Then he sat down in the stern and made Theoclymenus sit down beside him; and his men loosed the stern cables. And Telemachus called to his men and bade them lay hold of the tackling, and they quickly obeyed. The mast of fir they raised and set in the hollow socket, and made it fast with fore-stays, and hauled up the white sail with twisted thongs of oxhide. And flashing-eyed Athena sent them a favorable wind, blowing strongly through the sky, that, speeding swiftly, the ship might accomplish her way over the salt water of the sea.
ἐν πρύμνῃ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα καθέζετο, πὰρ δὲ οἷ αὐτῷεἷσε Θεοκλύμενον· τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔλυσαν.Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσενὅπλων ἅπτεσθαι· τοὶ δʼ ἐσσυμένως ἐπίθοντο.ἱστὸν δʼ εἰλάτινον κοίλης ἔντοσθε μεσόδμηςστῆσαν ἀείραντες, κατὰ δὲ προτόνοισιν ἔδησαν,ἕλκον δʼ ἱστία λευκὰ ἐϋστρέπτοισι βοεῦσι.τοῖσιν δʼ ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,λάβρον ἐπαιγίζοντα διʼ αἰθέρος, ὄφρα τάχιστανηῦς ἀνύσειε θέουσα θαλάσσης ἁλμυρὸν ὕδωρ.
So they fared past Crouni and Chalcis, with its beautiful streams. Now the sun set and all the ways grew dark. And the ship drew near to Pheae, sped by the wind of Zeus, and on past goodly Elis, where the Epeans hold sway. From thence again he steered for the sharp isles pondering whether he should escape death or be taken. But the two, Odysseus and the goodly swineherd, were supping in the hut, and with them supped the other men. But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, Odysseus spoke among them, making trial of the swineherd to see whether he would still entertain him with kindly care and bid him remain there at the farmstead, or send him forth to the city: “Hearken now, Eumaeus, and all ye other men. In the morning I am minded to go forth to the city to beg, that I may not be the ruin of thee and of thy men. Now then, give me good counsel, and send with me a trusty guide to lead me thither;
βὰν δὲ παρὰ Κρουνοὺς καὶ Χαλκίδα καλλιρέεθρον.δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί·ἡ δὲ Φεὰς ἐπέβαλλεν ἐπειγομένη Διὸς οὔρῳἠδὲ παρʼ Ἤλιδα δῖαν, ὅθι κρατέουσιν Ἐπειοί.ἔνθεν δʼ αὖ νήσοισιν ἐπιπροέηκε θοῇσιν,ὁρμαίνων ἤ κεν θάνατον φύγοι ἦ κεν ἁλώῃ.τὼ δʼ αὖτʼ ἐν κλισίῃ Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ δῖος ὑφορβὸςδορπείτην· παρὰ δέ σφιν ἐδόρπεον ἀνέρες ἄλλοι.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,τοῖς δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς μετέειπε, συβώτεω πειρητίζων,ἤ μιν ἔτʼ ἐνδυκέως φιλέοι μεῖναί τε κελεύοιαὐτοῦ ἐνὶ σταθμῷ, ἦ ὀτρύνειε πόλινδε·κέκλυθι νῦν, Εὔμαιε, καὶ ἄλλοι πάντες ἑταῖροι·ἠῶθεν προτὶ ἄστυ λιλαίομαι ἀπονέεσθαιπτωχεύσων, ἵνα μή σε κατατρύχω καὶ ἑταίρους.
but through the city will I wander by myself perforce, in the hope that one haply will give me a cup of water and a loaf. Aye, and I would go to the house of godlike Odysseus and bear tidings to the wise Penelope, and join the company of the insolent wooers, if perchance they may give me a meal, since they have good cheer in abundance. Straightway might I do good service among them in all that they would. For I will tell thee, and do thou give heed and hearken. By the favour of Hermes, the messenger, who lends grace and glory to all men's work, in the business of serving no man beside can vie with me, in piling well a fire, in splitting dry faggots, in carving and roasting meat, and in pouring wine —in all things in which meaner men serve the noble.”
ἀλλά μοι εὖ θʼ ὑπόθευ καὶ ἅμʼ ἡγεμόνʼ ἐσθλὸν ὄπασσονὅς κέ με κεῖσʼ ἀγάγῃ· κατὰ δὲ πτόλιν αὐτὸς ἀνάγκῃπλάγξομαι, αἴ κέν τις κοτύλην καὶ πύρνον ὀρέξῃ.καί κʼ ἐλθὼν πρὸς δώματʼ Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιοἀγγελίην εἴποιμι περίφρονι Πηνελοπείῃ,καί κε μνηστήρεσσιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μιγείην,εἴ μοι δεῖπνον δοῖεν ὀνείατα μυρίʼ ἔχοντες.αἶψά κεν εὖ δρώοιμι μετὰ σφίσιν ἅσσʼ ἐθέλοιεν.ἐκ γάρ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μευ ἄκουσον·Ἑρμείαο ἕκητι διακτόρου, ὅς ῥά τε πάντωνἀνθρώπων ἔργοισι χάριν καὶ κῦδος ὀπάζει,δρηστοσύνῃ οὐκ ἄν μοι ἐρίσσειε βροτὸς ἄλλος,πῦρ τʼ εὖ νηῆσαι διά τε ξύλα δανὰ κεάσσαι,δαιτρεῦσαί τε καὶ ὀπτῆσαι καὶ οἰνοχοῆσαι,οἷά τε τοῖς ἀγαθοῖσι παραδρώωσι χέρηες.
Then deeply moved didst thou speak to him, swineherd Eumaeus: “Ah me, stranger, why has such a thought come into thy mind? Verily thou art fain utterly to perish there, if thou wouldest indeed enter the throng of the wooers, whose wantonness and violence reach the iron heaven.
τὸν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφης, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα·ὤ μοι, ξεῖνε, τίη τοι ἐνὶ φρεσὶ τοῦτο νόημαἔπλετο; ἦ σύ γε πάγχυ λιλαίεαι αὐτόθʼ ὀλέσθαι.εἰ δὴ μνηστήρων ἐθέλεις καταδῦναι ὅμιλον,τῶν ὕβρις τε βίη τε σιδήρεον οὐρανὸν ἵκει.
Not such as thou are their serving men; nay, they that serve them are young men, well clad in cloaks and tunics, and ever are their heads and bright faces sleek; and polished tables are laden with bread, and meat, and wine.
οὔ τοι τοιοίδʼ εἰσὶν ὑποδρηστῆρες ἐκείνων,ἀλλὰ νέοι, χλαίνας εὖ εἱμένοι ἠδὲ χιτῶνας,αἰεὶ δὲ λιπαροὶ κεφαλὰς καὶ καλὰ πρόσωπα,οἵ σφιν ὑποδρώωσιν· ἐΰξεστοι δὲ τράπεζαισίτου καὶ κρειῶν ἠδʼ οἴνου βεβρίθασιν.
Nay, abide here; there is none that is vexed by thy presence, not I, nor any other of the men that are with me. But when the dear son of Odysseus comes, he will himself clothe thee in a cloak and a tunic as raiment, and will send thee whithersoever thy heart and spirit bid thee go.”
ἀλλὰ μένʼ· οὐ γάρ τίς τοι ἀνιᾶται παρεόντι,οὔτʼ ἐγὼ οὔτε τις ἄλλος ἑταίρων, οἵ μοι ἔασιν.αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἔλθῃσιν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός,κεῖνός σε χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματα ἕσσει,πέμψει δʼ ὅππη σε κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει.
Then the much-enduring, goodly Odysseus answered him: “Would, Eumaeus, that thou mightest be as dear to father Zeus as thou art to me, for that thou hast made me cease from wandering and from grievous hardships. Than roaming naught else is more evil for mortals; yet for their cursed belly's sake men endure evil woes, when wandering and sorrow and pain come upon them. But now, since thou keepest me here and biddest me await thy master, come, tell me of the mother of godlike Odysseus, and of the father, whom, when he went forth, he left behind him on the threshold of old age. Are they haply still living beneath the rays of the sun? or are they now dead and in the house of Hades?” Then the swineherd, a leader of men, answered him: “Then verily, stranger, will I frankly tell thee. Laertes still lives, but ever prays to Zeus that his life may waste away from his limbs within his halls.
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·αἴθʼ οὕτως, Εὔμαιε, φίλος Διὶ πατρὶ γένοιοὡς ἐμοί, ὅττι μʼ ἔπαυσας ἄλης καὶ ὀϊζύος αἰνῆς.πλαγκτοσύνης δʼ οὐκ ἔστι κακώτερον ἄλλο βροτοῖσιν·ἀλλʼ ἕνεκʼ οὐλομένης γαστρὸς κακὰ κήδεʼ ἔχουσινἀνέρες, ὅν τινʼ ἵκηται ἄλη καὶ πῆμα καὶ ἄλγος.νῦν δʼ ἐπεὶ ἰσχανάᾳς μεῖναί τέ με κεῖνον ἄνωγας,εἴπʼ ἄγε μοι περὶ μητρὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιοπατρός θʼ, ὃν κατέλειπεν ἰὼν ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ,ἤ που ἔτι ζώουσιν ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο,ἦ ἤδη τεθνᾶσι καὶ εἰν Ἀΐδαο δόμοισι.τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν·τοιγὰρ ἐγώ τοι, ξεῖνε, μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως ἀγορεύσω.Λαέρτης μὲν ἔτι ζώει, Διὶ δʼ εὔχεται αἰεὶθυμὸν ἀπὸ μελέων φθίσθαι οἷς ἐν μεγάροισιν·
For wondrously does he grieve for his son that is gone, and for the wise lady, his wedded wife, whose death troubled him most of all, and brought him to untimely old age. But she died of grief for her glorious son by a miserable death, as I would that no man may die who dwells here as my friend and does me kindness. So long as she lived, though it was in sorrow, it was ever a pleasure to me to ask and enquire after her, for she herself had brought me up with long-robed Ctimene, her noble daughter, whom she bore as her youngest child.
ἐκπάγλως γὰρ παιδὸς ὀδύρεται οἰχομένοιοκουριδίης τʼ ἀλόχοιο δαΐφρονος, ἥ ἑ μάλισταἤκαχʼ ἀποφθιμένη καὶ ἐν ὠμῷ γήραϊ θῆκεν.ἡ δʼ ἄχεϊ οὗ παιδὸς ἀπέφθιτο κυδαλίμοιο,λευγαλέῳ θανάτῳ, ὡς μὴ θάνοι ὅς τις ἐμοί γεἐνθάδε ναιετάων φίλος εἴη καὶ φίλα ἔρδοι.ὄφρα μὲν οὖν δὴ κείνη ἔην, ἀχέουσά περ ἔμπης,τόφρα τί μοι φίλον ἔσκε μεταλλῆσαι καὶ ἐρέσθαι,οὕνεκά μʼ αὐτὴ θρέψεν ἅμα Κτιμένῃ τανυπέπλῳ,θυγατέρʼ ἰφθίμῃ, τὴν ὁπλοτάτην τέκε παίδων·
With her was I brought up, and the mother honored me little less than her own children. But when we both reached the longed-for prime of youth they sent her to Same to wed, and got themselves countless bridal gifts, but as for me, my lady clad me in a cloak and tunic, right goodly raiment, and gave me sandals for my feet and sent me forth to the field; but in her heart she loved me the more. But now I lack all this, though for my own part the blessed gods make to prosper the work to which I give heed. Therefrom have I eaten and drunk, and given to reverend strangers. But from my mistress I may hear naught pleasant, whether word or deed, for a plague has fallen upon the house, even overweening men. Yet greatly do servants long to speak before their mistress, and learn of all, and to eat and drink, and thereafter to carry off somewhat also to the fields, such things as ever make the heart of a servant to grow warm.”
τῇ ὁμοῦ ἐτρεφόμην, ὀλίγον δέ τί μʼ ἧσσον ἐτίμα.αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἥβην πολυήρατον ἱκόμεθʼ ἄμφω,τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα Σάμηνδʼ ἔδοσαν καὶ μυρίʼ ἕλοντο,αὐτὰρ ἐμὲ χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματʼ ἐκείνηκαλὰ μάλʼ ἀμφιέσασα, ποσὶν δʼ ὑποδήματα δοῦσαἀγρόνδε προΐαλλε· φίλει δέ με κηρόθι μᾶλλον.νῦν δʼ ἤδη τούτων ἐπιδεύομαι· ἀλλά μοι αὐτῷἔργον ἀέξουσιν μάκαρες θεοὶ ᾧ ἐπιμίμνω·τῶν ἔφαγόν τʼ ἔπιόν τε καὶ αἰδοίοισιν ἔδωκα.ἐκ δʼ ἄρα δεσποίνης οὐ μείλιχον ἔστιν ἀκοῦσαιοὔτʼ ἔπος οὔτε τι ἔργον, ἐπεὶ κακὸν ἔμπεσεν οἴκῳ,ἄνδρες ὑπερφίαλοι· μέγα δὲ δμῶες χατέουσινἀντία δεσποίνης φάσθαι καὶ ἕκαστα πυθέσθαικαὶ φαγέμεν πιέμεν τε, ἔπειτα δὲ καί τι φέρεσθαιἀγρόνδʼ, οἷά τε θυμὸν ἀεὶ δμώεσσιν ἰαίνει.
Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Lo now, surely when thou wast but a child, swineherd Eumaeus, thou didst wander far from thy country and thy parents. But come now, tell me this, and declare it truly. Was a broad-wayed city of men sacked, wherein thy father and honored mother dwelt? Or, when thou wast alone with thy sheep or cattle, did foemen take thee in their ships and bear thee for sale to the house of this thy master, who paid for thee a goodly price?” Then the swineherd, a leader of men, answered him:
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·ὢ πόποι, ὡς ἄρα τυτθὸς ἐών, Εὔμαιε συβῶτα,πολλὸν ἀπεπλάγχθης σῆς πατρίδος ἠδὲ τοκήων.ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,ἠὲ διεπράθετο πτόλις ἀνδρῶν εὐρυάγυια,ᾗ ἔνι ναιετάασκε πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ,ἦ σέ γε μουνωθέντα παρʼ οἴεσιν ἢ παρὰ βουσὶνἄνδρες δυσμενέες νηυσὶν λάβον ἠδʼ ἐπέρασσαντοῦδʼ ἀνδρὸς πρὸς δώμαθʼ, ὁ δʼ ἄξιον ὦνον ἔδωκε.τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν·
“Stranger, since thou dost ask and question me of this, hearken now in silence, and take thy joy, and drink thy wine, as thou sittest here. These nights are wondrous long. There is time for sleep, and there is time to take joy in hearing tales; thou needest not lay thee down till it be time; there is weariness even in too much sleep.
ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ ἂρ δὴ ταῦτά μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς,σιγῇ νῦν ξυνίει καὶ τέρπεο, πῖνέ τε οἶνονἥμενος. αἵδε δὲ νύκτες ἀθέσφατοι· ἔστι μὲν εὕδειν,ἔστι δὲ τερπομένοισιν ἀκούειν· οὐδέ τί σε χρή,πρὶν ὥρη, καταλέχθαι· ἀνίη καὶ πολὺς ὕπνος.
As for the rest, if any man's heart and spirit bid him, let him go forth and sleep, and at daybreak let him eat, and follow our master's swine. But we two will drink and feast in the hut, and will take delight each in the other's grievous woes, as we recall them to mind. For in after time a man finds joy even in woes, whosoever has suffered much, and wandered much. But this will I tell thee, of which thou dost ask and enquire. “There is an isle called Syria, if haply thou hast heard thereof, above Ortygia, where are the turning-places of the sun. It is not so very thickly settled, but it is a good land, rich in herds, rich in flocks, full of wine, abounding in wheat. Famine never comes into the land, nor does any hateful sickness besides fall on wretched mortals; but when the tribes of men grow old throughout the city, Apollo, of the silver bow, comes with Artemis, and assails them with his gentle shafts, and slays them. In that isle are two cities, and all the land is divided between them, and over both ruled as king my father, Ctesius, son of Ormenus, a man like to the immortals.
τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ὅτινα κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀνώγει,εὑδέτω ἐξελθών· ἅμα δʼ ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιδειπνήσας ἅμʼ ὕεσσιν ἀνακτορίῃσιν ἑπέσθω.νῶϊ δʼ ἐνὶ κλισίῃ πίνοντέ τε δαινυμένω τεκήδεσιν ἀλλήλων τερπώμεθα λευγαλέοισι,μνωομένω· μετὰ γάρ τε καὶ ἄλγεσι τέρπεται ἀνήρ,ὅς τις δὴ μάλα πολλὰ πάθῃ καὶ πόλλʼ ἐπαληθῇ.τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέω ὅ μʼ ἀνείρεαι ἠδὲ μεταλλᾷς.νῆσός τις Συρίη κικλήσκεται, εἴ που ἀκούεις,Ὀρτυγίης καθύπερθεν, ὅθι τροπαὶ ἠελίοιο,οὔ τι περιπληθὴς λίην τόσον, ἀλλʼ ἀγαθὴ μέν,εὔβοτος, εὔμηλος, οἰνοπληθής, πολύπυρος.πείνη δʼ οὔ ποτε δῆμον ἐσέρχεται, οὐδέ τις ἄλληνοῦσος ἐπὶ στυγερὴ πέλεται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν·ἀλλʼ ὅτε γηράσκωσι πόλιν κάτα φῦλʼ ἀνθρώπων,ἐλθὼν ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων Ἀρτέμιδι ξὺνοἷς ἀγανοῖς βελέεσσιν ἐποιχόμενος κατέπεφνεν.ἔνθα δύω πόλιες, δίχα δέ σφισι πάντα δέδασται·τῇσιν δʼ ἀμφοτέρῃσι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐμβασίλευε,Κτήσιος Ὀρμενίδης, ἐπιείκελος ἀθανάτοισιν.
“Thither came Phoenicians, men famed for their ships, greedy knaves, bringing countless trinkets in their black ship. Now there was in my father's house a Phoenician woman, comely and tall, and skilled in glorious handiwork. Her the wily Phoenicians beguiled.
ἔνθα δὲ Φοίνικες ναυσίκλυτοι ἤλυθον ἄνδρες,τρῶκται, μυρίʼ ἄγοντες ἀθύρματα νηῒ μελαίνῃ.ἔσκε δὲ πατρὸς ἐμοῖο γυνὴ Φοίνισσʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ,καλή τε μεγάλη τε καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα ἰδυῖα·τὴν δʼ ἄρα Φοίνικες πολυπαίπαλοι ἠπερόπευον.
First, as she was washing clothes, one of them lay with her in love by the hollow ship; for this beguiles the minds of women, even though one be upright. Then he asked her who she was, and whence she came, and she straightway shewed him the high-roofed home of my father, and said:
πλυνούσῃ τις πρῶτα μίγη κοίλῃ παρὰ νηῒεὐνῇ καὶ φιλότητι, τά τε φρένας ἠπεροπεύειθηλυτέρῃσι γυναιξί, καὶ ἥ κʼ εὐεργὸς ἔῃσιν.εἰρώτα δὴ ἔπειτα τίς εἴη καὶ πόθεν ἔλθοι·ἡ δὲ μάλʼ αὐτίκα πατρὸς ἐπέφραδεν ὑψερεφὲς δῶ·
“‘Out of Sidon, rich in bronze, I declare that I come, and I am the daughter of Arybas, to whom wealth flowed in streams. But Taphian pirates seized me, as I was coming from the fields, and brought me hither, and sold me to the house of yonder man, and he paid for me a goodly price.’
ἐκ μὲν Σιδῶνος πολυχάλκου εὔχομαι εἶναι,κούρη δʼ εἴμʼ Ἀρύβαντος ἐγὼ ῥυδὸν ἀφνειοῖο·ἀλλά μʼ ἀνήρπαξαν Τάφιοι ληΐστορες ἄνδρεςἀγρόθεν ἐρχομένην, πέρασαν δέ τε δεῦρʼ ἀγαγόντεςτοῦδʼ ἀνδρὸς πρὸς δώμαθʼ· ὁ δʼ ἄξιον ὦνον ἔδωκε.
“Then the man who had lain with her in secret answered her: ‘Wouldest thou then return again with us to thy home, that thou mayest see the high-roofed house of thy father and mother, and see them too? For of a truth they yet live, and are accounted rich.’ “Then the woman answered him, and said:
τὴν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπεν ἀνήρ, ὃς ἐμίσγετο λάθρη·ἦ ῥά κε νῦν πάλιν αὖτις ἅμʼ ἡμῖν οἴκαδʼ ἕποιο,ὄφρα ἴδῃ πατρὸς καὶ μητέρος ὑψερεφὲς δῶαὐτούς τʼ; ἦ γὰρ ἔτʼ εἰσὶ καὶ ἀφνειοὶ καλέονται.τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε γυνὴ καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ·
‘This may well be, if you sailors will pledge yourselves by an oath, that you will bring me safely home.’ “So she spoke, and they all gave an oath thereto, as she bade them. But when they had sworn and made an end of the oath, the woman again spoke among them, and made answer:
εἴη κεν καὶ τοῦτʼ, εἴ μοι ἐθέλοιτέ γε, ναῦται,ὅρκῳ πιστωθῆναι ἀπήμονά μʼ οἴκαδʼ ἀπάξειν.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπώμνυον ὡς ἐκέλευεν.αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ὄμοσάν τε τελεύτησάν τε τὸν ὅρκον,τοῖς δʼ αὖτις μετέειπε γυνὴ καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ·
“‘Be silent now, and let no one of your company speak to me, if he meets me in the street or haply at the well, lest some one go to the palace and tell the old king, and he wax suspicious and bind me with grievous bonds, and devise death for you.
σιγῇ νῦν, μή τίς με προσαυδάτω ἐπέεσσινὑμετέρων ἑτάρων, ξυμβλήμενος ἢ ἐν ἀγυιῇ,ἤ που ἐπὶ κρήνῃ· μή τις ποτὶ δῶμα γέροντιἐλθὼν ἐξείπῃ, ὁ δʼ ὀϊσάμενος καταδήσῃδεσμῷ ἐν ἀργαλέῳ, ὑμῖν δʼ ἐπιφράσσετʼ ὄλεθρον.
Nay, keep my words in mind, and speed the barter of your wares. But, when your ship is laden with goods, let a message come quickly to me at the palace; for I will also bring whatever gold comes under my hand. Aye, and I would gladly give another thing for my passage.
ἀλλʼ ἔχετʼ ἐν φρεσὶ μῦθον, ἐπείγετε δʼ ὦνον ὁδαίων.ἀλλʼ ὅτε κεν δὴ νηῦς πλείη βιότοιο γένηται,ἀγγελίη μοι ἔπειτα θοῶς ἐς δώμαθʼ ἱκέσθω·οἴσω γὰρ καὶ χρυσόν, ὅτις χʼ ὑποχείριος ἔλθῃ·καὶ δέ κεν ἄλλʼ ἐπίβαθρον ἐγὼν ἐθέλουσά γε δοίην.
There is a child of my noble master, whose nurse I am in the palace, such a cunning child, who ever runs abroad with me. Him would I bring on board, and he would fetch you a vast price, wherever you might take him for sale among men of strange speech.’ “So saying, she departed to the fair palace. And they remained there in our land a full year, and got by trade much substance in their hollow ship. But when their hollow ship was laden for their return, then they sent a messenger to bear tidings to the woman. There came a man, well versed in guile, to my father's house with a necklace of gold, and with amber beads was it strung between. This the maidens in the hall and my honored mother were handling, and were gazing on it, and were offering him their price; but he nodded to the woman in silence. Then verily when he had nodded to her, he went his way to the hollow ship, but she took me by the hand, and led me forth from the house. Now in the fore-hall of the palace she found the cups and tables of the banqueters, who waited upon my father. They had gone forth to the council and the people's place of debate, but she quickly hid three goblets in her bosom, and bore them away; and I followed in my heedlessness. Then the sun set, and all the ways grew dark. And we made haste and came to the goodly harbor, where was the swift ship of the Phoenicians. Then they embarked, putting both of us on board as well, and sailed over the watery ways, and Zeus sent them a favorable wind. For six days we sailed, night and day alike; but when Zeus, son of Cronos, brought upon us the seventh day, then Artemis, the archer, smote the woman, and she fell with a thud into the hold, as a sea bird plunges.
παῖδα γὰρ ἀνδρὸς ἑῆος ἐνὶ μεγάροις ἀτιτάλλω,κερδαλέον δὴ τοῖον, ἅμα τροχόωντα θύραζε·τόν κεν ἄγοιμʼ ἐπὶ νηός, ὁ δʼ ὑμῖν μυρίον ὦνονἄλφοι, ὅπῃ περάσητε κατʼ ἀλλοθρόους ἀνθρώπους.ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ἀπέβη πρὸς δώματα καλά,οἱ δʼ ἐνιαυτὸν ἅπαντα παρʼ ἡμῖν αὖθι μένοντεςἐν νηῒ γλαφυρῇ βίοτον πολὺν ἐμπολόωντο.ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ κοίλη νηῦς ἤχθετο τοῖσι νέεσθαι,καὶ τότʼ ἄρʼ ἄγγελον ἧκαν, ὃς ἀγγείλειε γυναικί.ἤλυθʼ ἀνὴρ πολύϊδρις ἐμοῦ πρὸς δώματα πατρὸςχρύσεον ὅρμον ἔχων, μετὰ δʼ ἠλέκτροισιν ἔερτο.τὸν μὲν ἄρʼ ἐν μεγάρῳ δμῳαὶ καὶ πότνια μήτηρχερσίν τʼ ἀμφαφόωντο καὶ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶντο,ὦνον ὑπισχόμεναι· ὁ δὲ τῇ κατένευσε σιωπῇ.ἦ τοι ὁ καννεύσας κοίλην ἐπὶ νῆα βεβήκει,ἡ δʼ ἐμὲ χειρὸς ἑλοῦσα δόμων ἐξῆγε θύραζε.εὗρε δʼ ἐνὶ προδόμῳ ἠμὲν δέπα ἠδὲ τραπέζαςἀνδρῶν δαιτυμόνων, οἵ μευ πατέρʼ ἀμφεπένοντο.οἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐς θῶκον πρόμολον, δήμοιό τε φῆμιν,ἡ δʼ αἶψα τρίʼ ἄλεισα κατακρύψασʼ ὑπὸ κόλπῳἔκφερεν· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἑπόμην ἀεσιφροσύνῃσι.δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος, σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί·ἡμεῖς δʼ ἐς λιμένα κλυτὸν ἤλθομεν ὦκα κιόντες,ἔνθʼ ἄρα Φοινίκων ἀνδρῶν ἦν ὠκύαλος νηῦς.οἱ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀναβάντες ἐπέπλεον ὑγρὰ κέλευθα,νὼ ἀναβησάμενοι· ἐπὶ δὲ Ζεὺς οὖρον ἴαλλεν.ἑξῆμαρ μὲν ὁμῶς πλέομεν νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ·ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἕβδομον ἦμαρ ἐπὶ Ζεὺς θῆκε Κρονίων,τὴν μὲν ἔπειτα γυναῖκα βάλʼ Ἄρτεμις ἰοχέαιρα,ἄντλῳ δʼ ἐνδούπησε πεσοῦσʼ ὡς εἰναλίη κήξ.
Her they cast forth to be a prey to seals and fishes, but I was left, my heart sore stricken. Now the wind, as it bore them, and the wave, brought them to Ithaca, where Laertes bought me with his wealth. Thus it was that my eyes beheld this land.”
καὶ τὴν μὲν φώκῃσι καὶ ἰχθύσι κύρμα γενέσθαιἔκβαλον· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ λιπόμην ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ·τοὺς δʼ Ἰθάκῃ ἐπέλασσε φέρων ἄνεμός τε καὶ ὕδωρ,ἔνθα με Λαέρτης πρίατο κτεάτεσσιν ἑοῖσιν.οὕτω τήνδε τε γαῖαν ἐγὼν ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι.
To him then Zeus-born Odysseus made answer, and said: “Eumaeus, of a truth thou hast deeply stirred the heart in my breast in telling all this tale of the sorrow thou hast borne at heart. Yet verily in thy case Zeus has given good side by side with the evil, since after all thy toil thou hast come to the house of a kindly man, who gives thee food and drink, and that with kindness, and thou livest well; while as for me, it is while wandering through the many cities of men that I am come hither.” Thus they spoke to one another, and then lay down to sleep, for no long time, but for a little;
τὸν δʼ αὖ διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·Εὔμαιʼ, ἦ μάλα δή μοι ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸν ὄριναςταῦτα ἕκαστα λέγων, ὅσα δὴ πάθες ἄλγεα θυμῷ.ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι σοὶ μὲν παρὰ καὶ κακῷ ἐσθλὸν ἔθηκεΖεύς, ἐπεὶ ἀνδρὸς δώματʼ ἀφίκεο πολλὰ μογήσαςἠπίου, ὃς δή τοι παρέχει βρῶσίν τε πόσιν τεἐνδυκέως, ζώεις δʼ ἀγαθὸν βίον· αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γεπολλὰ βροτῶν ἐπὶ ἄστεʼ ἀλώμενος ἐνθάδʼ ἱκάνω.ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,καδδραθέτην δʼ οὐ πολλὸν ἐπὶ χρόνον, ἀλλὰ μίνυνθα·
for soon came fair-throned Dawn. But the comrades of Telemachus, drawing near the shore, furled the sail, and took down the mast quickly, and rowed the ship to her anchorage with their oars. Then they cast out the mooring-stones and made fast the stern cables, and themselves went forth upon the shore of the sea, and made ready their meal and mixed the flaming wine. But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, among them wise Telemachus was the first to speak, saying: “Do you now row the black ship to the city, but I will visit the fields and the herdsmen, and at evening will come to the city when I have looked over my lands. And in the morning I will set before you, as wages for your journey, a good feast of flesh and sweet wine.” Then godlike Theoclymenus answered him: “Whither shall I go, dear child? To whose house shall I come of those who rule in rocky Ithaca? Or shall I go straight to thy mother's house and thine?” Then wise Telemachus answered him: “Were things otherwise, I should bid thee go even to our house, for there is in no wise lack of entertainment for strangers, but it would be worse for thyself, since I shall be away, and my mother will not see thee. For she does not often appear before the wooers in the house, but apart from them weaves at her loom in an upper chamber. But I will tell thee of another man to whom thou mayest go, Eurymachus, glorious son of wise Polybus, whom now the men of Ithaca look upon as on a god. For he is by far the best man, and is most eager to marry my mother and to have the honor of Odysseus. Nevertheless Olympian Zeus, who dwells in the sky, knows this, whether or not before marriage he will fulfil for them the evil day.”
αἶψα γὰρ Ἠὼς ἦλθεν ἐΰθρονος. οἱ δʼ ἐπὶ χέρσουΤηλεμάχου ἕταροι λύον ἱστία, κὰδ δʼ ἕλον ἱστὸνκαρπαλίμως, τὴν δʼ εἰς ὅρμον προέρυσσαν ἐρετμοῖς·ἐκ δʼ εὐνὰς ἔβαλον, κατὰ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔδησαν·ἐκ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βαῖνον ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης,δεῖπνόν τʼ ἐντύνοντο κερῶντό τε αἴθοπα οἶνον.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,τοῖσι δὲ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἤρχετο μύθων·ὑμεῖς μὲν νῦν ἄστυδʼ ἐλαύνετε νῆα μέλαιναν,αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἀγροὺς ἐπιείσομαι ἠδὲ βοτῆρας·ἑσπέριος δʼ εἰς ἄστυ ἰδὼν ἐμὰ ἔργα κάτειμι.ἠῶθεν δέ κεν ὔμμιν ὁδοιπόριον παραθείμην,δαῖτʼ ἀγαθὴν κρειῶν τε καὶ οἴνου ἡδυπότοιο.τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής·πῆ γὰρ ἐγώ, φίλε τέκνον, ἴω; τεῦ δώμαθʼ ἵκωμαιἀνδρῶν οἳ κραναὴν Ἰθάκην κάτα κοιρανέουσιν;ἦ ἰθὺς σῆς μητρὸς ἴω καὶ σοῖο δόμοιο;τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·ἄλλως μέν σʼ ἂν ἐγώ γε καὶ ἡμέτερόνδε κελοίμηνἔρχεσθʼ· οὐ γάρ τι ξενίων ποθή· ἀλλὰ σοὶ αὐτῷχεῖρον, ἐπεί τοι ἐγὼ μὲν ἀπέσσομαι, οὐδέ σε μήτηρὄψεται· οὐ μὲν γάρ τι θαμὰ μνηστῆρσʼ ἐνὶ οἴκῳφαίνεται, ἀλλʼ ἀπὸ τῶν ὑπερωΐῳ ἱστὸν ὑφαίνει.ἀλλά τοι ἄλλον φῶτα πιφαύσκομαι ὅν κεν ἵκοιο,Εὐρύμαχον, Πολύβοιο δαΐφρονος ἀγλαὸν υἱόν,τὸν νῦν ἶσα θεῷ Ἰθακήσιοι εἰσορόωσι·καὶ γὰρ πολλὸν ἄριστος ἀνὴρ μέμονέν τε μάλισταμητέρʼ ἐμὴν γαμέειν καὶ Ὀδυσσῆος γέρας ἕξειν.ἀλλὰ τά γε Ζεὺς οἶδεν Ὀλύμπιος, αἰθέρι ναίων,εἴ κέ σφι πρὸ γάμοιο τελευτήσει κακὸν ἦμαρ.
Even as he spoke a bird flew forth upon the right, a hawk, the swift messenger of Apollo. In his talons he held a dove, and was plucking her and shedding the feathers down on the ground midway between the ship and Telemachus himself. Then Theoclymenus called him apart from his companions, and clasped his hand, and spoke, and addressed him: “Telemachus, surely not without a god's warrant has this bird flown forth upon our right, for I knew, as I looked upon him, that he was a bird of omen. Than yours is no other house in the land of Ithaca more kingly; nay, ye are ever supreme.”
ὣς ἄρα οἱ εἰπόντι ἐπέπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνις,κίρκος, Ἀπόλλωνος ταχὺς ἄγγελος· ἐν δὲ πόδεσσιτίλλε πέλειαν ἔχων, κατὰ δὲ πτερὰ χεῦεν ἔραζεμεσσηγὺς νηός τε καὶ αὐτοῦ Τηλεμάχοιο.τὸν δὲ Θεοκλύμενος ἑτάρων ἀπονόσφι καλέσσαςἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρὶ ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·Τηλέμαχʼ, οὔ τοι ἄνευ θεοῦ ἔπτατο δεξιὸς ὄρνιςἔγνων γάρ μιν ἐσάντα ἰδὼν οἰωνὸν ἐόντα.ὑμετέρου δʼ οὐκ ἔστι γένος βασιλεύτερον ἄλλοἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης, ἀλλʼ ὑμεῖς καρτεροὶ αἰεί.
Then wise Telemachus answered him again: “Ah, stranger, I would that this word of thine might be fulfilled. Then shouldest thou straightway know of kindness and many a gift from me, so that one that met thee would call thee blessed.” Therewith he spoke to Peiraeus, his trusty comrade:
τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο, ξεῖνε, ἔπος τετελεσμένον εἴη·τῷ κε τάχα γνοίης φιλότητά τε πολλά τε δῶραἐξ ἐμεῦ, ὡς ἄν τίς σε συναντόμενος μακαρίζοι.ἦ καὶ Πείραιον προσεφώνεε, πιστὸν ἑταῖρον·
“Peiraeus, son of Clytius, it is thou that in other matters art wont to hearken to me above all my comrades, who went with me to Pylos; so now do thou, I pray thee, take this stranger and give him kindly welcome in thy house, and show him honor until I come.”
Πείραιε Κλυτίδη, σὺ δέ μοι τά περ ἄλλα μάλισταπείθῃ ἐμῶν ἑτάρων, οἵ μοι Πύλον εἰς ἅμʼ ἕποντο·καὶ νῦν μοι τὸν ξεῖνον ἄγων ἐν δώμασι σοῖσινἐνδυκέως φιλέειν καὶ τιέμεν, εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθω.τὸν δʼ αὖ Πείραιος δουρικλυτὸς ἀντίον ηὔδα·
Then Peiraeus, the famous spearman, answered him: “Telemachus, though thou shouldest stay here long, I will entertain him, and he shall have no lack of what is due to strangers.” So saying, he went on board the ship, and bade his comrades themselves to embark and to loose the stern cables. So they went on board straightway, and sat down upon the benches.
Τηλέμαχʼ, εἰ γάρ κεν σὺ πολὺν χρόνον ἐνθάδε μίμνοι,τόνδε τʼ ἐγὼ κομιῶ, ξενίων δέ οἱ οὐ ποθὴ ἔσται.ὣς εἰπὼν ἐπὶ νηὸς ἔβη, ἐκέλευσε δʼ ἑταίρουςαὐτούς τʼ ἀμβαίνειν ἀνά τε πρυμνήσια λῦσαι.οἱ δʼ αἶψʼ εἴσβαινον καὶ ἐπὶ κληῗσι καθῖζον.
But Telemachus bound beneath his feet his fair sandals, and took his mighty spear, tipped with sharp bronze, from the deck of the ship. Then the men loosed the stern cables, and thrusting off, sailed to the city, as Telemachus bade, the dear son of divine Odysseus.
Τηλέμαχος δʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος, ἀκαχμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,νηὸς ἀπʼ ἰκριόφιν· τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔλυσαν.οἱ μὲν ἀνώσαντες πλέον ἐς πόλιν, ὡς ἐκέλευσεΤηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο·
But his feet bore him swiftly on, as he strode forward, until he reached the farmstead where were his countless swine, among whom slept the worthy swineherd with a heart loyal to his masters.
τὸν δʼ ὦκα προβιβάντα πόδες φέρον, ὄφρʼ ἵκετʼ αὐλήν,ἔνθα οἱ ἦσαν ὕες μάλα μυρίαι, ᾗσι συβώτηςἐσθλὸς ἐὼν ἐνίαυεν, ἀνάκτεσιν ἤπια εἰδώς.