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366 "Eurymakhos," answered Odysseus, "if you and I were to work one against the other in early summer [ hôra] when the days are at their longest - give me a good scythe, and take another yourself, and let us see which will fast the longer or mow the stronger, from dawn till dark when the mowing grass is about. Or if you will plough against me, let us each take a yoke of tawny oxen, well-mated and of great strength and endurance: turn me into a four acre field, and see whether you or I can drive the straighter furrow. If, again, war were to break out this day, give me a shield, a couple of spears and a helmet fitting well upon my temples - you would find me foremost in the fray, and would cease your gibes about my belly. You are insolent and your noos is cruel, and you think yourself a great man because you live in a little world, and that a bad one. If Odysseus comes to his own again, the doors of his house are wide, but you will find them narrow when you try to flee through them."

387 Eurymakhos was furious at all this. He scowled at him and cried, "You wretch, I will soon pay you out for daring to say such things to me, and in public too. Has the wine been getting into your head or do you always babble in this way? You seem to have lost your wits because you beat the tramp Iros. With this he caught hold of a footstool, but Odysseus sought protection at the knees of Amphinomos of Dulichium, for he was afraid. The stool hit the cupbearer on his right hand and knocked him down: the man fell with a cry flat on his back, and his wine-jug fell ringing to the ground. The suitors in the covered room were now in an uproar, and one would turn towards his neighbor, saying, "I wish the stranger had gone somewhere else, bad luck to hide, for all the trouble he gives us. We cannot permit such disturbance about a beggar; if such ill counsels are to prevail we shall have no more pleasure at our banquet."

405 On this Telemakhos came forward and said, "Sirs, are you mad? Can you not carry your meat and your liquor decently? Some evil spirit has possessed you. I do not wish to drive any of you away, but you have had your suppers, and the sooner you all go home to bed the better."

410 The suitors bit their lips and marveled at the boldness of his speech; but Amphinomos the son of Nisus, who was son to Aretias, said, "Do not let us take offense; it is reasonable [ dikaios], so let us make no answer. Neither let us do violence to the stranger nor to any of Odysseus’ servants. Let the cupbearer go round with the drink-offerings, that we may make them and go home to our rest. As for the stranger, let us leave Telemakhos to deal with him, for it is to his house that he has come."

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.) — 18.365 focus

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·

365

Εὐρύμαχʼ, εἰ γὰρ νῶϊν ἔρις ἔργοιο γένοιτο

ὥρῃ ἐν εἰαρινῇ, ὅτε τʼ ἤματα μακρὰ πέλονται,

ἐν ποίῃ, δρέπανον μὲν ἐγὼν εὐκαμπὲς ἔχοιμι,

καὶ δὲ σὺ τοῖον ἔχοις, ἵνα πειρησαίμεθα ἔργου

νήστιες ἄχρι μάλα κνέφαος, ποίη δὲ παρείη.

370

εἰ δʼ αὖ καὶ βόες εἶεν ἐλαυνέμεν, οἵ περ ἄριστοι,

αἴθωνες, μεγάλοι, ἄμφω κεκορηότε ποίης,

ἥλικες, ἰσοφόροι, τῶν τε σθένος οὐκ ἀλαπαδνόν,

τετράγυον δʼ εἴη, εἴκοι δʼ ὑπὸ βῶλος ἀρότρῳ·

τῷ κέ μʼ ἴδοις, εἰ ὦλκα διηνεκέα προταμοίμην.

375

εἰ δʼ αὖ καὶ πόλεμόν ποθεν ὁρμήσειε Κρονίων

σήμερον, αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ σάκος εἴη καὶ δύο δοῦρε

καὶ κυνέη πάγχαλκος, ἐπὶ κροτάφοις ἀραρυῖα,

τῷ κέ μʼ ἴδοις πρώτοισιν ἐνὶ προμάχοισι μιγέντα,

οὐδʼ ἄν μοι τὴν γαστέρʼ ὀνειδίζων ἀγορεύοις.

380

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ὑβρίζεις, καί τοι νόος ἐστὶν ἀπηνής·

καί πού τις δοκέεις μέγας ἔμμεναι ἠδὲ κραταιός,

οὕνεκα πὰρ παύροισι καὶ οὐκ ἀγαθοῖσιν ὁμιλεῖς.

εἰ δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς ἔλθοι καὶ ἵκοιτʼ ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν,

αἶψά κέ τοι τὰ θύρετρα, καὶ εὐρέα περ μάλʼ ἐόντα,

385

φεύγοντι στείνοιτο διὲκ προθύροιο θύραζε.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, Εὐρύμαχος δʼ ἐχολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,

καί μιν ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

ἆ δείλʼ, ἦ τάχα τοι τελέω κακόν, οἷʼ ἀγορεύεις

θαρσαλέως πολλοῖσι μετʼ ἀνδράσιν, οὐδέ τι θυμῷ

390

ταρβεῖς· ἦ ῥά σε οἶνος ἔχει φρένας, ἤ νύ τοι αἰεὶ

τοιοῦτος νόος ἐστίν· ὃ καὶ μεταμώνια βάζεις.

ἦ ἀλύεις, ὅτι Ἶρον ἐνίκησας τὸν ἀλήτην;

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.) — 18.365 focus

365 Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Eurymachus, I would that we two might have a match in working in the season of spring, when the long days come, at mowing the grass, I with a curved scythe in my hands and thou with another like it, 370 and that the grass might be in plenty that so we might test our work, fasting till late evening. Or I would again that there were oxen to drive—the best there are, tawny and large, both well fed with grass, of like age and like power to bear the yoke, tireless in strength—and that there were a field of four acres, and the soil should yield before the plough: 375 then shouldest thou see me, whether or no I could cut a straight furrow to the end. Or I would again that this day the son of Cronos might bring war upon us from whence he would, and I had a shield and two spears and a helmet all of bronze, that fitted well my temples: then shouldest thou see me mingling amid the foremost fighters, 380 and wouldest not prate, taunting me with this belly of mine. But right insolent art thou, and thy heart is cruel, and forsooth thou thinkest thyself to be some great man and mighty, because thou consortest with few men and weak. If but Odysseus might return, and come to his native land, 385 soon would yonder doors, right wide though they are, prove all too narrow for thee in thy flight out through the doorway.” So he spoke, and Eurymachus waxed the more wroth at heart, and with an angry glance from beneath his brows spoke to him winged words: “Wretch, presently will I work thee evil, that thou pratest thus, 390 unabashed in the presence of many lords, and hast no fear at heart. Surely wine has mastered thy wits, or else thy mind is ever thus, that thou dost babble idly. Art thou beside thyself because thou hast beaten that vagrant Irus?”

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 18.365 focus

“Eurymakhos,” answered resourceful Odysseus, “if you and I were to work one against the other in the time [ hōrā] of early summer when the days are at their longest—give me a good scythe, and take another yourself, and let us see [370] which will fast the longer or mow the stronger, from dawn till dark when the mowing grass is about. Or if you will plow against me, let us each take a yoke of tawny oxen, well-mated and of great strength and endurance: turn me into a four acre field, [375] and see whether you or I can drive the straighter furrow. If, again, war were to break out this day, give me a shield, a couple of spears and a helmet fitting well upon my temples—you would find me foremost in the fray, [380] and would cease your gibes about my belly. You are insolent and your mind [ noos] is cruel, and you think yourself a great man because you live in a little world, and that a bad one. If Odysseus comes to his own again, [385] the doors of his house are wide, but you will find them narrow when you try to flee through them.”

Eurymakhos was furious at all this. He scowled at him and cried, “You wretch, I will soon pay you out [390] for daring to say such things to me, and in public too. Has the wine been getting into your head or do you always babble in this way? You seem to have lost your wits because you beat the tramp Iros.”

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 18.365 focus

Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus : -

"Eurymachus, if we were matched in work

Against each other in the time of spring

455

When days are long, and both were mowing grass,

And I had a curved scythe in hand and thou

Another, that we might keep up the strife

Till nightfall, fasting, 'mid the abundant grass ;

Or if there were a yoke of steers to drive,

460

The sturdiest of their kind, sleek, large, well fed,

Of equal age, and equal strength to bear

The labor, and both strong, and if the field

Were of four acres, with a soil through which

The plough could cleave its way, then shouldst thou see

465

How evenly my furrow would be turned.

Or should the son of Saturn send to-day

War from abroad, and I had but a shield,

Two spears, and, fitted to my brows, a helm

Of brass, thou wouldst behold me pressing on

470

Among the foremost warriors, and would see

No cause to rail at my keen appetite.

But arrogantly thou dost bear thyself,

And pitilessly; thou in thine own eyes

Art great and mighty, since thou dost consort

475

With few, and those are not the best of men.

Yet should Ulysses come to his own land,

These gates that seem so wide would suddenly

Become too narrow for thee in thy flight."

He spake. Eurymachus grew yet more wroth,

480

And frowned on him, and said in winged words :-

"Wretch! I shall do thee mischief. Thou art bold,

And babblest unabashed among us all.

The wine, perhaps, is in thy foolish head,

Or thou art always thus, and ever prone

485

To prattle impudently. Art thou proud

Of conquering Irus, that poor vagabond?"

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 18.365 focus

To whom incens'd: 'Should we, O prince, engage

410

ULYSSES

'In rival tasks beneath the burning rage

'Of summer suns; were both constrain'd to wield

'Foodless the scythe along the burden'd field;

'Or should we labour while the ploughshare wounds,

'With steers of equal strength, th' allotted grounds:
415

'Beneath my labours, how thy wondering eyes

'Might see the sable field at once arise!

'Should Jove dire war unloose, with spear and shield,

'And nodding helm, I tread th' ensanguin's field,

'Fierce in the van: then would'st thou, would'st thou, say,
420

'Misname me glutton, in that glorious day ?

'No, thy ill-judging thoughts the brave disgrace;

''Tis thou injurious art, not I am base.

'Proud to seem brave among a coward train!

'But know, thou art not valorous, but vain.
425

'Gods! should the stern Ulysses rise in might,

'These gates would seem too narrow for thy flight.'

While yet he speaks Eurymachus replies,

With indignation flashing from his eyes :

EURYMACHUS

'Slave, I with justice might deserve the wrong,
430

'Should I not punish that opprobrious tongue.

'Irreverent to the great, and uncontroll'd,

'Art thou from wine, or innate folly, bold?

'Perhaps these outrages from Irus flow,

'A worthless triumph o'er a worthless foe!'
435

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 18.365 focus

This said, Ulysses answer'd him again:

Eurymachus, if we two were to try

Our labour, in a large green meadow, when

The days are long, the weather hot and dry,

With equal scythes from morning unto night;

340

Or with two equal oxen fed and strong

Were fasting put to plough, to try our might

Which of us labour could endure most long;

Or if an enemy to-day should land,

And I a helmet had fit for my head,

345

And target, and two fit spears for my hand,

Then you should see whether I fought or fled,

And not reproach m' of sloth or poverty.

You are too cruel, and you do me wrong,

And think yourself a man of might to be,

350

Because they weaker are you live among.

But should Ulysses come and find you here,

You'd think the door, though it be very wide,

As you are running out, too narrow were,

So glad you'ld be your heads to save or hide.

355

To this Eurymachus with bended brow,

And furious eye, answer'd, Wretch that thou art,

And dar'st so saucily to prate. How now !

'Twill not be long before I make thee smart.

Is it because thou too much wine hast had ?

360

Or is't thy nature always to be bold ?

Or is't t' have beaten Irus makes thee mad ?

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 18.365 focus

"I wish, at any work we two were tried,

In height of spring-time, when heaven's lights are long,

I a good crook'd scythe that were sharp and strong,

You such another, where the grass grew deep,

525

Up by day-break, and both our labours keep

Up till slow darkness eased the labouring light,

Fasting all day, and not a crumb till night;

We then should prove our either workmanship.

Or if, again, beeves, that the goad or whip

530

Were apt t' obey before a tearing plow,

Big lusty beasts, alike in bulk and brow,

Alike in labour, and alike in strength,

Our task four acres, to be till'd in length

Of one sole day; again then you should try

535

If the dull glebe before the plow should fly,

Or I a long stitch could bear clean and even.

Or lastly, if the Guide of earth and heaven

Should stir stern war up, either here or there,

And that at this day I had double spear,

540

And shield, and steel casque fitting for my brows;

At this work likewise, 'midst the foremost blows,

Your eyes should note me, and get little cause

To twit me with my belly's sole applause.

But you affect t' affect with injury,

545

Your mind ungentle, seem in valour high,

Because 'gainst few, and those not of the best,

Your conversation hath been still profess'd.

But if Ulysses, landed on his earth,

And enter'd on the true right of his birth,

550

Should come and front ye, straight his ample gates

Your feet would hold too narrow for your fates."

He frown'd, raged, call'd him wretch, and vow'd

To be his death, since he durst prove so proud

Amongst so many, to tell him so home

555

What he affected; ask'd, if overcome

With wine he were, or, as his minion said,

Talk'd still so idly, and were palsied

In his mind's instruments, or was proud because

He gat from Irus off with such applause?

560

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 18.365 focus

Then answer, thus, Ulysses wise return'd.

Forbear, Eurymachus; for were we match'd

In work against each other, thou and I,

450

Mowing in spring-time, when the days are long,

I with my well-bent sickle in my hand,

Thou arm'd with one as keen, for trial sake

Of our ability to toil unfed

Till night, grass still sufficing for the proof;

455

Or if, again, it were our task to drive

Yoked oxen of the noblest breed, sleek-hair'd,

Big-limb'd, both batten'd to the full with grass,

Their age and aptitude for work the same,

Not soon to be fatigued, and were the field

460

In size four acres, with a glebe through which

The share might smoothly slide, then should'st thou see

How straight my furrow should be cut and true.

Or should Saturnian Jove this day excite

Here, battle, or elsewhere, and were I arm'd

465

With two bright spears and with a shield, and bore

A brazen casque well-fitted to my brows,

Me then thou should'st perceive mingling in fight

Amid the foremost Chiefs, nor with the crime

Of idle beggary should'st upbraid me more.

470

But thou art much a railer, one whose heart

Pity moves not, and seem'st a mighty man

And valiant to thyself, only because

Thou herd'st with few, and those of little worth.

But should Ulysses come, at his own isle

475

Again arrived, wide as these portals are,

To thee, at once, too narrow they should seem

To shoot thee forth with speed enough abroad.

He ceased-then tenfold indignation fired

Eurymachus; he furrow'd deep his brow

480

With frowns, and in wing'd accents thus replied.

Wretch, I shall roughly handle thee anon,

Who thus with fluent prate presumptuous darest

Disturb this numerous company, restrain'd

By no respect or fear. Either thou art

485

With wine intoxicated, or, perchance,

Art always fool, and therefore babblest now;

Or thou art frantic haply with delight

That thou hast foil'd yon vagabond obscure.

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 18 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK XVIII

NOW there came to the palace a well-known beggar, who alway

Begged in the Ithacan town. He was famed for his ravenous belly.

Endless his eating and drinking; but no great strength had the fellow,

Neither endurance, although right big was the bulk of his body.

Once was his name Arnaeus. The lady his mother had called him

So from his birth; but the youths all gave him the title of Irus,

Since that he willingly went on a message whene'er he was bidden.

He now came, and attempted to drive from his palace Odysseus,

Uttering threats and abuse, and with swift-winged words he addressed him :

"Get thee agone, old man—or be dragged by the feet—from the doorway!

Canst thou not see that they all are nodding and winking to bid me

Drag thee away? Natheless I am half unwilling to do so.

Up with thee! up! or the quarrel is like to be settled by fighting.”

Glaring askance at the man deep-plotting Odysseus addressed him :

"Navy, good sir, I am harming thee nothing by word or by action.

Ne'er will I grudge it if any shall give thee a dole—and a large one.

Sure there's room for us both on the threshold, and surely thou needst not

Envy the luck of another. Thou seemest a beggar and vagrant,

E'en as myself; and we look to the gods to vouchsafe us a blessing.

Challenge me not to a fray too hotly, nor rouse me to anger,

Lest that in spite of my age on thy breast and thy lips I shall paint thee

Red with thy blood. And indeed 'twould save me from further annoyance

Now and to-morrow, for truly methinks thou'dst dream of returning

Never again to the house of Odysseus the son of Laertes."

Then to a fury aroused thus answered him Irus the vagrant :

"Navy by the gods, how glibly he talks, this gluttonous porker!

Like to a crone that attends to an oven! I'll work him a mischief—

Slog him with both of my fists, and the whole of his teeth I will knock clean

Out of his jaws as the tusks of a hog that has ravaged a cornfield.

Gird thee! and all of the men here present shall judge of the matter,

Viewing us fight. I will teach thee to box with a man that is younger!"

Thus these twain in the front of the high hall door of the mansion,

Over the smooth-worn threshold, provoked each other to anger.

Now when the powerful prince, lord Antinous, had perceived it,

Sweetly and loudly he laughed, and he spake to the suitors around him:

"Comrades, here is a thing that has happened never aforetime!

Such an amusement as never before God sent to the palace!

Look at the stranger and Irus! The one is inciting the other

Unto a contest of fists! Come! Quick! Let us set them a-fighting."

Scarce had he uttered the words, all leapt to their feet and with laughter

Gathered around and encircled the raggedly raimented beggars.

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

"Listen, ye high-born suitors, I pray ! I will make a proposal.

There on the hearth are lying the stomachs of goats, that for supper

Ready we laid, well filled with the blood of the beasts and the caul-fat.

Now of the twain whichever shall conquer and prove him the better,

He shall advance and shall take of the stomachs the one that he chooseth;

He too alway shall join us at feasts, nor shall ever another

Beggar be present or e'er be permitted to sue for a pittance."

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

Then with a crafty intent deep-plotting Odysseus addressed them:

"Friends, it is hopeless, I know, to contest with a man that is younger,

Since I am old and outworn with my woes; but the belly compels me,

Maker of mischief that bringeth upon me defeat and a flogging.

Come now, all of you swear me an oath and a solemn assurance

None shall in favour of Irus, uplifting a hand to assail me,

Wantonly strike me a blow and oblige me to yield to the fellow."

Thus did he speak, and they all of them swore to refrain, as I bade them.

Then, when at length they had given the oath and had finished the plighting,

Once more spake in the midst prince Telemachus and addressed him :

"Stranger, if truly thy heart and thy valiant spirit command thee

Thus to defend thee against him, be fearful of none of the nobles,

Since not only with one shall he fight, whoever shall strike thee.

Host of the banquet am I; these chieftains also approve it,

Antinous and Eurymachus—both noted for wisdom."

Thus did he speak, and they all consented thereto; and Odysseus

Gilded his loins with his rags, and his sinewy thighs he uncovered

Goodly and great; and the vast broad shoulders appeared, and the mighty

Chest and the arms. (At his side once more was the goddess Athene

Giving again their strength to the limbs of the prince of the people.)

Forthwith every suitor was filled with exceeding amazement,

While that the one, as he gazed, spake thus to another beside him:

"Irus, un-Irus'd, will soon be imbibing the broth he was brewing!

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS AND IRUS

Look at the old man's thigh that is showing from under his tatters!"

Thus did they speak, and the spirit of Irus was seized by a panic.

Yet e'en so he was girt by the servants and brought with compulsion

Utterly cowed, with the flesh on his limbs all quaking in terror.

Then spake Antinous and reproached him and loudly rebuked him:

"Better it were thou hadst died—nay, ne'er been living—thou bully,

Since thou art terribly fear'd by the fellow and quakest to meet him,

Though he is old and outworn with the misery fallen upon him.

Now will I tell thee a thing that will certainly find a fulfilment :

Should this fellow prevail in the combat and prove him the better,

Into a black-hulled ship I shall cast thee at once and shall send thee

Over to Echetus, lord of the mainland and maimer of mortals;

Then with the merciless steel he will shear thee thy nose and thy ears off,

Tear from thy body thy vitals and cast them to dogs to be fought for."

So as he spake still more did the man's limbs tremble in terror.

Thus to the ring he was brought, and with hands uplifted they stood there.

Now at the first was in doubt long-suffering godlike Odysseus

Whether to smite him a stroke to deprive him of life as it felled him,

Or with a moderate blow of the fist on the earth to extend him.

Thus as he pondered thereon this plan seemed surely the better,

Lightly to strike—for he feared to be known to the princely Achaeans.

So they uplifted their hands. First Irus a blow on the shoulder

Planted; but under the ear on the neck he was smitten, and inward

Crushed was the bone, and at once from his mouth red blood was a-spouting.

Moaning he fell in the dust and, his teeth tight-clenching together,

Drummed with his heels on the ground as he lay; and the arrogant suitors

Dying for laughter uplifted their hands in delight; but Odysseus

100

Hauled him away by the feet from the doorway and into the courtyard,

Right to the gates of the porch, and there by the wall of the courtyard

Set him and propped him, and placed in the hands of the fellow a cudgel.

Then upraising his voice these swift-winged words he addressed him:

"Sit now here as a scare for the pigs and the dogs! I advise thee

105

Never again to attempt o'er strangers and beggars to lord it,

Meddlesome fool, lest haply befall thee a greater misfortune."

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

Terribly tattered and torn ; and thereon was a cord to suspend it.

Then to the threshold returning he sat him adown; and the suitors

110

Merrily laughing re-entered the palace and gave him a welcome:

"Zeus vouchsafe, O stranger, and other immortals, to grant thee

All of thy dearest desires—yea, all that thy spirit can long for,

Since thou hast stopped this insatiate fellow from playing the vagrant

Here in the Ithacan land. So now right soon we shall ship him

115

Over to Echetus, king of the mainland and maimer of mortals."

Thus did he speak, and the godlike Odysseus rejoiced at the omen.

Antinous now laid at his side of the stomachs a great one

Filled with the blood and the fat of the goats, while Amphinomus too

Lifted a couple of loaves from the basket and placed them beside him,

120

Then from a goblet of gold drank welcome and weal to him, saying:

"Hail to thee, stranger and father! I wish thee for ever in future

Happier days—since now thou art holden of many misfortunes."

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

"Amphinomus, as it seems, thou art verily gifted with wisdom,

125

E'en as thy father—for oft did I hear of his high reputation,

Nisus of Dulichium, as a man that was brave and was wealthy.

Being, they say, his son thou art like him in good understanding.

So I will tell thee the truth: attentively listen and mark me.

Nothing is nourished by earth more utterly feeble than man is,

130

Nothing of all that is breathing on earth and is creeping upon it.

'Verily never,' he saith to himself, 'shall I suffer misfortune

While God granteth me manhood and still are supple my knee-joints.'

Ay but whenever affliction is sent by the blesséd immortals

All, though sorely unwilling, he bears with a heart of endurance.

135

Such forsooth is the mind of an earth-born mortal: it changes

E'en as the Father of men and of gods sends seasons of fortune.

I too once had the hope to be blest in the world, but committed

Many infatuate deeds in the pride of my arrogant temper,

Trusting moreover my father and also my brothers to help me.

140

Wherefore ne'er is it wise for a man to be lawless, but rather

Quietly all to enjoy, whatsoe'er the immortals shall give him.

Thus an infatuate deed I behold these suitors committing,

Wantonly wasting the wealth of a man and insulting his consort,

Yea and a man that, I ween, not afar from his friends and his homeland

145

Long shall remain. He is even at hand! Some deity lead thee

Safely away to thy home, lest here in his palace thou haply

Meet him whene'er he returns to the well-loved land of his fathers,

Since not bloodless (or much I mistake) will they part from the combat,

He and the suitors, whene'er he shall enter the halls of his homestead."

150

These words spoken, he poured of the wine honey-sweet a libation,

Emptied the goblet and handed it back to the warrior chieftain.

He thro' the palace returned, with his heart sore troubled within him,

Bowing his head; for in sooth in his spirit he boded of evil.

Yet e'en so he escaped not his doom: him too did Athene

155

Destine to death by the hands and the spear of the son of Odysseus.

Then did he seat him again on the chair from the which he had risen.

Now was a thought vouchsafed by the grey-eyed goddess Athene

Unto the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelopeia,

E'en to appear to the suitors and make all hearts at her beauty

160

Open with rapture as never before—since thus she was minded

Still more honour to win from her lord and her son than aforetime.

So with a lightsome laugh to her woman she called and addressed her :

"Eurynomé, in my heart is a longing as ne'er I remember,

Under the gaze of the suitors to stand, though truly I hate them.

165

Also a rede to my son will I give that will tend to his welfare—

Not to consort too oft with the band of the arrogant suitors,

Seeing they speak fair words while secretly brooding on evil."

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

"Ay, it is verily wisely and well thou hast spoken, my daughter.

170

Go to thy child and impart him thy wish, nor attempt to conceal it;

Not howbeit before thou hast bathed and thy face is anointed;

Not like this, with thy cheeks all stained by thy tears, I beseech thee!

Go! for it profiteth little to mourn thus ever and alway.

Yea and thy son, he is now of an age to be wise—and of heaven

175

This was thy dearest demand, with a beard on his chin to behold him."

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

"Eurynomé, I beseech thee, refrain, though urged by affection,

Giving me comfort and bidding me bathe and anoint me with unguents.

All of the pride of my beauty the gods who inhabit Olympus

180

Withered as soon as my lord in the hollow ships had departed.

Seek now Autonoë and Hippodameia, and bid them

Hither to come; in the hall I am wishful to have them beside me;

Never alone to the men will I go, since shyness forbids it."

Thus did she speak, and her woman departing from out of the chamber

185

Went to the maidens, to give them the message and hasten their coming.

Now did a new thought come to the grey-eyed goddess Athene.

Over the daughter of Icarius sweet slumber diffusing

Backward she made her to sink, and with joints all loosened she lay there

Stretched on her couch. Meanwhile, as she slumbered, the beautiful goddess

190

Gifts ambrosial gave her, to dazzle the eyes of the princes.

First, to her features fair new beauty and brighter she added,

Such as the bloom immortal with which fair-crowned Cytherea

Gleameth whenever she goes to the beautiful dance of the Graces.

Taller moreover she made her in stature and larger in person,

195

Whiter she made her of skin than is fresh-sawn ivory's whiteness.

After that thus she had wrought she departed, the beautiful goddess.

Then did the white-armed maidens approach from the women's apartment,

Talking aloud as they came; and at once sweet slumber released her.

Rubbing her cheeks with her hands, these words half wakened she murmured:

200

"Sure in my weary affliction a deep soft trance overcame me!

Would that as gentle a death pure Artemis willed to vouchsafe me

Now on the spot! No more would mourning and grief in my spirit

Wither the days of my life, as I wail for my well-loved husband's

Manifold courage and skill, who was peerless among the Achaeans."

205

Spake, and began to descend from her glistering upper apartment;

Neither alone did she go: two handmaids followed behind her.

Now when at last she had come to the suitors, that fairest of women

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

Holding in front of her cheeks soft folds of her glistering head-dress,

210

While to the right and the left stood one of her faithful attendants.

Straight were loosened the knees of the men, and enraptured by passion

Each one uttered a prayer to the gods to possess her in marriage.

Then to her well-loved son, prince Telemachus, she addressed her:

"Telemachus, no more is thy mind and thy thought to be trusted.

215

E'en as a boy in thy thoughts thou wast guided with greater discretion.

Now thou art grown so tall and art come to the measure of manhood,

So that a stranger beholding thy beauty of person and stature

Sure would deem thee a son of a wealthy and fortunate father;

Yet no more is thy mind and thy judgment right as aforetime.

220

Lo, what deed thou hast caused to be wrought in the hall of thy palace,

Thus permitting a stranger to suffer injurious usage!

How if the stranger, who here as a guest in the home of thy fathers

Quietly sat, some damage received from his grievous maltreatment?

Thine were wholly the shame and disgrace in the judgment of all men."

225

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Mother, I take it amiss nowise that herein thou art angered.

Well am I able within me to reason, and well to distinguish

Better from worse. Ere now it was merely unreasoning childhood.

Still, all things to contrive as is wise I am wholly unable,

230

Ever distraught by the presence of those who on this and on that side

Urge me with evil intent; nor is any at hand to assist me.

Touching howbeit the fight of the stranger with Irus, it happened

Not by the will of the suitors; and also he proved him the stronger.

Ay and by Father Zeus and Athena and Phoebus Apollo,

235

Would that the suitors themselves e'en thus in the halls of my homestead

Utterly crushed were wagging the head—some out in the courtyard,

Others inside of the house—with the joints all loosed in their bodies,

Even as Irus the beggar anigh to the gate of the courtyard

Sitteth and waggeth his head, just like to a man that is drunken ;

240

Neither erect on his feet is he able to stand, nor betake him

Homeward (if home he possess) since every joint is unloosened."

Thus did the mother and son hold converse the one with the other.

Then spake Eurymachus and addressed him to Penelopeia :

"Daughter of Icarius, O wise-souled Penelopeia,

245

Could now all the Achaeans in Iasan Argos behold thee,

Far more suitors, I trow, would feast in the hall of thy palace

E'en from the dawn of the morrow—for verily far thou excellest

Every woman in beauty and stature and inward discernment."

Him straightway gave answer the wise-souled Penelopeia:

250

"Eurymachus, if indeed I excelled in the beauty of person,

All was destroyed by the gods when the Argives, sailing for Troyland,

Mounted the vessels with whom went also Odysseus my husband.

O that he came once more and had care of my life as aforetime!

Thus were fairer my fame, and my lot more happy; for alway

255

Now am I sad; such woes hath a deity sent to assail me.

Yae and I mind, on the day that he went and was leaving his homeland,

Tenderly clasping my hand by the wrist these words he addressed me :

'Listen, my wife! for I trow of the well-greaved sons of Achaea

Nowise all shall return unscathed from the land of the Trojans,

260

Seeing they say that the Trojans themselves are famous as fighters,

Whether at hurling the spear or at launching a bolt from the bowstring,

Yea and as chariot-drivers of fleet-paced horses—and war-cars

Ever decide most swiftly the turn of a dubious conflict.

Therefore I know not if heaven will save me, or dooms me to perish

265

There in the country of Troy. So, carefully see to the household.

Mindfully tend in the halls of the palace my father and mother

Even as now—nay, still more mindfully while I am absent.

Cometh the day that thy son as a bearded man thou beholdest,

Then shalt thou marry whomever thou willst, and relinquish thy homestead.'

270

Such was the word that he spake, and it all now findeth fulfilment.

Come shall the night that will force me to face a detestable marriage,

Ah unfortunate one, whose happiness heaven hath ruined!

Also a grief right sore hath befallen my heart and my spirit :

This was a habit, I trow, ne'er practised by suitors aforetime.

275

Those that will sue for a woman of worth and a rich man's daughter

Wishing to woo her to wife and competing the one with another,

Ever themselves bring cattle and fat-fed sheep for a banquet

Unto the friends of the maiden, and offer her glorious love-gifts;

Nor do they eat with impunity thus the possessions of others."

280

So did she speak, and it joyed long-suffering godlike Odysseus

While she was coaxing a gift from the men and beguiling their spirits

Thus with her winsome words, though things far other she longed for.

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

"Daughter of Icarius, O wise-souled Penelopeia,

285

Truly if any Achaean is willing to send for a present,

Gifts thou shalt have—and indeed 'twere wrong to refuse to receive them.

Yet—not a man of us all shall depart to his homestead or elsewhere

Ere thou art wed to the man who is best of the noble Achaeans."

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

290

Forthwith each commanded a henchman to go for a present.

Antinous had a robe both ample and beautiful brought him,

Richly embroidered; with brooches, a dozen in all, it was fastened,

Fashioned of gold, and with clasps well-bent were fitted the brooches.

Eurynomus soon after they brought a magnificent necklace,

295

Golden and beaded with amber that shone as the sun in his glory.

Then prince Eurydamas two earrings received by his henchman

Triple with pendants of mulberry colour and wonderful lustre.

Back from the house of Pisander the chieftain, the son of Polyctor,

Carried his servant a necklet—a jewel of exquisite beauty.

300

Likewise all of the others received some beautiful present.

Then to her upper apartment ascended the fairest of women,

While at her side were borne by her maidens the glorious love-gifts.

Now did the suitors again to the pleasure of dancing and singing

Turn to delight them, intending to stay till the coming of even;

305

Nor was the rout at an end when the darkness of even descended.

Then forthwith to the hall three braziers bringing they set them

There as a light, and around them they laid dry faggots of fuel,

Long since seasoned and ready to blaze, new split with the hatchet.

Pine-brands too they inserted, and maidens alternately fed them,

310

Thralls of the patient Odysseus himself; and to these he addressed him,

Even the Zeus-born prince, their master, the wily Odysseus:

"Maids, whose lord is Odysseus—although so long he is absent—

Go to the chamber wherein your honoured lady abideth,

There by her side ye can twist with the spindle the yarn, or delight her

315

Sitting together within her apartment and carding the sheep-wool.

Leave me alone—I will see to the lights for the whole of the party.

E'en if they wish to remain till the coming of fair-throned Morning

None shall be able to beat me, I trow. I am full of endurance."

Thus did he speak; but they laughed, as they looked each one at the other.

320

Then right shamefully chid him the fair-cheeked maiden Melantho,

Dolius' daughter—but Penelopeia had nourished and reared her

E'en as her child, and had given her toys to her soul's satisfaction;

Yet was her heart untouched by the sorrows of Penelopeia,

Yea and to Eurymachus she had given her love and her honour.

325

This was the one that with words of abuse accosted Odysseus :

"Wretched, impertinent tramp, thou art surely bereft of thy senses.

Get thee away from the palace, and go to a smithy and sleep there,

Or to a tavern, instead of annoying us here with thy prating!

Ay, in the presence of princes thou prat'st, with thy impudent spirit

330

All unabashed. Is it wine that has got to thy wits? or, it may be,

Such is the bent of thy mind, to be always foolishly blabbing.

Crazy methinks thou art gone through conquering Irus the vagrant.

Have but a care for I fear that a better than Irus arising

Soon will be cuffing thy pate with his sinewy hands and will hunt thee

335

Out of the bounds of the palace, with blood all richly bedabbled."

Glaring askance at the maid deep-plotting Odysseus addressed her :

"Forthwith Telemachus shall be told what thou sayest, thou hussy!

Straight I shall go to him—straight; and at once he will cut thee in pieces."

Thus did he speak. At his words in alarm fled all of the women

340

Hurrying out of the hall, their knee-joints loosened with terror,

Quaking affrighted because they believed he had spoken in earnest.

Then to the lights he attended, and nigh to the glow of the braziers

Stationed himself, and he gazed at the rout; but the heart in his bosom

Pondered on things far other, nor destined to fail of fulfilment.

345

Nowise willed it Athena to suffer the arrogant suitors

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

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

Then made Eurymachus, prince Polybus' son, a beginning,

Jeering in scorn at Odysseus and setting his fellows a-laughing:

350

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

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

Sure it was heaven that guided this tramp to the house of Odysseus !

Leastways so it appeareth to me, for a beacon of pine-brands

There on his head is alight! He hath never a hair—not the least one!"

355

Spake, and withal to Odysseus, the sacker of cities, he turned him :

"Stranger, in case thou art willing to serve, come say, shall I take thee

Up to an inland farm (I can offer thee wages sufficient),

There to collect me the stones for the walls and to plant me the fruit-trees?

There, too, bread I am willing to give in unfailing abundance,

360

Also to keep thee in dress and with shoes for thy feet to provide thee.

Since however a right bad trade thou hast learnt, thou wilt never

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

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

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

365

“Eurymachus, would only we twain had a trial of labour,

Late in the season of spring, when the days grow longer and longer,

Even a trial of grass, I holding a well-bent sickle,

Thou with a like, that we each might vie with the other at mowing,

Fasting till late in the gloom, with a crop right heavy before us.

370

Else let them give us a team to be driven—the strongest of oxen,

Tawny of colour and mighty in bulk, well sated with fodder,

Equal in age and in bearing the yoke, and of strength unexhausted—

Give us a field four-acred with soil that will yield to the ploughshare,

Then thou'dst see if the furrow I cut is a clean and a straight one.

375

Else let a war be awakened by Zeus whencever he willeth

Even to-morrow, and give me a shield and a couple of lances,

Give me a helmet of bronze, well-fitted to cover my temples,

Then thou'dst see me amidst of the foremost ranks of the fighters,

Neither again thou'dst talk with a scornful contempt of my belly.

380

Yea, in thy pride thou art utterly wanton—thy heart is unfeeling—

While in thy folly thou deemest thyself some mighty and great one,

Since it is only with men right weak thou consortest and cowards.

O that Odysseus returned! that he came once more to his homeland!

Soon thou'dst find that the doors, though verily broad is the doorway,

385

Prove too strait for thy flight, as thou hurriest out of the portal."

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 :

"Ah, thou impertinent wretch, I'll punish thee soon for thy prating!

Ay, in the presence of princes thou prat'st, with thy impudent spirit

390

All unabashed. Is it wine that has got to thy wits? or, it may be,

Such is the bent of thy mind to be always foolishly blabbing.

Crazy methinks thou art gone through conquering Irus the vagrant."

Loudly he uttered the words, and he seized on a stool—but Odysseus

Turning to Amphinomus sank down by the knees of the chieftain,

395

Fearing the blow; and he cast and the footstool smote on the right hand

One that was bearing the wine, and the bowl to the ground with a clatter

Crash'd, and the youth with a groan on his back in the dust was extended.

Straight in the shadowy halls was a clamour aroused by the suitors,

While each looked in the face of another anigh him exclaiming:

400

"Would that this tramp of a stranger had elsewhere met his perdition

Ere he had come to the palace to cause such tumult and uproar.

Lo, we're quarrelling over a tramp; all joy in the banquet

Now will be utterly spoilt, for nought but unpleasantness reigneth."

Then spake Telemachus and with words right royal addressed them:

405

"Sirs, ye appear to be mad. No more your conduct conceals it

How ye partook of the food and the wine. Some demon excites you.

Now, if enough he has feasted, let each go sleep at his homestead—

Nay, he shall go when he wills; I will drive no guest from my palace."

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

410

Marvelled at Telemachus and the dauntless words he had uttered,

Till prince Amphinomus made answer and thus he addressed them

(Famed was the prince, and his father was son of Aretias, Nisus):

"Listen, my friends: when the word that is spoken is spoken with justice,

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

415

Neither maltreat, I beseech you, the stranger or other soever,

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

Come, let the bearer of wine now prime for libation the goblets,

Then let us pour and return for the night each one to his homestead.

Touching the stranger, I vote in the halls of Odysseus to leave him.

420

Telemachus can befriend him, for his was the house that he came to."

Thus did he speak, and his word seemed pleasant to all of the others.

So was a bowl made ready of wine; lord Mulius mixed it,

Herald of Dulichium, who on Amphinomus was attendant.

Then to them all he dispensed it in turn, and they made a libation

425

Unto the blesséd immortals and drank of the wine honey-hearted.

After libation and drinking as much as their spirits enjoined them

Straight they departed to lay them to sleep each one in his homestead.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

In Rhapsody 18, Odysseus as a make-believe beggar is challenged by a most questionable character named Iros, who figures as a real beggar. What makes Iros so questionable is his similarity to characters who figure in a poetic form that can best be described as mock epic.

draft js image error “Ulysses Preparing to Fight with Irus” (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

What Odysseus says to Eurymakhos here at O.18.366–386 can be seen as a poetic admonition given by the righteous to the unrighteous, especially in the wording at O.18.366–375, which is comparable to what Hesiod says to Perses in the Hesiodic Works and Days.

source

The suitor Eurymakhos is stung by the words spoken to him by the disguised Odysseus. These words, spoken tharsaleōs ‘boldly’, O.18.390, can be seen as blame poetry—but here the blame is justified, unlike the blame that is hurled at Odysseus by the suitors and by the disloyal members of his own household.

source

Leonard Muellner

analysis of the interconnections of mēnis, exchange rules, and timē for xenoi

source

Homer Odyssey 18.366

Samuel Butler (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

EURYMACHUS

'Slave, I with justice might deserve the wrong,
430

'Should I not punish that opprobrious tongue.

'Irreverent to the great, and uncontroll'd,

'Art thou from wine, or innate folly, bold?

'Perhaps these outrages from Irus flow,

'A worthless triumph o'er a worthless foe!'
435

ODYSSEY BOOK XVIII

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS AND IRUS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

EURYMACHUS 'Slave, I with justice might deserve the wrong, 430 'Should I not punish that opprobrious tongue. 'Irreverent to the great, and uncontroll'd, 'Art thou from wine, or innate folly, bold? 'Perhaps these outrages from Irus flow, 'A worthless triumph o'er a worthless foe!' 435

ODYSSEY BOOK XVIII

PATTEN WILSON ODYSSEUS AND IRUS

New Alexandria Commentaries

Stable identifiers

EURYMACHUS

'Slave, I with justice might deserve the wrong,
430

'Should I not punish that opprobrious tongue.

'Irreverent to the great, and uncontroll'd,

'Art thou from wine, or innate folly, bold?

'Perhaps these outrages from Irus flow,

'A worthless triumph o'er a worthless foe!'
435

PATTEN WILSON
ODYSSEUS AND IRUS