Εννεπε declare μοι to me, Μουσα Muse, ανδρα the man πολυτροπον of many fortunes, ὅς who πλαγχθη wandered μαλα πολλα very much, επει when επερσεν he had destroyed ἱερον πτολιεθρον the sacred city Τροιης of Troy: ἰδε δε and saw αστεα towns και and εγνω learnt νοον the mood πολλων ανθρωπων of many men, πολλα δε αλγεα but many sorrows ὀγε he indeed παθε suffered ὀν κατα θυμον in his soul, αρνυμενος whilst grasping ἠν τε ψυχην both his own life και and νοστον the return ἑταιρων of his companions. Αλλα but ουδε not even ὡς thus ερρυσατο did he save ἑταρους his companions, ἱεμενος περ though bent upon it: ὀλοντο γαρ for they perished σφετερησιν ατασθαλιησι by their own phrensies, νηπιοι fools, οἱ who κατα ησθιον ate up βους the oxen ‘Ηελιοιο of the Sun ‘Υπεριρονος who rolls above us: αυταρ but ὁ he αφειλετο took away τοισσ from them νοστιμον ημαρ the day of their return των of these things αμοθεν γε from whatever source, θεα O goddess, θυγατερ daughter Διος of Jupiter, ειπε tell και ημιν to us also.
Κουροι young men εμοι μνηστηρες my suitors, επει since διος Οδυσσευς divine Ulysses θανεν is dead, μιμνετε forbear επειγομενοι urging on τον εμον γαμον my marriage, εισοκεν until εκτελεσω I shall have completed φαρος a garment — νηματα μοι may my webs μη οληται not perish μεταμωνια fruitless! — ταφηϊον funereal Λαερτη ἡρωϊ for the hero Laertes, εις οτε for the time when μοιρα ολον the deadly fate τανηλεγεος θανατοιο of long extended death καθελῃσι κε may surprize μιν him; μη lest τις some one Αχαιϊαδων of Achaean women κατα δημον throughout the people νεμεσησῃ should be angry, αι if κηται κεν he should lie ατερ σπειρου without a shroud κτεατισσας when he had stored up πολλα many things.” Ὡς thus εφατο she said; ἡμιν δε but for us θυμος αγηνωρ our generous soul επεπειθετο acquiesced. Ενθα then και also ἡματιν μεν by day ὑφαινεσκε she wove μεγαν ἱστον the ample loom, νυκτας δε but at nights αλλυνεσκε she undid it, επην when παραθειτο she placed by her δαιδας the torches. Ὡς thus τριετες μεν for three years indeed εληθε she escaped notice δολῳ by stratagem, και and επειθε persuaded Αχαιους the Greeks: αλλα βυτ οτε when τετρατον ετος the fourth year ηλθε came, και and ὡραι the seasons επηλυθον came on, και τοτε δη both then indeed τις some one γυναικων of the women η who ηδη knew σαφα clearly. ειπε told us, και and εφευρομεν we found τηνγε her αλλουσαι undoing αγλαον ιστον the splendid web. ‘Ως thus εξετελεσσε she completed το μεν it indeed, και although ουκ εθελουσα not willing, υπ’ αναγκης by necessity.
“Εστε ye are σχετλιοι harsh, θεοι ye gods, ζηλημονες envious εξοχον αλλων above others! οι τε who αγαασθε are jealous θεαις towards goddesses ευναζεσθαι that they should sleep παρ’ ανδρασιν by men αμφαδην declaredly, ην if τις τε any one ποιησατο has made for herself φίλον ακοιτιν a dear partner. Ὡς μεν thus, ὅτε when Ἠὼς ροδοδάκτυλος rosy-fingered Μορν ἔλετο chose for herself Ὠρίωνα Orion, θεοι ye gods ῥεια ζώοντες living easily τοφρα so long ηγαασθε οἱ were jealous towards her, ἕως until ἁγνη Ἄρτεμις the chaste Diana χρυσοθρονος with the golden throne εποιχομενη assailing μιν him αγανοις βελεσσι with her gentle arrows κατεπεφνε slew him εν Ὀρτυγιῃ in Ortygia. Ὡς δε but as ὁποτε when εὔπλοκαμος Δημητηρ fair-hair’d Ceres, ειξασα yielding ᾧ θυμῳ to her passion, μιγη was united Ἰασιωνι with Iasion φιλοτητι in love και and ευνη the bed νειῳ ενι τριπολῳ in the thrice ploughed fallow: ουδε nor ῃε was Ζευς Jupiter δηv long time απυστος unacquainted with it, ὅς who κατεπεφνε slew μιν him βαλων having smitten him αργητι κεραυνῳ with his white lightning. Ὡς δε but thus αυ again, θεοι ye gods νυν now αγασθε are jealous βροτον ανδρα that a mortal man παρειναι shou’d be present μοι with me. Ἐγω I εσασα saved τον μεν him βεβαωτα going
Τὸν δ’ ἄρα but him then εὗρε she found καθήμενον sitting ἐπ’ ἀκτῆς upon the shore; ὄσσε δέ but his two eyes οὔ ποτε τερσοντο were never dried δακρυόφιν from tears: γλυκὺς δέ αἰὼν and his sweet life κατεΐβετο was poured out ὀδυρομένῳ as he was mourning for νόστον his return, ἐπεὶ since νύμφη the nymph οὐκέτι ἥνδανε no longer pleased him. Ἀλλὰ but ἤτοι in truth νύκτας μὲν the nights ἴανεσκεν he reposed καὶ ἀνάγκῃ even by necessity ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσιν in the hollow grottos, οὐκ ἐθέλων unwilling παρ’ ἐθελούσῃ by her willing; ἤματα δέ and the days καθίζων sitting ἐν πέτρῃσιν on the rocks καὶ and ἠϊόνεσσι the shores, [ἐρεχθῶν breaking θυμὸν his heart δάκρυσι with tears καὶ and στοναχῇσι with sighs καὶ and ἄλγεσι with sorrows,] δερκεσκετο he often looked πόντου ἐπ’ ἀτρύγετον over the barren sea, λείβων shedding δάκρυα tears,
Ὡς thus ειπων having said διος Οδυσσευς divine Ulysses ὑπεδυσετο got up from under θαμνων the bushes, κλασε δε and brake off χειρι παχειη with his broad hand πτορθον a bough φυλλων of leaves εκ πυκινης υλης from the thick wood, ως that ῥυσαιτο he might cover περι χροϊ round his body μηδεα φωτος the proofs of the man: βη δε and he proceeded ιμεν to go, ωστε as λεων a lion ορεσιτροφος nurtured in the mountains, πεποιθως trusting αλκι in his might, οστε which also εισι goes υομενος rained upon και and αημενος blown on [by the wind], οσσε δε οι and his two eyes εν δαιεται are kindled up: αυταρ but ο he μετερχεται comes amongst βουσι the oxen η or οιεσσι sheep ηε or μετ’ αγροτερας ελαφους after wild hinds, γαστηρ δε and his belly κελεται ε bids him πειρησοντα about to make an attempt μηλων on the sheep ελθειν to go και even ες πυκινον δομον into the closed fold. ‘Ως thus Οδυσευς Ulysses εμελλε was about, εων περ though being γυμνος naked, μιξεσθαι to mingle with κουρησιν ευπλοκαμοισι the fair-hair’d damsels; χρειω γαρ for necessity ικανε came upon him. Φανη δε but he appeared σμερδαλεος terrible αυτησι to them, κεκακωμενος defiled αλμη with the salt water; τρεσσαν δε and they fled αλλυδις αλλη each a different way επ’ ηϊονας προυχουσας over the projecting shores. Θυγατηρ δε but the daughter Αντινοου of Antinous μενε remained οιη alone; Αθηνη γαρ for Minerva θηκε placed θαρσος courage ενι φρεσι τη in her heart και and ειλετο took δεος fear εκ γυιων from her limbs.
Ταυτ’ αρ’ these things then αειδε sang αοιδος περικλυτος the famous bard: αυταρ but Οδυσσευς Ulysses τηκετο was melted, δακρυ δὲ and the tear εδενε moistened παρειας his cheeks ὑπο βλεφαροισιν under his eye-lids. Ὡς δὲ and as γυνη a woman κλαιησι weeps αμφιπεσουσα falling upon φιλον ποσιν her husband, ὁστε who πεσησι falls προσθεν ἐης πολιος in front of his city λαων τε and the people, αμυνων warding off νηλεες ἡμαρ the cruel day αστει from the town και and τεκεεσσι from his children; ἡ μεν she εσιδουσα beholding τον him θνησκοντα dying και and ασπαιροντα palpitating, χυμενη spread αμφ αυτῳ about him λιγα κωκυει utters shrill cries: οἱ δε τε and they οπισθεν behind κοπτοντες striking δουρεσσι with their spears μεταφρενον her back ἡδε και and also ωμους her shoulders, εισαναγουσι lead her ειφερον into servitude εχεμεν to have πονον labour και and οιζυν sorrow: της δε παρειαι and her cheeks φθινυθουσι pine ελεεινοτατῳ αχεϊ with most miserable grief; ὡς thus Οδυσσευς Ulysses ειθε was dropping ελεεινον δακρυον the sad tear ὑπ’ οφρυσι from under his eye-brows.
‘Ως thus εφαμην Ι spake, ο δε but he νηλεϊ θυμω with cruel mind με αμειβετο answered με μηδεν nothing, αλλα but ο γε he αναϊξας rising up επι ιαλλε laid upon εταροις my companions χειρας his hands, μαψας δε and snatching δυω two συν together ωτα σκυλακας as if puppies κοπτε dashed them ποτς γαιη on the earth: εγκεφαλος δε and the brain εκ ρεε flowed forth χαμαδις on the ground δευε δε and moistened γαιαν the earth. Διαταμων δε and cutting τους them μελειστι limb from limb ωπλισσατο he prepared δορπον his supper; ησθιε δε and ate them ωστε like λεων a lion ορεσιτροφος bred in the mountains, ουδ’ απελειπε nor left εγκατα τε both entrails σαρκας τε and flesh και οστεα μυελοεντα and marrow-bones. Ἡμεις δε but we κλαιοντες weeping ανεσοχεδομεν lifted up χειρας our hands Διι to Jove, ορωντες beholding σχετλια εργα cruel deeds;
“Κυκλωψ Cyclop, ερωτας dost thou ask με me ονομα κλυτον my illustrious name? αυταρ but εγω I εξερεω will tell τοι thee: συ δε and do thou δος give μοι me ξεινιον a present of hospitality ωσπερ as υπεστης thou promisedst: Ουτις Noman εστιν ονομα εμοι γε is my name: Ουτιν δε and Noman μητηρ my mother, ηδε and πατηρ my father, ηδε and αλλοι παντες εταιροι all my other companions κικλησκουσι call με me.”
‘Ως thus εφφαμην I said: ο δε but he αυτις again αμειβετο answered με me νηλει θυμω with cruel mind:
“Εγω I εδομαι will devour Ουτιν Noman πυματον last μετα οις εταιροισιν among his companions, τους δε αλλους and the others προσθεν before him: τοδε this εσται shall be ξεινιον the present of hospitality τοι to thee.”
“Τις who, ποθεν whence ανδρων from among men εις art thou? ποθι where is τοι πολις thy city ηδε and τοκηες thy parents? Θαυμα astonishment εχει με possesses me, ως that πιων drinking ταδε φαρμακα these drugs ουτι εθελχθης thou hast not been charmed Ουδε γαρ ουδε for neither τις αλλος ανηρ has any other man ανετλη borne up against ταδε φαρμακα these drugs, ος who πιν κεν has drunk, και and πρωτον αμειψεται they first passed ερκος the hedge οδοντων of the teeth: σοι δε εστι but thou hast εν στηθεσσιν in thy breast τις ακηλητος νους a mind that cannot be charmed. Η surely συγε εσσι thou art Οδυσσευς πολυτροπος wily Ulysses, ον τε whom Αργειφοντης the slayer of Argus χρυσορραπις with the golden caduceus αιει φασκεν used ever to tell μοι me ελευσεσθαι would come, ανιοντα returning εκ Τροιης from Troy θοη συν νηι μελαινη with his swift dark ship. Αλλ’ αγε δη but come, θεο μεν place αορ the sword κολεω in the scabbard, νωι δε and let us επειτα then επιβειομεν γο up ευνης ημετερῃς on our bed, οφρα that μιγεντε united ευνη in bed και and φιλοτητι in love, πεποιθομεν we may trust αλληλοισιν each other.”
Ὡς thus εφατο she spake: αυταρ but εγωγε I on my part μερμηριζας meditating φρεσιν in my mind εθελον longed ελεειν to grasp ψυχην the soul μητρος κατατεθνειωης of my deceased mother; τρις μεν thrice εφωρμηθην I rushed forward, θυμος τε and my wind ανωγει urged με me ελεειν to grasp her, τρις δε and thrice επτατο she fled εκ χειρων μοι from my hands, εικελον like σκιη to a shadow, η και or also ονειρω to a dream: αχος δε οξυ and sharp grief γενεσκετο arose μαλλον still more εμοι κηροθι in my mind; και and φωνησας addressing μιν her προσηυδων I spoke to her επεα πτεροεντα winged words: “Μητερ εμη my mother, τι νυ why now ου μιμνεις dost thou not await με me μεμαωτα desiring ελεειν to clasp thee, οφρα that και even εν Αιδαο in [the house] of Hades, περι βαλουντε throwing around [each other] φιλας χειρε our dear hands, αμφοτερω we both τεταρπωμεσθα may be satiated κρυεροιο γοοιο with sad sorrow? Η αγανη Περσεφονεια has illustrious Proserpine ωτρυνε sent ειδωλον τι some phantom here μοι to me, οφρα that στεναχιζω I may groan οδυρομενος mourning ετι μαλλον still more?
“Μη δη παραυδα do not make light of θανατον γε death at least μοι to me, φαιδιμ’ Οδυσσευ illustrious Ulysses; βουλοιμην κε I would be willing εων being επαρούρος on earth θητευεμεν to be a servant αλλω παρ’ ανδρι with another man ακληρω without inheritance, ω to whom μη ειη there belonged not βιοτος πολυς much sustenance, η [rather] than ανασσειν to reign πασι νεκυσσι καταφθμενοισιν over all the departed dead. Αλλα but αγε come ενισπε tell μοι me μυθον a word του παιδος αγανου of my noble boy; η επετο did he follow ες πολεμον to the war εμμεναι to be προμος a chief, ηε or και ουκι even not. Ειπε δε and μοι tell me, ει if πεπυσσαι thou hast learnt τι any thing Πηληος αμυμονος of blameless Peleus, η whether ετι εχει he still has τιμην honour πολεσι μετα Μυρμιδονεσσιν amongst the many Myrmidons, η or whether ατιμαζουσι they dishonour μιν him αν’ ‘Ελλαδα τε throughout both Hellas Φθιην τε and Phthia, οὑνεκα because γηρας old age κατεχει holds μιν him χειρας τε both in hands ποδας τε and in feet? εγων γαρ for I ουκ [am] not επαρωγος a helper υπ’ αυγας under the beams ηελοιο of the sun, εων being τοιος such, οιος as ποτε once ενι Τροιη ευρειη in broad Troy πεφνον I slew αριστον λαον the chief people, αμυνων fighting for Αργειοισι the Argives.
“Δευρ’ ἄγε come hither ἴων on thy way, πολυαιν’ Ὀδυσσεῦ much-praised Ulysses, μέγα κῦδος great glory Ἀχαιῶν of the Achaeans, κατάστησον stay νῆα thy ship, ἵνα that ἀκούσῃς thou mayest hear ἑοῖτέρην ὄπα our voice. Οὐ γάρ πω for never yet τις has any one παρήλασε passed by τῇδε this way νηῒ μελαίνῃ in a black ship, πρὶν γε ἀκοῦσαι before hearing μελιγηρυν ὄπα the sweet voice ἡμέων ἀπὸ στομάτων from our mouths: ἀλλὰ but ὅγε he νεῖται goes on his way τερψάμενος delighted κἀὶ and εἰδὼς knowing πλείονα more things Ἴδμεν γάρ τοι for truly we know πάντα all things, ὅσα as many as Ἀργεῖοι the Argives, Τρῶες τε and the Trojans ἴδητι by the will θεῶν of the gods μόγησαν endured ἐν Τροίῃ ευρειη in wide Troy; ιδμεν δε and we know οσα what things γενηται are done επι χθονι on the earth πολυβοτειρη nurse of many.”
παντες μεν θανατοι all deaths στυγεροι [are] hateful δειλοισι βροτοισι to miserable mortals, θανεειν δε but to die και and επισπειν to seek out ποτμον fate λιμος by hunger οικτιστον [is] the saddest. Αλλ’ αγετε but come, ελασαντες having driven away αριστας the best βοων of the oxen Ηελιοιο of the sun, ρεξομεν we will sacrifice αθανατοισι to the immortals, τοι who εχουσιν inhabit ουρανον ευρυν wide heaven. Ει δε and if αφικοιμεθα κε we arrive εις Ιθακην at Ithaca, πατριδα γαιαν our paternal land, αιψα κεν τευξομεν we will immediately build πιονα νηον a rich temple Ηελιω ‘Υπεριονι to the sun that walks above, ενθα where θειμεν κε we may place αγαλματα images πολλα many και and εσθλα precious: ει δε but if χολωσαμενος wrathful τις at all βοων ορθοκραιρων on account of the high-horned oxen, εθελη he wills ολεσαι to destroy νηα the ship, θεοι δ’ αλλοι και the other gods επι εσονται assent, βουλομαι I wish απαξ once for all απολεσαι to lose θυμον life χανων gasping προς κυμα at the wave, η [rather] than δηθα longer στρευγεσθαι to waste away, εων being εν νησω ερημω in a desert island.”
Ὡς thus ειπων having said, εισηλθεν he entered δομους ευναιεταοντας the well-built house μοιρα δε but the lot μελανος θανατοιο of black death αν on the other hand κατα ελαβε seized on Αργον Argus, αυτικα immediately ιδοντα when he saw Οδυσσηα Ulysses εικοστω ενιαυτω in the twentieth year.
Ὡς δε but as ὁτε when ανηρ a man, πολεος πυρος much fire αιθομενοιο burning, αιολλη turns ενθα this way και ενθα and that way γαστερα a paunch εμπλειην full κνισσης τε both of fat και and αἱματος of blood, λιλαιεται δε and is desirous οπτηθηναι that it be roasted μαλ’ ωκα very quickly, ὡς αρα so then ὁγε he ἑλισσετο rolled ενθα και ενθα hither and thither, μερμηριζων pondering ὁπως δη how indeed εων being μουνος alone εφησει he should lay χειρας his hands μνηστηρσιν αναιδεσιν on the shameless suitors πολεσι who were many. Αθηνη δε but Minerva ηλθε came σχεδον near οἱ to him, καταβασα having come down ουρανοθεν from heaven, δεμας δε but in person εικτο she was like γυναικι a woman, στῃ δ’ αρα and stood ὑπερ κεφαλης above his head και and προς μιν εειπε spoke to him μυθον a word.
“Τιπτε αυτε why still εγρησσεις dost thou keep watch, καμμορε thou ill-fated παντων περι φωτων above all men?
Ὡς αρα thus then ἐφαν said μνηστηρες the suitors, αταρ but Ὀδυσσευς Ulysses πολυμητις of many wiles, αυτικα immediately επει when ἐβαστασεν he had handled μεγα τοξον the great bow, και ιδεν and looked at it παντη on every side, ὡς as οτε when ανηρ a man επισταμενος having knowledge φορμιγγος of the harp και and αοιδης of song, ῥηιδιως easily ετανυσσεν has stretched χορδην a string νεῳ περι κολλοπι on a new peg ἀψας fastening αμφοτερωθεν on both sides εὐστρεφες εντερον the well-twisted gut οιος of a sheep, ὡς αρα so then Οδυσσευς Ulysses ατερ σπουδης without exertion τανυσσε stretched μεγα τοξον the great bow. Λαβων δ’ αρα and taking then δεξιτερῃ χειρι in his right hand πειρησατο he made trial νευρης of the string, ἠ δε and it αεισε sang καλον a beautiful [sound] ὑπο beneath [the touch], εικελῃ like αυδην in voice χελιδονι to a swallow.
Ανταρ but ὁ he Οδυσσευς Ulysses πολυμητις of much counsel γυμνωθη stripped himself ῥακεων of his rags, αλτο δε and leapt επι μεγαν ουδον on the great threshold, εχων having βιον his bow ηδε and φαρετρην quiver, εμπλειην full ιων of arrows, εκχευατο δε and he shed out ταχεας οιστους the swift shafts αυτου there προσθε ποδων before his feet, εειπε δε and spake μετα μνηστηρσιν among the suitors.
“Ουτος μεν δη αεθλος this ααατος not to be reversed εκτετελεσται has been completed; νυν αυτε now again σκοπου αλλον another mark, ον which ου τις ανηρ no man πω βαλεν has yet hit, εισομαι I will know αι if τυχωμι κεν I may attain, Απολλων δε and Apollo πορῃ μοι may grant me ευχος triumph.”
‘Ως αρα thus then εφη he said, και and εξαψας having fastened πεισμα the cable νεος of a ship κυανοπρωροιο with azure prow κιονος μεγαλης from a tall pillar περιβαλλεν he threw it round θολοιο the dome, επαντανυσας stretching it υψοσε on high, μη lest τις any one ικοιτο should touch ουδας the pavement ποσι with the feet. ‘Ως δ’ οτε and as when η either κιχλαι thrushes τανυσσιπτεροι with long wings ηε or πελειαι doves ενιπληξησι strike against ερκει a snare το τε which εστηκεl stood εν Θαμνῳ in a thicket, εσιεμεναι when eager to enter αυλιν their nest, στυγερος δε κοιτος and a hateful bed ὑπεδεξατο has received them; ὡς so αιγε they εχον held κεφαλας their heads ἐξεξης in order βροχοι δε and loops ησαν were αμφι around πασαις δειρησιν all their necks, ὁπως that θανοιεν they might die οικτιστα most pitiably, ησπαιρον δε and they struggled ποδεσσι with their feet μινυνθαπερ briefly, ουτι μαλα δη not very much indeed.
‘Ως αρα thus εφη she said, πειρωμενη making trial ποσιος of her husband: αυταρ but Οδυσσευς Ulysses οχθησας sighing προσεφωνεεν addressed αλοχον his wife, ειδυιαν knowing κεδνα prudent things. “Ω γυναι oh lady, η μαλα verily indeed εειπες thou hast spoken τουτο επος this word θυμαλγες grievous to my heart: τις δε but who θηκεν has placed μοι for me λεχος my bed αλλοσε elsewhere? ειη δε κε but it would be χαλεπον difficult και even μαλα επισταμενω to one who well knew, οτε μη when not [unless when] εος the god αυτος himself επελθων coming θειη should place it ῥηϊδως easily αλλη ενι χωρῃ in another place: ανδρων δε but of men ου τις βροτος no mortal ζωος alive, ουδε nor μαλ’ ἥβων full grown youth μετοχλισσειε κε could unfasten it ῥεια easily: επει since μεγα σημα a great token τετυκται has been made εν λεχει ασκητῳ in the well wrought bed: εγω δε and I, ουδε τις αλλος and no other, καμον toiled in making το to it.
ως δε and as οτε when γη the land φανη αν appears ασπασιος welcome νηχομενοισι to men swimming, ων τε ενεργεα νηα whose well-made ship Ποσειδαων Neptune ραιση has shivered ενι ποντω on the sea, επειγομενην impelled ανεμω by the wind και and κυματι πηγῳ by the solid wave, παυροι δε and few νηχομενοι swimming εξεφυγον have escaped πολης αλος from the hoary sea ηπειρονδε to the mainland, πολλη δε αλμη and much brine τετροφεν has congealed περι χροϊ round their skin, επεβαν δε and they have gone on γαιης the land ασπασιοι joyfully, φυγοντες having escaped κακοτητα calamity; ως αρα so then ποσις her husband ενν was ασπασιος welcome τη to her εισοροωση beholding him, ουπω δ’ αφειτο but she did not yet let go πηχεε λευκω her white arms παμπαν altogether δειρης from his neck,