Homeric Greek
1ἦλθε δ' ἐπὶ πτωχὸς πανδήμιος, ὃς κατὰ ἄστυ
πτωχεύεσκ' Ἰθάκης, μετὰ δ' ἔπρεπε γαστέρι μάργῃ
ἀζηχὲς φαγέμεν καὶ πιέμεν: οὐδέ οἱ ἦν ἲς
οὐδὲ βίη, εἶδος δὲ μάλα μέγας ἦν ὁράασθαι.
5Ἀρναῖος δ' ὄνομ' ἔσκε: τὸ γὰρ θέτο πότνια μήτηρ
Transliteration
1ēlthe d' epi ptōchos pandēmios, hos kata asty
ptōcheuesk' Ithakēs, meta d' eprepe gasteri margēi
azēches phagemen kai piemen: oude hoi ēn is
oude biē, eidos de mala megas ēn horaasthai.
5Arnaios d' onom' eske: to gar theto potnia mētēr
English
Now there came a certain common tramp who used to go begging all over the city of Ithaca, and was notorious as an incorrigible glutton and drunkard. This man had no strength nor stay in him, but he was a great hulking fellow to look at;
Homeric Greek
ἐκ γενετῆς: Ἶρον δὲ νέοι κίκλησκον ἅπαντες,
οὕνεκ' ἀπαγγέλλεσκε κιών, ὅτε πού τις ἀνώγοι:
ὅς ῥ' ἐλθὼν Ὀδυσῆα διώκετο οἷο δόμοιο,
καί μιν νεικείων ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
10"εἶκε, γέρον, προθύρου, μὴ δὴ τάχα καὶ ποδὸς ἕλκῃ.
Transliteration
ek genetēs: Iron de neoi kiklēskon hapantes,
hounek' apangelleske kiōn, hote pou tis anōgoi:
hos rh' elthōn Odysēa diōketo hoio domoio,
kai min neikeiōn epea pteroenta prosēuda:
10"eike, geron, prothyrou, mē dē tacha kai podos helkēi.
English
his real name, the one his mother gave him, was Arnaios, but the young men of the place called him Iros, because he used to run errands for any one who would send him. As soon as he came he began to insult Odysseus, and to try and drive him out of his own house. "Be off, old man," he cried, "from the doorway, or you shall be dragged out neck and heels.
Homeric Greek
οὐκ ἀί̈εις ὅτι δή μοι ἐπιλλίζουσιν ἅπαντες,
ἑλκέμεναι δὲ κέλονται; ἐγὼ δ' αἰσχύνομαι ἔμπης.
ἀλλ' ἄνα, μὴ τάχα νῶϊν ἔρις καὶ χερσὶ γένηται."
τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
15"δαιμόνι', οὔτε τί σε ῥέζω κακὸν οὔτ' ἀγορεύω,
Transliteration
ouk aïeis hoti dē moi epillizousin hapantes,
helkemenai de kelontai; egō d' aischynomai empēs.
all' ana, mē tacha nōïn eris kai chersi genētai."
ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
15"daimoni', oute ti se rhezō kakon out' agoreuō,
English
Do you not see that they are all giving me the wink, and wanting me to turn you out by force, only I do not like to do so? Get up then, and go of yourself, or we shall come to blows." Odysseus frowned on him and said, "My friend, I do you no manner of harm; people give you a great deal, but I am not jealous.
Homeric Greek
οὔτε τινὰ φθονέω δόμεναι καὶ πόλλ' ἀνελόντα.
οὐδὸς δ' ἀμφοτέρους ὅδε χείσεται, οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ
ἀλλοτρίων φθονέειν: δοκέεις δέ μοι εἶναι ἀλήτης
ὥς περ ἐγών, ὄλβον δὲ θεοὶ μέλλουσιν ὀπάζειν.
20χερσὶ δὲ μή τι λίην προκαλίζεο, μή με χολώσῃς,
Transliteration
oute tina phthoneō domenai kai poll' anelonta.
oudos d' amphoterous hode cheisetai, oude ti se chrē
allotriōn phthoneein: dokeeis de moi einai alētēs
hōs per egōn, olbon de theoi mellousin opazein.
20chersi de mē ti liēn prokalizeo, mē me cholōsēis,
English
There is room enough in this doorway for the pair of us, and you need not grudge me things that are not yours to give. You seem to be just such another tramp as myself, but perhaps the gods will give us better luck by and by.
Homeric Greek
μή σε γέρων περ ἐὼν στῆθος καὶ χείλεα φύρσω
αἵματος: ἡσυχίη δ' ἂν ἐμοὶ καὶ μᾶλλον ἔτ' εἴη
αὔριον: οὐ μὲν γάρ τί σ' ὑποστρέψεσθαι ὀί̈ω
δεύτερον ἐς μέγαρον Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος."
25τὸν δὲ χολωσάμενος προσεφώνεεν Ἶρος ἀλήτης:
Transliteration
mē se gerōn per eōn stēthos kai cheilea phyrsō
haimatos: hēsychiē d' an emoi kai mallon et' eiē
aurion: ou men gar ti s' hypostrepsesthai oïō
deuteron es megaron Laertiadeō Odysēos."
25ton de cholōsamenos prosephōneen Iros alētēs:
English
Do not, however, talk too much about fighting or you will incense me, and old though I am, I shall cover your mouth and chest with blood. I shall have more peace tomorrow if I do, for you will not come to the house of Odysseus any more." Iros was very angry and answered, "You filthy glutton, you run on trippingly like an old fish-fag.
Homeric Greek
"ὢ πόποι, ὡς ὁ μολοβρὸς ἐπιτροχάδην ἀγορεύει,
γρηὶ̈ καμινοῖ ἶσος: ὃν ἂν κακὰ μητισαίμην
κόπτων ἀμφοτέρῃσι, χαμαὶ δέ κε πάντας ὀδόντας
γναθμῶν ἐξελάσαιμι συὸς ὣς ληϊβοτείρης.
30ζῶσαι νῦν, ἵνα πάντες ἐπιγνώωσι καὶ οἵδε
Transliteration
"ō popoi, hōs ho molobros epitrochadēn agoreuei,
grēï kaminoi isos: hon an kaka mētisaimēn
koptōn amphoterēisi, chamai de ke pantas odontas
gnathmōn exelasaimi syos hōs lēïboteirēs.
30zōsai nyn, hina pantes epignōōsi kai hoide
English
I have a good mind to lay both hands about you, and knock your teeth out of your head like so many boar's tusks. Get ready, therefore, and let these people here stand by and look on.
Homeric Greek
μαρναμένους: πῶς δ' ἂν σὺ νεωτέρῳ ἀνδρὶ μάχοιο;"
ὣς οἱ μὲν προπάροιθε θυράων ὑψηλάων
οὐδοῦ ἔπι ξεστοῦ πανθυμαδὸν ὀκριόωντο.
τοῖϊν δὲ ξυνέηχ' ἱερὸν μένος Ἀντινόοιο,
35ἡδὺ δ' ἄρ' ἐκγελάσας μετεφώνει μνηστήρεσσιν:
Transliteration
marnamenous: pōs d' an sy neōterōi andri machoio;"
hōs hoi men proparoithe thyraōn hypsēlaōn
oudou epi xestou panthymadon okrioōnto.
toiïn de xyneēch' hieron menos Antinooio,
35hēdy d' ar' ekgelasas metephōnei mnēstēressin:
English
You will never be able to fight one who is so much younger than yourself." Thus roundly did they rate one another on the smooth pavement in front of the doorway, and when Antinoos saw what was going on he laughed heartily and said to the others, "This is the finest sport that you ever saw;
Homeric Greek
"ὦ φίλοι, οὐ μέν πώ τι πάρος τοιοῦτον ἐτύχθη,
οἵην τερπωλὴν θεὸς ἤγαγεν ἐς τόδε δῶμα.
ὁ ξεῖνός τε καὶ Ἶρος ἐρίζετον ἀλλήλοιϊν
χερσὶ μαχέσσασθαι: ἀλλὰ ξυνελάσσομεν ὦκα."
40ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀνήϊξαν γελόωντες,
Transliteration
"ō philoi, ou men pō ti paros toiouton etychthē,
hoiēn terpōlēn theos ēgagen es tode dōma.
ho xeinos te kai Iros erizeton allēloiïn
chersi machessasthai: alla xynelassomen ōka."
40hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes anēïxan geloōntes,
English
heaven never yet sent anything like it into this house. The stranger and Iros have quarreled and are going to fight, let us set them on to do so at once." The suitors all came up laughing, and gathered round the two ragged tramps.
Homeric Greek
ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρα πτωχοὺς κακοείμονας ἠγερέθοντο.
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός:
"κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες, ὄφρα τι εἴπω.
γαστέρες αἵδ' αἰγῶν κέατ' ἐν πυρί, τὰς ἐπὶ δόρπῳ
45κατθέμεθα κνίσης τε καὶ αἵματος ἐμπλήσαντες:
Transliteration
amphi d' ara ptōchous kakoeimonas ēgerethonto.
toisin d' Antinoos metephē, Eupeitheos huios:
"keklyte meu, mnēstēres agēnores, ophra ti eipō.
gasteres haid' aigōn keat' en pyri, tas epi dorpōi
45katthemetha knisēs te kai haimatos emplēsantes:
English
"Listen to me," said Antinoos, "there are some goats’ paunches down at the fire, which we have filled with blood and fat, and set aside for supper; he who is victorious and proves himself to be the better man shall have his pick of the lot;
Homeric Greek
ὁππότερος δέ κε νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται,
τάων ἥν κ' ἐθέλῃσιν ἀναστὰς αὐτὸς ἑλέσθω:
αἰεὶ αὖθ' ἡμῖν μεταδαίσεται, οὐδέ τιν' ἄλλον
πτωχὸν ἔσω μίσγεσθαι ἐάσομεν αἰτήσοντα."
50ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.
Transliteration
hoppoteros de ke nikēsēi kreissōn te genētai,
taōn hēn k' ethelēisin anastas autos helesthō:
aiei auth' hēmin metadaisetai, oude tin' allon
ptōchon esō misgesthai easomen aitēsonta."
50hōs ephat' Antinoos, toisin d' epiēndane mythos.
English
he shall be free of our table and we will not allow any other beggar about the house at all." The others all agreed, but Odysseus, to throw them
Homeric Greek
τοῖς δὲ δολοφρονέων μετέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"ὦ φίλοι, οὔ πως ἔστι νεωτέρῳ ἀνδρὶ μάχεσθαι
ἄνδρα γέροντα, δύῃ ἀρημένον: ἀλλά με γαστὴρ
ὀτρύνει κακοεργός, ἵνα πληγῇσι δαμείω.
55ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν μοι πάντες ὀμόσσατε καρτερὸν ὅρκον,
Transliteration
tois de dolophroneōn metephē polymētis Odysseus:
"ō philoi, ou pōs esti neōterōi andri machesthai
andra geronta, dyēi arēmenon: alla me gastēr
otrynei kakoergos, hina plēgēisi dameiō.
55all' age nyn moi pantes omossate karteron horkon,
English
off the scent, said, "Sirs, an old man like myself, worn out with suffering, cannot hold his own against a young one; but my irrepressible belly urges me on, though I know it can only end in my getting a drubbing.
Homeric Greek
μή τις ἐπ' Ἴρῳ ἦρα φέρων ἐμὲ χειρὶ βαρείῃ
πλήξῃ ἀτασθάλλων, τούτῳ δέ με ἶφι δαμάσσῃ."
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀπώμνυον ὡς ἐκέλευεν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ὄμοσάν τε τελεύτησάν τε τὸν ὅρκον,
60τοῖς δ' αὖτις μετέειφ' ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο:
Transliteration
mē tis ep' Irōi ēra pherōn eme cheiri bareiēi
plēxēi atasthallōn, toutōi de me iphi damassēi."
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes apōmnyon hōs ekeleuen.
autar epei rh' omosan te teleutēsan te ton horkon,
60tois d' autis meteeiph' hierē is Tēlemachoio:
English
You must swear, however that none of you will give me a foul blow to favor Iros and secure him the victory." They swore as he told them, and when they had completed their oath Telemakhos put in a word and said, "Stranger, if you have a mind to settle with this fellow, you need not be afraid of any one here.
Homeric Greek
"ξεῖν', εἴ σ' ὀτρύνει κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ
τοῦτον ἀλέξασθαι, τῶν δ' ἄλλων μή τιν' Ἀχαιῶν
δείδιθ', ἐπεὶ πλεόνεσσι μαχήσεται ὅς κέ σε θείνῃ:
ξεινοδόκος μὲν ἐγών, ἐπὶ δ' αἰνεῖτον βασιλῆες,
65Ἀντίνοός τε καὶ Εὐρύμαχος, πεπνυμένω ἄμφω."
Transliteration
"xein', ei s' otrynei kradiē kai thymos agēnōr
touton alexasthai, tōn d' allōn mē tin' Achaiōn
deidith', epei pleonessi machēsetai hos ke se theinēi:
xeinodokos men egōn, epi d' aineiton basilēes,
65Antinoos te kai Eurymachos, pepnymenō amphō."
English
Whoever strikes you will have to fight more than one. I am host, and the other chiefs, Antinoos and Eurymakhos, both of them men of understanding, are of the same mind as I am."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
ζώσατο μὲν ῥάκεσιν περὶ μήδεα, φαῖνε δὲ μηροὺς
καλούς τε μεγάλους τε, φάνεν δέ οἱ εὐρέες ὦμοι
στήθεά τε στιβαροί τε βραχίονες: αὐτὰρ Ἀθήνη
70ἄγχι παρισταμένη μέλε' ἤλδανε ποιμένι λαῶν.
Transliteration
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes epēineon: autar Odysseus
zōsato men rhakesin peri mēdea, phaine de mērous
kalous te megalous te, phanen de hoi eurees ōmoi
stēthea te stibaroi te brachiones: autar Athēnē
70anchi paristamenē mele' ēldane poimeni laōn.
English
Every one assented, and Odysseus girded his old rags about his loins, thus baring his stalwart thighs, his broad chest and shoulders, and his mighty arms; but Athena came up to him and made his limbs even stronger still.
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρες δ' ἄρα πάντες ὑπερφιάλως ἀγάσαντο:
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον:
"ἦ τάχα Ἶρος Ἄϊρος ἐπίσπαστον κακὸν ἕξει,
οἵην ἐκ ῥακέων ὁ γέρων ἐπιγουνίδα φαίνει."
75ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν, Ἴρῳ δὲ κακῶς ὠρίνετο θυμός.
Transliteration
mnēstēres d' ara pantes hyperphialōs agasanto:
hōde de tis eipesken idōn es plēsion allon:
"ē tacha Iros Aïros epispaston kakon hexei,
hoiēn ek rhakeōn ho gerōn epigounida phainei."
75hōs ar' ephan, Irōi de kakōs ōrineto thymos.
English
The suitors were beyond measure astonished, and one would turn towards his neighbor saying, "The stranger has brought such a thigh out of his old rags that there will soon be nothing left of Iros." Iros began to be very uneasy as he heard them,
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὣς δρηστῆρες ἄγον ζώσαντες ἀνάγκῃ
δειδιότα: σάρκες δὲ περιτρομέοντο μέλεσσιν.
Ἀντίνοος δ' ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:
"νῦν μὲν μήτ' εἴης, βουγάϊε, μήτε γένοιο,
80εἰ δὴ τοῦτόν γε τρομέεις καὶ δείδιας αἰνῶς,
Transliteration
alla kai hōs drēstēres agon zōsantes anankēi
deidiota: sarkes de peritromeonto melessin.
Antinoos d' enenipen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:
"nyn men mēt' eiēs, bougaïe, mēte genoio,
80ei dē touton ge tromeeis kai deidias ainōs,
English
but the servants girded him by force, and brought him into the open part of the court in such a fright that his limbs were all of a tremble. Antinoos scolded him and said, "You swaggering bully, you ought never to have been born at all if you are afraid of such an old broken-down creature as this tramp is.
Homeric Greek
ἄνδρα γέροντα, δύῃ ἀρημένον, ἥ μιν ἱκάνει.
ἀλλ' ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται:
αἴ κέν σ' οὗτος νικήσῃ κρείσσων τε γένηται,
πέμψω σ' ἤπειρόνδε, βαλὼν ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃ,
85εἰς Ἔχετον βασιλῆα, βροτῶν δηλήμονα πάντων,
Transliteration
andra geronta, dyēi arēmenon, hē min hikanei.
all' ek toi ereō, to de kai tetelesmenon estai:
ai ken s' houtos nikēsēi kreissōn te genētai,
pempsō s' ēpeironde, balōn en nēi melainēi,
85eis Echeton basilēa, brotōn dēlēmona pantōn,
English
I say, therefore - and it shall surely be - if he beats you and proves himself the better man, I shall pack you off on board ship to the mainland and send you to king Echetos, who kills every one that comes near him.
Homeric Greek
ὅς κ' ἀπὸ ῥῖνα τάμῃσι καὶ οὔατα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ,
μήδεά τ' ἐξερύσας δώῃ κυσὶν ὠμὰ δάσασθαι."
ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἔτι μᾶλλον ὑπὸ τρόμος ἔλλαβε γυῖα.
ἐς μέσσον δ' ἄναγον: τὼ δ' ἄμφω χεῖρας ἀνέσχον.
90δὴ τότε μερμήριξε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
hos k' apo rhina tamēisi kai ouata nēleï chalkōi,
mēdea t' exerysas dōēi kysin ōma dasasthai."
hōs phato, tōi d' eti mallon hypo tromos ellabe guia.
es messon d' anagon: tō d' amphō cheiras aneschon.
90dē tote mermērixe polytlas dios Odysseus
English
He will cut off your nose and ears, and draw out your entrails for the dogs to eat." This frightened Iros still more, but they brought him into the middle of the court, and the two men raised their hands to fight.
Homeric Greek
ἢ ἐλάσει' ὥς μιν ψυχὴ λίποι αὖθι πεσόντα,
ἦέ μιν ἦκ' ἐλάσειε τανύσσειέν τ' ἐπὶ γαίῃ.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,
ἦκ' ἐλάσαι, ἵνα μή μιν ἐπιφρασσαίατ' Ἀχαιοί.
95δὴ τότ' ἀνασχομένω ὁ μὲν ἤλασε δεξιὸν ὦμον
Transliteration
ē elasei' hōs min psychē lipoi authi pesonta,
ēe min ēk' elaseie tanysseien t' epi gaiēi.
hōde de hoi phroneonti doassato kerdion einai,
ēk' elasai, hina mē min epiphrassaiat' Achaioi.
95dē tot' anaschomenō ho men ēlase dexion ōmon
English
Then Odysseus considered whether he should let drive so hard at Iros as to make his psukhê leave him there and then as he fell, or whether he should give him a lighter blow that should only knock him down; in the end he deemed it best to give the lighter blow for fear the Achaeans should begin to suspect who he was.
Homeric Greek
Ἶρος, ὁ δ' αὐχέν' ἔλασσεν ὑπ' οὔατος, ὀστέα δ' εἴσω
ἔθλασεν: αὐτίκα δ' ἦλθε κατὰ στόμα φοίνιον αἷμα,
κὰδ δ' ἔπεσ' ἐν κονίῃσι μακών, σὺν δ' ἤλασ' ὀδόντας
λακτίζων ποσὶ γαῖαν: ἀτὰρ μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοὶ
100χεῖρας ἀνασχόμενοι γέλῳ ἔκθανον. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
Iros, ho d' auchen' elassen hyp' ouatos, ostea d' eisō
ethlasen: autika d' ēlthe kata stoma phoinion haima,
kad d' epes' en koniēisi makōn, syn d' ēlas' odontas
laktizōn posi gaian: atar mnēstēres agauoi
100cheiras anaschomenoi gelōi ekthanon. autar Odysseus
English
Then they began to fight, and Iros hit Odysseus on the right shoulder; but Odysseus gave Iros a blow on the neck under the ear that broke in the bones of his skull, and the blood came gushing out of his mouth; he fell groaning in the dust, gnashing his teeth and kicking on the ground, but the
Homeric Greek
ἕλκε διὲκ προθύροιο λαβὼν ποδός, ὄφρ' ἵκετ' αὐλήν,
αἰθούσης τε θύρας: καί μιν ποτὶ ἑρκίον αὐλῆς
εἷσεν ἀνακλίνας: σκῆπτρον δέ οἱ ἔμβαλε χειρί,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
105"ἐνταυθοῖ νῦν ἧσο σύας τε κύνας τ' ἀπερύκων,
Transliteration
helke diek prothyroio labōn podos, ophr' hiket' aulēn,
aithousēs te thyras: kai min poti herkion aulēs
heisen anaklinas: skēptron de hoi embale cheiri,
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:
105"entauthoi nyn hēso syas te kynas t' aperykōn,
English
suitors threw up their hands and nearly died of laughter, as Odysseus caught hold of him by the foot and dragged him into the outer court as far as the gate-house. There he propped him up against the wall and put his staff in his hands. "Sit here," said he, "and keep the dogs and pigs off;
Homeric Greek
μηδὲ σύ γε ξείνων καὶ πτωχῶν κοίρανος εἶναι
λυγρὸς ἐών, μή πού τι κακὸν καὶ μεῖζον ἐπαύρῃ."
ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἀεικέα βάλλετο πήρην,
πυκνὰ ῥωγαλέην: ἐν δὲ στρόφος ἦεν ἀορτήρ.
110ἂψ δ' ὅ γ' ἐπ' οὐδὸν ἰὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετο: τοὶ δ' ἴσαν εἴσω
Transliteration
mēde sy ge xeinōn kai ptōchōn koiranos einai
lygros eōn, mē pou ti kakon kai meizon epaurēi."
ē rha kai amph' ōmoisin aeikea balleto pērēn,
pykna rhōgaleēn: en de strophos ēen aortēr.
110aps d' ho g' ep' oudon iōn kat' ar' hezeto: toi d' isan eisō
English
you are a pitiful creature, and if you try to make yourself king of the beggars any more you shall fare still worse." Then he threw his dirty old wallet, all tattered and torn, over his shoulder with the cord by which it hung, and went back to sit down upon the threshold;
Homeric Greek
ἡδὺ γελώοντες καὶ δεικανόωντ' ἐπέεσσι:
"Ζεύς τοι δοίη, ξεῖνε, καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι,
ὅττι μάλιστ' ἐθέλεις καί τοι φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ,
ὃς τοῦτον τὸν ἄναλτον ἀλητεύειν ἀπέπαυσας
115ἐν δήμῳ: τάχα γάρ μιν ἀνάξομεν ἤπειρόνδε
Transliteration
hēdy gelōontes kai deikanoōnt' epeessi:
"Zeus toi doiē, xeine, kai athanatoi theoi alloi,
hotti malist' etheleis kai toi philon epleto thymōi,
hos touton ton analton alēteuein apepausas
115en dēmōi: tacha gar min anaxomen ēpeironde
English
but the suitors went within the cloisters, laughing and saluting him, "May Zeus, and all the other gods," said they, ‘grant you whatever you want for having put an end to the importunity of this insatiable tramp.
Homeric Greek
εἰς Ἔχετον βασιλῆα, βροτῶν δηλήμονα πάντων."
ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν, χαῖρεν δὲ κλεηδόνι δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
Ἀντίνοος δ' ἄρα οἱ μεγάλην παρὰ γαστέρα θῆκεν,
ἐμπλείην κνίσης τε καὶ αἵματος: Ἀμφίνομος δὲ
120ἄρτους ἐκ κανέοιο δύω παρέθηκεν ἀείρας
Transliteration
eis Echeton basilēa, brotōn dēlēmona pantōn."
hōs ar' ephan, chairen de kleēdoni dios Odysseus.
Antinoos d' ara hoi megalēn para gastera thēken,
empleiēn knisēs te kai haimatos: Amphinomos de
120artous ek kaneoio dyō parethēken aeiras
English
We will take him over to the mainland presently, to king Echetos, who kills every one that comes near him." Odysseus hailed this as of good omen, and Antinoos set a great goat's paunch before him filled with blood and fat. Amphinomos took two loaves out of the bread-basket and brought them to him, pledging him as he did so in a golden goblet of wine.
Homeric Greek
καὶ δέπαϊ χρυσέῳ δειδίσκετο, φώνησέν τε:
"χαῖρε, πάτερ ὦ ξεῖνε, γένοιτό τοι ἔς περ ὀπίσσω
ὄλβος: ἀτὰρ μὲν νῦν γε κακοῖς ἔχεαι πολέεσσι."
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
125"Ἀμφίνομ', ἦ μάλα μοι δοκέεις πεπνυμένος εἶναι:
Transliteration
kai depaï chryseōi deidisketo, phōnēsen te:
"chaire, pater ō xeine, genoito toi es per opissō
olbos: atar men nyn ge kakois echeai poleessi."
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
125"Amphinom', ē mala moi dokeeis pepnymenos einai:
English
"Good luck to you," he said, "father stranger, you are very badly off at present, but I hope you will have better times by and by." To this Odysseus answered, "Amphinomos, you seem to be a man of good understanding, as indeed you may well be, seeing whose son you are.
Homeric Greek
τοίου γὰρ καὶ πατρός, ἐπεὶ κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἄκουον,
Νῖσον Δουλιχιῆα ἐύ̈ν τ' ἔμεν ἀφνειόν τε:
τοῦ σ' ἔκ φασι γενέσθαι, ἐπητῇ δ' ἀνδρὶ ἔοικας.
τοὔνεκά τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον:
130οὐδὲν ἀκιδνότερον γαῖα τρέφει ἀνθρώποιο,
Transliteration
toiou gar kai patros, epei kleos esthlon akouon,
Nison Doulichiēa eÿn t' emen aphneion te:
tou s' ek phasi genesthai, epētēi d' andri eoikas.
touneka toi ereō, sy de syntheo kai meu akouson:
130ouden akidnoteron gaia trephei anthrōpoio,
English
I have heard your father well spoken of ; he is Nisus of Dulichium, a man both brave and wealthy. They tell me you are his son, and you appear to be a considerable person; listen, therefore, and take heed to what I am saying.
Homeric Greek
πάντων ὅσσα τε γαῖαν ἔπι πνείει τε καὶ ἕρπει.
οὐ μὲν γάρ ποτέ φησι κακὸν πείσεσθαι ὀπίσσω,
ὄφρ' ἀρετὴν παρέχωσι θεοὶ καὶ γούνατ' ὀρώρῃ:
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ καὶ λυγρὰ θεοὶ μάκαρες τελέσωσι,
135καὶ τὰ φέρει ἀεκαζόμενος τετληότι θυμῷ:
Transliteration
pantōn hossa te gaian epi pneiei te kai herpei.
ou men gar pote phēsi kakon peisesthai opissō,
ophr' aretēn parechōsi theoi kai gounat' orōrēi:
all' hote dē kai lygra theoi makares telesōsi,
135kai ta pherei aekazomenos tetlēoti thymōi:
English
Man is the vainest of all creatures that have their being upon earth. As long as the gods grant him aretê and his knees are steady, he thinks that he shall come to no harm hereafter, and even when the blessed gods bring sorrow upon him, he bears it as he needs must, and makes the best of it;
Homeric Greek
τοῖος γὰρ νόος ἐστὶν ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων
οἷον ἐπ' ἦμαρ ἄγησι πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε.
καὶ γὰρ ἐγώ ποτ' ἔμελλον ἐν ἀνδράσιν ὄλβιος εἶναι,
πολλὰ δ' ἀτάσθαλ' ἔρεξα βίῃ καὶ κάρτεϊ εἴκων,
140πατρί τ' ἐμῷ πίσυνος καὶ ἐμοῖσι κασιγνήτοισι.
Transliteration
toios gar noos estin epichthoniōn anthrōpōn
hoion ep' ēmar agēsi patēr andrōn te theōn te.
kai gar egō pot' emellon en andrasin olbios einai,
polla d' atasthal' erexa biēi kai karteï eikōn,
140patri t' emōi pisynos kai emoisi kasignētoisi.
English
for the father of gods and men gives men their daily minds day by day. I know all about it, for I was a rich man once, and did much wrong in the stubbornness of my pride, and in the confidence that my father and my brothers would support me;
Homeric Greek
τῷ μή τίς ποτε πάμπαν ἀνὴρ ἀθεμίστιος εἴη,
ἀλλ' ὅ γε σιγῇ δῶρα θεῶν ἔχοι, ὅττι διδοῖεν.
οἷ' ὁρόω μνηστῆρας ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωντας,
κτήματα κείροντας καὶ ἀτιμάζοντας ἄκοιτιν
145ἀνδρός, ὃν οὐκέτι φημὶ φίλων καὶ πατρίδος αἴης
Transliteration
tōi mē tis pote pampan anēr athemistios eiē,
all' ho ge sigēi dōra theōn echoi, hotti didoien.
hoi' horoō mnēstēras atasthala mēchanoōntas,
ktēmata keirontas kai atimazontas akoitin
145andros, hon ouketi phēmi philōn kai patridos aiēs
English
therefore let a man be pious in all things always, and take the good that the gods may see fit to send him without vainglory. Consider the infamy of what these suitors are doing; see how they are wasting the estate, and doing dishonor to the wife, of one who is certain to return some day, and that, too, not long hence.
Homeric Greek
δηρὸν ἀπέσσεσθαι: μάλα δὲ σχεδόν. ἀλλά σε δαίμων
οἴκαδ' ὑπεξαγάγοι, μηδ' ἀντιάσειας ἐκείνῳ,
ὁππότε νοστήσειε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν:
οὐ γὰρ ἀναιμωτί γε διακρινέεσθαι ὀί̈ω
150μνηστῆρας καὶ κεῖνον, ἐπεί κε μέλαθρον ὑπέλθῃ."
Transliteration
dēron apessesthai: mala de schedon. alla se daimōn
oikad' hypexagagoi, mēd' antiaseias ekeinōi,
hoppote nostēseie philēn es patrida gaian:
ou gar anaimōti ge diakrineesthai oïō
150mnēstēras kai keinon, epei ke melathron hypelthēi."
English
Nay, he will be here soon; may a daimôn send you home quietly first that you may not meet with him in the day of his coming, for once he is here the suitors and he will not part bloodlessly."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, καὶ σπείσας ἔπιεν μελιηδέα οἶνον,
ἂψ δ' ἐν χερσὶν ἔθηκε δέπας κοσμήτορι λαῶν.
αὐτὰρ ὁ βῆ διὰ δῶμα φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,
νευστάζων κεφαλῇ: δὴ γὰρ κακὸν ὄσσετο θυμός.
155ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὣς φύγε κῆρα: πέδησε δὲ καὶ τὸν Ἀθήνη
Transliteration
hōs phato, kai speisas epien meliēdea oinon,
aps d' en chersin ethēke depas kosmētori laōn.
autar ho bē dia dōma philon tetiēmenos ētor,
neustazōn kephalēi: dē gar kakon osseto thymos.
155all' oud' hōs phyge kēra: pedēse de kai ton Athēnē
English
With these words he made a drink-offering, and when he had drunk he put the gold cup again into the hands of Amphinomos, who walked away serious and bowing his head, for he foreboded evil. But even so he did not escape destruction, for Athena had doomed him fall by the hand of Telemakhos.
Homeric Greek
Τηλεμάχου ὑπὸ χερσὶ καὶ ἔγχεϊ ἶφι δαμῆναι.
ἂψ δ' αὖτις κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετ' ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη.
τῇ δ' ἄρ' ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,
160μνηστήρεσσι φανῆναι, ὅπως πετάσειε μάλιστα
Transliteration
Tēlemachou hypo chersi kai encheï iphi damēnai.
aps d' autis kat' ar' hezet' epi thronou enthen anestē.
tēi d' ar' epi phresi thēke thea glaukōpis Athēnē,
kourēi Ikarioio, periphroni Pēnelopeiēi,
160mnēstēressi phanēnai, hopōs petaseie malista
English
So he took his seat again at the place from which he had come. Then Athena put it into the mind of Penelope to show herself to the suitors, that she might make them still more enamored of her, and win still further honor from her son and husband.
Homeric Greek
θυμὸν μνηστήρων ἰδὲ τιμήεσσα γένοιτο
μᾶλλον πρὸς πόσιός τε καὶ υἱέος ἢ πάρος ἦεν.
ἀχρεῖον δ' ἐγέλασσεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:
"Εὐρυνόμη, θυμός μοι ἐέλδεται, οὔ τι πάρος γε,
165μνηστήρεσσι φανῆναι, ἀπεχθομένοισί περ ἔμπης:
Transliteration
thymon mnēstērōn ide timēessa genoito
mallon pros posios te kai huieos ē paros ēen.
achreion d' egelassen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:
"Eurynomē, thymos moi eeldetai, ou ti paros ge,
165mnēstēressi phanēnai, apechthomenoisi per empēs:
English
So she feigned a mocking laugh and said, "Eurynome, I have changed my and have a fancy to show myself to the suitors although I detest them.
Homeric Greek
παιδὶ δέ κεν εἴποιμι ἔπος, τό κε κέρδιον εἴη,
μὴ πάντα μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισιν ὁμιλεῖν,
οἵ τ' εὖ μὲν βάζουσι, κακῶς δ' ὄπιθεν φρονέουσι."
τὴν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρυνόμη ταμίη πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:
170"ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα, τέκος, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.
Transliteration
paidi de ken eipoimi epos, to ke kerdion eiē,
mē panta mnēstērsin hyperphialoisin homilein,
hoi t' eu men bazousi, kakōs d' opithen phroneousi."
tēn d' aut' Eurynomē tamiē pros mython eeipen:
170"nai dē tauta ge panta, tekos, kata moiran eeipes.
English
I should like also to give my son a hint that he had better not have anything more to do with them. They speak fairly enough but they mean mischief." "My dear child," answered Eurynome, "all that you have said is true, go and tell your son about it, but first wash yourself and anoint your face.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἴθι καὶ σῷ παιδὶ ἔπος φάο μηδ' ἐπίκευθε,
χρῶτ' ἀπονιψαμένη καὶ ἐπιχρίσασα παρειάς:
μηδ' οὕτω δακρύοισι πεφυρμένη ἀμφὶ πρόσωπα
ἔρχευ, ἐπεὶ κάκιον πενθήμεναι ἄκριτον αἰεί.
175ἤδη μὲν γάρ τοι παῖς τηλίκος, ὃν σὺ μάλιστα
Transliteration
all' ithi kai sōi paidi epos phao mēd' epikeuthe,
chrōt' aponipsamenē kai epichrisasa pareias:
mēd' houtō dakryoisi pephyrmenē amphi prosōpa
ercheu, epei kakion penthēmenai akriton aiei.
175ēdē men gar toi pais tēlikos, hon sy malista
English
Do not go about with your cheeks all covered with tears; it is not right that you should grieve so incessantly;
Homeric Greek
ἠρῶ ἀθανάτοισι γενειήσαντα ἰδέσθαι."
τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
"Εὐρυνόμη, μὴ ταῦτα παραύδα, κηδομένη περ,
χρῶτ' ἀπονίπτεσθαι καὶ ἐπιχρίεσθαι ἀλοιφῇ:
180ἀγλαί̈ην γὰρ ἐμοί γε θεοί, τοὶ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσιν,
Transliteration
ērō athanatoisi geneiēsanta idesthai."
tēn d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
"Eurynomē, mē tauta parauda, kēdomenē per,
chrōt' aponiptesthai kai epichriesthai aloiphēi:
180aglaïēn gar emoi ge theoi, toi Olympon echousin,
English
for Telemakhos, whom you always prayed that you might live to see with a beard, is already grown up." "I know, Eurynome," replied Penelope, "that you mean well, but do not try and persuade me to wash and to anoint myself, for heaven robbed me of all my beauty on the day my husband sailed;
Homeric Greek
ὤλεσαν, ἐξ οὗ κεῖνος ἔβη κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσίν.
ἀλλά μοι Αὐτονόην τε καὶ Ἱπποδάμειαν ἄνωχθι
ἐλθέμεν, ὄφρα κέ μοι παρστήετον ἐν μεγάροισιν:
οἴη δ' οὐκ εἴσειμι μετ' ἀνέρας: αἰδέομαι γάρ."
185"ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, γρηὺ̈ς δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκει
Transliteration
ōlesan, ex hou keinos ebē koilēis eni nēusin.
alla moi Autonoēn te kai Hippodameian anōchthi
elthemen, ophra ke moi parstēeton en megaroisin:
oiē d' ouk eiseimi met' aneras: aideomai gar."
185"hōs ar' ephē, grēÿs de diek megaroio bebēkei
English
nevertheless, tell Autonoe and Hippodameia that I want them. They must be with me when I am in the room; I am not going among the men alone; it would not be proper for me to do so." On this the old woman went out of the room to bid the maids go to their mistress.
Homeric Greek
ἀγγελέουσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι.
ἔνθ' αὖτ' ἄλλ' ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο κατὰ γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἔχευεν,
εὗδε δ' ἀνακλινθεῖσα, λύθεν δέ οἱ ἅψεα πάντα
190αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ κλιντῆρι: τέως δ' ἄρα δῖα θεάων
Transliteration
angeleousa gynaixi kai otryneousa neesthai.
enth' aut' all' enoēse thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
kourēi Ikarioio kata glykyn hypnon echeuen,
heude d' anaklintheisa, lythen de hoi hapsea panta
190autou eni klintēri: teōs d' ara dia theaōn
English
In the meantime Athena bethought her of another matter, and sent Penelope off into a sweet slumber; so she lay down on her couch and her limbs became heavy with sleep. Then the goddess shed grace and beauty over her that all the Achaeans might admire her.
Homeric Greek
ἄμβροτα δῶρα δίδου, ἵνα μιν θησαίατ' Ἀχαιοί.
κάλλεϊ μέν οἱ πρῶτα προσώπατα καλὰ κάθηρεν
ἀμβροσίῳ, οἵῳ περ ἐϋστέφανος Κυθέρεια
χρίεται, εὖτ' ἂν ἴῃ Χαρίτων χορὸν ἱμερόεντα:
195καί μιν μακροτέρην καὶ πάσσονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι,
Transliteration
ambrota dōra didou, hina min thēsaiat' Achaioi.
kalleï men hoi prōta prosōpata kala kathēren
ambrosiōi, hoiōi per eÿstephanos Kythereia
chrietai, eut' an iēi Charitōn choron himeroenta:
195kai min makroterēn kai passona thēken idesthai,
English
She washed her face with the ambrosial loveliness that Aphrodite wears when she goes dancing with the Graces; she made her taller and of a more commanding figure, while as for her complexion it was whiter than sawn ivory.
Homeric Greek
λευκοτέρην δ' ἄρα μιν θῆκε πριστοῦ ἐλέφαντος.
ἡ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς ἔρξασ' ἀπεβήσετο δῖα θεάων,
ἦλθον δ' ἀμφίπολοι λευκώλενοι ἐκ μεγάροιο
φθόγγῳ ἐπερχόμεναι: τὴν δὲ γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἀνῆκε,
200καί ῥ' ἀπομόρξατο χερσὶ παρειὰς φώνησέν τε:
Transliteration
leukoterēn d' ara min thēke pristou elephantos.
hē men ar' hōs erxas' apebēseto dia theaōn,
ēlthon d' amphipoloi leukōlenoi ek megaroio
phthongōi eperchomenai: tēn de glykys hypnos anēke,
200kai rh' apomorxato chersi pareias phōnēsen te:
English
When Athena had done all this she went away, whereon the maids came in from the women's room and woke Penelope with the sound of their talking. "What an exquisitely delicious sleep I have been having," said she, as
Homeric Greek
"ἦ με μάλ' αἰνοπαθῆ μαλακὸν περὶ κῶμ' ἐκάλυψεν.
αἴθε μοι ὣς μαλακὸν θάνατον πόροι Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὴ
αὐτίκα νῦν, ἵνα μηκέτ' ὀδυρομένη κατὰ θυμὸν
αἰῶνα φθινύθω, πόσιος ποθέουσα φίλοιο
205παντοίην ἀρετήν, ἐπεὶ ἔξοχος ἦεν Ἀχαιῶν."
Transliteration
"ē me mal' ainopathē malakon peri kōm' ekalypsen.
aithe moi hōs malakon thanaton poroi Artemis hagnē
autika nyn, hina mēket' odyromenē kata thymon
aiōna phthinythō, posios potheousa philoio
205pantoiēn aretēn, epei exochos ēen Achaiōn."
English
she passed her hands over her face, "in spite of all my misery. I wish Artemis would let me die so sweetly now at this very moment, that I might no longer waste in despair for the loss of my dear husband, who possessed every kind of good quality and was the most distinguished man among the Achaeans."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φαμένη κατέβαιν' ὑπερώϊα σιγαλόεντα,
οὐκ οἴη: ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύ' ἕποντο.
ἡ δ' ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,
στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,
210ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα:
Transliteration
hōs phamenē katebain' hyperōïa sigaloenta,
ouk oiē: hama tēi ge kai amphipoloi dy' heponto.
hē d' hote dē mnēstēras aphiketo dia gynaikōn,
stē rha para stathmon tegeos pyka poiētoio,
210anta pareiaōn schomenē lipara krēdemna:
English
With these words she came down from her upper room, not alone but attended by two of her maidens, and when she reached the suitors she stood by one of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the room, holding a veil before her face, and with a staid maid servant on either side of her.
Homeric Greek
ἀμφίπολος δ' ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.
τῶν δ' αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατ', ἔρῳ δ' ἄρα θυμὸν ἔθελχθεν,
πάντες δ' ἠρήσαντο παραὶ λεχέεσσι κλιθῆναι.
ἡ δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχον προσεφώνεεν, ὃν φίλον υἱόν:
215"Τηλέμαχ', οὐκέτι τοι φρένες ἔμπεδοι οὐδὲ νόημα:
Transliteration
amphipolos d' ara hoi kednē hekaterthe parestē.
tōn d' autou lyto gounat', erōi d' ara thymon ethelchthen,
pantes d' ērēsanto parai lecheessi klithēnai.
hē d' au Tēlemachon prosephōneen, hon philon huion:
215"Tēlemach', ouketi toi phrenes empedoi oude noēma:
English
As they beheld her the suitors were so overpowered and became so desperately enamored of her, that each one prayed he might win her for his own bed fellow. "Telemakhos," said she, addressing her son, "I fear you are no longer so discreet and well conducted as you used to be.
Homeric Greek
παῖς ἔτ' ἐὼν καὶ μᾶλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ κέρδε' ἐνώμας:
νῦν δ', ὅτε δὴ μέγας ἐσσὶ καὶ ἥβης μέτρον ἱκάνεις,
καί κέν τις φαίη γόνον ἔμμεναι ὀλβίου ἀνδρός,
ἐς μέγεθος καὶ κάλλος ὁρώμενος, ἀλλότριος φώς,
220οὐκέτι τοι φρένες εἰσὶν ἐναίσιμοι οὐδὲ νόημα.
Transliteration
pais et' eōn kai mallon eni phresi kerde' enōmas:
nyn d', hote dē megas essi kai hēbēs metron hikaneis,
kai ken tis phaiē gonon emmenai olbiou andros,
es megethos kai kallos horōmenos, allotrios phōs,
220ouketi toi phrenes eisin enaisimoi oude noēma.
English
When you were younger you had a subtler thoughtfulness ; now, however, that you are grown up, though a stranger to look at you would take you for the son of a well-to-do father as far as size and good looks go, your conduct is by no means what it should be.
Homeric Greek
οἷον δὴ τόδε ἔργον ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἐτύχθη,
ὃς τὸν ξεῖνον ἔασας ἀεικισθήμεναι οὕτως.
πῶς νῦν, εἴ τι ξεῖνος ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιν
ἥμενος ὧδε πάθοι ῥυστακτύος ἐξ ἀλεγεινῆς;
225σοί κ' αἶσχος λώβη τε μετ' ἀνθρώποισι πέλοιτο."
Transliteration
hoion dē tode ergon eni megaroisin etychthē,
hos ton xeinon easas aeikisthēmenai houtōs.
pōs nyn, ei ti xeinos en hēmeteroisi domoisin
hēmenos hōde pathoi rhystaktyos ex alegeinēs;
225soi k' aischos lōbē te met' anthrōpoisi peloito."
English
What is all this disturbance that has been going on, and how came you to allow a stranger to be so disgracefully ill-treated? What would have happened if he had suffered serious injury while a suppliant in our house? Surely this would have been very discreditable to you."
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"μῆτερ ἐμή, τὸ μὲν οὔ σε νεμεσσῶμαι κεχολῶσθαι:
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ θυμῷ νοέω καὶ οἶδα ἕκαστα,
ἐσθλά τε καὶ τὰ χέρεια: πάρος δ' ἔτι νήπιος ἦα.
230ἀλλά τοι οὐ δύναμαι πεπνυμένα πάντα νοῆσαι:
Transliteration
tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:
"mēter emē, to men ou se nemessōmai kecholōsthai:
autar egō thymōi noeō kai oida hekasta,
esthla te kai ta chereia: paros d' eti nēpios ēa.
230alla toi ou dynamai pepnymena panta noēsai:
English
"I am not surprised, my dear mother, at your displeasure," replied Telemakhos, "I understand all about it and know when things are not as they should be, which I could not do when I was younger; I cannot, however, behave with perfect propriety at all times.
Homeric Greek
ἐκ γάρ με πλήσσουσι παρήμενοι ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος
οἵδε κακὰ φρονέοντες, ἐμοὶ δ' οὐκ εἰσὶν ἀρωγοί.
οὐ μέν τοι ξείνου γε καὶ Ἴρου μῶλος ἐτύχθη
μνηστήρων ἰότητι, βίῃ δ' ὅ γε φέρτερος ἦεν.
235αἲ γάρ, Ζεῦ τε πάτερ καὶ Ἀθηναίη καὶ Ἄπολλον,
Transliteration
ek gar me plēssousi parēmenoi allothen allos
hoide kaka phroneontes, emoi d' ouk eisin arōgoi.
ou men toi xeinou ge kai Irou mōlos etychthē
mnēstērōn iotēti, biēi d' ho ge pherteros ēen.
235ai gar, Zeu te pater kai Athēnaiē kai Apollon,
English
First one and then another of these wicked people here keeps driving me out of my mind, and I have no one to stand by me. After all, however, this fight between Iros and the stranger did not turn out as the suitors meant it to do, for the stranger got the best of it.
Homeric Greek
οὕτω νῦν μνηστῆρες ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισι
νεύοιεν κεφαλὰς δεδμημένοι, οἱ μὲν ἐν αὐλῇ,
οἱ δ' ἔντοσθε δόμοιο, λελῦτο δὲ γυῖα ἑκάστου,
ὡς νῦν Ἶρος κεῖνος ἐπ' αὐλείῃσι θύρῃσιν
240ἧσται νευστάζων κεφαλῇ, μεθύοντι ἐοικώς,
Transliteration
houtō nyn mnēstēres en hēmeteroisi domoisi
neuoien kephalas dedmēmenoi, hoi men en aulēi,
hoi d' entosthe domoio, lelyto de guia hekastou,
hōs nyn Iros keinos ep' auleiēisi thyrēisin
240hēstai neustazōn kephalēi, methyonti eoikōs,
English
I wish Father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo would break the neck of every one of these wooers of yours, some inside the house and some out; and I wish they might all be as limp as Iros is over yonder in the gate of the outer court. See how he nods his head like a drunken man;
Homeric Greek
οὐδ' ὀρθὸς στῆναι δύναται ποσὶν οὐδὲ νέεσθαι
οἴκαδ', ὅπη οἱ νόστος, ἐπεὶ φίλα γυῖα λέλυνται."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον:
Εὐρύμαχος δ' ἐπέεσσι προσηύδα Πηνελόπειαν:
245"κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,
Transliteration
oud' orthos stēnai dynatai posin oude neesthai
oikad', hopē hoi nostos, epei phila guia lelyntai."
hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon:
Eurymachos d' epeessi prosēuda Pēnelopeian:
245"kourē Ikarioio, periphron Pēnelopeia,
English
he has had such a thrashing that he cannot stand on his feet nor get back to his home, wherever that may be, for has no strength left in him." Thus did they converse. Eurymakhos then came up and said, "Queen Penelope, daughter of Ikarios, if all the Achaeans in Iasian Argos could see you at
Homeric Greek
εἰ πάντες σε ἴδοιεν ἀν' Ἴασον Ἄργος Ἀχαιοί,
πλέονές κε μνηστῆρες ἐν ὑμετέροισι δόμοισιν
ἠῶθεν δαινύατ', ἐπεὶ περίεσσι γυναικῶν
εἶδός τε μέγεθός τε ἰδὲ φρένας ἔνδον ἐί̈σας."
250τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
Transliteration
ei pantes se idoien an' Iason Argos Achaioi,
pleones ke mnēstēres en hymeteroisi domoisin
ēōthen dainyat', epei periessi gynaikōn
eidos te megethos te ide phrenas endon eïsas."
250ton d' ēmeibet' epeita periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
English
this moment, you would have still more suitors in your house by tomorrow morning, for you are the most admirable woman in the whole world both as regards personal beauty and strength of understanding." To this Penelope replied, "Eurymakhos, heaven robbed me of all my
Homeric Greek
"Εὐρύμαχ', ἦ τοι ἐμὴν ἀρετὴν εἶδός τε δέμας τε
ὤλεσαν ἀθάνατοι, ὅτε Ἴλιον εἰσανέβαινον
Ἀργεῖοι, μετὰ τοῖσι δ' ἐμὸς πόσις ᾖεν Ὀδυσσεύς.
εἰ κεῖνός γ' ἐλθὼν τὸν ἐμὸν βίον ἀμφιπολεύοι,
255μεῖζόν κε κλέος εἴη ἐμὸν καὶ κάλλιον οὕτως.
Transliteration
"Eurymach', ē toi emēn aretēn eidos te demas te
ōlesan athanatoi, hote Ilion eisanebainon
Argeioi, meta toisi d' emos posis ēien Odysseus.
ei keinos g' elthōn ton emon bion amphipoleuoi,
255meizon ke kleos eiē emon kai kallion houtōs.
English
beauty whether of face or figure when the Argives set sail for Troy and my dear husband with them. If he were to return and look after my affairs, I should both be more respected and show a better presence to the world.
Homeric Greek
νῦν δ' ἄχομαι: τόσα γάρ μοι ἐπέσσευεν κακὰ δαίμων.
ἦ μὲν δὴ ὅτε τ' ᾖε λιπὼν κάτα πατρίδα γαῖαν,
δεξιτερὴν ἐπὶ καρπῷ ἑλὼν ἐμὲ χεῖρα προσηύδα:
"ὦ γύναι, οὐ γὰρ ὀί̈ω ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιοὺς
260ἐκ Τροίης εὖ πάντας ἀπήμονας ἀπονέεσθαι:
Transliteration
nyn d' achomai: tosa gar moi epesseuen kaka daimōn.
ē men dē hote t' ēie lipōn kata patrida gaian,
dexiterēn epi karpōi helōn eme cheira prosēuda:
"ō gynai, ou gar oïō eÿknēmidas Achaious
260ek Troiēs eu pantas apēmonas aponeesthai:
English
As it is, I am oppressed with care, and with the afflictions which a daimôn has seen fit to heap upon me. My husband foresaw it all, and when he was leaving home he took my right wrist in his hand - ‘Wife, ‘he said, ‘we shall not all of us come safe home from Troy, for the Trojans fight well both with bow and spear.
Homeric Greek
καὶ γὰρ Τρῶάς φασι μαχητὰς ἔμμεναι ἄνδρας,
ἠμὲν ἀκοντιστὰς ἠδὲ ῥυτῆρας ὀϊστῶν
ἵππων τ' ὠκυπόδων ἐπιβήτορας, οἵ κε τάχιστα
ἔκριναν μέγα νεῖκος ὁμοιί̈ου πολέμοιο.
265τῷ οὐκ οἶδ' ἤ κέν μ' ἀνέσει θεός, ἦ κεν ἁλώω
Transliteration
kai gar Trōas phasi machētas emmenai andras,
ēmen akontistas ēde rhytēras oïstōn
hippōn t' ōkypodōn epibētoras, hoi ke tachista
ekrinan mega neikos homoiïou polemoio.
265tōi ouk oid' ē ken m' anesei theos, ē ken halōō
English
They are excellent also at fighting from chariots, and nothing decides the issue of a fight sooner than this. I know not, therefore, whether heaven will send me back to you, or whether I may not fall over there at Troy. In the meantime do you look after things here.
Homeric Greek
αὐτοῦ ἐνὶ Τροίῃ: σοὶ δ' ἐνθάδε πάντα μελόντων.
μεμνῆσθαι πατρὸς καὶ μητέρος ἐν μεγάροισιν
ὡς νῦν, ἢ ἔτι μᾶλλον ἐμεῦ ἀπονόσφιν ἐόντος:
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ παῖδα γενειήσαντα ἴδηαι,
270γήμασθ' ᾧ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα, τεὸν κατὰ δῶμα λιποῦσα.
Transliteration
autou eni Troiēi: soi d' enthade panta melontōn.
memnēsthai patros kai mēteros en megaroisin
hōs nyn, ē eti mallon emeu aponosphin eontos:
autar epēn dē paida geneiēsanta idēai,
270gēmasth' hōi k' ethelēistha, teon kata dōma lipousa.
English
Take care of my father and mother as at present, and even more so during my absence, but when you see our son growing a beard, then marry whom you will, and leave this your present home. This is what he said and now it is all coming true.
Homeric Greek
"κεῖνος τὼς ἀγόρευε: τὰ δὴ νῦν πάντα τελεῖται.
νὺξ δ' ἔσται ὅτε δὴ στυγερὸς γάμος ἀντιβολήσει
οὐλομένης ἐμέθεν, τῆς τε Ζεὺς ὄλβον ἀπηύρα.
ἀλλὰ τόδ' αἰνὸν ἄχος κραδίην καὶ θυμὸν ἱκάνει:
275μνηστήρων οὐχ ἥδε δίκη τὸ πάροιθε τέτυκτο:
Transliteration
"keinos tōs agoreue: ta dē nyn panta teleitai.
nyx d' estai hote dē stygeros gamos antibolēsei
oulomenēs emethen, tēs te Zeus olbon apēura.
alla tod' ainon achos kradiēn kai thymon hikanei:
275mnēstērōn ouch hēde dikē to paroithe tetykto:
English
A night will come when I shall have to yield myself to a marriage which I detest, for Zeus has taken from me all hope of happiness. This further grief, moreover, cuts me to the very heart. You suitors are not wooing me after the custom of my country.
Homeric Greek
οἵ τ' ἀγαθήν τε γυναῖκα καὶ ἀφνειοῖο θύγατρα
μνηστεύειν ἐθέλωσι καὶ ἀλλήλοις ἐρίσωσιν,
αὐτοὶ τοί γ' ἀπάγουσι βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,
κούρης δαῖτα φίλοισι, καὶ ἀγλαὰ δῶρα διδοῦσιν:
280ἀλλ' οὐκ ἀλλότριον βίοτον νήποινον ἔδουσιν."
Transliteration
hoi t' agathēn te gynaika kai aphneioio thygatra
mnēsteuein ethelōsi kai allēlois erisōsin,
autoi toi g' apagousi boas kai iphia mēla,
kourēs daita philoisi, kai aglaa dōra didousin:
280all' ouk allotrion bioton nēpoinon edousin."
English
When men are courting a woman who they think will be a good wife to them and who is of noble birth, and when they are each trying to win her for himself, they usually bring oxen and sheep to feast the friends of the lady, and they make her magnificent presents, instead of eating up other people's property without paying for it."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
οὕνεκα τῶν μὲν δῶρα παρέλκετο, θέλγε δὲ θυμὸν
μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι, νόος δέ οἱ ἄλλα μενοίνα.
τὴν δ' αὖτ' Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός,
285"κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,
Transliteration
hōs phato, gēthēsen de polytlas dios Odysseus,
houneka tōn men dōra parelketo, thelge de thymon
meilichiois epeessi, noos de hoi alla menoina.
tēn d' aut' Antinoos prosephē, Eupeitheos huios,
285"kourē Ikarioio, periphron Pēnelopeia,
English
This was what she said, and Odysseus was glad when he heard her trying to get presents out of the suitors, and flattering them with fair words which he knew she did not mean in her noos. Then Antinoos said, "Queen Penelope, daughter of Ikarios, take as many presents as you please from any one who will give them to you;
Homeric Greek
δῶρα μὲν ὅς κ' ἐθέλῃσιν Ἀχαιῶν ἐνθάδ' ἐνεῖκαι,
δέξασθ'. οὐ γὰρ καλὸν ἀνήνασθαι δόσιν ἐστίν:
ἡμεῖς δ' οὔτ' ἐπὶ ἔργα πάρος γ' ἴμεν οὔτε πῃ ἄλλῃ,
πρίν γέ σε τῷ γήμασθαι Ἀχαιῶν ὅς τις ἄριστος."
290ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος:
Transliteration
dōra men hos k' ethelēisin Achaiōn enthad' eneikai,
dexasth'. ou gar kalon anēnasthai dosin estin:
hēmeis d' out' epi erga paros g' imen oute pēi allēi,
prin ge se tōi gēmasthai Achaiōn hos tis aristos."
290hōs ephat' Antinoos, toisin d' epiēndane mythos:
English
it is not well to refuse a present; but we will not go about our business nor stir from where we are, till you have married the best man among us whoever he may be." The others applauded what Antinoos had said, and each one sent his servant to bring his present.
Homeric Greek
δῶρα δ' ἄρ' οἰσέμεναι πρόεσαν κήρυκα ἕκαστος.
Ἀντινόῳ μὲν ἔνεικε μέγαν περικαλλέα πέπλον,
ποικίλον: ἐν δ' ἀρ' ἔσαν περόναι δυοκαίδεκα πᾶσαι
χρύσειαι, κληῖ̈σιν ἐϋγνάμπτοις ἀραρυῖαι.
295ὅρμον δ' Εὐρυμάχῳ πολυδαίδαλον αὐτίκ' ἔνεικε.
Transliteration
dōra d' ar' oisemenai proesan kēryka hekastos.
Antinoōi men eneike megan perikallea peplon,
poikilon: en d' ar' esan peronai dyokaideka pasai
chryseiai, klēïsin eÿgnamptois araruiai.
295hormon d' Eurymachōi polydaidalon autik' eneike.
English
Antinoos’ man returned with a large and lovely dress most exquisitely embroidered. It had twelve beautifully made brooch pins of pure gold with which to fasten it. Eurymakhos immediately brought her a magnificent chain of gold and amber beads that gleamed like sunlight.
Homeric Greek
χρύσεον, ἠλέκτροισιν ἐερμένον ἠέλιον ὥς.
ἕρματα δ' Εὐρυδάμαντι δύω θεράποντες ἔνεικαν,
τρίγληνα μορόεντα: χάρις δ' ἀπελάμπετο πολλή.
ἐκ δ' ἄρα Πεισάνδροιο Πολυκτορίδαο ἄνακτος
300ἴσθμιον ἤνεικεν θεράπων, περικαλλὲς ἄγαλμα.
Transliteration
chryseon, ēlektroisin eermenon ēelion hōs.
hermata d' Eurydamanti dyō therapontes eneikan,
triglēna moroenta: charis d' apelampeto pollē.
ek d' ara Peisandroio Polyktoridao anaktos
300isthmion ēneiken therapōn, perikalles agalma.
English
Eurydamas’ two men returned with some earrings fashioned into three brilliant pendants which glistened most beautifully ; while king Peisandros son of Polyktor gave her a necklace of the rarest workmanship, and every one else brought
Homeric Greek
ἄλλο δ' ἄρ' ἄλλος δῶρον Ἀχαιῶν καλὸν ἔνεικεν.
ἡ μὲν ἔπειτ' ἀνέβαιν' ὑπερώϊα δῖα γυναικῶν,
τῇ δ' ἄρ' ἅμ' ἀμφίπολοι ἔφερον περικαλλέα δῶρα
οἱ δ' εἰς ὀρχηστύν τε καὶ ἱμερόεσσαν ἀοιδὴν
305τρεψάμενοι τέρποντο, μένον δ' ἐπὶ ἕσπερον ἐλθεῖν.
Transliteration
allo d' ar' allos dōron Achaiōn kalon eneiken.
hē men epeit' anebain' hyperōïa dia gynaikōn,
tēi d' ar' ham' amphipoloi epheron perikallea dōra
hoi d' eis orchēstyn te kai himeroessan aoidēn
305trepsamenoi terponto, menon d' epi hesperon elthein.
English
her a beautiful present of some kind. Then the queen went back to her room upstairs, and her maids brought the presents after her. Meanwhile the suitors took to singing and dancing, and stayed till evening came.
Homeric Greek
τοῖσι δὲ τερπομένοισι μέλας ἐπὶ ἕσπερος ἦλθεν.
αὐτίκα λαμπτῆρας τρεῖς ἵστασαν ἐν μεγάροισιν,
ὄφρα φαείνοιεν: περὶ δὲ ξύλα κάγκανα θῆκαν,
αὖα πάλαι, περίκηλα, νέον κεκεασμένα χαλκῷ,
310καὶ δαί̈δας μετέμισγον: ἀμοιβηδὶς δ' ἀνέφαινον
Transliteration
toisi de terpomenoisi melas epi hesperos ēlthen.
autika lamptēras treis histasan en megaroisin,
ophra phaeinoien: peri de xyla kankana thēkan,
aua palai, perikēla, neon kekeasmena chalkōi,
310kai daïdas metemisgon: amoibēdis d' anephainon
English
They danced and sang till it grew dark; they then brought in three braziers to give light, and piled them up with chopped firewood very and dry, and they lit torches from them, which the maids held up turn and turn about.
Homeric Greek
δμῳαὶ Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος. αὐτὰρ ὁ τῇσιν
αὐτὸς διογενῆς μετέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"δμῳαὶ Ὀδυσσῆος, δὴν οἰχομένοιο ἄνακτος,
ἔρχεσθε πρὸς δώμαθ', ἵν' αἰδοίη βασίλεια:
315τῇ δὲ παρ' ἠλάκατα στροφαλίζετε, τέρπετε δ' αὐτὴν
Transliteration
dmōiai Odyssēos talasiphronos. autar ho tēisin
autos diogenēs metephē polymētis Odysseus:
"dmōiai Odyssēos, dēn oichomenoio anaktos,
erchesthe pros dōmath', hin' aidoiē basileia:
315tēi de par' ēlakata strophalizete, terpete d' autēn
English
Then Odysseus said: "Maids, servants of Odysseus who has so long been absent, go to the queen inside the house; sit with her and amuse her, or spin, and pick wool.
Homeric Greek
ἥμεναι ἐν μεγάρῳ, ἢ εἴρια πείκετε χερσίν:
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τούτοισι φάος πάντεσσι παρέξω.
ἤν περ γάρ κ' ἐθέλωσιν ἐύ̈θρονον Ἠῶ μίμνειν,
οὔ τί με νικήσουσι: πολυτλήμων δὲ μάλ' εἰμί."
320ὣς ἔφαθ', αἱ δ' ἐγέλασσαν, ἐς ἀλλήλας δὲ ἴδοντο.
Transliteration
hēmenai en megarōi, ē eiria peikete chersin:
autar egō toutoisi phaos pantessi parexō.
ēn per gar k' ethelōsin eÿthronon Ēō mimnein,
ou ti me nikēsousi: polytlēmōn de mal' eimi."
320hōs ephath', hai d' egelassan, es allēlas de idonto.
English
I will hold the light for all these people. They may stay till morning, but shall not beat me, for I can stand a great deal." The maids looked at one another and laughed, while pretty Melantho began to gibe at him contemptuously.
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' αἰσχρῶς ἐνένιπε Μελανθὼ καλλιπάρῃος,
τὴν Δολίος μὲν ἔτικτε, κόμισσε δὲ Πηνελόπεια,
παῖδα δὲ ὣς ἀτίταλλε, δίδου δ' ἄρ' ἀθύρματα θυμῷ:
ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὣς ἔχε πένθος ἐνὶ φρεσὶ Πηνελοπείης,
325ἀλλ' ἥ γ' Εὐρυμάχῳ μισγέσκετο καὶ φιλέεσκεν.
Transliteration
ton d' aischrōs enenipe Melanthō kalliparēios,
tēn Dolios men etikte, komisse de Pēnelopeia,
paida de hōs atitalle, didou d' ar' athyrmata thymōi:
all' oud' hōs eche penthos eni phresi Pēnelopeiēs,
325all' hē g' Eurymachōi misgesketo kai phileesken.
English
She was daughter to Dolios, but had been brought up by Penelope, who used to give her toys to play with, and looked after her when she was a child; but in spite of all this she showed no consideration for the sorrows of her mistress, and used to
Homeric Greek
ἥ ῥ' Ὀδυσῆ' ἐνένιπεν ὀνειδείοις ἐπέεσσιν:
"ξεῖνε τάλαν, σύ γέ τις φρένας ἐκπεπαταγμένος ἐσσί,
οὐδ' ἐθέλεις εὕδειν χαλκήϊον ἐς δόμον ἐλθών,
ἠέ που ἐς λέσχην, ἀλλ' ἐνθάδε πόλλ' ἀγορεύεις,
330θαρσαλέως πολλοῖσι μετ' ἀνδράσιν, οὐδέ τι θυμῷ
Transliteration
hē rh' Odysē' enenipen oneideiois epeessin:
"xeine talan, sy ge tis phrenas ekpepatagmenos essi,
oud' etheleis heudein chalkēïon es domon elthōn,
ēe pou es leschēn, all' enthade poll' agoreueis,
330tharsaleōs polloisi met' andrasin, oude ti thymōi
English
misconduct herself with Eurymakhos, with whom she was in love. "Poor wretch," said she, "are you gone clean out of your mind? Go and sleep in some smithy, or place of public gossips, instead of chattering here. Are you not ashamed of opening your mouth before your betters - so many of them too?
Homeric Greek
ταρβεῖς: ἦ ῥά σε οἶνος ἔχει φρένας, ἤ νύ τοι αἰεὶ
τοιοῦτος νόος ἐστίν: ὃ καὶ μεταμώνια βάζεις.
ἦ ἀλύεις, ὅτι Ἶρον ἐνίκησας τὸν ἀλήτην;
μή τίς τοι τάχα Ἴρου ἀμείνων ἄλλος ἀναστῇ,
335ὅς τίς σ' ἀμφὶ κάρη κεκοπὼς χερσὶ στιβαρῇσι
Transliteration
tarbeis: ē rha se oinos echei phrenas, ē ny toi aiei
toioutos noos estin: ho kai metamōnia bazeis.
ē alyeis, hoti Iron enikēsas ton alētēn;
mē tis toi tacha Irou ameinōn allos anastēi,
335hos tis s' amphi karē kekopōs chersi stibarēisi
English
Has the wine been getting into your head, or do you always babble in this way? You seem to have lost your wits because you beat the tramp Iros; take care that a better man than he does not come and cudgel you about the head
Homeric Greek
δώματος ἐκπέμψῃσι, φορύξας αἵματι πολλῷ."
τὴν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"ἦ τάχα Τηλεμάχῳ ἐρέω, κύον, οἷ' ἀγορεύεις,
κεῖσ' ἐλθών, ἵνα σ' αὖθι διὰ μελεϊστὶ τάμῃσιν."
340ὣς εἰπὼν ἐπέεσσι διεπτοίησε γυναῖκας.
Transliteration
dōmatos ekpempsēisi, phoryxas haimati pollōi."
tēn d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
"ē tacha Tēlemachōi ereō, kyon, hoi' agoreueis,
keis' elthōn, hina s' authi dia meleïsti tamēisin."
340hōs eipōn epeessi dieptoiēse gynaikas.
English
till he pack you bleeding out of the house." "Vixen," replied Odysseus, scowling at her, "I will go and tell Telemakhos what you have been saying, and he will have you torn limb from limb." With these words he scared the women, and they went off into the body of the house.
Homeric Greek
βὰν δ' ἴμεναι διὰ δῶμα, λύθεν δ' ὑπὸ γυῖα ἑκάστης
ταρβοσύνῃ: φὰν γάρ μιν ἀληθέα μυθήσασθαι.
αὐτὰρ ὁ πὰρ λαμπτῆρσι φαείνων αἰθομένοισιν
ἑστήκειν ἐς πάντας ὁρώμενος: ἄλλα δέ οἱ κῆρ
345ὥρμαινε φρεσὶν ᾗσιν, ἅ ῥ' οὐκ ἀτέλεστα γένοντο.
Transliteration
ban d' imenai dia dōma, lythen d' hypo guia hekastēs
tarbosynēi: phan gar min alēthea mythēsasthai.
autar ho par lamptērsi phaeinōn aithomenoisin
hestēkein es pantas horōmenos: alla de hoi kēr
345hōrmaine phresin hēisin, ha rh' ouk atelesta genonto.
English
They trembled all aver, for they thought he would do what he said was true. But Odysseus took his stand near the burning braziers, holding up torches and looking at the people - brooding the while on things that should surely come to pass.
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρας δ' οὐ πάμπαν ἀγήνορας εἴα Ἀθήνη
λώβης ἴσχεσθαι θυμαλγέος, ὄφρ' ἔτι μᾶλλον
δύη ἄχος κραδίην Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.
τοῖσιν δ' Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἦρχ' ἀγορεύειν,
350κερτομέων Ὀδυσῆα: γέλω δ' ἑτάροισιν ἔτευχε.
Transliteration
mnēstēras d' ou pampan agēnoras eia Athēnē
lōbēs ischesthai thymalgeos, ophr' eti mallon
dyē achos kradiēn Laertiadeō Odysēos.
toisin d' Eurymachos, Polybou païs, ērch' agoreuein,
350kertomeōn Odysēa: gelō d' hetaroisin eteuche.
English
But Athena would not let the suitors for one moment cease their insolence, for she wanted Odysseus to become even more bitter against them in his grief ; she therefore set Eurymakhos son of Polybos on to gibe at him, which made the others laugh.
Homeric Greek
"κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης,
ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.
οὐκ ἀθεεὶ ὅδ' ἀνὴρ Ὀδυσήϊον ἐς δόμον ἵκει:
ἔμπης μοι δοκέει δαίδων σέλας ἔμμεναι αὐτοῦ
355κὰκ κεφαλῆς, ἐπεὶ οὔ οἱ ἔνι τρίχες οὐδ' ἠβαιαί."
Transliteration
"keklyte meu, mnēstēres agakleitēs basileiēs,
ophr' eipō ta me thymos eni stēthessi keleuei.
ouk atheei hod' anēr Odysēïon es domon hikei:
empēs moi dokeei daidōn selas emmenai autou
355kak kephalēs, epei ou hoi eni triches oud' ēbaiai."
English
"Listen to me," said he, "you suitors of Queen Penelope, that I may speak even as I am minded. It is not for nothing that this man has come to the house of Odysseus; I believe the light has not been coming from the torches, but from his own head - for his hair is all gone, every bit of it."
Homeric Greek
ἦ ῥ', ἅμα τε προσέειπεν Ὀδυσσῆα πτολίπορθον:
"ξεῖν', ἦ ἄρ κ' ἐθέλοις θητευέμεν, εἴ σ' ἀνελοίμην,
ἀγροῦ ἐπ' ἐσχατιῆς--μισθὸς δέ τοι ἄρκιος ἔσται--
αἱμασιάς τε λέγων καὶ δένδρεα μακρὰ φυτεύων;
360ἔνθα κ' ἐγὼ σῖτον μὲν ἐπηετανὸν παρέχοιμι,
Transliteration
ē rh', hama te proseeipen Odyssēa ptoliporthon:
"xein', ē ar k' ethelois thēteuemen, ei s' aneloimēn,
agrou ep' eschatiēs--misthos de toi arkios estai--
haimasias te legōn kai dendrea makra phyteuōn;
360entha k' egō siton men epēetanon parechoimi,
English
Then turning to Odysseus he said, "Stranger, will you work as a servant, if I send you to the outer limits of the field and see that you are well paid? Can you build a stone fence, or plant trees?
Homeric Greek
εἵματα δ' ἀμφιέσαιμι ποσίν θ' ὑποδήματα δοίην.
ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ οὖν δὴ ἔργα κάκ' ἔμμαθες, οὐκ ἐθελήσεις
ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι, ἀλλὰ πτώσσειν κατὰ δῆμον
βούλεαι, ὄφρ' ἄν ἔχῃς βόσκειν σὴν γαστέρ' ἄναλτον."
365τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
heimata d' amphiesaimi posin th' hypodēmata doiēn.
all' epei oun dē erga kak' emmathes, ouk ethelēseis
ergon epoichesthai, alla ptōssein kata dēmon
bouleai, ophr' an echēis boskein sēn gaster' analton."
365ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
English
I will have you fed all the year round, and will find you in shoes and clothing. Will you go, then? Not you; for you have got into bad ways, and do not want to work; you had rather fill your belly by going round the dêmos begging."
Homeric Greek
"Εὐρύμαχ', εἰ γὰρ νῶϊν ἔρις ἔργοιο γένοιτο
ὥρῃ ἐν εἰαρινῇ, ὅτε τ' ἤματα μακρὰ πέλονται,
ἐν ποίῃ, δρέπανον μὲν ἐγὼν εὐκαμπὲς ἔχοιμι,
καὶ δὲ σὺ τοῖον ἔχοις, ἵνα πειρησαίμεθα ἔργου
370νήστιες ἄχρι μάλα κνέφαος, ποίη δὲ παρείη.
Transliteration
"Eurymach', ei gar nōïn eris ergoio genoito
hōrēi en eiarinēi, hote t' ēmata makra pelontai,
en poiēi, drepanon men egōn eukampes echoimi,
kai de sy toion echois, hina peirēsaimetha ergou
370nēsties achri mala knephaos, poiē de pareiē.
English
"Eurymakhos," answered Odysseus, "if you and I were to work one against the other in early summer when the days are at their longest - give me a good scythe, and take another yourself, and let us see which will fast the longer or mow the stronger, from dawn till dark when the mowing grass is about.
Homeric Greek
εἰ δ' αὖ καὶ βόες εἶεν ἐλαυνέμεν, οἵ περ ἄριστοι,
αἴθωνες, μεγάλοι, ἄμφω κεκορηότε ποίης,
ἥλικες, ἰσοφόροι, τῶν τε σθένος οὐκ ἀλαπαδνόν,
τετράγυον δ' εἴη, εἴκοι δ' ὑπὸ βῶλος ἀρότρῳ:
375τῷ κέ μ' ἴδοις, εἰ ὦλκα διηνεκέα προταμοίμην.
Transliteration
ei d' au kai boes eien elaunemen, hoi per aristoi,
aithōnes, megaloi, amphō kekorēote poiēs,
hēlikes, isophoroi, tōn te sthenos ouk alapadnon,
tetragyon d' eiē, eikoi d' hypo bōlos arotrōi:
375tōi ke m' idois, ei ōlka diēnekea protamoimēn.
English
Or if you will plough against me, let us each take a yoke of tawny oxen, well-mated and of great strength and endurance: turn me into a four acre field, and see whether you or I can drive the straighter furrow.
Homeric Greek
εἰ δ' αὖ καὶ πόλεμόν ποθεν ὁρμήσειε Κρονίων
σήμερον, αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ σάκος εἴη καὶ δύο δοῦρε
καὶ κυνέη πάγχαλκος, ἐπὶ κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖα,
τῷ κέ μ' ἴδοις πρώτοισιν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι μιγέντα,
380οὐδ' ἄν μοι τὴν γαστέρ' ὀνειδίζων ἀγορεύοις.
Transliteration
ei d' au kai polemon pothen hormēseie Kroniōn
sēmeron, autar emoi sakos eiē kai dyo doure
kai kyneē panchalkos, epi krotaphois araruia,
tōi ke m' idois prōtoisin eni promachoisi migenta,
380oud' an moi tēn gaster' oneidizōn agoreuois.
English
If, again, war were to break out this day, give me a shield, a couple of spears and a helmet fitting well upon my temples - you would find me foremost in the fray, and would cease your gibes about my belly.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ μάλ' ὑβρίξεις, καί τοι νόος ἐστὶν ἀπηνής:
καί πού τις δοκέεις μέγας ἔμμεναι ἠδὲ κραταιός,
οὕνεκα πὰρ παύροισι καὶ οὐκ ἀγαθοῖσιν ὁμιλεῖς.
εἰ δ' Ὀδυσεὺς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτ' ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,
385αἶψά κέ τοι τὰ θύρετρα, καὶ εὐρέα περ μάλ' ἐόντα,
Transliteration
alla mal' hybrixeis, kai toi noos estin apēnēs:
kai pou tis dokeeis megas emmenai ēde krataios,
houneka par pauroisi kai ouk agathoisin homileis.
ei d' Odyseus elthoi kai hikoit' es patrida gaian,
385aipsa ke toi ta thyretra, kai eurea per mal' eonta,
English
You are insolent and your noos is cruel, and you think yourself a great man because you live in a little world, and that a bad one. If Odysseus comes to his own again, the doors of his house are wide, but you will find
Homeric Greek
φεύγοντι στείνοιτο διὲκ προθύροιο θύραζε."
ὣς ἔφατ', Εὐρύμαχος δ' ἐχολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,
καί μιν ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"ἆ δείλ', ἦ τάχα τοι τελέω κακόν, οἷ' ἀγορεύεις
390θαρσαλέως πολλοῖσι μετ' ἀνδράσιν, οὐδέ τι θυμῷ
Transliteration
pheugonti steinoito diek prothyroio thyraze."
hōs ephat', Eurymachos d' echolōsato kērothi mallon,
kai min hypodra idōn epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"a deil', ē tacha toi teleō kakon, hoi' agoreueis
390tharsaleōs polloisi met' andrasin, oude ti thymōi
English
them narrow when you try to flee through them." Eurymakhos was furious at all this. He scowled at him and cried, "You wretch, I will soon pay you out for daring to say such things to me, and in public too.
Homeric Greek
ταρβεῖς: ἦ ῥά σε οἶνος ἔχει φρένας, ἤ νύ τοι αἰεὶ
τοιοῦτος νόος ἐστίν: ὃ καὶ μεταμώνια βάζεις.
ἦ ἀλύεις, ὅτι Ἶρον ἐνίκησας τὸν ἀλήτην;"
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας σφέλας ἔλλαβεν: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
395Ἀμφινόμου πρὸς γοῦνα καθέζετο Δουλιχιῆος,
Transliteration
tarbeis: ē rha se oinos echei phrenas, ē ny toi aiei
toioutos noos estin: ho kai metamōnia bazeis.
ē alyeis, hoti Iron enikēsas ton alētēn;"
hōs ara phōnēsas sphelas ellaben: autar Odysseus
395Amphinomou pros gouna kathezeto Doulichiēos,
English
Has the wine been getting into your head or do you always babble in this way? You seem to have lost your wits because you beat the tramp Iros. With this he caught hold of a footstool, but Odysseus sought protection at the knees of Amphinomos of Dulichium, for he was afraid.
Homeric Greek
Εὐρύμαχον δείσας: ὁ δ' ἄρ' οἰνοχόον βάλε χεῖρα
δεξιτερήν: πρόχοος δὲ χαμαὶ βόμβησε πεσοῦσα,
αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' οἰμώξας πέσεν ὕπτιος ἐν κονίῃσι.
μνηστῆρες δ' ὁμάδησαν ἀνὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα,
400ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον:
Transliteration
Eurymachon deisas: ho d' ar' oinochoon bale cheira
dexiterēn: prochoos de chamai bombēse pesousa,
autar ho g' oimōxas pesen hyptios en koniēisi.
mnēstēres d' homadēsan ana megara skioenta,
400hōde de tis eipesken idōn es plēsion allon:
English
The stool hit the cupbearer on his right hand and knocked him down: the man fell with a cry flat on his back, and his wine-jug fell ringing to the ground. The suitors in the covered room were now in an uproar, and one would turn towards his neighbor, saying, "I wish
Homeric Greek
"αἴθ' ὤφελλ' ὁ ξεῖνος ἀλώμενος ἄλλοθ' ὀλέσθαι
πρὶν ἐλθεῖν: τῷ οὔ τι τόσον κέλαδον μετέθηκε.
νῦν δὲ περὶ πτωχῶν ἐριδαίνομεν, οὐδέ τι δαιτὸς
ἐσθλῆς ἔσσεται ἦδος, ἐπεὶ τὰ χερείονα νικᾷ."
405τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειφ' ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο
Transliteration
"aith' ōphell' ho xeinos alōmenos alloth' olesthai
prin elthein: tōi ou ti toson keladon metethēke.
nyn de peri ptōchōn eridainomen, oude ti daitos
esthlēs essetai ēdos, epei ta chereiona nikāi."
405toisi de kai meteeiph' hierē is Tēlemachoio
English
the stranger had gone somewhere else, bad luck to hide, for all the trouble he gives us. We cannot permit such disturbance about a beggar; if such ill counsels are to prevail we shall have no more pleasure at our banquet." On this Telemakhos came forward and said, "Sirs, are you mad?
Homeric Greek
"δαιμόνιοι, μαίνεσθε καὶ οὐκέτι κεύθετε θυμῷ
βρωτὺν οὐδὲ ποτῆτα: θεῶν νύ τις ὔμμ' ὀροθύνει.
ἀλλ' εὖ δαισάμενοι κατακείετε οἴκαδ' ἰόντες,
ὁππότε θυμὸς ἄνωγε: διώκω δ' οὔ τιν' ἐγώ γε."
410ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἐν χείλεσι φύντες
Transliteration
"daimonioi, mainesthe kai ouketi keuthete thymōi
brōtyn oude potēta: theōn ny tis ymm' orothynei.
all' eu daisamenoi katakeiete oikad' iontes,
hoppote thymos anōge: diōkō d' ou tin' egō ge."
410hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes odax en cheilesi phyntes
English
Can you not carry your meat and your liquor decently? Some evil spirit has possessed you. I do not wish to drive any of you away, but you have had your suppers, and the sooner you all go home to bed the better." The suitors bit their lips and marveled at the boldness of his speech;
Homeric Greek
Τηλέμαχον θαύμαζον, ὃ θαρσαλέως ἀγόρευε.
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀμφίνομος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε
Νίσου φαίδιμος υἱός, Ἀρητιάδαο ἄνακτος:
"ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἐπὶ ῥηθέντι δικαίῳ
415ἀντιβίοις ἐπέεσσι καθαπτόμενος χαλεπαίνοι:
Transliteration
Tēlemachon thaumazon, ho tharsaleōs agoreue.
toisin d' Amphinomos agorēsato kai meteeipe
Nisou phaidimos huios, Arētiadao anaktos:
"ō philoi, ouk an dē tis epi rhēthenti dikaiōi
415antibiois epeessi kathaptomenos chalepainoi:
English
but Amphinomos the son of Nisus, who was son to Aretias, said, "Do not let us take offense; it is reasonable, so let us make no answer. Neither let us do violence to the stranger nor to any of Odysseus’ servants.
Homeric Greek
μήτε τι τὸν ξεῖνον στυφελίζετε μήτε τιν' ἄλλον
δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.
ἀλλ' ἄγετ', οἰνοχόος μὲν ἐπαρξάσθω δεπάεσσιν,
ὄφρα σπείσαντες κατακείομεν οἴκαδ' ἰόντες:
420τὸν ξεῖνον δὲ ἐῶμεν ἐνὶ μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆος
Transliteration
mēte ti ton xeinon styphelizete mēte tin' allon
dmōōn, hoi kata dōmat' Odyssēos theioio.
all' aget', oinochoos men eparxasthō depaessin,
ophra speisantes katakeiomen oikad' iontes:
420ton xeinon de eōmen eni megarois Odysēos
English
Let the cupbearer go round with the drink-offerings, that we may make them and go home to our rest. As for the stranger, let us leave Telemakhos to deal with him, for it is
Homeric Greek
Τηλεμάχῳ μελέμεν: τοῦ γὰρ φίλον ἵκετο δῶμα."
ὣς φάτο, τοῖσι δὲ πᾶσιν ἑαδότα μῦθον ἔειπε.
τοῖσιν δὲ κρητῆρα κεράσσατο Μούλιος ἥρως,
κῆρυξ Δουλιχιεύς: θεράπων δ' ἦν Ἀμφινόμοιο:
425νώμησεν δ' ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπισταδόν: οἱ δὲ θεοῖσι
Transliteration
Tēlemachōi melemen: tou gar philon hiketo dōma."
hōs phato, toisi de pasin headota mython eeipe.
toisin de krētēra kerassato Moulios hērōs,
kēryx Doulichieus: therapōn d' ēn Amphinomoio:
425nōmēsen d' ara pasin epistadon: hoi de theoisi
English
to his house that he has come." Thus did he speak, and his saying pleased them well, so Moulios of Dulichium, servant to Amphinomos, mixed them a bowl of wine and water and handed it round to each of them man by man, whereon they made their drink-offerings to the blessed gods:
Homeric Greek
σπείσαντες μακάρεσσι πίον μελιηδέα οἶνον.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τ' ἔπιόν θ' ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,
βάν ῥ' ἴμεναι κείοντες ἑὰ πρὸς δώμαθ' ἕκαστος.
Transliteration
speisantes makaressi pion meliēdea oinon.
autar epei speisan t' epion th' hoson ēthele thymos,
ban rh' imenai keiontes hea pros dōmath' hekastos.
English
Then, when they had made their drink-offerings and had drunk each one as he was minded, they took their several ways each of them to his own abode.