Book XVII

Homeric Greek

1ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

δὴ τότ' ἔπειθ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα

Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,

εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ὅ οἱ παλάμηφιν ἀρήρει,

5ἄστυδε ἱέμενος, καὶ ἑὸν προσέειπε συβώτην:

Transliteration

1ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,

dē tot' epeith' hypo possin edēsato kala pedila

Tēlemachos, philos huios Odyssēos theioio,

heileto d' alkimon enchos, ho hoi palamēphin arērei,

5astyde hiemenos, kai heon proseeipe sybōtēn:

English

When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Telemakhos bound on his sandals and took a strong spear that suited his hands, for he wanted to go into the city.

Homeric Greek

"ἄττ', ἦ τοι μὲν ἐγὼν εἶμ' ἐς πόλιν, ὄφρα με μήτηρ

ὄψεται: οὐ γάρ μιν πρόσθεν παύσεσθαι ὀί̈ω

κλαυθμοῦ τε στυγεροῖο γόοιό τε δακρυόεντος,

πρίν γ' αὐτόν με ἴδηται: ἀτὰρ σοί γ' ὧδ' ἐπιτέλλω.

10τὸν ξεῖνον δύστηνον ἄγ' ἐς πόλιν, ὄφρ' ἂν ἐκεῖθι

Transliteration

"att', ē toi men egōn eim' es polin, ophra me mētēr

opsetai: ou gar min prosthen pausesthai oïō

klauthmou te stygeroio gooio te dakryoentos,

prin g' auton me idētai: atar soi g' hōd' epitellō.

10ton xeinon dystēnon ag' es polin, ophr' an ekeithi

English

"Old friend," said he to the swineherd, "I will now go to the town and show myself to my mother, for she will never leave off grieving till she has seen me. As for this unfortunate stranger, take him to the town and let him beg

Homeric Greek

δαῖτα πτωχεύῃ: δώσει δέ οἱ ὅς κ' ἐθέλῃσι

πύρνον καὶ κοτύλην: ἐμὲ δ' οὔ πως ἔστιν ἅπαντας

ἀνθρώπους ἀνέχεσθαι, ἔχοντά περ ἄλγεα θυμῷ:

ὁ ξεῖνος δ' εἴ περ μάλα μηνίει, ἄλγιον αὐτῷ

15ἔσσεται: ἦ γὰρ ἐμοὶ φίλ' ἀληθέα μυθήσασθαι."

Transliteration

daita ptōcheuēi: dōsei de hoi hos k' ethelēisi

pyrnon kai kotylēn: eme d' ou pōs estin hapantas

anthrōpous anechesthai, echonta per algea thymōi:

ho xeinos d' ei per mala mēniei, algion autōi

15essetai: ē gar emoi phil' alēthea mythēsasthai."

English

there of any one who will give him a drink and a piece of bread. I have trouble enough of my own, and cannot be burdened with other people. If this makes him angry so much the worse for him, but I like to tell the truth."

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

"ὦ φίλος, οὐδέ τοι αὐτὸς ἐρύκεσθαι μενεαίνω:

πτωχῷ βέλτερόν ἐστι κατὰ πτόλιν ἠὲ κατ' ἀγροὺς

δαῖτα πτωχεύειν: δώσει δέ μοι ὅς κ' ἐθέλῃσιν.

20οὐ γὰρ ἐπὶ σταθμοῖσι μένειν ἔτι τηλίκος εἰμί,

Transliteration

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

"ō philos, oude toi autos erykesthai meneainō:

ptōchōi belteron esti kata ptolin ēe kat' agrous

daita ptōcheuein: dōsei de moi hos k' ethelēisin.

20ou gar epi stathmoisi menein eti tēlikos eimi,

English

Then Odysseus said, "Sir, I do not want to stay here; a beggar can always do better in town than country, for any one who likes can give him something. I am too old to care about remaining here at the beck and call of a master.

Homeric Greek

ὥστ' ἐπιτειλαμένῳ σημάντορι πάντα πιθέσθαι.

ἀλλ' ἔρχευ: ἐμὲ δ' ἄξει ἀνὴρ ὅδε, τὸν σὺ κελεύεις,

αὐτίκ' ἐπεί κε πυρὸς θερέω ἀλέη τε γένηται.

αἰνῶς γὰρ τάδε εἵματ' ἔχω κακά: μή με δαμάσσῃ

25στίβη ὑπηοίη: ἕκαθεν δέ τε ἄστυ φάτ' εἶναι."

Transliteration

hōst' epiteilamenōi sēmantori panta pithesthai.

all' ercheu: eme d' axei anēr hode, ton sy keleueis,

autik' epei ke pyros thereō aleē te genētai.

ainōs gar tade heimat' echō kaka: mē me damassēi

25stibē hypēoiē: hekathen de te asty phat' einai."

English

Therefore let this man do as you have just told him, and take me to the town as soon as I have had a warm by the fire, and the day has got a little heat in it. My clothes are wretchedly thin, and this frosty morning I shall be perished with cold, for you say the city is some way off."

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ διὰ σταθμοῖο βεβήκει,

κραιπνὰ ποσὶ προβιβάς, κακὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσι φύτευεν.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἵκανε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,

ἔγχος μέν ῥ' ἔστησε φέρων πρὸς κίονα μακρήν,

30αὐτὸς δ' εἴσω ἴεν καὶ ὑπέρβη λάϊνον οὐδόν.

Transliteration

hōs phato, Tēlemachos de dia stathmoio bebēkei,

kraipna posi probibas, kaka de mnēstērsi phyteuen.

autar epei rh' hikane domous eu naietaontas,

enchos men rh' estēse pherōn pros kiona makrēn,

30autos d' eisō ien kai hyperbē laïnon oudon.

English

On this Telemakhos strode off through the yards, brooding his revenge upon the When he reached home he stood his spear against a bearing-post of the room, crossed the stone floor of the room itself, and went inside.

Homeric Greek

τὸν δὲ πολὺ πρώτη εἶδε τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια,

κώεα καστορνῦσα θρόνοις ἔνι δαιδαλέοισι,

δακρύσασα δ' ἔπειτ' ἰθὺς κίεν: ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ἄλλαι

δμῳαὶ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἠγερέθοντο,

35καὶ κύνεον ἀγαπαζόμεναι κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὤμους.

Transliteration

ton de poly prōtē eide trophos Eurykleia,

kōea kastornysa thronois eni daidaleoisi,

dakrysasa d' epeit' ithys kien: amphi d' ar' allai

dmōiai Odyssēos talasiphronos ēgerethonto,

35kai kyneon agapazomenai kephalēn te kai ōmous.

English

Nurse Eurykleia saw him long before any one else did. She was putting the fleeces on to the seats, and she burst out crying as she ran up to him; all the other maids came up too, and covered his head and shoulders with their kisses.

Homeric Greek

ἡ δ' ἴεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,

Ἀρτέμιδι ἰκέλη ἠὲ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ,

ἀμφὶ δὲ παιδὶ φίλῳ βάλε πήχεε δακρύσασα,

κύσσε δέ μιν κεφαλήν τε καὶ ἄμφω φάεα καλά,

40καί ῥ' ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Transliteration

hē d' ien ek thalamoio periphrōn Pēnelopeia,

Artemidi ikelē ēe chryseēi Aphroditēi,

amphi de paidi philōi bale pēchee dakrysasa,

kysse de min kephalēn te kai amphō phaea kala,

40kai rh' olophyromenē epea pteroenta prosēuda:

English

Penelope came out of her room looking like Artemis or Aphrodite, and wept as she flung her arms about her son. She kissed his forehead and both his beautiful eyes, "Light of my eyes," she cried as she spoke fondly to him, "so you are come home again;

Homeric Greek

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

ὄψεσθαι ἐφάμην, ἐπεὶ ᾤχεο νηὶ̈ Πύλονδε

λάθρη, ἐμεῦ ἀέκητι, φίλου μετὰ πατρὸς ἀκουήν.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι κατάλεξον ὅπως ἤντησας ὀπωπῆς."

45τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Transliteration

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

opsesthai ephamēn, epei ōicheo nēï Pylonde

lathrē, emeu aekēti, philou meta patros akouēn.

all' age moi katalexon hopōs ēntēsas opōpēs."

45tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

English

I made sure I was never going to see you any more. To think of your having gone off to Pylos without saying anything about it or obtaining my consent. But come, tell me what you saw." "Do not scold me, mother,’ answered Telemakhos, "nor

Homeric Greek

"μῆτερ ἐμή, μή μοι γόον ὄρνυθι μηδέ μοι ἦτορ

ἐν στήθεσσιν ὄρινε φυγόντι περ αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον:

ἀλλ' ὑδρηναμένη, καθαρὰ χροὶ̈ εἵμαθ' ἑλοῦσα,

εἰς ὑπερῷ' ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶν

50εὔχεο πᾶσι θεοῖσι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβας

Transliteration

"mēter emē, mē moi goon ornythi mēde moi ētor

en stēthessin orine phygonti per aipyn olethron:

all' hydrēnamenē, kathara chroï heimath' helousa,

eis hyperōi' anabasa syn amphipoloisi gynaixin

50eucheo pasi theoisi telēessas hekatombas

English

vex me, seeing what a narrow escape I have had, but wash your face, change your dress, go upstairs with your maids, and promise full and sufficient hecatombs to all the gods if Zeus will only grant us our revenge upon the suitors.

Homeric Greek

ῥέξειν, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς ἄντιτα ἔργα τελέσσῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἀγορὴν ἐσελεύσομαι, ὄφρα καλέσσω

ξεῖνον, ὅτις μοι κεῖθεν ἅμ' ἕσπετο δεῦρο κιόντι.

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ προὔπεμψα σὺν ἀντιθέοις ἑτάροισι,

55Πείραιον δέ μιν ἠνώγεα προτὶ οἶκον ἄγοντα

Transliteration

rhexein, ai ke pothi Zeus antita erga telessēi.

autar egōn agorēn eseleusomai, ophra kalessō

xeinon, hotis moi keithen ham' hespeto deuro kionti.

ton men egō proupempsa syn antitheois hetaroisi,

55Peiraion de min ēnōgea proti oikon agonta

English

I must now go to the place of assembly to invite a stranger who has come back with me from Pylos. I sent him on with my crew, and told Peiraios to take him home and look after

Homeric Greek

ἐνδυκέως φιλέειν καὶ τιέμεν, εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθω."

ὣς ἄρ' ἐφώνησεν, τῇ δ' ἄπτερος ἔπλετο μῦθος.

ἡ δ' ὑδρηναμένη, καθαρὰ χροὶ̈ εἵμαθ' ἑλοῦσα,

εὔχετο πᾶσι θεοῖσι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβας

60ῥέξειν, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς ἄντιτα ἔργα τελέσσῃ.

Transliteration

endykeōs phileein kai tiemen, eis ho ken elthō."

hōs ar' ephōnēsen, tēi d' apteros epleto mythos.

hē d' hydrēnamenē, kathara chroï heimath' helousa,

eucheto pasi theoisi telēessas hekatombas

60rhexein, ai ke pothi Zeus antita erga telessēi.

English

him till I could come for him myself." She heeded her son's words, washed her face, changed her dress, and vowed full and sufficient hecatombs to all the gods if they would only grant her revenge upon the suitors.

Homeric Greek

Τηλέμαχος δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκει

ἔγχος ἔχων: ἅμα τῷ γε δύω κύνες ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.

θεσπεσίην δ' ἄρα τῷ γε χάριν κατέχευεν Ἀθήνη:

τὸν δ' ἄρα πάντες λαοὶ ἐπερχόμενον θηεῦντο.

65ἀμφὶ δέ μιν μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες ἠγερέθοντο

Transliteration

Tēlemachos d' ar' epeita diek megaroio bebēkei

enchos echōn: hama tōi ge dyō kynes argoi heponto.

thespesiēn d' ara tōi ge charin katecheuen Athēnē:

ton d' ara pantes laoi eperchomenon thēeunto.

65amphi de min mnēstēres agēnores ēgerethonto

English

Telemakhos went through, and out of, the cloisters spear in hand - not alone, for his two fleet dogs went with him. Athena endowed him with a presence of such divine comeliness that all marveled at him as he went by, and the suitors

Homeric Greek

ἔσθλ' ἀγορεύοντες, κακὰ δὲ φρεσὶ βυσσοδόμευον.

αὐτὰρ ὁ τῶν μὲν ἔπειτα ἀλεύατο πουλὺν ὅμιλον,

ἀλλ' ἵνα Μέντωρ ἧστο καὶ Ἄντιφος ἠδ' Ἁλιθέρσης,

οἵ τε οἱ ἐξ ἀρχῆς πατρώϊοι ἦσαν ἑταῖροι,

70ἔνθα καθέζετ' ἰών: τοὶ δ' ἐξερέεινον ἕκαστα.

Transliteration

esthl' agoreuontes, kaka de phresi byssodomeuon.

autar ho tōn men epeita aleuato poulyn homilon,

all' hina Mentōr hēsto kai Antiphos ēd' Halithersēs,

hoi te hoi ex archēs patrōïoi ēsan hetairoi,

70entha kathezet' iōn: toi d' exereeinon hekasta.

English

gathered round him with fair words in their mouths and malice in their hearts; but he avoided them, and went to sit with Mentor, Antiphos, and Halitherses, old friends of his father's house, and they made him tell them all that had happened to him.

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δὲ Πείραιος δουρικλυτὸς ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν

ξεῖνον ἄγων ἀγορήνδε διὰ πτόλιν: οὐδ' ἄρ' ἔτι δὴν

Τηλέμαχος ξείνοιο ἑκὰς τράπετ', ἀλλὰ παρέστη.

τὸν καὶ Πείραιος πρότερος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:

75"Τηλέμαχ', αἶψ' ὄτρυνον ἐμὸν ποτὶ δῶμα γυναῖκας,

Transliteration

toisi de Peiraios douriklytos engythen ēlthen

xeinon agōn agorēnde dia ptolin: oud' ar' eti dēn

Tēlemachos xeinoio hekas trapet', alla parestē.

ton kai Peiraios proteros pros mython eeipe:

75"Tēlemach', aips' otrynon emon poti dōma gynaikas,

English

Then Peiraios came up with Theoklymenos, whom he had escorted through the town to the place of assembly, whereon Telemakhos at once joined them. Peiraios was first to speak: "Telemakhos," said he, "I wish you would send some of your women to my

Homeric Greek

ὥς τοι δῶρ' ἀποπέμψω, ἅ τοι Μενέλαος ἔδωκε."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"Πείραι', οὐ γάρ τ' ἴδμεν ὅπως ἔσται τάδε ἔργα.

εἴ κεν ἐμὲ μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες ἐν μεγάροισι

80λάθρη κτείναντες πατρώϊα πάντα δάσωνται,

Transliteration

hōs toi dōr' apopempsō, ha toi Menelaos edōke."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"Peirai', ou gar t' idmen hopōs estai tade erga.

ei ken eme mnēstēres agēnores en megaroisi

80lathrē kteinantes patrōïa panta dasōntai,

English

house to take away the presents Menelaos gave you." "We do not know, Peiraios," answered Telemakhos, "what may happen. If the suitors kill me in my own house and divide my property among them, I would rather you had the presents than that any of those people should get hold of them.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὸν ἔχοντά σε βούλομ' ἐπαυρέμεν, ἤ τινα τῶνδε:

εἰ δέ κ' ἐγὼ τούτοισι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φυτεύσω,

δὴ τότε μοι χαίροντι φέρειν πρὸς δώματα χαίρων."

ὣς εἰπὼν ξεῖνον ταλαπείριον ἦγεν ἐς οἶκον.

85αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἵκοντο δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,

Transliteration

auton echonta se boulom' epauremen, ē tina tōnde:

ei de k' egō toutoisi phonon kai kēra phyteusō,

dē tote moi chaironti pherein pros dōmata chairōn."

hōs eipōn xeinon talapeirion ēgen es oikon.

85autar epei rh' hikonto domous eu naietaontas,

English

If on the other hand I manage to kill them, I shall be much obliged if you will kindly bring me my presents." With these words he took Theoklymenos to his own house.

Homeric Greek

χλαίνας μὲν κατέθεντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,

ἐς δ' ἀσαμίνθους βάντες ἐϋξέστας λούσαντο.

τοὺς δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν δμῳαὶ λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ,

ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρα χλαίνας οὔλας βάλον ἠδὲ χιτῶνας,

90ἔκ ῥ' ἀσαμίνθων βάντες ἐπὶ κλισμοῖσι καθῖζον.

Transliteration

chlainas men katethento kata klismous te thronous te,

es d' asaminthous bantes eÿxestas lousanto.

tous d' epei oun dmōiai lousan kai chrisan elaiōi,

amphi d' ara chlainas oulas balon ēde chitōnas,

90ek rh' asaminthōn bantes epi klismoisi kathizon.

English

When they got there they laid their cloaks on the benches and seats, went into the baths, and washed themselves. When the maids had washed and anointed them, and had given them cloaks and shirts, they took their seats at table.

Homeric Greek

χέρνιβα δ' ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα

καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,

νίψασθαι: παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.

σῖτον δ' αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,

95εἴδατα πόλλ' ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων.

Transliteration

cherniba d' amphipolos prochoōi epecheue pherousa

kalēi chryseiēi, hyper argyreoio lebētos,

nipsasthai: para de xestēn etanysse trapezan.

siton d' aidoiē tamiē parethēke pherousa,

95eidata poll' epitheisa, charizomenē pareontōn.

English

A maid servant then brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer, and poured it into 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.

Homeric Greek

μήτηρ δ' ἀντίον ἷζε παρὰ σταθμὸν μεγάροιο

κλισμῷ κεκλιμένη, λέπτ' ἠλάκατα στρωφῶσα.

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

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

100τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:

Transliteration

mētēr d' antion hize para stathmon megaroio

klismōi keklimenē, lept' ēlakata strōphōsa.

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

autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

100toisi de mythōn ērche periphrōn Pēnelopeia:

English

Opposite them sat Penelope, reclining on a couch by one of the bearing-posts of the room, and spinning. Then they laid their hands on the good things that were before them, and as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Penelope said:

Homeric Greek

"Τηλέμαχ', ἦ τοι ἐγὼν ὑπερώϊον εἰσαναβᾶσα

λέξομαι εἰς εὐνήν, ἥ μοι στονόεσσα τέτυκται,

αἰεὶ δάκρυσ' ἐμοῖσι πεφυρμένη, ἐξ οὗ Ὀδυσσεὺς

ᾤχεθ' ἅμ' Ἀτρεί̈δῃσιν ἐς Ἴλιον: οὐδέ μοι ἔτλης,

105πρὶν ἐλθεῖν μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας ἐς τόδε δῶμα,

Transliteration

"Tēlemach', ē toi egōn hyperōïon eisanabasa

lexomai eis eunēn, hē moi stonoessa tetyktai,

aiei dakrys' emoisi pephyrmenē, ex hou Odysseus

ōicheth' ham' Atreïdēisin es Ilion: oude moi etlēs,

105prin elthein mnēstēras agēnoras es tode dōma,

English

"Telemakhos, I shall go upstairs and lie down on that sad couch, which I have not ceased to water with my tears, from the day Odysseus set out for Troy with the sons of Atreus. You failed, however, to make it clear to me before the suitors came back to the house, whether or not you had been able to hear anything about the return of your father."

Homeric Greek

νόστον σοῦ πατρὸς σάφα εἰπέμεν, εἴ που ἄκουσας."

τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, μῆτερ, ἀληθείην καταλέξω.

ᾠχόμεθ' ἔς τε Πύλον καὶ Νέστορα, ποιμένα λαῶν:

110δεξάμενος δέ με κεῖνος ἐν ὑψηλοῖσι δόμοισιν

Transliteration

noston sou patros sapha eipemen, ei pou akousas."

tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"toigar egō toi, mēter, alētheiēn katalexō.

ōichometh' es te Pylon kai Nestora, poimena laōn:

110dexamenos de me keinos en hypsēloisi domoisin

English

"I will tell you then truth," replied her son. "We went to Pylos and saw Nestor, who took me to his house and treated me as hospitably as though I were a son of his own who had just returned after a long absence;

Homeric Greek

ἐνδυκέως ἐφίλει, ὡς εἴ τε πατὴρ ἑὸν υἱὸν

ἐλθόντα χρόνιον νέον ἄλλοθεν: ὣς ἐμὲ κεῖνος

ἐνδυκέως ἐκόμιζε σὺν υἱάσι κυδαλίμοισιν.

αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος οὔ ποτ' ἔφασκεν,

115ζωοῦ οὐδὲ θανόντος, ἐπιχθονίων τευ ἀκοῦσαι:

Transliteration

endykeōs ephilei, hōs ei te patēr heon huion

elthonta chronion neon allothen: hōs eme keinos

endykeōs ekomize syn huiasi kydalimoisin.

autar Odyssēos talasiphronos ou pot' ephasken,

115zōou oude thanontos, epichthoniōn teu akousai:

English

so also did his sons; but he said he had not heard a word from any human being about Odysseus, whether he was alive or dead. He sent me, therefore, with a chariot and horses to Menelaos.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλά μ' ἐς Ἀτρεί̈δην, δουρικλειτὸν Μενέλαον,

ἵπποισι προὔπεμψε καὶ ἅρμασι κολλητοῖσιν.

ἔνθ' ἴδον Ἀργείην Ἑλένην, ἧς εἵνεκα πολλὰ

Ἀργεῖοι Τρῶές τε θεῶν ἰότητι μόγησαν.

120εἴρετο δ' αὐτίκ' ἔπειτα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος

Transliteration

alla m' es Atreïdēn, dourikleiton Menelaon,

hippoisi proupempse kai harmasi kollētoisin.

enth' idon Argeiēn Helenēn, hēs heineka polla

Argeioi Trōes te theōn iotēti mogēsan.

120eireto d' autik' epeita boēn agathos Menelaos

English

There I saw Helen, for whose sake so many, both Argives and Trojans, were in heaven's wisdom doomed to suffer. Menelaos asked me what it was that had brought me to Lacedaemon, and I told him the whole truth,

Homeric Greek

ὅττευ χρηί̈ζων ἱκόμην Λακεδαίμονα δῖαν:

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τῷ πᾶσαν ἀληθείην κατέλεξα:

καὶ τότε δή με ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν:

"ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ κρατερόφρονος ἀνδρὸς ἐν εὐνῇ

125ἤθελον εὐνηθῆναι, ἀνάλκιδες αὐτοὶ ἐόντες.

Transliteration

hotteu chrēïzōn hikomēn Lakedaimona dian:

autar egō tōi pasan alētheiēn katelexa:

kai tote dē me epessin ameibomenos proseeipen:

"ō popoi, ē mala dē kraterophronos andros en eunēi

125ēthelon eunēthēnai, analkides autoi eontes.

English

whereon he said, ‘So, then, these cowards would usurp a brave man's bed? A hind might as well lay her new-born young in the lair of a lion, and then go off to feed in the forest or in some grassy dell.

Homeric Greek

ὡς δ' ὁπότ' ἐν ξυλόχῳ ἔλαφος κρατεροῖο λέοντος

νεβροὺς κοιμήσασα νεηγενέας γαλαθηνοὺς

κνημοὺς ἐξερέῃσι καὶ ἄγκεα ποιήεντα

βοσκομένη, ὁ δ' ἔπειτα ἑὴν εἰσήλυθεν εὐνήν,

130ἀμφοτέροισι δὲ τοῖσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφῆκεν,

Transliteration

hōs d' hopot' en xylochōi elaphos krateroio leontos

nebrous koimēsasa neēgeneas galathēnous

knēmous exereēisi kai ankea poiēenta

boskomenē, ho d' epeita heēn eisēlythen eunēn,

130amphoteroisi de toisin aeikea potmon ephēken,

English

The lion, when he comes back to his lair, will make short work with the pair of them, and so will Odysseus with these suitors. By father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo, if Odysseus is still the man that he

Homeric Greek

ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς κείνοισιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐφήσει.

αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,

τοῖος ἐὼν οἷός ποτ' ἐϋκτιμένῃ ἐνὶ Λέσβῳ

ἐξ ἔριδος Φιλομηλεί̈δῃ ἐπάλαισεν ἀναστάς,

135κὰδ δ' ἔβαλε κρατερῶς, κεχάροντο δὲ πάντες Ἀχαιοί,

Transliteration

hōs Odyseus keinoisin aeikea potmon ephēsei.

ai gar, Zeu te pater kai Athēnaiē kai Apollon,

toios eōn hoios pot' eÿktimenēi eni Lesbōi

ex eridos Philomēleïdēi epalaisen anastas,

135kad d' ebale kraterōs, kecharonto de pantes Achaioi,

English

was when he wrestled with Philomeleides in Lesbos, and threw him so heavily that all the Greeks cheered him - if he is still such, and were to come near these suitors, they would have a swift doom and a sorry wedding.

Homeric Greek

τοῖος ἐὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμιλήσειεν Ὀδυσσεύς:

πάντες κ' ὠκύμοροί τε γενοίατο πικρόγαμοί τε.

ταῦτα δ' ἅ μ' εἰρωτᾷς καὶ λίσσεαι, οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ γε

ἄλλα παρὲξ εἴποιμι παρακλιδὸν οὐδ' ἀπατήσω,

140ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν μοι ἔειπε γέρων ἅλιος νημερτής,

Transliteration

toios eōn mnēstērsin homilēseien Odysseus:

pantes k' ōkymoroi te genoiato pikrogamoi te.

tauta d' ha m' eirōtāis kai lisseai, ouk an egō ge

alla parex eipoimi paraklidon oud' apatēsō,

140alla ta men moi eeipe gerōn halios nēmertēs,

English

As regards your question, however, I will not prevaricate nor deceive you, but what the old man of the sea told me, so much will I tell you in full.

Homeric Greek

τῶν οὐδέν τοι ἐγὼ κρύψω ἔπος οὐδ' ἐπικεύσω.

φῆ μιν ὅ γ' ἐν νήσῳ ἰδέειν κρατέρ' ἄλγε' ἔχοντα,

νύμφης ἐν μεγάροισι Καλυψοῦς, ἥ μιν ἀνάγκῃ

ἴσχει: ὁ δ' οὐ δύναται ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι.

145οὐ γάρ οἱ πάρα νῆες ἐπήρετμοι καὶ ἑταῖροι,

Transliteration

tōn ouden toi egō krypsō epos oud' epikeusō.

phē min ho g' en nēsōi ideein krater' alge' echonta,

nymphēs en megaroisi Kalypsous, hē min anankēi

ischei: ho d' ou dynatai hēn patrida gaian hikesthai.

145ou gar hoi para nēes epēretmoi kai hetairoi,

English

He said he could see Odysseus on an island sorrowing bitterly in the house of the nymph Calypso, who was keeping him prisoner, and he could not reach his home, for he had no ships nor sailors to take him over

Homeric Greek

οἵ κέν μιν πέμποιεν ἐπ' εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης"

"ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀτρεί̈δης, δουρικλειτὸς Μενέλαος.

ταῦτα τελευτήσας νεόμην: ἔδοσαν δέ μοι οὖρον

ἀθάνατοι, τοί μ' ὦκα φίλην ἐς πατρίδ' ἔπεμψαν."

150ὣς φάτο, τῇ δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὄρινε.

Transliteration

hoi ken min pempoien ep' eurea nōta thalassēs"

"hōs ephat' Atreïdēs, dourikleitos Menelaos.

tauta teleutēsas neomēn: edosan de moi ouron

athanatoi, toi m' ōka philēn es patrid' epempsan."

150hōs phato, tēi d' ara thymon eni stēthessin orine.

English

the sea.’ This was what Menelaos told me, and when I had heard his story I came away; the gods then gave me a fair wind and soon brought me safe home again." With these words he moved the heart of Penelope.

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής:

"ὦ γύναι αἰδοίη Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος,

ἦ τοι ὅ γ' οὐ σάφα οἶδεν, ἐμεῖο δὲ σύνθεο μῦθον:

ἀτρεκέως γάρ σοι μαντεύσομαι οὐδ' ἐπικεύσω:

155ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς πρῶτα θεῶν, ξενίη τε τράπεζα

Transliteration

toisi de kai meteeipe Theoklymenos theoeidēs:

"ō gynai aidoiē Laertiadeō Odysēos,

ē toi ho g' ou sapha oiden, emeio de syntheo mython:

atrekeōs gar soi manteusomai oud' epikeusō:

155istō nyn Zeus prōta theōn, xeniē te trapeza

English

Then Theoklymenos said to her: "My lady, wife of Odysseus, Telemakhos does not understand these things; listen therefore to me, for I can divine them surely, and will hide nothing from you. May Zeus the king of heaven be my witness, and the rites of hospitality, with

Homeric Greek

ἱστίη τ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ἣν ἀφικάνω,

ὡς ἦ τοι Ὀδυσεὺς ἤδη ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ,

ἥμενος ἢ ἕρπων, τάδε πευθόμενος κακὰ ἔργα,

ἔστιν, ἀτὰρ μνηστῆρσι κακὸν πάντεσσι φυτεύει:

160τοῖον ἐγὼν οἰωνὸν ἐϋσσέλμου ἐπὶ νηὸς

Transliteration

histiē t' Odysēos amymonos, hēn aphikanō,

hōs ē toi Odyseus ēdē en patridi gaiēi,

hēmenos ē herpōn, tade peuthomenos kaka erga,

estin, atar mnēstērsi kakon pantessi phyteuei:

160toion egōn oiōnon eÿsselmou epi nēos

English

that hearth of Odysseus to which I now come, that Odysseus himself is even now in Ithaca, and, either going about the country or staying in one place, is inquiring into all these evil deeds and preparing a day of reckoning for the suitors.

Homeric Greek

ἥμενος ἐφρασάμην καὶ Τηλεμάχῳ ἐγεγώνευν."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:

"αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο, ξεῖνε, ἔπος τετελεσμένον εἴη:

τῷ κε τάχα γνοίης φιλότητά τε πολλά τε δῶρα

165ἐξ ἐμεῦ, ὡς ἄν τίς σε συναντόμενος μακαρίζοι."

Transliteration

hēmenos ephrasamēn kai Tēlemachōi egegōneun."

ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:

"ai gar touto, xeine, epos tetelesmenon eiē:

tōi ke tacha gnoiēs philotēta te polla te dōra

165ex emeu, hōs an tis se synantomenos makarizoi."

English

I saw an omen when I was on the ship which meant this, and I told Telemakhos about it." "May it be even so," answered Penelope; "if your words come true, you shall have such gifts and such good will from me that all who see you shall congratulate you."

Homeric Greek

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,

μνηστῆρες δὲ πάροιθεν Ὀδυσσῆος μεγάροιο

δίσκοισιν τέρποντο καὶ αἰγανέῃσιν ἱέντες,

ἐν τυκτῷ δαπέδῳ, ὅθι περ πάρος ὕβριν ἔχοντες.

170ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ δείπνηστος ἔην καὶ ἐπήλυθε μῆλα

Transliteration

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,

mnēstēres de paroithen Odyssēos megaroio

diskoisin terponto kai aiganeēisin hientes,

en tyktōi dapedōi, hothi per paros hybrin echontes.

170all' hote dē deipnēstos eēn kai epēlythe mēla

English

Thus did they converse. Meanwhile the suitors were throwing discs, or aiming with spears at a mark on the leveled ground in front of the house, and behaving with all their old insolence. But when it was now time for dinner, and the flock of sheep and goats

Homeric Greek

πάντοθεν ἐξ ἀγρῶν, οἱ δ' ἤγαγον οἳ τὸ πάρος περ,

καὶ τότε δή σφιν ἔειπε Μέδων: ὃς γάρ ῥα μάλιστα

ἥνδανε κηρύκων, καὶ σφιν παρεγίγνετο δαιτί:

"κοῦροι, ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντες ἐτέρφθητε φρέν' ἀέθλοις,

175ἔρχεσθε πρὸς δώμαθ', ἵν' ἐντυνώμεθα δαῖτα:

Transliteration

pantothen ex agrōn, hoi d' ēgagon hoi to paros per,

kai tote dē sphin eeipe Medōn: hos gar rha malista

hēndane kērykōn, kai sphin paregigneto daiti:

"kouroi, epei dē pantes eterphthēte phren' aethlois,

175erchesthe pros dōmath', hin' entynōmetha daita:

English

had come into the town from all the country round, with their shepherds as usual, then Medon, who was their favorite servant, and who waited upon them at table, said, "Now then, my young masters, you have had enough sport, so come inside that we may get dinner ready.

Homeric Greek

οὐ μὲν γάρ τι χέρειον ἐν ὥρῃ δεῖπνον ἑλέσθαι."

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἀνστάντες ἔβαν πείθοντό τε μύθῳ.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἵκοντο δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,

χλαίνας μὲν κατέθεντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,

180οἱ δ' ἱέρευον ὄϊς μεγάλους καὶ πίονας αἶγας,

Transliteration

ou men gar ti chereion en hōrēi deipnon helesthai."

hōs ephath', hoi d' anstantes eban peithonto te mythōi.

autar epei rh' hikonto domous eu naietaontas,

chlainas men katethento kata klismous te thronous te,

180hoi d' hiereuon oïs megalous kai pionas aigas,

English

Dinner is not a bad thing, at dinner time." They left their sports as he told them, and when they were within the house, they laid their cloaks on the benches and seats inside, and then sacrificed some sheep, goats, pigs, and a heifer, all of them fat and well grown.

Homeric Greek

ἵρευον δὲ σύας σιάλους καὶ βοῦν ἀγελαίην,

δαῖτ' ἐντυνόμενοι. τοὶ δ' ἐξ ἀγροῖο πόλινδε

ὠτρύνοντ' Ὀδυσεύς τ' ἰέναι καὶ δῖος ὑφορβός.

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν:

185"ξεῖν', ἐπεὶ ἂρ δὴ ἔπειτα πόλινδ' ἰέναι μενεαίνεις

Transliteration

hireuon de syas sialous kai boun agelaiēn,

dait' entynomenoi. toi d' ex agroio polinde

ōtrynont' Odyseus t' ienai kai dios hyphorbos.

toisi de mythōn ērche sybōtēs, orchamos andrōn:

185"xein', epei ar dē epeita polind' ienai meneaineis

English

Thus they made ready for their meal. In the meantime Odysseus and the swineherd were about starting for the town, and the swineherd said, "Stranger, I suppose you still want to go to town to-day, as my master said you were to do;

Homeric Greek

σήμερον, ὡς ἐπέτελλεν ἄναξ ἐμός--ἦ σ' ἂν ἐγώ γε

αὐτοῦ βουλοίμην σταθμῶν ῥυτῆρα λιπέσθαι:

ἀλλὰ τὸν αἰδέομαι καὶ δείδια, μή μοι ὀπίσσω

νεικείῃ: χαλεπαὶ δέ τ' ἀνάκτων εἰσὶν ὁμοκλαί--

190ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν ἴομεν: δὴ γὰρ μέμβλωκε μάλιστα

Transliteration

sēmeron, hōs epetellen anax emos--ē s' an egō ge

autou bouloimēn stathmōn rhytēra lipesthai:

alla ton aideomai kai deidia, mē moi opissō

neikeiēi: chalepai de t' anaktōn eisin homoklai--

190all' age nyn iomen: dē gar memblōke malista

English

for my own part I should have liked you to stay here as a station hand, but I must do as my master tells me, or he will scold me later on, and a scolding from one's master is a very serious thing. Let us then be off, for it is now broad day;

Homeric Greek

ἦμαρ, ἀτὰρ τάχα τοι ποτὶ ἕσπερα ῥίγιον ἔσται."

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

"γιγνώσκω, φρονέω: τά γε δὴ νοέοντι κελεύεις.

ἀλλ' ἴομεν, σὺ δ' ἔπειτα διαμπερὲς ἡγεμόνευε.

195δὸς δέ μοι, εἴ ποθί τοι ῥόπαλον τετμημένον ἐστίν,

Transliteration

ēmar, atar tacha toi poti hespera rhigion estai."

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

"gignōskō, phroneō: ta ge dē noeonti keleueis.

all' iomen, sy d' epeita diamperes hēgemoneue.

195dos de moi, ei pothi toi rhopalon tetmēmenon estin,

English

it will be night again directly and then you will find it colder." "I know, and understand you," replied Odysseus; "you need say no more. Let us be going, but if you have a stick ready cut, let me have it to walk with, for you

Homeric Greek

σκηρίπτεσθ', ἐπεὶ ἦ φατ' ἀρισφαλέ' ἔμμεναι οὐδόν."

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἀεικέα βάλλετο πήρην,

πυκνὰ ῥωγαλέην: ἐν δὲ στρόφος ἦεν ἀορτήρ:

Εὔμαιος δ' ἄρα οἱ σκῆπτρον θυμαρὲς ἔδωκε.

200τὼ βήτην, σταθμὸν δὲ κύνες καὶ βώτορες ἄνδρες

Transliteration

skēriptesth', epei ē phat' arisphale' emmenai oudon."

ē rha kai amph' ōmoisin aeikea balleto pērēn,

pykna rhōgaleēn: en de strophos ēen aortēr:

Eumaios d' ara hoi skēptron thymares edōke.

200tō bētēn, stathmon de kynes kai bōtores andres

English

say the road is a very rough one." As he spoke he threw his shabby old tattered wallet over his shoulders, by the cord from which it hung, and Eumaios gave him a stick to his liking. The two then started, leaving the station in charge of the dogs and herdsmen who remained behind;

Homeric Greek

ῥύατ' ὄπισθε μένοντες: ὁ δ' ἐς πόλιν ἦγεν ἄνακτα

πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιον ἠδὲ γέροντι,

σκηπτόμενον: τὰ δὲ λυγρὰ περὶ χροὶ̈ εἵματα ἕστο.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ στείχοντες ὁδὸν κάτα παιπαλόεσσαν

205ἄστεος ἐγγὺς ἔσαν καὶ ἐπὶ κρήνην ἀφίκοντο

Transliteration

rhyat' opisthe menontes: ho d' es polin ēgen anakta

ptōchōi leugaleōi enalinkion ēde geronti,

skēptomenon: ta de lygra peri chroï heimata hesto.

all' hote dē steichontes hodon kata paipaloessan

205asteos engys esan kai epi krēnēn aphikonto

English

the swineherd led the way and his master followed after, looking like some broken-down old tramp as he leaned upon his staff, and his clothes were all in rags. When they had got over the rough steep ground and were nearing the city, they reached the fountain from which the citizens drew their water.

Homeric Greek

τυκτὴν καλλίροον, ὅθεν ὑδρεύοντο πολῖται,

τὴν ποίησ' Ἴθακος καὶ Νήριτος ἠδὲ Πολύκτωρ:

ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' αἰγείρων ὑδατοτρεφέων ἦν ἄλσος,

πάντοσε κυκλοτερές, κατὰ δὲ ψυχρὸν ῥέεν ὕδωρ

210ὑψόθεν ἐκ πέτρης: βωμὸς δ' ἐφύπερθε τέτυκτο

Transliteration

tyktēn kalliroon, hothen hydreuonto politai,

tēn poiēs' Ithakos kai Nēritos ēde Polyktōr:

amphi d' ar' aigeirōn hydatotrepheōn ēn alsos,

pantose kykloteres, kata de psychron rheen hydōr

210hypsothen ek petrēs: bōmos d' ephyperthe tetykto

English

This had been made by Ithacus, Neritus, and Polyktor. There was a grove of water-loving poplars planted in a circle all round it, and the clear cold water came down to it from a rock high up, while above the fountain there was an altar to the nymphs, at which all wayfarers used to sacrifice.

Homeric Greek

νυμφάων, ὅθι πάντες ἐπιρρέζεσκον ὁδῖται:

ἔνθα σφέας ἐκίχαν' υἱὸς Δολίοιο Μελανθεὺς

αἶγας ἄγων, αἳ πᾶσι μετέπρεπον αἰπολίοισι,

δεῖπνον μνηστήρεσσι: δύω δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο νομῆες.

215τοὺς δὲ ἰδὼν νείκεσσεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν,

Transliteration

nymphaōn, hothi pantes epirrezeskon hoditai:

entha spheas ekichan' huios Dolioio Melantheus

aigas agōn, hai pasi meteprepon aipolioisi,

deipnon mnēstēressi: dyō d' ham' heponto nomēes.

215tous de idōn neikessen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen,

English

Here Melanthios son of Dolios overtook them as he was driving down some goats, the best in his flock, for the suitors’ dinner, and there were two shepherds with him.

Homeric Greek

ἔκπαγλον καὶ ἀεικές: ὄρινε δὲ κῆρ Ὀδυσῆος:

"νῦν μὲν δὴ μάλα πάγχυ κακὸς κακὸν ἡγηλάζει,

ὡς αἰεὶ τὸν ὁμοῖον ἄγει θεὸς ὡς τὸν ὁμοῖν.

πῇ δὴ τόνδε μολοβρὸν ἄγεις, ἀμέγαρτε συβῶτα,

220πτωχὸν ἀνιηρόν δαιτῶν ἀπολυμαντῆρα;

Transliteration

ekpaglon kai aeikes: orine de kēr Odysēos:

"nyn men dē mala panchy kakos kakon hēgēlazei,

hōs aiei ton homoion agei theos hōs ton homoin.

pēi dē tonde molobron ageis, amegarte sybōta,

220ptōchon aniēron daitōn apolymantēra;

English

When he saw Eumaios and Odysseus he reviled them with outrageous and unseemly language, which made Odysseus very angry. "There you go," cried he, "and a precious pair you are. See how heaven brings birds of the same feather to one another. Where, pray, master swineherd, are you taking this poor miserable object? It would make any one sick to see such a creature at table.

Homeric Greek

ὃς πολλῇς φλιῇσι παραστὰς θλίψεται ὤμους,

αἰτίζων ἀκόλους, οὐκ ἄορας οὐδὲ λέβητας:

τόν κ' εἴ μοι δοίης σταθμῶν ῥυτῆρα γενέσθαι

σηκοκόρον τ' ἔμεναι θαλλόν τ' ἐρίφοισι φορῆναι,

225καί κεν ὀρὸν πίνων μεγάλην ἐπιγουνίδα θεῖτο.

Transliteration

hos pollēis phliēisi parastas thlipsetai ōmous,

aitizōn akolous, ouk aoras oude lebētas:

ton k' ei moi doiēs stathmōn rhytēra genesthai

sēkokoron t' emenai thallon t' eriphoisi phorēnai,

225kai ken oron pinōn megalēn epigounida theito.

English

A fellow like this never won a prize for anything in his life, but will go about rubbing his shoulders against every man's door post, and begging, not for swords and cauldrons like a man, but only for a few scraps not worth begging for. If you would give him to me for a hand on my station, he might do to clean out the

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ οὖν δὴ ἔργα κάκ' ἔμμαθεν, οὐκ ἐθελήσει

ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι, ἀλλὰ πτώσσων κατὰ δῆμον

βούλεται αἰτίζων βόσκειν ἣν γαστέρ' ἄναλτον.

ἀλλ' ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται:

230αἴ κ' ἔλθῃ πρὸς δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,

Transliteration

all' epei oun dē erga kak' emmathen, ouk ethelēsei

ergon epoichesthai, alla ptōssōn kata dēmon

bouletai aitizōn boskein hēn gaster' analton.

all' ek toi ereō, to de kai tetelesmenon estai:

230ai k' elthēi pros dōmat' Odyssēos theioio,

English

folds, or bring a bit of sweet feed to the kids, and he could fatten his thighs as much as he pleased on whey; but he has taken to bad ways and will not go about any kind of work; he will do nothing but beg victuals all the dêmos over, to feed his insatiable belly.

Homeric Greek

πολλά οἱ ἀμφὶ κάρη σφέλα ἀνδρῶν ἐκ παλαμάων

πλευραὶ ἀποτρίψουσι δόμον κάτα βαλλομένοιο."

ὣς φάτο, καὶ παριὼν λὰξ ἔνθορεν ἀφραδίῃσιν

ἰσχίῳ: οὐδέ μιν ἐκτὸς ἀταρπιτοῦ ἐστυφέλιξεν,

235ἀλλ' ἔμεν' ἀσφαλέως: ὁ δὲ μερμήριξεν Ὀδυσσεὺς

Transliteration

polla hoi amphi karē sphela andrōn ek palamaōn

pleurai apotripsousi domon kata ballomenoio."

hōs phato, kai pariōn lax enthoren aphradiēisin

ischiōi: oude min ektos atarpitou estyphelixen,

235all' emen' asphaleōs: ho de mermērixen Odysseus

English

I say, therefore and it shall surely be - if he goes near Odysseus’ house he will get his head broken by the stools they will fling at him, till they turn him out." On this, as he passed, he gave Odysseus a kick on the hip out of pure wantonness, but Odysseus stood firm, and did not budge from the path.

Homeric Greek

ἠὲ μεταί̈ξας ῥοπάλῳ ἐκ θυμὸν ἕλοιτο,

ἦ πρὸς γῆν ἐλάσειε κάρη ἀμφουδὶς ἀείρας.

ἀλλ' ἐπετόλμησε, φρεσὶ δ' ἔσχετο: τὸν δὲ συβώτης

νείκεσ' ἐσάντα ἰδών, μέγα δ' εὔξατο χεῖρας ἀνασχών:

240"νύμφαι κρηναῖαι, κοῦραι Διός, εἴ ποτ' Ὀδυσσεὺς

Transliteration

ēe metaïxas rhopalōi ek thymon heloito,

ē pros gēn elaseie karē amphoudis aeiras.

all' epetolmēse, phresi d' escheto: ton de sybōtēs

neikes' esanta idōn, mega d' euxato cheiras anaschōn:

240"nymphai krēnaiai, kourai Dios, ei pot' Odysseus

English

For a moment he doubted whether or not to fly at Melanthios and kill him with his staff, or fling him to the ground and beat his brains out; he resolved, however, to endure it and keep himself in check, but the swineherd looked straight at Melanthios and rebuked him, lifting up his hands and praying to heaven as he did so. "Fountain nymphs," he cried, "children of Zeus, if ever Odysseus

Homeric Greek

ὔμμ' ἐπὶ μηρί' ἔκηε, καλύψας πίονι δημῷ,

ἀρνῶν ἠδ' ἐρίφων, τόδε μοι κρηήνατ' ἐέλδωρ,

ὡς ἔλθοι μὲν κεῖνος ἀνήρ, ἀγάγοι δέ ἑ δαίμων:

τῷ κέ τοι ἀγλαί̈ας γε διασκεδάσειεν ἁπάσας,

245τὰς νῦν ὑβρίζων φορέεις, ἀλαλήμενος αἰεὶ

Transliteration

ymm' epi mēri' ekēe, kalypsas pioni dēmōi,

arnōn ēd' eriphōn, tode moi krēēnat' eeldōr,

hōs elthoi men keinos anēr, agagoi de he daimōn:

tōi ke toi aglaïas ge diaskedaseien hapasas,

245tas nyn hybrizōn phoreeis, alalēmenos aiei

English

burned you thigh bones covered with fat whether of lambs or kids, grant my prayer that a daimôn may send him home. He would soon put an end to the swaggering threats with which such men as you go about insulting people- gadding all over the town while

Homeric Greek

ἄστυ κάτ': αὐτὰρ μῆλα κακοὶ φθείρουσι νομῆες."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν:

"ὢ πόποι, οἶον ἔειπε κύων ὀλοφώϊα εἰδώς,

τόν ποτ' ἐγὼν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἐϋσσέλμοιο μελαίνης

250ἄξω τῆλ' Ἰθάκης, ἵνα μοι βίοτον πολὺν ἄλφοι.

Transliteration

asty kat': autar mēla kakoi phtheirousi nomēes."

ton d' aute proseeipe Melanthios, aipolos aigōn:

"ō popoi, oion eeipe kyōn olophōïa eidōs,

ton pot' egōn epi nēos eÿsselmoio melainēs

250axō tēl' Ithakēs, hina moi bioton polyn alphoi.

English

your flocks are going to ruin through bad shepherding." Then Melanthios the goatherd answered, "You ill-conditioned cur, what are you talking about? Some day or other I will put you on board ship and take you to a foreign country, where I can sell you and keep the wealth you will fetch.

Homeric Greek

αἲ γὰρ Τηλέμαχον βάλοι ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων

σήμερον ἐν μεγάροις, ἢ ὑπὸ μνηστῆρσι δαμείη,

ὡς Ὀδυσῆί̈ γε τηλοῦ ἀπώλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ."

ὣς εἰπὼν τοὺς μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ ἦκα κιόντας,

255αὐτὰρ ὁ βῆ, μάλα δ' ὦκα δόμους ἵκανεν ἄνακτος.

Transliteration

ai gar Tēlemachon baloi argyrotoxos Apollōn

sēmeron en megarois, ē hypo mnēstērsi dameiē,

hōs Odysēï ge tēlou apōleto nostimon ēmar."

hōs eipōn tous men lipen autou ēka kiontas,

255autar ho bē, mala d' ōka domous hikanen anaktos.

English

I wish I were as sure that Apollo would strike Telemakhos dead this very day, or that the suitors would kill him, as I am that Odysseus will never come home again." With this he left them to come on at their leisure, while he went quickly forward and soon reached the house of his master.

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκα δ' εἴσω ἴεν, μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσι καθῖζεν,

ἀντίον Εὐρυμάχου: τὸν γὰρ φιλέεσκε μάλιστα.

τῷ πάρα μὲν κρειῶν μοῖραν θέσαν οἳ πονέοντο,

σῖτον δ' αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα

260ἔδμεναι. ἀγχίμολον δ' Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸς

Transliteration

autika d' eisō ien, meta de mnēstērsi kathizen,

antion Eurymachou: ton gar phileeske malista.

tōi para men kreiōn moiran thesan hoi poneonto,

siton d' aidoiē tamiē parethēke pherousa

260edmenai. anchimolon d' Odyseus kai dios hyphorbos

English

When he got there he went in and took his seat among the suitors opposite Eurymakhos, who liked him better than any of the others. The servants brought him a portion of meat, and an upper woman servant set bread before him that he might eat.

Homeric Greek

στήτην ἐρχομένω, περὶ δέ σφεας ἤλυθ' ἰωὴ

φόρμιγγος γλαφυρῆς: ἀνὰ γάρ σφισι βάλλετ' ἀείδειν

Φήμιος: αὐτὰρ ὁ χειρὸς ἑλὼν προσέειπε συβώτην:

"Εὔμαι', ἦ μάλα δὴ τάδε δώματα κάλ' Ὀδυσῆος,

265ῥεῖα δ' ἀρίγνωτ' ἐστὶ καὶ ἐν πολλοῖσιν ἰδέσθαι.

Transliteration

stētēn erchomenō, peri de spheas ēlyth' iōē

phormingos glaphyrēs: ana gar sphisi ballet' aeidein

Phēmios: autar ho cheiros helōn proseeipe sybōtēn:

"Eumai', ē mala dē tade dōmata kal' Odysēos,

265rheia d' arignōt' esti kai en polloisin idesthai.

English

Presently Odysseus and the swineherd came up to the house and stood by it, amid a sound of music, for Phemios was just beginning to sing to the suitors. Then Odysseus took hold of the swineherd's hand, and said: "Eumaios, this house of Odysseus is a very fine place. No matter how far you go you will find few like it.

Homeric Greek

ἐξ ἑτέρων ἕτερ' ἐστίν, ἐπήσκηται δέ οἱ αὐλὴ

τοίχῳ καὶ θριγκοῖσι, θύραι δ' εὐερκέες εἰσὶ

δικλίδες: οὐκ ἄν τίς μιν ἀνὴρ ὑπεροπλίσσαιτο.

γιγνώσκω δ' ὅτι πολλοὶ ἐν αὐτῷ δαῖτα τίθενται

270ἄνδρες, ἐπεὶ κνίση μὲν ἀνήνοθεν, ἐν δέ τε φόρμιγξ

Transliteration

ex heterōn heter' estin, epēskētai de hoi aulē

toichōi kai thrinkoisi, thyrai d' euerkees eisi

diklides: ouk an tis min anēr hyperoplissaito.

gignōskō d' hoti polloi en autōi daita tithentai

270andres, epei knisē men anēnothen, en de te phorminx

English

One building keeps following on after another. The outer court has a wall with battlements all round it; the doors are double folding, and of good workmanship; it would be a hard matter to take it by force of arms. I perceive, too, that there are many people banqueting within it, for there is a smell of roast meat, and I hear a

Homeric Greek

ἠπύει, ἣν ἄρα δαιτὶ θεοὶ ποίησαν ἑταίρην."

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

"ῥεῖ' ἔγνως, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ τά τ' ἄλλα πέρ ἐσσ' ἀνοήμων.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ φραζώμεθ' ὅπως ἔσται τάδε ἔργα.

275ἠὲ σὺ πρῶτος ἔσελθε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,

Transliteration

ēpyei, hēn ara daiti theoi poiēsan hetairēn."

ton d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

"rhei' egnōs, epei oude ta t' alla per ess' anoēmōn.

all' age dē phrazōmeth' hopōs estai tade erga.

275ēe sy prōtos eselthe domous eu naietaontas,

English

sound of music, which the gods have made to go along with feasting." Then Eumaios said, "You have perceived aright, as indeed you generally do; but let us think what will be our best course. Will you go inside first and join the suitors, leaving me here behind you, or will you wait here and let me go in first?

Homeric Greek

δύσεο δὲ μνηστῆρας, ἐγὼ δ' ὑπολείψομαι αὐτοῦ:

εἰ δ' ἐθέλεις, ἐπίμεινον, ἐγὼ δ' εἶμι προπάροιθε:

μηδὲ σὺ δηθύνειν, μή τίς σ' ἔκτοσθε νοήσας

ἢ βάλῃ ἢ ἐλάσῃ: τὰ δέ σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα."

280τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

dyseo de mnēstēras, egō d' hypoleipsomai autou:

ei d' etheleis, epimeinon, egō d' eimi proparoithe:

mēde sy dēthynein, mē tis s' ektosthe noēsas

ē balēi ē elasēi: ta de se phrazesthai anōga."

280ton d' ēmeibet' epeita polytlas dios Odysseus:

English

But do not wait long, or some one may you loitering about outside, and throw something at you. Consider this matter I pray you." And Odysseus answered, "I understand and heed.

Homeric Greek

γιγνώσκω, φρονέω: τά γε δὴ νοέοντι κελεύεις.

ἀλλ' ἔρχευ προπάροιθεν, ἐγὼ δ' ὑπολείψομαι αὐτοῦ.

οὐ γάρ τι πληγέων ἀδαήμων οὐδὲ βολάων:

τολμήεις μοι θυμός, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ πέπονθα

285κύμασι καὶ πολέμῳ: μετὰ καὶ τόδε τοῖσι γενέσθω:

Transliteration

gignōskō, phroneō: ta ge dē noeonti keleueis.

all' ercheu proparoithen, egō d' hypoleipsomai autou.

ou gar ti plēgeōn adaēmōn oude bolaōn:

tolmēeis moi thymos, epei kaka polla pepontha

285kymasi kai polemōi: meta kai tode toisi genesthō:

English

Go in first and leave me here where I am. I am quite used to being beaten and having things thrown at me. I have been so much buffeted about in war and by sea that I am case-hardened, and this too may go with the rest.

Homeric Greek

γαστέρα δ' οὔ πως ἔστιν ἀποκρύψαι μεμαυῖαν,

οὐλομένην, ἣ πολλὰ κάκ' ἀνθρώποισι δίδωσι,

τῆς ἕνεκεν καὶ νῆες ἐύ̈ζυγοι ὁπλίζονται

πόντον ἐπ' ἀτρύγετον, κακὰ δυσμενέεσσι φέρουσαι."

290ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον:

Transliteration

gastera d' ou pōs estin apokrypsai memauian,

oulomenēn, hē polla kak' anthrōpoisi didōsi,

tēs heneken kai nēes eÿzygoi hoplizontai

ponton ep' atrygeton, kaka dysmeneessi pherousai."

290hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon:

English

But a man cannot hide away the cravings of a hungry belly; this is an enemy which gives much trouble to all men; it is because of this that ships are fitted out to sail the seas, and to make war upon other people." As they were thus talking, a dog that had been lying asleep raised his head and pricked up his ears.

Homeric Greek

ἂν δὲ κύων κεφαλήν τε καὶ οὔατα κείμενος ἔσχεν,

Ἄργος, Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὅν ῥά ποτ' αὐτὸς

θρέψε μέν, οὐδ' ἀπόνητο, πάρος δ' εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρὴν

ᾤχετο. τὸν δὲ πάροιθεν ἀγίνεσκον νέοι ἄνδρες

295αἶγας ἐπ' ἀγροτέρας ἠδὲ πρόκας ἠδὲ λαγωούς:

Transliteration

an de kyōn kephalēn te kai ouata keimenos eschen,

Argos, Odyssēos talasiphronos, hon rha pot' autos

threpse men, oud' aponēto, paros d' eis Ilion hirēn

ōicheto. ton de paroithen agineskon neoi andres

295aigas ep' agroteras ēde prokas ēde lagōous:

English

This was Argos, whom Odysseus had bred before setting out for Troy, but he had never had any work out of him. In the old days he used to be taken out by the young men when they went hunting wild goats, or deer, or hares, but now

Homeric Greek

δὴ τότε κεῖτ' ἀπόθεστος ἀποιχομένοιο ἄνακτος,

ἐν πολλῇ κόπρῳ, ἥ οἱ προπάροιθε θυράων

ἡμιόνων τε βοῶν τε ἅλις κέχυτ', ὄφρ' ἂν ἄγοιεν

δμῶες Ὀδυσσῆος τέμενος μέγα κοπρήσοντες:

300ἔνθα κύων κεῖτ' Ἄργος, ἐνίπλειος κυνοραιστέων.

Transliteration

dē tote keit' apothestos apoichomenoio anaktos,

en pollēi koprōi, hē hoi proparoithe thyraōn

hēmionōn te boōn te halis kechyt', ophr' an agoien

dmōes Odyssēos temenos mega koprēsontes:

300entha kyōn keit' Argos, enipleios kynoraisteōn.

English

that his master was gone he was lying neglected on the heaps of mule and cow dung that lay in front of the stable doors till the men should come and draw it away to manure the great field; and he was full of fleas.

Homeric Greek

δὴ τότε γ', ὡς ἐνόησεν Ὀδυσσέα ἐγγὺς ἐόντα,

οὐρῇ μέν ῥ' ὅ γ' ἔσηνε καὶ οὔατα κάββαλεν ἄμφω,

ἆσσον δ' οὐκέτ' ἔπειτα δυνήσατο οἷο ἄνακτος

ἐλθέμεν: αὐτὰρ ὁ νόσφιν ἰδὼν ἀπομόρξατο δάκρυ,

305ῥεῖα λαθὼν Εὔμαιον, ἄφαρ δ' ἐρεείνετο μύθῳ:

Transliteration

dē tote g', hōs enoēsen Odyssea engys eonta,

ourēi men rh' ho g' esēne kai ouata kabbalen amphō,

asson d' ouket' epeita dynēsato hoio anaktos

elthemen: autar ho nosphin idōn apomorxato dakry,

305rheia lathōn Eumaion, aphar d' ereeineto mythōi:

English

As soon as he saw Odysseus standing there, he dropped his ears and wagged his tail, but he could not get close up to his master. When Odysseus saw the dog on the other side of the yard, dashed a tear from his eyes without Eumaios seeing it, and said:

Homeric Greek

"Εὔμαι', ἦ μάλα θαῦμα, κύων ὅδε κεῖτ' ἐνὶ κόπρῳ.

καλὸς μὲν δέμας ἐστίν, ἀτὰρ τόδε γ' οὐ σάφα οἶδα,

εἰ δὴ καὶ ταχὺς ἔσκε θέειν ἐπὶ εἴδεϊ τῷδε,

ἦ αὔτως οἷοί τε τραπεζῆες κύνες ἀνδρῶν

310γίγνοντ': ἀγλαί̈ης δ' ἕνεκεν κομέουσιν ἄνακτες."

Transliteration

"Eumai', ē mala thauma, kyōn hode keit' eni koprōi.

kalos men demas estin, atar tode g' ou sapha oida,

ei dē kai tachys eske theein epi eideï tōide,

ē autōs hoioi te trapezēes kynes andrōn

310gignont': aglaïēs d' heneken komeousin anaktes."

English

"Eumaios, what a noble hound that is over yonder on the manure heap: his build is splendid; is he as fine a fellow as he looks, or is he only one of those dogs that come begging about a table, and are kept merely for show?"

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

"καὶ λίην ἀνδρός γε κύων ὅδε τῆλε θανόντος.

εἰ τοιόσδ' εἴη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ ἔργα,

οἷόν μιν Τροίηνδε κιὼν κατέλειπεν Ὀδυσσεύς,

315αἶψά κε θηήσαιο ἰδὼν ταχυτῆτα καὶ ἀλκήν.

Transliteration

ton d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

"kai liēn andros ge kyōn hode tēle thanontos.

ei toiosd' eiē ēmen demas ēde kai erga,

hoion min Troiēnde kiōn kateleipen Odysseus,

315aipsa ke thēēsaio idōn tachytēta kai alkēn.

English

"This hound," answered Eumaios, "belonged to him who has died in a far country. If he were what he was when Odysseus left for Troy, he would soon show you what he could do.

Homeric Greek

οὐ μὲν γάρ τι φύγεσκε βαθείης βένθεσιν ὕλης

κνώδαλον, ὅττι δίοιτο: καὶ ἴχνεσι γὰρ περιῄδη:

νῦν δ' ἔχεται κακότητι, ἄναξ δέ οἱ ἄλλοθι πάτρης

ὤλετο, τὸν δὲ γυναῖκες ἀκηδέες οὐ κομέουσι.

320δμῶες δ', εὖτ' ἂν μηκέτ' ἐπικρατέωσιν ἄνακτες,

Transliteration

ou men gar ti phygeske batheiēs benthesin hylēs

knōdalon, hotti dioito: kai ichnesi gar periēidē:

nyn d' echetai kakotēti, anax de hoi allothi patrēs

ōleto, ton de gynaikes akēdees ou komeousi.

320dmōes d', eut' an mēket' epikrateōsin anaktes,

English

There was not a wild beast in the forest that could get away from him when he was once on its tracks. But now he has fallen on evil times, for his master is dead and gone, and the women take no care of him.

Homeric Greek

οὐκέτ' ἔπειτ' ἐθέλουσιν ἐναίσιμα ἐργάζεσθαι:

ἥμισυ γάρ τ' ἀρετῆς ἀποαίνυται εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς

ἀνέρος, εὖτ' ἄν μιν κατὰ δούλιον ἦμαρ ἕλῃσιν."

ὣς εἰπὼν εἰσῆλθε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,

325βῆ δ' ἰθὺς μεγάροιο μετὰ μνηστῆρας ἀγαυούς.

Transliteration

ouket' epeit' ethelousin enaisima ergazesthai:

hēmisy gar t' aretēs apoainytai euryopa Zeus

aneros, eut' an min kata doulion ēmar helēisin."

hōs eipōn eisēlthe domous eu naietaontas,

325bē d' ithys megaroio meta mnēstēras agauous.

English

Servants never do their work when their master's hand is no longer over them, for Zeus takes half the goodness out of a man when he makes a slave of him." As he spoke he went inside the buildings to the room where the

Homeric Greek

Ἄργον δ' αὖ κατὰ μοῖρ' ἔλαβεν μέλανος θανάτοιο,

αὐτίκ' ἰδόντ' Ὀδυσῆα ἐεικοστῷ ἐνιαυτῷ.

τὸν δὲ πολὺ πρῶτος ἴδε Τηλέμαχος θεοειδὴς

ἐρχόμενον κατὰ δῶμα συβώτην, ὦκα δ' ἔπειτα

330νεῦσ' ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσας: ὁ δὲ παπτήνας ἕλε δίφρον

Transliteration

Argon d' au kata moir' elaben melanos thanatoio,

autik' idont' Odysēa eeikostōi eniautōi.

ton de poly prōtos ide Tēlemachos theoeidēs

erchomenon kata dōma sybōtēn, ōka d' epeita

330neus' epi hoi kalesas: ho de paptēnas hele diphron

English

suitors were, but Argos died as soon as he had recognized his master. Telemakhos saw Eumaios long before any one else did, and beckoned him to come and sit beside him;

Homeric Greek

κείμενον, ἔνθα τε δαιτρὸς ἐφίζεσκε κρέα πολλὰ

δαιόμενος μνηστῆρσι δόμον κάτα δαινυμένοισι:

τὸν κατέθηκε φέρων πρὸς Τηλεμάχοιο τράπεζαν

ἀντίον, ἔνθα δ' ἄρ' αὐτὸς ἐφέζετο: τῷ δ' ἄρα κῆρυξ

335μοῖραν ἑλὼν ἐτίθει κανέου τ' ἐκ σῖτον ἀείρας.

Transliteration

keimenon, entha te daitros ephizeske krea polla

daiomenos mnēstērsi domon kata dainymenoisi:

ton katethēke pherōn pros Tēlemachoio trapezan

antion, entha d' ar' autos ephezeto: tōi d' ara kēryx

335moiran helōn etithei kaneou t' ek siton aeiras.

English

so he looked about and saw a seat lying near where the carver sat serving out their portions to the suitors; he picked it up, brought it to Telemakhos’ table, and sat down opposite him. Then the servant brought him his portion, and gave him bread from the bread-basket.

Homeric Greek

ἀγχίμολον δὲ μετ' αὐτὸν ἐδύσετο δώματ' Ὀδυσσεύς,

πτωχῷ λευγαλέῳ ἐναλίγκιος ἠδὲ γέροντι,

σκηπτόμενος: τὰ δὲ λυγρὰ περὶ χροί̈ εἵματα ἕστο.

ἷζε δ' ἐπὶ μελίνου οὐδοῦ ἔντοσθε θυράων,

340κλινάμενος σταθμῷ κυπαρισσίνῳ, ὅν ποτε τέκτων

Transliteration

anchimolon de met' auton edyseto dōmat' Odysseus,

ptōchōi leugaleōi enalinkios ēde geronti,

skēptomenos: ta de lygra peri chroï heimata hesto.

hize d' epi melinou oudou entosthe thyraōn,

340klinamenos stathmōi kyparissinōi, hon pote tektōn

English

Immediately afterwards Odysseus came inside, looking like a poor miserable old beggar, leaning on his staff and with his clothes all in rags. He sat down upon the threshold of ash-wood just inside the doors leading from the outer to the inner court, and against a bearing-post of

Homeric Greek

ξέσσεν ἐπισταμένως καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν.

Τηλέμαχος δ' ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσας προσέειπε συβώτην,

ἄρτον τ' οὖλον ἑλὼν περικαλλέος ἐκ κανέοιο

καὶ κρέας, ὥς οἱ χεῖρες ἐχάνδανον ἀμφιβαλόντι:

345"δὸς τῷ ξείνῳ ταῦτα φέρων αὐτόν τε κέλευε

Transliteration

xessen epistamenōs kai epi stathmēn ithynen.

Tēlemachos d' epi hoi kalesas proseeipe sybōtēn,

arton t' oulon helōn perikalleos ek kaneoio

kai kreas, hōs hoi cheires echandanon amphibalonti:

345"dos tōi xeinōi tauta pherōn auton te keleue

English

cypress-wood which the carpenter had skillfully planed, and had made to join truly with rule and line. Telemakhos took a whole loaf from the bread-basket, with as much meat as he could hold in his two hands, and said to Eumaios, "Take this to the stranger, and

Homeric Greek

αἰτίζειν μάλα πάντας ἐποιχόμενον μνηστῆρας:

αἰδὼς δ' οὐκ ἀγαθὴ κεχρημένῳ ἀνδρὶ παρεῖναι."

ὣς φάτο, βῆ δὲ συφορβός, ἐπεὶ τὸν μῦθον ἄκουσεν,

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντ' ἀγόρευε:

350"Τηλέμαχός τοι, ξεῖνε, διδοῖ τάδε, καί σε κελεύει

Transliteration

aitizein mala pantas epoichomenon mnēstēras:

aidōs d' ouk agathē kechrēmenōi andri pareinai."

hōs phato, bē de syphorbos, epei ton mython akousen,

anchou d' histamenos epea pteroent' agoreue:

350"Tēlemachos toi, xeine, didoi tade, kai se keleuei

English

tell him to go the round of the suitors, and beg from them; a beggar must not be shamefaced." So Eumaios went up to him and said, "Stranger, Telemakhos sends you this, and says you are to go

Homeric Greek

αἰτίζειν μάλα πάντας ἐποιχόμενον μνηστῆρας:

αἰδῶ δ' οὐκ ἀγαθήν φησ' ἔμμεναι ἀνδρὶ προί̈κτῃ."

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

"Ζεῦ ἄνα, Τηλέμαχόν μοι ἐν ἀνδράσιν ὄλβιον εἶναι,

355καί οἱ πάντα γένοιθ' ὅσσα φρεσὶν ᾗσι μενοινᾷ."

Transliteration

aitizein mala pantas epoichomenon mnēstēras:

aidō d' ouk agathēn phēs' emmenai andri proïktēi."

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

"Zeu ana, Tēlemachon moi en andrasin olbion einai,

355kai hoi panta genoith' hossa phresin hēisi menoināi."

English

the round of the suitors begging, for beggars must not be shamefaced." Odysseus answered, "May lord Zeus grant all happiness to Telemakhos, and fulfill the desire of his heart."

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφοτέρῃσιν ἐδέξατο καὶ κατέθηκεν

αὖθι ποδῶν προπάροιθεν, ἀεικελίης ἐπὶ πήρης,

ἤσθιε δ' ἧος ἀοιδὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἄειδεν:

εὖθ' ὁ δεδειπνήκειν, ὁ δ' ἐπαύετο θεῖος ἀοιδός.

360μνηστῆρες δ' ὁμάδησαν ἀνὰ μέγαρ'. αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνη,

Transliteration

ē rha kai amphoterēisin edexato kai katethēken

authi podōn proparoithen, aeikeliēs epi pērēs,

ēsthie d' hēos aoidos eni megaroisin aeiden:

euth' ho dedeipnēkein, ho d' epaueto theios aoidos.

360mnēstēres d' homadēsan ana megar'. autar Athēnē,

English

Then with both hands he took what Telemakhos had sent him, and laid it on the dirty old wallet at his feet. He went on eating it while the bard was singing, and had just finished his dinner as he left off.

Homeric Greek

ἄγχι παρισταμένη Λαερτιάδην Ὀδυσῆα

ὤτρυν', ὡς ἂν πύρνα κατὰ μνηστῆρας ἀγείροι,

γνοίη θ' οἵ τινές εἰσιν ἐναίσιμοι οἵ τ' ἀθέμιστοι:

ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὥς τιν' ἔμελλ' ἀπαλεξήσειν κακότητος.

365βῆ δ' ἴμεν αἰτήσων ἐνδέξια φῶτα ἕκαστον,

Transliteration

anchi paristamenē Laertiadēn Odysēa

ōtryn', hōs an pyrna kata mnēstēras ageiroi,

gnoiē th' hoi tines eisin enaisimoi hoi t' athemistoi:

all' oud' hōs tin' emell' apalexēsein kakotētos.

365bē d' imen aitēsōn endexia phōta hekaston,

English

The suitors applauded the bard, whereon Athena went up to Odysseus and prompted him to beg pieces of bread from each one of the suitors, that he might see what kind of people they were, and tell the good from the bad; but come what might she was not going to save a single one of them.

Homeric Greek

πάντοσε χεῖρ' ὀρέγων, ὡς εἰ πτωχὸς πάλαι εἴη.

οἱ δ' ἐλεαίροντες δίδοσαν, καὶ ἐθάμβεον αὐτόν,

ἀλλήλους τ' εἴροντο τίς εἴη καὶ πόθεν ἔλθοι.

τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν:

370"κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης,

Transliteration

pantose cheir' oregōn, hōs ei ptōchos palai eiē.

hoi d' eleairontes didosan, kai ethambeon auton,

allēlous t' eironto tis eiē kai pothen elthoi.

toisi de kai meteeipe Melanthios, aipolos aigōn:

370"keklyte meu, mnēstēres agakleitēs basileiēs,

English

Odysseus, therefore, went on his round, going from left to right, and stretched out his hands to beg as though he were a real beggar. Some of them pitied him, and were curious about him, asking one another who he was and where he came from;

Homeric Greek

τοῦδε περὶ ξείνου: ἦ γάρ μιν πρόσθεν ὄπωπα.

ἦ τοι μέν οἱ δεῦρο συβώτης ἡγεμόνευεν,

αὐτὸν δ' οὐ σάφα οἶδα, πόθεν γένος εὔχεται εἶναι."

ὣς ἔφατ', Ἀντίνοος δ' ἔπεσιν νείκεσσε συβώτην:

375"ὦ ἀρίγνωτε συβῶτα, τίη δὲ σὺ τόνδε πόλινδε

Transliteration

toude peri xeinou: ē gar min prosthen opōpa.

ē toi men hoi deuro sybōtēs hēgemoneuen,

auton d' ou sapha oida, pothen genos euchetai einai."

hōs ephat', Antinoos d' epesin neikesse sybōtēn:

375"ō arignōte sybōta, tiē de sy tonde polinde

English

whereon the goatherd Melanthios said, "Suitors of my noble mistress, I can tell you something about him, for I have seen him before. The swineherd brought him here, but I know nothing about the man himself, nor where he comes from." On this Antinoos began to abuse the swineherd. "You precious idiot," he cried, "what have you brought this man to town for?

Homeric Greek

ἤγαγες; ἦ οὐχ ἅλις ἧμιν ἀλήμονές εἰσι καὶ ἄλλοι,

πτωχοὶ ἀνιηροί, δαιτῶν ἀπολυμαντῆρες;

ἦ ὄνοσαι ὅτι τοι βίοτον κατέδουσιν ἄνακτος

ἐνθάδ' ἀγειρόμενοι, σὺ δὲ καὶ προτὶ τόνδ' ἐκάλεσσας;"

380τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

Transliteration

ēgages; ē ouch halis hēmin alēmones eisi kai alloi,

ptōchoi aniēroi, daitōn apolymantēres;

ē onosai hoti toi bioton katedousin anaktos

enthad' ageiromenoi, sy de kai proti tond' ekalessas;"

380ton d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

English

Have we not tramps and beggars enough already to pester us as we sit at meat? Do you think it a small thing that such people gather here to waste your master's property and must you needs bring this man as well?" And Eumaios answered, "Antinoos, your birth is good but your words evil.

Homeric Greek

"Ἀντίνο', οὐ μὲν καλὰ καὶ ἐσθλὸς ἐὼν ἀγορεύεις:

τίς γὰρ δὴ ξεῖνον καλεῖ ἄλλοθεν αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼν

ἄλλον γ', εἰ μὴ τῶν οἳ δημιοεργοὶ ἔασι,

μάντιν ἢ ἰητῆρα κακῶν ἢ τέκτονα δούρων,

385ἢ καὶ θέσπιν ἀοιδόν, ὅ κεν τέρπῃσιν ἀείδων;

Transliteration

"Antino', ou men kala kai esthlos eōn agoreueis:

tis gar dē xeinon kalei allothen autos epelthōn

allon g', ei mē tōn hoi dēmioergoi easi,

mantin ē iētēra kakōn ē tektona dourōn,

385ē kai thespin aoidon, ho ken terpēisin aeidōn;

English

It was no doing of mine that he came here. Who is likely to invite a stranger from a foreign country, unless it be one of those who can do public service as a seer, a healer of hurts, a carpenter, or a bard who can delight us with his singing.

Homeric Greek

οὗτοι γὰρ κλητοί γε βροτῶν ἐπ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν:

πτωχὸν δ' οὐκ ἄν τις καλέοι τρύξοντα ἓ αὐτόν.

ἀλλ' αἰεὶ χαλεπὸς περὶ πάντων εἶς μνηστήρων

δμωσὶν Ὀδυσσῆος, πέρι δ' αὖτ' ἐμοί: αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε

390οὐκ ἀλέγω, ἧός μοι ἐχέφρων Πηνελόπεια

Transliteration

houtoi gar klētoi ge brotōn ep' apeirona gaian:

ptōchon d' ouk an tis kaleoi tryxonta he auton.

all' aiei chalepos peri pantōn eis mnēstērōn

dmōsin Odyssēos, peri d' aut' emoi: autar egō ge

390ouk alegō, hēos moi echephrōn Pēnelopeia

English

Such men are welcome all the world over, but no one is likely to ask a beggar who will only worry him. You are always harder on Odysseus’ servants than any of the other suitors are, and above all on me, but I do not care so

Homeric Greek

ζώει ἐνὶ μεγάροις καὶ Τηλέμαχος θεοειδής."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"σίγα, μή μοι τοῦτον ἀμείβεο πολλὰ ἔπεσσιν:

Ἀντίνοος δ' εἴωθε κακῶς ἐρεθιζέμεν αἰεὶ

395μύθοισιν χαλεποῖσιν, ἐποτρύνει δὲ καὶ ἄλλους."

Transliteration

zōei eni megarois kai Tēlemachos theoeidēs."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"siga, mē moi touton ameibeo polla epessin:

Antinoos d' eiōthe kakōs erethizemen aiei

395mythoisin chalepoisin, epotrynei de kai allous."

English

long as Telemakhos and Penelope are alive and here." But Telemakhos said, "Hush, do not answer him; Antinoos has the bitterest tongue of all the suitors, and he makes the others worse."

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥα καὶ Ἀντίνοον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"Ἀντίνο', ἦ μευ καλὰ πατὴρ ὣς κήδεαι υἷος,

ὃς τὸν ξεῖνον ἄνωγας ἀπὸ μεγάροιο διέσθαι

μύθῳ ἀναγκαίῳ: μὴ τοῦτο θεὸς τελέσειε.

400δός οἱ ἑλών: οὔ τοι φθονέω: κέλομαι γὰρ ἐγώ γε:

Transliteration

ē rha kai Antinoon epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"Antino', ē meu kala patēr hōs kēdeai huios,

hos ton xeinon anōgas apo megaroio diesthai

mythōi anankaiōi: mē touto theos teleseie.

400dos hoi helōn: ou toi phthoneō: kelomai gar egō ge:

English

Then turning to Antinoos he said, "Antinoos, you take as much care of my interests as though I were your son. Why should you want to see this stranger turned out of the house? Heaven forbid; take something and give it him yourself; I do not grudge it; I bid you take it.

Homeric Greek

μήτ' οὖν μητέρ' ἐμὴν ἅζευ τό γε μήτε τιν' ἄλλον

δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.

ἀλλ' οὔ τοι τοιοῦτον ἐνὶ στήθεσσι νόημα:

αὐτὸς γὰρ φαγέμεν πολὺ βούλεαι ἢ δόμεν ἄλλῳ."

405τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀντίνοος ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέειπε:

Transliteration

mēt' oun mēter' emēn hazeu to ge mēte tin' allon

dmōōn, hoi kata dōmat' Odyssēos theioio.

all' ou toi toiouton eni stēthessi noēma:

autos gar phagemen poly bouleai ē domen allōi."

405ton d' aut' Antinoos apameibomenos proseeipe:

English

Never mind my mother, nor any of the other servants in the house; but I know you will not do what I say, for you are more fond of eating things yourself than of giving them to other people." "What do you mean, Telemakhos," replied Antinoos, "by this swaggering talk?

Homeric Greek

"Τηλέμαχ' ὑψαγόρη, μένος ἄσχετε, ποῖον ἔειπες.

εἴ οἱ τόσσον ἅπαντες ὀρέξειαν μνηστῆρες,

καί κέν μιν τρεῖς μῆνας ἀπόπροθεν οἶκος ἐρύκοι."

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, καὶ θρῆνυν ἑλὼν ὑπέφηνε τραπέζης

410κείμενον, ᾧ ῥ' ἔπεχεν λιπαροὺς πόδας εἰλαπινάζων:

Transliteration

"Tēlemach' hypsagorē, menos aschete, poion eeipes.

ei hoi tosson hapantes orexeian mnēstēres,

kai ken min treis mēnas apoprothen oikos erykoi."

hōs ar' ephē, kai thrēnyn helōn hypephēne trapezēs

410keimenon, hōi rh' epechen liparous podas eilapinazōn:

English

If all the suitors were to give him as much as I will, he would not come here again for another three months." As he spoke he drew the stool on which he rested his dainty feet from under the table, and made as though he would

Homeric Greek

οἱ δ' ἄλλοι πάντες δίδοσαν, πλῆσαν δ' ἄρα πήρην

σίτου καὶ κρειῶν: τάχα δὴ καὶ ἔμελλεν Ὀδυσσεὺς

αὖτις ἐπ' οὐδὸν ἰὼν προικὸς γεύσεσθαι Ἀχαιῶν:

στῆ δὲ παρ' Ἀντίνοον, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:

415"δός, φίλος: οὐ μέν μοι δοκέεις ὁ κάκιστος Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

hoi d' alloi pantes didosan, plēsan d' ara pērēn

sitou kai kreiōn: tacha dē kai emellen Odysseus

autis ep' oudon iōn proikos geusesthai Achaiōn:

stē de par' Antinoon, kai min pros mython eeipe:

415"dos, philos: ou men moi dokeeis ho kakistos Achaiōn

English

throw it at Odysseus, but the other suitors all gave him something, and filled his wallet with bread and meat; he was about, therefore, to go back to the threshold and eat what the suitors had given him, but he first went up to Antinoos and said: "Sir, give me something; you are not, surely, the poorest man here;

Homeric Greek

ἔμμεναι, ἀλλ' ὤριστος, ἐπεὶ βασιλῆϊ ἔοικας.

τῷ σε χρὴ δόμεναι καὶ λώϊον ἠέ περ ἄλλοι

σίτου: ἐγὼ δέ κέ σε κλείω κατ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν.

καὶ γὰρ ἐγώ ποτε οἶκον ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἔναιον

420ὄλβιος ἀφνειὸν καὶ πολλάκι δόσκον ἀλήτῃ,

Transliteration

emmenai, all' ōristos, epei basilēï eoikas.

tōi se chrē domenai kai lōïon ēe per alloi

sitou: egō de ke se kleiō kat' apeirona gaian.

kai gar egō pote oikon en anthrōpoisin enaion

420olbios aphneion kai pollaki doskon alētēi,

English

you seem to be a chief, foremost among them all; therefore you should be the better giver, and I will tell far and wide of your bounty. I too was a rich man once, and had a fine house of my own;

Homeric Greek

τοίῳ ὁποῖος ἔοι καὶ ὅτευ κεχρημένος ἔλθοι:

ἦσαν δὲ δμῶες μάλα μυρίοι ἄλλα τε πολλὰ

οἷσίν τ' εὖ ζώουσι καὶ ἀφνειοὶ καλέονται.

ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς ἀλάπαξε Κρονίων--ἤθελε γάρ που--

425ὅς μ' ἅμα ληϊστῆρσι πολυπλάγκτοισιν ἀνῆκεν

Transliteration

toiōi hopoios eoi kai hoteu kechrēmenos elthoi:

ēsan de dmōes mala myrioi alla te polla

hoisin t' eu zōousi kai aphneioi kaleontai.

alla Zeus alapaxe Kroniōn--ēthele gar pou--

425hos m' hama lēïstērsi polyplanktoisin anēken

English

in those days I gave to many a tramp such as I now am, no matter who he might be nor what he wanted. I had any number of servants, and all the other things which people have who live well and are accounted wealthy, but it pleased Zeus to take all away from me.

Homeric Greek

Αἴγυπτόνδ' ἰέναι, δολιχὴν ὁδόν, ὄφρ' ἀπολοίμην.

στῆσα δ' ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ποταμῷ νέας ἀμφιελίσσας.

ἔνθ' ἦ τοι μὲν ἐγὼ κελόμην ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους

αὐτοῦ πὰρ νήεσσι μένειν καὶ νῆας ἔρυσθαι,

430ὀπτῆρας δὲ κατὰ σκοπιὰς ὤτρυνα νέεσθαι.

Transliteration

Aigyptond' ienai, dolichēn hodon, ophr' apoloimēn.

stēsa d' en Aigyptōi potamōi neas amphielissas.

enth' ē toi men egō kelomēn eriēras hetairous

autou par nēessi menein kai nēas erysthai,

430optēras de kata skopias ōtryna neesthai.

English

He sent me with a band of roving robbers to Egypt; it was a long voyage and I was undone by it. I stationed my ships in the river Aigyptos, and bade my men stay by them and keep guard over them, while I sent out scouts to reconnoiter from every point of vantage.

Homeric Greek

οἱ δ' ὕβρει εἴξαντες, ἐπισπόμενοι μένεϊ σφῷ,

αἶψα μάλ' Αἰγυπτίων ἀνδρῶν περικαλλέας ἀγροὺς

πόρθεον, ἐκ δὲ γυναῖκας ἄγον καὶ νήπια τέκνα,

αὐτούς τ' ἔκτεινον: τάχα δ' ἐς πόλιν ἵκετ' ἀϋτή.

435οἱ δὲ βοῆς ἀί̈οντες ἅμ' ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιν

Transliteration

hoi d' hybrei eixantes, epispomenoi meneï sphōi,

aipsa mal' Aigyptiōn andrōn perikalleas agrous

portheon, ek de gynaikas agon kai nēpia tekna,

autous t' ekteinon: tacha d' es polin hiket' aÿtē.

435hoi de boēs aïontes ham' ēoi phainomenēphin

English

"But the men insolently disobeyed my orders, took to their own devices, and ravaged the land of the Egyptians, killing the men, and taking their wives and children captives. The alarm was soon carried to the city, and when they heard the war-cry, the people came out at daybreak till the

Homeric Greek

ἦλθον: πλῆτο δὲ πᾶν πεδίον πεζῶν τε καὶ ἵππων

χαλκοῦ τε στεροπῆς: ἐν δὲ Ζεὺς τερπικέραυνος

φύζαν ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισι κακὴν βάλεν, οὐδέ τις ἔτλη

στῆναι ἐναντίβιον: περὶ γὰρ κακὰ πάντοθεν ἔστη.

440ἔνθ' ἡμέων πολλοὺς μὲν ἀπέκτανον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

Transliteration

ēlthon: plēto de pan pedion pezōn te kai hippōn

chalkou te steropēs: en de Zeus terpikeraunos

phyzan emois hetaroisi kakēn balen, oude tis etlē

stēnai enantibion: peri gar kaka pantothen estē.

440enth' hēmeōn pollous men apektanon oxeï chalkōi,

English

plain was filled with soldiers horse and foot, and with the gleam of armor. Then Zeus spread panic among my men, and they would no longer face the enemy, for they found themselves surrounded. The Egyptians killed many of us, and took the rest alive to do forced labor for them;

Homeric Greek

τοὺς δ' ἄναγον ζωούς, σφίσιν ἐργάζεσθαι ἀνάγκῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἔμ' ἐς Κύπρον ξείνῳ δόσαν ἀντιάσαντι,

Δμήτορι Ἰασίδῃ, ὃς Κύπρου ἶφι ἄνασσεν:

ἔνθεν δὴ νῦν δεῦρο τόδ' ἵκω πήματα πάσχων."

445τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀντίνοος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε:

Transliteration

tous d' anagon zōous, sphisin ergazesthai anankēi.

autar em' es Kypron xeinōi dosan antiasanti,

Dmētori Iasidēi, hos Kyprou iphi anassen:

enthen dē nyn deuro tod' hikō pēmata paschōn."

445ton d' aut' Antinoos apameibeto phōnēsen te:

English

as for myself, they gave me to a friend who met them, to take to Cyprus, Dmetor by name, son of Iasos, who was a great man in Cyprus. Thence I am come hither in a state of great misery." Then Antinoos said, "What daimôn can have sent such a pestilence to plague us during our dinner?

Homeric Greek

"τίς δαίμων τόδε πῆμα προσήγαγε, δαιτὸς ἀνίην;

στῆθ' οὕτως ἐς μέσσον, ἐμῆς ἀπάνευθε τραπέζης,

μὴ τάχα πικρὴν Αἴγυπτον καὶ Κύπρον ἵκηαι:

ὥς τις θαρσαλέος καὶ ἀναιδής ἐσσι προί̈κτης.

450ἑξείης πάντεσσι παρίστασαι: οἱ δὲ διδοῦσι

Transliteration

"tis daimōn tode pēma prosēgage, daitos aniēn;

stēth' houtōs es messon, emēs apaneuthe trapezēs,

mē tacha pikrēn Aigypton kai Kypron hikēai:

hōs tis tharsaleos kai anaidēs essi proïktēs.

450hexeiēs pantessi paristasai: hoi de didousi

English

Get out, into the open part of the court, or I will give you Egypt and Cyprus over again for your insolence and importunity; you have begged of all the others, and they have given you lavishly, for they have abundance round them,

Homeric Greek

μαψιδίως, ἐπεὶ οὔ τις ἐπίσχεσις οὐδ' ἐλεητὺς

ἀλλοτρίων χαρίσασθαι, ἐπεὶ πάρα πολλὰ ἑκάστῳ."

τὸν δ' ἀναχωρήσας προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

"ὢ πόποι, οὐκ ἄρα σοί γ' ἐπὶ εἴδεϊ καὶ φρένες ἦσαν:

455οὐ σύ γ' ἂν ἐξ οἴκου σῷ ἐπιστάτῃ οὐδ' ἅλα δοίης,

Transliteration

mapsidiōs, epei ou tis epischesis oud' eleētys

allotriōn charisasthai, epei para polla hekastōi."

ton d' anachōrēsas prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

"ō popoi, ouk ara soi g' epi eideï kai phrenes ēsan:

455ou sy g' an ex oikou sōi epistatēi oud' hala doiēs,

English

and it is easy to be free with other people's property when there is plenty of it." On this Odysseus began to move off, and said, "Your looks, my fine sir, are better than your breeding; if you were in your own house you would not spare a poor man so much as a pinch of

Homeric Greek

ὃς νῦν ἀλλοτρίοισι παρήμενος οὔ τί μοι ἔτλης

σίτου ἀποπροελὼν δόμεναι: τὰ δὲ πολλὰ πάρεστιν."

ὣς ἔφατ', Ἀντίνοος δ' ἐχολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,

καί μιν ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

460"νῦν δή σ' οὐκέτι καλὰ διὲκ μεγάροιό γ' ὀί̈ω

Transliteration

hos nyn allotrioisi parēmenos ou ti moi etlēs

sitou apoproelōn domenai: ta de polla parestin."

hōs ephat', Antinoos d' echolōsato kērothi mallon,

kai min hypodra idōn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

460"nyn dē s' ouketi kala diek megaroio g' oïō

English

salt, for though you are in another man's, and surrounded with abundance, you cannot find it in you to give him even a piece of bread." This made Antinoos very angry, and he scowled at him saying, "You shall pay for this before you get clear of the court."

Homeric Greek

ἂψ ἀναχωρήσειν, ὅτε δὴ καὶ ὀνείδεα βάζεις."

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, καὶ θρῆνυν ἑλὼν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον,

πρυμνότατον κατὰ νῶτον: ὁ δ' ἐστάθη ἠύ̈τε πέτρη

ἔμπεδον, οὐδ' ἄρα μιν σφῆλεν βέλος Ἀντινόοιο,

465ἀλλ' ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.

Transliteration

aps anachōrēsein, hote dē kai oneidea bazeis."

hōs ar' ephē, kai thrēnyn helōn bale dexion ōmon,

prymnotaton kata nōton: ho d' estathē ēÿte petrē

empedon, oud' ara min sphēlen belos Antinooio,

465all' akeōn kinēse karē, kaka byssodomeuōn.

English

With these words he threw a footstool at him, and hit him on the right shoulder-blade near the top of his back. Odysseus stood firm as a rock and the blow did not even stagger him, but he shook his head in silence as he brooded on his revenge.

Homeric Greek

ἂψ δ' ὅ γ' ἐπ' οὐδὸν ἰὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετο, κὰδ δ' ἄρα πήρην

θῆκεν ἐϋπλείην, μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπε:

"κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης,

ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

470οὐ μὰν οὔτ' ἄχος ἐστὶ μετὰ φρεσὶν οὔτε τι πένθος,

Transliteration

aps d' ho g' ep' oudon iōn kat' ar' hezeto, kad d' ara pērēn

thēken eÿpleiēn, meta de mnēstērsin eeipe:

"keklyte meu, mnēstēres agakleitēs basileiēs,

ophr' eipō ta me thymos eni stēthessi keleuei.

470ou man out' achos esti meta phresin oute ti penthos,

English

Then he went back to the threshold and sat down there, laying his well-filled wallet at his feet. "Listen to me," he cried, "you suitors of Queen Penelope, that I may speak even as I am minded.

Homeric Greek

ὁππότ' ἀνὴρ περὶ οἷσι μαχειόμενος κτεάτεσσι

βλήεται, ἢ περὶ βουσὶν ἢ ἀργεννῇς ὀί̈εσσιν:

αὐτὰρ ἔμ' Ἀντίνοος βάλε γαστέρος εἵνεκα λυγρῆς,

οὐλομένης, ἣ πολλὰ κάκ' ἀνθρώποισι δίδωσιν.

475ἀλλ' εἴ που πτωχῶν γε θεοὶ καὶ Ἐρινύες εἰσίν,

Transliteration

hoppot' anēr peri hoisi macheiomenos kteatessi

blēetai, ē peri bousin ē argennēis oïessin:

autar em' Antinoos bale gasteros heineka lygrēs,

oulomenēs, hē polla kak' anthrōpoisi didōsin.

475all' ei pou ptōchōn ge theoi kai Erinyes eisin,

English

A man knows neither ache nor pain if he gets hit while fighting for his wealth, or for his sheep or his cattle; and even so Antinoos has hit me while in the service of my miserable belly, which is always getting people into trouble. Still, if the poor have gods and avenging deities at all, I pray

Homeric Greek

Ἀντίνοον πρὸ γάμοιο τέλος θανάτοιο κιχείη."

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός:

"ἔσθι' ἕκηλος, ξεῖνε, καθήμενος, ἢ ἄπιθ' ἄλλῃ,

μή σε νέοι διὰ δώματ' ἐρύσσωσ', οἷ' ἀγορεύεις,

480ἢ ποδὸς ἢ καὶ χειρός, ἀποδρύψωσι δὲ πάντα."

Transliteration

Antinoon pro gamoio telos thanatoio kicheiē."

ton d' aut' Antinoos prosephē, Eupeitheos huios:

"esthi' hekēlos, xeine, kathēmenos, ē apith' allēi,

mē se neoi dia dōmat' eryssōs', hoi' agoreueis,

480ē podos ē kai cheiros, apodrypsōsi de panta."

English

them that Antinoos may come to a bad end before his marriage." "Sit where you are, and eat your victuals in silence, or be off elsewhere," shouted Antinoos. "If you say more I will have you dragged hand and foot through the courts, and the servants shall flay you alive."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ὑπερφιάλως νεμέσησαν:

ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων:

"Ἀντίνο', οὐ μὲν κάλ' ἔβαλες δύστηνον ἀλήτην,

οὐλόμεν', εἰ δή πού τις ἐπουράνιος θεός ἐστιν.

485καί τε θεοὶ ξείνοισιν ἐοικότες ἀλλοδαποῖσι,

Transliteration

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes hyperphialōs nemesēsan:

hōde de tis eipeske neōn hyperēnoreontōn:

"Antino', ou men kal' ebales dystēnon alētēn,

oulomen', ei dē pou tis epouranios theos estin.

485kai te theoi xeinoisin eoikotes allodapoisi,

English

The other suitors were much displeased at this, and one of the young men said, "Antinoos, you did ill in striking that poor wretch of a tramp: it will be worse for you if he should turn out to be some god - and we know the gods go about disguised in all

Homeric Greek

παντοῖοι τελέθοντες, ἐπιστρωφῶσι πόληας,

ἀνθρώπων ὕβριν τε καὶ εὐνομίην ἐφορῶντες."

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν μνηστῆρες, ὁ δ' οὐκ ἐμπάζετο μύθων.

Τηλέμαχος δ' ἐν μὲν κραδίῃ μέγα πένθος ἄεξε

490βλημένου, οὐδ' ἄρα δάκρυ χαμαὶ βάλεν ἐκ βλεφάροιϊν,

Transliteration

pantoioi telethontes, epistrōphōsi polēas,

anthrōpōn hybrin te kai eunomiēn ephorōntes."

hōs ar' ephan mnēstēres, ho d' ouk empazeto mythōn.

Tēlemachos d' en men kradiēi mega penthos aexe

490blēmenou, oud' ara dakry chamai balen ek blepharoiïn,

English

sorts of ways as people from foreign countries, and travel about the world to see who do amiss and who righteously." Thus said the suitors, but Antinoos paid them no heed. Meanwhile Telemakhos was greatly distressed about the blow that had been given to his father, and though no tear fell from him,

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.

τοῦ δ' ὡς οὖν ἤκουσε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια

βλημένου ἐν μεγάρῳ, μετ' ἄρα δμῳῇσιν ἔειπεν:

"αἴθ' οὕτως αὐτόν σε βάλοι κλυτότοξος Ἀπόλλων."

495τὴν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρυνόμη ταμίη πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:

Transliteration

all' akeōn kinēse karē, kaka byssodomeuōn.

tou d' hōs oun ēkouse periphrōn Pēnelopeia

blēmenou en megarōi, met' ara dmōiēisin eeipen:

"aith' houtōs auton se baloi klytotoxos Apollōn."

495tēn d' aut' Eurynomē tamiē pros mython eeipen:

English

he shook his head in silence and brooded on his revenge. Now when Penelope heard that the beggar had been struck in the banqueting-room, she said before her maids, "Would that Apollo would so strike you, Antinoos," and her waiting woman Eurynome answered, "If our prayers

Homeric Greek

"εἰ γὰρ ἐπ' ἀρῇσιν τέλος ἡμετέρῃσι γένοιτο:

οὐκ ἄν τις τούτων γε ἐύ̈θρονον Ἠῶ ἵκοιτο."

τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:

"μαῖ', ἐχθροὶ μὲν πάντες, ἐπεὶ κακὰ μηχανόωνται:

500Ἀντίνοος δὲ μάλιστα μελαίνῃ κηρὶ ἔοικε.

Transliteration

"ei gar ep' arēisin telos hēmeterēisi genoito:

ouk an tis toutōn ge eÿthronon Ēō hikoito."

tēn d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:

"mai', echthroi men pantes, epei kaka mēchanoōntai:

500Antinoos de malista melainēi kēri eoike.

English

were answered not one of the suitors would ever again see the sun rise." Then Penelope said, "Nurse, every single one of them is hateful to me, for they mean nothing but mischief, but I hate Antinoos like the darkness of death itself.

Homeric Greek

ξεῖνός τις δύστηνος ἀλητεύει κατὰ δῶμα

ἀνέρας αἰτίζων: ἀχρημοσύνη γὰρ ἀνώγει:

ἔνθ' ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐνέπλησάν τ' ἔδοσάν τε,

οὗτος δὲ θρήνυι πρυμνὸν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον."

505ἡ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς ἀγόρευε μετὰ δμῳῇσι γυναιξίν,

Transliteration

xeinos tis dystēnos alēteuei kata dōma

aneras aitizōn: achrēmosynē gar anōgei:

enth' alloi men pantes eneplēsan t' edosan te,

houtos de thrēnui prymnon bale dexion ōmon."

505hē men ar' hōs agoreue meta dmōiēisi gynaixin,

English

A poor unfortunate tramp has come begging about the house for sheer want. Every one else has given him something to put in his wallet, but Antinoos has hit him on the right shoulder-blade with a footstool." Thus did she talk with her maids as she sat

Homeric Greek

ἡμένη ἐν θαλάμῳ: ὁ δ' ἐδείπνεε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

ἡ δ' ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσασα προσηύδα δῖον ὑφορβόν:

"ἔρχεο, δῖ' Εὔμαιε, κιὼν τὸν ξεῖνον ἄνωχθι

ἐλθέμεν, ὄφρα τί μιν προσπτύξομαι ἠδ' ἐρέωμαι

510εἴ που Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἠὲ πέπυσται

Transliteration

hēmenē en thalamōi: ho d' edeipnee dios Odysseus:

hē d' epi hoi kalesasa prosēuda dion hyphorbon:

"ercheo, di' Eumaie, kiōn ton xeinon anōchthi

elthemen, ophra ti min prosptyxomai ēd' ereōmai

510ei pou Odyssēos talasiphronos ēe pepystai

English

in her own room, and in the meantime Odysseus was getting his dinner. Then she called for the swineherd and said, "Eumaios, go and tell the stranger to come here, I want to see him and ask him some questions.

Homeric Greek

ἢ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσι: πολυπλάγκτῳ γὰρ ἔοικε."

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα

"εἰ γάρ τοι, βασίλεια, σιωπήσειαν Ἀχαιοί:

οἷ' ὅ γε μυθεῖται, θέλγοιτό κέ τοι φίλον ἦτορ.

515τρεῖς γὰρ δή μιν νύκτας ἔχον, τρία δ' ἤματ' ἔρυξα

Transliteration

ē iden ophthalmoisi: polyplanktōi gar eoike."

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta

"ei gar toi, basileia, siōpēseian Achaioi:

hoi' ho ge mytheitai, thelgoito ke toi philon ētor.

515treis gar dē min nyktas echon, tria d' ēmat' eryxa

English

He seems to have traveled much, and he may have seen or heard something of my unhappy husband." To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaios, "If these Achaeans, my lady, would only keep quiet, you would be charmed with the history of his adventures. I had him three days and three nights with me in my hut, which was the

Homeric Greek

ἐν κλισίῃ: πρῶτον γὰρ ἔμ' ἵκετο νηὸς ἀποδράς:

ἀλλ' οὔ πω κακότητα διήνυσεν ἣν ἀγορεύων.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀοιδὸν ἀνὴρ ποτιδέρκεται, ὅς τε θεῶν ἒξ

ἀείδει δεδαὼς ἔπε' ἱμερόεντα βροτοῖσι,

520τοῦ δ' ἄμοτον μεμάασιν ἀκουέμεν, ὁππότ' ἀείδῃ:

Transliteration

en klisiēi: prōton gar em' hiketo nēos apodras:

all' ou pō kakotēta diēnysen hēn agoreuōn.

hōs d' hot' aoidon anēr potiderketai, hos te theōn ex

aeidei dedaōs epe' himeroenta brotoisi,

520tou d' amoton memaasin akouemen, hoppot' aeidēi:

English

first place he reached after running away from his ship, and he has not yet completed the story of his misfortunes. If he had been the most heaven-taught minstrel in the whole world, on whose lips all hearers hang entranced, I could not have been more charmed as I sat in my hut and listened to him.

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἐμὲ κεῖνος ἔθελγε παρήμενος ἐν μεγάροισι.

φησὶ δ' Ὀδυσσῆος ξεῖνος πατρώϊος εἶναι,

Κρήτῃ ναιετάων, ὅθι Μίνωος γένος ἐστίν.

ἔνθεν δὴ νῦν δεῦρο τόδ' ἵκετο πήματα πάσχων,

525προπροκυλινδόμενος: στεῦται δ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀκοῦσαι,

Transliteration

hōs eme keinos ethelge parēmenos en megaroisi.

phēsi d' Odyssēos xeinos patrōïos einai,

Krētēi naietaōn, hothi Minōos genos estin.

enthen dē nyn deuro tod' hiketo pēmata paschōn,

525proprokylindomenos: steutai d' Odysēos akousai,

English

He says there is an old friendship between his house and that of Odysseus, and that he comes from Crete where the descendants of Minos live, after having been driven here and there by every kind of misfortune;

Homeric Greek

ἀγχοῦ, Θεσπρωτῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐν πίονι δήμῳ,

ζωοῦ: πολλὰ δ' ἄγει κειμήλια ὅνδε δόμονδε."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:

"ἔρχεο, δεῦρο κάλεσσον, ἵν' ἀντίον αὐτὸς ἐνίσπῃ.

530οὗτοι δ' ἠὲ θύρῃσι καθήμενοι ἑψιαάσθων.

Transliteration

anchou, Thesprōtōn andrōn en pioni dēmōi,

zōou: polla d' agei keimēlia honde domonde."

ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:

"ercheo, deuro kalesson, hin' antion autos enispēi.

530houtoi d' ēe thyrēisi kathēmenoi hepsiaasthōn.

English

he also declares that he has heard of Odysseus as being alive and near at hand among the Thesprotians, and that he is bringing great wealth home with him." "Call him here, then," said Penelope, "that I too may hear his story. As for the suitors, let them take their pleasure indoors or out as they will, for they have nothing to fret about.

Homeric Greek

ἢ αὐτοῦ κατὰ δώματ', ἐπεί σφισι θυμὸς ἐύ̈φρων.

αὐτῶν μὲν γὰρ κτήματ' ἀκήρατα κεῖτ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,

σῖτος καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ: τὰ μὲν οἰκῆες ἔδουσιν,

οἱ δ' εἰς ἡμέτερον πωλεύμενοι ἤματα πάντα,

535βοῦς ἱερεύοντες καὶ ὄϊς καὶ πίονας αἶγας,

Transliteration

ē autou kata dōmat', epei sphisi thymos eÿphrōn.

autōn men gar ktēmat' akērata keit' eni oikōi,

sitos kai methy hēdy: ta men oikēes edousin,

hoi d' eis hēmeteron pōleumenoi ēmata panta,

535bous hiereuontes kai oïs kai pionas aigas,

English

Their grain and wine remain unwasted in their houses with none but servants to consume them, while they keep hanging about our house day after day sacrificing our oxen, sheep, and fat goats for their banquets, and never giving so much as a thought to the quantity of wine they drink.

Homeric Greek

εἰλαπινάζουσιν πίνουσί τε αἴθοπα οἶνον,

μαψιδίως: τὰ δὲ πολλὰ κατάνεται. οὐ γὰρ ἔπ' ἀνήρ,

οἷος Ὀδυσσεὺς ἔσκεν, ἀρὴν ἀπὸ οἴκου ἀμῦναι.

εἰ δ' Ὀδυσεὺς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτ' ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,

540αἶψά κε σὺν ᾧ παιδὶ βίας ἀποτίσεται ἀνδρῶν."

Transliteration

eilapinazousin pinousi te aithopa oinon,

mapsidiōs: ta de polla katanetai. ou gar ep' anēr,

hoios Odysseus esken, arēn apo oikou amynai.

ei d' Odyseus elthoi kai hikoit' es patrida gaian,

540aipsa ke syn hōi paidi bias apotisetai andrōn."

English

No estate can stand such recklessness, for we have now no Odysseus to protect us. If he were to come again, he and his son would soon have their violent revenge."

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ μέγ' ἔπταρεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ δῶμα

σμερδαλέον κονάβησε: γέλασσε δὲ Πηνελόπεια,

αἶψα δ' ἄρ' Εὔμαιον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"ἔρχεό μοι, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐναντίον ὧδε κάλεσσον.

545οὐχ ὁράᾳς ὅ μοι υἱὸς ἐπέπταρε πᾶσιν ἔπεσσι;

Transliteration

hōs phato, Tēlemachos de meg' eptaren, amphi de dōma

smerdaleon konabēse: gelasse de Pēnelopeia,

aipsa d' ar' Eumaion epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"ercheo moi, ton xeinon enantion hōde kalesson.

545ouch horaāis ho moi huios epeptare pasin epessi;

English

As she spoke Telemakhos sneezed so loudly that the whole house resounded with it. Penelope laughed when she heard this, and said to Eumaios, "Go and call the stranger; did you not hear how my son sneezed just as I was speaking?

Homeric Greek

τῷ κε καὶ οὐκ ἀτελὴς θάνατος μνηστῆρσι γένοιτο

πᾶσι μάλ', οὐδέ κέ τις θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξει.

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

αἴ κ' αὐτὸν γνώω νημερτέα πάντ' ἐνέποντα,

550ἕσσω μιν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, εἵματα καλά."

Transliteration

tōi ke kai ouk atelēs thanatos mnēstērsi genoito

pasi mal', oude ke tis thanaton kai kēras alyxei.

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

ai k' auton gnōō nēmertea pant' eneponta,

550hessō min chlainan te chitōna te, heimata kala."

English

This can only mean that all the suitors are going to be killed, and that not one of them shall escape. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart: if I am satisfied that the stranger is speaking the truth I shall give him a shirt and cloak of good wear."

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάτο, βῆ δὲ συφορβός, ἐπεὶ τὸν μῦθον ἄκουσεν:

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"ξεῖνε πάτερ, καλέει σε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,

μήτηρ Τηλεμάχοιο: μεταλλῆσαί τί ἑ θυμὸς

555ἀμφὶ πόσει κέλεται, καὶ κήδεά περ πεπαθυίῃ.

Transliteration

hōs phato, bē de syphorbos, epei ton mython akousen:

anchou d' histamenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"xeine pater, kaleei se periphrōn Pēnelopeia,

mētēr Tēlemachoio: metallēsai ti he thymos

555amphi posei keletai, kai kēdea per pepathuiēi.

English

When Eumaios heard this he went straight to Odysseus and said, "Father stranger, my mistress Penelope, mother of Telemakhos, has sent for you; she is in great grief, but she wishes to hear anything you can tell her about her husband, and if she is satisfied that you are speaking the truth, she

Homeric Greek

εἰ δέ κέ σε γνώῃ νημερτέα πάντ' ἐνέποντα,

ἕσσει σε χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, τῶν σὺ μάλιστα

χρηί̈ζεις: σῖτον δὲ καὶ αἰτίζων κατὰ δῆμον

γαστέρα βοσκήσεις: δώσει δέ τοι ὅς κ' ἐθέλῃσι."

560τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

ei de ke se gnōēi nēmertea pant' eneponta,

hessei se chlainan te chitōna te, tōn sy malista

chrēïzeis: siton de kai aitizōn kata dēmon

gastera boskēseis: dōsei de toi hos k' ethelēisi."

560ton d' aute proseeipe polytlas dios Odysseus:

English

will give you a shirt and cloak, which are the very things that you are most in want of. As for bread, you can get enough of that to fill your belly, by begging about the dêmos, and letting those give that will." "I will tell Penelope," answered Odysseus, "nothing but what is strictly true.

Homeric Greek

"Εὔμαι', αἶψά κ' ἐγὼ νημερτέα πάντ' ἐνέποιμι

κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ:

οἶδα γὰρ εὖ περὶ κείνου, ὁμὴν δ' ἀνεδέγμεθ' ὀϊζύν.

ἀλλὰ μνηστήρων χαλεπῶν ὑποδείδι' ὅμιλον,

565τῶν ὕβρις τε βίη τε σιδήρεον οὐρανὸν ἵκει.

Transliteration

"Eumai', aipsa k' egō nēmertea pant' enepoimi

kourēi Ikarioio, periphroni Pēnelopeiēi:

oida gar eu peri keinou, homēn d' anedegmeth' oïzyn.

alla mnēstērōn chalepōn hypodeidi' homilon,

565tōn hybris te biē te sidēreon ouranon hikei.

English

I know all about her husband, and have been partner with him in affliction, but I am afraid of passing through this crowd of cruel suitors, for their overweening pride and violent insolence reach heaven. Just now, moreover, as I was going about the house without doing any harm,

Homeric Greek

καὶ γὰρ νῦν, ὅτε μ' οὗτος ἀνὴρ κατὰ δῶμα κιόντα

οὔ τι κακὸν ῥέξαντα βαλὼν ὀδύνῃσιν ἔδωκεν,

οὔτε τι Τηλέμαχος τό γ' ἐπήρκεσεν οὔτε τις ἄλλος.

τῷ νῦν Πηνελόπειαν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἄνωχθι

570μεῖναι, ἐπειγομένην περ, ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα:

Transliteration

kai gar nyn, hote m' houtos anēr kata dōma kionta

ou ti kakon rhexanta balōn odynēisin edōken,

oute ti Tēlemachos to g' epērkesen oute tis allos.

tōi nyn Pēnelopeian eni megaroisin anōchthi

570meinai, epeigomenēn per, es ēelion katadynta:

English

a man gave me a blow that hurt me very much, but neither Telemakhos nor any one else defended me. Tell Penelope, therefore, to be patient and wait till sundown. Let her give me a seat close up to the fire, for my clothes are worn very thin -

Homeric Greek

καὶ τότε μ' εἰρέσθω πόσιος πέρι νόστιμον ἦμαρ,

ἀσσοτέρω καθίσασα παραὶ πυρί: εἵματα γάρ τοι

λύγρ' ἔχω: οἶσθα καὶ αὐτός, ἐπεί σε πρῶθ' ἱκέτευσα."

ὣς φάτο, βῆ δὲ συφορβός, ἐπεὶ τὸν μῦθον ἄκουσε.

575τὸν δ' ὑπὲρ οὐδοῦ βάντα προσηύδα Πηνελόπεια:

Transliteration

kai tote m' eiresthō posios peri nostimon ēmar,

assoterō kathisasa parai pyri: heimata gar toi

lygr' echō: oistha kai autos, epei se prōth' hiketeusa."

hōs phato, bē de syphorbos, epei ton mython akouse.

575ton d' hyper oudou banta prosēuda Pēnelopeia:

English

you know they are, for you have seen them ever since I first asked you to help me - she can then ask me about the return of her husband." The swineherd went back when he heard this, and Penelope said as she saw him cross the threshold, "Why do you not bring him here, Eumaios?

Homeric Greek

"οὐ σύ γ' ἄγεις, Εὔμαιε: τί τοῦτ' ἐνόησεν ἀλήτης;

ἦ τινά που δείσας ἐξαίσιον ἦε καὶ ἄλλως

αἰδεῖται κατὰ δῶμα; κακὸς δ' αἰδοῖος ἀλήτης."

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:

580"μυθεῖται κατὰ μοῖραν, ἅ πέρ κ' οἴοιτο καὶ ἄλλος,

Transliteration

"ou sy g' ageis, Eumaie: ti tout' enoēsen alētēs;

ē tina pou deisas exaision ēe kai allōs

aideitai kata dōma; kakos d' aidoios alētēs."

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:

580"mytheitai kata moiran, ha per k' oioito kai allos,

English

Is he afraid that some one will ill-treat him, or is he shy of coming inside the house at all? Beggars should not be shamefaced." To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaios, "The stranger is quite reasonable. He is avoiding the outrageous suitors, and is only doing what any one else would do.

Homeric Greek

ὕβριν ἀλυσκάζων ἀνδρῶν ὑπερηνορεόντων.

ἀλλά σε μεῖναι ἄνωγεν ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα.

καὶ δὲ σοὶ ὧδ' αὐτῇ πολὺ κάλλιον, ὦ βασίλεια,

οἴην πρὸς ξεῖνον φάσθαι ἔπος ἠδ' ἐπακοῦσαι."

585τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:

Transliteration

hybrin alyskazōn andrōn hyperēnoreontōn.

alla se meinai anōgen es ēelion katadynta.

kai de soi hōd' autēi poly kallion, ō basileia,

oiēn pros xeinon phasthai epos ēd' epakousai."

585ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:

English

He asks you to wait till sundown, and it will be much better, my lady, that you should have him all to yourself, when you can hear him and talk to him as you will." "The man is no fool," answered Penelope, "it

Homeric Greek

"οὐκ ἄφρων ὁ ξεῖνος: ὀί̈εται, ὥς περ ἂν εἴη:

οὐ γάρ πού τινες ὧδε καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπων

ἀνέρες ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωνται."

ἡ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς ἀγόρευεν, ὁ δ' ᾤχετο δῖος ὑφορβὸς

590μνηστήρων ἐς ὅμιλον, ἐπεὶ διεπέφραδε πάντα.

Transliteration

"ouk aphrōn ho xeinos: oïetai, hōs per an eiē:

ou gar pou tines hōde katathnētōn anthrōpōn

aneres hybrizontes atasthala mēchanoōntai."

hē men ar' hōs agoreuen, ho d' ōicheto dios hyphorbos

590mnēstērōn es homilon, epei diepephrade panta.

English

would very likely be as he says, for there are no such abominable people in the whole world as these men are." When she had done speaking Eumaios went back to the suitors, for he had explained everything.

Homeric Greek

αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα,

ἄγχι σχὼν κεφαλήν, ἵνα μὴ πευθοίαθ' οἱ ἄλλοι:

"ὦ φίλ', ἐγὼ μὲν ἄπειμι, σύας καὶ κεῖνα φυλάξων,

σὸν καὶ ἐμὸν βίοτον: σοὶ δ' ἐνθάδε πάντα μελόντων.

595αὐτὸν μέν σε πρῶτα σάω, καὶ φράζεο θυμῷ

Transliteration

aipsa de Tēlemachon epea pteroenta prosēuda,

anchi schōn kephalēn, hina mē peuthoiath' hoi alloi:

"ō phil', egō men apeimi, syas kai keina phylaxōn,

son kai emon bioton: soi d' enthade panta melontōn.

595auton men se prōta saō, kai phrazeo thymōi

English

Then he went up to Telemakhos and said in his ear so that none could overhear him, "My dear sir, I will now go back to the pigs, to see after your property and my own business. You will look to what is going on here, but above all be careful to keep out of danger, for there are many who bear you ill will.

Homeric Greek

μή τι πάθῃς: πολλοὶ δὲ κακὰ φρονέουσιν Ἀχαιῶν,

τοὺς Ζεὺς ἐξολέσειε πρὶν ἡμῖν πῆμα γενέσθαι."

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:

"ἔσσεται οὕτως, ἄττα: σὺ δ' ἔρχεο δειελιήσας:

600ἠῶθεν δ' ἰέναι καὶ ἄγειν ἱερήϊα καλά:

Transliteration

mē ti pathēis: polloi de kaka phroneousin Achaiōn,

tous Zeus exoleseie prin hēmin pēma genesthai."

ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:

"essetai houtōs, atta: sy d' ercheo deieliēsas:

600ēōthen d' ienai kai agein hierēïa kala:

English

May Zeus bring them to a bad end before they do us a mischief." "Very well," replied Telemakhos, "go home when you have had your dinner, and in the morning come here with the victims we are to sacrifice for the day.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ τάδε πάντα καὶ ἀθανάτοισι μελήσει."

ὣς φάθ', ὁ δ' αὖτις ἄρ' ἕζετ' ἐϋξέστου ἐπὶ δίφρου,

πλησάμενος δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἐδητύος ἠδὲ ποτῆτος

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

605πλεῖον δαιτυμόνων: οἱ δ' ὀρχηστυῖ καὶ ἀοιδῇ

Transliteration

autar emoi tade panta kai athanatoisi melēsei."

hōs phath', ho d' autis ar' hezet' eÿxestou epi diphrou,

plēsamenos d' ara thymon edētyos ēde potētos

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

605pleion daitymonōn: hoi d' orchēstui kai aoidēi

English

Leave the rest to heaven and me." On this Eumaios took his seat again, and when he had finished his dinner he left the courts and the room with the men at table, and went back to his pigs.

Homeric Greek

τέρποντ': ἤδη γὰρ καὶ ἐπήλυθε δείελον ἦμαρ.

Transliteration

terpont': ēdē gar kai epēlythe deielon ēmar.

English

As for the suitors, they presently began to amuse themselves with singing and dancing, for it was now getting on towards evening.