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Then wise Eurycleia answered him: 135 “In this matter, child, thou shouldest not blame her, who is without blame. He sat here and drank wine as long as he would, but for food he said he had no more hunger, for she asked him. But when he bethought him of rest and sleep, she bade the maidens strew his bed. 140 But he, as one wholly wretched and hapless, would not sleep on a bed and under blankets, but on an undressed ox-hide and fleeces of sheep he slept in the fore-hall, and we flung over him a cloak.” So she spoke, and Telemachus went forth through the hall 145 with his spear in his hand, and with him went two swift hounds. And he went his way to the place of assembly to join the company of the well-greaved Achaeans, but Eurycleia, the goodly lady, daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor, called to her maidens, saying: “Come, let some of you busily sweep the hall 150 and sprinkle it, and throw on the shapely chairs coverlets of purple, and let others wipe all the tables with sponges and cleanse the mixing-bowls and the well-wrought double cups, and others still go to the spring for water and bring it quickly here. 155 For the wooers will not long be absent from the hall, but will return right early; for it is a feast-day for all men.” So she spoke, and they readily hearkened and obeyed. Twenty of them went to the spring of dark water, and the others busied themselves there in the house in skilful fashion. 160 Then in came the serving-men of the Acheans, who thereafter split logs of wood well and skilfully; and the women came back from the spring. After them came the swineherd, driving three boars which were the best in all his herd. These he let be to feed in the fair courts, 165 but himself spoke to Odysseus with gentle words: “Stranger, do the Achaeans look on thee with any more regard, or do they dishonor thee in the halls as before?” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Ah, Eumaeus, I would that the gods might take vengeance on the outrage 170 wherewith these men in wantonness devise wicked folly in another's house, and have no place for shame.” Thus they spoke to one another. And near to them came Melanthius the goatherd, leading she-goats that were the best in all the herds, 175 to make a feast for the wooers, and two herdsmen followed with him. The goats he tethered beneath the echoing portico, and himself spoke to Odysseus with taunting words: “Stranger, wilt thou even now still be a plague to us here in the hall, asking alms of men, and wilt thou not begone? 180 'Tis plain, methinks, that we two shall not part company till we taste one another's fists, for thy begging is in no wise decent. Also it is not here alone that there are feasts of the Achaeans.”

Odyssey. Homer. A. T. Murray (Translator). London. 1919.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Odyssey (English) (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.)

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.) — 20.91 focus

ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.

τῆς δʼ ἄρα κλαιούσης ὄπα σύνθετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·

μερμήριζε δʼ ἔπειτα, δόκησε δέ οἱ κατὰ θυμὸν

ἤδη γιγνώσκουσα παρεστάμεναι κεφαλῆφι.

χλαῖναν μὲν συνελὼν καὶ κώεα, τοῖσιν ἐνεῦδεν,

ἐς μέγαρον κατέθηκεν ἐπὶ θρόνου, ἐκ δὲ βοείην

θῆκε θύραζε φέρων, Διὶ δʼ εὔξατο χεῖρας ἀνασχών·

Ζεῦ πάτερ, εἴ μʼ ἐθέλοντες ἐπὶ τραφερήν τε καὶ ὑγρὴν

ἤγετʼ ἐμὴν ἐς γαῖαν, ἐπεί μʼ ἐκακώσατε λίην,

φήμην τίς μοι φάσθω ἐγειρομένων ἀνθρώπων

100

ἔνδοθεν, ἔκτοσθεν δὲ Διὸς τέρας ἄλλο φανήτω.

ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος· τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε μητίετα Ζεύς,

αὐτίκα δʼ ἐβρόντησεν ἀπʼ αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου,

ὑψόθεν ἐκ νεφέων· γήθησε δὲ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.

φήμην δʼ ἐξ οἴκοιο γυνὴ προέηκεν ἀλετρὶς

105

πλησίον, ἔνθʼ ἄρα οἱ μύλαι ἥατο ποιμένι λαῶν,

τῇσιν δώδεκα πᾶσαι ἐπερρώοντο γυναῖκες

ἄλφιτα τεύχουσαι καὶ ἀλείατα, μυελὸν ἀνδρῶν.

αἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἄλλαι εὗδον, ἐπεὶ κατὰ πυρὸν ἄλεσσαν,

ἡ δὲ μίʼ οὔπω παύετʼ, ἀφαυροτάτη δʼ ἐτέτυκτο·

110

ἥ ῥα μύλην στήσασα ἔπος φάτο, σῆμα ἄνακτι·

Ζεῦ πάτερ, ὅς τε θεοῖσι καὶ ἀνθρώποισιν ἀνάσσεις,

ἦ μεγάλʼ ἐβρόντησας ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος,

οὐδέ ποθι νέφος ἐστί· τέρας νύ τεῳ τόδε φαίνεις.

κρῆνον νῦν καὶ ἐμοὶ δειλῇ ἔπος, ὅττι κεν εἴπω·

115

μνηστῆρες πύματόν τε καὶ ὕστατον ἤματι τῷδε

ἐν μεγάροις Ὀδυσῆος ἑλοίατο δαῖτʼ ἐρατεινήν,

οἳ δή μοι καμάτῳ θυμαλγέι· γούνατʼ ἔλυσαν

ἄλφιτα τευχούσῃ· νῦν ὕστατα δειπνήσειαν.

ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, χαῖρεν δὲ κλεηδόνι δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

120

Ζηνός τε βροντῇ· φάτο γὰρ τίσασθαι ἀλείτας.

αἱ δʼ ἄλλαι δμῳαὶ κατὰ δώματα κάλʼ Ὀδυσῆος

ἀγρόμεναι ἀνέκαιον ἐπʼ ἐσχάρῃ ἀκάματον πῦρ.

Τηλέμαχος δʼ εὐνῆθεν ἀνίστατο, ἰσόθεος φώς,

εἵματα ἑσσάμενος· περὶ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτʼ ὤμῳ·

125

ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέι· χαλκῷ·

στῆ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰών, πρὸς δʼ Εὐρύκλειαν ἔειπε·

μαῖα φίλη, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐτιμήσασθʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ

εὐνῇ καὶ σίτῳ, ἦ αὔτως κεῖται ἀκηδής;

130

τοιαύτη γὰρ ἐμὴ μήτηρ, πινυτή περ ἐοῦσα·

ἐμπλήγδην ἕτερόν γε τίει μερόπων ἀνθρώπων

133

χείρονα, τὸν δέ τʼ ἀρείονʼ ἀτιμήσασʼ ἀποπέμπει.

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Εὐρύκλεια·

οὐκ ἄν μιν νῦν, τέκνον, ἀναίτιον αἰτιόῳο.

135

οἶνον μὲν γὰρ πῖνε καθήμενος, ὄφρʼ ἔθελʼ αὐτός,

σίτου δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἔφη πεινήμεναι· εἴρετο γάρ μιν.

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ κοίτοιο καὶ ὕπνου μιμνήσκοιτο,

ἡ μὲν δέμνιʼ ἄνωγεν ὑποστορέσαι δμῳῇσιν,

αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ, ὥς τις πάμπαν ὀϊζυρὸς καὶ ἄποτμος,

140

οὐκ ἔθελʼ ἐν λέκτροισι καὶ ἐν ῥήγεσσι καθεύδειν,

ἀλλʼ ἐν ἀδεψήτῳ βοέῃ καὶ κώεσιν οἰῶν

ἔδραθʼ ἐνὶ προδόμῳ· χλαῖναν δʼ ἐπιέσσαμεν ἡμεῖς.

ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκει

ἔγχος ἔχων, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω κύνες ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.

145

βῆ δʼ ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορὴν μετʼ ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.

ἡ δʼ αὖτε δμῳῇσιν ἐκέκλετο δῖα γυναικῶν,

Εὐρύκλειʼ, Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο·

ἀγρεῖθʼ, αἱ μὲν δῶμα κορήσατε ποιπνύσασαι,

ῥάσσατέ τʼ, ἔν τε θρόνοις εὐποιήτοισι τάπητας

150

βάλλετε πορφυρέους· αἱ δὲ σπόγγοισι τραπέζας

πάσας ἀμφιμάσασθε, καθήρατε δὲ κρητῆρας

καὶ δέπα ἀμφικύπελλα τετυγμένα· ταὶ δὲ μεθʼ ὕδωρ

ἔρχεσθε κρήνηνδε, καὶ οἴσετε θᾶσσον ἰοῦσαι.

οὐ γὰρ δὴν μνηστῆρες ἀπέσσονται μεγάροιο,

155

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ἦρι νέονται, ἐπεὶ καὶ πᾶσιν ἑορτή.

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, αἱ δʼ ἄρα τῆς μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδʼ ἐπίθοντο.

αἱ μὲν ἐείκοσι βῆσαν ἐπὶ κρήνην μελάνυδρον,

αἱ δʼ αὐτοῦ κατὰ δώματʼ ἐπισταμένως πονέοντο.

ἐς δʼ ἦλθον δρηστῆρες Ἀχαιῶν. οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα

160

εὖ καὶ ἐπισταμένως κέασαν ξύλα, ταὶ δὲ γυναῖκες

ἦλθον ἀπὸ κρήνης· ἐπὶ δέ σφισιν ἦλθε συβώτης

τρεῖς σιάλους κατάγων, οἳ ἔσαν μετὰ πᾶσιν ἄριστοι.

καὶ τοὺς μέν ῥʼ εἴασε καθʼ ἕρκεα καλὰ νέμεσθαι,

αὐτὸς δʼ αὖτʼ Ὀδυσῆα προσηύδα μειλιχίοισι·

165

ξεῖνʼ, ἦ ἄρ τί σε μᾶλλον Ἀχαιοὶ εἰσορόωσιν,

ἦέ σʼ ἀτιμάζουσι κατὰ μέγαρʼ, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ;

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολυμήτις Ὀδυσσεύς·

αἲ γὰρ δή, Εὔμαιε, θεοὶ τισαίατο λώβην,

ἣν οἵδʼ ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωνται

170

οἴκῳ ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ, οὐδʼ αἰδοῦς μοῖραν ἔχουσιν.

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,

ἀγχίμολον δέ σφʼ ἦλθε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν.

αἶγας ἄγων αἳ πᾶσι μετέπρεπον αἰπολίοισι,

δεῖπνον μνηστήρεσσι. δύω δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο νομῆες.

175

καὶ τὰς μὲν κατέδησεν ὑπʼ αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ,

αὐτὸς δʼ αὖτʼ Ὀδυσῆα προσηύδα κερτομίοισι·

ξεῖνʼ, ἔτι καὶ νῦν ἐνθάδʼ ἀνιήσεις κατὰ δῶμα

ἀνέρας αἰτίζων, ἀτὰρ οὐκ ἔξεισθα θύραζε;

πάντως οὐκέτι νῶϊ διακρινέεσθαι ὀΐω

180

πρὶν χειρῶν γεύσασθαι, ἐπεὶ σύ περ οὐ κατὰ κόσμον

αἰτίζεις· εἰσὶν δὲ καὶ ἄλλαι δαῖτες Ἀχαιῶν.

Translations (8)

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.) — 20.120 focus

120 Odysseus was glad when he heard the omens conveyed to him by the woman's speech, and by the thunder, for he knew they meant that he should avenge himself on the suitors.

122 Then the other maids in the house rose and lit the fire on the hearth; Telemakhos also rose and put on his clothes. He girded his sword about his shoulder, bound his sandals on his comely feet, and took a doughty spear with a point of sharpened bronze; then he went to the threshold of the room and said to Eurykleia, "Nurse, did you make the stranger comfortable both as regards bed and board, or did you let him shift for himself? - for my mother, good woman though she is, has a way of paying great attention to second-rate people, and of neglecting others who are in reality much better men."

134 "Do not find fault, child," said Eurykleia, "when there is no one to find fault with. The stranger sat and drank his wine as long as he liked: your mother did ask him if he would take any more bread and he said he would not. When he wanted to go to bed she told the servants to make one for him, but he said he was such a wretched outcast that he would not sleep on a bed and under blankets; he insisted on having an undressed bullock's hide and some sheepskins put for him in the room and I threw a cloak over him myself."

144 Then Telemakhos went out of the court to the place where the Achaeans were meeting in assembly; he had his spear in his hand, and he was not alone, for his two dogs went with him. But Eurykleia called the maids and said, "Come, wake up; set about sweeping the cloisters and sprinkling them with water to lay the dust; put the covers on the seats; wipe down the tables, some of you, with a wet sponge; clean out the mixing-jugs and the cups, and for water from the fountain at once; the suitors will be here directly; they will be here early, for it is a feast day."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 20.133 focus

Circumspect Eurykleia said, [135] “Do not find fault, child,” “when there is no one to find fault with. The stranger sat and drank his wine as long as he liked: your mother did ask him if he would take any more bread and he said he would not. When he wanted to go to bed she told the servants to make one for him, [140] but he said he was such a wretched outcast that he would not sleep on a bed and under blankets; he insisted on having an undressed bullock’s hide and some sheepskins put for him in the hall and I threw a cloak over him myself.”

Then Telemachus went out of the court [145] to the place where the Achaeans were meeting in assembly; he had his spear in his hand, and he was not alone, for his two light-footed dogs went with him. But Eurykleia, shining among women, daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor, called the maids and said, “Come, wake up; set about sweeping the halls [150] and sprinkling them with water to lay the dust; put the covers on the seats; wipe down the tables, some of you, with a wet sponge; clean out the mixing-jugs and the cups, and go for water from the fountain at once; [155] the suitors will be here directly; they will be here early, for it is a feast day.”

Thus did she speak, and they did even as she had said: twenty of them went to the fountain for water, and the others set themselves busily to work about the house. [160] The men who were in attendance on the suitors also came up and began chopping firewood. By and by the women returned from the fountain, and the swineherd came after them with the three best pigs he could pick out. These he let feed about the premises, [165] and then he said good-humoredly to Odysseus, “Stranger, are the suitors treating you any better now, or are they as insolent as ever?”

“May the gods,” answered resourceful Odysseus, “requite to them the wickedness [170] with which they deal high-handedly in another man’s house without any sense of shame [ aidōs].”

Thus did they converse; meanwhile Melanthios the goatherd came up, for he too was bringing in his best goats [175] for the suitors’ dinner; and he had two shepherds with him. They tied the goats up under the gatehouse, and then Melanthios began gibing at Odysseus. “Are you still here, stranger,” said he, “to pester people by begging about the house? Why can you not go [180] elsewhere? You and I shall not come to an understanding before we have given each other a taste of our fists. You beg without any sense of decency [ kosmos]: are there not feasts elsewhere among the Achaeans, as well as here?”

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 20.133 focus

Discerning as she is, my mother pays

High honor to the worse among her guests,

And sends the nobler man unhonored hence."

165

And thus the prudent Eurycleia said :

"My child, blame not thy mother; she deserves

No blame. The stranger sat and drank his wine,

All that he would, and said, when pressed to eat,

That he desired no more. And when he thought

170

Of sleep, she bade her maidens spread his couch;

But he refused a bed and rugs, like one

Inured to misery, and beneath the porch

Slept on an undressed bull's hide and the skins

Of sheep, and over him we cast a cloak."

175

She spake; Telemachus, his spear in hand,

Went forth, his fleet dogs following him. He sought

The council where the well-greaved Greeks were met.

Meantime the noble Eurycleia, child

Of Ops, Pisenor's son, bespake the maids: -

180

"Come, some of you, at once, and sweep the floor,

And sprinkle it, and on the shapely thrones

Spread coverings of purple tapestry;

Let others wipe the tables with a sponge,

And cleanse the beakers and the double cups,

185

While others go for water to the fount,

And bring it quickly, for not long to-day

The suitors will be absent from these halls.

They will come early to the general feast."

She spake; the handmaids hearkened and obeyed,

190

And twenty went to the dark well to draw

The water, while the others busily

Bestirred themselves about the house. Then came

The servants of the chiefs, and set themselves

Neatly to cleave the wood. Then also came

195

The women from the well. The swineherd last

Came with three swine, the fattest of the herd.

In that fair court he let them feed, and sought

Ulysses, greeting him with courteous words : -

"Hast thou, O stranger, found among these Greeks

200

More reverence? Art thou still their mark of scorn?"

Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus :

"O that the gods, Eumæus, would avenge

The insolence of those who meditate

Violent deeds, and make another's house

205

Their plotting-place, and feel no touch of shame!"

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 20.133 focus

And Euryclea thus he there address'd:

160

"Say thou, to whom my youth its nurture owes,

Was care for due refection and repose

Bestow'd the stranger guest? Or waits he griev'd,

His age not honour'd, nor his wants reliev'd?

Promiscuous grace on all the queen confers:

165

(In woes bewilder'd oft the wisest errs,)

The wordy vagrant to the dole aspires,

And modest worth with noble scorn retires."

She thus: "O cease that ever-honour'd name

To blemish now: it ill deserves your blame.

170

A bowl of generous wine sufficed the guest;

In vain the queen the night-refection press'd;

Nor would he court repose in downy state,

Unbless'd, abandon'd to the rage of Fate!

A hide beneath the portico was spread,

175

And fleecy skins compos'd an humble bed:

A downy carpet, cast with duteous care,

Secur'd him from the keen nocturnal air."

His cornel javelin pois'd, with regal port,

To the sage Greeks conven'd in Themis' court,

180

Forth-issuing from the dome, the prince repair'd;

Two dogs of chase, a lion-hearted guard,

Behind him sourly stalk'd. Without delay

The dame divides the labour of the day;

Thus urging to the toil the menial train:

185

"What marks of luxury the marble stain!

Its wonted lustre let the floor regain;

The seats with purple clothe in order due;

And let th' abstersive sponge the board renew:

Let some refresh the vase's sullied mould;

190

Some bid the goblets boast their native gold;

Some to the spring, with each a jar, repair,

And copious waters pure for bathing bear:

Despatch! for soon the suitors will assay

The lunar feast-rites¹ to the god of day."²

195

She said; with duteous haste a bevy fair

Of twenty virgins to the spring repair;

With varied toils the rest adorn the dome.

Magnificent, and blithe, the suitors come.

Some wield the sounding axe; the dodder'd oaks

200

Divide, obedient to the forceful strokes.

Soon from the fount, with each a brimming urn,

(Eumaeus in their train,) the maids return.

Three porkers for the feast, all brawny-chined,

He brought; the choicest of the tusky kind:

205

In lodgments first secure his care he view'd,

Then to the king this friendly speech renew'd:

"Now say sincere, my guest! the suitor train,

Still treat they worth with lordly dull disdain;

Or speaks their deed a bounteous mind humane?"

210

"Some pitying god," (Ulysses sad replied)

"With vollied vengeance blast their towering pride!

No conscious blush, no sense of right, restrains

The tides of lust that swell their boiling veins;

From vice to vice their appetites are toss'd,

215

All cheaply sated at another's cost!"

While thus the chief his woes indignant told,

Melanthius, master of the bearded fold,

The goodliest goats of all the royal herd

Spontaneous to the suitors' feast preferr'd;

220

Two grooms assistant bore the victims bound;

With quavering cries the vaulted roofs resound:

And to the chief austere aloud began

The wretch unfriendly to the race of man:

"Here, vagrant, still? offensive to my lords!

225

Blows have more energy than airy words;

These arguments I'll use; nor conscious shame,

Nor threats, thy bold intrusion will reclaim.

On this high feast the meanest vulgar boast

A plenteous board! Hence! seek another host!"

230

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 20.133 focus

Then said Euryclea, She has done her part;

Wine he has had as much as he thought fit,

She ask'd him if he had a mind to eat;

He answered that he had no appetite

115

To bread at present, nor to any meat.

She bade her maids set up a standing bed;

But he, as one in love with misery,

Would none of that, nor bed, nor coverled,

But on the ground resolved was to lie,

120

And make his scrip the bolster for his head,

And for a bed to take a raw cow-hide,

And sheep skins with the wool for coverled

Without the door; and we the rug applied.

This said, Telemachus with spear in hand

125

To council goes, and his dogs followed him.

Then Euryclea gives the maids command

The rooms of th'house to dress up and make trim.

Rise, maids, said she, sprinkle and sweep the hall,

Lay cushions on the chairs, with sponges mak e

130

The tables clean, the temp'rer and cups all;

And see of water that there be no lack.

Go to the spring and fetch fair water thence

Quickly. You know to-day is holiday;

The suitors will not now be long from hence.

135

So said the nurse. The women her obey;

For water to the fountain went twice ten;

The rest did diligently work within.

The maids that went for water came agen;

And the proud woo'rs by that time were come in.

140

nd then came in the master of the swine,

Eumaeus: three swine frank'd and fat he brought,

There to be ready ’gainst the suitors dine;

In all his swine-sties better there were not.

And he unto Ulysses kindly spake:

145

Stranger, how fare you ’mongst the wooers here?

Do they more pity now upon you take

Than formerly; or still deride you there?

O, said Ulysses, that the Gods would give

These men what to their insolence is due,

150

Who in a house not theirs so lewdly live,

As if no modesty at all they knew.

Then came Melanthus from a place hard by;

He had the charge o' th' goats, and brought the best,

And spake unto Ulysses spitefully:

155

Art thou here still, to beg and to molest

The company? Dye mean before you go

To taste my fingers ? Is there no good cheer

In other places ’mongst the Greeks, and so

You mean to dwell continually here?

160

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 20.133 focus

"Do not faulty make,

Good son, the faultless. He was given his seat

Close to her side, and food till he would eat,

Wine till his wish was served; for she required

215

His wants, and will'd him all things he desired;

Commanded her chief maids to make his bed,

But he, as one whom sorrow only fed

And all infortune, would not take his rest

In bed, and coverings fit for any guest,

220

But in the entry, on an ox's hide

Never at tanner's, his old limbs implied,

In warm sheep-fells; yet over all we cast

A mantle, fitting for a man more graced."

He took her answer, left the house, and went,

225

Attended with his dogs, to sift th' event

Of private plots, betwixt him and his sire

In common counsel. Then the crew entire

¹²

Of all the household maids Euryclea bad

Bestir them through the house, and see it clad

230

In all best form; gave all their parts; and one

She set to furnish every seat and throne

With needleworks, and purple clothes of state;

Another set to scour and cleanse the plate;

Another all the tables to make proud

235

With porous sponges; others she bestow'd

In all speed to the spring, to fetch from thence

Fit store of water; all at all expence

Of pains she will'd to be; for this to all

Should be a day of common festival,

240

And not a Wooer now should seek his home,

Itself than there, but all were bid to come

Exceeding early, and be raised to heaven

With all the entertainment could be given.

They heard with greedy ears, and everything

245

Put straight in practice. Twenty to the spring

Made speed for water; many in the house

Took pains; and all were both laborious

And skill'd in labour; many fell to fell

And cleave their wood; and all did more than well.

250

Then troop'd the lusty Wooers in; and then

Came all from spring; at their heels loaded men

With slaughter'd brawns, of all the herd the prize,

That had been long fed up in several styes;

Eumæus and his men convey'd them there.

255

He, seeing now the king, began to cheer,

And thus saluted him: "How now, my guest?

Have yet your virtues found more interest

In these great Wooers' good respects? Or still

Pursue they you with all their wonted ill?"

260

"I would to heaven, Eumæus," he replied,

"The Deities once would take in hand their pride,

That such unseemly fashions put in frame

In others' roofs, as show no spark of shame."

Thus these; and to these came Melanthius,

265

Great guardian of the most egregious

Rich Wooers' herds, consisting all of goats;

Which he, with two more, drave, and made their cotes

The sounding porticos of that fair court.

Melanthius, seeing the king, this former sort

270

Of upland language gave: "What? Still stay here,

And dull these Wooers with thy wretched cheer?

Not gone for ever yet? Why now I see

This strife of cuffs betwixt the beggary,

That yesterday assay'd to get thee gone,

275

And thy more roguery, needs will fall upon

My hands to arbitrate. Thou wilt not hence

Till I set on thee; thy ragg'd impudence

Is so fast footed. Are there not beside

Other great banquetants, but you must ride

280

At anchor still with us?"

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 20.133 focus

Whom Euryclea answer'd thus discrete.

Blame not, my son! who merits not thy blame.

The guest sat drinking till he would no more,

And ate, till, question'd, he replied Enough.

165

But when the hour of sleep call'd him to rest,

She gave commandment to her female train

To spread his couch. Yet he, like one forlorn,

And through despair, indifferent to himself,

Both bed and rugs refused, and in the porch

170

On skins of sheep and on an undress'd hide

Reposed, where we threw covering over him.

She ceased, and grasping his bright-headed spear,

Forth went the Prince attended, as he went,

By his fleet hounds; to the assembled Greeks

175

In council with majestic gait he moved,

And Euryclea, daughter wise of Ops,

Pisenor's son, call'd to the serving-maids.

Haste ye! be diligent! sweep the palace-floor

And sprinkle it; then give the sumptuous seats

180

Their purple coverings. Let others cleanse

With sponges all the tables, wash and rince

The beakers well, and goblets rich-emboss'd;

Run others to the fountain, and bring thence

Water with speed. The suitors will not long

185

Be absent, but will early come to-day,

For this day is a public festival

So she; whom all, obedient, heard; forth went

Together, twenty to the chrystal fount,

While in their several provinces the rest

190

Bestirr'd them brisk at home. Then enter'd all

The suitors, and began cleaving the wood.

Meantime, the women from the fountain came,

Whom soon the swine-herd follow'd, driving three

His fattest brawns; them in the spacious court

195

He feeding left, and to Ulysses' side

Approaching, courteously bespake the Chief.

Guest! look the Greecians on thee with respect

At length, or still disdainful as before?

Then, answer thus Ulysses wise return'd.

200

Yes-and I would that vengeance from the Gods

Might pay their insolence, who in a house

Not theirs, dominion exercise, and plan

Unseemly projects, shameless as they are!

Thus they conferr'd; and now Melanthius came

205

The goat-herd, driving, with the aid of two

His fellow-swains, the fattest of his goats

To feast the suitors. In the sounding porch

The goats he tied, then, drawing near, in terms

Reproachful thus assail'd Ulysses' ear.

210

How, stranger! perseverest thou, begging, still

To vex the suitors? wilt thou not depart?

Scarce shall we settle this dispute, I judge,

Till we have tasted each the other's fist;

Thou art unreasonable thus to beg

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Here always;-have the Greeks no feasts beside ?

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 20 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK XX

SO in the porch of the hall did the godlike Odysseus repose him.

First on the floor he extended an untanned hide, and above it

Spread him a number of fleeces of sheep that the princes had slaughtered.

Eurynomé then covered him o'er with a wrap as he lay there.

Long did Odysseus, with heart that was brooding on ills for the suitors,

Lie there sleepless. And out of the inner apartment the women,

Those that had ever till now consorted in love with the suitors,

Came forth, bandying laughter and merriment one with another.

Then, as he heard them, aroused was the soul in the depths of his bosom.

Many a time did he waver with doubt in his mind and his spirit

Whether to haste in pursuit and to deal out death to the maidens,

Every one, or to leave them alone with the arrogant suitors

One time more and the last; and his heart growled fiercely within him;

E'en as a dog, when in front of her helpless puppies she paces,

Growls in her rage at a man that she knows not and longs to assail him,

So it was growling within him in wrath at their infamous actions.

Then on his bosom he smote and his heart he addressed and rebuked it:

"Courage, my heart, and endure! Still worse was the shame thou enduredst,

E'en on the day when the huge irresistible monster, the Cyclops,

Ate my heroic companions, but thou wast undaunted, till cunning

Freed thee from out of the cave where certain appeared thy destruction."

Thus did he speak to the heart in his bosom, exhorting it sharply;

Yea and it heard and obeyed him, and held with a patient endurance

Firm. But Odysseus himself kept turning to this and to that side.

Just as a man in the front of a fire that is mightily blazing

Holdeth a pudding of blood and of fat, and to this and to that side

Constantly turns it, and longs for the thing to be speedily roasted,

So was he tossing to this and to that side, musing in spirit

How 'twere best to attempt the attack on the impudent suitors

Single against so many. And now drew near him Athene,

Come from the heights of Olympus and changed to a woman in semblance.

Standing beside him, anigh to his head, these words she addressed him :

"Wherefore still art thou lying awake, most hapless of mortals?

Lo now, here is thy home; here too is thy wife in thy homestead,

Ay and thy son-such son as by every father is longed for."

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

"Verily all thou hast said, O goddess, is true and befitting;

Still I am much in suspense and am musing in mind and in spirit

How 'twere best to attempt the attack on the impudent suitors,

Being but one, while here in the house they're ever in numbers.

Also a doubt still greater is making me muse in my spirit :

Were I to slay them by help of thyself and of Zeus the Almighty,

Whither to flee and escape the avenger? Resolve it, I pray thee!"

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Slow to believe! Why, many a man oft trusts in a comrade

Weaker by far-in a mortal with no such counsels as mine be.

I am the goddess who vowed to protect thee till all was accomplished,

Yea and in every danger; and once more plainly I tell thee,

Even if companies fifty in number of men that be mortal

Compassed us closely about, right eager in battle to slay us,

All of their fat-fed flocks thou'dst capture and all of their cattle.

Come, compose thee to slumber! A weary vexation is watching

All night sleepless; and now thou art rising from out of thy troubles."

These words uttered Athena, and poured forth sleep on his eyelids;

Then she departed, the beautiful goddess, and came to Olympus.

Meanwhile slumber had seized him and loosened the cares of his spirit,

Slumber that loosens the limbs. But his true-souled wife had awakened.

Long on her soft-strown bed she had sat and had wept and lamented,

Till, when at length she was weary in spirit of weeping and wailing,

Then did the fairest of women to Artemis turn in entreaty:

"Artemis, lady divine, O daughter of Zeus the Almighty,

Send, I beseech thee, an arrow that piercing my bosom shall slay me

Now in a moment or would that the hurricane blast of the storm-winds

Seized me, and sweeping me off on the shadowy paths of the tempests

Hurled me below, where back to the sea comes streaming the Ocean,

E'en as the daughters of Pandareüs were seized by the storm-blast.

Father and mother they lost by the act of the gods, and as orphans

Sole they remained in the halls of the palace; but Queen Aphrodite

Fed them on curds and on honey and wine that was sweet as the honey.

Then were given the maidens above all women by Hera

Beauty and wisdom, and chaste Queen Artemis granted them stature,

While from Athena they learnt the designing of exquisite handwork.

Now when the fair Aphrodite was wending to lofty Olympus,

There to obtain for the maidens the blissful assurance of wedlock,

Seeking the promise of Zeus who delighteth in thunder (he knoweth

All that to earthborn mortals is granted by Fate or denied them),

Meantime down came sweeping the Harpies, the Spirits of Tempest,

Snatched them, and unto the hateful Erinyes gave them as handmaids.

Thus too sweep me away, O gods who inhabit Olympus!

Else, O fair-tressed Artemis, smite me!-and thus, with Odysseus

Imaged in mind, I shall go to the terrible nethermost darkness,

Nor shall I ever rejoice the affections of one that is baser.

Now herein is an evil endurable-namely, whenever

One that by day sits weeping, with heart sore stricken by sorrow,

Yieldeth at night to the power of sleep: all things he forgetteth,

Evil as well as the good, when it once o'ershadows his eyelids,

While for myself some deity sends false dreams to afflict me;

Yea and to-night one like to my husband was sleeping beside me,

Such as he seemed when he sailed with the host; and the heart in my bosom

Joy'd, for I thought that at last it was true-no dream, but a vision."

Thus did she speak, and anon came Morning, the golden-enthronéd.

Now as she wept had her voice been heard by the godlike Odysseus.

Forthwith fell he a-musing thereat, and she seemed to his fancy

Surely to know him already and close to his head to be standing.

Rolling together the wraps and the fleeces wherein he had slumbered

These on a settle he laid in the hall, then carried the oxhide

Out to the court, and to Zeus uplifted his hands in entreaty :

"Father, if truly thy grace and the favour of heaven hath led me

Over the wet and the dry to my home (though sorely ye plagued me),

Grant me, I pray, that an omen be uttered by one that is waking

100

Here in the house; and without, O Zeus, send also a portent!"

Such was the prayer that he uttered, and Zeus, great Counsellor, heard him.

Forthwith out of the radiant heights of Olympus he thundered

Down from aloft, from the sky; and godlike Odysseus exulted.

Also was uttered a voice by a woman that ground in an outhouse

105

Nigh to him. Here were standing the mills of the prince of the people.

These were worked by the women, a dozen in number, that toiled there

Making the meal of the wheat and the barley, the marrow of mortals.

All of the rest were sleeping, for ground was the whole of their wheat-grain.

She was the weakest, and now was alone and incessantly toiling.

110

Stopping her mill she exclaimed (to her master it came as an omen):

"Father of all! Great Zeus, who art monarch of men and immortals,

Loudly in sooth thou hast thundered from starry expanses of heaven,

Nor is a cloud to be seen! It is surely a portent for some one!

Also for me, poor wretch, accomplish the prayer that I utter:

115

O for the last and the latest of all their delightful carousings

Here in the halls of Odysseus to-day to be held by the suitors!

Yea, for the men have loosened my knees with this pitiless labour,

Grinding the grain-so now let them finish their feastings for ever!"

Then did Odysseus rejoice, for he felt that the voice was an omen,

120

E'en as the thunder of Zeus, and that vengeance had come for the guilty.

Now had the rest of the maids in the beautiful home of Odysseus

Gathered, and soon on the hearth the unwearied flame they rekindled.

Telemachus too rose from his bed, as a god in his beauty,

Donned his apparel, suspended his keen-edged sword from the shoulder,

125

Under his smooth-skinned feet then fastened his beautiful sandals,

Lifted his powerful spear, with its blade sharp-pointed and bronzen,

Went to the threshold and, there as he stood, called Eurycleia:

"Say, dear nurse, did ye honour the guest in the house? did ye give him

Food and a bed? or, left to himself, is he lying uncared for?

130

Such is the way with my mother: although of a good understanding,

Blindly she seemeth to value the one or the other of mortals;

Often she honours the worse and dismisses the better unhonoured."

Him forthwith gave answer the wise-souled Eurycleia:

"Nay but, my child, no blame hath thy mother; thou needst not reproach her.

135

Wine he was given, and sat there drinking as long as he listed;

Food he refused: no longer he hungered, he said; for she asked him.

Then, as the time was at hand to be mindful of rest and of slumber,

Some of her maiden attendants she ordered to place him a bedstead.

Natheless, like to a man that is utterly broken and wretched,

140

Neither to sleep on a bed was he willing nor wrap him in blankets.

Spreading the untanned hide of an ox and a couple of sheepskins,

Out in the passage he slept; and we covered him o'er with a mantle."

Thus did she speak, and the youth fared forth by the hall of the palace

Bearing his spear; and by two of his fleet-paced hounds he was followed.

145

Then to the council he went of the well-greaved sons of Achaea,

While to her maidens she issued her orders, that good old woman,

Eurycleia, the daughter of Ops, who was son of Pisenor :

"Come now, set ye to work! Some busily see to the sweeping.

Sprinkle with water the floor of the hall, and the covers of purple

150

Place on the fair-wrought chairs. Some wipe down all of the tables,

Rubbing them clean with a sponge; then rinse out every wine-bowl,

Also the twy-cupped beakers of delicate work; and let others

Go to the fountain for water, and quickly return with it hither.

Not much longer, methinks, from the hall will the suitors be absent;

155

Early the morn they will come; 'tis for all of the people a feast-day."

Thus did she speak, and they listened with care to her words and obeyed her :

Twenty departed at once to the fountain of dark spring water,

While that the others remained in the palace and skilfully toiled there.

Then there entered the thralls of the noble Achaeans, and straightway

160

Skilfully cleft them of wood right many a log; and the women

Came from the fountain; and also the swineherd arrived, and he joined them.

Down from the farm three hogs he had driven, the fattest and finest.

These he permitted to feed in the beautiful palace enclosure,

While to Odysseus he came and with words right gentle addressed him:

165

"Stranger, with greater regard seem now the Achaeans to treat thee?

Or, as they acted before in the hall, with dishonour and insult?"

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

"O for the gods to avenge, Eumaeus, the scorn and the outrage

Shown by the wanton infatuate deeds of the insolent fellows

170

Here in the home of another! Nor shame do they feel-not the smallest."

Thus did the twain stand there conversing the one with the other.

Then came passing anigh them Melanthius master of goatherds,

Driving his goats, prime beasts that from all of the flocks he had chosen,

Meant for the suitors to eat; and by herdsmen twain he was followed.

175

Now when the goats he had tethered beneath the reëchoing portal,

Up to Odysseus he came and with words of abuse he addressed him :

"Stranger, it seems thou art fain e'en here in the house to annoy us,

Begging from all of the men !-Go, get thee away from the palace!

Ne'er shall we twain find means to be rid of the matter and part us

180

Ere each tastes of the fists of the other. I call it indecent,

Begging and begging! Besides, there's feasting with other Achaeans."

Thus did he speak; and Odysseus replied not a word, but he stood there

Silently shaking his head, as a man that is brooding on evil.

Now did a third draw nigh them, Philoetius, master of neatherds,

185

Leading a cow that was barren and fat-fed goats for the suitors.

Them had the ferrymen brought from the mainland (as many a mortal

Also they ferry across, whosoever arrives at the crossing).

These when he safely had tethered beneath the reëchoing portal,

Up to the side of the swineherd he came and addressed him a question :

190

"Swineherd, who is the stranger, I pray-this man that is newly

Come as a guest to the house? What race doth he boast to belong to?

Where is the place of his birth, and which is the land of his fathers?

Hapless he seems; but in form he is like to a lord and a chieftain;

Yea and the gods mar often a man that is driven to wander-

195

Fate that can hap to a ruler himself, if they spin him misfortune."

Thus as he spake he approached and his right hand offered in welcome;

Then he uplifted his voice and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Welcome, father and stranger! I wish thee in future a fortune

Happier. Now, as it seems, thou'rt holden of many an evil.

200

Father of all, great Zeus! More baneful is none of immortals!

Ne'er dost thou feel compassion for mortals although thou begett'st them,

Making them ever to dwell with misfortune, with pain and with sorrow.

E'en as I saw him I sweated, and tears come flooding mine eyes still

While I remember Odysseus-for, ah, I am certain that he too

205

Thus in a raiment of rags goes roaming from people to people,

Haps it indeed that he still is alive and beholdeth the sunlight.

Should he however be dead and gone to the mansion of Hades,

Woe to me! Woe for Odysseus, my good dear master, who set me

Over his kine, as a youngster among Cephallenian people!

210

These are growing unspeakably many: with none of the chieftains

Waxing and flourishing thus is the breed of the broad-browed cattle.

Ay, but I now am commanded by others, and batten my cattle

Only for strangers to eat. Of the heir in the palace they reck not,

Neither the wrath of the gods do they fear. Nought else do they long for

215

Save to divide the estate of my lord, who so long is unheard of.

Many and many a time with my heart in the depth of my bosom

This I revolve: 'twere wrong, while liveth the son of my master,

Taking the cows to abandon the country and make for another,

Some far alien land; but methinks it is worse to remain here,

220

Sitting and guarding my cattle for others, and suffering hardships.

Ay and indeed long since I had found some powerful chieftain

Whither to flee-for I vow it is scarce endurable sometimes;

Still I am alway a-thinking of him-poor master!-and dreaming

How he shall come and shall scatter the suitors in rout from the palace."

225

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

"Neatherd, seeing thou seemst not a man that is evil or foolish

(Nay, I confess it myself, in thy thoughts much wisdom is present),

Therefore a thing will I say, and with solemn oath will confirm it:

First then witness it Zeus, and the table at which I am welcomed,

230

Yea and the hearth, to the which I am come, of the noble Odysseus,

While thou art here in the mansion Odysseus shall come to his homestead,

Ay and with thine own eyes, if thou willst, thou'lt surely behold him

Slaughtering all of the suitors, who dare in his palace to lord it."

Him gave answer the man who as cowherd tended the cattle :

235

"Would, O stranger, that Zeus might grant to thy words a fulfilment !

Then thou'dst learn of my strength and behold how ready my hands be."

Likewise spake Eumaeus, and calling on all the immortals

Prayed for Odysseus the wise to return once more to his homeland.

Now as the men stood there conversing the one with the other,

240

Secretly planning the doom and death of the son of Odysseus

Plotted the suitors-but lo, on the left came flying an eagle,

King of the uppermost air, with a quivering dove in his talons.

Then spake Amphinomus to the others, and thus he addressed them :

"Friends, I am sure it will never succeed, this thing that we purpose,

245

Murdering Telemachus. Let us think once more of the banquet!"

Thus spake Amphinomus, and his words pleased all of the others.

So they betook them at once to the palace of godlike Odysseus.

Here, when aside they had laid on the chairs and the couches their mantles,

Fatlings they slew of the goats and the heaviest beasts of the sheepfold;

250

Also they slew fat hogs and a cow that was brought from the pasture,

Roasted the livers and portioned the messes, and then in the wine-bowls

Mingled the wine; and the cups were carried around by the swineherd,

While by Philoetius, master of herdsmen, in beautiful baskets

Bread was dispensed, and the wine poured out by the goatherd Melantheus.

255

Then did they stretch forth hands to the food that was lying before them.

Telemachus with a crafty intent now seated Odysseus

Nigh to the threshold of stone of the strong-built banqueting-chamber.

Wretchedly poor was the chair that he placed him, and small was the table.

Then of the liver he served him a portion, and filled him a goblet,

260

Even a beaker of gold; and he spake these words and addressed him:

"There now, sit at thy ease midst nobles, and quaff of the wine-cup.

Violent act or abuse it is I that am going to stop it,

Spite of the suitors. We keep not a tavern for common resorters

Here in the house; 'twas the home of Odysseus; to me he bequeathed it.

265

Listen, ye suitors! I beg you to curb all spirit of brawling,

Ay and of violent acts. No quarrel and strife shall arise here!"

Thus did he speak and the men, all biting their lips in amazement,

Marvelled at Telemachus and the dauntless words he had uttered.

Then spake Antinous, Eupeithes' son, and addressed them :

270

"Though it is hard to submit, let us suffer, Achaeans, in silence

Telemachus and his talk! He is even beginning to threaten!

Well, it was Father Cronion that stayed it or else we had stopped him

Chattering here in the hall, though mightily fluent his tongue be."

Thus spake Antinous; but the youth recked nought of his gibings.

275

Meantime up from the city was coming the sacred oblation

Led by the heralds; and soon did the long-haired sons of Achaea

Gather them under the shadowy grove of the archer Apollo.

Now when the outside meat they had roasted and drawn from the skewers

All they apportioned and sat them adown to a glorious banquet.

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Also in front of Odysseus a portion was set by the servants

Like to the share that they all had received; since so had commanded

Telemachus, dear son of the hero godlike Odysseus.

Nowise willed it Athena to suffer the arrogant suitors

Still to refrain from insulting contempt, for she wished the resentment

285

Deeper to sink in the heart of Odysseus the son of Laertes.

Now in the band of the suitors was one that was utterly lawless;

Ctesippus was his name, and he lived in the island of Samé.

He too, trusting the wondrous extent of his wealthy possessions,

Courted the wife of Odysseus, the lord who so long was unheard of.

290

Such was the fellow that now to the insolent suitors addressed him :

"Listen, ye high-born suitors! allow me to tell you of something!

See, they've served to the stranger a portion (and well he deserves it !)

Like to the rest. 'Twere truly a wrong and unfair to neglect him,

Guest as he seemeth of Telemachus-like all that arrive here.

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Lo, I will give him the gift of a guest: he is free to present it

Unto the woman that tendeth the bath, or to any he listeth,

Any a drudge in the whole of the palace of godlike Odysseus."

Spake, and with strong broad hand outstretched to a basket beside him

Lifted the foot of an ox-and he hurled; but Odysseus escaped it,

300

Quietly swerving aside with the head; and he smiled in his spirit

Grimly enough, while smit was the strong-built wall by the ox-foot.

Then spake Telemachus, as he turned to the man and rebuked him :

"Verily, friend Ctesippus, thy soul had a lucky escape there!

Missed was thy mark-for the stranger himself evaded thy missile;

305

Else with my sharp-edged spear had I smitten thee through in the middle.

So had thy funeral busied thy father instead of thy wedding

Here in my halls; for I vow in my house so grossly and rudely

None shall behave. I am come to discretion, and well can distinguish

All that is good or is bad-no more I'm a child as aforetime.

310

Truly before, I allow, we endured it, beholding in silence

Slaughter of flocks and of herds, and the wine all drunk and exhausted,

Ay and the bread. It is hard for the one to be fighting the many.

Come now, cease from the ills that ye do and the ills ye intend me !

Else, if already ye long with the edge of the sword to destroy me,

315

Far more willing I were-yea verily better I hold it-

Thus to be slain than for ever to see such shameful procedure,

Guests disgracefully treated and servant-maids of the household

Haled by the men in the halls of my beautiful home to dishonour."

So did he speak ; and they sat all utterly silent and speechless,

320

Till at the last found voice Agelaus, the son of Damastor :

"Listen, my friends! When the word that is spoken is spoken with justice,

None should surely be wroth with the speaker and answer in anger.

Neither maltreat, I beseech you, the stranger, nor other soever,

None of the drudges that serve in the palace of godlike Odysseus.

325

Also to Telemachus and his mother I venture to offer

Gentle advice-let them lay it to heart, both one and the other:

While your spirit that dwells in the depths of the bosom within you

Hoped for Odysseus the wise to return once more to his homeland,

None could deem it a wrong that ye waited, nor suffered the suitors

330

Here in the house to resort; since thus it was certainly better,

Should peradventure Odysseus arrive and appear at his homestead.

Now it is plain however that never again he is coming.

Wherefore go to thy mother and sit at her side and persuade her,

Bidding her marry the best of the men, whose offer is greatest.

335

Then thou'lt live on the wealth of thy father in peace and in gladness,

Eating and drinking, and she will attend to the house of another."

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Nay, Agelaus, I swear it by Zeus and the griefs of my father,

Far from his Ithacan home now perished or roaming as exile,

340

Not by myself is her marriage delayed-nay, rather I bid her

Wed with the man of her choice. Great gifts will I add as her dowry.

Still, 'twere shameless, I think, from the palace to drive her unwilling,

Giving her orders to quit. May heaven forbid that I do so!"

Thus spake Telemachus, and, excited by Pallas Athene,

345

Laughter unquenchable rose. But she wildered the wits of the suitors.

Strangely, as coming from alien voices, resounded the laughter.

Dabbled with gore was the meat of the banquet. The eyes of the feasters

Floated in tears, and the minds of the men were set upon wailing.

Then did the seer divine, Theoclýmenus, speak and address them:

350

"Ah, unfortunate men! What horror is this that has happened?

Shrouded in night are faces and heads. To the knees it descendeth.

Out of it flash forth wails. All cheeks are flooded with teardrops.

Yea and the walls are spattered with blood, and the beautiful alcoves.

See too, crowded with ghosts is the porch and crowded the courtyard,

355

Hurrying down to the darkness of Erebus! Out of the heaven

Withered and gone is the sun, and a poisonous mist is arising."

Thus did he speak; but they all right merrily laughed as they heard him.

Eurymachus then called, prince Polybus' son, to his comrades :

"Sure he is mad, this guest that is newly arrived from a distance!

360

Come now quickly, my lads, and escort him away from the palace

Out to the square-since here he complaineth of night and of darkness!"

Then did the seer divine, Theoclýmenus, answer him saying:

"Eurymachus, I shall need not to bid thee vouchsafe me an escort.

Both of mine eyes I possess, and a couple of ears and of feet too,

365

Also a mind in my head well furnished-nor truly a bad one.

So I will rise and be gone, since clearly I see a disaster

Coming; and none of you all shall be able to shun or avert it,

None of the suitors by whom in the house of the godlike Odysseus

Men are treated with insult and plann'd are wicked devices."

370

These words uttered, he went from the pleasant abodes of the palace

Unto the home of his host Peiraeus, who gladly received him.

Meantime many a suitor, exchanging a glance with another,

Girded at Telemachus to provoke him, deriding his guest-friends,

While from the midst would speak some insolent youth and address him :

375

"Telemachus, thou art sure most luckless of men in thy guest-friends,

Such as the nobody here thou art harbouring-gluttonous vagrant,

Begging for ever for wine and for victuals and wholly unskilled in

Matters of work or of war-just living on earth as a burden.

Then, as another again, this fellow that rose as a prophet!

380

Nay now, take my advice! 'twere verily wiser and better.

Guests like these let us ship on a well-benched vessel and send them

Unto Sicilian folk-'twould pay thee enough for the trouble."

Thus did the suitors deride: but the youth recked nought of their gibings.

Silent he gazed at his father, for ever expecting to see him

385

Suddenly stretch forth hands on the horde of the insolent suitors.

Now on the opposite side in her beautiful chair she was lying,

Even the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelopeia;

Therefore to every word that was said in the hall she had listened.

Merrily thus midst laughter the men made ready the dinner,

390

Dinner delightful, abundant for many a beast they had slaughtered.

Supper however was coming; and ne'er was a supper unwelcome

Such as the one by the hands of a goddess and valiant hero

Soon to be served for the men whose wickedness made the beginning.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

Rhapsody 20 reveals the darkest thoughts of Penelope. There she is, lying awake in bed, unable to fall asleep, and now she starts to think the unthinkable, tearfully spilling her private thoughts by praying to Artemis: I want to die in the worst way, she confides to the goddess, so why don’t you shoot me with your arrows, putting me out of my misery? Or maybe my death should be even worse? Penelope is now haunted by horror stories about unfortunate girls who thought they were getting married but who instead became servants to infernal Furies. She cries for them and she cries for herself, thinking of a dream she had about sleeping with Odysseus, who was looking the way he had looked twenty years ago. Her crying carries over till daybreak, and her laments are overheard from not that far away by Odysseus, who is having his own dark thoughts about the vengeance he so passionately desires.

draft js image error “The Harpies Going to Seize the Daughters of Pandareus” (1805). John Flaxman (English, 1755–1826). Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996. Image via the Tate.

source

Homer Odyssey 20.133

A. T. Murray (Translator)

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