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When he had said this, he seated himself beside Alkinoos. [470] Supper was then served, and the wine was mixed for drinking. A servant led in the favorite bard, Demodokos, and set him in the midst of the company, near one of the bearing-posts supporting the hall, that he might lean against it. [475] Then resourceful Odysseus cut off a piece of roast pork with plenty of fat (for there was abundance left on the joint) and said to a servant, “Take this piece of pork over to Demodokos and tell him to eat it; for all the pain his lays may cause me I will salute him none the less; bards are honored [480] and get respect [ aidōs] throughout the world, for the Muse teaches them their songs and loves them.”

The servant carried the pork in his fingers over to the hero Demodokos, who took it and was very much pleased. They then laid their hands on the good things that were before them. [485] When they had satisfied their desire for drinking and eating, 486 then Odysseus, the one with many a stratagem, addressed Demodokos: 487 “Demodokos, I admire and pointedly praise you, more than any other human. 488 Either the Muse, child of Zeus, taught you, or Apollo. 489 All too well, in accord with its kosmos, do you sing the fate of the Achaeans [490] —all the things the Achaeans did and all the things that were done to them, and they suffered for it— 491 you sing it as if you yourself had been present or had heard it from someone else. 492 But come now, move ahead and shift forward [ metabainein] and sing the kosmos of the horse, 493 the wooden horse that Epeios made with the help of Athena, 494 the one that Odysseus, the radiant one, once upon a time took to the acropolis as a stratagem, [495] having filled it with men, who ransacked Ilion. 496. If you can tell me in due order [ katalegein], in accord with proper apportioning [ moira], 497 then right away I will say the authoritative word [ mūthos] to all mortals: 498 I will say, and I see it as I say it, that the god, favorably disposed toward you, granted you a divinely sounding song.”

499 And he [= Demodokos], setting his point of departure [ hormētheis], started [ arkhesthai] from the god. And he made visible [ phainein] the song, [500] taking it from the point where they [= the Achaeans], boarding their ships with the strong benches, 501sailed away, setting their tents on fire. 502 That is what some of the Argives [= Achaeans] were doing. But others of them were in the company of Odysseus most famed, and they were already 503 sitting hidden inside the Horse, which was now in the meeting place of the Trojans. 504 The Trojans themselves had pulled the Horse into the acropolis. [505] So there it was, standing there, and they talked a great deal about it, in doubt about what to do, 506 sitting around it. There were three different plans: 507 to split the hollow wood with pitiless bronze, 508 or to drag it to the heights and push it down from the rocks, 509 or to leave it, great artifact that it was, a charm [ thelktērion] of the gods [510] —which, I now see it, was exactly the way it was going to end [ teleutân], 511 because it was fate [ aisa] that the place would be destroyed, once the city had enfolded in itself 512 the great Wooden Horse, when all the best men were sitting inside it, 513 the Argives [= Achaeans], that is, bringing slaughter and destruction upon the Trojans. 514 He sang how the sons of the Achaeans destroyed the city, [515] pouring out of the Horse, leaving behind the hollow place of ambush. 516 He sang how the steep citadel was destroyed by different men in different places. 517 —how Odysseus went to the palace of Deiphobos, 518 how he was looking like Arēs, and godlike Menelaos went with him, 519 and how in that place, I now see it, he [= Demodokos] said that he [= Odysseus] dared to go through the worst part of the war, [520] and how he emerged victorious after that, with the help of Athena, the one with the mighty heart [ thūmos].

521

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.) — 8.469 focus

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐς θρόνον ἷζε παρʼ Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα·

οἱ δʼ ἤδη μοίρας τʼ ἔνεμον κερόωντό τε οἶνον.

470

κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἄγων ἐρίηρον ἀοιδόν,

Δημόδοκον λαοῖσι τετιμένον· εἷσε δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτὸν

μέσσῳ δαιτυμόνων, πρὸς κίονα μακρὸν ἐρείσας.

δὴ τότε κήρυκα προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,

νώτου ἀποπροταμών, ἐπὶ δὲ πλεῖον ἐλέλειπτο,

475

ἀργιόδοντος ὑός, θαλερὴ δʼ ἦν ἀμφὶς ἀλοιφή·

κῆρυξ, τῆ δή, τοῦτο πόρε κρέας, ὄφρα φάγῃσιν,

Δημοδόκῳ· καί μιν προσπτύξομαι ἀχνύμενός περ·

πᾶσι γὰρ ἀνθρώποισιν ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἀοιδοὶ

τιμῆς ἔμμοροί εἰσι καὶ αἰδοῦς, οὕνεκʼ ἄρα σφέας

480

οἴμας μοῦσʼ ἐδίδαξε, φίλησε δὲ φῦλον ἀοιδῶν.

ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, κῆρυξ δὲ φέρων ἐν χερσὶν ἔθηκεν

ἥρῳ Δημοδόκῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐδέξατο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ.

οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

485

δὴ τότε Δημόδοκον προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

Δημόδοκʼ, ἔξοχα δή σε βροτῶν αἰνίζομʼ ἁπάντων.

ἢ σέ γε μοῦσʼ ἐδίδαξε, Διὸς πάϊς, ἢ σέ γʼ Ἀπόλλων·

λίην γὰρ κατὰ κόσμον Ἀχαιῶν οἶτον ἀείδεις,

ὅσσʼ ἔρξαν τʼ ἔπαθόν τε καὶ ὅσσʼ ἐμόγησαν Ἀχαιοί,

490

ὥς τέ που ἢ αὐτὸς παρεὼν ἢ ἄλλου ἀκούσας.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ μετάβηθι καὶ ἵππου κόσμον ἄεισον

δουρατέου, τὸν Ἐπειὸς ἐποίησεν σὺν Ἀθήνῃ,

ὅν ποτʼ ἐς ἀκρόπολιν δόλον ἤγαγε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

ἀνδρῶν ἐμπλήσας οἵ ῥʼ Ἴλιον ἐξαλάπαξαν.

495

αἴ κεν δή μοι ταῦτα κατὰ μοῖραν καταλέξῃς,

αὐτίκʼ ἐγὼ πᾶσιν μυθήσομαι ἀνθρώποισιν,

ὡς ἄρα τοι πρόφρων θεὸς ὤπασε θέσπιν ἀοιδήν.

ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δʼ ὁρμηθεὶς θεοῦ ἤρχετο, φαῖνε δʼ ἀοιδήν,

ἔνθεν ἑλὼν ὡς οἱ μὲν ἐυσσέλμων ἐπὶ νηῶν

500

βάντες ἀπέπλειον, πῦρ ἐν κλισίῃσι βαλόντες,

Ἀργεῖοι, τοὶ δʼ ἤδη ἀγακλυτὸν ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆα

ἥατʼ ἐνὶ Τρώων ἀγορῇ κεκαλυμμένοι ἵππῳ·

αὐτοὶ γάρ μιν Τρῶες ἐς ἀκρόπολιν ἐρύσαντο.

ὣς ὁ μὲν ἑστήκει, τοὶ δʼ ἄκριτα πόλλʼ ἀγόρευον

505

ἥμενοι ἀμφʼ αὐτόν· τρίχα δέ σφισιν ἥνδανε βουλή,

ἠὲ διαπλῆξαι κοῖλον δόρυ νηλέι χαλκῷ,

ἢ κατὰ πετράων βαλέειν ἐρύσαντας ἐπʼ ἄκρης,

ἢ ἐάαν μέγʼ ἄγαλμα θεῶν θελκτήριον εἶναι,

τῇ περ δὴ καὶ ἔπειτα τελευτήσεσθαι ἔμελλεν·

510

αἶσα γὰρ ἦν ἀπολέσθαι, ἐπὴν πόλις ἀμφικαλύψῃ

δουράτεον μέγαν ἵππον, ὅθʼ ἥατο πάντες ἄριστοι

Ἀργείων Τρώεσσι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φέροντες.

ἤειδεν δʼ ὡς ἄστυ διέπραθον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

ἱππόθεν ἐκχύμενοι, κοῖλον λόχον ἐκπρολιπόντες.

515

ἄλλον δʼ ἄλλῃ ἄειδε πόλιν κεραϊζέμεν αἰπήν,

αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆα προτὶ δώματα Δηιφόβοιο

βήμεναι, ἠύτʼ Ἄρηα σὺν ἀντιθέῳ Μενελάῳ.

κεῖθι δὴ αἰνότατον πόλεμον φάτο τολμήσαντα

νικῆσαι καὶ ἔπειτα διὰ μεγάθυμον Ἀθήνην.

520

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.) — 8.469 focus

He spoke, and sat down on a chair beside king Alcinous. 470 And now they were serving out portions and mixing the wine. Then the herald came near, leading the good minstrel, Demodocus, held in honor by the people, and seated him in the midst of the banqueters, leaning his chair against a high pillar. Then to the herald said Odysseus of many wiles, 475 cutting off a portion of the chine of a white-tusked boar, whereof yet more was left, and there was rich fat on either side: “Herald, take and give this portion to Demodocus, that he may eat, and I will greet him, despite my grief. For among all men that are upon the earth minstrels 480 win honor and reverence, for that the Muse has taught them the paths of song, and loves the tribe of minstrels.” So he spoke, and the herald bore the portion and placed it in the hands of the lord Demodocus, and he took it and was glad at heart. So they put forth their hands to the good cheer lying ready before them. 485 But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, then to Demodocus said Odysseus of many wiles: “Demodocus, verily above all mortal men do I praise thee, whether it was the Muse, the daughter of Zeus, that taught thee, or Apollo; for well and truly dost thou sing of the fate of the Achaeans, 490 all that they wrought and suffered, and all the toils they endured, as though haply thou hadst thyself been present, or hadst heard the tale from another. But come now, change thy theme, and sing of the building of the horse of wood, which Epeius made with Athena's help, the horse which once Odysseus led up into the citadel as a thing of guile, 495 when he had filled it with the men who sacked Ilios . If thou dost indeed tell me this tale aright, I will declare to all mankind that the god has of a ready heart granted thee the gift of divine song.” So he spoke, and the minstrel, moved by the god, began, and let his song be heard, 500 taking up the tale where the Argives had embarked on their benched ships and were sailing away, after casting fire on their huts, while those others led by glorious Odysseus were now sitting in the place of assembly of the Trojans, hidden in the horse; for the Trojans had themselves dragged it to the citadel. 505 So there it stood, while the people talked long as they sat about it, and could form no resolve. Nay, in three ways did counsel find favour in their minds: either to cleave the hollow timber with the pitiless bronze, or to drag it to the height and cast it down the rocks, or to let it stand as a great offering to propitiate the gods, 510 even as in the end it was to be brought to pass; for it was their fate to perish when their city should enclose the great horse of wood, wherein were sitting all the best of the Argives, bearing to the Trojans death and fate. And he sang how the sons of the Achaeans 515 poured forth from the horse and, leaving their hollow ambush, sacked the city. Of the others he sang how in divers ways they wasted the lofty city, but of Odysseus, how he went like Ares to the house of Deiphobus together with godlike Menelaus. There it was, he said, that Odysseus braved the most terrible fight 520 and in the end conquered by the aid of great-hearted Athena.

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.) — 8.482 focus

482 The servant carried the pork in his fingers over to Demodokos, who took it and was very much pleased. They then laid their hands on the good things that were before them, and as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Odysseus said to Demodokos, "Demodokos, there is no one in the world whom I praise with admiration more than I do you. You must have studied under the Muse, Zeus’ daughter, and under Apollo, - with such a sense of order [ kosmos] do you sing the return of the Achaeans with all their sufferings and adventures. If you were not there yourself, you must have heard it all from some one who was. Now, however, change your song and tell us of the construction [ kosmos] of the wooden horse which Epeios made with the assistance of Athena, and which Odysseus got by stratagem into the fort of Troy after freighting it with the men who afterwards sacked the city. If you will sing this tale aright I will tell all the world how magnificently heaven has endowed you."

499 The bard, inspired by a god, lit up the picture of his story, starting at the point where some of the Argives set fire to their tents and sailed away while others, hidden within the horse, were waiting with Odysseus in the Trojan place of assembly. For the Trojans themselves had drawn the horse into their fortress, and it stood there while they sat in council round it, and were in three minds as to what they should do. Some were for breaking it up then and there; others would have it dragged to the top of the rock on which the fortress stood, and then thrown down the precipice; while yet others were for letting it remain as an offering and propitiation for the gods. And this was how they settled it in the end, for the city was doomed when it took in that horse, within which were all the bravest of the Argives waiting to bring death and destruction on the Trojans. Anon he sang how the sons of the Achaeans issued from the horse, and sacked the town, breaking out from their ambuscade. He sang how they overran the city here and there and ravaged it, and how Odysseus went raging like Ares along with Menelaos to the house of Deiphobos. It was there that the fight raged most furiously, nevertheless by Athena's help he was victorious.

521 All this he told, but Odysseus was overcome as he heard him, and his cheeks were wet with tears. He wept as a woman weeps when she throws herself on the body of her husband who has fallen before his own city and people, fighting bravely in defense of his home and children. She screams aloud and flings her arms about him as he lies gasping for breath and dying, but her enemies beat her from behind about the back and shoulders, and carry her off into slavery, to a life of labor [ ponos] and sorrow, and the beauty fades from her cheeks - even so piteously did Odysseus weep, but none of those present perceived his tears except Alkinoos, who was sitting near him, and could hear the sobs and sighs that he was heaving. The king, therefore, at once rose and said:

536 "Aldermen and town councilors of the Phaeacians, let Demodokos cease his song, for there are those present who do not seem to like it. From the moment that we had done supper and Demodokos began to sing, our guest has been all the time groaning and lamenting. He is evidently in great distress [ akhos], so let the bard leave off, that we may all enjoy ourselves, hosts and guest alike. This will be much more as it should be, for all these festivities, with the escort and the presents that we are making with so much good will, are wholly in his honor, and any one with even a moderate amount of right feeling knows that he ought to treat a guest and a suppliant as though he were his own brother.

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 8.469 focus

He spake, and near Alcinoüs took his place

Upon a throne. And now they served the feast

To each, and mingled wine. A herald led

575

Thither the gentle bard Demodocus,

Whom all the people honored. Him they placed

Amidst the assembly, where he leaned against

A lofty column. Sage Ulysses then

Carved from the broad loin of a white-tusked boar

580

A part, where yet a mass of flesh remained

Bordered with fat, and to the herald said:-

"Bear this, O herald, to Demodocus,

That he may eat. Him, even in my grief,

Will I embrace, for worthily the bards

585

Are honored and revered o'er all the earth

By every race of men. The Muse herself

Hath taught them song; she loves the minstrel tribe."

He spake; the herald laid the flesh before

Demodocus the hero, who received

590

The gift well pleased. Then all the guests put forth

Their hands and shared the viands on the board;

And when their thirst and hunger were allayed,

Thus to the minstrel sage Ulysses spake : -

"Demodocus, above all other men

595

I give thee praise, for either has the Muse,

Jove's daughter, or Apollo, visited

And taught thee. Truly hast thou sung the fate

Of the Achaian warriors, - what they did

And suffered, - all their labors as if thou

600

Hadst been among them, or hadst heard the tale

From an eye-witness. Now, I pray, proceed,

And sing the invention of the wooden horse

Made by Epeius with Minerva's aid,

And by the chief Ulysses artfully

605

Conveyed into the Trojan citadel,

With armed warriors in its womb to lay

The city waste. And I, if thou relate

The story rightly, will at once declare

To all that largely hath some bounteous god

610

Bestowed on thee the holy gift of song."

He spake; the poet felt the inspiring god,

And sang, beginning where the Argives hurled

Firebrands among their tents, and sailed away

In their good galleys, save the band that sat

615

Beside renowned Ulysses in the horse,

Concealed from sight, amid the Trojan crowd,

Who now had drawn it to the citadel.

So there it stood, while, sitting round it, talked

The men of Troy, and wist not what to do.

620

By turns three counsels pleased them, - to hew down

The hollow trunk with the remorseless steel;

Or drag it to a height, and cast it thence

Headlong among the rocks; or, lastly, leave

The enormous image standing and unharmed,

625

An offering to appease the gods. And this

At last was done; for so had fate decreed

That they should be destroyed whene'er their town

Should hold within its walls the horse of wood,

In which the mightiest of the Argives came

630

Among the sons of Troy to smite and slay.

Then sang the bard how, issuing from the womb

Of that deceitful horse, the sons of Greece

Laid Ilium waste; how each in different ways

Ravaged the town, while, terrible as Mars,

635

Ulysses, joined with Menelaus, sought

The palace of Deiphobus, and there

Maintained a desperate battle, till the aid

Of mighty Pallas made the victory his.

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 8.469 focus

He said, and sate

Fast by Alcinoüs on a throne of state.

Now each partakes the feast, the wine prepares,

515

Portions the food, and each his portion shares.

The bard an herald guides; the gazing throng

Pay low obeisance as he moves along:

Beneath a sculptur'd arch he sits enthron'd,

The peers encircling form an awful round.

520

Then, from the chine Ulysses carves with art,

Delicious food, an honorary part;

Ulysses

"This, let the master of the lyre receive,

A pledge of love! 'tis all a wretch can give.

Lives there a man beneath the spacious skies
525

Who sacred honours to the bard denies?

The Muse the bard inspires, exalts his mind;

The Muse indulgent loves th' harmonious kind."

The herald to his hand the charge conveys,

Not fond of flattery, nor unpleas'd with praise.

530

When now the rage of hunger was allay'd,

Thus to the lyrist wise Ulysses said:

Ulysses

"O more than man! thy soul the Muse inspires,

Or Phœbus animates with all his fires;

For who, by Phœbus uninform'd, could know
535

The woe of Greece, and sing so well the woe?

Just to the tale, as present at the fray,

Or taught the labours of the dreadful day:

The song recalls past horrors to my eyes,

And bids proud Ilion from her ashes rise.
540

Once more harmonious strike the sounding string,

Th' Epean fabric,¹ fram'd by Pallas, sing:

How stern Ulysses, furious to destroy,

With latent heroes sack'd imperial Troy.

If faithful thou record the tale of fame,
545

The god himself inspires thy breast with flame;

And mine shall be the task henceforth to raise

In every land thy monument of praise."

Full of the god he rais'd his lofty strain,

How the Greeks rush'd tumultuous to the main;

550

How blazing tents illumin'd half the skies,

While from the shores the winged navy flies;

How even in Ilion's walls, in deathful bands,

Came the stern Greeks by Troy's assisting hands:

All Troy up-heav'd the steed; of differing mind,

555

Various the Trojans counsell'd: part consign'd

The monster to the sword; part sentence gave

To plunge it headlong in the whelming wave;

Th' unwise award to lodge it in the towers,

An offering sacred to th' immortal powers:

560

Th' unwise prevail, they lodge it in the walls,

And by the gods' decree proud Ilion falls:

Destruction enters in the treacherous wood,

And vengeful slaughter, fierce for human blood.

He sung the Greeks stern-issuing from the steed,

565

How Ilion burns, how all her fathers bleed;

How to thy dome, Deïphobus, ascends

The Spartan king; how Ithacus attends

Horrid as Mars, and how with dire alarms

He fights, subdues; for Pallas strings his arms.

570

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 8.469 focus

This said, he went and sat down by the king.

445

And now the meat in messes some divided,

Others the lusty wine were tempering,

And by a squire the singer in was guided,

And at a pillar in the midst made sit.

Ulysses half a chine of pork and fat

450

Cuts off, and in the squire's hands putteth it,

And said unto him, Give the singer that;

Singers through all the world have reputation,

And well respected be in ev'ry land;

The Muses teach them song, and love the nation.

455

Then went the squire and put it in his hand;

Demodocus received it and was glad.

Then fell they to the meat before them laid.

When thirst and hunger overcome they had,

Unto the singer then Ulysses said:

460

Demodocus, you all men else excel.

The Muses sure did teach you, or it was

Phoebus himself. For you have sung so well

The acts that did 'twixt Greeks and Trojans pass,

And all related that they did at Troy,

465

Or suffer'd there, or when they homeward came,

As if yourself beheld had their annoy,

Or had from some spectator heard the same.

Stand forth and sing now of the horse of wood

Made by Epeius, but by Pallas help'd,

470

Stuff'd by Ulysses full of warriors good,

Which in Troy town destruction to it whelp'd:

If this you sing in order as 'twas done,

I'll make the world with your just praises ring.

Then at the Gods Demodocus begun,

475

And how the fleet went off the shore did sing;

And how they fir'd their tents; and how the lords

Of Greece i' th' council of the Trojans sate,

Inclos'd and hidden in the horse of boards,

That by the Trojans was fetch'd in in state.

480

The Trojans sitting round about debate,

And many a foolish speech they uttered,

And on three points they there deliberate,

And voted what the Gods determined.

The three points which were most insisted on,

485

Were, whether they should cut the horse in twain,

Or throw it down the rock it stood upon,

Or let it, to appease the Gods, remain.

r th' end they all resolved on the last.

For by the Fates it was determined

490

That Ilium should then be layed waste,

When o'er its walls a great horse entered,

And in his belly brought the enemy.

And how the Argives from the horse came out,

How divers ways they went and cruelly

495

Killed and burned as they went about.

Ulysses then, like Mars, with Menelaus

Unto Deiphobus together hie,

And for awhile there sharp the battle was,

But to Ulysses fell the victory.

500

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 8.469 focus

This said, Alcinous plac'd him by his side.

630

Then took they feast, and did in parts divide

The several dishes, fill'd out wine, and then

The strived-for-for-his-worth of worthy men,

And reverenc'd-of-the-state, Demodocus

Was brought in by the good Pontonous.

635

In midst of all the guests they gave him place,

Against a lofty pillar, when this grace

The grac'd-with-wisdom did him: From the chine,

That stood before him, of a white-tooth'd swine,

Being far the daintiest joint, mixed through with fat,

640

He carv'd to him, and sent it where he sat

By his old friend the herald, willing thus:

" Herald, reach this to grave Demodocus,

Say, I salute him, and his worth embrace.

Poets deserve, past all the human race,

645

Reverend respect and honour, since the queen

Of knowledge, and the supreme worth in men,

The Muse, informs them, and loves all their race."

This reach'd the herald to him, who the grace

Received encouraged; which, when feast was spent,

650

Ulysses amplified to this ascent:

"Demodocus! I must prefer you far,

Past all your sort, if, or the Muse of war,

Jove's daughter, prompts you, that the Greeks respects,

Or if the Sun, that those of Troy affects.

655

For I have heard you, since my coming, sing

The fate of Greece to an admired string.

How much our suff'rance was, how much we wrought,

How much the actions rose to when we fought.

So lively forming, as you had been there,

660

Or to some free relater lent your ear.

Forth then, and sing the wooden horse's frame,

Built by Epeus, by the martial Dame

Taught the whole fabric; which, by force of sleight,

Ulysses brought into the city's height,

665

When he had stuff'd it with as many men

As levell'd lofty Ilion with the plain.

With all which if you can as well enchant,

As with expression quick and elegant"

You sung the rest, I will pronounce you clear

670

Inspired by God, past all that ever were."

This said, even stirr'd by God up, he began,

And to his song fell, past the form of man,

Beginning where the Greeks aship-board went,

And every chief had set on fire his tent,

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When th' other kings, in great Ulysses guide,

In Troy's vast market place the horse did hide,

From whence the Trojans up to Ilion drew

The dreadful engine. Where sat all arew

Their kings about it; many counsels given

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How to dispose it. In three ways were driven

Their whole distractions. First, if they should feel

The hollow wood's heart, search'd with piercing steel;

Or from the battlements drawn higher yet

Deject it headlong; or that counterfeit

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So vast and novel set on sacred fire,

Vow'd to appease each anger'd Godhead's ire.

On which opinion, they, thereafter, saw,

They then should have resolved; th' unalter'd law

Of fate presaging, that Troy then should end,

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When th' hostile horse she should receive to friend,

For therein should the Grecian kings lie hid,

To bring the fate and death they after did.

He sung, besides, the Greeks' eruption

From those their hollow crafts, and horse forgone;

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And how they made depopulation tread

Beneath her feet so high a city's head.

In which affair, he sung in other place,

That of that ambush some man else did race

The Ilion towers than Laertiades;

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But here he sung, that he alone did seize,

With Menelaus, the ascended roof

Of prince Deiphobus, and Mars-like proof

Made of his valour, a most dreadful fight

Daring against him; and there vanquish'd quite,

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In little time, by great Minerva's aid,

All Ilion's remnant, and Troy level laid.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 8.469 focus

He said, and on his throne beside the King

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Alcinoüs sat. And now they portion'd out

The feast to all, and charged the cups with wine,

And introducing by his hand the bard

Phæacia's glory, at the column's side

The herald placed Demodocus again.

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Then, carving forth a portion from the loins

Of a huge brawn, of which uneaten still

Large part and delicate remain'd, thus spake

Ulysses—Herald! bear it to the bard

For his regale, whom I will soon embrace

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In spite of sorrow; for respect is due

And veneration to the sacred bard

From all mankind, for that the muse inspires

Herself his song, and loves the tuneful tribe.

He ended, and the herald bore his charge

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To the old Hero, who with joy received

That meed of honour at the bearer's hand.

Then, all, at once, assail'd the ready feast,

And hunger now, and thirst both satisfied,

Thus to Demodocus Ulysses spake.

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Demodocus! I give thee praise above

All mortals, for that either thee the muse

Jove's daughter teaches, or the King, himself,

Apollo; since thou so record'st the fate,

With such clear method, of Achaia's host,

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Their deeds heroic, and their numerous toils,

As thou hadst present been thyself, or learnt

From others present there, the glorious tale.

Come, then, proceed; that rare invention sing,

The horse of wood, which by Minerva's aid

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Epeus framed, and which Ulysses erst

Convey'd into the citadel of Troy

With warriors fill'd, who laid all Ilium waste.

These things rehearse regular, and myself

Will, instant, publish in the ears of all

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Thy fame, reporting thee a bard to whom

Apollo free imparts celestial song.

He ended; then Apollo with full force

Rush'd on Demodocus, and he began

What time the Greeks, first firing their own camp,

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Steer'd all their galleys from the shore of Troy.

Already, in the horse conceal'd, his band

Around Ulysses sat; for Ilium's sons

Themselves had drawn it to the citadel,

And there the mischief stood. Then, strife arose

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Among the Trojans compassing the horse,

And threefold was the doubt; whether to cleave

The hollow trunk asunder, or updrawn

Aloft, to cast it headlong from the rocks,

Or to permit the enormous image, kept

625

Entire, to stand an offering to the Gods,

Which was their destined course; for Fate had fix'd

Their ruin sure, when once they had received

Within their walls that engine huge, in which

Sat all the bravest Greecians with the fate

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Of Ilium charged, and slaughter of her sons.

He sang, how, from the horse effused, the Greeks

Left their capacious ambush, and the town

Made desolate. To others, in his song,

He gave the praise of wasting all beside,

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But told how, fierce as Mars, Ulysses join'd

With godlike Menelaus, to the house

Flew of Deiphobus; him there engaged

In direst fight he sang, and through the aid

Of glorious Pallas, conqueror over all.

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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.

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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!

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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,

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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

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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;

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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:

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"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

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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.

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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

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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."

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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

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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,

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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.

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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—

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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

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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.

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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.

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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;

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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

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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 :

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"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.

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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.

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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,

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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,

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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.

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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

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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,

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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 8.469

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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Current edition Experimental

Ulysses

"This, let the master of the lyre receive,

A pledge of love! 'tis all a wretch can give.

Lives there a man beneath the spacious skies
525

Who sacred honours to the bard denies?

The Muse the bard inspires, exalts his mind;

The Muse indulgent loves th' harmonious kind."

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

Ulysses "This, let the master of the lyre receive, A pledge of love! 'tis all a wretch can give. Lives there a man beneath the spacious skies 525 Who sacred honours to the bard denies? The Muse the bard inspires, exalts his mind; The Muse indulgent loves th' harmonious kind."

ODYSSEY BOOK VIII

PATTEN WILSON ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Ulysses

"This, let the master of the lyre receive,

A pledge of love! 'tis all a wretch can give.

Lives there a man beneath the spacious skies
525

Who sacred honours to the bard denies?

The Muse the bard inspires, exalts his mind;

The Muse indulgent loves th' harmonious kind."

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS