2017525 HOMER,ODYSSEYBOOK1TheoiClassicalTextsLibrary

HOMER,ODYSSEY1
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=as2&path=ASIN/0674995619&tag=theoiprojecgu
20&camp=1789&creative=9325)
HOMERwasasemilegendaryGreekpoetfromIoniawhotheGreeksascribedwiththecompositionoftheirgreatestepicsThe
IliadandTheOdyssey.TheexactdateoftheseworksisdisputedbymodernscholarsbuttheyareusuallyplacedintheC8thor
C7thB.C.

Homer.TheOdyssey.TranslatedbyMurray,AT.LoebClassicalLibraryVolumes.Cambridge,MA,HarvardUniversityPress
London,WilliamHeinemannLtd.1919.

ArecentlyrevisedversionofthistranslationisavailablenewfromAmazon.com(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?
link_code=as2&path=ASIN/0674995619&tag=theoiprojecgu20&camp=1789&creative=9325)(clickonimagerightfordetails).In
additiontothetranslationthebookcontainsthesourceGreektexts,MurrayandDimock'sintroductionandfootnotes,andan
indexofpropernames.

SomemorerecenttranslationsoftheOdysseyandcommentariesontheworkappearinthebooklist(leftbelow).

NOTE:IhavequotedfromtheShewring(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=as2&path=ASIN/0192833758&tag=theoiprojecgu
20&camp=1789&creative=9325)translationonthebiographypagesofTheoi.comratherthanthisolderLoebedition.

THEODYSSEYBOOK1,TRANSLATEDBYA.T.MURRAY
THEODYSSEYCONTENTS
[1]Tellme,OMuse,ofthemanofmanydevices,whowanderedfullmanywaysafterhehadsackedthe
BOOK1(HomerOdyssey1.html)
sacredcitadelofTroy.Manywerethemenwhosecitieshesawandwhosemindhelearned,aye,and
manythewoeshesufferedinhisheartuponthesea,seekingtowinhisownlifeandthereturnofhis Athena&Telemachus
comrades.Yetevensohesavednothiscomrades,thoughhedesireditsore,forthroughtheirownblind Penelope&theSuitors
follytheyperishedfools,whodevouredthekineofHeliosHyperionbuthetookfromthemthedayof
BOOK2(HomerOdyssey2.html)
theirreturning.Ofthesethings,goddess,daughterofZeus,beginningwherethouwilt,tellthoueven
untous. DepartureofTelemachus

[11]Nowalltherest,asmanyashadescapedsheerdestruction,wereathome,safefrombothwarand BOOK3(HomerOdyssey3.html)
sea,butOdysseusalone,filledwithlongingforhisreturnandforhiswife,didthequeenlynymph
Nestor'sTale:TheReturns
Calypso,thatbrightgoddess,keepbackinherhollowcaves,yearningthatheshouldbeherhusband.
Butwhen,astheseasonsrevolved,theyearcameinwhichthegodshadordainedthatheshouldreturn BOOK4(HomerOdyssey4.html)
hometoIthaca,noteventherewashefreefromtoils,evenamonghisownfolk.Andallthegodspitied
Menelaus'Tale:TheReturns
himsavePoseidonbuthecontinuedtorageunceasinglyagainstgodlikeOdysseusuntilatlengthhe
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reachedhisownland.HowbeitPoseidonhadgoneamongthefaroffEthiopianstheEthiopianswho BOOK5(HomerOdyssey5.html)
dwellsunderedintwain,thefarthermostofmen,somewhereHyperionsetsandsomewhereherises,
Odysseus&Calypso
theretoreceiveahecatombofbullsandrams,andtherehewastakinghisjoy,sittingatthefeastbut
RaftofOdysseus
theothergodsweregatheredtogetherinthehallsofOlympianZeus.
BOOK6(HomerOdyssey6.html)
[28]Amongthemthefatherofgodsandmenwasfirsttospeak,forinhishearthethoughtofnoble
Aegisthus,whomfarfamedOrestes,Agamemnon'sson,hadslain.Thinkingonhimhespokeamong Odysseus&Naucicaa
theimmortals,andsaid:Lookyounow,howreadymortalsaretoblamethegods.Itisfromus,they
BOOK7(HomerOdyssey7.html)
say,thatevilscome,buttheyevenofthemselves,throughtheirownblindfolly,havesorrowsbeyond
thatwhichisordained.EvenasnowAegisthus,beyondthatwhichwasordained,tooktohimselfthe Odysseus&Arete
weddedwifeofthesonofAtreus,andslewhimonhisreturn,thoughwellheknewofsheerdestruction,
BOOK8(HomerOdyssey8.html)
seeingthatwespaketohimbefore,sendingHermes,thekeensightedArgeiphontes,thatheshould
neitherslaythemannorwoohiswifeforfromOrestesshallcomevengeanceforthesonofAtreus Games&FeastofthePhaeacians
whenoncehehascometomanhoodandlongsforhisownland.SoHermesspoke,butforallhisgood
BOOK9(HomerOdyssey9.html)
intentheprevailednotupontheheartofAegisthusandnowhehaspaidthefullpriceofall.
Odysseus'Tale:LotusEaters&Cyclops
[44]Thenthegoddess,flashingeyedAthena,answeredhim:Fatherofusall,thousonofCronos,high
abovealllords,aye,verilythatmanlieslowinadestructionthatishisdueso,too,mayanyotheralso BOOK10(HomerOdyssey10.html)
bedestroyedwhodoessuchdeeds.ButmyheartistornforwiseOdysseus,haplessman,whofarfrom
Odysseus'Tale:Aeolus,Laestrygones&Circe
hisfriendshaslongbeensufferingwoesinaseagirtisle,whereisthenavelofthesea.'Tisawooded
isle,andthereindwellsagoddess,daughterofAtlasofbanefulmind,whoknowsthedepthsofevery BOOK11(HomerOdyssey11.html)
sea,andhimselfholdsthetallpillarswhichkeepearthandheavenapart.Hisdaughteritisthatkeeps
Odysseus'Tale:TheUnderworld
backthatwretched,sorrowingmanandeverwithsoftandwheedlingwordsshebeguileshimthathe
mayforgetIthaca.ButOdysseus,inhislongingtoseewereitbutthesmokeleapingupfromhisown BOOK12(HomerOdyssey12.html)
land,yearnstodie.Yetthyheartdothnotregardit,Olympian.DidnotOdysseusbesidetheshipsofthe
Odysseus'Tale:Sirens,Scylla&Helius
ArgivesoffertheesacrificewithoutstintinthebroadlandofTroy?Whereforethendidstthouconceive
suchwrathagainsthim,OZeus? BOOK13(HomerOdyssey13.html)

[63]ThenZeus,thecloudgatherer,answeredherandsaid:Mychild,whatawordhasescapedthe ReturntoIthaca
barrierofthyteeth?HowshouldI,then,forgetgodlikeOdysseus,whoisbeyondallmortalsinwisdom,
BOOK14(HomerOdyssey14.html)
andbeyondallhaspaidsacrificetotheimmortalgods,whoholdbroadheaven?Nay,itisPoseidon,the
earthenfolder,whoiseverfilledwithstubbornwrathbecauseoftheCyclops,whomOdysseusblinded Odysseus&Eumaeus
ofhiseyeeventhegodlikePolyphemus,whosemightisgreatestamongalltheCyclopesandthe
BOOK15(HomerOdyssey15.html)
nymphThoosaborehim,daughterofPhorcyswhorulesovertheunrestingseaforinthehollowcaves
shelaywithPoseidon.FromthattimeforthPoseidon,theearthshaker,doesnotindeedslayOdysseus, ReturnofTelemachus
butmakeshimawandererfromhisnativeland.Butcome,letuswhoareherealltakethoughtofhis Odyseus&Eumaeus
return,thathemaycomehomeandPoseidonwillletgohisanger,forhewillinnowisebeable,against
BOOK16(HomerOdyssey16.html)
alltheimmortalgodsandintheirdespite,tocontendalone.
Odysseus&Telemachus

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[80]Thenthegoddess,flashingeyedAthena,answeredhim:Fatherofusall,thousonofCronos,high BOOK17(HomerOdyssey17.html)
abovealllords,ifindeedthisisnowwellpleasingtotheblessedgods,thatthewiseOdysseusshould
OdysseustheBeggar
returntohisownhome,letussendforthHermes,themessenger,Argeiphontes,totheisleOgygia,that
withallspeedhemaydeclaretothefairtressednymphourfixedresolve,eventhereturnofOdysseus BOOK18(HomerOdyssey18.html)
ofthesteadfastheart,thathemaycomehome.But,asforme,IwillgotoIthaca,thatImaythemore
OdysseustheBeggar
arousehisson,andsetcourageinhishearttocalltoanassemblythelonghairedAchaeans,andspeak
outhiswordtoallthewooers,whoareeverslayinghisthrongingsheepandhissleekkineofshambling BOOK19(HomerOdyssey19.html)
gait.AndIwillguidehimtoSpartaandtosandyPylos,toseektidingsofthereturnofhisdearfather,if
Odysseus&Penelope
haplyhemayhearofit,thatgoodreportmaybehisamongmen.
BOOK20(HomerOdyssey20.html)
[96]Soshespoke,andboundbeneathherfeetherbeautifulsandals,immortal,golden,whichwere
wonttobearherbothoverthewatersoftheseaandovertheboundlesslandswiftastheblastsofthe ContestoftheSuitors
wind.Andshetookhermightyspear,tippedwithsharpbronze,heavyandhugeandstrong,wherewith
BOOK21(HomerOdyssey21.html)
shevanquishestheranksofmenofwarriors,withwhomsheiswroth,she,thedaughterofthemighty
sire.ThenshewentdartingdownfromtheheightsofOlympus,andtookherstandinthelandofIthaca ContestoftheSuitors
attheoutergateofOdysseus,onthethresholdofthecourt.Inherhandsheheldthespearofbronze,
BOOK22(HomerOdyssey22.html)
andshewasinthelikenessofastranger,Mentes,theleaderoftheTaphians.Thereshefoundthe
proudwooers.Theyweretakingtheirpleasureatdraughtsinfrontofthedoors,sittingonthehidesof SlayingoftheSuitors
oxenwhichtheythemselveshadslainandoftheheraldsandbusysquires,someweremixingwineand
BOOK23(HomerOdyssey23.html)
waterfortheminbowls,othersagainwerewashingthetableswithporousspongesandsettingthem
forth,whilestillotherswereportioningoutmeatsinabundance.HerthegodlikeTelemachuswasfarthe Odysseus&Penelope
firsttosee,forhewassittingamongthewooers,sadatheart,seeinginthoughthisnoblefather,should
BOOK24(HomerOdyssey24.html)
heperchancecomefromsomewhereandmakeascatteringofthewooersinthepalace,andhimself
winhonorandruleoverhisownhouse.Ashethoughtofthesethings,sittingamongthewooers,he GhostsoftheDead
beheldAthena,andhewentstraighttotheouterdoorforinhishearthecounteditshamethata Odysseus&Laertes
strangershouldstandlongatthegates.So,drawingnear,heclaspedherrighthand,andtookfromher
thespearofbronzeandhespoke,andaddressedherwithwingedwords:Hail,strangerinourhouse
thoushaltfindentertainmentandthen,whenthouhasttastedfood,thoushalttellofwhatthouhastneed.

[125]Sosaying,heledtheway,andPallasAthenafollowed.Andwhentheywerewithintheloftyhouse,heborethespearandsetitagainstatallpillarina
polishedspearrack,whereweresetmanyspearsbesides,eventhoseofOdysseusofthesteadfastheart.Athenaherselfheledandseatedonachair,
spreadingalinenclothbeneathabeautifulchair,richlywrought,andbelowwasafootstoolforthefeet.Besideitheplacedforhimselfaninlaidseat,
apartfromtheothers,thewooers,lestthestranger,vexedbytheirdin,shouldloathethemeal,seeingthathewasinthecompanyofoverweeningmen
andalsothathemightaskhimabouthisfatherthatwasgone.Thenahandmaidbroughtwaterforthehandsinafairpitcherofgold,andpoureditovera
silverbasinforthemtowash,andbesidethemdrewupapolishedtable.Andthegravehousewifebroughtandsetbeforethembread,andtherewith
daintiesinabundance,givingfreelyofherstore.Andacarverliftedupandplacedbeforethemplattersofallmannerofmeats,andsetbythemgolden
goblets,whileaheraldeverwalkedtoandfropouringthemwine.Thenincametheproudwooers,andthereaftersatthemdowninrowsonchairsand
highseats.Heraldspouredwaterovertheirhands,andmaidservantsheapedbythembreadinbaskets,andyouthsfilledthebowlsbrimfullofdrinkand

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theyputforththeirhandstothegoodcheerlyingreadybeforethem.Nowafterthewooershadputfromthemthedesireoffoodanddrink,theirhearts
turnedtootherthings,tosongandtodanceforthesethingsarethecrownofafeast.AndaheraldputthebeautifullyreinthehandsofPhemius,who
sangperforceamongthewooersandhestruckthechordsinpreludetohissweetlay.

[156]ButTelemachusspoketoflashingeyedAthena,holdinghisheadclose,thattheothersmightnothear:Dearstranger,wiltthoubewrothwithmefor
thewordthatIshallsay?Thesemencareforthingslikethese,thelyreandsong,fulleasily,seeingthatwithoutatonementtheydevourthelivelihoodof
another,ofamanwhosewhitebones,itmaybe,rotintherainastheylieuponthemainland,orthewaverollstheminthesea.Weretheytoseehim
returnedtoIthaca,theywouldallpraytobeswifteroffoot,ratherthanricheringoldandinraiment.Butnowhehasthusperishedbyanevildoom,norfor
usisthereanycomfort,no,notthoughanyoneofmenupontheearthshouldsaythathewillcomegoneisthedayofhisreturning.Butcome,tellmethis,
anddeclareittruly.Whoartthouamongmen,andfromwhence?Whereisthycityandwherethyparents?Onwhatmannerofshipdidstthoucome,and
howdidsailorsbringtheetoIthaca?Whodidtheydeclarethemselvestobe?Fornowise,methinks,didstthoucomehitheronfoot.Andtellmethisalso
truly,thatImayknowfullwell,whetherthisisthyfirstcominghither,orwhetherthouartindeedafriendofmyfather'shouse.Formanywerethemenwho
cametoourhouseasstrangers,sincehe,too,hadgonetoandfroamongmen.

[178]Thenthegoddess,flashingeyedAthena,answeredhim:ThereforeofatruthwillIfranklytelltheeall.IdeclarethatIamMentes,thesonofwise
Anchialus,andIamlordovertheoarlovingTaphians.AndnowhaveIputinhere,asthouseest,withshipandcrew,whilesailingoverthewinedarksea
tomenofstrangespeech,onmywaytoTemeseforcopperandIbearwithmeshiningiron.Myshipliesyonderbesidethefieldsawayfromthecity,inthe
harborofRheithron,underwoodyNeion.Friendsofoneanotherdowedeclareourselvestobe,evenasourfatherswere,friendsfromofold.Nay,ifthou
wilt,goandasktheoldwarriorLaertes,who,theysay,comesnomoretothecity,butafarinthefieldssufferswoesattendedbyanagedwomanashis
handmaid,whosetsbeforehimfoodanddrink,afterwearinesshaslaidholdofhislimbs,ashecreepsalongtheslopeofhisvineyardplot.

[194]"AndnowamIcome,forofatruthmensaidthathe,thyfather,wasamonghispeoplebutlo,thegodsarethwartinghimofhisreturn.Fornotyet
hasgoodlyOdysseusperishedontheearth,butstill,Iween,helivesandisheldbackonthebroadseainaseagirtisle,andcruelmenkeephim,a
savagefolk,thatconstrainhim,haplysoreagainsthiswill.Nay,Iwillnowprophesytothee,astheimmortalsputitinmyheart,andasIthinkitshallbe
broughttopass,thoughIaminnowiseasoothsayer,noroneversedinthesignsofbirds.Notmuchlongershallhebeabsentfromhisdearnativeland,
no,notthoughbondsofironholdhim.Hewillcontriveawaytoreturn,forheisamanofmanydevices.Butcome,tellmethisanddeclareittruly,whether
indeed,tallasthouart,thouartthesonofOdysseushimself.Wondrouslylikehisarethyheadandbeautifuleyesforfulloftendidweconsortwithone
anotherbeforeheembarkedforthelandofTroy,whitherothers,too,thebravestoftheArgives,wentintheirhollowships.ButsincethatdayneitherhaveI
seenOdysseus,norheme.

[213]ThenwiseTelemachusansweredher:Thereforeofatruth,stranger,willIfranklytelltheeall.MymothersaysthatIamhischildbutIknownot,for
neveryetdidanymanofhimselfknowhisownparentage.Ah,wouldthatIhadbeenthesonofsomeblestman,whomoldageovertookamonghisown
possessions.ButnowofhimwhowasthemostillfatedofmortalmentheysaythatIamsprung,sincethouaskestmeofthis.

[221]Thenthegoddess,flashingeyedAthena,answeredhim:Surely,then,nonamelesslineagehavethegodsappointedfortheeintimetocome,
seeingthatPenelopeboretheesuchasthouart.Butcome,tellmethisanddeclareittruly.Whatfeast,whatthrongisthis?Whatneedhastthouofit?Isit
adrinkingbout,oraweddingfeast?Forthisplainlyisnomealtowhicheachbringshisportion,withsuchoutrageandoverweeningdotheyseemtometo
befeastinginthyhalls.Angeredwouldamanbeatseeingalltheseshamefulacts,anymanofsensewhoshouldcomeamongthem.

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[230]ThenwiseTelemachusansweredher:Stranger,sinceindeedthoudostaskandquestionmeofthis,ourhouseoncebadefairtoberichand
honorable,solongasthatmanwasstillamonghispeople.Butnowthegodshavewilledotherwiseintheirevildevising,seeingthattheyhavecausedhim
topassfromsightastheyhavenootherman.ForIshouldnotsogrieveforhisdeath,ifhehadbeenslainamonghiscomradesinthelandoftheTrojans,
orhaddiedinthearmsofhisfriends,whenhehadwounduptheskeinofwar.ThenwouldthewholehostoftheAchaeanshavemadehimatomb,andfor
hisson,too,hewouldhavewongreatgloryindaystocome.Butasitis,thespiritsofthestormhaveswepthimawayandleftnotidings:heisgoneoutof
sight,outofhearing,andformehehasleftanguishandweepingnordoIinanywisemournandwailforhimalone,seeingthatthegodshavebrought
uponmeothersoretroubles.ForalltheprinceswhoholdswayovertheislandsDulichiumandSameandwoodedZacynthusandthosewholordit
overrockyIthaca,allthesewoomymotherandlaywastemyhouse.Andsheneitherrefusesthehatefulmarriage,norissheabletomakeanendbut
theywithfeastingconsumemysubstance:erelongtheywillbringme,too,toruin.

[252]Then,stirredtoanger,PallasAthenaspoketohim:Outonit!ThouhastofatruthsoreneedofOdysseusthatisgone,thathemightputforthhis
handsupontheshamelesswooers.Wouldthathemightcomenowandtakehisstandattheoutergateofthehouse,withhelmetandshieldandtwo
spears,suchamanashewaswhenIfirstsawhiminourhousedrinkingandmakingmerry,onhiswaybackfromEphyre,fromthehouseofIlus,sonof
Mermerus.Forthither,too,wentOdysseusinhisswiftshipinsearchofadeadlydrug,thathemighthavewherewithtosmearhisbronzetippedarrows
yetIlusgaveitnottohim,forhestoodinaweofthegodsthatareforeverbutmyfathergaveit,forheheldhimstrangelydear.Would,Isay,thatinsuch
strengthOdysseusmightcomeamongstthewooersthenshouldtheyallfindswiftdestructionandbitternessintheirwooing.Yetthesethingsverilylieon
thekneesofthegods,whetherheshallreturnandwreakvengeanceinhishalls,orwhetherheshallnotbutforthyself,Ibidtheetakethoughthowthou
mayestthrustforththewooersfromthehall.Comenow,giveear,andhearkentomywords.OnthemorrowcalltoanassemblytheAchaeanlords,and
speakoutthywordtoall,andletthegodsbethywitnesses.Asforthewooers,bidthemscatter,eachtohisownandforthymother,ifherheartbidsher
marry,lethergobacktothehallofhermightyfather,andtheretheywillprepareaweddingfeast,andmakereadythegiftsfullmanyaye,allthatshould
followafterawellloveddaughter.AndtothyselfwillIgivewisecounsel,ifthouwilthearken.

[280]"Manwithtwentyrowersthebestshipthouhast,andgotoseektidingsofthyfather,thathaslongbeengone,ifhaplyanymortalmaytellthee,or
thoumayesthearavoicefromZeus,whichoftenestbringstidingstomen.FirstgotoPylosandquestiongoodlyNestor,andfromthencetoSpartatofair
hairedMenelausforhewasthelasttoreachhomeofthebrazencoatedAchaeans.Ifsobethoushalthearthatthyfatherisaliveandcominghome,then
verily,thoughthouartsoreafflicted,thoucouldstendureforyetayear.Butifthoushalthearthatheisdeadandgone,thenreturntothydearnativeland
andheapupamoundforhim,andoveritpayfuneralrites,fullmanyasisdue,andgivethymothertoahusband.Thenwhenthouhastdoneallthisand
broughtittoanend,thereaftertakethoughtinmindandhearthowthoumayestslaythewooersinthyhallswhetherbyguileoropenlyforitbeseemsthee
nottopractisechildishways,sincethouartnolongerofsuchanage.OrhastthounotheardwhatfamethegoodlyOresteswonamongallmankindwhen
heslewhisfather'smurderer,theguilefulAegisthus,forthatheslewhisgloriousfather?Thoutoo,myfriend,forIseethatthouartcomelyandtall,be
thouvaliant,thatmanyanoneofmenyettobebornmaypraisethee.ButnowIwillgodowntomyswiftshipandmycomrades,who,methinks,are
chafingmuchatwaitingforme.Forthyself,giveheedandhaveregardtomywords.

[306]ThenwiseTelemachusansweredher:Stranger,intruththouspeakestthesethingswithkindlythought,asafathertohisson,andneverwillIforget
them.Butcomenow,tarry,eagerthoughthouarttobegone,inorderthatwhenthouhastbathedandsatisfiedthyhearttothefull,thoumayestgotothy
shipgladinspirit,andbearingagiftcostlyandverybeautiful,whichshallbetotheeanheirloomfromme,evensuchagiftasdearfriendsgivetofriends.

[314]Thenthegoddess,flashingeyedAthena,answeredhim:Staymenownolonger,whenIameagertobegone,andwhatsoevergiftthyheartbids
theegiveme,giveitwhenIcomeback,tobeartomyhome,choosingarightbeautifuloneitshallbringtheeitsworthinreturn.

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[319]Sospokethegoddess,flashingeyedAthena,anddeparted,flyingupwardasabirdandinhisheartsheputstrengthandcourage,andmadehim
thinkofhisfatherevenmorethanaforetime.Andinhismindhemarkedherandmarvelled,forhedeemedthatshewasagodandstraightwayhewent
amongthewooers,agodlikeman.

[325]Forthemthefamousminstrelwassinging,andtheysatinsilencelisteningandhesangofthereturnoftheAchaeansthewoefulreturnfromTroy
whichPallasAthenalaiduponthem.AndfromherupperchamberthedaughterofIcarius,wisePenelope,heardhiswondroussong,andshewentdown
thehighstairwayfromherchamber,notalone,fortwohandmaidsattendedher.Nowwhenthefairladyhadcometothewooers,shestoodbythedoor
postofthewellbuilthall,holdingbeforeherfacehershiningveilandafaithfulhandmaidstoodoneithersideofher.Thensheburstintotears,andspoke
tothedivineminstrel:Phemius,manyotherthingsthouknowesttocharmmortals,deedsofmenandgodswhichminstrelsmakefamous.Singthemone
ofthese,asthousittesthere,andletthemdrinktheirwineinsilence.Butceasefromthiswoefulsongwhicheverharrowstheheartinmybreast,forupon
meaboveallwomenhascomeasorrownottobeforgotten.SodearaheaddoIeverrememberwithlonging,evenmyhusband,whosefameiswide
throughHellasandmidArgos.

[345]ThenwiseTelemachusansweredher:Mymother,whydostthoubegrudgethegoodminstreltogivepleasureinwhateverwayhisheartismoved?It
isnotminstrelsthataretoblame,butZeus,Iween,istoblame,whogivestomenthatlivebytoil,toeachoneashewill.Withthismannoonecanbe
wrothifhesingsoftheevildoomoftheDanaansformenpraisethatsongthemostwhichcomesthenewesttotheirears.Forthyself,letthyheartand
soulenduretolistenfornotOdysseusalonelostinTroythedayofhisreturn,butmanyotherslikewiseperished.Nay,gotothychamber,andbusythyself
withthineowntasks,theloomandthedistaff,andbidthyhandmaidsplytheirtasksbutspeechshallbeformen,forall,butmostofallformesincemine
istheauthorityinthehouse.

[360]Shethen,seizedwithwonder,wentbacktoherchamber,forshelaidtoheartthewisesayingofherson.Uptoherupperchambershewentwithher
handmaids,andthenbewailedOdysseus,herdearhusbanduntilflashingeyedAthenacastsweetsleepuponhereyelids.

[365]Butthewooersbrokeintouproarthroughouttheshadowyhalls,andallprayed,eachthathemightliebyherside.AndamongthemwiseTelemachus
wasthefirsttospeak:Wooersofmymother,overweeninginyourinsolence,forthepresentletusmakemerrywithfeasting,butlettherebenobrawling
forthisisagoodlything,tolistentoaminstrelsuchasthismanis,liketothegodsinvoice.Butinthemorningletusgototheassemblyandtakeour
seats,oneandall,thatImaydeclaremywordtoyououtrightthatyoudepartfromthesehalls.Prepareyouotherfeasts,eatingyourownsubstanceand
changingfromhousetohouse.Butifthisseemsinyoureyestobeabetterandmoreprofitablething,thatoneman'slivelihoodshouldberuinedwithout
atonement,wasteyeit.ButIwillcalluponthegodsthatareforever,ifhaplyZeusmaygrantthatdeedsofrequitalmaybewrought.Withoutatonement,
then,shouldyeperishwithinmyhalls.

[381]Sohespoke,andtheyallbittheirlipsandmarvelledatTelemachus,forthathespokeboldly.ThenAntinous,sonofEupeithes,answeredhim:
Telemachus,verilythegodsthemselvesareteachingtheetobeamanofvauntingtongue,andtospeakwithboldness.MaythesonofCronosnever
maketheekinginseagirtIthaca,whichthingisbybirththyheritage.

[388]ThenwiseTelemachusansweredhim:Antinous,wiltthoubewrothwithmeforthewordthatIshallsay?EventhisshouldIbegladtoacceptfrom
thehandofZeus.Thinkestthouindeedthatthisistheworstfateamongmen?Nay,itisnobadthingtobeaking.Straightwayone'shousegrowsrichand
oneselfisheldingreaterhonor.However,thereareotherkingsoftheAchaeansfullmanyinseagirtIthaca,bothyoungandold.Oneofthesehaplymay
havethisplace,sincegoodlyOdysseusisdead.ButIwillbelordofourownhouseandoftheslavesthatgoodlyOdysseuswonforme.

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2017525 HOMER,ODYSSEYBOOK1TheoiClassicalTextsLibrary

[399]ThenEurymachus,sonofPolybus,answeredhim:Telemachus,thismatterverilyliesonthekneesofthegods,whooftheAchaeansshallbekingin
seagirtIthacabutasforthypossessions,thoumayestkeepthemthyself,andbelordinthineownhouse.Nevermaythatmancomewhobyviolenceand
againstthywillshallwrestthypossessionsfromthee,whilemenyetliveinIthaca.ButIamfain,goodsir,toasktheeofthestranger,whencethisman
comes.Ofwhatlanddoeshedeclarehimselftobe?Wherearehiskinsmenandhisnativefields?Doeshebringsometidingsofthyfather'scoming,or
camehehitherinfurtheranceofsomematterofhisown?Howhestartedup,andwasstraightwaygone!Nordidhewaittobeknownandyetheseemed
nobasemantolookupon.

[412]ThenwiseTelemachusansweredhim:Eurymachus,surelymyfather'shomecomingislostandgone.NolongerdoIputtrustintidings,
whencesoevertheymaycome,norreckIofanyprophecywhichmymotherhaplymaylearnofaseer,whenshehascalledhimtothehall.Butthis
strangerisafriendofmyfather'shousefromTaphos.HedeclaresthatheisMentes,sonofwiseAnchialus,andheislordovertheoarlovingTaphians.
SospokeTelemachus,butinhisheartheknewtheimmortalgoddess.

[421]Nowthewooersturnedtothedanceandtogladsomesong,andmadethemmerry,andwaitedtilleveningshouldcomeandastheymademerry
darkeveningcameuponthem.Thentheywent,eachmantohishouse,totaketheirrest.ButTelemachus,wherehischamberwasbuiltinthebeautiful
court,high,inaplaceofwideoutlook,thitherwenttohisbed,ponderingmanythingsinmindandwithhim,bearingblazingtorches,wenttruehearted
Eurycleia,daughterofOps,sonofPeisenor.HerlongagoLaerteshadboughtwithhiswealth,whenshewasinherfirstyouth,andgaveforhertheprice
oftwentyoxenandhehonoredherevenashehonoredhisfaithfulwifeinhishalls,butheneverlaywithherinlove,forheshunnedthewrathofhiswife.
SheitwaswhoboreforTelemachustheblazingtorchesforsheofallthehandmaidslovedhimmost,andhadnursedhimwhenhewasachild.He
openedthedoorsofthewellbuiltchamber,satdownonthebed,andtookoffhissofttunicandlaiditinthewiseoldwoman'shands.Andshefoldedand
smoothedthetunicandhungitonapegbesidethecordedbedstead,andthenwentforthfromthechamber,drawingthedoortobyitssilverhandle,and
drivingthebolthomewiththethong.Sothere,thenightthrough,wrappedinafleeceofwool,heponderedinhisminduponthejourneywhichAthenahad
shewnhim.

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