Homeric Greek
1τῇ δ' ἄρ' ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,
κούρῃ Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,
τόξον μνηστήρεσσι θέμεν πολιόν τε σίδηρον
ἐν μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆος, ἀέθλια καὶ φόνου ἀρχήν.
5κλίμακα δ' ὑψηλὴν προσεβήσετο οἷο δόμοιο,
Transliteration
1tēi d' ar' epi phresi thēke thea glaukōpis Athēnē,
kourēi Ikarioio, periphroni Pēnelopeiēi,
toxon mnēstēressi themen polion te sidēron
en megarois Odusēos, aethlia kai phonou archēn.
5klimaka d' hupsēlēn prosebēseto hoio domoio,
English · Butler
Athena now put it in Penelope's mind to make the suitors try their skill with the bow and with the iron axes, in contest among themselves, as a means of bringing about their destruction. She went upstairs and got the store room key, which was made of bronze and had a handle of ivory; she then went with her maidens into the store room at the end of the house, where her husband's treasures of gold, bronze, and wrought iron were
Homeric Greek
εἵλετο δὲ κληῖ̈δ' εὐκαμπέα χειρὶ παχείῃ
καλὴν χαλκείην: κώπη δ' ἐλέφαντος ἐπῆεν.
βῆ δ' ἴμεναι θάλαμόνδε σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶν
ἔσχατον: ἔνθα δέ οἱ κειμήλια κεῖτο ἄνακτος,
10χαλκός τε χρυσός τε πολύκμητός τε σίδηρος.
Transliteration
heileto de klēïd' eukampea cheiri pacheiēi
kalēn chalkeiēn: kōpē d' elephantos epēen.
bē d' imenai thalamonde sun amphipoloisi gunaixin
eschaton: entha de hoi keimēlia keito anaktos,
10chalkos te chrusos te polukmētos te sidēros.
English · Butler
kept, and where was also his bow, and the quiver full of deadly arrows that had been given him by a friend whom he had met in Lacedaemon - Iphitos the son of Eurytos. The two fell in with one another in Messene at the house of Ortilokhos, where Odysseus was staying
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα δὲ τόξον κεῖτο παλίντονον ἠδὲ φαρέτρη
ἰοδόκος, πολλοὶ δ' ἔνεσαν στονόεντες ὀϊστοί,
δῶρα τά οἱ ξεῖνος Λακεδαίμονι δῶκε τυχήσας
Ἴφιτος Εὐρυτίδης, ἐπιείκελος ἀθανάτοισι.
15τὼ δ' ἐν Μεσσήνῃ ξυμβλήτην ἀλλήλοιϊν
Transliteration
entha de toxon keito palintonon ēde pharetrē
iodokos, polloi d' enesan stonoentes oïstoi,
dōra ta hoi xeinos Lakedaimoni dōke tuchēsas
Iphitos Eurutidēs, epieikelos athanatoisi.
15tō d' en Messēnēi xumblētēn allēloiïn
English · Butler
in order to recover a debt that was owing from the whole dêmos; for the Messenians had carried off three hundred sheep from Ithaca, and had sailed away with them and with their shepherds. In quest of these Odysseus took a long journey while still quite young, for his father and the other chieftains sent him on a mission to recover them. Iphitos had gone there also to try and
Homeric Greek
οἴκῳ ἐν Ὀρτιλόχοιο δαί̈φρονος. ἦ τοι Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἦλθε μετὰ χρεῖος, τό ῥά οἱ πᾶς δῆμος ὄφελλε:
μῆλα γὰρ ἐξ Ἰθάκης Μεσσήνιοι ἄνδρες ἄειραν
νηυσὶ πολυκλήϊσι τριηκόσι' ἠδὲ νομῆας.
20τῶν ἕνεκ' ἐξεσίην πολλὴν ὁδὸν ἦλθεν Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
oikōi en Ortilochoio daïphronos. ē toi Odusseus
ēlthe meta chreios, to rha hoi pas dēmos ophelle:
mēla gar ex Ithakēs Messēnioi andres aeiran
nēusi poluklēïsi triēkosi' ēde nomēas.
20tōn henek' exesiēn pollēn hodon ēlthen Odusseus
English · Butler
get back twelve brood mares that he had lost, and the mule foals that were running with them. These mares were the death of him in the end, for when he went to the house of Zeus’ son, mighty Herakles, who performed such prodigies of valor, Herakles to his
Homeric Greek
παιδνὸς ἐών: πρὸ γὰρ ἧκε πατὴρ ἄλλοι τε γέροντες.
Ἴφιτος αὖθ' ἵππους διζήμενος, αἵ οἱ ὄλοντο
δώδεκα θήλειαι, ὑπὸ δ' ἡμίονοι ταλαεργοί:
αἳ δή οἱ καὶ ἔπειτα φόνος καὶ μοῖρα γένοντο,
25ἐπεὶ δὴ Διὸς υἱὸν ἀφίκετο καρτερόθυμον,
Transliteration
paidnos eōn: pro gar hēke patēr alloi te gerontes.
Iphitos auth' hippous dizēmenos, hai hoi olonto
dōdeka thēleiai, hupo d' hēmionoi talaergoi:
hai dē hoi kai epeita phonos kai moira genonto,
25epei dē Dios huion aphiketo karterothumon,
English · Butler
shame killed him, though he was his guest, for he feared not heaven's vengeance, nor yet respected his own table which he had set before Iphitos, but killed him in spite of everything, and kept the mares himself. It was when claiming these that Iphitos
Homeric Greek
φῶθ' Ἡρακλῆα, μεγάλων ἐπιίστορα ἔργων,
ὅς μιν ξεῖνον ἐόντα κατέκτανεν ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,
σχέτλιος, οὐδὲ θεῶν ὄπιν ᾐδέσατ' οὐδὲ τράπεζαν,
τὴν ἥν οἱ παρέθηκεν: ἔπειτα δὲ πέφνε καὶ αὐτόν,
30ἵππους δ' αὐτὸς ἔχε κρατερώνυχας ἐν μεγάροισι.
Transliteration
phōth' Hēraklēa, megalōn epiistora ergōn,
hos min xeinon eonta katektanen hōi eni oikōi,
schetlios, oude theōn opin ēidesat' oude trapezan,
tēn hēn hoi parethēken: epeita de pephne kai auton,
30hippous d' autos eche kraterōnuchas en megaroisi.
English · Butler
met Odysseus, and gave him the bow which mighty Eurytos had been used to carry, and which on his death had been left by him to his son. Odysseus gave him in return a sword and a spear, and this
Homeric Greek
τὰς ἐρέων Ὀδυσῆϊ συνήντετο, δῶκε δὲ τόξον,
τὸ πρὶν μέν ῥ' ἐφόρει μέγας Εὔρυτος, αὐτὰρ ὁ παιδὶ
κάλλιπ' ἀποθνῄσκων ἐν δώμασιν ὑψηλοῖσι.
τῷ δ' Ὀδυσεὺς ξίφος ὀξὺ καὶ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἔδωκεν,
35ἀρχὴν ξεινοσύνης προσκηδέος: οὐδὲ τραπέζῃ
Transliteration
tas ereōn Odusēï sunēnteto, dōke de toxon,
to prin men rh' ephorei megas Eurutos, autar ho paidi
kallip' apothnēiskōn en dōmasin hupsēloisi.
tōi d' Oduseus xiphos oxu kai alkimon enchos edōken,
35archēn xeinosunēs proskēdeos: oude trapezēi
English · Butler
was the beginning of a fast friendship, although they never visited at one another's houses, for Zeus’ son Herakles killed Iphitos ere they could do so. This bow, then, given him by Iphitos, had not been taken with him by Odysseus when he sailed for Troy;
Homeric Greek
γνώτην ἀλλήλων: πρὶν γὰρ Διὸς υἱὸς ἔπεφνεν
Ἴφιτον Εὐρυτίδην, ἐπιείκελον ἀθανάτοισιν,
ὅς οἱ τόξον ἔδωκε. τὸ δ' οὔ ποτε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἐρχόμενος πόλεμόνδε μελαινάων ἐπὶ νηῶν
40ᾑρεῖτ', ἀλλ' αὐτοῦ μνῆμα ξείνοιο φίλοιο
Transliteration
gnōtēn allēlōn: prin gar Dios huios epephnen
Iphiton Eurutidēn, epieikelon athanatoisin,
hos hoi toxon edōke. to d' ou pote dios Odusseus
erchomenos polemonde melainaōn epi nēōn
40hēireit', all' autou mnēma xeinoio philoio
English · Butler
he had used it so long as he had been at home, but had left it behind as having been a
Homeric Greek
κέσκετ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισι, φόρει δέ μιν ἧς ἐπὶ γαίης.
ἡ δ' ὅτε δὴ θάλαμον τὸν ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν
οὐδόν τε δρύϊνον προσεβήσετο, τόν ποτε τέκτων
ξέσσεν ἐπισταμένως καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν,
45ἐν δὲ σταθμοὺς ἄρσε, θύρας δ' ἐπέθηκε φαεινάς,
Transliteration
kesket' eni megaroisi, phorei de min hēs epi gaiēs.
hē d' hote dē thalamon ton aphiketo dia gunaikōn
oudon te druïnon prosebēseto, ton pote tektōn
xessen epistamenōs kai epi stathmēn ithunen,
45en de stathmous arse, thuras d' epethēke phaeinas,
English · Butler
keepsake from a valued friend. Penelope presently reached the oak threshold of the store room; the carpenter had planed this duly, and had drawn a line on it so as to get it quite straight; he had then set the door posts into it and hung the doors. She loosed the strap from the handle of the door, put in the key, and drove it straight home to shoot back the bolts that held the doors; these flew open with a noise like
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκ' ἄρ' ἥ γ' ἱμάντα θοῶς ἀπέλυσε κορώνης,
ἐν δὲ κληῖ̈δ' ἧκε, θυρέων δ' ἀνέκοπτεν ὀχῆας
ἄντα τιτυσκομένη: τὰ δ' ἀνέβραχεν ἠύ̈τε ταῦρος
βοσκόμενος λειμῶνι: τόσ' ἔβραχε καλὰ θύρετρα
50πληγέντα κληί̈δι, πετάσθησαν δέ οἱ ὦκα.
Transliteration
autik' ar' hē g' himanta thoōs apeluse korōnēs,
en de klēïd' hēke, thureōn d' anekopten ochēas
anta tituskomenē: ta d' anebrachen ēüte tauros
boskomenos leimōni: tos' ebrache kala thuretra
50plēgenta klēïdi, petasthēsan de hoi ōka.
English · Butler
a bull bellowing in a meadow, and Penelope stepped upon the raised platform, where the chests stood in which the fair linen and clothes were laid by along with fragrant herbs: reaching thence, she took down the bow with its bow case from the peg on which it hung. She sat down with it on
Homeric Greek
ἡ δ' ἄρ' ἐφ' ὑψηλῆς σανίδος βῆ: ἔνθα δὲ χηλοὶ
ἕστασαν, ἐν δ' ἄρα τῇσι θυώδεα εἵματ' ἔκειτο.
ἔνθεν ὀρεξαμένη ἀπὸ πασσάλου αἴνυτο τόξον
αὐτῷ γωρυτῷ, ὅς οἱ περίκειτο φαεινός.
55ἑζομένη δὲ κατ' αὖθι, φίλοις ἐπὶ γούνασι θεῖσα,
Transliteration
hē d' ar' eph' hupsēlēs sanidos bē: entha de chēloi
hestasan, en d' ara tēisi thuōdea heimat' ekeito.
enthen orexamenē apo passalou ainuto toxon
autōi gōrutōi, hos hoi perikeito phaeinos.
55hezomenē de kat' authi, philois epi gounasi theisa,
English · Butler
her knees, weeping bitterly as she took the bow out of its case, and when her tears had relieved her, she went to the room where the suitors were, carrying
Homeric Greek
κλαῖε μάλα λιγέως, ἐκ δ' ᾕρεε τόξον ἄνακτος.
ἡ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν τάρφθη πολυδακρύτοιο γόοιο,
βῆ ῥ' ἴμεναι μέγαρόνδε μετὰ μνηστῆρας ἀγαυοὺς
τόξον ἔχουσ' ἐν χειρὶ παλίντονον ἠδὲ φαρέτρην
60ἰοδόκον: πολλοὶ δ' ἔνεσαν στονόεντες ὀϊστοί.
Transliteration
klaie mala ligeōs, ek d' hēiree toxon anaktos.
hē d' epei oun tarphthē poludakrutoio gooio,
bē rh' imenai megaronde meta mnēstēras agauous
toxon echous' en cheiri palintonon ēde pharetrēn
60iodokon: polloi d' enesan stonoentes oïstoi.
English · Butler
the bow and the quiver, with the many deadly arrows that were inside it. Along with her came her maidens, bearing a chest that contained much iron and bronze which her husband had won as prizes. When she reached the suitors, she stood by
Homeric Greek
τῇ δ' ἄρ' ἅμ' ἀμφίπολοι φέρον ὄγκιον, ἔνθα σίδηρος
κεῖτο πολὺς καὶ χαλκός, ἀέθλια τοῖο ἄνακτος.
ἡ δ' ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,
στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,
65ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα.
Transliteration
tēi d' ar' ham' amphipoloi pheron onkion, entha sidēros
keito polus kai chalkos, aethlia toio anaktos.
hē d' hote dē mnēstēras aphiketo dia gunaikōn,
stē rha para stathmon tegeos puka poiētoio,
65anta pareiaōn schomenē lipara krēdemna.
English · Butler
one of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the room, holding a veil before her face, and with a maid on either side of her. Then
Homeric Greek
ἀμφίπολος δ' ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.
αὐτίκα δὲ μνηστῆρσι μετηύδα καὶ φάτο μῦθον:
"κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες, οἳ τόδε δῶμα
ἐχράετ' ἐσθιέμεν καὶ πινέμεν ἐμμενὲς αἰεὶ
70ἀνδρὸς ἀποιχομένοιο πολὺν χρόνον: οὐδέ τιν' ἄλλην
Transliteration
amphipolos d' ara hoi kednē hekaterthe parestē.
autika de mnēstērsi metēuda kai phato muthon:
"keklute meu, mnēstēres agēnores, hoi tode dōma
echraet' esthiemen kai pinemen emmenes aiei
70andros apoichomenoio polun chronon: oude tin' allēn
English · Butler
she said: "Listen to me you suitors, who persist in abusing the hospitality of this house because its owner has been long absent, and without other pretext than that you want to marry me; this, then, being the prize that you are contending for, I will bring out the mighty bow of Odysseus, and whomsoever of you shall string it most easily and send his arrow through each one of twelve axes, him will I follow and quit this house of my lawful husband, so goodly, and so abounding in wealth. But even
Homeric Greek
μύθου ποιήσασθαι ἐπισχεσίην ἐδύνασθε,
ἀλλ' ἐμὲ ἱέμενοι γῆμαι θέσθαι τε γυναῖκα.
ἀλλ' ἄγετε, μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ τόδε φαίνετ' ἄεθλον.
θήσω γὰρ μέγα τόξον Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο:
75ὃς δέ κε ῥηί̈τατ' ἐντανύσῃ βιὸν ἐν παλάμῃσι
Transliteration
muthou poiēsasthai epischesiēn edunasthe,
all' eme hiemenoi gēmai thesthai te gunaika.
all' agete, mnēstēres, epei tode phainet' aethlon.
thēsō gar mega toxon Odussēos theioio:
75hos de ke rhēïtat' entanusēi bion en palamēisi
English · Butler
so I doubt not that
Homeric Greek
καὶ διοϊστεύσῃ πελέκεων δυοκαίδεκα πάντων,
τῷ κεν ἅμ' ἑσποίμην, νοσφισσαμένη τόδε δῶμα
κουρίδιον, μάλα καλόν, ἐνίπλειον βιότοιο,
τοῦ ποτὲ μεμνήσεσθαι ὀί̈ομαι ἔν περ ὀνείρῳ."
80ὣς φάτο, καί ῥ' Εὔμαιον ἀνώγει, δῖον ὑφορβόν,
Transliteration
kai dioïsteusēi pelekeōn duokaideka pantōn,
tōi ken ham' hespoimēn, nosphissamenē tode dōma
kouridion, mala kalon, enipleion biotoio,
tou pote memnēsesthai oïomai en per oneirōi."
80hōs phato, kai rh' Eumaion anōgei, dion huphorbon,
English · Butler
shall remember it in my dreams." As she spoke, she told Eumaios to set the bow and the pieces of iron before the suitors, and Eumaios wept as he took them to do as she had bidden him.
Homeric Greek
τόξον μνηστήρεσσι θέμεν πολιόν τε σίδηρον.
δακρύσας δ' Εὔμαιος ἐδέξατο καὶ κατέθηκε:
κλαῖε δὲ βουκόλος ἄλλοθ', ἐπεὶ ἴδε τόξον ἄνακτος.
Ἀντίνοος δ' ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:
85"νήπιοι ἀγροιῶται, ἐφημέρια φρονέοντες,
Transliteration
toxon mnēstēressi themen polion te sidēron.
dakrusas d' Eumaios edexato kai katethēke:
klaie de boukolos alloth', epei ide toxon anaktos.
Antinoos d' enenipen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:
85"nēpioi agroiōtai, ephēmeria phroneontes,
English · Butler
As she spoke, she told Eumaios to set the bow and the pieces of iron before the suitors, and Eumaios wept as he took them to do as she had bidden him. Hard by, the stockman wept also when he saw his master's bow, but Antinoos scolded them. "You country louts," said he, "silly simpletons; why should you add to the sorrows of your mistress by crying in this way? She has enough to grieve her in the loss of her husband; sit still, therefore, and eat your dinners
Homeric Greek
ἆ δειλώ, τί νυ δάκρυ κατείβετον ἠδὲ γυναικὶ
θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὀρίνετον; ᾗ τε καὶ ἄλλως
κεῖται ἐν ἄλγεσι θυμός, ἐπεὶ φίλον ὤλεσ' ἀκοίτην.
ἀλλ' ἀκέων δαίνυσθε καθήμενοι, ἠὲ θύραζε
90κλαίετον ἐξελθόντε, κατ' αὐτόθι τόξα λιπόντε,
Transliteration
a deilō, ti nu dakru kateibeton ēde gunaiki
thumon eni stēthessin orineton; hēi te kai allōs
keitai en algesi thumos, epei philon ōles' akoitēn.
all' akeōn dainusthe kathēmenoi, ēe thuraze
90klaieton exelthonte, kat' autothi toxa liponte,
English · Butler
in silence, or go outside if you want to cry, and leave the bow behind you. We suitors shall have to contend for it with might and main, for we shall find it no light matter to string such a bow as this is. There is not a man of us all who is such another as Odysseus;
Homeric Greek
μνηστήρεσσιν ἄεθλον ἀάατον: οὐ γὰρ ὀί̈ω
ῥηϊδίως τόδε τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον ἐντανύεσθαι.
οὐ γάρ τις μέτα τοῖος ἀνὴρ ἐν τοίσδεσι πᾶσιν
οἷος Ὀδυσσεὺς ἔσκεν: ἐγὼ δέ μιν αὐτὸς ὄπωπα,
95καὶ γὰρ μνήμων εἰμί, πάϊς δ' ἔτι νήπιος ἦα."
Transliteration
mnēstēressin aethlon aaaton: ou gar oïō
rhēïdiōs tode toxon eüxoon entanuesthai.
ou gar tis meta toios anēr en toisdesi pasin
hoios Odusseus esken: egō de min autos opōpa,
95kai gar mnēmōn eimi, païs d' eti nēpios ēa."
English · Butler
for I have seen him and remember him, though I was then only a child."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἄρα θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐώλπει
νευρὴν ἐντανύσειν διοϊστεύσειν τε σιδήρου.
ἦ τοι ὀϊστοῦ γε πρῶτος γεύσεσθαι ἔμελλεν
ἐκ χειρῶν Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ὃν τότ' ἀτίμα
100ἥμενος ἐν μεγάροις, ἐπὶ δ' ὤρνυε πάντας ἑταίρους.
Transliteration
hōs phato, tōi d' ara thumos eni stēthessin eōlpei
neurēn entanusein dioïsteusein te sidērou.
ē toi oïstou ge prōtos geusesthai emellen
ek cheirōn Odusēos amumonos, hon tot' atima
100hēmenos en megarois, epi d' ōrnue pantas hetairous.
English · Butler
This was what he said, but all the time he was expecting to be able to string the bow and shoot through the iron, whereas in fact he was to be the first that should taste of the arrows from the hands of Odysseus, whom he was dishonoring in his own house - egging the others on to do so also.
Homeric Greek
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειφ' ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο:
"ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα με Ζεὺς ἄφρονα θῆκε Κρονίων:
μήτηρ μέν μοί φησι φίλη, πινυτή περ ἐοῦσα,
ἄλλῳ ἅμ' ἕψεσθαι νοσφισσαμένη τόδε δῶμα:
105αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ γελόω καὶ τέρπομαι ἄφρονι θυμῷ.
Transliteration
toisi de kai meteeiph' hierē is Tēlemachoio:
"ō popoi, ē mala me Zeus aphrona thēke Kroniōn:
mētēr men moi phēsi philē, pinutē per eousa,
allōi ham' hepsesthai nosphissamenē tode dōma:
105autar egō geloō kai terpomai aphroni thumōi.
English · Butler
Then Telemakhos spoke. "Great heavens!" he exclaimed, "Zeus must have robbed me of my senses. Here is my dear and excellent mother saying she will quit this house and marry again, yet I am laughing and enjoying myself as though there were nothing happening. But, suitors, as the contest has been agreed upon, let it go forward.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγετε, μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ τόδε φαίνετ' ἄεθλον,
οἵη νῦν οὐκ ἔστι γυνὴ κατ' Ἀχαιί̈δα γαῖαν,
οὔτε Πύλου ἱερῆς οὔτ' Ἄργεος οὔτε Μυκήνης:
οὔτ' αὐτῆς Ἰθάκης οὔτ' ἠπείροιο μελαίνης:
110καὶ δ' αὐτοὶ τόδε γ' ἴστε: τί με χρὴ μητέρος αἴνου;
Transliteration
all' agete, mnēstēres, epei tode phainet' aethlon,
hoiē nun ouk esti gunē kat' Achaiïda gaian,
oute Pulou hierēs out' Argeos oute Mukēnēs:
out' autēs Ithakēs out' ēpeiroio melainēs:
110kai d' autoi tode g' iste: ti me chrē mēteros ainou;
English · Butler
It is for a woman whose peer is not to be found in Pylos, Argos, or Mycenae, nor yet in Ithaca nor on the mainland. You know this as well as I do; what need have I to speak in praise of my mother? Come on, then, make no excuses for delay, but let us see whether you can string the bow or no.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγε μὴ μύνῃσι παρέλκετε μηδ' ἔτι τόξου
δηρὸν ἀποτρωπᾶσθε τανυστύος, ὄφρα ἴδωμεν.
καὶ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἐγὼ τοῦ τόξου πειρησαίμην:
εἰ δέ κεν ἐντανύσω διοϊστεύσω τε σιδήρου,
115οὔ κέ μοι ἀχνυμένῳ τάδε δώματα πότνια μήτηρ
Transliteration
all' age mē munēisi parelkete mēd' eti toxou
dēron apotrōpasthe tanustuos, ophra idōmen.
kai de ken autos egō tou toxou peirēsaimēn:
ei de ken entanusō dioïsteusō te sidērou,
115ou ke moi achnumenōi tade dōmata potnia mētēr
English · Butler
I too will make trial of it, for if I can string it and shoot through the iron, I shall not suffer my mother to quit this house with a stranger,
Homeric Greek
λείποι ἅμ' ἄλλῳ ἰοῦσ', ὅτ' ἐγὼ κατόπισθε λιποίμην
οἷός τ' ἤδη πατρὸς ἀέθλια κάλ' ἀνελέσθαι."
ἦ καὶ ἀπ' ὤμοιϊν χλαῖναν θέτο φοινικόεσσαν
ὀρθὸς ἀναί̈ξας, ἀπὸ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτ' ὤμων.
120πρῶτον μὲν πελέκεας στῆσεν, διὰ τάφρον ὀρύξας
Transliteration
leipoi ham' allōi ious', hot' egō katopisthe lipoimēn
hoios t' ēdē patros aethlia kal' anelesthai."
ē kai ap' ōmoiïn chlainan theto phoinikoessan
orthos anaïxas, apo de xiphos oxu thet' ōmōn.
120prōton men pelekeas stēsen, dia taphron oruxas
English · Butler
not if I can win the prizes which my father won before me." As he spoke he sprang from his seat, threw his crimson cloak from him, and took his sword from his shoulder. First he set the axes in a row, in a long groove which he had dug for them, and had made straight by line.
Homeric Greek
πᾶσι μίαν μακρήν, καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν,
ἀμφὶ δὲ γαῖαν ἔναξε: τάφος δ' ἕλε πάντας ἰδόντας,
ὡς εὐκόσμως στῆσε: πάρος δ' οὐ πώ ποτ' ὀπώπει.
στῆ δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' οὐδὸν ἰὼν καὶ τόξου πειρήτιζε.
125τρὶς μέν μιν πελέμιξεν ἐρύσσεσθαι μενεαίνων,
Transliteration
pasi mian makrēn, kai epi stathmēn ithunen,
amphi de gaian enaxe: taphos d' hele pantas idontas,
hōs eukosmōs stēse: paros d' ou pō pot' opōpei.
stē d' ar' ep' oudon iōn kai toxou peirētize.
125tris men min pelemixen erussesthai meneainōn,
English · Butler
Then he stamped the earth tight round them, and everyone was surprised when they saw him set up so orderly, though he had never seen anything of the kind before. This done, he went on to the pavement to make trial of the bow; thrice did he tug at it, trying with all his might to draw the string, and thrice he had to
Homeric Greek
τρὶς δὲ μεθῆκε βίης, ἐπιελπόμενος τό γε θυμῷ,
νευρὴν ἐντανύειν διοϊστεύσειν τε σιδήρου.
καί νύ κε δή ῥ' ἐτάνυσσε βίῃ τὸ τέταρτον ἀνέλκων,
?λλ' Ὀδυσεὺς ἀνένευε καὶ ἔσχεθεν ἱέμενόν περ.
130τοῖς δ' αὖτις μετέειφ' ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο:
Transliteration
tris de methēke biēs, epielpomenos to ge thumōi,
neurēn entanuein dioïsteusein te sidērou.
kai nu ke dē rh' etanusse biēi to tetarton anelkōn,
?ll' Oduseus aneneue kai eschethen hiemenon per.
130tois d' autis meteeiph' hierē is Tēlemachoio:
English · Butler
rest his strength, though he had hoped to string the bow and shoot through the iron. He was trying forcefully for the fourth time, and would have strung it had not Odysseus made a sign to check him in spite of all his eagerness. So he said:
Homeric Greek
"ὢ πόποι, ἦ καὶ ἔπειτα κακός τ' ἔσομαι καὶ ἄκικυς,
ἠὲ νεώτερός εἰμι καὶ οὔ πω χερσὶ πέποιθα
ἄνδρ' ἀπαμύνασθαι, ὅτε τις πρότερος χαλεπήνῃ.
ἀλλ' ἄγεθ', οἵ περ ἐμεῖο βίῃ προφερέστεροί ἐστε,
135τόξου πειρήσασθε, καὶ ἐκτελέωμεν ἄεθλον."
Transliteration
"ō popoi, ē kai epeita kakos t' esomai kai akikus,
ēe neōteros eimi kai ou pō chersi pepoitha
andr' apamunasthai, hote tis proteros chalepēnēi.
all' ageth', hoi per emeio biēi propheresteroi este,
135toxou peirēsasthe, kai ekteleōmen aethlon."
English · Butler
"Alas! I shall either be always feeble and of no prowess, or I am too young, and have not yet reached my full strength so as to be able to hold my own if any one attacks me. You others, therefore, who are stronger than I, make trial of the bow and get this contest settled."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰπὼν τόξον μὲν ἀπὸ ἕο θῆκε χαμᾶζε,
κλίνας κολλητῇσιν ἐϋξέστῃς σανίδεσσιν,
αὐτοῦ δ' ὠκὺ βέλος καλῇ προσέκλινε κορώνῃ,
ἂψ δ' αὖτις κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετ' ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη.
140τοῖσιν δ' Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός:
Transliteration
hōs eipōn toxon men apo heo thēke chamaze,
klinas kollētēisin eüxestēis sanidessin,
autou d' ōku belos kalēi prosekline korōnēi,
aps d' autis kat' ar' hezet' epi thronou enthen anestē.
140toisin d' Antinoos metephē, Eupeitheos huios:
English · Butler
On this he put the bow down, letting it lean against the door with the arrow standing against the top of the bow. Then he sat down on the seat from which he had risen, and Antinoos said:
Homeric Greek
"ὄρνυσθ' ἑξείης ἐπιδέξια πάντες ἑταῖροι,
ἀρξάμενοι τοῦ χώρου ὅθεν τέ περ οἰνοχοεύει."
ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.
Λειώδης δὲ πρῶτος ἀνίστατο, Οἴνοπος υἱός,
145ὅ σφι θυοσκόος ἔσκε, παρὰ κρητῆρα δὲ καλὸν
Transliteration
"ornusth' hexeiēs epidexia pantes hetairoi,
arxamenoi tou chōrou hothen te per oinochoeuei."
hōs ephat' Antinoos, toisin d' epiēndane muthos.
Leiōdēs de prōtos anistato, Oinopos huios,
145ho sphi thuoskoos eske, para krētēra de kalon
English · Butler
"Come on each of you in his turn, going towards the right from the place at which the cupbearer begins when he is handing round the wine." The rest agreed, and Leiodes son of Oinops was the first to rise. He was sacrificial priest to the suitors, and sat in the corner near the mixing-bowl. He was the only man to whom their evil deeds were hateful and was indignant with the others.
Homeric Greek
ἷζε μυχοίτατος αἰέν: ἀτασθαλίαι δέ οἱ οἴῳ
ἐχθραὶ ἔσαν, πᾶσιν δὲ νεμέσσα μνηστήρεσσιν:
ὅς ῥα τότε πρῶτος τόξον λάβε καὶ βέλος ὠκύ.
στῆ δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' οὐδὸν ἰὼν καὶ τόξου πειρήτιζεν,
150οὐδέ μιν ἐντάνυσε: πρὶν γὰρ κάμε χεῖρας ἀνέλκων
Transliteration
hize muchoitatos aien: atasthaliai de hoi oiōi
echthrai esan, pasin de nemessa mnēstēressin:
hos rha tote prōtos toxon labe kai belos ōku.
stē d' ar' ep' oudon iōn kai toxou peirētizen,
150oude min entanuse: prin gar kame cheiras anelkōn
English · Butler
He was now the first to take the bow and arrow, so he went on to the pavement to make his trial, but he could not string the bow, for his hands were weak and unused to hard work, they therefore soon grew tired, and he said to the suitors, "My friends, I cannot string it;
Homeric Greek
ἀτρίπτους ἁπαλάς: μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπεν:
"ὦ φίλοι, οὐ μὲν ἐγὼ τανύω, λαβέτω δὲ καὶ ἄλλος.
πολλοὺς γὰρ τόδε τόξον ἀριστῆας κεκαδήσει
θυμοῦ καὶ ψυχῆς, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερόν ἐστι
155τεθνάμεν ἢ ζώοντας ἁμαρτεῖν, οὗθ' ἕνεκ' αἰεὶ
Transliteration
atriptous hapalas: meta de mnēstērsin eeipen:
"ō philoi, ou men egō tanuō, labetō de kai allos.
pollous gar tode toxon aristēas kekadēsei
thumou kai psuchēs, epei ē polu pherteron esti
155tethnamen ē zōontas hamartein, houth' henek' aiei
English · Butler
let another have it; this bow shall take the life and soul out of many a chief among us, for it is better to die than to live after having missed the prize that we have so long striven for, and which has brought us so long together.
Homeric Greek
ἐνθάδ' ὁμιλέομεν, ποτιδέγμενοι ἤματα πάντα.
νῦν μέν τις καὶ ἔλπετ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἠδὲ μενοινᾷ
γῆμαι Πηνελόπειαν, Ὀδυσσῆος παράκοιτιν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν τόξου πειρήσεται ἠδὲ ἴδηται,
160ἄλλην δή τιν' ἔπειτα Ἀχαιϊάδων εὐπέπλων
Transliteration
enthad' homileomen, potidegmenoi ēmata panta.
nun men tis kai elpet' eni phresin ēde menoināi
gēmai Pēnelopeian, Odussēos parakoitin.
autar epēn toxou peirēsetai ēde idētai,
160allēn dē tin' epeita Achaiïadōn eupeplōn
English · Butler
Some one of us is even now hoping and praying that he may marry Penelope, but when he has seen this bow and tried it, let him woo and make bridal offerings to some other woman, and let Penelope
Homeric Greek
μνάσθω ἐέδνοισιν διζήμενος: ἡ δέ κ' ἔπειτα
γήμαιθ' ὅς κε πλεῖστα πόροι καὶ μόρσιμος ἔλθοι."
ὣς ἄρ' ἐφώνησεν καὶ ἀπὸ ἕο τόξον ἔθηκε,
κλίνας κολλητῇσιν ἐϋξέστῃς σανίδεσσιν,
165αὐτοῦ δ' ὠκὺ βέλος καλῇ προσέκλινε κορώνῃ,
Transliteration
mnasthō eednoisin dizēmenos: hē de k' epeita
gēmaith' hos ke pleista poroi kai morsimos elthoi."
hōs ar' ephōnēsen kai apo heo toxon ethēke,
klinas kollētēisin eüxestēis sanidessin,
165autou d' ōku belos kalēi prosekline korōnēi,
English · Butler
marry whoever makes her the best offer and whose lot it is to win her." On this he put the bow down, letting it lean against the door, with the arrow standing against the tip of the bow. Then he took his seat again on the seat from which he had risen; and Antinoos
Homeric Greek
ἂψ δ' αὖτις κατ' ἄρ ἕζετ' ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη.
Ἀντίνοος δ' ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:
"λειῶδες, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων,
δεινόν τ' ἀργαλέον τε, --νεμεσσῶμαι δέ τ' ἀκούων--
170εἰ δὴ τοῦτό γε τόξον ἀριστῆας κεκαδήσει
Transliteration
aps d' autis kat' ar hezet' epi thronou enthen anestē.
Antinoos d' enenipen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:
"leiōdes, poion se epos phugen herkos odontōn,
deinon t' argaleon te, --nemessōmai de t' akouōn--
170ei dē touto ge toxon aristēas kekadēsei
English · Butler
rebuked him saying: "Leiodes, what are you talking about? Your words are monstrous and intolerable; it makes me angry to listen to you. Shall, then, this bow take the life of many a chief among us, merely because you cannot bend it yourself?
Homeric Greek
θυμοῦ καὶ ψυχῆς, ἐπεὶ οὐ δύνασαι σὺ τανύσσαι.
οὐ γάρ τοί σέ γε τοῖον ἐγείνατο πότνια μήτηρ
οἷόν τε ῥυτῆρα βιοῦ τ' ἔμεναι καὶ ὀϊστῶν:
ἀλλ' ἄλλοι τανύουσι τάχα μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοί."
175ὣς φάτο, καί ῥ' ἐκέλευσε Μελάνθιον, αἰπόλον αἰγῶν:
Transliteration
thumou kai psuchēs, epei ou dunasai su tanussai.
ou gar toi se ge toion egeinato potnia mētēr
hoion te rhutēra biou t' emenai kai oïstōn:
all' alloi tanuousi tacha mnēstēres agauoi."
175hōs phato, kai rh' ekeleuse Melanthion, aipolon aigōn:
English · Butler
True, you were not born to be an archer, but there are others who will soon string it." Then he said to Melanthios the goatherd, "Look sharp, light a fire in the court, and set a seat hard by with a sheep skin on it; bring us also a large ball of lard, from what they have in the house.
Homeric Greek
"ἄγρει δή, πῦρ κῆον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι, Μελανθεῦ,
πὰρ δὲ τίθει δίφρον τε μέγαν καὶ κῶας ἐπ' αὐτοῦ,
ἐκ δὲ στέατος ἔνεικε μέγαν τροχὸν ἔνδον ἐόντος,
ὄφρα νέοι θάλποντες, ἐπιχρίοντες ἀλοιφῇ,
180τόξου πειρώμεσθα καὶ ἐκτελέωμεν ἄεθλον."
Transliteration
"agrei dē, pur kēon eni megaroisi, Melantheu,
par de tithei diphron te megan kai kōas ep' autou,
ek de steatos eneike megan trochon endon eontos,
ophra neoi thalpontes, epichriontes aloiphēi,
180toxou peirōmestha kai ekteleōmen aethlon."
English · Butler
Then he said to Melanthios the goatherd, "Look sharp, light a fire in the court, and set a seat hard by with a sheep skin on it; bring us also a large ball of lard, from what they have in the house. Let us warm the bow and grease it; we will then make trial of it again, and bring the contest to an end."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάθ', ὁ δ' αἶψ' ἀνέκαιε Μελάνθιος ἀκάματον πῦρ,
πὰρ δὲ φέρων δίφρον θῆκεν καὶ κῶας ἐπ' αὐτοῦ,
ἐκ δὲ στέατος ἔνεικε μέγαν τροχὸν ἔνδον ἐόντος:
τῷ ῥα νέοι θάλποντες ἐπειρῶντ': οὐδ' ἐδύναντο
185ἐντανύσαι, πολλὸν δὲ βίης ἐπιδευέες ἦσαν.
Transliteration
hōs phath', ho d' aips' anekaie Melanthios akamaton pur,
par de pherōn diphron thēken kai kōas ep' autou,
ek de steatos eneike megan trochon endon eontos:
tōi rha neoi thalpontes epeirōnt': oud' edunanto
185entanusai, pollon de biēs epideuees ēsan.
English · Butler
Melanthios lit the fire, and set a seat covered with sheep skins beside it. He also brought a great ball of lard from what they had in the house, and the suitors warmed the bow and again made trial of it, but they were none of them nearly strong enough to string it. Nevertheless there still remained Antinoos and Eurymakhos, who
Homeric Greek
Ἀντίνοος δ' ἔτ' ἐπεῖχε καὶ Εὐρύμαχος θεοειδής,
ἀρχοὶ μνηστήρων: ἀρετῇ δ' ἔσαν ἔξοχ' ἄριστοι.
τὼ δ' ἐξ οἴκου βῆσαν ὁμαρτήσαντες ἅμ' ἄμφω
βουκόλος ἠδὲ συφορβὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο:
190ἐκ δ' αὐτὸς μετὰ τοὺς δόμου ἤλυθε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
Transliteration
Antinoos d' et' epeiche kai Eurumachos theoeidēs,
archoi mnēstērōn: aretēi d' esan exoch' aristoi.
tō d' ex oikou bēsan homartēsantes ham' amphō
boukolos ēde suphorbos Odussēos theioio:
190ek d' autos meta tous domou ēluthe dios Odusseus.
English · Butler
were the ringleaders among the suitors and much the foremost in aretê among them all. Then the swineherd and the stockman left the cloisters together, and Odysseus followed them. When they had got outside the gates and
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἐκτὸς θυρέων ἔσαν ἠδὲ καὶ αὐλῆς,
φθεγξάμενός σφε ἔπεσσι προσηύδα μειλιχίοισι:
"βουκόλε καὶ σύ, συφορβέ, ἔπος τί κε μυθησαίμην,
ἦ αὐτὸς κεύθω; φάσθαι δέ με θυμὸς ἀνώγει.
195ποῖοί κ' εἶτ' Ὀδυσῆϊ ἀμυνέμεν, εἴ ποθεν ἔλθοι
Transliteration
all' hote dē rh' ektos thureōn esan ēde kai aulēs,
phthenxamenos sphe epessi prosēuda meilichioisi:
"boukole kai su, suphorbe, epos ti ke muthēsaimēn,
ē autos keuthō; phasthai de me thumos anōgei.
195poioi k' eit' Odusēï amunemen, ei pothen elthoi
English · Butler
the outer yard, Odysseus said to them quietly: "Stockman, and you swineherd, I have something in my mind which I am in doubt whether to say or no; but I think I will say it. What manner of men would you be to stand by Odysseus, if some god should bring him back here all of a sudden?
Homeric Greek
ὧδε μάλ' ἐξαπίνης καί τις θεὸς αὐτὸν ἐνείκαι;
ἤ κε μνηστήρεσσιν ἀμύνοιτ' ἦ Ὀδυσῆϊ;
εἴπαθ' ὅπως ὑμέας κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ:
200"Ζεῦ πάτερ, αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο τελευτήσειας ἐέλδωρ,
Transliteration
hōde mal' exapinēs kai tis theos auton eneikai;
ē ke mnēstēressin amunoit' ē Odusēï;
eipath' hopōs humeas kradiē thumos te keleuei."
ton d' aute proseeipe boōn epiboukolos anēr:
200"Zeu pater, ai gar touto teleutēseias eeldōr,
English · Butler
Say which you are disposed to do - to side with the suitors, or with Odysseus?" "Father Zeus," answered the stockman, "would indeed that you might so ordain it. If some daimôn were but to bring
Homeric Greek
ὡς ἔλθοι μὲν κεῖνος ἀνήρ, ἀγάγοι δέ ἑ δαίμων:
γνοίης χ' οἵη ἐμὴ δύναμις καὶ χεῖρες ἕπονται."
ὣς δ' αὔτως Εὔμαιος ἐπεύχετο πᾶσι θεοῖσι
νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε.
205αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τῶν γε νόον νημερτέ' ἀνέγνω,
Transliteration
hōs elthoi men keinos anēr, agagoi de he daimōn:
gnoiēs ch' hoiē emē dunamis kai cheires hepontai."
hōs d' autōs Eumaios epeucheto pasi theoisi
nostēsai Odusēa poluphrona honde domonde.
205autar epei dē tōn ge noon nēmerte' anegnō,
English · Butler
Odysseus back, you should see with what might and main I would fight for him." In like words Eumaios prayed to all the gods that Odysseus might return; when, therefore, he saw for certain what mind they were of, Odysseus said, "It is I, Odysseus, who am here. I have suffered much, but at last, in the twentieth year, I am come back to my own country. I find that you two alone of all
Homeric Greek
ἐξαῦτίς σφε ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν:
"ἔνδον μὲν δὴ ὅδ' αὐτὸς ἐγώ, κακὰ πολλὰ μογήσας
ἤλυθον εἰκοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.
γιγνώσκω δ' ὡς σφῶϊν ἐελδομένοισιν ἱκάνω
210οἴοισι δμώων: τῶν δ' ἄλλων οὔ τευ ἄκουσα
Transliteration
exautis sphe epessin ameibomenos proseeipen:
"endon men dē hod' autos egō, kaka polla mogēsas
ēluthon eikostōi eteï es patrida gaian.
gignōskō d' hōs sphōïn eeldomenoisin hikanō
210oioisi dmōōn: tōn d' allōn ou teu akousa
English · Butler
my servants are glad that I should do so, for I have not heard any of the others praying for my return. To you two, therefore, will I unfold the truth as it shall be. If heaven shall deliver the suitors into my hands, I will find wives for
Homeric Greek
εὐξαμένου ἐμὲ αὖτις ὑπότροπον οἴκαδ' ἱκέσθαι.
σφῶϊν δ', ὡς ἔσεταί περ, ἀληθείην καταλέξω.
εἴ χ' ὑπ' ἐμοί γε θεὸς δαμάσῃ μνηστῆρας ἀγαυούς,
ἄξομαι ἀμφοτέροις ἀλόχους καὶ κτήματ' ὀπάσσω
215οἰκία τ' ἐγγὺς ἐμεῖο τετυγμένα: καί μοι ἔπειτα
Transliteration
euxamenou eme autis hupotropon oikad' hikesthai.
sphōïn d', hōs esetai per, alētheiēn katalexō.
ei ch' hup' emoi ge theos damasēi mnēstēras agauous,
axomai amphoterois alochous kai ktēmat' opassō
215oikia t' engus emeio tetugmena: kai moi epeita
English · Butler
both of you, will give you house and holding close to my own, and you shall be to me as though you were brothers and friends of Telemakhos. I will now give you a convincing proof that you may know me and be assured. See, here is the
Homeric Greek
Τηλεμάχου ἑτάρω τε κασιγνήτω τε ἔσεσθον.
εἰ δ' ἄγε δή, καὶ σῆμα ἀριφραδὲς ἄλλο τι δείξω,
ὄφρα μ' ἐὺ̈ γνῶτον πιστωθῆτόν τ' ἐνὶ θυμῷ,
οὐλήν, τήν ποτέ με σῦς ἤλασε λευκῷ ὀδόντι
220Παρνησόνδ' ἐλθόντα σὺν υἱάσιν Αὐτολύκοιο."
Transliteration
Tēlemachou hetarō te kasignētō te esesthon.
ei d' age dē, kai sēma ariphrades allo ti deixō,
ophra m' eü gnōton pistōthēton t' eni thumōi,
oulēn, tēn pote me sus ēlase leukōi odonti
220Parnēsond' elthonta sun huiasin Autolukoio."
English · Butler
scar from the boar's tooth that ripped me when I was out hunting on Mount Parnassus with the sons of Autolykos."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰπὼν ῥάκεα μεγάλης ἀποέργαθεν οὐλῆς.
τὼ δ' ἐπεὶ εἰσιδέτην εὖ τ' ἐφράσσαντο ἕκαστα,
κλαῖον ἄρ' ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆϊ δαί̈φρονι χεῖρε βαλόντε,
καὶ κύνεον ἀγαπαζόμενοι κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὤμους
225ὣς δ' αὔτως Ὀδυσεὺς κεφαλὰς καὶ χεῖρας ἔκυσσε.
Transliteration
hōs eipōn rhakea megalēs apoergathen oulēs.
tō d' epei eisidetēn eu t' ephrassanto hekasta,
klaion ar' amph' Odusēï daïphroni cheire balonte,
kai kuneon agapazomenoi kephalēn te kai ōmous
225hōs d' autōs Oduseus kephalas kai cheiras ekusse.
English · Butler
As he spoke he drew his rags aside from the great scar, and when they had examined it thoroughly, they both of them wept about Odysseus, threw their arms round him and kissed his head and shoulders, while Odysseus kissed their hands and faces in return. The sun would have gone down upon their mourning if Odysseus had
Homeric Greek
καί νύ κ' ὀδυρομένοισιν ἔδυ φάος ἠελίοιο,
εἰ μὴ Ὀδυσσεὺς αὐτὸς ἐρύκακε φώνησέν τε:
"παύεσθον κλαυθμοῖο γόοιό τε, μή τις ἴδηται
ἐξελθὼν μεγάροιο, ἀτὰρ εἴπῃσι καὶ εἴσω.
230ἀλλὰ προμνηστῖνοι ἐσέλθετε, μηδ' ἅμα πάντες,
Transliteration
kai nu k' oduromenoisin edu phaos ēelioio,
ei mē Odusseus autos erukake phōnēsen te:
"pauesthon klauthmoio gooio te, mē tis idētai
exelthōn megaroio, atar eipēisi kai eisō.
230alla promnēstinoi eselthete, mēd' hama pantes,
English · Butler
not checked them and said: "Cease your weeping, lest some one should come outside and see us, and tell those who are within. When you go in, do so separately, not both together; I will go first, and do you follow afterwards;
Homeric Greek
πρῶτος ἐγώ, μετὰ δ' ὔμμες: ἀτὰρ τόδε σῆμα τετύχθω:
ἄλλοι μὲν γὰρ πάντες, ὅσοι μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοί,
οὐκ ἐάσουσιν ἐμοὶ δόμεναι βιὸν ἠδὲ φαρέτρην:
ἀλλὰ σύ, δῖ' Εὔμαιε, φέρων ἀνὰ δώματα τόξον
235ἐν χείρεσσιν ἐμοὶ θέμεναι, εἰπεῖν τε γυναιξὶ
Transliteration
prōtos egō, meta d' ummes: atar tode sēma tetuchthō:
alloi men gar pantes, hosoi mnēstēres agauoi,
ouk easousin emoi domenai bion ēde pharetrēn:
alla su, di' Eumaie, pherōn ana dōmata toxon
235en cheiressin emoi themenai, eipein te gunaixi
English · Butler
Let this moreover be the sign between us; the suitors will all of them try to prevent me from getting hold of the bow and quiver; do you, therefore, Eumaios, place it in my hands when you are carrying it about, and tell the women to close the doors of their apartment. If they hear any groaning or uproar as of men fighting about the house, they must not come out;
Homeric Greek
κληῖ̈σαι μεγάροιο θύρας πυκινῶς ἀραρυίας,
ἢν δέ τις ἢ στοναχῆς ἠὲ κτύπου ἔνδον ἀκούσῃ
ἀνδρῶν ἡμετέροισιν ἐν ἕρκεσι, μή τι θύραζε
προβλώσκειν, ἀλλ' αὐτοῦ ἀκὴν ἔμεναι παρὰ ἔργῳ.
240σοὶ δέ, Φιλοίτιε δῖε, θύρας ἐπιτέλλομαι αὐλῆς
Transliteration
klēïsai megaroio thuras pukinōs araruias,
ēn de tis ē stonachēs ēe ktupou endon akousēi
andrōn hēmeteroisin en herkesi, mē ti thuraze
problōskein, all' autou akēn emenai para ergōi.
240soi de, Philoitie die, thuras epitellomai aulēs
English · Butler
they must keep quiet, and stay where they are at their work. And I charge you, Philoitios, to make fast the doors of the outer court, and to
Homeric Greek
κληῖ̈σαι κληῖ̈δι, θοῶς δ' ἐπὶ δεσμὸν ἰῆλαι."
ὣς εἰπὼν εἰσῆλθε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας:
ἕζετ' ἔπειτ' ἐπὶ δίφρον ἰών, ἔνθεν περ ἀνέστη:
ἐς δ' ἄρα καὶ τὼ δμῶε ἴτην θείου Ὀδυσῆος.
245Εὐρύμαχος δ' ἤδη τόξον μετὰ χερσὶν ἐνώμα,
Transliteration
klēïsai klēïdi, thoōs d' epi desmon iēlai."
hōs eipōn eisēlthe domous eu naietaontas:
hezet' epeit' epi diphron iōn, enthen per anestē:
es d' ara kai tō dmōe itēn theiou Odusēos.
245Eurumachos d' ēdē toxon meta chersin enōma,
English · Butler
bind them securely at once." When he had thus spoken, he went back to the house and took the seat that he had left. Presently, his two servants followed him inside. At this moment the bow was in the hands of Eurymakhos, who was warming it by the fire, but even so he could not string it, and he was greatly grieved.
Homeric Greek
θάλπων ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα σέλᾳ πυρός: ἀλλά μιν οὐδ' ὣς
ἐντανύσαι δύνατο, μέγα δ' ἔστενε κυδάλιμον κῆρ:
ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶρος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:
"ὢ πόποι, ἧ μοι ἄχος περί τ' αὐτοῦ καὶ περὶ πάντων:
250οὔ τι γάμου τοσσοῦτον ὀδύρομαι, ἀχνύμενός περ:
Transliteration
thalpōn entha kai entha selāi puros: alla min oud' hōs
entanusai dunato, mega d' estene kudalimon kēr:
ochthēsas d' ara eiros t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:
"ō popoi, hē moi achos peri t' autou kai peri pantōn:
250ou ti gamou tossouton oduromai, achnumenos per:
English · Butler
At this moment the bow was in the hands of Eurymakhos, who was warming it by the fire, but even so he could not string it, and he was greatly grieved. He heaved a deep sigh and said, "I grieve for myself and for us all; I grieve that I shall have to forgo the marriage, but I do not care nearly so much about this, for there are plenty of other women in Ithaca and elsewhere; what I feel most is the
Homeric Greek
εἰσὶ καὶ ἄλλαι πολλαὶ Ἀχαιί̈δες, αἱ μὲν ἐν αὐτῇ
ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ, αἱ δ' ἄλλῃσιν πολίεσσιν:
ἀλλ' εἰ δὴ τοσσόνδε βίης ἐπιδευέες εἰμὲν
ἀντιθέου Ὀδυσῆος, ὅ τ' οὐ δυνάμεσθα τανύσσαι
255τὸν δ' αὖτ' Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός:
Transliteration
eisi kai allai pollai Achaiïdes, hai men en autēi
amphialōi Ithakēi, hai d' allēisin poliessin:
all' ei dē tossonde biēs epideuees eimen
antitheou Odusēos, ho t' ou dunamestha tanussai
255ton d' aut' Antinoos prosephē, Eupeitheos huios:
English · Butler
fact of our being so inferior to Odysseus in strength that we cannot string his bow. This will disgrace us in the eyes of those who are yet unborn."
Homeric Greek
"Εὐρύμαχ', οὐχ οὕτως ἔσται: νοέεις δὲ καὶ αὐτός.
νῦν μὲν γὰρ κατὰ δῆμον ἑορτὴ τοῖο θεοῖο
ἁγνή: τίς δέ κε τόξα τιταίνοιτ'; ἀλλὰ ἕκηλοι
κάτθετ': ἀτὰρ πελέκεάς γε καὶ εἴ κ' εἰῶμεν ἅπαντας
260ἑστάμεν: οὐ μὲν γάρ τιν' ἀναιρήσεσθαι ὀί̈ω,
Transliteration
"Eurumach', ouch houtōs estai: noeeis de kai autos.
nun men gar kata dēmon heortē toio theoio
hagnē: tis de ke toxa titainoit'; alla hekēloi
katthet': atar pelekeas ge kai ei k' eiōmen hapantas
260hestamen: ou men gar tin' anairēsesthai oïō,
English · Butler
"It shall not be so, Eurymakhos," said Antinoos, "and you know it yourself. To-day is the feast of Apollo throughout all the dêmos; who can string a bow on such a day as this? Put it on one side - as for the axes they can stay where they are, for no one is likely to come to the house and take them away:
Homeric Greek
ἐλθόντ' ἐς μέγαρον Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.
ἀλλ' ἄγετ', οἰνοχόος μὲν ἐπαρξάσθω δεπάεσσιν,
ὄφρα σπείσαντες καταθείομεν ἀγκύλα τόξα:
ἠῶθεν δὲ κέλεσθε Μελάνθιον, αἰπόλον αἰγῶν,
265αἶγας ἄγειν, αἳ πᾶσι μέγ' ἔξοχοι αἰπολίοισιν,
Transliteration
elthont' es megaron Laertiadeō Odusēos.
all' aget', oinochoos men eparxasthō depaessin,
ophra speisantes katatheiomen ankula toxa:
ēōthen de kelesthe Melanthion, aipolon aigōn,
265aigas agein, hai pasi meg' exochoi aipolioisin,
English · Butler
let the cupbearer go round with his cups, that we may make our drink-offerings and drop this matter of the bow; we will tell Melanthios to bring us in some goats tomorrow - the best he has; we can then offer thigh bones to Apollo the mighty archer,
Homeric Greek
ὄφρ' ἐπὶ μηρία θέντες Ἀπόλλωνι κλυτοτόξῳ
τόξου πειρώμεσθα καὶ ἐκτελέωμεν ἄεθλον."
ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀντίνοος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.
τοῖσι δὲ κήρυκες μὲν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν,
270κοῦροι δὲ κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο,
Transliteration
ophr' epi mēria thentes Apollōni klutotoxōi
toxou peirōmestha kai ekteleōmen aethlon."
hōs ephat' Antinoos, toisin d' epiēndane muthos.
toisi de kērukes men hudōr epi cheiras echeuan,
270kouroi de krētēras epestepsanto potoio,
English · Butler
and again make trial of the bow, so as to bring the contest to an end." The rest approved his words, and thereon men servants poured water over the hands of the guests, while pages filled the mixing-bowls with wine and water and handed it round after giving every man his drink-offering. Then, when they had
Homeric Greek
νώμησαν δ' ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενοι δεπάεσσιν.
οἱ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν σπεῖσάν τ' ἔπιόν θ' ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,
τοῖς δὲ δολοφρονέων μετέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης:
275ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει:
Transliteration
nōmēsan d' ara pasin eparxamenoi depaessin.
hoi d' epei oun speisan t' epion th' hoson ēthele thumos,
tois de dolophroneōn metephē polumētis Odusseus:
"keklute meu, mnēstēres agakleitēs basileiēs:
275ophr' eipō ta me thumos eni stēthessi keleuei:
English · Butler
made their offerings and had drunk each as much as he desired, Odysseus craftily said: "Suitors of the illustrious queen, listen that I may speak even as I am minded.
Homeric Greek
Εὐρύμαχον δὲ μάλιστα καὶ Ἀντίνοον θεοειδέα
λίσσομ', ἐπεὶ καὶ τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπε,
νῦν μὲν παῦσαι τόξον, ἐπιτρέψαι δὲ θεοῖσιν:
ἠῶθεν δὲ θεὸς δώσει κράτος ᾧ κ' ἐθέλῃσιν.
280ἀλλ' ἄγ' ἐμοὶ δότε τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον, ὄφρα μεθ' ὑμῖν
Transliteration
Eurumachon de malista kai Antinoon theoeidea
lissom', epei kai touto epos kata moiran eeipe,
nun men pausai toxon, epitrepsai de theoisin:
ēōthen de theos dōsei kratos hōi k' ethelēisin.
280all' ag' emoi dote toxon eüxoon, ophra meth' humin
English · Butler
"Suitors of the illustrious queen, listen that I may speak even as I am minded. I appeal more especially to Eurymakhos, and to Antinoos who has just spoken with so much reason. Cease shooting for the present and leave the matter to the gods, but in the morning let heaven give victory to whom it will. For the moment, however, give me the bow that I may prove the power of
Homeric Greek
χειρῶν καὶ σθένεος πειρήσομαι, ἤ μοι ἔτ' ἐστὶν
ἴς, οἵη πάρος ἔσκεν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσιν,
ἦ ἤδη μοι ὄλεσσεν ἄλη τ' ἀκομιστίη τε."
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ὑπερφιάλως νεμέσησαν,
285δείσαντες μὴ τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον ἐντανύσειεν.
Transliteration
cheirōn kai stheneos peirēsomai, ē moi et' estin
is, hoiē paros esken eni gnamptoisi melessin,
ē ēdē moi olessen alē t' akomistiē te."
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes huperphialōs nemesēsan,
285deisantes mē toxon eüxoon entanuseien.
English · Butler
my hands among you all, and see whether I still have as much strength as I used to have, or whether travel and neglect have made an end of it." This made them all very angry, for they feared he might string the bow; Antinoos therefore rebuked him fiercely saying, "Wretched creature, you have not so much as a grain of sense in your whole body; you ought to think yourself lucky in being allowed to dine unharmed among your betters, without having any smaller portion served you than we others have had, and in being allowed to hear our conversation.
Homeric Greek
Ἀντίνοος δ' ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:
"ἆ δειλὲ ξείνων, ἔνι τοι φρένες οὐδ' ἠβαιαί:
οὐκ ἀγαπᾷς ὃ ἕκηλος ὑπερφιάλοισι μεθ' ἡμῖν
δαίνυσαι, οὐδέ τι δαιτὸς ἀμέρδεαι, αὐτὰρ ἀκούεις
290μύθων ἡμετέρων καὶ ῥήσιος; οὐδέ τις ἄλλος
Transliteration
Antinoos d' enenipen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:
"a deile xeinōn, eni toi phrenes oud' ēbaiai:
ouk agapāis ho hekēlos huperphialoisi meth' hēmin
dainusai, oude ti daitos amerdeai, autar akoueis
290muthōn hēmeterōn kai rhēsios; oude tis allos
English · Butler
This made them all very angry, for they feared he might string the bow; Antinoos therefore rebuked him fiercely saying, "Wretched creature, you have not so much as a grain of sense in your whole body; you ought to think yourself lucky in being allowed to dine unharmed among your betters, without having any smaller portion served you than we others have had, and in being allowed to hear our conversation. No other beggar or stranger has been allowed to hear what we say among ourselves; the wine must have been doing you a mischief, as it does with all those drink immoderately. It was wine that inflamed the Centaur Eurytion when he was staying with Peirithoos among the Lapiths. When the wine had got into his head he went mad and did ill deeds about the house of Peirithoos;
Homeric Greek
ἡμετέρων μύθων ξεῖνος καὶ πτωχὸς ἀκούει.
οἶνός σε τρώει μελιηδής, ὅς τε καὶ ἄλλους
βλάπτει, ὃς ἄν μιν χανδὸν ἕλῃ μηδ' αἴσιμα πίνῃ.
οἶνος καὶ Κένταυρον, ἀγακλυτὸν Εὐρυτίωνα,
295ἄασ' ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ μεγαθύμου Πειριθόοιο,
Transliteration
hēmeterōn muthōn xeinos kai ptōchos akouei.
oinos se trōei meliēdēs, hos te kai allous
blaptei, hos an min chandon helēi mēd' aisima pinēi.
oinos kai Kentauron, agakluton Eurutiōna,
295aas' eni megarōi megathumou Peirithooio,
English · Butler
this grieved the heroes who were there assembled, so they rushed at him and cut off his ears and nostrils; then they dragged him through the doorway out of the house, so he went away crazed, and bore the burden of his crime, bereft of understanding.
Homeric Greek
ἐς Λαπίθας ἐλθόνθ': ὁ δ' ἐπεὶ φρένας ἄασεν οἴνῳ,
μαινόμενος κάκ' ἔρεξε δόμον κάτα Πειριθόοιο:
ἥρωας δ' ἄχος εἷλε, διὲκ προθύρου δὲ θύραζε
ἕλκον ἀναί̈ξαντες, ἀπ' οὔατα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ
300ῥῖνάς τ' ἀμήσαντες: ὁ δὲ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀασθεὶς
Transliteration
es Lapithas elthonth': ho d' epei phrenas aasen oinōi,
mainomenos kak' erexe domon kata Peirithooio:
hērōas d' achos heile, diek prothurou de thuraze
helkon anaïxantes, ap' ouata nēleï chalkōi
300rhinas t' amēsantes: ho de phresin hēisin aastheis
English · Butler
Henceforth, therefore, there was war between humankind and the centaurs, but he brought it upon himself through his own drunkenness. In like manner I can tell you that it will go hardly with you if you string the bow: you will find no mercy
Homeric Greek
ἤϊεν ἣν ἄτην ὀχέων ἀεσίφρονι θυμῷ.
ἐξ οὗ Κενταύροισι καὶ ἀνδράσι νεῖκος ἐτύχθη,
οἷ δ' αὐτῷ πρώτῳ κακὸν εὕρετο οἰνοβαρείων.
ὣς καὶ σοὶ μέγα πῆμα πιφαύσκομαι, αἴ κε τὸ τόξον
305ἐντανύσῃς: οὐ γάρ τευ ἐπητύος ἀντιβολήσεις
Transliteration
ēïen hēn atēn ocheōn aesiphroni thumōi.
ex hou Kentauroisi kai andrasi neikos etuchthē,
hoi d' autōi prōtōi kakon heureto oinobareiōn.
hōs kai soi mega pēma piphauskomai, ai ke to toxon
305entanusēis: ou gar teu epētuos antibolēseis
English · Butler
from any one in our dêmos, for we shall at once ship you off to king Echetos, who kills every one that comes near him: you will never get away alive,
Homeric Greek
ἡμετέρῳ ἐνὶ δήμῳ, ἄφαρ δέ σε νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ
εἰς Ἔχετον βασιλῆα, βροτῶν δηλήμονα πάντων,
πέμψομεν: ἔνθεν δ' οὔ τι σαώσεαι: ἀλλὰ ἕκηλος
πῖνέ τε, μηδ' ἐρίδαινε μετ' ἀνδράσι κουροτέροισιν."
310τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
Transliteration
hēmeterōi eni dēmōi, aphar de se nēï melainēi
eis Echeton basilēa, brotōn dēlēmona pantōn,
pempsomen: enthen d' ou ti saōseai: alla hekēlos
pine te, mēd' eridaine met' andrasi kouroteroisin."
310ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
English · Butler
so drink and keep quiet without getting into a quarrel with men younger than yourself."
Homeric Greek
"Ἀντίνο', οὐ μὲν καλὸν ἀτέμβειν οὐδὲ δίκαιον
ξείνους Τηλεμάχου, ὅς κεν τάδε δώμαθ' ἵκηται:
ἔλπεαι, αἴ χ' ὁ ξεῖνος Ὀδυσσῆος μέγα τόξον
ἐντανύσῃ χερσίν τε βίηφί τε ἧφι πιθήσας,
315οἴκαδέ μ' ἄξεσθαι καὶ ἑὴν θήσεσθαι ἄκοιτιν;
Transliteration
"Antino', ou men kalon atembein oude dikaion
xeinous Tēlemachou, hos ken tade dōmath' hikētai:
elpeai, ai ch' ho xeinos Odussēos mega toxon
entanusēi chersin te biēphi te hēphi pithēsas,
315oikade m' axesthai kai heēn thēsesthai akoitin;
English · Butler
Penelope then spoke to him. "Antinoos," said she, "it is not right that you should ill-treat any guest of Telemakhos who comes to this house. If the stranger should prove strong enough to string the mighty bow of Odysseus, can you suppose that he would take me home with him and make me his wife?
Homeric Greek
οὐδ' αὐτός που τοῦτό γ' ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔολπε:
μηδέ τις ὑμείων τοῦ γ' εἵνεκα θυμὸν ἀχεύων
ἐνθάδε δαινύσθω, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ ἔοικεν."
τὴν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἀντίον ηὔδα:
320"κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρον Πηνελόπεια,
Transliteration
oud' autos pou touto g' eni stēthessin eolpe:
mēde tis humeiōn tou g' heineka thumon acheuōn
enthade dainusthō, epei oude men oude eoiken."
tēn d' aut' Eurumachos, Polubou païs, antion ēuda:
320"kourē Ikarioio, periphron Pēnelopeia,
English · Butler
Even the man himself can have no such idea in his mind: none of you need let that disturb his feasting; it would be out of all reason." "Queen Penelope," answered Eurymakhos, "we do not suppose that this man will take you away with him;
Homeric Greek
οὔ τί σε τόνδ' ἄξεσθαι ὀϊόμεθ': οὐδὲ ἔοικεν:
ἀλλ' αἰσχυνόμενοι φάτιν ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ γυναικῶν,
μή ποτέ τις εἴπῃσι κακώτερος ἄλλος Ἀχαιῶν
ἦ πολὺ χείρονες ἄνδρες ἀμύμονος ἀνδρὸς ἄκοιτιν
325μνῶνται, οὐδέ τι τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον ἐντανύουσιν:
Transliteration
ou ti se tond' axesthai oïometh': oude eoiken:
all' aischunomenoi phatin andrōn ēde gunaikōn,
mē pote tis eipēisi kakōteros allos Achaiōn
ē polu cheirones andres amumonos andros akoitin
325mnōntai, oude ti toxon eüxoon entanuousin:
English · Butler
it is impossible; but we are afraid lest some of the baser sort, men or women among the Achaeans, should go gossiping about and say, ‘These suitors are a feeble folk; they are paying court to the wife of a brave man whose bow not one of them was
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄλλος τις πτωχὸς ἀνὴρ ἀλαλήμενος ἐλθὼν
ῥηϊδίως ἐτάνυσσε βιόν, διὰ δ' ἧκε σιδήρου.
ὣς ἐρέουσ', ἡμῖν δ' ἂν ἐλέγχεα ταῦτα γένοιτο."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
330"Εὐρύμαχ', οὔ πως ἔστιν ἐϋκλεῖας κατὰ δῆμον
Transliteration
all' allos tis ptōchos anēr alalēmenos elthōn
rhēïdiōs etanusse bion, dia d' hēke sidērou.
hōs ereous', hēmin d' an elenchea tauta genoito."
ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
330"Eurumach', ou pōs estin eükleias kata dēmon
English · Butler
able to string, and yet a beggarly tramp who came to the house strung it at once and sent an arrow through the iron.’ This is what will be said, and it will be a scandal against us." "Eurymakhos," Penelope answered, "people who persist in eating up the estate of a great chieftain and dishonoring his house must not expect others in the dêmos to think well of them.
Homeric Greek
ἔμμεναι οἳ δὴ οἶκον ἀτιμάζοντες ἔδουσιν
ἀνδρὸς ἀριστῆος: τί δ' ἐλέγχεα ταῦτα τίθεσθε;
οὗτος δὲ ξεῖνος μάλα μὲν μέγας ἠδ' εὐπηγής,
πατρὸς δ' ἐξ ἀγαθοῦ γένος εὔχεται ἔμμεναι υἱός.
335ἀλλ' ἄγε οἱ δότε τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον, ὄφρα ἴδωμεν.
Transliteration
emmenai hoi dē oikon atimazontes edousin
andros aristēos: ti d' elenchea tauta tithesthe;
houtos de xeinos mala men megas ēd' eupēgēs,
patros d' ex agathou genos euchetai emmenai huios.
335all' age hoi dote toxon eüxoon, ophra idōmen.
English · Butler
"Eurymakhos," Penelope answered, "people who persist in eating up the estate of a great chieftain and dishonoring his house must not expect others in the dêmos to think well of them. Why then should you mind if men talk as you think they will? This stranger is strong and well-built, he says moreover that he is of noble birth. Give him the bow, and let us see whether he can string it or no. I say - and it shall surely be - that if Apollo grants him
Homeric Greek
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται:
εἴ κέ μιν ἐντανύσῃ, δώῃ δέ οἱ εὖχος Ἀπόλλων,
ἕσσω μιν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, εἵματα καλά,
δώσω δ' ὀξὺν ἄκοντα, κυνῶν ἀλκτῆρα καὶ ἀνδρῶν,
340καὶ ξίφος ἄμφηκες: δώσω δ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶ πέδιλα,
Transliteration
hōde gar exereō, to de kai tetelesmenon estai:
ei ke min entanusēi, dōēi de hoi euchos Apollōn,
hessō min chlainan te chitōna te, heimata kala,
dōsō d' oxun akonta, kunōn alktēra kai andrōn,
340kai xiphos amphēkes: dōsō d' hupo possi pedila,
English · Butler
the glory of stringing it, I will give him a cloak and shirt of good wear, with a javelin to keep off dogs and robbers, and a sharp sword. I will also give him sandals, and will
Homeric Greek
πέμψω δ' ὅππη μιν κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει."
τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"μῆτερ ἐμή, τόξον μὲν Ἀχαιῶν οὔ τις ἐμεῖο
κρείσσων, ᾧ κ' ἐθέλω, δόμεναί τε καὶ ἀρνήσασθαι,
345οὔθ' ὅσσοι κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν,
Transliteration
pempsō d' hoppē min kradiē thumos te keleuei."
tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnumenos antion ēuda:
"mēter emē, toxon men Achaiōn ou tis emeio
kreissōn, hōi k' ethelō, domenai te kai arnēsasthai,
345outh' hossoi kranaēn Ithakēn kata koiraneousin,
English · Butler
see him sent safely wherever he wants to go." Then Telemakhos said, "Mother, I am the only man either in Ithaca or in the islands that are over against Elis who has the right to let any one have the bow or to refuse it. No one shall force me one way or the other, not even though I
Homeric Greek
οὔθ' ὅσσοι νήσοισι πρὸς Ἤλιδος ἱπποβότοιο:
τῶν οὔ τίς μ' ἀέκοντα βιήσεται, αἴ κ' ἐθέλωμι
καὶ καθάπαξ ξείνῳ δόμεναι τάδε τόξα φέρεσθαι.
ἀλλ' εἰς οἶκον ἰοῦσα τὰ σ' αὐτῆς ἔργα κόμιζε,
350ἱστόν τ' ἠλακάτην τε, καὶ ἀμφιπόλοισι κέλευε
Transliteration
outh' hossoi nēsoisi pros Ēlidos hippobotoio:
tōn ou tis m' aekonta biēsetai, ai k' ethelōmi
kai kathapax xeinōi domenai tade toxa pheresthai.
all' eis oikon iousa ta s' autēs erga komize,
350histon t' ēlakatēn te, kai amphipoloisi keleue
English · Butler
choose to make the stranger a present of the bow outright, and let him take it away with him. Go, then, within the house and busy yourself with your daily duties, your loom, your distaff, and the ordering of your servants. This bow is a man's matter, and mine
Homeric Greek
ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι: τόξον δ' ἄνδρεσσι μελήσει
πᾶσι, μάλιστα δ' ἐμοί: τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ."
ἡ μὲν θαμβήσασα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει:
παιδὸς γὰρ μῦθον πεπνυμένον ἔνθετο θυμῷ.
355ἐς δ' ὑπερῷ' ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶ
Transliteration
ergon epoichesthai: toxon d' andressi melēsei
pasi, malista d' emoi: tou gar kratos est' eni oikōi."
hē men thambēsasa palin oikonde bebēkei:
paidos gar muthon pepnumenon entheto thumōi.
355es d' huperōi' anabasa sun amphipoloisi gunaixi
English · Butler
above all others, for it is I who am master here." She went wondering back into the house, and laid her son's saying in her heart. Then going upstairs with her handmaids
Homeric Greek
κλαῖεν ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆα, φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνον
ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.
αὐτὰρ ὁ τόξα λαβὼν φέρε καμπύλα δῖος ὑφορβός:
μνηστῆρες δ' ἄρα πάντες ὁμόκλεον ἐν μεγάροισιν:
360ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων:
Transliteration
klaien epeit' Odusēa, philon posin, ophra hoi hupnon
hēdun epi blepharoisi bale glaukōpis Athēnē.
autar ho toxa labōn phere kampula dios huphorbos:
mnēstēres d' ara pantes homokleon en megaroisin:
360hōde de tis eipeske neōn huperēnoreontōn:
English · Butler
into her room, she mourned her dear husband till Athena sent sweet sleep over her eyelids. The swineherd now took up the bow and was for taking it to Odysseus, but the suitors clamored at him from all parts of the cloisters, and one of them said, "You idiot, where are you taking the bow to? Are you out of your wits?
Homeric Greek
"πῆ δὴ καμπύλα τόξα φέρεις, ἀμέγαρτε συβῶτα,
πλαγκτέ; τάχ' αὖ σ' ἐφ' ὕεσσι κύνες ταχέες κατέδονται
οἶον ἀπ' ἀνθρώπων, οὓς ἔτρεφες, εἴ κεν Ἀπόλλων
ἡμῖν ἱλήκῃσι καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι."
365ὣς φάσαν, αὐτὰρ, ὁ θῆκε φέρων αὐτῇ ἐνὶ χώρῃ,
Transliteration
"pē dē kampula toxa phereis, amegarte subōta,
plankte; tach' au s' eph' huessi kunes tachees katedontai
oion ap' anthrōpōn, hous etrephes, ei ken Apollōn
hēmin hilēkēisi kai athanatoi theoi alloi."
365hōs phasan, autar, ho thēke pherōn autēi eni chōrēi,
English · Butler
If Apollo and the other gods will answer our prayer, your own boarhounds shall get you into some quiet little place, and worry you to death."
Homeric Greek
δείσας, οὕνεκα πολλοὶ ὁμόκλεον ἐν μεγάροισιν.
Τηλέμαχος δ' ἑτέρωθεν ἀπειλήσας ἐγεγώνει:
"ἄττα, πρόσω φέρε τόξα: τάχ' οὐκ εὖ πᾶσι πιθήσεις
μή σε καὶ ὁπλότερός περ ἐὼν ἀγρόνδε δίωμαι,
370βάλλων χερμαδίοισι: βίηφι δὲ φέρτερός εἰμι.
Transliteration
deisas, houneka polloi homokleon en megaroisin.
Tēlemachos d' heterōthen apeilēsas egegōnei:
"atta, prosō phere toxa: tach' ouk eu pasi pithēseis
mē se kai hoploteros per eōn agronde diōmai,
370ballōn chermadioisi: biēphi de pherteros eimi.
English · Butler
Eumaios was frightened at the outcry they all raised, so he put the bow down then and there, but Telemakhos shouted out at him from the other side of the cloisters, and threatened him saying, "Father Eumaios, bring the bow on in spite of them, or young as I am I will pelt you with stones back to the country, for I am the stronger man of the two. I wish I was as much stronger than all the other suitors in the house as
Homeric Greek
αἲ γὰρ πάντων τόσσον, ὅσοι κατὰ δώματ' ἔασι,
μνηστήρων χερσίν τε βίηφί τε φέρτερος εἴην:
τῷ κε τάχα στυγερῶς τιν' ἐγὼ πέμψαιμι νέεσθαι
ἡμετέρου ἐξ οἴκου, ἐπεὶ κακὰ μηχανόωνται."
375ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἡδὺ γέλασσαν
Transliteration
ai gar pantōn tosson, hosoi kata dōmat' easi,
mnēstērōn chersin te biēphi te pherteros eiēn:
tōi ke tacha stugerōs tin' egō pempsaimi neesthai
hēmeterou ex oikou, epei kaka mēchanoōntai."
375hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes ep' autōi hēdu gelassan
English · Butler
I am than you, I would soon send some of them off sick and sorry, for they mean mischief."
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρες, καὶ δὴ μέθιεν χαλεποῖο χόλοιο
Τηλεμάχῳ: τὰ δὲ τόξα φέρων ἀνὰ δῶμα συβώτης
ἐν χείρεσσ' Ὀδυσῆϊ δαί̈φρονι θῆκε παραστάς.
ἐκ δὲ καλεσσάμενος προσέφη τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν:
380"Τηλέμαχος κέλεταί σε, περίφρων Εὐρύκλεια,
Transliteration
mnēstēres, kai dē methien chalepoio choloio
Tēlemachōi: ta de toxa pherōn ana dōma subōtēs
en cheiress' Odusēï daïphroni thēke parastas.
ek de kalessamenos prosephē trophon Eurukleian:
380"Tēlemachos keletai se, periphrōn Eurukleia,
English · Butler
Thus did he speak, and they all of them laughed heartily, which put them in a better humor with Telemakhos; so Eumaios brought the bow on and placed it in the hands of Odysseus. When he had done this, he called Eurykleia apart and said to her, "Eurykleia, Telemakhos says you are to close the doors of the women's apartments. If they hear any groaning or
Homeric Greek
κληῖ̈σαι μεγάροιο θύρας πυκινῶς ἀραρυίας.
ἢν δέ τις ἤ στοναχῆς ἠὲ κτύπου ἔνδον ἀκούσῃ
ἀνδρῶν ἡμετέροισιν ἐν ἕρκεσι, μή τι θύραζε
προβλώσκειν, ἀλλ' αὐτοῦ ἀκὴν ἔμεναι παρὰ ἔργῳ."
385ὣς ἄρ' ἐφώνησεν, τῇ δ' ἄπτερος ἔπλετο μῦθος,
Transliteration
klēïsai megaroio thuras pukinōs araruias.
ēn de tis ē stonachēs ēe ktupou endon akousēi
andrōn hēmeteroisin en herkesi, mē ti thuraze
problōskein, all' autou akēn emenai para ergōi."
385hōs ar' ephōnēsen, tēi d' apteros epleto muthos,
English · Butler
uproar as of men fighting about the house, they are not to come out, but are to keep quiet and stay where they are at their work."
Homeric Greek
κλήϊσεν δὲ θύρας μεγάρων εὖ ναιεταόντων.
σιγῇ δ' ἐξ οἴκοιο Φιλοίτιος ἆλτο θύραζε,
κλήϊσεν δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα θύρας εὐερκέος αὐλῆς.
κεῖτο δ' ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ ὅπλον νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης
390βύβλινον, ᾧ ῥ' ἐπέδησε θύρας, ἐς δ' ἤϊεν αὐτός:
Transliteration
klēïsen de thuras megarōn eu naietaontōn.
sigēi d' ex oikoio Philoitios alto thuraze,
klēïsen d' ar' epeita thuras euerkeos aulēs.
keito d' hup' aithousēi hoplon neos amphielissēs
390bublinon, hōi rh' epedēse thuras, es d' ēïen autos:
English · Butler
Eurykleia did as she was told and closed the doors of the women's apartments. Meanwhile Philoitios slipped quietly out and made fast the gates of the outer court. There was a ship's cable of papyrus fiber lying in the gatehouse, so he made the gates fast
Homeric Greek
ἕζετ' ἔπειτ' ἐπὶ δίφρον ἰών, ἔνθεν περ ἀνέστη,
εἰσορόων Ὀδυσῆα. ὁ δ' ἤδη τόξον ἐνώμα
πάντη ἀναστρωφῶν, πειρώμενος ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,
μὴ κέρα ἶπες ἔδοιεν ἀποιχομένοιο ἄνακτος.
395ὧδε τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον:
Transliteration
hezet' epeit' epi diphron iōn, enthen per anestē,
eisoroōn Odusēa. ho d' ēdē toxon enōma
pantē anastrōphōn, peirōmenos entha kai entha,
mē kera ipes edoien apoichomenoio anaktos.
395hōde tis eipesken idōn es plēsion allon:
English · Butler
with it and then came in again, resuming the seat that he had left, and keeping an eye on Odysseus, who had now got the bow in his hands, and was turning it every way about, and proving it all over to see whether the worms had been eating into its two horns during his absence.
Homeric Greek
"ἦ τις θηητὴρ καὶ ἐπίκλοπος ἔπλετο τόξων:
ἤ ῥά νύ που τοιαῦτα καὶ αὐτῷ οἴκοθι κεῖται
ἢ ὅ γ' ἐφορμᾶται ποιησέμεν, ὡς ἐνὶ χερσὶ
νωμᾷ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα κακῶν ἔμπαιος ἀλήτης."
400ἄλλος δ' αὖ εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων:
Transliteration
"ē tis thēētēr kai epiklopos epleto toxōn:
ē rha nu pou toiauta kai autōi oikothi keitai
ē ho g' ephormatai poiēsemen, hōs eni chersi
nōmāi entha kai entha kakōn empaios alētēs."
400allos d' au eipeske neōn huperēnoreontōn:
English · Butler
Then would one turn towards his neighbor saying, "This is some tricky old bow-fancier; either he has got one like it at home, or he wants to make one, in such workmanlike style does the old vagabond handle it."
Homeric Greek
"αἲ γὰρ δὴ τοσσοῦτον ὀνήσιος ἀντιάσειεν
ὡς οὗτός ποτε τοῦτο δυνήσεται ἐντανύσασθαι."
ὣς ἄρ' ἔφαν μνηστῆρες: ἀτὰρ πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,
αὐτίκ' ἐπεὶ μέγα τόξον ἐβάστασε καὶ ἴδε πάντη,
405ὡς ὅτ' ἀνὴρ φόρμιγγος ἐπιστάμενος καὶ ἀοιδῆς
Transliteration
"ai gar dē tossouton onēsios antiaseien
hōs houtos pote touto dunēsetai entanusasthai."
hōs ar' ephan mnēstēres: atar polumētis Odusseus,
autik' epei mega toxon ebastase kai ide pantē,
405hōs hot' anēr phormingos epistamenos kai aoidēs
English · Butler
Another said, "I hope he may be no more successful in other things than he is likely to be in stringing this bow." But Odysseus, when he had taken it up and examined it all over, strung it as easily as a skilled bard strings a new peg of his lyre and makes the twisted gut fast at both ends. Then he took it in his
Homeric Greek
ῥηϊδίως ἐτάνυσσε νέῳ περὶ κόλλοπι χορδήν,
ἅψας ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἐϋστρεφὲς ἔντερον οἰός,
ὣς ἄρ' ἄτερ σπουδῆς τάνυσεν μέγα τόξον Ὀδυσσεύς.
δεξιτερῇ ἄρα χειρὶ λαβὼν πειρήσατο νευρῆς:
410ἡ δ' ὑπὸ καλὸν ἄεισε, χελιδόνι εἰκέλη αὐδήν.
Transliteration
rhēïdiōs etanusse neōi peri kollopi chordēn,
hapsas amphoterōthen eüstrephes enteron oios,
hōs ar' ater spoudēs tanusen mega toxon Odusseus.
dexiterēi ara cheiri labōn peirēsato neurēs:
410hē d' hupo kalon aeise, chelidoni eikelē audēn.
English · Butler
right hand to prove the string, and it sang sweetly under his touch like the twittering of a swallow. The suitors were dismayed, and turned color as they heard it; at that moment, moreover, Zeus thundered loudly as
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρσιν δ' ἄρ' ἄχος γένετο μέγα, πᾶσι δ' ἄρα χρὼς
ἐτράπετο: Ζεὺς δὲ μεγάλ' ἔκτυπε σήματα φαίνων:
γήθησέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
ὅττι ῥά οἱ τέρας ἧκε Κρόνου πάϊς ἀγκυλομήτεω:
415εἵλετο δ' ὠκὺν ὀϊστόν, ὅ οἱ παρέκειτο τραπέζῃ
Transliteration
mnēstērsin d' ar' achos geneto mega, pasi d' ara chrōs
etrapeto: Zeus de megal' ektupe sēmata phainōn:
gēthēsen t' ar' epeita polutlas dios Odusseus.
hotti rha hoi teras hēke Kronou païs ankulomēteō:
415heileto d' ōkun oïston, ho hoi parekeito trapezēi
English · Butler
a sign, and the heart of Odysseus rejoiced as he heard the omen that the son of scheming Kronos had sent him.
Homeric Greek
γυμνός: τοὶ δ' ἄλλοι κοίλης ἔντοσθε φαρέτρης
κείατο, τῶν τάχ' ἔμελλον Ἀχαιοὶ πειρήσεσθαι.
τόν ῥ' ἐπὶ πήχει ἑλὼν ἕλκεν νευρὴν γλυφίδας τε,
αὐτόθεν ἐκ δίφροιο καθήμενος, ἧκε δ' ὀϊστὸν
420ἄντα τιτυσκόμενος, πελέκεων δ' οὐκ ἤμβροτε πάντων
Transliteration
gumnos: toi d' alloi koilēs entosthe pharetrēs
keiato, tōn tach' emellon Achaioi peirēsesthai.
ton rh' epi pēchei helōn helken neurēn gluphidas te,
autothen ek diphroio kathēmenos, hēke d' oïston
420anta tituskomenos, pelekeōn d' ouk ēmbrote pantōn
English · Butler
He took an arrow that was lying upon the table - for those which the Achaeans were so shortly about to taste were all inside the quiver - he laid it on the center-piece of the bow, and drew the notch of the arrow and the string toward him, still seated on his seat. When he had taken aim he let fly, and his arrow pierced every one of the handle-holes of the axes
Homeric Greek
πρώτης στειλειῆς, διὰ δ' ἀμπερὲς ἦλθε θύραζε
ἰὸς χαλκοβαρής: ὁ δὲ Τηλέμαχον προσέειπε:
"Τηλέμαχ', οὔ σ' ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἐλέγχει
ἥμενος, οὐδέ τι τοῦ σκοποῦ ἤμβροτον οὐδέ τι τόξον
425δὴν ἔκαμον τανύων: ἔτι μοι μένος ἔμπεδόν ἐστιν,
Transliteration
prōtēs steileiēs, dia d' amperes ēlthe thuraze
ios chalkobarēs: ho de Tēlemachon proseeipe:
"Tēlemach', ou s' ho xeinos eni megaroisin elenchei
hēmenos, oude ti tou skopou ēmbroton oude ti toxon
425dēn ekamon tanuōn: eti moi menos empedon estin,
English · Butler
from the first onwards till it had gone right through them, and into the outer courtyard. Then he said to Telemakhos: "Your guest has not disgraced you, Telemakhos.
Homeric Greek
οὐχ ὥς με μνηστῆρες ἀτιμάζοντες ὄνονται.
νῦν δ' ὥρη καὶ δόρπον Ἀχαιοῖσιν τετυκέσθαι
ἐν φάει, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα καὶ ἄλλως ἑψιάασθαι
μολπῇ καὶ φόρμιγγι: τὰ γάρ τ' ἀναθήματα δαιτός."
430ἦ καὶ ἐπ' ὀφρύσι νεῦσεν: ὁ δ' ἀμφέθετο ξίφος ὀξὺ
Transliteration
ouch hōs me mnēstēres atimazontes onontai.
nun d' hōrē kai dorpon Achaioisin tetukesthai
en phaei, autar epeita kai allōs hepsiaasthai
molpēi kai phormingi: ta gar t' anathēmata daitos."
430ē kai ep' ophrusi neusen: ho d' amphetheto xiphos oxu
English · Butler
"Your guest has not disgraced you, Telemakhos. I did not miss what I aimed at, and I was not long in stringing my bow. I am still strong, and not as the suitors mock me for being. Now, however, it is time for the Achaeans to prepare supper while there is still daylight, and then otherwise to disport themselves with song and dance which are the crowning ornaments of a banquet."
Homeric Greek
Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,
ἀμφὶ δὲ χεῖρα φίλην βάλεν ἔγχεϊ, ἄγχι δ' ἄρ' αὐτοῦ
πὰρ θρόνον ἑστήκει κεκορυθμένος αἴθοπι χαλκῷ.
Transliteration
Tēlemachos, philos huios Odussēos theioio,
amphi de cheira philēn balen encheï, anchi d' ar' autou
par thronon hestēkei kekoruthmenos aithopi chalkōi.
English · Butler
As he spoke he made a sign with his eyebrows, and Telemakhos girded on his sword, grasped his spear, and stood armed beside his father's seat.