Homer, Odyssey

§ 16.215 The desire for lamentation arose in both of them. They wailed clearly, louder than birds of prey, sea eagles and vultures with hooked talons, whose young men of the country take away before they're fully fledged, so piteously did they let their tears fall from their brows.

§ 16.220 And sun's light would surely have set for them as they wailed, had not Telemachus suddenly spoken to his father: “My dear father, in what kind of ship did sailors now bring you here to Ithaca? Who did they claim to be? For I don't at all think you reached here on foot.”

§ 16.225 Long-suffering divine Odysseus said back to him: “Well now, my child, I'll recount the truth to you. Phaeacians brought me, ship-famed ones, who also convoy other men, whoever comes to them. And they brought me sleeping in a swift ship on the sea

§ 16.230 and put me down in Ithaca, and gave me splendid gifts, bronze, gold aplenty, and woven raiment, and this lies, by gods' will, in a cave. I've come back here now on the advice of Athena, so we could plot about the murder of our foes.

§ 16.235 But come, count the suitors for me and give an account of them, so I know how many there are and which ones are men, and once I've considered it in my noble heart I can decide whether we two could oppose them by ourselves without others or should try to get the help of others, too.”

§ 16.240 Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “Father, yes, indeed, I've heard always of your great fame, that you're a warrior with your hands and wise in counsel, but you've said too great a thing. Awe holds me. But it wouldn't be possible for two men to do battle against the many and the mighty.

§ 16.245 Of the suitors there are neither exactly ten, nor only twice that, but many more. You'll soon see their number there. From Doulichion there are fifty-two chosen young men, and six servants attend them. There are twenty-four men from Same.

§ 16.250 There are twenty young men of the Achaeans from Zacynthus. There are twelve from Ithaca itself, all the best ones, and with them is the herald Medon, and a divine singer, and two cohorts, experienced in carving meat. If we were to meet with all of the ones who are inside,

§ 16.255 I fear you'd come avenge their violence very bitterly and grimly. But you, if you can think of some helper, tell me, someone who might aid the two of us with an earnest heart. Long-suffering divine Odysseus said back to him: “Well then, I'll tell you, and you heed and hear me,

§ 16.260 and consider whether Athena, with her father Zeus, will be enough, or should I think of some other helper.” Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “Those two whom you mention are surely good helpers, although they sit high up in the clouds

§ 16.265 and rule the rest, both men and gods immortal.” Long-suffering divine Odysseus said back to him: “Surely those two won't be much time on both sides of the mighty conflict, when, for the suitors and us in my palace, Ares' fury is decided.

§ 16.270 But you now, go home with dawn's appearance and consort with the haughty suitors. Then the swineherd will bring me to the city later looking like a sordid beggar and old man. If they dishonor me throughout the house, have the dear heart

§ 16.275 in your chest endure it, although I suffer evilly, even if they drag me through the house by my feet to the door or strike me with missiles, you must hold up as you look on. But, yes, indeed, urge them cease from their folly, speaking with words meant to win them, but they won't at all

§ 16.280 obey you, since now their day of destiny stands near. I'll tell you something else, and, you, put it in your mind. When much-counseling Athena puts it in my mind, I'll nod to you with my head, and after you notice, pick up any martial battle gear that's lying in the palace

§ 16.285 and put it down in a corner of the lofty chamber, all of it entirely, then with gentle words beguile the suitors when they miss it and question you:'I stored them, away from the smoke, since they're no longer like the ones Odysseus left behind when he went to Troy once upon a time,

§ 16.290 but they're befouled, so much has smoke's breath come to them Furthermore, Cronion's put this even greater fear in my mind, lest you by chance get drunk, start a quarrel among you, wound each other, and disgrace your feast and wooing. For iron on its own attracts a man.'

§ 16.295 But for us two only, leave behind two swords and two spears and two bull's hide shields to pick up with our hands, so we can make a rush for them and seize them. Pallas Athena and contriver Zeus would enchant the suitors then. I'll tell you something else, and, you, put it in your mind.

§ 16.300 If you're truly mine and of our blood, then let no one hear that Odysseus is really home, neither let Laertes know it, nor the swineherd, nor any of the household servants, nor Penelope herself, but let's you and I alone learn the women's inclination,

§ 16.305 and, further, put some of the slave men to the test, both where someone honors us and fears us in his heart and one who doesn't care, but dishonors such a man as you are.” His brilliant son said to him in reply: “Father, yes, indeed, I think you too will know my heart hereafter,

§ 16.310 since weakmindedness holds me not at all, but I surely don't think this'll be a thing of profit for either of us, and I urge you give it thought. For you'd go a long time vainly testing each one, as you visit our farms, while the ones at ease in our palace

§ 16.315 haughtily devour our property, and with no sparing of it. Yes, indeed, I urge you learn about the women instead, which ones dishonor you and which are innocent. I wouldn't want us testing throughout the farmhouses of men, but to work on these things later,

§ 16.320 if you truly know some sign from Aegis-bearer Zeus.” So as they said such to each other, the well-built ship that carried Telemachus and all his comrades to Pylos put in then at Ithaca. When they arrived inside the very deep harbor,

§ 16.325 they hauled the black ship onto land, then high-spirited cohorts unloaded their gear for them and brought the gorgeous gifts at once to the home of Clytius. Then they dispatched a herald to the home of Odysseus to tell the news to prudent Penelope,

§ 16.330 because Telemachus was at the farm, and had bid them sail the ship off to the city, so the mighty queen not be fearful in her heart and let round teardrops fall. The two, the herald and the divine swineherd, met on account of the same message, to speak to the woman.

§ 16.335 But when they reached the divine king's home, in the midst of the slave women, the herald said: “My queen, your dear son has surely just now come!” The swineherd stood close beside her and told Penelope all that her dear son had ordered him to say.

§ 16.340 Then after he'd delivered the whole behest, he made his way back to his pigs and left the courtyard and the hall. The suitors sorrowed and were downcast in their hearts, went from the hall beyond the great wall of the courtyard, and seated themselves right there in front of the gates.

§ 16.345 Polybus' son Eurymachus was the first of them to speak: “Friends, yes, a terrible deed has been insolently done, this journey by Telemachus, and we thought he wouldn't do it! But come, let's launch a black ship, whatever one's the best, and gather in it rowers for the sea, who would soonest

§ 16.350 announce to the others that they should come quickly home.” He hadn't yet said everything, when, turning from his place, Amphinomus saw the ship inside the very deep harbor, the men furling the sail and holding oars in their hands. He laughed out sweetly and said to his comrades:

§ 16.355 “Don't send any message yet, for they're home. Either some god told this to them, or they themselves caught sight of the ship as it went by them, but weren't able to catch her.” So said he, and they stood up and went to sea's shore, then quickly hauled the black ship onto land,

§ 16.360 and high-spirited cohorts unloaded their gear for them. They themselves went all together to the assembly, and let no one else, of the old men or the young, sit with them. Eupeithes' son Antinous spoke among them: “Humph! So the gods have delivered this man from evil.

§ 16.365 By day our look-outs sat on windy hilltops, ever relieving each other. With the setting sun, we never slept a night on land, but in a swift ship we sailed on the sea and awaited divine Dawn, waiting in ambush for Telemachus, so we could seize and waste

§ 16.370 him, but in the meantime a divinity led him away homeward. Let's now devise his wretched destruction, Telemachus's, that he may not escape us, for I don't think we'll accomplish these deeds of ours while he's alive. He himself is wise, both in thought and counsel,

§ 16.375 and the people no longer feel completely kind toward us. But come, before that one calls the Achaeans together to assembly, for I don't think he'll let go, but will hold onto his anger instead, and stand up among them all and speak, because we sewed sheer murder for him but didn't catch him.

§ 16.380 When they hear from him, they won't praise our evil deeds. I fear they'll do us some evil, and drive us from our land, and we'll to go to a kingdom of others. Let's act first instead, and seize him in the country, apart from the city, or on the road. Let's keep his substance and possessions for ourselves,

§ 16.385 divide it duly among us, then give the house back, for his mother and whoever marries her to have. But if this word displeases you, and you want him to live and have all that's his father's, then let's not gather here eating his abundantly heart-sweet

§ 16.390 treasures, but let each one seek to woo her with bride gifts from his hall. Then she can marry the one who gives her the most and comes as the fated one.” So said he, and all became silent in silence. Amphinomus addressed them and spoke among them,

§ 16.395 the brilliant son of Nisus, of lord Aretiades, who'd led suitors from grassy Doulichion, rich in wheat, and was especially pleasing to Penelope for his words, for he was graced with good wits. With good intent he addressed the assembly and spoke among them:

§ 16.400 “My friends, I wouldn't want to kill Telemachus. It's a terrible thing, to kill a kingly race. Let's first ask for counsels from the gods instead. If great Zeus's oracles approve, I'll kill him myself, and order all the rest of them to,

§ 16.405 but of the gods turn away, I order you to stop.” So said Amphinomus, and his word pleased them, then they got up at once and went into the house of Odysseus, and went and sat down on polished chairs. Prudent Penelope had another thought again,

§ 16.410 to appear to the suitors, with their insolently wanton arrogance, since she'd heard of her son's destruction in her palace, for a herald, Medon, who'd heard their plans, had told her. She made her wall toward the hall with her handmaid women, but when the woman divine reached the suitors,

§ 16.415 she stood beside a column of the densely-made roof, holding a shiny veil against her cheeks, and upbraided Antinous, and called out his name, and said: “ Antinous, conniving one, with your wanton arrogance! And yet they say that in the kingdom of Ithaca, among those of your age, you're the best

§ 16.420 in words and counsel. But you're not such a man! Madman! Why do you sew death and doom for Telemachus, and take no heed of suppliants, for whom Zeus is the witness? It's not divine law to sew evils for each other! Don't you know of the time your father came here, in flight,

§ 16.425 cowering before the kingdom? For they were extremely angry at him then, because went with Taphian pirates and caused sorrow for Thesprotians, who were in league with us. They wanted to waste him, and take away his dear heart, and devour much of his tasty substance,

§ 16.430 but Odysseus restrained and checked them despite their desire. Now you eat his house without payment, woo his woman, would kill his son, and greatly grieve me. But I order you to stop and to command the others to.” Polybus' son Eurymachus said back to her in turn:

§ 16.435 “Daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope, take heart, don't let these things concern your mind. That man does not exist, nor will be, nor even might be born, who'll lay hands on your son Telemachus while I'm alive and look upon the earth!

§ 16.440 For I will so declare it, and it will surely come to pass. His black blood will flow suddenly around our spear, since city-sacking Odysseus often sat me too upon his knees, put roasted meat in my hands, and offered me red wine.

§ 16.445 Therefore, Telemachus is by far the dearest to me of all men, and I urge him to not tremble in any way before death, at least not from the suitors. It's not possible to avoid it from the gods.” So said he to cheer her, but he himself planned destruction for him. She went up to the shining upper floor,

§ 16.450 then wept for Odysseus, her beloved husband, until bright-eyed Athena cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids. The divine swineherd came to Odysseus and his son in the evening. They were preparing supper, in an orderly way, and had slaughtered a year-old pig. Then Athena

§ 16.455 stood close by Laertiades Odysseus, struck him with her wand, and made him an old man again, then dressed wretched clothes around his flesh, lest the swineherd recognize him when he looked into his face and go report to discreet Penelope, and not save it in his heart.

§ 16.460 Telemachus was the first to speak to him: “You've come, divine Eumaeus. What's the news throughout the city? Are the manly suitors home already from their ambush, or still in the same place, on guard for me on my way home?” Swineherd Eumaeus, you said to him in reply:

§ 16.465 “I didn't care to inquire and ask about these things as I went about the city. My heart bid me come back here very quickly once I'd spoken my message. A swift messenger from your comrades met me, a herald, who spoke to your mother first.

§ 16.470 But I know at least this other thing, for I saw it with my eyes. I was already above the city, where the ridge of Hermes is, on my way, when I saw a ship coming into our harbor. There were many men in it, and she was laden with shields and double-pointed spears.

§ 16.475 And I thought that they were those men, but I don't know it at all.” So said he, and the sacred force of Telemachus smiled as he looked at his father with his eyes but avoided the swineherd. Then when they'd stopped work and made a meal, they dined, and no heart at all went without an equal meal.

§ 16.480 Then after they'd dispatched desire for food and drink, they turned their minds to rest and seized the gift of sleep.

§ 17.1 BOOK 17 When early-born rose-fingered Dawn appeared, right then thereafter he tied fine sandals beneath his feet, Telemachus, divine Odysseus' beloved son, then grabbed a staunch sword that fit his palm,

§ 17.5 and, as he headed for the city, he said to his swineherd: “Father, yes, indeed, I'm going to the city, so my mother will see me, for I don't think she'll stop beforehand, from her loathesome weeping and tearful lamentation, at least before she sees me myself. So, I command you this way.

§ 17.10 Lead the wretched stranger to the city, so he can beg a meal there, and the one who wants to will give him wheat bread and a cup. It's no way possible that I put up with each and every man, since I've so much sorrow in my heart. And if that stranger gets very angry at it, it'll be the worse for him,

§ 17.15 for speaking truth is surely dear to me.” Adroit Odysseus said to him in reply: “Nor am I myself eager to be detained, my friend. It's better for a beggar to beg a meal in the city than in the fields. He who wants to will give me one.

§ 17.20 I'm no longer at the age to stay at farmhouses, and to obey in every way a master giving orders. So go. This man whom you ordered will lead me, right after I get warm from the fire and there's warmth from the sun. For these clothes I have are terribly bad. I fear the morning frost

§ 17.25 will tame me, and they say the city's far away.” So said he, and Telemachus went through the farmhouse, striding quickly with his feet, planting evils for the suitors. Then after he reached the well-settled house, he stood the spear he carried against a tall pillar,

§ 17.30 stepped over the marble threshold, and went inside himself. The nurse Eurycleia was by far the first to see him, as she spread fleeces on ornamented chairs, and she then went directly to him in tears. The rest of steadfast Odysseus' slave women gathered about him,

§ 17.35 and kissed his head and shoulders with affection. Prudent Penelope came out of her bedroom, like Artemis or golden Aphrodite, threw her arms around her son, in tears, and kissed him on the head, and on both his beautiful eyes,

§ 17.40 and spoke winged words to him as she wept: “You've come, sweet light, Telemachus. I didn't think I'd ever see you after you went by ship to Pylos, against my will, in secret, after news of your dear father. But come, recount for me how you gained sight of him.”

§ 17.45 Astute Telemachus said back to her in turn: “Mother mine, don't stir up lamentation for me or trouble the heart in your chest about me, since I've escaped sheer destruction. But wash yourself with water, take clean clothes for your flesh, go up into the upper chamber with your handmaid women,

§ 17.50 and vow to all the gods to offer perfect hecatombs in the hope that Zeus will someday perform works of vengeance. Then I'll go to the assembly, to summon a stranger, who came with me from there as I was coming here. I sent him ahead with my godlike comrades

§ 17.55 and ordered Peiraeus to take him to his home, welcome him kindly, and show him honor till I came.” So said he, but words for her were wingless. She washed herself with water, took clean clothes for her flesh, and vowed to all the gods to offer perfect hecatombs

§ 17.60 in the hope that Zeus would someday perform works of vengeance. Then Telemachus went through and out the hall, holding a spear, and two flashing dogs went with him. Athena poured abundant grace upon him, so all the men gazed at him as he approached.

§ 17.65 The manly suitors gathered about him, saying good things, but deeply brooding evils in their minds. But he avoided the great throng of them then, Instead, where Mentor sat, and Antiphus, and Halitherses, who were his father's comrades from the start,

§ 17.70 going there, he sat down, and they him asked about everything. Spear-famed Peiraeus came near them, leading the stranger through the city to the assembly. Telemachus didn't turn away from the stranger at all, but stood beside him. Peiraeus was the first to speak to Telemachus:

§ 17.75 “ Telemachus, send women quickly to my home, so I can send off to you the gifts that Menelaus gave you.” Astute Telemachus said back to him in turn: “ Peiraeus, since we don't know how these deeds will be, whether the manly suitors will kill me by stealth

§ 17.80 in my palace and divide all my father's things among them, I prefer you yourself keep and enjoy them, rather than one of them, but if I plant doom and murder for them, at that time gladly bring it to my home as I rejoice.” So saying, he led the much-tried stranger to his house.

§ 17.85 Then after they arrived at the well-settled house they put down their cloaks on chairs and couches, stepped into well-polished tubs, and bathed. After slave women washed them and anointed them with olive oil and threw about them woolen robes and tunics,

§ 17.90 they stepped out of the tubs and sat on couches. A handmaid brought water for washing in a fine golden pitcher and poured it above a silver basin so they could wash, then pulled a polished table beside them. A venerable housekeeper brought bread and set it before them

§ 17.95 placing many foods on it, pleasing them from her stores. His mother sat opposite him, beside a pillar of the hall, leaning in a chair and constantly turning fine wool on a distaff. They threw their hands on the good things laid ready before them. Then after they'd dispatched desire for food and drink,

§ 17.100 prudent Penelope began speaking to them: “ Telemachus, yes, indeed, I'm going up into my upper chamber to lie down in the bed that's been made one that causes groans for me, always wet with my tears, from the moment Odysseus went with the Atreidae to Ilium. And you didn't even dare,

§ 17.105 before the manly suitors came into this house, to tell me clearly of your father's return, if you heard of it anywhere.” Astute Telemachus said back to her in turn: “Well now, mother, I'll recount the truth to you. We went both to Pylos and to Nestor, the shepherd of men.

§ 17.110 That one received me in his lofty palace and kindly welcomed me. As a father would his own son, newly come from elsewhere after a long time, so that one kindly cared for me with his gloried sons. But of steadfast Odysseus, alive or even dead, he said

§ 17.115 he'd never heard anything from those upon the earth. Instead, to Atreides, spear-famed Menelaus, he sent me with horses and a chariot, a closely jointed one. I saw Argive Helen there, on whose account Argives and Trojans suffered much by the will of the gods.

§ 17.120 Then battle-cry-brave Menelaus at once asked me in what need I'd come to divine Lacedaemon. The I recounted the whole truth to him. Right then he said to me in answer:'Damn it! Yes, indeed, in the bed of a strong-minded man

§ 17.125 they wished to sleep, though they themselves are weaklings. As when a deer puts her newborn suckling fawns to sleep in a mighty lion's woody lair and forages the foothills and grassy glens to graze, and afterwards the lion goes into his den

§ 17.130 and sends disgraceful doom against both of them, so Odysseus will send disgraceful doom against those men. For I wish, father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo, that just as he was in well-founded Lesbos once upon a time when, on a dare, he stood up and wrestled Philomeides

§ 17.135 and threw him mightily, and all Achaeans were delighted, such an Odysseus would engage the suitors. All would be bitterly betrothed and swiftly doomed. About these things that you ask and entreat me, I won't speak off point of other things besides them nor will I deceive you,

§ 17.140 but of what the infallible old man of the sea told me I'll hide nothing from you and won't conceal a word. He said he'd seen him on an island, having mighty sorrows, in the palace of nymph Calypso, who holds him back by force. He's unable to reach his fatherland,

§ 17.145 for he hasn't oared ships or comrades at his side to convoy him on the broad back of the sea. So said Atreides, spear-famed Menelaus. When I'd done this, I departed, and the immortals granted me a fair wind and sent me swiftly to my beloved fatherland.

§ 17.150 So said he, and spurred the heart in her chest. Godlike Theoclymenus also spoke among them: “Venerable wife of Laertiades Odysseus, Yes, indeed, he does not know it clearly, but heed my words, for I'll prophesy to you exactly and won't conceal it.

§ 17.155 Let Zeus now witness it first, and the guest table of the gods, and the hearth of noble Odysseus, to which I've come, that, yes, indeed, Odysseus is already in his fatherland, sitting and moving, finding out about these evil deeds, and he plants evil for all the suitors.

§ 17.160 I observed such a bird of omen as I was sitting on the well-benched ship and made it known to Telemachus.” Prudent Penelope said back to him: “If only this word, stranger, would be brought to pass, you'd quickly know, because of it, many gifts and friendship

§ 17.165 from me, so that anyone who met you would call you blessed.” So while they said such things to one another, the suitors in front of Odysseus' hall enjoyed themselves throwing with discuses and javelins on leveled flat ground, where they had before, with wanton arrogance.

§ 17.170 But when it was time for dinner, and the sheep came from all sides from the fields, and they led them who did it before, right then Medon spoke to them, for he was the herald who most pleased them, and used to attend them at dinner: “Young men, since you've fully enjoyed yourself in games,

§ 17.175 come to the house, so we can get dinner ready, for it's not at all bad to take a meal in season.” So said he, and they stood up and went, obeying his command. Then after they arrived at the well-settled house they put down their cloaks on chairs and couches.

§ 17.180 They slaughtered big sheep and fat goats, then slaughtered pigs, fat hogs, and a cow from the herd, as they got dinner ready. Odysseus and the divine swineherd were getting ready to go from the country to the city. The swineherd, a leader of men, was the first of them to speak:

§ 17.185 “Stranger, since you're eager then to go to the city today, as my lord commanded, but as for me, I'd indeed prefer to leave you right here as a guard for the farmhouse. But I respect and fear him, lest he scold me later, and a lord's rebukes are hard.

§ 17.190 But come now, let's go, for by now the day is mostly gone, and it will be colder for you soon, toward evening.” Adroit Odysseus said to him in reply: “I see. I understand. You order one who has the wits for this. So let's go, and you guide me all the way thereafter.

§ 17.195 Now give me a club, if you have one cut somewhere, to support myself, since you say the road is very slippery.” He spoke, and threw around his shoulder the unseemly pouch, full of holes. A twisted cord was on it as a strap. Eumaeus gave him a staff that pleased his heart.

§ 17.200 The two set out, and the dogs and the herdsmen men stayed behind and guarded. He led his lord to the city, looking like a sordid beggar and old man, propping himself up, and wretched were the things he wore as clothes around his flesh. But at last, when they walked down the rugged road,

§ 17.205 they were near the city and reached a fountain, a fair-flowing well-made one, from which the city folk drew water, that Ithacus and Neritus and Polyctor had made. About it was a grove of poplars, fed by water, in a circle all around, and cold water flowed

§ 17.210 from a rock above it. An altar of the nymphs was built atop it, where all travelers made offerings. Dolios' son Melanthius met them there, driving goats, that were the best in all his herds, for the suitors' meal. Two herdsmen came with him.

§ 17.215 He cursed them when he saw them, called out their names, said terrible and shameful words, and riled Odysseus' heart: “Now a quite completely vile one acts as leader for a vile one, as god always brings one like him, as he brings one like him. You miserable swineherd, where do you bring this greedy pig,

§ 17.220 this annoying beggar, this one who takes the joy from feasts, who might stand beside and rub his shoulders on many doorposts, and beg for scraps but not for swords and cauldrons? If you'd give him to me, to become the keeper of my farmsteads, to be a cleaner of the pens, and carry young shoots to the kids,

§ 17.225 he'd even build big thigh muscles, drinking whey. But, since he's no doubt learned evil deeds, he wouldn't want to go about his work, but he'd rather go cringing through the kingdom and beg to feed his insatiable belly. But I'll declare this to you, and it'll come to pass, too.