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As much as the Phæacian men excell'd

All other countrymen in art to build

A swift-sail'd ship; so much the women there,

For work of webs, past other women were.

Past mean, by Pallas' means, they understood

150

The grace of good works; and had wits as good.

Without the hall, and close upon the gate,

A goodly orchard-ground was situate,

¹²

Of near ten acres; about which was led

A lofty quickset. In it flourished

155

High and broad fruit trees, that pomegranates bore,

Sweet figs, pears, olives; and a number more

Most useful plants did there produce their store,

Whose fruits the hardest winter could not kill,

Nor hottest summer wither. There was still

160

Fruit in his proper season all the year.

Sweet Zephyr breathed upon them blasts that were

Of varied tempers. These he made to bear

Ripe fruits, these blossoms. Pear grew after pear,

Apple succeeded apple, grape the grape,

165

Fig after fig came; time made never rape

Of any dainty there. A spritely vine

Spread here his root, whose fruit a hot sunshine

Made ripe betimes; here grew another green.

Here some were gathering, here some pressing seen.

170

A large-allotted several each fruit had;

And all th' adorn'd grounds their appearance made

In flower and fruit, at which the king did aim

To the precisest order he could claim.

Two fountains graced the garden; of which, one

175

Pour'd out a winding stream that over-run

The grounds for their use chiefly, th' other went

Close by the lofty palace gate, and lent

The city his sweet benefit. And thus

The Gods the court deck'd of Alcinous.

180

Patient Ulysses stood a while at gaze,

But, having all observed, made instant pace

Into the court; where all the veers he found,

And captains of Phæacia, with cups crown'd,

Offering to sharp-eyed Hermes, to whom last

185

They used to sacrifice, when sleep had cast

His inclination through their thoughts. But these

Ulysses past, and forth went; nor their eyes

Took note of him, for Pallas stopp'd the light

With mists about him, that, unstay'd, he might

190

First to Alcinous, and Arete,

Present his person; and, of both them, she,

By Pallas counsel, was to have the grace

Of foremost greeting. Therefore his embrace

He cast about her knee. And then off flew

195

The heavenly air that hid him. When his view,

With silence and with admiration strook

The court quite through; but thus he silence broke:

"Divine Rhexenor's offspring, Arete,

To thy most honour'd husband, and to thee,

200

A man whom many labours have distress'd

Is come for comfort, and to every guest.

To all whom heaven vouchsafe delightsome lives,

And after to your issue that survives

A good resignment of the goods ye leave,

205

With all the honour that yourselves receive

Amongst your people. Only this of me

Is the ambition; that I may but see

By your vouchsaf'd means, and betimes vouchsaf'd)

My country earth; since I have long been left

210

To labours, and to errors, barr'd from end,

And far from benefit of any friend."

Odyssey. Homer. ed. George Chapman. London. 1857.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Current edition Experimental

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) (English) (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857))

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.) — 7.107 focus

ὅσσον Φαίηκες περὶ πάντων ἴδριες ἀνδρῶν

νῆα θοὴν ἐνὶ πόντῳ ἐλαυνέμεν, ὣς δὲ γυναῖκες

ἱστῶν τεχνῆσσαι· πέρι γάρ σφισι δῶκεν Ἀθήνη

110

ἔργα τʼ ἐπίστασθαι περικαλλέα καὶ φρένας ἐσθλάς.

ἔκτοσθεν δʼ αὐλῆς μέγας ὄρχατος ἄγχι θυράων

τετράγυος· περὶ δʼ ἕρκος ἐλήλαται ἀμφοτέρωθεν.

ἔνθα δὲ δένδρεα μακρὰ πεφύκασι τηλεθόωντα,

ὄγχναι καὶ ῥοιαὶ καὶ μηλέαι ἀγλαόκαρποι

115

συκέαι τε γλυκεραὶ καὶ ἐλαῖαι τηλεθόωσαι.

τάων οὔ ποτε καρπὸς ἀπόλλυται οὐδʼ ἀπολείπει

χείματος οὐδὲ θέρευς, ἐπετήσιος· ἀλλὰ μάλʼ αἰεὶ

Ζεφυρίη πνείουσα τὰ μὲν φύει, ἄλλα δὲ πέσσει.

ὄγχνη ἐπʼ ὄγχνῃ γηράσκει, μῆλον δʼ ἐπὶ μήλῳ,

120

αὐτὰρ ἐπὶ σταφυλῇ σταφυλή, σῦκον δʼ ἐπὶ σύκῳ.

ἔνθα δέ οἱ πολύκαρπος ἀλωὴ ἐρρίζωται,

τῆς ἕτερον μὲν θειλόπεδον λευρῷ ἐνὶ χώρῳ

τέρσεται ἠελίῳ, ἑτέρας δʼ ἄρα τε τρυγόωσιν,

ἄλλας δὲ τραπέουσι· πάροιθε δέ τʼ ὄμφακές εἰσιν

125

ἄνθος ἀφιεῖσαι, ἕτεραι δʼ ὑποπερκάζουσιν.

ἔνθα δὲ κοσμηταὶ πρασιαὶ παρὰ νείατον ὄρχον

παντοῖαι πεφύασιν, ἐπηετανὸν γανόωσαι·

ἐν δὲ δύω κρῆναι ἡ μέν τʼ ἀνὰ κῆπον ἅπαντα

σκίδναται, ἡ δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ὑπʼ αὐλῆς οὐδὸν ἵησι

130

πρὸς δόμον ὑψηλόν, ὅθεν ὑδρεύοντο πολῖται.

τοῖʼ ἄρʼ ἐν Ἀλκινόοιο θεῶν ἔσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα.

ἔνθα στὰς θηεῖτο πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα ἑῷ θηήσατο θυμῷ,

καρπαλίμως ὑπὲρ οὐδὸν ἐβήσετο δώματος εἴσω.

135

εὗρε δὲ Φαιήκων ἡγήτορας ἠδὲ μέδοντας

σπένδοντας δεπάεσσιν ἐυσκόπῳ ἀργεϊφόντῃ,

ᾧ πυμάτῳ σπένδεσκον, ὅτε μνησαίατο κοίτου.

αὐτὰρ ὁ βῆ διὰ δῶμα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

πολλὴν ἠέρʼ ἔχων, ἥν οἱ περίχευεν Ἀθήνη,

140

ὄφρʼ ἵκετʼ Ἀρήτην τε καὶ Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα.

ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ Ἀρήτης βάλε γούνασι χεῖρας Ὀδυσσεύς,

καὶ τότε δή ῥʼ αὐτοῖο πάλιν χύτο θέσφατος ἀήρ.

οἱ δʼ ἄνεῳ ἐγένοντο, δόμον κάτα φῶτα ἰδόντες·

θαύμαζον δʼ ὁρόωντες. ὁ δὲ λιτάνευεν Ὀδυσσεύς·

145

Ἀρήτη, θύγατερ Ῥηξήνορος ἀντιθέοιο,

σόν τε πόσιν σά τε γούναθʼ ἱκάνω πολλὰ μογήσας

τούσδε τε δαιτυμόνας· τοῖσιν θεοὶ ὄλβια δοῖεν

ζωέμεναι, καὶ παισὶν ἐπιτρέψειεν ἕκαστος

κτήματʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γέρας θʼ ὅ τι δῆμος ἔδωκεν·

150

αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ πομπὴν ὀτρύνετε πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαι

θᾶσσον, ἐπεὶ δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχω.

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.) — 7.107 focus

For as the Phaeacian men are skilled above all others in speeding a swift ship upon the sea, so are the women 110 cunning workers at the loom, for Athena has given to them above all others skill in fair handiwork, and an understanding heart. But without the courtyard, hard by the door, is a great orchard of four acres,¹ and a hedge runs about it on either side. Therein grow trees, tall and luxuriant, 115 pears and pomegranates and apple-trees with their bright fruit, and sweet figs, and luxuriant olives. Of these the fruit perishes not nor fails in winter or in summer, but lasts throughout the year; and ever does the west wind, as it blows, quicken to life some fruits, and ripen others; 120 pear upon pear waxes ripe, apple upon apple, cluster upon cluster, and fig upon fig. There, too, is his fruitful vineyard planted, one part of which, a warm spot on level ground, is being dried in the sun, while other grapes men are gathering, 125 and others, too, they are treading; but in front are unripe grapes that are shedding the blossom, and others that are turning purple. There again, by the last row of the vines, grow trim garden beds of every sort, blooming the year through, and therein are two springs, one of which sends its water throughout all the garden, 130 while the other, over against it, flows beneath the threshold of the court toward the high house; from this the townsfolk drew their water. Such were the glorious gifts of the gods in the palace of Alcinous. There the much-enduring goodly Odysseus stood and gazed. But when he had marvelled in his heart at all things, 135 he passed quickly over the threshold into the house. There he found the leaders and counsellors of the Phaeacians pouring libations from their cups to the keen-sighted Argeiphontes, to whom they were wont to pour the wine last of all, when they were minded to go to their rest. But the much-enduring goodly Odysseus went through the hall, 140 wrapped in the thick mist which Athena had shed about him, till he came to Arete and to Alcinous the king. About the knees of Arete Odysseus cast his hands, and straightway the wondrous mist melted from him, and a hush fell upon all that were in the room at sight of the man, 145 and they marvelled as they looked upon him. But Odysseus made his prayer: “Arete, daughter of godlike Rhexenor, to thy husband and to thy knees am I come after many toils,—aye and to these banqueters, to whom may the gods grant happiness in life, and may each of them hand down to his children 150 the wealth in his halls, and the dues of honor which the people have given him. But for me do ye speed my sending, that I may come to my native land, and that quickly; for long time have I been suffering woes far from my friends.”

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.) — 7.78 focus

78 Then Athena left Scheria and went away over the sea. She went to Marathon and to the spacious streets of Athens , where she entered the abode of Erechtheus; but Odysseus went on to the house of Alkinoos, and he pondered much as he paused a while before reaching the threshold of bronze, for the splendor of the palace was like that of the sun or moon. The walls on either side were of bronze from end to end, and the cornice was of blue enamel. The doors were gold, and hung on pillars of silver that rose from a floor of bronze, while the lintel was silver and the hook of the door was of gold.

91 On either side there stood gold and silver mastiffs which Hephaistos, with his consummate skill, had fashioned expressly to keep watch over the palace of king Alkinoos; so they were immortal and could never grow old. Seats were ranged all along the wall, here and there from one end to the other, with coverings of fine woven work which the women of the house had made. Here the chief persons of the Phaeacians used to sit and eat and drink, for there was abundance at all seasons; and there were golden figures of young men with lighted torches in their hands, raised on pedestals, to give light by night to those who were at table. There are fifty maid servants in the house, some of whom are always grinding rich yellow grain at the mill, while others work at the loom, or sit and spin, and their shuttles go, backwards and forwards like the fluttering of aspen leaves, while the linen is so closely woven that it will turn oil. As the Phaeacians are the best sailors in the world, so their women excel all others in weaving, for Athena has taught them all manner of useful arts, and they are very intelligent.

112 Outside the gate of the outer court there is a large garden of about four acres with a wall all round it. It is full of beautiful trees - pears, pomegranates, and the most delicious apples. There are luscious figs also, and olives in full growth. The fruits never rot nor fail all the year round, neither winter nor summer, for the air is so soft that a new crop ripens before the old has dropped. Pear grows on pear, apple on apple, and fig on fig, and so also with the grapes, for there is an excellent vineyard: on the level ground of a part of this, the grapes are being made into raisins; in another part they are being gathered; some are being trodden in the wine tubs, others further on have shed their blossom and are beginning to show fruit, others again are just changing color. In the furthest part of the ground there are beautifully arranged beds of flowers that are in bloom all the year round. Two streams go through it, the one turned in ducts throughout the whole garden, while the other is carried under the ground of the outer court to the house itself, and the town's people draw water from it. Such, then, were the splendors with which the gods had endowed the house of king Alkinoos.

133 So here Odysseus stood for a while and looked about him, but when he had looked long enough he crossed the threshold and went within the precincts of the house. There he found all the chief people among the Phaeacians making their drink-offerings to Hermes, which they always did the last thing before going away for the night. He went straight through the court, still hidden by the cloak of darkness in which Athena had enveloped him, till he reached Arete and King Alkinoos; then he laid his hands upon the knees of the queen, and at that moment the miraculous darkness fell away from him and he became visible. Every one was speechless with surprise at seeing a man there, but Odysseus began at once with his petition.

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 7.107 focus

As the Phaeacians are the best sailors in the world, so their women [110] excel all others in weaving, for Athena has taught them all manner of useful arts, and they are very intelligent.

Outside the gate of the outer court there is a large garden of about four acres with a wall all round it. It is full of beautiful trees— [115] pears, pomegranates, and the most delicious apples. There are luscious figs also, and olives in full growth. The fruits never rot nor fail all the year round, neither winter nor summer, for the air is so soft that a new crop ripens before the old has dropped. [120] Pear grows on pear, apple on apple, and fig on fig, and so also with the grapes, for there is an excellent vineyard: on the level ground of a part of this, the grapes are being made into raisins; in another part they are being gathered; [125] some are being trodden in the wine tubs, others further on have shed their blossom and are beginning to show fruit, others again are just changing color. In the furthest part of the ground there are beautifully arranged beds of flowers that are in bloom all the year round. Two streams go through it, the one turned in ducts throughout the whole [130] garden, while the other is carried under the ground of the outer court to the house itself, and the town’s people draw water from it. Such, then, were the splendors with which the gods had endowed the house of King Alkinoos.

So here long-suffering great Odysseus stood for a while and looked about him, but when he had looked long enough [135] he crossed the threshold and went within the precincts of the house. There he found all the chief people among the Phaeacians making their drink-offerings to sharp-eyed Hermes, which they always did the last thing before going away for the night. He went straight through the court, [140] still hidden by the cloak of darkness in which Athena had enveloped him, till he reached Arete and King Alkinoos; then he laid his hands upon the knees of the queen, and at that moment the miraculous darkness fell away from him and he became visible. Every one was speechless with surprise at seeing a man there, [145] but Odysseus began at once with his petition.

“Queen Arete,” he exclaimed, “daughter of godlike Rhexenor, in my distress I humbly pray you, as also your husband and these your guests (whom may the gods make prosperous with long life and happiness [ olbos], and may they leave their possessions to their children, [150] and all the honors conferred upon them by the state [ dēmos]) to help me home to my own country as soon as possible; for I have been long in trouble and away from my friends.”

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 7.107 focus

As far as the Phæacian race excel

In guiding their swift galleys o'er the deep,

130

So far the women in their woven work

Surpass all others. Pallas gives them skill

In handiwork and beautiful design.

Without the palace-court, and near the gate,

A spacious garden of four acres lay.

135

A hedge enclosed it round, and lofty trees

Flourished in generous growth within, - the pear

And the pomegranate, and the apple-tree

With its fair fruitage, and the luscious fig

And olive always green. The fruit they bear

140

Falls not, nor ever fails in winter time

Nor summer, but is yielded all the year.

The ever-blowing west-wind causes some

To swell and some to ripen; pear succeeds

To pear; to apple apple, grape to grape,

145

Fig ripens after fig. A fruitful field

Of vines was planted near; in part it lay

Open and basking in the sun, which dried

The soil, and here men gathered in the grapes,

And there they trod the wine-press. Farther on

150

Were grapes unripened yet, which just had cast

The flower, and others still which just began

To redden. At the garden's furthest bound

Were beds of many plants that all the year

Bore flowers. There gushed two fountains: one of them

155

Ran wandering through the field; the other flowed

Beneath the threshold to the palace-court,

And all the people filled their vessels there.

Such were the blessings which the gracious gods

Bestowed on King Alcinoüs and his house.

160

Ulysses, the great sufferer, standing there,

Admired the sight; and when he had beheld

The whole in silent wonderment, he crossed

The threshold quickly, entering the hall

Where the Phæacian peers and princes poured

165

Wine from their goblets to the sleepless one,

The Argus-queller, to whose deity

They made the last libations when they thought

Of slumber. The great sufferer, concealed

In a thick mist, which Pallas raised and cast

170

Around him, hastened through the hall and came

Close to Aretè and Alcinoüs,

The royal pair. Then did Ulysses clasp

Aretè's knees, when suddenly the cloud

Raised by the goddess vanished. All within

175

The palace were struck mute as they beheld

The man before them. Thus Ulysses prayed :

"Aretè, daughter of the godlike chief

Rhexenor! to thy husband I am come

And to thy knees, from many hardships borne,

180

And to these guests, to whom may the good gods

Grant to live happily, and to hand down,

Each one to his own children, in his home,

The wealth and honors which the people's love

Bestowed upon him. Grant me, I entreat,

185

An escort, that I may behold again

And soon my own dear country. I have passed

Long years in sorrow, far from all I love."

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 7.107 focus

Not more renown'd the men of Scheria's isle,

For sailing arts and all the naval toil,

Than works of female skill their women's pride,

The flying shuttle through the threads to guide:

Pallas to these her double gifts imparts,

140

Inventive genius, and industrious arts.

Close to the gates a spacious garden lies,

From storms defended and inclement skies.

Four acres was th' allotted space of ground,

Fenced with a green enclosure all around.

145

Tall thriving trees confess'd the fruitful mould;

The reddening apple ripens here to gold.

Here the blue fig with luscious juice o'erflows,

With deeper red the full pomegranate glows;

The branch here bends beneath the weighty pear,

150

And verdant olives flourish round the year.

The balmy spirit of the western gale

Eternal breathes on fruits, untaught to fail;

Each dropping pear a following pear supplies,

On apples apples, figs on figs arise:

155

The same mild season gives the blooms to blow,

The buds to harden, and the fruits to grow.

Here order'd vines in equal ranks appear,

With all th' united labours of the year;

Some to unload the fertile branches run,

160

Some dry the blackening clusters in the sun;

Others to tread the liquid harvest join,

The groaning presses foam with floods of wine,

Here are the vines in early flower descried,

Here grapes discolour'd on the sunny side,

165

And there in autumn's richest purple dyed.

Beds of all various herbs, for ever green,

In beauteous order terminate the scene.

Two plenteous fountains the whole prospect crown'd;

This through the gardens leads its streams around,

170

Visits each plant, and waters all the ground;

While that in pipes beneath the palace flows,

And thence its current on the town bestows:

To various use their various streams they bring,

The people one, and one supplies the king.

175

Such were the glories which the gods ordain'd,

To grace Alcinous, and his happy land.

Ev'n from the chief whom men and nations knew,

Th' unwonted scene surprise and rapture drew;

In pleasing thought he ran the prospect o'er,

180

Then hasty enter'd at the lofty door.

Night now approaching, in the palace stand,

With goblets crown'd, the rulers of the land;

Prepar'd for rest, and offering to the god¹

Who bears the virtue of the sleepy rod.

185

Unseen he glided through the joyous crowd,

With darkness circled, and an ambient cloud,

Direct to great Alcinous' throne he came,

And prostrate fell before th' imperial dame.

Then from around him dropp'd the veil of night;

190

Sudden he shines, and manifest to sight.

The nobles gaze, with awful fear oppress'd;

Silent they gaze, and eye the godlike guest.

Ulysses

"Daughter of great Rhexenor!" (thus began,

Low at her knees, the much-enduring man,)
195

"To thee, thy consort, and this royal train,

To all that share the blessings of your reign,

A suppliant bends: oh pity human woe!

'Tis what the happy to th' unhappy owe.

A wretched exile to his country send,
200

Long worn with griefs, and long without a friend.

So may the gods your better days increase,

And all your joys descend on all your race:

So reign for ever on your country's breast,

Your people blessing, by your people bless'd!"
205

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 7.107 focus

Close by the house a dainty orchard is,

105

Four-square and fenc'd with hedge and pale about,

Of pear, pomegranate, apple, olive-trees,

And fig-trees. For the season ne'er goes out

Summer nor winter, for by Zephyrs some

Are made put forth, and others ripened;

110

Pears after pears, apples to apples come;

Grapes are by grapes, figs by figs followed;

And in it was the vineyard of the king.

Grapes in some places by the sun were dried,

In others staid till vintage ripening.

115

Upon some vines no flower yet was spied,

And grapes on some to blacken now began.

Green beds of herbs there were on ev'ry side,

And through it from two springs the water ran,

And to and fro the one did winding glide,

120

The other to the house his stream did bear,

And under ground was to the town convey'd,

And rose a fountain for the people there.

And when Ulysses had all this survey'd,

Then went he in, and found them in the hall

125

Sitting at supper, and to Mercury

There off'ring up of wine : which last of all

At bed-time men do offer usually.

And on he went up to the king and queen,

And both his hands upon her knee did lay.

130

Pallas had kept him in the mist unseen ;

But thither come, the mist straight fell away.

Amaz'd they were when first they saw the man,

And like to men that had been stricken dumb.

Ulysses then t' Arete thus began :

135

O queen Arete, to your knee I come,

And to the king, and those that with you sit:

May the Gods grant you all much happiness,

Long life, and your possessions to transmit

T' your children, and your honours still possess;

140

And may you me send presently away

Unto my house: long absent I have been.

This said, he sat down by the fire. And they

Said nothing, such amazement they were in.

At last old Echineus spake, that knew

145

Both what in former times and now was fit:

O king Alcinous, is't good, think you,

To let the stranger in the ashes sit ?

We silent sat to see what was your will;

Pray make him rise, and to a chair him bring,

150

And bid the squire to temper wine and fill,

That we to Jove may make our offering,

Who with poor strangers keepeth company;

And bid the maid before him set such meat

As she within has in her custody.

155

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 7.107 focus

Bright as with oil the new-wrought texture shone.

Far as Phæacian mariners all else

Surpass, the swift ship urging through the floods,

130

So far in tissue-work the women pass

All others, by Minerva's self endow'd

With richest fancy and superior skill.

Without the court, and to the gates adjoin'd

A spacious garden lay, fenced all around

135

Secure, four acres measuring complete.

There grew luxuriant many a lofty tree,

Pomegranate, pear, the apple blushing bright,

The honied fig, and unctuous olive smooth.

Those fruits, nor winter's cold nor summer's heat

140

Fear ever, fail not, wither not, but hang

Perennial, while unceasing zephyr breathes

Gently on all, enlarging these, and those

Maturing genial; in an endless course

Pears after pears to full dimensions swell,

145

Figs follow figs, grapes clustering grow again

Where clusters grew, and (every apple stript)

The boughs soon tempt the gatherer as before.

There too, well-rooted, and of fruit profuse,

His vineyard grows; part, wide-extended, basks

150

In the sun's beams; the arid level glows;

In part they gather, and in part they tread

The wine-press, while, before the eye, the grapes

Here put their blossom forth, there, gather fast

Their blackness. On the garden's verge extreme

155

Flowers of all hues smile all the year, arranged

With neatest art judicious; and amid

The lovely scene two fountains welling forth,

One visits, into every part diffused,

The garden-ground, the other soft beneath

160

The threshold steals into the palace-court,

Whence every citizen his vase supplies.

Such were the ample blessings on the house

Of King Alcinoüs by the Gods bestow'd.

Ulysses wondering stood, and when, at length,

165

Silent he had the whole fair scene admired,

With rapid step enter'd the royal gate.

The Chiefs he found and Senators within

Libation pouring to the vigilant spy

Mercurius, whom with wine they worshipp'd last

170

Of all the Gods, and at the hour of rest.

Ulysses, toil-worn Hero, through the house

Pass'd undelaying, by Minerva thick

With darkness circumfused, till he arrived

Where King Alcinoüs and Areta sat.

175

Around Areta's knees his arms he cast,

And in that moment, broken clear away

The cloud all went, shed on him from above.

Dumb sat the guests, seeing the unknown Chief,

And wondering gazed. He thus his suit preferr'd.

180

Areta, daughter of the Godlike Prince

Rhexenor! suppliant at thy knees I fall,

Thy royal spouse imploring, and thyself,

(After ten thousand toils,) and these your guests,

To whom heaven grant felicity, and to leave

185

Their treasures to their babes, with all the rights

And honours, by the people's suffrage, theirs!

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 7 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK VII

THERE as he rested and prayed, long-suffering godlike Odysseus,

Unto the city the two mules sturdily carried the maiden,

Till, when at last she was come to the far-famed house of her father,

Under the portal she halted, and round her collected her brothers,

Like to immortals; and soon they began from the yoke of the wagon

Both of the mules to unloose, and to bear to the palace the garments.

Then did she pass to her chamber, and quickly the hearth was a-blazing,

Lit by the aged Apeiran attendant, Eurymedusa.

Her did the twy-beaked ships once bring from the land of Apeira;

Then as a prize was she given to Alcinous, who as monarch

All Phæacia ruled; yea, e'en as a god they obeyed him.

Ever on white-armed Nausicaa did she wait as attendant.

Now too kindled she fire and prepared in the chamber the supper.

Then did Odysseus uprouse him to enter the town; and Athene

Poured thick darkness around him for ever she favoured the hero—

Lest Phaeacian men high-tempered, meeting a stranger,

Haply with insolent words might ask him his name and his country.

Now, when at length he was wishing to enter the beautiful city,

Nigh to the gate there met him the grey-eyed goddess Athene,

Likened in form to a maiden, a girl that was bearing a pitcher.

Right in his path she was standing, and godlike Odysseus addressed her :

"Wouldst thou conduct me, my child, on my way to the house of the hero

Alcinous, who they say is the monarch of all of this people?

I am a wayworn stranger, and hither am come from a country

Far, far over the ocean; and therefore none do I know here,

None of the folk that inhabit the town or that work in the corn-lands."

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene :

"Yea, Sir stranger, the house to the which thou hast bidden me guide thee

Gladly I'll show it, for near to my honoured father he liveth.

Come!—but in silence as much as thou canst! I will hasten before thee.

See that thou starest at none, nor puttest to any a question,

Since Phaeacians cannot away with an alien stranger,

Nor do they welcome and kindly receive who comes from a distance.

Ay but they travel! They cross, on their swift ships proudly reliant,

Even the sea's great gulf. 'Tis a boon they obtain from Poseidon.

Yea and as swift as a bird or a thought is the speed of their vessels."

These words uttered, at once moved onward Pallas Athene,

Hastily leading the way, and he followed the steps of the goddess.

Neither did any him note of the famed Phaeacian sea-folk

Passing the town in the midst of them all, for Athena the fair-tressed

Suffered it not, dread goddess, around him outpouring a darkness

Wonderful, mystic—for dear to her heart was the godlike Odysseus.

Marvelling much did he notice the well-built ships and the havens,

Squares for the meetings of men, and the long-drawn line of the ramparts

Lofty and all at the top palisaded—a wonder to gaze at.

Then, when at last they arrived at the chieftain's glorious mansion,

Thus she began to address him, the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Look, Sir stranger! for here is the house to the which thou hast bid me

Show thee the way. Thou'lt find these princes, the children of heaven,

Feasting at banquets; but enter thou boldly, nor feel in thy spirit

Fearful—for ever the man who in spirit is bold and undaunted

Proveth the better in deeds, ay, e'en if he comes from a distance.

First, in the banqueting-hall thou'lt light on the queen of the palace.

Arété is the name she is called, and she cometh of parents

E'en of the selfsame stock whence Alcinous is descended.

First came Nausithous, to the King Earth-shaking Poseidon

Born of the fair Periboea—of earth-born women the fairest —

Youngest of all of the daughters of Eurymedon great-hearted.

(He once reigned as the king of the arrogant nation of Giants;

Ay but infatuate perished the people and perished the Ruler.)

So Periboea conceived, and she bare to Poseidon an offspring,

Nausithous great-souled, who ruled Phaeacia's people.

Nausithous was the father of Alcinous and a brother

Rhexénor, who, still new-wedded, was slain by Apollo,

Lord of the silvern bow; nor left he an heir, but a daughter

Arété, whom Alcinous then took for a consort.

Her hath he honoured as surely on earth no other is honoured,

None of the wives who in these our days keep house for their husbands.

Heartily thus was she ever respected and still is respected,

Both by the Ruler himself and by all of her children belovéd,

Ay and the people; for all as a goddess regard her and greet her

Ever with reverent words when she walketh abroad in the city.

Yea and truly she lacks not at all of a good understanding;

Those she befriends, nay even the men, their quarrels she endeth.

Shouldst thou be able to gain of the lady her heart and her favour,

Then good hope will be thine to revisit thy friends, and in safety

Win to thy high-roofed home once more, and the land of thy fathers."

“NIGH ΤΟ THE GATE THERE MET HIM
THE GREY-EYED GODDESS ATHENE"
PATTEN WILSON

These words uttered, departing the grey-eyed goddess Athene

Over the wastes of the sea from the fair Phaeacian island

Marathon reached, and winning the wide-wayed city of Athens

Entered the strong-built fane of Erechtheus. Then did Odysseus

Wend on his way to the house of the king; and he pondered in spirit,

Ofttimes staying his steps ere reaching the bronze-wrought threshold.

For as the sheen of the sun or the moon, there floated a glory

Over the high-roofed palace of Alcinous great-hearted.

Brazen the walls, which ran from the threshold on this and on that side

Round to the innermost rooms; and above was a cornice of cyan.

Golden the portal within that the well-built mansion defended;

Silver the posts of the door, set fast in the bronze of the threshold;

Silver the lintel that rested upon them, and golden the handle.

Dogs each side of the porch were standing, of gold and of silver.

These Hephaestus himself had devised with his cunning invention,

Watchers to watch at the palace of Alcinous great-hearted;

There did they watch all deathless and ageless for ever and ever.

Close to the inside wall stood seats that on this and on that side

Reached to the innermost rooms from the threshold, and broidery o'er them,

Delicate, finely inwoven, was lying, the work of the women.

Here Phaeacian chiefs were oft to be seen at a banquet

Eating and drinking—for ever they found an unfailing abundance.

Here too, fashioned in gold and on fair-built bases of marble,

100

Youths were standing and holding uplifted radiant torches,

Lighting the gloom of the night in the halls of the house for the feasters.

Two score women and ten had the monarch as thralls in the palace,

Some that the yellow fruit of the corn-lands grind on a millstone,

Others that weave at the loom, and at twisting the wool with a spindle

105

Seated; but ever they move as the leaves of a high-branched poplar,

Weaving a linen so fine that the oil flows easily off it.

Yea, as the men far more are skilful than others of mortals

Swiftly to drive their ship in the waves, thus also the women

Others excel at the loom; for to them vouchsafeth Athene

110

Deftness in exquisite work and wisdom in cunning invention.

Outside, nigh to the gate of the court there lieth an orchard

Large as a field four-acred, enclosed all round by a fencing.

Here stands many a tree and in tall luxuriance bloometh ;

Pears are here, and pomegranates, and apples with glittering fruitage;

115

Figs with a rich sweet harvest and blossoming thickets of olives.

Here doth the fruit of the trees ne'er perish or fail in the bearing,

Winter and summer alike perpetual. Ever the West Wind

Bringeth the one to the birth with its breath and ripens the other.

Pear upon pear matureth with age and apple on apple,

120

Fig upon fig, and the grape grows, ripening cluster by cluster.

Here too, laden with fruit, stands planted a flourishing vineyard.

Part is a place for the drying—a levelled space in the open,

Parched by the heat of the sun; in another they gather the bunches,

Tread in another the vat; and in front hang berries unripened,

125

Casting the flower, but the rest is already beginning to purple.

Skirting the outermost row are beds of an orderly garden

Planted with many a herb and bright with perennial verdure.

Here two freshets of water arise: one over the garden

Scatters its streams, while under the courtyard threshold the other

130

Shoots to the high-roofed house and a fount whence draweth the townsman,

Such in the palace of Alcinous was the bounty of heaven.

There did he wondering stand, long-suffering godlike Odysseus.

Then, when at last he had gazed and had marvelled at all in his spirit,

Hastily over the threshold he stepped and entered the palace.

135

Here at the banquet he found Phaeacian leaders and nobles

Pouring a cup to the keen-eyed Hermes, the Slayer of Argus,

Whose is the last libation when men are thinking of slumber.

Up thro' the banqueting-hall long-suffering godlike Odysseus,

Having around him the cloud that was shed by the goddess Athene,

140

Went till he came to the queen and the great Phaeacian monarch.

Then, as he bent embracing her knees with his hands in entreaty,

Sudden the wonderful cloud rolled back, and it melted from off him,

While that the banqueters gazed all silent, beholding a man there,

Gazed as astounded; and thus did Odysseus begin his entreaty :

145

"Arete, O, daughter of King Rhexenor, the godlike,

Lo, to thy lord and thy knees I am come, outworn with my labours,

Yea and to all of thy guests. — May the gods all happiness grant them

While they shall live, and dying may each one leave to his children

House and domain and all of the honours bestowed by the people.

150

Nay but vouchsafe me an escort and aid my return to my homeland

Soon! for afar from my friends long years have I suffered affliction."

Thus did he speak, and he sat him adown by the hearth in the ashes

Close to the fire; and they all kept silent in speechless amazement.

Then at the last out-spake that hero, the old Echeneus ;—

155

Foremost in age was the hero of all Phaeacian nobles,

Foremost in speech, and sage in the wisdom of past generations.

Thus with a kindly intent he uplifted his voice and addressed them:

"Alcinous, this surely is nowise right nor is seemly.

Here is a stranger that sits on the ground by the hearth in the ashes,

160

While expecting thy word each one of us waits and is silent.

Nay now, bid him arise, and a chair bright-studded with silver

Offer the stranger to seat him therein; and say to the henchmen

One more bumper to mix, and to Zeus who delighteth in thunder

Pour we libation; for he all suppliants follows with pity;

165

Then let the house-dame bring from her stores for the stranger a supper."

Straightway Alcinous, the revered and powerful monarch,

Hearing it, took by the hand wise-hearted and wileful Odysseus.

Raising him up from the hearth in a chair bright-studded he placed him,

Bidding his son to arise and vacate it, the youthful and manly

170

Laodamas, who next to him sat, and of all was the dearest.

Water for washing of hands by a maiden was brought in an ewer

Beautiful, golden, and over a basin of silver she poured it,

Bidding him wash; and she stationed a polished table beside him.

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

175

Lavishly adding thereto from her stores full many a dainty.

So he did eat and drink, long-suffering godlike Odysseus.

Meanwhile Alcinous the redoubtable called to his henchman:

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

Plenty for all of the guests, and to Zeus who delighteth in thunder

180

Pour we libation; for he all suppliants follows with pity."

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

So to the guests he dispensed, first filling the cups for libation.

Now when at last they had poured and had drunk to their souls' satisfaction,

Then spake Alcinous to the feasters, and thus he addressed them:

185

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

Listen, for now I shall utter a thing that my spirit commands me!

Ended to-day is the feast. Go home and betake you to slumber.

Early the morn, still more of the elders assembled together

Here in the hall, we shall give to the stranger a feast, and to heaven

190

Noble oblations, and then of the escort shall duly bethink us,

Planning it so that the stranger without more toil and affliction

Under an escort of ours once more to the land of his fathers

Safely and swiftly shall come—yea though right far be his country;

Nor on the way meanwhile shall he evil and injury suffer,

195

Ere on his native soil he is landed; but then and thereafter

Suffer he must what is fated and doomed—what the terrible Spinners

Spun with the thread at his birth, when he came from the womb of his mother.

Be he however immortal, a being from heaven descended,

Then is a god some novel device unfolding around us,

200

Seeing that even till now they approached us in manifest vision,

Coming whenever of cattle we made some splendid oblation,

Feasting among us and e'en at the side of us sitting at table;

Yea and besides, if it chanced that a lonesome wanderer met them,

Never disguise did they use; for the race is akin to immortals,

205

Like the Cyclopian nation and lawless tribes of the Giants."

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

"Alcinous, such thought be afar! since verily nowise

Like to the gods everlasting who dwell in the infinite heaven

Either in form or in favour am I, but to men that be mortal;

210

Yea and the men that ye know of with grief most heavily laden

These be the mortals to whom I can liken myself in affliction.

More, far more can I tell of the story of woe that fell me,

How by the will of the gods full many a hardship I suffered;

Natheless, leave me in silence to sup, though heavy my heart be,

215

Seeing that nought so shameless a thing as a ravening belly

E'er can be found; for it forceth a mortal to give it attention,

Though outwearied with toils and his heart o'erladen with sorrow.

Thus is my heart o'erladen with sorrow, but still doth the stomach

Bid me to eat and to drink, and all of the ills that I suffered

220

Wholly it makes me forget, and to feast to my fill it commands me.

Leave me, I pray—but arousing yourselves when the morning appeareth

Help me unfortunate back once more to the land of my fathers.

There shall my sufferings end—and my life would willingly end too,

After my home I have seen and my thralls and my high-roofed mansion."

225

Thus when he spake all gave him approval and made resolution

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

So, when at last they had poured, and had drunk to their souls' satisfaction,

All of the feasters departed to sleep, each one to his homestead,

Leaving the godlike Odysseus behind in the hall of the palace.

230

Here queen Arete and Alcinous great-hearted

Sat by his side till the gear of the feast was removed by the maidens.

White-armed Arete then began, and breaking the silence

Spake, for she wondering saw and remembered the mantle and doublet,

Beautiful garments whereat she had worked, both she and her maidens.

235

Opening therefore her lips these swift-winged words she addressed him:

"First, O stranger, I ask—yea even myself will demand it—

Whoartthou? Whence art thou come? Who gave thee the raiment thou wearest?

Didst thou not say that thou camest a wanderer over the ocean?"

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

240

"Grievous it were, O queen, to relate thee the whole of my story,

All of the numberless woes that the gods celestial sent me.

Yet will I answer thy question and tell thee of all that thou askest.

Far hence over the ocean the isle Ogygia lieth,

Home of a daughter of Atlas, the guileful goddess Calypso,

245

Fair-tressed nymph of the sea—a divinity dreaded; for no one

Willingly seeketh her love, nor god nor man that is mortal.

Now, in my uttermost need, to her hearth some deity brought me

Sole—for my swift-winged ship with the blinding bolt of his thunder

Zeus in the midst of the wine-dark ocean had smitten and shattered;

250

There did the rest, yea all of my valiant shipmates perish.

Then with my arms to the keel of the twy-beaked vessel I clipt me.

Nine days long was I borne; on the tenth in the blackness of midnight

Nigh to the isle was I brought by the gods, where artful Calypso

Dwelleth—the fair-haired nymph, divinity dread, who received me,

255

Tenderly cherished and nourished me—yea and also she promised

Even to make me immortal and ageless for ever and ever;

Yet did she never persuade me nor soften the heart in my bosom.

Seven the years unbroken that here I remained, and for ever

Wetted with weeping my raiment, the magical gift of Calypso.

260

Now when the eighth year came with the slow revolution of seasons,

Then did she bid me depart, yea urged me to haste my departure,

Moved by a message from Zeus, or her mind its purpose had altered.

So on a firm-lashed raft did she launch me, and found me in plenty,

Bread and wine honey-sweet; and she clothed me in magic apparel;

265

Then did she send me a favouring breeze, both gentle and kindly.

Seven and ten long days did I voyage the waste of the waters,

Till, on the eighteenth day, I beheld far shadowy mountains,

These of this country of yours and the spirit within me exulted.

Ah ill-fated! for verily still I was doomed to acquaint me

270

Often with grief—such woes did he send, Earth-shaking Poseidon,

Raising against me the winds and staying my path on the ocean ;

Yea and a monstrous sea he aroused, nor longer the billows

Suffered me still with the groans of despair to remain on the vessel.

Her did a storm-blast shatter and scatter. I plunged in the ocean,

275

Swimming, and mighty the gulf I had cloven, when near to the dry land,

Yea, to this country of yours, I was brought by the wind and the rollers.

Here, if to land I had ventured, the surge on the shore had o'erwhelmed me,

Hurling me onto the terrible rocks of a desolate region;

Hastily therefore retreating I swam, till I came in my swimming

280

Unto to a river, and here, as it seemed, was the place for a landing;

Smooth was the rockless beach and withal from the wind was a covert.

Landing I fell, and I lay collecting my senses; and o'er me

Gathered ambrosial night; then afar from the rain-fed river

Climbing I laid me to sleep in the thick of the bushes, around me

285

Pouring the leaves; and a god shed over me infinite slumber.

Here in the leaves, to my inmost heart fordone with my labours,

Soundly the livelong night did I sleep, till the dawn and till midday;

Yea, when already was sinking the sun sweet slumber released me.

Then did I see by the ocean thy daughter's maiden attendants

290

Sporting, and she in the midst of them all seemed like to a goddess.

Her I entreated for pity, nor failed she of good understanding;

Ay and thou wouldst not expect of a youthful person that meets thee

Thus to behave, since ever the young are wont to be thoughtless.

Freely she gave me of bread and of glittering wine in abundance,

295

Bade me to bathe in the river, and then these garments she gave me.

Lo, I have spoken—and, much as it pains me, the truth I have uttered."

Then King Alcinous made answer, and thus he addressed him:

"Stranger, herein forsooth did a due and a right understanding

Fail in my child, that she guided thee not with the women, her handmaids,

300

Hither to this our house; for to her first mad'st thou entreaty."

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

"Hero! for this, I beseech thee, upbraid not the excellent maiden,

Seeing she bade me indeed with the women attendants to follow ;

I was unwilling myself, since truly I feared, and it shamed me

305

Lest peradventure the sight might darken with anger thy spirit.

Terribly jealous we seem, all earth-born races of mortals."

Then King Alcinous made answer, and thus he addressed him :

"Stranger, in sooth not such is the heart in the bosom within me

Wantonly thus to be wroth. Fair measure is better in all things.

310

Ay and by Father Zeus, by Athena and Phoebus Apollo,

Would that a man like thee, who art minded, meseemeth, as I be,

Taking my daughter to wife might will as my son to content him

Here to remain! I am ready to give both cattle and homestead

Shouldst thou consent to remain—though none shall compel thee unwilling,

315

No Phaeacian—Zeus our Father in heaven forbid it!

Nay, to assure thee of this, will I straightway order the escort

Now for the morrow; and while with a drowsiness thou overmastered

Liest asleep, they, sweeping the calm of the ocean, shall bear thee

Unto thy land and thy home, or whither thy soul desireth,

320

Ay though farther by far it is distant than even Euboea,

Land that of all lies farthest—so say those men that beheld it,

Those of this people of mine who once fair-haired Rhadamanthys

Thither conveyed, Tityos, huge offspring of Gaia, to visit.

Thither they came and the journey without all labour accomplished

325

E'en on the selfsame day and finished the voyaging homeward.

Thus of thyself thou'lt learn that my ships all others outrival,

Ay and my youths all others at tossing the brine with the oar-blade."

So did he speak, and for joy long-suffering godlike Odysseus

Offered to heaven a prayer and uttered aloud his entreaty :

330

"Father Zeus, I beseech thee that all he hath said shall accomplish

Alcinous, since thus on the earth, dear mother of harvests,

Ne'er shall his glory be dimmed, and again I shall come to my homeland."

So these twain held converse together the one with the other.

White-armed Arete meantime commanded her maidens

335

Setting a bedstead under the porch fair blankets upon it

Purple in colour to cast, and over them coverlets spreading,

Mantles of wool moreover to lay enwrapping them warmly.

So from the hall went quickly the handmaids carrying torches.

Then, when a thick soft bed they had strown, all busily toiling,

340

Unto Odysseus they came, and thus exhorting addressed him :

"Up now, stranger! Thy bed is prepared. Go, lay thee to slumber."

Thus did they speak, and a thing right welcome it seemed to repose him.

There then slumbering lay long-suffering godlike Odysseus

Under the echoing porch on a bedstead of beautiful carvings.

345

Alcinous too slept in the innermost room of the palace,

Where at his side was arrayed by his lady her bedding and bedstead.

Notes on the current edition

Odyssey

1. Vulcan.

2. Querns—hand-mills. (Anglo-Sax. cweorn.)

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

Odysseus arrives at the palace and garden of Alkinoos (Alcinous), king of the Phaeacians, whose island was equated in ancient times with Kerkyra/Corcyra, the modern Corfù.

draft js image error View of Garitsa, region right outside the northern walls of the city of Corfu, and according to the legend the site of Alcinous’s gardens (1867). Étienne Rey (French, 1789–1867). Image via the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation.

Following the instructions of Nausicaa, Odysseus approaches the palace of her father Alkinoos (latinized as Alcinous), king of the Phaeacians. This palace and the adjacent garden of Alkinoos are not only enchanting but even enchanted, as will be argued in the comments for Rhapsody 7 here. And, as we will see later in the comments for Rhapsody 13, the garden of Alkinoos was thought to have survived on the island of Kerkyra, known in Roman sources as Corcyra and in modern times as Corfù. In ancient times, the people of Kerkyra claimed that their island was in fact the fabled realm of the Phaeacians.

source

Alkinoos here qualifies for an epithet that would mean ‘he whose mental-power [menos] is sacred [hieron]’. Instead, however, the name of Alkinoos is expressed periphrastically: ‘the sacred [hieron] mental-power [menos] of Alkinoos’, as if the agency of the king originated from his mental power, not from his existence as a person. See also O.07.178.

source

Leonard Muellner

analysis of the functional overlap between hiketēs and xeinos, argument that in Homer hiketēs still means ‘he who comes, arrives’

source

Homer Odyssey 7.107

ed. George Chapman

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Current edition Experimental

ODYSSEY BOOK VII

“NIGH ΤΟ THE GATE THERE MET HIM
THE GREY-EYED GODDESS ATHENE"
PATTEN WILSON

Notes on the current edition

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

ODYSSEY BOOK VII

“NIGH ΤΟ THE GATE THERE MET HIM THE GREY-EYED GODDESS ATHENE" PATTEN WILSON

Notes on the current edition

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

“NIGH ΤΟ THE GATE THERE MET HIM
THE GREY-EYED GODDESS ATHENE"
PATTEN WILSON