As soon as early Dawn appeared, the rosy-fingered, the strong and mighty Alcinous rose from his couch, and up rose also Zeus-born Odysseus, the sacker of cities. And the strong and mighty Alcinous led the way to the place of assembly of the Phaeacians, which was builded for them hard by their ships. Thither they came and sat down on the polished stones close by one another; and Pallas Athena went throughout the city, in the likeness of the herald of wise Alcinous, devising a return for great-hearted Odysseus. To each man's side she came, and spoke and said: “Hither now, leaders and counsellors of the Phaeacians, come to the place of assembly, that you may learn of the stranger who has newly come to the palace of wise Alcinous after his wanderings over the sea, and in form is like unto the immortals.”
ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,ὤρνυτʼ ἄρʼ ἐξ εὐνῆς ἱερὸν μένος Ἀλκινόοιο,ἂν δʼ ἄρα διογενὴς ὦρτο πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεύς.τοῖσιν δʼ ἡγεμόνευʼ ἱερὸν μένος ἈλκινόοιοΦαιήκων ἀγορήνδʼ, ἥ σφιν παρὰ νηυσὶ τέτυκτο.ἐλθόντες δὲ καθῖζον ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι λίθοισιπλησίον. ἡ δʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ μετῴχετο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνηεἰδομένη κήρυκι δαΐφρονος Ἀλκινόοιο,νόστον Ὀδυσσῆι μεγαλήτορι μητιόωσα,καί ῥα ἑκάστῳ φωτὶ παρισταμένη φάτο μῦθον·δεῦτʼ ἄγε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,εἰς ἀγορὴν ἰέναι, ὄφρα ξείνοιο πύθησθε,ὃς νέον Ἀλκινόοιο δαΐφρονος ἵκετο δῶμαπόντον ἐπιπλαγχθείς, δέμας ἀθανάτοισιν ὁμοῖος.
So saying she roused the spirit and heart of each man, and speedily the place of assembly and the seats were filled with men that gathered. And many marvelled at the sight of the wise son of Laertes, for wondrous was the grace that Athena shed upon his head and shoulders; and she made him taller and sturdier to behold, that he might be welcomed by all the Phaeacians, and win awe and reverence, and might accomplish the many feats wherein the Phaeacians made trial of Odysseus. Now when they were assembled and met together, Alcinous addressed their assembly and spoke among them: “Hearken to me, leaders and counsellors of the Phaeacians, that I may speak what the heart in my breast bids me. This stranger—I know not who he is—has come to my house in his wanderings, whether from men of the east or of the west.
ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ὤτρυνε μένος καὶ θυμὸν ἑκάστου.καρπαλίμως δʼ ἔμπληντο βροτῶν ἀγοραί τε καὶ ἕδραιἀγρομένων· πολλοὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐθηήσαντο ἰδόντεςυἱὸν Λαέρταο δαΐφρονα· τῷ δʼ ἄρʼ Ἀθήνηθεσπεσίην κατέχευε χάριν κεφαλῇ τε καὶ ὤμοιςκαί μιν μακρότερον καὶ πάσσονα θῆκεν ἰδέσθαι,ὥς κεν Φαιήκεσσι φίλος πάντεσσι γένοιτοδεινός τʼ αἰδοῖός τε καὶ ἐκτελέσειεν ἀέθλουςπολλούς, τοὺς Φαίηκες ἐπειρήσαντʼ Ὀδυσῆος.αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τʼ ἐγένοντο,τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀλκίνοος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες,ὄφρʼ εἴπω τά με θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι κελεύει.ξεῖνος ὅδʼ, οὐκ οἶδʼ ὅς τις, ἀλώμενος ἵκετʼ ἐμὸν δῶ,ἠὲ πρὸς ἠοίων ἦ ἑσπερίων ἀνθρώπων·
He urges that he be sent on his way, and prays for assurance, and let us on our part, as of old we were wont, speed on his sending; for verily no man soever who comes to my house, abides here long in sorrow for lack of sending. Nay come, let us draw a black ship down to the bright sea for her first voyage, and let men choose two and fifty youths from out the people, even those that have heretofore been the best. And when you have all duly lashed the oars to the thole-pins, go ashore, and then go your way to my house, and prepare a feast with speed; and I will provide bountifully for all.
πομπὴν δʼ ὀτρύνει, καὶ λίσσεται ἔμπεδον εἶναι.ἡμεῖς δʼ, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ, ἐποτρυνώμεθα πομπήν.οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδέ τις ἄλλος, ὅτις κʼ ἐμὰ δώμαθʼ ἵκηται,ἐνθάδʼ ὀδυρόμενος δηρὸν μένει εἵνεκα πομπῆς.ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν εἰς ἅλα δῖανπρωτόπλοον, κούρω δὲ δύω καὶ πεντήκοντακρινάσθων κατὰ δῆμον, ὅσοι πάρος εἰσὶν ἄριστοι.δησάμενοι δʼ ἐὺ πάντες ἐπὶ κληῖσιν ἐρετμὰἔκβητʼ· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα θοὴν ἀλεγύνετε δαῖταἡμέτερόνδʼ ἐλθόντες· ἐγὼ δʼ ἐὺ πᾶσι παρέξω.
To the youths this is my command, but do you others, the sceptred kings, come to my fair palace, that we may entertain yon stranger in the halls; and let no man say me nay. And summon hither the divine minstrel, Demodocus; for to him above all others has the god granted skill in song, to give delight in whatever way his spirit prompts him to sing.” So saying, he led the way, and the sceptred kings followed him, while a herald went for the divine minstrel. And chosen youths, two and fifty, went, as he bade, to the shore of the unresting sea.
κούροισιν μὲν ταῦτʼ ἐπιτέλλομαι· αὐτὰρ οἱ ἄλλοισκηπτοῦχοι βασιλῆες ἐμὰ πρὸς δώματα καλὰἔρχεσθʼ, ὄφρα ξεῖνον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι φιλέωμεν,μηδέ τις ἀρνείσθω. καλέσασθε δὲ θεῖον ἀοιδὸνΔημόδοκον· τῷ γάρ ῥα θεὸς πέρι δῶκεν ἀοιδὴντέρπειν, ὅππῃ θυμὸς ἐποτρύνῃσιν ἀείδειν.ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντοσκηπτοῦχοι· κῆρυξ δὲ μετῴχετο θεῖον ἀοιδόν.κούρω δὲ κρινθέντε δύω καὶ πεντήκονταβήτην, ὡς ἐκέλευσʼ, ἐπὶ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο.
And when they had come down to the ship and to the sea, they drew the black ship down to the deep water, and placed the mast and sail in the black ship, and fitted the oars in the leathern thole-straps, all in due order, and spread the white sail.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἁλὸς βένθοσδε ἔρυσσαν,ἐν δʼ ἱστόν τʼ ἐτίθεντο καὶ ἱστία νηὶ μελαίνῃ,ἠρτύναντο δʼ ἐρετμὰ τροποῖς ἐν δερματίνοισι,πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν, ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λευκὰ πέτασσαν.
Well out in the roadstead they moored the ship, and then went their way to the great palace of the wise Alcinous. Filled were the porticoes and courts and rooms with the men that gathered, for many there were, both young and old. For them Alcinous slaughtered twelve sheep, and eight white-tusked boars, and two oxen of shambling gait. These they flayed and dressed, and made ready a goodly feast. Then the herald drew near, leading the good minstrel, whom the Muse loved above all other men, and gave him both good and evil; of his sight she deprived him, but gave him the gift of sweet song.
ὑψοῦ δʼ ἐν νοτίῳ τήν γʼ ὥρμισαν· αὐτὰρ ἔπειταβάν ῥʼ ἴμεν Ἀλκινόοιο δαΐφρονος ἐς μέγα δῶμα.πλῆντο δʼ ἄρʼ αἴθουσαί τε καὶ ἕρκεα καὶ δόμοι ἀνδρῶνἀγρομένων· πολλοὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔσαν, νέοι ἠδὲ παλαιοί.τοῖσιν δʼ Ἀλκίνοος δυοκαίδεκα μῆλʼ ἱέρευσεν,ὀκτὼ δʼ ἀργιόδοντας ὕας, δύο δʼ εἰλίποδας βοῦς·τοὺς δέρον ἀμφί θʼ ἕπον, τετύκοντό τε δαῖτʼ ἐρατεινήν.κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθεν ἄγων ἐρίηρον ἀοιδόν,τὸν πέρι μοῦσʼ ἐφίλησε, δίδου δʼ ἀγαθόν τε κακόν τε·ὀφθαλμῶν μὲν ἄμερσε, δίδου δʼ ἡδεῖαν ἀοιδήν.
For him Pontonous, the herald, set a silver-studded chair in the midst of the banqueters, leaning it against a tall pillar, and he hung the clear-toned lyre from a peg close above his head, and showed him how to reach it with his hands. And beside him he placed a basket and a beautiful table, and a cup of wine, to drink when his heart should bid him. So they put forth their hands to the good cheer lying ready before them. But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, the Muse moved the minstrel to sing of the glorious deeds of warriors, from that lay the fame whereof had then reached broad heaven, even the quarrel of Odysseus and Achilles, son of Peleus, how once they strove with furious words at a rich feast of the gods, and Agamemnon, king of men, was glad at heart that the best of the Achaeans were quarrelling; for thus Phoebus Apollo, in giving his response, had told him that it should be, in sacred Pytho, when he passed over the threshold of stone to enquire of the oracle. For then the beginning of woe was rolling upon Trojans and Danaans through the will of great Zeus. This song the famous minstrel sang; but Odysseus grasped his great purple cloak with his stout hands, and drew it down over his head, and hid his comely face; for he had shame of the Phaeacians as he let fall tears from beneath his eyebrows. Yea, and as often as the divine minstrel ceased his singing, Odysseus would wipe away his tears and draw the cloak from off his head, and taking the two-handled cup would pour libations to the gods.
τῷ δʼ ἄρα Ποντόνοος θῆκε θρόνον ἀργυρόηλονμέσσῳ δαιτυμόνων, πρὸς κίονα μακρὸν ἐρείσας·κὰδ δʼ ἐκ πασσαλόφι κρέμασεν φόρμιγγα λίγειαναὐτοῦ ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καὶ ἐπέφραδε χερσὶν ἑλέσθαικῆρυξ· πὰρ δʼ ἐτίθει κάνεον καλήν τε τράπεζαν,πὰρ δὲ δέπας οἴνοιο, πιεῖν ὅτε θυμὸς ἀνώγοι.οἱ δʼ ἐπʼ ὀνείαθʼ ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,μοῦσʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸν ἀνῆκεν ἀειδέμεναι κλέα ἀνδρῶν,οἴμης τῆς τότʼ ἄρα κλέος οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἵκανε,νεῖκος Ὀδυσσῆος καὶ Πηλεΐδεω Ἀχιλῆος,ὥς ποτε δηρίσαντο θεῶν ἐν δαιτὶ θαλείῃἐκπάγλοις ἐπέεσσιν, ἄναξ δʼ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνωνχαῖρε νόῳ, ὅ τʼ ἄριστοι Ἀχαιῶν δηριόωντο.ὣς γάρ οἱ χρείων μυθήσατο Φοῖβος ἈπόλλωνΠυθοῖ ἐν ἠγαθέῃ, ὅθʼ ὑπέρβη λάινον οὐδὸνχρησόμενος· τότε γάρ ῥα κυλίνδετο πήματος ἀρχὴΤρωσί τε καὶ Δαναοῖσι Διὸς μεγάλου διὰ βουλάς.ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀοιδὸς ἄειδε περικλυτός· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςπορφύρεον μέγα φᾶρος ἑλὼν χερσὶ στιβαρῇσικὰκ κεφαλῆς εἴρυσσε, κάλυψε δὲ καλὰ πρόσωπα·αἴδετο γὰρ Φαίηκας ὑπʼ ὀφρύσι δάκρυα λείβων.ἦ τοι ὅτε λήξειεν ἀείδων θεῖος ἀοιδός,δάκρυ ὀμορξάμενος κεφαλῆς ἄπο φᾶρος ἕλεσκεκαὶ δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον ἑλὼν σπείσασκε θεοῖσιν·
But as often as he began again, and the nobles of the Phaeacians bade him sing, because they took pleasure in his lay, Odysseus would again cover his head and moan. 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, ye leaders and counsellors of the Phaeacians, already have we satisfied our hearts with the equal banquet and with the lyre, which is the companion of the rich feast.
αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ ἂψ ἄρχοιτο καὶ ὀτρύνειαν ἀείδεινΦαιήκων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἐπεὶ τέρποντʼ ἐπέεσσιν,ἂψ Ὀδυσεὺς κατὰ κρᾶτα καλυψάμενος γοάασκεν.ἔνθʼ ἄλλους μὲν πάντας ἐλάνθανε δάκρυα λείβων,Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἐπεφράσατʼ ἠδʼ ἐνόησενἥμενος ἄγχʼ αὐτοῦ, βαρὺ δὲ στενάχοντος ἄκουσεν.αἶψα δὲ Φαιήκεσσι φιληρέτμοισι μετηύδα·κέκλυτε, Φαιήκων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες.ἤδη μὲν δαιτὸς κεκορήμεθα θυμὸν ἐίσηςφόρμιγγός θʼ, ἣ δαιτὶ συνήορός ἐστι θαλείῃ·
But now let us go forth, and make trial of all manner of games, that yon stranger may tell his friends, when he returns home, how far we excel other men in boxing and wrestling and leaping and in speed of foot.” So saying, he led the way, and they followed him.
νῦν δʼ ἐξέλθωμεν καὶ ἀέθλων πειρηθῶμενπάντων, ὥς χʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνίσπῃ οἷσι φίλοισινοἴκαδε νοστήσας, ὅσσον περιγιγνόμεθʼ ἄλλωνπύξ τε παλαιμοσύνῃ τε καὶ ἅλμασιν ἠδὲ πόδεσσιν.ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο.
From the peg the herald hung the clear-toned lyre, and took Demodocus by the hand, and led him forth from the hall, guiding him by the self-same road by which the others, the nobles of the Phaeacians, had gone to gaze upon the games. They went their way to the place of assembly, and with them went a great throng, past counting; and up rose many noble youths. There rose Acroneus, and Ocyalus, and Elatreus, and Nauteus, and Prymneus, and Anchialus, and Eretmeus, and Ponteus, and Proreus, Thoon and Anabesineus, and Amphialus, son of Polyneus, son of Tecton; and up rose also Euryalus, the peer of man-destroying Ares, the son of Naubolus, who in comeliness and form was the best of all the Phaeacians after peerless Laodamas; and up rose the three sons of noble Alcinous, Laodamas, and Halius, and godlike Clytoneus.
κὰδ δʼ ἐκ πασσαλόφι κρέμασεν φόρμιγγα λίγειαν,Δημοδόκου δʼ ἕλε χεῖρα καὶ ἔξαγεν ἐκ μεγάροιοκῆρυξ· ἦρχε δὲ τῷ αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ἥν περ οἱ ἄλλοιΦαιήκων οἱ ἄριστοι, ἀέθλια θαυμανέοντες.βὰν δʼ ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορήν, ἅμα δʼ ἕσπετο πουλὺς ὅμιλος,μυρίοι· ἂν δʼ ἵσταντο νέοι πολλοί τε καὶ ἐσθλοί.ὦρτο μὲν Ἀκρόνεώς τε καὶ Ὠκύαλος καὶ Ἐλατρεύς,Ναυτεύς τε Πρυμνεύς τε καὶ Ἀγχίαλος καὶ Ἐρετμεύς,Ποντεύς τε Πρωρεύς τε, Θόων Ἀναβησίνεώς τεἈμφίαλός θʼ, υἱὸς Πολυνήου Τεκτονίδαο·ἂν δὲ καὶ Εὐρύαλος, βροτολοιγῷ ἶσος Ἄρηϊ,Ναυβολίδης, ὃς ἄριστος ἔην εἶδός τε δέμας τεπάντων Φαιήκων μετʼ ἀμύμονα Λαοδάμαντα.ἂν δʼ ἔσταν τρεῖς παῖδες ἀμύμονος Ἀλκινόοιο,Λαοδάμας θʼ Ἅλιός τε καὶ ἀντίθεος Κλυτόνηος.
These then first made trial in the foot-race. A course was marked out for them from the turning point, and they all sped swiftly, raising the dust of the plain; but among them noble Clytoneus was far the best at running, and by as far as is the range of a team of mules in fallow land, by so far he shot to the front and reached the host, and the others were left behind. Then they made trial of toilsome wrestling, and here in turn Euryalus excelled all the princes. And in leaping Amphialus was best of all, and with the discus again far the best of all was Elatreus, and in boxing Laodamas, the good son of Alcinous. But when the hearts of all had taken pleasure in the contests, Laodamas, the son of Alcinous, spoke among them: “Come, friends, let us ask yon stranger whether he knows and has learned any contests. In build, surely, he is no mean man, in thighs and calves, and in his two arms above, his stout neck, and his great might. In no wise does he lack aught of the strength of youth, but he has been broken by many troubles. For to my mind there is naught worse than the sea to confound a man, be he never so strong.”
οἱ δʼ ἦ τοι πρῶτον μὲν ἐπειρήσαντο πόδεσσι.τοῖσι δʼ ἀπὸ νύσσης τέτατο δρόμος· οἱ δʼ ἅμα πάντεςκαρπαλίμως ἐπέτοντο κονίοντες πεδίοιο·τῶν δὲ θέειν ὄχʼ ἄριστος ἔην Κλυτόνηος ἀμύμων·ὅσσον τʼ ἐν νειῷ οὖρον πέλει ἡμιόνοιιν,τόσσον ὑπεκπροθέων λαοὺς ἵκεθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἐλίποντο.οἱ δὲ παλαιμοσύνης ἀλεγεινῆς πειρήσαντο·τῇ δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπεκαίνυτο πάντας ἀρίστους.ἅλματι δʼ Ἀμφίαλος πάντων προφερέστατος ἦεν·δίσκῳ δʼ αὖ πάντων πολὺ φέρτατος ἦεν Ἐλατρεύς,πὺξ δʼ αὖ Λαοδάμας, ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντες ἐτέρφθησαν φρένʼ ἀέθλοις,τοῖς ἄρα Λαοδάμας μετέφη πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο·δεῦτε, φίλοι, τὸν ξεῖνον ἐρώμεθα εἴ τινʼ ἄεθλονοἶδέ τε καὶ δεδάηκε. φυήν γε μὲν οὐ κακός ἐστι,μηρούς τε κνήμας τε καὶ ἄμφω χεῖρας ὕπερθεναὐχένα τε στιβαρὸν μέγα τε σθένος· οὐδέ τι ἥβηςδεύεται, ἀλλὰ κακοῖσι συνέρρηκται πολέεσσιν·οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γέ τί φημι κακώτερον ἄλλο θαλάσσηςἄνδρα γε συγχεῦαι, εἰ καὶ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη.
And Euryalus in turn answered him, and said: “Laodamas, this word of thine is right fitly spoken. Go now thyself and challenge him, and make known thy word.” Now when the good son of Alcinous heard this he came and took his stand in the midst and spoke to Odysseus:
τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο φώνησέν τε·Λαοδάμα, μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.αὐτὸς νῦν προκάλεσσαι ἰὼν καὶ πέφραδε μῦθον.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γʼ ἄκουσʼ ἀγαθὸς πάϊς Ἀλκινόοιο,στῆ ῥʼ ἐς μέσσον ἰὼν καὶ Ὀδυσσῆα προσέειπε·
“Come, Sir stranger, do thou, too, make trial of the contests, if thou knowest any; and it must be that thou knowest contests, for there is no greater glory for a man so long as he lives than that which he achieves by his own hands and his feet. Nay, come, make trial, and cast away care from thy heart.
δεῦρʼ ἄγε καὶ σύ, ξεῖνε πάτερ, πείρησαι ἀέθλων,εἴ τινά που δεδάηκας· ἔοικε δέ σʼ ἴδμεν ἀέθλους·οὐ μὲν γὰρ μεῖζον κλέος ἀνέρος ὄφρα κʼ ἔῃσιν,ἤ ὅ τι ποσσίν τε ῥέξῃ καὶ χερσὶν ἑῇσιν.ἀλλʼ ἄγε πείρησαι, σκέδασον δʼ ἀπὸ κήδεα θυμοῦ.
Thy journey shall no more be long delayed, nay, even now thy ship is launched and the crew is ready.” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said: “Laodamas, why do ye mock me with this challenge? Sorrow is in my mind far more than contests, seeing that in time past I have suffered much and toiled much, and now I sit in the midst of your assembly, longing for my return home, and making my prayer to the king and to all the people.” Then again Euryalus made answer and taunted him to his face: “Nay verily, stranger, for I do not liken thee to a man that is skilled in contests, such as abound among men, but to one who, faring to and fro with his benched ship, is a captain of sailors who are merchantmen, one who is mindful of his freight, and has charge of a home-borne cargo, and the gains of his greed. Thou dost not look like an athlete.”
σοὶ δʼ ὁδὸς οὐκέτι δηρὸν ἀπέσσεται, ἀλλά τοι ἤδηνηῦς τε κατείρυσται καὶ ἐπαρτέες εἰσὶν ἑταῖροι.τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·Λαοδάμα, τί με ταῦτα κελεύετε κερτομέοντες;κήδεά μοι καὶ μᾶλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἤ περ ἄεθλοι,ὃς πρὶν μὲν μάλα πολλὰ πάθον καὶ πολλὰ μόγησα,νῦν δὲ μεθʼ ὑμετέρῃ ἀγορῇ νόστοιο χατίζωνἧμαι, λισσόμενος βασιλῆά τε πάντα τε δῆμον.τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύαλος ἀπαμείβετο νείκεσέ τʼ ἄντην·οὐ γάρ σʼ οὐδέ, ξεῖνε, δαήμονι φωτὶ ἐίσκωἄθλων, οἷά τε πολλὰ μετʼ ἀνθρώποισι πέλονται,ἀλλὰ τῷ, ὅς θʼ ἅμα νηὶ πολυκλήιδι θαμίζων,ἀρχὸς ναυτάων οἵ τε πρηκτῆρες ἔασιν,φόρτου τε μνήμων καὶ ἐπίσκοπος ᾖσιν ὁδαίωνκερδέων θʼ ἁρπαλέων· οὐδʼ ἀθλητῆρι ἔοικας.
Then with an angry glance from beneath his brows Odysseus of many wiles answered him: “Stranger, thou hast not spoken well; thou art as one blind with folly. So true is it that the gods do not give gracious gifts to all alike, not form nor mind nor eloquence. For one man is inferior in comeliness, but the god sets a crown of beauty upon his words, and men look upon him with delight, and he speaks on unfalteringly with sweet modesty, and is conspicuous among the gathered people, and as he goes through the city men gaze upon him as upon a god. Another again is in comeliness like the immortals, but no crown of grace is set about his words. So, in thy case, thy comeliness is preeminent, nor could a god himself mend it, but in mind thou art stunted. Thou hast stirred the spirit in my breast by speaking thus unmannerly. I am not unskilled in sports as thou pratest, nay, methinks I was among the first so long as I trusted in my youth and in my hands. But now I am bound by suffering and pains; for much have I endured in passing through wars of men and the grievous waves. But even so, though I have suffered much, I will make trial of the contests, for thy word has stung me to the heart, and thou hast provoked me with thy speech.” He spoke, and, leaping up with his cloak about him as it was, seized a discus larger than the rest and thick, no little heavier than those with which the Phaeacians were wont to contend one with another. This with a whirl he sent from his stout hand, and the stone hummed as it flew; and down they crouched to the earth, the Phaeacians of the long oars, men famed for their ships, beneath the rush of the stone. Past the marks of all it flew, speeding lightly from his hand, and Athena, in the likeness of a man, set the mark, and she spoke and addressed him:
τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·ξεῖνʼ, οὐ καλὸν ἔειπες· ἀτασθάλῳ ἀνδρὶ ἔοικας.οὕτως οὐ πάντεσσι θεοὶ χαρίεντα διδοῦσινἀνδράσιν, οὔτε φυὴν οὔτʼ ἂρ φρένας οὔτʼ ἀγορητύν.ἄλλος μὲν γάρ τʼ εἶδος ἀκιδνότερος πέλει ἀνήρ,ἀλλὰ θεὸς μορφὴν ἔπεσι στέφει, οἱ δέ τʼ ἐς αὐτὸντερπόμενοι λεύσσουσιν· ὁ δʼ ἀσφαλέως ἀγορεύειαἰδοῖ μειλιχίῃ, μετὰ δὲ πρέπει ἀγρομένοισιν,ἐρχόμενον δʼ ἀνὰ ἄστυ θεὸν ὣς εἰσορόωσιν.ἄλλος δʼ αὖ εἶδος μὲν ἀλίγκιος ἀθανάτοισιν,ἀλλʼ οὔ οἱ χάρις ἀμφιπεριστέφεται ἐπέεσσιν,ὡς καὶ σοὶ εἶδος μὲν ἀριπρεπές, οὐδέ κεν ἄλλωςοὐδὲ θεὸς τεύξειε, νόον δʼ ἀποφώλιός ἐσσι.ὤρινάς μοι θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισινεἰπὼν οὐ κατὰ κόσμον. ἐγὼ δʼ οὐ νῆις ἀέθλων,ὡς σύ γε μυθεῖαι, ἀλλʼ ἐν πρώτοισιν ὀίωἔμμεναι, ὄφρʼ ἥβῃ τε πεποίθεα χερσί τʼ ἐμῇσι.νῦν δʼ ἔχομαι κακότητι καὶ ἄλγεσι· πολλὰ γὰρ ἔτληνἀνδρῶν τε πτολέμους ἀλεγεινά τε κύματα πείρων.ἀλλὰ καὶ ὥς, κακὰ πολλὰ παθών, πειρήσομʼ ἀέθλων·θυμοδακὴς γὰρ μῦθος, ἐπώτρυνας δέ με εἰπών.ἦ ῥα καὶ αὐτῷ φάρει ἀναΐξας λάβε δίσκονμείζονα καὶ πάχετον, στιβαρώτερον οὐκ ὀλίγον περἢ οἵῳ Φαίηκες ἐδίσκεον ἀλλήλοισι.τόν ῥα περιστρέψας ἧκε στιβαρῆς ἀπὸ χειρός,βόμβησεν δὲ λίθος· κατὰ δʼ ἔπτηξαν ποτὶ γαίῃΦαίηκες δολιχήρετμοι, ναυσίκλυτοι ἄνδρες,λᾶος ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς· ὁ δʼ ὑπέρπτατο σήματα πάντωνῥίμφα θέων ἀπὸ χειρός. ἔθηκε δὲ τέρματʼ Ἀθήνηἀνδρὶ δέμας ἐικυῖα, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·
“Even a blind man, stranger, could distinguish this mark, groping for it with his hands, for it is in nowise confused with the throng of the others, but is far the first. Be thou of good cheer for this bout at least: no one of the Phaeacians will reach this, or cast beyond it.” So she spoke, and the much-enduring goodly Odysseus was glad, rejoicing that he saw a true friend in the lists. Then with a lighter heart he spoke among the Phaeacians: “Reach this now, young men; and presently, methinks, I will send another after it, as far or even further. Of the rest, if any man's heart and spirit bid him, let him come hither and make trial—for ye have greatly angered me—be it in boxing or in wrestling, aye, or in running, I care not; let any one come of all the Phaeacians, save Laodamas alone. For he is my host, and who would quarrel with one that entertains him? Foolish is that man and worthless, who challenges to a contest the host who receives him in a strange land; he does but mar his own fortunes. But of all the rest I refuse none, and make light of none, but am fain to know them, and make trial of them man to man. For in all things I am no weakling, even in all the contests that are practised among men.
καί κʼ ἀλαός τοι, ξεῖνε, διακρίνειε τὸ σῆμαἀμφαφόων, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι μεμιγμένον ἐστὶν ὁμίλῳ,ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρῶτον. σὺ δὲ θάρσει τόνδε γʼ ἄεθλον·οὔ τις Φαιήκων τόδε γʼ ἵξεται, οὐδʼ ὑπερήσει.ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δὲ πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς,χαίρων, οὕνεχʼ ἑταῖρον ἐνηέα λεῦσσʼ ἐν ἀγῶνι.καὶ τότε κουφότερον μετεφώνεε Φαιήκεσσιν·τοῦτον νῦν ἀφίκεσθε, νέοι. τάχα δʼ ὕστερον ἄλλονἥσειν ἢ τοσσοῦτον ὀίομαι ἢ ἔτι μᾶσσον.τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ὅτινα κραδίη θυμός τε κελεύει,δεῦρʼ ἄγε πειρηθήτω, ἐπεί μʼ ἐχολώσατε λίην,ἢ πὺξ ἠὲ πάλῃ ἢ καὶ ποσίν, οὔ τι μεγαίρω,πάντων Φαιήκων, πλήν γʼ αὐτοῦ Λαοδάμαντος.ξεῖνος γάρ μοι ὅδʼ ἐστί· τίς ἂν φιλέοντι μάχοιτο;ἄφρων δὴ κεῖνός γε καὶ οὐτιδανὸς πέλει ἀνήρ,ὅς τις ξεινοδόκῳ ἔριδα προφέρηται ἀέθλωνδήμῳ ἐν ἀλλοδαπῷ· ἕο δʼ αὐτοῦ πάντα κολούει.τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὔ πέρ τινʼ ἀναίνομαι οὐδʼ ἀθερίζω,ἀλλʼ ἐθέλω ἴδμεν καὶ πειρηθήμεναι ἄντην.πάντα γὰρ οὐ κακός εἰμι, μετʼ ἀνδράσιν ὅσσοι ἄεθλοι·
Well do I know how to handle the polished bow, and ever would I be the first to shoot and smite my man in the throng of the foe, even though many comrades stood by me and were shooting at the men. Only Philoctetes excelled me with the bow in the land of the Trojans, when we Achaeans shot. But of all others I declare that I am best by far, of all mortals that are now upon the earth and eat bread. Yet with men of former days I will not seek to vie, with Heracles or with Eurytus of Oechalia, who strove even with the immortals in archery. Wherefore great Eurytus died soon, nor did old age come upon him in his halls, for Apollo waxed wroth and slew him, because he had challenged him to a contest with the bow. And with the spear I throw farther than any other man can shoot with an arrow.
εὖ μὲν τόξον οἶδα ἐύξοον ἀμφαφάασθαι·πρῶτός κʼ ἄνδρα βάλοιμι ὀιστεύσας ἐν ὁμίλῳἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων, εἰ καὶ μάλα πολλοὶ ἑταῖροιἄγχι παρασταῖεν καὶ τοξαζοίατο φωτῶν.οἶος δή με Φιλοκτήτης ἀπεκαίνυτο τόξῳδήμῳ ἔνι Τρώων, ὅτε τοξαζοίμεθʼ Ἀχαιοί.τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ἐμέ φημι πολὺ προφερέστερον εἶναι,ὅσσοι νῦν βροτοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ χθονὶ σῖτον ἔδοντες.ἀνδράσι δὲ προτέροισιν ἐριζέμεν οὐκ ἐθελήσω,οὔθʼ Ἡρακλῆι οὔτʼ Εὐρύτῳ Οἰχαλιῆι,οἵ ῥα καὶ ἀθανάτοισιν ἐρίζεσκον περὶ τόξων.τῷ ῥα καὶ αἶψʼ ἔθανεν μέγας Εὔρυτος, οὐδʼ ἐπὶ γῆραςἵκετʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι· χολωσάμενος γὰρ Ἀπόλλωνἔκτανεν, οὕνεκά μιν προκαλίζετο τοξάζεσθαι.δουρὶ δʼ ἀκοντίζω ὅσον οὐκ ἄλλος τις ὀιστῷ.
In the foot race alone I fear that someone of the Phaeacians may out strip me, for cruelly have I been broken amid the many waves, since there was in my ship no lasting store of provisions; therefore my limbs are loosened.” So he spoke and they were all hushed in silence;
οἴοισιν δείδοικα ποσὶν μή τίς με παρέλθῃΦαιήκων· λίην γὰρ ἀεικελίως ἐδαμάσθηνκύμασιν ἐν πολλοῖς, ἐπεὶ οὐ κομιδὴ κατὰ νῆαἦεν ἐπηετανός· τῷ μοι φίλα γυῖα λέλυνται.ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.
but Alcinous alone answered him and said: “Stranger, since not ungraciously dost thou speak thus in our midst, but art minded to shew forth the prowess which waits upon thee, in anger that yonder man came up to thee in the lists and taunted thee in a way in which no mortal would make light of thy prowess, who knew in his heart how to speak fitly; come, now, hearken to my words, that thou mayest tell to another hero, when in thy halls thou art feasting with thy wife and children, and rememberest our skill, what feats Zeus has vouchsafed to us from our fathers' days even until now. For we are not faultless boxers or wrestlers, but in the foot race we run swiftly, and we are the best seamen; and ever to us is the banquet dear, and the lyre, and the dance, and changes of raiment, and warm baths, and the couch.
Ἀλκίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπεν·ξεῖνʼ, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἀχάριστα μεθʼ ἡμῖν ταῦτʼ ἀγορεύεις,ἀλλʼ ἐθέλεις ἀρετὴν σὴν φαινέμεν, ἥ τοι ὀπηδεῖ,χωόμενος ὅτι σʼ οὗτος ἀνὴρ ἐν ἀγῶνι παραστὰςνείκεσεν, ὡς ἂν σὴν ἀρετὴν βροτὸς οὔ τις ὄνοιτο,ὅς τις ἐπίσταιτο ᾗσι φρεσὶν ἄρτια βάζειν·ἀλλʼ ἄγε νῦν ἐμέθεν ξυνίει ἔπος, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλῳεἴπῃς ἡρώων, ὅτε κεν σοῖς ἐν μεγάροισιδαινύῃ παρὰ σῇ τʼ ἀλόχῳ καὶ σοῖσι τέκεσσιν,ἡμετέρης ἀρετῆς μεμνημένος, οἷα καὶ ἡμῖνΖεὺς ἐπὶ ἔργα τίθησι διαμπερὲς ἐξ ἔτι πατρῶν.οὐ γὰρ πυγμάχοι εἰμὲν ἀμύμονες οὐδὲ παλαισταί,ἀλλὰ ποσὶ κραιπνῶς θέομεν καὶ νηυσὶν ἄριστοι,αἰεὶ δʼ ἡμῖν δαίς τε φίλη κίθαρίς τε χοροί τεεἵματά τʼ ἐξημοιβὰ λοετρά τε θερμὰ καὶ εὐναί.
But come now, all ye that are the best dancers of the Phaeacians, make sport, that the stranger may tell his friends on reaching home how far we surpass others in seamanship and in fleetness of foot, and in the dance and in song. And let one go straightway and fetch for Demodocus the clear-toned lyre which lies somewhere in our halls.” So spoke Alcinous the godlike, and the herald rose to fetch the hollow lyre from the palace of the king. Then stood up masters of the lists, nine in all, men chosen from out the people, who in their gatherings were wont to order all things aright. They levelled a place for the dance, and marked out a fair wide ring, and the herald came near, bearing the clear-toned lyre for Demodocus. He then moved into the midst, and around him stood boys in the first bloom of youth, well skilled in the dance, and they smote the goodly dancing floor with their feet. And Odysseus gazed at the twinklings of their feet and marvelled in spirit. But the minstrel struck the chords in prelude to his sweet lay and sang of the love of Ares and Aphrodite of the fair crown, how first they lay together in the house of Hephaestus secretly; and Ares gave her many gifts, and shamed the bed of the lord Hephaestus. But straightway one came to him with tidings, even Helius, who had marked them as they lay together in love. And when Hephaestus heard the grievous tale, he went his way to his smithy, pondering evil in the deep of his heart, and set on the anvil block the great anvil and forged bonds which might not be broken or loosed, that the lovers might bide fast where they were. But when he had fashioned the snare in his wrath against Ares, he went to his chamber where lay his bed, and everywhere round about the bed-posts he spread the bonds, and many too were hung from above, from the roof-beams, fine as spiders' webs, so that no one even of the blessed gods could see them, so exceeding craftily were they fashioned. But when he had spread all his snare about the couch, he made as though he would go to Lemnos, that well-built citadel, which is in his eyes far the dearest of all lands.
ἀλλʼ ἄγε, Φαιήκων βητάρμονες ὅσσοι ἄριστοι,παίσατε, ὥς χʼ ὁ ξεῖνος ἐνίσπῃ οἷσι φίλοισινοἴκαδε νοστήσας, ὅσσον περιγιγνόμεθʼ ἄλλωνναυτιλίῃ καὶ ποσσὶ καὶ ὀρχηστυῖ καὶ ἀοιδῇ.Δημοδόκῳ δέ τις αἶψα κιὼν φόρμιγγα λίγειανοἰσέτω, ἥ που κεῖται ἐν ἡμετέροισι δόμοισιν.ὣς ἔφατʼ Ἀλκίνοος θεοείκελος, ὦρτο δὲ κῆρυξοἴσων φόρμιγγα γλαφυρὴν δόμου ἐκ βασιλῆος.αἰσυμνῆται δὲ κριτοὶ ἐννέα πάντες ἀνέστανδήμιοι, οἳ κατʼ ἀγῶνας ἐὺ πρήσσεσκον ἕκαστα,λείηναν δὲ χορόν, καλὸν δʼ εὔρυναν ἀγῶνα.κῆρυξ δʼ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων φόρμιγγα λίγειανΔημοδόκῳ· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα κίʼ ἐς μέσον· ἀμφὶ δὲ κοῦροιπρωθῆβαι ἵσταντο, δαήμονες ὀρχηθμοῖο,πέπληγον δὲ χορὸν θεῖον ποσίν. αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺςμαρμαρυγὰς θηεῖτο ποδῶν, θαύμαζε δὲ θυμῷ.αὐτὰρ ὁ φορμίζων ἀνεβάλλετο καλὸν ἀείδεινἀμφʼ Ἄρεος φιλότητος εὐστεφάνου τʼ Ἀφροδίτης,ὡς τὰ πρῶτα μίγησαν ἐν Ἡφαίστοιο δόμοισιλάθρῃ, πολλὰ δʼ ἔδωκε, λέχος δʼ ᾔσχυνε καὶ εὐνὴνἩφαίστοιο ἄνακτος. ἄφαρ δέ οἱ ἄγγελος ἦλθενἭλιος, ὅ σφʼ ἐνόησε μιγαζομένους φιλότητι.Ἥφαιστος δʼ ὡς οὖν θυμαλγέα μῦθον ἄκουσε,βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐς χαλκεῶνα κακὰ φρεσὶ βυσσοδομεύων,ἐν δʼ ἔθετʼ ἀκμοθέτῳ μέγαν ἄκμονα, κόπτε δὲ δεσμοὺςἀρρήκτους ἀλύτους, ὄφρʼ ἔμπεδον αὖθι μένοιεν.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ τεῦξε δόλον κεχολωμένος Ἄρει,βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν ἐς θάλαμον, ὅθι οἱ φίλα δέμνιʼ ἔκειτο,ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ἑρμῖσιν χέε δέσματα κύκλῳ ἁπάντῃ·πολλὰ δὲ καὶ καθύπερθε μελαθρόφιν ἐξεκέχυντο,ἠύτʼ ἀράχνια λεπτά, τά γʼ οὔ κέ τις οὐδὲ ἴδοιτο,οὐδὲ θεῶν μακάρων· πέρι γὰρ δολόεντα τέτυκτο.αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ πάντα δόλον περὶ δέμνια χεῦεν,εἴσατʼ ἴμεν ἐς Λῆμνον, ἐυκτίμενον πτολίεθρον,ἥ οἱ γαιάων πολὺ φιλτάτη ἐστὶν ἁπασέων.
And no blind watch did Ares of the golden rein keep, when he saw Hephaestus, famed for his handicraft, departing, but he went his way to the house of famous Hephaestus, eager for the love of Cytherea of the fair crown. Now she had but newly come from the presence of her father, the mighty son of Cronos, and had sat her down. And Ares came into the house and clasped her hand and spoke and addressed her: “Come, love, let us to bed and take our joy, couched together. For Hephaestus is no longer here in the land, but has now gone, I ween, to Lemnos, to visit the Sintians of savage speech.”
οὐδʼ ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχε χρυσήνιος Ἄρης,ὡς ἴδεν Ἥφαιστον κλυτοτέχνην νόσφι κιόντα·βῆ δʼ ἰέναι πρὸς δῶμα περικλυτοῦ Ἡφαίστοιοἰσχανόων φιλότητος ἐυστεφάνου Κυθερείης.ἡ δὲ νέον παρὰ πατρὸς ἐρισθενέος Κρονίωνοςἐρχομένη κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζεθʼ· ὁ δʼ εἴσω δώματος ᾔει,ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·δεῦρο, φίλη, λέκτρονδε τραπείομεν εὐνηθέντες·οὐ γὰρ ἔθʼ Ἥφαιστος μεταδήμιος, ἀλλά που ἤδηοἴχεται ἐς Λῆμνον μετὰ Σίντιας ἀγριοφώνους.