So he spoke, and a welcome thing it seemed to her to lie with him. So they two went to the couch, and lay them down to sleep, and about them clung the cunning bonds of the wise Hephaestus, nor could they in any wise stir their limbs or raise them up. Then at length they learned that there was no more escaping.
ὣς φάτο, τῇ δʼ ἀσπαστὸν ἐείσατο κοιμηθῆναι.τὼ δʼ ἐς δέμνια βάντε κατέδραθον· ἀμφὶ δὲ δεσμοὶτεχνήεντες ἔχυντο πολύφρονος Ἡφαίστοιο,οὐδέ τι κινῆσαι μελέων ἦν οὐδʼ ἀναεῖραι.καὶ τότε δὴ γίγνωσκον, ὅ τʼ οὐκέτι φυκτὰ πέλοντο.
And near to them came the famous god of the two strong arms, having turned back before he reached the land of Lemnos; for Helius had kept watch for him and had brought him word. So he went to his house with a heavy heart, and stood at the gateway, and fierce anger seized him.
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφʼ ἦλθε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις,αὖτις ὑποστρέψας πρὶν Λήμνου γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι·Ἠέλιος γάρ οἱ σκοπιὴν ἔχεν εἶπέ τε μῦθον.βῆ δʼ ἴμεναι πρὸς δῶμα φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ·ἔστη δʼ ἐν προθύροισι, χόλος δέ μιν ἄγριος ᾕρει·
And terribly he cried out and called to all the gods: “Father Zeus, and ye other blessed gods that are forever, come hither that ye may see a laughable matter and a monstrous, even how Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, scorns me for that I am lame and loves destructive Ares because he is comely and strong of limb, whereas I was born misshapen. Yet for this is none other to blame but my two parents—would they had never begotten me! But ye shall see where these two have gone up into my bed and sleep together in love; and I am troubled at the sight.
σμερδαλέον δʼ ἐβόησε, γέγωνέ τε πᾶσι θεοῖσιν·Ζεῦ πάτερ ἠδʼ ἄλλοι μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες,δεῦθʼ, ἵνα ἔργα γελαστὰ καὶ οὐκ ἐπιεικτὰ ἴδησθε,ὡς ἐμὲ χωλὸν ἐόντα Διὸς θυγάτηρ Ἀφροδίτηαἰὲν ἀτιμάζει, φιλέει δʼ ἀίδηλον Ἄρηα,οὕνεχʼ ὁ μὲν καλός τε καὶ ἀρτίπος, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γεἠπεδανὸς γενόμην. ἀτὰρ οὔ τί μοι αἴτιος ἄλλος,ἀλλὰ τοκῆε δύω, τὼ μὴ γείνασθαι ὄφελλον.ἀλλʼ ὄψεσθʼ, ἵνα τώ γε καθεύδετον ἐν φιλότητιεἰς ἐμὰ δέμνια βάντες, ἐγὼ δʼ ὁρόων ἀκάχημαι.
Yet, methinks, they will not wish to lie longer thus, no, not for a moment, how loving soever they are. Soon shall both lose their desire to sleep; but the snare and the bonds shall hold them until her father pays back to me all the gifts of wooing that I gave him for the sake of his shameless girl; for his daughter is fair but bridles not her passion.” So he spoke and the gods gathered to the house of the brazen floor. Poseidon came, the earth-enfolder, and the helper Hermes came, and the lord Apollo, the archer god. Now the goddesses abode for shame each in her own house, but the gods, the givers of good things, stood in the gateway; and unquenchable laughter arose among the blessed gods as they saw the craft of wise Hephaestus. And thus would one speak, with a glance at his neighbor: “Ill deeds thrive not. The slow catches the swift; even as now Hephaestus, slow though he is, has out-stripped Ares for all that he is the swiftest of the gods who hold Olympus. Lame though he is, he has caught him by craft, wherefore Ares owes the fine of the adulterer.” Thus they spoke to one another. But to Hermes the lord Apollo, son of Zeus, said:
οὐ μέν σφεας ἔτʼ ἔολπα μίνυνθά γε κειέμεν οὕτωςκαὶ μάλα περ φιλέοντε· τάχʼ οὐκ ἐθελήσετον ἄμφωεὕδειν· ἀλλά σφωε δόλος καὶ δεσμὸς ἐρύξει,εἰς ὅ κέ μοι μάλα πάντα πατὴρ ἀποδῷσιν ἔεδνα,ὅσσα οἱ ἐγγυάλιξα κυνώπιδος εἵνεκα κούρης,οὕνεκά οἱ καλὴ θυγάτηρ, ἀτὰρ οὐκ ἐχέθυμος.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἀγέροντο θεοὶ ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς δῶ·ἦλθε Ποσειδάων γαιήοχος, ἦλθʼ ἐριούνηςἙρμείας, ἦλθεν δὲ ἄναξ ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων.θηλύτεραι δὲ θεαὶ μένον αἰδοῖ οἴκοι ἑκάστη.ἔσταν δʼ ἐν προθύροισι θεοί, δωτῆρες ἑάων·ἄσβεστος δʼ ἄρʼ ἐνῶρτο γέλως μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιτέχνας εἰσορόωσι πολύφρονος Ἡφαίστοιο.ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·οὐκ ἀρετᾷ κακὰ ἔργα· κιχάνει τοι βραδὺς ὠκύν,ὡς καὶ νῦν Ἥφαιστος ἐὼν βραδὺς εἷλεν Ἄρηαὠκύτατόν περ ἐόντα θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσιν,χωλὸς ἐὼν τέχνῃσι· τὸ καὶ μοιχάγριʼ ὀφέλλει.ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·Ἑρμῆν δὲ προσέειπεν ἄναξ Διὸς υἱὸς Ἀπόλλων·
“Hermes, son of Zeus, messenger, giver of good things, wouldst thou in sooth be willing, even though ensnared with strong bonds, to lie on a couch by the side of golden Aphrodite?” Then the messenger, Argeiphontes, answered him: “Would that this might befall, lord Apollo, thou archer god— that thrice as many bonds inextricable might clasp me about and ye gods, aye, and all the goddesses too might be looking on, but that I might sleep by the side of golden Aphrodite.” So he spoke and laughter arose among the immortal gods. Yet Poseidon laughed not, but ever besought Hephaestus, the famous craftsman, to set Ares free; and he spoke, and addressed him with winged words: “Loose him, and I promise, as thou biddest me, that he shall himself pay thee all that is right in the presence of the immortal gods.” Then the famous god of the two strong arms answered him:
Ἑρμεία, Διὸς υἱέ, διάκτορε, δῶτορ ἑάων,ἦ ῥά κεν ἐν δεσμοῖς ἐθέλοις κρατεροῖσι πιεσθεὶςεὕδειν ἐν λέκτροισι παρὰ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ;τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης·αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο γένοιτο, ἄναξ ἑκατηβόλʼ Ἄπολλον·δεσμοὶ μὲν τρὶς τόσσοι ἀπείρονες ἀμφὶς ἔχοιεν,ὑμεῖς δʼ εἰσορόῳτε θεοὶ πᾶσαί τε θέαιναι,αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν εὕδοιμι παρὰ χρυσέῃ Ἀφροδίτῃ.ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἐν δὲ γέλως ὦρτʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.οὐδὲ Ποσειδάωνα γέλως ἔχε, λίσσετο δʼ αἰεὶἭφαιστον κλυτοεργὸν ὅπως λύσειεν Ἄρηα.καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·λῦσον· ἐγὼ δέ τοι αὐτὸν ὑπίσχομαι, ὡς σὺ κελεύεις,τίσειν αἴσιμα πάντα μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις·
“Ask not this of me, Poseidon, thou earth-enfolder. A sorry thing to be sure of is the surety for a sorry knave. How could I put thee in bonds among the immortal gods, if Ares should avoid both the debt and the bonds and depart?” Then again Poseidon, the earth-shaker, answered him:
μή με, Ποσείδαον γαιήοχε, ταῦτα κέλευε·δειλαί τοι δειλῶν γε καὶ ἐγγύαι ἐγγυάασθαι.πῶς ἂν ἐγώ σε δέοιμι μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν,εἴ κεν Ἄρης οἴχοιτο χρέος καὶ δεσμὸν ἀλύξας;τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων·
“Hephaestus, even if Ares shall avoid the debt and flee away, I will myself pay thee this.” Then the famous god of the two strong arms answered him: “It may not be that I should say thee nay, nor were it seemly.” So saying the mighty Hephaestus loosed the bonds and the two, when they were freed from that bond so strong, sprang up straightway. And Ares departed to Thrace, but she, the laughter-loving Aphrodite, went to Cyprus, to Paphos, where is her demesne and fragrant altar. There the Graces bathed her and anointed her with immortal oil, such as gleams upon the gods that are forever. And they clothed her in lovely raiment, a wonder to behold. This song the famous minstrel sang; and Odysseus was glad at heart as he listened, and so too were the Phaeacians of the long oars, men famed for their ships.
Ἥφαιστʼ, εἴ περ γάρ κεν Ἄρης χρεῖος ὑπαλύξαςοἴχηται φεύγων, αὐτός τοι ἐγὼ τάδε τίσω.τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις·οὐκ ἔστʼ οὐδὲ ἔοικε τεὸν ἔπος ἀρνήσασθαι.ὣς εἰπὼν δεσμὸν ἀνίει μένος Ἡφαίστοιο.τὼ δʼ ἐπεὶ ἐκ δεσμοῖο λύθεν, κρατεροῦ περ ἐόντος,αὐτίκʼ ἀναΐξαντε ὁ μὲν Θρῄκηνδε βεβήκει,ἡ δʼ ἄρα Κύπρον ἵκανε φιλομμειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη,ἐς Πάφον· ἔνθα δέ οἱ τέμενος βωμός τε θυήεις.ἔνθα δέ μιν Χάριτες λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳἀμβρότῳ, οἷα θεοὺς ἐπενήνοθεν αἰὲν ἐόντας,ἀμφὶ δὲ εἵματα ἕσσαν ἐπήρατα, θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι.ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςτέρπετʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀκούων ἠδὲ καὶ ἄλλοιΦαίηκες δολιχήρετμοι, ναυσίκλυτοι ἄνδρες.
Then Alcinous bade Halius and Laodamas dance alone, for no one could vie with them. And when they had taken in their hands the beautiful ball of purple, which wise Polybus had made for them, the one would lean backward and toss it toward the shadowy clouds, and the other would leap up from the earth and skilfully catch it before his feet touched the ground again. But when they had tried their skill in throwing the ball straight up, the two fell to dancing on the bounteous earth, ever tossing the ball to and fro, and the other youths stood in the lists and beat time, and thereat a great din arose. Then to Alcinous spoke goodly Odysseus: “Lord Alcinous, renowned above all men, thou didst boast that thy dancers were the best, and lo, thy words are made good; amazement holds me as I look on them.”
Ἀλκίνοος δʼ Ἅλιον καὶ Λαοδάμαντα κέλευσενμουνὰξ ὀρχήσασθαι, ἐπεί σφισιν οὔ τις ἔριζεν.οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν σφαῖραν καλὴν μετὰ χερσὶν ἕλοντο,πορφυρέην, τήν σφιν Πόλυβος ποίησε δαΐφρων,τὴν ἕτερος ῥίπτασκε ποτὶ νέφεα σκιόενταἰδνωθεὶς ὀπίσω, ὁ δʼ ἀπὸ χθονὸς ὑψόσʼ ἀερθεὶςῥηιδίως μεθέλεσκε, πάρος ποσὶν οὖδας ἱκέσθαι.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ σφαίρῃ ἀνʼ ἰθὺν πειρήσαντο,ὠρχείσθην δὴ ἔπειτα ποτὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃταρφέʼ ἀμειβομένω· κοῦροι δʼ ἐπελήκεον ἄλλοιἑστεῶτες κατʼ ἀγῶνα, πολὺς δʼ ὑπὸ κόμπος ὀρώρει.δὴ τότʼ ἄρʼ Ἀλκίνοον προσεφώνεε δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,ἠμὲν ἀπείλησας βητάρμονας εἶναι ἀρίστους,ἠδʼ ἄρʼ ἑτοῖμα τέτυκτο· σέβας μʼ ἔχει εἰσορόωντα.
So he spoke, and the strong and mighty Alcinous was glad; and straightway he spoke among the Phaeacians, lovers of the oar: “Hear me, leaders and counsellors of the Phaeacians. This stranger verily seems to me a man of understanding. Come then, let us give him a gift of friendship, as is fitting;
ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δʼ ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα·κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες.ὁ ξεῖνος μάλα μοι δοκέει πεπνυμένος εἶναι.ἀλλʼ ἄγε οἱ δῶμεν ξεινήιον, ὡς ἐπιεικές.
for twelve glorious kings bear sway in our land as rulers, and I myself am the thirteenth. Now do you, each of the twelve, bring a newly washed cloak and tunic, and a talent of precious gold, and let us straightway bring all together, that the stranger with our gifts in his hands may go to his supper glad at heart. And let Euryalus make amends to the stranger himself with words and with a gift, for the word that he spoke was in no wise seemly.” So he spoke, and they all praised his words and bade that so it should be, and sent forth every man a herald to fetch the gifts.
δώδεκα γὰρ κατὰ δῆμον ἀριπρεπέες βασιλῆεςἀρχοὶ κραίνουσι, τρισκαιδέκατος δʼ ἐγὼ αὐτός·τῶν οἱ ἕκαστος φᾶρος ἐυπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶνακαὶ χρυσοῖο τάλαντον ἐνείκατε τιμήεντος.αἶψα δὲ πάντα φέρωμεν ἀολλέα, ὄφρʼ ἐνὶ χερσὶνξεῖνος ἔχων ἐπὶ δόρπον ἴῃ χαίρων ἐνὶ θυμῷ.Εὐρύαλος δέ ἑ αὐτὸν ἀρεσσάσθω ἐπέεσσικαὶ δώρῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπεν.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπῄνεον ἠδʼ ἐκέλευον,δῶρα δʼ ἄρʼ οἰσέμεναι πρόεσαν κήρυκα ἕκαστος.
And Euryalus in turn made answer, and said: “Lord Alcinous, renowned above all men, I will indeed make amends to the stranger, as thou biddest me. I will give him this sword, all of bronze, whereon is a hilt of silver, and a scabbard of new-sawn ivory is wrought about it; and it shall be to him a thing of great worth.” So saying, he put into his hands the silver-studded sword, and spoke, and addressed him with winged words: “Hail, Sir stranger; but if any word has been spoken that was harsh, may the storm-winds straightway snatch it and bear it away.
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·Ἀλκίνοε κρεῖον, πάντων ἀριδείκετε λαῶν,τοιγὰρ ἐγὼ τὸν ξεῖνον ἀρέσσομαι, ὡς σὺ κελεύεις.δώσω οἱ τόδʼ ἄορ παγχάλκεον, ᾧ ἔπι κώπηἀργυρέη, κολεὸν δὲ νεοπρίστου ἐλέφαντοςἀμφιδεδίνηται· πολέος δέ οἱ ἄξιον ἔσται.ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χερσὶ τίθει ξίφος ἀργυρόηλονκαί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·χαῖρε, πάτερ ὦ ξεῖνε· ἔπος δʼ εἴ πέρ τι βέβακταιδεινόν, ἄφαρ τὸ φέροιεν ἀναρπάξασαι ἄελλαι.
And for thyself, may the gods grant thee to see thy wife, and to come to thy native land, for long time hast thou been suffering woes far from thy friends.” And Odysseus of many wiles answered him: “All hail to thee, too, friend; and may the gods grant thee happiness, and mayest thou never hereafter miss this sword which thou hast given me, making amends with gentle speech.” He spoke, and about his shoulders hung the silver-studded sword. And the sun set, and the glorious gifts were brought him. These the lordly heralds bore to the palace of Alcinous, and the sons of peerless Alcinous took the beautiful gifts and set them before their honored mother. And the strong and mighty Alcinous led the way, and they came in and sat down on the high seats. Then to Arete spoke the mighty Alcinous: “Bring hither, wife, a goodly chest, the best thou hast, and thyself place in it a newly-washed cloak and tunic; and do ye heat for the stranger a cauldron on the fire, and warm water, that when he has bathed and has seen well bestowed all the gifts which the noble Phaeacians have brought hither, he may take pleasure in the feast, and in hearing the strains of the song.
σοὶ δὲ θεοὶ ἄλοχόν τʼ ἰδέειν καὶ πατρίδʼ ἱκέσθαιδοῖεν, ἐπεὶ δὴ δηθὰ φίλων ἄπο πήματα πάσχεις.τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·καὶ σὺ φίλος μάλα χαῖρε, θεοὶ δέ τοι ὄλβια δοῖεν.μηδέ τι τοι ξίφεός γε ποθὴ μετόπισθε γένοιτοτούτου, ὃ δή μοι δῶκας ἀρεσσάμενος ἐπέεσσιν.ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισι θέτο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον.δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος, καὶ τῷ κλυτὰ δῶρα παρῆεν.καὶ τά γʼ ἐς Ἀλκινόοιο φέρον κήρυκες ἀγαυοί·δεξάμενοι δʼ ἄρα παῖδες ἀμύμονος Ἀλκινόοιομητρὶ παρʼ αἰδοίῃ ἔθεσαν περικαλλέα δῶρα.τοῖσιν δʼ ἡγεμόνευʼ ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐν ὑψηλοῖσι θρόνοισι.δή ῥα τότʼ Ἀρήτην προσέφη μένος Ἀλκινόοιο·δεῦρο, γύναι, φέρε χηλὸν ἀριπρεπέʼ, ἥ τις ἀρίστη·ἐν δʼ αὐτὴ θὲς φᾶρος ἐυπλυνὲς ἠδὲ χιτῶνα.ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ πυρὶ χαλκὸν ἰήνατε, θέρμετε δʼ ὕδωρ,ὄφρα λοεσσάμενός τε ἰδών τʼ ἐὺ κείμενα πάνταδῶρα, τά οἱ Φαίηκες ἀμύμονες ἐνθάδʼ ἔνεικαν,δαιτί τε τέρπηται καὶ ἀοιδῆς ὕμνον ἀκούων.
And I will give him this beautiful cup of mine, wrought of gold, that he may remember me all his days as he pours libations in his halls to Zeus and to the other gods.” So he spoke, and Arete bade her handmaids to set a great cauldron on the fire with all speed.
καί οἱ ἐγὼ τόδʼ ἄλεισον ἐμὸν περικαλλὲς ὀπάσσω,χρύσεον, ὄφρʼ ἐμέθεν μεμνημένος ἤματα πάντασπένδῃ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ Διί τʼ ἄλλοισίν τε θεοῖσιν.ὣς ἔφατʼ, Ἀρήτη δὲ μετὰ δμῳῇσιν ἔειπενἀμφὶ πυρὶ στῆσαι τρίποδα μέγαν ὅττι τάχιστα.
And they set on the blazing fire the cauldron for filling the bath, and poured in water, and took billets of wood and kindled them beneath it. Then the fire played about the belly of the cauldron, and the water grew warm; but meanwhile Arete brought forth for the stranger a beautiful chest from the treasure chamber, and placed in it the goodly gifts, the raiment and the gold, which the Phaeacians gave. And therein she herself placed a cloak and a fair tunic; and she spoke and addressed Odysseus with winged words: “Look now thyself to the lid, and quickly cast a cord upon it, lest some one despoil thee of thy goods on the way, when later on thou art lying in sweet sleep, as thou farest in the black ship.” Now when the much-enduring goodly Odysseus heard these words, he straightway fitted on the lid, and quickly cast a cord upon it—a cunning knot, which queenly Circe once had taught him. Then forthwith the housewife bade him go to the bath and bathe; and his heart was glad when he saw the warm bath, for he had not been wont to have such tendance from the time that he left the house of faired-haired Calypso, but until then he had tendance continually as a god. Now when the handmaids had bathed him and anointed him with oil, and had cast about him a fair cloak and a tunic, he came forth from the bath, and went to join the men at their wine. And Nausicaa, gifted with beauty by the gods, stood by the door-post of the well-built hall, and she marvelled at Odysseus, as her eyes beheld him, and she spoke, and addressed him with winged words: “Farewell, stranger, and hereafter even in thy own native land mayest thou remember me, for to me first thou owest the price of thy life.” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered her: “Nausicaa, daughter of great-hearted Alcinous, so may Zeus grant, the loud-thundering lord of Here, that I may reach my home and see the day of my returning. Then will I even there pray to thee as to a god all my days, for thou, maiden, hast given me life.” He spoke, and sat down on a chair beside king Alcinous.
αἱ δὲ λοετροχόον τρίποδʼ ἵστασαν ἐν πυρὶ κηλέῳ,ἔν δʼ ἄρʼ ὕδωρ ἔχεαν, ὑπὸ δὲ ξύλα δαῖον ἑλοῦσαι.γάστρην μὲν τρίποδος πῦρ ἄμφεπε, θέρμετο δʼ ὕδωρ·τόφρα δʼ ἄρʼ Ἀρήτη ξείνῳ περικαλλέα χηλὸνἐξέφερεν θαλάμοιο, τίθει δʼ ἐνὶ κάλλιμα δῶρα,ἐσθῆτα χρυσόν τε, τά οἱ Φαίηκες ἔδωκαν·ἐν δʼ αὐτὴ φᾶρος θῆκεν καλόν τε χιτῶνα,καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·αὐτὸς νῦν ἴδε πῶμα, θοῶς δʼ ἐπὶ δεσμὸν ἴηλον,μή τίς τοι καθʼ ὁδὸν δηλήσεται, ὁππότʼ ἂν αὖτεεὕδῃσθα γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἰὼν ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃ.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γʼ ἄκουσε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,αὐτίκʼ ἐπήρτυε πῶμα, θοῶς δʼ ἐπὶ δεσμὸν ἴηλενποικίλον, ὅν ποτέ μιν δέδαε φρεσὶ πότνια Κίρκη·αὐτόδιον δʼ ἄρα μιν ταμίη λούσασθαι ἀνώγειἔς ῥʼ ἀσάμινθον βάνθʼ· ὁ δʼ ἄρ ἀσπασίως ἴδε θυμῷθερμὰ λοέτρʼ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι κομιζόμενός γε θάμιζεν,ἐπεὶ δὴ λίπε δῶμα Καλυψοῦς ἠυκόμοιο.τόφρα δέ οἱ κομιδή γε θεῷ ὣς ἔμπεδος ἦεν.τὸν δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν δμῳαὶ λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ,ἀμφὶ δέ μιν χλαῖναν καλὴν βάλον ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,ἔκ ῥʼ ἀσαμίνθου βὰς ἄνδρας μέτα οἰνοποτῆραςἤιε· Ναυσικάα δὲ θεῶν ἄπο κάλλος ἔχουσαστῆ ῥα παρὰ σταθμὸν τέγεος πύκα ποιητοῖο,θαύμαζεν δʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶσα,καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·χαῖρε, ξεῖνʼ, ἵνα καί ποτʼ ἐὼν ἐν πατρίδι γαίῃμνήσῃ ἐμεῦ, ὅτι μοι πρώτῃ ζωάγριʼ ὀφέλλεις.τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς.Ναυσικάα θύγατερ μεγαλήτορος Ἀλκινόοιο,οὕτω νῦν Ζεὺς θείη, ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης,οἴκαδέ τʼ ἐλθέμεναι καὶ νόστιμον ἦμαρ ἰδέσθαι·τῷ κέν τοι καὶ κεῖθι θεῷ ὣς εὐχετοῴμηναἰεὶ ἤματα πάντα· σὺ γάρ μʼ ἐβιώσαο, κούρη.ἦ ῥα καὶ ἐς θρόνον ἷζε παρʼ Ἀλκίνοον βασιλῆα·
And now they were serving out portions and mixing the wine. Then the herald came near, leading the good minstrel, Demodocus, held in honor by the people, and seated him in the midst of the banqueters, leaning his chair against a high pillar. Then to the herald said Odysseus of many wiles, cutting off a portion of the chine of a white-tusked boar, whereof yet more was left, and there was rich fat on either side: “Herald, take and give this portion to Demodocus, that he may eat, and I will greet him, despite my grief. For among all men that are upon the earth minstrels win honor and reverence, for that the Muse has taught them the paths of song, and loves the tribe of minstrels.” So he spoke, and the herald bore the portion and placed it in the hands of the lord Demodocus, and he took it and was glad at heart. So they put forth their hands to the good cheer lying ready before them.
οἱ δʼ ἤδη μοίρας τʼ ἔνεμον κερόωντό τε οἶνον.κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἄγων ἐρίηρον ἀοιδόν,Δημόδοκον λαοῖσι τετιμένον· εἷσε δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτὸνμέσσῳ δαιτυμόνων, πρὸς κίονα μακρὸν ἐρείσας.δὴ τότε κήρυκα προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,νώτου ἀποπροταμών, ἐπὶ δὲ πλεῖον ἐλέλειπτο,ἀργιόδοντος ὑός, θαλερὴ δʼ ἦν ἀμφὶς ἀλοιφή·κῆρυξ, τῆ δή, τοῦτο πόρε κρέας, ὄφρα φάγῃσιν,Δημοδόκῳ· καί μιν προσπτύξομαι ἀχνύμενός περ·πᾶσι γὰρ ἀνθρώποισιν ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἀοιδοὶτιμῆς ἔμμοροί εἰσι καὶ αἰδοῦς, οὕνεκʼ ἄρα σφέαςοἴμας μοῦσʼ ἐδίδαξε, φίλησε δὲ φῦλον ἀοιδῶν.ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, κῆρυξ δὲ φέρων ἐν χερσὶν ἔθηκενἥρῳ Δημοδόκῳ· ὁ δʼ ἐδέξατο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ.οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.
But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, then to Demodocus said Odysseus of many wiles: “Demodocus, verily above all mortal men do I praise thee, whether it was the Muse, the daughter of Zeus, that taught thee, or Apollo; for well and truly dost thou sing of the fate of the Achaeans, all that they wrought and suffered, and all the toils they endured, as though haply thou hadst thyself been present, or hadst heard the tale from another. But come now, change thy theme, and sing of the building of the horse of wood, which Epeius made with Athena's help, the horse which once Odysseus led up into the citadel as a thing of guile, when he had filled it with the men who sacked Ilios. If thou dost indeed tell me this tale aright, I will declare to all mankind that the god has of a ready heart granted thee the gift of divine song.” So he spoke, and the minstrel, moved by the god, began, and let his song be heard, taking up the tale where the Argives had embarked on their benched ships and were sailing away, after casting fire on their huts, while those others led by glorious Odysseus were now sitting in the place of assembly of the Trojans, hidden in the horse; for the Trojans had themselves dragged it to the citadel.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,δὴ τότε Δημόδοκον προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·Δημόδοκʼ, ἔξοχα δή σε βροτῶν αἰνίζομʼ ἁπάντων.ἢ σέ γε μοῦσʼ ἐδίδαξε, Διὸς πάϊς, ἢ σέ γʼ Ἀπόλλων·λίην γὰρ κατὰ κόσμον Ἀχαιῶν οἶτον ἀείδεις,ὅσσʼ ἔρξαν τʼ ἔπαθόν τε καὶ ὅσσʼ ἐμόγησαν Ἀχαιοί,ὥς τέ που ἢ αὐτὸς παρεὼν ἢ ἄλλου ἀκούσας.ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ μετάβηθι καὶ ἵππου κόσμον ἄεισονδουρατέου, τὸν Ἐπειὸς ἐποίησεν σὺν Ἀθήνῃ,ὅν ποτʼ ἐς ἀκρόπολιν δόλον ἤγαγε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺςἀνδρῶν ἐμπλήσας οἵ ῥʼ Ἴλιον ἐξαλάπαξαν.αἴ κεν δή μοι ταῦτα κατὰ μοῖραν καταλέξῃς,αὐτίκʼ ἐγὼ πᾶσιν μυθήσομαι ἀνθρώποισιν,ὡς ἄρα τοι πρόφρων θεὸς ὤπασε θέσπιν ἀοιδήν.ὣς φάθʼ, ὁ δʼ ὁρμηθεὶς θεοῦ ἤρχετο, φαῖνε δʼ ἀοιδήν,ἔνθεν ἑλὼν ὡς οἱ μὲν ἐυσσέλμων ἐπὶ νηῶνβάντες ἀπέπλειον, πῦρ ἐν κλισίῃσι βαλόντες,Ἀργεῖοι, τοὶ δʼ ἤδη ἀγακλυτὸν ἀμφʼ Ὀδυσῆαἥατʼ ἐνὶ Τρώων ἀγορῇ κεκαλυμμένοι ἵππῳ·αὐτοὶ γάρ μιν Τρῶες ἐς ἀκρόπολιν ἐρύσαντο.
So there it stood, while the people talked long as they sat about it, and could form no resolve. Nay, in three ways did counsel find favour in their minds: either to cleave the hollow timber with the pitiless bronze, or to drag it to the height and cast it down the rocks, or to let it stand as a great offering to propitiate the gods, even as in the end it was to be brought to pass; for it was their fate to perish when their city should enclose the great horse of wood, wherein were sitting all the best of the Argives, bearing to the Trojans death and fate. And he sang how the sons of the Achaeans poured forth from the horse and, leaving their hollow ambush, sacked the city. Of the others he sang how in divers ways they wasted the lofty city, but of Odysseus, how he went like Ares to the house of Deiphobus together with godlike Menelaus. There it was, he said, that Odysseus braved the most terrible fight and in the end conquered by the aid of great-hearted Athena. This song the famous minstrel sang. But the heart of Odysseus was melted and tears wet his cheeks beneath his eyelids. And as a woman wails and flings herself about her dear husband, who has fallen in front of his city and his people, seeking toward off from his city and his children the pitiless day; and as she beholds him dying and gasping for breath, she clings to him and shrieks aloud, while the foe behind her smite her back and shoulders with their spears, and lead her away to captivity to bear toil and woe, while with most pitiful grief her cheeks are wasted: even so did Odysseus let fall pitiful tears from beneath his brows. Now from all the rest he concealed the tears that he shed, but Alcinous alone marked him and took heed, for he sat by him and heard him groaning heavily. And straightway he spoke among the Phaeacians, lovers of the oar: “Hear me, leaders and counsellors of the Phaeacians, and let Demodocus now check his clear-toned lyre, for in no wise to all alike does he give pleasure with this song. Ever since we began to sup and the divine minstrel was moved to sing, from that time yon stranger has never ceased from sorrowful lamentation; surely, methinks, grief has encompassed his heart. Nay, let the minstrel cease, that we may all make merry, hosts and guest alike, since it is better thus. Lo, for the sake of the honored stranger all these things have been made ready, his sending and the gifts of friendship which we give him of our love. Dear as a brother is the stranger and the suppliant to a man whose wits have never so short a range. Therefore do not thou longer hide with crafty thought whatever I shall ask thee; to speak out plainly is the better course.
ὣς ὁ μὲν ἑστήκει, τοὶ δʼ ἄκριτα πόλλʼ ἀγόρευονἥμενοι ἀμφʼ αὐτόν· τρίχα δέ σφισιν ἥνδανε βουλή,ἠὲ διαπλῆξαι κοῖλον δόρυ νηλέι χαλκῷ,ἢ κατὰ πετράων βαλέειν ἐρύσαντας ἐπʼ ἄκρης,ἢ ἐάαν μέγʼ ἄγαλμα θεῶν θελκτήριον εἶναι,τῇ περ δὴ καὶ ἔπειτα τελευτήσεσθαι ἔμελλεν·αἶσα γὰρ ἦν ἀπολέσθαι, ἐπὴν πόλις ἀμφικαλύψῃδουράτεον μέγαν ἵππον, ὅθʼ ἥατο πάντες ἄριστοιἈργείων Τρώεσσι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φέροντες.ἤειδεν δʼ ὡς ἄστυ διέπραθον υἷες Ἀχαιῶνἱππόθεν ἐκχύμενοι, κοῖλον λόχον ἐκπρολιπόντες.ἄλλον δʼ ἄλλῃ ἄειδε πόλιν κεραϊζέμεν αἰπήν,αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσῆα προτὶ δώματα Δηιφόβοιοβήμεναι, ἠύτʼ Ἄρηα σὺν ἀντιθέῳ Μενελάῳ.κεῖθι δὴ αἰνότατον πόλεμον φάτο τολμήσαντανικῆσαι καὶ ἔπειτα διὰ μεγάθυμον Ἀθήνην.ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςτήκετο, δάκρυ δʼ ἔδευεν ὑπὸ βλεφάροισι παρειάς.ὡς δὲ γυνὴ κλαίῃσι φίλον πόσιν ἀμφιπεσοῦσα,ὅς τε ἑῆς πρόσθεν πόλιος λαῶν τε πέσῃσιν,ἄστεϊ καὶ τεκέεσσιν ἀμύνων νηλεὲς ἦμαρ·ἡ μὲν τὸν θνήσκοντα καὶ ἀσπαίροντα ἰδοῦσαἀμφʼ αὐτῷ χυμένη λίγα κωκύει· οἱ δέ τʼ ὄπισθεκόπτοντες δούρεσσι μετάφρενον ἠδὲ καὶ ὤμουςεἴρερον εἰσανάγουσι, πόνον τʼ ἐχέμεν καὶ ὀιζύν·τῆς δʼ ἐλεεινοτάτῳ ἄχεϊ φθινύθουσι παρειαί·ὣς Ὀδυσεὺς ἐλεεινὸν ὑπʼ ὀφρύσι δάκρυον εἶβεν.ἔνθʼ ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ἐλάνθανε δάκρυα λείβων,Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἐπεφράσατʼ ἠδʼ ἐνόησεν,ἥμενος ἄγχʼ αὐτοῦ, βαρὺ δὲ στενάχοντος ἄκουσεν.αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα·κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,Δημόδοκος δʼ ἤδη σχεθέτω φόρμιγγα λίγειαν·οὐ γάρ πως πάντεσσι χαριζόμενος τάδʼ ἀείδει.ἐξ οὗ δορπέομέν τε καὶ ὤρορε θεῖος ἀοιδός,ἐκ τοῦ δʼ οὔ πω παύσατʼ ὀιζυροῖο γόοιοὁ ξεῖνος· μάλα πού μιν ἄχος φρένας ἀμφιβέβηκεν.ἀλλʼ ἄγʼ ὁ μὲν σχεθέτω, ἵνʼ ὁμῶς τερπώμεθα πάντες,ξεινοδόκοι καὶ ξεῖνος, ἐπεὶ πολὺ κάλλιον οὕτως·εἵνεκα γὰρ ξείνοιο τάδʼ αἰδοίοιο τέτυκται,πομπὴ καὶ φίλα δῶρα, τά οἱ δίδομεν φιλέοντες.ἀντὶ κασιγνήτου ξεῖνός θʼ ἱκέτης τε τέτυκταιἀνέρι, ὅς τʼ ὀλίγον περ ἐπιψαύῃ πραπίδεσσι.τῷ νῦν μηδὲ σὺ κεῦθε νοήμασι κερδαλέοισινὅττι κέ σʼ εἴρωμαι· φάσθαι δέ σε κάλλιόν ἐστιν.
Tell me the name by which they were wont to call thee in thy home, even thy mother and thy father and other folk besides, thy townsmen and the dwellers round about. For there is no one of all mankind who is nameless, be he base man or noble, when once he has been born, but parents bestow names on all when they give them birth.
εἴπʼ ὄνομʼ ὅττι σε κεῖθι κάλεον μήτηρ τε πατήρ τεἄλλοι θʼ οἳ κατὰ ἄστυ καὶ οἳ περιναιετάουσιν.οὐ μὲν γάρ τις πάμπαν ἀνώνυμός ἐστʼ ἀνθρώπων,οὐ κακὸς οὐδὲ μὲν ἐσθλός, ἐπὴν τὰ πρῶτα γένηται,ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τίθενται, ἐπεί κε τέκωσι, τοκῆες.
And tell me thy country, thy people, and thy city, that our ships may convey thee thither, discerning the course by their wits. For the Phaeacians have no pilots, nor steering-oars such as other ships have, but their ships of themselves understand the thoughts and minds of men, and they know the cities and rich fields of all peoples, and most swiftly do they cross over the gulf of the sea, hidden in mist and cloud, nor ever have they fear of harm or ruin. Yet this story I once heard thus told by my father Nausithous, who was wont to say that Poseidon was wroth with us because we give safe convoy to all men. He said that someday, as a well-built ship of the Phaeacians was returning from a convoy over the misty deep, Poseidon would smite her and would fling a great mountain about our city.
εἰπὲ δέ μοι γαῖάν τε· τεὴν δῆμόν τε πόλιν τε,ὄφρα σε τῇ πέμπωσι τιτυσκόμεναι φρεσὶ νῆες·οὐ γὰρ Φαιήκεσσι κυβερνητῆρες ἔασιν,οὐδέ τι πηδάλιʼ ἔστι, τά τʼ ἄλλαι νῆες ἔχουσιν·ἀλλʼ αὐταὶ ἴσασι νοήματα καὶ φρένας ἀνδρῶν,καὶ πάντων ἴσασι πόλιας καὶ πίονας ἀγροὺςἀνθρώπων, καὶ λαῖτμα τάχισθʼ ἁλὸς ἐκπερόωσινἠέρι καὶ νεφέλῃ κεκαλυμμέναι· οὐδέ ποτέ σφινοὔτε τι πημανθῆναι ἔπι δέος οὔτʼ ἀπολέσθαι.ἀλλὰ τόδʼ ὥς ποτε πατρὸς ἐγὼν εἰπόντος ἄκουσαΝαυσιθόου, ὃς ἔφασκε Ποσειδάωνʼ ἀγάσασθαιἡμῖν, οὕνεκα πομποὶ ἀπήμονές εἰμεν ἁπάντων.φῆ ποτὲ Φαιήκων ἀνδρῶν ἐυεργέα νῆαἐκ πομπῆς ἀνιοῦσαν ἐν ἠεροειδέι πόντῳῥαισέμεναι, μέγα δʼ ἧμιν ὄρος πόλει ἀμφικαλύψειν.
So that old man spoke, and these things the god will haply bring to pass, or will leave unfulfilled, as may be his good pleasure. But come, now, tell me this and declare it truly: whither thou hast wandered and to what countries of men thou hast come; tell me of the people and of their well-built cities, both of those who are cruel and wild and unjust, and of those who love strangers and fear the gods in their thoughts. And tell me why thou dost weep and wail in spirit as thou hearest the doom of the Argive Danaans and of Ilios. This the gods wrought, and spun the skein of ruin for men, that there might be a song for those yet to be born. Did some kinsman of thine fall before Ilios, some good, true man, thy daughter's husband or thy wife's father, such as are nearest to one after one's own kin and blood? Or was it haply some comrade dear to thy heart, some good, true man? For no whit worse than a brother is a comrade who has an understanding heart.”
ὣς ἀγόρευʼ ὁ γέρων· τὰ δέ κεν θεὸς ἢ τελέσειενἤ κʼ ἀτέλεστʼ εἴη, ὥς οἱ φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ·ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,ὅππῃ ἀπεπλάγχθης τε καὶ ἅς τινας ἵκεο χώραςἀνθρώπων, αὐτούς τε πόλιάς τʼ ἐὺ ναιετοώσας,ἠμὲν ὅσοι χαλεποί τε καὶ ἄγριοι οὐδὲ δίκαιοι,οἵ τε φιλόξεινοι, καί σφιν νόος ἐστὶ θεουδής.εἰπὲ δʼ ὅ τι κλαίεις καὶ ὀδύρεαι ἔνδοθι θυμῷἈργείων Δαναῶν ἠδʼ Ἰλίου οἶτον ἀκούων.τὸν δὲ θεοὶ μὲν τεῦξαν, ἐπεκλώσαντο δʼ ὄλεθρονἀνθρώποις, ἵνα ᾖσι καὶ ἐσσομένοισιν ἀοιδή.ἦ τίς τοι καὶ πηὸς ἀπέφθιτο Ἰλιόθι πρὸἐσθλὸς ἐών, γαμβρὸς ἢ πενθερός, οἵ τε μάλιστακήδιστοι τελέθουσι μεθʼ αἷμά τε καὶ γένος αὐτῶν;ἦ τίς που καὶ ἑταῖρος ἀνὴρ κεχαρισμένα εἰδώς,ἐσθλός; ἐπεὶ οὐ μέν τι κασιγνήτοιο χερείωνγίγνεται, ὅς κεν ἑταῖρος ἐὼν πεπνυμένα εἰδῇ.