Homeric Greek
1αὐτὰρ ὁ ἐν προδόμῳ εὐνάζετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:
κὰμ μὲν ἀδέψητον βοέην στόρεσ', αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε
κώεα πόλλ' ὀί̈ων, τοὺς ἱρεύεσκον Ἀχαιοί:
Εὐρυνόμη δ' ἄρ' ἐπὶ χλαῖναν βάλε κοιμηθέντι.
5ἔνθ' Ὀδυσεὺς μνηστῆρσι κακὰ φρονέων ἐνὶ θυμῷ
Transliteration
1autar ho en prodomōi eunazeto dios Odusseus:
kam men adepsēton boeēn stores', autar huperthe
kōea poll' oïōn, tous hireueskon Achaioi:
Eurunomē d' ar' epi chlainan bale koimēthenti.
5enth' Oduseus mnēstērsi kaka phroneōn eni thumōi
English · Butler
Odysseus slept in the room upon an undressed bullock's hide, on the top of which he threw several skins of the sheep the suitors had eaten, and Eurynome threw a cloak over him after he had laid himself down. There, then, Odysseus lay wakefully brooding upon the way in which he should kill the suitors; and by and by, the women who had been in the habit of misconducting themselves with them, left the house giggling and laughing with one another. This made Odysseus very angry, and he
Homeric Greek
κεῖτ' ἐγρηγορόων: ταὶ δ' ἐκ μεγάροιο γυναῖκες
ἤϊσαν, αἳ μνηστῆρσιν ἐμισγέσκοντο πάρος περ,
ἀλλήλῃσι γέλω τε καὶ εὐφροσύνην παρέχουσαι.
τοῦ δ' ὠρίνετο θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι:
10πολλὰ δὲ μερμήριζε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,
Transliteration
keit' egrēgoroōn: tai d' ek megaroio gunaikes
ēïsan, hai mnēstērsin emisgeskonto paros per,
allēlēisi gelō te kai euphrosunēn parechousai.
tou d' ōrineto thumos eni stēthessi philoisi:
10polla de mermērize kata phrena kai kata thumon,
English · Butler
doubted whether to get up and kill every single one of them then and there, or to let them sleep one more and last time with the suitors. His heart growled within him, and as a bitch with puppies growls and shows
Homeric Greek
ἠὲ μεταί̈ξας θάνατον τεύξειεν ἑκάστῃ,
ἦ ἔτ' ἐῷ μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μιγῆναι
ὕστατα καὶ πύματα, κραδίη δέ οἱ ἔνδον ὑλάκτει.
ὡς δὲ κύων ἀμαλῇσι περὶ σκυλάκεσσι βεβῶσα
15ἄνδρ' ἀγνοιήσασ' ὑλάει μέμονέν τε μάχεσθαι,
Transliteration
ēe metaïxas thanaton teuxeien hekastēi,
ē et' eōi mnēstērsin huperphialoisi migēnai
hustata kai pumata, kradiē de hoi endon hulaktei.
hōs de kuōn amalēisi peri skulakessi bebōsa
15andr' agnoiēsas' hulaei memonen te machesthai,
English · Butler
her teeth when she sees a stranger, so did his heart growl with anger at the evil deeds that were being done: but he beat his breast and said, "Heart, be still, you had worse than this to bear on the day when the terrible Cyclops ate your brave companions;
Homeric Greek
ὥς ῥα τοῦ ἔνδον ὑλάκτει ἀγαιομένου κακὰ ἔργα:
στῆθος δὲ πλήξας κραδίην ἠνίπαπε μύθῳ:
"τέτλαθι δή, κραδίη: καὶ κύντερον ἄλλο ποτ' ἔτλης.
ἤματι τῷ ὅτε μοι μένος ἄσχετος ἤσθιε Κύκλωψ
20ἰφθίμους ἑτάρους: σὺ δ' ἐτόλμας, ὄφρα σε μῆτις
Transliteration
hōs rha tou endon hulaktei agaiomenou kaka erga:
stēthos de plēxas kradiēn ēnipape muthōi:
"tetlathi dē, kradiē: kai kunteron allo pot' etlēs.
ēmati tōi hote moi menos aschetos ēsthie Kuklōps
20iphthimous hetarous: su d' etolmas, ophra se mētis
English · Butler
yet you bore it in silence till your cunning got you safe out of the cave, though you made sure
Homeric Greek
ἐξάγαγ' ἐξ ἄντροιο ὀϊόμενον θανέεσθαι."
ὣς ἔφατ', ἐν στήθεσσι καθαπτόμενος φίλον ἦτορ:
τῷ δὲ μάλ' ἐν πείσῃ κραδίη μένε τετληυῖα
νωλεμέως: ἀτὰρ αὐτὸς ἑλίσσετο ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα.
25ὡς δ' ὅτε γαστέρ' ἀνὴρ πολέος πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο,
Transliteration
exagag' ex antroio oïomenon thaneesthai."
hōs ephat', en stēthessi kathaptomenos philon ētor:
tōi de mal' en peisēi kradiē mene tetlēuia
nōlemeōs: atar autos helisseto entha kai entha.
25hōs d' hote gaster' anēr poleos puros aithomenoio,
English · Butler
of being killed." Thus he chided with his heart, and checked it into endurance, but he tossed about as one who turns a paunch full of blood and fat in front of a hot fire, doing it first on one side and then on the other, that he may get it cooked as soon as possible, even so did he turn himself about from side to side, thinking all the time how, single handed as he was, he should contrive to kill so large a body of men as the wicked suitors. But by and by Athena came down from heaven in the likeness of a woman,
Homeric Greek
ἐμπλείην κνίσης τε καὶ αἵματος, ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
αἰόλλῃ, μάλα δ' ὦκα λιλαίεται ὀπτηθῆναι,
ὣς ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα ἑλίσσετο, μερμηρίζων
ὅππως δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφήσει
30μοῦνος ἐὼν πολέσι. σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη
Transliteration
empleiēn knisēs te kai haimatos, entha kai entha
aiollēi, mala d' ōka lilaietai optēthēnai,
hōs ar' ho g' entha kai entha helisseto, mermērizōn
hoppōs dē mnēstērsin anaidesi cheiras ephēsei
30mounos eōn polesi. schedothen de hoi ēlthen Athēnē
English · Butler
and hovered over his head saying, "My poor unhappy man, why do you lie awake in this way? This is your house: your wife is safe inside it, and so
Homeric Greek
οὐρανόθεν καταβᾶσα: δέμας δ' ἤϊκτο γυναικί:
στῆ δ' ἄρ' ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:
"τίπτ' αὖτ' ἐγρήσσεις, πάντων περὶ κάμμορε φωτῶν;
οἶκος μέν τοι ὅδ' ἐστί, γυνὴ δέ τοι ἥδ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
35καὶ, πάϊς, οἷόν πού τις ἐέλδεται ἔμμεναι υἷα."
Transliteration
ouranothen katabasa: demas d' ēïkto gunaiki:
stē d' ar' huper kephalēs kai min pros muthon eeipe:
"tipt' aut' egrēsseis, pantōn peri kammore phōtōn;
oikos men toi hod' esti, gunē de toi hēd' eni oikōi
35kai, païs, hoion pou tis eeldetai emmenai huia."
English · Butler
is your son who is just such a young man as any father may be proud of."
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα, θεά, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες:
ἀλλά τί μοι τόδε θυμὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζει,
ὅππως δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφήσω,
40μοῦνος ἐών: οἱ δ' αἰὲν ἀολλέες ἔνδον ἔασι.
Transliteration
tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
"nai dē tauta ge panta, thea, kata moiran eeipes:
alla ti moi tode thumos eni phresi mermērizei,
hoppōs dē mnēstērsin anaidesi cheiras ephēsō,
40mounos eōn: hoi d' aien aollees endon easi.
English · Butler
"Goddess," answered Odysseus, "all that you have said is true, but I am in some doubt as to how I shall be able to kill these wicked suitors single handed, seeing what a number of them there always are. And there is this further difficulty, which is still more considerable. Supposing that with Zeus’ and your assistance I succeed in killing them, I must ask you
Homeric Greek
πρὸς δ' ἔτι καὶ τόδε μεῖζον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζω:
εἴ περ γὰρ κτείναιμι Διός τε σέθεν τε ἕκητι,
πῆ κεν ὑπεκπροφύγοιμι; τά σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
45"σχέτλιε, καὶ μέν τίς τε χερείονι πείθεθ' ἑταίρῳ,
Transliteration
pros d' eti kai tode meizon eni phresi mermērizō:
ei per gar kteinaimi Dios te sethen te hekēti,
pē ken hupekprophugoimi; ta se phrazesthai anōga."
ton d' aute proseeipe thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
45"schetlie, kai men tis te chereioni peitheth' hetairōi,
English · Butler
to consider where I am to escape to from their avengers when it is all over." "For shame," replied Athena, "why, any one else would trust a worse ally than myself, even though that ally were only a mortal and less wise than I am. Am I not a goddess, and have I not protected you throughout in all your ordeals ?
Homeric Greek
ὅς περ θνητός τ' ἐστὶ καὶ οὐ τόσα μήδεα οἶδεν:
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ θεός εἰμι, διαμπερὲς ἥ σε φυλάσσω
ἐν πάντεσσι πόνοις. ἐρέω δέ τοι ἐξαναφανδόν:
εἴ περ πεντήκοντα λόχοι μερόπων ἀνθρώπων
50νῶϊ περισταῖεν, κτεῖναι μεμαῶτες Ἄρηϊ,
Transliteration
hos per thnētos t' esti kai ou tosa mēdea oiden:
autar egō theos eimi, diamperes hē se phulassō
en pantessi ponois. ereō de toi exanaphandon:
ei per pentēkonta lochoi meropōn anthrōpōn
50nōï peristaien, kteinai memaōtes Arēï,
English · Butler
I tell you plainly that even though there were fifty bands of men surrounding us and eager to kill us, you should take all their sheep and cattle, and drive them away with you. But go to sleep; it is a very bad
Homeric Greek
καί κεν τῶν ἐλάσαιο βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα.
ἀλλ' ἑλέτω σε καὶ ὕπνος: ἀνίη καὶ τὸ φυλάσσειν
πάννυχον ἐγρήσσοντα, κακῶν δ' ὑποδύσεαι ἤδη."
ὣς φάτο, καί ῥά οἱ ὕπνον ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔχευεν,
55αὐτὴ δ' ἂψ ἐς Ὄλυμπον ἀφίκετο δῖα θεάων.
Transliteration
kai ken tōn elasaio boas kai iphia mēla.
all' heletō se kai hupnos: aniē kai to phulassein
pannuchon egrēssonta, kakōn d' hupoduseai ēdē."
hōs phato, kai rha hoi hupnon epi blepharoisin echeuen,
55autē d' aps es Olumpon aphiketo dia theaōn.
English · Butler
thing to lie awake all night, and you shall be out of your troubles before long." As she spoke she shed sleep over his eyes, and then went back to Olympus.
Homeric Greek
εὖτε τὸν ὕπνος ἔμαρπτε, λύων μελεδήματα θυμοῦ,
λυσιμελής, ἄλοχος δ' ἄρ' ἐπέγρετο κεδνὰ ἰδυῖα:
κλαῖε δ' ἄρ' ἐν λέκτροισι καθεζομένη μαλακοῖσιν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κλαίουσα κορέσσατο ὃν κατὰ θυμόν,
60Ἀρτέμιδι πρώτιστον ἐπεύξατο δῖα γυναικῶν:
Transliteration
eute ton hupnos emarpte, luōn meledēmata thumou,
lusimelēs, alochos d' ar' epegreto kedna iduia:
klaie d' ar' en lektroisi kathezomenē malakoisin.
autar epei klaiousa koressato hon kata thumon,
60Artemidi prōtiston epeuxato dia gunaikōn:
English · Butler
While Odysseus was thus yielding himself to a very deep slumber that eased the burden of his sorrows, his admirable wife awoke, and sitting up in her bed began to cry. When she had relieved herself by weeping she prayed to Artemis saying, "Great Goddess Artemis, daughter of Zeus, drive an arrow into my heart and slay me; or let some whirlwind snatch me up and bear me through paths of darkness till it drop me
Homeric Greek
"Ἄρτεμι, πότνα θεά, θύγατερ Διός, αἴθε μοι ἤδη
ἰὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι βαλοῦσ' ἐκ θυμὸν ἕλοιο
αὐτίκα νῦν, ἢ ἔπειτα μ' ἀναρπάξασα θύελλα
οἴχοιτο προφέρουσα κατ' ἠερόεντα κέλευθα,
65ἐν προχοῇς δὲ βάλοι ἀψορρόου Ὠκεανοῖο.
Transliteration
"Artemi, potna thea, thugater Dios, aithe moi ēdē
ion eni stēthessi balous' ek thumon heloio
autika nun, ē epeita m' anarpaxasa thuella
oichoito propherousa kat' ēeroenta keleutha,
65en prochoēis de baloi apsorroou Ōkeanoio.
English · Butler
into the mouths of overflowing Okeanos, as it did the daughters of Pandareus. The daughters of Pandareus lost their father and mother, for the gods killed them, so they were left orphans. But Aphrodite took care of them, and fed them on cheese, honey, and sweet wine. Hera taught them to excel all women in beauty of form and understanding; Artemis gave them an imposing presence, and Athena endowed them with every kind of accomplishment;
Homeric Greek
ὡς δ' ὅτε Πανδαρέου κούρας ἀνέλοντο θύελλαι:
τῇσι τοκῆας μὲν φθῖσαν θεοί, αἱ δ' ἐλίποντο
ὀρφαναὶ ἐν μεγάροισι, κόμισσε δὲ δῖ' Ἀφροδίτη
τυρῷ καὶ μέλιτι γλυκερῷ καὶ ἡδέϊ οἴνῳ:
70Ἥρη δ' αὐτῇσιν περὶ πασέων δῶκε γυναικῶν
Transliteration
hōs d' hote Pandareou kouras anelonto thuellai:
tēisi tokēas men phthisan theoi, hai d' eliponto
orphanai en megaroisi, komisse de di' Aphroditē
turōi kai meliti glukerōi kai hēdeï oinōi:
70Hērē d' autēisin peri paseōn dōke gunaikōn
English · Butler
but one day when Aphrodite had gone up to Olympus to see Zeus about getting them married (for well does he know both what shall happen and what not happen to every one) the storm winds came and spirited them away to become handmaids to the dread Erinyes.
Homeric Greek
εἶδος καὶ πινυτήν, μῆκος δ' ἔπορ' Ἄρτεμις ἁγνή,
ἔργα δ' Ἀθηναίη δέδαε κλυτὰ ἐργάζεσθαι.
εὖτ' Ἀφροδίτη δῖα προσέστιχε μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,
κούρῃς αἰτήσουσα τέλος θαλεροῖο γάμοιο--
75ἐς Δία τερπικέραυνον, ὁ γάρ τ' εὖ οἶδεν ἅπαντα,
Transliteration
eidos kai pinutēn, mēkos d' epor' Artemis hagnē,
erga d' Athēnaiē dedae kluta ergazesthai.
eut' Aphroditē dia prosestiche makron Olumpon,
kourēis aitēsousa telos thaleroio gamoio--
75es Dia terpikeraunon, ho gar t' eu oiden hapanta,
English · Butler
Even so I wish that the gods who live in heaven would hide me from mortal sight, or that fair Artemis might strike me, for I would fain go even beneath the sad earth if
Homeric Greek
μοῖράν τ' ἀμμορίην τε καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπων--
τόφρα δὲ τὰς κούρας ἅρπυιαι ἀνηρείψαντο
καί ῥ' ἔδοσαν στυγερῇσιν ἐρινύσιν ἀμφιπολεύειν:
ὣς ἔμ' ἀϊστώσειαν Ὀλύμπια δώματ' ἔχοντες,
80ἠέ μ' ἐϋπλόκαμος βάλοι Ἄρτεμις, ὄφρ' Ὀδυσῆα
Transliteration
moiran t' ammoriēn te katathnētōn anthrōpōn--
tophra de tas kouras harpuiai anēreipsanto
kai rh' edosan stugerēisin erinusin amphipoleuein:
hōs em' aïstōseian Olumpia dōmat' echontes,
80ēe m' eüplokamos baloi Artemis, ophr' Odusēa
English · Butler
I might do so still looking towards Odysseus only, and without having to yield myself to a worse man than he was. Besides, no matter how many people may grieve by day, they can put up with it so long as they can
Homeric Greek
ὀσσομένη καὶ γαῖαν ὕπο στυγερὴν ἀφικοίμην,
μηδέ τι χείρονος ἀνδρὸς ἐϋφραίνοιμι νόημα.
ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν καὶ ἀνεκτὸν ἔχει κακόν, ὁππότε κέν τις
ἤματα μὲν κλαίῃ, πυκινῶς ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ,
85νύκτας δ' ὕπνος ἔχῃσιν--ὁ γάρ τ' ἐπέλησεν ἁπάντων,
Transliteration
ossomenē kai gaian hupo stugerēn aphikoimēn,
mēde ti cheironos andros eüphrainoimi noēma.
alla to men kai anekton echei kakon, hoppote ken tis
ēmata men klaiēi, pukinōs akachēmenos ētor,
85nuktas d' hupnos echēisin--ho gar t' epelēsen hapantōn,
English · Butler
sleep at night, for when the eyes are closed in slumber people forget good and ill alike; whereas my miserable daimôn haunts me even in my dreams. This very night I thought there was one lying by my side who was like
Homeric Greek
ἐσθλῶν ἠδὲ κακῶν, ἐπεὶ ἄρ βλέφαρ' ἀμφικαλύψῃ--
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ καὶ ὀνείρατ' ἐπέσσευεν κακὰ δαίμων.
τῇδε γὰρ αὖ μοι νυκτὶ παρέδραθεν εἴκελος αὐτῷ,
τοῖος ἐὼν οἷος ᾖεν ἅμα στρατῷ: αὐτὰρ ἐμὸν κῆρ
90χαῖρ', ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἐφάμην ὄναρ ἔμμεναι, ἀλλ' ὕπαρ ἤδη."
Transliteration
esthlōn ēde kakōn, epei ar blephar' amphikalupsēi--
autar emoi kai oneirat' epesseuen kaka daimōn.
tēide gar au moi nukti paredrathen eikelos autōi,
toios eōn hoios ēien hama stratōi: autar emon kēr
90chair', epei ouk ephamēn onar emmenai, all' hupar ēdē."
English · Butler
Odysseus as he was when he went away with his host, and I rejoiced, for I believed that it was no dream, but the very truth itself."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἔφατ', αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.
τῆς δ' ἄρα κλαιούσης ὄπα σύνθετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:
μερμήριζε δ' ἔπειτα, δόκησε δέ οἱ κατὰ θυμὸν
ἤδη γιγνώσκουσα παρεστάμεναι κεφαλῆφι.
95χλαῖναν μὲν συνελὼν καὶ κώεα, τοῖσιν ἐνεῦδεν,
Transliteration
hōs ephat', autika de chrusothronos ēluthen Ēōs.
tēs d' ara klaiousēs opa suntheto dios Odusseus:
mermērize d' epeita, dokēse de hoi kata thumon
ēdē gignōskousa parestamenai kephalēphi.
95chlainan men sunelōn kai kōea, toisin eneuden,
English · Butler
On this the day broke, but Odysseus heard the sound of her weeping, and it puzzled him, for it seemed as though she already knew him and was by his side. Then he gathered up the cloak and the fleeces on which he had lain, and set them on a seat in the room, but he took the bullock's hide out into the open. He lifted up his hands to heaven, and prayed, saying
Homeric Greek
ἐς μέγαρον κατέθηκεν ἐπὶ θρόνου, ἐκ δὲ βοείην
θῆκε θύραζε φέρων, Διὶ δ' εὔξατο χεῖρας ἀνασχών:
"Ζεῦ πάτερ, εἴ μ' ἐθέλοντες ἐπὶ τραφερήν τε καὶ ὑγρὴν
ἤγετ' ἐμὴν ἐς γαῖαν, ἐπεί μ' ἐκακώσατε λίην,
100φήμην τίς μοι φάσθω ἐγειρομένων ἀνθρώπων
Transliteration
es megaron katethēken epi thronou, ek de boeiēn
thēke thuraze pherōn, Dii d' euxato cheiras anaschōn:
"Zeu pater, ei m' ethelontes epi trapherēn te kai hugrēn
ēget' emēn es gaian, epei m' ekakōsate liēn,
100phēmēn tis moi phasthō egeiromenōn anthrōpōn
English · Butler
"Father Zeus, since you have seen fit to bring me over land and sea to my own home after all the afflictions you have laid upon me, give me a sign out of the mouth of some one or other of those who are now waking within the house, and
Homeric Greek
ἔνδοθεν, ἔκτοσθεν δὲ Διὸς τέρας ἄλλο φανήτω."
ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος: τοῦ δ' ἔκλυε μητίετα Ζεύς,
αὐτίκα δ' ἐβρόντησεν ἀπ' αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου,
ὑψόθεν ἐκ νεφέων: γήθησε δὲ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
105φήμην δ' ἐξ οἴκοιο γυνὴ προέηκεν ἀλετρὶς
Transliteration
endothen, ektosthen de Dios teras allo phanētō."
hōs ephat' euchomenos: tou d' eklue mētieta Zeus,
autika d' ebrontēsen ap' aiglēentos Olumpou,
hupsothen ek nepheōn: gēthēse de dios Odusseus.
105phēmēn d' ex oikoio gunē proeēken aletris
English · Butler
let me have another sign of some kind from outside." Thus did he pray. Zeus heard his prayer and forthwith thundered high up among the from the splendor of Olympus, and Odysseus was glad when he heard it. At the same time within the house, a miller-woman from hard by in the mill room lifted up her voice and gave him another sign.
Homeric Greek
πλησίον, ἔνθ' ἄρα οἱ μύλαι ἥατο ποιμένι λαῶν,
τῇσιν δώδεκα πᾶσαι ἐπερρώοντο γυναῖκες
ἄλφιτα τεύχουσαι καὶ ἀλείατα, μυελὸν ἀνδρῶν.
αἱ μὲν ἄρ' ἄλλαι εὗδον, ἐπεὶ κατὰ πυρὸν ἄλεσσαν,
110ἡ δὲ μί' οὔπω παύετ', ἀφαυροτάτη δ' ἐτέτυκτο:
Transliteration
plēsion, enth' ara hoi mulai hēato poimeni laōn,
tēisin dōdeka pasai eperrōonto gunaikes
alphita teuchousai kai aleiata, muelon andrōn.
hai men ar' allai heudon, epei kata puron alessan,
110hē de mi' oupō pauet', aphaurotatē d' etetukto:
English · Butler
There were twelve miller-women whose business it was to grind wheat and barley which are the staff of life. The others had ground their task and had gone to take their rest, but this one had not yet finished, for she was not so strong as they were, and when she heard the thunder she stopped grinding and gave the sign to her master.
Homeric Greek
ἥ ῥα μύλην στήσασα ἔπος φάτο, σῆμα ἄνακτι:
"Ζεῦ πάτερ, ὅς τε θεοῖσι καὶ ἀνθρώποισιν ἀνάσσεις,
ἦ μεγάλ' ἐβρόντησας ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος,
οὐδέ ποθι νέφος ἐστί: τέρας νύ τεῳ τόδε φαίνεις.
115κρῆνον νῦν καὶ ἐμοὶ δειλῇ ἔπος, ὅττι κεν εἴπω:
Transliteration
hē rha mulēn stēsasa epos phato, sēma anakti:
"Zeu pater, hos te theoisi kai anthrōpoisin anasseis,
ē megal' ebrontēsas ap' ouranou asteroentos,
oude pothi nephos esti: teras nu teōi tode phaineis.
115krēnon nun kai emoi deilēi epos, hotti ken eipō:
English · Butler
"Father Zeus," said she, "you who rule over heaven and earth, you have thundered from a clear sky without so much as a cloud in it, and this means something for somebody; answer the prayer, then, of me your poor servant who calls upon you, and let this be the very last day that the suitors dine in the house of Odysseus.
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρες πύματόν τε καὶ ὕστατον ἤματι τῷδε
ἐν μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆος ἑλοίατο δαῖτ' ἐρατεινήν,
οἳ δή μοι καμάτῳ θυμαλγέι: γούνατ' ἔλυσαν
ἄλφιτα τευχούσῃ: νῦν ὕστατα δειπνήσειαν."
120ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, χαῖρεν δὲ κλεηδόνι δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
mnēstēres pumaton te kai hustaton ēmati tōide
en megarois Odusēos heloiato dait' erateinēn,
hoi dē moi kamatōi thumalgei: gounat' elusan
alphita teuchousēi: nun hustata deipnēseian."
120hōs ar' ephē, chairen de kleēdoni dios Odusseus
English · Butler
They have worn me out with the labor of grinding meal for them, and I hope they may never have another dinner anywhere at all." Odysseus was glad when he heard the omens conveyed to him by the woman's speech, and
Homeric Greek
Ζηνός τε βροντῇ: φάτο γὰρ τίσασθαι ἀλείτας.
αἱ δ' ἄλλαι δμῳαὶ κατὰ δώματα κάλ' Ὀδυσῆος
ἀγρόμεναι ἀνέκαιον ἐπ' ἐσχάρῃ ἀκάματον πῦρ.
Τηλέμαχος δ' εὐνῆθεν ἀνίστατο, ἰσόθεος φώς,
125εἵματα ἑσσάμενος: περὶ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτ' ὤμῳ:
Transliteration
Zēnos te brontēi: phato gar tisasthai aleitas.
hai d' allai dmōiai kata dōmata kal' Odusēos
agromenai anekaion ep' escharēi akamaton pur.
Tēlemachos d' eunēthen anistato, isotheos phōs,
125heimata hessamenos: peri de xiphos oxu thet' ōmōi:
English · Butler
by the thunder, for he knew they meant that he should avenge himself on the suitors. Then the other maids in the house rose and lit the fire on the hearth; Telemakhos also rose and put on his clothes. He girded his sword about his shoulder, bound his sandals on his comely feet, and took a doughty spear with a point of sharpened bronze; then he went to the threshold of
Homeric Greek
ποσσὶ δ' ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,
εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέι: χαλκῷ:
στῆ δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' οὐδὸν ἰών, πρὸς δ' Εὐρύκλειαν ἔειπε:
"μαῖα φίλη, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐτιμήσασθ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
130εὐνῇ καὶ σίτῳ, ἦ αὔτως κεῖται ἀκηδής;
Transliteration
possi d' hupo liparoisin edēsato kala pedila,
heileto d' alkimon enchos, akachmenon oxei: chalkōi:
stē d' ar' ep' oudon iōn, pros d' Eurukleian eeipe:
"maia philē, ton xeinon etimēsasth' eni oikōi
130eunēi kai sitōi, ē autōs keitai akēdēs;
English · Butler
the room and said to Eurykleia, "Nurse, did you make the stranger comfortable both as regards bed and board, or did you let him shift for himself? - for my mother, good woman though she is, has a way
Homeric Greek
τοιαύτη γὰρ ἐμὴ μήτηρ, πινυτή περ ἐοῦσα:
ἐμπλήγδην ἕτερόν γε τίει μερόπων ἀνθρώπων
χείρονα, τὸν δέ τ' ἀρείον' ἀτιμήσασ' ἀποπέμπει."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Εὐρύκλεια:
135"οὐκ ἄν μιν νῦν, τέκνον, ἀναίτιον αἰτιόῳο.
Transliteration
toiautē gar emē mētēr, pinutē per eousa:
emplēgdēn heteron ge tiei meropōn anthrōpōn
cheirona, ton de t' areion' atimēsas' apopempei."
ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Eurukleia:
135"ouk an min nun, teknon, anaition aitioōio.
English · Butler
of paying great attention to second-rate people, and of neglecting others who are in reality much better men." "Do not find fault, child," said Eurykleia, "when there is no one to find fault with. The stranger sat and drank his wine as long as he liked:
Homeric Greek
οἶνον μὲν γὰρ πῖνε καθήμενος, ὄφρ' ἔθελ' αὐτός,
σίτου δ' οὐκέτ' ἔφη πεινήμεναι: εἴρετο γάρ μιν.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ κοίτοιο καὶ ὕπνου μιμνήσκοιτο,
ἡ μὲν δέμνι' ἄνωγεν ὑποστορέσαι δμῳῇσιν,
140αὐτὰρ ὅ γ', ὥς τις πάμπαν ὀϊζυρὸς καὶ ἄποτμος,
Transliteration
oinon men gar pine kathēmenos, ophr' ethel' autos,
sitou d' ouket' ephē peinēmenai: eireto gar min.
all' hote dē koitoio kai hupnou mimnēskoito,
hē men demni' anōgen hupostoresai dmōiēisin,
140autar ho g', hōs tis pampan oïzuros kai apotmos,
English · Butler
your mother did ask him if he would take any more bread and he said he would not. When he wanted to go to bed she told the servants to make one for him, but he said he was such a wretched outcast that he would not sleep on a bed and under blankets; he insisted on having an undressed
Homeric Greek
οὐκ ἔθελ' ἐν λέκτροισι καὶ ἐν ῥήγεσσι καθεύδειν,
ἀλλ' ἐν ἀδεψήτῳ βοέῃ καὶ κώεσιν οἰῶν
ἔδραθ' ἐνὶ προδόμῳ: χλαῖναν δ' ἐπιέσσαμεν ἡμεῖς."
ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκει
145ἔγχος ἔχων, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω κύνες ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.
Transliteration
ouk ethel' en lektroisi kai en rhēgessi katheudein,
all' en adepsētōi boeēi kai kōesin oiōn
edrath' eni prodomōi: chlainan d' epiessamen hēmeis."
hōs phato, Tēlemachos de diek megaroio bebēkei
145enchos echōn, hama tōi ge duō kunes argoi heponto.
English · Butler
bullock's hide and some sheepskins put for him in the room and I threw a cloak over him myself." Then Telemakhos went out of the court to the place where the Achaeans were meeting in assembly; he had his spear in his hand, and he was not alone, for his two dogs went with him. But Eurykleia called the maids and said, "Come, wake up;
Homeric Greek
βῆ δ' ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορὴν μετ' ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.
ἡ δ' αὖτε δμῳῇσιν ἐκέκλετο δῖα γυναικῶν,
Εὐρύκλει', Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο:
"ἀγρεῖθ', αἱ μὲν δῶμα κορήσατε ποιπνύσασαι,
150ῥάσσατέ τ', ἔν τε θρόνοις εὐποιήτοισι τάπητας
Transliteration
bē d' imen eis agorēn met' eüknēmidas Achaious.
hē d' aute dmōiēisin ekekleto dia gunaikōn,
Euruklei', Ōpos thugatēr Peisēnoridao:
"agreith', hai men dōma korēsate poipnusasai,
150rhassate t', en te thronois eupoiētoisi tapētas
English · Butler
set about sweeping the cloisters and sprinkling them with water to lay the dust; put the covers on the seats; wipe down the tables, some of you, with a wet sponge; clean out the mixing-jugs and the cups, and for water from the fountain at once; the suitors will be here directly;
Homeric Greek
βάλλετε πορφυρέους: αἱ δὲ σπόγγοισι τραπέζας
πάσας ἀμφιμάσασθε, καθήρατε δὲ κρητῆρας
καὶ δέπα ἀμφικύπελλα τετυγμένα: ταὶ δὲ μεθ' ὕδωρ
ἔρχεσθε κρήνηνδε, καὶ οἴσετε θᾶσσον ἰοῦσαι.
155οὐ γὰρ δὴν μνηστῆρες ἀπέσσονται μεγάροιο,
Transliteration
ballete porphureous: hai de spongoisi trapezas
pasas amphimasasthe, kathērate de krētēras
kai depa amphikupella tetugmena: tai de meth' hudōr
erchesthe krēnēnde, kai oisete thasson iousai.
155ou gar dēn mnēstēres apessontai megaroio,
English · Butler
they will be here early, for it is a feast
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ μάλ' ἦρι νέονται, ἐπεὶ καὶ πᾶσιν ἑορτή."
ὣς ἔφαθ', αἱ δ' ἄρα τῆς μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδ' ἐπίθοντο.
αἱ μὲν ἐείκοσι βῆσαν ἐπὶ κρήνην μελάνυδρον,
αἱ δ' αὐτοῦ κατὰ δώματ' ἐπισταμένως πονέοντο.
160ἐς δ' ἦλθον δρηστῆρες Ἀχαιῶν. οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα
Transliteration
alla mal' ēri neontai, epei kai pasin heortē."
hōs ephath', hai d' ara tēs mala men kluon ēd' epithonto.
hai men eeikosi bēsan epi krēnēn melanudron,
hai d' autou kata dōmat' epistamenōs poneonto.
160es d' ēlthon drēstēres Achaiōn. hoi men epeita
English · Butler
day." Thus did she speak, and they did even as she had said: twenty of them went to the fountain for water, and the others set themselves busily to work about the house. The men who were in attendance on the suitors also came up and began chopping firewood. By and by the women returned from the fountain, and the swineherd came after them with the three best pigs he could pick out.
Homeric Greek
εὖ καὶ ἐπισταμένως κέασαν ξύλα, ταὶ δὲ γυναῖκες
ἦλθον ἀπὸ κρήνης: ἐπὶ δέ σφισιν ἦλθε συβώτης
τρεῖς σιάλους κατάγων, οἳ ἔσαν μετὰ πᾶσιν ἄριστοι.
καὶ τοὺς μέν ῥ' εἴασε καθ' ἕρκεα καλὰ νέμεσθαι,
165αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' Ὀδυσῆα προσηύδα μειλιχίοισι:
Transliteration
eu kai epistamenōs keasan xula, tai de gunaikes
ēlthon apo krēnēs: epi de sphisin ēlthe subōtēs
treis sialous katagōn, hoi esan meta pasin aristoi.
kai tous men rh' eiase kath' herkea kala nemesthai,
165autos d' aut' Odusēa prosēuda meilichioisi:
English · Butler
These he let feed about the premises, and then he said with good humor to Odysseus, "Stranger, are the suitors
Homeric Greek
"ξεῖν', ἦ ἄρ τί σε μᾶλλον Ἀχαιοὶ εἰσορόωσιν,
ἦέ σ' ἀτιμάζουσι κατὰ μέγαρ', ὡς τὸ πάρος περ;"
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολυμήτις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"αἲ γὰρ δή, Εὔμαιε, θεοὶ τισαίατο λώβην,
170ἣν οἵδ' ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωνται
Transliteration
"xein', ē ar ti se mallon Achaioi eisoroōsin,
ēe s' atimazousi kata megar', hōs to paros per;"
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
"ai gar dē, Eumaie, theoi tisaiato lōbēn,
170hēn hoid' hubrizontes atasthala mēchanoōntai
English · Butler
treating you any better now, or are they as insolent as ever?" "May heaven," answered Odysseus, "requite to them the wickedness with which they deal high-handedly in another
Homeric Greek
οἴκῳ ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ, οὐδ' αἰδοῦς μοῖραν ἔχουσιν."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφ' ἦλθε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν.
αἶγας ἄγων αἳ πᾶσι μετέρεπον αἰπολίοισι,
175δεῖπνον μνηστήρεσσι. δύω δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο νομῆες.
Transliteration
oikōi en allotriōi, oud' aidous moiran echousin."
hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,
anchimolon de sph' ēlthe Melanthios, aipolos aigōn.
aigas agōn hai pasi meterepon aipolioisi,
175deipnon mnēstēressi. duō d' ham' heponto nomēes.
English · Butler
man's house without any sense of shame." Thus did they converse; meanwhile Melanthios the goatherd came up, for he too was bringing in his best goats for the suitors’ dinner; and he had two shepherds with him. They tied the goats up under the gatehouse, and then Melanthios began gibing at Odysseus. "Are you still here, stranger," said he, "to pester people by begging about the house? Why can you not go elsewhere?
Homeric Greek
καὶ τὰς μὲν κατέδησεν ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ,
αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' Ὀδυσῆα προσηύδα κερτομίοισι:
"ξεῖν', ἔτι καὶ νῦν ἐνθάδ' ἀνιήσεις κατὰ δῶμα
ἀνέρας αἰτίζων, ἀτὰρ οὐκ ἔξεισθα θύραζε;
180πάντως οὐκέτι νῶϊ διακρινέεσθαι ὀί̈ω
Transliteration
kai tas men katedēsen hup' aithousēi eridoupōi,
autos d' aut' Odusēa prosēuda kertomioisi:
"xein', eti kai nun enthad' aniēseis kata dōma
aneras aitizōn, atar ouk exeistha thuraze;
180pantōs ouketi nōï diakrineesthai oïō
English · Butler
You and I shall not come to an understanding before we have given each other a taste of our fists. You beg without any sense of decency : are there not feasts elsewhere among
Homeric Greek
πρὶν χειρῶν γεύσασθαι, ἐπεὶ σύ περ οὐ κατὰ κόσμον
αἰτίζεις: εἰσὶν δὲ καὶ ἄλλαι δαῖτες Ἀχαιῶν."
ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' οὔ τι προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,
ἀλλ' ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.
185τοῖσι δ' ἐπὶ τρίτος ἦλθε Φιλοίτιος, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν,
Transliteration
prin cheirōn geusasthai, epei su per ou kata kosmon
aitizeis: eisin de kai allai daites Achaiōn."
hōs phato, ton d' ou ti prosephē polumētis Odusseus,
all' akeōn kinēse karē, kaka bussodomeuōn.
185toisi d' epi tritos ēlthe Philoitios, orchamos andrōn,
English · Butler
the Achaeans, as well as here?" Odysseus made no answer, but bowed his head and brooded. Then a third man, Philoitios, joined them, who was bringing in a barren heifer and some goats. These were brought over by the boatmen who are there to take people over when any one comes to them.
Homeric Greek
βοῦν στεῖραν μνηστῆρσιν ἄγων καὶ πίονας αἶγας.
πορθμῆες δ' ἄρα τούς γε διήγαγον, οἵ τε καὶ ἄλλους
ἀνθρώπους πέμπουσιν, ὅτις σφέας εἰσαφίκηται.
καὶ τὰ μὲν εὖ κατέδησεν ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ,
190αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' ἐρέεινε συβώτην ἄγχι παραστάς:
Transliteration
boun steiran mnēstērsin agōn kai pionas aigas.
porthmēes d' ara tous ge diēgagon, hoi te kai allous
anthrōpous pempousin, hotis spheas eisaphikētai.
kai ta men eu katedēsen hup' aithousēi eridoupōi,
190autos d' aut' ereeine subōtēn anchi parastas:
English · Butler
So Philoitios made his heifer and his goats secure under the gatehouse, and then went up to the swineherd. "Who, Swineherd," said he, "is this stranger that is lately come here? Is he one of your men? What is his family? Where does he come from?
Homeric Greek
"τίς δὴ ὅδε ξεῖνος νέον εἰλήλουθε, συβῶτα,
ἡμέτερον πρὸς δῶμα; τέων δ' ἐξ εὔχεται εἶναι
ἀνδρῶν; ποῦ δέ νύ οἱ γενεὴ καὶ πατρὶς ἄρουρα;
δύσμορος, ἦ τε ἔοικε δέμας βασιλῆϊ ἄνακτι:
195ἀλλὰ θεοὶ δυόωσι πολυπλάγκτους ἀνθρώπους,
Transliteration
"tis dē hode xeinos neon eilēlouthe, subōta,
hēmeteron pros dōma; teōn d' ex euchetai einai
andrōn; pou de nu hoi geneē kai patris aroura;
dusmoros, ē te eoike demas basilēï anakti:
195alla theoi duoōsi poluplanktous anthrōpous,
English · Butler
Poor fellow, he looks as if he had been some great man, but the gods give sorrow to whom they will - even to kings
Homeric Greek
ὁππότε καὶ βασιλεῦσιν ἐπικλώσωνται ὀϊζύν."
ἦ καὶ δεξιτερῇ δειδίσκετο χειρὶ παραστάς,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"χαῖρε, πάτερ ὦ ξεῖνε: γένοιτό τοι ἔς περ ὀπίσσω
200ὄλβος: ἀτὰρ μὲν νῦν γε κακοῖς ἔχεαι πολέεσσι.
Transliteration
hoppote kai basileusin epiklōsōntai oïzun."
ē kai dexiterēi deidisketo cheiri parastas,
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"chaire, pater ō xeine: genoito toi es per opissō
200olbos: atar men nun ge kakois echeai poleessi.
English · Butler
if it so pleases them As he spoke he went up to Odysseus and saluted him with his right hand; "Good day to you, father stranger," said he, "you seem to be very poorly off now, but I hope you will have better times by and by. Father Zeus, of all gods you are the most malicious. We are your own children, yet you show us no mercy in all our misery and afflictions. A sweat came over me when I saw this
Homeric Greek
Ζεῦ πάτερ, οὔ τις σεῖο θεῶν ὀλοώτερος ἄλλος:
οὐκ ἐλεαίρεις ἄνδρας, ἐπὴν δὴ γείνεαι αὐτός,
μισγέμεναι κακότητι καὶ ἄλγεσι λευγαλέοισιν.
ἴδιον, ὡς ἐνόησα, δεδάκρυνται δέ μοι ὄσσε
205μνησαμένῳ Ὀδυσῆος, ἐπεὶ καὶ κεῖνον ὀί̈ω
Transliteration
Zeu pater, ou tis seio theōn oloōteros allos:
ouk eleaireis andras, epēn dē geineai autos,
misgemenai kakotēti kai algesi leugaleoisin.
idion, hōs enoēsa, dedakruntai de moi osse
205mnēsamenōi Odusēos, epei kai keinon oïō
English · Butler
man, and my eyes filled with tears, for he reminds me of Odysseus, who I fear is going about in just such rags as this man's are, if indeed he is still among the living. If he is already dead and in the house of Hades, then, alas! for my good master, who made me his stockman
Homeric Greek
τοιάδε λαίφε' ἔχοντα κατ' ἀνθρώπους ἀλάλησθαι,
εἴ που ἔτι ζώει καὶ ὁρᾷ φάος ἠελίοιο.
εἰ δ' ἤδη τέθνηκε καὶ εἰν Ἀί̈δαο δόμοισιν,
ὤ μοι ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ὅς μ' ἐπὶ βουσὶν
210εἷσ' ἔτι τυτθὸν ἐόντα Κεφαλλήνων ἐνὶ δήμῳ.
Transliteration
toiade laiphe' echonta kat' anthrōpous alalēsthai,
ei pou eti zōei kai horāi phaos ēelioio.
ei d' ēdē tethnēke kai ein Aïdao domoisin,
ō moi epeit' Odusēos amumonos, hos m' epi bousin
210heis' eti tutthon eonta Kephallēnōn eni dēmōi.
English · Butler
when I was quite young in the dêmos of the Cephallênians, and now his cattle are countless; no one could have done better with them than I have, for they have bred like ears of wheat; nevertheless I have to keep bringing them in for others to eat, who take no heed of his son though he is in the
Homeric Greek
νῦν δ' αἱ μὲν γίγνονται ἀθέσφατοι, οὐδέ κεν ἄλλως
ἀνδρί γ' ὑποσταχύοιτο βοῶν γένος εὐρυμετώπων:
τὰς δ' ἄλλοι με κέλονται ἀγινέμεναί σφισιν αὐτοῖς
ἔδμεναι: οὐδέ τι παιδὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροις ἀλέγουσιν,
215οὐδ' ὄπιδα τρομέουσι θεῶν: μεμάασι γὰρ ἤδη
Transliteration
nun d' hai men gignontai athesphatoi, oude ken allōs
andri g' hupostachuoito boōn genos eurumetōpōn:
tas d' alloi me kelontai aginemenai sphisin autois
edmenai: oude ti paidos eni megarois alegousin,
215oud' opida tromeousi theōn: memaasi gar ēdē
English · Butler
house, and fear not the wrath of heaven, but are already eager to divide Odysseus’ property among them because he has been away so long. I have often thought - only it would not be right while his son is living - of going off with the cattle to some foreign dêmos;
Homeric Greek
κτήματα δάσσασθαι δὴν οἰχομένοιο ἄνακτος.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ τόδε θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι
πόλλ' ἐπιδινεῖται: μάλα μὲν κακὸν υἷος ἐόντος
ἄλλων δῆμον ἱκέσθαι ἰόντ' αὐτῇσι βόεσσιν,
220ἄνδρας ἐς ἀλλοδαπούς: τὸ δὲ ῥίγιον, αὖθι μένοντα
Transliteration
ktēmata dassasthai dēn oichomenoio anaktos.
autar emoi tode thumos eni stēthessi philoisi
poll' epidineitai: mala men kakon huios eontos
allōn dēmon hikesthai iont' autēisi boessin,
220andras es allodapous: to de rhigion, authi menonta
English · Butler
bad as this would be, it is still harder to stay here and be ill-treated about other people's herds. My position is intolerable, and I should long since have run away and put myself
Homeric Greek
βουσὶν ἐπ' ἀλλοτρίῃσι καθήμενον ἄλγεα πάσχειν.
καί κεν δὴ πάλαι ἄλλον ὑπερμενέων βασιλήων
ἐξικόμην φεύγων, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτ' ἀνεκτὰ πέλονται:
ἀλλ' ἔτι τὸν δύστηνον ὀί̈ομαι, εἴ ποθεν ἐλθὼν
225ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων σκέδασιν κατὰ δώματα θείῃ."
Transliteration
bousin ep' allotriēisi kathēmenon algea paschein.
kai ken dē palai allon hupermeneōn basilēōn
exikomēn pheugōn, epei ouket' anekta pelontai:
all' eti ton dustēnon oïomai, ei pothen elthōn
225andrōn mnēstērōn skedasin kata dōmata theiēi."
English · Butler
under the protection of some other chief, only that I believe my poor master will yet return, and send all these suitors fleeing out of the house."
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"βουκόλ', ἐπεὶ οὔτε κακῷ οὔτ' ἄφρονι φωτὶ ἔοικας,
γιγνώσκω δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ὅ τοι πινυτὴ φρένας ἵκει,
τοὔνεκά τοι ἐρέω καὶ ἐπὶ μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμοῦμαι:
230ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς πρῶτα θεῶν ξενίη τε τράπεζα
Transliteration
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polumētis Odusseus:
"boukol', epei oute kakōi out' aphroni phōti eoikas,
gignōskō de kai autos ho toi pinutē phrenas hikei,
touneka toi ereō kai epi megan horkon omoumai:
230istō nun Zeus prōta theōn xeniē te trapeza
English · Butler
"Stockman," answered Odysseus, "you seem to be a very well-disposed person, and I can see that you are a man of sense. Therefore I will tell you, and will confirm my words with an oath: by Zeus, the chief of all gods, and by that hearth of Odysseus to which I am now come,
Homeric Greek
ἱστίη τ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ἣν ἀφικάνω,
ἦ σέθεν ἐνθάδ' ἐόντος ἐλεύσεται οἴκαδ' Ὀδυσσεύς:
σοῖσιν δ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἐπόψεαι, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα,
κτεινομένους μνηστῆρας, οἳ ἐνθάδε κοιρανέουσιν."
235τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ:
Transliteration
histiē t' Odusēos amumonos, hēn aphikanō,
ē sethen enthad' eontos eleusetai oikad' Odusseus:
soisin d' ophthalmoisin epopseai, ai k' ethelēistha,
kteinomenous mnēstēras, hoi enthade koiraneousin."
235ton d' aute proseeipe boōn epiboukolos anēr:
English · Butler
Odysseus shall return before you leave this place, and if you are so minded you shall see him killing the suitors who are now masters here." "If Zeus were to bring this to pass,"
Homeric Greek
"αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο, ξεῖνε, ἔπος τελέσειε Κρονίων:
γνοίης χ' οἵη ἐμὴ δύναμις καὶ χεῖρες ἕπονται."
ὣς δ' αὔτως Εὔμαιος ἐπεύξατο πᾶσι θεοῖσι
νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε.
240ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,
Transliteration
"ai gar touto, xeine, epos teleseie Kroniōn:
gnoiēs ch' hoiē emē dunamis kai cheires hepontai."
hōs d' autōs Eumaios epeuxato pasi theoisi
nostēsai Odusēa poluphrona honde domonde.
240hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,
English · Butler
replied the stockman, "you should see how I would do my very utmost to help him." And in like manner Eumaios prayed that Odysseus might return home. Thus did they converse.
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρες δ' ἄρα Τηλεμάχῳ θάνατόν τε μόρον τε
ἤρτυον: αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσιν ἀριστερὸς ἤλυθεν ὄρνις,
αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτης, ἔχε δὲ τρήρωνα πέλειαν.
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀμφίνομος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν:
245"ὦ φίλοι, οὐχ ἡμῖν συνθεύσεται ἥδε γε βουλή,
Transliteration
mnēstēres d' ara Tēlemachōi thanaton te moron te
ērtuon: autar ho toisin aristeros ēluthen ornis,
aietos hupsipetēs, eche de trērōna peleian.
toisin d' Amphinomos agorēsato kai meteeipen:
245"ō philoi, ouch hēmin suntheusetai hēde ge boulē,
English · Butler
Thus did they converse. Meanwhile the suitors were hatching a plot to murder Telemakhos: but a bird flew near them on their left hand - an eagle with a dove in its talons. On this Amphinomos said, "My friends, this plot of ours to murder Telemakhos will not succeed; let us go to
Homeric Greek
Τηλεμάχοιο φόνος: ἀλλὰ μνησώμεθα δαιτός."
ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀμφίνομος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.
ἐλθόντες δ' ἐς δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο
χλαίνας μὲν κατέθεντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,
250οἱ δ' ἱέρευον ὄϊς μεγάλους καὶ πίονας αἶγας,
Transliteration
Tēlemachoio phonos: alla mnēsōmetha daitos."
hōs ephat' Amphinomos, toisin d' epiēndane muthos.
elthontes d' es dōmat' Odussēos theioio
chlainas men katethento kata klismous te thronous te,
250hoi d' hiereuon oïs megalous kai pionas aigas,
English · Butler
dinner instead." The others assented, so they went inside and laid their cloaks on the benches and seats. They sacrificed the sheep, goats, pigs, and the heifer, and when the inward meats were cooked they served them round. They mixed the wine in the
Homeric Greek
ἵρευον δὲ σύας σιάλους καὶ βοῦν ἀγελαίην:
σπλάγχνα δ' ἄρ' ὀπτήσαντες ἐνώμων, ἐν δέ τε οἶνον
κρητῆρσιν κερόωντο: κύπελλα δὲ νεῖμε συβώτης.
σῖτον δέ σφ' ἐπένειμε Φιλοίτιος, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν,
255καλοῖς ἐν κανέοισιν, ἐῳνοχόει δὲ Μελανθεύς.
Transliteration
hireuon de suas sialous kai boun agelaiēn:
splanchna d' ar' optēsantes enōmōn, en de te oinon
krētērsin keroōnto: kupella de neime subōtēs.
siton de sph' epeneime Philoitios, orchamos andrōn,
255kalois en kaneoisin, eōinochoei de Melantheus.
English · Butler
mixing-bowls, and the swineherd gave every man his cup, while Philoitios handed round the bread in the breadbaskets, and Melanthios poured them out their wine. Then they laid their hands upon the good
Homeric Greek
οἱ δ' ἐπ' ὀνείαθ' ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.
Τηλέμαχος δ' Ὀδυσῆα καθίδρυε, κέρδεα νωμῶν,
ἐντὸς ἐϋσταθέος μεγάρου, παρὰ λάϊνον οὐδόν,
δίφρον ἀεικέλιον καταθεὶς ὀλίγην τε τράπεζαν:
260πὰρ δ' ἐτίθει σπλάγχνων μοίρας, ἐν δ' οἶνον ἔχευεν
Transliteration
hoi d' ep' oneiath' hetoima prokeimena cheiras iallon.
Tēlemachos d' Odusēa kathidrue, kerdea nōmōn,
entos eüstatheos megarou, para laïnon oudon,
diphron aeikelion katatheis oligēn te trapezan:
260par d' etithei splanchnōn moiras, en d' oinon echeuen
English · Butler
things that were before them. Telemakhos deliberately made Odysseus sit in the part of the room that was paved with stone; he gave him a shabby-looking seat at a little table to himself, and had his portion of the inward meats brought to him, with his wine in a gold cup. "Sit there," said he, "and drink your wine among the great people. I will put a stop to the gibes and blows
Homeric Greek
ἐν δέπαϊ χρυσέῳ, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:
"ἐνταυθοῖ νῦν ἧσο μετ' ἀνδράσιν οἰνοποτάζων:
κερτομίας δέ τοι αὐτὸς ἐγὼ καὶ χεῖρας ἀφέξω
πάντων μνηστήρων, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι δήμιός ἐστιν
265οἶκος ὅδ', ἀλλ' Ὀδυσῆος, ἐμοὶ δ' ἐκτήσατο κεῖνος.
Transliteration
en depaï chruseōi, kai min pros muthon eeipen:
"entauthoi nun hēso met' andrasin oinopotazōn:
kertomias de toi autos egō kai cheiras aphexō
pantōn mnēstērōn, epei ou toi dēmios estin
265oikos hod', all' Odusēos, emoi d' ektēsato keinos.
English · Butler
of the suitors, for this is no public house, but belongs to Odysseus, and has passed from him to me. Therefore, suitors, keep your hands and your tongues to
Homeric Greek
ὑμεῖς δέ, μνηστῆρες, ἐπίσχετε θυμὸν ἐνιπῆς
καὶ χειρῶν, ἵνα μή τις ἔρις καὶ νεῖκος ὄρηται."
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἐν χείλεσι φύντες
Τηλέμαχον θαύμαζον, ὃ θαρσαλέως ἀγόρευε.
270τοῖσιν δ' Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός:
Transliteration
humeis de, mnēstēres, epischete thumon enipēs
kai cheirōn, hina mē tis eris kai neikos orētai."
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes odax en cheilesi phuntes
Tēlemachon thaumazon, ho tharsaleōs agoreue.
270toisin d' Antinoos metephē, Eupeitheos huios:
English · Butler
yourselves, or there will be trouble." The suitors bit their lips, and marveled at the boldness of his speech; then Antinoos said, "We do not like such language but we will put up with it, for Telemakhos is threatening us in good earnest. If Zeus had let us we
Homeric Greek
"καὶ χαλεπόν περ ἐόντα δεχώμεθα μῦθον, Ἀχαιοί,
Τηλεμάχου: μάλα δ' ἧμιν ἀπειλήσας ἀγορεύει.
οὐ γὰρ Ζεὺς εἴασε Κρονίων: τῷ κέ μιν ἤδη
παύσαμεν ἐν μεγάροισι, λιγύν περ ἐόντ' ἀγορητήν."
275ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀντίνοος: ὁ δ' ἄρ' οὐκ ἐμπάζετο μύθων.
Transliteration
"kai chalepon per eonta dechōmetha muthon, Achaioi,
Tēlemachou: mala d' hēmin apeilēsas agoreuei.
ou gar Zeus eiase Kroniōn: tōi ke min ēdē
pausamen en megaroisi, ligun per eont' agorētēn."
275hōs ephat' Antinoos: ho d' ar' ouk empazeto muthōn.
English · Butler
should have put a stop to his brave talk ere now." Thus spoke Antinoos, but Telemakhos heeded him not.
Homeric Greek
κήρυκες δ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ θεῶν ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην
ἦγον: τοὶ δ' ἀγέροντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ
ἄλσος ὕπο σκιερὸν ἑκατηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος.
οἱ δ' ἐπεὶ ὤπτησαν κρέ' ὑπέρτερα καὶ ἐρύσαντο,
280μοίρας δασσάμενοι δαίνυντ' ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα:
Transliteration
kērukes d' ana astu theōn hierēn hekatombēn
ēgon: toi d' ageronto karē komoōntes Achaioi
alsos hupo skieron hekatēbolou Apollōnos.
hoi d' epei ōptēsan kre' hupertera kai erusanto,
280moiras dassamenoi dainunt' erikudea daita:
English · Butler
Thus spoke Antinoos, but Telemakhos heeded him not. Meanwhile the heralds were bringing the holy hecatomb through the city, and the Achaeans gathered under the shady grove of Apollo. Then they roasted the outer meat, drew it off the spits, gave every man his portion, and feasted to their hearts’ content;
Homeric Greek
πὰρ δ' ἄρ' Ὀδυσσῆϊ μοῖραν θέσαν οἳ πονέοντο
ἴσην, ὡς αὐτοί περ ἐλάγχανον: ὣς γὰρ ἀνώγει
Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.
μνηστῆρας δ' οὐ πάμπαν ἀγήνορας εἴα Ἀθήνη
285λώβης ἴσχεσθαι θυμαλγέος, ὄφρ' ἔτι μᾶλλον
Transliteration
par d' ar' Odussēï moiran thesan hoi poneonto
isēn, hōs autoi per elanchanon: hōs gar anōgei
Tēlemachos, philos huios Odussēos theioio.
mnēstēras d' ou pampan agēnoras eia Athēnē
285lōbēs ischesthai thumalgeos, ophr' eti mallon
English · Butler
those who waited at table gave Odysseus exactly the same portion as the others had, for Telemakhos had told them to do so. But Athena would not let the suitors for one moment drop their insolence, for she wanted Odysseus to become still more bitter against them. Now there happened to be among them a ribald fellow, whose name was Ktesippos, and who came from Same.
Homeric Greek
δύη ἄχος κραδίην Λαερτιάδην Ὀδυσῆα.
ἦν δέ τις ἐν μνηστῆρσιν ἀνὴρ ἀθεμίστια εἰδώς,
Κτήσιππος δ' ὄνομ' ἔσκε, Σάμῃ δ' ἐνὶ οἰκία ναῖεν:
ὃς δή τοι κτεάτεσσι πεποιθὼς θεσπεσίοισι
290μνάσκετ' Ὀδυσσῆος δὴν οἰχομένοιο δάμαρτα.
Transliteration
duē achos kradiēn Laertiadēn Odusēa.
ēn de tis en mnēstērsin anēr athemistia eidōs,
Ktēsippos d' onom' eske, Samēi d' eni oikia naien:
hos dē toi kteatessi pepoithōs thespesioisi
290mnasket' Odussēos dēn oichomenoio damarta.
English · Butler
This man, confident in his great wealth, was paying court to the wife of Odysseus, and said to the suitors, "Hear what I have to say. The stranger has already had as large a portion as any one else; this is well, for it is not right nor reasonable to ill-treat any guest of Telemakhos who comes here.
Homeric Greek
ὅς ῥα τότε μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μετηύδα:
"κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες, ὄφρα τι εἴπω:
μοῖραν μὲν δὴ ξεῖνος ἔχει πάλαι, ὡς ἐπέοικεν,
ἴσην: οὐ γὰρ καλὸν ἀτέμβειν οὐδὲ δίκαιον
295ξείνους Τηλεμάχου, ὅς κεν τάδε δώμαθ' ἵκηται.
Transliteration
hos rha tote mnēstērsin huperphialoisi metēuda:
"keklute meu, mnēstēres agēnores, ophra ti eipō:
moiran men dē xeinos echei palai, hōs epeoiken,
isēn: ou gar kalon atembein oude dikaion
295xeinous Tēlemachou, hos ken tade dōmath' hikētai.
English · Butler
I will, however, make him a present on my own account, that he may have something to give
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγε οἱ καὶ ἐγὼ δῶ ξείνιον, ὄφρα καὶ αὐτὸς
ἠὲ λοετροχόῳ δώῃ γέρας ἠέ τῳ ἄλλῳ
δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο."
ὣς εἰπὼν ἔρριψε βοὸς πόδα χειρὶ παχείῃ.
300κείμενον ἐκ κανέοιο λαβών: ὁ δ' ἀλεύατ' Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
all' age hoi kai egō dō xeinion, ophra kai autos
ēe loetrochoōi dōēi geras ēe tōi allōi
dmōōn, hoi kata dōmat' Odussēos theioio."
hōs eipōn erripse boos poda cheiri pacheiēi.
300keimenon ek kaneoio labōn: ho d' aleuat' Odusseus
English · Butler
to the bath-woman, or to some other of Odysseus’ servants." As he spoke he picked up a heifer's foot from the meat-basket in which it lay, and threw it at Odysseus, but Odysseus turned his head a little aside, and avoided it, smiling sardonically as he did so, and it hit the wall, not him. On this Telemakhos spoke fiercely to Ktesippos, "It is
Homeric Greek
ἦκα παρακλίνας κεφαλήν, μείδησε δὲ θυμῷ
σαρδάνιον μάλα τοῖον: ὁ δ' εὔδμητον βάλε τοῖχον.
Κτήσιππον δ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχος ἠνίπαπε μύθῳ:
"Κτήσιππ', ἦ μάλα τοι τόδε κέρδιον ἔπλετο θυμῷ:
305οὐκ ἔβαλες τὸν ξεῖνον: ἀλεύατο γὰρ βέλος αὐτός.
Transliteration
ēka paraklinas kephalēn, meidēse de thumōi
sardanion mala toion: ho d' eudmēton bale toichon.
Ktēsippon d' ara Tēlemachos ēnipape muthōi:
"Ktēsipp', ē mala toi tode kerdion epleto thumōi:
305ouk ebales ton xeinon: aleuato gar belos autos.
English · Butler
a good thing for you," said he, "that the stranger turned his head so that you missed him. If you had hit him I should have run you through with my spear, and your father would have had to see about getting you buried rather than married in this house. So let me have no more unseemly behavior
Homeric Greek
ἦ γάρ κέν σε μέσον βάλον ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι,
καί κέ τοι ἀντὶ γάμοιο πατὴρ τάφον ἀμφεπονεῖτο
ἐνθάδε. τῷ μή τίς μοι ἀεικείας ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
φαινέτω: ἤδη γὰρ νοέω καὶ οἶδα ἕκαστα,
310ἐσθλά τε καὶ τὰ χέρηα: πάρος δ' ἔτι νήπιος ἦα.
Transliteration
ē gar ken se meson balon encheï oxuoenti,
kai ke toi anti gamoio patēr taphon ampheponeito
enthade. tōi mē tis moi aeikeias eni oikōi
phainetō: ēdē gar noeō kai oida hekasta,
310esthla te kai ta cherēa: paros d' eti nēpios ēa.
English · Butler
from any of you, for I am grown up now to the knowledge of good and evil and understand what is going on, instead of being the child that I have been heretofore. I have long seen you killing my sheep and making free with my grain and wine: I have put up with this,
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἔμπης τάδε μὲν καὶ τέτλαμεν εἰσορόωντες,
μήλων σφαζομένων οἴνοιό τε πινομένοιο
καὶ σίτου: χαλεπὸν γὰρ ἐρυκακέειν ἕνα πολλούς.
ἀλλ' ἄγε μηκέτι μοι κακὰ ῥέζετε δυσμενέοντες:
315εἰ δ' ἤδη μ' αὐτὸν κτεῖναι μενεαίνετε χαλκῷ,
Transliteration
all' empēs tade men kai tetlamen eisoroōntes,
mēlōn sphazomenōn oinoio te pinomenoio
kai sitou: chalepon gar erukakeein hena pollous.
all' age mēketi moi kaka rhezete dusmeneontes:
315ei d' ēdē m' auton kteinai meneainete chalkōi,
English · Butler
for one man is no match for many, but do me no further violence. Still, if you wish to kill me, kill me; I would far rather die than see such disgraceful scenes day after
Homeric Greek
καί κε τὸ βουλοίμην, καί κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη
τεθνάμεν ἢ τάδε γ' αἰὲν ἀεικέα ἔργ' ὁράασθαι,
ξείνους τε στυφελιζομένους δμῳάς τε γυναῖκας
ῥυστάζοντας ἀεικελίως κατὰ δώματα καλά."
320ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ:
Transliteration
kai ke to bouloimēn, kai ken polu kerdion eiē
tethnamen ē tade g' aien aeikea erg' horaasthai,
xeinous te stuphelizomenous dmōias te gunaikas
rhustazontas aeikeliōs kata dōmata kala."
320hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi:
English · Butler
day - guests insulted, and men dragging the women servants about the house in an unseemly way." They all held their peace till at last Agelaos son of Damastor said, "No one should take offense at what has just been said, nor gainsay it, for it is quite reasonable.
Homeric Greek
ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ μετέειπε Δαμαστορίδης Ἀγέλαος:
"ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἐπὶ ῥηθέντι δικαίῳ
ἀντιβίοις ἐπέεσσι καθαπτόμενος χαλεπαίνοι:
μήτε τι τὸν ξεῖνον στυφελίζετε μήτε τιν' ἄλλον
325δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.
Transliteration
opse de dē meteeipe Damastoridēs Agelaos:
"ō philoi, ouk an dē tis epi rhēthenti dikaiōi
antibiois epeessi kathaptomenos chalepainoi:
mēte ti ton xeinon stuphelizete mēte tin' allon
325dmōōn, hoi kata dōmat' Odussēos theioio.
English · Butler
They all held their peace till at last Agelaos son of Damastor said, "No one should take offense at what has just been said, nor gainsay it, for it is quite reasonable. Leave off, therefore, ill-treating the stranger, or any one else of the servants who are about the house; I would say, however, a friendly word to Telemakhos and his mother, which I trust may commend itself to both. ‘As long,’ I would say, ‘as you had ground for hoping that Odysseus would one day come home, there will be no nemesis as
Homeric Greek
Τηλεμάχῳ δέ κε μῦθον ἐγὼ καὶ μητέρι φαίην
ἤπιον, εἴ σφωϊν κραδίῃ ἅδοι ἀμφοτέροιϊν.
ὄφρα μὲν ὑμῖν θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐώλπει
νοστήσειν Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε,
330τόφρ' οὔ τις νέμεσις μενέμεν τ' ἦν ἰσχέμεναί τε
Transliteration
Tēlemachōi de ke muthon egō kai mēteri phaiēn
ēpion, ei sphōïn kradiēi hadoi amphoteroiïn.
ophra men humin thumos eni stēthessin eōlpei
nostēsein Odusēa poluphrona honde domonde,
330tophr' ou tis nemesis menemen t' ēn ischemenai te
English · Butler
a result of your waiting and suffering the suitors to be in your house. It would have been better that he should have returned, but it is now sufficiently clear that he will never do so; therefore talk all this quietly over with your mother, and tell her
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρας κατὰ δώματ', ἐπεὶ τόδε κέρδιον ἦεν,
εἰ νόστησ' Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ ὑπότροπος ἵκετο δῶμα:
νῦν δ' ἤδη τόδε δῆλον, ὅ τ' οὐκέτι νόστιμός ἐστιν.
ἀλλ' ἄγε, σῇ τάδε μητρὶ παρεζόμενος κατάλεξον,
335γήμασθ' ὅς τις ἄριστος ἀνὴρ καὶ πλεῖστα πόρῃσιν,
Transliteration
mnēstēras kata dōmat', epei tode kerdion ēen,
ei nostēs' Oduseus kai hupotropos hiketo dōma:
nun d' ēdē tode dēlon, ho t' ouketi nostimos estin.
all' age, sēi tade mētri parezomenos katalexon,
335gēmasth' hos tis aristos anēr kai pleista porēisin,
English · Butler
to marry the best man, and the one who makes her the most advantageous offer. Thus you will yourself be able to manage your own inheritance, and to eat and drink in peace, while your
Homeric Greek
ὄφρα σὺ μὲν χαίρων πατρώϊα πάντα νέμηαι,
ἔσθων καὶ πίνων, ἡ δ' ἄλλου δῶμα κομίζῃ."
τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"οὐ μὰ Ζῆν', Ἀγέλαε, καὶ ἄλγεα πατρὸς ἐμοῖο,
340ὅς που τῆλ' Ἰθάκης ἢ ἔφθιται ἢ ἀλάληται,
Transliteration
ophra su men chairōn patrōïa panta nemēai,
esthōn kai pinōn, hē d' allou dōma komizēi."
ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:
"ou ma Zēn', Agelae, kai algea patros emoio,
340hos pou tēl' Ithakēs ē ephthitai ē alalētai,
English · Butler
mother will look after some other man's house, not yours."’ To this Telemakhos answered, "By Zeus, Agelaos, and by the sorrows of my unhappy father, who has either perished far from Ithaca, or is wandering in some distant land, I throw no obstacles in the way of my mother's marriage; on the contrary I urge her to choose whomsoever she will, and I will give her numberless gifts into the bargain, but I dare not insist point blank that she shall leave the house against her own wishes. Heaven forbid
Homeric Greek
οὔ τι διατρίβω μητρὸς γάμον, ἀλλὰ κελεύω
γήμασθ' ᾧ κ' ἐθέλῃ, ποτὶ δ' ἄσπετα δῶρα δίδωμι.
αἰδέομαι δ' ἀέκουσαν ἀπὸ μεγάροιο δίεσθαι
μύθῳ ἀναγκαίῳ: μὴ τοῦτο θεὸς τελέσειεν."
345ὣς φάτο Τηλέμαχος: μνηστῆρσι δὲ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη
Transliteration
ou ti diatribō mētros gamon, alla keleuō
gēmasth' hōi k' ethelēi, poti d' aspeta dōra didōmi.
aideomai d' aekousan apo megaroio diesthai
muthōi anankaiōi: mē touto theos teleseien."
345hōs phato Tēlemachos: mnēstērsi de Pallas Athēnē
English · Butler
that I should do this." Athena now made the suitors fall to laughing immoderately, and set their wits wandering; but they were laughing with a forced laughter.
Homeric Greek
ἄσβεστον γέλω ὦρσε, παρέπλαγξεν δὲ νόημα.
οἱ δ' ἤδη γναθμοῖσι γελοίων ἀλλοτρίοισιν,
αἱμοφόρυκτα δὲ δὴ κρέα ἤσθιον: ὄσσε δ' ἄρα σφέων
δακρυόφιν πίμπλαντο, γόον δ' ὠί̈ετο θυμός.
350τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής:
Transliteration
asbeston gelō ōrse, pareplanxen de noēma.
hoi d' ēdē gnathmoisi geloiōn allotrioisin,
haimophorukta de dē krea ēsthion: osse d' ara spheōn
dakruophin pimplanto, goon d' ōïeto thumos.
350toisi de kai meteeipe Theoklumenos theoeidēs:
English · Butler
Athena now made the suitors fall to laughing immoderately, and set their wits wandering; but they were laughing with a forced laughter. Their meat became smeared with blood; their eyes filled with tears, and their hearts were heavy with forebodings. Theoklymenos saw this and said, "Unhappy men, what is it that ails you? There is a shroud of darkness drawn over you from head to foot, your cheeks are wet with tears; the air is alive with wailing voices;
Homeric Greek
"ἆ δειλοί, τί κακὸν τόδε πάσχετε; νυκτὶ μὲν ὑμέων
εἰλύαται κεφαλαί τε πρόσωπά τε νέρθε τε γοῦνα.
οἰμωγὴ δὲ δέδηε, δεδάκρυνται δὲ παρειαί,
αἵματι δ' ἐρράδαται τοῖχοι καλαί τε μεσόδμαι:
355εἰδώλων δὲ πλέον πρόθυρον, πλείη δὲ καὶ αὐλή,
Transliteration
"a deiloi, ti kakon tode paschete; nukti men humeōn
eiluatai kephalai te prosōpa te nerthe te gouna.
oimōgē de dedēe, dedakruntai de pareiai,
haimati d' erradatai toichoi kalai te mesodmai:
355eidōlōn de pleon prothuron, pleiē de kai aulē,
English · Butler
the walls and roof-beams drip blood; the gate of the cloisters and the court beyond them are full of ghosts trooping down into the night of Hades; the sun is blotted out of heaven, and
Homeric Greek
ἱεμένων Ἔρεβόσδε ὑπὸ ζόφον: ἠέλιος δὲ
οὐρανοῦ ἐξαπόλωλε, κακὴ δ' ἐπιδέδρομεν ἀχλύς."
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἡδὺ γέλασσαν.
τοῖσιν δ' Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἦρχ' ἀγορεύειν:
360"ἀφραίνει ξεῖνος νέον ἄλλοθεν εἰληλουθώς.
Transliteration
hiemenōn Erebosde hupo zophon: ēelios de
ouranou exapolōle, kakē d' epidedromen achlus."
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes ep' autōi hēdu gelassan.
toisin d' Eurumachos, Polubou païs, ērch' agoreuein:
360"aphrainei xeinos neon allothen eilēlouthōs.
English · Butler
a blighting gloom is over all the land." Thus did he speak, and they all of them laughed heartily. Eurymakhos then said, "This stranger who has lately come here has lost his senses. Servants, turn him out into
Homeric Greek
ἀλλά μιν αἶψα, νέοι, δόμου ἐκπέμψασθε θύραζε
εἰς ἀγορὴν ἔρχεσθαι, ἐπεὶ τάδε νυκτὶ ἐί̈σκει."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής:
"Εὐρύμαχ', οὔ τί σ' ἄνωγα ἐμοὶ πομπῆας ὀπάζειν:
365εἰσί μοι ὀφθαλμοί τε καὶ οὔατα καὶ πόδες ἄμφω
Transliteration
alla min aipsa, neoi, domou ekpempsasthe thuraze
eis agorēn erchesthai, epei tade nukti eïskei."
ton d' aute proseeipe Theoklumenos theoeidēs:
"Eurumach', ou ti s' anōga emoi pompēas opazein:
365eisi moi ophthalmoi te kai ouata kai podes amphō
English · Butler
the streets, since he finds it so dark here." But Theoklymenos said, "Eurymakhos, you need not send any one with me. I have eyes, ears, and a pair of feet of my own, to say nothing of an understanding mind. I will take these out of the
Homeric Greek
καὶ νόος ἐν στήθεσσι τετυγμένος οὐδὲν ἀεικής.
τοῖς ἔξειμι θύραζε, ἐπεὶ νοέω κακὸν ὔμμιν
ἐρχόμενον, τό κεν οὔ τις ὑπεκφύγοι οὐδ' ἀλέαιτο
μνηστήρων, οἳ δῶμα κάτ' ἀντιθέου Ὀδυσῆος
370ἀνέρας ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανάασθε."
Transliteration
kai noos en stēthessi tetugmenos ouden aeikēs.
tois exeimi thuraze, epei noeō kakon ummin
erchomenon, to ken ou tis hupekphugoi oud' aleaito
mnēstērōn, hoi dōma kat' antitheou Odusēos
370aneras hubrizontes atasthala mēchanaasthe."
English · Butler
house with me, for I see mischief overhanging you, from which not one of you men who are insulting people and plotting ill deeds in the house of Odysseus will be able to escape."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰπὼν ἐξῆλθε δόμων εὖ ναιεταόντων,
ἵκετο δ' ἐς Πείραιον, ὅ μιν πρόφρων ὑπέδεκτο.
μνηστῆρες δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐς ἀλλήλους ὁρόωντες
Τηλέμαχον ἐρέθιζον, ἐπὶ ξείνοις γελόωντες:
375ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων:
Transliteration
hōs eipōn exēlthe domōn eu naietaontōn,
hiketo d' es Peiraion, ho min prophrōn hupedekto.
mnēstēres d' ara pantes es allēlous horoōntes
Tēlemachon erethizon, epi xeinois geloōntes:
375hōde de tis eipeske neōn huperēnoreontōn:
English · Butler
He left the house as he spoke, and went back to Peiraios who gave him welcome, but the suitors kept looking at one another and provoking Telemakhos by laughing at the strangers. One insolent fellow said to him, "Telemakhos, you are not happy in your guests; first you have this importunate tramp, who comes begging bread and wine and has no skill for work
Homeric Greek
"Τηλέμαχ', οὔ τις σεῖο κακοξεινώτερος ἄλλος:
οἷον μέν τινα τοῦτον ἔχεις ἐπίμαστον ἀλήτην,
σίτου καὶ οἴνου κεχρημένον, οὐδέ τι ἔργων
ἔμπαιον οὐδὲ βίης, ἀλλ' αὔτως ἄχθος ἀρούρης.
380ἄλλος δ' αὖτέ τις οὗτος ἀνέστη μαντεύεσθαι.
Transliteration
"Tēlemach', ou tis seio kakoxeinōteros allos:
hoion men tina touton echeis epimaston alētēn,
sitou kai oinou kechrēmenon, oude ti ergōn
empaion oude biēs, all' autōs achthos arourēs.
380allos d' aute tis houtos anestē manteuesthai.
English · Butler
or for hard fighting, but is perfectly useless, and now here is another fellow who is setting himself up as a seer. Let me persuade you, for it will be much better, to put them on board
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' εἴ μοί τι πίθοιο, τό κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη:
τοὺς ξείνους ἐν νηὶ̈ πολυκληῖ̈δι βαλόντες
ἐς Σικελοὺς πέμψωμεν, ὅθεν κέ τοι ἄξιον ἄλφοι."
ὣς ἔφασαν μνηστῆρες: ὁ δ' οὐκ ἐμπάζετο μύθων,
385ἀλλ' ἀκέων πατέρα προσεδέρκετο, δέγμενος αἰεί,
Transliteration
all' ei moi ti pithoio, to ken polu kerdion eiē:
tous xeinous en nēï poluklēïdi balontes
es Sikelous pempsōmen, hothen ke toi axion alphoi."
hōs ephasan mnēstēres: ho d' ouk empazeto muthōn,
385all' akeōn patera prosederketo, degmenos aiei,
English · Butler
ship and send them off to the Sicels to sell for what they will bring." Telemakhos gave him no heed, but sat silently watching his father, expecting every moment that he
Homeric Greek
ὁππότε δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφήσει.
ἡ δὲ κατ' ἄντηστιν θεμένη περικαλλέα δίφρον
κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,
ἀνδρῶν ἐν μεγάροισιν ἑκάστου μῦθον ἄκουεν.
390δεῖπνον μὲν γάρ τοί γε γελοίωντες τετύκοντο
Transliteration
hoppote dē mnēstērsin anaidesi cheiras ephēsei.
hē de kat' antēstin themenē perikallea diphron
kourē Ikarioio, periphrōn Pēnelopeia,
andrōn en megaroisin hekastou muthon akouen.
390deipnon men gar toi ge geloiōntes tetukonto
English · Butler
would begin his attack upon the suitors. Meanwhile the daughter of Ikarios, wise Penelope, had had a rich seat placed for her facing the court and cloisters, so that she could hear what every one was saying. The dinner indeed had been prepared amid merriment; it had been both good and abundant, for they had sacrificed many victims; but the supper was yet to come, and
Homeric Greek
ἡδὺ τε καὶ μενοεικές, ἐπεὶ μάλα πόλλ' ἱέρευσαν:
δόρπου δ' οὐκ ἄν πως ἀχαρίστερον ἄλλο γένοιτο,
οἷον δὴ τάχ' ἔμελλε θεὰ καὶ καρτερὸς ἀνὴρ
θησέμεναι: πρότεροι γὰρ ἀεικέα μηχανόωντο.
Transliteration
hēdu te kai menoeikes, epei mala poll' hiereusan:
dorpou d' ouk an pōs acharisteron allo genoito,
hoion dē tach' emelle thea kai karteros anēr
thēsemenai: proteroi gar aeikea mēchanoōnto.
English · Butler
nothing can be conceived more gruesome than the meal which a goddess and a brave man were soon to lay before them - for they had brought their doom upon themselves.