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453 On this Odysseus began to move off, and said, "Your looks, my fine sir, are better than your breeding; if you were in your own house you would not spare a poor man so much as a pinch of salt, for though you are in another man's, and surrounded with abundance, you cannot find it in you to give him even a piece of bread."

458 This made Antinoos very angry, and he scowled at him saying, "You shall pay for this before you get clear of the court." With these words he threw a footstool at him, and hit him on the right shoulder-blade near the top of his back. Odysseus stood firm as a rock and the blow did not even stagger him, but he shook his head in silence as he brooded on his revenge. Then he went back to the threshold and sat down there, laying his well-filled wallet at his feet.

468 "Listen to me," he cried, "you suitors of Queen Penelope, that I may speak even as I am minded. A man knows neither ache [ akhos] nor pain [ penthos] if he gets hit while fighting for his wealth, or for his sheep or his cattle; and even so Antinoos has hit me while in the service of my miserable belly, which is always getting people into trouble. Still, if the poor have gods and avenging deities at all, I pray them that Antinoos may come to a bad end before his marriage."

477 "Sit where you are, and eat your victuals in silence, or be off elsewhere," shouted Antinoos. "If you say more I will have you dragged hand and foot through the courts, and the servants shall flay you alive."

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.) — 17.462 focus

ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, καὶ θρῆνυν ἑλὼν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον,

πρυμνότατον κατὰ νῶτον· ὁ δʼ ἐστάθη ἠΰτε πέτρη

ἔμπεδον, οὐδʼ ἄρα μιν σφῆλεν βέλος Ἀντινόοιο,

ἀλλʼ ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.

465

ἂψ δʼ ὅ γʼ ἐπʼ οὐδὸν ἰὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο, κὰδ δʼ ἄρα πήρην

θῆκεν ἐϋπλείην, μετὰ δὲ μνηστῆρσιν ἔειπε·

κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγακλειτῆς βασιλείης,

ὄφρʼ εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.

οὐ μὰν οὔτʼ ἄχος ἐστὶ μετὰ φρεσὶν οὔτε τι πένθος,

470

ὁππότʼ ἀνὴρ περὶ οἷσι μαχειόμενος κτεάτεσσι

βλήεται, ἢ περὶ βουσὶν ἢ ἀργεννῇς ὀΐεσσιν·

αὐτὰρ ἔμʼ Ἀντίνοος βάλε γαστέρος εἵνεκα λυγρῆς,

οὐλομένης, ἣ πολλὰ κάκʼ ἀνθρώποισι δίδωσιν.

ἀλλʼ εἴ που πτωχῶν γε θεοὶ καὶ Ἐρινύες εἰσίν,

475

Ἀντίνοον πρὸ γάμοιο τέλος θανάτοιο κιχείη.

τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντίνοος προσέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·

ἔσθιʼ ἕκηλος, ξεῖνε, καθήμενος, ἢ ἄπιθʼ ἄλλῃ,

μή σε νέοι διὰ δώματʼ ἐρύσσωσʼ, οἷʼ ἀγορεύεις,

ἢ ποδὸς ἢ καὶ χειρός, ἀποδρύψωσι δὲ πάντα.

480

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ὑπερφιάλως νεμέσησαν·

ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·

Ἀντίνοʼ, οὐ μὲν κάλʼ ἔβαλες δύστηνον ἀλήτην,

οὐλόμενʼ, εἰ δή πού τις ἐπουράνιος θεός ἐστιν.

καί τε θεοὶ ξείνοισιν ἐοικότες ἀλλοδαποῖσι,

485

παντοῖοι τελέθοντες, ἐπιστρωφῶσι πόληας,

ἀνθρώπων ὕβριν τε καὶ εὐνομίην ἐφορῶντες.

ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφαν μνηστῆρες, ὁ δʼ οὐκ ἐμπάζετο μύθων.

Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἐν μὲν κραδίῃ μέγα πένθος ἄεξε

βλημένου, οὐδʼ ἄρα δάκρυ χαμαὶ βάλεν ἐκ βλεφάροιϊν,

490

ἀλλʼ ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.

τοῦ δʼ ὡς οὖν ἤκουσε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια

βλημένου ἐν μεγάρῳ, μετʼ ἄρα δμῳῇσιν ἔειπεν·

αἴθʼ οὕτως αὐτόν σε βάλοι κλυτότοξος Ἀπόλλων.

τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρυνόμη ταμίη πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν·

495

εἰ γὰρ ἐπʼ ἀρῇσιν τέλος ἡμετέρῃσι γένοιτο·

οὐκ ἄν τις τούτων γε ἐΰθρονον Ἠῶ ἵκοιτο.

τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Πηνελόπεια·

μαῖʼ, ἐχθροὶ μὲν πάντες, ἐπεὶ κακὰ μηχανόωνται·

Ἀντίνοος δὲ μάλιστα μελαίνῃ κηρὶ ἔοικε.

500

ξεῖνός τις δύστηνος ἀλητεύει κατὰ δῶμα

ἀνέρας αἰτίζων· ἀχρημοσύνη γὰρ ἀνώγει·

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐνέπλησάν τʼ ἔδοσάν τε,

οὗτος δὲ θρήνυι πρυμνὸν βάλε δεξιὸν ὦμον.

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.) — 17.462 focus

So saying, he seized the footstool and flung it, and struck Odysseus on the base of the right shoulder, where it joins the back. But he stood firm as a rock, nor did the missile of Antinous make him reel; 465 but he shook his head in silence, pondering evil in the deep of his heart. Then back to the threshold he went and sat down, and down he laid his well-filled wallet; and he spoke among the wooers: “Hear me, wooers of the glorious queen, that I may say what the heart in my breast bids me. 470 Verily there is no pain of heart nor any grief when a man is smitten while fighting for his own possessions, whether for his cattle or for his white sheep; but Antinous has smitten me for my wretched belly's sake, an accursed plague that brings many evils upon men. 475 Ah, if for beggars there are gods and avengers, may the doom of death come upon Antinous before his marriage.” Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered him: “Sit still, and eat, stranger, or go elsewhere; lest the young men drag thee 480 by hand or foot through the house for words like these, and strip off all thy skin.” So he spoke, but they all were filled with exceeding indignation, and thus would one of the proud youths speak: “Antinous, thou didst not well to strike the wretched wanderer. Doomed man that thou art, what if haply he be some god come down from heaven! 485 Aye, and the gods in the guise of strangers from afar put on all manner of shapes, and visit the cities, beholding the violence and the righteousness of men.” So spoke the wooers, but Antinous paid no heed to their words. And Telemachus nursed in his heart great grief 490 for the smiting, though he let no tear fall from his eyelids to the ground; but he shook his head in silence, pondering evil in the deep of his heart. Howbeit when wise Penelope heard of the man's being smitten in the hall, she spoke among her handmaids, and said: “Even so may thine own self be smitten by the famed archer Apollo.” 495 And again the housewife Eurynome said to her: “Would that fulfillment might be granted to our prayers. So should not one of these men come to the fair-throned Dawn.” And wise Penelope answered her: “Nurse, enemies are they all, for they devise evil. 500 But Antinous more than all is like black fate. Some wretched stranger roams through the house, begging alms of the men, for want compels him, and all the others filled his wallet and gave him gifts, but Antinous flung a footstool and smote him at the base of the right shoulder.”

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 17.462 focus

With these words he threw a footstool at him, and hit him on the right shoulder-blade near the top of his back. Odysseus stood firm as a rock and the blow did not even stagger him, [465] but he shook his head in silence as he brooded on his revenge. Then he went back to the threshold and sat down there, laying his well-filled wallet at his feet.

“Listen to me,” he cried, “you suitors of glorious Queen Penelope, that I may speak even as I am minded. [470] A man knows neither ache [ akhos] nor pain [ penthos] if he gets hit while fighting for his wealth, or for his sheep or his cattle; and even so Antinoos has hit me while in the service of my miserable belly, which is always getting people into trouble. Still, [475] if the poor have gods and avenging deities at all, I pray them that Antinoos, son of Eupeithes, may come to a bad end before his marriage.”

“Sit where you are, and eat your victuals in silence, or be off elsewhere,” shouted Antinoos. “If you say more I will have you dragged [480] hand and foot through the courts, and the servants shall flay you alive.”

The other suitors were much displeased at this, and one of the young men said, “Antinoos, you did ill in striking that poor wretch of a tramp: it will be worse for you if he should turn out to be some god— [485] and we know the gods go about disguised in all sorts of ways as people from foreign countries, and travel about the world to see who do things of outrage [ hubris] and who do things of righteousness.”

Thus said the suitors, but Antinoos paid them no heed. Meanwhile Telemachus felt much grief [ penthos] [490] about the blow that had been given to his father, and though no tear fell from him, he shook his head in silence and brooded on his revenge.

Now when circumspect Penelope heard that the beggar had been struck in the banqueting-hall, she said before her maids, “Would that Apollo would so strike you, Antinoos,” [495] and her waiting woman, Eurynome, answered, “If our prayers were answered not one of the suitors would ever again see the sun rise.” Then circumspect Penelope said, “Nurse, every single one of them is hateful [ ekhthroi] to me, for they mean nothing but mischief, [500] but I hate Antinoos like the darkness of death itself. A poor unfortunate tramp has come begging about the house for sheer want. Every one else has given him something to put in his wallet, but Antinoos has hit him on the right shoulder-blade with a footstool.”

[505]

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 17.462 focus

He spake, and raised the footstool in his hand,

560

And smote Ulysses on the lower part

Of the right shoulder. Like a rock he stood,

Unmoved beneath the blow Antinoüs gave,

But shook his head in silence as he thought

Of vengeance. Then, returning, he sat down

565

Upon the threshold, where he laid his scrip

Well filled, and thus bespake the suitor-train :

"Hear me, ye suitors of the illustrious queen.

Grief or resentment no man feels for blows

Received by him while fighting for his own, —

570

His beeves or white-woolled sheep. But this man here,

Antinoüs, dealt that blow on me because

I have an empty stomach; hunger brings

Great mischiefs upon men. If there be gods

Or furies who avenge the poor, may death

575

O'ertake Antinoüs ere his marriage-day!"

He ended. Then again Eupeithes' son,

Antinoüs, spake: "Eat, stranger, quietly;

Sit still, or get thee hence; our young men else

Who hear thy words will seize thee by the feet

580

Or hands, and drag thee forth and flay thee there."

He spake, and greatly were the rest incensed,

And one of those proud youths took up the word : --

"Antinoüs, it was ill of thee to smite

That hapless wanderer. Madman! what if he

585

Came down from heaven and were a god! The gods

Put on the form of strangers from afar,

And walk our towns in many different shapes,

To mark the good and evil deeds of men."

Thus spake the suitors, but he heeded not

590

Their words. Telemachus, who saw the blow,

Felt his heart swell with anger and with grief,

Yet from his eyelids fell no tear; he shook

His head in silence, pondering to repay

The wrong. Meantime the sage Penelope

595

Heard of the stranger smitten in her halls,

And thus bespake the maidens of her train : -

"Would that Apollo, mighty with the bow,

Might smite thee also!" Then Eurynomè,

The matron of the household, said in turn :

600

"O, were our prayers but heard, not one of these

Should look upon the golden morn again!"

Then spake again the sage Penelope :

"Mother, they all are hateful; every one

Plots mischief, but Antinoüs most of all;

605

And he is like black death, to be abhorred.

A friendless stranger passes through these halls,

Compelled by need, and asks an alms of each,

And all the others give, and fill his scrip;

Antinoüs flings a footstool, and the blow

610

Bruises the shoulder of the suppliant man."

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 17.462 focus

He said, and high the whirling tripod flung.

His shoulder-blade receiv'd th' ungentle shock:

He stood, and moved not, like a marble rock;

But shook his thoughtful head, nor more complain'd,

550

Sedate of soul, his character sustain'd,

And inly form'd revenge: then back withdrew:

Before his feet the well-fill'd scrip he threw,

And thus with semblance mild address'd the crew:

Ulysses

'May what I speak your princely minds approve,
555

'Ye peers and rivals in this noble love!

'Not for the hurt I grieve, but for the cause.

'If, when the sword our country's quarrel draws,

'Or if, defending what is justly dear,

'From Mars impartial some broad wound we bear,
560

'The generous motive dignifies the scar.

'But for mere want, how hard to suffer wrong!

'Want brings enough of other ills along!

'Yet, if unjustice never be secure,

'If fiends revenge, and gods assert the poor,
565

'Death shall lay low the proud aggressor's head,

'And make the dust Antinoüs' bridal bed.'

Antinoüs

'Peace, wretch! and eat thy bread without offence,

'(The suitor cried,) 'or force shall drag thee hence,

'Scourge through the public street, and cast thee there,
570

'A mangled carcass for the hounds to tear.'

His furious deed the general anger mov'd;

All, even the worst, condemn'd: and some reprov'd.

'Was ever chief for wars like these renown'd?

'Ill fits the stranger and the poor to wound.

575

'Unbless'd thy hand, if, in this low disguise,

'Wander, perhaps, some inmate of the skies:

'They (curious oft of mortal actions) deign

'In forms like these to round the earth and main.

'Just and unjust recording in their mind,

580

'And with sure eyes inspecting all mankind.'

Telemachus, absorb'd in thought severe,

Nourish'd deep anguish, though he shed no tear;

But the dark brow of silent sorrow shook:

While thus his mother to her virgins spoke:

585

Penelope

'On him and his may the bright god of day

'That base inhospitable blow repay!'

Euryclea

The nurse replies: 'If Jove receives my prayer,

'Not one survives to breathe to-morrow's air.'

Penelope

'All, all are foes, and mischief is their end;
590

'Antinoüs most to gloomy death a friend:

'(Replies the queen :) 'the stranger begg'd their grace,

'And melting pity soften'd every face;

'From every other hand redress he found,

'But fell Antinoüs answer'd with a wound.'
595

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 17.462 focus

This said, he threw the footstool at his head,

Which touched his shoulder, but remov'd him not.

430

Then to the sill himself he rendered,

Shaking his head with vengeance in his thought.

Ulysses then unto the suitors spake.

A man, said he, not much is griev'd, a blow

In fighting for his kine or sheep to take;

435

But he did for his belly at me throw.

If any care the Gods of poor men have,

Antinous, before he married be,

Is like enough to go into his grave.

Antinous replies, Sit quietly

440

And eat your meat, lest taken by the heels

The servants bawl and drag you out o' th' gate,

Or use you worse, your tongue so runs on wheels.

At this the rest all discontented sate,

And one among the rest unto him said,

445

Antinous, it was unjustly done

To use a stranger so. The Gods, array'd

In poor men's habits, men's deeds look upon,

And notice take, who well does, and who ill.

Telemachus was grieved at the heart

450

For what was done, but did no tear distil,

But shook his head, and hoped to make them smart.

When what had pass'd was told Penelope,

Apollo strike him to the heart, said she.

If I my wish had, said Eurynome,

455

No suitor of them all the morn should see.

Then said Penelope again, 'Tis true,

They all be enemies, and mean us evil;

But he the fiercest is of all the crew,

And rageth in the house like any devil.

460

A stranger in distress comes to the door,

Whom want constrained had to beg his bread;

The rest all give him somewhat of their store,

But he a footstool throweth at his head.

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 17.462 focus

Thus rapt he up a stool, with which he smit

The king's right shoulder, 'twixt his neck and it.

He stood him like a rock. Antinous' dart

620

Not stirr'd Ulysses; who in his great heart

Deep ills projected, which, for time yet, close

He bound in silence, shook his head, and went

Out to the entry, where he then gave vent

To his full scrip, sat on the earth, and eat,

625

And talk'd still to the Wooers: "Hear me yet,

Ye Wooers of the Queen. It never grieves

A man to take blows, where for sheep, or beeves,

Or other main possessions, a man fights;

But for his harmful belly this man smites,

630

Whose love to many a man breeds many a woe.

And if the poor have Gods, and Furies too,

Before Antinous wear his nuptial wreath,

He shall be worn upon the dart of death."

"Harsh guest," said he, "sit silent at your meat,

635

Or seek your desperate plight some safer seat,

Lest by the hands or heels youths drag your years,

And rend your rotten rags about your ears."

This made the rest as highly hate his folly,

As he had violated something holy.

640

When one, even of the proudest, thus began:

"Thou dost not nobly, thus to play the man

On such an errant wretch. O ill disposed!

Perhaps some sacred Godhead goes enclosed

Even in his abject outside; for the Gods

645

Have often visited these rich abodes

Like such poor stranger pilgrims, since their powers

(Being always shapeful) glide through towns and towers,

Observing, as they pass still, who they be

That piety love, and who impiety."

650

This all men said, but he held sayings cheap.

And all this time Telemachus did heap

Sorrow on sorrow on his beating heart,

To see his father stricken; yet let part

No tear to earth, but shook his head, and thought

655

As deep as those ills that were after wrought.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 17.462 focus

So saying, he seized his stool, and on the joint

555

Of his right shoulder smote him; firm as rock

He stood, by no such force to be displaced,

But silent shook his brows, and dreadful deeds

Of vengeance ruminating, sought again

His seat the threshold, where his bag full-charged

560

He grounded, and the suitors thus address'd.

Hear now, ye suitors of the matchless Queen,

My bosom's dictates. Trivial is the harm,

Scarce felt, if, fighting for his own, his sheep

Perchance, or beeves, a man receive a blow.

565

But me Antinoüs struck for that I ask'd

Food from him merely to appease the pangs

Of hunger, source of numerous ills to man.

If then the poor man have a God to avenge

His wrongs, I pray to him that death may seize

570

Antinoüs, ere his nuptial hour arrive !

To whom Antinoüs answer thus return'd,

Son of Eupithes. Either seated there

Or going hence, eat, stranger, and be still;

Lest for thy insolence, by hand or foot

575

We drag thee forth, and thou be flay'd alive.

He ceased, whom all indignant heard, and thus

Even his own proud companions censured him.

Antinous! thou didst not well to smite

The wretched vagabond. O thou art doom'd

580

For ever, if there be a God in heaven;

For in similitude of strangers oft,

The Gods, who can with ease all shapes assume,

Repair to populous cities, where they mark

The outrageous and the righteous deeds of men.

585

So they, for whose reproof he little cared.

But in his heart Telemachus that blow

Resented, anguish-torn, yet not a tear

He shed, but silent shook his brows, and mused

Terrible things. Penelope, meantime,

590

Told of the wanderer so abused beneath

Her roof, among her maidens thus exclaim'd.

So may Apollo, glorious archer, smite

Thee also! Then Eurynome replied,

Oh might our prayers prevail, none of them all

595

Should see bright-charioted Aurora more.

Her answer'd then Penelope discrete.

Nurse! they are odious all, for that alike

All teem with mischief! but Antinoüs' looks

Remind me ever of the gloom of death.

600

A stranger hath arrived who, begging, roams

The house, (for so his penury enjoins)

The rest have given him, and have fill'd his bag

With viands, but Antinoüs hath bruised

His shoulder with a foot-stool hurl'd at him.

605

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

190

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,

195

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

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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 !

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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 :

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"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

Homer Odyssey 17.453

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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Current edition Perseus

Antinoüs

'Peace, wretch! and eat thy bread without offence,

'(The suitor cried,) 'or force shall drag thee hence,

'Scourge through the public street, and cast thee there,
570

'A mangled carcass for the hounds to tear.'

Penelope

'On him and his may the bright god of day

'That base inhospitable blow repay!'

Euryclea

The nurse replies: 'If Jove receives my prayer,

'Not one survives to breathe to-morrow's air.'

Penelope

'All, all are foes, and mischief is their end;
590

'Antinoüs most to gloomy death a friend:

'(Replies the queen :) 'the stranger begg'd their grace,

'And melting pity soften'd every face;

'From every other hand redress he found,

'But fell Antinoüs answer'd with a wound.'
595

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

Antinoüs 'Peace, wretch! and eat thy bread without offence, '(The suitor cried,) 'or force shall drag thee hence, 'Scourge through the public street, and cast thee there, 570 'A mangled carcass for the hounds to tear.'

Penelope 'On him and his may the bright god of day 'That base inhospitable blow repay!'

Euryclea The nurse replies: 'If Jove receives my prayer, 'Not one survives to breathe to-morrow's air.'

Penelope 'All, all are foes, and mischief is their end; 590 'Antinoüs most to gloomy death a friend: '(Replies the queen :) 'the stranger begg'd their grace, 'And melting pity soften'd every face; 'From every other hand redress he found, 'But fell Antinoüs answer'd with a wound.' 595

ODYSSEY BOOK XVII

PATTEN WILSON. THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Antinoüs

'Peace, wretch! and eat thy bread without offence,

'(The suitor cried,) 'or force shall drag thee hence,

'Scourge through the public street, and cast thee there,
570

'A mangled carcass for the hounds to tear.'

Penelope

'On him and his may the bright god of day

'That base inhospitable blow repay!'

Euryclea

The nurse replies: 'If Jove receives my prayer,

'Not one survives to breathe to-morrow's air.'

Penelope

'All, all are foes, and mischief is their end;
590

'Antinoüs most to gloomy death a friend:

'(Replies the queen :) 'the stranger begg'd their grace,

'And melting pity soften'd every face;

'From every other hand redress he found,

'But fell Antinoüs answer'd with a wound.'
595

PATTEN WILSON.
THE MEETING WITH MELANTHIUS