Homeric Greek
1γρηὺ̈ς δ' εἰς ὑπερῷ' ἀνεβήσετο καγχαλόωσα,
δεσποίνῃ ἐρέουσα φίλον πόσιν ἔνδον ἐόντα:
γούνατα δ' ἐρρώσαντο, πόδες δ' ὑπερικταίνοντο.
στῆ δ' ἄρ' ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:
5"ἔγρεο, Πηνελόπεια, φίλον τέκος, ὄφρα ἴδηαι
Transliteration
1grēÿs d' eis hyperōi' anebēseto kanchaloōsa,
despoinēi ereousa philon posin endon eonta:
gounata d' errōsanto, podes d' hyperiktainonto.
stē d' ar' hyper kephalēs kai min pros mython eeipen:
5"egreo, Pēnelopeia, philon tekos, ophra idēai
English
Eurykleia now went upstairs laughing to tell her mistress that her dear husband had come home. Her aged knees became young again and her feet were nimble for joy as she went up to her mistress and bent over her head to speak to her.
Homeric Greek
ὀφθαλμοῖσι τεοῖσι τά τ' ἔλδεαι ἤματα πάντα.
ἦλθ' Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ὀψέ περ ἐλθών.
μνηστῆρας δ' ἔκτεινεν ἀγήνορας, οἵ θ' ἑὸν οἶκον
κήδεσκον καὶ κτήματ' ἔδον βιόωντό τε παῖδα."
10τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
Transliteration
ophthalmoisi teoisi ta t' eldeai ēmata panta.
ēlth' Odyseus kai oikon hikanetai, opse per elthōn.
mnēstēras d' ekteinen agēnoras, hoi th' heon oikon
kēdeskon kai ktēmat' edon bioōnto te paida."
10tēn d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
English
"Wake up Penelope, my dear child," she exclaimed, "and see with your own eyes something that you have been wanting this long time past. Odysseus has at last indeed come home again, and has killed the suitors who were giving so much trouble in his house, eating up his estate and ill-treating his son." "My good nurse," answered Penelope, "you must be mad.
Homeric Greek
"μαῖα φίλη, μάργην σε θεοὶ θέσαν, οἵ τε δύνανται
ἄφρονα ποιῆσαι καὶ ἐπίφρονά περ μάλ' ἐόντα,
καί τε χαλιφρονέοντα σαοφροσύνης ἐπέβησαν:
οἵ σέ περ ἔβλαψαν: πρὶν δὲ φρένας αἰσίμη ἦσθα.
15τίπτε με λωβεύεις πολυπενθέα θυμὸν ἔχουσαν
Transliteration
"maia philē, margēn se theoi thesan, hoi te dynantai
aphrona poiēsai kai epiphrona per mal' eonta,
kai te chaliphroneonta saophrosynēs epebēsan:
hoi se per eblapsan: prin de phrenas aisimē ēstha.
15tipte me lōbeueis polypenthea thymon echousan
English
The gods sometimes send some very sensible people out of their minds, and make foolish people become sensible. This is what they must have been doing to you; for you always used to be a reasonable person.
Homeric Greek
ταῦτα παρὲξ ἐρέουσα καὶ ἐξ ὕπνου μ' ἀνεγείρεις
ἡδέος, ὅς μ' ἐπέδησε φίλα βλέφαρ' ἀμφικαλύψας;
οὐ γάρ πω τοιόνδε κατέδραθον, ἐξ οὗ Ὀδυσσεὺς
ᾤχετ' ἐποψόμενος Κακοί̈λιον οὐκ ὀνομαστήν.
20ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν κατάβηθι καὶ ἂψ ἔρχευ μέγαρόνδε.
Transliteration
tauta parex ereousa kai ex hypnou m' anegeireis
hēdeos, hos m' epedēse phila blephar' amphikalypsas;
ou gar pō toionde katedrathon, ex hou Odysseus
ōichet' epopsomenos Kakoïlion ouk onomastēn.
20all' age nyn katabēthi kai aps ercheu megaronde.
English
Why should you thus mock me when I have trouble enough already - talking such nonsense, and waking me up out of a sweet sleep that had taken possession of my eyes and closed them? I have never slept so soundly from the day my poor husband went to that city with the ill-omened name.
Homeric Greek
εἰ γάρ τίς μ' ἄλλη γε γυναικῶν, αἵ μοι ἔασι,
ταῦτ' ἐλθοῦσ' ἤγγειλε καὶ ἐξ ὕπνου ἀνέγειρεν,
τῷ κε τάχα στυγερῶς μιν ἐγὼν ἀπέπεμψα νέεσθαι
αὖτις ἔσω μέγαρον: σὲ δὲ τοῦτό γε γῆρας ὀνήσει."
25τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια:
Transliteration
ei gar tis m' allē ge gynaikōn, hai moi easi,
taut' elthous' ēngeile kai ex hypnou anegeiren,
tōi ke tacha stygerōs min egōn apepempsa neesthai
autis esō megaron: se de touto ge gēras onēsei."
25tēn d' aute proseeipe philē trophos Eurykleia:
English
Go back again into the women's room; if it had been any one else, who had woke me up to bring me such absurd news I should have sent her away with a severe scolding. As it is, your age shall protect you." "My dear child," answered Eurykleia, "I am not mocking you.
Homeric Greek
"οὔ τί σε λωβεύω, τέκνον φίλον, ἀλλ' ἔτυμόν τοι
ἦλθ' Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ὡς ἀγορεύω,
ὁ ξεῖνος, τὸν πάντες ἀτίμων ἐν μεγάροισι.
Τηλέμαχος δ' ἄρα μιν πάλαι ᾔδεεν ἔνδον ἐόντα,
30ἀλλὰ σαοφροσύνῃσι νοήματα πατρὸς ἔκευθεν,
Transliteration
"ou ti se lōbeuō, teknon philon, all' etymon toi
ēlth' Odyseus kai oikon hikanetai, hōs agoreuō,
ho xeinos, ton pantes atimōn en megaroisi.
Tēlemachos d' ara min palai ēideen endon eonta,
30alla saophrosynēisi noēmata patros ekeuthen,
English
It is quite true as I tell you that Odysseus is come home again. He was the stranger whom they all kept on treating so badly in the room. Telemakhos knew all the time that he was come back, but kept his father's secret that he
Homeric Greek
ὄφρ' ἀνδρῶν τίσαιτο βίην ὑπερηνορεόντων."
ὣς ἔφαθ', ἡ δ' ἐχάρη καὶ ἀπὸ λέκτροιο θοροῦσα
γρηὶ̈ περιπλέχθη, βλεφάρων δ' ἀπὸ δάκρυον ἧκεν:
καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
35"εἰ δ' ἄγε δή μοι, μαῖα φίλη, νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες,
Transliteration
ophr' andrōn tisaito biēn hyperēnoreontōn."
hōs ephath', hē d' echarē kai apo lektroio thorousa
grēï periplechthē, blepharōn d' apo dakryon hēken:
kai min phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:
35"ei d' age dē moi, maia philē, nēmertes enispes,
English
might have his revenge on all these wicked people. Then Penelope sprang up from her couch, threw her arms round Eurykleia, and wept for joy. "But my dear nurse," said she, "explain this to me;
Homeric Greek
εἰ ἐτεὸν δὴ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,
ὅππως δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφῆκε
μοῦνος ἐών, οἱ δ' αἰὲν ἀολλέες ἔνδον ἔμιμνον."
τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια:
40"οὐκ ἴδον, οὐ πυθόμην, ἀλλὰ στόνον οἶον ἄκουσα
Transliteration
ei eteon dē oikon hikanetai, hōs agoreueis,
hoppōs dē mnēstērsin anaidesi cheiras ephēke
mounos eōn, hoi d' aien aollees endon emimnon."
tēn d' aute proseeipe philē trophos Eurykleia:
40"ouk idon, ou pythomēn, alla stonon oion akousa
English
if he has really come home as you say, how did he manage to overcome the wicked suitors single handed, seeing what a number of them there always were?" "I was not there," answered Eurykleia, "and do not know; I only heard them groaning while they were being killed.
Homeric Greek
κτεινομένων: ἡμεῖς δὲ μυχῷ θαλάμων εὐπήκτων
ἥμεθ' ἀτυζόμεναι, σανίδες δ' ἔχον εὖ ἀραρυῖαι,
πρίν γ' ὅτε δή με σὸς υἱὸς ἀπὸ μεγάροιο κάλεσσε
Τηλέμαχος: τὸν γάρ ῥα πατὴρ προέηκε καλέσσαι.
45εὗρον ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆα μετὰ κταμένοισι νέκυσσιν
Transliteration
kteinomenōn: hēmeis de mychōi thalamōn eupēktōn
hēmeth' atyzomenai, sanides d' echon eu araruiai,
prin g' hote dē me sos huios apo megaroio kalesse
Tēlemachos: ton gar rha patēr proeēke kalessai.
45heuron epeit' Odysēa meta ktamenoisi nekyssin
English
We sat crouching and huddled up in a corner of the women's room with the doors closed, till your son came to fetch me because his father sent him. Then I found Odysseus standing over the corpses that were lying on the ground all round him, one on top of the other.
Homeric Greek
ἑσταόθ': οἱ δέ μιν ἀμφί, κραταίπεδον οὖδας ἔχοντες,
κείατ' ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν: ἰδοῦσά κε θυμὸν ἰάνθης.
νῦν δ' οἱ μὲν δὴ πάντες ἐπ' αὐλείῃσι θύρῃσιν
ἀθρόοι, αὐτὰρ ὁ δῶμα θεειοῦται περικαλλές,
50πῦρ μέγα κηάμενος: σὲ δέ με προέηκε καλέσσαι.
Transliteration
hestaoth': hoi de min amphi, krataipedon oudas echontes,
keiat' ep' allēloisin: idousa ke thymon ianthēs.
nyn d' hoi men dē pantes ep' auleiēisi thyrēisin
athrooi, autar ho dōma theeioutai perikalles,
50pyr mega kēamenos: se de me proeēke kalessai.
English
You would have enjoyed it if you could have seen him standing there all bespattered with blood and filth, and looking just like a lion. But the corpses are now all piled up in the gatehouse that is in the outer court, and Odysseus has lit a great fire to purify the house with sulfur.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἕπευ, ὄφρα σφῶϊν ἐϋφροσύνης ἐπιβῆτον
ἀμφοτέρω φίλον ἦτορ, ἐπεὶ κακὰ πολλὰ πέποσθε.
νῦν δ' ἤδη τόδε μακρὸν ἐέλδωρ ἐκτετέλεσται:
ἦλθε μὲν αὐτὸς ζωὸς ἐφέστιος, εὗρε δὲ καὶ σὲ
55καὶ παῖδ' ἐν μεγάροισι: κακῶς δ' οἵ πέρ μιν ἔρεζον
Transliteration
all' hepeu, ophra sphōïn eÿphrosynēs epibēton
amphoterō philon ētor, epei kaka polla peposthe.
nyn d' ēdē tode makron eeldōr ektetelestai:
ēlthe men autos zōos ephestios, heure de kai se
55kai paid' en megaroisi: kakōs d' hoi per min erezon
English
He has sent me to call you, so come with me that you may both be happy together after all; for now at last the desire of your heart has been fulfilled; your husband is come home to find both wife and son alive and well,
Homeric Greek
μνηστῆρες, τοὺς πάντας ἐτίσατο ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ."
τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
"μαῖα φίλη, μή πω μέγ' ἐπεύχεο καγχαλόωσα.
οἶσθα γὰρ ὥς κ' ἀσπαστὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισι φανείη
60πᾶσι, μάλιστα δ' ἐμοί τε καὶ υἱέϊ, τὸν τεκόμεσθα:
Transliteration
mnēstēres, tous pantas etisato hōi eni oikōi."
tēn d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
"maia philē, mē pō meg' epeucheo kanchaloōsa.
oistha gar hōs k' aspastos eni megaroisi phaneiē
60pasi, malista d' emoi te kai huieï, ton tekomestha:
English
and to take his revenge in his own house on the suitors who behaved so badly to him." "‘My dear nurse," said Penelope, "do not exult too confidently over all this. You know how delighted every one would be to see Odysseus come home - more particularly myself, and the son who has been born to both of us;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' οὐκ ἔσθ' ὅδε μῦθος ἐτήτυμος, ὡς ἀγορεύεις,
ἀλλά τις ἀθανάτων κτεῖνε μνηστῆρας ἀγαυούς,
ὕβριν ἀγασσάμενος θυμαλγέα καὶ κακὰ ἔργα.
οὔ τινα γὰρ τίεσκον ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων,
65οὐ κακὸν οὐδὲ μὲν ἐσθλόν, ὅτις σφέας εἰσαφίκοιτο:
Transliteration
all' ouk esth' hode mythos etētymos, hōs agoreueis,
alla tis athanatōn kteine mnēstēras agauous,
hybrin agassamenos thymalgea kai kaka erga.
ou tina gar tieskon epichthoniōn anthrōpōn,
65ou kakon oude men esthlon, hotis spheas eisaphikoito:
English
but what you tell me cannot be really true. It is some god who is angry with the suitors for their great wickedness, and has made an end of them; for they respected no man in the whole world, neither rich nor poor, who came near them, who came
Homeric Greek
τῷ δι' ἀτασθαλίας ἔπαθον κακόν: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
ὤλεσε τηλοῦ νόστον Ἀχαιί̈δος, ὤλετο δ' αὐτός."
τὴν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια:
"τέκνον ἐμόν, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων,
70ἣ πόσιν ἔνδον ἐόντα παρ' ἐσχάρῃ οὔ ποτ' ἔφησθα
Transliteration
tōi di' atasthalias epathon kakon: autar Odysseus
ōlese tēlou noston Achaiïdos, ōleto d' autos."
tēn d' ēmeibet' epeita philē trophos Eurykleia:
"teknon emon, poion se epos phygen herkos odontōn,
70hē posin endon eonta par' escharēi ou pot' ephēstha
English
near them, and they have come to a bad end in consequence of their iniquity. Odysseus is dead far away from the Achaean land; he will never return home again." Then nurse Eurykleia said, "My child, what are you talking about?
Homeric Greek
οἴκαδ' ἐλεύσεσθαι: θυμὸς δέ τοι αἰὲν ἄπιστος.
ἀλλ' ἄγε τοι καὶ σῆμα ἀριφραδὲς ἄλλο τι εἴπω,
οὐλήν, τήν ποτέ μιν σῦς ἤλασε λευκῷ ὀδόντι.
τὴν ἀπονίζουσα φρασάμην, ἔθελον δὲ σοὶ αὐτῇ
75εἰπέμεν: ἀλλά με κεῖνος ἑλὼν ἐπὶ μάστακα χερσὶν
Transliteration
oikad' eleusesthai: thymos de toi aien apistos.
all' age toi kai sēma ariphrades allo ti eipō,
oulēn, tēn pote min sys ēlase leukōi odonti.
tēn aponizousa phrasamēn, ethelon de soi autēi
75eipemen: alla me keinos helōn epi mastaka chersin
English
But you were all hard of belief and have made up your mind that your husband is never coming, although he is in the house and by his own fire side at this very moment. Besides I can give you another proof ; when I was washing him I perceived the scar which the wild boar gave him, and I wanted to tell
Homeric Greek
οὐκ ἔα εἰπέμεναι πολυϊδρείῃσι νόοιο.
ἀλλ' ἕπευ: αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐμέθεν περιδώσομαι αὐτῆς,
αἴ κέν σ' ἐξαπάφω, κτεῖναί μ' οἰκτίστῳ ὀλέθρῳ."
τὴν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
80"μαῖα φίλη, χαλεπόν σε θεῶν αἰειγενετάων
Transliteration
ouk ea eipemenai polyïdreiēisi nooio.
all' hepeu: autar egōn emethen peridōsomai autēs,
ai ken s' exapaphō, kteinai m' oiktistōi olethrōi."
tēn d' ēmeibet' epeita periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
80"maia philē, chalepon se theōn aieigenetaōn
English
you about it, but in his wisdom he would not let me, and clapped his hands over my mouth; so come with me and I will make this bargain with you - if I am deceiving you, you may have me killed by the cruelest death you can think of." "My dear nurse," said Penelope, "however wise you may be you can hardly fathom the counsels of the gods.
Homeric Greek
δήνεα εἴρυσθαι, μὰλα περ πολύϊδριν ἐοῦσαν.
ἀλλ' ἔμπης ἴομεν μετὰ παῖδ' ἐμόν, ὄφρα ἴδωμαι
ἄνδρας μνηστῆρας τεθνηότας, ἠδ' ὃς ἔπεφνεν."
ὣς φαμένη κατέβαιν' ὑπερώϊα: πολλὰ δέ οἱ κῆρ
85ὥρμαιν', ἢ ἀπάνευθε φίλον πόσιν ἐξερεείνοι,
Transliteration
dēnea eirysthai, mala per polyïdrin eousan.
all' empēs iomen meta paid' emon, ophra idōmai
andras mnēstēras tethnēotas, ēd' hos epephnen."
hōs phamenē katebain' hyperōïa: polla de hoi kēr
85hōrmain', ē apaneuthe philon posin exereeinoi,
English
Nevertheless, we will go in search of my son, that I may see the corpses of the suitors, and the man who has killed them." On this she came down from her upper room, and while doing
Homeric Greek
ἦ παρστᾶσα κύσειε κάρη καὶ χεῖρε λαβοῦσα.
ἡ δ' ἐπεὶ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ὑπέρβη λάϊνον οὐδόν,
ἕζετ' ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆος ἐναντίη, ἐν πυρὸς αὐγῇ,
τοίχου τοῦ ἑτέρου: ὁ δ' ἄρα πρὸς κίονα μακρὴν
90ἧστο κάτω ὁρόων, ποτιδέγμενος εἴ τί μιν εἴποι
Transliteration
ē parstasa kyseie karē kai cheire labousa.
hē d' epei eisēlthen kai hyperbē laïnon oudon,
hezet' epeit' Odysēos enantiē, en pyros augēi,
toichou tou heterou: ho d' ara pros kiona makrēn
90hēsto katō horoōn, potidegmenos ei ti min eipoi
English
so she considered whether she should keep at a distance from her husband and question him, or whether she should at once go up to him and embrace him. When, however, she had crossed the stone floor of the room, she sat down opposite Odysseus by the fire, against the wall at right angles to that by which she had entered,
Homeric Greek
ἰφθίμη παράκοιτις, ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν.
ἡ δ' ἄνεω δὴν ἧστο, τάφος δέ οἱ ἦτορ ἵκανεν:
ὄψει δ' ἄλλοτε μέν μιν ἐνωπαδίως ἐσίδεσκεν,
ἄλλοτε δ' ἀγνώσασκε κακὰ χροὶ̈ εἵματ' ἔχοντα.
95Τηλέμαχος δ' ἐνένιπεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαξε:
Transliteration
iphthimē parakoitis, epei iden ophthalmoisin.
hē d' aneō dēn hēsto, taphos de hoi ētor hikanen:
opsei d' allote men min enōpadiōs esidesken,
allote d' agnōsaske kaka chroï heimat' echonta.
95Tēlemachos d' enenipen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaxe:
English
while Odysseus sat near one of the bearing-posts, looking upon the ground, and waiting to see what his wife would say to him when she saw him. For a long time she sat silent and as one lost in amazement. At one moment she looked him full in the face, but then again directly, she was misled by his shabby clothes and
Homeric Greek
"μῆτερ ἐμή, δύσμητερ, ἀπηνέα θυμὸν ἔχουσα,
τίφθ' οὕτω πατρὸς νοσφίζεαι, οὐδὲ παρ' αὐτὸν
ἑζομένη μύθοισιν ἀνείρεαι οὐδὲ μεταλλᾷς;
οὐ μέν κ' ἄλλη γ' ὧδε γυνὴ τετληότι θυμῷ
100ἀνδρὸς ἀφεσταίη, ὅς οἱ κακὰ πολλὰ μογήσας
Transliteration
"mēter emē, dysmēter, apēnea thymon echousa,
tiphth' houtō patros nosphizeai, oude par' auton
hezomenē mythoisin aneireai oude metallāis;
ou men k' allē g' hōde gynē tetlēoti thymōi
100andros aphestaiē, hos hoi kaka polla mogēsas
English
failed to recognize him, till Telemakhos began to reproach her and said: "Mother - but you are so hard that I cannot call you by such a name - why do you keep away from my father in this way? Why do you not sit by his side and begin talking to him and asking him questions?
Homeric Greek
ἔλθοι ἐεικοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν:
σοὶ δ' αἰεὶ κραδίη στερεωτέρη ἐστὶ λίθοιο."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
"τέκνον ἐμόν, θυμός μοι ἐνὶ στήθεσσι τέθηπεν,
105οὐδέ τι προσφάσθαι δύναμαι ἔπος οὐδ' ἐρέεσθαι
Transliteration
elthoi eeikostōi eteï es patrida gaian:
soi d' aiei kradiē stereōterē esti lithoio."
ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
"teknon emon, thymos moi eni stēthessi tethēpen,
105oude ti prosphasthai dynamai epos oud' ereesthai
English
No other woman could bear to keep away from her husband when he had come back to her after twenty years of absence, and after having gone through so much; but your heart always was as hard as a stone." Penelope answered, "My son, I am so lost in astonishment that I can find no words in which either to ask questions or to answer them.
Homeric Greek
οὐδ' εἰς ὦπα ἰδέσθαι ἐναντίον. εἰ δ' ἐτεὸν δὴ
ἔστ' Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ οἶκον ἱκάνεται, ἦ μάλα νῶϊ
γνωσόμεθ' ἀλλήλων καὶ λώϊον: ἔστι γὰρ ἡμῖν
σήμαθ', ἃ δὴ καὶ νῶϊ κεκρυμμένα ἴδμεν ἀπ' ἄλλων."
110ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
Transliteration
oud' eis ōpa idesthai enantion. ei d' eteon dē
est' Odyseus kai oikon hikanetai, ē mala nōï
gnōsometh' allēlōn kai lōïon: esti gar hēmin
sēmath', ha dē kai nōï kekrymmena idmen ap' allōn."
110hōs phato, meidēsen de polytlas dios Odysseus,
English
I cannot even look him straight in the face. Still, if he really is Odysseus come back to his own home again, we shall get to understand one another better by and by, for there are tokens with which we two are alone acquainted, and which are hidden from all others."
Homeric Greek
αἶψα δὲ Τηλέμαχον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"Τηλέμαχ', ἦ τοι μητέρ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔασον
πειράζειν ἐμέθεν: τάχα δὲ φράσεται καὶ ἄρειον.
νῦν δ' ὅττι ῥυπόω, κακὰ δὲ χροὶ̈ εἵματα εἷμαι,
115τοὔνεκ' ἀτιμάζει με καὶ οὔ πω φησὶ τὸν εἶναι.
Transliteration
aipsa de Tēlemachon epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"Tēlemach', ē toi mēter' eni megaroisin eason
peirazein emethen: tacha de phrasetai kai areion.
nyn d' hotti rhypoō, kaka de chroï heimata heimai,
115tounek' atimazei me kai ou pō phēsi ton einai.
English
Odysseus smiled at this, and said to Telemakhos, "Let your mother put me to any proof she likes; she will make up her mind about it presently. She rejects me for the moment and believes me to be somebody else, because I am covered with dirt and have such bad clothes on;
Homeric Greek
ἡμεῖς δὲ φραζώμεθ' ὅπως ὄχ' ἄριστα γένηται.
καὶ γάρ τίς θ' ἕνα φῶτα κατακτείνας ἐνὶ δήμῳ,
ᾧ μὴ πολλοὶ ἔωσιν ἀοσσητῆρες ὀπίσσω,
φεύγει πηούς τε προλιπὼν καὶ πατρίδα γαῖαν:
120ἡμεῖς δ' ἕρμα πόληος ἀπέκταμεν, οἳ μέγ' ἄριστοι
Transliteration
hēmeis de phrazōmeth' hopōs och' arista genētai.
kai gar tis th' hena phōta katakteinas eni dēmōi,
hōi mē polloi eōsin aossētēres opissō,
pheugei pēous te prolipōn kai patrida gaian:
120hēmeis d' herma polēos apektamen, hoi meg' aristoi
English
let us, however, consider what we had better do next. When one man has killed another in a dêmos, even though he was not one who would leave many friends to take up his quarrel, the man who has killed him must still say good bye to his friends and flee the country;
Homeric Greek
κούρων εἰν Ἰθάκῃ: τὰ δέ σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα."
τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"αὐτὸς ταῦτά γε λεῦσσε, πάτερ φίλε: σὴν γὰρ ἀρίστην
μῆτιν ἐπ' ἀνθρώπους φάσ' ἔμμεναι, οὐδέ κέ τίς τοι
125ἄλλος ἀνὴρ ἐρίσειε καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπων.
Transliteration
kourōn ein Ithakēi: ta de se phrazesthai anōga."
ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:
"autos tauta ge leusse, pater phile: sēn gar aristēn
mētin ep' anthrōpous phas' emmenai, oude ke tis toi
125allos anēr eriseie katathnētōn anthrōpōn.
English
whereas we have been killing the stay of a whole city, and all the picked youth of Ithaca. I would have you consider this matter." "Look to it yourself, father," answered Telemakhos, "for they say you are the wisest counselor in the world, and that there is no other mortal man who can compare with you.
Homeric Greek
ἡμεῖς δ' ἐμμεμαῶτες ἅμ' ἑψόμεθ', οὐδέ τί φημι
ἀλκῆς δευήσεσθαι, ὅση δύναμίς γε πάρεστιν."
τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς
"τοιγὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω ὥς μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι ἄριστα.
130πρῶτα μὲν ἂρ λούσασθε καὶ ἀμφιέσασθε χιτῶνας,
Transliteration
hēmeis d' emmemaōtes ham' hepsometh', oude ti phēmi
alkēs deuēsesthai, hosē dynamis ge parestin."
ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus
"toigar egōn ereō hōs moi dokei einai arista.
130prōta men ar lousasthe kai amphiesasthe chitōnas,
English
We will follow you with right good will, nor shall you find us fail you in so far as our strength holds out." "I will say what I think will be best," answered Odysseus. "First wash and put your shirts on;
Homeric Greek
δμῳὰς δ' ἐν μεγάροισιν ἀνώγετε εἵμαθ' ἑλέσθαι:
αὐτὰρ θεῖος ἀοιδὸς ἔχων φόρμιγγα λίγειαν
ἡμῖν ἡγείσθω φιλοπαίγμονος ὀρχηθμοῖο,
ὥς κέν τις φαίη γάμον ἔμμεναι ἐκτὸς ἀκούων,
135ἢ ἀν' ὁδὸν στείχων, ἢ οἳ περιναιετάουσι:
Transliteration
dmōias d' en megaroisin anōgete heimath' helesthai:
autar theios aoidos echōn phorminga ligeian
hēmin hēgeisthō philopaigmonos orchēthmoio,
hōs ken tis phaiē gamon emmenai ektos akouōn,
135ē an' hodon steichōn, ē hoi perinaietaousi:
English
tell the maids also to go to their own room and dress; Phemios shall then strike up a dance tune on his lyre, so that if people outside hear, or any of the neighbors, or some one going along the street happens to notice it, they may think there
Homeric Greek
μὴ πρόσθε κλέος εὐρὺ φόνου κατὰ ἄστυ γένηται
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, πρίν γ' ἡμέας ἐλθέμεν ἔξω
ἀγρὸν ἐς ἡμέτερον πολυδένδρεον: ἔνθα δ' ἔπειτα
φρασσόμεθ' ὅττι κε κέρδος Ὀλύμπιος ἐγγυαλίξῃ."
140ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδ' ἐπίθοντο
Transliteration
mē prosthe kleos eury phonou kata asty genētai
andrōn mnēstērōn, prin g' hēmeas elthemen exō
agron es hēmeteron polydendreon: entha d' epeita
phrassometh' hotti ke kerdos Olympios engyalixēi."
140hōs ephath', hoi d' ara tou mala men klyon ēd' epithonto
English
is a wedding in the house, and no rumors about the death of the suitors will get about in the town, before we can escape to the woods upon my own land. Once there, we will settle which of the courses of action heaven grants us shall seem wisest."
Homeric Greek
πρῶτα μὲν οὖν λούσαντο καὶ ἀμφιέσαντο χιτῶνας,
ὅπλισθεν δὲ γυναῖκες: ὁ δ' εἵλετο θεῖος ἀοιδὸς
φόρμιγγα γλαφυρήν, ἐν δέ σφισιν ἵμερον ὦρσε
μολπῆς τε γλυκερῆς καὶ ἀμύμονος ὀρχηθμοῖο.
145τοῖσιν δὲ μέγα δῶμα περιστεναχίζετο ποσσὶν
Transliteration
prōta men oun lousanto kai amphiesanto chitōnas,
hoplisthen de gynaikes: ho d' heileto theios aoidos
phorminga glaphyrēn, en de sphisin himeron ōrse
molpēs te glykerēs kai amymonos orchēthmoio.
145toisin de mega dōma peristenachizeto possin
English
Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said. First they washed and put their shirts on, while the women got ready. Then Phemios took his lyre and set them all longing for sweet song and stately dance.
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν παιζόντων καλλιζώνων τε γυναικῶν.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε δόμων ἔκτοσθεν ἀκούων:
"ἦ μάλα δή τις ἔγημε πολυμνήστην βασίλειαν:
σχετλίη, οὐδ' ἔτλη πόσιος οὗ κουριδίοιο
150εἴρυσθαι μέγα δῶμα διαμπερές, ἧος ἵκοιτο."
Transliteration
andrōn paizontōn kallizōnōn te gynaikōn.
hōde de tis eipeske domōn ektosthen akouōn:
"ē mala dē tis egēme polymnēstēn basileian:
schetliē, oud' etlē posios hou kouridioio
150eirysthai mega dōma diamperes, hēos hikoito."
English
The house re-echoed with the sound of men and women dancing, and the people outside said, "I suppose the queen has been getting married at last.
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρα τις εἴπεσκε, τὰ δ' οὐκ ἴσαν ὡς ἐτέτυκτο.
αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆα μεγαλήτορα ᾧ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
Εὐρυνόμη ταμίη λοῦσεν καὶ χρῖσεν ἐλαίῳ,
ἀμφὶ δέ μιν φᾶρος καλὸν βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνα:
155αὐτὰρ κὰκ κεφαλῆς κάλλος πολὺ χεῦεν Ἀθήνη
Transliteration
hōs ara tis eipeske, ta d' ouk isan hōs etetykto.
autar Odyssēa megalētora hōi eni oikōi
Eurynomē tamiē lousen kai chrisen elaiōi,
amphi de min pharos kalon balen ēde chitōna:
155autar kak kephalēs kallos poly cheuen Athēnē
English
She ought to be ashamed of herself for not continuing to protect her husband's property until he comes home." This was what they said, but they did not know what it was that had been happening. The upper servant Eurynome washed and anointed Odysseus in his own house and gave him a shirt and cloak, while Athena made him look taller and stronger than before;
Homeric Greek
μείζονά τ' εἰσιδέειν καὶ πάσσονα: κὰδ δὲ κάρητος
οὔλας ἧκε κόμας, ὑακινθίνῳ ἄνθει ὁμοίας.
ὡς δ' ὅτε τις χρυσὸν περιχεύεται ἀργύρῳ ἀνὴρ
ἴδρις, ὃν Ἥφαιστος δέδαεν καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη
160τέχνην παντοίην, χαρίεντα δὲ ἔργα τελείει:
Transliteration
meizona t' eisideein kai passona: kad de karētos
oulas hēke komas, hyakinthinōi anthei homoias.
hōs d' hote tis chryson pericheuetai argyrōi anēr
idris, hon Hēphaistos dedaen kai Pallas Athēnē
160technēn pantoiēn, charienta de erga teleiei:
English
she also made the hair grow thick on the top of his head, and flow down in curls like hyacinth blossoms; she shed kharis about his head and shoulders just as a skillful workman who has studied art of all kinds under Hephaistos or Athena -
Homeric Greek
ὣς μὲν τῷ περίχευε χάριν κεφαλῇ τε καὶ ὤμοις.
ἐκ δ' ἀσαμίνθου βῆ δέμας ἀθανάτοισιν ὁμοῖος:
ἂψ δ' αὖτις κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετ' ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη,
ἀντίον ἧς ἀλόχου, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:
165"δαιμονίη, περί σοί γε γυναικῶν θηλυτεράων
Transliteration
hōs men tōi pericheue charin kephalēi te kai ōmois.
ek d' asaminthou bē demas athanatoisin homoios:
aps d' autis kat' ar' hezet' epi thronou enthen anestē,
antion hēs alochou, kai min pros mython eeipe:
165"daimoniē, peri soi ge gynaikōn thēlyteraōn
English
and his work is full of kharis - enriches a piece of silver plate by gilding it. He came from the bath looking like one of the immortals, and sat down opposite his wife on the seat he had left.
Homeric Greek
κῆρ ἀτέραμνον ἔθηκαν Ὀλύμπια δώματ' ἔχοντες:
οὐ μέν κ' ἄλλη γ' ὧδε γυνὴ τετληότι θυμῷ
ἀνδρὸς ἀφεσταίη, ὅς οἱ κακὰ πολλὰ μογήσας
ἔλθοι ἐεικοστῷ ἔτεϊ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.
170ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι, μαῖα, στόρεσον λέχος, ὄφρα καὶ αὐτὸς
Transliteration
kēr ateramnon ethēkan Olympia dōmat' echontes:
ou men k' allē g' hōde gynē tetlēoti thymōi
andros aphestaiē, hos hoi kaka polla mogēsas
elthoi eeikostōi eteï es patrida gaian.
170all' age moi, maia, storeson lechos, ophra kai autos
English
"My dear," said he, "heaven has endowed you with a heart more unyielding than woman ever yet had. No other woman could bear to keep away from her husband when he had come back to her after twenty years of absence, and after having gone through so much.
Homeric Greek
λέξομαι: ἦ γὰρ τῇ γε σιδήρεον ἐν φρεσὶ ἦτορ."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
"δαιμόνι', οὔτ' ἄρ τι μεγαλίζομαι οὔτ' ἀθερίζω
οὔτε λίην ἄγαμαι, μάλα δ' εὖ οἶδ' οἷος ἔησθα
175ἐξ Ἰθάκης ἐπὶ νηὸς ἰὼν δολιχηρέτμοιο.
Transliteration
lexomai: ē gar tēi ge sidēreon en phresi ētor."
ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
"daimoni', out' ar ti megalizomai out' atherizō
oute liēn agamai, mala d' eu oid' hoios eēstha
175ex Ithakēs epi nēos iōn dolichēretmoio.
English
But come, nurse, get a bed ready for me; I will sleep alone, for this woman has a heart as hard as iron." "My dear," answered Penelope, "I have no wish to set myself up, nor to depreciate you;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγε οἱ στόρεσον πυκινὸν λέχος, Εὐρύκλεια,
ἐκτὸς ἐϋσταθέος θαλάμου, τόν ῥ' αὐτὸς ἐποίει:
ἔνθα οἱ ἐκθεῖσαι πυκινὸν λέχος ἐμβάλετ' εὐνήν,
κώεα καὶ χλαίνας καὶ ῥήγεα σιγαλόεντα."
180ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη πόσιος πειρωμένη: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
all' age hoi storeson pykinon lechos, Eurykleia,
ektos eÿstatheos thalamou, ton rh' autos epoiei:
entha hoi ektheisai pykinon lechos embalet' eunēn,
kōea kai chlainas kai rhēgea sigaloenta."
180hōs ar' ephē posios peirōmenē: autar Odysseus
English
but I am not struck by your appearance, for I very well remember what kind of a man you were when you set sail from Ithaca. Nevertheless, Eurykleia, take his bed outside the bed chamber that he himself built. Bring the bed outside this room, and put bedding upon it with fleeces, good coverlets, and blankets."
Homeric Greek
ὀχθήσας ἄλοχον προσεφώνεε κεδνὰ ἰδυῖαν:
"ὦ γύναι, ἦ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος θυμαλγὲς ἔειπες:
τίς δέ μοι ἄλλοσε θῆκε λέχος; χαλεπὸν δέ κεν εἴη
καὶ μάλ' ἐπισταμένῳ, ὅτε μὴ θεὸς αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼν
185ῥηϊδίως ἐθέλων θείη ἄλλῃ ἐνὶ χώρῃ.
Transliteration
ochthēsas alochon prosephōnee kedna iduian:
"ō gynai, ē mala touto epos thymalges eeipes:
tis de moi allose thēke lechos; chalepon de ken eiē
kai mal' epistamenōi, hote mē theos autos epelthōn
185rhēïdiōs ethelōn theiē allēi eni chōrēi.
English
She said this to try him, but Odysseus was very angry and said, "Wife, I am much displeased at what you have just been saying. Who has been taking my bed from the place in which I left it? He must have found it a hard task, no matter how skilled a workman he was, unless some god came and helped him to shift it.
Homeric Greek
ἀνδρῶν δ' οὔ κέν τις ζωὸς βροτός, οὐδὲ μάλ' ἡβῶν,
ῥεῖα μετοχλίσσειεν, ἐπεὶ μέγα σῆμα τέτυκται
ἐν λέχει ἀσκητῷ: τὸ δ' ἐγὼ κάμον οὐδέ τις ἄλλος.
θάμνος ἔφυ τανύφυλλος ἐλαίης ἕρκεος ἐντός,
190ἀκμηνὸς θαλέθων: πάχετος δ' ἦν ἠύ̈τε κίων.
Transliteration
andrōn d' ou ken tis zōos brotos, oude mal' hēbōn,
rheia metochlisseien, epei mega sēma tetyktai
en lechei askētōi: to d' egō kamon oude tis allos.
thamnos ephy tanyphyllos elaiēs herkeos entos,
190akmēnos thalethōn: pachetos d' ēn ēÿte kiōn.
English
There is no man living, however strong and in his prime, who could move it from its place. For it was wrought to be a great sign ; it is a marvelous curiosity which I made with my very own hands. There was a young olive growing within the precincts of the house, in full vigor, and about as thick as a bearing-post.
Homeric Greek
τῷ δ' ἐγὼ ἀμφιβαλὼν θάλαμον δέμον, ὄφρ' ἐτέλεσσα,
πυκνῇσιν λιθάδεσσι, καὶ εὖ καθύπερθεν ἔρεψα,
κολλητὰς δ' ἐπέθηκα θύρας, πυκινῶς ἀραρυίας.
καὶ τότ' ἔπειτ' ἀπέκοψα κόμην τανυφύλλου ἐλαίης,
195κορμὸν δ' ἐκ ῥίζης προταμὼν ἀμφέξεσα χαλκῷ
Transliteration
tōi d' egō amphibalōn thalamon demon, ophr' etelessa,
pyknēisin lithadessi, kai eu kathyperthen erepsa,
kollētas d' epethēka thyras, pykinōs araruias.
kai tot' epeit' apekopsa komēn tanyphyllou elaiēs,
195kormon d' ek rhizēs protamōn amphexesa chalkōi
English
I built my room round this with strong walls of stone and a roof to cover them, and I made the doors strong and well-fitting. Then I cut off the top boughs of the olive tree and left the stump standing. This I dressed roughly from the root upwards and then worked with carpenter's tools well
Homeric Greek
εὖ καὶ ἐπισταμένως, καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνα,
ἑρμῖν' ἀσκήσας, τέτρηνα δὲ πάντα τερέτρῳ.
ἐκ δὲ τοῦ ἀρχόμενος λέχος ἔξεον, ὄφρ' ἐτέλεσσα,
δαιδάλλων χρυσῷ τε καὶ ἀργύρῳ ἠδ' ἐλέφαντι:
200ἐκ δ' ἐτάνυσσα ἱμάντα βοὸς φοίνικι φαεινόν.
Transliteration
eu kai epistamenōs, kai epi stathmēn ithyna,
hermin' askēsas, tetrēna de panta teretrōi.
ek de tou archomenos lechos exeon, ophr' etelessa,
daidallōn chrysōi te kai argyrōi ēd' elephanti:
200ek d' etanyssa himanta boos phoiniki phaeinon.
English
and skillfully, straightening my work by drawing a line on the wood, and making it into a bed-prop. I then bored a hole down the middle, and made it the center-post of my bed, at which I worked till I had finished it, inlaying it with gold and silver;
Homeric Greek
οὕτω τοι τόδε σῆμα πιφαύσκομαι: οὐδέ τι οἶδα,
ἤ μοι ἔτ' ἔμπεδόν ἐστι, γύναι, λέχος, ἦέ τις ἤδη
ἀνδρῶν ἄλλοσε θῆκε, ταμὼν ὕπο πυθμέν' ἐλαίης."
ὣς φάτο, τῆς δ' αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ,
205σήματ' ἀναγνούσῃ τά οἱ ἔμπεδα πέφραδ' Ὀδυσσεύς:
Transliteration
houtō toi tode sēma piphauskomai: oude ti oida,
ē moi et' empedon esti, gynai, lechos, ēe tis ēdē
andrōn allose thēke, tamōn hypo pythmen' elaiēs."
hōs phato, tēs d' autou lyto gounata kai philon ētor,
205sēmat' anagnousēi ta hoi empeda pephrad' Odysseus:
English
after this I stretched a hide of crimson leather from one side of it to the other. So you see I know all about this sign, and I desire to learn whether it is still there, or whether any one has been removing it by cutting down the olive tree at its roots." When she heard the sure proofs Odysseus now gave her, she fairly broke down.
Homeric Greek
δακρύσασα δ' ἔπειτ' ἰθὺς δράμεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ χεῖρας
δειρῇ βάλλ' Ὀδυσῆϊ, κάρη δ' ἔκυσ' ἠδὲ προσηύδα:
"μή μοι, Ὀδυσσεῦ, σκύζευ, ἐπεὶ τά περ ἄλλα μάλιστα
ἀνθρώπων πέπνυσο: θεοὶ δ' ὤπαζον ὀϊζύν,
210οἳ νῶϊν ἀγάσαντο παρ' ἀλλήλοισι μένοντε
Transliteration
dakrysasa d' epeit' ithys dramen, amphi de cheiras
deirēi ball' Odysēï, karē d' ekys' ēde prosēuda:
"mē moi, Odysseu, skyzeu, epei ta per alla malista
anthrōpōn pepnyso: theoi d' ōpazon oïzyn,
210hoi nōïn agasanto par' allēloisi menonte
English
She flew weeping to his side, flung her arms about his neck, and kissed him. "Do not be angry with me Odysseus," she cried, "you, who are the wisest of humankind. We have suffered, both of us. Heaven has denied us the happiness of spending our youth, and of growing old, together;
Homeric Greek
ἥβης ταρπῆναι καὶ γήραος οὐδὸν ἱκέσθαι.
αὐτὰρ μὴ νῦν μοι τόδε χώεο μηδὲ νεμέσσα,
οὕνεκά σ' οὐ τὸ πρῶτον, ἐπεὶ ἴδον, ὧδ' ἀγάπησα.
αἰεὶ γάρ μοι θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισιν
215ἐρρίγει μή τίς με βροτῶν ἀπάφοιτο ἔπεσσιν
Transliteration
hēbēs tarpēnai kai gēraos oudon hikesthai.
autar mē nyn moi tode chōeo mēde nemessa,
houneka s' ou to prōton, epei idon, hōd' agapēsa.
aiei gar moi thymos eni stēthessi philoisin
215errigei mē tis me brotōn apaphoito epessin
English
do not then be aggrieved or take it amiss that I did not embrace you thus as soon as I saw you. I have been shuddering all the time through fear that someone might come here and deceive me with a lying story;
Homeric Greek
ἐλθών: πολλοὶ γὰρ κακὰ κέρδεα βουλεύουσιν.
οὐδέ κεν Ἀργείη Ἑλένη, Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα,
ἀνδρὶ παρ' ἀλλοδαπῷ ἐμίγη φιλότητι καὶ εὐνῇ,
εἰ ᾔδη ὅ μιν αὖτις ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν
220ἀξέμεναι οἶκόνδε φίλην ἐς πατρίδ' ἔμελλον.
Transliteration
elthōn: polloi gar kaka kerdea bouleuousin.
oude ken Argeiē Helenē, Dios ekgegauia,
andri par' allodapōi emigē philotēti kai eunēi,
ei ēidē ho min autis arēïoi huies Achaiōn
220axemenai oikonde philēn es patrid' emellon.
English
for there are many people who plan wicked schemes. Zeus’ daughter Helen would never have yielded herself to a man from a foreign country, if she had known that the sons of Achaeans would come after her and bring her back.
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' ἦ τοι ῥέξαι θεὸς ὤρορεν ἔργον ἀεικές:
τὴν δ' ἄτην οὐ πρόσθεν ἑῷ ἐγκάτθετο θυμῷ
λυγρήν, ἐξ ἧς πρῶτα καὶ ἡμέας ἵκετο πένθος.
νῦν δ', ἐπεὶ ἤδη σήματ' ἀριφραδέα κατέλεξας
225εὐνῆς ἡμετέρης, ἣν οὐ βροτὸς ἄλλος ὀπώπει,
Transliteration
tēn d' ē toi rhexai theos ōroren ergon aeikes:
tēn d' atēn ou prosthen heōi enkattheto thymōi
lygrēn, ex hēs prōta kai hēmeas hiketo penthos.
nyn d', epei ēdē sēmat' ariphradea katelexas
225eunēs hēmeterēs, hēn ou brotos allos opōpei,
English
Heaven put it in her heart to do wrong, and she gave no thought to that transgression, which has been the source of all our sorrows. Now, however, that you have convinced me by showing that you know all the proofs of our bed (which no human
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' οἶοι σύ τ' ἐγώ τε καὶ ἀμφίπολος μία μούνη,
Ἀκτορίς, ἥν μοι δῶκε πατὴρ ἔτι δεῦρο κιούσῃ,
ἣ νῶϊν εἴρυτο θύρας πυκινοῦ θαλάμοιο,
πείθεις δή μευ θυμόν, ἀπηνέα περ μάλ' ἐόντα."
230ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἔτι μᾶλλον ὑφ' ἵμερον ὦρσε γόοιο:
Transliteration
all' oioi sy t' egō te kai amphipolos mia mounē,
Aktoris, hēn moi dōke patēr eti deuro kiousēi,
hē nōïn eiryto thyras pykinou thalamoio,
peitheis dē meu thymon, apēnea per mal' eonta."
230hōs phato, tōi d' eti mallon hyph' himeron ōrse gooio:
English
being has ever seen but you and I and a single maid servant, the daughter of Aktor, who was given me by my father on my marriage, and who keeps the doors of our room), hard of belief though I have been, I can mistrust no longer."
Homeric Greek
κλαῖε δ' ἔχων ἄλοχον θυμαρέα, κεδνὰ ἰδυῖαν.
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἀσπάσιος γῆ νηχομένοισι φανήῃ,
ὧν τε Ποσειδάων εὐεργέα νῆ' ἐνὶ πόντῳ
ῥαίσῃ, ἐπειγομένην ἀνέμῳ καὶ κύματι πηγῷ:
235παῦροι δ' ἐξέφυγον πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἤπειρόνδε
Transliteration
klaie d' echōn alochon thymarea, kedna iduian.
hōs d' hot' an aspasios gē nēchomenoisi phanēēi,
hōn te Poseidaōn euergea nē' eni pontōi
rhaisēi, epeigomenēn anemōi kai kymati pēgōi:
235pauroi d' exephygon poliēs halos ēpeironde
English
Then Odysseus in his turn melted, and wept as he clasped his dear and faithful wife to his bosom. As the sight of land is welcome to men who are swimming towards the shore, when Poseidon has wrecked their ship with the fury of his winds and waves - a few
Homeric Greek
νηχόμενοι, πολλὴ δὲ περὶ χροὶ̈ τέτροφεν ἅλμη,
ἀσπάσιοι δ' ἐπέβαν γαίης, κακότητα φυγόντες:
ὣς ἄρα τῇ ἀσπαστὸς ἔην πόσις εἰσοροώσῃ,
δειρῆς δ' οὔ πω πάμπαν ἀφίετο πήχεε λευκώ.
240καί νύ κ' ὀδυρομένοισι φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
Transliteration
nēchomenoi, pollē de peri chroï tetrophen halmē,
aspasioi d' epeban gaiēs, kakotēta phygontes:
hōs ara tēi aspastos eēn posis eisoroōsēi,
deirēs d' ou pō pampan aphieto pēchee leukō.
240kai ny k' odyromenoisi phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,
English
alone reach the land, and these, covered with brine, are thankful when they find themselves on firm ground and out of danger - even so was her husband welcome to her as she looked upon him, and she could not tear her two fair arms from about his neck.
Homeric Greek
εἰ μὴ ἄρ' ἄλλ' ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.
νύκτα μὲν ἐν περάτῃ δολιχὴν σχέθεν, Ἠῶ δ' αὖτε
ῥύσατ' ἐπ' Ὠκεανῷ χρυσόθρονον, οὐδ' ἔα ἵππους
ζεύγνυσθ' ὠκύποδας, φάος ἀνθρώποισι φέροντας,
245Λάμπον καὶ Φαέθονθ', οἵ τ' Ἠῶ πῶλοι ἄγουσι.
Transliteration
ei mē ar' all' enoēse thea glaukōpis Athēnē.
nykta men en peratēi dolichēn schethen, Ēō d' aute
rhysat' ep' Ōkeanōi chrysothronon, oud' ea hippous
zeugnysth' ōkypodas, phaos anthrōpoisi pherontas,
245Lampon kai Phaethonth', hoi t' Ēō pōloi agousi.
English
Indeed they would have gone on indulging their sorrow till rosy-fingered morn appeared, had not Athena determined otherwise, and held night back in the far west, while she would not suffer Dawn to leave Okeanos, nor to yoke the two steeds Lampos and Phaethon that bear her onward to break the day upon humankind.
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότ' ἄρ' ἣν ἄλοχον προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς
"ὦ γύναι, οὐ γάρ πω πάντων ἐπὶ πείρατ' ἀέθλων
ἤλθομεν, ἀλλ' ἔτ' ὄπισθεν ἀμέτρητος πόνος ἔσται,
πολλὸς καὶ χαλεπός, τὸν ἐμὲ χρὴ πάντα τελέσσαι.
250ὣς γάρ μοι ψυχὴ μαντεύσατο Τειρεσίαο
Transliteration
kai tot' ar' hēn alochon prosephē polymētis Odysseus
"ō gynai, ou gar pō pantōn epi peirat' aethlōn
ēlthomen, all' et' opisthen ametrētos ponos estai,
pollos kai chalepos, ton eme chrē panta telessai.
250hōs gar moi psychē manteusato Teiresiao
English
At last, however, Odysseus said, "Wife, we have not yet reached the end of our trials. I have an unknown amount of toil still to undergo. It is long and difficult, but I must go through with it, for thus the shade
Homeric Greek
ἤματι τῷ ὅτε δὴ κατέβην δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω,
νόστον ἑταίροισιν διζήμενος ἠδ' ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ.
ἀλλ' ἔρχευ, λέκτρονδ' ἴομεν, γύναι, ὄφρα καὶ ἤδη
ὕπνῳ ὕπο γλυκερῷ ταρπώμεθα κοιμηθέντε."
255τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
Transliteration
ēmati tōi hote dē katebēn domon Aïdos eisō,
noston hetairoisin dizēmenos ēd' emoi autōi.
all' ercheu, lektrond' iomen, gynai, ophra kai ēdē
hypnōi hypo glykerōi tarpōmetha koimēthente."
255ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
English
of Teiresias prophesied concerning me, on the day when I went down into Hades to ask about my return and that of my companions. But now let us go to bed, that we may lie down and enjoy the blessed boon of sleep."
Homeric Greek
"εὐνὴ μὲν δή σοί γε τότ' ἔσσεται ὁππότε θυμῷ
σῷ ἐθέλῃς, ἐπεὶ ἄρ σε θεοὶ ποίησαν ἱκέσθαι
οἶκον ἐϋκτίμενον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν:
ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ ἐφράσθης καί τοι θεὸς ἔμβαλε θυμῷ,
260εἴπ' ἄγε μοι τὸν ἄεθλον, ἐπεὶ καὶ ὄπισθεν, ὀί̈ω,
Transliteration
"eunē men dē soi ge tot' essetai hoppote thymōi
sōi ethelēis, epei ar se theoi poiēsan hikesthai
oikon eÿktimenon kai sēn es patrida gaian:
all' epei ephrasthēs kai toi theos embale thymōi,
260eip' age moi ton aethlon, epei kai opisthen, oïō,
English
"You shall go to bed as soon as you please," replied Penelope, "now that the gods have sent you home to your own good house and to your country. But as heaven has put it in your mind to speak of it, tell me about the task that lies before you.
Homeric Greek
πεύσομαι, αὐτίκα δ' ἐστὶ δαήμεναι οὔ τι χέρειον."
τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
"δαιμονίη, τί τ' ἄρ' αὖ με μάλ' ὀτρύνουσα κελεύεις
εἰπέμεν; αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μυθήσομαι οὐδ' ἐπικεύσω.
265οὐ μέν τοι θυμὸς κεχαρήσεται: οὐδὲ γὰρ αὐτὸς
Transliteration
peusomai, autika d' esti daēmenai ou ti chereion."
tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
"daimoniē, ti t' ar' au me mal' otrynousa keleueis
eipemen; autar egō mythēsomai oud' epikeusō.
265ou men toi thymos kecharēsetai: oude gar autos
English
I shall have to hear about it later, so it is better that I should be told at once." "My dear," answered Odysseus, "why should you press me to tell you? Still, I will not conceal it from you, though you will not like it.
Homeric Greek
χαίρω, ἐπεὶ μάλα πολλὰ βροτῶν ἐπὶ ἄστε' ἄνωγεν
ἐλθεῖν, ἐν χείρεσσιν ἔχοντ' εὐῆρες ἐρετμόν,
εἰς ὅ κε τοὺς ἀφίκωμαι οἳ οὐκ ἴσασι θάλασσαν
ἀνέρες, οὐδέ θ' ἅλεσσι μεμιγμένον εἶδαρ ἔδουσιν:
270οὐδ' ἄρα τοί γ' ἴσασι νέας φοινικοπαρῄους,
Transliteration
chairō, epei mala polla brotōn epi aste' anōgen
elthein, en cheiressin echont' euēres eretmon,
eis ho ke tous aphikōmai hoi ouk isasi thalassan
aneres, oude th' halessi memigmenon eidar edousin:
270oud' ara toi g' isasi neas phoinikoparēious,
English
I do not like it myself, for Teiresias bade me travel far and wide, carrying an oar, till I came to a country where the people have never heard of the sea, and do not even mix salt with their food.
Homeric Greek
οὐδ' εὐήρε' ἐρετμά, τά τε πτερὰ νηυσὶ πέλονται.
σῆμα δέ μοι τόδ' ἔειπεν ἀριφραδές, οὐδέ σε κεύσω:
ὁππότε κεν δή μοι ξυμβλήμενος ἄλλος ὁδίτης
φήῃ ἀθηρηλοιγὸν ἔχειν ἀνὰ φαιδίμῳ ὤμῳ,
275καὶ τότε μ' ἐν γαίῃ πήξαντ' ἐκέλευεν ἐρετμόν,
Transliteration
oud' euēre' eretma, ta te ptera nēusi pelontai.
sēma de moi tod' eeipen ariphrades, oude se keusō:
hoppote ken dē moi xymblēmenos allos hoditēs
phēēi athērēloigon echein ana phaidimōi ōmōi,
275kai tote m' en gaiēi pēxant' ekeleuen eretmon,
English
They know nothing about ships, nor oars that are as the wings of a ship. He gave me this certain token which I will not hide from you. He said that a wayfarer should meet me and ask me whether it was a winnowing shovel that I had on my shoulder.
Homeric Greek
ἔρξανθ' ἱερὰ καλὰ Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι,
ἀρνειὸν ταῦρόν τε συῶν τ' ἐπιβήτορα κάπρον,
οἴκαδ' ἀποστείχειν, ἔρδειν θ' ἱερὰς ἑκατόμβας
ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι,
280πᾶσι μάλ' ἑξείης: θάνατος δέ μοι ἐξ ἁλὸς αὐτῷ
Transliteration
erxanth' hiera kala Poseidaōni anakti,
arneion tauron te syōn t' epibētora kapron,
oikad' aposteichein, erdein th' hieras hekatombas
athanatoisi theoisi, toi ouranon euryn echousi,
280pasi mal' hexeiēs: thanatos de moi ex halos autōi
English
On this, I was to fix my oar in the ground and sacrifice a ram, a bull, and a boar to Poseidon; after which I was to go home and offer hecatombs to all the gods in heaven, one after the other.
Homeric Greek
ἀβληχρὸς μάλα τοῖος ἐλεύσεται, ὅς κέ με πέφνῃ
γήρας ὕπο λιπαρῷ ἀρημένον: ἀμφὶ δὲ λαοὶ
ὄλβιοι ἔσσονται: τὰ δέ μοι φάτο πάντα τελεῖσθαι."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια:
285"εἰ μὲν δὴ γῆράς γε θεοὶ τελέουσιν ἄρειον,
Transliteration
ablēchros mala toios eleusetai, hos ke me pephnēi
gēras hypo liparōi arēmenon: amphi de laoi
olbioi essontai: ta de moi phato panta teleisthai."
ton d' aute proseeipe periphrōn Pēnelopeia:
285"ei men dē gēras ge theoi teleousin areion,
English
As for myself, he said that death should come to me from the sea, and that my life should ebb away very gently when I was full of years and peace of mind, and my people should be prosperous. All this, he said, should surely come to pass."
Homeric Greek
ἐλπωρή τοι ἔπειτα κακῶν ὑπάλυξιν ἔσεσθαι."
ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον:
τόφρα δ' ἄρ' Εὐρυνόμη τε ἰδὲ τροφὸς ἔντυον εὐνὴν
ἐσθῆτος μαλακῆς, δαί̈δων ὕπο λαμπομενάων.
290αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ στόρεσαν πυκινὸν λέχος ἐγκονέουσαι,
Transliteration
elpōrē toi epeita kakōn hypalyxin esesthai."
hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon:
tophra d' ar' Eurynomē te ide trophos entyon eunēn
esthētos malakēs, daïdōn hypo lampomenaōn.
290autar epei storesan pykinon lechos enkoneousai,
English
And Penelope said, "If the gods are going to grant you a happier time in your old age, you may hope then to have some respite from misfortune." Thus did they converse. Meanwhile Eurynome and the nurse took torches and made the bed ready with soft coverlets;
Homeric Greek
γρηὺ̈ς μὲν κείουσα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει,
τοῖσιν δ' Εὐρυνόμη θαλαμηπόλος ἡγεμόνευεν
ἐρχομένοισι λέχοσδε, δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσα:
ἐς θάλαμον δ' ἀγαγοῦσα πάλιν κίεν. οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα
295ἀσπάσιοι λέκτροιο παλαιοῦ θεσμὸν ἵκοντο:
Transliteration
grēÿs men keiousa palin oikonde bebēkei,
toisin d' Eurynomē thalamēpolos hēgemoneuen
erchomenoisi lechosde, daos meta chersin echousa:
es thalamon d' agagousa palin kien. hoi men epeita
295aspasioi lektroio palaiou thesmon hikonto:
English
as soon as they had laid them, the nurse went back into the house to go to her rest, leaving the bed chamber woman Eurynome to show Odysseus and Penelope to bed by torch light.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχος καὶ βουκόλος ἠδὲ συβώτης
παῦσαν ἄρ' ὀρχηθμοῖο πόδας, παῦσαν δὲ γυναῖκας,
αὐτοὶ δ' εὐνάζοντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.
τὼ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν φιλότητος ἐταρπήτην ἐρατεινῆς,
300τερπέσθην μύθοισι, πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἐνέποντε,
Transliteration
autar Tēlemachos kai boukolos ēde sybōtēs
pausan ar' orchēthmoio podas, pausan de gynaikas,
autoi d' eunazonto kata megara skioenta.
tō d' epei oun philotētos etarpētēn erateinēs,
300terpesthēn mythoisi, pros allēlous eneponte,
English
When she had conducted them to their room she went back, and they then came joyfully to the rites of their own old bed. Telemakhos, Philoitios, and the swineherd now left off dancing, and made the women leave off also. They then laid themselves down to sleep in the cloisters. When Odysseus and Penelope had had their fill of love they fell talking with one another.
Homeric Greek
ἡ μὲν ὅσ' ἐν μεγάροισιν ἀνέσχετο δῖα γυναικῶν,
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων ἐσορῶσ' ἀί̈δηλον ὅμιλον,
οἳ ἕθεν εἵνεκα πολλά, βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα,
ἔσφαζον, πολλὸς δὲ πίθων ἠφύσσετο οἶνος:
305αὐτὰρ ὁ διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς ὅσα κήδε' ἔθηκεν
Transliteration
hē men hos' en megaroisin anescheto dia gynaikōn,
andrōn mnēstērōn esorōs' aïdēlon homilon,
hoi hethen heineka polla, boas kai iphia mēla,
esphazon, pollos de pithōn ēphysseto oinos:
305autar ho diogenēs Odyseus hosa kēde' ethēken
English
She told him how much she had to bear in seeing the house filled with a crowd of wicked suitors who had killed so many sheep and oxen on her account, and had drunk so many casks of wine.
Homeric Greek
ἀνθρώποις ὅσα τ' αὐτὸς ὀϊζύσας ἐμόγησε,
πάντ' ἔλεγ': ἡ δ' ἄρ' ἐτέρπετ' ἀκούουσ', οὐδέ οἱ ὕπνος
πῖπτεν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι πάρος καταλέξαι ἅπαντα.
ἤρξατο δ' ὡς πρῶτον Κίκονας δάμασ', αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
310ἦλθ' ἐς Λωτοφάγων ἀνδρῶν πίειραν ἄρουραν:
Transliteration
anthrōpois hosa t' autos oïzysas emogēse,
pant' eleg': hē d' ar' eterpet' akouous', oude hoi hypnos
pipten epi blepharoisi paros katalexai hapanta.
ērxato d' hōs prōton Kikonas damas', autar epeita
310ēlth' es Lōtophagōn andrōn pieiran arouran:
English
Odysseus in his turn told her what he had suffered, and how much trouble he had himself given to other people. He told her everything, and she was so delighted to listen that she never went to sleep till he had ended his whole story. He began with his victory over the Kikones, and how he thence reached the fertile land of the Lotus-eaters.
Homeric Greek
ἠδ' ὅσα Κύκλωψ ἔρξε, καὶ ὡς ἀπετίσατο ποινὴν
ἰφθίμων ἑτάρων, οὓς ἤσθιεν οὐδ' ἐλέαιρεν:
ἠδ' ὡς Αἴολον ἵκεθ', ὅ μιν πρόφρων ὑπέδεκτο
καὶ πέμπ', οὐδέ πω αἶσα φίλην ἐς πατρίδ' ἱκέσθαι
315ἤην, ἀλλά μιν αὖτις ἀναρπάξασα θύελλα
Transliteration
ēd' hosa Kyklōps erxe, kai hōs apetisato poinēn
iphthimōn hetarōn, hous ēsthien oud' eleairen:
ēd' hōs Aiolon hiketh', ho min prophrōn hypedekto
kai pemp', oude pō aisa philēn es patrid' hikesthai
315ēēn, alla min autis anarpaxasa thyella
English
He told her all about the Cyclops and how he had punished him for having so ruthlessly eaten his brave comrades; how he then went on to Aeolus, who received him hospitably and furthered him on his way, but even so he was not to reach home, for to his great grief a gale carried him out to sea again;
Homeric Greek
πόντον ἐπ' ἰχθυόεντα φέρεν βαρέα στενάχοντα:
ἠδ' ὡς Τηλέπυλον Λαιστρυγονίην ἀφίκανεν,
οἳ νῆάς τ' ὄλεσαν καὶ ἐϋκνήμιδας ἑταίρους
πάντας: Ὀδυσσεὺς δ' οἶος ὑπέκφυγε νηὶ̈ μελαίνῃ:
320καὶ Κίρκης κατέλεξε δόλον πολυμηχανίην τε,
Transliteration
ponton ep' ichthyoenta pheren barea stenachonta:
ēd' hōs Tēlepylon Laistrygoniēn aphikanen,
hoi nēas t' olesan kai eÿknēmidas hetairous
pantas: Odysseus d' oios hypekphyge nēï melainēi:
320kai Kirkēs katelexe dolon polymēchaniēn te,
English
how he went on to the Laestrygonian city Telepylos, where the people destroyed all his ships with their crews, save himself and his own ship only. Then he told of cunning Circe and her craft, and how he sailed to the chill house of Hades, to consult the
Homeric Greek
ἠδ' ὡς εἰς Ἀί̈δεω δόμον ἤλυθεν εὐρώεντα,
ψυχῇ χρησόμενος Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο,
νηὶ̈ πολυκλήϊδι, καὶ εἴσιδε πάντας ἑταίρους
μητέρα θ', ἥ μιν ἔτικτε καὶ ἔτρεφε τυτθὸν ἐόντα:
325ἠδ' ὡς Σειρήνων ἁδινάων φθόγγον ἄκουσεν,
Transliteration
ēd' hōs eis Aïdeō domon ēlythen eurōenta,
psychēi chrēsomenos Thēbaiou Teiresiao,
nēï polyklēïdi, kai eiside pantas hetairous
mētera th', hē min etikte kai etrephe tytthon eonta:
325ēd' hōs Seirēnōn hadinaōn phthongon akousen,
English
ghost of the Theban seer Teiresias, and how he saw his old comrades in arms, and his mother who bore him and brought him up when he was a child; how he then heard the wondrous singing of the Sirens, and went on to the wandering rocks and
Homeric Greek
ὥς θ' ἵκετο Πλαγκτὰς πέτρας δεινήν τε Χάρυβδιν
Σκύλλην θ', ἣν οὔ πώ ποτ' ἀκήριοι ἄνδρες ἄλυξαν:
ἠδ' ὡς Ἠελίοιο βόας κατέπεφνον ἑταῖροι:
ἠδ' ὡς νῆα θοὴν ἔβαλε ψολόεντι κεραυνῷ
330Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης, ἀπὸ δ' ἔφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι
Transliteration
hōs th' hiketo Planktas petras deinēn te Charybdin
Skyllēn th', hēn ou pō pot' akērioi andres alyxan:
ēd' hōs Ēelioio boas katepephnon hetairoi:
ēd' hōs nēa thoēn ebale psoloenti keraunōi
330Zeus hypsibremetēs, apo d' ephthithen esthloi hetairoi
English
terrible Charybdis and to Scylla, whom no man had ever yet passed in safety; how his men then ate the cattle of the sun-god, and how Zeus therefore struck the ship with his thunderbolts, so that all his men perished together, himself alone being left alive;
Homeric Greek
πάντες ὁμῶς, αὐτὸς δὲ κακὰς ὑπὸ κῆρας ἄλυξεν:
ὥς θ' ἵκετ' Ὠγυγίην νῆσον νύμφην τε Καλυψώ,
ἣ δή μιν κατέρυκε, λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι,
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι, καὶ ἔτρεφεν ἠδὲ ἔφασκε
335θήσειν ἀθάνατον καὶ ἀγήραον ἤματα πάντα:
Transliteration
pantes homōs, autos de kakas hypo kēras alyxen:
hōs th' hiket' Ōgygiēn nēson nymphēn te Kalypsō,
hē dē min kateryke, lilaiomenē posin einai,
en spessi glaphyroisi, kai etrephen ēde ephaske
335thēsein athanaton kai agēraon ēmata panta:
English
how at last he reached the Ogygian island and the nymph Calypso, who kept him there in a cave, and fed him, and wanted him to marry her, in which case she intended making him immortal so that he should never grow old, but she could not persuade him to let her do so;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλὰ τοῦ οὔ ποτε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἔπειθεν:
ἠδ' ὡς ἐς Φαίηκας ἀφίκετο πολλὰ μογήσας,
οἳ δή μιν περὶ κῆρι θεὸν ὣς τιμήσαντο
καὶ πέμψαν σὺν νηὶ̈ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,
340χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τε ἅλις ἐσθῆτά τε δόντες.
Transliteration
alla tou ou pote thymon eni stēthessin epeithen:
ēd' hōs es Phaiēkas aphiketo polla mogēsas,
hoi dē min peri kēri theon hōs timēsanto
kai pempsan syn nēï philēn es patrida gaian,
340chalkon te chryson te halis esthēta te dontes.
English
and how after much suffering he had found his way to the Phaeacians, who had treated him as though he had been a god, and sent him back in a ship to his own country after having given him gold, bronze, and raiment in great abundance.
Homeric Greek
τοῦτ' ἄρα δεύτατον εἶπεν ἔπος, ὅτε οἱ γλυκὺς ὕπνος
λυσιμελὴς ἐπόρουσε, λύων μελεδήματα θυμοῦ.
ἡ δ' αὖτ' ἄλλ' ἐνόησε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
ὁππότε δή ῥ' Ὀδυσῆα ἐέλπετο ὃν κατὰ θυμὸν
345εὐνῆς ἧς ἀλόχου ταρπήμεναι ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνου,
Transliteration
tout' ara deutaton eipen epos, hote hoi glykys hypnos
lysimelēs eporouse, lyōn meledēmata thymou.
hē d' aut' all' enoēse thea glaukōpis Athēnē:
hoppote dē rh' Odysēa eelpeto hon kata thymon
345eunēs hēs alochou tarpēmenai ēde kai hypnou,
English
This was the last thing about which he told her, for here a deep sleep took hold upon him and eased the burden of his sorrows. Then Athena thought of another matter. When she deemed that Odysseus had had enough both of his wife and
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκ' ἀπ' Ὠκεανοῦ χρυσόθρονον ἠριγένειαν
ὦρσεν, ἵν' ἀνθρώποισι φόως φέροι: ὦρτο δ' Ὀδυσσεὺς
εὐνῆς ἐκ μαλακῆς, ἀλόχῳ δ' ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλεν:
"ὦ γύναι, ἤδη μὲν πολέων κεκορήμεθ' ἀέθλων
350ἀμφοτέρω, σὺ μὲν ἐνθάδ' ἐμὸν πολυκηδέα νόστον
Transliteration
autik' ap' Ōkeanou chrysothronon ērigeneian
ōrsen, hin' anthrōpoisi phoōs pheroi: ōrto d' Odysseus
eunēs ek malakēs, alochōi d' epi mython etellen:
"ō gynai, ēdē men poleōn kekorēmeth' aethlōn
350amphoterō, sy men enthad' emon polykēdea noston
English
of repose, she bade gold-enthroned Dawn rise out of Okeanos that she might shed light upon humankind. On this, Odysseus rose from his comfortable bed and said to Penelope, "Wife, we have both of us had our full share of trials, you, here, in lamenting my absence, and
Homeric Greek
κλαίουσ'. αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ Ζεὺς ἄλγεσι καὶ θεοὶ ἄλλοι
ἱέμενον πεδάασκον ἐμῆς ἀπὸ πατρίδος αἴης:
νῦν δ' ἐπεὶ ἀμφοτέρω πολυήρατον ἱκόμεθ' εὐνήν,
κτήματα μὲν τά μοι ἔστι, κομιζέμεν ἐν μεγάροισι,
355μῆλα δ' ἅ μοι μνηστῆρες ὑπερφίαλοι κατέκειραν,
Transliteration
klaious'. autar eme Zeus algesi kai theoi alloi
hiemenon pedaaskon emēs apo patridos aiēs:
nyn d' epei amphoterō polyēraton hikometh' eunēn,
ktēmata men ta moi esti, komizemen en megaroisi,
355mēla d' ha moi mnēstēres hyperphialoi katekeiran,
English
I in being prevented from getting home though I was longing all the time to do so. Now, however, that we have at last come together, take care of the property that is in the house. As for the sheep and goats which the wicked suitors have eaten, I
Homeric Greek
πολλὰ μὲν αὐτὸς ἐγὼ ληί̈σσομαι, ἄλλα δ' Ἀχαιοὶ
δώσουσ', εἰς ὅ κε πάντας ἐνιπλήσωσιν ἐπαύλους.
ἀλλ' ἦ τοι μὲν ἐγὼ πολυδένδρεον ἀγρὸν ἔπειμι,
ὀψόμενος πατέρ' ἐσθλόν, ὅ μοι πυκινῶς ἀκάχηται:
360σοὶ δέ, γύναι, τάδ' ἐπιτέλλω, πινυτῇ περ ἐούσῃ:
Transliteration
polla men autos egō lēïssomai, alla d' Achaioi
dōsous', eis ho ke pantas eniplēsōsin epaulous.
all' ē toi men egō polydendreon agron epeimi,
opsomenos pater' esthlon, ho moi pykinōs akachētai:
360soi de, gynai, tad' epitellō, pinytēi per eousēi:
English
will take many myself by force from other people, and will compel the Achaeans to make good the rest till they shall have filled all my yards. I am now going to the wooded lands out in the country to see my father who has so long been
Homeric Greek
αὐτίκα γὰρ φάτις εἶσιν ἅμ' ἠελίῳ ἀνιόντι
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων, οὓς ἔκτανον ἐν μεγάροισιν:
εἰς ὑπερῷ' ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶν
ἧσθαι, μηδέ τινα προτιόσσεο μηδ' ἐρέεινε."
365ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφ' ὤμοισιν ἐδύσετο τεύχεα καλά,
Transliteration
autika gar phatis eisin ham' ēeliōi anionti
andrōn mnēstērōn, hous ektanon en megaroisin:
eis hyperōi' anabasa syn amphipoloisi gynaixin
hēsthai, mēde tina protiosseo mēd' ereeine."
365ē rha kai amph' ōmoisin edyseto teuchea kala,
English
grieved on my account, and to yourself I will give these instructions, though you have little need of them. At sunrise it will at once get abroad that I have been killing the suitors; go upstairs, therefore, and stay there with your women. See nobody and ask no questions."
Homeric Greek
ὦρσε δὲ Τηλέμαχον καὶ βουκόλον ἠδὲ συβώτην,
πάντας δ' ἔντε' ἄνωγεν ἀρήϊα χερσὶν ἑλέσθαι.
οἱ δέ οἱ οὐκ ἀπίθησαν, ἐθωρήσσοντο δὲ χαλκῷ,
ὤϊξαν δὲ θύρας, ἐκ δ' ἤϊον: ἦρχε δ' Ὀδυσσεύς.
370ἤδη μὲν φάος ἦεν ἐπὶ χθόνα, τοὺς δ' ἄρ' Ἀθήνη
Transliteration
ōrse de Tēlemachon kai boukolon ēde sybōtēn,
pantas d' ente' anōgen arēïa chersin helesthai.
hoi de hoi ouk apithēsan, ethōrēssonto de chalkōi,
ōïxan de thyras, ek d' ēïon: ērche d' Odysseus.
370ēdē men phaos ēen epi chthona, tous d' ar' Athēnē
English
As he spoke he girded on his armor. Then he roused Telemakhos, Philoitios, and Eumaios, and told them all to put on their armor also. This they did, and armed themselves. When they had done so, they opened the gates and sallied forth, Odysseus leading the way.