Homeric Greek
1Ἠὼς δ' ἐκ λεχέων παρ' ἀγαυοῦ Τιθωνοῖο
ὤρνυθ', ἵν' ἀθανάτοισι φόως φέροι ἠδὲ βροτοῖσιν:
οἱ δὲ θεοὶ θῶκόνδε καθίζανον, ἐν δ' ἄρα τοῖσι
Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης, οὗ τε κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον.
5τοῖσι δ' Ἀθηναίη λέγε κήδεα πόλλ' Ὀδυσῆος
Transliteration
1Ēōs d' ek lecheōn par' agauou Tithōnoio
ōrnyth', hin' athanatoisi phoōs pheroi ēde brotoisin:
hoi de theoi thōkonde kathizanon, en d' ara toisi
Zeus hypsibremetēs, hou te kratos esti megiston.
5toisi d' Athēnaiē lege kēdea poll' Odysēos
English
And now, as Dawn rose from her couch beside Tithonos - harbinger of light alike to mortals and immortals - the gods met in council and with them, Zeus the lord of thunder, who is their king. Thereon Athena began to tell them of the many sufferings of Odysseus, for she pitied
Homeric Greek
μνησαμένη: μέλε γάρ οἱ ἐὼν ἐν δώμασι νύμφης:
"Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδ' ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες,
μή τις ἔτι πρόφρων ἀγανὸς καὶ ἤπιος ἔστω
σκηπτοῦχος βασιλεύς, μηδὲ φρεσὶν αἴσιμα εἰδώς,
10ἀλλ' αἰεὶ χαλεπός τ' εἴη καὶ αἴσυλα ῥέζοι:
Transliteration
mnēsamenē: mele gar hoi eōn en dōmasi nymphēs:
"Zeu pater ēd' alloi makares theoi aien eontes,
mē tis eti prophrōn aganos kai ēpios estō
skēptouchos basileus, mēde phresin aisima eidōs,
10all' aiei chalepos t' eiē kai aisyla rhezoi:
English
him away there in the house of the nymph Calypso. "Father Zeus," said she, "and all you other gods that live in everlasting bliss, I hope there may never be such a thing as a kind and well-disposed ruler any more, nor one who will govern equitably.
Homeric Greek
ὡς οὔ τις μέμνηται Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο
λαῶν οἷσιν ἄνασσε, πατὴρ δ' ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν.
ἀλλ' ὁ μὲν ἐν νήσῳ κεῖται κρατέρ' ἄλγεα πάσχων
νύμφης ἐν μεγάροισι Καλυψοῦς, ἥ μιν ἀνάγκῃ
15ἴσχει: ὁ δ' οὐ δύναται ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι:
Transliteration
hōs ou tis memnētai Odyssēos theioio
laōn hoisin anasse, patēr d' hōs ēpios ēen.
all' ho men en nēsōi keitai krater' algea paschōn
nymphēs en megaroisi Kalypsous, hē min anankēi
15ischei: ho d' ou dynatai hēn patrida gaian hikesthai:
English
I hope they will be all henceforth cruel and unjust, for there is not one of his subjects who has not forgotten Odysseus, who ruled them as though he were their father. There he is, lying in great pain in an island where dwells the nymph Calypso, who will not let him go;
Homeric Greek
οὐ γάρ οἱ πάρα νῆες ἐπήρετμοι καὶ ἑταῖροι,
οἵ κέν μιν πέμποιεν ἐπ' εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης.
νῦν αὖ παῖδ' ἀγαπητὸν ἀποκτεῖναι μεμάασιν
οἴκαδε νισόμενον: ὁ δ' ἔβη μετὰ πατρὸς ἀκουὴν
20ἐς Πύλον ἠγαθέην ἠδ' ἐς Λακεδαίμονα δῖαν."
Transliteration
ou gar hoi para nēes epēretmoi kai hetairoi,
hoi ken min pempoien ep' eurea nōta thalassēs.
nyn au paid' agapēton apokteinai memaasin
oikade nisomenon: ho d' ebē meta patros akouēn
20es Pylon ēgatheēn ēd' es Lakedaimona dian."
English
and he cannot get back to his own country, for he can find neither ships nor sailors to take him over the sea. Furthermore, wicked people are now trying to murder his only son Telemakhos, who is coming home from Pylos and Lacedaemon, where he has been to see if he can get news of his father."
Homeric Greek
τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:
"τέκνον ἐμόν, ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων.
οὐ γὰρ δὴ τοῦτον μὲν ἐβούλευσας νόον αὐτή,
ὡς ἦ τοι κείνους Ὀδυσεὺς ἀποτίσεται ἐλθών;
25Τηλέμαχον δὲ σὺ πέμψον ἐπισταμένως, δύνασαι γάρ,
Transliteration
tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:
"teknon emon, poion se epos phygen herkos odontōn.
ou gar dē touton men ebouleusas noon autē,
hōs ē toi keinous Odyseus apotisetai elthōn;
25Tēlemachon de sy pempson epistamenōs, dynasai gar,
English
"What, my dear, are you talking about?" replied her father. "Did you not send him there yourself, because you thought it would help Odysseus to get home and punish the suitors?
Homeric Greek
ὥς κε μάλ' ἀσκηθὴς ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηται,
μνηστῆρες δ' ἐν νηὶ: παλιμπετὲς ἀπονέωνται."
ἦ ῥα καὶ Ἑρμείαν, υἱὸν φίλον, ἀντίον ηὔδα:
"Ἑρμεία, σὺ γὰρ αὖτε τά τ' ἄλλα περ ἄγγελός ἐσσι,
30νύμφῃ ἐυπλοκάμῳ εἰπεῖν νημερτέα βουλήν,
Transliteration
hōs ke mal' askēthēs hēn patrida gaian hikētai,
mnēstēres d' en nēi: palimpetes aponeōntai."
ē rha kai Hermeian, huion philon, antion ēuda:
"Hermeia, sy gar aute ta t' alla per angelos essi,
30nymphēi euplokamōi eipein nēmertea boulēn,
English
Besides, you are perfectly able to protect Telemakhos, and to see him safely home again, while the suitors have to come hurrying back without having killed him." When he had thus spoken, he said to his son Hermes, "Hermes, you are our messenger, go therefore and tell Calypso we have decreed that poor Odysseus is to return home.
Homeric Greek
νόστον Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὥς κε νέηται
οὔτε θεῶν πομπῇ οὔτε θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων:
ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἐπὶ σχεδίης πολυδέσμου πήματα πάσχων
ἤματί κ' εἰκοστῷ Σχερίην ἐρίβωλον ἵκοιτο,
35Φαιήκων ἐς γαῖαν, οἳ ἀγχίθεοι γεγάασιν,
Transliteration
noston Odyssēos talasiphronos, hōs ke neētai
oute theōn pompēi oute thnētōn anthrōpōn:
all' ho g' epi schediēs polydesmou pēmata paschōn
ēmati k' eikostōi Scheriēn eribōlon hikoito,
35Phaiēkōn es gaian, hoi anchitheoi gegaasin,
English
He is to be convoyed neither by gods nor men, but after a perilous voyage of twenty days upon a raft he is to reach fertile Scheria, the land of the Phaeacians, who are near of kin to the gods, and will honor him as though he were one of ourselves.
Homeric Greek
οἵ κέν μιν περὶ κῆρι θεὸν ὣς τιμήσουσιν,
πέμψουσιν δ' ἐν νηὶ φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,
χαλκόν τε χρυσόν τε ἅλις ἐσθῆτά τε δόντες,
πόλλ', ὅσ' ἂν οὐδέ ποτε Τροίης ἐξήρατ' Ὀδυσσεύς,
40εἴ περ ἀπήμων ἦλθε, λαχὼν ἀπὸ ληίδος αἶσαν.
Transliteration
hoi ken min peri kēri theon hōs timēsousin,
pempsousin d' en nēi philēn es patrida gaian,
chalkon te chryson te halis esthēta te dontes,
poll', hos' an oude pote Troiēs exērat' Odysseus,
40ei per apēmōn ēlthe, lachōn apo lēidos aisan.
English
They will send him in a ship to his own country, and will give him more bronze and gold and raiment than he would have brought back from Troy, if he had had all his prize wealth and had got home without disaster.
Homeric Greek
ὣς γάρ οἱ μοῖρ' ἐστὶ φίλους τ' ἰδέειν καὶ ἱκέσθαι
οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ ἑὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν."
ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.
αὐτίκ' ἔπειθ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,
45ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια, τά μιν φέρον ἠμὲν ἐφ' ὑγρὴν
Transliteration
hōs gar hoi moir' esti philous t' ideein kai hikesthai
oikon es hypsorophon kai heēn es patrida gaian."
hōs ephat', oud' apithēse diaktoros argeïphontēs.
autik' epeith' hypo possin edēsato kala pedila,
45ambrosia chryseia, ta min pheron ēmen eph' hygrēn
English
This is how we have settled that he shall return to his country and his friends." Thus he spoke, and Hermes, guide and guardian, slayer of Argos, did as he was told. Forthwith he bound on his glittering golden sandals with which he could fly like the wind over land and sea.
Homeric Greek
ἠδ' ἐπ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν ἅμα πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο.
εἵλετο δὲ ῥάβδον, τῇ τ' ἀνδρῶν ὄμματα θέλγει,
ὧν ἐθέλει, τοὺς δ' αὖτε καὶ ὑπνώοντας ἐγείρει.
τὴν μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχων πέτετο κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντης.
50Πιερίην δ' ἐπιβὰς ἐξ αἰθέρος ἔμπεσε πόντῳ:
Transliteration
ēd' ep' apeirona gaian hama pnoiēis anemoio.
heileto de rhabdon, tēi t' andrōn ommata thelgei,
hōn ethelei, tous d' aute kai hypnōontas egeirei.
tēn meta chersin echōn peteto kratys argeïphontēs.
50Pieriēn d' epibas ex aitheros empese pontōi:
English
He took the wand with which he seals men's eyes in sleep or wakes them just as he pleases, and flew holding it in his hand over Pieria; then he swooped down through the firmament till he reached the level of the sea, whose waves he
Homeric Greek
σεύατ' ἔπειτ' ἐπὶ κῦμα λάρῳ ὄρνιθι ἐοικώς,
ὅς τε κατὰ δεινοὺς κόλπους ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο
ἰχθῦς ἀγρώσσων πυκινὰ πτερὰ δεύεται ἅλμῃ:
τῷ ἴκελος πολέεσσιν ὀχήσατο κύμασιν Ἑρμῆς.
55ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τὴν νῆσον ἀφίκετο τηλόθ' ἐοῦσαν,
Transliteration
seuat' epeit' epi kyma larōi ornithi eoikōs,
hos te kata deinous kolpous halos atrygetoio
ichthys agrōssōn pykina ptera deuetai halmēi:
tōi ikelos poleessin ochēsato kymasin Hermēs.
55all' hote dē tēn nēson aphiketo tēloth' eousan,
English
skimmed like a cormorant that flies fishing every hole and corner of the ocean, and drenching its thick plumage in the spray. He flew and flew over many a weary wave, but when at last he got to the island which was his journey's end, he
Homeric Greek
ἔνθ' ἐκ πόντου βὰς ἰοειδέος ἤπειρόνδε
ἤιεν, ὄφρα μέγα σπέος ἵκετο, τῷ ἔνι νύμφη
ναῖεν ἐυπλόκαμος: τὴν δ' ἔνδοθι τέτμεν ἐοῦσαν.
πῦρ μὲν ἐπ' ἐσχαρόφιν μέγα καίετο, τηλόσε δ' ὀδμὴ
60κέδρου τ' εὐκεάτοιο θύου τ' ἀνὰ νῆσον ὀδώδει
Transliteration
enth' ek pontou bas ioeideos ēpeironde
ēien, ophra mega speos hiketo, tōi eni nymphē
naien euplokamos: tēn d' endothi tetmen eousan.
pyr men ep' escharophin mega kaieto, tēlose d' odmē
60kedrou t' eukeatoio thyou t' ana nēson odōdei
English
left the sea and went on by land till he came to the cave where the nymph Calypso lived. He found her at home. There was a large fire burning on the hearth, and one could smell from far the fragrant reek of burning cedar and sandal wood.
Homeric Greek
δαιομένων: ἡ δ' ἔνδον ἀοιδιάουσ' ὀπὶ καλῇ
ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένη χρυσείῃ κερκίδ' ὕφαινεν.
ὕλη δὲ σπέος ἀμφὶ πεφύκει τηλεθόωσα,
κλήθρη τ' αἴγειρός τε καὶ εὐώδης κυπάρισσος.
65ἔνθα δέ τ' ὄρνιθες τανυσίπτεροι εὐνάζοντο,
Transliteration
daiomenōn: hē d' endon aoidiaous' opi kalēi
histon epoichomenē chryseiēi kerkid' hyphainen.
hylē de speos amphi pephykei tēlethoōsa,
klēthrē t' aigeiros te kai euōdēs kyparissos.
65entha de t' ornithes tanysipteroi eunazonto,
English
As for herself, she was busy at her loom, shooting her golden shuttle through the warp and singing beautifully. Round her cave there was a thick wood of alder, poplar, and sweet smelling cypress trees, wherein all kinds of great birds had built their
Homeric Greek
σκῶπές τ' ἴρηκές τε τανύγλωσσοί τε κορῶναι
εἰνάλιαι, τῇσίν τε θαλάσσια ἔργα μέμηλεν.
ἡ δ' αὐτοῦ τετάνυστο περὶ σπείους γλαφυροῖο
ἡμερὶς ἡβώωσα, τεθήλει δὲ σταφυλῇσι.
70κρῆναι δ' ἑξείης πίσυρες ῥέον ὕδατι λευκῷ,
Transliteration
skōpes t' irēkes te tanyglōssoi te korōnai
einaliai, tēisin te thalassia erga memēlen.
hē d' autou tetanysto peri speious glaphyroio
hēmeris hēbōōsa, tethēlei de staphylēisi.
70krēnai d' hexeiēs pisyres rheon hydati leukōi,
English
nests - owls, hawks, and chattering sea-crows that have their business in the waters. A vine loaded with grapes was trained and grew luxuriantly about the mouth of the cave; there were also four running rills of water in channels cut pretty close together,
Homeric Greek
πλησίαι ἀλλήλων τετραμμέναι ἄλλυδις ἄλλη.
ἀμφὶ δὲ λειμῶνες μαλακοὶ ἴου ἠδὲ σελίνου
θήλεον. ἔνθα κ' ἔπειτα καὶ ἀθάνατός περ ἐπελθὼν
θηήσαιτο ἰδὼν καὶ τερφθείη φρεσὶν ᾗσιν.
75ἔνθα στὰς θηεῖτο διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.
Transliteration
plēsiai allēlōn tetrammenai allydis allē.
amphi de leimōnes malakoi iou ēde selinou
thēleon. entha k' epeita kai athanatos per epelthōn
thēēsaito idōn kai terphtheiē phresin hēisin.
75entha stas thēeito diaktoros argeïphontēs.
English
and turned here and there so as to irrigate the beds of violets and luscious herbage over which they flowed. Even a god could not help being charmed with such a lovely spot, so Hermes stood still and looked at it;
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα ἑῷ θηήσατο θυμῷ,
αὐτίκ' ἄρ' εἰς εὐρὺ σπέος ἤλυθεν. οὐδέ μιν ἄντην
ἠγνοίησεν ἰδοῦσα Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων:
οὐ γάρ τ' ἀγνῶτες θεοὶ ἀλλήλοισι πέλονται
80ἀθάνατοι, οὐδ' εἴ τις ἀπόπροθι δώματα ναίει.
Transliteration
autar epei dē panta heōi thēēsato thymōi,
autik' ar' eis eury speos ēlythen. oude min antēn
ēgnoiēsen idousa Kalypsō, dia theaōn:
ou gar t' agnōtes theoi allēloisi pelontai
80athanatoi, oud' ei tis apoprothi dōmata naiei.
English
but when he had admired it sufficiently he went inside the cave. Calypso knew him at once - for the gods all know each other, no matter how far they live from one another - but Odysseus was not within;
Homeric Greek
οὐδ' ἄρ' Ὀδυσσῆα μεγαλήτορα ἔνδον ἔτετμεν,
ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἐπ' ἀκτῆς κλαῖε καθήμενος, ἔνθα πάρος περ,
δάκρυσι καὶ στοναχῇσι καὶ ἄλγεσι θυμὸν ἐρέχθων.
πόντον ἐπ' ἀτρύγετον δερκέσκετο δάκρυα λείβων.
85Ἑρμείαν δ' ἐρέεινε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,
Transliteration
oud' ar' Odyssēa megalētora endon etetmen,
all' ho g' ep' aktēs klaie kathēmenos, entha paros per,
dakrysi kai stonachēisi kai algesi thymon erechthōn.
ponton ep' atrygeton derkesketo dakrya leibōn.
85Hermeian d' ereeine Kalypsō, dia theaōn,
English
he was on the sea-shore as usual, looking out upon the barren ocean with tears in his eyes, groaning and breaking his heart for sorrow. Calypso gave Hermes a seat and said:
Homeric Greek
ἐν θρόνῳ ἱδρύσασα φαεινῷ σιγαλόεντι:
"τίπτε μοι, Ἑρμεία χρυσόρραπι, εἰλήλουθας
αἰδοῖός τε φίλος τε; πάρος γε μὲν οὔ τι θαμίζεις.
αὔδα ὅ τι φρονέεις: τελέσαι δέ με θυμὸς ἄνωγεν,
90εἰ δύναμαι τελέσαι γε καὶ εἰ τετελεσμένον ἐστίν.
Transliteration
en thronōi hidrysasa phaeinōi sigaloenti:
"tipte moi, Hermeia chrysorrapi, eilēlouthas
aidoios te philos te; paros ge men ou ti thamizeis.
auda ho ti phroneeis: telesai de me thymos anōgen,
90ei dynamai telesai ge kai ei tetelesmenon estin.
English
"Why have you come to see me, Hermes - honored, and ever welcome - for you do not visit me often? Say what you want; I will do it for you at once if I can, and if it can be done at all;
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ἕπεο προτέρω, ἵνα τοι πὰρ ξείνια θείω."
ὥς ἄρα φωνήσασα θεὰ παρέθηκε τράπεζαν
ἀμβροσίης πλήσασα, κέρασσε δὲ νέκταρ ἐρυθρόν.
αὐτὰρ ὁ πῖνε καὶ ἦσθε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.
95αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δείπνησε καὶ ἤραρε θυμὸν ἐδωδῇ,
Transliteration
all' hepeo proterō, hina toi par xeinia theiō."
hōs ara phōnēsasa thea parethēke trapezan
ambrosiēs plēsasa, kerasse de nektar erythron.
autar ho pine kai ēsthe diaktoros argeïphontēs.
95autar epei deipnēse kai ērare thymon edōdēi,
English
but come inside, and let me set refreshment before you. As she spoke she drew a table loaded with ambrosia beside him and mixed him some red nectar, so Hermes ate and drank till he
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότε δή μιν ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν:
"εἰρωτᾷς μ' ἐλθόντα θεὰ θεόν: αὐτὰρ ἐγώ τοι
νημερτέως τὸν μῦθον ἐνισπήσω: κέλεαι γάρ.
Ζεὺς ἐμέ γ' ἠνώγει δεῦρ' ἐλθέμεν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα:
100τίς δ' ἂν ἑκὼν τοσσόνδε διαδράμοι ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ
Transliteration
kai tote dē min epessin ameibomenos proseeipen:
"eirōtāis m' elthonta thea theon: autar egō toi
nēmerteōs ton mython enispēsō: keleai gar.
Zeus eme g' ēnōgei deur' elthemen ouk ethelonta:
100tis d' an hekōn tossonde diadramoi halmyron hydōr
English
had had enough, and then said: "We are speaking god and goddess to one another, one another, and you ask me why I have come here, and I will tell you truly as you would have me do. Zeus sent me; it was no doing of mine;
Homeric Greek
ἄσπετον; οὐδέ τις ἄγχι βροτῶν πόλις, οἵ τε θεοῖσιν
ἱερά τε ῥέζουσι καὶ ἐξαίτους ἑκατόμβας.
ἀλλὰ μάλ' οὔ πως ἔστι Διὸς νόον αἰγιόχοιο
οὔτε παρεξελθεῖν ἄλλον θεὸν οὔθ' ἁλιῶσαι.
105φησί τοι ἄνδρα παρεῖναι ὀιζυρώτατον ἄλλων,
Transliteration
aspeton; oude tis anchi brotōn polis, hoi te theoisin
hiera te rhezousi kai exaitous hekatombas.
alla mal' ou pōs esti Dios noon aigiochoio
oute parexelthein allon theon outh' haliōsai.
105phēsi toi andra pareinai oizyrōtaton allōn,
English
who could possibly want to come all this way over the sea where there are no cities full of people to offer me sacrifices or choice hecatombs? Nevertheless I had to come, for none of us other gods can cross Zeus, nor transgress his orders.
Homeric Greek
τῶν ἀνδρῶν, οἳ ἄστυ πέρι Πριάμοιο μάχοντο
εἰνάετες, δεκάτῳ δὲ πόλιν πέρσαντες ἔβησαν
οἴκαδ': ἀτὰρ ἐν νόστῳ Ἀθηναίην ἀλίτοντο,
ἥ σφιν ἐπῶρσ' ἄνεμόν τε κακὸν καὶ κύματα μακρά.
110ἔνθ' ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀπέφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι,
Transliteration
tōn andrōn, hoi asty peri Priamoio machonto
einaetes, dekatōi de polin persantes ebēsan
oikad': atar en nostōi Athēnaiēn alitonto,
hē sphin epōrs' anemon te kakon kai kymata makra.
110enth' alloi men pantes apephthithen esthloi hetairoi,
English
He says that you have here the most ill-starred of all those who fought nine years before the city of King Priam and sailed home in the tenth year after having sacked it. On their way home they erred against Athena, who raised both wind and waves against them, so that all his brave companions perished, and he alone was carried here by wind and tide.
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ἄρα δεῦρ' ἄνεμός τε φέρων καὶ κῦμα πέλασσε.
τὸν νῦν σ' ἠνώγειν ἀποπεμπέμεν ὅττι τάχιστα:
οὐ γάρ οἱ τῇδ' αἶσα φίλων ἀπονόσφιν ὀλέσθαι,
ἀλλ' ἔτι οἱ μοῖρ' ἐστὶ φίλους τ' ἰδέειν καὶ ἱκέσθαι
115οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ ἑὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν."
Transliteration
ton d' ara deur' anemos te pherōn kai kyma pelasse.
ton nyn s' ēnōgein apopempemen hotti tachista:
ou gar hoi tēid' aisa philōn aponosphin olesthai,
all' eti hoi moir' esti philous t' ideein kai hikesthai
115oikon es hypsorophon kai heēn es patrida gaian."
English
Zeus says that you are to let this by man go at once, for it is decreed that he shall not perish here, far from his own people, but shall return to his house and country and see his friends again."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, ῥίγησεν δὲ Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,
καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"σχέτλιοί ἐστε, θεοί, ζηλήμονες ἔξοχον ἄλλων,
οἵ τε θεαῖς ἀγάασθε παρ' ἀνδράσιν εὐνάζεσθαι
120ἀμφαδίην, ἤν τίς τε φίλον ποιήσετ' ἀκοίτην.
Transliteration
hōs phato, rhigēsen de Kalypsō, dia theaōn,
kai min phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"schetlioi este, theoi, zēlēmones exochon allōn,
hoi te theais agaasthe par' andrasin eunazesthai
120amphadiēn, ēn tis te philon poiēset' akoitēn.
English
Calypso trembled with rage when she heard this, "You gods," she exclaimed, "ought to be ashamed of yourselves. You are always jealous and hate seeing a goddess take a fancy to a mortal man, and live with him in open matrimony.
Homeric Greek
ὣς μὲν ὅτ' Ὠρίων' ἕλετο ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
τόφρα οἱ ἠγάασθε θεοὶ ῥεῖα ζώοντες,
ἧος ἐν Ὀρτυγίῃ χρυσόθρονος Ἄρτεμις ἁγνὴ
οἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχομένη κατέπεφνεν.
125ὣς δ' ὁπότ' Ἰασίωνι ἐυπλόκαμος Δημήτηρ,
Transliteration
hōs men hot' Ōriōn' heleto rhododaktylos Ēōs,
tophra hoi ēgaasthe theoi rheia zōontes,
hēos en Ortygiēi chrysothronos Artemis hagnē
hois aganois beleessin epoichomenē katepephnen.
125hōs d' hopot' Iasiōni euplokamos Dēmētēr,
English
So when rosy-fingered Dawn made love to Orion, you precious gods were all of you furious till Artemis went and killed him in Ortygia. So again when Demeter fell in love with Iasion, and yielded to him in a thrice ploughed fallow field, Zeus
Homeric Greek
ᾧ θυμῷ εἴξασα, μίγη φιλότητι καὶ εὐνῇ
νειῷ ἔνι τριπόλῳ: οὐδὲ δὴν ἦεν ἄπυστος
Ζεύς, ὅς μιν κατέπεφνε βαλὼν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷ.
ὥς δ' αὖ νῦν μοι ἄγασθε, θεοί, βροτὸν ἄνδρα παρεῖναι.
130τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἐσάωσα περὶ τρόπιος βεβαῶτα
Transliteration
hōi thymōi eixasa, migē philotēti kai eunēi
neiōi eni tripolōi: oude dēn ēen apystos
Zeus, hos min katepephne balōn argēti keraunōi.
hōs d' au nyn moi agasthe, theoi, broton andra pareinai.
130ton men egōn esaōsa peri tropios bebaōta
English
came to hear of it before so long and killed Iasion with his thunder-bolts. And now you are angry with me too because I have a man here. I found the poor creature sitting all alone astride of a keel, for Zeus had struck
Homeric Greek
οἶον, ἐπεί οἱ νῆα θοὴν ἀργῆτι κεραυνῷ
Ζεὺς ἔλσας ἐκέασσε μέσῳ ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ.
ἔνθ' ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀπέφθιθεν ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι,
τὸν δ' ἄρα δεῦρ' ἄνεμός τε φέρων καὶ κῦμα πέλασσε.
135τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ φίλεόν τε καὶ ἔτρεφον, ἠδὲ ἔφασκον
Transliteration
oion, epei hoi nēa thoēn argēti keraunōi
Zeus elsas ekeasse mesōi eni oinopi pontōi.
enth' alloi men pantes apephthithen esthloi hetairoi,
ton d' ara deur' anemos te pherōn kai kyma pelasse.
135ton men egō phileon te kai etrephon, ēde ephaskon
English
his ship with lightning and sunk it in mid ocean, so that all his crew were drowned, while he himself was driven by wind and waves on to my island. I got fond of him and cherished him, and had set my heart on
Homeric Greek
θήσειν ἀθάνατον καὶ ἀγήραον ἤματα πάντα.
ἀλλ' ἐπεὶ οὔ πως ἔστι Διὸς νόον αἰγιόχοιο
οὔτε παρεξελθεῖν ἄλλον θεὸν οὔθ' ἁλιῶσαι,
ἐρρέτω, εἴ μιν κεῖνος ἐποτρύνει καὶ ἀνώγει,
140πόντον ἐπ' ἀτρύγετον: πέμψω δέ μιν οὔ πῃ ἐγώ γε:
Transliteration
thēsein athanaton kai agēraon ēmata panta.
all' epei ou pōs esti Dios noon aigiochoio
oute parexelthein allon theon outh' haliōsai,
erretō, ei min keinos epotrynei kai anōgei,
140ponton ep' atrygeton: pempsō de min ou pēi egō ge:
English
making him immortal, so that he should never grow old all his days; still I cannot cross Zeus, nor bring his counsels to nothing; therefore, if he insists upon it, let the man go beyond the seas again;
Homeric Greek
οὐ γάρ μοι πάρα νῆες ἐπήρετμοι καὶ ἑταῖροι,
οἵ κέν μιν πέμποιεν ἐπ' εὐρέα νῶτα θαλάσσης.
αὐτάρ οἱ πρόφρων ὑποθήσομαι, οὐδ' ἐπικεύσω,
ὥς κε μάλ' ἀσκηθὴς ἣν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηται."
145τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης:
Transliteration
ou gar moi para nēes epēretmoi kai hetairoi,
hoi ken min pempoien ep' eurea nōta thalassēs.
autar hoi prophrōn hypothēsomai, oud' epikeusō,
hōs ke mal' askēthēs hēn patrida gaian hikētai."
145tēn d' aute proseeipe diaktoros argeïphontēs:
English
but I cannot send him anywhere myself for I have neither ships nor men who can take him. Nevertheless I will readily give him such advice, in all good faith, as will be likely to bring him safely to his own country." "Then send him away," said Hermes,
Homeric Greek
"οὕτω νῦν ἀπόπεμπε, Διὸς δ' ἐποπίζεο μῆνιν,
μή πώς τοι μετόπισθε κοτεσσάμενος χαλεπήνῃ."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντης:
ἡ δ' ἐπ' Ὀδυσσῆα μεγαλήτορα πότνια νύμφη
150ἤι', ἐπεὶ δὴ Ζηνὸς ἐπέκλυεν ἀγγελιάων.
Transliteration
"houtō nyn apopempe, Dios d' epopizeo mēnin,
mē pōs toi metopisthe kotessamenos chalepēnēi."
hōs ara phōnēsas apebē kratys argeïphontēs:
hē d' ep' Odyssēa megalētora potnia nymphē
150ēi', epei dē Zēnos epeklyen angeliaōn.
English
"and fear the mênis of Zeus, lest he grow angry and punish you"’ On this he took his leave, and Calypso went out to look for Odysseus, for she had heard Zeus’ message.
Homeric Greek
τὸν δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' ἀκτῆς εὗρε καθήμενον: οὐδέ ποτ' ὄσσε
δακρυόφιν τέρσοντο, κατείβετο δὲ γλυκὺς αἰὼν
νόστον ὀδυρομένῳ, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι ἥνδανε νύμφη.
ἀλλ' ἦ τοι νύκτας μὲν ἰαύεσκεν καὶ ἀνάγκῃ
155ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι παρ' οὐκ ἐθέλων ἐθελούσῃ:
Transliteration
ton d' ar' ep' aktēs heure kathēmenon: oude pot' osse
dakryophin tersonto, kateibeto de glykys aiōn
noston odyromenōi, epei ouketi hēndane nymphē.
all' ē toi nyktas men iauesken kai anankēi
155en spessi glaphyroisi par' ouk ethelōn ethelousēi:
English
She found him sitting upon the beach with his eyes ever filled with tears, his sweet life wasting away as he mourned his nostos; for he had got tired of Calypso, and though he was forced to sleep with her in the cave by night, it was she, not he, that would have it so.
Homeric Greek
ἤματα δ' ἂμ πέτρῃσι καὶ ἠιόνεσσι καθίζων
δάκρυσι καὶ στοναχῇσι καὶ ἄλγεσι θυμὸν ἐρέχθων
πόντον ἐπ' ἀτρύγετον δερκέσκετο δάκρυα λείβων.
ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη προσεφώνεε δῖα θεάων:
160"κάμμορε, μή μοι ἔτ' ἐνθάδ' ὀδύρεο, μηδέ τοι αἰὼν
Transliteration
ēmata d' am petrēisi kai ēionessi kathizōn
dakrysi kai stonachēisi kai algesi thymon erechthōn
ponton ep' atrygeton derkesketo dakrya leibōn.
anchou d' histamenē prosephōnee dia theaōn:
160"kammore, mē moi et' enthad' odyreo, mēde toi aiōn
English
As for the daytime, he spent it on the rocks and on the sea-shore, weeping, crying aloud for his despair, and always looking out upon the sea. Calypso then went close up to him said: "My poor man, you shall not stay here grieving and fretting your life out any longer.
Homeric Greek
φθινέτω: ἤδη γάρ σε μάλα πρόφρασσ' ἀποπέμψω.
ἀλλ' ἄγε δούρατα μακρὰ ταμὼν ἁρμόζεο χαλκῷ
εὐρεῖαν σχεδίην: ἀτὰρ ἴκρια πῆξαι ἐπ' αὐτῆς
ὑψοῦ, ὥς σε φέρῃσιν ἐπ' ἠεροειδέα πόντον.
165αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ σῖτον καὶ ὕδωρ καὶ οἶνον ἐρυθρὸν
Transliteration
phthinetō: ēdē gar se mala prophrass' apopempsō.
all' age dourata makra tamōn harmozeo chalkōi
eureian schediēn: atar ikria pēxai ep' autēs
hypsou, hōs se pherēisin ep' ēeroeidea ponton.
165autar egō siton kai hydōr kai oinon erythron
English
I am going to send you away of my own free will; so go, cut some beams of wood, and make yourself a large raft with an upper deck that it may carry you safely over the sea. I will put bread, wine, and water on board to save you from starving.
Homeric Greek
ἐνθήσω μενοεικέ', ἅ κέν τοι λιμὸν ἐρύκοι,
εἵματά τ' ἀμφιέσω: πέμψω δέ τοι οὖρον ὄπισθεν,
ὥς κε μάλ' ἀσκηθὴς σὴν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἵκηαι,
αἴ κε θεοί γ' ἐθέλωσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσιν,
170οἵ μευ φέρτεροί εἰσι νοῆσαί τε κρῆναί τε."
Transliteration
enthēsō menoeike', ha ken toi limon erykoi,
heimata t' amphiesō: pempsō de toi ouron opisthen,
hōs ke mal' askēthēs sēn patrida gaian hikēai,
ai ke theoi g' ethelōsi, toi ouranon euryn echousin,
170hoi meu pherteroi eisi noēsai te krēnai te."
English
I will also give you clothes, and will send you a fair wind to take you home, if the gods in heaven so will it - for they know more about these things, and can settle them better than I can."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάτο, ῥίγησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
"ἄλλο τι δὴ σύ, θεά, τόδε μήδεαι, οὐδέ τι πομπήν,
ἥ με κέλεαι σχεδίῃ περάαν μέγα λαῖτμα θαλάσσης,
175δεινόν τ' ἀργαλέον τε: τὸ δ' οὐδ' ἐπὶ νῆες ἐῖσαι
Transliteration
hōs phato, rhigēsen de polytlas dios Odysseus,
kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:
"allo ti dē sy, thea, tode mēdeai, oude ti pompēn,
hē me keleai schediēi peraan mega laitma thalassēs,
175deinon t' argaleon te: to d' oud' epi nēes eisai
English
Odysseus shuddered as he heard her. "Now goddess," he answered, "there is something behind all this; you cannot be really meaning to help me home when you bid me do such a dreadful thing as put to sea on a raft.
Homeric Greek
ὠκύποροι περόωσιν, ἀγαλλόμεναι Διὸς οὔρῳ.
οὐδ' ἂν ἐγὼν ἀέκητι σέθεν σχεδίης ἐπιβαίην,
εἰ μή μοι τλαίης γε, θεά, μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμόσσαι
μή τί μοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο."
180ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάων,
Transliteration
ōkyporoi peroōsin, agallomenai Dios ourōi.
oud' an egōn aekēti sethen schediēs epibaiēn,
ei mē moi tlaiēs ge, thea, megan horkon omossai
mē ti moi autōi pēma kakon bouleusemen allo."
180hōs phato, meidēsen de Kalypsō dia theaōn,
English
Not even a well-found ship with a fair wind could venture on such a distant voyage: nothing that you can say or do shall make me go on board a raft unless you first solemnly swear that you mean me no mischief." Calypso smiled at this and caressed him with her hand:
Homeric Greek
χειρί τέ μιν κατέρεξεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:
"ἦ δὴ ἀλιτρός γ' ἐσσὶ καὶ οὐκ ἀποφώλια εἰδώς,
οἷον δὴ τὸν μῦθον ἐπεφράσθης ἀγορεῦσαι.
ἴστω νῦν τόδε γαῖα καὶ οὐρανὸς εὐρὺς ὕπερθε
185καὶ τὸ κατειβόμενον Στυγὸς ὕδωρ, ὅς τε μέγιστος
Transliteration
cheiri te min katerexen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:
"ē dē alitros g' essi kai ouk apophōlia eidōs,
hoion dē ton mython epephrasthēs agoreusai.
istō nyn tode gaia kai ouranos eurys hyperthe
185kai to kateibomenon Stygos hydōr, hos te megistos
English
"You know a great deal," said she, "but you are quite wrong here. May heaven above and earth below be my witnesses, with the waters of the river Styx - and this is the most solemn oath which a blessed
Homeric Greek
ὅρκος δεινότατός τε πέλει μακάρεσσι θεοῖσι,
μή τί τοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο.
ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν νοέω καὶ φράσσομαι, ἅσσ' ἂν ἐμοί περ
αὐτῇ μηδοίμην, ὅτε με χρειὼ τόσον ἵκοι:
190καὶ γὰρ ἐμοὶ νόος ἐστὶν ἐναίσιμος, οὐδέ μοι αὐτῇ
Transliteration
horkos deinotatos te pelei makaressi theoisi,
mē ti toi autōi pēma kakon bouleusemen allo.
alla ta men noeō kai phrassomai, hass' an emoi per
autēi mēdoimēn, hote me chreiō toson hikoi:
190kai gar emoi noos estin enaisimos, oude moi autēi
English
god can take - that I mean you no sort of harm, and am only advising you to do exactly what I should do myself in your place. My noos is favorable towards you;
Homeric Greek
θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι σιδήρεος, ἀλλ' ἐλεήμων."
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασ' ἡγήσατο δῖα θεάων
καρπαλίμως: ὁ δ' ἔπειτα μετ' ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο.
ἷξον δὲ σπεῖος γλαφυρὸν θεὸς ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνήρ,
195καί ῥ' ὁ μὲν ἔνθα καθέζετ' ἐπὶ θρόνου ἔνθεν ἀνέστη
Transliteration
thymos eni stēthessi sidēreos, all' eleēmōn."
hōs ara phōnēsas' hēgēsato dia theaōn
karpalimōs: ho d' epeita met' ichnia baine theoio.
hixon de speios glaphyron theos ēde kai anēr,
195kai rh' ho men entha kathezet' epi thronou enthen anestē
English
my heart is not made of iron, and I am very sorry for you." When she had thus spoken she led the way rapidly before him, and Odysseus followed in her steps; so the pair, goddess and man, went on and on till they came to Calypso's cave, where Odysseus took the seat that Hermes had just left.
Homeric Greek
Ἑρμείας, νύμφη δ' ἐτίθει πάρα πᾶσαν ἐδωδήν,
ἔσθειν καὶ πίνειν, οἷα βροτοὶ ἄνδρες ἔδουσιν:
αὐτὴ δ' ἀντίον ἷζεν Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο,
τῇ δὲ παρ' ἀμβροσίην δμῳαὶ καὶ νέκταρ ἔθηκαν.
200οἱ δ' ἐπ' ὀνείαθ' ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.
Transliteration
Hermeias, nymphē d' etithei para pasan edōdēn,
esthein kai pinein, hoia brotoi andres edousin:
autē d' antion hizen Odyssēos theioio,
tēi de par' ambrosiēn dmōiai kai nektar ethēkan.
200hoi d' ep' oneiath' hetoima prokeimena cheiras iallon.
English
Calypso set meat and drink before him of the food that mortals eat; but her maids brought ambrosia and nectar for herself, and they laid their hands on the good things that were before them.
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τάρπησαν ἐδητύος ἠδὲ ποτῆτος,
τοῖς ἄρα μύθων ἦρχε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων:
"διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχαν' Ὀδυσσεῦ,
οὕτω δὴ οἶκόνδε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν
205αὐτίκα νῦν ἐθέλεις ἰέναι; σὺ δὲ χαῖρε καὶ ἔμπης.
Transliteration
autar epei tarpēsan edētyos ēde potētos,
tois ara mythōn ērche Kalypsō, dia theaōn:
"diogenes Laertiadē, polymēchan' Odysseu,
houtō dē oikonde philēn es patrida gaian
205autika nyn etheleis ienai; sy de chaire kai empēs.
English
When they had satisfied themselves with meat and drink, Calypso spoke, saying: "Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, so you would start home to your own land at once? Good luck go with you, but if you could only know how much suffering is in
Homeric Greek
εἴ γε μὲν εἰδείης σῇσι φρεσὶν ὅσσα τοι αἶσα
κήδε' ἀναπλῆσαι, πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι,
ἐνθάδε κ' αὖθι μένων σὺν ἐμοὶ τόδε δῶμα φυλάσσοις
ἀθάνατός τ' εἴης, ἱμειρόμενός περ ἰδέσθαι
210σὴν ἄλοχον, τῆς τ' αἰὲν ἐέλδεαι ἤματα πάντα.
Transliteration
ei ge men eideiēs sēisi phresin hossa toi aisa
kēde' anaplēsai, prin patrida gaian hikesthai,
enthade k' authi menōn syn emoi tode dōma phylassois
athanatos t' eiēs, himeiromenos per idesthai
210sēn alochon, tēs t' aien eeldeai ēmata panta.
English
store for you before you get back to your own country, you would stay where you are, keep house along with me, and let me make you immortal, no matter how anxious you may be to see this wife of yours, of whom you are thinking all the time, day after day;
Homeric Greek
οὐ μέν θην κείνης γε χερείων εὔχομαι εἶναι,
οὐ δέμας οὐδὲ φυήν, ἐπεὶ οὔ πως οὐδὲ ἔοικεν
θνητὰς ἀθανάτῃσι δέμας καὶ εἶδος ἐρίζειν."
τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
215"πότνα θεά, μή μοι τόδε χώεο: οἶδα καὶ αὐτὸς
Transliteration
ou men thēn keinēs ge chereiōn euchomai einai,
ou demas oude phyēn, epei ou pōs oude eoiken
thnētas athanatēisi demas kai eidos erizein."
tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:
215"potna thea, mē moi tode chōeo: oida kai autos
English
yet I flatter myself that I am no whit less tall or well-looking than she is, for it is not to be expected that a mortal woman should compare in beauty with an immortal." "Goddess," replied Odysseus, "do not be angry with me about this.
Homeric Greek
πάντα μάλ', οὕνεκα σεῖο περίφρων Πηνελόπεια
εἶδος ἀκιδνοτέρη μέγεθός τ' εἰσάντα ἰδέσθαι:
ἡ μὲν γὰρ βροτός ἐστι, σὺ δ' ἀθάνατος καὶ ἀγήρως.
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὣς ἐθέλω καὶ ἐέλδομαι ἤματα πάντα
220οἴκαδέ τ' ἐλθέμεναι καὶ νόστιμον ἦμαρ ἰδέσθαι.
Transliteration
panta mal', houneka seio periphrōn Pēnelopeia
eidos akidnoterē megethos t' eisanta idesthai:
hē men gar brotos esti, sy d' athanatos kai agērōs.
alla kai hōs ethelō kai eeldomai ēmata panta
220oikade t' elthemenai kai nostimon ēmar idesthai.
English
I am quite aware that my wife Penelope is nothing like so tall or so beautiful as yourself. She is only a woman, whereas you are an immortal. Nevertheless, I want to get home, and can think of nothing else.
Homeric Greek
εἰ δ' αὖ τις ῥαίῃσι θεῶν ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ,
τλήσομαι ἐν στήθεσσιν ἔχων ταλαπενθέα θυμόν:
ἤδη γὰρ μάλα πολλὰ πάθον καὶ πολλὰ μόγησα
κύμασι καὶ πολέμῳ: μετὰ καὶ τόδε τοῖσι γενέσθω."
225ὣς ἔφατ', ἠέλιος δ' ἄρ' ἔδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθεν:
Transliteration
ei d' au tis rhaiēisi theōn eni oinopi pontōi,
tlēsomai en stēthessin echōn talapenthea thymon:
ēdē gar mala polla pathon kai polla mogēsa
kymasi kai polemōi: meta kai tode toisi genesthō."
225hōs ephat', ēelios d' ar' edy kai epi knephas ēlthen:
English
If some god wrecks me when I am on the sea, I will bear it and make the best of it. I have had infinite trouble both by land and sea already, so let this go with the rest." Presently the sun set and it became dark,
Homeric Greek
ἐλθόντες δ' ἄρα τώ γε μυχῷ σπείους γλαφυροῖο
τερπέσθην φιλότητι, παρ' ἀλλήλοισι μένοντες.
ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
αὐτίχ' ὁ μὲν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε ἕννυτ' Ὀδυσσεύς,
230αὐτὴ δ' ἀργύφεον φᾶρος μέγα ἕννυτο νύμφη,
Transliteration
elthontes d' ara tō ge mychōi speious glaphyroio
terpesthēn philotēti, par' allēloisi menontes.
ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,
autich' ho men chlainan te chitōna te hennyt' Odysseus,
230autē d' argypheon pharos mega hennyto nymphē,
English
whereon the pair retired into the inner part of the cave and went to bed. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Odysseus put on his shirt and cloak, while the goddess wore a dress of a light gossamer fabric, very fine
Homeric Greek
λεπτὸν καὶ χαρίεν, περὶ δὲ ζώνην βάλετ' ἰξυῖ
καλὴν χρυσείην, κεφαλῇ δ' ἐφύπερθε καλύπτρην.
καὶ τότ' Ὀδυσσῆι μεγαλήτορι μήδετο πομπήν:
δῶκέν οἱ πέλεκυν μέγαν, ἄρμενον ἐν παλάμῃσι,
235χάλκεον, ἀμφοτέρωθεν ἀκαχμένον: αὐτὰρ ἐν αὐτῷ
Transliteration
lepton kai charien, peri de zōnēn balet' ixui
kalēn chryseiēn, kephalēi d' ephyperthe kalyptrēn.
kai tot' Odyssēi megalētori mēdeto pompēn:
dōken hoi pelekyn megan, armenon en palamēisi,
235chalkeon, amphoterōthen akachmenon: autar en autōi
English
and graceful, with a beautiful golden girdle about her waist and a veil to cover her head. She at once set herself to think how she could speed Odysseus on his way. So she gave him a great bronze axe that suited his hands;
Homeric Greek
στειλειὸν περικαλλὲς ἐλάινον, εὖ ἐναρηρός:
δῶκε δ' ἔπειτα σκέπαρνον ἐύξοον: ἦρχε δ' ὁδοῖο
νήσου ἐπ' ἐσχατιῆς, ὅθι δένδρεα μακρὰ πεφύκει,
κλήθρη τ' αἴγειρός τ', ἐλάτη τ' ἦν οὐρανομήκης,
240αὖα πάλαι, περίκηλα, τά οἱ πλώοιεν ἐλαφρῶς.
Transliteration
steileion perikalles elainon, eu enarēros:
dōke d' epeita skeparnon euxoon: ērche d' hodoio
nēsou ep' eschatiēs, hothi dendrea makra pephykei,
klēthrē t' aigeiros t', elatē t' ēn ouranomēkēs,
240aua palai, perikēla, ta hoi plōoien elaphrōs.
English
it was sharpened on both sides, and had a beautiful olive-wood handle fitted firmly on to it. She also gave him a sharp adze, and then led the way to the far end of the island where the largest trees grew - alder, poplar and pine, that
Homeric Greek
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ δεῖξ', ὅθι δένδρεα μακρὰ πεφύκει,
ἡ μὲν ἔβη πρὸς δῶμα Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,
αὐτὰρ ὁ τάμνετο δοῦρα: θοῶς δέ οἱ ᾔνυτο ἔργον.
εἴκοσι δ' ἔκβαλε πάντα, πελέκκησεν δ' ἄρα χαλκῷ,
245ξέσσε δ' ἐπισταμένως καὶ ἐπὶ στάθμην ἴθυνεν.
Transliteration
autar epei dē deix', hothi dendrea makra pephykei,
hē men ebē pros dōma Kalypsō, dia theaōn,
autar ho tamneto doura: thoōs de hoi ēinyto ergon.
eikosi d' ekbale panta, pelekkēsen d' ara chalkōi,
245xesse d' epistamenōs kai epi stathmēn ithynen.
English
reached the sky - very dry and well seasoned, so as to sail light for him in the water. Then, when she had shown him where the best trees grew, Calypso went home, leaving him to cut them, which he soon finished doing.
Homeric Greek
τόφρα δ' ἔνεικε τέρετρα Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων:
τέτρηνεν δ' ἄρα πάντα καὶ ἥρμοσεν ἀλλήλοισιν,
γόμφοισιν δ' ἄρα τήν γε καὶ ἁρμονίῃσιν ἄρασσεν.
ὅσσον τίς τ' ἔδαφος νηὸς τορνώσεται ἀνὴρ
250φορτίδος εὐρείης, ἐὺ εἰδὼς τεκτοσυνάων,
Transliteration
tophra d' eneike teretra Kalypsō, dia theaōn:
tetrēnen d' ara panta kai hērmosen allēloisin,
gomphoisin d' ara tēn ge kai harmoniēisin arassen.
hosson tis t' edaphos nēos tornōsetai anēr
250phortidos eureiēs, eu eidōs tektosynaōn,
English
He cut down twenty trees in all and adzed them smooth, squaring them by rule in good workmanlike fashion. Meanwhile Calypso came back with some augers, so he bored holes with them and fitted the timbers together with bolts and rivets.
Homeric Greek
τόσσον ἔπ' εὐρεῖαν σχεδίην ποιήσατ' Ὀδυσσεύς.
ἴκρια δὲ στήσας, ἀραρὼν θαμέσι σταμίνεσσι,
ποίει: ἀτὰρ μακρῇσιν ἐπηγκενίδεσσι τελεύτα.
ἐν δ' ἱστὸν ποίει καὶ ἐπίκριον ἄρμενον αὐτῷ:
255πρὸς δ' ἄρα πηδάλιον ποιήσατο, ὄφρ' ἰθύνοι.
Transliteration
tosson ep' eureian schediēn poiēsat' Odysseus.
ikria de stēsas, ararōn thamesi staminessi,
poiei: atar makrēisin epēnkenidessi teleuta.
en d' histon poiei kai epikrion armenon autōi:
255pros d' ara pēdalion poiēsato, ophr' ithynoi.
English
He made the raft as broad as a skilled shipwright makes the beam of a large vessel, and he filed a deck on top of the ribs, and ran a gunwale all round it. He also made a mast with a yard arm, and a rudder to steer with.
Homeric Greek
φράξε δέ μιν ῥίπεσσι διαμπερὲς οἰσυί̈νῃσι
κύματος εἶλαρ ἔμεν: πολλὴν δ' ἐπεχεύατο ὕλην.
τόφρα δὲ φάρε' ἔνεικε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,
ἱστία ποιήσασθαι: ὁ δ' εὖ τεχνήσατο καὶ τά.
260ἐν δ' ὑπέρας τε κάλους τε πόδας τ' ἐνέδησεν ἐν αὐτῇ,
Transliteration
phraxe de min rhipessi diamperes oisyïnēisi
kymatos eilar emen: pollēn d' epecheuato hylēn.
tophra de phare' eneike Kalypsō, dia theaōn,
histia poiēsasthai: ho d' eu technēsato kai ta.
260en d' hyperas te kalous te podas t' enedēsen en autēi,
English
He fenced the raft all round with wicker hurdles as a protection against the waves, and then he threw on a quantity of wood. By and by Calypso brought him some linen to make the sails, and he made these too, excellently, making them fast with braces and sheets.
Homeric Greek
μοχλοῖσιν δ' ἄρα τήν γε κατείρυσεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν.
τέτρατον ἦμαρ ἔην, καὶ τῷ τετέλεστο ἅπαντα:
τῷ δ' ἄρα πέμπτῳ πέμπ' ἀπὸ νήσου δῖα Καλυψώ,
εἵματά τ' ἀμφιέσασα θυώδεα καὶ λούσασα.
265ἐν δέ οἱ ἀσκὸν ἔθηκε θεὰ μέλανος οἴνοιο
Transliteration
mochloisin d' ara tēn ge kateirysen eis hala dian.
tetraton ēmar eēn, kai tōi tetelesto hapanta:
tōi d' ara pemptōi pemp' apo nēsou dia Kalypsō,
heimata t' amphiesasa thyōdea kai lousasa.
265en de hoi askon ethēke thea melanos oinoio
English
Last of all, with the help of levers, he drew the raft down into the water. In four days he had completed the whole work, and on the fifth Calypso sent him from the island after washing him and giving him some clean clothes. She gave him a goat skin full of black wine, and another larger one of water;
Homeric Greek
τὸν ἕτερον, ἕτερον δ' ὕδατος μέγαν, ἐν δὲ καὶ ᾖα
κωρύκῳ: ἐν δέ οἱ ὄψα τίθει μενοεικέα πολλά:
οὖρον δὲ προέηκεν ἀπήμονά τε λιαρόν τε.
γηθόσυνος δ' οὔρῳ πέτασ' ἱστία δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
270αὐτὰρ ὁ πηδαλίῳ ἰθύνετο τεχνηέντως
Transliteration
ton heteron, heteron d' hydatos megan, en de kai ēia
kōrykōi: en de hoi opsa tithei menoeikea polla:
ouron de proeēken apēmona te liaron te.
gēthosynos d' ourōi petas' histia dios Odysseus.
270autar ho pēdaliōi ithyneto technēentōs
English
she also gave him a wallet full of provisions, and found him in much good meat. Moreover, she made the wind fair and warm for him, and gladly did Odysseus spread his sail before it, while he sat and guided the raft skillfully by means of the rudder.
Homeric Greek
ἥμενος, οὐδέ οἱ ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔπιπτεν
Πληιάδας τ' ἐσορῶντι καὶ ὀψὲ δύοντα Βοώτην
Ἄρκτον θ', ἣν καὶ ἄμαξαν ἐπίκλησιν καλέουσιν,
ἥ τ' αὐτοῦ στρέφεται καί τ' Ὠρίωνα δοκεύει,
275οἴη δ' ἄμμορός ἐστι λοετρῶν Ὠκεανοῖο:
Transliteration
hēmenos, oude hoi hypnos epi blepharoisin epipten
Plēiadas t' esorōnti kai opse dyonta Boōtēn
Arkton th', hēn kai amaxan epiklēsin kaleousin,
hē t' autou strephetai kai t' Ōriōna dokeuei,
275oiē d' ammoros esti loetrōn Ōkeanoio:
English
He never closed his eyes, but kept them fixed on the Pleiads, on late-setting Boötes, and on the Bear - which men also call the Wain, and which turns round and round where it is, facing Orion, and alone never dipping into
Homeric Greek
τὴν γὰρ δή μιν ἄνωγε Καλυψώ, δῖα θεάων,
ποντοπορευέμεναι ἐπ' ἀριστερὰ χειρὸς ἔχοντα.
ἑπτὰ δὲ καὶ δέκα μὲν πλέεν ἤματα ποντοπορεύων,
ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῃ δ' ἐφάνη ὄρεα σκιόεντα
280γαίης Φαιήκων, ὅθι τ' ἄγχιστον πέλεν αὐτῷ:
Transliteration
tēn gar dē min anōge Kalypsō, dia theaōn,
pontoporeuemenai ep' aristera cheiros echonta.
hepta de kai deka men pleen ēmata pontoporeuōn,
oktōkaidekatēi d' ephanē orea skioenta
280gaiēs Phaiēkōn, hothi t' anchiston pelen autōi:
English
the stream of Okeanos - for Calypso had told him to keep this to his left. Seventeen days did he sail over the sea, and on the eighteenth the dim outlines of the mountains on the nearest part of the Phaeacian coast
Homeric Greek
εἴσατο δ' ὡς ὅτε ῥινὸν ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳ.
τὸν δ' ἐξ Αἰθιόπων ἀνιὼν κρείων ἐνοσίχθων
τηλόθεν ἐκ Σολύμων ὀρέων ἴδεν: εἴσατο γάρ οἱ
πόντον ἐπιπλώων. ὁ δ' ἐχώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,
285κινήσας δὲ κάρη προτὶ ὃν μυθήσατο θυμόν:
Transliteration
eisato d' hōs hote rhinon en ēeroeidei pontōi.
ton d' ex Aithiopōn aniōn kreiōn enosichthōn
tēlothen ek Solymōn oreōn iden: eisato gar hoi
ponton epiplōōn. ho d' echōsato kērothi mallon,
285kinēsas de karē proti hon mythēsato thymon:
English
appeared, rising like a shield on the horizon. But lord Poseidon, who was returning from the Ethiopians, caught sight of Odysseus a long way off, from the mountains of the Solymi. He could see him sailing upon the sea, and it made him very angry, so he wagged his head and muttered to himself,
Homeric Greek
"ὢ πόποι, ἦ μάλα δὴ μετεβούλευσαν θεοὶ ἄλλως
ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆι ἐμεῖο μετ' Αἰθιόπεσσιν ἐόντος,
καὶ δὴ Φαιήκων γαίης σχεδόν, ἔνθα οἱ αἶσα
ἐκφυγέειν μέγα πεῖραρ ὀιζύος, ἥ μιν ἱκάνει.
290ἀλλ' ἔτι μέν μίν φημι ἅδην ἐλάαν κακότητος."
Transliteration
"ō popoi, ē mala dē metebouleusan theoi allōs
amph' Odysēi emeio met' Aithiopessin eontos,
kai dē Phaiēkōn gaiēs schedon, entha hoi aisa
ekphygeein mega peirar oizyos, hē min hikanei.
290all' eti men min phēmi hadēn elaan kakotētos."
English
saying, heavens, so the gods have been changing their minds about Odysseus while I was away in Ethiopia, and now he is close to the land of the Phaeacians, where it is decreed that he shall escape from the calamities that have befallen him. Still, he shall have plenty of hardship yet before he has done with it."
Homeric Greek
ὣς εἰπὼν σύναγεν νεφέλας, ἐτάραξε δὲ πόντον
χερσὶ τρίαιναν ἑλών: πάσας δ' ὀρόθυνεν ἀέλλας
παντοίων ἀνέμων, σὺν δὲ νεφέεσσι κάλυψε
γαῖαν ὁμοῦ καὶ πόντον: ὀρώρει δ' οὐρανόθεν νύξ.
295σὺν δ' Εὖρός τε Νότος τ' ἔπεσον Ζέφυρός τε δυσαὴς
Transliteration
hōs eipōn synagen nephelas, etaraxe de ponton
chersi triainan helōn: pasas d' orothynen aellas
pantoiōn anemōn, syn de nepheessi kalypse
gaian homou kai ponton: orōrei d' ouranothen nyx.
295syn d' Euros te Notos t' epeson Zephyros te dysaēs
English
Thereon he gathered his clouds together, grasped his trident, stirred it round in the sea, and roused the rage of every wind that blows till earth, sea, and sky were hidden in cloud, and night sprang forth out of the heavens.
Homeric Greek
καὶ Βορέης αἰθρηγενέτης, μέγα κῦμα κυλίνδων.
καὶ τότ' Ὀδυσσῆος λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ,
ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:
"ὤ μοι ἐγὼ δειλός, τί νύ μοι μήκιστα γένηται;
300δείδω μὴ δὴ πάντα θεὰ νημερτέα εἶπεν,
Transliteration
kai Boreēs aithrēgenetēs, mega kyma kylindōn.
kai tot' Odyssēos lyto gounata kai philon ētor,
ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thymon:
"ō moi egō deilos, ti ny moi mēkista genētai;
300deidō mē dē panta thea nēmertea eipen,
English
Winds from East, South, North, and West fell upon him all at the same time, and a tremendous sea got up, so that Odysseus’ heart began to fail him. "Alas," he said to himself in his dismay, "what ever will become of me?
Homeric Greek
ἥ μ' ἔφατ' ἐν πόντῳ, πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι,
ἄλγε' ἀναπλήσειν: τὰ δὲ δὴ νῦν πάντα τελεῖται.
οἵοισιν νεφέεσσι περιστέφει οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν
Ζεύς, ἐτάραξε δὲ πόντον, ἐπισπέρχουσι δ' ἄελλαι
305παντοίων ἀνέμων. νῦν μοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.
Transliteration
hē m' ephat' en pontōi, prin patrida gaian hikesthai,
alge' anaplēsein: ta de dē nyn panta teleitai.
hoioisin nepheessi peristephei ouranon euryn
Zeus, etaraxe de ponton, episperchousi d' aellai
305pantoiōn anemōn. nyn moi sōs aipys olethros.
English
I am afraid Calypso was right when she said I should have trouble by sea before I got back home. It is all coming true. How black is Zeus making heaven with his clouds, and what a sea the winds are raising from every quarter at once. I am now safe to perish.
Homeric Greek
τρὶς μάκαρες Δαναοὶ καὶ τετράκις, οἳ τότ' ὄλοντο
Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ χάριν Ἀτρεί̈δῃσι φέροντες.
ὡς δὴ ἐγώ γ' ὄφελον θανέειν καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν
ἤματι τῷ ὅτε μοι πλεῖστοι χαλκήρεα δοῦρα
310Τρῶες ἐπέρριψαν περὶ Πηλεί̈ωνι θανόντι.
Transliteration
tris makares Danaoi kai tetrakis, hoi tot' olonto
Troiēi en eureiēi charin Atreïdēisi pherontes.
hōs dē egō g' ophelon thaneein kai potmon epispein
ēmati tōi hote moi pleistoi chalkērea doura
310Trōes eperripsan peri Pēleïōni thanonti.
English
Blest and thrice blest were those Danaans who fell before Troy in the cause of the sons of Atreus. Would that had been killed on the day when the Trojans were pressing me so sorely about the dead body of Achilles, for then I should have had due burial and the Achaeans would have honored my name ;
Homeric Greek
τῷ κ' ἔλαχον κτερέων, καί μευ κλέος ἦγον Ἀχαιοί:
νῦν δέ λευγαλέῳ θανάτῳ εἵμαρτο ἁλῶναι."
ὣς ἄρα μιν εἰπόντ' ἔλασεν μέγα κῦμα κατ' ἄκρης
δεινὸν ἐπεσσύμενον, περὶ δὲ σχεδίην ἐλέλιξε.
315τῆλε δ' ἀπὸ σχεδίης αὐτὸς πέσε, πηδάλιον δὲ
Transliteration
tōi k' elachon ktereōn, kai meu kleos ēgon Achaioi:
nyn de leugaleōi thanatōi heimarto halōnai."
hōs ara min eipont' elasen mega kyma kat' akrēs
deinon epessymenon, peri de schediēn elelixe.
315tēle d' apo schediēs autos pese, pēdalion de
English
but now it seems that I shall come to a most pitiable end." As he spoke a sea broke over him with such terrific fury that the raft reeled again, and he was carried overboard a long way off.
Homeric Greek
ἐκ χειρῶν προέηκε: μέσον δέ οἱ ἱστὸν ἔαξεν
δεινὴ μισγομένων ἀνέμων ἐλθοῦσα θύελλα,
τηλοῦ δὲ σπεῖρον καὶ ἐπίκριον ἔμπεσε πόντῳ.
τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόβρυχα θῆκε πολὺν χρόνον, οὐδ' ἐδυνάσθη
320αἶψα μάλ' ἀνσχεθέειν μεγάλου ὑπὸ κύματος ὁρμῆς:
Transliteration
ek cheirōn proeēke: meson de hoi histon eaxen
deinē misgomenōn anemōn elthousa thyella,
tēlou de speiron kai epikrion empese pontōi.
ton d' ar' hypobrycha thēke polyn chronon, oud' edynasthē
320aipsa mal' anschetheein megalou hypo kymatos hormēs:
English
He let go the helm, and the force of the wind was so great that it broke the mast half way up, and both sail and yard went over into the sea. For a long time Odysseus was under water, and it was all he could do to
Homeric Greek
εἵματα γάρ ῥ' ἐβάρυνε, τά οἱ πόρε δῖα Καλυψώ.
ὀψὲ δὲ δή ῥ' ἀνέδυ, στόματος δ' ἐξέπτυσεν ἅλμην
πικρήν, ἥ οἱ πολλὴ ἀπὸ κρατὸς κελάρυζεν.
ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὣς σχεδίης ἐπελήθετο, τειρόμενός περ,
325ἀλλὰ μεθορμηθεὶς ἐνὶ κύμασιν ἐλλάβετ' αὐτῆς,
Transliteration
heimata gar rh' ebaryne, ta hoi pore dia Kalypsō.
opse de dē rh' anedy, stomatos d' exeptysen halmēn
pikrēn, hē hoi pollē apo kratos kelaryzen.
all' oud' hōs schediēs epelētheto, teiromenos per,
325alla methormētheis eni kymasin ellabet' autēs,
English
rise to the surface again, for the clothes Calypso had given him weighed him down; but at last he got his head above water and spat out the bitter brine that was running down his face in streams.
Homeric Greek
ἐν μέσσῃ δὲ καθῖζε τέλος θανάτου ἀλεείνων.
τὴν δ' ἐφόρει μέγα κῦμα κατὰ ῥόον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα.
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ὀπωρινὸς Βορέης φορέῃσιν ἀκάνθας
ἂμ πεδίον, πυκιναὶ δὲ πρὸς ἀλλήλῃσιν ἔχονται,
330ὣς τὴν ἂμ πέλαγος ἄνεμοι φέρον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα:
Transliteration
en messēi de kathize telos thanatou aleeinōn.
tēn d' ephorei mega kyma kata rhoon entha kai entha.
hōs d' hot' opōrinos Boreēs phoreēisin akanthas
am pedion, pykinai de pros allēlēisin echontai,
330hōs tēn am pelagos anemoi pheron entha kai entha:
English
In spite of all this, however, he did not lose sight of his raft, but swam as fast as he could towards it, got hold of it, and climbed on board again so as to escape drowning. The sea took the raft and tossed it about as Autumn winds whirl thistledown round and round upon a road.
Homeric Greek
ἄλλοτε μέν τε Νότος Βορέῃ προβάλεσκε φέρεσθαι,
ἄλλοτε δ' αὖτ' Εὖρος Ζεφύρῳ εἴξασκε διώκειν.
τὸν δὲ ἴδεν Κάδμου θυγάτηρ, καλλίσφυρος Ἰνώ,
Λευκοθέη, ἣ πρὶν μὲν ἔην βροτὸς αὐδήεσσα,
335νῦν δ' ἁλὸς ἐν πελάγεσσι θεῶν ἒξ ἔμμορε τιμῆς.
Transliteration
allote men te Notos Boreēi probaleske pheresthai,
allote d' aut' Euros Zephyrōi eixaske diōkein.
ton de iden Kadmou thygatēr, kallisphyros Inō,
Leukotheē, hē prin men eēn brotos audēessa,
335nyn d' halos en pelagessi theōn ex emmore timēs.
English
(It was as though the South, North, East, and West winds were all at once tossing it back and forth.) When he was in this plight, Ino daughter of Cadmus, also called Leukothea, saw him. She had formerly been a mere mortal, but had been since raised to the rank of a marine goddess.
Homeric Greek
ἥ ῥ' Ὀδυσῆ' ἐλέησεν ἀλώμενον, ἄλγε' ἔχοντα,
αἰθυίῃ δ' ἐικυῖα ποτῇ ἀνεδύσετο λίμνης,
ἷζε δ' ἐπὶ σχεδίης πολυδέσμου εἶπέ τε μῦθον:
"κάμμορε, τίπτε τοι ὧδε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων
340ὠδύσατ' ἐκπάγλως, ὅτι τοι κακὰ πολλὰ φυτεύει;
Transliteration
hē rh' Odysē' eleēsen alōmenon, alge' echonta,
aithuiēi d' eikuia potēi anedyseto limnēs,
hize d' epi schediēs polydesmou eipe te mython:
"kammore, tipte toi hōde Poseidaōn enosichthōn
340ōdysat' ekpaglōs, hoti toi kaka polla phyteuei;
English
Seeing in what great distress Odysseus now was, she had compassion upon him, and, rising like a sea-gull from the waves, took her seat upon the raft. "My poor good man," said she, "why is Poseidon so furiously angry with you?
Homeric Greek
οὐ μὲν δή σε καταφθίσει μάλα περ μενεαίνων.
ἀλλὰ μάλ' ὧδ' ἔρξαι, δοκέεις δέ μοι οὐκ ἀπινύσσειν:
εἵματα ταῦτ' ἀποδὺς σχεδίην ἀνέμοισι φέρεσθαι
κάλλιπ', ἀτὰρ χείρεσσι νέων ἐπιμαίεο νόστου
345γαίης Φαιήκων, ὅθι τοι μοῖρ' ἐστὶν ἀλύξαι.
Transliteration
ou men dē se kataphthisei mala per meneainōn.
alla mal' hōd' erxai, dokeeis de moi ouk apinyssein:
heimata taut' apodys schediēn anemoisi pheresthai
kallip', atar cheiressi neōn epimaieo nostou
345gaiēs Phaiēkōn, hothi toi moir' estin alyxai.
English
He is giving you a great deal of trouble, but for all his bluster he will not kill you. You seem to be a sensible person, do then as I bid you; strip, leave your raft to drive before the wind, and swim to the Phaeacian coast where better luck awaits you.
Homeric Greek
τῆ δέ, τόδε κρήδεμνον ὑπὸ στέρνοιο τανύσσαι
ἄμβροτον: οὐδέ τί τοι παθέειν δέος οὐδ' ἀπολέσθαι.
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν χείρεσσιν ἐφάψεαι ἠπείροιο,
ἂψ ἀπολυσάμενος βαλέειν εἰς οἴνοπα πόντον
350πολλὸν ἀπ' ἠπείρου, αὐτὸς δ' ἀπονόσφι τραπέσθαι."
Transliteration
tē de, tode krēdemnon hypo sternoio tanyssai
ambroton: oude ti toi patheein deos oud' apolesthai.
autar epēn cheiressin ephapseai ēpeiroio,
aps apolysamenos baleein eis oinopa ponton
350pollon ap' ēpeirou, autos d' aponosphi trapesthai."
English
And here, take my veil and put it round your chest; it is enchanted, and you can come to no harm so long as you wear it. As soon as you touch land take it off, throw it back as far as you can into the sea, and then go away again."
Homeric Greek
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα θεὰ κρήδεμνον ἔδωκεν,
αὐτὴ δ' ἂψ ἐς πόντον ἐδύσετο κυμαίνοντα
αἰθυίῃ ἐικυῖα: μέλαν δέ ἑ κῦμα κάλυψεν.
αὐτὰρ ὁ μερμήριξε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
355ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:
Transliteration
hōs ara phōnēsasa thea krēdemnon edōken,
autē d' aps es ponton edyseto kymainonta
aithuiēi eikuia: melan de he kyma kalypsen.
autar ho mermērixe polytlas dios Odysseus,
355ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thymon:
English
With these words she took off her veil and gave it him. Then she dived down again like a sea-gull and vanished beneath the seething dark waters. But Odysseus did not know what to think. "Alas," he said to himself in his dismay, "this is only some one or other
Homeric Greek
"ὤ μοι ἐγώ, μή τίς μοι ὑφαίνῃσιν δόλον αὖτε
ἀθανάτων, ὅ τέ με σχεδίης ἀποβῆναι ἀνώγει.
ἀλλὰ μάλ' οὔ πω πείσομ', ἐπεὶ ἑκὰς ὀφθαλμοῖσιν
γαῖαν ἐγὼν ἰδόμην, ὅθι μοι φάτο φύξιμον εἶναι.
360ἀλλὰ μάλ' ὧδ' ἔρξω, δοκέει δέ μοι εἶναι ἄριστον:
Transliteration
"ō moi egō, mē tis moi hyphainēisin dolon aute
athanatōn, ho te me schediēs apobēnai anōgei.
alla mal' ou pō peisom', epei hekas ophthalmoisin
gaian egōn idomēn, hothi moi phato phyximon einai.
360alla mal' hōd' erxō, dokeei de moi einai ariston:
English
of the gods who is luring me to ruin by advising me to will quit my raft. At any rate I will not do so at present, for the land where she said I should be quit of all troubles seemed to be still a good way off.
Homeric Greek
ὄφρ' ἂν μέν κεν δούρατ' ἐν ἁρμονίῃσιν ἀρήρῃ,
τόφρ' αὐτοῦ μενέω καὶ τλήσομαι ἄλγεα πάσχων:
αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δή μοι σχεδίην διὰ κῦμα τινάξῃ,
νήξομ', ἐπεὶ οὐ μέν τι πάρα προνοῆσαι ἄμεινον."
365ἧος ὁ ταῦθ' ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,
Transliteration
ophr' an men ken dourat' en harmoniēisin arērēi,
tophr' autou meneō kai tlēsomai algea paschōn:
autar epēn dē moi schediēn dia kyma tinaxēi,
nēxom', epei ou men ti para pronoēsai ameinon."
365hēos ho tauth' hōrmaine kata phrena kai kata thymon,
English
I know what I will do - I am sure it will be best - no matter what happens I will stick to the raft as long as her timbers hold together, but when the sea breaks her up I will swim for it; I do not see how I can do any better than this." While he was thus in two minds, Poseidon sent
Homeric Greek
ὦρσε δ' ἐπὶ μέγα κῦμα Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων,
δεινόν τ' ἀργαλέον τε, κατηρεφές, ἤλασε δ' αὐτόν.
ὡς δ' ἄνεμος ζαὴς ἠί̈ων θημῶνα τινάξῃ
καρφαλέων: τὰ μὲν ἄρ τε διεσκέδασ' ἄλλυδις ἄλλῃ:
370ὣς τῆς δούρατα μακρὰ διεσκέδασ'. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
Transliteration
ōrse d' epi mega kyma Poseidaōn enosichthōn,
deinon t' argaleon te, katērephes, ēlase d' auton.
hōs d' anemos zaēs ēïōn thēmōna tinaxēi
karphaleōn: ta men ar te dieskedas' allydis allēi:
370hōs tēs dourata makra dieskedas'. autar Odysseus
English
a terrible great wave that seemed to rear itself above his head till it broke right over the raft, which then went to pieces as though it were a heap of dry chaff tossed about by a whirlwind.
Homeric Greek
ἀμφ' ἑνὶ δούρατι βαῖνε, κέληθ' ὡς ἵππον ἐλαύνων,
εἵματα δ' ἐξαπέδυνε, τά οἱ πόρε δῖα Καλυψώ.
αὐτίκα δὲ κρήδεμνον ὑπὸ στέρνοιο τάνυσσεν,
αὐτὸς δὲ πρηνὴς ἁλὶ κάππεσε, χεῖρε πετάσσας,
375νηχέμεναι μεμαώς. ἴδε δὲ κρείων ἐνοσίχθων,
Transliteration
amph' heni dourati baine, kelēth' hōs hippon elaunōn,
heimata d' exapedyne, ta hoi pore dia Kalypsō.
autika de krēdemnon hypo sternoio tanyssen,
autos de prēnēs hali kappese, cheire petassas,
375nēchemenai memaōs. ide de kreiōn enosichthōn,
English
Odysseus got astride of one plank and rode upon it as if he were on horseback; he then took off the clothes Calypso had given him, bound Ino's veil under his arms, and plunged into the sea - meaning to swim on shore.
Homeric Greek
κινήσας δὲ κάρη προτὶ ὃν μυθήσατο θυμόν:
"οὕτω νῦν κακὰ πολλὰ παθὼν ἀλόω κατὰ πόντον,
εἰς ὅ κεν ἀνθρώποισι διοτρεφέεσσι μιγήῃς.
ἀλλ' οὐδ' ὥς σε ἔολπα ὀνόσσεσθαι κακότητος."
380ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἵμασεν καλλίτριχας ἵππους,
Transliteration
kinēsas de karē proti hon mythēsato thymon:
"houtō nyn kaka polla pathōn aloō kata ponton,
eis ho ken anthrōpoisi diotrepheessi migēēis.
all' oud' hōs se eolpa onossesthai kakotētos."
380hōs ara phōnēsas himasen kallitrichas hippous,
English
King Poseidon watched him as he did so, and wagged his head, muttering to himself and saying, "‘There now, swim up and down as you best can till you fall in with well-to-do people. I do not think you will be able to say that I have let you off too lightly."
Homeric Greek
ἵκετο δ' εἰς Αἰγάς, ὅθι οἱ κλυτὰ δώματ' ἔασιν.
αὐτὰρ Ἀθηναίη κούρη Διὸς ἄλλ' ἐνόησεν.
ἦ τοι τῶν ἄλλων ἀνέμων κατέδησε κελεύθους,
παύσασθαι δ' ἐκέλευσε καὶ εὐνηθῆναι ἅπαντας:
385ὦρσε δ' ἐπὶ κραιπνὸν Βορέην, πρὸ δὲ κύματ' ἔαξεν,
Transliteration
hiketo d' eis Aigas, hothi hoi klyta dōmat' easin.
autar Athēnaiē kourē Dios all' enoēsen.
ē toi tōn allōn anemōn katedēse keleuthous,
pausasthai d' ekeleuse kai eunēthēnai hapantas:
385ōrse d' epi kraipnon Boreēn, pro de kymat' eaxen,
English
On this he lashed his horses and drove to Aigai where his palace is. But Athena resolved to help Odysseus, so she bound the ways of all the winds except one, and made them lie quite still;
Homeric Greek
ἧος ὃ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μιγείη
διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξας.
ἔνθα δύω νύκτας δύο τ' ἤματα κύματι πηγῷ
πλάζετο, πολλὰ δέ οἱ κραδίη προτιόσσετ' ὄλεθρον.
390ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ τρίτον ἦμαρ ἐυπλόκαμος τέλεσ' Ἠώς,
Transliteration
hēos ho Phaiēkessi philēretmoisi migeiē
diogenēs Odyseus thanaton kai kēras alyxas.
entha dyō nyktas dyo t' ēmata kymati pēgōi
plazeto, polla de hoi kradiē protiosset' olethron.
390all' hote dē triton ēmar euplokamos teles' Ēōs,
English
but she roused a good stiff breeze from the North that should lay the waters till Odysseus reached the land of the Phaeacians where he would be safe. Thereon he floated about for two nights and two days in the water, with a heavy swell on the sea and death staring him in the face;
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότ' ἔπειτ' ἄνεμος μὲν ἐπαύσατο ἠδὲ γαλήνη
ἔπλετο νηνεμίη: ὁ δ' ἄρα σχεδὸν εἴσιδε γαῖαν
ὀξὺ μάλα προϊδών, μεγάλου ὑπὸ κύματος ἀρθείς.
ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἀσπάσιος βίοτος παίδεσσι φανήῃ
395πατρός, ὃς ἐν νούσῳ κεῖται κρατέρ' ἄλγεα πάσχων,
Transliteration
kai tot' epeit' anemos men epausato ēde galēnē
epleto nēnemiē: ho d' ara schedon eiside gaian
oxy mala proïdōn, megalou hypo kymatos artheis.
hōs d' hot' an aspasios biotos paidessi phanēēi
395patros, hos en nousōi keitai krater' algea paschōn,
English
but when the third day broke, the wind fell and there was a dead calm without so much as a breath of air stirring. As he rose on the swell he looked eagerly ahead, and could see land quite near.
Homeric Greek
δηρὸν τηκόμενος, στυγερὸς δέ οἱ ἔχραε δαίμων,
ἀσπάσιον δ' ἄρα τόν γε θεοὶ κακότητος ἔλυσαν,
ὣς Ὀδυσεῖ ἀσπαστὸν ἐείσατο γαῖα καὶ ὕλη,
νῆχε δ' ἐπειγόμενος ποσὶν ἠπείρου ἐπιβῆναι.
400ἀλλ' ὅτε τόσσον ἀπῆν ὅσσον τε γέγωνε βοήσας,
Transliteration
dēron tēkomenos, stygeros de hoi echrae daimōn,
aspasion d' ara ton ge theoi kakotētos elysan,
hōs Odysei aspaston eeisato gaia kai hylē,
nēche d' epeigomenos posin ēpeirou epibēnai.
400all' hote tosson apēn hosson te gegōne boēsas,
English
Then, as children rejoice when their dear father begins to get better after having for a long time borne sore affliction sent him by some angry spirit, but the gods deliver him from evil, so was Odysseus thankful when he again saw land and trees, and swam on with all his strength that he might once more set foot upon dry ground.
Homeric Greek
καὶ δὴ δοῦπον ἄκουσε ποτὶ σπιλάδεσσι θαλάσσης:
ῥόχθει γὰρ μέγα κῦμα ποτὶ ξερὸν ἠπείροιο
δεινὸν ἐρευγόμενον, εἴλυτο δὲ πάνθ' ἁλὸς ἄχνῃ:
οὐ γὰρ ἔσαν λιμένες νηῶν ὄχοι, οὐδ' ἐπιωγαί.
405ἀλλ' ἀκταὶ προβλῆτες ἔσαν σπιλάδες τε πάγοι τε:
Transliteration
kai dē doupon akouse poti spiladessi thalassēs:
rhochthei gar mega kyma poti xeron ēpeiroio
deinon ereugomenon, eilyto de panth' halos achnēi:
ou gar esan limenes nēōn ochoi, oud' epiōgai.
405all' aktai problētes esan spilades te pagoi te:
English
When, however, he got within earshot, he began to hear the surf thundering up against the rocks, for the swell still broke against them with a terrific roar. Everything was enveloped in spray; there were no harbors where a ship might ride, nor shelter of any kind, but only headlands, low-lying rocks, and mountain tops.
Homeric Greek
καὶ τότ' Ὀδυσσῆος λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ,
ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:
"ὤ μοι, ἐπεὶ δὴ γαῖαν ἀελπέα δῶκεν ἰδέσθαι
Ζεύς, καὶ δὴ τόδε λαῖτμα διατμήξας ἐπέρησα,
410ἔκβασις οὔ πῃ φαίνεθ' ἁλὸς πολιοῖο θύραζε:
Transliteration
kai tot' Odyssēos lyto gounata kai philon ētor,
ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thymon:
"ō moi, epei dē gaian aelpea dōken idesthai
Zeus, kai dē tode laitma diatmēxas eperēsa,
410ekbasis ou pēi phaineth' halos polioio thyraze:
English
Odysseus’ heart now began to fail him, and he said despairingly to himself, "Alas, Zeus has let me see land after swimming so far that I had given up all hope, but I can find no landing place, for the coast is rocky and
Homeric Greek
ἔκτοσθεν μὲν γὰρ πάγοι ὀξέες, ἀμφὶ δὲ κῦμα
βέβρυχεν ῥόθιον, λισσὴ δ' ἀναδέδρομε πέτρη,
ἀγχιβαθὴς δὲ θάλασσα, καὶ οὔ πως ἔστι πόδεσσι
στήμεναι ἀμφοτέροισι καὶ ἐκφυγέειν κακότητα:
415μή πώς μ' ἐκβαίνοντα βάλῃ λίθακι ποτὶ πέτρῃ
Transliteration
ektosthen men gar pagoi oxees, amphi de kyma
bebrychen rhothion, lissē d' anadedrome petrē,
anchibathēs de thalassa, kai ou pōs esti podessi
stēmenai amphoteroisi kai ekphygeein kakotēta:
415mē pōs m' ekbainonta balēi lithaki poti petrēi
English
surf-beaten, the rocks are smooth and rise sheer from the sea, with deep water close under them so that I cannot climb out for want of foothold. I am afraid some great wave will lift me off my legs and dash me against the
Homeric Greek
κῦμα μέγ' ἁρπάξαν: μελέη δέ μοι ἔσσεται ὁρμή.
εἰ δέ κ' ἔτι προτέρω παρανήξομαι, ἤν που ἐφεύρω
ἠιόνας τε παραπλῆγας λιμένας τε θαλάσσης,
δείδω μή μ' ἐξαῦτις ἀναρπάξασα θύελλα
420πόντον ἐπ' ἰχθυόεντα φέρῃ βαρέα στενάχοντα,
Transliteration
kyma meg' harpaxan: meleē de moi essetai hormē.
ei de k' eti proterō paranēxomai, ēn pou epheurō
ēionas te paraplēgas limenas te thalassēs,
deidō mē m' exautis anarpaxasa thyella
420ponton ep' ichthyoenta pherēi barea stenachonta,
English
rocks as I leave the water - which would give me a sorry landing. If, on the other hand, I swim further in search of some shelving beach or harbor, a wind may carry me out to sea again sorely against my will, or heaven may send some great monster of the deep to attack me;
Homeric Greek
ἠέ τί μοι καὶ κῆτος ἐπισσεύῃ μέγα δαίμων
ἐξ ἁλός, οἷά τε πολλὰ τρέφει κλυτὸς Ἀμφιτρίτη:
οἶδα γάρ, ὥς μοι ὀδώδυσται κλυτὸς ἐννοσίγαιος."
ἧος ὁ ταῦθ' ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,
425τόφρα δέ μιν μέγα κῦμα φέρε τρηχεῖαν ἐπ' ἀκτήν.
Transliteration
ēe ti moi kai kētos episseuēi mega daimōn
ex halos, hoia te polla trephei klytos Amphitritē:
oida gar, hōs moi odōdystai klytos ennosigaios."
hēos ho tauth' hōrmaine kata phrena kai kata thymon,
425tophra de min mega kyma phere trēcheian ep' aktēn.
English
for Amphitrite breeds many such, and I know that Poseidon is very angry with me." While he was thus in two minds a wave caught him and took him with such force against the rocks that he
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα κ' ἀπὸ ῥινοὺς δρύφθη, σὺν δ' ὀστέ' ἀράχθη,
εἰ μὴ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη:
ἀμφοτέρῃσι δὲ χερσὶν ἐπεσσύμενος λάβε πέτρης,
τῆς ἔχετο στενάχων, ἧος μέγα κῦμα παρῆλθε.
430καὶ τὸ μὲν ὣς ὑπάλυξε, παλιρρόθιον δέ μιν αὖτις
Transliteration
entha k' apo rhinous dryphthē, syn d' oste' arachthē,
ei mē epi phresi thēke thea, glaukōpis Athēnē:
amphoterēisi de chersin epessymenos labe petrēs,
tēs echeto stenachōn, hēos mega kyma parēlthe.
430kai to men hōs hypalyxe, palirrothion de min autis
English
would have been smashed and torn to pieces if Athena had not shown him what to do. He caught hold of the rock with both hands and clung to it groaning with pain till the wave retired, so he was saved that time;
Homeric Greek
πλῆξεν ἐπεσσύμενον, τηλοῦ δέ μιν ἔμβαλε πόντῳ.
ὡς δ' ὅτε πουλύποδος θαλάμης ἐξελκομένοιο
πρὸς κοτυληδονόφιν πυκιναὶ λάιγγες ἔχονται,
ὣς τοῦ πρὸς πέτρῃσι θρασειάων ἀπὸ χειρῶν
435ῥινοὶ ἀπέδρυφθεν: τὸν δὲ μέγα κῦμα κάλυψεν.
Transliteration
plēxen epessymenon, tēlou de min embale pontōi.
hōs d' hote poulypodos thalamēs exelkomenoio
pros kotylēdonophin pykinai lainges echontai,
hōs tou pros petrēisi thraseiaōn apo cheirōn
435rhinoi apedryphthen: ton de mega kyma kalypsen.
English
but presently the wave came on again and carried him back with it far into the sea- tearing his hands as the suckers of a octopus are torn when some one plucks it from its bed, and the stones come up along with it- even so did the rocks tear the skin from his strong hands, and then the wave drew him deep down under the water.
Homeric Greek
ἔνθα κε δὴ δύστηνος ὑπὲρ μόρον ὤλετ' Ὀδυσσεύς,
εἰ μὴ ἐπιφροσύνην δῶκε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.
κύματος ἐξαναδύς, τά τ' ἐρεύγεται ἤπειρόνδε,
νῆχε παρέξ, ἐς γαῖαν ὁρώμενος, εἴ που ἐφεύροι
440ἠιόνας τε παραπλῆγας λιμένας τε θαλάσσης.
Transliteration
entha ke dē dystēnos hyper moron ōlet' Odysseus,
ei mē epiphrosynēn dōke glaukōpis Athēnē.
kymatos exanadys, ta t' ereugetai ēpeironde,
nēche parex, es gaian horōmenos, ei pou epheuroi
440ēionas te paraplēgas limenas te thalassēs.
English
Here poor Odysseus would have certainly perished even in spite of his own destiny, if Athena had not helped him to keep his wits about him. He swam seaward again, beyond reach of the surf that was beating against the land, and at the same time he kept looking towards the shore to see if he could find some haven, or a spit that should take the waves aslant.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ ποταμοῖο κατὰ στόμα καλλιρόοιο
ἷξε νέων, τῇ δή οἱ ἐείσατο χῶρος ἄριστος,
λεῖος πετράων, καὶ ἐπὶ σκέπας ἦν ἀνέμοιο,
ἔγνω δὲ προρέοντα καὶ εὔξατο ὃν κατὰ θυμόν:
445"κλῦθι, ἄναξ, ὅτις ἐσσί: πολύλλιστον δέ σ' ἱκάνω,
Transliteration
all' hote dē potamoio kata stoma kallirooio
hixe neōn, tēi dē hoi eeisato chōros aristos,
leios petraōn, kai epi skepas ēn anemoio,
egnō de proreonta kai euxato hon kata thymon:
445"klythi, anax, hotis essi: polylliston de s' hikanō,
English
By and by, as he swam on, he came to the mouth of a river, and here he thought would be the best place, for there were no rocks, and it afforded shelter from the wind. He felt that there was a current, so he prayed inwardly and said: "Hear me, O King, whoever you may be, and save me from the anger of the sea-god Poseidon, for I approach you prayerfully.
Homeric Greek
φεύγων ἐκ πόντοιο Ποσειδάωνος ἐνιπάς.
αἰδοῖος μέν τ' ἐστὶ καὶ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν
ἀνδρῶν ὅς τις ἵκηται ἀλώμενος, ὡς καὶ ἐγὼ νῦν
σόν τε ῥόον σά τε γούναθ' ἱκάνω πολλὰ μογήσας.
450ἀλλ' ἐλέαιρε, ἄναξ: ἱκέτης δέ τοι εὔχομαι εἶναι."
Transliteration
pheugōn ek pontoio Poseidaōnos enipas.
aidoios men t' esti kai athanatoisi theoisin
andrōn hos tis hikētai alōmenos, hōs kai egō nyn
son te rhoon sa te gounath' hikanō polla mogēsas.
450all' eleaire, anax: hiketēs de toi euchomai einai."
English
Anyone who has lost his way has at all times a claim even upon the gods, wherefore in my distress I draw near to your stream, and cling to the knees of your riverhood. Have mercy upon me, O king, for I declare myself your suppliant."
Homeric Greek
ὣς φάθ', ὁ δ' αὐτίκα παῦσεν ἑὸν ῥόον, ἔσχε δὲ κῦμα,
πρόσθε δέ οἱ ποίησε γαλήνην, τὸν δ' ἐσάωσεν
ἐς ποταμοῦ προχοάς. ὁ δ' ἄρ' ἄμφω γούνατ' ἔκαμψε
χεῖράς τε στιβαράς. ἁλὶ γὰρ δέδμητο φίλον κῆρ.
455ᾤδεε δὲ χρόα πάντα, θάλασσα δὲ κήκιε πολλὴ
Transliteration
hōs phath', ho d' autika pausen heon rhoon, esche de kyma,
prosthe de hoi poiēse galēnēn, ton d' esaōsen
es potamou prochoas. ho d' ar' amphō gounat' ekampse
cheiras te stibaras. hali gar dedmēto philon kēr.
455ōidee de chroa panta, thalassa de kēkie pollē
English
Then the god stayed his stream and stilled the waves, making all calm before him, and bringing him safely into the mouth of the river. Here at last Odysseus’ knees and strong hands failed him, for the sea had completely broken him.
Homeric Greek
ἂν στόμα τε ῥῖνάς θ': ὁ δ' ἄρ' ἄπνευστος καὶ ἄναυδος
κεῖτ' ὀλιγηπελέων, κάματος δέ μιν αἰνὸς ἵκανεν.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἄμπνυτο καὶ ἐς φρένα θυμὸς ἀγέρθη,
καὶ τότε δὴ κρήδεμνον ἀπὸ ἕο λῦσε θεοῖο.
460καὶ τὸ μὲν ἐς ποταμὸν ἁλιμυρήεντα μεθῆκεν,
Transliteration
an stoma te rhinas th': ho d' ar' apneustos kai anaudos
keit' oligēpeleōn, kamatos de min ainos hikanen.
all' hote dē rh' ampnyto kai es phrena thymos agerthē,
kai tote dē krēdemnon apo heo lyse theoio.
460kai to men es potamon halimyrēenta methēken,
English
His body was all swollen, and his mouth and nostrils ran down like a river with sea-water, so that he could neither breathe nor speak, and lay swooning from sheer exhaustion; presently, when he had got his breath and came to himself again, he took off the scarf that Ino had given him and threw it back into the
Homeric Greek
ἂψ δ' ἔφερεν μέγα κῦμα κατὰ ῥόον, αἶψα δ' ἄρ' Ἰνὼ
δέξατο χερσὶ φίλῃσιν: ὁ δ' ἐκ ποταμοῖο λιασθεὶς
σχοίνῳ ὑπεκλίνθη, κύσε δὲ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν.
ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:
465"ὤ μοι ἐγώ, τί πάθω; τί νύ μοι μήκιστα γένηται;
Transliteration
aps d' epheren mega kyma kata rhoon, aipsa d' ar' Inō
dexato chersi philēisin: ho d' ek potamoio liastheis
schoinōi hypeklinthē, kyse de zeidōron arouran.
ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thymon:
465"ō moi egō, ti pathō; ti ny moi mēkista genētai;
English
salt stream of the river, whereon Ino received it into her hands from the wave that bore it towards her. Then he left the river, laid himself down among the rushes, and kissed the bounteous earth. "Alas," he cried to himself in his dismay, "what ever will become of me, and how is it all to end?
Homeric Greek
εἰ μέν κ' ἐν ποταμῷ δυσκηδέα νύκτα φυλάσσω,
μή μ' ἄμυδις στίβη τε κακὴ καὶ θῆλυς ἐέρση
ἐξ ὀλιγηπελίης δαμάσῃ κεκαφηότα θυμόν:
αὔρη δ' ἐκ ποταμοῦ ψυχρὴ πνέει ἠῶθι πρό.
470εἰ δέ κεν ἐς κλιτὺν ἀναβὰς καὶ δάσκιον ὕλην
Transliteration
ei men k' en potamōi dyskēdea nykta phylassō,
mē m' amydis stibē te kakē kai thēlys eersē
ex oligēpeliēs damasēi kekaphēota thymon:
aurē d' ek potamou psychrē pneei ēōthi pro.
470ei de ken es klityn anabas kai daskion hylēn
English
If I stay here upon the river bed through the long watches of the night, I am so exhausted that the bitter cold and damp may make an end of me - for towards sunrise there will be a keen wind blowing from off the river.
Homeric Greek
θάμνοις ἐν πυκινοῖσι καταδράθω, εἴ με μεθείη
ῥῖγος καὶ κάματος, γλυκερὸς δέ μοι ὕπνος ἐπέλθῃ,
δείδω, μὴ θήρεσσιν ἕλωρ καὶ κύρμα γένωμαι."
ὣς ἄρα οἱ φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι:
475βῆ ῥ' ἴμεν εἰς ὕλην: τὴν δὲ σχεδὸν ὕδατος εὗρεν
Transliteration
thamnois en pykinoisi katadrathō, ei me metheiē
rhigos kai kamatos, glykeros de moi hypnos epelthēi,
deidō, mē thēressin helōr kai kyrma genōmai."
hōs ara hoi phroneonti doassato kerdion einai:
475bē rh' imen eis hylēn: tēn de schedon hydatos heuren
English
If, on the other hand, I climb the hill side, find shelter in the woods, and sleep in some thicket, I may escape the cold and have a good night's rest, but some savage beast may take advantage of me and devour me." In the end he deemed it best to take to the woods, and he found one upon some high ground not far from the water.
Homeric Greek
ἐν περιφαινομένῳ: δοιοὺς δ' ἄρ' ὑπήλυθε θάμνους,
ἐξ ὁμόθεν πεφυῶτας: ὁ μὲν φυλίης, ὁ δ' ἐλαίης.
τοὺς μὲν ἄρ' οὔτ' ἀνέμων διάη μένος ὑγρὸν ἀέντων,
οὔτε ποτ' ἠέλιος φαέθων ἀκτῖσιν ἔβαλλεν,
480οὔτ' ὄμβρος περάασκε διαμπερές: ὣς ἄρα πυκνοὶ
Transliteration
en periphainomenōi: doious d' ar' hypēlythe thamnous,
ex homothen pephyōtas: ho men phyliēs, ho d' elaiēs.
tous men ar' out' anemōn diaē menos hygron aentōn,
oute pot' ēelios phaethōn aktisin eballen,
480out' ombros peraaske diamperes: hōs ara pyknoi
English
There he crept beneath two shoots of olive that grew from a single stock - the one ungrafted, while the other had been grafted. No wind, however squally, could break through the cover they afforded, nor could the sun's rays pierce them, nor the rain get through them, so closely did they grow into one another.
Homeric Greek
ἀλλήλοισιν ἔφυν ἐπαμοιβαδίς: οὓς ὑπ' Ὀδυσσεὺς
δύσετ'. ἄφαρ δ' εὐνὴν ἐπαμήσατο χερσὶ φίλῃσιν
εὐρεῖαν: φύλλων γὰρ ἔην χύσις ἤλιθα πολλή,
ὅσσον τ' ἠὲ δύω ἠὲ τρεῖς ἄνδρας ἔρυσθαι
485ὥρῃ χειμερίῃ, εἰ καὶ μάλα περ χαλεπαίνοι.
Transliteration
allēloisin ephyn epamoibadis: hous hyp' Odysseus
dyset'. aphar d' eunēn epamēsato chersi philēisin
eureian: phyllōn gar eēn chysis ēlitha pollē,
hosson t' ēe dyō ēe treis andras erysthai
485hōrēi cheimeriēi, ei kai mala per chalepainoi.
English
Odysseus crept under these and began to make himself a bed to lie on, for there was a great litter of dead leaves lying about - enough to make a covering for two or three men even in hard winter weather.
Homeric Greek
τὴν μὲν ἰδὼν γήθησε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,
ἐν δ' ἄρα μέσσῃ λέκτο, χύσιν δ' ἐπεχεύατο φύλλων.
ὡς δ' ὅτε τις δαλὸν σποδιῇ ἐνέκρυψε μελαίνῃ
ἀγροῦ ἐπ' ἐσχατιῆς, ᾧ μὴ πάρα γείτονες ἄλλοι,
490σπέρμα πυρὸς σώζων, ἵνα μή ποθεν ἄλλοθεν αὔοι,
Transliteration
tēn men idōn gēthēse polytlas dios Odysseus,
en d' ara messēi lekto, chysin d' epecheuato phyllōn.
hōs d' hote tis dalon spodiēi enekrypse melainēi
agrou ep' eschatiēs, hōi mē para geitones alloi,
490sperma pyros sōzōn, hina mē pothen allothen auoi,
English
He was glad enough to see this, so he laid himself down and heaped the leaves all round him. Then, as one who lives alone in the country, far from any neighbor, hides a brand as fire-seed in the ashes to save himself from having to get a light elsewhere, even so did Odysseus cover himself up with leaves;
Homeric Greek
ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς φύλλοισι καλύψατο: τῷ δ' ἄρ' Ἀθήνη
ὕπνον ἐπ' ὄμμασι χεῦ', ἵνα μιν παύσειε τάχιστα
δυσπονέος καμάτοιο φίλα βλέφαρ' ἀμφικαλύψας.
Transliteration
hōs Odyseus phylloisi kalypsato: tōi d' ar' Athēnē
hypnon ep' ommasi cheu', hina min pauseie tachista
dysponeos kamatoio phila blephar' amphikalypsas.
English
and Athena shed a sweet sleep upon his eyes, closed his eyelids, and made him lose all memories of his sorrows.