Homeric Greek
1αὐτὰρ ὁ γυμνώθη ῥακέων πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,
ἆλτο δ' ἐπὶ μέγαν οὐδόν, ἔχων βιὸν ἠδὲ φαρέτρην
ἰῶν ἐμπλείην, ταχέας δ' ἐκχεύατ' ὀϊστοὺς
αὐτοῦ πρόσθε ποδῶν, μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπεν:
5"οὗτος μὲν δὴ ἄεθλος ἀάατος ἐκτετέλεσται:
Transliteration
1autar ho gymnōthē rhakeōn polymētis Odysseus,
alto d' epi megan oudon, echōn bion ēde pharetrēn
iōn empleiēn, tacheas d' ekcheuat' oïstous
autou prosthe podōn, meta de mnēstērsin eeipen:
5"houtos men dē aethlos aaatos ektetelestai:
English
Then Odysseus tore off his rags, and sprang on to the broad pavement with his bow and his quiver full of arrows. He shed the arrows on to the ground at his feet and said, "The mighty contest is at an end.
Homeric Greek
νῦν αὖτε σκοπὸν ἄλλον, ὃν οὔ πώ τις βάλεν ἀνήρ,
εἴσομαι, αἴ κε τύχωμι, πόρῃ δέ μοι εὖχος Ἀπόλλων."
ἦ καὶ ἐπ' Ἀντινόῳ ἰθύνετο πικρὸν ὀϊστόν.
ἦ τοι ὁ καλὸν ἄλεισον ἀναιρήσεσθαι ἔμελλε,
10χρύσεον ἄμφωτον, καὶ δὴ μετὰ χερσὶν ἐνώμα,
Transliteration
nyn aute skopon allon, hon ou pō tis balen anēr,
eisomai, ai ke tychōmi, porēi de moi euchos Apollōn."
ē kai ep' Antinoōi ithyneto pikron oïston.
ē toi ho kalon aleison anairēsesthai emelle,
10chryseon amphōton, kai dē meta chersin enōma,
English
I will now see whether Apollo will grant it to me to hit another mark which no man has yet hit." On this he aimed a deadly arrow at Antinoos, who was about to take up a two-handled gold cup to drink his wine and already had it in his hands.
Homeric Greek
ὄφρα πίοι οἴνοιο: φόνος δέ οἱ οὐκ ἐνὶ θυμῷ
μέμβλετο: τίς κ' οἴοιτο μετ' ἀνδράσι δαιτυμόνεσσι
μοῦνον ἐνὶ πλεόνεσσι, καὶ εἰ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη,
οἷ τεύξειν θάνατόν τε κακὸν καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν;
15τὸν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς κατὰ λαιμὸν ἐπισχόμενος βάλεν ἰῷ,
Transliteration
ophra pioi oinoio: phonos de hoi ouk eni thymōi
membleto: tis k' oioito met' andrasi daitymonessi
mounon eni pleonessi, kai ei mala karteros eiē,
hoi teuxein thanaton te kakon kai kēra melainan;
15ton d' Odyseus kata laimon epischomenos balen iōi,
English
He had no thought of death - who amongst all the revelers would think that one man, however brave, would stand alone among so many and kill him? The arrow struck Antinoos in the throat, and the point went clean through his neck, so that he
Homeric Greek
ἀντικρὺ δ' ἁπαλοῖο δι' αὐχένος ἤλυθ' ἀκωκή.
ἐκλίνθη δ' ἑτέρωσε, δέπας δέ οἱ ἔκπεσε χειρὸς
βλημένου, αὐτίκα δ' αὐλὸς ἀνὰ ῥῖνας παχὺς ἦλθεν
αἵματος ἀνδρομέοιο: θοῶς δ' ἀπὸ εἷο τράπεζαν
20ὦσε ποδὶ πλήξας, ἀπὸ δ' εἴδατα χεῦεν ἔραζε:
Transliteration
antikry d' hapaloio di' auchenos ēlyth' akōkē.
eklinthē d' heterōse, depas de hoi ekpese cheiros
blēmenou, autika d' aulos ana rhinas pachys ēlthen
haimatos andromeoio: thoōs d' apo heio trapezan
20ōse podi plēxas, apo d' eidata cheuen eraze:
English
fell over and the cup dropped from his hand, while a thick stream of blood gushed from his nostrils. He kicked the table from him and upset the things on it, so that the bread and roasted meats were all soiled as they fell over on to the ground.
Homeric Greek
σῖτός τε κρέα τ' ὀπτὰ φορύνετο. τοὶ δ' ὁμάδησαν
μνηστῆρες κατὰ δώμαθ', ὅπως ἴδον ἄνδρα πεσόντα,
ἐκ δὲ θρόνων ἀνόρουσαν ὀρινθέντες κατὰ δῶμα,
πάντοσε παπταίνοντες ἐϋδμήτους ποτὶ τοίχους:
25οὐδέ πη ἀσπὶς ἔην οὐδ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἑλέσθαι.
Transliteration
sitos te krea t' opta phoryneto. toi d' homadēsan
mnēstēres kata dōmath', hopōs idon andra pesonta,
ek de thronōn anorousan orinthentes kata dōma,
pantose paptainontes eÿdmētous poti toichous:
25oude pē aspis eēn oud' alkimon enchos helesthai.
English
The suitors were in an uproar when they saw that a man had been hit; they sprang in dismay one and all of them from their seats and looked everywhere towards the walls, but there was neither shield nor spear, and they rebuked Odysseus very angrily.
Homeric Greek
νείκειον δ' Ὀδυσῆα χολωτοῖσιν ἐπέεσσι:
"ξεῖνε, κακῶς ἀνδρῶν τοξάζεαι: οὐκέτ' ἀέθλων
ἄλλων ἀντιάσεις: νῦν τοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.
καὶ γὰρ δὴ νῦν φῶτα κατέκτανες ὃς μέγ' ἄριστος
30κούρων εἰν Ἰθάκῃ: τῷ σ' ἐνθάδε γῦπες ἔδονται."
Transliteration
neikeion d' Odysēa cholōtoisin epeessi:
"xeine, kakōs andrōn toxazeai: ouket' aethlōn
allōn antiaseis: nyn toi sōs aipys olethros.
kai gar dē nyn phōta katektanes hos meg' aristos
30kourōn ein Ithakēi: tōi s' enthade gypes edontai."
English
"Stranger," said they, "you shall pay for shooting people in this way: you shall see no other contest ; you are a doomed man; he whom you have slain was the foremost youth in Ithaca, and the vultures shall devour you for having killed him."
Homeric Greek
ἴσκεν ἕκαστος ἀνήρ, ἐπεὶ ἦ φάσαν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα
ἄνδρα κατακτεῖναι: τὸ δὲ νήπιοι οὐκ ἐνόησαν,
ὡς δή σφιν καὶ πᾶσιν ὀλέθρου πείρατ' ἐφῆπτο.
τοὺς δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
35"ὦ κύνες, οὔ μ' ἔτ' ἐφάσκεθ' ὑπότροπον οἴκαδ' ἱκέσθαι
Transliteration
isken hekastos anēr, epei ē phasan ouk ethelonta
andra katakteinai: to de nēpioi ouk enoēsan,
hōs dē sphin kai pasin olethrou peirat' ephēpto.
tous d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
35"ō kynes, ou m' et' ephasketh' hypotropon oikad' hikesthai
English
Thus they spoke, for they thought that he had killed Antinoos by mistake, and did not perceive that death was hanging over the head of every one of them. But Odysseus glared at them and said: "Dogs, did you think that I should not come back from the dêmos of the Trojans?
Homeric Greek
δήμου ἄπο Τρώων, ὅτι μοι κατεκείρετε οἶκον,
δμῳῇσιν δὲ γυναιξὶ παρευνάζεσθε βιαίως,
αὐτοῦ τε ζώοντος ὑπεμνάασθε γυναῖκα,
οὔτε θεοὺς δείσαντες, οἳ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,
40οὔτε τιν' ἀνθρώπων νέμεσιν κατόπισθεν ἔσεσθαι:
Transliteration
dēmou apo Trōōn, hoti moi katekeirete oikon,
dmōiēisin de gynaixi pareunazesthe biaiōs,
autou te zōontos hypemnaasthe gynaika,
oute theous deisantes, hoi ouranon euryn echousin,
40oute tin' anthrōpōn nemesin katopisthen esesthai:
English
You have wasted my substance, have forced my women servants to lie with you, and have wooed my wife while I was still living. You have feared neither the gods nor that there would be future nemesis
Homeric Greek
νῦν ὑμῖν καὶ πᾶσιν ὀλέθρου πείρατ' ἐφῆπται."
ὣς φάτο, τοὺς δ' ἄρα πάντας ὑπὸ χλωρὸν δέος εἷλεν:
πάπτηνεν δὲ ἕκαστος ὅπη φύγοι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.
Εὐρύμαχος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν:
45"εἰ μὲν δὴ Ὀδυσεὺς Ἰθακήσιος εἰλήλουθας,
Transliteration
nyn hymin kai pasin olethrou peirat' ephēptai."
hōs phato, tous d' ara pantas hypo chlōron deos heilen:
paptēnen de hekastos hopē phygoi aipyn olethron.
Eurymachos de min oios ameibomenos proseeipen:
45"ei men dē Odyseus Ithakēsios eilēlouthas,
English
from men, and now you shall die." They turned pale with fear as he spoke, and every man looked round about to see whither he might flee for safety, but Eurymakhos alone spoke. "If you are Odysseus," said he, "then what you have said is just. We have done much wrong on your lands and in your house.
Homeric Greek
ταῦτα μὲν αἴσιμα εἶπας, ὅσα ῥέζεσκον Ἀχαιοί,
πολλὰ μὲν ἐν μεγάροισιν ἀτάσθαλα, πολλὰ δ' ἐπ' ἀγροῦ.
ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν ἤδη κεῖται ὃς αἴτιος ἔπλετο πάντων,
Ἀντίνοος: οὗτος γὰρ ἐπίηλεν τάδε ἔργα,
50οὔ τι γάμου τόσσον κεχρημένος οὐδὲ χατίζων,
Transliteration
tauta men aisima eipas, hosa rhezeskon Achaioi,
polla men en megaroisin atasthala, polla d' ep' agrou.
all' ho men ēdē keitai hos aitios epleto pantōn,
Antinoos: houtos gar epiēlen tade erga,
50ou ti gamou tosson kechrēmenos oude chatizōn,
English
But Antinoos, who was the head and front of the offending, lies low already. It was all his doing. It was not that he wanted to marry Penelope; he did not so much care about that; what he wanted was something quite different, and Zeus has not granted it to him;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄλλα φρονέων, τά οἱ οὐκ ἐτέλεσσε Κρονίων,
ὄφρ' Ἰθάκης κατὰ δῆμον ἐϋκτιμένης βασιλεύοι
αὐτός, ἀτὰρ σὸν παῖδα κατακτείνειε λοχήσας.
νῦν δ' ὁ μὲν ἐν μοίρῃ πέφαται, σὺ δὲ φείδεο λαῶν
55σῶν: ἀτὰρ ἄμμες ὄπισθεν ἀρεσσάμενοι κατὰ δῆμον,
Transliteration
all' alla phroneōn, ta hoi ouk etelesse Kroniōn,
ophr' Ithakēs kata dēmon eÿktimenēs basileuoi
autos, atar son paida katakteineie lochēsas.
nyn d' ho men en moirēi pephatai, sy de pheideo laōn
55sōn: atar ammes opisthen aressamenoi kata dēmon,
English
he wanted to kill your son and to be chief man in Ithaca. Now, therefore, that he has met the death which was his due, spare the lives of your people. We will make everything good among ourselves in this district, and pay you in full for all that we have eaten and drunk.
Homeric Greek
ὅσσα τοι ἐκπέποται καὶ ἐδήδοται ἐν μεγάροισι,
τιμὴν ἀμφὶς ἄγοντες ἐεικοσάβοιον ἕκαστος,
χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τ' ἀποδώσομεν, εἰς ὅ κε σὸν κῆρ
ἰανθῇ: πρὶν δ' οὔ τι νεμεσσητὸν κεχολῶσθαι."
60τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
hossa toi ekpepotai kai edēdotai en megaroisi,
timēn amphis agontes eeikosaboion hekastos,
chalkon te chryson t' apodōsomen, eis ho ke son kēr
ianthēi: prin d' ou ti nemessēton kecholōsthai."
60ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
English
Each one of us shall pay you a fine worth twenty oxen, and we will keep on giving you gold and bronze till your heart is softened. Until we have done this no one can complain of your being enraged against us." Odysseus again glared at him and said,
Homeric Greek
"Εὐρύμαχ', οὐδ' εἴ μοι πατρώϊα πάντ' ἀποδοῖτε,
ὅσσα τε νῦν ὔμμ' ἐστὶ καὶ εἴ ποθεν ἄλλ' ἐπιθεῖτε,
οὐδέ κεν ὣς ἔτι χεῖρας ἐμὰς λήξαιμι φόνοιο
πρὶν πᾶσαν μνηστῆρας ὑπερβασίην ἀποτῖσαι.
65νῦν ὑμῖν παράκειται ἐναντίον ἠὲ μάχεσθαι
Transliteration
"Eurymach', oud' ei moi patrōïa pant' apodoite,
hossa te nyn ymm' esti kai ei pothen all' epitheite,
oude ken hōs eti cheiras emas lēxaimi phonoio
prin pasan mnēstēras hyperbasiēn apotisai.
65nyn hymin parakeitai enantion ēe machesthai
English
"Though you should give me all that you have in the world both now and all that you ever shall have, I will not stay my hand till I have paid all of you in full.
Homeric Greek
ἢ φεύγειν, ὅς κεν θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξῃ:
ἀλλά τιν' οὐ φεύξεσθαι ὀί̈ομαι αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον."
ὣς φάτο, τῶν δ' αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ.
τοῖσιν δ' Εὐρύμαχος προσεφώνεε δεύτερον αὖτις:
70"ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γὰρ σχήσει ἀνὴρ ὅδε χεῖρας ἀάπτους,
Transliteration
ē pheugein, hos ken thanaton kai kēras alyxēi:
alla tin' ou pheuxesthai oïomai aipyn olethron."
hōs phato, tōn d' autou lyto gounata kai philon ētor.
toisin d' Eurymachos prosephōnee deuteron autis:
70"ō philoi, ou gar schēsei anēr hode cheiras aaptous,
English
You must fight, or flee for your lives; and flee, not a man of you shall." Their hearts sank as they heard him, but Eurymakhos again spoke saying: "My friends, this man will give us no quarter.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ ἔλλαβε τόξον ἐύ̈ξοον ἠδὲ φαρέτρην,
οὐδοῦ ἄπο ξεστοῦ τοξάσσεται, εἰς ὅ κε πάντας
ἄμμε κατακτείνῃ: ἀλλὰ μνησώμεθα χάρμης.
φάσγανά τε σπάσσασθε καὶ ἀντίσχεσθε τραπέζας
75ἰῶν ὠκυμόρων: ἐπὶ δ' αὐτῷ πάντες ἔχωμεν
Transliteration
all' epei ellabe toxon eÿxoon ēde pharetrēn,
oudou apo xestou toxassetai, eis ho ke pantas
amme katakteinēi: alla mnēsōmetha charmēs.
phasgana te spassasthe kai antischesthe trapezas
75iōn ōkymorōn: epi d' autōi pantes echōmen
English
He will stand where he is and shoot us down till he has killed every man among us. Let us then show fight; draw your swords, and hold up the tables to shield you from his arrows.
Homeric Greek
ἀθρόοι, εἴ κέ μιν οὐδοῦ ἀπώσομεν ἠδὲ θυράων,
ἔλθωμεν δ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ, βοὴ δ' ὤκιστα γένοιτο:
τῷ κε τάχ' οὗτος ἀνὴρ νῦν ὕστατα τοξάσσαιτο."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας εἰρύσσατο φάσγανον ὀξὺ
80χάλκεον, ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἀκαχμένον, ἆλτο δ' ἐπ' αὐτῷ
Transliteration
athrooi, ei ke min oudou apōsomen ēde thyraōn,
elthōmen d' ana asty, boē d' ōkista genoito:
tōi ke tach' houtos anēr nyn hystata toxassaito."
hōs ara phōnēsas eiryssato phasganon oxy
80chalkeon, amphoterōthen akachmenon, alto d' ep' autōi
English
Let us have at him with a rush, to drive him from the pavement and doorway: we can then get through into the town, and raise such an alarm as shall soon stay his shooting." As he spoke he drew his keen blade of bronze, sharpened on both sides, and with a loud cry
Homeric Greek
σμερδαλέα ἰάχων: ὁ δ' ἁμαρτῆ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἰὸν ἀποπροίει, βάλε δὲ στῆθος παρὰ μαζόν,
ἐν δέ οἱ ἥπατι πῆξε θοὸν βέλος: ἐκ δ' ἄρα χειρὸς
φάσγανον ἧκε χαμᾶζε, περιρρηδὴς δὲ τραπέζῃ
85κάππεσεν ἰδνωθείς, ἀπὸ δ' εἴδατα χεῦεν ἔραζε
Transliteration
smerdalea iachōn: ho d' hamartē dios Odysseus
ion apoproiei, bale de stēthos para mazon,
en de hoi hēpati pēxe thoon belos: ek d' ara cheiros
phasganon hēke chamaze, perirrēdēs de trapezēi
85kappesen idnōtheis, apo d' eidata cheuen eraze
English
sprang towards Odysseus, but Odysseus instantly shot an arrow into his breast that caught him by the nipple and fixed itself in his liver. He dropped his sword and fell doubled up over his table.
Homeric Greek
καὶ δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον: ὁ δὲ χθόνα τύπτε μετώπῳ
θυμῷ ἀνιάζων, ποσὶ δὲ θρόνον ἀμφοτέροισι
λακτίζων ἐτίνασσε: κατ' ὀφθαλμῶν δ' ἔχυτ' ἀχλύς.
Ἀμφίνομος δ' Ὀδυσῆος ἐείσατο κυδαλίμοιο
90ἀντίος ἀί̈ξας, εἴρυτο δὲ φάσγανον ὀξύ,
Transliteration
kai depas amphikypellon: ho de chthona typte metōpōi
thymōi aniazōn, posi de thronon amphoteroisi
laktizōn etinasse: kat' ophthalmōn d' echyt' achlys.
Amphinomos d' Odysēos eeisato kydalimoio
90antios aïxas, eiryto de phasganon oxy,
English
The cup and all the meats went over on to the ground as he smote the earth with his forehead in the agonies of death, and he kicked the stool with his feet until his eyes were closed in darkness. Then Amphinomos drew his sword and made straight at Odysseus to try and get him away from the door;
Homeric Greek
εἴ πώς οἱ εἴξειε θυράων. ἀλλ' ἄρα μιν φθῆ
Τηλέμαχος κατόπισθε βαλὼν χαλκήρεϊ δουρὶ
ὤμων μεσσηγύς, διὰ δὲ στήθεσφιν ἔλασσεν:
δούπησεν δὲ πεσών, χθόνα δ' ἤλασε παντὶ μετώπῳ.
95Τηλέμαχος δ' ἀπόρουσε, λιπὼν δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος
Transliteration
ei pōs hoi eixeie thyraōn. all' ara min phthē
Tēlemachos katopisthe balōn chalkēreï douri
ōmōn messēgys, dia de stēthesphin elassen:
doupēsen de pesōn, chthona d' ēlase panti metōpōi.
95Tēlemachos d' aporouse, lipōn dolichoskion enchos
English
but Telemakhos was too quick for him, and struck him from behind; the spear caught him between the shoulders and went right through his chest, so that he fell heavily to the ground and struck the earth with his forehead.
Homeric Greek
αὐτοῦ ἐν Ἀμφινόμῳ: περὶ γὰρ δίε μή τις Ἀχαιῶν
ἔγχος ἀνελκόμενον δολιχόσκιον ἢ ἐλάσειε
φασγάνῳ ἀί̈ξας ἠὲ προπρηνέα τύψας.
βῆ δὲ θέειν, μάλα δ' ὦκα φίλον πατέρ' εἰσαφίκανεν,
100ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
Transliteration
autou en Amphinomōi: peri gar die mē tis Achaiōn
enchos anelkomenon dolichoskion ē elaseie
phasganōi aïxas ēe proprēnea typsas.
bē de theein, mala d' ōka philon pater' eisaphikanen,
100anchou d' histamenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:
English
Then Telemakhos sprang away from him, leaving his spear still in the body, for he feared that if he stayed to draw it out, some one of the Achaeans might come up and hack at him with his sword, or knock him down, so he set off at a run, and immediately was at his father's side. Then he said:
Homeric Greek
"ὦ πάτερ, ἤδη τοι σάκος οἴσω καὶ δύο δοῦρε
καὶ κυνέην πάγχαλκον, ἐπὶ κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖαν
αὐτός τ' ἀμφιβαλεῦμαι ἰών, δώσω δὲ συβώτῃ
καὶ τῷ βουκόλῳ ἄλλα: τετευχῆσθαι γὰρ ἄμεινον."
105τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
"ō pater, ēdē toi sakos oisō kai dyo doure
kai kyneēn panchalkon, epi krotaphois araruian
autos t' amphibaleumai iōn, dōsō de sybōtēi
kai tōi boukolōi alla: teteuchēsthai gar ameinon."
105ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
English
"Father, let me bring you a shield, two spears, and a brass helmet for your temples. I will arm myself as well, and will bring other armor for the swineherd and the stockman, for we had better be armed." "Run and fetch them," answered Odysseus, "while my
Homeric Greek
"οἶσε θέων, ἧός μοι ἀμύνεσθαι πάρ' ὀϊστοί,
μή μ' ἀποκινήσωσι θυράων μοῦνον ἐόντα."
ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ φίλῳ ἐπεπείθετο πατρί,
βῆ δ' ἴμεναι θάλαμόνδ', ὅθι οἱ κλυτὰ τεύχεα κεῖτο.
110ἔνθεν τέσσαρα μὲν σάκε' ἔξελε, δούρατα δ' ὀκτὼ
Transliteration
"oise theōn, hēos moi amynesthai par' oïstoi,
mē m' apokinēsōsi thyraōn mounon eonta."
hōs phato, Tēlemachos de philōi epepeitheto patri,
bē d' imenai thalamond', hothi hoi klyta teuchea keito.
110enthen tessara men sake' exele, dourata d' oktō
English
arrows hold out, or when I am alone they may get me away from the door." Telemakhos did as his father said, and went off to the store room where the armor was kept.
Homeric Greek
καὶ πίσυρας κυνέας χαλκήρεας ἱπποδασείας:
βῆ δὲ φέρων, μάλα δ' ὦκα φίλον πατέρ' εἰσαφίκανεν,
αὐτὸς δὲ πρώτιστα περὶ χροὶ̈ δύσετο χαλκόν:
ὣς δ' αὔτως τὼ δμῶε δυέσθην τεύχεα καλά,
115ἔσταν δ' ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆα δαί̈φρονα ποικιλομήτην.
Transliteration
kai pisyras kyneas chalkēreas hippodaseias:
bē de pherōn, mala d' ōka philon pater' eisaphikanen,
autos de prōtista peri chroï dyseto chalkon:
hōs d' autōs tō dmōe dyesthēn teuchea kala,
115estan d' amph' Odysēa daïphrona poikilomētēn.
English
He chose four shields, eight spears, and four brass helmets with horse-hair plumes. He brought them with all speed to his father, and armed himself first, while the stockman and the swineherd also put on their armor, and took their places near Odysseus.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ὅ γ', ὄφρα μὲν αὐτῷ ἀμύνεσθαι ἔσαν ἰοί.
τόφρα μνηστήρων ἕνα γ' αἰεὶ ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
βάλλε τιτυσκόμενος: τοὶ δ' ἀγχιστῖνοι ἔπιπτον.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ λίπον ἰοὶ ὀϊστεύοντα ἄνακτα,
120τόξον μὲν πρὸς σταθμὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο
Transliteration
autar ho g', ophra men autōi amynesthai esan ioi.
tophra mnēstērōn hena g' aiei hōi eni oikōi
balle tityskomenos: toi d' anchistinoi epipton.
autar epei lipon ioi oïsteuonta anakta,
120toxon men pros stathmon eÿstatheos megaroio
English
Meanwhile Odysseus, as long as his arrows lasted, had been shooting the suitors one by one, and they fell thick on one another: when his arrows gave out, he set the bow to stand against the end wall of the house
Homeric Greek
ἔκλιν' ἑστάμεναι, πρὸς ἐνώπια παμφανόωντα,
αὐτὸς δ' ἀμφ' ὤμοισι σάκος θέτο τετραθέλυμνον,
κρατὶ δ' ἐπ' ἰφθίμῳ κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκεν,
ἵππουριν, δεινὸν δὲ λόφος καθύπερθεν ἔνευεν:
125εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμα δοῦρε δύω κεκορυθμένα χαλκῷ.
Transliteration
eklin' hestamenai, pros enōpia pamphanoōnta,
autos d' amph' ōmoisi sakos theto tetrathelymnon,
krati d' ep' iphthimōi kyneēn eutykton ethēken,
hippourin, deinon de lophos kathyperthen eneuen:
125heileto d' alkima doure dyō kekorythmena chalkōi.
English
by the door post, and hung a shield four hides thick about his shoulders; on his comely head he set his helmet, well wrought with a crest of horse-hair that nodded menacingly above it, and he grasped two redoubtable bronze-shod spears.
Homeric Greek
ὀρσοθύρη δέ τις ἔσκεν ἐϋδμήτῳ ἐνὶ τοίχῳ,
ἀκρότατον δὲ παρ' οὐδὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο
ἦν ὁδὸς ἐς λαύρην, σανίδες δ' ἔχον εὖ ἀραρυῖαι.
τὴν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς φράζεσθαι ἀνώγει δῖον ὑφορβὸν
130ἑσταότ' ἄγχ' αὐτῆς: μία δ' οἴη γίγνετ' ἐφορμή.
Transliteration
orsothyrē de tis esken eÿdmētōi eni toichōi,
akrotaton de par' oudon eÿstatheos megaroio
ēn hodos es laurēn, sanides d' echon eu araruiai.
tēn d' Odyseus phrazesthai anōgei dion hyphorbon
130hestaot' anch' autēs: mia d' oiē gignet' ephormē.
English
Now there was a trap door on the wall, while at one end of the pavement there was an exit leading to a narrow passage, and this exit was closed by a well-made door. Odysseus told Philoitios to stand by this door and guard it, for only one person could attack it at a time.
Homeric Greek
τοῖς δ' Ἀγέλεως μετέειπεν, ἔπος πάντεσσι πιφαύσκων:
"ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἀν' ὀρσοθύρην ἀναβαίη
καὶ εἴποι λαοῖσι, βοὴ δ' ὤκιστα γένοιτο;
τῷ κε τάχ' οὗτος ἀνὴρ νῦν ὕστατα τοξάσσαιτο."
135τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν:
Transliteration
tois d' Ageleōs meteeipen, epos pantessi piphauskōn:
"ō philoi, ouk an dē tis an' orsothyrēn anabaiē
kai eipoi laoisi, boē d' ōkista genoito;
tōi ke tach' houtos anēr nyn hystata toxassaito."
135ton d' aute proseeipe Melanthios, aipolos aigōn:
English
But Agelaos shouted out, "Cannot some one go up to the trap door and tell the people what is going on? Help would come at once, and we should soon make an end of this man and his shooting." "This may not be, Agelaos," answered Melanthios, "the mouth
Homeric Greek
"οὔ πως ἔστ', Ἀγέλαε διοτρεφές: ἄγχι γὰρ αἰνῶς
αὐλῆς καλὰ θύρετρα καὶ ἀργαλέον στόμα λαύρης:
καί χ' εἷς πάντας ἐρύκοι ἀνήρ, ὅς τ' ἄλκιμος εἴη.
ἀλλ' ἄγεθ', ὑμῖν τεύχε' ἐνείκω θωρηχθῆναι
140ἐκ θαλάμου: ἔνδον γάρ, ὀί̈ομαι, οὐδέ πη ἄλλῃ
Transliteration
"ou pōs est', Agelae diotrephes: anchi gar ainōs
aulēs kala thyretra kai argaleon stoma laurēs:
kai ch' heis pantas erykoi anēr, hos t' alkimos eiē.
all' ageth', hymin teuche' eneikō thōrēchthēnai
140ek thalamou: endon gar, oïomai, oude pē allēi
English
of the narrow passage is dangerously near the entrance to the outer court. One brave man could prevent any number from getting in. But I know what I will do, I will bring you arms from the store room, for I am sure it is
Homeric Greek
τεύχεα κατθέσθην Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ φαίδιμος υἱός."
ὣς εἰπὼν ἀνέβαινε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν,
εἰς θαλάμους Ὀδυσῆος ἀνὰ ῥῶγας μεγάροιο.
ἔνθεν δώδεκα μὲν σάκε' ἔξελε, τόσσα δὲ δοῦρα
145καὶ τόσσας κυνέας χαλκήρεας ἱπποδασείας:
Transliteration
teuchea katthesthēn Odyseus kai phaidimos huios."
hōs eipōn anebaine Melanthios, aipolos aigōn,
eis thalamous Odysēos ana rhōgas megaroio.
enthen dōdeka men sake' exele, tossa de doura
145kai tossas kyneas chalkēreas hippodaseias:
English
there that Odysseus and his son have put them." On this the goatherd Melanthios went by back passages to the store room of Odysseus, house. There he chose twelve shields, with as many helmets and spears, and brought them back as fast as he could to give them to the suitors.
Homeric Greek
βῆ δ' ἴμεναι, μάλα δ' ὦκα φέρων μνηστῆρσιν ἔδωκεν.
καὶ τότ' Ὀδυσσῆος λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ,
ὡς περιβαλλομένους ἴδε τεύχεα χερσί τε δοῦρα
μακρὰ τινάσσοντας: μέγα δ' αὐτῷ φαίνετο ἔργον.
150αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
Transliteration
bē d' imenai, mala d' ōka pherōn mnēstērsin edōken.
kai tot' Odyssēos lyto gounata kai philon ētor,
hōs periballomenous ide teuchea chersi te doura
makra tinassontas: mega d' autōi phaineto ergon.
150aipsa de Tēlemachon epea pteroenta prosēuda:
English
Odysseus’ heart began to fail him when he saw the suitors putting on their armor and brandishing their spears. He saw the greatness of the danger, and said to Telemakhos, "Some one of the
Homeric Greek
"Τηλέμαχ', ἦ μάλα δή τις ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναικῶν
νῶϊν ἐποτρύνει πόλεμον κακὸν ἠὲ Μελανθεύς."
τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"ὦ πάτερ, αὐτὸς ἐγὼ τόδε γ' ἤμβροτον--οὐδέ τις ἄλλος
155αἴτιος--ὃς θαλάμοιο θύρην πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαν
Transliteration
"Tēlemach', ē mala dē tis eni megaroisi gynaikōn
nōïn epotrynei polemon kakon ēe Melantheus."
ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:
"ō pater, autos egō tode g' ēmbroton--oude tis allos
155aitios--hos thalamoio thyrēn pykinōs araruian
English
women inside is helping the suitors against us, or it may be Melanthios." Telemakhos answered, "The fault, father, is mine, and mine only; I left the store room door open, and they have kept a sharper look out than I have.
Homeric Greek
κάλλιπον ἀγκλίνας: τῶν δὲ σκοπὸς ἦεν ἀμείνων.
ἀλλ' ἴθι, δῖ' Εὔμαιε, θύρην ἐπίθες θαλάμοιο
καὶ φράσαι ἤ τις ἄρ' ἐστὶ γυναικῶν ἣ τάδε ῥέζει,
ἢ υἱὸς Δολίοιο, Μελανθεύς, τόν περ ὀί̈ω."
160ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,
Transliteration
kallipon anklinas: tōn de skopos ēen ameinōn.
all' ithi, di' Eumaie, thyrēn epithes thalamoio
kai phrasai ē tis ar' esti gynaikōn hē tade rhezei,
ē huios Dolioio, Melantheus, ton per oïō."
160hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon,
English
Go, Eumaios, put the door to, and see whether it is one of the women who is doing this, or whether, as I suspect, it is Melanthios the son of Dolios." Thus did they converse.
Homeric Greek
βῆ δ' αὖτις θάλαμόνδε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν,
οἴσων τεύχεα καλά. νόησε δὲ δῖος ὑφορβός,
αἶψα δ' Ὀδυσσῆα προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα:
"διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχαν' Ὀδυσσεῦ,
165κεῖνος δ' αὖτ' ἀί̈δηλος ἀνήρ, ὃν ὀϊόμεθ' αὐτοί,
Transliteration
bē d' autis thalamonde Melanthios, aipolos aigōn,
oisōn teuchea kala. noēse de dios hyphorbos,
aipsa d' Odyssēa prosephōneen engys eonta:
"diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchan' Odysseu,
165keinos d' aut' aïdēlos anēr, hon oïometh' autoi,
English
Meanwhile Melanthios was again going to the store room to fetch more armor, but the swineherd saw him and said to Odysseus who was beside him, "Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, it is that scoundrel Melanthios, just as we suspected, who is going to the store room.
Homeric Greek
ἔρχεται ἐς θάλαμον: σὺ δέ μοι νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες,
ἤ μιν ἀποκτείνω, αἴ κε κρείσσων γε γένωμαι,
ἦε σοὶ ἐνθάδ' ἄγω, ἵν' ὑπερβασίας ἀποτίσῃ
πολλάς, ὅσσας οὗτος ἐμήσατο σῷ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ."
170τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
erchetai es thalamon: sy de moi nēmertes enispes,
ē min apokteinō, ai ke kreissōn ge genōmai,
ēe soi enthad' agō, hin' hyperbasias apotisēi
pollas, hossas houtos emēsato sōi eni oikōi."
170ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
English
Say, shall I kill him, if I can get the better of him, or shall I bring him here that you may take your own revenge for all the many wrongs that he has done in your house?" Odysseus answered, "Telemakhos and I will hold these suitors in check, no matter what they do;
Homeric Greek
"ἦ τοι ἐγὼ καὶ Τηλέμαχος μνηστῆρας ἀγαυοὺς
σχήσομεν ἔντοσθεν μεγάρων, μάλα περ μεμαῶτας.
σφῶϊ δ' ἀποστρέψαντε πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν
ἐς θάλαμον βαλέειν, σανίδας δ' ἐκδῆσαι ὄπισθε,
175σειρὴν δὲ πλεκτὴν ἐξ αὐτοῦ πειρήναντε
Transliteration
"ē toi egō kai Tēlemachos mnēstēras agauous
schēsomen entosthen megarōn, mala per memaōtas.
sphōï d' apostrepsante podas kai cheiras hyperthen
es thalamon baleein, sanidas d' ekdēsai opisthe,
175seirēn de plektēn ex autou peirēnante
English
go back both of you and bind Melanthios’ hands and feet behind him. Throw him into the store room and make the door fast behind you;
Homeric Greek
κίον' ἀν' ὑψηλὴν ἐρύσαι πελάσαι τε δοκοῖσιν,
ὥς κεν δηθὰ ζωὸς ἐὼν χαλέπ' ἄλγεα πάσχῃ:"
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδ' ἐπίθοντο,
βὰν δ' ἴμεν ἐς θάλαμον, λαθέτην δέ μιν ἔνδον ἐόντα.
180ἦ τοι ὁ μὲν θαλάμοιο μυχὸν κάτα τεύχε' ἐρεύνα,
Transliteration
kion' an' hypsēlēn erysai pelasai te dokoisin,
hōs ken dētha zōos eōn chalep' algea paschēi:"
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara tou mala men klyon ēd' epithonto,
ban d' imen es thalamon, lathetēn de min endon eonta.
180ē toi ho men thalamoio mychon kata teuche' ereuna,
English
then fasten a noose about his body, and string him close up to the rafters from a high bearing-post, that he may linger on in an agony." Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said; they went to the store room, which they entered before Melanthios saw them, for he was busy searching
Homeric Greek
τὼ δ' ἔσταν ἑκάτερθε παρὰ σταθμοῖσι μένοντε.
εὖθ' ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἔβαινε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν,
τῇ ἑτέρῃ μὲν χειρὶ φέρων καλὴν τρυφάλειαν,
τῇ δ' ἑτέρῃ σάκος εὐρὺ γέρον, πεπαλαγμένον ἄζῃ,
185Λαέρτεω ἥρωος, ὃ κουρίζων φορέεσκε:
Transliteration
tō d' estan hekaterthe para stathmoisi menonte.
euth' hyper oudon ebaine Melanthios, aipolos aigōn,
tēi heterēi men cheiri pherōn kalēn tryphaleian,
tēi d' heterēi sakos eury geron, pepalagmenon azēi,
185Laerteō hērōos, ho kourizōn phoreeske:
English
for arms in the innermost part of the room, so the two took their stand on either side of the door and waited. By and by Melanthios came out with a helmet in one hand, and an old dry-rotted shield in the other, which had been borne by Laertes
Homeric Greek
δὴ τότε γ' ἤδη κεῖτο, ῥαφαὶ δὲ λέλυντο ἱμάντων:
τὼ δ' ἄρ' ἐπαί̈ξανθ' ἑλέτην ἔρυσάν τέ μιν εἴσω
κουρίξ, ἐν δαπέδῳ δὲ χαμαὶ βάλον ἀχνύμενον κῆρ,
σὺν δὲ πόδας χεῖράς τε δέον θυμαλγέϊ δεσμῷ
190εὖ μάλ' ἀποστρέψαντε διαμπερές, ὡς ἐκέλευσεν
Transliteration
dē tote g' ēdē keito, rhaphai de lelynto himantōn:
tō d' ar' epaïxanth' heletēn erysan te min eisō
kourix, en dapedōi de chamai balon achnymenon kēr,
syn de podas cheiras te deon thymalgeï desmōi
190eu mal' apostrepsante diamperes, hōs ekeleusen
English
when he was young, but which had been long since thrown aside, and the straps had become unsewn; on this the two seized him, dragged him back by the hair, and threw him struggling to the ground. They bent his hands and feet well behind his back, and bound them tight with a painful bond as Odysseus had told them;
Homeric Greek
υἱὸς Λαέρταο, πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:
σειρὴν δὲ πλεκτὴν ἐξ αὐτοῦ πειρήναντε
κίον' ἀν' ὑψηλὴν ἔρυσαν πέλασάν τε δοκοῖσι.
τὸν δ' ἐπικερτομέων προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα:
195"νῦν μὲν δὴ μάλα πάγχυ, Μελάνθιε, νύκτα φυλάξεις,
Transliteration
huios Laertao, polytlas dios Odysseus:
seirēn de plektēn ex autou peirēnante
kion' an' hypsēlēn erysan pelasan te dokoisi.
ton d' epikertomeōn prosephēs, Eumaie sybōta:
195"nyn men dē mala panchy, Melanthie, nykta phylaxeis,
English
then they fastened a noose about his body and strung him up from a high pillar till he was close up to the rafters, and over him did you then vaunt, O swineherd Eumaios, saying, "Melanthios, you will pass the night on a soft bed as you deserve.
Homeric Greek
εὐνῇ ἔνι μαλακῇ καταλέγμενος, ὥς σε ἔοικεν:
οὐδέ σέ γ' ἠριγένεια παρ' Ὠκεανοῖο ῥοάων
λήσει ἐπερχομένη χρυσόθρονος, ἡνίκ' ἀγινεῖς
αἶγας μνηστήρεσσι δόμον κάτα δαῖτα πένεσθαι."
200ὣς ὁ μὲν αὖθι λέλειπτο, ταθεὶς ὀλοῷ ἐνὶ δεσμῷ:
Transliteration
eunēi eni malakēi katalegmenos, hōs se eoiken:
oude se g' ērigeneia par' Ōkeanoio rhoaōn
lēsei eperchomenē chrysothronos, hēnik' agineis
aigas mnēstēressi domon kata daita penesthai."
200hōs ho men authi leleipto, tatheis oloōi eni desmōi:
English
You will know very well when morning comes from the streams of Okeanos, and it is time for you to be driving in your goats for the suitors to feast on." There, then, they left him in very cruel bondage, and having
Homeric Greek
τὼ δ' ἐς τεύχεα δύντε, θύρην ἐπιθέντε φαεινήν,
βήτην εἰς Ὀδυσῆα δαί̈φρονα, ποικιλομήτην.
ἔνθα μένος πνείοντες ἐφέστασαν, οἱ μὲν ἐπ' οὐδοῦ
τέσσαρες, οἱ δ' ἔντοσθε δόμων πολέες τε καὶ ἐσθλοί.
205τοῖσι δ' ἐπ' ἀγχίμολον θυγάτηρ Διὸς ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη,
Transliteration
tō d' es teuchea dynte, thyrēn epithente phaeinēn,
bētēn eis Odysēa daïphrona, poikilomētēn.
entha menos pneiontes ephestasan, hoi men ep' oudou
tessares, hoi d' entosthe domōn polees te kai esthloi.
205toisi d' ep' anchimolon thygatēr Dios ēlthen Athēnē,
English
put on their armor they closed the door behind them and went back to take their places by the side of Odysseus; whereon the four men stood in the room, fierce and full of fury; nevertheless, those who were in the body of the court were still both brave and many.
Homeric Greek
Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν.
τὴν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς γήθησεν ἰδὼν καὶ μῦθον ἔειπε:
"Μέντορ, ἄμυνον ἀρήν, μνῆσαι δ' ἑτάροιο φίλοιο,
ὅς σ' ἀγαθὰ ῥέζεσκον: ὁμηλικίην δέ μοί ἐσσι."
210ὣς φάτ', ὀϊόμενος λαοσσόον ἔμμεν Ἀθήνην.
Transliteration
Mentori eidomenē ēmen demas ēde kai audēn.
tēn d' Odyseus gēthēsen idōn kai mython eeipe:
"Mentor, amynon arēn, mnēsai d' hetaroio philoio,
hos s' agatha rhezeskon: homēlikiēn de moi essi."
210hōs phat', oïomenos laossoon emmen Athēnēn.
English
Then Zeus’ daughter Athena came up to them, having assumed the voice and form of Mentor. Odysseus was glad when he saw her and said, "Mentor, lend me your help, and forget not your old comrade, nor the many good turns he has done you. Besides, you are my age-mate." But all the time he felt sure it was
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρες δ' ἑτέρωθεν ὁμόκλεον ἐν μεγάροισι:
πρῶτος τήν γ' ἐνένιπε Δαμαστορίδης Ἀγέλαος:
"Μέντορ, μή σ' ἐπέεσσι παραιπεπίθῃσιν Ὀδυσσεὺς
μνηστήρεσσι μάχεσθαι, ἀμυνέμεναι δέ οἱ αὐτῷ.
215ὧδε γὰρ ἡμέτερόν γε νόον τελέεσθαι ὀί̈ω:
Transliteration
mnēstēres d' heterōthen homokleon en megaroisi:
prōtos tēn g' enenipe Damastoridēs Agelaos:
"Mentor, mē s' epeessi paraipepithēisin Odysseus
mnēstēressi machesthai, amynemenai de hoi autōi.
215hōde gar hēmeteron ge noon teleesthai oïō:
English
Athena, and the suitors from the other side raised an uproar when they saw her. Agelaos was the first to reproach her. "Mentor," he cried, "do not let Odysseus beguile you into siding with him and fighting the suitors. This is what will be our plan :
Homeric Greek
ὁππότε κεν τούτους κτέωμεν, πατέρ' ἠδὲ καὶ υἱόν,
ἐν δὲ σὺ τοῖσιν ἔπειτα πεφήσεαι, οἷα μενοινᾷς
ἔρδειν ἐν μεγάροις: σῷ δ' αὐτοῦ κράατι τίσεις.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ὑμέων γε βίας ἀφελώμεθα χαλκῷ,
220κτήμαθ' ὁπόσσα τοί ἐστι, τά τ' ἔνδοθι καὶ τὰ θύρηφι,
Transliteration
hoppote ken toutous kteōmen, pater' ēde kai huion,
en de sy toisin epeita pephēseai, hoia menoināis
erdein en megarois: sōi d' autou kraati tiseis.
autar epēn hymeōn ge bias aphelōmetha chalkōi,
220ktēmath' hopossa toi esti, ta t' endothi kai ta thyrēphi,
English
when we have killed these people, father and son, we will kill you too. You shall pay for it with your head, and when we have killed you, we will take all you have, in doors or out, and merge it with Odysseus’ property;
Homeric Greek
τοῖσιν Ὀδυσσῆος μεταμίξομεν: οὐδέ τοι υἷας
ζώειν ἐν μεγάροισιν ἐάσομεν, οὐδέ θύγατρας
οὐδ' ἄλοχον κεδνὴν Ἰθάκης κατὰ ἄστυ πολεύειν."
ὣς φάτ', Ἀθηναίη δὲ χολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,
225νείκεσσεν δ' Ὀδυσῆα χολωτοῖσιν ἐπέεσσιν:
Transliteration
toisin Odyssēos metamixomen: oude toi huias
zōein en megaroisin easomen, oude thygatras
oud' alochon kednēn Ithakēs kata asty poleuein."
hōs phat', Athēnaiē de cholōsato kērothi mallon,
225neikessen d' Odysēa cholōtoisin epeessin:
English
we will not let your sons live in your house, nor your daughters, nor shall your widow continue to live in the city of Ithaca." This made Athena still more furious, so she scolded Odysseus very angrily.
Homeric Greek
"οὐκέτι σοί γ', Ὀδυσεῦ, μένος ἔμπεδον οὐδέ τις ἀλκή
οἵη ὅτ' ἀμφ' Ἑλένῃ λευκωλένῳ εὐπατερείῃ,
εἰνάετες Τρώεσσιν ἐμάρναο νωλεμὲς αἰεί,
πολλοὺς δ' ἄνδρας ἔπεφνες ἐν αἰνῇ δηϊοτῆτι,
230σῇ δ' ἥλω βουλῇ Πριάμου πόλις εὐρυάγυια.
Transliteration
"ouketi soi g', Odyseu, menos empedon oude tis alkē
hoiē hot' amph' Helenēi leukōlenōi eupatereiēi,
einaetes Trōessin emarnao nōlemes aiei,
pollous d' andras epephnes en ainēi dēïotēti,
230sēi d' hēlō boulēi Priamou polis euryaguia.
English
"Odysseus," said she, "your strength and prowess are no longer what they were when you fought for nine long years among the Trojans about the noble lady Helen. You killed many a man in those days, and it was through your stratagem that Priam's city was taken.
Homeric Greek
πῶς δὴ νῦν, ὅτε σόν τε δόμον καὶ κτήμαθ' ἱκάνεις,
ἄντα μνηστήρων ὀλοφύρεαι ἄλκιμος εἶναι;
ἀλλ' ἄγε δεῦρο, πέπον, παρ' ἔμ' ἵστασο καὶ ἴδε ἔργον,
ὄφρ' εἰδῇς οἷός τοι ἐν ἀνδράσι δυσμενέεσσιν
235Μέντωρ Ἀλκιμίδης εὐεργεσίας ἀποτίνειν."
Transliteration
pōs dē nyn, hote son te domon kai ktēmath' hikaneis,
anta mnēstērōn olophyreai alkimos einai;
all' age deuro, pepon, par' em' histaso kai ide ergon,
ophr' eidēis hoios toi en andrasi dysmeneessin
235Mentōr Alkimidēs euergesias apotinein."
English
How comes it that you are so lamentably less valiant now that you are on your own ground, face to face with the suitors in your own house? Come on, my good fellow, stand by my side and see how Mentor, son of Alkinoos shall fight your foes and requite your kindnesses conferred upon him."
Homeric Greek
ἦ ῥα, καὶ οὔ πω πάγχυ δίδου ἑτεραλκέα νίκην,
ἀλλ' ἔτ' ἄρα σθένεός τε καὶ ἀλκῆς πειρήτιζεν
ἠμὲν Ὀδυσσῆος ἠδ' υἱοῦ κυδαλίμοιο.
αὐτὴ δ' αἰθαλόεντος ἀνὰ μεγάροιο μέλαθρον
240ἕζετ' ἀναί̈ξασα, χελιδόνι εἰκέλη ἄντην.
Transliteration
ē rha, kai ou pō panchy didou heteralkea nikēn,
all' et' ara stheneos te kai alkēs peirētizen
ēmen Odyssēos ēd' huiou kydalimoio.
autē d' aithaloentos ana megaroio melathron
240hezet' anaïxasa, chelidoni eikelē antēn.
English
But she would not give him full victory as yet, for she wished still further to prove his own prowess and that of his brave son, so she flew up to one of the rafters in the roof of the room and sat upon it in the form of a swallow.
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρας δ' ὤτρυνε Δαμαστορίδης Ἀγέλαος,
Εὐρύνομός τε καὶ Ἀμφιμέδων Δημοπτόλεμός τε,
Πείσανδρός τε Πολυκτορίδης Πόλυβός τε δαί̈φρων:
οἱ γὰρ μνηστήρων ἀρετῇ ἔσαν ἔξοχ' ἄριστοι,
245ὅσσοι ἔτ' ἔζωον περί τε ψυχέων ἐμάχοντο:
Transliteration
mnēstēras d' ōtryne Damastoridēs Agelaos,
Eurynomos te kai Amphimedōn Dēmoptolemos te,
Peisandros te Polyktoridēs Polybos te daïphrōn:
hoi gar mnēstērōn aretēi esan exoch' aristoi,
245hossoi et' ezōon peri te psycheōn emachonto:
English
Meanwhile Agelaos son of Damastor, Eurynomos, Amphimedon, Demoptolemos, Peisandros, and Polybos son of Polyktor bore the brunt of the fight upon the suitors’ side; of all those who were still fighting for their lives, they were by far the most excellent in aretê, for the others had already fallen under the arrows of Odysseus.
Homeric Greek
τοὺς δ' ἤδη ἐδάμασσε βιὸς καὶ ταρφέες ἰοί.
τοῖς δ' Ἀγέλεως μετέειπεν, ἔπος πάντεσσι πιφαύσκων:
"ὦ φίλοι, ἤδη σχήσει ἀνὴρ ὅδε χεῖρας ἀάπτους:
καὶ δή οἱ Μέντωρ μὲν ἔβη κενὰ εὔγματα εἰπών,
250οἱ δ' οἶοι λείπονται ἐπὶ πρώτῃσι θύρῃσι.
Transliteration
tous d' ēdē edamasse bios kai tarphees ioi.
tois d' Ageleōs meteeipen, epos pantessi piphauskōn:
"ō philoi, ēdē schēsei anēr hode cheiras aaptous:
kai dē hoi Mentōr men ebē kena eugmata eipōn,
250hoi d' oioi leipontai epi prōtēisi thyrēisi.
English
Agelaos shouted to them and said, "My friends, he will soon have to leave off, for Mentor has gone away after having done nothing for him but brag. They are standing at the doors unsupported.
Homeric Greek
τῷ νῦν μὴ ἅμα πάντες ἐφίετε δούρατα μακρά,
ἀλλ' ἄγεθ' οἱ ἓξ πρῶτον ἀκοντίσατ', αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς
δώῃ Ὀδυσσῆα βλῆσθαι καὶ κῦδος ἀρέσθαι.
τῶν δ' ἄλλων οὐ κῆδος, ἐπὴν οὗτός γε πέσῃσιν."
255ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκόντισαν ὡς ἐκέλευεν,
Transliteration
tōi nyn mē hama pantes ephiete dourata makra,
all' ageth' hoi hex prōton akontisat', ai ke pothi Zeus
dōēi Odyssēa blēsthai kai kydos aresthai.
tōn d' allōn ou kēdos, epēn houtos ge pesēisin."
255hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akontisan hōs ekeleuen,
English
Do not aim at him all at once, but six of you throw your spears first, and see if you cannot cover yourselves with glory by killing him. When he has fallen we need not be uneasy about the others." They threw their spears as he bade them, but Athena made them all of no effect.
Homeric Greek
ἱέμενοι: τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐτώσια θῆκεν Ἀθήνη,
τῶν ἄλλος μὲν σταθμὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο
βεβλήκει, ἄλλος δὲ θύρην πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαν:
ἄλλου δ' ἐν τοίχῳ μελίη πέσε χαλκοβάρεια.
260αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ δούρατ' ἀλεύαντο μνηστήρων,
Transliteration
hiemenoi: ta de panta etōsia thēken Athēnē,
tōn allos men stathmon eÿstatheos megaroio
beblēkei, allos de thyrēn pykinōs araruian:
allou d' en toichōi meliē pese chalkobareia.
260autar epei dē dourat' aleuanto mnēstērōn,
English
One hit the door post; another went against the door; the pointed shaft of another struck the wall; and as soon as they had avoided all the spears of the suitors Odysseus said to his own men, "My
Homeric Greek
τοῖς δ' ἄρα μύθων ἦρχε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:
"ὦ φίλοι, ἤδη μέν κεν ἐγὼν εἴποιμι καὶ ἄμμι
μνηστήρων ἐς ὅμιλον ἀκοντίσαι, οἳ μεμάασιν
ἡμέας ἐξεναρίξαι ἐπὶ προτέροισι κακοῖσιν."
265ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκόντισαν ὀξέα δοῦρα
Transliteration
tois d' ara mythōn ērche polytlas dios Odysseus:
"ō philoi, ēdē men ken egōn eipoimi kai ammi
mnēstērōn es homilon akontisai, hoi memaasin
hēmeas exenarixai epi proteroisi kakoisin."
265hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akontisan oxea doura
English
friends, I should say we too had better let drive into the middle of them, or they will crown all the harm they have done us by killing us outright." They therefore aimed straight in front of them and threw their spears.
Homeric Greek
ἄντα τιτυσκόμενοι: Δημοπτόλεμον μὲν Ὀδυσσεύς,
Εὐρυάδην δ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχος, Ἔλατον δὲ συβώτης,
Πείσανδρον δ' ἄρ' ἔπεφνε βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειθ' ἅμα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἕλον ἄσπετον οὖδας,
270μνηστῆρες δ' ἀνεχώρησαν μεγάροιο μυχόνδε:
Transliteration
anta tityskomenoi: Dēmoptolemon men Odysseus,
Euryadēn d' ara Tēlemachos, Elaton de sybōtēs,
Peisandron d' ar' epephne boōn epiboukolos anēr.
hoi men epeith' hama pantes odax helon aspeton oudas,
270mnēstēres d' anechōrēsan megaroio mychonde:
English
Odysseus killed Demoptolemos, Telemakhos Euryades, Eumaios Elatus, while the stockman killed Peisandros. These all bit the dust, and as the others drew back into a corner Odysseus and his men rushed forward and regained their spears by drawing
Homeric Greek
τοὶ δ' ἄρ' ἐπήϊξαν, νεκύων δ' ἐξ ἔγχε' ἕλοντο.
αὖτις δὲ μνηστῆρες ἀκόντισαν ὀξέα δοῦρα
ἱέμενοι: τὰ δὲ πολλὰ ἐτώσια θῆκεν Ἀθήνη.
τῶν ἄλλος μὲν σταθμὸν ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο
275βεβλήκειν, ἄλλος δὲ θύρην πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαν:
Transliteration
toi d' ar' epēïxan, nekyōn d' ex enche' helonto.
autis de mnēstēres akontisan oxea doura
hiemenoi: ta de polla etōsia thēken Athēnē.
tōn allos men stathmon eÿstatheos megaroio
275beblēkein, allos de thyrēn pykinōs araruian:
English
them from the bodies of the dead. The suitors now aimed a second time, but again Athena made their weapons for the most part without effect. One hit a bearing-post of the room; another went against the door;
Homeric Greek
ἄλλου δ' ἐν τοίχῳ μελίη πέσε χαλκοβάρεια.
Ἀμφιμέδων δ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχον βάλε χεῖρ' ἐπὶ καρπῷ
λίγδην, ἄκρον δὲ ῥινὸν δηλήσατο χαλκός.
Κτήσιππος δ' Εὔμαιον ὑπὲρ σάκος ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ
280ὦμον ἐπέγραψεν: τὸ δ' ὑπέρπτατο, πῖπτε δ' ἔραζε.
Transliteration
allou d' en toichōi meliē pese chalkobareia.
Amphimedōn d' ara Tēlemachon bale cheir' epi karpōi
ligdēn, akron de rhinon dēlēsato chalkos.
Ktēsippos d' Eumaion hyper sakos encheï makrōi
280ōmon epegrapsen: to d' hyperptato, pipte d' eraze.
English
while the pointed shaft of another struck the wall. Still, Amphimedon just took a piece of the top skin from off Telemakhos’ wrist, and Ktesippos managed to graze Eumaios’ shoulder above his shield; but the spear went on and fell to the ground.
Homeric Greek
τοὶ δ' αὖτ' ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆα δαί̈φρονα ποικιλομήτην,
μνηστήρων ἐς ὅμιλον ἀκόντισαν ὀξέα δοῦρα.
ἔνθ' αὖτ' Εὐρυδάμαντα βάλε πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεύς,
Ἀμφιμέδοντα δὲ Τηλέμαχος, Πόλυβον δὲ συβώτης:
285Κτήσιππον δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνὴρ
Transliteration
toi d' aut' amph' Odysēa daïphrona poikilomētēn,
mnēstērōn es homilon akontisan oxea doura.
enth' aut' Eurydamanta bale ptoliporthos Odysseus,
Amphimedonta de Tēlemachos, Polybon de sybōtēs:
285Ktēsippon d' ar' epeita boōn epiboukolos anēr
English
Then Odysseus and his men let drive into the crowd of suitors. Odysseus hit Eurydamas, Telemakhos Amphimedon, and Eumaios Polybos. After this the stockman hit Ktesippos in the breast, and taunted him saying, "Foul-mouthed son of Polytherses, do not be
Homeric Greek
βεβλήκει πρὸς στῆθος, ἐπευχόμενος δὲ προσηύδα:
"ὦ Πολυθερσεί̈δη φιλοκέρτομε, μή ποτε πάμπαν
εἴκων ἀφραδίῃς μέγα εἰπεῖν, ἀλλὰ θεοῖσιν
μῦθον ἐπιτρέψαι, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτεροί εἰσι.
290τοῦτό τοι ἀντὶ ποδὸς ξεινήϊον, ὅν ποτ' ἔδωκας
Transliteration
beblēkei pros stēthos, epeuchomenos de prosēuda:
"ō Polytherseïdē philokertome, mē pote pampan
eikōn aphradiēis mega eipein, alla theoisin
mython epitrepsai, epei ē poly pherteroi eisi.
290touto toi anti podos xeinēïon, hon pot' edōkas
English
so foolish as to talk wickedly another time, but let heaven direct your speech, for the gods are far stronger than men. I make you a present of this advice to repay you for the foot which you gave Odysseus when
Homeric Greek
ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆϊ δόμον κάτ' ἀλητεύοντι."
ἦ ῥα βοῶν ἑλίκων ἐπιβουκόλος: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
οὖτα Δαμαστορίδην αὐτοσχεδὸν ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ.
Τηλέμαχος δ' Εὐηνορίδην Λειώκριτον οὖτα
295δουρὶ μέσον κενεῶνα, διαπρὸ δὲ χαλκὸν ἔλασσεν:
Transliteration
antitheōi Odysēï domon kat' alēteuonti."
ē rha boōn helikōn epiboukolos: autar Odysseus
outa Damastoridēn autoschedon encheï makrōi.
Tēlemachos d' Euēnoridēn Leiōkriton outa
295douri meson keneōna, diapro de chalkon elassen:
English
he was begging about in his own house." Thus spoke the stockman, and Odysseus struck the son of Damastor with a spear in close fight, while Telemakhos hit Leiokritos son of Euenor in the belly, and the dart went clean through him, so that he fell forward full on his face upon the ground.
Homeric Greek
ἤριπε δὲ πρηνής, χθόνα δ' ἤλασε παντὶ μετώπῳ.
δὴ τότ' Ἀθηναίη φθισίμβροτον αἰγίδ' ἀνέσχεν
ὑψόθεν ἐξ ὀροφῆς: τῶν δὲ φρένες ἐπτοίηθεν.
οἱ δ' ἐφέβοντο κατὰ μέγαρον βόες ὣς ἀγελαῖαι:
300τὰς μέν τ' αἰόλος οἶστρος ἐφορμηθεὶς ἐδόνησεν
Transliteration
ēripe de prēnēs, chthona d' ēlase panti metōpōi.
dē tot' Athēnaiē phthisimbroton aigid' aneschen
hypsothen ex orophēs: tōn de phrenes eptoiēthen.
hoi d' ephebonto kata megaron boes hōs agelaiai:
300tas men t' aiolos oistros ephormētheis edonēsen
English
Then Athena from her seat on the rafter held up her deadly aegis, and the hearts of the suitors quailed. They fled to the other end of the court like a herd of cattle maddened by the gadfly in early summer when the days are at their longest.
Homeric Greek
ὥρῃ ἐν εἰαρινῇ, ὅτε τ' ἤματα μακρὰ πέλονται.
οἱ δ' ὥς τ' αἰγυπιοὶ γαμψώνυχες ἀγκυλοχεῖλαι,
ἐξ ὀρέων ἐλθόντες ἐπ' ὀρνίθεσσι θόρωσι:
ταὶ μέν τ' ἐν πεδίῳ νέφεα πτώσσουσαι ἵενται,
305οἱ δέ τε τὰς ὀλέκουσιν ἐπάλμενοι, οὐδέ τις ἀλκὴ
Transliteration
hōrēi en eiarinēi, hote t' ēmata makra pelontai.
hoi d' hōs t' aigypioi gampsōnyches ankylocheilai,
ex oreōn elthontes ep' ornithessi thorōsi:
tai men t' en pediōi nephea ptōssousai hientai,
305hoi de te tas olekousin epalmenoi, oude tis alkē
English
As eagle-beaked, crook-taloned vultures from the mountains swoop down on the smaller birds that cower in flocks upon the ground, and kill them, for they cannot either fight or flee, and lookers on enjoy the sport - even so did Odysseus
Homeric Greek
γίγνεται οὐδὲ φυγή: χαίρουσι δέ τ' ἀνέρες ἄγρῃ:
ὣς ἄρα τοὶ μνηστῆρας ἐπεσσύμενοι κατὰ δῶμα
τύπτον ἐπιστροφάδην: τῶν δὲ στόνος ὤρνυτ' ἀεικὴς
κράτων τυπτομένων, δάπεδον δ' ἅπαν αἵματι θῦε.
310λειώδης δ' Ὀδυσῆος ἐπεσσύμενος λάβε γούνων,
Transliteration
gignetai oude phygē: chairousi de t' aneres agrēi:
hōs ara toi mnēstēras epessymenoi kata dōma
typton epistrophadēn: tōn de stonos ōrnyt' aeikēs
kratōn typtomenōn, dapedon d' hapan haimati thye.
310leiōdēs d' Odysēos epessymenos labe gounōn,
English
and his men fall upon the suitors and smite them on every side. They made a horrible groaning as their brains were being battered in, and the ground seethed with their blood. Leiodes then caught the knees of Odysseus and said, "Odysseus I beseech you have mercy upon me and spare me.
Homeric Greek
καί μιν λισσόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"γουνοῦμαί σ', Ὀδυσεῦ: σὺ δέ μ' αἴδεο καί μ' ἐλέησον:
οὐ γάρ πώ τινά φημι γυναικῶν ἐν μεγάροισιν
εἰπεῖν οὐδέ τι ῥέξαι ἀτάσθαλον: ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄλλους
315παύεσκον μνηστῆρας, ὅτις τοιαῦτά γε ῥέζοι.
Transliteration
kai min lissomenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"gounoumai s', Odyseu: sy de m' aideo kai m' eleēson:
ou gar pō tina phēmi gynaikōn en megaroisin
eipein oude ti rhexai atasthalon: alla kai allous
315paueskon mnēstēras, hotis toiauta ge rhezoi.
English
I never wronged any of the women in your house either in word or deed, and I tried to stop the others. I saw them, but they would not listen, and now they are paying for their folly.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλά μοι οὐ πείθοντο κακῶν ἄπο χεῖρας ἔχεσθαι:
τῷ καὶ ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐπέσπον.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μετὰ τοῖσι θυοσκόος οὐδὲν ἐοργὼς
κείσομαι, ὡς οὐκ ἔστι χάρις μετόπισθ' εὐεργέων:"
320τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
alla moi ou peithonto kakōn apo cheiras echesthai:
tōi kai atasthaliēisin aeikea potmon epespon.
autar egō meta toisi thyoskoos ouden eorgōs
keisomai, hōs ouk esti charis metopisth' euergeōn:"
320ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
English
I was their sacrificing priest; if you kill me, I shall die without having done anything to deserve it, and shall have got no thanks for all the good that I did." Odysseus looked sternly at him and answered, "If
Homeric Greek
"εἰ μὲν δὴ μετὰ τοῖσι θυοσκόος εὔχεαι εἶναι,
πολλάκι που μέλλεις ἀρήμεναι ἐν μεγάροισι
τηλοῦ ἐμοὶ νόστοιο τέλος γλυκεροῖο γενέσθαι,
σοὶ δ' ἄλοχόν τε φίλην σπέσθαι καὶ τέκνα τεκέσθαι:
325τῷ οὐκ ἂν θάνατόν γε δυσηλεγέα προφύγοισθα."
Transliteration
"ei men dē meta toisi thyoskoos eucheai einai,
pollaki pou melleis arēmenai en megaroisi
tēlou emoi nostoio telos glykeroio genesthai,
soi d' alochon te philēn spesthai kai tekna tekesthai:
325tōi ouk an thanaton ge dysēlegea prophygoistha."
English
you were their sacrificing priest, you must have prayed many a time that it might be long before I got home again, and that you might marry my wife and have children by her. Therefore you shall die."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ξίφος εἵλετο χειρὶ παχείῃ
κείμενον, ὅ ῥ' Ἀγέλαος ἀποπροέηκε χαμᾶζε
κτεινόμενος: τῷ τόν γε κατ' αὐχένα μέσσον ἔλασσε.
φθεγγομένου δ' ἄρα τοῦ γε κάρη κονίῃσιν ἐμίχθη.
330Τερπιάδης δ' ἔτ' ἀοιδὸς ἀλύσκανε κῆρα μέλαιναν,
Transliteration
hōs ara phōnēsas xiphos heileto cheiri pacheiēi
keimenon, ho rh' Agelaos apoproeēke chamaze
kteinomenos: tōi ton ge kat' auchena messon elasse.
phthengomenou d' ara tou ge karē koniēisin emichthē.
330Terpiadēs d' et' aoidos alyskane kēra melainan,
English
With these words he picked up the sword that Agelaos had dropped when he was being killed, and which was lying upon the ground. Then he struck Leiodes on the back of his neck, so that his head fell rolling in the dust while he was yet speaking. The minstrel Phemios son of Terpes - he who had
Homeric Greek
Φήμιος, ὅς ῥ' ἤειδε μετὰ μνηστῆρσιν ἀνάγκῃ.
ἔστη δ' ἐν χείρεσσίν ἔχων φόρμιγγα λίγειαν
ἄγχι παρ' ὀρσοθύρην: δίχα δὲ φρεσὶ μερμήριζεν,
ἢ ἐκδὺς μεγάροιο Διὸς μεγάλου ποτὶ βωμὸν
335ἑρκείου ἵζοιτο τετυγμένον, ἔνθ' ἄρα πολλὰ
Transliteration
Phēmios, hos rh' ēeide meta mnēstērsin anankēi.
estē d' en cheiressin echōn phorminga ligeian
anchi par' orsothyrēn: dicha de phresi mermērizen,
ē ekdys megaroio Dios megalou poti bōmon
335herkeiou hizoito tetygmenon, enth' ara polla
English
been forced by the suitors to sing to them - now tried to save his life. He was standing near towards the trap door, and held his lyre in his hand. He did not know whether to flee out of the room and sit down by the altar of Zeus that was
Homeric Greek
Λαέρτης Ὀδυσεύς τε βοῶν ἐπὶ μηρί' ἔκηαν,
ἦ γούνων λίσσοιτο προσαί̈ξας Ὀδυσῆα.
ὧδε δέ οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,
γούνων ἅψασθαι Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.
340ἦ τοι ὁ φόρμιγγα γλαφυρὴν κατέθηκε χαμᾶζε
Transliteration
Laertēs Odyseus te boōn epi mēri' ekēan,
ē gounōn lissoito prosaïxas Odysēa.
hōde de hoi phroneonti doassato kerdion einai,
gounōn hapsasthai Laertiadeō Odysēos.
340ē toi ho phorminga glaphyrēn katethēke chamaze
English
in the outer court, and on which both Laertes and Odysseus had offered up the thigh bones of many an ox, or whether to go straight up to Odysseus and embrace his knees, but in the end he deemed it best to embrace Odysseus’ knees.
Homeric Greek
μεσσηγὺς κρητῆρος ἰδὲ θρόνου ἀργυροήλου,
αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' Ὀδυσῆα προσαί̈ξας λάβε γούνων,
καί μιν λισσόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"γουνοῦμαί σ', Ὀδυσεῦ: σὺ δέ μ' αἴδεο καί μ' ἐλέησον:
345αὐτῷ τοι μετόπισθ' ἄχος ἔσσεται, εἴ κεν ἀοιδὸν
Transliteration
messēgys krētēros ide thronou argyroēlou,
autos d' aut' Odysēa prosaïxas labe gounōn,
kai min lissomenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"gounoumai s', Odyseu: sy de m' aideo kai m' eleēson:
345autōi toi metopisth' achos essetai, ei ken aoidon
English
So he laid his lyre on the ground the ground between the mixing-bowl and the silver-studded seat; then going up to Odysseus he caught hold of his knees and said, "Odysseus, I beseech you have mercy on me and spare me. You will be sorry for it afterwards if you kill a bard who can sing both for gods and men as I can.
Homeric Greek
πέφνῃς, ὅς τε θεοῖσι καὶ ἀνθρώποισιν ἀείδω.
αὐτοδίδακτος δ' εἰμί, θεὸς δέ μοι ἐν φρεσὶν οἴμας
παντοίας ἐνέφυσεν: ἔοικα δέ τοι παραείδειν
ὥς τε θεῷ: τῷ με λιλαίεο δειροτομῆσαι.
350καί κεν Τηλέμαχος τάδε γ' εἴποι, σὸς φίλος υἱός,
Transliteration
pephnēis, hos te theoisi kai anthrōpoisin aeidō.
autodidaktos d' eimi, theos de moi en phresin oimas
pantoias enephysen: eoika de toi paraeidein
hōs te theōi: tōi me lilaieo deirotomēsai.
350kai ken Tēlemachos tade g' eipoi, sos philos huios,
English
I make all my lays myself, and heaven visits me with every kind of inspiration. I would sing to you as though you were a god, do not therefore be in such a hurry to cut my head off.
Homeric Greek
ὡς ἐγὼ οὔ τι ἑκὼν ἐς σὸν δόμον οὐδὲ χατίζων
πωλεύμην μνηστῆρσιν ἀεισόμενος μετὰ δαῖτας,
ἀλλὰ πολὺ πλέονες καὶ κρείσσονες ἦγον ἀνάγκῃ."
ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δ' ἤκουσ' ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο,
355αἶψα δ' ἑὸν πατέρα προσεφώνεεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντα:
Transliteration
hōs egō ou ti hekōn es son domon oude chatizōn
pōleumēn mnēstērsin aeisomenos meta daitas,
alla poly pleones kai kreissones ēgon anankēi."
hōs phato, tou d' ēkous' hierē is Tēlemachoio,
355aipsa d' heon patera prosephōneen engys eonta:
English
Your own son Telemakhos will tell you that I did not want to frequent your house and sing to the suitors after their meals, but they were too many and too strong for me, so they made me." Telemakhos heard him, and at once went up to his father. "Hold!"
Homeric Greek
"ἴσχεο μηδέ τι τοῦτον ἀναίτιον οὔταε χαλκῷ:
καὶ κήρυκα Μέδοντα σαώσομεν, ὅς τέ μευ αἰεὶ
οἴκῳ ἐν ἡμετέρῳ κηδέσκετο παιδὸς ἐόντος,
εἰ δὴ μή μιν ἔπεφνε Φιλοίτιος ἠὲ συβώτης,
360ἠὲ σοὶ ἀντεβόλησεν ὀρινομένῳ κατὰ δῶμα."
Transliteration
"ischeo mēde ti touton anaition outae chalkōi:
kai kēryka Medonta saōsomen, hos te meu aiei
oikōi en hēmeterōi kēdesketo paidos eontos,
ei dē mē min epephne Philoitios ēe sybōtēs,
360ēe soi antebolēsen orinomenōi kata dōma."
English
he cried, "the man is guiltless, do him no hurt; and we will spare Medon too, who was always good to me when I was a boy, unless Philoitios or Eumaios has already killed him, or he has fallen in your way when you were raging about the court."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δ' ἤκουσε Μέδων πεπνυμένα εἰδώς:
πεπτηὼς γὰρ ἔκειτο ὑπὸ θρόνον, ἀμφὶ δὲ δέρμα
ἕστο βοὸς νεόδαρτον, ἀλύσκων κῆρα μέλαιναν.
αἶψα δ' ἀπὸ θρόνου ὦρτο, θοῶς δ' ἀπέδυνε βοείην
365Τηλέμαχον δ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα προσαί̈ξας λάβε γούνων,
Transliteration
hōs phato, tou d' ēkouse Medōn pepnymena eidōs:
peptēōs gar ekeito hypo thronon, amphi de derma
hesto boos neodarton, alyskōn kēra melainan.
aipsa d' apo thronou ōrto, thoōs d' apedyne boeiēn
365Tēlemachon d' ar' epeita prosaïxas labe gounōn,
English
Medon caught these words of Telemakhos, for he was crouching under a seat beneath which he had hidden by covering himself up with a freshly flayed heifer's hide, so he threw off the hide, went up to
Homeric Greek
καί μιν λισσόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"ὦ φίλ', ἐγὼ μὲν ὅδ' εἰμί, σὺ δ' ἴσχεο εἰπὲ δὲ πατρὶ
μή με περισθενέων δηλήσεται ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων κεχολωμένος, οἵ οἱ ἔκειρον
370κτήματ' ἐνὶ μεγάροις, σὲ δὲ νήπιοι οὐδὲν ἔτιον."
Transliteration
kai min lissomenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"ō phil', egō men hod' eimi, sy d' ischeo eipe de patri
mē me peristheneōn dēlēsetai oxeï chalkōi,
andrōn mnēstērōn kecholōmenos, hoi hoi ekeiron
370ktēmat' eni megarois, se de nēpioi ouden etion."
English
Telemakhos, and laid hold of his knees. "Here I am, my dear sir," said he, "stay your hand therefore, and tell your father, or he will kill me in his rage against the suitors for having wasted his substance and been so foolishly disrespectful to yourself."
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ἐπιμειδήσας προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"θάρσει, ἐπεὶ δή σ' οὗτος ἐρύσσατο καὶ ἐσάωσεν,
ὄφρα γνῷς κατὰ θυμόν, ἀτὰρ εἴπῃσθα καὶ ἄλλῳ,
ὡς κακοεργίης εὐεργεσίη μέγ' ἀμείνων.
375ἀλλ' ἐξελθόντες μεγάρων ἕζεσθε θύραζε
Transliteration
ton d' epimeidēsas prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
"tharsei, epei dē s' houtos eryssato kai esaōsen,
ophra gnōis kata thymon, atar eipēistha kai allōi,
hōs kakoergiēs euergesiē meg' ameinōn.
375all' exelthontes megarōn hezesthe thyraze
English
Odysseus smiled at him and answered, "Fear not; Telemakhos has saved your life, that you may know in future, and tell other people, how greatly better good deeds prosper than evil ones. Go, therefore, outside the cloisters into the outer court, and be out of
Homeric Greek
ἐκ φόνου εἰς αὐλήν, σύ τε καὶ πολύφημος ἀοιδός,
ὄφρ' ἂν ἐγὼ κατὰ δῶμα πονήσομαι ὅττεό με χρή."
ὣς φάτο, τὼ δ' ἔξω βήτην μεγάροιο κιόντε,
ἑζέσθην δ' ἄρα τώ γε Διὸς μεγάλου ποτὶ βωμόν,
380πάντοσε παπταίνοντε, φόνον ποτιδεγμένω αἰεί.
Transliteration
ek phonou eis aulēn, sy te kai polyphēmos aoidos,
ophr' an egō kata dōma ponēsomai hotteo me chrē."
hōs phato, tō d' exō bētēn megaroio kionte,
hezesthēn d' ara tō ge Dios megalou poti bōmon,
380pantose paptainonte, phonon potidegmenō aiei.
English
the way of the slaughter - you and the bard - while I finish my work here inside." The pair went into the outer court as fast as they could, and sat down by Zeus’ great altar, looking fearfully round, and still expecting that they would be killed.
Homeric Greek
πάπτηνεν δ' Ὀδυσεὺς καθ' ἑὸν δόμον, εἴ τις ἔτ' ἀνδρῶν
ζωὸς ὑποκλοπέοιτο, ἀλύσκων κῆρα μέλαιναν.
τοὺς δὲ ἴδεν μάλα πάντας ἐν αἵματι καὶ κονίῃσι
πεπτεῶτας πολλούς, ὥστ' ἰχθύας, οὕς θ' ἁλιῆες
385κοῖλον ἐς αἰγιαλὸν πολιῆς ἔκτοσθε θαλάσσης
Transliteration
paptēnen d' Odyseus kath' heon domon, ei tis et' andrōn
zōos hypoklopeoito, alyskōn kēra melainan.
tous de iden mala pantas en haimati kai koniēisi
pepteōtas pollous, hōst' ichthyas, hous th' haliēes
385koilon es aigialon poliēs ektosthe thalassēs
English
Then Odysseus searched the whole court carefully over, to see if anyone had managed to hide himself and was still living, but he found them all lying in the dust and weltering in their blood.
Homeric Greek
δικτύῳ ἐξέρυσαν πολυωπῷ: οἱ δέ τε πάντες
κύμαθ' ἁλὸς ποθέοντες ἐπὶ ψαμάθοισι κέχυνται:
τῶν μέν τ' Ἠέλιος φαέθων ἐξείλετο θυμόν:
ὣς τότ' ἄρα μνηστῆρες ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισι κέχυντο.
390δὴ τότε Τηλέμαχον προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
diktyōi exerysan polyōpōi: hoi de te pantes
kymath' halos potheontes epi psamathoisi kechyntai:
tōn men t' Ēelios phaethōn exeileto thymon:
hōs tot' ara mnēstēres ep' allēloisi kechynto.
390dē tote Tēlemachon prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
English
They were like fishes which fishermen have netted out of the sea, and thrown upon the beach to lie gasping for water till the heat of the sun makes an end of them. Even so were the suitors lying all huddled up one against the other. Then Odysseus said to Telemakhos, "Call nurse Eurykleia;
Homeric Greek
"Τηλέμαχ', εἰ δ' ἄγε μοι κάλεσον τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν,
ὄφρα ἔπος εἴπωμι τό μοι καταθύμιόν ἐστιν."
ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ φίλῳ ἐπεπείθετο πατρί,
κινήσας δὲ θύρην προσέφη τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν:
395"δεῦρο δὴ ὄρσο, γρηὺ̈ παλαιγενές, ἥ τε γυναικῶν
Transliteration
"Tēlemach', ei d' age moi kaleson trophon Eurykleian,
ophra epos eipōmi to moi katathymion estin."
hōs phato, Tēlemachos de philōi epepeitheto patri,
kinēsas de thyrēn prosephē trophon Eurykleian:
395"deuro dē orso, grēÿ palaigenes, hē te gynaikōn
English
I have something to say to her." Telemakhos went and knocked at the door of the women's room. "Make haste," said he, "you old woman who have been set over all the other women in the house.
Homeric Greek
δμῳάων σκοπός ἐσσι κατὰ μέγαρ' ἡμετεράων:
ἔρχεο: κικλήσκει σε πατὴρ ἐμός, ὄφρα τι εἴπῃ."
ὣς ἄρ' ἐφώνησεν, τῇ δ' ἄπτερος ἔπλετο μῦθος,
ὤϊξεν δὲ θύρας μεγάρων εὖ ναιεταόντων,
400βῆ δ' ἴμεν: αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος πρόσθ' ἡγεμόνευεν.
Transliteration
dmōiaōn skopos essi kata megar' hēmeteraōn:
ercheo: kiklēskei se patēr emos, ophra ti eipēi."
hōs ar' ephōnēsen, tēi d' apteros epleto mythos,
ōïxen de thyras megarōn eu naietaontōn,
400bē d' imen: autar Tēlemachos prosth' hēgemoneuen.
English
Come outside; my father wishes to speak to you." When Eurykleia heard this she unfastened the door of the women's room and came out, following Telemakhos.
Homeric Greek
εὗρεν ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆα μετὰ κταμένοισι νέκυσσιν,
αἵματι καὶ λύθρῳ πεπαλαγμένον ὥστε λέοντα,
ὅς ῥά τε βεβρωκὼς βοὸς ἔρχεται ἀγραύλοιο:
πᾶν δ' ἄρα οἱ στῆθός τε παρήϊά τ' ἀμφοτέρωθεν
405αἱματόεντα πέλει, δεινὸς δ' εἰς ὦπα ἰδέσθαι:
Transliteration
heuren epeit' Odysēa meta ktamenoisi nekyssin,
haimati kai lythrōi pepalagmenon hōste leonta,
hos rha te bebrōkōs boos erchetai agrauloio:
pan d' ara hoi stēthos te parēïa t' amphoterōthen
405haimatoenta pelei, deinos d' eis ōpa idesthai:
English
She found Odysseus among the corpses bespattered with blood and filth like a lion that has just been devouring an ox, and his breast and both his cheeks are all bloody, so that he is a fearful sight; even so was Odysseus besmirched from head to foot with gore.
Homeric Greek
ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς πεπάλακτο πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθεν.
ἡ δ' ὡς οὖν νέκυάς τε καὶ ἄσπετον εἴσιδεν αἷμα,
ἴθυσέν ῥ' ὀλολύξαι, ἐπεὶ μέγα εἴσιδεν ἔργον:
ἀλλ' Ὀδυσεὺς κατέρυκε καὶ ἔσχεθεν ἱεμένην περ,
410καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
Transliteration
hōs Odyseus pepalakto podas kai cheiras hyperthen.
hē d' hōs oun nekyas te kai aspeton eisiden haima,
ithysen rh' ololyxai, epei mega eisiden ergon:
all' Odyseus kateryke kai eschethen hiemenēn per,
410kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:
English
When she saw all the corpses and such a quantity of blood, she was beginning to cry out for joy, for she saw that a great deed had been done; but Odysseus checked her, "Old woman," said he, "rejoice in silence; restrain yourself, and do not make any noise about it;
Homeric Greek
"ἐν θυμῷ, γρηῦ, χαῖρε καὶ ἴσχεο μηδ' ὀλόλυζε:
οὐχ ὁσίη κταμένοισιν ἐπ' ἀνδράσιν εὐχετάασθαι.
τούσδε δὲ μοῖρ' ἐδάμασσε θεῶν καὶ σχέτλια ἔργα:
οὔ τινα γὰρ τίεσκον ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων,
415οὐ κακὸν οὐδὲ μὲν ἐσθλόν, ὅτις σφέας εἰσαφίκοιτο:
Transliteration
"en thymōi, grēu, chaire kai ischeo mēd' ololyze:
ouch hosiē ktamenoisin ep' andrasin euchetaasthai.
tousde de moir' edamasse theōn kai schetlia erga:
ou tina gar tieskon epichthoniōn anthrōpōn,
415ou kakon oude men esthlon, hotis spheas eisaphikoito:
English
it is an unholy thing to vaunt over dead men. Heaven's doom and their own evil deeds have brought these men to destruction, for they respected no man in the whole world, neither rich nor poor, who came near them, and they have come to a bad end as a punishment for their wickedness and folly.
Homeric Greek
τῷ καὶ ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ἀεικέα πότμον ἐπέσπον.
ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι σὺ γυναῖκας ἐνὶ μεγάροις κατάλεξον,
αἵ τέ μ' ἀτιμάζουσι καὶ αἳ νηλείτιδές εἰσιν."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια:
420"τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, τέκνον, ἀληθείην καταλέξω.
Transliteration
tōi kai atasthaliēisin aeikea potmon epespon.
all' age moi sy gynaikas eni megarois katalexon,
hai te m' atimazousi kai hai nēleitides eisin."
ton d' aute proseeipe philē trophos Eurykleia:
420"toigar egō toi, teknon, alētheiēn katalexō.
English
Now, however, tell me which of the women in the house have misconducted themselves, and who are innocent." "I will tell you the truth, my son," answered Eurykleia.
Homeric Greek
πεντήκοντά τοί εἰσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναῖκες
δμῳαί, τὰς μέν τ' ἔργα διδάξαμεν ἐργάζεσθαι,
εἴριά τε ξαίνειν καὶ δουλοσύνην ἀνέχεσθαι:
τάων δώδεκα πᾶσαι ἀναιδείης ἐπέβησαν,
425οὔτ' ἐμὲ τίουσαι οὔτ' αὐτὴν Πηνελόπειαν.
Transliteration
pentēkonta toi eisin eni megaroisi gynaikes
dmōiai, tas men t' erga didaxamen ergazesthai,
eiria te xainein kai doulosynēn anechesthai:
taōn dōdeka pasai anaideiēs epebēsan,
425out' eme tiousai out' autēn Pēnelopeian.
English
"There are fifty women in the house whom we teach to do things, such as carding wool, and all kinds of household work. Of these, twelve in all have misbehaved, and have been wanting in respect to me, and also to Penelope.
Homeric Greek
Τηλέμαχος δὲ νέον μὲν ἀέξετο, οὐδέ ἑ μήτηρ
σημαίνειν εἴασκεν ἐπὶ δμῳῇσι γυναιξίν.
ἀλλ' ἄγ' ἐγὼν ἀναβᾶσ' ὑπερώϊα σιγαλόεντα
εἴπω σῇ ἀλόχῳ, τῇ τις θεὸς ὕπνον ἐπῶρσε."
430τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς
Transliteration
Tēlemachos de neon men aexeto, oude he mētēr
sēmainein eiasken epi dmōiēisi gynaixin.
all' ag' egōn anabas' hyperōïa sigaloenta
eipō sēi alochōi, tēi tis theos hypnon epōrse."
430tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus
English
They showed no disrespect to Telemakhos, for he has only lately grown and his mother never permitted him to give orders to the female servants; but let me go upstairs and tell your wife all that has happened, for some god has been sending her to sleep." "Do not wake her yet," answered Odysseus, "but tell the women who have misconducted themselves to come to me."
Homeric Greek
"μή πω τήνδ' ἐπέγειρε: σὺ δ' ἐνθάδε εἰπὲ γυναιξὶν
ἐλθέμεν, αἵ περ πρόσθεν ἀεικέα μηχανόωντο."
"ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, γρηὺ̈ς δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκει
ἀγγελέουσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι.
435αὐτὰρ ὁ Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτην
Transliteration
"mē pō tēnd' epegeire: sy d' enthade eipe gynaixin
elthemen, hai per prosthen aeikea mēchanoōnto."
"hōs ar' ephē, grēÿs de diek megaroio bebēkei
angeleousa gynaixi kai otryneousa neesthai.
435autar ho Tēlemachon kai boukolon ēde sybōtēn
English
Eurykleia left the room to tell the women, and make them come to Odysseus; in the meantime he called Telemakhos, the stockman, and the swineherd. "Begin," said he, "to remove the dead, and make the women help you.
Homeric Greek
εἰς ἓ καλεσσάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"ἄρχετε νῦν νέκυας φορέειν καὶ ἄνωχθε γυναῖκας:
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα θρόνους περικαλλέας ἠδὲ τραπέζας
ὕδατι καὶ σπόγγοισι πολυτρήτοισι καθαίρειν.
440αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ πάντα δόμον κατακοσμήσησθε,
Transliteration
eis he kalessamenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"archete nyn nekyas phoreein kai anōchthe gynaikas:
autar epeita thronous perikalleas ēde trapezas
hydati kai spongoisi polytrētoisi kathairein.
440autar epēn dē panta domon katakosmēsēsthe,
English
Then, get sponges and clean water to swill down the tables and seats. When you have thoroughly cleansed the whole cloisters, take the women into the space between the domed room and the wall of
Homeric Greek
δμῳὰς ἐξαγαγόντες ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο,
μεσσηγύς τε θόλου καὶ ἀμύμονος ἕρκεος αὐλῆς,
θεινέμεναι ξίφεσιν τανυήκεσιν, εἰς ὅ κε πασέων
ψυχὰς ἐξαφέλησθε καὶ ἐκλελάθωντ' Ἀφροδίτης,
445τὴν ἄρ' ὑπὸ μνηστῆρσιν ἔχον μίσγοντό τε λάθρη."
Transliteration
dmōias exagagontes eÿstatheos megaroio,
messēgys te tholou kai amymonos herkeos aulēs,
theinemenai xiphesin tanyēkesin, eis ho ke paseōn
psychas exaphelēsthe kai eklelathōnt' Aphroditēs,
445tēn ar' hypo mnēstērsin echon misgonto te lathrē."
English
the outer court, and run them through with your swords till they are quite dead, and have forgotten all about love and the way in which they used to lie in secret with the suitors."
Homeric Greek
"ὣς ἔφαθ', αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες ἀολλέες ἦλθον ἅπασαι,
αἴν' ὀλοφυρόμεναι, θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσαι.
πρῶτα μὲν οὖν νέκυας φόρεον κατατεθνηῶτας,
κὰδ δ' ἄρ' ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ τίθεσαν εὐερκέος αὐλῆς,
450ἀλλήλοισιν ἐρείδουσαι: σήμαινε δ' Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
"hōs ephath', hai de gynaikes aollees ēlthon hapasai,
ain' olophyromenai, thaleron kata dakry cheousai.
prōta men oun nekyas phoreon katatethnēōtas,
kad d' ar' hyp' aithousēi tithesan euerkeos aulēs,
450allēloisin ereidousai: sēmaine d' Odysseus
English
On this the women came down in a body, weeping and wailing bitterly. First they carried the dead bodies out, and propped them up against one another in the gatehouse. Odysseus ordered them about and made them do their work quickly, so they had to carry the bodies out.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὸς ἐπισπέρχων: ταὶ δ' ἐκφόρεον καὶ ἀνάγκῃ.
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα θρόνους περικαλλέας ἠδὲ τραπέζας
ὕδατι καὶ σπόγγοισι πολυτρήτοισι κάθαιρον.
αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος καὶ βουκόλος ἠδὲ συβώτῃς
455λίστροισιν δάπεδον πύκα ποιητοῖο δόμοιο
Transliteration
autos episperchōn: tai d' ekphoreon kai anankēi.
autar epeita thronous perikalleas ēde trapezas
hydati kai spongoisi polytrētoisi kathairon.
autar Tēlemachos kai boukolos ēde sybōtēis
455listroisin dapedon pyka poiētoio domoio
English
When they had done this, they cleaned all the tables and seats with sponges and water, while Telemakhos and the two others shoveled up the blood and dirt from the ground, and the women carried it all away and put it out of doors.
Homeric Greek
ξῦον: ταὶ δ' ἐφόρεον δμῳαί, τίθεσαν δὲ θύραζε.
αὐτὰρ ἐπειδὴ πᾶν μέγαρον διεκοσμήσαντο,
δμῳὰς δ' ἐξαγαγόντες ἐϋσταθέος μεγάροιο,
μεσσηγύς τε θόλου καὶ ἀμύμονος ἕρκεος αὐλῆς,
460εἴλεον ἐν στείνει, ὅθεν οὔ πως ἦεν ἀλύξαι.
Transliteration
xyon: tai d' ephoreon dmōiai, tithesan de thyraze.
autar epeidē pan megaron diekosmēsanto,
dmōias d' exagagontes eÿstatheos megaroio,
messēgys te tholou kai amymonos herkeos aulēs,
460eileon en steinei, hothen ou pōs ēen alyxai.
English
Then when they had made the whole place quite clean and orderly, they took the women out and hemmed them in the narrow space between the wall of the domed room and that of the yard, so that they could not get away:
Homeric Greek
τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἦρχ' ἀγορεύειν:
"μὴ μὲν δὴ καθαρῷ θανάτῳ ἀπὸ θυμὸν ἑλοίμην
τάων, αἳ δὴ ἐμῇ κεφαλῇ κατ' ὀνείδεα χεῦαν
μητέρι θ' ἡμετέρῃ παρά τε μνηστῆρσιν ἴαυον."
465ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, καὶ πεῖσμα νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο
Transliteration
toisi de Tēlemachos pepnymenos ērch' agoreuein:
"mē men dē katharōi thanatōi apo thymon heloimēn
taōn, hai dē emēi kephalēi kat' oneidea cheuan
mēteri th' hēmeterēi para te mnēstērsin iauon."
465hōs ar' ephē, kai peisma neos kyanoprōiroio
English
and Telemakhos said to the other two, "I shall not let these women die a clean death, for they were insolent to me and my mother, and used to sleep with the suitors." So saying he made a ship's cable fast to one of the
Homeric Greek
κίονος ἐξάψας μεγάλης περίβαλλε θόλοιο,
ὑψόσ' ἐπεντανύσας, μή τις ποσὶν οὖδας ἵκοιτο.
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἢ κίχλαι τανυσίπτεροι ἠὲ πέλειαι
ἕρκει ἐνιπλήξωσι, τό θ' ἑστήκῃ ἐνὶ θάμνῳ,
470αὖλιν ἐσιέμεναι, στυγερὸς δ' ὑπεδέξατο κοῖτος,
Transliteration
kionos exapsas megalēs periballe tholoio,
hypsos' epentanysas, mē tis posin oudas hikoito.
hōs d' hot' an ē kichlai tanysipteroi ēe peleiai
herkei eniplēxōsi, to th' hestēkēi eni thamnōi,
470aulin esiemenai, stygeros d' hypedexato koitos,
English
bearing-posts that supported the roof of the domed room, and secured it all around the building, at a good height, lest any of the women's feet should touch the ground; and as thrushes or doves beat against a net that has been set for them in a thicket just as they were getting to their nest, and a terrible
Homeric Greek
ὣς αἵ γ' ἑξείης κεφαλὰς ἔχον, ἀμφὶ δὲ πάσαις
δειρῇσι βρόχοι ἦσαν, ὅπως οἴκτιστα θάνοιεν.
ἤσπαιρον δὲ πόδεσσι μίνυνθά περ οὔ τι μάλα δήν.
ἐκ δὲ Μελάνθιον ἦγον ἀνὰ πρόθυρόν τε καὶ αὐλήν:
475τοῦ δ' ἀπὸ μὲν ῥῖνάς τε καὶ οὔατα νηλέϊ χαλκῷ
Transliteration
hōs hai g' hexeiēs kephalas echon, amphi de pasais
deirēisi brochoi ēsan, hopōs oiktista thanoien.
ēspairon de podessi minyntha per ou ti mala dēn.
ek de Melanthion ēgon ana prothyron te kai aulēn:
475tou d' apo men rhinas te kai ouata nēleï chalkōi
English
fate awaits them, even so did the women have to put their heads in nooses one after the other and die most miserably. Their feet moved convulsively for a while, but not for very long. As for Melanthios, they took him through the room into the inner court. There they cut off his nose and his ears;
Homeric Greek
τάμνον, μήδεά τ' ἐξέρυσαν, κυσὶν ὠμὰ δάσασθαι,
χεῖράς τ' ἠδὲ πόδας κόπτον κεκοτηότι θυμῷ.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτ' ἀπονιψάμενοι χεῖράς τε πόδας τε
εἰς Ὀδυσῆα δόμονδε κίον, τετέλεστο δὲ ἔργον:
480αὐτὰρ ὅ γε προσέειπε φίλην τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν:
Transliteration
tamnon, mēdea t' exerysan, kysin ōma dasasthai,
cheiras t' ēde podas kopton kekotēoti thymōi.
hoi men epeit' aponipsamenoi cheiras te podas te
eis Odysēa domonde kion, tetelesto de ergon:
480autar ho ge proseeipe philēn trophon Eurykleian:
English
they drew out his vitals and gave them to the dogs raw, and then in their fury they cut off his hands and his feet. When they had done this they washed their hands and feet and went back into the house, for all was now over;
Homeric Greek
"οἶσε θέειον, γρηύ̈, κακῶν ἄκος, οἶσε δέ μοι πῦρ,
ὄφρα θεειώσω μέγαρον: σὺ δὲ Πηνελόπειαν
ἐλθεῖν ἐνθάδ' ἄνωχθι σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξί:
πάσας δ' ὄτρυνον δμῳὰς κατὰ δῶμα νέεσθαι."
485τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια:
Transliteration
"oise theeion, grēÿ, kakōn akos, oise de moi pyr,
ophra theeiōsō megaron: sy de Pēnelopeian
elthein enthad' anōchthi syn amphipoloisi gynaixi:
pasas d' otrynon dmōias kata dōma neesthai."
485ton d' aute proseeipe philē trophos Eurykleia:
English
and Odysseus said to the dear old nurse Eurykleia, "Bring me sulfur, which cleanses all pollution, and fetch fire also that I may burn it, and purify the cloisters. Go, moreover, and tell Penelope to come here with her attendants, and also all the maid servants that are in the house." "All that you have said is true,"
Homeric Greek
"ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε, τέκνον ἐμόν, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.
ἀλλ' ἄγε τοι χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματ' ἐνείκω,
μηδ' οὕτω ῥάκεσιν πεπυκασμένος εὐρέας ὤμους
ἕσταθ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισι: νεμεσσητὸν δέ κεν εἴη."
490τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
"nai dē tauta ge, teknon emon, kata moiran eeipes.
all' age toi chlainan te chitōna te heimat' eneikō,
mēd' houtō rhakesin pepykasmenos eureas ōmous
hestath' eni megaroisi: nemessēton de ken eiē."
490tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
English
answered Eurykleia, "but let me bring you some clean clothes - a shirt and cloak. Do not keep these rags on your back any longer. It is not right." "First light me a
Homeric Greek
"πῦρ νῦν μοι πρώτιστον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γενέσθω."
ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια,
ἤνεικεν δ' ἄρα πῦρ καὶ θήϊον: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
εὖ διεθείωσεν μέγαρον καὶ δῶμα καὶ αὐλήν.
495γρηὺ̈ς δ' αὖτ' ἀπέβη διὰ δώματα κάλ' Ὀδυσῆος
Transliteration
"pyr nyn moi prōtiston eni megaroisi genesthō."
hōs ephat', oud' apithēse philē trophos Eurykleia,
ēneiken d' ara pyr kai thēïon: autar Odysseus
eu dietheiōsen megaron kai dōma kai aulēn.
495grēÿs d' aut' apebē dia dōmata kal' Odysēos
English
fire," replied Odysseus. She brought the fire and sulfur, as he had bidden her, and Odysseus thoroughly purified the cloisters and both the inner and outer courts. Then she went inside to call the women and tell them what had happened;
Homeric Greek
ἀγγελέουσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι:
αἱ δ' ἴσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαι.
αἱ μὲν ἄρ' ἀμφεχέοντο καὶ ἠσπάζοντ' Ὀδυσῆα,
καὶ κύνεον ἀγαπαξόμεναι κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὤμους
500χεῖράς τ' αἰνύμεναι: τὸν δὲ γλυκὺς ἵμερος ᾕρει
Transliteration
angeleousa gynaixi kai otryneousa neesthai:
hai d' isan ek megaroio daos meta chersin echousai.
hai men ar' amphecheonto kai ēspazont' Odysēa,
kai kyneon agapaxomenai kephalēn te kai ōmous
500cheiras t' ainymenai: ton de glykys himeros hēirei
English
whereon they came from their apartment with torches in their hands, and pressed round Odysseus to embrace him, kissing his head and shoulders and taking hold of his hands.
Homeric Greek
κλαυθμοῦ καὶ στοναχῆς, γίγνωσκε δ' ἄρα φρεσὶ πάσας.
Transliteration
klauthmou kai stonachēs, gignōske d' ara phresi pasas.
English
It made him feel as if he should like to weep, for he remembered every one of them.