Book VIII

Homeric Greek

1ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

ὤρνυτ' ἄρ' ἐξ εὐνῆς ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,

ἂν δ' ἄρα διογενὴς ὦρτο πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεύς.

τοῖσιν δ' ἡγεμόνευ' ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο

5Φαιήκων ἀγορήνδ', ἥ σφιν παρὰ νηυσὶ τέτυκτο.

Transliteration

1ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,

ōrnyt' ar' ex eunēs hieron menos Alkinooio,

an d' ara diogenēs ōrto ptoliporthos Odysseus.

toisin d' hēgemoneu' hieron menos Alkinooio

5Phaiēkōn agorēnd', hē sphin para nēusi tetykto.

English

Now when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Alkinoos and Odysseus both rose, and Alkinoos led the way to the Phaeacian place of assembly, which was near the ships.

Homeric Greek

ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι λίθοισι

πλησίον. ἡ δ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ μετῴχετο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη

εἰδομένη κήρυκι δαί̈φρονος Ἀλκινόοιο,

νόστον Ὀδυσσῆι μεγαλήτορι μητιόωσα,

10καί ῥα ἑκάστῳ φωτὶ παρισταμένη φάτο μῦθον:

Transliteration

elthontes de kathizon epi xestoisi lithoisi

plēsion. hē d' ana asty metōicheto Pallas Athēnē

eidomenē kēryki daïphronos Alkinooio,

noston Odyssēi megalētori mētioōsa,

10kai rha hekastōi phōti paristamenē phato mython:

English

When they got there they sat down side by side on a seat of polished stone, while Athena took the form of one of Alkinoos’ servants, and went round the town in order to contrive nostos for great-hearted Odysseus.

Homeric Greek

"δεῦτ' ἄγε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,

εἰς ἀγορὴν ἰέναι, ὄφρα ξείνοιο πύθησθε,

ὃς νέον Ἀλκινόοιο δαί̈φρονος ἵκετο δῶμα

πόντον ἐπιπλαγχθείς, δέμας ἀθανάτοισιν ὁμοῖος."

15ὣς εἰποῦσ' ὤτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.

Transliteration

"deut' age, Phaiēkōn hēgētores ēde medontes,

eis agorēn ienai, ophra xeinoio pythēsthe,

hos neon Alkinooio daïphronos hiketo dōma

ponton epiplanchtheis, demas athanatoisin homoios."

15hōs eipous' ōtryne menos kai thymon hekastou.

English

She went up to the citizens, man by man, and said, "Aldermen and town councilors of the Phaeacians, come to the assembly all of you and listen to the stranger who has just come off a long voyage to the house of King Alkinoos; he looks like an immortal god." With these words she made them all want

Homeric Greek

καρπαλίμως δ' ἔμπληντο βροτῶν ἀγοραί τε καὶ ἕδραι

ἀγρομένων: πολλοὶ δ' ἄρ' ἐθηήσαντο ἰδόντες

υἱὸν Λαέρταο δαί̈φρονα: τῷ δ' ἄρ' Ἀθήνη

θεσπεσίην κατέχευε χάριν κεφαλῇ τε καὶ ὤμοις

20καί μιν μακρότερον καὶ πάσσονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι,

Transliteration

karpalimōs d' emplēnto brotōn agorai te kai hedrai

agromenōn: polloi d' ar' ethēēsanto idontes

huion Laertao daïphrona: tōi d' ar' Athēnē

thespesiēn katecheue charin kephalēi te kai ōmois

20kai min makroteron kai passona thēken idesthai,

English

to come, and they flocked to the assembly till seats and standing room were alike crowded. Every one was struck with the appearance of Odysseus, for Athena had beautified him about the head and shoulders, making him look taller and stouter than

Homeric Greek

ὥς κεν Φαιήκεσσι φίλος πάντεσσι γένοιτο

δεινός τ' αἰδοῖός τε καὶ ἐκτελέσειεν ἀέθλους

πολλούς, τοὺς Φαίηκες ἐπειρήσαντ' Ὀδυσῆος.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τ' ἐγένοντο,

25τοῖσιν δ' Ἀλκίνοος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε:

Transliteration

hōs ken Phaiēkessi philos pantessi genoito

deinos t' aidoios te kai ekteleseien aethlous

pollous, tous Phaiēkes epeirēsant' Odysēos.

autar epei rh' ēgerthen homēgerees t' egenonto,

25toisin d' Alkinoos agorēsato kai meteeipe:

English

he really was, that he might impress the Phaeacians favorably as being a very remarkable man, and might come off well in the many trials of skill to which they would challenge him. Then, when they were got together, Alkinoos spoke:

Homeric Greek

"κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,

ὄφρ' εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

ξεῖνος ὅδ', οὐκ οἶδ' ὅς τις, ἀλώμενος ἵκετ' ἐμὸν δῶ,

ἠὲ πρὸς ἠοίων ἦ ἑσπερίων ἀνθρώπων:

30πομπὴν δ' ὀτρύνει, καὶ λίσσεται ἔμπεδον εἶναι.

Transliteration

"keklyte, Phaiēkōn hēgētores ēde medontes,

ophr' eipō ta me thymos eni stēthessi keleuei.

xeinos hod', ouk oid' hos tis, alōmenos hiket' emon dō,

ēe pros ēoiōn ē hesperiōn anthrōpōn:

30pompēn d' otrynei, kai lissetai empedon einai.

English

"Hear me," said he, "aldermen and town councilors of the Phaeacians, that I may speak even as I am minded. This stranger, whoever he may be, has found his way to my house from somewhere or other either East or West. He wants an escort and wishes to have the matter settled.

Homeric Greek

ἡμεῖς δ', ὡς τὸ πάρος περ, ἐποτρυνώμεθα πομπήν.

οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδέ τις ἄλλος, ὅτις κ' ἐμὰ δώμαθ' ἵκηται,

ἐνθάδ' ὀδυρόμενος δηρὸν μένει εἵνεκα πομπῆς.

ἀλλ' ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν

35πρωτόπλοον, κούρω δὲ δύω καὶ πεντήκοντα

Transliteration

hēmeis d', hōs to paros per, epotrynōmetha pompēn.

oude gar oude tis allos, hotis k' ema dōmath' hikētai,

enthad' odyromenos dēron menei heineka pompēs.

all' age nēa melainan eryssomen eis hala dian

35prōtoploon, kourō de dyō kai pentēkonta

English

Let us then get one ready for him, as we have done for others before him; indeed, no one who ever yet came to my house has been able to complain of me for not speeding on his way soon enough. Let us draw a ship into the sea - one that has never yet

Homeric Greek

κρινάσθων κατὰ δῆμον, ὅσοι πάρος εἰσὶν ἄριστοι.

δησάμενοι δ' ἐὺ πάντες ἐπὶ κληῖσιν ἐρετμὰ

ἔκβητ': αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα θοὴν ἀλεγύνετε δαῖτα

ἡμέτερόνδ' ἐλθόντες: ἐγὼ δ' ἐὺ πᾶσι παρέξω.

40κούροισιν μὲν ταῦτ' ἐπιτέλλομαι: αὐτὰρ οἱ ἄλλοι

Transliteration

krinasthōn kata dēmon, hosoi paros eisin aristoi.

dēsamenoi d' eu pantes epi klēisin eretma

ekbēt': autar epeita thoēn alegynete daita

hēmeterond' elthontes: egō d' eu pasi parexō.

40kouroisin men taut' epitellomai: autar hoi alloi

English

made a voyage - and man her with two and fifty of our choicest young sailors in the dêmos. Then when you have made fast your oars each by his own seat, leave the ship and come to my house to prepare a feast. I will provide you with everything.

Homeric Greek

σκηπτοῦχοι βασιλῆες ἐμὰ πρὸς δώματα καλὰ

ἔρχεσθ', ὄφρα ξεῖνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι φιλέωμεν,

μηδέ τις ἀρνείσθω. καλέσασθε δὲ θεῖον ἀοιδὸν

Δημόδοκον: τῷ γάρ ῥα θεὸς πέρι δῶκεν ἀοιδὴν

45τέρπειν, ὅππῃ θυμὸς ἐποτρύνῃσιν ἀείδειν."

Transliteration

skēptouchoi basilēes ema pros dōmata kala

erchesth', ophra xeinon eni megaroisi phileōmen,

mēde tis arneisthō. kalesasthe de theion aoidon

Dēmodokon: tōi gar rha theos peri dōken aoidēn

45terpein, hoppēi thymos epotrynēisin aeidein."

English

I am giving these instructions to the young men who will form the crew, for as regards you aldermen and town councilors, you will join me in entertaining our guest in the cloisters. I can take no excuses, and we will have Demodokos to sing to us; for there is no bard like him whatever he may choose to sing about."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο

σκηπτοῦχοι: κῆρυξ δὲ μετῴχετο θεῖον ἀοιδόν.

κούρω δὲ κρινθέντε δύω καὶ πεντήκοντα

βήτην, ὡς ἐκέλευσ', ἐπὶ θῖν' ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο.

50αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,

Transliteration

hōs ara phōnēsas hēgēsato, toi d' ham' heponto

skēptouchoi: kēryx de metōicheto theion aoidon.

kourō de krinthente dyō kai pentēkonta

bētēn, hōs ekeleus', epi thin' halos atrygetoio.

50autar epei rh' epi nēa katēlython ēde thalassan,

English

Alkinoos then led the way, and the others followed after, while a servant went to fetch Demodokos. The fifty-two picked oarsmen went to the sea shore as they had been told, and when they got there they drew the ship into the water, got

Homeric Greek

νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἁλὸς βένθοσδε ἔρυσσαν,

ἐν δ' ἱστόν τ' ἐτίθεντο καὶ ἱστία νηὶ μελαίνῃ,

ἠρτύναντο δ' ἐρετμὰ τροποῖς ἐν δερματίνοισι,

πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν, ἀνά θ' ἱστία λευκὰ πέτασσαν.

55ὑψοῦ δ' ἐν νοτίῳ τήν γ' ὥρμισαν: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

Transliteration

nēa men hoi ge melainan halos benthosde eryssan,

en d' histon t' etithento kai histia nēi melainēi,

ērtynanto d' eretma tropois en dermatinoisi,

panta kata moiran, ana th' histia leuka petassan.

55hypsou d' en notiōi tēn g' hōrmisan: autar epeita

English

her mast and sails inside her, bound the oars to the thole-pins with twisted thongs of leather, all in due course, and spread the white sails aloft. They moored the vessel a little way out from land, and then came on shore and went to the house of King Alkinoos.

Homeric Greek

βάν ῥ' ἴμεν Ἀλκινόοιο δαί̈φρονος ἐς μέγα δῶμα.

πλῆντο δ' ἄρ' αἴθουσαί τε καὶ ἕρκεα καὶ δόμοι ἀνδρῶν

ἀγρομένων: πολλοὶ δ' ἄρ' ἔσαν, νέοι ἠδὲ παλαιοί.

τοῖσιν δ' Ἀλκίνοος δυοκαίδεκα μῆλ' ἱέρευσεν,

60ὀκτὼ δ' ἀργιόδοντας ὕας, δύο δ' εἰλίποδας βοῦς:

Transliteration

ban rh' imen Alkinooio daïphronos es mega dōma.

plēnto d' ar' aithousai te kai herkea kai domoi andrōn

agromenōn: polloi d' ar' esan, neoi ēde palaioi.

toisin d' Alkinoos dyokaideka mēl' hiereusen,

60oktō d' argiodontas hyas, dyo d' eilipodas bous:

English

The outhouses, yards, and all the precincts were filled with crowds of men in great multitudes both old and young; and Alkinoos killed them a dozen sheep, eight full grown pigs, and two oxen.

Homeric Greek

τοὺς δέρον ἀμφί θ' ἕπον, τετύκοντό τε δαῖτ' ἐρατεινήν.

κῆρυξ δ' ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἄγων ἐρίηρον ἀοιδόν,

τὸν πέρι μοῦσ' ἐφίλησε, δίδου δ' ἀγαθόν τε κακόν τε:

ὀφθαλμῶν μὲν ἄμερσε, δίδου δ' ἡδεῖαν ἀοιδήν.

65τῷ δ' ἄρα Ποντόνοος θῆκε θρόνον ἀργυρόηλον

Transliteration

tous deron amphi th' hepon, tetykonto te dait' erateinēn.

kēryx d' engythen ēlthen agōn eriēron aoidon,

ton peri mous' ephilēse, didou d' agathon te kakon te:

ophthalmōn men amerse, didou d' hēdeian aoidēn.

65tōi d' ara Pontonoos thēke thronon argyroēlon

English

These they skinned and dressed so as to provide a magnificent banquet. A servant presently led in the famous bard Demodokos, whom the muse had dearly loved, but to whom she had given both good and evil, for though she had endowed him with a divine gift of song, she had robbed him of his eyesight.

Homeric Greek

μέσσῳ δαιτυμόνων, πρὸς κίονα μακρὸν ἐρείσας:

κὰδ δ' ἐκ πασσαλόφι κρέμασεν φόρμιγγα λίγειαν

αὐτοῦ ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καὶ ἐπέφραδε χερσὶν ἑλέσθαι

κῆρυξ: πὰρ δ' ἐτίθει κάνεον καλήν τε τράπεζαν,

70πὰρ δὲ δέπας οἴνοιο, πιεῖν ὅτε θυμὸς ἀνώγοι.

Transliteration

messōi daitymonōn, pros kiona makron ereisas:

kad d' ek passalophi kremasen phorminga ligeian

autou hyper kephalēs kai epephrade chersin helesthai

kēryx: par d' etithei kaneon kalēn te trapezan,

70par de depas oinoio, piein hote thymos anōgoi.

English

Pontonoos set a seat for him among the guests, leaning it up against a bearing-post. He hung the lyre for him on a peg over his head, and showed him where he was to feel for it with his hands. He also set a fair table with a basket of victuals by his side, and a cup of wine from which he might drink whenever he was so disposed.

Homeric Greek

οἱ δ' ἐπ' ὀνείαθ' ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

μοῦσ' ἄρ' ἀοιδὸν ἀνῆκεν ἀειδέμεναι κλέα ἀνδρῶν,

οἴμης τῆς τότ' ἄρα κλέος οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἵκανε,

75νεῖκος Ὀδυσσῆος καὶ Πηλεί̈δεω Ἀχιλῆος,

Transliteration

hoi d' ep' oneiath' hetoima prokeimena cheiras iallon.

autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

mous' ar' aoidon anēken aeidemenai klea andrōn,

oimēs tēs tot' ara kleos ouranon euryn hikane,

75neikos Odyssēos kai Pēleïdeō Achilēos,

English

The company then laid their hands upon the good things that were before them, but as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, the muse inspired Demodokos to sing the feats of heroes, and most especially a matter whose kleos at that time reached wide heaven, to wit, the quarrel

Homeric Greek

ὥς ποτε δηρίσαντο θεῶν ἐν δαιτὶ θαλείῃ

ἐκπάγλοις ἐπέεσσιν, ἄναξ δ' ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων

χαῖρε νόῳ, ὅ τ' ἄριστοι Ἀχαιῶν δηριόωντο.

ὣς γάρ οἱ χρείων μυθήσατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων

80Πυθοῖ ἐν ἠγαθέῃ, ὅθ' ὑπέρβη λάινον οὐδὸν

Transliteration

hōs pote dērisanto theōn en daiti thaleiēi

ekpaglois epeessin, anax d' andrōn Agamemnōn

chaire noōi, ho t' aristoi Achaiōn dērioōnto.

hōs gar hoi chreiōn mythēsato Phoibos Apollōn

80Pythoi en ēgatheēi, hoth' hyperbē lainon oudon

English

between Odysseus and Achilles, and the fierce words that they heaped on one another as they sat together at a banquet. But Agamemnon was glad in his noos when he heard his chieftains quarreling with one another, for Apollo had foretold him this at Pytho when he crossed the stone floor to consult the oracle.

Homeric Greek

χρησόμενος: τότε γάρ ῥα κυλίνδετο πήματος ἀρχὴ

Τρωσί τε καὶ Δαναοῖσι Διὸς μεγάλου διὰ βουλάς.

ταῦτ' ἄρ' ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

πορφύρεον μέγα φᾶρος ἑλὼν χερσὶ στιβαρῇσι

85κὰκ κεφαλῆς εἴρυσσε, κάλυψε δὲ καλὰ πρόσωπα:

Transliteration

chrēsomenos: tote gar rha kylindeto pēmatos archē

Trōsi te kai Danaoisi Dios megalou dia boulas.

taut' ar' aoidos aeide periklytos: autar Odysseus

porphyreon mega pharos helōn chersi stibarēisi

85kak kephalēs eirysse, kalypse de kala prosōpa:

English

Here the beginning of the evil started rolling down, by the will of Zeus, toward both Danaans and Trojans. Thus sang the bard, but Odysseus drew his purple mantle over his head and covered his face, for he was ashamed to let the Phaeacians see that he was weeping.

Homeric Greek

αἴδετο γὰρ Φαίηκας ὑπ' ὀφρύσι δάκρυα λείβων.

ἦ τοι ὅτε λήξειεν ἀείδων θεῖος ἀοιδός,

δάκρυ ὀμορξάμενος κεφαλῆς ἄπο φᾶρος ἕλεσκε

καὶ δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον ἑλὼν σπείσασκε θεοῖσιν:

90αὐτὰρ ὅτ' ἂψ ἄρχοιτο καὶ ὀτρύνειαν ἀείδειν

Transliteration

aideto gar Phaiēkas hyp' ophrysi dakrya leibōn.

ē toi hote lēxeien aeidōn theios aoidos,

dakry omorxamenos kephalēs apo pharos heleske

kai depas amphikypellon helōn speisaske theoisin:

90autar hot' aps archoito kai otryneian aeidein

English

When the bard left off singing he wiped the tears from his eyes, uncovered his face, and, taking his cup, made a drink-offering to the gods; but when the Phaeacians pressed Demodokos to sing further, for they delighted in

Homeric Greek

Φαιήκων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἐπεὶ τέρποντ' ἐπέεσσιν,

ἂψ Ὀδυσεὺς κατὰ κρᾶτα καλυψάμενος γοάασκεν.

ἔνθ' ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ἐλάνθανε δάκρυα λείβων,

Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἐπεφράσατ' ἠδ' ἐνόησεν

95ἥμενος ἄγχ' αὐτοῦ, βαρὺ δὲ στενάχοντος ἄκουσεν.

Transliteration

Phaiēkōn hoi aristoi, epei terpont' epeessin,

aps Odyseus kata krata kalypsamenos goaasken.

enth' allous men pantas elanthane dakrya leibōn,

Alkinoos de min oios epephrasat' ēd' enoēsen

95hēmenos anch' autou, bary de stenachontos akousen.

English

his lays, then Odysseus again drew his mantle over his head and wept bitterly. No one noticed his distress except Alkinoos, who was sitting near him, and heard the heavy sighs that he was heaving.

Homeric Greek

αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα:

"κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες.

ἤδη μὲν δαιτὸς κεκορήμεθα θυμὸν ἐίσης

φόρμιγγός θ', ἣ δαιτὶ συνήορός ἐστι θαλείῃ:

100νῦν δ' ἐξέλθωμεν καὶ ἀέθλων πειρηθῶμεν

Transliteration

aipsa de Phaiēkessi philēretmoisi metēuda:

"keklyte, Phaiēkōn hēgētores ēde medontes.

ēdē men daitos kekorēmetha thymon eisēs

phormingos th', hē daiti synēoros esti thaleiēi:

100nyn d' exelthōmen kai aethlōn peirēthōmen

English

So he at once said, "Aldermen and town councilors of the Phaeacians, we have had enough now, both of the feast, and of the minstrelsy that is its due accompaniment;

Homeric Greek

πάντων, ὥς χ' ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνίσπῃ οἷσι φίλοισιν

οἴκαδε νοστήσας, ὅσσον περιγιγνόμεθ' ἄλλων

πύξ τε παλαιμοσύνῃ τε καὶ ἅλμασιν ἠδὲ πόδεσσιν."

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο.

105κὰδ δ' ἐκ πασσαλόφι κρέμασεν φόρμιγγα λίγειαν,

Transliteration

pantōn, hōs ch' ho xeinos enispēi hoisi philoisin

oikade nostēsas, hosson perigignometh' allōn

pyx te palaimosynēi te kai halmasin ēde podessin."

hōs ara phōnēsas hēgēsato, toi d' ham' heponto.

105kad d' ek passalophi kremasen phorminga ligeian,

English

let us proceed therefore to the athletic sports, so that our guest on his return home may be able to tell his friends how much we surpass all other nations as boxers, wrestlers, jumpers, and runners." With these words he led the way, and the others followed after.

Homeric Greek

Δημοδόκου δ' ἕλε χεῖρα καὶ ἔξαγεν ἐκ μεγάροιο

κῆρυξ: ἦρχε δὲ τῷ αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ἥν περ οἱ ἄλλοι

Φαιήκων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἀέθλια θαυμανέοντες.

βὰν δ' ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορήν, ἅμα δ' ἕσπετο πουλὺς ὅμιλος,

110μυρίοι: ἂν δ' ἵσταντο νέοι πολλοί τε καὶ ἐσθλοί.

Transliteration

Dēmodokou d' hele cheira kai exagen ek megaroio

kēryx: ērche de tōi autēn hodon hēn per hoi alloi

Phaiēkōn hoi aristoi, aethlia thaumaneontes.

ban d' imen eis agorēn, hama d' hespeto poulys homilos,

110myrioi: an d' histanto neoi polloi te kai esthloi.

English

A servant hung Demodokos’ lyre on its peg for him, led him out of the room, and set him on the same way as that along which all the chief men of the Phaeacians were going to see the sports;

Homeric Greek

ὦρτο μὲν Ἀκρόνεώς τε καὶ Ὠκύαλος καὶ Ἐλατρεύς,

Ναυτεύς τε Πρυμνεύς τε καὶ Ἀγχίαλος καὶ Ἐρετμεύς,

Ποντεύς τε Πρωρεύς τε, Θόων Ἀναβησίνεώς τε

Ἀμφίαλός θ', υἱὸς Πολυνήου Τεκτονίδαο:

115ἂν δὲ καὶ Εὐρύαλος, βροτολοιγῷ ἶσος Ἄρηϊ,

Transliteration

ōrto men Akroneōs te kai Ōkyalos kai Elatreus,

Nauteus te Prymneus te kai Anchialos kai Eretmeus,

Ponteus te Prōreus te, Thoōn Anabēsineōs te

Amphialos th', huios Polynēou Tektonidao:

115an de kai Euryalos, brotoloigōi isos Arēï,

English

a crowd of several thousand people followed them, and there were many excellent competitors for all the prizes. Akroneos, Okyalos, Elatreus, Nauteus, Prymneus, Anchialos, Eretmeus, Ponteus, Proreus, Thoon, Anabesineos, and Amphialos son of Polyneos son of Tekton.

Homeric Greek

Ναυβολίδης, ὃς ἄριστος ἔην εἶδός τε δέμας τε

πάντων Φαιήκων μετ' ἀμύμονα Λαοδάμαντα.

ἂν δ' ἔσταν τρεῖς παῖδες ἀμύμονος Ἀλκινόοιο,

Λαοδάμας θ' Ἅλιός τε καὶ ἀντίθεος Κλυτόνηος.

120οἱ δ' ἦ τοι πρῶτον μὲν ἐπειρήσαντο πόδεσσι.

Transliteration

Naubolidēs, hos aristos eēn eidos te demas te

pantōn Phaiēkōn met' amymona Laodamanta.

an d' estan treis paides amymonos Alkinooio,

Laodamas th' Halios te kai antitheos Klytonēos.

120hoi d' ē toi prōton men epeirēsanto podessi.

English

There was also Euryalos son of Naubolos, who was like Ares himself, and was the best looking man among the Phaeacians except Laodamas. Three sons of Alkinoos, Laodamas, Halios, and Clytoneus, competed also. The foot races came first.

Homeric Greek

τοῖσι δ' ἀπὸ νύσσης τέτατο δρόμος: οἱ δ' ἅμα πάντες

καρπαλίμως ἐπέτοντο κονίοντες πεδίοιο:

τῶν δὲ θέειν ὄχ' ἄριστος ἔην Κλυτόνηος ἀμύμων:

ὅσσον τ' ἐν νειῷ οὖρον πέλει ἡμιόνοιιν,

125τόσσον ὑπεκπροθέων λαοὺς ἵκεθ', οἱ δ' ἐλίποντο.

Transliteration

toisi d' apo nyssēs tetato dromos: hoi d' hama pantes

karpalimōs epetonto koniontes pedioio:

tōn de theein och' aristos eēn Klytonēos amymōn:

hosson t' en neiōi ouron pelei hēmionoiin,

125tosson hypekprotheōn laous hiketh', hoi d' eliponto.

English

The course was set out for them from the starting post, and they raised a dust upon the plain as they all flew forward at the same moment. Clytoneus came in first by a long way;

Homeric Greek

οἱ δὲ παλαιμοσύνης ἀλεγεινῆς πειρήσαντο:

τῇ δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύαλος ἀπεκαίνυτο πάντας ἀρίστους.

ἅλματι δ' Ἀμφίαλος πάντων προφερέστατος ἦεν:

δίσκῳ δ' αὖ πάντων πολὺ φέρτατος ἦεν Ἐλατρεύς,

130πὺξ δ' αὖ Λαοδάμας, ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο.

Transliteration

hoi de palaimosynēs alegeinēs peirēsanto:

tēi d' aut' Euryalos apekainyto pantas aristous.

halmati d' Amphialos pantōn propherestatos ēen:

diskōi d' au pantōn poly phertatos ēen Elatreus,

130pyx d' au Laodamas, agathos païs Alkinooio.

English

he left every one else behind him by the length of the furrow that a couple of mules can plough in a fallow field. They then turned to the painful art of wrestling, and here Euryalos proved to be the best man.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντες ἐτέρφθησαν φρέν' ἀέθλοις,

τοῖς ἄρα Λαοδάμας μετέφη πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο:

"δεῦτε, φίλοι, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐρώμεθα εἴ τιν' ἄεθλον

οἶδέ τε καὶ δεδάηκε. φυήν γε μὲν οὐ κακός ἐστι,

135μηρούς τε κνήμας τε καὶ ἄμφω χεῖρας ὕπερθεν

Transliteration

autar epei dē pantes eterphthēsan phren' aethlois,

tois ara Laodamas metephē païs Alkinooio:

"deute, philoi, ton xeinon erōmetha ei tin' aethlon

oide te kai dedaēke. phyēn ge men ou kakos esti,

135mērous te knēmas te kai amphō cheiras hyperthen

English

Amphialos excelled all the others in jumping, while at throwing the disc there was no one who could approach Elatreus. Alkinoos’ son Laodamas was the best boxer, and he it was who presently said, when they had all been diverted with the games, "Let us ask the stranger whether he excels in any of these sports ;

Homeric Greek

αὐχένα τε στιβαρὸν μέγα τε σθένος: οὐδέ τι ἥβης

δεύεται, ἀλλὰ κακοῖσι συνέρρηκται πολέεσσιν:

οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γέ τί φημι κακώτερον ἄλλο θαλάσσης

ἄνδρα γε συγχεῦαι, εἰ καὶ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη."

140τὸν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε:

Transliteration

auchena te stibaron mega te sthenos: oude ti hēbēs

deuetai, alla kakoisi synerrēktai poleessin:

ou gar egō ge ti phēmi kakōteron allo thalassēs

andra ge syncheuai, ei kai mala karteros eiē."

140ton d' aut' Euryalos apameibeto phōnēsen te:

English

he seems very powerfully built; his thighs, calves, hands, and neck are of prodigious strength, nor is he at all old, but he has suffered much lately, and there is nothing like the sea for making havoc with a man, no matter how strong he is." "You are quite right, Laodamas," replied

Homeric Greek

"Λαοδάμα, μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.

αὐτὸς νῦν προκάλεσσαι ἰὼν καὶ πέφραδε μῦθον."

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γ' ἄκουσ' ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο,

στῆ ῥ' ἐς μέσσον ἰὼν καὶ Ὀδυσσῆα προσέειπε:

145"δεῦρ' ἄγε καὶ σύ, ξεῖνε πάτερ, πείρησαι ἀέθλων,

Transliteration

"Laodama, mala touto epos kata moiran eeipes.

autos nyn prokalessai iōn kai pephrade mython."

autar epei to g' akous' agathos païs Alkinooio,

stē rh' es messon iōn kai Odyssēa proseeipe:

145"deur' age kai sy, xeine pater, peirēsai aethlōn,

English

Euryalos, "go up to your guest and speak to him about it yourself." When Laodamas heard this he made his way into the middle of the crowd and said to Odysseus, "I hope, sir, that you will enter yourself in some one or other of our competitions if you

Homeric Greek

εἴ τινά που δεδάηκας: ἔοικε δέ σ' ἴδμεν ἀέθλους:

οὐ μὲν γὰρ μεῖζον κλέος ἀνέρος ὄφρα κ' ἔῃσιν,

ἤ ὅ τι ποσσίν τε ῥέξῃ καὶ χερσὶν ἑῇσιν.

ἀλλ' ἄγε πείρησαι, σκέδασον δ' ἀπὸ κήδεα θυμοῦ.

150σοὶ δ' ὁδὸς οὐκέτι δηρὸν ἀπέσσεται, ἀλλά τοι ἤδη

Transliteration

ei tina pou dedaēkas: eoike de s' idmen aethlous:

ou men gar meizon kleos aneros ophra k' eēisin,

ē ho ti possin te rhexēi kai chersin heēisin.

all' age peirēsai, skedason d' apo kēdea thymou.

150soi d' hodos ouketi dēron apessetai, alla toi ēdē

English

are skilled in any of them - for you seem to know of athloi. There is no greater kleos for a man all his life long as the showing himself good with his hands and feet. Have a try therefore at something, and banish all sorrow from your mind.

Homeric Greek

νηῦς τε κατείρυσται καὶ ἐπαρτέες εἰσὶν ἑταῖροι."

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

"Λαοδάμα, τί με ταῦτα κελεύετε κερτομέοντες;

κήδεά μοι καὶ μᾶλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἤ περ ἄεθλοι,

155ὃς πρὶν μὲν μάλα πολλὰ πάθον καὶ πολλὰ μόγησα,

Transliteration

nēus te kateirystai kai epartees eisin hetairoi."

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

"Laodama, ti me tauta keleuete kertomeontes;

kēdea moi kai mallon eni phresin ē per aethloi,

155hos prin men mala polla pathon kai polla mogēsa,

English

Your return home will not be long delayed, for the ship is already drawn into the water, and the crew is found." Odysseus answered, "Laodamas, why do you taunt me in this way? My mind is set rather on cares than contests athloi;

Homeric Greek

νῦν δὲ μεθ' ὑμετέρῃ ἀγορῇ νόστοιο χατίζων

ἧμαι, λισσόμενος βασιλῆά τε πάντα τε δῆμον."

τὸν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο νείκεσέ τ' ἄντην:

"οὐ γάρ σ' οὐδέ, ξεῖνε, δαήμονι φωτὶ ἐίσκω

160ἄθλων, οἷά τε πολλὰ μετ' ἀνθρώποισι πέλονται,

Transliteration

nyn de meth' hymeterēi agorēi nostoio chatizōn

hēmai, lissomenos basilēa te panta te dēmon."

ton d' aut' Euryalos apameibeto neikese t' antēn:

"ou gar s' oude, xeine, daēmoni phōti eiskō

160athlōn, hoia te polla met' anthrōpoisi pelontai,

English

I have been through infinite trouble, and am come among you now as a suppliant, praying your king and dêmos to further me on my return home." Then Euryalos reviled him outright and said, "I gather, then, that you are unskilled in any of the many sports athloi that men generally delight in.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ τῷ, ὅς θ' ἅμα νηὶ πολυκλήιδι θαμίζων,

ἀρχὸς ναυτάων οἵ τε πρηκτῆρες ἔασιν,

φόρτου τε μνήμων καὶ ἐπίσκοπος ᾖσιν ὁδαίων

κερδέων θ' ἁρπαλέων: οὐδ' ἀθλητῆρι ἔοικας."

165τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

Transliteration

alla tōi, hos th' hama nēi polyklēidi thamizōn,

archos nautaōn hoi te prēktēres easin,

phortou te mnēmōn kai episkopos ēisin hodaiōn

kerdeōn th' harpaleōn: oud' athlētēri eoikas."

165ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

English

I suppose you are one of those grasping traders that go about in ships as captains or merchants, and who think of nothing but of their outward freights and homeward cargoes. There does not seem to be much of the athlete about you." "For shame, sir," answered Odysseus, fiercely, "you are an insolent

Homeric Greek

"ξεῖν', οὐ καλὸν ἔειπες: ἀτασθάλῳ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικας.

οὕτως οὐ πάντεσσι θεοὶ χαρίεντα διδοῦσιν

ἀνδράσιν, οὔτε φυὴν οὔτ' ἂρ φρένας οὔτ' ἀγορητύν.

ἄλλος μὲν γάρ τ' εἶδος ἀκιδνότερος πέλει ἀνήρ,

170ἀλλὰ θεὸς μορφὴν ἔπεσι στέφει, οἱ δέ τ' ἐς αὐτὸν

Transliteration

"xein', ou kalon eeipes: atasthalōi andri eoikas.

houtōs ou pantessi theoi charienta didousin

andrasin, oute phyēn out' ar phrenas out' agorētyn.

allos men gar t' eidos akidnoteros pelei anēr,

170alla theos morphēn epesi stephei, hoi de t' es auton

English

man - so true is it that the gods do not grace all men alike in speech, person, and understanding. One man may be of weak presence, but heaven has adorned this with such a good conversation that he charms every one who sees him;

Homeric Greek

τερπόμενοι λεύσσουσιν: ὁ δ' ἀσφαλέως ἀγορεύει

αἰδοῖ μειλιχίῃ, μετὰ δὲ πρέπει ἀγρομένοισιν,

ἐρχόμενον δ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ θεὸν ὣς εἰσορόωσιν.

ἄλλος δ' αὖ εἶδος μὲν ἀλίγκιος ἀθανάτοισιν,

175ἀλλ' οὔ οἱ χάρις ἀμφιπεριστέφεται ἐπέεσσιν,

Transliteration

terpomenoi leussousin: ho d' asphaleōs agoreuei

aidoi meilichiēi, meta de prepei agromenoisin,

erchomenon d' ana asty theon hōs eisoroōsin.

allos d' au eidos men alinkios athanatoisin,

175all' ou hoi charis amphiperistephetai epeessin,

English

his honeyed moderation carries his hearers with him so that he is leader in all assemblies of his fellows, and wherever he goes he is looked up to. Another may be as handsome as a god, but his good looks are not crowned with verbal grace. This is your case.

Homeric Greek

ὡς καὶ σοὶ εἶδος μὲν ἀριπρεπές, οὐδέ κεν ἄλλως

οὐδὲ θεὸς τεύξειε, νόον δ' ἀποφώλιός ἐσσι.

ὤρινάς μοι θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισιν

εἰπὼν οὐ κατὰ κόσμον. ἐγὼ δ' οὐ νῆις ἀέθλων,

180ὡς σύ γε μυθεῖαι, ἀλλ' ἐν πρώτοισιν ὀίω

Transliteration

hōs kai soi eidos men ariprepes, oude ken allōs

oude theos teuxeie, noon d' apophōlios essi.

ōrinas moi thymon eni stēthessi philoisin

eipōn ou kata kosmon. egō d' ou nēis aethlōn,

180hōs sy ge mytheiai, all' en prōtoisin oiō

English

No god could make a finer looking man than you are, but you are empty with respect to noos. Your ill-judged remarks have made me exceedingly angry, for I excel in a great many athletic exercises ; indeed, so long as I had youth and strength, I was among the first athletes of the age.

Homeric Greek

ἔμμεναι, ὄφρ' ἥβῃ τε πεποίθεα χερσί τ' ἐμῇσι.

νῦν δ' ἔχομαι κακότητι καὶ ἄλγεσι: πολλὰ γὰρ ἔτλην

ἀνδρῶν τε πτολέμους ἀλεγεινά τε κύματα πείρων.

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὥς, κακὰ πολλὰ παθών, πειρήσομ' ἀέθλων:

185θυμοδακὴς γὰρ μῦθος, ἐπώτρυνας δέ με εἰπών."

Transliteration

emmenai, ophr' hēbēi te pepoithea chersi t' emēisi.

nyn d' echomai kakotēti kai algesi: polla gar etlēn

andrōn te ptolemous alegeina te kymata peirōn.

alla kai hōs, kaka polla pathōn, peirēsom' aethlōn:

185thymodakēs gar mythos, epōtrynas de me eipōn."

English

Now, however, I am worn out by labor and sorrow, for I have gone through much both on the field of battle and by the waves of the weary sea; still, in spite of all this I will compete, for your taunts have stung me to the quick."

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥα καὶ αὐτῷ φάρει ἀναί̈ξας λάβε δίσκον

μείζονα καὶ πάχετον, στιβαρώτερον οὐκ ὀλίγον περ

ἢ οἵῳ Φαίηκες ἐδίσκεον ἀλλήλοισι.

τόν ῥα περιστρέψας ἧκε στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρός,

190βόμβησεν δὲ λίθος: κατὰ δ' ἔπτηξαν ποτὶ γαίῃ

Transliteration

ē rha kai autōi pharei anaïxas labe diskon

meizona kai pacheton, stibarōteron ouk oligon per

ē hoiōi Phaiēkes ediskeon allēloisi.

ton rha peristrepsas hēke stibarēs apo cheiros,

190bombēsen de lithos: kata d' eptēxan poti gaiēi

English

So he hurried up without even taking his cloak off, and seized a disc, larger, more massive and much heavier than those used by the Phaeacians when disc-throwing among themselves. Then, swinging it back, he threw it from his brawny hand, and it made a humming sound in the air as he did so.

Homeric Greek

Φαίηκες δολιχήρετμοι, ναυσίκλυτοι ἄνδρες,

λᾶος ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς: ὁ δ' ὑπέρπτατο σήματα πάντων

ῥίμφα θέων ἀπὸ χειρός. ἔθηκε δὲ τέρματ' Ἀθήνη

ἀνδρὶ δέμας ἐικυῖα, ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:

195"καί κ' ἀλαός τοι, ξεῖνε, διακρίνειε τὸ σῆμα

Transliteration

Phaiēkes dolichēretmoi, nausiklytoi andres,

laos hypo rhipēs: ho d' hyperptato sēmata pantōn

rhimpha theōn apo cheiros. ethēke de termat' Athēnē

andri demas eikuia, epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:

195"kai k' alaos toi, xeine, diakrineie to sēma

English

The Phaeacians quailed beneath the rushing of its flight as it sped gracefully from his hand, and flew beyond any mark that had been made yet. Athena, in the form of a man, came and marked the place where it had fallen.

Homeric Greek

ἀμφαφόων, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι μεμιγμένον ἐστὶν ὁμίλῳ,

ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρῶτον. σὺ δὲ θάρσει τόνδε γ' ἄεθλον:

οὔ τις Φαιήκων τόδε γ' ἵξεται, οὐδ' ὑπερήσει."

"ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

200χαὶρων, οὕνεχ' ἑταῖρον ἐνηέα λεῦσσ' ἐν ἀγῶνι.

Transliteration

amphaphoōn, epei ou ti memigmenon estin homilōi,

alla poly prōton. sy de tharsei tonde g' aethlon:

ou tis Phaiēkōn tode g' hixetai, oud' hyperēsei."

"hōs phato, gēthēsen de polytlas dios Odysseus,

200chairōn, hounech' hetairon enēea leuss' en agōni.

English

"A blind man, sir," said she, "could easily tell your mark by groping for it - it is so far ahead of any other. You may make your mind easy about this contest, for no Phaeacian can come near to such a throw as yours." Odysseus was glad when he found he had a friend among the lookers-on, so he began to speak more pleasantly.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τότε κουφότερον μετεφώνεε Φαιήκεσσιν:

"τοῦτον νῦν ἀφίκεσθε, νέοι. τάχα δ' ὕστερον ἄλλον

ἥσειν ἢ τοσσοῦτον ὀίομαι ἢ ἔτι μᾶσσον.

τῶν δ' ἄλλων ὅτινα κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει,

205δεῦρ' ἄγε πειρηθήτω, ἐπεί μ' ἐχολώσατε λίην,

Transliteration

kai tote kouphoteron metephōnee Phaiēkessin:

"touton nyn aphikesthe, neoi. tacha d' hysteron allon

hēsein ē tossouton oiomai ē eti masson.

tōn d' allōn hotina kradiē thymos te keleuei,

205deur' age peirēthētō, epei m' echolōsate liēn,

English

"Young men," said he, "come up to that throw if you can, and I will throw another disc as heavy or even heavier. If anyone wants to have a bout with me let him come on, for I am exceedingly angry;

Homeric Greek

ἢ πὺξ ἠὲ πάλῃ ἢ καὶ ποσίν, οὔ τι μεγαίρω,

πάντων Φαιήκων, πλήν γ' αὐτοῦ Λαοδάμαντος.

ξεῖνος γάρ μοι ὅδ' ἐστί: τίς ἂν φιλέοντι μάχοιτο;

ἄφρων δὴ κεῖνός γε καὶ οὐτιδανὸς πέλει ἀνήρ,

210ὅς τις ξεινοδόκῳ ἔριδα προφέρηται ἀέθλων

Transliteration

ē pyx ēe palēi ē kai posin, ou ti megairō,

pantōn Phaiēkōn, plēn g' autou Laodamantos.

xeinos gar moi hod' esti: tis an phileonti machoito;

aphrōn dē keinos ge kai outidanos pelei anēr,

210hos tis xeinodokōi erida propherētai aethlōn

English

I will box, wrestle, or run, I do not care what it is, with any man of you all except Laodamas, but not with him because I am his guest, and one cannot compete with one's own personal friend. At least I do not think it a prudent or a sensible thing for a guest

Homeric Greek

δήμῳ ἐν ἀλλοδαπῷ: ἕο δ' αὐτοῦ πάντα κολούει.

τῶν δ' ἄλλων οὔ πέρ τιν' ἀναίνομαι οὐδ' ἀθερίζω,

ἀλλ' ἐθέλω ἴδμεν καὶ πειρηθήμεναι ἄντην.

πάντα γὰρ οὐ κακός εἰμι, μετ' ἀνδράσιν ὅσσοι ἄεθλοι:

215εὖ μὲν τόξον οἶδα ἐύξοον ἀμφαφάασθαι:

Transliteration

dēmōi en allodapōi: heo d' autou panta kolouei.

tōn d' allōn ou per tin' anainomai oud' atherizō,

all' ethelō idmen kai peirēthēmenai antēn.

panta gar ou kakos eimi, met' andrasin hossoi aethloi:

215eu men toxon oida euxoon amphaphaasthai:

English

to challenge his host's family at any game, especially when he is in a foreign dêmos. He will cut the ground from under his own feet if he does; but I make no exception as regards any one else, for I want to have the matter out and know which is the best man.

Homeric Greek

πρῶτός κ' ἄνδρα βάλοιμι ὀιστεύσας ἐν ὁμίλῳ

ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων, εἰ καὶ μάλα πολλοὶ ἑταῖροι

ἄγχι παρασταῖεν καὶ τοξαζοίατο φωτῶν.

οἶος δή με Φιλοκτήτης ἀπεκαίνυτο τόξῳ

220δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅτε τοξαζοίμεθ' Ἀχαιοί.

Transliteration

prōtos k' andra baloimi oisteusas en homilōi

andrōn dysmeneōn, ei kai mala polloi hetairoi

anchi parastaien kai toxazoiato phōtōn.

oios dē me Philoktētēs apekainyto toxōi

220dēmōi eni Trōōn, hote toxazoimeth' Achaioi.

English

I am a good hand at every kind of athletic sport known among humankind. I am an excellent archer. In battle I am always the first to bring a man down with my arrow, no matter how many more are taking aim at him alongside of me.

Homeric Greek

τῶν δ' ἄλλων ἐμέ φημι πολὺ προφερέστερον εἶναι,

ὅσσοι νῦν βροτοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ χθονὶ σῖτον ἔδοντες.

ἀνδράσι δὲ προτέροισιν ἐριζέμεν οὐκ ἐθελήσω,

οὔθ' Ἡρακλῆι οὔτ' Εὐρύτῳ Οιχαλιῆι,

225οἵ ῥα καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἐρίζεσκον περὶ τόξων.

Transliteration

tōn d' allōn eme phēmi poly propheresteron einai,

hossoi nyn brotoi eisin epi chthoni siton edontes.

andrasi de proteroisin erizemen ouk ethelēsō,

outh' Hēraklēi out' Eurytōi Oichaliēi,

225hoi rha kai athanatoisin erizeskon peri toxōn.

English

Philoctetes was the only man who could shoot better than I could when we Achaeans were before the dêmos of the Trojans. I far excel every one else in the whole world, of those who still eat bread upon the face of the earth, but I should not like to shoot against the mighty dead, such as Herakles, or Eurytos the Cechalian- men who could shoot against the gods themselves.

Homeric Greek

τῷ ῥα καὶ αἶψ' ἔθανεν μέγας Εὔρυτος, οὐδ' ἐπὶ γῆρας

ἵκετ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισι: χολωσάμενος γὰρ Ἀπόλλων

ἔκτανεν, οὕνεκά μιν προκαλίζετο τοξάζεσθαι.

δουρὶ δ' ἀκοντίζω ὅσον οὐκ ἄλλος τις ὀιστῷ.

230οἴοισιν δείδοικα ποσὶν μή τίς με παρέλθῃ

Transliteration

tōi rha kai aips' ethanen megas Eurytos, oud' epi gēras

hiket' eni megaroisi: cholōsamenos gar Apollōn

ektanen, houneka min prokalizeto toxazesthai.

douri d' akontizō hoson ouk allos tis oistōi.

230oioisin deidoika posin mē tis me parelthēi

English

This in fact was how Eurytos came prematurely by his end, for Apollo was angry with him and killed him because he challenged him as an archer. I can throw a dart farther than any one else can shoot an arrow.

Homeric Greek

Φαιήκων: λίην γὰρ ἀεικελίως ἐδαμάσθην

κύμασιν ἐν πολλοῖς, ἐπεὶ οὐ κομιδὴ κατὰ νῆα

ἦεν ἐπηετανός: τῷ μοι φίλα γυῖα λέλυνται."

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.

235Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν:

Transliteration

Phaiēkōn: liēn gar aeikeliōs edamasthēn

kymasin en pollois, epei ou komidē kata nēa

ēen epēetanos: tōi moi phila guia lelyntai."

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes akēn egenonto siōpēi.

235Alkinoos de min oios ameibomenos proseeipen:

English

Running is the only point in respect of which I am afraid some of the Phaeacians might beat me, for I have been brought down very low at sea; my provisions ran short, and therefore I am still weak." They all held their peace except King Alkinoos, who began, "Sir, we have had much pleasure in hearing all that

Homeric Greek

"ξεῖν', ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀχάριστα μεθ' ἡμῖν ταῦτ' ἀγορεύεις,

ἀλλ' ἐθέλεις ἀρετὴν σὴν φαινέμεν, ἥ τοι ὀπηδεῖ,

χωόμενος ὅτι σ' οὗτος ἀνὴρ ἐν ἀγῶνι παραστὰς

νείκεσεν, ὡς ἂν σὴν ἀρετὴν βροτὸς οὔ τις ὄνοιτο,

240ὅς τις ἐπίσταιτο ᾗσι φρεσὶν ἄρτια βάζειν:

Transliteration

"xein', epei ouk acharista meth' hēmin taut' agoreueis,

all' etheleis aretēn sēn phainemen, hē toi opēdei,

chōomenos hoti s' houtos anēr en agōni parastas

neikesen, hōs an sēn aretēn brotos ou tis onoito,

240hos tis epistaito hēisi phresin artia bazein:

English

you have told us, from which I understand that you are willing to show your prowess, as having been displeased with some insolent remarks that have been made to you by one of our athletes, and which could never have been uttered by any one who knows how to talk with propriety.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε νῦν ἐμέθεν ξυνίει ἔπος, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλῳ

εἴπῃς ἡρώων, ὅτε κεν σοῖς ἐν μεγάροισι

δαινύῃ παρὰ σῇ τ' ἀλόχῳ καὶ σοῖσι τέκεσσιν,

ἡμετέρης ἀρετῆς μεμνημένος, οἷα καὶ ἡμῖν

245Ζεὺς ἐπὶ ἔργα τίθησι διαμπερὲς ἐξ ἔτι πατρῶν.

Transliteration

all' age nyn emethen xyniei epos, ophra kai allōi

eipēis hērōōn, hote ken sois en megaroisi

dainyēi para sēi t' alochōi kai soisi tekessin,

hēmeterēs aretēs memnēmenos, hoia kai hēmin

245Zeus epi erga tithēsi diamperes ex eti patrōn.

English

I hope you will apprehend my meaning, and will explain to any one of your chief men who may be dining with yourself and your family when you get home, that we have an hereditary aptitude for accomplishments of all kinds.

Homeric Greek

οὐ γὰρ πυγμάχοι εἰμὲν ἀμύμονες οὐδὲ παλαισταί,

ἀλλὰ ποσὶ κραιπνῶς θέομεν καὶ νηυσὶν ἄριστοι,

αἰεὶ δ' ἡμῖν δαίς τε φίλη κίθαρις τε χοροί τε

εἵματά τ' ἐξημοιβὰ λοετρά τε θερμὰ καὶ εὐναί.

250ἀλλ' ἄγε, Φαιήκων βητάρμονες ὅσσοι ἄριστοι,

Transliteration

ou gar pygmachoi eimen amymones oude palaistai,

alla posi kraipnōs theomen kai nēusin aristoi,

aiei d' hēmin dais te philē kitharis te choroi te

heimata t' exēmoiba loetra te therma kai eunai.

250all' age, Phaiēkōn bētarmones hossoi aristoi,

English

We are not particularly remarkable for our boxing, nor yet as wrestlers, but we are singularly fleet of foot and are excellent sailors. We are extremely fond of good dinners, music, and dancing ; we also like frequent changes of linen, warm baths, and good beds;

Homeric Greek

παίσατε, ὥς χ' ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνίσπῃ οἷσι φίλοισιν

οἴκαδε νοστήσας, ὅσσον περιγιγνόμεθ' ἄλλων

ναυτιλίῃ καὶ ποσσὶ καὶ ὀρχηστυῖ καὶ ἀοιδῇ.

Δημοδόκῳ δέ τις αἶψα κιὼν φόρμιγγα λίγειαν

255οἰσέτω, ἥ που κεῖται ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιν."

Transliteration

paisate, hōs ch' ho xeinos enispēi hoisi philoisin

oikade nostēsas, hosson perigignometh' allōn

nautiliēi kai possi kai orchēstui kai aoidēi.

Dēmodokōi de tis aipsa kiōn phorminga ligeian

255oisetō, hē pou keitai en hēmeteroisi domoisin."

English

so now, please, some of you who are the best dancers set about dancing, that our guest on his return home may be able to tell his friends how much we surpass all other nations as sailors, runners, dancers, minstrels. Demodokos has left his lyre at my house, so run some one or other of you and fetch it for him."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀλκίνοος θεοείκελος, ὦρτο δὲ κῆρυξ

οἴσων φόρμιγγα γλαφυρὴν δόμου ἐκ βασιλῆος.

αἰσυμνῆται δὲ κριτοὶ ἐννέα πάντες ἀνέσταν

δήμιοι, οἳ κατ' ἀγῶνας ἐὺ πρήσσεσκον ἕκαστα,

260λείηναν δὲ χορόν, καλὸν δ' εὔρυναν ἀγῶνα.

Transliteration

hōs ephat' Alkinoos theoeikelos, ōrto de kēryx

oisōn phorminga glaphyrēn domou ek basilēos.

aisymnētai de kritoi ennea pantes anestan

dēmioi, hoi kat' agōnas eu prēsseskon hekasta,

260leiēnan de choron, kalon d' eurynan agōna.

English

On this a servant hurried off to bring the lyre from the king's house, and the nine men who had been chosen as stewards stood forward. It was their business to manage everything connected with the sports, so they made the ground smooth and marked a wide space for the dancers.

Homeric Greek

κῆρυξ δ' ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων φόρμιγγα λίγειαν

Δημοδόκῳ: ὁ δ' ἔπειτα κί' ἐς μέσον: ἀμφὶ δὲ κοῦροι

πρωθῆβαι ἵσταντο, δαήμονες ὀρχηθμοῖο,

πέπληγον δὲ χορὸν θεῖον ποσίν. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

265μαρμαρυγὰς θηεῖτο ποδῶν, θαύμαζε δὲ θυμῷ.

Transliteration

kēryx d' engythen ēlthe pherōn phorminga ligeian

Dēmodokōi: ho d' epeita ki' es meson: amphi de kouroi

prōthēbai histanto, daēmones orchēthmoio,

peplēgon de choron theion posin. autar Odysseus

265marmarygas thēeito podōn, thaumaze de thymōi.

English

Presently the servant came back with Demodokos’ lyre, and he took his place in the midst of them, whereon the best young dancers in the town began to foot and trip it so nimbly that Odysseus was delighted with the merry twinkling of their feet.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὁ φορμίζων ἀνεβάλλετο καλὸν ἀείδειν

ἀμφ' Ἄρεος φιλότητος εὐστεφάνου τ' Ἀφροδίτης,

ὡς τὰ πρῶτα μίγησαν ἐν Ἡφαίστοιο δόμοισι

λάθρῃ, πολλὰ δ' ἔδωκε, λέχος δ' ᾔσχυνε καὶ εὐνὴν

270Ἡφαίστοιο ἄνακτος. ἄφαρ δέ οἱ ἄγγελος ἦλθεν

Transliteration

autar ho phormizōn aneballeto kalon aeidein

amph' Areos philotētos eustephanou t' Aphroditēs,

hōs ta prōta migēsan en Hēphaistoio domoisi

lathrēi, polla d' edōke, lechos d' ēischyne kai eunēn

270Hēphaistoio anaktos. aphar de hoi angelos ēlthen

English

Meanwhile the bard began to sing the loves of Ares and Aphrodite, and how they first began their intrigue in the house of Hephaistos. Ares made Aphrodite many presents, and defiled lord Hephaistos’ marriage bed, so the sun, who saw what they were about, told Hephaistos.

Homeric Greek

Ἥλιος, ὅ σφ' ἐνόησε μιγαζομένους φιλότητι.

Ἥφαιστος δ' ὡς οὖν θυμαλγέα μῦθον ἄκουσε,

βῆ ῥ' ἴμεν ἐς χαλκεῶνα κακὰ φρεσὶ βυσσοδομεύων,

ἐν δ' ἔθετ' ἀκμοθέτῳ μέγαν ἄκμονα, κόπτε δὲ δεσμοὺς

275ἀρρήκτους ἀλύτους, ὄφρ' ἔμπεδον αὖθι μένοιεν.

Transliteration

Hēlios, ho sph' enoēse migazomenous philotēti.

Hēphaistos d' hōs oun thymalgea mython akouse,

bē rh' imen es chalkeōna kaka phresi byssodomeuōn,

en d' ethet' akmothetōi megan akmona, kopte de desmous

275arrēktous alytous, ophr' empedon authi menoien.

English

Hephaistos was very angry when he heard such dreadful news, so he went to his smithy brooding mischief, got his great anvil into its place, and began to forge some chains which none could either unloose or break, so that they might stay there in that place.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τεῦξε δόλον κεχολωμένος Ἄρει,

βῆ ῥ' ἴμεν ἐς θάλαμον, ὅθι οἱ φίλα δέμνι' ἔκειτο,

ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ἑρμῖσιν χέε δέσματα κύκλῳ ἁπάντῃ:

πολλὰ δὲ καὶ καθύπερθε μελαθρόφιν ἐξεκέχυντο,

280ἠύτ' ἀράχνια λεπτά, τά γ' οὔ κέ τις οὐδὲ ἴδοιτο,

Transliteration

autar epei dē teuxe dolon kecholōmenos Arei,

bē rh' imen es thalamon, hothi hoi phila demni' ekeito,

amphi d' ar' hermisin chee desmata kyklōi hapantēi:

polla de kai kathyperthe melathrophin exekechynto,

280ēut' arachnia lepta, ta g' ou ke tis oude idoito,

English

When he had finished his snare he went into his bedroom and festooned the bed-posts all over with chains like cobwebs; he also let many hang down from the great beam of the ceiling. Not even a god could see them, so fine and subtle were they.

Homeric Greek

οὐδὲ θεῶν μακάρων: πέρι γὰρ δολόεντα τέτυκτο.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα δόλον περὶ δέμνια χεῦεν,

εἴσατ' ἴμεν ἐς Λῆμνον, ἐυκτίμενον πτολίεθρον,

ἥ οἱ γαιάων πολὺ φιλτάτη ἐστὶν ἁπασέων.

285οὐδ' ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχε χρυσήνιος Ἄρης,

Transliteration

oude theōn makarōn: peri gar doloenta tetykto.

autar epei dē panta dolon peri demnia cheuen,

eisat' imen es Lēmnon, euktimenon ptoliethron,

hē hoi gaiaōn poly philtatē estin hapaseōn.

285oud' alaoskopiēn eiche chrysēnios Arēs,

English

As soon as he had spread the chains all over the bed, he made as though he were setting out for the fair state of Lemnos, which of all places in the world was the one he was most fond of.

Homeric Greek

ὡς ἴδεν Ἥφαιστον κλυτοτέχνην νόσφι κιόντα:

βῆ δ' ἰέναι πρὸς δῶμα περικλυτοῦ Ἡφαίστοιο

ἰσχανόων φιλότητος ἐυστεφάνου Κυθερείης.

ἡ δὲ νέον παρὰ πατρὸς ἐρισθενέος Κρονίωνος

290ἐρχομένη κατ' ἄρ' ἕζεθ': ὁ δ' εἴσω δώματος ᾔει,

Transliteration

hōs iden Hēphaiston klytotechnēn nosphi kionta:

bē d' ienai pros dōma periklytou Hēphaistoio

ischanoōn philotētos eustephanou Kythereiēs.

hē de neon para patros eristheneos Kroniōnos

290erchomenē kat' ar' hezeth': ho d' eisō dōmatos ēiei,

English

But Ares kept no blind look out, and as soon as he saw him start, hurried off to his house, burning with love for Aphrodite. Now Aphrodite was just come in from a visit to her father Zeus, and was about sitting down when Ares

Homeric Greek

ἔν τ' ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:

"δεῦρο, φίλη, λέκτρονδε τραπείομεν εὐνηθέντες:

οὐ γὰρ ἔθ' Ἥφαιστος μεταδήμιος, ἀλλά που ἤδη

οἴχεται ἐς Λῆμνον μετὰ Σίντιας ἀγριοφώνους."

295ὣς φάτο, τῇ δ' ἀσπαστὸν ἐείσατο κοιμηθῆναι.

Transliteration

en t' ara hoi phy cheiri, epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:

"deuro, philē, lektronde trapeiomen eunēthentes:

ou gar eth' Hēphaistos metadēmios, alla pou ēdē

oichetai es Lēmnon meta Sintias agriophōnous."

295hōs phato, tēi d' aspaston eeisato koimēthēnai.

English

came inside the house, and said as he took her hand in his own, "Let us go to the couch of Hephaistos: he is not at home, but is gone off to Lemnos among the Sintians, whose speech is barbarous." She was not unwilling, so they went to the

Homeric Greek

τὼ δ' ἐς δέμνια βάντε κατέδραθον: ἀμφὶ δὲ δεσμοὶ

τεχνήεντες ἔχυντο πολύφρονος Ἡφαίστοιο,

οὐδέ τι κινῆσαι μελέων ἦν οὐδ' ἀναεῖραι.

καὶ τότε δὴ γίγνωσκον, ὅ τ' οὐκέτι φυκτὰ πέλοντο.

300ἀγχίμολον δέ σφ' ἦλθε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις,

Transliteration

tō d' es demnia bante katedrathon: amphi de desmoi

technēentes echynto polyphronos Hēphaistoio,

oude ti kinēsai meleōn ēn oud' anaeirai.

kai tote dē gignōskon, ho t' ouketi phykta pelonto.

300anchimolon de sph' ēlthe periklytos amphigyēeis,

English

couch to take their rest, whereon they were caught in the toils which cunning Hephaistos had spread for them, and could neither get up nor stir hand or foot, but found too late that they were in a trap.

Homeric Greek

αὖτις ὑποστρέψας πρὶν Λήμνου γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι:

Ἠέλιος γάρ οἱ σκοπιὴν ἔχεν εἶπέ τε μῦθον.

βῆ δ' ἴμεναι πρὸς δῶμα φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ:

ἔστη δ' ἐν προθύροισι, χόλος δέ μιν ἄγριος ᾕρει:

305σμερδαλέον δ' ἐβόησε, γέγωνέ τε πᾶσι θεοῖσιν:

Transliteration

autis hypostrepsas prin Lēmnou gaian hikesthai:

Ēelios gar hoi skopiēn echen eipe te mython.

bē d' imenai pros dōma philon tetiēmenos ētor:

estē d' en prothyroisi, cholos de min agrios hēirei:

305smerdaleon d' eboēse, gegōne te pasi theoisin:

English

Then Hephaistos came up to them, for he had turned back before reaching Lemnos, when his scout the sun told him what was going on. He was in a furious passion, and stood in the vestibule making a dreadful noise as he shouted to all the gods.

Homeric Greek

"Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδ' ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες,

δεῦθ', ἵνα ἔργα γελαστὰ καὶ οὐκ ἐπιεικτὰ ἴδησθε,

ὡς ἐμὲ χωλὸν ἐόντα Διὸς θυγάτηρ Ἀφροδίτη

αἰὲν ἀτιμάζει, φιλέει δ' ἀίδηλον Ἄρηα,

310οὕνεχ' ὁ μὲν καλός τε καὶ ἀρτίπος, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε

Transliteration

"Zeu pater ēd' alloi makares theoi aien eontes,

deuth', hina erga gelasta kai ouk epieikta idēsthe,

hōs eme chōlon eonta Dios thygatēr Aphroditē

aien atimazei, phileei d' aidēlon Arēa,

310hounech' ho men kalos te kai artipos, autar egō ge

English

"Father Zeus," he cried, "and all you other blessed gods who live for ever, come here and see the ridiculous and disgraceful sight that I will show you. Zeus’ daughter Aphrodite is always dishonoring me because I am lame.

Homeric Greek

ἠπεδανὸς γενόμην. ἀτὰρ οὔ τί μοι αἴτιος ἄλλος,

ἀλλὰ τοκῆε δύω, τὼ μὴ γείνασθαι ὄφελλον.

ἀλλ' ὄψεσθ', ἵνα τώ γε καθεύδετον ἐν φιλότητι

εἰς ἐμὰ δέμνια βάντες, ἐγὼ δ' ὁρόων ἀκάχημαι.

315οὐ μέν σφεας ἔτ' ἔολπα μίνυνθά γε κειέμεν οὕτως

Transliteration

ēpedanos genomēn. atar ou ti moi aitios allos,

alla tokēe dyō, tō mē geinasthai ophellon.

all' opsesth', hina tō ge katheudeton en philotēti

eis ema demnia bantes, egō d' horoōn akachēmai.

315ou men spheas et' eolpa minyntha ge keiemen houtōs

English

She is in love with Ares, who is handsome and clean built, whereas I am a cripple - but my parents are responsible for that, not I; they ought never to have begotten me. Come and see the pair together asleep on my bed. It makes me furious to look at them.

Homeric Greek

καὶ μάλα περ φιλέοντε: τάχ' οὐκ ἐθελήσετον ἄμφω

εὕδειν: ἀλλά σφωε δόλος καὶ δεσμὸς ἐρύξει,

εἰς ὅ κέ μοι μάλα πάντα πατὴρ ἀποδῷσιν ἔεδνα,

ὅσσα οἱ ἐγγυάλιξα κυνώπιδος εἵνεκα κούρης,

320οὕνεκά οἱ καλὴ θυγάτηρ, ἀτὰρ οὐκ ἐχέθυμος."

Transliteration

kai mala per phileonte: tach' ouk ethelēseton amphō

heudein: alla sphōe dolos kai desmos eryxei,

eis ho ke moi mala panta patēr apodōisin eedna,

hossa hoi engyalixa kynōpidos heineka kourēs,

320houneka hoi kalē thygatēr, atar ouk echethymos."

English

They are very fond of one another, but I do not think they will lie there longer than they can help, nor do I think that they will sleep much; there, however, they shall stay till her father has repaid me the sum I gave him for his baggage of a daughter, who is fair but not honest."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἀγέροντο θεοὶ ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς δῶ:

ἦλθε Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος, ἦλθ' ἐριούνης

Ἑρμείας, ἦλθεν δὲ ἄναξ ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων.

θηλύτεραι δὲ θεαὶ μένον αἰδοῖ οἴκοι ἑκάστη.

325ἔσταν δ' ἐν προθύροισι θεοί, δωτῆρες ἑάων:

Transliteration

hōs ephath', hoi d' ageronto theoi poti chalkobates dō:

ēlthe Poseidaōn gaiēochos, ēlth' eriounēs

Hermeias, ēlthen de anax hekaergos Apollōn.

thēlyterai de theai menon aidoi oikoi hekastē.

325estan d' en prothyroisi theoi, dōtēres heaōn:

English

On this the gods gathered to the house of Hephaistos. Earth-encircling Poseidon came, and Hermes the bringer of luck, and lord Apollo, but the goddesses stayed at home all of them for shame.

Homeric Greek

ἄσβεστος δ' ἄρ' ἐνῶρτο γέλως μακάρεσσι θεοῖσι

τέχνας εἰσορόωσι πολύφρονος Ἡφαίστοιο.

ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον:

"οὐκ ἀρετᾷ κακὰ ἔργα: κιχάνει τοι βραδὺς ὠκύν,

330ὡς καὶ νῦν Ἥφαιστος ἐὼν βραδὺς εἷλεν Ἄρηα

Transliteration

asbestos d' ar' enōrto gelōs makaressi theoisi

technas eisoroōsi polyphronos Hēphaistoio.

hōde de tis eipesken idōn es plēsion allon:

"ouk aretāi kaka erga: kichanei toi bradys ōkyn,

330hōs kai nyn Hēphaistos eōn bradys heilen Arēa

English

Then the givers of all good things stood in the doorway, and the blessed gods roared with inextinguishable laughter, as they saw how cunning Hephaistos had been, whereon one would turn towards his neighbor saying: "Ill deeds do not bring aretê, and the weak confound the strong.

Homeric Greek

ὠκύτατόν περ ἐόντα θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσιν,

χωλὸς ἐὼν τέχνῃσι: τὸ καὶ μοιχάγρι' ὀφέλλει."

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον:

Ἑρμῆν δὲ προσέειπεν ἄναξ Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων:

335"Ἑρμεία, Διὸς υἱέ, διάκτορε, δῶτορ ἑάων,

Transliteration

ōkytaton per eonta theōn hoi Olympon echousin,

chōlos eōn technēisi: to kai moichagri' ophellei."

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon:

Hermēn de proseeipen anax Dios huios Apollōn:

335"Hermeia, Dios huie, diaktore, dōtor heaōn,

English

See how limping Hephaistos, lame as he is, has caught Ares who is the fleetest god in heaven; and now Ares will be cast in heavy damages." Thus did they converse, but lord Apollo said to Hermes, "Messenger Hermes, giver of good things, you would not care

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥά κεν ἐν δεσμοῖς ἐθέλοις κρατεροῖσι πιεσθεὶς

εὕδειν ἐν λέκτροισι παρὰ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ;"

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης:

"αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο γένοιτο, ἄναξ ἑκατηβόλ' Ἄπολλον:

340δεσμοὶ μὲν τρὶς τόσσοι ἀπείρονες ἀμφὶς ἔχοιεν,

Transliteration

ē rha ken en desmois ethelois krateroisi piestheis

heudein en lektroisi para chryseēi Aphroditēi;"

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita diaktoros argeïphontēs:

"ai gar touto genoito, anax hekatēbol' Apollon:

340desmoi men tris tossoi apeirones amphis echoien,

English

how strong the chains were, would you, if you could sleep with Aphrodite?" "King Apollo," answered Hermes, "I only wish I might get the chance, though there were three times as many chains - and you might look

Homeric Greek

ὑμεῖς δ' εἰσορόῳτε θεοὶ πᾶσαί τε θέαιναι,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν εὕδοιμι παρὰ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ."

ὣς ἔφατ', ἐν δὲ γέλως ὦρτ' ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.

οὐδὲ Ποσειδάωνα γέλως ἔχε, λίσσετο δ' αἰεὶ

345Ἥφαιστον κλυτοεργὸν ὅπως λύσειεν Ἄρηα.

Transliteration

hymeis d' eisoroōite theoi pasai te theainai,

autar egōn heudoimi para chryseēi Aphroditēi."

hōs ephat', en de gelōs ōrt' athanatoisi theoisin.

oude Poseidaōna gelōs eche, lisseto d' aiei

345Hēphaiston klytoergon hopōs lyseien Arēa.

English

on, all of you, gods and goddesses, but I would sleep with her if I could." The immortal gods burst out laughing as they heard him, but Poseidon took it all seriously, and kept on imploring Hephaistos to set Ares free again.

Homeric Greek

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"λῦσον: ἐγὼ δέ τοι αὐτὸν ὑπίσχομαι, ὡς σὺ κελεύεις,

τίσειν αἴσιμα πάντα μετ' ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν."

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις:

350"μή με, Ποσείδαον γαιήοχε, ταῦτα κέλευε:

Transliteration

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"lyson: egō de toi auton hypischomai, hōs sy keleueis,

tisein aisima panta met' athanatoisi theoisin."

ton d' aute proseeipe periklytos amphigyēeis:

350"mē me, Poseidaon gaiēoche, tauta keleue:

English

"Let him go," he cried, "and I will undertake, as you require, that he shall pay you all the damages that are held reasonable among the immortal gods." "Do not," replied Hephaistos, "ask me to do this; a bad man's bond is bad security;

Homeric Greek

δειλαί τοι δειλῶν γε καὶ ἐγγύαι ἐγγυάασθαι.

πῶς ἂν ἐγώ σε δέοιμι μετ' ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν,

εἴ κεν Ἄρης οἴχοιτο χρέος καὶ δεσμὸν ἀλύξας;"

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων:

355"Ἥφαιστ', εἴ περ γάρ κεν Ἄρης χρεῖος ὑπαλύξας

Transliteration

deilai toi deilōn ge kai engyai engyaasthai.

pōs an egō se deoimi met' athanatoisi theoisin,

ei ken Arēs oichoito chreos kai desmon alyxas;"

ton d' aute proseeipe Poseidaōn enosichthōn:

355"Hēphaist', ei per gar ken Arēs chreios hypalyxas

English

what remedy could I enforce against you if Ares should go away and leave his debts behind him along with his chains?" "Hephaistos," said Poseidon, "if Ares goes away without paying his damages, I will pay you myself."

Homeric Greek

οἴχηται φεύγων, αὐτός τοι ἐγὼ τάδε τίσω."

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις:

"οὐκ ἔστ' οὐδὲ ἔοικε τεὸν ἔπος ἀρνήσασθαι."

ὣς εἰπὼν δεσμὸν ἀνίει μένος Ἡφαίστοιο.

360τὼ δ' ἐπεὶ ἐκ δεσμοῖο λύθεν, κρατεροῦ περ ἐόντος,

Transliteration

oichētai pheugōn, autos toi egō tade tisō."

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita periklytos amphigyēeis:

"ouk est' oude eoike teon epos arnēsasthai."

hōs eipōn desmon aniei menos Hēphaistoio.

360tō d' epei ek desmoio lythen, kraterou per eontos,

English

So Hephaistos answered, "In this case I cannot and must not refuse you." Thereon he loosed the bonds that bound them, and as soon as they were free they scampered off,

Homeric Greek

αὐτίκ' ἀναί̈ξαντε ὁ μὲν Θρῄκηνδε βεβήκει,

ἡ δ' ἄρα Κύπρον ἵκανε φιλομμειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη,

ἐς Πάφον: ἔνθα δέ οἱ τέμενος βωμός τε θυήεις.

ἔνθα δέ μιν Χάριτες λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ

365ἀμβρότῳ, οἷα θεοὺς ἐπενήνοθεν αἰὲν ἐόντας,

Transliteration

autik' anaïxante ho men Thrēikēnde bebēkei,

hē d' ara Kypron hikane philommeidēs Aphroditē,

es Paphon: entha de hoi temenos bōmos te thyēeis.

entha de min Charites lousan kai chrisan elaiōi

365ambrotōi, hoia theous epenēnothen aien eontas,

English

Ares to Thrace and laughter-loving Aphrodite to Cyprus and to Paphos, where is her grove and her altar fragrant with burnt offerings. Here the Graces bathed her, and anointed her with oil of ambrosia such as the immortal gods make use of, and they

Homeric Greek

ἀμφὶ δὲ εἵματα ἕσσαν ἐπήρατα, θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι.

ταῦτ' ἄρ' ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

τέρπετ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀκούων ἠδὲ καὶ ἄλλοι

Φαίηκες δολιχήρετμοι, ναυσίκλυτοι ἄνδρες.

370Ἀλκίνοος δ' Ἅλιον καὶ Λαοδάμαντα κέλευσεν

Transliteration

amphi de heimata hessan epērata, thauma idesthai.

taut' ar' aoidos aeide periklytos: autar Odysseus

terpet' eni phresin hēisin akouōn ēde kai alloi

Phaiēkes dolichēretmoi, nausiklytoi andres.

370Alkinoos d' Halion kai Laodamanta keleusen

English

clothed her in raiment of the most enchanting beauty. Thus sang the bard, and both Odysseus and the seafaring Phaeacians were charmed as they heard him. Then Alkinoos told Laodamas and Halios to dance alone, for there was no one to compete with them.

Homeric Greek

μουνὰξ ὀρχήσασθαι, ἐπεί σφισιν οὔ τις ἔριζεν.

οἱ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν σφαῖραν καλὴν μετὰ χερσὶν ἕλοντο,

πορφυρέην, τήν σφιν Πόλυβος ποίησε δαί̈φρων,

τὴν ἕτερος ῥίπτασκε ποτὶ νέφεα σκιόεντα

375ἰδνωθεὶς ὀπίσω, ὁ δ' ἀπὸ χθονὸς ὑψόσ' ἀερθεὶς

Transliteration

mounax orchēsasthai, epei sphisin ou tis erizen.

hoi d' epei oun sphairan kalēn meta chersin helonto,

porphyreēn, tēn sphin Polybos poiēse daïphrōn,

tēn heteros rhiptaske poti nephea skioenta

375idnōtheis opisō, ho d' apo chthonos hypsos' aertheis

English

So they took a red ball which Polybos had made for them, and one of them bent himself backwards and threw it up towards the clouds, while the other jumped from off the ground and caught it with ease before it came down again.

Homeric Greek

ῥηιδίως μεθέλεσκε, πάρος ποσὶν οὖδας ἱκέσθαι.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ σφαίρῃ ἀν' ἰθὺν πειρήσαντο,

ὠρχείσθην δὴ ἔπειτα ποτὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ

ταρφέ' ἀμειβομένω: κοῦροι δ' ἐπελήκεον ἄλλοι

380ἑστεῶτες κατ' ἀγῶνα, πολὺς δ' ὑπὸ κόμπος ὀρώρει.

Transliteration

rhēidiōs metheleske, paros posin oudas hikesthai.

autar epei dē sphairēi an' ithyn peirēsanto,

ōrcheisthēn dē epeita poti chthoni poulyboteirēi

tarphe' ameibomenō: kouroi d' epelēkeon alloi

380hesteōtes kat' agōna, polys d' hypo kompos orōrei.

English

When they had done throwing the ball straight up into the air they began to dance, and at the same time kept on throwing it backwards and forwards to one another, while all the young men in the ring applauded and made a great stamping with their feet.

Homeric Greek

δὴ τότ' ἄρ' Ἀλκίνοον προσεφώνεε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς:

"Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,

ἠμὲν ἀπείλησας βητάρμονας εἶναι ἀρίστους,

ἠδ' ἄρ' ἑτοῖμα τέτυκτο: σέβας μ' ἔχει εἰσορόωντα."

385ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δ' ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,

Transliteration

dē tot' ar' Alkinoon prosephōnee dios Odysseus:

"Alkinoe kreion, pantōn arideikete laōn,

ēmen apeilēsas bētarmonas einai aristous,

ēd' ar' hetoima tetykto: sebas m' echei eisoroōnta."

385hōs phato, gēthēsen d' hieron menos Alkinooio,

English

Then Odysseus said: "King Alkinoos, you said your people were the nimblest dancers in the world, and indeed they have proved themselves to be so. I was astonished as I saw them." The king was delighted at this, and exclaimed to

Homeric Greek

αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα:

"κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες.

ὁ ξεῖνος μάλα μοι δοκέει πεπνυμένος εἶναι.

ἀλλ' ἄγε οἱ δῶμεν ξεινήιον, ὡς ἐπιεικές.

390δώδεκα γὰρ κατὰ δῆμον ἀριπρεπέες βασιλῆες

Transliteration

aipsa de Phaiēkessi philēretmoisi metēuda:

"keklyte, Phaiēkōn hēgētores ēde medontes.

ho xeinos mala moi dokeei pepnymenos einai.

all' age hoi dōmen xeinēion, hōs epieikes.

390dōdeka gar kata dēmon ariprepees basilēes

English

the Phaeacians "Aldermen and town councilors, our guest seems to be a person of singular judgment; let us give him such proof of our hospitality as he may reasonably expect. There are twelve chief men throughout the dêmos, and counting myself there are thirteen;

Homeric Greek

ἀρχοὶ κραίνουσι, τρισκαιδέκατος δ' ἐγὼ αὐτός:

τῶν οἱ ἕκαστος φᾶρος ἐυπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶνα

καὶ χρυσοῖο τάλαντον ἐνείκατε τιμήεντος.

αἶψα δὲ πάντα φέρωμεν ἀολλέα, ὄφρ' ἐνὶ χερσὶν

395ξεῖνος ἔχων ἐπὶ δόρπον ἴῃ χαίρων ἐνὶ θυμῷ.

Transliteration

archoi krainousi, triskaidekatos d' egō autos:

tōn hoi hekastos pharos euplynes ēde chitōna

kai chrysoio talanton eneikate timēentos.

aipsa de panta pherōmen aollea, ophr' eni chersin

395xeinos echōn epi dorpon iēi chairōn eni thymōi.

English

contribute, each of you, a clean cloak, a shirt, and a talent of fine gold; let us give him all this in a lump down at once, so that when he gets his supper he may do so with a light heart.

Homeric Greek

Εὐρύαλος δέ ἑ αὐτὸν ἀρεσσάσθω ἐπέεσσι

καὶ δώρῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπεν."

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον ἠδ' ἐκέλευον,

δῶρα δ' ἄρ' οἰσέμεναι πρόεσαν κήρυκα ἕκαστος.

400τὸν δ' αὖτ' Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε:

Transliteration

Euryalos de he auton aressasthō epeessi

kai dōrōi, epei ou ti epos kata moiran eeipen."

hōs ephath', hoi d' ara pantes epēineon ēd' ekeleuon,

dōra d' ar' oisemenai proesan kēryka hekastos.

400ton d' aut' Euryalos apameibeto phōnēsen te:

English

As for Euryalos, he will have to make a formal apology and a present too, for he has been rude." Thus did he speak. The others all of them applauded his saying, and sent their servants to fetch the presents. Then Euryalos said, "King Alkinoos, I will give the stranger all the satisfaction you require.

Homeric Greek

"Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,

τοιγὰρ ἐγὼ τὸν ξεῖνον ἀρέσσομαι, ὡς σὺ κελεύεις.

δώσω οἱ τόδ' ἄορ παγχάλκεον, ᾧ ἔπι κώπη

ἀργυρέη, κολεὸν δὲ νεοπρίστου ἐλέφαντος

405ἀμφιδεδίνηται: πολέος δέ οἱ ἄξιον ἔσται."

Transliteration

"Alkinoe kreion, pantōn arideikete laōn,

toigar egō ton xeinon aressomai, hōs sy keleueis.

dōsō hoi tod' aor panchalkeon, hōi epi kōpē

argyreē, koleon de neopristou elephantos

405amphidedinētai: poleos de hoi axion estai."

English

He shall have sword, which is of bronze, all but the hilt, which is of silver. I will also give him the scabbard of newly sawn ivory into which it fits. It will be worth a great deal to him."

Homeric Greek

ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χερσὶ τίθει ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"χαῖρε, πάτερ ὦ ξεῖνε: ἔπος δ' εἴ πέρ τι βέβακται

δεινόν, ἄφαρ τὸ φέροιεν ἀναρπάξασαι ἄελλαι.

410σοὶ δὲ θεοὶ ἄλοχόν τ' ἰδέειν καὶ πατρίδ' ἱκέσθαι

Transliteration

hōs eipōn en chersi tithei xiphos argyroēlon

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"chaire, pater ō xeine: epos d' ei per ti bebaktai

deinon, aphar to pheroien anarpaxasai aellai.

410soi de theoi alochon t' ideein kai patrid' hikesthai

English

As he spoke he placed the sword in the hands of Odysseus and said, "Good luck to you, father stranger; if anything has been said amiss may the winds blow it away with them, and may heaven grant you a safe return, for I understand you have been

Homeric Greek

δοῖεν, ἐπεὶ δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχεις."

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

"καὶ σὺ φίλος μάλα χαῖρε, θεοὶ δέ τοι ὄλβια δοῖεν.

μηδέ τι τοι ξίφεός γε ποθὴ μετόπισθε γένοιτο

415τούτου, ὃ δή μοι δῶκας ἀρεσσάμενος ἐπέεσσιν."

Transliteration

doien, epei dē dētha philōn apo pēmata pascheis."

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

"kai sy philos mala chaire, theoi de toi olbia doien.

mēde ti toi xipheos ge pothē metopisthe genoito

415toutou, ho dē moi dōkas aressamenos epeessin."

English

long away from home, and have gone through much hardship." To which Odysseus answered, "Good luck to you too my friend, and may the gods grant you every happiness. I hope you will not miss the sword you have given me along with your apology."

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφ' ὤμοισι θέτο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον.

δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος, καὶ τῷ κλυτὰ δῶρα παρῆεν.

καὶ τά γ' ἐς Ἀλκινόοιο φέρον κήρυκες ἀγαυοί:

δεξάμενοι δ' ἄρα παῖδες ἀμύμονος Ἀλκινόοιο

420μητρὶ παρ' αἰδοίῃ ἔθεσαν περικαλλέα δῶρα.

Transliteration

ē rha kai amph' ōmoisi theto xiphos argyroēlon.

dyseto t' ēelios, kai tōi klyta dōra parēen.

kai ta g' es Alkinooio pheron kērykes agauoi:

dexamenoi d' ara paides amymonos Alkinooio

420mētri par' aidoiēi ethesan perikallea dōra.

English

With these words he girded the sword about his shoulders and towards sundown the presents began to make their appearance, as the servants of the donors kept bringing them to the house of King Alkinoos;

Homeric Greek

τοῖσιν δ' ἡγεμόνευ' ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,

ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐν ὑψηλοῖσι θρόνοισι.

δή ῥα τότ' Ἀρήτην προσέφη μένος Ἀλκινόοιο:

"δεῦρο, γύναι, φέρε χηλὸν ἀριπρεπέ', ἥ τις ἀρίστη:

425ἐν δ' αὐτὴ θὲς φᾶρος ἐυπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶνα.

Transliteration

toisin d' hēgemoneu' hieron menos Alkinooio,

elthontes de kathizon en hypsēloisi thronoisi.

dē rha tot' Arētēn prosephē menos Alkinooio:

"deuro, gynai, phere chēlon ariprepe', hē tis aristē:

425en d' autē thes pharos euplynes ēde chitōna.

English

here his sons received them, and placed them under their mother's charge. Then Alkinoos led the way to the house and bade his guests take their seats. "Wife," said he, turning to Queen Arete, "Go, fetch the best chest we have, and put a clean cloak and shirt in it.

Homeric Greek

ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ πυρὶ χαλκὸν ἰήνατε, θέρμετε δ' ὕδωρ,

ὄφρα λοεσσάμενός τε ἰδών τ' ἐὺ κείμενα πάντα

δῶρα, τά οἱ Φαίηκες ἀμύμονες ἐνθάδ' ἔνεικαν,

δαιτί τε τέρπηται καὶ ἀοιδῆς ὕμνον ἀκούων.

430καί οἱ ἐγὼ τόδ' ἄλεισον ἐμὸν περικαλλὲς ὀπάσσω,

Transliteration

amphi de hoi pyri chalkon iēnate, thermete d' hydōr,

ophra loessamenos te idōn t' eu keimena panta

dōra, ta hoi Phaiēkes amymones enthad' eneikan,

daiti te terpētai kai aoidēs hymnon akouōn.

430kai hoi egō tod' aleison emon perikalles opassō,

English

Also, set a copper on the fire and heat some water; our guest will take a warm bath; see also to the careful packing of the presents that the noble Phaeacians have made him; he will thus better enjoy both his supper and the singing that will follow. I shall myself give him this golden goblet - which is of exquisite workmanship - that

Homeric Greek

χρύσεον, ὄφρ' ἐμέθεν μεμνημένος ἤματα πάντα

σπένδῃ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ Διί τ' ἄλλοισίν τε θεοῖσιν."

ὣς ἔφατ', Ἀρήτη δὲ μετὰ δμῳῇσιν ἔειπεν

ἀμφὶ πυρὶ στῆσαι τρίποδα μέγαν ὅττι τάχιστα.

435αἱ δὲ λοετροχόον τρίποδ' ἵστασαν ἐν πυρὶ κηλέῳ,

Transliteration

chryseon, ophr' emethen memnēmenos ēmata panta

spendēi eni megarōi Dii t' alloisin te theoisin."

hōs ephat', Arētē de meta dmōiēisin eeipen

amphi pyri stēsai tripoda megan hotti tachista.

435hai de loetrochoon tripod' histasan en pyri kēleōi,

English

he may be reminded of me for the rest of his life whenever he makes a drink-offering to Zeus, or to any of the gods." Then Arete told her maids to set a large tripod upon the fire as fast as they could, whereon they set a tripod full of bath water on to a clear fire;

Homeric Greek

ἔν δ' ἄρ' ὕδωρ ἔχεαν, ὑπὸ δὲ ξύλα δαῖον ἑλοῦσαι.

γάστρην μὲν τρίποδος πῦρ ἄμφεπε, θέρμετο δ' ὕδωρ:

τόφρα δ' ἄρ' Ἀρήτη ξείνῳ περικαλλέα χηλὸν

ἐξέφερεν θαλάμοιο, τίθει δ' ἐνὶ κάλλιμα δῶρα,

440ἐσθῆτα χρυσόν τε, τά οἱ Φαίηκες ἔδωκαν:

Transliteration

en d' ar' hydōr echean, hypo de xyla daion helousai.

gastrēn men tripodos pyr amphepe, thermeto d' hydōr:

tophra d' ar' Arētē xeinōi perikallea chēlon

exepheren thalamoio, tithei d' eni kallima dōra,

440esthēta chryson te, ta hoi Phaiēkes edōkan:

English

they threw on sticks to make it blaze, and the water became hot as the flame played about the belly of the tripod. Meanwhile Arete brought a magnificent chest her own room, and inside it she packed all the beautiful presents of gold and raiment which the Phaeacians had brought.

Homeric Greek

ἐν δ' αὐτὴ φᾶρος θῆκεν καλόν τε χιτῶνα,

καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

"αὐτὸς νῦν ἴδε πῶμα, θοῶς δ' ἐπὶ δεσμὸν ἴηλον,

μή τίς τοι καθ' ὁδὸν δηλήσεται, ὁππότ' ἂν αὖτε

445εὕδῃσθα γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἰὼν ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃ."

Transliteration

en d' autē pharos thēken kalon te chitōna,

kai min phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:

"autos nyn ide pōma, thoōs d' epi desmon iēlon,

mē tis toi kath' hodon dēlēsetai, hoppot' an aute

445heudēistha glykyn hypnon iōn en nēi melainēi."

English

Lastly she added a cloak and a good shirt from Alkinoos, and said to Odysseus: "See to the lid yourself, and have the whole bound round at once, for fear any one should rob you by the way when you are asleep in your ship."

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γ' ἄκουσε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

αὐτίκ' ἐπήρτυε πῶμα, θοῶς δ' ἐπὶ δεσμὸν ἴηλεν

ποικίλον, ὅν ποτέ μιν δέδαε φρεσὶ πότνια Κίρκη:

αὐτόδιον δ' ἄρα μιν ταμίη λούσασθαι ἀνώγει

450ἔς ῥ' ἀσάμινθον βάνθ': ὁ δ' ἄρ ἀσπασίως ἴδε θυμῷ

Transliteration

autar epei to g' akouse polytlas dios Odysseus,

autik' epērtye pōma, thoōs d' epi desmon iēlen

poikilon, hon pote min dedae phresi potnia Kirkē:

autodion d' ara min tamiē lousasthai anōgei

450es rh' asaminthon banth': ho d' ar aspasiōs ide thymōi

English

When Odysseus heard this he put the lid on the chest and made it fast with a bond that Circe had taught him. He had done so before an upper servant told him to come to the bath and wash himself.

Homeric Greek

θερμὰ λοέτρ', ἐπεὶ οὔ τι κομιζόμενός γε θάμιζεν,

ἐπεὶ δὴ λίπε δῶμα Καλυψοῦς ἠυκόμοιο.

τόφρα δέ οἱ κομιδή γε θεῷ ὣς ἔμπεδος ἦεν.

τὸν δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν δμῳαὶ λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ,

455ἀμφὶ δέ μιν χλαῖναν καλὴν βάλον ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,

Transliteration

therma loetr', epei ou ti komizomenos ge thamizen,

epei dē lipe dōma Kalypsous ēukomoio.

tophra de hoi komidē ge theōi hōs empedos ēen.

ton d' epei oun dmōiai lousan kai chrisan elaiōi,

455amphi de min chlainan kalēn balon ēde chitōna,

English

He was very glad of a warm bath, for he had had no one to wait upon him ever since he left the house of Calypso, who as long as he remained with her had taken as good care of him as though he had been a god.

Homeric Greek

ἔκ ῥ' ἀσαμίνθου βὰς ἄνδρας μέτα οἰνοποτῆρας

ἤιε: Ναυσικάα δὲ θεῶν ἄπο κάλλος ἔχουσα

στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,

θαύμαζεν δ' Ὀδυσῆα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶσα,

460καί μιν φωνήσασ' ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Transliteration

ek rh' asaminthou bas andras meta oinopotēras

ēie: Nausikaa de theōn apo kallos echousa

stē rha para stathmon tegeos pyka poiētoio,

thaumazen d' Odysēa en ophthalmoisin horōsa,

460kai min phōnēsas' epea pteroenta prosēuda:

English

When the servants had done washing and anointing him with oil, and had given him a clean cloak and shirt, he left the bath room and joined the guests who were sitting over their wine. Lovely Nausicaa stood by one of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the room, and admired him as she saw him pass.

Homeric Greek

"χαῖρε, ξεῖν', ἵνα καί ποτ' ἐὼν ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃ

μνήσῃ ἐμεῦ, ὅτι μοι πρώτῃ ζωάγρι' ὀφέλλεις."

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς.

"Ναυσικάα θύγατερ μεγαλήτορος Ἀλκινόοιο,

465οὕτω νῦν Ζεὺς θείη, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης,

Transliteration

"chaire, xein', hina kai pot' eōn en patridi gaiēi

mnēsēi emeu, hoti moi prōtēi zōagri' ophelleis."

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē polymētis Odysseus.

"Nausikaa thygater megalētoros Alkinooio,

465houtō nyn Zeus theiē, erigdoupos posis Hērēs,

English

"Farewell stranger," said she, "do not forget me when you are safe at home again, for it is to me first that you owe a ransom for having saved your life." And Odysseus said, "Nausicaa, daughter of great Alkinoos, may Zeus the mighty husband of Hera, grant that I may reach my home and see my day of nostos;

Homeric Greek

οἴκαδέ τ' ἐλθέμεναι καὶ νόστιμον ἦμαρ ἰδέσθαι:

τῷ κέν τοι καὶ κεῖθι θεῷ ὣς εὐχετοῴμην

αἰεὶ ἤματα πάντα: σὺ γάρ μ' ἐβιώσαο, κούρη."

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐς θρόνον ἷζε παρ' Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα:

470οἱ δ' ἤδη μοίρας τ' ἔνεμον κερόωντό τε οἶνον.

Transliteration

oikade t' elthemenai kai nostimon ēmar idesthai:

tōi ken toi kai keithi theōi hōs euchetoōimēn

aiei ēmata panta: sy gar m' ebiōsao, kourē."

ē rha kai es thronon hize par' Alkinoon basilēa:

470hoi d' ēdē moiras t' enemon keroōnto te oinon.

English

so shall I bless you as a goddess all my days, for it was you who saved me." When he had said this, he seated himself beside Alkinoos. Supper was then served, and the wine was mixed for drinking.

Homeric Greek

κῆρυξ δ' ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἄγων ἐρίηρον ἀοιδόν,

Δημόδοκον λαοῖσι τετιμένον: εἷσε δ' ἄρ' αὐτὸν

μέσσῳ δαιτυμόνων, πρὸς κίονα μακρὸν ἐρείσας.

δὴ τότε κήρυκα προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,

475νώτου ἀποπροταμών, ἐπὶ δὲ πλεῖον ἐλέλειπτο,

Transliteration

kēryx d' engythen ēlthen agōn eriēron aoidon,

Dēmodokon laoisi tetimenon: heise d' ar' auton

messōi daitymonōn, pros kiona makron ereisas.

dē tote kēryka prosephē polymētis Odysseus,

475nōtou apoprotamōn, epi de pleion eleleipto,

English

A servant led in the favorite bard Demodokos, and set him in the midst of the company, near one of the bearing-posts supporting the room, that he might lean against it. Then Odysseus cut off a piece of roast pork with plenty of fat (for there was abundance

Homeric Greek

ἀργιόδοντος ὑός, θαλερὴ δ' ἦν ἀμφὶς ἀλοιφή:

"κῆρυξ, τῆ δή, τοῦτο πόρε κρέας, ὄφρα φάγῃσιν,

Δημοδόκῳ: καί μιν προσπτύξομαι ἀχνύμενός περ:

πᾶσι γὰρ ἀνθρώποισιν ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἀοιδοὶ

480τιμῆς ἔμμοροί εἰσι καὶ αἰδοῦς, οὕνεκ' ἄρα σφέας

Transliteration

argiodontos hyos, thalerē d' ēn amphis aloiphē:

"kēryx, tē dē, touto pore kreas, ophra phagēisin,

Dēmodokōi: kai min prosptyxomai achnymenos per:

pasi gar anthrōpoisin epichthonioisin aoidoi

480timēs emmoroi eisi kai aidous, hounek' ara spheas

English

left on the joint) and said to a servant, "Take this piece of pork over to Demodokos and tell him to eat it; for all the pain his lays may cause me I will salute him none the less;

Homeric Greek

οἴμας μοῦσ' ἐδίδαξε, φίλησε δὲ φῦλον ἀοιδῶν."

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, κῆρυξ δὲ φέρων ἐν χερσὶν ἔθηκεν

ἥρῳ Δημοδόκῳ: ὁ δ' ἐδέξατο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ.

οἱ δ' ἐπ' ὀνείαθ' ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

485αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

Transliteration

oimas mous' edidaxe, philēse de phylon aoidōn."

hōs ar' ephē, kēryx de pherōn en chersin ethēken

hērōi Dēmodokōi: ho d' edexato, chaire de thymōi.

hoi d' ep' oneiath' hetoima prokeimena cheiras iallon.

485autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

English

bards get honor and respect throughout the world, for the Muse teaches them their songs and loves them." The servant carried the pork in his fingers over to Demodokos, who took it and was very much pleased. They then laid their hands on the good things that were before them, and as soon as they had had enough to eat

Homeric Greek

δὴ τότε Δημόδοκον προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:

"Δημόδοκ', ἔξοχα δή σε βροτῶν αἰνίζομ' ἁπάντων.

ἢ σέ γε μοῦσ' ἐδίδαξε, Διὸς πάϊς, ἢ σέ γ' Ἀπόλλων:

λίην γὰρ κατὰ κόσμον Ἀχαιῶν οἶτον ἀείδεις,

490ὅσσ' ἔρξαν τ' ἔπαθόν τε καὶ ὅσσ' ἐμόγησαν Ἀχαιοί,

Transliteration

dē tote Dēmodokon prosephē polymētis Odysseus:

"Dēmodok', exocha dē se brotōn ainizom' hapantōn.

ē se ge mous' edidaxe, Dios païs, ē se g' Apollōn:

liēn gar kata kosmon Achaiōn oiton aeideis,

490hoss' erxan t' epathon te kai hoss' emogēsan Achaioi,

English

and drink, Odysseus said to Demodokos, "Demodokos, there is no one in the world whom I praise with admiration more than I do you. You must have studied under the Muse, Zeus’ daughter, and under Apollo, - with such a sense of order do you sing the return of the Achaeans with all their sufferings and adventures.

Homeric Greek

ὥς τέ που ἢ αὐτὸς παρεὼν ἢ ἄλλου ἀκούσας.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ μετάβηθι καὶ ἵππου κόσμον ἄεισον

δουρατέου, τὸν Ἐπειὸς ἐποίησεν σὺν Ἀθήνῃ,

ὅν ποτ' ἐς ἀκρόπολιν δόλον ἤγαγε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

495ἀνδρῶν ἐμπλήσας οἵ ῥ' Ἴλιον ἐξαλάπαξαν.

Transliteration

hōs te pou ē autos pareōn ē allou akousas.

all' age dē metabēthi kai hippou kosmon aeison

dourateou, ton Epeios epoiēsen syn Athēnēi,

hon pot' es akropolin dolon ēgage dios Odysseus

495andrōn emplēsas hoi rh' Ilion exalapaxan.

English

If you were not there yourself, you must have heard it all from some one who was. Now, however, change your song and tell us of the construction of the wooden horse which Epeios made with the assistance of Athena, and which Odysseus got by stratagem into the fort of Troy after freighting it with the men who afterwards sacked the city.

Homeric Greek

αἴ κεν δή μοι ταῦτα κατὰ μοῖραν καταλέξῃς,

αὐτίκ' ἐγὼ πᾶσιν μυθήσομαι ἀνθρώποισιν,

ὡς ἄρα τοι πρόφρων θεὸς ὤπασε θέσπιν ἀοιδήν."

ὣς φάθ', ὁ δ' ὁρμηθεὶς θεοῦ ἤρχετο, φαῖνε δ' ἀοιδήν,

500ἔνθεν ἑλὼν ὡς οἱ μὲν ἐυσσέλμων ἐπὶ νηῶν

Transliteration

ai ken dē moi tauta kata moiran katalexēis,

autik' egō pasin mythēsomai anthrōpoisin,

hōs ara toi prophrōn theos ōpase thespin aoidēn."

hōs phath', ho d' hormētheis theou ērcheto, phaine d' aoidēn,

500enthen helōn hōs hoi men eusselmōn epi nēōn

English

If you will sing this tale aright I will tell all the world how magnificently heaven has endowed you." The bard, inspired by a god, lit up the picture of his story, starting at the point where some of the

Homeric Greek

βάντες ἀπέπλειον, πῦρ ἐν κλισίῃσι βαλόντες,

Ἀργεῖοι, τοὶ δ' ἤδη ἀγακλυτὸν ἀμφ' Ὀδυσῆα

ἥατ' ἐνὶ Τρώων ἀγορῇ κεκαλυμμένοι ἵππῳ:

αὐτοὶ γάρ μιν Τρῶες ἐς ἀκρόπολιν ἐρύσαντο.

505ὣς ὁ μὲν ἑστήκει, τοὶ δ' ἄκριτα πόλλ' ἀγόρευον

Transliteration

bantes apepleion, pyr en klisiēisi balontes,

Argeioi, toi d' ēdē agaklyton amph' Odysēa

hēat' eni Trōōn agorēi kekalymmenoi hippōi:

autoi gar min Trōes es akropolin erysanto.

505hōs ho men hestēkei, toi d' akrita poll' agoreuon

English

Argives set fire to their tents and sailed away while others, hidden within the horse, were waiting with Odysseus in the Trojan place of assembly. For the Trojans themselves had drawn the horse into their fortress, and it stood there while they sat in council round it, and were in three minds as to what they should do.

Homeric Greek

ἥμενοι ἀμφ' αὐτόν: τρίχα δέ σφισιν ἥνδανε βουλή,

ἠὲ διαπλῆξαι κοῖλον δόρυ νηλέι χαλκῷ,

ἢ κατὰ πετράων βαλέειν ἐρύσαντας ἐπ' ἄκρης,

ἢ ἐάαν μέγ' ἄγαλμα θεῶν θελκτήριον εἶναι,

510τῇ περ δὴ καὶ ἔπειτα τελευτήσεσθαι ἔμελλεν:

Transliteration

hēmenoi amph' auton: tricha de sphisin hēndane boulē,

ēe diaplēxai koilon dory nēlei chalkōi,

ē kata petraōn baleein erysantas ep' akrēs,

ē eaan meg' agalma theōn thelktērion einai,

510tēi per dē kai epeita teleutēsesthai emellen:

English

Some were for breaking it up then and there; others would have it dragged to the top of the rock on which the fortress stood, and then thrown down the precipice; while yet others were for letting it remain as an offering and propitiation for the gods.

Homeric Greek

αἶσα γὰρ ἦν ἀπολέσθαι, ἐπὴν πόλις ἀμφικαλύψῃ

δουράτεον μέγαν ἵππον, ὅθ' ἥατο πάντες ἄριστοι

Ἀργείων Τρώεσσι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φέροντες.

ἤειδεν δ' ὡς ἄστυ διέπραθον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

515ἱππόθεν ἐκχύμενοι, κοῖλον λόχον ἐκπρολιπόντες.

Transliteration

aisa gar ēn apolesthai, epēn polis amphikalypsēi

dourateon megan hippon, hoth' hēato pantes aristoi

Argeiōn Trōessi phonon kai kēra pherontes.

ēeiden d' hōs asty dieprathon huies Achaiōn

515hippothen ekchymenoi, koilon lochon ekprolipontes.

English

And this was how they settled it in the end, for the city was doomed when it took in that horse, within which were all the bravest of the Argives waiting to bring death and destruction on the Trojans. Anon he sang how the sons of the Achaeans issued from the horse, and sacked the town, breaking out from their ambuscade.

Homeric Greek

ἄλλον δ' ἄλλῃ ἄειδε πόλιν κεραϊζέμεν αἰπήν,

αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆα προτὶ δώματα Δηιφόβοιο

βήμεναι, ἠύτ' Ἄρηα σὺν ἀντιθέῳ Μενελάῳ.

κεῖθι δὴ αἰνότατον πόλεμον φάτο τολμήσαντα

520νικῆσαι καὶ ἔπειτα διὰ μεγάθυμον Ἀθήνην.

Transliteration

allon d' allēi aeide polin keraïzemen aipēn,

autar Odyssēa proti dōmata Dēiphoboio

bēmenai, ēut' Arēa syn antitheōi Menelaōi.

keithi dē ainotaton polemon phato tolmēsanta

520nikēsai kai epeita dia megathymon Athēnēn.

English

He sang how they overran the city here and there and ravaged it, and how Odysseus went raging like Ares along with Menelaos to the house of Deiphobos. It was there that the fight raged most furiously, nevertheless by Athena's help he was victorious.

Homeric Greek

ταῦτ' ἄρ' ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

τήκετο, δάκρυ δ' ἔδευεν ὑπὸ βλεφάροισι παρειάς.

ὡς δὲ γυνὴ κλαίῃσι φίλον πόσιν ἀμφιπεσοῦσα,

ὅς τε ἑῆς πρόσθεν πόλιος λαῶν τε πέσῃσιν,

525ἄστεϊ καὶ τεκέεσσιν ἀμύνων νηλεὲς ἦμαρ:

Transliteration

taut' ar' aoidos aeide periklytos: autar Odysseus

tēketo, dakry d' edeuen hypo blepharoisi pareias.

hōs de gynē klaiēisi philon posin amphipesousa,

hos te heēs prosthen polios laōn te pesēisin,

525asteï kai tekeessin amynōn nēlees ēmar:

English

All this he told, but Odysseus was overcome as he heard him, and his cheeks were wet with tears. He wept as a woman weeps when she throws herself on the body of her husband who has fallen before his own city and people, fighting bravely in defense of his home and children.

Homeric Greek

ἡ μὲν τὸν θνήσκοντα καὶ ἀσπαίροντα ἰδοῦσα

ἀμφ' αὐτῷ χυμένη λίγα κωκύει: οἱ δέ τ' ὄπισθε

κόπτοντες δούρεσσι μετάφρενον ἠδὲ καὶ ὤμους

εἴρερον εἰσανάγουσι, πόνον τ' ἐχέμεν καὶ ὀιζύν:

530τῆς δ' ἐλεεινοτάτῳ ἄχεϊ φθινύθουσι παρειαί:

Transliteration

hē men ton thnēskonta kai aspaironta idousa

amph' autōi chymenē liga kōkyei: hoi de t' opisthe

koptontes douressi metaphrenon ēde kai ōmous

eireron eisanagousi, ponon t' echemen kai oizyn:

530tēs d' eleeinotatōi acheï phthinythousi pareiai:

English

She screams aloud and flings her arms about him as he lies gasping for breath and dying, but her enemies beat her from behind about the back and shoulders, and carry her off into slavery, to a life of labor and sorrow, and the beauty

Homeric Greek

ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς ἐλεεινὸν ὑπ' ὀφρύσι δάκρυον εἶβεν.

ἔνθ' ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ἐλάνθανε δάκρυα λείβων,

Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἐπεφράσατ' ἠδ' ἐνόησεν,

ἥμενος ἄγχ' αὐτοῦ, βαρὺ δὲ στενάχοντος ἄκουσεν.

535αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα:

Transliteration

hōs Odyseus eleeinon hyp' ophrysi dakryon eiben.

enth' allous men pantas elanthane dakrya leibōn,

Alkinoos de min oios epephrasat' ēd' enoēsen,

hēmenos anch' autou, bary de stenachontos akousen.

535aipsa de Phaiēkessi philēretmoisi metēuda:

English

fades from her cheeks - even so piteously did Odysseus weep, but none of those present perceived his tears except Alkinoos, who was sitting near him, and could hear the sobs and sighs that he was heaving. The king, therefore, at once rose and said:

Homeric Greek

"κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,

Δημόδοκος δ' ἤδη σχεθέτω φόρμιγγα λίγειαν:

οὐ γάρ πως πάντεσσι χαριζόμενος τάδ' ἀείδει.

ἐξ οὗ δορπέομέν τε καὶ ὤρορε θεῖος ἀοιδός,

540ἐκ τοῦ δ' οὔ πω παύσατ' ὀιζυροῖο γόοιο

Transliteration

"keklyte, Phaiēkōn hēgētores ēde medontes,

Dēmodokos d' ēdē schethetō phorminga ligeian:

ou gar pōs pantessi charizomenos tad' aeidei.

ex hou dorpeomen te kai ōrore theios aoidos,

540ek tou d' ou pō pausat' oizyroio gooio

English

"Aldermen and town councilors of the Phaeacians, let Demodokos cease his song, for there are those present who do not seem to like it. From the moment that we had done supper and Demodokos began to sing, our guest has been all the time groaning and lamenting.

Homeric Greek

ὁ ξεῖνος: μάλα πού μιν ἄχος φρένας ἀμφιβέβηκεν.

ἀλλ' ἄγ' ὁ μὲν σχεθέτω, ἵν' ὁμῶς τερπώμεθα πάντες,

ξεινοδόκοι καὶ ξεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πολὺ κάλλιον οὕτως:

εἵνεκα γὰρ ξείνοιο τάδ' αἰδοίοιο τέτυκται,

545πομπὴ καὶ φίλα δῶρα, τά οἱ δίδομεν φιλέοντες.

Transliteration

ho xeinos: mala pou min achos phrenas amphibebēken.

all' ag' ho men schethetō, hin' homōs terpōmetha pantes,

xeinodokoi kai xeinos, epei poly kallion houtōs:

heineka gar xeinoio tad' aidoioio tetyktai,

545pompē kai phila dōra, ta hoi didomen phileontes.

English

He is evidently in great distress, so let the bard leave off, that we may all enjoy ourselves, hosts and guest alike. This will be much more as it should be, for all these festivities, with the escort and the presents that we are making with so much good will, are wholly in his honor, and any one with even

Homeric Greek

ἀντὶ κασιγνήτου ξεῖνός θ' ἱκέτης τε τέτυκται

ἀνέρι, ὅς τ' ὀλίγον περ ἐπιψαύῃ πραπίδεσσι.

τῷ νῦν μηδὲ σὺ κεῦθε νοήμασι κερδαλέοισιν

ὅττι κέ σ' εἴρωμαι: φάσθαι δέ σε κάλλιόν ἐστιν.

550εἴπ' ὄνομ' ὅττι σε κεῖθι κάλεον μήτηρ τε πατήρ τε

Transliteration

anti kasignētou xeinos th' hiketēs te tetyktai

aneri, hos t' oligon per epipsauēi prapidessi.

tōi nyn mēde sy keuthe noēmasi kerdaleoisin

hotti ke s' eirōmai: phasthai de se kallion estin.

550eip' onom' hotti se keithi kaleon mētēr te patēr te

English

a moderate amount of right feeling knows that he ought to treat a guest and a suppliant as though he were his own brother. "Therefore, sir, do you on your part affect no more concealment nor reserve in the matter about which I shall ask you; it will be more polite in you to give me a plain answer;

Homeric Greek

ἄλλοι θ' οἳ κατὰ ἄστυ καὶ οἳ περιναιετάουσιν.

οὐ μὲν γάρ τις πάμπαν ἀνώνυμός ἐστ' ἀνθρώπων,

οὐ κακὸς οὐδὲ μὲν ἐσθλός, ἐπὴν τὰ πρῶτα γένηται,

ἀλλ' ἐπὶ πᾶσι τίθενται, ἐπεί κε τέκωσι, τοκῆες.

555εἰπὲ δέ μοι γαῖάν τε: τεὴν δῆμόν τε πόλιν τε,

Transliteration

alloi th' hoi kata asty kai hoi perinaietaousin.

ou men gar tis pampan anōnymos est' anthrōpōn,

ou kakos oude men esthlos, epēn ta prōta genētai,

all' epi pasi tithentai, epei ke tekōsi, tokēes.

555eipe de moi gaian te: teēn dēmon te polin te,

English

tell me the name by which your father and mother over yonder used to call you, and by which you were known among your neighbors and fellow-citizens. There is no one, neither rich nor poor, who is absolutely without any name whatever, for people's fathers and mothers give them names as soon as they are born.

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα σε τῇ πέμπωσι τιτυσκόμεναι φρεσὶ νῆες:

οὐ γὰρ Φαιήκεσσι κυβερνητῆρες ἔασιν,

οὐδέ τι πηδάλι' ἔστι, τά τ' ἄλλαι νῆες ἔχουσιν:

ἀλλ' αὐταὶ ἴσασι νοήματα καὶ φρένας ἀνδρῶν,

560καὶ πάντων ἴσασι πόλιας καὶ πίονας ἀγροὺς

Transliteration

ophra se tēi pempōsi tityskomenai phresi nēes:

ou gar Phaiēkessi kybernētēres easin,

oude ti pēdali' esti, ta t' allai nēes echousin:

all' autai isasi noēmata kai phrenas andrōn,

560kai pantōn isasi polias kai pionas agrous

English

Tell me also your country, nation dêmos, and city, that our ships may shape their purpose accordingly and take you there. For the Phaeacians have no pilots; their vessels have no rudders as those of other nations have, but the ships themselves understand what it is that we are thinking about and want;

Homeric Greek

ἀνθρώπων, καὶ λαῖτμα τάχισθ' ἁλὸς ἐκπερόωσιν

ἠέρι καὶ νεφέλῃ κεκαλυμμέναι: οὐδέ ποτέ σφιν

οὔτε τι πημανθῆναι ἔπι δέος οὔτ' ἀπολέσθαι.

ἀλλὰ τόδ' ὥς ποτε πατρὸς ἐγὼν εἰπόντος ἄκουσα

565Ναυσιθόου, ὃς ἔφασκε Ποσειδάων' ἀγάσασθαι

Transliteration

anthrōpōn, kai laitma tachisth' halos ekperoōsin

ēeri kai nephelēi kekalymmenai: oude pote sphin

oute ti pēmanthēnai epi deos out' apolesthai.

alla tod' hōs pote patros egōn eipontos akousa

565Nausithoou, hos ephaske Poseidaōn' agasasthai

English

they know all the cities and countries in the whole world, and can traverse the sea just as well even when it is covered with mist and cloud, so that there is no danger of being wrecked or coming to any harm. Still I do remember hearing my father say that Poseidon was angry with us for being too easy-going in the matter of giving people escorts.

Homeric Greek

ἡμῖν, οὕνεκα πομποὶ ἀπήμονές εἰμεν ἁπάντων.

φῆ ποτὲ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν ἐυεργέα νῆα

ἐκ πομπῆς ἀνιοῦσαν ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳ

ῥαισέμεναι, μέγα δ' ἧμιν ὄρος πόλει ἀμφικαλύψειν.

570ὣς ἀγόρευ' ὁ γέρων: τὰ δέ κεν θεὸς ἢ τελέσειεν

Transliteration

hēmin, houneka pompoi apēmones eimen hapantōn.

phē pote Phaiēkōn andrōn euergea nēa

ek pompēs aniousan en ēeroeidei pontōi

rhaisemenai, mega d' hēmin oros polei amphikalypsein.

570hōs agoreu' ho gerōn: ta de ken theos ē teleseien

English

He said that one of these days he should wreck a ship of ours as it was returning from having escorted some one, and envelop our city with a high mountain. This is what the old man used to say, but whether the god will carry out his threat or

Homeric Greek

ἤ κ' ἀτέλεστ' εἴη, ὥς οἱ φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ:

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

ὅππῃ ἀπεπλάγχθης τε καὶ ἅς τινας ἵκεο χώρας

ἀνθρώπων, αὐτούς τε πόλιάς τ' ἐὺ ναιετοώσας,

575ἠμὲν ὅσοι χαλεποί τε καὶ ἄγριοι οὐδὲ δίκαιοι,

Transliteration

ē k' atelest' eiē, hōs hoi philon epleto thymōi:

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

hoppēi apeplanchthēs te kai has tinas hikeo chōras

anthrōpōn, autous te polias t' eu naietoōsas,

575ēmen hosoi chalepoi te kai agrioi oude dikaioi,

English

no is a matter which he will decide for himself. And now, tell me and tell me true. Where have you been wandering, and in what countries have you traveled? Tell us of the peoples themselves, and of their cities - who were hostile, savage and uncivilized, and who, on the other hand, hospitable and endowed with a god-fearing noos.

Homeric Greek

οἵ τε φιλόξεινοι, καί σφιν νόος ἐστὶ θεουδής.

εἰπὲ δ' ὅ τι κλαίεις καὶ ὀδύρεαι ἔνδοθι θυμῷ

Ἀργείων Δαναῶν ἠδ' Ἰλίου οἶτον ἀκούων.

τὸν δὲ θεοὶ μὲν τεῦξαν, ἐπεκλώσαντο δ' ὄλεθρον

580ἀνθρώποις, ἵνα ᾖσι καὶ ἐσσομένοισιν ἀοιδή.

Transliteration

hoi te philoxeinoi, kai sphin noos esti theoudēs.

eipe d' ho ti klaieis kai odyreai endothi thymōi

Argeiōn Danaōn ēd' Iliou oiton akouōn.

ton de theoi men teuxan, epeklōsanto d' olethron

580anthrōpois, hina ēisi kai essomenoisin aoidē.

English

Tell us also why you are made unhappy on hearing about the return of the Argive Danaans from Troy. The gods arranged all this, and sent them their misfortunes in order that future generations might have something to sing about.

Homeric Greek

ἦ τίς τοι καὶ πηὸς ἀπέφθιτο Ἰλιόθι πρὸ

ἐσθλὸς ἐών, γαμβρὸς ἢ πενθερός, οἵ τε μάλιστα

κήδιστοι τελέθουσι μεθ' αἷμά τε καὶ γένος αὐτῶν;

ἦ τίς που καὶ ἑταῖρος ἀνὴρ κεχαρισμένα εἰδώς,

585ἐσθλός; ἐπεὶ οὐ μέν τι κασιγνήτοιο χερείων

Transliteration

ē tis toi kai pēos apephthito Iliothi pro

esthlos eōn, gambros ē pentheros, hoi te malista

kēdistoi telethousi meth' haima te kai genos autōn;

ē tis pou kai hetairos anēr kecharismena eidōs,

585esthlos; epei ou men ti kasignētoio chereiōn

English

Did you lose some brave kinsman of your wife's when you were before Troy? A son-in-law or father-in-law - which are the nearest relations a man has outside his own flesh and blood? Or was it some brave and kindly-natured comrade - for a good friend is

Homeric Greek

γίγνεται, ὅς κεν ἑταῖρος ἐὼν πεπνυμένα εἰδῇ."

Transliteration

gignetai, hos ken hetairos eōn pepnymena eidēi."

English

as dear to a man as his own brother?"