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So talked they with each other where they sat

In the queen's chamber, 'mid the attendant train

Of women, while meantime Ulysses took

The evening meal. The queen then bade to call

615

The noble swineherd, and bespake him thus:-

"My worthy friend Eumæus, go and bring

The stranger hither. I would speak with him,

And ask if anywhere he saw or heard

Aught of Ulysses; for he seems like one

620

Whose wanderings have been in many lands."

And thus, Eumæus, thou didst make reply:

"Would that these Greeks, O queen, would hold their peace,

Then might this stranger in thy hearing speak

Words full of consolation. For three nights

625

I had him with me, for three days I made

My lodge his home, for at the very first

He came to me, escaping from his ship,

Nor when he left me had he told of all

That he had suffered. As a hearer looks

630

Upon a minstrel whom the gods have taught

To sing the poems that delight all hearts,

And, listening, longs to listen without end;

So, as the stranger sat beneath my roof,

He held me charmed. He was the ancestral friend,

635

He said, of thy Ulysses, and his home

Was Crete, where dwells the stock of Minos yet.

From Crete he came, and much had suffered since,

Driven on from place to place. And he had heard

Some tidings of Ulysses yet alive

640

So he affirmed - in a rich region near

The realm of the Thesprotians, and prepared

To bring much riches to his native isle."

Then spake the sage Penelope again :

"Go, call him hither, that he may relate

645

His story in my presence. Let these men,

As it may please them, sitting at our gates

Or in our halls, amuse themselves, for light

Are they of heart. Unwasted in their homes

Lie their possessions, and their bread and wine

650

Are only for their servants, while themselves

Frequent our palace, day by day, and slay

Our beeves and sheep and fatling goats, and feast,

And drink abundantly the dark red wine,

And all with lavish waste. No man is here,

655

Such as Ulysses was, to drive away

This pest from our abode. Should he return

To his own land, he and his son would take

Swift vengeance on the men who do him wrong."

She ended. Suddenly Telemachus

660

Sneezed loudly, so that all the palace rang;

And, laughing as she heard, Penelope

Bespake Eumæus thus with winged words:

"Go, call the stranger. Dost thou not perceive

My son has sneezed as to confirm my words.

665

Not unfulfilled will now remain the doom

That waits the suitors; none will now escape

Death and the Fates. This further let me say,

And thou remember it; if what he tells

Be true, I will bestow on him a change

670

Of fair attire, a tunic and a cloak."

She spake, the swineherd went, and, drawing near

Ulysses, said to him in winged words :-

"Stranger and father, sage Penelope,

The mother of the prince, hath sent for thee.

675

Though sorrowing, she is minded to inquire

What of her husband thou canst haply say;

And should she find that all thy words are true,

She will bestow a tunic and a cloak,

Garments which much thou needest. For thy food,

680

What will appease thy hunger thou wilt find

Among the people; ask, and each will give.”

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.) — 17.505 focus

ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς ἀγόρευε μετὰ δμῳῇσι γυναιξίν,

505

ἡμένη ἐν θαλάμῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐδείπνεε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·

ἡ δʼ ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσασα προσηύδα δῖον ὑφορβόν·

ἔρχεο, δῖʼ Εὔμαιε, κιὼν τὸν ξεῖνον ἄνωχθι

ἐλθέμεν, ὄφρα τί μιν προσπτύξομαι ἠδʼ ἐρέωμαι

εἴ που Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος ἠὲ πέπυσται

510

ἢ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσι· πολυπλάγκτῳ γὰρ ἔοικε.

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα

εἰ γάρ τοι, βασίλεια, σιωπήσειαν Ἀχαιοί·

οἷʼ ὅ γε μυθεῖται, θέλγοιτό κέ τοι φίλον ἦτορ.

τρεῖς γὰρ δή μιν νύκτας ἔχον, τρία δʼ ἤματʼ ἔρυξα

515

ἐν κλισίῃ· πρῶτον γὰρ ἔμʼ ἵκετο νηὸς ἀποδράς·

ἀλλʼ οὔ πω κακότητα διήνυσεν ἣν ἀγορεύων.

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀοιδὸν ἀνὴρ ποτιδέρκεται, ὅς τε θεῶν ἒξ

ἀείδει δεδαὼς ἔπεʼ ἱμερόεντα βροτοῖσι,

τοῦ δʼ ἄμοτον μεμάασιν ἀκουέμεν, ὁππότʼ ἀείδῃ·

520

ὣς ἐμὲ κεῖνος ἔθελγε παρήμενος ἐν μεγάροισι.

φησὶ δʼ Ὀδυσσῆος ξεῖνος πατρώϊος εἶναι,

Κρήτῃ ναιετάων, ὅθι Μίνωος γένος ἐστίν.

ἔνθεν δὴ νῦν δεῦρο τόδʼ ἵκετο πήματα πάσχων,

προπροκυλινδόμενος· στεῦται δʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀκοῦσαι,

525

ἀγχοῦ, Θεσπρωτῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐν πίονι δήμῳ,

ζωοῦ· πολλὰ δʼ ἄγει κειμήλια ὅνδε δόμονδε.

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·

ἔρχεο, δεῦρο κάλεσσον, ἵνʼ ἀντίον αὐτὸς ἐνίσπῃ.

οὗτοι δʼ ἠὲ θύρῃσι καθήμενοι ἑψιαάσθων.

530

ἢ αὐτοῦ κατὰ δώματʼ, ἐπεί σφισι θυμὸς ἐΰφρων.

αὐτῶν μὲν γὰρ κτήματʼ ἀκήρατα κεῖτʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,

σῖτος καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ· τὰ μὲν οἰκῆες ἔδουσιν,

οἱ δʼ εἰς ἡμέτερον πωλεύμενοι ἤματα πάντα,

βοῦς ἱερεύοντες καὶ ὄϊς καὶ πίονας αἶγας,

535

εἰλαπινάζουσιν πίνουσί τε αἴθοπα οἶνον,

μαψιδίως· τὰ δὲ πολλὰ κατάνεται. οὐ γὰρ ἔπʼ ἀνήρ,

οἷος Ὀδυσσεὺς ἔσκεν, ἀρὴν ἀπὸ οἴκου ἀμῦναι.

εἰ δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτʼ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,

αἶψά κε σὺν ᾧ παιδὶ βίας ἀποτίσεται ἀνδρῶν.

540

ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ μέγʼ ἔπταρεν, ἀμφὶ δὲ δῶμα

σμερδαλέον κονάβησε· γέλασσε δὲ Πηνελόπεια,

αἶψα δʼ ἄρʼ Εὔμαιον ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

ἔρχεό μοι, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐναντίον ὧδε κάλεσσον.

οὐχ ὁράᾳς ὅ μοι υἱὸς ἐπέπταρε πᾶσιν ἔπεσσι;

545

τῷ κε καὶ οὐκ ἀτελὴς θάνατος μνηστῆρσι γένοιτο

πᾶσι μάλʼ, οὐδέ κέ τις θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξει.

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσιν·

αἴ κʼ αὐτὸν γνώω νημερτέα πάντʼ ἐνέποντα,

ἕσσω μιν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, εἵματα καλά.

550

ὣς φάτο, βῆ δὲ συφορβός, ἐπεὶ τὸν μῦθον ἄκουσεν·

ἀγχοῦ δʼ ἱστάμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

ξεῖνε πάτερ, καλέει σε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,

μήτηρ Τηλεμάχοιο· μεταλλῆσαί τί ἑ θυμὸς

ἀμφὶ πόσει κέλεται, καὶ κήδεά περ πεπαθυίῃ.

555

εἰ δέ κέ σε γνώῃ νημερτέα πάντʼ ἐνέποντα,

ἕσσει σε χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε, τῶν σὺ μάλιστα

χρηΐζεις· σῖτον δὲ καὶ αἰτίζων κατὰ δῆμον

γαστέρα βοσκήσεις· δώσει δέ τοι ὅς κʼ ἐθέλῃσι.

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.) — 17.505 focus

505 So she spoke among her handmaids, sitting in her chamber, while goodly Odysseus was at meat. Then she called to her the goodly swineherd, and said: “Go, goodly Eumaeus, and bid the stranger come hither, that I may give him greeting, and ask him 510 if haply he has heard of Odysseus of the steadfast heart, or has seen him with his eyes. He seems like one that has wandered far.” To her, then, swineherd Eumaeus, didst thou make answer, and say: “I would, O queen, that the Achaeans would keep silence, for he speaks such words as would charm thy very soul. 515 Three nights I had him by me, and three days I kept him in my hut, for to me first he came when he fled by stealth from a ship, but he had not yet ended the tale of his sufferings. Even as when a man gazes upon a minstrel who sings to mortals songs of longing that the gods have taught him, 520 and their desire to hear him has no end, whensoever he sings, even so he charmed me as he sat in my hall. He says that he is an ancestral friend of Odysseus, and that he dwells in Crete , where is the race of Minos. From thence has he now come on this journey hither, ever suffering woes 525 as he wanders on and on. And he insists that he has heard tidings of Odysseus, near at hand in the rich land of the Thesprotians and yet alive; and he is bringing many treasures to his home.” Then wise Penelope answered him: “Go, call him hither, that he may himself tell me to my face. 530 But as for these men, let them make sport as they sit in the doorway or here in the house, since their hearts are merry. For their own possessions lie untouched in their homes, bread and sweet wine, and on these do their servants feed. But themselves throng our house day after day, 535 slaying our oxen, and sheep, and fat goats, and keep revel and drink the flaming wine recklessly, and havoc is made of all this wealth, for there is no man here such as Odysseus was to keep ruin from the house. But if Odysseus should come and return to his native land, 540 straightway would he with his son take vengeance on these men for their violent deeds.” So she spoke, and Telemachus sneezed loudly, and all the room round about echoed wondrously. And Penelope laughed, and straightway spoke to Eumaeus winged words: “Go, pray, call the stranger here before me. 545 Dost thou not note that my son has sneezed at all my words. Therefore shall utter death fall upon the wooers one and all, nor shall one of them escape death and the fates. And another thing will I tell thee, and do thou lay it to heart. If I find that he speaks all things truly, 550 I will clothe him in a cloak and tunic, fair raiment.” So she spoke, and the swineherd went when he had heard this saying; and coming up to Odysseus he spoke to him winged words: “Sir stranger, wise Penelope calls for thee, the mother of Telemachus, and her heart 555 bids her make enquiry about her husband, though she has suffered many woes. And if she finds that thou speakest all things truly, she will clothe thee in a cloak and tunic, which thou needest most of all. As for thy food, thou shalt beg it through the land, and feed thy belly, and whoso will shall give it thee.”

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.) — 17.512 focus

512 To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaios, "If these Achaeans, my lady, would only keep quiet, you would be charmed with the history of his adventures. I had him three days and three nights with me in my hut, which was the first place he reached after running away from his ship, and he has not yet completed the story of his misfortunes. If he had been the most heaven-taught minstrel in the whole world, on whose lips all hearers hang entranced, I could not have been more charmed as I sat in my hut and listened to him. He says there is an old friendship between his house and that of Odysseus, and that he comes from Crete where the descendants of Minos live, after having been driven here and there by every kind of misfortune; he also declares that he has heard of Odysseus as being alive and near at hand among the Thesprotians [ dêmos], and that he is bringing great wealth home with him."

528 "Call him here, then," said Penelope, "that I too may hear his story. As for the suitors, let them take their pleasure indoors or out as they will, for they have nothing to fret about. Their grain and wine remain unwasted in their houses with none but servants to consume them, while they keep hanging about our house day after day sacrificing our oxen, sheep, and fat goats for their banquets, and never giving so much as a thought to the quantity of wine they drink. No estate can stand such recklessness, for we have now no Odysseus to protect us. If he were to come again, he and his son would soon have their violent revenge [ biê]."

541 As she spoke Telemakhos sneezed so loudly that the whole house resounded with it. Penelope laughed when she heard this, and said to Eumaios, "Go and call the stranger; did you not hear how my son sneezed just as I was speaking? This can only mean that all the suitors are going to be killed, and that not one of them shall escape. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart: if I am satisfied that the stranger is speaking the truth I shall give him a shirt and cloak of good wear."

551 When Eumaios heard this he went straight to Odysseus and said, "Father stranger, my mistress Penelope, mother of Telemakhos, has sent for you; she is in great grief, but she wishes to hear anything you can tell her about her husband, and if she is satisfied that you are speaking the truth, she will give you a shirt and cloak, which are the very things that you are most in want of. As for bread, you can get enough of that to fill your belly, by begging about the dêmos, and letting those give that will."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 17.505 focus

Thus did she talk with her maids as she sat in her own room, and in the meantime great Odysseus was getting his dinner. Then she called for the swineherd and said, “Noble Eumaios, go and tell the stranger to come here, I want to see him [510] and ask him some questions. He seems to have traveled much, and he may have seen or heard something of my unhappy husband.”

To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaios, “If these Achaeans, Madam, would only keep quiet, 514 the kind of things he tells about—it would put your heart in a trance. [515] I had him three days and three nights with me in my hut, which was the first place he reached after running away from his ship, and he has not yet completed the story of his misfortunes. 518 As when a man is looking at a singer [ aoiodos] who has learned his words from the gods 519 and the words give pleasure to mortals, [520] who yearn to hear him without pause when he sings— 521 so also that one was putting a trance on me as he sat in my house. He says there is an old friendship between his house and that of Odysseus, and that he comes from Crete where the descendants of Minos live, after having been driven here and there by every kind of misfortune; [525] he also declares that he has heard of Odysseus as being alive and near at hand in the district [ dēmos] of the Thesprotians, and that he is bringing great wealth home with him.”

“Call him here, then,” said Penelope, “that I too may hear his story. [530] As for the suitors, let them take their pleasure indoors or out as they will, for they have nothing to fret about. Their wheat and wine remain unwasted in their houses with none but servants to consume them, while they keep hanging about our house day after day [535] sacrificing our oxen, sheep, and fat goats for their banquets, and never giving so much as a thought to the quantity of wine they drink. No estate can stand such recklessness, for we have now no Odysseus to protect us. If he were to come again, [540] he and his son would soon have a revenge full of violence [ biē].”

As she spoke Telemachus sneezed so loudly that the whole house resounded with it. Penelope laughed when she heard this, and said to Eumaios, “Go and call the stranger; [545] did you not hear how my son sneezed just as I was speaking? This can only mean that all the suitors are going to be killed, and that not one of them shall escape. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart: if I am satisfied that the stranger is speaking the truth [550] I shall give him a khiton and cloak of good wear.”

When Eumaios heard this he went straight to Odysseus and said, “Father stranger, my mistress circumspect Penelope, mother of Telemachus, has sent for you; she is in great grief, but she wishes to hear anything [555] you can tell her about her husband, and if she is satisfied that you are speaking the truth, she will give you a khiton and cloak, which are the very things that you are most in want of. As for bread, you can get enough of that to fill your belly, by begging about the dēmos, and letting those give that will.”

[560]

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 17.505 focus

Amidst her maids thus spoke the prudent queen,

Then bade Eumaeus call the pilgrim in.

Penelope

'Much of th' experienced man I long to hear,

'If or his certain eye, or listening ear,

'Have learn'd the fortunes of my wandering lord?'
600

Thus she, and good Eumaeus took the word:

Eumaeus

'A private audience if thy grace impart,

'The stranger's words may ease the royal heart.

'His sacred eloquence in balm distils,

'And the sooth'd heart with secret pleasure fills.
605

'Three days have spent their beams, three nights have run

'Their silent journey since his tale begun,

'Unfinish'd yet; and yet I thirst to hear!

'As when some heaven-taught poet charms the ear,

'(Suspending sorrow with celestial strain
610

'Breath'd from the gods to soften human pain,)

'Time steals away with unregarded wing,

'And the soul hears him, though he cease to sing.

'Ulysses late he saw, on Cretan ground,

'(His father's guest,) for Minos' birth renown'd.
615

'He now but waits the wind, to waft him o'er,

'With boundless treasure, from Thesprotia's shore.'

Penelope

To this the queen; 'The wanderer let me hear,

'While yon luxurious race indulge their cheer,

'Devour the grazing ox, and browsing goat,
620

'And turn my generous vintage down their throat.

'For where's an arm, like thine, Ulysses! strong,

'To curb wild riot, and to punish wrong?'

She spoke. Telemachus then sneezed aloud;¹

Constrain'd, his nostril echoed through the crowd.

625

The smiling queen the happy omen bless'd:

Penelope

'So may these impious fall, by Fate oppress'd!'

'Then to Eumaeus: 'Bring the stranger, fly!

'And if my questions meet a true reply,

'Graced with a decent robe he shall retire,
630

'A gift in season which his wants require.'

Thus spoke Penelope. Eumaeus flies

In duteous haste, and to Ulysses cries:

Eumaeus

'The queen invites thee, venerable guest!

'A secret instinct moves her troubled breast,
635

'Of her long absent lord from thee to gain

'Some light, and soothe her soul's eternal pain.

'If true, if faithful thou, her grateful mind

'Of decent robes a present has design'd:

'So finding favour in the royal eye,
640

'Thy other wants her subjects shall supply.'

Ulysses

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 17.505 focus

While she thus and her women talking were,

465

Ulysses supping sat upon the sill.

I fain, said she, would have the beggar here.

Fetch him, Eumaeus, talk with him I will;

I'll ask him if Ulysses he has seen,

For many men and cities knoweth he.

470

Eumaeus then made answer to the queen ;

If once the suitors would but silent be,

You would be pleas'd his history to hear.

Three days and nights he staid with me an end;

And of his suff'rings much he told me there,

475

When new arriv'd; but came not to the end.

As when a man that knows the art of song,

Sings lovely words, with sweet and well-tun'd voice,

The man that hears him thinks not the time long;

So I, in his strange story did rejoice.

480

He said Ulysses was his father's guest,

In th' isle of Crete, where reigneth Minos' race.

Himself, he said, with many woes oppressed,

The fates, at last, him tumbled to this place.

And that he heard Ulysses is hard by,

485

And that into Thesprotia he's come,

Alive and well; enriched mightily

With treasure which he now is bringing home.

Then said Penelope: Go, call me hither

The beggar. I myself will ask him all:

490

And meanwhile let the suitors chat together

Where they think best, without or in the hall;

For merry they must be, since they feed here,

And their own corn and wine and cattle save,

And with our cattle make themselves good cheer,

495

And on our corn and wine no mercy have;

For such as was Ulysses here is none,

That should defend us from their injuries;

But were he hither come, he, and his son,

Would bring destruction on these enemies.

500

This said, it chanced Telemachus to sneeze.

She laugh'd, and for the beggar calls agen.

You see, Eumaeus, Jove with me agrees,

And certainly slain shall be all these men.

Go call the beggar, and say this from me,

505

If I find true what he shall to me say,

He shall with coat and vest rewarded be.

Eumseus to the beggar went his way;

And when he near him was, Father, said he,

Penelope desires to speak with you;

510

About Ulysses she inform'd would be,

And said, if she find all you say be true,

She clothe you will with a fair coat and vest,

Which you stand most in need of. But for food,

By begging in the town you'll get it best,

515

Where they relieve you will that shall think good.

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 17.505 focus

The Queen now, hearing of her poor guest's stroke,

Said to her maid (as to her Wooer she spoke),

"I wish the famous-for-his-bow, the Sun,

Would strike thy heart so." Her wish, thus begun,

660

Her lady, fair Eurynome, pursued

Her execration, and did thus conclude:

"So may our vows call down from heaven his end,

And let no one life of the rest extend

His life till morning." "O Eurynome,"

665

Replied the Queen, "may all Gods speak in thee,

For all the Wooers we should rate as foes,

Since all their weals they place in others' woes!

But this Antinous we past all should hate,

As one resembling black and cruel Fate.

670

A poor strange wretch begg'g here, compell'd by need,

Ask'd all, and every one gave in his deed,

Fill'd his sad scrip, and eased his heavy wants,

Only this man bestow'd unmanly taunts,

And with a cruel blow, his force let fly,

675

'Twixt neck and shoulders show'd his charity."

These minds, above, she and her maids did show,

While, at his scrip, Ulysses sat below.

In which time she Eumæus call'd, and said:

"Go, good Eumæus, and see soon convey'd

680

The stranger to me; bid him come and take

My salutations for his welcome's sake,

And my desire serve, if he hath not heard

Or seen distress'd Ulysses, who hath err'd

Like such a man, and therefore chance may fall

685

He hath by him been met and spoke withal?"

"O Queen," said he, "I wish to heaven your ear

Were quit of this unreverend noise you hear

From these rude Wooers, when I bring the guest;

Such words your ear would let into your breast

690

As would delight it to your very heart.

Three nights and days I did my roof impart

To his fruition (for he came to me

The first of all men since he fled the sea)

And yet he had not given a perfect end

695

To his relation of what woes did spend

The spite of Fate on him, but as you see

A singer, breathing out of Deity

Love-kindling lines, when all men seated near

Are rapt with endless thirst to ever hear;

700

So sweeten'd he my bosom at my meat,

Affirming that Ulysses was in Crete,

Where first the memories of Minos were,

A guest to him there dwelling then, as dear

As his true father; and from thence came he

705

Tired on with sorrows, toss'd from sea to sea,

To cast himself in dust, and tumble here,

At Wooers' feet, for blows and broken cheer.

But of Ulysses, where the Thesprots dwell,

A wealthy people, Fame, he says, did tell

710

The still survival; who his native light

Was bound for now, with treasure infinite."

"Call him," said she, "that he himself may say

This over to me. We shall soon have way

Given by the Wooers; they, as well at gate,

715

As set within doors, use to recreate

Their high-fed spirits. As their humours lead

They follow; and may well; for still they tread

Uncharg'd ways here, their own wealth lying unwasted

In poor-kept houses, only something tasted

720

Their bread and wine is by their household swains,

But they themselves let loose continual reins

To our expenses, making slaughter still

Of sheep, goats, oxen, feeding past their fill,

And vainly lavishing our richest wine;

725

All these extending past the sacred line,

For here lives no man like Ulysses now

To curb these ruins. But should he once show

His country light his presence, he and his

Would soon revenge these Wooers' injuries."

730

This said, about the house, in echoes round,

Her son's strange neesings made a horrid sound;

At which the Queen yet laugh'd, and said: "Go call

The stranger to me. Heard'st thou not, to all

My words last utter'd, what a neesing brake

735

From my Telemachus? From whence I make

This sure conclusion: That the death and fate

Of every Wooer here is near his date.

Call, then, the guest, and if he tell as true

What I shall ask him, coat, cloak, all things new,

740

These hands shall yield him." This said, down he went,

And told Ulysses, "that the Queen had sent

To call him to her, that she might enquire

About her husband what her sad desire

Urged her to ask; and, if she found him true,

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Both coat, and cassock (which he needed) new

Her hands would put on him; and that the bread,

Which now he begg'd amongst the common tread,

Should freely feed his hunger now from her,

Who all he wish'd would to his wants prefer."

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English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 17.505 focus

While thus the Queen conversing with her train

In her own chamber sat, Ulysses made

Plenteous repast. Then calling to her side

Eumæus, thus she signified her will.

Eumæus, noble friend! bid now approach

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Yon stranger. I would speak with him, and ask

If he have seen Ulysses, or have heard

Tidings, perchance, of the afflicted Chief,

For much a wanderer by his garb he seems.

To whom, Eumæus, thou didst thus reply.

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Were those Achaians silent, thou should'st hear,

O Queen! a tale that would console thy heart.

Three nights I housed him, and within my cot

Three days detain'd him, (for his ship he left

A fugitive, and came direct to me,)

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But half untold his history still remains.

As when his eye one fixes on a bard

From heaven instructed in such themes as charm

The ear of mortals, ever as he sings

The people press insatiable to hear,

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So, in my cottage, seated at my side,

That stranger with his tale enchanted me.

Laertes, he affirms, hath been his guest

Erewhile in Crete, where Minos' race resides.

And thence he hath arrived, after great loss,

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A suppliant to the very earth abased;

He adds, that in Thesprotia's neighbour realm

He of Ulysses heard, both that he lives,

And that he comes laden with riches home.

To whom Penelope, discrete, replied.

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Haste; call him. I would hear myself his tale.

Meantime, let these, or in the palace gate

Sport jocular, or here; their hearts are light,

For their possessions are secure; their wine

None drinks, or eats their viands, save their own;

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While my abode, day after day, themselves

Haunting, my beeves and sheep, and fatted goats

Slay for the banquet, and my casks exhaust

Extravagant, whence endless waste ensues;

For no such friend as was Ulysses once

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Have I to expel the mischief. But might he

Revisit once his native shores again,

Then, aided by his son, he should avenge,

Incontinent, the wrongs which now I mourn.

Then sneezed Telemachus with sudden force,

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That all the palace rang; his mother laugh'd,

And in wing'd accents thus the swain bespake.

Haste-bid him hither-heard'st thou not the sneeze

Propitious of my son? oh might it prove

A presage of inevitable death

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To all these revellers! may none escape !

Now mark me well. Should the event his tale

Confirm, at my own hands he shall receive

Mantle and tunic both for his reward.

She spake; he went, and where Ulysses sat

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Arriving, in wing'd accents thus began.

Penelope, my venerable friend!

Calls thee, the mother of Telemachus.

Oppress'd by numerous troubles, she desires

To ask thee tidings of her absent Lord.

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And should the event verify thy report,

Thy meed shall be (a boon which much thou need'st)

Tunic and mantle; but she gives no more;

Thy sustenance thou must, as now, obtain,

Begging it at their hands who chuse to give.

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English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 17 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK XVII

NOW when the morning was newly arisen, the roseate-fingered,

Telemachus, loved son of the godlike hero Odysseus,

Straightway under his feet bound firmly his beautiful sandals,

Took then his stalwart spear, well fitting the grasp of his fingers,

Meaning to start forthwith for the town; & he spake to his swineherd :

"Well now, dad, I shall go to the city in order to show me

Unto my mother, for never—of this I am sure—she will never

Cease from her wretched bewailing and shedding of tears and lamenting

Ere she beholdeth my face. Now list to the orders I give thee:

This poor stranger I wish thee to guide to the city and bid him

There go beg for his food, and let every one who is willing

Reach him a crust and a cup; but for me it is possible nowise

All such beggars to house, for my spirit is burdened with sorrows.

Should he be sorely offended thereat, he will only be making

All of it worse for himself. I prefer to be open and truthful."

Him then in answer addressed these words deep-plotting Odysseus :

"Neither myself, O friend, am I wishful at all to be kept here,

Since for a beggar it's better by far in the town than the country

Begging his bread. I shall get it from every one that is willing.

Nor am I longer, I trow, of an age to abide on a farmstead

Where I shall need to obey the commands of a master in all things.

Nay now, go on thy way. This man, as thou biddest, shall guide me,

After I've thaw'd me a bit by the fire and the sunlight is warmer.

Wearing a raiment so terribly tattered I fear to encounter

Hoar-frost early a-morn; and ye said that the city is distant."

Thus did he speak, and the youth went forth of the hut and the farmyard

Striding apace; and he sowed as he went ill doom for the suitors;

Till, when at last he arrived at the pleasant abode of his fathers,

Taking the spear that he bore on a high roof-pillar he leaned it;

Over the threshold of stone then stepping he entered the mansion.

Here was the first to behold him the old nurse Eurycleia,

While she was reserving the seats and their delicate carvings with fleeces.

Sobbing she hurried to meet him, and round him assembled the others,

All of the women attendants of long-enduring Odysseus,

Lovingly offering welcome and kissing his head and his shoulders.

Then came forth of her chamber the wise-souled Penelopeia,

Like to the daughter of Leto or Queen Aphrodite the golden,

Fell on the neck of her child, her belov'd, and embraced him, and sobbing

Kissed him on both of his cheeks, on his beautiful eyes and his forehead;

Then with a pitiful cry these swift-winged words she addressed him :

"Telemachus, sweet light of my eyes, thou art come! and I thought not

E'er to behold thee again when I knew thee departed for Pylos

Secretly—ay and despite of my wishes—to seek for thy father.

Ah but inform me at once: was a sign to be seen of his presence?"

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Mother, arouse no wailing, I pray thee, nor stir in my bosom

Sorrow of heart! I am barely escaped from utter destruction.

Nay now, bathe thee in water and cast fresh raiment around thee,

Then to thy upper apartment ascend with the women thy handmaids;

There make vows to perform to the gods sufficing oblation,

Praying that Zeus may haply accomplish the work of requital.

Now I shall go to the square and invite me a guest to the palace,

Even a stranger who joined us when hither returning from Pylos.

Him did I forward send with the rest of my goodly companions,

Telling my mate Peiraeus to take him as guest to his homestead,

Yea and to treat him with care and with honour until my arrival."

Thus did he speak, and the word that he uttered abode with her wingless.

Forthwith bathing in water she cast fresh raiment around her,

Then made vows to perform to the gods sufficing oblation,

Praying that Zeus might haply accomplish the work of requital.

Telemachus straightway fared forth from the hall of the palace,

Bearing a spear in his hand, and by dogs fleet-footed was followed.

O'er him a wondrous beauty was shed by the goddess Athene,

So that the folk all gazed in astonishment while he approached them.

Round him at once there gathered a throng of the arrogant suitors

Speaking him fair, while deep in their bosoms they brooded on evil.

These however he shunned and the press of the people avoiding

Came where Mentor was sitting with Antiphos and Halitherses,

Friends still faithful as ever of yore to the house of his father.

Here then he sat him adown; and they asked him of all that had happened.

Now Peiraeus approached, bold spearman, escorting the stranger

Thorough the town to the place of the council; nor longer a moment

Telemachus held back from the stranger, but hastened to meet him.

First however began Peiraeus to speak and addressed him :

"Telemachus, send some of thy maidens at once to my homestead,

So that they bring to thee all of the gifts of the prince Menelaus."

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Nay, Peiraeus, we know not as yet how all shall be ended.

Should these arrogant suitors infesting the halls of my mansion

Slay me by stealth, and divide my paternal possessions among them,

Rather for thee to enjoy than for any of them be the presents!

Should however I sow for the fellows death and destruction,

Then shall I gladly permit thee to bring these gifts to my homestead."

These words uttered, he guided his waywarn guest to the palace,

Till, when at last they arrived at the pleasant abode of his fathers,

Laying aside their mantles of wool on the chairs and the couches,

Into the bath with its tub well-polished they entered and washed them.

Then, when the women had bathed them and rubbed them with oil of the olive,

Throwing around them again soft woollen mantles and tunics,

Out of the tub of the bath they returned and on couches reclined them.

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 them wash; and she stationed a polished table beside them.

Then did the grave house-dame bring bread, and she laid it before them,

Lavishly adding thereto from her stores full many a dainty.

Fronting the prince was his mother, anigh to the post of the doorway,

Lying reclined on her couch, and a delicate thread she was spinning.

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,

Thus she began to address him, the wise-souled Penelopeia :

100

"Telemachus, I shall now to my upper apartment ascending

Lay me again on the bed that is ever the place of my groanings,

Watered so oft by my tears from the day that Odysseus thy father

Sailed with the lordly Atridae for Ilion. Yea, for thou car'st not,

Ere that the arrogant suitors return to the hall of the palace,

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Plainly to tell me if aught thou hast heard of thy father's returning."

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Well now, mother, the whole of the truth I will fully relate thee.

Firstly to Pylos we came, where Nestor, the prince of the people,

Bidding me welcome as guest in his high-roofed palace received me,

110

Lovingly treated me too, as a father his son that has wandered

Long in a country of strangers and newly is come to his homeland.

Lovingly thus by the king and his valiant sons I was treated.

Still, of my sire, stout-hearted Odysseus, as yet, he asserted,

Whether as dead or alive, no mortal had given him tidings.

115

Natheless unto the spearman renowned, Menelaus Atrides,

Onward he sent me, and steeds and a strong-built car he provided.

Here too Helen of Argos I saw, whose beauty so many

Sufferings brought, by the will of the gods, on the Trojans and Argives.

Forthwith questioned me then Menelaus good at the war-cry

120

What was the wish that had led me to visit divine Lacedaemon;

Straight I replied and the whole of the truth to the prince I related.

Then once more did he speak and thus he addressed me in answer:

'Nay, by the gods! in the bed of a man right valiant-hearted

These have chosen a couch for themselves—poor cowardly creatures!

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E'en as it haps when a hind in the lair of a powerful lion

Maketh a bed for her fawns, new-litter'd and delicate sucklings,

Fares then forth to the slopes and the grassy ravines of the mountains

Seeking for pasture—and lo, to his covert returning the lion

Suddenly maketh of both of the yeanlings a terrible ending;

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Thus shall a terrible ending be made of the men by Odysseus.

Would that, by Father Zeus and Athena and Phoebus Apollo,

Such as he proved when of yore in the flourishing island of Lesbos

Fearless he met with the huge Philomeleides in a contest,

Wrestled and heavily threw him, and all the Achaeans exulted;

135

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

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

Now for the matter whereof thou dost ask and entreat me, I promise

Nought will I wrest from the truth, nor evasively speak and deceive thee;

All that the ancient god of the sea—that prophet unerring—

140

Told me, of this will I nought keep back nor attempt to conceal it.

Once on an island, he said, he had seen him and suffering sorely,

Held in the halls of Calypso the nymph; and she still with compulsion

Keepeth him there all hopeless of reaching the land of his fathers,

Since no ship he possesses with oars well fitted or comrades

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Such as to help him to traverse the wide expanses of ocean.'

Such words uttered the spearman renown'd Menelaus Atrides.

This then finished I started again, and a favouring stern-breeze

Sent by the gods soon wafted me back to the land of my fathers."

Thus did he end, and his words moved deeply the heart in her bosom.

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Then did the seer divine Theoclýmenus speak and address her :

"Lady and honoured wife of Odysseus the son of Laertes,

He knows nothing for certain; but list to the word I shall utter :

Lo as a prophet I tell thee the truth nor will try to conceal it :

First then witness it Zeus, and the table at which I am welcomed,

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Yea and the hearth to the which I am come of the noble Odysseus,

Verily now already Odysseus is here in his homeland

Resting or stealing around; and of all these crimes he is learning;

Yea he is here, and is sowing disaster for all of the suitors, —

Such was the omen that lately anigh to the well-decked vessel,

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Where I was sitting, I saw; and to Telemachus I proclaimed it."

Him then in turn gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia :

“Ah and I would, O stranger, thy word might find a fulfilment !

Quickly enough thou'dst know of my friendship, and many a present

Out of my hands, and be envied of every mortal that met thee."

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Thus these three as they sat held converse one with another.

Meantime sported the suitors in front of the hall of Odysseus

Taking delight in the hurling of spears and in casting the discus,

Using the levelled ground that was often the scene of their uproars,

Till, when the season of supper was there and from every quarter

170

Came from the pastures the sheep, with the men who conducted them alway,

Then spake Medon the herald (the one that of all of the henchmen

Pleased them the best and was aye in attendance whenever they feasted):

"Now, young masters, with sports all hearts are fully contented;

Get you again to the house, and a banquet we there will prepare us.

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Much do I know that is worse than enjoying a supper in season."

Thus as he spake they arose and departed, obeying his summons.

Then, when they all had arrived at the fair-built house of Odysseus,

Laying aside their mantles of wool on the chairs and the couches,

Straight of the sheep and the goats they began choice fatlings to slaughter,

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Slaughtered as well fat hogs, and they took of the cattle a heifer,

Making them ready a feast.

But to start for the town from the farmstead

Now did Odysseus and also the good old swineherd bestir them.

Then of the twain first spake Eumaeus master of swineherds:

"Since thou art eagerly wishing, my friend, to be gone to the city

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Even to-day, as the master commanded—although for my own part

Here far liefer I'd leave thee behind as a guard of the steading—

Natheless, since I revere him and dread lest haply hereafter

Words of rebuke he shall utter (it pains when a master reproves one),"

So come now let us start, for the day, as thou seest, is already

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Fully advanced; it will soon strike colder as even approacheth."

Him then in answer addressed these words deep-plotting Odysseus:

"Ay but I know it, I know it, and well understand what thou wishest.

Well—let us go! Thou shalt guide me the whole of the way to the city.

Give me a stick, I beseech thee, if one cut ready thou ownest,

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Such as to steady my steps; for ye called it a treacherous footpath."

These words spoken he slung on his shoulders the beggarly wallet,

Terribly tattered and torn, with a twisted cord to suspend it,

While Eumaeus provided a staff—e'en such as he wished for.

Thus these twain fared forth; but the dogs and the drivers remained there

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Guarding the farm, while down to the city he guided his master

Under the form of a beggar, a man right wretched and agéd,

Staying his steps with a staff and invested in sorry apparel.

So when at last by a path full narrow and stony descending

Nigh to the gate of the city they came, they arrived at a fountain

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Bountiful, basin'd in stone, whence water is drawn by the townsman

(Ithacus built it, and Neritus later and also Polyctor).

Round it a thicket of alders, that love to be nourished by moisture,

Wholly encircled the spring; and the clear cold water was falling

Down from the height of a rock, and above was erected an altar

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Unto the nymphs, at the which all travellers made an oblation.

Here did it hap that the goatherd Melanthius lighted upon them,

Driving his goats—prime beasts for the food of the suitors selected,

Chosen from all of the flocks. And he brought two drivers to help him.

Now as he saw those twain he reviled them, and loudly addressed them

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Words indecent and shocking that angered the heart of Odysseus:

"Lo and behold! E'en so! One scoundrel is leading another!

How it is true that a like and like heav'n bringeth together!

Where art thou taking this gluttonous hog, thou detestable swineherd—

Taking this pestilent knave of a beggar, this spoiler of banquets,

220

One that for aye will be loafing and rubbing his shoulders on door-posts,

Begging for morsels of meat ?—not, I trow, for a sword or a kettle!

Shouldst thou allow me the lout to be left as a guard in my steading,

Sweep me the stalls and supply to the kids fresh branches for fodder,

Soon with the swilling of whey he'd grow him a thigh—and a fat one!

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Since however a right bad trade he hath learned, he will never

PATTEN WILSON.
THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS

Willingly set him to work, for the tramping and begging is doubtless

More to his mind, and to batten on doles his insatiate belly.

Hark! I will tell thee a thing that will certainly find a fulfilment :

Should he attempt to approach to the palace of godlike Odysseus,

230

Soon at his head will be hurled by the men full many a footstool,

Barking his ribs, as around all over the palace they pelt him."

These words said, in his fury he kicked as he passed at Odysseus,

Striking his hip—but to thrust him aside from the path it availed not.

Steadily still he remained on the road, and he pondered in spirit

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Whether to rush at the fellow and flog him to death with his cudgel,

Or by the ankles to lift him and shatter his skull on the roadway.

Still he endured it, restraining his wrath; and the swineherd in anger

Glared at the man and uplifting his hands made loud invocation:

"Daughters of Zeus, O Nymphs of the fountain, if ever Odysseus

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Offered you roasted oblation of thighs enwrapt in the caul-fat

Either of rams or of kids, vouchsafe me this longing's fulfilment :

O for the master himself to return! Some deity bring him!

Then shall he scatter to nothing the whole of thy vaunting and glory

Which thou in arrogance bruitest abroad, down here in the city

245

Loafing, and letting thy flocks by the knavish herdsmen be ruined."

Him then in turn gave answer Melanthius master of goatherds:

"Nay by the gods, just list to the bark of the venomous mongrel!

Soon I shall get him aboard of a black-deck'd vessel and take him

Far from the Ithacan isle, and a fortune fine he shall win me.

250

Ay and for Telemachus with his silvern bow may Apollo

Smite him to-day! Or I would that he died by the hands of the suitors,

Seeing the day of return for Odysseus is vanished for ever."

These words uttered he left them, and leisurely footing they followed

While that he hastened before and arrived full soon at the palace,

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Straightway entered, and sat him adown in the midst of the suitors

Opposite Eurymachus, who of all to his soul was the dearest.

Quickly a portion of meat was conveyed to his side by the servants,

While that the grave house-dame brought bread, and she set it before him

Bidding him eat.

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Meantime was Odysseus arrived with the swineherd.

260

Nigh to the palace they halted, and music was wafted around them,

Tones of a hollow lute; for beginning to sing was the minstrel

Phemius. Grasping his hand then spake to the swineherd Odysseus:

"Sure, it is here, Eumaeus—the beautiful home of Odysseus!

Yea and in sooth it is easily known midst many a mansion.

265

Buildings on buildings! and see how skilfully planned is the courtyard !

Look at the wall and the coping of battlements! Look at the portal,

Double and massively barr'd! 'Twould fear no arms of assailants!

Also I ween that within is a company holding a revel,

Many a man for a savour is floating around us, and music,

270

Tones of a lute, which heaven hath wedded as consort to banquets."

Him then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:

"Easily guessed!—and in sooth ere now not a fool thou appearedst.

Well now, come, let us think how next we shall act in the matter.

Either do thou first enter the pleasant abodes of the palace

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Unto the throng of the suitors, and I outside will await thee,

Else, if it pleaseth thee more, stay here, and as first I will enter.

Long however remain not, for fear lest any beholding

Pelt thee and drive thee away. Now think what is best, I beseech thee."

Forthwith answering spake long-suffering godlike Odysseus :

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"Ay but I know it, I know it, and well understand what thou wishest.

Well then, thou be the foremost to enter; I here will await thee.

Verily neither of missiles nor blows am I lacking in knowledge!

Hardened in sooth is my heart—so many a hardship I suffered

Tossed on the sea and the billows of war. Now this shall be added!

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Also an ill one never can hide is a ravening belly,

Thing accursed that brings on a man right many misfortunes;

Yea, it is nought but the belly that full-benched vessels equippeth,

Vessels that over the waste of the sea bear doom to the foeman."

While these twain stood thus conversing the one with the other

290

Nigh them a dog uplifted his head and his ears as he lay there,

E'en old Argus, the dog whom long-enduring Odysseus

Bred for himself—but in vain. To the sacred town of the Trojans

Ere he had trained him he went ; and at first young fellows had led him

After the goats of the mountain to hunt, and the hares, and the roe-deer;

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Then neglected he lay, in the years when his master was absent,

Making his bed of the muck that was piled in the front of the portal,

Even the dung of the mules and the oxen, before it was carried

Out to the fields of the farm by the thralls of Odysseus to dung them.

There he was lying—the poor old Argus, infested with vermin.

300

Yet e'en now, as he looked and was ware that his master was present,

Both of his ears down-dropping and wagging his tail he attempted

Nearer to come to Odysseus his lord, but was wholly unable

Thither to creep; and Odysseus averted his eyes as he saw it,

Drying a tear, that he easily hid from the swineherd, and asked him:

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"Sure, Eumaeus, 'tis strange that the dog should lie on a dunghill.

Goodly in form he appears; but indeed one knows not for certain

Whether he also had fleetness of foot with a beautiful body,

Or if he only was like to a hound that is fed from the table,

Such as so often is kept by the rich on account of his beauty."

310

Him then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd :

"Nay, 'tis the dog of a man that is perished afar from his homeland.

Were he again to be gifted with bodily power and prowess,

Were he the dog that was left by Odysseus when sailing for Troyland,

Soon at the sight of his strength thou'dst marvel and also his swiftness.

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E'en in the uttermost depths of the forest was known to escape him

Never a brute that he chased—for at following trail he was peerless.

Now he is fallen on days right evil: his master is perished

Far from his home, and the maids are too neglectful to tend him.

Such is a thrall when his lord no longer commands in the household !

320

Ne'er is he willing to work at his duty as honesty bids him.

Half of his worth doth the Father of heaven who speaketh in thunder

Take from a man when the day of captivity cometh upon him."

These words spoken, he entered the pleasant abodes of the palace.

Straight to the hall he betook him and came to the arrogant suitors,

325

While that the doom and the darkness of death descended on Argus,

Just as again, in the twentieth year, he had welcomed his master.

Now as the swineherd was making his way in the midst of the mansion

Godlike Telemachus was the first to perceive him, and forthwith

Beckoned to bid him approach; and he looked for a settle and found one

330

Standing unused, where wont to be seated at feasts was the carver

While he was portioning messes abundant of meat for the suitors.

This he uplifted and bore to the side of the table and placed it

Opposite Telemachus; and he sat him adown; and a henchman

Served him a portion of meat, and of bread that he took from a basket.

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After him soon now followed Odysseus and entered the palace

Under the form of a beggar, a man right wretched and agéd,

Staying his steps with a staff and invested in sorry apparel.

Down on the threshold of ash inside of the portal he sat him,

Leaning himself on the pillar of cypress, that erst by the joiner

340

Smoothly was planed and was cut to the line with the skill of a master.

Telemachus now called to the swineherd to come, and addressed him,

Taking the whole of a loaf from the midst of a beautiful basket,

Also as much of the meat as to grasp in his hands he was able :

"Carry and give this food to the stranger, and also advise him

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Making the round of the table entreat each one of the suitors,

Seeing it profiteth nought for a mortal in want to be shamefaced."

Thus did he speak, and the swineherd obeying, as soon as he heard it,

Came close up to the man and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Telemachus sends this to thee, stranger, and bids me advise thee

350

Making the round of the table entreat each one of the suitors,

Seeing it profiteth nought for a beggar (he saith) to be shamefaced."

Forthwith answering spake these words deep-plotting Odysseus :

"King of the gods, great Zeus, grant Telemachus to be happy

Here amid men, and to gain all blessings his soul desireth."

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Thus did he speak, and in both of his hands he received it, and laid it

Down at his feet, outspreading beneath it his beggarly wallet.

Now as he ate, once more to the feasters the singer was singing,

Till, when at last he had dined and the godlike singer had ended,

Clamour was raised in the hall by the suitors.

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But Pallas Athene,

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Taking her stand by the side of Odysseus the son of Laertes,

Urgently moved him to go and to gather him crusts from the suitors,

So as to learn which men were just, which lawless among them

(Yet e'en so she was minded to save not one from destruction).

So from the right he began and in turn each man he entreated,

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Holding his hand for a dole, like one long practised in begging.

Now while moved by compassion they gave, and beheld him with wonder,

Each one questioning, "Who is the fellow, and where did he come from?"

Thus in the midst addressed them Melanthius master of goatherds:

"List to my words, O suitors of far-famed Penelopeia,

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Touching this stranger! — Methinks ere now I've certainly seen him.

Ay, it is even the beggar the swineherd hither was guiding!

Whence he is come, and the folk that he boasts to belong to, I know not."

Forthwith Antinous outspake upbraiding the swineherd :

"Ah, thou notorious swineherd! and wherefore here to the city

375

Bringst thou the man? Dost fancy us lacking in vagrants already,

Lacking in plenty of pestilent beggars and spoilers of banquets?

Deemst thou it nought that the wealth of thy lord is consumed by a rabble

Gathering here in his halls, that thou callst this fellow to join them?"

Him straightway then in answer addressed Eumaeus the swineherd :

380

"Antinous, thou art brave, but thy words are truly ignoble.

Where is the man goes searching around for a guest and invites him,

Other than one of the craftsmen that work for the weal of the people,

Either a prophet, a healer of ills, or a master of woodcraft,

Ay or a singer divine, to delight with his singing the feasters?

385

Over the whole wide world such guests are bidden to banquets,

While—what mortal inviteth a beggar to come and annoy him?

Ah but thou ever wast hard—and of all of the suitors the hardest—

Unto the thralls of Odysseus, and specially me ! But I care not

Care not a whit so long as the wise-souled Penelopeia

390

Lives in the halls of her palace, and Telemachus the heroic."

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Silence, I beg! It is useless to waste more words in replying.

Antinous is accustomed for ever to chide and to quarrel,

Using the bitterest taunts, wherewith he inciteth the others."

395

Turning to Antinous then swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Antinous, it is finely thou car'st for me like to a father,

Bidding me chase this stranger away from the hall of my homestead,

Ay and to force him with threats!— May God forfend that I do so !

Come, take something and give it! I grudge not the gift; I enjoin it.

400

Pay not regard to my mother herein, nor to any besides her,

Any attendant that serves in the palace of godlike Odysseus!

Navy but I know such thoughts have never a place in thy bosom:

Liefer by far thou'dst ever be eating than give to another."

Him prince Antinous addressing in turn gave answer :

405

"Telemachus, big boaster, unbridled in fury, what prat'st thou ?

Were but the rest of the suitors to make him the present that I shall,

Verily three good months your house would mourn for his absence."

Seizing a stool, as he spake, he displayed it from under the table,

Where it was set as support for his smooth-skinned feet as he feasted.

410

All of the rest now offered a bounty, and soon was the wallet

Filled with the bread and the meat; and Odysseus, although he was minded

Straight to the threshold returning to taste of the gift of the princes,

Halted by Antinous, as he passed, and accosted him, saying :

"Give to me, friend!—for thou seemst not the worst of the noble Achaeans,

415

Navy but the best of them all. Thou art like to a monarch among them.

So it behoves thee to give me a still more generous portion

E'en than the others; and over the whole wide world I will laud thee.

Once I was owner of house and of home, and was held by my fellows

Rich in estate, and was wont full often to give to a vagrant,

420

Every beggar, whatever he seemed and whatever he wanted.

Many and many a thrall I possessed and abundance of all things

Such as allow of an easy existence and rich reputation.

Then I was ruined by Father Cronion. I ween that he willed it,

Since it was he who enrolled me with robbers that rove on the ocean

425

Sailing for Egypt—a land far distant and doomed to destroy me.

Here, in the river of Egypt I stationed my twy-beaked galleys;

Then did I issue an order to all of my trusty companions

Quietly there to remain by the side of the vessels and guard them,

While that I sent forth scouts to explore from the neighbouring outlooks.

430

Yielding however to wanton desires and to arrogant boldness

Soon they invaded the beautiful fields of the people of Egypt,

Wasting the country and taking away both women and children,

Slaughtering also the men; and the cry reached quickly the city.

These then, hearing the shout, as the new-born day was appearing,

435

Came, and the whole of the plain seemed full of the footmen and horses,

Full of the flashing of bronze; and the god that delighteth in thunder

Cast on my comrades a panic so fearful that none had the courage

Firmly to stand and to face them for danger was pressing on all sides.

Now of my friends with the edge of the sword full many they slaughtered,

440

Many they captured, and led them away to the labours of bondmen.

Me to a stranger that met us they sold, and he took me to Cyprus,

Dmetor descended from Jasus, a powerful Cyprian chieftain.

Thence I escaped, and am hither arrived in the sorest affliction."

Forthwith Antinous uplifting his voice made answer :

445

"Which of the deities sent us this nuisance, this bane of the banquet!

Get thee away to the midst of the hall and apart from my table,

Lest thou shalt come to an Egypt of anguish and Cyprus of sorrow!

Why—what a shameless, audaciously impudent beggar thou seemest,

Worrying each one after the other! And truly they load thee

450

Recklessly, neither withholding the hand nor swayed by a scruple,

Giving the goods of another; and plenty they keep for themselves too!"

Stepping a little aback deep-plotting Odysseus addressed him :

"Navy by the gods, thou'lt lacking in soul though noble in aspect.

Never a morsel of salt thou'dst give to the poor at thy doorway,

455

Seeing that feasting thy full at the board of another thou willst not

Break me a mouthful of bread, though plenty is lying before thee."

Thus did he speak; but the man with a heart more maddened to fury

Glared at Odysseus askance, and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Now no longer, I vow, shalt thou hope to escape or unpunished

460

Out of the hall make good thy retreat for thou utterest insults.”

These words spoken he seized on the stool, and he hurled it and struck him

Under the shoulder atop of the back on the right; but he stood there

Firm as a rock, nor staggered at all by the stroke of the missile,

Silently shaking his head as a man that is brooding on evil,

465

Back to the threshold returned, and he sat him adown, and beside him

Laying the well-filled wallet he spake these words to the suitors :

"List to my words, O suitors of far-famed Penelopeia,

While that I utter a thing that the heart in my bosom enjoins me.

Never a pain or a grief would enter the soul of a fighter

470

Should he be smit by the foe while warding them off his possessions,

Fighting perchance in defence of his white-wool'd sheep or his cattle.

Antinous for the sake of the pitiful belly hath struck me,

Thing accursed, that bringeth on men such numberless evils.

Now if in heaven be gods of the beggar, or any Avengers,

475

Ere he shall wed may death put an end to the man and his marriage."

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

"Sit thou in silence, my friend, and attend to thy food—or depart hence—

Lest that because of the words thou hast uttered my younkers shall drag thee

Forth by the hand or the foot and shall strip thee thy skin from thy body."

480

Thus spake Antinous; but his words exceedingly angered

All of the rest, one arrogant youth and another exclaiming :

"Antinous, 'tis ignoble to strike an unfortunate beggar.

Lo, thou art doomed—if indeed there liveth a god in the heavens;

Yea and we know that the gods in the likeness of pilgrims and strangers

485

Many disguises assume as they visit the cities of mortals,

Keeping a watch on the deeds of the lawless and those of the righteous."

Such words uttered the suitors; but little he recked of their prating.

Telemachus meanwhile great grief in his bosom was nursing,

Seeing the blow; but the fall of a tear he restrained, and he sat there

490

Silently shaking his head as a man that is brooding on evil.

Now ere long it was heard by the wise-souled Penelopeia

How that the stranger was struck in the hall, and she spake mid her maidens:

"Also be thou so smit by the glorious archer Apollo!"

Then did the house-dame Eurynomé thus answer her, saying:

495

"O for a speedy fulfilment of all our curses upon them!

None would ever again see Morning enthroned in her glory."

Her then addressing in turn spake wise-souled Penelopeia :

"Yea, nurse, all of the men do I hate with their evil devices,

Specially Antinous; as the darkness of death I detest him.

500

Lo, an unfortunate stranger was roaming around in the palace

Begging an alms of the men, for necessity urged him to do so.

Now though all of the rest gave fully and willingly, this man

Smote him behind with a stool on the right at the base of the shoulder."

While now thus she was speaking amidst of her women attendants

505

Up in her chamber, Odysseus was making a meal of the viands.

Then to the good old swineherd she called to approach, and addressed him :

"Good Eumaeus, I pray thee to go and to order the stranger

Hither to come; I am wishful to give him a welcome and ask him

Whether perchance he has heard of the long-enduring Odysseus;

510

Ay and perhaps he has seen him for far, as it seems, he has wandered."

Her then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:

"Ah that the princely Achaeans a while would cease from their clamour !

Such is the charm of his words 'twould ravish thy heart with enchantment.

Three nights long did I keep him and three days granted him shelter

515

There in my hut, where first he had come when he fled from the vessel ;

Still, not yet had he ended relating his tale of misfortune.

E'en as a listener gazeth entranced on a bard as he singeth,

One that hath learn'd from immortals a strain of enrapturing beauty,

So that the hearer remains all motionless, longing to listen,

520

Thus was I charmed by his words as he sat by my side in my homestead.

Well, he avoweth his friendship of yore with the house of Odysseus;

Says that his home was in Creta, the land of the offspring of Minos;

Thence, he asserts, he is come, and has met full many a hardship,

Wandering further and further; and vows that he heard of Odysseus,

525

Not in a far-off land, but the rich Thesprotian country,

Ay and alive and he brings to his home full many a treasure."

Him then in turn gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia :

"Go now, summon him here to my presence, to tell me his story,

While these men let them sit by the portal and ply their amusements—

530

Nay, all over my house—as their soul seems fain to be merry!

Houses they have of their own and possessions untouched by the spoiler,

Viands and sweet pure wine in abundance to nourish the household,

Natheless every day to the halls of my palace resorting,

Slaughtering also my sheep and my fat-fed goats and my oxen,

535

Ever they revel in banquets, carousing on glittering red wine

Recklessly; great is the waste, and a man no longer is present,

Such as Odysseus of yore, to avert this curse from the homestead.

Should however Odysseus return to the land of his fathers,

Soon with the aid of his son these insolent men he will punish."

540

E'en as she spake loud sneezed prince Telemachus, and the mansion

Echoed in wondrous wise, and the queen outbreaking in laughter

Hastily turned to the swineherd and swift-winged words she addressed him :

"Go, I entreat thee, and summon the stranger to come to my presence.

Didst not perceive that my son sneezed loud at the words that I uttered?

545

Wherefore a full and an utter destruction shall come on the suitors,

All of them all! Not one shall escape from his doom and perdition.

Also a thing will I say, which carefully mark and remember :

Should I for certain perceive he is telling me truthfully all things,

Then I shall clothe him in beautiful raiment, in mantle and tunic."

550

Thus did she speak, and the swineherd departing, as soon as he heard it,

Nigh to Odysseus approached, and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Stranger and father, behold, wise Penelopeia invites thee,

Even the mother of Telemachus; she is moved in her spirit

Something to ask thee concerning her lord, though long she hath mourned him.

555

Should she for certain perceive thou art telling her truthfully all things,

Then she will clothe thee in mantle and tunic, the which thou art needing

Mostly of all. Thou art sure to suffice for the needs of thy stomach

Begging thy bread of the people—from each that is willing to help thee."

Him then in answer addressed long-suffering godlike Odysseus :

560

"Yea, Eumaeus, and all of the truth were quickly related

Unto the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelopeia.

Well do I know of his story; we suffered affliction together.

Still, I am somewhat afraid of the throng of the arrogant suitors,

Whose fierce insolence reacheth aloft to the brazen heaven.

565

Thus this man just now I was going around in the palace

Nowise doing him harm, but he struck me and grievously hurt me;

Neither by Telemachus was I aided nor yet by the others.

Wherefore to Penelopeia announce 'twere best in her chamber

Still to remain, though great be her longing, till after the sunset;

570

Then she can ask me concerning her lord and his day of returning,

Letting me sit still nearer the hearth, as my raiment is truly

Wretched thou know'st it thyself; for of thee first begged I assistance."

Thus did he speak, and the swineherd, departing as soon as he heard it,

Over the threshold was stepping, when Penelopeia addressed him :

575

"Why, Eumaeus, thou bringest him not! What meaneth the vagrant?

Feeleth he fear unduly for any? or else in the palace

Feeleth he shame? For a beggar it profiteth ill to be shamefaced."

Her then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:

“Navy but he speaketh aright—and he feeleth as many another,

580

Wishing to keep him aloof from the insults of men overbearing.

So he enjoins thee to stay in thy chamber till after the sunset.

Ay and for thee, O Queen, it is better by far and is wiser

Thus to converse with the stranger alone, and to list to his story."

Him then in turn gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia:

585

"Nowise wanting in wits is the stranger, whoever he may be.

Not on the earth, I believe, can be found in the races of mortals

Men so wanton as these or that plot such wicked devices."

Such was the answer she gave; and the good old swineherd departing

Unto the throng of the suitors, as soon as his message was ended,

590

Hastened to Telemachus and with swift-winged words he addressed him

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

"Friend, I am going to see to the swine and the things at the farmstead,

Even thy living and mine. See thou to the things at the palace.

Firstly of all see well to thyself, and consult with thy spirit,

595

Lest some evil befall. Thou art hated of many Achaeans.

Zeus confound them before that they bring some mischief upon us!"

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Ay, dad, thus it shall stand. Start homeward after thy supper;

Then in the morning return and bring fat beasts for oblation.

600

All things else shall be managed by me and the blesséd immortals."

Thus did he speak, and again on the well-carved settle the swineherd

Sat him, and took of the meat and the drink to his soul's satisfaction.

Then to his swine he departed, and quitted the hall and the gardens,

All of them full of the throng of the feasters with music and dancing

605

Making them merry—for nigh was approaching already the twilight.

Homer Odyssey 17.505

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Penelope

'Much of th' experienced man I long to hear,

'If or his certain eye, or listening ear,

'Have learn'd the fortunes of my wandering lord?'
600

Penelope

To this the queen; 'The wanderer let me hear,

'While yon luxurious race indulge their cheer,

'Devour the grazing ox, and browsing goat,
620

'And turn my generous vintage down their throat.

'For where's an arm, like thine, Ulysses! strong,

'To curb wild riot, and to punish wrong?'

Penelope

'So may these impious fall, by Fate oppress'd!'

'Then to Eumaeus: 'Bring the stranger, fly!

'And if my questions meet a true reply,

'Graced with a decent robe he shall retire,
630

'A gift in season which his wants require.'

Ulysses

ODYSSEY BOOK XVII

PATTEN WILSON.
THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Penelope 'Much of th' experienced man I long to hear, 'If or his certain eye, or listening ear, 'Have learn'd the fortunes of my wandering lord?' 600

Penelope To this the queen; 'The wanderer let me hear, 'While yon luxurious race indulge their cheer, 'Devour the grazing ox, and browsing goat, 620 'And turn my generous vintage down their throat. 'For where's an arm, like thine, Ulysses! strong, 'To curb wild riot, and to punish wrong?'

Penelope 'So may these impious fall, by Fate oppress'd!' 'Then to Eumaeus: 'Bring the stranger, fly! 'And if my questions meet a true reply, 'Graced with a decent robe he shall retire, 630 'A gift in season which his wants require.'

Ulysses

ODYSSEY BOOK XVII

PATTEN WILSON. THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS

Stable identifiers

Penelope

'Much of th' experienced man I long to hear,

'If or his certain eye, or listening ear,

'Have learn'd the fortunes of my wandering lord?'
600

Penelope

To this the queen; 'The wanderer let me hear,

'While yon luxurious race indulge their cheer,

'Devour the grazing ox, and browsing goat,
620

'And turn my generous vintage down their throat.

'For where's an arm, like thine, Ulysses! strong,

'To curb wild riot, and to punish wrong?'

Penelope

'So may these impious fall, by Fate oppress'd!'

'Then to Eumaeus: 'Bring the stranger, fly!

'And if my questions meet a true reply,

'Graced with a decent robe he shall retire,
630

'A gift in season which his wants require.'

PATTEN WILSON.
THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS