; it glittered like a star, and lay at the very bottom of the chest. Then they all came back through the house again till they got to Telemakhos, and Menelaos said, "Telemakhos, may Zeus, the mighty husband of Hera, bring you safely home according to your desire.

Homeric Greek

"Τηλέμαχ', ἦ τοι νόστον, ὅπως φρεσὶ σῇσι μενοινᾷς,

ὥς τοι Ζεὺς τελέσειεν, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης.

δώρων δ', ὅσσ' ἐν ἐμῷ οἴκῳ κειμήλια κεῖται,

δώσω ὃ κάλλιστον καὶ τιμηέστατόν ἐστι.

115δώσω τοι κρητῆρα τετυγμένον: ἀργύρεος δὲ

Transliteration

"Tēlemach', ē toi noston, hopōs phresi sēisi menoināis,

hōs toi Zeus teleseien, erigdoupos posis Hērēs.

dōrōn d', hoss' en emōi oikōi keimēlia keitai,

dōsō ho kalliston kai timēestaton esti.

115dōsō toi krētēra tetygmenon: argyreos de

English

I will now present you with the finest and most precious piece of plate in all my house. It is a mixing-bowl of pure silver, except the rim, which is inlaid with gold, and it is the work of Hephaistos.

Homeric Greek

ἐστὶν ἅπας, χρυσῷ δ' ἐπὶ χείλεα κεκράανται,

ἔργον δ' Ἡφαίστοιο: πόρεν δέ ἑ Φαίδιμος ἥρως,

Σιδονίων βασιλεύς, ὅθ' ἑὸς δόμος ἀμφεκάλυψε

κεῖσέ με νοστήσαντα: τεὶ̈ν δ' ἐθέλω τόδ' ὀπάσσαι."

120ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χειρὶ τίθει δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον

Transliteration

estin hapas, chrysōi d' epi cheilea kekraantai,

ergon d' Hēphaistoio: poren de he Phaidimos hērōs,

Sidoniōn basileus, hoth' heos domos amphekalypse

keise me nostēsanta: teïn d' ethelō tod' opassai."

120hōs eipōn en cheiri tithei depas amphikypellon

English

Phaidimos king of the Sidonians made me a present of it in the course of a visit that I paid him while I was on my return home. I should like to give it to you." With these words he placed the double

Homeric Greek

ἥρως Ἀτρεί̈δης: ὁ δ' ἄρα κρητῆρα φαεινὸν

θῆκ' αὐτοῦ προπάροιθε φέρων κρατερὸς Μεγαπένθης,

ἀργύρεον: Ἑλένη δὲ παρίστατο καλλιπάρῃος

πέπλον ἔχουσ' ἐν χερσίν, ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:

125"δῶρόν τοι καὶ ἐγώ, τέκνον φίλε, τοῦτο δίδωμι,

Transliteration

hērōs Atreïdēs: ho d' ara krētēra phaeinon

thēk' autou proparoithe pherōn krateros Megapenthēs,

argyreon: Helenē de paristato kalliparēios

peplon echous' en chersin, epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:

125"dōron toi kai egō, teknon phile, touto didōmi,

English

cup in the hands of Telemakhos, while Megapenthes brought the beautiful mixing-bowl and set it before him. Hard by stood lovely Helen with the robe ready in her hand. "I too, my son," said she, "have something for you as a keepsake from the hand of Helen;

Homeric Greek

μνῆμ' Ἑλένης χειρῶν, πολυηράτου ἐς γάμου ὥρην,

σῇ ἀλόχῳ φορέειν: τῆος δὲ φίλῃ παρὰ μητρὶ

κείσθω ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ. σὺ δέ μοι χαίρων ἀφίκοιο

οἶκον ἐϋκτίμενον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν."

130ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἐν χερσὶ τίθει, ὁ δ' ἐδέξατο χαίρων.

Transliteration

mnēm' Helenēs cheirōn, polyēratou es gamou hōrēn,

sēi alochōi phoreein: tēos de philēi para mētri

keisthō eni megarōi. sy de moi chairōn aphikoio

oikon eÿktimenon kai sēn es patrida gaian."

130hōs eipous' en chersi tithei, ho d' edexato chairōn.

English

it is for your bride to wear upon her wedding day. Till then, get your dear mother to keep it for you; thus may you go back rejoicing to your own country and to your home." So saying she gave the robe over to him and he received it gladly.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐς πείρινθα τίθει Πεισίστρατος ἥρως

δεξάμενος, καὶ πάντα ἑῷ θηήσατο θυμῷ:

τοὺς δ' ἦγε πρὸς δῶμα κάρη ξανθὸς Μενέλαος.

ἑζέσθην δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε.

135χέρνιβα δ' ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα

Transliteration

kai ta men es peirintha tithei Peisistratos hērōs

dexamenos, kai panta heōi thēēsato thymōi:

tous d' ēge pros dōma karē xanthos Menelaos.

hezesthēn d' ar' epeita kata klismous te thronous te.

135cherniba d' amphipolos prochoōi epecheue pherousa

English

Then Peisistratos put the presents into the chariot, and admired them all as he did so. Presently Menelaos took Telemakhos and Peisistratos into the house, and they both of them sat down to table. A maid servant brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer, and poured it into

Homeric Greek

καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,

νίψασθαι: παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.

σῖτον δ' αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα:

εἴδατα πόλλ' ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων:

140πὰρ δὲ Βοηθοί̈δης κρέα δαίετο καὶ νέμε μοίρας:

Transliteration

kalēi chryseiēi, hyper argyreoio lebētos,

nipsasthai: para de xestēn etanysse trapezan.

siton d' aidoiē tamiē parethēke pherousa:

eidata poll' epitheisa, charizomenē pareontōn:

140par de Boēthoïdēs krea daieto kai neme moiras:

English

a silver basin for them to wash their hands, and she drew a clean table beside them; an upper servant brought them bread and offered them many good things of what there was in the house. Eteoneus carved the meat and gave them each their portions, while Megapenthes poured out the wine.

Homeric Greek

οἰνοχόει δ' υἱὸς Μενελάου κυδαλίμοιο.

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

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

δὴ τότε Τηλέμαχος καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸς υἱὸς

145ἵππους τε ζεύγνυντ' ἀνά θ' ἅρματα ποικίλ' ἔβαινον,

Transliteration

oinochoei d' huios Menelaou kydalimoio.

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

autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

dē tote Tēlemachos kai Nestoros aglaos huios

145hippous te zeugnynt' ana th' harmata poikil' ebainon,

English

Then they laid their hands upon the good things that were before them, but as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Telemakhos and Peisistratos yoked the horses, and took their places in the chariot.

Homeric Greek

ἐκ δ' ἔλασαν προθύροιο καὶ αἰθούσης ἐριδούπου.

τοὺς δὲ μετ' Ἀτρεί̈δης ἔκιε ξανθὸς Μενέλαος,

οἶνον ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ μελίφρονα δεξιτερῆφι,

ἐν δέπαϊ χρυσέῳ, ὄφρα λείψαντε κιοίτην.

150στῆ δ' ἵππων προπάροιθε, δεδισκόμενος δὲ προσηύδα:

Transliteration

ek d' elasan prothyroio kai aithousēs eridoupou.

tous de met' Atreïdēs ekie xanthos Menelaos,

oinon echōn en cheiri meliphrona dexiterēphi,

en depaï chryseōi, ophra leipsante kioitēn.

150stē d' hippōn proparoithe, dediskomenos de prosēuda:

English

They drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court, and Menelaos came after them with a golden goblet of wine in his right hand that they might make a drink-offering before they set out. He stood in front of the horses and pledged them, saying, "Farewell to both of you;

Homeric Greek

"χαίρετον, ὦ κούρω, καὶ Νέστορι ποιμένι λαῶν

εἰπεῖν: ἦ γὰρ ἐμοί γε πατὴρ ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν,

ἧος ἐνὶ Τροίῃ πολεμίζομεν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

155"καὶ λίην κείνῳ γε, διοτρεφές, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,

Transliteration

"chaireton, ō kourō, kai Nestori poimeni laōn

eipein: ē gar emoi ge patēr hōs ēpios ēen,

hēos eni Troiēi polemizomen huies Achaiōn."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

155"kai liēn keinōi ge, diotrephes, hōs agoreueis,

English

see that you tell Nestor how I have treated you, for he was as kind to me as any father could be while we Achaeans were fighting before Troy." "We will be sure, sir," answered Telemakhos, "to tell him everything as soon as we see him.

Homeric Greek

πάντα τάδ' ἐλθόντες καταλέξομεν: αἲ γὰρ ἐγὼν ὣς

νοστήσας Ἰθάκηνδε, κιχὼν Ὀδυσῆ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,

εἴποιμ' ὡς παρὰ σεῖο τυχὼν φιλότητος ἁπάσης

ἔρχομαι, αὐτὰρ ἄγω κειμήλια πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλά."

160ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις,

Transliteration

panta tad' elthontes katalexomen: ai gar egōn hōs

nostēsas Ithakēnde, kichōn Odysē' eni oikōi,

eipoim' hōs para seio tychōn philotētos hapasēs

erchomai, autar agō keimēlia polla kai esthla."

160hōs ara hoi eiponti epeptato dexios ornis,

English

I wish I were as certain of finding Odysseus returned when I get back to Ithaca, that I might tell him of the very great kindness you have shown me and of the many beautiful presents I am taking with me." As he was thus speaking a bird flew on his

Homeric Greek

αἰετὸς ἀργὴν χῆνα φέρων ὀνύχεσσι πέλωρον,

ἥμερον ἐξ αὐλῆς: οἱ δ' ἰύ̈ζοντες ἕποντο

ἀνέρες ἠδὲ γυναῖκες: ὁ δέ σφισιν ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν

δεξιὸς ἤϊξε πρόσθ' ἵππων: οἱ δὲ ἰδόντες

165γήθησαν, καὶ πᾶσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸς ἰάνθη.

Transliteration

aietos argēn chēna pherōn onychessi pelōron,

hēmeron ex aulēs: hoi d' iÿzontes heponto

aneres ēde gynaikes: ho de sphisin engythen elthōn

dexios ēïxe prosth' hippōn: hoi de idontes

165gēthēsan, kai pasin eni phresi thymos ianthē.

English

right hand - an eagle with a great white goose in its talons which it had carried off from the farm yard - and all the men and women were running after it and shouting. It came quite close up to them and flew away on their right hands in front of the horses.

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δὲ Νεστορίδης Πεισίστρατος ἤρχετο μύθων:

"φράζεο δή, Μενέλαε διοτρεφές, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,

ἢ νῶϊν τόδ' ἔφηνε θεὸς τέρας ἦε σοὶ αὐτῷ."

ὣς φάτο, μερμήριξε δ' ἀρηί̈φιλος Μενέλαος,

170ὅππως οἱ κατὰ μοῖραν ὑποκρίναιτο νοήσας.

Transliteration

toisi de Nestoridēs Peisistratos ērcheto mythōn:

"phrazeo dē, Menelae diotrephes, orchame laōn,

ē nōïn tod' ephēne theos teras ēe soi autōi."

hōs phato, mermērixe d' arēïphilos Menelaos,

170hoppōs hoi kata moiran hypokrinaito noēsas.

English

When they saw it they were glad, and their hearts took comfort within them, whereon Peisistratos said, "Tell me, Menelaos, has heaven sent this omen for us or for you?" Menelaos was thinking what would be the most proper answer for him to make, but Helen was too quick

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' Ἑλένη τανύπεπλος ὑποφθαμένη φάτο μῦθον:

"κλῦτέ μευ: αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μαντεύσομαι, ὡς ἐνὶ θυμῷ

ἀθάνατοι βάλλουσι καὶ ὡς τελέεσθαι ὀί̈ω.

ὡς ὅδε χῆν' ἥρπαξ' ἀτιταλλομένην ἐνὶ οἴκῳ

175ἐλθὼν ἐξ ὄρεος, ὅθι οἱ γενεή τε τόκος τε,

Transliteration

ton d' Helenē tanypeplos hypophthamenē phato mython:

"klyte meu: autar egō manteusomai, hōs eni thymōi

athanatoi ballousi kai hōs teleesthai oïō.

hōs hode chēn' hērpax' atitallomenēn eni oikōi

175elthōn ex oreos, hothi hoi geneē te tokos te,

English

for him and said, "I will read this matter as heaven has put it in my heart, and as I doubt not that it will come to pass. The eagle came from the mountain where it was bred and has its nest, and in like manner

Homeric Greek

ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς κακὰ πολλὰ παθὼν καὶ πόλλ' ἐπαληθεὶς

οἴκαδε νοστήσει καὶ τίσεται: ἠὲ καὶ ἤδη

οἴκοι, ἀτὰρ μνηστῆρσι κακὸν πάντεσσι φυτεύει."

τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

180"οὕτω νῦν Ζεὺς θείη, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης:

Transliteration

hōs Odyseus kaka polla pathōn kai poll' epalētheis

oikade nostēsei kai tisetai: ēe kai ēdē

oikoi, atar mnēstērsi kakon pantessi phyteuei."

tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

180"houtō nyn Zeus theiē, erigdoupos posis Hērēs:

English

Odysseus, after having traveled far and suffered much, will return to take his revenge - if indeed he is not back already and hatching mischief for the suitors." "May Zeus so grant it," replied Telemakhos; "if it should prove to be so, I will make vows to you as

Homeric Greek

τῷ κέν τοι καὶ κεῖθι θεῷ ὣς εὐχετοῴμην."

ἦ καὶ ἐφ' ἵπποιϊν μάστιν βάλεν: οἱ δὲ μάλ' ὦκα

ἤϊξαν πεδίονδε διὰ πτόλιος μεμαῶτες.

οἱ δὲ πανημέριοι σεῖον ζυγὸν ἀμφὶς ἔχοντες.

185δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί:

Transliteration

tōi ken toi kai keithi theōi hōs euchetoōimēn."

ē kai eph' hippoiïn mastin balen: hoi de mal' ōka

ēïxan pedionde dia ptolios memaōtes.

hoi de panēmerioi seion zygon amphis echontes.

185dyseto t' ēelios skioōnto te pasai aguiai:

English

though you were a god, even when I am at home." As he spoke he lashed his horses and they started off at full speed through the town towards the open country. They swayed the yoke upon their necks and traveled the whole day long till the sun set and darkness was over all the land.

Homeric Greek

ἐς Φηρὰς δ' ἵκοντο Διοκλῆος ποτὶ δῶμα,

υἱέος Ὀρτιλόχοιο, τὸν Ἀλφειὸς τέκε παῖδα.

ἔνθα δὲ νύκτ' ἄεσαν ὁ δὲ τοῖς πὰρ ξείνια θῆκεν.

ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

190ἵππους τε ζεύγνυντ' ἀνά θ' ἅρματα ποικίλ' ἔβαινον,

Transliteration

es Phēras d' hikonto Dioklēos poti dōma,

huieos Ortilochoio, ton Alpheios teke paida.

entha de nykt' aesan ho de tois par xeinia thēken.

ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,

190hippous te zeugnynt' ana th' harmata poikil' ebainon,

English

Then they reached Pherai, where Diokles lived who was son of Ortilokhos, the son of Alpheus. There they passed the night and were treated hospitably. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, they again yoked their horses and their places in the chariot.

Homeric Greek

ἐκ δ' ἔλασαν προθύροιο καὶ αἰθούσης ἐριδούπου:

μάστιξεν δ' ἐλάαν, τὼ δ' οὐκ ἄκοντε πετέσθην.

αἶψα δ' ἔπειθ' ἵκοντο Πύλου αἰπὺ πτολίεθρον:

καὶ τότε Τηλέμαχος προσεφώνεε Νέστορος υἱόν:

195"Νεστορίδη, πῶς κέν μοι ὑποσχόμενος τελέσειας

Transliteration

ek d' elasan prothyroio kai aithousēs eridoupou:

mastixen d' elaan, tō d' ouk akonte petesthēn.

aipsa d' epeith' hikonto Pylou aipy ptoliethron:

kai tote Tēlemachos prosephōnee Nestoros huion:

195"Nestoridē, pōs ken moi hyposchomenos teleseias

English

They drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court. Then Peisistratos lashed his horses on and they flew forward nothing loath; ere long they came to Pylos, and then Telemakhos said: "Peisistratos, I hope you will promise to do what I am going to ask you.

Homeric Greek

μῦθον ἐμόν; ξεῖνοι δὲ διαμπερὲς εὐχόμεθ' εἶναι

ἐκ πατέρων φιλότητος, ἀτὰρ καὶ ὁμήλικές εἰμεν:

ἥδε δ' ὁδὸς καὶ μᾶλλον ὁμοφροσύνῃσιν ἐνήσει.

μή με παρὲξ ἄγε νῆα, διοτρεφές, ἀλλὰ λίπ' αὐτοῦ,

200μή μ' ὁ γέρων ἀέκοντα κατάσχῃ ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ

Transliteration

mython emon; xeinoi de diamperes euchometh' einai

ek paterōn philotētos, atar kai homēlikes eimen:

hēde d' hodos kai mallon homophrosynēisin enēsei.

mē me parex age nēa, diotrephes, alla lip' autou,

200mē m' ho gerōn aekonta kataschēi hōi eni oikōi

English

You know our fathers were old friends before us; moreover, we are both of an age, and this journey has brought us together still more closely; do not, therefore, take me past my ship, but leave me there, for if I go to your father's house he will try to keep me in the warmth of his

Homeric Greek

ἱέμενος φιλέειν: ἐμὲ δὲ χρεὼ θᾶσσον ἱκέσθαι."

"ὣς φάτο, Νεστορίδης δ' ἄρ' ἑῷ συμφράσσατο θυμῷ,

ὅππως οἱ κατὰ μοῖραν ὑποσχόμενος τελέσειεν.

ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι:

205στρέψ' ἵππους ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης,

Transliteration

hiemenos phileein: eme de chreō thasson hikesthai."

"hōs phato, Nestoridēs d' ar' heōi symphrassato thymōi,

hoppōs hoi kata moiran hyposchomenos teleseien.

hōde de hoi phroneonti doassato kerdion einai:

205streps' hippous epi nēa thoēn kai thina thalassēs,

English

good will towards me, and I must go home at once." Peisistratos thought how he should do as he was asked, and in the end he deemed it best to turn his horses towards the ship, and put Menelaos’ beautiful presents of gold and raiment in the stern of the vessel.

Homeric Greek

νηὶ̈ δ' ἐνὶ πρύμνῃ ἐξαίνυτο κάλλιμα δῶρα,

ἐσθῆτα χρυσόν τε, τά οἱ Μενέλαος ἔδωκε:

καί μιν ἐποτρύνων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"σπουδῇ νῦν ἀνάβαινε κέλευέ τε πάντας ἑταίρους,

210πρὶν ἐμὲ οἴκαδ' ἱκέσθαι ἀπαγγεῖλαί τε γέροντι.

Transliteration

nēï d' eni prymnēi exainyto kallima dōra,

esthēta chryson te, ta hoi Menelaos edōke:

kai min epotrynōn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"spoudēi nyn anabaine keleue te pantas hetairous,

210prin eme oikad' hikesthai apangeilai te geronti.

English

Then he said, "Go on board at once and tell your men to do so also before I can reach home to tell my father. I know how obstinate he is, and am sure he will not let you go;

Homeric Greek

εὖ γὰρ ἐγὼ τόδε οἶδα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν:

οἷος κείνου θυμὸς ὑπέρβιος, οὔ σε μεθήσει,

ἀλλ' αὐτὸς καλέων δεῦρ' εἴσεται, οὐδέ ἕ φημι

ἂψ ἰέναι κενεόν: μάλα γὰρ κεχολώσεται ἔμπης."

215ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἔλασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππους

Transliteration

eu gar egō tode oida kata phrena kai kata thymon:

hoios keinou thymos hyperbios, ou se methēsei,

all' autos kaleōn deur' eisetai, oude he phēmi

aps ienai keneon: mala gar kecholōsetai empēs."

215hōs ara phōnēsas elasen kallitrichas hippous

English

he will come down here to fetch you, and he will not go back without you. But he will be very angry." With this he drove his goodly steeds back to the

Homeric Greek

ἂψ Πυλίων εἰς ἄστυ, θοῶς δ' ἄρα δώμαθ' ἵκανε.

Τηλέμαχος δ' ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνων ἐκέλευσεν:

"ἐγκοσμεῖτε τὰ τεύχε', ἑταῖροι, νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ,

αὐτοί τ' ἀμβαίνωμεν, ἵνα πρήσσωμεν ὁδοῖο."

220"ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδ' ἐπίθοντο,

Transliteration

aps Pyliōn eis asty, thoōs d' ara dōmath' hikane.

Tēlemachos d' hetaroisin epotrynōn ekeleusen:

"enkosmeite ta teuche', hetairoi, nēï melainēi,

autoi t' ambainōmen, hina prēssōmen hodoio."

220"hōs ephath', hoi d' ara tou mala men klyon ēd' epithonto,

English

city of the Pylians and soon reached his home, but Telemakhos called the men together and gave his orders. "Now, my men," said he, "get everything in order on board the ship, and let us set out home." Thus did he speak, and they went on board even as he had said.

Homeric Greek

αἶψα δ' ἄρ' εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῖ̈σι καθῖζον.

ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν τὰ πονεῖτο καὶ εὔχετο, θῦε δ' Ἀθήνῃ

νηὶ̈ πάρα πρυμνῇ: σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἤλυθεν ἀνὴρ

τηλεδαπός, φεύγων ἐξ Ἄργεος ἄνδρα κατακτάς,

225μάντις: ἀτὰρ γενεήν γε Μελάμποδος ἔκγονος ἦεν,

Transliteration

aipsa d' ar' eisbainon kai epi klēïsi kathizon.

ē toi ho men ta poneito kai eucheto, thye d' Athēnēi

nēï para prymnēi: schedothen de hoi ēlythen anēr

tēledapos, pheugōn ex Argeos andra kataktas,

225mantis: atar geneēn ge Melampodos ekgonos ēen,

English

But as Telemakhos was thus busied, praying also and sacrificing to Athena in the ship's stern, there came to him a man from a distant dêmos, a seer, who was fleeing from Argos because he had killed a man.

Homeric Greek

ὃς πρὶν μέν ποτ' ἔναιε Πύλῳ ἔνι, μητέρι μήλων,

ἀφνειὸς Πυλίοισι μέγ' ἔξοχα δώματα ναίων:

δὴ τότε γ' ἄλλων δῆμον ἀφίκετο, πατρίδα φεύγων

Νηλέα τε μεγάθυμον, ἀγαυότατον ζωόντων,

230ὅς οἱ χρήματα πολλὰ τελεσφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν

Transliteration

hos prin men pot' enaie Pylōi eni, mēteri mēlōn,

aphneios Pylioisi meg' exocha dōmata naiōn:

dē tote g' allōn dēmon aphiketo, patrida pheugōn

Nēlea te megathymon, agauotaton zōontōn,

230hos hoi chrēmata polla telesphoron eis eniauton

English

He was descended from Melampos, who used to live in Pylos, the land of sheep; he was rich and owned a great house, but he was driven into exile by the great and powerful king Neleus.

Homeric Greek

εἶχε βίῃ. ὁ δὲ τῆος ἐνὶ μεγάροις Φυλάκοιο

δεσμῷ ἐν ἀργαλέῳ δέδετο, κρατέρ' ἄλγεα πάσχων

εἵνεκα Νηλῆος κούρης ἄτης τε βαρείης,

τήν οἱ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ δασπλῆτις Ἐρινύς.

235ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν ἔκφυγε κῆρα καὶ ἤλασε βοῦς ἐριμύκους

Transliteration

eiche biēi. ho de tēos eni megarois Phylakoio

desmōi en argaleōi dedeto, krater' algea paschōn

heineka Nēlēos kourēs atēs te bareiēs,

tēn hoi epi phresi thēke thea dasplētis Erinys.

235all' ho men ekphyge kēra kai ēlase bous erimykous

English

Neleus seized violently his goods and held them for a whole year, during which he was a close prisoner in the house of king Phylakos, and in much distress of mind both on account of the daughter of Neleus and because he was haunted by a great sorrow that dread Erinyes had laid upon him.

Homeric Greek

ἐς Πύλον ἐκ Φυλάκης καὶ ἐτίσατο ἔργον ἀεικὲς

ἀντίθεον Νηλῆα, κασιγνήτῳ δὲ γυναῖκα

ἠγάγετο πρὸς δώμαθ'. ὁ δ' ἄλλων ἵκετο δῆμον,

Ἄργος ἐς ἱππόβοτον: τόθι γάρ νύ οἱ αἴσιμον ἦεν

240ναιέμεναι πολλοῖσιν ἀνάσσοντ' Ἀργείοισιν

Transliteration

es Pylon ek Phylakēs kai etisato ergon aeikes

antitheon Nēlēa, kasignētōi de gynaika

ēgageto pros dōmath'. ho d' allōn hiketo dēmon,

Argos es hippoboton: tothi gar ny hoi aisimon ēen

240naiemenai polloisin anassont' Argeioisin

English

In the end, however, he escaped with his life, drove the cattle from Phylake to Pylos, avenged the wrong that had been done him, and gave the daughter of Neleus to his brother. Then he left the dêmos and went to Argos, where it was ordained that he should reign over many people.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθα δ' ἔγημε γυναῖκα καὶ ὑψερεφὲς θέτο δῶμα,

γείνατο δ' Ἀντιφάτην καὶ Μάντιον, υἷε κραταιώ.

Ἀντιφάτης μὲν ἔτικτεν Ὀϊκλῆα μεγάθυμον,

αὐτὰρ Ὀϊκλείης λαοσσόον Ἀμφιάραον,

245ὃν περὶ κῆρι φίλει Ζεύς τ' αἰγίοχος καὶ Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

entha d' egēme gynaika kai hypserephes theto dōma,

geinato d' Antiphatēn kai Mantion, huie krataiō.

Antiphatēs men etikten Oïklēa megathymon,

autar Oïkleiēs laossoon Amphiaraon,

245hon peri kēri philei Zeus t' aigiochos kai Apollōn

English

There he married, established himself, and had two famous sons Antiphates and Mantios. Antiphates became father of Oikleus, and Oikleus of Amphiaraos, who was dearly loved both by Zeus and by Apollo, but he did not live to old age, for he was killed in Thebes by reason of a woman's gifts.

Homeric Greek

παντοίην φιλότητ': οὐδ' ἵκετο γήραος οὐδόν,

ἀλλ' ὄλετ' ἐν Θήβῃσι γυναίων εἵνεκα δώρων.

τοῦ δ' υἱεῖς ἐγένοντ' Ἀλκμαίων Ἀμφίλοχός τε.

Μάντιος αὖ τέκετο Πολυφείδεά τε Κλεῖτόν τε:

250ἀλλ' ἦ τοι Κλεῖτον χρυσόθρονος ἥρπασεν Ἠὼς

Transliteration

pantoiēn philotēt': oud' hiketo gēraos oudon,

all' olet' en Thēbēisi gynaiōn heineka dōrōn.

tou d' huieis egenont' Alkmaiōn Amphilochos te.

Mantios au teketo Polypheidea te Kleiton te:

250all' ē toi Kleiton chrysothronos hērpasen Ēōs

English

His sons were Alkmaion and Amphilokhos. Mantios, the other son of Melampos, was father to Polypheides and Kleitos. Aurora, throned in gold, carried off Kleitos for his beauty's sake, that he might dwell among the immortals,

Homeric Greek

κάλλεος εἵνεκα οἷο, ἵν' ἀθανάτοισι μετείη:

αὐτὰρ ὑπέρθυμον Πολυφείδεα μάντιν Ἀπόλλων

θῆκε βροτῶν ὄχ' ἄριστον, ἐπεὶ θάνεν Ἀμφιάραος:

ὅς ῥ' Ὑπερησίηνδ' ἀπενάσσατο πατρὶ χολωθείς,

255ἔνθ' ὅ γε ναιετάων μαντεύετο πᾶσι βροτοῖσιν.

Transliteration

kalleos heineka hoio, hin' athanatoisi meteiē:

autar hyperthymon Polypheidea mantin Apollōn

thēke brotōn och' ariston, epei thanen Amphiaraos:

hos rh' Hyperēsiēnd' apenassato patri cholōtheis,

255enth' ho ge naietaōn manteueto pasi brotoisin.

English

but Apollo made Polypheides the greatest seer in the whole world now that Amphiaraos was dead. He quarreled with his father and went to live in Hyperesia, where he remained and prophesied for all men.

Homeric Greek

τοῦ μὲν ἄρ' υἱὸς ἐπῆλθε, Θεοκλύμενος δ' ὄνομ' ἦεν,

ὃς τότε Τηλεμάχου πέλας ἵστατο: τὸν δ' ἐκίχανεν

σπένδοντ' εὐχόμενόν τε θοῇ παρὰ νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

260"ὦ φίλ', ἐπεί σε θύοντα κιχάνω τῷδ' ἐνὶ χώρῳ,

Transliteration

tou men ar' huios epēlthe, Theoklymenos d' onom' ēen,

hos tote Tēlemachou pelas histato: ton d' ekichanen

spendont' euchomenon te thoēi para nēï melainēi,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

260"ō phil', epei se thyonta kichanō tōid' eni chōrōi,

English

His son, Theoklymenos, it was who now came up to Telemakhos as he was making drink-offerings and praying in his ship. "Friend’" said he, "now that I find you sacrificing in this place, I beseech you by your sacrifices themselves, and by the daimôn to whom you

Homeric Greek

λίσσομ' ὑπὲρ θυέων καὶ δαίμονος, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

σῆς τ' αὐτοῦ κεφαλῆς καὶ ἑταίρων, οἵ τοι ἕπονται,

εἰπέ μοι εἰρομένῳ νημερτέα μηδ' ἐπικεύσῃς:

τίς πόθεν εἶς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ τοκῆες;"

265τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

lissom' hyper thyeōn kai daimonos, autar epeita

sēs t' autou kephalēs kai hetairōn, hoi toi hepontai,

eipe moi eiromenōi nēmertea mēd' epikeusēis:

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

265ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

English

make them, I pray you also by your own head and by those of your followers, tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. Who and whence are you? Tell me also of your town and parents." Telemakhos said, "I will answer you quite truly.

Homeric Greek

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

ἐξ Ἰθάκης γένος εἰμί, πατὴρ δέ μοί ἐστιν Ὀδυσσεύς,

εἴ ποτ' ἔην: νῦν δ' ἤδη ἀπέφθιτο λυγρῷ ὀλέθρῳ.

τοὔνεκα νῦν ἑτάρους τε λαβὼν καὶ νῆα μέλαιναν

270ἦλθον πευσόμενος πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο."

Transliteration

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

ex Ithakēs genos eimi, patēr de moi estin Odysseus,

ei pot' eēn: nyn d' ēdē apephthito lygrōi olethrōi.

touneka nyn hetarous te labōn kai nēa melainan

270ēlthon peusomenos patros dēn oichomenoio."

English

I am from Ithaca, and my father is ‘Odysseus, as surely as that he ever lived. But he has come to some miserable end. Therefore I have taken this ship and got my crew together to see if I can hear any news of him, for he has been away a long time."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής:

"οὕτω τοι καὶ ἐγὼν ἐκ πατρίδος, ἄνδρα κατακτὰς

ἔμφυλον: πολλοὶ δὲ κασίγνητοί τε ἔται τε

Ἄργος ἀν' ἱππόβοτον, μέγα δὲ κρατέουσιν Ἀχαιῶν.

275τῶν ὑπαλευάμενος θάνατον καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν

Transliteration

ton d' aute proseeipe Theoklymenos theoeidēs:

"houtō toi kai egōn ek patridos, andra kataktas

emphylon: polloi de kasignētoi te etai te

Argos an' hippoboton, mega de krateousin Achaiōn.

275tōn hypaleuamenos thanaton kai kēra melainan

English

"I too," answered Theoklymenos, am an exile, for I have killed a man of my own race. He has many brothers and kinsmen in Argos, and they have great power among the Argives. I am fleeing to escape death at their hands, and am thus doomed to be a wanderer on the face of the earth.

Homeric Greek

φεύγω, ἐπεί νύ μοι αἶσα κατ' ἀνθρώπους ἀλάλησθαι.

ἀλλά με νηὸς ἔφεσσαι, ἐπεί σε φυγὼν ἱκέτευσα,

μή με κατακτείνωσι: διωκέμεναι γὰρ ὀί̈ω."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

280"οὐ μὲν δή σ' ἐθέλοντά γ' ἀπώσω νηὸς ἐί̈σης,

Transliteration

pheugō, epei ny moi aisa kat' anthrōpous alalēsthai.

alla me nēos ephessai, epei se phygōn hiketeusa,

mē me katakteinōsi: diōkemenai gar oïō."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

280"ou men dē s' ethelonta g' apōsō nēos eïsēs,

English

I am your suppliant; take me, therefore, on board your ship that they may not kill me, for I know they are in pursuit." "I will not refuse you," replied Telemakhos, "if you wish to join us.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἕπευ: αὐτὰρ κεῖθι φιλήσεαι, οἷά κ' ἔχωμεν."

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας οἱ ἐδέξατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

καὶ τό γ' ἐπ' ἰκριόφιν τάνυσεν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης:

ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς νηὸς ἐβήσετο ποντοπόροιο.

285ἐν πρύμνῃ δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα καθέζετο, πὰρ δὲ οἷ αὐτῷ

Transliteration

all' hepeu: autar keithi philēseai, hoia k' echōmen."

hōs ara phōnēsas hoi edexato chalkeon enchos,

kai to g' ep' ikriophin tanysen neos amphielissēs:

an de kai autos nēos ebēseto pontoporoio.

285en prymnēi d' ar' epeita kathezeto, par de hoi autōi

English

Come, therefore, and in Ithaca we will treat you hospitably according to what we have." On this he received Theoklymenos’ spear and laid it down on the deck of the ship. He went on board and sat in the stern, bidding Theoklymenos sit beside him;

Homeric Greek

εἷσε Θεοκλύμενον: τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσι' ἔλυσαν.

Τηλέμαχος δ' ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσεν

ὅπλων ἅπτεσθαι: τοὶ δ' ἐσσυμένως ἐπίθοντο.

ἱστὸν δ' εἰλάτινον κοίλης ἔντοσθε μεσόδμης

290στῆσαν ἀείραντες, κατὰ δὲ προτόνοισιν ἔδησαν,

Transliteration

heise Theoklymenon: toi de prymnēsi' elysan.

Tēlemachos d' hetaroisin epotrynas ekeleusen

hoplōn haptesthai: toi d' essymenōs epithonto.

histon d' eilatinon koilēs entosthe mesodmēs

290stēsan aeirantes, kata de protonoisin edēsan,

English

then the men let go the hawsers. Telemakhos told them to catch hold of the ropes, and they made all haste to do so. They set the mast in its socket in the cross plank, raised it and made it fast with the

Homeric Greek

ἕλκον δ' ἱστία λευκὰ ἐϋστρέπτοισι βοεῦσι.

τοῖσιν δ' ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,

λάβρον ἐπαιγίζοντα δι' αἰθέρος, ὄφρα τάχιστα

νηῦς ἀνύσειε θέουσα θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ.

295βὰν δὲ παρὰ Κρουνοὺς καὶ Χαλκίδα καλλιρέεθρον.

Transliteration

helkon d' histia leuka eÿstreptoisi boeusi.

toisin d' ikmenon ouron hiei glaukōpis Athēnē,

labron epaigizonta di' aitheros, ophra tachista

nēus anyseie theousa thalassēs halmyron hydōr.

295ban de para Krounous kai Chalkida kallireethron.

English

forestays, and they hoisted their white sails with sheets of twisted ox hide. Athena sent them a fair wind that blew fresh and strong to take the ship on her course as fast as possible. Thus then they passed by Krounoi and Khalkis.

Homeric Greek

δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί:

ἡ δὲ Φεὰς ἐπέβαλλεν ἐπειγομένη Διὸς οὔρῳ

ἠδὲ παρ' Ἤλιδα δῖαν, ὅθι κρατέουσιν Ἐπειοί.

ἔνθεν δ' αὖ νήσοισιν ἐπιπροέηκε θοῇσιν,

300ὁρμαίνων ἤ κεν θάνατον φύγοι ἦ κεν ἁλώῃ.

Transliteration

dyseto t' ēelios skioōnto te pasai aguiai:

hē de Pheas epeballen epeigomenē Dios ourōi

ēde par' Ēlida dian, hothi krateousin Epeioi.

enthen d' au nēsoisin epiproeēke thoēisin,

300hormainōn ē ken thanaton phygoi ē ken halōēi.

English

Presently the sun set and darkness was over all the land. The vessel made a quick passage to Pherai and thence on to Elis, where the Epeans rule. Telemakhos then headed her for the flying islands, wondering within himself whether he should escape death or should be taken prisoner.

Homeric Greek

τὼ δ' αὖτ' ἐν κλισίῃ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸς

δορπείτην: παρὰ δέ σφιν ἐδόρπεον ἀνέρες ἄλλοι.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

τοῖς δ' Ὀδυσεὺς μετέειπε, συβώτεω πειρητίζων,

305ἤ μιν ἔτ' ἐνδυκέως φιλέοι μεῖναί τε κελεύοι

Transliteration

tō d' aut' en klisiēi Odyseus kai dios hyphorbos

dorpeitēn: para de sphin edorpeon aneres alloi.

autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

tois d' Odyseus meteeipe, sybōteō peirētizōn,

305ē min et' endykeōs phileoi meinai te keleuoi

English

Meanwhile Odysseus and the swineherd were eating their supper in the hut, and the men supped with them. As soon as they had had to eat and drink, Odysseus began trying to prove the swineherd and see whether he would continue to treat him kindly, and ask him to stay on at the station or pack him off to the city;

Homeric Greek

αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ σταθμῷ, ἦ ὀτρύνειε πόλινδε:

"κέκλυθι νῦν, Εὔμαιε, καὶ ἄλλοι πάντες ἑταῖροι:

ἠῶθεν προτὶ ἄστυ λιλαίομαι ἀπονέεσθαι

πτωχεύσων, ἵνα μή σε κατατρύχω καὶ ἑταίρους.

310ἀλλά μοι εὖ θ' ὑπόθευ καὶ ἅμ' ἡγεμόν' ἐσθλὸν ὄπασσον

Transliteration

autou eni stathmōi, ē otryneie polinde:

"keklythi nyn, Eumaie, kai alloi pantes hetairoi:

ēōthen proti asty lilaiomai aponeesthai

ptōcheusōn, hina mē se katatrychō kai hetairous.

310alla moi eu th' hypotheu kai ham' hēgemon' esthlon opasson

English

so he said: "Eumaios, and all of you, tomorrow I want to go away and begin begging about the town, so as to be no more trouble to you or to your men. Give me your advice therefore, and let me have a good guide to go with me and show me the way.

Homeric Greek

ὅς κέ με κεῖσ' ἀγάγῃ: κατὰ δὲ πτόλιν αὐτὸς ἀνάγκῃ

πλάγξομαι, αἴ κέν τις κοτύλην καὶ πύρνον ὀρέξῃ.

καί κ' ἐλθὼν πρὸς δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο

ἀγγελίην εἴποιμι περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,

315καί κε μνηστήρεσσιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μιγείην,

Transliteration

hos ke me keis' agagēi: kata de ptolin autos anankēi

planxomai, ai ken tis kotylēn kai pyrnon orexēi.

kai k' elthōn pros dōmat' Odyssēos theioio

angeliēn eipoimi periphroni Pēnelopeiēi,

315kai ke mnēstēressin hyperphialoisi migeiēn,

English

I will go the round of the city begging as I needs must, to see if any one will give me a drink and a piece of bread. I should like also to go to the house of Odysseus and bring news of her husband to queen Penelope.

Homeric Greek

εἴ μοι δεῖπνον δοῖεν ὀνείατα μυρί' ἔχοντες.

αἶψά κεν εὖ δρώοιμι μετὰ σφίσιν ἅσσ' ἐθέλοιεν.

ἐκ γάρ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον:

Ἑρμείαο ἕκητι διακτόρου, ὅς ῥά τε πάντων

320ἀνθρώπων ἔργοισι χάριν καὶ κῦδος ὀπάζει,

Transliteration

ei moi deipnon doien oneiata myri' echontes.

aipsa ken eu drōoimi meta sphisin hass' etheloien.

ek gar toi ereō, sy de syntheo kai meu akouson:

Hermeiao hekēti diaktorou, hos rha te pantōn

320anthrōpōn ergoisi charin kai kydos opazei,

English

I could then go about among the suitors and see if out of all their abundance they will give me a dinner. I should soon make them an excellent servant in all sorts of ways. Listen and believe when I tell you that by the blessing of Hermes who gives grace and good name to the works of

Homeric Greek

δρηστοσύνῃ οὐκ ἄν μοι ἐρίσσειε βροτὸς ἄλλος,

πῦρ τ' εὖ νηῆσαι διά τε ξύλα δανὰ κεάσσαι,

δαιτρεῦσαί τε καὶ ὀπτῆσαι καὶ οἰνοχοῆσαι,

οἷά τε τοῖς ἀγαθοῖσι παραδρώωσι χέρηες."

325τὸν δὲ μέγ' ὀχθήσας προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

Transliteration

drēstosynēi ouk an moi erisseie brotos allos,

pyr t' eu nēēsai dia te xyla dana keassai,

daitreusai te kai optēsai kai oinochoēsai,

hoia te tois agathoisi paradrōōsi cherēes."

325ton de meg' ochthēsas prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

English

all men, there is no one living who would make a more handy servant than I should - to put fresh wood on the fire, chop fuel, carve, cook, pour out wine, and do all those services that poor men have to do for their betters." The swineherd was very much disturbed when he heard this.

Homeric Greek

"ὤ μοι, ξεῖνε, τίη τοι ἐνὶ φρεσὶ τοῦτο νόημα

ἔπλετο; ἦ σύ γε πάγχυ λιλαίεαι αὐτόθ' ὀλέσθαι.

εἰ δὴ μνηστήρων ἐθέλεις καταδῦναι ὅμιλον,

τῶν ὕβρις τε βίη τε σιδήρεον οὐρανὸν ἵκει.

330οὔ τοι τοιοίδ' εἰσὶν ὑποδρηστῆρες ἐκείνων,

Transliteration

"ō moi, xeine, tiē toi eni phresi touto noēma

epleto; ē sy ge panchy lilaieai autoth' olesthai.

ei dē mnēstērōn etheleis katadynai homilon,

tōn hybris te biē te sidēreon ouranon hikei.

330ou toi toioid' eisin hypodrēstēres ekeinōn,

English

"Heaven help me," he exclaimed, "what ever can have put such a notion as that into your head? If you go near the suitors you will be undone to a certainty, for their overweening pride and violent insolence reach the very heavens. They would never think of taking a man like you for a servant.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ νέοι, χλαίνας εὖ εἱμένοι ἠδὲ χιτῶνας,

αἰεὶ δὲ λιπαροὶ κεφαλὰς καὶ καλὰ πρόσωπα,

οἵ σφιν ὑποδρώωσιν: ἐύ̈ξεστοι δὲ τράπεζαι

σίτου καὶ κρειῶν ἠδ' οἴνου βεβρίθασιν.

335ἀλλὰ μέν': οὐ γάρ τίς τοι ἀνιᾶται παρεόντι,

Transliteration

alla neoi, chlainas eu heimenoi ēde chitōnas,

aiei de liparoi kephalas kai kala prosōpa,

hoi sphin hypodrōōsin: eÿxestoi de trapezai

sitou kai kreiōn ēd' oinou bebrithasin.

335alla men': ou gar tis toi aniatai pareonti,

English

Their servants are all young men, well dressed, wearing good cloaks and shirts, with well looking faces and their hair always tidy, the tables are kept quite clean and are loaded with bread, meat, and wine. Stay where you are, then; you are not in anybody's way;

Homeric Greek

οὔτ' ἐγὼ οὔτε τις ἄλλος ἑταίρων, οἵ μοι ἔασιν.

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἔλθῃσιν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός,

κεῖνός σε χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματα ἕσσει,

πέμψει δ' ὅππη σε κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει."

340τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

out' egō oute tis allos hetairōn, hoi moi easin.

autar epēn elthēisin Odyssēos philos huios,

keinos se chlainan te chitōna te heimata hessei,

pempsei d' hoppē se kradiē thymos te keleuei."

340ton d' ēmeibet' epeita polytlas dios Odysseus:

English

I do not mind your being here, no more do any of the others, and when Telemakhos comes home he will give you a shirt and cloak and will send you wherever you want to go." Odysseus answered, "I hope you may be as dear to

Homeric Greek

"αἴθ' οὕτως, Εὔμαιε, φίλος Διὶ πατρὶ γένοιο

ὡς ἐμοί, ὅττι μ' ἔπαυσας ἄλης καὶ ὀϊζύος αἰνῆς.

πλαγκτοσύνης δ' οὐκ ἔστι κακώτερον ἄλλο βροτοῖσιν:

ἀλλ' ἕνεκ' οὐλομένης γαστρὸς κακὰ κήδε' ἔχουσιν

345ἀνέρες, ὅν τιν' ἵκηται ἄλη καὶ πῆμα καὶ ἄλγος.

Transliteration

"aith' houtōs, Eumaie, philos Dii patri genoio

hōs emoi, hotti m' epausas alēs kai oïzyos ainēs.

planktosynēs d' ouk esti kakōteron allo brotoisin:

all' henek' oulomenēs gastros kaka kēde' echousin

345aneres, hon tin' hikētai alē kai pēma kai algos.

English

the gods as you are to me, for having saved me from going about and getting into trouble; there is nothing worse than being always ways on the tramp; still, when men have once got low down in the world they will go through a great deal on behalf of their miserable bellies.

Homeric Greek

νῦν δ' ἐπεὶ ἰσχανάᾳς μεῖναι τέ με κεῖνον ἄνωγας,

εἴπ' ἄγε μοι περὶ μητρὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο

πατρός θ', ὃν κατέλειπεν ἰὼν ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ,

ἤ που ἔτι ζώουσιν ὑπ' αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο,

350ἦ ἤδη τεθνᾶσι καὶ εἰν Ἀί̈δαο δόμοισι."

Transliteration

nyn d' epei ischanaāis meinai te me keinon anōgas,

eip' age moi peri mētros Odyssēos theioio

patros th', hon kateleipen iōn epi gēraos oudōi,

ē pou eti zōousin hyp' augas ēelioio,

350ē ēdē tethnasi kai ein Aïdao domoisi."

English

Since however you press me to stay here and await the return of Telemakhos, tell about Odysseus’ mother, and his father whom he left on the threshold of old age when he set out for Troy. Are they still living or are they already dead and in the house of Hades?"

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρὼν:

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

Λαέρτης μὲν ἔτι ζώει, Διὶ δ' εὔχεται αἰεὶ

θυμὸν ἀπὸ μελέων φθίσθαι οἷς ἐν μεγάροισιν:

355ἐκπάγλως γὰρ παιδὸς ὀδύρεται οἰχομένοιο

Transliteration

ton d' aute proseeipe sybōtēs, orchamos andrōn:

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

Laertēs men eti zōei, Dii d' euchetai aiei

thymon apo meleōn phthisthai hois en megaroisin:

355ekpaglōs gar paidos odyretai oichomenoio

English

"I will tell you all about them," replied Eumaios, "Laertes is still living and prays heaven to let him depart peacefully his own house, for he is terribly distressed about the absence of his son, and also about the death of his wife, which grieved him greatly and aged him more than anything else did.

Homeric Greek

κουριδίης τ' ἀλόχοιο δαί̈φρονος, ἥ ἑ μάλιστα

ἤκαχ' ἀποφθιμένη καὶ ἐν ὠμῷ γήραϊ θῆκεν.

ἡ δ' ἄχεϊ οὗ παιδὸς ἀπέφθιτο κυδαλίμοιο,

λευγαλέῳ θανάτῳ, ὡς μὴ θάνοι ὅς τις ἐμοί γε

360ἐνθάδε ναιετάων φίλος εἴη καὶ φίλα ἔρδοι.

Transliteration

kouridiēs t' alochoio daïphronos, hē he malista

ēkach' apophthimenē kai en ōmōi gēraï thēken.

hē d' acheï hou paidos apephthito kydalimoio,

leugaleōi thanatōi, hōs mē thanoi hos tis emoi ge

360enthade naietaōn philos eiē kai phila erdoi.

English

She came to an unhappy end through sorrow for her son: may no friend or neighbor who has dealt kindly by me come to such an end as she did. As long as she was still living, though she was always grieving, I used to like seeing her and asking her

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα μὲν οὖν δὴ κείνη ἔην, ἀχέουσά περ ἔμπης,

τόφρα τί μοι φίλον ἔσκε μεταλλῆσαι καὶ ἐρέσθαι,

οὕνεκά μ' αὐτὴ θρέψεν ἅμα Κτιμένῃ τανυπέπλῳ,

θυγατέρ' ἰφθίμῃ, τὴν ὁπλοτάτην τέκε παίδων:

365τῇ ὁμοῦ ἐτρεφόμην, ὀλίγον δέ τί μ' ἧσσον ἐτίμα.

Transliteration

ophra men oun dē keinē eēn, acheousa per empēs,

tophra ti moi philon eske metallēsai kai eresthai,

houneka m' autē threpsen hama Ktimenēi tanypeplōi,

thygater' iphthimēi, tēn hoplotatēn teke paidōn:

365tēi homou etrephomēn, oligon de ti m' hēsson etima.

English

how she did, for she brought me up along with her daughter Ktimene, the youngest of her children; we were boy and girl together, and she made little difference between us. When, however, we both grew up, they sent Ktimene to Same and received a splendid dowry for her.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἥβην πολυήρατον ἱκόμεθ' ἄμφω,

τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα Σάμηνδ' ἔδοσαν καὶ μυρί' ἕλοντο,

αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματ' ἐκείνη

καλὰ μάλ' ἀμφιέσασα, ποσὶν δ' ὑποδήματα δοῦσα

370ἀγρόνδε προί̈αλλε: φίλει δέ με κηρόθι μᾶλλον.

Transliteration

autar epei rh' hēbēn polyēraton hikometh' amphō,

tēn men epeita Samēnd' edosan kai myri' helonto,

autar eme chlainan te chitōna te heimat' ekeinē

kala mal' amphiesasa, posin d' hypodēmata dousa

370agronde proïalle: philei de me kērothi mallon.

English

As for me, my mistress gave me a good shirt and cloak with a pair of sandals for my feet, and sent me off into the country, but she was just as fond of me as ever. This is all over now. Still it has pleased heaven to prosper my work in the situation which I now hold.

Homeric Greek

νῦν δ' ἤδη τούτων ἐπιδεύομαι: ἀλλά μοι αὐτῷ

ἔργον ἀέξουσιν μάκαρες θεοὶ ᾧ ἐπιμίμνω:

τῶν ἔφαγόν τ' ἔπιόν τε καὶ αἰδοίοισιν ἔδωκα.

ἐκ δ' ἄρα δεσποίνης οὐ μείλιχον ἔστιν ἀκοῦσαι

375οὔτ' ἔπος οὔτε τι ἔργον, ἐπεὶ κακὸν ἔμπεσεν οἴκῳ,

Transliteration

nyn d' ēdē toutōn epideuomai: alla moi autōi

ergon aexousin makares theoi hōi epimimnō:

tōn ephagon t' epion te kai aidoioisin edōka.

ek d' ara despoinēs ou meilichon estin akousai

375out' epos oute ti ergon, epei kakon empesen oikōi,

English

I have enough to eat and drink, and can find something for any respectable stranger who comes here; but there is no getting a kind word or deed out of my mistress, for the house has fallen into the hands of wicked people.

Homeric Greek

ἄνδρες ὑπερφίαλοι: μέγα δὲ δμῶες χατέουσιν

ἀντία δεσποίνης φάσθαι καὶ ἕκαστα πυθέσθαι

καὶ φαγέμεν πιέμεν τε, ἔπειτα δὲ καί τι φέρεσθαι

ἀγρόνδ', οἷά τε θυμὸν ἀεὶ δμώεσσιν ἰαίνει."

380τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

andres hyperphialoi: mega de dmōes chateousin

antia despoinēs phasthai kai hekasta pythesthai

kai phagemen piemen te, epeita de kai ti pheresthai

agrond', hoia te thymon aei dmōessin iainei."

380ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

English

Servants want sometimes to see their mistress and have a talk with her; they like to have something to eat and drink at the house, and something too to take back with them into the country. This is what will keep servants in a good humor." Odysseus answered, "Then you must have been a

Homeric Greek

"ὢ πόποι, ὡς ἄρα τυτθὸς ἐών, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα,

πολλὸν ἀπεπλάγχθης σῆς πατρίδος ἠδὲ τοκήων.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

ἠὲ διεπράθετο πτόλις ἀνδρῶν εὐρυάγυια,

385ᾗ ἔνι ναιετάασκε πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ,

Transliteration

"ō popoi, hōs ara tytthos eōn, Eumaie sybōta,

pollon apeplanchthēs sēs patridos ēde tokēōn.

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

ēe diepratheto ptolis andrōn euryaguia,

385hēi eni naietaaske patēr kai potnia mētēr,

English

very little fellow, Eumaios, when you were taken so far away from your home and parents. Tell me, and tell me true, was the city in which your father and mother lived sacked and pillaged, or did some enemies

Homeric Greek

ἦ σέ γε μουνωθέντα παρ' οἴεσιν ἢ παρὰ βουσὶν

ἄνδρες δυσμενέες νηυσὶν λάβον ἠδ' ἐπέρασσαν

τοῦδ' ἀνδρὸς πρὸς δώμαθ', ὁ δ' ἄξιον ὦνον ἔδωκε."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν:

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

Transliteration

ē se ge mounōthenta par' oiesin ē para bousin

andres dysmenees nēusin labon ēd' eperassan

toud' andros pros dōmath', ho d' axion ōnon edōke."

ton d' aute proseeipe sybōtēs, orchamos andrōn:

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

English

carry you off when you were alone tending sheep or cattle, ship you off here, and sell you for whatever your master gave them?" "Stranger," replied Eumaios, "as regards your question: sit still, make yourself comfortable, drink your wine, and listen to me.

Homeric Greek

σιγῇ νῦν ξυνίει καὶ τέρπεο, πῖνέ τε οἶνον

ἥμενος. αἵδε δὲ νύκτες ἀθέσφατοι: ἔστι μὲν εὕδειν,

ἔστι δὲ τερπομένοισιν ἀκούειν: οὐδέ τί σε χρή,

πρὶν ὥρη, καταλέχθαι: ἀνίη καὶ πολὺς ὕπνος.

395τῶν δ' ἄλλων ὅτινα κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀνώγει,

Transliteration

sigēi nyn xyniei kai terpeo, pine te oinon

hēmenos. haide de nyktes athesphatoi: esti men heudein,

esti de terpomenoisin akouein: oude ti se chrē,

prin hōrē, katalechthai: aniē kai polys hypnos.

395tōn d' allōn hotina kradiē kai thymos anōgei,

English

The nights are now at their longest; there is plenty of time both for sleeping and sitting up talking together; you ought not to go to bed till bed time, too much sleep is as bad as too little; if any one of the others wishes to go to bed let him leave us and do so;

Homeric Greek

εὑδέτω ἐξελθών: ἅμα δ' ἠοῖ φαινομένηφι

δειπνήσας ἅμ' ὕεσσιν ἀνακτορίῃσιν ἑπέσθω.

νῶϊ δ' ἐνὶ κλισίῃ πίνοντέ τε δαινυμένω τε

κήδεσιν ἀλλήλων τερπώμεθα λευγαλέοισι,

400μνωομένω: μετὰ γάρ τε καὶ ἄλγεσι τέρπεται ἀνήρ,

Transliteration

heudetō exelthōn: hama d' ēoi phainomenēphi

deipnēsas ham' hyessin anaktoriēisin hepesthō.

nōï d' eni klisiēi pinonte te dainymenō te

kēdesin allēlōn terpōmetha leugaleoisi,

400mnōomenō: meta gar te kai algesi terpetai anēr,

English

he can then take my master's pigs out when he has done breakfast in the morning. We two will sit here eating and drinking in the hut, and telling one another stories about our misfortunes; for when a man has suffered much, and been buffeted about in the world, he takes pleasure in recalling the memory of sorrows that have long gone by.

Homeric Greek

ὅς τις δὴ μάλα πολλὰ πάθῃ καὶ πόλλ' ἐπαληθῇ.

τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέω ὅ μ' ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς.

"νῆσός τις Συρίη κικλήσκεται, εἴ που ἀκούεις,

Ὀρτυγίης καθύπερθεν, ὅθι τροπαὶ ἠελίοιο,

405οὔ τι περιπληθὴς λίην τόσον, ἀλλ' ἀγαθὴ μέν,

Transliteration

hos tis dē mala polla pathēi kai poll' epalēthēi.

touto de toi ereō ho m' aneireai ēde metallāis.

"nēsos tis Syriē kiklēsketai, ei pou akoueis,

Ortygiēs kathyperthen, hothi tropai ēelioio,

405ou ti periplēthēs liēn toson, all' agathē men,

English

As regards your question, then, my tale is as follows: "You may have heard of an island called Syra that lies over above Ortygia, where the land begins to turn round and look in another direction.

Homeric Greek

εὔβοτος, εὔμηλος, οἰνοπληθής, πολύπυρος.

πείνη δ' οὔ ποτε δῆμον ἐσέρχεται, οὐδέ τις ἄλλη

νοῦσος ἐπὶ στυγερὴ πέλεται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν:

ἀλλ' ὅτε γηράσκωσι πόλιν κάτα φῦλ' ἀνθρώπων,

410ἐλθὼν ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων Ἀρτέμιδι ξὺν

Transliteration

eubotos, eumēlos, oinoplēthēs, polypyros.

peinē d' ou pote dēmon eserchetai, oude tis allē

nousos epi stygerē peletai deiloisi brotoisin:

all' hote gēraskōsi polin kata phyl' anthrōpōn,

410elthōn argyrotoxos Apollōn Artemidi xyn

English

It is not very thickly peopled, but the soil is good, with much pasture fit for cattle and sheep, and it abounds with wine and wheat. Dearth never comes there, nor are the people plagued by any sickness, but when they grow old Apollo comes with Artemis and kills them with his painless shafts.

Homeric Greek

οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχόμενος κατέπεφνεν.

ἔνθα δύω πόλιες, δίχα δέ σφισι πάντα δέδασται:

τῇσιν δ' ἀμφοτέρῃσι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐμβασίλευε,

Κτήσιος Ὀρμενίδης, ἐπιείκελος ἀθανάτοισιν.

415"ἔνθα δὲ Φοίνικες ναυσίκλυτοι ἤλυθον ἄνδρες,

Transliteration

hois aganois beleessin epoichomenos katepephnen.

entha dyō polies, dicha de sphisi panta dedastai:

tēisin d' amphoterēisi patēr emos embasileue,

Ktēsios Ormenidēs, epieikelos athanatoisin.

415"entha de Phoinikes nausiklytoi ēlython andres,

English

It contains two communities, and the whole country is divided between these two. My father Ktesios son of Ormenus, a man comparable to the gods, reigned over both. "Now to this place there came some cunning traders from Phoenicia

Homeric Greek

τρῶκται, μυρί' ἄγοντες ἀθύρματα νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ.

ἔσκε δὲ πατρὸς ἐμοῖο γυνὴ Φοίνισσ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,

καλή τε μεγάλη τε καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα ἰδυῖα:

τὴν δ' ἄρα Φοίνικες πολυπαίπαλοι ἠπερόπευον.

420πλυνούσῃ τις πρῶτα μίγη κοίλῃ παρὰ νηὶ̈

Transliteration

trōktai, myri' agontes athyrmata nēï melainēi.

eske de patros emoio gynē Phoiniss' eni oikōi,

kalē te megalē te kai aglaa erga iduia:

tēn d' ara Phoinikes polypaipaloi ēperopeuon.

420plynousēi tis prōta migē koilēi para nēï

English

(for the Phoenicians are great mariners) in a ship which they had freighted with trinkets of all kinds. There happened to be a Phoenician woman in my father's house, very tall and comely, and an excellent servant; these scoundrels got hold of her one day when she was washing near their ship, seduced her, and cajoled

Homeric Greek

εὐνῇ καὶ φιλότητι, τά τε φρένας ἠπεροπεύει

θηλυτέρῃσι γυναιξί, καὶ ἥ κ' εὐεργὸς ἔῃσιν.

εἰρώτα δὴ ἔπειτα τίς εἴη καὶ πόθεν ἔλθοι:

ἡ δὲ μάλ' αὐτίκα πατρὸς ἐπέφραδεν ὑψερεφὲς δῶ:

425"ἐκ μὲν Σιδῶνος πολυχάλκου εὔχομαι εἶναι,

Transliteration

eunēi kai philotēti, ta te phrenas ēperopeuei

thēlyterēisi gynaixi, kai hē k' euergos eēisin.

eirōta dē epeita tis eiē kai pothen elthoi:

hē de mal' autika patros epephraden hypserephes dō:

425"ek men Sidōnos polychalkou euchomai einai,

English

her in ways that no woman can resist, no matter how good she may be by nature. The man who had seduced her asked her who she was and where she came from, and on this she told him her father's name. ‘I come from Sidon,’ said she, ‘and am daughter to Arybas, a man rolling in wealth.

Homeric Greek

κούρη δ' εἴμ' Ἀρύβαντος ἐγὼ ῥυδὸν ἀφνειοῖο:

ἀλλά μ' ἀνήρπαξαν Τάφιοι ληί̈στορες ἄνδρες

ἀγρόθεν ἐρχομένην, πέρασαν δέ τε δεῦρ' ἀγαγόντες

τοῦδ' ἀνδρὸς πρὸς δώμαθ': ὁ δ' ἄξιον ὦνον ἔδωκε."

430"τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἀνήρ, ὃς ἐμίσγετο λάθρη:

Transliteration

kourē d' eim' Arybantos egō rhydon aphneioio:

alla m' anērpaxan Taphioi lēïstores andres

agrothen erchomenēn, perasan de te deur' agagontes

toud' andros pros dōmath': ho d' axion ōnon edōke."

430"tēn d' aute proseeipen anēr, hos emisgeto lathrē:

English

One day as I was coming into the town from the country some Taphian pirates seized me and took me here over the sea, where they sold me to the man who owns this house, and he gave them their price for me.’ "The man who had seduced her then said, ‘Would you

Homeric Greek

'ἦ ῥά κε νῦν πάλιν αὖτις ἅμ' ἡμῖν οἴκαδ' ἕποιο,

ὄφρα ἴδῃ πατρὸς καὶ μητέρος ὑψερεφὲς δῶ

αὐτούς τ'; ἦ γὰρ ἔτ' εἰσὶ καὶ ἀφνειοὶ καλέονται.'

"τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε γυνὴ καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ:

435'εἴη κεν καὶ τοῦτ', εἴ μοι ἐθέλοιτέ γε, ναῦται,

Transliteration

'ē rha ke nyn palin autis ham' hēmin oikad' hepoio,

ophra idēi patros kai mēteros hypserephes dō

autous t'; ē gar et' eisi kai aphneioi kaleontai.'

"ton d' aute proseeipe gynē kai ameibeto mythōi:

435'eiē ken kai tout', ei moi etheloite ge, nautai,

English

like to come along with us to see the house of your parents and your parents themselves? They are both alive and are said to be well off.’ "‘I will do so gladly,’ answered she, ‘if you men will first swear me a solemn oath that

Homeric Greek

ὅρκῳ πιστωθῆναι ἀπήμονά μ' οἴκαδ' ἀπάξειν.'

"ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπώμνυον ὡς ἐκέλευεν.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ὄμοσάν τε τελεύτησάν τε τὸν ὅρκον,

τοῖς δ' αὖτις μετέειπε γυνὴ καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ:

440"σιγῇ νῦν, μή τίς με προσαυδάτω ἐπέεσσιν

Transliteration

horkōi pistōthēnai apēmona m' oikad' apaxein.'

"hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes epōmnyon hōs ekeleuen.

autar epei rh' omosan te teleutēsan te ton horkon,

tois d' autis meteeipe gynē kai ameibeto mythōi:

440"sigēi nyn, mē tis me prosaudatō epeessin

English

you will do me no harm by the way.’ "They all swore as she told them, and when they had completed their oath the woman said, ‘Hush; and if any of your men meets me in the street or at the well, do not let him speak to me,

Homeric Greek

ὑμετέρων ἑτάρων, ξυμβλήμενος ἢ ἐν ἀγυιῇ,

ἤ που ἐπὶ κρήνῃ: μή τις ποτὶ δῶμα γέροντι

ἐλθὼν ἐξείπῃ, ὁ δ' ὀϊσάμενος καταδήσῃ

δεσμῷ ἐν ἀργαλέῳ, ὑμῖν δ' ἐπιφράσσετ' ὄλεθρον.

445ἀλλ' ἔχετ' ἐν φρεσὶ μῦθον, ἐπείγετε δ' ὦνον ὁδαίων.

Transliteration

hymeterōn hetarōn, xymblēmenos ē en aguiēi,

ē pou epi krēnēi: mē tis poti dōma geronti

elthōn exeipēi, ho d' oïsamenos katadēsēi

desmōi en argaleōi, hymin d' epiphrasset' olethron.

445all' echet' en phresi mython, epeigete d' ōnon hodaiōn.

English

for fear some one should go and tell my master, in which case he would suspect something. He would put me in prison, and would have all of you murdered; keep your own counsel therefore; buy your merchandise as fast as you can, and send me word when you have done loading.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅτε κεν δὴ νηῦς πλείη βιότοιο γένηται,

ἀγγελίη μοι ἔπειτα θοῶς ἐς δώμαθ' ἱκέσθω:

οἴσω γὰρ καὶ χρυσόν, ὅτις χ' ὑποχείριος ἔλθῃ:

καὶ δέ κεν ἄλλ' ἐπίβαθρον ἐγὼν ἐθέλουσά γε δοίην.

450παῖδα γὰρ ἀνδρὸς ἑῆος ἐνὶ μεγάροις ἀτιτάλλω,

Transliteration

all' hote ken dē nēus pleiē biotoio genētai,

angeliē moi epeita thoōs es dōmath' hikesthō:

oisō gar kai chryson, hotis ch' hypocheirios elthēi:

kai de ken all' epibathron egōn ethelousa ge doiēn.

450paida gar andros heēos eni megarois atitallō,

English

I will bring as much gold as I can lay my hands on, and there is something else also that I can do towards paying my fare. I am nurse to the son of the good man of the house, a funny little fellow just able to run about.

Homeric Greek

κερδαλέον δὴ τοῖον, ἅμα τροχόωντα θύραζε:

τόν κεν ἄγοιμ' ἐπὶ νηός, ὁ δ' ὑμῖν μυρίον ὦνον

ἄλφοι, ὅπῃ περάσητε κατ' ἀλλοθρόους ἀνθρώπους."

"ἡ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἀπέβη πρὸς δώματα καλά,

455οἱ δ' ἐνιαυτὸν ἅπαντα παρ' ἡμῖν αὖθι μένοντες

Transliteration

kerdaleon dē toion, hama trochoōnta thyraze:

ton ken agoim' epi nēos, ho d' hymin myrion ōnon

alphoi, hopēi perasēte kat' allothroous anthrōpous."

"hē men ar' hōs eipous' apebē pros dōmata kala,

455hoi d' eniauton hapanta par' hēmin authi menontes

English

I will carry him off in your ship, and you will get a great deal of wealth for him if you take him and sell him in foreign parts.’ "On this she went back to the house. The Phoenicians stayed a whole year till they had loaded their ship with

Homeric Greek

ἐν νηὶ̈ γλαφυρῇ βίοτον πολὺν ἐμπολόωντο.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ κοίλη νηῦς ἤχθετο τοῖσι νέεσθαι,

καὶ τότ' ἄρ' ἄγγελον ἧκαν, ὃς ἀγγείλειε γυναικί.

ἤλυθ' ἀνὴρ πολύϊδρις ἐμοῦ πρὸς δώματα πατρὸς

460χρύσεον ὅρμον ἔχων, μετὰ δ' ἠλέκτροισιν ἔερτο.

Transliteration

en nēï glaphyrēi bioton polyn empoloōnto.

all' hote dē koilē nēus ēchtheto toisi neesthai,

kai tot' ar' angelon hēkan, hos angeileie gynaiki.

ēlyth' anēr polyïdris emou pros dōmata patros

460chryseon hormon echōn, meta d' ēlektroisin eerto.

English

much precious merchandise, and then, when they had got freight enough, they sent to tell the woman. Their messenger, a very cunning fellow, came to my father's house bringing a necklace of gold with amber beads strung among it;

Homeric Greek

τὸν μὲν ἄρ' ἐν μεγάρῳ δμῳαὶ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ

χερσίν τ' ἀμφαφόωντο καὶ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶντο,

ὦνον ὑπισχόμεναι: ὁ δὲ τῇ κατένευσε σιωπῇ.

ἦ τοι ὁ καννεύσας κοίλην ἐπὶ νῆα βεβήκει,

465ἡ δ' ἐμὲ χειρὸς ἑλοῦσα δόμων ἐξῆγε θύραζε.

Transliteration

ton men ar' en megarōi dmōiai kai potnia mētēr

chersin t' amphaphoōnto kai ophthalmoisin horōnto,

ōnon hypischomenai: ho de tēi kateneuse siōpēi.

ē toi ho kanneusas koilēn epi nēa bebēkei,

465hē d' eme cheiros helousa domōn exēge thyraze.

English

and while my mother and the servants had it in their hands admiring it and bargaining about it, he made a sign quietly to the woman and then went back to the ship, whereon she took me by the hand and led me out of the house.

Homeric Greek

εὗρε δ' ἐνὶ προδόμῳ ἠμὲν δέπα ἠδὲ τραπέζας

ἀνδρῶν δαιτυμόνων, οἵ μευ πατέρ' ἀμφεπένοντο.

οἱ μὲν ἄρ' ἐς θῶκον πρόμολον, δήμοιό τε φῆμιν,

ἡ δ' αἶψα τρί' ἄλεισα κατακρύψασ' ὑπὸ κόλπῳ

470ἔκφερεν: αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἑπόμην ἀεσιφροσύνῃσι.

Transliteration

heure d' eni prodomōi ēmen depa ēde trapezas

andrōn daitymonōn, hoi meu pater' amphepenonto.

hoi men ar' es thōkon promolon, dēmoio te phēmin,

hē d' aipsa tri' aleisa katakrypsas' hypo kolpōi

470ekpheren: autar egōn hepomēn aesiphrosynēisi.

English

In the fore part of the house she saw the tables set with the cups of guests who had been feasting with my father, as being in attendance on him; these were now all gone to a meeting of the population assembly, so she snatched up three cups and carried them off in the bosom of her dress, while I followed her, for I knew no better.

Homeric Greek

δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος, σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί:

ἡμεῖς δ' ἐς λιμένα κλυτὸν ἤλθομεν ὦκα κιόντες,

ἔνθ' ἄρα Φοινίκων ἀνδρῶν ἦν ὠκύαλος νηῦς.

οἱ μὲν ἔπειτ' ἀναβάντες ἐπέπλεον ὑγρὰ κέλευθα,

475νὼ ἀναβησάμενοι: ἐπὶ δὲ Ζεὺς οὖρον ἴαλλεν.

Transliteration

dyseto t' ēelios, skioōnto te pasai aguiai:

hēmeis d' es limena klyton ēlthomen ōka kiontes,

enth' ara Phoinikōn andrōn ēn ōkyalos nēus.

hoi men epeit' anabantes epepleon hygra keleutha,

475nō anabēsamenoi: epi de Zeus ouron iallen.

English

The sun was now set, and darkness was over all the land, so we hurried on as fast as we could till we reached the harbor, where the Phoenician ship was lying. When they had got on board they sailed their ways over the sea, taking us with them, and Zeus sent then a fair wind;

Homeric Greek

ἑξῆμαρ μὲν ὁμῶς πλέομεν νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ:

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ ἕβδομον ἦμαρ ἐπὶ Ζεὺς θῆκε Κρονίων,

τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα γυναῖκα βάλ' Ἄρτεμις ἰοχέαιρα,

ἄντλῳ δ' ἐνδούπησε πεσοῦσ' ὡς εἰναλίη κήξ.

480καὶ τὴν μὲν φώκῃσι καὶ ἰχθύσι κύρμα γενέσθαι

Transliteration

hexēmar men homōs pleomen nyktas te kai ēmar:

all' hote dē hebdomon ēmar epi Zeus thēke Kroniōn,

tēn men epeita gynaika bal' Artemis iocheaira,

antlōi d' endoupēse pesous' hōs einaliē kēx.

480kai tēn men phōkēisi kai ichthysi kyrma genesthai

English

six days did we sail both night and day, but on the seventh day Artemis struck the woman and she fell heavily down into the ship's hold as though she were a sea gull alighting on the water; so they threw her overboard to the seals and fishes, and I was left all sorrowful and alone.

Homeric Greek

ἔκβαλον: αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ λιπόμην ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ:

τοὺς δ' Ἰθάκῃ ἐπέλασσε φέρων ἄνεμός τε καὶ ὕδωρ,

ἔνθα με Λαέρτης πρίατο κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖσιν.

οὕτω τήνδε τε γαῖαν ἐγὼν ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι."

485τὸν δ' αὖ διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς ἠμείβετο μύθῳ:

Transliteration

ekbalon: autar egō lipomēn akachēmenos ētor:

tous d' Ithakēi epelasse pherōn anemos te kai hydōr,

entha me Laertēs priato kteatessin heoisin.

houtō tēnde te gaian egōn idon ophthalmoisi."

485ton d' au diogenēs Odyseus ēmeibeto mythōi:

English

Presently the winds and waves took the ship to Ithaca, where Laertes gave sundry of his chattels for me, and thus it was that ever I came to set eyes upon this country." Odysseus answered, "Eumaios, I have heard the story

Homeric Greek

"Εὔμαι', ἦ μάλα δή μοι ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸν ὄρινας

ταῦτα ἕκαστα λέγων, ὅσα δὴ πάθες ἄλγεα θυμῷ.

ἀλλ' ἦ τοι σοὶ μὲν παρὰ καὶ κακῷ ἐσθλὸν ἔθηκε

Ζεύς, ἐπεὶ ἀνδρὸς δώματ' ἀφίκεο πολλὰ μογήσας

490ἠπίου, ὃς δή τοι παρέχει βρῶσίν τε πόσιν τε

Transliteration

"Eumai', ē mala dē moi eni phresi thymon orinas

tauta hekasta legōn, hosa dē pathes algea thymōi.

all' ē toi soi men para kai kakōi esthlon ethēke

Zeus, epei andros dōmat' aphikeo polla mogēsas

490ēpiou, hos dē toi parechei brōsin te posin te

English

of your misfortunes with the most lively interest and pity, but Zeus has given you good as well as evil, for in spite of everything you have a good master, who sees that you always have enough to eat and drink;

Homeric Greek

ἐνδυκέως, ζώεις δ' ἀγαθὸν βίον: αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε

πολλὰ βροτῶν ἐπὶ ἄστε' ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδ' ἱκάνω."

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,

καδδραθέτην δ' οὐ πολλὸν ἐπὶ χρόνον, ἀλλὰ μίνυνθα:

495αἶψα γὰρ Ἠὼς ἦλθεν ἐύ̈θρονος. οἱ δ' ἐπὶ χέρσου

Transliteration

endykeōs, zōeis d' agathon bion: autar egō ge

polla brotōn epi aste' alōmenos enthad' hikanō."

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,

kaddrathetēn d' ou pollon epi chronon, alla minyntha:

495aipsa gar Ēōs ēlthen eÿthronos. hoi d' epi chersou

English

and you lead a good life, whereas I am still going about begging my way from city to city." Thus did they converse, and they had only a very little time left for sleep, for it was soon daybreak.

Homeric Greek

Τηλεμάχου ἕταροι λύον ἱστία, κὰδ δ' ἕλον ἱστὸν

καρπαλίμως, τὴν δ' εἰς ὅρμον προέρυσσαν ἐρετμοῖς:

ἐκ δ' εὐνὰς ἔβαλον, κατὰ δὲ πρυμνήσι' ἔδησαν:

ἐκ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βαῖνον ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης,

500δεῖπνόν τ' ἐντύνοντο κερῶντό τε αἴθοπα οἶνον.

Transliteration

Tēlemachou hetaroi lyon histia, kad d' helon histon

karpalimōs, tēn d' eis hormon proeryssan eretmois:

ek d' eunas ebalon, kata de prymnēsi' edēsan:

ek de kai autoi bainon epi rhēgmini thalassēs,

500deipnon t' entynonto kerōnto te aithopa oinon.

English

In the meantime Telemakhos and his crew were nearing land, so they loosed the sails, took down the mast, and rowed the ship into the harbor. They cast out their mooring stones and made fast the hawsers; they then got out upon the sea shore, mixed their wine, and got dinner ready.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἤρχετο μύθων:

"ὑμεῖς μὲν νῦν ἄστυδ' ἐλαύνετε νῆα μέλαιναν,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἀγροὺς ἐπιείσομαι ἠδὲ βοτῆρας:

505ἑσπέριος δ' εἰς ἄστυ ἰδὼν ἐμὰ ἔργα κάτειμι.

Transliteration

autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

toisi de Tēlemachos pepnymenos ērcheto mythōn:

"hymeis men nyn astyd' elaunete nēa melainan,

autar egōn agrous epieisomai ēde botēras:

505hesperios d' eis asty idōn ema erga kateimi.

English

As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Telemakhos said, "Take the ship on to the town, but leave me here, for I want to look after the herdsmen on one of my farms. In the evening, when I have seen all I want, I will come down to the

Homeric Greek

ἠῶθεν δέ κεν ὔμμιν ὁδοιπόριον παραθείμην,

δαῖτ' ἀγαθὴν κρειῶν τε καὶ οἴνου ἡδυπότοιο."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής:

"πῆ γὰρ ἐγώ, φίλε τέκνον, ἴω; τεῦ δώμαθ' ἵκωμαι

510ἀνδρῶν οἳ κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν;

Transliteration

ēōthen de ken ymmin hodoiporion paratheimēn,

dait' agathēn kreiōn te kai oinou hēdypotoio."

ton d' aute proseeipe Theoklymenos theoeidēs:

"pē gar egō, phile teknon, iō; teu dōmath' hikōmai

510andrōn hoi kranaēn Ithakēn kata koiraneousin;

English

city, and tomorrow morning in return for your trouble I will give you all a good dinner with meat and wine." Then Theoklymenos said, ‘And what, my dear young friend, is to become of me? To whose house, among all your chief men, am I to repair?

Homeric Greek

ἦ ἰθὺς σῆς μητρὸς ἴω καὶ σοῖο δόμοιο;"

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"ἄλλως μέν σ' ἂν ἐγώ γε καὶ ἡμέτερόνδε κελοίμην

ἔρχεσθ': οὐ γάρ τι ξενίων ποθή: ἀλλὰ σοὶ αὐτῷ

515χεῖρον, ἐπεί τοι ἐγὼ μὲν ἀπέσσομαι, οὐδέ σε μήτηρ

Transliteration

ē ithys sēs mētros iō kai soio domoio;"

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"allōs men s' an egō ge kai hēmeteronde keloimēn

erchesth': ou gar ti xeniōn pothē: alla soi autōi

515cheiron, epei toi egō men apessomai, oude se mētēr

English

Or shall I go straight to your own house and to your mother?" "At any other time," replied Telemakhos, "I should have bidden you go to my own house, for you would find no want of hospitality; at the present moment, however, you would not be comfortable there, for I shall be away, and my mother will not see you;

Homeric Greek

ὄψεται: οὐ μὲν γάρ τι θαμὰ μνηστῆρσ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ

φαίνεται, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ τῶν ὑπερωί̈ῳ ἱστὸν ὑφαίνει.

ἀλλά τοι ἄλλον φῶτα πιφαύσκομαι ὅν κεν ἵκοιο,

Εὐρύμαχον, Πολύβοιο δαί̈φρονος ἀγλαὸν υἱόν,

520τὸν νῦν ἶσα θεῷ Ἰθακήσιοι εἰσορόωσι:

Transliteration

opsetai: ou men gar ti thama mnēstērs' eni oikōi

phainetai, all' apo tōn hyperōïōi histon hyphainei.

alla toi allon phōta piphauskomai hon ken hikoio,

Eurymachon, Polyboio daïphronos aglaon huion,

520ton nyn isa theōi Ithakēsioi eisoroōsi:

English

she does not often show herself even to the suitors, but sits at her loom weaving in an upper chamber, out of their way; but I can tell you a man whose house you can go to - I mean Eurymakhos the son of Polybos, who is held in the highest estimation by every one in Ithaca.

Homeric Greek

καὶ γὰρ πολλὸν ἄριστος ἀνὴρ μέμονέν τε μάλιστα

μητέρ' ἐμὴν γαμέειν καὶ Ὀδυσσῆος γέρας ἕξειν.

ἀλλὰ τά γε Ζεὺς οἶδεν Ὀλύμπιος, αἰθέρι ναίων,

εἴ κέ σφι πρὸ γάμοιο τελευτήσει κακὸν ἦμαρ."

525ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις,

Transliteration

kai gar pollon aristos anēr memonen te malista

mēter' emēn gameein kai Odyssēos geras hexein.

alla ta ge Zeus oiden Olympios, aitheri naiōn,

ei ke sphi pro gamoio teleutēsei kakon ēmar."

525hōs ara hoi eiponti epeptato dexios ornis,

English

He is much the best man and the most persistent wooer, of all those who are paying court to my mother and trying to take Odysseus’ place. Zeus, however, in heaven alone knows whether or not they will come to a bad end before the marriage takes place." As he was speaking a bird flew by upon his right hand - a hawk, Apollo's messenger.

Homeric Greek

κίρκος, Ἀπόλλωνος ταχὺς ἄγγελος: ἐν δὲ πόδεσσι

τίλλε πέλειαν ἔχων, κατὰ δὲ πτερὰ χεῦεν ἔραζε

μεσσηγὺς νηός τε καὶ αὐτοῦ Τηλεμάχοιο.

τὸν δὲ Θεοκλύμενος ἑτάρων ἀπονόσφι καλέσσας

530ἔν τ' ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρὶ ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:

Transliteration

kirkos, Apollōnos tachys angelos: en de podessi

tille peleian echōn, kata de ptera cheuen eraze

messēgys nēos te kai autou Tēlemachoio.

ton de Theoklymenos hetarōn aponosphi kalessas

530en t' ara hoi phy cheiri epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:

English

It held a dove in its talons, and the feathers, as it tore them off, fell to the ground midway between Telemakhos and the ship. On this Theoklymenos called him apart and caught him by the hand. "Telemakhos," said he, "that bird did not fly on your right hand without having been sent there by some god.

Homeric Greek

"Τηλέμαχ', οὔ τοι ἄνευ θεοῦ ἔπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις

ἔγνων γάρ μιν ἐσάντα ἰδὼν οἰωνὸν ἐόντα.

ὑμετέρου δ' οὐκ ἔστι γένος βασιλεύτερον ἄλλο

ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης, ἀλλ' ὑμεῖς καρτεροὶ αἰεί."

535τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

"Tēlemach', ou toi aneu theou eptato dexios ornis

egnōn gar min esanta idōn oiōnon eonta.

hymeterou d' ouk esti genos basileuteron allo

en dēmōi Ithakēs, all' hymeis karteroi aiei."

535ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

English

As soon as I saw it I knew it was an omen; it means that you will remain powerful and that there will be no house in the dêmos of Ithaca more royal than your own." "I wish it may prove so," answered Telemakhos.

Homeric Greek

"αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο, ξεῖνε, ἔπος τετελεσμένον εἴη:

τῷ κε τάχα γνοίης φιλότητά τε πολλά τε δῶρα

ἐξ ἐμεῦ, ὡς ἄν τίς σε συναντόμενος μακαρίζοι."

ἦ καὶ Πείραιον προσεφώνεε, πιστὸν ἑταῖρον:

540"Πείραιε Κλυτίδη, σὺ δέ μοι τά περ ἄλλα μάλιστα

Transliteration

"ai gar touto, xeine, epos tetelesmenon eiē:

tōi ke tacha gnoiēs philotēta te polla te dōra

ex emeu, hōs an tis se synantomenos makarizoi."

ē kai Peiraion prosephōnee, piston hetairon:

540"Peiraie Klytidē, sy de moi ta per alla malista

English

"If it does, I will show you so much good will and give you so many presents that all who meet you will congratulate you." Then he said to his friend Peiraios, "Peiraios, son of Klytios, you have throughout shown yourself the most willing to serve me of all those who have accompanied me to Pylos;

Homeric Greek

πείθῃ ἐμῶν ἑτάρων, οἵ μοι Πύλον εἰς ἅμ' ἕποντο:

καὶ νῦν μοι τὸν ξεῖνον ἄγων ἐν δώμασι σοῖσιν

ἐνδυκέως φιλέειν καὶ τιέμεν, εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθω."

τὸν δ' αὖ Πείραιος δουρικλυτὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα:

545"Τηλέμαχ', εἰ γάρ κεν σὺ πολὺν χρόνον ἐνθάδε μίμνοι,

Transliteration

peithēi emōn hetarōn, hoi moi Pylon eis ham' heponto:

kai nyn moi ton xeinon agōn en dōmasi soisin

endykeōs phileein kai tiemen, eis ho ken elthō."

ton d' au Peiraios douriklytos antion ēuda:

545"Tēlemach', ei gar ken sy polyn chronon enthade mimnoi,

English

I wish you would take this stranger to your own house and entertain him hospitably till I can come for him." And Peiraios answered, "Telemakhos, you may stay away as long as you please, but I will look after him

Homeric Greek

τόνδε τ' ἐγὼ κομιῶ, ξενίων δέ οἱ οὐ ποθὴ ἔσται."

ὣς εἰπὼν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβη, ἐκέλευσε δ' ἑταίρους

αὐτούς τ' ἀμβαίνειν ἀνά τε πρυμνήσια λῦσαι.

οἱ δ' αἶψ' εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῖ̈σι καθῖζον.

550Τηλέμαχος δ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

Transliteration

tonde t' egō komiō, xeniōn de hoi ou pothē estai."

hōs eipōn epi nēos ebē, ekeleuse d' hetairous

autous t' ambainein ana te prymnēsia lysai.

hoi d' aips' eisbainon kai epi klēïsi kathizon.

550Tēlemachos d' hypo possin edēsato kala pedila,

English

for you, and he shall find no lack of hospitality." As he spoke he went on board, and bade the others do so also and loose the hawsers, so they took their places in the ship. But Telemakhos bound on his sandals, and took a long and doughty spear with a head of sharpened bronze from the deck of the ship.

Homeric Greek

εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

νηὸς ἀπ' ἰκριόφιν: τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσι' ἔλυσαν.

οἱ μὲν ἀνώσαντες πλέον ἐς πόλιν, ὡς ἐκέλευσε

Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο:

555τὸν δ' ὦκα προβιβάντα πόδες φέρον, ὄφρ' ἵκετ' αὐλήν,

Transliteration

heileto d' alkimon enchos, akachmenon oxeï chalkōi,

nēos ap' ikriophin: toi de prymnēsi' elysan.

hoi men anōsantes pleon es polin, hōs ekeleuse

Tēlemachos, philos huios Odyssēos theioio:

555ton d' ōka probibanta podes pheron, ophr' hiket' aulēn,

English

Then they loosed the hawsers, thrust the ship off from land, and made on towards the city as they had been told to do, while Telemakhos strode on as fast as he could, till he reached the homestead where his countless herds of swine

Homeric Greek

ἔνθα οἱ ἦσαν ὕες μάλα μυρίαι, ᾗσι συβώτης

ἐσθλὸς ἐὼν ἐνίαυεν, ἀνάκτεσιν ἤπια εἰδώς,

Transliteration

entha hoi ēsan hyes mala myriai, hēisi sybōtēs

esthlos eōn eniauen, anaktesin ēpia eidōs,

English

were feeding, and where dwelt the excellent swineherd, who was so devoted a servant to his master.