redleaveme

TheOdysseyHomer(TranslatedbySamuelButler)ThiseBookwasdesignedandpublishedbyPlanetPDF.
FormorefreeeBooksvisitourWebsiteathttp://www.
planetpdf.
com/.
TohearaboutourlatestreleasessubscribetothePlanetPDFNewsletter.
TheOdysseyPrefacetoFirstEditionThistranslationisintendedtosupplementaworkentitled'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey',whichIpublishedin1897.
Icouldnotgivethewhole'Odyssey'inthatbookwithoutmakingitunwieldy,Ithereforeepitomisedmytranslation,whichwasalreadycompletedandwhichInowpublishinfull.
Ishallnotherearguethetwomainpointsdealtwithintheworkjustmentioned;Ihavenothingeithertoaddto,ortowithdrawfrom,whatIhavetherewritten.
Thepointsinquestionare:(1)thatthe'Odyssey'waswrittenentirelyat,anddrawnentirelyfrom,theplacenowcalledTrapaniontheWestCoastofSicily,alikeasregardsthePhaeacianandtheIthacascenes;whilethevoyagesofUlysses,whenonceheiswithineasyreachofSicily,solvethemselvesintoaperiplusoftheisland,practicallyfromTrapanibacktoTrapani,viatheLipariislands,theStraitsofMessina,andtheislandofPantellaria;(2)Thatthepoemwasentirelywrittenbyaveryyoungwoman,wholivedattheplacenowcalledTrapani,and2of550TheOdysseyintroducedherselfintoherworkunderthenameofNausicaa.
ThemainargumentsonwhichIbasethefirstofthesesomewhatstartlingcontentions,havebeenprominentlyandrepeatedlybeforetheEnglishandItalianpubliceversincetheyappeared(withoutrejoinder)inthe'Athenaeum'forJanuary30andFebruary20,1892.
Bothcontentionswereurged(alsowithoutrejoinder)intheJohnian'Eagle'fortheLentandOctobertermsofthesameyear.
NothingtowhichIshouldreplyhasreachedmefromanyquarter,andknowinghowanxiouslyIhaveendeavouredtolearntheexistenceofanyflawsinmyargument,Ibegintofeelsomeconfidencethat,didsuchflawsexist,Ishouldhaveheard,atanyrateaboutsomeofthem,beforenow.
Without,therefore,foramomentpretendingtothinkthatscholarsgenerallyacquiesceinmyconclusions,Ishallactasthinkingthemlittlelikelysotogainsaymeasthatitwillbeincumbentuponmetoreply,andshallconfinemyselftotranslatingthe'Odyssey'forEnglishreaders,withsuchnotesasIthinkwillbefounduseful.
AmongtheseIwouldespeciallycallattentiontooneonxxii.
465-473whichLordGrimthorpehaskindlyallowedmetomakepublic.
3of550TheOdysseyIhaverepeatedseveraloftheillustrationsusedin'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey',andhaveaddedtwowhichIhopemaybringtheoutercourtofUlysses'housemorevividlybeforethereader.
Ishouldliketoexplainthatthepresenceofamanandadoginoneillustrationisaccidental,andwasnotobservedbymetillIdevelopedthenegative.
InanappendixIhavealsoreprintedtheparagraphsexplanatoryoftheplanofUlysses'house,togetherwiththeplanitself.
Thereaderisrecommendedtostudythisplanwithsomeattention.
Intheprefacetomytranslationofthe'Iliad'Ihavegivenmyviewsastothemainprinciplesbywhichatranslatorshouldbeguided,andneednotrepeatthemhere,beyondpointingoutthattheinitiallibertyoftranslatingpoetryintoproseinvolvesthecontinualtakingofmoreorlesslibertythroughoutthetranslation;formuchthatisrightinpoetryiswronginprose,andtheexigenciesofreadableprosearethefirstthingstobeconsideredinaprosetranslation.
Thatthereader,however,mayseehowfarIhavedepartedfromstrictconstrue,IwillprinthereMessrs.
ButcherandLang'stranslationofthesixtylinesorsoofthe'Odyssey.
'Theirtranslationruns:4of550TheOdysseyTellme,Muse,ofthatman,soreadyatneed,whowanderedfarandwide,afterhehadsackedthesacredcitadelofTroy,andmanywerethemenwhosetownshesawandwhosemindhelearnt,yea,andmanythewoeshesufferedinhisheartonthedeep,strivingtowinhisownlifeandthereturnofhiscompany.
Nay,butevensohesavednothiscompany,thoughhedesireditsore.
Forthroughtheblindnessoftheirownheartstheyperished,fools,whodevouredtheoxenofHeliosHyperion:butthegodtookfromthemtheirdayofreturning.
Ofthesethings,goddess,daughterofZeus,whencesoeverthouhastheardthereof,declarethouevenuntous.
Nowalltherest,asmanyasfledfromsheerdestruction,wereathome,andhadescapedbothwarandsea,butOdysseusonly,cravingforhiswifeandforhishomewardpath,theladynymphCalypsoheld,thatfairgoddess,inherhollowcaves,longingtohavehimforherlord.
Butwhennowtheyearhadcomeinthecoursesoftheseasons,whereinthegodshadordainedthatheshouldreturnhometoIthaca,noteventherewashequitoflabours,notevenamonghisown;butallthegodshadpityonhimsavePoseidon,whoragedcontinuallyagainstgodlikeOdysseus,tillhecametohisowncountry.
HowbeitPoseidonhadnowdepartedforthedistant5of550TheOdysseyEthiopians,theEthiopiansthataresunderedintwain,theuttermostofmen,abidingsomewhereHyperionsinksandsomewhereherises.
Therehelookedtoreceivehishecatombofbullsandrams,therehemademerrysittingatthefeast,buttheothergodsweregatheredinthehallsofOlympianZeus.
Thenamongthemthefatherofmenandgodsbegantospeak,forhebethoughthiminhisheartofnobleAegisthus,whomthesonofAgamemnon,far-famedOrestes,slew.
ThinkinguponhimhespakeoutamongtheImmortals:'Loyounow,howvainlymortalmendoblamethegods!
Forofustheysaycomesevil,whereastheyevenofthemselves,throughtheblindnessoftheirownhearts,havesorrowsbeyondthatwhichisordained.
EvenasoflateAegisthus,beyondthatwhichwasordained,tooktohimtheweddedwifeofthesonofAtreus,andkilledherlordonhisreturn,andthatwithsheerdoombeforehiseyes,sincewehadwarnedhimbytheembassyofHermesthekeen-sighted,theslayerofArgos,thatheshouldneitherkilltheman,norwoohiswife.
ForthesonofAtreusshallbeavengedatthehandofOrestes,sosoonasheshallcometoman'sestateandlongforhisowncountry.
SospakeHermes,yetheprevailednotonthe6of550TheOdysseyheartofAegisthus,forallhisgoodwill;butnowhathhepaidonepriceforall.
'Andthegoddess,grey-eyedAthene,answeredhim,saying:'Ofather,ourfatherCronides,thronedinthehighest;thatmanassuredlyliesinadeaththatishisdue;soperishlikewiseallwhoworksuchdeeds!
ButmyheartisrentforwiseOdysseus,thehaplessone,whofarfromhisfriendsthislongwhilesufferethafflictioninasea-girtisle,whereisthenavelofthesea,awoodlandisle,andthereinagoddesshathherhabitation,thedaughterofthewizardAtlas,whoknowsthedepthsofeverysea,andhimselfupholdsthetallpillarswhichkeepearthandskyasunder.
Hisdaughteritisthatholdsthehaplessmaninsorrow:andeverwithsoftandguilefultalessheiswooinghimtoforgetfulnessofIthaca.
ButOdysseusyearningtoseeifitwerebutthesmokeleapupwardsfromhisownland,hathadesiretodie.
Asforthee,thineheartregardethitnotatall,Olympian!
What!
DidnotOdysseusbytheshipsoftheArgivesmaketheefreeofferingofsacrificeinthewideTrojanlandWhereforewastthouthensowrothwithhim,OZeus'The'Odyssey'(aseveryoneknows)aboundsinpassagesborrowedfromthe'Iliad";Ihadwishedtoprinttheseinaslightlydifferenttype,withmarginalreferences7of550TheOdysseytothe'Iliad,'andhadmarkedthemtothisendinmyMS.
Ifound,however,thatthetranslationwouldbethushopelesslyscholasticised,andabandonedmyintention.
IwouldneverthelessurgeonthosewhohavethemanagementofourUniversitypresses,thattheywouldrenderagreatservicetostudentsiftheywouldpublishaGreektextofthe'Odyssey'withtheIliadicpassagesprintedinadifferenttype,andwithmarginalreferences.
IhavegiventheBritishMuseumacopyofthe'Odyssey'withtheIliadicpassagesunderlinedandreferredtoinMS.
;Ihavealsogivenan'Iliad'markedwithalltheOdysseanpassages,andtheirreferences;butcopiesofboththe'Iliad'and'Odyssey'somarkedoughttobewithineasyreachofallstudents.
Anyonewhoatthepresentdaydiscussesthequestionsthathavearisenroundthe'Iliad'sinceWolf'stime,withoutkeepingitwellbeforehisreader'smindthatthe'Odyssey'wasdemonstrablywrittenfromonesingleneighbourhood,andhence(eventhoughnothingelsepointedtothisconclusion)presumablybyonepersononly—thatitwaswrittencertainlybefore750,andinallprobabilitybefore1000B.
C.
—thatthewriterofthisveryearlypoemwasdemonstrablyfamiliarwiththe'Iliad'aswenowhaveit,borrowingasfreelyfromthosebooks8of550TheOdysseywhosegenuinenesshasbeenmostimpugned,asfromthosewhichareadmittedtobebyHomer—anyonewhofailstokeepthesepointsbeforehisreaders,ishardlydealingequitablybythem.
Anyoneontheotherhand,whowillmarkhis'Iliad'andhis'Odyssey'fromthecopiesintheBritishMuseumabovereferredto,andwhowilldrawtheonlyinferencethatcommonsensecandrawfromthepresenceofsomanyidenticalpassagesinbothpoems,will,Ibelieve,findnodifficultyinassigningtheirpropervaluetoalargenumberofbookshereandontheContinentthatatpresentenjoyconsiderablereputations.
Furthermore,andthisperhapsisanadvantagebetterworthsecuring,hewillfindthatmanypuzzlesofthe'Odyssey'ceasetopuzzlehimonthediscoverythattheyarisefromover-saturationwiththe'Iliad.
'Otherdifficultieswillalsodisappearassoonasthedevelopmentofthepoeminthewriter'smindisunderstood.
Ihavedealtwiththisatsomelengthinpp.
251-261of'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey".
Briefly,the'Odyssey'consistsoftwodistinctpoems:(1)TheReturnofUlysses,whichalonetheMuseisaskedtosingintheopeninglinesofthepoem.
ThispoemincludesthePhaeacianepisode,andtheaccountofUlysses'adventuresastoldbyhimselfinBooksix.
-xii.
Itconsists9of550TheOdysseyoflines1-79(roughly)ofBooki.
,ofline28ofBookv.
,andthencewithoutintermissiontothemiddleofline187ofBookxiii.
,atwhichpointtheoriginalschemewasabandoned.
(2)ThestoryofPenelopeandthesuitors,withtheepisodeofTelemachus'voyagetoPylos.
Thispoembeginswithline80(roughly)ofBooki.
,iscontinuedtotheendofBookiv.
,andnotresumedtillUlysseswakesinthemiddleofline187,Bookxiii.
,fromwhenceitcontinuestotheendofBookxxiv.
In'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey',Iwrote:theintroductionoflinesxi.
,115-137andoflineix.
,535,withthewritinganewcouncilofthegodsatthebeginningofBookv.
,totaketheplaceoftheonethatwasremovedtoBooki.
,1-79,weretheonlythingsthatweredonetogiveevenasemblanceofunitytotheoldschemeandthenew,andtoconcealthefactthattheMuse,afterbeingaskedtosingofonesubject,spendtwo-thirdsofhertimeinsingingaverydifferentone,withaclimaxforwhichno-onehasaskedher.
ForroughlytheReturnoccupieseightBooks,andPenelopeandtheSuitorssixteen.
Ibelievethistobesubstantiallycorrect.
10of550TheOdysseyLastly,todealwithaveryunimportantpoint,IobservethattheLeipsicTeubnereditionof894makesBooksii.
andiii.
endwithacomma.
Stopsarethingsofsuchfarmorerecentdatethanthe'Odyssey,'thattheredoesnotseemmuchuseinadheringtothetextinsosmallamatter;still,fromaspiritofmereconservatism,Ihavepreferredtodoso.
Why[Greek]atthebeginningsofBooksii.
andviii.
,and[Greek],atthebeginningofBookvii.
shouldhaveinitialcapitalsinaneditionfartoocarefultoadmitasuppositionofinadvertence,when[Greek]atthebeginningofBooksvi.
andxiii.
,and[Greek]atthebeginningofBookxvii.
havenoinitialcapitals,Icannotdetermine.
NootherBooksofthe'Odyssey'haveinitialcapitalsexceptthethreementionedunlessthefirstwordoftheBookisapropername.
S.
BUTLER.
July25,1900.
11of550TheOdysseyPrefacetoSecondEditionButler'sTranslationofthe'Odyssey'appearedoriginallyin1900,andTheAuthoressoftheOdysseyin1897.
Intheprefacetotheneweditionof'TheAuthoress',whichispublishedsimultaneouslywiththisneweditionoftheTranslation,Ihavegivensomeaccountofthegenesisofthetwobooks.
ThesizeoftheoriginalpagehasbeenreducedsoastomakebothbooksuniformwithButler'sotherworks;and,fortunately,ithasbeenpossible,byusingasmallertype,togetthesamenumberofwordsintoeachpage,sothatthereferencesremaingood,and,withtheexceptionofafewminoralterationsandrearrangementsnowtobeenumeratedsofarastheyaffecttheTranslation,theneweditionsarefaithfulreprintsoftheoriginaleditions,withmisprintsandobviouserrorscorrected—noattempthavingbeenmadetoeditthemortobringthemuptodate.
(a)TheIndexhasbeenrevised.
(b)Owingtothereductioninthesizeofthepageithasbeennecessarytoshortensomeoftheheadlines,andhereadvantagehasbeentakenofvariouscorrectionsofand12of550TheOdysseyadditionstotheheadlinesandshoulder-notesmadebyButlerinhisowncopiesofthetwobooks.
(c)Forthemostparteachoftheillustrationsnowoccupiesapage,whereasintheoriginaleditionstheygenerallyappearedtwoonthepage.
IthasbeennecessarytoreducetheplanoftheHouseofUlysses.
Onpage153of'TheAuthoress'Butlersays:'Nogreatpoetwouldcomparehisherotoapaunchfullofbloodandfat,cookingbeforethefire(xx,24-28).
'ThispassageisnotgivenintheabridgedStoryofthe'Odyssey'atthebeginningofthebook,butintheTranslationitoccursinthesewords:'Thushechidedwithhisheart,andcheckeditintoendurance,buthetossedaboutasonewhoturnsapaunchfullofbloodandfatinfrontofahotfire,doingitfirstononesidethenontheother,thathemaygetitcookedassoonaspossible;evensodidheturnhimselfaboutfromsidetoside,thinkingallthetimehow,single-handedashewas,heshouldcontrivetokillsolargeabodyofmenasthewickedsuitors.
'Itlooksasthoughintheintervalbetweenthepublicationof'TheAuthoress'(1897)andoftheTranslation(1900)Butlerhadchangedhismind;forinthefirstcasethecomparisonisbetweenUlyssesanda13of550TheOdysseypaunchfull,etc.
,andintheseconditisbetweenUlyssesandamanwhoturnsapaunchfull,etc.
Thesecondcomparisonisperhapsonewhichagreatpoetmightmake.
InseeingtheworksthroughthepressIhavehadtheinvaluableassistanceofMr.
A.
T.
BartholomewoftheUniversityLibrary,Cambridge,andofMr.
DonaldS.
Robertson,FellowofTrinityCollege,Cambridge.
ToboththesefriendsIgivemymostcordialthanksforthecareandskillexercisedbythem.
Mr.
Robertsonhasfoundtimeforthelabourofcheckingandcorrectingallthequotationsfromandreferencestothe'Iliad'and'Odyssey,'andIbelievethatitcouldnothavebeenbetterperformed.
Itwas,Iknow,apleasureforhim;anditwouldhavebeenapleasurealsoforButlerifhecouldhaveknownthathisworkwasbeingshepherdedbythesonofhisoldfriend,Mr.
H.
R.
Robertson,whomorethanhalfacenturyagowasafellow-studentwithhimatCary'sSchoolofArtinStreathamStreet,Bloomsbury.
HENRYFESTINGJONES.
120MAIDAVALE,W.
9.
4thDecember,1921.
14of550TheOdysseyBookITHEGODSINCOUNCIL—MIVERVA'SVISITTOITHACA—THECHALLENGEFROMTELEMACHUSTOTHESUITORS.
Tellme,OMuse,ofthatingeniousherowhotravelledfarandwideafterhehadsackedthefamoustownofTroy.
Manycitiesdidhevisit,andmanywerethenationswithwhosemannersandcustomshewasacquainted;moreoverhesufferedmuchbyseawhiletryingtosavehisownlifeandbringhismensafelyhome;butdowhathemighthecouldnotsavehismen,fortheyperishedthroughtheirownsheerfollyineatingthecattleoftheSun-godHyperion;sothegodpreventedthemfromeverreachinghome.
Tellme,too,aboutallthesethings,ohdaughterofJove,fromwhatsoeversourceyoumayknowthem.
SonowallwhoescapeddeathinbattleorbyshipwreckhadgotsafelyhomeexceptUlysses,andhe,thoughhewaslongingtoreturntohiswifeandcountry,wasdetainedbythegoddessCalypso,whohadgothimintoalargecaveandwantedtomarryhim.
Butasyearswentby,therecameatimewhenthegodssettledthatheshouldgobacktoIthaca;eventhen,however,whenhe15of550TheOdysseywasamonghisownpeople,histroubleswerenotyetover;neverthelessallthegodshadnowbeguntopityhimexceptNeptune,whostillpersecutedhimwithoutceasingandwouldnotlethimgethome.
NowNeptunehadgoneofftotheEthiopians,whoareattheworld'send,andlieintwohalves,theonelookingWestandtheotherEast.
{1}Hehadgonetheretoacceptahecatombofsheepandoxen,andwasenjoyinghimselfathisfestival;buttheothergodsmetinthehouseofOlympianJove,andthesireofgodsandmenspokefirst.
AtthatmomenthewasthinkingofAegisthus,whohadbeenkilledbyAgamemnon'ssonOrestes;sohesaidtotheothergods:'Seenow,howmenlayblameuponusgodsforwhatisafterallnothingbuttheirownfolly.
LookatAegisthus;hemustneedsmakelovetoAgamemnon'swifeunrighteouslyandthenkillAgamemnon,thoughheknewitwouldbethedeathofhim;forIsentMercurytowarnhimnottodoeitherofthesethings,inasmuchasOresteswouldbesuretotakehisrevengewhenhegrewupandwantedtoreturnhome.
Mercurytoldhimthisinallgoodwillbuthewouldnotlisten,andnowhehaspaidforeverythinginfull.
'16of550TheOdysseyThenMinervasaid,'Father,sonofSaturn,Kingofkings,itservedAegisthusright,andsoitwouldanyoneelsewhodoesashedid;butAegisthusisneitherherenorthere;itisforUlyssesthatmyheartbleeds,whenIthinkofhissufferingsinthatlonelysea-girtisland,faraway,poorman,fromallhisfriends.
Itisanislandcoveredwithforest,intheverymiddleofthesea,andagoddesslivesthere,daughterofthemagicianAtlas,wholooksafterthebottomoftheocean,andcarriesthegreatcolumnsthatkeepheavenandearthasunder.
ThisdaughterofAtlashasgotholdofpoorunhappyUlysses,andkeepstryingbyeverykindofblandishmenttomakehimforgethishome,sothatheistiredoflife,andthinksofnothingbuthowhemayoncemoreseethesmokeofhisownchimneys.
You,sir,takenoheedofthis,andyetwhenUlysseswasbeforeTroydidhenotpropitiateyouwithmanyaburntsacrificeWhythenshouldyoukeeponbeingsoangrywithhim'AndJovesaid,'Mychild,whatareyoutalkingaboutHowcanIforgetUlyssesthanwhomthereisnomorecapablemanonearth,normoreliberalinhisofferingstotheimmortalgodsthatliveinheavenBearinmind,however,thatNeptuneisstillfuriouswithUlyssesforhavingblindedaneyeofPolyphemuskingofthe17of550TheOdysseyCyclopes.
PolyphemusissontoNeptunebythenymphThoosa,daughtertothesea-kingPhorcys;thereforethoughhewillnotkillUlyssesoutright,hetormentshimbypreventinghimfromgettinghome.
Still,letuslayourheadstogetherandseehowwecanhelphimtoreturn;Neptunewillthenbepacified,forifweareallofamindhecanhardlystandoutagainstus.
'AndMinervasaid,'Father,sonofSaturn,Kingofkings,if,then,thegodsnowmeanthatUlyssesshouldgethome,weshouldfirstsendMercurytotheOgygianislandtotellCalypsothatwehavemadeupourmindsandthatheistoreturn.
InthemeantimeIwillgotoIthaca,toputheartintoUlysses'sonTelemachus;IwillemboldenhimtocalltheAchaeansinassembly,andspeakouttothesuitorsofhismotherPenelope,whopersistineatingupanynumberofhissheepandoxen;IwillalsoconducthimtoSpartaandtoPylos,toseeifhecanhearanythingaboutthereturnofhisdearfather—forthiswillmakepeoplespeakwellofhim.
'Sosayingsheboundonherglitteringgoldensandals,imperishable,withwhichshecanflylikethewindoverlandorsea;shegraspedtheredoubtablebronze-shodspear,sostoutandsturdyandstrong,wherewithshequellstheranksofheroeswhohavedispleasedher,and18of550TheOdysseydownshedartedfromthetopmostsummitsofOlympus,whereonforthwithshewasinIthaca,atthegatewayofUlysses'house,disguisedasavisitor,Mentes,chiefoftheTaphians,andsheheldabronzespearinherhand.
Thereshefoundthelordlysuitorsseatedonhidesoftheoxenwhichtheyhadkilledandeaten,andplayingdraughtsinfrontofthehouse.
Men-servantsandpageswerebustlingabouttowaituponthem,somemixingwinewithwaterinthemixing-bowls,somecleaningdownthetableswithwetspongesandlayingthemoutagain,andsomecuttingupgreatquantitiesofmeat.
Telemachussawherlongbeforeanyoneelsedid.
Hewassittingmoodilyamongthesuitorsthinkingabouthisbravefather,andhowhewouldsendthemflyingoutofthehouse,ifheweretocometohisownagainandbehonouredasindaysgoneby.
Thusbroodingashesatamongthem,hecaughtsightofMinervaandwentstraighttothegate,forhewasvexedthatastrangershouldbekeptwaitingforadmittance.
Hetookherrighthandinhisown,andbadehergivehimherspear.
'Welcome,'saidhe,'toourhouse,andwhenyouhavepartakenoffoodyoushalltelluswhatyouhavecomefor.
'Heledthewayashespoke,andMinervafollowedhim.
Whentheywerewithinhetookherspearandsetit19of550TheOdysseyinthespear-standagainstastrongbearing-postalongwiththemanyotherspearsofhisunhappyfather,andheconductedhertoarichlydecoratedseatunderwhichhethrewaclothofdamask.
Therewasafootstoolalsoforherfeet,{2}andhesetanotherseatnearherforhimself,awayfromthesuitors,thatshemightnotbeannoyedwhileeatingbytheirnoiseandinsolence,andthathemightaskhermorefreelyabouthisfather.
Amaidservantthenbroughtthemwaterinabeautifulgoldenewerandpoureditintoasilverbasinforthemtowashtheirhands,andshedrewacleantablebesidethem.
Anupperservantbroughtthembread,andofferedthemmanygoodthingsofwhattherewasinthehouse,thecarverfetchedthemplatesofallmannerofmeatsandsetcupsofgoldbytheirside,andamanservantbroughtthemwineandpoureditoutforthem.
Thenthesuitorscameinandtooktheirplacesonthebenchesandseats.
{3}Forthwithmenservantspouredwaterovertheirhands,maidswentroundwiththebread-baskets,pagesfilledthemixing-bowlswithwineandwater,andtheylaidtheirhandsuponthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem.
Assoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrinktheywantedmusicanddancing,whicharethecrowningembellishmentsofabanquet,soaservant20of550TheOdysseybroughtalyretoPhemius,whomtheycompelledperforcetosingtothem.
AssoonashetouchedhislyreandbegantosingTelemachusspokelowtoMinerva,withhisheadclosetohersthatnomanmighthear.
'Ihope,sir,'saidhe,'thatyouwillnotbeoffendedwithwhatIamgoingtosay.
Singingcomescheaptothosewhodonotpayforit,andallthisisdoneatthecostofonewhoseboneslierottinginsomewildernessorgrindingtopowderinthesurf.
IfthesemenweretoseemyfathercomebacktoIthacatheywouldprayforlongerlegsratherthanalongerpurse,formoneywouldnotservethem;buthe,alas,hasfallenonanillfate,andevenwhenpeopledosometimessaythatheiscoming,wenolongerheedthem;weshallneverseehimagain.
Andnow,sir,tellmeandtellmetrue,whoyouareandwhereyoucomefrom.
Tellmeofyourtownandparents,whatmannerofshipyoucamein,howyourcrewbroughtyoutoIthaca,andofwhatnationtheydeclaredthemselvestobe—foryoucannothavecomebyland.
Tellmealsotruly,forIwanttoknow,areyouastrangertothishouse,orhaveyoubeenhereinmyfather'stimeIntheolddayswehadmanyvisitorsformyfatherwentaboutmuchhimself.
'AndMinervaanswered,'Iwilltellyoutrulyandparticularlyallaboutit.
IamMentes,sonofAnchialus,21of550TheOdysseyandIamKingoftheTaphians.
Ihavecomeherewithmyshipandcrew,onavoyagetomenofaforeigntonguebeingboundforTemesa{4}withacargoofiron,andIshallbringbackcopper.
Asformyship,itliesoveryonderofftheopencountryawayfromthetown,intheharbourRheithron{5}underthewoodedmountainNeritum.
{6}Ourfatherswerefriendsbeforeus,asoldLaerteswilltellyou,ifyouwillgoandaskhim.
Theysay,however,thathenevercomestotownnow,andlivesbyhimselfinthecountry,faringhardly,withanoldwomantolookafterhimandgethisdinnerforhim,whenhecomesintiredfrompotteringabouthisvineyard.
Theytoldmeyourfatherwasathomeagain,andthatwaswhyIcame,butitseemsthegodsarestillkeepinghimback,forheisnotdeadyetnotonthemainland.
Itismorelikelyheisonsomesea-girtislandinmidocean,oraprisoneramongsavageswhoaredetaininghimagainsthiswill.
Iamnoprophet,andknowverylittleaboutomens,butIspeakasitisborneinuponmefromheaven,andassureyouthathewillnotbeawaymuchlonger;forheisamanofsuchresourcethateventhoughhewereinchainsofironhewouldfindsomemeansofgettinghomeagain.
Buttellme,andtellmetrue,canUlyssesreallyhavesuchafinelookingfellowforasonYouareindeed22of550TheOdysseywonderfullylikehimabouttheheadandeyes,forwewereclosefriendsbeforehesetsailforTroywheretheflowerofalltheArgiveswentalso.
Sincethattimewehavenevereitherofusseentheother.
''Mymother,'answeredTelemachus,'tellsmeIamsontoUlysses,butitisawisechildthatknowshisownfather.
WouldthatIweresontoonewhohadgrownolduponhisownestates,for,sinceyouaskme,thereisnomoreill-starredmanunderheaventhanhewhotheytellmeismyfather.
'AndMinervasaid,'Thereisnofearofyourracedyingoutyet,whilePenelopehassuchafinesonasyouare.
Buttellme,andtellmetrue,whatisthemeaningofallthisfeasting,andwhoarethesepeopleWhatisitallaboutHaveyousomebanquet,oristhereaweddinginthefamily—fornooneseemstobebringinganyprovisionsofhisownAndtheguests—howatrociouslytheyarebehaving;whatriottheymakeoverthewholehouse;itisenoughtodisgustanyrespectablepersonwhocomesnearthem.
''Sir,'saidTelemachus,'asregardsyourquestion,solongasmyfatherwashereitwaswellwithusandwiththehouse,butthegodsintheirdispleasurehavewilleditotherwise,andhavehiddenhimawaymorecloselythan23of550TheOdysseymortalmanwaseveryethidden.
Icouldhaveborneitbettereventhoughheweredead,ifhehadfallenwithhismenbeforeTroy,orhaddiedwithfriendsaroundhimwhenthedaysofhisfightingweredone;forthentheAchaeanswouldhavebuiltamoundoverhisashes,andIshouldmyselfhavebeenheirtohisrenown;butnowthestorm-windshavespiritedhimawayweknownotwhither;heisgonewithoutleavingsomuchasatracebehindhim,andIinheritnothingbutdismay.
Nordoesthematterendsimplywithgriefforthelossofmyfather;heavenhaslaidsorrowsuponmeofyetanotherkind;forthechiefsfromallourislands,Dulichium,Same,andthewoodlandislandofZacynthus,asalsoalltheprincipalmenofIthacaitself,areeatingupmyhouseunderthepretextofpayingtheircourttomymother,whowillneitherpointblanksaythatshewillnotmarry,{7}noryetbringmatterstoanend;sotheyaremakinghavocofmyestate,andbeforelongwilldosoalsowithmyself.
''Isthatso'exclaimedMinerva,'thenyoudoindeedwantUlysseshomeagain.
Givehimhishelmet,shield,andacoupleoflances,andifheisthemanhewaswhenIfirstknewhiminourhouse,drinkingandmakingmerry,hewouldsoonlayhishandsabouttheserascallysuitors,werehetostandoncemoreuponhisownthreshold.
He24of550TheOdysseywasthencomingfromEphyra,wherehehadbeentobegpoisonforhisarrowsfromIlus,sonofMermerus.
Ilusfearedtheever-livinggodsandwouldnotgivehimany,butmyfatherlethimhavesome,forhewasveryfondofhim.
IfUlyssesisthemanhethenwasthesesuitorswillhaveashortshriftandasorrywedding.
'Butthere!
Itrestswithheaventodeterminewhetherheistoreturn,andtakehisrevengeinhisownhouseorno;Iwould,however,urgeyoutosetabouttryingtogetridofthesesuitorsatonce.
Takemyadvice,calltheAchaeanheroesinassemblyto-morrowmorning—layyourcasebeforethem,andcallheaventobearyouwitness.
Bidthesuitorstakethemselvesoff,eachtohisownplace,andifyourmother'smindissetonmarryingagain,lethergobacktoherfather,whowillfindherahusbandandprovideherwithallthemarriagegiftsthatsodearadaughtermayexpect.
Asforyourself,letmeprevailuponyoutotakethebestshipyoucanget,withacrewoftwentymen,andgoinquestofyourfatherwhohassolongbeenmissing.
Someonemaytellyousomething,or(andpeopleoftenhearthingsinthisway)someheaven-sentmessagemaydirectyou.
FirstgotoPylosandaskNestor;thencegoontoSpartaandvisitMenelaus,forhegothomelastofalltheAchaeans;ifyou25of550TheOdysseyhearthatyourfatherisaliveandonhiswayhome,youcanputupwiththewastethesesuitorswillmakeforyetanothertwelvemonths.
Ifontheotherhandyouhearofhisdeath,comehomeatonce,celebratehisfuneralriteswithallduepomp,buildabarrowtohismemory,andmakeyourmothermarryagain.
Then,havingdoneallthis,thinkitwelloverinyourmindhow,byfairmeansorfoul,youmaykillthesesuitorsinyourownhouse.
Youaretoooldtopleadinfancyanylonger;haveyounotheardhowpeoplearesingingOrestes'praisesforhavingkilledhisfather'smurdererAegisthusYouareafine,smartlookingfellow;showyourmettle,then,andmakeyourselfanameinstory.
Now,however,Imustgobacktomyshipandtomycrew,whowillbeimpatientifIkeepthemwaitinglonger;thinkthematteroverforyourself,andrememberwhatIhavesaidtoyou.
''Sir,'answeredTelemachus,'ithasbeenverykindofyoutotalktomeinthisway,asthoughIwereyourownson,andIwilldoallyoutellme;Iknowyouwanttobegettingonwithyourvoyage,butstayalittlelongertillyouhavetakenabathandrefreshedyourself.
Iwillthengiveyouapresent,andyoushallgoonyourwayrejoicing;Iwillgiveyouoneofgreatbeautyandvalue—akeepsakesuchasonlydearfriendsgivetooneanother.
'26of550TheOdysseyMinervaanswered,'Donottrytokeepme,forIwouldbeonmywayatonce.
Asforanypresentyoumaybedisposedtomakeme,keepittillIcomeagain,andIwilltakeithomewithme.
Youshallgivemeaverygoodone,andIwillgiveyouoneofnolessvalueinreturn.
'Withthesewordssheflewawaylikeabirdintotheair,butshehadgivenTelemachuscourage,andhadmadehimthinkmorethaneverabouthisfather.
Hefeltthechange,wonderedatit,andknewthatthestrangerhadbeenagod,sohewentstraighttowherethesuitorsweresitting.
Phemiuswasstillsinging,andhishearerssatraptinsilenceashetoldthesadtaleofthereturnfromTroy,andtheillsMinervahadlaidupontheAchaeans.
Penelope,daughterofIcarius,heardhissongfromherroomupstairs,andcamedownbythegreatstaircase,notalone,butattendedbytwoofherhandmaids.
Whenshereachedthesuitorsshestoodbyoneofthebearingpoststhatsupportedtheroofofthecloisters{8}withastaidmaidenoneithersideofher.
Sheheldaveil,moreover,beforeherface,andwasweepingbitterly.
'Phemius,'shecried,'youknowmanyanotherfeatofgodsandheroes,suchaspoetslovetocelebrate.
Singthesuitorssomeoneofthese,andletthemdrinktheirwineinsilence,butceasethissadtale,foritbreaksmysorrowful27of550TheOdysseyheart,andremindsmeofmylosthusbandwhomImourneverwithoutceasing,andwhosenamewasgreatoverallHellasandmiddleArgos.
'{9}'Mother,'answeredTelemachus,'letthebardsingwhathehasamindto;bardsdonotmaketheillstheysingof;itisJove,notthey,whomakesthem,andwhosendswealorwoeuponmankindaccordingtohisowngoodpleasure.
Thisfellowmeansnoharmbysingingtheill-fatedreturnoftheDanaans,forpeoplealwaysapplaudthelatestsongsmostwarmly.
Makeupyourmindtoitandbearit;UlyssesisnottheonlymanwhonevercamebackfromTroy,butmanyanotherwentdownaswellashe.
Go,then,withinthehouseandbusyyourselfwithyourdailyduties,yourloom,yourdistaff,andtheorderingofyourservants;forspeechisman'smatter,andmineaboveallothers{10}—foritisIwhoammasterhere.
'Shewentwonderingbackintothehouse,andlaidherson'ssayinginherheart.
Then,goingupstairswithherhandmaidsintoherroom,shemournedherdearhusbandtillMinervashedsweetsleepoverhereyes.
Butthesuitorswereclamorousthroughoutthecoveredcloisters{11},andprayedeachonethathemightbeherbedfellow.
28of550TheOdysseyThenTelemachusspoke,'Shameless,'hecried,'andinsolentsuitors,letusfeastatourpleasurenow,andlettherebenobrawling,foritisararethingtohearamanwithsuchadivinevoiceasPhemiushas;butinthemorningmeetmeinfullassemblythatImaygiveyouformalnoticetodepart,andfeastatoneanother'shouses,turnandturnabout,atyourowncost.
Ifontheotherhandyouchoosetopersistinspungingupononeman,heavenhelpme,butJoveshallreckonwithyouinfull,andwhenyoufallinmyfather'shousethereshallbenomantoavengeyou.
'Thesuitorsbittheirlipsastheyheardhim,andmarvelledattheboldnessofhisspeech.
Then,Antinous,sonofEupeithes,said,'Thegodsseemtohavegivenyoulessonsinblusterandtalltalking;mayJovenevergrantyoutobechiefinIthacaasyourfatherwasbeforeyou.
'Telemachusanswered,'Antinous,donotchidewithme,but,godwilling,IwillbechieftooifIcan.
IsthistheworstfateyoucanthinkofformeItisnobadthingtobeachief,foritbringsbothrichesandhonour.
Still,nowthatUlyssesisdeadtherearemanygreatmeninIthacabotholdandyoung,andsomeothermaytaketheleadamongthem;neverthelessIwillbechiefinmyownhouse,andwillrulethosewhomUlysseshaswonforme.
'29of550TheOdysseyThenEurymachus,sonofPolybus,answered,'Itrestswithheaventodecidewhoshallbechiefamongus,butyoushallbemasterinyourownhouseandoveryourownpossessions;noonewhilethereisamaninIthacashalldoyouviolencenorrobyou.
Andnow,mygoodfellow,Iwanttoknowaboutthisstranger.
WhatcountrydoeshecomefromOfwhatfamilyishe,andwhereishisestateHashebroughtyounewsaboutthereturnofyourfather,orwasheonbusinessofhisownHeseemedawelltodoman,buthehurriedoffsosuddenlythathewasgoneinamomentbeforewecouldgettoknowhim.
''Myfatherisdeadandgone,'answeredTelemachus,'andevenifsomerumourreachesmeIputnomorefaithinitnow.
Mymotherdoesindeedsometimessendforasoothsayerandquestionhim,butIgivehisprophecyingsnoheed.
Asforthestranger,hewasMentes,sonofAnchialus,chiefoftheTaphians,anoldfriendofmyfather's.
'Butinhisheartheknewthatithadbeenthegoddess.
Thesuitorsthenreturnedtotheirsinginganddancinguntiltheevening;butwhennightfellupontheirpleasuringtheywenthometobedeachinhisownabode.
{12}Telemachus'sroomwashighupinatower{13}thatlookedontotheoutercourt;hither,then,hehied,30of550TheOdysseybroodingandfullofthought.
Agoodoldwoman,Euryclea,daughterofOps,thesonofPisenor,wentbeforehimwithacoupleofblazingtorches.
Laerteshadboughtherwithhisownmoneywhenshewasquiteyoung;hegavetheworthoftwentyoxenforher,andshewedasmuchrespecttoherinhishouseholdashedidtohisownweddedwife,buthedidnottakehertohisbedforhefearedhiswife'sresentment.
{14}SheitwaswhonowlightedTelemachustohisroom,andshelovedhimbetterthananyoftheotherwomeninthehousedid,forshehadnursedhimwhenhewasababy.
Heopenedthedoorofhisbedroomandsatdownuponthebed;ashetookoffhisshirt{15}hegaveittothegoodoldwoman,whofoldedittidilyup,andhungitforhimoverapegbyhisbedside,afterwhichshewentout,pulledthedoortobyasilvercatch,anddrewthebolthomebymeansofthestrap.
{16}ButTelemachusashelaycoveredwithawoollenfleecekeptthinkingallnightthroughofhisintendedvoyageandofthecounselthatMinervahadgivenhim.
31of550TheOdysseyBookIIASSEMBLYOFTHEPEOPLEOFITHACA—SPEECHESOFTELEMACHUSANDOFTHESUITORS—TELEMACHUSMAKESHISPREPARATIONSANDSTARTSFORPYLOSWITHMINERVADISGUISEDASMENTOR.
Nowwhenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appearedTelemachusroseanddressedhimself.
Heboundhissandalsontohiscomelyfeet,girdedhisswordabouthisshoulder,andlefthisroomlookinglikeanimmortalgod.
Heatoncesentthecriersroundtocallthepeopleinassembly,sotheycalledthemandthepeoplegatheredthereon;then,whentheyweregottogether,hewenttotheplaceofassemblyspearinhand—notalone,forhistwohoundswentwithhim.
Minervaendowedhimwithapresenceofsuchdivinecomelinessthatallmarvelledathimashewentby,andwhenhetookhisplaceinhisfather'sseateventheoldestcouncillorsmadewayforhim.
Aegyptius,amanbentdoublewithage,andofinfiniteexperience,wasthefirsttospeak.
HissonAntiphushadgonewithUlyssestoIlius,landofnoblesteeds,butthe32of550TheOdysseysavageCyclopshadkilledhimwhentheywereallshutupinthecave,andhadcookedhislastdinnerforhim.
{17}Hehadthreesonsleft,ofwhomtwostillworkedontheirfather'sland,whilethethird,Eurynomus,wasoneofthesuitors;neverthelesstheirfathercouldnotgetoverthelossofAntiphus,andwasstillweepingforhimwhenhebeganhisspeech.
'MenofIthaca,'hesaid,'hearmywords.
FromthedayUlyssesleftustherehasbeennomeetingofourcouncillorsuntilnow;whothencanitbe,whetheroldoryoung,thatfindsitsonecessarytoconveneusHashegotwindofsomehostapproaching,anddoeshewishtowarnus,orwouldhespeakuponsomeothermatterofpublicmomentIamsureheisanexcellentperson,andIhopeJovewillgranthimhisheart'sdesire.
'Telemachustookthisspeechasofgoodomenandroseatonce,forhewasburstingwithwhathehadtosay.
HestoodinthemiddleoftheassemblyandthegoodheraldPisenorbroughthimhisstaff.
Then,turningtoAegyptius,'Sir,'saidhe,'itisI,asyouwillshortlylearn,whohaveconvenedyou,foritisIwhoamthemostaggrieved.
IhavenotgotwindofanyhostapproachingaboutwhichIwouldwarnyou,noristhereanymatterofpublicmomentonwhichIwouldspeak.
Mygrievanceispurelypersonal,33of550TheOdysseyandturnsontwogreatmisfortuneswhichhavefallenuponmyhouse.
Thefirstoftheseisthelossofmyexcellentfather,whowaschiefamongallyouherepresent,andwaslikeafathertoeveryoneofyou;thesecondismuchmoreserious,anderelongwillbetheutterruinofmyestate.
Thesonsofallthechiefmenamongyouarepesteringmymothertomarrythemagainstherwill.
TheyareafraidtogotoherfatherIcarius,askinghimtochoosetheonehelikesbest,andtoprovidemarriagegiftsforhisdaughter,butdaybydaytheykeephangingaboutmyfather'shouse,sacrificingouroxen,sheep,andfatgoatsfortheirbanquets,andnevergivingsomuchasathoughttothequantityofwinetheydrink.
Noestatecanstandsuchrecklessness;wehavenownoUlyssestowardoffharmfromourdoors,andIcannotholdmyownagainstthem.
Ishallneverallmydaysbeasgoodamanashewas,stillIwouldindeeddefendmyselfifIhadpowertodoso,forIcannotstandsuchtreatmentanylonger;myhouseisbeingdisgracedandruined.
Haverespect,therefore,toyourownconsciencesandtopublicopinion.
Fear,too,thewrathofheaven,lestthegodsshouldbedispleasedandturnuponyou.
IprayyoubyJoveandThemis,whoisthebeginningandtheendofcouncils,[donot]holdback,myfriends,34of550TheOdysseyandleavemesinglehanded{18}—unlessitbethatmybravefatherUlyssesdidsomewrongtotheAchaeanswhichyouwouldnowavengeonme,byaidingandabettingthesesuitors.
Moreover,ifIamtobeeatenoutofhouseandhomeatall,Ihadratheryoudidtheeatingyourselves,forIcouldthentakeactionagainstyoutosomepurpose,andserveyouwithnoticesfromhousetohousetillIgotpaidinfull,whereasnowIhavenoremedy.
'{19}WiththisTelemachusdashedhisstafftothegroundandburstintotears.
Everyonewasverysorryforhim,buttheyallsatstillandnooneventuredtomakehimanangryanswer,saveonlyAntinous,whospokethus:'Telemachus,insolentbraggartthatyouare,howdareyoutrytothrowtheblameuponussuitorsItisyourmother'sfaultnotours,forsheisaveryartfulwoman.
Thisthreeyearspast,andcloseonfour,shehadbeendrivingusoutofourminds,byencouragingeachoneofus,andsendinghimmessageswithoutmeaningonewordofwhatshesays.
Andthentherewasthatothertricksheplayedus.
Shesetupagreattambourframeinherroom,andbegantoworkonanenormouspieceoffineneedlework.
'Sweethearts,'saidshe,'Ulyssesisindeeddead,stilldonotpressmetomarryagainimmediately,35of550TheOdysseywait—forIwouldnothaveskillinneedleworkperishunrecorded—tillIhavecompletedapallfortheheroLaertes,tobeinreadinessagainstthetimewhendeathshalltakehim.
Heisveryrich,andthewomenoftheplacewilltalkifheislaidoutwithoutapall.
''Thiswaswhatshesaid,andweassented;whereonwecouldseeherworkingonhergreatweballdaylong,butatnightshewouldunpickthestitchesagainbytorchlight.
Shefooledusinthiswayforthreeyearsandweneverfoundherout,butastimeworeonandshewasnowinherfourthyear,oneofhermaidswhoknewwhatshewasdoingtoldus,andwecaughtherintheactofundoingherwork,soshehadtofinishitwhethershewouldorno.
Thesuitors,therefore,makeyouthisanswer,thatbothyouandtheAchaeansmayunderstand-'Sendyourmotheraway,andbidhermarrythemanofherownandofherfather'schoice';forIdonotknowwhatwillhappenifshegoesonplaguingusmuchlongerwiththeairsshegivesherselfonthescoreoftheaccomplishmentsMinervahastaughther,andbecausesheissoclever.
Weneveryetheardofsuchawoman;weknowallaboutTyro,Alcmena,Mycene,andthefamouswomenofold,buttheywerenothingtoyourmotheranyoneofthem.
Itwasnotfairofhertotreatusinthatway,andaslongasshe36of550TheOdysseycontinuesinthemindwithwhichheavenhasnowendowedher,solongshallwegooneatingupyourestate;andIdonotseewhysheshouldchange,forshegetsallthehonourandglory,anditisyouwhopayforit,notshe.
Understand,then,thatwewillnotgobacktoourlands,neitherherenorelsewhere,tillshehasmadeherchoiceandmarriedsomeoneorotherofus.
'Telemachusanswered,'Antinous,howcanIdrivethemotherwhoboremefrommyfather'shouseMyfatherisabroadandwedonotknowwhetherheisaliveordead.
ItwillbehardonmeifIhavetopayIcariusthelargesumwhichImustgivehimifIinsistonsendinghisdaughterbacktohim.
Notonlywillhedealrigorouslywithme,butheavenwillalsopunishme;formymotherwhensheleavesthehousewillcallontheErinyestoavengeher;besides,itwouldnotbeacreditablethingtodo,andIwillhavenothingtosaytoit.
Ifyouchoosetotakeoffenceatthis,leavethehouseandfeastelsewhereatoneanother'shousesatyourowncostturnandturnabout.
If,ontheotherhand,youelecttopersistinspungingupononeman,heavenhelpme,butJoveshallreckonwithyouinfull,andwhenyoufallinmyfather'shousethereshallbenomantoavengeyou.
'37of550TheOdysseyAshespokeJovesenttwoeaglesfromthetopofthemountain,andtheyflewonandonwiththewind,sailingsidebysideintheirownlordlyflight.
Whentheywererightoverthemiddleoftheassemblytheywheeledandcircledabout,beatingtheairwiththeirwingsandglaringdeathintotheeyesofthemthatwerebelow;then,fightingfiercelyandtearingatoneanother,theyflewofftowardstherightoverthetown.
Thepeoplewonderedastheysawthem,andaskedeachotherwhatallthismightbe;whereonHalitherses,whowasthebestprophetandreaderofomensamongthem,spoketothemplainlyandinallhonesty,saying:'Hearme,menofIthaca,andIspeakmoreparticularlytothesuitors,forIseemischiefbrewingforthem.
Ulyssesisnotgoingtobeawaymuchlonger;indeedheiscloseathandtodealoutdeathanddestruction,notonthemalone,butonmanyanotherofuswholiveinIthaca.
Letusthenbewiseintime,andputastoptothiswickednessbeforehecomes.
Letthesuitorsdosooftheirownaccord;itwillbebetterforthem,forIamnotprophesyingwithoutdueknowledge;everythinghashappenedtoUlyssesasIforetoldwhentheArgivessetoutforTroy,andhewiththem.
Isaidthataftergoingthroughmuchhardshipandlosingallhismenheshould38of550TheOdysseycomehomeagaininthetwentiethyearandthatnoonewouldknowhim;andnowallthisiscomingtrue.
'EurymachussonofPolybusthensaid,'Gohome,oldman,andprophesytoyourownchildren,oritmaybeworseforthem.
Icanreadtheseomensmyselfmuchbetterthanyoucan;birdsarealwaysflyingaboutinthesunshinesomewhereorother,buttheyseldommeananything.
Ulysseshasdiedinafarcountry,anditisapityyouarenotdeadalongwithhim,insteadofpratinghereaboutomensandaddingfueltotheangerofTelemachuswhichisfierceenoughasitis.
Isupposeyouthinkhewillgiveyousomethingforyourfamily,butItellyou—anditshallsurelybe—whenanoldmanlikeyou,whoshouldknowbetter,talksayoungoneovertillhebecomestroublesome,inthefirstplacehisyoungfriendwillonlyfaresomuchtheworse—hewilltakenothingbyit,forthesuitorswillpreventthis—andinthenext,wewilllayaheavierfine,sir,uponyourselfthanyouwillatalllikepaying,foritwillbearhardlyuponyou.
AsforTelemachus,Iwarnhiminthepresenceofyoualltosendhismotherbacktoherfather,whowillfindherahusbandandprovideherwithallthemarriagegiftssodearadaughtermayexpect.
Tillthenweshallgoonharassinghimwithoursuit;forwefearnoman,andcareneitherfor39of550TheOdysseyhim,withallhisfinespeeches,norforanyfortune-tellingofyours.
Youmaypreachasmuchasyouplease,butweshallonlyhateyouthemore.
WeshallgobackandcontinuetoeatupTelemachus'sestatewithoutpayinghim,tillsuchtimeashismotherleavesofftormentingusbykeepingusdayafterdayonthetiptoeofexpectation,eachvyingwiththeotherinhissuitforaprizeofsuchrareperfection.
Besideswecannotgoaftertheotherwomenwhomweshouldmarryinduecourse,butforthewayinwhichshetreatsus.
'ThenTelemachussaid,'Eurymachus,andyouothersuitors,Ishallsaynomore,andentreatyounofurther,forthegodsandthepeopleofIthacanowknowmystory.
Giveme,then,ashipandacrewoftwentymentotakemehitherandthither,andIwillgotoSpartaandtoPylosinquestofmyfatherwhohassolongbeenmissing.
Someonemaytellmesomething,or(andpeopleoftenhearthingsinthisway)someheaven-sentmessagemaydirectme.
IfIcanhearofhimasaliveandonhiswayhomeIwillputupwiththewasteyousuitorswillmakeforyetanothertwelvemonths.
IfontheotherhandIhearofhisdeath,Iwillreturnatonce,celebratehisfuneralriteswithallduepomp,buildabarrowtohismemory,andmakemymothermarryagain.
'40of550TheOdysseyWiththesewordshesatdown,andMentor{20}whohadbeenafriendofUlysses,andhadbeenleftinchargeofeverythingwithfullauthorityovertheservants,rosetospeak.
He,then,plainlyandinallhonestyaddressedthemthus:'Hearme,menofIthaca,Ihopethatyoumayneverhaveakindandwell-disposedruleranymore,noronewhowillgovernyouequitably;Ihopethatallyourchiefshenceforwardmaybecruelandunjust,forthereisnotoneofyoubuthasforgottenUlysses,whoruledyouasthoughhewereyourfather.
Iamnothalfsoangrywiththesuitors,foriftheychoosetodoviolenceinthenaughtinessoftheirhearts,andwagertheirheadsthatUlysseswillnotreturn,theycantakethehighhandandeatuphisestate,butasforyouothersIamshockedatthewayinwhichyouallsitstillwithouteventryingtostopsuchscandalousgoingson—whichyoucoulddoifyouchose,foryouaremanyandtheyarefew.
'Leiocritus,sonofEvenor,answeredhimsaying,'Mentor,whatfollyisallthis,thatyoushouldsetthepeopletostayusItisahardthingforonemantofightwithmanyabouthisvictuals.
EventhoughUlysseshimselfweretosetuponuswhilewearefeastinginhishouse,anddohisbesttooustus,hiswife,whowantshim41of550TheOdysseybacksoverybadly,wouldhavesmallcauseforrejoicing,andhisbloodwouldbeuponhisownheadifhefoughtagainstsuchgreatodds.
Thereisnosenseinwhatyouhavebeensaying.
Now,therefore,doyoupeoplegoaboutyourbusiness,andlethisfather'soldfriends,MentorandHalitherses,speedthisboyonhisjourney,ifhegoesatall—whichIdonotthinkhewill,forheismorelikelytostaywhereheistillsomeonecomesandtellshimsomething.
'Onthishebrokeuptheassembly,andeverymanwentbacktohisownabode,whilethesuitorsreturnedtothehouseofUlysses.
ThenTelemachuswentallalonebytheseaside,washedhishandsinthegreywaves,andprayedtoMinerva.
'Hearme,'hecried,'yougodwhovisitedmeyesterday,andbademesailtheseasinsearchofmyfatherwhohassolongbeenmissing.
Iwouldobeyyou,buttheAchaeans,andmoreparticularlythewickedsuitors,arehinderingmethatIcannotdoso.
'Ashethusprayed,MinervacamecloseuptohiminthelikenessandwiththevoiceofMentor.
'Telemachus,'saidshe,'ifyouaremadeofthesamestuffasyourfatheryouwillbeneitherfoolnorcowardhenceforward,for42of550TheOdysseyUlyssesneverbrokehiswordnorlefthisworkhalfdone.
If,then,youtakeafterhim,yourvoyagewillnotbefruitless,butunlessyouhavethebloodofUlyssesandofPenelopeinyourveinsIseenolikelihoodofyoursucceeding.
Sonsareseldomasgoodmenastheirfathers;theyaregenerallyworse,notbetter;still,asyouarenotgoingtobeeitherfoolorcowardhenceforward,andarenotentirelywithoutsomeshareofyourfather'swisediscernment,Ilookwithhopeuponyourundertaking.
Butmindyounevermakecommoncausewithanyofthosefoolishsuitors,fortheyhaveneithersensenorvirtue,andgivenothoughttodeathandtothedoomthatwillshortlyfallononeandallofthem,sothattheyshallperishonthesameday.
Asforyourvoyage,itshallnotbelongdelayed;yourfatherwassuchanoldfriendofminethatIwillfindyouaship,andwillcomewithyoumyself.
Now,however,returnhome,andgoaboutamongthesuitors;begingettingprovisionsreadyforyourvoyage;seeeverythingwellstowed,thewineinjars,andthebarleymeal,whichisthestaffoflife,inleathernbags,whileIgoroundthetownandbeatupvolunteersatonce.
TherearemanyshipsinIthacabotholdandnew;Iwillrunmyeyeoverthemforyouandwillchoosethebest;wewillgetherreadyandwillputouttoseawithoutdelay.
'43of550TheOdysseyThusspokeMinervadaughterofJove,andTelemachuslostnotimeindoingasthegoddesstoldhim.
Hewentmoodilyhome,andfoundthesuitorsflayinggoatsandsingeingpigsintheoutercourt.
Antinouscameuptohimatonceandlaughedashetookhishandinhisown,saying,'Telemachus,myfinefire-eater,bearnomoreillbloodneitherinwordnordeed,buteatanddrinkwithusasyouusedtodo.
TheAchaeanswillfindyouineverything—ashipandapickedcrewtoboot—sothatyoucansetsailforPylosatonceandgetnewsofyournoblefather.
''Antinous,'answeredTelemachus,'Icannoteatinpeace,nortakepleasureofanykindwithsuchmenasyouare.
WasitnotenoughthatyoushouldwastesomuchgoodpropertyofminewhileIwasyetaboyNowthatIamolderandknowmoreaboutit,Iamalsostronger,andwhetherhereamongthispeople,orbygoingtoPylos,IwilldoyoualltheharmIcan.
Ishallgo,andmygoingwillnotbeinvain—though,thankstoyousuitors,Ihaveneithershipnorcrewofmyown,andmustbepassengernotcaptain.
'AshespokehesnatchedhishandfromthatofAntinous.
Meanwhiletheotherswentongettingdinner44of550TheOdysseyreadyaboutthebuildings,{21}jeeringathimtauntinglyastheydidso.
'Telemachus,'saidoneyoungster,'meanstobethedeathofus;IsupposehethinkshecanbringfriendstohelphimfromPylos,oragainfromSparta,whereheseemsbentongoing.
OrwillhegotoEphyraaswell,forpoisontoputinourwineandkillus'Anothersaid,'PerhapsifTelemachusgoesonboardship,hewillbelikehisfatherandperishfarfromhisfriends.
Inthiscaseweshouldhaveplentytodo,forwecouldthendivideuphispropertyamongstus:asforthehousewecanlethismotherandthemanwhomarriesherhavethat.
'Thiswashowtheytalked.
ButTelemachuswentdownintotheloftyandspaciousstore-roomwherehisfather'streasureofgoldandbronzelayheapedupuponthefloor,andwherethelinenandspareclotheswerekeptinopenchests.
Here,too,therewasastoreoffragrantoliveoil,whilecasksofold,well-ripenedwine,unblendedandfitforagodtodrink,wererangedagainstthewallincaseUlyssesshouldcomehomeagainafterall.
Theroomwasclosedwithwell-madedoorsopeninginthemiddle;moreoverthefaithfuloldhouse-keeperEuryclea,daughterofOpsthesonofPisenor,wasinchargeof45of550TheOdysseyeverythingbothnightandday.
Telemachuscalledhertothestore-roomandsaid:'Nurse,drawmeoffsomeofthebestwineyouhave,afterwhatyouarekeepingformyfather'sowndrinking,incase,poorman,heshouldescapedeath,andfindhiswayhomeagainafterall.
Letmehavetwelvejars,andseethattheyallhavelids;alsofillmesomewell-sewnleathernbagswithbarleymeal—abouttwentymeasuresinall.
Getthesethingsputtogetheratonce,andsaynothingaboutit.
Iwilltakeeverythingawaythiseveningassoonasmymotherhasgoneupstairsforthenight.
IamgoingtoSpartaandtoPylostoseeifIcanhearanythingaboutthereturnofmydearfather.
'WhenEurycleaheardthisshebegantocry,andspokefondlytohim,saying,'Mydearchild,whatevercanhaveputsuchnotionasthatintoyourheadWhereintheworlddoyouwanttogoto—you,whoaretheonehopeofthehouseYourpoorfatherisdeadandgoneinsomeforeigncountrynobodyknowswhere,andassoonasyourbackisturnedthesewickedonesherewillbeschemingtogetyouputoutoftheway,andwillshareallyourpossessionsamongthemselves;staywhereyouareamongyourownpeople,anddonotgowanderingandworryingyourlifeoutonthebarrenocean.
'46of550TheOdyssey'Fearnot,nurse,'answeredTelemachus,'myschemeisnotwithoutheaven'ssanction;butswearthatyouwillsaynothingaboutallthistomymother,tillIhavebeenawaysometenortwelvedays,unlessshehearsofmyhavinggone,andasksyou;forIdonotwanthertospoilherbeautybycrying.
'Theoldwomansworemostsolemnlythatshewouldnot,andwhenshehadcompletedheroath,shebegandrawingoffthewineintojars,andgettingthebarleymealintothebags,whileTelemachuswentbacktothesuitors.
ThenMinervabethoughtherofanothermatter.
Shetookhisshape,andwentroundthetowntoeachoneofthecrew,tellingthemtomeetattheshipbysundown.
ShewentalsotoNoemonsonofPhronius,andaskedhimtoletherhaveaship—whichhewasveryreadytodo.
Whenthesunhadsetanddarknesswasoveralltheland,shegottheshipintothewater,putallthetackleonboardherthatshipsgenerallycarry,andstationedherattheendoftheharbour.
Presentlythecrewcameup,andthegoddessspokeencouraginglytoeachofthem.
FurthermoreshewenttothehouseofUlysses,andthrewthesuitorsintoadeepslumber.
Shecausedtheirdrinktofuddlethem,andmadethemdroptheircupsfromtheirhands,sothatinsteadofsittingovertheirwine,they47of550TheOdysseywentbackintothetowntosleep,withtheireyesheavyandfullofdrowsiness.
ThenshetooktheformandvoiceofMentor,andcalledTelemachustocomeoutside.
'Telemachus,'saidshe,'themenareonboardandattheiroars,waitingforyoutogiveyourorders,somakehasteandletusbeoff.
'Onthissheledtheway,whileTelemachusfollowedinhersteps.
Whentheygottotheshiptheyfoundthecrewwaitingbythewaterside,andTelemachussaid,'Nowmymen,helpmetogetthestoresonboard;theyareallputtogetherinthecloister,andmymotherdoesnotknowanythingaboutit,noranyofthemaidservantsexceptone.
'Withthesewordsheledthewayandtheothersfollowedafter.
Whentheyhadbroughtthethingsashetoldthem,Telemachuswentonboard,Minervagoingbeforehimandtakingherseatinthesternofthevessel,whileTelemachussatbesideher.
Thenthemenloosedthehawsersandtooktheirplacesonthebenches.
MinervasentthemafairwindfromtheWest,{22}thatwhistledoverthedeepbluewaves{23}whereonTelemachustoldthemtocatchholdoftheropesandhoistsail,andtheydidashetoldthem.
Theysetthemastinitssocketinthecrossplank,raisedit,andmadeitfastwiththeforestays;48of550TheOdysseythentheyhoistedtheirwhitesailsaloftwithropesoftwistedoxhide.
Asthesailbelliedoutwiththewind,theshipflewthroughthedeepbluewater,andthefoamhissedagainstherbowsasshespedonward.
Thentheymadeallfastthroughouttheship,filledthemixingbowlstothebrim,andmadedrinkofferingstotheimmortalgodsthatarefromeverlasting,butmoreparticularlytothegrey-eyeddaughterofJove.
Thus,then,theshipspedonherwaythroughthewatchesofthenightfromdarktilldawn,49of550TheOdysseyBookIIITELEMACHUSVISITSNESTORATPYLOS.
butasthesunwasrisingfromthefairsea{24}intothefirmamentofheaventoshedlightonmortalsandimmortals,theyreachedPylosthecityofNeleus.
NowthepeopleofPylosweregatheredontheseashoretooffersacrificeofblackbullstoNeptunelordoftheEarthquake.
Therewerenineguildswithfivehundredmenineach,andtherewereninebullstoeachguild.
Astheywereeatingtheinwardmeats{25}andburningthethighbones[ontheembers]inthenameofNeptune,Telemachusandhiscrewarrived,furledtheirsails,broughttheirshiptoanchor,andwentashore.
MinervaledthewayandTelemachusfollowedher.
Presentlyshesaid,'Telemachus,youmustnotbeintheleastshyornervous;youhavetakenthisvoyagetotryandfindoutwhereyourfatherisburiedandhowhecamebyhisend;sogostraightuptoNestorthatwemayseewhathehasgottotellus.
Begofhimtospeakthetruth,andhewilltellnolies,forheisanexcellentperson.
''Buthow,Mentor,'repliedTelemachus,'dareIgouptoNestor,andhowamItoaddresshimIhaveneveryet50of550TheOdysseybeenusedtoholdinglongconversationswithpeople,andamashamedtobeginquestioningonewhoissomucholderthanmyself.
''Somethings,Telemachus,'answeredMinerva,'willbesuggestedtoyoubyyourowninstinct,andheavenwillpromptyoufurther;forIamassuredthatthegodshavebeenwithyoufromthetimeofyourbirthuntilnow.
'Shethenwentquicklyon,andTelemachusfollowedinherstepstilltheyreachedtheplacewheretheguildsofthePylianpeoplewereassembled.
TheretheyfoundNestorsittingwithhissons,whilehiscompanyroundhimwerebusygettingdinnerready,andputtingpiecesofmeatontothespits{26}whileotherpieceswerecooking.
Whentheysawthestrangerstheycrowdedroundthem,tookthembythehandandbadethemtaketheirplaces.
Nestor'ssonPisistratusatonceofferedhishandtoeachofthem,andseatedthemonsomesoftsheepskinsthatwerelyingonthesandsnearhisfatherandhisbrotherThrasymedes.
Thenhegavethemtheirportionsoftheinwardmeatsandpouredwineforthemintoagoldencup,handingittoMinervafirst,andsalutingheratthesametime.
'Offeraprayer,sir,'saidhe,'toKingNeptune,foritishisfeastthatyouarejoining;whenyouhavedulyprayed51of550TheOdysseyandmadeyourdrinkoffering,passthecuptoyourfriendthathemaydosoalso.
Idoubtnotthathetooliftshishandsinprayer,formancannotlivewithoutGodintheworld.
Stillheisyoungerthanyouare,andismuchofanagewithmyself,soIwillgiveyoutheprecedence.
'Ashespokehehandedherthecup.
Minervathoughtitveryrightandproperofhimtohavegivenittoherselffirst;{27}sheaccordinglybeganprayingheartilytoNeptune.
'Othou,'shecried,'thatencirclesttheearth,vouchsafetogranttheprayersofthyservantsthatcalluponthee.
MoreespeciallywepraytheesenddownthygraceonNestorandonhissons;thereafteralsomaketherestofthePylianpeoplesomehandsomereturnforthegoodlyhecatombtheyareofferingyou.
Lastly,grantTelemachusandmyselfahappyissue,inrespectofthematterthathasbroughtusinourshiptoPylos.
'Whenshehadthusmadeanendofpraying,shehandedthecuptoTelemachusandheprayedlikewise.
Byandby,whentheoutermeatswereroastedandhadbeentakenoffthespits,thecarversgaveeverymanhisportionandtheyallmadeanexcellentdinner.
Assoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrink,Nestor,knightofGerene,begantospeak.
52of550TheOdyssey'Now,'saidhe,'thatourguestshavedonetheirdinner,itwillbebesttoaskthemwhotheyare.
Who,then,sirstrangers,areyou,andfromwhatporthaveyousailedAreyoutradersordoyousailtheseasasroverswithyourhandagainsteveryman,andeveryman'shandagainstyou'Telemachusansweredboldly,forMinervahadgivenhimcouragetoaskabouthisfatherandgethimselfagoodname.
'Nestor,'saidhe,'sonofNeleus,honourtotheAchaeanname,youaskwhencewecome,andIwilltellyou.
WecomefromIthacaunderNeritum,{28}andthematteraboutwhichIwouldspeakisofprivatenotpublicimport.
IseeknewsofmyunhappyfatherUlysses,whoissaidtohavesackedthetownofTroyincompanywithyourself.
WeknowwhatfatebefelleachoneoftheotherheroeswhofoughtatTroy,butasregardsUlyssesheavenhashiddenfromustheknowledgeeventhatheisdeadatall,fornoonecancertifyusinwhatplaceheperished,norsaywhetherhefellinbattleonthemainland,orwaslostatseaamidthewavesofAmphitrite.
ThereforeIamsuppliantatyourknees,ifhaplyyoumaybepleasedtotellmeofhismelancholyend,whetheryousawitwithyourowneyes,orhearditfromsomeothertraveller,for53of550TheOdysseyhewasamanborntotrouble.
Donotsoftenthingsoutofanypityforme,buttellmeinallplainnessexactlywhatyousaw.
IfmybravefatherUlysseseverdidyouloyalservice,eitherbywordordeed,whenyouAchaeanswereharassedamongtheTrojans,bearitinmindnowasinmyfavourandtellmetrulyall.
''Myfriend,'answeredNestor,'yourecallatimeofmuchsorrowtomymind,forthebraveAchaeanssufferedmuchbothatsea,whileprivateeringunderAchilles,andwhenfightingbeforethegreatcityofkingPriam.
Ourbestmenallofthemfellthere—Ajax,Achilles,Patrocluspeerofgodsincounsel,andmyowndearsonAntilochus,amansingularlyfleetoffootandinfightvaliant.
Butwesufferedmuchmorethanthis;whatmortaltongueindeedcouldtellthewholestoryThoughyouweretostayhereandquestionmeforfiveyears,orevensix,IcouldnottellyouallthattheAchaeanssuffered,andyouwouldturnhomewardwearyofmytalebeforeitended.
Ninelongyearsdidwetryeverykindofstratagem,butthehandofheavenwasagainstus;duringallthistimetherewasnoonewhocouldcomparewithyourfatherinsubtlety—ifindeedyouarehisson—Icanhardlybelievemyeyes—andyoutalkjustlikehimtoo—noonewouldsaythatpeopleofsuchdifferentagescouldspeaksomuchalike.
54of550TheOdysseyHeandIneverhadanykindofdifferencefromfirsttolastneitherincampnorcouncil,butinsinglenessofheartandpurposeweadvisedtheArgiveshowallmightbeorderedforthebest.
'When,however,wehadsackedthecityofPriam,andweresettingsailinourshipsasheavenhaddispersedus,thenJovesawfittovextheArgivesontheirhomewardvoyage;fortheyhadnotallbeeneitherwiseorunderstanding,andhencemanycametoabadendthroughthedispleasureofJove'sdaughterMinerva,whobroughtaboutaquarrelbetweenthetwosonsofAtreus.
'ThesonsofAtreuscalledameetingwhichwasnotasitshouldbe,foritwassunsetandtheAchaeanswereheavywithwine.
Whentheyexplainedwhytheyhadcalledthepeopletogether,itseemedthatMenelauswasforsailinghomewardatonce,andthisdispleasedAgamemnon,whothoughtthatweshouldwaittillwehadofferedhecatombstoappeasetheangerofMinerva.
Foolthathewas,hemighthaveknownthathewouldnotprevailwithher,forwhenthegodshavemadeuptheirmindstheydonotchangethemlightly.
Sothetwostoodbandyinghardwords,whereontheAchaeanssprangtotheirfeetwithacrythatrenttheair,andwereoftwomindsastowhattheyshoulddo.
55of550TheOdyssey'Thatnightwerestedandnursedouranger,forJovewashatchingmischiefagainstus.
Butinthemorningsomeofusdrewourshipsintothewaterandputourgoodswithourwomenonboard,whiletherest,abouthalfinnumber,stayedbehindwithAgamemnon.
We—theotherhalf—embarkedandsailed;andtheshipswentwell,forheavenhadsmoothedthesea.
WhenwereachedTenedosweofferedsacrificestothegods,forwewerelongingtogethome;cruelJove,however,didnotyetmeanthatweshoulddoso,andraisedasecondquarrelinthecourseofwhichsomeamongusturnedtheirshipsbackagain,andsailedawayunderUlyssestomaketheirpeacewithAgamemnon;butI,andalltheshipsthatwerewithmepressedforward,forIsawthatmischiefwasbrewing.
ThesonofTydeuswentonalsowithme,andhiscrewswithhim.
LateronMenelausjoinedusatLesbos,andfoundusmakingupourmindsaboutourcourse—forwedidnotknowwhethertogooutsideChiosbytheislandofPsyra,keepingthistoourleft,orinsideChios,overagainstthestormyheadlandofMimas.
Soweaskedheavenforasign,andwereshownonetotheeffectthatweshouldbesoonestoutofdangerifweheadedourshipsacrosstheopenseatoEuboea.
Thiswethereforedid,andafairwindsprangupwhichgaveusaquick56of550TheOdysseypassageduringthenighttoGeraestus,{29}whereweofferedmanysacrificestoNeptuneforhavinghelpedussofaronourway.
FourdayslaterDiomedandhismenstationedtheirshipsinArgos,butIheldonforPylos,andthewindneverfelllightfromthedaywhenheavenfirstmadeitfairforme.
'Therefore,mydearyoungfriend,Ireturnedwithouthearinganythingabouttheothers.
Iknowneitherwhogothomesafelynorwhowerelostbut,asindutybound,IwillgiveyouwithoutreservethereportsthathavereachedmesinceIhavebeenhereinmyownhouse.
TheysaytheMyrmidonsreturnedhomesafelyunderAchilles'sonNeoptolemus;soalsodidthevaliantsonofPoias,Philoctetes.
Idomeneus,again,lostnomenatsea,andallhisfollowerswhoescapeddeathinthefieldgotsafehomewithhimtoCrete.
Nomatterhowfaroutoftheworldyoulive,youwillhaveheardofAgamemnonandthebadendhecametoatthehandsofAegisthus—andafearfulreckoningdidAegisthuspresentlypay.
SeewhatagoodthingitisforamantoleaveasonbehindhimtodoasOrestesdid,whokilledfalseAegisthusthemurdererofhisnoblefather.
Youtoo,then—foryouareatallsmart-lookingfellow—showyourmettleandmakeyourselfanameinstory.
'57of550TheOdyssey'NestorsonofNeleus,'answeredTelemachus,'honourtotheAchaeanname,theAchaeansapplaudOrestesandhisnamewilllivethroughalltimeforhehasavengedhisfathernobly.
Wouldthatheavenmightgrantmetodolikevengeanceontheinsolenceofthewickedsuitors,whoareilltreatingmeandplottingmyruin;butthegodshavenosuchhappinessinstoreformeandformyfather,sowemustbearitasbestwemay.
''Myfriend,'saidNestor,'nowthatyouremindme,Iremembertohaveheardthatyourmotherhasmanysuitors,whoareilldisposedtowardsyouandaremakinghavocofyourestate.
Doyousubmittothistamely,orarepublicfeelingandthevoiceofheavenagainstyouWhoknowsbutwhatUlyssesmaycomebackafterall,andpaythesescoundrelsinfull,eithersingle-handedorwithaforceofAchaeansbehindhimIfMinervaweretotakeasgreatalikingtoyouasshedidtoUlysseswhenwewerefightingbeforeTroy(forIneveryetsawthegodssoopenlyfondofanyoneasMinervathenwasofyourfather),ifshewouldtakeasgoodcareofyouasshedidofhim,thesewooerswouldsoonsomeofthemforgettheirwooing.
'Telemachusanswered,'Icanexpectnothingofthekind;itwouldbefartoomuchtohopefor.
Idarenotlet58of550TheOdysseymyselfthinkofit.
Eventhoughthegodsthemselveswilleditnosuchgoodfortunecouldbefallme.
'OnthisMinervasaid,'Telemachus,whatareyoutalkingaboutHeavenhasalongarmifitismindedtosaveaman;andifitwereme,IshouldnotcarehowmuchIsufferedbeforegettinghome,providedIcouldbesafewhenIwasoncethere.
Iwouldratherthis,thangethomequickly,andthenbekilledinmyownhouseasAgamemnonwasbythetreacheryofAegisthusandhiswife.
Still,deathiscertain,andwhenaman'shouriscome,noteventhegodscansavehim,nomatterhowfondtheyareofhim.
''Mentor,'answeredTelemachus,'donotletustalkaboutitanymore.
Thereisnochanceofmyfather'severcomingback;thegodshavelongsincecounselledhisdestruction.
Thereissomethingelse,however,aboutwhichIshouldliketoaskNestor,forheknowsmuchmorethananyoneelsedoes.
Theysayhehasreignedforthreegenerationssothatitisliketalkingtoanimmortal.
Tellme,therefore,Nestor,andtellmetrue;howdidAgamemnoncometodieinthatwayWhatwasMenelausdoingAndhowcamefalseAegisthustokillsofarbetteramanthanhimselfWasMenelausawayfrom59of550TheOdysseyAchaeanArgos,voyagingelsewhitheramongmankind,thatAegisthustookheartandkilledAgamemnon''Iwilltellyoutruly,'answeredNestor,'andindeedyouhaveyourselfdivinedhowitallhappened.
IfMenelauswhenhegotbackfromTroyhadfoundAegisthusstillaliveinhishouse,therewouldhavebeennobarrowheapedupforhim,notevenwhenhewasdead,buthewouldhavebeenthrownoutsidethecitytodogsandvultures,andnotawomanwouldhavemournedhim,forhehaddoneadeedofgreatwickedness;butwewereoverthere,fightinghardatTroy,andAegisthus,whowastakinghiseasequietlyintheheartofArgos,cajoledAgamemnon'swifeClytemnestrawithincessantflattery.
'Atfirstshewouldhavenothingtodowithhiswickedscheme,forshewasofagoodnaturaldisposition;{30}moreovertherewasabardwithher,towhomAgamemnonhadgivenstrictordersonsettingoutforTroy,thathewastokeepguardoverhiswife;butwhenheavenhadcounselledherdestruction,Aegisthuscarriedthisbardofftoadesertislandandlefthimthereforcrowsandseagullstobattenupon—afterwhichshewentwillinglyenoughtothehouseofAegisthus.
Thenheofferedmanyburntsacrificestothegods,anddecorated60of550TheOdysseymanytempleswithtapestriesandgilding,forhehadsucceededfarbeyondhisexpectations.
'MeanwhileMenelausandIwereonourwayhomefromTroy,ongoodtermswithoneanother.
WhenwegottoSunium,whichisthepointofAthens,ApollowithhispainlessshaftskilledPhrontisthesteersmanofMenelaus'ship(andnevermanknewbetterhowtohandleavesselinroughweather)sothathediedthenandtherewiththehelminhishand,andMenelaus,thoughveryanxioustopressforward,hadtowaitinordertoburyhiscomradeandgivehimhisduefuneralrites.
Presently,whenhetoocouldputtoseaagain,andhadsailedonasfarastheMaleanheads,Jovecounselledevilagainsthimandmadeitblowhardtillthewavesranmountainshigh.
HerehedividedhisfleetandtooktheonehalftowardsCretewheretheCydoniansdwellroundaboutthewatersoftheriverIardanus.
ThereisahighheadlandhereaboutsstretchingoutintotheseafromaplacecalledGortyn,andallalongthispartofthecoastasfarasPhaestusthesearunshighwhenthereisasouthwindblowing,butafterPhaestusthecoastismoreprotected,forasmallheadlandcanmakeagreatshelter.
Herethispartofthefleetwasdrivenontotherocksandwrecked;butthecrewsjustmanagedtosavethemselves.
Asfortheotherfiveships,61of550TheOdysseytheyweretakenbywindsandseastoEgypt,whereMenelausgatheredmuchgoldandsubstanceamongpeopleofanalienspeech.
MeanwhileAegisthushereathomeplottedhisevildeed.
ForsevenyearsafterhehadkilledAgamemnonheruledinMycene,andthepeoplewereobedientunderhim,butintheeighthyearOrestescamebackfromAthenstobehisbane,andkilledthemurdererofhisfather.
ThenhecelebratedthefuneralritesofhismotherandoffalseAegisthusbyabanquettothepeopleofArgos,andonthatverydayMenelauscamehome,{31}withasmuchtreasureashisshipscouldcarry.
'Takemyadvicethen,anddonotgotravellingaboutforlongsofarfromhome,norleaveyourpropertywithsuchdangerouspeopleinyourhouse;theywilleatupeverythingyouhaveamongthem,andyouwillhavebeenonafool'serrand.
Still,IshouldadviseyoubyallmeanstogoandvisitMenelaus,whohaslatelycomeoffavoyageamongsuchdistantpeoplesasnomancouldeverhopetogetbackfrom,whenthewindshadoncecarriedhimsofaroutofhisreckoning;evenbirdscannotflythedistanceinatwelve-month,sovastandterriblearetheseasthattheymustcross.
Gotohim,therefore,bysea,andtakeyourownmenwithyou;orifyouwouldrather62of550TheOdysseytravelbylandyoucanhaveachariot,youcanhavehorses,andherearemysonswhocanescortyoutoLacedaemonwhereMenelauslives.
Begofhimtospeakthetruth,andhewilltellyounolies,forheisanexcellentperson.
'Ashespokethesunsetanditcameondark,whereonMinervasaid,'Sir,allthatyouhavesaidiswell;now,however,orderthetonguesofthevictimstobecut,andmixwinethatwemaymakedrink-offeringstoNeptune,andtheotherimmortals,andthengotobed,foritisbedtime.
Peopleshouldgoawayearlyandnotkeeplatehoursatareligiousfestival.
'ThusspokethedaughterofJove,andtheyobeyedhersaying.
Menservantspouredwateroverthehandsoftheguests,whilepagesfilledthemixing-bowlswithwineandwater,andhandeditroundaftergivingeverymanhisdrinkoffering;thentheythrewthetonguesofthevictimsintothefire,andstooduptomaketheirdrinkofferings.
Whentheyhadmadetheirofferingsandhaddrunkeachasmuchashewasminded,MinervaandTelemachuswereforgoingonboardtheirship,butNestorcaughtthemupatonceandstayedthem.
'Heavenandtheimmortalgods,'heexclaimed,'forbidthatyoushouldleavemyhousetogoonboardofaship.
63of550TheOdysseyDoyouthinkIamsopoorandshortofclothes,orthatIhavesofewcloaksandastobeunabletofindcomfortablebedsbothformyselfandformyguestsLetmetellyouIhavestorebothofrugsandcloaks,andshallnotpermitthesonofmyoldfriendUlyssestocampdownonthedeckofaship—notwhileIlive—noryetwillmysonsafterme,buttheywillkeepopenhouseasIhavedone.
'ThenMinervaanswered,'Sir,youhavespokenwell,anditwillbemuchbetterthatTelemachusshoulddoasyouhavesaid;he,therefore,shallreturnwithyouandsleepatyourhouse,butImustgobacktogiveorderstomycrew,andkeepthemingoodheart.
Iamtheonlyolderpersonamongthem;therestareallyoungmenofTelemachus'ownage,whohavetakenthisvoyageoutoffriendship;soImustreturntotheshipandsleepthere.
Moreoverto-morrowImustgototheCauconianswhereIhavealargesumofmoneylongowingtome.
AsforTelemachus,nowthatheisyourguest,sendhimtoLacedaemoninachariot,andletoneofyoursonsgowithhim.
Bepleasedtoalsoprovidehimwithyourbestandfleetesthorses.
'Whenshehadthusspoken,sheflewawayintheformofaneagle,andallmarvelledastheybeheldit.
Nestor64of550TheOdysseywasastonished,andtookTelemachusbythehand.
'Myfriend,'saidhe,'Iseethatyouaregoingtobeagreatherosomeday,sincethegodswaituponyouthuswhileyouarestillsoyoung.
ThiscanhavebeennoneotherofthosewhodwellinheaventhanJove'sredoubtabledaughter,theTrito-born,whoshewedsuchfavourtowardsyourbravefatheramongtheArgives.
Holyqueen,'hecontinued,'vouchsafetosenddownthygraceuponmyself,mygoodwife,andmychildren.
Inreturn,Iwillofferyouinsacrificeabroad-browedheiferofayearold,unbroken,andneveryetbroughtbymanundertheyoke.
Iwillgildherhorns,andwillofferheruptoyouinsacrifice.
'Thusdidhepray,andMinervaheardhisprayer.
Hethenledthewaytohisownhouse,followedbyhissonsandsonsinlaw.
Whentheyhadgotthereandhadtakentheirplacesonthebenchesandseats,hemixedthemabowlofsweetwinethatwaselevenyearsoldwhenthehousekeepertookthelidoffthejarthatheldit.
Ashemixedthewine,heprayedmuchandmadedrinkofferingstoMinerva,daughterofAegis-bearingJove.
Then,whentheyhadmadetheirdrinkofferingsandhaddrunkeachasmuchashewasminded,theotherswenthometobedeachinhisownabode;butNestorputTelemachusto65of550TheOdysseysleepintheroomthatwasoverthegatewayalongwithPisistratus,whowastheonlyunmarriedsonnowlefthim.
Asforhimself,hesleptinaninnerroomofthehouse,withthequeenhiswifebyhisside.
Nowwhenthechildofmorningrosy-fingeredDawnappeared,Nestorlefthiscouchandtookhisseatonthebenchesofwhiteandpolishedmarblethatstoodinfrontofhishouse.
HereaforetimesatNeleus,peerofgodsincounsel,buthewasnowdead,andhadgonetothehouseofHades;soNestorsatinhisseatsceptreinhand,asguardianofthepublicweal.
Hissonsastheylefttheirroomsgatheredroundhim,Echephron,Stratius,Perseus,Aretus,andThrasymedes;thesixthsonwasPisistratus,andwhenTelemachusjoinedthemtheymadehimsitwiththem.
Nestorthenaddressedthem.
'Mysons,'saidhe,'makehastetodoasIshallbidyou.
IwishfirstandforemosttopropitiatethegreatgoddessMinerva,whomanifestedherselfvisiblytomeduringyesterday'sfestivities.
Go,then,oneorotherofyoutotheplain,tellthestockmantolookmeoutaheifer,andcomeonherewithitatonce.
AnothermustgotoTelemachus'ship,andinviteallthecrew,leavingtwomenonlyinchargeofthevessel.
SomeoneelsewillrunandfetchLaerceusthegoldsmithtogildthehornsofthe66of550TheOdysseyheifer.
Therest,stayallofyouwhereyouare;tellthemaidsinthehousetoprepareanexcellentdinner,andtofetchseats,andlogsofwoodforaburntoffering.
Tellthemalsotobringmesomeclearspringwater.
'Onthistheyhurriedoffontheirseveralerrands.
Theheiferwasbroughtinfromtheplain,andTelemachus'screwcamefromtheship;thegoldsmithbroughttheanvil,hammer,andtongs,withwhichheworkedhisgold,andMinervaherselfcametoacceptthesacrifice.
Nestorgaveoutthegold,andthesmithgildedthehornsoftheheiferthatthegoddessmighthavepleasureintheirbeauty.
ThenStratiusandEchephronbroughtherinbythehorns;Aretusfetchedwaterfromthehouseinaewerthathadaflowerpatternonit,andinhisotherhandheheldabasketofbarleymeal;sturdyThrasymedesstoodbywithasharpaxe,readytostriketheheifer,whilePerseusheldabucket.
ThenNestorbeganwithwashinghishandsandsprinklingthebarleymeal,andheofferedmanyaprayertoMinervaashethrewalockfromtheheifer'sheaduponthefire.
Whentheyhaddoneprayingandsprinklingthebarleymeal{32}Thrasymedesdealthisblow,andbroughttheheiferdownwithastrokethatcutthroughthetendonsatthebaseofherneck,whereonthedaughtersanddaughters67of550TheOdysseyinlawofNestor,andhisvenerablewifeEurydice(shewaseldestdaughtertoClymenus)screamedwithdelight.
Thentheyliftedtheheifer'sheadfromofftheground,andPisistratuscutherthroat.
Whenshehaddonebleedingandwasquitedead,theycutherup.
Theycutoutthethighbonesallinduecourse,wrappedthemroundintwolayersoffat,andsetsomepiecesofrawmeatonthetopofthem;thenNestorlaidthemuponthewoodfireandpouredwineoverthem,whiletheyoungmenstoodnearhimwithfive-prongedspitsintheirhands.
Whenthethighswereburnedandtheyhadtastedtheinwardmeats,theycuttherestofthemeatupsmall,putthepiecesonthespitsandtoastedthemoverthefire.
MeanwhilelovelyPolycaste,Nestor'syoungestdaughter,washedTelemachus.
Whenshehadwashedhimandanointedhimwithoil,shebroughthimafairmantleandshirt,{33}andhelookedlikeagodashecamefromthebathandtookhisseatbythesideofNestor.
Whentheoutermeatsweredonetheydrewthemoffthespitsandsatdowntodinnerwheretheywerewaiteduponbysomeworthyhenchmen,whokeptpouringthemouttheirwineincupsofgold.
AssoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrinkNestorsaid,'Sons,putTelemachus'shorsestothechariotthathemaystartatonce.
'68of550TheOdysseyThusdidhespeak,andtheydidevenashehadsaid,andyokedthefleethorsestothechariot.
Thehousekeeperpackedthemupaprovisionofbread,wine,andsweetmeatsfitforthesonsofprinces.
ThenTelemachusgotintothechariot,whilePisistratusgatheredupthereinsandtookhisseatbesidehim.
Helashedthehorsesonandtheyflewforwardnothinglothintotheopencountry,leavingthehighcitadelofPylosbehindthem.
Allthatdaydidtheytravel,swayingtheyokeupontheirneckstillthesunwentdownanddarknesswasoveralltheland.
ThentheyreachedPheraewhereDiocleslived,whowassontoOrtilochusandgrandsontoAlpheus.
HeretheypassedthenightandDioclesentertainedthemhospitably.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,theyagainyokedtheirhorsesanddroveoutthroughthegatewayundertheechoinggatehouse.
{34}Pisistratuslashedthehorsesonandtheyflewforwardnothingloth;presentlytheycametothecornlandsoftheopencountry,andinthecourseoftimecompletedtheirjourney,sowelldidtheirsteedstakethem.
{35}Nowwhenthesunhadsetanddarknesswasovertheland,69of550TheOdysseyBookIVTHEVISITTOKINGMENELAUS,WHOTELLSHISSTORY—MEANWHILETHESUITORSINITHACAPLOTAGAINSTTELEMACHUS.
theyreachedthelowlyingcityofLacedaemon,wheretheydrovestraighttotheabodeofMenelaus{36}[andfoundhiminhisownhouse,feastingwithhismanyclansmeninhonouroftheweddingofhisson,andalsoofhisdaughter,whomhewasmarryingtothesonofthatvaliantwarriorAchilles.
HehadgivenhisconsentandpromisedhertohimwhilehewasstillatTroy,andnowthegodswerebringingthemarriageabout;sohewassendingherwithchariotsandhorsestothecityoftheMyrmidonsoverwhomAchilles'sonwasreigning.
ForhisonlysonhehadfoundabridefromSparta,{37}thedaughterofAlector.
Thisson,Megapenthes,wasborntohimofabondwoman,forheavenvouchsafedHelennomorechildrenaftershehadborneHermione,whowasfairasgoldenVenusherself.
SotheneighboursandkinsmenofMenelauswerefeastingandmakingmerryinhishouse.
Therewasabardalsotosingtothemandplayhislyre,whiletwotumblers70of550TheOdysseywentaboutperforminginthemidstofthemwhenthemanstruckupwithhistune.
]{38}TelemachusandthesonofNestorstayedtheirhorsesatthegate,whereonEteoneusservanttoMenelauscameout,andassoonashesawthemranhurryingbackintothehousetotellhisMaster.
Hewentcloseuptohimandsaid,'Menelaus,therearesomestrangerscomehere,twomen,wholooklikesonsofJove.
WhatarewetodoShallwetaketheirhorsesout,ortellthemtofindfriendselsewhereastheybestcan'Menelauswasveryangryandsaid,'Eteoneus,sonofBoethous,youneverusedtobeafool,butnowyoutalklikeasimpleton.
Taketheirhorsesout,ofcourse,andshowthestrangersinthattheymayhavesupper;youandIhavestaidoftenenoughatotherpeople'shousesbeforewegotbackhere,whereheavengrantthatwemayrestinpeacehenceforward.
'SoEteoneusbustledbackandbadetheotherservantscomewithhim.
Theytooktheirsweatingsteedsfromundertheyoke,madethemfasttothemangers,andgavethemafeedofoatsandbarleymixed.
Thentheyleanedthechariotagainsttheendwallofthecourtyard,andledthewayintothehouse.
TelemachusandPisistratuswereastonishedwhentheysawit,foritssplendourwasasthat71of550TheOdysseyofthesunandmoon;then,whentheyhadadmiredeverythingtotheirheart'scontent,theywentintothebathroomandwashedthemselves.
Whentheservantshadwashedthemandanointedthemwithoil,theybroughtthemwoollencloaksandshirts,andthetwotooktheirseatsbythesideofMenelaus.
Amaid-servantbroughtthemwaterinabeautifulgoldenewer,andpoureditintoasilverbasinforthemtowashtheirhands;andshedrewacleantablebesidethem.
Anupperservantbroughtthembread,andofferedthemmanygoodthingsofwhattherewasinthehouse,whilethecarverfetchedthemplatesofallmannerofmeatsandsetcupsofgoldbytheirside.
Menelausthengreetedthemsaying,'Fallto,andwelcome;whenyouhavedonesupperIshallaskwhoyouare,forthelineageofsuchmenasyoucannothavebeenlost.
Youmustbedescendedfromalineofsceptre-bearingkings,forpoorpeopledonothavesuchsonsasyouare.
'Onthishehandedthem{39}apieceoffatroastloin,whichhadbeensetnearhimasbeingaprimepart,andtheylaidtheirhandsonthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem;assoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrink,TelemachussaidtothesonofNestor,withhisheadso72of550TheOdysseyclosethatnoonemighthear,'Look,Pisistratus,manaftermyownheart,seethegleamofbronzeandgold—ofamber,{40}ivory,andsilver.
EverythingissosplendidthatitislikeseeingthepalaceofOlympianJove.
Iamlostinadmiration.
'Menelausoverheardhimandsaid,'Noone,mysons,canholdhisownwithJove,forhishouseandeverythingabouthimisimmortal;butamongmortalmen—well,theremaybeanotherwhohasasmuchwealthasIhave,ortheremaynot;butatalleventsIhavetravelledmuchandhaveundergonemuchhardship,foritwasnearlyeightyearsbeforeIcouldgethomewithmyfleet.
IwenttoCyprus,PhoeniciaandtheEgyptians;IwentalsototheEthiopians,theSidonians,andtheErembians,andtoLibyawherethelambshavehornsassoonastheyareborn,andthesheeplambdownthreetimesayear.
Everyoneinthatcountry,whethermasterorman,hasplentyofcheese,meat,andgoodmilk,fortheewesyieldalltheyearround.
ButwhileIwastravellingandgettinggreatrichesamongthesepeople,mybrotherwassecretlyandshockinglymurderedthroughtheperfidyofhiswickedwife,sothatIhavenopleasureinbeinglordofallthiswealth.
Whoeveryourparentsmaybetheymusthavetoldyouaboutallthis,andofmyheavylossintheruin{41}73of550TheOdysseyofastatelymansionfullyandmagnificentlyfurnished.
WouldthatIhadonlyathirdofwhatInowhavesothatIhadstayedathome,andallthosewerelivingwhoperishedontheplainofTroy,farfromArgos.
Ioftengrieve,asIsithereinmyhouse,foroneandallofthem.
AttimesIcryaloudforsorrow,butpresentlyIleaveoffagain,forcryingiscoldcomfortandonesoontiresofit.
YetgrievefortheseasImay,Idosoforonemanmorethanforthemall.
Icannoteventhinkofhimwithoutloathingbothfoodandsleep,somiserabledoeshemakeme,fornooneofalltheAchaeansworkedsohardorriskedsomuchashedid.
Hetooknothingbyit,andhasleftalegacyofsorrowtomyself,forhehasbeengonealongtime,andweknownotwhetherheisaliveordead.
Hisoldfather,hislong-sufferingwifePenelope,andhissonTelemachus,whomheleftbehindhimaninfantinarms,areplungedingriefonhisaccount.
'ThusspokeMenelaus,andtheheartofTelemachusyearnedashebethoughthimofhisfather.
Tearsfellfromhiseyesasheheardhimthusmentioned,sothatheheldhiscloakbeforehisfacewithbothhands.
WhenMenelaussawthishedoubtedwhethertolethimchoosehisowntimeforspeaking,ortoaskhimatonceandfindwhatitwasallabout.
74of550TheOdysseyWhilehewasthusintwomindsHelencamedownfromherhighvaultedandperfumedroom,lookingaslovelyasDianaherself.
Adrastebroughtheraseat,AlcippeasoftwoollenrugwhilePhylofetchedherthesilverwork-boxwhichAlcandrawifeofPolybushadgivenher.
PolybuslivedinEgyptianThebes,whichistherichestcityinthewholeworld;hegaveMenelaustwobaths,bothofpuresilver,twotripods,andtentalentsofgold;besidesallthis,hiswifegaveHelensomebeautifulpresents,towit,agoldendistaff,andasilverworkboxthatranonwheels,withagoldbandroundthetopofit.
Phylonowplacedthisbyherside,fulloffinespunyarn,andadistaffchargedwithvioletcolouredwoolwaslaiduponthetopofit.
ThenHelentookherseat,putherfeetuponthefootstool,andbegantoquestionherhusband.
{42}'Doweknow,Menelaus,'saidshe,'thenamesofthesestrangerswhohavecometovisitusShallIguessrightorwrong—butIcannothelpsayingwhatIthink.
NeveryethaveIseeneithermanorwomansolikesomebodyelse(indeedwhenIlookathimIhardlyknowwhattothink)asthisyoungmanislikeTelemachus,whomUlyssesleftasababybehindhim,whenyouAchaeanswenttoTroy75of550TheOdysseywithbattleinyourhearts,onaccountofmymostshamelessself.
''Mydearwife,'repliedMenelaus,'Iseethelikenessjustasyoudo.
HishandsandfeetarejustlikeUlysses;soishishair,withtheshapeofhisheadandtheexpressionofhiseyes.
Moreover,whenIwastalkingaboutUlysses,andsayinghowmuchhehadsufferedonmyaccount,tearsfellfromhiseyes,andhehidhisfaceinhismantle.
'ThenPisistratussaid,'Menelaus,sonofAtreus,youarerightinthinkingthatthisyoungmanisTelemachus,butheisverymodest,andisashamedtocomehereandbeginopeningupdiscoursewithonewhoseconversationissodivinelyinterestingasyourown.
Myfather,Nestor,sentmetoescorthimhither,forhewantedtoknowwhetheryoucouldgivehimanycounselorsuggestion.
Asonhasalwaystroubleathomewhenhisfatherhasgoneawayleavinghimwithoutsupporters;andthisishowTelemachusisnowplaced,forhisfatherisabsent,andthereisnooneamonghisownpeopletostandbyhim.
''Blessmyheart,'repliedMenelaus,'thenIamreceivingavisitfromthesonofaverydearfriend,whosufferedmuchhardshipformysake.
Ihadalwayshopedtoentertainhimwithmostmarkeddistinctionwhenheavenhadgrantedusasafereturnfrombeyondtheseas.
76of550TheOdysseyIshouldhavefoundedacityforhiminArgos,andbuilthimahouse.
IshouldhavemadehimleaveIthacawithhisgoods,hisson,andallhispeople,andshouldhavesackedforthemsomeoneoftheneighbouringcitiesthataresubjecttome.
Weshouldthushaveseenoneanothercontinually,andnothingbutdeathcouldhaveinterruptedsocloseandhappyanintercourse.
Isuppose,however,thatheavengrudgedussuchgreatgoodfortune,forithaspreventedthepoorfellowfromevergettinghomeatall.
'Thusdidhespeak,andhiswordssetthemallaweeping.
Helenwept,Telemachuswept,andsodidMenelaus,norcouldPisistratuskeephiseyesfromfilling,whenherememberedhisdearbrotherAntilochuswhomthesonofbrightDawnhadkilled.
ThereonhesaidtoMenelaus,'Sir,myfatherNestor,whenweusedtotalkaboutyouathome,toldmeyouwereapersonofrareandexcellentunderstanding.
If,then,itbepossible,doasIwouldurgeyou.
IamnotfondofcryingwhileIamgettingmysupper.
Morningwillcomeinduecourse,andintheforenoonIcarenothowmuchIcryforthosethataredeadandgone.
Thisisallwecandoforthepoorthings.
Wecanonlyshaveourheadsforthemandwringthetearsfromourcheeks.
IhadabrotherwhodiedatTroy;hewas77of550TheOdysseybynomeanstheworstmanthere;youaresuretohaveknownhim—hisnamewasAntilochus;Ineverseteyesuponhimmyself,buttheysaythathewassingularlyfleetoffootandinfightvaliant.
''Yourdiscretion,myfriend,'answeredMenelaus,'isbeyondyouryears.
Itisplainyoutakeafteryourfather.
Onecansoonseewhenamanissontoonewhomheavenhasblessedbothasregardswifeandoffspring—andithasblessedNestorfromfirsttolastallhisdays,givinghimagreenoldageinhisownhouse,withsonsabouthimwhoarebothwelldisposedandvaliant.
Wewillputanendthereforetoallthisweeping,andattendtooursupperagain.
Letwaterbepouredoverourhands.
TelemachusandIcantalkwithoneanotherfullyinthemorning.
'OnthisAsphalion,oneoftheservants,pouredwaterovertheirhandsandtheylaidtheirhandsonthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem.
ThenJove'sdaughterHelenbethoughtherofanothermatter.
Shedruggedthewinewithanherbthatbanishesallcare,sorrow,andillhumour.
Whoeverdrinkswinethusdruggedcannotshedasingletearalltherestoftheday,noteventhoughhisfatherandmotherbothofthemdropdowndead,orheseesabrotherorasonhewninpiecesbeforehisveryeyes.
Thisdrug,ofsuchsovereign78of550TheOdysseypowerandvirtue,hadbeengiventoHelenbyPolydamnawifeofThon,awomanofEgypt,wheretheregrowallsortsofherbs,somegoodtoputintothemixingbowlandotherspoisonous.
Moreover,everyoneinthewholecountryisaskilledphysician,fortheyareoftheraceofPaeeon.
WhenHelenhadputthisdruginthebowl,andhadtoldtheservantstoservethewineround,shesaid:'Menelaus,sonofAtreus,andyoumygoodfriends,sonsofhonourablemen(whichisasJovewills,forheisthegiverbothofgoodandevil,andcandowhathechooses),feasthereasyouwill,andlistenwhileItellyouataleinseason.
IcannotindeednameeverysingleoneoftheexploitsofUlysses,butIcansaywhathedidwhenhewasbeforeTroy,andyouAchaeanswereinallsortsofdifficulties.
Hecoveredhimselfwithwoundsandbruises,dressedhimselfallinrags,andenteredtheenemy'scitylookinglikeamenialorabeggar,andquitedifferentfromwhathedidwhenhewasamonghisownpeople.
InthisdisguiseheenteredthecityofTroy,andnoonesaidanythingtohim.
Ialonerecognisedhimandbegantoquestionhim,buthewastoocunningforme.
When,however,Ihadwashedandanointedhimandhadgivenhimclothes,andafterIhadswornasolemnoathnottobetrayhimtotheTrojanstillhehadgotsafelybacktohis79of550TheOdysseyowncampandtotheships,hetoldmeallthattheAchaeansmeanttodo.
HekilledmanyTrojansandgotmuchinformationbeforehereachedtheArgivecamp,forallwhichthingstheTrojanwomenmadelamentation,butformyownpartIwasglad,formyheartwasbeginningtoyearnaftermyhome,andIwasunhappyaboutthewrongthatVenushaddonemeintakingmeoverthere,awayfrommycountry,mygirl,andmylawfulweddedhusband,whoisindeedbynomeansdeficienteitherinpersonorunderstanding.
'ThenMenelaussaid,'Allthatyouhavebeensaying,mydearwife,istrue.
Ihavetravelledmuch,andhavehadmuchtodowithheroes,butIhaveneverseensuchanothermanasUlysses.
Whatendurancetoo,andwhatcouragehedisplayedwithinthewoodenhorse,whereinallthebravestoftheArgiveswerelyinginwaittobringdeathanddestructionupontheTrojans.
{43}Atthatmomentyoucameuptous;somegodwhowishedwelltotheTrojansmusthavesetyouontoitandyouhadDeiphobuswithyou.
Threetimesdidyougoallroundourhidingplaceandpatit;youcalledourchiefseachbyhisownname,andmimickedallourwives—Diomed,Ulysses,andIfromourseatsinsideheardwhatanoiseyoumade.
DiomedandIcouldnotmakeupourminds80of550TheOdysseywhethertospringoutthenandthere,ortoansweryoufrominside,butUlyssesheldusallincheck,sowesatquitestill,allexceptAnticlus,whowasbeginningtoansweryou,whenUlyssesclappedhistwobrawnyhandsoverhismouth,andkeptthemthere.
Itwasthisthatsavedusall,forhemuzzledAnticlustillMinervatookyouawayagain.
''Howsad,'exclaimedTelemachus,'thatallthiswasofnoavailtosavehim,noryethisownironcourage.
Butnow,sir,bepleasedtosendusalltobed,thatwemayliedownandenjoytheblessedboonofsleep.
'OnthisHelentoldthemaidservantstosetbedsintheroomthatwasinthegatehouse,andtomakethemwithgoodredrugs,andspreadcoverletsonthetopofthemwithwoollencloaksforthegueststowear.
Sothemaidswentout,carryingatorch,andmadethebeds,towhichaman-servantpresentlyconductedthestrangers.
Thus,then,didTelemachusandPisistratussleepthereintheforecourt,whilethesonofAtreuslayinaninnerroomwithlovelyHelenbyhisside.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawnappeared,Menelausroseanddressedhimself.
Heboundhissandalsontohiscomelyfeet,girdedhisswordabout81of550TheOdysseyhisshoulders,andlefthisroomlookinglikeanimmortalgod.
Then,takingaseatnearTelemachushesaid:'Andwhat,Telemachus,hasledyoutotakethislongseavoyagetoLacedaemonAreyouonpublic,orprivatebusinessTellmeallaboutit.
''Ihavecome,sir,'repliedTelemachus,'toseeifyoucantellmeanythingaboutmyfather.
Iambeingeatenoutofhouseandhome;myfairestateisbeingwasted,andmyhouseisfullofmiscreantswhokeepkillinggreatnumbersofmysheepandoxen,onthepretenceofpayingtheiraddressestomymother.
Therefore,Iamsuppliantatyourkneesifhaplyyoumaytellmeaboutmyfather'smelancholyend,whetheryousawitwithyourowneyes,orhearditfromsomeothertraveller;forhewasamanborntotrouble.
Donotsoftenthingsoutofanypityformyself,buttellmeinallplainnessexactlywhatyousaw.
IfmybravefatherUlysseseverdidyouloyalserviceeitherbywordordeed,whenyouAchaeanswereharassedbytheTrojans,bearitinmindnowasinmyfavourandtellmetrulyall.
'Menelausonhearingthiswasverymuchshocked.
'So,'heexclaimed,'thesecowardswouldusurpabraveman'sbedAhindmightaswelllayhernewbornyounginthelairofalion,andthengoofftofeedintheforestor82of550TheOdysseyinsomegrassydell:thelionwhenhecomesbacktohislairwillmakeshortworkwiththepairofthem—andsowillUlysseswiththesesuitors.
ByfatherJove,Minerva,andApollo,ifUlyssesisstillthemanthathewaswhenhewrestledwithPhilomeleidesinLesbos,andthrewhimsoheavilythatalltheAchaeanscheeredhim—ifheisstillsuchandweretocomenearthesesuitors,theywouldhaveashortshriftandasorrywedding.
Asregardsyourquestions,however,Iwillnotprevaricatenordeceiveyou,butwilltellyouwithoutconcealmentallthattheoldmanoftheseatoldme.
'Iwastryingtocomeonhere,butthegodsdetainedmeinEgypt,formyhecatombshadnotgiventhemfullsatisfaction,andthegodsareverystrictabouthavingtheirdues.
NowoffEgypt,aboutasfarasashipcansailinadaywithagoodstiffbreezebehindher,thereisanislandcalledPharos—ithasagoodharbourfromwhichvesselscangetoutintoopenseawhentheyhavetakeninwater—andherethegodsbecalmedmetwentydayswithoutsomuchasabreathoffairwindtohelpmeforward.
Weshouldhaveruncleanoutofprovisionsandmymenwouldhavestarved,ifagoddesshadnottakenpityuponmeandsavedmeinthepersonofIdothea,daughterto83of550TheOdysseyProteus,theoldmanofthesea,forshehadtakenagreatfancytome.
'ShecametomeonedaywhenIwasbymyself,asIoftenwas,forthemenusedtogowiththeirbarbedhooks,allovertheislandinthehopeofcatchingafishortwotosavethemfromthepangsofhunger.
'Stranger,'saidshe,'itseemstomethatyoulikestarvinginthisway—atanyrateitdoesnotgreatlytroubleyou,foryoustickheredayafterday,withouteventryingtogetawaythoughyourmenaredyingbyinches.
'''Letmetellyou,'saidI,'whicheverofthegoddessesyoumayhappentobe,thatIamnotstayinghereofmyownaccord,butmusthaveoffendedthegodsthatliveinheaven.
Tellme,therefore,forthegodsknoweverything,whichoftheimmortalsitisthatishinderingmeinthisway,andtellmealsohowImaysailtheseasoastoreachmyhome.
'''Stranger,'repliedshe,'Iwillmakeitallquitecleartoyou.
ThereisanoldimmortalwholivesundertheseahereaboutsandwhosenameisProteus.
HeisanEgyptian,andpeoplesayheismyfather;heisNeptune'sheadmanandknowseveryinchofgroundalloverthebottomofthesea.
Ifyoucansnarehimandholdhimtight,hewilltellyouaboutyourvoyage,whatcoursesyouaretotake,and84of550TheOdysseyhowyouaretosailtheseasoastoreachyourhome.
Hewillalsotellyou,ifyousowill,allthathasbeengoingonatyourhousebothgoodandbad,whileyouhavebeenawayonyourlonganddangerousjourney.
'''Canyoushowme,'saidI,'somestratagembymeansofwhichImaycatchthisoldgodwithouthissuspectingitandfindingmeoutForagodisnoteasilycaught—notbyamortalman.
'''Stranger,'saidshe,'Iwillmakeitallquitecleartoyou.
Aboutthetimewhenthesunshallhavereachedmidheaven,theoldmanoftheseacomesupfromunderthewaves,heraldedbytheWestwindthatfursthewateroverhishead.
Assoonashehascomeupheliesdown,andgoestosleepinagreatseacave,wheretheseals—Halosydne'schickensastheycallthem—comeupalsofromthegreysea,andgotosleepinshoalsallroundhim;andaverystrongandfish-likesmelldotheybringwiththem.
{44}Earlyto-morrowmorningIwilltakeyoutothisplaceandwilllayyouinambush.
Pickout,therefore,thethreebestmenyouhaveinyourfleet,andIwilltellyouallthetricksthattheoldmanwillplayyou.
''Firsthewilllookoverallhisseals,andcountthem;then,whenhehasseenthemandtalliedthemonhisfivefingers,hewillgotosleepamongthem,asashepherd85of550TheOdysseyamonghissheep.
Themomentyouseethatheisasleepseizehim;putforthallyourstrengthandholdhimfast,forhewilldohisveryutmosttogetawayfromyou.
Hewillturnhimselfintoeverykindofcreaturethatgoesupontheearth,andwillbecomealsobothfireandwater;butyoumustholdhimfastandgriphimtighterandtighter,tillhebeginstotalktoyouandcomesbacktowhathewaswhenyousawhimgotosleep;thenyoumayslackenyourholdandlethimgo;andyoucanaskhimwhichofthegodsitisthatisangrywithyou,andwhatyoumustdotoreachyourhomeovertheseas.
''Havingsosaidshedivedunderthewaves,whereonIturnedbacktotheplacewheremyshipswererangedupontheshore;andmyheartwascloudedwithcareasIwentalong.
WhenIreachedmyshipwegotsupperready,fornightwasfalling,andcampeddownuponthebeach.
'Whenthechildofmorningrosy-fingeredDawnappeared,ItookthethreemenonwhoseprowessofallkindsIcouldmostrely,andwentalongbythesea-side,prayingheartilytoheaven.
Meanwhilethegoddessfetchedmeupfoursealskinsfromthebottomofthesea,allofthemjustskinned,forshemeantplayingatrickuponherfather.
Thenshedugfourpitsforustoliein,andsatdowntowaittillweshouldcomeup.
Whenwe86of550TheOdysseywereclosetoher,shemadeusliedowninthepitsoneaftertheother,andthrewasealskinovereachofus.
Ourambuscadewouldhavebeenintolerable,forthestenchofthefishysealswasmostdistressing{45}—whowouldgotobedwithaseamonsterifhecouldhelpit—buthere,too,thegoddesshelpedus,andthoughtofsomethingthatgaveusgreatrelief,forsheputsomeambrosiaundereachman'snostrils,whichwassofragrantthatitkilledthesmelloftheseals.
{46}'Wewaitedthewholemorningandmadethebestofit,watchingthesealscomeupinhundredstobaskupontheseashore,tillatnoontheoldmanoftheseacameuptoo,andwhenhehadfoundhisfatsealshewentoverthemandcountedthem.
Wewereamongthefirsthecounted,andheneversuspectedanyguile,butlaidhimselfdowntosleepassoonashehaddonecounting.
Thenwerusheduponhimwithashoutandseizedhim;onwhichhebeganatoncewithhisoldtricks,andchangedhimselffirstintoalionwithagreatmane;thenallofasuddenhebecameadragon,aleopard,awildboar;thenextmomenthewasrunningwater,andthenagaindirectlyhewasatree,butwestucktohimandneverlosthold,tillatlastthecunningoldcreaturebecamedistressed,andsaid,'Whichofthegodswasit,SonofAtreus,thathatchedthisplot87of550TheOdysseywithyouforsnaringmeandseizingmeagainstmywillWhatdoyouwant'''Youknowthatyourself,oldman,'Ianswered,'youwillgainnothingbytryingtoputmeoff.
ItisbecauseIhavebeenkeptsolonginthisisland,andseenosignofmybeingabletogetaway.
Iamlosingallheart;tellme,then,foryougodsknoweverything,whichoftheimmortalsitisthatishinderingme,andtellmealsohowImaysailtheseasoastoreachmyhome''Then,'hesaid,'ifyouwouldfinishyourvoyageandgethomequickly,youmustoffersacrificestoJoveandtotherestofthegodsbeforeembarking;foritisdecreedthatyoushallnotgetbacktoyourfriends,andtoyourownhouse,tillyouhavereturnedtotheheaven-fedstreamofEgypt,andofferedholyhecatombstotheimmortalgodsthatreigninheaven.
Whenyouhavedonethistheywillletyoufinishyourvoyage.
''IwasbrokenheartedwhenIheardthatImustgobackallthatlongandterriblevoyagetoEgypt;{47}nevertheless,Ianswered,'Iwilldoall,oldman,thatyouhavelaiduponme;butnowtellme,andtellmetrue,whetheralltheAchaeanswhomNestorandIleftbehinduswhenwesetsailfromTroyhavegothomesafely,orwhetheranyoneofthemcametoabadendeitheron88of550TheOdysseyboardhisownshiporamonghisfriendswhenthedaysofhisfightingweredone.
'''SonofAtreus,'heanswered,'whyaskmeYouhadbetternotknowwhatIcantellyou,foryoureyeswillsurelyfillwhenyouhaveheardmystory.
Manyofthoseaboutwhomyouaskaredeadandgone,butmanystillremain,andonlytwoofthechiefmenamongtheAchaeansperishedduringtheirreturnhome.
Asforwhathappenedonthefieldofbattle—youwerethereyourself.
AthirdAchaeanleaderisstillatsea,alive,buthinderedfromreturning.
Ajaxwaswrecked,forNeptunedrovehimontothegreatrocksofGyrae;nevertheless,helethimgetsafeoutofthewater,andinspiteofallMinerva'shatredhewouldhaveescapeddeath,ifhehadnotruinedhimselfbyboasting.
Hesaidthegodscouldnotdrownhimeventhoughtheyhadtriedtodoso,andwhenNeptuneheardthislargetalk,heseizedhistridentinhistwobrawnyhands,andsplittherockofGyraeintwopieces.
Thebaseremainedwhereitwas,butthepartonwhichAjaxwassittingfellheadlongintotheseaandcarriedAjaxwithit;sohedranksaltwaterandwasdrowned.
''Yourbrotherandhisshipsescaped,forJunoprotectedhim,butwhenhewasjustabouttoreachthehighpromontoryofMalea,hewascaughtbyaheavygale89of550TheOdysseywhichcarriedhimouttoseaagainsorelyagainsthiswill,anddrovehimtotheforelandwhereThyestesusedtodwell,butwhereAegisthuswasthenliving.
Byandby,however,itseemedasthoughhewastoreturnsafelyafterall,forthegodsbackedthewindintoitsoldquarterandtheyreachedhome;whereonAgamemnonkissedhisnativesoil,andshedtearsofjoyatfindinghimselfinhisowncountry.
''NowtherewasawatchmanwhomAegisthuskeptalwaysonthewatch,andtowhomhehadpromisedtwotalentsofgold.
ThismanhadbeenlookingoutforawholeyeartomakesurethatAgamemnondidnotgivehimtheslipandpreparewar;when,therefore,thismansawAgamemnongoby,hewentandtoldAegisthus,whoatoncebegantolayaplotforhim.
Hepickedtwentyofhisbravestwarriorsandplacedtheminambuscadeononesidethecloister,whileontheoppositesidehepreparedabanquet.
ThenhesenthischariotsandhorsementoAgamemnon,andinvitedhimtothefeast,buthemeantfoulplay.
Hegothimthere,allunsuspiciousofthedoomthatwasawaitinghim,andkilledhimwhenthebanquetwasoverasthoughhewerebutcheringanoxintheshambles;notoneofAgamemnon'sfollowerswasleft90of550TheOdysseyalive,noryetoneofAegisthus',buttheywereallkilledthereinthecloisters.
''ThusspokeProteus,andIwasbrokenheartedasIheardhim.
Isatdownuponthesandsandwept;IfeltasthoughIcouldnolongerbeartolivenorlookuponthelightofthesun.
Presently,whenIhadhadmyfillofweepingandwrithingupontheground,theoldmanoftheseasaid,'SonofAtreus,donotwasteanymoretimeincryingsobitterly;itcandonomannerofgood;findyourwayhomeasfastaseveryoucan,forAegisthusmaybestillalive,andeventhoughOresteshasbeenbeforehandwithyouinkillinghim,youmayyetcomeinforhisfuneral.
''OnthisItookcomfortinspiteofallmysorrow,andsaid,'Iknow,then,aboutthesetwo;tellme,therefore,aboutthethirdmanofwhomyouspoke;ishestillalive,butatsea,andunabletogethomeorishedeadTellme,nomatterhowmuchitmaygrieveme.
'''Thethirdman,'heanswered,'isUlysseswhodwellsinIthaca.
IcanseehiminanislandsorrowingbitterlyinthehouseofthenymphCalypso,whoiskeepinghimprisoner,andhecannotreachhishomeforhehasnoshipsnorsailorstotakehimoverthesea.
Asforyourownend,Menelaus,youshallnotdieinArgos,butthegodswill91of550TheOdysseytakeyoutotheElysianplain,whichisattheendsoftheworld.
Therefair-hairedRhadamanthusreigns,andmenleadaneasierlifethananywhereelseintheworld,forinElysiumtherefallsnotrain,norhail,norsnow,butOceanusbreatheseverwithaWestwindthatsingssoftlyfromthesea,andgivesfreshlifetoallmen.
ThiswillhappentoyoubecauseyouhavemarriedHelen,andareJove'sson-in-law.
''Ashespokehedivedunderthewaves,whereonIturnedbacktotheshipswithmycompanions,andmyheartwascloudedwithcareasIwentalong.
Whenwereachedtheshipswegotsupperready,fornightwasfalling,andcampeddownuponthebeach.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawnappeared,wedrewourshipsintothewater,andputourmastsandsailswithinthem;thenwewentonboardourselves,tookourseatsonthebenches,andsmotethegreyseawithouroars.
Iagainstationedmyshipsintheheaven-fedstreamofEgypt,andofferedhecatombsthatwerefullandsufficient.
WhenIhadthusappeasedheaven'sanger,IraisedabarrowtothememoryofAgamemnonthathisnamemightliveforever,afterwhichIhadaquickpassagehome,forthegodssentmeafairwind.
92of550TheOdyssey'Andnowforyourself—stayheresometenortwelvedayslonger,andIwillthenspeedyouonyourway.
Iwillmakeyouanoblepresentofachariotandthreehorses.
Iwillalsogiveyouabeautifulchalicethatsolongasyouliveyoumaythinkofmewheneveryoumakeadrink-offeringtotheimmortalgods.
''SonofAtreus,'repliedTelemachus,'donotpressmetostaylonger;Ishouldbecontentedtoremainwithyouforanothertwelvemonths;IfindyourconversationsodelightfulthatIshouldneveroncewishmyselfathomewithmyparents;butmycrewwhomIhaveleftatPylosarealreadyimpatient,andyouaredetainingmefromthem.
Asforanypresentyoumaybedisposedtomakeme,Ihadratherthatitshouldbeapieceofplate.
IwilltakenohorsesbackwithmetoIthaca,butwillleavethemtoadornyourownstables,foryouhavemuchflatgroundinyourkingdomwherelotusthrives,asalsomeadow-sweetandwheatandbarley,andoatswiththeirwhiteandspreadingears;whereasinIthacawehaveneitheropenfieldsnorracecourses,andthecountryismorefitforgoatsthanhorses,andIlikeitthebetterforthat.
{48}Noneofourislandshavemuchlevelground,suitableforhorses,andIthacaleastofall.
'93of550TheOdysseyMenelaussmiledandtookTelemachus'shandwithinhisown.
'Whatyousay,'saidhe,'showsthatyoucomeofgoodfamily.
Ibothcan,andwill,makethisexchangeforyou,bygivingyouthefinestandmostpreciouspieceofplateinallmyhouse.
ItisamixingbowlbyVulcan'sownhand,ofpuresilver,excepttherim,whichisinlaidwithgold.
Phaedimus,kingoftheSidonians,gaveitmeinthecourseofavisitwhichIpaidhimwhenIreturnedthitheronmyhomewardjourney.
Iwillmakeyouapresentofit.
'Thusdidtheyconverse[andguestskeptcomingtotheking'shouse.
Theybroughtsheepandwine,whiletheirwiveshadputupbreadforthemtotakewiththem;sotheywerebusycookingtheirdinnersinthecourts].
{49}MeanwhilethesuitorswerethrowingdiscsoraimingwithspearsatamarkonthelevelledgroundinfrontofUlysses'house,andwerebehavingwithalltheiroldinsolence.
AntinousandEurymachus,whoweretheirringleadersandmuchtheforemostamongthemall,weresittingtogetherwhenNoemonsonofPhroniuscameupandsaidtoAntinous,'Haveweanyidea,Antinous,onwhatdayTelemachusreturnsfromPylosHehasashipofmine,andIwantit,tocrossovertoElis:Ihavetwelvebroodmarestherewith94of550TheOdysseyyearlingmulefoalsbytheirsidenotyetbrokenin,andIwanttobringoneofthemoverhereandbreakhim.
'Theywereastoundedwhentheyheardthis,fortheyhadmadesurethatTelemachushadnotgonetothecityofNeleus.
Theythoughthewasonlyawaysomewhereonthefarms,andwaswiththesheep,orwiththeswineherd;soAntinoussaid,'WhendidhegoTellmetruly,andwhatyoungmendidhetakewithhimWeretheyfreemenorhisownbondsmen—forhemightmanagethattooTellmealso,didyoulethimhavetheshipofyourownfreewillbecauseheaskedyou,ordidhetakeitwithoutyourleave''Ilentithim,'answeredNoemon,'whatelsecouldIdowhenamanofhispositionsaidhewasinadifficulty,andaskedmetoobligehimIcouldnotpossiblyrefuse.
Asforthosewhowentwithhimtheywerethebestyoungmenwehave,andIsawMentorgoonboardascaptain—orsomegodwhowasexactlylikehim.
Icannotunderstandit,forIsawMentorheremyselfyesterdaymorning,andyethewasthensettingoutforPylos.
'Noemonthenwentbacktohisfather'shouse,butAntinousandEurymachuswereveryangry.
Theytoldtheotherstoleaveoffplaying,andtocomeandsitdownalongwiththemselves.
Whentheycame,Antinoussonof95of550TheOdysseyEupeithesspokeinanger.
Hisheartwasblackwithrage,andhiseyesflashedfireashesaid:'Goodheavens,thisvoyageofTelemachusisaveryseriousmatter;wehadmadesurethatitwouldcometonothing,buttheyoungfellowhasgotawayinspiteofus,andwithapickedcrewtoo.
Hewillbegivingustroublepresently;mayJovetakehimbeforeheisfullgrown.
Findmeaship,therefore,withacrewoftwentymen,andIwilllieinwaitforhiminthestraitsbetweenIthacaandSamos;hewillthenruethedaythathesetouttotryandgetnewsofhisfather.
'Thusdidhespeak,andtheothersapplaudedhissaying;theythenallofthemwentinsidethebuildings.
ItwasnotlongerePenelopecametoknowwhatthesuitorswereplotting;foramanservant,Medon,overheardthemfromoutsidetheoutercourtastheywerelayingtheirschemeswithin,andwenttotellhismistress.
AshecrossedthethresholdofherroomPenelopesaid:'Medon,whathavethesuitorssentyouhereforIsittotellthemaidstoleavetheirmaster'sbusinessandcookdinnerforthemIwishtheymayneitherwoonordinehenceforward,neitherherenoranywhereelse,butletthisbetheverylasttime,forthewasteyouallmakeofmyson'sestate.
Didnotyourfatherstellyouwhenyouwere96of550TheOdysseychildren,howgoodUlysseshadbeentothem—neverdoinganythinghigh-handed,norspeakingharshlytoanybodyKingsmaysaythingssometimes,andtheymaytakeafancytoonemananddislikeanother,butUlyssesneverdidanunjustthingbyanybody—whichshowswhatbadheartsyouhave,andthatthereisnosuchthingasgratitudeleftinthisworld.
'ThenMedonsaid,'Iwish,Madam,thatthiswereall;buttheyareplottingsomethingmuchmoredreadfulnow—mayheavenfrustratetheirdesign.
TheyaregoingtotryandmurderTelemachusasheiscominghomefromPylosandLacedaemon,wherehehasbeentogetnewsofhisfather.
'ThenPenelope'sheartsankwithinher,andforalongtimeshewasspeechless;hereyesfilledwithtears,andshecouldfindnoutterance.
Atlast,however,shesaid,'WhydidmysonleavemeWhatbusinesshadhetogosailingoffinshipsthatmakelongvoyagesovertheoceanlikesea-horsesDoeshewanttodiewithoutleavinganyonebehindhimtokeepuphisname''Idonotknow,'answeredMedon,'whethersomegodsethimontoit,orwhetherhewentonhisownimpulsetoseeifhecouldfindoutifhisfatherwasdead,oraliveandonhiswayhome.
'97of550TheOdysseyThenhewentdownstairsagain,leavingPenelopeinanagonyofgrief.
Therewereplentyofseatsinthehouse,butshehadnoheartforsittingonanyoneofthem;shecouldonlyflingherselfonthefloorofherownroomandcry;whereonallthemaidsinthehouse,botholdandyoung,gatheredroundherandbegantocrytoo,tillatlastinatransportofsorrowsheexclaimed,'Mydears,heavenhasbeenpleasedtotrymewithmoreafflictionthananyotherwomanofmyageandcountry.
FirstIlostmybraveandlion-heartedhusband,whohadeverygoodqualityunderheaven,andwhosenamewasgreatoverallHellasandmiddleArgos,andnowmydarlingsonisatthemercyofthewindsandwaves,withoutmyhavingheardonewordabouthisleavinghome.
Youhussies,therewasnotoneofyouwouldsomuchasthinkofgivingmeacalloutofmybed,thoughyouallofyouverywellknewwhenhewasstarting.
IfIhadknownhemeanttakingthisvoyage,hewouldhavehadtogiveitup,nomatterhowmuchhewasbentuponit,orleavemeacorpsebehindhim—oneorother.
Now,however,gosomeofyouandcalloldDolius,whowasgivenmebymyfatheronmymarriage,andwhoismygardener.
BidhimgoatonceandtelleverythingtoLaertes,whomaybeabletohitonsomeplanforenlisting98of550TheOdysseypublicsympathyonourside,asagainstthosewhoaretryingtoexterminatehisownraceandthatofUlysses.
'ThenthedearoldnurseEurycleasaid,'Youmaykillme,Madam,orletmeliveoninyourhouse,whicheveryouplease,butIwilltellyoutherealtruth.
Iknewallaboutit,andgavehimeverythinghewantedinthewayofbreadandwine,buthemademetakemysolemnoaththatIwouldnottellyouanythingforsometenortwelvedays,unlessyouaskedorhappenedtohearofhishavinggone,forhedidnotwantyoutospoilyourbeautybycrying.
Andnow,Madam,washyourface,changeyourdress,andgoupstairswithyourmaidstoofferprayerstoMinerva,daughterofAegis-bearingJove,forshecansavehimeventhoughhebeinthejawsofdeath.
DonottroubleLaertes:hehastroubleenoughalready.
Besides,IcannotthinkthatthegodshatetheraceofthesonofArceisiussomuch,buttherewillbeasonlefttocomeupafterhim,andinheritboththehouseandthefairfieldsthatliefarallroundit.
'Withthesewordsshemadehermistressleaveoffcrying,anddriedthetearsfromhereyes.
Penelopewashedherface,changedherdress,andwentupstairswithhermaids.
ShethenputsomebruisedbarleyintoabasketandbeganprayingtoMinerva.
99of550TheOdyssey'Hearme,'shecried,'DaughterofAegis-bearingJove,unweariable.
IfeverUlysseswhilehewashereburnedyoufatthighbonesofsheeporheifer,bearitinmindnowasinmyfavour,andsavemydarlingsonfromthevillainyofthesuitors.
'Shecriedaloudasshespoke,andthegoddessheardherprayer;meanwhilethesuitorswereclamorousthroughoutthecoveredcloister,andoneofthemsaid:'Thequeenispreparingforhermarriagewithoneorotherofus.
Littledoesshedreamthathersonhasnowbeendoomedtodie.
'Thiswaswhattheysaid,buttheydidnotknowwhatwasgoingtohappen.
ThenAntinoussaid,'Comrades,lettherebenoloudtalking,lestsomeofitgetcarriedinside.
Letusbeupanddothatinsilence,aboutwhichweareallofamind.
'Hethenchosetwentymen,andtheywentdowntotheirshipandtotheseaside;theydrewthevesselintothewaterandgothermastandsailsinsideher;theyboundtheoarstothethole-pinswithtwistedthongsofleather,allinduecourse,andspreadthewhitesailsaloft,whiletheirfineservantsbroughtthemtheirarmour.
Thentheymadetheshipfastalittlewayout,cameonshoreagain,gottheirsuppers,andwaitedtillnightshouldfall.
100of550TheOdysseyButPenelopelayinherownroomupstairsunabletoeatordrink,andwonderingwhetherherbravesonwouldescape,orbeoverpoweredbythewickedsuitors.
Likealionesscaughtinthetoilswithhuntsmenhemmingherinoneverysideshethoughtandthoughttillshesankintoaslumber,andlayonherbedbereftofthoughtandmotion.
ThenMinervabethoughtherofanothermatter,andmadeavisioninthelikenessofPenelope'ssisterIphthimedaughterofIcariuswhohadmarriedEumelusandlivedinPherae.
ShetoldthevisiontogotothehouseofUlysses,andtomakePenelopeleaveoffcrying,soitcameintoherroombytheholethroughwhichthethongwentforpullingthedoorto,andhoveredoverherheadsaying,'Youareasleep,Penelope:thegodswholiveateasewillnotsufferyoutoweepandbesosad.
Yoursonhasdonethemnowrong,sohewillyetcomebacktoyou.
'Penelope,whowassleepingsweetlyatthegatesofdreamland,answered,'Sister,whyhaveyoucomehereYoudonotcomeveryoften,butIsupposethatisbecauseyoulivesuchalongwayoff.
AmI,then,toleaveoffcryingandrefrainfromallthesadthoughtsthattorturemeI,whohavelostmybraveandlion-heartedhusband,whohadeverygoodqualityunderheaven,andwhose101of550TheOdysseynamewasgreatoverallHellasandmiddleArgos;andnowmydarlingsonhasgoneoffonboardofaship—afoolishfellowwhohasneverbeenusedtoroughingit,nortogoingaboutamonggatheringsofmen.
Iamevenmoreanxiousabouthimthanaboutmyhusband;IamallinatremblewhenIthinkofhim,lestsomethingshouldhappentohim,eitherfromthepeopleamongwhomhehasgone,orbysea,forhehasmanyenemieswhoareplottingagainsthim,andarebentonkillinghimbeforehecanreturnhome.
'Thenthevisionsaid,'Takeheart,andbenotsomuchdismayed.
Thereisonegonewithhimwhommanyamanwouldbegladenoughtohavestandbyhisside,ImeanMinerva;itisshewhohascompassionuponyou,andwhohassentmetobearyouthismessage.
''Then,'saidPenelope,'ifyouareagodorhavebeensentherebydivinecommission,tellmealsoaboutthatotherunhappyone—ishestillalive,orishealreadydeadandinthehouseofHades'Andthevisionsaid,'Ishallnottellyouforcertainwhetherheisaliveordead,andthereisnouseinidleconversation.
'Thenitvanishedthroughthethong-holeofthedoorandwasdissipatedintothinair;butPeneloperosefrom102of550TheOdysseyhersleeprefreshedandcomforted,sovividhadbeenherdream.
Meantimethesuitorswentonboardandsailedtheirwaysoverthesea,intentonmurderingTelemachus.
NowthereisarockyisletcalledAsteris,ofnogreatsize,inmidchannelbetweenIthacaandSamos,andthereisaharbouroneithersideofitwhereashipcanlie.
HerethentheAchaeansplacedthemselvesinambush.
103of550TheOdysseyBookVCALYPSO—ULYSSESREACHESSCHERIAONARAFT.
Andnow,asDawnrosefromhercouchbesideTithonus—harbingeroflightaliketomortalsandimmortals—thegodsmetincouncilandwiththem,Jovethelordofthunder,whoistheirking.
ThereonMinervabegantotellthemofthemanysufferingsofUlysses,forshepitiedhimawaythereinthehouseofthenymphCalypso.
'FatherJove,'saidshe,'andallyouothergodsthatliveineverlastingbliss,Ihopetheremayneverbesuchathingasakindandwell-disposedruleranymore,noronewhowillgovernequitably.
Ihopetheywillbeallhenceforthcruelandunjust,forthereisnotoneofhissubjectsbuthasforgottenUlysses,whoruledthemasthoughheweretheirfather.
Thereheis,lyingingreatpaininanislandwheredwellsthenymphCalypso,whowillnotlethimgo;andhecannotgetbacktohisowncountry,forhecanfindneithershipsnorsailorstotakehimoverthesea.
Furthermore,wickedpeoplearenowtryingtomurderhisonlysonTelemachus,whoiscoming104of550TheOdysseyhomefromPylosandLacedaemon,wherehehasbeentoseeifhecangetnewsofhisfather.
''What,mydear,areyoutalkingabout'repliedherfather,'didyounotsendhimthereyourself,becauseyouthoughtitwouldhelpUlyssestogethomeandpunishthesuitorsBesides,youareperfectlyabletoprotectTelemachus,andtoseehimsafelyhomeagain,whilethesuitorshavetocomehurry-skurryingbackwithouthavingkilledhim.
'Whenhehadthusspoken,hesaidtohissonMercury,'Mercury,youareourmessenger,gothereforeandtellCalypsowehavedecreedthatpoorUlyssesistoreturnhome.
Heistobeconvoyedneitherbygodsnormen,butafteraperilousvoyageoftwentydaysuponaraftheistoreachfertileScheria,{50}thelandofthePhaeacians,whoarenearofkintothegods,andwillhonourhimasthoughhewereoneofourselves.
Theywillsendhiminashiptohisowncountry,andwillgivehimmorebronzeandgoldandraimentthanhewouldhavebroughtbackfromTroy,ifhehadhadallhisprizemoneyandhadgothomewithoutdisaster.
Thisishowwehavesettledthatheshallreturntohiscountryandhisfriends.
'Thushespoke,andMercury,guideandguardian,slayerofArgus,didashewastold.
Forthwithhebound105of550TheOdysseyonhisglitteringgoldensandalswithwhichhecouldflylikethewindoverlandandsea.
Hetookthewandwithwhichhesealsmen'seyesinsleeporwakesthemjustashepleases,andflewholdingitinhishandoverPieria;thenheswoopeddownthroughthefirmamenttillhereachedthelevelofthesea,whosewavesheskimmedlikeacormorantthatfliesfishingeveryholeandcorneroftheocean,anddrenchingitsthickplumageinthespray.
Heflewandflewovermanyawearywave,butwhenatlasthegottotheislandwhichwashisjourney'send,helefttheseaandwentonbylandtillhecametothecavewherethenymphCalypsolived.
Hefoundherathome.
Therewasalargefireburningonthehearth,andonecouldsmellfromfarthefragrantreekofburningcedarandsandalwood.
Asforherself,shewasbusyatherloom,shootinghergoldenshuttlethroughthewarpandsingingbeautifully.
Roundhercavetherewasathickwoodofalder,poplar,andsweetsmellingcypresstrees,whereinallkindsofgreatbirdshadbuilttheirnests—owls,hawks,andchatteringsea-crowsthatoccupytheirbusinessinthewaters.
Avineloadedwithgrapeswastrainedandgrewluxuriantlyaboutthemouthofthecave;therewerealsofourrunningrillsofwaterinchannelscutprettyclosetogether,andturnedhitherand106of550TheOdysseythithersoastoirrigatethebedsofvioletsandlusciousherbageoverwhichtheyflowed.
{51}Evenagodcouldnothelpbeingcharmedwithsuchalovelyspot,soMercurystoodstillandlookedatit;butwhenhehadadmireditsufficientlyhewentinsidethecave.
Calypsoknewhimatonce—forthegodsallknoweachother,nomatterhowfartheylivefromoneanother—butUlysseswasnotwithin;hewasonthesea-shoreasusual,lookingoutuponthebarrenoceanwithtearsinhiseyes,groaningandbreakinghisheartforsorrow.
CalypsogaveMercuryaseatandsaid:'Whyhaveyoucometoseeme,Mercury—honoured,andeverwelcome—foryoudonotvisitmeoftenSaywhatyouwant;IwilldoitforyouatonceifIcan,andifitcanbedoneatall;butcomeinside,andletmesetrefreshmentbeforeyou.
'Asshespokeshedrewatableloadedwithambrosiabesidehimandmixedhimsomerednectar,soMercuryateanddranktillhehadhadenough,andthensaid:'Wearespeakinggodandgoddesstooneanother,andyouaskmewhyIhavecomehere,andIwilltellyoutrulyasyouwouldhavemedo.
Jovesentme;itwasnodoingofmine;whocouldpossiblywanttocomeallthiswayovertheseawheretherearenocitiesfullofpeopletooffermesacrificesorchoicehecatombsNeverthelessI107of550TheOdysseyhadtocome,fornoneofusothergodscancrossJove,nortransgresshisorders.
Hesaysthatyouhaveherethemostill-starredofallthosewhofoughtnineyearsbeforethecityofKingPriamandsailedhomeinthetenthyearafterhavingsackedit.
OntheirwayhometheysinnedagainstMinerva,{52}whoraisedbothwindandwavesagainstthem,sothatallhisbravecompanionsperished,andhealonewascarriedhitherbywindandtide.
Jovesaysthatyouaretoletthismangoatonce,foritisdecreedthatheshallnotperishhere,farfromhisownpeople,butshallreturntohishouseandcountryandseehisfriendsagain.
'Calypsotrembledwithragewhensheheardthis,'Yougods,'sheexclaimed,'oughttobeashamedofyourselves.
Youarealwaysjealousandhateseeingagoddesstakeafancytoamortalman,andlivewithhiminopenmatrimony.
Sowhenrosy-fingeredDawnmadelovetoOrion,youpreciousgodswereallofyoufurioustillDianawentandkilledhiminOrtygia.
SoagainwhenCeresfellinlovewithIasion,andyieldedtohiminathrice-ploughedfallowfield,JovecametohearofitbeforesoverylongandkilledIasionwithhisthunderbolts.
AndnowyouareangrywithmetoobecauseIhaveamanhere.
Ifoundthepoorcreaturesittingallaloneastrideofakeel,forJovehadstruckhisshipwith108of550TheOdysseylightningandsunkitinmidocean,sothatallhiscrewweredrowned,whilehehimselfwasdrivenbywindandwavesontomyisland.
Igotfondofhimandcherishedhim,andhadsetmyheartonmakinghimimmortal,sothatheshouldnevergrowoldallhisdays;stillIcannotcrossJove,norbringhiscounselstonothing;therefore,ifheinsistsuponit,letthemangobeyondtheseasagain;butIcannotsendhimanywheremyselfforIhaveneithershipsnormenwhocantakehim.
NeverthelessIwillreadilygivehimsuchadvice,inallgoodfaith,aswillbelikelytobringhimsafelytohisowncountry.
''Thensendhimaway,'saidMercury,'orJovewillbeangrywithyouandpunishyou".
Onthishetookhisleave,andCalypsowentouttolookforUlysses,forshehadheardJove'smessage.
Shefoundhimsittinguponthebeachwithhiseyeseverfilledwithtears,anddyingofsheerhomesickness;forhehadgottiredofCalypso,andthoughhewasforcedtosleepwithherinthecavebynight,itwasshe,nothe,thatwouldhaveitso.
Asforthedaytime,hespentitontherocksandontheseashore,weeping,cryingaloudforhisdespair,andalwayslookingoutuponthesea.
Calypsothenwentcloseuptohimsaid:109of550TheOdyssey'Mypoorfellow,youshallnotstayheregrievingandfrettingyourlifeoutanylonger.
Iamgoingtosendyouawayofmyownfreewill;sogo,cutsomebeamsofwood,andmakeyourselfalargeraftwithanupperdeckthatitmaycarryyousafelyoverthesea.
Iwillputbread,wine,andwateronboardtosaveyoufromstarving.
Iwillalsogiveyouclothes,andwillsendyouafairwindtotakeyouhome,ifthegodsinheavensowillit—fortheyknowmoreaboutthesethings,andcansettlethembetterthanIcan.
'Ulyssesshudderedasheheardher.
'Nowgoddess,'heanswered,'thereissomethingbehindallthis;youcannotbereallymeaningtohelpmehomewhenyoubidmedosuchadreadfulthingasputtoseaonaraft.
Notevenawellfoundshipwithafairwindcouldventureonsuchadistantvoyage:nothingthatyoucansayordoshallmakemegoonboardaraftunlessyoufirstsolemnlyswearthatyoumeanmenomischief.
'Calypsosmiledatthisandcaressedhimwithherhand:'Youknowagreatdeal,'saidshe,'butyouarequitewronghere.
Mayheavenaboveandearthbelowbemywitnesses,withthewatersoftheriverStyx—andthisisthemostsolemnoathwhichablessedgodcantake—thatImeanyounosortofharm,andamonlyadvisingyouto110of550TheOdysseydoexactlywhatIshoulddomyselfinyourplace.
Iamdealingwithyouquitestraightforwardly;myheartisnotmadeofiron,andIamverysorryforyou.
'Whenshehadthusspokensheledthewayrapidlybeforehim,andUlyssesfollowedinhersteps;sothepair,goddessandman,wentonandontilltheycametoCalypso'scave,whereUlyssestooktheseatthatMercuryhadjustleft.
Calypsosetmeatanddrinkbeforehimofthefoodthatmortalseat;buthermaidsbroughtambrosiaandnectarforherself,andtheylaidtheirhandsonthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem.
Whentheyhadsatisfiedthemselveswithmeatanddrink,Calypsospoke,saying:'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,soyouwouldstarthometoyourownlandatonceGoodluckgowithyou,butifyoucouldonlyknowhowmuchsufferingisinstoreforyoubeforeyougetbacktoyourowncountry,youwouldstaywhereyouare,keephousealongwithme,andletmemakeyouimmortal,nomatterhowanxiousyoumaybetoseethiswifeofyours,ofwhomyouarethinkingallthetimedayafterday;yetIflattermyselfthatIamnowhitlesstallorwell-lookingthansheis,foritisnottobeexpectedthatamortalwomanshouldcompareinbeautywithanimmortal.
'111of550TheOdyssey'Goddess,'repliedUlysses,'donotbeangrywithmeaboutthis.
IamquiteawarethatmywifePenelopeisnothinglikesotallorsobeautifulasyourself.
Sheisonlyawoman,whereasyouareanimmortal.
Nevertheless,Iwanttogethome,andcanthinkofnothingelse.
IfsomegodwrecksmewhenIamonthesea,Iwillbearitandmakethebestofit.
Ihavehadinfinitetroublebothbylandandseaalready,soletthisgowiththerest.
'Presentlythesunsetanditbecamedark,whereonthepairretiredintotheinnerpartofthecaveandwenttobed.
Whenthechildofmorningrosy-fingeredDawnappeared,Ulyssesputonhisshirtandcloak,whilethegoddessworeadressofalightgossamerfabric,veryfineandgraceful,withabeautifulgoldengirdleaboutherwaistandaveiltocoverherhead.
SheatoncesetherselftothinkhowshecouldspeedUlyssesonhisway.
Soshegavehimagreatbronzeaxethatsuitedhishands;itwassharpenedonbothsides,andhadabeautifulolive-woodhandlefittedfirmlyontoit.
Shealsogavehimasharpadze,andthenledthewaytothefarendoftheislandwherethelargesttreesgrew—alder,poplarandpine,thatreachedthesky—verydryandwellseasoned,soastosaillightforhiminthewater.
{53}Then,whenshehadshownhimwherethebesttreesgrew,Calypsowent112of550TheOdysseyhome,leavinghimtocutthem,whichhesoonfinisheddoing.
Hecutdowntwentytreesinallandadzedthemsmooth,squaringthembyruleingoodworkmanlikefashion.
MeanwhileCalypsocamebackwithsomeaugers,soheboredholeswiththemandfittedthetimberstogetherwithboltsandrivets.
Hemadetheraftasbroadasaskilledshipwrightmakesthebeamofalargevessel,andhefixedadeckontopoftheribs,andranagunwaleallroundit.
Healsomadeamastwithayardarm,andaruddertosteerwith.
Hefencedtheraftallroundwithwickerhurdlesasaprotectionagainstthewaves,andthenhethrewonaquantityofwood.
ByandbyCalypsobroughthimsomelinentomakethesails,andhemadethesetoo,excellently,makingthemfastwithbracesandsheets.
Lastofall,withthehelpoflevers,hedrewtheraftdownintothewater.
Infourdayshehadcompletedthewholework,andonthefifthCalypsosenthimfromtheislandafterwashinghimandgivinghimsomecleanclothes.
Shegavehimagoatskinfullofblackwine,andanotherlargeroneofwater;shealsogavehimawalletfullofprovisions,andfoundhiminmuchgoodmeat.
Moreover,shemadethewindfairandwarmforhim,andgladlydidUlyssesspreadhissailbeforeit,whilehesatandguidedtheraft113of550TheOdysseyskilfullybymeansoftherudder.
Heneverclosedhiseyes,butkeptthemfixedonthePleiads,onlate-settingBootes,andontheBear—whichmenalsocallthewain,andwhichturnsroundandroundwhereitis,facingOrion,andaloneneverdippingintothestreamofOceanus—forCalypsohadtoldhimtokeepthistohisleft.
Dayssevenandtendidhesailoverthesea,andontheeighteenththedimoutlinesofthemountainsonthenearestpartofthePhaeaciancoastappeared,risinglikeashieldonthehorizon.
ButKingNeptune,whowasreturningfromtheEthiopians,caughtsightofUlyssesalongwayoff,fromthemountainsoftheSolymi.
Hecouldseehimsailinguponthesea,anditmadehimveryangry,sohewaggedhisheadandmutteredtohimself,saying,'Goodheavens,sothegodshavebeenchangingtheirmindsaboutUlysseswhileIwasawayinEthiopia,andnowheisclosetothelandofthePhaeacians,whereitisdecreedthatheshallescapefromthecalamitiesthathavebefallenhim.
Still,heshallhaveplentyofhardshipyetbeforehehasdonewithit.
'Thereonhegatheredhiscloudstogether,graspedhistrident,stirreditroundinthesea,androusedtherageofeverywindthatblowstillearth,sea,andskywerehidden114of550TheOdysseyincloud,andnightsprangforthoutoftheheavens.
WindsfromEast,South,North,andWestfelluponhimallatthesametime,andatremendousseagotup,sothatUlysses'heartbegantofailhim.
'Alas,'hesaidtohimselfinhisdismay,'whateverwillbecomeofmeIamafraidCalypsowasrightwhenshesaidIshouldhavetroublebyseabeforeIgotbackhome.
Itisallcomingtrue.
HowblackisJovemakingheavenwithhisclouds,andwhataseathewindsareraisingfromeveryquarteratonce.
Iamnowsafetoperish.
BlestandthriceblestwerethoseDanaanswhofellbeforeTroyinthecauseofthesonsofAtreus.
WouldthatIhadbeenkilledonthedaywhentheTrojanswerepressingmesosorelyaboutthedeadbodyofAchilles,forthenIshouldhavehaddueburialandtheAchaeanswouldhavehonouredmyname;butnowitseemsthatIshallcometoamostpitiableend.
'Ashespokeaseabrokeoverhimwithsuchterrificfurythattheraftreeledagain,andhewascarriedoverboardalongwayoff.
Heletgothehelm,andtheforceofthehurricanewassogreatthatitbrokethemasthalfwayup,andbothsailandyardwentoverintothesea.
ForalongtimeUlysseswasunderwater,anditwasallhecoulddotorisetothesurfaceagain,fortheclothesCalypsohadgivenhimweighedhimdown;butatlasthe115of550TheOdysseygothisheadabovewaterandspatoutthebitterbrinethatwasrunningdownhisfaceinstreams.
Inspiteofallthis,however,hedidnotlosesightofhisraft,butswamasfastashecouldtowardsit,gotholdofit,andclimbedonboardagainsoastoescapedrowning.
TheseatooktheraftandtosseditaboutasAutumnwindswhirlthistledownroundandrounduponaroad.
ItwasasthoughtheSouth,North,East,andWestwindswereallplayingbattledoreandshuttlecockwithitatonce.
Whenhewasinthisplight,InodaughterofCadmus,alsocalledLeucothea,sawhim.
Shehadformerlybeenameremortal,buthadbeensinceraisedtotherankofamarinegoddess.
SeeinginwhatgreatdistressUlyssesnowwas,shehadcompassionuponhim,and,risinglikeasea-gullfromthewaves,tookherseatupontheraft.
'Mypoorgoodman,'saidshe,'whyisNeptunesofuriouslyangrywithyouHeisgivingyouagreatdealoftrouble,butforallhisblusterhewillnotkillyou.
Youseemtobeasensibleperson,dothenasIbidyou;strip,leaveyourrafttodrivebeforethewind,andswimtothePhaeaciancoastwherebetterluckawaitsyou.
Andhere,takemyveilandputitroundyourchest;itisenchanted,andyoucancometonoharmsolongasyouwearit.
Assoonasyoutouchlandtakeitoff,throwitbackasfaras116of550TheOdysseyyoucanintothesea,andthengoawayagain.
'Withthesewordsshetookoffherveilandgaveithim.
Thenshediveddownagainlikeasea-gullandvanishedbeneaththedarkbluewaters.
ButUlyssesdidnotknowwhattothink.
'Alas,'hesaidtohimselfinhisdismay,'thisisonlysomeoneorotherofthegodswhoisluringmetoruinbyadvisingmetoquitmyraft.
AtanyrateIwillnotdosoatpresent,forthelandwhereshesaidIshouldbequitofalltroublesseemedtobestillagoodwayoff.
IknowwhatIwilldo—Iamsureitwillbebest—nomatterwhathappensIwillsticktotheraftaslongashertimbersholdtogether,butwhentheseabreaksherupIwillswimforit;IdonotseehowIcandoanybetterthanthis.
'Whilehewasthusintwominds,Neptunesentaterriblegreatwavethatseemedtorearitselfabovehisheadtillitbrokerightovertheraft,whichthenwenttopiecesasthoughitwereaheapofdrychafftossedaboutbyawhirlwind.
Ulyssesgotastrideofoneplankandrodeuponitasifhewereonhorseback;hethentookofftheclothesCalypsohadgivenhim,boundIno'sveilunderhisarms,andplungedintothesea—meaningtoswimonshore.
KingNeptunewatchedhimashedidso,andwaggedhishead,mutteringtohimselfandsaying,'There117of550TheOdysseynow,swimupanddownasyoubestcantillyoufallinwithwell-to-dopeople.
IdonotthinkyouwillbeabletosaythatIhaveletyouofftoolightly.
'OnthishelashedhishorsesanddrovetoAegaewherehispalaceis.
ButMinervaresolvedtohelpUlysses,sosheboundthewaysofallthewindsexceptone,andmadethemliequitestill;butsherousedagoodstiffbreezefromtheNorththatshouldlaythewaterstillUlyssesreachedthelandofthePhaeacianswherehewouldbesafe.
Thereonhefloatedaboutfortwonightsandtwodaysinthewater,withaheavyswellontheseaanddeathstaringhimintheface;butwhenthethirddaybroke,thewindfellandtherewasadeadcalmwithoutsomuchasabreathofairstirring.
Asheroseontheswellhelookedeagerlyahead,andcouldseelandquitenear.
Then,aschildrenrejoicewhentheirdearfatherbeginstogetbetterafterhavingforalongtimebornesoreafflictionsenthimbysomeangryspirit,butthegodsdeliverhimfromevil,sowasUlyssesthankfulwhenheagainsawlandandtrees,andswamonwithallhisstrengththathemightoncemoresetfootupondryground.
When,however,hegotwithinearshot,hebegantohearthesurfthunderingupagainsttherocks,fortheswellstillbrokeagainstthemwithaterrificroar.
Everythingwasenvelopedinspray;118of550TheOdysseytherewerenoharbourswhereashipmightride,norshelterofanykind,butonlyheadlands,low-lyingrocks,andmountaintops.
Ulysses'heartnowbegantofailhim,andhesaiddespairinglytohimself,'Alas,JovehasletmeseelandafterswimmingsofarthatIhadgivenupallhope,butIcanfindnolandingplace,forthecoastisrockyandsurf-beaten,therocksaresmoothandrisesheerfromthesea,withdeepwatercloseunderthemsothatIcannotclimboutforwantoffoothold.
IamafraidsomegreatwavewillliftmeoffmylegsanddashmeagainsttherocksasIleavethewater—whichwouldgivemeasorrylanding.
If,ontheotherhand,Iswimfurtherinsearchofsomeshelvingbeachorharbour,ahurricanemaycarrymeouttoseaagainsorelyagainstmywill,orheavenmaysendsomegreatmonsterofthedeeptoattackme;forAmphitritebreedsmanysuch,andIknowthatNeptuneisveryangrywithme.
'WhilehewasthusintwomindsawavecaughthimandtookhimwithsuchforceagainsttherocksthathewouldhavebeensmashedandtorntopiecesifMinervahadnotshownhimwhattodo.
Hecaughtholdoftherockwithbothhandsandclungtoitgroaningwithpaintillthewaveretired,sohewassavedthattime;butpresentlythe119of550TheOdysseywavecameonagainandcarriedhimbackwithitfarintothesea—tearinghishandsasthesuckersofapolypusaretornwhensomeoneplucksitfromitsbed,andthestonescomeupalongwithit—evensodidtherocksteartheskinfromhisstronghands,andthenthewavedrewhimdeepdownunderthewater.
HerepoorUlysseswouldhavecertainlyperishedeveninspiteofhisowndestiny,ifMinervahadnothelpedhimtokeephiswitsabouthim.
Heswamseawardagain,beyondreachofthesurfthatwasbeatingagainsttheland,andatthesametimehekeptlookingtowardstheshoretoseeifhecouldfindsomehaven,oraspitthatshouldtakethewavesaslant.
Byandby,asheswamon,hecametothemouthofariver,andherehethoughtwouldbethebestplace,fortherewerenorocks,anditaffordedshelterfromthewind.
Hefeltthattherewasacurrent,soheprayedinwardlyandsaid:'Hearme,OKing,whoeveryoumaybe,andsavemefromtheangerofthesea-godNeptune,forIapproachyouprayerfully.
Anyonewhohaslosthiswayhasatalltimesaclaimevenuponthegods,whereforeinmydistressIdrawneartoyourstream,andclingtothekneesofyourriverhood.
Havemercyuponme,Oking,forIdeclaremyselfyoursuppliant.
'120of550TheOdysseyThenthegodstaidhisstreamandstilledthewaves,makingallcalmbeforehim,andbringinghimsafelyintothemouthoftheriver.
HereatlastUlysses'kneesandstronghandsfailedhim,fortheseahadcompletelybrokenhim.
Hisbodywasallswollen,andhismouthandnostrilsrandownlikeariverwithsea-water,sothathecouldneitherbreathenorspeak,andlayswooningfromsheerexhaustion;presently,whenhehadgothisbreathandcametohimselfagain,hetookoffthescarfthatInohadgivenhimandthrewitbackintothesalt{54}streamoftheriver,whereonInoreceiveditintoherhandsfromthewavethatboreittowardsher.
Thenhelefttheriver,laidhimselfdownamongtherushes,andkissedthebounteousearth.
'Alas,'hecriedtohimselfinhisdismay,'whateverwillbecomeofme,andhowisitalltoendIfIstayhereupontheriverbedthroughthelongwatchesofthenight,Iamsoexhaustedthatthebittercoldanddampmaymakeanendofme—fortowardssunrisetherewillbeakeenwindblowingfromofftheriver.
If,ontheotherhand,Iclimbthehillside,findshelterinthewoods,andsleepinsomethicket,Imayescapethecoldandhaveagoodnight'srest,butsomesavagebeastmaytakeadvantageofmeanddevourme.
'121of550TheOdysseyIntheendhedeemeditbesttotaketothewoods,andhefoundoneuponsomehighgroundnotfarfromthewater.
Therehecreptbeneathtwoshootsofolivethatgrewfromasinglestock—theoneanungraftedsucker,whiletheotherhadbeengrafted.
Nowind,howeversqually,couldbreakthroughthecovertheyafforded,norcouldthesun'srayspiercethem,northeraingetthroughthem,socloselydidtheygrowintooneanother.
Ulyssescreptundertheseandbegantomakehimselfabedtolieon,fortherewasagreatlitterofdeadleaveslyingabout—enoughtomakeacoveringfortwoorthreemeneveninhardwinterweather.
Hewasgladenoughtoseethis,sohelaidhimselfdownandheapedtheleavesallroundhim.
Then,asonewholivesaloneinthecountry,farfromanyneighbor,hidesabrandasfire-seedintheashestosavehimselffromhavingtogetalightelsewhere,evensodidUlyssescoverhimselfupwithleaves;andMinervashedasweetsleepuponhiseyes,closedhiseyelids,andmadehimloseallmemoriesofhissorrows.
122of550TheOdysseyBookVITHEMEETINGBETWEENNAUSICAAANDULYSSES.
SohereUlyssesslept,overcomebysleepandtoil;butMinervawentofftothecountryandcityofthePhaeacians—apeoplewhousedtoliveinthefairtownofHypereia,nearthelawlessCyclopes.
NowtheCyclopeswerestrongerthantheyandplunderedthem,sotheirkingNausithousmovedthemthenceandsettledtheminScheria,farfromallotherpeople.
Hesurroundedthecitywithawall,builthousesandtemples,anddividedthelandsamonghispeople;buthewasdeadandgonetothehouseofHades,andKingAlcinous,whosecounselswereinspiredofheaven,wasnowreigning.
Tohishouse,then,didMinervahieinfurtheranceofthereturnofUlysses.
Shewentstraighttothebeautifullydecoratedbedroominwhichtheresleptagirlwhowasaslovelyasagoddess,Nausicaa,daughtertoKingAlcinous.
Twomaidservantsweresleepingnearher,bothverypretty,oneoneithersideofthedoorway,whichwasclosedwithwellmadefoldingdoors.
MinervatooktheformofthefamousseacaptainDymas'sdaughter,whowasabosomfriendof123of550TheOdysseyNausicaaandjustherownage;then,cominguptothegirl'sbedsidelikeabreathofwind,shehoveredoverherheadandsaid:'Nausicaa,whatcanyourmotherhavebeenabout,tohavesuchalazydaughterHereareyourclothesalllyingindisorder,yetyouaregoingtobemarriedalmostimmediately,andshouldnotonlybewelldressedyourself,butshouldfindgoodclothesforthosewhoattendyou.
Thisisthewaytogetyourselfagoodname,andtomakeyourfatherandmotherproudofyou.
Suppose,then,thatwemaketomorrowawashingday,andstartatdaybreak.
Iwillcomeandhelpyousothatyoumayhaveeverythingreadyassoonaspossible,forallthebestyoungmenamongyourownpeoplearecourtingyou,andyouarenotgoingtoremainamaidmuchlonger.
Askyourfather,therefore,tohaveawaggonandmulesreadyforusatdaybreak,totaketherugs,robes,andgirdles,andyoucanride,too,whichwillbemuchpleasanterforyouthanwalking,forthewashing-cisternsaresomewayfromthetown.
'WhenshehadsaidthisMinervawentawaytoOlympus,whichtheysayistheeverlastinghomeofthegods.
Herenowindbeatsroughly,andneitherrainnorsnowcanfall;butitabidesineverlastingsunshineandin124of550TheOdysseyagreatpeacefulnessoflight,whereintheblessedgodsareilluminedforeverandever.
Thiswastheplacetowhichthegoddesswentwhenshehadgiveninstructionstothegirl.
ByandbymorningcameandwokeNausicaa,whobeganwonderingaboutherdream;shethereforewenttotheotherendofthehousetotellherfatherandmotherallaboutit,andfoundthemintheirownroom.
Hermotherwassittingbythefiresidespinningherpurpleyarnwithhermaidsaroundher,andshehappenedtocatchherfatherjustashewasgoingouttoattendameetingofthetowncouncil,whichthePhaeacianaldermenhadconvened.
Shestoppedhimandsaid:'Papadear,couldyoumanagetoletmehaveagoodbigwaggonIwanttotakeallourdirtyclothestotheriverandwashthem.
Youarethechiefmanhere,soitisonlyrightthatyoushouldhaveacleanshirtwhenyouattendmeetingsofthecouncil.
Moreover,youhavefivesonsathome,twoofthemmarried,whiletheotherthreearegoodlookingbachelors;youknowtheyalwaysliketohavecleanlinenwhentheygotoadance,andIhavebeenthinkingaboutallthis.
'Shedidnotsayawordaboutherownwedding,forshedidnotliketo,butherfatherknewandsaid,'Youshall125of550TheOdysseyhavethemules,mylove,andwhateverelseyouhaveamindfor.
Beoffwithyou,andthemenshallgetyouagoodstrongwaggonwithabodytoitthatwillholdallyourclothes.
'Onthishegavehisorderstotheservants,whogotthewaggonout,harnessedthemules,andputthemto,whilethegirlbroughttheclothesdownfromthelinenroomandplacedthemonthewaggon.
Hermotherpreparedherabasketofprovisionswithallsortsofgoodthings,andagoatskinfullofwine;thegirlnowgotintothewaggon,andhermothergaveheralsoagoldencruseofoil,thatsheandherwomenmightanointthemselves.
Thenshetookthewhipandreinsandlashedthemuleson,whereontheysetoff,andtheirhoofsclatteredontheroad.
Theypulledwithoutflagging,andcarriednotonlyNausicaaandherwashofclothes,butthemaidsalsowhowerewithher.
Whentheyreachedthewatersidetheywenttothewashingcisterns,throughwhichthereranatalltimesenoughpurewatertowashanyquantityoflinen,nomatterhowdirty.
Heretheyunharnessedthemulesandturnedthemouttofeedonthesweetjuicyherbagethatgrewbythewaterside.
Theytooktheclothesoutofthewaggon,puttheminthewater,andviedwithoneanother126of550TheOdysseyintreadingtheminthepitstogetthedirtout.
Aftertheyhadwashedthemandgotthemquiteclean,theylaidthemoutbytheseaside,wherethewaveshadraisedahighbeachofshingle,andsetaboutwashingthemselvesandanointingthemselveswitholiveoil.
Thentheygottheirdinnerbythesideofthestream,andwaitedforthesuntofinishdryingtheclothes.
Whentheyhaddonedinnertheythrewofftheveilsthatcoveredtheirheadsandbegantoplayatball,whileNausicaasangforthem.
AsthehuntressDianagoesforthuponthemountainsofTaygetusorErymanthustohuntwildboarsordeer,andthewoodnymphs,daughtersofAegis-bearingJove,taketheirsportalongwithher(thenisLetoproudatseeingherdaughterstandafullheadtallerthantheothers,andeclipsetheloveliestamidawholebevyofbeauties),evensodidthegirloutshineherhandmaids.
Whenitwastimeforthemtostarthome,andtheywerefoldingtheclothesandputtingthemintothewaggon,MinervabegantoconsiderhowUlyssesshouldwakeupandseethehandsomegirlwhowastoconducthimtothecityofthePhaeacians.
Thegirl,therefore,threwaballatoneofthemaids,whichmissedherandfellintodeepwater.
Onthistheyallshouted,andthenoise127of550TheOdysseytheymadewokeUlysses,whosatupinhisbedofleavesandbegantowonderwhatitmightallbe.
'Alas,'saidhetohimself,'whatkindofpeoplehaveIcomeamongstAretheycruel,savage,anduncivilised,orhospitableandhumaneIseemtohearthevoicesofyoungwomen,andtheysoundlikethoseofthenymphsthathauntmountaintops,orspringsofriversandmeadowsofgreengrass.
AtanyrateIamamongaraceofmenandwomen.
LetmetryifIcannotmanagetogetalookatthem.
'Ashesaidthishecreptfromunderhisbush,andbrokeoffaboughcoveredwiththickleavestohidehisnakedness.
Helookedlikesomelionofthewildernessthatstalksaboutexultinginhisstrengthanddefyingbothwindandrain;hiseyesglareasheprowlsinquestofoxen,sheep,ordeer,forheisfamished,andwilldarebreakevenintoawellfencedhomestead,tryingtogetatthesheep—evensuchdidUlyssesseemtotheyoungwomen,ashedrewneartothemallnakedashewas,forhewasingreatwant.
Onseeingonesounkemptandsobegrimedwithsaltwater,theothersscamperedoffalongthespitsthatjuttedoutintothesea,butthedaughterofAlcinousstoodfirm,forMinervaputcourageintoherheartandtookawayallfearfromher.
Shestoodrightin128of550TheOdysseyfrontofUlysses,andhedoubtedwhetherheshouldgouptoher,throwhimselfatherfeet,andembraceherkneesasasuppliant,orstaywherehewasandentreathertogivehimsomeclothesandshowhimthewaytothetown.
Intheendhedeemeditbesttoentreatherfromadistanceincasethegirlshouldtakeoffenceathiscomingnearenoughtoclaspherknees,soheaddressedherinhoneyedandpersuasivelanguage.
'Oqueen,'hesaid,'Iimploreyouraid—buttellme,areyouagoddessorareyouamortalwomanIfyouareagoddessanddwellinheaven,IcanonlyconjecturethatyouareJove'sdaughterDiana,foryourfaceandfigureresemblenonebuthers;ifontheotherhandyouareamortalandliveonearth,thricehappyareyourfatherandmother—thricehappy,too,areyourbrothersandsisters;howproudanddelightedtheymustfeelwhentheyseesofairascionasyourselfgoingouttoadance;mosthappy,however,ofallwillhebewhoseweddinggiftshavebeentherichest,andwhotakesyoutohisownhome.
Ineveryetsawanyonesobeautiful,neithermannorwoman,andamlostinadmirationasIbeholdyou.
IcanonlycompareyoutoayoungpalmtreewhichIsawwhenIwasatDelosgrowingnearthealtarofApollo—forIwasthere,too,withmuchpeopleafterme,whenIwasonthat129of550TheOdysseyjourneywhichhasbeenthesourceofallmytroubles.
Neveryetdidsuchayoungplantshootoutofthegroundasthatwas,andIadmiredandwonderedatitexactlyasInowadmireandwonderatyourself.
Idarenotclaspyourknees,butIamingreatdistress;yesterdaymadethetwentiethdaythatIhadbeentossingaboutuponthesea.
ThewindsandwaveshavetakenmeallthewayfromtheOgygianisland,{55}andnowfatehasflungmeuponthiscoastthatImayendurestillfurthersuffering;forIdonotthinkthatIhaveyetcometotheendofit,butratherthatheavenhasstillmuchevilinstoreforme.
'Andnow,Oqueen,havepityuponme,foryouarethefirstpersonIhavemet,andIknownooneelseinthiscountry.
Showmethewaytoyourtown,andletmehaveanythingthatyoumayhavebroughthithertowrapyourclothesin.
Mayheavengrantyouinallthingsyourheart'sdesire—husband,house,andahappy,peacefulhome;forthereisnothingbetterinthisworldthanthatmanandwifeshouldbeofonemindinahouse.
Itdiscomfitstheirenemies,makestheheartsoftheirfriendsglad,andtheythemselvesknowmoreaboutitthananyone.
'TothisNausicaaanswered,'Stranger,youappeartobeasensible,well-disposedperson.
Thereisnoaccountingforluck;Jovegivesprosperitytorichandpoorjustashe130of550TheOdysseychooses,soyoumusttakewhathehasseenfittosendyou,andmakethebestofit.
Now,however,thatyouhavecometothisourcountry,youshallnotwantforclothesnorforanythingelsethataforeignerindistressmayreasonablylookfor.
Iwillshowyouthewaytothetown,andwilltellyouthenameofourpeople;wearecalledPhaeacians,andIamdaughtertoAlcinous,inwhomthewholepowerofthestateisvested.
'Thenshecalledhermaidsandsaid,'Staywhereyouare,yougirls.
CanyounotseeamanwithoutrunningawayfromhimDoyoutakehimforarobberoramurdererNeitherhenoranyoneelsecancomeheretodousPhaeaciansanyharm,forwearedeartothegods,andliveapartonaland'sendthatjutsintothesoundingsea,andhavenothingtodowithanyotherpeople.
Thisisonlysomepoormanwhohaslosthisway,andwemustbekindtohim,forstrangersandforeignersindistressareunderJove'sprotection,andwilltakewhattheycangetandbethankful;so,girls,givethepoorfellowsomethingtoeatanddrink,andwashhiminthestreamatsomeplacethatisshelteredfromthewind.
'Onthisthemaidsleftoffrunningawayandbegancallingoneanotherback.
TheymadeUlyssessitdownintheshelterasNausicaahadtoldthem,andbroughthima131of550TheOdysseyshirtandcloak.
Theyalsobroughthimthelittlegoldencruseofoil,andtoldhimtogoandwashinthestream.
ButUlyssessaid,'Youngwomen,pleasetostandalittleononesidethatImaywashthebrinefrommyshouldersandanointmyselfwithoil,foritislongenoughsincemyskinhashadadropofoiluponit.
Icannotwashaslongasyouallkeepstandingthere.
Iamashamedtostrip{56}beforeanumberofgoodlookingyoungwomen.
'Thentheystoodononesideandwenttotellthegirl,whileUlysseswashedhimselfinthestreamandscrubbedthebrinefromhisbackandfromhisbroadshoulders.
Whenhehadthoroughlywashedhimself,andhadgotthebrineoutofhishair,heanointedhimselfwithoil,andputontheclotheswhichthegirlhadgivenhim;Minervathenmadehimlooktallerandstrongerthanbefore,shealsomadethehairgrowthickonthetopofhishead,andflowdownincurlslikehyacinthblossoms;sheglorifiedhimabouttheheadandshouldersasaskilfulworkmanwhohasstudiedartofallkindsunderVulcanandMinervaenrichesapieceofsilverplatebygildingit—andhisworkisfullofbeauty.
Thenhewentandsatdownalittlewayoffuponthebeach,lookingquiteyoungandhandsome,andthegirlgazedonhimwithadmiration;thenshesaidtohermaids:132of550TheOdyssey'Hush,mydears,forIwanttosaysomething.
IbelievethegodswholiveinheavenhavesentthismantothePhaeacians.
WhenIfirstsawhimIthoughthimplain,butnowhisappearanceislikethatofthegodswhodwellinheaven.
Ishouldlikemyfuturehusbandtobejustsuchanotherasheis,ifhewouldonlystayhereandnotwanttogoaway.
However,givehimsomethingtoeatanddrink.
'Theydidastheyweretold,andsetfoodbeforeUlysses,whoateanddrankravenously,foritwaslongsincehehadhadfoodofanykind.
Meanwhile,Nausicaabethoughtherofanothermatter.
Shegotthelinenfoldedandplacedinthewaggon,shethenyokedthemules,and,asshetookherseat,shecalledUlysses:'Stranger,'saidshe,'riseandletusbegoingbacktothetown;Iwillintroduceyouatthehouseofmyexcellentfather,whereIcantellyouthatyouwillmeetallthebestpeopleamongthePhaeacians.
ButbesureanddoasIbidyou,foryouseemtobeasensibleperson.
Aslongaswearegoingpastthefieldsandfarmlands,followbrisklybehindthewaggonalongwiththemaidsandIwillleadthewaymyself.
Presently,however,weshallcometothetown,whereyouwillfindahighwallrunningallroundit,andagoodharbouroneithersidewithanarrow133of550TheOdysseyentranceintothecity,andtheshipswillbedrawnupbytheroadside,foreveryonehasaplacewherehisownshipcanlie.
YouwillseethemarketplacewithatempleofNeptuneinthemiddleofit,andpavedwithlargestonesbeddedintheearth.
Herepeopledealinship'sgearofallkinds,suchascablesandsails,andhere,too,aretheplaceswhereoarsaremade,forthePhaeaciansarenotanationofarchers;theyknownothingaboutbowsandarrows,butareasea-faringfolk,andpridethemselvesontheirmasts,oars,andships,withwhichtheytravelfaroverthesea.
'Iamafraidofthegossipandscandalthatmaybesetonfootagainstmelateron;forthepeoplehereareveryill-natured,andsomelowfellow,ifhemetus,mightsay,'Whoisthisfine-lookingstrangerthatisgoingaboutwithNausicaaWheredidshefindhimIsupposesheisgoingtomarryhim.
Perhapsheisavagabondsailorwhomshehastakenfromsomeforeignvessel,forwehavenoneighbours;orsomegodhasatlastcomedownfromheaveninanswertoherprayers,andsheisgoingtolivewithhimalltherestofherlife.
Itwouldbeagoodthingifshewouldtakeherselfoffandfindahusbandsomewhereelse,forshewillnotlookatoneofthemanyexcellentyoungPhaeacianswhoareinlovewithher.
'Thisisthe134of550TheOdysseykindofdisparagingremarkthatwouldbemadeaboutme,andIcouldnotcomplain,forIshouldmyselfbescandalisedatseeinganyothergirldothelike,andgoaboutwithmeninspiteofeverybody,whileherfatherandmotherwerestillalive,andwithouthavingbeenmarriedinthefaceofalltheworld.
'If,therefore,youwantmyfathertogiveyouanescortandtohelpyouhome,doasIbidyou;youwillseeabeautifulgroveofpoplarsbytheroadsidededicatedtoMinerva;ithasawellinitandameadowallroundit.
Heremyfatherhasafieldofrichgardenground,aboutasfarfromthetownasaman'svoicewillcarry.
Sitdownthereandwaitforawhiletilltherestofuscangetintothetownandreachmyfather'shouse.
Then,whenyouthinkwemusthavedonethis,comeintothetownandaskthewaytothehouseofmyfatherAlcinous.
Youwillhavenodifficultyinfindingit;anychildwillpointitouttoyou,fornooneelseinthewholetownhasanythinglikesuchafinehouseashehas.
Whenyouhavegotpastthegatesandthroughtheoutercourt,gorightacrosstheinnercourttillyoucometomymother.
Youwillfindhersittingbythefireandspinningherpurplewoolbyfirelight.
Itisafinesighttoseeherassheleansbackagainstoneofthebearing-postswithhermaidsallrangedbehindher.
Close135of550TheOdysseytoherseatstandsthatofmyfather,onwhichhesitsandtopeslikeanimmortalgod.
Nevermindhim,butgouptomymother,andlayyourhandsuponherkneesifyouwouldgethomequickly.
Ifyoucangainherover,youmayhopetoseeyourowncountryagain,nomatterhowdistantitmaybe.
'Sosayingshelashedthemuleswithherwhipandtheylefttheriver.
Themulesdrewwell,andtheirhoofswentupanddownupontheroad.
ShewascarefulnottogotoofastforUlyssesandthemaidswhowerefollowingonfootalongwiththewaggon,soshepliedherwhipwithjudgement.
AsthesunwasgoingdowntheycametothesacredgroveofMinerva,andthereUlyssessatdownandprayedtothemightydaughterofJove.
'Hearme,'hecried,'daughterofAegis-bearingJove,unweariable,hearmenow,foryougavenoheedtomyprayerswhenNeptunewaswreckingme.
Now,therefore,havepityuponmeandgrantthatImayfindfriendsandbehospitablyreceivedbythePhaeacians.
'Thusdidhepray,andMinervaheardhisprayer,butshewouldnotshowherselftohimopenly,forshewasafraidofheruncleNeptune,whowasstillfuriousinhisendeavorstopreventUlyssesfromgettinghome.
136of550TheOdysseyBookVIIRECEPTIONOFULYSSESATTHEPALACEOFKINGALCINOUS.
Thus,then,didUlysseswaitandpray;butthegirldroveontothetown.
Whenshereachedherfather'shouseshedrewupatthegateway,andherbrothers—comelyasthegods—gatheredroundher,tookthemulesoutofthewaggon,andcarriedtheclothesintothehouse,whileshewenttoherownroom,whereanoldservant,EurymedusaofApeira,litthefireforher.
ThisoldwomanhadbeenbroughtbyseafromApeira,andhadbeenchosenasaprizeforAlcinousbecausehewaskingoverthePhaeacians,andthepeopleobeyedhimasthoughhewereagod.
{57}ShehadbeennursetoNausicaa,andhadnowlitthefireforher,andbroughthersupperforherintoherownroom.
PresentlyUlyssesgotuptogotowardsthetown;andMinervashedathickmistallroundhimtohidehimincaseanyoftheproudPhaeacianswhomethimshouldberudetohim,oraskhimwhohewas.
Then,ashewasjustenteringthetown,shecametowardshiminthelikeness137of550TheOdysseyofalittlegirlcarryingapitcher.
Shestoodrightinfrontofhim,andUlyssessaid:'Mydear,willyoubesokindastoshowmethehouseofkingAlcinousIamanunfortunateforeignerindistress,anddonotknowoneinyourtownandcountry.
'ThenMinervasaid,'Yes,fatherstranger,Iwillshowyouthehouseyouwant,forAlcinouslivesquiteclosetomyownfather.
Iwillgobeforeyouandshowtheway,butsaynotawordasyougo,anddonotlookatanyman,noraskhimquestions;forthepeopleherecannotabidestrangers,anddonotlikemenwhocomefromsomeotherplace.
Theyareasea-faringfolk,andsailtheseasbythegraceofNeptuneinshipsthatglidealonglikethought,orasabirdintheair.
'Onthissheledtheway,andUlyssesfollowedinhersteps;butnotoneofthePhaeacianscouldseehimashepassedthroughthecityinthemidstofthem;forthegreatgoddessMinervainhergoodwilltowardshimhadhiddenhiminathickcloudofdarkness.
Headmiredtheirharbours,ships,placesofassembly,andtheloftywallsofthecity,which,withthepalisadeontopofthem,wereverystriking,andwhentheyreachedtheking'shouseMinervasaid:138of550TheOdyssey'Thisisthehouse,fatherstranger,whichyouwouldhavemeshowyou.
Youwillfindanumberofgreatpeoplesittingattable,butdonotbeafraid;gostraightin,forthebolderamanisthemorelikelyheistocarryhispoint,eventhoughheisastranger.
Firstfindthequeen.
HernameisArete,andshecomesofthesamefamilyasherhusbandAlcinous.
TheybothdescendoriginallyfromNeptune,whowasfathertoNausithousbyPeriboea,awomanofgreatbeauty.
PeriboeawastheyoungestdaughterofEurymedon,whoatonetimereignedoverthegiants,butheruinedhisill-fatedpeopleandlosthisownlifetoboot.
'Neptune,however,laywithhisdaughter,andshehadasonbyhim,thegreatNausithous,whoreignedoverthePhaeacians.
NausithoushadtwosonsRhexenorandAlcinous;{58}Apollokilledthefirstofthemwhilehewasstillabridegroomandwithoutmaleissue;butheleftadaughterArete,whomAlcinousmarried,andhonoursasnootherwomanishonouredofallthosethatkeephousealongwiththeirhusbands.
'Thusshebothwas,andstillis,respectedbeyondmeasurebyherchildren,byAlcinoushimself,andbythewholepeople,wholookuponherasagoddess,andgreetherwhenevershegoesaboutthecity,forsheisa139of550TheOdysseythoroughlygoodwomanbothinheadandheart,andwhenanywomenarefriendsofhers,shewillhelptheirhusbandsalsotosettletheirdisputes.
Ifyoucangainhergoodwill,youmayhaveeveryhopeofseeingyourfriendsagain,andgettingsafelybacktoyourhomeandcountry.
'ThenMinervaleftScheriaandwentawayoverthesea.
ShewenttoMarathon{59}andtothespaciousstreetsofAthens,wheresheenteredtheabodeofErechtheus;butUlysseswentontothehouseofAlcinous,andheponderedmuchashepausedawhilebeforereachingthethresholdofbronze,forthesplendourofthepalacewaslikethatofthesunormoon.
Thewallsoneithersidewereofbronzefromendtoend,andthecornicewasofblueenamel.
Thedoorsweregold,andhungonpillarsofsilverthatrosefromafloorofbronze,whilethelintelwassilverandthehookofthedoorwasofgold.
OneithersidetherestoodgoldandsilvermastiffswhichVulcan,withhisconsummateskill,hadfashionedexpresslytokeepwatchoverthepalaceofkingAlcinous;sotheywereimmortalandcouldnevergrowold.
Seatswererangedallalongthewall,hereandtherefromoneendtotheother,withcoveringsoffinewovenworkwhichthewomenofthehousehadmade.
Herethechief140of550TheOdysseypersonsofthePhaeaciansusedtositandeatanddrink,fortherewasabundanceatallseasons;andthereweregoldenfiguresofyoungmenwithlightedtorchesintheirhands,raisedonpedestals,togivelightbynighttothosewhowereattable.
Thereare{60}fiftymaidservantsinthehouse,someofwhomarealwaysgrindingrichyellowgrainatthemill,whileothersworkattheloom,orsitandspin,andtheirshuttlesgobackwardsandforwardsliketheflutteringofaspenleaves,whilethelinenissocloselywoventhatitwillturnoil.
AsthePhaeaciansarethebestsailorsintheworld,sotheirwomenexcelallothersinweaving,forMinervahastaughtthemallmannerofusefularts,andtheyareveryintelligent.
Outsidethegateoftheoutercourtthereisalargegardenofaboutfouracreswithawallallroundit.
Itisfullofbeautifultrees—pears,pomegranates,andthemostdeliciousapples.
Therearelusciousfigsalso,andolivesinfullgrowth.
Thefruitsneverrotnorfailalltheyearround,neitherwinternorsummer,fortheairissosoftthatanewcropripensbeforetheoldhasdropped.
Peargrowsonpear,appleonapple,andfigonfig,andsoalsowiththegrapes,forthereisanexcellentvineyard:onthelevelgroundofapartofthis,thegrapesarebeingmadeintoraisins;inanotherparttheyarebeinggathered;some141of550TheOdysseyarebeingtroddeninthewinetubs,othersfurtheronhaveshedtheirblossomandarebeginningtoshowfruit,othersagainarejustchangingcolour.
Inthefurthestpartofthegroundtherearebeautifullyarrangedbedsofflowersthatareinbloomalltheyearround.
Twostreamsgothroughit,theoneturnedinductsthroughoutthewholegarden,whiletheotheriscarriedunderthegroundoftheoutercourttothehouseitself,andthetown'speopledrawwaterfromit.
Such,then,werethesplendourswithwhichthegodshadendowedthehouseofkingAlcinous.
SohereUlyssesstoodforawhileandlookedabouthim,butwhenhehadlookedlongenoughhecrossedthethresholdandwentwithintheprecinctsofthehouse.
TherehefoundallthechiefpeopleamongthePhaeaciansmakingtheirdrinkofferingstoMercury,whichtheyalwaysdidthelastthingbeforegoingawayforthenight.
{61}Hewentstraightthroughthecourt,stillhiddenbythecloakofdarknessinwhichMinervahadenvelopedhim,tillhereachedAreteandKingAlcinous;thenhelaidhishandsuponthekneesofthequeen,andatthatmomentthemiraculousdarknessfellawayfromhimandhebecamevisible.
Everyonewasspeechlesswithsurpriseatseeingamanthere,butUlyssesbeganatoncewithhispetition.
142of550TheOdyssey'QueenArete,'heexclaimed,'daughterofgreatRhexenor,inmydistressIhumblyprayyou,asalsoyourhusbandandtheseyourguests(whommayheavenprosperwithlonglifeandhappiness,andmaytheyleavetheirpossessionstotheirchildren,andallthehonoursconferreduponthembythestate)tohelpmehometomyowncountryassoonaspossible;forIhavebeenlongintroubleandawayfrommyfriends.
'Thenhesatdownonthehearthamongtheashesandtheyallheldtheirpeace,tillpresentlytheoldheroEcheneus,whowasanexcellentspeakerandanelderamongthePhaeacians,plainlyandinallhonestyaddressedthemthus:'Alcinous,'saidhe,'itisnotcreditabletoyouthatastrangershouldbeseensittingamongtheashesofyourhearth;everyoneiswaitingtohearwhatyouareabouttosay;tellhim,then,toriseandtakeaseatonastoolinlaidwithsilver,andbidyourservantsmixsomewineandwaterthatwemaymakeadrinkofferingtoJovethelordofthunder,whotakesallwelldisposedsuppliantsunderhisprotection;andletthehousekeepergivehimsomesupper,ofwhatevertheremaybeinthehouse.
'WhenAlcinousheardthishetookUlyssesbythehand,raisedhimfromthehearth,andbadehimtaketheseatof143of550TheOdysseyLaodamas,whohadbeensittingbesidehim,andwashisfavouriteson.
Amaidservantthenbroughthimwaterinabeautifulgoldenewerandpoureditintoasilverbasinforhimtowashhishands,andshedrewacleantablebesidehim;anupperservantbroughthimbreadandofferedhimmanygoodthingsofwhattherewasinthehouse,andUlyssesateanddrank.
ThenAlcinoussaidtooneoftheservants,'Pontonous,mixacupofwineandhanditroundthatwemaymakedrink-offeringstoJovethelordofthunder,whoistheprotectorofallwell-disposedsuppliants.
'Pontonousthenmixedwineandwater,andhandeditroundaftergivingeverymanhisdrink-offering.
Whentheyhadmadetheirofferings,andhaddrunkeachasmuchashewasminded,Alcinoussaid:'AldermenandtowncouncillorsofthePhaeacians,hearmywords.
Youhavehadyoursupper,sonowgohometobed.
To-morrowmorningIshallinviteastilllargernumberofaldermen,andwillgiveasacrificialbanquetinhonourofourguest;wecanthendiscussthequestionofhisescort,andconsiderhowwemayatoncesendhimbackrejoicingtohisowncountrywithouttroubleorinconveniencetohimself,nomatterhowdistantitmaybe.
Wemustseethathecomestonoharm144of550TheOdysseywhileonhishomewardjourney,butwhenheisonceathomehewillhavetotaketheluckhewasbornwithforbetterorworselikeotherpeople.
Itispossible,however,thatthestrangerisoneoftheimmortalswhohascomedownfromheaventovisitus;butinthiscasethegodsaredepartingfromtheirusualpractice,forhithertotheyhavemadethemselvesperfectlycleartouswhenwehavebeenofferingthemhecatombs.
Theycomeandsitatourfeastsjustlikeoneofourselves,andifanysolitarywayfarerhappenstostumbleuponsomeoneorotherofthem,theyaffectnoconcealment,forweareasnearofkintothegodsastheCyclopesandthesavagegiantsare.
'{62}ThenUlyssessaid:'Pray,Alcinous,donottakeanysuchnotionintoyourhead.
Ihavenothingoftheimmortalaboutme,neitherinbodynormind,andmostresemblethoseamongyouwhoarethemostafflicted.
Indeed,wereItotellyouallthatheavenhasseenfittolayuponme,youwouldsaythatIwasstillworseoffthantheyare.
Nevertheless,letmesupinspiteofsorrow,foranemptystomachisaveryimportunatething,andthrustsitselfonaman'snoticenomatterhowdireishisdistress.
Iamingreattrouble,yetitinsiststhatIshalleatanddrink,bidsmelayasideallmemoryofmysorrowsanddwellonlyontheduereplenishingofitself.
Asfor145of550TheOdysseyyourselves,doasyoupropose,andatbreakofdaysetabouthelpingmetogethome.
IshallbecontenttodieifImayfirstoncemorebeholdmyproperty,mybondsmen,andallthegreatnessofmyhouse.
'{63}Thusdidhespeak.
Everyoneapprovedhissaying,andagreedthatheshouldhavehisescortinasmuchashehadspokenreasonably.
Thenwhentheyhadmadetheirdrinkofferings,andhaddrunkeachasmuchashewasmindedtheywenthometobedeverymaninhisownabode,leavingUlyssesinthecloisterwithAreteandAlcinouswhiletheservantsweretakingthethingsawayaftersupper.
Aretewasthefirsttospeak,forsherecognisedtheshirt,cloak,andgoodclothesthatUlysseswaswearing,astheworkofherselfandofhermaids;soshesaid,'Stranger,beforewegoanyfurther,thereisaquestionIshouldliketoaskyou.
Who,andwhenceareyou,andwhogaveyouthoseclothesDidyounotsayyouhadcomeherefrombeyondthesea'AndUlyssesanswered,'ItwouldbealongstoryMadam,wereItorelateinfullthetaleofmymisfortunes,forthehandofheavenhasbeenlaidheavyuponme;butasregardsyourquestion,thereisanislandfarawayintheseawhichiscalled'theOgygian.
'HeredwellsthecunningandpowerfulgoddessCalypso,daughterof146of550TheOdysseyAtlas.
Shelivesbyherselffarfromallneighbourshumanordivine.
Fortune,however,broughtmetoherhearthalldesolateandalone,forJovestruckmyshipwithhisthunderbolts,andbrokeitupinmid-ocean.
Mybravecomradesweredrownedeverymanofthem,butIstucktothekeelandwascarriedhitherandthitherforthespaceofninedays,tillatlastduringthedarknessofthetenthnightthegodsbroughtmetotheOgygianislandwherethegreatgoddessCalypsolives.
Shetookmeinandtreatedmewiththeutmostkindness;indeedshewantedtomakemeimmortalthatImightnevergrowold,butshecouldnotpersuademetoletherdoso.
'IstayedwithCalypsosevenyearsstraightonend,andwateredthegoodclothesshegavemewithmytearsduringthewholetime;butatlastwhentheeighthyearcameroundshebademedepartofherownfreewill,eitherbecauseJovehadtoldhershemust,orbecauseshehadchangedhermind.
Shesentmefromherislandonaraft,whichsheprovisionedwithabundanceofbreadandwine.
Moreovershegavemegoodstoutclothing,andsentmeawindthatblewbothwarmandfair.
DayssevenandtendidIsailoverthesea,andontheeighteenthIcaughtsightofthefirstoutlinesofthemountainsuponyourcoast—andgladindeedwasItoseteyesuponthem.
147of550TheOdysseyNeverthelesstherewasstillmuchtroubleinstoreforme,foratthispointNeptunewouldletmegonofurther,andraisedagreatstormagainstme;theseawassoterriblyhighthatIcouldnolongerkeeptomyraft,whichwenttopiecesunderthefuryofthegale,andIhadtoswimforit,tillwindandcurrentbroughtmetoyourshores.
'ThereItriedtoland,butcouldnot,foritwasabadplaceandthewavesdashedmeagainsttherocks,soIagaintooktotheseaandswamontillIcametoariverthatseemedthemostlikelylandingplace,fortherewerenorocksanditwasshelteredfromthewind.
Here,then,Igotoutofthewaterandgatheredmysensestogetheragain.
Nightwascomingon,soIlefttheriver,andwentintoathicket,whereIcoveredmyselfalloverwithleaves,andpresentlyheavensentmeoffintoaverydeepsleep.
SickandsorryasIwasIsleptamongtheleavesallnight,andthroughthenextdaytillafternoon,whenIwokeasthesunwaswestering,andsawyourdaughter'smaidservantsplayinguponthebeach,andyourdaughteramongthemlookinglikeagoddess.
Ibesoughtheraid,andsheprovedtobeofanexcellentdisposition,muchmoresothancouldbeexpectedfromsoyoungaperson—foryoungpeopleareapttobethoughtless.
Shegavemeplentyofbreadandwine,andwhenshehadhadme148of550TheOdysseywashedintherivershealsogavemetheclothesinwhichyouseeme.
Now,therefore,thoughithaspainedmetodoso,Ihavetoldyouthewholetruth.
'ThenAlcinoussaid,'Stranger,itwasverywrongofmydaughternottobringyouonatoncetomyhousealongwiththemaids,seeingthatshewasthefirstpersonwhoseaidyouasked.
''Praydonotscoldher,'repliedUlysses;'sheisnottoblame.
Shedidtellmetofollowalongwiththemaids,butIwasashamedandafraid,forIthoughtyoumightperhapsbedispleasedifyousawme.
Everyhumanbeingissometimesalittlesuspiciousandirritable.
''Stranger,'repliedAlcinous,'Iamnotthekindofmantogetangryaboutnothing;itisalwaysbettertobereasonable;butbyFatherJove,Minerva,andApollo,nowthatIseewhatkindofpersonyouare,andhowmuchyouthinkasIdo,Iwishyouwouldstayhere,marrymydaughter,andbecomemyson-in-law.
IfyouwillstayIwillgiveyouahouseandanestate,butnoone(heavenforbid)shallkeepyouhereagainstyourownwish,andthatyoumaybesureofthisIwillattendtomorrowtothematterofyourescort.
Youcansleep{64}duringthewholevoyageifyoulike,andthemenshallsailyouoversmoothwaterseithertoyourownhome,orwhereveryou149of550TheOdysseyplease,eventhoughitbealongwayfurtheroffthanEuboea,whichthoseofmypeoplewhosawitwhentheytookyellow-hairedRhadamanthustoseeTityusthesonofGaia,tellmeisthefurthestofanyplace—andyettheydidthewholevoyageinasingledaywithoutdistressingthemselves,andcamebackagainafterwards.
Youwillthusseehowmuchmyshipsexcelallothers,andwhatmagnificentoarsmenmysailorsare.
'ThenwasUlyssesgladandprayedaloudsaying,'FatherJove,grantthatAlcinousmaydoallashehassaid,forsohewillwinanimperishablenameamongmankind,andatthesametimeIshallreturntomycountry.
'Thusdidtheyconverse.
ThenAretetoldhermaidstosetabedintheroomthatwasinthegatehouse,andmakeitwithgoodredrugs,andtospreadcoverletsonthetopofthemwithwoollencloaksforUlyssestowear.
Themaidsthereonwentoutwithtorchesintheirhands,andwhentheyhadmadethebedtheycameuptoUlyssesandsaid,'Rise,sirstranger,andcomewithusforyourbedisready,'andgladindeedwashetogotohisrest.
SoUlyssessleptinabedplacedinaroomovertheechoinggateway;butAlcinouslayintheinnerpartofthehouse,withthequeenhiswifebyhisside.
150of550TheOdysseyBookVIIIBANQUETINTHEHOUSEOFALCINOUS—THEGAMES.
Nowwhenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,AlcinousandUlyssesbothrose,andAlcinousledthewaytothePhaeacianplaceofassembly,whichwasneartheships.
Whentheygottheretheysatdownsidebysideonaseatofpolishedstone,whileMinervatooktheformofoneofAlcinous'servants,andwentroundthetowninordertohelpUlyssestogethome.
Shewentuptothecitizens,manbyman,andsaid,'AldermenandtowncouncillorsofthePhaeacians,cometotheassemblyallofyouandlistentothestrangerwhohasjustcomeoffalongvoyagetothehouseofKingAlcinous;helookslikeanimmortalgod.
'Withthesewordsshemadethemallwanttocome,andtheyflockedtotheassemblytillseatsandstandingroomwerealikecrowded.
EveryonewasstruckwiththeappearanceofUlysses,forMinervahadbeautifiedhimabouttheheadandshoulders,makinghimlooktallerandstouterthanhereallywas,thathemightimpressthePhaeaciansfavourablyasbeingaveryremarkableman,151of550TheOdysseyandmightcomeoffwellinthemanytrialsofskilltowhichtheywouldchallengehim.
Then,whentheyweregottogether,Alcinousspoke:'Hearme,'saidhe,'aldermenandtowncouncillorsofthePhaeacians,thatImayspeakevenasIamminded.
Thisstranger,whoeverhemaybe,hasfoundhiswaytomyhousefromsomewhereorothereitherEastorWest.
Hewantsanescortandwishestohavethemattersettled.
Letusthengetonereadyforhim,aswehavedoneforothersbeforehim;indeed,noonewhoeveryetcametomyhousehasbeenabletocomplainofmefornotspeedingonhiswaysoonenough.
Letusdrawashipintothesea—onethathasneveryetmadeavoyage—andmanherwithtwoandfiftyofoursmartestyoungsailors.
Thenwhenyouhavemadefastyouroarseachbyhisownseat,leavetheshipandcometomyhousetoprepareafeast.
{65}Iwillfindyouineverything.
Iamgivingtheseinstructionstotheyoungmenwhowillformthecrew,forasregardsyoualdermenandtowncouncillors,youwilljoinmeinentertainingourguestinthecloisters.
Icantakenoexcuses,andwewillhaveDemodocustosingtous;forthereisnobardlikehimwhateverhemaychoosetosingabout.
'152of550TheOdysseyAlcinousthenledtheway,andtheothersfollowedafter,whileaservantwenttofetchDemodocus.
Thefifty-twopickedoarsmenwenttotheseashoreastheyhadbeentold,andwhentheygottheretheydrewtheshipintothewater,gothermastandsailsinsideher,boundtheoarstothethole-pinswithtwistedthongsofleather,allinduecourse,andspreadthewhitesailsaloft.
Theymooredthevesselalittlewayoutfromland,andthencameonshoreandwenttothehouseofKingAlcinous.
Theouthouses,{66}yards,andalltheprecinctswerefilledwithcrowdsofmeningreatmultitudesbotholdandyoung;andAlcinouskilledthemadozensheep,eightfullgrownpigs,andtwooxen.
Thesetheyskinnedanddressedsoastoprovideamagnificentbanquet.
AservantpresentlyledinthefamousbardDemodocus,whomthemusehaddearlyloved,buttowhomshehadgivenbothgoodandevil,forthoughshehadendowedhimwithadivinegiftofsong,shehadrobbedhimofhiseyesight.
Pontonoussetaseatforhimamongtheguests,leaningitupagainstabearing-post.
Hehungthelyreforhimonapegoverhishead,andshowedhimwherehewastofeelforitwithhishands.
Healsosetafairtablewithabasketofvictualsbyhisside,andacup153of550TheOdysseyofwinefromwhichhemightdrinkwheneverhewassodisposed.
Thecompanythenlaidtheirhandsuponthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem,butassoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrink,themuseinspiredDemodocustosingthefeatsofheroes,andmoreespeciallyamatterthatwastheninthemouthsofallmen,towit,thequarrelbetweenUlyssesandAchilles,andthefiercewordsthattheyheapedononeanotherastheysattogetheratabanquet.
ButAgamemnonwasgladwhenheheardhischieftainsquarrellingwithoneanother,forApollohadforetoldhimthisatPythowhenhecrossedthestonefloortoconsulttheoracle.
HerewasthebeginningoftheevilthatbythewillofJovefellbothuponDanaansandTrojans.
Thussangthebard,butUlyssesdrewhispurplemantleoverhisheadandcoveredhisface,forhewasashamedtoletthePhaeaciansseethathewasweeping.
Whenthebardleftoffsinginghewipedthetearsfromhiseyes,uncoveredhisface,and,takinghiscup,madeadrink-offeringtothegods;butwhenthePhaeacianspressedDemodocustosingfurther,fortheydelightedinhislays,thenUlyssesagaindrewhismantleoverhisheadandweptbitterly.
NoonenoticedhisdistressexceptAlcinous,154of550TheOdysseywhowassittingnearhim,andheardtheheavysighsthathewasheaving.
Soheatoncesaid,'AldermenandtowncouncillorsofthePhaeacians,wehavehadenoughnow,bothofthefeast,andoftheminstrelsythatisitsdueaccompaniment;letusproceedthereforetotheathleticsports,sothatourguestonhisreturnhomemaybeabletotellhisfriendshowmuchwesurpassallothernationsasboxers,wrestlers,jumpers,andrunners.
'Withthesewordsheledtheway,andtheothersfollowedafter.
AservanthungDemodocus'slyreonitspegforhim,ledhimoutofthecloister,andsethimonthesamewayasthatalongwhichallthechiefmenofthePhaeaciansweregoingtoseethesports;acrowdofseveralthousandsofpeoplefollowedthem,andthereweremanyexcellentcompetitorsforalltheprizes.
Acroneos,Ocyalus,Elatreus,Nauteus,Prymneus,Anchialus,Eretmeus,Ponteus,Proreus,Thoon,Anabesineus,andAmphialussonofPolyneussonofTecton.
TherewasalsoEuryalussonofNaubolus,whowaslikeMarshimself,andwasthebestlookingmanamongthePhaeaciansexceptLaodamas.
ThreesonsofAlcinous,Laodamas,Halios,andClytoneus,competedalso.
155of550TheOdysseyThefootracescamefirst.
Thecoursewassetoutforthemfromthestartingpost,andtheyraisedadustupontheplainastheyallflewforwardatthesamemoment.
Clytoneuscameinfirstbyalongway;helefteveryoneelsebehindhimbythelengthofthefurrowthatacoupleofmulescanploughinafallowfield.
{67}Theythenturnedtothepainfulartofwrestling,andhereEuryalusprovedtobethebestman.
Amphialusexcelledalltheothersinjumping,whileatthrowingthedisctherewasnoonewhocouldapproachElatreus.
Alcinous'ssonLaodamaswasthebestboxer,andheitwaswhopresentlysaid,whentheyhadallbeendivertedwiththegames,'Letusaskthestrangerwhetherheexcelsinanyofthesesports;heseemsverypowerfullybuilt;histhighs,calves,hands,andneckareofprodigiousstrength,norisheatallold,buthehassufferedmuchlately,andthereisnothingliketheseaformakinghavocwithaman,nomatterhowstrongheis.
''Youarequiteright,Laodamas,'repliedEuryalus,'gouptoyourguestandspeaktohimaboutityourself.
'WhenLaodamasheardthishemadehiswayintothemiddleofthecrowdandsaidtoUlysses,'Ihope,Sir,thatyouwillenteryourselfforsomeoneorotherofourcompetitionsifyouareskilledinanyofthem—andyou156of550TheOdysseymusthavegoneinformanyaonebeforenow.
Thereisnothingthatdoesanyonesomuchcreditallhislifelongastheshowinghimselfapropermanwithhishandsandfeet.
Haveatrythereforeatsomething,andbanishallsorrowfromyourmind.
Yourreturnhomewillnotbelongdelayed,fortheshipisalreadydrawnintothewater,andthecrewisfound.
'Ulyssesanswered,'Laodamas,whydoyoutauntmeinthiswaymymindissetratheroncaresthancontests;Ihavebeenthroughinfinitetrouble,andamcomeamongyounowasasuppliant,prayingyourkingandpeopletofurthermeonmyreturnhome.
'ThenEuryalusreviledhimoutrightandsaid,'Igather,then,thatyouareunskilledinanyofthemanysportsthatmengenerallydelightin.
Isupposeyouareoneofthosegraspingtradersthatgoaboutinshipsascaptainsormerchants,andwhothinkofnothingbutoftheiroutwardfreightsandhomewardcargoes.
Theredoesnotseemtobemuchoftheathleteaboutyou.
''Forshame,Sir,'answeredUlysses,fiercely,'youareaninsolentfellow—sotrueisitthatthegodsdonotgraceallmenalikeinspeech,person,andunderstanding.
Onemanmaybeofweakpresence,butheavenhasadornedthiswithsuchagoodconversationthathecharmsevery157of550TheOdysseyonewhoseeshim;hishoneyedmoderationcarrieshishearerswithhimsothatheisleaderinallassembliesofhisfellows,andwhereverhegoesheislookedupto.
Anothermaybeashandsomeasagod,buthisgoodlooksarenotcrownedwithdiscretion.
Thisisyourcase.
Nogodcouldmakeafinerlookingfellowthanyouare,butyouareafool.
Yourill-judgedremarkshavemademeexceedinglyangry,andyouarequitemistaken,forIexcelinagreatmanyathleticexercises;indeed,solongasIhadyouthandstrength,Iwasamongthefirstathletesoftheage.
Now,however,Iamwornoutbylabourandsorrow,forIhavegonethroughmuchbothonthefieldofbattleandbythewavesofthewearysea;still,inspiteofallthisIwillcompete,foryourtauntshavestungmetothequick.
'Sohehurriedupwithouteventakinghiscloakoff,andseizedadisc,larger,moremassiveandmuchheavierthanthoseusedbythePhaeacianswhendisc-throwingamongthemselves.
{68}Then,swingingitback,hethrewitfromhisbrawnyhand,anditmadeahummingsoundintheairashedidso.
ThePhaeaciansquailedbeneaththerushingofitsflightasitspedgracefullyfromhishand,andflewbeyondanymarkthathadbeenmadeyet.
Minerva,intheformofaman,cameandmarkedtheplacewhereithad158of550TheOdysseyfallen.
'Ablindman,Sir,'saidshe,'couldeasilytellyourmarkbygropingforit—itissofaraheadofanyother.
Youmaymakeyourmindeasyaboutthiscontest,fornoPhaeaciancancomeneartosuchathrowasyours.
'Ulysseswasgladwhenhefoundhehadafriendamongthelookers-on,sohebegantospeakmorepleasantly.
'Youngmen,'saidhe,'comeuptothatthrowifyoucan,andIwillthrowanotherdiscasheavyorevenheavier.
Ifanyonewantstohaveaboutwithmelethimcomeon,forIamexceedinglyangry;Iwillbox,wrestle,orrun,Idonotcarewhatitis,withanymanofyouallexceptLaodamas,butnotwithhimbecauseIamhisguest,andonecannotcompetewithone'sownpersonalfriend.
AtleastIdonotthinkitaprudentorasensiblethingforaguesttochallengehishost'sfamilyatanygame,especiallywhenheisinaforeigncountry.
Hewillcutthegroundfromunderhisownfeetifhedoes;butImakenoexceptionasregardsanyoneelse,forIwanttohavethematteroutandknowwhichisthebestman.
Iamagoodhandateverykindofathleticsportknownamongmankind.
Iamanexcellentarcher.
InbattleIamalwaysthefirsttobringamandownwithmyarrow,nomatterhowmanymorearetakingaimathimalongsideofme.
Philocteteswastheonlymanwhocouldshootbetterthan159of550TheOdysseyIcouldwhenweAchaeanswerebeforeTroyandinpractice.
Ifarexceleveryoneelseinthewholeworld,ofthosewhostilleatbreaduponthefaceoftheearth,butIshouldnotliketoshootagainstthemightydead,suchasHercules,orEurytustheOechalian—menwhocouldshootagainstthegodsthemselves.
ThisinfactwashowEurytuscameprematurelybyhisend,forApollowasangrywithhimandkilledhimbecausehechallengedhimasanarcher.
Icanthrowadartfartherthananyoneelsecanshootanarrow.
RunningistheonlypointinrespectofwhichIamafraidsomeofthePhaeaciansmightbeatme,forIhavebeenbroughtdownverylowatsea;myprovisionsranshort,andthereforeIamstillweak.
'TheyallheldtheirpeaceexceptKingAlcinous,whobegan,'Sir,wehavehadmuchpleasureinhearingallthatyouhavetoldus,fromwhichIunderstandthatyouarewillingtoshowyourprowess,ashavingbeendispleasedwithsomeinsolentremarksthathavebeenmadetoyoubyoneofourathletes,andwhichcouldneverhavebeenutteredbyanyonewhoknowshowtotalkwithpropriety.
Ihopeyouwillapprehendmymeaning,andwillexplaintoanyoneofyourchiefmenwhomaybediningwithyourselfandyourfamilywhenyougethome,thatwehaveanhereditaryaptitudeforaccomplishmentsofall160of550TheOdysseykinds.
Wearenotparticularlyremarkableforourboxing,noryetaswrestlers,butwearesingularlyfleetoffootandareexcellentsailors.
Weareextremelyfondofgooddinners,music,anddancing;wealsolikefrequentchangesoflinen,warmbaths,andgoodbeds,sonow,please,someofyouwhoarethebestdancerssetaboutdancing,thatourguestonhisreturnhomemaybeabletotellhisfriendshowmuchwesurpassallothernationsassailors,runners,dancers,andminstrels.
Demodocushaslefthislyreatmyhouse,sorunsomeoneorotherofyouandfetchitforhim.
'Onthisaservanthurriedofftobringthelyrefromtheking'shouse,andtheninemenwhohadbeenchosenasstewardsstoodforward.
Itwastheirbusinesstomanageeverythingconnectedwiththesports,sotheymadethegroundsmoothandmarkedawidespaceforthedancers.
PresentlytheservantcamebackwithDemodocus'slyre,andhetookhisplaceinthemidstofthem,whereonthebestyoungdancersinthetownbegantofootandtripitsonimblythatUlysseswasdelightedwiththemerrytwinklingoftheirfeet.
MeanwhilethebardbegantosingthelovesofMarsandVenus,andhowtheyfirstbegantheirintrigueinthehouseofVulcan.
MarsmadeVenusmanypresents,and161of550TheOdysseydefiledKingVulcan'smarriagebed,sothesun,whosawwhattheywereabout,toldVulcan.
Vulcanwasveryangrywhenheheardsuchdreadfulnews,sohewenttohissmithybroodingmischief,gothisgreatanvilintoitsplace,andbegantoforgesomechainswhichnonecouldeitherunlooseorbreak,sothattheymightstaythereinthatplace.
{69}Whenhehadfinishedhissnarehewentintohisbedroomandfestoonedthebed-postsalloverwithchainslikecobwebs;healsoletmanyhangdownfromthegreatbeamoftheceiling.
Notevenagodcouldseethemsofineandsubtlewerethey.
Assoonashehadspreadthechainsalloverthebed,hemadeasthoughheweresettingoutforthefairstateofLemnos,whichofallplacesintheworldwastheonehewasmostfondof.
ButMarskeptnoblindlookout,andassoonashesawhimstart,hurriedofftohishouse,burningwithloveforVenus.
NowVenuswasjustcomeinfromavisittoherfatherJove,andwasaboutsittingdownwhenMarscameinsidethehouse,andsaidashetookherhandinhisown,'LetusgotothecouchofVulcan:heisnotathome,butisgoneofftoLemnosamongtheSintians,whosespeechisbarbarous.
'162of550TheOdysseyShewasnothingloth,sotheywenttothecouchtotaketheirrest,whereontheywerecaughtinthetoilswhichcunningVulcanhadspreadforthem,andcouldneithergetupnorstirhandorfoot,butfoundtoolatethattheywereinatrap.
ThenVulcancameuptothem,forhehadturnedbackbeforereachingLemnos,whenhisscoutthesuntoldhimwhatwasgoingon.
Hewasinafuriouspassion,andstoodinthevestibulemakingadreadfulnoiseasheshoutedtoallthegods.
'FatherJove,'hecried,'andallyouotherblessedgodswholiveforever,comehereandseetheridiculousanddisgracefulsightthatIwillshowyou.
Jove'sdaughterVenusisalwaysdishonouringmebecauseIamlame.
SheisinlovewithMars,whoishandsomeandcleanbuilt,whereasIamacripple—butmyparentsaretoblameforthat,notI;theyoughtnevertohavebegottenme.
Comeandseethepairtogetherasleeponmybed.
Itmakesmefurioustolookatthem.
Theyareveryfondofoneanother,butIdonotthinktheywilllietherelongerthantheycanhelp,nordoIthinkthattheywillsleepmuch;there,however,theyshallstaytillherfatherhasrepaidmethesumIgavehimforhisbaggageofadaughter,whoisfairbutnothonest.
'163of550TheOdysseyOnthisthegodsgatheredtothehouseofVulcan.
Earth-encirclingNeptunecame,andMercurythebringerofluck,andKingApollo,butthegoddessesstaidathomeallofthemforshame.
Thenthegiversofallgoodthingsstoodinthedoorway,andtheblessedgodsroaredwithinextinguishablelaughter,astheysawhowcunningVulcanhadbeen,whereononewouldturntowardshisneighboursaying:'Illdeedsdonotprosper,andtheweakconfoundthestrong.
SeehowlimpingVulcan,lameasheis,hascaughtMarswhoisthefleetestgodinheaven;andnowMarswillbecastinheavydamages.
'Thusdidtheyconverse,butKingApollosaidtoMercury,'MessengerMercury,giverofgoodthings,youwouldnotcarehowstrongthechainswere,wouldyou,ifyoucouldsleepwithVenus''KingApollo,'answeredMercury,'IonlywishImightgetthechance,thoughtherewerethreetimesasmanychains—andyoumightlookon,allofyou,godsandgoddesses,butIwouldsleepwithherifIcould.
'Theimmortalgodsburstoutlaughingastheyheardhim,butNeptunetookitallseriously,andkeptonimploringVulcantosetMarsfreeagain.
'Lethimgo,'hecried,'andIwillundertake,asyourequire,thatheshall164of550TheOdysseypayyouallthedamagesthatareheldreasonableamongtheimmortalgods.
''Donot,'repliedVulcan,'askmetodothis;abadman'sbondisbadsecurity;whatremedycouldIenforceagainstyouifMarsshouldgoawayandleavehisdebtsbehindhimalongwithhischains''Vulcan,'saidNeptune,'ifMarsgoesawaywithoutpayinghisdamages,Iwillpayyoumyself.
'SoVulcananswered,'InthiscaseIcannotandmustnotrefuseyou.
'Thereonheloosedthebondsthatboundthem,andassoonastheywerefreetheyscamperedoff,MarstoThraceandlaughter-lovingVenustoCyprusandtoPaphos,whereishergroveandheraltarfragrantwithburntofferings.
HeretheGracesbathedher,andanointedherwithoilofambrosiasuchastheimmortalgodsmakeuseof,andtheyclothedherinraimentofthemostenchantingbeauty.
Thussangthebard,andbothUlyssesandtheseafaringPhaeacianswerecharmedastheyheardhim.
ThenAlcinoustoldLaodamasandHaliustodancealone,fortherewasnoonetocompetewiththem.
SotheytookaredballwhichPolybushadmadeforthem,andoneofthembenthimselfbackwardsandthrewituptowardstheclouds,whiletheotherjumpedfromofftheground165of550TheOdysseyandcaughtitwitheasebeforeitcamedownagain.
Whentheyhaddonethrowingtheballstraightupintotheairtheybegantodance,andatthesametimekeptonthrowingitbackwardsandforwardstooneanother,whilealltheyoungmenintheringapplaudedandmadeagreatstampingwiththeirfeet.
ThenUlyssessaid:'KingAlcinous,yousaidyourpeoplewerethenimblestdancersintheworld,andindeedtheyhaveprovedthemselvestobeso.
IwasastonishedasIsawthem.
'Thekingwasdelightedatthis,andexclaimedtothePhaeacians,'Aldermenandtowncouncillors,ourguestseemstobeapersonofsingularjudgement;letusgivehimsuchproofofourhospitalityashemayreasonablyexpect.
Therearetwelvechiefmenamongyou,andcountingmyselftherearethirteen;contribute,eachofyou,acleancloak,ashirt,andatalentoffinegold;letusgivehimallthisinalumpdownatonce,sothatwhenhegetshissupperhemaydosowithalightheart.
AsforEuryalushewillhavetomakeaformalapologyandapresenttoo,forhehasbeenrude.
'Thusdidhespeak.
Theothersallofthemapplaudedhissaying,andsenttheirservantstofetchthepresents.
ThenEuryalussaid,'KingAlcinous,Iwillgivethe166of550TheOdysseystrangerallthesatisfactionyourequire.
Heshallhavemysword,whichisofbronze,allbutthehilt,whichisofsilver.
Iwillalsogivehimthescabbardofnewlysawnivoryintowhichitfits.
Itwillbeworthagreatdealtohim.
'AshespokeheplacedtheswordinthehandsofUlyssesandsaid,'Goodlucktoyou,fatherstranger;ifanythinghasbeensaidamissmaythewindsblowitawaywiththem,andmayheavengrantyouasafereturn,forIunderstandyouhavebeenlongawayfromhome,andhavegonethroughmuchhardship.
'TowhichUlyssesanswered,'Goodlucktoyoutoomyfriend,andmaythegodsgrantyoueveryhappiness.
Ihopeyouwillnotmisstheswordyouhavegivenmealongwithyourapology.
'Withthesewordshegirdedtheswordabouthisshouldersandtowardssundownthepresentsbegantomaketheirappearance,astheservantsofthedonorskeptbringingthemtothehouseofKingAlcinous;herehissonsreceivedthem,andplacedthemundertheirmother'scharge.
ThenAlcinousledthewaytothehouseandbadehisgueststaketheirseats.
'Wife,'saidhe,turningtoQueenArete,'Go,fetchthebestchestwehave,andputacleancloakandshirtinit.
167of550TheOdysseyAlso,setacopperonthefireandheatsomewater;ourguestwilltakeawarmbath;seealsotothecarefulpackingofthepresentsthatthenoblePhaeacianshavemadehim;hewillthusbetterenjoybothhissupperandthesingingthatwillfollow.
Ishallmyselfgivehimthisgoldengoblet—whichisofexquisiteworkmanship—thathemayberemindedofmefortherestofhislifewheneverhemakesadrinkofferingtoJove,ortoanyofthegods.
'{70}ThenAretetoldhermaidstosetalargetripoduponthefireasfastastheycould,whereontheysetatripodfullofbathwaterontoaclearfire;theythrewonstickstomakeitblaze,andthewaterbecamehotastheflameplayedaboutthebellyofthetripod.
{71}MeanwhileAretebroughtamagnificentchestfromherownroom,andinsideitshepackedallthebeautifulpresentsofgoldandraimentwhichthePhaeacianshadbrought.
LastlysheaddedacloakandagoodshirtfromAlcinous,andsaidtoUlysses:'Seetothelidyourself,andhavethewholeboundroundatonce,forfearanyoneshouldrobyoubythewaywhenyouareasleepinyourship.
'{72}WhenUlyssesheardthisheputthelidonthechestandmadeitfastwithabondthatCircehadtaughthim.
He168of550TheOdysseyhaddonesobeforeanupperservanttoldhimtocometothebathandwashhimself.
Hewasverygladofawarmbath,forhehadhadnoonetowaituponhimeversinceheleftthehouseofCalypso,whoaslongasheremainedwithherhadtakenasgoodcareofhimasthoughhehadbeenagod.
Whentheservantshaddonewashingandanointinghimwithoil,andhadgivenhimacleancloakandshirt,heleftthebathroomandjoinedtheguestswhoweresittingovertheirwine.
LovelyNausicaastoodbyoneofthebearing-postssupportingtheroofofthecloister,andadmiredhimasshesawhimpass.
'Farewellstranger,'saidshe,'donotforgetmewhenyouaresafeathomeagain,foritistomefirstthatyouowearansomforhavingsavedyourlife.
'AndUlyssessaid,'Nausicaa,daughterofgreatAlcinous,mayJovethemightyhusbandofJuno,grantthatImayreachmyhome;soshallIblessyouasmyguardianangelallmydays,foritwasyouwhosavedme.
'Whenhehadsaidthis,heseatedhimselfbesideAlcinous.
Supperwasthenserved,andthewinewasmixedfordrinking.
AservantledinthefavouritebardDemodocus,andsethiminthemidstofthecompany,nearoneofthebearing-postssupportingthecloister,thathemightleanagainstit.
ThenUlyssescutoffapieceof169of550TheOdysseyroastporkwithplentyoffat(fortherewasabundanceleftonthejoint)andsaidtoaservant,'TakethispieceofporkovertoDemodocusandtellhimtoeatit;forallthepainhislaysmaycausemeIwillsalutehimnonetheless;bardsarehonouredandrespectedthroughouttheworld,forthemuseteachesthemtheirsongsandlovesthem.
'TheservantcarriedtheporkinhisfingersovertoDemodocus,whotookitandwasverymuchpleased.
Theythenlaidtheirhandsonthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem,andassoonastheyhadhadtoeatanddrink,UlyssessaidtoDemodocus,'Demodocus,thereisnooneintheworldwhomIadmiremorethanIdoyou.
YoumusthavestudiedundertheMuse,Jove'sdaughter,andunderApollo,soaccuratelydoyousingthereturnoftheAchaeanswithalltheirsufferingsandadventures.
Ifyouwerenotthereyourself,youmusthavehearditallfromsomeonewhowas.
Now,however,changeyoursongandtellusofthewoodenhorsewhichEpeusmadewiththeassistanceofMinerva,andwhichUlyssesgotbystratagemintothefortofTroyafterfreightingitwiththemenwhoafterwardssackedthecity.
IfyouwillsingthistalearightIwilltellalltheworldhowmagnificentlyheavenhasendowedyou.
'170of550TheOdysseyThebardinspiredofheaventookupthestoryatthepointwheresomeoftheArgivessetfiretotheirtentsandsailedawaywhileothers,hiddenwithinthehorse,{73}werewaitingwithUlyssesintheTrojanplaceofassembly.
FortheTrojansthemselveshaddrawnthehorseintotheirfortress,anditstoodtherewhiletheysatincouncilroundit,andwereinthreemindsastowhattheyshoulddo.
Somewereforbreakingitupthenandthere;otherswouldhaveitdraggedtothetopoftherockonwhichthefortressstood,andthenthrowndowntheprecipice;whileyetotherswereforlettingitremainasanofferingandpropitiationforthegods.
Andthiswashowtheysettleditintheend,forthecitywasdoomedwhenittookinthathorse,withinwhichwereallthebravestoftheArgiveswaitingtobringdeathanddestructionontheTrojans.
AnonhesanghowthesonsoftheAchaeansissuedfromthehorse,andsackedthetown,breakingoutfromtheirambuscade.
Hesanghowtheyoverranthecityhitherandthitherandravagedit,andhowUlysseswentraginglikeMarsalongwithMenelaustothehouseofDeiphobus.
Itwastherethatthefightragedmostfuriously,neverthelessbyMinerva'shelphewasvictorious.
171of550TheOdysseyAllthishetold,butUlysseswasovercomeasheheardhim,andhischeekswerewetwithtears.
Heweptasawomanweepswhenshethrowsherselfonthebodyofherhusbandwhohasfallenbeforehisowncityandpeople,fightingbravelyindefenceofhishomeandchildren.
Shescreamsaloudandflingsherarmsabouthimasheliesgaspingforbreathanddying,butherenemiesbeatherfrombehindaboutthebackandshoulders,andcarryheroffintoslavery,toalifeoflabourandsorrow,andthebeautyfadesfromhercheeks—evensopiteouslydidUlyssesweep,butnoneofthosepresentperceivedhistearsexceptAlcinous,whowassittingnearhim,andcouldhearthesobsandsighsthathewasheaving.
Theking,therefore,atonceroseandsaid:'AldermenandtowncouncillorsofthePhaeacians,letDemodocusceasehissong,fortherearethosepresentwhodonotseemtolikeit.
FromthemomentthatwehaddonesupperandDemodocusbegantosing,ourguesthasbeenallthetimegroaningandlamenting.
Heisevidentlyingreattrouble,soletthebardleaveoff,thatwemayallenjoyourselves,hostsandguestalike.
Thiswillbemuchmoreasitshouldbe,forallthesefestivities,withtheescortandthepresentsthatwearemakingwithsomuchgoodwillarewhollyinhishonour,andanyonewitheven172of550TheOdysseyamoderateamountofrightfeelingknowsthatheoughttotreataguestandasuppliantasthoughhewerehisownbrother.
'Therefore,Sir,doyouonyourpartaffectnomoreconcealmentnorreserveinthematteraboutwhichIshallaskyou;itwillbemorepoliteinyoutogivemeaplainanswer;tellmethenamebywhichyourfatherandmotheroveryonderusedtocallyou,andbywhichyouwereknownamongyourneighboursandfellow-citizens.
Thereisnoone,neitherrichnorpoor,whoisabsolutelywithoutanynamewhatever,forpeople'sfathersandmothersgivethemnamesassoonastheyareborn.
Tellmealsoyourcountry,nation,andcity,thatourshipsmayshapetheirpurposeaccordinglyandtakeyouthere.
ForthePhaeacianshavenopilots;theirvesselshavenoruddersasthoseofothernationshave,buttheshipsthemselvesunderstandwhatitisthatwearethinkingaboutandwant;theyknowallthecitiesandcountriesinthewholeworld,andcantraversetheseajustaswellevenwhenitiscoveredwithmistandcloud,sothatthereisnodangerofbeingwreckedorcomingtoanyharm.
StillIdorememberhearingmyfathersaythatNeptunewasangrywithusforbeingtooeasy-goinginthematterofgivingpeopleescorts.
Hesaidthatoneofthesedaysheshould173of550TheOdysseywreckashipofoursasitwasreturningfromhavingescortedsomeone,{74}andburyourcityunderahighmountain.
Thisiswhatmyfatherusedtosay,butwhetherthegodwillcarryouthisthreatornoisamatterwhichhewilldecideforhimself.
'Andnow,tellmeandtellmetrue.
Wherehaveyoubeenwandering,andinwhatcountrieshaveyoutravelledTellusofthepeoplesthemselves,andoftheircities—whowerehostile,savageanduncivilised,andwho,ontheotherhand,hospitableandhumane.
TellusalsowhyyouaremadesounhappyonhearingaboutthereturnoftheArgiveDanaansfromTroy.
Thegodsarrangedallthis,andsentthemtheirmisfortunesinorderthatfuturegenerationsmighthavesomethingtosingabout.
Didyoulosesomebravekinsmanofyourwife'swhenyouwerebeforeTroyason-in-laworfather-in-law—whicharethenearestrelationsamanhasoutsidehisownfleshandbloodorwasitsomebraveandkindly-naturedcomrade—foragoodfriendisasdeartoamanashisownbrother'174of550TheOdysseyBookIXULYSSESDECLARESHIMSELFANDBEGINSHISSTORY—-THECICONS,LOTOPHAGI,ANDCYCLOPES.
AndUlyssesanswered,'KingAlcinous,itisagoodthingtohearabardwithsuchadivinevoiceasthismanhas.
Thereisnothingbetterormoredelightfulthanwhenawholepeoplemakemerrytogether,withtheguestssittingorderlytolisten,whilethetableisloadedwithbreadandmeats,andthecup-bearerdrawswineandfillshiscupforeveryman.
Thisisindeedasfairasightasamancansee.
Now,however,sinceyouareinclinedtoaskthestoryofmysorrows,andrekindlemyownsadmemoriesinrespectofthem,Idonotknowhowtobegin,noryethowtocontinueandconcludemytale,forthehandofheavenhasbeenlaidheavilyuponme.
'Firstly,then,Iwilltellyoumynamethatyoutoomayknowit,andoneday,ifIoutlivethistimeofsorrow,maybecomemygueststhoughIlivesofarawayfromallofyou.
IamUlyssessonofLaertes,renownedamongmankindforallmannerofsubtlety,sothatmyfameascendstoheaven.
IliveinIthaca,wherethereisahigh175of550TheOdysseymountaincalledNeritum,coveredwithforests;andnotfarfromitthereisagroupofislandsveryneartooneanother—Dulichium,Same,andthewoodedislandofZacynthus.
Itliessquatonthehorizon,allhighestupintheseatowardsthesunset,whiletheotherslieawayfromittowardsdawn.
{75}Itisaruggedisland,butitbreedsbravemen,andmyeyesknownonethattheybetterlovetolookupon.
ThegoddessCalypsokeptmewithherinhercave,andwantedmetomarryher,asdidalsothecunningAeaeangoddessCirce;buttheycouldneitherofthempersuademe,forthereisnothingdearertoamanthanhisowncountryandhisparents,andhoweversplendidahomehemayhaveinaforeigncountry,ifitbefarfromfatherormother,hedoesnotcareaboutit.
Now,however,IwilltellyouofthemanyhazardousadventureswhichbyJove'swillImetwithonmyreturnfromTroy.
'WhenIhadsetsailthencethewindtookmefirsttoIsmarus,whichisthecityoftheCicons.
ThereIsackedthetownandputthepeopletothesword.
Wetooktheirwivesandalsomuchbooty,whichwedividedequitablyamongstus,sothatnonemighthavereasontocomplain.
Ithensaidthatwehadbettermakeoffatonce,butmymenveryfoolishlywouldnotobeyme,sotheystaidtheredrinkingmuchwineandkillinggreatnumbersofsheep176of550TheOdysseyandoxenontheseashore.
MeanwhiletheCiconscriedoutforhelptootherCiconswholivedinland.
Theseweremoreinnumber,andstronger,andtheyweremoreskilledintheartofwar,fortheycouldfight,eitherfromchariotsoronfootastheoccasionserved;inthemorning,therefore,theycameasthickasleavesandbloominsummer,andthehandofheavenwasagainstus,sothatwewerehardpressed.
Theysetthebattleinarrayneartheships,andthehostsaimedtheirbronze-shodspearsatoneanother.
{76}Solongasthedaywaxedanditwasstillmorning,weheldourownagainstthem,thoughtheyweremoreinnumberthanwe;butasthesunwentdown,towardsthetimewhenmenloosetheiroxen,theCiconsgotthebetterofus,andwelosthalfadozenmenfromeveryshipwehad;sowegotawaywiththosethatwereleft.
'Thencewesailedonwardwithsorrowinourhearts,butgladtohaveescapeddeaththoughwehadlostourcomrades,nordidweleavetillwehadthriceinvokedeachoneofthepoorfellowswhohadperishedbythehandsoftheCicons.
ThenJoveraisedtheNorthwindagainstustillitblewahurricane,sothatlandandskywerehiddeninthickclouds,andnightsprangforthoutoftheheavens.
Welettheshipsrunbeforethegale,butthe177of550TheOdysseyforceofthewindtoreoursailstotatters,sowetookthemdownforfearofshipwreck,androwedourhardesttowardstheland.
Therewelaytwodaysandtwonightssufferingmuchalikefromtoilanddistressofmind,butonthemorningofthethirddayweagainraisedourmasts,setsail,andtookourplaces,lettingthewindandsteersmendirectourship.
IshouldhavegothomeatthattimeunharmedhadnottheNorthwindandthecurrentsbeenagainstmeasIwasdoublingCapeMalea,andsetmeoffmycoursehardbytheislandofCythera.
'Iwasdriventhencebyfoulwindsforaspaceofninedaysuponthesea,butonthetenthdaywereachedthelandoftheLotus-eaters,wholiveonafoodthatcomesfromakindofflower.
Herewelandedtotakeinfreshwater,andourcrewsgottheirmid-daymealontheshoreneartheships.
WhentheyhadeatenanddrunkIsenttwoofmycompanytoseewhatmannerofmenthepeopleoftheplacemightbe,andtheyhadathirdmanunderthem.
Theystartedatonce,andwentaboutamongtheLotus-eaters,whodidthemnohurt,butgavethemtoeatofthelotus,whichwassodeliciousthatthosewhoateofitleftoffcaringabouthome,anddidnotevenwanttogobackandsaywhathadhappenedtothem,butwereforstayingandmunchinglotus{77}withtheLotus-eaterswithout178of550TheOdysseythinkingfurtheroftheirreturn;nevertheless,thoughtheyweptbitterlyIforcedthembacktotheshipsandmadethemfastunderthebenches.
ThenItoldtheresttogoonboardatonce,lestanyofthemshouldtasteofthelotusandleaveoffwantingtogethome,sotheytooktheirplacesandsmotethegreyseawiththeiroars.
'Wesailedhence,alwaysinmuchdistress,tillwecametothelandofthelawlessandinhumanCyclopes.
NowtheCyclopesneitherplantnorplough,buttrustinprovidence,andliveonsuchwheat,barley,andgrapesasgrowwildwithoutanykindoftillage,andtheirwildgrapesyieldthemwineasthesunandtherainmaygrowthem.
Theyhavenolawsnorassembliesofthepeople,butliveincavesonthetopsofhighmountains;eachislordandmasterinhisfamily,andtheytakenoaccountoftheirneighbours.
'NowofftheirharbourthereliesawoodedandfertileislandnotquiteclosetothelandoftheCyclopes,butstillnotfar.
Itisover-runwithwildgoats,thatbreedthereingreatnumbersandareneverdisturbedbyfootofman;forsportsmen—whoasarulewillsuffersomuchhardshipinforestoramongmountainprecipices—donotgothere,noryetagainisiteverploughedorfeddown,butitliesawildernessuntilledandunsownfromyeartoyear,andhas179of550TheOdysseynolivingthinguponitbutonlygoats.
FortheCyclopeshavenoships,noryetshipwrightswhocouldmakeshipsforthem;theycannotthereforegofromcitytocity,orsailovertheseatooneanother'scountryaspeoplewhohaveshipscando;iftheyhadhadthesetheywouldhavecolonisedtheisland,{78}foritisaverygoodone,andwouldyieldeverythingindueseason.
Therearemeadowsthatinsomeplacescomerightdowntotheseashore,wellwateredandfulloflusciousgrass;grapeswoulddothereexcellently;thereislevellandforploughing,anditwouldalwaysyieldheavilyatharvesttime,forthesoilisdeep.
Thereisagoodharbourwherenocablesarewanted,noryetanchors,norneedashipbemoored,butallonehastodoistobeachone'svesselandstaytheretillthewindbecomesfairforputtingouttoseaagain.
Attheheadoftheharbourthereisaspringofclearwatercomingoutofacave,andtherearepoplarsgrowingallroundit.
'Hereweentered,butsodarkwasthenightthatsomegodmusthavebroughtusin,fortherewasnothingwhatevertobeseen.
Athickmisthungallroundourships;{79}themoonwashiddenbehindamassofcloudssothatnoonecouldhaveseentheislandifhehadlookedforit,norwerethereanybreakerstotelluswewerecloseinshorebeforewefoundourselvesuponthelanditself;180of550TheOdysseywhen,however,wehadbeachedtheships,wetookdownthesails,wentashoreandcampeduponthebeachtilldaybreak.
'Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawnappeared,weadmiredtheislandandwanderedalloverit,whilethenymphsJove'sdaughtersrousedthewildgoatsthatwemightgetsomemeatforourdinner.
Onthiswefetchedourspearsandbowsandarrowsfromtheships,anddividingourselvesintothreebandsbegantoshootthegoats.
Heavensentusexcellentsport;Ihadtwelveshipswithme,andeachshipgotninegoats,whilemyownshiphadten;thusthroughthelivelongdaytothegoingdownofthesunweateanddrankourfill,andwehadplentyofwineleft,foreachoneofushadtakenmanyjarsfullwhenwesackedthecityoftheCicons,andthishadnotyetrunout.
WhilewewerefeastingwekeptturningoureyestowardsthelandoftheCyclopes,whichwashardby,andsawthesmokeoftheirstubblefires.
Wecouldalmostfancyweheardtheirvoicesandthebleatingoftheirsheepandgoats,butwhenthesunwentdownanditcameondark,wecampeddownuponthebeach,andnextmorningIcalledacouncil.
''Stayhere,mybravefellows,'saidI,'alltherestofyou,whileIgowithmyshipandexploitthesepeople181of550TheOdysseymyself:Iwanttoseeiftheyareuncivilisedsavages,orahospitableandhumanerace.
''Iwentonboard,biddingmymentodosoalsoandloosethehawsers;sotheytooktheirplacesandsmotethegreyseawiththeiroars.
Whenwegottotheland,whichwasnotfar,there,onthefaceofacliffnearthesea,wesawagreatcaveoverhungwithlaurels.
Itwasastationforagreatmanysheepandgoats,andoutsidetherewasalargeyard,withahighwallrounditmadeofstonesbuiltintothegroundandoftreesbothpineandoak.
Thiswastheabodeofahugemonsterwhowasthenawayfromhomeshepherdinghisflocks.
Hewouldhavenothingtodowithotherpeople,butledthelifeofanoutlaw.
Hewasahorridcreature,notlikeahumanbeingatall,butresemblingrathersomecragthatstandsoutboldlyagainsttheskyonthetopofahighmountain.
'Itoldmymentodrawtheshipashore,andstaywheretheywere,allbutthetwelvebestamongthem,whoweretogoalongwithmyself.
IalsotookagoatskinofsweetblackwinewhichhadbeengivenmebyMaron,sonofEuanthes,whowaspriestofApollothepatrongodofIsmarus,andlivedwithinthewoodedprecinctsofthetemple.
Whenweweresackingthecitywerespectedhim,andsparedhislife,asalsohiswifeandchild;sohemade182of550TheOdysseymesomepresentsofgreatvalue—seventalentsoffinegold,andabowlofsilver,withtwelvejarsofsweetwine,unblended,andofthemostexquisiteflavour.
Notamannormaidinthehouseknewaboutit,butonlyhimself,hiswife,andonehousekeeper:whenhedrankithemixedtwentypartsofwatertooneofwine,andyetthefragrancefromthemixing-bowlwassoexquisitethatitwasimpossibletorefrainfromdrinking.
Ifilledalargeskinwiththiswine,andtookawalletfullofprovisionswithme,formymindmisgavemethatImighthavetodealwithsomesavagewhowouldbeofgreatstrength,andwouldrespectneitherrightnorlaw.
'Wesoonreachedhiscave,buthewasoutshepherding,sowewentinsideandtookstockofallthatwecouldsee.
Hischeese-rackswereloadedwithcheeses,andhehadmorelambsandkidsthanhispenscouldhold.
Theywerekeptinseparateflocks;firsttherewerethehoggets,thentheoldestoftheyoungerlambsandlastlytheveryyoungones{80}allkeptapartfromoneanother;asforhisdairy,allthevessels,bowls,andmilkpailsintowhichhemilked,wereswimmingwithwhey.
Whentheysawallthis,mymenbeggedmetoletthemfirststealsomecheeses,andmakeoffwiththemtotheship;theywouldthenreturn,drivedownthelambsandkids,put183of550TheOdysseythemonboardandsailawaywiththem.
ItwouldhavebeenindeedbetterifwehaddonesobutIwouldnotlistentothem,forIwantedtoseetheownerhimself,inthehopethathemightgivemeapresent.
When,however,wesawhimmypoormenfoundhimilltodealwith.
'Welitafire,offeredsomeofthecheesesinsacrifice,ateothersofthem,andthensatwaitingtilltheCyclopsshouldcomeinwithhissheep.
Whenhecame,hebroughtinwithhimahugeloadofdryfirewoodtolightthefireforhissupper,andthisheflungwithsuchanoiseontothefloorofhiscavethatwehidourselvesforfearatthefarendofthecavern.
Meanwhilehedrovealltheewesinside,aswellastheshe-goatsthathewasgoingtomilk,leavingthemales,bothramsandhe-goats,outsideintheyards.
Thenherolledahugestonetothemouthofthecave—sohugethattwoandtwentystrongfour-wheeledwaggonswouldnotbeenoughtodrawitfromitsplaceagainstthedoorway.
Whenhehadsodonehesatdownandmilkedhisewesandgoats,allinduecourse,andthenleteachofthemhaveherownyoung.
Hecurdledhalfthemilkandsetitasideinwickerstrainers,buttheotherhalfhepouredintobowlsthathemightdrinkitforhissupper.
Whenhehadgotthroughwithallhiswork,helitthefire,andthencaughtsightofus,whereonhesaid:184of550TheOdyssey''Strangers,whoareyouWheredosailfromAreyoutraders,ordoyousailtheseaasrovers,withyourhandsagainsteveryman,andeveryman'shandagainstyou''Wewerefrightenedoutofoursensesbyhisloudvoiceandmonstrousform,butImanagedtosay,'WeareAchaeansonourwayhomefromTroy,butbythewillofJove,andstressofweather,wehavebeendrivenfaroutofourcourse.
WearethepeopleofAgamemnon,sonofAtreus,whohaswoninfiniterenownthroughoutthewholeworld,bysackingsogreatacityandkillingsomanypeople.
Wethereforehumblyprayyoutoshowussomehospitality,andotherwisemakeussuchpresentsasvisitorsmayreasonablyexpect.
Mayyourexcellencyfearthewrathofheaven,forweareyoursuppliants,andJovetakesallrespectabletravellersunderhisprotection,forheistheavengerofallsuppliantsandforeignersindistress.
''Tothishegavemebutapitilessanswer,'Stranger,'saidhe,'youareafool,orelseyouknownothingofthiscountry.
Talktome,indeed,aboutfearingthegodsorshunningtheirangerWeCyclopesdonotcareaboutJoveoranyofyourblessedgods,forweareeversomuchstrongerthanthey.
IshallnotspareeitheryourselforyourcompanionsoutofanyregardforJove,unlessIaminthe185of550TheOdysseyhumourfordoingso.
Andnowtellmewhereyoumadeyourshipfastwhenyoucameonshore.
Wasitroundthepoint,orisshelyingstraightofftheland''Hesaidthistodrawmeout,butIwastoocunningtobecaughtinthatway,soIansweredwithalie;'Neptune,'saidI,'sentmyshipontotherocksatthefarendofyourcountry,andwreckedit.
Weweredrivenontothemfromtheopensea,butIandthosewhoarewithmeescapedthejawsofdeath.
''Thecruelwretchvouchsafedmenotonewordofanswer,butwithasuddenclutchhegrippeduptwoofmymenatonceanddashedthemdownuponthegroundasthoughtheyhadbeenpuppies.
Theirbrainswereshedupontheground,andtheearthwaswetwiththeirblood.
Thenhetorethemlimbfromlimbandsuppeduponthem.
Hegobbledthemuplikealioninthewilderness,flesh,bones,marrow,andentrails,withoutleavinganythinguneaten.
Asforus,weweptandliftedupourhandstoheavenonseeingsuchahorridsight,forwedidnotknowwhatelsetodo;butwhentheCyclopshadfilledhishugepaunch,andhadwasheddownhismealofhumanfleshwithadrinkofneatmilk,hestretchedhimselffulllengthuponthegroundamonghissheep,andwenttosleep.
Iwasatfirstinclinedtoseizemysword,drawit,anddrive186of550TheOdysseyitintohisvitals,butIreflectedthatifIdidweshouldallcertainlybelost,forweshouldneverbeabletoshiftthestonewhichthemonsterhadputinfrontofthedoor.
Sowestayedsobbingandsighingwhereweweretillmorningcame.
'Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingereddawn,appeared,heagainlithisfire,milkedhisgoatsandewes,allquiterightly,andthenleteachhaveherownyoungone;assoonashehadgotthroughwithallhiswork,heclutcheduptwomoreofmymen,andbeganeatingthemforhismorning'smeal.
Presently,withtheutmostease,herolledthestoneawayfromthedooranddroveouthissheep,butheatonceputitbackagain—aseasilyasthoughheweremerelyclappingthelidontoaquiverfullofarrows.
Assoonashehaddonesoheshouted,andcried'Shoo,shoo,'afterhissheeptodrivethemontothemountain;soIwaslefttoschemesomewayoftakingmyrevengeandcoveringmyselfwithglory.
'IntheendIdeemeditwouldbethebestplantodoasfollows:TheCyclopshadagreatclubwhichwaslyingnearoneofthesheeppens;itwasofgreenolivewood,andhehadcutitintendingtouseitforastaffassoonasitshouldbedry.
Itwassohugethatwecouldonlycompareittothemastofatwenty-oaredmerchantvesseloflarge187of550TheOdysseyburden,andabletoventureoutintoopensea.
Iwentuptothisclubandcutoffaboutsixfeetofit;Ithengavethispiecetothemenandtoldthemtofineitevenlyoffatoneend,whichtheyproceededtodo,andlastlyIbroughtittoapointmyself,charringtheendinthefiretomakeitharder.
WhenIhaddonethisIhiditunderdung,whichwaslyingaboutalloverthecave,andtoldthementocastlotswhichofthemshouldventurealongwithmyselftoliftitandboreitintothemonster'seyewhilehewasasleep.
ThelotfellupontheveryfourwhomIshouldhavechosen,andImyselfmadefive.
Intheeveningthewretchcamebackfromshepherding,anddrovehisflocksintothecave—thistimedrivingthemallinside,andnotleavinganyintheyards;Isupposesomefancymusthavetakenhim,oragodmusthavepromptedhimtodoso.
Assoonashehadputthestonebacktoitsplaceagainstthedoor,hesatdown,milkedhisewesandhisgoatsallquiterightly,andthenleteachhaveherownyoungone;whenhehadgotthroughwithallthiswork,hegrippeduptwomoreofmymen,andmadehissupperoffthem.
SoIwentuptohimwithanivy-woodbowlofblackwineinmyhands:''Lookhere,Cyclops,'saidI,youhavebeeneatingagreatdealofman'sflesh,sotakethisanddrinksome188of550TheOdysseywine,thatyoumayseewhatkindofliquorwehadonboardmyship.
Iwasbringingittoyouasadrink-offering,inthehopethatyouwouldtakecompassionuponmeandfurthermeonmywayhome,whereasallyoudoistogoonrampingandravingmostintolerably.
Yououghttobeashamedofyourself;howcanyouexpectpeopletocomeseeyouanymoreifyoutreattheminthisway''Hethentookthecupanddrank.
Hewassodelightedwiththetasteofthewinethathebeggedmeforanotherbowlfull.
'Besokind,'hesaid,'astogivemesomemore,andtellmeyournameatonce.
Iwanttomakeyouapresentthatyouwillbegladtohave.
Wehavewineeveninthiscountry,foroursoilgrowsgrapesandthesunripensthem,butthisdrinkslikeNectarandAmbrosiaallinone.
''Ithengavehimsomemore;threetimesdidIfillthebowlforhim,andthreetimesdidhedrainitwithoutthoughtorheed;then,whenIsawthatthewinehadgotintohishead,IsaidtohimasplausiblyasIcould:'Cyclops,youaskmynameandIwilltellityou;giveme,therefore,thepresentyoupromisedme;mynameisNoman;thisiswhatmyfatherandmotherandmyfriendshavealwayscalledme.
'189of550TheOdyssey'Butthecruelwretchsaid,'ThenIwilleatallNoman'scomradesbeforeNomanhimself,andwillkeepNomanforthelast.
ThisisthepresentthatIwillmakehim.
''Ashespokehereeled,andfellsprawlingfaceupwardsontheground.
Hisgreatneckhungheavilybackwardsandadeepsleeptookholduponhim.
Presentlyheturnedsick,andthrewupbothwineandthegobbetsofhumanfleshonwhichhehadbeengorging,forhewasverydrunk.
ThenIthrustthebeamofwoodfarintotheemberstoheatit,andencouragedmymenlestanyofthemshouldturnfaint-hearted.
Whenthewood,greenthoughitwas,wasabouttoblaze,Idrewitoutofthefireglowingwithheat,andmymengatheredroundme,forheavenhadfilledtheirheartswithcourage.
Wedrovethesharpendofthebeamintothemonster'seye,andbearinguponitwithallmyweightIkeptturningitroundandroundasthoughIwereboringaholeinaship'splankwithanauger,whichtwomenwithawheelandstrapcankeeponturningaslongastheychoose.
Eventhusdidweboretheredhotbeamintohiseye,tilltheboilingbloodbubbledalloveritasweworkeditroundandround,sothatthesteamfromtheburningeyeballscaldedhiseyelidsandeyebrows,andtherootsoftheeyesputteredinthefire.
Asablacksmithplungesanaxeor190of550TheOdysseyhatchetintocoldwatertotemperit—foritisthisthatgivesstrengthtotheiron—anditmakesagreathissashedoesso,eventhusdidtheCyclops'eyehissroundthebeamofolivewood,andhishideousyellsmadethecaveringagain.
Weranawayinafright,buthepluckedthebeamallbesmirchedwithgorefromhiseye,andhurleditfromhiminafrenzyofrageandpain,shoutingashedidsototheotherCyclopeswholivedonthebleakheadlandsnearhim;sotheygatheredfromallquartersroundhiscavewhentheyheardhimcrying,andaskedwhatwasthematterwithhim.
''Whatailsyou,Polyphemus,'saidthey,'thatyoumakesuchanoise,breakingthestillnessofthenight,andpreventingusfrombeingabletosleepSurelynomaniscarryingoffyoursheepSurelynomanistryingtokillyoueitherbyfraudorbyforce''ButPolyphemusshoutedtothemfrominsidethecave,'Nomaniskillingmebyfraud;nomaniskillingmebyforce.
'''Then,'saidthey,'ifnomanisattackingyou,youmustbeill;whenJovemakespeopleill,thereisnohelpforit,andyouhadbetterpraytoyourfatherNeptune.
''Thentheywentaway,andIlaughedinwardlyatthesuccessofmycleverstratagem,buttheCyclops,groaning191of550TheOdysseyandinanagonyofpain,feltaboutwithhishandstillhefoundthestoneandtookitfromthedoor;thenhesatinthedoorwayandstretchedhishandsinfrontofittocatchanyonegoingoutwiththesheep,forhethoughtImightbefoolishenoughtoattemptthis.
'AsformyselfIkeptonpuzzlingtothinkhowIcouldbestsavemyownlifeandthoseofmycompanions;Ischemedandschemed,asonewhoknowsthathislifedependsuponit,forthedangerwasverygreat.
IntheendIdeemedthatthisplanwouldbethebest;themalesheepwerewellgrown,andcarriedaheavyblackfleece,soIboundthemnoiselesslyinthreestogether,withsomeofthewithiesonwhichthewickedmonsterusedtosleep.
Therewastobeamanunderthemiddlesheep,andthetwooneithersideweretocoverhim,sothattherewerethreesheeptoeachman.
Asformyselftherewasaramfinerthananyoftheothers,soIcaughtholdofhimbytheback,esconcedmyselfinthethickwoolunderhisbelly,andhungonpatientlytohisfleece,faceupwards,keepingafirmholdonitallthetime.
'Thus,then,didwewaitingreatfearofmindtillmorningcame,butwhenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,themalesheephurriedouttofeed,whiletheewesremainedbleatingaboutthepens192of550TheOdysseywaitingtobemilked,fortheirudderswerefulltobursting;buttheirmasterinspiteofallhispainfeltthebacksofallthesheepastheystoodupright,withoutbeingsharpenoughtofindoutthatthemenwereunderneaththeirbellies.
Astheramwasgoingout,lastofall,heavywithitsfleeceandwiththeweightofmycraftyself,Polyphemuslaidholdofitandsaid:''Mygoodram,whatisitthatmakesyouthelasttoleavemycavethismorningYouarenotwonttolettheewesgobeforeyou,butleadthemobwitharunwhethertoflowerymeadorbubblingfountain,andarethefirsttocomehomeagainatnight;butnowyoulaglastofall.
Isitbecauseyouknowyourmasterhaslosthiseye,andaresorrybecausethatwickedNomanandhishorridcrewhasgothimdowninhisdrinkandblindedhimButIwillhavehislifeyet.
Ifyoucouldunderstandandtalk,youwouldtellmewherethewretchishiding,andIwoulddashhisbrainsuponthegroundtilltheyflewalloverthecave.
Ishouldthushavesomesatisfactionfortheharmthisno-goodNomanhasdoneme.
''Ashespokehedrovetheramoutside,butwhenwewerealittlewayoutfromthecaveandyards,Ifirstgotfromundertheram'sbelly,andthenfreedmycomrades;asforthesheep,whichwereveryfat,byconstantly193of550TheOdysseyheadingthemintherightdirectionwemanagedtodrivethemdowntotheship.
Thecrewrejoicedgreatlyatseeingthoseofuswhohadescapeddeath,butweptfortheotherswhomtheCyclopshadkilled.
However,Imadesignstothembynoddingandfrowningthattheyweretohushtheircrying,andtoldthemtogetallthesheeponboardatonceandputouttosea;sotheywentaboard,tooktheirplaces,andsmotethegreyseawiththeiroars.
Then,whenIhadgotasfaroutasmyvoicewouldreach,IbegantojeerattheCyclops.
''Cyclops,'saidI,'youshouldhavetakenbettermeasureofyourmanbeforeeatinguphiscomradesinyourcave.
Youwretch,eatupyourvisitorsinyourownhouseYoumighthaveknownthatyoursinwouldfindyouout,andnowJoveandtheothergodshavepunishedyou.
''Hegotmoreandmorefuriousasheheardme,sohetorethetopfromoffahighmountain,andflungitjustinfrontofmyshipsothatitwaswithinalittleofhittingtheendoftherudder.
{81}Theseaquakedastherockfellintoit,andthewashofthewaveitraisedcarriedusbacktowardsthemainland,andforcedustowardstheshore.
ButIsnatchedupalongpoleandkepttheshipoff,makingsignstomymenbynoddingmyhead,thatthey194of550TheOdysseymustrowfortheirlives,whereontheylaidoutwithawill.
Whenwehadgottwiceasfaraswewerebefore,IwasforjeeringattheCyclopsagain,butthemenbeggedandprayedofmetoholdmytongue.
''Donot,'theyexclaimed,'bemadenoughtoprovokethissavagecreaturefurther;hehasthrownonerockatusalreadywhichdroveusbackagaintothemainland,andwemadesureithadbeenthedeathofus;ifhehadthenheardanyfurthersoundofvoiceshewouldhavepoundedourheadsandourship'stimbersintoajellywiththeruggedrockshewouldhaveheavedatus,forhecanthrowthemalongway.
''ButIwouldnotlistentothem,andshoutedouttohiminmyrage,'Cyclops,ifanyoneasksyouwhoitwasthatputyoureyeoutandspoiledyourbeauty,sayitwasthevaliantwarriorUlysses,sonofLaertes,wholivesinIthaca.
''Onthishegroaned,andcriedout,'Alas,alas,thentheoldprophecyaboutmeiscomingtrue.
Therewasaprophethere,atonetime,amanbothbraveandofgreatstature,TelemussonofEurymus,whowasanexcellentseer,anddidalltheprophesyingfortheCyclopestillhegrewold;hetoldmethatallthiswouldhappentomesomeday,andsaidIshouldlosemysightbythehandof195of550TheOdysseyUlysses.
Ihavebeenallalongexpectingsomeoneofimposingpresenceandsuperhumanstrength,whereasheturnsouttobealittleinsignificantweakling,whohasmanagedtoblindmyeyebytakingadvantageofmeinmydrink;comehere,then,Ulysses,thatImaymakeyoupresentstoshowmyhospitality,andurgeNeptunetohelpyouforwardonyourjourney—forNeptuneandIarefatherandson.
He,ifhesowill,shallhealme,whichnooneelseneithergodnormancando.
''ThenIsaid,'IwishIcouldbeassureofkillingyououtrightandsendingyoudowntothehouseofHades,asIamthatitwilltakemorethanNeptunetocurethateyeofyours.
''Onthishelifteduphishandstothefirmamentofheavenandprayed,saying,'Hearme,greatNeptune;ifIamindeedyourowntruebegottenson,grantthatUlyssesmayneverreachhishomealive;orifhemustgetbacktohisfriendsatlast,lethimdosolateandinsoreplightafterlosingallhismen[lethimreachhishomeinanotherman'sshipandfindtroubleinhishouse.
']{82}'Thusdidhepray,andNeptuneheardhisprayer.
Thenhepickeduparockmuchlargerthanthefirst,swungitaloftandhurleditwithprodigiousforce.
Itfelljustshortoftheship,butwaswithinalittleofhittingtheendofthe196of550TheOdysseyrudder.
Theseaquakedastherockfellintoit,andthewashofthewaveitraiseddroveusonwardsonourwaytowardstheshoreoftheisland.
'Whenatlastwegottotheislandwherewehadlefttherestofourships,wefoundourcomradeslamentingus,andanxiouslyawaitingourreturn.
Weranourvesseluponthesandsandgotoutofherontotheseashore;wealsolandedtheCyclops'sheep,anddividedthemequitablyamongstussothatnonemighthavereasontocomplain.
Asfortheram,mycompanionsagreedthatIshouldhaveitasanextrashare;soIsacrificeditontheseashore,andburneditsthighbonestoJove,whoisthelordofall.
Butheheedednotmysacrifice,andonlythoughthowhemightdestroybothmyshipsandmycomrades.
'Thusthroughthelivelongdaytothegoingdownofthesunwefeastedourfillonmeatanddrink,butwhenthesunwentdownanditcameondark,wecampeduponthebeach.
Whenthechildofmorningrosy-fingeredDawnappeared,Ibademymenonboardandloosethehawsers.
Thentheytooktheirplacesandsmotethegreyseawiththeiroars;sowesailedonwithsorrowinourhearts,butgladtohaveescapeddeaththoughwehadlostourcomrades.
197of550TheOdysseyBookXAEOLUS,THELAESTRYGONES,CIRCE.
'ThencewewentontotheAeolianislandwherelivesAeolussonofHippotas,deartotheimmortalgods.
Itisanislandthatfloats(asitwere)uponthesea,{83}ironboundwithawallthatgirdsit.
Now,Aeolushassixdaughtersandsixlustysons,sohemadethesonsmarrythedaughters,andtheyalllivewiththeirdearfatherandmother,feastingandenjoyingeveryconceivablekindofluxury.
Alldaylongtheatmosphereofthehouseisloadedwiththesavourofroastingmeatstillitgroansagain,yardandall;butbynighttheysleepontheirwellmadebedsteads,eachwithhisownwifebetweentheblankets.
Thesewerethepeopleamongwhomwehadnowcome.
'AeolusentertainedmeforawholemonthaskingmequestionsallthetimeaboutTroy,theArgivefleet,andthereturnoftheAchaeans.
Itoldhimexactlyhoweverythinghadhappened,andwhenIsaidImustgo,andaskedhimtofurthermeonmyway,hemadenosortofdifficulty,butsetaboutdoingsoatonce.
Moreover,heflayedmeaprimeox-hidetoholdthewaysoftheroaringwinds,198of550TheOdysseywhichheshutupinthehideasinasack—forJovehadmadehimcaptainoverthewinds,andhecouldstirorstilleachoneofthemaccordingtohisownpleasure.
Heputthesackintheshipandboundthemouthsotightlywithasilverthreadthatnotevenabreathofaside-windcouldblowfromanyquarter.
TheWestwindwhichwasfairforusdidhealoneletblowasitchose;butitallcametonothing,forwewerelostthroughourownfolly.
'Ninedaysandninenightsdidwesail,andonthetenthdayournativelandshowedonthehorizon.
Wegotsocloseinthatwecouldseethestubblefiresburning,andI,beingthendeadbeat,fellintoalightsleep,forIhadneverlettherudderoutofmyownhands,thatwemightgethomethefaster.
Onthisthemenfelltotalkingamongthemselves,andsaidIwasbringingbackgoldandsilverinthesackthatAeolushadgivenme.
'Blessmyheart,'wouldoneturntohisneighbour,saying,'howthismangetshonouredandmakesfriendstowhatevercityorcountryhemaygo.
SeewhatfineprizesheistakinghomefromTroy,whilewe,whohavetravelledjustasfarashehas,comebackwithhandsasemptyaswesetoutwith—andnowAeolushasgivenhimeversomuchmore.
Quick—letusseewhatitallis,andhowmuchgoldandsilverthereisinthesackhegavehim.
'199of550TheOdyssey'Thustheytalkedandevilcounselsprevailed.
Theyloosedthesack,whereuponthewindflewhowlingforthandraisedastormthatcarriedusweepingouttoseaandawayfromourowncountry.
ThenIawoke,andknewnotwhethertothrowmyselfintotheseaortoliveonandmakethebestofit;butIboreit,coveredmyselfup,andlaydownintheship,whilethemenlamentedbitterlyasthefiercewindsboreourfleetbacktotheAeolianisland.
'Whenwereacheditwewentashoretotakeinwater,anddinedhardbytheships.
ImmediatelyafterdinnerItookaheraldandoneofmymenandwentstraighttothehouseofAeolus,whereIfoundhimfeastingwithhiswifeandfamily;sowesatdownassuppliantsonthethreshold.
Theywereastoundedwhentheysawusandsaid,'Ulysses,whatbringsyouhereWhatgodhasbeenill-treatingyouWetookgreatpainstofurtheryouonyourwayhometoIthaca,orwhereveritwasthatyouwantedtogoto.
''Thusdidtheyspeak,butIansweredsorrowfully,'Mymenhaveundoneme;they,andcruelsleep,haveruinedme.
Myfriends,mendmethismischief,foryoucanifyouwill.
''IspokeasmovinglyasIcould,buttheysaidnothing,tilltheirfatheranswered,'Vilestofmankind,getyou200of550TheOdysseygoneatonceoutoftheisland;himwhomheavenhateswillIinnowisehelp.
Beoff,foryoucomehereasoneabhorredofheaven.
'Andwiththesewordshesentmesorrowingfromhisdoor.
'Thencewesailedsadlyontillthemenwerewornoutwithlongandfruitlessrowing,fortherewasnolongeranywindtohelpthem.
Sixdays,nightanddaydidwetoil,andontheseventhdaywereachedtherockystrongholdofLamus—Telepylus,thecityoftheLaestrygonians,wheretheshepherdwhoisdrivinginhissheepandgoats[tobemilked]saluteshimwhoisdrivingouthisflock[tofeed]andthislastanswersthesalute.
Inthatcountryamanwhocoulddowithoutsleepmightearndoublewages,oneasaherdsmanofcattle,andanotherasashepherd,fortheyworkmuchthesamebynightastheydobyday.
{84}'Whenwereachedtheharbourwefounditland-lockedundersteepcliffs,withanarrowentrancebetweentwoheadlands.
Mycaptainstookalltheirshipsinside,andmadethemfastclosetooneanother,fortherewasneversomuchasabreathofwindinside,butitwasalwaysdeadcalm.
Ikeptmyownshipoutside,andmooredittoarockattheveryendofthepoint;thenIclimbedahighrocktoreconnoitre,butcouldseenosignneitherofman201of550TheOdysseynorcattle,onlysomesmokerisingfromtheground.
SoIsenttwoofmycompanywithanattendanttofindoutwhatsortofpeopletheinhabitantswere.
'Themenwhentheygotonshorefollowedalevelroadbywhichthepeopledrawtheirfirewoodfromthemountainsintothetown,tillpresentlytheymetayoungwomanwhohadcomeoutsidetofetchwater,andwhowasdaughtertoaLaestrygoniannamedAntiphates.
ShewasgoingtothefountainArtaciafromwhichthepeoplebringintheirwater,andwhenmymenhadcomecloseuptoher,theyaskedherwhothekingofthatcountrymightbe,andoverwhatkindofpeopleheruled;soshedirectedthemtoherfather'shouse,butwhentheygottheretheyfoundhiswifetobeagiantessashugeasamountain,andtheywerehorrifiedatthesightofher.
'SheatoncecalledherhusbandAntiphatesfromtheplaceofassembly,andforthwithhesetaboutkillingmymen.
Hesnatcheduponeofthem,andbegantomakehisdinneroffhimthenandthere,whereontheothertworanbacktotheshipsasfastasevertheycould.
ButAntiphatesraisedahue-and-cryafterthem,andthousandsofsturdyLaestrygonianssprangupfromeveryquarter—ogres,notmen.
Theythrewvastrocksatusfromthecliffsasthoughtheyhadbeenmerestones,andIheardthe202of550TheOdysseyhorridsoundoftheshipscrunchingupagainstoneanother,andthedeathcriesofmymen,astheLaestrygoniansspearedthemlikefishesandtookthemhometoeatthem.
WhiletheywerethuskillingmymenwithintheharbourIdrewmysword,cutthecableofmyownship,andtoldmymentorowwithalltheirmightiftheytoowouldnotfareliketherest;sotheylaidoutfortheirlives,andwewerethankfulenoughwhenwegotintoopenwateroutofreachoftherockstheyhurledatus.
Asfortheotherstherewasnotoneofthemleft.
'Thencewesailedsadlyon,gladtohaveescapeddeath,thoughwehadlostourcomrades,andcametotheAeaeanisland,whereCircelives—agreatandcunninggoddesswhoisownsistertothemagicianAeetes—fortheyarebothchildrenofthesunbyPerse,whoisdaughtertoOceanus.
Webroughtourshipintoasafeharbourwithoutaword,forsomegodguidedusthither,andhavinglandedwelaytherefortwodaysandtwonights,wornoutinbodyandmind.
WhenthemorningofthethirddaycameItookmyspearandmysword,andwentawayfromtheshiptoreconnoitre,andseeifIcoulddiscoversignsofhumanhandiwork,orhearthesoundofvoices.
Climbingtothetopofahighlook-outIespiedthesmokeofCirce'shouserisingupwardsamidadense203of550TheOdysseyforestoftrees,andwhenIsawthisIdoubtedwhether,havingseenthesmoke,Iwouldnotgoonatonceandfindoutmore,butintheendIdeemeditbesttogobacktotheship,givethementheirdinners,andsendsomeoftheminsteadofgoingmyself.
'WhenIhadnearlygotbacktotheshipsomegodtookpityuponmysolitude,andsentafineantleredstagrightintothemiddleofmypath.
Hewascomingdownhispastureintheforesttodrinkoftheriver,fortheheatofthesundrovehim,andashepassedIstruckhiminthemiddleoftheback;thebronzepointofthespearwentcleanthroughhim,andhelaygroaninginthedustuntilthelifewentoutofhim.
ThenIsetmyfootuponhim,drewmyspearfromthewound,andlaiditdown;Ialsogatheredroughgrassandrushesandtwistedthemintoafathomorsoofgoodstoutrope,withwhichIboundthefourfeetofthenoblecreaturetogether;havingsodoneIhunghimroundmyneckandwalkedbacktotheshipleaninguponmyspear,forthestagwasmuchtoobigformetobeabletocarryhimonmyshoulder,steadyinghimwithonehand.
AsIthrewhimdowninfrontoftheship,Icalledthemenandspokecheeringlymanbymantoeachofthem.
'Lookheremyfriends,'saidI,'wearenotgoingtodiesomuchbeforeourtimeafterall,andatanyratewe204of550TheOdysseywillnotstarvesolongaswehavegotsomethingtoeatanddrinkonboard.
'Onthistheyuncoveredtheirheadsupontheseashoreandadmiredthestag,forhewasindeedasplendidfellow.
Then,whentheyhadfeastedtheireyesuponhimsufficiently,theywashedtheirhandsandbegantocookhimfordinner.
'Thusthroughthelivelongdaytothegoingdownofthesunwestayedthereeatinganddrinkingourfill,butwhenthesunwentdownanditcameondark,wecampedupontheseashore.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,Icalledacouncilandsaid,'Myfriends,weareinverygreatdifficulties;listenthereforetome.
Wehavenoideawherethesuneithersetsorrises,{85}sothatwedonotevenknowEastfromWest.
Iseenowayoutofit;nevertheless,wemusttryandfindone.
Wearecertainlyonanisland,forIwentashighasIcouldthismorning,andsawtheseareachingallroundittothehorizon;itlieslow,buttowardsthemiddleIsawsmokerisingfromoutofathickforestoftrees.
''Theirheartssankastheyheardme,fortheyrememberedhowtheyhadbeentreatedbytheLaestrygonianAntiphates,andbythesavageogrePolyphemus.
Theyweptbitterlyintheirdismay,buttherewasnothingtobegotbycrying,soIdividedtheminto205of550TheOdysseytwocompaniesandsetacaptainovereach;IgaveonecompanytoEurylochus,whileItookcommandoftheothermyself.
Thenwecastlotsinahelmet,andthelotfelluponEurylochus;sohesetoutwithhistwenty-twomen,andtheywept,asalsodidwewhowereleftbehind.
'WhentheyreachedCirce'shousetheyfounditbuiltofcutstones,onasitethatcouldbeseenfromfar,inthemiddleoftheforest.
Therewerewildmountainwolvesandlionsprowlingallroundit—poorbewitchedcreatureswhomshehadtamedbyherenchantmentsanddruggedintosubjection.
Theydidnotattackmymen,butwaggedtheirgreattails,fawneduponthem,andrubbedtheirnoseslovinglyagainstthem.
{86}Ashoundscrowdroundtheirmasterwhentheyseehimcomingfromdinner—fortheyknowhewillbringthemsomething—evensodidthesewolvesandlionswiththeirgreatclawsfawnuponmymen,butthemenwereterriblyfrightenedatseeingsuchstrangecreatures.
Presentlytheyreachedthegatesofthegoddess'shouse,andastheystoodtheretheycouldhearCircewithin,singingmostbeautifullyassheworkedatherloom,makingawebsofine,sosoft,andofsuchdazzlingcoloursasnoonebutagoddesscouldweave.
OnthisPolites,whomIvaluedandtrustedmorethananyotherofmymen,said,'Thereissomeone206of550TheOdysseyinsideworkingataloomandsingingmostbeautifully;thewholeplaceresoundswithit,letuscallherandseewhethersheiswomanorgoddess.
''Theycalledherandshecamedown,unfastenedthedoor,andbadethementer.
They,thinkingnoevil,followedher,allexceptEurylochus,whosuspectedmischiefandstaidoutside.
Whenshehadgotthemintoherhouse,shesetthemuponbenchesandseatsandmixedthemamesswithcheese,honey,meal,andPramnianwine,butshedruggeditwithwickedpoisonstomakethemforgettheirhomes,andwhentheyhaddrunksheturnedthemintopigsbyastrokeofherwand,andshutthemupinherpig-styes.
Theywerelikepigs—head,hair,andall,andtheygruntedjustaspigsdo;buttheirsenseswerethesameasbefore,andtheyrememberedeverything.
'Thusthenweretheyshutupsquealing,andCircethrewthemsomeacornsandbeechmastssuchaspigseat,butEurylochushurriedbacktotellmeaboutthesadfateofourcomrades.
Hewassoovercomewithdismaythatthoughhetriedtospeakhecouldfindnowordstodoso;hiseyesfilledwithtearsandhecouldonlysobandsigh,tillatlastweforcedhisstoryoutofhim,andhetolduswhathadhappenedtotheothers.
207of550TheOdyssey''Wewent,'saidhe,'asyoutoldus,throughtheforest,andinthemiddleofittherewasafinehousebuiltwithcutstonesinaplacethatcouldbeseenfromfar.
Therewefoundawoman,orelseshewasagoddess,workingatherloomandsingingsweetly;sothemenshoutedtoherandcalledher,whereonsheatoncecamedown,openedthedoor,andinvitedusin.
Theothersdidnotsuspectanymischiefsotheyfollowedherintothehouse,butIstaidwhereIwas,forIthoughttheremightbesometreachery.
FromthatmomentIsawthemnomore,fornotoneofthemevercameout,thoughIsatalongtimewatchingforthem.
''ThenItookmyswordofbronzeandslungitovermyshoulders;Ialsotookmybow,andtoldEurylochustocomebackwithmeandshewmetheway.
Buthelaidholdofmewithbothhishandsandspokepiteously,saying,'Sir,donotforcemetogowithyou,butletmestayhere,forIknowyouwillnotbringoneofthembackwithyou,norevenreturnaliveyourself;letusratherseeifwecannotescapeatanyratewiththefewthatareleftus,forwemaystillsaveourlives.
'''Staywhereyouare,then,'answeredI,'eatinganddrinkingattheship,butImustgo,forIammosturgentlyboundtodoso.
'208of550TheOdyssey'WiththisIlefttheshipandwentupinland.
WhenIgotthroughthecharmedgrove,andwasnearthegreathouseoftheenchantressCirce,ImetMercurywithhisgoldenwand,disguisedasayoungmaninthehey-dayofhisyouthandbeautywiththedownjustcominguponhisface.
Hecameuptomeandtookmyhandwithinhisown,saying,'Mypoorunhappyman,whitherareyougoingoverthismountaintop,aloneandwithoutknowingthewayYourmenareshutupinCirce'spigstyes,likesomanywildboarsintheirlairs.
YousurelydonotfancythatyoucansetthemfreeIcantellyouthatyouwillnevergetbackandwillhavetostaytherewiththerestofthem.
Butnevermind,Iwillprotectyouandgetyououtofyourdifficulty.
Takethisherb,whichisoneofgreatvirtue,andkeepitaboutyouwhenyougotoCirce'shouse,itwillbeatalismantoyouagainsteverykindofmischief.
''AndIwilltellyouofallthewickedwitchcraftthatCircewilltrytopracticeuponyou.
Shewillmixamessforyoutodrink,andshewilldrugthemealwithwhichshemakesit,butshewillnotbeabletocharmyou,forthevirtueoftheherbthatIshallgiveyouwillpreventherspellsfromworking.
Iwilltellyouallaboutit.
WhenCircestrikesyouwithherwand,drawyourswordand209of550TheOdysseyspringuponherasthoughyouweregoingtokillher.
Shewillthenbefrightened,andwilldesireyoutogotobedwithher;onthisyoumustnotpointblankrefuseher,foryouwanthertosetyourcompanionsfree,andtotakegoodcarealsoofyourself,butyoumustmakeherswearsolemnlybyalltheblessedgodsthatshewillplotnofurthermischiefagainstyou,orelsewhenshehasgotyounakedshewillunmanyouandmakeyoufitfornothing.
''Ashespokehepulledtheherboutofthegroundandshewedmewhatitwaslike.
Therootwasblack,whiletheflowerwasaswhiteasmilk;thegodscallitMoly,andmortalmencannotuprootit,butthegodscandowhatevertheylike.
'ThenMercurywentbacktohighOlympuspassingoverthewoodedisland;butIfaredonwardtothehouseofCirce,andmyheartwascloudedwithcareasIwalkedalong.
WhenIgottothegatesIstoodthereandcalledthegoddess,andassoonassheheardmeshecamedown,openedthedoor,andaskedmetocomein;soIfollowedher—muchtroubledinmymind.
Shesetmeonarichlydecoratedseatinlaidwithsilver,therewasafootstoolalsoundermyfeet,andshemixedamessinagoldengobletformetodrink;butshedruggedit,forshemeantmemischief.
Whenshehadgivenitme,andIhaddrunkit210of550TheOdysseywithoutitscharmingme,shestruckmewithherwand.
'Therenow,'shecried,'beofftothepigstye,andmakeyourlairwiththerestofthem.
''ButIrushedatherwithmysworddrawnasthoughIwouldkillher,whereonshefellwithaloudscream,claspedmyknees,andspokepiteously,saying,'WhoandwhenceareyoufromwhatplaceandpeoplehaveyoucomeHowcanitbethatmydrugshavenopowertocharmyouNeveryetwasanymanabletostandsomuchasatasteoftheherbIgaveyou;youmustbespell-proof;surelyyoucanbenoneotherthantheboldheroUlysses,whoMercuryalwayssaidwouldcomeheresomedaywithhisshipwhileonhiswayhomefromTroy;sobeitthen;sheatheyourswordandletusgotobed,thatwemaymakefriendsandlearntotrusteachother.
''AndIanswered,'Circe,howcanyouexpectmetobefriendlywithyouwhenyouhavejustbeenturningallmymenintopigsAndnowthatyouhavegotmeheremyself,youmeanmemischiefwhenyouaskmetogotobedwithyou,andwillunmanmeandmakemefitfornothing.
Ishallcertainlynotconsenttogotobedwithyouunlessyouwillfirsttakeyoursolemnoathtoplotnofurtherharmagainstme.
'211of550TheOdyssey'SoshesworeatonceasIhadtoldher,andwhenshehadcompletedheroaththenIwenttobedwithher.
'Meanwhileherfourservants,whoareherhousemaids,setabouttheirwork.
Theyarethechildrenofthegrovesandfountains,andoftheholywatersthatrundownintothesea.
Oneofthemspreadafairpurpleclothoveraseat,andlaidacarpetunderneathit.
Anotherbroughttablesofsilveruptotheseats,andsetthemwithbasketsofgold.
Athirdmixedsomesweetwinewithwaterinasilverbowlandputgoldencupsuponthetables,whilethefourthbroughtinwaterandsetittoboilinalargecauldronoveragoodfirewhichshehadlighted.
Whenthewaterinthecauldronwasboiling,{87}shepouredcoldintoittillitwasjustasIlikedit,andthenshesetmeinabathandbeganwashingmefromthecauldronabouttheheadandshoulders,totakethetireandstiffnessoutofmylimbs.
Assoonasshehaddonewashingmeandanointingmewithoil,shearrayedmeinagoodcloakandshirtandledmetoarichlydecoratedseatinlaidwithsilver;therewasafootstoolalsoundermyfeet.
Amaidservantthenbroughtmewaterinabeautifulgoldenewerandpoureditintoasilverbasinformetowashmyhands,andshedrewacleantablebesideme;anupperservantbroughtmebreadandofferedmemanythingsofwhat212of550TheOdysseytherewasinthehouse,andthenCircebademeeat,butIwouldnot,andsatwithoutheedingwhatwasbeforeme,stillmoodyandsuspicious.
'WhenCircesawmesittingtherewithouteating,andingreatgrief,shecametomeandsaid,'Ulysses,whydoyousitlikethatasthoughyouweredumb,gnawingatyourownheart,andrefusingbothmeatanddrinkIsitthatyouarestillsuspiciousYououghtnottobe,forIhavealreadyswornsolemnlythatIwillnothurtyou.
''AndIsaid,'Circe,nomanwithanysenseofwhatisrightcanthinkofeithereatingordrinkinginyourhouseuntilyouhavesethisfriendsfreeandlethimseethem.
Ifyouwantmetoeatanddrink,youmustfreemymenandbringthemtomethatImayseethemwithmyowneyes.
''WhenIhadsaidthisshewentstraightthroughthecourtwithherwandinherhandandopenedthepigstyedoors.
Mymencameoutlikesomanyprimehogsandstoodlookingather,butshewentaboutamongthemandanointedeachwithaseconddrug,whereonthebristlesthatthebaddrughadgiventhemfelloff,andtheybecamemenagain,youngerthantheywerebefore,andmuchtallerandbetterlooking.
Theyknewmeatonce,seizedmeeachofthembythehand,andweptforjoytillthewholehousewasfilledwiththesoundoftheirhalloa-213of550TheOdysseyballooing,andCirceherselfwassosorryforthemthatshecameuptomeandsaid,'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,gobackatoncetotheseawhereyouhaveleftyourship,andfirstdrawitontotheland.
Then,hideallyourship'sgearandpropertyinsomecave,andcomebackherewithyourmen.
''Iagreedtothis,soIwentbacktotheseashore,andfoundthemenattheshipweepingandwailingmostpiteously.
Whentheysawmethesillyblubberingfellowsbeganfriskingroundmeascalvesbreakoutandgambolroundtheirmothers,whentheyseethemcominghometobemilkedaftertheyhavebeenfeedingallday,andthehomesteadresoundswiththeirlowing.
TheyseemedasgladtoseemeasthoughtheyhadgotbacktotheirownruggedIthaca,wheretheyhadbeenbornandbred.
'Sir,'saidtheaffectionatecreatures,'weareasgladtoseeyoubackasthoughwehadgotsafehometoIthaca;buttellusallaboutthefateofourcomrades.
''Ispokecomfortinglytothemandsaid,'Wemustdrawourshipontotheland,andhidetheship'sgearwithallourpropertyinsomecave;thencomewithmeallofyouasfastasyoucantoCirce'shouse,whereyouwillfindyourcomradeseatinganddrinkinginthemidstofgreatabundance.
'214of550TheOdyssey'Onthisthemenwouldhavecomewithmeatonce,butEurylochustriedtoholdthembackandsaid,'Alas,poorwretchesthatweare,whatwillbecomeofusRushnotonyourruinbygoingtothehouseofCirce,whowillturnusallintopigsorwolvesorlions,andweshallhavetokeepguardoverherhouse.
RememberhowtheCyclopstreateduswhenourcomradeswentinsidehiscave,andUlysseswiththem.
Itwasallthroughhissheerfollythatthosemenlosttheirlives.
''WhenIheardhimIwasintwomindswhetherornotodrawthekeenbladethathungbymysturdythighandcuthisheadoffinspiteofhisbeinganearrelationofmyown;butthemenintercededforhimandsaid,'Sir,ifitmaysobe,letthisfellowstayhereandmindtheship,buttaketherestofuswithyoutoCirce'shouse.
''Onthisweallwentinland,andEurylochuswasnotleftbehindafterall,butcameontoo,forhewasfrightenedbytheseverereprimandthatIhadgivenhim.
'MeanwhileCircehadbeenseeingthatthemenwhohadbeenleftbehindwerewashedandanointedwitholiveoil;shehadalsogiventhemwoollencloaksandshirts,andwhenwecamewefoundthemallcomfortablyatdinnerinherhouse.
Assoonasthemensaweachotherfacetofaceandknewoneanother,theyweptforjoyand215of550TheOdysseycriedaloudtillthewholepalacerangagain.
ThereonCircecameuptomeandsaid,'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,tellyourmentoleaveoffcrying;Iknowhowmuchyouhaveallofyousufferedatsea,andhowillyouhavefaredamongcruelsavagesonthemainland,butthatisovernow,sostayhere,andeatanddrinktillyouareoncemoreasstrongandheartyasyouwerewhenyouleftIthaca;foratpresentyouareweakenedbothinbodyandmind;youkeepallthetimethinkingofthehardshipsyouhavesufferedduringyourtravels,sothatyouhavenomorecheerfulnessleftinyou.
''Thusdidshespeakandweassented.
WestayedwithCirceforawholetwelvemonthfeastinguponanuntoldquantitybothofmeatandwine.
Butwhentheyearhadpassedinthewaningofmoonsandthelongdayshadcomeround,mymencalledmeapartandsaid,'Sir,itistimeyoubegantothinkaboutgoinghome,ifsobeyouaretobesparedtoseeyourhouseandnativecountryatall.
''ThusdidtheyspeakandIassented.
Thereonthroughthelivelongdaytothegoingdownofthesunwefeastedourfillonmeatandwine,butwhenthesunwentdownanditcameondarkthemenlaidthemselvesdowntosleepinthecoveredcloisters.
I,however,afterIhadgot216of550TheOdysseyintobedwithCirce,besoughtherbyherknees,andthegoddesslistenedtowhatIhadgottosay.
'Circe,'saidI,'pleasetokeepthepromiseyoumademeaboutfurtheringmeonmyhomewardvoyage.
Iwanttogetbackandsodomymen,theyarealwayspesteringmewiththeircomplaintsassoonaseveryourbackisturned.
''Andthegoddessanswered,'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,youshallnoneofyoustayhereanylongerifyoudonotwantto,butthereisanotherjourneywhichyouhavegottotakebeforeyoucansailhomewards.
YoumustgotothehouseofHadesandofdreadProserpinetoconsulttheghostoftheblindThebanprophetTeiresias,whosereasonisstillunshaken.
TohimalonehasProserpinelefthisunderstandingevenindeath,buttheotherghostsflitaboutaimlessly.
''IwasdismayedwhenIheardthis.
Isatupinbedandwept,andwouldgladlyhavelivednolongertoseethelightofthesun,butpresentlywhenIwastiredofweepingandtossingmyselfabout,Isaid,'Andwhoshallguidemeuponthisvoyage—forthehouseofHadesisaportthatnoshipcanreach.
'''Youwillwantnoguide,'sheanswered;'raiseyourmast,setyourwhitesails,sitquitestill,andtheNorthWindwillblowyouthereofitself.
Whenyourshiphas217of550TheOdysseytraversedthewatersofOceanus,youwillreachthefertileshoreofProserpine'scountrywithitsgrovesoftallpoplarsandwillowsthatshedtheirfruituntimely;herebeachyourshipupontheshoreofOceanus,andgostraightontothedarkabodeofHades.
YouwillfinditneartheplacewheretheriversPyriphlegethonandCocytus(whichisabranchoftheriverStyx)flowintoAcheron,andyouwillseearocknearit,justwherethetworoaringriversrunintooneanother.
''Whenyouhavereachedthisspot,asInowtellyou,digatrenchacubitorsoinlength,breadth,anddepth,andpourintoitasadrink-offeringtoallthedead,first,honeymixedwithmilk,thenwine,andinthethirdplacewater—sprinklingwhitebarleymealoverthewhole.
Moreoveryoumustoffermanyprayerstothepoorfeebleghosts,andpromisethemthatwhenyougetbacktoIthacayouwillsacrificeabarrenheifertothem,thebestyouhave,andwillloadthepyrewithgoodthings.
MoreparticularlyyoumustpromisethatTeiresiasshallhaveablacksheepalltohimself,thefinestinallyourflocks.
''Whenyoushallhavethusbesoughttheghostswithyourprayers,offerthemaramandablackewe,bendingtheirheadstowardsErebus;butyourselfturnawayfromthemasthoughyouwouldmaketowardstheriver.
On218of550TheOdysseythis,manydeadmen'sghostswillcometoyou,andyoumusttellyourmentoskinthetwosheepthatyouhavejustkilled,andofferthemasaburntsacrificewithprayerstoHadesandtoProserpine.
Thendrawyourswordandsitthere,soastopreventanyotherpoorghostfromcomingnearthespiltbloodbeforeTeiresiasshallhaveansweredyourquestions.
Theseerwillpresentlycometoyou,andwilltellyouaboutyourvoyage—whatstagesyouaretomake,andhowyouaretosailtheseasoastoreachyourhome.
''Itwasday-breakbythetimeshehaddonespeaking,soshedressedmeinmyshirtandcloak.
Asforherselfshethrewabeautifullightgossamerfabricoverhershoulders,fasteningitwithagoldengirdleroundherwaist,andshecoveredherheadwithamantle.
ThenIwentaboutamongthemeneverywherealloverthehouse,andspokekindlytoeachofthemmanbyman:'Youmustnotliesleepinghereanylonger,'saidItothem,'wemustbegoing,forCircehastoldmeallaboutit.
'AndonthistheydidasIbadethem.
'Evenso,however,Ididnotgetthemawaywithoutmisadventure.
WehadwithusacertainyouthnamedElpenor,notveryremarkableforsenseorcourage,whohadgotdrunkandwaslyingonthehouse-topawayfrom219of550TheOdysseytherestofthemen,tosleepoffhisliquorinthecool.
Whenheheardthenoiseofthemenbustlingabout,hejumpeduponasuddenandforgotallaboutcomingdownbythemainstaircase,sohetumbledrightofftheroofandbrokehisneck,andhissoulwentdowntothehouseofHades.
'WhenIhadgotthementogetherIsaidtothem,'Youthinkyouareabouttostarthomeagain,butCircehasexplainedtomethatinsteadofthis,wehavegottogotothehouseofHadesandProserpinetoconsulttheghostoftheThebanprophetTeiresias.
''Themenwerebroken-heartedastheyheardme,andthrewthemselvesonthegroundgroaningandtearingtheirhair,buttheydidnotmendmattersbycrying.
Whenwereachedtheseashore,weepingandlamentingourfate,Circebroughttheramandtheewe,andwemadethemfasthardbytheship.
Shepassedthroughthemidstofuswithoutourknowingit,forwhocanseethecomingsandgoingsofagod,ifthegoddoesnotwishtobeseen220of550TheOdysseyBookXITHEVISITTOTHEDEAD.
{88}'Then,whenwehadgotdowntotheseashorewedrewourshipintothewaterandgothermastandsailsintoher;wealsoputthesheeponboardandtookourplaces,weepingandingreatdistressofmind.
Circe,thatgreatandcunninggoddess,sentusafairwindthatblewdeadaftandstaidsteadilywithuskeepingoursailsallthetimewellfilled;sowedidwhateverwanteddoingtotheship'sgearandlethergoasthewindandhelmsmanheadedher.
Alldaylonghersailswerefullassheheldhercourseoverthesea,butwhenthesunwentdownanddarknesswasoveralltheearth,wegotintothedeepwatersoftheriverOceanus,whereliethelandandcityoftheCimmerianswholiveenshroudedinmistanddarknesswhichtheraysofthesunneverpierceneitherathisrisingnorashegoesdownagainoutoftheheavens,butthepoorwretchesliveinonelongmelancholynight.
Whenwegottherewebeachedtheship,tookthesheepoutofher,andwentalongbythewatersofOceanustillwecametotheplaceofwhichCircehadtoldus.
221of550TheOdyssey'HerePerimedesandEurylochusheldthevictims,whileIdrewmyswordanddugthetrenchacubiteachway.
Imadeadrink-offeringtoallthedead,firstwithhoneyandmilk,thenwithwine,andthirdlywithwater,andIsprinkledwhitebarleymealoverthewhole,prayingearnestlytothepoorfecklessghosts,andpromisingthemthatwhenIgotbacktoIthacaIwouldsacrificeabarrenheiferforthem,thebestIhad,andwouldloadthepyrewithgoodthings.
IalsoparticularlypromisedthatTeiresiasshouldhaveablacksheeptohimself,thebestinallmyflocks.
WhenIhadprayedsufficientlytothedead,Icutthethroatsofthetwosheepandletthebloodrunintothetrench,whereontheghostscametroopingupfromErebus—brides,{89}youngbachelors,oldmenwornoutwithtoil,maidswhohadbeencrossedinlove,andbravemenwhohadbeenkilledinbattle,withtheirarmourstillsmirchedwithblood;theycamefromeveryquarterandflittedroundthetrenchwithastrangekindofscreamingsoundthatmademeturnpalewithfear.
WhenIsawthemcomingItoldthementobequickandflaythecarcassesofthetwodeadsheepandmakeburntofferingsofthem,andatthesametimetorepeatprayerstoHadesandtoProserpine;butIsatwhereIwaswithmysworddrawnandwouldnotletthepoorfecklessghostscome222of550TheOdysseynearthebloodtillTeiresiasshouldhaveansweredmyquestions.
'ThefirstghostthatcamewasthatofmycomradeElpenor,forhehadnotyetbeenlaidbeneaththeearth.
WehadlefthisbodyunwakedandunburiedinCirce'shouse,forwehadhadtoomuchelsetodo.
Iwasverysorryforhim,andcriedwhenIsawhim:'Elpenor,'saidI,'howdidyoucomedownhereintothisgloomanddarknessYouhavegothereonfootquickerthanIhavewithmyship.
'''Sir,'heansweredwithagroan,'itwasallbadluck,andmyownunspeakabledrunkenness.
IwaslyingasleeponthetopofCirce'shouse,andneverthoughtofcomingdownagainbythegreatstaircasebutfellrightofftheroofandbrokemyneck,somysoulcamedowntothehouseofHades.
AndnowIbeseechyoubyallthosewhomyouhaveleftbehindyou,thoughtheyarenothere,byyourwife,bythefatherwhobroughtyouupwhenyouwereachild,andbyTelemachuswhoistheonehopeofyourhouse,dowhatIshallnowaskyou.
IknowthatwhenyouleavethislimboyouwillagainholdyourshipfortheAeaeanisland.
Donotgothenceleavingmeunwakedandunburiedbehindyou,orImaybringheaven'sangeruponyou;butburnmewithwhateverarmourIhave,builda223of550TheOdysseybarrowformeontheseashore,thatmaytellpeopleindaystocomewhatapoorunluckyfellowIwas,andplantovermygravetheoarIusedtorowwithwhenIwasyetaliveandwithmymessmates.
'AndIsaid,'Mypoorfellow,Iwilldoallthatyouhaveaskedofme.
''Thus,then,didwesitandholdsadtalkwithoneanother,Iontheonesideofthetrenchwithmyswordheldovertheblood,andtheghostofmycomradesayingallthistomefromtheotherside.
ThencametheghostofmydeadmotherAnticlea,daughtertoAutolycus.
IhadleftheralivewhenIsetoutforTroyandwasmovedtotearswhenIsawher,butevenso,forallmysorrowIwouldnotlethercomenearthebloodtillIhadaskedmyquestionsofTeiresias.
'ThencamealsotheghostofThebanTeiresias,withhisgoldensceptreinhishand.
Heknewmeandsaid,'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,why,poorman,haveyouleftthelightofdayandcomedowntovisitthedeadinthissadplaceStandbackfromthetrenchandwithdrawyourswordthatImaydrinkofthebloodandansweryourquestionstruly.
''SoIdrewback,andsheathedmysword,whereonwhenhehaddrankofthebloodhebeganwithhisprophecy.
224of550TheOdyssey''Youwanttoknow,'saidhe,'aboutyourreturnhome,butheavenwillmakethishardforyou.
IdonotthinkthatyouwillescapetheeyeofNeptune,whostillnurseshisbittergrudgeagainstyouforhavingblindedhisson.
Still,aftermuchsufferingyoumaygethomeifyoucanrestrainyourselfandyourcompanionswhenyourshipreachestheThrinacianisland,whereyouwillfindthesheepandcattlebelongingtothesun,whoseesandgiveseartoeverything.
Ifyouleavetheseflocksunharmedandthinkofnothingbutofgettinghome,youmayyetaftermuchhardshipreachIthaca;butifyouharmthem,thenIforewarnyouofthedestructionbothofyourshipandofyourmen.
Eventhoughyoumayyourselfescape,youwillreturninbadplightafterlosingallyourmen,[inanotherman'sship,andyouwillfindtroubleinyourhouse,whichwillbeoverrunbyhigh-handedpeople,whoaredevouringyoursubstanceunderthepretextofpayingcourtandmakingpresentstoyourwife.
''Whenyougethomeyouwilltakeyourrevengeonthesesuitors;andafteryouhavekilledthembyforceorfraudinyourownhouse,youmusttakeawellmadeoarandcarryitonandon,tillyoucometoacountrywherethepeoplehaveneverheardoftheseaanddonotevenmixsaltwiththeirfood,nordotheyknowanythingabout225of550TheOdysseyships,andoarsthatareasthewingsofaship.
Iwillgiveyouthiscertaintokenwhichcannotescapeyournotice.
Awayfarerwillmeetyouandwillsayitmustbeawinnowingshovelthatyouhavegotuponyourshoulder;onthisyoumustfixtheoarinthegroundandsacrificearam,abull,andaboartoNeptune.
{90}Thengohomeandofferhecatombstoallthegodsinheavenoneaftertheother.
Asforyourself,deathshallcometoyoufromthesea,andyourlifeshallebbawayverygentlywhenyouarefullofyearsandpeaceofmind,andyourpeopleshallblessyou.
AllthatIhavesaidwillcometrue].
'{91}''This,'Ianswered,'mustbeasitmaypleaseheaven,buttellmeandtellmeandtellmetrue,Iseemypoormother'sghostclosebyus;sheissittingbythebloodwithoutsayingaword,andthoughIamherownsonshedoesnotremembermeandspeaktome;tellme,Sir,howIcanmakeherknowme.
'''That,'saidhe,'Icansoondo.
Anyghostthatyoulettasteofthebloodwilltalkwithyoulikeareasonablebeing,butifyoudonotletthemhaveanybloodtheywillgoawayagain.
''OnthistheghostofTeiresiaswentbacktothehouseofHades,forhisprophecyingshadnowbeenspoken,butIsatstillwhereIwasuntilmymothercameupandtasted226of550TheOdysseytheblood.
Thensheknewmeatonceandspokefondlytome,saying,'Myson,howdidyoucomedowntothisabodeofdarknesswhileyouarestillaliveItisahardthingforthelivingtoseetheseplaces,forbetweenusandthemtherearegreatandterriblewaters,andthereisOceanus,whichnomancancrossonfoot,buthemusthaveagoodshiptotakehim.
AreyouallthistimetryingtofindyourwayhomefromTroy,andhaveyouneveryetgotbacktoIthacanorseenyourwifeinyourownhouse'''Mother,'saidI,'IwasforcedtocomeheretoconsulttheghostoftheThebanprophetTeiresias.
IhaveneveryetbeenneartheAchaeanlandnorsetfootonmynativecountry,andIhavehadnothingbutonelongseriesofmisfortunesfromtheveryfirstdaythatIsetoutwithAgamemnonforIlius,thelandofnoblesteeds,tofighttheTrojans.
Buttellme,andtellmetrue,inwhatwaydidyoudieDidyouhavealongillness,ordidheavenvouchsafeyouagentleeasypassagetoeternityTellmealsoaboutmyfather,andthesonwhomIleftbehindme,ismypropertystillintheirhands,orhassomeoneelsegotholdofit,whothinksthatIshallnotreturntoclaimitTellmeagainwhatmywifeintendsdoing,andinwhatmindsheis;doesshelivewithmysonandguardmy227of550TheOdysseyestatesecurely,orhasshemadethebestmatchshecouldandmarriedagain''Mymotheranswered,'Yourwifestillremainsinyourhouse,butsheisingreatdistressofmindandspendsherwholetimeintearsbothnightandday.
Nooneasyethasgotpossessionofyourfineproperty,andTelemachusstillholdsyourlandsundisturbed.
Hehastoentertainlargely,asofcoursehemust,consideringhispositionasamagistrate,{92}andhoweveryoneinviteshim;yourfatherremainsathisoldplaceinthecountryandnevergoesnearthetown.
Hehasnocomfortablebednorbedding;inthewinterhesleepsonthefloorinfrontofthefirewiththemenandgoesaboutallinrags,butinsummer,whenthewarmweathercomesonagain,heliesoutinthevineyardonabedofvineleavesthrownanyhowupontheground.
Hegrievescontinuallyaboutyourneverhavingcomehome,andsuffersmoreandmoreashegrowsolder.
Asformyownenditwasinthiswise:heavendidnottakemeswiftlyandpainlesslyinmyownhouse,norwasIattackedbyanyillnesssuchasthosethatgenerallywearpeopleoutandkillthem,butmylongingtoknowwhatyouweredoingandtheforceofmyaffectionforyou—thisitwasthatwasthedeathofme.
'{93}228of550TheOdyssey'ThenItriedtofindsomewayofembracingmypoormother'sghost.
ThriceIsprangtowardsherandtriedtoclaspherinmyarms,buteachtimesheflittedfrommyembraceasitwereadreamorphantom,andbeingtouchedtothequickIsaidtoher,'Mother,whydoyounotstaystillwhenIwouldembraceyouIfwecouldthrowourarmsaroundoneanotherwemightfindsadcomfortinthesharingofoursorrowseveninthehouseofHades;doesProserpinewanttolayastillfurtherloadofgriefuponmebymockingmewithaphantomonly'''Myson,'sheanswered,'mostill-fatedofallmankind,itisnotProserpinethatisbeguilingyou,butallpeoplearelikethiswhentheyaredead.
Thesinewsnolongerholdthefleshandbonestogether;theseperishinthefiercenessofconsumingfireassoonaslifehasleftthebody,andthesoulflitsawayasthoughitwereadream.
Now,however,gobacktothelightofdayassoonasyoucan,andnoteallthesethingsthatyoumaytellthemtoyourwifehereafter.
''Thusdidweconverse,andanonProserpinesentuptheghostsofthewivesanddaughtersofallthemostfamousmen.
Theygatheredincrowdsabouttheblood,andIconsideredhowImightquestionthemseverally.
IntheendIdeemedthatitwouldbebesttodrawthekeen229of550TheOdysseybladethathungbymysturdythigh,andkeepthemfromalldrinkingthebloodatonce.
Sotheycameuponeaftertheother,andeachoneasIquestionedhertoldmeherraceandlineage.
'ThefirstIsawwasTyro.
ShewasdaughterofSalmoneusandwifeofCretheusthesonofAeolus.
{94}ShefellinlovewiththeriverEnipeuswhoismuchthemostbeautifulriverinthewholeworld.
Oncewhenshewastakingawalkbyhissideasusual,Neptune,disguisedasherlover,laywithheratthemouthoftheriver,andahugebluewavearcheditselflikeamountainoverthemtohidebothwomanandgod,whereonheloosedhervirgingirdleandlaidherinadeepslumber.
Whenthegodhadaccomplishedthedeedoflove,hetookherhandinhisownandsaid,'Tyro,rejoiceinallgoodwill;theembracesofthegodsarenotfruitless,andyouwillhavefinetwinsaboutthistimetwelvemonths.
Takegreatcareofthem.
IamNeptune,sonowgohome,butholdyourtongueanddonottellanyone.
''Thenhedivedunderthesea,andsheinduecourseborePeliasandNeleus,whobothofthemservedJovewithalltheirmight.
PeliaswasagreatbreederofsheepandlivedinIolcus,buttheotherlivedinPylos.
Therest230of550TheOdysseyofherchildrenwerebyCretheus,namely,Aeson,Pheres,andAmythaon,whowasamightywarriorandcharioteer.
'NexttoherIsawAntiope,daughtertoAsopus,whocouldboastofhavingsleptinthearmsofevenJovehimself,andwhoborehimtwosonsAmphionandZethus.
ThesefoundedThebeswithitssevengates,andbuiltawallallroundit;forstrongthoughtheyweretheycouldnotholdThebestilltheyhadwalledit.
'ThenIsawAlcmena,thewifeofAmphitryon,whoalsoboretoJoveindomitableHercules;andMegarawhowasdaughtertogreatKingCreon,andmarriedtheredoubtablesonofAmphitryon.
'IalsosawfairEpicastemotherofkingOedipodeswhoseawfullotitwastomarryherownsonwithoutsuspectingit.
Hemarriedherafterhavingkilledhisfather,butthegodsproclaimedthewholestorytotheworld;whereonheremainedkingofThebes,ingreatgriefforthespitethegodshadbornehim;butEpicastewenttothehouseofthemightyjailorHades,havinghangedherselfforgrief,andtheavengingspiritshauntedhimasforanoutragedmother—tohisruingbitterlythereafter.
'ThenIsawChloris,whomNeleusmarriedforherbeauty,havinggivenpricelesspresentsforher.
ShewasyoungestdaughtertoAmphionsonofIasusandkingof231of550TheOdysseyMinyanOrchomenus,andwasQueeninPylos.
SheboreNestor,Chromius,andPericlymenus,andshealsoborethatmarvellouslylovelywomanPero,whowaswooedbyallthecountryround;butNeleuswouldonlygivehertohimwhoshouldraidthecattleofIphiclesfromthegrazinggroundsofPhylace,andthiswasahardtask.
Theonlymanwhowouldundertaketoraidthemwasacertainexcellentseer,{95}butthewillofheavenwasagainsthim,fortherangersofthecattlecaughthimandputhiminprison;neverthelesswhenafullyearhadpassedandthesameseasoncameroundagain,Iphiclessethimatliberty,afterhehadexpoundedalltheoraclesofheaven.
Thus,then,wasthewillofJoveaccomplished.
'AndIsawLedathewifeofTyndarus,whoborehimtwofamoussons,Castorbreakerofhorses,andPolluxthemightyboxer.
Boththeseheroesarelyingundertheearth,thoughtheyarestillalive,forbyaspecialdispensationofJove,theydieandcometolifeagain,eachoneofthemeveryotherdaythroughoutalltime,andtheyhavetherankofgods.
'AfterherIsawIphimedeiawifeofAloeuswhoboastedtheembraceofNeptune.
SheboretwosonsOtusandEphialtes,butbothwereshortlived.
Theywerethefinestchildrenthatwereeverborninthisworld,andthe232of550TheOdysseybestlooking,Oriononlyexcepted;foratnineyearsoldtheywereninefathomshigh,andmeasuredninecubitsroundthechest.
TheythreatenedtomakewarwiththegodsinOlympus,andtriedtosetMountOssaonthetopofMountOlympus,andMountPeliononthetopofOssa,thattheymightscaleheavenitself,andtheywouldhavedoneittooiftheyhadbeengrownup,butApollo,sonofLeto,killedbothofthem,beforetheyhadgotsomuchasasignofhairupontheircheeksorchin.
'ThenIsawPhaedra,andProcris,andfairAriadnedaughterofthemagicianMinos,whomTheseuswascarryingofffromCretetoAthens,buthedidnotenjoyher,forbeforehecoulddosoDianakilledherintheislandofDiaonaccountofwhatBacchushadsaidagainsther.
'IalsosawMaeraandClymeneandhatefulEriphyle,whosoldherownhusbandforgold.
ButitwouldtakemeallnightifIweretonameeverysingleoneofthewivesanddaughtersofheroeswhomIsaw,anditistimeformetogotobed,eitheronboardshipwithmycrew,orhere.
Asformyescort,heavenandyourselveswillseetoit.
'Hereheended,andtheguestssatallofthementhralledandspeechlessthroughoutthecoveredcloister.
ThenAretesaidtothem:—233of550TheOdyssey'Whatdoyouthinkofthisman,OPhaeaciansIshenottallandgoodlooking,andishenotcleverTrue,heismyownguest,butallofyoushareinthedistinction.
Donotbeinahurrytosendhimaway,norniggardlyinthepresentsyoumaketoonewhoisinsuchgreatneed,forheavenhasblessedallofyouwithgreatabundance.
'ThenspoketheagedheroEcheneuswhowasoneoftheoldestmenamongthem,'Myfriends,'saidhe,'whatouraugustqueenhasjustsaidtousisbothreasonableandtothepurpose,thereforebepersuadedbyit;butthedecisionwhetherinwordordeedrestsultimatelywithKingAlcinous.
''Thethingshallbedone,'exclaimedAlcinous,'assurelyasIstillliveandreignoverthePhaeacians.
Ourguestisindeedveryanxioustogethome,stillwemustpersuadehimtoremainwithusuntilto-morrow,bywhichtimeIshallbeabletogettogetherthewholesumthatImeantogivehim.
Asregardshisescortitwillbeamatterforyouall,andmineaboveallothersasthechiefpersonamongyou.
'AndUlyssesanswered,'KingAlcinous,ifyouweretobidmetostayhereforawholetwelvemonths,andthenspeedmeonmyway,loadedwithyournoblegifts,Ishouldobeyyougladlyanditwouldredoundgreatlyto234of550TheOdysseymyadvantage,forIshouldreturnfuller-handedtomyownpeople,andshouldthusbemorerespectedandbelovedbyallwhoseemewhenIgetbacktoIthaca.
''Ulysses,'repliedAlcinous,'notoneofuswhoseesyouhasanyideathatyouareacharlatanoraswindler.
Iknowtherearemanypeoplegoingaboutwhotellsuchplausiblestoriesthatitisveryhardtoseethroughthem,butthereisastyleaboutyourlanguagewhichassuresmeofyourgooddisposition.
Moreoveryouhavetoldthestoryofyourownmisfortunes,andthoseoftheArgives,asthoughyouwereapracticedbard;buttellme,andtellmetrue,whetheryousawanyofthemightyheroeswhowenttoTroyatthesametimewithyourself,andperishedthere.
Theeveningsarestillattheirlongest,anditisnotyetbedtime—goon,therefore,withyourdivinestory,forIcouldstayherelisteningtilltomorrowmorning,solongasyouwillcontinuetotellusofyouradventures.
''Alcinous,'answeredUlysses,'thereisatimeformakingspeeches,andatimeforgoingtobed;nevertheless,sinceyousodesire,IwillnotrefrainfromtellingyouthestillsaddertaleofthoseofmycomradeswhodidnotfallfightingwiththeTrojans,butperishedontheirreturn,throughthetreacheryofawickedwoman.
235of550TheOdyssey'WhenProserpinehaddismissedthefemaleghostsinalldirections,theghostofAgamemnonsonofAtreuscamesadlyuptome,surroundedbythosewhohadperishedwithhiminthehouseofAegisthus.
Assoonashehadtastedtheblood,heknewme,andweepingbitterlystretchedouthisarmstowardsmetoembraceme;buthehadnostrengthnorsubstanceanymore,andItooweptandpitiedhimasIbeheldhim.
'Howdidyoucomebyyourdeath,'saidI,'KingAgamemnonDidNeptuneraisehiswindsandwavesagainstyouwhenyouwereatsea,ordidyourenemiesmakeanendofyouonthemainlandwhenyouwerecattle-liftingorsheep-stealing,orwhiletheywerefightingindefenceoftheirwivesandcity'''Ulysses,'heanswered,'noblesonofLaertes,IwasnotlostatseainanystormofNeptune'sraising,nordidmyfoesdespatchmeuponthemainland,butAegisthusandmywickedwifewerethedeathofmebetweenthem.
Heaskedmetohishouse,feastedme,andthenbutcheredmemostmiserablyasthoughIwereafatbeastinaslaughterhouse,whileallaroundmemycomradeswereslainlikesheeporpigsfortheweddingbreakfast,orpicnic,orgorgeousbanquetofsomegreatnobleman.
Youmusthaveseennumbersofmenkilledeitherinageneral236of550TheOdysseyengagement,orinsinglecombat,butyouneversawanythingsotrulypitiableasthewayinwhichwefellinthatcloister,withthemixingbowlandtheloadedtableslyingallabout,andthegroundreekingwithourblood.
IheardPriam'sdaughterCassandrascreamasClytemnestrakilledherclosebesideme.
Ilaydyingupontheearthwiththeswordinmybody,andraisedmyhandstokilltheslutofamurderess,butsheslippedawayfromme;shewouldnotevenclosemylipsnormyeyeswhenIwasdying,forthereisnothinginthisworldsocruelandsoshamelessasawomanwhenshehasfallenintosuchguiltasherswas.
Fancymurderingherownhusband!
IthoughtIwasgoingtobewelcomedhomebymychildrenandmyservants,butherabominablecrimehasbroughtdisgraceonherselfandallwomenwhoshallcomeafter—evenonthegoodones.
''AndIsaid,'IntruthJovehashatedthehouseofAtreusfromfirsttolastinthematteroftheirwomen'scounsels.
SeehowmanyofusfellforHelen'ssake,andnowitseemsthatClytemnestrahatchedmischiefagainstyoutooduringyourabsence.
'''Besure,therefore,'continuedAgamemnon,'andnotbetoofriendlyevenwithyourownwife.
Donottellherallthatyouknowperfectlywellyourself.
Tellherapart237of550TheOdysseyonly,andkeepyourowncounselabouttherest.
Notthatyourwife,Ulysses,islikelytomurderyou,forPenelopeisaveryadmirablewoman,andhasanexcellentnature.
WeleftherayoungbridewithaninfantatherbreastwhenwesetoutforTroy.
Thischildnodoubtisnowgrownuphappilytoman'sestate,{96}andheandhisfatherwillhaveajoyfulmeetingandembraceoneanotherasitisrighttheyshoulddo,whereasmywickedwifedidnotevenallowmethehappinessoflookinguponmyson,butkilledmeereIcoulddoso.
FurthermoreIsay—andlaymysayingtoyourheart—donottellpeoplewhenyouarebringingyourshiptoIthaca,butstealamarchuponthem,forafterallthisthereisnotrustingwomen.
Butnowtellme,andtellmetrue,canyougivemeanynewsofmysonOrestesIsheinOrchomenus,oratPylos,orisheatSpartawithMenelaus—forIpresumethatheisstillliving.
''AndIsaid,'Agamemnon,whydoyouaskmeIdonotknowwhetheryoursonisaliveordead,anditisnotrighttotalkwhenonedoesnotknow.
''AswetwosatweepingandtalkingthussadlywithoneanothertheghostofAchillescameuptouswithPatroclus,Antilochus,andAjaxwhowasthefinestandgoodliestmanofalltheDanaansafterthesonofPeleus.
238of550TheOdysseyThefleetdescendantofAeacusknewmeandspokepiteously,saying,'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,whatdeedofdaringwillyouundertakenext,thatyouventuredowntothehouseofHadesamongussillydead,whoarebuttheghostsofthemthatcanlabournomore''AndIsaid,'Achilles,sonofPeleus,foremostchampionoftheAchaeans,IcametoconsultTeiresias,andseeifhecouldadvisemeaboutmyreturnhometoIthaca,forIhaveneveryetbeenabletogetneartheAchaeanland,nortosetfootinmyowncountry,buthavebeenintroubleallthetime.
Asforyou,Achilles,noonewaseveryetsofortunateasyouhavebeen,noreverwillbe,foryouwereadoredbyallusArgivesaslongasyouwerealive,andnowthatyouarehereyouareagreatprinceamongthedead.
Donot,therefore,takeitsomuchtoheartevenifyouaredead.
'''Saynotaword,'heanswered,'indeath'sfavour;Iwouldratherbeapaidservantinapoorman'shouseandbeabovegroundthankingofkingsamongthedead.
Butgivemenewsaboutmyson;ishegonetothewarsandwillhebeagreatsoldier,oristhisnotsoTellmealsoifyouhaveheardanythingaboutmyfatherPeleus—doeshestillruleamongtheMyrmidons,ordotheyshowhimnorespectthroughoutHellasandPhthianowthatheisold239of550TheOdysseyandhislimbsfailhimCouldIbutstandbyhisside,inthelightofday,withthesamestrengththatIhadwhenIkilledthebravestofourfoesupontheplainofTroy—couldIbutbeasIthenwasandgoevenforashorttimetomyfather'shouse,anyonewhotriedtodohimviolenceorsupersedehimwouldsoonrueit.
'''Ihaveheardnothing,'Ianswered,'ofPeleus,butIcantellyouallaboutyoursonNeoptolemus,forItookhiminmyownshipfromScyroswiththeAchaeans.
InourcouncilsofwarbeforeTroyhewasalwaysfirsttospeak,andhisjudgementwasunerring.
NestorandIweretheonlytwowhocouldsurpasshim;andwhenitcametofightingontheplainofTroy,hewouldneverremainwiththebodyofhismen,butwoulddashonfarinfront,foremostofthemallinvalour.
Manyamandidhekillinbattle—IcannotnameeverysingleoneofthosewhomheslewwhilefightingonthesideoftheArgives,butwillonlysayhowhekilledthatvaliantheroEurypylussonofTelephus,whowasthehandsomestmanIeversawexceptMemnon;manyothersalsooftheCeteiansfellaroundhimbyreasonofawoman'sbribes.
Moreover,whenallthebravestoftheArgiveswentinsidethehorsethatEpeushadmade,anditwaslefttometosettlewhenweshouldeitheropenthedoorofourambuscade,orcloseit,240of550TheOdysseythoughalltheotherleadersandchiefmenamongtheDanaansweredryingtheireyesandquakingineverylimb,Ineveroncesawhimturnpalenorwipeatearfromhischeek;hewasallthetimeurgingmetobreakoutfromthehorse—graspingthehandleofhisswordandhisbronze-shodspear,andbreathingfuryagainstthefoe.
YetwhenwehadsackedthecityofPriamhegothishandsomeshareoftheprizemoneyandwentonboard(suchisthefortuneofwar)withoutawounduponhim,neitherfromathrownspearnorinclosecombat,fortherageofMarsisamatterofgreatchance.
''WhenIhadtoldhimthis,theghostofAchillesstrodeoffacrossameadowfullofasphodel,exultingoverwhatIhadsaidconcerningtheprowessofhisson.
'Theghostsofotherdeadmenstoodnearmeandtoldmeeachhisownmelancholytale;butthatofAjaxsonofTelamonaloneheldaloof—stillangrywithmeforhavingwonthecauseinourdisputeaboutthearmourofAchilles.
Thetishadoffereditasaprize,buttheTrojanprisonersandMinervawerethejudges.
WouldthatIhadnevergainedthedayinsuchacontest,foritcostthelifeofAjax,whowasforemostofalltheDanaansafterthesonofPeleus,alikeinstatureandprowess.
241of550TheOdyssey'WhenIsawhimItriedtopacifyhimandsaid,'Ajax,willyounotforgetandforgiveevenindeath,butmustthejudgementaboutthathatefularmourstillranklewithyouItcostusArgivesdearenoughtolosesuchatowerofstrengthasyouweretous.
WemournedyouasmuchaswemournedAchillessonofPeleushimself,norcantheblamebelaidonanythingbutonthespitewhichJoveboreagainsttheDanaans,foritwasthisthatmadehimcounselyourdestruction—comehither,therefore,bringyourproudspiritintosubjection,andhearwhatIcantellyou.
''Hewouldnotanswer,butturnedawaytoErebusandtotheotherghosts;nevertheless,Ishouldhavemadehimtalktomeinspiteofhisbeingsoangry,orIshouldhavegoneontalkingtohim,{97}onlythattherewerestillothersamongthedeadwhomIdesiredtosee.
'ThenIsawMinossonofJovewithhisgoldensceptreinhishandsittinginjudgementonthedead,andtheghostsweregatheredsittingandstandingroundhiminthespacioushouseofHades,tolearnhissentencesuponthem.
'AfterhimIsawhugeOrioninameadowfullofasphodeldrivingtheghostsofthewildbeaststhathehad242of550TheOdysseykilleduponthemountains,andhehadagreatbronzeclubinhishand,unbreakableforeverandever.
'AndIsawTityussonofGaiastretchedupontheplainandcoveringsomenineacresofground.
Twovulturesoneithersideofhimwerediggingtheirbeaksintohisliver,andhekeptontryingtobeatthemoffwithhishands,butcouldnot;forhehadviolatedJove'smistressLetoasshewasgoingthroughPanopeusonherwaytoPytho.
'IsawalsothedreadfulfateofTantalus,whostoodinalakethatreachedhischin;hewasdyingtoquenchhisthirst,butcouldneverreachthewater,forwheneverthepoorcreaturestoopedtodrink,itdriedupandvanished,sothattherewasnothingbutdryground—parchedbythespiteofheaven.
Thereweretalltrees,moreover,thatshedtheirfruitoverhishead—pears,pomegranates,apples,sweetfigsandjuicyolives,butwheneverthepoorcreaturestretchedouthishandtotakesome,thewindtossedthebranchesbackagaintotheclouds.
'AndIsawSisyphusathisendlesstaskraisinghisprodigiousstonewithbothhishands.
Withhandsandfeethetriedtorollituptothetopofthehill,butalways,justbeforehecouldrollitoverontotheotherside,itsweightwouldbetoomuchforhim,andthepitilessstone{98}wouldcomethunderingdownagainontotheplain.
Then243of550TheOdysseyhewouldbegintryingtopushituphillagain,andthesweatranoffhimandthesteamroseafterhim.
'AfterhimIsawmightyHercules,butitwashisphantomonly,forheisfeastingeverwiththeimmortalgods,andhaslovelyHebetowife,whoisdaughterofJoveandJuno.
Theghostswerescreamingroundhimlikescaredbirdsflyingallwhithers.
Helookedblackasnightwithhisbarebowinhishandsandhisarrowonthestring,glaringaroundasthougheveronthepointoftakingaim.
Abouthisbreasttherewasawondrousgoldenbeltadornedinthemostmarvellousfashionwithbears,wildboars,andlionswithgleamingeyes;therewasalsowar,battle,anddeath.
Themanwhomadethatbelt,dowhathemight,wouldneverbeabletomakeanotherlikeit.
Herculesknewmeatoncewhenhesawme,andspokepiteously,saying,'MypoorUlysses,noblesonofLaertes,areyoutooleadingthesamesorrykindoflifethatIdidwhenIwasabovegroundIwassonofJove,butIwentthroughaninfinityofsuffering,forIbecamebondsmantoonewhowasfarbeneathme—alowfellowwhosetmeallmanneroflabours.
Heoncesentmeheretofetchthehell-hound—forhedidnotthinkhecouldfindanythingharderformethanthis,butIgotthehoundoutofHades244of550TheOdysseyandbroughthimtohim,forMercuryandMinervahelpedme.
''OnthisHerculeswentdownagainintothehouseofHades,butIstayedwhereIwasincasesomeotherofthemightydeadshouldcometome.
AndIshouldhaveseenstillotherofthemthataregonebefore,whomIwouldfainhaveseen—TheseusandPirithous—gloriouschildrenofthegods,butsomanythousandsofghostscameroundmeandutteredsuchappallingcries,thatIwaspanicstrickenlestProserpineshouldsendupfromthehouseofHadestheheadofthatawfulmonsterGorgon.
OnthisIhastenedbacktomyshipandorderedmymentogoonboardatonceandloosethehawsers;sotheyembarkedandtooktheirplaces,whereontheshipwentdownthestreamoftheriverOceanus.
Wehadtorowatfirst,butpresentlyafairwindsprangup.
245of550TheOdysseyBookXIITHESIRENS,SCYLLAANDCHARYBDIS,THECATTLEOFTHESUN.
'AfterwewereclearoftheriverOceanus,andhadgotoutintotheopensea,wewentontillwereachedtheAeaeanislandwherethereisdawnandsun-riseasinotherplaces.
Wethendrewourshipontothesandsandgotoutofherontotheshore,wherewewenttosleepandwaitedtilldayshouldbreak.
'Then,whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,IsentsomementoCirce'shousetofetchthebodyofElpenor.
Wecutfirewoodfromawoodwheretheheadlandjuttedoutintothesea,andafterwehadweptoverhimandlamentedhimweperformedhisfuneralrites.
Whenhisbodyandarmourhadbeenburnedtoashes,weraisedacairn,setastoneoverit,andatthetopofthecairnwefixedtheoarthathehadbeenusedtorowwith.
'Whileweweredoingallthis,Circe,whoknewthatwehadgotbackfromthehouseofHades,dressedherselfandcametousasfastasshecould;andhermaidservantscamewithherbringingusbread,meat,andwine.
Then246of550TheOdysseyshestoodinthemidstofusandsaid,'YouhavedoneaboldthingingoingdownalivetothehouseofHades,andyouwillhavediedtwice,tootherpeople'sonce;now,then,stayherefortherestoftheday,feastyourfill,andgoonwithyourvoyageatdaybreaktomorrowmorning.
InthemeantimeIwilltellUlyssesaboutyourcourse,andwillexplaineverythingtohimsoastopreventyoursufferingfrommisadventureeitherbylandorsea.
''Weagreedtodoasshehadsaid,andfeastedthroughthelivelongdaytothegoingdownofthesun,butwhenthesunhadsetanditcameondark,themenlaidthemselvesdowntosleepbythesterncablesoftheship.
ThenCircetookmebythehandandbademebeseatedawayfromtheothers,whileshereclinedbymysideandaskedmeallaboutouradventures.
''Sofarsogood,'saidshe,whenIhadendedmystory,'andnowpayattentiontowhatIamabouttotellyou—heavenitself,indeed,willrecallittoyourrecollection.
FirstyouwillcometotheSirenswhoenchantallwhocomenearthem.
IfanyoneunwarilydrawsintoocloseandhearsthesingingoftheSirens,hiswifeandchildrenwillneverwelcomehimhomeagain,fortheysitinagreenfieldandwarblehimtodeathwiththesweetnessoftheirsong.
Thereisagreatheapofdeadmen'sbones247of550TheOdysseylyingallaround,withthefleshstillrottingoffthem.
ThereforepasstheseSirensby,andstopyourmen'searswithwaxthatnoneofthemmayhear;butifyoulikeyoucanlistenyourself,foryoumaygetthementobindyouasyoustanduprightonacrosspiecehalfwayupthemast,{99}andtheymustlashtherope'sendstothemastitself,thatyoumayhavethepleasureoflistening.
Ifyoubegandpraythementounlooseyou,thentheymustbindyoufaster.
''WhenyourcrewhavetakenyoupasttheseSirens,Icannotgiveyoucoherentdirections{100}astowhichoftwocoursesyouaretotake;Iwilllaythetwoalternativesbeforeyou,andyoumustconsiderthemforyourself.
OntheonehandtherearesomeoverhangingrocksagainstwhichthedeepbluewavesofAmphitritebeatwithterrificfury;theblessedgodscalltheserockstheWanderers.
Herenotevenabirdmaypass,no,noteventhetimiddovesthatbringambrosiatoFatherJove,butthesheerrockalwayscarriesoffoneofthem,andFatherJovehastosendanothertomakeuptheirnumber;noshipthateveryetcametotheserockshasgotawayagain,butthewavesandwhirlwindsoffirearefreightedwithwreckageandwiththebodiesofdeadmen.
Theonlyvesselthateversailedandgotthrough,wasthefamousArgoonher248of550TheOdysseywayfromthehouseofAetes,andshetoowouldhavegoneagainstthesegreatrocks,onlythatJunopilotedherpastthemforthelovesheboretoJason.
''Ofthesetworockstheonereachesheavenanditspeakislostinadarkcloud.
Thisneverleavesit,sothatthetopisneverclearnoteveninsummerandearlyautumn.
Nomanthoughhehadtwentyhandsandtwentyfeetcouldgetafootholdonitandclimbit,foritrunssheerup,assmoothasthoughithadbeenpolished.
Inthemiddleofitthereisalargecavern,lookingWestandturnedtowardsErebus;youmusttakeyourshipthisway,butthecaveissohighupthatnoteventhestoutestarchercouldsendanarrowintoit.
InsideitScyllasitsandyelpswithavoicethatyoumighttaketobethatofayounghound,butintruthsheisadreadfulmonsterandnoone—notevenagod—couldfaceherwithoutbeingterror-struck.
Shehastwelvemis-shapenfeet,andsixnecksofthemostprodigiouslength;andattheendofeachneckshehasafrightfulheadwiththreerowsofteethineach,allsetveryclosetogether,sothattheywouldcrunchanyonetodeathinamoment,andshesitsdeepwithinhershadycellthrustingoutherheadsandpeeringallroundtherock,fishingfordolphinsordogfishoranylargermonsterthatshecancatch,ofthethousandswithwhich249of550TheOdysseyAmphitriteteems.
Noshipeveryetgotpastherwithoutlosingsomemen,forsheshootsoutallherheadsatonce,andcarriesoffamanineachmouth.
''Youwillfindtheotherrocklielower,buttheyaresoclosetogetherthatthereisnotmorethanabow-shotbetweenthem.
[Alargefigtreeinfullleaf{101}growsuponit],andunderitliesthesuckingwhirlpoolofCharybdis.
Threetimesinthedaydoesshevomitforthherwaters,andthreetimesshesucksthemdownagain;seethatyoubenottherewhensheissucking,forifyouare,Neptunehimselfcouldnotsaveyou;youmusthugtheScyllasideanddriveshipbyasfastasyoucan,foryouhadbetterlosesixmenthanyourwholecrew.
'''Istherenoway,'saidI,'ofescapingCharybdis,andatthesametimekeepingScyllaoffwhensheistryingtoharmmymen'''Youdaredevil,'repliedthegoddess,'youarealwayswantingtofightsomebodyorsomething;youwillnotletyourselfbebeatenevenbytheimmortals.
ForScyllaisnotmortal;moreoversheissavage,extreme,rude,cruelandinvincible.
Thereisnohelpforit;yourbestchancewillbetogetbyherasfastaseveryoucan,forifyoudawdleaboutherrockwhileyouareputtingonyourarmour,shemaycatchyouwithasecondcastofhersix250of550TheOdysseyheads,andsnapupanotherhalfdozenofyourmen;sodriveyourshippastheratfullspeed,androaroutlustilytoCrataiiswhoisScylla'sdam,badlucktoher;shewillthenstopherfrommakingasecondraiduponyou.
'''YouwillnowcometotheThrinacianisland,andhereyouwillseemanyherdsofcattleandflocksofsheepbelongingtothesun-god—sevenherdsofcattleandsevenflocksofsheep,withfiftyheadineachflock.
Theydonotbreed,nordotheybecomefewerinnumber,andtheyaretendedbythegoddessesPhaethusaandLampetie,whoarechildrenofthesun-godHyperionbyNeaera.
TheirmotherwhenshehadbornethemandhaddonesucklingthemsentthemtotheThrinacianisland,whichwasalongwayoff,tolivethereandlookaftertheirfather'sflocksandherds.
Ifyouleavetheseflocksunharmed,andthinkofnothingbutgettinghome,youmayyetaftermuchhardshipreachIthaca;butifyouharmthem,thenIforewarnyouofthedestructionbothofyourshipandofyourcomrades;andeventhoughyoumayyourselfescape,youwillreturnlate,inbadplight,afterlosingallyourmen.
''Heresheended,anddawnenthronedingoldbegantoshowinheaven,whereonshereturnedinland.
Ithenwentonboardandtoldmymentoloosetheshipfromher251of550TheOdysseymoorings;sotheyatoncegotintoher,tooktheirplaces,andbegantosmitethegreyseawiththeiroars.
PresentlythegreatandcunninggoddessCircebefriendeduswithafairwindthatblewdeadaft,andstaidsteadilywithus,keepingoursailswellfilled,sowedidwhateverwanteddoingtotheship'sgear,andlethergoaswindandhelmsmanheadedher.
'Then,beingmuchtroubledinmind,Isaidtomymen,'Myfriends,itisnotrightthatoneortwoofusaloneshouldknowthepropheciesthatCircehasmademe,Iwillthereforetellyouaboutthem,sothatwhetherweliveordiewemaydosowithoureyesopen.
FirstshesaidweweretokeepclearoftheSirens,whositandsingmostbeautifullyinafieldofflowers;butshesaidImighthearthemmyselfsolongasnooneelsedid.
Therefore,takemeandbindmetothecrosspiecehalfwayupthemast;bindmeasIstandupright,withabondsofastthatIcannotpossiblybreakaway,andlashtherope'sendstothemastitself.
IfIbegandprayyoutosetmefree,thenbindmemoretightlystill.
''IhadhardlyfinishedtellingeverythingtothemenbeforewereachedtheislandofthetwoSirens,{102}forthewindhadbeenveryfavourable.
Thenallofasuddenitfelldeadcalm;therewasnotabreathofwindnoraripple252of550TheOdysseyuponthewater,sothemenfurledthesailsandstowedthem;thentakingtotheiroarstheywhitenedthewaterwiththefoamtheyraisedinrowing.
MeanwhileIlookalargewheelofwaxandcutitupsmallwithmysword.
ThenIkneadedthewaxinmystronghandstillitbecamesoft,whichitsoondidbetweenthekneadingandtheraysofthesun-godsonofHyperion.
ThenIstoppedtheearsofallmymen,andtheyboundmehandsandfeettothemastasIstooduprightonthecrosspiece;buttheywentonrowingthemselves.
Whenwehadgotwithinearshotoftheland,andtheshipwasgoingatagoodrate,theSirenssawthatweweregettinginshoreandbeganwiththeirsinging.
''Comehere,'theysang,'renownedUlysses,honourtotheAchaeanname,andlistentoourtwovoices.
Nooneeversailedpastuswithoutstayingtoheartheenchantingsweetnessofoursong—andhewholistenswillgoonhiswaynotonlycharmed,butwiser,forweknowalltheillsthatthegodslaidupontheArgivesandTrojansbeforeTroy,andcantellyoueverythingthatisgoingtohappenoverthewholeworld.
''Theysangthesewordsmostmusically,andasIlongedtohearthemfurtherImadesignsbyfrowningtomymenthattheyshouldsetmefree;buttheyquickened253of550TheOdysseytheirstroke,andEurylochusandPerimedesboundmewithstillstrongerbondstillwehadgotoutofhearingoftheSirens'voices.
Thenmymentookthewaxfromtheirearsandunboundme.
'ImmediatelyafterwehadgotpasttheislandIsawagreatwavefromwhichspraywasrising,andIheardaloudroaringsound.
Themenweresofrightenedthattheyloosedholdoftheiroars,forthewholesearesoundedwiththerushingofthewaters,{103}buttheshipstayedwhereitwas,forthemenhadleftoffrowing.
Iwentround,therefore,andexhortedthemmanbymannottoloseheart.
''Myfriends,'saidI,'thisisnotthefirsttimethatwehavebeenindanger,andweareinnothinglikesobadacaseaswhentheCyclopsshutusupinhiscave;nevertheless,mycourageandwisecounselsavedusthen,andweshalllivetolookbackonallthisaswell.
Now,therefore,letusalldoasIsay,trustinJoveandrowonwithmightandmain.
Asforyou,coxswain,theseareyourorders;attendtothem,fortheshipisinyourhands;turnherheadawayfromthesesteamingrapidsandhugtherock,orshewillgiveyoutheslipandbeoveryonderbeforeyouknowwhereyouare,andyouwillbethedeathofus.
'254of550TheOdyssey'SotheydidasItoldthem;butIsaidnothingabouttheawfulmonsterScylla,forIknewthemenwouldnotgoonrowingifIdid,butwouldhuddletogetherinthehold.
InonethingonlydidIdisobeyCirce'sstrictinstructions—Iputonmyarmour.
ThenseizingtwostrongspearsItookmystandontheship'sbows,foritwastherethatIexpectedfirsttoseethemonsteroftherock,whowastodomymensomuchharm;butIcouldnotmakeheroutanywhere,thoughIstrainedmyeyeswithlookingthegloomyrockalloverandover.
'ThenweenteredtheStraitsingreatfearofmind,forontheonehandwasScylla,andontheotherdreadCharybdiskeptsuckingupthesaltwater.
Asshevomiteditup,itwaslikethewaterinacauldronwhenitisboilingoveruponagreatfire,andthesprayreachedthetopoftherocksoneitherside.
Whenshebegantosuckagain,wecouldseethewaterallinsidewhirlingroundandround,anditmadeadeafeningsoundasitbrokeagainsttherocks.
Wecouldseethebottomofthewhirlpoolallblackwithsandandmud,andthemenwereattheirwitsendsforfear.
Whileweweretakenupwiththis,andwereexpectingeachmomenttobeourlast,Scyllapounceddownsuddenlyuponusandsnatchedupmysixbestmen.
Iwaslookingatonceafterbothshipandmen,andina255of550TheOdysseymomentIsawtheirhandsandfeeteversohighaboveme,strugglingintheairasScyllawascarryingthemoff,andIheardthemcalloutmynameinonelastdespairingcry.
Asafisherman,seated,spearinhand,uponsomejuttingrock{104}throwsbaitintothewatertodeceivethepoorlittlefishes,andspearsthemwiththeox'shornwithwhichhisspearisshod,throwingthemgaspingontothelandashecatchesthemonebyone—evensodidScyllalandthesepantingcreaturesonherrockandmunchthemupatthemouthofherden,whiletheyscreamedandstretchedouttheirhandstomeintheirmortalagony.
ThiswasthemostsickeningsightthatIsawthroughoutallmyvoyages.
'Whenwehadpassedthe[Wandering]rocks,withScyllaandterribleCharybdis,wereachedthenobleislandofthesun-god,wherewerethegoodlycattleandsheepbelongingtothesunHyperion.
WhilestillatseainmyshipIcouldbearthecattlelowingastheycamehometotheyards,andthesheepbleating.
ThenIrememberedwhattheblindThebanprophetTeiresiashadtoldme,andhowcarefullyAeaeanCircehadwarnedmetoshuntheislandoftheblessedsun-god.
SobeingmuchtroubledIsaidtothemen,'Mymen,Iknowyouarehardpressed,butlistenwhileItellyoutheprophecythatTeiresias256of550TheOdysseymademe,andhowcarefullyAeaeanCircewarnedmetoshuntheislandoftheblessedsun-god,foritwashere,shesaid,thatourworstdangerwouldlie.
Headtheship,therefore,awayfromtheisland.
''Themenwereindespairatthis,andEurylochusatoncegavemeaninsolentanswer.
'Ulysses,'saidhe,'youarecruel;youareverystrongyourselfandnevergetwornout;youseemtobemadeofiron,andnow,thoughyourmenareexhaustedwithtoilandwantofsleep,youwillnotletthemlandandcookthemselvesagoodsupperuponthisisland,butbidthemputouttoseaandgofaringfruitlesslyonthroughthewatchesoftheflyingnight.
Itisbynightthatthewindsblowhardestanddosomuchdamage;howcanweescapeshouldoneofthosesuddensquallsspringupfromSouthWestorWest,whichsooftenwreckavesselwhenourlordsthegodsareunpropitiousNow,therefore,letusobeythebehestsofnightandprepareoursupperherehardbytheship;to-morrowmorningwewillgoonboardagainandputouttosea.
''ThusspokeEurylochus,andthemenapprovedhiswords.
Isawthatheavenmeantusamischiefandsaid,'Youforcemetoyield,foryouaremanyagainstone,butatanyrateeachoneofyoumusttakehissolemnoaththat257of550TheOdysseyifhemeetwithaherdofcattleoralargeflockofsheep,hewillnotbesomadastokillasingleheadofeither,butwillbesatisfiedwiththefoodthatCircehasgivenus.
''TheyallsworeasIbadethem,andwhentheyhadcompletedtheiroathwemadetheshipfastinaharbourthatwasnearastreamoffreshwater,andthemenwentashoreandcookedtheirsuppers.
Assoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrink,theybegantalkingabouttheirpoorcomradeswhomScyllahadsnatchedupandeaten;thissetthemweepingandtheywentoncryingtilltheyfelloffintoasoundsleep.
'Inthethirdwatchofthenightwhenthestarshadshiftedtheirplaces,Joveraisedagreatgaleofwindthatflewahurricanesothatlandandseawerecoveredwiththickclouds,andnightsprangforthoutoftheheavens.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,webroughttheshiptolandanddrewherintoacavewhereinthesea-nymphsholdtheircourtsanddances,andIcalledthementogetherincouncil.
''Myfriends,'saidI,'wehavemeatanddrinkintheship,letusmind,therefore,andnottouchthecattle,orweshallsufferforit;forthesecattleandsheepbelongtothemightysun,whoseesandgiveseartoeverything.
'Andagaintheypromisedthattheywouldobey.
258of550TheOdyssey'ForawholemonththewindblewsteadilyfromtheSouth,andtherewasnootherwind,butonlySouthandEast.
{105}Aslongascornandwineheldoutthemendidnottouchthecattlewhentheywerehungry;when,however,theyhadeatenalltherewasintheship,theywereforcedtogofurtherafield,withhookandline,catchingbirds,andtakingwhatevertheycouldlaytheirhandson;fortheywerestarving.
Oneday,therefore,IwentupinlandthatImightprayheaventoshowmesomemeansofgettingaway.
WhenIhadgonefarenoughtobeclearofallmymen,andhadfoundaplacethatwaswellshelteredfromthewind,IwashedmyhandsandprayedtoallthegodsinOlympustillbyandbytheysentmeoffintoasweetsleep.
'MeanwhileEurylochushadbeengivingevilcounseltothemen,'Listentome,'saidhe,'mypoorcomrades.
Alldeathsarebadenoughbutthereisnonesobadasfamine.
WhyshouldnotwedriveinthebestofthesecowsandoffertheminsacrificetotheimmortalgodsIfweevergetbacktoIthaca,wecanbuildafinetempletothesun-godandenrichitwitheverykindofornament;if,however,heisdeterminedtosinkourshipoutofrevengeforthesehomedcattle,andtheothergodsareofthesamemind,Iforonewouldratherdrinksaltwateronceforall259of550TheOdysseyandhavedonewithit,thanbestarvedtodeathbyinchesinsuchadesertislandasthisis.
''ThusspokeEurylochus,andthemenapprovedhiswords.
Nowthecattle,sofairandgoodly,werefeedingnotfarfromtheship;themen,therefore,droveinthebestofthem,andtheyallstoodroundthemsayingtheirprayers,andusingyoungoak-shootsinsteadofbarley-meal,fortherewasnobarleyleft.
Whentheyhaddoneprayingtheykilledthecowsanddressedtheircarcasses;theycutoutthethighbones,wrappedthemroundintwolayersoffat,andsetsomepiecesofrawmeatontopofthem.
Theyhadnowinewithwhichtomakedrink-offeringsoverthesacrificewhileitwascooking,sotheykeptpouringonalittlewaterfromtimetotimewhiletheinwardmeatswerebeinggrilled;then,whenthethighboneswereburnedandtheyhadtastedtheinwardmeats,theycuttherestupsmallandputthepiecesuponthespits.
'Bythistimemydeepsleephadleftme,andIturnedbacktotheshipandtotheseashore.
AsIdrewnearIbegantosmellhotroastmeat,soIgroanedoutaprayertotheimmortalgods.
'FatherJove,'Iexclaimed,'andallyouothergodswholiveineverlastingbliss,youhavedonemeacruelmischiefbythesleepintowhichyou260of550TheOdysseyhavesentme;seewhatfineworkthesemenofminehavebeenmakinginmyabsence.
''MeanwhileLampetiewentstraightofftothesunandtoldhimwehadbeenkillinghiscows,whereonheflewintoagreatrage,andsaidtotheimmortals,'FatherJove,andallyouothergodswholiveineverlastingbliss,ImusthavevengeanceonthecrewofUlysses'ship:theyhavehadtheinsolencetokillmycows,whichweretheonethingIlovedtolookupon,whetherIwasgoingupheavenordownagain.
Iftheydonotsquareaccountswithmeaboutmycows,IwillgodowntoHadesandshinethereamongthedead.
'''Sun,'saidJove,'goonshininguponusgodsanduponmankindoverthefruitfulearth.
Iwillshivertheirshipintolittlepieceswithaboltofwhitelightningassoonastheygetouttosea.
''IwastoldallthisbyCalypso,whosaidshehadhearditfromthemouthofMercury.
'AssoonasIgotdowntomyshipandtotheseashoreIrebukedeachoneofthemenseparately,butwecouldseenowayoutofit,forthecowsweredeadalready.
Andindeedthegodsbeganatoncetoshowsignsandwondersamongus,forthehidesofthecattlecrawledabout,andthejointsuponthespitsbegantolowlikecows,andthe261of550TheOdysseymeat,whethercookedorraw,keptonmakinganoisejustascowsdo.
'Forsixdaysmymenkeptdrivinginthebestcowsandfeastinguponthem,butwhenJovethesonofSaturnhadaddedaseventhday,thefuryofthegaleabated;wethereforewentonboard,raisedourmasts,spreadsail,andputouttosea.
Assoonaswewerewellawayfromtheisland,andcouldseenothingbutskyandsea,thesonofSaturnraisedablackcloudoverourship,andtheseagrewdarkbeneathit.
Wedidnotgetonmuchfurther,forinanothermomentwewerecaughtbyaterrificsquallfromtheWestthatsnappedtheforestaysofthemastsothatitfellaft,whilealltheship'sgeartumbledaboutatthebottomofthevessel.
Themastfellupontheheadofthehelmsmanintheship'sstern,sothatthebonesofhisheadwerecrushedtopieces,andhefelloverboardasthoughhewerediving,withnomorelifeleftinhim.
'ThenJoveletflywithhisthunderbolts,andtheshipwentroundandround,andwasfilledwithfireandbrimstoneasthelightningstruckit.
Themenallfellintothesea;theywerecarriedaboutinthewaterroundtheship,lookinglikesomanysea-gulls,butthegodpresentlydeprivedthemofallchanceofgettinghomeagain.
262of550TheOdyssey'Istucktotheshiptilltheseaknockedhersidesfromherkeel(whichdriftedaboutbyitself)andstruckthemastoutofherinthedirectionofthekeel;buttherewasabackstayofstoutox-thongstillhangingaboutit,andwiththisIlashedthemastandkeeltogether,andgettingastrideofthemwascarriedwhereverthewindschosetotakeme.
'[ThegalefromtheWesthadnowspentitsforce,andthewindgotintotheSouthagain,whichfrightenedmelestIshouldbetakenbacktotheterriblewhirlpoolofCharybdis.
Thisindeedwaswhatactuallyhappened,forIwasbornealongbythewavesallnight,andbysunrisehadreachedtherockofScylla,andthewhirlpool.
Shewasthensuckingdownthesaltseawater,{106}butIwascarriedalofttowardthefigtree,whichIcaughtholdofandclungontolikeabat.
Icouldnotplantmyfeetanywheresoastostandsecurely,fortherootswerealongwayoffandtheboughsthatovershadowedthewholepoolweretoohigh,toovast,andtoofarapartformetoreachthem;soIhungpatientlyon,waitingtillthepoolshoulddischargemymastandraftagain—andaverylongwhileitseemed.
Ajury-manisnotmoregladtogethometosupper,afterhavingbeenlongdetainedincourtbytroublesomecases,thanIwastoseemyraftbeginningto263of550TheOdysseyworkitswayoutofthewhirlpoolagain.
AtlastIletgowithmyhandsandfeet,andfellheavilyintothesea,hardbymyraftontowhichIthengot,andbegantorowwithmyhands.
AsforScylla,thefatherofgodsandmenwouldnotlethergetfurthersightofme—otherwiseIshouldhavecertainlybeenlost.
]{107}'HenceIwascarriedalongforninedaystillonthetenthnightthegodsstrandedmeontheOgygianisland,wheredwellsthegreatandpowerfulgoddessCalypso.
Shetookmeinandwaskindtome,butIneedsaynomoreaboutthis,forItoldyouandyournoblewifeallaboutityesterday,andIhatesayingthesamethingoverandoveragain.
'264of550TheOdysseyBookXIIIULYSSESLEAVESSCHERIAANDRETURNSTOITHACA.
Thusdidhespeak,andtheyallheldtheirpeacethroughoutthecoveredcloister,enthralledbythecharmofhisstory,tillpresentlyAlcinousbegantospeak.
'Ulysses,'saidhe,'nowthatyouhavereachedmyhouseIdoubtnotyouwillgethomewithoutfurthermisadventurenomatterhowmuchyouhavesufferedinthepast.
Toyouothers,however,whocomeherenightafternighttodrinkmychoicestwineandlistentomybard,Iwouldinsistasfollows.
Ourguesthasalreadypackeduptheclothes,wroughtgold,{108}andothervaluableswhichyouhavebroughtforhisacceptance;letusnow,therefore,presenthimfurther,eachoneofus,withalargetripodandacauldron.
Wewillrecoupourselvesbythelevyofageneralrate;forprivateindividualscannotbeexpectedtobeartheburdenofsuchahandsomepresent.
'Everyoneapprovedofthis,andthentheywenthometobedeachinhisownabode.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appearedtheyhurrieddowntothe265of550TheOdysseyshipandbroughttheircauldronswiththem.
Alcinouswentonboardandsaweverythingsosecurelystowedundertheship'sbenchesthatnothingcouldbreakadriftandinjuretherowers.
ThentheywenttothehouseofAlcinoustogetdinner,andhesacrificedabullfortheminhonourofJovewhoisthelordofall.
Theysetthesteakstogrillandmadeanexcellentdinner,afterwhichtheinspiredbard,Demodocus,whowasafavouritewitheveryone,sangtothem;butUlysseskeptonturninghiseyestowardsthesun,asthoughtohastenhissetting,forhewaslongingtobeonhisway.
Asonewhohasbeenalldayploughingafallowfieldwithacoupleofoxenkeepsthinkingabouthissupperandisgladwhennightcomesthathemaygoandgetit,foritisallhislegscandotocarryhim,evensodidUlyssesrejoicewhenthesunwentdown,andheatoncesaidtothePhaeacians,addressinghimselfmoreparticularlytoKingAlcinous:'Sir,andallofyou,farewell.
Makeyourdrink-offeringsandsendmeonmywayrejoicing,foryouhavefulfilledmyheart'sdesirebygivingmeanescort,andmakingmepresents,whichheavengrantthatImayturntogoodaccount;mayIfindmyadmirablewifelivinginpeaceamongfriends,{109}andmayyouwhomIleavebehindmegivesatisfactiontoyourwivesandchildren;266of550TheOdyssey{110}mayheavenvouchsafeyoueverygoodgrace,andmaynoevilthingcomeamongyourpeople.
'Thusdidhespeak.
Hishearersallofthemapprovedhissayingandagreedthatheshouldhavehisescortinasmuchashehadspokenreasonably.
Alcinousthereforesaidtohisservant,'Pontonous,mixsomewineandhanditroundtoeverybody,thatwemayofferaprayertofatherJove,andspeedourguestuponhisway.
'Pontonousmixedthewineandhandedittoeveryoneinturn;theotherseachfromhisownseatmadeadrink-offeringtotheblessedgodsthatliveinheaven,butUlyssesroseandplacedthedoublecupinthehandsofqueenArete.
'Farewell,queen,'saidhe,'henceforwardandforever,tillageanddeath,thecommonlotofmankind,laytheirhandsuponyou.
Inowtakemyleave;behappyinthishousewithyourchildren,yourpeople,andwithkingAlcinous.
'Ashespokehecrossedthethreshold,andAlcinoussentamantoconducthimtohisshipandtotheseashore.
Aretealsosentsomemaidservantswithhim—onewithacleanshirtandcloak,anothertocarryhisstrongbox,andathirdwithcornandwine.
Whentheygottothewatersidethecrewtookthesethingsandputthemonboard,267of550TheOdysseywithallthemeatanddrink;butforUlyssestheyspreadarugandalinensheetondeckthathemightsleepsoundlyinthesternoftheship.
Thenhetoowentonboardandlaydownwithoutaword,butthecrewtookeverymanhisplaceandloosedthehawserfromthepiercedstonetowhichithadbeenbound.
Thereon,whentheybeganrowingouttosea,Ulyssesfellintoadeep,sweet,andalmostdeathlikeslumber.
{111}Theshipboundedforwardonherwayasafourinhandchariotfliesoverthecoursewhenthehorsesfeelthewhip.
Herprowcurvettedasitweretheneckofastallion,andagreatwaveofdarkbluewaterseethedinherwake.
Sheheldsteadilyonhercourse,andevenafalcon,swiftestofallbirds,couldnothavekeptpacewithher.
Thus,then,shecutherwaythroughthewater,carryingonewhowasascunningasthegods,butwhowasnowsleepingpeacefully,forgetfulofallthathehadsufferedbothonthefieldofbattleandbythewavesofthewearysea.
Whenthebrightstarthatheraldstheapproachofdawnbegantoshow,theshipdrewneartoland.
{112}NowthereisinIthacaahavenoftheoldmermanPhorcys,whichliesbetweentwopointsthatbreakthelineoftheseaandshuttheharbourin.
Theseshelteritfromthe268of550TheOdysseystormsofwindandseathatrageoutside,sothat,whenoncewithinit,ashipmayliewithoutbeingevenmoored.
Attheheadofthisharbourthereisalargeolivetree,andatnogreatdistanceafineoverarchingcavernsacredtothenymphswhoarecalledNaiads.
{113}Therearemixingbowlswithinitandwine-jarsofstone,andthebeeshivethere.
Moreover,therearegreatloomsofstoneonwhichthenymphsweavetheirrobesofseapurple—verycurioustosee—andatalltimesthereiswaterwithinit.
Ithastwoentrances,onefacingNorthbywhichmortalscangodownintothecave,whiletheothercomesfromtheSouthandismoremysterious;mortalscannotpossiblygetinbyit,itisthewaytakenbythegods.
Intothisharbour,then,theytooktheirship,fortheyknewtheplace.
{114}Shehadsomuchwayuponherthatsheranhalfherownlengthontotheshore;{115}when,however,theyhadlanded,thefirstthingtheydidwastoliftUlysseswithhisrugandlinensheetoutoftheship,andlayhimdownuponthesandstillfastasleep.
ThentheytookoutthepresentswhichMinervahadpersuadedthePhaeacianstogivehimwhenhewassettingoutonhisvoyagehomewards.
Theyputthesealltogetherbytherootoftheolivetree,awayfromtheroad,forfearsomepasserby{116}mightcomeandstealthembefore269of550TheOdysseyUlyssesawoke;andthentheymadethebestoftheirwayhomeagain.
ButNeptunedidnotforgetthethreatswithwhichhehadalreadythreatenedUlysses,sohetookcounselwithJove.
'FatherJove,'saidhe,'Ishallnolongerbeheldinanysortofrespectamongyougods,ifmortalslikethePhaeacians,whoaremyownfleshandblood,showsuchsmallregardforme.
IsaidIwouldletUlyssesgethomewhenhehadsufferedsufficiently.
Ididnotsaythatheshouldnevergethomeatall,forIknewyouhadalreadynoddedyourheadaboutit,andpromisedthatheshoulddoso;butnowtheyhavebroughthiminashipfastasleepandhavelandedhiminIthacaafterloadinghimwithmoremagnificentpresentsofbronze,gold,andraimentthanhewouldeverhavebroughtbackfromTroy,ifhehadhadhisshareofthespoilandgothomewithoutmisadventure.
'AndJoveanswered,'What,OLordoftheEarthquake,areyoutalkingaboutThegodsarebynomeanswantinginrespectforyou.
Itwouldbemonstrousweretheytoinsultonesooldandhonouredasyouare.
Asregardsmortals,however,ifanyofthemisindulgingininsolenceandtreatingyoudisrespectfully,itwillalwaysrestwith270of550TheOdysseyyourselftodealwithhimasyoumaythinkproper,sodojustasyouplease.
''Ishouldhavedonesoatonce,'repliedNeptune,'ifIwerenotanxioustoavoidanythingthatmightdispleaseyou;now,therefore,IshouldliketowreckthePhaeacianshipasitisreturningfromitsescort.
Thiswillstopthemfromescortingpeopleinfuture;andIshouldalsoliketoburytheircityunderahugemountain.
''Mygoodfriend,'answeredJove,'Ishouldrecommendyouattheverymomentwhenthepeoplefromthecityarewatchingtheshiponherway,toturnitintoarocknearthelandandlookinglikeaship.
Thiswillastonisheverybody,andyoucanthenburytheircityunderthemountain.
'Whenearth-encirclingNeptuneheardthishewenttoScheriawherethePhaeacianslive,andstayedtheretilltheship,whichwasmakingrapidway,hadgotclosein.
Thenhewentuptoit,turneditintostone,anddroveitdownwiththeflatofhishandsoastorootitintheground.
Afterthishewentaway.
ThePhaeaciansthenbegantalkingamongthemselves,andonewouldturntowardshisneighbour,saying,'Blessmyheart,whoisitthatcanhaverootedtheshipinthesea271of550TheOdysseyjustasshewasgettingintoportWecouldseethewholeofheronlyamomentago.
'Thiswashowtheytalked,buttheyknewnothingaboutit;andAlcinoussaid,'Iremembernowtheoldprophecyofmyfather.
HesaidthatNeptunewouldbeangrywithusfortakingeveryonesosafelyoverthesea,andwouldonedaywreckaPhaeacianshipasitwasreturningfromanescort,andburyourcityunderahighmountain.
Thiswaswhatmyoldfatherusedtosay,andnowitisallcomingtrue.
{117}NowthereforeletusalldoasIsay;inthefirstplacewemustleaveoffgivingpeopleescortswhentheycomehere,andinthenextletussacrificetwelvepickedbullstoNeptunethathemayhavemercyuponus,andnotburyourcityunderthehighmountain.
'Whenthepeopleheardthistheywereafraidandgotreadythebulls.
ThusdidthechiefsandrulersofthePhaeacianspraytokingNeptune,standingroundhisaltar;andatthesametime{118}Ulysseswokeuponcemoreuponhisownsoil.
Hehadbeensolongawaythathedidnotknowitagain;moreover,Jove'sdaughterMinervahadmadeitafoggyday,sothatpeoplemightnotknowofhishavingcome,andthatshemighttellhimeverythingwithouteitherhiswifeorhisfellowcitizensandfriends272of550TheOdysseyrecognisinghim{119}untilhehadtakenhisrevengeuponthewickedsuitors.
Everything,therefore,seemedquitedifferenttohim—thelongstraighttracks,theharbours,theprecipices,andthegoodlytrees,appearedallchangedashestartedupandlookeduponhisnativeland.
Sohesmotehisthighswiththeflatofhishandsandcriedalouddespairingly.
'Alas,'heexclaimed,'amongwhatmannerofpeopleamIfallenAretheysavageanduncivilisedorhospitableandhumaneWhereshallIputallthistreasure,andwhichwayshallIgoIwishIhadstaidovertherewiththePhaeacians;orIcouldhavegonetosomeothergreatchiefwhowouldhavebeengoodtomeandgivenmeanescort.
AsitisIdonotknowwheretoputmytreasure,andIcannotleaveithereforfearsomebodyelseshouldgetholdofit.
IngoodtruththechiefsandrulersofthePhaeacianshavenotbeendealingfairlybyme,andhaveleftmeinthewrongcountry;theysaidtheywouldtakemebacktoIthacaandtheyhavenotdoneso:mayJovetheprotectorofsuppliantschastisethem,forhewatchesovereverybodyandpunishesthosewhodowrong.
Still,IsupposeImustcountmygoodsandseeifthecrewhavegoneoffwithanyofthem.
'273of550TheOdysseyHecountedhisgoodlycoppersandcauldrons,hisgoldandallhisclothes,buttherewasnothingmissing;stillhekeptgrievingaboutnotbeinginhisowncountry,andwanderedupanddownbytheshoreofthesoundingseabewailinghishardfate.
ThenMinervacameuptohimdisguisedasayoungshepherdofdelicateandprincelymien,withagoodcloakfoldeddoubleabouthershoulders;shehadsandalsonhercomelyfeetandheldajavelininherhand.
Ulysseswasgladwhenhesawher,andwentstraightuptoher.
'Myfriend,'saidhe,'youarethefirstpersonwhomIhavemetwithinthiscountry;Isaluteyou,therefore,andbegyoutobewelldisposedtowardsme.
Protectthesemygoods,andmyselftoo,forIembraceyourkneesandpraytoyouasthoughyouwereagod.
Tellme,then,andtellmetruly,whatlandandcountryisthisWhoareitsinhabitantsAmIonanisland,oristhistheseaboardofsomecontinent'Minervaanswered,'Stranger,youmustbeverysimple,ormusthavecomefromsomewherealongwayoff,nottoknowwhatcountrythisis.
Itisaverycelebratedplace,andeverybodyknowsitEastandWest.
Itisruggedandnotagooddrivingcountry,butitisbynomeansabadislandforwhatthereisofit.
Itgrowsany274of550TheOdysseyquantityofcornandalsowine,foritiswateredbothbyrainanddew;itbreedscattlealsoandgoats;allkindsoftimbergrowhere,andtherearewateringplaceswherethewaterneverrunsdry;so,sir,thenameofIthacaisknownevenasfarasTroy,whichIunderstandtobealongwayofffromthisAchaeancountry.
'Ulysseswasgladatfindinghimself,asMinervatoldhim,inhisowncountry,andhebegantoanswer,buthedidnotspeakthetruth,andmadeupalyingstoryintheinstinctivewilinessofhisheart.
'IheardofIthaca,'saidhe,'whenIwasinCretebeyondtheseas,andnowitseemsIhavereacheditwithallthesetreasures.
Ihaveleftasmuchmorebehindmeformychildren,butamflyingbecauseIkilledOrsilochussonofIdomeneus,thefleetestrunnerinCrete.
IkilledhimbecausehewantedtorobmeofthespoilsIhadgotfromTroywithsomuchtroubleanddangerbothonthefieldofbattleandbythewavesofthewearysea;hesaidIhadnotservedhisfatherloyallyatTroyasvassal,buthadsetmyselfupasanindependentruler,soIlayinwaitforhimwithoneofmyfollowersbytheroadside,andspearedhimashewascomingintotownfromthecountry.
Itwasaverydarknightandnobodysawus;itwasnotknown,therefore,thatIhadkilledhim,butas275of550TheOdysseysoonasIhaddonesoIwenttoashipandbesoughttheowners,whowerePhoenicians,totakemeonboardandsetmeinPylosorinEliswheretheEpeansrule,givingthemasmuchspoilassatisfiedthem.
Theymeantnoguile,butthewinddrovethemofftheircourse,andwesailedontillwecamehitherbynight.
Itwasallwecoulddotogetinsidetheharbour,andnoneofussaidawordaboutsupperthoughwewanteditbadly,butweallwentonshoreandlaydownjustaswewere.
Iwasverytiredandfellasleepdirectly,sotheytookmygoodsoutoftheship,andplacedthembesidemewhereIwaslyinguponthesand.
ThentheysailedawaytoSidonia,andIwaslefthereingreatdistressofmind.
'Suchwashisstory,butMinervasmiledandcaressedhimwithherhand.
Thenshetooktheformofawoman,fair,stately,andwise,'Hemustbeindeedashiftylyingfellow,'saidshe,'whocouldsurpassyouinallmannerofcrafteventhoughyouhadagodforyourantagonist.
Daredevilthatyouare,fullofguile,unwearyingindeceit,canyounotdropyourtricksandyourinstinctivefalsehood,evennowthatyouareinyourowncountryagainWewillsaynomore,however,aboutthis,forwecanbothofusdeceiveuponoccasion—youarethemostaccomplishedcounsellorandoratoramongallmankind,276of550TheOdysseywhileIfordiplomacyandsubtletyhavenoequalamongthegods.
DidyounotknowJove'sdaughterMinerva—me,whohavebeeneverwithyou,whokeptwatchoveryouinallyourtroubles,andwhomadethePhaeacianstakesogreatalikingtoyouAndnow,again,Iamcomeheretotalkthingsoverwithyou,andhelpyoutohidethetreasureImadethePhaeaciansgiveyou;Iwanttotellyouaboutthetroublesthatawaityouinyourownhouse;youhavegottofacethem,buttellnoone,neithermannorwoman,thatyouhavecomehomeagain.
Beareverything,andputupwitheveryman'sinsolence,withoutaword.
'AndUlyssesanswered,'Aman,goddess,mayknowagreatdeal,butyouaresoconstantlychangingyourappearancethatwhenhemeetsyouitisahardmatterforhimtoknowwhetheritisyouornot.
Thismuch,however,Iknowexceedinglywell;youwereverykindtomeaslongasweAchaeanswerefightingbeforeTroy,butfromthedayonwhichwewentonboardshipafterhavingsackedthecityofPriam,andheavendispersedus—fromthatday,Minerva,Isawnomoreofyou,andcannoteverrememberyourcomingtomyshiptohelpmeinadifficulty;IhadtowanderonsickandsorrytillthegodsdeliveredmefromevilandIreachedthecityofthe277of550TheOdysseyPhaeacians,whereyouencouragedmeandtookmeintothetown.
{120}Andnow,Ibeseechyouinyourfather'sname,tellmethetruth,forIdonotbelieveIamreallybackinIthaca.
Iaminsomeothercountryandyouaremockingmeanddeceivingmeinallyouhavebeensaying.
Tellmethentruly,haveIreallygotbacktomyowncountry''Youarealwaystakingsomethingofthatsortinyourhead,'repliedMinerva,'andthatiswhyIcannotdesertyouinyourafflictions;youaresoplausible,shrewdandshifty.
Anyonebutyourselfonreturningfromsolongavoyagewouldatoncehavegonehometoseehiswifeandchildren,butyoudonotseemtocareaboutaskingafterthemorhearinganynewsaboutthemtillyouhaveexploitedyourwife,whoremainsathomevainlygrievingforyou,andhavingnopeacenightordayforthetearssheshedsonyourbehalf.
Asformynotcomingnearyou,Iwasneveruneasyaboutyou,forIwascertainyouwouldgetbacksafelythoughyouwouldloseallyourmen,andIdidnotwishtoquarrelwithmyuncleNeptune,whoneverforgaveyouforhavingblindedhisson.
{121}Iwillnow,however,pointouttoyouthelieoftheland,andyouwillthenperhapsbelieveme.
ThisisthehavenoftheoldmermanPhorcys,andhereistheolivetreethatgrowsat278of550TheOdysseytheheadofit;[nearitisthecavesacredtotheNaiads;]{122}heretooistheoverarchingcaverninwhichyouhaveofferedmanyanacceptablehecatombtothenymphs,andthisisthewoodedmountainNeritum.
'Asshespokethegoddessdispersedthemistandthelandappeared.
ThenUlyssesrejoicedatfindinghimselfagaininhisownland,andkissedthebounteoussoil;helifteduphishandsandprayedtothenymphs,saying,'Naiadnymphs,daughtersofJove,ImadesurethatIwasneveragaintoseeyou,nowthereforeIgreetyouwithalllovingsalutations,andIwillbringyouofferingsasintheolddays,ifJove'sredoubtabledaughterwillgrantmelife,andbringmysontomanhood.
''Takeheart,anddonottroubleyourselfaboutthat,'rejoinedMinerva,'letusrathersetaboutstowingyourthingsatonceinthecave,wheretheywillbequitesafe.
Letusseehowwecanbestmanageitall.
'Therewithshewentdownintothecavetolookforthesafesthidingplaces,whileUlyssesbroughtupallthetreasureofgold,bronze,andgoodclothingwhichthePhaeacianshadgivenhim.
Theystowedeverythingcarefullyaway,andMinervasetastoneagainstthedoorofthecave.
Thenthetwosatdownbytherootofthegreat279of550TheOdysseyolive,andconsultedhowtocompassthedestructionofthewickedsuitors.
'Ulysses,'saidMinerva,'noblesonofLaertes,thinkhowyoucanlayhandsonthesedisreputablepeoplewhohavebeenlordingitinyourhousethesethreeyears,courtingyourwifeandmakingweddingpresentstoher,whileshedoesnothingbutlamentyourabsence,givinghopeandsendingencouragingmessages{123}toeveryoneofthem,butmeaningtheveryoppositeofallshesays.
'AndUlyssesanswered,'Ingoodtruth,goddess,itseemsIshouldhavecometomuchthesamebadendinmyownhouseasAgamemnondid,ifyouhadnotgivenmesuchtimelyinformation.
AdvisemehowIshallbestavengemyself.
StandbymysideandputyourcourageintomyheartasonthedaywhenweloosedTroy'sfairdiademfromherbrow.
Helpmenowasyoudidthen,andIwillfightthreehundredmen,ifyou,goddess,willbewithme.
''Trustmeforthat,'saidshe,'Iwillnotlosesightofyouwhenoncewesetaboutit,andIimaginethatsomeofthosewhoaredevouringyoursubstancewillthenbespatterthepavementwiththeirbloodandbrains.
Iwillbeginbydisguisingyousothatnohumanbeingshall280of550TheOdysseyknowyou;Iwillcoveryourbodywithwrinkles;youshallloseallyouryellowhair;Iwillclotheyouinagarmentthatshallfillallwhoseeitwithloathing;Iwillblearyourfineeyesforyou,andmakeyouanunseemlyobjectinthesightofthesuitors,ofyourwife,andofthesonwhomyouleftbehindyou.
Thengoatoncetotheswineherdwhoisinchargeofyourpigs;hehasbeenalwayswellaffectedtowardsyou,andisdevotedtoPenelopeandyourson;youwillfindhimfeedinghispigsneartherockthatiscalledRaven{124}bythefountainArethusa,wheretheyarefatteningonbeechmastandspringwateraftertheirmanner.
Staywithhimandfindouthowthingsaregoing,whileIproceedtoSpartaandseeyourson,whoiswithMenelausatLacedaemon,wherehehasgonetotryandfindoutwhetheryouarestillalive.
'{125}'Butwhy,'saidUlysses,'didyounottellhim,foryouknewallaboutitDidyouwanthimtootogosailingaboutamidallkindsofhardshipwhileothersareeatinguphisestate'Minervaanswered,'Nevermindabouthim,Isenthimthathemightbewellspokenofforhavinggone.
Heisinnosortofdifficulty,butisstayingquitecomfortablywithMenelaus,andissurroundedwithabundanceofeverykind.
Thesuitorshaveputouttoseaandarelyinginwait281of550TheOdysseyforhim,fortheymeantokillhimbeforehecangethome.
Idonotmuchthinktheywillsucceed,butratherthatsomeofthosewhoarenoweatingupyourestatewillfirstfindagravethemselves.
'AsshespokeMinervatouchedhimwithherwandandcoveredhimwithwrinkles,tookawayallhisyellowhair,andwitheredthefleshoverhiswholebody;sheblearedhiseyes,whichwerenaturallyveryfineones;shechangedhisclothesandthrewanoldragofawrapabouthim,andatunic,tattered,filthy,andbegrimedwithsmoke;shealsogavehimanundresseddeerskinasanoutergarment,andfurnishedhimwithastaffandawalletallinholes,withatwistedthongforhimtoslingitoverhisshoulder.
Whenthepairhadthuslaidtheirplanstheyparted,andthegoddesswentstraighttoLacedaemontofetchTelemachus.
282of550TheOdysseyBookXIVULYSSESINTHEHUTWITHEUMAEUS.
Ulyssesnowleftthehaven,andtooktheroughtrackupthroughthewoodedcountryandoverthecrestofthemountaintillhereachedtheplacewhereMinervahadsaidthathewouldfindtheswineherd,whowasthemostthriftyservanthehad.
Hefoundhimsittinginfrontofhishut,whichwasbytheyardsthathehadbuiltonasitewhichcouldbeseenfromfar.
Hehadmadethemspacious{126}andfairtosee,withafreerunforthepigsallroundthem;hehadbuiltthemduringhismaster'sabsence,ofstoneswhichhehadgatheredoutoftheground,withoutsayinganythingtoPenelopeorLaertes,andhehadfencedthemontopwiththornbushes.
Outsidetheyardhehadrunastrongfenceofoakenposts,split,andsetprettyclosetogether,whileinsidehehadbuilttwelvestyesnearoneanotherforthesowstoliein.
Therewerefiftypigswallowingineachstye,allofthembreedingsows;buttheboarssleptoutsideandweremuchfewerinnumber,forthesuitorskeptoneatingthem,andtheswineherdhadtosendthemthebesthehadcontinually.
Therewerethreehundredandsixtyboarpigs,283of550TheOdysseyandtheherdsman'sfourhounds,whichwereasfierceaswolves,sleptalwayswiththem.
Theswineherdwasatthatmomentcuttingoutapairofsandals{127}fromagoodstoutoxhide.
Threeofhismenwereoutherdingthepigsinoneplaceoranother,andhehadsentthefourthtotownwithaboarthathehadbeenforcedtosendthesuitorsthattheymightsacrificeitandhavetheirfillofmeat.
WhenthehoundssawUlyssestheysetupafuriousbarkingandflewathim,butUlysseswascunningenoughtositdownandloosehisholdofthestickthathehadinhishand:still,hewouldhavebeentornbytheminhisownhomesteadhadnottheswineherddroppedhisoxhide,rushedfullspeedthroughthegateoftheyardanddriventhedogsoffbyshoutingandthrowingstonesatthem.
ThenhesaidtoUlysses,'Oldman,thedogswerelikelytohavemadeshortworkofyou,andthenyouwouldhavegotmeintotrouble.
Thegodshavegivenmequiteenoughworrieswithoutthat,forIhavelostthebestofmasters,andamincontinualgriefonhisaccount.
Ihavetoattendswineforotherpeopletoeat,whilehe,ifheyetlivestoseethelightofday,isstarvinginsomedistantland.
Butcomeinside,andwhenyouhavehad284of550TheOdysseyyourfillofbreadandwine,tellmewhereyoucomefrom,andallaboutyourmisfortunes.
'Onthistheswineherdledthewayintothehutandbadehimsitdown.
Hestrewedagoodthickbedofrushesuponthefloor,andonthetopofthishethrewtheshaggychamoisskin—agreatthickone—onwhichheusedtosleepbynight.
Ulysseswaspleasedatbeingmadethuswelcome,andsaid'MayJove,sir,andtherestofthegodsgrantyouyourheart'sdesireinreturnforthekindwayinwhichyouhavereceivedme.
'Tothisyouanswered,OswineherdEumaeus,'Stranger,thoughastillpoorermanshouldcomehere,itwouldnotberightformetoinsulthim,forallstrangersandbeggarsarefromJove.
Youmusttakewhatyoucangetandbethankful,forservantsliveinfearwhentheyhaveyounglordsfortheirmasters;andthisismymisfortunenow,forheavenhashinderedthereturnofhimwhowouldhavebeenalwaysgoodtomeandgivenmesomethingofmyown—ahouse,apieceofland,agoodlookingwife,andallelsethataliberalmasterallowsaservantwhohasworkedhardforhim,andwhoselabourthegodshaveprosperedastheyhavemineinthesituationwhichIhold.
Ifmymasterhadgrownoldherehewouldhavedonegreatthingsbyme,butheisgone,andIwish285of550TheOdysseythatHelen'swholeracewereutterlydestroyed,forshehasbeenthedeathofmanyagoodman.
ItwasthismatterthattookmymastertoIlius,thelandofnoblesteeds,tofighttheTrojansinthecauseofkingAgamemnon.
'Ashespokeheboundhisgirdleroundhimandwenttothestyeswheretheyoungsuckingpigswerepenned.
Hepickedouttwowhichhebroughtbackwithhimandsacrificed.
Hesingedthem,cutthemup,andspittedthem;whenthemeatwascookedhebroughtitallinandsetitbeforeUlysses,hotandstillonthespit,whereonUlyssessprinkleditoverwithwhitebarleymeal.
Theswineherdthenmixedwineinabowlofivy-wood,andtakingaseatoppositeUlyssestoldhimtobegin.
'Fallto,stranger,'saidhe,'onadishofservant'spork.
Thefatpigshavetogotothesuitors,whoeatthemupwithoutshameorscruple;buttheblessedgodslovenotsuchshamefuldoings,andrespectthosewhodowhatislawfulandright.
Eventhefiercefreebooterswhogoraidingonotherpeople'sland,andJovegivesthemtheirspoil—eventhey,whentheyhavefilledtheirshipsandgothomeagainliveconscience-stricken,andlookfearfullyforjudgement;butsomegodseemstohavetoldthesepeoplethatUlyssesisdeadandgone;theywillnot,therefore,gobacktotheirownhomesandmaketheir286of550TheOdysseyoffersofmarriageintheusualway,butwastehisestatebyforce,withoutfearorstint.
Notadayornightcomesoutofheaven,buttheysacrificenotonevictimnortwoonly,andtheytaketherunofhiswine,forhewasexceedinglyrich.
NoothergreatmaneitherinIthacaoronthemainlandisasrichashewas;hehadasmuchastwentymenputtogether.
Iwilltellyouwhathehad.
Therearetwelveherdsofcattleuponthemainland,andasmanyflocksofsheep,therearealsotwelvedrovesofpigs,whilehisownmenandhiredstrangersfeedhimtwelvewidelyspreadingherdsofgoats.
HereinIthacaherunsevenlargeflocksofgoatsonthefarendoftheisland,andtheyareinthechargeofexcellentgoatherds.
Eachoneofthesesendsthesuitorsthebestgoatintheflockeveryday.
Asformyself,Iaminchargeofthepigsthatyouseehere,andIhavetokeeppickingoutthebestIhaveandsendingittothem.
'Thiswashisstory,butUlysseswentoneatinganddrinkingravenouslywithoutaword,broodinghisrevenge.
Whenhehadeatenenoughandwassatisfied,theswineherdtookthebowlfromwhichheusuallydrank,filleditwithwine,andgaveittoUlysses,whowaspleased,andsaidashetookitinhishands,'Myfriend,whowasthismasterofyoursthatboughtyouandpaidfor287of550TheOdysseyyou,sorichandsopowerfulasyoutellmeYousayheperishedinthecauseofKingAgamemnon;tellmewhohewas,incaseImayhavemetwithsuchaperson.
Joveandtheothergodsknow,butImaybeabletogiveyounewsofhim,forIhavetravelledmuch.
'Eumaeusanswered,'Oldman,notravellerwhocomesherewithnewswillgetUlysses'wifeandsontobelievehisstory.
Nevertheless,trampsinwantofalodgingkeepcomingwiththeirmouthsfulloflies,andnotawordoftruth;everyonewhofindshiswaytoIthacagoestomymistressandtellsherfalsehoods,whereonshetakesthemin,makesmuchofthem,andasksthemallmannerofquestions,cryingallthetimeaswomenwillwhentheyhavelosttheirhusbands.
Andyoutoo,oldman,forashirtandacloakwoulddoubtlessmakeupaveryprettystory.
ButthewolvesandbirdsofpreyhavelongsincetornUlyssestopieces,orthefishesoftheseahaveeatenhim,andhisbonesarelyingburieddeepinsanduponsomeforeignshore;heisdeadandgone,andabadbusinessitisforallhisfriends—formeespecially;gowhereImayIshallneverfindsogoodamaster,notevenifIweretogohometomymotherandfatherwhereIwasbredandborn.
Idonotsomuchcare,however,aboutmyparentsnow,thoughIshoulddearlyliketoseethemagaininmyown288of550TheOdysseycountry;itisthelossofUlyssesthatgrievesmemost;Icannotspeakofhimwithoutreverencethoughheisherenolonger,forhewasveryfondofme,andtooksuchcareofmethatwhereverhemaybeIshallalwayshonourhismemory.
''Myfriend,'repliedUlysses,'youareverypositive,andveryhardofbeliefaboutyourmaster'scominghomeagain,neverthelessIwillnotmerelysay,butwillswear,thatheiscoming.
Donotgivemeanythingformynewstillhehasactuallycome,youmaythengivemeashirtandcloakofgoodwearifyouwill.
Iamingreatwant,butIwillnottakeanythingatalltillthen,forIhateaman,evenasIhatehellfire,wholetshispovertytempthimintolying.
IswearbykingJove,bytheritesofhospitality,andbythathearthofUlyssestowhichIhavenowcome,thatallwillsurelyhappenasIhavesaiditwill.
Ulysseswillreturninthisselfsameyear;withtheendofthismoonandthebeginningofthenexthewillbeheretodovengeanceonallthosewhoareilltreatinghiswifeandson.
'Tothisyouanswered,OswineherdEumaeus,'Oldman,youwillneithergetpaidforbringinggoodnews,norwillUlyssesevercomehome;drinkyourwineinpeace,andletustalkaboutsomethingelse.
Donotkeep289of550TheOdysseyonremindingmeofallthis;italwayspainsmewhenanyonespeaksaboutmyhonouredmaster.
Asforyouroathwewillletitalone,butIonlywishhemaycome,asdoPenelope,hisoldfatherLaertes,andhissonTelemachus.
Iamterriblyunhappytooaboutthissameboyofhis;hewasrunningupfastintomanhood,andbadefaretobenoworseman,faceandfigure,thanhisfather,butsomeone,eithergodorman,hasbeenunsettlinghismind,sohehasgoneofftoPylostotryandgetnewsofhisfather,andthesuitorsarelyinginwaitforhimasheiscominghome,inthehopeofleavingthehouseofArceisiuswithoutanameinIthaca.
Butletussaynomoreabouthim,andleavehimtobetaken,orelsetoescapeifthesonofSaturnholdshishandoverhimtoprotecthim.
Andnow,oldman,tellmeyourownstory;tellmealso,forIwanttoknow,whoyouareandwhereyoucomefrom.
Tellmeofyourtownandparents,whatmannerofshipyoucamein,howcrewbroughtyoutoIthaca,andfromwhatcountrytheyprofessedtocome—foryoucannothavecomebyland.
'AndUlyssesanswered,'Iwilltellyouallaboutit.
Ifthereweremeatandwineenough,andwecouldstayhereinthehutwithnothingtodobuttoeatanddrinkwhiletheothersgototheirwork,Icouldeasilytalkonforawhole290of550TheOdysseytwelvemonthswithouteverfinishingthestoryofthesorrowswithwhichithaspleasedheaventovisitme.
'IambybirthaCretan;myfatherwasawelltodoman,whohadmanysonsborninmarriage,whereasIwasthesonofaslavewhomhehadpurchasedforaconcubine;nevertheless,myfatherCastorsonofHylax(whoselineageIclaim,andwhowasheldinthehighesthonouramongtheCretansforhiswealth,prosperity,andthevalourofhissons)putmeonthesamelevelwithmybrotherswhohadbeenborninwedlock.
When,however,deathtookhimtothehouseofHades,hissonsdividedhisestateandcastlotsfortheirshares,buttometheygaveaholdingandlittleelse;nevertheless,myvalourenabledmetomarryintoarichfamily,forIwasnotgiventobragging,orshirkingonthefieldofbattle.
Itisallovernow;still,ifyoulookatthestrawyoucanseewhattheearwas,forIhavehadtroubleenoughandtospare.
MarsandMinervamademedoughtyinwar;whenIhadpickedmymentosurprisetheenemywithanambuscadeInevergavedeathsomuchasathought,butwasthefirsttoleapforwardandspearallwhomIcouldovertake.
SuchwasIinbattle,butIdidnotcareaboutfarmwork,northefrugalhomelifeofthosewhowouldbringupchildren.
Mydelightwasinships,fighting,javelins,andarrows—291of550TheOdysseythingsthatmostmenshuddertothinkof;butonemanlikesonethingandanotheranother,andthiswaswhatIwasmostnaturallyinclinedto.
BeforetheAchaeanswenttoTroy,ninetimeswasIincommandofmenandshipsonforeignservice,andIamassedmuchwealth.
Ihadmypickofthespoilinthefirstinstance,andmuchmorewasallottedtomelateron.
'MyhousegrewapaceandIbecameagreatmanamongtheCretans,butwhenJovecounselledthatterribleexpedition,inwhichsomanyperished,thepeoplerequiredmeandIdomeneustoleadtheirshipstoTroy,andtherewasnowayoutofit,fortheyinsistedonourdoingso.
Therewefoughtforninewholeyears,butinthetenthwesackedthecityofPriamandsailedhomeagainasheavendispersedus.
ThenitwasthatJovedevisedevilagainstme.
Ispentbutonemonthhappilywithmychildren,wife,andproperty,andthenIconceivedtheideaofmakingadescentonEgypt,soIfittedoutafinefleetandmannedit.
Ihadnineships,andthepeopleflockedtofillthem.
ForsixdaysIandmymenmadefeast,andIfoundthemmanyvictimsbothforsacrificetothegodsandforthemselves,butontheseventhdaywewentonboardandsetsailfromCretewithafairNorthwindbehindusthoughweweregoingdownariver.
Nothing292of550TheOdysseywentillwithanyofourships,andwehadnosicknessonboard,butsatwherewewereandlettheshipsgoasthewindandsteersmentookthem.
OnthefifthdaywereachedtheriverAegyptus;thereIstationedmyshipsintheriver,biddingmymenstaybythemandkeepguardoverthemwhileIsentoutscoutstoreconnoitrefromeverypointofvantage.
'Butthemendisobeyedmyorders,tooktotheirowndevices,andravagedthelandoftheEgyptians,killingthemen,andtakingtheirwivesandchildrencaptive.
Thealarmwassooncarriedtothecity,andwhentheyheardthewarcry,thepeoplecameoutatdaybreaktilltheplainwasfilledwithhorsemenandfootsoldiersandwiththegleamofarmour.
ThenJovespreadpanicamongmymen,andtheywouldnolongerfacetheenemy,fortheyfoundthemselvessurrounded.
TheEgyptianskilledmanyofus,andtooktherestalivetodoforcedlabourforthem.
Jove,however,putitinmymindtodothus—andIwishIhaddiedthenandthereinEgyptinstead,fortherewasmuchsorrowinstoreforme—Itookoffmyhelmetandshieldanddroppedmyspearfrommyhand;thenIwentstraightuptotheking'schariot,claspedhiskneesandkissedthem,whereonhesparedmylife,bademegetintohischariot,andtookmeweepingtohisownhome.
Many293of550TheOdysseymadeatmewiththeirashenspearsandtriedtokillmeintheirfury,butthekingprotectedme,forhefearedthewrathofJovetheprotectorofstrangers,whopunishesthosewhodoevil.
'IstayedthereforsevenyearsandgottogethermuchmoneyamongtheEgyptians,fortheyallgavemesomething;butwhenitwasnowgoingonforeightyearstherecameacertainPhoenician,acunningrascal,whohadalreadycommittedallsortsofvillainy,andthismantalkedmeoverintogoingwithhimtoPhoenicia,wherehishouseandhispossessionslay.
Istayedthereforawholetwelvemonths,butattheendofthattimewhenmonthsanddayshadgonebytillthesameseasonhadcomeroundagain,hesetmeonboardashipboundforLibya,onapretencethatIwastotakeacargoalongwithhimtothatplace,butreallythathemightsellmeasaslaveandtakethemoneyIfetched.
Isuspectedhisintention,butwentonboardwithhim,forIcouldnothelpit.
'TheshipranbeforeafreshNorthwindtillwehadreachedtheseathatliesbetweenCreteandLibya;there,however,Jovecounselledtheirdestruction,forassoonaswewerewelloutfromCreteandcouldseenothingbutseaandsky,heraisedablackcloudoverourshipandthe294of550TheOdysseyseagrewdarkbeneathit.
ThenJoveletflywithhisthunderboltsandtheshipwentroundandroundandwasfilledwithfireandbrimstoneasthelightningstruckit.
Themenfellallintothesea;theywerecarriedaboutinthewaterroundtheshiplookinglikesomanysea-gulls,butthegodpresentlydeprivedthemofallchanceofgettinghomeagain.
Iwasalldismayed.
Jove,however,senttheship'smastwithinmyreach,whichsavedmylife,forIclungtoit,anddriftedbeforethefuryofthegale.
NinedaysdidIdriftbutinthedarknessofthetenthnightagreatwaveboremeontotheThesprotiancoast.
TherePheidonkingoftheThesprotiansentertainedmehospitablywithoutchargingmeanythingatall—forhissonfoundmewhenIwasnearlydeadwithcoldandfatigue,whereonheraisedmebythehand,tookmetohisfather'shouseandgavemeclothestowear.
'ThereitwasthatIheardnewsofUlysses,forthekingtoldmehehadentertainedhim,andshownhimmuchhospitalitywhilehewasonhishomewardjourney.
Heshowedmealsothetreasureofgold,andwroughtironthatUlysseshadgottogether.
Therewasenoughtokeephisfamilyfortengenerations,somuchhadheleftinthehouseofkingPheidon.
ButthekingsaidUlysseshadgonetoDodonathathemightlearnJove'smindfromthe295of550TheOdysseygod'shighoaktree,andknowwhetheraftersolonganabsenceheshouldreturntoIthacaopenly,orinsecret.
Moreoverthekingsworeinmypresence,makingdrink-offeringsinhisownhouseashedidso,thattheshipwasbythewaterside,andthecrewfound,thatshouldtakehimtohisowncountry.
HesentmeoffhoweverbeforeUlyssesreturned,fortherehappenedtobeaThesprotianshipsailingforthewheat-growingislandofDulichium,andhetoldthoseinchargeofhertobesureandtakemesafelytoKingAcastus.
'Thesemenhatchedaplotagainstmethatwouldhavereducedmetotheveryextremeofmisery,forwhentheshiphadgotsomewayoutfromlandtheyresolvedonsellingmeasaslave.
TheystrippedmeoftheshirtandcloakthatIwaswearing,andgavemeinsteadthetatteredoldcloutsinwhichyounowseeme;then,towardsnightfall,theyreachedthetilledlandsofIthaca,andtheretheyboundmewithastrongropefastintheship,whiletheywentonshoretogetsupperbytheseaside.
Butthegodssoonundidmybondsforme,andhavingdrawnmyragsovermyheadIsliddowntherudderintothesea,whereIstruckoutandswamtillIwaswellclearofthem,andcameashorenearathickwoodinwhichIlayconcealed.
Theywereveryangryatmyhavingescaped296of550TheOdysseyandwentsearchingaboutforme,tillatlasttheythoughtitwasnofurtheruseandwentbacktotheirship.
Thegods,havinghiddenmethuseasily,thentookmetoagoodman'sdoor—foritseemsthatIamnottodieyetawhile.
'Tothisyouanswered,OswineherdEumaeus,'Poorunhappystranger,Ihavefoundthestoryofyourmisfortunesextremelyinteresting,butthatpartaboutUlyssesisnotright;andyouwillnevergetmetobelieveit.
WhyshouldamanlikeyougoabouttellingliesinthiswayIknowallaboutthereturnofmymaster.
Thegodsoneandallofthemdetesthim,ortheywouldhavetakenhimbeforeTroy,orlethimdiewithfriendsaroundhimwhenthedaysofhisfightingweredone;forthentheAchaeanswouldhavebuiltamoundoverhisashesandhissonwouldhavebeenheirtohisrenown,butnowthestormwindshavespiritedhimawayweknownotwhither.
'AsformeIliveoutofthewayherewiththepigs,andnevergotothetownunlesswhenPenelopesendsformeonthearrivalofsomenewsaboutUlysses.
Thentheyallsitroundandaskquestions,boththosewhogrieveovertheking'sabsence,andthosewhorejoiceatitbecausetheycaneatuphispropertywithoutpayingforit.
FormyownpartIhavenevercaredaboutaskinganyoneelse297of550TheOdysseysincethetimewhenIwastakeninbyanAetolian,whohadkilledamanandcomealongwaytillatlasthereachedmystation,andIwasverykindtohim.
HesaidhehadseenUlysseswithIdomeneusamongtheCretans,refittinghisshipswhichhadbeendamagedinagale.
HesaidUlysseswouldreturninthefollowingsummerorautumnwithhismen,andthathewouldbringbackmuchwealth.
Andnowyou,youunfortunateoldman,sincefatehasbroughtyoutomydoor,donottrytoflattermeinthiswaywithvainhopes.
ItisnotforanysuchreasonthatIshalltreatyoukindly,butonlyoutofrespectforJovethegodofhospitality,asfearinghimandpityingyou.
'Ulyssesanswered,'Iseethatyouareofanunbelievingmind;Ihavegivenyoumyoath,andyetyouwillnotcreditme;letusthenmakeabargain,andcallallthegodsinheaventowitnessit.
Ifyourmastercomeshome,givemeacloakandshirtofgoodwear,andsendmetoDulichiumwhereIwanttogo;butifhedoesnotcomeasIsayhewill,setyourmenontome,andtellthemtothrowmefromyonderprecipice,asawarningtotrampsnottogoaboutthecountrytellinglies.
''AndaprettyfigureIshouldcutthen,'repliedEumaeus,'bothnowandhereafter,ifIweretokillyouafterreceivingyouintomyhutandshowingyou298of550TheOdysseyhospitality.
IshouldhavetosaymyprayersingoodearnestifIdid;butitisjustsuppertimeandIhopemymenwillcomeindirectly,thatwemaycooksomethingsavouryforsupper.
'Thusdidtheyconverse,andpresentlytheswineherdscameupwiththepigs,whichwerethenshutupforthenightintheirstyes,andatremendoussquealingtheymadeastheywerebeingdrivenintothem.
ButEumaeuscalledtohismenandsaid,'Bringinthebestpigyouhave,thatImaysacrificehimforthisstranger,andwewilltaketollofhimourselves.
Wehavehadtroubleenoughthislongtimefeedingpigs,whileothersreapthefruitofourlabour.
'Onthishebeganchoppingfirewood,whiletheothersbroughtinafinefatfiveyearoldboarpig,andsetitatthealtar.
Eumaeusdidnotforgetthegods,forhewasamanofgoodprinciples,sothefirstthinghedidwastocutbristlesfromthepig'sfaceandthrowthemintothefire,prayingtoallthegodsashedidsothatUlyssesmightreturnhomeagain.
Thenheclubbedthepigwithabilletofoakwhichhehadkeptbackwhenhewaschoppingthefirewood,andstunnedit,whiletheothersslaughteredandsingedit.
Thentheycutitup,andEumaeusbeganbyputtingrawpiecesfromeachjointontosomeofthefat;299of550TheOdysseythesehesprinkledwithbarleymeal,andlaidupontheembers;theycuttherestofthemeatupsmall,putthepiecesuponthespitsandroastedthemtilltheyweredone;whentheyhadtakenthemoffthespitstheythrewthemontothedresserinaheap.
Theswineherd,whowasamostequitableman,thenstooduptogiveeveryonehisshare.
Hemadesevenportions;oneofthesehesetapartforMercurythesonofMaiaandthenymphs,prayingtothemashedidso;theothershedealtouttothemenmanbyman.
HegaveUlyssessomeslicescutlengthwaysdowntheloinasamarkofespecialhonour,andUlysseswasmuchpleased.
'Ihope,Eumaeus,'saidhe,'thatJovewillbeaswelldisposedtowardsyouasIam,fortherespectyouareshowingtoanoutcastlikemyself.
'Tothisyouanswered,OswineherdEumaeus,'Eat,mygoodfellow,andenjoyyoursupper,suchasitis.
Godgrantsthis,andwithholdsthat,justashethinksright,forhecandowhateverhechooses.
'Ashespokehecutoffthefirstpieceandoffereditasaburntsacrificetotheimmortalgods;thenhemadethemadrink-offering,putthecupinthehandsofUlysses,andsatdowntohisownportion.
Mesauliusbroughtthemtheirbread;theswineherdhadbroughtthismanonhisownaccountfromamongtheTaphiansduringhis300of550TheOdysseymaster'sabsence,andhadpaidforhimwithhisownmoneywithoutsayinganythingeithertohismistressorLaertes.
Theythenlaidtheirhandsuponthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem,andwhentheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrink,Mesauliustookawaywhatwasleftofthebread,andtheyallwenttobedafterhavingmadeaheartysupper.
Nowthenightcameonstormyandverydark,fortherewasnomoon.
Itpouredwithoutceasing,andthewindblewstrongfromtheWest,whichisawetquarter,soUlyssesthoughthewouldseewhetherEumaeus,intheexcellentcarehetookofhim,wouldtakeoffhisowncloakandgiveithim,ormakeoneofhismengivehimone.
'Listentome,'saidhe,'Eumaeusandtherestofyou;whenIhavesaidaprayerIwilltellyousomething.
Itisthewinethatmakesmetalkinthisway;winewillmakeevenawisemanfalltosinging;itwillmakehimchuckleanddanceandsaymanyawordthathehadbetterleaveunspoken;still,asIhavebegun,Iwillgoon.
WouldthatIwerestillyoungandstrongaswhenwegotupanambuscadebeforeTroy.
MenelausandUlyssesweretheleaders,butIwasincommandalso,fortheothertwowouldhaveitso.
Whenwehadcomeuptothewallofthecitywecroucheddownbeneathourarmourandlaythere301of550TheOdysseyundercoverofthereedsandthickbrushwoodthatgrewabouttheswamp.
ItcameontofreezewithaNorthwindblowing;thesnowfellsmallandfinelikehoarfrost,andourshieldswerecoatedthickwithrime.
Theothershadallgotcloaksandshirts,andsleptcomfortablyenoughwiththeirshieldsabouttheirshoulders,butIhadcarelesslyleftmycloakbehindme,notthinkingthatIshouldbetoocold,andhadgoneoffinnothingbutmyshirtandshield.
Whenthenightwastwo-thirdsthroughandthestarshadshiftedtheirplaces,InudgedUlysseswhowasclosetomewithmyelbow,andheatoncegavemehisear.
''Ulysses,'saidI,'thiscoldwillbethedeathofme,forIhavenocloak;somegodfooledmeintosettingoffwithnothingonbutmyshirt,andIdonotknowwhattodo.
''Ulysses,whowasascraftyashewasvaliant,hituponthefollowingplan:''Keepstill,'saidheinalowvoice,'ortheotherswillhearyou.
'Thenheraisedhisheadonhiselbow.
''Myfriends,'saidhe,'Ihavehadadreamfromheaveninmysleep.
Wearealongwayfromtheships;IwishsomeonewouldgodownandtellAgamemnontosendusupmoremenatonce.
'302of550TheOdyssey'OnthisThoassonofAndraemonthrewoffhiscloakandsetoutrunningtotheships,whereonItookthecloakandlayinitcomfortablyenoughtillmorning.
WouldthatIwerestillyoungandstrongasIwasinthosedays,forthensomeoneofyouswineherdswouldgivemeacloakbothoutofgoodwillandfortherespectduetoabravesoldier;butnowpeoplelookdownuponmebecausemyclothesareshabby.
'AndEumaeusanswered,'Oldman,youhavetoldusanexcellentstory,andhavesaidnothingsofarbutwhatisquitesatisfactory;forthepresent,therefore,youshallwantneitherclothingnoranythingelsethatastrangerindistressmayreasonablyexpect,butto-morrowmorningyouhavetoshakeyourownoldragsaboutyourbodyagain,forwehavenotmanysparecloaksnorshirtsuphere,buteverymanhasonlyone.
WhenUlysses'soncomeshomeagainhewillgiveyoubothcloakandshirt,andsendyouwhereveryoumaywanttogo.
'WiththishegotupandmadeabedforUlyssesbythrowingsomegoatskinsandsheepskinsonthegroundinfrontofthefire.
HereUlysseslaydown,andEumaeuscoveredhimoverwithagreatheavycloakthathekeptforachangeincaseofextraordinarilybadweather.
303of550TheOdysseyThusdidUlyssessleep,andtheyoungmensleptbesidehim.
Buttheswineherddidnotlikesleepingawayfromhispigs,sohegotreadytogooutside,andUlysseswasgladtoseethathelookedafterhispropertyduringhismaster'sabsence.
Firstheslunghisswordoverhisbrawnyshouldersandputonathickcloaktokeepoutthewind.
Healsotooktheskinofalargeandwellfedgoat,andajavelinincaseofattackfrommenordogs.
ThusequippedhewenttohisrestwherethepigswerecampingunderanoverhangingrockthatgavethemshelterfromtheNorthwind.
304of550TheOdysseyBookXVMINERVASUMMONSTELEMACHUSFROMLACEDAEMON—HEMEETSWITHTHEOCLYMENUSATPYLOSANDBRINGSHIMTOITHACA—ONLANDINGHEGOESTOTHEHUTOFEUMAEUS.
ButMinervawenttothefaircityofLacedaemontotellUlysses'sonthathewastoreturnatonce.
ShefoundhimandPisistratussleepingintheforecourtofMenelaus'shouse;Pisistratuswasfastasleep,butTelemachuscouldgetnorestallnightforthinkingofhisunhappyfather,soMinervawentcloseuptohimandsaid:'Telemachus,youshouldnotremainsofarawayfromhomeanylonger,norleaveyourpropertywithsuchdangerouspeopleinyourhouse;theywilleatupeverythingyouhaveamongthem,andyouwillhavebeenonafool'serrand.
AskMenelaustosendyouhomeatonceifyouwishtofindyourexcellentmotherstilltherewhenyougetback.
HerfatherandbrothersarealreadyurginghertomarryEurymachus,whohasgivenhermorethananyoftheothers,andhasbeengreatlyincreasinghisweddingpresents.
Ihopenothingvaluablemayhavebeen305of550TheOdysseytakenfromthehouseinspiteofyou,butyouknowwhatwomenare—theyalwayswanttodothebesttheycanforthemanwhomarriesthem,andnevergiveanotherthoughttothechildrenoftheirfirsthusband,nortotheirfathereitherwhenheisdeadanddonewith.
Gohome,therefore,andputeverythinginchargeofthemostrespectablewomanservantthatyouhave,untilitshallpleaseheaventosendyouawifeofyourown.
Letmetellyoualsoofanothermatterwhichyouhadbetterattendto.
ThechiefmenamongthesuitorsarelyinginwaitforyouintheStrait{128}betweenIthacaandSamos,andtheymeantokillyoubeforeyoucanreachhome.
Idonotmuchthinktheywillsucceed;itismorelikelythatsomeofthosewhoarenoweatingupyourpropertywillfindagravethemselves.
Sailnightandday,andkeepyourshipwellawayfromtheislands;thegodwhowatchesoveryouandprotectsyouwillsendyouafairwind.
AssoonasyougettoIthacasendyourshipandmenontothetown,butyourselfgostraighttotheswineherdwhohaschargeofyourpigs;heiswelldisposedtowardsyou,staywithhim,therefore,forthenight,andthensendhimtoPenelopetotellherthatyouhavegotbacksafefromPylos.
'306of550TheOdysseyThenshewentbacktoOlympus;butTelemachusstirredPisistratuswithhisheeltorousehim,andsaid,'WakeupPisistratus,andyokethehorsestothechariot,forwemustsetoffhome.
'{129}ButPisistratussaid,'Nomatterwhathurryweareinwecannotdriveinthedark.
Itwillbemorningsoon;waittillMenelaushasbroughthispresentsandputtheminthechariotforus;andlethimsaygoodbyetousintheusualway.
Solongashelivesaguestshouldneverforgetahostwhohasshownhimkindness.
'Ashespokedaybegantobreak,andMenelaus,whohadalreadyrisen,leavingHeleninbed,cametowardsthem.
WhenTelemachussawhimheputonhisshirtasfastashecould,threwagreatcloakoverhisshoulders,andwentouttomeethim.
'Menelaus,'saidhe,'letmegobacknowtomyowncountry,forIwanttogethome.
'AndMenelausanswered,'Telemachus,ifyouinsistongoingIwillnotdetainyou.
Idonotliketoseeahosteithertoofondofhisguestortoorudetohim.
Moderationisbestinallthings,andnotlettingamangowhenhewantstodosoisasbadastellinghimtogoifhewouldliketostay.
Oneshouldtreataguestwellaslongasheisinthehouseandspeedhimwhenhewantstoleaveit.
Wait,then,tillIcangetyourbeautifulpresentsintoyour307of550TheOdysseychariot,andtillyouhaveyourselfseenthem.
Iwilltellthewomentoprepareasufficientdinnerforyouofwhattheremaybeinthehouse;itwillbeatoncemoreproperandcheaperforyoutogetyourdinnerbeforesettingoutonsuchalongjourney.
If,moreover,youhaveafancyformakingatourinHellasorinthePeloponnese,Iwillyokemyhorses,andwillconductyoumyselfthroughallourprincipalcities.
Noonewillsendusawayemptyhanded;everyonewillgiveussomething—abronzetripod,acoupleofmules,oragoldcup.
''Menelaus,'repliedTelemachus,'Iwanttogohomeatonce,forwhenIcameawayIleftmypropertywithoutprotection,andfearthatwhilelookingformyfatherIshallcometoruinmyself,orfindthatsomethingvaluablehasbeenstolenduringmyabsence.
'WhenMenelausheardthisheimmediatelytoldhiswifeandservantstoprepareasufficientdinnerfromwhattheremightbeinthehouse.
AtthismomentEteoneusjoinedhim,forhelivedclosebyandhadjustgotup;soMenelaustoldhimtolightthefireandcooksomemeat,whichheatoncedid.
ThenMenelauswentdownintohisfragrantstoreroom,{130}notalone,butHelenwenttoo,withMegapenthes.
Whenhereachedtheplacewherethetreasuresofhishousewerekept,heselectedadoublecup,308of550TheOdysseyandtoldhissonMegapenthestobringalsoasilvermixingbowl.
MeanwhileHelenwenttothechestwhereshekeptthelovelydresseswhichshehadmadewithherownhands,andtookoutonethatwaslargestandmostbeautifullyenrichedwithembroidery;itglitteredlikeastar,andlayattheverybottomofthechest.
{131}ThentheyallcamebackthroughthehouseagaintilltheygottoTelemachus,andMenelaussaid,'Telemachus,mayJove,themightyhusbandofJuno,bringyousafelyhomeaccordingtoyourdesire.
Iwillnowpresentyouwiththefinestandmostpreciouspieceofplateinallmyhouse.
Itisamixingbowlofpuresilver,excepttherim,whichisinlaidwithgold,anditistheworkofVulcan.
PhaedimuskingoftheSidoniansmademeapresentofitinthecourseofavisitthatIpaidhimwhileIwasonmyreturnhome.
Ishouldliketogiveittoyou.
'WiththesewordsheplacedthedoublecupinthehandsofTelemachus,whileMegapenthesbroughtthebeautifulmixingbowlandsetitbeforehim.
HardbystoodlovelyHelenwiththerobereadyinherhand.
'Itoo,myson,'saidshe,'havesomethingforyouasakeepsakefromthehandofHelen;itisforyourbridetowearuponherweddingday.
Tillthen,getyourdear309of550TheOdysseymothertokeepitforyou;thusmayyougobackrejoicingtoyourowncountryandtoyourhome.
'Sosayingshegavetherobeovertohimandhereceiveditgladly.
ThenPisistratusputthepresentsintothechariot,andadmiredthemallashedidso.
PresentlyMenelaustookTelemachusandPisistratusintothehouse,andtheybothofthemsatdowntotable.
Amaidservantbroughtthemwaterinabeautifulgoldenewer,andpoureditintoasilverbasinforthemtowashtheirhands,andshedrewacleantablebesidethem;anupperservantbroughtthembreadandofferedthemmanygoodthingsofwhattherewasinthehouse.
Eteoneuscarvedthemeatandgavethemeachtheirportions,whileMegapenthespouredoutthewine.
Thentheylaidtheirhandsuponthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem,butassoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrinkTelemachusandPisistratusyokedthehorses,andtooktheirplacesinthechariot.
Theydroveoutthroughtheinnergatewayandundertheechoinggatehouseoftheoutercourt,andMenelauscameafterthemwithagoldengobletofwineinhisrighthandthattheymightmakeadrink-offeringbeforetheysetout.
Hestoodinfrontofthehorsesandpledgedthem,saying,'Farewelltobothofyou;seethatyoutellNestorhowIhavetreatedyou,forhewasaskind310of550TheOdysseytomeasanyfathercouldbewhileweAchaeanswerefightingbeforeTroy.
''Wewillbesure,sir,'answeredTelemachus,'totellhimeverythingassoonasweseehim.
IwishIwereascertainoffindingUlyssesreturnedwhenIgetbacktoIthaca,thatImighttellhimoftheverygreatkindnessyouhaveshownmeandofthemanybeautifulpresentsIamtakingwithme.
'Ashewasthusspeakingabirdflewonhisrighthand—aneaglewithagreatwhitegooseinitstalonswhichithadcarriedofffromthefarmyard—andallthemenandwomenwererunningafteritandshouting.
Itcamequitecloseuptothemandflewawayontheirrighthandsinfrontofthehorses.
Whentheysawittheywereglad,andtheirheartstookcomfortwithinthem,whereonPisistratussaid,'Tellme,Menelaus,hasheavensentthisomenforusorforyou'Menelauswasthinkingwhatwouldbethemostproperanswerforhimtomake,butHelenwastooquickforhimandsaid,'Iwillreadthismatterasheavenhasputitinmyheart,andasIdoubtnotthatitwillcometopass.
Theeaglecamefromthemountainwhereitwasbredandhasitsnest,andinlikemannerUlysses,afterhavingtravelledfarandsufferedmuch,willreturntotakehisrevenge—if311of550TheOdysseyindeedheisnotbackalreadyandhatchingmischiefforthesuitors.
''MayJovesograntit,'repliedTelemachus,'ifitshouldprovetobeso,Iwillmakevowstoyouasthoughyouwereagod,evenwhenIamathome.
'Ashespokehelashedhishorsesandtheystartedoffatfullspeedthroughthetowntowardstheopencountry.
Theyswayedtheyokeupontheirnecksandtravelledthewholedaylongtillthesunsetanddarknesswasoveralltheland.
ThentheyreachedPherae,whereDiocleslivedwhowassonofOrtilochus,thesonofAlpheus.
Theretheypassedthenightandweretreatedhospitably.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,theyagainyokedtheirhorsesandtheirplacesinthechariot.
Theydroveoutthroughtheinnergatewayandundertheechoinggatehouseoftheoutercourt.
ThenPisistratuslashedhishorsesonandtheyflewforwardnothingloath;erelongtheycametoPylos,andthenTelemachussaid:'Pisistratus,IhopeyouwillpromisetodowhatIamgoingtoaskyou.
Youknowourfatherswereoldfriendsbeforeus;moreover,wearebothofanage,andthisjourneyhasbroughtustogetherstillmoreclosely;donot,therefore,takemepastmyship,butleavemethere,forifIgotoyourfather'shousehewilltrytokeepmeinthe312of550TheOdysseywarmthofhisgoodwilltowardsme,andImustgohomeatonce.
'Pisistratusthoughthowheshoulddoashewasasked,andintheendhedeemeditbesttoturnhishorsestowardstheship,andputMenelaus'sbeautifulpresentsofgoldandraimentinthesternofthevessel.
Thenhesaid,'GoonboardatonceandtellyourmentodosoalsobeforeIcanreachhometotellmyfather.
Iknowhowobstinateheis,andamsurehewillnotletyougo;hewillcomedownheretofetchyou,andhewillnotgobackwithoutyou.
Buthewillbeveryangry.
'WiththishedrovehisgoodlysteedsbacktothecityofthePyliansandsoonreachedhishome,butTelemachuscalledthementogetherandgavehisorders.
'Now,mymen,'saidhe,'geteverythinginorderonboardtheship,andletussetouthome.
'Thusdidhespeak,andtheywentonboardevenashehadsaid.
ButasTelemachuswasthusbusied,prayingalsoandsacrificingtoMinervaintheship'sstern,therecametohimamanfromadistantcountry,aseer,whowasflyingfromArgosbecausehehadkilledaman.
HewasdescendedfromMelampus,whousedtoliveinPylos,thelandofsheep;hewasrichandownedagreathouse,buthewasdrivenintoexilebythegreatand313of550TheOdysseypowerfulkingNeleus.
Neleusseizedhisgoodsandheldthemforawholeyear,duringwhichhewasacloseprisonerinthehouseofkingPhylacus,andinmuchdistressofmindbothonaccountofthedaughterofNeleusandbecausehewashauntedbyagreatsorrowthatdreadErinyshadlaiduponhim.
Intheend,however,heescapedwithhislife,drovethecattlefromPhylacetoPylos,avengedthewrongthathadbeendonehim,andgavethedaughterofNeleustohisbrother.
ThenheleftthecountryandwenttoArgos,whereitwasordainedthatheshouldreignovermuchpeople.
Therehemarried,establishedhimself,andhadtwofamoussonsAntiphatesandMantius.
AntiphatesbecamefatherofOicleus,andOicleusofAmphiaraus,whowasdearlylovedbothbyJoveandbyApollo,buthedidnotlivetooldage,forhewaskilledinThebesbyreasonofawoman'sgifts.
HissonswereAlcmaeonandAmphilochus.
Mantius,theothersonofMelampus,wasfathertoPolypheidesandCleitus.
Aurora,thronedingold,carriedoffCleitusforhisbeauty'ssake,thathemightdwellamongtheimmortals,butApollomadePolypheidesthegreatestseerinthewholeworldnowthatAmphiarauswasdead.
HequarrelledwithhisfatherandwenttoliveinHyperesia,whereheremainedandprophesiedforallmen.
314of550TheOdysseyHisson,Theoclymenus,itwaswhonowcameuptoTelemachusashewasmakingdrink-offeringsandprayinginhisship.
'Friend,'saidhe,'nowthatIfindyousacrificinginthisplace,Ibeseechyoubyyoursacrificesthemselves,andbythegodtowhomyoumakethem,Iprayyoualsobyyourownheadandbythoseofyourfollowerstellmethetruthandnothingbutthetruth.
WhoandwhenceareyouTellmealsoofyourtownandparents.
'Telemachussaid,'Iwillansweryouquitetruly.
IamfromIthaca,andmyfatherisUlysses,assurelyasthatheeverlived.
Buthehascometosomemiserableend.
ThereforeIhavetakenthisshipandgotmycrewtogethertoseeifIcanhearanynewsofhim,forhehasbeenawayalongtime.
''Itoo,'answeredTheoclymenus,'amanexile,forIhavekilledamanofmyownrace.
HehasmanybrothersandkinsmeninArgos,andtheyhavegreatpoweramongtheArgives.
Iamflyingtoescapedeathattheirhands,andamthusdoomedtobeawandereronthefaceoftheearth.
Iamyoursuppliant;takeme,therefore,onboardyourshipthattheymaynotkillme,forIknowtheyareinpursuit.
'315of550TheOdyssey'Iwillnotrefuseyou,'repliedTelemachus,'ifyouwishtojoinus.
Come,therefore,andinIthacawewilltreatyouhospitablyaccordingtowhatwehave.
'OnthishereceivedTheoclymenus'spearandlaiditdownonthedeckoftheship.
Hewentonboardandsatinthestern,biddingTheoclymenussitbesidehim;thenthemenletgothehawsers.
Telemachustoldthemtocatchholdoftheropes,andtheymadeallhastetodoso.
Theysetthemastinitssocketinthecrossplank,raiseditandmadeitfastwiththeforestays,andtheyhoistedtheirwhitesailswithsheetsoftwistedoxhide.
Minervasentthemafairwindthatblewfreshandstrongtotaketheshiponhercourseasfastaspossible.
ThusthentheypassedbyCrouniandChalcis.
Presentlythesunsetanddarknesswasoveralltheland.
ThevesselmadeaquickpassagetoPheaeandthenceontoElis,wheretheEpeansrule.
Telemachusthenheadedherfortheflyingislands,{132}wonderingwithinhimselfwhetherheshouldescapedeathorshouldbetakenprisoner.
MeanwhileUlyssesandtheswineherdwereeatingtheirsupperinthehut,andthemensuppedwiththem.
Assoonastheyhadhadtoeatanddrink,Ulyssesbegantryingtoprovetheswineherdandseewhetherhewould316of550TheOdysseycontinuetotreathimkindly,andaskhimtostayonatthestationorpackhimofftothecity;sohesaid:'Eumaeus,andallofyou,to-morrowIwanttogoawayandbeginbeggingaboutthetown,soastobenomoretroubletoyouortoyourmen.
Givemeyouradvicetherefore,andletmehaveagoodguidetogowithmeandshowmetheway.
IwillgotheroundofthecitybeggingasIneedsmust,toseeifanyonewillgivemeadrinkandapieceofbread.
IshouldlikealsotogotothehouseofUlyssesandbringnewsofherhusbandtoQueenPenelope.
Icouldthengoaboutamongthesuitorsandseeifoutofalltheirabundancetheywillgivemeadinner.
Ishouldsoonmakethemanexcellentservantinallsortsofways.
ListenandbelievewhenItellyouthatbytheblessingofMercurywhogivesgraceandgoodnametotheworksofallmen,thereisnoonelivingwhowouldmakeamorehandyservantthanIshould—toputfreshwoodonthefire,chopfuel,carve,cook,pouroutwine,anddoallthoseservicesthatpoormenhavetodofortheirbetters.
'Theswineherdwasverymuchdisturbedwhenheheardthis.
'Heavenhelpme,'heexclaimed,'whatevercanhaveputsuchanotionasthatintoyourheadIfyougonearthesuitorsyouwillbeundonetoacertainty,for317of550TheOdysseytheirprideandinsolencereachtheveryheavens.
Theywouldneverthinkoftakingamanlikeyouforaservant.
Theirservantsareallyoungmen,welldressed,wearinggoodcloaksandshirts,withwelllookingfacesandtheirhairalwaystidy,thetablesarekeptquitecleanandareloadedwithbread,meat,andwine.
Staywhereyouare,then;youarenotinanybody'sway;Idonotmindyourbeinghere,nomoredoanyoftheothers,andwhenTelemachuscomeshomehewillgiveyouashirtandcloakandwillsendyouwhereveryouwanttogo.
'Ulyssesanswered,'Ihopeyoumaybeasdeartothegodsasyouaretome,forhavingsavedmefromgoingaboutandgettingintotrouble;thereisnothingworsethanbeingalwaysonthetramp;still,whenmenhaveoncegotlowdownintheworldtheywillgothroughagreatdealonbehalfoftheirmiserablebellies.
Since,however,youpressmetostayhereandawaitthereturnofTelemachus,tellmeaboutUlysses'mother,andhisfatherwhomheleftonthethresholdofoldagewhenhesetoutforTroy.
AretheystilllivingoraretheyalreadydeadandinthehouseofHades''Iwilltellyouallaboutthem,'repliedEumaeus,'Laertesisstilllivingandpraysheaventolethimdepartpeacefullyinhisownhouse,forheisterriblydistressed318of550TheOdysseyabouttheabsenceofhisson,andalsoaboutthedeathofhiswife,whichgrievedhimgreatlyandagedhimmorethananythingelsedid.
Shecametoanunhappyend{133}throughsorrowforherson:maynofriendorneighbourwhohasdealtkindlybymecometosuchanendasshedid.
Aslongasshewasstillliving,thoughshewasalwaysgrieving,Iusedtolikeseeingherandaskingherhowshedid,forshebroughtmeupalongwithherdaughterCtimene,theyoungestofherchildren;wewereboyandgirltogether,andshemadelittledifferencebetweenus.
When,however,webothgrewup,theysentCtimenetoSameandreceivedasplendiddowryforher.
Asforme,mymistressgavemeagoodshirtandcloakwithapairofsandalsformyfeet,andsentmeoffintothecountry,butshewasjustasfondofmeasever.
Thisisallovernow.
StillithaspleasedheaventoprospermyworkinthesituationwhichInowhold.
Ihaveenoughtoeatanddrink,andcanfindsomethingforanyrespectablestrangerwhocomeshere;butthereisnogettingakindwordordeedoutofmymistress,forthehousehasfallenintothehandsofwickedpeople.
Servantswantsometimestoseetheirmistressandhaveatalkwithher;theyliketohavesomethingtoeatanddrinkatthehouse,andsomethingtoototakebackwiththemintothe319of550TheOdysseycountry.
Thisiswhatwillkeepservantsinagoodhumour.
'Ulyssesanswered,'Thenyoumusthavebeenaverylittlefellow,Eumaeus,whenyouweretakensofarawayfromyourhomeandparents.
Tellme,andtellmetrue,wasthecityinwhichyourfatherandmotherlivedsackedandpillaged,ordidsomeenemiescarryyouoffwhenyouwerealonetendingsheeporcattle,shipyouoffhere,andsellyouforwhateveryourmastergavethem''Stranger,'repliedEumaeus,'asregardsyourquestion:sitstill,makeyourselfcomfortable,drinkyourwine,andlistentome.
Thenightsarenowattheirlongest;thereisplentyoftimebothforsleepingandsittinguptalkingtogether;yououghtnottogotobedtillbedtime,toomuchsleepisasbadastoolittle;ifanyoneoftheotherswishestogotobedlethimleaveusanddoso;hecanthentakemymaster'spigsoutwhenhehasdonebreakfastinthemorning.
Wetoowillsithereeatinganddrinkinginthehut,andtellingoneanotherstoriesaboutourmisfortunes;forwhenamanhassufferedmuch,andbeenbuffetedaboutintheworld,hetakespleasureinrecallingthememoryofsorrowsthathavelonggoneby.
Asregardsyourquestion,then,mytaleisasfollows:320of550TheOdyssey'YoumayhaveheardofanislandcalledSyrathatliesoveraboveOrtygia,{134}wherethelandbeginstoturnroundandlookinanotherdirection.
{135}Itisnotverythicklypeopled,butthesoilisgood,withmuchpasturefitforcattleandsheep,anditaboundswithwineandwheat.
Dearthnevercomesthere,norarethepeopleplaguedbyanysickness,butwhentheygrowoldApollocomeswithDianaandkillsthemwithhispainlessshafts.
Itcontainstwocommunities,andthewholecountryisdividedbetweenthesetwo.
MyfatherCtesiussonofOrmenus,amancomparabletothegods,reignedoverboth.
'NowtothisplacetherecamesomecunningtradersfromPhoenicia(forthePhoeniciansaregreatmariners)inashipwhichtheyhadfreightedwithgewgawsofallkinds.
TherehappenedtobeaPhoenicianwomaninmyfather'shouse,verytallandcomely,andanexcellentservant;thesescoundrelsgotholdofheronedaywhenshewaswashingneartheirship,seducedher,andcajoledherinwaysthatnowomancanresist,nomatterhowgoodshemaybebynature.
Themanwhohadseducedheraskedherwhoshewasandwhereshecamefrom,andonthisshetoldhimherfather'sname.
'IcomefromSidon,'saidshe,'andamdaughtertoArybas,amanrollinginwealth.
OnedayasIwascomingintothetownfromthe321of550TheOdysseycountry,someTaphianpiratesseizedmeandtookmehereoverthesea,wheretheysoldmetothemanwhoownsthishouse,andhegavethemtheirpriceforme.
''Themanwhohadseducedherthensaid,'WouldyouliketocomealongwithustoseethehouseofyourparentsandyourparentsthemselvesTheyarebothaliveandaresaidtobewelloff.
'''Iwilldosogladly,'answeredshe,'ifyoumenwillfirstswearmeasolemnoaththatyouwilldomenoharmbytheway.
''Theyallsworeasshetoldthem,andwhentheyhadcompletedtheiroaththewomansaid,'Hush;andifanyofyourmenmeetsmeinthestreetoratthewell,donotlethimspeaktome,forfearsomeoneshouldgoandtellmymaster,inwhichcasehewouldsuspectsomething.
Hewouldputmeinprison,andwouldhaveallofyoumurdered;keepyourowncounseltherefore;buyyourmerchandiseasfastasyoucan,andsendmewordwhenyouhavedoneloading.
IwillbringasmuchgoldasIcanlaymyhandson,andthereissomethingelsealsothatIcandotowardspayingmyfare.
Iamnursetothesonofthegoodmanofthehouse,afunnylittlefellowjustabletorunabout.
Iwillcarryhimoffinyourship,andyou322of550TheOdysseywillgetagreatdealofmoneyforhimifyoutakehimandsellhiminforeignparts.
''Onthisshewentbacktothehouse.
ThePhoeniciansstayedawholeyeartilltheyhadloadedtheirshipwithmuchpreciousmerchandise,andthen,whentheyhadgotfreightenough,theysenttotellthewoman.
Theirmessenger,averycunningfellow,cametomyfather'shousebringinganecklaceofgoldwithamberbeadsstrungamongit;andwhilemymotherandtheservantshaditintheirhandsadmiringitandbargainingaboutit,hemadeasignquietlytothewomanandthenwentbacktotheship,whereonshetookmebythehandandledmeoutofthehouse.
Intheforepartofthehouseshesawthetablessetwiththecupsofguestswhohadbeenfeastingwithmyfather,asbeinginattendanceonhim;thesewerenowallgonetoameetingofthepublicassembly,soshesnatchedupthreecupsandcarriedthemoffinthebosomofherdress,whileIfollowedher,forIknewnobetter.
Thesunwasnowset,anddarknesswasoveralltheland,sowehurriedonasfastaswecouldtillwereachedtheharbour,wherethePhoenicianshipwaslying.
Whentheyhadgotonboardtheysailedtheirwaysoverthesea,takinguswiththem,andJovesentthenafairwind;sixdaysdidwesailbothnightandday,butontheseventh323of550TheOdysseydayDianastruckthewomanandshefellheavilydownintotheship'sholdasthoughshewereaseagullalightingonthewater;sotheythrewheroverboardtothesealsandfishes,andIwasleftallsorrowfulandalone.
PresentlythewindsandwavestooktheshiptoIthaca,whereLaertesgavesundryofhischattelsforme,andthusitwasthateverIcametoseteyesuponthiscountry.
'Ulyssesanswered,'Eumaeus,Ihaveheardthestoryofyourmisfortuneswiththemostlivelyinterestandpity,butJovehasgivenyougoodaswellasevil,forinspiteofeverythingyouhaveagoodmaster,whoseesthatyoualwayshaveenoughtoeatanddrink;andyouleadagoodlife,whereasIamstillgoingaboutbeggingmywayfromcitytocity.
'Thusdidtheyconverse,andtheyhadonlyaverylittletimeleftforsleep,foritwassoondaybreak.
InthemeantimeTelemachusandhiscrewwerenearingland,sotheyloosedthesails,tookdownthemast,androwedtheshipintotheharbour.
{136}Theycastouttheirmooringstonesandmadefastthehawsers;theythengotoutupontheseashore,mixedtheirwine,andgotdinnerready.
AssoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrinkTelemachussaid,'Taketheshipontothetown,butleavemehere,forIwanttolookaftertheherdsmenononeofmyfarms.
In324of550TheOdysseytheevening,whenIhaveseenallIwant,Iwillcomedowntothecity,andto-morrowmorninginreturnforyourtroubleIwillgiveyouallagooddinnerwithmeatandwine.
'{137}ThenTheoclymenussaid,'Andwhat,mydearyoungfriend,istobecomeofmeTowhosehouse,amongallyourchiefmen,amItorepairorshallIgostraighttoyourownhouseandtoyourmother''Atanyothertime,'repliedTelemachus,'Ishouldhavebiddenyougotomyownhouse,foryouwouldfindnowantofhospitality;atthepresentmoment,however,youwouldnotbecomfortablethere,forIshallbeaway,andmymotherwillnotseeyou;shedoesnotoftenshowherselfeventothesuitors,butsitsatherloomweavinginanupperchamber,outoftheirway;butIcantellyouamanwhosehouseyoucangoto—ImeanEurymachusthesonofPolybus,whoisheldinthehighestestimationbyeveryoneinIthaca.
Heismuchthebestmanandthemostpersistentwooer,ofallthosewhoarepayingcourttomymotherandtryingtotakeUlysses'place.
Jove,however,inheavenaloneknowswhetherornotheywillcometoabadendbeforethemarriagetakesplace.
'Ashewasspeakingabirdflewbyuponhisrighthand—ahawk,Apollo'smessenger.
Itheldadoveinits325of550TheOdysseytalons,andthefeathers,asittorethemoff,{138}felltothegroundmidwaybetweenTelemachusandtheship.
OnthisTheoclymenuscalledhimapartandcaughthimbythehand.
'Telemachus,'saidhe,'thatbirddidnotflyonyourrighthandwithouthavingbeensenttherebysomegod.
AssoonasIsawitIknewitwasanomen;itmeansthatyouwillremainpowerfulandthattherewillbenohouseinIthacamoreroyalthanyourown.
''Iwishitmayproveso,'answeredTelemachus.
'Ifitdoes,Iwillshowyousomuchgoodwillandgiveyousomanypresentsthatallwhomeetyouwillcongratulateyou.
'ThenhesaidtohisfriendPiraeus,'Piraeus,sonofClytius,youhavethroughoutshownyourselfthemostwillingtoservemeofallthosewhohaveaccompaniedmetoPylos;IwishyouwouldtakethisstrangertoyourownhouseandentertainhimhospitablytillIcancomeforhim.
'AndPiraeusanswered,'Telemachus,youmaystayawayaslongasyouplease,butIwilllookafterhimforyou,andheshallfindnolackofhospitality.
'Ashespokehewentonboard,andbadetheothersdosoalsoandloosethehawsers,sotheytooktheirplacesintheship.
ButTelemachusboundonhissandals,andtook326of550TheOdysseyalonganddoughtyspearwithaheadofsharpenedbronzefromthedeckoftheship.
Thentheyloosedthehawsers,thrusttheshipofffromland,andmadeontowardsthecityastheyhadbeentoldtodo,whileTelemachusstrodeonasfastashecould,tillhereachedthehomesteadwherehiscountlessherdsofswinewerefeeding,andwheredwelttheexcellentswineherd,whowassodevotedaservanttohismaster.
327of550TheOdysseyBookXVIULYSSESREVEALSHIMSELFTOTELEMACHUS.
MeanwhileUlyssesandtheswineherdhadlitafireinthehutandwereweregettingbreakfastreadyatdaybreak,fortheyhadsentthemenoutwiththepigs.
WhenTelemachuscameup,thedogsdidnotbarkbutfawneduponhim,soUlysses,hearingthesoundoffeetandnoticingthatthedogsdidnotbark,saidtoEumaeus:'Eumaeus,Ihearfootsteps;Isupposeoneofyourmenorsomeoneofyouracquaintanceiscominghere,forthedogsarefawninguponhimandnotbarking.
'Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforehissonstoodatthedoor.
Eumaeussprangtohisfeet,andthebowlsinwhichhewasmixingwinefellfromhishands,ashemadetowardshismaster.
Hekissedhisheadandbothhisbeautifuleyes,andweptforjoy.
Afathercouldnotbemoredelightedatthereturnofanonlyson,thechildofhisoldage,aftertenyears'absenceinaforeigncountryandafterhavinggonethroughmuchhardship.
Heembracedhim,kissedhimalloverasthoughhehadcomebackfromthedead,andspokefondlytohimsaying:328of550TheOdyssey'Soyouarecome,Telemachus,lightofmyeyesthatyouare.
WhenIheardyouhadgonetoPylosImadesureIwasnevergoingtoseeyouanymore.
Comein,mydearchild,andsitdown,thatImayhaveagoodlookatyounowyouarehomeagain;itisnotveryoftenyoucomeintothecountrytoseeusherdsmen;youstickprettyclosetothetowngenerally.
Isupposeyouthinkitbettertokeepaneyeonwhatthesuitorsaredoing.
''Sobeit,oldfriend,'answeredTelemachus,'butIamcomenowbecauseIwanttoseeyou,andtolearnwhethermymotherisstillatheroldhomeorwhethersomeoneelsehasmarriedher,sothatthebedofUlyssesiswithoutbeddingandcoveredwithcobwebs.
''Sheisstillatthehouse,'repliedEumaeus,'grievingandbreakingherheart,anddoingnothingbutweep,bothnightanddaycontinually.
'AshespokehetookTelemachus'spear,whereonhecrossedthestonethresholdandcameinside.
Ulyssesrosefromhisseattogivehimplaceasheentered,butTelemachuscheckedhim;'Sitdown,stranger,'saidhe,'Icaneasilyfindanotherseat,andthereisoneherewhowilllayitforme.
'Ulysseswentbacktohisownplace,andEumaeusstrewedsomegreenbrushwoodonthefloorandthrewa329of550TheOdysseysheepskinontopofitforTelemachustositupon.
Thentheswineherdbroughtthemplattersofcoldmeat,theremainsfromwhattheyhadeatenthedaybefore,andhefilledthebreadbasketswithbreadasfastashecould.
Hemixedwinealsoinbowlsofivy-wood,andtookhisseatfacingUlysses.
Thentheylaidtheirhandsonthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem,andassoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrinkTelemachussaidtoEumaeus,'Oldfriend,wheredoesthisstrangercomefromHowdidhiscrewbringhimtoIthaca,andwhowerethey—forassuredlyhedidnotcomeherebyland.
'Tothisyouanswered,OswineherdEumaeus,'Myson,Iwilltellyoutherealtruth.
HesaysheisaCretan,andthathehasbeenagreattraveller.
AtthismomentheisrunningawayfromaThesprotianship,andhastakenrefugeatmystation,soIwillputhimintoyourhands.
Dowhateveryoulikewithhim,onlyrememberthatheisyoursuppliant.
''Iamverymuchdistressed,'saidTelemachus,'bywhatyouhavejusttoldme.
HowcanItakethisstrangerintomyhouseIamasyetyoung,andamnotstrongenoughtoholdmyownifanymanattacksme.
Mymothercannotmakeuphermindwhethertostaywheresheisandlookafterthehouseoutofrespectforpublic330of550TheOdysseyopinionandthememoryofherhusband,orwhetherthetimeisnowcomeforhertotakethebestmanofthosewhoarewooingher,andtheonewhowillmakeherthemostadvantageousoffer;still,asthestrangerhascometoyourstationIwillfindhimacloakandshirtofgoodwear,withaswordandsandals,andwillsendhimwhereverhewantstogo.
Orifyoulikeyoucankeephimhereatthestation,andIwillsendhimclothesandfoodthathemaybenoburdenonyouandonyourmen;butIwillnothavehimgonearthesuitors,fortheyareveryinsolent,andaresuretoilltreathiminawaythatwouldgreatlygrieveme;nomatterhowvaliantamanmaybehecandonothingagainstnumbers,fortheywillbetoostrongforhim.
'ThenUlyssessaid,'Sir,itisrightthatIshouldsaysomethingmyself.
Iammuchshockedaboutwhatyouhavesaidabouttheinsolentwayinwhichthesuitorsarebehavingindespiteofsuchamanasyouare.
Tellme,doyousubmittosuchtreatmenttamely,orhassomegodsetyourpeopleagainstyouMayyounotcomplainofyourbrothers—foritistothesethatamanmaylookforsupport,howevergreathisquarrelmaybeIwishIwereasyoungasyouareandinmypresentmind;ifIweresontoUlysses,or,indeed,Ulysseshimself,Iwouldrather331of550TheOdysseysomeonecameandcutmyheadoff,butIwouldgotothehouseandbethebaneofeveryoneofthesemen.
{139}Iftheyweretoomanyforme—Ibeingsingle-handed—Iwouldratherdiefightinginmyownhousethanseesuchdisgracefulsightsdayafterday,strangersgrosslymaltreated,andmendraggingthewomenservantsaboutthehouseinanunseemlyway,winedrawnrecklessly,andbreadwastedalltonopurposeforanendthatshallneverbeaccomplished.
'AndTelemachusanswered,'Iwilltellyoutrulyeverything.
Thereisnoenmitybetweenmeandmypeople,norcanIcomplainofbrothers,towhomamanmaylookforsupporthowevergreathisquarrelmaybe.
Jovehasmadeusaraceofonlysons.
LaerteswastheonlysonofArceisius,andUlyssesonlysonofLaertes.
IammyselftheonlysonofUlysseswholeftmebehindhimwhenhewentaway,sothatIhaveneverbeenofanyusetohim.
Henceitcomesthatmyhouseisinthehandsofnumberlessmarauders;forthechiefsfromalltheneighbouringislands,Dulichium,Same,Zacynthus,asalsoalltheprincipalmenofIthacaitself,areeatingupmyhouseunderthepretextofpayingcourttomymother,whowillneithersaypointblankthatshewillnotmarry,noryetbringmatterstoanend,sotheyaremakinghavoc332of550TheOdysseyofmyestate,andbeforelongwilldosowithmyselfintothebargain.
Theissue,however,restswithheaven.
Butdoyou,oldfriendEumaeus,goatonceandtellPenelopethatIamsafeandhavereturnedfromPylos.
Tellittoherselfalone,andthencomebackherewithoutlettinganyoneelseknow,fortherearemanywhoareplottingmischiefagainstme.
''Iunderstandandheedyou,'repliedEumaeus;'youneedinstructmenofurther,onlyasIamgoingthatwaysaywhetherIhadnotbetterletpoorLaertesknowthatyouarereturned.
HeusedtosuperintendtheworkonhisfarminspiteofhisbittersorrowaboutUlysses,andhewouldeatanddrinkatwillalongwithhisservants;buttheytellmethatfromthedayonwhichyousetoutforPyloshehasneithereatennordrunkasheoughttodo,nordoeshelookafterhisfarm,butsitsweepingandwastingthefleshfromoffhisbones.
''More'sthepity,'answeredTelemachus,'Iamsorryforhim,butwemustleavehimtohimselfjustnow.
Ifpeoplecouldhaveeverythingtheirownway,thefirstthingIshouldchoosewouldbethereturnofmyfather;butgo,andgiveyourmessage;thenmakehastebackagain,anddonotturnoutofyourwaytotellLaertes.
Tell333of550TheOdysseymymothertosendoneofherwomensecretlywiththenewsatonce,andlethimhearitfromher.
'Thusdidheurgetheswineherd;Eumaeus,therefore,tookhissandals,boundthemtohisfeet,andstartedforthetown.
Minervawatchedhimwelloffthestation,andthencameuptoitintheformofawoman—fair,stately,andwise.
Shestoodagainstthesideoftheentry,andrevealedherselftoUlysses,butTelemachuscouldnotseeher,andknewnotthatshewasthere,forthegodsdonotletthemselvesbeseenbyeverybody.
Ulyssessawher,andsodidthedogs,fortheydidnotbark,butwentscaredandwhiningofftotheothersideoftheyards.
ShenoddedherheadandmotionedtoUlysseswithhereyebrows;whereonheleftthehutandstoodbeforeheroutsidethemainwalloftheyards.
Thenshesaidtohim:'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,itisnowtimeforyoutotellyourson:donotkeephiminthedarkanylonger,butlayyourplansforthedestructionofthesuitors,andthenmakeforthetown.
Iwillnotbelonginjoiningyou,forItooameagerforthefray.
'Asshespokeshetouchedhimwithhergoldenwand.
Firstshethrewafaircleanshirtandcloakabouthisshoulders;thenshemadehimyoungerandofmoreimposingpresence;shegavehimbackhiscolour,filled334of550TheOdysseyouthischeeks,andlethisbeardbecomedarkagain.
ThenshewentawayandUlyssescamebackinsidethehut.
Hissonwasastoundedwhenhesawhim,andturnedhiseyesawayforfearhemightbelookinguponagod.
'Stranger,'saidhe,'howsuddenlyyouhavechangedfromwhatyouwereamomentortwoago.
Youaredresseddifferentlyandyourcolourisnotthesame.
AreyousomeoneorotherofthegodsthatliveinheavenIfso,bepropitioustometillIcanmakeyouduesacrificeandofferingsofwroughtgold.
Havemercyuponme.
'AndUlyssessaid,'Iamnogod,whyshouldyoutakemeforoneIamyourfather,onwhoseaccountyougrieveandsuffersomuchatthehandsoflawlessmen.
'Ashespokehekissedhisson,andatearfellfromhischeekontotheground,forhehadrestrainedalltearstillnow.
ButTelemachuscouldnotyetbelievethatitwashisfather,andsaid:'Youarenotmyfather,butsomegodisflatteringmewithvainhopesthatImaygrievethemorehereafter;nomortalmancouldofhimselfcontrivetodoasyouhavebeendoing,andmakeyourselfoldandyoungatamoment'snotice,unlessagodwerewithhim.
Asecondagoyouwereoldandallinrags,andnowyouarelikesomegodcomedownfromheaven.
'335of550TheOdysseyUlyssesanswered,'Telemachus,yououghtnottobesoimmeasurablyastonishedatmybeingreallyhere.
ThereisnootherUlysseswhowillcomehereafter.
SuchasIam,itisI,whoafterlongwanderingandmuchhardshiphavegothomeinthetwentiethyeartomyowncountry.
WhatyouwonderatistheworkoftheredoubtablegoddessMinerva,whodoeswithmewhatevershewill,forshecandowhatshepleases.
Atonemomentshemakesmelikeabeggar,andthenextIamayoungmanwithgoodclothesonmyback;itisaneasymatterforthegodswholiveinheaventomakeanymanlookeitherrichorpoor.
'Ashespokehesatdown,andTelemachusthrewhisarmsabouthisfatherandwept.
Theywerebothsomuchmovedthattheycriedaloudlikeeaglesorvultureswithcrookedtalonsthathavebeenrobbedoftheirhalffledgedyoungbypeasants.
Thuspiteouslydidtheyweep,andthesunwouldhavegonedownupontheirmourningifTelemachushadnotsuddenlysaid,'Inwhatship,mydearfather,didyourcrewbringyoutoIthacaOfwhatnationdidtheydeclarethemselvestobe—foryoucannothavecomebyland''Iwilltellyouthetruth,myson,'repliedUlysses.
'ItwasthePhaeacianswhobroughtmehere.
Theyaregreat336of550TheOdysseysailors,andareinthehabitofgivingescortstoanyonewhoreachestheircoasts.
TheytookmeovertheseawhileIwasfastasleep,andlandedmeinIthaca,aftergivingmemanypresentsinbronze,gold,andraiment.
Thesethingsbyheaven'smercyarelyingconcealedinacave,andIamnowcomehereonthesuggestionofMinervathatwemayconsultaboutkillingourenemies.
First,therefore,givemealistofthesuitors,withtheirnumber,thatImaylearnwho,andhowmany,theyare.
Icanthenturnthematteroverinmymind,andseewhetherwetwocanfightthewholebodyofthemourselves,orwhetherwemustfindotherstohelpus.
'TothisTelemachusanswered,'Father,Ihavealwaysheardofyourrenownbothinthefieldandincouncil,butthetaskyoutalkofisaverygreatone:Iamawedatthemerethoughtofit;twomencannotstandagainstmanyandbraveones.
Therearenottensuitorsonly,nortwiceten,buttenmanytimesover;youshalllearntheirnumberatonce.
Therearefifty-twochosenyouthsfromDulichium,andtheyhavesixservants;fromSametherearetwenty-four;twentyyoungAchaeansfromZacynthus,andtwelvefromIthacaitself,allofthemwellborn.
TheyhavewiththemaservantMedon,abard,andtwomenwhocancarveattable.
Ifwefacesuchnumbersasthis,337of550TheOdysseyyoumayhavebittercausetorueyourcoming,andyourrevenge.
Seewhetheryoucannotthinkofsomeonewhowouldbewillingtocomeandhelpus.
''Listentome,'repliedUlysses,'andthinkwhetherMinervaandherfatherJovemayseemsufficient,orwhetherIamtotryandfindsomeoneelseaswell.
''Thosewhomyouhavenamed,'answeredTelemachus,'areacoupleofgoodallies,forthoughtheydwellhighupamongthecloudstheyhavepoweroverbothgodsandmen.
''Thesetwo,'continuedUlysses,'willnotkeeplongoutofthefray,whenthesuitorsandwejoinfightinmyhouse.
Now,therefore,returnhomeearlyto-morrowmorning,andgoaboutamongthesuitorsasbefore.
Laterontheswineherdwillbringmetothecitydisguisedasamiserableoldbeggar.
Ifyouseethemilltreatingme,steelyourheartagainstmysufferings;eventhoughtheydragmefeetforemostoutofthehouse,orthrowthingsatme,lookonanddonothingbeyondgentlytryingtomakethembehavemorereasonably;buttheywillnotlistentoyou,forthedayoftheirreckoningisathand.
FurthermoreIsay,andlaymysayingtoyourheart;whenMinervashallputitinmymind,Iwillnodmyheadtoyou,andonseeingmedothisyoumustcollectallthearmourthatisin338of550TheOdysseythehouseandhideitinthestrongstoreroom.
Makesomeexcusewhenthesuitorsaskyouwhyyouareremovingit;saythatyouhavetakenittobeoutofthewayofthesmoke,inasmuchasitisnolongerwhatitwaswhenUlysseswentaway,buthasbecomesoiledandbegrimedwithsoot.
AddtothismoreparticularlythatyouareafraidJovemaysetthemontoquarrelovertheirwine,andthattheymaydoeachothersomeharmwhichmaydisgracebothbanquetandwooing,forthesightofarmssometimestemptspeopletousethem.
Butleaveaswordandaspearapieceforyourselfandme,andacoupleofoxhideshieldssothatwecansnatchthemupatanymoment;JoveandMinervawillthensoonquietthesepeople.
Thereisalsoanothermatter;ifyouareindeedmysonandmybloodrunsinyourveins,letnooneknowthatUlyssesiswithinthehouse—neitherLaertes,noryettheswineherd,noranyoftheservants,norevenPenelopeherself.
Letyouandmeexploitthewomenalone,andletusalsomaketrialofsomeotherofthemenservants,toseewhoisonoursideandwhosehandisagainstus.
''Father,'repliedTelemachus,'youwillcometoknowmebyandby,andwhenyoudoyouwillfindthatIcankeepyourcounsel.
Idonotthink,however,theplanyouproposewillturnoutwellforeitherofus.
Thinkitover.
It339of550TheOdysseywilltakeusalongtimetogotheroundofthefarmsandexploitthemen,andallthetimethesuitorswillbewastingyourestatewithimpunityandwithoutcompunction.
Provethewomenbyallmeans,toseewhoaredisloyalandwhoguiltless,butIamnotinfavourofgoingroundandtryingthemen.
Wecanattendtothatlateron,ifyoureallyhavesomesignfromJovethathewillsupportyou.
'Thusdidtheyconverse,andmeanwhiletheshipwhichhadbroughtTelemachusandhiscrewfromPyloshadreachedthetownofIthaca.
Whentheyhadcomeinsidetheharbourtheydrewtheshipontotheland;theirservantscameandtooktheirarmourfromthem,andtheyleftallthepresentsatthehouseofClytius.
ThentheysentaservanttotellPenelopethatTelemachushadgoneintothecountry,buthadsenttheshiptothetowntopreventherfrombeingalarmedandmadeunhappy.
ThisservantandEumaeushappenedtomeetwhentheywerebothonthesameerrandofgoingtotellPenelope.
WhentheyreachedtheHouse,theservantstoodupandsaidtothequeeninthepresenceofthewaitingwomen,'Yourson,Madam,isnowreturnedfromPylos";butEumaeuswentcloseuptoPenelope,andsaidprivatelyallthathersonhadbiddenhimtellher.
Whenhehadgivenhismessage340of550TheOdysseyheleftthehousewithitsoutbuildingsandwentbacktohispigsagain.
Thesuitorsweresurprisedandangryatwhathadhappened,sotheywentoutsidethegreatwallthatranroundtheoutercourt,andheldacouncilnearthemainentrance.
Eurymachus,sonofPolybus,wasthefirsttospeak.
'Myfriends,'saidhe,'thisvoyageofTelemachus'sisaveryseriousmatter;wehadmadesurethatitwouldcometonothing.
Now,however,letusdrawashipintothewater,andgetacrewtogethertosendaftertheothersandtellthemtocomebackasfastastheycan.
'HehadhardlydonespeakingwhenAmphinomusturnedinhisplaceandsawtheshipinsidetheharbour,withthecrewloweringhersails,andputtingbytheiroars;sohelaughed,andsaidtotheothers,'Weneednotsendthemanymessage,fortheyarehere.
Somegodmusthavetoldthem,orelsetheysawtheshipgoby,andcouldnotovertakeher.
'Onthistheyroseandwenttothewaterside.
Thecrewthendrewtheshiponshore;theirservantstooktheirarmourfromthem,andtheywentupinabodytotheplaceofassembly,buttheywouldnotletanyoneoldor341of550TheOdysseyyoungsitalongwiththem,andAntinous,sonofEupeithes,spokefirst.
'Goodheavens,'saidhe,'seehowthegodshavesavedthismanfromdestruction.
Wekeptasuccessionofscoutsupontheheadlandsalldaylong,andwhenthesunwasdownweneverwentonshoretosleep,butwaitedintheshipallnighttillmorninginthehopeofcapturingandkillinghim;butsomegodhasconveyedhimhomeinspiteofus.
Letusconsiderhowwecanmakeanendofhim.
Hemustnotescapeus;ouraffairisneverlikelytocomeoffwhileheisalive,forheisveryshrewd,andpublicfeelingisbynomeansallonourside.
WemustmakehastebeforehecancalltheAchaeansinassembly;hewilllosenotimeindoingso,forhewillbefuriouswithus,andwilltellalltheworldhowweplottedtokillhim,butfailedtotakehim.
Thepeoplewillnotlikethiswhentheycometoknowofit;wemustseethattheydousnohurt,nordriveusfromourowncountryintoexile.
Letustryandlayholdofhimeitheronhisfarmawayfromthetown,orontheroadhither.
Thenwecandivideuphispropertyamongstus,andlethismotherandthemanwhomarriesherhavethehouse.
Ifthisdoesnotpleaseyou,andyouwishTelemachustoliveonandholdhisfather'sproperty,thenwemustnotgatherhereandeat342of550TheOdysseyuphisgoodsinthisway,butmustmakeourofferstoPenelopeeachfromhisownhouse,andshecanmarrythemanwhowillgivethemostforher,andwhoselotitistowinher.
'TheyallheldtheirpeaceuntilAmphinomusrosetospeak.
HewasthesonofNisus,whowassontokingAretias,andhewasforemostamongallthesuitorsfromthewheat-growingandwellgrassedislandofDulichium;hisconversation,moreover,wasmoreagreeabletoPenelopethanthatofanyoftheothersuitors,forhewasamanofgoodnaturaldisposition.
'Myfriends,'saidhe,speakingtothemplainlyandinallhonestly,'IamnotinfavourofkillingTelemachus.
Itisaheinousthingtokillonewhoisofnobleblood.
Letusfirsttakecounselofthegods,andiftheoraclesofJoveadviseit,Iwillbothhelptokillhimmyself,andwillurgeeveryoneelsetodoso;butiftheydissuadeus,Iwouldhaveyouholdyourhands.
'Thusdidhespeak,andhiswordspleasedthemwell,sotheyroseforthwithandwenttothehouseofUlysses,wheretheytooktheiraccustomedseats.
ThenPeneloperesolvedthatshewouldshowherselftothesuitors.
SheknewoftheplotagainstTelemachus,fortheservantMedonhadoverheardtheircounselsandhad343of550TheOdysseytoldher;shewentdownthereforetothecourtattendedbyhermaidens,andwhenshereachedthesuitorsshestoodbyoneofthebearing-postssupportingtheroofofthecloisterholdingaveilbeforeherface,andrebukedAntinoussaying:'Antinous,insolentandwickedschemer,theysayyouarethebestspeakerandcounsellorofanymanyourownageinIthaca,butyouarenothingofthekind.
Madman,whyshouldyoutrytocompassthedeathofTelemachus,andtakenoheedofsuppliants,whosewitnessisJovehimselfItisnotrightforyoutoplotthusagainstoneanother.
Doyounotrememberhowyourfatherfledtothishouseinfearofthepeople,whowereenragedagainsthimforhavinggonewithsomeTaphianpiratesandplunderedtheThesprotianswhowereatpeacewithusTheywantedtotearhiminpiecesandeatupeverythinghehad,butUlyssesstayedtheirhandsalthoughtheywereinfuriated,andnowyoudevourhispropertywithoutpayingforit,andbreakmyheartbywooinghiswifeandtryingtokillhisson.
Leaveoffdoingso,andstoptheothersalso.
'TothisEurymachussonofPolybusanswered,'Takeheart,QueenPenelopedaughterofIcarius,anddonottroubleyourselfaboutthesematters.
Themanisnotyet344of550TheOdysseyborn,norneverwillbe,whoshalllayhandsuponyoursonTelemachus,whileIyetlivetolookuponthefaceoftheearth.
Isay—anditshallsurelybe—thatmyspearshallbereddenedwithhisblood;formanyatimehasUlyssestakenmeonhisknees,heldwineuptomylipstodrink,andputpiecesofmeatintomyhands.
ThereforeTelemachusismuchthedearestfriendIhave,andhasnothingtofearfromthehandsofussuitors.
Ofcourse,ifdeathcomestohimfromthegods,hecannotescapeit.
'Hesaidthistoquiether,butinrealityhewasplottingagainstTelemachus.
ThenPenelopewentupstairsagainandmournedherhusbandtillMinervashedsleepoverhereyes.
IntheeveningEumaeusgotbacktoUlyssesandhisson,whohadjustsacrificedayoungpigofayearoldandwerehelpingoneanothertogetsupperready;MinervathereforecameuptoUlysses,turnedhimintoanoldmanwithastrokeofherwand,andcladhiminhisoldclothesagain,forfearthattheswineherdmightrecognisehimandnotkeepthesecret,butgoandtellPenelope.
Telemachuswasthefirsttospeak.
'Soyouhavegotback,Eumaeus,'saidhe.
'WhatisthenewsofthetownHavethesuitorsreturned,oraretheystillwaitingoveryonder,totakemeonmywayhome'345of550TheOdyssey'Ididnotthinkofaskingaboutthat,'repliedEumaeus,'whenIwasinthetown.
IthoughtIwouldgivemymessageandcomebackassoonasIcould.
ImetamansentbythosewhohadgonewithyoutoPylos,andhewasthefirsttotellthenewstoyourmother,butIcansaywhatIsawwithmyowneyes;IhadjustgotontothecrestofthehillofMercuryabovethetownwhenIsawashipcomingintoharbourwithanumberofmeninher.
Theyhadmanyshieldsandspears,andIthoughtitwasthesuitors,butIcannotbesure.
'OnhearingthisTelemachussmiledtohisfather,butsothatEumaeuscouldnotseehim.
Then,whentheyhadfinishedtheirworkandthemealwasready,theyateit,andeverymanhadhisfullsharesothatallweresatisfied.
Assoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrink,theylaiddowntorestandenjoyedtheboonofsleep.
346of550TheOdysseyBookXVIITELEMACHUSANDHISMOTHERMEET—ULYSSESANDEUMAEUSCOMEDOWNTOTHETOWN,ANDULYSSESISINSULTEDBYMELANTHIUS—HEISRECOGNISEDBYTHEDOGARGOS—HEISINSULTEDANDPRESENTLYSTRUCKBYANTINOUSWITHASTOOL—PENELOPEDESIRESTHATHESHALLBESENTTOHER.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,Telemachusboundonhissandalsandtookastrongspearthatsuitedhishands,forhewantedtogointothecity.
'Oldfriend,'saidhetotheswineherd,'Iwillnowgotothetownandshowmyselftomymother,forshewillneverleaveoffgrievingtillshehasseenme.
Asforthisunfortunatestranger,takehimtothetownandlethimbegthereofanyonewhowillgivehimadrinkandapieceofbread.
Ihavetroubleenoughofmyown,andcannotbeburdenedwithotherpeople.
Ifthismakeshimangrysomuchtheworseforhim,butIliketosaywhatImean.
'347of550TheOdysseyThenUlyssessaid,'Sir,Idonotwanttostayhere;abeggarcanalwaysdobetterintownthancountry,foranyonewholikescangivehimsomething.
Iamtoooldtocareaboutremaininghereatthebeckandcallofamaster.
Thereforeletthismandoasyouhavejusttoldhim,andtakemetothetownassoonasIhavehadawarmbythefire,andthedayhasgotalittleheatinit.
Myclothesarewretchedlythin,andthisfrostymorningIshallbeperishedwithcold,foryousaythecityissomewayoff.
'OnthisTelemachusstrodeoffthroughtheyards,broodinghisrevengeuponthesuitors.
Whenhereachedhomehestoodhisspearagainstabearing-postofthecloister,crossedthestonefloorofthecloisteritself,andwentinside.
NurseEurycleasawhimlongbeforeanyoneelsedid.
Shewasputtingthefleecesontotheseats,andsheburstoutcryingassheranuptohim;alltheothermaidscameuptoo,andcoveredhisheadandshoulderswiththeirkisses.
PenelopecameoutofherroomlookinglikeDianaorVenus,andweptassheflungherarmsaboutherson.
Shekissedhisforeheadandbothhisbeautifuleyes,'Lightofmyeyes,'shecriedasshespokefondlytohim,'soyouarecomehomeagain;ImadesureIwasnevergoingtoseeyouanymore.
Tothinkofyourhavinggoneoffto348of550TheOdysseyPyloswithoutsayinganythingaboutitorobtainingmyconsent.
Butcome,tellmewhatyousaw.
''Donotscoldme,mother,'answeredTelemachus,'norvexme,seeingwhatanarrowescapeIhavehad,butwashyourface,changeyourdress,goupstairswithyourmaids,andpromisefullandsufficienthecatombstoallthegodsifJovewillonlygrantusourrevengeuponthesuitors.
ImustnowgototheplaceofassemblytoinviteastrangerwhohascomebackwithmefromPylos.
Isenthimonwithmycrew,andtoldPiraeustotakehimhomeandlookafterhimtillIcouldcomeforhimmyself.
'Sheheededherson'swords,washedherface,changedherdress,andvowedfullandsufficienthecatombstoallthegodsiftheywouldonlyvouchsafeherrevengeuponthesuitors.
Telemachuswentthrough,andoutof,thecloistersspearinhand—notalone,forhistwofleetdogswentwithhim.
Minervaendowedhimwithapresenceofsuchdivinecomelinessthatallmarvelledathimashewentby,andthesuitorsgatheredroundhimwithfairwordsintheirmouthsandmaliceintheirhearts;butheavoidedthem,andwenttositwithMentor,Antiphus,andHalitherses,oldfriendsofhisfather'shouse,andtheymadehimtellthemallthathadhappenedtohim.
ThenPiraeuscameup349of550TheOdysseywithTheoclymenus,whomhehadescortedthroughthetowntotheplaceofassembly,whereonTelemachusatoncejoinedthem.
Piraeuswasfirsttospeak:'Telemachus,'saidhe,'IwishyouwouldsendsomeofyourwomentomyhousetotakeawaythepresentsMenelausgaveyou.
''Wedonotknow,Piraeus,'answeredTelemachus,'whatmayhappen.
Ifthesuitorskillmeinmyownhouseanddividemypropertyamongthem,Iwouldratheryouhadthepresentsthanthatanyofthosepeopleshouldgetholdofthem.
IfontheotherhandImanagedtokillthem,Ishallbemuchobligedifyouwillkindlybringmemypresents.
'WiththesewordshetookTheoclymenustohisownhouse.
Whentheygottheretheylaidtheircloaksonthebenchesandseats,wentintothebaths,andwashedthemselves.
Whenthemaidshadwashedandanointedthem,andhadgiventhemcloaksandshirts,theytooktheirseatsattable.
Amaidservantthenbroughtthemwaterinabeautifulgoldenewer,andpoureditintoasilverbasinforthemtowashtheirhands;andshedrewacleantablebesidethem.
Anupperservantbroughtthembreadandofferedthemmanygoodthingsofwhattherewasinthehouse.
OppositethemsatPenelope,reclining350of550TheOdysseyonacouchbyoneofthebearing-postsofthecloister,andspinning.
Thentheylaidtheirhandsonthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem,andassoonastheyhadhadenoughtoeatanddrinkPenelopesaid:'Telemachus,Ishallgoupstairsandliedownonthatsadcouch,whichIhavenotceasedtowaterwithmytears,fromthedayUlyssessetoutforTroywiththesonsofAtreus.
Youfailed,however,tomakeitcleartomebeforethesuitorscamebacktothehouse,whetherornoyouhadbeenabletohearanythingaboutthereturnofyourfather.
''Iwilltellyouthentruth,'repliedherson.
'WewenttoPylosandsawNestor,whotookmetohishouseandtreatedmeashospitablyasthoughIwereasonofhisownwhohadjustreturnedafteralongabsence;soalsodidhissons;buthesaidhehadnotheardawordfromanyhumanbeingaboutUlysses,whetherhewasaliveordead.
Hesentme,therefore,withachariotandhorsestoMenelaus.
ThereIsawHelen,forwhosesakesomany,bothArgivesandTrojans,wereinheaven'swisdomdoomedtosuffer.
MenelausaskedmewhatitwasthathadbroughtmetoLacedaemon,andItoldhimthewholetruth,whereonhesaid,'So,then,thesecowardswouldusurpabraveman'sbedAhindmightaswelllayhernew-bornyounginthe351of550TheOdysseylairofalion,andthengoofftofeedintheforestorinsomegrassydell.
Thelion,whenhecomesbacktohislair,willmakeshortworkwiththepairofthem,andsowillUlysseswiththesesuitors.
ByfatherJove,Minerva,andApollo,ifUlyssesisstillthemanthathewaswhenhewrestledwithPhilomeleidesinLesbos,andthrewhimsoheavilythatalltheGreekscheeredhim—ifheisstillsuch,andweretocomenearthesesuitors,theywouldhaveashortshriftandasorrywedding.
Asregardsyourquestion,however,Iwillnotprevaricatenordeceiveyou,butwhattheoldmanoftheseatoldme,somuchwillItellyouinfull.
HesaidhecouldseeUlyssesonanislandsorrowingbitterlyinthehouseofthenymphCalypso,whowaskeepinghimprisoner,andhecouldnotreachhishome,forhehadnoshipsnorsailorstotakehimoverthesea.
'ThiswaswhatMenelaustoldme,andwhenIhadheardhisstoryIcameaway;thegodsthengavemeafairwindandsoonbroughtmesafehomeagain.
'WiththesewordshemovedtheheartofPenelope.
ThenTheoclymenussaidtoher:'Madam,wifeofUlysses,Telemachusdoesnotunderstandthesethings;listenthereforetome,forIcandivinethemsurely,andwillhidenothingfromyou.
MayJovethekingofheavenbemywitness,andtheritesof352of550TheOdysseyhospitality,withthathearthofUlyssestowhichInowcome,thatUlysseshimselfisevennowinIthaca,and,eithergoingaboutthecountryorstayinginoneplace,isenquiringintoalltheseevildeedsandpreparingadayofreckoningforthesuitors.
IsawanomenwhenIwasontheshipwhichmeantthis,andItoldTelemachusaboutit.
''Mayitbeevenso,'answeredPenelope;'ifyourwordscometrue,youshallhavesuchgiftsandsuchgoodwillfrommethatallwhoseeyoushallcongratulateyou.
'Thusdidtheyconverse.
Meanwhilethesuitorswerethrowingdiscs,oraimingwithspearsatamarkonthelevelledgroundinfrontofthehouse,andbehavingwithalltheiroldinsolence.
Butwhenitwasnowtimefordinner,andtheflockofsheepandgoatshadcomeintothetownfromallthecountryround,{140}withtheirshepherdsasusual,thenMedon,whowastheirfavouriteservant,andwhowaiteduponthemattable,said,'Nowthen,myyoungmasters,youhavehadenoughsport,socomeinsidethatwemaygetdinnerready.
Dinnerisnotabadthing,atdinnertime.
'Theylefttheirsportsashetoldthem,andwhentheywerewithinthehouse,theylaidtheircloaksonthebenchesandseatsinside,andthensacrificedsomesheep,353of550TheOdysseygoats,pigs,andaheifer,allofthemfatandwellgrown.
{141}Thustheymadereadyfortheirmeal.
InthemeantimeUlyssesandtheswineherdwereaboutstartingforthetown,andtheswineherdsaid,'Stranger,Isupposeyoustillwanttogototownto-day,asmymastersaidyouweretodo;formyownpartIshouldhavelikedyoutostayhereasastationhand,butImustdoasmymastertellsme,orhewillscoldmelateron,andascoldingfromone'smasterisaveryseriousthing.
Letusthenbeoff,foritisnowbroadday;itwillbenightagaindirectlyandthenyouwillfinditcolder.
'{142}'Iknow,andunderstandyou,'repliedUlysses;'youneedsaynomore.
Letusbegoing,butifyouhaveastickreadycut,letmehaveittowalkwith,foryousaytheroadisaveryroughone.
'Ashespokehethrewhisshabbyoldtatteredwalletoverhisshoulders,bythecordfromwhichithung,andEumaeusgavehimasticktohisliking.
Thetwothenstarted,leavingthestationinchargeofthedogsandherdsmenwhoremainedbehind;theswineherdledthewayandhismasterfollowedafter,lookinglikesomebrokendownoldtrampasheleaneduponhisstaff,andhisclotheswereallinrags.
Whentheyhadgotovertheroughsteepgroundandwerenearingthecity,they354of550TheOdysseyreachedthefountainfromwhichthecitizensdrewtheirwater.
ThishadbeenmadebyIthacus,Neritus,andPolyctor.
Therewasagroveofwater-lovingpoplarsplantedinacircleallroundit,andtheclearcoldwatercamedowntoitfromarockhighup,{143}whileabovethefountaintherewasanaltartothenymphs,atwhichallwayfarersusedtosacrifice.
HereMelanthiussonofDoliusovertookthemashewasdrivingdownsomegoats,thebestinhisflock,forthesuitors'dinner,andthereweretwoshepherdswithhim.
WhenhesawEumaeusandUlysseshereviledthemwithoutrageousandunseemlylanguage,whichmadeUlyssesveryangry.
'Thereyougo,'criedhe,'andapreciouspairyouare.
Seehowheavenbringsbirdsofthesamefeathertooneanother.
Where,pray,masterswineherd,areyoutakingthispoormiserableobjectItwouldmakeanyonesicktoseesuchacreatureattable.
Afellowlikethisneverwonaprizeforanythinginhislife,butwillgoaboutrubbinghisshouldersagainsteveryman'sdoorpost,andbegging,notforswordsandcauldrons{144}likeaman,butonlyforafewscrapsnotworthbeggingfor.
Ifyouwouldgivehimtomeforahandonmystation,hemightdotocleanoutthefolds,orbringabitofsweetfeedtothekids,andhecouldfattenhisthighsasmuchashepleasedonwhey;355of550TheOdysseybuthehastakentobadwaysandwillnotgoaboutanykindofwork;hewilldonothingbutbegvictualsallthetownover,tofeedhisinsatiablebelly.
Isay,therefore—anditshallsurelybe—ifhegoesnearUlysses'househewillgethisheadbrokenbythestoolstheywillflingathim,tilltheyturnhimout.
'Onthis,ashepassed,hegaveUlyssesakickonthehipoutofpurewantonness,butUlyssesstoodfirm,anddidnotbudgefromthepath.
ForamomenthedoubtedwhetherornotoflyatMelanthiusandkillhimwithhisstaff,orflinghimtothegroundandbeathisbrainsout;heresolved,however,toendureitandkeephimselfincheck,buttheswineherdlookedstraightatMelanthiusandrebukedhim,liftinguphishandsandprayingtoheavenashedidso.
'Fountainnymphs,'hecried,'childrenofJove,ifeverUlyssesburnedyouthighbonescoveredwithfatwhetheroflambsorkids,grantmyprayerthatheavenmaysendhimhome.
Hewouldsoonputanendtotheswaggeringthreatswithwhichsuchmenasyougoaboutinsultingpeople—gaddingalloverthetownwhileyourflocksaregoingtoruinthroughbadshepherding.
'ThenMelanthiusthegoatherdanswered,'Youillconditionedcur,whatareyoutalkingaboutSomedayor356of550TheOdysseyotherIwillputyouonboardshipandtakeyoutoaforeigncountry,whereIcansellyouandpocketthemoneyyouwillfetch.
IwishIwereassurethatApollowouldstrikeTelemachusdeadthisveryday,orthatthesuitorswouldkillhim,asIamthatUlysseswillnevercomehomeagain.
'Withthisheleftthemtocomeonattheirleisure,whilehewentquicklyforwardandsoonreachedthehouseofhismaster.
WhenhegottherehewentinandtookhisseatamongthesuitorsoppositeEurymachus,wholikedhimbetterthananyoftheothers.
Theservantsbroughthimaportionofmeat,andanupperwomanservantsetbreadbeforehimthathemighteat.
PresentlyUlyssesandtheswineherdcameuptothehouseandstoodbyit,amidasoundofmusic,forPhemiuswasjustbeginningtosingtothesuitors.
ThenUlyssestookholdoftheswineherd'shand,andsaid:'Eumaeus,thishouseofUlyssesisaveryfineplace.
Nomatterhowfaryougo,youwillfindfewlikeit.
Onebuildingkeepsfollowingonafteranother.
Theoutercourthasawallwithbattlementsallroundit;thedoorsaredoublefolding,andofgoodworkmanship;itwouldbeahardmattertotakeitbyforceofarms.
Iperceive,too,thattherearemanypeoplebanquetingwithinit,forthere357of550TheOdysseyisasmellofroastmeat,andIhearasoundofmusic,whichthegodshavemadetogoalongwithfeasting.
'ThenEumaeussaid,'Youhaveperceivedaright,asindeedyougenerallydo;butletusthinkwhatwillbeourbestcourse.
Willyougoinsidefirstandjointhesuitors,leavingmeherebehindyou,orwillyouwaithereandletmegoinfirstButdonotwaitlong,orsomeonemayseeyouloiteringaboutoutside,andthrowsomethingatyou.
ConsiderthismatterIprayyou.
'AndUlyssesanswered,'Iunderstandandheed.
GoinfirstandleavemeherewhereIam.
Iamquiteusedtobeingbeatenandhavingthingsthrownatme.
IhavebeensomuchbuffetedaboutinwarandbyseathatIamcase-hardened,andthistoomaygowiththerest.
Butamancannothideawaythecravingsofahungrybelly;thisisanenemywhichgivesmuchtroubletoallmen;itisbecauseofthisthatshipsarefittedouttosailtheseas,andtomakewaruponotherpeople.
'Astheywerethustalking,adogthathadbeenlyingasleepraisedhisheadandprickeduphisears.
ThiswasArgos,whomUlysseshadbredbeforesettingoutforTroy,buthehadneverhadanyworkoutofhim.
Intheolddaysheusedtobetakenoutbytheyoungmenwhentheywenthuntingwildgoats,ordeer,orhares,butnow358of550TheOdysseythathismasterwasgonehewaslyingneglectedontheheapsofmuleandcowdungthatlayinfrontofthestabledoorstillthemenshouldcomeanddrawitawaytomanurethegreatclose;andhewasfulloffleas.
AssoonashesawUlyssesstandingthere,hedroppedhisearsandwaggedhistail,buthecouldnotgetcloseuptohismaster.
WhenUlyssessawthedogontheothersideoftheyard,hedashedatearfromhiseyeswithoutEumaeusseeingit,andsaid:'Eumaeus,whatanoblehoundthatisoveryonderonthemanureheap:hisbuildissplendid;isheasfineafellowashelooks,orisheonlyoneofthosedogsthatcomebeggingaboutatable,andarekeptmerelyforshow''Thishound,'answeredEumaeus,'belongedtohimwhohasdiedinafarcountry.
IfhewerewhathewaswhenUlyssesleftforTroy,hewouldsoonshowyouwhathecoulddo.
Therewasnotawildbeastintheforestthatcouldgetawayfromhimwhenhewasonceonitstracks.
Butnowhehasfallenoneviltimes,forhismasterisdeadandgone,andthewomentakenocareofhim.
Servantsneverdotheirworkwhentheirmaster'shandisnolongeroverthem,forJovetakeshalfthegoodnessoutofamanwhenhemakesaslaveofhim.
'359of550TheOdysseyAshespokehewentinsidethebuildingstothecloisterwherethesuitorswere,butArgosdiedassoonashehadrecognisedhismaster.
TelemachussawEumaeuslongbeforeanyoneelsedid,andbeckonedhimtocomeandsitbesidehim;sohelookedaboutandsawaseatlyingnearwherethecarversatservingouttheirportionstothesuitors;hepickeditup,broughtittoTelemachus'stable,andsatdownoppositehim.
Thentheservantbroughthimhisportion,andgavehimbreadfromthebread-basket.
ImmediatelyafterwardsUlyssescameinside,lookinglikeapoormiserableoldbeggar,leaningonhisstaffandwithhisclothesallinrags.
Hesatdownuponthethresholdofash-woodjustinsidethedoorsleadingfromtheoutertotheinnercourt,andagainstabearing-postofcypress-woodwhichthecarpenterhadskilfullyplaned,andhadmadetojointrulywithruleandline.
Telemachustookawholeloaffromthebread-basket,withasmuchmeatashecouldholdinhistwohands,andsaidtoEumaeus,'Takethistothestranger,andtellhimtogotheroundofthesuitors,andbegfromthem;abeggarmustnotbeshamefaced.
'SoEumaeuswentuptohimandsaid,'Stranger,Telemachussendsyouthis,andsaysyouaretogothe360of550TheOdysseyroundofthesuitorsbegging,forbeggarsmustnotbeshamefaced.
'Ulyssesanswered,'MayKingJovegrantallhappinesstoTelemachus,andfulfilthedesireofhisheart.
'ThenwithbothhandshetookwhatTelemachushadsenthim,andlaiditonthedirtyoldwalletathisfeet.
Hewentoneatingitwhilethebardwassinging,andhadjustfinishedhisdinnerasheleftoff.
Thesuitorsapplaudedthebard,whereonMinervawentuptoUlyssesandpromptedhimtobegpiecesofbreadfromeachoneofthesuitors,thathemightseewhatkindofpeopletheywere,andtellthegoodfromthebad;butcomewhatmightshewasnotgoingtosaveasingleoneofthem.
Ulysses,therefore,wentonhisround,goingfromlefttoright,andstretchedouthishandstobegasthoughhewerearealbeggar.
Someofthempitiedhim,andwerecuriousabouthim,askingoneanotherwhohewasandwherehecamefrom;whereonthegoatherdMelanthiussaid,'Suitorsofmynoblemistress,Icantellyousomethingabouthim,forIhaveseenhimbefore.
Theswineherdbroughthimhere,butIknownothingaboutthemanhimself,norwherehecomesfrom.
'OnthisAntinousbegantoabusetheswineherd.
'Youpreciousidiot,'hecried,'whathaveyoubroughtthisman361of550TheOdysseytotownforHavewenottrampsandbeggarsenoughalreadytopesterusaswesitatmeatDoyouthinkitasmallthingthatsuchpeoplegatherheretowasteyourmaster'sproperty—andmustyouneedsbringthismanaswell'AndEumaeusanswered,'Antinous,yourbirthisgoodbutyourwordsevil.
Itwasnodoingofminethathecamehere.
Whoislikelytoinviteastrangerfromaforeigncountry,unlessitbeoneofthosewhocandopublicserviceasaseer,ahealerofhurts,acarpenter,orabardwhocancharmuswithhissingingSuchmenarewelcomealltheworldover,butnooneislikelytoaskabeggarwhowillonlyworryhim.
YouarealwaysharderonUlysses'servantsthananyoftheothersuitorsare,andaboveallonme,butIdonotcaresolongasTelemachusandPenelopearealiveandhere.
'ButTelemachussaid,'Hush,donotanswerhim;Antinoushasthebitteresttongueofallthesuitors,andhemakestheothersworse.
'ThenturningtoAntinoushesaid,'Antinous,youtakeasmuchcareofmyinterestsasthoughIwereyourson.
WhyshouldyouwanttoseethisstrangerturnedoutofthehouseHeavenforbid;takesomethingandgiveithimyourself;Idonotgrudgeit;Ibidyoutakeit.
Nevermind362of550TheOdysseymymother,noranyoftheotherservantsinthehouse;butIknowyouwillnotdowhatIsay,foryouaremorefondofeatingthingsyourselfthanofgivingthemtootherpeople.
''Whatdoyoumean,Telemachus,'repliedAntinous,'bythisswaggeringtalkIfallthesuitorsweretogivehimasmuchasIwill,hewouldnotcomehereagainforanotherthreemonths.
'Ashespokehedrewthestoolonwhichherestedhisdaintyfeetfromunderthetable,andmadeasthoughhewouldthrowitatUlysses,buttheothersuitorsallgavehimsomething,andfilledhiswalletwithbreadandmeat;hewasabout,therefore,togobacktothethresholdandeatwhatthesuitorshadgivenhim,buthefirstwentuptoAntinousandsaid:'Sir,givemesomething;youarenot,surely,thepoorestmanhere;youseemtobeachief,foremostamongthemall;thereforeyoushouldbethebettergiver,andIwilltellfarandwideofyourbounty.
Itoowasarichmanonce,andhadafinehouseofmyown;inthosedaysIgavetomanyatrampsuchasInowam,nomatterwhohemightbenorwhathewanted.
Ihadanynumberofservants,andalltheotherthingswhichpeoplehavewholivewellandareaccountedwealthy,butitpleased363of550TheOdysseyJovetotakeallawayfromme.
HesentmewithabandofrovingrobberstoEgypt;itwasalongvoyageandIwasundonebyit.
IstationedmyshipsintheriverAegyptus,andbademymenstaybythemandkeepguardoverthem,whileIsentoutscoutstoreconnoitrefromeverypointofvantage.
'Butthemendisobeyedmyorders,tooktotheirowndevices,andravagedthelandoftheEgyptians,killingthemen,andtakingtheirwivesandchildrencaptives.
Thealarmwassooncarriedtothecity,andwhentheyheardthewar-cry,thepeoplecameoutatdaybreaktilltheplainwasfilledwithsoldiershorseandfoot,andwiththegleamofarmour.
ThenJovespreadpanicamongmymen,andtheywouldnolongerfacetheenemy,fortheyfoundthemselvessurrounded.
TheEgyptianskilledmanyofus,andtooktherestalivetodoforcedlabourforthem;asformyself,theygavemetoafriendwhometthem,totaketoCyprus,Dmetorbyname,sonofIasus,whowasagreatmaninCyprus.
ThenceIamcomehitherinastateofgreatmisery.
'ThenAntinoussaid,'WhatgodcanhavesentsuchapestilencetoplagueusduringourdinnerGetout,intotheopenpartofthecourt,{145}orIwillgiveyouEgyptandCyprusoveragainforyourinsolenceand364of550TheOdysseyimportunity;youhavebeggedofalltheothers,andtheyhavegivenyoulavishly,fortheyhaveabundanceroundthem,anditiseasytobefreewithotherpeople'spropertywhenthereisplentyofit.
'OnthisUlyssesbegantomoveoff,andsaid,'Yourlooks,myfinesir,arebetterthanyourbreeding;ifyouwereinyourownhouseyouwouldnotspareapoormansomuchasapinchofsalt,forthoughyouareinanotherman's,andsurroundedwithabundance,youcannotfinditinyoutogivehimevenapieceofbread.
'ThismadeAntinousveryangry,andhescowledathimsaying,'Youshallpayforthisbeforeyougetclearofthecourt.
'Withthesewordshethrewafootstoolathim,andhithimontherightshoulderbladenearthetopofhisback.
Ulyssesstoodfirmasarockandtheblowdidnotevenstaggerhim,butheshookhisheadinsilenceashebroodedonhisrevenge.
Thenhewentbacktothethresholdandsatdownthere,layinghiswellfilledwalletathisfeet.
'Listentome,'hecried,'yousuitorsofQueenPenelope,thatImayspeakevenasIamminded.
Amanknowsneitherachenorpainifhegetshitwhilefightingforhismoney,orforhissheeporhiscattle;andevensoAntinoushashitmewhileintheserviceofmymiserable365of550TheOdysseybelly,whichisalwaysgettingpeopleintotrouble.
Still,ifthepoorhavegodsandavengingdeitiesatall,IpraythemthatAntinousmaycometoabadendbeforehismarriage.
''Sitwhereyouare,andeatyourvictualsinsilence,orbeoffelsewhere,'shoutedAntinous.
'IfyousaymoreIwillhaveyoudraggedhandandfootthroughthecourts,andtheservantsshallflayyoualive.
'Theothersuitorsweremuchdispleasedatthis,andoneoftheyoungmensaid,'Antinous,youdidillinstrikingthatpoorwretchofatramp:itwillbeworseforyouifheshouldturnouttobesomegod—andweknowthegodsgoaboutdisguisedinallsortsofwaysaspeoplefromforeigncountries,andtravelabouttheworldtoseewhodoamissandwhorighteously.
'{146}Thussaidthesuitors,butAntinouspaidthemnoheed.
MeanwhileTelemachuswasfuriousabouttheblowthathadbeengiventohisfather,andthoughnotearfellfromhim,heshookhisheadinsilenceandbroodedonhisrevenge.
NowwhenPenelopeheardthatthebeggarhadbeenstruckinthebanqueting-cloister,shesaidbeforehermaids,'WouldthatApollowouldsostrikeyou,Antinous,'andherwaitingwomanEurynomeanswered,366of550TheOdyssey'Ifourprayerswereanswerednotoneofthesuitorswouldeveragainseethesunrise.
'ThenPenelopesaid,'Nurse,{147}Ihateeverysingleoneofthem,fortheymeannothingbutmischief,butIhateAntinouslikethedarknessofdeathitself.
Apoorunfortunatetramphascomebeggingaboutthehouseforsheerwant.
Everyoneelsehasgivenhimsomethingtoputinhiswallet,butAntinoushashithimontherightshoulder-bladewithafootstool.
'Thusdidshetalkwithhermaidsasshesatinherownroom,andinthemeantimeUlysseswasgettinghisdinner.
Thenshecalledfortheswineherdandsaid,'Eumaeus,goandtellthestrangertocomehere,Iwanttoseehimandaskhimsomequestions.
Heseemstohavetravelledmuch,andhemayhaveseenorheardsomethingofmyunhappyhusband.
'Tothisyouanswered,OswineherdEumaeus,'IftheseAchaeans,Madam,wouldonlykeepquiet,youwouldbecharmedwiththehistoryofhisadventures.
Ihadhimthreedaysandthreenightswithmeinmyhut,whichwasthefirstplacehereachedafterrunningawayfromhisship,andhehasnotyetcompletedthestoryofhismisfortunes.
Ifhehadbeenthemostheaven-taughtminstrelinthewholeworld,onwhoselipsallhearers367of550TheOdysseyhangentranced,IcouldnothavebeenmorecharmedasIsatinmyhutandlistenedtohim.
HesaysthereisanoldfriendshipbetweenhishouseandthatofUlysses,andthathecomesfromCretewherethedescendantsofMinoslive,afterhavingbeendrivenhitherandthitherbyeverykindofmisfortune;healsodeclaresthathehasheardofUlyssesasbeingaliveandnearathandamongtheThesprotians,andthatheisbringinggreatwealthhomewithhim.
''Callhimhere,then,'saidPenelope,'thatItoomayhearhisstory.
Asforthesuitors,letthemtaketheirpleasureindoorsoroutastheywill,fortheyhavenothingtofretabout.
Theircornandwineremainunwastedintheirhouseswithnonebutservantstoconsumethem,whiletheykeephangingaboutourhousedayafterdaysacrificingouroxen,sheep,andfatgoatsfortheirbanquets,andnevergivingsomuchasathoughttothequantityofwinetheydrink.
Noestatecanstandsuchrecklessness,forwehavenownoUlyssestoprotectus.
Ifheweretocomeagain,heandhissonwouldsoonhavetheirrevenge.
'AsshespokeTelemachussneezedsoloudlythatthewholehouseresoundedwithit.
Penelopelaughedwhensheheardthis,andsaidtoEumaeus,'Goandcallthe368of550TheOdysseystranger;didyounothearhowmysonsneezedjustasIwasspeakingThiscanonlymeanthatallthesuitorsaregoingtobekilled,andthatnotoneofthemshallescape.
FurthermoreIsay,andlaymysayingtoyourheart:ifIamsatisfiedthatthestrangerisspeakingthetruthIshallgivehimashirtandcloakofgoodwear.
'WhenEumaeusheardthishewentstraighttoUlyssesandsaid,'Fatherstranger,mymistressPenelope,motherofTelemachus,hassentforyou;sheisingreatgrief,butshewishestohearanythingyoucantellheraboutherhusband,andifsheissatisfiedthatyouarespeakingthetruth,shewillgiveyouashirtandcloak,whicharetheverythingsthatyouaremostinwantof.
Asforbread,youcangetenoughofthattofillyourbelly,bybeggingaboutthetown,andlettingthosegivethatwill.
''IwilltellPenelope,'answeredUlysses,'nothingbutwhatisstrictlytrue.
Iknowallaboutherhusband,andhavebeenpartnerwithhiminaffliction,butIamafraidofpassingthroughthiscrowdofcruelsuitors,fortheirprideandinsolencereachheaven.
Justnow,moreover,asIwasgoingaboutthehousewithoutdoinganyharm,amangavemeablowthathurtmeverymuch,butneitherTelemachusnoranyoneelsedefendedme.
TellPenelope,therefore,tobepatientandwaittillsundown.
Lethergive369of550TheOdysseymeaseatcloseuptothefire,formyclothesarewornverythin—youknowtheyare,foryouhaveseenthemeversinceIfirstaskedyoutohelpme—shecanthenaskmeaboutthereturnofherhusband.
'Theswineherdwentbackwhenheheardthis,andPenelopesaidasshesawhimcrossthethreshold,'Whydoyounotbringhimhere,EumaeusIsheafraidthatsomeonewillill-treathim,orisheshyofcominginsidethehouseatallBeggarsshouldnotbeshamefaced.
'Tothisyouanswered,OswineherdEumaeus,'Thestrangerisquitereasonable.
Heisavoidingthesuitors,andisonlydoingwhatanyoneelsewoulddo.
Heasksyoutowaittillsundown,anditwillbemuchbetter,madam,thatyoushouldhavehimalltoyourself,whenyoucanhearhimandtalktohimasyouwill.
''Themanisnofool,'answeredPenelope,'itwouldverylikelybeashesays,fortherearenosuchabominablepeopleinthewholeworldasthesemenare.
'WhenshehaddonespeakingEumaeuswentbacktothesuitors,forhehadexplainedeverything.
ThenhewentuptoTelemachusandsaidinhisearsothatnonecouldoverhearhim,'Mydearsir,Iwillnowgobacktothepigs,toseeafteryourpropertyandmyownbusiness.
Youwilllooktowhatisgoingonhere,butaboveallbecareful370of550TheOdysseytokeepoutofdanger,fortherearemanywhobearyouillwill.
MayJovebringthemtoabadendbeforetheydousamischief.
''Verywell,'repliedTelemachus,'gohomewhenyouhavehadyourdinner,andinthemorningcomeherewiththevictimswearetosacrificefortheday.
Leavetheresttoheavenandme.
'OnthisEumaeustookhisseatagain,andwhenhehadfinishedhisdinnerheleftthecourtsandthecloisterwiththemenattable,andwentbacktohispigs.
Asforthesuitors,theypresentlybegantoamusethemselveswithsinginganddancing,foritwasnowgettingontowardsevening.
371of550TheOdysseyBookXVIIITHEFIGHTWITHIRUS—ULYSSESWARNSAMPHINOMUS—PENELOPEGETSPRESENTSFROMTHESUITORS—THEBRAZIERS—ULYSSESREBUKESEURYMACHUS.
NowtherecameacertaincommontrampwhousedtogobeggingalloverthecityofIthaca,andwasnotoriousasanincorrigiblegluttonanddrunkard.
Thismanhadnostrengthnorstayinhim,buthewasagreathulkingfellowtolookat;hisrealname,theonehismothergavehim,wasArnaeus,buttheyoungmenoftheplacecalledhimIrus,{148}becauseheusedtorunerrandsforanyonewhowouldsendhim.
AssoonashecamehebegantoinsultUlysses,andtotryanddrivehimoutofhisownhouse.
'Beoff,oldman,'hecried,'fromthedoorway,oryoushallbedraggedoutneckandheels.
Doyounotseethattheyareallgivingmethewink,andwantingmetoturnyououtbyforce,onlyIdonotliketodosoGetupthen,andgoofyourself,orweshallcometoblows.
'Ulyssesfrownedonhimandsaid,'Myfriend,Idoyounomannerofharm;peoplegiveyouagreatdeal,butIam372of550TheOdysseynotjealous.
Thereisroomenoughinthisdoorwayforthepairofus,andyouneednotgrudgemethingsthatarenotyourstogive.
Youseemtobejustsuchanothertrampasmyself,butperhapsthegodswillgiveusbetterluckbyandby.
Donot,however,talktoomuchaboutfightingoryouwillincenseme,andoldthoughIam,Ishallcoveryourmouthandchestwithblood.
IshallhavemorepeacetomorrowifIdo,foryouwillnotcometothehouseofUlyssesanymore.
'Iruswasveryangryandanswered,'Youfilthyglutton,yourunontrippinglylikeanoldfish-fag.
Ihaveagoodmindtolaybothhandsaboutyou,andknockyourteethoutofyourheadlikesomanyboar'stusks.
Getready,therefore,andletthesepeopleherestandbyandlookon.
Youwillneverbeabletofightonewhoissomuchyoungerthanyourself.
'Thusroundlydidtheyrateoneanotheronthesmoothpavementinfrontofthedoorway,{149}andwhenAntinoussawwhatwasgoingonhelaughedheartilyandsaidtotheothers,'Thisisthefinestsportthatyoueversaw;heavenneveryetsentanythinglikeitintothishouse.
ThestrangerandIrushavequarreledandaregoingtofight,letussetthemontodosoatonce.
'373of550TheOdysseyThesuitorsallcameuplaughing,andgatheredroundthetworaggedtramps.
'Listentome,'saidAntinous,'therearesomegoats'paunchesdownatthefire,whichwehavefilledwithbloodandfat,andsetasideforsupper;hewhoisvictoriousandproveshimselftobethebettermanshallhavehispickofthelot;heshallbefreeofourtableandwewillnotallowanyotherbeggaraboutthehouseatall.
'Theothersallagreed,butUlysses,tothrowthemoffthescent,said,'Sirs,anoldmanlikemyself,wornoutwithsuffering,cannotholdhisownagainstayoungone;butmyirrepressiblebellyurgesmeon,thoughIknowitcanonlyendinmygettingadrubbing.
Youmustswear,howeverthatnoneofyouwillgivemeafoulblowtofavourIrusandsecurehimthevictory.
'Theysworeashetoldthem,andwhentheyhadcompletedtheiroathTelemachusputinawordandsaid,'Stranger,ifyouhaveamindtosettlewiththisfellow,youneednotbeafraidofanyonehere.
Whoeverstrikesyouwillhavetofightmorethanone.
Iamhost,andtheotherchiefs,AntinousandEurymachus,bothofthemmenofunderstanding,areofthesamemindasIam.
'Everyoneassented,andUlyssesgirdedhisoldragsabouthisloins,thusbaringhisstalwartthighs,hisbroad374of550TheOdysseychestandshoulders,andhismightyarms;butMinervacameuptohimandmadehislimbsevenstrongerstill.
Thesuitorswerebeyondmeasureastonished,andonewouldturntowardshisneighboursaying,'ThestrangerhasbroughtsuchathighoutofhisoldragsthattherewillsoonbenothingleftofIrus.
'Irusbegantobeveryuneasyasheheardthem,buttheservantsgirdedhimbyforce,andbroughthim[intotheopenpartofthecourt]insuchafrightthathislimbswereallofatremble.
Antinousscoldedhimandsaid,'Youswaggeringbully,yououghtnevertohavebeenbornatallifyouareafraidofsuchanoldbrokendowncreatureasthistrampis.
Isay,therefore—anditshallsurelybe—ifhebeatsyouandproveshimselfthebetterman,IshallpackyouoffonboardshiptothemainlandandsendyoutokingEchetus,whokillseveryonethatcomesnearhim.
Hewillcutoffyournoseandears,anddrawoutyourentrailsforthedogstoeat.
'ThisfrightenedIrusstillmore,buttheybroughthimintothemiddleofthecourt,andthetwomenraisedtheirhandstofight.
ThenUlyssesconsideredwhetherheshouldletdrivesohardathimastomakeanendofhimthenandthere,orwhetherheshouldgivehimalighterblowthatshouldonlyknockhimdown;intheendhe375of550TheOdysseydeemeditbesttogivethelighterblowforfeartheAchaeansshouldbegintosuspectwhohewas.
Thentheybegantofight,andIrushitUlyssesontherightshoulder;butUlyssesgaveIrusablowontheneckundertheearthatbrokeinthebonesofhisskull,andthebloodcamegushingoutofhismouth;hefellgroaninginthedust,gnashinghisteethandkickingontheground,butthesuitorsthrewuptheirhandsandnearlydiedoflaughter,asUlyssescaughtholdofhimbythefootanddraggedhimintotheoutercourtasfarasthegate-house.
Thereheproppedhimupagainstthewallandputhisstaffinhishands.
'Sithere,'saidhe,'andkeepthedogsandpigsoff;youareapitifulcreature,andifyoutrytomakeyourselfkingofthebeggarsanymoreyoushallfarestillworse.
'Thenhethrewhisdirtyoldwallet,alltatteredandtornoverhisshoulderwiththecordbywhichithung,andwentbacktositdownuponthethreshold;butthesuitorswentwithinthecloisters,laughingandsalutinghim,'MayJove,andalltheothergods,'saidthey,'grantyouwhateveryouwantforhavingputanendtotheimportunityofthisinsatiabletramp.
Wewilltakehimovertothemainlandpresently,tokingEchetus,whokillseveryonethatcomesnearhim.
'376of550TheOdysseyUlysseshailedthisasofgoodomen,andAntinoussetagreatgoat'spaunchbeforehimfilledwithbloodandfat.
Amphinomustooktwoloavesoutofthebread-basketandbroughtthemtohim,pledginghimashedidsoinagoldengobletofwine.
'Goodlucktoyou,'hesaid,'fatherstranger,youareverybadlyoffatpresent,butIhopeyouwillhavebettertimesbyandby.
'TothisUlyssesanswered,'Amphinomus,youseemtobeamanofgoodunderstanding,asindeedyoumaywellbe,seeingwhosesonyouare.
Ihaveheardyourfatherwellspokenof;heisNisusofDulichium,amanbothbraveandwealthy.
Theytellmeyouarehisson,andyouappeartobeaconsiderableperson;listen,therefore,andtakeheedtowhatIamsaying.
Manisthevainestofallcreaturesthathavetheirbeinguponearth.
Aslongasheavenvouchsafeshimhealthandstrength,hethinksthatheshallcometonoharmhereafter,andevenwhentheblessedgodsbringsorrowuponhim,hebearsitasheneedsmust,andmakesthebestofit;forGodalmightygivesmentheirdailymindsdaybyday.
Iknowallaboutit,forIwasarichmanonce,anddidmuchwronginthestubbornnessofmypride,andintheconfidencethatmyfatherandmybrotherswouldsupportme;thereforeletamanfearGodinallthingsalways,andtakethegoodthat377of550TheOdysseyheavenmayseefittosendhimwithoutvainglory.
Considertheinfamyofwhatthesesuitorsaredoing;seehowtheyarewastingtheestate,anddoingdishonourtothewife,ofonewhoiscertaintoreturnsomeday,andthat,too,notlonghence.
Nay,hewillbeheresoon;mayheavensendyouhomequietlyfirstthatyoumaynotmeetwithhiminthedayofhiscoming,foronceheisherethesuitorsandhewillnotpartbloodlessly.
'Withthesewordshemadeadrink-offering,andwhenhehaddrunkheputthegoldcupagainintothehandsofAmphinomus,whowalkedawayseriousandbowinghishead,forheforebodedevil.
Butevensohedidnotescapedestruction,forMinervahaddoomedhimtofallbythehandofTelemachus.
Sohetookhisseatagainattheplacefromwhichhehadcome.
ThenMinervaputitintothemindofPenelopetoshowherselftothesuitors,thatshemightmakethemstillmoreenamouredofher,andwinstillfurtherhonourfromhersonandhusband.
Soshefeignedamockinglaughandsaid,'Eurynome,Ihavechangedmymind,andhaveafancytoshowmyselftothesuitorsalthoughIdetestthem.
Ishouldlikealsotogivemysonahintthathehadbetternothaveanythingmoretodowiththem.
Theyspeakfairlyenoughbuttheymeanmischief.
'378of550TheOdyssey'Mydearchild,'answeredEurynome,'allthatyouhavesaidistrue,goandtellyoursonaboutit,butfirstwashyourselfandanointyourface.
Donotgoaboutwithyourcheeksallcoveredwithtears;itisnotrightthatyoushouldgrievesoincessantly;forTelemachus,whomyoualwaysprayedthatyoumightlivetoseewithabeard,isalreadygrownup.
''Iknow,Eurynome,'repliedPenelope,'thatyoumeanwell,butdonottryandpersuademetowashandtoanointmyself,forheavenrobbedmeofallmybeautyonthedaymyhusbandsailed;nevertheless,tellAutonoeandHippodamiathatIwantthem.
TheymustbewithmewhenIaminthecloister;Iamnotgoingamongthemenalone;itwouldnotbeproperformetodoso.
'Onthistheoldwoman{150}wentoutoftheroomtobidthemaidsgototheirmistress.
InthemeantimeMinervabethoughtherofanothermatter,andsentPenelopeoffintoasweetslumber;soshelaydownonhercouchandherlimbsbecameheavywithsleep.
ThenthegoddessshedgraceandbeautyoverherthatalltheAchaeansmightadmireher.
ShewashedherfacewiththeambrosiallovelinessthatVenuswearswhenshegoesdancingwiththeGraces;shemadehertallerandofamorecommandingfigure,whileasforhercomplexionit379of550TheOdysseywaswhiterthansawnivory.
WhenMinervahaddoneallthisshewentaway,whereonthemaidscameinfromthewomen'sroomandwokePenelopewiththesoundoftheirtalking.
'WhatanexquisitelydelicioussleepIhavebeenhaving,'saidshe,asshepassedherhandsoverherface,'inspiteofallmymisery.
IwishDianawouldletmediesosweetlynowatthisverymoment,thatImightnolongerwasteindespairforthelossofmydearhusband,whopossessedeverykindofgoodqualityandwasthemostdistinguishedmanamongtheAchaeans.
'Withthesewordsshecamedownfromherupperroom,notalonebutattendedbytwoofhermaidens,andwhenshereachedthesuitorsshestoodbyoneofthebearing-postssupportingtheroofofthecloister,holdingaveilbeforeherface,andwithastaidmaidservantoneithersideofher.
Astheybeheldherthesuitorsweresooverpoweredandbecamesodesperatelyenamouredofher,thateachoneprayedhemightwinherforhisownbedfellow.
'Telemachus,'saidshe,addressingherson,'Ifearyouarenolongersodiscreetandwellconductedasyouusedtobe.
Whenyouwereyoungeryouhadagreatersenseofpropriety;now,however,thatyouaregrownup,thougha380of550TheOdysseystrangertolookatyouwouldtakeyouforthesonofawelltodofatherasfarassizeandgoodlooksgo,yourconductisbynomeanswhatitshouldbe.
Whatisallthisdisturbancethathasbeengoingon,andhowcameyoutoallowastrangertobesodisgracefullyill-treatedWhatwouldhavehappenedifhehadsufferedseriousinjurywhileasuppliantinourhouseSurelythiswouldhavebeenverydiscreditabletoyou.
''Iamnotsurprised,mydearmother,atyourdispleasure,'repliedTelemachus,'Iunderstandallaboutitandknowwhenthingsarenotastheyshouldbe,whichIcouldnotdowhenIwasyounger;Icannot,however,behavewithperfectproprietyatalltimes.
Firstoneandthenanotherofthesewickedpeopleherekeepsdrivingmeoutofmymind,andIhavenoonetostandbyme.
Afterall,however,thisfightbetweenIrusandthestrangerdidnotturnoutasthesuitorsmeantittodo,forthestrangergotthebestofit.
IwishFatherJove,Minerva,andApollowouldbreaktheneckofeveryoneofthesewooersofyours,someinsidethehouseandsomeout;andIwishtheymightallbeaslimpasIrusisoveryonderinthegateoftheoutercourt.
Seehowhenodshisheadlikeadrunkenman;hehashadsuchathrashingthat381of550TheOdysseyhecannotstandonhisfeetnorgetbacktohishome,whereverthatmaybe,forhehasnostrengthleftinhim.
'Thusdidtheyconverse.
Eurymachusthencameupandsaid,'QueenPenelope,daughterofIcarius,ifalltheAchaeansinIasianArgoscouldseeyouatthismoment,youwouldhavestillmoresuitorsinyourhousebytomorrowmorning,foryouarethemostadmirablewomaninthewholeworldbothasregardspersonalbeautyandstrengthofunderstanding.
'TothisPenelopereplied,'Eurymachus,heavenrobbedmeofallmybeautywhetheroffaceorfigurewhentheArgivessetsailforTroyandmydearhusbandwiththem.
Ifheweretoreturnandlookaftermyaffairs,Ishouldbothbemorerespectedandshowabetterpresencetotheworld.
Asitis,Iamoppressedwithcare,andwiththeafflictionswhichheavenhasseenfittoheapuponme.
Myhusbandforesawitall,andwhenhewasleavinghomehetookmyrightwristinhishand—'Wife,'hesaid,'weshallnotallofuscomesafehomefromTroy,fortheTrojansfightwellbothwithbowandspear.
Theyareexcellentalsoatfightingfromchariots,andnothingdecidestheissueofafightsoonerthanthis.
Iknownot,therefore,whetherheavenwillsendmebacktoyou,orwhetherImaynotfalloverthereatTroy.
Inthemeantime382of550TheOdysseydoyoulookafterthingshere.
Takecareofmyfatherandmotherasatpresent,andevenmoresoduringmyabsence,butwhenyouseeoursongrowingabeard,thenmarrywhomyouwill,andleavethisyourpresenthome.
'Thisiswhathesaidandnowitisallcomingtrue.
AnightwillcomewhenIshallhavetoyieldmyselftoamarriagewhichIdetest,forJovehastakenfrommeallhopeofhappiness.
Thisfurthergrief,moreover,cutsmetotheveryheart.
Yousuitorsarenotwooingmeafterthecustomofmycountry.
Whenmenarecourtingawomanwhotheythinkwillbeagoodwifetothemandwhoisofnoblebirth,andwhentheyareeachtryingtowinherforhimself,theyusuallybringoxenandsheeptofeastthefriendsofthelady,andtheymakehermagnificentpresents,insteadofeatingupotherpeople'spropertywithoutpayingforit.
'Thiswaswhatshesaid,andUlysseswasgladwhenheheardhertryingtogetpresentsoutofthesuitors,andflatteringthemwithfairwordswhichheknewshedidnotmean.
ThenAntinoussaid,'QueenPenelope,daughterofIcarius,takeasmanypresentsasyoupleasefromanyonewhowillgivethemtoyou;itisnotwelltorefuseapresent;butwewillnotgoaboutourbusinessnorstir383of550TheOdysseyfromwhereweare,tillyouhavemarriedthebestmanamonguswhoeverhemaybe.
'TheothersapplaudedwhatAntinoushadsaid,andeachonesenthisservanttobringhispresent.
Antinous'smanreturnedwithalargeandlovelydressmostexquisitelyembroidered.
Ithadtwelvebeautifullymadebroochpinsofpuregoldwithwhichtofastenit.
Eurymachusimmediatelybroughtheramagnificentchainofgoldandamberbeadsthatgleamedlikesunlight.
Eurydamas'stwomenreturnedwithsomeearringsfashionedintothreebrilliantpendantswhichglistenedmostbeautifully;whilekingPisandersonofPolyctorgaveheranecklaceoftherarestworkmanship,andeveryoneelsebroughtherabeautifulpresentofsomekind.
Thenthequeenwentbacktoherroomupstairs,andhermaidsbroughtthepresentsafterher.
Meanwhilethesuitorstooktosinginganddancing,andstayedtilleveningcame.
Theydancedandsangtillitgrewdark;theythenbroughtinthreebraziers{151}togivelight,andpiledthemupwithchoppedfirewoodveryoldanddry,andtheylittorchesfromthem,whichthemaidsheldupturnandturnabout.
ThenUlyssessaid:'Maids,servantsofUlysseswhohassolongbeenabsent,gotothequeeninsidethehouse;sitwithherand384of550TheOdysseyamuseher,orspin,andpickwool.
Iwillholdthelightforallthesepeople.
Theymaystaytillmorning,butshallnotbeatme,forIcanstandagreatdeal.
'Themaidslookedatoneanotherandlaughed,whileprettyMelanthobegantogibeathimcontemptuously.
ShewasdaughtertoDolius,buthadbeenbroughtupbyPenelope,whousedtogivehertoystoplaywith,andlookedafterherwhenshewasachild;butinspiteofallthissheshowednoconsiderationforthesorrowsofhermistress,andusedtomisconductherselfwithEurymachus,withwhomshewasinlove.
'Poorwretch,'saidshe,'areyougonecleanoutofyourmindGoandsleepinsomesmithy,orplaceofpublicgossips,insteadofchatteringhere.
Areyounotashamedofopeningyourmouthbeforeyourbetters—somanyofthemtooHasthewinebeengettingintoyourhead,ordoyoualwaysbabbleinthiswayYouseemtohavelostyourwitsbecauseyoubeatthetrampIrus;takecarethatabettermanthanhedoesnotcomeandcudgelyouabouttheheadtillhepackyoubleedingoutofthehouse.
''Vixen,'repliedUlysses,scowlingather,'IwillgoandtellTelemachuswhatyouhavebeensaying,andhewillhaveyoutornlimbfromlimb.
'385of550TheOdysseyWiththesewordshescaredthewomen,andtheywentoffintothebodyofthehouse.
Theytrembledallover,fortheythoughthewoulddoashesaid.
ButUlyssestookhisstandneartheburningbraziers,holdinguptorchesandlookingatthepeople—broodingthewhileonthingsthatshouldsurelycometopass.
ButMinervawouldnotletthesuitorsforonemomentceasetheirinsolence,forshewantedUlyssestobecomeevenmorebitteragainstthem;shethereforesetEurymachussonofPolybusontogibeathim,whichmadetheotherslaugh.
'Listentome,'saidhe,'yousuitorsofQueenPenelope,thatImayspeakevenasIamminded.
ItisnotfornothingthatthismanhascometothehouseofUlysses;Ibelievethelighthasnotbeencomingfromthetorches,butfromhisownhead—forhishairisallgone,everybitofit.
'ThenturningtoUlysseshesaid,'Stranger,willyouworkasaservant,ifIsendyoutothewoldsandseethatyouarewellpaidCanyoubuildastonefence,orplanttreesIwillhaveyoufedalltheyearround,andwillfindyouinshoesandclothing.
Willyougo,thenNotyou;foryouhavegotintobadways,anddonotwanttowork;youhadratherfillyourbellybygoingroundthecountrybegging.
'386of550TheOdyssey'Eurymachus,'answeredUlysses,'ifyouandIweretoworkoneagainsttheotherinearlysummerwhenthedaysareattheirlongest—givemeagoodscythe,andtakeanotheryourself,andletusseewhichwilllastthelongerormowthestronger,fromdawntilldarkwhenthemowinggrassisabout.
Orifyouwillploughagainstme,letuseachtakeayokeoftawnyoxen,well-matedandofgreatstrengthandendurance:turnmeintoafouracrefield,andseewhetheryouorIcandrivethestraighterfurrow.
If,again,warweretobreakoutthisday,givemeashield,acoupleofspearsandahelmetfittingwelluponmytemples—youwouldfindmeforemostinthefray,andwouldceaseyourgibesaboutmybelly.
Youareinsolentandcruel,andthinkyourselfagreatmanbecauseyouliveinalittleworld,andthatabadone.
IfUlyssescomestohisownagain,thedoorsofhishousearewide,butyouwillfindthemnarrowwhenyoutrytoflythroughthem.
'Eurymachuswasfuriousatallthis.
Hescowledathimandcried,'Youwretch,Iwillsoonpayyououtfordaringtosaysuchthingstome,andinpublictoo.
HasthewinebeengettingintoyourheadordoyoualwaysbabbleinthiswayYouseemtohavelostyourwitsbecauseyoubeatthetrampIrus.
'Withthishecaughtholdofafootstool,butUlyssessoughtprotectionatthekneesof387of550TheOdysseyAmphinomusofDulichium,forhewasafraid.
Thestoolhitthecupbeareronhisrighthandandknockedhimdown:themanfellwithacryflatonhisback,andhiswine-jugfellringingtotheground.
Thesuitorsinthecoveredcloisterwerenowinanuproar,andonewouldturntowardshisneighbour,saying,'Iwishthestrangerhadgonesomewhereelse,badlucktohim,forallthetroublehegivesus.
Wecannotpermitsuchdisturbanceaboutabeggar;ifsuchillcounselsaretoprevailweshallhavenomorepleasureatourbanquet.
'OnthisTelemachuscameforwardandsaid,'Sirs,areyoumadCanyounotcarryyourmeatandyourliquordecentlySomeevilspirithaspossessedyou.
Idonotwishtodriveanyofyouaway,butyouhavehadyoursuppers,andthesooneryouallgohometobedthebetter.
'Thesuitorsbittheirlipsandmarvelledattheboldnessofhisspeech;butAmphinomusthesonofNisus,whowassontoAretias,said,'Donotletustakeoffence;itisreasonable,soletusmakenoanswer.
NeitherletusdoviolencetothestrangernortoanyofUlysses'servants.
Letthecupbearergoroundwiththedrink-offerings,thatwemaymakethemandgohometoourrest.
Asforthe388of550TheOdysseystranger,letusleaveTelemachustodealwithhim,foritistohishousethathehascome.
'Thusdidhespeak,andhissayingpleasedthemwell,soMuliusofDulichium,servanttoAmphinomus,mixedthemabowlofwineandwaterandhandeditroundtoeachofthemmanbyman,whereontheymadetheirdrink-offeringstotheblessedgods:Then,whentheyhadmadetheirdrink-offeringsandhaddrunkeachoneashewasminded,theytooktheirseveralwayseachofthemtohisownabode.
389of550TheOdysseyBookXIXTELEMACHUSANDULYSSESREMOVETHEARMOUR—ULYSSESINTERVIEWSPENELOPE—EURYCLEAWASHESHISFEETANDRECOGNISESTHESCARONHISLEG—PENELOPETELLSHERDREAMTOULYSSES.
Ulysseswasleftinthecloister,ponderingonthemeanswherebywithMinerva'shelphemightbeabletokillthesuitors.
PresentlyhesaidtoTelemachus,'Telemachus,wemustgetthearmourtogetherandtakeitdowninside.
Makesomeexcusewhenthesuitorsaskyouwhyyouhaveremovedit.
Saythatyouhavetakenittobeoutofthewayofthesmoke,inasmuchasitisnolongerwhatitwaswhenUlysseswentaway,buthasbecomesoiledandbegrimedwithsoot.
AddtothismoreparticularlythatyouareafraidJovemaysetthemontoquarrelovertheirwine,andthattheymaydoeachothersomeharmwhichmaydisgracebothbanquetandwooing,forthesightofarmssometimestemptspeopletousethem.
'Telemachusapprovedofwhathisfatherhadsaid,sohecallednurseEurycleaandsaid,'Nurse,shutthe390of550TheOdysseywomenupintheirroom,whileItakethearmourthatmyfatherleftbehindhimdownintothestoreroom.
Noonelooksafteritnowmyfatherisgone,andithasgotallsmirchedwithsootduringmyownboyhood.
Iwanttotakeitdownwherethesmokecannotreachit.
''Iwish,child,'answeredEuryclea,'thatyouwouldtakethemanagementofthehouseintoyourownhandsaltogether,andlookafterallthepropertyyourself.
Butwhoistogowithyouandlightyoutothestore-roomThemaidswouldhavedoneso,butyouwouldnotletthem.
''Thestranger,'saidTelemachus,'shallshowmealight;whenpeopleeatmybreadtheymustearnit,nomatterwheretheycomefrom.
'Eurycleadidasshewastold,andboltedthewomeninsidetheirroom.
ThenUlyssesandhissonmadeallhastetotakethehelmets,shields,andspearsinside;andMinervawentbeforethemwithagoldlampinherhandthatshedasoftandbrilliantradiance,whereonTelemachussaid,'Father,myeyesbeholdagreatmarvel:thewalls,withtherafters,crossbeams,andthesupportsonwhichtheyrestareallaglowaswithaflamingfire.
Surelythereissomegodherewhohascomedownfromheaven.
'391of550TheOdyssey'Hush,'answeredUlysses,'holdyourpeaceandasknoquestions,forthisisthemannerofthegods.
Getyoutoyourbed,andleavemeheretotalkwithyourmotherandthemaids.
Yourmotherinhergriefwillaskmeallsortsofquestions.
'OnthisTelemachuswentbytorch-lighttotheothersideoftheinnercourt,totheroominwhichhealwaysslept.
Therehelayinhisbedtillmorning,whileUlysseswasleftinthecloisterponderingonthemeanswherebywithMinerva'shelphemightbeabletokillthesuitors.
ThenPenelopecamedownfromherroomlookinglikeVenusorDiana,andtheysetheraseatinlaidwithscrollsofsilverandivorynearthefireinheraccustomedplace.
IthadbeenmadebyIcmaliusandhadafootstoolallinonepiecewiththeseatitself;anditwascoveredwithathickfleece:onthisshenowsat,andthemaidscamefromthewomen'sroomtojoinher.
Theysetaboutremovingthetablesatwhichthewickedsuitorshadbeendining,andtookawaythebreadthatwasleft,withthecupsfromwhichtheyhaddrunk.
Theyemptiedtheembersoutofthebraziers,andheapedmuchwooduponthemtogivebothlightandheat;butMelanthobegantorailatUlyssesasecondtimeandsaid,'Stranger,doyoumeantoplagueusbyhangingaboutthehouseallnightandspyingupon392of550TheOdysseythewomenBeoff,youwretch,outside,andeatyoursupperthere,oryoushallbedrivenoutwithafirebrand.
'Ulyssesscowledatherandanswered,'Mygoodwoman,whyshouldyoubesoangrywithmeIsitbecauseIamnotclean,andmyclothesareallinrags,andbecauseIamobligedtogobeggingaboutafterthemanneroftrampsandbeggarsgenerallyItoowasarichmanonce,andhadafinehouseofmyown;inthosedaysIgavetomanyatrampsuchasInowam,nomatterwhohemightbenorwhathewanted.
Ihadanynumberofservants,andalltheotherthingswhichpeoplehavewholivewellandareaccountedwealthy,butitpleasedJovetotakeallawayfromme;therefore,woman,bewarelestyoutoocometolosethatprideandplaceinwhichyounowwantonaboveyourfellows;haveacarelestyougetoutoffavourwithyourmistress,andlestUlyssesshouldcomehome,forthereisstillachancethathemaydoso.
Moreover,thoughhebedeadasyouthinkheis,yetbyApollo'swillhehasleftasonbehindhim,Telemachus,whowillnoteanythingdoneamissbythemaidsinthehouse,forheisnownolongerinhisboyhood.
'Penelopeheardwhathewassayingandscoldedthemaid,'Impudentbaggage,'saidshe,'Iseehowabominablyyouarebehaving,andyoushallsmartforit.
393of550TheOdysseyYouknewperfectlywell,forItoldyoumyself,thatIwasgoingtoseethestrangerandaskhimaboutmyhusband,forwhosesakeIaminsuchcontinualsorrow.
'ThenshesaidtoherheadwaitingwomanEurynome,'Bringaseatwithafleeceuponit,forthestrangertosituponwhilehetellshisstory,andlistenstowhatIhavetosay.
Iwishtoaskhimsomequestions.
'Eurynomebroughttheseatatonceandsetafleeceuponit,andassoonasUlysseshadsatdownPenelopebeganbysaying,'Stranger,IshallfirstaskyouwhoandwhenceareyouTellmeofyourtownandparents.
''Madam,'answeredUlysses,'whoonthefaceofthewholeearthcandaretochidewithyouYourfamereachesthefirmamentofheavenitself;youarelikesomeblamelessking,whoupholdsrighteousness,asthemonarchoveragreatandvaliantnation:theearthyieldsitswheatandbarley,thetreesareloadedwithfruit,theewesbringforthlambs,andtheseaaboundswithfishbyreasonofhisvirtues,andhispeopledogooddeedsunderhim.
Nevertheless,asIsithereinyourhouse,askmesomeotherquestionanddonotseektoknowmyraceandfamily,oryouwillrecallmemoriesthatwillyetmoreincreasemysorrow.
Iamfullofheaviness,butIoughtnottositweepingandwailinginanotherperson'shouse,394of550TheOdysseynorisitwelltobethusgrievingcontinually.
Ishallhaveoneoftheservantsorevenyourselfcomplainingofme,andsayingthatmyeyesswimwithtearsbecauseIamheavywithwine.
'ThenPenelopeanswered,'Stranger,heavenrobbedmeofallbeauty,whetheroffaceorfigure,whentheArgivessetsailforTroyandmydearhusbandwiththem.
IfheweretoreturnandlookaftermyaffairsIshouldbebothmorerespectedandshouldshowabetterpresencetotheworld.
Asitis,Iamoppressedwithcare,andwiththeafflictionswhichheavenhasseenfittoheapuponme.
Thechiefsfromallourislands—Dulichium,Same,andZacynthus,asalsofromIthacaitself,arewooingmeagainstmywillandarewastingmyestate.
Icanthereforeshownoattentiontostrangers,norsuppliants,nortopeoplewhosaythattheyareskilledartisans,butamallthetimebroken-heartedaboutUlysses.
Theywantmetomarryagainatonce,andIhavetoinventstratagemsinordertodeceivethem.
Inthefirstplaceheavenputitinmymindtosetupagreattambour-frameinmyroom,andtobeginworkinguponanenormouspieceoffineneedlework.
ThenIsaidtothem,'Sweethearts,Ulyssesisindeeddead,still,donotpressmetomarryagainimmediately;wait—forIwouldnothavemyskillin395of550TheOdysseyneedleworkperishunrecorded—tillIhavefinishedmakingapallfortheheroLaertes,tobereadyagainstthetimewhendeathshalltakehim.
Heisveryrich,andthewomenoftheplacewilltalkifheislaidoutwithoutapall.
'ThiswaswhatIsaid,andtheyassented;whereonIusedtokeepworkingatmygreatweballdaylong,butatnightIwouldunpickthestitchesagainbytorchlight.
Ifooledtheminthiswayforthreeyearswithouttheirfindingitout,butastimeworeonandIwasnowinmyfourthyear,inthewaningofmoons,andmanydayshadbeenaccomplished,thosegoodfornothinghussiesmymaidsbetrayedmetothesuitors,whobrokeinuponmeandcaughtme;theywereveryangrywithme,soIwasforcedtofinishmyworkwhetherIwouldorno.
AndnowIdonotseehowIcanfindanyfurthershiftforgettingoutofthismarriage.
Myparentsareputtinggreatpressureuponme,andmysonchafesattheravagesthesuitorsaremakinguponhisestate,forheisnowoldenoughtounderstandallaboutitandisperfectlyabletolookafterhisownaffairs,forheavenhasblessedhimwithanexcellentdisposition.
Still,notwithstandingallthis,tellmewhoyouareandwhereyoucomefrom—foryoumusthavehadfatherandmotherofsomesort;youcannotbethesonofanoakorofarock.
'396of550TheOdysseyThenUlyssesanswered,'Madam,wifeofUlysses,sinceyoupersistinaskingmeaboutmyfamily,Iwillanswer,nomatterwhatitcostsme:peoplemustexpecttobepainedwhentheyhavebeenexilesaslongasIhave,andsufferedasmuchamongasmanypeoples.
Nevertheless,asregardsyourquestionIwilltellyouallyouask.
Thereisafairandfruitfulislandinmid-oceancalledCrete;itisthicklypeopledandthereareninetycitiesinit:thepeoplespeakmanydifferentlanguageswhichoverlaponeanother,forthereareAchaeans,braveEteocretans,Doriansofthree-foldrace,andnoblePelasgi.
Thereisagreattownthere,Cnossus,whereMinosreignedwhoeverynineyearshadaconferencewithJovehimself.
{152}MinoswasfathertoDeucalion,whosesonIam,forDeucalionhadtwosonsIdomeneusandmyself.
IdomeneussailedforTroy,andI,whoamtheyounger,amcalledAethon;mybrother,however,wasatoncetheolderandthemorevaliantofthetwo;henceitwasinCretethatIsawUlyssesandshowedhimhospitality,forthewindstookhimthereashewasonhiswaytoTroy,carryinghimoutofhiscoursefromcapeMaleaandleavinghiminAmnisusoffthecaveofIlithuia,wheretheharboursaredifficulttoenterandhecouldhardlyfindshelterfromthewindsthatwerethenraging.
Assoonas397of550TheOdysseyhegottherehewentintothetownandaskedforIdomeneus,claimingtobehisoldandvaluedfriend,butIdomeneushadalreadysetsailforTroysometenortwelvedaysearlier,soItookhimtomyownhouseandshowedhimeverykindofhospitality,forIhadabundanceofeverything.
Moreover,Ifedthemenwhowerewithhimwithbarleymealfromthepublicstore,andgotsubscriptionsofwineandoxenforthemtosacrificetotheirheart'scontent.
Theystayedwithmetwelvedays,fortherewasagaleblowingfromtheNorthsostrongthatonecouldhardlykeepone'sfeetonland.
Isupposesomeunfriendlygodhadraiseditforthem,butonthethirteenthdaythewinddropped,andtheygotaway.
'ManyaplausibletaledidUlyssesfurthertellher,andPenelopeweptasshelistened,forherheartwasmelted.
AsthesnowwastesuponthemountaintopswhenthewindsfromSouthEastandWesthavebreatheduponitandthawedittilltheriversrunbankfullwithwater,evensodidhercheeksoverflowwithtearsforthehusbandwhowasallthetimesittingbyherside.
Ulyssesfeltforherandwassorryforher,buthekepthiseyesashardashornorironwithoutlettingthemsomuchasquiver,socunninglydidherestrainhistears.
Then,whenshehadrelievedherselfbyweeping,sheturnedtohimagainand398of550TheOdysseysaid:'Now,stranger,Ishallputyoutothetestandseewhetherornoyoureallydidentertainmyhusbandandhismen,asyousayyoudid.
Tellme,then,howhewasdressed,whatkindofamanhewastolookat,andsoalsowithhiscompanions.
''Madam,'answeredUlysses,'itissuchalongtimeagothatIcanhardlysay.
Twentyyearsarecomeandgonesinceheleftmyhome,andwentelsewhither;butIwilltellyouaswellasIcanrecollect.
Ulyssesworeamantleofpurplewool,doublelined,anditwasfastenedbyagoldbroochwithtwocatchesforthepin.
Onthefaceofthistherewasadevicethatshewedadogholdingaspottedfawnbetweenhisforepaws,andwatchingitasitlaypantingupontheground.
Everyonemarvelledatthewayinwhichthesethingshadbeendoneingold,thedoglookingatthefawn,andstranglingit,whilethefawnwasstrugglingconvulsivelytoescape.
{153}Asfortheshirtthatheworenexthisskin,itwassosoftthatitfittedhimliketheskinofanonion,andglistenedinthesunlighttotheadmirationofallthewomenwhobeheldit.
FurthermoreIsay,andlaymysayingtoyourheart,thatIdonotknowwhetherUlyssesworetheseclotheswhenhelefthome,orwhetheroneofhiscompanionshadgiventhemtohimwhilehewasonhisvoyage;orpossibly399of550TheOdysseysomeoneatwhosehousehewasstayingmadehimapresentofthem,forhewasamanofmanyfriendsandhadfewequalsamongtheAchaeans.
Imyselfgavehimaswordofbronzeandabeautifulpurplemantle,doublelined,withashirtthatwentdowntohisfeet,andIsenthimonboardhisshipwitheverymarkofhonour.
Hehadaservantwithhim,alittleolderthanhimself,andIcantellyouwhathewaslike;hisshoulderswerehunched,{154}hewasdark,andhehadthickcurlyhair.
HisnamewasEurybates,andUlyssestreatedhimwithgreaterfamiliaritythanhedidanyoftheothers,asbeingthemostlike-mindedwithhimself.
'PenelopewasmovedstillmoredeeplyassheheardtheindisputableproofsthatUlysseslaidbeforeher;andwhenshehadagainfoundreliefintearsshesaidtohim,'Stranger,Iwasalreadydisposedtopityyou,buthenceforthyoushallbehonouredandmadewelcomeinmyhouse.
ItwasIwhogaveUlyssestheclothesyouspeakof.
Itookthemoutofthestoreroomandfoldedthemupmyself,andIgavehimalsothegoldbroochtowearasanornament.
Alas!
Ishallneverwelcomehimhomeagain.
ItwasbyanillfatethatheeversetoutforthatdetestedcitywhoseverynameIcannotbringmyselfeventomention.
'400of550TheOdysseyThenUlyssesanswered,'Madam,wifeofUlysses,donotdisfigureyourselffurtherbygrievingthusbitterlyforyourloss,thoughIcanhardlyblameyoufordoingso.
Awomanwhohaslovedherhusbandandbornehimchildren,wouldnaturallybegrievedatlosinghim,eventhoughhewereaworsemanthanUlysses,whotheysaywaslikeagod.
Still,ceaseyourtearsandlistentowhatIcantellyou.
Iwillhidenothingfromyou,andcansaywithperfecttruththatIhavelatelyheardofUlyssesasbeingaliveandonhiswayhome;heisamongtheThesprotians,andisbringingbackmuchvaluabletreasurethathehasbeggedfromoneandanotherofthem;buthisshipandallhiscrewwerelostastheywereleavingtheThrinacianisland,forJoveandthesun-godwereangrywithhimbecausehismenhadslaughteredthesun-god'scattle,andtheywerealldrownedtoaman.
ButUlyssesstucktothekeeloftheshipandwasdriftedontothelandofthePhaeacians,whoarenearofkintotheimmortals,andwhotreatedhimasthoughhehadbeenagod,givinghimmanypresents,andwishingtoescorthimhomesafeandsound.
InfactUlysseswouldhavebeenherelongago,hadhenotthoughtbettertogofromlandtolandgatheringwealth;forthereisnomanlivingwhoissowilyasheis;thereisnoonecancomparewithhim.
401of550TheOdysseyPheidonkingoftheThesprotianstoldmeallthis,andhesworetome—makingdrink-offeringsinhishouseashedidso—thattheshipwasbythewatersideandthecrewfoundwhowouldtakeUlyssestohisowncountry.
Hesentmeofffirst,fortherehappenedtobeaThesprotianshipsailingforthewheat-growingislandofDulichium,butheshowedmeallthetreasureUlysseshadgottogether,andhehadenoughlyinginthehouseofkingPheidontokeephisfamilyfortengenerations;butthekingsaidUlysseshadgonetoDodonathathemightlearnJove'smindfromthehighoaktree,andknowwhetheraftersolonganabsenceheshouldreturntoIthacaopenlyorinsecret.
Soyoumayknowheissafeandwillbehereshortly;heiscloseathandandcannotremainawayfromhomemuchlonger;neverthelessIwillconfirmmywordswithanoath,andcallJovewhoisthefirstandmightiestofallgodstowitness,asalsothathearthofUlyssestowhichIhavenowcome,thatallIhavespokenshallsurelycometopass.
Ulysseswillreturninthisselfsameyear;withtheendofthismoonandthebeginningofthenexthewillbehere.
''Mayitbeevenso,'answeredPenelope;'ifyourwordscometrueyoushallhavesuchgiftsandsuchgoodwillfrommethatallwhoseeyoushallcongratulateyou;402of550TheOdysseybutIknowverywellhowitwillbe.
Ulysseswillnotreturn,neitherwillyougetyourescorthence,forsosurelyasthatUlysseseverwas,therearenownolongeranysuchmastersinthehouseashewas,toreceivehonourablestrangersortofurtherthemontheirwayhome.
Andnow,youmaids,washhisfeetforhim,andmakehimabedonacouchwithrugsandblankets,thathemaybewarmandquiettillmorning.
Then,atdaybreakwashhimandanointhimagain,thathemaysitinthecloisterandtakehismealswithTelemachus.
Itshallbetheworseforanyoneofthesehatefulpeoplewhoisunciviltohim;likeitornot,heshallhavenomoretodointhishouse.
Forhow,sir,shallyoubeabletolearnwhetherornoIamsuperiortoothersofmysexbothingoodnessofheartandunderstanding,ifIletyoudineinmycloisterssqualidandillcladMenlivebutforalittleseason;iftheyarehard,anddealhardly,peoplewishthemillsolongastheyarealive,andspeakcontemptuouslyofthemwhentheyaredead,buthethatisrighteousanddealsrighteously,thepeopletellofhispraiseamongalllands,andmanyshallcallhimblessed.
'Ulyssesanswered,'Madam,IhaveforeswornrugsandblanketsfromthedaythatIleftthesnowyrangesofCretetogoonshipboard.
IwilllieasIhavelainonmanya403of550TheOdysseysleeplessnighthitherto.
NightafternighthaveIpassedinanyroughsleepingplace,andwaitedformorning.
Nor,again,doIlikehavingmyfeetwashed;Ishallnotletanyoftheyounghussiesaboutyourhousetouchmyfeet;but,ifyouhaveanyoldandrespectablewomanwhohasgonethroughasmuchtroubleasIhave,Iwillallowhertowashthem.
'TothisPenelopesaid,'Mydearsir,ofalltheguestswhoeveryetcametomyhousethereneverwasonewhospokeinallthingswithsuchadmirableproprietyasyoudo.
Therehappenstobeinthehouseamostrespectableoldwoman—thesamewhoreceivedmypoordearhusbandinherarmsthenighthewasborn,andnursedhimininfancy.
Sheisveryfeeblenow,butsheshallwashyourfeet.
''Comehere,'saidshe,'Euryclea,andwashyourmaster'sage-mate;IsupposeUlysses'handsandfeetareverymuchthesamenowashisare,fortroubleagesallofusdreadfullyfast.
'Onthesewordstheoldwomancoveredherfacewithherhands;shebegantoweepandmadelamentationsaying,'Mydearchild,IcannotthinkwhateverIamtodowithyou.
Iamcertainnoonewasevermoregod-fearingthanyourself,andyetJovehatesyou.
Nooneinthewholeworldeverburnedhimmorethighbones,norgave404of550TheOdysseyhimfinerhecatombswhenyouprayedyoumightcometoagreenoldageyourselfandseeyoursongrowuptotakeafteryou:yetseehowhehaspreventedyoualonefromevergettingbacktoyourownhome.
IhavenodoubtthewomeninsomeforeignpalacewhichUlysseshasgottoaregibingathimasalltheseslutsherehavebeengibingatyou.
Idonotwonderatyournotchoosingtoletthemwashyouafterthemannerinwhichtheyhaveinsultedyou;Iwillwashyourfeetmyselfgladlyenough,asPenelopehassaidthatIamtodoso;IwillwashthembothforPenelope'ssakeandforyourown,foryouhaveraisedthemostlivelyfeelingsofcompassioninmymind;andletmesaythismoreover,whichprayattendto;wehavehadallkindsofstrangersindistresscomeherebeforenow,butImakeboldtosaythatnooneeveryetcamewhowassolikeUlyssesinfigure,voice,andfeetasyouare.
''Thosewhohaveseenusboth,'answeredUlysses,'havealwayssaidwewerewonderfullylikeeachother,andnowyouhavenoticedittoo.
'Thentheoldwomantookthecauldroninwhichshewasgoingtowashhisfeet,andpouredplentyofcoldwaterintoit,addinghottillthebathwaswarmenough.
Ulyssessatbythefire,buterelongheturnedawayfrom405of550TheOdysseythelight,foritoccurredtohimthatwhentheoldwomanhadholdofhislegshewouldrecogniseacertainscarwhichitbore,whereonthewholetruthwouldcomeout.
Andindeedassoonasshebeganwashinghermaster,sheatonceknewthescarasonethathadbeengivenhimbyawildboarwhenhewashuntingonMt.
ParnassuswithhisexcellentgrandfatherAutolycus—whowasthemostaccomplishedthiefandperjurerinthewholeworld—andwiththesonsofAutolycus.
Mercuryhimselfhadendowedhimwiththisgift,forheusedtoburnthethighbonesofgoatsandkidstohim,sohetookpleasureinhiscompanionship.
IthappenedoncethatAutolycushadgonetoIthacaandhadfoundthechildofhisdaughterjustborn.
AssoonashehaddonesupperEurycleasettheinfantuponhiskneesandsaid,'Autolycus,youmustfindanameforyourgrandson;yougreatlywishedthatyoumighthaveone.
''Son-in-lawanddaughter,'repliedAutolycus,'callthechildthus:Iamhighlydispleasedwithalargenumberofpeopleinoneplaceandanother,bothmenandwomen;sonamethechild'Ulysses,'orthechildofanger.
Whenhegrowsupandcomestovisithismother'sfamilyonMt.
Parnassus,wheremypossessionslie,Iwillmakehimapresentandwillsendhimonhiswayrejoicing.
'406of550TheOdysseyUlysses,therefore,wenttoParnassustogetthepresentsfromAutolycus,whowithhissonsshookhandswithhimandgavehimwelcome.
HisgrandmotherAmphitheathrewherarmsabouthim,andkissedhishead,andbothhisbeautifuleyes,whileAutolycusdesiredhissonstogetdinnerready,andtheydidashetoldthem.
Theybroughtinafiveyearoldbull,flayedit,madeitreadyanddivideditintojoints;thesetheythencutcarefullyupintosmallerpiecesandspittedthem;theyroastedthemsufficientlyandservedtheportionsround.
Thusthroughthelivelongdaytothegoingdownofthesuntheyfeasted,andeverymanhadhisfullsharesothatallweresatisfied;butwhenthesunsetanditcameondark,theywenttobedandenjoyedtheboonofsleep.
Whenthechildofmorning,rosy-fingeredDawn,appeared,thesonsofAutolycuswentoutwiththeirhoundshunting,andUlysseswenttoo.
TheyclimbedthewoodedslopesofParnassusandsoonreacheditsbreezyuplandvalleys;butasthesunwasbeginningtobeatuponthefields,fresh-risenfromtheslowstillcurrentsofOceanus,theycametoamountaindell.
Thedogswereinfrontsearchingforthetracksofthebeasttheywerechasing,andafterthemcamethesonsofAutolycus,amongwhomwasUlysses,closebehindthedogs,andhe407of550TheOdysseyhadalongspearinhishand.
Herewasthelairofahugeboaramongsomethickbrushwood,sodensethatthewindandraincouldnotgetthroughit,norcouldthesun'srayspierceit,andthegroundunderneathlaythickwithfallenleaves.
Theboarheardthenoiseofthemen'sfeet,andthehoundsbayingoneverysideasthehuntsmencameuptohim,soherushedfromhislair,raisedthebristlesonhisneck,andstoodatbaywithfireflashingfromhiseyes.
Ulysseswasthefirsttoraisehisspearandtrytodriveitintothebrute,buttheboarwastooquickforhim,andchargedhimsideways,rippinghimabovethekneewithagashthattoredeepthoughitdidnotreachthebone.
Asfortheboar,Ulysseshithimontherightshoulder,andthepointofthespearwentrightthroughhim,sothathefellgroaninginthedustuntilthelifewentoutofhim.
ThesonsofAutolycusbusiedthemselveswiththecarcassoftheboar,andboundUlysses'wound;then,aftersayingaspelltostopthebleeding,theywenthomeasfastastheycould.
ButwhenAutolycusandhissonshadthoroughlyhealedUlysses,theymadehimsomesplendidpresents,andsenthimbacktoIthacawithmuchmutualgoodwill.
Whenhegotback,hisfatherandmotherwererejoicedtoseehim,andaskedhimallaboutit,andhowhehadhurthimselftogetthescar;sohetold408of550TheOdysseythemhowtheboarhadrippedhimwhenhewasouthuntingwithAutolycusandhissonsonMt.
Parnassus.
AssoonasEurycleahadgotthescarredlimbinherhandsandhadwellholdofit,sherecogniseditanddroppedthefootatonce.
Thelegfellintothebath,whichrangoutandwasoverturned,sothatallthewaterwasspiltontheground;Euryclea'seyesbetweenherjoyandhergrieffilledwithtears,andshecouldnotspeak,butshecaughtUlyssesbythebeardandsaid,'Mydearchild,IamsureyoumustbeUlysseshimself,onlyIdidnotknowyoutillIhadactuallytouchedandhandledyou.
'AsshespokeshelookedtowardsPenelope,asthoughwantingtotellherthatherdearhusbandwasinthehouse,butPenelopewasunabletolookinthatdirectionandobservewhatwasgoingon,forMinervahaddivertedherattention;soUlyssescaughtEurycleabythethroatwithhisrighthandandwithhisleftdrewherclosetohim,andsaid,'Nurse,doyouwishtobetheruinofme,youwhonursedmeatyourownbreast,nowthataftertwentyyearsofwanderingIamatlastcometomyownhomeagainSinceithasbeenborneinuponyoubyheaventorecogniseme,holdyourtongue,anddonotsayawordaboutittoanyoneelseinthehouse,forifyoudoItellyou—anditshallsurelybe—thatifheavengrantsmeto409of550TheOdysseytakethelivesofthesesuitors,Iwillnotspareyou,thoughyouaremyownnurse,whenIamkillingtheotherwomen.
''Mychild,'answeredEuryclea,'whatareyoutalkingaboutYouknowverywellthatnothingcaneitherbendorbreakme.
Iwillholdmytonguelikeastoneorapieceofiron;furthermoreletmesay,andlaymysayingtoyourheart,whenheavenhasdeliveredthesuitorsintoyourhand,Iwillgiveyoualistofthewomeninthehousewhohavebeenill-behaved,andofthosewhoareguiltless.
'AndUlyssesanswered,'Nurse,yououghtnottospeakinthatway;Iamwellabletoformmyownopinionaboutoneandallofthem;holdyourtongueandleaveeverythingtoheaven.
'AshesaidthisEuryclealeftthecloistertofetchsomemorewater,forthefirsthadbeenallspilt;andwhenshehadwashedhimandanointedhimwithoil,Ulyssesdrewhisseatnearertothefiretowarmhimself,andhidthescarunderhisrags.
ThenPenelopebegantalkingtohimandsaid:'Stranger,Ishouldliketospeakwithyoubrieflyaboutanothermatter.
Itisindeednearlybedtime—forthose,atleast,whocansleepinspiteofsorrow.
Asformyself,heavenhasgivenmealifeofsuchunmeasurablewoe,410of550TheOdysseythatevenbydaywhenIamattendingtomydutiesandlookingaftertheservants,Iamstillweepingandlamentingduringthewholetime;then,whennightcomes,andweallofusgotobed,Ilieawakethinking,andmyheartbecomesapreytothemostincessantandcrueltortures.
Asthedunnightingale,daughterofPandareus,singsintheearlyspringfromherseatinshadiestcoverthid,andwithmanyaplaintivetrillpoursoutthetalehowbymishapshekilledherownchildItylus,sonofkingZethus,evensodoesmymindtossandturninitsuncertaintywhetherIoughttostaywithmysonhere,andsafeguardmysubstance,mybondsmen,andthegreatnessofmyhouse,outofregardtopublicopinionandthememoryofmylatehusband,orwhetheritisnotnowtimeformetogowiththebestofthesesuitorswhoarewooingmeandmakingmesuchmagnificentpresents.
Aslongasmysonwasstillyoung,andunabletounderstand,hewouldnothearofmyleavingmyhusband'shouse,butnowthatheisfullgrownhebegsandpraysmetodoso,beingincensedatthewayinwhichthesuitorsareeatinguphisproperty.
Listen,then,toadreamthatIhavehadandinterpretitformeifyoucan.
Ihavetwentygeeseaboutthehousethateatmashoutofatrough,{155}andofwhichIamexceedinglyfond.
Idreamedthatagreat411of550TheOdysseyeaglecameswoopingdownfromamountain,anddughiscurvedbeakintotheneckofeachofthemtillhehadkilledthemall.
Presentlyhesoaredoffintothesky,andleftthemlyingdeadabouttheyard;whereonIweptinmydreamtillallmymaidsgatheredroundme,sopiteouslywasIgrievingbecausetheeaglehadkilledmygeese.
Thenhecamebackagain,andperchingonaprojectingrafterspoketomewithhumanvoice,andtoldmetoleaveoffcrying.
'Beofgoodcourage,'hesaid,'daughterofIcarius;thisisnodream,butavisionofgoodomenthatshallsurelycometopass.
Thegeesearethesuitors,andIamnolongeraneagle,butyourownhusband,whoamcomebacktoyou,andwhowillbringthesesuitorstoadisgracefulend.
'OnthisIwoke,andwhenIlookedoutIsawmygeeseatthetrougheatingtheirmashasusual.
''Thisdream,Madam,'repliedUlysses,'canadmitbutofoneinterpretation,forhadnotUlysseshimselftoldyouhowitshallbefulfilledThedeathofthesuitorsisportended,andnotonesingleoneofthemwillescape.
'AndPenelopeanswered,'Stranger,dreamsareverycuriousandunaccountablethings,andtheydonotbyanymeansinvariablycometrue.
Therearetwogatesthroughwhichtheseunsubstantialfanciesproceed;theoneisofhorn,andtheotherivory.
Thosethatcomethroughthe412of550TheOdysseygateofivoryarefatuous,butthosefromthegateofhornmeansomethingtothosethatseethem.
Idonotthink,however,thatmyowndreamcamethroughthegateofhorn,thoughIandmysonshouldbemostthankfulifitprovestohavedoneso.
FurthermoreIsay—andlaymysayingtoyourheart—thecomingdawnwillusherintheill-omeneddaythatistosevermefromthehouseofUlysses,forIamabouttoholdatournamentofaxes.
Myhusbandusedtosetuptwelveaxesinthecourt,oneinfrontoftheother,likethestaysuponwhichashipisbuilt;hewouldthengobackfromthemandshootanarrowthroughthewholetwelve.
Ishallmakethesuitorstrytodothesamething,andwhicheverofthemcanstringthebowmosteasily,andsendhisarrowthroughallthetwelveaxes,himwillIfollow,andquitthishouseofmylawfulhusband,sogoodlyandsoaboundinginwealth.
Butevenso,IdoubtnotthatIshallrememberitinmydreams.
'ThenUlyssesanswered,'Madam,wifeofUlysses,youneednotdeferyourtournament,forUlysseswillreturnereevertheycanstringthebow,handleithowtheywill,andsendtheirarrowsthroughtheiron.
'TothisPenelopesaid,'Aslong,sir,asyouwillsithereandtalktome,Icanhavenodesiretogotobed.
Still,413of550TheOdysseypeoplecannotdopermanentlywithoutsleep,andheavenhasappointedusdwellersonearthatimeforallthings.
IwillthereforegoupstairsandreclineuponthatcouchwhichIhaveneverceasedtofloodwithmytearsfromthedayUlyssessetoutforthecitywithahatefulname.
'Shethenwentupstairstoherownroom,notalone,butattendedbyhermaidens,andwhenthere,shelamentedherdearhusbandtillMinervashedsweetsleepoverhereyelids.
414of550TheOdysseyBookXXULYSSESCANNOTSLEEP—PENELOPE'SPRAYERTODIANA—THETWOSIGNSFROMHEAVEN—EUMAEUSANDPHILOETIUSARRIVE—THESUITORSDINE—CTESIPPUSTHROWSANOX'SFOOTATULYSSES—THEOCLYMENUSFORETELLSDISASTERANDLEAVESTHEHOUSE.
Ulyssessleptinthecloisteruponanundressedbullock'shide,onthetopofwhichhethrewseveralskinsofthesheepthesuitorshadeaten,andEurynome{156}threwacloakoverhimafterhehadlaidhimselfdown.
There,then,Ulysseslaywakefullybroodinguponthewayinwhichheshouldkillthesuitors;andbyandby,thewomenwhohadbeeninthehabitofmisconductingthemselveswiththem,leftthehousegigglingandlaughingwithoneanother.
ThismadeUlyssesveryangry,andhedoubtedwhethertogetupandkilleverysingleoneofthemthenandthere,ortoletthemsleeponemoreandlasttimewiththesuitors.
Hisheartgrowledwithinhim,andasabitchwithpuppiesgrowlsandshowsherteethwhensheseesastranger,sodidhisheartgrowlwithangerattheevildeedsthatwerebeingdone:buthebeat415of550TheOdysseyhisbreastandsaid,'Heart,bestill,youhadworsethanthistobearonthedaywhentheterribleCyclopsateyourbravecompanions;yetyouboreitinsilencetillyourcunninggotyousafeoutofthecave,thoughyoumadesureofbeingkilled.
'Thushechidedwithhisheart,andcheckeditintoendurance,buthetossedaboutasonewhoturnsapaunchfullofbloodandfatinfrontofahotfire,doingitfirstononesideandthenontheother,thathemaygetitcookedassoonaspossible,evensodidheturnhimselfaboutfromsidetoside,thinkingallthetimehow,singlehandedashewas,heshouldcontrivetokillsolargeabodyofmenasthewickedsuitors.
ButbyandbyMinervacamedownfromheaveninthelikenessofawoman,andhoveredoverhisheadsaying,'Mypoorunhappyman,whydoyoulieawakeinthiswayThisisyourhouse:yourwifeissafeinsideit,andsoisyoursonwhoisjustsuchayoungmanasanyfathermaybeproudof.
''Goddess,'answeredUlysses,'allthatyouhavesaidistrue,butIaminsomedoubtastohowIshallbeabletokillthesewickedsuitorssinglehanded,seeingwhatanumberofthemtherealwaysare.
Andthereisthisfurtherdifficulty,whichisstillmoreconsiderable.
SupposingthatwithJove'sandyourassistanceIsucceedinkilling416of550TheOdysseythem,ImustaskyoutoconsiderwhereIamtoescapetofromtheiravengerswhenitisallover.
''Forshame,'repliedMinerva,'why,anyoneelsewouldtrustaworseallythanmyself,eventhoughthatallywereonlyamortalandlesswisethanIam.
AmInotagoddess,andhaveInotprotectedyouthroughoutinallyourtroublesItellyouplainlythateventhoughtherewerefiftybandsofmensurroundingusandeagertokillus,youshouldtakealltheirsheepandcattle,anddrivethemawaywithyou.
Butgotosleep;itisaverybadthingtolieawakeallnight,andyoushallbeoutofyourtroublesbeforelong.
'Asshespokesheshedsleepoverhiseyes,andthenwentbacktoOlympus.
WhileUlysseswasthusyieldinghimselftoaverydeepslumberthateasedtheburdenofhissorrows,hisadmirablewifeawoke,andsittingupinherbedbegantocry.
WhenshehadrelievedherselfbyweepingsheprayedtoDianasaying,'GreatGoddessDiana,daughterofJove,driveanarrowintomyheartandslayme;orletsomewhirlwindsnatchmeupandbearmethroughpathsofdarknesstillitdropmeintothemouthsofover-flowingOceanus,asitdidthedaughtersofPandareus.
ThedaughtersofPandareuslosttheirfatherandmother,for417of550TheOdysseythegodskilledthem,sotheywereleftorphans.
ButVenustookcareofthem,andfedthemoncheese,honey,andsweetwine.
Junotaughtthemtoexcelallwomeninbeautyofformandunderstanding;Dianagavethemanimposingpresence,andMinervaendowedthemwitheverykindofaccomplishment;butonedaywhenVenushadgoneuptoOlympustoseeJoveaboutgettingthemmarried(forwelldoesheknowbothwhatshallhappenandwhatnothappentoeveryone)thestormwindscameandspiritedthemawaytobecomehandmaidstothedreadErinyes.
EvensoIwishthatthegodswholiveinheavenwouldhidemefrommortalsight,orthatfairDianamightstrikeme,forIwouldfaingoevenbeneaththesadearthifImightdosostilllookingtowardsUlyssesonly,andwithouthavingtoyieldmyselftoaworsemanthanhewas.
Besides,nomatterhowmuchpeoplemaygrievebyday,theycanputupwithitsolongastheycansleepatnight,forwhentheeyesareclosedinslumberpeopleforgetgoodandillalike;whereasmymiseryhauntsmeeveninmydreams.
ThisverynightmethoughttherewasonelyingbymysidewhowaslikeUlyssesashewaswhenhewentawaywithhishost,andIrejoiced,forIbelievedthatitwasnodream,buttheverytruthitself.
'418of550TheOdysseyOnthisthedaybroke,butUlyssesheardthesoundofherweeping,anditpuzzledhim,foritseemedasthoughshealreadyknewhimandwasbyhisside.
Thenhegatheredupthecloakandthefleecesonwhichhehadlain,andsetthemonaseatinthecloister,buthetookthebullock'shideoutintotheopen.
Helifteduphishandstoheaven,andprayed,saying'FatherJove,sinceyouhaveseenfittobringmeoverlandandseatomyownhomeafteralltheafflictionsyouhavelaiduponme,givemeasignoutofthemouthofsomeoneorotherofthosewhoarenowwakingwithinthehouse,andletmehaveanothersignofsomekindfromoutside.
'Thusdidhepray.
JoveheardhisprayerandforthwiththunderedhighupamongthecloudsfromthesplendourofOlympus,andUlysseswasgladwhenheheardit.
Atthesametimewithinthehouse,amiller-womanfromhardbyinthemillroomlifteduphervoiceandgavehimanothersign.
Thereweretwelvemiller-womenwhosebusinessitwastogrindwheatandbarleywhicharethestaffoflife.
Theothershadgroundtheirtaskandhadgonetotaketheirrest,butthisonehadnotyetfinished,forshewasnotsostrongastheywere,andwhensheheardthethundershestoppedgrindingandgavethesigntohermaster.
'FatherJove,'saidshe,'you,whoruleover419of550TheOdysseyheavenandearth,youhavethunderedfromaclearskywithoutsomuchasacloudinit,andthismeanssomethingforsomebody;granttheprayer,then,ofmeyourpoorservantwhocallsuponyou,andletthisbetheverylastdaythatthesuitorsdineinthehouseofUlysses.
Theyhavewornmeoutwithlabourofgrindingmealforthem,andIhopetheymayneverhaveanotherdinneranywhereatall.
'Ulysseswasgladwhenheheardtheomensconveyedtohimbythewoman'sspeech,andbythethunder,forheknewtheymeantthatheshouldavengehimselfonthesuitors.
Thentheothermaidsinthehouseroseandlitthefireonthehearth;Telemachusalsoroseandputonhisclothes.
Hegirdedhisswordabouthisshoulder,boundhissandalsontohiscomelyfeet,andtookadoughtyspearwithapointofsharpenedbronze;thenhewenttothethresholdofthecloisterandsaidtoEuryclea,'Nurse,didyoumakethestrangercomfortablebothasregardsbedandboard,ordidyoulethimshiftforhimself—formymother,goodwomanthoughsheis,hasawayofpayinggreatattentiontosecond-ratepeople,andofneglectingotherswhoareinrealitymuchbettermen.
'420of550TheOdyssey'Donotfindfaultchild,'saidEuryclea,'whenthereisnoonetofindfaultwith.
Thestrangersatanddrankhiswineaslongasheliked:yourmotherdidaskhimifhewouldtakeanymorebreadandhesaidhewouldnot.
Whenhewantedtogotobedshetoldtheservantstomakeoneforhim,buthesaidhewassuchawretchedoutcastthathewouldnotsleeponabedandunderblankets;heinsistedonhavinganundressedbullock'shideandsomesheepskinsputforhiminthecloisterandIthrewacloakoverhimmyself.
'{157}ThenTelemachuswentoutofthecourttotheplacewheretheAchaeansweremeetinginassembly;hehadhisspearinhishand,andhewasnotalone,forhistwodogswentwithhim.
ButEurycleacalledthemaidsandsaid,'Come,wakeup;setaboutsweepingthecloistersandsprinklingthemwithwatertolaythedust;putthecoversontheseats;wipedownthetables,someofyou,withawetsponge;cleanoutthemixing-jugsandthecups,andgoforwaterfromthefountainatonce;thesuitorswillbeheredirectly;theywillbehereearly,foritisafeastday.
'Thusdidshespeak,andtheydidevenasshehadsaid:twentyofthemwenttothefountainforwater,andtheotherssetthemselvesbusilytoworkaboutthehouse.
Themenwhowereinattendanceonthesuitorsalsocameup421of550TheOdysseyandbeganchoppingfirewood.
Byandbythewomenreturnedfromthefountain,andtheswineherdcameafterthemwiththethreebestpigshecouldpickout.
Theseheletfeedaboutthepremises,andthenhesaidgood-humouredlytoUlysses,'Stranger,arethesuitorstreatingyouanybetternow,oraretheyasinsolentasever''Mayheaven,'answeredUlysses,'requitetothemthewickednesswithwhichtheydealhigh-handedlyinanotherman'shousewithoutanysenseofshame.
'Thusdidtheyconverse;meanwhileMelanthiusthegoatherdcameup,forhetoowasbringinginhisbestgoatsforthesuitors'dinner;andhehadtwoshepherdswithhim.
Theytiedthegoatsupunderthegatehouse,andthenMelanthiusbegangibingatUlysses.
'Areyoustillhere,stranger,'saidhe,'topesterpeoplebybeggingaboutthehouseWhycanyounotgoelsewhereYouandIshallnotcometoanunderstandingbeforewehavegiveneachotheratasteofourfists.
Youbegwithoutanysenseofdecency:aretherenotfeastselsewhereamongtheAchaeans,aswellashere'Ulyssesmadenoanswer,butbowedhisheadandbrooded.
Thenathirdman,Philoetius,joinedthem,whowasbringinginabarrenheiferandsomegoats.
Thesewerebroughtoverbytheboatmenwhoaretheretotake422of550TheOdysseypeopleoverwhenanyonecomestothem.
SoPhiloetiusmadehisheiferandhisgoatssecureunderthegatehouse,andthenwentuptotheswineherd.
'Who,Swineherd,'saidhe,'isthisstrangerthatislatelycomehereIsheoneofyourmenWhatishisfamilyWheredoeshecomefromPoorfellow,helooksasifhehadbeensomegreatman,butthegodsgivesorrowtowhomtheywill—eventokingsifitsopleasesthem.
'AshespokehewentuptoUlyssesandsalutedhimwithhisrighthand;'Gooddaytoyou,fatherstranger,'saidhe,'youseemtobeverypoorlyoffnow,butIhopeyouwillhavebettertimesbyandby.
FatherJove,ofallgodsyouarethemostmalicious.
Weareyourownchildren,yetyoushowusnomercyinallourmiseryandafflictions.
AsweatcameovermewhenIsawthisman,andmyeyesfilledwithtears,forheremindsmeofUlysses,whoIfearisgoingaboutinjustsuchragsasthisman'sare,ifindeedheisstillamongtheliving.
IfheisalreadydeadandinthehouseofHades,then,alas!
formygoodmaster,whomademehisstockmanwhenIwasquiteyoungamongtheCephallenians,andnowhiscattlearecountless;noonecouldhavedonebetterwiththemthanIhave,fortheyhavebredlikeearsofcorn;neverthelessIhavetokeepbringingtheminforothersto423of550TheOdysseyeat,whotakenoheedtohissonthoughheisinthehouse,andfearnotthewrathofheaven,butarealreadyeagertodivideUlysses'propertyamongthembecausehehasbeenawaysolong.
Ihaveoftenthought—onlyitwouldnotberightwhilehissonisliving—ofgoingoffwiththecattletosomeforeigncountry;badasthiswouldbe,itisstillhardertostayhereandbeill-treatedaboutotherpeople'sherds.
Mypositionisintolerable,andIshouldlongsincehaverunawayandputmyselfundertheprotectionofsomeotherchief,onlythatIbelievemypoormasterwillyetreturn,andsendallthesesuitorsflyingoutofthehouse.
''Stockman,'answeredUlysses,'youseemtobeaverywell-disposedperson,andIcanseethatyouareamanofsense.
ThereforeIwilltellyou,andwillconfirmmywordswithanoath.
ByJove,thechiefofallgods,andbythathearthofUlyssestowhichIamnowcome,Ulyssesshallreturnbeforeyouleavethisplace,andifyouaresomindedyoushallseehimkillingthesuitorswhoarenowmastershere.
''IfJoveweretobringthistopass,'repliedthestockman,'youshouldseehowIwoulddomyveryutmosttohelphim.
'424of550TheOdysseyAndinlikemannerEumaeusprayedthatUlyssesmightreturnhome.
Thusdidtheyconverse.
MeanwhilethesuitorswerehatchingaplottomurderTelemachus:butabirdflewnearthemontheirlefthand—aneaglewithadoveinitstalons.
OnthisAmphinomussaid,'Myfriends,thisplotofourstomurderTelemachuswillnotsucceed;letusgotodinnerinstead.
'Theothersassented,sotheywentinsideandlaidtheircloaksonthebenchesandseats.
Theysacrificedthesheep,goats,pigs,andtheheifer,andwhentheinwardmeatswerecookedtheyservedthemround.
Theymixedthewineinthemixing-bowls,andtheswineherdgaveeverymanhiscup,whilePhiloetiushandedroundthebreadinthebreadbaskets,andMelanthiuspouredthemouttheirwine.
Thentheylaidtheirhandsuponthegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem.
TelemachuspurposelymadeUlyssessitinthepartofthecloisterthatwaspavedwithstone;{158}hegavehimashabbylookingseatatalittletabletohimself,andhadhisportionoftheinwardmeatsbroughttohim,withhiswineinagoldcup.
'Sitthere,'saidhe,'anddrinkyourwineamongthegreatpeople.
Iwillputastoptothegibesandblowsofthesuitors,forthisisnopublichouse,but425of550TheOdysseybelongstoUlysses,andhaspassedfromhimtome.
Therefore,suitors,keepyourhandsandyourtonguestoyourselves,ortherewillbemischief.
'Thesuitorsbittheirlips,andmarvelledattheboldnessofhisspeech;thenAntinoussaid,'Wedonotlikesuchlanguagebutwewillputupwithit,forTelemachusisthreateningusingoodearnest.
IfJovehadletusweshouldhaveputastoptohisbravetalkerenow.
'ThusspokeAntinous,butTelemachusheededhimnot.
Meanwhiletheheraldswerebringingtheholyhecatombthroughthecity,andtheAchaeansgatheredundertheshadygroveofApollo.
Thentheyroastedtheoutermeat,drewitoffthespits,gaveeverymanhisportion,andfeastedtotheirheart'scontent;thosewhowaitedattablegaveUlyssesexactlythesameportionastheothershad,forTelemachushadtoldthemtodoso.
ButMinervawouldnotletthesuitorsforonemomentdroptheirinsolence,forshewantedUlyssestobecomestillmorebitteragainstthem.
Nowtherehappenedtobeamongthemaribaldfellow,whosenamewasCtesippus,andwhocamefromSame.
Thisman,confidentinhisgreatwealth,waspayingcourttothewifeofUlysses,andsaidtothesuitors,'HearwhatIhavetosay.
Thestranger426of550TheOdysseyhasalreadyhadaslargeaportionasanyoneelse;thisiswell,foritisnotrightnorreasonabletoill-treatanyguestofTelemachuswhocomeshere.
Iwill,however,makehimapresentonmyownaccount,thathemayhavesomethingtogivetothebath-woman,ortosomeotherofUlysses'servants.
'Ashespokehepickedupaheifer'sfootfromthemeat-basketinwhichitlay,andthrewitatUlysses,butUlyssesturnedhisheadalittleaside,andavoidedit,smilinggrimlySardinianfashion{159}ashedidso,andithitthewall,nothim.
OnthisTelemachusspokefiercelytoCtesippus,'Itisagoodthingforyou,'saidhe,'thatthestrangerturnedhisheadsothatyoumissedhim.
IfyouhadhithimIshouldhaverunyouthroughwithmyspear,andyourfatherwouldhavehadtoseeaboutgettingyouburiedratherthanmarriedinthishouse.
Soletmehavenomoreunseemlybehaviourfromanyofyou,forIamgrownupnowtotheknowledgeofgoodandevilandunderstandwhatisgoingon,insteadofbeingthechildthatIhavebeenheretofore.
Ihavelongseenyoukillingmysheepandmakingfreewithmycornandwine:Ihaveputupwiththis,foronemanisnomatchformany,butdomenofurtherviolence.
Still,ifyouwishtokillme,killme;Iwouldfarratherdiethanseesuchdisgracefulscenes427of550TheOdysseydayafterday—guestsinsulted,andmendraggingthewomenservantsaboutthehouseinanunseemlyway.
'TheyallheldtheirpeacetillatlastAgelaussonofDamastorsaid,'Nooneshouldtakeoffenceatwhathasjustbeensaid,norgainsayit,foritisquitereasonable.
Leaveoff,therefore,ill-treatingthestranger,oranyoneelseoftheservantswhoareaboutthehouse;Iwouldsay,however,afriendlywordtoTelemachusandhismother,whichItrustmaycommenditselftoboth.
'Aslong,'Iwouldsay,'asyouhadgroundforhopingthatUlysseswouldonedaycomehome,noonecouldcomplainofyourwaitingandsuffering{160}thesuitorstobeinyourhouse.
Itwouldhavebeenbetterthatheshouldhavereturned,butitisnowsufficientlyclearthathewillneverdoso;thereforetalkallthisquietlyoverwithyourmother,andtellhertomarrythebestman,andtheonewhomakesherthemostadvantageousoffer.
Thusyouwillyourselfbeabletomanageyourowninheritance,andtoeatanddrinkinpeace,whileyourmotherwilllookaftersomeotherman'shouse,notyours.
''TothisTelemachusanswered,'ByJove,Agelaus,andbythesorrowsofmyunhappyfather,whohaseitherperishedfarfromIthaca,oriswanderinginsomedistantland,Ithrownoobstaclesinthewayofmymother's428of550TheOdysseymarriage;onthecontraryIurgehertochoosewhomsoevershewill,andIwillgivehernumberlessgiftsintothebargain,butIdarenotinsistpointblankthatsheshallleavethehouseagainstherownwishes.
HeavenforbidthatIshoulddothis.
'Minervanowmadethesuitorsfalltolaughingimmoderately,andsettheirwitswandering;buttheywerelaughingwithaforcedlaughter.
Theirmeatbecamesmearedwithblood;theireyesfilledwithtears,andtheirheartswereheavywithforebodings.
Theoclymenussawthisandsaid,'Unhappymen,whatisitthatailsyouThereisashroudofdarknessdrawnoveryoufromheadtofoot,yourcheeksarewetwithtears;theairisalivewithwailingvoices;thewallsandroof-beamsdripblood;thegateofthecloistersandthecourtbeyondthemarefullofghoststroopingdownintothenightofhell;thesunisblottedoutofheaven,andablightinggloomisoveralltheland.
'Thusdidhespeak,andtheyallofthemlaughedheartily.
Eurymachusthensaid,'Thisstrangerwhohaslatelycomeherehaslosthissenses.
Servants,turnhimoutintothestreets,sincehefindsitsodarkhere.
'ButTheoclymenussaid,'Eurymachus,youneednotsendanyonewithme.
Ihaveeyes,ears,andapairoffeet429of550TheOdysseyofmyown,tosaynothingofanunderstandingmind.
Iwilltaketheseoutofthehousewithme,forIseemischiefoverhangingyou,fromwhichnotoneofyoumenwhoareinsultingpeopleandplottingilldeedsinthehouseofUlysseswillbeabletoescape.
'Heleftthehouseashespoke,andwentbacktoPiraeuswhogavehimwelcome,butthesuitorskeptlookingatoneanotherandprovokingTelemachusbylaughingatthestrangers.
Oneinsolentfellowsaidtohim,'Telemachus,youarenothappyinyourguests;firstyouhavethisimportunatetramp,whocomesbeggingbreadandwineandhasnoskillforworkorforhardfighting,butisperfectlyuseless,andnowhereisanotherfellowwhoissettinghimselfupasaprophet.
Letmepersuadeyou,foritwillbemuchbettertoputthemonboardshipandsendthemofftotheSicelstosellforwhattheywillbring.
'Telemachusgavehimnoheed,butsatesilentlywatchinghisfather,expectingeverymomentthathewouldbeginhisattackuponthesuitors.
MeanwhilethedaughterofIcarius,wisePenelope,hadhadarichseatplacedforherfacingthecourtandcloisters,sothatshecouldhearwhateveryonewassaying.
Thedinnerindeedhadbeenpreparedamidmuchmerriment;ithadbeenbothgoodandabundant,forthey430of550TheOdysseyhadsacrificedmanyvictims;butthesupperwasyettocome,andnothingcanbeconceivedmoregruesomethanthemealwhichagoddessandabravemanweresoontolaybeforethem—fortheyhadbroughttheirdoomuponthemselves.
431of550TheOdysseyBookXXITHETRIALOFTHEAXES,DURINGWHICHULYSSESREVEALSHIMSELFTOEUMAEUSANDPHILOETIUSMinervanowputitinPenelope'smindtomakethesuitorstrytheirskillwiththebowandwiththeironaxes,incontestamongthemselves,asameansofbringingabouttheirdestruction.
Shewentupstairsandgotthestore-roomkey,whichwasmadeofbronzeandhadahandleofivory;shethenwentwithhermaidensintothestore-roomattheendofthehouse,whereherhusband'streasuresofgold,bronze,andwroughtironwerekept,andwherewasalsohisbow,andthequiverfullofdeadlyarrowsthathadbeengivenhimbyafriendwhomhehadmetinLacedaemon—IphitusthesonofEurytus.
ThetwofellinwithoneanotherinMesseneatthehouseofOrtilochus,whereUlysseswasstayinginordertorecoveradebtthatwasowingfromthewholepeople;fortheMessenianshadcarriedoffthreehundredsheepfromIthaca,andhadsailedawaywiththemandwiththeirshepherds.
InquestoftheseUlyssestookalongjourneywhilestillquiteyoung,forhisfatherandtheother432of550TheOdysseychieftainssenthimonamissiontorecoverthem.
Iphitushadgonetherealsototryandgetbacktwelvebroodmaresthathehadlost,andthemulefoalsthatwererunningwiththem.
Thesemareswerethedeathofhimintheend,forwhenhewenttothehouseofJove'sson,mightyHercules,whoperformedsuchprodigiesofvalour,Herculestohisshamekilledhim,thoughhewashisguest,forhefearednotheaven'svengeance,noryetrespectedhisowntablewhichhehadsetbeforeIphitus,butkilledhiminspiteofeverything,andkeptthemareshimself.
ItwaswhenclaimingthesethatIphitusmetUlysses,andgavehimthebowwhichmightyEurytushadbeenusedtocarry,andwhichonhisdeathhadbeenleftbyhimtohisson.
Ulyssesgavehiminreturnaswordandaspear,andthiswasthebeginningofafastfriendship,althoughtheynevervisitedatoneanother'shouses,forJove'ssonHerculeskilledIphituseretheycoulddoso.
Thisbow,then,givenhimbyIphitus,hadnotbeentakenwithhimbyUlysseswhenhesailedforTroy;hehaduseditsolongashehadbeenathome,buthadleftitbehindashavingbeenakeepsakefromavaluedfriend.
Penelopepresentlyreachedtheoakthresholdofthestore-room;thecarpenterhadplanedthisduly,andhaddrawnalineonitsoastogetitquitestraight;hehadthen433of550TheOdysseysetthedoorpostsintoitandhungthedoors.
Sheloosedthestrapfromthehandleofthedoor,putinthekey,anddroveitstraighthometoshootbacktheboltsthatheldthedoors;{161}theseflewopenwithanoiselikeabullbellowinginameadow,andPenelopesteppedupontheraisedplatform,wherethechestsstoodinwhichthefairlinenandclotheswerelaidbyalongwithfragrantherbs:reachingthence,shetookdownthebowwithitsbowcasefromthepegonwhichithung.
Shesatdownwithitonherknees,weepingbitterlyasshetookthebowoutofitscase,andwhenhertearshadrelievedher,shewenttothecloisterwherethesuitorswere,carryingthebowandthequiver,withthemanydeadlyarrowsthatwereinsideit.
Alongwithhercamehermaidens,bearingachestthatcontainedmuchironandbronzewhichherhusbandhadwonasprizes.
Whenshereachedthesuitors,shestoodbyoneofthebearing-postssupportingtheroofofthecloister,holdingaveilbeforeherface,andwithamaidoneithersideofher.
Thenshesaid:'Listentomeyousuitors,whopersistinabusingthehospitalityofthishousebecauseitsownerhasbeenlongabsent,andwithoutotherpretextthanthatyouwanttomarryme;this,then,beingtheprizethatyouarecontendingfor,Iwillbringoutthemightybowof434of550TheOdysseyUlysses,andwhomsoeverofyoushallstringitmosteasilyandsendhisarrowthrougheachoneoftwelveaxes,himwillIfollowandquitthishouseofmylawfulhusband,sogoodly,andsoaboundinginwealth.
ButevensoIdoubtnotthatIshallrememberitinmydreams.
'Asshespoke,shetoldEumaeustosetthebowandthepiecesofironbeforethesuitors,andEumaeusweptashetookthemtodoasshehadbiddenhim.
Hardby,thestockmanweptalsowhenhesawhismaster'sbow,butAntinousscoldedthem.
'Youcountrylouts,'saidhe,'sillysimpletons;whyshouldyouaddtothesorrowsofyourmistressbycryinginthiswayShehasenoughtogrieveherinthelossofherhusband;sitstill,therefore,andeatyourdinnersinsilence,orgooutsideifyouwanttocry,andleavethebowbehindyou.
Wesuitorsshallhavetocontendforitwithmightandmain,forweshallfinditnolightmattertostringsuchabowasthisis.
ThereisnotamanofusallwhoissuchanotherasUlysses;forIhaveseenhimandrememberhim,thoughIwasthenonlyachild.
'Thiswaswhathesaid,butallthetimehewasexpectingtobeabletostringthebowandshootthroughtheiron,whereasinfacthewastobethefirstthatshouldtasteofthearrowsfromthehandsofUlysses,whomhe435of550TheOdysseywasdishonouringinhisownhouse—eggingtheothersontodosoalso.
ThenTelemachusspoke.
'Greatheavens!
'heexclaimed,'Jovemusthaverobbedmeofmysenses.
Hereismydearandexcellentmothersayingshewillquitthishouseandmarryagain,yetIamlaughingandenjoyingmyselfasthoughtherewerenothinghappening.
But,suitors,asthecontesthasbeenagreedupon,letitgoforward.
ItisforawomanwhosepeerisnottobefoundinPylos,Argos,orMycene,noryetinIthacanoronthemainland.
YouknowthisaswellasIdo;whatneedhaveItospeakinpraiseofmymotherComeon,then,makenoexcusesfordelay,butletusseewhetheryoucanstringtheboworno.
Itoowillmaketrialofit,forifIcanstringitandshootthroughtheiron,Ishallnotsuffermymothertoquitthishousewithastranger,notifIcanwintheprizeswhichmyfatherwonbeforeme.
'Ashespokehesprangfromhisseat,threwhiscrimsoncloakfromhim,andtookhisswordfromhisshoulder.
Firsthesettheaxesinarow,inalonggroovewhichhehaddugforthem,andhadmadestraightbyline.
{162}Thenhestampedtheearthtightroundthem,andeveryonewassurprisedwhentheysawhimsetthemupsoorderly,thoughhehadneverseenanythingofthekindbefore.
436of550TheOdysseyThisdone,hewentontothepavementtomaketrialofthebow;thricedidhetugatit,tryingwithallhismighttodrawthestring,andthricehehadtoleaveoff,thoughhehadhopedtostringthebowandshootthroughtheiron.
Hewastryingforthefourthtime,andwouldhavestrungithadnotUlyssesmadeasigntocheckhiminspiteofallhiseagerness.
Sohesaid:'Alas!
Ishalleitherbealwaysfeebleandofnoprowess,orIamtooyoung,andhavenotyetreachedmyfullstrengthsoastobeabletoholdmyownifanyoneattacksme.
Youothers,therefore,whoarestrongerthanI,maketrialofthebowandgetthiscontestsettled.
'Onthisheputthebowdown,lettingitleanagainstthedoor[thatledintothehouse]withthearrowstandingagainstthetopofthebow.
Thenhesatdownontheseatfromwhichhehadrisen,andAntinoussaid:'Comeoneachofyouinhisturn,goingtowardstherightfromtheplaceatwhichthecupbearerbeginswhenheishandingroundthewine.
'Therestagreed,andLeiodessonofOenopswasthefirsttorise.
Hewassacrificialpriesttothesuitors,andsatinthecornernearthemixing-bowl.
{163}Hewastheonlymanwhohatedtheirevildeedsandwasindignantwiththeothers.
Hewasnowthefirsttotakethebowand437of550TheOdysseyarrow,sohewentontothepavementtomakehistrial,buthecouldnotstringthebow,forhishandswereweakandunusedtohardwork,theythereforesoongrewtired,andhesaidtothesuitors,'Myfriends,Icannotstringit;letanotherhaveit,thisbowshalltakethelifeandsouloutofmanyachiefamongus,foritisbettertodiethantoliveafterhavingmissedtheprizethatwehavesolongstrivenfor,andwhichhasbroughtussolongtogether.
SomeoneofusisevennowhopingandprayingthathemaymarryPenelope,butwhenhehasseenthisbowandtriedit,lethimwooandmakebridalofferingstosomeotherwoman,andletPenelopemarrywhoevermakesherthebestofferandwhoselotitistowinher.
'Onthisheputthebowdown,lettingitleanagainstthedoor,{164}withthearrowstandingagainstthetipofthebow.
Thenhetookhisseatagainontheseatfromwhichhehadrisen;andAntinousrebukedhimsaying:'Leiodes,whatareyoutalkingaboutYourwordsaremonstrousandintolerable;itmakesmeangrytolistentoyou.
Shall,then,thisbowtakethelifeofmanyachiefamongus,merelybecauseyoucannotbendityourselfTrue,youwerenotborntobeanarcher,butthereareotherswhowillsoonstringit.
'438of550TheOdysseyThenhesaidtoMelanthiusthegoatherd,'Looksharp,lightafireinthecourt,andsetaseathardbywithasheepskinonit;bringusalsoalargeballoflard,fromwhattheyhaveinthehouse.
Letuswarmthebowandgreaseit—wewillthenmaketrialofitagain,andbringthecontesttoanend.
'Melanthiuslitthefire,andsetaseatcoveredwithsheepskinsbesideit.
Healsobroughtagreatballoflardfromwhattheyhadinthehouse,andthesuitorswarmedthebowandagainmadetrialofit,buttheywerenoneofthemnearlystrongenoughtostringit.
NeverthelesstherestillremainedAntinousandEurymachus,whoweretheringleadersamongthesuitorsandmuchtheforemostamongthemall.
Thentheswineherdandthestockmanleftthecloisterstogether,andUlyssesfollowedthem.
Whentheyhadgotoutsidethegatesandtheouteryard,Ulyssessaidtothemquietly:'Stockman,andyouswineherd,IhavesomethinginmymindwhichIamindoubtwhethertosayorno;butIthinkIwillsayit.
WhatmannerofmenwouldyoubetostandbyUlysses,ifsomegodshouldbringhimbackhereallofasuddenSaywhichyouaredisposedtodo—tosidewiththesuitors,orwithUlysses'439of550TheOdyssey'FatherJove,'answeredthestockman,'wouldindeedthatyoumightsoordainit.
IfsomegodwerebuttobringUlyssesback,youshouldseewithwhatmightandmainIwouldfightforhim.
'InlikewordsEumaeusprayedtoallthegodsthatUlyssesmightreturn;when,therefore,hesawforcertainwhatmindtheywereof,Ulyssessaid,'ItisI,Ulysses,whoamhere.
Ihavesufferedmuch,butatlast,inthetwentiethyear,Iamcomebacktomyowncountry.
IfindthatyoutwoaloneofallmyservantsaregladthatIshoulddoso,forIhavenotheardanyoftheothersprayingformyreturn.
Toyoutwo,therefore,willIunfoldthetruthasitshallbe.
Ifheavenshalldeliverthesuitorsintomyhands,Iwillfindwivesforbothofyou,willgiveyouhouseandholdingclosetomyown,andyoushallbetomeasthoughyouwerebrothersandfriendsofTelemachus.
Iwillnowgiveyouconvincingproofsthatyoumayknowmeandbeassured.
See,hereisthescarfromtheboar'stooththatrippedmewhenIwasouthuntingonMt.
ParnassuswiththesonsofAutolycus.
'Ashespokehedrewhisragsasidefromthegreatscar,andwhentheyhadexamineditthoroughly,theybothofthemweptaboutUlysses,threwtheirarmsroundhim,andkissedhisheadandshoulders,whileUlysseskissed440of550TheOdysseytheirhandsandfacesinreturn.
ThesunwouldhavegonedownupontheirmourningifUlysseshadnotcheckedthemandsaid:'Ceaseyourweeping,lestsomeoneshouldcomeoutsideandseeus,andtellthosewhoarewithin.
Whenyougoin,dososeparately,notbothtogether;Iwillgofirst,anddoyoufollowafterwards;letthismoreoverbethetokenbetweenus;thesuitorswillallofthemtrytopreventmefromgettingholdofthebowandquiver;doyou,therefore,Eumaeus,placeitinmyhandswhenyouarecarryingitabout,andtellthewomentoclosethedoorsoftheirapartment.
Iftheyhearanygroaningoruproarasofmenfightingaboutthehouse,theymustnotcomeout;theymustkeepquiet,andstaywheretheyareattheirwork.
AndIchargeyou,Philoetius,tomakefastthedoorsoftheoutercourt,andtobindthemsecurelyatonce.
'Whenhehadthusspoken,hewentbacktothehouseandtooktheseatthathehadleft.
Presently,histwoservantsfollowedhiminside.
AtthismomentthebowwasinthehandsofEurymachus,whowaswarmingitbythefire,butevensohecouldnotstringit,andhewasgreatlygrieved.
Heheavedadeepsighandsaid,'Igrieveformyselfandfor441of550TheOdysseyusall;IgrievethatIshallhavetoforgothemarriage,butIdonotcarenearlysomuchaboutthis,forthereareplentyofotherwomeninIthacaandelsewhere;whatIfeelmostisthefactofourbeingsoinferiortoUlyssesinstrengththatwecannotstringhisbow.
Thiswilldisgraceusintheeyesofthosewhoareyetunborn.
''Itshallnotbeso,Eurymachus,'saidAntinous,'andyouknowityourself.
TodayisthefeastofApollothroughoutalltheland;whocanstringabowonsuchadayasthisPutitononeside—asfortheaxestheycanstaywheretheyare,fornooneislikelytocometothehouseandtakethemaway:letthecupbearergoroundwithhiscups,thatwemaymakeourdrink-offeringsanddropthismatterofthebow;wewilltellMelanthiustobringusinsomegoatstomorrow—thebesthehas;wecanthenofferthighbonestoApollothemightyarcher,andagainmaketrialofthebow,soastobringthecontesttoanend.
'Therestapprovedhiswords,andthereonmenservantspouredwateroverthehandsoftheguests,whilepagesfilledthemixing-bowlswithwineandwaterandhandeditroundaftergivingeverymanhisdrink-offering.
Then,whentheyhadmadetheirofferingsandhaddrunkeachasmuchashedesired,Ulyssescraftilysaid:—442of550TheOdyssey'Suitorsoftheillustriousqueen,listenthatImayspeakevenasIamminded.
IappealmoreespeciallytoEurymachus,andtoAntinouswhohasjustspokenwithsomuchreason.
Ceaseshootingforthepresentandleavethemattertothegods,butinthemorningletheavengivevictorytowhomitwill.
Forthemoment,however,givemethebowthatImayprovethepowerofmyhandsamongyouall,andseewhetherIstillhaveasmuchstrengthasIusedtohave,orwhethertravelandneglecthavemadeanendofit.
'Thismadethemallveryangry,fortheyfearedhemightstringthebow,Antinousthereforerebukedhimfiercelysaying,'Wretchedcreature,youhavenotsomuchasagrainofsenseinyourwholebody;yououghttothinkyourselfluckyinbeingallowedtodineunharmedamongyourbetters,withouthavinganysmallerportionservedyouthanweothershavehad,andinbeingallowedtohearourconversation.
Nootherbeggarorstrangerhasbeenallowedtohearwhatwesayamongourselves;thewinemusthavebeendoingyouamischief,asitdoeswithallthosewhodrinkimmoderately.
ItwaswinethatinflamedtheCentaurEurytionwhenhewasstayingwithPeirithousamongtheLapithae.
Whenthewinehadgotintohishead,hewentmadanddidilldeedsaboutthehouseof443of550TheOdysseyPeirithous;thisangeredtheheroeswhowerethereassembled,sotheyrushedathimandcutoffhisearsandnostrils;thentheydraggedhimthroughthedoorwayoutofthehouse,sohewentawaycrazed,andboretheburdenofhiscrime,bereftofunderstanding.
Henceforth,therefore,therewaswarbetweenmankindandthecentaurs,buthebroughtituponhimselfthroughhisowndrunkenness.
InlikemannerIcantellyouthatitwillgohardlywithyouifyoustringthebow:youwillfindnomercyfromanyonehere,forweshallatonceshipyouofftokingEchetus,whokillseveryonethatcomesnearhim:youwillnevergetawayalive,sodrinkandkeepquietwithoutgettingintoaquarrelwithmenyoungerthanyourself.
'Penelopethenspoketohim.
'Antinous,'saidshe,'itisnotrightthatyoushouldill-treatanyguestofTelemachuswhocomestothishouse.
IfthestrangershouldprovestrongenoughtostringthemightybowofUlysses,canyousupposethathewouldtakemehomewithhimandmakemehiswifeEventhemanhimselfcanhavenosuchideainhismind:noneofyouneedletthatdisturbhisfeasting;itwouldbeoutofallreason.
''QueenPenelope,'answeredEurymachus,'wedonotsupposethatthismanwilltakeyouawaywithhim;itis444of550TheOdysseyimpossible;butweareafraidlestsomeofthebasersort,menorwomenamongtheAchaeans,shouldgogossipingaboutandsay,'Thesesuitorsareafeeblefolk;theyarepayingcourttothewifeofabravemanwhosebownotoneofthemwasabletostring,andyetabeggarlytrampwhocametothehousestrungitatonceandsentanarrowthroughtheiron.
'Thisiswhatwillbesaid,anditwillbeascandalagainstus.
''Eurymachus,'Penelopeanswered,'peoplewhopersistineatinguptheestateofagreatchieftainanddishonouringhishousemustnotexpectotherstothinkwellofthem.
WhythenshouldyoumindifmentalkasyouthinktheywillThisstrangerisstrongandwell-built,hesaysmoreoverthatheisofnoblebirth.
Givehimthebow,andletusseewhetherhecanstringitorno.
Isay—anditshallsurelybe—thatifApollovouchsafeshimthegloryofstringingit,Iwillgivehimacloakandshirtofgoodwear,withajavelintokeepoffdogsandrobbers,andasharpsword.
Iwillalsogivehimsandals,andwillseehimsentsafelywhereverhewantstogo.
'ThenTelemachussaid,'Mother,IamtheonlymaneitherinIthacaorintheislandsthatareoveragainstEliswhohastherighttoletanyonehavethebowortorefuseit.
Nooneshallforcemeonewayortheother,noteven445of550TheOdysseythoughIchoosetomakethestrangerapresentofthebowoutright,andlethimtakeitawaywithhim.
Go,then,withinthehouseandbusyyourselfwithyourdailyduties,yourloom,yourdistaff,andtheorderingofyourservants.
Thisbowisaman'smatter,andmineaboveallothers,foritisIwhoammasterhere.
'Shewentwonderingbackintothehouse,andlaidherson'ssayinginherheart.
Thengoingupstairswithherhandmaidsintoherroom,shemournedherdearhusbandtillMinervasentsweetsleepoverhereyelids.
TheswineherdnowtookupthebowandwasfortakingittoUlysses,butthesuitorsclamouredathimfromallpartsofthecloisters,andoneofthemsaid,'Youidiot,whereareyoutakingthebowtoAreyououtofyourwitsIfApolloandtheothergodswillgrantourprayer,yourownboarhoundsshallgetyouintosomequietlittleplace,andworryyoutodeath.
'Eumaeuswasfrightenedattheoutcrytheyallraised,soheputthebowdownthenandthere,butTelemachusshoutedoutathimfromtheothersideofthecloisters,andthreatenedhimsaying,'FatherEumaeus,bringthebowoninspiteofthem,oryoungasIamIwillpeltyouwithstonesbacktothecountry,forIamthebettermanofthetwo.
IwishIwasasmuchstrongerthanalltheother446of550TheOdysseysuitorsinthehouseasIamthanyou,Iwouldsoonsendsomeofthemoffsickandsorry,fortheymeanmischief.
'Thusdidhespeak,andtheyallofthemlaughedheartily,whichputtheminabetterhumourwithTelemachus;soEumaeusbroughtthebowonandplaceditinthehandsofUlysses.
Whenhehaddonethis,hecalledEurycleaapartandsaidtoher,'Euryclea,Telemachussaysyouaretoclosethedoorsofthewomen'sapartments.
Iftheyhearanygroaningoruproarasofmenfightingaboutthehouse,theyarenottocomeout,butaretokeepquietandstaywheretheyareattheirwork.
'Eurycleadidasshewastoldandclosedthedoorsofthewomen'sapartments.
MeanwhilePhiloetiusslippedquietlyoutandmadefastthegatesoftheoutercourt.
Therewasaship'scableofbyblusfibrelyinginthegatehouse,sohemadethegatesfastwithitandthencameinagain,resumingtheseatthathehadleft,andkeepinganeyeonUlysses,whohadnowgotthebowinhishands,andwasturningiteverywayabout,andprovingitallovertoseewhetherthewormshadbeeneatingintoitstwohornsduringhisabsence.
Thenwouldoneturntowardshisneighboursaying,'Thisissometrickyoldbow-fancier;eitherhehas447of550TheOdysseygotonelikeitathome,orhewantstomakeone,insuchworkmanlikestyledoestheoldvagabondhandleit.
'Anothersaid,'Ihopehemaybenomoresuccessfulinotherthingsthanheislikelytobeinstringingthisbow.
'ButUlysses,whenhehadtakenitupandexamineditallover,strungitaseasilyasaskilledbardstringsanewpegofhislyreandmakesthetwistedgutfastatbothends.
Thenhetookitinhisrighthandtoprovethestring,anditsangsweetlyunderhistouchlikethetwitteringofaswallow.
Thesuitorsweredismayed,andturnedcolourastheyheardit;atthatmoment,moreover,Jovethunderedloudlyasasign,andtheheartofUlyssesrejoicedasheheardtheomenthatthesonofschemingSaturnhadsenthim.
Hetookanarrowthatwaslyinguponthetable{165}—forthosewhichtheAchaeansweresoshortlyabouttotastewereallinsidethequiver—helaiditonthecentre-pieceofthebow,anddrewthenotchofthearrowandthestringtowardhim,stillseatedonhisseat.
Whenhehadtakenaimheletfly,andhisarrowpiercedeveryoneofthehandle-holesoftheaxesfromthefirstonwardstillithadgonerightthroughthem,andintotheoutercourtyard.
ThenhesaidtoTelemachus:448of550TheOdyssey'Yourguesthasnotdisgracedyou,Telemachus.
IdidnotmisswhatIaimedat,andIwasnotlonginstringingmybow.
Iamstillstrong,andnotasthesuitorstwitmewithbeing.
Now,however,itistimefortheAchaeanstopreparesupperwhilethereisstilldaylight,andthenotherwisetodisportthemselveswithsonganddancewhicharethecrowningornamentsofabanquet.
'Ashespokehemadeasignwithhiseyebrows,andTelemachusgirdedonhissword,graspedhisspear,andstoodarmedbesidehisfather'sseat.
449of550TheOdysseyBookXXIITHEKILLINGOFTHESUITORS—THEMAIDSWHOHAVEMISCONDUCTEDTHEMSELVESAREMADETOCLEANSETHECLOISTERSANDARETHENHANGED.
ThenUlyssestoreoffhisrags,andsprangontothebroadpavementwithhisbowandhisquiverfullofarrows.
Heshedthearrowsontothegroundathisfeetandsaid,'Themightycontestisatanend.
IwillnowseewhetherApollowillvouchsafeittometohitanothermarkwhichnomanhasyethit.
'OnthisheaimedadeadlyarrowatAntinous,whowasabouttotakeupatwo-handledgoldcuptodrinkhiswineandalreadyhaditinhishands.
Hehadnothoughtofdeath—whoamongstalltherevellerswouldthinkthatoneman,howeverbrave,wouldstandaloneamongsomanyandkillhimThearrowstruckAntinousinthethroat,andthepointwentcleanthroughhisneck,sothathefelloverandthecupdroppedfromhishand,whileathickstreamofbloodgushedfromhisnostrils.
Hekickedthetablefromhimandupsetthethingsonit,sothatthebreadandroastedmeatswereallsoiledastheyfellover450of550TheOdysseyontotheground.
{166}Thesuitorswereinanuproarwhentheysawthatamanhadbeenhit;theysprangindismayoneandallofthemfromtheirseatsandlookedeverywheretowardsthewalls,buttherewasneithershieldnorspear,andtheyrebukedUlyssesveryangrily.
'Stranger,'saidthey,'youshallpayforshootingpeopleinthisway:youshallseenoothercontest;youareadoomedman;hewhomyouhaveslainwastheforemostyouthinIthaca,andthevulturesshalldevouryouforhavingkilledhim.
'Thustheyspoke,fortheythoughtthathehadkilledAntinousbymistake,anddidnotperceivethatdeathwashangingovertheheadofeveryoneofthem.
ButUlyssesglaredatthemandsaid:'Dogs,didyouthinkthatIshouldnotcomebackfromTroyYouhavewastedmysubstance,{167}haveforcedmywomenservantstoliewithyou,andhavewooedmywifewhileIwasstillliving.
YouhavefearedneitherGodnorman,andnowyoushalldie.
'Theyturnedpalewithfearashespoke,andeverymanlookedroundabouttoseewhitherhemightflyforsafety,butEurymachusalonespoke.
'IfyouareUlysses,'saidhe,'thenwhatyouhavesaidisjust.
Wehavedonemuchwrongonyourlandsandin451of550TheOdysseyyourhouse.
ButAntinouswhowastheheadandfrontoftheoffendinglieslowalready.
Itwasallhisdoing.
ItwasnotthathewantedtomarryPenelope;hedidnotsomuchcareaboutthat;whathewantedwassomethingquitedifferent,andJovehasnotvouchsafedittohim;hewantedtokillyoursonandtobechiefmaninIthaca.
Now,therefore,thathehasmetthedeathwhichwashisdue,sparethelivesofyourpeople.
Wewillmakeeverythinggoodamongourselves,andpayyouinfullforallthatwehaveeatenanddrunk.
Eachoneofusshallpayyouafineworthtwentyoxen,andwewillkeepongivingyougoldandbronzetillyourheartissoftened.
Untilwehavedonethisnoonecancomplainofyourbeingenragedagainstus.
'Ulyssesagainglaredathimandsaid,'Thoughyoushouldgivemeallthatyouhaveintheworldbothnowandallthatyouevershallhave,IwillnotstaymyhandtillIhavepaidallofyouinfull.
Youmustfight,orflyforyourlives;andfly,notamanofyoushall.
'Theirheartssankastheyheardhim,butEurymachusagainspokesaying:'Myfriends,thismanwillgiveusnoquarter.
Hewillstandwhereheisandshootusdowntillhehaskilledeverymanamongus.
Letusthenshowfight;drawyour452of550TheOdysseyswords,andholdupthetablestoshieldyoufromhisarrows.
Letushaveathimwitharush,todrivehimfromthepavementanddoorway:wecanthengetthroughintothetown,andraisesuchanalarmasshallsoonstayhisshooting.
'Ashespokehedrewhiskeenbladeofbronze,sharpenedonbothsides,andwithaloudcrysprangtowardsUlysses,butUlyssesinstantlyshotanarrowintohisbreastthatcaughthimbythenippleandfixeditselfinhisliver.
Hedroppedhisswordandfelldoubledupoverhistable.
Thecupandallthemeatswentoverontothegroundashesmotetheearthwithhisforeheadintheagoniesofdeath,andhekickedthestoolwithhisfeetuntilhiseyeswereclosedindarkness.
ThenAmphinomusdrewhisswordandmadestraightatUlyssestotryandgethimawayfromthedoor;butTelemachuswastooquickforhim,andstruckhimfrombehind;thespearcaughthimbetweentheshouldersandwentrightthroughhischest,sothathefellheavilytothegroundandstrucktheearthwithhisforehead.
ThenTelemachussprangawayfromhim,leavinghisspearstillinthebody,forhefearedthatifhestayedtodrawitout,someoneoftheAchaeansmightcomeupandhackathim453of550TheOdysseywithhissword,orknockhimdown,sohesetoffatarun,andimmediatelywasathisfather'sside.
Thenhesaid:'Father,letmebringyouashield,twospears,andabrasshelmetforyourtemples.
Iwillarmmyselfaswell,andwillbringotherarmourfortheswineherdandthestockman,forwehadbetterbearmed.
''Runandfetchthem,'answeredUlysses,'whilemyarrowsholdout,orwhenIamalonetheymaygetmeawayfromthedoor.
'Telemachusdidashisfathersaid,andwentofftothestoreroomwherethearmourwaskept.
Hechosefourshields,eightspears,andfourbrasshelmetswithhorse-hairplumes.
Hebroughtthemwithallspeedtohisfather,andarmedhimselffirst,whilethestockmanandtheswineherdalsoputontheirarmour,andtooktheirplacesnearUlysses.
MeanwhileUlysses,aslongashisarrowslasted,hadbeenshootingthesuitorsonebyone,andtheyfellthickononeanother:whenhisarrowsgaveout,hesetthebowtostandagainsttheendwallofthehousebythedoorpost,andhungashieldfourhidesthickabouthisshoulders;onhiscomelyheadhesethishelmet,wellwroughtwithacrestofhorse-hairthatnoddedmenacinglyaboveit,{168}andhegraspedtworedoubtablebronze-shodspears.
454of550TheOdysseyNowtherewasatrapdoor{169}onthewall,whileatoneendofthepavement{170}therewasanexitleadingtoanarrowpassage,andthisexitwasclosedbyawell-madedoor.
UlyssestoldPhiloetiustostandbythisdoorandguardit,foronlyonepersoncouldattackitatatime.
ButAgelausshoutedout,'CannotsomeonegouptothetrapdoorandtellthepeoplewhatisgoingonHelpwouldcomeatonce,andweshouldsoonmakeanendofthismanandhisshooting.
''Thismaynotbe,Agelaus,'answeredMelanthius,'themouthofthenarrowpassageisdangerouslyneartheentrancetotheoutercourt.
Onebravemancouldpreventanynumberfromgettingin.
ButIknowwhatIwilldo,Iwillbringyouarmsfromthestore-room,forIamsureitistherethatUlyssesandhissonhaveputthem.
'OnthisthegoatherdMelanthiuswentbybackpassagestothestore-roomofUlysses'house.
Therehechosetwelveshields,withasmanyhelmetsandspears,andbroughtthembackasfastashecouldtogivethemtothesuitors.
Ulysses'heartbegantofailhimwhenhesawthesuitors{171}puttingontheirarmourandbrandishingtheirspears.
Hesawthegreatnessofthedanger,andsaidtoTelemachus,'Someoneofthewomeninsideishelpingthesuitorsagainstus,oritmaybeMelanthius.
'455of550TheOdysseyTelemachusanswered,'Thefault,father,ismine,andmineonly;Ileftthestoreroomdooropen,andtheyhavekeptasharperlookoutthanIhave.
Go,Eumaeus,putthedoorto,andseewhetheritisoneofthewomenwhoisdoingthis,orwhether,asIsuspect,itisMelanthiusthesonofDolius.
'Thusdidtheyconverse.
MeanwhileMelanthiuswasagaingoingtothestoreroomtofetchmorearmour,buttheswineherdsawhimandsaidtoUlysseswhowasbesidehim,'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,itisthatscoundrelMelanthius,justaswesuspected,whoisgoingtothestoreroom.
Say,shallIkillhim,ifIcangetthebetterofhim,orshallIbringhimherethatyoumaytakeyourownrevengeforallthemanywrongsthathehasdoneinyourhouse'Ulyssesanswered,'TelemachusandIwillholdthesesuitorsincheck,nomatterwhattheydo;gobackbothofyouandbindMelanthius'handsandfeetbehindhim.
Throwhimintothestoreroomandmakethedoorfastbehindyou;thenfastenanooseabouthisbody,andstringhimcloseuptotheraftersfromahighbearing-post,{172}thathemaylingeroninanagony.
'Thusdidhespeak,andtheydidevenashehadsaid;theywenttothestoreroom,whichtheyenteredbefore456of550TheOdysseyMelanthiussawthem,forhewasbusysearchingforarmsintheinnermostpartoftheroom,sothetwotooktheirstandoneithersideofthedoorandwaited.
ByandbyMelanthiuscameoutwithahelmetinonehand,andanolddry-rottedshieldintheother,whichhadbeenbornebyLaerteswhenhewasyoung,butwhichhadbeenlongsincethrownaside,andthestrapshadbecomeunsewn;onthisthetwoseizedhim,draggedhimbackbythehair,andthrewhimstrugglingtotheground.
Theybenthishandsandfeetwellbehindhisback,andboundthemtightwithapainfulbondasUlysseshadtoldthem;thentheyfastenedanooseabouthisbodyandstrunghimupfromahighpillartillhewascloseuptotherafters,andoverhimdidyouthenvaunt,OswineherdEumaeussaying,'Melanthius,youwillpassthenightonasoftbedasyoudeserve.
YouwillknowverywellwhenmorningcomesfromthestreamsofOceanus,anditistimeforyoutobedrivinginyourgoatsforthesuitorstofeaston.
'There,then,theylefthiminverycruelbondage,andhavingputontheirarmourtheyclosedthedoorbehindthemandwentbacktotaketheirplacesbythesideofUlysses;whereonthefourmenstoodinthecloister,fierceandfulloffury;nevertheless,thosewhowereinthebodyofthecourtwerestillbothbraveandmany.
ThenJove's457of550TheOdysseydaughterMinervacameuptothem,havingassumedthevoiceandformofMentor.
Ulysseswasgladwhenhesawherandsaid,'Mentor,lendmeyourhelp,andforgetnotyouroldcomrade,northemanygoodturnshehasdoneyou.
Besides,youaremyage-mate.
'ButallthetimehefeltsureitwasMinerva,andthesuitorsfromtheothersideraisedanuproarwhentheysawher.
Agelauswasthefirsttoreproachher.
'Mentor,'hecried,'donotletUlyssesbeguileyouintosidingwithhimandfightingthesuitors.
Thisiswhatwewilldo:whenwehavekilledthesepeople,fatherandson,wewillkillyoutoo.
Youshallpayforitwithyourhead,andwhenwehavekilledyou,wewilltakeallyouhave,indoorsorout,andbringitintohotch-potwithUlysses'property;wewillnotletyoursonsliveinyourhouse,noryourdaughters,norshallyourwidowcontinuetoliveinthecityofIthaca.
'ThismadeMinervastillmorefurious,soshescoldedUlyssesveryangrily.
{173}'Ulysses,'saidshe,'yourstrengthandprowessarenolongerwhattheywerewhenyoufoughtforninelongyearsamongtheTrojansaboutthenobleladyHelen.
Youkilledmanyamaninthosedays,anditwasthroughyourstratagemthatPriam'scitywastaken.
Howcomesitthatyouaresolamentablyless458of550TheOdysseyvaliantnowthatyouareonyourownground,facetofacewiththesuitorsinyourownhouseComeon,mygoodfellow,standbymysideandseehowMentor,sonofAlcimusshallfightyourfoesandrequiteyourkindnessesconferreduponhim.
'Butshewouldnotgivehimfullvictoryasyet,forshewishedstillfurthertoprovehisownprowessandthatofhisbraveson,sosheflewuptooneoftheraftersintheroofofthecloisterandsatuponitintheformofaswallow.
MeanwhileAgelaussonofDamastor,Eurynomus,Amphimedon,Demoptolemus,Pisander,andPolybussonofPolyctorborethebruntofthefightuponthesuitors'side;ofallthosewhowerestillfightingfortheirlivestheywerebyfarthemostvaliant,fortheothershadalreadyfallenunderthearrowsofUlysses.
Agelausshoutedtothemandsaid,'Myfriends,hewillsoonhavetoleaveoff,forMentorhasgoneawayafterhavingdonenothingforhimbutbrag.
Theyarestandingatthedoorsunsupported.
Donotaimathimallatonce,butsixofyouthrowyourspearsfirst,andseeifyoucannotcoveryourselveswithglorybykillinghim.
Whenhehasfallenweneednotbeuneasyabouttheothers.
'459of550TheOdysseyTheythrewtheirspearsashebadethem,butMinervamadethemallofnoeffect.
Onehitthedoorpost;anotherwentagainstthedoor;thepointedshaftofanotherstruckthewall;andassoonastheyhadavoidedallthespearsofthesuitorsUlyssessaidtohisownmen,'Myfriends,Ishouldsaywetoohadbetterletdriveintothemiddleofthem,ortheywillcrownalltheharmtheyhavedoneusbykillingusoutright.
'Theythereforeaimedstraightinfrontofthemandthrewtheirspears.
UlysseskilledDemoptolemus,TelemachusEuryades,EumaeusElatus,whilethestockmankilledPisander.
Theseallbitthedust,andastheothersdrewbackintoacornerUlyssesandhismenrushedforwardandregainedtheirspearsbydrawingthemfromthebodiesofthedead.
Thesuitorsnowaimedasecondtime,butagainMinervamadetheirweaponsforthemostpartwithouteffect.
Onehitabearing-postofthecloister;anotherwentagainstthedoor;whilethepointedshaftofanotherstruckthewall.
Still,AmphimedonjusttookapieceofthetopskinfromoffTelemachus'swrist,andCtesippusmanagedtograzeEumaeus'sshoulderabovehisshield;butthespearwentonandfelltotheground.
ThenUlyssesandhismenletdriveintothecrowdofsuitors.
Ulysseshit460of550TheOdysseyEurydamas,TelemachusAmphimedon,andEumaeusPolybus.
AfterthisthestockmanhitCtesippusinthebreast,andtauntedhimsaying,'Foul-mouthedsonofPolytherses,donotbesofoolishastotalkwickedlyanothertime,butletheavendirectyourspeech,forthegodsarefarstrongerthanmen.
ImakeyouapresentofthisadvicetorepayyouforthefootwhichyougaveUlysseswhenhewasbeggingaboutinhisownhouse.
'Thusspokethestockman,andUlyssesstruckthesonofDamastorwithaspearinclosefight,whileTelemachushitLeocritussonofEvenorinthebelly,andthedartwentcleanthroughhim,sothathefellforwardfullonhisfaceupontheground.
ThenMinervafromherseatontherafterheldupherdeadlyaegis,andtheheartsofthesuitorsquailed.
Theyfledtotheotherendofthecourtlikeaherdofcattlemaddenedbythegadflyinearlysummerwhenthedaysareattheirlongest.
Aseagle-beaked,crook-talonedvulturesfromthemountainsswoopdownonthesmallerbirdsthatcowerinflocksupontheground,andkillthem,fortheycannoteitherfightorfly,andlookersonenjoythesport—evensodidUlyssesandhismenfalluponthesuitorsandsmitethemoneveryside.
Theymadeahorriblegroaningastheirbrainswerebeingbatteredin,andthegroundseethedwiththeirblood.
461of550TheOdysseyLeiodesthencaughtthekneesofUlyssesandsaid,'UlyssesIbeseechyouhavemercyuponmeandspareme.
Ineverwrongedanyofthewomeninyourhouseeitherinwordordeed,andItriedtostoptheothers.
Isawthem,buttheywouldnotlisten,andnowtheyarepayingfortheirfolly.
Iwastheirsacrificingpriest;ifyoukillme,Ishalldiewithouthavingdoneanythingtodeserveit,andshallhavegotnothanksforallthegoodthatIdid.
'Ulysseslookedsternlyathimandanswered,'Ifyouweretheirsacrificingpriest,youmusthaveprayedmanyatimethatitmightbelongbeforeIgothomeagain,andthatyoumightmarrymywifeandhavechildrenbyher.
Thereforeyoushalldie.
'WiththesewordshepickeduptheswordthatAgelaushaddroppedwhenhewasbeingkilled,andwhichwaslyingupontheground.
ThenhestruckLeiodesonthebackofhisneck,sothathisheadfellrollinginthedustwhilehewasyetspeaking.
TheminstrelPhemiussonofTerpes—hewhohadbeenforcedbythesuitorstosingtothem—nowtriedtosavehislife.
Hewasstandingneartowardsthetrapdoor,{174}andheldhislyreinhishand.
HedidnotknowwhethertoflyoutofthecloisterandsitdownbythealtarofJovethatwasintheoutercourt,andonwhichboth462of550TheOdysseyLaertesandUlysseshadofferedupthethighbonesofmanyanox,orwhethertogostraightuptoUlyssesandembracehisknees,butintheendhedeemeditbesttoembraceUlysses'knees.
Sohelaidhislyreonthegroundbetweenthemixingbowl{175}andthesilver-studdedseat;thengoinguptoUlysseshecaughtholdofhiskneesandsaid,'Ulysses,Ibeseechyouhavemercyonmeandspareme.
YouwillbesorryforitafterwardsifyoukillabardwhocansingbothforgodsandmenasIcan.
Imakeallmylaysmyself,andheavenvisitsmewitheverykindofinspiration.
Iwouldsingtoyouasthoughyouwereagod,donotthereforebeinsuchahurrytocutmyheadoff.
YourownsonTelemachuswilltellyouthatIdidnotwanttofrequentyourhouseandsingtothesuitorsaftertheirmeals,buttheyweretoomanyandtoostrongforme,sotheymademe.
'Telemachusheardhim,andatoncewentuptohisfather.
'Hold!
'hecried,'themanisguiltless,dohimnohurt;andwewillspareMedontoo,whowasalwaysgoodtomewhenIwasaboy,unlessPhiloetiusorEumaeushasalreadykilledhim,orhehasfalleninyourwaywhenyouwereragingaboutthecourt.
'MedoncaughtthesewordsofTelemachus,forhewascrouchingunderaseatbeneathwhichhehadhiddenby463of550TheOdysseycoveringhimselfupwithafreshlyflayedheifer'shide,sohethrewoffthehide,wentuptoTelemachus,andlaidholdofhisknees.
'HereIam,mydearsir,'saidhe,'stayyourhandtherefore,andtellyourfather,orhewillkillmeinhisrageagainstthesuitorsforhavingwastedhissubstanceandbeensofoolishlydisrespectfultoyourself.
'Ulyssessmiledathimandanswered,'Fearnot;Telemachushassavedyourlife,thatyoumayknowinfuture,andtellotherpeople,howgreatlybettergooddeedsprosperthanevilones.
Go,therefore,outsidethecloistersintotheoutercourt,andbeoutofthewayoftheslaughter—youandthebard—whileIfinishmyworkhereinside.
'Thepairwentintotheoutercourtasfastastheycould,andsatdownbyJove'sgreataltar,lookingfearfullyround,andstillexpectingthattheywouldbekilled.
ThenUlyssessearchedthewholecourtcarefullyover,toseeifanyonehadmanagedtohidehimselfandwasstillliving,buthefoundthemalllyinginthedustandwelteringintheirblood.
Theywerelikefisheswhichfishermenhavenettedoutofthesea,andthrownuponthebeachtoliegaspingforwatertilltheheatofthesunmakesanendof464of550TheOdysseythem.
Evensowerethesuitorslyingallhuddleduponeagainsttheother.
ThenUlyssessaidtoTelemachus,'CallnurseEuryclea;Ihavesomethingtosaytoher.
'Telemachuswentandknockedatthedoorofthewomen'sroom.
'Makehaste,'saidhe,'youoldwomanwhohavebeensetoveralltheotherwomeninthehouse.
Comeoutside;myfatherwishestospeaktoyou.
'WhenEurycleaheardthissheunfastenedthedoorofthewomen'sroomandcameout,followingTelemachus.
ShefoundUlyssesamongthecorpsesbespatteredwithbloodandfilthlikealionthathasjustbeendevouringanox,andhisbreastandbothhischeeksareallbloody,sothatheisafearfulsight;evensowasUlyssesbesmirchedfromheadtofootwithgore.
Whenshesawallthecorpsesandsuchaquantityofblood,shewasbeginningtocryoutforjoy,forshesawthatagreatdeedhadbeendone;butUlyssescheckedher,'Oldwoman,'saidhe,'rejoiceinsilence;restrainyourself,anddonotmakeanynoiseaboutit;itisanunholythingtovauntoverdeadmen.
Heaven'sdoomandtheirownevildeedshavebroughtthesementodestruction,fortheyrespectednomaninthewholeworld,neitherrichnorpoor,whocamenearthem,andtheyhavecometoabadendasapunishmentfortheir465of550TheOdysseywickednessandfolly.
Now,however,tellmewhichofthewomeninthehousehavemisconductedthemselves,andwhoareinnocent.
'{176}'Iwilltellyouthetruth,myson,'answeredEuryclea.
'Therearefiftywomeninthehousewhomweteachtodothings,suchascardingwool,andallkindsofhouseholdwork.
Ofthese,twelveinall{177}havemisbehaved,andhavebeenwantinginrespecttome,andalsotoPenelope.
TheyshowednodisrespecttoTelemachus,forhehasonlylatelygrownandhismotherneverpermittedhimtogiveorderstothefemaleservants;butletmegoupstairsandtellyourwifeallthathashappened,forsomegodhasbeensendinghertosleep.
''Donotwakeheryet,'answeredUlysses,'buttellthewomenwhohavemisconductedthemselvestocometome.
'Euryclealeftthecloistertotellthewomen,andmakethemcometoUlysses;inthemeantimehecalledTelemachus,thestockman,andtheswineherd.
'Begin,'saidhe,'toremovethedead,andmakethewomenhelpyou.
Then,getspongesandcleanwatertoswilldownthetablesandseats.
Whenyouhavethoroughlycleansedthewholecloisters,takethewomenintothespacebetweenthedomedroomandthewalloftheoutercourt,andrun466of550TheOdysseythemthroughwithyourswordstilltheyarequitedead,andhaveforgottenallaboutloveandthewayinwhichtheyusedtolieinsecretwiththesuitors.
'Onthisthewomencamedowninabody,weepingandwailingbitterly.
Firsttheycarriedthedeadbodiesout,andproppedthemupagainstoneanotherinthegatehouse.
Ulyssesorderedthemaboutandmadethemdotheirworkquickly,sotheyhadtocarrythebodiesout.
Whentheyhaddonethis,theycleanedallthetablesandseatswithspongesandwater,whileTelemachusandthetwoothersshovelledupthebloodanddirtfromtheground,andthewomencarrieditallawayandputitoutofdoors.
Thenwhentheyhadmadethewholeplacequitecleanandorderly,theytookthewomenoutandhemmedtheminthenarrowspacebetweenthewallofthedomedroomandthatoftheyard,sothattheycouldnotgetaway:andTelemachussaidtotheothertwo,'Ishallnotletthesewomendieacleandeath,fortheywereinsolenttomeandmymother,andusedtosleepwiththesuitors.
'Sosayinghemadeaship'scablefasttooneofthebearing-poststhatsupportedtheroofofthedomedroom,andsecureditallaroundthebuilding,atagoodheight,lestanyofthewomen'sfeetshouldtouchtheground;andasthrushesordovesbeatagainstanetthathasbeenset467of550TheOdysseyfortheminathicketjustastheyweregettingtotheirnest,andaterriblefateawaitsthem,evensodidthewomenhavetoputtheirheadsinnoosesoneaftertheotheranddiemostmiserably.
{178}Theirfeetmovedconvulsivelyforawhile,butnotforverylong.
AsforMelanthius,theytookhimthroughthecloisterintotheinnercourt.
Theretheycutoffhisnoseandhisears;theydrewouthisvitalsandgavethemtothedogsraw,andthenintheirfurytheycutoffhishandsandhisfeet.
Whentheyhaddonethistheywashedtheirhandsandfeetandwentbackintothehouse,forallwasnowover;andUlyssessaidtothedearoldnurseEuryclea,'Bringmesulphur,whichcleansesallpollution,andfetchfirealsothatImayburnit,andpurifythecloisters.
Go,moreover,andtellPenelopetocomeherewithherattendants,andalsoallthemaidservantsthatareinthehouse.
''Allthatyouhavesaidistrue,'answeredEuryclea,'butletmebringyousomecleanclothes—ashirtandcloak.
Donotkeeptheseragsonyourbackanylonger.
Itisnotright.
''Firstlightmeafire,'repliedUlysses.
468of550TheOdysseyShebroughtthefireandsulphur,ashehadbiddenher,andUlyssesthoroughlypurifiedthecloistersandboththeinnerandoutercourts.
Thenshewentinsidetocallthewomenandtellthemwhathadhappened;whereontheycamefromtheirapartmentwithtorchesintheirhands,andpressedroundUlyssestoembracehim,kissinghisheadandshouldersandtakingholdofhishands.
Itmadehimfeelasifheshouldliketoweep,forherememberedeveryoneofthem.
{179}469of550TheOdysseyBookXXIIIPENELOPEEVENTUALLYRECOGNISESHERHUSBAND—EARLYINTHEMORNINGULYSSES,TELEMACHUS,EUMAEUS,ANDPHILOETIUSLEAVETHETOWN.
Eurycleanowwentupstairslaughingtotellhermistressthatherdearhusbandhadcomehome.
Heragedkneesbecameyoungagainandherfeetwerenimbleforjoyasshewentuptohermistressandbentoverherheadtospeaktoher.
'WakeupPenelope,mydearchild,'sheexclaimed,'andseewithyourowneyessomethingthatyouhavebeenwantingthislongtimepast.
Ulysseshasatlastindeedcomehomeagain,andhaskilledthesuitorswhoweregivingsomuchtroubleinhishouse,eatinguphisestateandilltreatinghisson.
''Mygoodnurse,'answeredPenelope,'youmustbemad.
Thegodssometimessendsomeverysensiblepeopleoutoftheirminds,andmakefoolishpeoplebecomesensible.
Thisiswhattheymusthavebeendoingtoyou;foryoualwaysusedtobeareasonableperson.
WhyshouldyouthusmockmewhenIhavetroubleenoughalready—talkingsuchnonsense,andwakingmeupoutof470of550TheOdysseyasweetsleepthathadtakenpossessionofmyeyesandclosedthemIhaveneversleptsosoundlyfromthedaymypoorhusbandwenttothatcitywiththeill-omenedname.
Gobackagainintothewomen'sroom;ifithadbeenanyoneelsewhohadwokemeuptobringmesuchabsurdnewsIshouldhavesentherawaywithaseverescolding.
Asitisyourageshallprotectyou.
''Mydearchild,'answeredEuryclea,'Iamnotmockingyou.
ItisquitetrueasItellyouthatUlyssesiscomehomeagain.
Hewasthestrangerwhomtheyallkeptontreatingsobadlyinthecloister.
Telemachusknewallthetimethathewascomeback,butkepthisfather'ssecretthathemighthavehisrevengeonallthesewickedpeople.
'ThenPenelopesprangupfromhercouch,threwherarmsroundEuryclea,andweptforjoy.
'Butmydearnurse,'saidshe,'explainthistome;ifhehasreallycomehomeasyousay,howdidhemanagetoovercomethewickedsuitorssinglehanded,seeingwhatanumberofthemtherealwayswere''Iwasnotthere,'answeredEuryclea,'anddonotknow;Ionlyheardthemgroaningwhiletheywerebeingkilled.
Wesatcrouchingandhuddledupinacornerofthewomen'sroomwiththedoorsclosed,tillyoursoncame471of550TheOdysseytofetchmebecausehisfathersenthim.
ThenIfoundUlyssesstandingoverthecorpsesthatwerelyingonthegroundallroundhim,oneontopoftheother.
Youwouldhaveenjoyeditifyoucouldhaveseenhimstandingthereallbespatteredwithbloodandfilth,andlookingjustlikealion.
Butthecorpsesarenowallpiledupinthegatehousethatisintheoutercourt,andUlysseshaslitagreatfiretopurifythehousewithsulphur.
Hehassentmetocallyou,socomewithmethatyoumaybothbehappytogetherafterall;fornowatlastthedesireofyourhearthasbeenfulfilled;yourhusbandiscomehometofindbothwifeandsonaliveandwell,andtotakehisrevengeinhisownhouseonthesuitorswhobehavedsobadlytohim.
''Mydearnurse,'saidPenelope,'donotexulttooconfidentlyoverallthis.
YouknowhowdelightedeveryonewouldbetoseeUlyssescomehome—moreparticularlymyself,andthesonwhohasbeenborntobothofus;butwhatyoutellmecannotbereallytrue.
Itissomegodwhoisangrywiththesuitorsfortheirgreatwickedness,andhasmadeanendofthem;fortheyrespectednomaninthewholeworld,neitherrichnorpoor,whocamenearthem,andtheyhavecometoabadendinconsequenceoftheiriniquity;Ulyssesisdeadfar472of550TheOdysseyawayfromtheAchaeanland;hewillneverreturnhomeagain.
'ThennurseEurycleasaid,'Mychild,whatareyoutalkingaboutbutyouwereallhardofbeliefandhavemadeupyourmindthatyourhusbandisnevercoming,althoughheisinthehouseandbyhisownfiresideatthisverymoment.
BesidesIcangiveyouanotherproof;whenIwaswashinghimIperceivedthescarwhichthewildboargavehim,andIwantedtotellyouaboutit,butinhiswisdomhewouldnotletme,andclappedhishandsovermymouth;socomewithmeandIwillmakethisbargainwithyou—ifIamdeceivingyou,youmayhavemekilledbythemostcrueldeathyoucanthinkof.
''Mydearnurse,'saidPenelope,'howeverwiseyoumaybeyoucanhardlyfathomthecounselsofthegods.
Nevertheless,wewillgoinsearchofmyson,thatImayseethecorpsesofthesuitors,andthemanwhohaskilledthem.
'Onthisshecamedownfromherupperroom,andwhiledoingsosheconsideredwhethersheshouldkeepatadistancefromherhusbandandquestionhim,orwhethersheshouldatoncegouptohimandembracehim.
When,however,shehadcrossedthestonefloorofthecloister,shesatdownoppositeUlyssesbythefire,againstthewall473of550TheOdysseyatrightangles{180}[tothatbywhichshehadentered],whileUlyssessatnearoneofthebearing-posts,lookingupontheground,andwaitingtoseewhathisbravewifewouldsaytohimwhenshesawhim.
Foralongtimeshesatsilentandasonelostinamazement.
Atonemomentshelookedhimfullintheface,butthenagaindirectly,shewasmisledbyhisshabbyclothesandfailedtorecognisehim,{181}tillTelemachusbegantoreproachherandsaid:'Mother—butyouaresohardthatIcannotcallyoubysuchaname—whydoyoukeepawayfrommyfatherinthiswayWhydoyounotsitbyhissideandbegintalkingtohimandaskinghimquestionsNootherwomancouldbeartokeepawayfromherhusbandwhenhehadcomebacktoheraftertwentyyearsofabsence,andafterhavinggonethroughsomuch;butyourheartalwayswasashardasastone.
'Penelopeanswered,'Myson,IamsolostinastonishmentthatIcanfindnowordsinwhicheithertoaskquestionsortoanswerthem.
Icannotevenlookhimstraightintheface.
Still,ifhereallyisUlyssescomebacktohisownhomeagain,weshallgettounderstandoneanotherbetterbyandby,fortherearetokenswithwhich474of550TheOdysseywetwoarealoneacquainted,andwhicharehiddenfromallothers.
'Ulyssessmiledatthis,andsaidtoTelemachus,'Letyourmotherputmetoanyproofshelikes;shewillmakeuphermindaboutitpresently.
Sherejectsmeforthemomentandbelievesmetobesomebodyelse,becauseIamcoveredwithdirtandhavesuchbadclotheson;letus,however,considerwhatwehadbetterdonext.
Whenonemanhaskilledanother—eventhoughhewasnotonewhowouldleavemanyfriendstotakeuphisquarrel—themanwhohaskilledhimmuststillsaygoodbyetohisfriendsandflythecountry;whereaswehavebeenkillingthestayofawholetown,andallthepickedyouthofIthaca.
Iwouldhaveyouconsiderthismatter.
''Looktoityourself,father,'answeredTelemachus,'fortheysayyouarethewisestcounsellorintheworld,andthatthereisnoothermortalmanwhocancomparewithyou.
Wewillfollowyouwithrightgoodwill,norshallyoufindusfailyouinsofarasourstrengthholdsout.
''IwillsaywhatIthinkwillbebest,'answeredUlysses.
'Firstwashandputyourshirtson;tellthemaidsalsotogototheirownroomanddress;Phemiusshallthenstrikeupadancetuneonhislyre,sothatifpeople475of550TheOdysseyoutsidehear,oranyoftheneighbours,orsomeonegoingalongthestreethappenstonoticeit,theymaythinkthereisaweddinginthehouse,andnorumoursaboutthedeathofthesuitorswillgetaboutinthetown,beforewecanescapetothewoodsuponmyownland.
Oncethere,wewillsettlewhichofthecoursesheavenvouchsafesusshallseemwisest.
'Thusdidhespeak,andtheydidevenashehadsaid.
Firsttheywashedandputtheirshirtson,whilethewomengotready.
ThenPhemiustookhislyreandsetthemalllongingforsweetsongandstatelydance.
Thehousere-echoedwiththesoundofmenandwomendancing,andthepeopleoutsidesaid,'Isupposethequeenhasbeengettingmarriedatlast.
Sheoughttobeashamedofherselffornotcontinuingtoprotectherhusband'spropertyuntilhecomeshome.
'{182}Thiswaswhattheysaid,buttheydidnotknowwhatitwasthathadbeenhappening.
TheupperservantEurynomewashedandanointedUlyssesinhisownhouseandgavehimashirtandcloak,whileMinervamadehimlooktallerandstrongerthanbefore;shealsomadethehairgrowthickonthetopofhishead,andflowdownincurlslikehyacinthblossoms;sheglorifiedhimabouttheheadandshouldersjustasaskilfulworkmanwhohas476of550TheOdysseystudiedartofallkindsunderVulcanorMinerva—andhisworkisfullofbeauty—enrichesapieceofsilverplatebygildingit.
Hecamefromthebathlookinglikeoneoftheimmortals,andsatdownoppositehiswifeontheseathehadleft.
'Mydear,'saidhe,'heavenhasendowedyouwithaheartmoreunyieldingthanwomaneveryethad.
Nootherwomancouldbeartokeepawayfromherhusbandwhenhehadcomebacktoheraftertwentyyearsofabsence,andafterhavinggonethroughsomuch.
Butcome,nurse,getabedreadyforme;Iwillsleepalone,forthiswomanhasaheartashardasiron.
''Mydear,'answeredPenelope,'Ihavenowishtosetmyselfup,nortodepreciateyou;butIamnotstruckbyyourappearance,forIverywellrememberwhatkindofamanyouwerewhenyousetsailfromIthaca.
Nevertheless,Euryclea,takehisbedoutsidethebedchamberthathehimselfbuilt.
Bringthebedoutsidethisroom,andputbeddinguponitwithfleeces,goodcoverlets,andblankets.
'Shesaidthistotryhim,butUlysseswasveryangryandsaid,'Wife,Iammuchdispleasedatwhatyouhavejustbeensaying.
WhohasbeentakingmybedfromtheplaceinwhichIleftitHemusthavefounditahardtask,nomatterhowskilledaworkmanhewas,unlesssome477of550TheOdysseygodcameandhelpedhimtoshiftit.
Thereisnomanliving,howeverstrongandinhisprime,whocouldmoveitfromitsplace,foritisamarvellouscuriositywhichImadewithmyveryownhands.
Therewasayoungolivegrowingwithintheprecinctsofthehouse,infullvigour,andaboutasthickasabearing-post.
Ibuiltmyroomroundthiswithstrongwallsofstoneandarooftocoverthem,andImadethedoorsstrongandwell-fitting.
ThenIcutoffthetopboughsoftheolivetreeandleftthestumpstanding.
ThisIdressedroughlyfromtherootupwardsandthenworkedwithcarpenter'stoolswellandskilfully,straighteningmyworkbydrawingalineonthewood,andmakingitintoabed-prop.
Ithenboredaholedownthemiddle,andmadeitthecentre-postofmybed,atwhichIworkedtillIhadfinishedit,inlayingitwithgoldandsilver;afterthisIstretchedahideofcrimsonleatherfromonesideofittotheother.
SoyouseeIknowallaboutit,andIdesiretolearnwhetheritisstillthere,orwhetheranyonehasbeenremovingitbycuttingdowntheolivetreeatitsroots.
'WhensheheardthesureproofsUlyssesnowgaveher,shefairlybrokedown.
Sheflewweepingtohisside,flungherarmsabouthisneck,andkissedhim.
'DonotbeangrywithmeUlysses,'shecried,'you,whoarethewisestof478of550TheOdysseymankind.
Wehavesuffered,bothofus.
Heavenhasdeniedusthehappinessofspendingouryouth,andofgrowingold,together;donotthenbeaggrievedortakeitamissthatIdidnotembraceyouthusassoonasIsawyou.
Ihavebeenshudderingallthetimethroughfearthatsomeonemightcomehereanddeceivemewithalyingstory;fortherearemanyverywickedpeoplegoingabout.
Jove'sdaughterHelenwouldneverhaveyieldedherselftoamanfromaforeigncountry,ifshehadknownthatthesonsofAchaeanswouldcomeafterherandbringherback.
Heavenputitinherhearttodowrong,andshegavenothoughttothatsin,whichhasbeenthesourceofalloursorrows.
Now,however,thatyouhaveconvincedmebyshowingthatyouknowallaboutourbed(whichnohumanbeinghaseverseenbutyouandIandasinglemaidservant,thedaughterofActor,whowasgivenmebymyfatheronmymarriage,andwhokeepsthedoorsofourroom)hardofbeliefthoughIhavebeenIcanmistrustnolonger.
'ThenUlyssesinhisturnmelted,andweptasheclaspedhisdearandfaithfulwifetohisbosom.
Asthesightoflandiswelcometomenwhoareswimmingtowardstheshore,whenNeptunehaswreckedtheirshipwiththefuryofhiswindsandwaves;afewalonereach479of550TheOdysseytheland,andthese,coveredwithbrine,arethankfulwhentheyfindthemselvesonfirmgroundandoutofdanger—evensowasherhusbandwelcometoherasshelookeduponhim,andshecouldnottearhertwofairarmsfromabouthisneck.
Indeedtheywouldhavegoneonindulgingtheirsorrowtillrosy-fingeredmornappeared,hadnotMinervadeterminedotherwise,andheldnightbackinthefarwest,whileshewouldnotsufferDawntoleaveOceanus,nortoyokethetwosteedsLampusandPhaethonthatbearheronwardtobreakthedayuponmankind.
Atlast,however,Ulyssessaid,'Wife,wehavenotyetreachedtheendofourtroubles.
Ihaveanunknownamountoftoilstilltoundergo.
Itislonganddifficult,butImustgothroughwithit,forthustheshadeofTeiresiasprophesiedconcerningme,onthedaywhenIwentdownintoHadestoaskaboutmyreturnandthatofmycompanions.
Butnowletusgotobed,thatwemayliedownandenjoytheblessedboonofsleep.
''Youshallgotobedassoonasyouplease,'repliedPenelope,'nowthatthegodshavesentyouhometoyourowngoodhouseandtoyourcountry.
Butasheavenhasputitinyourmindtospeakofit,tellmeaboutthetask480of550TheOdysseythatliesbeforeyou.
Ishallhavetohearaboutitlater,soitisbetterthatIshouldbetoldatonce.
''Mydear,'answeredUlysses,'whyshouldyoupressmetotellyouStill,Iwillnotconcealitfromyou,thoughyouwillnotlikeit.
Idonotlikeitmyself,forTeiresiasbademetravelfarandwide,carryinganoar,tillIcametoacountrywherethepeoplehaveneverheardofthesea,anddonotevenmixsaltwiththeirfood.
Theyknownothingaboutships,noroarsthatareasthewingsofaship.
HegavemethiscertaintokenwhichIwillnothidefromyou.
HesaidthatawayfarershouldmeetmeandaskmewhetheritwasawinnowingshovelthatIhadonmyshoulder.
Onthis,Iwastofixmyoarinthegroundandsacrificearam,abull,andaboartoNeptune;afterwhichIwastogohomeandofferhecatombstoallthegodsinheaven,oneaftertheother.
Asformyself,hesaidthatdeathshouldcometomefromthesea,andthatmylifeshouldebbawayverygentlywhenIwasfullofyearsandpeaceofmind,andmypeopleshouldblessme.
Allthis,hesaid,shouldsurelycometopass.
'AndPenelopesaid,'Ifthegodsaregoingtovouchsafeyouahappiertimeinyouroldage,youmayhopethentohavesomerespitefrommisfortune.
'481of550TheOdysseyThusdidtheyconverse.
MeanwhileEurynomeandthenursetooktorchesandmadethebedreadywithsoftcoverlets;assoonastheyhadlaidthem,thenursewentbackintothehousetogotoherrest,leavingthebedchamberwomanEurynome{183}toshowUlyssesandPenelopetobedbytorchlight.
Whenshehadconductedthemtotheirroomshewentback,andtheythencamejoyfullytotheritesoftheirownoldbed.
Telemachus,Philoetius,andtheswineherdnowleftoffdancing,andmadethewomenleaveoffalso.
Theythenlaidthemselvesdowntosleepinthecloisters.
WhenUlyssesandPenelopehadhadtheirfilloflovetheyfelltalkingwithoneanother.
Shetoldhimhowmuchshehadhadtobearinseeingthehousefilledwithacrowdofwickedsuitorswhohadkilledsomanysheepandoxenonheraccount,andhaddrunksomanycasksofwine.
Ulyssesinhisturntoldherwhathehadsuffered,andhowmuchtroublehehadhimselfgiventootherpeople.
Hetoldhereverything,andshewassodelightedtolistenthatsheneverwenttosleeptillhehadendedhiswholestory.
HebeganwithhisvictoryovertheCicons,andhowhethencereachedthefertilelandoftheLotus-eaters.
HetoldherallabouttheCyclopsandhowhehadpunishedhim482of550TheOdysseyforhavingsoruthlesslyeatenhisbravecomrades;howhethenwentontoAeolus,whoreceivedhimhospitablyandfurtheredhimonhisway,butevensohewasnottoreachhome,fortohisgreatgriefahurricanecarriedhimouttoseaagain;howhewentontotheLaestrygoniancityTelepylos,wherethepeopledestroyedallhisshipswiththeircrews,savehimselfandhisownshiponly.
ThenhetoldofcunningCirceandhercraft,andhowhesailedtothechillhouseofHades,toconsulttheghostoftheThebanprophetTeiresias,andhowhesawhisoldcomradesinarms,andhismotherwhoborehimandbroughthimupwhenhewasachild;howhethenheardthewondroussingingoftheSirens,andwentontothewanderingrocksandterribleCharybdisandtoScylla,whomnomanhadeveryetpassedinsafety;howhismenthenatethecattleofthesun-god,andhowJovethereforestrucktheshipwithhisthunderbolts,sothatallhismenperishedtogether,himselfalonebeingleftalive;howatlasthereachedtheOgygianislandandthenymphCalypso,whokepthimthereinacave,andfedhim,andwantedhimtomarryher,inwhichcasesheintendedmakinghimimmortalsothatheshouldnevergrowold,butshecouldnotpersuadehimtoletherdoso;andhowaftermuchsufferinghehadfoundhiswaytothe483of550TheOdysseyPhaeacians,whohadtreatedhimasthoughhehadbeenagod,andsenthimbackinashiptohisowncountryafterhavinggivenhimgold,bronze,andraimentingreatabundance.
Thiswasthelastthingaboutwhichhetoldher,forhereadeepsleeptookholduponhimandeasedtheburdenofhissorrows.
ThenMinervabethoughtherofanothermatter.
WhenshedeemedthatUlysseshadhadbothofhiswifeandofrepose,shebadegold-enthronedDawnriseoutofOceanusthatshemightshedlightuponmankind.
Onthis,UlyssesrosefromhiscomfortablebedandsaidtoPenelope,'Wife,wehavebothofushadourfullshareoftroubles,you,here,inlamentingmyabsence,andIinbeingpreventedfromgettinghomethoughIwaslongingallthetimetodoso.
Now,however,thatwehaveatlastcometogether,takecareofthepropertythatisinthehouse.
Asforthesheepandgoatswhichthewickedsuitorshaveeaten,Iwilltakemanymyselfbyforcefromotherpeople,andwillcompeltheAchaeanstomakegoodtheresttilltheyshallhavefilledallmyyards.
Iamnowgoingtothewoodedlandsoutinthecountrytoseemyfatherwhohassolongbeengrievedonmyaccount,andtoyourselfIwillgivetheseinstructions,thoughyouhavelittleneedofthem.
Atsunriseitwillatoncegetabroad484of550TheOdysseythatIhavebeenkillingthesuitors;goupstairs,therefore,{184}andstaytherewithyourwomen.
Seenobodyandasknoquestions.
'{185}Ashespokehegirdedonhisarmour.
ThenherousedTelemachus,Philoetius,andEumaeus,andtoldthemalltoputontheirarmouralso.
Thistheydid,andarmedthemselves.
Whentheyhaddoneso,theyopenedthegatesandsalliedforth,Ulyssesleadingtheway.
Itwasnowdaylight,butMinervaneverthelessconcealedthemindarknessandledthemquicklyoutofthetown.
485of550TheOdysseyBookXXIVTHEGHOSTSOFTHESUITORSINHADES—ULYSSESANDHISMENGOTOTHEHOUSEOFLAERTES—THEPEOPLEOFITHACACOMEOUTTOATTACKULYSSES,BUTMINERVACONCLUDESAPEACE.
ThenMercuryofCyllenesummonedtheghostsofthesuitors,andinhishandheheldthefairgoldenwandwithwhichhesealsmen'seyesinsleeporwakesthemjustashepleases;withthisherousedtheghostsandledthem,whiletheyfollowedwhiningandgibberingbehindhim.
Asbatsflysquealinginthehollowofsomegreatcave,whenoneofthemhasfallenoutoftheclusterinwhichtheyhang,evensodidtheghostswhineandsquealasMercurythehealerofsorrowledthemdownintothedarkabodeofdeath.
WhentheyhadpassedthewatersofOceanusandtherockLeucas,theycametothegatesofthesunandthelandofdreams,whereontheyreachedthemeadowofasphodelwheredwellthesoulsandshadowsofthemthatcanlabournomore.
HeretheyfoundtheghostofAchillessonofPeleus,withthoseofPatroclus,Antilochus,andAjax,whowas486of550TheOdysseythefinestandhandsomestmanofalltheDanaansafterthesonofPeleushimself.
TheygatheredroundtheghostofthesonofPeleus,andtheghostofAgamemnonjoinedthem,sorrowingbitterly.
RoundhimweregatheredalsotheghostsofthosewhohadperishedwithhiminthehouseofAegisthus;andtheghostofAchillesspokefirst.
'SonofAtreus,'itsaid,'weusedtosaythatJovehadlovedyoubetterfromfirsttolastthananyotherhero,foryouwerecaptainovermanyandbravemen,whenwewereallfightingtogetherbeforeTroy;yetthehandofdeath,whichnomortalcanescape,waslaiduponyoualltooearly.
BetterforyouhadyoufallenatTroyinthehey-dayofyourrenown,fortheAchaeanswouldhavebuiltamoundoveryourashes,andyoursonwouldhavebeenheirtoyourgoodname,whereasithasnowbeenyourlottocometoamostmiserableend.
''HappysonofPeleus,'answeredtheghostofAgamemnon,'forhavingdiedatTroyfarfromArgos,whilethebravestoftheTrojansandtheAchaeansfellroundyoufightingforyourbody.
Thereyoulayinthewhirlingcloudsofdust,allhugeandhugely,heedlessnowofyourchivalry.
Wefoughtthewholeofthelivelongday,norshouldweeverhaveleftoffifJovehad487of550TheOdysseynotsentahurricanetostayus.
Then,whenwehadborneyoutotheshipsoutofthefray,welaidyouonyourbedandcleansedyourfairskinwithwarmwaterandwithointments.
TheDanaanstoretheirhairandweptbitterlyroundaboutyou.
Yourmother,whensheheard,camewithherimmortalnymphsfromoutofthesea,andthesoundofagreatwailingwentforthoverthewaterssothattheAchaeansquakedforfear.
Theywouldhavefledpanic-strickentotheirshipshadnotwiseoldNestorwhosecounselwasevertruestcheckedthemsaying,'Hold,Argives,flynotsonsoftheAchaeans,thisishismothercomingfromtheseawithherimmortalnymphstoviewthebodyofherson.
''Thushespoke,andtheAchaeansfearednomore.
Thedaughtersoftheoldmanoftheseastoodroundyouweepingbitterly,andclothedyouinimmortalraiment.
Theninemusesalsocameandlifteduptheirsweetvoicesinlament—callingandansweringoneanother;therewasnotanArgivebutweptforpityofthedirgetheychaunted.
Daysandnightssevenandtenwemournedyou,mortalsandimmortals,butontheeighteenthdaywegaveyoutotheflames,andmanyafatsheepwithmanyanoxdidweslayinsacrificearoundyou.
Youwereburntinraimentofthegods,withrichresinsandwithhoney,whileheroes,488of550TheOdysseyhorseandfoot,clashedtheirarmourroundthepileasyouwereburning,withthetrampasofagreatmultitude.
Butwhentheflamesofheavenhaddonetheirwork,wegatheredyourwhitebonesatdaybreakandlaidtheminointmentsandinpurewine.
Yourmotherbroughtusagoldenvasetoholdthem—giftofBacchus,andworkofVulcanhimself;inthiswemingledyourbleachedboneswiththoseofPatrocluswhohadgonebeforeyou,andseparateweenclosedalsothoseofAntilochus,whohadbeenclosertoyouthananyotherofyourcomradesnowthatPatrocluswasnomore.
'OverthesethehostoftheArgivesbuiltanobletomb,onapointjuttingoutovertheopenHellespont,thatitmightbeseenfromfaroutupontheseabythosenowlivingandbythemthatshallbebornhereafter.
Yourmotherbeggedprizesfromthegods,andofferedthemtobecontendedforbythenoblestoftheAchaeans.
Youmusthavebeenpresentatthefuneralofmanyahero,whentheyoungmengirdthemselvesandmakereadytocontendforprizesonthedeathofsomegreatchieftain,butyouneversawsuchprizesassilver-footedThetisofferedinyourhonour;forthegodslovedyouwell.
Thusevenindeathyourfame,Achilles,hasnotbeenlost,andyournamelivesevermoreamongallmankind.
Butasfor489of550TheOdysseyme,whatsolacehadIwhenthedaysofmyfightingweredoneForJovewilledmydestructiononmyreturn,bythehandsofAegisthusandthoseofmywickedwife.
'Thusdidtheyconverse,andpresentlyMercurycameuptothemwiththeghostsofthesuitorswhohadbeenkilledbyUlysses.
TheghostsofAgamemnonandAchilleswereastonishedatseeingthem,andwentuptothematonce.
TheghostofAgamemnonrecognisedAmphimedonsonofMelaneus,wholivedinIthacaandhadbeenhishost,soitbegantotalktohim.
'Amphimedon,'itsaid,'whathashappenedtoallyoufineyoungmen—allofanagetoo—thatyouarecomedownhereunderthegroundOnecouldpicknofinerbodyofmenfromanycity.
DidNeptuneraisehiswindsandwavesagainstyouwhenyouwereatsea,ordidyourenemiesmakeanendofyouonthemainlandwhenyouwerecattle-liftingorsheep-stealing,orwhilefightingindefenceoftheirwivesandcityAnswermyquestion,forIhavebeenyourguest.
DoyounotrememberhowIcametoyourhousewithMenelaus,topersuadeUlyssestojoinuswithhisshipsagainstTroyItwasawholemontherewecouldresumeourvoyage,forwehadhardworktopersuadeUlyssestocomewithus.
'490of550TheOdysseyAndtheghostofAmphimedonanswered,'Agamemnon,sonofAtreus,kingofmen,Iremembereverythingthatyouhavesaid,andwilltellyoufullyandaccuratelyaboutthewayinwhichourendwasbroughtabout.
Ulysseshadbeenlonggone,andwewerecourtinghiswife,whodidnotsaypointblankthatshewouldnotmarry,noryetbringmatterstoanend,forshemeanttocompassourdestruction:this,then,wasthetricksheplayedus.
Shesetupagreattambourframeinherroomandbegantoworkonanenormouspieceoffineneedlework.
'Sweethearts,'saidshe,'Ulyssesisindeeddead,still,donotpressmetomarryagainimmediately;wait—forIwouldnothavemyskillinneedleworkperishunrecorded—tillIhavecompletedapallfortheheroLaertes,againstthetimewhendeathshalltakehim.
Heisveryrich,andthewomenoftheplacewilltalkifheislaidoutwithoutapall.
'Thisiswhatshesaid,andweassented;whereuponwecouldseeherworkinguponhergreatweballdaylong,butatnightshewouldunpickthestitchesagainbytorchlight.
Shefooledusinthiswayforthreeyearswithoutourfindingitout,butastimeworeonandshewasnowinherfourthyear,inthewaningofmoonsandmanydayshadbeenaccomplished,oneofhermaidswhoknewwhatshewasdoingtoldus,andwe491of550TheOdysseycaughtherintheactofundoingherwork,soshehadtofinishitwhethershewouldorno;andwhensheshowedustherobeshehadmade,aftershehadhaditwashed,{186}itssplendourwasasthatofthesunormoon.
'ThensomemaliciousgodconveyedUlyssestotheuplandfarmwherehisswineherdlives.
Thitherpresentlycamealsohisson,returningfromavoyagetoPylos,andthetwocametothetownwhentheyhadhatchedtheirplotforourdestruction.
Telemachuscamefirst,andthenafterhim,accompaniedbytheswineherd,cameUlysses,cladinragsandleaningonastaffasthoughheweresomemiserableoldbeggar.
Hecamesounexpectedlythatnoneofusknewhim,noteventheolderonesamongus,andwereviledhimandthrewthingsathim.
Heenduredbothbeingstruckandinsultedwithoutaword,thoughhewasinhisownhouse;butwhenthewillofAegis-bearingJoveinspiredhim,heandTelemachustookthearmourandhiditinaninnerchamber,boltingthedoorsbehindthem.
Thenhecunninglymadehiswifeofferhisbowandaquantityofirontobecontendedforbyusill-fatedsuitors;andthiswasthebeginningofourend,fornotoneofuscouldstringthebow—nornearlydoso.
WhenitwasabouttoreachthehandsofUlysses,weallofusshoutedoutthatitshouldnotbegivenhim,nomatterwhathe492of550TheOdysseymightsay,butTelemachusinsistedonhishavingit.
Whenhehadgotitinhishandshestrungitwitheaseandsenthisarrowthroughtheiron.
Thenhestoodonthefloorofthecloisterandpouredhisarrowsontheground,glaringfiercelyabouthim.
FirsthekilledAntinous,andthen,aimingstraightbeforehim,heletflyhisdeadlydartsandtheyfellthickononeanother.
Itwasplainthatsomeoneofthegodswashelpingthem,fortheyfelluponuswithmightandmainthroughoutthecloisters,andtherewasahideoussoundofgroaningasourbrainswerebeingbatteredin,andthegroundseethedwithourblood.
This,Agamemnon,ishowwecamebyourend,andourbodiesarelyingstilluncaredforinthehouseofUlysses,forourfriendsathomedonotyetknowwhathashappened,sothattheycannotlayusoutandwashtheblackbloodfromourwounds,makingmoanoverusaccordingtotheofficesduetothedeparted.
''HappyUlysses,sonofLaertes,'repliedtheghostofAgamemnon,'youareindeedblessedinthepossessionofawifeendowedwithsuchrareexcellenceofunderstanding,andsofaithfultoherweddedlordasPenelopethedaughterofIcarius.
Thefame,therefore,ofhervirtueshallneverdie,andtheimmortalsshallcomposeasongthatshallbewelcometoallmankindin493of550TheOdysseyhonouroftheconstancyofPenelope.
HowfarotherwisewasthewickednessofthedaughterofTyndareuswhokilledherlawfulhusband;hersongshallbehatefulamongmen,forshehasbroughtdisgraceonallwomankindevenonthegoodones.
'ThusdidtheyconverseinthehouseofHadesdeepdownwithinthebowelsoftheearth.
MeanwhileUlyssesandtheotherspassedoutofthetownandsoonreachedthefairandwell-tilledfarmofLaertes,whichhehadreclaimedwithinfinitelabour.
Herewashishouse,withalean-torunningallroundit,wheretheslaveswhoworkedforhimsleptandsatandate,whileinsidethehousetherewasanoldSicelwoman,wholookedafterhiminthishiscountry-farm.
WhenUlyssesgotthere,hesaidtohissonandtotheothertwo:'Gotothehouse,andkillthebestpigthatyoucanfindfordinner.
MeanwhileIwanttoseewhethermyfatherwillknowme,orfailtorecognisemeaftersolonganabsence.
'HethentookoffhisarmourandgaveittoEumaeusandPhiloetius,whowentstraightontothehouse,whileheturnedoffintothevineyardtomaketrialofhisfather.
Ashewentdownintothegreatorchard,hedidnotseeDolius,noranyofhissonsnoroftheotherbondsmen,for494of550TheOdysseytheywereallgatheringthornstomakeafenceforthevineyard,attheplacewheretheoldmanhadtoldthem;hethereforefoundhisfatheralone,hoeingavine.
Hehadonadirtyoldshirt,patchedandveryshabby;hislegswereboundroundwiththongsofoxhidetosavehimfromthebrambles,andhealsoworesleevesofleather;hehadagoatskincaponhishead,andwaslookingverywoe-begone.
WhenUlyssessawhimsoworn,sooldandfullofsorrow,hestoodstillunderatallpeartreeandbegantoweep.
Hedoubtedwhethertoembracehim,kisshim,andtellhimallabouthishavingcomehome,orwhetherheshouldfirstquestionhimandseewhathewouldsay.
Intheendhedeemeditbesttobecraftywithhim,sointhismindhewentuptohisfather,whowasbendingdownanddiggingaboutaplant.
'Isee,sir,'saidUlysses,'thatyouareanexcellentgardener—whatpainsyoutakewithit,tobesure.
Thereisnotasingleplant,notafigtree,vine,olive,pear,norflowerbed,butbearsthetraceofyourattention.
Itrust,however,thatyouwillnotbeoffendedifIsaythatyoutakebettercareofyourgardenthanofyourself.
Youareold,unsavoury,andverymeanlyclad.
Itcannotbebecauseyouareidlethatyourmastertakessuchpoorcareofyou,indeedyourfaceandfigurehavenothingofthe495of550TheOdysseyslaveaboutthem,andproclaimyouofnoblebirth.
Ishouldhavesaidthatyouwereoneofthosewhoshouldwashwell,eatwell,andliesoftatnightasoldmenhavearighttodo;buttellme,andtellmetrue,whosebondmanareyou,andinwhosegardenareyouworkingTellmealsoaboutanothermatter.
IsthisplacethatIhavecometoreallyIthacaImetamanjustnowwhosaidso,buthewasadullfellow,andhadnotthepatiencetohearmystoryoutwhenIwasaskinghimaboutanoldfriendofmine,whetherhewasstillliving,orwasalreadydeadandinthehouseofHades.
BelievemewhenItellyouthatthismancametomyhouseoncewhenIwasinmyowncountryandneveryetdidanystrangercometomewhomIlikedbetter.
HesaidthathisfamilycamefromIthacaandthathisfatherwasLaertes,sonofArceisius.
Ireceivedhimhospitably,makinghimwelcometoalltheabundanceofmyhouse,andwhenhewentawayIgavehimallcustomarypresents.
Igavehimseventalentsoffinegold,andacupofsolidsilverwithflowerschaseduponit.
Igavehimtwelvelightcloaks,andasmanypiecesoftapestry;Ialsogavehimtwelvecloaksofsinglefold,twelverugs,twelvefairmantles,andanequalnumberofshirts.
ToallthisIaddedfourgoodlooking496of550TheOdysseywomenskilledinallusefularts,andIlethimtakehischoice.
'Hisfathershedtearsandanswered,'Sir,youhaveindeedcometothecountrythatyouhavenamed,butitisfallenintothehandsofwickedpeople.
Allthiswealthofpresentshasbeengiventonopurpose.
IfyoucouldhavefoundyourfriendherealiveinIthaca,hewouldhaveentertainedyouhospitablyandwouldhaverequitedyourpresentsamplywhenyoulefthim—aswouldhavebeenonlyrightconsideringwhatyouhadalreadygivenhim.
Buttellme,andtellmetrue,howmanyyearsisitsinceyouentertainedthisguest—myunhappyson,aseverwasAlas!
Hehasperishedfarfromhisowncountry;thefishesoftheseahaveeatenhim,orhehasfallenapreytothebirdsandwildbeastsofsomecontinent.
Neitherhismother,norIhisfather,whowerehisparents,couldthrowourarmsabouthimandwraphiminhisshroud,norcouldhisexcellentandrichlydoweredwifePenelopebewailherhusbandaswasnaturaluponhisdeathbed,andclosehiseyesaccordingtotheofficesduetothedeparted.
Butnow,tellmetrulyforIwanttoknow.
Whoandwhenceareyou—tellmeofyourtownandparentsWhereistheshiplyingthathasbroughtyouandyourmentoIthacaOrwereyouapassengeronsomeother497of550TheOdysseyman'sship,andthosewhobroughtyouherehavegoneontheirwayandleftyou''Iwilltellyoueverything,'answeredUlysses,'quitetruly.
IcomefromAlybas,whereIhaveafinehouse.
IamsonofkingApheidas,whoisthesonofPolypemon.
MyownnameisEperitus;heavendrovemeoffmycourseasIwasleavingSicania,andIhavebeencarriedhereagainstmywill.
Asformyshipitislyingoveryonder,offtheopencountryoutsidethetown,andthisisthefifthyearsinceUlyssesleftmycountry.
Poorfellow,yettheomensweregoodforhimwhenheleftme.
Thebirdsallflewonourrighthands,andbothheandIrejoicedtoseethemasweparted,forwehadeveryhopethatweshouldhaveanotherfriendlymeetingandexchangepresents.
'AdarkcloudofsorrowfelluponLaertesashelistened.
Hefilledbothhandswiththedustfromoffthegroundandpoureditoverhisgreyhead,groaningheavilyashedidso.
TheheartofUlysseswastouched,andhisnostrilsquiveredashelookeduponhisfather;thenhesprangtowardshim,flunghisarmsabouthimandkissedhim,saying,'Iamhe,father,aboutwhomyouareasking—Ihavereturnedafterhavingbeenawayfortwentyyears.
Butceaseyoursighingandlamentation—498of550TheOdysseywehavenotimetolose,forIshouldtellyouthatIhavebeenkillingthesuitorsinmyhouse,topunishthemfortheirinsolenceandcrimes.
''IfyoureallyaremysonUlysses,'repliedLaertes,'andhavecomebackagain,youmustgivemesuchmanifestproofofyouridentityasshallconvinceme.
''Firstobservethisscar,'answeredUlysses,'whichIgotfromaboar'stuskwhenIwashuntingonMt.
Parnassus.
YouandmymotherhadsentmetoAutolycus,mymother'sfather,toreceivethepresentswhichwhenhewasoverherehehadpromisedtogiveme.
FurthermoreIwillpointouttoyouthetreesinthevineyardwhichyougaveme,andIaskedyouallaboutthemasIfollowedyouroundthegarden.
Wewentoverthemall,andyoutoldmetheirnamesandwhattheyallwere.
Yougavemethirteenpeartrees,tenappletrees,andfortyfigtrees;youalsosaidyouwouldgivemefiftyrowsofvines;therewascornplantedbetweeneachrow,andtheyyieldgrapesofeverykindwhentheheatofheavenhasbeenlaidheavyuponthem.
'Laertes'strengthfailedhimwhenheheardtheconvincingproofswhichhissonhadgivenhim.
Hethrewhisarmsabouthim,andUlysseshadtosupporthim,orhewouldhavegoneoffintoaswoon;butassoonashecame499of550TheOdysseyto,andwasbeginningtorecoverhissenses,hesaid,'OfatherJove,thenyougodsarestillinOlympusafterall,ifthesuitorshavereallybeenpunishedfortheirinsolenceandfolly.
Nevertheless,IammuchafraidthatIshallhaveallthetownspeopleofIthacaupheredirectly,andtheywillbesendingmessengerseverywherethroughoutthecitiesoftheCephallenians.
'Ulyssesanswered,'Takeheartanddonottroubleyourselfaboutthat,butletusgointothehousehardbyyourgarden.
IhavealreadytoldTelemachus,Philoetius,andEumaeustogoonthereandgetdinnerreadyassoonaspossible.
'Thusconversingthetwomadetheirwaytowardsthehouse.
WhentheygottheretheyfoundTelemachuswiththestockmanandtheswineherdcuttingupmeatandmixingwinewithwater.
ThentheoldSicelwomantookLaertesinsideandwashedhimandanointedhimwithoil.
Sheputhimonagoodcloak,andMinervacameuptohimandgavehimamoreimposingpresence,makinghimtallerandstouterthanbefore.
Whenhecamebackhissonwassurprisedtoseehimlookingsolikeanimmortal,andsaidtohim,'Mydearfather,someoneofthegodshasbeenmakingyoumuchtallerandbetter-looking.
'500of550TheOdysseyLaertesanswered,'Would,byFatherJove,Minerva,andApollo,thatIwerethemanIwaswhenIruledamongtheCephallenians,andtookNericum,thatstrongfortressontheforeland.
IfIwerestillwhatIthenwasandhadbeeninourhouseyesterdaywithmyarmouron,Ishouldhavebeenabletostandbyyouandhelpyouagainstthesuitors.
Ishouldhavekilledagreatmanyofthem,andyouwouldhaverejoicedtoseeit.
'Thusdidtheyconverse;buttheothers,whentheyhadfinishedtheirworkandthefeastwasready,leftoffworking,andtookeachhisproperplaceonthebenchesandseats.
Thentheybeganeating;byandbyoldDoliusandhissonslefttheirworkandcameup,fortheirmother,theSicelwomanwholookedafterLaertesnowthathewasgrowingold,hadbeentofetchthem.
WhentheysawUlyssesandwerecertainitwashe,theystoodtherelostinastonishment;butUlyssesscoldedthemgoodnaturedlyandsaid,'Sitdowntoyourdinner,oldman,andnevermindaboutyoursurprise;wehavebeenwantingtobeginforsometimeandhavebeenwaitingforyou.
'ThenDoliusputoutbothhishandsandwentuptoUlysses.
'Sir,'saidhe,seizinghismaster'shandandkissingitatthewrist,'wehavelongbeenwishingyouhome:andnowheavenhasrestoredyoutousafterwe501of550TheOdysseyhadgivenuphoping.
Allhail,therefore,andmaythegodsprosperyou.
{187}Buttellme,doesPenelopealreadyknowofyourreturn,orshallwesendsomeonetotellher''Oldman,'answeredUlysses,'sheknowsalready,soyouneednottroubleaboutthat.
'Onthishetookhisseat,andthesonsofDoliusgatheredroundUlyssestogivehimgreetingandembracehimoneaftertheother;thentheytooktheirseatsindueordernearDoliustheirfather.
Whiletheywerethusbusygettingtheirdinnerready,Rumourwentroundthetown,andnoisedabroadtheterriblefatethathadbefallenthesuitors;assoon,therefore,asthepeopleheardofittheygatheredfromeveryquarter,groaningandhootingbeforethehouseofUlysses.
Theytookthedeadaway,buriedeverymanhisown,andputthebodiesofthosewhocamefromelsewhereonboardthefishingvessels,forthefishermentotakeeachofthemtohisownplace.
Theythenmetangrilyintheplaceofassembly,andwhentheyweregottogetherEupeithesrosetospeak.
HewasoverwhelmedwithgriefforthedeathofhissonAntinous,whohadbeenthefirstmankilledbyUlysses,sohesaid,weepingbitterly,'Myfriends,thismanhasdonetheAchaeansgreatwrong.
Hetookmanyofourbestmenawaywith502of550TheOdysseyhiminhisfleet,andhehaslostbothshipsandmen;now,moreover,onhisreturnhehasbeenkillingalltheforemostmenamongtheCephallenians.
LetusbeupanddoingbeforehecangetawaytoPylosortoEliswheretheEpeansrule,orweshallbeashamedofourselvesforeverafterwards.
Itwillbeaneverlastingdisgracetousifwedonotavengethemurderofoursonsandbrothers.
FormyownpartIshouldhavenomorepleasureinlife,buthadratherdieatonce.
Letusbeup,then,andafterthem,beforetheycancrossovertothemainland.
'Heweptashespokeandeveryonepitiedhim.
ButMedonandthebardPhemiushadnowwokeup,andcametothemfromthehouseofUlysses.
Everyonewasastonishedatseeingthem,buttheystoodinthemiddleoftheassembly,andMedonsaid,'Hearme,menofIthaca.
Ulyssesdidnotdothesethingsagainstthewillofheaven.
ImyselfsawanimmortalgodtaketheformofMentorandstandbesidehim.
Thisgodappeared,nowinfrontofhimencouraginghim,andnowgoingfuriouslyaboutthecourtandattackingthesuitorswhereontheyfellthickononeanother.
'Onthispalefearlaidholdofthem,andoldHalitherses,sonofMastor,rosetospeak,forhewasthe503of550TheOdysseyonlymanamongthemwhoknewbothpastandfuture;sohespoketothemplainlyandinallhonesty,saying,'MenofIthaca,itisallyourownfaultthatthingshaveturnedoutastheyhave;youwouldnotlistentome,noryettoMentor,whenwebadeyoucheckthefollyofyoursonswhoweredoingmuchwronginthewantonnessoftheirhearts—wastingthesubstanceanddishonouringthewifeofachieftainwhotheythoughtwouldnotreturn.
Now,however,letitbeasIsay,anddoasItellyou.
DonotgooutagainstUlysses,oryoumayfindthatyouhavebeendrawingdownevilonyourownheads.
'Thiswaswhathesaid,andmorethanhalfraisedaloudshout,andatoncelefttheassembly.
Butthereststayedwheretheywere,forthespeechofHalithersesdispleasedthem,andtheysidedwithEupeithes;theythereforehurriedofffortheirarmour,andwhentheyhadarmedthemselves,theymettogetherinfrontofthecity,andEupeithesledthemonintheirfolly.
Hethoughthewasgoingtoavengethemurderofhisson,whereasintruthhewasnevertoreturn,butwashimselftoperishinhisattempt.
ThenMinervasaidtoJove,'Father,sonofSaturn,kingofkings,answermethisquestion—Whatdoyoupropose504of550TheOdysseytodoWillyousetthemfightingstillfurther,orwillyoumakepeacebetweenthem'AndJoveanswered,'Mychild,whyshouldyouaskmeWasitnotbyyourownarrangementthatUlyssescamehomeandtookhisrevengeuponthesuitorsDowhateveryoulike,butIwilltellyouwhatIthinkwillbemostreasonablearrangement.
NowthatUlyssesisrevenged,letthemsweartoasolemncovenant,invirtueofwhichheshallcontinuetorule,whilewecausetheotherstoforgiveandforgetthemassacreoftheirsonsandbrothers.
Letthemthenallbecomefriendsasheretofore,andletpeaceandplentyreign.
'ThiswaswhatMinervawasalreadyeagertobringabout,sodownshedartedfromoffthetopmostsummitsofOlympus.
NowwhenLaertesandtheothershaddonedinner,Ulyssesbeganbysaying,'Someofyougooutandseeiftheyarenotgettingcloseuptous.
'SooneofDolius'ssonswentashewasbid.
Standingonthethresholdhecouldseethemallquitenear,andsaidtoUlysses,'Heretheyare,letusputonourarmouratonce.
'Theyputontheirarmourasfastastheycould—thatistosayUlysses,histhreemen,andthesixsonsofDolius.
LaertesalsoandDoliusdidthesame—warriorsby505of550TheOdysseynecessityinspiteoftheirgreyhair.
Whentheyhadallputontheirarmour,theyopenedthegateandsalliedforth,Ulyssesleadingtheway.
ThenJove'sdaughterMinervacameuptothem,havingassumedtheformandvoiceofMentor.
Ulysseswasgladwhenhesawher,andsaidtohissonTelemachus,'Telemachus,nowthatyouareabouttofightinanengagement,whichwillshoweveryman'smettle,besurenottodisgraceyourancestors,whowereeminentfortheirstrengthandcouragealltheworldover.
''Yousaytruly,mydearfather,'answeredTelemachus,'andyoushallsee,ifyouwill,thatIaminnomindtodisgraceyourfamily.
'Laerteswasdelightedwhenheheardthis.
'Goodheavens,'heexclaimed,'whatadayIamenjoying:Idoindeedrejoiceatit.
Mysonandgrandsonarevyingwithoneanotherinthematterofvalour.
'OnthisMinervacamecloseuptohimandsaid,'SonofArceisius—-bestfriendIhaveintheworld—praytotheblue-eyeddamsel,andtoJoveherfather;thenpoiseyourspearandhurlit.
'Asshespokesheinfusedfreshvigourintohim,andwhenhehadprayedtoherhepoisedhisspearandhurledit.
HehitEupeithes'helmet,andthespearwentright506of550TheOdysseythroughit,forthehelmetstayeditnot,andhisarmourrangrattlingroundhimashefellheavilytotheground.
MeantimeUlyssesandhissonfelluponthefrontlineofthefoeandsmotethemwiththeirswordsandspears;indeed,theywouldhavekilledeveryoneofthem,andpreventedthemfromevergettinghomeagain,onlyMinervaraisedhervoicealoud,andmadeeveryonepause.
'MenofIthaca,'shecried,'ceasethisdreadfulwar,andsettlethematteratoncewithoutfurtherbloodshed.
'Onthispalefearseizedeveryone;theyweresofrightenedthattheirarmsdroppedfromtheirhandsandfelluponthegroundatthesoundofthegoddess'voice,andtheyfledbacktothecityfortheirlives.
ButUlyssesgaveagreatcry,andgatheringhimselftogetherswoopeddownlikeasoaringeagle.
ThenthesonofSaturnsentathunderboltoffirethatfelljustinfrontofMinerva,soshesaidtoUlysses,'Ulysses,noblesonofLaertes,stopthiswarfulstrife,orJovewillbeangrywithyou.
'ThusspokeMinerva,andUlyssesobeyedhergladly.
ThenMinervaassumedtheformandvoiceofMentor,andpresentlymadeacovenantofpeacebetweenthetwocontendingparties.
507of550TheOdysseyFootnotes{1}BlackracesareevidentlyknowntothewriterasstretchingallacrossAfrica,onehalflookingWestontotheAtlantic,andtheotherEastontotheIndianOcean.
{2}Theoriginaluseofthefootstoolwasprobablylesstorestthefeetthantokeepthem(especiallywhenbare)fromafloorwhichwasoftenwetanddirty.
{3}The[Greek]orseat,isoccasionallycalled'high,'asbeinghigherthanthe[Greek]orlowfootstool.
Itwasprobablynohigherthananordinarychairisnow,andseemstohavehadnoback.
{4}TemesawasontheWestCoastofthetoeofItaly,inwhatisnowthegulfofStaEufemia.
Itwasfamousinremotetimesforitscoppermines,which,however,wereworkedoutwhenStrabowrote.
{5}i.
e.
'withacurrentinit'—seeillustrationsandmapneartheendofbks.
v.
andvi.
respectively.
{6}Reading[Greek]for[Greek],cf.
'Od.
'iii.
81wherethesamemistakeismade,andxiii.
351wherethemountainiscalledNeritum,thesameplacebeingintendedbothhereandinbookxiii.
508of550TheOdyssey{7}ItisneverplausiblyexplainedwhyPenelopecannotdothis,andfrombk.
ii.
itisclearthatshekeptondeliberatelyencouragingthesuitors,thoughweareaskedtobelievethatshewasonlyfoolingthem.
{8}Seenoteon'Od.
'i.
365.
{9}MiddleArgosmeansthePeleponnesewhich,however,isneversocalledinthe'Iliad".
Ipresume'middle'means'middlebetweenthetwoGreek-speakingcountriesofAsiaMinorandSicily,withSouthItaly";forthatpartsofSicilyandalsolargeparts,thoughnotthewholeofSouthItaly,wereinhabitedbyGreek-speakingracescenturiesbeforetheDoriancolonisationscanhardlybedoubted.
TheSicians,andalsotheSicels,bothofthemprobablyspokeGreek.
{10}cf.
'Il.
'vi.
490-495.
Inthe'Iliad'itis'war,'not'speech,'thatisaman'smatter.
Itarguesacertainhardness,oratanyratedislikeofthe'Iliad'onthepartofthewriterofthe'Odyssey,'thatsheshouldhaveadoptedHector'sfarewelltoAndromachehere,aselsewhereinthepoem,forasceneofsuchinferiorpathos.
{11}[Greek]Thewholeopencourtwiththecoveredcloisterrunningrounditwascalled[Greek],or[Greek],butthecoveredpartwasdistinguishedbybeingcalled'shady'or'shadow-giving".
Itwasinthispartthatthe509of550TheOdysseytablesforthesuitorswerelaid.
TheFountainCourtatHamptonCourtmayserveasanillustration(saveasregardstheuseofarchesinsteadofwoodensupportsandrafters)andthearrangementisstillcommoninSicily.
Theusualtranslation'shadowy'or'dusky'halls,givesafalseideaofthescene.
{12}ThereaderwillnotetheextremecarewhichthewritertakestomakeitclearthatnoneofthesuitorswereallowedtosleepinUlysses'house.
{13}SeeAppendix;g,inplanofUlysses'house.
{14}Iimaginethispassagetobearejoinderto'Il.
'xxiii.
702-705inwhichatripodisvaluedattwelveoxen,andagoodusefulmaidofallworkatonlyfour.
ThescrupulousregardofLaertesforhiswife'sfeelingsisofapiecewiththeextremejealousyforthehonourofwoman,whichismanifestthroughoutthe'Odyssey".
{15}[Greek]'The[Greek],ortunica,wasashirtorshift,andservedasthechiefundergarmentoftheGreeksandRomans,whethermenorwomen.
'Smith'sDictionaryofGreekandRomanAntiquities,under'Tunica".
{16}DoorsfastenedtoallintentsandpurposesasheredescribedmaybeseenintheolderhousesatTrapani.
Thereisaslotontheoutersideofthedoorbymeansof510of550TheOdysseywhichapersonwhohaslefttheroomcanshootthebolt.
MybedroomattheAlbergoCentralewasfastenedinthisway.
{17}[Greek]Sowevulgarlysay'hadcookedhisgoose,'or'hadsettledhishash.
'AegyptuscannotofcourseknowofthefateAntiphushadmetwith,fortherehadasyetbeennonewsoforfromUlysses.
{18}'Il.
'xxii.
416.
[Greek]Theauthoresshasbungledbyborrowingthesewordsverbatimfromthe'Iliad',withoutprefixingthenecessary'donot,'whichIhavesupplied.
{19}i.
e.
youhavemoney,andcouldpaywhenIgotjudgment,whereasthesuitorsaremenofstraw.
{20}cf.
'Il.
'ii.
76.
[Greek].
TheOdysseanpassageruns[Greek].
IsitpossiblenottosuspectthatthenameMentorwascoineduponthatofNestor{21}i.
e.
intheoutercourt,andintheuncoveredpartoftheinnerhouse.
{22}ThiswouldbefairfromSicily,whichwasdoingdutyforIthacainthemindofthewriter,butaNorthwindwouldhavebeenpreferableforavoyagefromtherealIthacatoPylos.
511of550TheOdyssey{23}[Greek]Thewinddoesnotwhistleoverwaves.
Itonlywhistlesthroughriggingorsomeotherobstaclethatcutsit.
{24}cf.
'Il.
'v.
20.
[Greek]TheOdysseanlineis[Greek].
TherecanbenodoubtthattheOdysseanlinewassuggestedbytheIliadic,butnothingcanexplainwhyIdaeusjumpingfromhischariotshouldsuggesttothewriterofthe'Odyssey'thesunjumpingfromthesea.
Theprobabilityisthatshenevergavethematterathought,buttookthelineinquestionasaneffectofsaturationwiththe'Iliad,'andofunconsciouscerebration.
The'Odyssey'containsmanysuchexamples.
{25}Theheart,liver,lights,kidneys,etc.
weretakenoutfromtheinsideandeatenfirstasbeingmorereadilycooked;the[Greek],orbonemeat,wascookingwhilethe[Greek]orinwardpartswerebeingeaten.
Iimaginethatthethighbonesmadeakindofgridiron,whileatthesametimethemarrowinsidethemgotcooked.
{26}i.
e.
skewers,eithersingle,double,orevenfivepronged.
Themeatwouldbepiercedwiththeskewer,andlaidovertheashestogrill—thetwoendsoftheskewerbeingsupportedinwhateverwayconvenient.
MeatsocookingmaybeseeninanyeatinghouseinSmyrna,oranyEasterntown.
WhenIrodeacrosstheTroadfromthe512of550TheOdysseyDardanellestoHissarlikandMountIda,InoticedthatmydragomanandhismendidallouroutdoorcookingexactlyintheOdysseanandIliadicfashion.
{27}cf.
'Il.
'xvii.
567.
[Greek]TheOdysseanlinesare—[Greek]{28}Reading[Greek]for[Greek],cf.
'Od.
'i.
186.
{29}ThegeographyoftheAegeanasabovedescribediscorrect,butisprobablytakenfromthelostpoem,theNosti,theexistenceofwhichisreferredto'Od.
'i.
326,327and350,etc.
Aglanceatthemapwillshowthatheavenadviseditssupplicantsquitecorrectly.
{30}Thewriter—everjealousforthehonourofwomen—extenuatesClytemnestra'sguiltasfaraspossible,andexplainsitasduetoherhavingbeenleftunprotected,andfallenintothehandsofawickedman.
{31}TheGreekis[Greek]cf.
'Iliad'ii.
408[Greek]Surelythe[Greek]oftheOdysseanpassagewasduetothe[Greek]ofthe'Iliad.
'NootherreasonsuggestsitselfforthemakingMenelausreturnontheverydayofthefeastgivenbyOrestes.
Thefactthatinthe'Iliad'Menelauscametoabanquetwithoutwaitingforaninvitation,determinesthewriterofthe'Odyssey'tomakehimcometoabanquet,alsouninvited,butascircumstancesdidnotpermitofhishavingbeeninvited,513of550TheOdysseyhiscominguninvitedisshowntohavebeenduetochance.
Idonotthinktheauthoressthoughtallthisout,butattributethestrangenessofthecoincidencetounconsciouscerebrationandsaturation.
{32}cf.
'Il.
'i.
458,ii.
421.
ThewriterhereinterruptsanIliadicpassage(towhichshereturnsimmediately)forthedoublepurposeofdwellingupontheslaughteroftheheifer,andoflettingNestor'swifeanddaughterenjoyitalso.
Amalewriter,ifhewasborrowingfromthe'Iliad,'wouldhavestucktohisborrowing.
{33}cf.
'Il.
'xxiv.
587,588wherethelinesrefertothewashingthedeadbodyofHector.
{34}Seeillustrationonoppositepage.
TheyardistypicalofmanythatmaybeseeninSicily.
Theexistingground-planisprobablyunmodifiedfromOdyssean,andindeedlongpre-Odysseantimes,buttheearlierbuildingswouldhavenoarches,andwould,onewouldsuppose,bemainlytimber.
TheOdyssean[Greek]weretheshedsthatranroundtheyardasthearchesdonow.
The[Greek]wastheonethroughwhichthemainentrancepassed,andwhichwashence'noisy,'orreverberating.
Ithadanupperstoryinwhichvisitorswereoftenlodged.
{35}Thisjourneyisanimpossibleone.
TelemachusandPisistratuswouldhavebeenobligedtodriveoverthe514of550TheOdysseyTaygetusrange,overwhichtherehasneveryetbeenaroadforwheeledvehicles.
Itisplainthereforethattheaudienceforwhomthe'Odyssey'waswrittenwasonethatwouldbeunlikelytoknowanythingaboutthetopographyofthePeloponnese,sothatthewritermighttakewhatlibertiesshechose.
{36}ThelineswhichIhaveenclosedinbracketsareevidentlyanafterthought—addedprobablybythewriterherself—fortheyevincethesameinstinctivelygreaterinterestinanythingthatmayconcernawoman,whichissonoticeablethroughoutthepoem.
ThereisnofurthersignofanyspecialfestivitiesnorofanyothergueststhanTelemachusandPisistratus,untillines621-624(ordinarilyenclosedinbrackets)areabruptlyintroduced,probablywithaviewoftryingtocarryofftheintroductionofthelinesnowinquestion.
Theadditionwas,Iimagine,suggestedbyadesiretoexcuseandexplainthenon-appearanceofHermioneinbk.
xv.
,asalsoofbothHermioneandMegapenthesintherestofbk.
iv.
Megapenthesinbk.
xv.
seemstobestillabachelor:thepresumptionthereforeisthatbk.
xv.
waswrittenbeforethestoryofhismarriageheregiven.
Itakeitheisonlymarriedherebecausehissisterisbeingmarried.
Shehavingbeenproperlyattendedto,515of550TheOdysseyMegapenthesmightaswellbemarriedatthesametime.
Hermionecouldnotnowbelessthanthirty.
Ihavedealtwiththispassagesomewhatmorefullyinmy'AuthoressoftheOdyssey',p.
136-138.
Seealsop.
256ofthesamebook.
{37}SpartaandLacedaemonareheretreatedastwodifferentplaces,thoughinotherpartsofthepoemitisclearthatthewriterunderstandsthemasone.
Thecatalogueinthe'Iliad,'whichthewriterisherepresumablyfollowing,makesthesamemistake("Il.
'ii.
581,582){38}Theselastthreelinesareidenticalwith'Il.
'vxiii.
604-606.
{39}FromtheGreek[Greek]itisplainthatMenelaustookupthepieceofmeatwithhisfingers.
{40}Amberisnevermentionedinthe'Iliad.
'Sicily,whereIsupposethe'Odyssey'tohavebeenwritten,hasalwaysbeen,andstillis,oneoftheprincipalamberproducingcountries.
ItwasprobablytheonlyoneknownintheOdysseanage.
See'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey',p260.
{41}ThisnodoubtreferstothestorytoldinthelastpoemoftheCypriaaboutParisandHelenrobbing516of550TheOdysseyMenelausofthegreaterpartofhistreasures,whentheysailedtogetherforTroy.
{42}ItisinconceivablethatHelenshouldenterthus,inthemiddleofsupper,intendingtoworkwithherdistaff,ifgreatfestivitiesweregoingon.
TelemachusandPisistratusareevidentlydiningenfamille.
{43}IntheItalianinsurrectionof1848,eightyoungmenwhowerebeinghotlypursuedbytheAustrianpolicehidthemselvesinsideDonatello'scolossalwoodenhorseintheSaloneatPadua,andremainedthereforaweekbeingfedbytheirconfederates.
In1898thelastsurvivorwascarriedroundPaduaintriumph.
{44}TheGreekis[Greek].
Isitunfairtoarguethatthewriterisapersonofsomewhatdelicatesensibility,towhomastrongsmelloffishisdistasteful{45}TheGreekis[Greek].
Ibelievethistobeahitatthewriter'sowncountrymenwhowereofPhocaeandescent,andthenextfollowinglinetobearejoindertocomplaintsmadeagainstherinbk.
vi.
273-288,totheeffectthatshegaveherselfairsandwouldmarrynoneofherownpeople.
Forthatthewriterofthe'Odyssey'wasthepersonwhohasbeenintroducedintothepoemunderthenameofNausicaa,Icannotbringmyselftoquestion.
ImayremindEnglishreadersthat[Greek](i.
e.
phoca)517of550TheOdysseymeans'seal.
'SealsalmostalwaysappearonPhocaeancoins.
{46}Surelyhereagainweareinthehandsofawriterofdelicatesensibility.
Itisnotasthoughthesealswerestale;theyhadonlyjustbeenkilled.
Thewriter,howeverisobviouslylaughingatherowncountrymen,andinsultingthemasopenlyasshedares.
{47}Weweretoldabove(lines357,357)thatitwasonlyoneday'ssail.
{48}Igivetheusualtranslation,butIdonotbelievetheGreekwillwarrantit.
TheGreekreads[Greek].
ThisisusuallyheldtomeanthatIthacaisanislandfitforbreedinggoats,andonthataccountmoredelectabletothespeakerthanitwouldhavebeenifitwerefitforbreedinghorses.
Ifindlittleauthorityforsuchatranslation;themostequitabletranslationofthetextasitstandsis,'Ithacaisanislandfitforbreedinggoats,anddelectableratherthanfitforbreedinghorses;fornotoneoftheislandsisgooddrivingground,norwellmeadowed.
'SurelythewriterdoesnotmeanthatapleasantordelectableislandwouldnotbefitforbreedinghorsesThemostequitabletranslation,therefore,ofthepresenttextbeingthushaltandimpotent,wemaysuspectcorruption,andIhazardthefollowingemendation,518of550TheOdysseythoughIhavenotadopteditinmytranslation,asfearingthatitwouldbedeemedtoofanciful.
Iwouldread:—[Greek].
Asfarasscanninggoesthe[Greek]isnotnecessary;[Greek]iv.
72,[Greek]iv.
233,togonofurtherafieldthanearlierlinesofthesamebook,givesufficientauthorityfor[Greek],butthe[Greek]wouldnotberedundant;itwouldemphasisethesurpriseofthecontrast,andIshouldprefertohaveit,thoughitisnotveryimportanteitherway.
Thisreadingofcourseshouldbetranslated'Ithacaisanislandfitforbreedinggoats,and(byyourleave)itselfahorsemanratherthanfitforbreedinghorses—fornotoneoftheislandsisgoodandwellmeadowedground.
'ThiswouldbesuretobaffletheAlexandrianeditors.
'How,'theywouldaskthemselves,'couldanislandbeahorseman'andtheywouldcastaboutforanemendation.
AvisittothetopofMt.
Eryxmightperhapsmakethemeaningintelligible,andsuggestmyproposedrestorationofthetexttothereaderasreadilyasitdidtomyself.
Ihaveelsewherestatedmyconvictionthatthewriterofthe'Odyssey'wasfamiliarwiththeoldSicancityatthetopofMt.
Eryx,andthattheAegadeanislandswhicharesostrikingwhenseenthencediddutywithherforthe519of550TheOdysseyIonianislands—Marettimo,thehighestandmostwesterlyofthegroup,standingforIthaca.
WhenseenfromthetopofMt.
EryxMarettimoshowsasitshoulddoaccordingto'Od.
'ix.
25,26,'onthehorizon,allhighestupintheseatowardstheWest,'whiletheotherislandslie'somewayoffittotheEast.
'AswedescendtoTrapani,MarettimoappearstosinkontothetopoftheislandofLevanzo,behindwhichitdisappears.
Myfriend,thelateSignorE.
Biaggini,pointedtoitonceasitwasjuststandingonthetopofLevanzo,andsaidtome'Comecavalcabene'("Howwellitrides'),andthisimmediatelysuggestedmyemendationtome.
LateronIfoundinthehymntothePythianApollo(whichaboundswithtagstakenfromthe'Odyssey')alineending[Greek]whichstrengthenedmysuspicionthatthiswastheoriginalendingofthesecondofthetwolinesaboveunderconsideration.
{49}Seenoteonline3ofthisbook.
Thereaderwillobservethatthewriterhasbeenunabletokeepthewomenoutofaninterpolationconsistingonlyoffourlines.
{50}Scheriameansapieceoflandjuttingoutintothesea.
Inmy'AuthoressoftheOdyssey'Ithought'Jutland'wouldbeasuitabletranslation,butithasbeenpointedouttomethat'Jutland'onlymeansthelandoftheJutes.
520of550TheOdyssey{51}IrrigationasheredescribediscommoningardensnearTrapani.
Thewaterthatsuppliestheductsisdrawnfromwellsbyamulewhoturnsawheelwithbucketsonit.
{52}Thereisnotawordhereaboutthecattleofthesun-god.
{53}Thewriterevidentlythoughtthatgreen,growingwoodmightalsobewellseasoned.
{54}Thereaderwillnotethattheriverwasflowingwithsaltwateri.
e.
thatitwastidal.
{55}ThentheOgygianislandwasnotsofaroff,butthatNausicaamightbeassumedtoknowwhereitwas.
{56}Greek[Greek]{57}Isuspectafamilyjoke,orslyallusiontosomethingofwhichweknownothing,inthisstoryofEurymedusa'shavingbeenbroughtfromApeira.
TheGreekword'apeiros'means'inexperienced,''ignorant.
'IsitpossiblethatEurymedusawasnotoriouslyincompetent{58}PolyphemuswasalsosontoNeptune,see'Od.
'ix.
412,529.
hewasthereforehalfbrothertoNausithous,halfuncletoKingAlcinous,andhalfgreatuncletoNausicaa.
521of550TheOdyssey{59}ItwouldseemasthoughthewriterthoughtthatMarathonwasclosetoAthens.
{60}Herethewriter,knowingthatsheisdrawing(withembellishments)fromthingsactuallyexisting,becomesimpatientofpasttensesandslidesintothepresent.
{61}Thisishiddenmalice,implyingthatthePhaeacianmagnateswerenobetterthantheyshouldbe.
Thefinaldrink-offeringshouldhavebeenmadetoJoveorNeptune,nottothegodofthievishnessandrascalityofallkinds.
Inline164wedoindeedfindEcheneusproposingthatadrink-offeringshouldbemadetoJove,butMercuryisevidently,accordingtoourauthoress,thegodwhowasmostlikelytobeofusetothem.
{62}ThefactofAlcinousknowinganythingabouttheCyclopessuggeststhatinthewriter'smindScheriaandthecountryoftheCyclopeswerenotveryfarfromoneanother.
ItaketheCyclopesandthegiantstobeoneandthesamepeople.
{63}'Myproperty,etc.
'TheauthoressishereadoptinganIliadicline(xix.
333),andthismustaccountfortheabsenceofallreferencetoPenelope.
Ifshehadhappenedtoremember'Il.
'v.
213,shewoulddoubtless522of550TheOdysseyhaveappropriateditbypreference,forthatlinereads'mycountry,mywife,andallthegreatnessofmyhouse.
'{64}TheatfirstinexplicablesleepofUlysses(bk.
xiii.
79,etc.
)ishere,asalsoinviii.
445,beingobviouslyprepared.
Thewriterevidentlyattachedtheutmostimportancetoit.
Thosewhoknowthattheharbourwhichdiddutywiththewriterofthe'Odyssey'fortheoneinwhichUlysseslandedinIthaca,wasonlyabout2milesfromtheplaceinwhichUlyssesisnowtalkingwithAlcinous,willunderstandwhythesleepwassonecessary.
{65}Thereweretwoclasses—thelowerwhowerefoundinprovisionswhichtheyhadtocookforthemselvesintheyardsandouterprecincts,wheretheywouldalsoeat—andtheupperwhowouldeatinthecloistersoftheinnercourt,andhavetheircookingdoneforthem.
{66}Translationverydubious.
Isupposethe[Greek]heretobethecoveredshedsthatranroundtheoutercourtyard.
Seeillustrationsattheendofbk.
iii.
{67}Thewriterapparentlydeemsthatthewords'ascomparedwithwhatoxencanploughinthesametime'gowithoutsaying.
Notsothewriterofthe'Iliad'fromwhichtheOdysseanpassageisprobablytaken.
He523of550TheOdysseyexplainsthatmulescanploughquickerthanoxen("Il.
'x.
351-353){68}Itwasveryfortunatethatsuchadischappenedtobethere,seeingthatnonelikeitwereincommonuse.
{69}'Il.
'xiii.
37.
Here,assooftenelsewhereinthe'Odyssey,'theappropriationofanIliadiclinewhichisnotquiteappropriatepuzzlesthereader.
The'they'isnotthechains,noryetMarsandVenus.
ItisanoverflowfromtheIliadicpassageinwhichNeptunehobbleshishorsesinbonds'whichnonecouldeitherunlooseorbreaksothattheymightstaythereinthatplace.
'Ifthelinewouldhavescannedwithouttheadditionofthewords'sothattheymightstaythereinthatplace,'theywouldhavebeenomittedinthe'Odyssey.
'{70}ThereaderwillnotethatAlcinousnevergoesbeyondsayingthatheisgoingtogivethegoblet;henevergivesit.
Elsewhereinboth'Iliad'and'Odyssey'theofferofapresentisimmediatelyfollowedbythestatementthatitwasgivenandreceivedgladly—Alcinousactuallydoesgiveachestandacloakandshirt—probablyalsosomeofthecornandwineforthelongtwo-milevoyagewasprovidedbyhim—butitisquiteplainthathegavenotalentandnocup.
524of550TheOdyssey{71}'Il.
'xviii,344-349.
Theselinesinthe'Iliad'tellofthepreparationforwashingthebodyofPatroclus,andIamnotpleasedthatthewriterofthe'Odyssey'shouldhaveadoptedthemhere.
{72}seenote{64}{73}seenote{43}{74}Thereaderwillfindthisthreatfulfilledinbk.
xiii{75}IftheotherislandslaysomedistanceawayfromIthaca(whichtheword[Greek]suggests),whatbecomesofthe[Greek]orgutbetweenIthacaandSamoswhichwehearofinBks.
iv.
andxv.
IsuspectthattheauthoressinhermindmakesTelemachuscomebackfromPylostotheLilybaeanpromontoryandthencetoTrapanithroughthestraitbetweentheIsolaGrandeandthemainland—theislandofAsteriabeingtheoneonwhichMotyaafterwardsstood.
{76}'Il.
'xviii.
533-534.
ThesuddenlapseintothethirdpersonhereforacoupleoflinesisduetothefactthatthetwoIliadiclinestakenareinthethirdperson.
{77}cf.
'Il.
'ii.
776.
Thewordsinboth'Iliad'and'Odyssey'are[Greek].
Inthe'Iliad'theyareusedofthehorsesofAchilles'followersastheystoodidle,'champinglotus.
'525of550TheOdyssey{78}ItakeallthispassageabouttheCyclopeshavingnoshipstobesarcastic—meaning,'YoupeopleofDrepanumhavenoexcusefornotcolonisingtheislandofFavognana,whichyoucouldeasilydo,foryouhaveplentyofships,andtheislandisaverygoodone.
'ForthattheislandsofullydescribedhereistheAegadeanor'goat'islandofFavognana,andthattheCyclopesaretheoldSicaninhabitantsofMt.
Eryxshouldnotbedoubted.
{79}Forthereasonswhyitwasnecessarythatthenightshouldbesoexceptionallydarksee'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey'pp.
188-189.
{80}Nonebutsuchlambsaswouldsuckiftheywerewiththeirmotherswouldbeleftintheyard.
Theolderlambsshouldhavebeenoutfeeding.
Theauthoresshasgotitallwrong,butitdoesnotmatter.
See'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey'p.
148.
{81}Thislineisenclosedinbracketsinthereceivedtext,andisomitted(withnote)byMessrs.
Butcher&Lang.
Butlinesenclosedinbracketsarealmostalwaysgenuine;allthatbracketsmeanisthatthebracketedpassagepuzzledsomeearlyeditor,whoneverthelessfoundittoowellestablishedinthetexttoventureonomittingit.
Inthepresentcasethelinebracketedistheverylastwhichafull-grownmaleeditorwouldbelikely526of550TheOdysseytointerpolate.
Itissafertoinferthatthewriter,ayoungwoman,notknowingorcaringatwhichendoftheshiptheruddershouldbe,determinedtomakesurebyplacingitatbothends,whichweshallfindshepresentlydoesbyrepeatingit(line340)atthesternoftheship.
Asforthetworocksthrown,thefirstItaketobetheAsinelli,seemapfacingp.
80.
ThesecondIseeasthetwocontiguousislandsoftheFormiche,whicharetreatedasone,seemapfacingp.
108.
TheAsinelliisanislandshapedlikeaboat,andpointingtotheislandofFavognana.
Ithinktheauthoress'scompatriots,whoprobablydidnotlikehermuchbetterthatshedidthem,jeeredattheabsurdityofUlysses'conduct,andsawtheAsinellior'donkeys,'notastherockthrownbyPolyphemus,butastheboatitselfcontainingUlyssesandhismen.
{82}Thislineexistsinthetextherebutnotinthecorrespondingpassagexii.
141.
Iaminclinedtothinkitisinterpolated(probablybythepoetessherself)fromthefirstoflinesxi.
115-137,whichIcanhardlydoubtwereaddedbythewriterwhentheschemeoftheworkwasenlargedandaltered.
See'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey'pp.
254-255.
{83}'Floating'([Greek])isnottobetakenliterally.
Theislanditself,asapartfromitsinhabitants,wasquite527of550TheOdysseynormal.
ThereisnoindicationofitsmovingduringthemonththatUlyssesstayedwithAeolus,andonhisreturnfromhisunfortunatevoyage,heseemstohavefounditinthesameplace.
The[Greek]infactshouldnomorebepressedthan[Greek]asappliedtoislands,'Odyssey'xv.
299—wheretheyarecalled'flying'becausetheshipwouldflypastthem.
Soalsothe'Wanderers,'asexplainedbyButtmann;seenoteon'Odyssey'xii.
57.
{84}Literally'forthewaysofthenightandofthedayarenear.
'IhaveseenwhatMr.
AndrewLangsays("HomerandtheEpic,'p.
236,and'Longman'sMagazine'forJanuary,1898,p.
277)aboutthe'amberroute'andthe'SacredWay'inthisconnection;butuntilhegiveshisgroundsforholdingthattheMediterraneanpeoplesintheOdysseanageusedtogofarNorthfortheiramberinsteadofgettingitinSicily,whereitisstillfoundinconsiderablequantities,IdonotknowwhatweightIoughttoattachtohisopinion.
IhavebeenunabletofindgroundsforassertingthatB.
C.
1000therewasanycommercebetweentheMediterraneanandthe'FarNorth,'butIshallbeveryreadytolearnifMr.
Langwillenlightenme.
See'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey'pp.
185-186.
528of550TheOdyssey{85}Onewouldhavethoughtthatwhenthesunwasdrivingthestagdowntothewater,Ulyssesmighthaveobserveditswhereabouts.
{86}SeeHobbesofMalmesbury'stranslation.
{87}'Il.
'vxiii.
349.
AgainthewriterdrawsfromthewashingthebodyofPatroclus—whichoffends.
{88}Thisvisitiswhollywithouttopographicalsignificance.
{89}Bridespresentedthemselvesinstinctivelytotheimaginationofthewriter,asthephaseofhumanitywhichshefoundmostinteresting.
{90}Ulysseswas,infact,tobecomeamissionaryandpreachNeptunetopeoplewhoknewnothisname.
IwasfortunateenoughtomeetinSicilyawomancarryingoneofthesewinnowingshovels;itwasnotmuchshorterthananoar,andIwasableatoncetoseewhatthewriterofthe'Odyssey'intended.
{91}IsupposethelinesIhaveenclosedinbracketstohavebeenaddedbytheauthorwhensheenlargedheroriginalschemebytheadditionofbooksi.
-iv.
andxiii.
(fromline187)-xxiv.
Thereaderwillobservethatinthecorrespondingpassage(xii.
137-141)theprophecyendswith'afterlosingallyourcomrades,'andthatthereisno529of550TheOdysseyallusiontothesuitors.
Forfullerexplanationsee'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey'pp.
254-255.
{92}ThereaderwillrememberthatweareinthefirstyearofUlysses'wanderings,Telemachusthereforewasonlyelevenyearsold.
Thesameanachronismismadelateroninthisbook.
See'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey'pp.
132-133.
{93}Traditionsaysthatshehadhangedherself.
Cf.
'Odyssey'xv.
355,etc.
{94}NottobeconfoundedwithAeoluskingofthewinds.
{95}Melampus,videbookxv.
223,etc.
{96}Ihavealreadysaidinanoteonbk.
xi.
186thatatthispointofUlysses'voyageTelemachuscouldonlybebetweenelevenandtwelveyearsold.
{97}Isthewriteramanorawoman{98}Cf.
'Il.
'iv.
521,[Greek].
TheOdysseanlinereads,[Greek].
Thefamousdactylism,therefore,oftheOdysseanlinewasprobablysuggestedbythatoftheIleadicratherthanbyadesiretoaccommodatesoundtosense.
Atanyratethedoublecoincidenceofadactylicline,andanending[Greek],seemsconclusiveastothefamiliarityofthewriterofthe'Odyssey'withtheIliadicline.
530of550TheOdyssey{99}OffthecoastofSicilyandSouthItaly,inthemonthofMay,Ihaveseenmenfastenedhalfwayupaboat'smastwiththeirfeetrestingonacrosspiece,justlargeenoughtosupportthem.
Fromthispointofvantagetheyspearsword-fish.
WhenIsawmenthusemployedIcouldhardlydoubtthatthewriterofthe'Odyssey'hadseenotherslikethem,andhadtheminhermindwhendescribingthebindingofUlysses.
Ihavethereforewithsomediffidenceventuredtodepartfromthereceivedtranslationof[Greek](cf.
Alcaeusfrag.
18,where,however,itisveryhardtosaywhat[Greek]means).
InSophocles'LexiconIfindareferencetoChrysostom(l,242,A.
Ed.
BenedictineParis1834-1839)fortheword[Greek],whichisprobablythesameas[Greek],butIhavelookedforthepassageinvain.
{100}ThewriterisatfaulthereandtriestoputitoffonCirce.
WhenUlyssescomestotaketherouteprescribedbyCirce,heoughttopasseithertheWanderersorsomeotherdifficultyofwhichwearenottold,buthedoesnotdoso.
ThePlanctae,orWanderers,mergeintoScyllaandCharybdis,andthealternativebetweenthemandsomethinguntoldmergesintothealternativewhetherUlysseshadbetterchooseScyllaorCharybdis.
Yetfromline260,itseemswearetoconsidertheWanderersas531of550TheOdysseyhavingbeenpassedbyUlysses;thisappearsevenmoreplainlyfromxxiii.
327,inwhichUlyssesexpresslymentionstheWanderingrocksashavingbeenbetweentheSirensandScyllaandCharybdis.
Thewriter,however,isevidentlyunawarethatshedoesnotquiteunderstandherownstory;herdifficultywasperhapsduetothefactthatthoughTrapanesesailorshadgivenherafairideaastowhereallherotherlocalitiesreallywere,nooneinthosedaysmorethaninourowncouldlocalisethePlanctae,whichinfact,asButtmannhasargued,werederivednotfromanyparticularspot,butfromsailors'talesaboutthedifficultiesofnavigatingthegroupoftheAeolianislandsasawhole(seenoteon'Od.
'x.
3).
Stillthematterofthepoordovescaughtherfancy,soshewouldnotforgothem.
ThewhirlwindsoffireandthesmokethathangsonScyllasuggestsallusiontoStromboliandperhapsevenEtna.
ScyllaisontheItalianside,andthereforemaybesaidtolookWest.
Itisabout8milesthencetotheSiciliancoast,soUlyssesmaybeperfectlywelltoldthatafterpassingScyllahewillcometotheThrinacianislandorSicily.
Charybdisistransposedtoasitesomefewmilestothenorthofitsactualposition.
{101}Isupposethislinetohavebeenintercalatedbytheauthorwhenlines426-446wereadded.
532of550TheOdyssey{102}ForthereasonswhichenableustoidentifytheislandofthetwoSirenswiththeLipariislandnowSalinas—theancientDidyme,or'twin'island—seeTheAuthoressoftheOdyssey,pp.
195,196.
ThetwoSirensdoubtlesswere,astheirnamesuggests,thewhistlinggusts,oravalanchesofairthatattimesdescendwithoutamoment'swarningfromthetwoloftymountainsofSalinas—asalsofromallhighpointsintheneighbourhood.
{103}SeeAdmiralSmythonthecurrentsintheStraitsofMessina,quotedin'TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey,'p.
197.
{104}IntheislandsofFavognanaandMarettimooffTrapaniIhaveseenmenfishexactlyasheredescribed.
Theychewbreadintoapasteandthrowitintotheseatoattractthefish,whichtheythenspear.
Nolineisused.
{105}ThewriterevidentlyregardsUlyssesasonacoastthatlookedEastatnogreatdistancesouthoftheStraitsofMessinasomewhere,say,nearTauromenium,nowTaormina.
{106}SurelytheremustbealinemissingheretotellusthatthekeelandmastwerecarrieddownintoCharybdis.
Besides,theaorist[Greek]initspresentsurroundingisperplexing.
Ihavetranslateditasthoughit533of550TheOdysseywereanimperfect;IseeMessrs.
ButcherandLangtranslateitasapluperfect,butsurelyCharybdiswasintheactofsuckingdownthewaterwhenUlyssesarrived.
{107}Isupposethepassagewithinbracketstohavebeenanafterthoughtbuttohavebeenwrittenbythesamehandastherestofthepoem.
Isupposexii.
103tohavebeenalsoaddedbythewriterwhenshedecidedonsendingUlyssesbacktoCharybdis.
Thesimilesuggeststhehandofthewifeordaughterofamagistratewhohadoftenseenherfathercomeincrossandtired.
{108}Gr.
[Greek].
Thisputscoinedmoneyoutofthequestion,butneverthelessimpliesthatthegoldhadbeenworkedintoornamentsofsomekind.
{109}IsupposeTeiresias'prophecyofbk.
xi.
114-120hadmadenoimpressiononUlysses.
Moreprobablytheprophecywasanafterthought,intercalated,asIhavealreadysaid,bytheauthoresswhenshechangedherscheme.
{110}AmalewriterwouldhavemadeUlyssessay,not'mayyougivesatisfactiontoyourwives,'but'mayyourwivesgivesatisfactiontoyou.
'{111}Seenote{64}.
{112}Thelandwasinrealitytheshallowinlet,nowthesaltworksofS.
Cusumano—theneighbourhoodof534of550TheOdysseyTrapaniandMt.
Eryxbeingmadetododoubleduty,bothasScheriaandIthaca.
HencethenecessityformakingUlyssessetoutafterdark,fallinstantlyintoaprofoundsleep,andwakeuponamorningsofoggythathecouldnotseeanythingtilltheinterviewsbetweenNeptuneandJoveandbetweenUlyssesandMinervashouldhavegiventheaudiencetimetoacceptthesituation.
Seeillustrationsandmapneartheendofbks.
v.
andvi.
respectively.
{113}Thiscave,whichisidentifiablewithsingularcompleteness,isnowcalledthe'grottadeltoro,'probablyacorruptionof'tesoro,'foritisheldtocontainatreasure.
SeeTheAuthoressoftheOdyssey,pp.
167-170.
{114}Probablytheywould.
{115}Thenithadashallowshelvingbottom.
{116}DoubtlesstheroadwouldpasstheharbourinOdysseantimesasitpassesthesaltworksnow;indeed,ifthereistobearoadatallthereisnootherlevelgroundwhichitcouldtake.
Seemapabovereferredto.
{117}TherockattheendoftheNorthernharbourofTrapani,towhichIsupposethewriterofthe'Odyssey'tobeherereferring,stillbearsthenameMalconsiglio—'therockofevilcounsel.
'ThereisalegendthatitwasashipofTurkishpirateswhowereintendingtoattackTrapani,butthe'MadonnadiTrapani'crushedthemunderthis535of550TheOdysseyrockjustastheywerecomingintoport.
MyfriendCavaliereGiannitrapaniofTrapanitoldmethathisfatherusedtotellhimwhenhewasaboythatifhewoulddropexactlythreedropsofoilontothewaterneartherock,hewouldseetheshipstillatthebottom.
ThelegendisevidentlyaChristianisedversionoftheOdysseanstory,whilethenamesuppliestheadditionaldetailthatthedisasterhappenedinconsequenceofanevilcounsel.
{118}ItwouldseemthenthattheshiphadgotallthewaybackfromIthacainaboutaquarterofanhour.
{119}Andmaywenotadd'andalsotopreventhisrecognisingthathewasonlyintheplacewherehehadmetNausicaatwodaysearlier.
'{120}AllthisistoexcusetheentireabsenceofMinervafrombooksix.
-xii.
,whichIsupposehadbeenwrittenalready,beforetheauthoresshaddeterminedonmakingMinervasoprominentacharacter.
{121}Wehavemetwiththissomewhatlameattempttocoverthewriter'schangeofschemeattheendofbk.
vi.
{122}ItakethefollowingfromTheAuthoressoftheOdyssey,p.
167.
'Itisclearfromthetextthatthereweretwo[caves]notone,butsomeonehasenclosedinbracketsthetwolinesinwhichthesecondcaveis536of550TheOdysseymentioned,Ipresumebecausehefoundhimselfpuzzledbyhavingasecondcavesprunguponhimwhenuptothispointhehadonlybeentoldofone.
'Iventuretothinkthatifhehadknownthegroundhewouldnothavebeenpuzzled,fortherearetwocaves,distantabout80or100yardsfromoneanother.
'ThecaveinwhichUlysseshidhistreasureis,asIhavealreadysaid,identifiablewithsingularcompleteness.
Theothercavepresentsnospecialfeatures,neitherinthepoemnorinnature.
{123}ThereisnoattempttodisguisethefactthatPenelopehadlonggivenencouragementtothesuitors.
Theonlydefencesetupisthatshedidnotreallymeantoencouragethem.
Woulditnothavebeenwisertohavetriedalittlediscouragement{124}Seemapneartheendofbk.
vi.
Ruccazzudeicorviofcoursemeans'therockoftheravens.
'Bothnameandravensstillexist.
{125}SeeTheAuthoressoftheOdyssey,pp.
140,141.
TherealreasonforsendingTelemachustoPylosandLacedaemonwasthattheauthoressmightgetHelenofTroyintoherpoem.
Hewassentattheonlypointinthestoryatwhichhecouldbesent,sohemusthavegonethenornotatall.
537of550TheOdyssey{126}ThesiteIassigntoEumaeus'shut,closetotheRuccazzudeiCorvi,isabout2,000feetabovethesea,andcommandsanextensiveview.
{127}SandalssuchasEumaeuswasmakingarestillwornintheAbruzziandelsewhere.
Anoblongpieceofleatherformsthesole:holesarecutatthefourcorners,andthroughtheseholesleathernstrapsarepassed,whichareboundroundthefootandcross-garteredupthecalf.
{128}Seenote{75}{129}Telemachuslikemanyanothergoodyoungmanseemstoexpecteveryonetofetchandcarryforhim.
{130}'Il.
'vi.
288.
Thestoreroomwasfragrantbecauseitwasmadeofcedarwood.
See'Il.
'xxiv.
192.
{131}cf.
'Il.
'vi.
289and293-296.
Thedresswaskeptatthebottomofthechestasonethatwouldonlybewantedonthegreatestoccasions;butsurelythemarriageofHermioneandofMegapenthes(bk,iv.
adinit.
)mighthaveinducedHelentowearitontheprecedingevening,inwhichcaseitcouldhardlyhavegotback.
WefindnohinthereofMegapenthes'recentmarriage.
{132}Seenote{83}.
{133}cf.
'Od.
'xi.
196,etc.
{134}ThenamesSyraandOrtygia,onwhichislandagreatpartoftheDoricSyracusewasoriginallybuilt,538of550TheOdysseysuggestthateveninOdysseantimestherewasaprehistoricSyracuse,theexistenceofwhichwasknowntothewriterofthepoem.
{135}Literally'wherearetheturningsofthesun.
'Assuming,aswemaysafelydo,thattheSyraandOrtygiaofthe'Odyssey'refertoSyracuse,itisthefactthatnotfartotheSouthoftheseplacesthelandturnssharplyround,sothatmarinersfollowingthecoastwouldfindthesunupontheothersideoftheirshiptothatonwhichthey'dhadithitherto.
Mr.
A.
S.
GriffithhaskindlycalledmyattentiontoHerodiv.
42,where,speakingofthecircumnavigationofAfricabyPhoenicianmarinersunderNecos,hewrites:'Ontheirreturntheydeclared—Iformypartdonotbelievethem,butperhapsothersmay—thatinsailingroundLibya[i.
e.
Africa]theyhadthesunupontheirrighthand.
InthiswaywastheextentofLibyafirstdiscovered.
ItakeitthatEumaeuswasmadetohavecomefromSyracusebecausethewriterthoughtsheratheroughttohavemadesomethinghappenatSyracuseduringheraccountofthevoyagesofUlysses.
Shecouldnot,however,breakhislongdriftfromCharybdistotheislandofPantellaria;shethereforeresolvedtomakeituptoSyracuseinanotherway.
539of550TheOdyssey{135}Modernexcavationsestablishtheexistenceoftwoandonlytwopre-DoriancommunitiesatSyracuse;theywere,soDr.
Orsiinformedme,atPlemmirioandCozzoPantano.
SeeTheAuthoressoftheOdyssey,pp.
211-213.
{136}ThisharbourisagainevidentlytheharbourinwhichUlysseshadlanded,i.
e.
theharbourthatisnowthesaltworksofS.
Cusumano.
{137}Thisnevercanhavebeenanythingbutveryniggardlypayforsomeeightorninedays'service.
IsupposethecrewweretoconsiderthepleasureofhavinghadatriptoPylosasasetoff.
Thereisnotraceofthedinnerashavingbeenactuallygiven,eitheronthefollowingoranyothermorning.
{138}Nohawkcantearitspreywhileitisonthewing.
{139}Thetextishereapparentlycorrupt,andwillnotmakesenseasitstands.
IfollowMessrs.
ButcherandLanginomittingline101.
{140}i.
e.
tobemilked,asinSouthItalianandSiciliantownsatthepresentday.
{141}Thebutcheringandmakingreadythecarcasestookplacepartlyintheouteryardandpartlyintheopenpartoftheinnercourt.
540of550TheOdyssey{142}Thesewordscannotmeanthatitwouldbeafternoonsoonaftertheywerespoken.
UlyssesandEumaeusreachedthetownwhichwas'somewayoff'(xvii.
25)intimeforthesuitor'searlymeal(xvii.
170and176)sayattenoreleveno'clock.
Thecontextoftherestofthebookshowsthis.
EumaeusandUlysses,therefore,cannothavestartedlaterthaneightornine,andEumaeus'swordsmustbetakenasanexaggerationforthepurposeofmakingUlyssesbestirhimself.
{143}IimaginethefountaintohavebeensomewhereaboutwherethechurchoftheMadonnadiTrapaninowstands,andtohavebeenfedwithwaterfromwhatisnowcalledtheFontanaDiffalionMt.
Eryx.
{144}Fromthisandotherpassagesinthe'Odyssey'itappearsthatweareinanageanteriortotheuseofcoinedmoney—anagewhencauldrons,tripods,swords,cattle,chattelsofallkinds,measuresofcorn,wine,oroil,etc.
etc.
,nottosaypiecesofgold,silver,bronze,oreveniron,wroughtmoreorless,butunstamped,werethenearestapproachtoacurrencythathadasyetbeenreached.
{145}Gr.
is[Greek]{146}IcorrecttheseproofsabroadandamnotwithinreachofHesiod,butsurelythispassagesuggests541of550TheOdysseyacquaintancewiththeWorksandWays,thoughitbynomeanscompelsit.
{147}ItwouldseemasthoughEurynomeandEurycleawerethesameperson.
Seenote{156}{148}Itisplain,therefore,thatIriswascommonlyacceptedasthemessengerofthegods,thoughourauthoresswillneverpermithertofetchorcarryforanyone.
{149}i.
e.
thedoorwayleadingfromtheinnertotheoutercourt.
{150}Surelyinthisscene,again,EurynomeisinrealityEuryclea.
Seenote{156}{151}These,Iimagine,musthavebeenintheopenpartoftheinnercourtyard,wherethemaidsalsostood,andthrewthelightoftheirtorchesintothecoveredcloisterthatranallroundit.
Thesmokewouldotherwisehavebeenintolerable.
{152}Translationveryuncertain;videLiddellandScott,under[Greek]{153}Seephotoonoppositepage.
{154}cf.
'Il.
'ii.
184,and217,218.
Anadditionalandwell-markedfeaturebeingwantedtoconvincePenelope,thewriterhastakenthehunchedshouldersofThersites542of550TheOdyssey(whoismentionedimmediatelyafterEurybatesinthe'Iliad')andputthemontoEurybates'back.
{155}ThisishowgeesearenowfedinSicily,atanyrateinsummer,whenthegrassisallburntup.
Ihaveneverseenthemgrazing.
{156}Lowerdown(line143)EurycleasaysitwasherselfthathadthrownthecloakoverUlysses—forthepluralshouldnotbetakenasimplyingmorethanoneperson.
ThewriterisevidentlystillfluctuatingbetweenEurycleaandEurynomeasthenamefortheoldnurse.
SheprobablyoriginallymeanttocallherEuryclea,butfindingitnotimmediatelyeasytomakeEurycleascaninxvii.
495,shehastilycalledherEurynome,intendingeithertoalterthisnamelaterortochangetheearlierEuryclea'sintoEurynome.
ShethendriftedintoEurynomeasconveniencefurtherdirected,stillneverthelesshankeringafterEuryclea,tillatlastshefoundthatthepathofleastresistancewouldlieinthedirectionofmakingEurynomeandEurycleatwopersons.
Thereforeinxxiii.
289-292bothEurynomeand'thenurse'(whocanbenoneotherthanEuryclea)comeontogether.
Idonotsaythatthisisfeminine,butitisnotunfeminine.
{157}Seenote{156}543of550TheOdyssey{158}This,Itakeit,wasimmediatelyinfrontofthemainentranceoftheinnercourtyardintothebodyofthehouse.
{159}ThisistheonlyallusiontoSardiniaineither'Iliad'or'Odyssey.
'{160}ThenormaltranslationoftheGreekwordwouldbe'holdingback,''curbing,''restraining,'butIcannotthinkthatthewritermeantthis—shemusthavebeenusingthewordinitsothersenseof'having,''holding,''keeping,''maintaining.
'{161}Ihavevainlytriedtorealisetheconstructionofthefasteningheredescribed.
{162}SeeplanofUlysses'houseintheappendix.
Itisevidentthattheopenpartofthecourthadnoflooringbutthenaturalsoil.
{163}SeeplanofUlysses'house,andnote{175}.
{164}i.
e.
thedoorthatledintothebodyofthehouse.
{165}Thiswas,nodoubt,thelittletablethatwassetforUlysses,'Od.
'xx.
259.
Surelythedifficultyofthispassagehasbeenoverrated.
Isupposetheironpartoftheaxetohavebeenwedgedintothehandle,orboundsecurelytoit—thehandlebeinghalfburiedintheground.
Theaxewouldbeplacededgewaystowardsthearcher,andhewouldhavetoshoot544of550TheOdysseyhisarrowthroughtheholeintowhichthehandlewasfittedwhentheaxewasinuse.
Twelveaxeswereplacedinarowallatthesameheight,allexactlyinfrontofoneanother,alledgewaystoUlysseswhosearrowpassedthroughalltheholesfromthefirstonward.
IcannotseehowtheGreekcanbearanyotherinterpretation,thewordsbeing,[Greek]'Hedidnotmissasingleholefromthefirstonwards.
'[Greek]accordingtoLiddellandScottbeing'theholeforthehandleofanaxe,etc.
,'while[Greek]("Od.
'v.
236)is,accordingtothesameauthorities,thehandleitself.
Thefeatisabsurdlyimpossible,butourauthoresssometimeshasasoulaboveimpossibilities.
{166}Thereaderwillnotehowthespoilingofgoodfooddistressesthewritereveninsuchasuprememomentasthis.
{167}Herewehaveitagain.
Wasteofsubstancecomesfirst.
{168}cf.
'Il.
'iii.
337andthreeotherplaces.
Itisstrangethattheauthorofthe'Iliad'shouldfindalittlehorse-hairsoalarming.
Possiblyenoughshewasmerelyborrowingacommonformlinefromsomeearlierpoet—orpoetess—forthisisawoman'slineratherthanaman's.
545of550TheOdyssey{169}Orperhapssimply'window.
'Seeplanintheappendix.
{170}i.
e.
thepavementonwhichUlysseswasstanding.
{171}Theinterpretationoflines126-143ismostdubious,andatbestweareinaregionofmelodrama:cf.
,however,i.
425,etc.
fromwhichitappearsthattherewasatowerintheoutercourt,andthatTelemachususedtosleepinit.
The[Greek]Itaketobeadoor,ortrapdoor,leadingontotheroofaboveTelemachus'sbedroom,whichwearetoldwasinaplacethatcouldbeseenfromallround—oritmightbesimplyawindowinTelemachus'sroomlookingoutintothestreet.
Fromthetopofthetowertheouterworldwastobetoldwhatwasgoingon,butpeoplecouldnotgetinbythe[Greek]:theywouldhavetocomeinbythemainentrance,andMelanthiusexplainsthatthemouthofthenarrowpassage(whichwasinthelandsofUlyssesandhisfriends)commandedtheonlyentrancebywhichhelpcouldcome,sothattherewouldbenothinggainedbyraisinganalarm.
Asforthe[Greek]ofline143,nocommentatorancientormodernhasbeenabletosaywhatwasintended—butwhatevertheywere,Melanthiuscouldnevercarrytwelveshields,twelvehelmets,andtwelvespears.
Moreover,546of550TheOdysseywherehecouldgotheotherscouldgoalso.
IfadozensuitorshadfollowedMelanthiusintothehousetheycouldhaveattackedUlyssesintherear,inwhichcase,unlessMinervahadintervenedpromptly,the'Odyssey'wouldhavehadadifferentending.
Butthroughoutthesceneweareinaregionofextravaganceratherthanoftruefiction—itcannotbetakenseriouslybyanybuttheveryserious,untilwecometotheepisodeofPhemiusandMedon,wherethewriterbeginstobeathomeagain.
{172}Ipresumeitwasintendedthatthereshouldbeahookdrivenintothebearing-post.
{173}Whatfor{174}Gr:[Greek].
Thisisnot[Greek].
{175}Fromlines333and341ofthisbook,andlines145and146ofbk.
xxiwecanlocatetheapproachtothe[Greek]withsomecertainty.
{176}Butinxix.
500-502UlyssesscoldedEurycleaforofferinginformationonthisverypoint,anddeclaredhimselfquiteabletosettleitforhimself.
{177}TherewereahundredandeightSuitors.
{178}LordGrimthorpe,whoseunderstandingdoesnotlenditselftoeasyimposition,hasbeengoodenoughtowritetomeaboutmyconvictionthatthe'Odyssey'waswrittenbyawoman,andtosendmeremarksuponthe547of550TheOdysseygrossabsurdityoftheincidenthererecorded.
Itisplainthatalltheauthoresscaredaboutwasthatthewomenshouldbehanged:asforattemptingtorealise,ortomakeherreadersrealise,howthehangingwasdone,thiswasofnoconsequence.
Thereadermusttakeherwordforitandasknoquestions.
LordGrimthorpewrote:'IhadbettersendyoumyideasaboutNausicaa'shangingofthemaids(not'maidens,'ofwhomFrondewrotesowellinhis'ScienceofHistory')beforeIforgetitall.
LuckilyformeLiddell&Scotthavespeciallytranslatedmostofthedoubtfulwords,referringtothisveryplace.
'Aship'scable.
Idon'tknowhowbigashipshemeant,butitmusthavebeenaverysmalloneindeedifits'cable'couldbeusedtotietightlyroundawoman'sneck,andstillmoreroundadozenofthem'inarow,'besidesbeingstrongenoughtoholdthemandpullthemallup.
'Adozenaveragewomenwouldneedtheweightandstrengthofmorethanadozenstrongheavymenevenoverthebestpulleyhungtotheroofoverthem;andtheideaofpullingthemupbyaropehunganyhowroundapillar[Greek]isabsurdlyimpossible;andhowadozenofthemcouldbehungdanglingroundonepostisaproblemwhichaseniorwranglerwouldbepuzzledtoanswer.
.
.
548of550TheOdysseyShehadbetterhaveletTelemachususehisswordashehadintendedtillshechangedhismindforhim.
'{179}ThentheyhadallbeeninUlysses'serviceovertwentyyears;perhapsthetwelveguiltyoneshadbeenengagedmorerecently.
{180}Translationverydoubtful—cf.
'It.
'xxiv.
598.
{181}Butwhycouldshenotatonceasktoseethescar,ofwhichEurycleahadtoldher,orwhycouldnotUlysseshaveshownittoher{182}ThepeopleofIthacaseemtohavebeenasfondofcarpingasthePhaeacianswereinvi.
273,etc.
{183}Seenote{156}.
Ulysses'sbedroomdoesnotappeartohavebeenupstairs,noryetquitewithinthehouse.
Isitpossiblethatitwas'thedomedroom'roundtheoutsideofwhichtheerringmaidswere,foraughtwehaveheardtothecontrary,stillhanging{184}Ulyssesbedroominthemindofthewriterisheretooapparentlydownstairs.
{185}Penelopehavingbeennowsufficientlywhitewashed,disappearsfromthepoem.
{186}Sopractisedawasherwomanasourauthoressdoubtlessknewthatbythistimethewebmusthavebecomesuchawreckthatitwouldhavegonetopiecesinthewash.
549of550TheOdysseyAladypointsouttome,justasthesesheetsareleavingmyhands,thatnoreallygoodneedlewoman—noone,indeed,whoseworkorcharacterwasworthconsideration—couldhaveendured,nomatterforwhatreason,theunpickingofherday'swork,dayafterdayforbetweenthreeandfouryears.
{187}WemustsupposeDoliusnotyettoknowthathissonMelanthiushadbeentortured,mutilated,andlefttodiebyUlysses'ordersontheprecedingday,andthathisdaughterMelanthohadbeenhanged.
Doliuswasprobablyexceptionallysimple-minded,andhisnamewasironical.
SoonMt.
EryxIwasshownamanwhowasalwayscalledSonzaMaliziaor'Guileless'—hebeingheldexceptionallycunning.
550of550