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Much-enduring great Odysseus was glad [200] when he found he had a friend among the lookers-on, so he began to speak more pleasantly. “Young men,” said he, “come up to that throw if you can, and I will throw another disc as heavy or even heavier. If anyone wants to have a bout with me [205] let him come on, for I am exceedingly angry; I will box, wrestle, or run, I do not care what it is, with any man of you all except Laodamas, but not with him because I am his guest, and one cannot compete with one’s own personal friend. At least I do not think it a prudent or a sensible thing [210] for a guest to challenge his host’s family at any game [ āthlos], especially when he is in a foreign dēmos. He will cut the ground from under his own feet if he does; but I make no exception as regards any one else, for I want to have the matter out and know which is the best man. I am a good hand at every kind of athletic sport [ āthlos] known among humankind. [215] I am an excellent archer. In battle I am always the first to bring a man down with my arrow, no matter how many more are taking aim at him alongside of me. Philoctetes was the only man who could shoot better than I could [220] when we Achaeans were before the dēmos of the Trojans. I far excel every one else in the whole world, of those who still eat bread upon the face of the earth, but I should not like to shoot against the mighty dead, such as Hēraklēs, or Eurytos of Oikhalia— [225] men who could shoot against the gods themselves. This in fact was how great Eurytos came prematurely by his end, for Apollo was angry with him and killed him because he challenged him as an archer. I can throw a dart farther than any one else can shoot an arrow. [230] Running is the only point in respect of which I am afraid some of the Phaeacians might beat me, for I have been brought down very low at sea; my provisions ran short, and therefore I am still weak.”

They all held their peace [235] except King Alkinoos, who began, “Sir, we have had much pleasure in hearing all that you have told us, from which I understand that you are willing to show your prowess [ aretē], as having been displeased with some insolent remarks that have been made to you by one of our athletes, and which could never have been uttered [240] by any one who knows how to talk with propriety. I hope you will apprehend my meaning, and will explain to any one of your chief men who may be dining with yourself and your family when you get home, that we have an hereditary aptitude [ aretē] [245] for accomplishments of all kinds. We are not particularly remarkable for our boxing, nor yet as wrestlers, but we are singularly fleet of foot and are excellent sailors. 248 Dear to us always is feasting [ dais], also the kitharis, and occasions of singing and dancing [ khoroi], 249 also the changing of costumes from one occasion to the next, also warm baths and lying around in bed. [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.) — 8.199 focus

ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,

χαίρων, οὕνεχʼ ἑταῖρον ἐνηέα λεῦσσʼ ἐν ἀγῶνι.

200

καὶ τότε κουφότερον μετεφώνεε Φαιήκεσσιν·

τοῦτον νῦν ἀφίκεσθε, νέοι. τάχα δʼ ὕστερον ἄλλον

ἥσειν ἢ τοσσοῦτον ὀίομαι ἢ ἔτι μᾶσσον.

τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ὅτινα κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει,

δεῦρʼ ἄγε πειρηθήτω, ἐπεί μʼ ἐχολώσατε λίην,

205

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

πάντων Φαιήκων, πλήν γʼ αὐτοῦ Λαοδάμαντος.

ξεῖνος γάρ μοι ὅδʼ ἐστί· τίς ἂν φιλέοντι μάχοιτο;

ἄφρων δὴ κεῖνός γε καὶ οὐτιδανὸς πέλει ἀνήρ,

ὅς τις ξεινοδόκῳ ἔριδα προφέρηται ἀέθλων

210

δήμῳ ἐν ἀλλοδαπῷ· ἕο δʼ αὐτοῦ πάντα κολούει.

τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὔ πέρ τινʼ ἀναίνομαι οὐδʼ ἀθερίζω,

ἀλλʼ ἐθέλω ἴδμεν καὶ πειρηθήμεναι ἄντην.

πάντα γὰρ οὐ κακός εἰμι, μετʼ ἀνδράσιν ὅσσοι ἄεθλοι·

εὖ μὲν τόξον οἶδα ἐύξοον ἀμφαφάασθαι·

215

πρῶτός κʼ ἄνδρα βάλοιμι ὀιστεύσας ἐν ὁμίλῳ

ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων, εἰ καὶ μάλα πολλοὶ ἑταῖροι

ἄγχι παρασταῖεν καὶ τοξαζοίατο φωτῶν.

οἶος δή με Φιλοκτήτης ἀπεκαίνυτο τόξῳ

δήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅτε τοξαζοίμεθʼ Ἀχαιοί.

220

τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ἐμέ φημι πολὺ προφερέστερον εἶναι,

ὅσσοι νῦν βροτοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ χθονὶ σῖτον ἔδοντες.

ἀνδράσι δὲ προτέροισιν ἐριζέμεν οὐκ ἐθελήσω,

οὔθʼ Ἡρακλῆι οὔτʼ Εὐρύτῳ Οἰχαλιῆι,

οἵ ῥα καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἐρίζεσκον περὶ τόξων.

225

τῷ ῥα καὶ αἶψʼ ἔθανεν μέγας Εὔρυτος, οὐδʼ ἐπὶ γῆρας

ἵκετʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι· χολωσάμενος γὰρ Ἀπόλλων

ἔκτανεν, οὕνεκά μιν προκαλίζετο τοξάζεσθαι.

δουρὶ δʼ ἀκοντίζω ὅσον οὐκ ἄλλος τις ὀιστῷ.

οἴοισιν δείδοικα ποσὶν μή τίς με παρέλθῃ

230

Φαιήκων· λίην γὰρ ἀεικελίως ἐδαμάσθην

κύμασιν ἐν πολλοῖς, ἐπεὶ οὐ κομιδὴ κατὰ νῆα

ἦεν ἐπηετανός· τῷ μοι φίλα γυῖα λέλυνται.

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.

Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·

235

ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀχάριστα μεθʼ ἡμῖν ταῦτʼ ἀγορεύεις,

ἀλλʼ ἐθέλεις ἀρετὴν σὴν φαινέμεν, ἥ τοι ὀπηδεῖ,

χωόμενος ὅτι σʼ οὗτος ἀνὴρ ἐν ἀγῶνι παραστὰς

νείκεσεν, ὡς ἂν σὴν ἀρετὴν βροτὸς οὔ τις ὄνοιτο,

ὅς τις ἐπίσταιτο ᾗσι φρεσὶν ἄρτια βάζειν·

240

ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν ἐμέθεν ξυνίει ἔπος, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλῳ

εἴπῃς ἡρώων, ὅτε κεν σοῖς ἐν μεγάροισι

δαινύῃ παρὰ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ καὶ σοῖσι τέκεσσιν,

ἡμετέρης ἀρετῆς μεμνημένος, οἷα καὶ ἡμῖν

Ζεὺς ἐπὶ ἔργα τίθησι διαμπερὲς ἐξ ἔτι πατρῶν.

245

οὐ γὰρ πυγμάχοι εἰμὲν ἀμύμονες οὐδὲ παλαισταί,

ἀλλὰ ποσὶ κραιπνῶς θέομεν καὶ νηυσὶν ἄριστοι,

αἰεὶ δʼ ἡμῖν δαίς τε φίλη κίθαρίς τε χοροί τε

εἵματά τʼ ἐξημοιβὰ λοετρά τε θερμὰ καὶ εὐναί.

250

ἀλλʼ ἄγε, Φαιήκων βητάρμονες ὅσσοι ἄριστοι,

250

παίσατε, ὥς χʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνίσπῃ οἷσι φίλοισιν

οἴκαδε νοστήσας, ὅσσον περιγιγνόμεθʼ ἄλλων

ναυτιλίῃ καὶ ποσσὶ καὶ ὀρχηστυῖ καὶ ἀοιδῇ.

Δημοδόκῳ δέ τις αἶψα κιὼν φόρμιγγα λίγειαν

οἰσέτω, ἥ που κεῖται ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιν.

255

ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀλκίνοος θεοείκελος, ὦρτο δὲ κῆρυξ

οἴσων φόρμιγγα γλαφυρὴν δόμου ἐκ βασιλῆος.

αἰσυμνῆται δὲ κριτοὶ ἐννέα πάντες ἀνέσταν

δήμιοι, οἳ κατʼ ἀγῶνας ἐὺ πρήσσεσκον ἕκαστα,

λείηναν δὲ χορόν, καλὸν δʼ εὔρυναν ἀγῶνα.

260

κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων φόρμιγγα λίγειαν

Δημοδόκῳ· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα κίʼ ἐς μέσον· ἀμφὶ δὲ κοῦροι

πρωθῆβαι ἵσταντο, δαήμονες ὀρχηθμοῖο,

πέπληγον δὲ χορὸν θεῖον ποσίν. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

μαρμαρυγὰς θηεῖτο ποδῶν, θαύμαζε δὲ θυμῷ.

265

αὐτὰρ ὁ φορμίζων ἀνεβάλλετο καλὸν ἀείδειν

ἀμφʼ Ἄρεος φιλότητος εὐστεφάνου τʼ Ἀφροδίτης,

ὡς τὰ πρῶτα μίγησαν ἐν Ἡφαίστοιο δόμοισι

λάθρῃ, πολλὰ δʼ ἔδωκε, λέχος δʼ ᾔσχυνε καὶ εὐνὴν

Ἡφαίστοιο ἄνακτος. ἄφαρ δέ οἱ ἄγγελος ἦλθεν

270

Ἥλιος, ὅ σφʼ ἐνόησε μιγαζομένους φιλότητι.

Ἥφαιστος δʼ ὡς οὖν θυμαλγέα μῦθον ἄκουσε,

βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐς χαλκεῶνα κακὰ φρεσὶ βυσσοδομεύων,

ἐν δʼ ἔθετʼ ἀκμοθέτῳ μέγαν ἄκμονα, κόπτε δὲ δεσμοὺς

ἀρρήκτους ἀλύτους, ὄφρʼ ἔμπεδον αὖθι μένοιεν.

275

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τεῦξε δόλον κεχολωμένος Ἄρει,

βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐς θάλαμον, ὅθι οἱ φίλα δέμνιʼ ἔκειτο,

ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἑρμῖσιν χέε δέσματα κύκλῳ ἁπάντῃ·

πολλὰ δὲ καὶ καθύπερθε μελαθρόφιν ἐξεκέχυντο,

ἠύτʼ ἀράχνια λεπτά, τά γʼ οὔ κέ τις οὐδὲ ἴδοιτο,

280

οὐδὲ θεῶν μακάρων· πέρι γὰρ δολόεντα τέτυκτο.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα δόλον περὶ δέμνια χεῦεν,

εἴσατʼ ἴμεν ἐς Λῆμνον, ἐυκτίμενον πτολίεθρον,

ἥ οἱ γαιάων πολὺ φιλτάτη ἐστὶν ἁπασέων.

οὐδʼ ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχε χρυσήνιος Ἄρης,

285

ὡς ἴδεν Ἥφαιστον κλυτοτέχνην νόσφι κιόντα·

βῆ δʼ ἰέναι πρὸς δῶμα περικλυτοῦ Ἡφαίστοιο

ἰσχανόων φιλότητος ἐυστεφάνου Κυθερείης.

ἡ δὲ νέον παρὰ πατρὸς ἐρισθενέος Κρονίωνος

ἐρχομένη κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζεθʼ· ὁ δʼ εἴσω δώματος ᾔει,

290

ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·

δεῦρο, φίλη, λέκτρονδε τραπείομεν εὐνηθέντες·

οὐ γὰρ ἔθʼ Ἥφαιστος μεταδήμιος, ἀλλά που ἤδη

οἴχεται ἐς Λῆμνον μετὰ Σίντιας ἀγριοφώνους.

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.) — 8.199 focus

So she spoke, and the much-enduring goodly Odysseus was glad, 200 rejoicing that he saw a true friend in the lists. Then with a lighter heart he spoke among the Phaeacians: “Reach this now, young men; and presently, methinks, I will send another after it, as far or even further. Of the rest, if any man's heart and spirit bid him, 205 let him come hither and make trial—for ye have greatly angered me—be it in boxing or in wrestling, aye, or in running, I care not; let any one come of all the Phaeacians, save Laodamas alone. For he is my host, and who would quarrel with one that entertains him? Foolish is that man and worthless, 210 who challenges to a contest the host who receives him in a strange land; he does but mar his own fortunes. But of all the rest I refuse none, and make light of none, but am fain to know them, and make trial of them man to man. For in all things I am no weakling, even in all the contests that are practised among men. 215 Well do I know how to handle the polished bow, and ever would I be the first to shoot and smite my man in the throng of the foe, even though many comrades stood by me and were shooting at the men. Only Philoctetes excelled me with the bow 220 in the land of the Trojans, when we Achaeans shot. But of all others I declare that I am best by far, of all mortals that are now upon the earth and eat bread. Yet with men of former days I will not seek to vie, with Heracles or with Eurytus of Oechalia , 225 who strove even with the immortals in archery. Wherefore great Eurytus died soon, nor did old age come upon him in his halls, for Apollo waxed wroth and slew him, because he had challenged him to a contest with the bow. And with the spear I throw farther than any other man can shoot with an arrow. 230 In the foot race alone I fear that someone of the Phaeacians may out strip me, for cruelly have I been broken amid the many waves, since there was in my ship no lasting store of provisions; therefore my limbs are loosened.” So he spoke and they were all hushed in silence; 235 but Alcinous alone answered him and said: “Stranger, since not ungraciously dost thou speak thus in our midst, but art minded to shew forth the prowess which waits upon thee, in anger that yonder man came up to thee in the lists and taunted thee in a way in which no mortal would make light of thy prowess, 240 who knew in his heart how to speak fitly; come, now, hearken to my words, that thou mayest tell to another hero, when in thy halls thou art feasting with thy wife and children, and rememberest our skill, what feats 245 Zeus has vouchsafed to us from our fathers' days even until now. For we are not faultless boxers or wrestlers, but in the foot race we run swiftly, and we are the best seamen; and ever to us is the banquet dear, and the lyre, and the dance, and changes of raiment, and warm baths, and the couch.

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.) — 8.234 focus

234 They all held their peace except King Alkinoos, who began, "Sir, we have had much pleasure in hearing all that you have told us, from which I understand that you are willing to show your prowess [ aretê], as having been displeased with some insolent remarks that have been made to you by one of our athletes, and which could never have been uttered by any one who knows how to talk with propriety. I hope you will apprehend my meaning, and will explain to any one of your chief men who may be dining with yourself and your family when you get home, that we have an hereditary aptitude [ aretê] for accomplishments of all kinds. We are not particularly remarkable for our boxing, nor yet as wrestlers, but we are singularly fleet of foot and are excellent sailors. We are extremely fond of good dinners, music, and dancing [ khoros]; we also like frequent changes of linen, warm baths, and good beds; so now, please, some of you who are the best dancers set about dancing, that our guest on his return home may be able to tell his friends how much we surpass all other nations as sailors, runners, dancers, minstrels. Demodokos has left his lyre at my house, so run some one or other of you and fetch it for him."

256 On this a servant hurried off to bring the lyre from the king's house, and the nine men who had been chosen as stewards stood forward. It was their business to manage everything connected with the sports, so they made the ground smooth and marked a wide space for the dancers [ khoros]. Presently the servant came back with Demodokos’ lyre, and he took his place in the midst of them, whereon the best young dancers [ khoros] in the town began to foot and trip it so nimbly that Odysseus was delighted with the merry twinkling of their feet.

266 Meanwhile the bard began to sing the loves of Ares and Aphrodite, and how they first began their intrigue in the house of Hephaistos. Ares made Aphrodite many presents, and defiled lord Hephaistos’ marriage bed, so the sun, who saw what they were about, told Hephaistos. Hephaistos was very angry when he heard such dreadful news, so he went to his smithy brooding mischief, got his great anvil into its place, and began to forge some chains which none could either unloose or break, so that they might stay there in that place. When he had finished his snare he went into his bedroom and festooned the bed-posts all over with chains like cobwebs; he also let many hang down from the great beam of the ceiling. Not even a god could see them, so fine and subtle were they. As soon as he had spread the chains all over the bed, he made as though he were setting out for the fair state of Lemnos , which of all places in the world was the one he was most fond of. But Ares kept no blind look out, and as soon as he saw him start, hurried off to his house, burning with love for Aphrodite.

289 Now Aphrodite was just come in from a visit to her father Zeus, and was about sitting down when Ares came inside the house, and said as he took her hand in his own, "Let us go to the couch of Hephaistos: he is not at home, but is gone off to Lemnos among the Sintians, whose speech is barbarous."

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 8.199 focus

She spake; Ulysses the great sufferer

Heard, and rejoiced to know he had a friend

250

In that great circle. With a lighter heart

Thus said the chief to the Phæacian crowd:

"Follow that cast, young men, and I will send

Another stone, at once, as far, perchance,

Or further still. If there are others yet

255

Who feel the wish, let them come forward here,

For much your words have chafed me, - let them try

With me the boxing or the wrestling match,

Or foot-race; there is naught that I refuse, —

Any of the Phæacians. I except

260

Laodamas; he is my host, and who

Would enter such a contest with a friend?

A senseless, worthless man is he who seeks

A strife like this with one who shelters him

In a strange land; he mars the welcome given.

265

As for the rest, there is no rival here

Whom I reject or scorn; for I would know

Their prowess, and would try my own with theirs

Before you all. At any of the games

Practised among mankind I am not ill,

270

Whatever they may be. The polished bow

I well know how to handle. I should be

The first to strike a foe by arrows sent

Among a hostile squadron, though there stood

A crowd of fellow-warriors by my side

275

And also aimed their shafts. The only one

Whose skill in archery excelled my own,

When we Achaians drew the bow at Troy,

Was Philoctetes; to all other men

On earth that live by bread I hold myself

280

Superior. Yet I claim no rivalry

With men of ancient times, - with Hercules

And Eurytus the Echalian, who defied

The immortals to a contest with the bow.

Therefore was mighty Eurytus cut off.

285

Apollo, angry to be challenged, slew

The hero. I can hurl a spear beyond

Where others send an arrow. All my fear

Is for my feet, so weakened have I been

Among the stormy waves with want of food

290

At sea, and thus my limbs have lost their strength."

He ended here, and all the assembly sat

In silence; King Alcinoüs only spake : -

"Stranger, since thou dost speak without offence,

And but to assert the prowess of thine arm,

295

Indignant that amid the public games

This man should rail at thee, and since thy wish

Is only that all others who can speak

Becomingly may not in time to come

Dispraise that prowess, now, then, heed my words,

300

And speak of them within thy palace halls

To other heroes when thou banquetest

Beside thy wife and children, and dost think

Of things that we excel in, arts which Jove

Gives us, transmitted from our ancestors.

305

In boxing and in wrestling small renown

Have we, but we are swift of foot; we guide

Our galleys bravely o'er the deep; we take

Delight in feasts; we love the harp, the dance,

And change of raiment, the warm bath and bed.

310

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 8.199 focus

The friendly voice Ulysses hears with joy;

Then thus aloud, (elate with decent pride,)

Ulysses

"Rise, ye Phaeacians, try your force," (he cried;)
230

"If with this throw the strongest caster vie,

Still, further still, I bid the discus fly.

Stand forth, ye champions, who the gauntlet wield,

Or ye, the swiftest racers of the field!

Stand forth, ye wrestlers, who these pastimes grace!
235

I wield the gauntlet, and I run the race.

In such heroic games I yield to none,

Or yield to brave Laodamas alone:

Shall I with brave Laodamas contend?

A friend is sacred, and I style him friend.
240

Ungenerous were the man, and base of heart,

Who takes the kind, and pays th' ungrateful part:

Chiefly the man, in foreign realms confin'd,

Base to his friend, to his own interest blind:

All, all your heroes I this day defy;
245

Give me a man, that we our might may try:

Expert in every art, I boast the skill

To give the feather'd arrow wings to kill;

Should a whole host at once discharge the bow,

My well-aim'd shaft with death prevents the foe:
250

Alone superior in the field of Troy,

Great Philoctetes taught the shaft to fly.

From all the sons of earth unrivall'd praise

I justly claim; but yield to better days;

To those fam'd days when great Alcides rose,
255

And Eurytus, who bade the gods be foes:

(Vain Eurytus, whose art became his crime;¹

Swept from the earth, he perish'd in his prime;

Sudden th' irremeable way he trod,

Who boldly durst defy the bowyer god.)
260

In fighting fields as far the spear I throw

As flies an arrow from the well-drawn bow.

Sole in the race the contest I decline,²

Stiff are my weary joints, and I resign;

By storms and hunger worn; age well may fail,
265

When storms and hunger both at once assail."

Abash'd, the numbers hear the godlike man,

Till great Alcinoüs mildly thus began:

Alcinous

"Well hast thou spoke, and well thy generous tongue

With decent pride refutes a public wrong:
270

Warm are thy words, but warm without offence;

Fear only fools, secure in men of sense;

Thy worth is known. Then hear our country's claim,

And bear to heroes our heroic fame:

In distant realms our glorious deeds display,
275

Repeat them frequent in the genial day;

When blest with ease thy woes and wanderings end,

Teach them thy consort, bid thy sons attend;

How, lov'd of Jove, he crown'd our sires with praise,

How we their offspring dignify our race.
280

Let other realms the deathful gauntlet wield,

Or boast the glories of th' athletic field;

We in the course unrivall'd speed display,

Or through caerulean billows plough the way;

To dress, to dance, to sing, our sole delight,
285

The feast or bath by day, and love by night:

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 8.199 focus

Ulysses very glad was this to hear,

195

And that amongst them stood one friend of his.

Then of himself began to speak more high.

Come youths, throw first as far as I have done,

And then as far or further throw will I.

And for the other games come any one,

200

Since your sharp words provok'd me have thereto,

Buffets, or wrestling, or to run the race,

And see if you at these can me out-do,

Any of you except Laodamas.

For I to him have come as to a friend

205

Of whom I hope for succour in my need.

He were a fool that with him would contend,

Without whose help his business cannot speed.

But of the rest not any I refuse;

And will contend with them for mastery.

210

For I know all the games the best men use.

To use the bow none abler is than I.

When many of us had a mind to kill

Some noted foe, and all at once did shoot,

Though every one of us had the same will,

215

My arrow was the first that found him out.

At Ilium in trials of the bow

None found I better than myself but one;

'Twas Polyctetes. Of those that are now

I think myself inferior to none.

220

With those of former time I'll not compare,

As Hercules, or Eurytus that durst

Challenge Apollo. Apollo took a care

That prize should not be play'd, and kill'd him first.

As far as other men can shoot an arrow,

225

So far I able am to dart a spear.

But lodging I have had at sea so narrow,

That I may be out-run by some man here.

So said Ulysses; and all silent sat

Except the king, who thus unto him said:

230

Stranger, there's no man here offended at

The words you say. For open you have laid

Your virtue, when you were thereto constrain'd

By the unjust reproaches of this man.

For such it is as by none can be stain'd,

235

But those that nothing say discreetly can.

And hear me farther what I have to say,

That t'other heroes you the same may tell,

Who with you and your wife shall feasting stay,

In what from other men we bear the bell.

240

For cuffs and wrestling, not much praise we merit,

But our good ships and fleets are wondrous swift.

And these gifts from our fathers we inherit,

Dance, song, feasts, fiddle, and of garments shift,

And baths, and beds. Dance you that dance the best

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Before the stranger, that his friends among

He may say how much we exceed the rest

Of men, in ships, in running, dance, and song.

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 8.199 focus

Ulysses joy'd to hear that one man yet

Used him benignly, and would truth abet

In those contentions; and then thus smooth

He took his speech down: "Reach me that now, youth,

You shall, and straight, I think, have one such more,

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And one beyond it too. And now, whose core

Stands sound and great within him, since ye have

Thus put my spleen up, come again and brave

The guest ye tempted, with such gross disgrace,

At wrestling, buffets, whirlbat, speed of race;

285

At all, or either, I except at none,

But urge the whole state of you; only one,

I will not challenge in my forced boast,

And that's Laodamas, for he's mine host.

And who will fight, or wrangle, with his friend?

290

Unwise he is, and base, that will contend

With him that feeds him, in a foreign place;

And takes all edge off from his own sought grace.

None else except I here, nor none despise,

But wish to know, and prove his faculties,

295

That dares appear now. No strife ye can name

Am I unskill'd in; reckon any game

Of all that are, as many as there are

In use with men. For archery I dare

Affirm myself not mean. Of all a troop

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I'll make the first foe with mine arrow stoop,

Though with me ne'er so many fellows bend

Their bows at mark'd men, and affect their end.

¹²

Only was Philoctetes with his bow

Still my superior, when we Greeks would show

305

Our archery against our foes of Troy.

But all, that now by bread frail life enjoy,

I far hold my inferiors. Men of old,

None now alive shall witness me so bold,

To vaunt equality with, such men as these,

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Echalian Eurytus, Hercules,

Who with their bows durst with the Gods contend;

And therefore caught Eurytus soon his end,

Nor died at home, in age, a reverend man,

But by the great incensed Delphian

315

Was shot to death, for daring competence

With him in all an archer's excellence.

A spear I'll hurl as far as any man

Shall shoot a shaft. How at a race I can

Bestir my feet, I only yield to fear,

320

And doubt to meet with my superior here.

So many seas so too much have misused

My limbs for race, and therefore have diffused

A dissolution through my loved knees."

This said, he still'd all talking properties;

325

Alcinous only answer'd: "O my guest,

In good part take we what you have been prest

With speech to answer. You would make appear

Your virtues therefore, that will still shine where

Your only look is. Yet must this man give

330

Your worth ill language; when, he does not live

In sort of mortals (whencesoe'er he springs,

³⁴

That judgment hath to speak becoming things)

That will deprave your virtues. Note then now

My speech, and what my love presents to you,

335

That you may tell heroës, when you come

To banquet with your wife and birth at home,

(Mindful of our worth) what deservings Jove

Hath put on our parts likewise, in remove

From sire to son, as an inherent grace

340

Kind, and perpetual. We must needs give place

To other countrymen, and freely yield

We are not blameless in our fights of field,

Buffets, nor wrestlings; but in speed of feet,

And all the equipage that fits a fleet,

345

We boast us best; for table ever spread

With neighbour feasts, for garments varied,

For poesy, music, dancing, baths, and beds.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 8.199 focus

She ceased; Ulysses, hardy Chief, rejoiced

That in the circus he had found a judge

So favourable, and with brisker tone,

As less in wrath, the multitude address'd.

245

Young men, reach this, and I will quickly heave

Another such, or yet a heavier quoit.

Then, come the man whose courage prompts him forth

To box, to wrestle with me, or to run;

For ye have chafed me much, and I decline

250

No strife with any here, but challenge all

Phæacia, save Laodamas alone.

He is mine host. Who combats with his friend?

To call to proof of hardiment the man

Who entertains him in a foreign land,

255

Would but evince the challenger a fool,

Who, so, should cripple his own interest there.

As for the rest, I none refuse, scorn none,

But wish for trial of you, and to match

In opposition fair my force with yours.

260

There is no game athletic in the use

Of all mankind, too difficult for me;

I handle well the polish'd bow, and first

Amid a thousand foes strike whom I mark,

Although a throng of warriors at my side

265

Imbattled, speed their shafts at the same time.

Of all Achaia's sons who erst at Troy

Drew bow, the sole who bore the prize from me

Was Philoctetes; I resign it else

To none now nourish'd with the fruits of earth.

270

Yet mean I no comparison of myself

With men of antient times, with Hercules,

Or with Oechalian Eurytus, who, both,

The Gods themselves in archery defied.

Soon, therefore, died huge Eurytus, ere yet

275

Old age he reach'd; him, angry to be call'd

To proof of archership, Apollo slew.

But if ye name the spear, mine flies a length

By no man's arrow reach'd; I fear no foil

From the Phæacians, save in speed alone;

280

For I have suffer'd hardships, dash'd and drench'd

By many a wave, nor had I food on board

At all times, therefore am I much unstrung.

He spake, and silent the Phæacians sat,

Of whom alone Alcinoüs thus replied.

285

Since, stranger, not ungraceful is thy speech,

Who hast but vindicated in our ears

Thy question's prowess, angry that this youth

Reproach'd thee in the presence of us all,

That no man qualified to give his voice

290

In public might affront thy courage more;

Now mark me, therefore, that in time to come,

While feasting with thy children and thy spouse,

Thou may'st inform the Heroes of thy land

Even of our proficiency in arts

295

By Jove enjoin'd us in our father's days.

We boast not much the boxer's skill, nor yet

The wrestler's; but light-footed in the race

Are we, and navigators well inform'd.

Our pleasures are the feast, the harp, the dance,

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Garments for change; the tepid bath; the bed.

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 8 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK VIII

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

Rose from his couch King Alcinous the revered and the mighty,

Rose too heaven-descended Odysseus, the sacker of cities.

Then did the monarch revered lead forth to the place of the galleys

Where Phaeacian elders had built their court of assembly.

Here they arrived and on seats well-polished of marble they set them

Closely together. But thoro' the town went Pallas Athene,

Like to the herald himself of the wise Phaeacian monarch,

Planning to bring to his home once more great-hearted Odysseus.

So to them all and to each she addressed her and made proclamation:

"Hither assemble, ye leaders and high Phaeacian chieftains!

Come to the place of the council, and there ye shall learn of the stranger

Newly arrived at the palace of Alcinous wise-hearted,

One that hath voyaged the seas and in favour is like the immortals."

Thus as she spake, in the minds of them all she excited a longing:

Speedily filled were all of the places of council, and benches

Throng by the gathering crowds, and soon full many in wonder

Gazed at the wise-souled son of Laertes; and Pallas Athene

Wonderful beauty and grace poured forth on his head and his shoulders,

Making him larger in person to look at and greater in stature,

So as to gain him the favour of all Phaeacian people,

Ay and their awe and respect and so as to win him the contests

Many and great wherewith Phaeacians tested Odysseus.

Now when they all had collected together and formed an assembly

Rose King Alcinous in the midst and thus he addressed them :

"Hearken, I pray, to my words, Phaeacian leaders and chieftains,

So that I utter the things that the heart in my bosom commands me.

Lo, this stranger—I know not his name—is arrived at my palace,

Wandering come from the land of a nation of dawn or of sunset.

Escort he urgently begs us to give and to promise for certain.

So, as was ever the wont in the past, let us grant him an escort,

Since no other of mortals that ever arrived at my palace

Here lamenting remained long time for the want of a convoy.

Come, let us drag to the vast salt ocean a black-hulled vessel

New from the stocks, and of youths let two and fifty as oarsmen

Out of the people be chosen, who best have proved them aforetime.

Then, so soon as the men have fastened the oars to the thole-pins,

Leave ye the vessel, and come to my palace, and make preparation

There for a hasty repast; and provision for all will I offer.

Such the commands that I give to the youths; but the others, whoever

Beareth the sceptre as chief, in the halls of my beautiful mansion

Gather together and there entertain at a banquet the stranger.

Neither let any refuse. And summon the singer, the godlike

Demodocus; for to him as to none God granted by singing

All to enrapture, whenever his spirit to singing incites him."

These words uttered he led from the council; him followed the chieftains

Bearing their rods, and a herald departed to summon the singer.

Then were chosen the youths, and two and fifty in number

Went, as he bade, to the beach of the barren expanse of the ocean.

Now when at last they had gotten them down to the sea and the vessel,

Firstly the black-hulled vessel they drew to the deep salt water,

Then, embarking the mast and the sails on the black-hulled vessel,

All of the oars to the tholes they attached with the lashings of leather,

Each in its place, and the white sails hoisting aloft on the yardarm

Anchored her far from the shore in the midst of the haven, and forthwith

Went on their way to the mansion of Alcinous wise-hearted.

Filled were all of the porches and garths and the buildings, as countless

Gathered together the guests, both many a youth and an elder.

These to regale had the king of his fat sheep slaughtered a dozen,

Eight of his white-tusked swine, and a yoke of his slow-paced cattle;

These they had flayed and prepared and had furnished a beautiful banquet.

Now did the herald approach conducting the sweet-voiced minstrel.

Loved by the Muse was the bard; but she gave him of good and of evil:

Reft was the light of his eyes, but with sweetest song he was dowered.

Forthwith Pontonous set a chair bright-studded with silver

Midst of the feasters, and close to a high roof-pillar he placed it.

Then from a peg down-hanging the clear-toned lute he suspended

Over his head, and he showed him to reach with the hand and to grasp it.

Thus did the henchman, and bringing a basket and beautiful table

Gave him of wine in a goblet to drink when his spirit enjoined him.

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,

Stirred by the Muse was the singer to sing of the glories of heroes,

Sing of the theme whose fame to the infinite heaven was reaching,

Even the strife of Odysseus and great Pelean Achilles, —

How at a beautiful feast of the gods contending in anger

Words outrageous they spake ; and the warrior-king Agamemnon

Joyed in his spirit, beholding the best of the Greeks in contention.

This had the answer of Phoebus Apollo in beautiful Pytho

Tell him, when passing the threshold of stone he had entered the temple

Seeking the rede of the god; for beginning to roll was disaster

Over the Trojans and Greeks by the counsels of Zeus the Almighty.

Such was the lay that he sang, that singer renowned; but Odysseus,

Grasping with stalwart hand at the folds of his mantle of purple,

Over his head down drew it, till all of his face he had covered,

Loth that the men might mark tears falling from under his eyebrows.

Yea and as oft as the godlike singer had ceased from his singing,

Drying the tears and back from his head withdrawing the mantle,

Taking a two-cupped goblet he poured to the gods a libation.

Yet, when again a beginning he made for to sing they impelled him,

All Phaeacia's nobles, so much in his lays they delighted—

Then did Odysseus, enwrapping his head once more, make moaning.

Thus did he sit there weeping, unnoted by all of the others,

All save Alcinous, who alone was aware and observed it,

Sitting anigh to his side; and hearing him heavily groaning,

Quickly he turned to the lovers of oars, Phaeacia's princes :

"Hearken, I pray, to my words, Phaeacian leaders and chieftains.

Now in us all is the spirit content with abundance of feasting,

Ay and content with the lute, loved consort of bountiful banquets.

So let us forth from the palace and prove our prowess at contests,

100

Every kind, for the stranger to tell, when he reaches his homeland,

Unto his friends, how skilful we are, all others excelling,

Either to box or to wrestle or leap, or to run in the foot-race."

These words uttered, he led from the hall, and they followed the monarch.

Then, when the clear-toned lute on the peg he had hung, did the herald,

105

Grasping the hand of the singer and guiding him forth from the palace,

Lead him away by the road on the which were wending the others,

All Phaeacia's nobles, who, eager to witness the contest,

Pressed to the place of the games; and a crowd came thronging behind them,

Thousands and thousands; and youths stood forth right many and noble :

110

Acroneos upstood, and Ocyalus and Elatreus,

Nauteus and Prymneus and Anchialus and Eretmeus;

Then Anabésineos and Thoön, and Ponteus and Proreus;

Amphialus, whose father was Tekton's son Polynéus;

Euryalus too, equal of Ares the Slayer of mortals,

115

Naubolus' son, uprose, surpassing in form and in favour

All Phaeacia's fairest but Laodamas the unrivalled.

Last rose three of the children of Alcinous the heroic,

Laodamas, Halius, and the godlike youth Clytonéus.

These then firstly of all made trial of speed in the foot-race.

120

Straight from the start all straining their utmost they raced and together

Over the plain went flying and raising behind them a dust-cloud.

Fleetest of all in the race was by far Clytonéus the peerless;

Far as the length of a furrow that mules might draw in a fallow

Darting ahead he arrived at the crowd, outstripping the others.

125

Then did they test their strength in the wrestler's toilsome contest.

Here it was Euryalus that of all of the strong was the strongest.

Far to the fore of the others was Amphialus in the leaping,

While with cast of the quoit far best of them all was Elatreus.

Best at the boxing was Laodamas, brave son of the monarch.

130

Now when the hearts of them all were fully content with the contests

Thus spake Laodamas and addressed them, the son of the monarch:

"Hither, my friends! Let us ask if in feats athletic the stranger

Knowledge possesseth and skill. Not feeble in frame he appeareth.

Look at the thigh and the leg and the arm from the hand to the shoulder!

135

Stalwart the neck and enormous its might; nor at all doth his manhood

Lack of its prime; but his vigour is broken by many a hardship;

Neither, believe me, is aught to be found which worse than the ocean

Ruins the strength of a man, how hardy soever his body."

Forthwith Euryalus made answer and thus he addressed him:

140

"Laodamas, full wise is thy word and is spoken in season.

Nay but approach him thyself and accost him and give him a challenge."

Straight, as he heard these words, did the gallant son of the monarch

Step to the fore, and standing in front of Odysseus address him:

"Come, Sir stranger, and make thou a trial thyself in a contest,

145

Beest thou practised in any—and surely thou knowest of contests,

Seeing that nought for a man is a glory, as long as he liveth,

Greater than suchlike deeds with his hands or his feet to accomplish.

Nay, come, make but a trial and scatter the gloom of thy spirit.

Not much longer deferred is thy homeward return, for already

150

Launched is the ship and already equipped are waiting thy shipmates."

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

"Laodamas, why thus do ye challenge me, only to mock me?

Mourning and grief are filling my mind much more than a contest,

Since right many a woe did I suffer and many a hardship;

155

Yea and amidst these throngs with a craving at heart for my homeland

Now I am sitting, a suppliant still of the king and his people."

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS

Then spake Euryalus, to his face thus taunting Odysseus:

"Nay, O stranger, and truly I liken thee not to a mortal

Practised in any of all of the contests known to the nations;

160

Rather to one who frequents with his well-benched vessel the harbours,

Skipper, methinks, of a folk of the sea who traffic as chapmen,

Mindful of nought but the bales and careful of nought but the cargo,

Ay and the grab and the gain. Sooth, thou wert never an athlete!"

Glaring askance at the man thus answered the wileful Odysseus:

165

"Stranger, thy speech is indecent. Thou seemest an insolent mortal.

So was it ever! The gods vouchsafe not gifts that be gracious

All to the one—both beauty and wit and the skill of a speaker.

One is by nature a man of contemptible presence, but heaven

Crowneth his words with enchantment of grace; and the people that hear him

170

Gaze in delight as he speaks with an easy and modest assurance

Eloquent words; him only they see midst all the assembly;

Him, as he walks in the city, they view, as it were an immortal.

Then will another in beauty resemble a god of Olympus,

Yet, for his words—no garland of gracefulness resteth upon them.

175

Such is thy lot: for in beauty preeminent (comelier scarcely

Heaven itself might make thee) in mind thou art utterly futile.

See! thou stirrest my spirit to wrath in the bosom within me,

Prating indecently. No! not a churl unpractised in contests,

Such as thou sayest, am I—but, I trow, in the rank of the foremost

180

Ever I stood in the days when I trusted my hands and my manhood.

Now am I holden of pain and affliction; for sorely I suffered,

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

Yet, e'en so, though many my woes, I will enter the contest,

Since I am stung to the heart, and my wrath is aroused by thy prating."

185

Spake and arose; nor doffed he his mantle, but seized on a discus

Greater than others and thicker and weightier not by a little

Than Phaeacians use competing the one with the other.

Swinging it strongly around, from his sinewy hand he released it.

Booming it flew, while down to the ground crouched low in amazement

190

All those masters of oars, those famed Phaeacian seamen,

Under the rush of the stone; and it flew far over the limits,

Speeding so swift from his hand. And the casts were marked by Athene,

Likened in outward form to a man, and she spake and addressed him:

"E'en might one that is blind such mark, O stranger, discover,

195

Groping around. Not lost in the throng of the others it lieth,

Nay but afar to the fore. Canst hope this time to be victor.

Never a man of them all will be able to pass it, or reach it."

Thus did she speak, and he joyed, long-suffering godlike Odysseus,

Glad to behold in the crowd some favouring friend to applaud him.

200

Then with a lightened heart to the youths Phaeacian turning :

"There now! Beat it, my lads! Soon cometh another to follow!

Even as far as the first will I hurl it, or farther, believe me,

Ay and if any will come, if his heart and his spirit incite him

Trial to make, let him come—so mightily stirred is my anger—

205

Whether to box or to wrestle or race—what he will! —for I care not—

Any of all of the others!—but Laodamas be excepted!

He is my host. Is it seemly to fight with the man that befriends one?

Verily only a fool or a fellow worthless by nature

Thus would offer a challenge of strife to the friend that received him

210

Here in an alien land. 'Twould sever him clean from his fortune.

All of the others can come! I will neither refuse nor disdain them.

Nay, I am fain to acquaint me with all and to prove them in public.

Nor am I utterly wanting in every manly achievement.

Well do I know as an archer a bow well-polished to handle.

215

First was I ever to smite with the arrow my man in the combat,

Warring with hostile hosts—ay, even if many companions

Stood there close to my side, all aiming with shafts at the foemen.

Only Philoctetes as an archer excelled me whenever

There in the country of Troy we Achaeans contended as bowmen.

220

Yea of the archers on earth I avow me as easily foremost,

All now living amidst bread-nourished races of mortals.

Only with heroes of old am I nowise willing to match me,

Neither with Heracles nor the famed Oechalian monarch.

These with the gods everlasting themselves contended as bowmen;

225

Wherefore suddenly perished the prince, great Eurytus, neither

Age crept slowly upon him at home, for in anger Apollo

Killed him because he had ventured to challenge the god as an archer.

Further I hurl with a lance than another can shoot with an arrow.

Only on foot do I fear lest some Phaeacian runner

230

Leave me behind, for indeed I am shamefully broken and weakened

Tossing so long on the waves; nor with food in sufficing abundance

Found was my ship; so loosened is every joint of my body."

Thus did he speak, and they all stood utterly silent and speechless,

Till King Alcinous found words to reply and addressed him :

235

"Stranger, assure thee! for nothing unpleasing thou speakest amongst us,

Wishing to give fair proof of the prowess that ever attends thee,

Wroth with the fellow who here in the lists and in public before thee

Tauntingly spake, in a manner in which would speak of thy prowess

None, if he e'er was accustomed to utter a word that is seemly.

240

Now come, mark what I say. It will give thee a tale to another

Warrior friend to relate, when at home in the hall of thy palace,

Sitting at supper by side of thy well-loved wife and thy children,

This our prowess thou callest to mind and the feats that on us too

Zeus hath bestowed, as he did in the days of the fathers before us.

245

Neither as boxers we boast us unrivalled nor perfect as wrestlers,

Only in fleetness of foot we excel and in sailing a vessel ;

Ever is feasting a thing that delights us, and music and dancing;

Changes of raiment we love, warm baths and luxurious slumber.

Come now, all of the deftest to tread Phaeacian measures,

250

Dance for us, dance! that the stranger may see and relate, when he cometh

Unto his friends, what skill we possess, all others excelling,

Both in the sailing of ships and in running and dancing and singing.

Also for Demodocus let the clear-toned lute by the herald

Quickly be fetched; it is lying, I ween, in the hall of the palace."

255

Thus spake Alcinous the heroic. The herald uprising

Started to bring for the singer the hollow harp from the palace.

Then upstanding, the stewards of games—nine judges, elected

Out of the people, by whom in the lists all duly was ordered—

Levelled a space for the dance, and a fair broad ring they encircled.

260

Now did the herald approach and the clear-toned lute that he carried

Give to the blind old singer, who stepp'd to the midst and around him

Boys in the bloom of their youth took stand right skilful in dancing;

So with a wonderful measure they smote on the ground, and Odysseus

Gazed at the flash and the twinkle of feet, and he marvelled in spirit.

265

Then to his harp uplifting his beautiful voice did the singer

Sing of the passion of Ares for fair-crowned Queen Aphrodite,

How they as lovers at first held tryst at the house of Hephaestus

Secretly meeting; and how by his gifts he prevailed and dishonour

Brought on the bed of her lord; but as messenger hasted to tell him

270

Eëlios, who had noted them meeting in tender embracement.

Then did Hephaestus, as soon as the grievous tidings had reached him,

Go to his forge, devising revenge in the depths of his bosom.

Here on the stithy he set the enormous anvil and forged him

Fetters not to be broken or loosed, to entrap and to hold them.

275

Now when at last he had fashioned the toils, in his anger at Ares,

Into the chamber he entered wherein, as of old, was his bedstead.

Here to the posts of the bed, all round it, he fastened the netting;

Much of it also he fastened above it, attached to a rafter,

Fine as the web of a spider, that none could ever perceive it

280

E'en of the blesséd immortals: so cunningly fine was it fashioned.

So, when at last he had fastened the toils all over the bedstead,

Then he pretended to go to the well-built city of Lemnos,

Land that was dear to his heart—far dearer than every other.

Neither was blind as a watcher the god, gold-glistering Ares.

285

Seeing Hephaestus, the worker renowned, set forth on a journey,

Speedily unto the house of the far-famed god he betook him

Filled with the longing of love for the fair-crowned queen Cytherea.

Newly arrived from the home of her father, the mighty Cronion,

Resting she quietly sat; and he entering into the mansion

290

Tenderly clung to her hand; then he opened his lips and addressed her :

"Come, let us go, my belovéd, and lie on the bed and enjoy us !

Nowhere nigh is Hephaestus, but started already for Lemnos,

Gone to the Sintian folk, that people of barbarous language."

Thus did he speak, and a thing right pleasant it seemed to the goddess.

295

So they ascended the bed and reclined them to sleep; but the netting,

Cunningly wrought by the crafty Hephaestus, descended upon them:

Suddenly gone was the power of lifting a limb, or of moving.

Then at the last they perceived it when all too late to escape it;

Ay and already at hand was the famed deft-handed Hephaestus,

300

Back from his journey returned ere reaching the island of Lemnos.

Eëlios on the watch had remained and had brought him the tidings.

Homeward straight he returned with a heart sore troubled within him;

Up to the portal he strode, and he stood; fierce anger possessed him;

Then with a terrible cry to the gods of Olympus he shouted :

305

"Father Zeus and ye other immortals eternally blesséd,

Come and behold! 'Tis a matter to laugh at, but not to be suffer'd.

Lo now, me that am lame this daughter of Zeus, Aphrodite,

Ever dishonours and loveth instead man-murdering Ares,

Since he is fair to the sight and in limb he is straight; but a body

310

Weakly was mine from my birth—Nor verily blame I another,

Only my parents. I would they had never begotten and borne me!

Come! ye shall see these twain now lying in loving embracement;

Here on my bed they are mounted—behold! At the sight I am maddened!

Scarce for a moment more, do I think, they are longing to lie here,

315

E'en though hotly in love—nor quickly again will be longing

Thus to be bedded together. But here they are trapped and imprisoned

Till that her father repay, to the last one, every bride-gift,

All that I left in his hands as the price of the impudent baggage—

Ay, for his daughter is fair, but she knows not to bridle her passions.”

320

Thus did he speak, and the gods to his brass-floor'd mansion collected:

Hither Poseidaon, Earth-girdler, hastened and Hermes,

Bringer of fortune, and hither the prince far-working Apollo,

While that behind with a womanly shame stay'd every goddess.

Soon at the porch were standing the deities, bringers of blessings.

325

Then an unquenchable laughter arose mid the blesséd immortals

While they beheld the device that was wrought by the cunning Hephaestus,

Looking whereon thus whispered the one to the other beside him:

"Ill deed prospereth never; the slow oft catcheth the nimble :

Even as now by the tardy Hephaestus o'ertaken is Ares,

330

Ares, the swiftest of all of the gods that inhabit Olympus,

Caught in the toils of the Limper—and compensation he oweth."

Thus conversing together they whispered, the one to the other;

Then spake lordly Apollo, the son of Cronion, to Hermes:

"Zeus-born Hermes, the herald of heaven and bringer of blessings,

335

Say now, feelst thou a longing in such strong fetters imprisoned

Lying beside her in bed to embrace Aphrodite the golden?"

Him thus answered the herald of heaven, the Slayer of Argus :

"Had I but only the luck, O lord, far-darting Apollo!

E'en though triple in number the toils—yea endless—that held me;

340

E'en though all of you gods stood gazing, and every goddess,

Give me to lie by her side and embrace Aphrodite the golden!"

Thus did he speak, and anew fell laughter upon the immortals,

All but Poseidaon; unsmiling he stood and entreaty

Made to Hephaestus the cunning to loosen the fetters of Ares.

345

Thus then raising his voice these swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Loose him, I pray ! and I promise that whatsoever thou biddest,

All he shall pay that is held to be fair with the gods everlasting."

Him then addressing in turn gave answer the famous Craftsman :

"Nay but, Poseidaon, Earth-girdler, thou shouldst not demand it!

350

Worthless is ever a pledge that is offered by one that is worthless.

How can I hold thee bound in the eyes of the blesséd immortals

Should our Ares depart and escape both fetters and forfeit?"

Him then again gave answer the King Earth-shaking Poseidon:

"Nay but, Hephaestus, if ever it hap that avoiding the forfeit

355

Ares elude thee, I promise myself all dues to repay thee."

Him then addressing again gave answer the famous Craftsman :

"Truly 'tis neither becoming nor possible this to refuse thee."

These words uttered, the mighty Hephaestus unfastened the fetters.

Then did the twain, set free from the grievous constraint of the netting,

360

Spring straight upward and vanish—To Thracia Ares departed,

She to the Cyprian isle, Aphrodite, the lover of laughter,

Even to Paphos for here is her shrine and her altar of incense.

Here did the Graces receive her and bathe and anoint her with unguent

Not of the earth; but it lieth as bloom on the limbs of immortals.

365

Then did they clothe her in beautiful raiment, a wonder to gaze at.

Such was the story he sang, this singer renown'd, and Odysseus

Listened rejoicing in spirit, as also the rest of the hearers,

All those lovers of oars, those famed Phaeacian seamen.

Bidden was now Halius, and Laodamas, by the monarch

370

Single to dance; for in dancing was no one able to match them.

These then, into the hand when a beautiful ball they had taken,

Purple in hue, by the skilful artificer Polybus fashioned,

One of them hurled it aloft to the shadowy clouds of the heaven,

Bending him back for the throw. From the ground upleaping, the other

375

Easily caught it before with his feet on the earth he alighted.

Now when the trial was ended of casting the ball straight upward,

Then did they set them to dance on the earth's all-nourishing bosom,

Rapidly flinging in turn, while comrades clapping in measure

Stood in the lists, and around them arose a tumultuous uproar.

380

Turning to Alcinous, then addressed him the godlike Odysseus :

"Ο King Alcinous, illustrious prince of the people,

Truly thou claimst for thy people a skill unrivalled in dancing,

Yea, for the fact is approved: as I look I am filled with amazement."

Thus as he spake, the revered and powerful monarch exulted.

385

Quickly he turned to the lovers of oars, Phaeacia's nobles :

"Hearken, I pray, to my words, Phaeacian leaders and chieftains!

Truly the stranger appeareth endowed right richly with wisdom.

Come, let us find him a gift, as is meet and is due to a stranger!

Seeing that over the land are twelve illustrious princes

390

Ruling as chiefs, and myself as a thirteenth wielding the sceptre,

Each might give to the stranger a robe well-washed and a doublet,

Also of precious gold be the weight of a talent collected.

Quickly together let all of the presents be brought, that the stranger

Having them safe in his hands may joyfully go to his supper.

395

Thou too, Euryalus, shouldst find soft words to appease him,

Ay and a gift, for in truth was the speech that thou madest unseemly."

So did he speak, and the others assented thereto and approved it,

Each of the nobles despatching a herald to fetch him the presents;

Neither did Euryalus keep silence, but thus he addressed him :

400

"O King Alcinous, illustrious prince of the people,

Lo, I perform thy behest and will make to the stranger atonement.

This is the present I offer a hanger of bronze with a handle

Silver-embossed, and around it, of new-sawn ivory fashioned,

Waveth a sheath. He will find it methinks no worthless possession."

405

These words spoken, he handed the broadsword studded with silver

Unto Odysseus, and loudly with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Hail, Sir stranger! If any at all of the words that I uttered

Pained thee, I would that the winds might carry it hence in a storm-blast,

Yea and I wish thee a speedy return to thy wife and thy homeland.

410

Grant it the gods! for indeed too long thou hast suffered in exile."

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

"Hail thou also, my friend, and the gods all happiness grant thee !

Never, I hope, will it pain thee in future when missing thy hanger,

E'en this blade that thou gav'st while offering words of atonement."

415

Speaking he hung to his shoulder the broadsword studded with silver.

Now was a-setting the sun, and arrived had the glorious presents;

These to the house of the king were borne by magnificent heralds;

Then by the hands of the children of Alcinous the unrivalled

Laid at the side of their mother revered was the beautiful treasure.

420

Following now in the steps of the mighty and reverend monarch

All to the palace returned, and on high-raised seats they reclined them.

Then did the powerful king call Arete and address her :

"Hither, my queen—bring hither a chest right goodly—thy best one—

Placing therein for the stranger a well-washed robe and a doublet.

425

Then on the hearth set boiling a cauldron for heating of water.

After a bath he shall look at the gifts all lying in order,

All of the presents bestowed by the high Phaeacian nobles;

So will he joy in the feast and in hearing the lay of the singer.

Also a thing of my own will I give—this beautiful goblet

430

Solid of gold—that of me it remind him whene'er he shall use it

Pouring at home a libation to Zeus and the other immortals."

Thus did he speak, and the queen Arete ordered her maidens

Station a three-legged pot on the fire, as quickly as might be.

They on the glow of the hearth put a tripod, and water for bathing

435

Poured in the kettle and brought fresh faggots and set them a-blazing.

Licked was the cauldron's belly by flames, and warmed was the water.

Meantime Arete brought forth a magnificent coffer

Out of her room for the stranger, and laid fair presents within it,

Even the raiment and gold that the chiefs Phaeacian gave him,

440

Adding thereto of her treasures a beautiful mantle and doublet.

Then did she open her lips and with swift-winged words she addressed him :

"Lo now, look to the lid and a cord cast quickly around it,

Lest on the voyage perchance some robber despoil thee, if haply

Slumbering sweetly aboard of the black-hulled vessel thou liest."

445

Hearing the words that she spake long-suffering godlike Odysseus

Forthwith fastened the lid and a cord cast quickly around it

Cleverly tied with a knot he had learnt of the beautiful Circe.

Scarce was it done when the house-dame entered to fetch him for bathing,

Bidding him come to the tub; and he joyed in his spirit beholding

450

Warm bath-water—to such an attention all unaccustomed

Since he had come from the home of the fair-haired goddess Calypso.

(While he was there he had comfort continual, like an immortal.)

Now when Odysseus was bathed and anointed with oil of the olive,

Round him the maids cast raiment—a beautiful mantle and tunic.

455

So from the bath he returned, and he came to the chiefs at their wine-cups

Even as Nausicaa in her beauty, the dower of heaven,

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

There as he passed her she looked at Odysseus with wondering glances ;

Then did she open her lips and with swift-winged words she addressed him :

460

"Stranger, farewell—and at times, while happy and safe in thy homeland,

Think upon me—since mostly to me thou owest thy safety."

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

"Nausicaa, fair daughter of Alcinous great-hearted,

So may omnipotent Zeus, loud-thundering husband of Hera,

465

Grant me the day of return and to come back safe to my country,

Then e'en there in my home will I offer thee prayers as a goddess

All of the days of my life—for my life thou gavest me, maiden."

These words spoken, he sank in a seat by the side of the monarch,

While that the men were serving the portions and mixing the wine-bowls.

470

Then drew nearer the herald conducting the sweet-voiced singer

Demodocus, the revered, the belov'd of the people, and brought him

Midst of the feasters, and close to a high roof-pillar he set him.

Then to the herald addressed him aloud deep-plotting Odysseus,

Showing a slice he had cut from a chine (still more was remaining),

475

Flesh of a white-tusked boar, with the rich fat hanging around it :

"Take, O herald, and offer this meat as a mess to the minstrel,

Demodocus. I will give him a greeting in spite of my sorrow;

Yea, for amongst all mortals that dwell on the earth is the singer

Granted a guerdon of honour and reverence, since that he learneth

480

All of his song from the Muse; for she loveth the race of the poets."

Thus did he speak to the herald, who bore the repast to the hero

Demodocus. In his hands he received it rejoicing in spirit.

Now 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,

485

Calling to Demodocus thus spake deep-plotting Odysseus:

"Demodocus, far more than thy fellow-mortals I praise thee;

Surely the heavenly Muse was thy teacher, or even Apollo,

Such is thy skill to relate all duly the fates of the Grecians,

All of the feats they performed and all of the travail they suffered,

490

Even as one who was present himself or had learnt from another.

Come, pray, changing thy strain now sing of the horse that was builded,

Fashioned of wood and devised by Epéus with help of Athene—

How to the citadel's height it was brought by the godlike Odysseus

Craftily, filled with the fighters who plundered the town of the Trojans.

495

Shouldst thou relate it aright and tell all duly the story,

Then shall I never be weary proclaiming to every mortal

How by the favour of heaven divine is the skill of thy singing."

Moved by the words, and impelled by the god to exhibit his singing,

Thence he began how some on the well-benched vessels embarking

500

Put from the shore, where flame they had hurled in the huts of encampment—

Some of the Greeks—but the others already with noble Odysseus

Sat concealed in the horse in the market-square of the Trojans;

Yea, it was Trojans themselves who aloft to the citadel hauled it.

There did it stand mid a babel of people confusedly talking,

505

Sitting around; and in three was the vote of the council divided,

Either to smite and to shatter the bulk with the pitiless broad-axe,

Or to a height to uphaul it and over the precipice hurl it,

Or to permit it to stand as a gift to the gods and atonement.

Thus too ended the matter at last, as to end it was fated,

510

Seeing that doomed was the city to perish as soon as her ramparts

Closed on the horse, that monster of wood, where lurked of the Argives

All of the bravest, to bring on the Trojans bloodshed and ruin.

Then did he sing of the sack of the town by the sons of Achaea,

How from the horse outpouring and leaving the lair of the ambush

515

Hither and thither they scattered, the steep-built city to ravage;

Sang of Odysseus too, how unto the house of the hero

Deïphobus like Ares he went with divine Menelaus.

Here did Odysseus (so sang he) adventure a terrible conflict,

Ay and prevailed in the end by the grace of Athena the dauntless.

520

Such was the story he sang, this singer renowned; and Odysseus

Melted in tears and the great drops fell on his cheeks from his eyelids.

E'en as a woman with wailings her well-loved husband embraceth

Fallen in front of the city, in front of the host of the fighters,

Warding the pitiless day from his native town and his children;

525

E'en as beholding him lying before her gasping and dying

Piercingly shrieking she claspeth his body—but foemen behind her

Smiting her oft with the shafts of their spears on the back and the shoulders

Drive her away as a slave and to slavery's toils and afflictions,

Where with her withering cheeks she in pitiful misery pineth—

530

So did the pitiful tears fall fast from the eyes of Odysseus.

Thus then weeping he sat and unnoted of all of the others,

All save Alcinous, who alone was aware and observed it,

Sitting anigh to his side; and hearing him heavily groaning

Quickly he turned to the lovers of oars, Phaeacia's princes :

535

"Hearken, I pray, to my words, Phaeacian leaders and chieftains!

Time is for Demodocus from his clear-toned lute to refrain him,

Seeing that not to us all seems pleasing the song that he singeth.

Since our supper began and the godlike singer aroused him

Never as yet hath the stranger with pitiful grieving and groaning

540

Ceased to lament. Sore sorrow, I ween, investeth his spirit.

Bid him refrain from his song. Let us all make merry together,

Whether as guest or as host—for certainly thus it is better.

Yea, it is even because we revere him as guest that we granted

Escort safe to his home and the gifts that we gave him in friendship.

545

Ever indeed is a guest and a suppliant held as a brother

E'en by the mortal that only a few with his sympathy reacheth.

Therefore attempt not, stranger, to hide with a crafty invention

What I shall ask thee to tell; more seemly it were to relate it.

Tell me the name that thou bearest at home with thy mother and father,

550

Ay and with others who dwell in thy town and the neighbouring country.

Never is any on earth to be found that is utterly nameless,

Whether for evil or good he is come to the land of the living;

Every child at his birth hath a name bestowed by his parents.

Tell to me also the name of thy land and thy people and city,

555

Then will the vessels, prepared in their minds, know where to convey thee,

Since Phaeacian ships need never a pilot to steer them,

Neither a rudder at all, as is wont with the vessels of others.

Straightway known to the ship is her master's thought and intention;

Known to her too are the cities and fertile lands of the nations,

560

All of them—thus right swiftly they traverse the gulf of the ocean

Shrouded from sight in a cloud and a darkness, and never upon them

Resteth a dread to be harmed by the storm or to perish in shipwreck.

Once howbeit it happed that I heard what my father related,

Nausithous, who was wont to assert that Poseidon was angered,

565

Jealous because we afforded infallible escort to all men.

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

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 the god peradventure will do so,

570

Or he will never perform it, as seemeth the best to his spirit.

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

Where did thy wanderings lead thee? to what strange races and regions?

Tell us to what far peoples and fair-built cities thou camest,

Whether to savages wanton and wild and despisers of justice,

575

Or to the lovers of strangers with hearts that revere the immortals.

Say too, why dost thou weep and lament in thy spirit within thee,

Hearing of Trojans and Greeks and the fate of the Ilian city?

This was the work of the gods; such doom did they spin, and destruction

Bring on the men, that it aye shall remain as a song for the singer.

580

Perished perchance some kinsman of thine 'neath Ilian ramparts,

Good-man true of a daughter, or father or brother by marriage,

Such as a man holds, next to his blood, as the nearest and dearest?

Was't peradventure a friend well skilled in the things that delight thee,

Comrade trusty and brave? Since nowise less than a brother

585

Proveth the man who as friend is endowed with a soul of discretion."

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

Odysseus encounters the blind singer Demodokos, who performs three songs that reveal hidden truths about the hero of the Odyssey.

draft js image error Blind Demodokos sings of the siege of Troy (1810), by John Flaxman (English, 1755–1826). Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Alkinoos prepares a feast for Odysseus, who has not yet identified himself. This feast becomes a mythologized replica of a festival that puts on display a dazzling variety of old poetic traditions, soon to be replaced by the new poetry of the Odyssey.

source

Homer Odyssey 8.199

Samuel Butler (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

ODYSSEY BOOK VIII

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

ODYSSEY BOOK VIII

PATTEN WILSON ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS