Search the Perseus Catalog for:

← Previous Next →

A course was marked out for them from the turning point,¹ and they all sped swiftly, raising the dust of the plain; but among them noble Clytoneus was far the best at running, and by as far as is the range² of a team of mules in fallow land, 125 by so far he shot to the front and reached the host, and the others were left behind. Then they made trial of toilsome wrestling, and here in turn Euryalus excelled all the princes. And in leaping Amphialus was best of all, and with the discus again far the best of all was Elatreus, 130 and in boxing Laodamas, the good son of Alcinous. But when the hearts of all had taken pleasure in the contests, Laodamas, the son of Alcinous, spoke among them: “Come, friends, let us ask yon stranger whether he knows and has learned any contests. In build, surely, he is no mean man, 135 in thighs and calves, and in his two arms above, his stout neck, and his great might. In no wise does he lack aught of the strength of youth, but he has been broken by many troubles. For to my mind there is naught worse than the sea to confound a man, be he never so strong.” 140 And Euryalus in turn answered him, and said:“Laodamas, this word of thine is right fitly spoken. Go now thyself and challenge him, and make known thy word.” Now when the good son of Alcinous heard this he came and took his stand in the midst and spoke to Odysseus: 145 “Come, Sir stranger, do thou, too, make trial of the contests, if thou knowest any; and it must be that thou knowest contests, for there is no greater glory for a man so long as he lives than that which he achieves by his own hands and his feet. Nay, come, make trial, and cast away care from thy heart. 150 Thy journey shall no more be long delayed, nay, even now thy ship is launched and the crew is ready.” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Laodamas, why do ye mock me with this challenge? Sorrow is in my mind far more than contests, 155 seeing that in time past I have suffered much and toiled much, and now I sit in the midst of your assembly, longing for my return home, and making my prayer to the king and to all the people.” Then again Euryalus made answer and taunted him to his face: “Nay verily, stranger, for I do not liken thee to a man that is skilled 160 in contests, such as abound among men, but to one who, faring to and fro with his benched ship, is a captain of sailors who are merchantmen, one who is mindful of his freight, and has charge of a home-borne cargo, and the gains of his greed. Thou dost not look like an athlete.”

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.) — 8.121 focus

τοῖσι δʼ ἀπὸ νύσσης τέτατο δρόμος· οἱ δʼ ἅμα πάντες

καρπαλίμως ἐπέτοντο κονίοντες πεδίοιο·

τῶν δὲ θέειν ὄχʼ ἄριστος ἔην Κλυτόνηος ἀμύμων·

ὅσσον τʼ ἐν νειῷ οὖρον πέλει ἡμιόνοιιν,

τόσσον ὑπεκπροθέων λαοὺς ἵκεθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἐλίποντο.

125

οἱ δὲ παλαιμοσύνης ἀλεγεινῆς πειρήσαντο·

τῇ δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπεκαίνυτο πάντας ἀρίστους.

ἅλματι δʼ Ἀμφίαλος πάντων προφερέστατος ἦεν·

δίσκῳ δʼ αὖ πάντων πολὺ φέρτατος ἦεν Ἐλατρεύς,

πὺξ δʼ αὖ Λαοδάμας, ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο.

130

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντες ἐτέρφθησαν φρένʼ ἀέθλοις,

τοῖς ἄρα Λαοδάμας μετέφη πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο·

δεῦτε, φίλοι, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐρώμεθα εἴ τινʼ ἄεθλον

οἶδέ τε καὶ δεδάηκε. φυήν γε μὲν οὐ κακός ἐστι,

μηρούς τε κνήμας τε καὶ ἄμφω χεῖρας ὕπερθεν

135

αὐχένα τε στιβαρὸν μέγα τε σθένος· οὐδέ τι ἥβης

δεύεται, ἀλλὰ κακοῖσι συνέρρηκται πολέεσσιν·

οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γέ τί φημι κακώτερον ἄλλο θαλάσσης

ἄνδρα γε συγχεῦαι, εἰ καὶ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη.

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·

140

Λαοδάμα, μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.

αὐτὸς νῦν προκάλεσσαι ἰὼν καὶ πέφραδε μῦθον.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γʼ ἄκουσʼ ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο,

στῆ ῥʼ ἐς μέσσον ἰὼν καὶ Ὀδυσσῆα προσέειπε·

δεῦρʼ ἄγε καὶ σύ, ξεῖνε πάτερ, πείρησαι ἀέθλων,

145

εἴ τινά που δεδάηκας· ἔοικε δέ σʼ ἴδμεν ἀέθλους·

οὐ μὲν γὰρ μεῖζον κλέος ἀνέρος ὄφρα κʼ ἔῃσιν,

ἤ ὅ τι ποσσίν τε ῥέξῃ καὶ χερσὶν ἑῇσιν.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε πείρησαι, σκέδασον δʼ ἀπὸ κήδεα θυμοῦ.

σοὶ δʼ ὁδὸς οὐκέτι δηρὸν ἀπέσσεται, ἀλλά τοι ἤδη

150

νηῦς τε κατείρυσται καὶ ἐπαρτέες εἰσὶν ἑταῖροι.

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

Λαοδάμα, τί με ταῦτα κελεύετε κερτομέοντες;

κήδεά μοι καὶ μᾶλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἤ περ ἄεθλοι,

ὃς πρὶν μὲν μάλα πολλὰ πάθον καὶ πολλὰ μόγησα,

155

νῦν δὲ μεθʼ ὑμετέρῃ ἀγορῇ νόστοιο χατίζων

ἧμαι, λισσόμενος βασιλῆά τε πάντα τε δῆμον.

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο νείκεσέ τʼ ἄντην·

οὐ γάρ σʼ οὐδέ, ξεῖνε, δαήμονι φωτὶ ἐίσκω

ἄθλων, οἷά τε πολλὰ μετʼ ἀνθρώποισι πέλονται,

160

ἀλλὰ τῷ, ὅς θʼ ἅμα νηὶ πολυκλήιδι θαμίζων,

ἀρχὸς ναυτάων οἵ τε πρηκτῆρες ἔασιν,

φόρτου τε μνήμων καὶ ἐπίσκοπος ᾖσιν ὁδαίων

κερδέων θʼ ἁρπαλέων· οὐδʼ ἀθλητῆρι ἔοικας.

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.) — 8.120 focus

120 The foot races came first. The course was set out for them from the starting post, and they raised a dust upon the plain as they all flew forward at the same moment. Clytoneus came in first by a long way; he left every one else behind him by the length of the furrow that a couple of mules can plough in a fallow field. They then turned to the painful art of wrestling, and here Euryalos proved to be the best man. Amphialos excelled all the others in jumping, while at throwing the disc there was no one who could approach Elatreus. Alkinoos’ son Laodamas was the best boxer, and he it was who presently said, when they had all been diverted with the games [ athlos], "Let us ask the stranger whether he excels in any of these sports [ athlos]; he seems very powerfully built; his thighs, calves, hands, and neck are of prodigious strength, nor is he at all old, but he has suffered much lately, and there is nothing like the sea for making havoc with a man, no matter how strong he is."

140 "You are quite right, Laodamas," replied Euryalos, "go up to your guest and speak to him about it yourself."

143 When Laodamas heard this he made his way into the middle of the crowd and said to Odysseus, "I hope, sir, that you will enter yourself in some one or other of our competitions [ athloi] if you are skilled in any of them - for you seem to know of athloi . There is no greater kleos for a man all his life long as the showing himself good with his hands and feet. Have a try therefore at something, and banish all sorrow from your mind. Your return home will not be long delayed, for the ship is already drawn into the water, and the crew is found."

152 Odysseus answered, "Laodamas, why do you taunt me in this way? My mind is set rather on cares than contests athloi; I have been through infinite trouble, and am come among you now as a suppliant, praying your king and dêmos to further me on my return home [ nostos ]."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 8.121 focus

The foot races came first. The course was set out for them from the starting post, and they raised a dust upon the plain as they all flew forward at the same moment. Stately Klytoneus came in first by a long way; he left every one else behind him by the length of the furrow that a couple of mules can plow [125] in a fallow field. They then turned to the painful art of wrestling, and here Euryalos proved to be the best man. Amphialos excelled all the others in jumping, while at throwing the disc there was no one who could approach Elatreus. [130] Alkinoos’ fine son Laodamas was the best boxer, and he it was who presently said, when they had all been diverted with the games [ āthlos], “Let us ask the stranger whether he excels in any of these sports [ āthlos]; he seems very powerfully built; [135] his thighs, calves, hands, and neck are of prodigious strength, nor is he at all old, but he has suffered much lately, and there is nothing like the sea for making havoc with a man, no matter how strong he is.”

[140] “You are quite right, Laodamas,” replied Euryalos, “go up to your guest and speak to him about it yourself.”

When Laodamas heard this he made his way into the middle of the crowd and said to Odysseus, [145] “I hope, sir, that you will enter yourself in some one or other of our competitions [ āthloi] if you are skilled in any of them—for you seem to know of sports [ āthloi]. There is no greater kleos for a man all his life long as the showing himself good with his hands and feet. Have a try therefore at something, and banish all sorrow from your mind. [150] Your return home will not be long delayed, for the ship is already drawn into the water, and the crew is found.”

Resourceful Odysseus answered, “Laodamas, why do you taunt me in this way? My mind is set rather on cares than contests [ āthloi]; [155] I have been through infinite trouble, and am come among you now as a suppliant, praying your king and people [ dēmos] to further my homecoming [ nostos].”

Then Euryalos reviled him outright and said, “I gather, then, that you are unskilled [160] in any of the many sports [ āthloi] that men generally delight in. I suppose you are one of those grasping traders that go about in ships as captains or merchants, and who think of nothing but of their outward freights and homeward cargoes. There does not seem to be much of the athlete [ āthlētēs] about you.”

[165]

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 8.121 focus

Contending in the race. For them a course

150

Was marked from goal to goal. They darted forth

At once and swiftly, raising, as they ran,

The dust along the plain. The swiftest there

Was Clytoneius in the race. As far

As mules, in furrowing the fallow ground,

155

Gain on the steers, he ran before the rest,

And reached the crowd, and left them all behind.

Others in wrestling strove laboriously, -

And here Euryalus excelled them all;

But in the leap Amphialus was first;

160

Elatreus flung the quoit with firmest hand;

And in the boxer's art Laodamas,

The monarch's valiant son, was conqueror.

This when the admiring multitude had seen,

Thus spake the monarch's son, Laodamas : -

165

"And now, my friends, inquire we of our guest

If he has learned and practised feats like these.

For he is not ill-made in legs and thighs

And in both arms, in firmly planted neck

And strong-built frame; nor does he seem to lack

170

A certain youthful vigor, though impaired

By many hardships, - for I know of naught

That more severely tries the strongest man,

And breaks him down, than perils of the sea."

Euryalus replied: "Laodamas,

175

Well hast thou said, and rightly: go thou now

And speak to him thyself, and challenge him."

The son of King Alcinoüs, as he heard,

Came forward, and bespake Ulysses thus :

"Thou also, guest and father, try these feats,

180

If thou perchance wert trained to them. I think

Thou must be skilled in games, since there is not

A greater glory for a man while yet

He lives on earth than what he hath wrought out,

By strenuous effort, with his feet and hands.

185

Try, then, thy skill, and give no place to grief.

Not long will thy departure be delayed ;

Thy bark is launched; the crew are ready here."

Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus : -

"Why press me, O Laodamas! to try

190

These feats, when all my thoughts are of my woes,

And not of games? I, who have borne so much

Of pain and toil, sit pining for my home

In your assembly, supplicating here

Your king and all the people of your land."

195

Then spake Euryalus with chiding words :-

"Stranger, I well perceive thou canst not boast,

As many others can, of skill in games ;

But thou art one of those who dwell in ships

With many benches, rulers o'er a crew

200

Of sailors, - a mere trader looking out

For freight, and watching o'er the wares that form

The cargo. Thou hast doubtless gathered wealth

By rapine, and art surely no athlete."

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 8.121 focus

Ranged in a line the ready racers stand,

125

Start from the goal, and vanish o'er the strand:

Swift as on wings of wind, upborne they fly,

And drifts of rising dust involve the sky.

Before the rest, what space the hinds allow

Between the mule and ox, from plough to plough,¹

130

Clytoneus sprung: he winged the rapid way,

And bore th' unrivall'd honours of the day.

With fierce embrace the brawny wrestlers join;

The conquest, great Euryalus, is thine.

Amphialus sprung forward with a bound,

135

Superior in the leap, a length of ground.

From Elatreus' strong arm the discus flies,

And sings with unmatch'd force along the skies.

And Laodam whirls high, with dreadful sway,

The gloves of death, victorious in the fray.

140

While thus the peerage in the games contends,

In act to speak, Laodamas ascends:

Laodamas

"O friends," (he cries,) "the stranger seems well-skill'd

To try th' illustrious labours of the field:

I deem him brave: then grant the brave man's claim,
145

Invite the hero to his share of fame.

What nervous arms he boasts! how firm his tread!

His limbs how turn'd! how broad his shoulders spread!

By age unbroke!-but all-consuming care

Destroys perhaps the strength that time would spare:
150

Dire is the ocean, dread in all its forms!

Man must decay, when man contends with storms."

Euryalus

"Well hast thou spoke," (Euryalus replies,)

"Thine is the guest, invite him thou to rise."

Swift at the word, advancing from the crowd,

155

He made obeisance, and thus spoke aloud:

Laodamas

"Vouchsafes the reverend stranger to display

His manly worth, and share the glorious day?

Father, arise! for thee thy port proclaims

Expert to conquer in the solemn games.
160

To fame arise! for what more fame can yield

Than the swift race, or conflict of the field?

Steal from corroding care one transient day,

To glory give the space thou hast to stay;

Short is the time, and lo! even now the gales
165

Call thee aboard, and stretch the swelling sails."

Ulysses

To whom with sighs Ulysses gave reply:

"Ah why th' ill-suiting pastime must I try?

To gloomy care my thoughts alone are free;

Ill the gay sports with troubled hearts agree:
170

Sad from my natal hour my days have ran,

A much afflicted, much-enduring man!

Who, suppliant to the king and peers, implores

A speedy voyage to his native shores."

Euryalus

"Wide wanders, Laodam, thy erring tongue,
175

The sports of glory to the brave belong,

(Retorts Euryalus:) he boasts no claim

Among the great, unlike the sons of Fame.

A wandering merchant he frequents the main;

Some mean sea-farer in pursuit of gain;
180

Studious of freight, in naval trade well skill'd,

But dreads th' athletic labours of the field."

Ulysses

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 8.121 focus

Then start they all at once, and swiftly run

As if they flew. And here the victory

The king's son noble Clytoneus won,

And pass'd them all a land's length very nigh.

120

Euryalus at wrestling was the best.

Amphialus at leaping victor was.

Elatreus surpassed all the rest

To throw the stone. At cuffs Laodamas.

When all was done Laodamas up stood.

125

Come friends, said he, let us the stranger try

If he at any of these games be good;

For in his person no defect I spy.

His thighs, his knees, his arms, his neck, are strong,

Nor over aged yet he seems to me;

130

Only he hath endured the sea so long,

As for that cause he may excused be.

For than the sea nothing more potent is

To break a man how strong soe'er he be.

Go, said Euryalus, 'tis not amiss

135

T'invite him to it, and his mind to see.

Then to Ulysses said Laodamas,

Come, stranger, father, pray, your virtue show;

'Tis no dishonour for you in this place

To show your skill at any game you know,

140

As long as feet and hands continue strong.

' Come, try, and cast your careful thoughts away:

Your convoy ready is. 'Twill not be long

Before you shall be set upon your way.

Laodamas, then said Ulysses, why

145

To these your games invite you me in scorn,

Upon whose heart so many sorrows lie,

And am to nothing with much hardship worn,

And publicly a suppliant now sit,

And to the king and people grief profess?

150

Think you that pastimes for such men are fit,

As from their country wander in distress?

Then spake Euryalus, uncivilly:

No, no, said he, I do not think you are

Much us'd to pastimes of activity,

155

But rather one that of a ship takes care,

That merchantmen from place to place conveys,

And mindful of your fraught are, and can tell

Which are to sudden wealth the nearest ways,

What merchandise will not, and what will sell,

160

And in such boisterous games has little skill.

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 8.121 focus

These first the foot-game tried, and from the lists

Took start together. Up the dust in mists

They hurl'd about, as in their speed they flew;

But Clytoneus first of all the crew

170

A stitch's length in any fallow field

Made good his pace; when, where the judges yield

The prise and praise, his glorious speed arriv'd.

Next, for the boisterous wrestling game they striv'd;

At which Euryalus the rest outshone.

175

At leap Amphialus. At the hollow stone

Elatreus excell'd. At buffets, last,

Laodamas, the king's fair son, surpast.

When all had striv'd in these assays their fill,

Laodamas said: "Come friends, let's prove what skill

180

This stranger hath attain'd to in our sport.

Methinks, he must be of the active sort,

His calves, thighs, hands, and well-knit shoulders show

That Nature disposition did bestow

To fit with fact their form. Nor wants he prime.

185

¹²

But sour affliction, made a mate with time,

Makes time the more seen. Nor imagine I,

A worse thing to enforce debility

Than is the sea, though nature ne'er so strong

Knits one together." "Nor conceive you wrong,"

190

Replied Euryalus, " but prove his blood

With what you question." In the midst then stood

Renown'd Laodamas, and prov'd him thus :

"Come, stranger father, and assay with us

Your powers in these contentions. If your show

195

Be answer'd with your worth, 'tis fit that you

Should know these conflicts. Nor doth glory stand

On any worth more, in a man's command,

Than to be strenuous both of foot and hand.

Come then, make proof with us, discharge your mind

200

Of discontentments; for not far behind

Comes your deduction, ship is ready now,

And men, and all things." "Why," said he, "dost thou

Mock me, Laodamas, and these strifes bind

My powers to answer? I am more inclin'd

205

To cares than conflict. Much sustain'd I have,

And still am suffering. I come here to crave,

In your assemblies, means to be dismiss'd,

And pray both kings and subjects to assist."

Euryalus an open brawl began,

210

And said: "I take you, sir, for no such man

As fits these honour'd strifes. A number more

Strange men there are that I would choose before.

To one that loves to lie a ship-board much,

Or is the prince of sailors; or to such

215

As traffic far and near, and nothing mind

But freight, and passage, and a foreright wind;

Or to a victualler of a ship; or men

That set up all their powers for rampant gain;

I can compare, or hold you like to be :

220

But, for a wrestler, or of quality

Fit for contentions noble, you abhor

From worth of any such competitor."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 8.121 focus

They gave the race its limits. All at once

Along the dusty champaign swift they flew.

But Clytoneus, illustrious youth, outstripp'd

All competition; far as mules surpass

Slow oxen furrowing the fallow ground,

150

So far before all others he arrived

Victorious, where the throng'd spectators stood.

Some tried the wrestler's toil severe, in which

Euryalus superior proved to all.

In the long leap Amphialus prevail'd;

155

Elatreus most successful hurl'd the quoit,

And at the cestus, last, the noble son

¹²

Of Scheria's King, Laodamas excell'd.

When thus with contemplation of the games

All had been gratified, Alcinoüs' son

160

Laodamas, arising, them address'd.

Friends! ask we now the stranger, if he boast

Proficiency in aught. His figure seems

Not ill; in thighs, and legs, and arms he shews

Much strength, and in his brawny neck; nor youth

165

Hath left him yet, though batter'd he appears

With numerous troubles, and misfortune-flaw'd.

Nor know I hardships in the world so sure

To break the strongest down, as those by sea.

Then answer thus Euryalus return'd.

170

Thou hast well said, Laodamas; thyself

Approaching, speak to him, and call him forth.

Which when Alcinoüs' noble offspring heard,

Advancing from his seat, amid them all

He stood, and to Ulysses thus began.

175

Stand forth, oh guest, thou also: prove thy skill

(If any such thou boast) in games like ours,

Which likeliest thou hast learn'd; for greater praise

Hath no man, while he lives, than that he know

His feet to exercise and hands aright.

180

Come then; make trial; scatter wide thy cares ;

We will not hold thee long; the ship is launch'd

Already, and the crew stand all prepared.

To whom replied the wily Chief renown'd.

Wherefore, as in derision, have ye call'd

185

Me forth, Laodamas, to these exploits?

No games have I, but many a grief, at heart,

And with far other struggles worn, here sit

Desirous only of conveyance home,

For which both King and people I implore.

190

Then him Euryalus aloud reproach'd.

I well believed it, friend! in thee the guise

I see not of a man expert in feats

Athletic, of which various are perform'd

In every land; thou rather seem'st with ships

195

Familiar; one accustom'd to controul

Some crew of trading mariners; well-learn'd

In stowage, pilotage, and wealth acquired

By rapine, but of no gymnastic powers.

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

ODYSSEY BOOK VIII

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

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

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

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

Where Phaeacian elders had built their court of assembly.

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

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

Like to the herald himself of the wise Phaeacian monarch,

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

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

"Hither assemble, ye leaders and high Phaeacian chieftains!

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

Newly arrived at the palace of Alcinous wise-hearted,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many and great wherewith Phaeacians tested Odysseus.

Now when they all had collected together and formed an assembly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Since no other of mortals that ever arrived at my palace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gather together and there entertain at a banquet the stranger.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forthwith Pontonous set a chair bright-studded with silver

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

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

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

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

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

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

Till, when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup,

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

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

Even the strife of Odysseus and great Pelean Achilles, —

How at a beautiful feast of the gods contending in anger

Words outrageous they spake ; and the warrior-king Agamemnon

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

This had the answer of Phoebus Apollo in beautiful Pytho

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

100

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

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

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

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

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

105

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

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

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

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

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

110

Acroneos upstood, and Ocyalus and Elatreus,

Nauteus and Prymneus and Anchialus and Eretmeus;

Then Anabésineos and Thoön, and Ponteus and Proreus;

Amphialus, whose father was Tekton's son Polynéus;

Euryalus too, equal of Ares the Slayer of mortals,

115

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

All Phaeacia's fairest but Laodamas the unrivalled.

Last rose three of the children of Alcinous the heroic,

Laodamas, Halius, and the godlike youth Clytonéus.

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

120

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

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

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

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

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

125

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

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

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

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

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

130

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

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

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

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

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

135

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

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

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

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

Forthwith Euryalus made answer and thus he addressed him:

140

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

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

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

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

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

145

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

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

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

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

Not much longer deferred is thy homeward return, for already

150

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

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

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

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

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

155

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

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

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS

Then spake Euryalus, to his face thus taunting Odysseus:

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

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

160

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

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

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

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

Glaring askance at the man thus answered the wileful Odysseus:

165

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

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

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

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

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

170

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

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

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

Then will another in beauty resemble a god of Olympus,

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

175

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

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

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

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

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

180

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

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

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

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

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

185

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

Greater than others and thicker and weightier not by a little

Than Phaeacians use competing the one with the other.

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

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

190

All those masters of oars, those famed Phaeacian seamen,

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

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

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

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

195

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

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

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

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

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

200

Then with a lightened heart to the youths Phaeacian turning :

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

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

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

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

205

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

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

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

Verily only a fool or a fellow worthless by nature

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

210

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

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

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

Nor am I utterly wanting in every manly achievement.

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

215

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

Warring with hostile hosts—ay, even if many companions

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

Only Philoctetes as an archer excelled me whenever

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

220

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

All now living amidst bread-nourished races of mortals.

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

Neither with Heracles nor the famed Oechalian monarch.

These with the gods everlasting themselves contended as bowmen;

225

Wherefore suddenly perished the prince, great Eurytus, neither

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

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

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

Only on foot do I fear lest some Phaeacian runner

230

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

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

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

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

Till King Alcinous found words to reply and addressed him :

235

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

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

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

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

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

240

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

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

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

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

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

245

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

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

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

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

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

250

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

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

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

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

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

255

Thus spake Alcinous the heroic. The herald uprising

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

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

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

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

260

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

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

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

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

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

265

Then to his harp uplifting his beautiful voice did the singer

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

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

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

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

270

Eëlios, who had noted them meeting in tender embracement.

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

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

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

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

275

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

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

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

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

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

280

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

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

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

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

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

285

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

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

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

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

Resting she quietly sat; and he entering into the mansion

290

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

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

Nowhere nigh is Hephaestus, but started already for Lemnos,

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

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

295

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

Cunningly wrought by the crafty Hephaestus, descended upon them:

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

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

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

300

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

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

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

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

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

305

"Father Zeus and ye other immortals eternally blesséd,

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

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

Ever dishonours and loveth instead man-murdering Ares,

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

310

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

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

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

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

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

315

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

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

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

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

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

320

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

Hither Poseidaon, Earth-girdler, hastened and Hermes,

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

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

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

325

Then an unquenchable laughter arose mid the blesséd immortals

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

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

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

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

330

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

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

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

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

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

335

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

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

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

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

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

340

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

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

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

All but Poseidaon; unsmiling he stood and entreaty

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

345

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

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

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

Him then addressing in turn gave answer the famous Craftsman :

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

350

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

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

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

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

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

355

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

Him then addressing again gave answer the famous Craftsman :

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

These words uttered, the mighty Hephaestus unfastened the fetters.

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

360

Spring straight upward and vanish—To Thracia Ares departed,

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

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

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

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

365

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

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

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

All those lovers of oars, those famed Phaeacian seamen.

Bidden was now Halius, and Laodamas, by the monarch

370

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

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

Purple in hue, by the skilful artificer Polybus fashioned,

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

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

375

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

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

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

Rapidly flinging in turn, while comrades clapping in measure

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

380

Turning to Alcinous, then addressed him the godlike Odysseus :

"Ο King Alcinous, illustrious prince of the people,

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

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

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

385

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

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

Truly the stranger appeareth endowed right richly with wisdom.

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

Seeing that over the land are twelve illustrious princes

390

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

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

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

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

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

395

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

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

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

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

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

400

"O King Alcinous, illustrious prince of the people,

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

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

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

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

405

These words spoken, he handed the broadsword studded with silver

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

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

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

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

410

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

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

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

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

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

415

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

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

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

Then by the hands of the children of Alcinous the unrivalled

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

420

Following now in the steps of the mighty and reverend monarch

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

Then did the powerful king call Arete and address her :

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

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

425

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

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

All of the presents bestowed by the high Phaeacian nobles;

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

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

430

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

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

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

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

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

435

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

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

Meantime Arete brought forth a magnificent coffer

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

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

440

Adding thereto of her treasures a beautiful mantle and doublet.

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

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

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

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

445

Hearing the words that she spake long-suffering godlike Odysseus

Forthwith fastened the lid and a cord cast quickly around it

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

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

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

450

Warm bath-water—to such an attention all unaccustomed

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

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

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

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

455

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

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

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

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

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

460

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

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

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

"Nausicaa, fair daughter of Alcinous great-hearted,

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

465

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

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

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

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

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

470

Then drew nearer the herald conducting the sweet-voiced singer

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

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

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

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

475

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

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

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

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

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

480

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

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

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

Now did they stretch forth hands to the food that was lying before them,

Till, when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup,

485

Calling to Demodocus thus spake deep-plotting Odysseus:

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

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

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

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

490

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

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

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

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

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

495

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

Then shall I never be weary proclaiming to every mortal

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

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

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

500

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

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

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

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

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

505

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

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

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

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

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

510

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

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

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

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

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

515

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

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

Deïphobus like Ares he went with divine Menelaus.

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

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

520

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

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

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

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

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

525

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

Piercingly shrieking she claspeth his body—but foemen behind her

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

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

Where with her withering cheeks she in pitiful misery pineth—

530

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

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

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

Sitting anigh to his side; and hearing him heavily groaning

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

535

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

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

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

Since our supper began and the godlike singer aroused him

Never as yet hath the stranger with pitiful grieving and groaning

540

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

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

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

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

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

545

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

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

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

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

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

550

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

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

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

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

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

555

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

Since Phaeacian ships need never a pilot to steer them,

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

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

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

560

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

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

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

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

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

565

Jealous because we afforded infallible escort to all men.

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

Over the mist-bound deep from a convoy returns shall the sea-god

Smite her to pieces and whelm with the mass of a mountain the city.'

Such was the rede of my sire ; and the god peradventure will do so,

570

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

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

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

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

Whether to savages wanton and wild and despisers of justice,

575

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

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

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

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

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

580

Perished perchance some kinsman of thine 'neath Ilian ramparts,

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

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

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

Comrade trusty and brave? Since nowise less than a brother

585

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

Notes on the current edition

Odyssey

1. 1

2. 2

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

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

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

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

source

All those attending the athletic event ‘felt delight’, as expressed by way of the verb terpesthai; in Hittite, the cognate noun tarpa-, likewise derived from the root *terp-, is used with reference to athletic events. (See MoM 4§78.)

source

Homer Odyssey 8.121

A. T. Murray (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

Euryalus

"Well hast thou spoke," (Euryalus replies,)

"Thine is the guest, invite him thou to rise."

Ulysses

ODYSSEY BOOK VIII

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS

Notes on the current edition

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

Euryalus "Well hast thou spoke," (Euryalus replies,) "Thine is the guest, invite him thou to rise."

Ulysses

ODYSSEY BOOK VIII

PATTEN WILSON ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS

Notes on the current edition

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Euryalus

"Well hast thou spoke," (Euryalus replies,)

"Thine is the guest, invite him thou to rise."

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS TAKES PART IN THE CONTESTS