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He counted his goodly coppers and cauldrons, his gold and all his clothes, but there was nothing missing; still he kept grieving about not being in his own country, [220] and wandered up and down by the shore of the sounding sea bewailing his hard fate. Then Athena came up to him disguised as a young shepherd of delicate and princely mien, with a good cloak folded double about her shoulders; [225] she had sandals on her comely feet and held a javelin in her hand. Odysseus was glad when he saw her, and went straight up to her.

“My friend,” said he, “you are the first person whom I have met with in this country; I salute you, therefore, and beg you to be well disposed towards me in your thinking [ noos]. [230] Protect these my goods, and myself too, for I embrace your knees and pray to you as though you were a god. Tell me, then, and tell me truly, what land and country [ dēmos] is this? Who are its inhabitants? Am I on an island, or is this the sea board [235] of some continent?”

Owl-vision Athena answered, “Stranger, you must be very simple, or must have come from somewhere a long way off, not to know what country this is. It is a very celebrated place, [240] and everybody knows it East and West. It is rugged and not a good driving country, but it is by no means a bad island for what there is of it. It grows any quantity of wheat and also [245] wine, for it is watered both by rain and dew; it breeds cattle also and goats; all kinds of timber grow here, and there are watering places where the water never runs dry; so, sir, the name of Ithaca is known even as far as Troy, which I understand to be a long way off from this Achaean country.”

[250]

Odyssey. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1898.

Current edition Experimental

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020))

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.) — 13.217 focus

ὣς εἰπὼν τρίποδας περικαλλέας ἠδὲ λέβητας

ἠρίθμει καὶ χρυσὸν ὑφαντά τε εἵματα καλά.

τῶν μὲν ἄρʼ οὔ τι πόθει· ὁ δʼ ὀδύρετο πατρίδα γαῖαν

ἑρπύζων παρὰ θῖνα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης,

220

πόλλʼ ὀλοφυρόμενος. σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη,

ἀνδρὶ δέμας εἰκυῖα νέῳ, ἐπιβώτορι μήλων,

παναπάλῳ, οἷοί τε ἀνάκτων παῖδες ἔασι,

δίπτυχον ἀμφʼ ὤμοισιν ἔχουσʼ εὐεργέα λώπην·

ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσι πέδιλʼ ἔχε, χερσὶ δʼ ἄκοντα.

225

τὴν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς γήθησεν ἰδὼν καὶ ἐναντίος ἦλθε,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

ὦ φίλʼ, ἐπεί σε πρῶτα κιχάνω τῷδʼ ἐνὶ χώρῳ,

χαῖρέ τε καὶ μή μοί τι κακῷ νόῳ ἀντιβολήσαις,

ἀλλὰ σάω μὲν ταῦτα, σάω δʼ ἐμέ· σοὶ γὰρ ἐγώ γε

230

εὔχομαι ὥς τε θεῷ καί σευ φίλα γούναθʼ ἱκάνω.

καί μοι τοῦτʼ ἀγόρευσον ἐτήτυμον, ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδῶ·

τίς γῆ, τίς δῆμος, τίνες ἀνέρες ἐγγεγάασιν;

ἦ πού τις νήσων εὐδείελος, ἦέ τις ἀκτὴ

κεῖθʼ ἁλὶ κεκλιμένη ἐριβώλακος ἠπείροιο;

235

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

νήπιός εἰς, ὦ ξεῖνʼ, ἢ τηλόθεν εἰλήλουθας,

εἰ δὴ τήνδε τε γαῖαν ἀνείρεαι. οὐδέ τι λίην

οὕτω νώνυμός ἐστιν· ἴσασι δέ μιν μάλα πολλοί,

ἠμὲν ὅσοι ναίουσι πρὸς ἠῶ τʼ ἠέλιόν τε,

240

ἠδʼ ὅσσοι μετόπισθε ποτὶ ζόφον ἠερόεντα.

ἦ τοι μὲν τρηχεῖα καὶ οὐχ ἱππήλατός ἐστιν,

οὐδὲ λίην λυπρή, ἀτὰρ οὐδʼ εὐρεῖα τέτυκται.

ἐν μὲν γάρ οἱ σῖτος ἀθέσφατος, ἐν δέ τε οἶνος

γίγνεται· αἰεὶ δʼ ὄμβρος ἔχει τεθαλυῖά τʼ ἐέρση·

245

αἰγίβοτος δʼ ἀγαθὴ καὶ βούβοτος· ἔστι μὲν ὕλη

παντοίη, ἐν δʼ ἀρδμοὶ ἐπηετανοὶ παρέασι.

τῷ τοι, ξεῖνʼ, Ἰθάκης γε καὶ ἐς Τροίην ὄνομʼ ἵκει,

τήν περ τηλοῦ φασὶν Ἀχαιΐδος ἔμμεναι αἴης.

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.) — 13.217 focus

So he spake, and set him to count the beautiful tripods, and the cauldrons, and the gold, and the fair woven raiment, and of these he missed nothing. Then, mournfully longing for his native land, 220 he paced by the shore of the loud-sounding sea, uttering many a moan. And Athena drew near him in the form of a young man, a herdsman of sheep, one most delicate, as are the sons of princes. In a double fold about her shoulders she wore a well-wrought cloak, 225 and beneath her shining feet she had sandals, and in her hands a spear. Then Odysseus was glad at sight of her, and came to meet her, and he spoke, and addressed her with winged words: “Friend, since thou art the first to whom I have come in this land, hail to thee, and mayst thou meet me with no evil mind. 230 Nay, save this treasure, and save me; for to thee do I pray, as to a god, and am come to thy dear knees. And tell me this also truly, that I may know full well. What land, what people is this? What men dwell here? Is it some clear-seen island, or a shore 235 of the deep-soiled mainland that lies resting on the sea?” Then the goddess, flashing-eyed Athena, answered him: “A fool art thou, stranger, or art come from far, if indeed thou askest of this land. Surely it is no wise so nameless, but full many know it, 240 both all those who dwell toward the dawn and the sun, and all those that are behind toward the murky darkness. It is a rugged isle, not fit for driving horses, yet it is not utterly poor, though it be but narrow. Therein grows corn beyond measure, and the wine-grape as well, 245 and the rain never fails it, nor the rich dew. It is a good land for pasturing goats and kine; there are trees of every sort, and in it also pools for watering that fail not the year through. Therefore, stranger, the name of Ithaca has reached even to the land of Troy which, they say, is far from this land of Achaea.”

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.) — 13.217 focus

217 He counted his goodly coppers and cauldrons, his gold and all his clothes, but there was nothing missing; still he kept grieving about not being in his own country, and wandered up and down by the shore of the sounding sea bewailing his hard fate. Then Athena came up to him disguised as a young shepherd of delicate and princely mien, with a good cloak folded double about her shoulders; she had sandals on her comely feet and held a javelin in her hand. Odysseus was glad when he saw her, and went straight up to her.

228 "My friend," said he, "you are the first person whom I have met with in this country; I salute you, therefore, and beg you to be well disposed in noos towards me. Protect these my goods, and myself too, for I embrace your knees and pray to you as though you were a god. Tell me, then, and tell me truly, what land and country [ dêmos] is this? Who are its inhabitants? Am I on an island, or is this the sea board of some continent?"

236 Athena answered, "Stranger, you must be very simple, or must have come from somewhere a long way off, not to know what country this is. It is a very celebrated place, and everybody knows it East and West. It is rugged and not a good driving country, but it is by no means a bad island for what there is of it. It grows any quantity of grain and also wine, for it is watered both by rain and dew; it breeds cattle also and goats; all kinds of timber grow here, and there are watering places where the water never runs dry; so, sir, the name of Ithaca is known even as far as Troy , which I understand to be a long way off from this Achaean country."

250 Odysseus was glad at finding himself, as Athena told him, in his own country, and he began to answer, but he did not speak the truth [ alêthês], and made up a lying story in the instinctive wiliness of his noos.

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 13.217 focus

Thus having said, he numbered all his gifts,

Beautiful tripods, caldrons, works of gold,

And gorgeous woven raiment; none of these

Were wanting. Then he pined to see again

270

His native isle, and slowly paced the beach

Of the loud sea, lamenting bitterly.

There Pallas came to meet him in the shape

Of a young shepherd, delicately formed,

As are the sons of kings. A mantle lay

275

Upon her shoulder in rich folds; her feet

Shone in their sandals: in her hand she bore

A javelin. As Ulysses saw, his heart

Was glad within him, and he hastened on,

And thus accosted her with winged words: -

280

"Fair youth, who art the first whom I have met

Upon this shore, I bid thee hail, and hope

Thou meetest me with no unkind intent.

Protect what thou beholdest here and me;

I make my suit to thee as to a god,

285

And come to thy dear knees. And tell, I pray,

That I may know the truth, what land is this?

What people? who the dwellers? may it be

A pleasant isle, or is it but the shore

Of fruitful mainland shelving to the sea?"

290

And then the goddess, blue-eyed Pallas, said :

"Of simple mind art thou, unless perchance

Thou comest from afar, if thou dost ask

What country this may be. It is not quite

A nameless region; many know it well

295

Of those who dwell beneath the rising sun,

And those, behind, in Evening's dusky realm.

Rugged it is, and suited ill to steeds,

Yet barren it is not, though level grounds

Are none within its borders. It is rich

300

In corn and wine, for seasonable rains

And dews refresh its soil. Large flocks of goats

And herds of beeves are pastured here; all kinds

Of trees are in its forests, and its springs

Are never dry. The fame of Ithaca,

305

Stranger, has travelled to the Trojan coast,

Though that, I hear, lies far away from Greece."

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 13.217 focus

Then on the sands he rang'd his wealthy store,

The gold, the vests, the tripods number'd o'er:

All these he found; but still, in error lost,

Disconsolate he wanders on the coast,

Sighs for his country, and laments again

265

To the deaf rocks, and hoarse resounding main.

When lo! the guardian goddess of the wise,

Celestial Pallas, stood before his eyes;

In show a youthful swain, of form divine,

Who seem'd descended from some princely line.

270

A graceful robe her slender body dress'd;

Around her shoulders flew the waving vest;

Her decent hand a shining javelin bore,

And painted sandals on her feet she wore.

To whom the king: 'Whoe'er of human race

275

'Thou art, that wander'st in this desert place,

'With joy to thee, as to some god, I bend,

'To thee my treasures and myself commend.

'O tell a wretch in exile doom'd to stray,

'What air I breathe, what country I survey?

280

'The fruitful continent's extremest bound,

'Or some fair isle which Neptune's arms surround?'

Minerva

'From what far clime,' (said she,) 'remote from fame,

'Arriv'st thou here, a stranger to our name?

'Thou seest an island, not to those unknown
285

'Whose hills are brighten'd by the rising sun,

'Nor those that placed beneath his utmost reign

'Behold him sinking in the western main.

'The rugged soil allows no level space

'For flying chariots, or the rapid race;
290

'Yet, not ungrateful to the peasant's pain,

'Suffices fulness to the swelling grain:

'The loaded trees their various fruits produce,

'And clustering grapes afford a generous juice;

'Woods crown our mountains, and in every grove
295

'The bounding goats and frisking heifers rove:

'Soft rains and kindly dews refresh the field,

'And rising springs eternal verdure yield:

'Ev'n to those shores is Ithaca renown'd,

'Where Troy's majestic ruins strew the ground.'
300

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 13.217 focus

His garments and his plate then number'd he,

And nothing missing was of all his pelf.

Then walk'd he softly along by the sea,

Lamenting and bewailing of himself.

And then came Pallas to him. She had on

205

The body of a shepherd young and tender,

As if she had of some prince been the son;

Lin'd was his coat, the thread was fine and slender,

With dart in hand, and fine shoes on his feet.

Ulysses, who beheld her, was much joy'd,

210

And forth himself advanced, her to meet.

And first he to her spake, and thus he said:

Joy to you be, and good-will towards me ;

Save for me these my goods, and save me too.

You are the first I meet here ; at your knee

215

I bow myself, as men bow Gods unto.

Tell me, I pray you, true: What land is this ?

What town ? Th' inhabitants what men ?

An isle, or of the continent a piece ?

To this the Goddess answered agen.

220

Simple you are, or very far hence dwell,

To ask what country this is. For 'tis not

A place obscure; for known 'tis very well

Both east and west, though but a little spot,

And rugged ground, not fit for galloping ;

225

Yet corn it bears abundantly and wine ;

And is well watered both with dew and spring,

And nourisheth great herds of goats and kine.

Of wood of ev'ry sort there is good store.

Though from Achaea far men say is Troy,

230

Yet Ithaca is talk'd of on that shore.

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 13.217 focus

Let me number now

The goods they gave, to give my mind to know

If they have stolen none, in their close retreat."

320

The goodly caldrons then, and tripods, set

In several ranks from out the heap, he told,

His rich wrought garments too, and all his gold,

And nothing lack'd; and yet this man did mourn

The but supposed miss of his home-return,

325

And, creeping to the shore, with much complaint;

Minerva (like a shepherd, young, and quaint,

As king sons are, a double mantle cast

Athwart his shoulders, his fair goers graced

With fitted shoes, and in his hand a dart)

330

Appear'd to him, whose sight rejoiced his heart,

To whom he came, and said: "O friend! Since first

I meet your sight here, be all good the worst

That can join our encounter. Fare you fair,"

¹²

Nor with adverse mind welcome my repair,

335

But guard these goods of mine, and succour me.

As to a God I offer prayers to thee,

And low access make to thy loved knee.

Say truth, that I may know, what country then,

What common people live here, and what men?

340

Some famous isle is this? Or gives it vent,

Being near the sea, to some rich continent?"

She answer'd: "Stranger, whatsoe'er you are,

Y' are either foolish, or come passing far,

That know not this isle, and make that doubt trouble,

345

For 'tis not so exceedingly ignoble,

But passing many know it; and so many,

That of all nations there abides not any,

From where the morning rises and the sun,

To where the even and night their courses run,

350

But know this country. Rocky 'tis, and rough,

And so for use of horse unapt enough,

Yet with sad barrenness not much infested,

Since clouds are here in frequent rains digested,

And flowery dews. The compass is not great,

355

The little yet well-fill'd with wine and wheat.

It feeds a goat and ox well, being still

Water'd with floods, that ever over-fill

With heaven's continual showers; and wooded so,

It makes a spring of all the kinds that grow.

360

And therefore, Stranger, the extended name

Of this dominion makes access by fame

From this extreme part of Achaia

As far as Ilion, and 'tis Ithaca."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 13.217 focus

So saying, he number'd carefully the gold,

The vases, tripods bright, and tissued robes,

260

But nothing miss'd of all. Then he bewail'd

His native isle, with pensive steps and slow

Pacing the border of the billowy flood,

Forlorn; but while he wept, Pallas approach'd,

In form a shepherd stripling, girlish fair

265

In feature, such as are the sons of Kings;

A sumptuous mantle o'er his shoulders hung

Twice-folded, sandals his nice feet upbore,

And a smooth javelin glitter'd in his hand.

Ulysses, joyful at the sight, his steps

270

Turn'd brisk toward her, whom he thus address'd.

Sweet youth! since thee, of all mankind, I first

Encounter in this land unknown, all hail!

Come not with purposes of harm to me!

These save, and save me also. I prefer

275

To thee, as to some God, my prayer, and clasp

Thy knees a suppliant. Say, and tell me true,

What land? what people? who inhabit here?

Is this some isle delightful, or a shore

Of fruitful main-land sloping to the sea?

280

Then Pallas thus, Goddess cærulean-eyed.

Stranger! thou sure art simple, or hast dwelt

Far distant hence, if of this land thou ask.

It is not, trust me, of so little note,

But known to many, both to those who dwell

285

Toward the sun-rise, and to others placed

Behind it, distant in the dusky West.

Rugged it is, not yielding level course

To the swift steed, and yet no barren spot,

However small, but rich in wheat and wine;

290

Nor wants it rain or fertilizing dew,

But pasture green to goats and beeves affords,

Trees of all kinds, and fountains never dry.

Ithaca therefore, stranger, is a name

Known even at Troy, a city, by report,

295

At no small distance from Achaia's shore.

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 13 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK XIII

THUS did he end; and they sat all utterly silent and speechless,

Holden as 'twere by a spell in the shadowy hall of the palace.

Then King Alcinous outspake and in answer addressed him:

"Since now under the roof of my bronze-floored palace, Odysseus,

Safe thou art come, thou'lt never, methinks, go wandering further,

Ere to thy home thou return'st, however to hardship accustomed.

Now to you all and to each I announce this further injunction,

Each who is wont to partake of the glowing wine of the elders

Here in my banqueting-hall, and to list to the song of the minstrel :

Lo, in a polished coffer the raiment received by the stranger

Lieth, and fair things fashioned of gold, and the rest of the presents

Which Phaeacian lords of the council collected together.

Come, let us also present him a full-sized tripod and cauldron,

Each of us; then can we later, by making collection in public,

Win us repayment; 'tis hard when the one does favours for nothing."

Thus spake Alcinous and his speech was received with approval.

Each one then to his homestead departed to lay him to slumber.

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

Quickly they brought to the vessel the bronze that rejoiceth a mortal;

This did the powerful chief, King Alcinous, on the vessel

Going around stow under the benches away, to prevent it

Hindering any that rowed when amain at his oar he was pulling.

Then to the house of the king they betook them and set them a-feasting,

After the powerful monarch had given an ox to be slaughtered

Unto Cronion, the ruler of all, who dwells in the storm-cloud.

So when the thighs they had burnt they partook of a glorious banquet,

Making them merry, and harked to the strains of the godlike singer

Demodocus, blind bard by the people beloved; but Odysseus

Ever and ever was turning his eyes to the sun in its splendour,

Longing to hasten its setting, so eager he felt for departure.

Even as yearns for his supper a man when his wine-red oxen

All day long have tugged at a jointed plough in a fallow,

E'en as he joys when he seeth the sun's light sink to the setting,

So he can get to his food and his knee-joints ache as he walketh-

Thus did Odysseus rejoice when the sunlight sank to the setting.

Suddenly then to the lovers of ships, Phaeacia's nobles,

Chiefly to Alcinous these words addressing, he turned him:

"O King Alcinous, illustrious prince of the people,

Pour ye libation and bid me farewell !-farewell to you also !

Now it is all fulfilled as I wished in the depth of my bosom,

Escort and loving gifts—May the gods celestial grant me

Blessing therein! May I come to my home, and my peerless consort

There may I find still living and well, with the rest of my dear ones!

Ye too, bide ye at home with your wedded wives and your children,

Making them happy with love. May the gods prosperity grant you,

Every kind, and all that is ill dwell far from the people."

Thus did he speak, and they all assented and made resolution

Homeward the stranger to help, since duly and well he had spoken.

Then did the powerful king to his henchman turn and address him :

"Pontonoüs, come mix strong wine and serve us a bumper,

Plenty for all at the feast, that a prayer we may raise to the Father,

Ere we shall send our guest on his way to his distant homeland."

Thus did he speak; and a wine honey-hearted was mixed by the henchman;

Then to them all he dispensed it in turn; and they made a libation

Unto the blesséd immortals who dwell in the infinite heaven,

Pouring it there as they sat. Then rising, the godlike Odysseus

Into the hands of the queen gave over his twy-cupped goblet,

While uplifting his voice these swift-winged words he addressed her:

"Fare thee well, O queen, and be happy for ever, till lastly

Age shall befall thee, and death, which cometh to every mortal.

Now it is need that I go; but do thou live joyfully alway

Here in thy home with the monarch, thy lord, and thy children and people!"

These words said, stept over the threshold the godlike Odysseus,

Having beside him the herald whom Alcinous had commanded

Down to the shore of the sea and the swift-winged vessel to guide him.

Also had Arete told three of her women to follow.

One of them bare in her arms fresh raiment a cloak and a doublet;

Then was a second commissioned to carry the strong-made coffer,

While that the third had a burden of bread and of glittering red wine.

So, when at last they had come to the sea and arrived at the vessel,

Speedily then was it all by the high-born men of the escort

Taken aboard and bestowed in the hold with the wine and the viands.

Also they spread for Odysseus a rug and a wrapper of linen

Nigh to the stern, on the deck of the hollow vessel, to lie there

Soundly asleep; and he mounted the ship and composed him to slumber

Silently, while that the crew sat down on the benches in order,

Each in his place; and loosed from the mooring-stone was the hawser.

PATTEN WILSON
THE ARRIVAL AT ITHACA

Then, as they backward swung uptossing the brine with the oar-blades,

Softly a sleep profound spread over his slumbering eyelids,

Deep as a trance and surpassingly sweet—yea, death it resembled.

Now did the vessel as over a plain four stallion coursers

Harnessed abreast, 'neath strokes of the lash, come thundering onward,

Bounding aloft as they gallop apace their course to accomplish,

So did the stern of the ship go bounding aloft—and behind it

Mightily eddied the dark blue wave of the bellowing ocean.

Steadily onward she flew; not even the falcon that soareth,

Swiftest of birds of the air, might vie with the ship in her swiftness;

So did she speed on her way, right easily cleaving the billows,

Bearing a man who was like to the gods everlasting in wisdom,

One who had suffered already in heart full many a sorrow,

Tossed by the billows of war and the grievous waves of the ocean.

Now he is sleeping in peace, forgetful of all that he suffered.

So when the star was on high that of all is the brightest, and ofttimes

Comes as the herald of light when the newborn day is arising,

Voyaging over the waters the ship drew near to an island

Where is a haven of Phorcys, the ancient god of the ocean.

Here it is Ithacan land. Two capes jut forth from the coast-line,

High precipitous cliffs but aslope to the verge of the harbour,

Fending the monstrous surge of the rollers aroused by the storm-winds

Out in the open; but ever within unloosed from the cable

100

Well-decked vessels can ride when they enter the bound of the roadstead.

Now at the head of the haven a long-leaved olive is growing,

Distant from which not far is a pleasant and shadowy grotto,

Hallowed haunt of the nymphs who are known as the fountain naiads.

Here in the depths of the cave are amphora vessels and wine-bowls

105

Formed of the rock, and the bees hide here their treasures of honey;

Here stand, fashioned in stone, vast looms, where many a naiad

Weaveth her robes of the deep-sea purple, a wonder to gaze at.

Water perennial welleth within. Two mouths hath the cavern;

One to the North Wind looks and is easy for mortals to enter,

110

One to the South, and is more for the gods; nor ever by this way

Entereth any of human race; 'tis a path for immortals.

Into the haven they rowed (they had known it before), and the vessel

Ran on the beach: to the half of her length on the sand was she driven,

Such was her speed, and such was the strength of the hands that impelled her.

115

Out of the well-benched vessel when now they had stepped on the dry land,

First from the deck of the hollow ship uplifting Odysseus,

E'en as he lay in the rug and the glistering wrapper of linen,

Down on the sand of the shore, still heavy with slumber, they placed him.

Then from the vessel they landed the gifts that the king and the nobles,

120

Moved by the noble Athena, bestowed when for home he departed.

These in a heap up-piling they left at the foot of the olive

Somewhat aside from the path, lest any that saw it in passing,

Ere that Odysseus awoke, might venture anigh and despoil him.

These now homeward returned.

125

But the King Earth-shaking Poseidon

125

Ne'er had forgotten the vows that he uttered when erst he had threatened

Godlike Odysseus, and turning to Zeus he demanded his counsel:

"Father Zeus! I can hope henceforth from the gods everlasting

Little respect, since men that be mortal so little respect me,

E'en Phaeacian folk—whose race from myself is descended.

130

Lo, full many afflictions I vowed should fall on Odysseus

Ere to his home he returned—though wholly to stay his returning

Ne'er did I try from the moment thou gav'st thy consent and thy promise.

Now these men have borne him asleep in a swift-winged vessel

Over the sea and on Ithaca set him, and richly with presents

135

Helped him with bronze and with gold and abundance of woven apparel-

Treasures so many as ne'er from the Trojans Odysseus had gained him

Had he returned unscathed with his well-won share in the booty."

Him forthwith gave answer the god who gathers the storm-clouds:

"Lo now, what is this word, Earth-shaker and Ruler of ocean?

140

Thee nowise dishonour the gods. 'Twere difficult truly

Thee, who art eldest and best of us all, to assail with dishonour,

While if a mortal, obeying his hardy and arrogant nature,

Honours thee not, it is thine to avenge thee, or now or hereafter.

Act as thou willst as it seems to be best to the spirit within thee!"

145

Then did the King Earth-shaking Poseidon address him in answer:

"Quickly enough had I done as thou say'st, O King of the storm-clouds,

Had I not held thee in awe and dreaded arousing thy anger.

Now I am minded to smite this fine Phaeacian vessel

While from the convoy she homeward returns in the mist-bound ocean;

150

Yea I will smite her and teach them to stop and to stay with their convoys.

This will I do, and will whelm with the mass of a mountain the city."

Him forthwith gave answer the god who gathers the storm-clouds:

"Friend, as it seems to my mind, 'twere verily better and wiser,

Just at the moment when out of the city the whole of the people

155

Watcheth her enter the harbour, to change her, anigh to the sea-shore,

Into a rock with the form of a vessel, that ever hereafter

Mortals shall wonder. Then whelm with the mass of a mountain the city !"

Now when he heard this saying the King Earth-shaker Poseidon

Went to the Scherian isle, where dwell Phaeacian people.

160

Here he remained till anigh was the ship as she voyaged the ocean

Rapidly speeding along ; then the King Earth-shaker, approaching,

Suddenly changed her to stone and rooted her deep in the waters,

Smiting with downward stroke of the hand; and he turned and departed.

Uttering swift-winged words then turned them the one to the other

165

All of the Scherian folk—those famous oarsmen and sailors-

Each man gazing the while at the man that was standing beside him :

"Ah me! who is it fettered the swift ship fast on the ocean

E'en as she entered the port? Just now she was visible plainly."

Thus spake one to the other, but how it had happened they knew not.

170

Then King Alcinous rose up in the midst and harangued them:

"Lo now, surely the doom prophetic is falling upon me

Told by my sire, who was wont to proclaim that Poseidon was angered,

Jealous because we unfailingly offer an escort to all men.

'Some day'—so did he speak—'as a fine Phaeacian vessel

175

Over the mist-bound deep from a convoy returns shall the sea-god

Smite her to pieces and whelm with the mass of a mountain the city.'

Such was the rede of my sire, and it all finds now a fulfilment.

Come now, hear what I say, and let all of us follow my counsel!

Never again let us give such convoy, if wandering mortals

180

Come to the city; and now let us offer Poseidon atonement;

Twelve choice bulls let us slaughter in hope he may show us compassion,

Neither in anger o'erwhelm with the mass of a mountain the city."

So did he speak, and in fear they prepared them the bulls for oblation.

Thus then offering prayers to Poseidon, the king of the ocean,

185

All of the best of the land, Phaeacia's princes and leaders,

Stood surrounding the altar.

And godlike Odysseus, awaking,

Opened his eyes on the land of his birth, nor yet did he know it,

Such long years had he wandered afar; and around him the goddess

Pallas Athena, the daughter of Zeus, poured mist to conceal him,

190

Keeping him hidden until she had given him counsel in all things,

Lest that his wife might know him, or friends, or the men of the city,

Ere for transgression the suitors had paid complete satisfaction.

Wherefore utterly strange was the land to the eyes of its master,

All of the clambering paths and all of the sheltering havens,

195

Lofty precipitous crags and the bloom of luxuriant forests.

Hastily rising he stood and gazing around on his homeland

Uttered a pitiful groan and on both of his thighs in despondence

Smote with a downward stroke of the hands and made lamentation:

"Ah me, what is the folk whose country I now am arrived at ?

200

Dwell here savages wanton and wild, despisers of justice ?

Have they a love for the stranger and hearts that revere the immortals?

Whither to carry my treasure I know not at all ; and myself too

Where shall I turn me? I would 'twere back in the Scherian island

Just as it was; and perchance I had found some powerful monarch

205

Elsewhere, ready to grant me a welcome and give me an escort.

Now I am truly in doubt to bestow it. I Airs like not

Leaving it here as a find and a welcome booty for others.

Nay but in sooth not at all like lovers of wisdom and justice

Acted, methinks, those high Phaeacian nobles and princes,

210

Bringing me thus to a land unknown; for they promised to bring me

Unto the far-seen Ithacan isle, and the promise is broken.

Zeus I beseech to requite it, the suppliant's god, who is watching

Ever the deeds of mankind and punisheth every sinner.

Well now, come, I will look to the presents and reckon the number;

215

Haply departing they took of the things on the hollow vessel."

These words said, he inspected the tripods and beautiful cauldrons,

Numbering all, and the gold and the woven and exquisite garments.

Nothing he missed of them all, and with joyless thoughts of his homeland

Slowly he wandered along by the shore of the bellowing ocean

220

Uttering many a moan.

Then approached him the goddess Athene

Likened in form to a youth who tendeth the sheep on a pasture,

Having a delicate beauty of mien, as the son of a chieftain;

Twofold over her shoulders a well-wrought mantle she carried;

Sandals she wore on her fair white feet, and a lance she was holding.

225

Then as he saw her Odysseus rejoiced and advancing to meet her

Lifted in welcome his voice, and with swift-winged words he addressed her :

"Friend, since thou art the first I have lighted upon in the country,

Welcome!—for truly I hope that thou com'st with a friendly intention-

Rescue this treasure of mine, and myself too! Lo, I beseech thee

230

Even as wert thou a god, at thy knees as a suppliant falling.

Also relate me the truth—for I fain would know it for certain :

What is this land? What people and natives dwell in the country?

One of the far-seen isles peradventure? or one of the beaches

Sloping adown to the sea on the fertile coast of the mainland?"

235

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Foolish thou seemst, O stranger, or else thou art come from a distance,

Seeing thou askest the name of the land. So utterly nameless

Sooth it is not. There's many and many a mortal that knows it-

Every mortal that dwells in the east, whence dawneth the sunrise,

240

Every mortal behind in the west, where fadeth the daylight.

Truly the island is rugged—not fit for the driving of horses-

Still, not utterly poor, though lacking in open expanses.

Corn in amazing abundance it groweth, and also the wine-grape

Ripens, and ever with rain and with freshening dew it is moistened.

245

Good is the isle as a pasture for goats and for kine, and it beareth

Every manner of wood and hath watering-places that fail not.

Therefore, stranger, hath Ithaca's name reached even to Troyland,

Though right far, it is said, 'tis away from the shores of Achaea."

So did she speak, and it joyed long-suffering godlike Odysseus,

250

Yea he rejoiced in the land of his birth when he heard what she told him,

Pallas Athena, the daughter of Zeus who beareth the aegis.

Then uplifting his voice these swift-winged words he addressed her ;

Yet no truth did he speak, for he curbed it before it was uttered,

Keeping, as ever, control of the mind right cunning within him:

255

"Ah yes, Ithaca's name I have heard far over the ocean,

E'en in the broad-spread island of Creta, from which I am come now,

I and this treasure of mine; and as much did I leave for my children,

Flying the land; for the son I had killed of a prince of the country,

Orsilochus swift-footed, who conquered in fleetness of running

260

Every mortal that liveth on bread in the isle of the Cretans.

Him I had killed—for he wished to deprive me of all of my booty

Gotten at Troy, in the winning whereof great toil I had suffered,

Tossed on the billows of war and the grievous waves of the ocean-

Wished it because I refused as attendant to follow his father

265

There in the Trojan land, and had captained a band of my fellows.

So with my bronze-shod spear I attacked him whenas he was coming

Home from the fields, waylaying him close to the road with a comrade.

Black was the night that enshrouded the heaven; no mortal perceived us;

None was aware of the deed I had done when of life I bereft him.

270

Now no sooner the man with my sharp-edged spear I had murdered,

Straight to a ship I betook me of proud Phoenician sea-folk;

Them I entreated, and gave them of spoil that delighteth a mortal,

Earnestly begging them take me aboard of the vessel and land me

Either at Pylos or Elis the fair, where rule the Epeans.

275

Thither to come howbeit withheld them the might of the storm-wind,

Much as they wished it; nor acted they willingly thus to deceive me.

Out of the course thus driven, at night we arrived at this island.

Toilfully rowing ahead to a harbour we came, and exhausted,

Wholly forgetful of food, though needing sorely a supper,

280

Stepped from the vessel and, just as we were, lay down on the sea-shore.

Now when in slumber refreshing I sank outworn with my labours,

Carrying all of my goods from the hollow vessel, they placed them

Here at my side, where sleeping I lay on the sands of the sea-shore.

Then, embarking again, for the flourishing city of Sidon

285

Started, and here I am left with a heart that is heavy with trouble."

Thus had he spoken when, smiling, the grey-eyed goddess Athene

Touched him with gentle caress; and she changed to the form of a woman

Beautiful, stately, and gifted with deftness in exquisite handwork.

Then uplifting her voice these swift-winged words she addressed him :

290

"Truly a master in craft were one that excelled thee in cunning!

Conquered in guile were e'en the immortal who happened to meet thee.

Ah, thou audacious inventor of falsehood, insatiate trickster,

Even at home, as it seemeth, thou mean'st not to cease from deceiving,

Weaving thy fables, wherein from the ground of thy heart thou delightest.

295

Come, let us speak no longer thereof! We are both of us practised

Weavers of wiles for of all of mankind thou art easily foremost

Both in thy counsels and speech, and amid the immortals I win me

Fame for my wit and my wiles. Yet how didst thou fail to discern me,

Pallas Athena, the daughter of Zeus—that goddess who always

300

Stands at thy side and defends thee in every hardship and danger,

Ay and who gained thee the love and the favour of all the Phaeacians?

Now am I come that we two may take some counsel together,

Also in safety to bring these gifts that the lordly Phaeacians

Gave at thy homeward departing (for such was my will and intention),

305

Yea and in order to tell thee of all thou art destined to suffer

E'en in thy well-built home—So resign thee to fate and endure it!

Nor do thou utter a word to a man of them all or a woman,

Telling that home thou art come from thy wanderings. Suffer in silence !

E'en though bitter the pain and deep the indignity, bear it!"

310

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

"Difficult 'twere for the mortal thou meetest, goddess, to know thee,

Though right clever he were, for thou cloth'st thee in every semblance.

This howbeit I know, that thou gavest me favour aforetime,

While in the country of Troy were warring the sons of Achaea;

315

Yet, when at last we had plundered the steep-built city of Priam,

After the Greeks had embarked on the ships and a god had dispersed them,

Never again I beheld thee, thou daughter of Zeus, nor perceived thee

Mounting aboard of my vessel in order to save me from sorrow.

Cherishing deep in my bosom a heart that was stricken with anguish,

320

Ever I wandered, until the immortals from evil released me,

Even till thou thyself in the rich Phaeacian country

Gavest me comforting words and didst show me the way in the city.

Now in the name of the Father I beg thee to tell me for never

May I believe I am come to the far-seen Ithacan island;

325

Nay, in a foreign land I am roaming, and merely to mock me

This thou art saying, and cheating my soul with an empty illusion-

Tell me the truth! Am I come to the dear-loved land of my fathers?"

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Ever and alway the same suspicious thoughts in thy bosom !

330

This is the reason I ne'er can desert thee in all thy affliction,

Since thou art wary and ready of wit and surpassing in prudence.

Gladly had many a man, thus safely returned from a far land,

Hastened him home in the longing to look on his wife and his children;

Nowise such is thy wish—nor to listen and learn from another,

335

Ere thou hast tested thy wife to the full; but she sitteth, as alway,

There in thy palace halls, and filled with the gloom of her sadness

Waneth the day and waneth the night, while ever she weepeth.

Truly I ne'er had a doubt—nay, deep in my spirit I knew it,

Knew thy return was assured, though lost were all of thy comrades;

340

Yet was I all unwilling to strive with my father's brother,

Even Poseidon, who cherished at heart such anger against thee,

Raging because of his well-loved son, whom thou reftest of eyesight.

Come now, look on the scene and assure thee 'tis Ithaca's island!

Here is the haven of Phorcys, the ancient god of the ocean !

345

There, at the head of the harbour, a high-branch'd olive is growing,

Distant from which not far is a pleasant shadowy grotto,

Sacred haunt of the nymphs that are known as the fountain naiads;

There is the cave with its roof high-arched where often aforetime

Unto the nymphs thou hast made full many a perfect oblation.

350

There too, clothed in its forests, the mountain of Neriton riseth."

These words spoken, she scattered the mist and uncovered the landscape.

Then exulted in joy long-suffering godlike Odysseus;

Yea he rejoiced and embracing the earth, dear mother of harvests,

Uttered a prayer to the nymphs, uplifting his hands to the heaven :

355

'Fountain Naiads, ye daughters of Zeus, I had verily never

Hoped to behold you again. With the vows of affection I greet you;

Yea and oblation of gifts we shall make you, as often aforetime,

Should but the daughter of Zeus, the bestower of booty, Athene,

Graciously grant me to live, and my son to arrive at his manhood."

360

Then once more made answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene :

"Take thou courage, nor suffer thy heart herein to be anxious!

Now let us carry the gifts to the depth of this wonderful grotto;

There we will hide them at once, since there we can leave them in safety;

Then let us twain take counsel together to act for the wisest."

365

Thus when the goddess had spoken she plunged in the shadowy cavern

Eagerly searching for places of hiding; and quickly Odysseus

Bringing the whole of his treasure—the gold and the bronze adamantine,

Fine-wrought garments as well, that Phaeacian nobles had given-

Stowed them away; and a boulder was set in the door by the goddess,

370

Pallas Athena, the daughter of Zeus who beareth the aegis.

Then did the twain at the base of the sacred olive recline them,

There to consult, devising the doom of the insolent suitors.

First of the twain to begin was the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Zeus-born son of Laertes, thou wise and wileful Odysseus,

375

Think how best with a strong right hand these suitors to punish,

Shamelessly lording it still, as for three long years, in thy palace,

Wooing thy godlike wife and offering presents as lovers,

While with continual grief in her heart, as she waits for thy coming,

All she befooleth with hopes, and she giveth her promise to each one

380

Sending him many a message; but things far other she longs for."

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

"Lo now, just as it happ'd to Atrides, King Agamemnon!

Just his terrible doom in my halls I was fated to suffer,

Hadst thou not told me of all, O goddess, and duly advised me.

385

Now come, weave me a plan, how best I may hope to requite them.

Stand thou too by my side, and with dauntless courage endue me,

E'en as at Troy, when we loosened her shining tiara of towers.

Art thou so eager to stand, O grey-eyed goddess, beside me,

Then am I ready enough three hundred foes to encounter,

390

Having thy favour, my lady and goddess, to help and befriend me."

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Yea assuredly still I befriend thee, and ne'er shall forsake thee

Then, when at last we shall come to the work; and if much I mistake not,

Soon with his blood and his brains the unmeasured earth will bespatter

395

Many a man of the suitors, who now are wasting thy substance.

Come, I will change thy appearance that none shall be able to know thee;

All of the fair smooth flesh on thy pliant limbs will I wither,

Shrivel the yellow hair from thy head and wrap thee in raiment

Beggarly, such that a man might hacker at any that wore it.

400

Lustreless too will I make thine eyes, once gleaming in beauty,

So that a thing of contempt thou'lt seem to the whole of the suitors,

Yea to thy wife and the son thou didst leave as a babe in thy palace.

Now for thyself 'twere best to betake thee at first to the swineherd,

Even the thrall who attends to thy pigs. He is full of devotion

405

Both for thyself and thy son and the wise-souled Penelopeia.

Sitting in charge of the swine thou'lt find him—the herd that is feeding

Nigh to the Raven's Rock at the side of the spring Arethusa,

Eating the acorns wherein they delight, and drinking the fountain's

Dark sweet water—a food that doth nourish luxuriant fatness.

410

Here by the side of the swineherd remain and question him fully,

While I betake me to Sparta, the city of beautiful women,

Telemachus to recall; for thy son, thy beloved, Odysseus,

Thither, to wide Lacedaemon, is gone and to prince Menelaus,

Tidings of thee to discover, if still on the earth thou art living."

415

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

'Why hast thou said to him nought of the truth, though fully thou knewst it?

Was't to compel him to wander with sufferings, like to his father,

Over the wastes of the sea, while strangers devour his possessions?"

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

420

"Let not the thought of thy son too grievously trouble thy spirit.

I myself was his guide, for I wished him to win by the journey

Manly renown. Nor imagine he suffereth hardship. In comfort

Now in Atrides' palace he sits in the midst of abundance.

True, in their black-hulled ship these youths are lying in ambush

425

Eager to kill him before he arrives at the land of his fathers;

Yet do I reck not thereof, for the earth far sooner shall swallow

Many a one of the wooers who daily consume thy possessions."

Thus when Athena had spoken, her wand she extended and touched him;

All of the fair smooth flesh on his limbs of his body she withered,

430

Shrivelled the yellow hair from his head, and the whole of his person,

Every limb, with the skin of a man right agéd she covered ;

Lustreless too did she make those eyes, once gleaming in beauty;

Round him in stead of his raiment she wrapt vile rags and a doublet

Hanging in tatters and filthy, with smoke all foully besmutted,

435

Over him cast as a mantle the hide of a timorous roe-deer

Naked of hair, and she gave him a staff and a beggarly wallet

Terribly tattered and torn; and thereon was a cord to suspend it.

Thus, their counsellings ended, they parted, the goddess Athene

Going to fair Lacedaemon to seek for the son of Odysseus.

440

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

The storytelling of Odysseus has come to an end, and he will now be sent home to Ithaca by his hosts, Alkinoos and the Phaeacians. Sailing through the night in a ship provided by king Alkinoos, Odysseus is in a deep sleep, which is compared to death itself. At the precise moment when the ship reaches the shores of his homeland, Ithaca, Odysseus will ‘come to’, experiencing a mystical return to light and life.

draft js image error “Ulysses Asleep Laid on his Own Coast by the Phaeacian Sailors” (1805). John Flaxman (English, 1755–1826). Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996. Image via the Tate.

source

Homer Odyssey 13.217

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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Current edition Experimental

ODYSSEY BOOK XIII

PATTEN WILSON
THE ARRIVAL AT ITHACA

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

ODYSSEY BOOK XIII

PATTEN WILSON THE ARRIVAL AT ITHACA

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

PATTEN WILSON
THE ARRIVAL AT ITHACA