Homer, Odyssey

§ 15.275 I elude them and flee death and black doom, since it's now my destiny to wander through mankind. But put me on your ship, since I come to you as a suppliant in flight, lest they kill me, for I think they're in pursuit.” Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn:

§ 15.280 “I won't push you away, since you want this, from my balanced ship, so come, then make yourself welcome there with such as we may have.” So saying, he accepted his bronze spear and laid it on the deck of the double-curved ship, then also boarded the seafaring ship himself.

§ 15.285 He sat down in the stern then, and sat Theoclymenus beside him, then his men freed the stern cables. Telemachus urged his comrades on and bid them secure the rigging. They speedily obeyed, raised the fir mast, set it inside the hollow mast box,

§ 15.290 tied it down with the forestays, and hoisted the white sail with the well-twisted ox -leather halyards. Bright-eyed Athena sent them a favorable fair wind, rushing furiously through the clear air, so their ship would most quickly complete its run across the briny water of the sea.

§ 15.295 They went past Crouni and fair-streamed Chalcis. And the sun went down, and all the ways were dark. Pushed on by Zeus's fair wind, she headed for Pheae, and past divine Elis,where the Epeans hold power. From there in turn he steered her toward the Sharp [or swift] Islands,

§ 15.300 wondering whether he'd escape death or be captured. Back in the hut, Odysseus and the divine swineherd ate supper, and the rest of the men ate supper beside them. Then after they'd dispatched desire for food and drink, Odysseus spoke among them, testing the swineherd,

§ 15.305 whether he'd still welcome him kindly and bid him stay where he was in the farmhouse or urge him toward the city: “Hear me now, Eumaeus, and all your other comrades, I'm eager to go off to the city in the morning, to beg, so I don't put a strain on you and your comrades.

§ 15.310 But advise me well and send a good guide with me to lead me there. I'll wander by myself throughout the city, of necessity, in hope someone will hand out a wheat cake and a cup. I'd also go to the home of divine Odysseus and tell prudent Penelope my news,

§ 15.315 and I'd mingle with the haughty suitors in hope that they, who have countless good things, will give me a meal. I'd quickly do things well among them, whatever they wanted. For I declare this to you, and you heed and hear me, with the aid of runner Hermes, who bestows

§ 15.320 grace and glory on the works of all mankind, no other mortal can compete with me in service, in carefully heaping up a fire and splitting dry wood, in carving, and roasting, and pouring wine, and such things that inferiors do for the good ones.”

§ 15.325 Greatly troubled, you said to him, swineherd Eumaeus: “Oh my, stranger, why is this thought in your mind? Are you completely eager to perish on the spot there, if you want to go down into the throng of suitors, whose wanton arrogance and violence reach to iron heaven?

§ 15.330 Their attendants are not ones like you, but young ones, well-dressed in cloaks and tunics, always sleek with oil on their heads and handsome faces, these are the ones who attend them. Well-polished tables are laden with bread and meat and wine.

§ 15.335 Stay instead, for no one's bothered by your being here, neither I nor any other comrade who's with me. But when the dear son of Odysseus comes, that one will give you clothing, both a cloak and tunic, and send you wherever your heart and spirit bid you.”

§ 15.340 Then long-suffering divine Odysseus answered him: “Would it be so, Eumaeus, that you become as dear to father Zeus as you are to me, that you've stopped me from wandering and grim misery. Nothing else is more evil for mortals than wandering, yet for their accursed belly's sake men have evil troubles,

§ 15.345 anyone to whom wandering and pain and sorrow come. Now, since you keep me and bid me wait for that one, tell me about divine Odysseus's mother, and his father, whom he left behind on the threshold of old age when he went, whether they're still alive under the rays of the sun

§ 15.350 or are already dead and in the house of Hades.” The swineherd, leader of men, said back to him: “Therefore, stranger, I'll speak to you very exactly. Laertes still lives, but prays to Zeus always that his spirit fade from his limbs within his halls.

§ 15.355 For he mourns, terribly, his son who's gone and his wedded wife, the skilled one, who made him grieve the most, when she died, and put him in unripe old age. She died of grief for her gloried son, by a dismal death, as I wouldn't have anyone die,

§ 15.360 who lives here, and is friend to me, and does friendly things for me. As long as she was alive, though she grieved nonetheless, it was dear to me to ask and inquire something of her, because she'd raised me with long-robed Ctimene, her attractive daughter, the youngest child she bore.

§ 15.365 I was raised with her, but she honored me little less in any way. Then after we both reached the much-desired prime of youth, they gave her then in Same and took countless things. Then she clothed me in a cloak and tunic, very beautiful clothes, gave me sandals for my feet,

§ 15.370 and sent me out to the country, but loved me the more in her heart. Now I lack these things, but, for me myself, the blessed gods make prosper the work which I abide in, from which I eat and drink and give to venerable ones. It's not pleasant to hear from my mistress,

§ 15.375 neither a word nor any deed, since evil has befallen our house, the haughty suitors. Slaves greatly crave to speak to their mistress face to face, and hear of every thing, and eat, and drink, and then also take something to the country, such as always warm the hearts of slaves.”

§ 15.380 Adroit Odysseus said to him in reply: “Hmm. When you were so little, swineherd Eumaeus, you wandered far from your fatherland and parents. But come, tell me this and recount it exactly, whether the broad-streeted city of men was sacked,

§ 15.385 in which your father and lady mother used to live, or, left by yourself, beside your sheep or beside your cattle, hostile men took you and brought you for sale to that man's home, and he gave a worthy price.” The swineherd, leader of men, said back to him:

§ 15.390 “Stranger, since you question me and ask about this, heed me now in silence, and enjoy yourself, and sit drinking wine. These nights are ungodly long. It's possible to sleep, and it's possible for those who enjoy it to listen, but there's no need for you to lie down before it's time. Too much sleep is an annoyance.

§ 15.395 Whoever of the others, whose heart and spirit bid him, let him go out and sleep. With dawn's appearance, let him have a meal and go with our lord's sheep. Let us two, drinking and dining in the hut, delight in the dismal troubles of each other

§ 15.400 as we recall them. For a man can delight even in sorrows, whoever's suffered much and wandered far. But I'll tell you this, because you ask and question me. “A certain island is called Syrie, perhaps you've heard of it, above Ortygia, where the sun's turning places are,

§ 15.405 not populated very much at all, but a good land, good for cattle, good for sheep, full of wine, rich in wheat. Famine never comes into the kingdom, nor does any loathesome sickness besides come to miserable mortals. But when the tribes of men grow old throughout the city,

§ 15.410 Silverbow Apollo comes with Artemis, attacks them with his gentle darts, and kills them. Two cities are there, and everything is divided in two between them. In both of them my father, Ctesius Ormenides, one like the immortals, was king.

§ 15.415 Then came Phoenicians, ship-famed men, knavish gnawers, bringing trinkets with their black ship. There used to be a Phoenician woman in my father's house, big and beautiful, and skilled in splendid works. The exceedingly crafty Phoenicians beguiled her.

§ 15.420 First, as she was doing laundry beside their hollow ship, one mixed with her, in making love and love, and that beguiles the minds of females, of women, even one who may be honorable. Then he asked her who she was and where she came from. She very quickly pointed out my father's high-roofed house.

§ 15.425'I claim to be from Sidon, rich in bronze, and I'm the daughter of Arybas to whom wealth comes in streams, but Taphian pirate men snatched me up as I was coming from the country, and brought me here for sale, to that man's home, and he gave a worthy price.'

§ 15.430 “The man who'd mixed with her in secret said back to her:'Would you now come back home with us again, so you can see the high-roofed house of your father and your mother, and them, too? For they're still alive and are called wealthy.' “The woman said back to him and answered:

§ 15.435'Even that might be, if you'd be willing, sailors, to pledge by oath to me that you'll take me home unharmed.' “So said she, and they all swore they would, as she bid them. Then after they'd sworn and completed the oath, the woman again spoke among them and answered:

§ 15.440'Be quiet now. Have none of your companions speak to me, if he meets me either in the street or by chance at a fountain, lest someone go to his house and tell the old man, who in suspicion would bind me in grievous bonds and devise destruction for you.

§ 15.445 So keep my words in mind, and hasten the price of your cargo. But when your ship is filled with substance, have one come to the house quickly after with a message for me, for I'll bring gold, too, whatever comes under my hands. And I'd willingly give another thing as payment for my passage.

§ 15.450 For in the palace I tend the good man's son, such a cunning boy, who runs around with me outside, whom I'd bring aboard the ship, and who'd bring you an immense price, wherever you took him for sale among men of foreign speech.' “So saying, she departed toward the beautiful house,

§ 15.455 and they stayed beside us for a whole year in their hollow ship and traded for much substance. But when at last their hollow ship was loaded for them to go, right then they sent a messenger to bring the woman the news. A man, very shrewd one, came to my father's house,

§ 15.460 holding a golden necklace he'd strung at intervals with amber. In the hall the slave women and my lady mother felt about it with their hands and looked at it with their eyes, as they offered him a price, and in silence he nodded to the woman. Yes, indeed, he nodded and went to the hollow ship,

§ 15.465 and she took me by the hand and led me out the house's door. On the porch she found the tables and goblets of the men, the diners, who attended on my father. They'd gone to the kingdom's place of council and debate, and she immediately hid three chalices under the fold of her robe

§ 15.470 and carried them out. Then in my childish thoughtlessness I followed, and the sun went down, and all the ways were dark. Going quickly, we came to the famed harbor. The sea-swift ship of the Phoenician men was there. Then they went aboard and sailed over the watery ways,

§ 15.475 having brought the two of us aboard, and Zeus sent a favorable wind. Six days we sailed, day and night alike, but when Zeus Cronion added the seventh day, then arrow-pouring Artemis struck that woman and she fell with a thud into the hold, like a tern in the sea,

§ 15.480 and they threw her overboard to become spoil for fish and seals, then I was left grieving at heart. Wind and water bore and drove them to Ithaca, than Laertes bought me with his own possessions, and in that way I saw this land with my eyes.”

§ 15.485 Zeus -born Odysseus answered back to him: “ Eumaeus, yes, you've deeply stirred the spirit in my heart, telling every thing, all these sorrows you suffered in your heart. But, yes, indeed, Zeus placed good, too, beside evil for you, since after much toil you reached a kind man's house,

§ 15.490 who kindly provided you with food and drink, and you live a good life. But as for me, I reach here after wandering to many mortals' cities.” So they said such to each other, then fell asleep, not for a long time, but a little,

§ 15.495 since fair-throned Dawn soon came. Off dry land, Telemachus' comrades freed the sails and quickly took down the mast, then rowed her with oars into anchorage. They cast out the anchor stones, tied down the stern cables, went ashore themselves at the edge of sea's surf,

§ 15.500 prepared a meal, and mixed the sparkling wine. Then after they'd dispatched desire for food and drink, astute Telemachus was the first of them to speak: “You now drive the black ship to the city, while I'll visit my lands and herdsmen,

§ 15.505 and in the evening, when I've seen my fields, I'll come down to the city. In the morning I'd like to set before you a reward for your journey, a good feast of meats and wine that's sweet to drink.” Godlike Theoclymenus said back to him: “Dear child, which way should I go? Whose house should I go to,

§ 15.510 of the men who are the lords throughout rocky Ithaca? Or, should I go straight to your mother's house and yours?” Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “Were it otherwise, I'd bid you go right to our place, for there's no lack at all of hospitality, but it would be worse

§ 15.515 for you yourself, since I'll be away and my mother won't see you, for she doesn't appear often at all to the suitors in our home, but weaves at her loom in an upper room, away from them. Instead, I'll tell you of another man you can go to, Eurymachus, the splendid son of skilled Polybus,

§ 15.520 whom the Ithacans now look at as equal to a god. For he's also the best man by far and especially eager to marry my mother and have the honors of Odysseus, but Zeus, the Olympian living in the upper air, knows this, whether he'll bring about an evil day for him before a marriage.”

§ 15.525 As he spoke, a bird flew toward him on the right, a falcon, Apollo's swift messenger. It was plucking a dove it held in its feet, and was shedding feathers on the ground between the ship and Telemachus himself. Theoclymenus called him away from his comrades,

§ 15.530 put his hand in his, called out his name, and said: “ Telemachus, surely not against god's will the bird flew on the right. For I knew, when I look him in the face, he was a bird of omen. There's no other race more kingly than your race in the kingdom of Ithaca, no, you'll always be mighty.”

§ 15.535 Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “If only this word, stranger, would be brought to pass, you'd quickly know, because of it, many gifts and friendship from me, so that anyone who met you would call you blessed.” He spoke too to Peiraeus, his faithful comrade, and said to him:

§ 15.540 “ Peiraeus Clytides, as you'd obey me most of all in other things, of my comrades who went with me to Pylos, now also take this one for me, as a guest in your house, welcome him kindly and show him honor till I come.” Spear-famed Peiraeus said back to him in turn:

§ 15.545 “ Telemachus, even if you were to stay here for a long time, I'll care for this one, and he'll have no lack of hospitality.” So saying, he boarded his ship and bid his comrades get aboard themselves and free up the stern cables. Then they went aboard at once and sat down at the oarlocks.

§ 15.550 Telemachus tied fine sandals beneath his feet and grabbed a sharp spear, edged with sharp bronze, from the ship's deck. His men then freed the stern cables. They pushed off from shore and sailed to the city, as he bid them, Telemachus, divine Odysseus' the beloved son.

§ 15.555 His feet carried him quickly striding forward, until he reached the yard, where his pigs were, truly countless, among whom slept the swineherd, good man that he was, with kind thoughts for his lords.

§ 16.1 BOOK 16 Back in the hut, Odysseus and the divine swineherd prepared breakfast at dawn, kindled a fire, and sent out the herdsmen with the herded pigs. The dogs, that loved to bark, fawned around Telemachus

§ 16.5 but did not bark at him as he approached. Divine Odysseus noticed the dogs fawning and the sound of feet that came above it. He at once spoke winged words to Eumaeus: “ Eumaeus, surely some comrade of yours comes here, or some other acquaintance, since the dogs are not barking

§ 16.10 but fawning, and I hear the thud of feet.” His whole speech hadn't yet been spoken when his dear son stood in the doorway. The swineherd arose in amazement, and out of his hands fell the vessels with which he was working as he mixed the sparkling wine. He went to face his lord,

§ 16.15 and kissed him on the head, and on both his beautiful eyes, and both his hands, as thick tears fell from him. As a father with his loving thoughts fondly greets his son coming in the tenth year from a far-off land, his only son, his darling, for whom he's suffered many sorrows,

§ 16.20 so then the divine swineherd wrapped his arms around Telemachus, kissed him all over, as one escaped from death, and spoke winged words to him as he wept: “You've come, sweet light, Telemachus. I didn't think I'd ever see you after you went by ship to Pylos.

§ 16.25 But come now, dear child, come in, so I can delight in my heart in looking at you, newly come from elsewhere, inside. for you don't come often at all to the herdsmen or the country, but you stay in the city, since it pleased your heart so, to observe the destructive throng of suitor men.”

§ 16.30 Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “It will be that way, father, but I came here because of you, to see you with my eyes and hear you words, whether my mother still stays in the palace, or some other man has married her, and, perhaps, Odysseus' bed

§ 16.35 lies in need of sleepers and holds evil spiderwebs.” The swineherd, leader of men, said back to him: “In truth, she waits with a patient heart in your palace, but forever for her, unhappy days and nights pass by as she sheds tears.”

§ 16.40 So saying, he accepted Telemachus' bronze spear. Then Telemachus went in and stepped over the threshold, and for him his father Odysseus got up from his seat as he came, but on the other side Telemachus restrained him and said: “Sit, stranger. We'll find a seat somewhere else

§ 16.45 in our farmhouse. There's a man here who'll put one down.” So said he, and Odysseus went back and sat down. The swineherd poured green brushwood beneath him, and a fleece on top of it, then the dear son of Odysseus sat down there. The swineherd in turn placed platters of meat beside them,

§ 16.50 roasted meat that they'd left over when they ate the day before, hurriedly heaped bread in baskets beside them, mixed honey-sweet wine in a wooden cup, then sat himself opposite divine Odysseus. They threw their hands on the good things laid ready before them.

§ 16.55 Then after they'd dispatched desire for food and drink, Right then Telemachus said to the divine swineherd: “Father, from where did this stranger come to you? How did sailors bring him to Ithaca? Who did they claim to be? For I don't at all think he reached here on foot.”

§ 16.60 Swineherd Eumaeus, you said to him in reply: “Well then, child, I'll tell you the whole truth. He claims his race is from wide Crete, and he says he's whirled round to many mortals' cities in his wandering, for a divinity has spun things for him so.

§ 16.65 Now he's escaped from a ship of Thesprotian men and come to my farmhouse, and I put him in your hands. Do with him as you wish, but he claims to be your suppliant.” Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “ Eumaeus, this word you've said is truly very painful to my heart,

§ 16.70 for how could I welcome this stranger to my house? I'm young myself and don't yet trust my hands to defend myself from a man when some one superior is angry. The spirit in my mother's heart worries in two ways, whether to stay right here beside me and care for our home,

§ 16.75 out of respect for her husband's bed and the kingdom's opinion, or to go now with whatever Achaean best woos her in her palace and gives her the most gifts. But, yes, indeed, this stranger, since he's come to your house, I'll dress him in fine clothing, a cloak and tunic,

§ 16.80 give him a two-edged sword and sandals for his feet, and send him wherever his heart and spirit bid him. But if you want, keep him in the farmhouse and you take care of him, and I'll send the clothes here and all the food for him to eat, so he won't put a strain on you and your comrades.

§ 16.85 But I wouldn't let him go there among the suitors, for they have too much reckless wanton arrogance, lest they mock him, and grim grief be mine. It's hard for man, even a mighty one, to do anything when he's among many, since surely they're far stronger.”

§ 16.90 Long-suffering divine Odysseus said back to him: “My friend, since it's surely right for me to answer even this, yes, you quite tear apart my dear heart as I listen to all the reckless things you say the suitors are contriving in your palace, against the will of such a one as you are.

§ 16.95 Tell me whether you accept subjection willingly, or do the people throughout the kingdom hate you, following the voice of a god? Do you in some way fault your brothers, whom a man trusts to fight with him, even if a great dispute breaks out? For if I were young enough for that, with this temper of mine,

§ 16.100 or noble Odysseus' son, or even he himself, would come from wandering, why, there'd still be a measure of hope. May a foreign man at once cut off my head then, if I don't become an evil for those men, for all of them, when I come to the hall of Laertiades Odysseus.

§ 16.105 But even if they tamed me by their numbers, solitary as I am, I'd rather be killed in your palace and die, than watch these disgraceful deeds forever, strangers mistreated and men shamefully dragging slave women throughout the beautiful house,

§ 16.110 and wine drawn wastefully, and men eating food the same way frivolously, endlessly, in work without success.” Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “Well then, stranger, I'll speak to you very exactly. Neither is all the kingdom at all angry because it hates me,

§ 16.115 nor do I find fault with brothers, whom a man trusts to fight with him, even if a great dispute breaks out, for Cronion has made our line a single one this way. Arceisius fathered an only son, Laertes, and in turn he was the father to an only son, Odysseus, then Odysseus

§ 16.120 fathered me, an only son, in his palace, and left, and had no joy of me. That's why enemies, quite countless, are now in our house. For all the nobles who rule over the islands of Doulichion, Same, and wooded Zacynthus, and all who hold sway throughout rocky Ithaca,

§ 16.125 all these woo my mother and consume my house. She neither refuses hateful marriage nor can make an end of it. They, by their eating, are wasting my house. Quite soon they'll smash me to pieces, too. But indeed, these things lie on gods' knees.

§ 16.130 Now, father, you go quickly, and tell discreet Penelope that I'm come from Pylos and she has me safe. But I'll stay right here, and you go there, and give the news to her alone. Don't let any of them, the rest of the Achaeans, hear it, for many devise evil against me.”

§ 16.135 Swineherd Eumaeus, you said to him in reply: “I see. I understand. You order one who has the wits for this. But come, tell me this and recount it exactly, whether I should also go on the same trip to Laertes, the unfortunate one, who, while he grieved greatly for Odysseus,

§ 16.140 used to oversee his fields and, in his house, among his slaves, ate and drank when the heart in his chest commanded. But now, from the moment you left by ship for Pylos, they say he never eats or drinks the same way, nor looks upon his fields, but with sighs and groans

§ 16.145 he sits in lamentation as skin wastes about his bones.” Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “It's more painful, but nonetheless we'll let him be, despite our grief. For if somehow mortals had everything to choose from on their own, we'd choose first that one's, my father's, homecoming day.

§ 16.150 But, you, come back when you've given the news, and don't wander through the fields after that one. But tell my mother to dispatch her handmaid, the housekeeper, as quickly as possible, secretly, for she could give the news to the old man.” He spoke and roused the swineherd, then Eumaeus grabbed his sandals

§ 16.155 in his hands, tied them beneath his feet, and went to the city. Nor did Athena miss swineherd Eumaeus as he went from the farmhouse, but she came near. She appeared in the form of a beautiful tall woman skilled in splendid works, She stood opposite hut's door and appeared to Odysseus,

§ 16.160 but Telemachus didn't see or notice her in front of him, for gods don't at all appear visible to everyone, but Odysseus saw her, and the dogs, too, and they didn't bark, but fled with a whimper to the other side of the farmhouse. She beckoned at him with her eybrows, and Odysseus noticed,

§ 16.165 then came out of the hall, beyond the yard's great wall, and stood before her. Athena said to him: “ Zeus -born Laertiades, resourceful Odysseus, declare your will to your son now and don't conceal it, so when you two have concocted death and doom for the suitors

§ 16.170 you may go to the far-famed city. And I myself won't be away from you for long, for I'm very eager to battle.” Athena spoke and touched him with her golden wand. First she placed a well-cleaned cloak and tunic about his chest, then increased his form and youthful vigor.

§ 16.175 He again became swarthy, then his jaws filled out, and the beard about his chin got dark. She went back when she'd done so, then Odysseus went into the hut. His dear son was amazed at him, cast his eyes in the other direction, lest he be a god,

§ 16.180 and, voicing winged words, said to him: “You now look different to me, stranger, than you were before. You have other clothing and your skin's no longer the same. Surely you're some god, one of those who rule wide heaven. But be gracious, so we can give you pleasing victims

§ 16.185 and golden gifts, well-made ones. But spare us.” Then long-suffering divine Odysseus answered him: “I'm surely not some god. Why do you think I'm like immortals? But, I am your father, for whose sake you groan and suffer many sorrows, submitting to the violence of men.”

§ 16.190 So saying, he kissed his son, and from his cheeks let tears fall to the ground. He'd always held them, constantly, before. But Telemachus, since he didn't yet believe he was his father, said to him once again in answer: “You're not Odysseus, my father, but a divinity

§ 16.195 who enchants me, so that I'll groan still more in lamentation. For in no way could a mortal man contrive this with his own mind on his own, unless a god himself comes and easily makes him young or old by wishing it. For, yes, indeed, just now you were an old man and wore unseemly things,

§ 16.200 but now you're like the gods who hold wide heaven.” Adroit Odysseus said to him in reply: “ Telemachus, it's not seemly that you wonder at anything too much or be astonished that your beloved father's really home. For another Odysseus will never come here,

§ 16.205 but this one, such as I, after suffering evils and much wandering, has come, in the twentieth year, to his fatherland. But this is, indeed, the work of Athena, the bringer of booty, who makes me such as she wishes, for she can, sometimes resembling a beggar, at other times

§ 16.210 a man again, young and with fine clothes around his flesh. It's easy for the gods who hold wide heaven both to exalt and to debase a mortal man.” So saying, he sat down, then Telemachus embraced his good father and wept, shedding tears.