ODYSSEY BOOK XV
NOW to the spacious land Lacedaemon was Pallas Athene
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Gone, for the gallant son of the great-souled hero Odysseus
Thence she was willed to recall to his home and to hasten his coming.
Nestor's glorious son and Telemachus she discovered
Couched in the porch of the hall of the far-famed prince Menelaus.
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Sleeping was Nestor's son, for by slumber soft he was conquered,
While sweet sleep had abandoned the son of Odysseus, and wakeful
All the ambrosial night he had brooded on thoughts of his father.
Standing anigh then addressed him the grey-eyed goddess Athene:
"Telemachus, no more is it meet from thy home to absent thee,
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Leaving possessions behind and strangers too in thy homestead
Wantonly wasting thy wealth, lest soon they shall wholly despoil it,
Yea and divide it among them, and vain prove therefore thy journey.
Come now, ask that at once Menelaus good at the war-cry
Send thee, and still in thy home mayst meet with thy excellent mother,
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Though already her father and brothers incessantly bid her
Marry with Eurymachus, who hath ever excelled with his presents
All of the rest, and is now increasing his gifts as a wooer.
So shalt thou stay her from taking the goods from the house, if thou willst not.
What is the spirit that dwells in the heart of a widow thou knowest.
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Ever she aims at enriching the house of the man that will wed her :
Nought for her earlier children or husband loved in her girlhood
Cares she, if once he is dead; and she asks no longer about him.
Therefore return to thy home, and entrust with the care of the household
One of the women attendants that seemeth the best and the wisest,
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Till that a glorious bride by the gods everlasting be sent thee.
Something besides will I say; do thou lay it to heart, I beseech thee.
Lo, with malicious intent are lurking the chief of the suitors
Just 'twixt Ithacan shores and the rock-bound island of Samos,
Wishing to slay thee before thou arrivest the land of thy fathers.
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Yet do I reck not thereof, for the earth far sooner shall swallow
Many a one of the wooers who daily consume thy possessions.
Keep thou the well-built ship right far from the shores of the island;
Voyage also at night; and a favouring breeze shall attend thee,
Sent by the goddess that alway affordeth thee aid and protection.
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Now on the nearest beach of the Ithacan isle disembarking,
After despatching the vessel and all of thy mates to the city,
Hasten afoot and betake thee at first to the hut of the swineherd,
Even the thrall who attends to thy swine and is loyal as alway.
Here shalt thou rest for a night, and shalt urge him to enter the city
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Bearing a message to give to the wise-souled Penelopeia,
So that she learn that again she hath got thee in safety from Pylos."
These words uttered, the goddess departed to lofty Olympus.
Forthwith Nestor's son from his pleasant slumbers he wakened,
Stirring the youth with a touch of his heel; and he spake and addressed him :
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"Wake, Peisistratus, wake! and the hard-hoofed steeds from the stable
Hasten to bring and to yoke to the car! Let us start on the journey!"
Straightway Nestor's son Peisistratus answered him saying:
"Telemachus, though eager for starting we surely can never
Drive in the darkness of night. Ere long will be coming the daylight.
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Wait till the hero bringeth the gifts on the car to be laden,
Even the hero Atrides, the spear-famed prince Menelaus,
Yea and until with a kind farewell he shall speed thy departure
Since that a guest should surely remember as long as he liveth
Whosoever to strangers hath offered so kindly a welcome."
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Thus did he speak, and anon came Morning enthroned in her glory.
Then drew nigh to the twain Menelaus good at the war-cry,
Newly from sleep by the side of the fair-haired Helen arisen.
Him as he saw approaching, the well-loved son of Odysseus,
Hastily seizing to cover his body a glistering tunic,
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Donned it, and casting a great thick cloak on his sinewy shoulders
Went to the door. Here waited the prince, till approached and addressed him
Hero Telemachus, loved son of Odysseus the godlike :
"Captain of warrior hosts, Zeus-loved Menelaus Atrides,
Let me return, I beseech, to the well-loved land of my fathers
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Now—for already my heart is beginning to yearn for the homeland."
Him then in answer addressed Menelaus good at the war-cry :
"Telemachus, I will try no longer here to retain thee,
Since thou yearnst to depart; for I always censure another,
Whosoever receiveth a stranger and showeth affection,
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Showeth dislike too much. Fair measure is better in all things.
Equally great is the wrong if a host, when his guest is unwilling,
Urge him to go—or attempt to retain him when eager for starting.
Cherish a present guest; if he wishes to leave thee, allow him!
Wait howbeit a while, till I bring, on the car to be laden,
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Beautiful gifts—thou shalt see them thyself; and the maids shall be bidden
Get us a dinner prepared in the hall from the store of provisions.
Honour and glory to me it will bring, and to you an advantage,
Ere ye depart on a journey so boundless, with food to refresh you.
Wishest thou also in Hellas and midmost Argos to travel,
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Wait—I will come! I will order them straightway horses to harness;
Unto the cities of men I will guide thee, and never shall any
Send us away as we came; some present he surely will give us,
Either a well-wrought tripod of bronze maybe, or a cauldron,
Or peradventure a couple of mules, or a gold-wrought goblet."
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Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :
"Captain of warrior hosts, Zeus-loved Menelaus Atrides,
Unto my native land I am fain to return, for behind me
None, when I came, did I leave as a guard to protect my possessions;
Else it is like that in seeking my godlike father I perish,
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Or some treasure of worth disappear from the halls of my homestead."
Now when he heard these words, Menelaus good at the war-cry
Straightway spake to his wife and the women attendants, and bade them
Get him a dinner prepared in the hall from the store of provisions.
Meanwhile thither approached Boëthous' son, Eteóneus,
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Newly arisen from sleep—for he dwelt not far from the palace.
Him Menelaus commanded to kindle a fire, and upon it
Roast of the meat; and he heard the behest, nor was slow to obey it.
Then to the fragrant room of his treasure descended the hero,
Neither alone did he go; Megapenthes followed, and Helen.
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Now when he came to the place where stored were all of the treasures,
Forthwith prince Menelaus a twy-cupped goblet selected,
Also his son Megapenthes he ordered to carry a wine-bowl
Solid of silver; and Helen to wardrobe-boxes betook her
Where rich-broidered apparel was hoarded, the work of her needle;
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Hence uplifted a garment and took it the fairest of women,
One that was richest embroidered of all of the robes and the largest,
Glistering, like to a star; and the lowest of all it was lying.
Then to the front of the palace they passed, and here they discovered
Telemachus, and the prince fair-haired Menelaus addressed him :
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“Telemachus, the return to thy home, for the which thou art sighing,
May it be granted by Zeus, loud-thundering husband of Hera!
Mine is the granting of gifts; and of heirlooms stored in my palace
One will I give, most fair, most precious of all my possessions;
Yea I will give thee a bowl rich-worked; it is solid of silver
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All of it, save that in gold are finished the lips of the vessel ;
Wrought was the bowl by Hephaestus; and hero Phaedimus gave it,
King of the people of Sidon, when once in his palace I sojourned
While I was voyaging home. This cup will I also present thee."
These words spake Menelaus the prince, and the twy-cupped chalice
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Placed in the hand of his guest; and the stalwart youth Megapenthes
Brought him the bowl, and in front of him stationed the glittering vessel
Solid of silver; and next came fair-faced Helen anigh him,
Holding a robe in her hands, and she spake and greeted him saying:
"I too bring thee a present, my well-loved child—a memento—
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Handwork of Helen—her gift for the longed-for day of thy marriage,
Even a robe for thy wife. Let thy mother belov'd in the meanwhile
Lay it aside in her chamber; and may'st thou in safety and gladness
Come to thy well-built home once more and the land of thy fathers!"
These words spoken she reached him the robe, and with joy he received it.
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All of the presents did then Peisistratus take, and he stowed them
Into the chest of the car, upon each of them gazing in wonder.
Now to the palace he led them, the fair-haired prince Menelaus.
Here, so soon as they sat them adown on the couches and armchairs,
Water for washing of hands by a maiden was brought in an ewer
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Beautiful, golden, and over a basin of silver she poured it,
Bidding them wash; and she stationed a polished table beside them.
Then did a grave house-dame bring bread, and she laid it before them,
Lavishly adding thereto from her stores full many a dainty.
Nigh them Boëthous' son stood carving the meat and dispensing,
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While that the bearer of wine was the son of renowned Menelaus.
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,
Forthwith Telemachus and Nestor's glorious offspring
Yoking the horses and up on the rich-wrought chariot mounting
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Drave from the gate of the house and the loudly reëchoing portal.
After them hasted on foot fair-haired Menelaus Atrides
Bringing a bumper—a chalice of gold full-brimmed—in his right hand,
Wine honey-hearted, to pour as libation before they departed.
Fronting the horses he stood, and restrained them and uttered his speeding:
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"Now farewell to you both, young men! and to Nestor the chieftain
Carry my greeting, for like to a father he treated me kindly
While in the Trojan land were warring the sons of Achaea."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer:
"Yea, assuredly just as thou biddst, Zeus-loved Menelaus,
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All we shall tell him whene'er we arrive; and I would that as surely
PATTEN WILSON.
“FAREWELL TO YOU BOTH, YOUNG MEN!”
Coming to Ithaca's isle 'twere mine to discover Odysseus
There in his home, and to tell him of all thou hast shown me of kindness
Ere I returned thus laden with many a beautiful treasure."
E'en as he spake these words on the right came winging an eagle,
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Bearing a great white goose in the clutch of his talons—a tame one
Robbed from the yard of a farm; and a clamorous rabble pursued it,
Women and men—but the bird, when it now full nigh had approached them,
Suddenly swooped to the right in the front of the horses. Exulting
All of them saw it, and warm was the hope that arose in their bosoms.
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Broken by Nestor's son Peisistratus first was the silence :
"Captain of warrior hosts, Zeus-loved Menelaus, bethink thee
Whether to us or to thee some deity sendeth this omen!"
Thus did he speak, and in doubt was the warlike prince Menelaus
How to respond to the youth and the portent rightly interpret.
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Ere he replied forestalled him the long-robed Helen and answered :
"Listen, for lo I will utter a thing that the blesséd immortals
Put in my heart to predict and I trow it will find a fulfilment.
E'en as to capture the goose that was feeding secure by the farmstead
Down from the mountain he swooped, from his native haunts and his eyrie,
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Thus shall Odysseus, with all of his toils and his wanderings ended,
Come once more to his home and avenge him or even already
There is arrived, and already is plotting the doom of the suitors."
Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer :
"May it be granted by Zeus, loud-thundering husband of Hera!
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Then in the land of my birth as a goddess I'll ever invoke thee."
Speaking, he swayed with the lash at the horses : in eager excitement
Thorough the streets of the city and out to the open they galloped.
So for the whole of the day kept shaking the yoke on their shoulders,
Till, when the sun sank down and darkened was every roadway,
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Unto the township of Phera they came, and the house of Diocles,
Offspring of Orsilochus, who was son of the river Alphéus.
Here did they rest for the night, and as host he entreated them kindly.
Now when the morning was newly arisen, the roseate-fingered,
Yoked they the horses and up on the rich-wrought chariot mounting
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Drave from the gate of the house and the loudly reëchoing portal.
Then did he whip to a start, and the steeds flew eagerly onward,
Till ere long they arrived at the steep-built city of Pylos.
Here spake Telemachus and to Nestor's son he addressed him:
"Tell me, Peisistratus—couldst thou not promise and also accomplish
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This that I ask? We can claim that a lifelong friendship unites us,
Since that my father by thine was belov'd—and in age we are equals ;
Ay and to oneness of heart still more will this journey contribute.
Take me not further, I pray, but allow me to halt by my vessel,
Lest that the ancient king (as I fear) in his palace detain me,
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Eager to show me a kindness for home it is need that I hasten."
Thus did he speak, and a while with his heart Peisistratus communed
How it was seemly to make him the promise and also fulfil it.
Thus as he pondered thereon this plan seemed surely the better :
Turning his horses he came to the beach and the swift-winged vessel ;
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Here on the poop of the ship he embarked the magnificent presents,
All of the raiment and gold that the prince Menelaus had given;
Then he addressed him with swift-winged words and exhorted him, saying
"Haste thee aboard, and the whole of thy company bid to embark them,
Ere I arrive at the palace and bring to my father the tidings,
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Since right well do I know in the mind and the spirit within me,
Such is his obstinate temper, he ne'er will allow thy departure ;
Hither himself he will come to invite thee, nor ever, believe me,
Empty return, and despite thy excuse will be terribly angered."
These words spoken, he started his fair-maned horses and drave them
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On to the Pylian city, and soon was arrived at the palace.
Telemachus meanwhile uproused and commanded his shipmates :
"Set ye in order the gear, good friends, in the black-hulled vessel,
So we can get us aboard and be making a start on the journey."
Thus when he spake right gladly they hark'd to his words and obeyed him.
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Quickly they mounted the vessel and sat them adown on the benches.
So was he busied and making oblation and vows to Athene
Close by the stern of the ship, when a man drew nigh him, an exile,
One that had murdered a man and was fled from a distance, from Argos,
Famed as a prophet and claiming descent from the stock of Melampus.
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Formerly Pylos, the mother of flocks, was the home of Melampus;
Rich was the man and of mighty estate in the Pylian people,
Till at the last to a country of strangers he came from his homeland,
Fleeing the proudest of all men living, the arrogant Neleus,
Him who had seized his possessions and during a year's revolution
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Kept them by force; theatre, in the dwelling of Phylacus prisoned,
Heavily fettered he lay and suffered grievous afflictions.
Cause of it all was the daughter of Neleus—ay and his blindness,
Terrible blindness of heart that was sent by the vengeful Erinys.
Yet this doom he escaped, and the bellowing cattle to Pylos
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Back out of Phylace driving avenged on the godlike Neleus
All of that shameful deed, and he brought to the home of his brother
Neleus' daughter, and gave her as wife; then he left for a far land,
E'en for the horse-rich pastures of Argos; and here he was fated
Further to dwell and to rule o'er many a son of the Argives.
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Here did he marry a wife, and a high-roofed homestead he built him;
Antiphates he begat and Mantius, progeny stalwart;
Offspring of Antiphates was the valiant-hearted Oïcles ;
Then was Oïcles the sire of the warrior Amphiaráus,
Him who was shown by Apollo and Zeus that beareth the aegis
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Every manner of love. Eld's threshold still he attained not,
Since that he perished at Thebes through gifts to a treacherous woman.
Amphiaraus was father of Antilochus and Alcmaeon.
Two sons Mantius also begat, Polypheides and Cleitus.
Cleitus was taken from earth by the Morning, the golden-enthronéd,
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All for his beauty's sake—and he dwelleth amid the immortals,
While that the high-souled prince Polypheides was made by Apollo
Greatest of seers, since living no longer was Amphiaraus.
He to the town Hyperesia moved, enraged with his father;
Here did he make him a home and predicted the future for all men.
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Now it was this man's son, Theoclymenus named, who approaching
Closely to Telemachus, stood there at his side and beheld him
Pouring libation and praying beside of his swift black vessel.
Then he uplifted his voice and with swift-winged words he addressed him
"Friend, since just in the act of performing oblation I find thee,
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Lo, by thy gift to the god and the deity's self I beseech thee,
Yea and thy life and the lives of the men that attend thee as shipmates,
Answer me truly the question I ask thee, nor try to conceal it,
Whence and what mortal thou beest. Tell too of thy city and parents."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer
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"Yea, O stranger, the truth will I tell thee and plainly declare it.
Ithaca's isle is the land of my birth, and my sire is Odysseus—
Were he alive!—but alas, by a grievous doom he is perished.
Wherefore now I am come with my men and my black-hulled vessel
Tidings to seek of my sire who so long is away from his homeland."
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Then did the godlike seer Theoclymenus answer him saying:
"I too wander afar—for I murdered a man in my homeland,
One of my tribe, that hath many a brother and many a kinsman
There in the horse-rich pastures of Argos—Achaeans of station.
Fearing their vengeance, before that the darkness of death overtook me,
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Thence I am fled, and am fated from people to people to wander.
Give me a place on thy ship—as a fugitive, lo, I beseech thee!—
Lest they shall slay me; for closely, methinks, do they follow behind me."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:
"Nay, if thou wishest it, ne'er will I drive thee away from my vessel.
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Come with us! Also at home thou art welcome to all we can give thee."
These words uttered, the brass-bound spear from the hand of the stranger
Taking, he laid it reclined on the deck of the twy-beaked galley.
Then embarking aboard of the ocean-voyaging vessel
Nigh to the steerage he sat him adown, and closely beside him
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Bade Theoclymenus sit, and the shipmates loosened the hawser.
Forthwith Telemachus uproused and commanded his comrades
Set their hands to the gear, and they speedily rose and obeyed him.
Raising the pinewood mast to its height, in the cleft of the cross-bar
Firmly they fixed it, and bracing it taut to the prow with the forestays
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Hoisted the fair white sails with the ropes tight-twisted of oxhide.
Sent was a favouring breeze by the grey-eyed goddess Athene,
Sweeping with vehement gusts thro' a clear blue sky, that the vessel
Over the salt sea water with speed might finish her journey.
Soon past Crouni they sailed and the beautiful river of Chalcis,
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Till, when the sun sank down and darkened was every roadway,
Sped by the breezes of Zeus she was near to the haven of Pheae,
Then passed Elis the wonderful land where rule the Epeans.
Thence to the Pinnacled Isles he directed the course of the vessel,
Wondering whether his death were lying before him or safety.
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Now in the hut was Odysseus again with the good old swineherd
Sitting at supper, and all of the farmyard fellows beside them,
Till, when at last they had lost all pleasure in meat and the wine-cup,
Then in the midst did Odysseus begin, thus testing the swineherd
Whether he still was inclined to entreat him with kindness and bid him
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There to remain at the farm or to urge him to visit the city:
"List to my words, Eumaeus, and all of you others, his fellows!
Early the morn I am minded to get me adown to the city;
There will I beg, lest here both master and men I shall ruin.
Give me advice and vouchsafe me a guide right trusty to lead me
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Unto the city. Within it alone I shall fare, as I needs must,
Wandering round in the hope that a cup or a crust will be offered.
Also I mean to arrive at the palace of godlike Odysseus,
There to relate what I know to the wise-souled Penelopeia,
Ay and moreover am fain to apply to the insolent suitors
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Whether a meal they'll give me from all their boundless provisions.
Easily might I supply them with service, whatever was wished for,
Since (and of this I assure thee and I beg thee to listen and mark me)
Under the favour of Hermes the herald of heaven, who alway
Crowneth the labour of men with the guerdon of grace and of glory,
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Such is my deftness in serving no mortal can hope to excel me
Either at skilfully building a fire or in cleaving the fuel,
Ay or at carving or roasting the meat or at brimming the wine-cup,
Duties at which great folk have service of men that be meaner."
Him then in heavy displeasure addressed Eumaeus the swineherd:
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"Out and alas! how comes it, my friend, such thought is arisen
Now in thy mind? By my troth, thou'rt utterly set on perdition,
Thus intending to venture thyself in the rout of the suitors,
Whose fierce insolence reacheth aloft to the brazen heaven.
Underlings such as thyself these men keep not to attend them;
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Striplings they have, all finely apparelled in mantles and tunics;
Gleaming with oil is the head and comely the face when a servant
Serveth the men at a feast; and the polished banqueting-tables
Ever with bread and with flesh and with wine groan heavily laden.
Nay but abide with us still! There's none that is harmed by thy presence,
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Neither myself nor another of all of my fellows who live here.
Willst thou await the return of the well-loved son of Odysseus,
He will be ready to clothe thee in raiment, in mantle and tunic,
Ay and will send thee wherever thy heart and thy spirit shall call thee."
Him gave answer at once long-suffering godlike Odysseus :
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"Would, Eumaeus, that Zeus our Father may love thee as I do,
Since thou hast given me rest from my roamings and terrible hardships.
Nought is an evil for man more sad than to rove as an outcast ;
Yet for the belly—accursed thing !—full many an insult
Beareth a man when he suffers as wanderer pain and privation.
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Well now, seeing thou holdest me here, and biddst me await him,
Give to me tidings, I pray, of the mother of godlike Odysseus,
Yea and his sire, whom he left on the threshold of eld when he parted.
Are they alive peradventure and still in the realm of the sunlight?
Are they departed already to dwell in the mansion of Hades?"
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Forthwith answering spake Eumaeus master of swineherds :
"Well, O stranger, the truth will I tell thee and plainly declare it.
Touching Laertes—he liveth; but Zeus he is ever imploring
Out of his body to wither his soul in the halls of his homestead,
So unspeakably mourns he the son that is gone and is vanished,
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Yea and the wife of his youth, wise Anticleia—for sorely
Grieved he at heart when she died, and to eld untimely it brought him.
She too perished of grief for her son for the noble Odysseus.
Grievous indeed was her death, and I pray none other may end so,
None that is dwelling anigh and is friendly in word and in action.
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Now while yet she was living on earth, though living in sorrow,
Still was it ever my joy to inquire and learn of her welfare,
Since as her child she had loved and with long-robed Ctímene reared me—
Ctímene, tall fair maiden, the youngest of all of her children—
Reared us together, and little she honoured me less than her daughter.
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Now when we both had arrived at the season of love and of beauty
Her for a countless treasure they sent to a Samian chieftain;
Me did my lady—whenas she had given me mantle and tunic,
Beautiful raiment to clothe me withal, and had shod me in sandals—
Send to the farm; but she loved me at heart still more than aforetime.
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Now is my happiness vanished away; but the blesséd immortals
Prosper the work of my hands—this task that I alway attend to;
Yea and enough is my food and my drink, and I give to the honest.
Still, I am able to gain no pleasant news of my mistress
Neither by word nor deed—for the house by a plague is infested,
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Even this insolent horde; and a thrall hath greatly the longing
Now and again with his lady to speak and to learn what is needed,
Ay and to get him a meal and a drink, and a trifle to carry
Back to the farm—such trifles as comfort the heart of a servant."
Him then in turn thus answered and spake deep-plotting Odysseus:
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"Heav'ns! how far thou hast wandered when small, Eumaeus the swineherd,
E'n as a child so far from thy native land and thy parents!
Come now, tell me the thing that I ask thee and clearly explain it.
Perished the wide-way'd city of warriors, pillaged by foemen,
Where was the dwelling-place of thy sire and his lady, thy mother?
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Or in a lonesome spot while tending the sheep or the oxen
Captured by hostile men wast thou carried aboard and exported
Unto the home of this master of thine, who purchased thee dearly?"
Forthwith answering spake Eumaeus master of swineherds:
"Since, O stranger, thou fain wouldst hear of this matter and learn it,
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Listen in silence and make thee at ease, and quaff of the wine-cup
There as thou sittest. The night at this season is endless; for sleeping
Time is enough, and to feast or to list to a tale—and thou needst not
Lay thee to slumber before it is time. Much sleep is a mischief.
Touching the others, whoever is bid by his heart and his spirit
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Now can depart to his bed, and as soon as the morning appeareth,
After his breakfast is done, let him follow the swine of the master.
We two here in the cottage remaining, and drinking and feasting,
Each will delight him in hearing the toils and the griefs of the other,
While we relate of the past since trouble is sweet to remember,
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After it ends, for a man that hath wandered afar and hath suffered.
So I will tell thee of all that thou fain wouldst learn of the matter.
There is an isle Syrië (thou hast heard its name peradventure)
Past the Ortygian isle, where pauseth the sun and returneth;
Not so exceedingly full is the island of folk, but is fertile,
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Richly abounding in flocks and in herds and in corn and in vineyards.
Famine hath never invaded the land, nor ever another
Pestilence such as afflicts poor mortals grievously ofttimes.
Here when the folk that inhabit the land grow agéd and feeble,
Then with his silvern bow, and with Artemis, cometh Apollo,
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Launching his painless bolts, and assails them and suddenly slays them.
Towns in the isle are twain, and the whole is divided amongst them.
Over the one and the other alike ruled solely my father,
Ctesius Ormenides, who a god everlasting resembled.
Once came hither a crew of the famed Phoenician sea-folk,
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Hucksters with countless trinkets and gauds in their black-hulled vessel.
Now in the house of my sire was a young Phoenician woman
Comely and tall and endowed with a deftness in exquisite handwork.
Her with their wileful ways these sly Phoenicians cheated.
Firstly, anigh to the hollow ship, as she tended the washing
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One of them met her and won her by love—such love as deceiveth
Often the womanly heart, yea even of her that is upright.
Then, as the fellow demanded her name and the name of her homeland,
Straight she confessed it, describing the high-roofed house of her father:
'Native of Sidon, the city abounding in bronze, I avow me,
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Daughter of Arybas—one who was lavishly dowered with riches.
Taphians stole me away—sea-roving robbers, who caught me
While from the fields I was coming. They carried me over the ocean
Here to the home of this master of mine; and he paid for me dearly.'
Then did the man who in secret had won her address her in answer:
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'Say now, wouldst thou be willing to come with us back to thy homeland,
Unto the high-roofed house of thy father and mother, and see them,
Even themselves? for I know them to live and be famed for their riches.'
Then did the woman address him again, and she answered him saying
'Ay, 'twere possible so, if ye all were willing, ye sailors,
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Surely to promise on oath to convey me unharmed to my homeland.'
Thus did she speak, and they all of them promised on oath, as she bade them.
Then, so soon as they gave her the oath and had finished the plighting,
Spake once more to the sailors the woman and answered them saying:
'Now keep silence! Let none of you venture a word to address me,
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None of the crew, if we pass in the street of the village, or haply
Meet at the fountain, for fear lest somebody go and relate it
Unto the master at home, and the old man, growing suspicious,
Straitly confine me in bonds and devise some plan to destroy you.
Keep ye the matter in mind. Push forward the purchase of cargo.
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Then, when at last your vessel is freighted with store of provisions,
Speedily send to the palace a message to tell me the tidings.
Gold I will bring you—whatever shall come to the reach of my fingers;
Ay and besides, for my fare, I am willing to make you a present.
There is a child of the goodman I serve as his nurse in the palace—
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Such a precocious chit on my walks comes trotting beside me.
Him I shall manage to whele aboard; and a profit enormous
Sure he will bring, wherever to foreign folk ye export him.'
These words spoken, the woman returned to the beautiful mansion.
Now for the whole of a year did the sailors, abiding amongst us,
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Traffic and lade on the hollow ship great store of provisions.
Then, when at last their vessel was freighted and ready for sailing,
One of them bearing a message they sent to report to the woman.
So he arrived—sly fellow—and entered the house of my father
Bringing a necklace of gold that with droplets of amber was beaded.
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Now as the maiden attendants and also their lady, my mother
Crowded around in the hall to examine and handle the trinket,
Bidding their prices, he silently gave to the woman the signal.
After the sign he had made to the hollow ship he departed.
Taking me then by the hand she conducted me forth, and it happened,
465
Passing the porch of the house, she discovered the tables and goblets
Left by the guests, who had there on my sire been paying attendance—
These to the session had gone and the place of the people's assembly.
So three goblets she took and concealing them well in her bosom
Carried them off—and I went with the woman in innocent folly.
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Set was already the sun and darkened was every roadway
Ere to the far-famed haven we came though urgently hasting—
Where was at anchor the vessel of those Phoenician seamen.
Forthwith now they embarked, and they took us aboard and departed,
Sailing the watery ways with a stern-wind sent by the Father.
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Six days long did we sail—and by night no less than by daytime—
Till when the light of a seventh was added by Father Cronion
Suddenly smit was the woman by Artemis, darter of arrows;
Into the bilge down-dropping she plunged as a gull of the ocean.
Her dead body, to serve as a spoil for the seals and the fishes,
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Out of the vessel they cast; and with desolate heart I was left there,
Till on the Ithacan isle by the wind and the currents of ocean
Wafted we happ'd; and there I was bought by the wealth of Laertes.
So did I come to behold this land on the which I am dwelling.”
Then did Odysseus the offspring of Zeus thus answer him saying:
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"Ah, Eumaeus, profoundly thou stirrest the spirit within me,
Telling the tale of thy life—of the toils and the woes thou hast suffered.
Natheless unto the evil hath Zeus much happiness added
Bringing thee after thy perils and toils to the home of a master
Kindly a master that gives thee of food and of drink in abundance,
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Tending thee well. 'Tis a life right pleasant thou livest—but, ah me !
Ere I arrived I had roamed through many a city of mortals!"
Thus these twain, as they sat, held converse one with another.
Then did they lay them to sleep, for a space not long, but a little.
Soon rose Morning enthroned in her glory.
495
And now on the sea-shore
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Telemachus and his men were striking the sails, and the mast-tree
Quickly they lowered, and pulled with the oars to her moorings the vessel,
Then cast sleepers, and after the stern they had fastened with cables
Out of the vessel they stepped on the surf-beat strand of the ocean,
Where they prepared them a meal; and they mingled them fiery red wine.
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Then, when at last they had lost all pleasure in meat and the wine-cup,
Spake sage Telemachus, and thus he began to address them :
"Ye now hasten ahead to the town with the black-hulled vessel!
Touching myself, I am going to visit the farms and the herdsmen.
After inspecting the fields I shall come to the city at nightfall.
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Early the morn I shall offer, as wages due for the voyage,
Lavish abundance of meat and of savoury wine for a banquet."
Then did the godlike seer Theoclýmenus answer him saying:
"Ay but for me, dear child where now shall I go? In his mansion
Which of thy rockbound Ithaca's chieftains will offer me shelter?
510
Willst thou I make me my way forthwith to thy home and thy mother?"
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer
"Were it but elsewise, yes—to the home of my fathers I'd bid thee
Straight to proceed; for it fails not in welcome to guests; but thou mightst there
Evilly fare, for I thence shall be absent myself, and my mother
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Ne'er will behold thee; for little she cares in the halls with the suitors
Oft to appear, but alone in her upper apartment she weaveth.
Nay, I will name thee another—a man would give thee a welcome.
Eurymachus he is called, wise Polybus' glorious offspring.
He as a god by the people of Ithaca now is regarded,
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Being a man far better than all of the rest; and he greatly
Longeth my mother to win and to rule in the stead of Odysseus.
Ah but the Father alone who dwells on the heights of Olympus
Knows if he first will vouchsafe them espousals or utter destruction."
Scarce had he spoken when, lo, on the right came flying a falcon,
525
Messenger bird of Apollo, the soaring hawk, in his talons
Clutching and tearing a dove; and to earth fell floating the feathers
'Twixt where Telemachus was reclining and beached was his vessel ;
Whom then apart from the rest of the men Theoclýmenus calling,
Gave him a clasp of the hand, as he opened his lips and addressed him :
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"Sure as a sign from a god on the right came flying the falcon!
Yae and as soon as I saw it I knew that the bird was an omen.
Telemachus, more royal than yours no race is existing
Here in the Ithacan land; ye shall aye be established in power."
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer
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"Stranger, I pray for the word thou hast spoken to find a fulfilment ;
Then shalt thou speedily find both friendship and many a present
Come from me—such that whoever shall meet thee will hold thee as blesséd."
These words spoken, he called Peiraeus, his trusty companion :
"Clytius' son, Peiraeus, of all thou'rt ever the foremost
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Me to obey—of the men that as shipmates followed to Pylos.
Now too listen, and take our friend as a guest to thy homestead!
Carefully tend him and kindly entreat him until my arrival!"
Straight did the spearman renowned, Peiraeus, address him in answer:
"Telemachus, yea surely; and thinkest thou long to remain here,
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Still he shall stay as my guest, nor ever be wanting in welcome."
These words uttered he mounted the vessel and called to his comrades,
Bidding them also embark and unloose from the moorings the cables.
Then did they get them aboard and they took their seats on the benches.
Telemachus meanwhile on his feet bound beautiful sandals,
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Also his spear bronze-bladed and mighty, of terrible keenness,
Took from the deck; and the men made loose from the moorings the cables.
Then out-thrusting they sailed for the town, as the prince had commanded,
Even the well-loved son of the hero, godlike Odysseus.
Him on his way bare swiftly his feet, till he came to the farmstead
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Where was the numberless drove of his swine, and the good old swineherd
Watching them even by night, with devotion true to his masters.
Detail from a fresco found at Hagia Triadha in Crete. Reconstruction by Mark Cameron, p. 96 of the catalogue Fresco: A Passport into the Past. Minoan Crete through the eyes of Mark Cameron. 1999. Catalogue curated by Doniert Evely. Athens: British School at Athens; and N. P. Goulandris Foundation, Museum of Cycladic Art. Reproduced with the permission of the British School at Athens. BSA Archive: Mark Cameron Personal Papers: CAM 1.