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311 "This hound," answered Eumaios, "belonged to him who has died in a far country. If he were what he was when Odysseus left for Troy , he would soon show you what he could do. There was not a wild beast in the forest that could get away from him when he was once on its tracks. But now he has fallen on evil times, for his master is dead and gone, and the women take no care of him. Servants never do their work when their master's hand is no longer over them, for Zeus takes half the goodness [ aretê] out of a man when he makes a slave of him."

324 As he spoke he went inside the buildings to the room where the suitors were, but Argos died as soon as he had recognized his master.

328 Telemakhos saw Eumaios long before any one else did, and beckoned him to come and sit beside him; so he looked about and saw a seat lying near where the carver sat serving out their portions to the suitors; he picked it up, brought it to Telemakhos’ table, and sat down opposite him. Then the servant brought him his portion, and gave him bread from the bread-basket.

336 Immediately afterwards Odysseus came inside, looking like a poor miserable old beggar, leaning on his staff and with his clothes all in rags. He sat down upon the threshold of ash-wood just inside the doors leading from the outer to the inner court, and against a bearing-post of cypress-wood which the carpenter had skillfully planed, and had made to join truly with rule and line. Telemakhos took a whole loaf from the bread-basket, with as much meat as he could hold in his two hands, and said to Eumaios, "Take this to the stranger, and tell him to go the round of the suitors, and beg from them; a beggar must not be shamefaced [ aidôs]."

Odyssey. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1900 (?).

Current edition Perseus

Odyssey (English) (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.)

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.) — 17.290 focus

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·

290

ἂν δὲ κύων κεφαλήν τε καὶ οὔατα κείμενος ἔσχεν,

Ἄργος, Ὀδυσσῆος ταλασίφρονος, ὅν ῥά ποτʼ αὐτὸς

θρέψε μέν, οὐδʼ ἀπόνητο, πάρος δʼ εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρὴν

ᾤχετο. τὸν δὲ πάροιθεν ἀγίνεσκον νέοι ἄνδρες

αἶγας ἐπʼ ἀγροτέρας ἠδὲ πρόκας ἠδὲ λαγωούς·

295

δὴ τότε κεῖτʼ ἀπόθεστος ἀποιχομένοιο ἄνακτος,

ἐν πολλῇ κόπρῳ, ἥ οἱ προπάροιθε θυράων

ἡμιόνων τε βοῶν τε ἅλις κέχυτʼ, ὄφρʼ ἂν ἄγοιεν

δμῶες Ὀδυσσῆος τέμενος μέγα κοπρήσοντες·

ἔνθα κύων κεῖτʼ Ἄργος, ἐνίπλειος κυνοραιστέων.

300

δὴ τότε γʼ, ὡς ἐνόησεν Ὀδυσσέα ἐγγὺς ἐόντα,

οὐρῇ μέν ῥʼ ὅ γʼ ἔσηνε καὶ οὔατα κάββαλεν ἄμφω,

ἆσσον δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἔπειτα δυνήσατο οἷο ἄνακτος

ἐλθέμεν· αὐτὰρ ὁ νόσφιν ἰδὼν ἀπομόρξατο δάκρυ,

ῥεῖα λαθὼν Εὔμαιον, ἄφαρ δʼ ἐρεείνετο μύθῳ·

305

Εὔμαιʼ, ἦ μάλα θαῦμα, κύων ὅδε κεῖτʼ ἐνὶ κόπρῳ.

καλὸς μὲν δέμας ἐστίν, ἀτὰρ τόδε γʼ οὐ σάφα οἶδα,

εἰ δὴ καὶ ταχὺς ἔσκε θέειν ἐπὶ εἴδεϊ τῷδε,

ἦ αὔτως οἷοί τε τραπεζῆες κύνες ἀνδρῶν

γίγνοντʼ· ἀγλαΐης δʼ ἕνεκεν κομέουσιν ἄνακτες.

310

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·

καὶ λίην ἀνδρός γε κύων ὅδε τῆλε θανόντος.

εἰ τοιόσδʼ εἴη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ ἔργα,

οἷόν μιν Τροίηνδε κιὼν κατέλειπεν Ὀδυσσεύς,

αἶψά κε θηήσαιο ἰδὼν ταχυτῆτα καὶ ἀλκήν.

315

οὐ μὲν γάρ τι φύγεσκε βαθείης βένθεσιν ὕλης

κνώδαλον, ὅττι δίοιτο· καὶ ἴχνεσι γὰρ περιῄδη·

νῦν δʼ ἔχεται κακότητι, ἄναξ δέ οἱ ἄλλοθι πάτρης

ὤλετο, τὸν δὲ γυναῖκες ἀκηδέες οὐ κομέουσι.

δμῶες δʼ, εὖτʼ ἂν μηκέτʼ ἐπικρατέωσιν ἄνακτες,

320

οὐκέτʼ ἔπειτʼ ἐθέλουσιν ἐναίσιμα ἐργάζεσθαι·

ἥμισυ γάρ τʼ ἀρετῆς ἀποαίνυται εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς

ἀνέρος, εὖτʼ ἄν μιν κατὰ δούλιον ἦμαρ ἕλῃσιν.

ὣς εἰπὼν εἰσῆλθε δόμους εὖ ναιετάοντας,

βῆ δʼ ἰθὺς μεγάροιο μετὰ μνηστῆρας ἀγαυούς.

325

Ἄργον δʼ αὖ κατὰ μοῖρʼ ἔλαβεν μέλανος θανάτοιο,

αὐτίκʼ ἰδόντʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἐεικοστῷ ἐνιαυτῷ.

τὸν δὲ πολὺ πρῶτος ἴδε Τηλέμαχος θεοειδὴς

ἐρχόμενον κατὰ δῶμα συβώτην, ὦκα δʼ ἔπειτα

νεῦσʼ ἐπὶ οἷ καλέσας· ὁ δὲ παπτήνας ἕλε δίφρον

330

κείμενον, ἔνθα τε δαιτρὸς ἐφίζεσκε κρέα πολλὰ

δαιόμενος μνηστῆρσι δόμον κάτα δαινυμένοισι·

τὸν κατέθηκε φέρων πρὸς Τηλεμάχοιο τράπεζαν

ἀντίον, ἔνθα δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτὸς ἐφέζετο· τῷ δʼ ἄρα κῆρυξ

μοῖραν ἑλὼν ἐτίθει κανέου τʼ ἐκ σῖτον ἀείρας.

335

Translations (8)

Odyssey Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.) — 17.290 focus

290 Thus they spoke to one another. And a hound that lay there raised his head and pricked up his ears, Argos , the hound of Odysseus, of the steadfast heart, whom of old he had himself bred, but had no joy of him, for ere that he went to sacred Ilios . In days past the young men were wont to take the hound to hunt 295 the wild goats, and deer, and hares; but now he lay neglected, his master gone, in the deep dung of mules and cattle, which lay in heaps before the doors, till the slaves of Odysseus should take it away to dung his wide lands. 300 There lay the hound Argos , full of vermin; yet even now, when he marked Odysseus standing near, he wagged his tail and dropped both his ears, but nearer to his master he had no longer strength to move. Then Odysseus looked aside and wiped away a tear, 305 easily hiding from Eumaeus what he did; and straightway he questioned him, and said: “Eumaeus, verily it is strange that this hound lies here in the dung. He is fine of form, but I do not clearly know whether he has speed of foot to match this beauty or whether he is merely as table-dogs 310 are, which their masters keep for show.” To him then, swineherd Eumaeus, didst thou make answer and say: “Aye, verily this is the hound of a man that has died in a far land. If he were but in form and in action such as he was when Odysseus left him and went to Troy , 315 thou wouldest soon be amazed at seeing his speed and his strength. No creature that he started in the depths of the thick wood could escape him, and in tracking too he was keen of scent. But now he is in evil plight, and his master has perished far from his native land, and the heedless women give him no care. 320 Slaves, when their masters lose their power, are no longer minded thereafter to do honest service: for Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, takes away half his worth from a man, when the day of slavery comes upon him.” So saying, he entered the stately house 325 and went straight to the hall to join the company of the lordly wooers. But as for Argos , the fate of black death seized him straightway when he had seen Odysseus in the twentieth year. Now as the swineherd came through the hall godlike Telemachus was far the first to see him, and quickly 330 with a nod he called him and to his side. And Eumaeus looked about him and took a stool that lay near, on which the carver was wont to sit when carving for the wooers the many joints of meat, as they feasted in the hall. This he took and placed at the table of Telemachus, over against him, and there sat down himself. And a herald 335 took a portion of meat and set it before him, and bread from out the basket.

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 17.290 focus

As they were thus talking, a dog that had been lying asleep raised his head and pricked up his ears. This was Argos, whom patient-hearted Odysseus had bred before setting out for Troy, but he had never had any work out of him. In the old days he used to be taken out by the young men [295] when they went hunting wild goats, or deer, or hares, but now that his master was gone he was lying neglected on the heaps of mule and cow dung that lay in front of the stable doors till the men should come and draw it away to manure the great field; [300] and he was full of fleas. As soon as he saw Odysseus standing there, he dropped his ears and wagged his tail, but he could not get close up to his master. When Odysseus saw the dog on the other side of the yard, [305] he dashed a tear from his eyes without Eumaios seeing it, and said:

“Eumaios, what a noble hound that is over yonder on the manure heap: his build is splendid; is he as fine as he looks, or is he only one of those dogs that come begging about a table, [310] and are kept merely for show?” “This hound,” answered Eumaios, “belonged to him who has died in a far country. If he were what he was when Odysseus left for Troy, [315] he would soon show you what he could do. There was not a wild beast in the forest that could get away from him when he was once on its tracks. But now he has fallen on evil times, for his master is dead and gone, and the women take no care of him. [320] Servants never do their work when their master’s hand is no longer over them, for Zeus of the wide brows takes half the goodness [ aretē] out of a man when he makes a slave of him.”

As he spoke he went [325] inside the buildings to the hall where the suitors were, but Argos died as soon as he had recognized his master.

Godlike Telemachus saw Eumaios long before any one else did, and beckoned him [330] to come and sit beside him; so he looked about and saw a seat lying near where the carver sat serving out their portions to the suitors; he picked it up, brought it to Telemachus’ table, and sat down opposite him. Then the servant [335] brought him his portion, and gave him bread from the bread-basket.

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 17.290 focus

So talked the twain. A dog was lying near,

355

And lifted up his head and pricked his ears.

'T was Argus, which the much-enduring man

Ulysses long before had reared, but left

Untried, when for the hallowed town of Troy

He sailed. The young men oft had led him forth

360

In eager chase of wild goats, stags, and hares ;

But now, his master far away, he lay

Neglected, just before the stable doors,

Amid the droppings of the mules and beeves,

Heaped high till carried to the spacious fields

365

Of which Ulysses was the lord. There lay

Argus, devoured with vermin. As he saw

Ulysses drawing near, he wagged his tail

And dropped his ears, but found that he could come

No nearer to his master. Seeing this,

370

Ulysses wiped away a tear unmarked

By the good swineherd, whom he questioned thus:-

"Eumæus, this I marvel at, this dog,

That lies upon the dunghill, beautiful

In form, but whether in the chase as fleet

375

As he is fairly shaped I cannot tell.

Worthless, perchance, as house-dogs often are,

Whose masters keep them for the sake of show."

And thus, Eumæus, thou didst make reply:

"The dog belongs to one who died afar.

380

Had he the power of limb which once he had

For feats of hunting when Ulysses sailed

For Troy and left him, thou wouldst be amazed

Both at his swiftness and his strength. No beast

In the thick forest depths which once he saw,

385

Or even tracked by footprints, could escape.

And now he is a sufferer, since his lord

Has perished far from his own land. No more

The careless women heed the creature's wants;

For, when the master is no longer near,

390

The servants cease from their appointed tasks,

And on the day that one becomes a slave

The Thunderer, Jove, takes half his worth away."

He spake, and, entering that fair dwelling-place,

Passed through to where the illustrious suitors sat,

395

While over Argus the black night of death

Came suddenly as soon as he had seen

Ulysses, absent now for twenty years.

Telemachus, the godlike, was the first

To mark the swineherd coming through the hall,

400

And, nodding, called to him. The swineherd looked

About him, and beheld a seat on which

The carver of the feast was wont to sit,

Distributing the meats. He bore it thence

And placed it opposite Telemachus,

405

And at his table. Then he sat him down,

And thither came the herald, bringing him

A portion of the feast, and gave him bread

From the full canister.

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 17.290 focus

Thus near the gates conferring as they drew,

Argus, the dog, his ancient master knew;

345

He, not unconscious of the voice and tread,

Lifts to the sound his ear, and rears his head;

Bred by Ulysses, nourish'd at his board,

But ah! not fated long to please his lord!

To him, his swiftness and his strength were vain;

350

The voice of glory call'd him o'er the main.

Till then in every sylvan chase renown'd,

With Argus, Argus, rung the woods around:

With him the youth pursued the goat or fawn,

Or traced the mazy leveret o'er the lawn.

355

Now left to man's ingratitude he lay,

Unhous'd, neglected in the public way;

And where on heaps the rich manure was spread,

Obscene with reptiles, took his sordid bed.

He knew his lord; he knew, and strove to meet;

360

In vain he strove, to crawl, and kiss his feet;

Yet (all he could) his tail, his ears, his eyes

Salute his master, and confess his joys.

Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul;

Adown his cheek a tear unbidden stole,

365

Stole unperceiv'd; he turn'd his head and dried

The drop humane; then thus impassion'd cried:

Ulysses

"What noble beast in this abandon'd state

'Lies here all helpless at Ulysses' gate?

'His bulk and beauty speak no vulgar praise:
370

'If, as he seems, he was in better days,

'Some care his age deserves; or was he priz'd

'For worthless beauty? therefore now despis'd:

'Such dogs and men there are, mere things of state:

'And always cherish'd by their friends, the great.'
375

Eumaeus

'Not Argus so,' (Eumaeus thus rejoin'd,)

'But serv'd a master of a nobler kind,

'Who never, never shall behold him more!

'Long, long since perish'd on a distant shore!

'Oh had you seen him, vigorous, bold, and young,
380

'Swift as a stag, and as a lion strong:

'Him no fell savage on the plain withstood,

'None 'scaped him bosom'd in the gloomy wood:

'His eye how piercing, and his scent how true,

'To wind the vapour in the tainted dew!
385

"Such, when Ulysses left his natal coast;

"Now years unnerve him, and his lord is lost!

'The women keep the generous creature bare,

'A sleek and idle race is all their care:

'The master gone, the servants what restrains?
390

'Or dwells humanity where riot reigns?

'Jove fix'd it certain, that whatever day

'Makes man a slave, takes half his worth away.'

This said, the honest herdsman strode before:

The musing monarch pauses at the door:

395

The dog, whom fate had granted to behold

His lord, when twenty tedious years had roll'd,

Takes a last look, and, having seen him, dies:

So closed for ever faithful Argus' eyes!¹

And now Telemachus, the first of all,

400

Observ'd Eumaeus entering in the hall;

Distant he saw, across the shady dome;

Then gave a sign, and beckon'd him to come.

There stood an empty seat, where late was placed,

In order due, the steward of the feast,

405

(Who now was busied carving round the board,)

Eumaeus took, and placed it near his lord.

Before him instant was the banquet spread,

And the bright basket piled with loaves of bread.

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 17.290 focus

While they discoursed thus before the door,

270

Ulysses dog held up his head and ears,

Argus by name, that had been long before

Well look'd to, ere Ulysses went to Troy.

They with him cours'd the wild goat, deer, and hare;

But all the while his master was away,

275

The servants of his keeping took no care,

But on the dung before the door he lay,

Which there was heap'd to manure fields and leas,

From many mules and cattle fal'n away.

There lay the old dog Argus, full of fleas;

280

And, as Ulysses near was, couch'd his ears,

And fawned with his tail, but could not rise;

And which Eumaeus did not see, the tears

Ready to fall were from Ulysses' eyes.

And then Ulysses to Eumaeus said:

285

This is a very well-shap'd dog I see,

'Tis strange to see him on a dunghill laid.

I know not whether also swift he be,

Or for his beauty only was he fed,

As lords make much of dogs for being fine,

290

And at their tables see them cherished.

Then answered the master of the swine:

The master of him is of life bereft.

If now he were the same for shape and deed

He then was when Ulysses here him left,

295

You'd quickly see he had both strength and speed.

There was no beast he once saw in the wood

That could escape him; for not only swift,

But also at a scent was very good:

But now himself scarce able is to lift;

300

For why, his master being dead and gone,

He was not left unto the woman's care;

And when the master is not looking on,

Men-servants of their duty careless are.

For half the virtue taken is away

305

Of whosoever is to service tied.

This said, into the house he went his way;

And Argus, having seen his master, died.

Telemachus, the first that saw him enter,

Unto him nodded to come to his seat.

310

A chopping-board was near him by adventure;

He took up that, whereon to eat his meat;

And near Telemachus he placed the same.

A waiter sets before him flesh and bread.

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 17.290 focus

A dog, call'd Argus, which, before his way

Assumed for Ilion, Ulysses bred,

Yet stood his pleasure then in little stead,

As being too young, but, growing to his grace,

390

Young men made choice of him for every chace,

Or of their wild goats, of their hares, or harts.

But, his king gone, and he, now past his parts,

Lay all abjectly on the stable's store,

Before the ox-stall, and mules' stable door,

395

To keep the clothes cast from the peasants' hands,

While they laid compass on Ulysses' lands,

The dog, with ticks (unlook'd to) overgrown.

But by this dog no sooner seen but known

Was wise Ulysses, who new enter'd there,

400

Up went his dog's laid ears, and, coming near,

Up he himself rose, fawn'd, and wagg'g his stern,

Couch'd close his ears, and lay so; nor discern

Could evermore his dear-loved lord again.

Ulysses saw it, nor had power t' abstain

405

From shedding tears; which (far-off seeing his swain)

He dried from his sight clean; to whom he thus

His grief dissembled: "'Tis miraculous,

That such a dog as this should have his lair

On such a dunghill, for his form is fair.

410

And yet, I know not, if there were in him

Good pace, or parts, for all his goodly limb;

Or he lived empty of those inward things,

As are those trencher-beagles tending kings,

Whom for their pleasure's, or their glory's, sake,

415

Or fashion, they into their favours take."

"This dog," said he, "was servant to one dead

A huge time since. But if he bore his head,

For form and quality, of such a height,

As when Ulysses, bound for th' Ilion fight,

420

Or quickly after, left him, your rapt eyes

Would then admire to see him use his thighs

In strength and swiftness. He would nothing fly,

Nor anything let 'scape. If once his eye

Seized any wild beast, he knew straight his scent;

425

Go where he would, away with him he went.

Nor was there ever any savage stood

Amongst the thickets of the deepest wood

Long time before him, but he pull'd him down;

As well by that true hunting to be shown

430

In such vast coverts, as for speed of pace

In any open lawn. For in deep chace

He was a passing wise and well-nosed hound.

And yet is all this good in him uncrown'd

With any grace here now, nor he more fed

435

Than any errant cur. His king is dead,

Far from his country; and his servants are

So negligent they lend his hound no care.

Where masters rule not, but let men alone,

You never there see honest service done.

440

That man's half virtue Jove takes quite away,

That once is sun-burnt with the servile day."

This said, he enter'd the well-builded towers,

Up bearing right upon the glorious Wooers,

And left poor Argus dead; his lord's first sight

445

Since that time twenty years bereft his sight.

Telemachus did far the first behold

Eumæus enter, and made signs he should

Come up to him. He, noting, came, and took

On earth his seat. And then the master cook

450

Served in more banquet; of which, part he set

Before the Wooers, part the prince did get,

Who sate alone, his table placed aside;

To which the herald did the bread divide.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 17.290 focus

Thus they discoursing stood; Argus the while,

Ulysses' dog, uplifted where he lay

350

His head and ears erect. Ulysses him

Had bred long since himself, but rarely used,

Departing first to Ilium. Him the youths

In other days led frequent to the chace

Of wild goat, hart, and hare; but now he lodged

355

A poor old cast-off, of his Lord forlorn,

Where mules and oxen had before the gate

Much ordure left, with which Ulysses' hinds

Should, in due time, manure his spacious fields.

There lay, with dog-devouring vermin foul

360

All over, Argus; soon as he perceived

Long-lost Ulysses nigh, down fell his ears

Clapp'd close, and with his tail glad sign he gave

Of gratulation, impotent to rise

And to approach his master as of old.

365

Ulysses, noting him, wiped off a tear

Unmark'd, and of Eumæus quick enquired.

I can but wonder seeing such a dog

Thus lodged, Eumæus! beautiful in form

He is, past doubt, but whether he hath been

370

As fleet as fair I know not; rather such

Perchance as masters sometimes keep to grace

Their tables, nourish'd more for show than use.

To whom, Eumæus, thou didst thus reply.

He is the dog of one dead far remote.

375

But had he now such feat-performing strength

As when Ulysses left him going hence

To Ilium, in one moment thou shouldst mark,

Astonish'd his agility and force.

He never in the sylvan deep recess

380

The wild beast saw that 'scaped him, and he track'd

Their steps infallible; but he hath now

No comfort, for (the master dead afar,)

The heedless servants care not for his dog.

Domestics, missing once their Lord's controul,

385

Grow wilful, and refuse their proper tasks;

For whom Jove dooms to servitude, he takes

At once the half of that man's worth away.

He said, and, entering at the portal, join'd

The suitors. Then his destiny released

390

Old Argus, soon as he had lived to see

Ulysses in the twentieth year restored.

Godlike Telemachus, long ere the rest,

Marking the swine-herd's entrance, with a nod

Summon'd him to approach. Eumæus cast

395

His eye around, and seeing vacant there

The seat which the dispenser of the feast

Was wont to occupy while he supplied

The numerous guests, planted it right before

Telemachus, and at his table sat,

400

On which the herald placed for him his share

Of meat, and from the baskets gave him bread.

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 17 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK XVII

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

Telemachus, loved son of the godlike hero Odysseus,

Straightway under his feet bound firmly his beautiful sandals,

Took then his stalwart spear, well fitting the grasp of his fingers,

Meaning to start forthwith for the town; & he spake to his swineherd :

"Well now, dad, I shall go to the city in order to show me

Unto my mother, for never—of this I am sure—she will never

Cease from her wretched bewailing and shedding of tears and lamenting

Ere she beholdeth my face. Now list to the orders I give thee:

This poor stranger I wish thee to guide to the city and bid him

There go beg for his food, and let every one who is willing

Reach him a crust and a cup; but for me it is possible nowise

All such beggars to house, for my spirit is burdened with sorrows.

Should he be sorely offended thereat, he will only be making

All of it worse for himself. I prefer to be open and truthful."

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

"Neither myself, O friend, am I wishful at all to be kept here,

Since for a beggar it's better by far in the town than the country

Begging his bread. I shall get it from every one that is willing.

Nor am I longer, I trow, of an age to abide on a farmstead

Where I shall need to obey the commands of a master in all things.

Nay now, go on thy way. This man, as thou biddest, shall guide me,

After I've thaw'd me a bit by the fire and the sunlight is warmer.

Wearing a raiment so terribly tattered I fear to encounter

Hoar-frost early a-morn; and ye said that the city is distant."

Thus did he speak, and the youth went forth of the hut and the farmyard

Striding apace; and he sowed as he went ill doom for the suitors;

Till, when at last he arrived at the pleasant abode of his fathers,

Taking the spear that he bore on a high roof-pillar he leaned it;

Over the threshold of stone then stepping he entered the mansion.

Here was the first to behold him the old nurse Eurycleia,

While she was reserving the seats and their delicate carvings with fleeces.

Sobbing she hurried to meet him, and round him assembled the others,

All of the women attendants of long-enduring Odysseus,

Lovingly offering welcome and kissing his head and his shoulders.

Then came forth of her chamber the wise-souled Penelopeia,

Like to the daughter of Leto or Queen Aphrodite the golden,

Fell on the neck of her child, her belov'd, and embraced him, and sobbing

Kissed him on both of his cheeks, on his beautiful eyes and his forehead;

Then with a pitiful cry these swift-winged words she addressed him :

"Telemachus, sweet light of my eyes, thou art come! and I thought not

E'er to behold thee again when I knew thee departed for Pylos

Secretly—ay and despite of my wishes—to seek for thy father.

Ah but inform me at once: was a sign to be seen of his presence?"

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Mother, arouse no wailing, I pray thee, nor stir in my bosom

Sorrow of heart! I am barely escaped from utter destruction.

Nay now, bathe thee in water and cast fresh raiment around thee,

Then to thy upper apartment ascend with the women thy handmaids;

There make vows to perform to the gods sufficing oblation,

Praying that Zeus may haply accomplish the work of requital.

Now I shall go to the square and invite me a guest to the palace,

Even a stranger who joined us when hither returning from Pylos.

Him did I forward send with the rest of my goodly companions,

Telling my mate Peiraeus to take him as guest to his homestead,

Yea and to treat him with care and with honour until my arrival."

Thus did he speak, and the word that he uttered abode with her wingless.

Forthwith bathing in water she cast fresh raiment around her,

Then made vows to perform to the gods sufficing oblation,

Praying that Zeus might haply accomplish the work of requital.

Telemachus straightway fared forth from the hall of the palace,

Bearing a spear in his hand, and by dogs fleet-footed was followed.

O'er him a wondrous beauty was shed by the goddess Athene,

So that the folk all gazed in astonishment while he approached them.

Round him at once there gathered a throng of the arrogant suitors

Speaking him fair, while deep in their bosoms they brooded on evil.

These however he shunned and the press of the people avoiding

Came where Mentor was sitting with Antiphos and Halitherses,

Friends still faithful as ever of yore to the house of his father.

Here then he sat him adown; and they asked him of all that had happened.

Now Peiraeus approached, bold spearman, escorting the stranger

Thorough the town to the place of the council; nor longer a moment

Telemachus held back from the stranger, but hastened to meet him.

First however began Peiraeus to speak and addressed him :

"Telemachus, send some of thy maidens at once to my homestead,

So that they bring to thee all of the gifts of the prince Menelaus."

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Nay, Peiraeus, we know not as yet how all shall be ended.

Should these arrogant suitors infesting the halls of my mansion

Slay me by stealth, and divide my paternal possessions among them,

Rather for thee to enjoy than for any of them be the presents!

Should however I sow for the fellows death and destruction,

Then shall I gladly permit thee to bring these gifts to my homestead."

These words uttered, he guided his waywarn guest to the palace,

Till, when at last they arrived at the pleasant abode of his fathers,

Laying aside their mantles of wool on the chairs and the couches,

Into the bath with its tub well-polished they entered and washed them.

Then, when the women had bathed them and rubbed them with oil of the olive,

Throwing around them again soft woollen mantles and tunics,

Out of the tub of the bath they returned and on couches reclined them.

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

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

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

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

Lavishly adding thereto from her stores full many a dainty.

Fronting the prince was his mother, anigh to the post of the doorway,

Lying reclined on her couch, and a delicate thread she was spinning.

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,

Thus she began to address him, the wise-souled Penelopeia :

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"Telemachus, I shall now to my upper apartment ascending

Lay me again on the bed that is ever the place of my groanings,

Watered so oft by my tears from the day that Odysseus thy father

Sailed with the lordly Atridae for Ilion. Yea, for thou car'st not,

Ere that the arrogant suitors return to the hall of the palace,

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Plainly to tell me if aught thou hast heard of thy father's returning."

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Well now, mother, the whole of the truth I will fully relate thee.

Firstly to Pylos we came, where Nestor, the prince of the people,

Bidding me welcome as guest in his high-roofed palace received me,

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Lovingly treated me too, as a father his son that has wandered

Long in a country of strangers and newly is come to his homeland.

Lovingly thus by the king and his valiant sons I was treated.

Still, of my sire, stout-hearted Odysseus, as yet, he asserted,

Whether as dead or alive, no mortal had given him tidings.

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Natheless unto the spearman renowned, Menelaus Atrides,

Onward he sent me, and steeds and a strong-built car he provided.

Here too Helen of Argos I saw, whose beauty so many

Sufferings brought, by the will of the gods, on the Trojans and Argives.

Forthwith questioned me then Menelaus good at the war-cry

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What was the wish that had led me to visit divine Lacedaemon;

Straight I replied and the whole of the truth to the prince I related.

Then once more did he speak and thus he addressed me in answer:

'Nay, by the gods! in the bed of a man right valiant-hearted

These have chosen a couch for themselves—poor cowardly creatures!

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E'en as it haps when a hind in the lair of a powerful lion

Maketh a bed for her fawns, new-litter'd and delicate sucklings,

Fares then forth to the slopes and the grassy ravines of the mountains

Seeking for pasture—and lo, to his covert returning the lion

Suddenly maketh of both of the yeanlings a terrible ending;

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Thus shall a terrible ending be made of the men by Odysseus.

Would that, by Father Zeus and Athena and Phoebus Apollo,

Such as he proved when of yore in the flourishing island of Lesbos

Fearless he met with the huge Philomeleides in a contest,

Wrestled and heavily threw him, and all the Achaeans exulted;

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Would that he came—e'en such an Odysseus—to visit the suitors,

Bringing to all of them speedy perdition and nuptials of anguish !

Now for the matter whereof thou dost ask and entreat me, I promise

Nought will I wrest from the truth, nor evasively speak and deceive thee;

All that the ancient god of the sea—that prophet unerring—

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Told me, of this will I nought keep back nor attempt to conceal it.

Once on an island, he said, he had seen him and suffering sorely,

Held in the halls of Calypso the nymph; and she still with compulsion

Keepeth him there all hopeless of reaching the land of his fathers,

Since no ship he possesses with oars well fitted or comrades

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Such as to help him to traverse the wide expanses of ocean.'

Such words uttered the spearman renown'd Menelaus Atrides.

This then finished I started again, and a favouring stern-breeze

Sent by the gods soon wafted me back to the land of my fathers."

Thus did he end, and his words moved deeply the heart in her bosom.

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Then did the seer divine Theoclýmenus speak and address her :

"Lady and honoured wife of Odysseus the son of Laertes,

He knows nothing for certain; but list to the word I shall utter :

Lo as a prophet I tell thee the truth nor will try to conceal it :

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

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

Verily now already Odysseus is here in his homeland

Resting or stealing around; and of all these crimes he is learning;

Yea he is here, and is sowing disaster for all of the suitors, —

Such was the omen that lately anigh to the well-decked vessel,

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Where I was sitting, I saw; and to Telemachus I proclaimed it."

Him then in turn gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia :

“Ah and I would, O stranger, thy word might find a fulfilment !

Quickly enough thou'dst know of my friendship, and many a present

Out of my hands, and be envied of every mortal that met thee."

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Thus these three as they sat held converse one with another.

Meantime sported the suitors in front of the hall of Odysseus

Taking delight in the hurling of spears and in casting the discus,

Using the levelled ground that was often the scene of their uproars,

Till, when the season of supper was there and from every quarter

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Came from the pastures the sheep, with the men who conducted them alway,

Then spake Medon the herald (the one that of all of the henchmen

Pleased them the best and was aye in attendance whenever they feasted):

"Now, young masters, with sports all hearts are fully contented;

Get you again to the house, and a banquet we there will prepare us.

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Much do I know that is worse than enjoying a supper in season."

Thus as he spake they arose and departed, obeying his summons.

Then, when they all had arrived at the fair-built house of Odysseus,

Laying aside their mantles of wool on the chairs and the couches,

Straight of the sheep and the goats they began choice fatlings to slaughter,

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Slaughtered as well fat hogs, and they took of the cattle a heifer,

Making them ready a feast.

But to start for the town from the farmstead

Now did Odysseus and also the good old swineherd bestir them.

Then of the twain first spake Eumaeus master of swineherds:

"Since thou art eagerly wishing, my friend, to be gone to the city

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Even to-day, as the master commanded—although for my own part

Here far liefer I'd leave thee behind as a guard of the steading—

Natheless, since I revere him and dread lest haply hereafter

Words of rebuke he shall utter (it pains when a master reproves one),"

So come now let us start, for the day, as thou seest, is already

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Fully advanced; it will soon strike colder as even approacheth."

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

"Ay but I know it, I know it, and well understand what thou wishest.

Well—let us go! Thou shalt guide me the whole of the way to the city.

Give me a stick, I beseech thee, if one cut ready thou ownest,

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Such as to steady my steps; for ye called it a treacherous footpath."

These words spoken he slung on his shoulders the beggarly wallet,

Terribly tattered and torn, with a twisted cord to suspend it,

While Eumaeus provided a staff—e'en such as he wished for.

Thus these twain fared forth; but the dogs and the drivers remained there

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Guarding the farm, while down to the city he guided his master

Under the form of a beggar, a man right wretched and agéd,

Staying his steps with a staff and invested in sorry apparel.

So when at last by a path full narrow and stony descending

Nigh to the gate of the city they came, they arrived at a fountain

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Bountiful, basin'd in stone, whence water is drawn by the townsman

(Ithacus built it, and Neritus later and also Polyctor).

Round it a thicket of alders, that love to be nourished by moisture,

Wholly encircled the spring; and the clear cold water was falling

Down from the height of a rock, and above was erected an altar

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Unto the nymphs, at the which all travellers made an oblation.

Here did it hap that the goatherd Melanthius lighted upon them,

Driving his goats—prime beasts for the food of the suitors selected,

Chosen from all of the flocks. And he brought two drivers to help him.

Now as he saw those twain he reviled them, and loudly addressed them

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Words indecent and shocking that angered the heart of Odysseus:

"Lo and behold! E'en so! One scoundrel is leading another!

How it is true that a like and like heav'n bringeth together!

Where art thou taking this gluttonous hog, thou detestable swineherd—

Taking this pestilent knave of a beggar, this spoiler of banquets,

220

One that for aye will be loafing and rubbing his shoulders on door-posts,

Begging for morsels of meat ?—not, I trow, for a sword or a kettle!

Shouldst thou allow me the lout to be left as a guard in my steading,

Sweep me the stalls and supply to the kids fresh branches for fodder,

Soon with the swilling of whey he'd grow him a thigh—and a fat one!

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Since however a right bad trade he hath learned, he will never

PATTEN WILSON.
THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS

Willingly set him to work, for the tramping and begging is doubtless

More to his mind, and to batten on doles his insatiate belly.

Hark! I will tell thee a thing that will certainly find a fulfilment :

Should he attempt to approach to the palace of godlike Odysseus,

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Soon at his head will be hurled by the men full many a footstool,

Barking his ribs, as around all over the palace they pelt him."

These words said, in his fury he kicked as he passed at Odysseus,

Striking his hip—but to thrust him aside from the path it availed not.

Steadily still he remained on the road, and he pondered in spirit

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Whether to rush at the fellow and flog him to death with his cudgel,

Or by the ankles to lift him and shatter his skull on the roadway.

Still he endured it, restraining his wrath; and the swineherd in anger

Glared at the man and uplifting his hands made loud invocation:

"Daughters of Zeus, O Nymphs of the fountain, if ever Odysseus

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Offered you roasted oblation of thighs enwrapt in the caul-fat

Either of rams or of kids, vouchsafe me this longing's fulfilment :

O for the master himself to return! Some deity bring him!

Then shall he scatter to nothing the whole of thy vaunting and glory

Which thou in arrogance bruitest abroad, down here in the city

245

Loafing, and letting thy flocks by the knavish herdsmen be ruined."

Him then in turn gave answer Melanthius master of goatherds:

"Nay by the gods, just list to the bark of the venomous mongrel!

Soon I shall get him aboard of a black-deck'd vessel and take him

Far from the Ithacan isle, and a fortune fine he shall win me.

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Ay and for Telemachus with his silvern bow may Apollo

Smite him to-day! Or I would that he died by the hands of the suitors,

Seeing the day of return for Odysseus is vanished for ever."

These words uttered he left them, and leisurely footing they followed

While that he hastened before and arrived full soon at the palace,

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Straightway entered, and sat him adown in the midst of the suitors

Opposite Eurymachus, who of all to his soul was the dearest.

Quickly a portion of meat was conveyed to his side by the servants,

While that the grave house-dame brought bread, and she set it before him

Bidding him eat.

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Meantime was Odysseus arrived with the swineherd.

260

Nigh to the palace they halted, and music was wafted around them,

Tones of a hollow lute; for beginning to sing was the minstrel

Phemius. Grasping his hand then spake to the swineherd Odysseus:

"Sure, it is here, Eumaeus—the beautiful home of Odysseus!

Yea and in sooth it is easily known midst many a mansion.

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Buildings on buildings! and see how skilfully planned is the courtyard !

Look at the wall and the coping of battlements! Look at the portal,

Double and massively barr'd! 'Twould fear no arms of assailants!

Also I ween that within is a company holding a revel,

Many a man for a savour is floating around us, and music,

270

Tones of a lute, which heaven hath wedded as consort to banquets."

Him then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:

"Easily guessed!—and in sooth ere now not a fool thou appearedst.

Well now, come, let us think how next we shall act in the matter.

Either do thou first enter the pleasant abodes of the palace

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Unto the throng of the suitors, and I outside will await thee,

Else, if it pleaseth thee more, stay here, and as first I will enter.

Long however remain not, for fear lest any beholding

Pelt thee and drive thee away. Now think what is best, I beseech thee."

Forthwith answering spake long-suffering godlike Odysseus :

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"Ay but I know it, I know it, and well understand what thou wishest.

Well then, thou be the foremost to enter; I here will await thee.

Verily neither of missiles nor blows am I lacking in knowledge!

Hardened in sooth is my heart—so many a hardship I suffered

Tossed on the sea and the billows of war. Now this shall be added!

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Also an ill one never can hide is a ravening belly,

Thing accursed that brings on a man right many misfortunes;

Yea, it is nought but the belly that full-benched vessels equippeth,

Vessels that over the waste of the sea bear doom to the foeman."

While these twain stood thus conversing the one with the other

290

Nigh them a dog uplifted his head and his ears as he lay there,

E'en old Argus, the dog whom long-enduring Odysseus

Bred for himself—but in vain. To the sacred town of the Trojans

Ere he had trained him he went ; and at first young fellows had led him

After the goats of the mountain to hunt, and the hares, and the roe-deer;

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Then neglected he lay, in the years when his master was absent,

Making his bed of the muck that was piled in the front of the portal,

Even the dung of the mules and the oxen, before it was carried

Out to the fields of the farm by the thralls of Odysseus to dung them.

There he was lying—the poor old Argus, infested with vermin.

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Yet e'en now, as he looked and was ware that his master was present,

Both of his ears down-dropping and wagging his tail he attempted

Nearer to come to Odysseus his lord, but was wholly unable

Thither to creep; and Odysseus averted his eyes as he saw it,

Drying a tear, that he easily hid from the swineherd, and asked him:

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"Sure, Eumaeus, 'tis strange that the dog should lie on a dunghill.

Goodly in form he appears; but indeed one knows not for certain

Whether he also had fleetness of foot with a beautiful body,

Or if he only was like to a hound that is fed from the table,

Such as so often is kept by the rich on account of his beauty."

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Him then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd :

"Nay, 'tis the dog of a man that is perished afar from his homeland.

Were he again to be gifted with bodily power and prowess,

Were he the dog that was left by Odysseus when sailing for Troyland,

Soon at the sight of his strength thou'dst marvel and also his swiftness.

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E'en in the uttermost depths of the forest was known to escape him

Never a brute that he chased—for at following trail he was peerless.

Now he is fallen on days right evil: his master is perished

Far from his home, and the maids are too neglectful to tend him.

Such is a thrall when his lord no longer commands in the household !

320

Ne'er is he willing to work at his duty as honesty bids him.

Half of his worth doth the Father of heaven who speaketh in thunder

Take from a man when the day of captivity cometh upon him."

These words spoken, he entered the pleasant abodes of the palace.

Straight to the hall he betook him and came to the arrogant suitors,

325

While that the doom and the darkness of death descended on Argus,

Just as again, in the twentieth year, he had welcomed his master.

Now as the swineherd was making his way in the midst of the mansion

Godlike Telemachus was the first to perceive him, and forthwith

Beckoned to bid him approach; and he looked for a settle and found one

330

Standing unused, where wont to be seated at feasts was the carver

While he was portioning messes abundant of meat for the suitors.

This he uplifted and bore to the side of the table and placed it

Opposite Telemachus; and he sat him adown; and a henchman

Served him a portion of meat, and of bread that he took from a basket.

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After him soon now followed Odysseus and entered the palace

Under the form of a beggar, a man right wretched and agéd,

Staying his steps with a staff and invested in sorry apparel.

Down on the threshold of ash inside of the portal he sat him,

Leaning himself on the pillar of cypress, that erst by the joiner

340

Smoothly was planed and was cut to the line with the skill of a master.

Telemachus now called to the swineherd to come, and addressed him,

Taking the whole of a loaf from the midst of a beautiful basket,

Also as much of the meat as to grasp in his hands he was able :

"Carry and give this food to the stranger, and also advise him

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Making the round of the table entreat each one of the suitors,

Seeing it profiteth nought for a mortal in want to be shamefaced."

Thus did he speak, and the swineherd obeying, as soon as he heard it,

Came close up to the man and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Telemachus sends this to thee, stranger, and bids me advise thee

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Making the round of the table entreat each one of the suitors,

Seeing it profiteth nought for a beggar (he saith) to be shamefaced."

Forthwith answering spake these words deep-plotting Odysseus :

"King of the gods, great Zeus, grant Telemachus to be happy

Here amid men, and to gain all blessings his soul desireth."

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Thus did he speak, and in both of his hands he received it, and laid it

Down at his feet, outspreading beneath it his beggarly wallet.

Now as he ate, once more to the feasters the singer was singing,

Till, when at last he had dined and the godlike singer had ended,

Clamour was raised in the hall by the suitors.

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But Pallas Athene,

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Taking her stand by the side of Odysseus the son of Laertes,

Urgently moved him to go and to gather him crusts from the suitors,

So as to learn which men were just, which lawless among them

(Yet e'en so she was minded to save not one from destruction).

So from the right he began and in turn each man he entreated,

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Holding his hand for a dole, like one long practised in begging.

Now while moved by compassion they gave, and beheld him with wonder,

Each one questioning, "Who is the fellow, and where did he come from?"

Thus in the midst addressed them Melanthius master of goatherds:

"List to my words, O suitors of far-famed Penelopeia,

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Touching this stranger! — Methinks ere now I've certainly seen him.

Ay, it is even the beggar the swineherd hither was guiding!

Whence he is come, and the folk that he boasts to belong to, I know not."

Forthwith Antinous outspake upbraiding the swineherd :

"Ah, thou notorious swineherd! and wherefore here to the city

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Bringst thou the man? Dost fancy us lacking in vagrants already,

Lacking in plenty of pestilent beggars and spoilers of banquets?

Deemst thou it nought that the wealth of thy lord is consumed by a rabble

Gathering here in his halls, that thou callst this fellow to join them?"

Him straightway then in answer addressed Eumaeus the swineherd :

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"Antinous, thou art brave, but thy words are truly ignoble.

Where is the man goes searching around for a guest and invites him,

Other than one of the craftsmen that work for the weal of the people,

Either a prophet, a healer of ills, or a master of woodcraft,

Ay or a singer divine, to delight with his singing the feasters?

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Over the whole wide world such guests are bidden to banquets,

While—what mortal inviteth a beggar to come and annoy him?

Ah but thou ever wast hard—and of all of the suitors the hardest—

Unto the thralls of Odysseus, and specially me ! But I care not

Care not a whit so long as the wise-souled Penelopeia

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Lives in the halls of her palace, and Telemachus the heroic."

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Silence, I beg! It is useless to waste more words in replying.

Antinous is accustomed for ever to chide and to quarrel,

Using the bitterest taunts, wherewith he inciteth the others."

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Turning to Antinous then swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Antinous, it is finely thou car'st for me like to a father,

Bidding me chase this stranger away from the hall of my homestead,

Ay and to force him with threats!— May God forfend that I do so !

Come, take something and give it! I grudge not the gift; I enjoin it.

400

Pay not regard to my mother herein, nor to any besides her,

Any attendant that serves in the palace of godlike Odysseus!

Navy but I know such thoughts have never a place in thy bosom:

Liefer by far thou'dst ever be eating than give to another."

Him prince Antinous addressing in turn gave answer :

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"Telemachus, big boaster, unbridled in fury, what prat'st thou ?

Were but the rest of the suitors to make him the present that I shall,

Verily three good months your house would mourn for his absence."

Seizing a stool, as he spake, he displayed it from under the table,

Where it was set as support for his smooth-skinned feet as he feasted.

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All of the rest now offered a bounty, and soon was the wallet

Filled with the bread and the meat; and Odysseus, although he was minded

Straight to the threshold returning to taste of the gift of the princes,

Halted by Antinous, as he passed, and accosted him, saying :

"Give to me, friend!—for thou seemst not the worst of the noble Achaeans,

415

Navy but the best of them all. Thou art like to a monarch among them.

So it behoves thee to give me a still more generous portion

E'en than the others; and over the whole wide world I will laud thee.

Once I was owner of house and of home, and was held by my fellows

Rich in estate, and was wont full often to give to a vagrant,

420

Every beggar, whatever he seemed and whatever he wanted.

Many and many a thrall I possessed and abundance of all things

Such as allow of an easy existence and rich reputation.

Then I was ruined by Father Cronion. I ween that he willed it,

Since it was he who enrolled me with robbers that rove on the ocean

425

Sailing for Egypt—a land far distant and doomed to destroy me.

Here, in the river of Egypt I stationed my twy-beaked galleys;

Then did I issue an order to all of my trusty companions

Quietly there to remain by the side of the vessels and guard them,

While that I sent forth scouts to explore from the neighbouring outlooks.

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Yielding however to wanton desires and to arrogant boldness

Soon they invaded the beautiful fields of the people of Egypt,

Wasting the country and taking away both women and children,

Slaughtering also the men; and the cry reached quickly the city.

These then, hearing the shout, as the new-born day was appearing,

435

Came, and the whole of the plain seemed full of the footmen and horses,

Full of the flashing of bronze; and the god that delighteth in thunder

Cast on my comrades a panic so fearful that none had the courage

Firmly to stand and to face them for danger was pressing on all sides.

Now of my friends with the edge of the sword full many they slaughtered,

440

Many they captured, and led them away to the labours of bondmen.

Me to a stranger that met us they sold, and he took me to Cyprus,

Dmetor descended from Jasus, a powerful Cyprian chieftain.

Thence I escaped, and am hither arrived in the sorest affliction."

Forthwith Antinous uplifting his voice made answer :

445

"Which of the deities sent us this nuisance, this bane of the banquet!

Get thee away to the midst of the hall and apart from my table,

Lest thou shalt come to an Egypt of anguish and Cyprus of sorrow!

Why—what a shameless, audaciously impudent beggar thou seemest,

Worrying each one after the other! And truly they load thee

450

Recklessly, neither withholding the hand nor swayed by a scruple,

Giving the goods of another; and plenty they keep for themselves too!"

Stepping a little aback deep-plotting Odysseus addressed him :

"Navy by the gods, thou'lt lacking in soul though noble in aspect.

Never a morsel of salt thou'dst give to the poor at thy doorway,

455

Seeing that feasting thy full at the board of another thou willst not

Break me a mouthful of bread, though plenty is lying before thee."

Thus did he speak; but the man with a heart more maddened to fury

Glared at Odysseus askance, and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Now no longer, I vow, shalt thou hope to escape or unpunished

460

Out of the hall make good thy retreat for thou utterest insults.”

These words spoken he seized on the stool, and he hurled it and struck him

Under the shoulder atop of the back on the right; but he stood there

Firm as a rock, nor staggered at all by the stroke of the missile,

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

465

Back to the threshold returned, and he sat him adown, and beside him

Laying the well-filled wallet he spake these words to the suitors :

"List to my words, O suitors of far-famed Penelopeia,

While that I utter a thing that the heart in my bosom enjoins me.

Never a pain or a grief would enter the soul of a fighter

470

Should he be smit by the foe while warding them off his possessions,

Fighting perchance in defence of his white-wool'd sheep or his cattle.

Antinous for the sake of the pitiful belly hath struck me,

Thing accursed, that bringeth on men such numberless evils.

Now if in heaven be gods of the beggar, or any Avengers,

475

Ere he shall wed may death put an end to the man and his marriage."

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

"Sit thou in silence, my friend, and attend to thy food—or depart hence—

Lest that because of the words thou hast uttered my younkers shall drag thee

Forth by the hand or the foot and shall strip thee thy skin from thy body."

480

Thus spake Antinous; but his words exceedingly angered

All of the rest, one arrogant youth and another exclaiming :

"Antinous, 'tis ignoble to strike an unfortunate beggar.

Lo, thou art doomed—if indeed there liveth a god in the heavens;

Yea and we know that the gods in the likeness of pilgrims and strangers

485

Many disguises assume as they visit the cities of mortals,

Keeping a watch on the deeds of the lawless and those of the righteous."

Such words uttered the suitors; but little he recked of their prating.

Telemachus meanwhile great grief in his bosom was nursing,

Seeing the blow; but the fall of a tear he restrained, and he sat there

490

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

Now ere long it was heard by the wise-souled Penelopeia

How that the stranger was struck in the hall, and she spake mid her maidens:

"Also be thou so smit by the glorious archer Apollo!"

Then did the house-dame Eurynomé thus answer her, saying:

495

"O for a speedy fulfilment of all our curses upon them!

None would ever again see Morning enthroned in her glory."

Her then addressing in turn spake wise-souled Penelopeia :

"Yea, nurse, all of the men do I hate with their evil devices,

Specially Antinous; as the darkness of death I detest him.

500

Lo, an unfortunate stranger was roaming around in the palace

Begging an alms of the men, for necessity urged him to do so.

Now though all of the rest gave fully and willingly, this man

Smote him behind with a stool on the right at the base of the shoulder."

While now thus she was speaking amidst of her women attendants

505

Up in her chamber, Odysseus was making a meal of the viands.

Then to the good old swineherd she called to approach, and addressed him :

"Good Eumaeus, I pray thee to go and to order the stranger

Hither to come; I am wishful to give him a welcome and ask him

Whether perchance he has heard of the long-enduring Odysseus;

510

Ay and perhaps he has seen him for far, as it seems, he has wandered."

Her then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:

"Ah that the princely Achaeans a while would cease from their clamour !

Such is the charm of his words 'twould ravish thy heart with enchantment.

Three nights long did I keep him and three days granted him shelter

515

There in my hut, where first he had come when he fled from the vessel ;

Still, not yet had he ended relating his tale of misfortune.

E'en as a listener gazeth entranced on a bard as he singeth,

One that hath learn'd from immortals a strain of enrapturing beauty,

So that the hearer remains all motionless, longing to listen,

520

Thus was I charmed by his words as he sat by my side in my homestead.

Well, he avoweth his friendship of yore with the house of Odysseus;

Says that his home was in Creta, the land of the offspring of Minos;

Thence, he asserts, he is come, and has met full many a hardship,

Wandering further and further; and vows that he heard of Odysseus,

525

Not in a far-off land, but the rich Thesprotian country,

Ay and alive and he brings to his home full many a treasure."

Him then in turn gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia :

"Go now, summon him here to my presence, to tell me his story,

While these men let them sit by the portal and ply their amusements—

530

Nay, all over my house—as their soul seems fain to be merry!

Houses they have of their own and possessions untouched by the spoiler,

Viands and sweet pure wine in abundance to nourish the household,

Natheless every day to the halls of my palace resorting,

Slaughtering also my sheep and my fat-fed goats and my oxen,

535

Ever they revel in banquets, carousing on glittering red wine

Recklessly; great is the waste, and a man no longer is present,

Such as Odysseus of yore, to avert this curse from the homestead.

Should however Odysseus return to the land of his fathers,

Soon with the aid of his son these insolent men he will punish."

540

E'en as she spake loud sneezed prince Telemachus, and the mansion

Echoed in wondrous wise, and the queen outbreaking in laughter

Hastily turned to the swineherd and swift-winged words she addressed him :

"Go, I entreat thee, and summon the stranger to come to my presence.

Didst not perceive that my son sneezed loud at the words that I uttered?

545

Wherefore a full and an utter destruction shall come on the suitors,

All of them all! Not one shall escape from his doom and perdition.

Also a thing will I say, which carefully mark and remember :

Should I for certain perceive he is telling me truthfully all things,

Then I shall clothe him in beautiful raiment, in mantle and tunic."

550

Thus did she speak, and the swineherd departing, as soon as he heard it,

Nigh to Odysseus approached, and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Stranger and father, behold, wise Penelopeia invites thee,

Even the mother of Telemachus; she is moved in her spirit

Something to ask thee concerning her lord, though long she hath mourned him.

555

Should she for certain perceive thou art telling her truthfully all things,

Then she will clothe thee in mantle and tunic, the which thou art needing

Mostly of all. Thou art sure to suffice for the needs of thy stomach

Begging thy bread of the people—from each that is willing to help thee."

Him then in answer addressed long-suffering godlike Odysseus :

560

"Yea, Eumaeus, and all of the truth were quickly related

Unto the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelopeia.

Well do I know of his story; we suffered affliction together.

Still, I am somewhat afraid of the throng of the arrogant suitors,

Whose fierce insolence reacheth aloft to the brazen heaven.

565

Thus this man just now I was going around in the palace

Nowise doing him harm, but he struck me and grievously hurt me;

Neither by Telemachus was I aided nor yet by the others.

Wherefore to Penelopeia announce 'twere best in her chamber

Still to remain, though great be her longing, till after the sunset;

570

Then she can ask me concerning her lord and his day of returning,

Letting me sit still nearer the hearth, as my raiment is truly

Wretched thou know'st it thyself; for of thee first begged I assistance."

Thus did he speak, and the swineherd, departing as soon as he heard it,

Over the threshold was stepping, when Penelopeia addressed him :

575

"Why, Eumaeus, thou bringest him not! What meaneth the vagrant?

Feeleth he fear unduly for any? or else in the palace

Feeleth he shame? For a beggar it profiteth ill to be shamefaced."

Her then in answer addressed these words Eumaeus the swineherd:

“Navy but he speaketh aright—and he feeleth as many another,

580

Wishing to keep him aloof from the insults of men overbearing.

So he enjoins thee to stay in thy chamber till after the sunset.

Ay and for thee, O Queen, it is better by far and is wiser

Thus to converse with the stranger alone, and to list to his story."

Him then in turn gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia:

585

"Nowise wanting in wits is the stranger, whoever he may be.

Not on the earth, I believe, can be found in the races of mortals

Men so wanton as these or that plot such wicked devices."

Such was the answer she gave; and the good old swineherd departing

Unto the throng of the suitors, as soon as his message was ended,

590

Hastened to Telemachus and with swift-winged words he addressed him

Holding his head right close, to be noticed by none of the others:

"Friend, I am going to see to the swine and the things at the farmstead,

Even thy living and mine. See thou to the things at the palace.

Firstly of all see well to thyself, and consult with thy spirit,

595

Lest some evil befall. Thou art hated of many Achaeans.

Zeus confound them before that they bring some mischief upon us!"

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer :

"Ay, dad, thus it shall stand. Start homeward after thy supper;

Then in the morning return and bring fat beasts for oblation.

600

All things else shall be managed by me and the blesséd immortals."

Thus did he speak, and again on the well-carved settle the swineherd

Sat him, and took of the meat and the drink to his soul's satisfaction.

Then to his swine he departed, and quitted the hall and the gardens,

All of them full of the throng of the feasters with music and dancing

605

Making them merry—for nigh was approaching already the twilight.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

Back in Rhapsody 16, Eumaios the swineherd had left behind in his shelter an unrecognized Odysseus and had gone off to the palace in order to contact Penelope; in the swineherd’s absence, Telemachus, left alone with Odysseus, could now get to see his father transformed into an idealized godlike hero, made visible through a luminous epiphany produced by the sacred wand of the goddess Athena. This way, Telemachus could recognize the true Odysseus. But this true hero must not yet be recognized by the returning Eumaios. So, before the swineherd had ever made his return from the palace to the shelter, Athena had already produced a reverse transformation of Odysseus, and the hero could thus revert to his disguise as a lowly beggar. Now, at the beginning of Rhapsody 17, Odysseus can ready himself to go off to the palace in order to engage the suitors as a beggar, thus testing them. The testing will clearly reveal that all the suitors, down to the last man, are morally debased on the inside while seeming to be noble on the outside. Odysseus, in his degraded state as an elderly beggar, is matched by the degradation of his beloved hunting dog Argos, who at least lives long enough to recognize the hero.

draft js image error “Ulysses and his Dog” (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

On daiesthai ‘feast; divide (meat), apportion, distribute’, see the comments at O.03.066 and at O.08.061. The one who cuts and distributes the meat is the daitros ‘distributor’, as here at O.17.331.

source

What the speakers are speaking about here at O.17.336–355 is the ethical imperative of feeding the hungry who cannot afford to feed themselves. Someone who responds to such an ethical imperative will be performing an act of generosity that shows ethical nobility. Such nobility, which comes from within, distinguishes Telemachus from the suitors of Penelope, who are noble only in their exterior appearance. The begging that is about to be performed by the disguised Odysseus here will be a testing of the suitors—whose lack of generosity will fully expose them in all their ethical deficiency.

source

Homer Odyssey 17.311

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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Current edition Perseus

ODYSSEY BOOK XVII

PATTEN WILSON.
THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

ODYSSEY BOOK XVII

PATTEN WILSON. THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

PATTEN WILSON.
THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS