Homeric Greek
1Ἠέλιος δ' ἀνόρουσε, λιπὼν περικαλλέα λίμνην,
οὐρανὸν ἐς πολύχαλκον, ἵν' ἀθανάτοισι φαείνοι
καὶ θνητοῖσι βροτοῖσιν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν:
οἱ δὲ Πύλον, Νηλῆος ἐυκτίμενον πτολίεθρον,
5ἷξον: τοὶ δ' ἐπὶ θινὶ θαλάσσης ἱερὰ ῥέζον,
Transliteration
1Ēelios d' anorouse, lipōn perikallea limnēn,
ouranon es polychalkon, hin' athanatoisi phaeinoi
kai thnētoisi brotoisin epi zeidōron arouran:
hoi de Pylon, Nēlēos euktimenon ptoliethron,
5hixon: toi d' epi thini thalassēs hiera rhezon,
English
But as the sun was rising from the fair sea into the firmament of heaven to shed light on mortals and immortals, they reached Pylos the city of Neleus. Now the people of Pylos were gathered on the sea shore to offer sacrifice of black bulls to Poseidon lord of the Earthquake.
Homeric Greek
ταύρους παμμέλανας, ἐνοσίχθονι κυανοχαίτῃ.
ἐννέα δ' ἕδραι ἔσαν, πεντακόσιοι δ' ἐν ἑκάστῃ
ἥατο καὶ προύχοντο ἑκάστοθι ἐννέα ταύρους.
εὖθ' οἱ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο, θεῷ δ' ἐπὶ μηρί' ἔκαιον,
10οἱ δ' ἰθὺς κατάγοντο ἰδ' ἱστία νηὸς ἐίσης
Transliteration
taurous pammelanas, enosichthoni kyanochaitēi.
ennea d' hedrai esan, pentakosioi d' en hekastēi
hēato kai prouchonto hekastothi ennea taurous.
euth' hoi splanchna pasanto, theōi d' epi mēri' ekaion,
10hoi d' ithys katagonto id' histia nēos eisēs
English
There were nine guilds with five hundred men in each, and there were nine bulls to each guild. As they were eating the inward meats and burning the thigh bones in the name of Poseidon, Telemakhos and his crew arrived, furled their
Homeric Greek
στεῖλαν ἀείραντες, τὴν δ' ὥρμισαν, ἐκ δ' ἔβαν αὐτοί:
ἐκ δ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχος νηὸς βαῖν', ἦρχε δ' Ἀθήνη.
τὸν προτέρη προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
"Τηλέμαχ', οὐ μέν σε χρὴ ἔτ' αἰδοῦς, οὐδ' ἠβαιόν:
15τοὔνεκα γὰρ καὶ πόντον ἐπέπλως, ὄφρα πύθηαι
Transliteration
steilan aeirantes, tēn d' hōrmisan, ek d' eban autoi:
ek d' ara Tēlemachos nēos bain', ērche d' Athēnē.
ton proterē proseeipe thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:
"Tēlemach', ou men se chrē et' aidous, oud' ēbaion:
15touneka gar kai ponton epeplōs, ophra pythēai
English
sails, brought their ship to anchor, and went ashore. Athena led the way and Telemakhos followed her. Presently she said, "Telemakhos, you must not at all feel aidôs or be nervous; you have taken this voyage to try and find out where your father is buried and how he came by his end;
Homeric Greek
πατρός, ὅπου κύθε γαῖα καὶ ὅν τινα πότμον ἐπέσπεν.
ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν ἰθὺς κίε Νέστορος ἱπποδάμοιο:
εἴδομεν ἥν τινα μῆτιν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κέκευθε.
λίσσεσθαι δέ μιν αὐτός, ὅπως νημερτέα εἴπῃ:
20ψεῦδος δ' οὐκ ἐρέει: μάλα γὰρ πεπνυμένος ἐστί."
Transliteration
patros, hopou kythe gaia kai hon tina potmon epespen.
all' age nyn ithys kie Nestoros hippodamoio:
eidomen hēn tina mētin eni stēthessi kekeuthe.
lissesthai de min autos, hopōs nēmertea eipēi:
20pseudos d' ouk ereei: mala gar pepnymenos esti."
English
so go straight up to Nestor that we may see what he has got to tell us. Beg of him to speak the truth, and he will tell no lies, for he is an excellent person."
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"Μέντορ, πῶς τ' ἄρ' ἴω; πῶς τ' ἂρ προσπτύξομαι αὐτόν;
οὐδέ τί πω μύθοισι πεπείρημαι πυκινοῖσιν:
αἰδὼς δ' αὖ νέον ἄνδρα γεραίτερον ἐξερέεσθαι."
25τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
Transliteration
tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:
"Mentor, pōs t' ar' iō; pōs t' ar prosptyxomai auton;
oude ti pō mythoisi pepeirēmai pykinoisin:
aidōs d' au neon andra geraiteron exereesthai."
25ton d' aute proseeipe thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:
English
"But how, Mentor," replied Telemakhos, "dare I go up to Nestor, and how am I to address him? I have never yet been used to holding long conversations with people, and feel aidôs about questioning one who is so much older than myself." "Some things, Telemakhos," answered Athena, "will be suggested to you by your own instinct, and some daimôn will prompt you further;
Homeric Greek
"Τηλέμαχ', ἄλλα μὲν αὐτὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶ σῇσι νοήσεις,
ἄλλα δὲ καὶ δαίμων ὑποθήσεται: οὐ γὰρ ὀίω
οὔ σε θεῶν ἀέκητι γενέσθαι τε τραφέμεν τε."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασ' ἡγήσατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη
30καρπαλίμως: ὁ δ' ἔπειτα μετ' ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο.
Transliteration
"Tēlemach', alla men autos eni phresi sēisi noēseis,
alla de kai daimōn hypothēsetai: ou gar oiō
ou se theōn aekēti genesthai te traphemen te."
hōs ara phōnēsas' hēgēsato Pallas Athēnē
30karpalimōs: ho d' epeita met' ichnia baine theoio.
English
for I am assured that the gods have been with you from the time of your birth until now." She then went quickly on, and Telemakhos followed in her steps till they reached the place where the guilds of the Pylian people were assembled.
Homeric Greek
ἷξον δ' ἐς Πυλίων ἀνδρῶν ἄγυρίν τε καὶ ἕδρας,
ἔνθ' ἄρα Νέστωρ ἧστο σὺν υἱάσιν, ἀμφὶ δ' ἑταῖροι
δαῖτ' ἐντυνόμενοι κρέα τ' ὤπτων ἄλλα τ' ἔπειρον.
οἱ δ' ὡς οὖν ξείνους ἴδον, ἁθρόοι ἦλθον ἅπαντες,
35χερσίν τ' ἠσπάζοντο καὶ ἑδριάασθαι ἄνωγον.
Transliteration
hixon d' es Pyliōn andrōn agyrin te kai hedras,
enth' ara Nestōr hēsto syn huiasin, amphi d' hetairoi
dait' entynomenoi krea t' ōptōn alla t' epeiron.
hoi d' hōs oun xeinous idon, hathrooi ēlthon hapantes,
35chersin t' ēspazonto kai hedriaasthai anōgon.
English
There they found Nestor sitting with his sons, while his company round him were busy getting dinner ready, and putting pieces of meat on to the spits while other pieces were cooking. When they saw the strangers they crowded round them, took them by the hand and bade them take their places.
Homeric Greek
πρῶτος Νεστορίδης Πεισίστρατος ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν
ἀμφοτέρων ἕλε χεῖρα καὶ ἵδρυσεν παρὰ δαιτὶ
κώεσιν ἐν μαλακοῖσιν ἐπὶ ψαμάθοις ἁλίῃσιν
πάρ τε κασιγνήτῳ Θρασυμήδεϊ καὶ πατέρι ᾧ:
40δῶκε δ' ἄρα σπλάγχνων μοίρας, ἐν δ' οἶνον ἔχευεν
Transliteration
prōtos Nestoridēs Peisistratos engythen elthōn
amphoterōn hele cheira kai hidrysen para daiti
kōesin en malakoisin epi psamathois haliēisin
par te kasignētōi Thrasymēdeï kai pateri hōi:
40dōke d' ara splanchnōn moiras, en d' oinon echeuen
English
Nestor's son Peisistratos at once offered his hand to each of them, and seated them on some soft sheepskins that were lying on the sands near his father and his brother Thrasymedes. Then he gave them their portions of the inward meats and poured wine
Homeric Greek
χρυσείῳ δέπαϊ: δειδισκόμενος δὲ προσηύδα
Παλλάδ' Ἀθηναίην κούρην Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο:
"εὔχεο νῦν, ὦ ξεῖνε, Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι:
τοῦ γὰρ καὶ δαίτης ἠντήσατε δεῦρο μολόντες.
45αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν σπείσῃς τε καὶ εὔξεαι, ἣ θέμις ἐστί,
Transliteration
chryseiōi depaï: deidiskomenos de prosēuda
Pallad' Athēnaiēn kourēn Dios aigiochoio:
"eucheo nyn, ō xeine, Poseidaōni anakti:
tou gar kai daitēs ēntēsate deuro molontes.
45autar epēn speisēis te kai euxeai, hē themis esti,
English
for them into a golden cup, handing it to Athena first, and saluting her at the same time. "Offer a prayer, sir," said he, "to lord Poseidon, for it is his feast that you are joining; when you have duly prayed and made your drink-offering, pass the cup to your friend that he may do so also.
Homeric Greek
δὸς καὶ τούτῳ ἔπειτα δέπας μελιηδέος οἴνου
σπεῖσαι, ἐπεὶ καὶ τοῦτον ὀίομαι ἀθανάτοισιν
εὔχεσθαι: πάντες δὲ θεῶν χατέουσ' ἄνθρωποι.
ἀλλὰ νεώτερός ἐστιν, ὁμηλικίη δ' ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ:
50τοὔνεκα σοὶ προτέρῳ δώσω χρύσειον ἄλεισον."
Transliteration
dos kai toutōi epeita depas meliēdeos oinou
speisai, epei kai touton oiomai athanatoisin
euchesthai: pantes de theōn chateous' anthrōpoi.
alla neōteros estin, homēlikiē d' emoi autōi:
50touneka soi proterōi dōsō chryseion aleison."
English
I doubt not that he too lifts his hands in prayer, for man cannot live without gods in the world. Still, he is younger than you are, and is much of an age with myself, so I will give you the precedence."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χειρὶ τίθει δέπας ἡδέος οἴνου:
χαῖρε δ' Ἀθηναίη πεπνυμένῳ ἀνδρὶ δικαίῳ,
οὕνεκα οἷ προτέρῃ δῶκε χρύσειον ἄλεισον:
αὐτίκα δ' εὔχετο πολλὰ Ποσειδάωνι ἄνακτι:
55"κλῦθι, Ποσείδαον γαιήοχε, μηδὲ μεγήρῃς
Transliteration
hōs eipōn en cheiri tithei depas hēdeos oinou:
chaire d' Athēnaiē pepnymenōi andri dikaiōi,
houneka hoi proterēi dōke chryseion aleison:
autika d' eucheto polla Poseidaōni anakti:
55"klythi, Poseidaon gaiēoche, mēde megērēis
English
As he spoke he handed her the cup. Athena thought that he was just and right to have given it to herself first; she accordingly began praying heartily to Poseidon. "O you," she cried, "who encircle the earth, deign to grant the prayers of your servants that call upon you.
Homeric Greek
ἡμῖν εὐχομένοισι τελευτῆσαι τάδε ἔργα.
Νέστορι μὲν πρώτιστα καὶ υἱάσι κῦδος ὄπαζε,
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτ' ἄλλοισι δίδου χαρίεσσαν ἀμοιβὴν
σύμπασιν Πυλίοισιν ἀγακλειτῆς ἑκατόμβης.
60δὸς δ' ἔτι Τηλέμαχον καὶ ἐμὲ πρήξαντα νέεσθαι,
Transliteration
hēmin euchomenoisi teleutēsai tade erga.
Nestori men prōtista kai huiasi kydos opaze,
autar epeit' alloisi didou chariessan amoibēn
sympasin Pylioisin agakleitēs hekatombēs.
60dos d' eti Tēlemachon kai eme prēxanta neesthai,
English
More especially we pray you send down your grace on Nestor and on his sons; thereafter also make the rest of the Pylian people some handsome return for the goodly hecatomb they are offering you.
Homeric Greek
οὕνεκα δεῦρ' ἱκόμεσθα θοῇ σὺν νηὶ μελαίνῃ."
ὣς ἄρ' ἔπειτ' ἠρᾶτο καὶ αὐτὴ πάντα τελεύτα.
δῶκε δὲ Τηλεμάχῳ καλὸν δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον:
ὣς δ' αὔτως ἠρᾶτο Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός.
65οἱ δ' ἐπεί ὤπτησαν κρέ' ὑπέρτερα καὶ ἐρύσαντο,
Transliteration
houneka deur' hikomestha thoēi syn nēi melainēi."
hōs ar' epeit' ērato kai autē panta teleuta.
dōke de Tēlemachōi kalon depas amphikypellon:
hōs d' autōs ērato Odyssēos philos huios.
65hoi d' epei ōptēsan kre' hypertera kai erysanto,
English
Lastly, grant Telemakhos and myself a happy issue, in respect of the matter that has brought us in our to Pylos." When she had thus made an end of praying, she handed the cup to Telemakhos and he prayed likewise. By and by, when the outer meats were roasted and had been taken off the spits, the carvers gave every man his portion and they all made an excellent dinner.
Homeric Greek
μοίρας δασσάμενοι δαίνυντ' ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,
τοῖς ἄρα μύθων ἦρχε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:
"νῦν δὴ κάλλίον ἐστι μεταλλῆσαι καὶ ἐρέσθαι
70ξείνους, οἱ τινές εἰσιν, ἐπεὶ τάρπησαν ἐδωδῆς.
Transliteration
moiras dassamenoi dainynt' erikydea daita.
autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,
tois ara mythōn ērche Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:
"nyn dē kallion esti metallēsai kai eresthai
70xeinous, hoi tines eisin, epei tarpēsan edōdēs.
English
As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Nestor, horseman of Gerene, began to speak. "Now," said he, "that our guests have done their dinner, it will be best to ask them who they are.
Homeric Greek
ὦ ξεῖνοι, τίνες ἐστέ; πόθεν πλεῖθ' ὑγρὰ κέλευθα;
ἤ τι κατά πρῆξιν ἦ μαψιδίως ἀλάλησθε
οἷά τε ληιστῆρες ὑπεὶρ ἅλα, τοί τ' ἀλόωνται
ψυχὰς παρθέμενοι κακὸν ἀλλοδαποῖσι πέροντες;"
75τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα
Transliteration
ō xeinoi, tines este; pothen pleith' hygra keleutha;
ē ti kata prēxin ē mapsidiōs alalēsthe
hoia te lēistēres hypeir hala, toi t' aloōntai
psychas parthemenoi kakon allodapoisi perontes;"
75ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda
English
Who, then, sir strangers, are you, and from what port have you sailed? Are you traders? Or do you sail the seas as rovers with your hand against every man, and every man's hand against you?" Telemakhos answered boldly, for Athena
Homeric Greek
θαρσήσας: αὐτὴ γὰρ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θάρσος Ἀθήνη
θῆχ', ἵνα μιν περὶ πατρὸς ἀποιχομένοιο ἔροιτο
ἠδ' ἵνα μιν κλέος ἐσθλὸν ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἔχῃσιν:
"ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη, μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν,
80εἴρεαι ὁππόθεν εἰμέν: ἐγὼ δέ κέ τοι καταλέξω.
Transliteration
tharsēsas: autē gar eni phresi tharsos Athēnē
thēch', hina min peri patros apoichomenoio eroito
ēd' hina min kleos esthlon en anthrōpoisin echēisin:
"ō Nestor Nēlēïadē, mega kydos Achaiōn,
80eireai hoppothen eimen: egō de ke toi katalexō.
English
had given him courage to ask about his father and get himself a good name. "Nestor," said he, "son of Neleus, honor to the Achaean name, you ask whence we come, and I will tell you.
Homeric Greek
ἡμεῖς ἐξ Ἰθάκης ὑπονηίου εἰλήλουθμεν:
πρῆξις δ' ἥδ' ἰδίη, οὐ δήμιος, ἣν ἀγορεύω.
πατρὸς ἐμοῦ κλέος εὐρὺ μετέρχομαι, ἤν που ἀκούσω,
δίου Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὅν ποτέ φασι
85σὺν σοὶ μαρνάμενον Τρώων πόλιν ἐξαλαπάξαι.
Transliteration
hēmeis ex Ithakēs hyponēiou eilēlouthmen:
prēxis d' hēd' idiē, ou dēmios, hēn agoreuō.
patros emou kleos eury meterchomai, ēn pou akousō,
diou Odyssēos talasiphronos, hon pote phasi
85syn soi marnamenon Trōōn polin exalapaxai.
English
We come from Ithaca under Neritum, and the matter about which I would speak is of private not public import. I seek news of my unhappy father Odysseus, who is said to have sacked the town of Troy in company with yourself.
Homeric Greek
ἄλλους μὲν γὰρ πάντας, ὅσοι Τρωσὶν πολέμιξον,
πευθόμεθ', ἧχι ἕκαστος ἀπώλετο λυγρῷ ὀλέθρῳ,
κείνου δ' αὖ καὶ ὄλεθρον ἀπευθέα θῆκε Κρονίων.
οὐ γάρ τις δύναται σάφα εἰπέμεν ὁππόθ' ὄλωλεν,
90εἴθ' ὅ γ' ἐπ' ἠπείρου δάμη ἀνδράσι δυσμενέεσσιν,
Transliteration
allous men gar pantas, hosoi Trōsin polemixon,
peuthometh', hēchi hekastos apōleto lygrōi olethrōi,
keinou d' au kai olethron apeuthea thēke Kroniōn.
ou gar tis dynatai sapha eipemen hoppoth' olōlen,
90eith' ho g' ep' ēpeirou damē andrasi dysmeneessin,
English
We know what fate befell each one of the other heroes who fought at Troy, but as regards Odysseus heaven has hidden from us the knowledge even that he is dead at all, for no one can certify us in what place he perished, nor say whether he fell in battle on the mainland, or was lost at sea amid the waves of Amphitrite.
Homeric Greek
εἴτε καὶ ἐν πελάγει μετὰ κύμασιν Ἀμφιτρίτης.
τοὔνεκα νῦν τὰ σὰ γούναθ' ἱκάνομαι, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα
κείνου λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον ἐνισπεῖν, εἴ που ὄπωπας
ὀφθαλμοῖσι τεοῖσιν ἢ ἄλλου μῦθον ἄκουσας
95πλαζομένου: πέρι γάρ μιν ὀιζυρὸν τέκε μήτηρ.
Transliteration
eite kai en pelagei meta kymasin Amphitritēs.
touneka nyn ta sa gounath' hikanomai, ai k' ethelēistha
keinou lygron olethron enispein, ei pou opōpas
ophthalmoisi teoisin ē allou mython akousas
95plazomenou: peri gar min oizyron teke mētēr.
English
Therefore I am suppliant at your knees, if haply you may be pleased to tell me of his melancholy end, whether you saw it with your own eyes, or heard it from some other traveler, for he was a man born to trouble.
Homeric Greek
μηδέ τί μ' αἰδόμενος μειλίσσεο μηδ' ἐλεαίρων,
ἀλλ' εὖ μοι κατάλεξον ὃπως ἤντησας ὀπωπῆς.
λίσσομαι, εἴ ποτέ τοί τι πατὴρ ἐμός, ἐσθλὸς Ὀδυσσεύς,
ἢ ἔπος ἠέ τι ἔργον ὑποστὰς ἐξετέλεσσε
100δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅθι πάσχετε πήματ' Ἀχαιοί,
Transliteration
mēde ti m' aidomenos meilisseo mēd' eleairōn,
all' eu moi katalexon hopōs ēntēsas opōpēs.
lissomai, ei pote toi ti patēr emos, esthlos Odysseus,
ē epos ēe ti ergon hypostas exetelesse
100dēmōi eni Trōōn, hothi paschete pēmat' Achaioi,
English
Do not soften things out of any pity for me, but tell me in all plainness exactly what you saw. If my brave father Odysseus ever did you loyal service, either by word or deed, when you Achaeans were harassed at the district of the Trojans, bear it in mind
Homeric Greek
τῶν νῦν μοι μνῆσαι, καί μοι νημερτὲς ἐνίσπες.
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:
"ὦ φίλ', ἐπεί μ' ἔμνησας ὀιζύος, ἥν ἐν ἐκείνῳ
δήμῳ ἀνέτλημεν μένος ἄσχετοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,
105ἠμέν ὅσα ξὺν νηυσίν ἐπ' ἠεροειδέα πόντον
Transliteration
tōn nyn moi mnēsai, kai moi nēmertes enispes.
ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:
"ō phil', epei m' emnēsas oizyos, hēn en ekeinōi
dēmōi anetlēmen menos aschetoi huies Achaiōn,
105ēmen hosa xyn nēusin ep' ēeroeidea ponton
English
now as in my favor and tell me truly all." "My friend," answered Nestor, "you recall a time of much sorrow to my mind, for the brave Achaeans suffered much both at sea, while privateering under Achilles, and in that district when fighting before the great city of king Priam.
Homeric Greek
πλαζόμενοι κατὰ ληίδ', ὅπῃ ἄρξειεν Ἀχιλλεύς,
ἠδ' ὅσα καὶ περί ἄστυ μέγα Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος
μαρνάμεθ': ἔνθα δ' ἔπειτα κατέκταθεν ὅσσοι ἄριστοι.
ἔνθα μὲν Αἴας κεῖται ἀρήιος, ἔνθα δ' Ἀχιλλεύς,
110ἔνθα δὲ Πάτροκλος, θεόφιν μήστωρ ἀτάλαντος,
Transliteration
plazomenoi kata lēid', hopēi arxeien Achilleus,
ēd' hosa kai peri asty mega Priamoio anaktos
marnameth': entha d' epeita katektathen hossoi aristoi.
entha men Aias keitai arēios, entha d' Achilleus,
110entha de Patroklos, theophin mēstōr atalantos,
English
Our best men all of them fell there - Ajax, Achilles, Patroklos peer of gods in counsel, and my own dear son Antilokhos, a man singularly fleet of foot and in fight valiant. But we suffered much more than this;
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα δ' ἐμὸς φίλος υἱός, ἅμα κρατερὸς καὶ ἀμύμων,
Ἀντίλοχος, πέρι μὲν θείειν ταχὺς ἠδὲ μαχητής:
ἄλλα τε πόλλ' ἐπὶ τοῖς πάθομεν κακά: τίς κεν ἐκεῖνα
πάντα γε μυθήσαιτο καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπων;
115οὐδ' εἰ πεντάετές γε καὶ ἑξάετες παραμίμνων
Transliteration
entha d' emos philos huios, hama krateros kai amymōn,
Antilochos, peri men theiein tachys ēde machētēs:
alla te poll' epi tois pathomen kaka: tis ken ekeina
panta ge mythēsaito katathnētōn anthrōpōn;
115oud' ei pentaetes ge kai hexaetes paramimnōn
English
what mortal tongue indeed could tell the whole story? Though you were to stay here and question me for five years, or even six, I could not tell you all that the Achaeans suffered, and you would turn homeward weary of my tale before it ended.
Homeric Greek
ἐξερέοις ὅσα κεῖθι πάθον κακὰ δῖοι Ἀχαιοί:
πρίν κεν ἀνιηθεὶς σὴν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκοιο.
εἰνάετες γάρ σφιν κακὰ ῥάπτομεν ἀμφιέποντες
παντοίοισι δόλοισι, μόγις δ' ἐτέλεσσε Κρονίων.
120ἔνθ' οὔ τίς ποτε μῆτιν ὁμοιωθήμεναι ἄντην
Transliteration
exereois hosa keithi pathon kaka dioi Achaioi:
prin ken aniētheis sēn patrida gaian hikoio.
einaetes gar sphin kaka rhaptomen amphiepontes
pantoioisi doloisi, mogis d' etelesse Kroniōn.
120enth' ou tis pote mētin homoiōthēmenai antēn
English
Nine long years did we try every kind of stratagem, but the hand of heaven was against us; during all this time there was no one who could compare with your father in subtlety - if indeed you are his son.
Homeric Greek
ἤθελ', ἐπεὶ μάλα πολλὸν ἐνίκα δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
παντοίοισι δόλοισι, πατὴρ τεός, εἰ ἐτεόν γε
κείνου ἔκγονός ἐσσι: σέβας μ' ἔχει εἰσορόωντα.
ἦ τοι γὰρ μῦθοί γε ἐοικότες, οὐδέ κε φαίης
125ἄνδρα νεώτερον ὧδε ἐοικότα μυθήσασθαι.
Transliteration
ēthel', epei mala pollon enika dios Odysseus
pantoioisi doloisi, patēr teos, ei eteon ge
keinou ekgonos essi: sebas m' echei eisoroōnta.
ē toi gar mythoi ge eoikotes, oude ke phaiēs
125andra neōteron hōde eoikota mythēsasthai.
English
I can hardly believe my eyes - and you talk just like him too - no one would say that people of such different ages could speak so much alike.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθ' ἦ τοι ἧος μὲν ἐγὼ καὶ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
οὔτε ποτ' εἰν ἀγορῇ δίχ' ἐβάζομεν οὔτ' ἐνὶ βουλῇ,
ἀλλ' ἕνα θυμὸν ἔχοντε νόω καὶ ἐπίφρονι βουλῇ
φραζόμεθ' Ἀργείοισιν ὅπως ὄχ' ἄριστα γένοιτο.
130αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Πριάμοιο πόλιν διεπέρσαμεν αἰπήν,
Transliteration
enth' ē toi hēos men egō kai dios Odysseus
oute pot' ein agorēi dich' ebazomen out' eni boulēi,
all' hena thymon echonte noō kai epiphroni boulēi
phrazometh' Argeioisin hopōs och' arista genoito.
130autar epei Priamoio polin diepersamen aipēn,
English
He and I never had any kind of difference from first to last neither in camp nor council, but in singleness of heart and purpose we advised the Argives how all might be ordered for the best. "When however, we had sacked the city of Priam, and
Homeric Greek
βῆμεν δ' ἐν νήεσσι, θεὸς δ' ἐσκέδασσεν Ἀχαιούς,
καὶ τότε δὴ Ζεὺς λυγρὸν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μήδετο νόστον
Ἀργείοις, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι νοήμονες οὐδὲ δίκαιοι
πάντες ἔσαν: τῶ σφεων πολέες κακὸν οἶτον ἐπέσπον
135μήνιος ἐξ ὀλοῆς γλαυκώπιδος ὀβριμοπάτρης.
Transliteration
bēmen d' en nēessi, theos d' eskedassen Achaious,
kai tote dē Zeus lygron eni phresi mēdeto noston
Argeiois, epei ou ti noēmones oude dikaioi
pantes esan: tō spheōn polees kakon oiton epespon
135mēnios ex oloēs glaukōpidos obrimopatrēs.
English
were setting sail in our ships as heaven had dispersed us, then Zeus saw fit to vex the Argives on their homeward voyage ; for they had not all been either wise or just, and hence many came to a bad end through the displeasure of Zeus' daughter Athena, who
Homeric Greek
ἥ τ' ἔριν Ἀτρεί̈δῃσι μετ' ἀμφοτέροισιν ἔθηκε.
τὼ δὲ καλεσσαμένω ἀγορὴν ἐς πάντας Ἀχαιούς,
μάψ, ἀτὰρ οὐ κατὰ κόσμον, ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα,
οἱ ἦλθον οἴνῳ βεβαρηότες υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,
140μῦθον μυθείσθην, τοῦ εἵνεκα λαὸν ἄγειραν.
Transliteration
hē t' erin Atreïdēisi met' amphoteroisin ethēke.
tō de kalessamenō agorēn es pantas Achaious,
maps, atar ou kata kosmon, es ēelion katadynta,
hoi ēlthon oinōi bebarēotes huies Achaiōn,
140mython mytheisthēn, tou heineka laon ageiran.
English
brought about a quarrel between the two sons of Atreus. "The sons of Atreus called a meeting which was not according to kosmos, for it was sunset and the Achaeans were heavy with wine.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθ' ἤ τοι Μενέλαος ἀνώγει πάντας Ἀχαιοὺς
νόστου μιμνήσκεσθαι ἐπ' εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης,
οὐδ' Ἀγαμέμνονι πάμπαν ἑήνδανε: βούλετο γάρ ῥα
λαὸν ἐρυκακέειν ῥέξαι θ' ἱερὰς ἑκατόμβας,
145ὡς τὸν Ἀθηναίης δεινὸν χόλον ἐξακέσαιτο,
Transliteration
enth' ē toi Menelaos anōgei pantas Achaious
nostou mimnēskesthai ep' eurea nōta thalassēs,
oud' Agamemnoni pampan heēndane: bouleto gar rha
laon erykakeein rhexai th' hieras hekatombas,
145hōs ton Athēnaiēs deinon cholon exakesaito,
English
When they explained why they had called the people together, it seemed that Menelaos was for sailing homeward at once, and this displeased Agamemnon, who thought that we should wait till we had offered hecatombs to appease the anger of Athena.
Homeric Greek
νήπιος, οὐδὲ τὸ ᾔδη, ὃ οὐ πείσεσθαι ἔμελλεν:
οὐ γάρ τ' αἶψα θεῶν τρέπεται νόος αἰέν ἐόντων.
ὣς τὼ μὲν χαλεποῖσιν ἀμειβομένω ἐπέεσσιν
ἕστασαν: οἱ δ' ἀνόρουσαν ἐυκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοὶ
150ἠχῇ θεσπεσίῃ, δίχα δέ σφισιν ἥνδανε βουλή.
Transliteration
nēpios, oude to ēidē, ho ou peisesthai emellen:
ou gar t' aipsa theōn trepetai noos aien eontōn.
hōs tō men chalepoisin ameibomenō epeessin
hestasan: hoi d' anorousan euknēmides Achaioi
150ēchēi thespesiēi, dicha de sphisin hēndane boulē.
English
Fool that he was, he might have known that he would not prevail with her, for when the gods have made up their minds they do not change them lightly. So the two stood bandying hard words, whereon the Achaeans sprang to their feet with a cry that rent the air, and were of two minds as to what they should do.
Homeric Greek
νύκτα μὲν ἀέσαμεν χαλεπὰ φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντες
ἀλλήλοις: ἐπὶ γὰρ Ζεὺς ἤρτυε πῆμα κακοῖο:
ἠῶθεν δ' οἱ μὲν νέας ἕλκομεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν
κτήματά τ' ἐντιθέμεσθα βαθυζώνους τε γυναῖκας.
155ἡμίσεες δ' ἄρα λαοὶ ἐρητύοντο μένοντες
Transliteration
nykta men aesamen chalepa phresin hormainontes
allēlois: epi gar Zeus ērtye pēma kakoio:
ēōthen d' hoi men neas helkomen eis hala dian
ktēmata t' entithemestha bathyzōnous te gynaikas.
155hēmisees d' ara laoi erētyonto menontes
English
"That night we rested and nursed our anger, for Zeus was hatching mischief against us. But in the morning some of us drew our ships into the water and put our goods with our women on board, while the rest, about half in number, stayed behind with Agamemnon.
Homeric Greek
αὖθι παρ' Ἀτρεί̈δῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι, ποιμένι λαῶν:
ἡμίσεες δ' ἀναβάντες ἐλαύνομεν: αἱ δὲ μάλ' ὦκα
ἔπλεον, ἐστόρεσεν δέ θεὸς μεγακήτεα πόντον.
ἐς Τένεδον δ' ἐλθόντες ἐρέξαμεν ἱρὰ θεοισ̂ν,
160οἴκαδε ἱέμενοι: Ζεὺς δ' οὔ πω μήδετο νόστον,
Transliteration
authi par' Atreïdēi Agamemnoni, poimeni laōn:
hēmisees d' anabantes elaunomen: hai de mal' ōka
epleon, estoresen de theos megakētea ponton.
es Tenedon d' elthontes erexamen hira theoisn,
160oikade hiemenoi: Zeus d' ou pō mēdeto noston,
English
We - the other half - embarked and sailed; and the ships went well, for heaven had smoothed the sea. When we reached Tenedos we offered sacrifices to the gods, for we were longing to get home ;
Homeric Greek
σχέτλιος, ὅς ῥ' ἔριν ὦρσε κακήν ἔπι δεύτερον αὖτις.
οἱ μὲν ἀποστρέψαντες ἔβαν νέας ἀμφιελίσσας
ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆα ἄνακτα δαί̈φρονα, ποικιλομήτην,
αὖτις ἐπ' Ἀτρεί̈δῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι ἦρα φέροντες:
165αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ σὺν νηυσὶν ἀολλέσιν, αἵ μοι ἕποντο,
Transliteration
schetlios, hos rh' erin ōrse kakēn epi deuteron autis.
hoi men apostrepsantes eban neas amphielissas
amph' Odysēa anakta daïphrona, poikilomētēn,
autis ep' Atreïdēi Agamemnoni ēra pherontes:
165autar egō syn nēusin aollesin, hai moi heponto,
English
cruel Zeus, however, did not yet mean that we should do so, and raised a second quarrel in the course of which some among us turned their ships back again, and sailed away under Odysseus to make their peace with Agamemnon;
Homeric Greek
φεῦγον, ἐπεὶ γίγνωσκον, ὃδὴ κακὰ μήδετο δαίμων.
φεῦγε δὲ Τυδέος υἱὸς ἀρήιος, ὦρσε δ' ἑταίρους.
ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ μετὰ νῶι κίε ξανθὸς Μενέλαος,
ἐν Λέσβῳ δ' ἔκιχεν δολιχὸν πλόον ὁρμαίνοντας,
170ἢ καθύπερθε Χίοιο νεοίμεθα παιπαλοέσσης,
Transliteration
pheugon, epei gignōskon, hodē kaka mēdeto daimōn.
pheuge de Tydeos huios arēios, ōrse d' hetairous.
opse de dē meta nōi kie xanthos Menelaos,
en Lesbōi d' ekichen dolichon ploon hormainontas,
170ē kathyperthe Chioio neoimetha paipaloessēs,
English
but I, and all the ships that were with me pressed forward, for I saw that mischief was brewing. The son of Tydeus went on also with me, and his crews with him. Later on Menelaos joined us at Lesbos, and found us making up our minds about our course - for
Homeric Greek
νήσου ἔπι Ψυρίης, αὐτὴν ἐπ' ἀριστέρ' ἔχοντες,
ἦ ὑπένερθε Χίοιο, παρ' ἠνεμόεντα Μίμαντα.
ᾐτέομεν δὲ θεὸν φῆναι τέρας: αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' ἡμῖν
δεῖξε, καὶ ἠνώγει πέλαγος μέσον εἰς Εὔβοιαν
175τέμνειν, ὄφρα τάχιστα ὑπὲκ κακότητα φύγοιμεν.
Transliteration
nēsou epi Psyriēs, autēn ep' arister' echontes,
ē hypenerthe Chioio, par' ēnemoenta Mimanta.
ēiteomen de theon phēnai teras: autar ho g' hēmin
deixe, kai ēnōgei pelagos meson eis Euboian
175temnein, ophra tachista hypek kakotēta phygoimen.
English
we did not know whether to go outside Chios by the island of Psyra, keeping this to our left, or inside Chios, over against the stormy headland of Mimas. So we asked heaven for a sign, and were shown one to the effect that we should be soonest out of danger if we headed our ships across the open sea to Euboea.
Homeric Greek
ὦρτο δ' ἐπὶ λιγὺς οὖρος ἀήμεναι: αἱ δὲ μάλ' ὦκα
ἰχθυόεντα κέλευθα διέδραμον, ἐς δὲ Γεραιστὸν
ἐννύχιαι κατάγοντο: Ποσειδάωνι δὲ ταύρων
πόλλ' ἐπὶ μῆρ' ἔθεμεν, πέλαγος μέγα μετρήσαντες.
180τέτρατον ἦμαρ ἔην, ὅτ' ἐν Ἄργεϊ νῆας ἐίσας
Transliteration
ōrto d' epi ligys ouros aēmenai: hai de mal' ōka
ichthyoenta keleutha diedramon, es de Geraiston
ennychiai katagonto: Poseidaōni de taurōn
poll' epi mēr' ethemen, pelagos mega metrēsantes.
180tetraton ēmar eēn, hot' en Argeï nēas eisas
English
This we therefore did, and a fair wind sprang up which gave us a quick passage during the night to Geraistos, where we offered many sacrifices to Poseidon for having helped us so far on our way.
Homeric Greek
Τυδεί̈δεω ἕταροι Διομήδεος ἱπποδάμοιο
ἵστασαν: αὐτάρ ἐγώ γε Πύλονδ' ἔχον, οὐδέ ποτ' ἔσβη
οὖρος, ἐπεὶ δὴ πρῶτα θεὸς προέηκεν ἀῆναι.
"ὣς ἦλθον, φίλε τέκνον, ἀπευθής, οὐδέ τι οἶδα
185κείνων, οἵ τ' ἐσάωθεν Ἀχαιῶν οἵ τ' ἀπόλοντο.
Transliteration
Tydeïdeō hetaroi Diomēdeos hippodamoio
histasan: autar egō ge Pylond' echon, oude pot' esbē
ouros, epei dē prōta theos proeēken aēnai.
"hōs ēlthon, phile teknon, apeuthēs, oude ti oida
185keinōn, hoi t' esaōthen Achaiōn hoi t' apolonto.
English
Four days later Diomedes and his men stationed their ships in Argos, but I held on for Pylos, and the wind never fell light from the day when heaven first made it fair for me. "Therefore, my dear young friend, I returned without hearing anything about the others.
Homeric Greek
ὅσσα δ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισι καθήμενος ἡμετέροισι
πεύθομαι, ἣ θέμις ἐστί, δαήσεαι, κοὐδέ σε δεύσω.
εὖ μὲν Μυρμιδόνας φάσ' ἐλθέμεν ἐγχεσιμώρους,
οὓς ἄγ' Ἀχιλλῆος μεγαθύμου φαίδιμος υἱός,
190εὖ δὲ Φιλοκτήτην, Ποιάντιον ἀγλαὸν υἱόν.
Transliteration
hossa d' eni megaroisi kathēmenos hēmeteroisi
peuthomai, hē themis esti, daēseai, koude se deusō.
eu men Myrmidonas phas' elthemen enchesimōrous,
hous ag' Achillēos megathymou phaidimos huios,
190eu de Philoktētēn, Poiantion aglaon huion.
English
I know neither who got home safely nor who were lost but, as in duty bound, I will give you without reserve the reports that have reached me since I have been here in my own house. They say the Myrmidons returned home safely under Achilles' son Neoptolemos; so also did the valiant son of Poias, Philoctetes.
Homeric Greek
πάντας δ' Ἰδομενεὺς Κρήτην εἰσήγαγ' ἑταίρους,
οἳ φύγον ἐκ πολέμου, πόντος δέ οἱ οὔ τιν' ἀπηύρα.
Ἀτρεί̈δην δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἀκούετε, νόσφιν ἐόντες,
ὥς τ' ἦλθ', ὥς τ' Αἴγισθος ἐμήσατο λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον.
195ἀλλ' ἦ τοι κεῖνος μὲν ἐπισμυγερῶς ἀπέτισεν:
Transliteration
pantas d' Idomeneus Krētēn eisēgag' hetairous,
hoi phygon ek polemou, pontos de hoi ou tin' apēura.
Atreïdēn de kai autoi akouete, nosphin eontes,
hōs t' ēlth', hōs t' Aigisthos emēsato lygron olethron.
195all' ē toi keinos men epismygerōs apetisen:
English
Idomeneus, again, lost no men at sea, and all his followers who escaped death in the field got safe home with him to Crete. No matter how far out of the world you live, you will have heard of Agamemnon and the bad end he came to at the hands of Aigisthos - and a fearful reckoning did Aigisthos presently pay.
Homeric Greek
ὡς ἀγαθὸν καὶ παῖδα καταφθιμένοιο λιπέσθαι
ἀνδρός, ἐπεὶ καὶ κεῖνος ἐτίσατο πατροφονῆα,
Αἴγισθον δολόμητιν, ὅ οἱ πατέρα κλυτὸν ἔκτα.
καὶ σὺ φίλος, μάλα γάρ σ' ὁρόω καλόν τε μέγαν τε,
200ἄλκιμος ἔσσ', ἵνα τίς σε καὶ ὀψιγόνων ἐὺ εἴπῃ."
Transliteration
hōs agathon kai paida kataphthimenoio lipesthai
andros, epei kai keinos etisato patrophonēa,
Aigisthon dolomētin, ho hoi patera klyton ekta.
kai sy philos, mala gar s' horoō kalon te megan te,
200alkimos ess', hina tis se kai opsigonōn eu eipēi."
English
See what a good thing it is for a man to leave a son behind him to do as Orestes did, who killed false Aigisthos the murderer of his noble father. You too, then - for you are a tall, smart-looking young man - show your mettle and make yourself a name in story."
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη, μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν,
καὶ λίην κεῖνος μὲν ἐτίσατο, καί οἱ Ἀχαιοὶ
οἴσουσι κλέος εὐρὺ καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι:
205αἲ γὰρ ἐμοὶ τοσσήνδε θεοὶ δύναμιν περιθεῖεν,
Transliteration
ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:
"ō Nestor Nēlēïadē, mega kydos Achaiōn,
kai liēn keinos men etisato, kai hoi Achaioi
oisousi kleos eury kai essomenoisi pythesthai:
205ai gar emoi tossēnde theoi dynamin peritheien,
English
"Nestor son of Neleus," answered Telemakhos, "honor to the Achaean name, the Achaeans will bear the kleos of Orestes in song even to future generations, for he has avenged his father nobly. Would that heaven might grant me to do like vengeance on the insolence of the wicked suitors, who are ill treating me and plotting my ruin;
Homeric Greek
τίσασθαι μνηστῆρας ὑπερβασίης ἀλεγεινῆς,
οἵ τέ μοι ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωνται.
ἀλλ' οὔ μοι τοιοῦτον ἐπέκλωσαν θεοὶ ὄλβον,
πατρί τ' ἐμῷ καὶ ἐμοί: νῦν δὲ χρὴ τετλάμεν ἔμπης."
210τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:
Transliteration
tisasthai mnēstēras hyperbasiēs alegeinēs,
hoi te moi hybrizontes atasthala mēchanoōntai.
all' ou moi toiouton epeklōsan theoi olbon,
patri t' emōi kai emoi: nyn de chrē tetlamen empēs."
210ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:
English
but the gods have no such happiness in store for me and for my father, so we must bear it as best we may." "My friend," said Nestor, "now that you remind me, I
Homeric Greek
"ὦ φίλ', ἐπεὶ δὴ ταῦτά μ' ἀνέμνησας καὶ ἔειπες,
φασὶ μνηστῆρας σῆς μητέρος εἵνεκα πολλοὺς
ἐν μεγάροις ἀέκητι σέθεν κακὰ μηχανάασθαι:
εἰπέ μοι, ἠὲ ἑκὼν ὑποδάμνασαι, ἦ σέ γε λαοὶ
215ἐχθαίρουσ' ἀνὰ δῆμον, ἐπισπόμενοι θεοῦ ὀμφῇ.
Transliteration
"ō phil', epei dē tauta m' anemnēsas kai eeipes,
phasi mnēstēras sēs mēteros heineka pollous
en megarois aekēti sethen kaka mēchanaasthai:
eipe moi, ēe hekōn hypodamnasai, ē se ge laoi
215echthairous' ana dēmon, epispomenoi theou omphēi.
English
remember to have heard that your mother has many suitors, who are ill disposed towards you and are making havoc of your estate. Do you submit to this tamely, or are the people of the dêmos, following the voice of a god, against you?
Homeric Greek
τίς δ' οἶδ' εἴ κέ ποτέ σφι βίας ἀποτίσεται ἐλθών,
ἢ ὅ γε μοῦνος ἐὼν ἢ καὶ σύμπαντες Ἀχαιοί;
εἰ γάρ σ' ὣς ἐθέλοι φιλέειν γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,
ὡς τότ' Ὀδυσσῆος περικήδετο κυδαλίμοιο
220δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅθι πάσχομεν ἄλγε' Ἀχαιοί--
Transliteration
tis d' oid' ei ke pote sphi bias apotisetai elthōn,
ē ho ge mounos eōn ē kai sympantes Achaioi;
ei gar s' hōs etheloi phileein glaukōpis Athēnē,
hōs tot' Odyssēos perikēdeto kydalimoio
220dēmōi eni Trōōn, hothi paschomen alge' Achaioi--
English
Who knows but that Odysseus may come back after all, and pay these scoundrels in full, either single-handed or with a force of Achaeans behind him? If Athena were to take as great a liking to you as she did to Odysseus when we were fighting in the Trojan dêmos (for I
Homeric Greek
οὐ γάρ πω ἴδον ὧδε θεοὺς ἀναφανδὰ φιλεῦντας,
ὡς κείνῳ ἀναφανδὰ παρίστατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη--
εἴ σ' οὕτως ἐθέλοι φιλέειν κήδοιτό τε θυμῷ,
τῶ κέν τις κείνων γε καὶ ἐκλελάθοιτο γάμοιο."
225τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
Transliteration
ou gar pō idon hōde theous anaphanda phileuntas,
hōs keinōi anaphanda paristato Pallas Athēnē--
ei s' houtōs etheloi phileein kēdoito te thymōi,
tō ken tis keinōn ge kai eklelathoito gamoio."
225ton d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:
English
never yet saw the gods so openly fond of any one as Athena then was of your father), if she would take as good care of you as she did of him, these wooers would soon some of them forget their wooing." Telemakhos answered, "I can expect nothing of the kind;
Homeric Greek
"ὦ γέρον, οὔ πω τοῦτο ἔπος τελέεσθαι ὀίω:
λίην γὰρ μέγα εἶπες: ἄγη μ' ἔχει. οὐκ ἂν ἐμοί γε
ἐλπομένω τὰ γένοιτ', οὐδ' εἰ θεοὶ ὣς ἐθέλοιεν."
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
230"Τηλέμαχε, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων.
Transliteration
"ō geron, ou pō touto epos teleesthai oiō:
liēn gar mega eipes: agē m' echei. ouk an emoi ge
elpomenō ta genoit', oud' ei theoi hōs etheloien."
ton d' aute proseeipe thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:
230"Tēlemache, poion se epos phygen herkos odontōn.
English
it would be far too much to hope for. I dare not let myself think of it. Even though the gods themselves willed it no such good fortune could befall me." On this Athena said, "Telemakhos, what are you talking about? Heaven has a long arm if it is minded to save a man;
Homeric Greek
ῥεῖα θεός γ' ἐθέλων καὶ τηλόθεν ἄνδρα σαώσαι.
βουλοίμην δ' ἂν ἐγώ γε καὶ ἄλγεα πολλὰ μογήσας
οἴκαδέ τ' ἐλθέμεναι καὶ νόστιμον ἦμαρ ἰδέσθαι,
ἢ ἐλθὼν ἀπολέσθαι ἐφέστιος, ὡς Ἀγαμέμνων
235ὤλεθ' ὑπ' Αἰγίσθοιο δόλῳ καὶ ἧς ἀλόχοιο.
Transliteration
rheia theos g' ethelōn kai tēlothen andra saōsai.
bouloimēn d' an egō ge kai algea polla mogēsas
oikade t' elthemenai kai nostimon ēmar idesthai,
ē elthōn apolesthai ephestios, hōs Agamemnōn
235ōleth' hyp' Aigisthoio dolōi kai hēs alochoio.
English
and if it were me, I should not care how much I suffered before getting home, provided I could be safe when I was once there. I would rather this, than get home quickly, and then be killed in my own house as Agamemnon was by the treachery of Aigisthos and his wife.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἦ τοι θάνατον μὲν ὁμοίιον οὐδὲ θεοί περ
καὶ φίλῳ ἀνδρὶ δύνανται ἀλαλκέμεν, ὁππότε κεν δὴ
μοῖρ' ὀλοὴ καθέλῃσι τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο."
τὴν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα:
240"Μέντορ, μηκέτι ταῦτα λεγώμεθα κηδόμενοί περ:
Transliteration
all' ē toi thanaton men homoiion oude theoi per
kai philōi andri dynantai alalkemen, hoppote ken dē
moir' oloē kathelēisi tanēlegeos thanatoio."
tēn d' au Tēlemachos pepnymenos antion ēuda:
240"Mentor, mēketi tauta legōmetha kēdomenoi per:
English
Still, death is certain, and when a man's hour is come, not even the gods can save him, no matter how fond they are of him." "Mentor," answered Telemakhos, "do not let us talk about it any more.
Homeric Greek
κείνῳ δ' οὐκέτι νόστος ἐτήτυμος, ἀλλά οἱ ἤδη
φράσσαντ' ἀθάνατοι θάνατον καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν.
νῦν δ' ἐθέλω ἔπος ἄλλο μεταλλῆσαι καὶ ἐρέσθαι
Νέστορ', ἐπεὶ περὶ οἶδε δίκας ἠδὲ φρόνιν ἄλλων:
245τρὶς γὰρ δή μίν φασιν ἀνάξασθαι γένε' ἀνδρῶν:
Transliteration
keinōi d' ouketi nostos etētymos, alla hoi ēdē
phrassant' athanatoi thanaton kai kēra melainan.
nyn d' ethelō epos allo metallēsai kai eresthai
Nestor', epei peri oide dikas ēde phronin allōn:
245tris gar dē min phasin anaxasthai gene' andrōn:
English
There is no chance of my father's ever coming back ; the gods have long since counseled his destruction. There is something else, however, about which I should like to ask Nestor, for he knows much more than any one else does.
Homeric Greek
ὥς τέ μοι ἀθάνατος ἰνδάλλεται εἰσοράασθαι.
ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη, σὺ δ' ἀληθὲς ἐνίσπες:
πῶς ἔθαν' Ἀτρεί̈δης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων;
ποῦ Μενέλαος ἔην; τίνα δ' αὐτῷ μήσατ' ὄλεθρον
250Αἴγισθος δολόμητις, ἐπεὶ κτάνε πολλὸν ἀρείω;
Transliteration
hōs te moi athanatos indalletai eisoraasthai.
ō Nestor Nēlēïadē, sy d' alēthes enispes:
pōs ethan' Atreïdēs eury kreiōn Agamemnōn;
pou Menelaos eēn; tina d' autōi mēsat' olethron
250Aigisthos dolomētis, epei ktane pollon areiō;
English
They say he has reigned for three generations so that it is like talking to an immortal. Tell me, therefore, Nestor, and tell me true ; how did Agamemnon come to die in that way? What was Menelaos doing?
Homeric Greek
ἦ οὐκ Ἄργεος ἦεν Ἀχαιικοῦ, ἀλλά πῃ ἄλλῃ
πλάζετ' ἐπ' ἀνθρώπους, ὁ δὲ θαρσήσας κατέπεφνε;"
τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:
"τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, τέκνον, ἀληθέα πάντ' ἀγορεύσω.
255ἦ τοι μὲν τάδε καὐτὸς ὀίεαι, ὥς κεν ἐτύχθη,
Transliteration
ē ouk Argeos ēen Achaiikou, alla pēi allēi
plazet' ep' anthrōpous, ho de tharsēsas katepephne;"
ton d' ēmeibet' epeita Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:
"toigar egō toi, teknon, alēthea pant' agoreusō.
255ē toi men tade kautos oieai, hōs ken etychthē,
English
And how came false Aigisthos to kill so far better a man than himself? Was Menelaos away from Achaean Argos, voyaging elsewhere among humankind, that Aigisthos took heart and killed Agamemnon?" "I will tell you truly," answered Nestor, "and indeed you have yourself divined how it all happened.
Homeric Greek
εἰ ζωόν γ' Αἴγισθον ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἔτετμεν
Ἀτρεί̈δης Τροίηθεν ἰών, ξανθὸς Μενέλαος:
τῶ κέ οἱ οὐδὲ θανόντι χυτὴν ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἔχευαν,
ἀλλ' ἄρα τόν γε κύνες τε καὶ οἰωνοὶ κατέδαψαν
260κείμενον ἐν πεδίῳ ἑκὰς ἄστεος, οὐδέ κέ τίς μιν
Transliteration
ei zōon g' Aigisthon eni megaroisin etetmen
Atreïdēs Troiēthen iōn, xanthos Menelaos:
tō ke hoi oude thanonti chytēn epi gaian echeuan,
all' ara ton ge kynes te kai oiōnoi katedapsan
260keimenon en pediōi hekas asteos, oude ke tis min
English
If Menelaos when he got back from Troy had found Aigisthos still alive in his house, there would have been no grave marker heaped up for him, not even when he was dead, but he would have been thrown outside the city to dogs and vultures, and not a woman would have mourned him, for he had done a deed of great wickedness;
Homeric Greek
κλαῦσεν Ἀχαιιάδων: μάλα γὰρ μέγα μήσατο ἔργον.
ἡμεῖς μὲν γὰρ κεῖθι πολέας τελέοντες ἀέθλους
ἥμεθ': ὁ δ' εὔκηλος μυχῷ Ἄργεος ἱπποβότοιο
πόλλ' Ἀγαμεμνονέην ἄλοχον θέλγεσκ' ἐπέεσσιν.
265ἡ δ' ἦ τοι τὸ πρὶν μὲν ἀναίνετο ἔργον ἀεικὲς
Transliteration
klausen Achaiiadōn: mala gar mega mēsato ergon.
hēmeis men gar keithi poleas teleontes aethlous
hēmeth': ho d' eukēlos mychōi Argeos hippobotoio
poll' Agamemnoneēn alochon thelgesk' epeessin.
265hē d' ē toi to prin men anaineto ergon aeikes
English
but we were over there, fighting hard at Troy, and Aigisthos who was taking his ease quietly in the heart of Argos, cajoled Agamemnon's wife Clytemnestra with incessant flattery. "At first she would have nothing to do with his wicked scheme, for she was of a good natural disposition;
Homeric Greek
δῖα Κλυταιμνήστρη: φρεσὶ γὰρ κέχρητ' ἀγαθῇσι:
πὰρ δ' ἄρ' ἔην καὶ ἀοιδὸς ἀνήρ, ᾧ πόλλ' ἐπέτελλεν
Ἀτρεί̈δης Τροίηνδε κιὼν ἔρυσασθαι ἄκοιτιν.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δή μιν μοῖρα θεῶν ἐπέδησε δαμῆναι,
270δὴ τότε τὸν μὲν ἀοιδὸν ἄγων ἐς νῆσον ἐρήμην
Transliteration
dia Klytaimnēstrē: phresi gar kechrēt' agathēisi:
par d' ar' eēn kai aoidos anēr, hōi poll' epetellen
Atreïdēs Troiēnde kiōn erysasthai akoitin.
all' hote dē min moira theōn epedēse damēnai,
270dē tote ton men aoidon agōn es nēson erēmēn
English
moreover there was a singer with her, to whom Agamemnon had given strict orders on setting out for Troy, that he was to keep guard over his wife; but when heaven had counseled her destruction, Aigisthos led this bard off to a desert island and left
Homeric Greek
κάλλιπεν οἰωνοῖσιν ἕλωρ καὶ κύρμα γενέσθαι,
τὴν δ' ἐθέλων ἐθέλουσαν ἀνήγαγεν ὅνδε δόμονδε.
πολλὰ δὲ μηρί' ἔκηε θεῶν ἱεροῖς ἐπὶ βωμοῖς,
πολλὰ δ' ἀγάλματ' ἀνῆψεν, ὑφάσματά τε χρυσόν τε,
275ἐκτελέσας μέγα ἔργον, ὃ οὔ ποτε ἔλπετο θυμῷ.
Transliteration
kallipen oiōnoisin helōr kai kyrma genesthai,
tēn d' ethelōn ethelousan anēgagen honde domonde.
polla de mēri' ekēe theōn hierois epi bōmois,
polla d' agalmat' anēpsen, hyphasmata te chryson te,
275ektelesas mega ergon, ho ou pote elpeto thymōi.
English
him there for crows and seagulls to batten upon - after which she went willingly enough to the house of Aigisthos. Then he offered many burnt sacrifices to the gods, and decorated many temples with tapestries and gilding, for he had succeeded far beyond his expectations.
Homeric Greek
"ἡμεῖς μὲν γὰρ ἅμα πλέομεν Τροίηθεν ἰόντες,
Ἀτρεί̈δης καὶ ἐγώ, φίλα εἰδότες ἀλλήλοισιν:
ἀλλ' ὅτε Σούνιον ἱρὸν ἀφικόμεθ', ἄκρον Ἀθηνέων,
ἔνθα κυβερνήτην Μενελάου Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων
280οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχόμενος κατέπεφνε,
Transliteration
"hēmeis men gar hama pleomen Troiēthen iontes,
Atreïdēs kai egō, phila eidotes allēloisin:
all' hote Sounion hiron aphikometh', akron Athēneōn,
entha kybernētēn Menelaou Phoibos Apollōn
280hois aganois beleessin epoichomenos katepephne,
English
"Meanwhile Menelaos and I were on our way home from Troy, on good terms with one another. When we got to Sounion, which is the point of Athens, Apollo with his painless shafts killed Phrontis the steersman of Menelaos' ship (and never man knew better how
Homeric Greek
πηδάλιον μετὰ χερσὶ θεούσης νηὸς ἔχοντα,
Φρόντιν Ὀνητορίδην, ὃς ἐκαίνυτο φῦλ' ἀνθρώπων
νῆα κυβερνῆσαι, ὁπότε σπέρχοιεν ἄελλαι.
ὣς ὁ μὲν ἔνθα κατέσχετ', ἐπειγόμενός περ ὁδοῖο,
285ὄφρ' ἕταρον θάπτοι καὶ ἐπὶ κτέρεα κτερίσειεν.
Transliteration
pēdalion meta chersi theousēs nēos echonta,
Phrontin Onētoridēn, hos ekainyto phyl' anthrōpōn
nēa kybernēsai, hopote sperchoien aellai.
hōs ho men entha kateschet', epeigomenos per hodoio,
285ophr' hetaron thaptoi kai epi kterea kteriseien.
English
to handle a vessel in rough weather) so that he died then and there with the helm in his hand, and Menelaos, though very anxious to press forward, had to wait in order to bury his comrade and give him his due funeral rites.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ καὶ κεῖνος ἰὼν ἐπὶ οἴνοπα πόντον
ἐν νηυσὶ γλαφυρῇσι Μαλειάων ὄρος αἰπὺ
ἷξε θέων, τότε δὴ στυγερὴν ὁδὸν εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς
ἐφράσατο, λιγέων δ' ἀνέμων ἐπ' ἀυτμένα χεῦε,
290κύματά τε τροφέοντο πελώρια, ἶσα ὄρεσσιν.
Transliteration
all' hote dē kai keinos iōn epi oinopa ponton
en nēusi glaphyrēisi Maleiaōn oros aipy
hixe theōn, tote dē stygerēn hodon euryopa Zeus
ephrasato, ligeōn d' anemōn ep' autmena cheue,
290kymata te tropheonto pelōria, isa oressin.
English
Presently, when he too could put to sea again, and had sailed on as far as the Malean heads, Zeus counseled evil against him and made it blow hard till the waves ran mountains high.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα διατμήξας τὰς μὲν Κρήτῃ ἐπέλασσεν,
ἧχι Κύδωνες ἔναιον Ἰαρδάνου ἀμφὶ ῥέεθρα.
ἔστι δέ τις λισσὴ αἰπεῖά τε εἰς ἅλα πέτρη
ἐσχατιῇ Γόρτυνος ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳ:
295ἔνθα Νότος μέγα κῦμα ποτὶ σκαιὸν ῥίον ὠθεῖ,
Transliteration
entha diatmēxas tas men Krētēi epelassen,
hēchi Kydōnes enaion Iardanou amphi rheethra.
esti de tis lissē aipeia te eis hala petrē
eschatiēi Gortynos en ēeroeidei pontōi:
295entha Notos mega kyma poti skaion rhion ōthei,
English
Here he divided his fleet and took the one half towards Crete where the Cydonians dwell round about the waters of the river Iardanos. There is a high headland hereabouts stretching out into the sea from a place called Gortyn, and all along this part of the coast as
Homeric Greek
ἐς Φαιστόν, μικρὸς δὲ λίθος μέγα κῦμ' ἀποέργει.
αἱ μὲν ἄρ' ἔνθ' ἦλθον, σπουδῇ δ' ἤλυξαν ὄλεθρον
ἄνδρες, ἀτὰρ νῆάς γε ποτὶ σπιλάδεσσιν ἔαξαν
κύματ': ἀτὰρ τὰς πέντε νέας κυανοπρῳρείους
300Αἰγύπτῳ ἐπέλασσε φέρων ἄνεμός τε καὶ ὕδωρ.
Transliteration
es Phaiston, mikros de lithos mega kym' apoergei.
hai men ar' enth' ēlthon, spoudēi d' ēlyxan olethron
andres, atar nēas ge poti spiladessin eaxan
kymat': atar tas pente neas kyanoprōireious
300Aigyptōi epelasse pherōn anemos te kai hydōr.
English
far as Phaistos the sea runs high when there is a south wind blowing, but past Phaistos the coast is more protected, for a small headland can make a great shelter. Here this part of the fleet was driven on to the rocks and wrecked;
Homeric Greek
ὣς ὁ μὲν ἔνθα πολὺν βίοτον καὶ χρυσὸν ἀγείρων
ἠλᾶτο ξὺν νηυσὶ κατ' ἀλλοθρόους ἀνθρώπους:
τόφρα δὲ ταῦτ' Αἴγισθος ἐμήσατο οἴκοθι λυγρά.
ἑπτάετες δ' ἤνασσε πολυχρύσοιο Μυκήνης,
305κτείνας Ἀτρεί̈δην, δέδμητο δὲ λαὸς ὑπ' αὐτῷ.
Transliteration
hōs ho men entha polyn bioton kai chryson ageirōn
ēlato xyn nēusi kat' allothroous anthrōpous:
tophra de taut' Aigisthos emēsato oikothi lygra.
heptaetes d' ēnasse polychrysoio Mykēnēs,
305kteinas Atreïdēn, dedmēto de laos hyp' autōi.
English
but the crews just managed to save themselves. As for the other five ships, they were taken by winds and seas to Egypt, where Menelaos gathered much gold and substance among people of an alien speech. Meanwhile Aigisthos here at home plotted his evil deed.
Homeric Greek
τῷ δέ οἱ ὀγδοάτῳ κακὸν ἤλυθε δῖος Ὀρέστης
ἂψ ἀπ' Ἀθηνάων, κατὰ δ' ἔκτανε πατροφονῆα,
Αἴγισθον δολόμητιν, ὅ οἱ πατέρα κλυτὸν ἔκτα.
ἦ τοι ὁ τὸν κτείνας δαίνυ τάφον Ἀργείοισιν
310μητρός τε στυγερῆς καὶ ἀνάλκιδος Αἰγίσθοιο:
Transliteration
tōi de hoi ogdoatōi kakon ēlythe dios Orestēs
aps ap' Athēnaōn, kata d' ektane patrophonēa,
Aigisthon dolomētin, ho hoi patera klyton ekta.
ē toi ho ton kteinas dainy taphon Argeioisin
310mētros te stygerēs kai analkidos Aigisthoio:
English
For seven years after he had killed Agamemnon he ruled in Mycenae, and the people were obedient under him, but in the eighth year Orestes came back from Athens to be his bane, and killed the murderer of his father. Then he celebrated the funeral rites of his mother and of false Aigisthos by a banquet
Homeric Greek
αὐτῆμαρ δέ οἱ ἦλθε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος
πολλὰ κτήματ' ἄγων, ὅσα οἱ νέες ἄχθος ἄειραν.
"καὶ σύ, φίλος, μὴ δηθὰ δόμων ἄπο τῆλ' ἀλάλησο,
κτήματά τε προλιπὼν ἄνδρας τ' ἐν σοῖσι δόμοισιν
315οὕτω ὑπερφιάλους, μή τοι κατὰ πάντα φάγωσιν
Transliteration
autēmar de hoi ēlthe boēn agathos Menelaos
polla ktēmat' agōn, hosa hoi nees achthos aeiran.
"kai sy, philos, mē dētha domōn apo tēl' alalēso,
ktēmata te prolipōn andras t' en soisi domoisin
315houtō hyperphialous, mē toi kata panta phagōsin
English
to the people of Argos, and on that very day Menelaos came home, with as much treasure as his ships could carry. "Take my advice then, and do not go traveling about for long so far from home, nor leave your property with such dangerous people in your house;
Homeric Greek
κτήματα δασσάμενοι, σὺ δὲ τηϋσίην ὁδὸν ἔλθῃς.
ἀλλ' ἐς μὲν Μενέλαον ἐγὼ κέλομαι καὶ ἄνωγα
ἐλθεῖν: κεῖνος γὰρ νέον ἄλλοθεν εἰλήλουθεν,
ἐκ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅθεν οὐκ ἔλποιτό γε θυμῷ
320ἐλθέμεν, ὅν τινα πρῶτον ἀποσφήλωσιν ἄελλαι
Transliteration
ktēmata dassamenoi, sy de tēÿsiēn hodon elthēis.
all' es men Menelaon egō kelomai kai anōga
elthein: keinos gar neon allothen eilēlouthen,
ek tōn anthrōpōn, hothen ouk elpoito ge thymōi
320elthemen, hon tina prōton aposphēlōsin aellai
English
they will eat up everything you have among them, and you will have been on a fool's errand. Still, I should advise you by all means to go and visit Menelaos, who has lately come off a voyage among such distant peoples as no man could ever hope to get back from, when the winds had once carried him so far out of his reckoning;
Homeric Greek
ἐς πέλαγος μέγα τοῖον, ὅθεν τέ περ οὐδ' οἰωνοὶ
αὐτόετες οἰχνεῦσιν, ἐπεὶ μέγα τε δεινόν τε.
ἀλλ' ἴθι νῦν σὺν νηί τε σῇ καὶ σοῖς ἑτάροισιν:
εἰ δ' ἐθέλεις πεζός, πάρα τοι δίφρος τε καὶ ἵπποι,
325πὰρ δὲ τοι υἷες ἐμοί, οἵ τοι πομπῆες ἔσονται
Transliteration
es pelagos mega toion, hothen te per oud' oiōnoi
autoetes oichneusin, epei mega te deinon te.
all' ithi nyn syn nēi te sēi kai sois hetaroisin:
ei d' etheleis pezos, para toi diphros te kai hippoi,
325par de toi huies emoi, hoi toi pompēes esontai
English
even birds cannot fly the distance in a twelvemonth, so vast and terrible are the seas that they must cross. Go to him, therefore, by sea, and take your own men with you; or if you would rather travel by land you can have a chariot, you can have horses, and here are my sons who can escort you to Lacedaemon where Menelaos lives.
Homeric Greek
ἐς Λακεδαίμονα δῖαν, ὅθι ξανθὸς Μενέλαος.
λίσσεσθαι δέ μιν αὐτός, ἵνα νημερτὲς ἐνίσπῃ:
ψεῦδος δ' οὐκ ἐρέει: μάλα γὰρ πεπνυμένος ἐστίν."
ὣς ἔφατ', ἠέλιος δ' ἄρ' ἔδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθε.
330τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
Transliteration
es Lakedaimona dian, hothi xanthos Menelaos.
lissesthai de min autos, hina nēmertes enispēi:
pseudos d' ouk ereei: mala gar pepnymenos estin."
hōs ephat', ēelios d' ar' edy kai epi knephas ēlthe.
330toisi de kai meteeipe thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:
English
Beg of him to speak the truth, and he will tell you no lies, for he is an excellent person." As he spoke the sun set and it came on dark, whereon Athena said, "Sir, all that you have said is well;
Homeric Greek
"ὦ γέρον, ἦ τοι ταῦτα κατὰ μοῖραν κατέλεξας:
ἀλλ' ἄγε τάμνετε μὲν γλώσσας, κεράασθε δὲ οἶνον,
ὄφρα Ποσειδάωνι καὶ ἄλλοις ἀθανάτοισιν
σπείσαντες κοίτοιο μεδώμεθα: τοῖο γὰρ ὥρη.
335ἤδη γὰρ φάος οἴχεθ' ὑπὸ ζόφον, οὐδὲ ἔοικεν:
Transliteration
"ō geron, ē toi tauta kata moiran katelexas:
all' age tamnete men glōssas, keraasthe de oinon,
ophra Poseidaōni kai allois athanatoisin
speisantes koitoio medōmetha: toio gar hōrē.
335ēdē gar phaos oicheth' hypo zophon, oude eoiken:
English
now, however, order the tongues of the victims to be cut, and mix wine that we may make drink-offerings to Poseidon, and the other immortals, and then go to bed, for it is bed time.
Homeric Greek
δηθὰ θεῶν ἐν δαιτὶ θαασσέμεν, ἀλλὰ νέεσθαι."
ἦ ῥα Διὸς θυγάτηρ, οἱ δ' ἔκλυον αὐδησάσης.
τοῖσι δὲ κήρυκες μὲν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας ἔχευαν,
κοῦροι δὲ κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο,
340νώμησαν δ' ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενοι δεπάεσσι:
Transliteration
dētha theōn en daiti thaassemen, alla neesthai."
ē rha Dios thygatēr, hoi d' eklyon audēsasēs.
toisi de kērykes men hydōr epi cheiras echeuan,
kouroi de krētēras epestepsanto potoio,
340nōmēsan d' ara pasin eparxamenoi depaessi:
English
People should go away early and not keep late hours at a religious festival." Thus spoke the daughter of Zeus, and they obeyed her saying. Men servants poured water over the hands of the guests, while pages filled the mixing-bowls with wine and water, and handed it round after giving every man his drink-offering;
Homeric Greek
γλώσσας δ' ἐν πυρὶ βάλλον, ἀνιστάμενοι δ' ἐπέλειβον.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τ' ἔπιον θ', ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,
δὴ τότ' Ἀθηναίη καὶ Τηλέμαχος θεοειδὴς
ἄμφω ἱέσθην κοίλην ἐπὶ νῆα νέεσθαι.
345Νέστωρ δ' αὖ κατέρυκε καθαπτόμενος ἐπέεσσιν:
Transliteration
glōssas d' en pyri ballon, anistamenoi d' epeleibon.
autar epei speisan t' epion th', hoson ēthele thymos,
dē tot' Athēnaiē kai Tēlemachos theoeidēs
amphō hiesthēn koilēn epi nēa neesthai.
345Nestōr d' au kateryke kathaptomenos epeessin:
English
then they threw the tongues of the victims into the fire, and stood up to make their drink-offerings. When they had made their offerings and had drunk each as much as he was minded, Athena and Telemakhos were for going on board their ship, but Nestor caught them up at once and stayed them.
Homeric Greek
"Ζεὺς τό γ' ἀλεξήσειε καὶ ἀθάνατοι θεοὶ ἄλλοι,
ὡς ὑμεῖς παρ' ἐμεῖο θοὴν ἐπὶ νῆα κίοιτε
ὥς τέ τευ ἦ παρὰ πάμπαν ἀνείμονος ἠδὲ πενιχροῦ,
ᾧ οὔ τι χλαῖναι καὶ ῥήγεα πόλλ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,
350οὔτ' αὐτῷ μαλακῶς οὔτε ξείνοισιν ἐνεύδειν.
Transliteration
"Zeus to g' alexēseie kai athanatoi theoi alloi,
hōs hymeis par' emeio thoēn epi nēa kioite
hōs te teu ē para pampan aneimonos ēde penichrou,
hōi ou ti chlainai kai rhēgea poll' eni oikōi,
350out' autōi malakōs oute xeinoisin eneudein.
English
"Heaven and the immortal gods," he exclaimed, "forbid that you should leave my house to go on board of a ship. Do you think I am so poor and short of clothes, or that I have so few cloaks and as to be unable to find comfortable beds both for myself and for my guests?
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ πάρα μὲν χλαῖναι καὶ ῥήγεα καλά.
οὔ θην δὴ τοῦδ' ἀνδρὸς Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱὸς
νηὸς ἐπ' ἰκριόφιν καταλέξεται, ὄφρ' ἂν ἐγώ γε
ζώω, ἔπειτα δὲ παῖδες ἐνὶ μεγάροισι λίπωνται,
355ξείνους ξεινίζειν, ὅς τίς κ' ἐμὰ δώμαθ' ἵκηται."
Transliteration
autar emoi para men chlainai kai rhēgea kala.
ou thēn dē toud' andros Odyssēos philos huios
nēos ep' ikriophin katalexetai, ophr' an egō ge
zōō, epeita de paides eni megaroisi lipōntai,
355xeinous xeinizein, hos tis k' ema dōmath' hikētai."
English
Let me tell you I have store both of rugs and cloaks, and shall not permit the son of my old friend Odysseus to camp down on the deck of a ship - not while I live - nor yet will my sons after me, but they will keep open house as I have done."
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
"εὖ δὴ ταῦτά γ' ἔφησθα, γέρον φίλε: σοὶ δὲ ἔοικεν
Τηλέμαχον πείθεσθαι, ἐπεὶ πολὺ κάλλιον οὕτως.
ἀλλ' οὗτος μὲν νῦν σοὶ ἅμ' ἕψεται, ὄφρα κεν εὕδῃ
360σοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν: ἐγὼ δ' ἐπὶ νῆα μέλαιναν
Transliteration
ton d' aute proseeipe thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:
"eu dē tauta g' ephēstha, geron phile: soi de eoiken
Tēlemachon peithesthai, epei poly kallion houtōs.
all' houtos men nyn soi ham' hepsetai, ophra ken heudēi
360soisin eni megaroisin: egō d' epi nēa melainan
English
Then Athena answered, "Sir, you have spoken well, and it will be much better that Telemakhos should do as you have said; he, therefore, shall return with you and sleep at your house, but I must go back to give orders to my crew, and keep them in good heart.
Homeric Greek
εἶμ', ἵνα θαρσύνω θ' ἑτάρους εἴπω τε ἕκαστα.
οἶος γὰρ μετὰ τοῖσι γεραίτερος εὔχομαι εἶναι:
οἱ δ' ἄλλοι φιλότητι νεώτεροι ἄνδρες ἕπονται,
πάντες ὁμηλικίη μεγαθύμου Τηλεμάχοιο.
365ἔνθα κε λεξαίμην κοίλῃ παρὰ νηὶ μελαίνῃ
Transliteration
eim', hina tharsynō th' hetarous eipō te hekasta.
oios gar meta toisi geraiteros euchomai einai:
hoi d' alloi philotēti neōteroi andres hepontai,
pantes homēlikiē megathymou Tēlemachoio.
365entha ke lexaimēn koilēi para nēi melainēi
English
I am the only older person among them; the rest are all young men of Telemakhos' own age, who have taken this voyage out of friendship; so I must return to the ship and sleep there.
Homeric Greek
νῦν: ἀτὰρ ἠῶθεν μετὰ Καύκωνας μεγαθύμους
εἶμ' ἔνθα χρεῖός μοι ὀφέλλεται, οὔ τι νέον γε
οὐδ' ὀλίγον. σὺ δὲ τοῦτον, ἐπεὶ τεὸν ἵκετο δῶμα,
πέμψον σὺν δίφρῳ τε καὶ υἱέι: δὸς δέ οἱ ἵππους,
370οἵ τοι ἐλαφρότατοι θείειν καὶ κάρτος ἄριστοι."
Transliteration
nyn: atar ēōthen meta Kaukōnas megathymous
eim' entha chreios moi ophelletai, ou ti neon ge
oud' oligon. sy de touton, epei teon hiketo dōma,
pempson syn diphrōi te kai huiei: dos de hoi hippous,
370hoi toi elaphrotatoi theiein kai kartos aristoi."
English
Moreover tomorrow I must go to the Cauconians where I have a large sum of wealth long owed to me. As for Telemakhos, now that he is your guest, send him to Lacedaemon in a chariot, and let one of your sons go with him. Be pleased also to provide him with your best and fleetest horses."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασ' ἀπέβη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη
φήνῃ εἰδομένη: θάμβος δ' ἕλε πάντας ἰδόντας.
θαύμαζεν δ' ὁ γεραιός, ὅπως ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖς:
Τηλεμάχου δ' ἕλε χεῖρα, ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:
375"ὦ φίλος, οὔ σε ἔολπα κακὸν καὶ ἄναλκιν ἔσεσθαι,
Transliteration
hōs ara phōnēsas' apebē glaukōpis Athēnē
phēnēi eidomenē: thambos d' hele pantas idontas.
thaumazen d' ho geraios, hopōs iden ophthalmois:
Tēlemachou d' hele cheira, epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:
375"ō philos, ou se eolpa kakon kai analkin esesthai,
English
When she had thus spoken, she flew away in the form of an eagle, and all marveled as they beheld it. Nestor was astonished, and took Telemakhos by the hand. "My friend," said he, "I see that you are going to be a great hero some day, since the gods wait upon you thus while you are still so young.
Homeric Greek
εἰ δή τοι νέῳ ὧδε θεοὶ πομπῆες ἕπονται.
οὐ μὲν γάρ τις ὅδ' ἄλλος Ὀλύμπια δώματ' ἐχόντων,
ἀλλὰ Διὸς θυγάτηρ, κυδίστη Τριτογένεια,
ἥ τοι καὶ πατέρ' ἐσθλὸν ἐν Ἀργείοισιν ἐτίμα.
380ἀλλὰ ἄνασσ' ἵληθι, δίδωθι δέ μοι κλέος ἐσθλόν,
Transliteration
ei dē toi neōi hōde theoi pompēes hepontai.
ou men gar tis hod' allos Olympia dōmat' echontōn,
alla Dios thygatēr, kydistē Tritogeneia,
hē toi kai pater' esthlon en Argeioisin etima.
380alla anass' hilēthi, didōthi de moi kleos esthlon,
English
This can have been none other of those who dwell in heaven than Zeus' redoubtable daughter, the Trito-born, who showed such favor towards your brave father among the Argives." "Holy queen," he continued, "agree to send down noble kleos upon myself, my good wife, and my children.
Homeric Greek
αὐτῷ καὶ παίδεσσι καὶ αἰδοίῃ παρακοίτι:
σοὶ δ' αὖ ἐγὼ ῥέξω βοῦν ἦνιν εὐρυμέτωπον
ἀδμήτην, ἣν οὔ πω ὕπὸ ζυγὸν ἤγαγεν ἀνήρ:
τήν τοι ἐγὼ ῥέξω χρυσὸν κέρασιν περιχεύας."
385ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δ' ἔκλυε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.
Transliteration
autōi kai paidessi kai aidoiēi parakoiti:
soi d' au egō rhexō boun ēnin eurymetōpon
admētēn, hēn ou pō hypo zygon ēgagen anēr:
tēn toi egō rhexō chryson kerasin pericheuas."
385hōs ephat' euchomenos, tou d' eklye Pallas Athēnē.
English
In return, I will offer you in sacrifice a broad-browed heifer of a year old, unbroken, and never yet brought by man under the yoke. I will gild her horns, and will offer her up to you in sacrifice." Thus did he pray, and Athena heard his prayer.
Homeric Greek
τοῖσιν δ' ἡγεμόνευε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,
υἱάσι καὶ γαμβροῖσιν, ἑὰ πρὸς δώματα καλά.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δώμαθ' ἵκοντο ἀγακλυτὰ τοῖο ἄνακτος,
ἑξείης ἕζοντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε:
390τοῖς δ' ὁ γέρων ἐλθοῦσιν ἀνὰ κρητῆρα κέρασσεν
Transliteration
toisin d' hēgemoneue Gerēnios hippota Nestōr,
huiasi kai gambroisin, hea pros dōmata kala.
all' hote dōmath' hikonto agaklyta toio anaktos,
hexeiēs hezonto kata klismous te thronous te:
390tois d' ho gerōn elthousin ana krētēra kerassen
English
He then led the way to his own house, followed by his sons and sons-in-law. When they had got there and had taken their places on the benches and seats, he mixed them a bowl of sweet wine that was eleven
Homeric Greek
οἴνου ἡδυπότοιο, τὸν ἑνδεκάτῳ ἐνιαυτῷ
ὤιξεν ταμίη καὶ ἀπὸ κρήδεμνον ἔλυσε:
τοῦ ὁ γέρων κρητῆρα κεράσσατο, πολλὰ δ' Ἀθήνῃ
εὔχετ' ἀποσπένδων, κούρῃ Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο.
395αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σπεῖσάν τ' ἔπιον θ', ὅσον ἤθελε θυμός,
Transliteration
oinou hēdypotoio, ton hendekatōi eniautōi
ōixen tamiē kai apo krēdemnon elyse:
tou ho gerōn krētēra kerassato, polla d' Athēnēi
euchet' apospendōn, kourēi Dios aigiochoio.
395autar epei speisan t' epion th', hoson ēthele thymos,
English
years old when the housekeeper took the lid off the jar that held it. As he mixed the wine, he prayed much and made drink-offerings to Athena, daughter of Aegis-bearing Zeus.
Homeric Greek
οἱ μὲν κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκόνδε ἕκαστος,
τὸν δ' αὐτοῦ κοίμησε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,
Τηλέμαχον, φίλον υἱὸν Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,
τρητοῖς ἐν λεχέεσσιν ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ,
400πὰρ' δ' ἄρ' ἐυμμελίην Πεισίστρατον, ὄρχαμον ἀνδρῶν,
Transliteration
hoi men kakkeiontes eban oikonde hekastos,
ton d' autou koimēse Gerēnios hippota Nestōr,
Tēlemachon, philon huion Odyssēos theioio,
trētois en lecheessin hyp' aithousēi eridoupōi,
400par' d' ar' eummeliēn Peisistraton, orchamon andrōn,
English
Then, when they had made their drink-offerings and had drunk each as much as he was minded, the others went home to bed each in his own abode; but Nestor put Telemakhos to sleep in the room that was over the gateway along with Peisistratos, who was the only unmarried son now left him.
Homeric Greek
ὅς οἱ ἔτ' ἠίθεος παίδων ἦν ἐν μεγάροισιν:
αὐτὸς δ' αὖτε καθεῦδε μυχῷ δόμου ὑψηλοῖο,
τῷ δ' ἄλοχος δέσποινα λέχος πόρσυνε καὶ εὐνήν.
ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
405ὤρνυτ' ἄρ' ἐξ εὐνῆφι Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,
Transliteration
hos hoi et' ēitheos paidōn ēn en megaroisin:
autos d' aute katheude mychōi domou hypsēloio,
tōi d' alochos despoina lechos porsyne kai eunēn.
ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,
405ōrnyt' ar' ex eunēphi Gerēnios hippota Nestōr,
English
As for himself, he slept in an inner room of the house, with the queen his wife by his side. Now when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Nestor left his couch and took
Homeric Greek
ἐκ δ' ἐλθὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετ' ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι λίθοισιν,
οἵ οἱ ἔσαν προπάροιθε θυράων ὑψηλάων,
λευκοί, ἀποστίλβοντες ἀλείφατος: οἷς ἔπι μὲν πρὶν
Νηλεὺς ἵζεσκεν, θεόφιν μήστωρ ἀτάλαντος:
410ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν ἤδη κηρὶ δαμεὶς Ἄϊδόσδε βεβήκει,
Transliteration
ek d' elthōn kat' ar' hezet' epi xestoisi lithoisin,
hoi hoi esan proparoithe thyraōn hypsēlaōn,
leukoi, apostilbontes aleiphatos: hois epi men prin
Nēleus hizesken, theophin mēstōr atalantos:
410all' ho men ēdē kēri dameis Aïdosde bebēkei,
English
his seat on the benches of white and polished marble that stood in front of his house. Here aforetime sat Neleus, peer of gods in counsel, but he was now dead, and had gone to the house of Hades;
Homeric Greek
Νέστωρ αὖ τότ' ἐφῖζε Γερήνιος, οὖρος Ἀχαιῶν,
σκῆπτρον ἔχων. περὶ δ' υἷες ἀολλέες ἠγερέθοντο
ἐκ θαλάμων ἐλθόντες, Ἐχέφρων τε Στρατίος τε
Περσεύς τ' Ἄρητός τε καὶ ἀντίθεος Θρασυμήδης.
415τοῖσι δ' ἔπειθ' ἕκτος Πεισίστρατος ἤλυθεν ἥρως,
Transliteration
Nestōr au tot' ephize Gerēnios, ouros Achaiōn,
skēptron echōn. peri d' huies aollees ēgerethonto
ek thalamōn elthontes, Echephrōn te Stratios te
Perseus t' Arētos te kai antitheos Thrasymēdēs.
415toisi d' epeith' hektos Peisistratos ēlythen hērōs,
English
so Nestor sat in his seat, scepter in hand, as guardian of the public weal. His sons as they left their rooms gathered round him, Echephron, Stratios, Perseus, Aretos, and Thrasymedes;
Homeric Greek
πὰρ δ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχον θεοείκελον εἷσαν ἄγοντες.
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:
"καρπαλίμως μοι, τέκνα φίλα, κρηήνατ' ἐέλδωρ,
ὄφρ' ἦ τοι πρώτιστα θεῶν ἱλάσσομ' Ἀθήνην,
420ἥ μοι ἐναργὴς ἦλθε θεοῦ ἐς δαῖτα θάλειαν.
Transliteration
par d' ara Tēlemachon theoeikelon heisan agontes.
toisi de mythōn ērche Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:
"karpalimōs moi, tekna phila, krēēnat' eeldōr,
ophr' ē toi prōtista theōn hilassom' Athēnēn,
420hē moi enargēs ēlthe theou es daita thaleian.
English
the sixth son was Peisistratos, and when Telemakhos joined them they made him sit with them. Nestor then addressed them. "My sons," said he, "make haste to do as I shall bid you. I wish first and foremost to propitiate the great goddess Athena, who manifested herself visibly to me during yesterday's festivities.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἄγ' ὁ μὲν πεδίονδ' ἐπὶ βοῦν, ἴτω, ὄφρα τάχιστα
ἔλθῃσιν, ἐλάσῃ δὲ βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ:
εἷς δ' ἐπὶ Τηλεμάχου μεγαθύμου νῆα μέλαιναν
πάντας ἰὼν ἑτάρους ἀγέτω, λιπέτω δὲ δύ' οἴους:
425εἷς δ' αὖ χρυσοχόον Λαέρκεα δεῦρο κελέσθω
Transliteration
all' ag' ho men pediond' epi boun, itō, ophra tachista
elthēisin, elasēi de boōn epiboukolos anēr:
heis d' epi Tēlemachou megathymou nēa melainan
pantas iōn hetarous agetō, lipetō de dy' oious:
425heis d' au chrysochoon Laerkea deuro kelesthō
English
Go, then, one or other of you to the plain, tell the stockman to look me out a heifer, and come on here with it at once. Another must go to Telemakhos' ship, and invite all the crew, leaving two men only in charge of the vessel. Some one else will run and fetch Laerceus the goldsmith to gild the horns of the heifer.
Homeric Greek
ἐλθεῖν, ὄφρα βοὸς χρυσὸν κέρασιν περιχεύῃ.
οἱ δ' ἄλλοι μένετ' αὐτοῦ ἀολλέες, εἴπατε δ' εἴσω
δμῳῇσιν κατὰ δώματ' ἀγακλυτὰ δαῖτα πένεσθαι,
ἕδρας τε ξύλα τ' ἀμφὶ καὶ ἀγλαὸν οἰσέμεν ὕδωρ."
430ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐποίπνυον. ἦλθε μὲν ἂρ βοῦς
Transliteration
elthein, ophra boos chryson kerasin pericheuēi.
hoi d' alloi menet' autou aollees, eipate d' eisō
dmōiēisin kata dōmat' agaklyta daita penesthai,
hedras te xyla t' amphi kai aglaon oisemen hydōr."
430hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes epoipnyon. ēlthe men ar bous
English
The rest, stay all of you where you are; tell the maids in the house to prepare an excellent dinner, and to fetch seats, and logs of wood for a burnt offering. Tell them also to bring me some clear spring water." On this they hurried off on their several errands.
Homeric Greek
ἐκ πεδίου, ἦλθον δὲ θοῆς παρὰ νηὸς ἐίσης
Τηλεμάχου ἕταροι μεγαλήτορος, ἦλθε δὲ χαλκεὺς
ὅπλ' ἐν χερσὶν ἔχων χαλκήια, πείρατα τέχνης,
ἄκμονά τε σφῦραν τ' ἐυποίητόν τε πυράγρην,
435οἷσίν τε χρυσὸν εἰργάξετο: ἦλθε δ' Ἀθήνη
Transliteration
ek pediou, ēlthon de thoēs para nēos eisēs
Tēlemachou hetaroi megalētoros, ēlthe de chalkeus
hopl' en chersin echōn chalkēia, peirata technēs,
akmona te sphyran t' eupoiēton te pyragrēn,
435hoisin te chryson eirgaxeto: ēlthe d' Athēnē
English
The heifer was brought in from the plain, and Telemakhos' crew came from the ship; the goldsmith brought the anvil, hammer, and tongs, with which he worked his gold, and Athena herself came to the sacrifice.
Homeric Greek
ἱρῶν ἀντιόωσα. γέρων δ' ἱππηλάτα Νέστωρ
χρυσὸν ἔδωχ': ὁ δ' ἔπειτα βοὸς κέρασιν περίχευεν
ἀσκήσας, ἵν' ἄγαλμα θεὰ κεχάροιτο ἰδοῦσα.
βοῦν δ' ἀγέτην κεράων Στρατίος καὶ δῖος Ἐχέφρων.
440χέρνιβα δέ σφ' Ἄρητος ἐν ἀνθεμόεντι λέβητι
Transliteration
hirōn antioōsa. gerōn d' hippēlata Nestōr
chryson edōch': ho d' epeita boos kerasin pericheuen
askēsas, hin' agalma thea kecharoito idousa.
boun d' agetēn keraōn Stratios kai dios Echephrōn.
440cherniba de sph' Arētos en anthemoenti lebēti
English
Nestor gave out the gold, and the smith gilded the horns of the heifer that the goddess might have pleasure in their beauty. Then Stratios and Echephron brought her in by the horns; Aretos fetched water from the house in a ewer that had a flower pattern on it, and in his other hand he held a basket of barley meal;
Homeric Greek
ἤλυθεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο φέρων, ἑτέρῃ δ' ἔχεν οὐλὰς
ἐν κανέῳ πέλεκυν δὲ μενεπτόλεμος Θρασυμήδης
ὀξὺν ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ παρίστατο βοῦν ἐπικόψων.
Περσεὺς δ' ἀμνίον εἶχε: γέρων δ' ἱππηλάτα Νέστωρ
445χέρνιβά τ' οὐλοχύτας τε κατήρχετο, πολλὰ δ' Ἀθήνῃ
Transliteration
ēlythen ek thalamoio pherōn, heterēi d' echen oulas
en kaneōi pelekyn de meneptolemos Thrasymēdēs
oxyn echōn en cheiri paristato boun epikopsōn.
Perseus d' amnion eiche: gerōn d' hippēlata Nestōr
445cherniba t' oulochytas te katērcheto, polla d' Athēnēi
English
sturdy Thrasymedes stood by with a sharp axe, ready to strike the heifer, while Perseus held a bucket. Then Nestor began with washing his hands and sprinkling the barley meal, and he offered many a prayer to Athena as he threw a
Homeric Greek
εὔχετ' ἀπαρχόμενος, κεφαλῆς τρίχας ἐν πυρὶ βάλλων.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' εὔξαντο καὶ οὐλοχύτας προβάλοντο,
αὐτίκα Νέστορος υἱὸς ὑπέρθυμος Θρασυμήδης
ἤλασεν ἄγχι στάς: πέλεκυς δ' ἀπέκοψε τένοντας
450αὐχενίους, λῦσεν δὲ βοὸς μένος. αἱ δ' ὀλόλυξαν
Transliteration
euchet' aparchomenos, kephalēs trichas en pyri ballōn.
autar epei rh' euxanto kai oulochytas probalonto,
autika Nestoros huios hyperthymos Thrasymēdēs
ēlasen anchi stas: pelekys d' apekopse tenontas
450auchenious, lysen de boos menos. hai d' ololyxan
English
lock from the heifer's head upon the fire. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley meal Thrasymedes dealt his blow, and brought the heifer down with a stroke that cut through the tendons at the base of her neck, whereon the daughters and daughters-in-law of Nestor,
Homeric Greek
θυγατέρες τε νυοί τε καὶ αἰδοίη παράκοιτις
Νέστορος, Εὐρυδίκη, πρέσβα Κλυμένοιο θυγατρῶν.
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτ' ἀνελόντες ἀπὸ χθονὸς εὐρυοδείης
ἔσχον: ἀτὰρ σφάξεν Πεισίστρατος, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν.
455τῆς δ' ἐπεὶ ἐκ μέλαν αἷμα ῥύη, λίπε δ' ὀστέα θυμός,
Transliteration
thygateres te nyoi te kai aidoiē parakoitis
Nestoros, Eurydikē, presba Klymenoio thygatrōn.
hoi men epeit' anelontes apo chthonos euryodeiēs
eschon: atar sphaxen Peisistratos, orchamos andrōn.
455tēs d' epei ek melan haima rhyē, lipe d' ostea thymos,
English
and his venerable wife Eurydice (she was eldest daughter to Klymenos) screamed with delight. Then they lifted the heifer's head from off the ground, and Peisistratos cut her throat. When she had done bleeding and was quite dead, they cut her up.
Homeric Greek
αἶψ' ἄρα μιν διέχευαν, ἄφαρ δ' ἐκ μηρία τάμνον
πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν, κατά τε κνίσῃ ἐκάλυψαν
δίπτυχα ποιήσαντες, ἐπ' αὐτῶν δ' ὠμοθέτησαν.
καῖε δ' ἐπὶ σχίζῃς ὁ γέρων, ἐπὶ δ' αἴθοπα οἶνον
460λεῖβε: νέοι δὲ παρ' αὐτὸν ἔχον πεμπώβολα χερσίν.
Transliteration
aips' ara min diecheuan, aphar d' ek mēria tamnon
panta kata moiran, kata te knisēi ekalypsan
diptycha poiēsantes, ep' autōn d' ōmothetēsan.
kaie d' epi schizēis ho gerōn, epi d' aithopa oinon
460leibe: neoi de par' auton echon pempōbola chersin.
English
They cut out the thigh bones all in due course, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them; then Nestor laid them upon the wood fire and poured wine over them, while the young men stood near him with five-pronged spits in their hands.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μῆρ' ἐκάη καὶ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο,
μίστυλλόν τ' ἄρα τἆλλα καὶ ἀμφ' ὀβελοῖσιν ἔπειραν,
ὤπτων δ' ἀκροπόρους ὀβελοὺς ἐν χερσὶν ἔχοντες.
τόφρα δὲ Τηλέμαχον λοῦσεν καλὴ Πολυκάστη,
465Νέστορος ὁπλοτάτη θυγάτηρ Νηληϊάδαο.
Transliteration
autar epei kata mēr' ekaē kai splanchna pasanto,
mistyllon t' ara talla kai amph' obeloisin epeiran,
ōptōn d' akroporous obelous en chersin echontes.
tophra de Tēlemachon lousen kalē Polykastē,
465Nestoros hoplotatē thygatēr Nēlēïadao.
English
When the thighs were burned and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest of the meat up small, put the pieces on the spits and toasted them over the fire. Meanwhile lovely Polykaste, Nestor's youngest daughter, washed Telemakhos.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ λοῦσέν τε καὶ ἔχρισεν λίπ' ἐλαίῳ,
ἀμφὶ δέ μιν φᾶρος καλὸν βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,
ἔκ ῥ' ἀσαμίνθου βῆ δέμας ἀθανάτοισιν ὁμοῖος:
πὰρ δ' ὅ γε Νέστορ' ἰὼν κατ' ἄρ' ἕζετο, ποιμένα λαῶν.
470οἱ δ' ἐπεὶ ὤπτησαν κρέ' ὑπέρτερα καὶ ἐρύσαντο,
Transliteration
autar epei lousen te kai echrisen lip' elaiōi,
amphi de min pharos kalon balen ēde chitōna,
ek rh' asaminthou bē demas athanatoisin homoios:
par d' ho ge Nestor' iōn kat' ar' hezeto, poimena laōn.
470hoi d' epei ōptēsan kre' hypertera kai erysanto,
English
When she had washed him and anointed him with oil, she brought him a fair mantle and shirt, and he looked like a god as he came from the bath and took his seat by the side of Nestor.
Homeric Greek
δαίνυνθ' ἑζόμενοι: ἐπὶ δ' ἀνέρες ἐσθλοὶ ὄροντο
οἶνον οἰνοχοεῦντες ἐνὶ χρυσέοις δεπάεσσιν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ:
475"παῖδες ἐμοί, ἄγε Τηλεμάχῳ καλλίτριχας ἵππους
Transliteration
dainynth' hezomenoi: epi d' aneres esthloi oronto
oinon oinochoeuntes eni chryseois depaessin.
autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,
toisi de mythōn ērche Gerēnios hippota Nestōr:
475"paides emoi, age Tēlemachōi kallitrichas hippous
English
When the outer meats were done they drew them off the spits and sat down to dinner where they were waited upon by some worthy henchmen, who kept pouring them out their wine in cups of gold. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Nestor said, "Sons, put
Homeric Greek
ζεύξαθ' ὑφ' ἅρματ' ἄγοντες, ἵνα πρήσσῃσιν ὁδοῖο."
ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα τοῦ μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδ' ἐπίθοντο,
καρπαλίμως δ' ἔζευξαν ὑφ' ἅρμασιν ὠκέας ἵππους.
ἐν δὲ γυνὴ ταμίη σῖτον καὶ οἶνον ἔθηκεν
480ὄψα τε, οἷα ἔδουσι διοτρεφέες βασιλῆες.
Transliteration
zeuxath' hyph' harmat' agontes, hina prēssēisin hodoio."
hōs ephath', hoi d' ara tou mala men klyon ēd' epithonto,
karpalimōs d' ezeuxan hyph' harmasin ōkeas hippous.
en de gynē tamiē siton kai oinon ethēken
480opsa te, hoia edousi diotrephees basilēes.
English
Telemakhos' horses to the chariot that he may start at once." Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said, and yoked the fleet horses to the chariot. The housekeeper packed them up a provision of bread, wine, and sweetmeats fit for the sons of princes.
Homeric Greek
ἂν δ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχος περικαλλέα βήσετο δίφρον:
πὰρ δ' ἄρα Νεστορίδης Πεισίστρατος, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν,
ἐς δίφρον τ' ἀνέβαινε καὶ ἡνία λάζετο χερσί,
μάστιξεν δ' ἐλάαν, τὼ δ' οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην
485ἐς πεδίον, λιπέτην δὲ Πύλου αἰπὺ πτολίεθρον.
Transliteration
an d' ara Tēlemachos perikallea bēseto diphron:
par d' ara Nestoridēs Peisistratos, orchamos andrōn,
es diphron t' anebaine kai hēnia lazeto chersi,
mastixen d' elaan, tō d' ouk aekonte petesthēn
485es pedion, lipetēn de Pylou aipy ptoliethron.
English
Then Telemakhos got into the chariot, while Peisistratos gathered up the reins and took his seat beside him. He lashed the horses on and they flew forward nothing loath into the open country, leaving the high citadel of Pylos behind them.
Homeric Greek
οἱ δὲ πανημέριοι σεῖον ζυγὸν ἀμφὶς ἔχοντες.
δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί,
ἐς Φηρὰς δ' ἵκοντο Διοκλῆος ποτὶ δῶμα,
υἱέος Ὀρτιλόχοιο, τὸν Ἀλφειὸς τέκε παῖδα.
490ἔνθα δὲ νύκτ' ἄεσαν, ὁ δὲ τοῖς πὰρ ξείνια θῆκεν.
Transliteration
hoi de panēmerioi seion zygon amphis echontes.
dyseto t' ēelios skioōnto te pasai aguiai,
es Phēras d' hikonto Dioklēos poti dōma,
huieos Ortilochoio, ton Alpheios teke paida.
490entha de nykt' aesan, ho de tois par xeinia thēken.
English
All that day did they travel, swaying the yoke upon their necks till the sun went down and darkness was over all the land. Then they reached Pherai where Diokles lived, who was son to Ortilokhos and grandson to Alpheus. Here they passed the night and Diokles entertained them hospitably.
Homeric Greek
ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
ἵππους τε ζεύγνυντ' ἀνά θ' ἅρματα ποικίλ' ἔβαινον:
ἐκ δ' ἔλασαν προθύροιο καὶ αἰθούσης ἐριδούπου:
μάστιξεν δ' ἐλάαν, τὼ δ' οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην.
495ἷξον δ' ἐς πεδίον πυρηφόρον, ἔνθα δ' ἔπειτα
Transliteration
ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,
hippous te zeugnynt' ana th' harmata poikil' ebainon:
ek d' elasan prothyroio kai aithousēs eridoupou:
mastixen d' elaan, tō d' ouk aekonte petesthēn.
495hixon d' es pedion pyrēphoron, entha d' epeita
English
When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn; appeared, they again yoked their horses and drove out through the gateway under the echoing gatehouse. Peisistratos lashed the horses on and they flew forward nothing loath; presently they came to the wheat lands of the open country, and in the course of time
Homeric Greek
ἦνον ὁδόν: τοῖον γὰρ ὑπέκφερον ὠκέες ἵπποι.
δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί.
Transliteration
ēnon hodon: toion gar hypekpheron ōkees hippoi.
dyseto t' ēelios skioōnto te pasai aguiai.
English
completed their journey, so well did their steeds take them. Now when the sun had set and darkness was over the land,