Odyssey

Book XVI

480 verses · Greek from Sacred Texts · English: Samuel Butler

Facing verses

Homeric Greek

1τὼ δ' αὖτ' ἐν κλισίῃ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸς

ἐντύνοντο ἄριστον ἅμ' ἠοῖ, κηαμένω πῦρ,

ἔκπεμψάν τε νομῆας ἅμ' ἀγρομένοισι σύεσσι:

Τηλέμαχον δὲ περίσσαινον κύνες ὑλακόμωροι,

5οὐδ' ὕλαον προσιόντα. νόησε δὲ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

Transliteration

1tō d' aut' en klisiēi Odyseus kai dios hyphorbos

entynonto ariston ham' ēoi, kēamenō pyr,

ekpempsan te nomēas ham' agromenoisi syessi:

Tēlemachon de perissainon kynes hylakomōroi,

5oud' hylaon prosionta. noēse de dios Odysseus

English

Meanwhile Odysseus and the swineherd had lit a fire in the hut and were getting breakfast ready at daybreak for they had sent the men out with the pigs. When Telemakhos came up, the dogs did not bark, but fawned upon him, so

Homeric Greek

σαίνοντάς τε κύνας, περί τε κτύπος ἦλθε ποδοῖϊν.

αἶψα δ' ἄρ' Εὔμαιον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"Εὔμαι', ἦ μάλα τίς τοι ἐλεύσεται ἐνθάδ' ἑταῖρος

ἢ καὶ γνώριμος ἄλλος, ἐπεὶ κύνες οὐχ ὑλάουσιν,

10ἀλλὰ περισσαίνουσι: ποδῶν δ' ὑπὸ δοῦπον ἀκούω."

Transliteration

sainontas te kynas, peri te ktypos ēlthe podoiïn.

aipsa d' ar' Eumaion epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"Eumai', ē mala tis toi eleusetai enthad' hetairos

ē kai gnōrimos allos, epei kynes ouch hylaousin,

10alla perissainousi: podōn d' hypo doupon akouō."

English

Odysseus, hearing the sound of feet and noticing that the dogs did not bark, said to Eumaios: "Eumaios, I hear footsteps; I suppose one of your men or some one of your acquaintance is coming here, for the dogs are fawning upon him and not barking."

Homeric Greek

οὔ πω πᾶν εἴρητο ἔπος, ὅτε οἱ φίλος υἱὸς

ἔστη ἐνὶ προθύροισι. ταφὼν δ' ἀνόρουσε συβώτης,

ἐκ δ' ἄρα οἱ χειρῶν πέσον ἄγγεα, τοῖς ἐπονεῖτο,

κιρνὰς αἴθοπα οἶνον. ὁ δ' ἀντίος ἦλθεν ἄνακτος,

15κύσσε δέ μιν κεφαλήν τε καὶ ἄμφω φάεα καλὰ

Transliteration

ou pō pan eirēto epos, hote hoi philos huios

estē eni prothyroisi. taphōn d' anorouse sybōtēs,

ek d' ara hoi cheirōn peson angea, tois eponeito,

kirnas aithopa oinon. ho d' antios ēlthen anaktos,

15kysse de min kephalēn te kai amphō phaea kala

English

The words were hardly out of his mouth before his son stood at the door. Eumaios sprang to his feet, and the bowls in which he was mixing wine fell from his hands, as he made towards his master.

Homeric Greek

χεῖράς τ' ἀμφοτέρας: θαλερὸν δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε δάκρυ.

ὡς δὲ πατὴρ ὃν παῖδα φίλα φρονέων ἀγαπάζῃ

ἐλθόντ' ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης δεκάτῳ ἐνιαυτῷ,

μοῦνον τηλύγετον, τῷ ἔπ' ἄλγεα πολλὰ μογήσῃ,

20ὣς τότε Τηλέμαχον θεοειδέα δῖος ὑφορβὸς

Transliteration

cheiras t' amphoteras: thaleron de hoi ekpese dakry.

hōs de patēr hon paida phila phroneōn agapazēi

elthont' ex apiēs gaiēs dekatōi eniautōi,

mounon tēlygeton, tōi ep' algea polla mogēsēi,

20hōs tote Tēlemachon theoeidea dios hyphorbos

English

He kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes, and wept for joy. A father could not be more delighted at the return of an only son, the child of his old age, after ten years’ absence in a foreign country and after having gone through much hardship.

Homeric Greek

πάντα κύσεν περιφύς, ὡς ἐκ θανάτοιο φυγόντα:

καί ῥ' ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"ἦλθες, Τηλέμαχε, γλυκερὸν φάος. οὔ σ' ἔτ' ἐγώ γε

ὄψεσθαι ἐφάμην, ἐπεὶ ᾤχεο νηὶ̈ Πύλονδε.

25ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν εἴσελθε, φίλον τέκος, ὄφρα σε θυμῷ

Transliteration

panta kysen periphys, hōs ek thanatoio phygonta:

kai rh' olophyromenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"ēlthes, Tēlemache, glykeron phaos. ou s' et' egō ge

opsesthai ephamēn, epei ōicheo nēï Pylonde.

25all' age nyn eiselthe, philon tekos, ophra se thymōi

English

He embraced him, kissed him all over as though he had come back from the dead, and spoke fondly to him saying: "So you are come, Telemakhos, light of my eyes that you are. When I heard you had gone to Pylos I made sure I was never going to see you any more.

Homeric Greek

τέρψομαι εἰσορόων νέον ἄλλοθεν ἔνδον ἐόντα.

οὐ μὲν γάρ τι θάμ' ἀγρὸν ἐπέρχεαι οὐδὲ νομῆας,

ἀλλ' ἐπιδημεύεις: ὣς γάρ νύ τοι εὔαδε θυμῷ,

ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων ἐσορᾶν ἀί̈δηλον ὅμιλον."

30τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

terpsomai eisoroōn neon allothen endon eonta.

ou men gar ti tham' agron epercheai oude nomēas,

all' epidēmeueis: hōs gar ny toi euade thymōi,

andrōn mnēstērōn esoran aïdēlon homilon."

30ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

English

Come in, my dear child, and sit down, that I may have a good look at you now you are home again; it is not very often you come into the country to see us herdsmen; you stick pretty close to the town generally. I suppose you think it better to keep an eye on what the suitors are doing." "So be it, old friend," answered Telemakhos, "but

Homeric Greek

"ἔσσεται οὕτως, ἄττα: σέθεν δ' ἕνεκ' ἐνθάδ' ἱκάνω,

ὄφρα σέ τ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδω καὶ μῦθον ἀκούσω,

ἤ μοι ἔτ' ἐν μεγάροις μήτηρ μένει, ἦέ τις ἤδη

?νδρῶν ἄλλος ἔγημεν, Ὀδυσσῆος δέ που εὐνὴ

35χήτει ἐνευναίων κάκ' ἀράχνια κεῖται ἔχουσα."

Transliteration

"essetai houtōs, atta: sethen d' henek' enthad' hikanō,

ophra se t' ophthalmoisin idō kai mython akousō,

ē moi et' en megarois mētēr menei, ēe tis ēdē

?ndrōn allos egēmen, Odyssēos de pou eunē

35chētei eneunaiōn kak' arachnia keitai echousa."

English

I am come now because I want to see you, and to learn whether my mother is still at her old home or whether some one else has married her, so that the bed of Odysseus is without bedding and covered with cobwebs."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν:

"καὶ λίην κείνη γε μένει τετληότι θυμῷ

σοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν: ὀϊζυραὶ δέ οἱ αἰεὶ

φθίνουσιν νύκτες τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χεούσῃ."

40ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας οἱ ἐδέξατο χάλκεον ἔγχος:

Transliteration

ton d' aute proseeipe sybōtēs, orchamos andrōn:

"kai liēn keinē ge menei tetlēoti thymōi

soisin eni megaroisin: oïzyrai de hoi aiei

phthinousin nyktes te kai ēmata dakry cheousēi."

40hōs ara phōnēsas hoi edexato chalkeon enchos:

English

"She is still at the house," replied Eumaios, "grieving and breaking her heart, and doing nothing but weep, both night and day continually." As spoke he took Telemakhos’ spear, whereon he crossed the stone threshold and came inside.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' εἴσω ἴεν καὶ ὑπέρβη λάϊνον οὐδόν.

τῷ δ' ἕδρης ἐπιόντι πατὴρ ὑπόειξεν Ὀδυσσεύς:

Τηλέμαχος δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἐρήτυε φώνησέν τε:

"ἧσ', ὦ ξεῖν': ἡμεῖς δὲ καὶ ἄλλοθι δήομεν ἕδρην

45σταθμῷ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ: πάρα δ' ἀνὴρ ὃς καταθήσει."

Transliteration

autar ho g' eisō ien kai hyperbē laïnon oudon.

tōi d' hedrēs epionti patēr hypoeixen Odysseus:

Tēlemachos d' heterōthen erētye phōnēsen te:

"hēs', ō xein': hēmeis de kai allothi dēomen hedrēn

45stathmōi en hēmeterōi: para d' anēr hos katathēsei."

English

Odysseus rose from his seat to give him place as he entered, but Telemakhos checked him; "Sit down, stranger." said he, "I can easily find another seat, and there is one here who will lay it for me."

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάθ', ὁ δ' αὖτις ἰὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετο: τῷ δὲ συβώτης.

χεῦεν ὕπο χλωρὰς ῥῶπας καὶ κῶας ὕπερθεν:

ἔνθα καθέζετ' ἔπειτα Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός.

τοῖσιν δ' αὖ κρειῶν πίνακας παρέθηκε συβώτης

50ὀπταλέων, ἅ ῥα τῇ προτέρῃ ὑπέλειπον ἔδοντες,

Transliteration

hōs phath', ho d' autis iōn kat' ar' hezeto: tōi de sybōtēs.

cheuen hypo chlōras rhōpas kai kōas hyperthen:

entha kathezet' epeita Odyssēos philos huios.

toisin d' au kreiōn pinakas parethēke sybōtēs

50optaleōn, ha rha tēi proterēi hypeleipon edontes,

English

Odysseus went back to his own place, and Eumaios strewed some green brushwood on the floor and threw a sheepskin on top of it for Telemakhos to sit upon. Then the swineherd brought them platters of cold meat, the remains from what they had eaten the day

Homeric Greek

σῖτον δ' ἐσσυμένως παρενήνεεν ἐν κανέοισιν,

ἐν δ' ἄρα κισσυβίῳ κίρνη μελιηδέα οἶνον:

αὐτὸς δ' ἀντίον ἷζεν Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.

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

55αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

Transliteration

siton d' essymenōs parenēneen en kaneoisin,

en d' ara kissybiōi kirnē meliēdea oinon:

autos d' antion hizen Odyssēos theioio.

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

55autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

English

before, and he filled the bread baskets with bread as fast as he could. He mixed wine also in bowls of ivy-wood, and took his seat facing Odysseus. Then they laid their hands on the good things that were before them, and as soon as they had

Homeric Greek

δὴ τότε Τηλέμαχος προσεφώνεε δῖον ὑφορβόν:

"ἄττα, πόθεν τοι ξεῖνος ὅδ' ἵκετο; πῶς δέ ἑ ναῦται

ἤγαγον εἰς Ἰθάκην; τίνες ἔμμεναι εὐχετόωντο;

οὐ μὲν γάρ τί ἑ πεζὸν ὀί̈ομαι ἐνθάδ' ἱκέσθαι."

60τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

Transliteration

dē tote Tēlemachos prosephōnee dion hyphorbon:

"atta, pothen toi xeinos hod' hiketo; pōs de he nautai

ēgagon eis Ithakēn; tines emmenai euchetoōnto;

ou men gar ti he pezon oïomai enthad' hikesthai."

60ton d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

English

had enough to eat and drink Telemakhos said to Eumaios, "Old friend, where does this stranger come from? How did his crew bring him to Ithaca, and who were they?-for assuredly he did not come here by land"’ To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaios, "My son, I will tell you the real truth.

Homeric Greek

"τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, τέκνον, ἀληθέα πάντ' ἀγορεύσω.

ἐκ μὲν Κρητάων γένος εὔχεται εὐρειάων,

φησὶ δὲ πολλὰ βροτῶν ἐπὶ ἄστεα δινηθῆναι

πλαζόμενος: ὣς γάρ οἱ ἐπέκλωσεν τά γε δαίμων.

65νῦν αὖ Θεσπρωτῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκ νηὸς ἀποδρὰς

Transliteration

"toigar egō toi, teknon, alēthea pant' agoreusō.

ek men Krētaōn genos euchetai eureiaōn,

phēsi de polla brotōn epi astea dinēthēnai

plazomenos: hōs gar hoi epeklōsen ta ge daimōn.

65nyn au Thesprōtōn andrōn ek nēos apodras

English

He says he is a Cretan, and that he has been a great traveler. At this moment he is running away from a Thesprotian ship, and has refuge at my station, so I will put him into your hands.

Homeric Greek

ἤλυθ' ἐμὸν πρὸς σταθμόν, ἐγὼ δέ τοι ἐγγυαλίξω:

ἔρξον ὅπως ἐθέλεις: ἱκέτης δέ τοι εὔχεται εἶναι."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"Εὔμαι', ἦ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος θυμαλγὲς ἔειπες:

70πῶς γὰρ δὴ τὸν ξεῖνον ἐγὼν ὑποδέξομαι οἴκῳ;

Transliteration

ēlyth' emon pros stathmon, egō de toi engyalixō:

erxon hopōs etheleis: hiketēs de toi euchetai einai."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"Eumai', ē mala touto epos thymalges eeipes:

70pōs gar dē ton xeinon egōn hypodexomai oikōi;

English

Do whatever you like with him, only remember that he is your suppliant." "I am very much distressed," said Telemakhos, "by what you have just told me. How can I take this stranger into my house?

Homeric Greek

αὐτὸς μὲν νέος εἰμὶ καὶ οὔ πω χερσὶ πέποιθα

ἄνδρ' ἀπαμύνασθαι, ὅτε τις πρότερος χαλεπήνῃ:

μητρὶ δ' ἐμῇ δίχα θυμὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζει,

ἢ αὐτοῦ παρ' ἐμοί τε μένῃ καὶ δῶμα κομίζῃ,

75εὐνήν τ' αἰδομένη πόσιος δήμοιό τε φῆμιν,

Transliteration

autos men neos eimi kai ou pō chersi pepoitha

andr' apamynasthai, hote tis proteros chalepēnēi:

mētri d' emēi dicha thymos eni phresi mermērizei,

ē autou par' emoi te menēi kai dōma komizēi,

75eunēn t' aidomenē posios dēmoio te phēmin,

English

I am as yet young, and am not strong enough to hold my own if any man attacks me. My mother cannot make up her mind whether to stay where she is and look after the house out of respect for public opinion and the memory of her husband, or whether the

Homeric Greek

ἦ ἤδη ἅμ' ἕπηται Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστος

μνᾶται ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἀνὴρ καὶ πλεῖστα πόρῃσιν.

ἀλλ' ἦ τοὶ τὸν ξεῖνον, ἐπεὶ τεὸν ἵκετο δῶμα,

ἕσσω μιν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, εἵματα καλά,

80δώσω δὲ ξίφος ἄμφηκες καὶ ποσσὶ πέδιλα,

Transliteration

ē ēdē ham' hepētai Achaiōn hos tis aristos

mnatai eni megaroisin anēr kai pleista porēisin.

all' ē toi ton xeinon, epei teon hiketo dōma,

hessō min chlainan te chitōna te, heimata kala,

80dōsō de xiphos amphēkes kai possi pedila,

English

time is now come for her to take the best man of those who are wooing her, and the one who will make her the most advantageous offer; still, as the stranger has come to your station I will find him a cloak and shirt of good wear, with a sword and sandals, and will send him wherever he wants to go.

Homeric Greek

πέμψω δ' ὅππη μιν κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει.

εἰ δ' ἐθέλεις, σὺ κόμισσον ἐνὶ σταθμοῖσιν ἐρύξας:

εἵματα δ' ἐνθάδ' ἐγὼ πέμψω καὶ σῖτον ἅπαντα

ἔδμεναι, ὡς ἂν μή σε κατατρύχῃ καὶ ἑταίρους.

85κεῖσε δ' ἂν οὔ μιν ἐγώ γε μετὰ μνηστῆρας ἐῷμι

Transliteration

pempsō d' hoppē min kradiē thymos te keleuei.

ei d' etheleis, sy komisson eni stathmoisin eryxas:

heimata d' enthad' egō pempsō kai siton hapanta

edmenai, hōs an mē se katatrychēi kai hetairous.

85keise d' an ou min egō ge meta mnēstēras eōimi

English

Or if you like you can keep him here at the station, and I will send him clothes and food that he may be no burden on you and on your men; but I will not have him go near the suitors, for they are very

Homeric Greek

ἔρχεσθαι: λίην γὰρ ἀτάσθαλον ὕβριν ἔχουσι:

μή μιν κερτομέωσιν, ἐμοὶ δ' ἄχος ἔσσεται αἰνόν.

πρῆξαι δ' ἀργαλέον τι μετὰ πλεόνεσσιν ἐόντα

ἄνδρα καὶ ἴφθιμον, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτεροί εἰσι."

90τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

erchesthai: liēn gar atasthalon hybrin echousi:

mē min kertomeōsin, emoi d' achos essetai ainon.

prēxai d' argaleon ti meta pleonessin eonta

andra kai iphthimon, epei ē poly pherteroi eisi."

90ton d' aute proseeipe polytlas dios Odysseus:

English

insolent, and are sure to ill-treat him in a way that would greatly grieve me; no matter how valiant a man may be he can do nothing against numbers, for they will be too strong for him." Then Odysseus said, "Sir, it is right that I should say something myself.

Homeric Greek

"ὦ φίλ', ἐπεί θήν μοι καὶ ἀμείψασθαι θέμις ἐστίν,

ἦ μάλα μευ καταδάπτετ' ἀκούοντος φίλον ἦτορ,

οἷά φατε μνηστῆρας ἀτάσθαλα μηχανάασθαι

ἐν μεγάροις, ἀέκητι σέθεν τοιούτου ἐόντος.

95εἰπέ μοι ἠὲ ἑκὼν ὑποδάμνασαι, ἦ σέ γε λαοὶ

Transliteration

"ō phil', epei thēn moi kai ameipsasthai themis estin,

ē mala meu katadaptet' akouontos philon ētor,

hoia phate mnēstēras atasthala mēchanaasthai

en megarois, aekēti sethen toioutou eontos.

95eipe moi ēe hekōn hypodamnasai, ē se ge laoi

English

I am much shocked about what you have said about the insolent way in which the suitors are behaving in despite of such a man as you are. Tell me, do you submit to such treatment tamely, or do the people of your dêmos, following the voice of some god, hate you?

Homeric Greek

ἐχθαίρουσ' ἀνὰ δῆμον, ἐπισπόμενοι θεοῦ ὀμφῇ,

ἦ τι κασιγνήτοις ἐπιμέμφεαι, οἷσί περ ἀνὴρ

μαρναμένοισι πέποιθε, καὶ εἰ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρηται.

αἲ γάρ ἐγὼν οὕτω νέος εἴην τῷδ' ἐπὶ θυμῷ,

100ἢ παῖς ἐξ Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος ἠὲ καὶ αὐτός:

Transliteration

echthairous' ana dēmon, epispomenoi theou omphēi,

ē ti kasignētois epimempheai, hoisi per anēr

marnamenoisi pepoithe, kai ei mega neikos orētai.

ai gar egōn houtō neos eiēn tōid' epi thymōi,

100ē pais ex Odysēos amymonos ēe kai autos:

English

May you not complain of your brothers - for it is to these that a man may look for support, however great his quarrel may be? I wish I were as young as you are and in my present mind;

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκ' ἔπειτ' ἀπ' ἐμεῖο κάρη τάμοι ἀλλότριος φώς,

εἰ μὴ ἐγὼ κείνοισι κακὸν πάντεσσι γενοίμην,

ἐλθὼν ἐς μέγαρον Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.

εἰ δ' αὖ με πληθυῖ δαμασαίατο μοῦνον ἐόντα,

105βουλοίμην κ' ἐν ἐμοῖσι κατακτάμενος μεγάροισι

Transliteration

autik' epeit' ap' emeio karē tamoi allotrios phōs,

ei mē egō keinoisi kakon pantessi genoimēn,

elthōn es megaron Laertiadeō Odysēos.

ei d' au me plēthui damasaiato mounon eonta,

105bouloimēn k' en emoisi kataktamenos megaroisi

English

if I were son to Odysseus, or, indeed, Odysseus himself, I would rather some one came and cut my head off, but I would go to the house and be the bane of every one of these men.

Homeric Greek

τεθνάμεν ἢ τάδε γ' αἰὲν ἀεικέα ἔργ' ὁράασθαι,

ξείνους τε στυφελιζομένους δμῳάς τε γυναῖκας

ῥυστάζοντας ἀεικελίως κατὰ δώματα καλά,

καὶ οἶνον διαφυσσόμενον, καὶ σῖτον ἔδοντας

110μὰψ αὔτως, ἀτέλεστον, ἀνηνύστῳ ἐπὶ ἔργῳ."

Transliteration

tethnamen ē tade g' aien aeikea erg' horaasthai,

xeinous te styphelizomenous dmōias te gynaikas

rhystazontas aeikeliōs kata dōmata kala,

kai oinon diaphyssomenon, kai siton edontas

110maps autōs, ateleston, anēnystōi epi ergōi."

English

If they were too many for me - I being single-handed - I would rather die fighting in my own house than see such disgraceful sights day after day, strangers grossly maltreated, and men dragging the women servants about the house in an unseemly way, wine drawn recklessly, and bread wasted all

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

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

οὔτε τί μοι πᾶς δῆμος ἀπεχθόμενος χαλεπαίνει,

οὔτε κασιγνήτοις ἐπιμέμφομαι, οἷσί περ ἀνὴρ

115μαρναμένοισι πέποιθε, καὶ εἰ μέγα νεῖκος ὄρηται.

Transliteration

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

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

oute ti moi pas dēmos apechthomenos chalepainei,

oute kasignētois epimemphomai, hoisi per anēr

115marnamenoisi pepoithe, kai ei mega neikos orētai.

English

to no purpose for an end that shall never be accomplished." And Telemakhos answered, "I will tell you truly everything. There is no enmity between me and my dêmos, nor can I complain of brothers, to whom a man may look for support however great his quarrel may be.

Homeric Greek

ὧδε γὰρ ἡμετέρην γενεὴν μούνωσε Κρονίων:

μοῦνον Λαέρτην Ἀρκείσιος υἱὸν ἔτικτε,

μοῦνον δ' αὖτ' Ὀδυσῆα πατὴρ τέκεν: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

μοῦνον ἔμ' ἐν μεγάροισι τεκὼν λίπεν οὐδ' ἀπόνητο.

120τῷ νῦν δυσμενέες μάλα μυρίοι εἴσ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.

Transliteration

hōde gar hēmeterēn geneēn mounōse Kroniōn:

mounon Laertēn Arkeisios huion etikte,

mounon d' aut' Odysēa patēr teken: autar Odysseus

mounon em' en megaroisi tekōn lipen oud' aponēto.

120tōi nyn dysmenees mala myrioi eis' eni oikōi.

English

Zeus has made us a race of only sons. Laertes was the only son of Arceisius, and Odysseus only son of Laertes. I am myself the only son of Odysseus who left me behind him when he went away, so that I have never been of any use to him.

Homeric Greek

ὅσσοι γὰρ νήσοισιν ἐπικρατέουσιν ἄριστοι,

Δουλιχίῳ τε Σάμῃ τε καὶ ὑλήεντι Ζακύνθῳ,

ἠδ' ὅσσοι κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσι,

τόσσοι μητέρ' ἐμὴν μνῶνται, τρύχουσι δὲ οἶκον.

125ἡ δ' οὔτ' ἀρνεῖται στυγερὸν γάμον οὔτε τελευτὴν

Transliteration

hossoi gar nēsoisin epikrateousin aristoi,

Doulichiōi te Samēi te kai hylēenti Zakynthōi,

ēd' hossoi kranaēn Ithakēn kata koiraneousi,

tossoi mēter' emēn mnōntai, trychousi de oikon.

125hē d' out' arneitai stygeron gamon oute teleutēn

English

Hence it comes that my house is in the hands of numberless marauders; for the chiefs from all the neighboring islands, Dulichium, Same, Zacynthus, as also all the principal men of Ithaca itself, are eating up my house under the pretext of paying court to my mother, who will

Homeric Greek

ποιῆσαι δύναται: τοὶ δὲ φθινύθουσιν ἔδοντες

οἶκον ἐμόν: τάχα δή με διαρραίσουσι καὶ αὐτόν.

ἀλλ' ἦ τοι μὲν ταῦτα θεῶν ἐν γούνασι κεῖται:

ἄττα, σὺ δ' ἔρχεο θᾶσσον, ἐχέφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ

130εἴφ' ὅτι οἱ σῶς εἰμὶ καὶ ἐκ Πύλου εἰλήλουθα.

Transliteration

poiēsai dynatai: toi de phthinythousin edontes

oikon emon: tacha dē me diarraisousi kai auton.

all' ē toi men tauta theōn en gounasi keitai:

atta, sy d' ercheo thasson, echephroni Pēnelopeiēi

130eiph' hoti hoi sōs eimi kai ek Pylou eilēloutha.

English

neither say point blank that she will not marry, nor yet bring matters to an end, so they are making havoc of my estate, and before long will do so with myself into the bargain. The issue, however, rests with heaven.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν αὐτοῦ μενέω, σὺ δὲ δεῦρο νέεσθαι,

οἴῃ ἀπαγγείλας: τῶν δ' ἄλλων μή τις Ἀχαιῶν

πευθέσθω: πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐμοὶ κακὰ μηχανόωνται."

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

135"γιγνώσκω, φρονέω: τά γε δὴ νοέοντι κελεύεις.

Transliteration

autar egōn autou meneō, sy de deuro neesthai,

oiēi apangeilas: tōn d' allōn mē tis Achaiōn

peuthesthō: polloi gar emoi kaka mēchanoōntai."

ton d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

135"gignōskō, phroneō: ta ge dē noeonti keleueis.

English

But do you, old friend Eumaios, go at once and tell Penelope that I am safe and have returned from Pylos. Tell it to herself alone, and then come back here without letting any one else know, for there are many who are plotting mischief against me." "I understand and heed you," replied Eumaios;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

ἦ καὶ Λαέρτῃ αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ἄγγελος ἔλθω

δυσμόρῳ, ὃς τῆος μὲν Ὀδυσσῆος μέγ' ἀχεύων

ἔργα τ' ἐποπτεύεσκε μετὰ δμώων τ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ

140πῖνε καὶ ἦσθ', ὅτε θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἀνώγοι:

Transliteration

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

ē kai Laertēi autēn hodon angelos elthō

dysmorōi, hos tēos men Odyssēos meg' acheuōn

erga t' epopteueske meta dmōōn t' eni oikōi

140pine kai ēsth', hote thymos eni stēthessin anōgoi:

English

"you need instruct me no further, only I am going that way say whether I had not better let poor Laertes know that you are returned. He used to superintend the work on his farm in spite of his bitter sorrow about Odysseus, and he would eat and drink at will along with his servants;

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ νῦν, ἐξ οὗ σύ γε ᾤχεο νηὶ̈ Πύλονδε,

οὔ πω μίν φασιν φαγέμεν καὶ πιέμεν αὔτως,

οὐδ' ἐπὶ ἔργα ἰδεῖν, ἀλλὰ στοναχῇ τε γόῳ τε

ἧσται ὀδυρόμενος, φθινύθει δ' ἀμφ' ὀστεόφι χρώς."

145τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

autar nyn, ex hou sy ge ōicheo nēï Pylonde,

ou pō min phasin phagemen kai piemen autōs,

oud' epi erga idein, alla stonachēi te goōi te

hēstai odyromenos, phthinythei d' amph' osteophi chrōs."

145ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

English

but they tell me that from the day on which you set out for Pylos he has neither eaten nor drunk as he ought to do, nor does he look after his farm, but sits weeping and wasting the flesh from off his bones."

Homeric Greek

"ἄλγιον, ἀλλ' ἔμπης μιν ἐάσομεν, ἀχνύμενοί περ:

εἰ γὰρ πως εἴη αὐτάγρετα πάντα βροτοῖσι,

πρῶτόν κεν τοῦ πατρὸς ἑλοίμεθα νόστιμον ἦμαρ.

ἀλλὰ σύ γ' ἀγγείλας ὀπίσω κίε, μηδὲ κατ' ἀγροὺς

150πλάζεσθαι μετ' ἐκεῖνον: ἀτὰρ πρὸς μητέρα εἰπεῖν

Transliteration

"algion, all' empēs min easomen, achnymenoi per:

ei gar pōs eiē autagreta panta brotoisi,

prōton ken tou patros heloimetha nostimon ēmar.

alla sy g' angeilas opisō kie, mēde kat' agrous

150plazesthai met' ekeinon: atar pros mētera eipein

English

"More's the pity," answered Telemakhos, "I am sorry for him, but we must leave him to himself just now. If people could have everything their own way, the first thing I should choose would be the return of my father; but go, and give your message;

Homeric Greek

ἀμφίπολον ταμίην ὀτρυνέμεν ὅττι τάχιστα

κρύβδην: κείνη γὰρ κεν ἀπαγγείλειε γέροντι."

ἦ ῥα καὶ ὦρσε συφορβόν: ὁ δ' εἵλετο χερσὶ πέδιλα,

δησάμενος δ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶ πόλινδ' ἴεν. οὐδ' ἄρ' Ἀθήνην

155λῆθεν ἀπὸ σταθμοῖο κιὼν Εὔμαιος ὑφορβός,

Transliteration

amphipolon tamiēn otrynemen hotti tachista

krybdēn: keinē gar ken apangeileie geronti."

ē rha kai ōrse syphorbon: ho d' heileto chersi pedila,

dēsamenos d' hypo possi polind' ien. oud' ar' Athēnēn

155lēthen apo stathmoio kiōn Eumaios hyphorbos,

English

then make haste back again, and do not turn out of your way to tell Laertes. Tell my mother to send one of her women secretly with the news at once, and let him hear it from her." Thus did he urge the swineherd; Eumaios, therefore, took his sandals, bound them to his feet, and started for the town.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἥ γε σχεδὸν ἦλθε: δέμας δ' ἤϊκτο γυναικὶ

καλῇ τε μεγάλῃ τε καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα ἰδυίῃ.

στῆ δὲ κατ' ἀντίθυρον κλισίης Ὀδυσῆϊ φανεῖσα:

οὐδ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχος ἴδεν ἀντίον οὐδ' ἐνόησεν,

160οὐ γὰρ πω πάντεσσι θεοὶ φαίνονται ἐναργεῖς,

Transliteration

all' hē ge schedon ēlthe: demas d' ēïkto gynaiki

kalēi te megalēi te kai aglaa erga iduiēi.

stē de kat' antithyron klisiēs Odysēï phaneisa:

oud' ara Tēlemachos iden antion oud' enoēsen,

160ou gar pō pantessi theoi phainontai enargeis,

English

Athena watched him well off the station, and then came up to it in the form of a woman - fair, stately, and wise. She stood against the side of the entry, and revealed herself to Odysseus, but Telemakhos could not see her, and knew not that she was there, for the gods do not let themselves be seen by everybody.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' Ὀδυσεύς τε κύνες τε ἴδον, καί ῥ' οὐχ ὑλάοντο

κνυζηθμῷ δ' ἑτέρωσε διὰ σταθμοῖο φόβηθεν.

ἡ δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' ὀφρύσι νεῦσε: νόησε δὲ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

ἐκ δ' ἦλθεν μεγάροιο παρὲκ μέγα τειχίον αὐλῆς,

165στῆ δὲ πάροιθ' αὐτῆς: τὸν δὲ προσέειπεν Ἀθήνη:

Transliteration

all' Odyseus te kynes te idon, kai rh' ouch hylaonto

knyzēthmōi d' heterōse dia stathmoio phobēthen.

hē d' ar' ep' ophrysi neuse: noēse de dios Odysseus,

ek d' ēlthen megaroio parek mega teichion aulēs,

165stē de paroith' autēs: ton de proseeipen Athēnē:

English

Odysseus saw her, and so did the dogs, for they did not bark, but went scared and whining off to the other side of the yards. She nodded her head and motioned to Odysseus with her eyebrows; whereon he left the hut and stood before her outside the main wall of the yards.

Homeric Greek

"διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχαν' Ὀδυσσεῦ.

ἤδη νῦν σῷ παιδὶ ἔπος φάο μηδ' ἐπίκευθε,

ὡς ἄν μνηστῆρσιν θάνατον καὶ κῆρ' ἀραρόντε

ἔρχησθον προτὶ ἄστυ περικλυτόν: οὐδ' ἐγὼ αὐτὴ

170δηρὸν ἀπὸ σφῶϊν ἔσομαι μεμαυῖα μάχεσθαι."

Transliteration

"diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchan' Odysseu.

ēdē nyn sōi paidi epos phao mēd' epikeuthe,

hōs an mnēstērsin thanaton kai kēr' araronte

erchēsthon proti asty periklyton: oud' egō autē

170dēron apo sphōïn esomai memauia machesthai."

English

Then she said to him: "Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, it is now time for you to tell your son: do not keep him in the dark any longer, but lay your plans for the destruction of the suitors, and then make for the town.

Homeric Greek

ἦ καὶ χρυσείῃ ῥάβδῳ ἐπεμάσσατ' Ἀθήνη.

φᾶρος μέν οἱ πρῶτον ἐϋπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶνα

θῆκ' ἀμφὶ στήθεσσι, δέμας δ' ὤφελλε καὶ ἥβην.

ἂψ δὲ μελαγχροιὴς γένετο, γναθμοὶ δὲ τάνυσθεν,

175κυάνεαι δ' ἐγένοντο γενειάδες ἀμφὶ γένειον.

Transliteration

ē kai chryseiēi rhabdōi epemassat' Athēnē.

pharos men hoi prōton eÿplynes ēde chitōna

thēk' amphi stēthessi, demas d' ōphelle kai hēbēn.

aps de melanchroiēs geneto, gnathmoi de tanysthen,

175kyaneai d' egenonto geneiades amphi geneion.

English

I will not be long in joining you, for I too am eager for the fray." As she spoke she touched him with her golden wand. First she threw a fair clean shirt and cloak about his shoulders; then she made him younger and of more imposing presence;

Homeric Greek

ἡ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς ἔρξασα πάλιν κίεν: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

ἤϊεν ἐς κλισίην: θάμβησε δέ μιν φίλος υἱός,

ταρβήσας δ' ἑτέρωσε βάλ' ὄμματα, μὴ θεὸς εἴη,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

180"ἀλλοῖός μοι, ξεῖνε, φάνης νέον ἠὲ πάροιθεν,

Transliteration

hē men ar' hōs erxasa palin kien: autar Odysseus

ēïen es klisiēn: thambēse de min philos huios,

tarbēsas d' heterōse bal' ommata, mē theos eiē,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

180"alloios moi, xeine, phanēs neon ēe paroithen,

English

she gave him back his color, filled out his cheeks, and let his beard become dark again. Then she went away and Odysseus came back inside the hut. His son was astounded when he saw him, and turned his eyes away for fear he might be looking upon a god.

Homeric Greek

ἄλλα δὲ εἵματ' ἔχεις, καί τοι χρὼς οὐκέθ' ὁμοῖος.

ἦ μάλα τις θεός ἐσσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν:

ἀλλ' ἵληθ', ἵνα τοι κεχαρισμένα δώομεν ἱρὰ

ἠδὲ χρύσεα δῶρα, τετυγμένα: φείδεο δ' ἡμέων"

185τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

alla de heimat' echeis, kai toi chrōs ouketh' homoios.

ē mala tis theos essi, toi ouranon euryn echousin:

all' hilēth', hina toi kecharismena dōomen hira

ēde chrysea dōra, tetygmena: pheideo d' hēmeōn"

185ton d' ēmeibet' epeita polytlas dios Odysseus:

English

"Stranger," said he, "how suddenly you have changed from what you were a moment or two ago. You are dressed differently and your color is not the same. Are you some one or other of the gods that live in heaven? If so, be propitious to me till I can make you due sacrifice and offerings of wrought gold. Have mercy upon me."

Homeric Greek

"οὔ τίς τοι θεός εἰμι: τί μ' ἀθανάτοισιν ἐί̈σκεις;

ἀλλὰ πατὴρ τεός εἰμι, τοῦ εἵνεκα σὺ στεναχίζων

πάσχεις ἄλγεα πολλά, βίας ὑποδέγμενος ἀνδρῶν."

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας υἱὸν κύσε, κὰδ δὲ παρειῶν

190δάκρυον ἧκε χαμᾶζε: πάρος δ' ἔχε νωλεμὲς αἰεί.

Transliteration

"ou tis toi theos eimi: ti m' athanatoisin eïskeis;

alla patēr teos eimi, tou heineka sy stenachizōn

pascheis algea polla, bias hypodegmenos andrōn."

hōs ara phōnēsas huion kyse, kad de pareiōn

190dakryon hēke chamaze: paros d' eche nōlemes aiei.

English

And Odysseus said, "I am no god, why should you take me for one? I am your father, on whose account you grieve and suffer so much at the hands of violent men." As he spoke he kissed his son, and a tear

Homeric Greek

Τηλέμαχος δ', οὐ γάρ πω ἐπείθετο ὃν πατέρ' εἶναι,

ἐξαῦτίς μιν ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν:

"οὐ σύ γ' Ὀδυσσεύς ἐσσι, πατὴρ ἐμός, ἀλλά με δαίμων

θέλγει, ὄφρ' ἔτι μᾶλλον ὀδυρόμενος στεναχίζω.

195οὐ γάρ πως ἂν θνητὸς ἀνὴρ τάδε μηχανόῳτο

Transliteration

Tēlemachos d', ou gar pō epeitheto hon pater' einai,

exautis min epessin ameibomenos proseeipen:

"ou sy g' Odysseus essi, patēr emos, alla me daimōn

thelgei, ophr' eti mallon odyromenos stenachizō.

195ou gar pōs an thnētos anēr tade mēchanoōito

English

fell from his cheek on to the ground, for he had restrained all tears till now. but Telemakhos could not yet believe that it was his father, and said: "You are not my father, but some daimôn is flattering me with vain hopes that I may grieve the more hereafter;

Homeric Greek

ᾧ αὐτοῦ γε νόῳ, ὅτε μὴ θεὸς αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼν

ῥηϊδίως ἐθέλων θείη νέον ἠὲ γέροντα.

ἦ γάρ τοι νέον ἦσθα γέρων καὶ ἀεικέα ἕσσο:

νῦν δὲ θεοῖσιν ἔοικας, οἳ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι."

200τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

hōi autou ge noōi, hote mē theos autos epelthōn

rhēïdiōs ethelōn theiē neon ēe geronta.

ē gar toi neon ēstha gerōn kai aeikea hesso:

nyn de theoisin eoikas, hoi ouranon euryn echousi."

200ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

English

no mortal man could of himself contrive with his noos to do as you have been doing, and make yourself old and young at a moment's notice, unless a god were with him. A second ago you were old and all in rags, and now you are like some god come down from heaven."

Homeric Greek

"Τηλέμαχ', οὔ σε ἔοικε φίλον πατέρ ἔνδον ἐόντα

οὔτε τι θαυμάζειν περιώσιον οὔτ' ἀγάασθαι:

οὐ μὲν γάρ τοι ἔτ' ἄλλος ἐλεύσεται ἐνθάδ' Ὀδυσσεύς,

ἀλλ' ὅδ' ἐγὼ τοιόσδε, παθὼν κακά, πολλὰ δ' ἀληθείς,

205ἤλυθον εἰκοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.

Transliteration

"Tēlemach', ou se eoike philon pater endon eonta

oute ti thaumazein periōsion out' agaasthai:

ou men gar toi et' allos eleusetai enthad' Odysseus,

all' hod' egō toiosde, pathōn kaka, polla d' alētheis,

205ēlython eikostōi eteï es patrida gaian.

English

Odysseus answered, "Telemakhos, you ought not to be so immeasurably astonished at my being really here. There is no other Odysseus who will come hereafter. Such as I am, it is I, who after long wandering and much hardship have got home in the twentieth year to my own country.

Homeric Greek

αὐτάρ τοι τόδε ἔργον Ἀθηναίης ἀγελείης,

ἥ τέ με τοῖον ἔθηκεν, ὅπως ἐθέλει, δύναται γὰρ,

ἄλλοτε μὲν πτωχῷ ἐναλίγκιον, ἄλλοτε δ' αὖτε

ἀνδρὶ νέῳ καὶ καλὰ περὶ χροὶ̈ εἵματ' ἔχοντι.

210ῥηί̈διον δὲ θεοῖσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,

Transliteration

autar toi tode ergon Athēnaiēs ageleiēs,

hē te me toion ethēken, hopōs ethelei, dynatai gar,

allote men ptōchōi enalinkion, allote d' aute

andri neōi kai kala peri chroï heimat' echonti.

210rhēïdion de theoisi, toi ouranon euryn echousin,

English

What you wonder at is the work of the redoubtable goddess Athena, who does with me whatever she will, for she can do what she pleases. At one moment she makes me like a beggar, and the next I am a young man with good clothes on my back;

Homeric Greek

ἠμὲν κυδῆναι θνητὸν βροτὸν ἠδὲ κακῶσαι."

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ

ἀμφιχυθεὶς πατέρ' ἐσθλὸν ὀδύρετο, δάκρυα λείβων,

ἀμφοτέροισι δὲ τοῖσιν ὑφ' ἵμερος ὦρτο γόοιο:

215κλαῖον δὲ λιγέως, ἀδινώτερον ἤ τ' οἰωνοί,

Transliteration

ēmen kydēnai thnēton broton ēde kakōsai."

hōs ara phōnēsas kat' ar' hezeto, Tēlemachos de

amphichytheis pater' esthlon odyreto, dakrya leibōn,

amphoteroisi de toisin hyph' himeros ōrto gooio:

215klaion de ligeōs, adinōteron ē t' oiōnoi,

English

it is an easy matter for the gods who live in heaven to make any man look either rich or poor." As he spoke he sat down, and Telemakhos threw his arms about his father and wept.

Homeric Greek

φῆναι ἢ αἰγυπιοὶ γαμψώνυχες, οἷσί τε τέκνα

ἀγρόται ἐξείλοντο πάρος πετεηνὰ γενέσθαι:

ὣς ἄρα τοί γ' ἐλεεινὸν ὑπ' ὀφρύσι δάκρυον εἶβον.

καί νύ κ' ὀδυρομένοισιν ἔδυ φάος ἠελίοιο,

220εἰ μὴ Τηλέμαχος προσεφώνεεν ὃν πατέρ' αἶψα:

Transliteration

phēnai ē aigypioi gampsōnyches, hoisi te tekna

agrotai exeilonto paros peteēna genesthai:

hōs ara toi g' eleeinon hyp' ophrysi dakryon eibon.

kai ny k' odyromenoisin edy phaos ēelioio,

220ei mē Tēlemachos prosephōneen hon pater' aipsa:

English

They were both so much moved that they cried aloud like eagles or vultures with crooked talons that have been robbed of their half fledged young by peasants.

Homeric Greek

"ποίῃ γὰρ νῦν δεῦρο, πάτερ φίλε, νηί̈ σε ναῦται

ἤγαγον εἰς Ἰθάκην; τίνες ἔμμεναι εὐχετόωντο;

οὐ μὲν γάρ τί σε πεζὸν ὀί̈ομαι ἐνθάδ' ἱκέσθαι."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

225"τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, τέκνον, ἀληθείην καταλέξω.

Transliteration

"poiēi gar nyn deuro, pater phile, nēï se nautai

ēgagon eis Ithakēn; tines emmenai euchetoōnto;

ou men gar ti se pezon oïomai enthad' hikesthai."

ton d' aute proseeipe polytlas dios Odysseus:

225"toigar egō toi, teknon, alētheiēn katalexō.

English

Thus piteously did they weep, and the sun would have gone down upon their mourning if Telemakhos had not suddenly said, "In what ship, my dear father, did your crew bring you to Ithaca? Of what nation did they declare themselves to be - for you cannot have come by land?"

Homeric Greek

Φαίηκές μ' ἄγαγον ναυσίκλυτοι, οἵ τε καὶ ἄλλους

ἀνθρώπους πέμπουσιν, ὅτις σφέας εἰσαφίκηται:

καί μ' εὕδοντ' ἐν νηὶ̈ θοῇ ἐπὶ πόντον ἄγοντες

κάτθεσαν εἰς Ἰθάκην, ἔπορον δέ μοι ἀγλαὰ δῶρα,

230χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τε ἅλις ἐσθῆτά θ' ὑφαντήν.

Transliteration

Phaiēkes m' agagon nausiklytoi, hoi te kai allous

anthrōpous pempousin, hotis spheas eisaphikētai:

kai m' heudont' en nēï thoēi epi ponton agontes

katthesan eis Ithakēn, eporon de moi aglaa dōra,

230chalkon te chryson te halis esthēta th' hyphantēn.

English

"I will tell you the truth, my son," replied Odysseus. "It was the Phaeacians who brought me here. They are great sailors, and are in the habit of giving escorts to any one who reaches their coasts. They took me over the sea while I was fast asleep, and landed me in Ithaca, after giving me many presents in bronze, gold, and raiment.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐν σπήεσσι θεῶν ἰότητι κέονται:

νῦν αὖ δεῦρ' ἱκόμην ὑποθημοσύνῃσιν Ἀθήνης,

ὄφρα κε δυσμενέεσσι φόνου πέρι βουλεύσωμεν.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι μνηστῆρας ἀριθμήσας κατάλεξον,

235ὄφρ' εἰδέω ὅσσοι τε καὶ οἵ τινες ἀνέρες εἰσί:

Transliteration

kai ta men en spēessi theōn iotēti keontai:

nyn au deur' hikomēn hypothēmosynēisin Athēnēs,

ophra ke dysmeneessi phonou peri bouleusōmen.

all' age moi mnēstēras arithmēsas katalexon,

235ophr' eideō hossoi te kai hoi tines aneres eisi:

English

These things by heaven's mercy are lying concealed in a cave, and I am now come here on the suggestion of Athena that we may consult about killing our enemies. First, therefore, give me a list of the suitors, with their number, that I may learn who, and how many, they are.

Homeric Greek

καί κεν ἐμὸν κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονα μερμηρίξας

φράσσομαι, ἤ κεν νῶϊ δυνησόμεθ' ἀντιφέρεσθαι

μούνω ἄνευθ' ἄλλων, ἦ καὶ διζησόμεθ' ἄλλους."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

240"ὦ πάτερ, ἦ τοι σεῖο μέγα κλέος αἰὲν ἄκουον,

Transliteration

kai ken emon kata thymon amymona mermērixas

phrassomai, ē ken nōï dynēsometh' antipheresthai

mounō aneuth' allōn, ē kai dizēsometh' allous."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

240"ō pater, ē toi seio mega kleos aien akouon,

English

I can then turn the matter over in my mind, and see whether we two can fight the whole body of them ourselves, or whether we must find others to help us." To this Telemakhos answered, "Father, I have always heard

Homeric Greek

χεῖράς τ' αἰχμητὴν ἔμεναι καὶ ἐπίφρονα βουλήν:

ἀλλὰ λίην μέγα εἶπες: ἄγη μ' ἔχει: οὐδέ κεν εἴη

ἄνδρε δύω πολλοῖσι καὶ ἰφθίμοισι μάχεσθαι.

μνηστήρων δ' οὔτ' ἂρ δεκὰς ἀτρεκὲς οὔτε δύ' οἶαι,

245ἀλλὰ πολὺ πλέονες: τάχα δ' εἴσεαι ἐνθάδ' ἀριθμόν.

Transliteration

cheiras t' aichmētēn emenai kai epiphrona boulēn:

alla liēn mega eipes: agē m' echei: oude ken eiē

andre dyō polloisi kai iphthimoisi machesthai.

mnēstērōn d' out' ar dekas atrekes oute dy' oiai,

245alla poly pleones: tacha d' eiseai enthad' arithmon.

English

of your renown both in the field and in council, but the task you talk of is a very great one: I am awed at the mere thought of it; two men cannot stand against many and brave ones.

Homeric Greek

ἐκ μὲν Δουλιχίοιο δύω καὶ πεντήκοντα

κοῦροι κεκριμένοι, ἓξ δὲ δρηστῆρες ἕπονται:

ἐκ δὲ Σάμης πίσυρές τε καὶ εἴκοσι φῶτες ἔασιν,

ἐκ δὲ Ζακύνθου ἔασιν ἐείκοσι κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν,

250ἐκ δ' αὐτῆς Ἰθάκης δυοκαίδεκα πάντες ἄριστοι,

Transliteration

ek men Doulichioio dyō kai pentēkonta

kouroi kekrimenoi, hex de drēstēres hepontai:

ek de Samēs pisyres te kai eikosi phōtes easin,

ek de Zakynthou easin eeikosi kouroi Achaiōn,

250ek d' autēs Ithakēs dyokaideka pantes aristoi,

English

There are not ten suitors only, nor twice ten, but ten many times over; you shall learn their number at once. There are fifty-two chosen youths from Dulichium, and they have six servants; from Same there are twenty-four; twenty young Achaeans from Zacynthus, and twelve from Ithaca itself, all of them well born.

Homeric Greek

καί σφιν ἅμ' ἐστὶ Μέδων κῆρυξ καὶ θεῖος ἀοιδὸς

καὶ δοιὼ θεράποντε, δαήμονε δαιτροσυνάων.

τῶν εἴ κεν πάντων ἀντήσομεν ἔνδον ἐόντων,

μὴ πολύπικρα καὶ αἰνὰ βίας ἀποτίσεαι ἐλθών.

255ἀλλὰ σύ γ', εἰ δύνασαί τιν' ἀμύντορα μερμηρίξαι,

Transliteration

kai sphin ham' esti Medōn kēryx kai theios aoidos

kai doiō theraponte, daēmone daitrosynaōn.

tōn ei ken pantōn antēsomen endon eontōn,

mē polypikra kai aina bias apotiseai elthōn.

255alla sy g', ei dynasai tin' amyntora mermērixai,

English

They have with them a servant Medon, a bard, and two men who can carve at table. If we face such numbers as this, you may have bitter cause to rue your coming, and your violent revenge.

Homeric Greek

φράζευ, ὅ κέν τις νῶϊν ἀμύνοι πρόφρονι θυμῷ."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

"τοιγὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον:

καὶ φράσαι ἤ κεν νῶϊν Ἀθήνη σὺν Διὶ πατρὶ

260ἀρκέσει, ἦέ τιν' ἄλλον ἀμύντορα μερμηρίξω."

Transliteration

phrazeu, ho ken tis nōïn amynoi prophroni thymōi."

ton d' aute proseeipe polytlas dios Odysseus:

"toigar egōn ereō, sy de syntheo kai meu akouson:

kai phrasai ē ken nōïn Athēnē syn Dii patri

260arkesei, ēe tin' allon amyntora mermērixō."

English

See whether you cannot think of some one who would be willing to come and help us." "Listen to me," replied Odysseus, "and think whether Athena and her father Zeus may seem sufficient, or whether I am to try and

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"ἐσθλώ τοι τούτω γ' ἐπαμύντορε, τοὺς ἀγορεύεις,

ὕψι περ ἐν νεφέεσσι καθημένω: ὥ τε καὶ ἄλλοις

ἀνδράσι τε κρατέουσι καὶ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι."

265τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"esthlō toi toutō g' epamyntore, tous agoreueis,

hypsi per en nepheessi kathēmenō: hō te kai allois

andrasi te krateousi kai athanatoisi theoisi."

265ton d' aute proseeipe polytlas dios Odysseus:

English

find some one else as well." "Those whom you have named," answered Telemakhos, "are a couple of good allies, for though they dwell high up among the clouds they have power over both gods and men."

Homeric Greek

"οὐ μέν τοι κείνω γε πολὺν χρόνον ἀμφὶς ἔσεσθον

φυλόπιδος κρατερῆς, ὁπότε μνηστῆρσι καὶ ἡμῖν

ἐν μεγάροισιν ἐμοῖσι μένος κρίνηται Ἄρηος.

ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν ἔρχευ ἅμ' ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιν

270οἴκαδε, καὶ μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισιν ὁμίλει:

Transliteration

"ou men toi keinō ge polyn chronon amphis esesthon

phylopidos kraterēs, hopote mnēstērsi kai hēmin

en megaroisin emoisi menos krinētai Arēos.

alla sy men nyn ercheu ham' ēoi phainomenēphin

270oikade, kai mnēstērsin hyperphialoisin homilei:

English

"These two," continued Odysseus, "will not keep long out of the fray, when the suitors and we join fight in my house. Now, therefore, return home early tomorrow morning, and go about among the suitors as before.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ προτὶ ἄστυ συβώτης ὕστερον ἄξει,

πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠδὲ γέροντι.

εἰ δέ μ' ἀτιμήσουσι δόμον κάτα, σὸν δὲ φίλον κῆρ

τετλάτω ἐν στήθεσσι κακῶς πάσχοντος ἐμεῖο,

275ἤν περ καὶ διὰ δῶμα ποδῶν ἕλκωσι θύραζε

Transliteration

autar eme proti asty sybōtēs hysteron axei,

ptōchōi leugaleōi enalinkion ēde geronti.

ei de m' atimēsousi domon kata, son de philon kēr

tetlatō en stēthessi kakōs paschontos emeio,

275ēn per kai dia dōma podōn helkōsi thyraze

English

Later on the swineherd will bring me to the city disguised as a miserable old beggar. If you see them ill-treating me, steel your heart against my sufferings; even though they drag me feet foremost out of the house, or throw things at me, look

Homeric Greek

ἢ βέλεσι βάλλωσι: σὺ δ' εἰσορόων ἀνέχεσθαι.

ἀλλ' ἦ τοι παύεσθαι ἀνωγέμεν ἀφροσυνάων,

μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παραυδῶν: οἱ δέ τοι οὔ τι

πείσονται: δὴ γάρ σφι παρίσταται αἴσιμον ἦμαρ.

280ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν:

Transliteration

ē belesi ballōsi: sy d' eisoroōn anechesthai.

all' ē toi pauesthai anōgemen aphrosynaōn,

meilichiois epeessi paraudōn: hoi de toi ou ti

peisontai: dē gar sphi paristatai aisimon ēmar.

280allo de toi ereō, sy d' eni phresi balleo sēisin:

English

on and do nothing beyond gently trying to make them behave more reasonably; but they will not listen to you, for the day of their reckoning is at hand. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart, when Athena shall put it in

Homeric Greek

ὁππότε κεν πολύβουλος ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θῇσιν Ἀθήνη,

νεύσω μέν τοι ἐγὼ κεφαλῇ, σὺ δ' ἔπειτα νοήσας

ὅσσα τοι ἐν μεγάροισιν Ἀρήϊα τεύχεα κεῖται

ἐς μυχὸν ὑψηλοῦ θαλάμου καταθεῖναι ἀείρας

285πάντα μάλ': αὐτὰρ μνηστῆρας μαλακοῖς ἐπέεσσι

Transliteration

hoppote ken polyboulos eni phresi thēisin Athēnē,

neusō men toi egō kephalēi, sy d' epeita noēsas

hossa toi en megaroisin Arēïa teuchea keitai

es mychon hypsēlou thalamou katatheinai aeiras

285panta mal': autar mnēstēras malakois epeessi

English

my mind, I will nod my head to you, and on seeing me do this you must collect all the armor that is in the house and hide it in the strong store room. Make some excuse when the suitors ask you why you are removing it;

Homeric Greek

παρφάσθαι, ὅτε κέν σε μεταλλῶσιν ποθέοντες:

"ἐκ καπνοῦ κατέθηκ', ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι τοῖσιν ἐῴκει

οἷά ποτε Τροίηνδε κιὼν κατέλειπεν Ὀδυσσεύς,

ἀλλὰ κατῄκισται, ὅσσον πυρὸς ἵκετ' ἀϋτμή.

290πρὸς δ' ἔτι καὶ τόδε μεῖζον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε Κρονίων,

Transliteration

parphasthai, hote ken se metallōsin potheontes:

"ek kapnou katethēk', epei ouketi toisin eōikei

hoia pote Troiēnde kiōn kateleipen Odysseus,

alla katēikistai, hosson pyros hiket' aÿtmē.

290pros d' eti kai tode meizon eni phresi thēke Kroniōn,

English

say that you have taken it to be out of the way of the smoke, inasmuch as it is no longer what it was when Odysseus went away, but has become soiled and begrimed with soot.

Homeric Greek

μή πως οἰνωθέντες, ἔριν στήσαντες ἐν ὑμῖν,

ἀλλήλους τρώσητε καταισχύνητέ τε δαῖτα

καὶ μνηστύν: αὐτὸς γὰρ ἐφέλκεται ἄνδρα σίδηρος."

"νῶϊν δ' οἴοισιν δύο φάσγανα καὶ δύο δοῦρε

295καλλιπέειν καὶ δοιὰ βοάγρια χερσὶν ἑλέσθαι,

Transliteration

mē pōs oinōthentes, erin stēsantes en hymin,

allēlous trōsēte kataischynēte te daita

kai mnēstyn: autos gar ephelketai andra sidēros."

"nōïn d' oioisin dyo phasgana kai dyo doure

295kallipeein kai doia boagria chersin helesthai,

English

Add to this more particularly that you are afraid Zeus may set them on to quarrel over their wine, and that they may do each other some harm which may disgrace both banquet and wooing, for the sight of arms sometimes tempts people to use them.

Homeric Greek

ὡς ἂν ἐπιθύσαντες ἑλοίμεθα: τοὺς δέ κ' ἔπειτα

Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη θέλξει καὶ μητίετα Ζεύς.

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν:

εἰ ἐτεόν γ' ἐμός ἐσσι καὶ αἵματος ἡμετέροιο,

300μή τις ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀκουσάτω ἔνδον ἐόντος,

Transliteration

hōs an epithysantes heloimetha: tous de k' epeita

Pallas Athēnaiē thelxei kai mētieta Zeus.

allo de toi ereō, sy d' eni phresi balleo sēisin:

ei eteon g' emos essi kai haimatos hēmeteroio,

300mē tis epeit' Odysēos akousatō endon eontos,

English

But leave a sword and a spear apiece for yourself and me, and a couple oxhide shields so that we can snatch them up at any moment; Zeus and Athena will then soon quiet these people. There is also another matter;

Homeric Greek

μήτ' οὖν Λαέρτης ἴστω τό γε μήτε συβώτης

μήτε τις οἰκήων μήτ' αὐτὴ Πηνελόπεια,

ἀλλ' οἶοι σύ τ' ἐγώ τε γυναικῶν γνώομεν ἰθύν:

καί κέ τεο δμώων ἀνδρῶν ἔτι πειρηθεῖμεν,

305ἠμὲν ὅπου τις νῶϊ τίει καὶ δείδιε θυμῷ,

Transliteration

mēt' oun Laertēs istō to ge mēte sybōtēs

mēte tis oikēōn mēt' autē Pēnelopeia,

all' oioi sy t' egō te gynaikōn gnōomen ithyn:

kai ke teo dmōōn andrōn eti peirētheimen,

305ēmen hopou tis nōï tiei kai deidie thymōi,

English

if you are indeed my son and my blood runs in your veins, let no one know that Odysseus is within the house - neither Laertes, nor yet the swineherd, nor any of the servants, nor even Penelope herself. Let you and me make trial the women alone, and let us also make

Homeric Greek

ἠδ' ὅτις οὐκ ἀλέγει, σὲ δ' ἀτιμᾷ τοῖον ἐόντα."

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσεφώνεε φαίδιμος υἱός

"ὦ πάτερ, ἦ τοι ἐμὸν θυμὸν καὶ ἔπειτά γ', ὀί̈ω,

γνώσεαι: οὐ μὲν γάρ τι χαλιφροσύναι γέ μ' ἔχουσιν:

310ἀλλ' οὔ τοι τόδε κέρδος ἐγὼν ἔσσεσθαι ὀί̈ω

Transliteration

ēd' hotis ouk alegei, se d' atimāi toion eonta."

ton d' apameibomenos prosephōnee phaidimos huios

"ō pater, ē toi emon thymon kai epeita g', oïō,

gnōseai: ou men gar ti chaliphrosynai ge m' echousin:

310all' ou toi tode kerdos egōn essesthai oïō

English

trial of some other of the men servants, to see who is on our side and whose hand is against us." "Father," replied Telemakhos, "you will come to know me by and by, and when you do you will find that I can keep your counsel.

Homeric Greek

ἡμῖν ἀμφοτέροισι: σὲ δὲ φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.

δηθὰ γὰρ αὔτως εἴσῃ ἑκάστου πειρητίζων,

ἔργα μετερχόμενος: τοὶ δ' ἐν μεγάροισιν ἕκηλοι

χρήματα δαρδάπτουσιν ὑπέρβιον οὐδ' ἔπι φειδώ.

315ἀλλ' ἦ τοί σε γυναῖκας ἐγὼ δεδάασθαι ἄνωγα,

Transliteration

hēmin amphoteroisi: se de phrazesthai anōga.

dētha gar autōs eisēi hekastou peirētizōn,

erga meterchomenos: toi d' en megaroisin hekēloi

chrēmata dardaptousin hyperbion oud' epi pheidō.

315all' ē toi se gynaikas egō dedaasthai anōga,

English

I do not think, however, the plan you propose will be a gain for either of us. Think it over. It will take us a long time to go the round of the farms and exploit the men, and all the time the suitors will be wasting your estate with impunity and without compunction.

Homeric Greek

αἵ τέ σ' ἀτιμάζουσι καὶ αἳ νηλείτιδές εἰσιν:

ἀνδρῶν δ' οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε κατὰ σταθμοὺς ἐθέλοιμι

ἡμέας πειράζειν, ἀλλ' ὕστερα ταῦτα πένεσθαι,

εἰ ἐτεόν γέ τι οἶσθα Διὸς τέρας αἰγιόχοιο."

320ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,

Transliteration

hai te s' atimazousi kai hai nēleitides eisin:

andrōn d' ouk an egō ge kata stathmous etheloimi

hēmeas peirazein, all' hystera tauta penesthai,

ei eteon ge ti oistha Dios teras aigiochoio."

320hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,

English

Prove the women by all means, to see who are disloyal and who guiltless, but I am not in favor of going round and trying the men. We can attend to that later on, if you really have some sign from Zeus that he will support you."

Homeric Greek

ἡ δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτ' Ἰθάκηνδε κατήγετο νηῦς εὐεργής,

ἣ φέρε Τηλέμαχον Πυλόθεν καὶ πάντας ἑταίρους.

οἱ δ' ὅτε δὴ λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντὸς ἵκοντο,

νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἐπ' ἠπείροιο ἔρυσσαν,

325τεύχεα δέ σφ' ἀπένεικαν ὑπέρθυμοι θεράποντες,

Transliteration

hē d' ar' epeit' Ithakēnde katēgeto nēus euergēs,

hē phere Tēlemachon Pylothen kai pantas hetairous.

hoi d' hote dē limenos polybentheos entos hikonto,

nēa men hoi ge melainan ep' ēpeiroio eryssan,

325teuchea de sph' apeneikan hyperthymoi therapontes,

English

Thus did they converse, and meanwhile the ship which had brought Telemakhos and his crew from Pylos had reached the town of Ithaca. When they had come inside the harbor they drew the ship on to the land;

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκα δ' ἐς Κλυτίοιο φέρον περικαλλέα δῶρα.

αὐτὰρ κήρυκα πρόεσαν δόμον εἰς Ὀδυσῆος,

ἀγγελίην ἐρέοντα περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,

οὕνεκα Τηλέμαχος μὲν ἐπ' ἀγροῦ, νῆα δ' ἀνώγει

330ἄστυδ' ἀποπλείειν, ἵνα μὴ δείσασ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ

Transliteration

autika d' es Klytioio pheron perikallea dōra.

autar kēryka proesan domon eis Odysēos,

angeliēn ereonta periphroni Pēnelopeiēi,

houneka Tēlemachos men ep' agrou, nēa d' anōgei

330astyd' apopleiein, hina mē deisas' eni thymōi

English

their servants came and took their armor from them, and they left all the presents at the house of Klytios. Then they sent a servant to tell Penelope that Telemakhos had gone into the country, but had sent the ship to the town to prevent her from being alarmed and made unhappy.

Homeric Greek

ἰφθίμη βασίλεια τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβοι

τὼ δὲ συναντήτην κῆρυξ καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸς

τῆς αὐτῆς ἕνεκ' ἀγγελίης, ἐρέοντε γυναικί.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἵκοντο δόμον θείου βασιλῆος,

335κῆρυξ μέν ῥα μέσῃσι μετὰ δμῳῇσιν ἔειπεν:

Transliteration

iphthimē basileia teren kata dakryon eiboi

tō de synantētēn kēryx kai dios hyphorbos

tēs autēs henek' angeliēs, ereonte gynaiki.

all' hote dē rh' hikonto domon theiou basilēos,

335kēryx men rha mesēisi meta dmōiēisin eeipen:

English

This servant and Eumaios happened to meet when they were both on the same errand of going to tell Penelope. When they reached the House, the servant stood up and said to the queen in the presence of the waiting women, "Your son, my lady, is now returned from Pylos";

Homeric Greek

"ἤδη τοι, βασίλεια, φίλος πάϊς εἰλήλουθε."

Πηνελοπείῃ δ' εἶπε συβώτης ἄγχι παραστὰς

πάνθ' ὅσα οἱ φίλος υἱὸς ἀνώγει μυθήσασθαι.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πᾶσαν ἐφημοσύνην ἀπέειπε,

340βῆ ῥ' ἴμεναι μεθ' ὕας, λίπε δ' ἕρκεά τε μέγαρόν τε.

Transliteration

"ēdē toi, basileia, philos païs eilēlouthe."

Pēnelopeiēi d' eipe sybōtēs anchi parastas

panth' hosa hoi philos huios anōgei mythēsasthai.

autar epei dē pasan ephēmosynēn apeeipe,

340bē rh' imenai meth' hyas, lipe d' herkea te megaron te.

English

but Eumaios went close up to Penelope, and said privately that her son had given bidden him tell her. When he had given his message he left the house with its outbuildings

Homeric Greek

μνηστῆρες δ' ἀκάχοντο κατήφησάν τ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ,

ἐκ δ' ἦλθον μεγάροιο παρὲκ μέγα τειχίον αὐλῆς,

αὐτοῦ δὲ προπάροιθε θυράων ἑδριόωντο.

τοῖσιν δ' Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἦρχ' ἀγορεύειν:

345"ὦ φίλοι, ἦ μέγα ἔργον ὑπερφιάλως τετέλεσται

Transliteration

mnēstēres d' akachonto katēphēsan t' eni thymōi,

ek d' ēlthon megaroio parek mega teichion aulēs,

autou de proparoithe thyraōn hedrioōnto.

toisin d' Eurymachos, Polybou païs, ērch' agoreuein:

345"ō philoi, ē mega ergon hyperphialōs tetelestai

English

and went back to his pigs again. The suitors were surprised and angry at what had happened, so they went outside the great wall that ran round the outer court, and held a council near the main entrance. Eurymakhos, son of Polybos, was the first to speak.

Homeric Greek

Τηλεμάχῳ ὁδὸς ἥδε: φάμεν δέ οἱ οὐ τελέεσθαι.

ἀλλ' ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν ἥ τις ἀρίστη,

ἐς δ' ἐρέτας ἁλιῆας ἀγείρομεν, οἵ κε τάχιστα

κείνοις ἀγγείλωσι θοῶς οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι."

350οὔ πω πᾶν εἴρηθ', ὅτ' ἄρ' Ἀμφίνομος ἴδε νῆα,

Transliteration

Tēlemachōi hodos hēde: phamen de hoi ou teleesthai.

all' age nēa melainan eryssomen hē tis aristē,

es d' eretas haliēas ageiromen, hoi ke tachista

keinois angeilōsi thoōs oikonde neesthai."

350ou pō pan eirēth', hot' ar' Amphinomos ide nēa,

English

"My friends," said he, "this voyage of Telemakhos’ is a very serious matter; we had made sure that it would come to nothing. Now, however, let us draw a ship into the water, and get a crew together to send after the others and tell them to come back as fast as they can."

Homeric Greek

στρεφθεὶς ἐκ χώρης, λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντός,

ἱστία τε στέλλοντας ἐρετμά τε χερσὶν ἔχοντας.

ἡδὺ δ' ἄρ' ἐκγελάσας μετεφώνεεν οἷς ἑτάροισι:

"μή τιν' ἔτ' ἀγγελίην ὀτρύνομεν: οἵδε γὰρ ἔνδον.

355ἤ τίς σφιν τόδ' ἔειπε θεῶν, ἢ εἴσιδον αὐτοὶ

Transliteration

strephtheis ek chōrēs, limenos polybentheos entos,

histia te stellontas eretma te chersin echontas.

hēdy d' ar' ekgelasas metephōneen hois hetaroisi:

"mē tin' et' angeliēn otrynomen: hoide gar endon.

355ē tis sphin tod' eeipe theōn, ē eisidon autoi

English

He had hardly done speaking when Amphinomos turned in his place and saw the ship inside the harbor, with the crew lowering her sails, and putting by their oars; so he laughed, and said to the others, "We need not send them any message, for they are here.

Homeric Greek

νῆα παρερχομένην, τὴν δ' οὐκ ἐδύναντο κιχῆναι."

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἀνστάντες ἔβαν ἐπὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης,

αἶψα δὲ νῆα μέλαιναν ἐπ' ἠπείροιο ἔρυσσαν,

τεύχεα δέ σφ' ἀπένεικαν ὑπέρθυμοι θεράποντες.

360αὐτοὶ δ' εἰς ἀγορὴν κίον ἀθρόοι, οὐδέ τιν' ἄλλον

Transliteration

nēa parerchomenēn, tēn d' ouk edynanto kichēnai."

hōs ephath', hoi d' anstantes eban epi thina thalassēs,

aipsa de nēa melainan ep' ēpeiroio eryssan,

teuchea de sph' apeneikan hyperthymoi therapontes.

360autoi d' eis agorēn kion athrooi, oude tin' allon

English

Some god must have told them, or else they saw the ship go by, and could not overtake her. On this they rose and went to the water side. The crew then drew the ship on shore;

Homeric Greek

εἴων οὔτε νέων μεταί̈ζειν οὔτε γερόντων.

τοῖσιν δ' Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός:

"ὢ πόποι, ὡς τόνδ' ἄνδρα θεοὶ κακότητος ἔλυσαν.

ἤματα μὲν σκοποὶ ἷζον ἐπ' ἄκριας ἠνεμοέσσας

365αἰὲν ἐπασσύτεροι: ἅμα δ' ἠελίῳ καταδύντι

Transliteration

eiōn oute neōn metaïzein oute gerontōn.

toisin d' Antinoos metephē, Eupeitheos huios:

"ō popoi, hōs tond' andra theoi kakotētos elysan.

ēmata men skopoi hizon ep' akrias ēnemoessas

365aien epassyteroi: hama d' ēeliōi katadynti

English

their servants took their armor from them, and they went up in a body to the place of assembly, but they would not let any one old or young sit along with them, and Antinoos, son of Eupeithes, spoke first. "Good heavens," said he, "see how the gods have saved this man from destruction.

Homeric Greek

οὔ ποτ' ἐπ' ἠπείρου νύκτ' ἄσαμεν, ἀλλ' ἐνὶ πόντῳ

νηὶ̈ θοῇ πλείοντες ἐμίμνομεν Ἠῶ δῖαν,

Τηλέμαχον λοχόωντες, ἵνα φθίσωμεν ἑλόντες

αὐτόν: τὸν δ' ἄρα τῆος ἀπήγαγεν οἴκαδε δαίμων,

370ἡμεῖς δ' ἐνθάδε οἱ φραζώμεθα λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον

Transliteration

ou pot' ep' ēpeirou nykt' asamen, all' eni pontōi

nēï thoēi pleiontes emimnomen Ēō dian,

Tēlemachon lochoōntes, hina phthisōmen helontes

auton: ton d' ara tēos apēgagen oikade daimōn,

370hēmeis d' enthade hoi phrazōmetha lygron olethron

English

We kept a succession of scouts upon the headlands all day long, and when the sun was down we never went on shore to sleep, but waited in the ship all night till morning in the hope of capturing and killing him; but some daimôn has conveyed him home in spite of us.

Homeric Greek

Τηλεμάχῳ, μηδ' ἧμας ὑπεκφύγοι: οὐ γὰρ ὀί̈ω

τούτου γε ζώοντος ἀνύσσεσθαι τάδε ἔργα.

αὐτὸς μὲν γὰρ ἐπιστήμων βουλῇ τε νόῳ τε,

λαοὶ δ' οὐκέτι πάμπαν ἐφ' ἡμῖν ἦρα φέρουσιν.

375ἀλλ' ἄγετε, πρὶν κεῖνον ὁμηγυρίσασθαι Ἀχαιοὺς

Transliteration

Tēlemachōi, mēd' hēmas hypekphygoi: ou gar oïō

toutou ge zōontos anyssesthai tade erga.

autos men gar epistēmōn boulēi te noōi te,

laoi d' ouketi pampan eph' hēmin ēra pherousin.

375all' agete, prin keinon homēgyrisasthai Achaious

English

Let us consider how we can make an end of him. He must not escape us; our affair is never likely to come off while is alive, for he is very shrewd in noos, and public feeling is by no means all on our side. We must make haste before he can call the Achaeans in assembly;

Homeric Greek

εἰς ἀγορήν--οὐ γάρ τι μεθησέμεναί μιν ὀί̈ω,

ἀλλ' ἀπομηνίσει, ἐρέει δ' ἐν πᾶσιν ἀναστὰς

οὕνεκά οἱ φόνον αἰπὺν ἐράπτομεν οὐδ' ἐκίχημεν:

οἱ δ' οὐκ αἰνήσουσιν ἀκούοντες κακὰ ἔργα:

380μή τι κακὸν ῥέξωσι καὶ ἡμέας ἐξελάσωσι

Transliteration

eis agorēn--ou gar ti methēsemenai min oïō,

all' apomēnisei, ereei d' en pasin anastas

houneka hoi phonon aipyn eraptomen oud' ekichēmen:

hoi d' ouk ainēsousin akouontes kaka erga:

380mē ti kakon rhexōsi kai hēmeas exelasōsi

English

he will lose no time in doing so, for he will be furious with us, and will tell all the world how we plotted to kill him, but failed to take him. The people will not like this when they come to know of it;

Homeric Greek

γαίης ἡμετέρης, ἄλλων δ' ἀφικώμεθα δῆμον:

ἀλλὰ φθέωμεν ἑλόντες ἐπ' ἀγροῦ νόσφι πόληος

ἢ ἐν ὁδῷ: βίοτον δ' αὐτοὶ καὶ κτήματ' ἔχωμεν,

δασσάμενοι κατὰ μοῖραν ἐφ' ἡμέας, οἰκία δ' αὖτε

385κείνου μητέρι δοῖμεν ἔχειν ἠδ' ὅστις ὀπυίοι.

Transliteration

gaiēs hēmeterēs, allōn d' aphikōmetha dēmon:

alla phtheōmen helontes ep' agrou nosphi polēos

ē en hodōi: bioton d' autoi kai ktēmat' echōmen,

dassamenoi kata moiran eph' hēmeas, oikia d' aute

385keinou mēteri doimen echein ēd' hostis opuioi.

English

we must see that they do us no hurt, nor drive us from our own dêmos into exile. Let us try and lay hold of him either on his farm away from the town, or on the road hither. Then we can divide up his property amongst us, and let his mother and the man who marries her have the house.

Homeric Greek

εἰ δ' ὑμῖν ὅδε μῦθος ἀφανδάνει, ἀλλὰ βόλεσθε

αὐτόν τε ζώειν καὶ ἔχειν πατρώϊα πάντα,

μή οἱ χρήματ' ἔπειτα ἅλις θυμηδέ' ἔδωμεν

ἐνθάδ' ἀγειρόμενοι, ἀλλ' ἐκ μεγάροιο ἕκαστος

390μνάσθω ἐέδνοισιν διζήμενος: ἡ δέ κ' ἔπειτα

Transliteration

ei d' hymin hode mythos aphandanei, alla bolesthe

auton te zōein kai echein patrōïa panta,

mē hoi chrēmat' epeita halis thymēde' edōmen

enthad' ageiromenoi, all' ek megaroio hekastos

390mnasthō eednoisin dizēmenos: hē de k' epeita

English

If this does not please you, and you wish Telemakhos to live on and hold his father's property, then we must not gather here and eat up his goods in this way, but must make our offers to Penelope each from his own house, and she

Homeric Greek

γήμαιθ' ὅς κε πλεῖστα πόροι καὶ μόρσιμος ἔλθοι."

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.

τοῖσιν δ' Ἀμφίνομος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε,

Νίσου φαίδιμος υἱός, Ἀρητιάδαο ἄνακτος,

395ὅς ῥ' ἐκ Δουλιχίου πολυπύρου, ποιήεντος,

Transliteration

gēmaith' hos ke pleista poroi kai morsimos elthoi."

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi.

toisin d' Amphinomos agorēsato kai meteeipe,

Nisou phaidimos huios, Arētiadao anaktos,

395hos rh' ek Doulichiou polypyrou, poiēentos,

English

can marry the man who will give the most for her, and whose lot it is to win her." They all held their peace until Amphinomos rose to speak. He was the son of Nisus, who was son to king Aretias, and he was foremost among all the suitors from the wheat-growing and well grassed island of Dulichium;

Homeric Greek

ἡγεῖτο μνηστῆρσι, μάλιστα δὲ Πηνελοπείῃ

ἥνδανε μύθοισι: φρεσὶ γὰρ κέχρητ' ἀγαθῇσιν:

ὅ σφιν ἐϋφρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν:

"ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε κατακτείνειν ἐθέλοιμι

400Τηλέμαχον: δεινὸν δὲ γένος βασιλήϊόν ἐστιν

Transliteration

hēgeito mnēstērsi, malista de Pēnelopeiēi

hēndane mythoisi: phresi gar kechrēt' agathēisin:

ho sphin eÿphroneōn agorēsato kai meteeipen:

"ō philoi, ouk an egō ge katakteinein etheloimi

400Tēlemachon: deinon de genos basilēïon estin

English

his conversation, moreover, was more agreeable to Penelope than that of any of the other for he was a man of good natural disposition. "My friends," said he, speaking to them plainly and in all honestly, "I am not in favor of killing Telemakhos.

Homeric Greek

κτείνειν: ἀλλὰ πρῶτα θεῶν εἰρώμεθα βουλάς.

εἰ μέν κ' αἰνήσωσι Διὸς μεγάλοιο θέμιστες,

αὐτός τε κτενέω τούς τ' ἄλλους πάντας ἀνώξω:

εἰ δέ κ' ἀποτρωπῶσι θεοί, παύσασθαι ἄνωγα."

405ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀμφίνομος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.

Transliteration

kteinein: alla prōta theōn eirōmetha boulas.

ei men k' ainēsōsi Dios megaloio themistes,

autos te kteneō tous t' allous pantas anōxō:

ei de k' apotrōpōsi theoi, pausasthai anōga."

405hōs ephat' Amphinomos, toisin d' epiēndane mythos.

English

It is a heinous thing to kill one who is of noble blood. Let us first take counsel of the gods, and if the oracles of Zeus advise it, I will both help to kill him myself, and will urge everyone else to do so; but if they dissuade us, I would have you hold your hands."

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκ' ἔπειτ' ἀνστάντες ἔβαν δόμον εἰς Ὀδυσῆος,

ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι θρόνοισιν.

ἡ δ' αὖτ' ἄλλ' ἐνόησε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,

μνηστήρεσσι φανῆναι ὑπέρβιον ὕβριν ἔχουσι.

410πεύθετο γὰρ οὗ παιδὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ὄλεθρον:

Transliteration

autik' epeit' anstantes eban domon eis Odysēos,

elthontes de kathizon epi xestoisi thronoisin.

hē d' aut' all' enoēse periphrōn Pēnelopeia,

mnēstēressi phanēnai hyperbion hybrin echousi.

410peutheto gar hou paidos eni megaroisin olethron:

English

Thus did he speak, and his words pleased them well, so they rose forthwith and went to the house of Odysseus where they took their accustomed seats. Then Penelope resolved that she would show herself to the outrageous suitors.

Homeric Greek

κῆρυξ γὰρ οἱ ἔειπε Μέδων, ὃς ἐπεύθετο βουλάς.

βῆ δ' ἰέναι μέγαρόνδε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξίν.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,

στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,

415ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα,

Transliteration

kēryx gar hoi eeipe Medōn, hos epeutheto boulas.

bē d' ienai megaronde syn amphipoloisi gynaixin.

all' hote dē mnēstēras aphiketo dia gynaikōn,

stē rha para stathmon tegeos pyka poiētoio,

415anta pareiaōn schomenē lipara krēdemna,

English

She knew of the plot against Telemakhos, for the servant Medon had overheard their counsels and had told her; she went down therefore to the court attended by her maidens, and when she reached the suitors she stood by one of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the room

Homeric Greek

Ἀντίνοον δ' ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:

"Ἀντίνο', ὕβριν ἔχων, κακομήχανε, καὶ δέ σέ φασιν

ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης μεθ' ὁμήλικας ἔμμεν ἄριστον

βουλῇ καὶ μύθοισι: σὺ δ' οὐκ ἄρα τοῖος ἔησθα.

420μάργε, τίη δὲ σὺ Τηλεμάχῳ θάνατόν τε μόρον τε

Transliteration

Antinoon d' enenipen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:

"Antino', hybrin echōn, kakomēchane, kai de se phasin

en dēmōi Ithakēs meth' homēlikas emmen ariston

boulēi kai mythoisi: sy d' ouk ara toios eēstha.

420marge, tiē de sy Tēlemachōi thanaton te moron te

English

holding a veil before her face, and rebuked Antinoos saying: "Antinoos, insolent and wicked schemer, they say you are the best speaker and counselor of any man your own age in the dêmos of Ithaca, but you are nothing of the kind.

Homeric Greek

ῥάπτεις, οὐδ' ἱκέτας ἐμπάζεαι, οἷσιν ἄρα Ζεὺς

μάρτυρος; οὐδ' ὁσίη κακὰ ῥάπτειν ἀλλήλοισιν.

ἦ οὐκ οἶσθ' ὅτε δεῦρο πατὴρ τεὸς ἵκετο φεύγων,

δῆμον ὑποδείσας; δὴ γὰρ κεχολώατο λίην,

425οὕνεκα ληϊστῆρσιν ἐπισπόμενος Ταφίοισιν

Transliteration

rhapteis, oud' hiketas empazeai, hoisin ara Zeus

martyros; oud' hosiē kaka rhaptein allēloisin.

ē ouk oisth' hote deuro patēr teos hiketo pheugōn,

dēmon hypodeisas; dē gar kecholōato liēn,

425houneka lēïstērsin epispomenos Taphioisin

English

Madman, why should you try to compass the death of Telemakhos, and take no heed of suppliants, whose witness is Zeus himself? It is not right for you to plot thus against one another. Do you not remember how your father fled to this house in fear of the

Homeric Greek

ἤκαχε Θεσπρωτούς: οἱ δ' ἡμῖν ἄρθμιοι ἦσαν:

τόν ῥ' ἔθελον φθῖσαι καὶ ἀπορραῖσαι φίλον ἦτορ

ἠδὲ κατὰ ζωὴν φαγέειν μενοεικέα πολλήν:

ἀλλ' Ὀδυσεὺς κατέρυκε καὶ ἔσχεθεν ἱεμένους περ.

430τοῦ νῦν οἶκον ἄτιμον ἔδεις, μνάᾳ δὲ γυναῖκα

Transliteration

ēkache Thesprōtous: hoi d' hēmin arthmioi ēsan:

ton rh' ethelon phthisai kai aporraisai philon ētor

ēde kata zōēn phageein menoeikea pollēn:

all' Odyseus kateryke kai eschethen hiemenous per.

430tou nyn oikon atimon edeis, mnaāi de gynaika

English

people, who were enraged against him for having gone with some Taphian pirates and plundered the Thesprotians who were at peace with us? They wanted to tear him in pieces and eat up everything he had, but Odysseus stayed their hands although they were infuriated, and now you devour

Homeric Greek

παῖδά τ' ἀποκτείνεις, ἐμὲ δὲ μεγάλως ἀκαχίζεις:

ἀλλά σε παύσασθαι κέλομαι καὶ ἀνωγέμεν ἄλλους."

τὴν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,

435θάρσει: μή τοι ταῦτα μετὰ φρεσὶ σῇσι μελόντων.

Transliteration

paida t' apokteineis, eme de megalōs akachizeis:

alla se pausasthai kelomai kai anōgemen allous."

tēn d' aut' Eurymachos, Polybou païs, antion ēuda:

"kourē Ikarioio, periphron Pēnelopeia,

435tharsei: mē toi tauta meta phresi sēisi melontōn.

English

his property without paying for it, and break my heart by wooing his wife and trying to kill his son. Leave off doing so, and stop the others also." To this Eurymakhos son of Polybos answered, "Take heart, Queen Penelope daughter of Ikarios, and do not trouble yourself about these matters.

Homeric Greek

οὐκ ἔσθ' οὗτος ἀνὴρ οὐδ' ἔσσεται οὐδὲ γένηται,

ὅς κεν Τηλεμάχῳ σῷ υἱέϊ χεῖρας ἐποίσει

ζώοντός γ' ἐμέθεν καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ δερκομένοιο.

ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, καὶ μὴν τετελεσμένον ἔσται:

440αἶψά οἱ αἷμα κελαινὸν ἐρωήσει περὶ δουρὶ

Transliteration

ouk esth' houtos anēr oud' essetai oude genētai,

hos ken Tēlemachōi sōi huieï cheiras epoisei

zōontos g' emethen kai epi chthoni derkomenoio.

hōde gar exereō, kai mēn tetelesmenon estai:

440aipsa hoi haima kelainon erōēsei peri douri

English

The man is not yet born, nor never will be, who shall lay hands upon your son Telemakhos, while I yet live to look upon the face of the earth. I say - and it shall surely be - that my spear shall be reddened with his blood;

Homeric Greek

ἡμετέρῳ, ἐπεὶ ἦ καὶ ἐμὲ πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεὺς

πολλάκι γούνασιν οἷσιν ἐφεσσάμενος κρέας ὀπτὸν

ἐν χείρεσσιν ἔθηκεν, ἐπέσχε τε οἶνον ἐρυθρόν.

τῷ μοι Τηλέμαχος πάντων πολὺ φίλτατός ἐστιν

445ἀνδρῶν, οὐδέ τί μιν θάνατον τρομέεσθαι ἄνωγα

Transliteration

hēmeterōi, epei ē kai eme ptoliporthos Odysseus

pollaki gounasin hoisin ephessamenos kreas opton

en cheiressin ethēken, epesche te oinon erythron.

tōi moi Tēlemachos pantōn poly philtatos estin

445andrōn, oude ti min thanaton tromeesthai anōga

English

for many a time has Odysseus taken me on his knees, held wine up to my lips to drink, and put pieces of meat into my hands. Therefore Telemakhos is much the dearest friend I have, and has nothing to fear from the hands of us suitors.

Homeric Greek

ἔκ γε μνηστήρων: θεόθεν δ' οὐκ ἔστ' ἀλέασθαι."

ὣς φάτο θαρσύνων, τῷ δ' ἤρτυεν αὐτὸς ὄλεθρον.

ἡ μὲν ἄρ' εἰσαναβᾶσ' ὑπερώϊα σιγαλόεντα

κλαῖεν ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆα, φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνον

450ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

Transliteration

ek ge mnēstērōn: theothen d' ouk est' aleasthai."

hōs phato tharsynōn, tōi d' ērtyen autos olethron.

hē men ar' eisanabas' hyperōïa sigaloenta

klaien epeit' Odysēa, philon posin, ophra hoi hypnon

450hēdyn epi blepharoisi bale glaukōpis Athēnē.

English

Of course, if death comes to him from the gods, he cannot escape it." He said this to quiet her, but in reality he was plotting against Telemakhos. Then Penelope went upstairs again and mourned her husband till Athena shed sleep over her eyes.

Homeric Greek

ἑσπέριος δ' Ὀδυσῆϊ καὶ υἱέϊ δῖος ὑφορβὸς

ἤλυθεν: οἱ δ' ἄρα δόρπον ἐπισταδὸν ὡπλίζοντο,

σῦν ἱερεύσαντες ἐνιαύσιον. αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνη,

ἄγχι παρισταμένη, Λαερτιάδην Ὀδυσῆα

455ῥάβδῳ πεπληγυῖα πάλιν ποίησε γέροντα,

Transliteration

hesperios d' Odysēï kai huieï dios hyphorbos

ēlythen: hoi d' ara dorpon epistadon hōplizonto,

syn hiereusantes eniausion. autar Athēnē,

anchi paristamenē, Laertiadēn Odysēa

455rhabdōi peplēguia palin poiēse geronta,

English

In the evening Eumaios got back to Odysseus and his son, who had just sacrificed a young pig of a year old and were ready; helping one another to get supper ready;

Homeric Greek

λυγρὰ δὲ εἵματα ἕσσε περὶ χροί̈, μή ἑ συβώτης

γνοίη ἐσάντα ἰδὼν καὶ ἐχέφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ

ἔλθοι ἀπαγγέλλων μηδὲ φρεσὶν εἰρύσσαιτο.

τὸν καὶ Τηλέμαχος πρότερος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:

460"ἦλθες, δῖ' Εὔμαιε. τί δὴ κλέος ἔστ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ;

Transliteration

lygra de heimata hesse peri chroï, mē he sybōtēs

gnoiē esanta idōn kai echephroni Pēnelopeiēi

elthoi apangellōn mēde phresin eiryssaito.

ton kai Tēlemachos proteros pros mython eeipen:

460"ēlthes, di' Eumaie. ti dē kleos est' ana asty;

English

Athena therefore came up to Odysseus, turned him into an old man with a stroke of her wand, and clad him in his old clothes again, for fear that the swineherd might recognize him and not keep the secret, but go and tell Penelope. Telemakhos was the first to speak.

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥ' ἤδη μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες ἔνδον ἔασιν

ἐκ λόχου, ἦ ἔτι μ' αὖτ' εἰρύαται οἴκαδ' ἰόντα;"

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

"οὐκ ἔμελέν μοι ταῦτα μεταλλῆσαι καὶ ἐρέσθαι

465ἄστυ καταβλώσκοντα: τάχιστά με θυμὸς ἀνώγει

Transliteration

ē rh' ēdē mnēstēres agēnores endon easin

ek lochou, ē eti m' aut' eiryatai oikad' ionta;"

ton d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

"ouk emelen moi tauta metallēsai kai eresthai

465asty katablōskonta: tachista me thymos anōgei

English

"So you have got back, Eumaios," said he. "What is the news of the town? Have the suitors returned, or are they still waiting over yonder, to take me on my way home?" "I did not think of asking about that," replied Eumaios, "when I was in the town.

Homeric Greek

ἀγγελίην εἰπόντα πάλιν δεῦρ' ἀπονέεσθαι.

ὡμήρησε δέ μοι παρ' ἑταίρων ἄγγελος ὠκύς,

κῆρυξ, ὃς δὴ πρῶτος ἔπος σῇ μητρὶ ἔειπεν.

ἄλλο δέ τοι τό γε οἶδα: τὸ γὰρ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν.

470ἤδη ὑπὲρ πόλιος, ὅθι θ' Ἕρμαιος λόφος ἐστίν,

Transliteration

angeliēn eiponta palin deur' aponeesthai.

hōmērēse de moi par' hetairōn angelos ōkys,

kēryx, hos dē prōtos epos sēi mētri eeipen.

allo de toi to ge oida: to gar idon ophthalmoisin.

470ēdē hyper polios, hothi th' Hermaios lophos estin,

English

I thought I would give my message and come back as soon as I could. I met a man sent by those who had gone with you to Pylos, and he was the first to tell the new your mother, but I can say what I saw with my own eyes;

Homeric Greek

ἦα κιών, ὅτε νῆα θοὴν ἰδόμην κατιοῦσαν

ἐς λιμέν' ἡμέτερον: πολλοὶ δ' ἔσαν ἄνδρες ἐν αὐτῇ,

βεβρίθει δὲ σάκεσσι καὶ ἔγχεσιν ἀμφιγύοισι:

καὶ σφέας ὠί̈σθην τοὺς ἔμμεναι, οὐδέ τι οἶδα."

475ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δ' ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο

Transliteration

ēa kiōn, hote nēa thoēn idomēn katiousan

es limen' hēmeteron: polloi d' esan andres en autēi,

bebrithei de sakessi kai enchesin amphigyoisi:

kai spheas ōïsthēn tous emmenai, oude ti oida."

475hōs phato, meidēsen d' hierē is Tēlemachoio

English

I had just got on to the crest of the hill of Hermes above the town when I saw a ship coming into harbor with a number of men in her. They had many shields and spears, and I thought it was the suitors, but I cannot be sure."

Homeric Greek

ἐς πατέρ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδών, ἀλέεινε δ' ὑφορβόν.

οἱ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε δαῖτα,

δαίνυντ', οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐί̈σης.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

480κοίτου τε μνήσαντο καὶ ὕπνου δῶρον ἕλοντο.

Transliteration

es pater' ophthalmoisin idōn, aleeine d' hyphorbon.

hoi d' epei oun pausanto ponou tetykonto te daita,

dainynt', oude ti thymos edeueto daitos eïsēs.

autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

480koitou te mnēsanto kai hypnou dōron helonto.

English

On hearing this Telemakhos smiled to his father, but so that Eumaios could not see him. Then, when they had finished their labor and the meal was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, they laid down to rest and enjoyed the boon of sleep.

Samuel Butler (1898), split across Perseus line spans. On a computer, Butler is the third column; on a phone it sits under each five-line group.