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Silent all

They sat and listened to the illustrious bard,

400

Who sang of the calamitous return

Of the Greek host from Troy, at the command

Of Pallas. From her chamber o'er the hall

The daughter of Icarius, the sage queen

Penelope, had heard the heavenly strain,

405

And knew its theme. Down by the lofty stairs

She came, but not alone; there followed her

Two maidens. When the glorious lady reached

The threshold of the strong-built hall, where sat

The suitors, holding up a delicate veil

410

Before her face, and with a gush of tears,

The queen bespake the sacred minstrel thus :-

"Phemius! thou knowest many a pleasing theme,

The deeds of gods and heroes, such as bards

Are wont to celebrate. Take then thy place

415

And sing of one of these, and let the guests

In silence drink the wine; but cease this strain;

It is too sad; it cuts me to the heart,

And wakes a sorrow without bounds, - such grief

I bear for him, my lord, of whom I think

420

Continually; whose glory is abroad

Through Hellas and through Argos, everywhere."

And then Telemachus, the prudent, spake :-

"Why, O my mother! canst thou not endure

That thus the well-graced poet should delight

425

His hearers with a theme to which his mind

Is inly moved? The bards deserve no blame;

Jove is the cause, for he at will inspires

The lay that each must sing. Reprove not, then,

The minstrel who relates the unhappy fate

430

Of the Greek warriors. All men most applaud

The song that has the newest theme; and thou -

Strengthen thy heart to hear it. Keep in mind

That not alone Ulysses is cut off

From his return, but that with him at Troy

435

Have many others perished. Now withdraw

Into thy chamber; ply thy household tasks,

The loom, the spindle; bid thy maidens speed

Their work. To say what words beseem a feast

Belongs to man, and most to me; for here

440

Within these walls the authority is mine."

The matron, wondering at his words, withdrew

To her own place, but in her heart laid up

Her son's wise sayings. When she now had reached,

With her attendant maids, the upper rooms,

445

She mourned Ulysses, her beloved spouse,

And wept, till blue-eyed Pallas closed her lids

In gentle slumbers.

Odyssey. Homer. Boston. 1873.

Current edition Experimental

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) (English) (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ὀδύσσεια Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), editor. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.) — 1.325 focus

τοῖσι δʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇ

325

ἥατʼ ἀκούοντες· ὁ δʼ Ἀχαιῶν νόστον ἄειδε

λυγρόν, ὃν ἐκ Τροίης ἐπετείλατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.

τοῦ δʼ ὑπερωιόθεν φρεσὶ σύνθετο θέσπιν ἀοιδὴν

κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·

κλίμακα δʼ ὑψηλὴν κατεβήσετο οἷο δόμοιο,

330

οὐκ οἴη, ἅμα τῇ γε καὶ ἀμφίπολοι δύʼ ἕποντο.

ἡ δʼ ὅτε δὴ μνηστῆρας ἀφίκετο δῖα γυναικῶν,

στῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,

ἄντα παρειάων σχομένη λιπαρὰ κρήδεμνα·

ἀμφίπολος δʼ ἄρα οἱ κεδνὴ ἑκάτερθε παρέστη.

335

δακρύσασα δʼ ἔπειτα προσηύδα θεῖον ἀοιδόν·

Φήμιε, πολλὰ γὰρ ἄλλα βροτῶν θελκτήρια οἶδας,

ἔργʼ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε, τά τε κλείουσιν ἀοιδοί·

τῶν ἕν γέ σφιν ἄειδε παρήμενος, οἱ δὲ σιωπῇ

οἶνον πινόντων· ταύτης δʼ ἀποπαύεʼ ἀοιδῆς

340

λυγρῆς, ἥ τέ μοι αἰεὶ ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλον κῆρ

τείρει, ἐπεί με μάλιστα καθίκετο πένθος ἄλαστον.

τοίην γὰρ κεφαλὴν ποθέω μεμνημένη αἰεί,

ἀνδρός, τοῦ κλέος εὐρὺ καθʼ Ἑλλάδα καὶ μέσον Ἄργος.

τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

345

μῆτερ ἐμή, τί τʼ ἄρα φθονέεις ἐρίηρον ἀοιδὸν

τέρπειν ὅππῃ οἱ νόος ὄρνυται; οὔ νύ τʼ ἀοιδοὶ

αἴτιοι, ἀλλά ποθι Ζεὺς αἴτιος, ὅς τε δίδωσιν

ἀνδράσιν ἀλφηστῇσιν, ὅπως ἐθέλῃσιν, ἑκάστῳ.

τούτῳ δʼ οὐ νέμεσις Δαναῶν κακὸν οἶτον ἀείδειν·

350

τὴν γὰρ ἀοιδὴν μᾶλλον ἐπικλείουσʼ ἄνθρωποι,

ἥ τις ἀκουόντεσσι νεωτάτη ἀμφιπέληται.

σοὶ δʼ ἐπιτολμάτω κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀκούειν·

οὐ γὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς οἶος ἀπώλεσε νόστιμον ἦμαρ

ἐν Τροίῃ, πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι φῶτες ὄλοντο.

355

ἀλλʼ εἰς οἶκον ἰοῦσα τὰ σʼ αὐτῆς ἔργα κόμιζε,

ἱστόν τʼ ἠλακάτην τε, καὶ ἀμφιπόλοισι κέλευε

ἔργον ἐποίχεσθαι· μῦθος δʼ ἄνδρεσσι μελήσει

πᾶσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἐμοί· τοῦ γὰρ κράτος ἔστʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ.

ἡ μὲν θαμβήσασα πάλιν οἶκόνδε βεβήκει·

360

παιδὸς γὰρ μῦθον πεπνυμένον ἔνθετο θυμῷ.

ἐς δʼ ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβᾶσα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξὶ

κλαῖεν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα φίλον πόσιν, ὄφρα οἱ ὕπνον

ἡδὺν ἐπὶ βλεφάροισι βάλε γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.

Translations (8)

Odyssey Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.) — 1.325 focus

325 For them the famous minstrel was singing, and they sat in silence listening; and he sang of the return of the Achaeans—the woeful return from Troy which Pallas Athena laid upon them. And from her upper chamber the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, heard his wondrous song, 330 and she went down the high stairway from her chamber, not alone, for two handmaids attended her. Now when the fair lady had come to the wooers, she stood by the door-post of the well-built hall, holding before her face her shining veil; 335 and a faithful handmaid stood on either side of her. Then she burst into tears, and spoke to the divine minstrel: “Phemius, many other things thou knowest to charm mortals, deeds of men and gods which minstrels make famous. Sing them one of these, as thou sittest here, 340 and let them drink their wine in silence. But cease from this woeful song which ever harrows the heart in my breast, for upon me above all women has come a sorrow not to be forgotten. So dear a head do I ever remember with longing, even my husband, whose fame is wide through Hellas and mid- Argos .”¹ 345 Then wise Telemachus answered her: “My mother, why dost thou begrudge the good minstrel to give pleasure in whatever way his heart is moved? It is not minstrels that are to blame, but Zeus, I ween, is to blame, who gives to men that live by toil,² to each one as he will. 350 With this man no one can be wroth if he sings of the evil doom of the Danaans; for men praise that song the most which comes the newest to their ears. For thyself, let thy heart and soul endure to listen; for not Odysseus alone lost 355 in Troy the day of his return, but many others likewise perished. Nay, go to thy chamber, and busy thyself with thine own tasks, the loom and the distaff, and bid thy handmaids ply their tasks; but speech shall be for men, for all, but most of all for me; since mine is the authority in the house.” 360 She then, seized with wonder, went back to her chamber, for she laid to heart the wise saying of her son. Up to her upper chamber she went with her handmaids, and then bewailed Odysseus, her dear husband until flashing-eyed Athena cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.

Odyssey Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey: rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902, translator. Revised by Timothy Power and Gregory Nagy. London: A.C. Fifield, 1900.) — 1.314 focus

314 Athena answered, "Do not try to keep me, for I would be on my way at once. As for any present you may be disposed to make me, keep it till I come again, and I will take it home with me. You shall give me a very good one, and I will give you one of no less value in return."

319 With these words she flew away like a bird into the air, but she had given Telemakhos courage, and had made him think more than ever about his father. He felt the change, wondered at it, and knew that the stranger had been a god, so he went straight to where the suitors were sitting.

325 Phemios was still singing, and his hearers sat rapt in silence as he told the baneful tale of the homecoming [ nostos] from Troy , and the ills Athena had laid upon the Achaeans. Penelope, daughter of Ikarios, heard his song from her room upstairs, and came down by the great staircase, not alone, but attended by two of her handmaids. When she reached the suitors she stood by one of the bearing posts that supported the roof of the cloisters with a staid maiden on either side of her. She held a veil, moreover, before her face, and was weeping bitterly.

337 "Phemios," she cried, "you know many another feat of gods and heroes, such as poets love to celebrate. Sing the suitors some one of these, and let them drink their wine in silence, but cease this sad tale, for it breaks my sorrowful heart, and reminds me of my lost husband for whom I have grief [ penthos] ever without ceasing, and whose name [ kleos] was great over all Hellas and middle Argos ."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 1.325 focus

The famed singer was singing for them [= the suitors], and they in silence 326 sat and listened. He [= Phemios the singer] was singing the homecoming [ nostos] of the Achaeans, 327 a disastrous [ lugros] homecoming from Troy, and Pallas Athena was the one who brought it all to fulfillment [ epi-tellesthai]. 328 From her room upstairs, this divinely inspired song of his was understood in her mind by 329 the daughter of Ikarios, the exceptionally intelligent Penelope, [330] and she came down the lofty staircase of her palace. 331 She came not alone, but attended by two of her handmaidens. 332 When she reached the suitors, this most radiant of women, 333 she stood by one of the posts that supported the roof of the halls, 334 holding in front of her cheeks a luxuriant veil, [335] and a trusted handmaiden stood on either side of her. 336 Then, shedding tears, she addressed the godlike singer:

337 “Phemios, you know many another thing that charms mortals, 338 all about the deeds of men and gods, to which singers give glory [ kleeîn]. 339 Sing for them [= the suitors] some one of those songs of glory, and let them in silence [340] drink their wine. But you stop this sad song, 341 this disastrous [ lugrē] song, which again and again affects my very own [ philon] heart in my breast, 342 wearing it down, since an unforgettable grief [ penthos alaston] comes over me, more than ever. 343 I feel this way because that is the kind of person I long for, recalling his memory again and again, 344 the memory of a man whose glory [ kleos] extends far and wide throughout Hellas and midmost Argos.”

[345] “Mother,” answered the spirited Telemachus, “let the bard sing what he has a mind [ noos] to; bards are not responsible [ aitios] for the ills they sing of; it is Zeus, not they, who is responsible [ aitios], and who sends weal or woe upon humankind according to his own good pleasure. [350] There should be no feeling of sanction [ nemesis] against this one for singing the ill-fated return of the Danaans, 351 for men would most rather give glory [ kleos] to that song 352 which is the newest to make the rounds among listeners. Make up your mind to it and bear it; Odysseus is not the only man who never came [355] back from Troy, but many another went down as well as he. Go, then, within the house and busy yourself with your daily duties, your loom, your distaff, and the ordering of your servants; for speech is man’s matter, and mine above all others—for it is I who am master here.”

[360] She went wondering back into the house, and laid her son’s saying in her heart. Then, going upstairs with her handmaids into her room, she mourned her dear husband till owl-vision Athena shed sweet sleep over her eyes. [365]

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 1.325 focus

Hush'd in attention to the warbled song.

420

His tender theme the charming lyrist chose

Minerva's anger, and the dreadful woes

Which, voyaging from Troy, the victors bore,

While storms vindictive intercept the shore.

The shrilling airs the vaulted roof rebounds,

425

Reflecting to the queen the silver sounds,

With grief renew'd the weeping fair descends;

Their sovereign's step a virgin train attends :

A veil, of richest texture wrought, she wears,

And silent to the joyous hall repairs.

430

There, from the portal, with her mild command

Thus gently checks the minstrel's tuneful hand:

PENELOPE

'Phemius! let acts of gods, and heroes old,

'What ancient bards in hall and bower have told,

'Attemper'd to the lyre, your voice employ :
435

'Such the pleas'd ear will drink with silent joy.

'But, oh! forbear that dear disastrous name,

'To sorrow sacred, and secure of fame :

'My bleeding bosom sickens at the sound,

'And every piercing note inflicts a wound.'
440

TELEMACHUS

'Why, dearest object of my duteous love,'

'will you the bard reprove ?

'Oft, Jove's ethereal rays (resistless fire)

'The chanter's soul and raptur'd song inspire;

'Instinct divine! nor blame severe his choice,
445

'Warbling the Grecian woes with harp and voice:

'For novel lays attract our ravish'd ears;

'But old, the mind with inattention hears :

'Patient permit the sadly pleasing strain;

'Familiar now with grief, your tears refrain,
450

'And in the public woe forget your own;

'You weep not for a perish'd lord alone.

'What Greeks, now wandering in the Stygian gloom,

'With your Ulysses shar'd an equal doom!

'Your widow'd hours, apart, with female toil
455

'And various labours of the loom beguile;

'There rule, from palace-cares remote and free;

'That care to man belongs, and most to me.'

Mature beyond his years, the queen admires

His sage reply, and with her train retires.

460

Then swelling sorrows burst their former bounds,

With echoing grief afresh the dome resounds;

Till Pallas, piteous of her plaintive cries,

In slumber closed her silver-streaming eyes.

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 1.325 focus

And straightway to the suitors went, who were

355

Now come again into the house, and seated,

A song which Phemius then sung to hear,

Containing how the Grecians retreated

Unfortunately from the Trojan shore

By Pallas' doings, whom they bad offended.

360

Penelope that heard it, and was more

Concerned than they all, straightway descended.

She entered not, but in the door did stand,

Veil'd with a scarf which on her head she wore,

Having a waiting-woman on each hand;

365

And to the singer thus said, weeping sore:

Phemius, y' have better songs, why sing you then

This sad one ? Fitter 'twere the deeds to tell

Of mighty Gods, and mighty deeds of men,

Which sure would please the company as well.

370

Sing one of those, and let them hear and drink ;

Give over this. You touch my interest,

And wound my heart in forcing me to think

Upon my husband, of all Greeks the best.

Then said Telemachus, Good mother, why

375

Should not the singer choose what song to sing,

Whose part it is to please the company ?

It is not he that does the evil bring.

'Tis none of Phemius' fault, but th' act of Jove,

Who deals to all men all things as he please.

380

Should he not sing the songs that men most love,

The new'st ? The Greeks' sad passage o'er the seas ?

Be patient, many more besides Ulysses,

Come short from Troy by one fate or another,

Nor are you the only wife her husband misses.

385

Many men else are lost. Therefore, good mother,

Go to your work again above, and see

Your maids do theirs, leave censuring of songs

Unto us men, and specially to me,

To whom the greatest power here belongs.

390

Then to her chamber up she went again,

With her two maids, and there began to weep,

Being for her dear husband in great pain,

And wept till Pallas clos'd her eyes with sleep.

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 1.325 focus

Amongst the wooers, who were silent set,

To hear a poet sing the sad retreat

The Greeks perform'd from Troy; which was from thence

495

Proclaim'd by Pallas, pain of her offence.

When which divine song was perceived to bear

That mournful subject by the listening ear

Of wise Penelope, Icarius' seed,

Who from an upper room had given it heed,

500

Down she descended by a winding stair,

Not solely, but the state in her repair

Two maids of honour made. And when this queen

Of women stoop'd so low, she might be seen

By all her wooers. In the door, aloof,

505

Entering the hall grac'd with a goodly roof,

She stood, in shade of graceful veils, implied

About her beauties; on her either side,

Her honour'd women. When, to tears mov'd, thus

She chid the sacred singer: "Phemius,

510

You know a number more of these great deeds

Of Gods and men, that are the sacred seeds,

And proper subjects, of a poet's song,

And those due pleasures that to men belong,

Besides these facts that furnish Troy's retreat,

515

Sing one of those to these, that round your seat

They may with silence sit, and taste their wine;

But cease this song, that through these ears of mine

Conveys deserv'd occasion to my heart

Of endless sorrows, of which the desert

520

In me unmeasur'd is past all these men,

So endless is the memory I retain,

And so desertful is that memory,

Of such a man as hath a dignity

So broad it spreads itself through all the pride

525

Of Greece and Argos." To the queen replied

Inspired Telemachus: "Why thus envies

My mother him that fits societies

With so much harmony, to let him please

His own mind in his will to honour these?

530

For these ingenious and first sort of men,

That do immediately from Jove retain

Their singing raptures, are by Jove as well

Inspir'd with choice of what their songs impell,

Jove's will is free in it, and therefore theirs.

535

Nor is this man to blame, that the repairs

The Greeks make homeward sings; for his fresh muse

Men still most celebrate that sings most news.

And therefore in his note your ears employ :

For not Ulysses only lost in Troy

540

The day of his return, but numbers more

The deadly ruins of his fortunes bore.

Go you then in, and take your work in hand,

Your web, and distaff; and your maids command

To ply their fit work. Words to men are due,

545

And those reproving counsels you pursue,

And most to me of all men, since I bear

The rule of all things that are managed here."

She went amaz'd away, and in her heart

Laid up the wisdom Pallas did impart

550

¹²

To her lov'd son so lately, turn'd again

Up to her chamber, and no more would reign

In manly counsels. To her women she

Applied her sway; and to the wooers he

Began new orders, other spirits bewray'd

555

Than those in spite of which the wooers sway'd.

And (whiles his mother's tears still wash'd her eyes,

Till grey Minerva did those tears surprise

With timely sleep,

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 1.325 focus

Repair'd; they silent, listen'd to the song

Of the illustrious Bard; he the return

Deplorable of the Achaian host

From Ilium by command of Pallas, sang.

Penelope, Icarius' daughter, mark'd

415

Meantime the song celestial, where she sat

In the superior palace; down she came,

By all the numerous steps of her abode;

Not sole, for two fair handmaids follow'd her.

She then, divinest of her sex, arrived

420

In presence of that lawless throng, beneath

The portal of her stately mansion stood,

Between her maidens, and with lucid veil

Her lovely features mantling. There, profuse

She wept, and thus the sacred bard bespake.

425

Phemius! for many a sorrow-soothing strain

Thou know'st beside, such as exploits record

Of Gods and men, the poet's frequent theme;

Give them of those a song, and let themselves

Their wine drink noiseless; but this mournful strain

430

Break off, unfriendly to my bosom's peace,

And which of all hearts nearest touches mine;

With such regret my dearest lord I mourn,

Remembering still an husband praised from side

To side, and in the very heart of Greece.

435

Then answer thus Telemachus return'd.

My mother! wherefore should it give thee pain

If the delightful bard that theme pursue

To which he feels his mind impell'd? the bard

Blame not, but rather Jove, who, as he wills,

440

Materials for poetic art supplies.

No fault is his, if the disastrous fate

He sing of the Achaians, for the song

Wins ever from the hearers most applause

That has been least in use. Of all who fought

445

At Troy, Ulysses hath not lost, alone,

His day of glad return; but many a Chief

Hath perish'd also. Seek thou then again

Thy own apartment, spindle ply and loom,

And task thy maidens; management belongs

450

To men of joys convivial, and of men

Especially to me, chief ruler here.

She heard astonish'd; and the prudent speech

Reposing of her son deep in her heart,

Again with her attendant maidens sought

455

Her upper chamber. There arrived, she wept

Her lost Ulysses, till Minerva bathed

Her weary lids in dewy sleep profound.

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 1 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK I

SING, O Muse, of the man so wary and wise, who in far lands

Wandered whenas he had wasted the sacred town of the Trojans.

Many a people he saw and beheld their cities and customs,

Many a woe he endured in his heart as he tossed on the ocean,

Striving to win him his life and to bring home safely his comrades.

Ah but he rescued them not, those comrades, much as he wished it.

Ruined by their own act of infatuate madness they perished,

Fools that they were—who the cows of the sun-god, lord Hyperion,

Slaughtered and ate; and he took from the men their day of returning.

Sing—whence-ever the lay—sing, Zeus-born goddess, for us too!

Now were all of the rest of the Greeks who had 'scaped from destruction

Safely at home and secure from the dangers of war and the ocean,

All but the one, whom yearning in vain for his wife and his homeland

Still did the beautiful goddess, the sea-nymph lady Calypso,

Hold in her hollow caves, with a longing to make him her husband.

Ay and at last, when the year in the slow revolution of seasons

Came, in the which, as the gods had ordained, he returned to his country,

Ithaca's isle, e'en then was he nowise free from his troubles,

Though once more with his own; and the gods were touched with compassion,

All but Poseidaon, who was ever unceasingly angered

Raging at godlike Odysseus and keeping him far from his homeland.

Now was he gone to revisit the far-off Aethiop people—

Aethiop people that dwell wide-sundered, furthest of mortals,

Some where sinks Hyperion to rest, some where he ariseth.

Here he expected of rams and of oxen a solemn oblation,

Here he rejoiced as he sat at the feast. But the other immortals

Unto the mansion of Zeus the Olympian gathered together.

Then in the midst brake silence the Father of men and immortals,

Since in the depths of his heart he remembered the noble Aegisthus

Slaughtered by King Agamemnon's son, far-famous Orestes;

Mindful of him these words he addressed to the gods everlasting:

"Verily! how these mortals of earth give blame to the heaven!

Evil is sent by the gods, they affirm! It is they that in folly,

Ay in the madness of folly, o'erleaping their destiny, seek it.

Thus did Aegisthus, in spite of his fate predestined, in madness

Marry the wife of Atrides and murdered her lord at his coming.

Fully he knew of the doom that impended for this we foretold him,

Sending him Hermes, the keen-eyed Slayer of Argus, to warn him

Neither to murder the man nor his wife to solicit as suitor :

Else shall Orestes repay for his father a terrible vengeance

After the days of his youth, when he learneth to long for his homeland.

Such was the warning of Hermes, but nowise heeded Aegisthus

Well-meant counsel—and now he hath paid all reckonings fully."

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Father of Gods, O mighty Cronion, the highest of Monarchs!

Truly he lies o'erwhelmed by a doom that he merited richly.

Thus too perish whoever of men such deed shall accomplish !

Ah but the heart in my bosom is rent for the wileful Odysseus.

Hard is his fate: long years doth he ceaselessly suffer affliction

Far from his home on a sea-girt isle: 'tis the navel of ocean,

Even this isle well-wooded, whereon hath dwelling a goddess,

Daughter of Atlas, the wizard of bale, who of every ocean

Knoweth the watery depths, and alone upholdeth the pillars

Soaring aloft and keeping the earth and heaven asunder.

This is the god whose daughter a wretched and sorrowing mortal

Keepeth, and ever with soft and with flattering words of endearment

Charms him, to make him forgetful of Ithaca's isle ; and Odysseus

Yearns to behold once more but the smoke rise eddying upward

Out of the land of his birth—and he longeth to die. But within thee

All unmoved is thy spirit, Olympian. What! did Odysseus

Ne'er by the ships of the Greeks do honour to thee with oblations,

There, on the Trojan plain? Then why so wroth at the man, Zeus?"

Her then in turn gave answer the Father who gathers the storm-clouds:

"Nay but my child, what word from the door of thy lips hath escaped thee !

How am I likely to cease to remember the godlike Odysseus,

Him who in mind all mortals excels and in giving oblation

Unto the gods everlasting who dwell in the infinite heaven?

No—but Poseidaon, Earth-girdler, stubbornly rageth,

Angered because of his son, by Odysseus bereft of his eyesight,

Even that equal of gods the immense Polyphemus, a Cyclops

Greater than all of the others. Thoösa the nymph was his mother,

Daughter of Phorcys the lord of the barren expanses of ocean.

She in the hollow caves of the sea held tryst with Poseidon.

Hence to Odysseus it haps that, albeit the King Earth-shaker

Slayeth him not, yet he maketh him wander afar from his homeland.

Come now, all of us here— let us straight take counsel together

How he shall once more win to his home; and Poseidon will surely

Cease from his wrath, for he ne'er will be able alone to oppose us,

Setting at nought and defying the will of the other immortals."

Him then again gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Father of all of us, mighty Cronion, the highest of Monarchs !

Seems it a thing well-pleasing to all of the blessed immortals

Thus to permit to return to his home wise-hearted Odysseus,

Then let us bid Hermeias the messenger, Slayer of Argus,

Speedily winging his flight to the far Ogygian island,

Bring to the fair-tressed nymph our will's immutable verdict,

Even that patient Odysseus return and arrive at his homeland.

Now for myself I shall visit the Ithacan island, if haply

Rousing his son still more I can light in his bosom the courage

Unto a meeting to summon the long-haired lords of Achaea,

Yea and a warning to utter to all of the suitors, who slaughter

Sheep of his thick-thronged folds and his shambling crook-horned cattle.

Then as his guide will I bring him to Sparta and Pylos the sandy,

Tidings to hear, if he can, of the homeward return of his father.

Hence too honour and fame shall he win in the land of the living."

These words uttered she bound to her ankles the beautiful sandals,

Golden, immortal, that carry her over the waters of ocean

Swift as the blast of a storm, and across earth's boundless expanses.

Then with her powerful spear bronze-bladed, of terrible keenness,

Weighty, enormous and strong—wherewith in the ranks of the battle

100

Vanquisheth all that she hateth that daughter of Zeus the Almighty—

Flashing she fell to the earth from the glittering heights of Olympus

Down, till on Ithacan land she alit by the porch of Odysseus,

E'en by the courtyard door, with the spear in her hand, and she stood there

Likened in form to a stranger, to Mentes, Taphian chieftain.

105

Then was she quickly aware of the arrogant suitors, who haply

Under the porch of the palace at draughts their minds were amusing,

Seated on skins of the cows they had slaughtered themselves for a banquet.

Busily flitting around were pages attendant and henchmen:

Some in the bowls were mixing together the wine and the water,

110

Others with sponges porous and soft were washing the tables,

Setting them forth, while others apportioned the plentiful messes.

Godlike Telemachus was the first of them all to perceive her.

Grievously troubled at heart he was sitting amidst of the suitors,

Picturing how peradventure his valiant father from somewhere

115

Suddenly coming and driving the suitors in rout from the palace

Honour again might win as the lord of his own possessions.

Dreaming thereon as he sat with the suitors, he noticed Athene.

Straight to the portal he went, for he felt sore vexed in his spirit

Seeing a stranger so long at the door, and, whenas he arrived there,

120

Grasping her right and taking the bronzen spear from the goddess,

Opened in greeting his lips, and with swift-winged words he addressed her :

"Hail, O stranger! With us thou art sure of a welcome; and later,

After partaking of food, thou'lt tell us if aught thou art needing."

These words spoken, he turned and was followed by Pallas Athene.

125

Unto the high-roofed mansion he led her, and stepping within it

Leaned on the shaft of a pillar the spear he was bearing, and fixed it

Into a stand bright-polished wherein were resting the others,

Many and many a spear of the valiant-hearted Odysseus;

Then on a chair, outspreading the cover of linen, he set her:

130

Richly adorned was the chair, and below for the feet was a footstool.

Close to it set he a seat for himself rich-broidered, withdrawing

Far from the suitors, in fear that the stranger annoyed by the uproar

Loathing for food might feel, with that insolent rabble about him;

Ay and he also was fain of his long-lost father to ask him.

135

Water for washing of hands by a maiden was brought in an ewer

Beautiful, golden, and over a basin of silver she poured it,

Bidding him wash; and she stationed a polished table beside him.

Then did a grave house-dame bring bread and lay it before him

Lavishly adding thereto of her stores full many a dainty.

140

Carrying platters aloft came also the carver and offered

Dishes of various meats; and golden goblets he gave them,

Ofttimes filling the which passed hither and thither the henchman.

Now to the hall came crowding the arrogant suitors, and straightway

All of them sat them in order adown on the couches and armchairs.

145

Soon was the water for washing of hands poured out by the henchman,

Baskets of wheaten bread up-piled were brought by the maidens

While that the youths wreathed high with the foaming liquor the wine-bowls.

Then did they stretch forth hands to the food that was lying before them

Till, when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup,

150

Came to the mind of the suitors the thought of a different pleasure,

Even of singing and dancing—for such is the crown of a banquet.

So, when a herald had handed a beautiful harp to the singer

Phemius (ever unwilling he sang, compelled by the suitors),

Unto the sounds of his harping his exquisite voice he uplifted.

155

Telemachus meanwhile spake low to the goddess Athene,

Holding his head right close, to be noticed of none of the others:

"List, dear stranger!—for sure at my words thou'lt never be angered—

Such are the pleasures of such !—harp-playing and dancing! No wonder,

Seeing they eat the possessions of others, nor fear the avenger!

160

Eat the possessions of him whose whitening bones peradventure

Rot in the rain on the land or roll in the waves of the ocean!

Were they to see him return some day to the Ithacan homeland,

All of them straight to the gods would pray to be lighter in running

Rather than richer endowed with the treasures of gold and of garments.

165

Nay, it is vain ! he is dead of a pitiful death, nor is longer

Comfort remaining, whoever of earth-born mortals denies it

Saying he cometh again—since dead is the day of his coming.

Come now tell me a thing that I ask thee and clearly explain it :

Who art thou? Whence dost thou come? Tell too of thy city, thy parents.

170

Whose is the vessel whereon thou art come? How haps it that sailors

Brought thee to Ithacan land? What folk did they boast to belong to,

Seeing, methinks, it was never on foot that thou hither arrivedst?

One thing further relate me exactly, for fain will I know it :

Art thou a traveller new to the land, or a friend of my father—

175

Guest peradventure? for such came ofttimes unto his homestead,

Many a one, while yet he remained in the land of the living.”

Him then in turn gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Well, I will tell thee of all that thou askest and truly relate it.

Mentes such is my name. Of a wise-souled father I boast me,

180

Anchialus, and myself am the prince of the Taphian sea-folk.

Now am I come to a port of thy land with my vessel and comrades

Sailing the wine-dark deep on my way to a city of strangers,

Tempsa; for copper I seek, and my cargo is glittering iron.

Yonder my ship on the side of the country afar from the city

185

Lieth in Reithron's port, by the wood-clothed Neïan headland.

Yes, it is true—we can boast to be guest-friends one of another

Even from days long past. If thou doubt'st, go ask of the grandsire,

Hero Laertes. They say that he now no more to the city

Cometh, but living afar in the uplands suffers affliction

190

Sole with an ancient crone who attends to his eating and drinking,

Placing before him his food when exhaustion cometh upon him

Weariedly creeping about on the sloping knoll of his vineyard.

Now I am here for they said he was home once more in his country,

Even thy father; but heaven, it seemeth, hath hindered his coming.

195

Natheless never on earth has he perished, the godlike Odysseus:

Still he is living, methinks, mid the broad expanses of ocean,

Held on a sea-girt isle, where hostile people retain him,

Savages, forcing him all unwillingly still to remain there.

Nay, I will venture to speak as a prophet—for deep in my bosom

200

Heaven hath planted a thought that I feel to be sure of fulfilment,

Though I am neither at all a diviner or augur unerring—

Verily not much longer afar from his well-loved homeland

Still shall he stay, not e'en though fetters of iron constrain him:

Sure he will plan his escape—such master of many devices.

205

Now come tell me a thing that I ask thee and clearly explain it,

Whether indeed (as thy stature proclaims) thou art child of Odysseus.

Marvellous both of thy head and thy beautiful eyes is the likeness

Unto the man that I knew when we oft held converse together,

Ere he embarked for the land of the Trojans, whither so many

210

Others, chiefs of the Argives, in hollow vessels departed.

Since then ne'er did I see him again, nor was seen by Odysseus."

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Well, Sir stranger, the truth will I tell thee and clearly relate it.

Ever my mother hath called me the child of Odysseus. For my part

215

How can I know? Not the wisest of sons can discover his father.

Would that my fortune had made me the child of a happier mortal,

Son of a man whom age finds living in peace in his homestead!

Elsewise heaven hath will'd it: the most ill-fated of all men,

He, as they say, is my sire. Thus far can I answer thy question."

220

Him then again gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Surely for thee is the heaven no nameless race in the future

Keeping in store for a son so worthy of Penelopeia.

Now come, tell me a thing that I ask thee and clearly explain it :

What doth this banqueting mean? and this crowd? Why needful thy presence ?

225

Hold they a wedding? or bout? No club-collation it seemeth:

Such is the insolent licence in which they appear to indulge them

Banqueting here in thy hall! Just cause for a man to be angered,

Were but a sensible person to see such shameful proceeding!"

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

230

"Since, O stranger, thou fain wouldst hear of this matter and learn it,

Once did the house of my sire seem like to be rich and be blameless, —

Like to remain what it was while here in his home he was living.

Other, alas, was the will of immortals who plotted his ruin.

Lo, they have made him to vanish—as utterly vanished hath no man

235

Ever before. Nay, e'en for his death ne'er thus had I sorrowed,

Had he but met it amidst of his mates in the land of the Trojans,

Or in the arms of his friends, when he wound to an ending the warfare.

Then had the hosts of Achaea erected a tomb to his honour;

Yea and for me for his son he had left great glory behind him.

240

Ah but the spirits of storm to a death inglorious swept him,

Vanished, unseen and unheard of; and nothing but mourning and anguish

Me he bequeathed! Nor now do I sorrow and make lamentation

Only for him; for the gods send other and grievous afflictions.

All of the chief of the men who as princes rule in the islands,

245

Samos and Dulichium and the woodlands rich of Zacynthus,

Ay and as many besides as in rock-bound Ithaca lord it,

All come wooing my mother and wasting the wealth of the homestead.

She dares neither reject their hateful proposals of marriage,

Nor can she end it; and thus do the men, consuming, devouring,

250

Ruin my home—me too will they soon o'erwhelm in its ruin."

Then in exceeding displeasure again spake Pallas Athene:

"Nay by the gods, right sorely thou need'st that the absent Odysseus

Come to thee quickly and lay strong hands on the impudent suitors!

Would that I saw him this moment in front of the door of the palace

255

Suddenly stand—with his helmet and shield and a couple of lances—

Such as he was in the days when mine eyes first lighted upon him

Making him merry and quaffing his wine in the hall of my homestead,

Newly from Ephyra come—from the town of the Mermerid Ilus.

Even to such far land had he sailed in his swift-winged vessel

260

Seeking a drug right deadly of which he was fain to possess him—

Poison, to smear on the tips of his bronze-shod arrows; but Ilus

Gave it him not, for he shrank from the wrath of the gods everlasting.

Yet from my father he gat it, who loved him in marvellous fashion.

O that he came—e'en such an Odysseus—to visit the suitors,

265

Bringing on all of them speedy perdition and nuptials of anguish!

Nay but we know not the truth; on the knees of the gods it is lying,

Whether he ever shall come, or shall come no more, to avenge him

Here in the halls of his home; but do thou take thought, I exhort thee,

How to eject from the hall of thy palace this rabble of suitors.

270

Now mark well what I say, and give it thy earnest attention.

Summon to-morrow to come to a council the princely Achaeans;

Make to them all an announcement and call on the gods to be witness.

Order the suitors from here to disperse each one to his homestead;

While for thy mother—if truly her heart be enamoured of wedlock,

275

Send her again to her home—to the house of her powerful father.

There can her parents arrange for the wedding and settle the presents,

All of the wealth that is wont with a well-loved daughter to follow.

Now for thyself—such plan I suggest: 'twere wise to accept it.

Manning with twice ten rowers a vessel—thy goodliest galley—

280

Start on the quest for thy sire, who so long is afar and unheard of.

Haply an earth-born man shall inform thee, or haply shall Rumour,

Daughter of Zeus, who on earth is the busiest bringer of tidings.

Firstly betake thee to Pylos, the godlike Nestor to question.

Thence seek Sparta, the court of the fair-haired prince Menelaus:

285

He was the last to return of the bronzen-coated Achaeans.

Shouldst thou be told of thy father as living and homeward returning,

Surely for one year more thou'lt bear with the waste of thy substance.

Should they report him as perished and gone from the land of the living,

Quickly return, and regaining the well-loved home of thy fathers

290

Straightway build him a tomb, and funeral offerings offer

Many and rich, as is meet, and thy mother bestow on a husband.

Then, when at last these things are duly fulfilled and accomplished,

Hold thou counsel at once with the thoughts and the feelings within thee

How to be quit of the suitors, and here in the hall of thy homestead

295

Slay them by craft or by open assault. No more it beseems thee

Childish thoughts to indulge, for thy age no longer is childish.

Surely thou know'st of the fame that was won by the noble Orestes:

How he is praised by the nations for killing his father's assassin,

Crafty Aegisthus, who murdered his sire, great King Agamemnon.

300

Also do thou, dear lad, as in form thou art comely and stalwart,

Show thee courageous and win thee a name in the age that is coming!

Now I am fain to descend once more to my swift-winged vessel,

Where are waiting my men, and, I doubt not, chafe at my absence.

Take thou thought for thyself and attend to the counsel I gave thee."

305

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Verily, stranger, with kindly intent these words thou hast uttered,

Like to a father advising his son. I shall never forget them.

Yet, I bursts, remain, though eager to haste on thy journey!

Stay till refreshed with a bath, and the heart in thy bosom contented,

310

Back to thy ship thou returnest with gladness, bearing a present

Rare in its worth and its beauty—a present to keep as an heirloom;

Such will I give thee—the gift of a friend to a friend that he loveth."

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Nay, no longer withhold me! I yearn me away on my journey.

315

Touching thy present—whatever thy heart shall enjoin thee to give me—

Give it when back I am coming, to carry it straight to my homeland.

Choose it as rare as thou willst; it will gain thee another as goodly."

These words spoken, departed the grey-eyed goddess Athene,

Flitting away as a bird by the roof-hole. Deep in his bosom

320

Courage and manly resolve she had planted, and roused a remembrance

Keener than erst of his sire; and he marked the emotion within him

Greatly astonied in spirit, suspecting a deity's presence.

Then to the suitors he went and the strength of a god was upon him.

Here was the minstrel beginning to sing, and the suitors in silence

325

Listening sat; and he sang of the homeward return of the Grecians,

Pitiful story of woes inflicted by Pallas Athene.

Now in her upper apartment the wise-souled Penelopeia,

Daughter of Icarius, was aware of the wonderful singing.

Straightway leaving her room by the high-built stair she descended ;

330

Neither alone did she go; two maidens followed behind her.

So when at last she had come to the suitors, that fairest of women

Stood by the post of the door of the massively builded apartment,

Holding in front of her cheeks soft folds of her glistering head-dress.

There as she stood, with a trusty attendant on this and on that side,

335

Suddenly bursting in tears to the godlike bard she addressed her:

"Phemius, many another enrapturing story thou knowest,

Deeds of immortals and men—themes often by singers recounted.

Such be thy song as thou sitt'st with the guests. Let them listen in silence

Quaffing the wine. But desist, I beseech, from the strain thou art singing,

340

Pitiful story, that ever the heart in the depths of my bosom

Woundeth—for me hath befallen an inconsolable sorrow;

Such was the well-loved lord that I mourn—nor can ever forget him—

One whose fame is abroad through Hellas and midmost Argos.”

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

345

"Wherefore, mother, prevent that the sweet-voiced singer delight us

E'en as his spirit is moved? It is never the singer, believe me,

Bringeth us bale; it is Zeus that is guilty thereof; he allotteth

Every mortal that liveth on bread what fortune he willeth.

Nor do I blame that he singeth the pitiful fates of the Argives,

350

Seeing that ever by mortals the more extolled is a singer

Singing the song that the newest resounds in the ears of the people.

Therefore harden thy heart and thy mind with the courage to listen.

'Twas not Odysseus alone that was reft of the day of returning

Back from the Trojan land; there perished many another.

355

Now to thy chamber return and attend to thine own occupation,

Even the loom and the distaff, and order thy maiden attendants

Busily keep to their tasks; we men will attend to the talking,

All of us—chiefly myself; it is I that am lord of the household."

Full of amazement she turned her to go to the women's apartment,

360

Hiding the masterful words of her son deep down in her bosom.

So to her upper apartment ascending with maiden attendants

Here she lamented Odysseus her well-loved husband, till gently

Slumber was poured on her lids by the grey-eyed goddess Athene.

Now in the shadowy hall loud clamour arose of the suitors,

365

Each one uttering prayers to the gods to possess her in marriage,

Till sage Telemachus spake out and began to address them:

"Hearken, my mother's suitors—outrageous and riotous brawlers!

Now let us fall to the feast and be merry—but boisterous uproar

Keep we afar! It is pleasant to list to the song of a minstrel

370

Such as this singer of mine; for in voice he is like an immortal.

Early to-morrow I ask you to come to the place of the council,

All of you. There shall I make you an open and plain declaration,

Bidding you quit these halls. Ye can seek your junketings elsewhere.

Feed on your own! Go feasting in turn each one with the other!

375

Should it however appear to your minds more pleasant and better

Thus to devour the possession of others, nor fear the avenger,

Waste as ye will!—but the gods everlasting I call to my succour,

Hoping that heaven will grant such deeds to receive retribution.

Then in this selfsame hall shall ye perish—and none shall avenge you."

380

Thus did he speak, and the men all biting their lips in amazement

Marvelled at Telemachus and the valiant words he had spoken.

Then spake Antinous, Eupeithes' son, and addressed him:

"Verily, Telemachus, it is heaven itself that hath taught thee

Such big blustering vaunts, such impudent boldness of language.

385

Never Cronion, I trust, would choose for the Ithacan island

Thee as a king—though truly thou claimest the right to inherit!"

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Antinous—and I trust at my words thou'lt never be angered—

E'en this honour—if offered by Zeus—I am ready to bear it.

390

Deemest thou ruling the worst of the evils that mortals inherit ?

Nay—to be ruler is never an evil; for quickly the homestead

Richer and richer becomes and the man held higher in honour.

Many another however among the Achaeans is chieftain

Here in the rock-bound Ithacan isle, both aged and younger.

395

One of them haply will gain him the title—as dead is Odysseus.

But, for myself, I intend to be master and lord of my household,

Lord of my servants of all that the sword of Odysseus hath won me."

Forthwith Polybus' son, Prince Eurymachus, made answer :

"Telemachus, on the knees of the gods everlasting it lieth

400

Who as the king of the Ithacan island shall rule the Achaeans.

Hold thou fast to thy own! be the master and lord of thy household!

Never shall any be found that shall venture with force to assail thee,

Seeking to ruin thy home—while Ithaca stands as a nation.

Now, good friend, I am fain to examine thee touching this stranger.

405

Whence arrived is the man? What folk doth he boast to belong to?

Where is his land, and his kin? Where lies the domain of his homestead?

Came he perchance some tidings to bring of thy father's returning?

Travels he hither in hope some want of his own to provide for?

How of a sudden he rose and was gone! in a moment was vanished,

410

Ere we had made us acquainted! yet seemed not a churl in appearance!"

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Eurymachus, clean gone is the hope of my father's returning,

Nor do I further believe in reports, where'er they may come from,

Nor divination consider of aught—such tales as my mother

415

Hears from the lips of diviners she calls to the house and examines.

This is an ancient guest of my household. He cometh from Taphos.

Mentes—such is his name. Of a wise-souled father he boasts him,

Anchialus, and himself is the prince of the Taphian sea-folk."

Thus did he speak; but he knew in his heart 'twas a goddess immortal.

420

Now to the joys of the dance and the pleasures of singing they turned them,

Making them merry, and thus they awaited the coming of even;

Nor was the merriment over when come was the darkness of even;

Then at the last they departed to sleep, each one to his homestead.

Telemachus, where fronting the fair-built court was his chamber

425

(Builded aloft was the room in a site with a beautiful prospect)

Thither betook him to bed, while deep in his spirit he pondered.

Thither with torches ablaze attended him also the trusty

Eurycleia, the daughter of Ops, who was son of Pisenor.

Once, long since, had Laertes expended his wealth to possess her,

430

Then in her prime; and a score of his kine as the price he had given.

Honour he gave her as much as his own true wife in the household;

Nor did he make her his mistress; he shrank from the wrath of his consort.

She was the servant that carried the torches to light him; she loved him

More than the rest of the maids, and had served as the nurse to his childhood.

435

Now so soon as the door of the fair-built chamber she opened,

Seating him down on the bed, of his doublet soft he disrobed him;

This to the hands of the careful and sage old dame he entrusted.

She, when at length she had folded the tunic and skilfully smoothed it,

Hanging it up on a peg at the side of his rich-carved bedstead,

440

Went from the chamber, and pulling the door by the handle of silver

Shut it and fastened it, drawing the bolt well home with the latch-string.

Here for the livelong night, close covered with wrappings of sheep's wool,

Lying he thought of the journey that Pallas Athena had plann'd him.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

The comments I offer on Odyssey Rhapsody 1 through Rhapsody 24, starting here with Rhapsody 1, were based mostly on details that derive from seven books that I indicate in the Bibliography by way of these abbreviations: BA, GMP, H24H, HC, HPC, HQ, HR, MoM, PasP, PH. Each one of these books has its own index locorum. My colleague Anita Nikkanen, an Associate Editor for this online project, tracked the sequences of Homeric verses as listed in the indices for six of these books and then summarized my comments on those verses. Following up on her meticulous work, I am in the process of converting her summaries into a form of commentary. My comments on the Odyssey as I presented them in Classical Inquiries are merely samplings of the content that I hope to contribute to the overall commentary, to which a number of other colleagues are also contributing their own comments. That said, I now proceed to offer a sampling of comments on Rhapsody 1. At this point, my comments about the beginning of the Odyssey need no further introduction of their own.

draft js image error Zeus, Athena, and Hermes (1810). Drawing by John Flaxman. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

source

Leonard Muellner

in a list of attestations of genos eukhesthai einai and its transformations

source

analysis of the development of the formula | eukhomai einai # huios, perhaps from a lyric formula *huios eukhomai einai #

source

comment on the etiquette of naming conventions, the omission of one’s own name in geneē-speeches vs. mentioning another’s name in such contexts, and stating one’s own name as a sign of special fame (in the context of analyzing genos eukhesthai einai formulas)

source

in a list of attestations of genos eukhesthai einai and its transformations

source

Homer Odyssey 1.325

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