i; 1 oli j]i 1 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 HYMNS, EPIGRAMS, AND BATTLE OF THE FROG; 
 
 AND MICE. 
 
 £iterallii (Jranslateb, 
 
 WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES, 
 
 THEODORE ALOIS BUCKLEY, B.A., 
 
 OP CHRIST CnUECU. 
 
 iSOSTON COLLEeE LIBRARY 
 CHESTRUT HILL, MASS. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 FRANKLIN SQUARE. 
 
 1 8 9 5 . 
 
HARPER’S 
 
 SIEW CLASSICAL LIBRAKY 
 
 COMPBISINO LTTEBAL TRANSLATIONS OP 
 
 CjESAR. 
 
 VIRGIL. 
 
 SALLUST. 
 
 HORACE. 
 
 TERENCE. 
 
 TACITUS. i2 Vols. 
 
 LIVY. 2Vcls, 
 
 CICERO’S ORATIONS. 
 
 CICERO’S OFFICES, LAILIUS, 
 
 CATO MAJOR, PARADOXES, 
 SCIPIO’S DREAM, LETTER 
 TO QUINTUS. 
 
 CICERO ON ORATORY AND 
 ORATORS. 
 
 PLATO (SELECT 
 
 CICERO’S TUSCULAN DISPUTA¬ 
 TIONS, THE NATURE OF THE 
 GODS, AND THE COMMON¬ 
 WEALTH. 
 
 JUVENAL. 
 
 XENOPHON. 
 
 HOMER’S ILIAD. 
 
 HOMER’S ODYSSEY. 
 
 HERODOTUS. 
 
 DEMOSTHENES. 2 Vols. 
 THUCYDIDES. 
 
 .®SCHYLUS. 
 
 SOPHOCLES. 
 
 EURIPIDES. 2 Vole. 
 
 DIALOGUES). 
 
 12mo, Cloth, $1 00 per Volume. 
 
 Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. 
 
 The above viorks are for sale by all booksellers, or they will be sent by 
 Hakper & Brothers to any address on receipt of price as quoted. If ordered 
 Knt by mail, 10 per cent, should be added to the price to cover cost of postage. 
 
 fA 
 
 
 ('f’riLL LIBRARi 
 uUSTON COLlEGE: 
 
 \ 
 
PREFACE TO THE ODYSSEY. 
 
 The present translation of the Odyssej has been exe¬ 
 cuted on the same plan as that of the Iliad, to which it 
 forms the companion-volume. The Hymns and Minor 
 Poems are now, for the first time, literally translated, 
 completing all that has been attributed to Homer. For 
 these the editions of Kuhnken, Ernesti, and Hermann 
 have been principally followed. 
 
 Had the limits of the volume permitted, a more crit¬ 
 ical investigation of the various readings and conjectures 
 of scholars would have been given; but the editor trusts 
 that what has been done will be found sufficient for the 
 wants of the student. 
 
 The frequent quotations from the brilliant paraphrases 
 of Chapman, Congreve, and Shelley, can not, he thinks, 
 fail to prove interesting to the general reader. 
 
 For the translation of the Pseudo-Herodotean Life of 
 Homer the reader is indebted to the industry of Kenneth 
 Mackenzie, Esq. It is the earliest memoir of the sup¬ 
 posed author of the Iliad we possess, and, as such, mer¬ 
 its translation. 
 
 T. A. B. 
 

 THE LIFE OF HOMER, 
 
 ATTRIBUTED TO HERODOTUS. 
 
 Herodotus of Halicarnassus,’ in the pursuit of truth, 
 writes this history of the birth and life of Homer. 
 
 T. When, many years ago, the city of Cumse in H^olia was 
 built, there flocked to it many persons of the various nations 
 of Greece, and among them were some from Magnesia.^ One 
 of these was Menapolus, the son of Ithagenes, the son of Crito. 
 This man, far from possessing riches, had scarcely the means 
 of subsistence. When settled in Cumm, he married the 
 daughter of Omyretis. I>y this marriage, he had one child, 
 a girl, whom he called Critheis. The husband and wife both 
 died, leaving this child very young. The father, before his 
 death, appointed Cleanax of Argos, one of his most intimate 
 friends, her guardian. 
 
 II. In the course of time, by a secret intrigue, Critheis 
 found herself with child. This was for some time concealed; 
 but Cleanax, having discovered it, was much afflicted by the 
 occurrence, and privately reproached her with her fault, lay¬ 
 ing before her the. dishonor she had brought upon herself. 
 
 * Some editions of the History boro, as we find from Aristotle (Rhetoric 
 ii. 9, § 1), the following variation from our usual superscription or preface: 
 “This is the exposition of the historical researches of Herodotus of 
 Thurium," etc. It is to he presumed that the edition which Aristotle 
 mentioned was one of those revised after his retiring to that town from 
 Halicarnassus (now called Budrun). in the fortieth year of his age, b.c. 
 444. Thurium v^as built near the ruins of Sybaris, in Lucania, by some 
 Athenians. Some say, that the banished Thucydides (afterward re¬ 
 called), Lysias, son of Cephalus, tlie celebrated orator, accompanied IIo' 
 rodotus (Strabo vi. ; Plin. xii. 4 ; Mela ii. 4), but this is doubtful. 
 
 ^ The present Mansa. 
 
VI 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 To repair the evil as much as possible, was now the subject 
 of his thoughts. The inhabitants of Cumje were at this time 
 building a town in the basin of the Ilermaean Gulf.^ These- 
 u9‘ wishing to render the name of his wife immortal, called it 
 Smyrna. He was a Thessalian, and of one of the most illus¬ 
 trious families in that country. Plis father was Eumelus, son 
 of Admetus,^ from whom he inherited a considerable proper- 
 
 ’ Tho present gulf of Smyrna ; the river on ^vhieh that place is situ¬ 
 ated, then called Moles, now Sarabat or Kedons. Some of the an¬ 
 cients suppose that Homer composed his poems in a cave near the 
 sources of this river, and thence called his compositions MeletoEce charter. 
 Strabo xii. ; Stat. ii.; Sylv. vii. 34 ; Tibull. iv. el. i. 201; Paus. vii. 
 5. Smyrna was built by the Cumoeans, n.c. 1015. Eratosthenes. 
 Some say that Smyrna was the name of an Amazon: according to our 
 author, it was named after the wife of Theseus, of whom mention will 
 presently be made. Alyattes expelled the Cimmerians from Smyrna. 
 Herodotus i. 26. Alexander, or, as Strabo affirms, Lysimachus, rebuilt 
 the town, which had remained ruinous and desolate for four hundred 
 years, i. e. from the time of Alyattes. Marcus Aurelius repaired the 
 damage done to it by an earthquake, n.c. 180. The Smyrnacans had a 
 building, and a brass coin, called Iloinerium. Strabo xii. and xiv.; Ital. 
 viii. 565; Paus. v. § 8; Mela i. 17; Herod, i. 55; v. 101; DAnville’s 
 Geographic abregee, tom*, ii. p. 8. 
 
 * Tacitus (iv. 56) confounds this Theseus with the early mythical king 
 of Attica. The commentators on Tacitus have passed over his life in 
 silence. In the Anthology there is an inscription for a statue of Peisis- 
 tratus, which seems to attribute the building of Smyrna to the Athenians. 
 
 ® The following is the genealogy of Theseus, omitting the mystical 
 period, and commencing at the mythical age : 
 
 Iiipctus, m. Abiiv or Clymene. (lies. Thcog.) 
 
 Proinetlicus. * 
 
 Deucalion, ni. Pyrrha. (u.o. 1503.) 
 
 Ilellen, m. Oiseis (King of Plitliiotis, circ. c c. 14C5). 
 
 1 
 
 .^Eolns (emig. to Asia Minor, e o. 1124). 
 
 CretheuB m. Tyro. (Apollod. i. 7.) 
 
 Phei’es, m. Clymene (built Pherse in Thessah^ 
 
 I 
 
 Admetus, m. Alcestis. (Eurip. in Alcestis.) 
 
 I 
 
 Eumelus (^7ent to Troy with eleven ships). i,\. yS. v. 7d4, 
 
 Theseus (u.o. 1030). 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 Vll 
 
 Cleanax conducted Critheis secretly to that town, and 
 committed her to the charge of Ismenias of Bceotia, a friend 
 of his, on whom the lot had fallen to go to that colony. 
 
 III. Critheis, being near her confinement, resorted to a 
 festival held on the bank of the river Meles, in company with 
 other women ; while there, the pains of childbirth came upon 
 her, and she brought forth Homer, who, far from being blind, 
 had excellent eyes. She named him Melesigenes, having been 
 born by the river Meles. Critheis remained some time with 
 Ismenias, but afterward left him, supporting herself and son 
 by the work of her hands,aqd upon the proceeds of the char¬ 
 ity of her fellow-citizens, educating the boy as she could. 
 
 IV. There lived at Smyrna, at this time, a man named 
 Phemius, a teacher of literature and music who not being 
 married, engaged Critheis to manage his household, and spin 
 tiie flax he received as the price of his scholastic labors. She 
 acquitted herself of the task so satisfactorily, and conducted 
 herself so modestly, that she won his esteem. He proposed 
 to marry her, and, as an inducement to it, promised to adopt 
 her son, intimating that the boy, carefully educated and in¬ 
 structed, would become a clever man ; for he perceived in 
 liim a thoughtful and studious disposition. Critheis, moved 
 by these solicitations, consented to become his wife. 
 
 ® Eumelus, being the son of a king, must have had both power and 
 riclies. Aristides (Monedia de Smyrna) mentions Theseus as one of the 
 founders of the city, but without further notice. But see Herodotus (i. 
 IG), who says that Smyrna was founded from Colophon. 
 
 ’ It is supposed by Eustathius (Comment, ad II. xii. page 913) that 
 Homer commemorated tlie honest endeavors of his mother to support 
 herself and son, in the following lines : “As a just and industrious wo¬ 
 man, holds the scale, and weighs the wool by which she lives; she is 
 attentive to equalize the balances, so that she may afford her children a 
 ])Oor subsistence, the price of fatiguing labor.” II. xii. 433-435. 
 
 Music was the general term under which the ancients comprehended 
 the knowledge of philosophy, logic, literature, harmonics, and in fact 
 all that concerns mental culture. Gymnastics was its parallel, as the 
 art of beautifying and strengthening the body. Aristo])hanes several 
 times calls the art of dramatic writing. Music. Conf. Sch. Aristoph. 
 Equites 188. Plato Repub. ii. 17. 
 
 2 
 
Vlll 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 V. Care and an excellent education seconding the happy 
 talents with which nature had endowed him, Melesigenes 
 soon surpassed his school-fellows in every attainment, and 
 when older, he became as wise as his instructor. Fhemius 
 died,9 leaving him heir to his property; his mother did not 
 long survive her husband. Melesigenes, now his own master, 
 taught in the school of Fhemius, where every one applauded 
 lim. He excited the admiration, not only of the inhabitants 
 of Smyrna, but also of the numerous strangers who resorted 
 to that port on account of the trade carried on there, partic¬ 
 ularly in the exportation of corn, much of which came from 
 the environs of the town. These, when their business was 
 finished, frequented his school in great numbers. 
 
 VI. Among these strangers, was one whose name was 
 Mentes. He had come from the island of Leucadia^® to buy 
 corn ; the vessel in Avhich he had arrived was his own; he 
 also was a lettered man, and well educated for those times. 
 This man persuaded Melesigenes to close his school, and ac¬ 
 company him on his travels. He promised to defray all the 
 expenses, and give him a certain stipend, telling him that, 
 while he was young, it was imperative on him to see with his 
 own eyes the countries and cities of which he might there¬ 
 after have occasion to speak. These reasonings prevailed, 1 
 think, the more easily, as he had some idea, at that time, of 
 devoting himself to the study of poetry [which would be fa¬ 
 cilitated by travel, as his innate prejudices would thereby be 
 stifled]. He quitted his school, and embarking with Mentes, 
 examined all the curiosities of the countries which they visit¬ 
 ed, and informed himself of every thing by interrogating ev¬ 
 ery one he met. We may also suppose, that he recorded in 
 writing all the information he thought worthy of preservii- 
 tion. 
 
 ® Homer, in gratitude to his preceptor, has celebrated his praise in 
 the Odyssey, i. 154, 155, 325, etc.; xvii. 2Gl ; and xxii. 330-356. 
 
 Now called Santa 2Iaura, one of the Ionian Isles, on the coast of 
 Epirus. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 IX 
 
 VIT. After having traveled in Tyrrhenia and Iberia/^ 
 they arrived at the island of Ithaca. Melesigenes, who had 
 already suffered pains in his eyes, now became much worse. 
 Mentes, obliged to go to Leucadia, his native country, on 
 business, left him at Ithaca in the care of a particular friend 
 of his, called Mentor, the son of Alcimus. He promised 
 Melesigenes to return to him, that they might continue their 
 voyages. Mentor’s assistance was given to Melesigenes most 
 zealously. He was rich, and was reputed a just and hospi¬ 
 table man. It was here, and during this period, that Mele¬ 
 sigenes acquired a knowledge of all the legends respecting 
 Odysseus. The inhabitants of Ithaca assert “ that Melesig¬ 
 enes became blind in their island.” I myself incline to the 
 opinion, that he was cured of his disease, or that it was alle¬ 
 viated, and that afterward, when at Colophon, he permanent¬ 
 ly lost his sight. And so think the Colophonians. 
 
 VIH. Mentes, having sailed from Leucadia, arrived at 
 Ithaca. Finding Melesigenes cured, he took him on board, 
 and proceeded from place to place with him, coming at length 
 to Colophon. It was there that Melesigenes was again at¬ 
 tacked by the disease, which, raging more malevolently, left 
 him totally blind. This misfortune determined him to de¬ 
 part from Colophon, and to return to Smyrna, where he 
 studied the art of poetry and harmonics with much atten¬ 
 tion. 
 
 IX. After some time, the bad state of his affairs induced 
 him to go to Cumae. Setting out, he traveled over the Her- 
 maean plain, and arrived at Neon-teichos,^^ a colony of Cumae. 
 It is related, that being at that city near an armorer’s’^ 
 work-shop, he recited these, his first verses: 
 
 “ Wesseling throws a doubt on the probability of these voyages, sup¬ 
 porting his assertions by a reference to Herodotus (i. 163; viii. 132), 
 which is refuted by Larcher in his note on the passage. 
 
 See Herod, i. 149. 
 
 Literally, “a currier's yard," but Larcher has been followed in the 
 translation of the phrase, as the terms are almost synonymous, for the 
 tt'fDQs of the Greeks of that period were made of ox-hides, stretched on a 
 
X 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 “O ye, citizens of the amiable daughter of Cuma?,^^ who 
 cover the feet of JMount Sasdena with your habitations, whose 
 summit is shaded by refreshing woods, and whence flow the 
 waters of divine Hermus, create of Zeus, respect the misfor¬ 
 tunes of a stranger, who possesses no refuge for shelter.” 
 
 For the river Hermus flows near Neon-teichos, and Mount 
 Scedena overlooks both. The name of the armorer was Ty- 
 chius. These verses gave him such pleasure that he invited 
 Melesigenes to his house. Full of commiseration for a blind 
 man reduced to beggary, he promised to share all that he had 
 with him. Melesigenes having entered, seated himself, and 
 in the presence of several of the citizens, manifested his ca¬ 
 pabilities, by singing the exploits of Amphiaraiis against 
 Thebes,^^ and the Hymns to the gods.^® Each gave his 
 
 metal frame, and faced with the same material. Thus, in ancient times 
 the trades were exercised simultaneously. See the description of the 
 shield of Ajax (IX. vii. 219), and Smith’s Dictionaiy of Antiquities. 
 
 See Isaiah xxiii. 12. Faulinus, bishop of Nola, also says, in speak¬ 
 ing of Massilia, the present Marseilles, founded by the Phocaians (Thu- 
 cyd. i. 13. Herod, i. 1G6), “ Massilia Granum filial It serves to hcighu 
 en the poetic ctfect of the verses. These verses arc to be found in the 
 Aldine and Florentine editions. The text of the third verse is corrupt; 
 it runs, “ va'nT Iq, ^Sr]v, ijg Tro^a.” Bernard Martin proposes the follow¬ 
 ing emendation, '■^vaitTt 'Ecudrjvijg-Troda.'’ Stephen of Byzantium (’EOi/t/ca, 
 edit. Westermann, Lips. 1839, 8vo) mentions Mount Stedena, which 
 makes the reading more probable. Stedena may be a corruption of Sar- 
 dena mentioned by older authors, therefore to restore Sardena, as Lar- 
 cher does, would be to destroy a proof of the late origin of the Life. 
 This is a fact worthy of notice in dating the composition of this treatise. 
 Stephen of Byzantium lived under the reign of Justinian II., therefore 
 this treatise must have been written somewhere about the same time. 
 
 This was probably the poem known by the title of the Thebais, at¬ 
 tributed by Callinus (n.c. 700) to Homer. Paus. ix. 9; Welck. Cycl. p. 
 298. It consisted of 700 lines. On which see Mure, Greek Literature, 
 vol. ii. 2G7-276 ; Leutsch, Theb. Cycl. Relic. ; Ritschl. de Alex. Bibl. 
 p. 101. Conf. Livy, xxxvii. 19. Hulitzer (Epic. Griec. Fragm.) has 
 collected all the fragments of the Cyclic poems. His work is well 
 worthy of reference. 
 
 On the Hymns, see Mure, vol. ii. 317-337, and Voss’s German 
 translation of the hymn to Dcmeter, Heidclb., 182G. 
 
THE LIFE OP HOMER. 
 
 XI 
 
 opinion, and Melesigenes having drawn a just conclusion from 
 theii criticisms, his hearers were struck with admiration. 
 
 X. Wliile at Neon-teichos, his poems furnished him witli 
 the means of subsistence. The place he customarily occupied 
 durinji: the recitation of his verses is still shown. It is held 
 in great estimation even now, and is shaded by a poplar 
 which was planted about the time of his arrival.^’^ 
 
 XI. But at length, compelled by necessity, and finding 
 scarcely sufficient to keep him alive, he determined to pro¬ 
 ceed to Cuinoe, to see if he could meet with better fortune 
 there. When ready to depart, he recited these verses: 
 
 “ May my limbs support me to that honorable town, whose 
 inhabitants possess no less prudence than sagacity.” 
 
 Having departed for Cumas, he went by way of Larissa,^® 
 considering that road the most convenient. It was there, as 
 the Cumaeans say, that he composed the epitaph of Gordius, 
 king of Phrygia, at the request of the father and mother of 
 the wife of that prince. It is engraven on the pillar of the 
 monument of Gordius, where it may yet be seen. 
 
 “ I am a maiden sculptured in bronze. Placed on the 
 monument of Midas, as long as water may be seen to flow in 
 the plains, and the trees to flower in spring; as long as the 
 rising sun makes men to rejoice, and the moon, by the brillian- 
 cy of her light, dissipates the darkness of the night; as long 
 as the rivers flow rapidly along between their banks, and the 
 ocean covers the shore with its waves, I shall be continually 
 seen reposing on this sad tomb, announcing to the passengers 
 that Midas lies here interred.” 
 
 Should we not read arrival?” Poplars can hardly live so 
 
 lonp. 
 
 According to Xenophon (Cyropaed. vii. 1), this city was afterward 
 given by Cyrus to some Egyptians in recompense for their bravery in the 
 Assyrian war, and was still in the possession of their deseendants at the 
 time of that author. 
 
 Conf. Plat. Phaidrus, § lOG; Biog. Laert. i. 89. Simonides there 
 attributes them to Cleobulus of Liiidus, and with much apj^arent proba-* 
 bility. 
 
Xll 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XII. When Melesigenes arrived at Cumse, he frequented 
 the assemblies of the elders, and there recited his verses. 
 Admiring their beautiful structure, they fell into an ecstasy 
 of delight. Joyful at the reception his poems had prepared 
 for him among the Cummans, and at the pleasure with which 
 they had heard him, he one day proposed to them, that if the 
 state would maintain him, he would make the city of Cumm 
 very celebrated. Flis hearers approved of the proposition, 
 and engaged him to present himself before the council, where 
 they would support him with all their interest. Melesigenes, 
 encouraged by their approbation, presented himself at the 
 House of Assembly on an audience day, and addressing the 
 person who had the office of presenting those who had any 
 request to prefer, he begged to be allowed to enter. This of¬ 
 ficer did not neglect to present him the first opportunity that 
 offered. Melesigenes, as soon as that ceremony was over, 
 addressed the assembly regarding the proposition he had for¬ 
 merly made. His speech ended, he retired, in order that the 
 representatives might deliberate on the answer necessary to 
 give him. 
 
 XIII. He that presented him, and all those representatives 
 belonging to the Elders’ Assembly, where he had recited, 
 voted for him. It is said that one only opposed the measure, 
 giving for his reasons, “ that if they thought to feed homers, 
 they would find themselves encumbered with useless folks.’’ 
 From this time the name of Homer, bestowed thus opprobri • 
 ously on Melesigenes in consequence of his misfortune, was 
 most generally used in speaking of him; for the Cumaeans, in 
 their dialect, called blind persons homers. Strangers always 
 used this name in discoursing of the poet. 
 
 XIV. The Archon concluded with saying, “ that it was 
 
 See Wakefield, Ep. to Fox and Coleridge, sub init. Blomfield 
 (Mas. Crit.) in reviewing Wakefield condemns the whole notion, and 
 with reason. On the name signifying collector or arranger^ see Welcker 
 in Der Epische Cyclus, p. 127, and Wilson’s Syst. of Hindu Mythology, 
 Introd. p. Ixii. For the rarious etymologies, Bode’s Gesch. der Hellea 
 Dichtkst. vol. i. p. 55, n. 259, n. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 impolitic to maintain the blind man.*’ This caused the ma- 
 jority of the representatives to vote against the measure, the 
 second time, and thus the Archon obtained more votes than 
 opposers. The presenting officer communicated with Melesig- 
 enes on the subject, informing him of the progress of the de¬ 
 bate, and of the decree. Deploring his ill fortune, he recited 
 these verses: “ To what sad fate has father Zeus destined 
 
 me ? I, who have been carefully educated at the feet of a be¬ 
 loved mother during the time that the people of Phriconis,'-^^ 
 skillful in taming horses, and breathing only war, raised the 
 .iSilolian city, honorable Smyrna,^^ on the borders of the ocean, 
 by the behest of Zeus, that city traversed by the sacred wa¬ 
 ters of Meles. The illustrious dauo;hters of Zeus, on their de- 
 parture from these places, wished to immortalize this sacred 
 town^^ by my verses; but, deaf to my voice, the brutish herd 
 disdained my harmonious lays.^^ No, it shall not continue 
 so! whoever in blind folly heaped insults on my head, shall 
 not escape unscathed. I will courageously endure the ills 
 dealt out to me by the Deity. ’Tis over, I will no longer 
 rest in Cumas. My feet burn to depart hence, and my pant¬ 
 ing heart urges me to seek a foreign clime, and there to dwell, 
 however insignificant the place may be.” 
 
 Larcher translates this “the people of Phrieium.” Phricium was 
 a town and mountain near Thermopylae. A colony from thence built 
 Cumae. Hence Cumae is occasionally called Phriconis. See § xxxviii., 
 and Herod, i. 149. 
 
 Smyrna, as we have seen (§ ii.), was built by the Cumaeans. See 
 note 6, p. ix. 
 
 “ The poet refers again to Cumae. 
 
 The old reading (and the reading of the Harleian MS., No. 5G00) 
 is as follows: 
 
 Oi dTravyvdtrQrjv lepdv oira, (pijpi doidpv. 
 
 ’A(ppadir]v rwv p,kv tb TraOiov rig (ppdaatrat ao9ig 
 
 ’’Og atpiv . K. T.\. 
 
 The present translator has followed the emendation of Larcher, who 
 suppresses the point after doidpv and places it after dippadirjv, which is 
 changed into d<ppadly\ causing d<ppaciy to relate to oi d’ dTravyvdaOijv- 
 See Lercher’s note. 
 
XIV 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XV. On leaving Cumaj for Fliocaea lie pronounced a mal¬ 
 ediction against the Cumaians, to the following effect: “ that 
 there never might be born in Cumre a poet, who could render 
 it celebrated, and give it glory.” Arrived at Phociea, he sup¬ 
 ported himself as he had done at Cumie and elsewhere, assid¬ 
 uously frequenting the places of assembly, at which he re¬ 
 cited his verses. There was, at that time, an unprincipled 
 man named Thestorides at Phocaea, a teacher of the rudi¬ 
 ments of literature. Having observed the talents of Homer, 
 he offered to shelter and take care of him, if, as a recompense, 
 Homer would permit him to take down his verses in writing, 
 and if he would do the same with those he might hereafter 
 compose. Homer, being poor and destitute, accepted his offer. 
 
 XVI. During his residence in Phociea, at the house of 
 Thestorides, he composed the Little Iliad,^^ of which the two 
 first verses are as follows : 
 
 ‘‘ I sing of Ilium and Dardania, abounding in excellent 
 horses,2c and the ills the Greeks, servants of Mars, endured 
 in their plains.” 
 
 The Little Ilias fxiKpa) is generally considered to be the com¬ 
 
 position of Lesches or Lescheos, who fionrished about the eighteenth 
 Olympiad. This poem, and the JEthiopis of Arctinus, a more ancient 
 writer, who lived in the beginning of the Olympiads, treated of the same 
 subject, and so gave rise to an absurd anachronism, concerning a contest 
 between the two poets. It has been (like all the cyclic poems) various¬ 
 ly ascribed to Homer himself, to Thestorides of Phociea (§ xvi.), Cince- 
 thon of Lacedaemon, and Diodorus of Erythrae. The poem was divided 
 into four books, according to Proclus, who preserves an extract. It 
 narrated the fate of Ajax, the exploits of Odysseus, Neoptolemus, and 
 Philoctetes, and the final capture and sacking of Troy (Arist. Poet, 
 xxiii.), which part of the poem received the name of the Destruction of 
 Troy (’iXiou Trepaig). The poem possessing no unity excepting historic¬ 
 al and chronological succession, Aristotle (loc. cit.) justly observes that 
 eight tragedies might be made from it, while only one can be composed 
 from the Iliad or Odyssey. Conf. Muller’s History of Greek Literature, 
 vi. §3; XVelcker, Der Epische Cyclus, pp. 132, 251, 272, 358, 3(58; Sui- 
 das, s. y."Opr]poQ; Clemens Alex. i. p. 381 ; Saumaise, In exercitationi- 
 bu3 Plinianis, p. 847, et seq. ; Mure, Greek Literature, vol. ii. 284, 285. 
 
 Homer, in the Iliad, frequently calls the plains of Troy “rich in 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XV 
 
 lie next composed Ihe Phoca3id,^'^ as the Phocmans say. 
 Wi .en Thestorides had written down that poem, and the rest 
 he had received from Homer, he neglected him, and determ¬ 
 ining to appropriate them to himself, left Phocma, Homer thus 
 addressed him: 
 
 “ Thestorides, of the many things hidden from man, the 
 most obscure is the human heart.” Thestorides, having sail- 
 ed from Phocoea, retired to Chios, where he established a 
 school of literature, and by his having recited Homer’s verses, 
 which he did, attributing them to himself, he obtained great 
 praise and much money. As to Homer, he continued in the 
 same way of life as heretofore, being supported by his verses. 
 
 XVII. Shortly afterward some merchants of Chios, having 
 come to Phocoea, went to the assemblies where Flomer re¬ 
 cited. Surprised to hear those verses recited that they had 
 so often applauded when spoken by Thestorides, they inform¬ 
 ed Homer that there was at Chios a teacher of literature, who 
 was much esteemed for the recitation of the same poems. 
 Homer, perceiving who it was, prepared for a journey to 
 Chios. Having gone down to the port, he found no ship that 
 was going to that island, but met with one about to sail for 
 Erythrje,2S to fetch timber. As that town seemed to be con¬ 
 venient for passing over into Chios, he accosted the seamen 
 courteously, entreating them to allow him to accompany them, 
 and, as an inducement, promised to recite some of his verses 
 
 horses.” There is some resemblance in Sophocles (CEdip. Col. v. 660), 
 where the Chorus tells GEdipus that he had come to the land “renowned 
 for the steed,” speaking of Colonus. 
 
 • Of this poem nothing is known. It was probably a history of the 
 founding and progress of the town of Phocaea, now called Pkokia. 
 Fabricius conjectures that we should read Phaecid, instead of Phocaeid, 
 See Ovid, Epist. iv. ep. 12, 1. 27. 
 
 “Dignam Moeoniis Phteacida condere chartis 
 Cum te Pierides perdocuere tuoe.” 
 
 But see Cardinal Quirini (Z)e primordiis Corcyree, p. 19 et 20); Mure, 
 vol. ii. 369, sqq. ; Welck. Ep. Cycl. p. 248. 
 
 A town of Ionia, opposite Chios, now called Ritre. It was built by 
 Ncleus, son of Codrus. See Pans. x. 12 ; Livy, xxxviii. 39 ; xliv. 28. 
 
XVI 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 to them. They agreed to this, and on liis liaving entered the 
 vessel, and seated himself, after extolling their hospitality, he 
 addressed these verses to them : 
 
 “ Give ear to my prayer, powerful Poseidon, who reigneth 
 over the vast plains of Helicon send us a favorable breeze, 
 and allow a joyful return to these mariners, fellows in the 
 voyage, and to the master of the vessel. May I arrive safely 
 at the foot of frowning Mimas, and meet with just and worthy 
 men! May I also avenge myself on the man, who, by deceit, 
 has irritated Zeus, the hospitable god, against him ; who, ad¬ 
 mitting me to his table, afterward violated the sacred duties 
 of the host in my person.” 
 
 XVIII. Arrived at Erythrse, with favorable winds, Iloraer 
 remained for the rest of the day on board the vessel, but, next 
 morning, begged the sailors to allow some one of them to con¬ 
 duct him to the town. They granted his request. He de¬ 
 parted, and having come to Erythrae, which is situated in a 
 naked and rocky country, recited the following verses: 
 
 “ Floly Mother Gaia, who dispensest thy riches to man¬ 
 kind, prodigal in goodness to those whom thou favorest; to 
 those who offend thee thou apportionest only a rocky and 
 sterile soil.” 
 
 On his arrival he made inquiries concerning the navigation 
 to Chios. A person who had known Homer in Phocoea, re¬ 
 membering him with regard, approached and embraced him. 
 Homer begged his aid, which he readily gave. 
 
 XIX. Not finding any ship^o in the harbor, they went to 
 that part of the strand whence the fishermen usually put off, 
 where they found one about to sail for Chios. The conduct¬ 
 or of Homer entreated them to take him across with them ; 
 but, deaf to his prayers, they continued their preparations for 
 
 The text (Hark JMSS. No. .5G00) is as follows: 'Evpvxopov ptStojv 
 7)Se ^avOov 'EXikwvoq. See Larcher’s note. Why Helicia, as with him, 
 I am at a loss to conjecture. 
 
 IlXoiov must be understood with a-TroaToXov. Conf. O pkv Si) aito- 
 aToXoq tg ti)v MiXrjTov tjv, . . . k, t.X. Ilerod. i. 21. See Larcher’s 
 note on the passage quoted. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMEK. 
 
 xvii 
 
 departure. Homer, on this occurrence, made the following 
 verses: 
 
 “ Mariners, who traverse the seas, continually exposed to 
 the hard vicissitudes of fortune, and who, to regale the more 
 luxurious, seek a hardly-earned subsistence on the waves, 
 honor Zeus, the god of hospitality, who reigns over us. His 
 wrath is dreadful; beware lest it burst on your heads, should 
 you offend him.” 
 
 The fishermen, all being ready, at length departed, but be¬ 
 ing driven about by adverse winds, were forced to return, 
 '^riiey found Homer still seated on the strand. Hearing the 
 noise of their return, he addressed them thus: “ The winds 
 are contrary; receive me on board, and they will change.” 
 The fishermen, regretting their inhospitality, promised not to 
 desert him, if he would come on board. 
 
 XX. He enters the vessel, they leave the shore, and now 
 they approach the opposite coast. They begin to fish. Ho¬ 
 mer passed the night on the sea-shore, but, at the dawn of 
 day, he departed. Wandering about, he came to a hamlet 
 called Pithys,^^ where he lay down to rest. During his sleep, 
 the fruit of a pine-tree fell on him. Some call this fruit by 
 the name of strobilus, others call them pine-cones.^^ The fol¬ 
 lowing verses were made by Homer on this occasion: 
 
 “ On the summit of Mount Ida there are pine-trees contin¬ 
 ually agitated by the winds, whose fruit is more agreeable 
 than that of these. From the bosom of that mountain, iron 
 shall come, sacred to the god of battles, when it shall be oc= 
 cupied by the Cebrenians.” 
 
 Pithys signifies a cone. The island was probably very woody, as 
 Salamis, celebrated for its woods, bore that name in very ancient times. 
 
 Galen (De Alimentorum facilitate, tom. iv. p. 32.5) says, “The 
 cone, or fruit of the pine, gives a juice of good quality, thick, and nour¬ 
 ishing, but not easy of digestion. The Greeks of the present time do 
 not call them cones, but strohili." The occurrence of the word strobilus 
 upsets, in Wesseling’s opinion, the probability of thjs having been a work 
 of so early an age as Herodotus. May not, as Larcher plausibly conjec¬ 
 tures, a word have been drawn into the text, through the iunorauce of 
 
XVlil 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 For about this time the Cuniaeans were building Cebrene, 
 oil the heights of Mount Ida, near tlie place where the iron- 
 mines are. 
 
 XXI. Homer, having set out from Pithys, went toward a 
 troop of goats, being attracted by their cries. The dogs, see¬ 
 ing him approach, began to bark at and annoy him. Glau- 
 cus, for that was the name of the shepherd, hearing his cries, 
 ran has.ily, calling his dogs back, and menacing them.^^ 
 This man, surprised to see a blind person alone, and not 
 knowing how he came there, was rendered speechless from 
 astonishment. Having accosted him, he asked him how he 
 came to an uninhabited place, where there were no paths, or 
 who had guided him thither. Homer related his misfortunes 
 to him. Glaucus had a tender heart, and was touched by 
 the narration. Fie guided Homer to his own house, lighted a 
 fire, prepared a repast, and setting it before him, pressed him 
 to eat. 
 
 XXII. The dogs, instead of eating, continued to bark at 
 Homer, as dogs usually do at strangers. Homer, observing 
 it, recited these verses: 
 
 Glaucus, keeper of these flocks,^'^ understand thoroughly 
 what I shall say. Give your dogs their food in the porch. 
 This advice is good. They will then hear the steps of men or 
 beasts going toward your inclosures more easily.” 
 
 Glaucus, finding the advice good on trial, praised the giver 
 of it more than ever. When they had eaten, animated con¬ 
 versation followed. Homer narrated his adventures in the 
 
 copyists, which had originally been placed in the margin as explanato¬ 
 ry ? See his note. 
 
 Conf. Odyss. xiv. 34. That passage and another in the same book 
 (290) seem plainly to refer to circumstances mentioned in the text, i. e. 
 the punishment of the dogs by Glaucus, and (§ xvi.) tlie flight of Thes- 
 torides. 
 
 The Florentine and Aldine editions, and that of Stephens (1573), 
 as well as Harleian iMSS. (No. 8G00), have, Trkirinjv tTriuiv ra 
 
 tiroc TO tTTog to ivi (ppeai Ofjfru). But Suidas (art. gives the fol¬ 
 
 lowing, rXavKf [ipOTwv tTrtoTrra. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 xlx 
 
 various countries and cities he had seen. Glaucus was de¬ 
 lighted, but as it was time to sleep, they went to rest. 
 
 XXIII. The following morning, Glaucus thought it neces¬ 
 sary to inform his master of the agreeable acquaintance lie 
 had made. Confiding the flocks to the care of Ids fellow- 
 slave, and leaving Homer in the house, assuring him that he 
 would not fail to return quickly, he departed. Ari-ived at 
 Bolissus,^^ a small town, at a little distance from the farm, he 
 related to his master all that he knew of Homer, speaking of 
 his arrival as an astonishing thing, and demanding to know 
 his wishes on the subject. His master did not like the occur¬ 
 rence, and blamed Glaucus for his foolishness, in admitting a 
 blind man to his table. Nevertheless, he ordered Homer to 
 be brought to him. 
 
 XXIV. Glaucus, on his return, related to Homer all the 
 particulars of his visit, and begged him to follow him thither, 
 telling him that all his future happiness and good fortune de¬ 
 pended on his going to Bolissus. Homer acquiesced in what 
 he said. Glaucus presented him to his master, who found 
 him to be a man of information and talent, and offered to re¬ 
 tain him in his house if he would instruct his children, who 
 were yet very young.Homer accepted these proposals. It 
 was at Bolissus, in the house of this Chian citizen, that he 
 composed the Cercopia,^’ the Batrachomyomachia,^® the Epi 
 
 Bolissus, now called Voliso, is a small town on the northeastern 
 coast of Chios, and near Cardamyle. Thucyd. viii. 24. 
 
 See Lurcher’s note. 
 
 Included by Suidas and Proclus among his works. The word sig¬ 
 nifies “deceivers.” The Greek verb, KtpKOTriZ,Hv, means “to act fraud¬ 
 ulently.” See Lobeck, Aglanph. p. 129G; Muller, Dor. vol. i. p. 457; 
 Wclcic. Ep. Cycl. p. 409, note; Mure, vol. ii. p. 3G7-369. 
 
 This poem, “The Battle of the Frogs and Mice,” is a mock-hero¬ 
 ic, in three books; and of the best of its kind. It is evidently not bv 
 Homer, as many of the passages are direct parodies on parts of the Iliad. 
 Curiously enough the Batrachomyomachia was the first of the Homeric 
 poems printed at the revival of letters. It was edited by Laonicus of 
 Crete (Venice, 1486), and printed in alternate black and red lines. 
 The author is now considered to bo Bigres, and he likewise is responsh 
 
XX 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 cichlidia,^® and all those other amusing books and poems that 
 have gained him such celebrity. Wlieii Thestorides heard 
 that Homer was in Chios, he left the island. 
 
 XXV. Some time after, Homer begged the Chian citizen 
 to take him to the town of Chios : he there established a 
 school,in which he taught the maxims of poetry to young 
 people. He acquitted himself of this task so efficiently, in 
 
 ble for the Margites, which last, however, Bode {Geschichte der IJellen- 
 ischen Dichthunst, i. p. 279) denies, though Suidas is confirmed by Flu- 
 tarch (de Herod, malign. 43, p. 873, f.). He was a Halicarnassean, and 
 brother or son of Artemisia, queen of Caria, according to some accounts. 
 The Margites was a comic poem, the subject of which was the adven¬ 
 tures and actions of one whose character is, in the fragments, summed 
 up thus, “For much he knew, but little knew he well,” and that little 
 he displays with the greatest self-glorification in the world. The poem 
 was believed by Plato (Alcib. ii. p. 147, c.) and Aristotle (Ethic. Nicom. 
 vi. 7, Magn. Moral, ad Eudem. v. 7) to be a Homeric production, was 
 highly esteemed by Callimachus, and in the time of Demosthenes, the 
 name of Margites was proverbial for stupidity (Harpocr. s. v. Mapyirgg; 
 Phot. Sex. p. 247, ed. Porson ; Plut. in Demosth. 23; jEschin. adv. 
 Ctesiph. p. 297). The Margites was considered by Aristotle as the es¬ 
 sence of comedy, as the Iliad and Odyssea were of heroic and narrative 
 poetry. Poetic. § 7. Lindemann, in his work De Lyra (i. p. 79, etc.), 
 has collected all the fragments of this poem. See Mure, ii. 358, sqq. 
 and ii. 3G3-367. 
 
 Homer is said to have called one of his poems ’E7r/KtxXi'^tC, because 
 when he sang to the boys they rewarded him with fieldfares. See Payne 
 Knight, Prolegg. ad Homer, p. viii.; Athenceus, ii. 24, xiv. 9; Mure, 
 ii. p. 362; and Welcker, Ep. Cycl. 412. 
 
 Speaking of the antiquities of the island of Chios, Chandler says 
 (Travels, vol. i. p. 61): “The most curious remain which has been 
 named, without reason. The School of Homer. It is on the coast, at 
 some distance from the city northward, and appears to have been an 
 open temple of Cybele, formed on the top of a rock. The shape is oval, 
 and in the centre is the image of the goddess, the head and an arm 
 wanting. She is represented, as usual, sitting. The chair has a lion 
 carved on each side, and on the back. The area is bounded by a low 
 rim or seat, and about five yards over. The whole is hewn out of the 
 mountain, is rude, indistinct, and probably of the most remote antiqui¬ 
 ty.” Pope also, in his Introductory Essay, mentions a ruinous building 
 in the neighborhood of Bolissus, as being traditionally named the house 
 of Homer. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XXI 
 
 tlie opinion of the Chians, that the greater part held him in 
 high estimation. He thus acquired a considerable fortune, 
 married,^^ and had two daughters, one of whom died single, 
 the other married a Chian. 
 
 XXVI. He shows great gratitude to his benefactors in his 
 poems, particularly to Mentor of Ithaca, in the Odyssea, on 
 account of his having taken care of him during his blindness, 
 while in that island. He mentions his name in that poem, 
 placing him among the companions of Odysseus, and relates 
 that that prince, on his departure for Troy, appointed him 
 .steward of his house and lands, knowing him to be the most 
 just and worthy man in Ithaca. Homer often mentions him 
 in other parts of his poem, and 'when Athene is represented 
 speaking to some one, it is under the form of Mentor.He 
 also testifies his gratitude to Phemius, who, not content with 
 
 His wife’s father seems to have been Creophilus (according to other 
 accounts he was Homer’s son-in-law, and received the OlxaXia as a 
 dowry), an epic poet of Chios, Samos, or los. Plato, Rep. x. 3 ; Callim. 
 Epi(j. 6; Strab. xiv. p. 638; Sext. Empir. ad Math. i. 2; Eustath. ad 
 Horn. II. ii. 730 ; Suidas, s. v. Plutarch reports that it was in the pos¬ 
 session of his family that the Iliad and the Odyssea were discovered. 
 Mure, ii. 276, sqq. 
 
 For Chian read Cyprian, as Stasinus, the son-in-law, was a poet 
 of Cyprus. He contests the honor of the authorship of the Cypriacs, 
 with Homer (Welcker, Ep Cycl. p. 300), and Hegesias (or Hegesinus, 
 according to Photius, Cod. 239, p. 319, ed. Bekker,) a Salaminian. 
 Two lines of the Cypriacs are preserved in Plato’s Euthyphron (p. 12, a, 
 where the Scholiast attributes them to Homer), where that philosopher 
 censures them as untrue, by the mouth of Socrates: 
 
 “Almighty Zeus unwillingly you name. 
 
 For ever linked with fear is bashful shame.” 
 
 The extant hymn to Aphrodite is conjectured by Schoel {Histoire de la 
 Literature Grecque Profane, vol. i. p. 167) to be a fragment of this poem. 
 By some, this poem is stated to have been a dowry with Homer’s daugh¬ 
 ter. The number of books it contained is doubtful; Athenceus, how¬ 
 ever, quotes the eleventh. It related the events which led to the Tro¬ 
 jan war, on which see Smith, iii. p. 899; Mure, ii. 279-282. Herod, 
 ii. 117. Compare with the plot of the Cypriacs, Eurip. Orest. 1635, 
 and Helen, 38. 
 
 Odyssea, ii. 399. 
 
XXll 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 instructing him in literature, liad also maintained liim at his 
 own expense. It may be observed in these verses particular 
 ly 
 
 “ A herald placed a magnificent lyre in the hands of Phe- 
 mius, the worthiest pupil of Apollo; unwillingly he takes it, 
 constrained to sing among those lovers. Traversing the Ivrc 
 with light and active fingers, he produces melodious sounds.” 
 
 He also celebrates the sea-captain with whom he had trav¬ 
 eled through so many lands. His name was Mentes, and 
 these are the verses 
 
 “ My name is Mentes; born of Anchialus, illustrious by 
 his valor, I reign over the expert-rowing Taphians.” 
 
 He also speaks of the armorer, Tychius, who had hospita 
 bly entertained him at Neon-teichos. The verses in his 
 praise occur in the Iliad, thus 
 
 “ Already the son of Telamon waits on him near, carrying 
 a tower-like shield. Tychius, at FIyla3 resident, unequaled 
 in industry by any of liis fellows, made him this buckler, a 
 master-piece of his art, formed of the spoil of seven mighty 
 oxen, bound by a strong covering of brass.” 
 
 XXVII. These poems rendered Homer celebrated in Ionia, 
 and his reputation began to spread itself in the continent of 
 Greece. On this account, many persons visited liim during his 
 residence in Chios, and some advised him to go to Greece. He 
 had always desired to do so, and thus the counsel pleased him. 
 
 XXVIII. Pie had praised the town of Argos very fre¬ 
 quently,^"^ but remembering that he had nowhere mentionetl 
 Athens, he introduced some verses into the larger Iliadin 
 
 Oar author lias, however, substituted oc dt) 7ro\\oi> tKatvvro 
 
 TravraQ dtldwv, “Phemius excelling in the art of song,” for dg 
 
 f/’ i'leids Trapd ixvTjnrrj^aiv aj^ay/cy, as it stands in the Odyssea (i. 1.54). 
 And then he connects the second and third verses by Kal ttoXiv, as if 
 there were several lines between them. Perhaps, as Larcher thinks, 
 the writer quoted from memory; or very possibly his authority was a 
 corrupt and ill-written copy. 
 
 Odyss. i. 180. II. vii. 219. Conf. Ilewd. v. 07. 
 
 Viz. die Iliad, which is thus distinguished from the Lesser Iliad. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XXlll 
 
 its praise, where he speaks of that city in the most flattering 
 manner. It occurs in the Catalogue of the Ships 
 
 “ The city of generous Erechtheus, which the fruitful Earth 
 produced, and Athene, daughter of Zeus, fostered. 
 
 He then highly extols Menestheus. He excels, says he, in 
 arranging the chariots and infantry in order of battle. Here 
 are the lines: 
 
 “ The son of Peteus, Menestheus, led these troops. Of all 
 the mortals fed by Earth, none equaled this chief in the art 
 of ordering the chariots and forces for battle.”^^ 
 
 He placed Aias, son of Telamon, near the Athenians; he 
 commanded the Salaminians. That is in the following verses : 
 
 “ Aias, son of Telamon, conducted twelve long ships^^ front 
 Salamis, and placed them beside the Athenian squadron. 
 
 Lastly, in the Odyssey, he feigns that Athene, after an in¬ 
 terview with Odysseus, goes to Athens, the town she honored 
 above all others: 
 
 _ 0 
 
 “ Taking flight toward the Marathonian plains, she pro¬ 
 ceeded to the magnificent town of Athens, the famous dwell¬ 
 ing-place of long-departed Erechtheus. 
 
 The ancients distinguished the different parts of the Iliad by vari¬ 
 ous titles, a practice which gave rise to the theory of Lachman. Aris¬ 
 totle (Poetic, xvi. § 3) speaks of the “washing of Odysseus,” and “the 
 Tale of Alcinous” (in § .5). Peisistratus put a period to these distinc¬ 
 tions at his revision of the text. 
 
 II. ii. 547. The compliment is intended to the autochthoneity of 
 the Athenians. Pindar, the old poem called the Danais (Harpoler. s. 
 AvToxdojv), Euripides (Ion. 21), and Apollodorus (iii. 14, 6; 15, 1), 
 name Ericthonius, son of Hephasstos and Gaia, as being the person 
 brought up by Athene. Conf. Plato (Tima3us, § G). But the Scholiast 
 (IX. ii. 546) treats them as the same person under two names, a view 
 now generally accepted. Conf. also Etymologicon Magn. ’EpexBevQ, 
 Blato (Critias, § 4), Ovid (Metam. ii. 759), and Grote, vol. i. pp. 271, 
 278, 279. 
 
 II. ii. 552. 
 
 The lonr; ships were vessels of war; the round ships, merchantmen 
 and transports. See Smith’s Dictionary of Antiquities. 
 
 II. ii. 577. The rei)uted interpolation of Solon. 
 
 Odys. vii. 81. 
 
XXIV 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XXIX. After inserting these lines in his poems, Homer 
 ])repaied to set out for Greece, and passed over to Samos on 
 his way thither. The Samians were employed on his arrival 
 in celebrating the Apaturian games. An inhabitant of Sa¬ 
 mos, who had seen him in Chios, observing him descending 
 from the vessel, ran to inform his countrymen of the arrival 
 of the poet, whom he praised most enthusiastically. The Sa¬ 
 mians deputed him to fetch Homer. He immediately reti’aced 
 liis steps, and meeting Homer, thus addressed him: “ Chian 
 host, the Samians celebrate the Apaturian festival: the citi- 
 Eens bid you to the feast.” Homer consented, and accom¬ 
 panied the messenger. 
 
 XXX. During their walk, they encountered some women 
 otfering a sacrifice to Kourotrophos.^^ The priestess observ¬ 
 ing him, said angrily to him, “ Man, get thee from our sacri¬ 
 fices.” Homer reflected a while on these words, having asked 
 of his conductor who had addressed them to him, and to what 
 deity they sacrificed. The Samian replied, that it was a 
 woman sacrificing to Kourotrophos.” On this, Homer com¬ 
 posed and repeated the following lines: 
 
 “ Hear my prayer, O Kourotrophos ! May that woman ab¬ 
 hor the caresses of amiable youth ! May she be only pleased 
 by those of men whose hair is white with age, whose heart is 
 burning, and whose senses are blunted.”^® 
 
 XXXI. When arrived at the place where the Phratrium 
 feasted, Homer paused on the threshold, and recited these 
 verses to his conductor, while a fire was kindling in the hall: 
 though some contend that the fire was not lighted until after- 
 ward: 
 
 “ A man is proud of his children; a town of its battle¬ 
 ments ; a plain of its horses ; the ocean of its navies riches 
 
 Kourotrophos is, with some probability, supposed to be identical 
 with the Roman Lucina. See Larcher’s note. 
 
 These verses were applied by Sophocles to a scornful mistress. 
 Athen. xiii. p. 592, A. 
 
 An ancient British inscription, cut in wood, and given by the Rev. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XXV 
 
 ornament the house ; just judges seated in the hall of justice, 
 are a noble spectacle; but the most pleasant sight, in my 
 opinion, is that of a burning hre, on a day when the son of 
 Saturn decks the ground with snow and frost.” 
 
 He entered, and seating himself with the Phratrium, re¬ 
 ceived much attention and respect from its members. Here 
 he passed the night. 
 
 XXXII. The next day he went out. Some potters having 
 observed him while they were mending their fire, invited him 
 to enter, and not the less readily from having a knowledge of 
 his talents. They entreated him to sing some of his verses, 
 promising to recompense him for his kindness by presenting 
 him with some of their vases, or in any other way they could. 
 Homer sung them those verses, which are called “ The Poem 
 of the Furnace:”^'’® 
 
 “ Potters, if ye bestow on me the stipulated reward, I 
 will sing these favorable verses to you.^® Hear my prayer, 
 Athene, protect the furnace. Grant that the cotylii and the 
 baskets®*^ be covered with a shining black ; may they also bake 
 quickly. May they sell for much in the Agora, for much in 
 the street. Grant, O goddess, that I may increase in wisdom. 
 Put if you shamelessly endeavor to deceive me, I invoke 
 all the pests of your trade, the Syntripi, Asbeti, Abacti, and 
 Omodami,^’^ on your furnace. May the hearth and the home 
 
 Horne (Bibliography, vol. i. p, 105), says, Enivawg meiciad o’ i voc. 
 “The swine-herd is proud of his swine.” 
 
 These verses, as Jul. Pollux cites them (Onomastic, x. 85, p. 1284), 
 are entitled Ktpajuac, “The clay-potters.” That grammarian mentions 
 that some attribute them to Hesiod. Mure (Greek Literature, vol. ii. p. 
 302) cites the Song of the Bell of Schiller, as resembling this poem. 
 
 “May the following happen to you.” Athene was one of the 
 tutelary deities of the potters, as a patroness of the arts. 
 
 The potters made vases like baskets ; hence their name. 
 
 ® Syntinps signifies the bruising sustained by the vases in ruhhing 
 against each other; s?naragos, the noise they make in breaking; asbetos, 
 is an inextinguishable fire in the work-shop; abaktos, the consequent 
 astonishment of the potters; and omodamos, the annihilation of every 
 thing. 
 
 2 
 
XXVI 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 become the prey of the flame, and, during tlie confusion caused 
 ])y the fire, may nothing be heard save the lamentations of 
 the potters. As the trembling of the terrified horse, so may 
 be that of the furnace at the bursting of the vases. Circe, 
 dread daughter of the Sun, celebrated for thy many enchant¬ 
 ments, poison the potters, and destroy their work. And thou, 
 Cliiron, bring thy dire hosts of Centaurs^- and their victims 
 to aid in the destruction of these places. May the furnace 
 fall under the stroke of the destroyers ! may the potters, to 
 enliaiice their grief, be the misei-able spectators of the fright¬ 
 ful scene ! I shall rejoice at your misfortunes ! May those who 
 approach to extinguish the dcunes, be consumed by the fire, 
 that all the world may learn not to commit injustice.” 
 
 XXXIII. He passed the winter at Samos. At the Ne- 
 omenia [or New Moons] he frequented the houses of the rich, 
 where he sang the Eirisionic hymn,^^ thus earning his subsist¬ 
 ence during his visits, he was usually surrounded by the chil¬ 
 dren of the most noble men of the island. 
 
 “We directed our steps toward the mansion of a wealthy 
 man, full of precious things. Gates fly open Plutos 
 
 In the preceding verse we read TisWe TrvpaiOovaav. Barnes corrects 
 it to TrepOe Trup diOovGav, and his correction is admitted by Reinolds. 
 Circe, daughter of Helios (the Sun), was herself a goddess, and is paral¬ 
 lel to Medeia. According to Hesiod (Theog. 1001) she had two chib 
 dren by Odysseus, Agrius and Latinus. Conf. A])ollod. i. 9. Strabo v. 
 Virgil, Eel. viii. v. 70. iEn. iii. v. 38G; vii. v. 10. Hygno Jtib. exxv. 
 Ovid. Metnm. xiv.ya6. i. and iv. 
 
 The Eirision was (Schol. Aristoph. Pint. 1055, and Equit. 725) a 
 branch of olive, and sometimes of laurel, rolled in bandages of linen en¬ 
 twined. To the- pendent ends, figs, bread, honey, oil, and wine, were 
 fastened. Clemens Alex. {Stromat. iv. p. 56t>) says, “The Eirision 
 carries figs, bread, and honey, in a cotylus, anointing oil, and wine, the 
 enervating vapor of which inspires gentle slumber.” Again, in a frag¬ 
 ment of the Polyidus of Sophocles, preserved by Poi-phyrius {de A bsti- 
 nentid, ii. § 19, p. 134): “We see there the wool of the sheep, the li¬ 
 quor of the vine, bunches of grapes, grains of wheat, oil, and artistically 
 worked veins of honey and wax made by the bees.” See also (Edip. 
 Colon. 475, and Mure, ii. 362. 
 
 “ Lift up your heads, O ye gates.” Psalm xxiv. 7. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XXVll 
 
 presents himself, accompanied by joyous Mirth and gentle 
 l^eace. May the goblets overflow, may the flame ascend 
 from the hearth, may the table groan under its plenteous bur¬ 
 den ! May the wife of the son of the house come to you 
 drawn by mules, and in a chariot! may she, seated in an am¬ 
 ber chair,®^ joyfully spin her wool! I shall return, yea, I 
 shall return, like unto the swallow every year!*’® I am at 
 your gate 1 < Whether you present me with any thing or no, 
 I remain not; I purpose not to live with you I” 
 
 These verses are sung every time tribute is levied in the 
 honor of Apollo Pythos.®J 
 
 XXXiy. The spring having arrived, Homer desired to 
 leave Samos for Athens. He sailed for that place, in com¬ 
 pany with some Samians, and arrived at the island of los.®® 
 They did not stop at the town, but at some distance off, on 
 the sea-shore. Homer, feeling himself very ill, was carried 
 on shore. Contrary winds retarding the departure of the 
 vessel, the travelers remained several days at anchor. Some 
 of the inhabitants visited Homer, and they no sooner heard 
 him speak than they felt a great degree of veneration for him. 
 
 XXXV. While the sailors and the townspeople were 
 speaking with Homer, some fishermen’s children ran their 
 vessel on shore, and descending to the sands, addressed these 
 
 The Eridanus, whence the electron (amber) was brought, was not 
 then sufficiently known, and perhaps these are wrongly ascribed to Ho¬ 
 mer. See Plin. Hist. Nat. xxvii. 2; Humboldt’s Cosmos, vol. ii. p. 
 493, n. (Bohn’s edition); Gesner de Electro veterum in Commentar, 
 Societatis Regioe Gottingensis (tom. iii. p. 85); Smith, Grecian Antiqui¬ 
 ties, Herod, iii. 115 ; Sophocles (Antig. v. 1033); and Buttmann, My- 
 ihologns (vol. ii. p. 337). 
 
 Conf. Aristoph. Equit. v. 41G. 
 
 In the Greek religious calendar, the first days of the months were 
 always sacred to Apollo ; and that festival (the Neomenia) was one of 
 the most popular in every age of classical antiquity. Hesiod, Works 
 and Days, 770; Herod, iv. 35, and vi. 57; Philock. ap. Scholl, min. et 
 Scholl. Buhm. ad Odyss. xx. 155; xxi. 258; Mure, vol. i. p. 381, and 
 Larcher’s note on Herod, iv. 35. 
 
 The present Nio. 
 
XXVlll 
 
 THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 words to the assembled persons: “Hear us, strangers, ex¬ 
 plain our riddle if ye can.” Then some of those that were 
 present ordered them to speak. “We leave,” say they, 
 “ what we take, and we carry with us that which we can 
 not take.” No one being able to solve the enigma, they thus 
 expounded it. “ Having had an unproductive fishery,” say 
 they in explanation, “ we sat down on the sand, and being 
 annoyed by the vermin, left the fish we had taken on the 
 shore, takin" with us the vermin we could not catch.Flo- 
 mer, on hearing this, made these verses: “ Children, your fa¬ 
 thers possess neither ample heritages, nor numerous flocks.” 
 
 XXXVI. Homer died in los of the disease he had con¬ 
 tracted on h's arrival, and not, as some authors have related 
 [caring more for interest than truth], of grief at not under¬ 
 standing the enigma of the fisher-boys.^® Fie was buried 
 near the shore of the island of los, by his companions, and 
 those citizens who had visited him during his illness. Many 
 
 The enigma is founded on the distinction made by the ancients be¬ 
 tween having and possessing, which Plato (Theaetet. § 12G) causes Socra¬ 
 tes to define. “ To jwssess, therefore, does not appear to me to be the 
 same as to have; for instance, if any one, having bought a garment, 
 and having it in liis power, should not wear it, we should not say that 
 he has it, but that he possesses it.” Cary’s trans. vol. i. p. 348, Bohn’s 
 Classical Library. Similarly our own poet wrote (Othello, iv. 1), “ They 
 have it very oft that have it not,” where the word is used in two differ¬ 
 ent senses. Somewhat akin to it is the riddle alluded to by Plato, Rep. 
 V. c. 22. Lactantius has translated this Homeric enigma into Latin, 
 Symposium, tom. ii. p. 255. 
 
 The following passage occurs in Pseudo-Plutarch’s Life of Homer. 
 “ He was warned by an oracle to beware of the young mer^s riddle. The 
 meaning of this remained long unexplained to him, till he arrived at the 
 island of los; there, as he sat conversing with the fishermen, some of 
 them proposed a riddle in verse to him, and, not comprehending it, he 
 died of grief.” Pope, in his Introductory Essay, says, “The story re¬ 
 futes itself, by carrying superstition at one end, and folly at the other. 
 It seems conceived with an air of derision, to lay a great man in the 
 dust after a foolish manner." This comj)letely sets the question of the 
 authenticity of this Life at rest, since the writer plainly refers to this idle 
 tale, recorded by an author of so much later date. 
 
THE LIFE OF HOMER. 
 
 XXIX 
 
 years after, when his poems, become public, were admired 
 by all, the inhabitants of los inscribed these elegiacs on his 
 tomb ; they are certainly not composed by himself. 
 
 “The earth here covers the head of divine Homer, 
 
 WHOSE POETRY HAS IMMORTALIZED HEROES.”'^ 
 
 XXXVII. It may be seen from what 1 have said, thai. 
 Homer was neither a Dorian, nor of the island of los, but an 
 Hilolian.'^^ This may also be conjectured from the great poet 
 only speaking of [what he thinks] the most admirable cus¬ 
 toms, and he would naturally suppose those of his own coun¬ 
 try to be the best.'^ It may be judged from these verses: 
 
 “They raise the heads of the oxen toward heaven, cut their 
 throats, and sever them in pieces; they separate the thighs, 
 and place over them a double layer of fat, and bleeding mor¬ 
 sels from every part of the victim.The kidneys are not 
 mentioned here, the Hilolians being the only people of Greece 
 who do not burn them. Homer also shows his ^olian de¬ 
 scent in the following verses, there again describing the cus¬ 
 toms of that country: 
 
 “ The elder burns the sacrifice on the wood of the altar, 
 pouring over it libations of wine. The youths stand around 
 holding five-barred gridirons.”’-^ 
 
 The ^olians are the only people of Greece who roast the 
 entrails on yiPe-barred gridirons, those of the other Greeks 
 
 The translation of Grotius is as ftillows : 
 
 “Ista tegit telliim sacrum caput illud Homeri 
 Cantibus Heroum qui res ccelestibus aequat.” 
 
 Simonides of Keos calls Homer a Chian. Fragm. GS), ed.Schneb 
 dewin. 
 
 Exactly the idea of Herodotus, iii. 33. 
 
 II. i. 459, and ii. 422. Victims were various!}' sacrificed. In sac¬ 
 rificing to the celestial deities they raised the heads of the victims, while 
 they immolatttd them to the infernal gods with their heads down. The 
 Grecian ceremonies differed widely from the Jewish, but much resem¬ 
 bled the Roman, of which they formed the basis. The thighs and small 
 pieces “from every part,” were burned, the rest roasted in slices like the 
 Orientid Kabobs. See Smith’s Dictionary of Antiquities. 
 
 II. i. 463. 
 
XXX 
 
 THE LIFE OF HO.HER. 
 
 having but three. The JEolians also say Tri^ire for ■kevt!- 
 [five]. 
 
 XXXVIII. I have now concluded that which concerns the 
 birth, life, and death of Homer. It remains for me to de¬ 
 termine the time at which he lived. This is most easily done 
 in the following manner. The island of Lesbos was not col¬ 
 onized’® till the hundred and thirtieth year after the Trojan 
 war, and eighteen years subsequently Smyrna was built by 
 the CumaBans. At this time Homer was born.” From the 
 birth of the poet to the passage of Xerxes into Greece, six 
 hundred and twenty-two years elapsed. The course of time 
 may easily be calculated by a reference to the Archonships. 
 It is thus proved that Homer was born one hundred and six- 
 ty-eight years after the taking of Troy. 
 
 It was not, however, destitute of inhabitants, for the Pelasgi, driven 
 from Thessaly (n.c. 1540) by Deucalion, settled there. Dionys. llali- 
 carn. Antiq. Roman, i. § 18. The Alolians arrived b.c. 1140, and as 
 the Pelasgi lived in wandering tribes, they were soon reduced. 
 
 ''' See niinton Fasti Hellen. vol. iii. }). 146. Conf. Grote’s Animad¬ 
 versions on Clinton, Hist, of Greece, vol. ii. part i. chap. xix. pp. 47-78. 
 
THE ODYSSEY OF HOMER. 
 
 B O O K I. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 In an assembly of the gods it is determined that Ulysses shall be sent to 
 Ithaca, from the island of Calypso. Minerva then goes to Ithaca to 
 Telemachus, assuming the figure of Mentes, king of the Taphians, an 
 old friend of Ulysses. Entering into conversation with Telemachus, 
 she advises him to go to Pylos, to Nestor, and to Menelaus, at Sparta, 
 to make inquiries about his father, whether he is still alive; after 
 which she departs, giving manifest proofs^ of her divinity. Telema¬ 
 chus rebukes his mother Penelope, and desires her to go up stairs; 
 and then, during a banquet, threatens the suitors that he will be re¬ 
 venged on them for their insolent conduct. 
 
 O IMuse,^ sing to me of the man full of resources, who 
 wandered very much after he had destroyed the sacred city of 
 Troy', and saw the cities of many men, and learned their man- 
 ners.2 Many' griefs also in his mind did he suffer on the sea, 
 although^ seeking to preserve^ his own life, and the return of 
 his companions; but not even thus, although anxious, did he 
 extricate^ his companions : for they perished by their own in¬ 
 fatuation, fools ! who devoured the oxen of the Sun who jour-' 
 
 ' Thus rendered by Horace, A. P. 141, “Die mihi, Musa, virum, 
 vapta; post moenia Trojas Qui mores liominum multorum vidit et urbes.’’ 
 See Schrader on Mus. j). 121, sq. 
 
 ■ I have translated voov “manners,” on the authority of Horace. 
 
 * TTfjO quando participiis ])ostponitur, reddi j)otest per quarnvis. Loewe. 
 
 * df}vvj.iai = expeto, nnxie require. Clarke. There is a sort of zeug 
 tna, “seeking to ransom or buy off his own life, and [to procure] a re¬ 
 turn for his companions.” Hor. Ejast. i. 2. 18, “Dumsibi, dum socii 
 ri'ditum ])arat.” 
 
 ‘ Literally, “to draw away.” Sec Buttmann, Lexil.p. 303-308, Fish- 
 lake’s Translation. 
 
 A 
 
2 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 [9—40. 
 
 neys on high ; but he deprived them of their return.^ O god¬ 
 dess, daughter of Jove, relate to us also some" of these things. 
 
 Now all the others,® as many as had escaped from utter 
 destruction, were at home, having escaped both the war and 
 the sea. But him alone, anxious for a return [home], and for 
 his wife, the venerable nymph Calypso, a divine one of the 
 goddesses, detained in her hollow grot, desiring him to be her 
 husband. But when, after revolving years,® the time had now 
 arrived, in which the gods destined him to return home to 
 Ithaca, not even then was he freed from labors, although 
 among his own friends. But all the gods pitied him except 
 Neptune ; but he was unceasingly angry with godlike Ulysses, 
 before he arrived in his own land. But he [Neptune] had gone 
 to the ^Ethiopians who dwell afar otF (the Ethiopians who 
 are divided into two parts, the most distant of men, some at 
 the setting of the sun, others at the rising), in order to obtain^® 
 a hecatomb of bulls and lambs. There sitting down he was 
 delighted with a feast; but the other [gods] were assembled 
 together in the palace of Olympian Jove. And unto them 
 the father of men and of gods began discourse ; for he re¬ 
 membered in his mind the noble Egisthus, whom far-famed 
 Orestes, the son of Agamemnon, slew : and remembering him, 
 he spoke [these] words to the immortals. 
 
 “Alas!^^ How, forsooth, do mortals reproach the gods! 
 For they say that their evils are from us : whereas they them¬ 
 selves, through their own infatuation, suffer griefs beyond 
 what is destined. Thus even now iEgisthus, contrary to the 
 degrees of fate, married the wedded wife of Atrides, and slew 
 him on his return, although aware that utter destruction 
 [awaited himself] ; since we forewarned him (having sent 
 the trusty IMereury, the slayer of Argus), neither to kill him, 
 nor to woo his wife; for from Orestes revenge shalD''^ follow 
 
 ® Literally, ‘‘the day of return.” 
 
 ’ a/xodiv, TToBkv, Hesyeli. “ ab aliqna parte.” 
 
 ® i. e. of the Grecian princes. 
 
 ® This is the genitive absolute, and so translated by Virgil’s “ volven- 
 tibus annis.” 
 
 avTWMv is the Attic future, as shown by Buttni. Lexil. p. 142. 
 
 ” A word used by the Dryopians and Scythians to signify gods (cf. 
 Alberti on Ilesych. s. v.), and hence used as a term of surprise or dep¬ 
 recation. (TxtTXiarTTiKov tTTippijfia. Schol. 
 
 Jove quotes the very words of Mercury, which accounts fur the 
 bold change of tense. See Ernesti. 
 
41—73.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 3 
 
 for Atrides, when he grows to man’s estate, and longs for his 
 country. Thus spoke Mercury; but although he gave good 
 advice, he did not persuade the mind of -Tlgisthus; but now 
 has he at once atoned for all these things.” 
 
 The blue-eyed'^ goddess Minerva then answered him; “O 
 father mine, thou son of Saturn, higliest of kings, of a truth 
 he lias perished by a fitting destruction ; so too may another 
 jierish who perpetrates such deeds. But my heart burns''* 
 for the prudent'^ ill-fated Ulysses, who, away from his friends 
 for a long time, is suffering calamities in a sea-girt island^ 
 where is the centre'® of the sea, a Avoody island: and in her 
 mansion a goddess dwells, the daughter of all-wise Atlas, 
 who kens the depths of the whole sea, and holds up the lofty 
 columns which separate the earth and the heaven; but his 
 daughter detains [Ulysses] i.nhappy, lamenting: and she con- 
 tinually soothes him with soft and winning words, that he 
 may forget Ithaca. But Ulysses, longing to behold even the 
 smoke leaping up from his own land, desires to die. Nor docs 
 thy heart, O Olympian [Jove], at all turn toward him. Did 
 not then Ulysses gratify thee, performing sacrifices in spacious 
 Troy near the ships of the Argives ? Why then, O Jove, art 
 thou so angry with him 
 
 But her the cloud-compelling Jove in answer addressed; 
 “My child, what word has escaped thy lipsT^ How could I 
 forget divine Ulysses, who excels among mortals in under^ 
 standing, and has abundantly given sacrifice to the immortal 
 gods, Avho possess the wide heaven ? But earth-possessing 
 Neptune is for ever immovably angry on account of the Cy¬ 
 clops,'® whose eye he blinded, the godlij^e Polyphemus, whose 
 power is greatest among all the Cyclops: him the nymph 
 Thbosa brought forth, the d;iughter of Phorcys, ruler of the 
 barren sea, embraced by Neptune in a hollow cave. On this 
 
 ” This translation is rather conventional than correct. The true 
 meaning of yXavKoi, for which we have no direct ecinivalent in English, 
 is “c£Esii, quales sunt felis, leonis, et noctuae ocnli,” accovding to Plin. 
 H. N. viii. 21. See Loewe. 
 
 So Virgil, “ lixW'A fiamviato secum dea corde volutans,” 
 
 I have followed Buttmann, p. 211, who says that dcci^poiv must bear 
 this sense throughout the Odyssey. In the HUd 2. ai’iiost always means 
 “ v.'arlike.” 
 
 Literally, “navel-” 
 
 Literally, ‘‘the inclosui-e of thy teeth.” 
 
 See Od. IX. 
 
4 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 [;74—107, 
 
 account, then, does earth-shaking Neptune not kill Ulysses, 
 but causes him to wander from his native land. But come, 
 let all of us contrive his return, in what way he may come, 
 and Neptune remit his anger; for he will not indeed be able 
 against the will of all the immortal gods, to contend alone 
 ngainst all. 
 
 Then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva answered him: O 
 father mine, thou son of Saturn, highest of kings, if indeed 
 then this is grateful to the blessed gods that prudent Ulysses 
 should return home, let us immediately dispatch the messen¬ 
 ger ^ Mercury, the slayer of Argus, to the island Ogygia, that 
 he may with all haste declare to the fair-haired nymph our 
 unerring counsel, the return of patient Ulysses, that he may 
 return home. But I will go to Ithaca, that I may rouse his 
 son more, and give strength to his mind, calling the long¬ 
 haired Grecians to an assembly, to forbid all the suitors, who 
 are continually killing his tender sheep, and curved-footed, 
 crooked-horned oxen. And I will send him to Sparta and to 
 sandy Pylos, to nquire for the return of his dear father, if he 
 can any where hear of him, and that a good reputation among 
 men may fall to his lot.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she bound under her feet her sandals, 
 beautiful, ambrosial,'-'^ golden, which bore her both over the 
 moist wave, and over the boundless earth, equally with-^ the 
 gales of the wind. And she took a doughty spear, tipped 
 with sharp brass, heavy, large, thick, with which she subdues 
 the ranks of heroes, against whom she, born of a brave sire, is 
 wrath. And she went darting down from the summit of Olym¬ 
 pus, and stood among the people of Ithaca, at the portico of 
 Ulysses, at the threshold of the hall; and in her hand she held 
 a brazen spear, likened to a stranger JMentes, the governor of 
 the Taphians. There she found the haughty suitors ; some 
 then were delighting their mind before the gates with drafts,-- 
 
 The most natural derivation of oiaKTopog is from dictyuj, “ trnnsveho,” 
 alluding to .Mcu-curv’s office of escorting the dead to Hades. Buttmann, 
 however, is inclined to consider it as akin to ^tdicovog = “servant of the 
 gods.” So Mercury is called ^aifxoi^ioi’ SiaKovog by A^sch. Prom. t)t2. 
 So Horace, “ te canam, magni Jovis ct deorum mmtiiim.” Loewe in¬ 
 clines to the former of these opinions. 
 
 i. e. immortal. Cf. Buttmann, Lex. p. 80, sip 
 
 “ Ha])ido punVcr cum flamine ])ortant.” \^irg. An. iv. 24 - 1 . 
 
 See Liddell’s Lexicon. It a])}>ears from Atheiueus that the chief fun 
 
108—135.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 5 
 
 sitting upon hides of oxen, which they themselves had slain. 
 Tiicre with tlieni were heralds and busy servants ; some mixed 
 wine and water in the cups, but others cleansed the tables with 
 much-perforated sponges, and set them out, and cut up much 
 meat. Her did godlike Telemachus see much the first, for 
 he sat among the suitors sorrowing in his heart, eying'^^ in 
 his mind Ids excellent father, if coming from any where he 
 should make a scattering of the suitors in the house, and 
 should obtain honor himself and rule over his halls. Medi¬ 
 tating on these things, while sitting among the suitors, he be¬ 
 held Minerva. He then went straight to the portico, and was 
 indignant in mind that a stranger should stand at the gates 
 for a long time. And standing near her, he took hold of her 
 "ight hand, and received her brazen spear; and addressing 
 her, [thus] spoke winged words. 
 
 “ W^elcome, stranger; thou shalt be kindly received by us, 
 but after thou hast obtained thy supper, thou shalt then re¬ 
 late what it behooves thee.'’ 
 
 Thus having spoken, he led the way, and Pallas Minerva 
 followed. And when they were within the lofty house, he took 
 lier spear, and placed it against a tall column within the well- 
 polished armory, where also stood many other spears of pa¬ 
 tient Ulysses: and leading her he seated her on a beauteous, 
 variegated throne, spreading a cloth^^ under her; and there 
 was a footstool beneath her feet. And he himself placed near 
 lier a variously-worked seat, apart from the other^^ suitors, 
 for fear the stranger, being troubled with the clamor, should 
 be uncomfortable at his meal, coming among haughty men, 
 and that he might inquire of him'-^® concerning his absent sire. 
 
 of the game consisted in driving one piece, called Penelope, which was 
 ]jlaced between the two halves of something like a modern backgammon 
 board, twice out of its place by means of another. The winner was 
 supposed to have some chance of gaining Penelope. 
 
 Shakspeare, “in my mind’s eye.” So Buttmann renders Od. V. 
 81, ’0^u(T//a oarijonevr], “having Ulysses always in her mind’s eye.” 
 Lex. j). 445. 
 
 Xira is shown by Wolf to be the plural number, therefore the e})i- 
 thets must belong to Opovov. See Loewe. 
 
 * This does not mean that he was himself a suitor, but is a phrase 
 common in Greek. So Milton, 
 
 -Adam, goodliest of men 
 
 Since born his sons, etc. 
 
 Minerva has hitherto been mentioned in the feminine gender,' but 
 
6 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 [13G—1G7. 
 
 And a handmaid bringing water, poured it fi-oin a beautiful 
 golden ewer, over a silver bowl, to wash in ; and near them 
 spread a polished table. And the venerable housekeeper 
 brought bread and set it near them, laying down many dain¬ 
 ties,gratifying them as well as she could out of the pro¬ 
 visions that were at hand. And the cook taking dishes of 
 all kinds of meat, placed them near, and by their side set 
 golden cups. And the herald went about continually pouring 
 out wine for them. And the haughty suitors entered ; they 
 then sat down in order among the couches and thrones: and 
 the heralds poured water on their hands; [and they distribu¬ 
 ted to all beginning with the cups.]^^ And the handmaidens 
 heaped up bread in the baskets ; but they stretched forth their 
 hands to the viands lying ready before them, and the boys 
 crowned the goblets with liquor. But when the suitors had 
 taken away the desire of eating and drinking, other things 
 were a care to their minds, the song and the dance; for these 
 are the ornaments of a banquet. Then the herald placed a 
 beautiful harp in the hands of Fhemius, who sung among the 
 suitors by constraint. He then, playing on the harp, struck 
 up29 to sing beautifully ; but Telemachus addressed the blue¬ 
 eyed Minerva, keeping his head near her, that the others 
 might not hear. 
 
 “ Dear stranger, wilt thou be angry wdth me on account of 
 what I shall say ? To these, these things, the harp and the 
 song, are a care, easily, forsooth, since they are consuming 
 with impunity the livelihood of another man, whose white 
 bones are rotting somewhere in the shower, lying on the con¬ 
 tinent, or the wave rolls them in the sea. If, however, they 
 were to see him returning to Ithaca, they would all pray to be 
 swifter of foot than richer^o in gold and raiment. But now 
 he has thus perished by an evil late, nor is there any comfort 
 for us, even if any one of men on earth should say that he 
 
 Telemachus now addresses her as Mentes, whereas Homer before spoke 
 of him as a goddess. 
 
 tidara,pulmenta, quicquid cum pane et came comeditur.” Loewe. 
 
 A doubtful verse. It is, however, ju'ctty certain that tirap^aaBai is 
 used in a religious sense, = “axispicari,” “by drinking in honor of the 
 gods.” See Buttm. Lexil. p. 1G7, sqq. 
 
 avaftdXXo/jiai = “to play the prelude,” hence ‘‘ to commence to do 
 any thing.” 
 
 Observe the two comparatives. 
 
1CS~207.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 i 
 
 would come back ; for his return is lost. But come, tell me 
 this and detail it truly; Who art thou? from whence among 
 men? where are tliy city and thy parents? in what kind of a 
 ship didst thou come? and how did sailors conduct thee to 
 Ithaca? who do they boast themselves to be? for I do not 
 think that thou didst by any means come hither on foot. And 
 tell me this truly, that I may be well informed; whether art 
 thou just now arrived, or art thou a guest of my fatlier’s? 
 since many other men are acquainted with our house; for he 
 was conversant with men.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed in turn; 
 ‘‘I will tell thee then, indeed, these things very accurately; 
 I say that I am^i Mentes, the son of the warlike Anchialus, 
 and I rule over the oar-loving Taphians. And I am now 
 come hither with my ship and my companions, sailing over 
 the dark sea to men of a different language, to Temese, for 
 brass; and I [also] bring shining steel. But my ship is 
 stationed off the country at a distance from the city, in the 
 port Reithru.s, under woody Neius. But we say that we are 
 guests of one another’s fathers from the first, if thou shouldest 
 go and inquire of the old hero Laertes; whom they say no 
 longer comes to the city, but far off in the country endures 
 griefs in company with an old female servant, who sets before 
 him meat and drink, when labor comes upon his limbs, crawl¬ 
 ing over the fruitful soil of the wine-producing vineyard. 
 But now 1 am come; for they for a long time said that thy 
 father is returned; but now the gods hinder him on his jour' 
 ney: for divine Ulysses has not yet died on the earth, but is 
 still detained alive somewhere on the wide ocean, in a sea-girt 
 island ; and cruel men are detaining him, savage, who keep him 
 away somewhere against his will. But now, indeed, I will 
 prophesy to thee, as the immortals suggest to my mind; and 
 as I think will be brought to pass, not being at all a prophet, 
 nor skilled in omens by birds. He will be absent not a long 
 time from his dear fatherland, even if bonds of steel hold 
 him; but he will plan how he may return, since he is full of 
 contrivances. But come, tell me this and detail it truly, 
 whether thou, who art of such an age,^'^ art of a truth the son 
 
 (vxojxai aivai= “sum,” So in vs. 187. The sense of boasting is 
 laid aside in this usage. Loewe. 
 
 ** ‘•'■tain adultus juvenis. The Attic writers use TijXiKovrog and tjjXi- 
 Koode in the same sense.” Loewe. 
 
8 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 [208—23a 
 
 of Ulysses himself: for thou art exceedingly like him, as to 
 thy head and thy beauteous eyes; since we frequently kept 
 company with one another before he embarked for Troy, wliere 
 also others, the best of the Argives, went in their hollow 
 ships; but since that time I have neither seen Ulysses, nor 
 has he [seen] me.” 
 
 But her prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ I will 
 inform thee, O stranger, very accurately; my mother, indeed, 
 says that I am his, but I know not; for no one ever knew his 
 own father. O would that I were the son of a happy man, 
 upon whom old age had come [when] in the enjoyment of his 
 possessions; but now they say that I was born from him, who is 
 the most ill-fated of mortal men; since thou askest this of me.” 
 
 l^ut him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva again addressed ; 
 “The gods indeed have not ordained thy race to be ignoble 
 hereafter; since Penelope has borne thee such. But come, 
 tell me this and relate it truly, What feast and what assembly 
 is this? what necessity urges you? is it a banquet or a mar¬ 
 riage? since this is not a collation for they seem to me, 
 being exceedingly^^ insolent, to banquet in the house, and any 
 prudent man, coming among them, would be wrath, behold¬ 
 ing many disgraceful things.” 
 
 But her prudent Telemachus answered in turn : “ O stran¬ 
 ger, since thou askest and inquirest these things of me, this 
 house formerly promised to be^^ rich and illustrious, while 
 that man was still at home; but now the gods have willed-^^ 
 it otherwise, planning evil things, who have made him to be 
 unseen above all men ; since I should not grieve so mucli 
 for him when dead, had he been overcome with his compan¬ 
 ions among the Trojans, or in the hands of his friends, aft¬ 
 er he had brought the war to an end then indeed all the 
 
 ’Epavog, a convivial meeting at which every man paid his propor¬ 
 tion, at least contributed something. But it seems to have beeu a meet* 
 ing at which strict propriety was observed : else Fallas would not have 
 inferred from the noise and riot of this that it was not such an one. 
 Cowper. 
 
 See Buttmann, Lcxil. p. 516, sq. Whatever the adjective may 
 signify in various ])laces, the adverb vTTtp(pid\u}p seems to simply increase 
 the sense, without expressing any specific idea of reproach. 
 
 Literally, “was about to be.” 
 
 On the form IfSuXovTo, see Thiersch, Gk. Gr. p. 492,31. ed. Sand- 
 ford, and Buttmann, Lexil. j). 196. 
 
 ^ Literally, “spun out.” p.iTa^opiKii)Q' kgI yap Tt)v tujv ipiuiv ruit 
 fl^T] KUTtipyaafiiviov elXijaip toXv-k/jv Xiyojxtv. Schol. 
 
239—276.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 9 
 
 Greeks would have made him a tomb, and he would have 
 obtained great glory for his son hereafter; but now the Har¬ 
 pies have snatched him away ingloriously: he is gone unseen, 
 unheard of, and has left })ains and groanings for me. Nor 
 do I lament and grieve for him alone any longer; since the 
 gods have contrived other evil cares for me. For as many 
 chiefs as govern the islands, Dulichium, Samos, and woody 
 Zacynthus, and as many as rule over craggy Ithaca, so many 
 are wooing my mother and wasting away my estate. But 
 she neither refuses the hateful marriage, nor can she bring 
 it to a conclusion ; but they are consuming my estate, and 
 waste it away, and they will soon destroy myself to boot.*^’ 
 
 But with a conflict of painful feelings, Fallas Minerva spoke : 
 “Alas! very much indeed dost thou stand in need of the ab¬ 
 sent Ulysses, who might lay his hands on the shameless suitors. 
 For if he should now come and stand at the outward gate of 
 the palace, having a helmet and shield and two darts, being 
 such as when first I beheld him in our house drinking and de¬ 
 lighting himself, having come from Ephyre from Hus the son 
 of Mermerus (for Ulysses went there also in a swift ship, to 
 seek for a deadly drug, that he might anoint his brazen-tipt 
 arrows ; but he^® gave it not to him, for he revered^'^ the im¬ 
 mortal gods ; but my father gave it him, for he loved him 
 exceedingly), if being such an one Ulysses should come in con¬ 
 tact with the suitors, all would be quick-fated, and would 
 have a bitter marriage. ]3ut all these thirigs lie on the knees 
 of the gods; whether he returning shall exact vengeance in 
 his own palace, or not. But I exhort thee to consider by what 
 means thou mayest thrust out the suitors from the palace. 
 Come now,"^® attend, and regard my words. To-morrow hav¬ 
 ing convoked the Grecian lieroes to an assembly, speak the 
 word before all and let the gods be witnesses: command the 
 suitors to disperse to their own homes. And if thy mother's 
 mind encourages her to marry, let her return to the house of 
 her father, who has mighty influence; and they will make a 
 
 38 llus. 
 
 3^ Literally, “feared the nemesis or ill-will of the ^jods/’ for the pods 
 were believed to envy the excessive ])rosperity of men. lienee cautious 
 persons avoided expressions or actions which displayed arrogance. 
 
 The full form of expression would be el de [SonXei, dye, but the sim¬ 
 ple el d’ dye came to mean simply atje I'ero, and be used as an exhortative 
 particle. Loewe. 
 
 A 2 
 
10 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 [277—312. 
 
 marriage for her, and will prepare very large dowries, such as 
 ought to accompany a dear child. But to thee I will suggest 
 prudently, if thou wilt obey me. Having prepared a ship, 
 whichsoever is the best, with twenty rowers, go and inquire 
 about tliy father long absent, if any one of mortals can tell 
 thee of him, or thou shouldest hear a report^^ from Jove, 
 which especially brings notice to mortals. First then come 
 to Pylos and inquire of divine Nestor; thence to Sparta to 
 auburn-haired Menelaus ; for he came last of the Greeks who 
 wear brazen breast-plates. If thou shouldest hear that thy 
 father is alive and will return,then, although afflicted, thou 
 mayest yet endure it for a year: but if thou shouldest hear 
 that he is dead, and no longer exists, then returning to thy 
 dear paternal land, erect aloft a monument for him, and per¬ 
 form very many funeral rites, whatsoever are becoming; and 
 bestow upon thy mother a husband. But when thou shalt 
 have concluded and done these things, then consider in thy 
 breast and in thy mind, how thou mayest kill the suitors in 
 thy palace, either by stratagem or openly. Nor oughtest thou 
 by any means to follow childish pursuits, since thou art no 
 longer of such an age. Dost thou not hear what glory the divine 
 Orestes has obtained among all men, since he slew the crafty 
 murderer Hilgisthus, who slew his renowmed father % And do 
 thou, my friend (for I see that thou art honorable and great), 
 be brave, that some one of posterity may speak well of thee 
 also. But I will now go to my swift ship, and to my com¬ 
 panions, who are in very low spirits through waiting for me. 
 But be this thy care, and do thou regard my words.” 
 
 But her the prudent Telemachus answered in turn: 
 ‘‘ Stranger, surely thou givest me this advice, being friendly 
 disposed toward me, as a father to his son, and I will never 
 forget it. But come, tarry now, although hastening on thy 
 journey, that having washed thyself, and delighted thy kind 
 heart, thou mayest go to thy ship, rejoicing in thy mind, hav¬ 
 ing a present, precious [and] very beautiful, wliich will be 
 
 ^ It is a mistake to render oaaav “ an oracle,” as is shown by Butt- 
 inann, Lexil. p. 446, sqq., who observ'es: comvion favie has almost al¬ 
 ways an obscure origin, and spreads with such wonderful rapidity, that 
 the ancients looked u])on it as not proceeding from men, but as some¬ 
 thing divine; hence it is said to come in or is personified, as by 
 Virgil, as a divine being and the messenger of Jove.” 
 
 ** Literally, “if you hear of your father’s life and return.” 
 
313—344.] 
 
 Oi:)YSSEY. I. 
 
 11 
 
 n, keepsake from me; [of] such things as friendly hosts be¬ 
 stow on their guests.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva forthwitli answer-' 
 cd: “ Do not any longer detain me, since I am anxious foi 
 •my journey; but as to the present, whatever thy heart urges 
 thee to give me, give it when I return again, that I may take 
 it home, [yourself] having received a very beauteous [gift]; 
 for it shall be a worthy recompense for thee.”^^ 
 
 Tims having spoken, blue-eyed Minerva departed, and flew 
 aloft^^ like a bird; but she placed strength and courage in his 
 feelings, and put him still more in mind of his father than be¬ 
 fore : but he, considering within his breast, was astonished on 
 reflection, for he thought that she was a god. Then the god¬ 
 like man immediately went among the suitors ; and the illus¬ 
 trious bard was singing to them, but they sat listening in si¬ 
 lence ; [for] lie was singing the sad return of the Grecians, 
 which Fallas Minerva ordained from Troy. His divine song 
 prudent Penelope, the daughter of Icarus, understood in lier 
 mind from the upper chamber and she came down the loftj 
 stairs of her palace, not alone, for two female attendants fol¬ 
 lowed with her. But when she, divine among women, came 
 to the suitors, she stood near the threshold of the stout-built 
 hall, holding up a slender vail before her cheeks; and a mod¬ 
 est female attendant stood on either side of her, and weeping 
 she then addressed the divine bard. 
 
 “ O Fhemius, since thou dost ken many other things to 
 cheer mortals, the deeds of men and of gods, which bards are 
 wont to celebrate; do thou sit down then, and sing one of 
 these, and let them drink their wine in silence: but cease 
 from this sad strain, which for ever wears my^® heart within 
 my breast: for unceasing grief has exceedingly come upon 
 me. For I regret such a person,'^’ ever remembering the man. 
 
 It was usual for hosts to make presents to their guests, and for 
 guests to return others to their hosts; as in the Iliad, Bellerophon is saitl 
 to have given 7roTi)pLov. v. 220. Old translation, d^iov taertr 
 
 dpoLjSrjQ = “it shall be tit for a recompense for thee.” 
 
 Such seems to be the sense of dz^oTrara = dvio^eprjg. See Loewe. 
 
 ** i. e. being in the upper chamber, she understood it. 
 
 The young student will remember that in Homer, as in Pindar, 
 piXoc is continually used for the possessive pronoun = “mens, suns.” 
 
 So in Horace, “ Quis desiderio sit pudor (lut jnodus Tam cari ccipi> 
 iis." Soph. Antig. i. ’lafi'qyijg icupa. 
 
ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 12 
 
 [345—382. 
 
 whose glory is far spread through Greece and the middle of 
 Argos.” 
 
 Her prudent Telemachus addressed in turn : “ My mother, 
 why dost thou grudge the agreeable bard to delight in what 
 way his mind incites him ; the bards are not the cause, but 
 Jove is sometimes the cause, who suggests to ingenious men, 
 as he chooses to each. There is no blame for him to sing 
 the evil fate of the Grecians. For men celebrate that song 
 most, which is newest to tlie hearers. But let thy heart 
 and mind endure to hear it. For Ulysses was not the 
 only one who, at Troy, lost his return; but many other 
 men likewise perished. Go then into thy chamber,'*® and 
 attend to thine own employments, tlic web and the distatf, 
 and bid thy servants hasten their work ; but conversation 
 shall be a care to all men, and especially to me; for the 
 authority within the house is mine.” She indeed astonished 
 went again within the house; for she revolved in her mind 
 the prudent words of her son. And going to the upper 
 room with her women attendants, she then wept for her 
 dear husband Ulysses, until blue-eyed Minerva shed sweet 
 sleep over her eyelids. But the suitors were rioting within 
 the shaded dwellings, and all longed to recline on a couch 
 with her. 
 
 But prudent Telemachus began to address them : “ Suitors 
 of my mother, who are possessed of overbearing insolence, 
 now let us delight ourselves feasting, nor let there be any 
 clamor; since this is an honorable thing, to hear such a bard 
 as he is, like unto the gods in his voice. But in the morning 
 let us all go and sit down in assembly, that I may confident¬ 
 ly declare this message to you, that you are to go out of 
 this dwelling; and prepare other feasts, consuming your own 
 possessions, taking turns at each other’s houses. But if this 
 seems to you more proper and better, to destroy with im¬ 
 punity the livelihood of one man, waste it; but^^ I will call 
 upon the immortal gods; If Jupiter shall grant that deeds 
 shall meet with retribution, then shall ye perish unrevenged 
 within the house.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but they all biting their lips®® marveled 
 at Telemachus, that he harangued so boldly. 
 
 ** oIkov = vTTtpt^a in vs. 362. i. e. then I will. 
 
 Literiilly, “weeping close their lips on the teeth.” 
 
Dernell Ever; 
 
 383—420.] ODYSSEY. I. Id 
 
 But him Antinous, the son of Eupithes, addressed in an* 
 swer: “ O Telemachus, of a truth the gods themselves teach 
 thee to be a lofty speaker, and to harangue boldly; but never 
 may the son of Saturn make thee king in sea-girt Ithaca, 
 which is hereditary to thee by descent.*’ 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “An- 
 tinoiis, art thou amazed at what I say Indeed I should 
 wish to receive this, if Jove would grant it. Dost thou say 
 that this is the worst thing among men? For it is by no 
 means a bad thing to be a king; his house forthwith becomes 
 opulent, and he himself more honored. But indeed there are 
 many other kings of the Grecians in sea-girt Ithaca, young 
 and old; some one of these may possess this, since divine 
 Ulysses is dead. But I will be king over mine own house, 
 and my servants, whom divine Ulysses has obtained for me as 
 his share of booty.” 
 
 But him Eurymachus, son of Polybus, then answered: 
 “ Telemachus, these things of a certainty lie on the knees of 
 the gods, [as to] who of the Grecians shall reign in sea-girt 
 Ithaca; but thou mayest thyself have his possessions, and 
 rule over his house. For never may the man come, who 
 would waste thy possessions by force against thy wiil, when 
 Ithaca is still inhabited. But I wish to inquire of thee, O 
 most excellent one, about the stranger, from whence this man 
 is, and from what land he boasts himself to be; and where 
 are his race,^^ and his paternal fields.Does he bring any 
 news of thy father’s coming, or desiring some debt of his own, 
 does he come hither ? For he went aM^ay immediately i’n 
 haste, nor did he wait for us to know him; yet in counte¬ 
 nance he was by no means like a mean person.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus addressed in answer; “ Eu¬ 
 rymachus, truly the return of my father has perished ; nor do 
 I any longer give credit to any message, if one should come 
 from any place: nor do I regard an oracle, if my mother, 
 having called any prophet to the palace, should inquire of 
 him. But this man is a guest of my father’s from Taphos; 
 he boasts himself to be Mentes, son of warlike Ancnialus, but 
 he reigns over the oar-loving Tapliians.’’ 
 
 Thus spoke Telemachus; but in Ids mind he knew the im 
 
 “ Unde natus sit,” Loewe, 
 yp) dpov^xivi]. Eustath 
 
14 
 
 ODYSSEY. I. 
 
 [421—444. 
 
 mortal goddess. But they having turned to the dance and 
 the lovely song were delighted; and awaited till evening 
 came on. And dark evening came upon them while they 
 were being delighted. They then went each to his home to 
 sleep; but Telemachus, where the lofty chamber of the most 
 beautiful palace was built for him, in a conspicuous place, 
 there went to bed, meditating many things in his mind. 
 Chaste Euryclea, daughter of Ops, son of Bisenor, carried 
 lighted torches with him; she whom formerly Laertes had 
 bought with his wealth, while she was still in the prime of 
 youth, and he gave a hundred beeves [for her]. And he 
 honored her in his palace, equally with his chaste wife; but 
 he never embraced her on the couch, for he avoided the anger 
 of his wife. She carried lighted torches with him, and loved 
 him most of the female servants, and had nurtured him when 
 little. But he opened the door of the well-made chamber, 
 and sat on the bed, and put off his soft garment, and placed 
 it in the hands of the prudent old woman. She having fold¬ 
 ed and arranged the garment, and having hung it on a peg 
 near the compact®^ bed, hastened from the chamber, and drew 
 to the door with a silver ring, and fastened the bolt with the 
 thonof. 
 
 CD 
 
 Here he all night, covered with the finest wool,^^ con¬ 
 sidered in his mind the journey, which Pallas IVIinerva had 
 advised. 
 
 i. e. the bed listened together by pegs driven through holes. 
 TlesycL toiq kcitu rag apjxoyaQ Ttrpij/Jisvoig. Etym. Magn. Tp-qrop 
 \ixoQ, TTapa to rsTpfjaQat Kara ra tvqXara, dg d lfi[3dX\tTai t) airdpTogy 
 1 ] Trapd TO TtTpqaOai rovg iruhag, tig tpfSdXXerai rd kvfjXara. Mr. 
 Burges suggests that this term may really apply to a mattress of straw, 
 stabbed througli, in oi'der to keep it in shape, like the modern palliasse. 
 
 Literally, “the flower of a sheep.” But Buttmann, Lexil. p. 187, 
 regards diorog as equivalent to the Latin “floccus, ” observing, “ as this 
 comes from Jlo, so that comes from dqpi ; and both mean the light anj 
 ah-jj locks of the sheep or the flax-plant.” 
 
1—25.1 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 15 
 
 BOOK IL 
 
 ARGUiMENT. 
 
 Telemachus, having called an assembly, commands the suitors to leave 
 the house of Ulysses: upon which there arises a sharp dispute, and 
 an omen appears favorable to Telemachus. He then informs the suit¬ 
 ors of his intention of going in quest of his father, and asks for a ship 
 for that purpose ; which they refuse : but Minerva, appearing to him 
 again, furnishes him with a ship and companions. Having obtained 
 provisions from Euryclea, he sets sail in the evening in company with 
 Minerva, without having informed his mother of his intended departure. 
 
 But when the mother of dawn,^ rosy-fingered morning, ap¬ 
 peared, then the dear son of Ulysses arose from his bed, hav¬ 
 ing put on his garments : and around his shoulder he slung a 
 sharp sword ; and beneath his shining feet he bound beauti¬ 
 ful sandals. And he went forth from his chamber like unto 
 a god to behold. 2 And forthwith he ordered the shrill-voiced 
 heralds to call to an assembly the long-haired Grecians. Tliey 
 indeed called them; and they were very quickly assembled. 
 But when they were assembled, and were collected together, 
 lie proceeded to go to the forum, and in his hand he held a 
 brazen spear. Not alone, for two swift^ dogs followed in com¬ 
 pany with him ; and over him Minerva shed divine grace. 
 And all the people gazed at him as he came, and he sat in the 
 seat of his father, and the old men gave way. Then the hero 
 AEgyptius began to harangue them, who was bent with old 
 age, and knew ten thousand things. For his dear son, the 
 warrior Antiphus, went with godlike Ulysses in the hollow 
 ships to steed-excelling Ilium. But the fierce Cyclops slew 
 him in his hollow -cave, and prepared for his lasU^ supper. 
 And there were three others; but one of them, Eurynonius, 
 associated Avith the suitors: but two Avere always employed 
 in their paternal duties. But not even thus did he forget 
 him,® lamenting and grieving. He pouring Ibrtli tears ha¬ 
 rangued them and spoke : 
 
 “ Hear noAv from me, Ithacans, what I shall say. Never 
 has our assembly, nor our sitting together, taken place, since 
 
 ^ See Loewe, who rightly ])refers this explanation of r}piyeveia. 
 
 ^ “ corani,” Scliiinf. h'avriov, <pavtpwg, Hesxch. 
 
 ^ Or “will e.'’ See Loewe. 
 
 * Either because Anti])hus was his last human victim, or the last of 
 the followers of Ulysses that was eaten. Eustath. ® Antij)hus- 
 
16 
 
 ODYSSF.Y. II. 
 
 C26—57. 
 
 divine Ulysses Avent in the hollow ships. But now who has 
 assembled us here ? upon whom does so great a necessity 
 come, whether of young men, or of those who are more ad¬ 
 vanced ? Wliether has any one heard some intelligence of an 
 army coming against us, which indeed he can declare clearly 
 to us, since he heard it firstor does he bring forward and 
 advise something else which is public ? lie appears to me to 
 be a good man, and may he be fortunate.^ ^Bi^y Jove acconi- 
 plish for him whatever good he is anxious for in his mind.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the beloved son of Ulysses rejoiced in 
 the omen nor did he sit still much longer, but was anxious 
 to harangue ; and he stood in the middle of the assembly; 
 and the herald Pisenor, Avho understood prudent counsels, 
 placed the sceptre in his hand. First then, turning toward^ 
 the old man, he spoke [thus]: 
 
 “ O old man, not far off is this^ man who assembled the 
 people (and thou tliyself Avilt soon know him); but grief comes 
 especially upon me ; I have neither heard any intelligence of 
 an army coming against us, Avhich indeed I can clearly de¬ 
 clare to thee, since I have heard it first, nor do I bring for- 
 Avard or advise any thing else which is public. But my oavii 
 necessity, the evil Avhich has fallen upon mine house, Avliich is 
 two-fold. First, I have lost my excellent sire, Avho Avas for 
 merly a king among you Avho are here,^® and he was mild as 
 a father. But now again e\'en a much greater [evil has be¬ 
 fallen], which Avill soon altogether break up my Avhole house, 
 and will entirely destroy my Avhole livelihood. Suitors are 
 urging my mother against her AAnll, the sons of the men Avho 
 are the chief here: they dread to go to the house of her Ica- 
 rian father, so that he may endow his daughter, and giA^e her 
 to whom he chooses, and to Avhomsoever should come accept¬ 
 able to him. But they, spending all their days at my house, 
 sacriticing oxen, and sheep, and fat goats, feast, and drink my 
 ruddy^^ Avine to no purpose: but many things are consumed; 
 
 ® Supply eh] with ovi'jfievog. 
 
 ’ i. e. ill words that seem to prognosticate his own success. 
 
 In other passages, as vs. 240, this means “to rebuke.” 
 
 ® Telemachus points to himself. Hence yyeifja, not yyttpe, is the cor¬ 
 rect reading. 
 
 ® “The Attics use [rather, Ed.]. See Aristoph. Ach, 
 
 100.’’ Loewe. 
 
 “ Bright, sparkling, glowing wine. Sec Loewe, and Liddef s Lexicon 
 
58—94. 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 17 
 
 for there is not present such a man as Ulysses was, to avert 
 the calamity from the house. We are by no means such [as 
 he was] to resist them; and besides we should be both weak, 
 and not skilled in strength. Truly would I resist tliem, if 
 strength were mine. For no longer are the deeds to be en¬ 
 dured that have been done, and no longer does my house per¬ 
 ish honorably. Be ye yourselves indignant, and revere other 
 neighboring men, who dwell around : and dread the wrath of 
 the gods, lest they should make some change, enraged at your 
 evil deeds. I beseech you by Olympian Jove and by Themis, 
 who both breaks up and seats the assemblies of men, with¬ 
 hold, my friends, and suffer me to be afflicted alone with 
 mournful grief, if my father the good Ulysses, being hostile, 
 has at any time done evil to the well-greaved Grecians. Tak¬ 
 ing revenge upon me for these things, be hostile to me, and dc 
 me harm, inciting these. And it would be better for me that 
 ye should consume my household-stuff, and my cattle. But 
 if you should devour them, perhaps there would be a requital 
 licreafter; for so long should we make entreaties through the 
 city, demanding back our goods, until all shall be restored . 
 but now you cast mcurable griefs into my mind.” 
 
 Thus he spoke enraged, and cast the sceptre on the earth, 
 bursting into tears and pity possessed all the people. Here 
 all the others were silent, nor did any one dare to answer Te- 
 lemachus with bitter words ; but Antinous alone in answer 
 addressed him. 
 
 Telemachus, of lofty speech, intolerable in spirit, what 
 hast tliou said, disgracing us ! Thou wouldst wish in truth 
 to attach blame [to us]. The suitors of the Grecians^^ are 
 not at all to blame, but thy mother, who is exceedingly skilled 
 in craft: for it is now the third year, and the fourth is going 
 on^^ swiftly, since she deceives tlie mind of the Grecians in 
 their breast. She makes all hope, and promises every man, 
 sending messages; but her mind hankers after other things. 
 For she planned this other deceit in her mind; having begun 
 
 Literally, “lacrymas incendens.” See Biittm. Lexil. p. 484, who 
 compares ro 6k (^aijxa) ava (TTOfxa Kai Kara f/tvag llpi/ae, “he made the 
 blood stream.” II. tt. 350. 
 
 i. e. “the suitors who are Grecians.” 
 
 ** See Loewe, who remarks that this is the only interjwetation that 
 prevents inconsistency with vs. lOG, s(p 
 
18 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 [94_130. 
 
 n large wel) in her palace she wove it, slender and very larg('; 
 and straightway addressed ns : ‘ Yontlis, iny suitors, since god¬ 
 like Ulysses is dead, stay urging my maiTiage until 1 shall 
 linish this vail, that my threads may not perish in vain, a 
 shroud for the hero Laertes, at the time when the destructive 
 liite of long-slumbering death shall seize him. Lest some one 
 among the Grecian women be indignant against me, should 
 he lie without a wrapper, having possessed many things.’ 
 Thus she spoke, and our proud mind was persuaded. Then 
 during the day slie wove the mighty web; but at night, when 
 she had placed the torches near her, she unraveled it. Thus 
 for three years, indeed, she escaped by deceit, and persuaded 
 the Grecians. But when the fourth ycar^^ came, and the 
 hours advanced on, then indeed some one of the Avornen, who 
 knew it well, told it; and we found her unraveling the splen¬ 
 did web; so that she finished it of necessity, although unwill¬ 
 ing. Thus the suitors answer thee, that thou mayest thyseli 
 know it in thy mind, and that all the Greeks may know it. 
 Send aAvay your mother, and bid her marry whomsoever her 
 father bids, and she herself pleases. But if she shall for a 
 long time further annoy the sons of the Grecians, caring in 
 mind for those things, which Minerva has given her in abund¬ 
 ance, to understand beautiful works, and [to possess] a good 
 disj)Osition, and stratagems, such as w'e have never heard any 
 one, even of the ancients, [possessed,^®] of those, who have 
 been heretofore fair-haired Grecian w’omen,^^ Tyro, and Alc- 
 mene, and fair-haired Mycene ; none of these knew the same 
 arts of Penelope. But this indeed she has not planned right¬ 
 ly. For then they will consume thy livelihood and posses^ 
 sions, so long as she has this mind, which the gods have now 
 placed in her breast; for herself indeed she obtains great glo¬ 
 ry, but for thee a regret for much sustinence.^^ But we will 
 neither go to our employments, nor any where else, before she 
 marries whomsoever of the Grecians slie chooses.” 
 
 Him prudent Telemachus addressed in turn : “ O Antinous, 
 it is in nowise possible [for me] to thrust out of my house 
 
 i. e. the present one, of which he is now speaking. 
 
 \Yith Tiva we must supply a verb, the sense of which is implied in 
 the j)receding tTria-aaQai. 
 
 ” Inverted, for “of those beautiful Grecian women, who were here¬ 
 tofore.” i* e. for its loss. 
 
J 31—159.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 19 
 
 against her will her, who brought me forth, who nourished^® 
 me; but my father is either alive or dead in some other part 
 of the earth : but it would be a sad thing that I should pay‘^‘* 
 much to Icarius, if I should myself of my own accord send 
 away my motiier. For I shall sutler evil from her father,'^^ 
 and (xod will give other [evils], when my mother, departing 
 from the house, shall invoke the hateful Furies; and there 
 will be reproach upon me from men. So I never will utter 
 this word. But if your mind is indignant at these things, go 
 out of my house, and prepare other feasts, consuming your 
 own possessions, taking turns at each other’s houses. But 
 if this seems to you more proper and better, to destroy with 
 impunity the livelihood of one man, waste it, but I will call 
 upon the immortal gods ; If Jove ever will grant that deeds 
 meet retribution, then shall ye perish unrevenged within the 
 house.” 
 
 Thus spoke Telemachus ; but far-seeing Jove sent thither^^ 
 for him two eagles to fly from aloft from the top of a mount¬ 
 ain. Tliey twain for some time flew with the gales of the 
 wind, near one another, stretching out with their wings; but 
 when they came to the middle of the noisy assembly, there 
 turning round they shook their dense pinions, and looked 
 over the heads of all, and portended^^ destruction : for tearing 
 their cheeks and their necks around with their talons, they 
 rushed on the right hand through their^^ houses and city. 
 But they were astonished at the birds, when they beheld them 
 with their eyes, and considered in their mind what things 
 were about to be brought to pass. And the old hero Hali- 
 therses, the son of JMastor, addressed them, for he alone ex¬ 
 celled those of his age in knowing [the omens of] birds and 
 
 Eustathius observes, t/cri yap pprspeg, ai tiktovoi ptv, ovk tKOpexf/ovcri 
 a\A’ ojg tiirtiv tKnOiacn ralg TiOpvoig. 
 
 It was a law, that when a man sent a woman away from his house, 
 he was to pay a fine to her father and relations. Scholiast. Nitzsch 
 and Loewe, however, understand “ aliqua injuriee Icario illataj expiatio,” 
 which seems more simple than to restrict dironvuv to the mere notion 
 of i)aying a fine. 
 
 i. e. Icarius. See Loewe. 
 
 “ 7r|00£?7/c6, non tarn pra3misit, quam illuc misit." Loewe. 
 
 See Buttm. Lexil. p. 445. 
 
 i. e. those of the Ithacans. But we find “domos avium,” in La^ 
 erct. i. 19. 
 
■ ODYSSEY. 11. 
 
 20 
 
 [IGO—lya 
 
 telling things fated ; who being kindly disposed, harangued 
 and addressed them [thus]: 
 
 “ Hear now from me, Ithacans, what I shall say; and I 
 shall speak these things especially setting them forth to the 
 suitors ; for a great calamity hangs over them. For Ulysses 
 will not be long away from his friends, but being already 
 somewhere near at hand, is planning slaughter and death to 
 all these present: and there will be evil upon many of us 
 also, who inhabit Ithaca well situated toward the west.-^ 
 But let us lirst consider well, how we may check them,^^ and 
 let them cease; for this will soon^'^ be better for tliem. For 
 I do not prophesy being unskilled, but well understanding. 
 For I say that all the things have been fulfilled unto him, as 
 I foretold him, when the Argives embarked for Troy,-® and 
 crafty Ulysses went with them. I said that he, having suf¬ 
 fered many ills, and having lost all his companions, would 
 come home unrecognized by* all, in the twentieth year. All 
 these things then are now being brought to pass.” 
 
 But him Eurymachus, son of I’olybus, in turn addressed: 
 “ O old man, come now, go home and prophesy to thy chil¬ 
 dren, lest by chance they should suffer some evil hereafter: 
 but I am a much better one than you to prophesy in these 
 things. Many birds indeed fly about under the beams of the 
 sun, nor are all ominous; but Ulysses has perished afar off; 
 as wmuld that thou also hadst perished with him : thou wouldst 
 not have talked so much, uttering oracles, nor wouldst thou 
 have thus excited the enraged Telemachus, expecting a present 
 for thy family, if he should give thee any. But I declare to 
 thee, and this shall be performed : If thou, m ho art accpiainted 
 with many and ancient tilings, shalt excite a younger man to 
 be angry, deceiving him with thy words, to him first it will be 
 more unpleasant, [and thou wilt not be able to effect at all 
 on account of those things:^®] but we will impose a fine upon 
 thee, old man, wliich thou wilt be indignant in thy mind at 
 paying; and there will be bitter grief for thee. But I my- 
 
 Bat Buttmann, Lexil. p. 223, follows Eustathius, deriving tvctleXoc 
 from tv and tVX?/, with d inserted, = apricns, “sunnv.” 
 
 * i. e. the suitors. Others wrongly refer KciTa-Kavaofitv to kukov. 
 
 But dtpap refers to TraviaOivv = statim cnim qinescere ipsis utilius 
 est. Loewe. 
 
 =*« Cf. Od. A. 210, sq. 
 
 A suspected verse. 
 
194—223.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. • 
 
 21 
 
 self will above all suggest to Telemaclius [thus]. Let Iiiia 
 command his mother to return to her father’s; but they^® will 
 make a marriage for her, and will prepare a very large dow¬ 
 ry, such as ought to accompany a beloved daughter. For I 
 do not think that the sons of the Grecians will rest from their 
 troublesome suit before [this]; since we fea^' no one at all, 
 not even Telemachus, although he is a man of many words. 
 Nor do we regard the oracle, which thou, old man, speakest 
 in vain, and thou art still more hated. But his property will 
 be again evilly consumed, nor will it ever [again] be ecpial [to 
 M’hat it was],2i as long as she puts off the Grecians with re¬ 
 spect to her marriage: but we, waiting all our days, contend 
 on account of her excellence, nor do we go after others, whom 
 it is proper for each to marry.” 
 
 But him did the prudent Telemachus answer in turn : “ F.u- 
 rymachus, and others, as many as [are] illustrious suitors, I 
 no longer beseech of you, nor speak these things : for now the 
 gods and all the Grecians know them. But come, give me a 
 swift ship and twenty companions, who may make way^^ with 
 me to ditlerent^^ places. For I am going to Sparta and to 
 sandy Fylos, to make inquiries of the return of my long-ab¬ 
 sent father, if any one of mortals could tell me, or I may hear 
 some report from Jove,^^ which especially brings notice to 
 men. If I should hear of the life and return of my father, 
 then, although afiiicted, I would still endure for a year. But 
 if I should hear that he is dead and no longer existing, then 
 indeed, returning to my dear paternal land, I will build^^ a 
 sepulchre for him, and will perform very many funeral rites, 
 
 i. e. oi dix(pl Tov Trarkpa. Cf. vs. 53, with Loewe’s note. It is a 
 mistake to refer it to the suitors. 
 
 ^ i. e. we will go on plundering it. See Locmc’s note. 
 
 See Buttmann, Lexil. p. 492, wliere Fishike compares the German 
 “ ehien weg viachen,” “to make a way,” and the French, “ il fait une 
 partie du chemin.” 
 
 ^ Literally, “here and there.” 
 
 See the note on i. 282, where the same expression occurs. 
 
 More literally, “pile, heap up,” as the tombs were built like mounds 
 or barrows. Cf. II. xxiii. 25G ; xiv. 114 ; Od. iii. 258. Compare n'/f/Bow 
 dxOoc in ^Bseb. Choeph. 4. “aggeritur tumulo tellus,” Virg. ^In. iii. 62. 
 See also my note on Eurip. A^x;es«^. vol. k ]>. 240, ed. Bohn, seems, 
 
 however, ju-imarily "X) iiubeate the scattering of earth upon a corpse, to 
 jirevent pollutioip ana as the fi»'st part of funeral rites. Hor. Od. i. 28; 
 Virg .iEn. vi. 365, 
 
22 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 1:223—252. 
 
 whatever are fit; and I will bestow my mother on a hus¬ 
 band.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he sat down ; but INIentor rose up to 
 them, who was the companion of illustrious Ulysses, and when 
 he went in the ships, he committed to him all his family, that 
 tlie old man should be obeyed, and should keep all things safe, 
 who being well disposed harangued and addressed them : 
 
 “ Hear now from me, Ithacans, what I shall say. Let not 
 any sceptre-wielding king be any more provident, gentle, and 
 mild, nor let him consider holy deeds in his mind, but let him 
 always be severe and do unjusU^ things ; since not one of the 
 people, over whom he reigned, remembers the divine Ulysses, 
 and that he was mild as a father.But I indeed by no means 
 envy the proud suitors doing violent deeds, by the evil devices 
 of their mind ; for risking their own lives,^® they are violently 
 consuming the house of Ulysses, who they say will no longer 
 return. But now 1 am indignant at the rest of the people: 
 how ye all sit silent but not at all rebuking with words, do 
 ye restrain the suitors who are few, while ye are many.” 
 
 But himLeiocritus, son of Evenor, answered: “Thou bale¬ 
 ful Mentor, foolish in thy mind, what hast thou said, inciting 
 [the people] to restrain us'? . but it is a difficult thing for 
 even those who are more in number to fight about a feast."^® 
 For although Ithacan Ulysses himself, approaching, should 
 be eager in his mind to drive out of the palace the illustrious 
 suitors [who are] feasting in his house, even his wife would 
 not rejoice at his coming,'^ although very much desiring it ; 
 for he would there draw on his own cruel fate, if lie should 
 fight with those who are more in number: but thou hast not 
 spoken rightly.^^ come, ye people, disperse each to his 
 
 Sacrilegious, according to the Scholiast, aiarXa being put for aho- 
 (TiiXa, i. e. Tov KaOrjKovTog (rtavXi^fXfva. Loewe. Of. vs. 47. 
 
 “ Caput objectare periclis.” Virg. 
 
 avu() is doubtless wrong, and we must restore the adverbial form 
 rtufu), = aKEujv, “in silence.” See Buttin. Lexil. p. 100, sq. 
 
 This passage is very dilficult to understand. I haA’e followed 
 Loewe, who has taken the interpretation of Eustathius: “ ditficile autem 
 et graA^e erit Ithacensibus, quamvis sint nuinero majores, nobiscum (i. e. 
 precis) contendere de convivio nunc finiendo.” 
 
 Because sheAvould soon lose him again, u/Lia yap ISovaa crrepijafrai. 
 Eustathius. 
 
 * KUTu polpai' is used in the same manner as kut alaav = 
 
 Kara Xoyov. 
 
253—289.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 23 
 
 em})loyments; but for him, let Mentor and Ilalitherses make 
 ready his journey, tliey who are his companions, friends of his 
 father from the beginning. But I ween, sitting for a long 
 time, he will hear messages in Ithaca, and he will never per¬ 
 form this journey.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, and he dissolved the assembly quickly. 
 They then were dispersed each to their own homes; but the 
 suitors went to the house of godlike Ulysses. But Telem- 
 achus going at a distance on the shore of the sea, having 
 washed his hands in the hoary wave, prayed to Minerva: 
 
 “ Hear me, thou deity w^ho didst yesterday come to my 
 house, and didst command me to go in a ship over the shad¬ 
 owy sea to inquire concerning the return of my long-absent 
 father ; but the Grecians waste all these things, and especial¬ 
 ly the suitors, who are wickedly haughty.” 
 
 Thus he spoke praying; but Minerva came near to him, 
 likened unto Mentor both in person and voice, and address¬ 
 ing him spoke winged words. 
 
 “ Telemachus, thou Avilt not be hereafter a coward or fool¬ 
 ish ; if indeed the excellent disposition of thy father has been 
 instilled into thee, such as he was to perform a deed and a 
 Avord, thy journey soon Avill not be A^ain or unfinished; but 
 if thou art not the son of him and Penelope, I do not expect 
 that thou Avilt perform Avhat thou art eagerly bent upon. For 
 feAV sons are like their father; more are Avorse; but feAv are 
 better than their father. But since thou Avilt not hereafter 
 be a coward or foolish, nor has the understanding of Ulysses 
 altogether left thee, there is some hope for thee that thou 
 Avilt })erform these Avorks. Wherefore disregard now the 
 counsel and the mind of the foolish suitors, since they are 
 not prudent or just: nor do they anticipate the death and 
 gloomy fate, Avhich is now nigh to them, for all to perish in 
 one day. But the journey for Avhich thou art anxious Avill 
 not be long put off*. For I, thy father’s friend, am such to 
 thee, Avho*^ Avill make ready for thee a SAvift ship, and Avill 
 myself folloAV. But do thou go to the house, and associate 
 Avith the suitors, and get ready provisions, and fit every thing 
 
 ■* Nearly equivalent to an//>/|Ow<;. Cf. II. iv. 182. rort ^i.oi xdi’oi tvptla 
 X0(^v. Virp. iEn. iv. 24, “ tellus optem ja-ius//«« dehiseat.” Loewe. 
 
 ** Obsen'e that Minerva uses the masculine ju'onoun and adjective, iu 
 reference to the form under which she acconqtanied Ulysses. 
 
24 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 [290—320. 
 
 in vessels, wine in casks, and meal, the marrow of men, in 
 thick skins. But I will immediately collect voluntary com¬ 
 panions through the people: for there are many ships in sea¬ 
 girt Ithaca, both new and old. Of these I will examine which 
 is the best; and having quickly prepared it we will launch 
 it on the wide sea.” 
 
 Thus spoke Minerva, the daughter of Jove, nor did 4 c- 
 lemachus delay a long time, when he heard the voice of the 
 goddess. But he hastened to his house, sorrowing in his 
 heart; and he found the haughty suitors in the palace skin¬ 
 ning goats, and roasting fattened swine'^ in the hall. But 
 Antinous laughing went to meet Telemachus, and took hold 
 of his hand, and spoke and called him by name: 
 
 ‘‘Telemachus, thou lofty speaker, intolerable in spirit, let 
 not any other evil deed or word be a care to thee in thy 
 breast, but eat and drink for my sake^^ as before. But the 
 Grecians will thoroughly get ready all these things, a ship 
 and chosen rowers, that thou mayest more quickly arrive at 
 divine Pylos, in quest of thine illustrious sire.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “Anti- 
 nous, it is not possible for me to feast in quiet^^ and to rejoice 
 peaceably among you arrogant^® ones. It is not enough that 
 hitherto ye suitors have clipped my many and excellent pos¬ 
 sessions, while I was still an infant? But new when I am 
 grown up, and hearing the discourse of others understand it, 
 ay, and^® my mind increases within me, I will make the ex¬ 
 periment, that I may send the evil Fates upon you, either 
 going to Pylos, or here in this people. I will go indeed—nor 
 wall the voyage which I mention be vain—as a merchant; 
 for I am not master^o of a ship nor of rowers; since he has 
 seemed to you to be better.” 
 
 (na\bg, 6 aiTSVTog Trapd to aiTfiaQai uXig. Eustath. 
 
 fioi is not exactly the dativus commodi, but is a polite friendly form 
 of expressing a wish. Loewe compares the German “ iss und Kiuk //iiV.” 
 
 aKtuvra is rightly received by Loewe for dtKovra. Cf. xiv. 195. 
 
 There is no authority for translating v7r(p(pid\oi<yi “perfidious,” as 
 one of the most inaccurate of former translators seems to have su})- 
 posed. The term implies “excessive,” and hence, “proud, haughty.” 
 See Buttm. Lexil. p. 513. 
 
 Kat bij appears here to increase the omj)hasis. For the sense 
 Ijoewe, after the Schol., compares Herod, iii. 134, avlavop-kpip rfp’ffw- 
 'Itari avvav^dvovrat Kai ai (ppki'tg. 
 
 But yl'^vo/icu rather means, “I shall not be possessed of a ship, etc. 
 
321—354.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 25 
 
 lie spoke, and readily withdrew his hand from the hand of 
 Antinous; but the suitors w^ere at a banquet in the house. 
 And they abused and reproached [him] in words. And thus 
 some one of the haughty youths spoke : 
 
 “ Telemachus in truth meditates slaughter for us. He will 
 either bring some allies from sandy Pylos, or even^^ from Spar¬ 
 ta ; since indeed he is exceedingly anxious : or he wishes to go 
 to the rich land Ephyre, that he may bring from thence deadly 
 poisons, and may throw them in a cup and destroy us all.” 
 
 And then another one of the haughty youths said: “But 
 who knows whether he himself going in a hollow ship may 
 perish far away from his friends, wandering as Ulysses ? So 
 indeed he would still more increase our labor; for we should 
 divide^'*^ all his possessions, and moreover give his house to his 
 mother to possess, and whoever should marry her.” 
 
 Thus they spoke; but he went down to the spacious lofty 
 roofed store-room of his father, where, heaped up, lay gold 
 and brass, and garments in chests, and plenty of sw^eet-smell- 
 ing oil. And there stood casks of old sweet wine, contain¬ 
 ing pure, divine drink, fitted in order against the wall; if at 
 any time Ulysses should return home, although having toiled 
 through many griefs. But upon it there were shut doors 
 closely fitted, double; and within there was night and day a 
 female housekeeper,^^ who watched every thing through the 
 long experience of her mind, Euryclea, the daughter of Ops 
 son of Pisenor. Having called her to the store-room, Telem¬ 
 achus then addressed her: 
 
 “Nurse, come draw me some sweet wine in the casks, 
 which is the more luscious^* after that, which you are pre¬ 
 serving, in expectation of him, the unfortunate ; if from any 
 where noble Ulysses should come, having escaped death and 
 the Pates. But fill twelve, and fit all with stoppers; and 
 
 at your hands,” because lie depended upon Minerva. See Loewe. 
 fiokog = kTTiTvxnQ, from fidWto in the sense of rvyxdvio. ^Moreover, Te¬ 
 lemachus alludes to the poverty they had brought upon him. 
 
 ** On the position of the pronoun dye cf. Ilor. Od. i. 9,—“ nee dulces 
 amores sperne puer neque tu choreas. ” 
 
 He ironically calls the task of dividing the property of Telemachus, 
 a labor. Loewe. 
 
 yvvi) Tctiuit} is a common jtleonasm, literally, “a woman, a house-' 
 keeper. ” 
 
 i. e. more luscious than the rest, but inferior to that. See Loewe. 
 
 B 
 
26 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 [354—300. 
 
 pour meal for me into well-sewn skins ; and let there be twen¬ 
 ty measures of ground meal. But do thou only know it. And 
 let all these things be collected; for I shall take them in the 
 evening, when my mother is gone to her upper chamber, and 
 is thinking of bed. For I am going to Sparta and sandy l*y- 
 los, to inquire concerning the return of my dear father, if 1 
 can any where hear of him.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but his dear nurse Euryclea wailed, and 
 Inourning she spoke winged words: 
 
 ' “ Why, my dear child, is this thought in thy mind ? whith¬ 
 
 er dost thou wish to go over much land, being alone beloved “s 
 but he, Jove-sprung Ulysses, has perished far away from his^ 
 country, among an unknown people. But they,^^ as soon 
 thou art gone, will hereafter devise evil things, how thou may- 
 est perish by deceit, and they themselves may divide all these 
 things. But do thou remain here, sitting among thine own: 
 nor is it at all fit that thou shouldst suffer harm, or wander 
 over the unfruitful sea.” 
 
 To her prudent Telemachus [thus] spoke in turn : “ Be of 
 good cheer, nurse, since this counsel is by no means Avithout 
 God but swear that thou Avilt not tell these things to my 
 mother, before the eleventh or tAvelfth day shall arrive, or she 
 herself should inquire, and hear that I am gone; that she 
 may not hurt her beauteous form [by] Aveeping.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the old woman swore a great oath by 
 the gods. But when she had sworn and concluded the oath, 
 she straightAvay drew Avine for him in the casks, and poured 
 meal into the AA'ell-seA\m skins. But Telemachus, going into 
 the house, associated with the suitors.^”^ 
 
 Then again the blue-eyed goddess Minerva thought upon 
 other things ; and likened unto Telemachus she went every 
 Avhere through the city, and then standing near each man 
 spoke the Avord; and bade them in the eA ening be assembled 
 at the swift ship. She then begged a SAvift ship of Noemon 
 the glorious son of Phronius; and he willingly promised it to 
 her. 
 
 And the sun set, and all the ways AA'ere overshadoAved; and 
 then she drew doAAii the SAvift ship to the sea, and placed all 
 
 i. e. the suitors. 
 
 i, c. “ sine nuniine Divuni,” as Virgil expresses it, iEn. ii, 777. 
 
 ^ As we should say in English, “joined their comtianv.” 
 
590—423.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. II. 
 
 27 
 
 the tackle in it, wliicli well-benched ships carry. And she 
 stood at the extremity of the port; and her excellent com- 
 ])anions were collected together around her; and the goddess 
 incited each. 
 
 Then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva thought of other 
 things, and hastened to the dwelling of godlike Ulysses: there 
 she shed sweet sleep over the suitors, and caused them to 
 wander while drinking; and cast the cups out of their 
 hands.^® And they^^ hastened through the city to sleep ; nor 
 Old they sit any longer, when sleep fell upon their eyelids. 
 Uut blue-eyed Minerva addressed Telemachus, having called 
 him forth out of the well-inliabited palace, likened unto Men¬ 
 tor both in her person and her voice. 
 
 “ Telemachus, already are thy well-greaved companions 
 sitting at their oars, awaiting your approach. Now let us 
 go, nor delay the voyage any longer.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, Pallas Minerva quickly led the way ; 
 but he straightway followed the steps of the goddess. And 
 when they came to the ship and to the sea, then they found 
 their long-haired companions on the shore; and the sacred 
 might of Telemachus^^' addressed them : “Plithcr, my friends, 
 let us bring provisions ; for all things are now collected in 
 the dwelling ; and my mother knows it not at all; nor do the 
 other female servants, but one only has heard the matter.” 
 
 Thus having spoken he led the way ; and they followed 
 with him. And bringing all the things, they placed them on 
 the well-benched shij), as the dear son of Ulysses gave orders. 
 Telemachus then embarked in the ship, and INIinerva led and 
 sat down in the stern, and near her sat Telemachus. And 
 they loosed the hawsers ; and themselves embarking, sat on the 
 benches. Put to them blue-eyed Minerva sent a favorable 
 gale,®^ a brisk zephyr whistling over the dark sea. Put Te- 
 Icrnachus exhorting his companions ordered them to fit their 
 
 i. e. caused them to droj) from their tired hands. 
 
 i. e. the guests wlio were on a visit to the suitors. Eustathius. 
 
 These circumlocutions are very common in Ilomcr, and, as they are 
 always used to express personal might and prowess, it much detracts 
 from the simple grandeur of heroic language to render them merely by 
 the English adjective. 
 
 Loewe, however, derives iKfxtiwv from 'licftac = vypot' TrotiZv. He 
 observes liowevcr tliat it is rather to be regarded as a general ej)ithet of 
 Zephyr, tliaii as implying rain on the j»resent occasion. 
 
28 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. [424—433. iii. 1—8. 
 
 tockle; and they hearkened to him exliorting them, and rais¬ 
 ing up the fir-mast placed it 'within the hollow mast-hole; 
 and bound it with the fore-cables, and drew the white sails 
 with well-twisted thongs. And the wind swelled the middle 
 of the sail; and the purple wave roared loudly around the 
 keel, as the ship made its way: and it ran through the waves 
 passing on its way; having then bound the tackle through 
 the swift black ship, they set crowned cups of wine; and 
 made libations to the immortal eternal gods, but most of all 
 to the blue-eyed daughter of Jove, dlien it passed along the 
 way through the whole night and in the morning. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 On reaching Pylos with Minerva, Telemaehus finds the Pylians sacrific¬ 
 ing bulls to Neptune. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Teleinu- 
 clius states the object of his voyage, and Nestor in reply relates what 
 had happened to himself, and the circumstances of their sailing from 
 Troy; but having no tidings of Ulysses, he advises him to go to Men- 
 elaus. Minerva departs, having discovered who she is ; upon which 
 Nestor offers sacrifice to her; and then sends Telemaehus with his 
 son Pisistratus in a chariot to Sparta. They arrive at Plieroi in the 
 evening, and are entertained by Diodes. 
 
 But the sun, having left the very beauteous sea,’ rose up¬ 
 ward into the brazen heaven,^ that it might shine to the im¬ 
 mortals and to mortal men over the bounteous earth. And 
 they came to Bylos, the well-built citadel of Neleus : now 
 they^ were offering sacrifices on the shore of the sea, all-black 
 bulls to the azure-haired Shaker of the earth.** There were 
 nine seats and five hundred sat in each, and they allotted nine 
 
 ^ On \iixvr) put for OdXnarra or ’QicEavuc, see Loewe. Cf. Ilesych. s. 
 v. and Trora/tog, Avith Albei'ti’s note, t. ii. ]). 481. Strabo, v. p. 
 
 225, uses the compound XifivoOciXarra. 
 
 2 It was the old opinion that the heaven was solid, and framed of 
 brass. Cf. Pind. Nem. vi. 5, 6 dt xdXKtoe daepaXtg aii tiog /nhet ovpa~ 
 v6g (hence perhaps the brazen shoulders attributed to Atlas in Eur. Ion, 
 i.). The phrase seems merely equivalent to (TTepiog. 
 
 ^ The Pylians. 
 
 * i. e. Neptune. Cf. Virg. TKn. iii. 111), wliose verses have be(Ti conv 
 j)ared with the present by Gclliu.s, xiii. 15. Macrob. Sat. iii. 4. ' 
 
9—SG.] 
 
 ODYSSEY.. III. 
 
 2 !) 
 
 bulls to each. Then they tastecD the entrails, and burned the 
 tliighs for the god. But they came ashore straight, and hav¬ 
 ing lifted up tlie sails of tlie equaD sliip furled [them], and 
 moored it ; and they themselves disembarked. Telemachus 
 tlien disembarked from the ship: but Minerva led the way: 
 the blue-eyed goddess Minerva first addressed him: 
 
 “ Telemachus, no longer hast thou need of modesty, not 
 even a little; for on that account hast thou sailed over the 
 sea, that thou mayest inquire about thy father, where the 
 earth conceals him, and what fate he has drawn on himself. 
 But come now, go straight to horse-taming Nestor; let us 
 see”^ what coun el he has concealed in his breast. But be¬ 
 seech him to tell thee what is true: but he will not speak a 
 falsehood; for he is very prudent.” 
 
 Prudent Telemaclius tlien addressed her in turn: “ Men¬ 
 tor, how shall 1 approach, how shall I salute him? I am 
 not at all experienced in prudent discourse; besides there is 
 diffidence^ for a young man to question an older.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva again addressed : 
 ‘‘ Telemachus, thou wilt thyself perceive some things in thine 
 own mind, and the deity^ will suggest others : for I do not 
 think that thou wast born or nourished against the will of the 
 gods.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, Pallas Minerva quickly led the way. 
 And he went immediately after the steps of the deity; and 
 they came to the assembly and seats of the Pylians. There 
 vSat Nestor with his sons; and around were his companions 
 preparing the feast, roasting flesh, and fixing other things 
 on spits. They then, when they saw the strangers, all came 
 together, and in salutation took them by the hand, and bade 
 them sit down. Pisistratus, son of Nestor, first coming near, 
 
 ® TradfTOfxai in the active form signifies to sprinkle; in the middle, to 
 eat or taste. 
 
 * Carrying equal weight on both sides. 
 
 ’ is put for tiie infinitive. 
 
 ® aid^Q is rendered by Loewe, “ sensus pudoris.” Translate more 
 freely, “ there is a sense of diffidence in a young man addressing an el¬ 
 der.” 
 
 ® Whatever Maximus Tyrius, Diss. xxvi., may say, we must remem¬ 
 ber that datfjnov only came to mean a guardian spirit in the writings 
 found after tlie time of Homer. See Kudolf on Ocellus Lucan, iii. § S, 
 who has carefully discussed the subject, observing, “ antiquissimis teiu- 
 poribus datp.u)v nihil aliud erat, quam Deus.” 
 
30 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 [37—*68 
 
 took the hand of both, and placed them near the banquet, on 
 soft fleeces, on the sand of the sea, near his brother Thrasy- 
 medes and his father. And then he gave them parts of the 
 entrails, and poured wine into a golden cup; and stretching 
 out the right hand,^^ called upon Pallas Minerva, the daugh¬ 
 ter of ALgis-bearing Jove: 
 
 “ Pray now, O stranger, to king Neptune; for at his 
 feast have ye met coming here. But when ye have made li¬ 
 bations and have prayed, as is the custom,^^ then to him also 
 give the cup of sweet wine to make a libation; since I think 
 that he also prays to the immortals; for all men have need 
 of the gods : but he is younger [than thou], and of equal age 
 with myself:’-^ therefore I will give the golden cup first to 
 thee.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he placed the cup of sweet wine in 
 her hands; and Minerva was pleased on account of the pru¬ 
 dent just man, because he gave the golden cup to her fli*st. 
 And she straightway prayed much to king Neptune. 
 
 “ Hear, thou earth-containing Neptune, nor envy us be¬ 
 seeching thee to accomplish these works. To Nestor first 
 and to his sons give glory; but afterward to others grant a 
 grateful recompense, to all the Pylians, for their illustrious 
 hecatomb: and grant besides that Telemachus and I may re¬ 
 turn, having performed [the things] on account of which we 
 came hither with a swift black ship.” 
 
 Thus then she prayed ; and she herself accomplished all 
 things, but she gave the beautiful round cup'^ to Telemachus. 
 In the same manner prayed the dear son of Ulysses. And 
 when they had roasted the upper^^ flesh and had taken it off 
 having distributed the shares, they made a glorious feast. 
 But when tliey had removed the desire of drinking and eat¬ 
 ing, to them the Gerenian knight Nestor began discourse: 
 
 The form of drinking a toast. Athenasus, i. 11. tdt^iovvTo, TTpoirl- 
 vovTiQ iavToiQ, raig de'^laiQ. On the reduplicated form 
 &ce Thiersch Gk. Gr. p. 435, Sandford’s translation. 
 
 See Loewe. 
 
 ^ Literally, there is equal age to him with myself. 
 
 But dp^iKVTTtWov {which is an adjective, always being found joined 
 with another word) rather means a vessel which has a KvirtWov, or cup, 
 at both ends. See Buttm. Lexil. p. 33, sq. A similar vessel is used to 
 measure a penny or halfpenny-worth of hazel-nuts in the streets of Lon¬ 
 don. ** So called in opposition to the viscera. 
 
G9—101.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 ^ 1 
 o 1 
 
 “Now then it is more proper to ask and inquire of the 
 strangers, who they are, since they are satisfied with food. 
 O strangers, who are ye ? from whence do ye sail over tlie 
 moist ways"?^^ Do ye wander on account of some business 
 or at random, as pirates over the sea? who wander exposing 
 tlieir lives, bearing ills to strangers ?” 
 
 Prudent Telemachus in turn answered him, taking confi¬ 
 dence ; for Minerva herself had infused confidence into his 
 mind, that he might inquire of him concerning his absent fa¬ 
 ther, [and that he might obtain great glory among men.]‘® 
 
 “ O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Grecians, 
 thou askest from whence we are; and I will tell thee. We 
 have come from Ithaca, [situate] under Neius, and this is a 
 private, not a public business, which I mention. I come [to 
 inquire] after the wide renown of my father, if I should any 
 where hear of him, godlike, patient Ulysses; whom they say, 
 some time ago, fighting together wdth thee, sacked the city 
 of the Trojans. For all the others, as many as made wai* 
 with the Trojans, we have heard of, [as to] where each per¬ 
 ished in sad destruction: but his death the son of Saturn has 
 made unheard of. For no one can tell clearly where he has 
 perished: whether he has been subdued on the continent by 
 hostile men, or whether in the sea among the waves of Am- 
 phitrite.^”^ Wherefore I now come to [beseech thee by] thy 
 knees, if thou art willing to tell of his mournful death, if thou 
 hast any where beheld it with thine eyes, or hast heard the 
 tale of any one else wandering: for his mother brought him 
 forth exceedingly calamitous. Nor by any means reverencing 
 me soothe me, nor pitying me, but tell me plainly, as thou 
 hast happened to witness it;’® I beseech thee, if ever my fa¬ 
 ther, the good Ulysses, has performed any word or deed for 
 thee, having promised it, among the people of the Trojans, 
 where you Greeks suffered ills, be mindful of these things 
 now, and tell me truly.” 
 
 ** It must be remembered that jiiracy was not esteemed dishonorable 
 in the heroic ajxes. See Tliucyd. i. 5. The same feeling prevailed among 
 the Lacedasmonians and the ancient Germans (cf. Davis on Caes. B, G. 
 vi, 23), the Danes (Steph. on Saxo Grammat. ii. p. GO). Compare Mal¬ 
 let’s Northern Antiquities, ix. p. 173, sqq. ed. Bohn. 
 
 A doubtful verse. 
 
 ” The wife of Neptune, here put for the sea. 
 
 Literally, “ as you have met the sight [of it].” 
 
32 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 1102—143. 
 
 But to him the Gerenian knight Nestor made answer : ‘‘ O 
 friend, since tliou hast put me in mind of the toil, which we 
 sons of the Grecians, irresistible in might, suffered among that 
 people, both whatever things [we endured] with ships wan¬ 
 dering over the darkling sea after booty, wheresoever Achilles 
 led us, and whatever, when we fought about the great city of 
 king Priam, where afterward were slain as many as were the 
 bravest: there lies warlike Ajax, and there Achilles, and there 
 Patroclus, a counselor equal to the gods, and there my dear 
 son, both brave and blameless, Antilochus, exceeding swift in 
 running, and a warrior: and many other evils besides these 
 we suffered. Who, indeed, of mortal men could relate them 
 all ? Not even if waiting five or even six years, thou shouldst 
 inquire what ills the divine Grecians suffered there. Sooner 
 indeed wouldst thou sorrowing arrive at thy paternal land: 
 for nine years we planned^^ evil things, attacking them around 
 M’ith all kinds of stratagems; and the son of Saturn with dif¬ 
 ficulty brought them to an end. There no one wished to be 
 equal in counsel to him, since divine Ulysses, thy sire, sur- 
 ])assed very much in all kinds of deceit; if in truth thou art 
 liis son ; astonishment possesses me as I behold thee; for in¬ 
 deed thy discourse is like, nor would you say that a younger 
 man speaks so like. While, then, I and divine Ulysses were 
 there, we never spoke at variance in the assembly or in the 
 council, but having one mind, we considered in our thoughts 
 and prudent reflection, by Avhat means the best possible things 
 might be done by the Grecians. But when we had thoroughly 
 destroyed the lofty city of Priam, and had gone away in the 
 ships, and the deity had dispersed the Grecians; then indeed 
 Jove devised in his mind a sad return for the Greeks; for 
 they were by no means all prudent or just: wherefore many 
 of them drew on themselves an evil fate, from the pernicious 
 wrath of the blue-eyed goddess, born of a mighty sire, who set 
 contention between both the sons of Atreus. But they having 
 called all the Grecians to an assembly in vain, but not accord¬ 
 ing to what was right, at the setting sun (for the sons of the 
 Grecians came heavy with wine), related the cause, on account 
 of which they assembled the people. There INIenelaus com¬ 
 manded all the Grecians to be mindful of a return over the 
 wide hack of the sea. But it was not altogether pleasing to 
 Literally, “.sewed.” Cf. xv. 379, 423. 
 
U3—179.] 
 
 ODYSSEY III. 
 
 £3 
 
 Agamemnon ; for lie wished to detain the people, and to offer 
 sacred hecatombs, that he miglit ap[)case the dreadful wrath of 
 Minerva, foolish man, nor knew lie at all that he would not 
 persuade her; for the intention of the gods who exist forever 
 is not soon turned. Thus they stood answering one another 
 with bitter words; but the well-greaved Greeks leaped u}) 
 with vast clamor; for the counsel pleased them in a divided 
 manner. During the night "we rested, meditating in our mind 
 pernicious things to one another ; for Jove was preparing fur¬ 
 ther bane of evil. But in the morning we drew our ships into 
 the boundless sea, and stowed our goods in them, and our deep- 
 bosomed women : but half the people were detained, remain¬ 
 ing there with Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, the shepherd 
 of the people ; but half of us having embarked weighed anchor. 
 And these sailed very quickly; for a god smoothed'-^ the whalc- 
 like^i sea. And arriving at Tenedos we offered sacrifices to 
 the gods, longing for home but Jupiter did not yet design 
 our return, severe indeed, who excited evil contention again a 
 second time. The others with the prudent crafty king Ulysses 
 embarked on the ships, rowed on both sides, having turned hack 
 again, gratifying-^ Agamemnon, the son of Atreus. But I, 
 with the collected ships wdiich follow'ed me, fled, since I knew 
 that the deity meditated evil things. And the warlike son of 
 Tydeus fled, and incited his companions.. But auburn-haired 
 Menelaus came late to us, and found us in Lesbos planning a 
 long voyage, whether we should sail about rough Chios, to 
 the island Psyria, keeping it on our left, or below Chios, near 
 windy Mimas.^^ We besought the god to show us a sign: 
 and he showed us one, and commanded us to cut the middle 
 of the sea to Euboea, that we might escape away from e\ il as 
 quickly as possible. But a shrill wind sprang up and blew ; 
 and the ships ran very swiftly through the fishy way; and 
 during the night were carried to Gerrestus; and we offered 
 many thighs of bulls to Neptune, having measured the mighty 
 
 Literally, “spread,” “strewed out.” Cf. Apoll. Rhod. i. 1154, 
 iCTToptatp divag. Tlieocrit. 57, aroptcrsvvTi rd Kvpara rdv re ddXaaaav. 
 Quint. Calab. vi. 102, tvpka ttuvtov viroaropkiiai yaXrjvr]. Cf. Virg. Et 1. 
 i.\. 57. iEn. V. 821. 
 
 The epithet ptyaKprta merely denotes magnitude. 
 
 More literally ])erhaps, “having a homeward longing.” 
 
 Literally, “bearing agreeable things to.” 
 
 •* A mountain opj)Osite the island Chios, so called from one of the giants, 
 
 B 2 
 
34 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 [180—216. 
 
 sea. It was the fourth day when the companions of horse- 
 subduing Diomede, the son of Tydeus, stopped their equal 
 ships in Argos: but 1 kept toward I’ylos ; nor did the wind 
 ever drop, after the god first sent it fortli to blow. Thus I 
 arrived, my dear child, without any knowledge, nor have 1 
 learned any thing of them, who of the Greeks were saved, 
 and who perished. But whatever things I have heard while 
 sitting in my palace, as far as is right, thou shalt know, nor 
 will 1 conceal them from thee. Udiey say that the spear-liv- 
 ing-5 Myrmidons returned well, whom the glorious son ot 
 magnanimous Achilles led; and Piiiloctetes [returned] well, 
 the famous son of Pieas; and Idomeneus led all his compan¬ 
 ions to Crete, who had escaped from the war, and the sea took 
 away no one from him ; but you yourselves, although at a dis¬ 
 tance, hear of the son of Atreus, both how ho came, and how 
 M^]gisthus devised sad death for him. But he indeed very 
 miserably paid the forfeit: so good a thing is it that a son of 
 a murdered man should be left, since he avenged himself upon 
 the murderer of his fatiier, crafty ^^gisthus, who slew his illus¬ 
 trious sire. And do thou, my friend, for I see that thou art 
 noble and great, be brave, that any one even of posterity may 
 speak well of thee.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus addressed in turn : “ O Nes¬ 
 tor, so’h of Neleus, great glory of the Grecians, he did indeed 
 revenge him greatly, and the Greeks will bring to him renown 
 far and wide, and for those who shall be hereafter to learn. 
 Would that the gods would give me so much power to be re¬ 
 venged on the suitors for their troublesome overbearing, who 
 insulting me devise impious things. But the gods have not 
 destined such happiness for my father and me ; and now it is 
 necessary to endure it.” 
 
 But him the Gerenian knight Nestor then answered: “ O 
 friend, since thou host put me in mind of, and hast spoken 
 tliese things, they say tlmt many suitors on account of thy 
 mother devise evil things in thy palace, against thy will; tell 
 me, whether art thou overcome willingly, or do the people 
 hate thee publicly, following the voice^^ of God'? But who 
 knows whether he himself shall some time or other come, and 
 
 «yXfff<7tW|0o«, “qaibus fatum ct sors in armis est.” Loewe. 
 
 ** i. e. obeyiiifj; some oracle, TroWaKig yap ptdiaraaav tovq jdaaiXttf, 
 {lavTt'iaQ iiTiyivopkvpQ. Eustath. 
 
217—252.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 35 
 
 revenge their violence, being alone, or even all the Greeks 
 together "? For if blue-eyed Minerva was so willing to love 
 thee, as slie then took exceeding care of glorious Ulysses 
 among the people of the Trojans, where we Grecians sutfered 
 griefs (for 1 have never seen gods so openly loving, as Pal¬ 
 las Minerva openly stood by him); if she was thus willing to 
 love thee, and would care [for thee] in her mind, then forsooth 
 some one of them would be forgetful of marriage.'’ 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ Old 
 man, I do not at all think that this word will be brought to 
 pass; for thou hast spoken an exceeding great thing; aston¬ 
 ishment possesses me; these things would not happen to me 
 if 1 hoped them, nor if the gods should so be willing.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva in turn addressed: 
 “Telemachus, what word has escaped thy lips? God, if will¬ 
 ing, could easily save a man even from a distance. But I 
 should rather wish, having suffered many griefs, to come home 
 and behold the day of my return, than coming to perish at 
 my own hearth, as Agamemnon perished by the stratagem of 
 ^Fgisthus and his own wife.-^”^ But indeed not even the gods 
 are able to ward off death, which is common to all,'^® even 
 from a beloved man ; whenever the pernicious Fate of long- 
 slumbering death seizes him.” 
 
 But her^^ prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “Men¬ 
 tor, let us no longer talk of these things although grieving. 
 For him there is no more a sure return, but already the im¬ 
 mortals have decreed death and black Fate for him. But 
 now I wish to inquire and ask something else of Nestor; 
 since he above others is acquainted with justice and pru¬ 
 dence ; for they say that he has thrice ruled over genera¬ 
 tions of men; so that to me he seems like unto the immor¬ 
 tals to behold. O Nestor, son of Neleus,. do thou tell me the 
 truth, how did wdde-ruling Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, 
 die? Where was Menelaus? What destruction did crafty 
 .<d:^gisthus contrive for him ^ since he slew one much his bet¬ 
 ter. Was he^^ not in Achaean Argos ? or was he wandering 
 
 But construe wX. vtt' 'Aiy. Kai »/c d\. doXip, “et id quidem dolo 
 mnlo.” 
 
 So TToXf/ioc 6/^o/Voc, in Avhich all run equal risk. Od. xviii. 204. 
 Cf. Hor. Od. iv. 7, 23, sqq. 
 
 ** i. e. Minerva speaking as Mentor. 
 
 Menelaus. 
 
ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 36 
 
 [252—28!. 
 
 somewhere else among men ; and did he, having taken cour¬ 
 age, slay him'?” 
 
 Then the Gerenian knight Nestor answered him: “ 1 will 
 indeed then tell thee all things true, my son ; for thou thyself 
 dost suspect this, as it in truth happened. If auburn-haired 
 Menelaus, son of Atreus, coming from Troy had found iEgis- 
 thus alive in the palace; he w^ould not have poured^^ upon 
 him when dead the crumbled earth, but ceilainly dogs and 
 birds would have eaten him lying on the plain far from Ar¬ 
 gos; nor would any one of the Grecian women have mourned 
 him ; for he devised a very heinous^^ deed. For we sat there 
 accomplishing many labors; but he at leisure in the recess 
 of horse-pasturing Argos soothed the wife of Agamemnon 
 very much wdth words; the divine Clytemnestra herself in¬ 
 deed before refused^^ the disgraceful deed, for she possessed a 
 good understanding: for there w^as with her a man, a bard, 
 to whom the son of Atreus, when he set out to Troy, gave 
 earnest charge to preserve his wdfe. But when the Fate of 
 the gods bound her that she should be subdued, then leading 
 the bard to a desert island, he34 left him to become a spoil 
 and prey for birds; but he willing led her w illing^^ to his 
 own home. And he burned many thighs on the sacred altars 
 of the gods, and suspended many ornaments and tapestry, and 
 gold, after he had accomplished the heinous deed, which he 
 had never expected in his mind. Now we indeed setting out 
 from Troy sailed together, the son of Atreus and myself, hav¬ 
 ing a friendly disposition tow^ard one another: but w hen we 
 came to sacred Sunium, the promontory of Athens, there 
 Phoebus Apollo,^® coming against him with h's soft darts, 
 slew the pilot of Menelaus, while holding in his liands the 
 rudder of the ship as it went along, Phrontis, son of Onetor, 
 who surpassed the, tribes of men in steering a ship, when 
 tempests pressed upon it. Thus he, although hastening on 
 
 See my note on ii. 222. 
 
 Tlie word }xiya constantly signifies heinous, as here. So Pindar, 
 Nemean x. vs. 120, 
 
 fxiya tp- 
 
 yov (pt](TavT ojKsiog. Old Translator. 
 
 Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 118. i. e. iEgisthus. 
 
 ” Probably imitated by Euripides, Iph. Aid. 75, ipwv tpioaav 
 l^avapiracraQ. 'Fj\ivT}v, 
 
 Sudden deaths were attributed to the arrows of A})ollo. 
 
284—320.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 37 
 
 his voyage, was detained here, that he might bury his com¬ 
 panion, and perform the funeral rites. But when he also, 
 going over the dark sea in his hollow ships, came running to 
 the lofty mountain of the Maleans, then far-beholding Jove 
 decreed a hateful journey for him, and poured upon him tiie 
 blast of the shrill winds, and the mighty swollen waves, equal 
 to mountains ; there having divided the beet, he made part 
 approach Crete, where the Cydonians dwelt, about the streams 
 of Jardanus. But there is a certain smooth lofty rock in the 
 sea, at the extremity of Gortys, in the shadowy main. There 
 tlie south wind thrusts the great wave to the dangerous^^ 
 promontory to Phoestus ; but a small rock wards off a mighty 
 wave. The ships then came here, and the men with great 
 care avoided death, but.the waves broke the ships against the 
 crags; but the wind and wave bearing five azure-prowed 
 ships, made them approach to Egypt. Thus fixr he, collecting 
 much property and gold, wandered with liis ships to men of 
 a different language. But in the mean time iEo-isthus dc- 
 vised these sad things at home, havin" slain the son of Atre- 
 us; and the people were subdued under him. For seven 
 years then he reigned over Mycene rich in gold ; but in the 
 eighth year divine Orestes came back from Athens, an evil 
 for him, and slew the murderer of his father, crafty Ailgisthus, 
 who slew his illustrious father. He then having slain him 
 gave a funeral banquet^® to the Argives for his hateful mother 
 and unwarlike -dEgisthus but on the same day Menelaus 
 strenuous in battle came to him, bringing many possessions, 
 whatever his ships carried as their burden. 
 
 “ And do not thou, my friend, wander long at a distance 
 from home, leaving thy possessions and men so overbearing in 
 thine house ; lest they should consume all, dividing your pos¬ 
 sessions, and you should have come a vain journey. But I 
 advise and exhort thee to go to Menelaus; for he has lately 
 come from elsewhere, from those people ; from whence that 
 man could not hope in his mind to come, whomsoever first the 
 
 (TKaibv, like the Latin “lasvum, ” unluchj, fatal. 
 
 ® Td<po<;, Trepidinri^ov t7ri r?) twi> olxoph^ujj' ti/j.}}, Ilesychius. Cf. II. 
 
 29. Hesiod, tpy. 735. The Latins called it “ silieernium.” 
 
 The question whether Homer was acquainted Avith the lej^end of 
 Orestes’ ))ersecution by the Erinnyes has been discussed by Muller, Eu' 
 nienid. § 87, p. 204, note. 
 
38 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 [321—355. 
 
 storms had driven out of liis course^® to so vast a sea ; from 
 whence not even birds can come in the same year, since it is 
 vast and terrible. But go now with thy ship and tliy compan¬ 
 ions ; or, if thou dost prefer it on land, there is a chariot and 
 horses ready for thee, and my sons are ready, who will be thy 
 conductors to divine Lacedaemon, where auburn-haired Mene- 
 laus dwells. And beseech him, that he may tell thee true: 
 but he will not speak a falsehood; for he is very prudent.” 
 
 Thus he spoke : but the sun set, and darkness came on ; 
 and the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed them: 
 
 “ Old man, of a truth tliou bast spoken these things I’ight- 
 ly; but come,.cut‘^ indeed the tongues, and mix the wine, 
 that having made libations to Neptune and the other immor¬ 
 tals, we may think of our bed; for [this is] the hour for it. 
 For now the light is gone under the gloom ; nor is it right to 
 sit long at a feast of the gods, but to return.” 
 
 The daughter of Jove spoke, and they heard her address¬ 
 ing [them]. And the heralds poured water upon their hands, 
 and the youths crowned the bowls of wine ; and they distrib¬ 
 uted to all, beginning with the cups; and they threw the 
 tongues in the fire, and standing up poured out a libation. 
 But when they had made a libation, and had drunk as much 
 as their mind wished, tlien indeed Minerva and godlike Telem- 
 achus both desired to go to their hollow ship ; but Nestor hin¬ 
 dered them, chiding them with words: 
 
 “ May Jove liinder this, and the other immortal gods,'*^ that 
 ye should go from me to your swift ship, as from one who is 
 altogether without a garment, or poor, who has neither cloaks 
 or many blankets in his house, nor wherein for himself or his 
 guests to sleep softly. But I indeed have cloaks and beauti¬ 
 ful blankets. The dear son of this man Ulysses shall by no 
 means lie down on the deck of a ship, wliile I am alive ; but 
 afterward may my sons be left in my palace to entertain the 
 guests, whoever may come to my house.” 
 
 *0 This is the full sense of aTrotrcpijXwcnv, understanding uSov. See 
 Loewe. 
 
 It was customary at a feast, to cut off the tongues of tlie sacrifices 
 and burn them, when it was time to I'etire to bed; meaning that con¬ 
 versation should cease; and that the company should now go to rest. 
 See the Scholiast. 
 
 On this formula, 'Aevg Kui 9eoi dXXoi, see my note on Alsch. From 
 p. 3, n. 3, ed. Bohn. 
 
356—392.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 39 
 
 The blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed him in turn: 
 ‘‘Thou hast spoken these things well, O dear old man ; but 
 it is fit for thee to persuade Telemachus, since thus it is much 
 better. But he will now follow in company with you, that 
 he may sleep in your palace ; but I am going to my black 
 ship, that I may cheer on my companions, and order every 
 thing; for I alone boast myself to be older among them, but 
 the others younger men follow on account of friendship, all of 
 an equal age with high-minded Telemachus. There I may 
 now rest in the hollow, black ship; but at dawn I am going 
 to the magnanimous Cauconians, where a debt is owed me, 
 not by any means recent, or little; but do you, since he has 
 come to thy house, send him, with a chariot and your son : 
 and give him horses, which are the fleetest to run, and most 
 excellent in strength.” 
 
 Having thus spoken, blue-eyed Minerva departed likened 
 unto an eagle ; and astonishment seized all who beheld; and 
 the old man wondered, when he saw her with his eyes; and 
 he laid hold of the hand of Telemachus, and spoke, and said: 
 
 “ O friend, I do not expect that thou wilt be a. coward 
 and unwarlike, since the gods thus accompany thee, who art 
 young, as thy conductors. For this was no one else of those 
 who possess the Olympian houses, than the daughter of Jove, 
 most gloiious Minerva,^^ who honored also your excellent 
 sire among the Grecians. But, O queen, be propitious and 
 grant me good renown, for myself, and my children, and my 
 venerable wife; but to thee I will sacrifice a cow of one year 
 old, of a wide forehead, untamed, which man has not yet led 
 under the yoke. Her I will sacrifice to thee, having poured 
 gold round her horns.” 
 
 Thus he spoke praying: but Pallas Minerva heard him. 
 But the Gerenian knight Nestor led them, his sons, and his 
 sons-in-law to his beautiful palace. And when they came to 
 the all-illustrious palace of the king, they sat in order on the 
 couches and the thrones. And the old man mixed for them 
 as they came a bowl of sweet wine, which the housekeeper 
 opened in the eleventh year, and loosed the fastenings.'^‘^ Of 
 
 Tpiroyevfia is an epithet of Minerva, most jn’obably derived from 
 the old Boeotian word rptrw = caput, referring to the story of Minerva 
 being sprung from the liead of Jove. 
 
 Not “stoppers.” Sec Loevve. 
 
40 
 
 ODYSSEY. HI. 
 
 |;3fl .430. 
 
 this the old man mixed a bowl, and pouring forth a lujation 
 prayed much to Minerva, daughter ot yEgis-hearing Jupiter. 
 
 But when they had made libations, and drank as much as 
 their mind desired, some of them went to sleep, each to their 
 own home; but the Gerenian knight Nestor made TelemU' 
 chus, the dear son of divine Ulysses, sleep there in wrought’- 
 beds under the echoing portico: and near him Pisastratus, 
 skilled in tlie spear, chieftain of men, who of his sons was 
 still unmarried in his palace: but liimself again slept in th*. 
 recess of his lofty house : and for him his wife the queen pie- 
 pared a couch and bed. 
 
 But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, ap¬ 
 peared, the Gerenian knight Nestor arose from his bed. And 
 coming out he sat down on the polished stones which were 
 before his lofty gates, white, shining with oil, on which Nc- 
 leus before used to sit, a counselor equal to the gods. But 
 he, already subdued by fate, had gone to Hades. But Gere¬ 
 nian Nestor, the guardian of the Grecians, then sat there, 
 holding his sceptre ; and around him his sons were assembled 
 together, coming from their chambers, Echephron, and tStrati- 
 us° and Perseus, and Aretus, and godlike Thrasymedes ; and 
 after them the sixth, the hero Pisistratus, came ; and leading 
 godlike Telemachus they seated him near him. And the Ge¬ 
 renian knight Nestor began an address to them. 
 
 “Quickly, my dear children, accomplish my desire: that I 
 may supplicate Minerva first of the gods, who came manifest 
 to me to a solemn feast of the god. But let one go to the 
 plain for a heifer, that a herdsman may come with all haste, 
 and bring a heifer. And let another go to the black ship of 
 magnanimous Telemachus, and bring all his companions, but 
 let him leave two only: and let another command the gold¬ 
 smith Laerceus to come hither, tliat he may pour gold about 
 the horns of the heifer. But do the rest of you remain here 
 together, and bid the handmaidens within prepare a glorious 
 feast in the palace, and place seats and wood around, and 
 bring clear water.” 
 
 Tims he spoke ; and they all were busily occupied ; a heifer 
 
 Cf. i. 440, Trapa Tpr^rolQ Loewe thinks the simplest wnt 
 
 of understanding this usage, is to take npui^ iis freely used for the sm/p- 
 ture or frame, so that TppTov Xexoi; is the same as kXktiii divuiri) or tv' 
 
 TUKTOg. 
 
431—466.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 41 
 
 then came from the plain: and the companions of magnan¬ 
 imous Telemachus came from the swift equal ship ; and the 
 smith came, having his brazen instruments in his hands, the 
 implements of art, an anvil and hammer, and well-made tongs, 
 with wdiich he worked the gold ; and Minerva came to par¬ 
 take of the sacred rites: and the old horseman Nestor gave 
 the gold: but he then, having prepared it, poured it around 
 the horns of the heifer, that the goddess might rejoice on be¬ 
 holding the ornament. But Stratius and divine Echephron 
 led the heifer by the horns : and Aretus came, bringing water 
 from the chamber in a caldron embossed with flow’ers; and 
 ill the other hand he held cakes in a basket. But Thrasy- 
 niedes, persevering in the fight, stood near, holding in his 
 hand a sharp axe, to strike the heifer. And Perseus held the 
 vessel for catching the blood and the old horseman Nestor 
 began with [sprinkling] the water and the cakes: and having 
 offered the first-fruits, he prayed much to Minerva, throwing 
 the hairs of the head in the fire. But when they had prayed 
 and thrown forth the cakes, straightway high-minded Tliras- 
 ymedes, the son of Nestor, standing near struck the blow; 
 and the hatchet cut the tendons of the neck, and loosed the 
 strength of the heifer. But they shouted, the daughters and 
 daughters-in-law, and Eurydice, the venerable wife of Nestor, 
 the eldest of the daughters of Clymenus. They then raising 
 it up from the spacious earth held it; but I’isistratus, chief¬ 
 tain of men, killed it. And when the black blood flowed from 
 it, and life had left its bones, they quickly divided it; and soon 
 cut (/tf all the thighs, as was right, and covered them with fat, 
 having doubled them; and put the raw parts upon them : and 
 the old man roasted them on the fagots, and poured glowing 
 wine over them; and near him the young men held in their 
 hands five-pronged spits. But when the thighs were burned, 
 and they had tasted the entrails, they both cut up the other 
 parts into bits, and fixed them on spits, and roasted them, 
 holding in their hands the sharp spits. But meanwhile beau¬ 
 tiful Polycaste, the youngest daughter of Nestor, the son of 
 Neleus, washed Telemachus. But when she had washed him, 
 and anointed him with rich oil,^^ and had thrown a beautiful 
 
 ofiviov, TO Tov ainaroQ ciktikov ayytlov. East. 
 
 Heyne, on Horn. 11. x. 577, regards this as an old substantive, 
 XiTTog, used for an adjective. 
 
42 
 
 ODYSSEY. III. 
 
 [4G7—497. 
 
 vest and garment around him, he went out of the bath like 
 unto the immortals in person ; and going near Nestor, the 
 shepherd of the people, he sat down. But when they had 
 roasted the upper parts and had separated them, they sat down 
 and feasted; and the excellent men arose, pouring wine into 
 the golden cups. But when they had taken away the desire 
 of eating and drinking, the Gerenian knight Nestor began to 
 address them: 
 
 “ My sons, come, lead forth, and yoke under the chariot 
 beautif^ul-haired horses for Telemachus, that he may perform 
 his journey.” 
 
 Thus he spoke: but they quickly heard and obeyed him ; 
 and they swiftly yoked the swift horses under the chariot; 
 and the housekeeper placed in it bread and wine, and dainties, 
 such as Jove-nourished kings eat. Telemachus then mounted 
 the very beautiful chariot; and near him Pisistratus, the chief¬ 
 tain of men, son of Nestor, mounted the chariot, and took 
 the reins in his hands, and scourged them that they might go 
 on ; and they twain flew not unwilling to the plain, and left 
 the lofty citadel of Pylos. And all the day they shook the 
 yoke holding it on both sides: and the sun set, and all the 
 ways were overshadowed. And they came to Pherae, to the 
 house of Diodes, son of Orsilochus, whom Alpheus begot for 
 his son. There they rested during the night; and he gave 
 them hospitable gifts. 
 
 But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, ap¬ 
 peared, they yoked the horses and mounted the variegated 
 chariots: [and drove out of the vestibule, and the resounding 
 portico.]’® And he scourged them that they might go on ; 
 and they twain flew not unwilling : and they came to the 
 wheat-producing plain ; there then they finished their jour¬ 
 ney; for so quickly the swift horses ran. And the sun set, 
 and all the ways were overshadowed. 
 
 ** A suspected verse. 
 
1—20.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 43 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Menelaus entertains Pisistratus and Telemachus; the latter of whom re¬ 
 lates the state of matters in Ithaea, and makes inquiries respecting liis 
 father. Menelaus then gives him the particulars of the return of the 
 Grecians, as far as he is acquainted with them; and informs Telema¬ 
 chus that he had been acquainted by Proteus, that Ulysses was being 
 detained by Calypso. At Ithaca, in the mean time, the suitors in 
 council determine to lay wait for Telemachus on his return, and put 
 him to death. Minerva comforts Penelope, who was afflicted at her 
 son’s absence, by a dream, appearing to her in the form of Ipthimc, 
 the sister of Penelope. 
 
 They came to hollow Lacedtemon with its many clefts;^ 
 and they drove to the house of glorious Menelaus. And they 
 found him making a nuptial feast in his house, of his son and 
 spotless daughter, to many friends.^ Her he sent to the son 
 of the warlike Achilles; for in Troy he first promised and 
 agreed that he would bestow her: and the gods brought their 
 marriage to pass. He sent her to go there with horses and 
 chariots, to the illustrious city of the Myrmidons, over whom 
 he reigned: and to his son he brought from Sparta the 
 daughter of Alector, who was born to him in his old age, 
 brave Megapenthes, from a slave: but the gods no more gave 
 an offspring to Helen, after she had first brought forth her love¬ 
 ly daughter Hermione, who had the form of golden Venus. 
 
 So these neighbors and friends of glorious Menelaus feast¬ 
 ed in the lofty-roofed, large house, delighted: and among 
 them a divine bard sang, playing on the harp; and two 
 dancers among them turned round in the middle, the song 
 having commenced.^ But they themselves and their horses, 
 
 ^ Cf. Buttmann, Lexil. p. 379-383, where he has completely set at 
 rest the old interpretations of tliis word, which he derives primarily from 
 Loewe has adopted tlie same view. KoiX?/ is applied to 
 Lacedajinon, because it was situated in the valley between Mounts Tay- 
 getus and Parthenius. 
 
 “ His son Megapenthes wedded the daughter of Alector, and his 
 daughter Hermione, Neoptolemns. 
 
 ^ In the old jn-ose translation, the author of which is seldom guilty of 
 losing an o^iportunity for a blunder, we have an amusing oscillation be¬ 
 tween t^dpxoi^reg and t^dpxovTog. Had he been aware that the com¬ 
 mentary of Eustathius on this passage is simply a quotation from Athc- 
 Tiaeus, who read l^dpxovrog, he would have seen that the reading, not the 
 I interpretation, was the question. 
 
44 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 pi—58. 
 
 the hero Telemachus and the illustrious son of Nestor, stood 
 in the vestibule of the house: but excellent Eteoneus, the 
 trusty servant of glorious Menelaus, corning forwai-d, saw 
 them ; and he hastened through the house to announce them 
 to glorious Menelaus; and standing near him spoke winged 
 words: 
 
 “There are some strangers here, O Menelaus, nourished 
 of Jupiter, two men, and they are like unto the race of mighty 
 Jove. But say, whether we shall loose their swift horses, 
 or send them to go to some one else, who may receive them 
 kindly.” 
 
 Auburn-haired Menelaus very indignant addressed him : 
 “Formerly indeed thou wast not foolish, O Eteoneus, son of 
 Boetheus, but now, like a child, thou speakest foolish things. 
 AVe indeed having consumed many hospitable gifts frorrr other 
 men came here; [to see] if Jupiter even hereafter shall allow 
 us to cease from toilbut loose the horses of the strangers, 
 and bring them in immediately to be feasted.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and he hastened from the palace, and ex¬ 
 horted his other trusty servants to follow him. But they 
 loosed the horses sweating under the yoke; and bound them 
 to the horses’ manger: and they set oats near them, and mixed 
 white barley with them: and they tilted the chariot against 
 the shining w^alls, and led them into the divine house: but 
 they, beholding, marveled at the house of the Jove-nurtured 
 king. For there wms a splendor like as of the sun and the 
 moon, through the lofty-roofed house of glorious Menelaus. 
 But when, beholding with their eyes, they were satisfied, going 
 into the well-polished baths they washed themselves. AVhen 
 therefore the maid-servants had washed them, and anointed 
 them with oil, and had also thrown Avoolen cloaks and gar¬ 
 ments around them, they set them on thrones near Menelaus, 
 the son of Atreus. And a handmaid bringing water in a beau¬ 
 tiful golden ewer, poured it over a silver caldron, to wash 
 in : and she spread a polished table near at hand. And the 
 venerable housekeeper brought bread and set it near them, 
 serving up many dainties, gratifying them as well as she could 
 out of the provisions that were at hand. And the waiter 
 lifting up dishes of all kinds of flesh placed them near; and 
 
 * On this meaning of Kpt'uov see Loewe. 
 
 ^ I have some doubts about this passage. 
 
59—96.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 45 
 
 set near them golden cups. Auburn-haired Menelaus then 
 giving them liis right hand addressed them: 
 
 “Both taste food and rejoice; but when ye twain have 
 eaten of supper, we wdll inquire of you, who of men you are ; 
 for the race of your parents has not perished; but ye are the 
 race of Jove-nurtured, sceptre-bearing kings; for bad men 
 would not produce such as ye are.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, and he set near them the fat back of an ox, 
 taking in his hands the roasted part, which they had placed 
 near him as an honor: and they stretched forth their hands 
 to the viands lying ready before them. But when they had 
 taken away the desire of drinking and eating, then Telema- 
 chus addressed the son of Nestor, holding his head near, that 
 the others might not hear: 
 
 “ Consider, thou son of Nestor, most pleasing to my mind, 
 the shining of the brass throughout the resounding house, and 
 of gold, and amber, and silver, and ivory. Some such, for¬ 
 sooth, is the hall of the Olympian Jupiter within. How many 
 vast tilings are here! astonishment possesses me as I behold 
 them.” 
 
 Auburn-haired Menelaus understood him speaking, and ad¬ 
 dressing them, spoke winged w^ords: 
 
 “ My sons, no one indeed of mortals would contend with 
 Jove; for immortal are his houses and possessions ; but any 
 one of mortals would either contend with me in possessions, 
 or not. Certainly, having suffered many things, and having 
 wandered much, I was brought in my ships, and I returned in 
 the eighth year: having wandered to Cyprus, and Phoenice, 
 and the Egyptians, I came to the Ethiopians and Sidonians, 
 and Erembians, and Libya, where the lambs immediately be- 
 come horned. For the sheep bring forth thrice in a whole 
 year: there indeed neither king nor shepherd is in want of 
 cheese and flesh, nor of sweet milk; but they always furnish 
 milk for milking throughout the year. AVhile 1 wandered 
 collecting much livelihood in those places, in the mean while 
 another slew my brother secretly, unexpectedly, througli the 
 deceit of his pernicions wife: so I by no means rejoicing rule 
 over these possessions. And ye must have heard these things 
 from your fathers, wdioever they be; for I have suffered very 
 many things, and have lost my house, which was very well 
 inhabited, containing many and excellent things. Of which 
 
46 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 p7—13a 
 
 I would wish having even tlie third part to dwell in my house, 
 and that the men should be safe who then perished in spa¬ 
 cious Troy far from horse-pasturing Argos. But however 
 mourning and grieving for all, ofttimes sitting in my palace, 
 sometimes I am delighted in my mind with grief, at other 
 times again I rest; but the satiety of chilly grief is quick. I 
 do not so much lament for all these, although saddened, as for 
 one, who makes my sleep and my food hateful to me, when I 
 call him to mind; since no one of the Grecians labored so 
 much, as Ulysses labored and endured; but for him indeed it 
 was fated that there should be sad cares, but to me grief 
 never to be forgotten on account of him, since indeed he is a 
 long time absent, nor do we know at all whether he is alive 
 or dead. Old Laertes, and prudent Penelope, and Telemachus 
 whom he left lately born in his house, are now somewhere 
 mourning for him.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and he excited in him the desire of grief 
 on account of his sire. And he shed tears from his eyelids 
 on the ground, hearing of his father, holding up a purple 
 mantle before his eyes with both his hands. And Menelaus 
 perceived him, and then he meditated in his thoughts and in 
 his mind, whether he should leave him to make mention of 
 his father, or should .ask him first, and inquire of him every 
 thing. 
 
 While he meditated these things in his thoughts and in his 
 mind, Helen came out of the sweet-smelling, lofty-roofed cham¬ 
 ber, like unto Diana of the golden distafi*. For her Adrasta 
 immediately placed a well-made seat; and Alcippe brought 
 tapestry of soft wool; and Phylo brought a silver basket, 
 which Alcandra the wife of Polybus gave her, who dwelt in 
 Egyptian Thebes, where very many possessions lie in his 
 house: who gave to Menelaus two silver baths, and two tri¬ 
 pods, and ten talents of gold ; and his wife moreover gave 
 beautiful gifts to Helen ; she presented a golden distaff, and 
 a round basket, silver, but the lips were tinished with gold. 
 This indeed the handmaid Phylo brought and {)laced near her, 
 filled with well-dressed thread ; and upon it the distafi* waii 
 stretched, containing violet-colored wool. And she sat on the 
 seat, and a foot-stool was under her feet: and she straight* 
 *vay inquired every thing of her husband with w'ords: 
 
 “ Do we know, O thou Jove-nurtured Menelaus, what men 
 
139—175.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 47 
 
 these are who profess to come to our house ? Shall I say 
 false, or shall 1 speak the truth ? For my mind exhorts me. 
 For I say that I have never seen any man or woman so like 
 (reverence possesses me as 1 behold him) as he is like unto 
 Telemachus, the son of magnanimous Ulysses, whom that 
 man left lately born in his house, when ye Grecians came to 
 Troy on account of me, immodest one, arousing fierce war.” 
 
 Auburn-haired Menelaus answering addressed her: “ So 
 now I too am thinking, my wife, as thou dost conjecture. 
 For such are his feet, and such his hands, and the cast of his 
 eyes, and his head and his locks above. And I just now, mak¬ 
 ing mention of Ulysses, related what things he undergoing 
 labor suffered on my account; but he shed a bitter tear from 
 his eyelids, holding up his purple mantle before his eyes.” 
 
 Pisistratus, the son of Nestor, addressed him in answer: 
 “ O Menelaus, son of Atreus, nurtured of Jove, chieftain of 
 the people, he is truly his son, as thou sayest; [but he is pru¬ 
 dent, and is indignant in mind, coming hither first to show 
 the forwardness by entering first on the discourse in your 
 presence,® with whose voice, as of a god, we are delighted.] 
 ]5ut the Gerenian knight Nestor sent me forth, to accompany 
 him as a guide; for he desired to see thee, that thou mayest 
 suirgest some word or some deed to him. For the son of an 
 absent father, to whom there are no other assistants, suffers 
 many griefs in his palace; so now is it with Telemachus; he 
 indeed is gone, nor are there others among the people who 
 may ward off* calamity.” 
 
 But him auburn-haired Menelaus answering addressed: 
 “ O gods !~ of a truth the son of a very dear man, who for my 
 sake hath labored through many toils, has come to my house. 
 And I said that I would receive him with kindness above 
 the rest of the Grecians, upon returning, if wide-thundering 
 Olympian Jove had granted tliat there should be a return for 
 us over the sea in our swift ships: and I would have found¬ 
 ed a city in Argos for him, and would have built houses, 
 
 ® The Scholiast explains these words in three different ways : “ to 
 fiow the reproaches thrown uj)on him by the suitors,” or “to relate the 
 I'cproaches cast on his house,” or as it is here translated, “he is too 
 modest to speak first.” Old Trans). See Loewe, Avho, with one of the 
 Scholiasts, is inclined to condemn these verses as spurious. 
 
 See on i. 32. 
 
48 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 [176—214. 
 
 bringing him from Ithac-a with his possessions and his son, 
 [and all his people, having sacked one city of those, which 
 are inhabited around, but are ruled over by me myself.] 
 And we being here, would frequently have associated togeth¬ 
 er ; nor would any thing else have separated us twain, being 
 kind to and delighting one another, before at least the time 
 when the black cloud of death had enveloped us. But per¬ 
 haps the deity himself would have envied these things, who 
 made him alone wretched without a return.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, but he excited in them all a desire of grief. 
 Argive Helen born of Jupiter wept, Telemachus wept, and 
 Menelaus the son of Atreus; nor did the son of Nestor keep 
 his eyes tearless : for he remembered in his mind blameless 
 Antilochus, whom the glorious son of shining Aurora slew; 
 remembering him he spoke winged words: 
 
 “ O son of Atreus, aged Nestor said that thou art prudent 
 above mortals, when we mentioned thee [in his palace, and 
 were inquiring of one another]. And now, if it is at all pos¬ 
 sible, obey me; for I am not delighted, weeping at supper- 
 time ; but Aurora, the mother of dawn, will soon be present; 
 I am not at all indignant at weeping for one, who among 
 mortals is dead, and has drawn on his fate. This indeed is 
 the only honor to be paid to wretched mortals, to clip the 
 hair, and to pour the tear down from the cheeks. For my 
 brother too died, who was by no means the worst of the Gre¬ 
 cians, as thou must be aware ; for I have not met with nor 
 seen him, as they say that Antilochus excelled others, that 
 he was exceeding fleet to run, and a warrior.” 
 
 Auburn-haired Menelaus addressed him in answer: “ O 
 friend, since thou hast spoken such things, as a prudent man 
 would speak and do, even one who was more advanced (for 
 thou art born of such a father, wherefore thou speakest pru¬ 
 dent things); but the son of a man, to wdiom the son of Sat¬ 
 urn has destined happiness when he marries, and when he 
 begets children, is easily to be distinguished. As he has now 
 given to Nestor all his days continually, that he himself 
 should grow old comfortably in his palace, and that his sons 
 should be prudent, and excellent in the use of the spear. But 
 let us indeed leave off our mourning, w hich was before: and 
 let us again remember our sup])er, and let them pour w’ater 
 on our hands: but in tho morning there shall be conversation 
 
215—250.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 49 
 
 between Telemachus and me, that we may discourse with one 
 another.” 
 
 'J'hus lie spoke; but Asphalion, the trusty servant of glo¬ 
 rious Menelaus, poured water over their hands. And they 
 stretched forth their hands to the viands that were lying 
 ready. There then Jove-descended Helen planned other 
 things. She straightway cast a drug into the wine, from 
 whence they were drinking, that frees men from grief and 
 from anger, and causes oblivion of all ills. AVhoever should 
 drink down this, when it is mixed in a cup, would not shed 
 a tear down his cheeks for a whole day, not even if both his 
 mother and father should die, nor if they should slay Math the 
 steel a brother or a beloved son before him, and he should 
 behold it with his eyes. Such cunning and excellent drugs 
 the daughter of Jove possessed, which Polydamna, the wife 
 of Thone, gave her, an Egyptian; where the bounteous land 
 produces very many drugs, many excellent when mingled, 
 and many fatal; and each physician® is skilled above all 
 men ; for truly they are of the race of Pa3on.^ But when she 
 put it in, and ordered them to pour wine over it, straightway 
 addressing them with words, she spoke: 
 
 “O Menelaus, thou Jove-nurtured son of Atreus, and also 
 these sons of brave men—but the god Jupiter gives both good 
 and evil, sometimes to one and sometimes to another; for he 
 is able [to do] all things—now however feast, sitting in the 
 palace, and delight yourselves with conversation ; for I will 
 relate fitting things. 1 could not indeed relate or name all 
 things, as many as are the labors of patient Ulysses: but 
 what that was, which the brave man did and suffered among 
 the people of the Trojans, M’here ye Greeks suffered calami-' 
 ties. Having inflicted on himself unseemly blows, throwing 
 vile garments about his shoulders, like a servant, he entered 
 the city of the enemy Math its spacious streets. But conceal¬ 
 ing himself he likened himself unto another man, a beggar, ho 
 who was by no means such an one at the ships of the Grecians ; 
 like unto him he entered the city of the Trojans; and they 
 all knew him not but I alone recognized him, although ho 
 
 ® i. e. the Physicians of Egyj)t. Cf. Ilerodot. ii. 77, 84. 
 
 ’ Homer distinguishes hetwacm Apollo and Pieon. Cf. II. v. 401, and 
 Eoewe’s "vote. 
 
 Cou'd not tell who he was. Cf. Alberti on Hesych. v. djSaKuy. 
 
 C 
 
50 
 
 ODYSSEY, iV. 
 
 ;;251—286. 
 
 was such an one; and I put questions to him, hut he avoided 
 me by his craft. But when indeed I washed him and anoint¬ 
 ed him with oil, and put garments on him, and swore a firm 
 oath, that I would not make Ulysses manifest to the Trojans, 
 before he came to the swift ships and the tents; then at 
 length he declared to me the whole intention of the Grecians. 
 And having slain many of the Trojans with the long-pointed 
 steel, he came to the Argives ; and he brought back much in¬ 
 telligence. There the other Trojan women wailed shrilly; 
 but my heart rejoiced; for now indeed my mind was inclined 
 to return home again; but I lamented the calamity, wlijcli 
 Venus had given, when she led me thither from my dear pa¬ 
 ternal land, and separated my daughter [from me], and my 
 chamber, and my husband, who was not at all deficient, ei¬ 
 ther as to his understanding or his form.” 
 
 But auburn-haired Menelaus addressed her in turn: “Of 
 a truth, wife, thou hast spoken all these things rightly. I 
 have now, indeed, learned the counsel and mind of many he¬ 
 roes, and have passed over much land; but I have not yet 
 seen such an one with my eyes, so kind as was the heart of 
 patient Ulysses, and such a thing as that Avhich the brave man 
 did and suffered in the polished horse, wherein we all, chiefs 
 of the Grecians, sat in ambush, bringing slaughter and fate 
 upon the Trojans. Then thou earnest thither; but the deity, 
 who wished to give glory to the Trojans, must have exhorted 
 thee, although godlike Deiphobus followed thee as thou went- 
 est. And thrice didst thou go round the hollow ambush, ^2 
 feeling it about, and called the chiefs of the Grecians by name, 
 imltatino- the voice of the wives of all the Greeks. But J, 
 and the son of Tydeus, and divine Ulysses sitting in the mid¬ 
 dle, heard how thou calledst aloud. Both of us indeed were 
 anxious, having rushed forth cither to go out, or to answer 
 thee immediately from within ; but Ulysses hindered us and 
 restrained us, although desirous. [There all the other sons 
 of the Grecians were silent; but Anticlus alone wished to an¬ 
 swer thee with words; but Ulysses without ceasing pressed 
 
 The Scholiast explains this passage thus : KariKppowjmi^ uvtwv pya- 
 yw TOVTioTiv, t] avTog Kartffipovpcrt rdre avriov, tj Tovg"E\\tivac: tTrolpatP 
 auTidv Karatppovpaai di (ov tirtiat Tt'jv KXiinjv p (ppovpoKjjg dirtipov taa- 
 Tip TTspdOero to dvopa ravra Ttoipaag’ ot di vtwrtpoi, <pp6piv rt'v Atiau 
 uTTiSitavTo. But see Loewe. 
 i. e. the Avooden horse. 
 
287—32G.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 51 
 
 upon his mouth with his strong hands, and saved all the Gre- 
 cians: he held him so long until Fallas Minerva led thee far 
 away.]"’ 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus addressed in turn : “ O Men- 
 elaus, Jove-nurtured son of Atreus, chieftain of the people, 
 it is more grievous; for these things did in nowise avert sad 
 death from him, not even if his heart was of steel within. 
 But come, send us to bed, that we may now be delighted 
 with sweet sleep, being laid down to rest.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and Argive Helen ordered the maid-serv¬ 
 ants to place couches under the portico, and to throw on them 
 beautiful purple rugs, and to strew tapestry on the top, and to 
 place on them woolen cloaks to cover them above. But tliey 
 went from the palace, holding a torch in their hands: and 
 they strewed the couches; and the herald led out the guests. 
 They indeed, the hero Telemachus and tlie illustrious son of 
 Nestor, lay there in the vestibule of the house; but the son 
 of Atreus slept in the recess of the lofty house, and near him 
 lay long-robed Helen, a divine one among women. But when 
 the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, appeared, Mene- 
 laus, gallant in the din of battle, arose from his bed, having 
 put on his garments; and around his shoulder he girded a 
 sharp sword, and beneath his shining feet he bound beautiful 
 sandals ; and hastened from the chamber like unto a god to 
 behold, and he sat near Telemachus, and spoke, and called him 
 by name: 
 
 “ What necessity brought thee hither, O hero Telemachus, 
 to divine Laceda3mon, over the wide back of the sea ? Public 
 or private ? tell me this truly.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : “ O Men- 
 elaus, Jove-nurtured son of Atreus, chieftain of the people, I 
 am come [to see] if perchance thou couldst tell me any report 
 concerning my father. My house is being consumed, and rich 
 tillages are perishing. And my house is full of hostile men, 
 who are constantly slaying my tender sheep, and my curve- 
 footed, crooked-liorned oxen, suitors of my mother, possessing 
 overbearing insolence. Wherefore I come to thy knees, if 
 thou art willing to tell of his mournful death, if thou hast 
 any where beheld it with thine eyes, or hast heard the tale of 
 any one else wandering: for his mother brought him forth ex¬ 
 ceedingly calamitous. Nor by any means reverencing me, bo 
 
52 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 [320—3G5. 
 
 gentle, nor pitying me, but tell me plainly as thou hast met 
 with the sight [of it]; I beseech thee, if ever my fatlier, good 
 Ulysses, has accomplished any word or deed for you, having 
 undertaken it among the })eople of the Trojans, where ye 
 Greeks suffered losses, be mindful of these things now, and 
 tell me true.” 
 
 And auburn-haired Menelaus mourning greatly addressed 
 him: “ O gods ! indeed they have sought to lie in the bed of 
 a stout-hearted man, themselves being weak. As when a 
 hart, having laid her new-born suckling fawns in the den of 
 a strong lion, feeding, searches the thickets^^ and grassy val¬ 
 leys, but he then has entered his lair, and on them both has 
 brought a severe fate; so Ulysses will bring a sev(*re fate 
 upon those men. I wish, O father Jupiter, and Minerva and 
 Apollo, being such formerly, in well-built Lesbos, rising he 
 wrestled in contention with the son of Philomela,and threw 
 him with violence, and all the Greeks rejoiced. Should Ulys¬ 
 ses, being such an one, engage with the suitors, [all would be 
 quick fated, and would have a bitter marriage.] But as to 
 these things, which thou inquirest and beseechest of me, I 
 would not tell thee other things besides, indirectly, nor will I 
 deceive thee: but as to the things which the true old man^^ 
 of the sea told me, of these I will by no means hide or con¬ 
 ceal a_word from you. 
 
 “The gods detained me in Egypt, desiring to return hither, 
 since I did not offer up to them pei-fect hecatombs : [but the 
 gods always wish that we should be mhidful of their commands.] 
 There is a certain island then in a boisterous sea, before 
 Egypt,—they call it Pharos, —so far distant as a hollow ship 
 would make in a whole day, when a whistling wind should blow 
 on from behind. But in it there is a haven with good moor¬ 
 ing, from whence they take equal ships into the sea, having 
 drawn black water. There for twenty days the gods detained 
 me, nor did favorable winds ever appear blowing on the sea, 
 Avhich are the conveyers of ships over the wide back of the 
 ocean. And now all my provisions would have been con¬ 
 sumed, and the strength of my men [would have failed], had 
 not one of the goddesses taken pity on me, and preserved me, 
 Idothea, daughter of illustrious Proteus, the old man of the 
 
 
 Or, the foot of a nioimtuiii. 
 
 Eatruclus 
 
360 ^- 404 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 53 
 
 sea : for I very much moved her mind, who met me wander¬ 
 ing alone, at a distance from my companions; for they, con¬ 
 stantly wandering about the island, fished with crooked hooks; 
 for hunger subdued their belly. But she standing near me 
 spoke, and said, ‘ Thou art exceedingly foolish, O stranger, 
 or remiss in mind, or thou art willingly neglectful, and art 
 delighted at suffering griefs; thus now thou art a long time 
 detained in an island, nor canst thou discover any means of 
 escape, and the heart of thy companions wastes away.’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke ; and I addressed her in answer : ‘ I will 
 tell thee, indeed, whoever thou art of the goddesses, that I 
 am by no means willingly detained; but I must have sinned 
 against the immortals, who possess the wide heaven ; but do 
 thou tell me, for the gods ken all things, who of the immor¬ 
 tals hinders me, and has bound me from my journey, and 
 [tell me of] my return, how I shall go over the fishy sea.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke; but she, the divine one of goddesses, im¬ 
 mediately answered: ‘ I will tell thee, indeed, O sti’anger, 
 very correctly. A certain true old man of the sea has his 
 haunts here, immortal Proteus the Egyptian, who is acquaint¬ 
 ed with the depths of the whole sea, the servant of Neptune; 
 they say that he is my father, and that be begot me. Him if 
 thou couldst by any means insnare and take, he would tell 
 thee the way and the measures of the track, and thy return, 
 how thou mayest go over the fishy sea. And he wall tell 
 thee, besides, O noble one, if he chooses, what evil and good 
 has happened in thy palace, while thou wast absent on a long 
 and dilhcult journey.’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke; but I addressed her in answer: ‘Do 
 thou now thyself bethink thee of the snare for the divine old 
 man, lest by any means foreseeing me, or knowing before¬ 
 hand, he should escape me: for a god is difficult to be sub¬ 
 dued by a mortal man.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but she, divine one of goddesses, straiglit- 
 way answered: ‘ Therefore, O stranger, will I tell thee veiy 
 correctly. When the sun has gone round up to the middle of 
 the heaven, then the unerring old man of the sea comes forth 
 from the deep, under the breathing of the west wind, covered 
 with the black foam ; and having gone out, he lies down to 
 rest under the hollow caves. But around him sea-calves, the 
 
54 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 ^405—437. 
 
 oiFspring^® of fair Ilalosydna, sleep together, emerging from 
 the hoary sea, breathing forth a bitter smell of the dee}) sea. 
 There I will lead thee, togetlier with the ap}jearance of morn, 
 and lay tliee in order; but do thou choose well three com})an- 
 ions, who are the best at your well-benched shi}3S; but 1 will 
 tell thee all the terrible tricks^^ of the old man. First he will 
 reckon and go over the sea-calves; and when he has number¬ 
 ed all on his five fingers, and has seen them, he will lie down 
 in the middle, as a shepherd among a flock of shee}^. And 
 when thou shalt have first seen him laid to sleep, then let 
 strength and force be thy care to keep him there, although de¬ 
 sirous and striving to escape. But he will make the attempt, 
 becoming all things, whatsoever reptiles are upon the earth, and 
 water, and fire that blazes from the gods;^® but do thou keep 
 him firmly, and press him still more. But when he himself 
 shall ask thee with words, being such as thou sawest him 
 when asleep, then, O hero, desist from force, and loose the 
 old man : but ask him, who of the gods hurts thee, and about 
 thy return, how thou maye-t go over the fishy sea.’ 
 
 “ Thus having spoken, she dived under the billowy sea: but 
 I went to the ships, where they stood on the sands; but my 
 heart was dee}fiy troubled^^ much as I went. But when I 
 came to the ship and to the sea, we made ready a supper, and 
 ambrosial night came on ; then we lay down to rest on the shore 
 of the sea. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morn¬ 
 ing, appeared, then I went to the shore of the wide-wayed sea, 
 much supplicating the gods ; and I took three companions, in 
 whom I most trusted for every attempt. But in the mean 
 time she, having dived beneath the wide bosom of the sea, 
 brought from the deep four skins of sea-calves; and all were 
 fresh-skinned, and she planned a stratagem against her sire; 
 
 'NsTTodeQ = “ without feet,”or “ that make their way by swimming.” 
 But Eustathius says, tsiTrodeg yap QaXtwapg, ai ^wKai o tan TtKva. 
 J^STTOvg yap, Kara Tiva yXojaaav, 6 diroyovog. See Loewe. 
 
 Probably oXo^ioia is derived from oXod and (pa'ivio, because these 
 tricks, though not terrible, seemed so. Loewe. 
 
 Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 3") 7. 4. 
 
 lIop(pvptiv, TO iSaQtiog diaXoy'iZtf^Oai, log (itto OaXdaarjg, i<f pg Kat to 
 TTop^vptiv Kul TO !odvt(p'tg Kal TO ptXav Kal rd ToiavTa XtytTai. to d’ aiWo 
 Kul KaXxaivtiv, dirb Tijg KdXx^jgi b -Kop^vpav hiXol. See Donaldson on 
 Soph. Antig. 20. 
 
438—478.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 55 
 
 and having hollowed out beds in the sands of the sea, she sat 
 waiting, but we came very near to her ; and she laid us down 
 in order, and threw a skin over each of us. There, however, 
 the ambush was most grievous; for a most pernicious smell 
 [from the skins] of sea-nourished calves afflicted us horri¬ 
 bly: for who would sleep near a whale of the sea? But she 
 preserved us and bethought her of a mighty remedy; she 
 brought ambrosia and placed it under the nostrils of each, 
 which breathed very pleasantly, and destroyed the smell of 
 the whale. And we waited the whole morning with patient 
 mind. And the sea-calves came together from the sea; they 
 then lay in order near the shore of the sea. And the old man 
 at mid-day came from the sea, and found the well-nourished 
 sea-calves; and he went over all and counted their number. 
 And he counted us first among the whales, nor did he at all 
 suspect in his mind that it was a trick; and then he himself 
 also lay down. But we immediately shouting rushed upon 
 him; and threw our hands around him: nor did the old man 
 forget his wily art. And first indeed he became a lion with 
 noble mane, and then a dragon, and a leopard, and a great 
 boar; and he became liquid water and a lofty-leaved tree. 
 But we held him firmly with patient mind ; and when at length 
 the old man mourned, skilled in terrible tricks, then inquii'ing 
 of me with words he addressed me: ‘ Who of the gods, thou 
 son of Atreus, planned counsels for thee, that thou mightest 
 take me against my will, having insnared me ? of what hast 
 thou need?’ “Thus he spoke; but I addressed liim in an¬ 
 swer: ‘Thou knowest, old man—why dost thou ask me these 
 things, deceiving me ? Since I am now detained a long time 
 in the island, nor can I find any means of escape, and my 
 heart wastes away within me. But do thou tell me, for the 
 gods know all things, who of the immortals hinders me, and 
 has bound me from my journey, and [tell me about] my re¬ 
 turn, how shall I go over the fishy sea.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but he answering again addressed me: 
 ‘ But thou oughtest by all means to embark, having offered 
 favorable sacrifices to Jupiter, and the other gods, that thou 
 uiayest come as quick as possible to thy country, sailing over 
 the dark sea. For it is not the destiny for thee to behold 
 thy friends and to come to thy well-built house and thy pa- 
 ternal land, before thou shalt return again to the water of 
 
56 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 [478—613 
 
 the Egyptian river filled by Jove,^^ and shall offer sacred hec' 
 atombs to the immortal gods, who possess the wide heaven : 
 and then the gods will grant thee the journey for which thou 
 art anxious.’ 
 
 “• Thus he spoke ; but my dear heart was grievously afflict¬ 
 ed, because he commanded me to go again to Egypt over the 
 shadowy sea, a long and difficult journey. But even so an- 
 swerinof him with words I addressed him: ‘ These things I 
 will indeed so perform, O old man, as thou commandest. But 
 come, tell me this and relate it truly, if all the Grecians have 
 returned with their ships, unhurt, whom Nestor and I left 
 when we set out from Troy, or has any one perished with un¬ 
 looked-for death in his ship, or in the hands of his friends 
 after he had brought the war to an endr’^^ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke; but he again answering addressed me: 
 ‘O son of Atreus, why dost thou ask me these things? It is 
 not at all fit that thou shouldst know or learn my mind; nor 
 do I think that thou wilt long be without weeping, when 
 thou hast heard all things rightly. Many of these have been 
 subdued and many have been left. But two leaders only of 
 the brazen breast-plated Grecians have perished in their re¬ 
 turn ; for thou also wast present at the battle: and one is 
 still detained somewhere alive on the wide sea. Ajax indeed 
 was subdued among the long-oared ships ; first Neptune made 
 him approach to the great rocks Gyra3, and saved him from 
 the sea; and now he would have escaped death, although 
 hated by Minerva, had he not thrown out a haughty expres¬ 
 sion, and he was greatly hurt for he said that he would 
 escape the mighty wave of the sea against the will of the gods. 
 And Neptune lieard him boasting great things. Immediately 
 then taking his trident in his sturdy hands, he struck the 
 Gyrean rock, and cut it off. And one [part] remained there, 
 but another fragment fell into the sea; upon tliis Ajax at first 
 sitting was greatly hurt, for it carried him into the vast bil¬ 
 lowy sea. [Thus he perished there, when he drank salt¬ 
 water.] But thy brother by some means avoided death, and 
 escaped in his hollow ships; for venerable Juno preserved 
 
 i. e. “by rain sent from Jove,” vtnfl TrXrjpovfikvov. Eustath. 
 
 See on i. 238. 
 
 Where the former prose translator learned that piy’ ddaOt] meant 
 “greatly offended her,” I am unable to discover. Cf. vs. 509. 
 
514—549.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 57 
 
 him. But when he w^as now' immediately about to come to 
 the lofty mountain of the Maleans, then at lengtli, the storm 
 snatching him away bore him along, mourning greatly, 
 through the tishy sea, to the extreme part of the country, 
 where Thyestes before dw'elt in his house, but then -ZEgisthus, 
 son of Thyestes, dw'elt there. But when his return from 
 thence at length appeared safe, and the gods turned the wind 
 back, and they came home, he indeed rejoicing stepped on 
 his paternal land, and touching his country kissed it; and 
 many warm tears w^ere shed by him, as he gladly beheld his 
 land.^^ The spy indeed saw' him from a place of look-out. 
 whom crafty-counseling ^gisthus having led, had seated 
 there; and he promised him two talents of gold as a reward. 
 And he watched for a year, lest coming he [Agamemnon] 
 should escape him, and be mindful of doughty ^ alor. And lie 
 hastened to tell it at the house of the shepherd of the peo¬ 
 ple; and TEgisthus immediately planned a deceitful stratagem. 
 Having chosen out of the people tw enty of the most excellent 
 men, he set them in ambush, and elsewhere he ordered a ban¬ 
 quet to be prepared. But he himself went to invite Agamem¬ 
 non, the shepherd of the people, with horses and chariots, med¬ 
 itating disgraceful deeds. Entertaining him at a banquet he 
 led him unaw'ares to death, and slew him, as if any one has 
 slain an ox at its manger. Nor was any one left of the com¬ 
 panions of the son of Atreus, wdio had follow'ed him, nor any one 
 of those of Ai^gisthus ; but they were [all] slain in the palace.’ 
 
 “Thus he spoke ; but my heart was broken : and sitting on 
 the sands I W'ept; nor did my heart desire to live any longer 
 and behold the light of the sun. But when I was satiated 
 with w'eeping, and rolling myself [on the ground], then the un¬ 
 erring old man of the sea addressed me. ‘ No longer, O son of 
 Atreus, w’eep thus for a long time without ceasing, since we 
 shall not find any profit from it; but try as quickly as possible, 
 by what means thou mayest now reach thy paternal land. For 
 thou wait either find hirrF^ alive; or Orestes being beforehand 
 has slain him ; but thou wilt be present at the burial feast.’ 
 
 “Thus he spoke. But my heart and noble mind was agai^ 
 delighted in my breast, although 1 w'as sorrowful; and ad- 
 
 Perhaps jEschylus conceived the beautiful speecli of tlie herald 
 (Airam. 510, sqq.) from this passage. 
 
 TK^islhus. 
 
58 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 1 : 550 — 591 . 
 
 di'GSsing liirn 1 spokG winged words. ^ 1 liesc indeed I know ] 
 but do thou name the third man, who is still detained alive 
 in the wide sea, [or dead; for 1 wish although grieving to 
 hear].’ 
 
 ‘‘ Thus I spoke; but he answering again addressed me: 
 ‘The son of Laertes, who inhabits dwellings in Ithaca: hiin 
 I saw in an island, shedding the moist tear, in the palace ot 
 the nymph Calypso, who detains him by necessity; nor is he 
 able to come to his paternal land; for he has not ships fitted 
 with oafs, and companions who may conduct him over the 
 wide back of the sea. But for thee, O noble Menelaus, it is 
 not decreed by the gods to die, and meet with thy fate in 
 horse-pasturing Argos; but the immortals will send you to 
 the Elysian plain, and the boundaries ot the earth (where is 
 auburn-haired Khadamanthus, there of a truth is the most 
 easy life for men. There is nor snow, nor long winter, nor 
 ever a shower, but ever does the ocean send forth the gently- 
 blowing breezes of the west wind, to retresh men^; because 
 •^mu possess Helen, and are the son-in-law of Jove.’ 
 
 “ Thus having spoken, he plunged beneath the billowy sea. 
 But I went to my ships together with my godlike companions ; 
 and my heart was troubled much as I went. But when we 
 came to our ship and to the sea, and prepared supper, and 
 ambrosial night came on, then we slept on the shore of the 
 sea. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, 
 appeared, first of all we drew our ships into the divine sea, 
 and placed the masts and sails in the equal ships; and they 
 embarking sat on the benches, and sitting in order smote the 
 hoary wave with their oars. And I brought the ships back 
 to the waters of Egypt, to the river filled by Jove, and I offer¬ 
 ed up perfect hecatombs. But when I had appeased the anger 
 of the gods who exist forever, I built a tomb for Agamemnon, 
 that his renown^^ might be inextinguishable. Having perform¬ 
 ed these things, I returned; for the immortals, who sent me 
 quickly to my dear country, gave me a prosperous gale. But 
 come now, remain in my palace until the eleventh or twelfth 
 day; and then 1 will send thee [away] well, and will give 
 thee splendid presents, three horses and a well-polished char¬ 
 iot ; but furthermore I will give thee a beautiful cup, that 
 
 “ “That my fame” ! ! is the version ;)f the old translator, according 
 to his usual taste and judgment. 
 
592—G25 ] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 59 
 
 thou mayest make libations to the immortal gods, mindful of 
 me all tliy days.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : O son of 
 Atreus, do not now detain me here a long time. For indeed 
 I could endure to sit with thee for a year, nor would a regret 
 for home and for my parents possess me; for I am very much 
 delighted at hearing thy words and discourse. But now my 
 companions in divine Pylos are wearied; and thou art detain¬ 
 ing me here for a long time. But let the present, whatever 
 thou wouldst have given me, be some furniture: for I will 
 not take horses to Ithaca, but will leave them hei-e as an or¬ 
 nament for thee; for thou rulest over the wide plain, in 
 which there is abundance of lotus, and cypress, and wheat, 
 and rye, and wide-springing white barley. But in Ithaca 
 there are neither wide courses, nor is there any meadow: it is 
 tit for feeding goats, although^® it is more pleasant [to me] 
 than [a land] that pastures horses. For there is not any of 
 the islands, which arQ shut up by the sea, tit for driving- 
 horses, or that has good meadows ; and above all Ithaca.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but Menelaus strenuous in the din of bat¬ 
 tle smiled, and stroked him down by the hand, and spoke and 
 tiddressed him : “ Thou art of a good race, my son, such words 
 dost thou say. Wherefore I will change these things for you ; 
 for I am able. But of presents, whatever effects lie in my 
 house, I will give thee that which is most beautiful and most 
 valuable. I will give thee a wrought cup; and it is all sil¬ 
 ver, but the lips are worked with gold. It is the work of 
 Vulcan ; but the hero Phaedimus, king of the Sidonians, gave 
 it, when his house covered me being about to return from 
 thence; but I wish to give this to thee.” 
 
 Thus they indeed spoke such things to one another; but 
 the banyjueters had gone to the dwelling of the divine king; 
 and they led forth sheep, and brought heartening wine; and 
 their wives with beautiful fillets brought bread for them. 
 Thus they were arranging about supper in the palace. 
 
 But the suitors before the palace of Ulysses were delighted 
 
 The explanation of this passage is due to Loewe, who alone has 
 seen that kui is equivalent to quatiivis, the sense being, “ Ithaca sana non 
 est locus equis ])ascendis bene inserviens, quamvis sit longc gratior niilii 
 qaam terra equos pascens, sc. tanquam terra qua5 me genuit, quai im 
 aluit.” 
 
CO 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV, 
 
 [626—6G5. 
 
 "Nvitli quoits and hurling small javelins on a worked pavemeiu, 
 where before they practiced their insolence. But Antinous 
 and godlike Eurymachus, chiefs of the suitors, had sat down, 
 for they were by far the best in virtue. To them Noemon, 
 son of Phronius, coming near, inquiring of Antinous with 
 words addressed them: “Do we then know any thing in our 
 minds, or not, O Antinous, when Telemachus returns from 
 sandy Pyloslie has gone having taken my ship; but I 
 have need of it, to pass over to wide-wayed Elis, where I 
 have twelve mares, and under them untamed mules patient 
 in toil: some one of which I would by driving subdue.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they were astonished in their mind ; 
 for they did not suppose that he was gone to Nelean Pylos, 
 but was present somewhere there in the country, or among 
 the sheep, or with the swine-herd. 
 
 Antinous, the son of Eupithes, immediately addressed him : 
 me unerringly, "where did he go, and what youths chosen 
 from Ithaca followed him? Are they his own hired men and 
 servants? And could he accomplish this? And tell me this 
 truly, that I may know well, whether did he take away thy 
 black ship by force against thy will, or didst thou give it him 
 willingly, when he kindly addressed thee with words?” 
 
 V)Ut him Noemon, the son of Phronius, addressed in turn : 
 •‘ I gave it him willingly. What would another do, when such 
 a man, having cares in his mind, should beg him? It would 
 be difficult indeed to deny a gift. But those youths follow 
 him, who excel among us in the peojde: and I perceived 
 ]\lentor, or some god (but he was in all respects like him), 
 embarking as captain. But I marvel at this. I saw di\ine 
 IMentor here yesterday iii the morning; but at that time he 
 embarked in the ship to Pylos.” Thus having spoken, he went 
 to the house of his hither. But the noble mind of botlh^ of 
 these was astonished : and the suitors sat together, and ceased 
 their games. But Antinous, son of Eupithes, grieving, spoke 
 among them; for his darkened thoughts were very much 
 filled with rage, and his eyes were like unto shining fire. 
 
 “ O gods ! a great work indeed has been most daringly 
 performed, this voyage of Telemachus; we said that it would 
 not be accomplished by him. Against the will of so many of 
 us, a young boy has gone away at random, having drawn out 
 
 *’ Antinous and Euiymachus. 
 
0(50—70G.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 G1 
 
 a ship, and having chosen out the best among the people. 
 He will begin to be even a further evil; but may Jupiter de¬ 
 stroy his might, before he begets harm for us. Hut come, 
 give me a swift ship and twenty companions, that I may lie 
 in ambush for him, and watch him as he is returning, in the 
 strait of Ithaca and rugged Samos; so that to his sorrow he 
 may sail for the sake of his fatlier.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and they all praised and urged him [to go]: 
 immediately then rising they went into the house of Ulysses; 
 nor was Penelope long without hearing their words, which 
 the suitors meditated deeply in their minds. For the herald 
 Medon told it her, who heard their counsels, being outside 
 the hall; but they had planned their counsel secretly. He 
 was hastening through the house to tell it to Penelope; but 
 as he was crossing the threshold Penelope addressed him. 
 
 “ O herald, why have the illustrious suitors sent thee for¬ 
 ward ? Is it that thou mayest tell the handmaidens of divine 
 Ulysses to cease from their employments, and prepare a feast 
 for them ? Would that, not wooing me, nor keeping compa¬ 
 ny any where else, they would now sup here for the last and 
 most extreme time. Y'e who, assembled together, consume 
 much livelihood, the possession of prudent Telemaclms, have 
 ye not before heard from your fathers, when ye were chil¬ 
 dren, what a man was Ulysses among your parents, neither 
 treating any one unjustly, nor speaking aught among the 
 people, which is the custom of divine kings; in that one 
 may hate some mortals, and may love others. But he never 
 at all treated a man unjustly: but your mind and disgraceful 
 deeds are apparent, nor is there any gratitude afterward for 
 benefits.” 
 
 Medon, acquainted with prudent things, addressed hei- in 
 turn: “ I would indeed, O queen, this may be the worst evil, 
 but the suitors are planning another much greater, and more 
 g’ievous, which may not the son of Saturn accomplish : they 
 desire to kill Telemachus with the sharp brass, as he is re¬ 
 turning home ; but he has gone for news of his father to sa¬ 
 cred Pylos, and to divine Lacedaemon.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and her knees and heart were loosed; 
 and speechlessness seized her for a long time: and her eyes 
 were filled with tears, and her full voice was checked. But 
 ut length answering him with words she addressed him: “0 
 
ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 [707—747. 
 
 U2 
 
 lierald, wherefore is my son gone ? it was not at all necessary 
 that he should embark on swift ships, which for men are 
 horses of the sea, and pass over the vast wave? Is it that 
 his name may not be left among men ?” 
 
 Then Medon, acquainted with prudent things, answered 
 her: “ I know not whether some god excited him, or his own 
 mind was urged to go to Tylos, that he may inquire of either 
 the return of his father, or what fate he has drawn on himself.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he departed to the house of Ulysses. 
 But soul-wasting grief was shed around her, nor did she any 
 more endure to sit on her seat, although many were in the 
 house; but she sat on the threshold of her much-labored 
 chamber, mourning piteous: and around her all her hand¬ 
 maidens wailed, as many as were in the house, young and 
 old: Penelope, mourning violently,^® addressed them: 
 
 “ Hear me, friends, for Olympus-^ has given me grief above 
 the measure of all those, as many as were brought up and 
 born with me; I who before indeed have lost my excellent 
 husband; lion-hearted, adorned among the Grecians with all 
 kinds of virtues, excellent; whose glory is wide throughout 
 Greece and the middle of Argos. But now the tempests have 
 snatched away my dear son from the palace, inglorious ; nor 
 did I hear of his setting out. Wretched ones, you did not 
 each of you place it in your mind to raise me from my bed, 
 knowing clearly in your soul when he embarked on the hollow 
 black ship. For if 1 had known that he was setting out on 
 this voyage, then he should have either remained, although 
 anxious for his voyage, or should have left me dead in the 
 palace. But let some trusty servant call old Dolius, my 
 servant, whom my father gave me on coming hither, and he 
 keeps my garden that abounds in trees; that as quickly as 
 possible, sitting by Laertes, he may tell him all these things, 
 if by chance contriving some counsel in his mind, going out 
 he may make lamentations among the peojde on account of 
 those, who desire to destroy his own offspring, and that of 
 divine Ulysses.” 
 
 Her dear nurse Euryclea in answer addressed her: “Dear 
 mistress, do thou slay me with the cruel steel, or leave me in 
 the palace; but 1 will not by any means conceal the tale. I 
 
 Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 32, sqq. 
 
 i. e. heaven, put for the gods. 
 
rt8—781.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 G3 
 
 knew all these things, and I gave him whatever he command¬ 
 ed, bread and sweet wine; but he received a great oath from 
 me, that I would not tell thee, before the twelfth day came, 
 or thou thyself didst desire me, and hadst heard of his having 
 set out; so that thou miglitest not hurt thy beauteous person 
 by weeping. But having washed thyself, and putting clean 
 garments on thy body, ascending to the upper room, with thy 
 women attendants, pray to Minerva the daughter of JEgis 
 bearing Jove: for she will then save him, even from deatln 
 But do not grieve the afflicted old man ; for I do not think 
 that the race of the son of Arcesius^® is altogether hated by 
 the blessed gods: but some one will survive, who shall pos¬ 
 sess the lofty-roofed houses, and the rich fields afar.” 
 
 Thus she spoke ; and laid her grief to sleep, and restrained 
 her eyes from grief. But she, having washed herself, and 
 j)utting clean garments on her body, ascended to the upper 
 room with her women attendants: and she put cakes in a 
 basket, and prayed to Minerva. “ Hear me, thou daughter 
 of Ailgis-bearing Jove, unsubdued, if ever much-counseling 
 Ulysses has burned in his palace the fat thighs of an ox or 
 a sheep, of these, I pray thee, be mindful now, and save my 
 dear son, and ward off the suitors wdio are wickedly over¬ 
 bearing.” 
 
 Thus having spoken she lamented ; but the goddess heard 
 her prayer. And the suitors were making a tumult in the 
 shaded palace; and thus some one of the overbearing youths 
 spoke : “ In truth the much-wooed queen is preparing nuptials 
 for us; nor kens she at all that slaughter is devised for her 
 son.” Thus some one said; but they knew not these things, 
 how they were destined. But Antinous harangued and ad¬ 
 dressed them: 
 
 “ Sirs, avoid all vaunting words entirely, lest by chance 
 some one may tell them even within. But come, standing up 
 thus in silence, let us accomj)Ush our design, which even now 
 has pleased us all in our breasts.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he chose twenty of the best men ; and 
 they hastened to the sw’ift ship and the shore of the sea. First 
 of all they drew the ship into tlie deep of the sea: and placed 
 a mast and sails in the black ship: and fitted the oars to the 
 
 Laertes was the son of Arcesius, son of Jupiter. 
 
64 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 [782—818. 
 
 leather thongs, [all things rightly: and above they spread out 
 the white sails.] And the high-minded servants brought arms 
 for them, and they moored it-^^ on high in the moist sea; and 
 they themselves embarked, and there they took supper, and 
 waited till evening came on. 
 
 But prudent Penelope, having ascended to the upper room, 
 lay without taking food, without taking any thing to eat or 
 drink, meditating whether her blameless son would escape 
 death, or whether he would be subdued by the overbearing 
 suitors. But as many things as a lion is wont to meditate in 
 a’crowd of men, fearing, when they bring the deceitful circle 
 around him ; upon her meditating so many things sweet sleep 
 fell: and she slept reclining; and all her limbs were relaxed. 
 Then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva thought of other things; 
 she made an image, and it vvas like in its body to the lady 
 Iphthima, the daughter of magnanimous Icarius; whom Eu- 
 melus, who inhabits a house in Pherm, had married. And 
 she sent her to the house of divine Ulysses; if she could by 
 any means make Penelope, mourning and grieving, cease from 
 her wailing and tearful grief. But she entered the chamber 
 near the thong of the bolt, and she stood over her head and 
 addressed her in words. 
 
 “ Art thou sleeping, Penelope, sorrowing in thy dear heart? 
 the gods who live easily by no means suffered thee to weep, 
 nor to be sad, since thy son is still about to return ; for he is 
 not at all a sinner against the gods.” 
 
 But her prudent Penelope answered, sleeping very sweetly 
 at the gates of dreams “ Why, my sister, hast thou come 
 hither ^ for before thou hast not visited me, since thou dost 
 inhabit a house very far off: and thou exhortest me to cease 
 from my toil, and the many pains which irritate me in my 
 mind and breast: I who before lost my excellent husband, 
 lion-hearted, adorned among the Gre(*.ians with all kinds of 
 virtues, excellent; whose glory is wide throughout Greece 
 and the middle of Argos. Now my beloved son is gone in 
 a hollow ship, childish, nor well experienced in labors, or 
 
 'OpfxiCnv vipov tv vot'kp sc. vypip cst solventium e portu vel e litore, 
 cum navis deducta stat in acpia alta: at opi-u'Ciiv vipov iv ^//p(p cst ap- 
 ])cllcntiuin, cum navis finite) cursu subducitur. Ernesti. 
 
 i. c. in a very deep sleej), atg riov ovtco vTrvujTTuvruiv kuI uvtipoig wg 
 tiKog ivTvyxavuvTijjv. Eustath. Sec Loc\ie. 
 
819—847.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IV. 
 
 G5 
 
 commerce. I am now even more grieved for his sake, than 
 for that one. For him I tremble and fear, lest he sliould 
 suffer something, either from those among the people where 
 he is gone, or on the sea: for many enemies are devising 
 snares against him, desiring to kill him before he comes to 
 his paternal land.” 
 
 The obscure image answering addressed her: “ Be of good 
 cheer, nor be too fearful in thy mind: for such a guide has 
 accompanied him, whom others also have desired to be with 
 tliem (for she is able), Pallas Minerva: and she pities thee 
 lamenting; who now sent me forward, to tell these things to 
 tliee.” 
 
 But her prudent Penelope addressed in turn: “ If indeed 
 thou art a goddess, and hast heard the voice of a goddess, 
 come tell me of him in a sea calamitous,^^ whether he is still 
 somewhere alive, and beholds the light of the sun, or is al¬ 
 ready dead, and in the dwellings of Pluto.” 
 
 The obscure image answering addressed her: ‘‘ I will not 
 tell thee of him altogether, whether he is alive or dead, but 
 it is base to speak vain things.” Having thus spoken, she 
 vanished by the bolt^^ of the entrance into the gales of the 
 winds. But the daughter of Icarus started from her sleep, 
 and her dear heart was rejoiced, so mai.ifest had the dream 
 come upon her in depth of night. 
 
 But the suitors, having embarked, sailed over the watery 
 ways [of the sea], meditating in their minds a severe death 
 for Telemachus. Now there is a certain rocky island in the 
 middle of the sea, between Ithaca and rugged Samos, Asteris, 
 not large; and in it there are havens fit for ships, with two en¬ 
 trances ; there the Grecians waited in ambush for Imn. 
 
 i. e. Ulysses. 
 
 My friend, Mr. G. Burges, well compares the lines in Gay’s Fables; 
 
 “Just as she spoke, a faery sprite 
 Popp’d through the key-hole swift as light.” 
 
 I have followed Buttmann, Lexil. p. 89, sqq. His admirable re¬ 
 marks are too copious for the limits of a note, but will amply repay the 
 trouble of perusal. 
 
GG 
 
 ODYSSEY V. 
 
 [1—27. 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Jupitei dispatches Mercury to the island of Calypso, commanding her to 
 send Ulysses away; which she consents to with reluctance : and gives 
 him materials to form a raft. On the eighteenth day after he had set 
 out Neptune sees him, and raises a great storm, which destroys his 
 raft. Having undergone great danger, by the assistance of a sea- 
 nymph, who gives him a scarf to su])port himself with, he arrives safe 
 on shore at Fhaeacia. 
 
 Aurora rose from her bed beside illustrious Tithonus,^ that 
 she might bear light to immortals and men : but the gods sat 
 in conclave, and among them Jupiter, who thunders from on 
 high, and whose power is greatest. To them IMinerva re¬ 
 lated the many toils of Ulysses, remembering [him]; for he 
 was her care, when in the house of the Nymph. 
 
 “ O father Jove, and ye other blessed gods who exist for¬ 
 ever, let no sceptre-bearing king be any more provident, mild, 
 and gentle, nor thinking rightful things in his mind, but let 
 him ever be severe and do unlawlul things; since no one of 
 the people, over whom he reigned, is mindful of divine Ulys¬ 
 ses, and he was mild as a father: but he lies in an island suf¬ 
 fering great grief, in the palace of the Nymph Calypso, who 
 detains him by necessity ; and he is unable to come to his pa¬ 
 ternal land. For there are not ships for him fitted with oars, 
 and companions who may conduct him over the wide back of 
 the sea. Now again they desire to slay his beloved son, about 
 to return home; but he has gone to divine Pylos and miglity 
 Lacedaemon^ for new’S for his father.” 
 
 Hut her, cloud-collecting Jove addressed in answer: “ INIy 
 child what word has escaped thy lips? For hast thou not 
 indeed thyself devised this ])lan, that Ulysses may indeed 
 return and be revenged on them? Hut do thou skillfully 
 conduct Telemachus, for thou art able, that he may reach his 
 paternal land unhurt; but let the suitors return back^ in 
 their ship.” 
 
 ' The son of Laomedon, brother of Priam, and husband of Aurora. 
 
 ^ Loewe regards ^lav here as equivalent to tvptlav, like AaKtdaijxova 
 cvpvxopov. 
 
 ^ Notwithstmiding the suppositions of ancient grammarians, that Tra- 
 \*p7reTtg is the contracted nominative plural, it is clearly shown by Butt- 
 inann to be the adverbial neuter. See Lexil. p. 290, sqq. 
 
28 — 60 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 G7 
 
 He spoke and addressed his beloved son Mercury: “ Mer¬ 
 cury, for thou art a messenger also in other things, telD our 
 unerring decree to the fair-liaired Nymph, the return of tlie 
 patient Ulysses, that he may go back, neither under the guid¬ 
 ance of the gods, nor of mortal men, but let him come on the 
 twentieth day to fertile Scheria® on a raft lashed together witli 
 many chains, having suffered calamities, to the land of the 
 Phieacians, who are nearly related® to the gods ; who will 
 honor him in their heart, like as a god, and will send him in 
 a ship to his dear paternal land, giving him abundance of 
 brass and gold, and raiment, so many things as Ulysses would 
 never have taken from Troy, even if he had returned un¬ 
 harmed, having been allotted his share of booty. For so it is 
 fated for him to behold his friends, and return to his lofty- 
 roofed house, and his own paternal land.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; nor did the messenger, the slayer of Ar¬ 
 gus, disobey him. Immediately then he bound his beautiful 
 sandals beneath his feet, ambrosial, golden ; which carried 
 him both over the moist wave,”^ and over the boundless earth, 
 with the breath of the wind. And he took the rod with 
 which he soothes the eyes of men, whom he wishes, and 
 again rouses those who are asleep. Holding this in his 
 hands, the strong slayer of Argus flew, and going over Pieria, 
 he descended from the air into the sea. Then he rushed over 
 the wave like a bird, a sea-gull, which hunting for fish in 
 the terrible bays of the barren sea, dips frequently its wings 
 in the brine ; like unto this Mercury rode over many waves. 
 But when he came to the distant island, then going from the 
 blue sea, he went to the continent; until he came to the great 
 cave in which the fair-haired Nymph dwelt; and he found 
 her within. A large fire was burning on the hearth, and at 
 a distance the smell of well-cleft cedar, and of frankincense,® 
 
 ^ But see Loewe on i. 292. 
 
 * Corcyra, anciently called r) ApeTrdvr], now Corfu. 
 
 ® Their kings were said to be the third in descent from Neptune. 
 Schol. But Eustathius rather regards this epithet as said in praise of 
 their virtues and hospitality. 
 
 ’’ With this description of Mercury compare the notes of Newton on 
 Milton, Par. Lost, v. 285. 
 
 “ Some render 0vov “ citron,” on the authority of Macrob. Sat. ii. 15. 
 See Anthon and others on Virg. Georg, ii. 126. It seems more probable 
 that Ovov is frankincense. Cf. Dionys. Perieg. 935, with the notes of 
 
C8 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 (61—97. 
 
 that were burning, shed odor through the island: but she 
 within was singing with a beautiful voice, and going over^ the 
 web, wove with a golden shuttle. But a flourishing wood 
 sprung up around her grot, alder and poplar, and sweet¬ 
 smelling cypress. There alsoTirds with spreading wings slept, 
 owls and hawks, and wide-tongued crows of the ocean, to 
 which maritime employments are a care. Tiiere a vine in its 
 prime was spread about the hollow grot, and it flourislied with 
 clusters. But four fountains flowed in succession with white 
 water, turned near one another each in different ways; but 
 around there flourished soft meadows of violets, and of pars¬ 
 ley. There indeed even an immortal coming would admire it 
 when he beheld, and would be delighted in his mind; there 
 the messenger, the slayer of Argus, standing, admired. But 
 when he had admired all things in his mind, he immediately 
 came to the wide cave ; nor was Calypso, divine one of god¬ 
 desses, when she saw him before her, ignoi'ant who he was. 
 (For the immortal gods are not unknown to one another, 
 even if any one inhabits dwellings at a distance.) But he did 
 not find magnanimous Ulysses within. For he was w'eeping, 
 seated on the shore, where before wasting his mind with tears, 
 and groans, and griefs, he used to look o'er the barren sea, 
 pouring forth tears. But Calypso, divine one of goddesses, 
 sitting on her shining, brilliant throne, inquired of jMercury: 
 
 “ Why hast thou come unto me, O Mercury, with a golden 
 rod, thou who art revered and beloved? hitherto thou dost 
 not visit me often. Tell me of Avhat thou art thinking; for 
 my mind exhorts me to perform it, if at least I can accom¬ 
 plish it, and if it is to be performed. But follow onward, 
 that I may place before thee the rites of hospitality.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the goddess set near him a table, hav¬ 
 ing filled it with ambrosia; and mixed ruby^^’ nectar. But 
 the messenger Mercury drank and ate. But when he had 
 supped and refreshed his mind with food, then answering her 
 witli words he addressed her: 
 
 “ Dost thou, who art a goddess, ask me a god who am 
 
 Hill. Eustathius and Ilesychius (cf. Alberti, T. ii. p. 1746) merely say 
 that it is tldog dsvdpov ev^dovg or ovopa d'ivdpov. 
 
 ® i. e. movinfx backward and forward. The ancients wove standing. 
 
 I am indebted to Milton, Tar. Lost, v. 633. 
 
 “ And rubied nectar flows 
 In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold.” 
 
98—141.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 G9 
 
 come'? but I will relate to you my word unerringly; for thou 
 biddest me. Jupiter commanded me to come here against my 
 will. For who would willingly run through so much salt-water, 
 immense as it is ? nor is there any city near of mortals, who 
 offer up to the gods sacrifices and chosen hecatombs. But in¬ 
 deed it is not possible that any other god should either trans¬ 
 gress the will of ^Egis-bearing Jupiter, or make it vain. He 
 says that there is a man with thee, the most in calamity of all 
 the men who fought for nine years about the city of Ih-iam, 
 and in the tenth, having destroyed the city, went home; but 
 on their return they sinned against Minerva, Avho stirred up 
 an evil wind and mighty W'aves against them. Then all the 
 others, his excellent companions, perished, but him the Avind 
 and the wave carrying drove hither; he now commands thee 
 to send him away as quickly as possible. For it is not the 
 destiny for him to perish here at a distance from his friends, 
 but it is still his destiny to behold his friends, and to reach 
 his lofty-roofed house, and his own paternal land.” 
 
 Thus he spoke. But Calypso, divine one of goddesses, 
 shuddered, and addressing him spoke \^'inged words : “ Severe 
 are ye gods, envious above others, who grudge that goddesses 
 should sleep openly with men, if any one has made for her¬ 
 self a dear husband. As when rosy-fingered Aurora took 
 Orion, so long you gods Avho live easily envied her, until in 
 Ortygia chaste Diana of the golden throne slew him, attack¬ 
 ing him with her mild weapons; and as when fair-haired Ce¬ 
 res, yielding to her passion, Avas united in love and in the 
 couch Avith Jasion, in thrice-ploAved fallow land ; nor Avas Ju¬ 
 piter a long time Avithout knoAving it, aaJio sleAV him, striking 
 liim with his Avhite thunder. So noAV you gods grudge that a 
 mortal man‘should be present Avith me, whom I indeed saved 
 Avhen going alone on the keel of a ship; when Jupiter strik¬ 
 ing his SAvift ship Avith Avhite thunder, cleft it in tlie middle 
 of the dark sea. [Then all the others, his excellent compan¬ 
 ions, perished, but him the Avind and the Avavc carrying, drove 
 hither:] him indeed 1 loved and nourished, and I said that I 
 Avould make him immortal and free from old age all his days. 
 But since it is not possible that any other god should either 
 transgress the Avill of JEgis-bearing Jove or make it vain, let 
 him go OA'or the barren sea, if he excites and commands him; 
 but 1 will not send him any Avhere: for 1 have not ships 
 
70 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 [141—178. 
 
 equipped with oars, and companions, who may conduct him 
 over the wide back of the sea. Dut I will prudently suggest 
 it to him, nor will I conceal it, that he may by all means 
 reach his paternal land unharmed.” 
 
 And her the messenger JMercury addressed in turn : “ So 
 now send him away, and look to the wrath of Jupiter, lest 
 perhaps hereafter angry he should be harsh to thee.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the stout slayer of Argus departed. 
 But the venerable Nymph Avent to strong-hearted Ulysses, 
 when she had heard the messages of Jupiter. But she found 
 liim sitting on the shore; nor were his eyes ever dried from 
 tears, but his pleasant life was wasted away, as he bewailed 
 his return, since it did not please the Nymph.^^ But during 
 the nights indeed he slept even by necessity in the hollow 
 caves, against his will, near her who was willing; but during 
 the day sitting on the rocks and shores, [wasting his mind 
 with tears, and mournings, and griefs,] he looked over the 
 barren sea, pouring forth tears; but the divine one of god¬ 
 desses standing near addressed him : 
 
 “ Ill-fated one, do not lament here any longer, nor let thy 
 life waste away ; for now I will readily send thee aAvay. But 
 come, having cut long planks, join together a wide raft with 
 brass, but fix ribs^^ upon it on high, that it may carry thee 
 over the shadowy sea. But I will put in it bread and water, 
 and red wine giving strength, which may ward off hunger 
 from thee. And I will put garments about thee; and X will 
 send a prosperous gale from behind, that thou mayest come 
 unscathed to thy paternal land, if at least the gods -who pos¬ 
 sess the wide heaven are willing, wdio are better than me, both 
 to plan and to determine.” 
 
 Thus she spoke ; but then much-enduring divine Ulysses 
 shuddered, and addressing her spoke winged words: “Thou, 
 indeed, O goddess, art planning something else, nor by any 
 means my voyage, thou who biddest me pass over the great 
 gulf of the sea, terrible and difficult, on a raft; but not even 
 swift equal ships can pass over this, rejoicing in the pros¬ 
 perous gale of Jove. Nor would I embark on a raft against 
 thy will, unless thou, who art a goddess, wouldst endure to 
 
 That he should return. 
 
 The upright beams of the ship, supporting the upper decks. 
 
178—216.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 71 
 
 swear to me a great oath, that thou wilt not plan any other 
 evil calamity against me.’’ 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but Calypso, the divine one of goddesses, 
 smiled, and laid hold of him by the hand and spoke and said : 
 “Thou art mistaken,and yet art thou acquainted with 
 cunning things! what a word is this thou hast thought to 
 speak ! Now let earth and wide heaven above know this, 
 and the water which is poured from Styx (which is the great¬ 
 est and most terrible oath to the immortal gods), that I will 
 not devise any other evil calamity against thee. But I de¬ 
 vise and consider the things, which for myself I should take 
 care of, should such a necessity come upon me. For my in¬ 
 tention is proper, nor is my mind in my breast of steel, but 
 of pity.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the divine one of goddesses quickly 
 led the way; and he went immediately after the footsteps of 
 the goddess, and the goddess and the man came to the hollow 
 cave; and he sat there on the throne from whence Mercury 
 rose: and the Nymph set near him all kinds of food, to eat 
 and drink, such as mortal men eat: and she herself sat oppo¬ 
 site divine Ulysses, and near her the handmjiids placed am¬ 
 brosia and nectar, and they stretched forth their hands to the 
 food lying ready before them. But when they were satiated 
 with eating and drinking. Calypso, divine one of goddesses, 
 began speaking to them : 
 
 “ O noble son of Laertes, crafty Ulysses, so now dost thou 
 ■wish to go immediately to thy dear paternal land? but liow- 
 eveF^ be happy. If indeed thou knewest in thy mind, how 
 many cares it is fated for thee to fill up, before thou comest 
 to thy paternal land, certainly thou wouldst remain here and 
 guard my house, and thou wouldst be immortal; although 
 thou art anxious to see thy wife, of whom thou art ever de¬ 
 sirous all thy days. I do not indeed consider myself to be 
 inferior to her, either in person or nature, since it is by no 
 means fit that mortal women sliould contend with immortals 
 in person and form.” 
 
 But her the crafty Ulysses in answer addressed: “ O sa> 
 cred goddess, do not be angry with me on this account; f()> 
 I myself know very well, that the prudent Penelope is inferior 
 
 Ironically. 
 
 “ ro tfiTrtjQ iv TOVT(p Toictf} ojxujg cr/j/mtVei. Schol. 
 
72 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 [217—252. 
 
 to thee in form, and in stature, to look at; for she is mortal, 
 but thou art immortal and free from old age: but even so I 
 wish and desire all my days, both to go home and behold the 
 day of my return. But if any one of the gods breaks me down 
 on the dark sea, I will endure it, having a patient mind in my 
 breast; for I have already suffered very many things, and 
 have endured many toils in the waves and in war; and let 
 this happen after these.”^^ 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the sun set, and darkness came on ; 
 they then going to the recess of the hollow cave, were de¬ 
 lighted with love, remaining near to each other. 
 
 But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, ap¬ 
 peared, Ulysses immediately put on a cloak and a garment, 
 and the Nymph herself put on a large white vail, thin and 
 graceful, but around her loins she placed a beauteous golden 
 girdle; and she placed a head-dress on her head: and then 
 she prepared the voyage^<^ for the strong-hearted Ulysses. 
 She gave him a large axe, fitted to his hands, of steel sharpened 
 on both sides : and with it a very beautiful handle, of olive 
 wood, well fitted to it: then she gave him a well-polished 
 adze; and she led the way to the extreme part of the island, 
 wdiere tall trees sprung up, alder, and poplar, and there was 
 pine reaching to heaven, long since seasoned, very dry, w hich 
 would sail lightly for him. But when she had shown where 
 the tall trees had sprung up, Calypso, divine one of goddesses, 
 returned to the house ; but he began to cuU^ the w'ood, and 
 his w^ork w^as quickly performed. And he felled twenty in 
 all, and cut them with the steel, and polished them skillfull}^ 
 and directed them by a rule. In the mean time Calypso, di¬ 
 vine one of goddesses, brought augers, and he then perforated 
 all, and fitted them to one another: and he fixed it with pegs 
 and cramps. As large a bottom of a wide ship of burden, as 
 any man, who w^as well skilled in W'ork man ship, w^ould mark 
 out, so large did Ulysses make the wide raft. And erecting 
 the ribs, fixing them wdth many beams,he made it, and 
 
 ** i. e. qnum ilia mala jam toleraverira, facile etiam hoc tolerabo ma¬ 
 lum. Loewe. 
 
 Literally, “the sending, escort.” 
 
 The tense imi)lies, “he was engaged in cutting.” 
 
 Which were ])laced cross-wise from one end of the ship to the other, 
 for the purpose of holding the ribs together. Old Transl. 
 
2r)3—288.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 73 
 
 finished it with long decks.And he made a mast in it, and 
 a sail-yard fitted to it; and he made a rudder besides tliat he 
 might guide it. And he dammed it all round with willow 
 wicker-work, to be a defense against the wave ; and he heaped 
 much ballast^^ upon it. But in the mean time Calypso, di¬ 
 vine one of goddesses, brought linen for making sails; and he 
 contrived these also well: and he bound in it upper ropes, 
 cables, and sheets.And then he dj-ew it into the divine 
 sea with levers. It was the fourth day, and*all things were 
 finished for him; on the fifth then divine Calypso sent him 
 from the island, having clad him in perfumed garments, and 
 having washed him. And the goddess placed in it for him 
 one skin of black wine, and another large one of water; and 
 provisions in a wallet, and in it many strength-recruiting 
 dainties : and she sent a harmless and favorable wind forward. 
 And divine Ulysses gladly spread his sails to the prosperous 
 gale ; but sitting down he guided it skillfully with the rudder ; 
 nor did sleep fall upon his eyebrows, as he contemplated both 
 the Pleiads, and setting Bootes, and the Bear, which they also 
 call by name the Wain, which turns itself in the same place, 
 and observes Orion; but it alone does not share in the wash¬ 
 ing of the ocean. For Calypso, divine one of goddesses, had 
 commanded him to pass over the sea, keeping to the left hand. 
 Seventeen days indeed he sailed, passing over the sea, but 
 in the eighteenth the shadowy mountains of the land of the 
 Phreacians appeared, where it was nearest for him ; but it ap¬ 
 peared as a shield in the dark sea. 
 
 The powerful Shaker of the earth, as he was returning 
 from the Ethiopians, beheld him from a distance from the 
 mountains of the Solymi; for he was seen by him sailing over 
 the sea ; but he was very wrathful in his heart; and moving 
 his liead he spoke [thus] to his own mind: 
 
 “ O gods, certainly indeed the deities have now consulted 
 differently about Ulysses, when I was among the Ethiopi¬ 
 ans ; and now he is near the land of the Pliaeacians, where 
 
 ” More literally, “plankings, floorings,” aavi^tq Ik Trpwpag tig npy/M 
 "vav TtrapLivai Kai iirtvpvtyp'tvai. Eustath. 
 
 the rougli fragments of wood, used as ballast. 
 vTTtpag, i. e. the ro])es which bind the yard-arms to the mast. 
 
 ‘TTodtg, ropes hanging from each corner of the sail 
 i. e. Neptune. 
 
 D 
 
74 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 [289—324. 
 
 tliere is destiny for him to escape the great limit of misery, 
 Avliich befalls him: but still 1 think that he will undergo 
 enough of calamity.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he collected the clouds, and disturbed 
 the sea, taking his trident in his hands; and stirred up all the 
 storms of all kinds of winds ; and he with clouds covered the 
 earth and the sea at the same time ; and night arose from 
 heaven. And.the Sofctheast and the South rushed together, 
 and the hard-blowing West, and the cold-producing North, 
 rolling the miglity wave. And then the knees and the dear 
 heart of Ulysses were loosed, and sorrowing he said to his 
 strong-hearted mind: 
 
 “ Alas me, wretched one that I am ! what wdll become of 
 me at length ? I fear, lest indeed the goddess has told all 
 things unerringly, who said that I should accomplish toils by 
 sea, before 1 reached my paternal land ; all these things are 
 certainly now brought to pass. With what clouds does Jupi¬ 
 ter crown the wide heaven ! and [how] he has troubled tlie 
 sea ! and the tempests of all manner of winds hasten on ; now 
 bitter destruction is certain for me. Thrice and four times 
 blessed are the Grecians, who formerly perished in spacious 
 Troy, gratifying the sons of Atreus ! How I would that I had 
 died and drawn fate upon myself in that day, when many 
 Trojans hurled their brazen spears about the son of Peleus, 
 who was dead. Then I should have obtained by lot funeral 
 rites, and the Grecians would have celebrated my renown. But 
 now it is destined for me to be seized by a miserable death.” 
 
 As he was speaking thus, a mighty wave from the top"^^ 
 thrust him on, rushing terribly upon him, and whirled round 
 the raft. And he himself fell at a distance from the raft, and 
 let go the rudder from his hands; and a terrible storm of tho 
 winds mixed together coming upon it broke the middle of 
 his mast. And the sail and the yard-arm fell at a distance 
 in the sea, and kept him a long time under the wave: nor 
 was he able to hold himself up immediately, from the rush 
 of the great vv'ave ; for the garments which divine Calypso 
 had given him w'ere heavy; late, however, he came up, and 
 vomited the bitter brine from his mouth, which tr ckled in 
 abundance from his head. But not even thus was he for- 
 
 “A vertice pontus,” Yirg. ^n. i. 118. Loewe makes it equiva¬ 
 lent to desuper, or rather, to funditus. 
 
324—359.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 getful of the raft, although afflicted, but rushing through the 
 waves, he seized hold of it; and sat in the middle avoiding 
 the verge of death. But a great wave carried it here and 
 there through the stream. And as when the autumnal North 
 wind carries thorns over the plain, but they are held close to 
 one another; so the winds carried it here and there through 
 the sea. Sometimes the South wind threw it forward to the 
 North to carry, sometimes again the East wind gave it up to 
 the West to pursue. But him fair-footed Ino Leucothoe, who 
 was previously a mortal that had speech,but now in the 
 main of the sea had a share in the honor of the gods, the 
 daughter of Cadmus, saw ; she indeed pitied wandering Ulys¬ 
 ses, undergoing toils, and like unto a cormorant in flight, she 
 came up from the deep ; and she sat on the raft bound with 
 many chains, and addressed him : 
 
 ‘‘ O ill-fated one, why is the earth-shaking Neptune so vio¬ 
 lently wrath with thee, that he produces many evils for thee? 
 He will not however destroy thee, although very anxious to 
 do so. But do thus (for thou seemest to me not to be unwise), 
 having put off these garments, leave thy raft to the winds to 
 carry; but swimming with thine hands seek for your return 
 to the land of the Phaeacians, where there is destiny for thee 
 to escape. And take^^ this head-gear, which is immortal, 
 and spread it under thy breast; then there is no fear that 
 thou wilt suffer any thing, or perish. But when thou hast 
 reached the shore with thine hands, taking it off again throw 
 it into the dark sea, far from the continent, and do thou turn 
 thyself away at a distance.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the goddess gave him the scarf, and 
 she, like unto a diver, again went under the billowing sea: 
 and the black wave covered her. But much-enduring, divine 
 Ulysses, hesitated, and mourning spoke to his strong-hearted 
 mind: 
 
 “ Woe is me ! does not some one of the immortals contrive 
 again a deceit against me, since she orders me to go from the 
 raft. But however I will by no means obey her; since at a 
 distance with my eyes 1 beheld the land, where she said I 
 
 * i. e. cajiable of speaking after the inanner of mankiiul. SeeT.,oeu e. 
 r// is considered hy Buttn)ann, Lexil. p. 505, as an old iin})erative 
 formed from a root TA—, Anglice, Tahe^ like ^Tiv. Jt is ecpiivalent to 
 Xd/3f. C'f. Thiersch, Gk. Gr. p 521, 143. Sandford’s d'ranslation. 
 
76 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 [359—397. 
 
 must escape. But thus will I do, and it seems to me to be 
 the best; as long as the planks are firm in the cramps, so long 
 will I remain here, and will endure to suffer toils. But when 
 indeed the wave has shaken my raft to pieces, I will swim ; 
 since it is not in my power to devise any thing better.” 
 
 Wliile he meditated these things in his breast and in his 
 mind, earth-shaking Neptune raised a mighty wave against 
 him, terrible, severe and lofty,'-^"^ and drove him. But as a 
 violently blowing wind shakes a heap of dry chaff, which it 
 scatters in different places ; so it scattered its^^® long planks. 
 But Ulysses mounted on one plank, driving it on as a single 
 horse, and he put off the garments, which divine Calypso had 
 given him. And he immediately spread the scarf under his 
 breast; and he fell prone into the sea, stretching out his hands, 
 seeking to swim; but king Neptune saw him, and shaking 
 his head, spoke to his own mind: 
 
 “Thus now wander over the sea, suffering many evils, until 
 thou art mixed with Jove-nurtured men, but not even so do 
 I think that thou wilt make little of thy toil.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he scourged his beautiful-haired horses, 
 and came to ^gce, where are his illustrious palaces. But 
 Minerva, the daughter of Jove, meditated other things ; for 
 she bound the courses of the other winds, and commanded all 
 of them to cease, and be laid to sleep : but she roused the 
 nimble North, and broke the waves before, until that noble 
 Ulysses should be mixed with the oar-loving Phasacians, 
 having avoided death and the Fate. Here he wandered two 
 nights and two days on the compact^® (not broken) wave ; and 
 his heart often saw death before his eyes. But when at length 
 fair-haired Aurora completed the third day, then indeed the 
 Avind ceased, and there was a breathless calm ; and he saw the 
 land near, looking very shar[)ly forward, being lifted aloft by 
 a great wave. As Avhen the life of a father appears welcome 
 to his children, who lies in a disease suffering severe pain, 
 wasting away a long time, and a hateful deity lias grazed near 
 upon him ; and the gods have freed liim welcome from his evil 
 
 Literally, “lofty-roofed,” i. e. covering: as Avitli a roof every thing 
 ujion which it fell, to KaXvTrrov ^iKrjv 6f}6(})ov. Eustathius. 
 
 Tf}g, i. e. navis. 
 
 rij/yov, well-nourished, fat, stout (cf. II. ix. 124, 'iTnroi Trrjyoi), and 
 hence, great, large. 
 
397—+3G.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 77 
 
 plight; so welcome did the earth and wood appear to Ulys¬ 
 ses ; and he swam, hastening to step on the main land with 
 his feet; but when he was so far distant as one is heard 
 shouting out, then he heard the noise of the sea against the 
 rocks; for the mighty surge bursting terribly roared against 
 the dry [coast] of the continent; and all things were roiled 
 over with the foam of the sea; for there were not havens to 
 contain ships, nor places of shelter,^® but the shores were 
 prominent, and there were crags and rocks. Then the knees 
 and dear heart of Ulysses fainted, and mourning he spake 
 unto his strong-hearted mind: 
 
 “ Alas for me ! since Jupiter has granted me to behold the 
 unexpected land, and I indeed have passed over this wave, 
 having cut through it, there has appeared nowhere any egress 
 out of the hoary sea; for without there are sharp rocks, and 
 a dashing surge rages around, and a smooth cliff runs up, and 
 near it the sea is deep ; and it is not possible to stand on both 
 my feet, and to escape an evil plight, lest by chance a mighty 
 billow snatching me, as I am going out, dash me against a 
 stony cliff, and my attempt be vain. But if I shall swim 
 still farther, in case T may somewhere find sloping shores, 
 and ports of the sea, I am afraid, lest the storm snatching 
 me again should bear me to the fishy sea, mourning sadly, or 
 even the deity should send a mighty whale against me from 
 the sea, such as illustrious Amphitrite nourishes in great 
 numbers: for I know how illustrious Neptune is enraged 
 against me.” 
 
 While he meditated these things in his breast and in his 
 mind, in the mean time a mighty billow bore him to the 
 rough shore. There his skin would have been lacerated, and 
 his bones fractured, had not the blue-eyed goddess Minerva 
 prompted his mind ; and rushing on, he seized hold of a rock 
 Math both his hands, which he held groaning, until the great 
 billow had passed by. And this he thus avoided ; but the 
 returning wave rushing upon him, struck him again, and cast 
 him far out into the sea. As when many stones hold to the 
 claws of a polypus drawn out of its bed, so was the skin torn 
 from his strong hand against the rocks: and a mighty billow 
 covered him. 
 
 There at length unhappy Ulysses would have perished con- 
 
 Soil, against the wind. 
 
78 
 
 ODYSSEY. V. 
 
 [437—470. 
 
 trary to bis fate, bad not blue-eyed IVIinerva given birn pru¬ 
 dence ; coming up from out of tbe wave, where it vomits out 
 against tbe shore, he swam beyond, looking to tbe land, if he 
 could any where find sloping shores, and ports of tbe sea. 
 But when he came swimming to tbe mouth of a beautiful 
 flowing river, where it seemed to liim to be the best phice, 
 smooth from rocks, and there was a shelter from the wind; 
 he knew that it was flowing forward, and he prayed in his 
 mind: 
 
 “Hear me, O King, whoever thou art; for unto thee who 
 art much wished for I come, flying from the threats of Nep¬ 
 tune, from the sea. He indeed is revered even by the im¬ 
 mortal gods, whoever of men comes wandering, as I now do, 
 to thy stream, and come to thy knees, having suffered many 
 things. But take pity, O King: I profess to be thy suppliant.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but he^^ immediately stopped his stream, 
 and restrained the wave; and made a calm before him ; and 
 preserved him to the mouth of the river; but he bent both 
 his knees, and his sturdy hands; for Ids heart was overcome 
 by the sea. But he was swollen over all his body, and the 
 sea came forth in quantities through his mouth and his nos¬ 
 trils : and he lay breathless and speechless, with his strength 
 wasted, and terrible fatigue came upon him. But when he 
 recovered Ids breath, and his mind was collected in his breast, 
 then he loosed from him the scarf of the goddess ; and he cast 
 it into the river flowing into the sea, and a gi*eat wave car¬ 
 ried it back through the stream ; and Ino immediately re¬ 
 ceived it in her dear hands; but he going away from the riv¬ 
 er reclined among the bulrush, and kissed the bounteous 
 earth ; and mourning spake unto his strong-hearted ndnd : 
 
 “Alas for me, what shall I suffer? AVhat will at length 
 become of me ? If I shall watch tlirough the severe night 
 in a river, [I fear,] lest the evil rime, and the prolific 
 dew together, overcome my worn-out mind, on account of 
 my weakness; for the breeze blows chill from a river in 
 the morning,]3ut [f x should go up to the hill and shady 
 
 i. e. the river god. 
 
 ** So Dante, Purgat. xxiv. 
 
 “E quale annunciatrice de gli albori 
 L’ aura di Maggio muovesi, et olezza 
 Tutta im])regnata da 1’ lierba, e da’ fiori.” 
 
471—493. VI. 1, 2.] ^DYSSEY, VI. 
 
 79 
 
 wood, and should sleep among the thick shrubs, even though 
 the cold and weariness should leave me, and sweet sleep come 
 upon me, I fear tliat I should be a booty and prey for wild 
 beasts.” 
 
 So then it seemed to him to be better as he considered: 
 then he hastened to the wood ; and found it near the water 
 in a conspicuous place, and he came under two shrubs, which 
 sprang from the same place; one of wild olive, the other of 
 olive. Neither the strength of the moistly blowing winds 
 breathes through them, nor has the shining sun ever struck 
 them with its beams, nor has the shower penetrated entirely 
 through them : so thick were they grown entangled with one 
 another; under which Ulysses came. But he immediately 
 heaped up a wide bed with his hands; for there were great 
 numbers of leaves spread about, as many as would shelter 
 either two or three men in the winter season ; although it 
 were very severe. The much-enduring divine Ulysses on see¬ 
 ing it rejoiced, and he lay down in the middle of it, and heaped 
 a heap of leaves over himself; and as when any one has hid¬ 
 den a torch in black ashes, at the extremity of a farm, which 
 has not any other neighbors, preserving the seed of the fire, that 
 he may not have to light it from any where else; so Ulysses 
 covered himself with leaves; and over his eyes Minerva shed 
 sleep, that she might as soon as possible cause him to cease 
 his laborious toil, having covered around his dear eyelids. 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Minerva appears to Nausicaa, the daughter of Alcinous, in a dream, and 
 desires lier to go to the river to wash her clothes, since she sliould 
 shortly be married. After she has done washing, her attendants ami 
 herself begin to play; Ulysses, sleeping in a wood liard by, is awakened 
 by the noise, and, coming out, begs of Nausicaa to suj)ply him with 
 food and clothing: he then follows her to the city. 
 
 Thus the much-enduring divine Ulysses slept here, op¬ 
 pressed^ with sleep and with toil; but JMinerva went to the 
 
 ' Loewe follows Thiersch, Gk. Gr. p. 489, 24, in deriving dpTjfihoc 
 from Sape, whence jiapvQ, fSaps-og, and the Gothic barran, bar^ for to 
 
80 
 
 ODYSSEY. Xt 
 
 [3—42. 
 
 people and city of the Pha3acians ; who formerly indeed dwelt 
 in wide Hypereia, near the Cyclops, overbearing men, who 
 injured them, and were superior in strength. Godlike Nau- 
 sithous removing them led them from thence, and settled them 
 in Scheria far away from enterprising men ; and he drew a 
 wall around the city, and built houses, and made temples for 
 the gods, and divided the plains. But he already subdued 
 by Fate had gone to Orcus; but Alcinous then ruled, expe¬ 
 rienced in counsels from the gods. The blue-eyed goddess 
 Minerva went to his house, to plan the return of strong-liearted 
 Ulysses. And she hastened to a much-variegated chamber, 
 in which lay a damsel, like unto the immortals in nature and 
 form, Nausicaa, daughter of strong-hearted Alcinous; and 
 near her two handmaids, possessing beauty from the graces, 
 on each side of the portals; and there were shining doors 
 upon them. But she, like as a breath of wind, rushed into 
 the chamber of the damsel, and stood above her head, and ad¬ 
 dressed her, likened unto the daughter of Dymas, a famous sail¬ 
 or, who was her equal in age, and was pleasing to her mind ; 
 likened unto her, blue-eyed Minerva addressed her: 
 
 “ Nausicaa, why has thy mother brought thee forth thus 
 careless ? For thy splendid garments lie neglected, but thy 
 marriage is near, when it is fit that thou shouldst put on 
 beautiful garments thyself, and shouldst give some to others, 
 who will conduct thee. For from these things a good report 
 goes up among men ; and a father and venerable mother re¬ 
 joice. But let us go to w^ash them together with the dawn 
 of morning, and I will follow as thine assistant, that thou 
 mayest prepare them as quick as possible; since thou wilt 
 not be yet a long time a virgin. For now the chiefs among 
 the people of all the Phaeacians woo thee, where also is thine 
 own race. But come, incite thy illustrious sire early in the 
 morning to prepare mules and a chariot, which may carry thy 
 girdles, and garments, and splendid cloaks: for thus it will 
 be much more honorable for thee than to go on foot; for the 
 places for washing are far distant from the city.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, blue-eyed Minerva departed to Olym¬ 
 pus, where they say is forever the firm seat of the gods, it is 
 
 bear, bore; and with thn strengthening a (dJ'aprifitvoQ, dapTjpsvoc)^ 
 apripsvoi', heavily laden. It was hitherto wrongly connected with ypy- 
 pivoQ. 
 
43—75.] 
 
 10DYSSEY. VI. 
 
 81 
 
 neither shaken by the winds,^ nor is it ever bedewed by the 
 showier, nor does the snow approach it: but a most cloudless 
 serenity is spread out; and white splendor runs over it; in 
 which the blessed gods are delighted all their days. To this 
 place Minerva departed, when she had admonished the damsel. 
 
 Immediately the beautiful-throned morning came, which 
 roused well-clad Nausicaa; but she marveled at her dream. 
 And she hastened through the house, that she might tell it 
 to her parents, her dear father and mother; and she found 
 them witliin. Her mother was sitting upon the hearth whh 
 her female attendants turning her sea-purpled threads [of 
 wool]; but her father she met at the door, going to the il¬ 
 lustrious princes, to a council, where the noble Phgeacians 
 had invited him. She therefore, standing very near, address¬ 
 ed her dear father: 
 
 “My dear father, wouldst thou prepare^ a lofty chariot 
 with good wheels for mt, that I may take my beautiful gar¬ 
 ments to the river to waf-h them, which lie begrimed ? And 
 it is fit for thee thyself, when going among the chiefs, to con¬ 
 sult counsels, having clean garments on thy body ; and five 
 dear sons are born to thee in thy palace, of whom two are 
 married, but three unmarried, in the bloom of life: but they 
 always desire to go to the dance having their garments fresh 
 washed; and all these things are a care to my mind.’’ 
 
 Thus she spoke; for she was ashamed to mention to her 
 dear father her blooming marriage; but he understood all, 
 and answered her with w^ords : “ 1 grudge thee not the mules, 
 my child, nor any thing else ; go, and the servants shall pre- 
 p.are for thee a lofty, well-wheeled chariot, fitted with a cov¬ 
 ering.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he commanded the servants ; and they 
 obeyed. They without prepared the swift chariot drawn by 
 mules, and led the mules under, and yoked them under the 
 chariot; and the damsel brought out her beautiful shining 
 vesture from the chamber, and placed it in the well-wrought 
 
 * These verses are splendidly expressed by Lueret. iii. 18. 
 
 “Apparet Divom numen, sedesque quietje, 
 
 Quas neque concutinnt venti, neqne nubila nimbis 
 Aspergunt, neque nix acri concreta pruina 
 Cana cadens violat, seniperque innubiliis jEther 
 Integit, et large diffuso lumine ridet.” 
 
 ’ Cf. Thierseh, Gk. Gr. § 352, d, G, referred to by Loewe. 
 
 / I) 2 
 
82 
 
 ODYSSEY. VI. 
 
 [76—111. 
 
 chariot: and her mother put varied food, grateful to the 
 mind, in a chest, and she put in it dainties, and poured wine 
 into a flagon of goat-skin ; and the damsel mounted the char¬ 
 iot; and she^ gave to her^ moist oil in a golden cruse, that 
 she mio-ht anoint herself with her women attendants. And 
 she took the whip, and the beautiful reins, and lashed [the 
 mules] that they might go on ; and there was a noise of the 
 mules: for they were on the stretch without ceasing: and 
 they carried the garments and her, not alone; [for] other 
 handmaidens also went with her. 
 
 When they had now reached the most beautiful stream of 
 the river, where were continual places for washing, and much 
 beautiful water flowed out, [enough] even to cleanse very filthy 
 things : there they loosed the mules from under the chariot, 
 and drove them close to the eddying river, that they mighi 
 eat the sweet grass; but they took the garments out of the 
 chariot with their hands, and put them into the black water: 
 and they trod them in the cisterns, quickly showing rivalry. 
 But when they had washed and cleared all the filth, they 
 spread them in order on the shore of the sea, where the wave 
 most washed the stones to the beach. And having washed and 
 anointed themselves with the smooth oil, they then took their 
 meal near the banks of the river: but they waited for their 
 garments to be dried by the beams of the sun. But w^hen her 
 handmaidens and herself were satiated with food, they played 
 at ball, having thrown off their head-dresses; and white-armed 
 Nausicaa began the song for them. Such as Diana^ who re¬ 
 joices in the bow, traverses over the mountain, either lofty 
 Taygetus or Erimanthus, delighting herself with boars and 
 fleet stags, and with her the rural nymphs, daughters of ./Egis- 
 bearing Jove, sport; and Latona rejoices in her mind; and 
 she is [eminent] above all by her head and her forehead, for 
 she is easily known, but all of them are fair: so tliis chaste 
 virgin excelled among her handmaidens. But when they 
 were now about to return home again, having yoked the 
 
 The mother of Nausicaa. ® Nausicaa. 
 
 * Cf. Milton. Par. Lost, ix. 386. 
 
 -“ like a wood-nymph light, 
 
 Oread or Dryad, or of Delia’s train, 
 
 Betook her to the woods, but Delia's self 
 In gait surj)assed, and goddess-like deport.” 
 
Ill—149.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. VI. 
 
 83 
 
 mules, and folded the beautiful garments, then the blue-eyed 
 goddess Minerva meditated other things, that Ulysses should 
 be roused, and behold the beautiful damsel, who might lead 
 him to the city of the Phceacians. Then the queen threw the 
 ball to a handmaiden : it missed the handmaiden, and fell into 
 a deep eddy. But they cried out loudly ; and divine Ulysses 
 was aroused ; and sitting up, he deliberated in his soul and in 
 his mind. 
 
 I “ Woe is me, into the land of what mortals am I now 
 come? Are they violent and wild, and not just? Or are 
 they hospitable, and have they a holy mind ? Since a female 
 voice of damsel nymphs, who possess the lofty summits of the 
 mountains, and the fountains of the rivers, and the grassy 
 marshes, has come around me; or am I by chance near men 
 who possess the power of speech? But come, I myself will 
 try, and see.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, divine Ulysses went from under the 
 thickets; and with his strong hand he broke a branch of 
 leaves from the thick wood, that he might cover the unseem¬ 
 ly parts of a man around his body. And he hastened, like 
 as a lion nourished in the mountains, trusting in his might, 
 that goes rained and blown upon; and his eyes burn; and 
 he comes after oxen, or sheep, or the wild stags; for hun¬ 
 ger commands him to enter even a close abode to make an 
 attempt upon the flocks: thus Ulysses, although naked, was 
 about to mingle with the fair-haired damsels; for necessity 
 came upon him. But he appeared dreadful to them, being 
 defiled by the brine; and they fled in terror each in different 
 ways through the projecting shores. But the daughter of 
 Alcinous alone remained; for IMinerva put confidence in her 
 mind, and took fear from her limbs; and she stood keeping 
 herself before liim. But Ulysses meditated, whether taking 
 hold of her knees he should supplicate the beautiful damsel, 
 or as he was standing at a distance should beseech her with 
 mild words, if she would show him the city, and give him 
 garments. So, indeed, as lie considered, it seemed to him to 
 be better, standing at a distance, to beseech her with mild 
 words, lest the damsel should be wrath with him in her mind, 
 taking hold of her knees. Forthwith he spoke a mild and 
 crafty word: 
 
 “ 1 supplicate thee, O queen ; whether thou art some god* 
 
84 
 
 ODYSSEY. VI. 
 
 [150—190. 
 
 dess, or a mortal; if indeed thou art some goddess of those 
 who possess the wide heaven, I consider thee most like unto 
 Diana, the daughter of mighty Jove, in form, stature, and 
 nature ; but if thou art some one of mortals who dwell on the 
 earth, thrice blessed thy sire and venerable mother, and thrice 
 blessed thy brothers ; much I ween their mind is ever de¬ 
 lighted with joy on account of thee, when they behold such a 
 branch entering the dance. He moreover is above others 
 most blessed in his heart, who shall lead thee home, having 
 loaded himself with bridal gifts. For never have I seen such 
 a mortal with my eyes, either man or woman ; a reverential 
 feeling possesses me as I look upon thee. Lately I saw such 
 a young shoot of a palm growing up in Delos, near the altar 
 of Apollo: for I came thither, and much people followed me 
 on that journey, which was about to produce evil cares for 
 me: in the same manner also when I beheld that, I was a 
 long time astonished in my mind ; for never had such a tree 
 sprung up from the earth. So I admire and run astonished 
 at thee, O lady, and 1 fear veiy much to touch thy knees. 
 But .hard grief comes upon me. Yesterday in the twentieth 
 day I escaped from the black sea; for a long time the wave 
 and the swift storms continually carried me from the island 
 Ogygia; but now the deity has cast me here, that I may still 
 perhaps suffer evil even here ; for I do not think that it will 
 cease; but even before this the gods accomplish many things. 
 But do thou, O queen, pity me, for having suffered many mis- 
 erie.«!, I come to thee first; but I know no one of the other 
 human beings who possess this city and land. Show me the 
 city, and give me an old garment to put on, if by chance com¬ 
 ing here thou hast the wrapping of old garments. But may 
 the gods grant thee as many things as thou desirest in thy 
 mind, a husband, and house, and excellent concord may they 
 grant; for there is not any thing more excellent and better 
 than this, than when a husband and wife, agreeing in their 
 counsels, manage a house ; [causing] many griefs to their ene¬ 
 mies, and joys to their well-wishers; and they themselves par¬ 
 ticularly are sensible of it.” 
 
 But him white-armed Nausicaa answered in turn: “ O 
 stranger, since thou art not like unto a worthless or foolish 
 man, and Olympian Jove himself distributes happiness to men, 
 good or bad, to each as he chooses; and perhaps he has given 
 
190—226.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VI. 
 
 85 
 
 these things to thee, but however it is fit that thou shoulclst 
 endure them. But now, since thou comest to our city and 
 land, thou shalt neither be in want of clothing, nor any thing 
 else of the things which are fit for a suppliant from afar' who 
 meets here. And I will show thee the city, and will tell thee 
 the name of the people. The Fhmacians possess this city and 
 land; but I am the daughter of strong-hearted Alcinous, on 
 whom the strength and might of the Pheeacians depends.” 
 
 She spoke, and gave order to her fair-haired handmaidens s 
 
 Stop, I pray you, handmaidens; whither are ye flying, 
 when ye behold a man ? whether do you think that he is some 
 one of hostile men ? There is not that man a living mort;d, 
 nor could there be, who would come to the land of the Phrna- 
 cians, bringing hostility: for we are very dear to the immor¬ 
 tals; and we dwell at a distance, the farthest in the sea of 
 many waves, nor does any other of mortals mingle with us. 
 But this one comes here, some wretched wanderer, whom 
 now it is fit to take care of: for all strangers and beggars are 
 from Jove; and even a little gift is grateful. But, O hand¬ 
 maidens, give meat and drink to the stranger: and wash him 
 in the river where there is a shelter from the wind.” 
 
 Thus she spoke, but they stood and commanded one an¬ 
 other: and then they placed Ulysses under shelter, as Nau- 
 sicaa, the daughter of strong-hearted Alcinous, bade them; 
 and near him they placed a mantle and tunic and garments; 
 and they gave him liquid oil in a golden cruse, and they de¬ 
 sired him to wasli himself in the streams of the river. Then, 
 indeed, Ulysses addressed the handmaidens: “ O handmaid' 
 ens, stand at a distance thus, until I myself shall wash ti c 
 brine from my shoulders, and shall anoint them around with 
 oil; for ointment has been a long time tiway from my body; 
 but I will not wash before you; for I am ashamed to be na¬ 
 ked, being come among faired-haired damsels.” 
 
 'rims he spoke, and tliey went to a distance and told it to 
 the virgin. But divine Ulysses washed away the brine, which 
 surrounded his back and wide shoulders, from his body in 
 the river; and from his head he wiped off the froth of the 
 barren sea. 
 
 ' TaXaTreipiogy avri rov ^ivog, Kal TroppioOtv 7re7rtp'iK0)c, p iiaKpodEV 
 ocpiypfvog. Schol. This word must not be confounded ra\ainujpoQ. 
 8ee Eoewe. 
 
86 
 
 ODYSSEY. VI. 
 
 [227—262. 
 
 But when he had waslied himself all over, and anointed 
 liimself with oil, and had put on the garments whicli tlie 
 chaste virgins gave him; Minerva, born of Jove, made him 
 greater and stouter to behold: and from his head she made 
 his hair curled, like unto a hyacinthine® flower. As when 
 some skillful man, whom Vulcan and Pallas Minerva have 
 instructed in a cunning art, pours gold round silver, and per¬ 
 forms beautiful works; so she shed grace on his head and 
 shoulders. Then, going to a distance, he sat down on the 
 shore of the sea, shining with beauty and gracefulness; and 
 the virgin admiring beheld him; then she spoke [thus] to the 
 fair-haired handmaidens: 
 
 “ Listen to me, ye white-armed handmaidens, while I shall 
 say something. This man does not come among the godlike 
 Phaeacians, against the will of all the gods who possess the 
 wide heaven. For he before appeared to me to be unseem¬ 
 ly, but now he is like unto tlij gods, who possess the wide 
 heaven. I wish such an one might be called my husband, 
 dwelling here, and it might please him to remain here. But, 
 O handmaidens, give to the stranger meat and drink.*’ 
 
 Thus she spoke, and they heard her, and immediately 
 obeyed, and near Ulysses they placed meat and drink. Much- 
 enduring divine Ulysses indeed drank and ate greedily; for 
 he had been a long time without tasting food. But white¬ 
 armed Nausicaa thought upon other things; having folded 
 the garments, she placed them on the beautiful chariot, and 
 yoked the solid-hoofed mules; and she herself mounted it; 
 and she encouraged Ulysses, and spoke and said: 
 
 “ Rise now, O stranger, to go to the city, that I may con¬ 
 duct thee to the house of my prudent sire, where I tliink that 
 thou wilt see as many as are the chief of all the Phaeacians. 
 But by all means do thus, for thou seemest to me not to be 
 without understanding; while we go through the fields and 
 the tillage of men, so long do thou come quickly with the 
 handmaidens, after tlie mules and chariot: and 1 will lead 
 the way. But when we shall go up to the city, around whict 
 
 • Imitator! by Milton, P. L. iv'. 300: 
 
 “Ills fair large front and eye sublime declared 
 Absolute rule ; and liyacinthine locks 
 Hound from liis parted forelock manly hung 
 Clustering.” 
 
262—301.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VI. 
 
 87 
 
 there is a lofty turret, and a fair port on each side of the city, 
 and a narrow entrance; and on the way the sliips rowed on 
 botli sides are drawn up ; for in each there is a station for all; 
 and there is their forum, around the beautiful temple of Nep¬ 
 tune, fitted with large^ stones dug out of the earth. There 
 they take care of the tackle of the black ships, the ropes, and 
 the cables, and they sharpen the oars. For neither the bow 
 nor the quiver are a care to the Phaeacians, but masts and 
 oars of ships, and the equal ships, rejoicing in which, they 
 pass over the hoary sea. Their harsh report I shun, lest some 
 one should blame me behind my back ; for they are very over¬ 
 bearing among the people. And perchance some worse one 
 meeting us would say, ‘ Who is this handsome and portly 
 stranger who follows Nausicaa? where did she find him will 
 he now indeed be her husband ? She has either brought from 
 her own ship some one of men from a far country who was 
 wandering; for there are none near. Or some much-prayed- 
 for god, descending from heaven, has come to her at her en¬ 
 treaty; and she will have him all her days. It were better 
 for her, if she herself had, departing, found a husband else¬ 
 where ; for she despises these PhaBacians among the people, 
 who woo her, numerous and excellent.’ So they will say, and 
 these things would be reproaches against me: but I should 
 be ind’gnant with another, who should do such things, who 
 should have intercourse with men against the will of her dear 
 father and mother still alive, before her nuptials came openly. 
 Do thou, O stranger, thus attend to my word, that thou may- 
 est as quickly as possible obtain a conduct and return from 
 my father. We shall find a beautiful grove of Minerva, near 
 the way of poplars: and in it a fountain flows, and round it 
 there is a meadow. There is the allotted estate^® of my fa¬ 
 ther, and the flourishing orchard, so far from the city as one 
 shouting out makes [others] hear ; sit down there and wait for 
 some time, until we come to the city, and reach the house of 
 my father. But when thou thinkest that we have come to 
 the house, then go to the city of the PhaBacians, and inquire for 
 the house of my strong-hearted father, Alcinous. But it is 
 easily known, and even a boy would load thee: for the houses 
 
 ® Literally, “drawn stones,” for they were so large that it was neces¬ 
 sary to draw them. 
 
 Tip-tvoQ, Iraq aitOTiTfirifXiVoq tig TifiijP roTTog. Ajioll. Lex. 
 
88 
 
 ODYSSEY. VI. 
 
 [301—331. 
 
 of the Phceacians are not made like it, sucli is the liouse of 
 the hero Alcinous. But when the house and the hall conceal 
 thee, go very quickly through the palace, until thou coniest 
 to my mother: but she sits on the hearth in the beam of the 
 fire, turning the sea-purple threads of wool, wondrous to be¬ 
 hold, reclining against a pillar, and her handmaidens sit be¬ 
 hind her. There the throne of my father is reclined near her; 
 in this he sitting, as an immortal, drinks wine; passing by 
 him, place thine hands upon the knees of my mother, that 
 rejoicing thou mayest behold the day of thy return, quickly, 
 although thou art very far off. If indeed slie shall be kindly 
 disposed in her mind, then there is a hope that thou wilt see 
 thy-friends, and come to thy well-built house, and to thy pa¬ 
 ternal land.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she lashed the mules with the shining 
 scourge, and they quickly left the streams of the river: tliey 
 ran well, and curveted briskly with their feet. She also drove 
 well, in order that the handmaidens and Ulysses might follow 
 together on foot; and she threw the lash with skill. And the 
 sun set, and they came to the illustrious grove, sacred to JNIi- 
 nerva, where divine Ulysses sat down: then he immediately 
 prayed to the daughter of mighty Jove : 
 
 “ Hear me, O thou unsubdued daughter of HCofis-beariiifir 
 Jove, now at length listen to me, since thou hast never before 
 listened to me being shipwrecked, when illustrious Neptune 
 shipwrecked me. Grant that I may come friendly and an 
 object of pity to the Phasacians.” 
 
 Thus he spoke praying, but Pallas Minerva heard him ; 
 but she did not yet appear before him; for she had an awe 
 of her father’s brotherfor he was vehemently wrathful with 
 godlike Ulysses, before he arrived at his own land. 
 
 " Neptune. 
 
1 — 26 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VII. 
 
 89 
 
 BOOK VI L 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Nausicaa reaches the city; but Ulysses on his way thither is met by 
 Minerva, who shows him the house of Alcinous; arriving at which, 
 he throws himself at the feet of Arete, the wife of Alcinous, and entreats 
 her to send him home to his own country. Alcinous bids him rise, and 
 gives him food to eat. But Arete, recognizing his garments, inquires 
 of him whence he got them: upon which he relates the history of his 
 voyage and wreck, and his meeting with Nausicaa. 
 
 Thus then much-enduring divine Ulysses prayed there, but 
 the strength of the mules carried the damsel to the city. But 
 when she at length arrived at the illustrious house of her father, 
 she then stood in the portico; and her brothers stood around 
 her, like unto the immortals ; and they loosed the mules from 
 the chariot, and carried her garments within. But she herself 
 went to her chamber; and for her an old woman of Epirus 
 lighted a fire, the chamber-maid Eurymedusa, whom formerly 
 ships rowed on both sides brought from Epirus; but they chose 
 her out as a prize for Alcinous, because l.e was ruler over all 
 the Phaeacians, and the people listened to him, as to a god; 
 who nurtured Avhite-armed Nausicaa in the palace ; and Avho 
 kindled her fire, and set out supper within. And then Ulysses 
 started to go toward the city, and Minerva, having a friendly 
 disposition toward Ulysses, shed much darkness around him, 
 lest any one of the high-minded Phaeacians, meeting him, should 
 both reproach liirn with words, and inquire of him who he was. 
 But when he was about to enter the lovely city, then the blue- 
 eyed goddess Minerva met him, likened unto a virgin young 
 woman bearing a pitcher; and she stood before him, and di¬ 
 vine Ulysses inquired of her : 
 
 “ O child, couldst thou not lead me to the house of the man 
 Alcinous, who reigns among these men? Eor I am come 
 liither a stranger from jifar,’ having experienced labor, far off 
 from a distant^ land: wherefore I know none of the men who 
 possess this city and fields.”^ 
 
 * On the meaning of raXaTrelpioc see my note on vi, 193. 
 
 ^ The student must bear in mind that this epithet in Homer does not 
 designate the rdoponnesus, but is sim])lv equivalent to dXXodaTrijg, 
 Kai ficiKpuv cnrtxovtrpQ ils in Eustath., Apoll., Ilesych., etc. See 
 Buttm. Lexil. ]). 154, and Loewe’s note. 
 
 I consider myself justified in rendering tpya, Jields, tilled lands, from 
 
90 
 
 ODYSSEY. VII. 
 
 [27—60. 
 
 P)Ut him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed in turn ; 
 “I will show thee then, O father stranger, the house which 
 tliou desirest me; since he dwell- near my illustrious sii'c. 
 Hut go thus in silence ; and I will lead the way. Nor do 
 thou look at, nor inquire of any man ; for they do not easily 
 tolerate strange men, nor loving one who comes from else¬ 
 where, do they receive him in a friendly manner. Trustiiig 
 in their swift ships, they pass over the mighty gulf, since 
 Neptune has granted that to them ; their ships are swift as a 
 bird or a thought.”^ 
 
 Thus having spoken, Pallas Minerva quickly led the way; 
 but he went immediately after the steps of the goddess. But 
 the sea-famed Phaeacians did not perceive him coming through 
 the city among them : for fair-haired Minerva did not permit 
 them, shrewd goddess, who indeed shed a divine cloud about 
 him, counseling kind things in her mind. But Ulysses mar¬ 
 veled at the havens and tlie equal ships, and the forms of the 
 heroes themselves, and the long walls, lofty, fitted with stakes, 
 a wonder to behold. But when they came to the illustrious 
 palace of the king, the blue-eyed goddess Minerva began to 
 address him 
 
 ‘‘This then, O father stranger, is the house which thou 
 badest me show thee; and thou wilt find the Jove-nurtured 
 kings banqueting at a feast: but do thou go within, nor fear 
 at all in thy mind ; for a bold man is better in all affairs, 
 even if he comes from somewhere else. First, indeed, tliou 
 wilt find the queen in the palace, and her surname is Arete: 
 and she is from the same ancestors who gave birth to king 
 Alcinous. Nausithoiis first earth-shaking Neptune begat, 
 and I’eribrea, in form the finest of women, youngest daughter 
 of strong-hearted Eurymedon, who formerly reigned over the 
 haughty giants: but he destroyed the impious people, and 
 
 the similar use of the word in other passaj^es. So also Oppian, ii. 161, 
 TvavTi] tpya ftoiov. Virp. Georg, i. 825, “et pluvia ingenti sata keta 
 boumque labores. Cf. Ilesych. tpya, vrort ^itu rd Kara rt'jv ytwpyiav. 
 It may however mean, “buildings,” “structures.” See Bachr. on Ile- 
 rodot. i. Introd. And this view is somewhat favored by vs. 48, sqcp and 
 Virg. TEn. i. 425, sqq. 
 
 * “ Themistius, Gr. 6, alludes to this passage, Outtov Tcrtpov Kal voq- 
 paTOQ. And TTTtpov and voppa are fitly joined, since irTtpov tov dvOpi^ 
 TTOu \oyi(Tp.oQ a'uTov, Chrys. llom. ii. irtpi tu>v ’Avdp." Duport, Gnom. 
 Horn. ]). 180, sq. 
 
 ‘ I am still dissatisfied with rotat. 
 
61 — 98 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VII. 
 
 91 
 
 himself was destroyed. But with her Neptune had inter¬ 
 course, and begat a strong-hearted son, Nausithous, who 
 reigned among the PluBacians. But Nausithous begat Kexc- 
 nor and Alcinous. The former silver-bowed Apollo smote, 
 being without male offspring, a bridegroom in the palace, 
 leaving only one daughter. Arete: but her Alcinous made his 
 wife, and honored her as no other [woman] is honored on the 
 earth, whatsoever women at least now keep house under hus¬ 
 bands, as she has been honored in heart and is still, both by 
 her dear children and by Alcinous himself, and the people, 
 who, looking upon her as a goddess, welcome her with words, 
 when she goes through the city. For she herself is by no 
 means in want of good understanding, and she settles disputes 
 among men, to whom she wishes well. If then indeed she 
 shall be kindly disposed toward thee in her mind, there is a 
 hope for thee hereafter to behold thy friends, and come to thy 
 lofty-roofed house, and thine own paternal land.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, blue-eyed Minerva departed over the 
 barren sea; and left lovely Scheria: and she came to Mara¬ 
 thon, and wide-stretched Athens, and she entered the compact 
 house of Erectheus. But Ulysses went to the illustrious dwell¬ 
 ings of Alcinous; and his heart meditated many things, as he 
 stood before he arrived at the brazen threshold : for it was as 
 the shining of the sun or moon, through the lofty-roofed house 
 of strong-hearted Alcinous. For brazen walls were firmly 
 built^’ each way, to the recess from the threshold ; and around 
 it a cornice of blue color; and golden doors inclosed the firm 
 house within ; and silver pillars stood on the brazen thresh¬ 
 old, and there was a silver lintel over it, and a golden ring."^ 
 And on each side there were golden and silver dogs, which 
 Vulcan made with his skillful mind, to guard the house of mag¬ 
 nanimous Alcinous, being immortal® and free from old age 
 all their days. But within thrones were firmly set here and 
 there around the wall, throughout, from the threshold to the 
 recess: there were thrown over them slender well-woven 
 mantles, the works of women. Here the leaders of the l^haea- 
 
 ‘ The reading Ifnjpsdar for IXrjXdSar is now fully established. See 
 Ernesti and Loewe. 
 
 ’ Or fastening. Cf. i. 441, Ovprjv 6’ tTrtpvaae Koptljvy ’Apyvpey. See 
 Pollux, vii. 26. Ilesych. o Kp'iKog t>]q Ouoag. 
 
 “ i. e. the dogs. 
 
92 
 
 ODYSSEY. VII. 
 
 pO—142. 
 
 clans sat drinking and eating; for they held it all the year. 
 But golden youths stood upon the well-built pedestals, hold¬ 
 ing in their hands burning torches, which shone during the 
 night to the banqueters through the house. And there were 
 fifty women servants in the house; some grind apple-color¬ 
 ed corn in the mill, othei-s weave the webs, and whirl the 
 spindles as they sit, like as the leaves of a tall poplar; and 
 moist oil drips from the well-woven linen. As much as the 
 Phmacians are skilled above all men to guide a swift ship in 
 the sea, so are the women in Aveaving the web: for Minerva 
 granted them exceedingly to be acquainted with beautiful 
 works, and [endowed them with] a good understanding. But 
 without the hall there is a large garden, near the gates, of 
 four acres ; but around it a hedge was extended on both sides. 
 And there tall flourishing trees grew, pears, and pomegran¬ 
 ates, and apple-trees producing beautiful fruit, and sweet 
 figs, and flourishing olives. Of these the fruit never perishes, 
 nor does it fail in winter or summer, lasting throughout the 
 whole year; but the west wind ever blowing makes some bud 
 forth, and ripens others. Bear grows old after pear, apple 
 after apple, grape also after grape, and fig after fig. There a 
 fruitful vineyard was planted: one ])art of this ground, ex¬ 
 posed to the sun in a wide place, is dried by the sun ; and some 
 [grapes] they are gathering, and others they are treading, and 
 further on are unripe grapes, having thrown off the flower, and 
 others are slightly changing color. And there are all kinds of 
 beds laid out in order to the furthest part of the ground, flour¬ 
 ishing throughout the Avhole year: and in it are two fountains, 
 one is spread through the Avhole garden, but the other on the 
 other side goes under the threshold of the hall to the lofty 
 house, from whence the citizens are wont to draw Avater. Such 
 indeed Avere the glorious gifts of the gods in the house of 
 Alcinous. There much-enduring divine Ulysses standing ad¬ 
 mired it. But AA^hen he had admired all things in his mind, 
 he quickly passed over the threshold Avitliin the house. And 
 he found the leaders and chieftains of the I’lueacians makin<x 
 libations in their cups to the Avatchful Argus-slayer, to Avlioni 
 they last made libations, Avhen they Avere thinking of bed. 
 But much-enduring divine Ulysses Avent through the house, 
 having a heavy mist, Avhich Minerva shed around him, until 
 he came to Arete and king Alcinous, Avhen Ulysses thrcAv his 
 
143—180. J 
 
 ODYSSEY. VII 
 
 93 
 
 liands around the knees of Arete. And then indeed the di¬ 
 vine mist was again dispersed from him. But they became 
 speecliless in the house on beliolding the man, and seeing him 
 they marveled; and Ulysses besought her ; 
 
 “ O Arete, daughter of godlike Bexenor, I come to thy 
 husband and to thy knees, having gone through many toils, 
 and to these guests, to whom may the gods grant to live 
 happily, and may each hand down to his children the posses¬ 
 sions in his palace, and whatever honor the people has given 
 him. But for me prepare ye an escort, that I quickly reach 
 my paternal land; since for a long time I suffer griefs away 
 from my friends.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he sat down on the hearth in the dust 
 near tlie fire ; but they were all speechless in silence. At 
 length however the aged hero Echeneus addressed them, who 
 was the oldest of the Phseacians, and surpassed in speaking, 
 being acquainted with both many and ancient things. He, 
 thinking well, harangued and addressed them : 
 
 ‘‘ O AlcinoihS, this is not more honorable^ for thee, nor is it 
 seemly, that a stranger should sit on the ground on the hearth 
 in the dust; but these restrain themselves, awaiting thy com¬ 
 mand. But come now, raise uj) the stranger and set him on 
 a silver-studded throne; and do thou command the heralds 
 to mix additional wine, that we may make libations to thun¬ 
 der-rejoicing Jove, who attends venerable suppliants: but let 
 the housekeeper give a meal to the stranger fi-om the things 
 that are within.” 
 
 And forthwith when the sacred might of Alcinous^® heard 
 this, taking the prudent Ulysses, cunning in counsel, by the 
 hand, he raised him from the hearth and set him on a shining 
 throne, removing his son, Laodamas beloved of men, who sat 
 near him, and loved him especially. And a handmaiden bring¬ 
 ing water in a beautiful golden ewer, to wash in, poured it 
 over a silver caldron ; and near him she spread a polished 
 table: and the venerable housekeeper, bringing food, placed 
 it near him, putting upon it many dainties, gratifying him 
 out of the means present: but much-enduring divine Ulysses 
 drank and ate. And then the mighty Alcinous addressed the 
 herald: 
 
 “O Pontonous, having mixed a cup,,distribute wine to all 
 ® k-u\\iov=KaX6v. See my note on ii. 409. 
 
94 
 
 ■ ODYSSEY. Vll. 
 
 [181—214. 
 
 throughout the palace, that we may make libations to thunder¬ 
 rejoicing Jove, and who attends upon venerable suppliants.’' 
 
 Thus he spoke; and I’ontonous mixed the grateful wine; 
 and distributed to all, having first begun with the cups.'^ 
 But when they had made libations, and drunk as much as 
 their mind wished, Alcinous harangued and addressed them : 
 
 “ Hear me, ye leaders and rulers over the Phoeacians, that 
 I may speak the things which my mind commands me in my 
 breast. Now, indeed, having feasted ye may go home and 
 sleep; but in the morning convoking more old men, we will 
 entertain the stranger in the palace, and will offer fitting sac¬ 
 rifices to the gods : and afterward we will be mindful of his 
 escort, that the stranger may return rejoicing to his own pa¬ 
 ternal land without labor and affliction under our escort, 
 (piickly, although lie is very far off': nor in the mean time 
 may he suffer any evil and calamity, before he steps upon his 
 own land. There then he will suffer whatever things Fate 
 and the heavy Destinies spun with the thread for him at his 
 birth, when his mother brought him forth. But if any one 
 indeed of the immortals has come from heaven, then tliis is 
 something else which the gods are contriving: for always 
 hitherto the gods appear manifest unto us, when we* offer up 
 illustrious hecatombs, and they feast sitting with us where we 
 are. But if even any traveler going alone has met them, 
 they by no means conceal themselves; since we are close unto 
 them, like as the Cyclops^^ and the savage tribes of Giants 
 [are like one another].” 
 
 But him the much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 “ O Alcinous, let something else be a care in thy mind ; for 
 I am not like unto the immortals, who possess tlie wide heav¬ 
 en, either in my person or my nature, but unto mortal men, 
 whomever of mankind thou knowest especially enduring toil; 
 to these indeed I should liken myself in my griefs : and 1 could 
 relate to you even more evils, all the labors indeed which I 
 have suffered by the will of the gods. But permit me, al- 
 
 * i. e. havinfx first made the due libations. 
 
 The Scholiast explains the ])assaKe thus: “We resemble the p;ods 
 in righteousness as much as the Cvclo])S and Giants resembled each oth¬ 
 er in imjuety. But in this sense of it there is something intricate ami 
 contrary to Homer’s manner. We have seen that they dei ived them¬ 
 selves from Neptune, which sufficiently justifies the above iuterj)reta- 
 tioii.” Cowpcr. I have followed the Scholiast, with Loewe. 
 
215—24S.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. VII. 
 
 95 
 
 tliougli grieved, to take rny 8H[)per. For there is not any 
 thing more shameless at the time of a hateful belly,whicli 
 commands one to be mindful of itself by its necessity, al¬ 
 though one is much afflicted, and has grief in one’s mind. 
 Thus too I indeed have grief in my mind, but it always ex¬ 
 horts me to eat and drink ; and it makes me forget all things, 
 as many as I have suffered, and commands me to till myself. 
 Hut do thou hasten, as soon as morning appears, that thou 
 mayest place me, wretched one, in mine own country, al¬ 
 though I have suffered many things ; and may even life leave 
 me on beholding my possession, and my servants and lofty- 
 roofed large house.*’ 
 
 Thus he spoke, but they all approved and advised to con¬ 
 duct the stranger, since he had spoken rightly. But when 
 they had made libations, and drunk as much as their mind 
 wished, they, each of them, went home about to sleep ; but 
 divine Ulysses was left behind in the palace, and near him 
 sat Arete, and godlike Alcinous ; and the handmaidens took 
 away the preparations of the feast. But white-armed Arete 
 began speaking to them, for she knew the vail and the tunic, 
 when she beheld the beautiful garments, which she herself 
 had wrought with her women attendants: and addressing 
 him, she spoke winged words: 
 
 “ O stranger, I will myself first ask thee this, who art 
 thou? from whence art thou among men? who gave thee 
 these garments? Surely thou dost not say that thou earnest 
 here wandering over the sea?*’ 
 
 But her the much-planning divine ITysses addressed in an¬ 
 swer : “ It is difficult, O queen, to relate my griefs entirely 
 through, since the heavenly gods have given me many; but 
 I will tell thee this which thou askest, and inquirest of me. 
 A certain island, Ogygia, lies far off in the sea, where deceit¬ 
 ful Calypso, daughter of Atlas, a fair-haired crafty goddess, 
 dwells: nor with her does any one of gods or mortal men as¬ 
 sociate ; but fortune led me alone, unhappy one, to her hearth. 
 
 The student must beware of regarding this as = arvyfptjg ■yatT-epog, 
 It ratlier means “ tem|)ore ventris esurientis, i, e. esurienti cuique iiihii 
 molesiius est (sc. ea ij).su).” Loewe. Translate therefore, “There is 
 nothing more shameless than hunger, when the stomach craves for food.” 
 Cf. Oi)pian. Ilal. iii. 309, (jjg ovotv Xip-oXo KUKot-npov ovdi ftaptipg Vaari- 
 pog, i) Kpariti piv iv avO^Miroioiv tnrtjppg, Kui dtenrotua crwiaTiog. 
 
9G 
 
 ODYSSEY. Vir. 
 
 [249—288. 
 
 M'hen Jupiter, having struck my swift ship with wliite thunder, 
 cleft it in the middle of the dark sea. There all the others 
 my excellent companions perished; but I, laying hold of the 
 keel of the ship rowed on both sides, with my arms, was borne 
 along for nine days ; but in the tenth black night the gods 
 made me approach the island Ogygia, where Calypso, tlie 
 fair-haired crafty goddess, dw^ells. She taking me loved me 
 earnestly, and nurtured me, and said that she would render 
 me immortal, and free from old age all my days; but she did 
 not at all persuade the mind in my breast. There I remained 
 continually for seven years, and ever bedewed with tears the 
 garments which, not mortal-like. Calypso gave to me; but 
 when at length the eighth revolving year came, then indeed 
 she commanded me, inciting me to return, through a message 
 from Jove, or else her own mind was turned; and she sent 
 me on a raft bound with many chains; and she gave me 
 many things, bread and sweet wine, and put immortal gar¬ 
 ments on me: and she sent forth a harmless and gentle wind. 
 For seventeen clays indeed I sailed, passing over the sea, but 
 on the eighteenth the shady mountains of thy land appeared ; 
 and the dear heart of me, ill-fated one, rejoiced ; for still was 
 I about to be conversant with much calamity, which earth- 
 shaking Neptune raised up against me; who, having aroused 
 the winds against me, hampered my journey, and troubled the 
 immense sea: nor did the wave at all permit me mourning 
 ceaselessly to be borne on the raft: this then indeed the 
 storm scattered; but I cut through this gulf swimming; until 
 the wind and the water carrying me, made me approach thy 
 land. There, as I was going out, a billow forced me upon 
 the shore, dashing me against mighty rocks and an unpleas¬ 
 ant place; but retiring back I swam again, until I came to 
 the river, where there appeared to me [to be] the best place, 
 smooth from rocks; ami there was also a shelter from the 
 wind. And I came out, collecting my senses and ambrosijii 
 night came on ; but I, going out at a distance away from the 
 Jove-replenished river, slept among the thickets ; and drew 
 leaves about me ; and a deity poured abundant sleep upon 
 me. Here indeed among the leaves I slept all night, sor¬ 
 rowing in my heart, even until morn, and mid-day, and the 
 
 avvayiou Ka'i dvaKnofievor Eustath. “Gathering strengnh, 
 
 i-eviving,” Thiersch, (ik. Gr. p. 485. 
 
289—320.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VII. 
 
 97 
 
 sun set;’^ and sweet sleep left me.'® And I perceived the 
 handmaidens of thy daughter, playing on the shore; and 
 among tliem she herself was like unto goddesses. I suppli¬ 
 cated her. And she by no means failed of an excellent dis¬ 
 position (so as thou wouldst not expect a younger one meet¬ 
 ing you would do; for the younger are ever foolish), who 
 gave to me plenty of food and dark wine, and washed me 
 in the river, and gave me these garments. Thus, although 
 grieving, I have told thee the truth.” 
 
 But him Alcirious answered and addressed in turn: ‘*0 
 guest, certainly my daughter did not consider this properly, 
 because she by no means brought thee to my house with her 
 women attendants ; thou, however, didst supplicate her first.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 “ Hero, do not on that account reprove thy spotless daugh¬ 
 ter : for she commanded me to follow with her women attend¬ 
 ants. But I was not willing, fearing and being ashamed, lest 
 by chance thy mind should be angered when thou didst be¬ 
 hold me: for we tribes of men upon the earth are suspicious.” 
 
 But him Alcinous answered and addressed in turn: “ Guest, 
 I have not such a heart within my breast, so as to be wrath 
 in vain ; but all things that are proper are better. Would 
 that, O father Jove, and Minerva, and Apollo, being such an 
 one as tliou art, and thinking the things which I do, thou 
 wouldst have my daughter, and be called my son-in-law, re¬ 
 maining here; and I would give thee both a house and pos¬ 
 sessions, if thou wouldst remain willingly; but no one of the 
 Thneacians shall detain thee against thy will; let not this 
 be acceptable to father Jove. But as to this I intend thy 
 voyage to-morrow, that thou mayest be well assured; but 
 until then thou mayest lie down overcome with sleep; and 
 they will quietly row thee, until thou comest to thy country, 
 and house, and if it is any where else agreeable to thee: al- 
 
 “ Obsen’^e that ^vniro r rjtXioc refers to fvdov Travpvxtoij, the inter¬ 
 mediate words describing the time during which he slept. ISee the fol¬ 
 lowing note. 
 
 * I have punctuated this passage to agree with Loewe’s exjdanation. 
 He well remarks, that although the sun had set, yet extreme darkness 
 might not have yet come on, so that it was still necessary for Minerva to 
 envelop him in a shade (cf. vii. 14). He also cautions us against join¬ 
 ing the words Svatro t i)bXioq with the following ones, as being repug¬ 
 nant to vi. 110, sqq. 
 
 E 
 
98 
 
 ODYSSEY. Vll. 
 
 [321—347. 
 
 though it is a great deal farther than Euboea; for they, who 
 of our people saw it, when they conducted auburn-haired 
 Khadamanthus to see Tityus, the son of Earth, say that it is 
 most distant: and they arrived from hence, and accomplish¬ 
 ed it without labor in the same day, and brought him back 
 home. And thou wilt thyself know how much ray ships and 
 youths are the best, to cast up the sea with the blade of the 
 oar.” 
 
 ^ Thus he spoke; and much-ehduring divine Ulysses re- 
 'joiced; and then praying he spoke and said a word, and 
 called [on Jove] by name: “■ O father Jove, may Alcinous 
 pcrfoi'in all the things, whatever he has said ! tlien indeed 
 his glory would be inextinguishable over the bounteous earth, 
 and 1 should reach my country.” 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another. But white-armed Arete 
 had commanded her handmaidens to place couches under tlie 
 portico, and to throw upon them beautiful purple rugs, and 
 to strew tapestry above, and to place woolen cloaks upon 
 them, to spread over him. And they went from the palace, 
 holding a torch in their hands; but wlien they had strew’i 
 the tliick bed, hastening,^'^ they urged Ulysses with words, 
 standing near him : “ Bise to go to rest, O stranger; thy bed 
 is made.” 
 
 Thus they spoke; and it appeared to him delightful to go 
 to rest. Thus much-enduring divine Ulysses slept there in 
 the compact beds, under the sounding portico. But Alcinous 
 lay down in the recess of the lofty house; and near him his 
 wife the queen prepared a couch and bed. 
 
 Literally, “stirring up the dust,” a metaphor derived from the 
 race-course. See B16mfield on -Jisch. S. Th. GO. 
 
1—30.1 
 
 ODYSSEY. Vlll. 
 
 00 
 
 BOOK Y I 11. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 An assembly of the Phseacians is convoked respecting Ulysses, and a 
 vessel is prepared for his departure. Alcinous entertains the Phaea- 
 cian nobles at his house ; and the games begin. Demodocus the bard 
 first sings the amours of INIars and Venus, and then the introduction 
 of the wooden horse into Troy. Ulysses is affected by his song, and 
 Alcinous, perceiving it, asks who he is, from whence he is come, and 
 what is the occasion of his sorrow. 
 
 But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, ap¬ 
 peared, the sacred^ might of Alcinous rose from his bed, and 
 noble Ulysses, the sacker of fcities, rose also. And the sacred 
 might of Alcinous led them to the assembly of the Phasacians, 
 which was prepared for them near the ships. And having 
 come, they sat down on the polished stones near [each other] ; 
 b'lt Pallas iMinerva went through the city, likened unto the her¬ 
 ald of prudent Alcinous, planning a return for strong-hearted 
 Ulysses. And standing near each man she addressed them : 
 
 “ Hither come, ye leaders and chiefs of the Pha^acians, to 
 go to the assembly, that ye may hear of the stranger, who 
 lately came to the house of prudent Alcinous, having wan¬ 
 dered over the sea, in person like unto the immortals.’’ 
 
 Thus having spoken, she incited the might and mind of 
 each. And tlie forums and seats were quickly filled with 
 men assembling together; for many' admired the prudent son 
 of Laertes, as they beheld him, and Mine: va shed divine grace 
 over his head and shoulders ; and she made him taller and 
 greater to behold, that to all the Phneacians he miglit be dear 
 and awful and venerable, and might perform many contests, 
 at which the J^hasacians tried Ulysses. But when they'^ were 
 collected and assembled together, Alcinous harangued and ad¬ 
 dressed them: 
 
 “ Hear, ye leaders and r ders over the Phnsacians, while I 
 speak what my mind commands me in my breast. This 
 stranger, I know not who [he is], has come wandering unto 
 my house, whether from eastern or western men; but he in- 
 
 ^ Ernesti observes that this e])itliet is applied to Alcinous, as a kiug, 
 Uko “ sanctitas” in Latin. Cf. Sueton. Cais. G. 
 
100 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 [30—G6. 
 
 cites us [to grant him] an escort, and prays for it to be safe. 
 But let us, as hitherto, make ready the escort. For no other 
 person who comes to my house, I'emains here a long time la¬ 
 menting on account of an escort.^ But come, we will draw a 
 black ship for its first voyage^ into the divine sea; and let 
 two and fifty youths^ be chosen among the pfc.,ple as many as 
 hitherto have been the best. And do ye all, having bouiui 
 the oars well to the benches, come out: but afterwai'd, coming 
 to my house, make ready a hasty feast; and I will sujjply it 
 well for all. These things 1 enjoin the youths ; but do ye the 
 rest, sceptre-bearing princes, come to my fair dwellings, that 
 we may entertain the stranger kindly in our palace, nor let 
 any one refuse; and call the divine bard Demodocus, for to 
 him tlie deity has granted song exceedingly, to delight in what¬ 
 ever his mind incites him to sing.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he led the way; and the sceptre- 
 bearers followed with him; but the lierald went for the 
 divine bard. And two and fifty youths, being chosen, went, 
 as he commanded, to the shore of the barren sea. But when, 
 indeed, they came to the ship and to the sea, they drew the 
 black ship into the deep of the sea, and they placed a mast 
 and sails in the black ship; and they fitted the oars in the 
 leather loops, all rightly, and they spread out the white sails; 
 and they moored her high out upon the sea ; but afterward they 
 hastened to the great house of the prudent Alcinous. And the 
 porches and the inclosures and houses were filled with men 
 [collected together; and there were many young and old 
 men]. And Alcinous sacrificed twelve sheep for them, and 
 eight swine with white tusks, and two curve-footed oxen ; these 
 they skinned and managed, and made ready a delightful feast. 
 And the herald came near, leading the harmonious bard, whom 
 the Muse loved exceedingly; but she gave him both good and 
 evil; she deprived him indeed of his eyes, but gave him sweet 
 song.^ For him Fontonous placed a silver-studded throne in 
 
 i. c. “ through wanting one.” 
 
 ^ ^ Nut only nearly built, but also i) TTpiort] Kara to TrXteiv — vavapxk- 
 Eiistath. 
 
 * Observe that Kovpu) is made to agree with the dual not witli 
 TTivTliKovra, the plural. Cf. vii. 48 and ol, with the note of Eusta¬ 
 thius. 
 
 ^ dlie blindness of bards is almost proverbial. See some quaint and 
 
G6—97.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 101 
 
 the middle of the guests, leaning it against a tall pillar: and 
 from a peg the herald had hung the clear-toned harp over 
 liis head, and taught him how to take it with his hands : and 
 near him he placed a basket, and a beautiful table, and,near 
 him a cup of wine to drink, when his mind should incite him ; 
 they then stretched forth their hands to the food lying ready 
 before them. 
 
 But when they had taken away the desire of drinking and 
 eating, the Muse encouraged the bard to sing the glories of 
 men, a song of which the fame then reached the wide heaven ^ 
 the strife of Ulysses and Achilles, son of Beleus, how they 
 formerly contended with vehement w'ords in a splendid ban¬ 
 quet of the gods; but Agamemnon, king of men, rejoiced in 
 Ids mind, when the chiefs of the Grecians contended; for so 
 Blujchus Apollo, giving an oracle, told him in divine Pylos, 
 when he passed over the stone threshold to consult the ora¬ 
 cle : for then the beginning of harm rolled on to the Trojans 
 and the Grecians, through the will of ndghty Jove. 
 
 These things the illustrious bard sang; but Ulysses, tak¬ 
 ing a large purple vail in his sturdy hands, drew it over his 
 head, and covered his beauteous face ; for he was ashamed be¬ 
 fore the Phaeacians, shedding tears from under his eyebrows. 
 But when the divine bard had ceased singing, having wiped 
 away the tears, he took the vail from his head, and taking a 
 round cup,® he made libations to the gods: but when he" be¬ 
 gan* again, and the chiefs of the Phaeacians incited him to 
 sing, since they were delighted with his verses, Ulysses again, 
 covering his head, mourned. Then indeed he escaped the 
 notice of all the others, shedding tears, but Alcinous alone, 
 sitting near him, marked and perceived him ; for he heard 
 him mourning heavily; he immediately therefore addressed 
 the oar-loving Phmacians: 
 
 “Hear, ye leaders and rulers over the Phseacians, we arc 
 
 nmusing illustrations in Duport, Gnoniol. Iloin. p. 184. So Milton, 
 I^ar. Lost, iii. 32 : 
 
 “Nor sometimes forj^et 
 Those otlier two, equal’d with me in fate, 
 
 So were I equat’d witli them in renown, 
 
 Blind Tliamyris and l)lind Mseonides, 
 
 And Tiresias and IMiineus, ])ropliets old.” 
 
 * But on ilie an<piKV7n\\ov, see my note on iii. G3. 
 
 ’ The bard. 
 
102 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 [98—13G. 
 
 now satisfied in our mind with tlie equal banquet, and the 
 harp, which is suited to the abundant feast; but now let us 
 go out, and try all the contests ; that also the stranger, re¬ 
 turning home, may tell his friends how much we excel oth¬ 
 ers in pugilism, wrestling, and leaping, and in the race.” 
 
 Thus having spoken he led the way, and they followed to¬ 
 gether ; and from the peg he hung the clear-toned harp: and 
 the herald took the hand of Demodocus, and led him out of 
 the palace; and he went before him the same way which the 
 others, the chiefs of the Phmacians, had gone, to behold the 
 contests. But they went to the forum, and a great crowd 
 followed together, myriads. And there stood up many and ex¬ 
 cellent youths. There arose indeed Acroneus, and Ocyalus, 
 and Elatreus, and Nauteus, and Prymneus, and Anchialus, and 
 Eretmeus, and Ponteus, and Proreus, (and) Thoon, and Ana- 
 bosineus, and Amphialus, son of Polyneus, son of Tecton ; and 
 there also rose up Euryalus, equal to manslaughtering Mars, 
 and Naubolides, who was the most excellent of all the Pha3a- 
 cians in form and person, after the blameless Laodamas; and 
 there arose the three blameless sons of Alcinous, Laodamas, 
 and Halius, and divine Clvtoneus. Some then indeed first 
 made trial in the race; and a course was extended for them 
 from the goal, and they all flew swiftly together, raising the 
 dust along the plain. Of them the blameless Clytoneus was 
 the best in running; and as far as is the distance between mules 
 [and oxen] in fallow land,® so far running on before, he came 
 up to the people, but the others were left behind. But others 
 made trial of laborious wrestling; in this Euryalus excelled all 
 the chiefs ; but in leaping Amphialus was the best of all. But 
 on the other hand Elatreus w as the most excellent of all Avith 
 the quoit; and again Laodamas, the doughty son of Alcinous, 
 in pugilism. But Avhen all were delighted iu their mind with 
 the contests, Laodamas, son of Alcinous, addressed them: 
 
 “ Come, my friends, let us ask the stranger if he knows 
 and has learned any contest. Indeed he is not mean as to 
 I)is nature, his thighs, and legs, and both his hands aboA^e, and 
 his stout neck and mighty strength ; nor is he Avanting at all in 
 
 •* Literally, “as far as is the distance of mules in fallowTand.’’ Cly¬ 
 toneus v.'as as far in advance of his competitors, as there is left sj)aco 
 between mules and oxen, when they are yoked together to plow a fal¬ 
 low land. Eustath. Cf. 11. x. 352. Lo 2 wc. 
 
137—176.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 103 
 
 youth, but he is broken down by many ills. For I do not 
 think that there is any thing else worse tlian the sea to weak¬ 
 en a man, even though he be very strong.” 
 
 Euryalus answered and addressed him in turn : “ O Laoda- 
 mas, thou hast spoken this word very rightly; do thou now 
 go and challenge him, and speak to him a word.” But when 
 the excellent son of Alcinous heard this, he then stood, going 
 in the middle, and addressed Ulysses: ‘‘ Do thou also come 
 hither, O father stranger, and make trial of the contests, if 
 thou hast by chance learned any: and it is likely that thou 
 art acquainted with contests. For there is not any greater re¬ 
 nown for a man, while he exists, than what he shall have done 
 with his feet and his hands. But come, make trial, and dis¬ 
 perse cares from thy mind: for thy voyage will not long be 
 delayed; but the ship has just now been drawn out, and com¬ 
 panions are ready.” 
 
 Much-planning Ulysses answering addressed him : ‘‘ O La- 
 odamas, why do ye command these things, cutting me to the 
 heart ? griefs are even more in my mind than contests, I who 
 before indeed suffered very many things, and have endured 
 many labors: but now I sit in j^^our assembly desiring a re¬ 
 turn, entreating the king and all the people.” 
 
 But him Euryalus answered in turn, and chided openly: 
 “ I by no means liken thee, O stranger, to a man skilled in 
 contests, such as there are many among men. But [I liken 
 thee] to him, who constantly being in a many-benched ship, 
 [is] a ruler of sailors, who are also merchants, and is mindful 
 r)f his freight, and a superintendent of provisions, and rapa¬ 
 cious profits; nor art thou at all like unto a wrestler.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses, looking sternly, address¬ 
 ed: “ O stranger, thou hast not spoken well; you are like 
 unto an injurious man : thus the gods do not bestow graceful 
 accomplishments on all men, neither nature, nor mind, nor 
 eloquence; for one man in appearance is weaker, but God 
 adorns his form with words, and others look upon him with 
 delight. But he discourses safely with mild modesty, and 
 excels among those who are assembled together: and they 
 look upon him, when coming through the city, as upon a god. 
 Another again is like unto the immortals in his form, but grace 
 does not crown his words.So also thy form is handsome,. 
 
 ® Litcnillv, ‘‘grace is not set as a crown around his words.” 
 
104 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 [177—209. 
 
 nor wonlcl a god fashion it otherwise; but thou art foolish in 
 thine understanding: thou hast provoked my mind in my 
 breast, having spoken not according to propriety ; but I am 
 not unskilled in contests, as thou, forsooth, dost say, but I 
 think that I was among the first, when I trusted in my youth, 
 and in my hands. But now 1 am held fast by calamity and 
 griefs ; for I have endured many things, both wars among men, 
 and passing over the grievous waves ; but even thus, although 
 having suffered many evils, I will make trial of the contests, 
 for thy language is galling to the mind;’° and thou hast pro¬ 
 voked me by thy words.” 
 
 He spoke, and rushing with his garment as it was,^^ he 
 seized a very large and thick quoit, no little firmer, than with 
 what the Phasacians played at quoits with one another. Whirl¬ 
 ing this round, he hurled it from his strong hand ; but tlie 
 stone whizzed; and the Phaeacians, who use long oars, sea- 
 famous men, crouched down upon the earth from the throw 
 of the stone ; but it flew over all the marks, rushing easily 
 from his hand; for Minerva, likened in person unto a man, 
 had set the boundaries, and spoke and said: 
 
 “ Even a blind man, O sti anger, groping about, would dis¬ 
 tinguish the mark ; since it is by no means mingled with the 
 multitude, but is far the foremost; but do thou be confident, 
 at least as to this contest; no one of the Phieacians shall 
 reach this, nor pass beyond it.” 
 
 Thus she spoke; but much-enduring divine Ulysses was 
 glad, rejoicing, because he perceived a kind friend in the ring, 
 and then he addressed the Phaeacians more lightly: “Reach 
 this now, O youths ; but I think that 1 will soon send another 
 as large, or even larger. Of the others, whomsoever^^ pjg heart 
 and mind exhorts, let him come hither and make trial (since 
 ye have in-itated me very much) either in pugilism, or in wrest¬ 
 ling, or even in the race, I grudge not at all, of all the IMiiea- 
 cians, [1 say,] except Laodamas himself: for he is my host; and 
 Avho would contend with one who receives him ? That man in- 
 
 Tasso, Gier. canto x. st. 10: 
 
 “Ne il niordacc parlar’ indarno e tale 
 Perclie della virtu cote e lo sdegno.” 
 
 “ i. e. without stripping, after the manner of combatants. Schol. avu 
 T((j \i.iaT’ui) wf tlxti'- 
 
 Observe the poetic form onva for ovriva. Cf. Thiersch, Gk. Gr ^ 
 20G, 2G. 
 
210—245.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 105 
 
 deed is foolish and worth notliing, wliocvcr proposes a strife in 
 contests witli his host, among a tbreign })eople ; and he makes 
 all his own affairs worse: but of the othei-s I refuse not nor 
 despise any one, but I wish to know and to make trial openly ; 
 for I am not insignificant in all things, as many contests as 
 there are among men. For 1 know well how to handle the 
 well-polished bow ; I could hit a man the first, darting arrows 
 in a crowd of hostile men ; even though very many com- 
 })anions should stand near, and should direct their bows against 
 the men. Philoctetes indeed alone excelled me with the bow, 
 among the people of the Trojans, where we Greeks used our 
 bows. But of the others 1 say that I am far the best, as 
 many as are now mortals eating food upon the earth. But 
 I am not willing to contend with former men, neither with 
 Hercules, nor Kurytus the CEchalian, who contended even 
 with the immortals about bows: therefore mighty Eurytus 
 died immediately, nor did he attain to old age in his palace; 
 for Apollo, wrath with him, slew him, because he challenged 
 him to a contest of archery. And I dart with a spear, as 
 far as no one else would with an arrow. I fear for my feet 
 alone, lest any one of the Phasacians should pass me ; for I 
 have been very greatly beaten down in many waves: since 
 there was no continual provision^^ for one’s self in a ship: 
 therefore my limbs are relaxed.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, but they all were speechless in silence : and 
 Alcinous alone answering addressed him : “ O stranger, since 
 thou dost not speak these things unpleasant to us, but dost 
 wish to show thy prowess, which accompanies thee, being 
 angry, because this man standing in the contest has chided 
 thee; in order that no mortal may blame thy prowess, who¬ 
 ever in his mind knows how to speak fitting things; come 
 now, understand my w'ord, that thou mayest relate to another 
 also of the heroes, when thou dost feast in thy palace, near 
 thy wdfe and thy children, mindful of our excellence, what 
 w'orks Jove enjoins upon us throughout, even from our an- 
 
 From the passage at vs. 452, tTreiSi) XItts doj/^a KaXvxpovg ri'uKafioio’ 
 T6(ppa ce oi Kopidt) yt, 9t(p epire^og ptv, refeFiing to v. 204, sqq. I 
 think there is no doubt that food, sustenance, is meant, especially if we 
 romeml)er Homer’s ideas on the weakness produced by hunger, as im¬ 
 plied in the words yvla XsXvvrai. Cf. II. xix. yvia jSapvvtTai, k. t. X.^ 
 and Dui)ort, Gnom. Horn. j). lOG, sq(j. 
 
 E 2 
 
106 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 [246—283. 
 
 cestors. For we are not faultless pugilists, nor wrestlers, but 
 we run swiftly with our feet, and are the best in [nianagingj 
 ships: and ever dear to us [is] the banquet, and the harp and 
 dances, and changing of garments, and warm baths, and beds. 
 But come, ye dancers of the Phseacians, as many of you as 
 are the best, play; that the stranger returning home may re¬ 
 late to his friends how much we excel others in sailing, and 
 in the race, and in the dance, and in the song. But let some 
 one go immediately, and bring the clear-toned harp for De- 
 modocus, which lies somewhere in our house.” 
 
 Thus spoke godlike Alcinous; but the herald rose to bring 
 the sweet harp from the house of the king. And all the nine 
 public cho.sen umpires^'^ rose up, who managed every thing 
 well in the contests: and they made the floor smooth, and 
 widened the beautiful ring. And the herald came near, bring¬ 
 ing the clear-toned harp to Demodocus ; and he then went 
 into the middle; and around him there stood youths in the 
 prime of life, skilled in the dance: and they struck the divine 
 floor’^ with their feet: but Ulysses regarded the twinklings^^ 
 of their feet, and marveled in his mind. 
 
 But he playing on the harp struck up^" to sing beautifully, 
 about the love of Mars and beautifully-crowned Venus, how 
 they at first had intercourse stealthily in the house of Vulcan : 
 for he gave her many things, and disgraced the couch and 
 bed of king Vulcan; but to him there immediately came as a 
 messenger the Sun, wdio perceived them mixed in love. But 
 Vulcan, when he heard the heart-paining tale, hastened to his 
 smithy, deeply planning evils in his mind : he placed a mighty 
 anvil on the stock, and forged chains not to be broken or loosed, 
 that they might remain there fixed. But after he had contrived 
 the stratagem, enraged with IMars, he hastened to the chamber, 
 where his dear bed lay. And then around the bed-posts he 
 puts chains in a circle on every side; and many w'ere fitted 
 above from the ceiling, as slender cobwebs, which no one 
 could see, even of the blessed gods; for they w'ere made ex¬ 
 ceedingly cunning. But when he had spread all . the snare 
 around the bed, he pretended that he would go to Lemnos, a 
 
 The teim alcrviivtjnjg was originally apjjlicd to the governors of the 
 Cuinaians, and lienee to rnlej's in general. 
 
 The primary meaning of xopog is “a jilace for dancing.” 
 
 Jficationes, quick, rai)id movements. Sec on i. 155. 
 
284—318. J 
 
 ODYSSEY. VJII. 
 
 107 
 
 A^ell-buiit city, wliicli to him is by far the dearest of all 
 lands.Nor did golden-bridled Mars keep a blind look-out, 
 'ivhen he beheld Vulcan, illustrious for his art, going to a dis- 
 fance; he hastened to the house of illustrious Vulcan, desir¬ 
 ous of the love of beauteous-crowned Venus. But she havino; 
 lately come from her father, the powerful son of Saturn, sat 
 down: but he went within the house, and laid hold of her by 
 the hand, and spoke and addressed her: 
 
 “ Come, dear one, let us twain turn to bed to lie down; 
 for Vulcan is not at home, but is now gone somewhere to 
 Lemnos, to the barbarous Sintians.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and to her it seemed delightful to go to 
 bed. They twain mounting the couch laid down to rest; but 
 tlie artful chains of ingenious Vulcan were spread around 
 them, nor could they by any means move tlieir limbs, nor rise 
 up. And then indeed they knew that there were no longer 
 means of escape. But illustrious Vulcan came near them, 
 retumiim ajirain before he reached the land of Lemnos : for 
 the Sun kept a look-out for him, and told him the affair: 
 [and he hastened home, sorrowing in his dear heart and he 
 stood in the vestibule ; and fierce anger possessed liiin, and 
 he shouted terribly, and called aloud to all the gods. 
 
 “ O father Jove, and ye other blessed gods who exist ever, 
 come, that ye may behold deeds not to be laughed at nor en¬ 
 dured ; how Venus, the daughter of Jove, always dishonors 
 me who am lame, and loves all-destructive Mars; because he 
 is handsome and sound-footed, but I am become weak; but 
 tliere is no one to blame for me, but my two parents, who 
 ought not to have produced me. But see where they sleep 
 together in love, having ascended my bed; but I am grieved 
 at beholding them. I do not indeed expect that tliey will 
 any more, even a little while, lie so, although loving each 
 other very much: perhaps they will not both wish to sleep: 
 but a snare and chain shall detain them, until her father shall 
 
 Tlie student will doubtless remember that each deity bad a favorite 
 ])lace of abode arid worshij). Thus Venus possessed Paphos (infi'a, 3G3), 
 Juno Samos, Arj^os, and Cai'tbage (Virg. ACn. i, 19; Ovid, Met. viii. 
 220; Apud. Met. vi. p 458; Eustatb. on Dion. Pierieg. 530), ACseula- 
 pius Ej)idaurus, cte. The i-eason of Vulean’s preference is explained by 
 Eustathius thus, fttt tovq Uti KparTipa^ tov Trcpufj kuI on (cai TruXtii; duo 
 Tnpi avrijv, lov pla <c<u }) H^atorta. 
 
108 
 
 ODYSSEY. YIII. 
 
 [319—351. 
 
 repay all the dowries, whatever I gave him, for the impudent 
 damsel, because his daughter is liiir, but not chaste.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and the gods were assembled at the brazen 
 house : earth-shaking Neptune came, all beneticent^^ Mercury 
 came, and the far-darting king Apollo came: but the female 
 deities each remained at home through sliame. And the 
 gods, bestowers of good things,^® stood in the vestibule; and 
 there arose an inextinguishable laughter among the blessed 
 gods, when they saw the arts of ingenious Vulcan. Tut 
 thus some one-^^ said, looking to another who was near: 
 “ Evil works do not succeed: the slow overtakes the quick: 
 as now Vulcan, although slow, has caught Mars, the swiftest 
 of the gods who possess Olympus, he being lame, [has caught 
 him] by his art; wherefore he owns a tine for being detected 
 in adultery.” 
 
 Thus they spoke such things to one another; and king 
 Apollo, the son of Jove, addressed Mercury: “O Mercury, 
 son of Jove, messenger, giver of good things, w'ouldst thou 
 be willing, pressed in strong chains, to sleep in the bed near 
 golden Venus?” 
 
 l>iit him the messenger, the slayer of Argus, immediately 
 addressed. “I wish this might happen, O king, far-darting 
 Apollo, (and) might thrice so many immense chains surround 
 me, and ye gods behold, and all the goddesses, yet 1 would 
 sleep near golden Venus.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, and laughter arose among the immortal 
 gods. But laughter did not possess Neptune; but he constant¬ 
 ly entreated the illustrious artificer Vulcan, that he would 
 loose Mars : and addressing him, spoke winged words : “ Loose 
 him ; and I pi'omise that he shall pay, as thou commandest, 
 all the things that are proper among the immortal gods.” 
 
 But him illustrious Vulcan addressed in turn: “ Do not, 0 
 earth-shaking Neptune, command me these things. Wretch¬ 
 ed indeed are the sureties to be received for the bad.^^ How 
 
 tpioinniQ, tpi ovr]<yaQ tovq avdptbTTovg, ptyaXwiptXrjg, TroXvw^kXtjg. 
 
 Sehol. Cf. Alberti on Hcsvch. t. i. 1432. 
 
 ¥ 
 
 On tliis sentiment respecting the hesivenly bestowal of “every good 
 gift,” see Duport, Gnoin. lioin. p. 190, and Earth, on Gratius, Cyneg. 1. 
 
 Tig = one to another. 
 
 ^ I follow Loewe, understanding ^(iXat p u^crrt iyyvaaOai, in the sense 
 of Xap-jiavtiv tyyvag, as Eustathius rightly says. 
 
3.)2—391.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. Vm. 
 
 109 
 
 could I oblige you, among the immortal gods, if Mars should 
 go away, having escaped the debt and the chain V’ 
 
 But him Earth-shaking Neptune addressed in turn: “ O 
 Vulcan, even t^jough Mars, escaping from the debt, should go 
 away flying, I myself will pay thee these things.” 
 
 But him illustrious V'^ulcan immediately answered: “It is 
 not possible, nor is it meet to reject thy word.” 
 
 Thus speaking, the might of Vulcan loosed the chain. 
 When they were loosed from the chain, although it was 
 strong, both rushing forth immediately, he (Mars) went to 
 Thrace, but she, the laughter-loving Venus, came to Cyprus, 
 to Paphos, where is her grove and incensed altar: here the 
 Graces washed her, and anointed her with immortal oil, such 
 as glosses over the gods who exist forever: and they put beau¬ 
 tiful garments around her, a marvel to behold. 
 
 Tliese things the illustrious bard sang; and Ulysses was 
 delighted in liis mind as he heard it, and also the other Phas- 
 acians who use long oars, illustrious sailors. But Alcinous 
 com-manded Halius and J.iaodamas to dance alone, since no 
 one rivaled them. When then they had taken the beautiful 
 purple ball in their hands, which skillful Polybus made for 
 them, one of them, bent backward, tlirew it toward the shad¬ 
 owy clouds ; and the other, having raised himself on high from 
 the earth, easily laid hold of it, before he reached the ground 
 with his feet. But when they had made trial with the ball 
 straight upward, tliey afterward danced on the fi’uitful earth, 
 frequently throwing it from one to another, and the other 
 youths applauded, standing in the ring; and a great noise arose 
 under [tlieir feet]. Then divine Ulysses addressed Alcinous: 
 
 “ O king Alcinous, most illustrious of all the people, you 
 certainly engaged-^ that you were the best dancers, and cer¬ 
 tainly these things liave been accomplished; astonishment 
 possesses me as I behold.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and the sacred might of Alcinous re¬ 
 joiced ; and he immediately addi’essed the oar-loving Pluca- 
 cians: “ Listen, ye leaders and rulers over the Phaiacians, 
 the stranger seems to me to be very prudent. But come, let 
 us give him a present of hospitality, as is just; for twelve ex¬ 
 cellent princes rule, chieftains among the peo]de, and I myself 
 
 ® Literally, “threatened,” which wo sometimes say in English, with 
 a jocular meaning. 
 
no 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 r391—130 
 
 am the thirteentli; of whom do each of you bring a well- 
 washed vail, and a tunic, and a talent of precious gold. And 
 let us all together immediately bring them, that the stranger, 
 having them in his hands, may go to supper rejoicing in his 
 mind: but let Euryalus appease him with words and a pres¬ 
 ent ; since he did not speak rightly.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they all praised, and ordered it; and 
 each of them dispatched a herald to fetch the gifts; but him 
 Euryalus answered, and addressed in turn: 
 
 “ 0 king Alcinous, most illustrious of all the people, there¬ 
 fore I will appease the stranger, as thou commandest; I will 
 give him this all-brazen sword, whose hilt is silver, and a 
 scabbard of newly-sawn ivory is set around it; and it will be 
 worth much to him.” 
 
 Thus saying, he placed the silver-studded sword in his 
 hands, and speaking winged words, addressed him : 
 
 “ Hail, O father stranger; and if any grievous word has 
 been uttered, may the storms, having snatched it up immedi¬ 
 ately, carry it away; but to thee may the gods grant both to 
 behold thy wife, and to reach thy country ; since thou art suf¬ 
 fering misfortunes a long time away from friends.” 
 
 But him much-plann’ng Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 ‘‘Much hail thou also, friend, and may the gods give thee 
 happiness ; nor mayest thou hereafter at all have regi-et for 
 this sword, which thou hast given me, appeasing me with 
 words.” 
 
 He spoke, and girt about his shoulders the silver-studded 
 sword; and the sun set, and the famous gifts were present 
 for him. And the noble heralds bore them to [the house] 
 of Alcinous; and the sons of illustrious Alcinous having re¬ 
 ceived them, placed the very beautiful gifts near their vener¬ 
 able mother. And the sacred might of Alcinous led the way 
 for them, and coming they sat on lofty thrones ; then truly 
 mighty Alcinous addressed Arete: 
 
 “Hither, lady, bring a handsome cheT, whichever is best; 
 and in it place a well-washed cloak, and a tunic; and warm 
 for him a bi-azen vessel with fire, and heat water, that both 
 having washed himself, and having seen all the presents 
 ])laced in order, which the illustrious Phaiacians have brought 
 liere, he may be delighted both with the banquet, and by 
 hearing the chant of song: and I will give him this my cup. 
 
430—4G5.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIIL 
 
 in 
 
 very beautiful, golden, that remembering me all his days, he 
 may pour fortli libations in his palace, both to Jove and the 
 other gods.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and Arete told her handmaidens, T^itli all 
 haste to place a large tripod on the fire. And they placed 
 a three-footed laver on the bright fire; and poured water in 
 it, and taking wood kindled it beneath. The fire encircled 
 the belly-^^ of the tripod, and the water was warmed. But 
 in the mean while Arete brouglit out of her chamber a very 
 beautiful chest for the stranger, and placed in it handsome 
 presents, a garment, and gold, which the Plneacians gave 
 him; and in it she put a cloak and beautiful tunic, and 
 speaking, addressed to him winged words: 
 
 “ Thyself now look to the lid, and quickly put a chain 
 upon it,'^^ lest any one should defraud thee on thy way, when 
 again thou sleepest sweet slumber, going in the black ship.” 
 
 But when much-enduring divine Ulysses heard this, he 
 immediately fitted on the lid, and quickly put upon it a va¬ 
 rious chain, which venerable Circe sometime taught him in 
 Ids mind. And the housekeeper bade him forthwith wash 
 himself, having gone into the bathing-tub : and he gladly in 
 liis mind beheld the warm bath; because he had not been at 
 all used to take care of himself since he left the dwelling of 
 the fair-haired Calypso; but so long at least care of himself 
 was continual to him, as to a god. When therefore the hand¬ 
 maidens had washed and anointed him \\ ilh oil, and had 
 thrown about him a beautiful mantle and tunic, having gone 
 out of the bath, he went to the men who were drinking wine ; 
 but Nausicaa, possessing beauty from the gods, stood b}^ a 
 pillar of the well-made roof; and she admired Ulysses, seeing 
 him with her eyes, and S])eaking she addressed to him winged 
 words: “Farewell, stranger, that sometime being in thy pa¬ 
 ternal land thou mavest remember me, that thou owest to me 
 first the debt of preservation of thy life.” 
 
 But lier much-counseling Ulysses addressed in answer; 
 “ Nausicaa, daughter of strong-hearted Alcinous, thus now 
 may Jove, the mighty-sounding husband of Juno, grant to 
 
 •* Or the lower part, rot' TTvO/xiva. Schol. 
 
 “ In ancient times it was the custom to secure boxes with straps. 
 Keys were a more modern invention.” Eustath. 
 
112 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 [4G6—503. 
 
 me both to go home, and to see the day of my return : then 
 tliere also to thee, as to a deity, would 1 pray still all my 
 days; for thou hast saved my life, O damsel.” 
 
 He spoke, and sat on a throne near king Alcinous. And 
 tliey now both divided the shares [of the feast], and mixed 
 wine. And a herald came near, bringing the harmonious 
 bard, Demodocus, honored by the people; and he sat him in 
 the midst of the feasters, having propped him against a lofty 
 column. Then indeed much-planning Ulysses addressed th4 
 herald, having first cut off [a portion] from tlie back ; and 
 a great part of a white-tusked swine was left, and rich fat 
 was about it. 
 
 ‘‘ Herald, take and give this flesh to Demodocus, that he 
 may eat; and I will embrace him, although grieved. For by 
 all earthly men bard i are allotted honor and respect, because 
 indeed the Muse has taught them songs, and loves the tribe 
 of bards.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the herald, bringing it, placed it in 
 the hands of the hero Demodocus; and he received it and re¬ 
 joiced in his mind. And they stretched forth their hands to 
 the food which lay ready before them. Dut when they had 
 taken awav the desire of drinking and eating, then truly 
 much-planning Ulysses addressed Demodocus : 
 
 “ O Demodocus, I indeed praise thee above all mortals; 
 either the Muse, child of Jove, has taught thee, or Apollo at 
 least; for thou singest well in order the fate of the Aclueans, 
 both what things they did, and suffered, and what things the 
 Achaeans labored ; as if perchance cither being thyself pres¬ 
 ent, or having heard from another. l>ut come now, change 
 [the strain] and sing the preparation of the wooden horse, 
 which Epeus made with Minerva, which divine Ulysses for¬ 
 merly brought into the citadel, a stratagem, having filled it 
 with men who sacked Ilium. If indeed thou shouldst tell 
 me these things in order, 1 will immediately tell to all men, 
 how a kind god has bestowed on thee divine song.” 
 
 Thus lie spoke ; and he, inspired by the god, began, and 
 showed forth his song, taking it from tlience, how the Argives, 
 some indeed having embarked in the well-benched ships, sailed 
 away, having hurled fire into their tents ; ami others now were 
 sitting around all-famous Ulysses in the forum ot the Irojans, 
 
504—543.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. VIII. 
 
 lid 
 
 being covered in the horse; for the Trojans themselves had 
 drawn it into the citadel. Thus it stood and they sitting 
 about it spoke many undecided things; and counsel pleased 
 them three ways, either to cut through the hollow wood with 
 tlie hard brass, or having dragged it to a .summit, to cast it 
 down the rocks, or to permit the great image to be a propitia¬ 
 tion of the gods, as it was even afterward about to be brought 
 to pass. For it was fated that it should perisli, when the city 
 sliould cover around^* a great wooden horse, where all the 
 best of the Argives sat, bearing slaughter and Fate to the 
 Trojans. And he sang how the sons of the Greeks destroyed 
 the city, being poured forth from the horse, having left tlie 
 hollow ambush. He sang that one laid wasters the lofty city 
 in one way, and another in another; but that Ulysses, like 
 IMars, went to the house of Deiphobus with godlike Menelaus. 
 There indeed he said, that he, having dared a very fierce bat¬ 
 tle, conquered afterward by means of strong-hearted Minerva. 
 Tliese things, then, the very famous bard sang; but Ulysses 
 was melted, and a tear moistened his cheeks under his eye¬ 
 lids. And as a woman weeps falling about her dear husband, 
 who falls before his own city and people, warding off the fa¬ 
 tal day from his town and children ; she indeed, gazing on him 
 dying and gasping, spread about him laments shrilly; but 
 they behind smiting her with spears on the back and the 
 slioulders, lead her into captivity, to have both toil and ca¬ 
 lamity, and with most ])iteous grief her cheeks fade. 8 a. 
 Ulysses })oured a piteous tear from under his eyebrows. 
 Then indeed he escaped tlie notice of all the others, pouring 
 forth tears, but Alcinous alone observed and perceived him, 
 sitting near him, and heard him mourning heavily; and im¬ 
 mediately addressed the oar-loving Phaiacians : 
 
 “ Hear, ye leaders and rulers over the Phaeacians, and let 
 Demodocus now stop his clear-toned harp; for somehow he 
 docs not sing these things gratifying to all. From the time 
 when we were supping, and the divine bard began, from this 
 time the stranger has not by any means ceased from mournful 
 grief; some great sorrow surrounds his mind ; but come,let him 
 stop, that we may all alike be delighted, hosts and guests; since 
 
 Compare Virg. Ain. ii. 31, sqq.; Petron. Arb. § 123; Eurip. Troad, 
 540, sqq. ; Tryphiodor. 238, sqq. 
 
 i. e. contain. Literally, “lopped, cropped down.” 
 
114 
 
 ODYSSEY. YIII. 
 
 [544—580. 
 
 thus it is much more honorable. For these things are prepared 
 on account of the venerable stranger, an escort, and grateful 
 presents, which we entertaining [him] bestow on him. The 
 stranger and suppliant is considered in the place of a bi’other 
 by a man who partakes of understanding even a little. Do thou 
 therefore now not conceal by crafty thoughts what I shall ask 
 thee ; but it is better that thou shouldst say. Tell the name, 
 whatever both thv mother and father there called thee, and oth- 
 ers who dwell in and around the city ; - for no one of men is al¬ 
 together nameless, neitlier bad nor good, since he was first born, 
 but parents give [names] to all, when they bring them forth. 
 And tell me thy land, and people, and city: that our ships 
 calculating in thought'^ may conduct thee thither. For there 
 are no pilots for the Phieacians, nor are there rudders at all, 
 which other ships have ; but they themselves ken the thoughts 
 and minds of men. And they ken the cities and rich fields of 
 all men ; and very swiftly pass over the ridge of the sea, cov¬ 
 ered with darkness and a cloud ; nor is there fear at any time 
 for tliem, that they will be either liarmed at all or perish. 
 Put I have heard my father Nausithoiis sometime telling these 
 things thus, who said that Neptune was indignant with us, 
 because we are harmless conductors of all. lie said that he 
 would sometime destroy a well-worked ship of the Fliacacian 
 men returning from a conduct on the shadowy sea, and that 
 a great mountain [of waves]^^ should cover around our city. 
 Thus the old man spoke; which things the god will either 
 accomplish, or they will be not accomplished, as is grateful to 
 his mind. But come, tell me this and inform me truly, both 
 whither thou hast wandered, and to what lands of men thou 
 hast come; both themselves and their well-inhabited cities. 
 And how many are both cruel, and rough, and not just; and 
 who [are] hospitable, and have a mind which regards the gods. 
 Say too at what thou weepest, and art grieving within thine 
 heart, on healing the calamity of the Argives, Danaans, and 
 Ilium. That [calamity] the gods indeed devised, and destined 
 destruction for men, that it may be a [subject of] song even to 
 
 These “thinking ships” of Homer’s are almost as clever as tlie 
 “ pro])liesying Argo” of Valerius Flaccus, i. 2. 
 
 ° Virg. JEn. i. lOt), “ pneruptns aqi‘« mons.” Ovid, Trist. i. 2, 19, 
 “quanto montes volvnntnr aquarnm ii. 10, 20, “ Inque modum tumu* 
 li concava snrgit aqua.’’ 
 
 t 
 
581—58G. IX. 1—21.] ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 115 
 
 posterity. Has indeed some relation of thine perished before 
 ilium, who was brave, a son-in-law, or father-in-law, who are 
 nearest to us after both our own blood and race ? Or per¬ 
 chance even some man thy companion, knowing things pleas¬ 
 ing to thee, brave; since he indeed is not at all inferior to a 
 brother, who, being a companion, kens what is prudent.” 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Ulysses begins the narrative of his adventures. He relates how lie 
 fought with tlie Ciconians, and destroyed Ismarus; that he then came 
 to the Lotophagi; and afterward to the land of the Cyclops; where 
 he was shut up in the cave of Polyphemus, who devoured six of his 
 companions; but that after he had intoxicated him with wine, he 
 blinded him while asleep, and escaped with the rest of his companions. 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer : “ O 
 king Alcinous, thou most illustrious of all the people, of a 
 truth it is a fine thing to listen to such a bard as he is, like 
 unto the gods in his voice ; for I do not think there is any 
 event^ more delightful, than when joy possesses a whole 
 people, and the banqueters sitting in order through a house 
 listen to a baixl; and near them tables are filled with bread 
 and meat; and the cup-bearer drawing wine from a bowl, 
 carries it, and pours it into the cups; this seems to me in my 
 mind to be sometliing most excellent. But thy mind has 
 turned to imjuire concerning my sad griefs, that still more 
 lamenting I may mourn. What first, indeed, what next, and 
 what last of all sliall I relate For the heavenly gods have 
 given me many griefs, l^ut now I first will tell my name, 
 tliat ye both may know ; and that I hereafter, having csca])ed 
 from a cruel day,^ may be a host unto you, although inhabit¬ 
 ing houses at a distance. 1 am Ulysses, the son of Laertes, 
 wlio am an object of attention to men in all kinds of craft, 
 and my fame i*eaches heaven. And I inhabii Ithaca, well 
 situated tovvard the west; and in it there is a mountain, 
 
 * rsXoc appears to luean nothing more than “thing, event.” See 
 Casaub. on Athcn. ii. 3. 
 
 " i, e. death. 
 
116 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 [22—54. 
 
 Neritus, leaf-shaking, ^ very conspicuous ; and around it there 
 are many islands very near to one another, Dulichium, and 
 Samos, and woody Zacynthus ; but it lies low, the highest* in 
 the sea toward the west (but those that are separated from 
 it [lie] toward the east and the sun), craggy, but a good 
 nourisher of youths; I can not at all behold any thing else 
 sweeter than this island. Certainly, indeed. Calypso, divine 
 one of goddesses, kept me away from thence [in her hollow 
 caves, desiring that I should be her husband] so in like 
 manner did ^icean Circe, crafty, detain me in her palace, de¬ 
 siring that I should be her husband; but they did not at all 
 persuade the mind in my breast. Since nothing is sweeter than 
 one’s own country and one’s parents, although one should in¬ 
 habit a wealthy house at a distance, in a foreign land, far from 
 one’s parents. But come, I will tell also of my very toilsome 
 return, which Jove sent upon me when I went from Troy. 
 
 “ The wind bearing me from Ilium made me approach the 
 Ciconians in Ismarus; and there I laid waste the city, and 
 destroyed them.® And taking their wives and many pos¬ 
 sessions out of the city, we divided them, that no one might 
 go deprived of an equal share, dlien indeed I ordered that 
 we should fly with a moist foot but they very foolish did 
 not obey me. There they drank much wine, and slew many 
 sheep near the shore, and beeves curve-footed, bent-horn. 
 But in the mean time the Ciconians going called upon the 
 Ciconians, who were their neighbors, both more in numher, 
 and braver, who inhabit the continent, knowing how to fight 
 with men from horses, and, Avhen there is need, being on foot. 
 Then they came in the morning, as many in number as are tlic 
 leaves and flowers in spring; tlien at length evil fate from Jove 
 stood over ill-fated us, that we sjiould suffer many griefs. And 
 having placed themselves [in array], they engaged in battle 
 
 ^ i. e. woody. 
 
 * TrawTrepTcirt] is to be explained ])y the fact that the sea at a distance 
 ^eems to rise ; hence the island farthest seemed higher than the nearest. 
 Strabo, k. p. 454, quoted by Eustath., had a glinqise of the meaning. 
 See my note oti riiil. 513, and Arnold on Thucyd. i. 112. G. Burges. 
 
 * A very doubtful verse. ® 'I'lie Ciconians. 
 
 ^ There are different ways of cxjdainiug this word; the most probable 
 wav of taking it seems to be that chosen bv the Scholiast, tiulh a moi^t 
 foot^ metaphorically for in a ship. Old Transl. The same view is 
 adopted by Loewe and Ernesti. 
 
55—83.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 117 
 
 near tiie swift sliips, and struck one another with brass-tipped 
 spears. Wliile it was morning, and sacred day grew on, so long 
 we remained, warding them off, although they were more in 
 number; but when the sun changed its journey toward even¬ 
 ing,® then at length the Ciconians, subduing the Ach^eans, put 
 them to flight. Six well-greaved companions out of each ship 
 perished; but the rest of us escaped death and fate. And from 
 thence we sailed forward sorrowing in our heart, rejoicing [at 
 our own escape] from death, having lost our dear companions. 
 Nor yet^ did my ships rolling on both sides proceed, before 
 we thrice cried out to each one^® of our wretched compan¬ 
 ions, who died in the plain, slain by the Ciconians. And 
 cloud-compelling Jove stirred up a north wind against our 
 ships, with a divine whirlwind, and he covered the earth and 
 the sea together with clouds; and night arose from heaven. 
 They then were borne along to leeward, and the force of the 
 wind rent their sails in three and four places. And these^^ 
 we let down into the ships, dreading destruction, and w'e drew 
 tliern^^ eagerly forward to the continent. There two nights 
 and two days we lay continually, consuming our mind at the 
 same time both with toil and griefs: but when at length fair¬ 
 haired morning brought about the third day, having set up 
 our masts, and drawn up our white sails, we sat dowm ; and 
 the wind and the helmsman guided them straight along. And 
 now I should have reached my paternal land unharmed, but 
 the billow and the stream and the north wind thrust me away 
 as I was doubling Malea, and made me wander to Cythera. 
 And from thence I was carried for nine days over the fishy 
 sea by baleful winds; but on the tenth we came upon the 
 
 ® Literally, “toward the time when oxen are loosed from labor.” 
 Euttm. Lcxil. p. 89, observes: “this is in truth a great and beautiful 
 idea, fall of spirit and meaning; the moment at which it may be su])- 
 j)Osed, that in the whole agricultural world the wearied steer is loosed 
 from his daily labor.” Cf. Ileliodor. Ethiop. ii. p. 91, ed. Bourd. Kai 
 yv fitv ojpa Trepi (SovXvtov ydy. Ilesychius interprets it, j) d(i\7i, uipa, iv 
 y TO uporpov Xvtraiy rutv iSowv. 
 
 ® dpa is emphatic. See Clarke. 
 
 Join fKaarov riva, not, as the former prose translator supj)Osed, riva 
 dvaai. f)n the custom here mentioned see Virg. yEii. iii. 07, “animam- 
 <pie sepulero eondimus, et magna sujjremum voce eiemus. ” vi. 50G, “ et 
 magna manes ter voce voeavi.” Cf. Eur. Suppl. 773, 804. Alcest. 625, 
 witli my notes on the former })assage, t. i. ji. 331, ed. Bohn. 
 
 “ Tiie sails. ^ The shijts. 
 
118 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 5^84—110. 
 
 land of the Lotopliagi, Avho eat flowers as food. There then 
 we landed on the continent, and drew water; and immediate¬ 
 ly my companions took supper near the swift ships. But 
 when we had tasted of meat and drink, then at length I sent 
 my companions, having chosen two men, giving a herald as 
 third,in company with them, to go'^ and impure, what men 
 they were who eat food upon the land. But they, going 
 immediately, were mingled with the Lotus-eating men: nor 
 did the Lotopliagi devise destruction for our companions, but 
 they gave them to taste of the lotus. But whoever of them 
 ate of the pleasant food of the lotus, he no longer wished to 
 bring back news, nor to return, but they preferred to remain 
 there with the Lotopliagi eating lotus, and to be forgetful of 
 return. Them indeed weeping I by force led to the ships, 
 and dragging, bound them under the benches in the hollow 
 sliips. liut I exhorted my other beloved companions, to hast¬ 
 en and embark on the swift ships, lest by chance any one 
 eating of the lotus, should be forgetful of return. But they 
 immediately embarked, and sat down on the benches ; and 
 sitting in order they smote the hoary sea with their oars. 
 
 “And from thence W'e sailed forward, sorrowing at heart: 
 and we came to the land of the monstrous^^ Cyclops, who 
 have no laws, who, trusting in the immortal gods, neither plant 
 a plant^® with their hands, nor plow: but all these things un-* 
 sown, untilled, spring up, wheat and barley, and vines, Avhich 
 bear wine from large clusters, and the shower from Jove nour~ 
 ishes them. Among them [there are] neither assemblies for 
 consulting, nor rights: but they inhabit the summits of lofty 
 mountains in hollow caves; and every one gives judgment 
 to his children and wives; nor do they care for one another. 
 There a long’' island is stretched out from the haven of the 
 
 I am unwilling to deprive my readers of tlio following brilliant 
 speeimen of accurate construing found in the old and (most wisely) 
 anonymous prose translation, “giving a herald to the third." And yet 
 Eustathius had written, iraipoi dOo (TTsWovraL kui rpiTarog Kt)pv^. 
 
 “ On the Lotopliagi the student will find very cojiious and interesting 
 information in the notes of Loewe on this passage, and of l)e Piiiedo on 
 Steph. Byz. v. X^roepopoq, p. 432. 
 
 ^ Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 514, where he regards the Cyclops as “mon¬ 
 strous children of nature, who needed no social or legal relations among 
 themselves, and consequently did not acknowledge them toward others.” 
 
 “ An antiquated and somewhat oriental style of repetition. 
 
 ’’ See Ernesti. I myself should }»refer the reading preserved in Eust?.^ 
 
117—158.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 119 
 
 land of the Cyclops, not very near, nor far off, woody: and 
 in it wild goats are produced in boundless number ; for the 
 step of men does not interfere with them : nor do hunters, wlio 
 undergo toils in the wood, searching the tops of mountains, 
 go over it. It is neither kept by docks, nor by plowings, 
 but itself, for all days unsoAvn and untilled, is bereft of men^ 
 and feeds bleating goats. For the Cyclops have not vermil- 
 ion-prowed ships, nor are there men among them builders 
 of ships, who can make well-benched ships, which would per¬ 
 form every thing, going to the cities of men : as frequently 
 men, w!io have prepared for themselves a well-inhabited isl¬ 
 and, pass in ships over the sea, one to another: for it is not 
 at all bad, but would produce every thing in season. For 
 there are in it watery, soft meadows, near the banks of the 
 hoary sea; and the vines would be very unperishable. And 
 in it the tillage is light; and 'they would always reap a deep 
 harvest in season, since the soil is very rich below. And 
 there is a haven with a good station, Avhere there is no need 
 of cable, nor to cast anchors, nor to bind the hawsers, but driv¬ 
 ing in to remain so long, until the mind of the sailors should 
 excite them, and the winds should blow. But at the head of 
 the haven flows clear water, a fountain from under a cave ; 
 and around poplars spring up. There we sailed, and some 
 deity conducted us through the dark night; nor did it ap¬ 
 pear so as to be seen. For there was a dense mist about 
 the ships, nor did the moon shine from heaven, for it was 
 covered with clouds; from thence no one beheld the island 
 with his eyes; nor did we perceive the long waves rolling tc 
 the beach, before the well-benched ships struck against it. 
 But when the ships struck, we took down all the sails, and wo 
 ourselves disembarked upon the shore of the sea; there hav¬ 
 ing fallen asleep, we awaited divine morning. But when the 
 mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, appeared, admiring the 
 island we went round ^bout it. And the nymphs, the daugh¬ 
 ters of Aiigis-bearing Jove, roused the mountain-dwelling goats, 
 that my companions might take their meal. Immediately 
 we took our bent l)Ows and long-pointed javelins from the 
 ships ; and arrayed in three bands, we struck them ; and the 
 sleity straightway gave us a strength-recruitiug prey. Twelve 
 
 thins, t\f'ixiia = t\nxt*yrt]. There is, however, p;reat uncertainty both re¬ 
 specting the orthogrnpliy and tlie meaning of tliis word. 
 
120 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 [159—198. 
 
 sliips indeed followed me, and to each nine goats were allot¬ 
 ted ; and they selected ten for me alone. Thus,,then, during 
 the whole day, until the setting sun, we sat feasting on much 
 desh and sweet wine. For the ruby wine was not yet ex¬ 
 pended from the ships, but was in [them] : for each of us 
 drew much in kegs, when we captured the sacred citadel of the 
 Ciconians. And we looked to the land of the Cyclops, who 
 were near, and [perceived]^® smoke, and their voice, and that 
 of sheep and goats.^® But when the sun set and darkness 
 came on, then at length we went to rest on the shore of the 
 sea : but when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, ap¬ 
 peared, then I, having made an assembly, spoke among all: 
 ‘ Do ye others, my beloved companions, now remain, but I, 
 with my own ship and my companions, will go, and make 
 trial of these men who they are, whether they are insolent, 
 and wild, nor just; or are hospitable, and their mind is god¬ 
 like.’ Thus having spoken, I embarked in my ship; and com¬ 
 manded my companions both to embark themselves, and to 
 loose the hawsers. But they immediately embarked, and sat 
 down on the benches; and sitting in order, they smote the 
 hoary sea with their oars. But when indeed w’e came to the 
 countiy near at hand, there we beheld a cave on the extreme 
 part [of the land], .near the sea, lofty, covered with laurels; 
 there much cattle, both sheep and goats, w^ere sleeping; and 
 around a lofty hall was built with stones dug out of the earth, 
 and tall pines, and lofty-tressed oaks. There a monstrous man 
 was sleeping, who was pasturing his cattle alone at a distance; 
 nor did he herd with others, but being apart (by himself) he 
 kenned lawless things. And truly he was a monstrous prodigy ; 
 nor was he like unto a man who feeds on bread, but unto the 
 woody top of lofty mountains, when it appears alone [separated] 
 from others. Then indeed 1 ordered my other beloved com¬ 
 panions to remain there near the ship, and to draw up the ship; 
 but I, having chosen twelve the best o^^my companions, went. 
 And I had a goat’s skin of black wine, pleasant, which INIa- 
 ron, son of Euanthes, priest of Apollo, who guarded-^ Ismarus, 
 
 On this zeuf^ma, iXtvaao^tv — ^Boyyrjv, see my note on yBsch. Prom, 
 p. 2, n. 7, ed. Bolin. 
 
 On this subsequent story of the Cyclops Euripides has grounded a 
 Satiric Drama of the same name. See the note to my translation ef 
 Euripides, t. ii. p. 288, n. 4, ed. Bohn. 
 
 Or, “presided over,’* Cf. Tl. i. 37, 
 
198—230.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 121 
 
 gave me: because, reverencing him, we saved him with his 
 children and his wife; for he dwelt in the woody grove of 
 Phoebus Apollo; he therefore gave unto me illustrious pres¬ 
 ents ; he gave to me indeed seven talents of well-wrought 
 gold; and he gave me a cup all silver; but besides drawing 
 wine in twelve casks in all, pleasant, unadulterated, a divine 
 drink; nor did any of his servants know of it, nor his hand¬ 
 maidens in his house, but himself and his dear wife, and his 
 one housekeeper alone. But when he drank this sweet ruby 
 wine, filling one cup, he poured in it up to twenty measures 
 of water; and a sweet odor wafted from the cup, divine; then 
 it would by no means have been agreeable to abstain. Hav¬ 
 ing filled a large skin with this, I carried it, and provisions 
 in a satchel; for my noble mind immediately conjectured, that 
 a man would come endued with great might, wild, not well 
 acquainted with justice, nor rights. And we quickly reached 
 the cave, nor did we find him within ; but he was pasturing 
 his cattle in the rich pasture. And coming to the cave we 
 regarded every thing; his presses indeed were filled with 
 cheeses, and his pens were straightened with lambs -and kids ; 
 And each were shut up separate; the older ones apart, and 
 the middle-aged apart,and again the tender ones^' apart; and 
 all his vessels swam with cream, his milk pails, and bowls, 
 wrought, into which he milked. Then my companions first 
 of all besought me with words, that we should go back, hav¬ 
 ing taken some of his cheeses; but afterward, quickly driving 
 kids and lambs from the pens to the swift ship, to sail over 
 the briny water. But I did not obey them (it would indeed 
 have been much better), in order that I might both see him, 
 and whether he would give me hospitable presents. Nor was 
 he about to be, when he appeared, agreeable to my compan¬ 
 ions. But there havino; li<>:htc(l a fire we sacrificed ; and we 
 too taking of the cheeses ate ; and we waited for him, sitting 
 within until he came, having pastured [lus flocks]; but ho 
 was bearing a vast weight of dry wood, that it might serve 
 as a light for him at supper.And throwing it without the 
 cave, he made a clamor; and we, afraid, rushed to the inner- 
 
 Literally, ‘ flew-like,” at vfoyvtH kuI uTraXal kuI dpoaojdtic. Cf. 
 Aisch. Ag. 141. Diiul. with Bloomfield’s note. 
 
 -- So tlio Selioliast exidains TroTidopTriot;, which literally means “ use- 
 tnl at supper.’’ 
 
 
122 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 [230—27a 
 
 most part of the cave. But he drove all the fatted flocks, 
 whatever he milked, into the wide cave, but the males he left 
 at the door, both rams and goats, outside the deep hall. But 
 then lifting up a large barrier on high, he fixed it, of great 
 weight: two-and-twenty good wains, with four wheels, would 
 not have moved it from the threshold, such a lofty^^ rock did 
 he place at the door. And sitting down he milked the sheej) 
 and bleating goats all rightly, and he set its young one under 
 each. But immediately, having thickened half of the white 
 milk, collecting it into woven sieves he laid it aside ; and then 
 he put half in vessels, that it might be for him to drink when 
 he wished, and might be useful at supper. But after he had 
 hastened in performing his employments, then he lighted a 
 fire, and saw and inquired of us : 
 
 “‘O strangers, who are ye? from whence do ye sail over 
 the moist ways ? AVhether on account of some business, or 
 do ye wander in vain ? as robbers over the sea, who wander, 
 exposing their lives, bringing evil to foreigners.’ 
 
 “Thus he S})oke; but our dear heart was broken doAvn, 
 fearing his heavy voice, and him a monster. But even so, 
 answering him with words, 1 addressed him: ‘We Grecians, 
 wandering from Troy with all kinds of winds over the mighty 
 ridge of the sea, on returning home, have come another jour¬ 
 ney, by other ways; so perhaps Jove wished to contrive. 
 But we profess ourselves to be the people of Agamemnon, son 
 of Atreus, Avhose renoAvn, noAv at least, is the greatest under 
 heaven : for he has sacked so mighty a city, and destroyed 
 [so] many people; but Ave coming to thy knees supplicate 
 thee, if thou Avouldst afford us hospitable entertainment, or 
 otherwise Avouldst give us a present, Avhich is the right of 
 strangers. But revere the gods, O best one; for AA^e are thy 
 suppliants. And hospitable Jove, Avho attends upon strangers 
 to be pitied, is the avenger of suppliants and strangers.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spokti; but he ansAvered me again Avith a cruel 
 mind: ‘ Yfo are foolish, O stranger, or ha\'e come from a dis¬ 
 tance, Avho command me cither to fear or avoid the gods; for 
 the Cyclo])S care not for A’lgis-boaring Jove, nor the blessed 
 gods; since Ave are much superior to them. Nor Avould I, 
 avoiding the hatred of Jove, spare either thee or thy com- 
 
 Literally, “ suii-traversed.” 
 aprico.” 
 
 Virg. .<En. viii. 211, “ saxo occultabat 
 
279—317.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 123 
 
 panions, if my mind does not exhort me. But tell me, 
 where, when thou earnest, hast thou kept thy well-worked 
 ship; whether somewhere on the extreme part of the island, 
 or near, in order that I may know.’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke, trying me; nor did he escape me who 
 ken many things, but I addressed him in return with deceit¬ 
 ful words: ‘Earth-shaking Neptune has broken my ship, 
 dashing it against rocks, at the limits of thy land, driving it 
 against the headland: and a wind brought it from the sea; 
 but I with these escaped from bitter destruction.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but he answered me not at all with his 
 cruel mind; but he rushing, threw his hands on my compan¬ 
 ions, and snatching two together, like whelps, he dashed 
 them against the earth, and the brains flowed out on the 
 ground, and bedewed the earth. And cutting these up, limb 
 by limb, he made ready supper: and he ate like a mountain- 
 nurtured lamb, nor did he leave entrails or flesh, or marrowy 
 bones. But we weeping held up our hands to Jove, behold¬ 
 ing the cruel deeds; and despair possessed our mind. But 
 when the Cyclops had filled his enormous belly, eating men’s 
 lle^i, and drinking pure milk after it, he lay within the cave, 
 stretched out in the midst of the sheep. I indeed took coun¬ 
 sel in my strong-hearted mind, going near, having drawn my 
 sharp sword from my thigh, to wound him in the breast, 
 where the vitals contain the liver, reaching him with my 
 hand, but another consideration hindered me. For there we 
 also should have perished in dreadful destruction ; for we 
 should not have been able to thrust with our hands the im¬ 
 mense stone from the lofty gates, which he placed at them. 
 Thus then mourning, we waited for divine morning. But 
 when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, a])peared, 
 tljen he lighted a fire, and milked all Ins fine cattle rightly, 
 and set its young one under each. But after he had hastened 
 in performing his employments, he again snatching two to¬ 
 gether, made ready his meal. And having banqueted he drove 
 Ids rich cattle out from the cave, easily taking away tlie large 
 gate; but afterward he placed it back again, as if he were 
 placing the covet* on a quiver. And with much clamor the 
 ('yclops turned his rich cattle toward the mountain ; but I 
 was left dee])ly j)lanning evil things, if by any means 1 ndght 
 be revenged on Idu), and INIinerva would give me glory. But 
 
124 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 [318—351. 
 
 this plan appeared to me in my mind to be the best. For there 
 lay a vast club belonging to the Cyclops, near the fold, green, 
 of olive wood ; this he had cut, that he might carry it when 
 dried; this when we saw it we likened it [to be] as large as 
 is the masC^ of a twenty-oared black merchant vessel, wide, 
 wliich passes over the mighty ridge; so large it was in 
 length, and so large in width to behold. Of this I, standing 
 near it, cut otf as much as the length of a fathom, and gave it 
 to my companions, and ordered them to sharpen it at the end. 
 And they made it smooth ; and I standing near sharpened the 
 point, and immediately taking it, I burned it in the hot fire; 
 and I laid it aside well, hiding it under the dung, which was 
 spread in very large quantities in the cave. 13ut I ordered 
 the others to be settled by lot, whoever should dare with me, 
 raising the bar, to thrust it in his eye, when sweet sleep should 
 come upon him. And four were chosen by lot, whom even I 
 mvself would have wished to choose, and I was chosen the fifth 
 after them. And in the evening he came acting the shepherd 
 to his beautiful-haired cattle ; and immediately he drove all his 
 licli sheep into the wide cave; nor did he leave them at all 
 outside the deep liall, either suspecting something, or perhaps 
 a deity so commanded him. And afterward lie put up the 
 large barrier, raising it on high, and sitting down he milked 
 the sheep and bleating goats, all rightly, and he set its young 
 one under each. But after'he had hastened in performing 
 his employments, again snatching two together, he made ready 
 Ills supper; and then I addressed the Cyclops standing near 
 him, holding in my hands an ivy-wreathed^^ cup of black wine : 
 ‘ O Cyclops, take, drink wine, since thou hast eaten man's 
 flesh; that thou mayest know what this drink was which our 
 ship concealed; but to thee 1 have brought a libation, if pity- 
 ins; me thou wouldst send me home ; but tliou art ravins: in 
 a manner no longer to be endured. O cruel one, how dost 
 
 A common hyperbole. So Milton, Par. Lost, i. 292: 
 
 “His spear, to equal wliich the tallest jiine 
 Hewn on Norwegian hills, to he the mast 
 (If some great admiral, were but a wand.” 
 
 This seems to he the])ro])er interpretation of KKravjiiov. Cf. Kiess¬ 
 ling on Theocrit. ii. 27. Villois. on Ajioll. Lex. ]>. 400. ()thers supjiose 
 
 it to be a ciqi made of ivy avooiI. See jHberti on llesych. t. ii. p. 2G8. 
 
351—389.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 125 
 
 thou think any one else of many men would come to thee 
 hereafter, since thou hast not acted rightly?’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but he received it and drank it off: and 
 he was greatly pleased on drinking the sweet liquor; and he 
 again asked of me a second time : ‘ Kindly give me more, and 
 forthwith tell me thy name, that I may give thee a hospita¬ 
 ble gift, in which thou mayest rejoice. Tor the fruitful plain 
 bears for the Cyclops, wine that is produced from large clus¬ 
 ters, and the shower from Jove nourishes it. But this is what 
 comes of ambrosia and nectar.’ 
 
 “Thus he spoke ; and I again gave him dark wine; thrice 
 bearing it I gave it, and thrice he w ithout thought quaffed it. 
 But when the wine came about the mind^® of the Cyclops, 
 then at length I addressed him with mild words : ‘ O Cy¬ 
 clops, didst thou ask of me my name in common report ? I 
 will tell thee; but do thou give me a hospitable gift, as thou 
 didst promise: Ko-man^' is my name; my mother, and my 
 father, and all the rest of my companions call me No-man.’ 
 
 “ Tims I spoke; but he again answered me with a cruel 
 mind: ‘ No-man I will eat the last after his companions, but 
 the others first; this indeed shall be thy hospitable present.’ 
 
 “ He spoke, and reclining fell supine; but then he lay 
 slanting his fat neck ; and all-subduing sleep seized on him ; 
 and the wine and human gobbets rushed out of his throat; 
 and he, heavy with wine, belched. And then I drove the bar 
 under a great quantity of cinders, until it was Avarm; and I 
 encouraged all my companions with w^ords, lest any one fear¬ 
 ing should decline it. But when the bar of olive wood w^as 
 soon about to be kindled in the fire, although it Avas green, for 
 it shone very much, then I carried it near him from the fire, 
 and my companions stood around ; but a deity inspired them 
 with great courage. They, taking the bar of olive AA'ood, 
 sharp at the point, thrust it into his eye; but I raised abovo 
 on high moved it round ; as Avhen any man bores a timber 
 j)lank Avith an auger, but they beloAV, having bound it Avith a 
 thong on each side, move it, and it constantly runs round; 
 thus taking the fire-tipped bar AA^e moved it round in his eye, 
 and the blood flow'ed round it, being hot. And the A-apor 
 burned all his eye around, and his eyebroAvs, Avhen the pupil 
 
 *® Or, as w'e should say, “ got to his head.” 
 
 This is the only English translation that presciTes the equivoque. 
 
126 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 [390—428. 
 
 was burning; and the roots crackled with the lire. And as 
 when a brazier -dips a large hatchet or axe in cold water, 
 sounding greatly, tempering it (for this is the strength of steel); 
 so his eye hissed around the bar of olive wood. And he 
 howled very horribly; and the rock resounded about: and 
 we fearing hastened away; but he drew from his eye the bar 
 polluted with much blood; then raving he threw it from his 
 hands. But he called loudly to the Cyclops, who dwelt round 
 about him in caves throughout the windy promontories. And 
 tliey, having heard liis voice, came from different places; and 
 standing around the cave, inquired what afflicted liim. 
 
 “^llow, Polyphemus, hast thou so much hurt thus cried 
 out through the ambrosial night, and made us sleepless"? Is 
 any one of mortals driving away thy sheep against thy will? 
 or is some one killing thyself by deceit or by force ?’ But 
 tliem strong Polyphemus addressed in turn from the cave : 
 ‘ O my friends. No-man kills me by deceit, and not by force.’ 
 And tliey answering addressed to him winged words: 
 
 “ ‘ If indeed no man^® treats thee, who art such an one, 
 with violence, it is by no means possible to avoid a disease 
 from great Jove; yet do thou at least pray to thy father,^^ 
 king Neptune.’ 
 
 “Thus they spoke departing; but my dear heart laughed, 
 because my name and blameless counsel had deceived him. 
 But the Cyclops groaning, and travailing, on account of his 
 )iain, groping with his hands, took away the stone from the 
 door; but he sat within the gate, stretching out his hands, if 
 by chance he could lay hold of any one going out of the door 
 witli the sheep; for he expected that 1 was thus foolish in 
 my mind. But I consulted how it would be the best, if I 
 could discover any escape from death for my companions and 
 for mvself; and I wove all kinds of deceit and craft, as con- 
 cerning life, for a great evil was near at hand; and this coun¬ 
 sel seemed to me in my mind to be the best. 
 
 “The male sheep were well-nurtured, thick-tleeced, beauti¬ 
 ful, and large, having wool of a dark-violet color: these I si¬ 
 lently bound together with well-twisted osiers (on which the 
 Cyclops slept, vast, knowing in lawless things), taking three 
 
 Observe the i)un upon J^o-man and no man, ovng and /.njng. 
 
 ^ TTUTpl refers to the fact that I’olyphemus svas the son of Neptune by 
 the nymph Thoosa. Cf. i. 71, scpi. 
 
429—467.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 127 
 
 together; the one in the middle carried a man, but the other 
 two went on each.side, preserving my companions. And 
 three sheep carried each man ; but 1, for there was a ram, 
 far the best of all the cattle, laying hold of its back, having 
 rolled myself round under its shaggy belly; but being twisted 
 firmly with my hands to the excellent wool, I held to it with 
 an enduring mind; thus then mourning we awaited the di¬ 
 vine morning. 
 
 “But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, ap“ 
 peared, then the male cattle immediately rushed to the pas¬ 
 ture : and the unrnilked females bleated through the pens, for 
 their teats were distended; but the master, afflicted with evil 
 pains, felt the backs of all the sheep which stood upright; \)ut, 
 foolish one, he did not perceive that they-^® were bound under 
 the breasts of the fleecy sheep. The last ram of the cattle 
 was going out of the door, weighed down with the thick wool, 
 and with me who planned crafty things ; laying hold of this, 
 strong Polyphemus addressed him : 
 
 “ ‘Dear ram, why hast thou come thus the last of the cat¬ 
 tle out of the cave ? Before thou by no means earnest left 
 behind by the sheep, but much the first thou didst pasture 
 upon the tender flowers of gra.ss, stalking with large steps 
 and first reached the streams of rivers; and in the evening 
 thou didst desire to return first to the stall; now on the con¬ 
 trary thou art the last of all; dost thou regret the eye of thy 
 master? which an evil man has blinded, with his troublesome 
 companions, having subdued my mind with wine. No-man^ 
 whom I think has not yet esca})ed destruction. But if thou 
 hast a tliought for me, and wast able to speak, tell me where 
 he avoids my strength ; then in truth the brain of him dashed 
 here and tliere through the cave should flow on the ground: 
 and my heart would rest from the evils which No-man, a fel¬ 
 low of no value, has brought upon me.’ 
 
 “'J'hus speaking, he sent away the ram from him out of the 
 door. And coming a little way from the cave and the hall, X 
 first loosed myself from under the ram, and loosed my com¬ 
 panions. And we (juickly drove the long-legged cattle, rich 
 with fat, inclosing many, until we came to the ship ; and we, 
 vvlic had escaped death, appeared welcome to our dear com- 
 
 The comj){uiions of Ulysses. 
 
 Or perhaps, aji we should say, “stepping out well.” 
 
128 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 [468—504. 
 
 panions; but weeping they mourned for the others. But I 
 did not allow them to weep, but I nodded to each with my 
 eyebrows ; and I ordered them quickly, lifting the many beau¬ 
 tiful-haired cattle into the ship, to sail over the briny main. 
 They immediately embarked and sat down on the benches, 
 and sitting in order they smote the hoary sea with their oars. 
 But when I was so far distant, as one makes himself heard 
 shouting out, then I addressed the Cyclops with reproaches: 
 
 “ ‘ O Cyclops, thou wast not indeed destined to eat the 
 companions of a weak man in thy hollow cave, with strong 
 might. But truly thou wert destined to find thy evil deeds, 
 thoii cruel one ! Since thou didst not fear to eat strangers in 
 thine house ; therefore Jove and the other gods have been re¬ 
 venged upon thee.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke ; but he immediately was more wrath in 
 his heart; having broken off the top of a large mountain he 
 hurled it, and threw it before the black-prowed ship, [and it 
 wanted little to reach the extreme part of the rudder;] and 
 the sea was disturbed by the descending rock ; and a refluent 
 wave, an inundation from the sea, immediately bore the ves¬ 
 sel toward the shore, and made it approach so as to reach the 
 continent. But I, seizing with my hands a long pole, thrust 
 it away; and exhorting my companions, I commanded them 
 to lay on their oars, that we might escape from evil, nodding 
 with my head ; and they, falling forward, rowed. But when 
 at length we were twice^^ as far distant, having passed over 
 the sea, then too 1 addressed the Cyclops ; and my companions 
 • around hindered me, one here, one there, with mild words: 
 ‘ O foolish one, why dost thou wish to irrittite a fierce man'? 
 who even now has hurled a bolt into the sea, and driven our 
 ship again to the shore, and surely we thought that we should 
 perish there. But if he heard any one speaking or calling 
 out, he would dash our heads together, and our ship’s planks, 
 striking us with the rough marble ; for he throws so far.’ 
 
 “Thus they spoke, but they did not persuade my strong- 
 hearted mind, but I again addressed him with wrathful feel¬ 
 ings : ‘ O Cyclops, if any one of mortal men should inquire of 
 ihee about the unseemly blindness of thine eye, say that Ulys- 
 
 3;: ^^Thc seeniiiifj incontrniity of this line with line 473, is reconciled 
 by supposing tiiat Ulysses exerted his voice, naturally loud, in an ex> 
 traordinary manner on this second occasion.” Cowper. 
 
504—544.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. 
 
 129 
 
 ses, the sacker of cities, the son of Laertes, who possesses a 
 house in Ithaca, blinded thee.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke ; but he wailing answered me in discourse: 
 ‘ Alas, surely the oracles spoken of old are come upon me. 
 There was a certain prophet here, a good and great man, 
 Telemus Eurymedes, who excelled in prophesying, and he 
 grew old prophesying among the Cyclops. He told me that 
 all these things would hereafter be accomplished, that I should 
 be deprived of my sight by the hands of Ulysses. But I have 
 been still expecting that some large and beautiful man would 
 come here, clad in mighty strength. But now, one who is 
 little, worth nothing, and weak, has bereft me of my sight, 
 after he had subdued me with wine. But come hither, Ulys¬ 
 ses, that I may give thee hospitable presents, and may ui'ge 
 illustrious Neptune to give thee an escort; for I am his son, 
 and he professes to be my father: but he, if he shall be will¬ 
 ing, will cure me, nor any other either of the blessed gods or 
 mortal men.’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke ; but I answering addressed him : ‘ I wish 
 indeed 1 could send thee Avithin the house of Pluto, having 
 deprived thee of thy soul and life; so not even Neptune will 
 cure thine eye.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but he immediately prayed to king Nep¬ 
 tune, stretching forth his hands to the starry heaven: ‘Hear 
 me, O earth-containing, azure-haired Neptune, if I am truly 
 thine, and thou dost profess to be my sire, grant that Ulys¬ 
 ses, the sacker of cities, [the son of l.iaertes, who .possesses a 
 house in Ithaca,] may not reach home. But if it is a destiny 
 for him to behold his friends, and to come to his well-built 
 house, and his own paternal land, may he come late to his 
 -cost, having lost all his companions, on a foreign ship, and 
 may he hud calamities in his home.’ 
 
 “Thus he spoke praying; .iind he of azure hair heard him. 
 But he immediately raising a much larger stone, sent it whirl¬ 
 ing it round ; and he exerted enormous strength. And he 
 hurled it behind the dark-prowed ship, and it wanted little to 
 reach the extreme part of the rudder; and the sea was dis¬ 
 turbed by the descending rock. But it the wave bore for¬ 
 ward, and made it approach so as to reach the continent. 
 But when at length we reached the island where the other 
 well-benched ships remained together, and our companions 
 
 F 2 
 
130 
 
 ODYSSEY. IX. [545—5GG. x. 1—3. 
 
 sat around, weeping, still expecting us, when we came there, 
 we drew our ship up on the sands, and we ourselves disem¬ 
 barked on the shore of the sea. And taking the cattle of the 
 Cyclops from the hollow ship, we divided them, so that no 
 one might go deprived of an equal share. But when the 
 cattle were being divided, my weli-g)*eaved companions gave 
 the ram to me alone, as an especial mark of distinction ; and 
 sacrificing it on the shore to black-cloudy Jove, the son of 
 Saturn, who rules over all, 1 burned its thighs: but he re¬ 
 garded not my sacrifices, but meditated how all my well- 
 benched ships and my beloved companions might perish. 
 
 “ Thus then during the whole day until the setting sun we 
 sat feasting on quantities of flesh and sweet wine: but when 
 the sun went down, and darkness came on, then we slept on 
 the shore of the sea. But when the mother of dawn, rosy- 
 flngered morning, appeared, then I exhorting my companions 
 commanded them to embark, and to loose the hawsers; and 
 they quickly embarked and sat down on the benches. And 
 sitting in order they smote the hoary sea with their oars. And 
 from thence we sailed forward sorrowing in our heart, rejoic¬ 
 ing [at our escape] from death, having lost our dear compan¬ 
 ions. 
 
 BOOK X. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Ulysses continues his narrntivc, relating his arrival at the island of ^Eolns, 
 who gave him the winds bound up in a skin; which his companions 
 Tiutied, while he was asleep, liaving mistaken it for gold; and hence 
 his ships were driven by the winds back to ^Eolus, who rejected him 
 as an impious ])erson. He then tells of his arrival among the La'stry- 
 gonians, who destroyed all his iieet, exce})t his own ship with its crew. 
 Thence he came to the island of Circe, who transformed half his sailors 
 into swine; but, by the assistance of Mercury, he compelled the goddess 
 to restore them to their former sha])e. After si)ending a whole year 
 with Circe, by her advice, he prei)arcsJ;o go to the infernal regions. 
 
 “And we arrived at the iEolian island, and here dwelt 
 -ZEolus, son of llippotas, dear to the immortal gods, in a float¬ 
 ing^ island; but around the whole of it there is a brazen 
 
 ' Or “a circumnavigable island,” which is ])rcferred by Kiccius and 
 Erncsti, But cf. llcsych. v. ttXujti), Herod, ii, 12G, Thierseh, Gk. Gr. p. 
 
4-27.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 131 
 
 wall, not to be broken and a smooth rock runs up it; and 
 twelve children of him are born in his palace; six daughters, 
 and six sons in full vigor. There he gave his daughters^ to 
 be wives to bis sons. They always banquet near their dear 
 father and their good mother; and near them lie many dain¬ 
 ties. And the sweet-odored dwelling sounds around the hall 
 during the days, and at nights they sleep again near their 
 chaste wives, on tapestry, and on compact beds : and we came 
 indeed to their city and beautiful houses. And he entertained 
 me during a whole month, and inquired every thing, of Ilium, 
 and the .ships of the Argives, and the return of the Grecians; 
 and I told him all things rightly. But when at length I 
 asked for a journey, and desired him to send me, he did not 
 at {dl refuse, but prepared an escort, and having skinned a 
 bladder of an ox of nine years old, he gave it me, in which 
 he bound the ways of the blustering^ winds; for the son of 
 Saturn made him the keeper of the winds, both to still and 
 to raise whichever he wishes. And he bound it in the hol¬ 
 low ship with a shining silver rope, that not even a little 
 breath might escape. But for me he sent forward the blast 
 of the west wind to blow, that it might waft both my ships 
 and ourselves. Nor was he destined^ to accomplish it; for 
 we perished by our own infatuation. 
 
 4G3, seems to prefer tlie common explanation. But a passage ofDionys. 
 Biereg. 461, sqq., evidently imitated from Homer, favors Ernesti’s inter- 
 j)retation, where he says that the iEolian Isles are called TrXwrai, be¬ 
 cause f.dcr(Tov txovai TrtpirrXoov cip^tkXiKrov, which Eustathius there ex¬ 
 plains by on TTEpnrXiovTai. Cf. De Pinedo on Stejdi. Byz. p. 45. Quin¬ 
 tus Calaber, iii. 696, sqq., and xiv. 473, sqq., deserves to be compared 
 with Homer, whom he has imitated with some success. 
 
 ^ Observe the force of dpprjicToc. Cf. Alsch. Prom. 6, tv dppijKroic 
 
 TTiOitlQ. 
 
 ^ Figuratively, signifying the twelve winds, “quia venti facili commis- 
 centur, ” as Uiccius, p. 412, observes. It may be well to observe that 
 some authors make Avolus the son of Jove, others of Ne])tune. Cf. Serv. 
 on yEn. i. 56. Hyginus, Fab. 125, Poet. Astr. ii. 18, and Pliny, Hist, 
 N. vii. 56, make him the son of Hellen. 
 
 * The Scholiast explains ^vktuiov, that blow constant 1;/, or well-hlow- 
 inp, from the root liV (of. Liddell and Scott). I think there is a sort of 
 mixed sense, — densely filling the sails, dOpowg Trvtovnov kuI ttXtjpovv^ 
 Tiov r« icrria. Schol. Ambros. Cf. A])oll. lili. iii. 1327, ftvKTCuvv dvk- 
 ficDV fipupoQ. In a MS. Lexicon, quoted by Alberti on Hesych. p. 779, 
 it is inter])reted, “vahle resonantium,” like Virgil’s “luctantes ventos 
 tempesiatesque sonantes," Mn. i. 57. 
 
 * I can not understand the dilficulties raised about avrovc; and dvrUv 
 
132 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 [28—Gl. 
 
 “For nine clnys however w'e sailed both nights and day, 
 but on tlie tenth our paternal fields now appeared, and w^e at 
 length beheld those who were kindling fires, being near at 
 hand. Then sweet sleep came upon me wearied ; for I al- 
 W'ays guided the rudder of the ship; nor did I give it up to 
 any other of my companions, that we might more quickly 
 reach our paternal land. But my companions spoke to one 
 another with words, and said that I was taking gold and sil¬ 
 ver home, presents from magnanimous ^olus, son of Hippo- 
 tas. And thus some one would speak, looking to another 
 who was near: 
 
 “ ‘ O gods, how beloved is he, and how honored by all 
 men, to whosever city and land he comes. He brings much 
 beautiful property in booty from Troy, but we, having accom¬ 
 plished the same journey, are returning home, having empty 
 hands. And now Aiolus, gratifying him on account of his 
 friendship, has given him tliese things: but come, let us 
 quickly see what these things are, how much gold and silver 
 is in the skin.’ 
 
 “Thus they spoke ; and the evil counsel of my companions 
 prevailed, they loosed the skin, and all the winds rushed out. 
 The storm immediately snatching them bore them mourning 
 into the sea, from their paternal land: but 1 waking, medita¬ 
 ted in my blameless mind, whether, falling from the ship, I 
 should perish in the sea, or should endure it in silence, and still 
 he among the living. But I endured it, and remained ; and I 
 lay, having covered myself in the ship: but they were again 
 borne by the evil tempest of the wind to the Hilolian island : 
 and my companions mourned. There we went on shore, and 
 drew water; and my companions immediately took supper 
 near the swift ships. But when we had tasted of both meat j 
 and drink, then I, having chosen both a herald and compan¬ 
 ion, went to the illustrious house of iEolus; but him 1 found | 
 feasting near his wife and his children. But when we came 
 
 (vs. 27) in this passage. The commentators, even Loewe, are any thing . 
 but clear on the subject. I think it simply amounts to this. In vs. 2G, I 
 y/jrtc re Kai avTovg means, “the ships, and us the sailors,” the cognate J 
 substantive being supplied from v)jag, as in Virg. iKn. i. 43, “ Pallasnel 
 exurcre c/assetn Argivum, atque ij>sos ])otuit submergere j)onto.” In vs. 1 
 27, avTMV is loosely used, because Ulysses speaks of the conduct of thej 
 viajority, not of himself. ■ 
 
01—87.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 133 
 
 to the house, we sat down at the door on the threshold; and 
 they were astonished in their mind, and inquired: 
 
 ‘‘ ‘How didst thou come, O Ulysses? what evil deity has 
 pressed upon thee? certainly we sent thee away carefully, 
 that thou mightest come to thy country, and house, and wher¬ 
 ever is agreeable to thee.’ 
 
 “ Thus they spoke; but I addressed them, sorrowing in my 
 heart. ‘ Both evil companions have injured me, and in addi¬ 
 tion to these, unhappy sleep; but cure me, O friends, for the 
 power is with you.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke soothing them with mild words; but they 
 became dumb; and their father answered me in discourse: 
 ‘ Away with thee quickly from the island, thou vilest of the 
 living! for it is not lawful for me to receive or escort away 
 that man, who indeed is hated by the blessed gods. Away; 
 since thou art come hither, hated by the gods.’ 
 
 “ Thus having spoken, he sent me away from the house 
 mourning heavily. And from thence we sailed onward, sor¬ 
 rowing in our heart. But the mind of the men was wearied 
 by the ditficult rowing, through our own folly; since there no 
 longer appeared an escort. 
 
 “For six days however we sailed both night and day; 
 but on the seventh we came to the lofty city of Lamos, spa¬ 
 cious^ La3Strygonia, where a shepherd on going in calls a 
 shepherd, but he going out listens. There a man who has no 
 sleep would receive double pay; the one for feeding herds, 
 the other for pasturing white sheep: for the ways" of night 
 and of day are near. There when we came to the famous 
 
 ® Or, ‘‘having a large gate:” but the Scholiast, “large or extensive, 
 having its gates far apart.” Sec Loewe. 
 
 ’ There is much ditference of opinioTn respecting this passage: the 
 Scholiast understands it “that the nightly and daily pastures are near 
 the city.’’ Chapman remarks, “some have understood, that the days in 
 that region are long, and the nights shorty so that Homer intends, that the 
 equinoctial is there (for how else is the course of day and night near or 
 equal?). But therefore the niglits-man hath his double hire, being as 
 long about his charge as the other; and the night being more dangerous. 
 And if the day were so long, why should the nights-man be preferred in 
 wages?” Cowper says, “It is supposed by Eustathius, that the pastures 
 being infested by gad-Hies and other noxious insects in the daytime, they 
 drove their sheejj a-field in the morning, which by their wool were de¬ 
 fended from them, and their cattle in the evening, when the insects had 
 withdrawn.” Idiis latter interpretation seems the most probable, and 
 
 has been followed bv Kiccius and Loewe. 
 
 ¥ 
 
134 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 [88—130. 
 
 haven, around which there was a lofty rock, continual on 
 both sides ; and prominent shores opposite to one another 
 project at the mouth : but the entrance is narrow: there in¬ 
 deed they all kept their ships, rowed on both sides, within. 
 They indeed were bound within the hollow haven, near one 
 another; for in it the wave was never raised, neither large 
 nor small; for there was a white calm around. But I alone 
 kept my black ship out, tliere at the extreme part, having 
 bound the cables from the rock. 
 
 “ And I stood, ascending a rugged promontory; there in¬ 
 deed appeared neither the works of oxen nor of men, but 
 we saw the smoke only rushing forth from the earth. Tlien 
 I sent forward my companions to go on and inquire what 
 men they were, eating food upon the earth, choosing two 
 men, giving them a herald as a third. But they, having dis¬ 
 embarked, went the smooth way, by which wagons carried 
 wood to the city from the lofty mountains. And they met a 
 damsel before the city, carrying water, the strong daughter of 
 the Lmstrygonian Antiphates. She went down to the fair¬ 
 flowing fountain Artacia; for they carried water from thence 
 to the city. But they standing near addressed her, and in¬ 
 quired of her, who was their king, and over whom he ruled. 
 But she immediately showed the lofty-roofed house of her 
 sire. And when they entered the illustrious dwelling, they 
 found the mistress as mighty as the summit of a mountain, 
 and they shuddered at her. But she quickly called illustrious 
 Antiphates, her husband, from the forum, who indeed devised 
 miserable destruction for them: immediately snatching up 
 one of my companions, lie prepared his meal; but the two 
 rushing away in fliglit came to the ships. Jhit he made a 
 clamor through the city; and the strong J.imstrygonians came 
 rushing one after another in great numbers, not like unto 
 men, but giants; who pelted them with weiglity stones from 
 the rocks: and soon an evil sound arose at the ships of the 
 men who perished, and of the ships broken at the same time. 
 And sticking them through like lisli, they carried away their 
 sad feast. While they destroyed those within the deep haven, 
 in the mean time I, having drawn my sharp sword from my 
 thigh, with it cut the cables of the azure-prowed ship. And 
 quickly exhorting my conqianions, I ordered them to throw 
 themselves upon their oars, that we might escape from evil. 
 
331—169.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 13G 
 
 And they all turned up the sea [with their oars] together, 
 dreading destruction. And my ship gladly fled the lofty 
 rocks into the sea; but the others perished there together 
 But from thence we sailed onward, sorrowing in our heart, 
 glad [at our escape] from death, [but sorry at] having lost our 
 dear companions.® And we came to the island .^disea; but 
 fair-haired Circe, a clever goddess, possessing human speech, 
 dwelt there, own sister to all-wise^ ^eetas; and both were 
 born from the Sun who gives light to mortals, and from a 
 mother Perse, whom Ocean begot as his daughter. But 
 tliere we were led up on the shore silently in the ship to the 
 ship-receiving haven ; and some god conducted us. There 
 then disembarking, we lay two days and two nights, consum¬ 
 ing our mind with labor and grief together. 
 
 “ But when at length the fair-haired morn produced the 
 third day, then I, taking my spear and sharp sword, quickly 
 .went up from the ship to a place of look out, if by any means 
 I could perceive the works of men, and could hear their voice. 
 And I stood, having ascended a rugged promontory. And 
 there appeared to me smoke from the wide-wayed earth, in 
 the palace of Circe, through the dense thickets and wood. And 
 then I meditated in my soul and in my mind to go and in¬ 
 quire, when I beheld the black smoke. But thus, on consid¬ 
 ering, it seemed to me to be better that I should, first going 
 to the swift ship and the shore of the sea, give a supper to my 
 conipanions, and send them on to inquire. But wlien I was 
 now coming near to the ship rowed on both side.s, then some 
 one of the gods pitied me, who was alone, who sent a huge 
 lofty-horncd stag into my very path : it came down to the 
 river from the pasture in the wood, to drink (for already the 
 strength of the sun seized hold of him): but 1 struck him, as 
 he was going out, at the S])ine in the middle of the back: and 
 the brazen spear passed light through him ; and he fell moan¬ 
 ing in the dust, and life fled away. But I stepjiing upon 
 liiin, drew the brazen sjiear out of the wound ; again reclining 
 it on the earth, I left it: but 1 drew twigs and osiers, and 
 having woven a well-twisted cable on both sides as long as 
 an ell, I bound together the feet of the terrible monster. 
 And I went to the black ship, carrying it across my neck. 
 
 Referring to (iKaxhtitvoi yrop. ® Sec Loewe on i. 52. 
 
 ^ These words ai)peur merely to refer to its magnitude. 
 
13G 
 
 OD. SSEY X. 
 
 [170—2f'. 
 
 
 leaning upon my spear, since it was by no means possible to 
 carry it on my shoulder with one hand, for it was a very large 
 beast: and I threw it down before the ship; and I aroused 
 my companions with mild words, standing near each man : 
 
 “ ‘ O my friends, we shall not yet go down to the house of 
 Pluto, although grieving, before the fated day comes upon 
 [us]. But come, while there is meat and drink in the switl 
 ship, let us be mindful of food, nor be wasted with hunger.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; and they quickly obeyed my words; and 
 having uncovered the stag near the shore of the sea, they ad¬ 
 mired it; for it was a very large beast. But when they were 
 delighted, beholding it with their eyes, having washed their 
 hands they get ready a most glorious banquet. Thus then 
 during the whole day, until tlie setting sun, we sat feasting 
 upon abundance of flesh and sweet wine. But wlien the sun 
 set and darkness came on, then we slept on the shore of the 
 sea. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-lingered morning, 
 appeared, then I, having made an assembly, spoke amoiig 
 all: 
 
 “ ‘ Hear my words, O companions, although suffering evil 
 things. O my friends, since we know not where is the west, 
 nor where the morning, nor where the sun that gives light to 
 mortals descends beneath the earth, nor where he rises up 
 again ; yet let us quickly consider, if there is still any coun¬ 
 sel remaining; but I do not think that there is. For, hav¬ 
 ing ascended a rugged promontory, I beheld the island, 
 around which the boundless sea forms a crown but it lies 
 low: and I saw smoke in the middle with mine eyes through 
 the dense thickets and the wood.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke; but their dear heart was broken, when 
 they remembered the deeds of the La3Strygonian Antiphates, 
 and the violence of the strong-hearted^^ cannibal Cyclops. 
 And they wept piercingly, shedding the warm tear. But there 
 was not any advantage to them’ wailing. And I numbered 
 all my well-greaved companions into two parties, and 1 gave a 
 chieftain to both. I commanded one party, and godlike Eu- 
 ryloclius the other. And we quickly shook lots in a brazen 
 helmet, and the lot of magnanimous Eurylochus leaj)cd out. 
 And he hastened to go, and with him two-and-twenty com¬ 
 panions weeping; and they left us mourning behind. And 
 
 ' i. e. encircl'js. An ci)ithet but iiiditierently chosen. 
 
210—248 J 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 137 
 
 they found the house of Circe built in the woods with polish¬ 
 ed stones, in a lofty situation. And around her were mount¬ 
 ain wolves, and lions, which she herself had tamed, since she 
 had given [them] evil drugs. Nor did they rush against the 
 men, but they stood up fawning around them with their long 
 tails. As when dogs fawn about their master when coming 
 from a feast, for he always brings things soothing to their 
 mind. So the strong-hoofed wolves and lions fawned’^ 
 around them; but they were afraid when they beheld the 
 terrible monsters. And they stood in the gates of the fair¬ 
 haired goddess: and they heard Circe within singing with a 
 beautiful voice, busied over a lai-ge immortal web: such as are 
 the slender, graceful, and illustrious works of goddesses. But 
 Polites, the chief of men, began speaking to them, who was 
 the most familiar of my companions, and the most prudent: 
 
 “ ‘ O my friends, some one indeed within is going over the 
 great web and singing beautifully (and all the pavement 
 sounds around), either a goddess or woman; but let us quick¬ 
 ly shout out.’ 
 
 ‘•Thus then he spoke ; and they calling shouted out. And 
 she immediately coming out opened the shining doors and 
 calls them ; but they all followed together through their ig¬ 
 norance : but Eurylochus remained, thinking that it was a 
 stratagem. And leading them in, she made them sit down 
 on benches and thrones. And she mixed cheese and meal 
 and pale honey with Pramnian wine for them ; but she min¬ 
 gled grievous drugs in the food, that they might altogether 
 forget their paternal land. But when she had given it and 
 they drank it off, immediately then striking them with a rod, 
 she shut them up in styes. But they had the heads, and 
 voice, and hairs, and body of swine ; but their understanding 
 was firm, as before. Thus they weeping were shut up: but 
 Circe threw near them mast and acorn, and cornel fruit to 
 eat, such things as ground-wallowing swine always eat. 
 But Eurylochus immediately came to the swift black ship, to 
 tell the news of his companions, and of their bitter fate. Nor 
 was he able to speak out any word, although desirous, aflUict- 
 ed at heart witli great grief: and his eyes were filled witli 
 tears, and his mind thought of mourning. But when we all 
 
 Litemlly, “wagged their tails.” This is the proper meaning of 
 aaivHv. Cf. Blomf. on Aisch. Pers. 97. Dind- 
 
138 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 [240—28S^ 
 
 marveled, inquiring of liim, then he related the destruction 
 of his other companions. 
 
 “ ^ We went, as thou didst comm'and, through the thickets, 
 illustrious Ulysses; we found in the dells a beautiful house 
 built [with polished stones, in a conspicuous place]. And 
 there some one, either goddess or woman, going over the 
 great web, sang piercingly : but they calling shouted out: 
 and she immediately coining out, opened the shining doors, 
 and invited them ; and they all followed together through 
 their ignorance ; but 1 remained, thinking that it was some de¬ 
 ceit. And they all vanished together, nor did any one of them 
 appear without; but sitting down I watched a long time.’ 
 
 “Thus he spoke; but I girt my silver-hilted sword around 
 my shoulders, large, of brass ; and my bow around me. And 
 I immediately commanded him to lead the same way. But 
 he laying hold of my knees with both his hands entreated me, 
 [and lamenting addressed to me winged words]: 
 
 “ ‘ Do not take me there against ray will, O thou nourish¬ 
 ed of Jove, but leave me here. For I know tjiat neither 
 tliOLi thyself wilt come back, nor wilt thou bring any other 
 of thy companions: but let us quickly fly with these; for yet 
 we may escape the evil day.’ 
 
 “Tlius he spoke; but I answering addressed him: ‘O 
 Eurylochus, do thou then remain here in this place eating 
 and drinking near the hollow black ship: but 1 will go, for 
 strong necessity comes upon me.’ 
 
 “ Thus having spoken, I went up from the ship and the 
 sea. But when 1 was just going near the sacred dells, about 
 to reach the great dwelling of Circe skilled in many drugs, 
 there golden wanded JMercury met me as 1 was coming to the 
 house, like unto a young man having the first down on his 
 cheek, whose youth is most graceful; and he laid hold of my 
 hand, and spoke and addressed me : 
 
 “ ^ Where thus, wretched one, art thou going alone, to no 
 purpose, through the wolds,being unacquainted with the 
 ])lace? but those thy companions are shut up in Circe’s house, 
 like swine possessing many hiding-places. Whether dost thou 
 come hither to loose them? 1 do not think that tliou wilt 
 thyself return, but thou wilt remain there where the others do. 
 
 “ For tliis rendering of uKpiag I am indebted to the old prose trans¬ 
 lator. 
 
28G--a27.1 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 139 
 
 But come now, I will free thee and preserve thee from evils: 
 take this excellent drug, and keeping it, go to the house of 
 Circe, the power of which will ward off* the evil day from you. 
 And I will tell you all the cunning tricks of Circe. She will 
 prepare a mixture for you, and will put drugs in the food. 
 I3ut not even thus will she be able to charm you; for the ex¬ 
 cellent drug which I will give you, will not permit it; but I 
 will tell you every thing. When Circe strikes you with a 
 long rod, then do thou draw thy sharp sword from thy thigh, 
 and rush at Circe, as if desirous to kill her. But she crouch¬ 
 ing in fear will exhort thee to lie down : then do thou no lon¬ 
 ger refuse the bed of the goddess, that she may loose your com¬ 
 panions and convey thee back thyself: but exhort her to swear 
 a great oath of the blessed gods, that she will not plan any other 
 evil harm for thee, nor make thee naked, weak, and unmanly.’ 
 
 “Thus having spoken, the Argus-slayer gave me the rem¬ 
 edy, pulling it out of the earth, and he showed me its nature. 
 It was black in the root, and its flower was like unto milk ; 
 and the gods call it Molu; but it is diflicult for mortal men 
 to dig up; but the gods are able to do every thing. Then 
 Mercury departed to great Olympus, through the woody isl¬ 
 and: but I went to the house of Circe ; and my heart planned 
 many things as I went. And I stood at the gate of the fair- 
 haired goddess; there standing I called out, and the goddess 
 heard my voice. She immediately coming out, opened the 
 shining doors, and invited me: but I followed sorrowing in 
 my heart. And leading me in, she made me sit down on a 
 silver-studded throne, beautiful, variegated, and beneath my 
 feet was a footstool. And she prepared a mixture for me in 
 a golden cup, that I might drink ; and she put the drug in it, 
 meditating evil things in her mind. But when she gave it 
 me, and I drank it off, she di 1 not soothe mo any more; 
 striking me with a rod, she spoke and said, ‘Go now.to the 
 sty, lie with thine other companions.’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke; but I, having drawn my sharp sword 
 from my thigh, rushed at Circe, as desiring to kill lier. But 
 she, crying out loudly, ran under, and laid hold of my knees, 
 and lamentino; addressed to me winged words : 
 
 “ ‘ Who art thou ? from whence among men ? where are 
 thy city and parents? Astonishment possesses me, that thou 
 wast not soothed, drinking these drugs. For not yet has any 
 
140 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 [328—37 U 
 
 other man sustained these drugs, whoever shall liave drunk 
 them, and they shall have first passed his lips : [but thou 
 hast some mind in thy breast which can not be charmed.] 
 Art thou Ulysses with many turns, whom the golden-wanded 
 Argicide always told me would come, as he was returning 
 from Troy in a swift black ship? But come now, place thy 
 sword in the sheath, and then we will ascend my bed, that be¬ 
 ing mixed in the bed and in love, we may trust in one another.’ 
 
 Thus she spoke, but I answering addressed her: ‘ O 
 
 Circe, how dost thou command me to be mild to thee, who 
 hast made my companions swine in thy palace ? But detain¬ 
 ing me here, planning deceit dost thou command me to go to 
 thy chamber, and to ascend thy bed, that thou mayest mitke 
 me naked, weak, and unmanly ? I would not be willing to 
 ascend thy bed unless thou wouldst endure, O goddess, to 
 swear a great oath to me, that thou wilt not devise any other 
 evil harm against me.’ 
 
 “Thus 1 spoke; and she immediately swore, as I com¬ 
 manded: but when she had sworn and confirmed the oath, 
 then I ascended the beautiful bed of Circe. 
 
 “ And four handmaidens, who are her servants in the house, 
 were busy in the palace. But they indeed were sprung from 
 the fountains and from the groves, and from the sacred rivers, 
 which flow forth into the sea. One of them threw beauti 
 ful blankets up on the thrones, purple above, but under she 
 put beautiful linen : another extended silver tables before the 
 thrones, and set upon them golden dishes: a third mixed 
 sweet honeyed wine in a silver bowl, and distributed golden 
 cups: but the fourth carried water, and lighted a great fire 
 under a large tripod ; and the water was warmed. But when 
 the water boiled in the shining brass, having put me in ?. 
 bath, she washed me from the large trijiod, pouring [water] 
 pleasantly over my head and shoulders, until she took away 
 from my limbs mind-destroying labor; but when she had 
 both washed me and anointed me with rich oil, she threw a 
 beautiful cloak and garment around me, and leading me in, 
 seated me on a silver-studded throne, beautiful, variegated; 
 and a footstool was under my feet. [But a handmaiden 
 bringing water in a beautiful golden ewer, })oured it over a 
 silver caldron, to wash in : and she spread a polished table 
 near. But the venerable housekeeper bringing food placed it 
 
372 — 410 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 141 
 
 near me. putting ort many dainties, gratifying us as well as 
 she could from the stores at hand.] And she ordered me to 
 eat, but it did not please my mind: but I sat thinking upon 
 other things, and my mind brooded upon evils: but Circe, 
 when she perceived me sitting down, and not stretching out 
 my hands for food, but having violent grief in my mind, stand¬ 
 ing near, she spoke winged words: 
 
 “ ‘ Why thus, O Ulysses, dost thou sit down like unto one 
 that is dumb, consuming thy mind ? and dost not touch food, 
 or drink ? dost thou think of some other stratagemIt is no 
 longer fit that thou shouldst fear; for I have already sworn 
 a strong oath.’ 
 
 “ Thus she spoke ; but I in answer addressed her: ‘ O 
 Circe, what man, who is just, would endure to taste food and 
 drink, before he had redeemed his companions, and beheld 
 them with his eyes? But if indeed thou dost kindly com¬ 
 mand me to drink and to eat, loose them, that I may behold 
 my beloved companions with my eyes.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke ; and Circe went out from the palace, hold¬ 
 ing a rod in her liand, and she opened the gates of the sty, 
 and drove them out, like unto swine of nine years old. They 
 then stood opposite : but she going through them, anointed 
 each with another drug. And the hairs fiowed down from 
 their limbs, which the pernicious poison, which venerable 
 Circe gave them, had before produced: and they quickly be¬ 
 came younger men than they were before, and much finer and 
 mightier to behold. But they knew me, and each clung to 
 me with their hands. And delightful mournings came upon 
 all, and resounded greatly through the house: and even the 
 goddess herself pitied us: and the divine one of goddesses 
 standing near me addressed [me]: 
 
 “ ‘O noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, now 
 go to the swift shi}), and to the shore of the sea: first of all 
 di’aw ye your shi[) to the shore, and lay up your possessions 
 jind all your arms in caves: and do thou thyself come back, 
 and bring thy beloved companions.’ 
 
 “ 4'hus she spoke ; but my noble mind was persuaded ; and 
 I hastened to the swift ship, and tlie shore of the sea ; then I 
 found my beloved companions at the swift ship, lamenting 
 miserably, shedding the warm tear. And as wlicn tield-dwell- 
 ing calves all skip together opposite, around cows of the herd, 
 
142 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 cm—4ol. 
 
 when they come to the dung-heap, after they have been satis- 
 tied with pasture ; nor did the stalls any longer contain them, 
 but continually lowing, they run about their mothers ; so they, 
 when they beheld me with their eyes, weeping were poured 
 around me: and their mind seemed to be in tlie same state 
 as though they had come to their country and their city of 
 rough Ithaca, where they were nurtured and were born. And 
 lamenting, they addressed to me winged words: ‘ We so re¬ 
 joice at thy return, O noble one, as if we had come to our 
 paternal land, Ithaca : but come, relate the death of our other 
 companions.’ 
 
 “ Tims they spoke; but I addressed them with words : 
 ‘ First of all let us draw the ship to the sliore, and let us lay 
 up our possessions and all our arms in the caves: and do ye 
 all together hasten to follow me, that ye may sec your com¬ 
 panions, drinking and eating in the sacred house of (:^rce : for 
 they have abundance.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke ; but they quickly obeyed my words : but 
 Furylochus alone detained all my companions, [and address¬ 
 ing them, spoke winged words] : 
 
 “ ‘ Ah wretched ones, where shall we go? why do ye long 
 for these evils, to go down to the palace of Circe? who will 
 make us all either swine, or wolves, or lions ; who must guard 
 her great house, even by necessity. So also the Cyclops did, 
 when our companions came to his abode, and bold Ulysses 
 followed with them: for they also perished through his infat¬ 
 uation.’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke ; but I meditated in my mind, drawing 
 my long sword from my stout thigh, having cut off his head, 
 to throw it to the ground, although he was very near to mo 
 in kindred but my companions one with another restrain¬ 
 ed me with gentle words: ‘ O noble one, let us leave him, if 
 thou desirest it, to remain here near the ship and to guard 
 the ship. l>ut do thou lead us to the sacred dwelling of 
 Circe.’ 
 
 “ Thus having spoken, they went up from the ship and the 
 sea. Nor was Furylochus left at the hollow ship, but he fol¬ 
 lowed; for he feared my terrible threat. But in the mean 
 lime Circe had carefully washed and anointed with rich oil 
 my other companions in her house ; and she threw woolen 
 Eurylochus had married Ktirnene, sister of Ulvsso.s. 
 
452 — 491 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 143 
 
 cloaks around them and garments ; and we found them all 
 banqueting in the palace. But when they beheld one anoth¬ 
 er, and thought of all things, they wept mourning, and the 
 house resounded with groans on all sides. And she, the di¬ 
 vine one of goddesses, standing near me addressed [me]: 
 
 “‘O noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, no 
 more now excite fresh mourning; even I myself know both 
 what griefs thou hast suffered in the fishy sea, and what 
 harms hostile men have done to thee on the shore. But come, 
 eat food and drink wine, until thou again receivest thy mind 
 in thy breast, such as when first thou didst leave thy paternal 
 land of rugged Ithaca: but now thou art wearied*^ and spirit¬ 
 less, ever mindful of thy severe wanderings: nor is thy mind 
 ever in joyfulness since thou hast sufiered very many things.’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke; but our noble mind was immediately 
 persuaded. There we sat all the days for a full year, feast¬ 
 ing upon abundance of flesh and sweet wine: but when it 
 was now a year, and the seasons turned round [the months 
 waning, and the long days were brought round to a conclu¬ 
 sion], then my beloved companions calling me out, spoke; 
 
 “ ‘ Wretched one, now at length be mindful of thy paternal 
 land, if it is foretold for thee to be saved, and reach thy lofty- 
 roofed house, and thine own paternal land.’ 
 
 [“Thus they spoke; but my noble mind was persuaded. 
 Thus then we sat dining the whole day until sunset, feasb 
 ing upon abundance of flesh and sweet wine: but when the 
 sun set and darkness came on, they slept in the shadowy 
 palace.] But I, having ascended the beautiful bed of Circe, 
 besought her at her knees; and the goddess heard my voice, 
 and addressing her, I S[)oke winged words: 
 
 “ ‘ O Cii •ce, perform for me the promise, which thou didst 
 promise, that thou wouldst send me home ; for my mind 
 now urges me, and that of my other beloved companions, who 
 waste away my dear heart, mourning ai’ound me, when thou 
 indeed dost happen to be at a distance.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke; but she, tlie divine one of goddesses, im¬ 
 mediately ansAvered me : ‘ O noble son of Laertes, much-con¬ 
 triving Ulysses, do not ye any longer remain in my house 
 against your will. But ye must lirst perform anotiier voy¬ 
 age, and tome to the house of Ifluto and awful Proserpine, 
 
 Literally, parched, dry. 
 
 16 
 
144 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 [402—520. 
 
 to consult the soul of Theban Tiresias, a blind prophet, whose 
 mind is firm: to him even when dead Proserpine has given 
 understanding, alone to be prudent; but the rest flit^'^ about 
 as shades.’ 
 
 “ Thus she spoke ; but my dear heart was broken; and I 
 sat down on the bed and wept, nor did my mind wish to live 
 any longer and behold the light of the sun. But when I n as 
 satiated with weeping and rolling about, then answering her 
 with words I. addressed her: 
 
 ‘‘‘ O Circe, who will conduct me on this voyage? no one 
 has yet come to Pluto’s in a black ship.’ 
 
 ‘‘ Thus I spoke; but she, the divine one of goddesses, im¬ 
 mediately answered me: ‘O noble son of Laertes, much-con¬ 
 triving Ulysses, let not the desire of a guide for thy ship be 
 at all a care to thee: but having erected the mast, and spread 
 out the white sails, git down : and let the blast of the north 
 wind carry it. But when thou shalt have passed through the 
 ocean in thy ship, where is the easy-dug^® shore, and the groves 
 of Proserpine, and tall poplars, and fruit-destroying willows, 
 there draw up thy ship in the deep-eddying ocean, and do thou 
 thyself go to the spacious house of Pluto. Here indeed both 
 Pyriphlegethon and Cocytus,^^ which is a stream from the 
 water of Styx, flow into Acheron, and there is a rock, and 
 the meeting of two loud-sounding rivers. There then, O 
 hero, approaching near as I command thee, dig a trench, the 
 width of a cubit each way: and pour around it libations to 
 all the dead, first with mixed honey, then with sweet wine, 
 again the third time with water and sprinkle white meal 
 
 ''' oi(T(T(o is properly used of the Avaiidering, uncertain motion of ghosts. 
 So Eur. liec. 31. 
 
 I can not profess myself satisfied with this intcrju'ctation of Xdxfict, 
 which was a doubtful word in the days of Eustathius. (See on Od. ix. 
 IIG.) Probably we should read iXdxiia in this passage also. Cf. intpp. 
 Hesych. t. i. p. 11G5, sq. t. ii.}). 435. Villois. on’Apoll. Lex. s. v. 
 
 Milton, Par. Lost, ii. 577: 
 
 “Abhorred Styx, the flood of deadly hate; 
 
 Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and decj); 
 
 Cocytus, named of lamentation loud 
 
 Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegethon, 
 
 Whose waves of torrent lire iiiHame with rage.'' 
 
 On these lustrations to the dead, see my notes on iEsch. Pers. pp. 
 72, 83, ed. Holm, and on Soph. tEd Col. vs. IMh), do. 
 
520—5G1.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. X. 
 
 Ho 
 
 over it. And entreat inncli the powerless heads of the dead, 
 [promising, that] wlien thou comest to Ithaca, thou wilt offer 
 up in thj palace a barren heifer, whichever is the best, and 
 wilt till the pyre with excellent things; and that thou wilt 
 sacrifice separately to Tiresias alone a black sheep all-black, 
 which excels among thy sheep. But when thou shaU have 
 entreated the illustrious nations of the dead with prayers, then 
 Bacritice a male sheep and a black female, turning toward Ere- 
 l)us, and do thou thyself be turned away at a distance, going 
 toward the streams of the river; but there many souls of 
 those gone dead will come. Then immediately exhort thy 
 companions, and command them, having skinned the sheep 
 which lie there slain with the unpitying brass, to burn them, 
 and to invoke the gods, both mighty Pluto and dread Proser- 
 })ine. And do thou, having drawn thy sharp sword from thy 
 thigh, sit down, nor suffer the powerless heads of the dead to 
 go near the blood, before thou inquirest of Tiresias. There 
 the prophet will immediately come to thee, O leader of the peo¬ 
 ple, who will tell to thee the voyage and the measures of the 
 way, and thy return, how thou inayest go over the fishy sea.’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke; and the golden-throned morn immedi¬ 
 ately came. And she put a cloak around me, and a tunic, as 
 garments. But the Nymph herself put on a large white vail, 
 slender and graceful, and around her loins she threw a girdle, 
 beautiful, of gold ; and she put a head-dress on her head. 
 i)Ut I, going through the house, incited my companions with 
 mild words, standing near each man : ‘No longer now slum¬ 
 bering crop the flower of sweet sleep : but let us go ; for now 
 venerable Circe has counseled me.’ 
 
 “Thus 1 spoke; and their noble mind was persuaded: nor 
 even from thence did I lead away my companions unharmed, 
 for there was a certain Elpenor, the youngest, not very cour¬ 
 ageous ill war, nor proper in his understanding, who, heavy 
 with wine, lay down, desiring coolness at a distance from his 
 companions in the house of Circe : but having heard the noise 
 and bustle of his companions moving, he rushed up on a sud¬ 
 den, and forgot in his mind to descend backward, when lie 
 came to a long ladder; but he fell straight down from the 
 roof; and his neck was broken from the vertebra3, and his 
 soul went down to Hades. And I spoke words to them when 
 they came: 
 
 a 
 
146 
 
 ODYSSEY. XL [562—574. xi. 1—17. 
 
 “ ‘ Ye think perhaps that ye will come home to your dear 
 paternal land, but Circe has showed to us another way, to the 
 houses of Pluto and severe Proserpine, to consult the soul of 
 Theban Tiresias.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke; but their dear heart was broken : and sit¬ 
 ting down they wept there, and tore their hair. But there 
 was not any advantage to them wailing. 
 
 ‘‘But when now we went sorrowing to the swift ship and 
 ^he shore of the sea, shedding the warm tear; in the mean 
 time Circe, going to the black ship, bound to it a male sheep, 
 and a black female, easily escaping our notice; for who could 
 see with his eyes a god who was unwilling, going either here 
 or there ? 
 
 BOOK XI. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Ulysses describes his voyage to the infernal regions, his intemew with 
 Tiresias respecting liis own and companions’ safety; the heroes and 
 heroines he saw in Hades, and among others his mother, and some of 
 tlie chiefs who had died while fighting with him at Troy. 
 
 “ But when we were come down to the ship and the sea, we 
 first of all drew the ship into the divine sea; and we placed 
 a mast and sails in the black ship. And taking the sheep we 
 put them on board; and we ourselves also embarked griev¬ 
 ing, shedding the warm tear. And fair-haired Circe, an aw¬ 
 ful goddess, possessing human speech,^ sent behind our dark- 
 blue-prowed ship a moist wind that filled the sails, an excel¬ 
 lent companion. And we sat down, making use of each of 
 the instruments in the ship; and the wind and the pilot di¬ 
 rected it. And the sails of it passing over the sea were 
 stretched out the whole day; and the sun set, and all the 
 ways were overshadowed. And it reached the extreme 
 boundaries of the deep-flowing ocean ; wliere are the people 
 and city of the Cimmerians, covered witli shadow and va¬ 
 por, nor docs the shining sun behold them with his beams, 
 rieiilier when he goes toward tlie starry heaven, nor when he 
 
 ' See on v. 334. 
 
 ^ Diiport, Gnom. Horn. p. 204, com})ares the proverb, “comes pra 
 rehiculo.” 
 
18—5G.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 147 
 
 turns back again from heaven to earth ; but pernicious night 
 is spread over hapless mortals. Having come there, we drew 
 up our ship ; and we took out the sheep; and we ourselves 
 went again to the stream of the ocean, until we came to the 
 place which Circe mentioned. There Perimedes and Eury- 
 lochus made sacred offerings ; but I, drawing my sharp sword 
 from my thigh, dug a trench, the width of a cubit each way; 
 and around it we poured libations to all the dead, first with 
 mixed honey, then with sweet wine, again a third time with 
 water; and I sprinkled white meal over it. And I much 
 besought the unsubstantial heads of the dead, [promising, 
 thatj when I came to Ithaca, I would offer up in my palace 
 a barren heifer, whichever is the best, and would fill a pyre 
 with excellent things; and that I would sacrifice separately 
 to Tiresias. alone a sheep all black, which excels among our 
 sheep. 
 
 “ But when I had besought them, the nations of the dead, 
 with vows and prayers, then taking the sheep, I cut off their 
 heads into the trench, and the black blood flowed: and the 
 souls of the perished dead were assembled forth from Erebus, 
 [betrothed girls and youths, and much-enduring old men, and 
 tender virgins, having a newly-giieved mind, and many Mars- 
 renowned men wounded with brass-tipped spears, possessing 
 gore-smeared arms, who, in great numbers, were wandering 
 about the trench on different sides with a divine clamor : 
 and pale fear seized upon me.] Then at length exhorting 
 my companions, I commanded them, having skinned the sheep 
 which lay there, slain with the cruel brass, to burn them, and 
 to invojve the gods, both Pluto and dread Proserpine. But 
 I, having drawn my sharp sword from my thigh, sat down, 
 nor did I suffer the powerless heads of the dead to draw nigh 
 the blood, before I inquired of Tiresias. And first the soul 
 of my companion Elpenor came ; for he Avas not yet buried 
 beneath the wide-wayed earth; for Ave left his body in the 
 palace of Circe unwept for and unburied,^ since another toil 
 [then] urged us. Beholding him, I Avept, and pitied him in 
 my mind, and addressing him, spoke Avinged words : “ O El- 
 
 ^ It is a well-known superstition, that the f^hosts of the dead were sup¬ 
 posed to wander as long us they remained unburied, and were not suf¬ 
 fered to mingle with the other dead. Cf. Virg. TIhi. vi. 32.5, sqq.; Lu- 
 ean. i. 11 ; Eur. llee. 30; Fhocylid. Vuoj/i. OG ; Heliodor. Tl'ith. ii. |>. (»7. 
 
ODYSSEY. XL 
 
 118 
 
 [ 57 ''- 94 . 
 
 pcnor, how didst thou come under the dark west ? Thou hast 
 come sooner, being on foot, than I with a black ship.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke ; but he groaning answered me in discourse, 
 
 O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses,] the 
 evil destiny of the deity and the abundant wine hurt me. Ly¬ 
 ing down in the palace of Circe, I did not think to go down 
 backward, having come to the long ladder, but I fell down¬ 
 ward from the roof; and my neck was broken from the ver¬ 
 tebra^., and my soul descended to Hades. Now, I entreat thee 
 by those who are [left] behind, and not present, by thy wife 
 and father, who nurtured thee when little, and Telemachus, 
 whom thou didst leave alone in thy palace ; for I know, that 
 going hence from the house of Pluto, thou wilt moor thy well- 
 wrought ship at the island of : there then, O king, 1 ex¬ 
 hort thee to be mindful of me, nor, when thou departest, leave 
 me behind, unwept for, unburied, going at a distance, lest I 
 should become some cause to thee of the wrath of the gods: 
 but burn me with whatever arms are mine, and build on the 
 shore of the hoary sea^ a monument for me, a wretched man, 
 to be heard of oven by posterity; perform these things for me, 
 and fix upon the tomb the oar with which I rowed while alive, 
 being with my companions.’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke ; but I answering addressed him : ‘ O 
 wi etched one, I will perform and do these things for thee.’ 
 
 “Thus we sat answering one another with bitter words; I 
 indeed holding my sword otf over the blood, but the image of 
 my companion on the other side spoke many things. And 
 afterward there came on the soul of my deceased mother, An- 
 tick>a, daughter of magnanimous Autolycus, whom I left alive, 
 on going to sacred Ilium. 1 indeed wept beholding her, and 
 })itied her in my mind; but not even thus, although grieving 
 very much, did I sutler her to go forward near to the blooil, 
 before 1 impiircd of Tiresias. Put at length the soul of The¬ 
 ban Tiresias came on, holding a golden sceptre, but me he 
 knew and addressed: 
 
 “ ‘ [O Jove-born son of Laertes,] why, O wretched one, 
 leaving the light of the sun, hast thou come, that thou mayest 
 see the dead and this joyless region ? but go back from the 
 
 * See Tiiy note on Ear Alcest. t. i. p. 240, ed. Bohn, and on Od. ii 
 
95—133.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 149 
 
 trench, and liold oiF thy sharp sword, tliat I may drink the 
 blood and tell thee what is unerring.’ 
 
 ‘‘ Thus he spoke ; but 1 retiring back, fixed my silver-hiltcd 
 sword in the sheath; but when he had drunk the black blood, 
 then at length the blameless prophet addressed me with words: 
 
 “‘Thou seekest a pleasant return, O illustrious Ulysses; 
 but the deity will render it difficult for thee ; for I do not think 
 that thou wilt escape the notice of Neptune, who has set wrath 
 in his mind against thee, enraged because thou hast blinded 
 his dear son. But still, even so, although suffering ills, thou 
 mayest come, if thou art willing to restrain thy longing, and 
 that of thy companions, when thou shalt first drive thy well- 
 wrought ship to the Trinacrian island, escaping from the azure 
 main, and find the beeves pasturing, and the fat cattle of the 
 sun, who beholds all things, and hears all things; if indeed 
 thou shalt leave these unharmed, and art careful of thy return, 
 even then thou mayest come to Ithaca, although suffering ills: 
 but if thou harmest them, then I foretell to thee destruction for 
 thy ship and thy companions; but even if thou shouldst thy¬ 
 self escape, thou wilt return late, in calamity, having lost all 
 thy companions, in a foreign ship ; and thou wilt find troubles 
 in thine house, overbearing men, who consume thy livelihood, 
 wooing thy goddess-like wife, and offering thyself for her dow- 
 ery gift-^. But certainly when thou comest thou wilt revenge 
 their violence; but when thou slayest the suitors in thy pal¬ 
 ace, either by deceit, or openly with sharp brass, then go, tak¬ 
 ing a well-fitted oar, until thou comest to those men, who are 
 not acquainted with the sea, nor eat food mixed with salt, nor 
 indeed are acquainted with crimson-cheeked^ ships, nor well- 
 fitted oars, which also are wings to ships. But I will tell 
 thee a very manifest sign, nor will it escape thee: when an¬ 
 other traveler, now meeting thee, shall say that thou hast a 
 winnowing-fan® on thine illustrious shoulder, then at length 
 having fixed thy well-fitted oar in the earth, and having ofier- 
 ed beautiful sacrifices to king Neptune, a ram, and bull, and 
 boar, the mate of swine, return home, and ofter up sacred hec¬ 
 atombs to the immortal gods, who possess the wide heaven, to 
 
 ‘ i. Ci. crimson-prowed. 
 
 ® Mistakinjx the oar for a corn-fan. A sure indication of his igno¬ 
 rance of maritime concerns. Cowper. TrXdr// ydp OaXaaala, to 
 Kai TrXarr] xtfiaaia, to tttvov. Eustathius. 
 
150 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 [133—17G. 
 
 all in order: but death will come upon thee away from the 
 sea, gentle, very much such an one, as will kill thee, taken 
 with gentle old age ; and the people around thee will be hap¬ 
 py : these things 1 tell thee true.’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke ; but I answering addressed him : ‘ O Tire- 
 sias, the gods themselves have surely decreed these things. But 
 come, tell me this, and relate it truly. I behold this the soul 
 of my deceased mother, she sits near the blood in silence, nor 
 does she dare to look openly at her son, nor to speak to him. 
 'i'ell me, O king, how she can know me, being such an one.’ 
 
 ‘‘Thus I spake; but he immediately answering addressed 
 me: ‘ I will tell thee an easy word, and will place it in thy 
 mind; whomever of the deceased dead thou sufferest to come 
 near the blood, he will tell thee the truth ; but whomsoever 
 thou grudgest it, he will go back again.’ 
 
 “Tlius having spoke, the soul of king Tiresias went within 
 the house of Pluto, when he had spoken the oracles : but I 
 remained there firmly, until my mother came and drank of 
 the blood; but she immediately knew me, and lamenting ad¬ 
 dressed to me winged words: 
 
 “ ‘ ]My son, how didst thou come under the shadowy dark¬ 
 ness, being alive ? but it is difficult for the living to behold 
 these things; [for in the midst there are mighty rivers and 
 teri'ible streams, first indeed the ocean, which it is not possible 
 to pass, being on foot, except any one have a well-built ship.] 
 Dost thou now come here wandering from Troy, with thy ship 
 and companions, after a long time? nor hast thou yet reached 
 Ithaca? nor hast thou seen thy wife in thy palace?’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke; but I answering addres.sed her: ‘O my 
 mother, necessity led me to Hades, to consult the soul of 
 Theban Tii-esias. For 1 have not yet come near Achaia, nor 
 have I ever stepped u{)on my own land, but 1 still wander 
 about, having grief, since first 1 followed divine Agamemnon 
 to steed-excelling Ilium, that I might fight with the Trojans. 
 But come, tell me this, and relate it truly, what fate of long- 
 sleeping death subdued thee ? AVhether a long disease ? or 
 did shaft-rejoicing Diana, coming upon thee with her mild 
 weapons, slay thee ? And tell me of my father and my son, 
 wliom 1 left, whether my proj)erty is still with them, or does 
 some other of men now possess it, and do they think that I 
 shall not any more return ? And tell me the counsel and 
 
ITfi—217.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 151 
 
 mind of my wooed wife, whether does she remain with her 
 son, and guard all things safeor now has one of the Gre- 
 eians, whoever is the best, wedded her!’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke ; but my venerable mother immediately 
 answered me: ‘ She by all means remains with an enduring 
 mind in thy palace: and her miserable nights and days are 
 ^continually spent in tears. But no one as yet possesse.s thy 
 noble property: but Telemachus manages thy estates in 
 quiet, and feasts upon equal feasts, which it is fit for a man 
 who is a prince to prepare ; for all invite him : but thy father 
 remains there in the country, nor does he come to the city; 
 nor has he beds, and couches, and clothes, and variegated 
 rugs. But he sleeps indeed, during the winter, where the 
 servants [sleep], in the house, in the dust, near the fire, and 
 he puts sad garments about his body; but when summer ar¬ 
 rives, and flourishing autumn, his bed is strewn on.the ground, 
 of the leaves that fall on every side of his wine-producing 
 vineyard. Here he lies sorrowing, and he cherishes great 
 grief in his mind, lamenting thy fate; and severe old age 
 comes upon him : for so I also perished, and drew on my fate. 
 Nor did the well-aiming, shaft-delighting [goddess], coming 
 upon me with her mild weapons, slay me in the palace. Nor 
 did any disease come upon me, which especially takes away 
 the mind from the limbs with hateful consumption. But re¬ 
 gret for thee, and cares for thee, O illustrious Ulysses, and 
 kindness for thee, deprived me of my sweet life.’ 
 
 ‘‘Thus she spoke; but I, meditating in my mind, wished 
 to lay hold of the soul of my departed mother. Thrice in¬ 
 deed I essayed it, and my mind urged me to lay hold of it, 
 but thrice it flew from ray hands, like unto a shadow, or 
 even to a dream: but sharp grief arose in my heart still 
 more; and addressing her, I spoke winged words: 
 
 “ ‘ Mother mine, why dost thou not remain for me, desir¬ 
 ous to take hold of thee, that even in Hades, throwing around 
 our dear hands, we may both be satiated with sad grief! 
 Has illustrious Proserpine sent forth this an image for me, 
 that I may lament still more, mourning!’ 
 
 “ ddius I spoke; my ^'enerable mother immediately an¬ 
 swered me : ‘Alas! my son, unliappy above all mortals, Pros¬ 
 erpine, the daughter of Jove, by no means deceives thee, but 
 this is the condition of mortals, when they are dead. For 
 
152 
 
 ODYSSEY. XL 
 
 [218—254. 
 
 tlieir nerves no lono:er have flesli ami bones, but ilie stroim 
 force of burning fire subdues them, when first the mind 
 leaves the Avhite bones, but the soul, like as a dream, flitter¬ 
 ing, flies away. But hasten as quick as possible to the light; 
 and know all these things, that even hereafter thou mayest 
 tell them to thy wife.’ 
 
 “ Thus we twain answered each other with words ; but the 
 women came—for illustrious Proserpine excited them—as 
 many as were the wives and daughters of chiefs. And they 
 were assembled together around the black blood. And I took 
 counsel how I might inquire of each ; and this plan in my mind 
 appeared to me to be the best, having drawn my long sword 
 from my stout thigh, 1 did not suffer them all to drink the 
 black blood at the same time. But they came one after an¬ 
 other,’^ and each related her race; but I inquired of all. There 
 then I saw Tyro first, born of a noble father, who said that 
 she was the offspring of blameless Salmoneus. And she said 
 that she was the wife of Cretheus, son of iEolus. She loved 
 the divine river Enipeus, which flows far the fairest of rivers 
 upon the earth; and she was constantly walking near the 
 beautiful streams of the Enipeus. Earth-shaking Neptune, 
 therefore, likened unto him, lay with her at the mouth® of 
 the eddying river: and the purple wave surrounded them, 
 like unto a mountain, arched, and concealed the god, and the 
 mortal woman ; [and he loosed her virgin zone, and shed sleep 
 over her.] But wdien the god had accomplished the deeds of 
 love, he laid hold of her hand, and spoke and addressed her: 
 
 “ ‘ Rejoice, O woman, on account of our love ; for when a 
 year has rolled round, thou shalt bring forth illustrious chil¬ 
 dren ; since the beds of the immortals are not in vain ; but 
 do thou take care of them, and bring them up, but now go to 
 thine house, and restrain thyself, nor mention it; but I am 
 Earth-shaking Neptune.’ 
 
 “ Thus having spoke, he dived beneath the billowy sea; 
 but she having conceived, brought forth Pelias and Neleus, 
 who both became noble servants of Jove. Pelias, indeed. 
 
 ’ Ttpo/xv7](TTii'ai, tTTi fuav tKpQ, V sTraXXTjXot, i) IttI gtixov, ical tan Kara 
 TO tropov Trpojxtvkanvai (so Buttm.). Scliol. 
 
 “ i. e. at its junction with the sea. Schol. on Apoll. Rh. i. 11. twv 
 T iOTapwv 01 avp.lSa\\ovTtt 2 tottoi ry OaXdaay, Trpoxoal Xtyovrai. Cf. Af 
 Ocrli on Ilcsycli. t. ii. p. 10G3. 
 
255—288.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 153 
 
 abounding in cattle, dwelt in spacious Tolciis ; but the other 
 in sandy l^ylos. And the queen of women brought forth 
 the others to Cretheus, ..^son, and Pheres, and steed-rejoicing 
 Amithaon. 
 
 “ After her I beheld Antiope, the daughter of Asopus, who 
 also boasted to have slept in the arms of Jove; and she 
 brought forth two sons, Amphion and Zethus, who first laid 
 the foundations of seven-gated Thebes, and surrounded it 
 with turrets; since they were not able, although they were 
 strong, to dwell in spacious Thebes without turrets. 
 
 “ After her I beheld Alcmene, the wife of Amphitryon, 
 who, mingled in the arms of great Jove, brought forth bold, 
 lion-hearted Hercules. And Megara, daughter of high-mind¬ 
 ed Creon, whom the son of Amphitryon, ever unwasted in 
 strength, wedded. 
 
 “ And I beheld the mother of Q'^dipus, beautiful Epicaste,^ 
 who committed a dreadfuP® deed in the ignorance of her mind, 
 having mmried her own son ; and he, having slain his father, 
 married her: but the gods immediately made it public among 
 men. Then he, suffering grief in delightful Thebes, ruled 
 over the Cadmeians, through the pernicious counsels of the 
 gods; but she went to the [dwellings] of strong-gated Hades, 
 suspending the cord on higld^ from the lofty house, held fast 
 b}' her own sorrow ; but she left behind for him very many 
 griefs, as many as the Furies of a mother accomplish. 
 
 “ And I saw the very beautiful Chloris, whom Neleus once 
 maiTied, on account of her beauty, when he had given her 
 countless dowries, the youngest daughter of Amphion, son of 
 iasus: who once ruled strongly in Minyean Orchomenus ; 
 and he reigned over Pylos; and she bore to him noble chil¬ 
 dren, Nestor, and Chromius, and proud Periclymenus; and 
 besides these she brought forth strong Pero, a marvel to mor- 
 lals, whom all the neighboring inhabitants wooed; nor did 
 Neleus at all offer [her] to any one, who could not drive 
 away from Phylace the crumple-horned oxen of mighty Iphi- 
 
 ® In the Tragedians, Jocasta. But see Sohol. on Ear. Pha'n. 13. 
 Nicolaus Damascenus, from a MS. in the Escurial, agrees with Ho¬ 
 mer. 
 
 ’ fifya is used by an euphemisus to denote her illieit intercourse. 
 See Schol. 
 
 * See my note on ^seh. Ag. p. 121, n. 1, ed. Bohn. 
 
 G 2 
 
1.31 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 [288—326. 
 
 cles, with wide forelieads, [and] troublesome;’^ a blameless 
 seer alone promised that he would drive these away ; but the 
 severe Fate of the gods hindered hitn, and difficult fetters, 
 and rustic herdsmen. But when the months and days were 
 now completed, a year having again gone round, and the hours 
 came on, then at length the mighty Iphicles loosed him, hav¬ 
 ing told all the oracles; and the counsel of Jove was ful- 
 tilled. 
 
 “ And I beheld Leda, the wife of Tyndareus, who brought 
 forth two noble-minded sons from Tyndareus, steed-subduing 
 Castor, and Pollux who excelled in pugilism; both of these 
 the fruitful earth detains alive; who, even beneath the earth, 
 having honor from Jove, sometimes live on alternate days, 
 and sometimes again are dead, and they have obtained by lot 
 honor equally with the gods. 
 
 “ After her I beheld Iphimedia, wife of Aloeus, who said 
 that she had been united to Neptune : and bore two sons, but 
 they were short-lived, godlike Otus, and far-famed Ephialtes; 
 whom the fruitful earth nourished, the tallest, and far the 
 most beautiful, at least after illustrious Orion. For at nine 
 years old they were also nine cubits in width, but in height 
 they were nine fathoms. Who even threatened the immortals 
 that they would set up a strife of impetuous^^ war in Olym¬ 
 pus : they attempted to place Ossa upon Olympus, and upon 
 Ossa leafy Pelion, that heaven might be accessible. And tliey 
 wou’d have accomplished it, if they had reached the measure 
 of youth: but the son of Jove, whom fair-haired Latona bore, 
 destroyed them both ; before the down flowered under their 
 temples, and thickened upon their cheek with a flowering 
 beard. 
 
 “ And I beheld Phoedra and Procris, and fair Ariadne, the 
 daughter of wise INlinos, whom ddieseus once led from Crete 
 to the soil of sacred Athens, but he did not enjoy her; for 
 Diana first slew her in the island Dia, on account of the test ¬ 
 imony of Bacehus. 
 
 “ And 1 beheld INIaera and Clymene, and hateful Eriphyle, 
 who reeeived preeious gold for her dear husband. But 1 
 
 Cf. vs. 203, de(T/doi apyaXht, and the glosses of Ilesych. dpyaXiovQt 
 ^aXerroig, dtivovg. ’ApyaXetJTaToi, dtivoTUTOi. 
 
 “ Ilesycli. TroXvaiKog, TroXXdg opfxdg kcu Kivt'iatig txovrog tu)v ^axo- 
 
«J27—3G6. J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 155 
 
 can not relate nor name all, how many wives and daughters 
 ot‘ lieroes I beheld; for even the immortal night would first 
 waste away. But it is time for me to sleep, either going to 
 the swift ship to my companions, or here; but my conduct 
 will be a care to the gods and to you.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they all had been hushed in silence, 
 and fast held by the soothing [of his words] through the 
 shadowy palace. But white-armed Arete began speaking to 
 them : 
 
 “ O Pliaeacians, how does this man appear to you to be, in 
 form, and size, and in equal mind within % He indeed is my 
 guest: but each of you shares the honor: do not therefore 
 dismiss him in haste, nor be sparing in presents to one thus 
 in want, for many possessions lie in your houses through the 
 kindness of the gods.” 
 
 The aged hero Echeneus, [who was the oldest of the Phse- 
 acians,] also addressed them: “O my friends, the prudent 
 queen does not speak to you away from the mark, nor from 
 propriety; but- do ye obey [her]; but both the deed and word 
 of this depends upon Alcinous.” 
 
 But him Alcinous answered in turn, and said: “ This 
 word sliall indeed be so, if I reign alive over the oar-loving 
 Pliaeacians. But let the stranger endure, although very 
 much craving a return, to remain at all events till to-mor¬ 
 row, until I shall complete the whole gift; for his conduct 
 »hall be all men's care, but mine especially; for mine^^ is the 
 power among the people.” 
 
 But liim much-counseling Ulysses answering addressed : 
 “ O king Alcinous, most glorious of all the people, if thou 
 shouldst command me to remain here even for a year, and 
 ehouldst prepare my conduct, and give me noble gifts, I 
 should wish it indeed, and it would be much better, that I 
 should come to my dear country with a fuller hand; and I 
 should be more honored, and beloved by all men, as many as 
 should behold me returning to Ithaca.” 
 
 But him Alcinous answered in turn, and said : “ O Ulysses, 
 looking u})on thee, we do not suspect that at all, that you are 
 an impostor and thief, many such as far-scattered men the 
 black earth feeds, contriving falsehoods, from whence no one 
 would perceive it; but thou hast both a fashion of words and 
 
 Tovd' dpdpo^ is often put for tpov. 
 
156 
 
 ODYSSEY. XL 
 
 [3G7—403; 
 
 gocnl understuiicling ; and lliou hast related thy story skillfidly, 
 as a bard, the sad cares of all the Greeks and of thyself Bui 
 come, tell me this, and relate it truly, if thou hast seen any 
 of thy godlike companions, who followed together with thy¬ 
 self to Ilium, and drew on their fate there. This night is 
 very long, immense nor is there any time to sleep in the 
 palace ; but do thou relate to me wondrous deeds: and I 
 could bear it even until divine morning, when thou wouldst ' 
 endure to recount to me in my palace thine own sorrows.” 
 
 And him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: 
 
 “ O king Alcinous, most illustrious of all the people, there is 
 a season for many words, and a season also for sleep. But 
 if thou still desirest to listen, I would not grudge to relate to 
 thee other even more grievous sorrows of my companions, 
 who perished afterward; who escaped indeed from the sad 
 war of the Trojans, but perished on their return, by the de¬ 
 sign of an evil woman. When chaste Proserpine had dis¬ 
 persed the souls of women in different places, the soul of 
 Agamemnon, son of Atreus, came up, sorrowing: and the 
 rest were assembled around him, as many as died, and drew' 
 on their fate in the house of AEgisthus together with him; and 
 he immediately knew me, when he had driink the black blood ; 
 and he wept shrilly, shedding the warm tear, holding out his 
 hands to me, desiring to lay hold of me. But he had no lon¬ 
 ger firm strength, nor power at all, such as w'as before in his 
 bending limbs. I wept indeed, beholding him, and pitied 
 him in my mind, and addressing him I spoke winged words: 
 
 “ ‘ O most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of 
 men, what fate of long-sleeping death subdued thee? Did 
 Neptune subdue thee in thy ships, raising an immense^® blast 
 of cruel winds? Or did unjust men injure thee on land, 
 while thou wert cutting off* their oxen, and beautiful flocks of 
 sheep, or contending for a city, or for women ?’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke; but he immediately addressed me, answer- 
 
 Milton, Par. Lost, vii. 98: 
 
 “ And the great light of day yet wants to run 
 Much of his race, though steep; suspense in heaven, 
 
 Held by thy voice, thy potent voice, he hears. 
 
 And longer will delay to hear thee tell 
 Ilis generation,” etc. 
 
 afxsyapTOv, (i(p96v}}T0v, a'Oi^MTov, i) TToXvr, f/ fiiyav. Ilesycb. Cf. 
 Blomf. on Aisch. Prom. 401. Bind. 
 
404—439.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 157 
 
 ing : ‘ O Jove-born son of Laertes, inueli-planning Ulysses, nei¬ 
 ther did Neptune subdue me in my ships, raising an immense 
 blast of cruel winds, nor did unjust men injure me on land ; 
 bu*' ^^gisthus, having contrived death and Fate for me, slew 
 me, [conspiring] with my pernicious wife, having invited me 
 to his house, entertaining me at a feast, as any one has slain 
 an ox at the stall. Thus I died by a most piteous death ; 
 and my other companions were cruelly slain around me, as 
 swine with white tusks, which [are slain] either at the mar¬ 
 riage, or collation,or splendid banquet of a wealthy, very 
 powerful man. Thou hast already been present at the slaugh¬ 
 ter of many men, slain separately, and in hard battle; but if 
 thou hadst seen those tilings, thou wouldst have especially la¬ 
 mented in thy mind, how we lay in the palace about the cups 
 and full tables; and the whole ground reeked with blood. 
 And I heard the most piteous voice of the daughter of Priam, 
 Cassandra, whom deceitful Clytemnestra slew near me; but 
 I, raising my hands from the earth, dying, laid them on my 
 sword ; but she, impudent one, went away, nor did she endure 
 to close my eyes with her hands, and shut my mouth, although 
 I was going to Hades. So there is nothing else more terrh 
 ble and impudent than a woman, who indeed casts about such 
 deeds in her mind * what an unseemly deed has she indeed 
 contrived, having prepared murder for her husband, whom 
 she lawfully married!'® 1 thought indeed that I should re¬ 
 turn home welcome to my children and my servants ; but she, 
 above all acquainted with wicked things, has shed disgrace 
 over herself, and female women'® about to be hereafter, even 
 [upon one] who is a worker of good.’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke; but I addressed him answering • ‘ O 
 gods ! of a truth wide-thundering Jove most terribly hates 
 the race of Atreus, on account of women’s plans, from the 
 beginning: many of us indeed perished for the sake of Helen ; 
 and Clytemnestra has contrived a stratagem for thee when 
 thou wast at a distance.’ 
 
 “ Thus I spoke; but he immediately addressed me in an- 
 
 fpavor was a feast to which all the guests invited sent or contrib¬ 
 uted something. - ' 
 
 This seems, on the whole, the most probable interpretation of Kovpt- 
 Hioc in this passage. But the (question is a very uncertain one, and ii 
 left undecided by Buttmann, Lexil. p. 392, sqq. 
 
 Observe the pleonasm. 
 
158 
 
 OBYSSLY. XL 
 
 [439—481. 
 
 swcr: * Now therefore do not thou ever be mild to thy wife, 
 nor inform her of every thing with which thou art well ac¬ 
 quainted : but tell one thing, and let another be concealed. 
 But for thee indeed there will not be murder at the hands of 
 thy wife, O Uly sses: for prudent Penelope, the daughter of 
 Icarus, is very wise, and is well acquainted with counsels in 
 her mind. We left indeed her, when we came to the war, a 
 young bride; and she had an infant boy at her breast, who 
 now probably sits among the number of men, hap})y one ; for 
 his dear father will surely behold him, when returning, and 
 he will embrace his sire, as is right; but she my wife did not 
 suffer me to be satiated in mine eyes with my son, for she first 
 slew even me myself. But 1 will tell thee something else, and 
 do thou lay it up in thy mind ; hold thy ship toward thy dear 
 paternal land secretly, not 0 {)enly ; since confidence is no lon¬ 
 ger to be placed upon women. But come, tell me this and re¬ 
 late it truly; if thou hearest of my son any where yet alive, 
 either somewhere in Orchomenus, or in sandy Pylos^ or some¬ 
 where near Menelaus in wide Sparta? for divine Orestes has 
 not yet died upon the earth.’ 
 
 “Thus he spoke; but I addressed him in answer: ‘O son 
 of Atreus, why dost thou inquire these things of me? I do 
 not know at all, whether he is alive or dead; and it is wrong 
 to utter vain words.’ 
 
 “ We tw am stood thus mourning, answering one another 
 with sad words, shedding the warm tear. And the soul of 
 Achilles, son of Peleus, came on, and of Patroclus, and spot¬ 
 less Antilochus, and Ajax, who was the most excellent as to 
 his form and person of all the Danaans after the blameless son 
 of Peleus. And the soul of the swift-footed descendant of 
 Abacus knew me, and lamenting addressed me [in] winged 
 words: 
 
 “ ‘ O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, 
 wretched one, why dost thou meditate a still greater work in 
 thy mind ? how didst thou dare to descend to Orcus, where 
 dwell the witless dead, the images of deceased mortals?’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke ; but I addressed him in answer ; ‘ Achil¬ 
 les, son of Peleus, by far the most excellent of the Grecians, 
 I came for the advice of Tiresias, if he could tell me how 
 by any plan I may come to craggy Ithaca. For I have not 
 yet come any where near Greece, nor have I ever gone on my 
 
482 
 
 ODYSSEY. XL 
 
 159 
 
 —520.] 
 
 land any wlicre, but I still have troubles: bat there was no 
 man before more blessed than thou, O Achilles, nor will there 
 be hereafter. For formerly we Argives honored thee when 
 alive equally with the gods, and now again, when thou art 
 here, thou hast great power among the ‘ deceased; do not 
 therefore when dead be sad, O Achilles.’ 
 
 ‘‘Thu^ I spoke; but he immediately addressed me in an 
 swer: ‘ Do not, O illustrious Ulysses, speak to me of death ; 
 I would wish, being on earth, to serve for hire with another 
 man of no estate, who had not much livelihood, rather than 
 rule over all the departed dead. But come, tell me an ac¬ 
 count of ray noble son; did he follow to the war so as to be a 
 chief or not ? and, tell me if thou hast heard any thing of 
 blameless Feleus ; whether has he still honor among the many 
 IMyrmidonians? or do they dishonor him in Greece and Pthia, 
 because old age possesses his hands and feet ? for I am not- 
 assistant to him under the beams of the sun, being such an 
 one, as when I slew the best of the people in wide Troy, 
 fighting for the Grecians. If I should come as such an one 
 even for a short time to the house of my father, so I would 
 make my strength and unconquerable hands terrible to any, 
 who treat him with violence, and keep him from honor.’ 
 
 “ Thus he spoke ; but I answering addressed him : ‘ I have 
 not indeed heard any thing of blameless Feleus. But I will 
 tell thee the whole truth, as thou biddest me, about thy dear 
 son Neoptolernus; for I myself led him in an equal hollow 
 ship from Scyros to the w^ell-greaved Grecians. Of a truth 
 when we were taking counsels concerning the city Troy, he al¬ 
 ways spoke first, and did not err in his words: and godlike 
 Nestor and myself alone contended with him. But when we 
 W’ere fighting about the city of the Trojans, he never remained 
 in the number of men, nor in the crowd, but ran on much 
 before, yielding to no one in his might; and many men he 
 slew in the terrible contest: but I could not tell nor name all, 
 how great a people he slew, defending the Greeks. But [1 
 wall relate] how he slew the hero Eurypylus, son of Telephus, 
 with the brass,2® and many CcteaiFi companions were slain 
 
 i. e. with the sword. 
 
 Some render this large., as a metaphor taken from whales; but the 
 Scholiast informs us that the Ceteans were a people of Mysia, of wliom 
 Teleplius was king. Cf. Serv on Virg. Eel. vi. 72 ; Hygin. Lab. 112. 
 
J60 
 
 ODYSSF.Y. XL 
 
 [520—547, 
 
 around bitn, on account of gifts to a Avoman him certainly 
 1 beheld as the most beautiful, after divine Mernnon. But 
 when we, the chieftains of the Grecians, ascended into the 
 horse, which Epeus made, and all things were committed to 
 me, [both to open the thick ambush and to shut it,] there the 
 other leaders and rulers of the Greeks both wiped away their 
 tears, and the limbs of each trembled under them; but him I 
 never saw at all with my eyes, either turning pale as to his 
 beauteous complexion, or wiping away the tears from his 
 cheeks but he implored me very much to go out of the horse ; 
 and grasped the hilt of his sword, and his brass-heavy spear, 
 and he meditated evils against the Trojans. But when we 
 had sacked the lofty city of Priam, having his share and ex¬ 
 cellent reward, he embarked unhurt on a ship, neither stricken 
 with the sharp brass, nor Avounded [in fighting] hand to hand, 
 as oftentimes happens in Avar; for Mars confusedly raves.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but the soul of the SAvift-footed son of 
 -ZEacus went away, taking mighty steps through the meadoAv 
 of asphodel, in joyfulness, because I had said that his son was 
 very illustrious. But the other souls of the deceased dead 
 stood sorrowing, and each related their griefs. But the soul 
 of Ajax, son of Telamon, stood afar ofi*, angry on account of 
 the victory, in which I conquered him, contending in trial 
 at the ships concerning the arms of Achilles; for his vener¬ 
 able mother-3 proposed'^ them: [but the sons of theTrojans^^ 
 and I’allas JVlinerva adjudged them.] How I Avish that I had 
 not conquered in such a contest; for the earth contained such 
 
 Priam liad either ])romised Eury])ylus one of his danpjhters in mar¬ 
 riage ; or Priam had given presents to his Avife, in order that she might 
 persuade him to come to the war: in this case it Avould he, he was slain 
 on account of the presents which had been fiven his wife, Avhich appears to 
 me the best way of translating it. Old Transl. from the Scholiast. 
 Besychius, who has not always met Avith due attention from the editoi-s 
 of Homer, interprets this, did ywaiKiov dojpodoidav. So also Apollon. 
 Lex. Horn, did diopodoKiav, clearly confirming the latter interpretation, 
 which I have accordinglv followed. 
 
 q'hetis. 
 
 Ohseiwe that riOrjpi is j)ro])erly used of laying doAA’n a prize to bo 
 contested for. 
 
 In order that the arms might be adjudged fairly, the captive Tro¬ 
 jans were summoned before the Grecian chiefs, and asked Avhich of the 
 two, Ajax or Ulysses, had done most harm to the Trojans: they said 
 Ulysses, upon which the arms Avere giv'en to him, as having been of 
 most use to the Greeks. Jld Transl. 
 
550—585.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XI. 
 
 161 
 
 a pereson on account of them, Ajax, who excelled in form and 
 in deeds, the other Greeks, after the blameless son of Peleus; 
 him indeed I addressed with mild words: 
 
 “ ‘ O Ajax, son of blameless Telamon, art thou not about, 
 even when dead, to forget thine anger toward me, on account 
 of the destructive arms? for the gods made them a harm unto 
 the Grecians. For thou, who wast such a fortress to them, 
 ‘didst perish; for thee, when dead, we Greeks altogether 
 mourned, equally as for the person of Achilles, the son of 
 Feleus; nor was any one else the cause; but Jupiter vehe¬ 
 mently hated the army of the warrior Greeks; and he laid 
 fate upon you. But come hither, O king, that thou mayest 
 hear our word and speech; and subdue thy strength and 
 haughty mind.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but he answered me not at all, but went 
 to Erebus among the other souls of the deceased dead. There 
 however, [although] angry, he would have spoken to me, or 1 
 to him, but my mind in my breast wished to behold the souls 
 of tlie other dead. 
 
 “There then I beheld Minos, the illustrious son of Jove, 
 having a golden sceptre, giving laws to the dead, sitting down ; 
 but the others around him, the king, pleaded their causes, sit¬ 
 ting and standing through the wide-gated house of Pluto, 
 
 “ After him I beheld vast Orion, hunting beasts at the same 
 time, in tlie meadow of asphodel,^^ which he had himself 
 killed in the desert mountains, having an all-brazen club in 
 his hands, forever unbroken. 
 
 “ And I beheld Tityus, the son of the very renowned earth, 
 lying on the ground ; and he lay stretched over nine acres; 
 and two vultures sitting on each side of him were tearing his liv¬ 
 er, diving into tlie caul but he did not ward them off with his 
 hands ; for he had dragged Latona, the celebrated wife of Jove, 
 as she was going to Pythos, through the delightful Panopeus. 
 
 “And I beheld Tantalus suffering severe griefs, standing 
 in a lake ; and it approached his chin. But he stood thirst¬ 
 ing, and he could not get any thing to drink ; for as often as 
 the old man stooped, desiring to drink, so often the water be- 
 
 Asphodel was jdantcd on the graves and around the tomhs of the 
 deceased, and hence the supposition, that tho Stygian plain was clothed 
 with asphodel. Cowper. 
 
 Or, dijtjnng in the beak. See Loewe. 
 
162 
 
 ODYSSEY. XL 
 
 [585—G24. 
 
 ing sucked up, was lost to him ; and the black earth appeared 
 around his feet, and the deity dried it up. And lofty trees 
 shed down fruit from the top, pear-trees, and apples, and 
 pomegranates producing glorious fruit, and sweet figs, and 
 fiourishing olives : of whicli, when the old man raised himself 
 up to pluck some with his hands, the wind kept casting them 
 away to the dark clouds. 
 
 “ And I beheld Sisyphus, having violent griefs, bearing an‘ 
 enormous stone with both [his hands]: he indeed leaning 
 with his hands and feet kept thrusting the stone up to the 
 top: but when it was about to pass over the summit, then 
 strong force began to drive it back again, then the impudent-^ 
 stone rolled to the plain; but he, striving, kept thrusting it 
 back, and the sweat flowed down from his limbs, and a dirt 
 arose from his head. 
 
 After him I perceived the might of Hercules, an image; 
 for he himself among the immortal gods is delighted with ban¬ 
 quets, and has the faired-legged Hebe, [daughter of mighty 
 Jove and golden-sandaled Juno.] And around him there was 
 a clang of the dead, as of birds, frighted on all sides; but 
 he, like unto dark night, having a naked bow, and an arrow 
 at the string, looking about terribly, was always like unto one 
 about to let fly a shaft. And there was a fearful belt around 
 Ills breast, the thong was golden: on which wondrous forms 
 were wrought, bears, and wild boars, and terrible lions, and 
 contests, and battles, and slaughters, and slayings of men ; he 
 who devised that thong with his art, never having wrought 
 such an one before, could he work any other such. ^But he 
 immediately knew me, when he saw me with his eyes, and 
 pitying me, addressed winged words: 
 
 “‘O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, 
 ah wretched one, thou too art certainly pursuing some evil 
 fate, which I also endured under the beams of the sun. I 
 was indeed the son of Jove, the son of Saturn, but I had in¬ 
 finite labor; for 1 was subjected to a much inferior man, 
 who enjoined upon me difficult contests: and once he sent me 
 hither to bring the dog, for he did not think that there was 
 any contest more difficult than this. I indeed brought it up 
 
 I have been unwillin" to qualify this hold and picturesque epithet 
 by destroying the luetaphor, especially after the remarks of Aristotle, 
 Khet. iii. 11. 
 
C25—639. XII. 1—9.] ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 1G3 
 
 and led it from Pluto’s, but Mercury and blue-eyed Minerva 
 escorted me.’ 
 
 ‘‘ Thus having spoken, he went again within the house of 
 Pluto. But I remained there firmly, if by chance any one of 
 the heroes, who perished in former times, would still come; 
 and I should now still have seen former men, whom I wished, 
 [Theseus, and Pirithoiis, glorious children of the gods;] but 
 hrst myriads of nations of the dead were assembled around 
 me with a divine clamor; and pale fear seized me, lest to me 
 illustrious Proserpine should send a Gorgon head of a terrific 
 monster^^ from Orcus. Going then immediately to my ship, 
 I ordered my companions to go on board themselves, and to 
 loose the hawsers. But they quickly embarked, and sat down 
 on the benches. And the wave of the stream carried it 
 through the ocean river, first the rowing and afterward a fair 
 wind. 
 
 BOOK XII. 
 
 . ARGUMENT. 
 
 He relates his return from the infernal regions to Circe’s island, and her 
 advice.respecting his return home. How he escaped the Sirens, Scylla, 
 and Charybdis. His ai'rival in Sicily, where his companions, having 
 eaten the oxen of the Sun, were shipwrecked and lost; he concludes 
 by relating his arrival, alone, carried on the mast of his ship, at the 
 island of Calypso. 
 
 “ But when the sliip left the stream of the river Ocean, 
 and came back to the wave of the wide-wayed sea, to the isl¬ 
 and of Aiasa, where are the abodes and dancing-places^ of 
 Aurora, the mother of dawn, and the risings of the sun : hav¬ 
 ing come here, we drew u}) our ship on the sands, and we 
 ourselves disembarked upon the shore of the sea. Here ly¬ 
 ing down to sleep we awaited divine morning: but when the 
 mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, appeared, then I sent 
 forward my companions to the house of Circe, to bring the 
 
 Hence Milton, Par. Lost, ii. 610: 
 
 “But hue withstands, and to oppose th’ attempt 
 Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards 
 The ford.” 
 
 - I prefer taking xopolci in this sense, although “ dances” is by no 
 means unsuitable. See my note on Alsch. Ag. p. 95, n. 3, ed. Bohn. 
 
1G4 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIL 
 
 [10—49. 
 
 corpse, tlie dead Elpenor. And immediately cutting trunks, 
 where the sliore projected the farthest, we buried [him] in 
 sorrow, shedding the w arm tear. J4ut when the corpse Avas 
 burned, and the arms of the dead, having built a tomb, and 
 having erected a column over it, we fixed the well-fitted oar 
 at the top of the tomb. 
 
 “We indeed went through every thing; nor yet returning 
 from Hades did we escape Circe, but she came very quickly, 
 hastening: and her female attendants with her brought bread, 
 and much flesh, and dark-red wine. And she, the divine one 
 of goddesses, standing in the middle of us, addressed us: 
 
 “‘Wretched ones ! who alive have come under the house 
 of Pluto, twice dead, when other men die but once. Put 
 come, eat food and drink wine here through the whole day; 
 and ye shall sail together with morn appearing ; but I Avill 
 show you the way; and will instruct you in every thing; 
 that ye may not grieve at all, suffering harm either on the 
 sea or on land by some grievous bad counsel.’ 
 
 “ Thus she spoke; but our noble mind was forthwith per¬ 
 suaded. Thus, then, during the whole day until sunset, we 
 sat feasting on abundant flesh and sweet wine; but when the 
 sun had sunk, and darkness came on, they indeed slept near 
 the cables of the ship; but she, taking me by the hand, at a 
 distance from my dear companions, made me sit down, and 
 reclined opposite,^ and inquired every thing of me; and I re¬ 
 lated all things rightly to her. And then indeed venerable 
 Circe addressed me with words; 
 
 “ ‘ All these things indeed have thus been performed; but 
 do thou listen, how I will tell thee, and a deity himself will 
 make thee remember it. First indeed thou wilt come to the 
 Sirens, who charm all men, whoever comes to them. Whoso¬ 
 ever through ignorance has approached and heard the voice of 
 the Sirens, by no means do his wife and infant children stand 
 near him when he returns home, nor do they rejoice. Put 
 the Sirens, sitting in a meadow, soothe him with a shrill song, 
 and around there is a large heap of bones of men rotting, and 
 skins waste away round about. Put sail beyond; and anoint 
 the ears of thy companions, moulding sweet wax, lest any one 
 of the others should hear; but do thou thyself hear, if thou 
 
 ^ So Clarke and Cowper, but I think the Scholiast is more correct in 
 explaining it, spoke to. 
 
50—88.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 1G5 
 
 wilt. Let them bind tliee bands and feet in the swift ship, 
 upright in the mast-hole; and let cables be bound from it; 
 that, delighted, thou mayest hear the voice of the Sirens: but 
 if thou entreatest thy companions, and biddest them loose 
 thee, let them then bind thee in still more bonds. But when 
 tiiy companions shall have sailed beyond these, then I can not 
 tell thee accurately which will afterward be thy way; but do 
 thou thyself consider in thy mind; but I will tell thee of 
 both ways. There indeed are lofty rocks ; and near them the 
 vast wave of dark Amphitrite resounds; the blessed gods call 
 them the Wanderers ; here nor birds pass by, nor timid doves, 
 which carry ambrosia to father Jove; but the smooth rock 
 always takes aw^ay some one of them, but the father sends 
 another to make up the number. From this not yet has any 
 ship of men escaped, w hichever has come to it; but the wave 
 of the sea and the stonns of destructive fire take aw^ay planks 
 of ships and bodies of men together. That sea-traversing 
 ship alone has sailed by it, Argo, a care unto all, w’hich sailed 
 from Aretes: and now^ perhaps it^ w^ould have quickly dashed 
 it there against mighty rocks, but Juno sent it on, since 
 Jason was dear [to lier]. But as to the two rocks,'^ the 
 one reaches the w ide heaven with its sharp top, and a dark- 
 gray cloud surrounds it: this indeed never withdraw^s,^ nor does 
 a clear sky ever pos. ess its top, either in the summer or in 
 the autumn ; nor could a mortal man ascend it, or descend, 
 not if he had tw^enty hands and feet; for the rock is smooth, 
 like unto one polished around. But in the middle of the 
 rock tliere is a shadowy cave toward the west, turned to 
 Erebus;*^ wdiere do thou, O illustrious Ulysses, direct thy 
 hollow ship. Nor could a young man darting an arrow' from 
 a bow' from a hollow ship reach the deep cave. Here Scylla 
 dwells, shiieking out terribly; her voice indeed is as of a 
 new'-born whelp, but she herself is a vast monster; nor would 
 any rejoice seeing [her], not even if a god should meet 
 
 ^ Viz. the wave. 
 
 * Put for riot' Si Si>a aK 07 ri\(ov. See Thiersch, Gk. Gr. § 276, 6, re¬ 
 ferred to by Loewe, and iny note on Aiscli. Prom. p. 8, ed. Bohn. 
 
 ^ So in 11. B. 171), dXX’ lOi vvv Kara Xaov ’A\cito)v,/itiSk r tpioti. See 
 Biittni. Lexil. p. 310, s(p 
 
 ® With this [K-riphrasis for the West we may not inaptly compare 
 Otixj tor Hades in Soph. (Ed. 177. 
 
ICG 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIL 
 
 [80—12(;. 
 
 her. She has twelve slender'^ feet in all; and she has six 
 very long necks; and on each there is a terrific head, and 
 in it three rows of teeth, thick and frequent, full of black 
 death. She is sunk in the middle through her hollow 
 cave : and she holds forth her heads out of the terrible abyss, 
 and fishes there, watching about the rock, for dolphins, and 
 dogs, and if she can any where take a larger whale, which 
 deep-groaning Amphitrite feeds in countless numbers. By 
 whom unharmed never at any time do sailors boast that 
 they have fled by in their ship; but snatching a man with 
 each of her heads from a dark-pro wed ship, she bears him 
 away. But thou wilt see the other rock lower, O Ulysses, 
 each near to the other; and thou couldst reach it with an 
 arrow. In this there is a large wild fig-tree flourishing with 
 leaves; under this divine Charybdis sucks in black winter. 
 For thrice in a day she sends it out, and thrice she sucks it 
 in teri'ibly: mayest thou not come thither when she is gulp¬ 
 ing it; for not even Neptune could free thee from ill. But 
 by all means sailing to the rock of Scylla, drive thy ship 
 quickly beyond ; since it is much better to regret*^ six com¬ 
 panions in a ship, than all together.’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke; but I answering addressed her: ‘Come 
 then, tell me this truly, O goddess; if I can by any means 
 escape out from destructive Charybdis, should I be revenged 
 upon her, when she has harmed my companions V 
 
 “ Thus I spoke ; but she, the divine one of goddesses, im¬ 
 mediately answered : ‘ O wretched one, are wjirlike deeds and 
 labor still a care to thee? nor wilt thou yield to the immor¬ 
 tal gods? She is not indeed mortal, but is an immortal evil, 
 terrible, and difiicult, and fierce, nor to be fouglit with. Nor 
 is there any defense; it is best to flee from her: for if thou 
 shouldst delay, arming thyself, by the rock, 1 fear lest again 
 jxttacking thee she would reach thee with so many heads, and 
 would take away so many® men. But sail on very quickly 
 and call for help to Cratieis, the mother of Scylla, who brought 
 her forth a destruction to mortals, wdio will immediately hinder 
 her from attacking thee afterward. 
 
 ’ XfTTToi, t) TrapaiMpQVjm>oi Kai na9fi>n£. Enst. 
 
 Eeatly exi)resscd by Virg. yEn. i. 221, “ Ainissos longo sooios sx'r- 
 nione reqab'vut." Cf. 300, pi>p<jaf.itvoi di) tirtira (piXovf; tKXaioi' tTaipoi.'Q. 
 
 * i. c. as many as before. 
 
127—1G7.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIL 
 
 1G7 
 
 “ ‘ And thou 'vvilt come to the island Trinacria where 
 are fed many oxen and fat slieep of the Sun,^’ seven herds 
 of oxen, and as many beautiful flocks of sheep, and fifty in 
 each ; but there is no increase of them, nor do they ever per¬ 
 ish ; but goddesses are their shepherdesses, the fair-haired 
 nymphs, Phaethusa, and Lampetie, whom divine Nejera bore 
 to the sun who journeys above. Whom having nourished and 
 brought them forth, their venerable mother sent them away to 
 the Trinacrian island, to dwell afar off, to guard their father's 
 slieep and crumpled-horned oxen. If thou leavest tliese un¬ 
 harmed, and carest for thy return, thou mayest yet come to 
 Itliaca, although suffering evils; but if thou harmest them, 
 tlien 1 foretell to thee destruction to thy ship and thy coni- 
 jianions ; and although thou shouldst thyself escape, thou wait 
 return late, in misfortune, having lost all thy companions.’ 
 
 “Thus she spoke; but golden-throned morning immedi¬ 
 ately came. The divine one of goddesses then went aw^ay 
 through the island ; but I, going to my ship, excited my com¬ 
 panions to embark themselves, and to loose the hawsers. But 
 they immediately w^ent on board, and sat dowm on the benches, 
 and sitting in order they smote the hoary sea wdtli their oars. 
 Then the fair-haired Circe, an awful goddess, possessing hu¬ 
 man speech, sent a prosperous gale behind our dark-prowed 
 ship, that filled the sails, an excellent companion. Immedi¬ 
 ately having got ready all our tackle in the ship, w'e sat 
 down ; and the wind and the helmsman directed it. Then 
 sorrowing in my heart, I addressed my companions: 
 
 “ ‘ O my friends, it is not fit that one or two only should 
 know the oracles, wdiich Circe, divine one of goddesses, has 
 spoken unto me ; but J wall tell you, that being aw^are we 
 may either die, or avoiding it may escape death and Fate. 
 First she commands us to shun the voice of the divine Sirens, 
 and their flow'^ery mead ; she ordered me alone to hear their 
 voice; but do ye bind me in a difficult bond, that I may re¬ 
 main there firmly, upright in the mast-hole: and let cables 
 be fastened from it. But if I entreat you, and command you 
 to loose me, do ye then press me wdth still more bonds.’ 
 
 “ I indeed telling every thing, related it to my companions: 
 but in the mean time the w'cll-made ship came quickly to the 
 island of the Sirens; for a harmless prosperous gale urged it 
 i. c. Sicily, “Triquetris insulae” in Lucretius. Cf. i. 8, sqq. 
 
iG8 
 
 ODYSSEY. Xir. 
 
 2168^-208. 
 
 on. Immediately then the wind ceased, and there was Ji wind¬ 
 less calm, and a deity hushed the winds to sleep. And my 
 companions rising up, furled the sails of the ship, and placed 
 them in the hollow ship; and they sitting on their oars, 
 whitened the water with their polished blades of fir. Hut I 
 having cut in small pieces a large circle of wax with the 
 sharp brass, pressed it with my strong hands: and the wax 
 immediately became warm, for the great force compelled it, 
 and the shining of the sun, the king, the son of Him that 
 journeys on high : and I anointed it in turn upon the ears of 
 all my companions. But they bound me both hands and feet 
 together in the ship, upright in the mast-hole, and they fast¬ 
 ened cables from it; and they themselves sitting down smote 
 the hoary sea with their oars. But when we weie so far dis¬ 
 tant as one makes himself heard shouting out, going on swift¬ 
 ly, the ship passing the sea ciuickly, driving near, did not es¬ 
 cape them, but they prepared a tuneful song. 
 
 “ ‘ Come hither, O much-praised Ulysses, great glory of the 
 Grecians, stop thy ship, that thou inayest hear our voice ; for 
 no one has yet passecl by here in a black ship, before he has 
 heard the sweet voice from our mouths ; but he goes away 
 delighted, and acciuainted with more things. For we ken all 
 things, whatever the Grecians and Trojans suffered by the 
 will of the gods in spacious Troy; and we know whatever 
 things are done in the food-abounding earth.’ 
 
 “Thus they spoke, uttering a sweet sound; but my heart 
 wished to hear them, and I ordered my companions to loose 
 me, nodding with my eyebrows; but they falling forward 
 rowed; and Ferimedes and Eurylochus immediately rising, 
 bound me with more bonds, and pressed me still more. But 
 when it passed by them, and we no longer heard the voice of 
 the Sirens, nor their song, my beloved companions immediate¬ 
 ly took away the wax, which 1 anointed on their ears, and 
 loosed me from the bonds. But when we had now left the 
 island, immediately I saw smoke and a vast wave, and heard 
 a noise. The oars Hew from the hands of them terrified ; and 
 all making a noise [went] down the stream ; but the ship was 
 stopped there, since they no longer urged the extended oars 
 with their hands. But J went tlirough the shij), and incited 
 my companions with mild words, standing near each man : 
 
 “ ‘ O my friends, we are not by any means ignorant of mis- 
 
20a—250.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 1G9 
 
 fortunes. This evil indeed does not come greater upon us 
 than wlien the Cyclops shut us in his hollow cave by pow¬ 
 erful force; but we escaped even from thence by my valor, 
 and counsel and prudence; and I think that you will some 
 time remember^^ these things. But now come, let us all obey, 
 as I direct; do ye smite the deep billow of the sea with your 
 oars, sitting on the benches, if Jove will by chance grant us 
 to escape from and avoid this death. But to thee I order 
 thus, O helmsman, and lay it up in thy mind, since thou art 
 managing the rudder of the hollow ship; keep the ship off 
 from this smoke and wave; and do thou observe the rocl-^ 
 lest rushing out thence she escape thy notice, and thou cast 
 us into evil.’ 
 
 ‘‘Thus I spoke ; and they quickly obeyed my words. But 
 I did not speak of Scylla, an unavoidable-^ evil, lest my com¬ 
 panions, terrified, should cease from rowing, and huddle them¬ 
 selves within. And then I forgot the terrible command cf 
 Circe, for she ordered me not to arm myself; but I, having 
 put on my noble arms, and taking two long spears in my 
 liands, w^ent to the deck of the ship's prow; for I expected 
 that rocky Scylla, who brought harm to my companions, would 
 appear from thence first. Nor could I perceive her any 
 where ; but my eyes toiled, looking every where to the dark 
 rock. And we sailed through the strait, mourning, for on 
 one side was Scylla, and on the other divine Charybdis terri¬ 
 bly sucked in the briny water of the sea. When she vomited 
 it out, it all murmured, bubbling up’as a caldron on a hirgc 
 fire, and the foam fell on high upon both the lofty rocks. But 
 when she drank up the briny water of the sea, it all appeared 
 bubbling up within ; and thundered terribly about the rock, 
 and the earth appeared below with azure^^ sand ; and pale 
 fear seized them. We indeed looked to this, fearing destruc¬ 
 tion. And Scylla in the mean time took six of my companions 
 from the hollow ship, who Avere best in their hands and their 
 strength. And looking to the swift ship and to my compan¬ 
 ions at the same time, J now perceived the feet and hands 
 above of them raised on high; and calling out, they addressed 
 me by my name, there for the last time, sorrowing at hcai-t 
 
 '•2 Cf. Vhg. JFa\. i. 202, sqq. 
 
 uTrprjKTOv is cquiv-alcnt uiropov^ a/itixcd'ov. 
 
 ® IVubably a pale, greciiisb gray is tlie color meant. 
 
 Jl 
 
170 
 
 ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 [251— 
 
 As when on fi jutting rock i\ fisherman with a very long re¬ 
 throwing food as a snare for little fishes, sends the horn of a 
 rustic ox into the sea, and then snatching it [a fish] up, throw.? 
 it out panting; so they panting were raised up to the rocks: 
 and there at the door she fed upon them crying out, stretching 
 out their hands to me in dreadful calamity. That of a truth 
 was the most miserable of all the things that I witnessed with 
 mine eyes, whatever I suffered, searching out the Avays of the 
 3ca. 
 
 ‘‘‘But Avhen we escaped the rocks, both terrible Charybdis 
 and Scylla, we came immediately af\erward to the blameless 
 island of the god; there Avere beautiful oxen with Avide fore¬ 
 heads, and many fat sheep of the Sun that journeys above. 
 Then I, still going on the sea in a black ship, heard the Ioav- 
 ing of oxen in stalls, and the bleating of sheep: and there 
 came into my mind the Avord of the blind prophet, Theban 
 Tiresias, and of iEoBan Circe, Avho charged me very often to 
 avoid the island of the mortal-rejoicing Sun. Then I address¬ 
 ed my companions, sorrowing in my heart: 
 
 “ ‘ Plear my Avords, O companions, although suffering evils, 
 that I may tell you the oracles of Tiresias, and of iEoean Circe, 
 AA'ho charged me A^ery often to avoid the island of the Sun that 
 journeys above ; for she said that from hence Avould be a most 
 terrible evil unto us. But drive the black ship beyond the 
 island.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; but their dear heart AA'as broken doAvn. 
 And Eurylochus immediately ansAA’ered me with a harsh 
 speech: ‘Thou art severe, O Ulysses; thou hast exceeding 
 might, nor art thou fatigued as to your limbs ; surely all of them 
 ar^of iron, [since] thou dost not suffer thy companions, Avea- 
 ried out Avith toil, and [oppressed Avith] sleep,^^ to go upon the 
 land, Avhere Ave may again prepare an agreeable supper in the 
 sea-girt island; but tliou commandest us to Avander in vain 
 through the swift night, straying from the island in the 
 misty°sea. During the nights troublesome Avinds arise, the 
 destruction of ships: hoAv could any one escape from utter 
 destruction, if a storm of Avind should by chance come on a 
 sudden, either from the South or hard-bloAving West, Avhich 
 especially destroy ships, against the AA ill of the gods, Avho are 
 kings'? But let us indeed noAv obey black night, and let us 
 I follow Clarke’s intcri)rctation. Sec Locavc. 
 
292 — 334 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 171 
 
 get ready supper^ remaining near tlie swift ship; and, em* 
 barking in the morning, let us enter on the wide sea.’ 
 
 “Thus spoke Eurylochus; and my other companions ap¬ 
 proved : and then I knew that the deity meditated evils: and 
 addressing liim I spoke winged words: 
 
 “‘O Eurylochus, surely now ye compel me much, being 
 alone ; but come, all of you, now swear a strong oath to me, 
 if we find any herd of oxen, or great fiock of sheep, no one 
 will kill either ox, or even sheep, through his infatuation : 
 but quiet do ye eat the food which immortal Circe gave us.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; and they immediately swore as I com¬ 
 manded : but when they had sworn and finished the oath, we 
 stationed the well-made ship in the hollow port, near the 
 sweet water: and my companions went out of the ship, and 
 then skillfully prepared supper. But when they had taken 
 away the desire of drinking and eating, then calling to mind 
 their dear companions whom Scylla ate, having taken them out 
 from the black ship, they wept; and sweet sleep came upon 
 them weeping. But when it was the third part of the night, 
 and the stars went down, cloud-collecting Jove raised against 
 us a strong wind, with a mighty Avhirlwind, and covered earth 
 and heaven at the same time with clouds; and night arose 
 from heaven. But Avhen the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered 
 morning, appeared, ^ve moored our ship, drawing it into a hol¬ 
 low cave; there were the beautiful dancing places and the 
 seats of Nymphs; and then I, having formed an assembly, 
 spoke unto them ail: 
 
 “‘O my friends, there is food and drink in the SAvift ship ; 
 but let us abstain from the oxen, lest Ave suffer any thing. 
 For these are the oxen and fat sheep of a dread god, the Sun, 
 Avlio overlooks all things, and hears all things.’ 
 
 “Thus I spoke; and their noble mind Avas persuaded. 
 But the South Avind blcAV Avithout ceasing for a Avhole month, 
 nor Avas there any other Avind aftei’Avard except the East and 
 South. But they, Avhile they had food and red Avine, so long 
 abstained from the oxen, being desirous of life: but Avhen 
 all the provisions Avere now consumed out of the ship, then 
 Avandering of necessity they followed after booty, fish and 
 birds, acceptable, Avhatever came to their hands, Avith crooked 
 hooks : but hunger wore doAvn their belly. Then I Avent aAvay 
 through the island, that I might pray to the gods, if any one 
 
172 
 
 ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 [ 335 — 373 . 
 
 would show me the way to return. But when now I avoided 
 my companions, going through the island, having washed my 
 hands where there was a shelter from the wind, 1 made vows 
 to all the gods who inhabit Olympus: and they poured sweet 
 sleep over my eyebrows. But Eurylochus was the beginner 
 of evil counsel unto my companions. 
 
 “ ‘ Hear my words, O companions, although suffering evils : 
 all deaths arc hatefid to wretched mortals; but, through 
 hunger, it is most miserable to die and draw on one’s fate. 
 But come, having driven away the best of the oxen of tlie 
 Sun, we will sacrifice to the immortals who possess the wide 
 heaven. But if we come to Ithaca, our father-land, we will 
 immediately build a rich temple to the Sun, who journeys on 
 high, where we may place many and excellent images. But 
 if by any means wrathful on account of the straight-horned 
 oxen, he should wish to destroy our ship, and the other gods 
 follow, I had rather at once lose my life gaping in the wave, 
 than waste away any longer, remaining on a desert island.’ 
 
 “Thus spoke Eurylochus; and my other companions ap¬ 
 proved. But immediately having driven the best of the oxen 
 of the Sun from near at hand (for the beautiful black oxen, 
 with their broad foreheads, pastured not far away from the 
 dark-prowed ship), they stood around them, and prayed to 
 tiie gods, having cropped the tender leaves of a lofty-tressed 
 oak; for they had not white barley on the well-benched ship. 
 
 “ But when they had prayed, and slain and skinned them, 
 they cut off* the thighs, and covered theni with fat, doubling 
 them, and they set the raw parts upon them: nor had they 
 wine to make libations over the burned sacrifices, but making 
 libations with water, they roasted all the entrails. But when 
 they had burned the thighs, and tasted the bowels, they cut up 
 the other parts, and fixed them on s})its : and then sweet sleep 
 rushed away from my eyebrows: and I hastened to the swift 
 ship and the shore of the sea. But as I was now going near 
 the ship rowed on both sides, then the sweet vapor of the 
 fat came upon me : and mourning, I cried out to the immortal 
 gods: 
 
 “ ‘ O father Jove, and ye other blessed gods, who exist for¬ 
 ever, certainly ye laiil me to sleep in a pitiless sleep, to my 
 harm, but my companions remaining here have devised a 
 heinous deed.’ 
 
374 — 415 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 173 
 
 “But quickly to the Sun, who journeys ubove, came Lani- 
 petia, wearing a large garment, as a messenger, that we (my 
 companions) had slain his oxen. And he immediately ad¬ 
 dressed the immortals, enraged at heart: 
 
 “ ‘ O father Jove, and ye other bleSvSed gods, who exist for¬ 
 ever, punish the companions of Ulysses, the son of Laertes, 
 Avho have insolently slain mine oxen, in which I rejoiced both 
 coming to the starry heaven, and turning back again to earth 
 from heaven. But if they do not repay me a proper return 
 for my oxen, I Avill go down to Pluto’s, and will shine among 
 the dead.’ 
 
 “ But him cloud-collecting Jove ansAvering addressed : ‘ O 
 Sun, do thou by all means shine among the immortals and 
 mortal men, over the fruitful plain. And then I, striking a 
 little their SAvift ship Avith a Avhite thunder-bolt, Avill quickly 
 cleave it in the middle of the dark sea.’ 
 
 “But these things I heard from fair-haired Calypso; and 
 she said that she had heard them from the messenger Mer¬ 
 cury. But Avhen I came to the ship and the sea, I chided 
 them one after another, standing near them, nor could avo find 
 any remedy; for the oxen Avere noAv dead. Then the gods 
 immediately shoAved prodigies to them ; the skins craAvled, 
 and the flesh loAved on the spits, both roast and raAv; and 
 there Avas a voice as of oxen. For six days then my beloved 
 companions feasted, driving aAvay the best of the oxen of the 
 Sun: but Avhen JoA*e, the son of Saturn, brought on the sev¬ 
 enth day, then the Avind ceased raging Avith a tempest: and 
 AA'C, straightAvay embarking, committed ourselves to the Avide 
 sea: having erected the mast and draAvn up the Avhite sails. 
 
 “But Avhen Ave had noAv left the island, nor did any other 
 land appear, but the heaven and the sea, then the son of Sat¬ 
 urn reared an azure cloud above the holloAv ship; and the 
 sea became dark beneath it. But it ran for no very long time ; 
 for immediately came the clamoring West Avind, rushing Avith 
 a miglity tempest: and the storm of the Avind broke both the 
 cables of the mast; and the mast fell baclcAvard, and all the 
 tackle Avas throAvn in confusion into the hold; and he struck 
 the head of the helmsman backAAmrd in the ship, and broke all 
 the bones of his head together; and he fell like unto a diA'er 
 from the deck, and his noble mind left Ids bones ; and Jove 
 thundered together, and liurled a thunder-bolt upon the ship: 
 
174 
 
 ODYSSEY. XII. 
 
 [ 410 — 453 . 
 
 and it was entirely whirled round, stricken witli the thunder¬ 
 bolt of Jove, and it was tilled with sidplmr ; and my compan¬ 
 ions fell from the ship. And they, like unto gulls, were borne 
 on the waves around the black ship ; for the deity took away 
 their return. Hut I kept going about through the ship, until 
 the storm loosed the sides from the keel; and the wave bore 
 it along naked. And it broke out the mast at the keel: but 
 a thong was thrown upon it, made from the skin of an ox. 
 With this I bound both together, the keel and the mast: and 
 sitting upon them I Avas borne by the destructive winds. 
 
 “Then indeed the West wind ceased raging with a storm, 
 and quickly the South Avind came on, bringing grief to my 
 mind, that I should again measure my Avay to destructive 
 Charybdis. I Avas borne along during the Avhole night; and 
 together Avith the rising sun I came to the rock of Scylla, and 
 terrible Charybdis. She gulped up the briny Avater of the 
 sea; but I, raised on high to the lofty fig-tree, held clinging 
 to it, as a bat, nor could I any Avhere either fix myself firmly 
 Avith my feet, or ascend: for the roots Avere far off, and the 
 branches Avere Avide apart, and both long and vast, and tliey 
 overshadoAved Charybdis. Hut I held Avithout ceasing, until 
 she vomited out again the mast and keel; and it came late to 
 me Avishing for it: as late as a man has risen from the forum 
 to go to su})per, adjudging many contests of disputing youths, 
 so late these planks appeared from Charybdis. And 1 put 
 doAvn my leet, and my hands OA^er them, to be carried along, 
 and 1 fell Avith a noise in the middle on the long planks, and 
 sitting upon them, I roAvcd Avith my hands. Kor did the fa¬ 
 ther of men and of gods permit Scylla to behold me any more ; 
 for I could not have escaped bitter destruction. From thence 
 I Avas borne along nine days; but in the tenth night the gods 
 drove me to the island Ogygia; Avherc fair-haired Calypso 
 dAvelt, an aAvful goddess, possessing human speech, Avho re¬ 
 ceived me kindly, and took care of me. Why should 1 re¬ 
 count these things to thee ? for I have already related them 
 yesterday in thine house, to thee and thy illustrious Avife ; 
 but it is hateful to me to recount again things that have been 
 told full plainly.” 
 
 So Horace, “ nudum remigio latus.” 
 
I—2LJ 
 
 ODYSSEY. Xlir. 
 
 175 
 
 BOOK XIII. 
 
 ARGUxMENT. 
 
 Ilavinp; concluded his narrative, Ulysses is carried asleep to Ithaca by 
 the riiaeacians, and put on shore with the presents he received from 
 them. Neptune, as had been foretold, transforms the ship into a rock 
 just before its arrival in Pha3acia, Minerva meets Ulysses and con¬ 
 verses with him respecting the destruction of the suitors; she then 
 hides his treasures in a cave, and transforms Ulysses into an old man. 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they all becRiiie still in silence, and 
 were possessed with soothing delight in the shady palace. 
 But him Alcinous answered in turn, and addressed [him]: 
 
 “ O Ulysses, since thou hast come to my brazen-founded, 
 lofty-roofed house, therefore I think that thou wilt return 
 back, not wandering at all back again, although thou hast 
 suffered very many things. But to each man of you I speak 
 these things, charging you, as many of you as constantly drink 
 the dark honorary^ wine in my palace, and listen to the bard: 
 there already lie garments for the stranger in a well-polished 
 chest, and much-wrought gold, and all other presents, what¬ 
 ever the senators of the Plneacians have brought here; but 
 come, let us give to him a large tripod and caldron, each 
 man but we again will pay it back, being assembled among^ 
 the people, for it is a difficult thing for one to give as a pres¬ 
 ent.”^ ‘ 
 
 Thus spoke Alcinous; and his words pleased them. And 
 each of them went home about to sleep. But when the moth¬ 
 er of dawn, rosy-fmgered morning, appeared, they hastened to 
 the ship, and brought man-strengthening brass; and the sa¬ 
 cred might of Alcinous arranged these things well, he him¬ 
 self going through the ship under the benches, lest they should 
 
 * yepovaiov olvov, “tlic best, richest wine,” served up to the senators, 
 and people ot distinction, q tv T<p tCjv yepovrujv >]toi ivTifiujv ovpTrotrkf 
 TTiv6p,tvoQ. Eustath. 
 
 ^ avdpaicdc kcit dvdpa e'va eieacrrov. Ilesych. It is originally a sub¬ 
 stantive (as in Nicander, Ther. Gf 2), but is used adverbially by ilomer. 
 
 ^ Notwithstanding Clarke’s observation that dytipopai is always used 
 j)assiveltj in Ilomer, the old prose translator has utterly mistaken the 
 l>assage, rendering it, “we will again repay ourselves, making a collec¬ 
 tion through the people.” A Homeric sentiment, forsooth ! 
 
 ‘‘ Literallv, “ for nothing,” genitive of Trpot?, a gift. See Thiersch, 
 Gk. Gr. ]). G!)8. 
 
176 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 1^22—55. 
 
 liurt any of his companions who were driving on, when they 
 hastened with their oars. But they went to Alcinous’s,^ and 
 made ready a feast. And the sacred might of Alcinoiis sac¬ 
 rificed an ox for them to Jove, the dark-clouded son of Saturn, 
 who rules over all. And burning the tliighs, they banqueted 
 a glorious banquet, delighting themselves: and among them 
 the divine bard sang, Demodocus, honored by the people: but 
 Ulysses frequently turned his head toward the shining sun, 
 anxious for it to go down ; for now he desired to return. And 
 as Avhen a man is longing for his supper, for whom during the 
 whole day two dun steers have drawn the compact plow 
 through a fallow, and welcome to him the light of the sun is 
 setting, that he may go to supper, and his knees are liurt as 
 he goes: so welcome to Ul3^sses did the light of the sun set. 
 And he immediately conversed with the oar-loving Phteacians, 
 and addressing Alcinous especially, he spoke words: 
 
 “ O king Alcinous, most glorious of all the people, having 
 made libations, do ye send me unharmed,® and yourselves fare¬ 
 well : for now are the things completed which my dear mind 
 wished, an escort and friendly gifts, which may the heavenly 
 gods make prosperous for me: and returning, may I find my 
 spotless wife at home, with my friends, in safety. But do ye, 
 remaining here, delight }^our virgin-wedded wives and chil¬ 
 dren ; and may the gods accord them every kind of virtue; 
 and may there be no public evil.” -* 
 
 Thus he spoke, and they all approved, and ordered them to 
 send the stranger, since he had spoken rightly. And then 
 Alcinous addressed the herald : 
 
 “ O Bontonous, having mixed a cup, distribute wine to all 
 in the palace: that having prayed to father Jove, we may 
 send the stranger to his paternal land.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but Bontonous mixed the sweet wine, and 
 distributed it to all in succession but they made libations to 
 
 ^ I have imitated the ellipse in the original. 
 
 ® Where the former prose translator got the nords “as you have 
 promised,” I can not tell. Ilis version a})})cars, f\t times, to have been 
 made without looking at the text. 
 
 ^ Hesychius gives several interpretations of this word, l<pt<Trr]Kwc, ?; 
 ‘TTpoaraaia ; ?/ Kara to Cf. ()d. xii. 392, and Apoll. llhod. i. 293, 
 
 dp<p'nroXoi yodaoKov tTriaTadov, where the Scholiast explains it by t^fcr- 
 rpKinai, but Iloelzlinus more correctly, ex online. Sec also Biittmann, 
 Lcxil. p. 170. 
 
55—OS.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 177 
 
 the blessed gods wlio possess the wide heaven, in the same 
 place from their seats; and divfne Ulysses rose up, and he 
 placed the round cup in the hands of Arete, and addressing 
 her, spoke winged words : 
 
 “ Farewell, O queen, continually, until old age comes, and 
 death, which happen to men. But I am going, and do thou 
 be delighted in this house with thy children, and the people, 
 and king Alcinous.*’ 
 
 Thus speaking, divine Ulysses went over the threshold ; but 
 with him the strength of Alcinous sent forward a herald, to 
 conduct him to the swift ship and the shore of the sea. And 
 Arete sent women servants with him; one having a well- 
 washed robe, and garment, and another she sent with him to 
 carry a heavy coffer: and another carried both bread and red 
 wine. But when they came to the ship and the sea, his il- 
 lu-strious conductors immediately receiving the things, placed 
 them in the hollow ship, ail the diink and meat: and then 
 they strewed a rug and linen for Ulysses, on the deck of the 
 hollow ship, that he might sleep without waking,® at the stern ; 
 but he himself embarked and lay down in silence; and each 
 of them sat on the benches in order; and they loosed the ca¬ 
 ble from the perforated stonethere they, reclining, threw 
 up the sea with the oar, and sweet sleep fell upon his eyelids, 
 unwakeful, most pleasant, the nearest like death. But it,^® 
 like as four-yoked male horses in the plain, all incited togeth¬ 
 er by the blows of the scourge, lifting themselves on high, 
 swiftly pass over the way ; so its prow indeed lifted itself up, 
 and the mighty purple billow of the much-rolling sea rushed 
 behind. And very safely it ran, steadily : nor could a falcon- 
 hawk, swiftest of birds, have followed it close. So it running 
 swiftly cut the waves of the sea, bearing a man who possessed 
 counsels equal to the gods: who before had suffered very 
 many griefs in his mind, both wars of men, and passing the 
 terrible waves: then indeed he slept fearlessly, forgetting 
 whatever things he had suffered. 
 
 When a very shining star arose, which especially comes an- 
 
 ® XfJTTft TO VTTVOV. EuStatll. 
 
 ® XVhicli served as a kind of land anchor. Ilesvch. tlwdaniv iizl rwv 
 Ai^tvuiv TpvTrav XiOovg, 'iva uvtCjv to. aTToyeia cryoirta i^d7rrt»taiv ol 
 vavrai. 
 
 The ship. 
 
■178 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 [91—122. 
 
 nouncing the light of the morning, the mother of day ; at that 
 time then the ship that passes over the sea neared the island. 
 
 Now there is a certain liaven of Phorcys, the old man of 
 the sea, among the people of Itliaca; and there are two ab¬ 
 rupt projecting shores in it, inclining toward the port,^^ which 
 swell from the great wave’^ of hard blowing winds from with¬ 
 out; but within well-benched ships remain without a chain, 
 when they reach the goal of the mooring station. Jlut at 
 the head of the port there is a large-leafed olive; and near 
 it a delightful cave, shaded, sacred to the Nymphs, who are 
 called Naiads. And there are stone cups and casks in it; and 
 there then the bees stow away their honey.^^ And in it there 
 arc stone distaffs of a great length, and there the Nymphs^'^ 
 weave their sea-purple robes, a marvel to behold. And in it 
 there are perpetual flowing waters and it has tw'o doors: 
 those to the North to be descended by men, but those on the 
 other hand, to the South, are more sacred; nor do men enter 
 at all by that way; but it is the way of the immortals. 
 
 There they drove in, being before acquainted with it; it^® 
 indeed ran ashore more than half its length, hastening; for by 
 the hands of such rowers was it urged on. And they disem¬ 
 barking from the well-yoked ship to the shore, first lifted 
 Ulysses out of the hollow ship, with his very linen and 
 beautiful rug, and placed him, overcome with sleep, on the 
 sand. And they took out the property which the illus¬ 
 trious Phmacians gave him wlien returning home, by means 
 of magnanimous Minerva. And they placed the things to- 
 
 “ So Ernesti, with the Schol. taio vtvivKvlai, deriving it from TTpoaire- 
 Tavvyj-ii, not from TrpotnriTTTu). 
 
 Clarke’s Latin, “a ventis defendant rancis magnum fluctnm ex¬ 
 tra,” is not suited to the sense. Kvpa I think is here equivalent to 
 “swelling mass.” See Alberti on llesych. s. v. icupa vdarog. 
 
 Or, “make their honey.” llesych. ivairoTidfVTaij aTrodperavpi- 
 ^ovai Tt)p Tpo<pt)v ai p'&XirraL. Porphyr. de antro Nymph, p. 259, to 
 TiOkvai, T))v iSoenv. Buert^ di Kal Tpo<p>) to /.uXl Taig peXicraaig. Cf. 
 Apollon. Lex. It is akin to Tpotpi], TiBdaog, Tps^eiv, etc. See Liddell 
 and Scott, s. v. The allegorical meanings of honey are somewhat whim¬ 
 sically discussed by Porphyry, ibid. p. 2G0, sqq. • 
 
 If we may believe the statement of Artemidorus Ephesius apud 
 Porphyr. de Nymph, antr. p. 252, there was really a port at Ithaca, 
 named Phorcys, and a cave sacred to the Nymphs. 
 
 Bscause the nymphs vapotTiop kuI irpyutv TrpotaTujai, being henc« 
 called Pegteaj and Naides. Porphyr. ib. p. 258. 
 
 The ship. 
 
122^1G3.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 179 
 
 gether near the root of the olive-tree, out ot' the way, lest 
 by chance any one of wayfaring men coming should do them 
 liarm before Ulysses awoke. And they themselves went 
 home again ; nor did Neptune forget the threats with which 
 he first threatened godlike Ulysses; but he asked the counsel 
 of Jove: 
 
 “ O father Jove, no longer shall I be honored among the 
 immortal gods, since mortals do not honor me, the Pha3acD 
 ans, who are however of my race. For I just now said that 
 Ulysses should come home, having suffered many ills; but 
 I by no means took away his return altogether, since thou 
 first didst promise and grant it. But they, having taken him 
 asleep over the sea in a swift ship, have placed him in Ithaca, 
 and given him abundance of gifts, plenty of brass and gold, 
 and a woven garment, as many things as Ulysses would never 
 have taken from Troy, if he had returned unharmed, having 
 obtained by lot his share of the booty.*’ 
 
 But him cloud-compelling Jove answering addressed: 
 “ Alas ! powerful Neptune, what hast thou said ? the gods 
 by no means dishonor thee; difficult would it be to aim at 
 the oldest and most excellent with insults. But if anv one of 
 men, yielding to violence and strength, does not honor thee, 
 thou hast always the means of revenge hereafter. Do as thou 
 wilt, and as is dear to thy mind.” 
 
 But him earth-shaking Neptune immediately answered: 
 “ I would quickly do as thou advise, O thou black-clouded 
 one: but thy wrath I always hold in awe and avoid. Now 
 then I wish to destroy the beautiful ship of the Phceacians, 
 returning from the escort [of Ulysses] on the misty sea, that 
 now they may abstain and cease from the escort of men : and 
 that a mighty mountain should cover their city around.” 
 
 But him cloud-compelling Jove answering addressed: 
 “ My friend, thus indeed to my mind it seems to be best. 
 AVhen all the people from the city ;ire now looking to it driv¬ 
 ing along, place a stone near the land like unto a swift ship, 
 that all men may marvel; and that a great mountain may 
 cover their city around.” 
 
 But when earth-shaking Neptune heard this, he hastened 
 to Scheria, where the Phosacians are born, he remained 
 there ; and the sea-traversing ship came very near, swiftly 
 making its way: and the Farth-shaker came near it, who 
 
180 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIIL 
 
 riG4—20a 
 
 made it a stone, and rooted it below, striking it 'wdtli bis 
 band laid fiat^" downward; and be went to a distance. But 
 tbev, tbe long-oared Pbamcians, men illustrious at sea, spoke 
 winged words to one anotber. And thus some one said, look¬ 
 ing to anotber near bim : 
 
 “ Alas, wbo bas bound tbe swift ship in tbe sea while driv¬ 
 ing borne ? just now it all appeared before us.” Thus some 
 tone said; but they knew not how these things were done. 
 ‘And Alcinous harangued and addressed them: 
 
 “ Alas,^® surely now upon me are come the oracles uttered 
 of old by my sire, who said that Neptune would be wrath with 
 US, because we are safe conductors of all men. He said that 
 some time or other he would destroy a very beautiful ship 
 of the Bhseacian men when returning home from an escort in 
 the misty sea, and that a great mountain should cover the 
 city around. Thus the old man spoke, and all these things 
 are now accomplished. But come, let us all obey, as I com¬ 
 mand. Cease from the conduct of men, when any one comes 
 to our city; and we will sacrifice twelve chosen bulls to 
 Neptune, if he would pity us, and a great mountain may not 
 cover our city around.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and they feared, and got ready the bulls. 
 Thus the leaders and chiefs of the }ieople of the Bhieacians 
 prayed to king Neptune, standing near the altar. But divine 
 Ulysses awoke sleeping on his paternal land : nor did he know 
 it, having been a long time absent; for the deity, Pallas IMi- 
 nerva, the daughter of Jove, shed a mist around him ; that 
 she might make him unknown, and might tell him every thing, 
 that his wife might not know him, and his citizens and friends, 
 before he had taken revenge for all their transgression upon 
 the suitors. Therefore all things appeared of a different form 
 to the king, both the long roads, and all-sheltering ports, and 
 the sun-traversed rocks, and flourishing trees. 
 
 And lie stood, having risen u}) in haste, and beheld his pa¬ 
 ternal land; and then he mourned, and struck his thighs with 
 his hands laid flat downward ; and lamenting spoke thus : 
 
 “Woe is me! to the land of what mortals am I come? are 
 they indeed injurious and fierce, nor just ? or are they kind to 
 strangers, and is their mind godlike ? Where now shall 1 bear 
 
 On the contracted form icaTa7rpi]VH sec Thiersch, Gk. Gr. p. 384, 30. 
 
 See iny note on i. 32. 
 
204—243.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 181 
 
 these many possessions ? and where do I myself wander ? 
 would that I had remained there with the Phaeacians; I in¬ 
 deed might have come to some other powerful king, who 
 would have entertained me, and escorted me so as to I’eturn. 
 But now I know not where to place them; I will not indeed 
 leave them here, lest they become a booty to others. Alas I 
 the leaders and chiefs of the Phceacians were not wise nor 
 just in every thing, who have taken me away to another land; 
 they said in truth that they would take me to western^’-^ Itha¬ 
 ca,but have not performed [their promise]. May suppliant 
 Jove exact vengeance on them, Avho also regards other men, 
 and punishes Avhoever errs. But come, I Avill now count the 
 possessions, and see whether they haA^e gone, taking aAA^ay any 
 thing in the holloAV ship.” 
 
 Having thus spoken, he numbered the beautiful tripods and 
 caldrons, and the gold, and the beautiful AvoA^en garments; 
 of these he missed none ; but he lamented his paternal land, 
 creeping along the shore of the much-rolling sea, bcAvailing 
 much. l5ut Minei’A’a came near him, like in person unto a 
 young man, a shepherd of sheep, \'ery delicate, and as are the 
 sons of kings, having a double Avell-wrought cloak about her 
 shoulders; and she had sandals under her soft feet, and a 
 javelin in her hand: Ulysses rejoiced seeing her, and came to 
 meet her, and addressing her, spoke Avinged Avords : 
 
 “ O friend, since I meet thee first in this country, hail, and 
 do not thou meet me at all Avith an evil mind; but preserve 
 these things, and preserve me; for I entreat thee, as a god,^ 
 and come to thy dear knees. And tell me these things truly, 
 that I may be AA^ell informed, Avhat land is this? Avhat peo- 
 ])le ? Avhat men are born here ? is it some western island ? or 
 does some shore of the very fruitful continent lie inclined to- 
 Avard tlie sea ?” 
 
 ]5ut him the blue-eyed goddess jMinerva addressed in turn : 
 “Thou art foolish, O stranger, or thou liast come from a dis¬ 
 tance, if indeed thou inquirest of this land: it is not by any 
 means so nameless ; but very many knoAA'- it, both as many as 
 dwell toAvard the East and the Sun, and as many as [dAvell] 
 behind toward the misty darkness. It is rough indeed, not 
 fit for driving horses, yet not A’ery barren, but it is not spa- 
 
 Or “snnnv.” Cf. Bnttm. Lexil. p. 224, etc. 
 
 *“ See Stanl. on yEscIi. Siq>j)l. 1 Ilcmstccli. on Lucian, Tim. sub init 
 
182 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 [244—283. 
 
 cious. For in it there is abundance of wheat, and there is 
 wine ; and still the shower and flourishing dew possess it. It 
 is excellent for feeding goats and oxen ; there is every kind 
 of wood, and there are perpetual irrigations in it. Therefore 
 indeed, O stranger, the name of Ithaca would reach even to 
 Troy, which they say is far from the Grecian land.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but much-enduring divine Ulysses was 
 glad, rejoicing in his own paternal land, as Fallas Minerva, 
 the daughter of ^2«;is-bearing Jove, told him. And address- 
 ing her, he spoke winged Avords, nor did he say what was 
 true, but he took up discourse the contrary way, even revolv¬ 
 ing crafty design in his breast. 
 
 “ I heard of Ithaca even in spacious Crete, far over the sea ; 
 but now I am myself come witli these chattels: but I am fly¬ 
 ing away, having left as many things for my children, since I 
 have slain the dear son of Idomeneus, swift-footed Orsilochus, 
 who in spacious Crete excelled enterprising men with his 
 swift feet: because he wished to deprive me of all my Trojan 
 booty, on account of which I suffered griefs in my mind, both 
 wars of men, and passing over the terrible waves, because I 
 did not serve his father among the people of the Trojans, 
 gratifying him, but I ruled over other companions. Him in¬ 
 deed I struck with a brazen spear, as he was coming home from 
 the country, lying in wait for him near the road with a com¬ 
 panion. But very dark night possessed heaven, nor did any 
 one of men perceive us; but I escaped his notice, taking 
 away his mind.^^ But when I had slain him Avith the sharp 
 brass, I immediately going in a ship to the illustrious ITica- 
 cians, besought them, and gave them booty gratifying their 
 mind. Them I requested to carry me, and place me at Fylos, 
 or to divine Elis, where the Epeans rule. But in truth the 
 force of the wind thrust them from thence, much against their 
 will; nor did they wish to deceive [me]. But Avandering from 
 thence AA^e came here by night; and Avith exertion A\'e roAved 
 into the port, nor to us Avas there any mention of supper, al¬ 
 though much Avanting to obtain it: but all of us going out of 
 the ship at random^^ lay down. Here sweet sleep came upon 
 me AA'oaried. But they, taking my chattels out of the holloAV 
 ship, laid them doAvn, even Avhere I myself Avas lying on the 
 
 i. e. his life. 
 
 IleSycIl. UVTUJQ, fiClTllV 
 
284—322.] 
 
 ODYSSEY, XIII. 
 
 183 
 
 sands: and they einbiirking went to well-inhabited Sidonia; 
 but I was left, sorrowing at heart.” 
 
 Thus he spoke : but the blue-eyed goddess Minerva smiled, 
 and stroked him down with the hand; but she became in her 
 person like a woman, both fair, and large, and skilled in splen¬ 
 did works ; and addressing him she spoke winged words : 
 
 “ Cunning would he be and deceitful, whoever should sur¬ 
 pass thee in all kinds of craft, even if a god should meet thee, 
 O thou hard one, various in plans, insatiable in deceit, thou 
 wert not about, even when in thine own land, to cease from 
 thy deceits, and crafty Avords, which are dear to thee from thy 
 birth.23 But come, let us no longer speak of these things, 
 since we are both skilled in cunning ; for thou art the best of 
 all mortals in counsel and words ; but I am celebrated among 
 all the gods for my judgment and cunning ; didst thou not 
 know Pallas Minerva, the daughter of Jove, [me] who alw'ays 
 stand by thee in all labors, and guard thee, and have made 
 thee dear unto all the Phceacians ? But noAv I am come here 
 that I may weave some counsel Avith thee, and may hide the 
 possessions, Avhatsoever the illustrious Pha?acians have given 
 thee, returning home by my counsel and mind. And that I 
 may. tell thee Avhat soitoavs it is fated for thee to endure in 
 thy built house; but do thou endure them even by necessity, 
 nor tell any one, either of all men or women, that thou hast 
 come Avandering ; but in silence suffer many griefs, sustaining 
 the violence of men.” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses in ansAver addressed: “It 
 is difficult, O goddess, for a man who meets thee to knoAv thee, 
 although he be very skillful; for thou makest thyself like unto 
 every one. But I know this Avell, that thou Avert before kind 
 to me, Avhile we sons of the Grecians fought in Troy. But 
 Avhen Ave had destroyed the lofty city of Priam, and embark¬ 
 ed in our ships, and the deity dispersed the Grecians, I did not 
 aftei’Avard behold thee, nor did 1 perceive thee embarking on 
 my ship, that thou mightest aA'ert any grief from me. [But 
 I Avas continually Avandering, having my heart overcome in 
 iny mind, until the gods freed me from mischiefs ; before thou 
 didst encourage me Avitli thy Avords in the rich people of the 
 
 Literally, “from the plain,” a metaphor deriA'ed from jdants. See 
 the Schol. and Eustath. Ilesychius interprets it, apxi'iOtv, tK p<s»;c, 
 
 IK Tiatewv. 
 
184 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 1323—30?. 
 
 Phceacians, and thyself didst conduct me to the city.] But 
 now, by thy father, I entreat thee, for I do not think that I 
 am come to western Ithaca, but am now in some other land: 
 but I think that thou sayest these things, mocking me, that 
 thou mayest deceive my mind. Tell me if in truth I am come 
 to my dear country.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess IMinerva immediately an¬ 
 swered Thou hast ever such a thought in thy breast: 
 therefore I can not leave thee, who art unhappy, because thou 
 art a man of words, and shrewd, and prudent. For any other 
 man gladly returning from wandering would desire to see his 
 children and wife in his palace ; but it is not yet agreeable for 
 thee to know or inquire, before thou shalt make some trial of 
 fhy wife, who in vain sits in thy palace, but unto her mourn¬ 
 ing the nights and days always waste away. But I never 
 mistrusted this, but knew in my mind that thou wouldst re¬ 
 turn, having lost all thy companions. But I did not wish to 
 contend with my uncle Neptune, who had set W'rath against 
 thee in his mind, enraged, because thou didst blind his dear 
 son. But come, I will show thee the seat of Ithaca, that thou 
 mayest believe. This is the port of Phorcys, the old man of 
 the sea: and this is the large-leafed olive at the head of the 
 port, [and near it there is a delightful shadowy cave, sacred 
 to the Nymphs who are called Naiads]. But this is the wide- 
 covered cave, where thou didst sacrifice many perfect heca¬ 
 tombs to the Nymphs : and this is Neritos, a mountain clothed 
 with wood.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the goddess dispersed the mist; and 
 the earth appeared : and much-enduring divine Ulysses was 
 then glad, rejoicing in his own land : and he kissed the boun¬ 
 teous plain. And immediately uplifting his hands, he prayed 
 to the Nymphs. 
 
 O Naiad Nymphs, ye daughters of Jove, I never thought 
 that I should behold you ; but now I salute you with mild 
 prayers: but we Avfll also give gifts, even as before, if the 
 daughter of Jove, the huntress, will willingly permit both my¬ 
 self to live, and will make my dear son increase.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed in turn : 
 “ Be confident, let not these things be a care to thee in thy 
 mind. But come, let us now straightway put the chattels in 
 the recess of the divine cave, that even these may remain 
 
3G4—402.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 185 
 
 here safe: and let us then consult, in what way things may 
 best be done.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the goddess descended the dark cave, 
 seeking hiding-places through the cave ; but Ulysses carried 
 all the things near, the gold, and the brass not worn down, 
 and the well-made garments, which the Phseacians had given 
 him. And he set them well in order; and Pallas Minerva, 
 daughter of A^igis-bearing Jove, placed a stone against the 
 door. And they sitting down near the roots of the sacred ol¬ 
 ive, plotted destruction against the overbearing suitors. And 
 the blue-eyed goddess Minerva began a discourse to him : 
 
 “O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-planning Ul 3 ^sses, con¬ 
 sider how thou mayest lay thy hands upon the shameless suit- 
 oi’S, who now for three years are lording it over thy palace, 
 wooing thy godlike wife, and giving her bridal gifts. But 
 she, ever lamenting in her mind for thy return, gives hopes 
 to all, and makes promises to each man, sending forth messa¬ 
 ges to them ; but her mind meditates other things.” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: “O 
 gods, surely I was now about to perish in my palace, after 
 the evil fate of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, hadst not thou, 
 O goddess, told me every thing rightly. But come, weave a 
 counsel, how I may be revenged on them: and do thou thy¬ 
 self stand near me, putting confident courage within me, such 
 as when we destroyed the noble head-gear-^ of Jh-o}'. If thou 
 wouldst stand near me ihns eager, O blue-eyed one, I would 
 fight even Avith three hundred men, together Avith thee, O 
 venerable goddess, Avhen thou Avouldst readily assist me.” 
 
 Ihit him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva then ansAA^ered : “ I 
 indeed Avill be present Avith thee, nor shalt thou escape my 
 notice, Avhen indeed Ave shall have prepared these things, and 
 I think that some one of the suitors, Avho are consuming thy 
 property, will pollute the vast pavement Avith his blood and 
 brains. But come, I Avill make thee unknoAvn to all mortals; 
 1 will Avither tliy beautiful skin on thy bent limbs, and Avill 
 destroy the auburn hairs from thine head, and Avill put a cloak 
 around thee, Avhich a man Avould loathe seeing one Avear it. 
 And I Avill blear thine eyes, Avhicli before AA’ere beautiful, that 
 thou mayest appear unseemly to all the suitors, and to thy 
 
 Properly, “a head-dress,” but here used metaphorically for tur¬ 
 rets. 
 
18G 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIII. 
 
 [403—440. 
 
 wife and son, wliom thou didst leave in thy palace. But do 
 thou first go to the swine-herd, who is the guardian of thy 
 swdne; but however he is kindly disposed toward thee, and 
 loves thy son, and prudent Penelope. Thou wilt find him sit¬ 
 ting w’itli the swine: and they are pastured near the rock of 
 Corax, and at the fountain Arethusa, eating strength-giving 
 acorns, and drinking muddy water, wdiich things nourish the 
 flourishing fat in swine. Pemain there, and sitting near him, 
 inquire all things of him, while 1 go to Sparta of fair w^omen, 
 to call Telemachns, thy dear son, O Ulysses, wdio is gone to 
 Lacedaemon with wide grounds, to IMenelaus, to inquire for tid¬ 
 ings of thee, if thou still art any where in existence.” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: 
 “Why didst thou not tell him, since thou know'est all things 
 in thy mind? was it that he w^andering over the barren sea 
 might suffer griefs? but others consume his livelihood.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva then answered: 
 “Let not him indeed be too much in thy thoughts; I myself 
 conducted him, that going there he might obtain excellent re¬ 
 nown: but he has not any labor; but he sits quiet in the 
 house of the son of Atreus, and abundance lies near him. 
 Young men indeed lie in ambush for him with a black ship, 
 desiring to kill him, before he reaches his paternal land. But 
 I do not think these things [will happen], before the earth de¬ 
 tains some one [of the suitors, who- are consuming thy prop¬ 
 erty].” 
 
 Thus having spoken, INIinerva touched him with a rod ; and 
 withered his beautiful skin on his bent limbs, and destroyed 
 the auburn hairs from his head, and put around all his limbs 
 the skin of an aged old man. And she bleared his eyes, which 
 before were beautiful. And she put around liim another evil, 
 a ragged garment, and a cloak, torn, sordid, begrimed with 
 foul smoke. And she put around him a large bare skin of a 
 swift stag ; and she gave him a staff and an unseemly satchel, 
 ragged in many places; and there was a twisted thong in it 
 to hold it up. 
 
 Wlien tliey twain had thus consulted, they separated; she 
 indeed then w'ent to divine Lacedaemon for the son of Ulysses. 
 
1—280 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 187 
 
 BOOK XIV. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Ulysses, under the guise of a beggar, arrives at the house of Eumceus, 
 a swine-herd, the most faithful of his servants, who receives him hos« 
 pitably. He gives a feigned account of himself, stating, however, that 
 Ulysses will shortly return, pretending to have heard so from the king 
 of the Thesprotiaus. lie then passes the night in the swine-herd’a 
 dwelling. 
 
 But he went from the haven by the rugged path up the 
 woody country, through the wolds, where Minerva had in¬ 
 formed him the divine swine-herd [would be], who chiehy, 
 among the servants whom divine Ulysses possessed, had a 
 care for his livelihood. But him he found sitting in the por¬ 
 tico, where his lofty abode was built, in ;i conspicuous situa¬ 
 tion, both beautiful and large, that could be run round,’ which 
 the swine-herd himself had built for his swine, when the king: 
 was absent, without the knowledge of his mistress and of old 
 Laertes, with stones drawn thither,^ and he topped it with 
 sloe; and outside he drove stakes all round here and there, 
 close and frequent, having cleft the dark part.^ And within 
 the abode he made twelve styes, near one another, beds for 
 the swine ; and in each were kept’ fifty ground-wallowing 
 swine, females for breeding but the males slept without, 
 much fewer; for them the godlike® suitors diminished, eating* 
 them : for the swine-herd always sent the best of all the well- 
 fatted swine; but they were three hundred and sixty [in num¬ 
 ber]. And near them four dogs always slept, like unto wild 
 beasts, which the swine-herd, chieftain of men,'’ had nourished. 
 But he himself about his own feet was fitting shoes, cutting a 
 bull’s skin, of a beautiful color ; but the others had now gone 
 each a different way, three with the pasturing swine; but the 
 fourth he had sent to the city to take a sow to the overbear¬ 
 ing suitors through necessity; that sacrificing they might sa¬ 
 tiate their mind with flesh. 
 
 ^ i. e. detached. ^ Literally, “drawn.” Cf. vi. 2G7. 
 
 ^ TTfptfTytWc, Trepitcoxl^ag, Ilesvch. s. v. 
 
 * Cf. Thiersch, Gk. Gr. ]>. 508, 58. 
 
 * “brood females,” like “brood mares,” would bo a more literal ren¬ 
 dering of TOKodeg. 
 
 ® So Homer styles Paris OiofiSrjg. Enstath. 
 
 ’ Merely a com])limentary phrase, as Clarke rightly observes. 
 
188 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 [20—00. 
 
 But on a sudden the dogs, practiced in barking,® beheld 
 Ulysses, they indeed ran on clamoring; but Ulysses sat down 
 with cunning, and his stafr fell from his hand: there indeed 
 he would have suffered unseemly grief at his own stall, but 
 the swine-herd following quickly wdth his swift feet, ran 
 through the vestibule ; and the skin fell from his hand. Then 
 chiding the dogs, he drove them different ways with frequent 
 stones : and he addressed the king: 
 
 “ O old man, but for a little the dogs would have destroyed 
 thee on a sudden ; and thou w^ouldst have poured out abuse 
 against me. And to me the gods have given other griefs and 
 sorrows; for mourning and grieving for a godlike king I sit, 
 and I nourish fat swine for others to cat; but he, perhaps de¬ 
 sirous of food, wanders among the people and the city of for¬ 
 eign men, if he is still alive, and beholds the light of the sun. 
 I)Ut follow, and let us go to the resting-place, O old man, 
 that thou thyself, being satisfied as to thy mind with food and 
 wine, mayest relate from whence thou art, and how many 
 griefs thou hast undergone.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the divine swine-herd led the way to 
 ihc resting-place. And having brought him in, he made him 
 sit down, and he put thick rushes® under him, and he strewed 
 over it the skin of a wild shaggy’® there as a couch, 
 great and thick. And Ulysses rejoiced because he had thus 
 received him ; and he spoke, and addressed [him] : 
 
 “May Jove, O stranger, and the other immortal gods, give 
 thee whatever thou dost most wish, because thou hast kindly 
 received me.” 
 
 But him the swine-herd Eummus answering addressed : “ O 
 sti'angcr, it is not right for me, even if a more wretched one 
 than thou shouldst come, to dishonor a stranger ; for all stran¬ 
 gers and beggars are from Jove ; but our gift is both small and 
 friendly ; for this is the custom of servants, who arc always in 
 
 ® So ITesycli. Apollon. Etym. ]M. ot Trfpl to vXaKvelv pspoprifitvoi' 
 
 OTTip IdTlV IcTOV Tip TTtTTOVpp'iVOt. 
 
 ^ See 'riiiersch, Gk. Gr. p. 374, 29. 
 
 Tills seems preferable to Apioii’s interpretation, r/yg tuvcrrjg 0ou)£. 
 Apollon. Lex. s. v. (piotes from the Chrysa of Sophocles, tyuj p'lav piv 
 rptya. Cf. Alberti on llesych. t. ii. p. 53. Etym. Ma^m. F. 
 102, A. lovOog, i) TrpiOTp tKipvaiQ tCjv TpixCov. Schol. Ttieocr. xii. 24. 
 (pvGKai-ai Xtyopevai lovOoi, i) uv9oi, tjjg kcitu to avdog Tpg yXiKiag ytp6pt~ 
 voi lig \l/vdpaj:ta IkuXovv. 
 
61—97.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 180 
 
 fear, when young masters rule over them: for certainly the 
 gods have hindered the return of hirn'^ at least, who indeed 
 loved me earnestly, and would have given me possessions, 
 such as a kind master is used to give to his servant, a house, 
 and allotment, and a much-wooed Avife, who has served him 
 much, and God increases’''^ his toil; as also for me this labor 
 is increased, in which 1 abide. Thus my master Avould have 
 protited me much, if he had grown old here; but he has per¬ 
 ished; so I Avish that the race of Helen had perished entirely, 
 since she loosed the knees of many men : for he too Avent on 
 account of the honor of Agamemnon to steed-surpassing Ili¬ 
 um, that he might tight Avitli the Trojans.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he quickly fastened his cloak with a 
 girdle; and he hastened to the styes, Avhere the litters of pigs 
 Avere kept: from thence having taken two, he brought them, 
 and sacrificed botli ; and he scalded them, and cut them up, 
 and stuck them on spits. And having cooked all, then car¬ 
 rying it, he set it near Ulysses, Avarm on the very spits; and 
 he sprinkled Avhite meal [over the licsh], and in an ivy cup he 
 mixed sweet Avine; and he himself sat opposite him, and en¬ 
 couraging addressed him : 
 
 “ Eat noAAq O stranger, the pigs”^ Avhieh are at hand for 
 the serv^ants; but the suitors are eating the fatted swine, not 
 thinking in their minds of observation or pity. The blessed 
 gods indeed love not inquous Avorks, but honor justice, and 
 the righteous Avorks of men ; and even enemies and hostile 
 men, Avho make incursions on a foreign land, and unto Avhoni 
 Jove has given booty, and [avIio], having filled their ships, 
 haA'c each gone home, upon these also strong fear of observa¬ 
 tion falls in their minds. 15ut they’^ even someAvhat know, 
 and have heard some A'oice of a god, [about] his miserable 
 death, since they are not Avilling to woo justly, nor to return 
 to their own [liouse] ; but securely they violently destroy his 
 goods, nor is there any sparing. For as many nights and days 
 as are from Joa’C, they never sacrifice even one victim or tw'o 
 only ; and they Avaste his Avinc, violently drawing it off. For 
 
 ” i. c. his own proper master, irniilicd in uvciktiq oi v'toi. 
 
 i. e. })rospers. 
 
 Xoipta seems to mean porkers, not yet fully fatted, in opposition to 
 cictXovQ. See Eustatli. on a's. 81. 
 
 ** The suitors. 
 
190 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIY. 
 
 [ 97 — 134 . 
 
 truly Ills livelihood was immense, no one of heroes, either of 
 black Epirus, or Ithaca itself, possesses so much ; nor do 
 twenty men together possess so much wealth ; but I will reck¬ 
 on it for thee. He has twelve herds on the continent; as 
 many flocks of sheep, as many herds of swine, and strangers 
 and herdsmen there feed as many large flocks of goats. And 
 there they feed large flocks of goats, eleven in all, on the ex¬ 
 treme part of the land ; and excellent men superintend them. 
 Each of them daily brings home a goat, whichever appears to 
 be the best of tlie fatted goats. But 1 guard and keep these 
 swine, and having chosen out the best of the swine, I send it 
 away to them.” 
 
 Tims he spoke; but he briskly ate the meat, and greedily 
 drank the wine, in silence; and he planted (in mind) evils for 
 the suitors. But wlien he had supped, and strengthened his 
 mind witli food, having filled the cup from which he himself 
 drank, he'^ gave it to him, full of wine; but he received it, and 
 rejoiced in mind, and addressing him spoke winged words: 
 
 “ O friend, who thus opulent and powerful, as thou sayest, 
 purchased thee with his possessions ? thou sayest that he 
 jjerished for the sake of the honor of Agamemnon. Tell 
 me, in case by chance 1 know him, who is such an one. For 
 Jove perhaps knows this, and the other immortal gods, if 
 having seen him I could give news of him; for over many 
 [lands] have I wandered.” 
 
 But him the swine-herd, chieftain of men, immediately an¬ 
 swered : “ O old man, no man having come after wandering, 
 bringing news of him, would persuade his wife and beloved 
 son. But wandering fellows, in want of support, speak false¬ 
 hoods^® to no purpose, nor do they wish to relate the truth. 
 But whoever, liaving wandered, arrives at the people of Itha¬ 
 ca, he, coming to my mistress, speaks deceitful things. But 
 she, having received him well, entertains him, and investigates 
 every thing, and tlie tears fall from the eyes of her weeping, 
 as is the wont of woman, when her husband perishes else¬ 
 where. Perhaps thou, even thyself, O old man, would fabri¬ 
 cate some story, [if any one would give thee a cloak and tunic 
 as garments]. But the dogs and swift birds already have 
 
 '* Enmaius. 
 
 So Casganclra says of herself in Alsch. Ag. 1195. 7/ xl/evSojuavrls 
 tlfii OvpoKoTTog (pXiduJv ; 
 
135—171.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 191 
 
 torn the skin from his bones; and life has left liim ; or him 
 the fishes have eaten in the sea, and his bones lie upon the 
 shore, wrapped up in much sand. Thus he perished from 
 hence ; but for all his friends hereafter sorroAvs are prepared, 
 and especially for me ; for I shall no longer find another mas¬ 
 ter so mild, wherever I go, not if I should again come to the 
 house of my father and mother where I was first born, and 
 they nurtured me. Nor do I much lament for them, although 
 desiring to behold them again with mine eyes, being in my 
 paternal land; but regret for absent Ulysses possesses me. I 
 have awe in naming him,'" O stranger, although not present; 
 for he loved mo exceedingly, and took care of me in his mind, 
 but I call him ‘honored‘s senior,’ although at a distance.” 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn: 
 ‘‘O friend, since thou dost altogether deny it, nor thinkest 
 at all that he will return, but thy mind is ever incredulous, 
 yet I will not merely say, but [will say it] Avith an oath, that 
 Ulys.ses returns: but let this be the rcAvard of my good iieAvs ; 
 immediately, Avhen he shall return to his house, [put on mo 
 a cloak and tunic, beautiful garments;] but before that, I 
 Av'ould not receive them, although very much in Avant. For 
 he is hated by me, ecpially Avith the gates of hell, Avho, yielding 
 to poverty, speaks deceiving AAmrds. Noav be Avitness, Jove, 
 first of the gods, and the hospitable table, and the hearth of 
 blameless Ulys.ses, to Avhich I am come; surely all these things 
 shall be performed, as I relate them: but Ulysses Avill return 
 hero in this same year; Avhen this month Avanes, and another 
 begins, he Avill return home, and Avill bo revenged upon him, 
 Avhosocver here dishonors his Avife and his noble son.” 
 
 But him anSAA^ering thou didst address, O SAvine-herd Eiu 
 ma3us : “ O old man, 1 shall neither pay this rcAvard for good 
 noAA's, nor Avill Ulysses any more return home; but drink in 
 peace, and let us be mindful of other things besides, nor put 
 me in mind of these things: for surely my mind in my breast 
 is gideved, Avhenever any one makes mention of the good king. 
 
 17 “ Pi-opter magnam bencficionim, quas in me contulit, copiam ct 
 bonifxnitatein, qua me amplexus cst, vel absentem solo Ulyssio nomino 
 appellare revereor, sed vel tunc earn voco fratrem majorem, ut qua rcA'c, 
 rentia in cum .sim atiectus, significem.” Loewe. 
 
 “To et TrporrcpojvTjnig lari veiorkpov irpoq fieiZova, Scliol. Ambros 
 So Ilcsycli. pOtioi: — atTTTiKt) irpoaayupivaii,' Trpog TTpeerfSOrtpov. 
 
192 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 [172—213. 
 
 However we will leave alone tlie oath ; but may Ulysses 
 come, as I wish he should, and Penelope, and aged Laertes, 
 and godlike Telernachus. Now again I lament unceasingly 
 for the son, Avhom Ulysses begot, d elemachus : since the gods 
 had nourished him, like unto a plant; and I said that he 
 Avould not be at all inferior among men to his dear father, ad¬ 
 mirable as to his frame and form; but some one of the im¬ 
 mortals has injured his mind which was ccpial witliin, or some 
 of men ; but he has gone in quest of news of his father, to di¬ 
 vine Pylos: but for him the illustrious suitors lie in ambush 
 as he is returning home, that the clan of godlike Arccsias 
 may perish entirely from Ithaca without a name. Put how¬ 
 ever we Avill leave him, whether he is wandering or flying 
 away, and may the son of Saturn hold his hand over him. Put 
 come, do thou, O old man, relate to me thine own sorrows, 
 and tell me this truly, that I may know it well, who [irt thou ? 
 from whence art thou of men ? where arc thy city and parents ? 
 in Avhat kind of ship didst thou come? how did the sailors 
 conduct thee to Ithaca? whom did they boast themselves to 
 be ? for I do not think at all that thou earnest here on foot.*’ 
 But him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: 
 “ Then I will tell thee these things very truly. If now avc 
 had for a long time both food and sweet wine, when Ave arc 
 Avithin your lodge, to feast at case, but should others attend 
 to their business: I should not easily then finish, even for a 
 Avhole year, telling of the soitoavs of my mind, all the things 
 Avhatcvcr I have toiled through by the will of the gods. I 
 boast myself to be of the race of spacious Crete, the son of an 
 opulent man: but many other sons also Averc both nourished 
 and born in his palace, legitimate from his Avife ; but me a 
 purchased mother brought forth, a concubine, but Castor 
 Ilyl acidcs, of Avhosc race I boast myself to be, honored me 
 equally Avith his legitimate sons; Avho formerly AA'as honored, 
 as a god, by the people among the Cretans, on account of 
 his prosperity, and riches, and his glorious sons. Put how¬ 
 ever the fates of death came bringing him to the abodes of 
 Pliito ; and his high-minded sons diA ided his livelihood, and 
 cast lots [for the shares]: but to me they gave very fcAV 
 things, and allotted me a dAA'clling. Put on account of my 
 excellence I married a Avife fit for Avcalthy men: since I 
 neither was vain, nor coAvardly in war; but noAV all things 
 
213-252.] 
 
 ODYISSEY. XIV. 
 
 193 
 
 have failed ; however I think that thou wilt know [the car] 
 when thou beholdest the straw for much woe possesses me. 
 Mars indeed and IMinerva bestowed courage on me, and pow¬ 
 er to break through ranks, whenever for an ambush I chose 
 excellent men, sowing evils for mine enemies : nor did my no¬ 
 ble mind ever set death before mine eyes; but having leaped 
 on far the foremost with my spear, I slew whoever of hostile 
 men gave way to me with their feet. Such an one I w'as in 
 war; but work^® was not agreeable to me, nor housekeeping, 
 which nurtures noble children : but oar-equipped ships were 
 always loved by me, and wars, and w^ell-polished javelins, and 
 arrows, mournful things, which are objects of shuddering to 
 others. But to me these things were dear, these things the. 
 deity placed in my mind ; for different men are delighted with 
 different einplojuncnts. For before the sons of the Grecians 
 embarked against Troy, nine times I was commander over 
 men, and swift shi})s, against foreign men : and all things turned 
 out well for me ; from thesc-^ I chose out what was agreeable 
 to my mind, and many things I afterward obtained by lot; 
 but my house rapidly increased, and then 1 became mighty 
 and revered among the Cretans. But when wide-seeing Jove 
 determined on this hateful expedition, which loosened the 
 knees of many men, then they ordered me and illustrious Ido- 
 meneus to take the command of the ships to Troy; nor was 
 there any contrivance to refuse it, for the clamor of the peo¬ 
 ple was harsh. There indeed for nine years we sons of the 
 Grecians w-^aged war, but in the tenth having destroyed the 
 city of Priam, we embarked homeward with our ships; and 
 the deity dispersed the Grecians. P>ut for wretched me plan¬ 
 ning Jove devised evil ; for for a month only I remained de¬ 
 lighted with my parents, and my virgin-wedded wife, and my 
 possessions. But then my mind incited me to sail to Egypt, 
 having well-equipped ships with godlike companions. I 
 equipped nine ships, and quickly were the people collected 
 together. For six days then my beloved companions feasted; 
 but I gave [them] many victims, both to sacrifice to the gods, 
 and to furnish a banquet for themselves. But on the seventh, 
 
 ” i. 0. sceiiif' me in my present infirm old age, thou wilt guess what I 
 was when young. See Loewe. 
 i. e. agriculture. 
 
 i. 0. from the hootv, the results of niv labors. 
 
 t, i V 
 
 I 
 
 21 
 
194 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 [.‘25?- 2D0 
 
 embad'king from spacious Crete, we sailed with a clear, beau 
 tifuDnorth wind, easily, and as if down the stream ; nor in¬ 
 deed was any one of my ships injured, but we sat unscathed 
 and free from disease ; and the wind and the helmsmen di¬ 
 rected them. Ikit on the fifth day we came to fair-streamed 
 Egypt; and I stationed my ships, rowed on both sides, in the 
 river Egyptus then indeed I ordered my beloved compan¬ 
 ions to remain there near to the ships, and to draw up the 
 ships ; and I urged watches to go to watch-places. But they, 
 yielding to insolence, following their own impulse, very quick ¬ 
 ly laid waste the beautiful liclds of the Egyptians, and took 
 away their wives and infant children, and slew them. And 
 the clamor soon reached the city; and they, hearing the cry, 
 came together with the shining morn: and the whole plain 
 was filled with foot and horse, and the glittering of brass: 
 but thunder-rejoicing Jove cast a cowardly panic upon my 
 companions, nor did any one dare to remain opposed to them 
 for evils surrounded them^^ from on every side. There they 
 slew many of us indeed with the sharp brass, and some they 
 led away alive, to work for them by necessity. But Jove him) 
 self put this thought in my breast (would that I had died, 
 and drawn on my fate there in Egypt! for calamity still 
 then awaited me): I immediately took the well-made helmet 
 from my head, and the shield from my shoulders, and I threw 
 my spear out of my hand: but I came opposite the horses 
 of the king, and taking hold of his knees I kissed them; but 
 he freed me, and took pity on me : and having set me in 
 his chariot, he led me home shedding tears. Many of them 
 indeed rushed against me with their ash-shafted spears,^^ de¬ 
 siring to kill mo (for they were very Avroth), but he warded 
 them off: for he revered the anger of hospitable Jove, Avho is 
 especially indignant at evil deeds. Then indeed I for seven 
 years remained there, and collected many })OSse.ssious among 
 Egyptian men, for all ofiered gifts. l>ut when at length the 
 eighth year came revolving round, then a Phoenician man 
 came, knowing deceitful things, crafty, who indeed had 
 worked many evils for men; who took me away, overper- 
 
 " The Nile. Cf. Pausan. ix. 40, 'O/^iripog roig dp^aloig txpwcirt 
 dvopamv, icaOuTi Kai "Aiyvirrov rlv Ttorapov tiTTfv, ov 'StlXov. Loewe. 
 
 Tiie E"vj)tians. Tlie companions of Ulysses. 
 
 This is the full meaning of ^wXi'y-rtw. 
 
291 — 026 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 195 
 
 suading me by bis wit, until we came to Phoenicia, where his 
 liouses and possessions lay. There with him I remained for 
 a full year. But wlien the months and days were now fin¬ 
 ished, the year revolving round again, and the seasons came 
 on, he set me in a sea-traversing ship, [to go] to Libya, hav¬ 
 ing j^lotted false things, that 1 take freight together with him, 
 but in order tliat he might transport me thither [to be sold as 
 a slave], and receive a vast price [for me]. I attended him 
 in the ship by necessity, although suspecting. And it ran 
 M'ith a clear beautiful north wind to the middle main beyond 
 Crete : but Jove devised destruction for them. But when we 
 had now left Crete,nor did any other land appear, but the 
 heaven and the sea, then at length the son of Saturn reared an 
 azure cloud above the hollow ship; and the sea grew dark^"^ 
 bencatli it. But Jove thundered frequently, and hurled a 
 thunder-bolt upon the ship: and it was all whirled about, 
 stricken by the tlumdcr-bolt of Jove, and it was filled with 
 sulphur, and all (the sailors) fell from the ship. And they, 
 like unto gulls, were borne on the waves around the black 
 ship : and God took away their return. But Jove gave to me 
 in mine hands, although having griefs in mind, the unbroken 
 mast of the azurc-prowed ship, that I might escape calamity. 
 Clinging around this, I was borne along by the destructive 
 winds : for nine days I was borne, but in the tenth black night 
 a mighty rolling billow drifted me to the land of the Thespro- 
 tians. There the liero Pheidon, king of the Thesprotians, en¬ 
 tertained me without expense : for his dear son, coming to me 
 subdued with cold and toil, led me home, having raised me 
 by the hand, until he reached the house of his sire. And he 
 put on me a cloak and tunic as garments. 
 
 “There I heard of Ulysses; for he said that he entertained 
 him, and received him kindly, as he was returning to his pa¬ 
 ternal land. And he showed me the possessions which Ulys¬ 
 ses had collected together, brass, and gold, and much-wrought 
 steel. And it would feed another family even to the tenth 
 
 Cf. xii. 403, sqq. Moschus, Id. ii. 127. yd’ ore dr) yaiyq djro rca- 
 TpidoQ ijtv dvivBiV (paivtTca d’ out dicTt) tic; ciXippooc, ovt ojoog aiTTv, 'AXV 
 cu)f) jiiv vTTtpQtv, tvtpBt de ttovtqq enreipiov. 
 
 So Alciphron, Oj). i. 1. tTre^piKti p.iv d ttovtoq p.t\an>uptvoQ. Pa- 
 ciivius, “ inliorrescit iimre, teiiebrai condiqdicaiitur, iiocdsquc et nim- 
 biiiu occa3cat iiigror.” 
 
19G 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 [327—36G. 
 
 generation ; so much treasure lay for him in the palace of the 
 king. But he said that he was gone to Dodona, that he might 
 ask the counsel of the deity from the lofty-tressed oak of Jove, 
 how he should return to the rich people of Ithaca, having now 
 been a long time absent, whether openly or secretly. And he 
 swore to me myself, making libations in his house, that the 
 ship was launched, and that his companions were ready, who 
 should at length escort him to his dear paternal land. But 
 me he sent away first; for a ship of the Thesprotians happen¬ 
 ed to be going to wheat-abounding Dulichium. Then he or¬ 
 dered them to conduct me diligently to king Acastus: but an 
 evil plan concerning me pleased them in their mind, that 1 
 miglit still be in woe in addition to calamity. But when the 
 sea-traversing ship had sailed far away from the land, they 
 immediately plotted for me the day of slavery. Tliey took 
 off my cloak and tunic, my garments, and then around me 
 threw another sordid rag, and tunic, tattered, which even thou 
 thyself beholdest Avith thine eyes. But in the evening they 
 came to the tilled lands of Western Ithaca ; there indeed they 
 bound me down in the well-benched ship, firmly, with a well- 
 twisted cable; but they disembarking, hastily took a supper 
 near the shore of the sea. But the gods themselves easily 
 bent back my bond ; and wrapping a rag around my head, I 
 descended down the polished rudder, and made my breast ap¬ 
 proach the sea: then I rowed on with both my hands, swim¬ 
 ming, and I Avas very quickly out of the Avay, at a distance 
 from them. Then going up Avherc there was a thicket of a 
 flourishing Avood, I lay crouching doAvn ; but they AA-alked 
 about groaning greatly: but it did not appear to them to be 
 better to search further ; therefore they embarked again in 
 the holloAv ship : but the gods themselves easily concealed me; 
 and leading me aAvay, made me approach the abode of a skill¬ 
 ful man ; for still it is fated for me to live.*’ 
 
 But him thou didst address in ansAV'er, O SAvine-herd Eu- 
 mmus : “Ah Avretched one of strangers! thou hast excited 
 my mind very much, relating each of these things, hoAV much 
 thou hast suffered, and hoAV much thou hast Avandered. But 
 I do not think that these things are right, nor Avilt thou per¬ 
 suade me, speaking about Ulysses; Avhy is it lit that thou, 
 being such an one, shouldst speak falsely, to no purpose ? 
 But I myself Avell knoAv as to the return of my master, that 
 
3GG—405.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 197 
 
 he was very much hated by all the gods, because they did 
 not subdue him among the Trojans, or in the hands of his 
 friends, when he had spun out the toil of the war. Then for 
 liiin would all the Grecians have made a tomb, and he would 
 liave obtained mighty renown, even for his son hereafter. 
 But now the Harpies have snatched him away ingloriously. 
 But I am out of the way among the swine; nor do I go to 
 the city except by chance prudent Penelope encourages me to 
 come, when intelligence arrives from any where. But they 
 sitting near him, inquire every thing, both those who are 
 grieving for our long absent king, and those who rejoice, con¬ 
 suming his livelihood with impunity. But to me it is not 
 pleasant to inquire and ask, from the time since an Hitolian 
 man deceived me by his tale, who indeed having slain a man, 
 having wandered over much land, came to my abode; and I 
 cherished him very much. He said that he saw him with 
 Idomeneus among the Cretans, repairing his ships, which the 
 tempests had shattered: and he said that he would come, ei¬ 
 ther in the summer or the autumn, bringing many possessions, 
 with his godlike companions. And do thou, O much-sorrow¬ 
 ing old man, since the deity has brought thee unto me, nei¬ 
 ther gratify me at all with falsehoods, nor soothe me at all. 
 For I shall not on that account reverence or entertain thee, 
 but [as] fearing hospitable Jove, and pitying thee.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: 
 “ Surely thou hast a certain incredulous mind in thy breast. 
 Thee alone, having made an oath, I have not brought over, 
 nor do I persuade thee. But come now, we will make a 
 covenant; but let the gods also, who possess Olympus, bo 
 witnesses unto both [of us]. If thy master shall return to 
 this house, liaving put a cloak and tunic as garments upon 
 me, send me to go to Dulichium, where it is ])lcasing to rny 
 mind [that 1 should go] : but if thy master shall not come, as 
 I tell thee, having charged thy servants, cast me down a great 
 rock, that another beggar also may avoid to flatter [with false 
 hopes].” 
 
 But him the divine swine-herd answering addressed: “O 
 stranger, thus indeed for me there would be glory and ex¬ 
 cellence among men, both immediately, and for the future, if 
 T, when I had brought thee into my tent, and bestowed hos¬ 
 pitality on thee, I sliould afterward slay thee, and take away 
 
198 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 [400—437. 
 
 tliy dear life, willingly then should I supplicate Jove, the son 
 of Saturn. But now it is time for supper; very soon will 
 my companions be within, that we may prepare an abundiuit 
 supper in the tent.” 
 
 Thus they indeed spoke such wmrds to one another. But 
 the swine drew near, and the men wlio fed the swine came : 
 they fenced them in their accustomed places to sleep; and an 
 immense clamor arose from the swine entering their sty. 
 But he, the divine swine-herd, exhorted liis companions: 
 “ Bring the best of the swine, that I may sacrifice it for my 
 guest from afar; but besides we will ourselves enjoy it, who 
 have toiled for a long time, suffering on account of the white- 
 tusked swine; but others are consuming our labors wdtli im¬ 
 punity.” 
 
 Thus Iniving spoken, he cleft wood wdth the hard steel; 
 but they brought in a very fat sow of five years old; they 
 immediately placed it on the hearth ; nor was the swine-herd 
 forgetful of the immortals (for he possessed an excellent dis¬ 
 position), but, having offered the first-fruits, he threw the 
 hair of the head of the wdiitc-tusked sow in the fire, and 
 prayed to all the gods, that wise Ulysses might return to his 
 home. But he struck it wdth a splinter of oak, lifting [it] up, 
 W’hich he left there, having cut it; and life left it: but they 
 cut up and roasted it; and they quickly singed it; but the 
 swine-herd put tlie raw parts over the rich fat, taking away on 
 all sides some flesh for sacrifice^® from the limbs. And he 
 threw other parts in the fire, having sprinkled them with the 
 fruit of meal, and they cut up the other parts, and stuck them 
 on spits, and roasted them skillfully, and drew it all off*:^® and 
 they threw it all together on the dressers r®® and the swine¬ 
 herd stood up to carve it (for he understood in his mind what 
 was right); and carving it, he distributed the whole into 
 seven parts : one part, indeed, having made a vow, he gave to 
 the Nymphs, and to Mercury, the son of Maia, and the rest 
 he distributed to each: but he honored Ulysses W'ith the 
 continuous back of the white-tusked sow: and he delighted 
 
 I am indebted to Ruttmann for this correct explanation cf apxofit- 
 voQ. See Lcxil. ]). 109. 
 
 See Ruttm. Lexil. p. 304, 2. 
 
 I am indebted to the note of the old translator for this rendering 
 of iXio'iQ, which Eustathius interprets, tcuq paytipiKoiQ Tpairi^aiq. 
 
<;58—475.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 199 
 
 the mind of the king ; and much-planning Ulysses speaking 
 addressed him: ‘‘ Mayest thou be so dear to father Jove as 
 thou art to me, since thou honorest me, being such an one, 
 Avith good things.*’ 
 
 But him thou didst address in ansAver, O swine-herd 
 Euma^us: “ Eat, O divine one of guests, and delight thyself 
 Avith these things, such as arc present; for God bestows one 
 thing, and refuses another, Avhatever he Avills in his own 
 mind ; for he can [do] all things.*’ 
 
 He spoke ; and made the first offerings to the immortal 
 gods: and having made a libation of dark Avine, he placed it 
 in the hands of city-destroying Ulysses, and he sat near his 
 share. And Mesaulius portioned out bread to them,‘Avhoni 
 the swine-herd himself alone’"'^ had purchased, Avhen his mas¬ 
 ter Avas absent, Avithout the knoAvledge of his mistress and of 
 old Laertes. But he bought him from the Taphians Avith his 
 own possessions. And they stretched out their hands to the 
 viands lying ready before them : but AAdien they had taken 
 aAvay the desire of drinking and eating, Mesaulius took away 
 the food; and they, satiated Avith bread and flesh, hastened 
 to bed. But an evil dim-mooned night came on, and Jove 
 rained all night: and the mighty West Avind, that ever brings 
 rain, bleAV. And Uly.sses addressed them, trying the SAvine- 
 herd, if any Iioav he Avould take off his cloak and give it to 
 him, or AA'ould urge some one else of his companions to do so: 
 since he took great care of him : 
 
 “ Hear me iioav, O Eurnceus, and all ye others his compan¬ 
 ions, I shall speak some Avord boasting: for maddening Avine 
 encourages me, Avhich has excited even a very Avise man to 
 sing out loudly, and has set him on to laugh afFectedly,^^ j^nd 
 to dance, and has giv’en \’ent to a AVord, Avhich Avas better un¬ 
 spoken. But since I liaA'e first cried out, I Avill not conceal 
 it. Would that I Avere as young, and my strength as firm, as 
 Avhen AA'e led an ambush under Troy, having contrived it. 
 But Ulysses and Menelaus, the son of Atreus, led, but Avith 
 them 1 the third ruled: for they desired me. But Avhen in¬ 
 deed AA'e came to the city and the lofty Avail, avc lay doAvn near 
 the fortifications among the thick bushes, crouching under 
 our aians among the reeds and marsh: but an evil night 
 
 ^ i. c. Avitli his OAvn money. 
 
 Cowper Avell renders arraXov ye\a(jai, to titter. 
 
200 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIV. 
 
 [475—515, 
 
 came on, the North wind liaving fallen, frosty, but above there 
 was snow, like as hoar-frost, cold, and ice was congealed 
 around our shields, 'idiere all the others had cloaks and gar- 
 inents, and they slept quiet, wrapping round their shoulders 
 with their shields ; but I, having set out with my compan¬ 
 ions, foolishly left my cloak, since I did not suppose that it 
 would be excessively cold : but 1 followed, having a shield 
 only and a shining girdle. But when it was now the third 
 part of the night, and the stars had departed, then I address¬ 
 ed Ulysses, being near me, nudging him with my elbow (but 
 he readily listened): ‘ O noble son of Laertes, much-contriv¬ 
 ing Ulysses, I shall no longer be among the living, but the 
 weather overcomes me ; for I have not a cloak: a deity de¬ 
 ceived me, so that I should only have one garment: but this 
 can now no longer be avoided.’ Thus I spoke, but he imme¬ 
 diately had this plan in his mind, such an one wa^ he to take 
 counsel, and to tight-. And speaking in a low v.oice, he thus 
 addressed me: ‘ Be silent now, for fear some one else of the 
 Grecians •should hear thee.’ He spoke, and he held his head 
 upon his elbow, and spoke : ‘ Hear me, friends, a divine dream 
 has come upon me in my sleep ; for we have come very far 
 from the ships: but let some one go to tell Agamemnon, son 
 of Atreus, the shepherd of the people, in order that he may 
 incite more [men] to come from the ships.’ Thus he spoke, 
 but Thoas, son Andrmmon, quickly arose, and he threw off* 
 his purple cloak^ and set out to run to the ships ; but I lay 
 in his garment gladly; and golden-throned Morning shone. 
 Would that I were now thus young, and my strength was 
 firm, then some one of the swine-herds in the stalls would 
 give me a cloak, on both accounts, through love and through 
 reverence of such a man : but now they disregard me, having 
 evil garments on my body.” 
 
 But him thou didst address in answer, O swine-herd Eu- 
 niaeus: “ O old man, the story is blameless for thee, as to 
 what thou hast related, nor hast thou spoken any profitless 
 word contrary to what is right. Therefore thou shalt not 
 now be in want of a garment, nor of any thing else of the things 
 that are needful for a suppliant who has undergone much, 
 and entreats one ; but in the morning thou shalt shake thine 
 own rags about thee. For there are not many cloaks and 
 change of garments here to put on, but one only for each man. 
 
51G—533. XV. 1—7.] ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 201 
 
 [But when the dear son of Ulysses returns, he himself will 
 give thee a cloak and tunic as garments, and will send thee 
 wherever thy heart and mind commands thee.]” 
 
 Thus having spoken he leaped up; and he placed a bed for 
 him near the lire, and on it he threw skins of sheep and goats. 
 Then Ulysses lay down ; and ho spread over him a thick and 
 large clyak, which afforded him a change, to put on, when 
 any terrible storm arose. 
 
 Thus then Ulysses slept there, and the young men slept 
 near him, but a bed there did not please the swine-herd, to 
 sleej) away from the swine : and going out, he armed himself; 
 and Ulysses rejoiced, because indeed he took care of his prop¬ 
 erty when he was at a distance. First then he girt a sharp 
 sword around his sturdy shoulders, and put on a very thick 
 garment, to ward off the wind, and he took the fleece of a 
 large, well-nourished goat, and he took a ^larp javelin, for a 
 warder-off of dogs and men. And he set out to lie down 
 where the white-tusked swine slept under a hollow rock, un¬ 
 der shelter from the North wind. 
 
 BOOK X Y. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Telemaclius, wliile staying at LacedaBmon with Pisistratus, son of Nestor, 
 is admonished by Minerva in a dream, and sets out for Ithaea. After 
 a brief stay at Pherai, he reaches Pylos, when, just as he is on the 
 point of embarking, Tlieoclymenus, an Argive prophet, entreats liim 
 to take him on board, as he was a fugitive, Iiaving committed murder. 
 Meanwhile Eumaius relates to Ulvsscs how he reached Ithaca. Te- 
 
 4/ 
 
 lemachus arrives at Ithaca, commands his companions to take the 
 ship to tlie city, commits Tlieoclymenus to the care of one of them, 
 and himself goes to Euimeus. 
 
 But Pallas Minerva went to wide^ Lacedaemon, to put the 
 glorious son of magnanimous Ulysses in mind of his return, 
 and to incite him to go back. And she found Telemaclius 
 and the glorious son of Nestor sleeping in the vestibule of re¬ 
 nowned Menelaus : the son of Nestor indeed [she found] over¬ 
 come with soft sleep; but sweet sleep did not possess Telem- 
 achus, but in his mind he raised up cares for his father through' 
 
 ' See Loewc on vi. 4. 
 
 1 2 
 
202 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 t8—45. 
 
 out the ambrosial night: and blue-eyed Minerva standing 
 near addressed [him] : 
 
 “ O Telemachus, no longer to advantage art tliou ■wander¬ 
 ing a long time from thine home, leaving both thy possessions, 
 and men so overbearing in thine house : lest they, having 
 made a division, should consume- all thy possessions, and 
 thou shouldst have come a vain journey. Hut as quickly as 
 possible exhort Menelaus, gallant in battle, to send thee, that 
 thou mayest still find thy blameless mother at home ; (for now 
 lier father and brothers encourage her to marry Eurymachus; 
 for he surpasses all the suitors in gifts, and has increased the 
 bridal presents ;) for fear some property should be taken away 
 from tliine house against thy will. For thou knowest what 
 is the mind in the breast of a woman; she wishes to increase 
 the house of tliat man, whoever weds her, but she no longer 
 is mindful of her former children and virgin-wedded^ husband, 
 who is dead, nor does she inquire for him. Hut do thou thy¬ 
 self go and commit every thing to [one] of the servants, who¬ 
 ever appears to thee to be the best, until the gods show thee 
 a good wife. Hut I indeed will tell thee something else ; and 
 do thou set it in thy mind. The chiefs of the suitors care¬ 
 fully lie in ambush for thee in the strait of Ithaca and rug¬ 
 ged Samos, longing to slay thee, before thou dost reach thy 
 paternal land. Hut I do not think these things [will happen]; 
 the earth will first hold some one of the suitors, who are con¬ 
 suming thy livelihood. Hut keep thy well-built ship far away 
 from the island, and sail, nevertheless, in the night; and [one] 
 of the immortals will send thee a prosperous gale from be¬ 
 hind, whoever guards and preserves thee. Hut when thou 
 shalt reach the first shore of Ithaca, hasten thy ship and all 
 thy companions to the city; and do thou first go to tlie swine¬ 
 herd, who is the guardian of thy swine ; but, neverthele.ss, he 
 has a kind disposition. And sleep there during the night; 
 and urge him [to go] within the city to give a message to pru¬ 
 dent Penelope, that tliou art safe, and hast arrived from Py- 
 los.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she departed to lofty Olympus. Hut 
 he roused the son of Nestor from sweet sleep [moving him 
 with his heel, and addressed him in words]: “ Pise, O Pisis- 
 
 * Cf. xiv. 223, olKuxptXitj. 
 
 ’ Or rather, “ true, legitimate.” See Buttm. Lexil. p. 393. 
 
4G—83.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 203 
 
 tratus, son of Nestor, leading the solid-hoofed steeds, yoke 
 them under the chariot, that we may perform our journey.” 
 
 But him Bisistratus, the son of Nestor, answered in turn: 
 
 O Telemachus, it is not possible for us, although hastening 
 on our journey, to drive through the gloomy night: but it 
 will soon be morning. But remain, until the spear-renowned 
 hero Atrides, Menelaus, bringing presents, shall place them 
 in our chariot, and addressing us with kindly words, shall 
 send us away. For a guest all his days is mindful of that 
 hospitable man who affords entertainment.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and immediately the golden-throned morn¬ 
 ing came; and Menelaus, gallant in battle, came near them, 
 rising from his bed, from fair-haired Helen. But when the 
 dear son of Ulysses perceived him, the hero hastening put a 
 shining tunic about his body, and threw a large robe over his 
 sturdy shoulders : and he went out of the door, and Telema¬ 
 chus, the dear son of divine Ulysses, standing near addressed 
 him: “O IMenelaus, Jove-nurtured son of Atreus, chieftain 
 of the people, now then send me away to my dear paternal 
 land ; for now my mind desires to reach home.” 
 
 But him Menelaus, gallant in battle, answered: “O Te- 
 Icmachus, I will not detain thee here for much time, since 
 thou art anxious for thy return : I shoidd also be indignant at 
 any other man who receives guests, who should love one very 
 much, or hate one very much ; but all things that arc proper 
 arc best. He is an equal evil, both he who urges a guest who 
 is not willing to return, and he who detains one hastening [to 
 depart]. [It is fit to receive a guest kindly when present, 
 and to send him away willingly.^] But remain, until I bring 
 beautiful gifts and place them on the chariot, and thou mayest 
 behold them with thine eyes; and I will tell the Avomen to 
 prepare a banquet in the palace, enough of the things that are 
 within. It is both a glory, and honor, and an advantage, 
 [for men] to set out over a long, boundless tract, having 
 feasted. But if thou dost wish to turn your course through 
 Hellas, and the middle of Argos, then I will myself attend 
 thee, and Avill yoke my horses, and will show thee the cities 
 of men ; nor Avill any one send us away in vain, but will give 
 
 * Cf. Theocrit. Id xvi. 27. /Jijde '^eivocukop KaKov t[.inevar dXXd rpa- 
 TrtZ{l fitiXi'^avT aTTOTrijiii/ai, tTiitv iOsXiovTi vUadai. 
 
204 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 [84—123. 
 
 US some one thing at least to cany away, either some one of 
 brazen tripods, or caldrons, or two mules, or a golden cup.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : “ O Men- 
 elaus, Jove-nurtured son of Atreus, chieftain of the people, I 
 would rather® now return to my own home: (for on setting 
 out I did not leave behind a guard over my possessions,) lest 
 seeking for my godlike sire, 1 myself should perish, or some 
 excellent treasure should be lost to me from the palace.” 
 
 But when Menelaus, gallant in battle, heard this, he imme¬ 
 diately commanded his wife and maid-servants to prepare a 
 feast in the palace, enough of the things that were within. 
 And Eteoneus, son of Boetheus, came near him, rising from 
 his bed, since he did not dwell far off from him : him, Mene¬ 
 laus, gallant in battle, ordered to light a lire, and to roast 
 meat: and he, having heard, did not disobey him. But he 
 himself descended to his fragrant chamber, not alone, [for] 
 Helen and Megapenthes went with him. But when they 
 came there, where lay his treasures, the son of Atreus then 
 took a round cup, and ordered his son Megapenthes to carry 
 a silver bowl; and Helen stood near the chests, where were 
 her all-variegated garments, which she herself wrought. Hel¬ 
 en, divine one of W'omen, having taken one of these, brought 
 it, which was the most beautiful in its embroidery and the 
 largest: and it shone like a star, and lay lowest of all. And 
 they set out to go onward through the house, until they came 
 to Telemachus; but him auburn-haired Menelaus [thus] ad¬ 
 dressed : 
 
 “ O Telemachus, may Jove, the loud-sounding husband of 
 Juno, so accomplish thy return, as thou desirest in thy mind. 
 But of the presents,'wliatever treasures lie in my house, I 
 will give thee that which is most beautiful and precious. I 
 will give thee a wrouglit bowl: but it is all silver, and tlie 
 lips are bound with gold; it is the work of Vulcan : but the 
 hero Bha3dimus, king of the Sidonians, gave it [to me], when 
 his house sheltered me, as I was returning from thence ; but 
 I wish to give this to thee.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the hero Atrides placed the round cup 
 in his hands; but strong IMegapenthes bringing the shining 
 silver bowl, placed it before him: and fair-cheeked Helen 
 
 ‘ rf. P'lttm. Loxil. p. 10.“> 
 
124 — 159 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 205 
 
 stood near him, having a garment in her hands, and spoke 
 and said: 
 
 ‘‘ I also give thee this gift, dear child, a memorial of the 
 liands of Helen, against the time of thy most desirable mar¬ 
 riage, for thy wife to wear: but in the mean time let it lie in 
 thy palace near thy dear mother; and mayest thou rejoicing 
 reach thy well-built house, and thy paternal land.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she placed it in his hands ; but he 
 received it rejoicing. And the hero Tisistratus having re¬ 
 ceived them, placed them in the basket,*^ and regarded all 
 things in his mind. But auburn-haired Menelaus led them 
 to the house; and they then sat down on the benches and 
 thrones. And the handmaiden bringing water in a beautiful 
 golden ewer, poured it over a silver caldron to wash in ; and 
 near them she spread a polished table. And the venerable 
 liousekeeper bringing food, set it near them [putting many 
 dainties on it, gratifying them as well as she could from the 
 things at hand]. And near [them] the son of Boethus di¬ 
 vided the meat, and distributed the shares, and the son of 
 glorious Menelaus poured out wine: and they stretched out 
 their hands to the food that was lying ready before them. 
 But when they had taken away the desire of drinking and 
 eating, then Telemachus and the illustrious son of Nestor 
 yoked the horses, and mounted the variegated chariot: and 
 they drove out of the vestibule and resounding portico. And 
 auburn-haired INIenelaus, son of Atreus, w'ent after them^ 
 having sweet wine in his right hand, in a golden cup, that 
 they might go, having made a libation. And he stood before 
 the horses; and pledging them, he spoke : 
 
 “Farewell, O youths, and bid Nestor the shepherd of the 
 people [hail], for to me he was mild as a lather, as long as 
 w^e sons of the Grecians waged war in Troy.” 
 
 ]^ut him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : “ And by 
 all means, O thou nurtured of Jove, as thou desirest, when 
 we arrive we will relate all these things to him ; so may I, 
 having returned, reaching Ithaca, tell Ulysses in his house 
 how I come, having met with all kindness from thee, and I 
 bring many and excellent treasures.” 
 
 ® Ilesych. irHpivBoc. TrXsypa, to iiri rpQ apd^rig. Schol. on II. xxiv. 
 J90. TTilpivOa, TO iiTiKtipLivov ry dpdhj icXivdior, i(f ov (ttipovai to. 
 
 Tia, o Kal VTTfpTtplav KaXovai. 
 
206 
 
 ODYSSKY. XV. 
 
 [1 GO—109. 
 
 As lie was thus speaking a bird flew on his right hand, an 
 eagle, bearing a large white goose in its talons, tame, from the 
 court: and men and women followed shouting : and it, coming 
 near to them, rushed on their right hand before the horses, 
 and they beholding it rejoiced, and the mind of all was de¬ 
 lighted in their breasts. But to them Pisistratus, son of 
 iSestor, began the discourse: “Now tell me, O Jove-nurtured 
 Menelaus, chieftain of the people, if God has shown this as a 
 sign to us, or to thee thyself.” 
 
 Thus he spoke: but Mars-beloved Menelaus meditated, re¬ 
 flecting in what way he should answer him rightly. But 
 long-robed Helen spoke, anticipating him: “Listen to me, 
 and I will prophesy, as the immortals put it in my mind, and 
 as 1 think it will be accomplished. As this [eagle] coming 
 from the mountain, where is its race and birth, snatched 
 away the goose, which had been nurtured delicately in the 
 house; so Ulysses, having suffered many ills, and having 
 wandered much, will return home and be revenged; or is al¬ 
 ready at home, and devises evil for all the suitors.” 
 
 But her prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “May 
 Jove, the loud-sounding husband of Juno, so bring it to pass, 
 then Mmuld I, even there, make vows to thee, as to a god.” 
 
 He spoke, and threw the scourge upon the horses: and 
 they very quickly rushed to the plain from the city, eager. 
 And they all the day, having the yoke around [their necks], 
 i^hook it: and the sun set, and all the ways were overshad¬ 
 owed. And they came to Pherae, to the house of Diodes, “son 
 of Orsilochus, whom Alpheus begot as his son. And there 
 they slept during the night; and lie set before them hospita¬ 
 ble gifts. But when tlie mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morn- 
 ing, appeared, they yoked the horses, and mounted the varie¬ 
 gated chariot: and they drove out of the vestibule and re¬ 
 sounding portico. And he scourged them that they should 
 go on ; and they not unwilling flew. And they quickly came 
 to the lofty citadel of Pylos: and then Telemachus addressed 
 the son of Nestor : 
 
 “ O son of Nestor, how, having promised what I ask, 
 wouldst thou perform it? throughout we profess ourselves to 
 be acquaintances from the friendship of our fathers ; but we 
 are also of equal age ; and this journey will more confirm us 
 in unity of mind. Do not take me beyond out of the way of 
 
200—230.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 207 
 
 the ship, but leave me here, lest the old man should detain 
 me against my will in his house, longing to entertain me : but 
 it is necessary for me to return immediately.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the son of Nestor considered in his 
 mind, how", having made a promise to him, he might perform 
 it rightly. And thus to him considering it seemed to be bet¬ 
 ter; he turned the horses to the swdft ship and the shore of 
 the sea ; and he took out [and placed in] the stern of the 
 ship the beautiful presents, the garment and gold, which Men- 
 elaus gave him ; and urging him, he spoke winged W’ords: 
 
 “In haste now embark, and order all thy companions, be¬ 
 fore I reach home, and inform the old man. For I know this 
 well in my breast and in my mind, liow violent is his temper, 
 nor will he let thee go: but ho will himself come here to call 
 thee: nor do I think that thou wilt go away empty; for he 
 wdll be very \vrath.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he drove the beautiful-haired horses 
 back to the city of the Pylians, and quickly reached the dwell¬ 
 ing. And Telemachus commanded his companions, urging 
 them on: “Put in order the tackle, my companions, in the 
 black ship; and let us ourselves embark, that we may perform 
 our voyage.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and they heard him well, and obeyed. And 
 they quickly embarked and sat down upon the benches. He 
 indeed w'as toiling thus, and praying, and he sacrificed to Mi¬ 
 nerva near the stern of the ship; and a foreigner came near 
 him, flying from Argos, a prophet, having slain a man but 
 he was a descendant of the race ofMelampus, who formerly 
 dwelt in Pylos, the mother of sheep, opulent, inhabiting a 
 very excellent house among the Pylians: then indeed he 
 came to another people, flying his country, and magnanimous 
 Neleus, most illustrious of the living, wdio kept his great pos¬ 
 sessions for a whole year by force : but he in the mean time 
 
 ’ On this exile of murderers tlie student will do well to consult IMiil- 
 ler’s Eumenides, § 44, ]). 12,h, etc. He remarks that “in the Heroic afj;e 
 the ])unishment for homicide was on the whole more severe than in the 
 Attic courts and Platonic scheme of laws. For,” as he observes in ref¬ 
 erence to the present ])assage of Homer, “the pursuit of vengeance was 
 carried beyond the frontiers ; neither was it limited in its operation as by 
 Attic law, but was exercised in all its rclentlessness ; even in foreign coun¬ 
 tries the fugitive murderer was in constant a])i)rehcnsion of the avenger.” 
 
208 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 [231—2G3. 
 
 was bound in the palace of Pliylacus^ in a diificult bond, suf¬ 
 fering violent griefs, on account of the daughter of Neleus, 
 and a heavy calamity, which the goddess, dreadful to be ap¬ 
 proached,^ the Fury, placed in his mind. But he escaped 
 death, and drove the loud-lowing beeves to Pylos from Phy- 
 lace, and took revenge on godlike Neleus, for his shameful 
 conduct, and brought liome a wife for his brother. And he 
 came to another people, to horse-pasturing Argos; for there 
 it was lilted for him to dwell, ruling over many Argives. 
 There he married a wife, and built a lofty-roofed house, and 
 begot Antiphates and Mantius, brave sons. Antiphates be¬ 
 got magnanimous Oileus : but Oileus begot people-stirring 
 Amphiaraus, whom A^gis-bearing Jove and Apollo loved ex¬ 
 ceedingly in their heart, in every kind of friendship ; but 
 he did not reach the threshold of old age, but perished in 
 Thebes, on account of woman’s presents.Ilis sons were 
 Alcmmon and Amphiloclius. Mantius besides begot Polyphi>. 
 des and Clytus: but golden-throned Aurora snatched away 
 Clytus, on account of his beauty, that he might live among 
 the immortals. Put Apollo made noble-minded Polyphides a 
 prophet, far the most excellent of mortals (when Amphiaraus 
 had died), who ruled over Ilyperesia, enraged with his father; 
 there he dwelling prophesied to all mortals. Ilis son ap¬ 
 proached, but Theoclymenus was his name, who then stood 
 near Telemachus; and he found him making a libation and 
 praying near the swift black ship; and addressing him, he 
 spoke winged words: 
 
 “ O friend, since I find thee sacrificing in this place, I en¬ 
 treat thee by the sacrifices and the deity, but afterward by 
 thine own head, and thy companions who follow thee, tell me 
 
 ® Iphiclus, the son cf riiylacus, liacl seized and detained cattle beloii};- 
 ing to Neleus; Neleus ordered his nephew Melanipns to recover them, 
 and, as security for his obedience, seized on a considerable ])art of his 
 ])Ossessions. Melampns attempted the sendee, failed, and was cast into 
 ])rison; but at length escaping, accomplished his errand, vanquished 
 Neleus in battle, and carried off his daughter l^ero, whom Neleus had 
 promised to the brother of iMelampus, but had afterward refused her. 
 (Jowper. 
 
 ® AafTTrXi/nc, ^cerTrXi/r/c rig ou(ja, d tan dvaTTcXaarog. Schol. Ambros. 
 Cf. Etym. M. F. 55, A. Schol. on Thcocrit. ii. 14. Alberti on liesych. 
 t. i. p. 891, sq. 
 
 Sec xi. 32G, sqq, Eriphylo is meant. 
 
2()3—297.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 209 
 
 truly who am inquiring of thee, nor conceal it. Who art 
 thou'? from whence art thou among men'? Where are thy 
 city, and thy parents ?” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ There¬ 
 fore I will tell thee very accurately, O stranger. I am from 
 Ithaca by race, and my father is Ulysses, if he ever w'as 
 alive but now- he has perished by a miserable death. 
 Therefore now taking companions and a black ship, 1 have 
 come to inquire after my long-absent sire.” 
 
 But him godlike Theoclymenus addressed in turn: “So 
 also am I indeed aw'ay from my country, having slain a 
 kindred man: but he had many brothers and friends in 
 horse-pasturing Argos, and the Grecians have great power. 
 Avoiding death and black fate at their hands, 1 fly ; since it 
 is now destiny for me to wander among men. But put me 
 on board' thy ship, since flying I have besought thee, lest 
 they should slay me: for I think that they arc pursuing.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : “ 1 will 
 not certainly reject thee from my equal ship, if thou art de¬ 
 sirous [of going]; but follow, and there thou shalt be enter¬ 
 tained Avith such things as we have.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he received from him his brazen spear, 
 and extended it on the deck of the ship roAved on both sides: 
 and he himself embarked in the sea-traversing ship. And 
 then he sat doAvn in the stern ; and he seated Theoclymenus 
 near himself: and they (the sailors) loosed tlie liaAvsers. And 
 Telemachus exhorting his companions, bade them make ready 
 the tackle; and they eagerly obeyed. And raising the pine 
 mast, they placed it Avithin the holloAV mast hole, and bound 
 it down Avith cables ; and they hoisted the Avhite sails Avith 
 Avell-tAvisted bull-hides. And to them blue-eyed MinerA’a sent 
 a fuA’orablc gale, bloAving sharply upon them through the air, 
 
 I that the ship running along might A’ery quickly make itFi 
 ! Avay over the briny Avater of the sea. [And they came to 
 Crouni, and to fair-streamed Chalcis.]’^ But the sun set, and 
 all the Avays Avere overshadowed. And it reached I’hera?,’^ 
 driA’cn on by a favorable gale from Jove; and to divine Elis, 
 
 “ An exclamation cf grief. Sec Locwc. 
 
 See Loewe. 
 
 rro])erly, “took a right aim so as to hit Phercc.” Cf. Porphyr. 
 Quaist. Horn. i. 
 
 I 
 
210 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 [297—33G. 
 
 where the Epeans rule. From thence lie sent it on to the 
 swift^^ islands, meditating whether he should escape death or 
 be taken. 
 
 In the mean time Ulysses and the divine swine-herd were 
 feasting in the tent: and near them the other men feasted. 
 Eut when they had taken away the desire of eating and drink¬ 
 ing, Ulysses addressed them, trying the swine-herd, whether 
 he would still kindly entertain him, and desire him to remain 
 there in the stall, or would incite him to go to the city: 
 
 “ PIcar me now, O Eumoeus, and ye all the rest of his com¬ 
 panions, at dawn I desire to go to the city, in order to beg, 
 that I may not waste away thee and thy companions. But 
 suggest to me well, and also give me a good guide, who in¬ 
 deed may lead me thither: but I myself will wander through 
 the city by necessity, [to see] if any one will give me a small 
 measure of wine, and a meal-cake. And coming to the house 
 of divine Ulysses, I would fain tell the news to prudent Pen¬ 
 elope: and I would be mixed with the overbearing suitors, 
 [to see] if they will give me a meal, since they have countless 
 dainties. Quickly would I well perform among them, what¬ 
 ever they ished. P''or I will tell thee, but do thou under¬ 
 stand and listen to me, by the will of the messenger IMeicury, 
 who indeed awards grace and renown to the works of all 
 men, in serving no other mortal would contend with me, both 
 to keep up a fire well, and to cleave dry fagots, and to carve, 
 and roast, and pour out wine, such things as inferiors are 
 wont to do for the good.” 
 
 But him thou, O swine-herd Eumajus, didst address in great 
 sorrow: ‘‘Ah me ! stranger, why has tliis thought been in thy 
 mind ? certainly thou altogether dcsirest to perisli there, if thou 
 art willing to enter the crowd of suitors, wltose insolence and 
 violence reaches to the steely heaven. There are not such at¬ 
 tendants for them, but [there are] young men, clothed well in 
 cloaks and tunics, and always shining as to their heads and 
 beautiful faces, who attend upon them : and the well-polished 
 tables arc heavily laden with bread and meat, and wine. But 
 stay here; for no one is hurt by thee being present, neither I, 
 nor any other of my companions, whom 1 have. But when 
 
 i. e. rapidly vanishing: from the sight. Cf. Virg. JEn. iii. 72, “ tcr- 
 raeqiie tirhesqae recedunt,” 270, sq. ; Lncret. iv. 388, sqip • Valer. Flacc- 
 ii. 8; Siliu?, iii. loG; Kutil. Itin. i. 223. 
 
S:56-373.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 211 
 
 the dear son of Ulysses comes, he will put on thee a cloak 
 and tunic as garments, and will send thee wherever thy heart 
 and mind bids thee.” 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses then answered : 
 
 Mayest thou be as dear to the father Jove, O Eumseus, as 
 [thou art] to me, because thou hast made me cease from my 
 wanderino; and grievous toil: for there is nothing else wmrsc 
 for mortals than wandering. But on account of tlieir perni¬ 
 cious belly men possess evil cares, upon whom wandering and 
 calamity and grief come. But now, since thou detainest me, 
 and commandest me to wait for him, come, tell me about the 
 mother of divine Ulysses, and his sire, whom when he set 
 out he left upon the threshold of old age, if they are by chance 
 still alive under the beams of the sun, or are now dead, and 
 in the houses of Pluto.” 
 
 But him the swine-herd, chief of men, addressed in turn : 
 “Therefore I will tell thee very truly, O stranger: Laertes 
 is still alive, but is« forever praying to Jove, that his life may 
 perish from his limbs in his own palace : for ho is violently 
 grieved for his absent son, and his skillful virgin wife, who 
 most of all grieved him when she died, and placed him in an 
 immature old age. But she, through sorrow for her renown- 
 ed son, perished by a miserable death so may not any one 
 die, whoever dwelling here is a friend to me, and does friend¬ 
 ly acts. While indeed then she was alive, although grieving, 
 so long was it dear to me to inquire and ask her, because she 
 herself nurtured me with long-robed Ctimena, her illustrious 
 daughter, whom she bore youngest of her children : with her 
 I was brought up, and she honored me but little less. But 
 when we both reached much desirable youth, they immedi¬ 
 ately sent her to Samos, and received large [doweries]. But 
 me she sent to the country, having clad me in a cloak and 
 tunic, very beautiful garments, and having given me sandals 
 for my feet; but she loved mo in her heart still more. But 
 now I am in want of these things; yet the blessed gods in¬ 
 crease for me the work, in which I abide; from these things 
 I have eaten and drunk, and have given to objects of pity.‘® 
 But from my mistress 1 can not hear any soothing word. 
 
 She either died of a broken heart, or hung herself. See Eustatliiiis. 
 
 Venerable, because objects of a regard almost amounting to super¬ 
 stition, as being the. necessary objects of hospitality. 
 
212 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV 
 
 [374—410. 
 
 or [experience]any deed [of kindness] , since evil lias fallen 
 upon the house, overbearing men ; and the servants greatly 
 desire to speak before tlieir mistress, and to inquire every 
 thing: and to eat and drink ; and then to cany something 
 into the country, such things as ever delight the mind ot 
 servants.” 
 
 But him much-counseling Ulysses answering addressed-. 
 
 Alas ! how when thou wast little, O swine-herd Eumceus, 
 didst thou wander far from thy country and parents. But 
 come, tell me this, and relate it truly, whether was the wide- 
 wayed city of men plundered, in which thy father and vener¬ 
 able mother dwelt; or did hostile men take thee in ships, when 
 left alone with sheep or oxen, and transport thee to the house 
 of this man, and did he give a fit price [for thee]'?” 
 
 But him the swine-herd, chief of men, addressed in turn : 
 “ O stranger, since thou askest of mo and inquirest these 
 things, now attend in silence, and delight thyself, and sitting 
 down, quaff wine; but these nights are exceedingly long; 
 it is in our power to sleep, and it is in our power to listen 
 delighted : nor is it fit that thou shouldst go to rest before 
 the time; even much sleep is a pain. But whomsoever of 
 the others his heart and mind commands, let him sleep, hav¬ 
 ing gone away: but together with the shining morn having 
 made his meal, let him attend upon my master’s swine. But 
 let us drinking and feasting in the tent, be delighted, recall¬ 
 ing to mind the grievous cares of one another: for after a 
 time a man is delighted even with griefs, Avhosoever has 
 suffered very many things and has wandered much. But 
 I will tell thee this which thou askest and inquirest of me. 
 There is a certain island called Syria (if thou by chance hast 
 heard of it) beyond Ortygia, where are the dials'® of the sun. 
 It is not so very large; but it is excellent, fit for pasture, 
 rich in sheep, full of wine, abounding in wheat; and liunger 
 never comes upon the people, nor is there any other hateful 
 disease upon wretched mortals; but when the tribes of men 
 grow old in the city, silver-bowed Apollo, coming 'with Diana, 
 attacking them with his mild weapons, slays them. There 
 Observe the zeugma in uKoveraL. 
 
 • This is the meaning, according to iNIenage on Diog. Laert. i. fol¬ 
 lowed by Loewe, and Palmer on Hesych. v. ’Oprvyh] ytXioio, t. ii. p. 71)0. 
 Bat Mr. Burges suggests tliat it rather denotes “the point where the sun 
 begins to set,” from llesyeh. 1. c. 
 
411—441).] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 213 
 
 are two cities, and all things are divided two-fold; but my 
 father Ctesius Ormenides, like unto the immortals, reigned 
 over both of them. 
 
 “But there Phoenicians came, men illustrious by sea, cun¬ 
 ning fellows bringing numberless trinkets in their black ship.^^ 
 Now there was a Phoenician woman in the house of ray sire, 
 beautiful, and laige, and skilled in illustrious weaving works. 
 Her then the crafty Phoenician seduced; some one first min¬ 
 gled with her as she was washing, near the hollow ship, in 
 the couch and in love ; which things seduce the minds of wo¬ 
 men, although one should happen to be a good work-woman. 
 Then indeed he asked her, who she was, and whence she came; 
 and she immediately mentioned the lofty-roofed house of her 
 father: ‘ I boast to be from brass-abounding Sidon, and I am 
 the daughter of with wealth flowing Arybas; but the Taphi- 
 ans, men given to robbery, snatched me away as I was return¬ 
 ing from the fields ; and taking me away, they transported me 
 for sale to the house of this man ; but he gave a fit price [for 
 me].’ But her the man, who mingled with her secretly, again 
 addressed : ‘ Wouldst thou now again come home together with 
 us, that thou mayest behold the lofty-roofed house of thy fa¬ 
 ther and mother, a‘nd them too themselves? for they are still 
 alive, and are called opulent.’ But him the woman again ad¬ 
 dressed and answered in discourse. ‘This might be, if ye at 
 least were willing, O sailors, to be pledged with an oath, that 
 ye will take me home unharmed.’ Thus she spoke, but they 
 all swore as she commanded. But when they had sworn and 
 completed the oath, the woman again addressed and answered 
 them in discourse: ‘Now be silent; let not any one of your 
 companions speak to me with words, when he meets me, either 
 in the road, or by chance at the fountain ; for fear some one 
 coming to the house, should tell the old man : but he, suspect¬ 
 ing me, should bind me with a difficult bond, and should plan 
 destruction for you. 15ut keep your words in your breast, and 
 hasten the purchase of j)rovisions. But when indeed the ship 
 is now full of means of livelihood, then let a message come 
 quickly to me to the house ; for I will bring both gold, what¬ 
 ever comes under my hand, and I would also willingly give 
 other things, as payment for my })assage: for I nurse the son 
 
 Cf. Ileiodot. i. 2, wliere he gives a similar account respecting lo 
 
214 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 [450—490. 
 
 o^the excellent man in the palace, a very cunning child, that 
 can run with one out of doors; him I would take on board 
 ship ; and he would gain a large price for you, wheresoever ye 
 may transport him [for sale] to foreign men.’ 
 
 “Thus having spoken, she departed to the beautiful house: 
 but they, remaining there among us for a whole year, pur¬ 
 chased much substance in their hollow ship: but wdien the 
 hollow ship was now laden-^^ for them to return, then they 
 sent a messenger, to tell the woman ; a very skillful man came 
 to the house of my sire, having a golden necklace, and it was 
 set in amber: the handmaidens and my venerable mother 
 turned it round and round with their hands in the palace, and 
 beheld it with their eyes ; promising a price [for it]: but he 
 made the sign to her in silence. Tie however, having made 
 the sign, went to the hollow ship; but she, laying hold of me 
 by the liand, led me out of doors from the house: and she 
 found in the pc^^dico both the cups, and the tables of the men 
 who had been feasting, who attended upon my sire: they in¬ 
 deed had gone out to the session, and to the assembly of the 
 people: and she quickly concealing three bowls under her bo¬ 
 som, carried them out; and I followed through my thought¬ 
 lessness ; and the sun set, and all the ways* were overshadow¬ 
 ed. And we going swiftly reached the renowned haven ; there 
 was the fast-sailing ship of the Phoenicians. They then em¬ 
 barking sailed over the moist ways, having put us on board ; 
 and Jove sent a favorable gale. For six days we continually 
 sailed both nights and day ; but when Jove, the son of Saturn, 
 brought on tlie seventh day, then shaft-rejoicing l^iana struck 
 the woman ; and she resounded as she fell in the hold, like a 
 sea-gull: and they thi*ew her out to become a prey to sea' 
 calves, and iishes ; but 1 was left sorrowing at heart. And 
 the wind and the water carrying them along made them ap¬ 
 proach Itliaca ; there Laertes purchased me with his posses¬ 
 sions. Thus I beheld this land with my eyes.” 
 
 But him Jove-born Ulysses answered in discourse: “ O 
 Kuma3us, very much hast thou moved my mind in my breast, 
 relating each of these things, how many griefs thou hast suf¬ 
 fered in thy mind. But however Jove has given good unto 
 thee even with misfortune, since having toiled much thou hast 
 come to the house of a mild man, who liberally affords thee 
 
 Sec Buttniaiin, Lexil. ]>. 4G5. 
 
401—530.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 215 
 
 meat and drink; and thou livest a good life: hut I come 
 here, having wandered over many cities of mortals.” 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another; but they slept for no 
 long time, but for a very little while; for beautiful-throned 
 Morn soon came. But upon the shore the companions ofTe- 
 lemachus loosed the sails, and cjuickly took down the mast, 
 and drew it on to the port with their oars. And they threw 
 out the anchors, and bound down the hawsers. And they 
 themselves went out upon the beach of the sea, and got rtady 
 a meal, and mixed the dark wine. But when they had taken 
 away the desire of drinking and eating, to them prudent Te- 
 lemachus began discourse : 
 
 ‘‘ Do ye indeed now drive the black ship to the city, but 
 I will go to the country and to [my] shepherds; but in the 
 evening, liaving seen my fields, I will go to the city: and in 
 the morning I will give you wages for your journey, an ex¬ 
 cellent feast of flesh and sw'eet-drinking Avine.”., 
 
 But him godlike Theoclymenus addressed in turn : “ Where 
 shall I go, my dear son? to the house of Avhom of the men, 
 who rule over rugged Ithaca, shall I come ? Should I go di¬ 
 rect to thy mother’s and thine house ?” 
 
 And him prudent Teleraachus ansAvered in turn : “ Other- 
 Avise I should desire thee to go to our house ; for there Avould 
 be no lacking of hospitable entertainment; but it is Avorse for 
 thee [to do so]: since I shall be absent, nor Avill my mother 
 see tliee ; for she does not by any means appear frequently to 
 the suitors in the house, but aAvay from them Aveaves a Aveb 
 in the upper room. But I mention to you another man, to 
 Avhom thou mayest come, Eurymachus, the noble son of Avise 
 Bolybus, Avhom the Ithacans noAv regard equally as a god. 
 For lie is by far the best man, and is especially desirous to 
 marry my motlier, and to obtain the honor due to Ulysses. 
 But Olympian Jove, Avho dAA'ells in the sky, knoAvs this, if 
 their evil day Avill end before marriage.” 
 
 While he spoke thus, a bird flew on his right hand, a haAvk, 
 the SAvift messenger of Apollo; and in its feet it tore a dove, 
 holding it, and poured the feathers doAvn on the ground, be¬ 
 tween the ship and Telemachus himself But Theoclymenus, 
 calling him apart from his companions, took hold of him by 
 the hand, and sjioke and addressed him : 
 
 “O Telemachus, this bird did not fly on thy right band 
 
216 
 
 ODYSSEY. XV. 
 
 [531—55G. 
 
 without [the design of] the deity; for when I saw it before 
 me, I perceived that it was an omen. There is no other 
 family more kingly than thine among the people of Ithaca, 
 but ye are always powerful.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : ‘‘I wish 
 this word may be brought to pass, O stranger: then thou 
 wouldst quickly experience my friendship, and many gifts from 
 me, so that any one who met thee would give thee joy.” 
 
 He spoke, and addressed Pirreus his laithful companion : 
 “ O Ihi’geus, son of Clytius, since thou even in other things 
 dost obey me most of my companions,'who attended me to 
 Pylos; now also, taking the stranger to thy house, entertain 
 him carefully, and honor him until I come.” 
 
 But him spear-renowned Piraeus answered in turn.: “ O 
 Telemachus, although thou remain here for a long time, I will 
 take care of this man, and there shall be no lack of hospitable 
 entertainment for him.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he went on board the ship, and he 
 ordered Ids companions both themselves to embark, and to 
 loose the hawsers. But they quickly went on board, and sat 
 down on the benches. But Telemachus bound beautiful san¬ 
 dals under his feet, and took a strong spear, tipped with sharp 
 brass, from the deck of the shi]): and they loosed the hawsers. 
 They having thrust out sailed to the city, as Telemachus, 
 the dear son of divine Ulysses, desired them. But his feet 
 carried him on quickly advancing, until he came to the abode, 
 where were his numberless swine, among which the swine¬ 
 herd, excellent as he was, slept, having kind feelings toward 
 his masters. 
 
1—27.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 2^17 
 
 BOOK XVI. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Telemachus, having been kindly received by Eumieus, converses with 
 his father, without recognizing him, and sends Eumteus to the city, to 
 bear the news of his return to Penelope. Minerva in the mean time 
 restores Ulysses to his former appearance, and he makes himself known 
 to his son. The suitors, who had lain in ambush for Telemachus, re¬ 
 turn to Ithaca, and meditate fresh plots, for which Antinous is rebuked 
 by Penelope. Eumaeus returns at night to Telemachus and Ulysses. 
 
 They in the mean time, Ulysses and the divine swine-herd, 
 were preparing their meal in the lodge together with the 
 dawn, having lit a fire, and they sent out the herdsmen with 
 the field-pasturing swine. But the barking dogs fawned about 
 Telemachus, nor did they bark at him as he approached: but 
 divine Ulysses perceived the dogs fawning, and the sound of 
 feet came about him: and he quickly addressed to Eumoeus 
 winged words: 
 
 “ O Eumaeus, certainly some companion of thine will come 
 hither, or some one else, who is known : since the dogs do not 
 bark, but fawn around him: and I hear somewhat the noise 
 of feet.” 
 
 Scarcely had he finished speaking, when his dear son stood 
 in the portico : and tlie swine-herd rushed up astonished ; and 
 the vessels, with which he was busied, mixing the dark wine, 
 fell from his hands. And he came to meet the king; and he 
 kissed his^ head, and both hjs beautiful eyes, and both his 
 hands: and the warm tear fell from liim. And as a father 
 being kindly disposed embraces his son, when he comes from 
 a foreign land in tlie tenth year, his ovdy one, born to him in 
 his old age,^ for whom he has toiled tlirough many griefs; so 
 then the divine swine-herd clinging to godlike Telemaclius, 
 kissed him all over, as having escaped from death: and then 
 lamenting he spoke winged words: 
 
 “ Tliou art come, O Telemachus, my sweet light; I said 
 that I should not behold thee again, when thou wentest in a 
 sliip to Pylos: but come now, my dear child, enter, tliat I 
 may be delighted in my mind, beholding thee within, who art 
 lately come from elsewhere: for thou dost not frequently 
 
 * Observe the force of vtto . 
 
 ' And thence, “tenderly beloved.” Cf. Puttin. Lexil. p. 512. 
 
 K 
 
218 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 [28—59. 
 
 come to the country, or the herdsmen, but thou dwellest 
 among the people; for so it pleased thy mind, to be a wib 
 ness of the destructive^ crowd of suitors.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ Thus 
 shall it be, my friend; but I come hither on account of thee, 
 that I may behold thee with mine eyes, and may hear thy 
 account whether my mother still remains in the palace, or 
 whether some other man has now wedded her; and the bed 
 of Ulysses through lack of furniture lies somewhere possess¬ 
 ing foul cobwebs.”*^ 
 
 But him the swine-herd, chief of men, addressed in turn : 
 “She by all means remains in thy palace, with a patient 
 mind: and by her weeping all her wretched nights and days 
 waste away.”^ 
 
 Thus having spoken, he received his brazen spear; and he 
 went within, and passed over the stone threshold. And to 
 him approaching his father Ulysses gave way from his seat: 
 but Telemachus on the otlier side forbade him, and said : “ Sit 
 down, O stranger; and we shall find a seat elsewhere in our 
 stall; and the man is near who will place it [for mel.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but he going immediately sat down : and 
 the swine-herd spread green twigs under for him, and a fleece 
 above; there then the dear son of Ulysses sat down. And 
 near them the swine-herd placed dishes of roasted flesh, which 
 they eating had left on the day before ; and he hastily heaped 
 up bread in baskets, and mixed sweet wine in an ivy cup: 
 and himself sat opposite divine Ulysses. And they stretched 
 forth their hands to the food lying ready before them. But 
 when they had taken away the desire of drinking and eating, 
 then Telemachus addressed the divine swine-lierd: 
 
 “ ]\Iy friend, whence has this stranger come'? how did sail¬ 
 ors bring him to Ithaca? whom did they boast to be? for I 
 do not at all think that he came hither on foot.” 
 
 ^ On cn^i]\oQ sec Buttm. Lcxil. p. 51, sqq. 
 
 Cf. Propert. iii. 0, 33, “I’atris et in vacuo texetur aranea lecto.” 
 In inteiq'ireting ivtvvaiujv, I follow the second explanation of the Scho¬ 
 liast, TU)v TTipijioXa'nov. So Pollux, x. 27, tu ptv (TTpiopcira Kai tTrt/IX//- 
 para — kuI to Trap’ 'Op))p(p \p,dTiov 'ivtovalov, and Ilesych. v. 'tvtu- 
 vaiiov. 
 
 ^ Cf. Ovid, E]). i. 7, “Non ego deserto jacuissem frigida lecto; Nec 
 quererer tardos ire relicta dies: Nec inilii, (puvrenti spatiosam fallere 
 uoctcin, Lassaret viduas jiendula tela inanus.” 
 
60—99.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 219 
 
 But him thou didst thus address in answer, O swine-herd 
 Eumasus: “ Therefore I will tell thee all things truly, child. 
 He boasts his race [to be] from wide Crete, and he says that 
 wandering lie has been tossed about to many cities of mortals ; 
 for so for him the deity destined these things. He has now 
 at length come to iny stall, having escaped from a ship of the 
 Thesprotians: but I will give him in charge to thee: do as 
 thou desirest; he professes himself to be thy suppliant.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “O Eu- 
 imeus, truly thou hast sjioken this word very grievous to my 
 mind: for how shall I receive the stranger in my house ? I 
 myself am young, and I do not yet trust in my hands to ward 
 off a man, when any one is first wroth with me; and my 
 mother’s mind is meditating in doubt in her breast, whether ’ 
 she should remain here with me, and should take care of the 
 house, reverencing the bed of her husband, and the voice of 
 the people, or should now accompany him of the Grecians, 
 whatever most excellent man woos her in the palace, and of¬ 
 fers her most [gifts]. ]]ut as to the stranger, since he has 
 come to thy house, 1 will put on him a cloak and tunic, beau¬ 
 tiful garments; and I will give to him a double-edged sword, 
 and sandals for his feet, and I will eend him wdiercver his 
 heart and mind commands him. But if thou desirest it, take 
 care of him, detaining him in thy stalls: and I will send hith¬ 
 er garments, and all his food to eat, that he may not w^aste 
 aw'ay thee and thy companions. But I wdll not suffer him to 
 go there among the suitors; for they possess too infituate in¬ 
 solence, lest they scoff at him, and there will be grievous sor¬ 
 row for me. But it is difficult for one man to do any thing 
 among many, although [he be] mighty; since they are much 
 superior.” 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn: 
 
 “ O my friend, since indeed it is lawful for me to answ'er, 
 ye much gall my heart, in truth, wdien I hear what shameful 
 things you say the suitors devise in the palace, against the 
 will of thee who art such an one. Tell me, whether thou art 
 willingly subdued, or do the people, following the voice of a 
 deity, hate thee publicly: or dost thou find any fault with 
 [the conduct of] brothers,^' in whom, fighting, a man is wont, 
 to trust, even if a mighty contest should arise. For wmukr 
 
 See Eustathius. 
 
 6 
 
220 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 [99—141. 
 
 that I were so young in this mind, or the son of blameless 
 Ulysses, or even himself [should come wandering, for there is 
 still some chance of hope], immediately then another man 
 might cut olf my head, if 1 became not an evil to all of them, 
 having come to the palace of Ulysses, the son of Laertes. 
 But if on the contrary they should witli numbers overcome 
 me who am alone, I should wish to die slain in mine own pal¬ 
 ace, rather than always behold these unseemly deeds, stran¬ 
 gers harshly insulted,^ and [men] dragging women servants in 
 an unseemly way through the beautiful house : and wine drawn 
 off, and [the suitors] eating bread uselessly, to no purpose, 
 without an end, for a work that will never be accomplished.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ There¬ 
 fore, O stranger, I will tell tliee very truly; neither are all 
 the people wroth with me, hating me, nor do I find fault with 
 brothers, in Avhom fighting a man is wont to trust, even if a 
 mighty conquest should arise. For thus has the son of Saturn 
 made our race single; Arccsius begot an only son, Laertes, 
 his father again begot Ulysses alone; but Ulysses having be¬ 
 gotten me alone, left me in the palace, nor did ho have any 
 joy from me : therefore there are numberless enemies in our 
 house. For as many chieftains as rule over the islands, Du-' 
 lichium, and Samos, and woody Zacynthus, and as many as 
 rule over rugged Ithaca, so many woo my mother, and waste 
 our household. But she does not refuse the hateful marriage, 
 nor can she bring it to a conclusion : but they waste away my 
 property, consuming it; and they will soon destroy mo also 
 myself. But however these things lie at the knees of the gods. 
 O father, do thou go quickly, tell to jnaidcnt Penelope, that I 
 am safe, and have come from Pylos. But I will remain here: 
 and do thou return hither, liaving told it to her alone ; let not 
 any one of the other Grecians hear it: for many devise evils 
 against me.” 
 
 But him thou didst address in answer, O swine-lierd Eu- 
 mmus: “1 know it; I perceive it; thou speakest to one who 
 understands. But come, tell me this, and relate it truly, 
 shall 1 go a messenger on this same journey to unhappy 
 Laertes, who hitherto greatly grieving for Ulysses, used to 
 oversee the works, and drank and ate with tlie servants in 
 tlie house, when the mind in his breast commanded him: but 
 ’ llesycli. (TTv<p(XiZofuvovgf aKXrjpdg vj^pi'^of.dvovg. 
 
142—180.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 221 
 
 now, since thou hast gone in a ship to Pjlos, they say that he 
 no longer eats and drinks any thing, nor looks over the works, 
 but he sits lamenting in groaning and sorrow, and his tiesh 
 wastes away around his bones.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “It is 
 rather sad ; but however we will leave him although sorrow¬ 
 ing. For if all things wore by any means to be chosen by 
 mortals themselves, first indeed I should choose the return of 
 my father. But do thou, when thou hast told thy news, come 
 back, nor do thou wander in the country after him: but tell 
 my mother to hasten the handmaiden, her housekeepei-, as 
 quickly as possible, secretly: for she could inform the old 
 man.” 
 
 Pie spoke, and urged on tlie swine-herd: but he took sandals 
 in his hands; and having bound them under his feet he went 
 to the city; nor did the swine-herd Eunneus, going from the 
 stall, escape the notice of Minerva: but she came near him, 
 and in her person she was likened unto a woman fair and 
 large, and skilled in renowned works of weaving. And she 
 stood at the entrance of the lodge, appearing to Ulysses; nor 
 did Telemachus behold or perceive her (for the gods do not 
 by any means appear manifest to all); but Ulysses and the 
 dogs saw her ; and they did not bark, but with a yelping they 
 fled to the other side througli the stall. But she nodded with 
 her eyebrows, and divine Ulysses perceived her; and he came 
 out of the house, outside the great wall of the hall, and he 
 stood before her; and him IVIinerva [thus] addressed : 
 
 “ O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, 
 now tell it to thy son, nor conceal it, that having planned 
 death and PAte for the suitors, thou mayest go to the all-il¬ 
 lustrious city: nor will I myself be a long time away from 
 thee, for I am longing to fight.” 
 
 She spoke, and Minerva struck him with a golden rod : first 
 she ])laced a well-washed robe and tunic about his breast; and 
 she increased his person and youth. And he again became 
 dark-colored, and his cheeks were lengthened out; and dark 
 hairs sprang up about his chin. She indeed having done thus, 
 went away again; but Ulysses went to the lodge; and his 
 dear son was astonished at him. And fearing he turned his 
 eyes elsewhere, lest it should be a god; and addressing him, 
 he spoke winged words: 
 
222 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 [181—217. 
 
 “ To me, O stranger, thou appearest just now a diflerent 
 man from what thou wast before, thou hast other garments, 
 and thy complexion is no longer the same. Thou art certain¬ 
 ly some god, [of those] who possess the wide heaven. But be 
 propitious, that to thee we may offer grateful sacrifices, and 
 wrought golden presents: and spare us.” 
 
 But him much-enduring Ulysses immediately answered: 
 “I am no god: why likenest thou me to the immortals? but 
 I am thy father, for whose sake, thou mourning, dost suffer 
 many griefs, having endured the violence of men.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he kissed his son, and from his cheeks 
 he dropped a tear on the ground; but before he had restrain¬ 
 ed himself without ceasing. But Telemachus (for he by no 
 means believed that it was his father), immediately answering 
 in words addressed him : 
 
 “Thou art not my father Ulysses; but a deity cheats me, 
 that still more lamenting I may mourn : for a mortal man 
 could not have contrived these things by his own mind, ex¬ 
 cept when a god himself coming upon him should easily, if 
 he wished, make him young or old: for thou lately wast cer¬ 
 tainly old, and wast clothed in unseemly guise, but now thou 
 art like unto the gods, who possess the wide heaven.” 
 
 But him much-contriving Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 “ O Telemachus, it is not right that thou shouldst beyond 
 measure marvel and be astonished at thy dear father being 
 within. For no other Ulysses will'any more come here. But 
 I, who am such, having suffered ills, and wandered much, have 
 come in the twentieth year to my paternal land. But this is 
 the work of the huntress Minerva, who made mo such an one, 
 as she wishes ;—for she has the power—at one time like unto 
 a beggar, at another ngain like unto a young man, and to one 
 that has beautiful garments around his body. But it is easy 
 for the gods, who possess the wide heaven, both to exalt and 
 to debase a mortal man.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he sat down ; but Telemachus, throw¬ 
 ing himself round his excellent father, wej)t, shedding a tear. 
 And upon both of them a desire of mourning arose, and they 
 wept shrilly, more violently*^ than eagles, or crooked-taloned 
 " "Hures, from whom countrymen have taken their young, 
 
 ® Sec Buttm. Lcxil. p. 32, 7, and p. 35, 5. 
 
218—25G.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 223 
 
 before they are fledged;^ so they indeed shed a lamentable 
 tear under their eyelids. And now, to them weeping, the 
 light of the sun would have set, had not Telemachus quickly 
 addressed his father : , 
 
 “ In what ship, my dear father, did sailors bring thee hith¬ 
 er to Ithaca ? whom do they boast to be ? for I do not at all 
 think that thou earnest here on foot.” 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn; 
 “ Therefore I will tell thee the truth, my child: the ship-re¬ 
 nowned Pha3acians brought me, who also escort other men, 
 whoever comes to them. And bringing me asleep in a swift 
 ship over the sea, they placed me in Ithaca; and they gave 
 to me splendid gifts, brass, and gold in abundance, and woven 
 garments. And they lie in caves by the will of the gods. 
 But I am now come hither, by the suggestion of Minerva, 
 that we may consult about the slaughter of our enemies. But 
 come, enumerate the suitors to me, detail them, that I may 
 know both how many, and what men they are: then medi¬ 
 tating in my blameless mind, I will consider, if indeed wc 
 shall be able to resist them alone without others, or must 
 also seek for others.'’ 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ O fa¬ 
 ther, indeed I have always heard of thy great glory, that thou 
 wast a warrior as to thine hands and prudent in counsel. 
 But thou hast spoken something very great, astonishment pos¬ 
 sesses me : it.would not be possible, that two men should con¬ 
 tend with many and strong men. There are truly not ten 
 suitors, nor twice ten only, but many more: and you will 
 now soon know the number. From Dulichium indeed there 
 are two-and-lifty chosen youths, and six servants follow them: 
 jind from Samos there are four-and-twenty men; and from 
 Zacynthus there are twenty youths of the Grecians ; and from 
 Ithaca itself twelve, all most excellent: and with them there 
 is the herald Medon, and the divine bard, and two servants, 
 skilled in cooking. If we should meet with all these within, 
 [I dread] lest coming thou wouldst bitterly and grievously^^^ 
 be revenged on their violence. But do thou, if thou canst 
 
 ® Cf. iEsch. Ag. 47, rpuTTOv alyviriCji', OVr’ tKirarioiQ dXyiai na'iSojv 
 viraroL arpotpocivovvTca^ \\Ttpvyu)P tpirpoXaiv tpeaaofievoi, /Xtp- 
 
 viorppr] TTuvQv opraXix^pv oXiaavTtc;. 
 i. e. to thy cost. 
 
ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 224 
 
 [25G—295. 
 
 think of any assistant, mention him; 'whoever would aid us 
 witli a ready mind.'’ 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn: 
 “ Therefore I will tell thee; and do thou attend, and listen 
 to me, and consider, if Minerva, with father Jove, will suffice 
 for us, or shall I think of some other assistant V’ 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ These 
 twain whom thou mentiouest are excellent assistants, although 
 sitting on high in the clouds; they also rule over other men, 
 and the immortal gods.” 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn: 
 “ They twain indeed wall not be a long time absent from the 
 severe contest, when the strength of Mars is determined in 
 my palace betvreen the suitors and us. But do thou go home, 
 with the dawning morn, and associate with the perfidious 
 suitors: but the swine-herd shall afterward take me to the 
 city, like unto a sordid beggar and aged man. And if they 
 shall dishonor me in the house, let thy dear heart endure it in 
 thy breast, when I am ill treated, although they should drag 
 me through the house by my feet, or should strike at me with 
 weapons: but do thou looking on restrain thyself; but, how^-' 
 ever, desire them to cease from their foolishness, speaking 
 to them with mild w^ords; but they will not obey thee; for 
 their fatal day now stanc]^ near them. [And^^ I tell thee 
 something else, but do thou lay it up in thy mind ; when 
 mueh-counseling Minerva shall put it in my mind, 1 w'ill nod 
 to thee with my head; do thou then, wdien thou perceivest 
 it, take as many warlike arms as lie in the palace, and place 
 them in the recess of the lofty chamber; but deceive the suit¬ 
 ors W'ith mild words, wdien desiring them they inquire of you, 
 [saying,] ‘ I have placed them out of the smoke; since they 
 are no longer like unto those, which Ulysses left, depart¬ 
 ing for Troy, but they are soiled, as far as the vapor of the 
 fire has reached them. But this also of still greater conse¬ 
 quence the son of Saturn has ])ut in my mind, lest by chance 
 intoxicated, having raised a (quarrel among you, ye ’should 
 w'ound one another, and disgrace the feast, and the w'ooing; 
 for the steel of itself drawls on a man.^^ for us alone 
 
 ” There is much doubt respecting lliis passage as far as vs. 298. See 
 Clarke. Clarke aptly comjiares Tacitus, Hist. i. 80, “etvisa inter 
 
 tenuilentos arma cupidinem sui movei'O.” Cf. Duport, Gnom. llbiu.p. 235. 
 
295—338.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 225 
 
 leave two swords and two spears, and two shields of bulls’ 
 hides to take in our hands: that rushing upon them we may 
 seize them; but then Pallas Minerva and provident Jove will 
 soften them.’^^] But I tell thee something else, and do thou 
 lay it up in thy mind; if thou art truly mine and from my 
 blood, let no one hear of Ulysses as being within, let not Laer¬ 
 tes know this, nor the swine-herd, nor any one of the serv¬ 
 ants, nor Penelope herself: but thou and I alone may learn 
 the disposition of the women ; and we may besides try the 
 men-servants, both who honors us and fears us in his mind, 
 and who disregards us, and dishonors thee who art such.” 
 
 But him his glorious son in answer addressed : “ O father, 
 truly I think thou wilt know my mind even hereafter; for 
 laxity of mind does not by any means possess me; but I do 
 not think this will be a profit to either of us; and I exhort 
 thee to consider. For thus thou wilt sit for a long time try¬ 
 ing each, going over the works; but they quiet in the palace 
 are consuming thy possessions with violence, nor is there any 
 sparing. But, however, I exhort thee to find out the women, 
 both who dishonor thee, and who are innocent; but I should 
 not wish that we should try the men at their abodes, but to 
 manage these things afterward, if at least thou art surely ac¬ 
 quainted with some sign from ^Egis-bearing Jove.” 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another. But in the mean while 
 the well-built ship, which brought Tcleniachus and all liis 
 companions from Pylos, was dniwn up to Ithaca: but when 
 they now came within the very deep haven, they drew the 
 black ship upon the shore, and the noble-minded servants 
 took away their arms; and they immediately carried the 
 beautiful presents to Clytius’s [house]. And they sent a 
 herald forward to the house of Ulysses, to tell the ncM^s to 
 prudent Penelope, that Telemachus was in the country, but 
 liad commanded the ship to sail to the city : that the noble 
 (pieen, fearing in her mind, might not shed a tender tear. 
 And the herald and the divine swine-herd met together, on 
 account of the same message, to tell it to the lady. But 
 when they reached the house of the divine king, the herald 
 said in the middle of the handmaidens: “Now indeed, O 
 queen, thy dear son is arrived.” 
 
 But the swine-herd, starKhug near Penelope, told all the 
 
 i. e. make them cowards. 
 
 K 2 
 
22G 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 [339—375. 
 
 tilings, whatever her clear son had commanded him to relate. 
 And after he had told all his commission, he then went to go 
 to the swine, and he left the inclosures and the palace. But 
 the suitors were vexed and astounded in their mind : and they 
 come out of the palace, outside the great wall of the hall, and 
 there they sat before the doors: but Eurymachus, son of Poly- 
 bus, began to harangue them : 
 
 “ O friends, a daring deed has in truth been performed 
 with mighty boldness by Telemachus, this voyage [forsooth]; 
 but we said it would not be accomplished. But come, we will 
 draw out a black ship, whichever is the best; and will collect 
 together fishermen for rowers, who with all haste may bid 
 them return home quickly.” 
 
 Scarcely had all been said, when Amphinomus, turning 
 from his place,beheld the ship within the very deep haven, 
 and [the crew] furling the sails, and holding the oars in their 
 hands. And laughing pleasantly, he addressed his compan¬ 
 ions : 
 
 “ We need not any more urge on any message; for they 
 are within ; either some one of the gods has told this to them, 
 or they have themselves seen the ship passing, but could not 
 reach it.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they rising up, w^ent to the shore of 
 the sea. And they immediately drew the black ship on the 
 shore, and the noble-minded servants took aw’ay their arms. 
 But they went together to the assembly, nor did they suffer 
 any one of the others, either young or old, to eit wdth them: 
 but Antinous, son of Eupithes, addressed them : 
 
 “Alas! how have the gods freed this man from evil. Dur¬ 
 ing the days, spies in continual succession sat on the wdndy 
 promontories ; and with the setting sun we never slept on shore 
 during the night, but sailing with our swift ship in the sea, 
 we Avaited for the divine Morn, lying in ambush for Telema¬ 
 chus, tliat having taken, Ave might destroy him: but in the 
 mean Avhile the deity has brought him home. But let us here 
 devise mournful destruction for Telemachus; nor let him escape 
 us; for I do not think that, Avhile he is ali\’e, at least, these 
 things Avill be accomplished.^® For nc is himself knowing in 
 counsel and in thought; nor do the people any longer at all 
 
 i. e. changing his position. Sec? Ernesti. 
 
 The marriage of Penelopd. 
 
375—415.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 227 
 
 bring agreeable things to us. But come, before he collects 
 the Greeks together to a meeting ; (for I do not think that he 
 will leave otF, but he will be wrath with us, and rising up, he 
 will tell among all, that we planned violent death for him, 
 and did not reach him. But they, hearing [our] evil deeds, 
 will not approve;) for fear they should do evil, and drive us 
 out of our own land, and we should come to another people. 
 But let us anticipate him, destroying [him] in the country at 
 a distance from the city, or on the w^ay: and let us ourselves 
 have his property and possessions, dividing them among us by 
 shares, and afterward w^e may give the house to his mother 
 to possess, and to whomsoever weds her. But if this advice 
 displeases you, and you wish both that he should live, and 
 possess all his ancestral property, then let not us, here assem¬ 
 bled, consume his mind-delighting property to excess; but let 
 each out of the palace woo her, seeking her with doweries: 
 and she then may marry wiioever gives her most [gifts], and 
 comes destined [for her husband].” 
 
 Thus he spoke, but they all became mute in silence. And 
 Amphinomus harangued and addressed them, the illustrious 
 son of Nisus, son of king Aretias, wiio led the suitors from 
 wheat-abounding, grassy Dulichium; and he especially pleased 
 Penelope by his w^ords; for he possessed an excellent mind. 
 Who being w^ell-disposed, harangued and addressed them: 
 
 “ O friends, 1 indeed should not wish to slay Telemachus: 
 it is a terrible thing to slay one of royal race: but first let 
 us ask the counsel of the gods; and if the oracles of mighty 
 Jove advise it, 1 myself will slay him, and w ill encourage all 
 the rest; but if the gods turn us away from it, I exhort you 
 to cease.” 
 
 Thus si)oke Amphinomus ; and his discourse pleased them : 
 immediately then rising up, they w’ent to the house of Ulys¬ 
 ses, and wiien they came they sat dowm upon polished thrones. 
 But prudent Penelope thought of something new, to appear to 
 the suitors wiio possess extravagant insolence; for she heard 
 in the palace of the [threatened] destruction of her son ; for 
 I the herald Medon, who heard their counsels, told her. And 
 she w^nt to the palace, with her w'omen attendants : but wiien 
 the divine one of women had come to the suitors, she then 
 stood near the pillar of the firmly-made roof, holding up a 
 
228 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 f41G—4r)2. 
 
 slender vail before her cheeks; and she chided Antinous, and 
 spoke and addressed him by name: 
 
 “ O Antinous, thou who possessest insolence, thou contriv¬ 
 er of evil, they say indeed that thou art the most excellent 
 among those of thine age in the people of Ithaca in counsel 
 and in words: but thou indeed art not such an one. Frantic 
 one, why dost thou devise death and fate for Telemachus, nor 
 revere suppliants, for whom Jove is a witness? it is not holy 
 to devise evils against one another. Dost thou not know, 
 when thy father came hither a fugitive, dreading the people ? 
 for they were very wroth, because following Taphian pirates 
 he injured the Thesprotians; and they were our friends; they 
 wished to destroy him, and to tear in pieces his dear heart, 
 and to consume his large strength-yielding livelihood : but 
 Ulysses hindered and kept them otF, although anxious. IIis 
 house thou now consumest in dishonor, and wooest his wife, 
 and slayest his son, and dost greatly afflict me. But 1 charge 
 thee to cease, and to exhort the others [to do so].” 
 
 But her Eurymachus, son of Folybus, answered in turn : 
 ‘‘ O daughter of Icarus, prudent Penelope, be confident, let 
 not these things be a care to thee in thy mind. There is not 
 that man, nor will there be, nor can there be born, who shall 
 lay his hands on thy son Telemachus, at least while I am 
 alive, and behold [the light] upon the earth. For thus I tell 
 thee, and it shall indeed be performed, his black blood shall 
 quickly flow around my spear; since city-destroying Ulysses 
 often having seated me on his knees, put roasted flesh in my 
 hands, and gave me ruby wine. Therefore to me Telemachus 
 is far dearest of all men ; nor do I advise him at all to fear 
 death from the suitors; but from the gods it is not possible to 
 avoid it.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, cheering [her], but he himself prepared de¬ 
 struction for him. She ascending to the splendid*® upper 
 rooms, wept then for her beloved husband Ulysses; until blue¬ 
 eyed ]^Iiner^;a shed sweet sleep over her eyebrows. And in 
 the evening the divine swine-herd came to Ulysses and his 
 
 StyaXofvra —ov ra aiyCovra, aWa ra tfnrotovvra aiyi)v r/p jSXtTrov- 
 Ti did TO Oavfiacrrd tivai, says Eustatliius. So also Ilesych. Xafnrpd ttoi- 
 KiXci. If this is true, wo may compare the popular English phrase, 
 “stunning,” as applied to things in general. 
 
453—481.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVI. 
 
 229 
 
 son : and they were preparing supper skillfully,’”^ having slain 
 a pigling porker of one year old: but Minerva, standing near 
 Ulysses, son of Laertes, having smote him with a rod, again 
 made him an old man: and she put sad garments about his 
 body; that the swine-herd might not know him, beholding 
 him opposite, and come telling the news to prudent Penelope, 
 nor keep it in his mind. And to him Telemachus first ad¬ 
 dressed discourse: 
 
 “ Thou art come, divine Eummus; what is now the report 
 through the cityare the haughty suitors now from their am¬ 
 bush? or do they still wait for me as I return home?” 
 
 But him thou didst address in answer, O swine-herd Eu- 
 mmus: “ It was not a care to me to impure and ask these 
 things, as I was going through the city ; but my mind urged 
 me, having given my message, to return hither again as quick¬ 
 ly as possible. But a swift messenger, a herald from thy com¬ 
 panions, met with me, who first told the thing to thy mother. 
 But this I know, for I beheld it with mine eyes; I was just 
 now going beyond the city, where is the Hermman hill,’® when 
 I beheld a swift ship coming down to our port; and there 
 were many men in it; and it was heavy with shields and 
 double-edged spears; and I thought that it was they; yet I 
 know not [for certain].” 
 
 Thus he spoke, but the sacred might of Telemachus smiled, 
 looking upon his father with his eyes; but he avoided the 
 swine-herd. But when they had ceased from toil, and had 
 got ready a feast, they feasted ; nor was their mind at all in 
 want of an equal banquet. But when they had taken away 
 the desire of drinking and eating, then they were mindful j:)f 
 the couch, and enjoyed the gift of sleep. 
 
 See note on xiii. 52. Here I follow the second interpretation of 
 Ilesychius, tuTreipiog. 
 
 A heap of stones in the road was so called. See the Scholiast. 
 
230 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 [1—28. 
 
 BOOK X Y I I. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 On the following day Telemachus goes to the city, and gives an account 
 of his voyage to Penelope: Theoclymenus, whom he introduces, fore¬ 
 tells the speedy return of Ulysses, whom Eumajus conducts to the city, 
 and takes to the palace, where he is recognized by his old dog Argus, 
 who dies at his feet. Ulysses then goes among the suitors, by whom he 
 is treated with insolence: Penelope hearing of him, as a stranger, from 
 Eumseus, sends for him; but he declines to go to her until the evening, 
 when the suitors have left the palace. Eumajus then returns to the 
 country. 
 
 But when the mother of dawn, rosy-tingered morning, ap¬ 
 peared, then Telemachus, the dear son of divine Ulysses, 
 bound beautiful sandals under his feet: and he took a strong 
 spear which fitted his hands, setting out toward the city, and 
 he addressed his swine-herd : 
 
 “ Father, I am going to the city, that my mother may see 
 me (for I do not think that she will cease fi’om hateful mourn¬ 
 ing and tearful grief before she beholds me myself) : but thus 
 I charge thee, bring the unhappy stranger to the city, that he 
 may there beg a meal; but whoever chooses will give him a 
 meal-cake and a small measure^ [of drinkj; but it is not pos¬ 
 sible for me to support all men, having griefs in my mind. 
 But if the stranger is very wroth, it will be sadder for him; 
 for the truth is dear to me to speak.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: “O 
 my friend, I myself indeed do not wish to be detained; it is 
 better for a beggar to beg a meal in a city, than in ‘the coun¬ 
 try ; for whoever chooses will give to me. P^or I am no longer 
 of such an age to remain at the stalls, so as to obey a master 
 who commands me in every thing. But go; this man, whom 
 thou desirest, will lead me to the city immediately, at least 
 when I am warmed with the fire, and there is heat from the 
 sim; (for these garments which I have arc very sad ones;) 
 lest the morning frost should overcome me; and ye say the 
 city is far olf.” 
 
 Thus he spoke: but Telemachus went through the abode, 
 swiftly stepping forward with his feet: and he brooded evils 
 for the suitors. But when he reached the well-built dwelling, 
 
 ' See Liddell’s Lexieon. 
 
20 — 07 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 231 
 
 taking liis spear, lie jilaccd it against the lofty column, and he 
 himself went in, and passed over the stone threshold. 
 
 And him did the nurse Euryclea behold much the first, as 
 she was spreading tieeces upon the variegated thrones: then 
 Aveeping she went straight forward ; and the other handmaid¬ 
 ens of wretched Ulysses Avere assembled around him, and em¬ 
 bracing him they kissed his head and shoulders. And prudent 
 I’enelope came Irom her chamber, like unto Diana and golden 
 Venus : and she threw her arms around her dear son, Aveep- 
 ing. And she kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes; 
 and lamenting addressed to him Avinged Avords: 
 
 “ Thou art come, O Telemachus, my sweet light: I did not 
 I think that 1 should behold thee any more, Avhen thou didst go 
 in a ship to Pylos secretly, against my will, to inquire for thy 
 dear father; but come, tell me what sight thou hast encoun¬ 
 tered.” 
 
 But her prudent 'i'elemachus ansAvered in turn: “O my 
 mother, do not raise grief unto me, nor excite the heart Avith- 
 in the breast of me, avIio have escaped bitter destruction. But 
 having Avashed thyself, and taken clean garments for thy body, 
 [ascending to the upper rooms Avitli thy Avomen attendants,] 
 voAv to all the gods that thou Avilt offer up sacred hecatombs, 
 if Jove Avill by any means execute deeds of vengeance. But 
 I Avill go to the place of meeting, that I may iiuite a stran¬ 
 ger, Avho attended me from thence, as I Avas coming hither. 
 Jlim I sent on indeed Avith my godlike companions: and I 
 ordered l^ineus, leading him home, to entertain him, and hon¬ 
 or him heartily, until 1 should come.” 
 
 'idius he spoke; but the Avord Avas uuAvinged.^ But she, 
 having washed herself, [and] taken clean garments for her 
 body, voAA-ed to all the gods, that she Avould offer up sacred 
 hecatombs, if by any moans Jove Avould execute deeds of 
 vengeance. But Telemachus then AA^nt through out of the 
 palace, holding his S])ear: and SAvift-footed dogs accompanied 
 him. But Minerva shed divine grace upon him: and all the 
 })eople admired him as he came. And the haughty suitors 
 were assembled around him, speaking good Avords, but they 
 planned evils deeply in their minds. And he immediately 
 
 • i. c. it proved efTeetnal, it made an impression on tlie mind of Pe- 
 nelojie, /n) (nruTTTac, dXX’ iirintivav; ry yvvaiicl, Eustatlhus. But see 
 A]>oilon. Lex. and llesycli. 
 
232 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVir. 
 
 [OS—lOG 
 
 avoided the great crowd of them ; but where Mentor sat, and 
 Antiphus, and Alitherses (who from the beginning were his 
 ancestral friends), tiiere going, he sat down ; and they inquired 
 every thing [of him]. And spear-renowned Pira3us came 
 near them, bringing the stranger through the city to the fo¬ 
 rum : nor was Telemachus a long time turned far away from 
 the stranger, but he stood near him. And him Piraeus first 
 addressed in words: 
 
 “ O Telemachus, quickly incite women [to go] to my house, 
 that I may send away the presents, which Menelaus gave to 
 thee.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “ O Pi- 
 rceus, we know not how these things will be; if the haughty 
 suitors, slaying me secretly in the palace, should divide all 
 my ancestral property, I wish that thou or some one of these 
 should keep and enjoy them; but if I shall plant death and 
 fate for them, tlien rejoicing bring them to me rejoicing, to 
 my dwelling.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he led the much-worn stranger home. 
 But when they reached the well-built house, they laid their 
 cloaks down upon the benches and thrones, and going into 
 the well-polished baths they washed themselves. But when 
 the handmaidens had washed them, and anointed them with 
 oil, they threw woolen cloaks and garments around them, 
 and going out of the bath, they sat down upon the benches. 
 And a handmaiden bringing water in a beautiful golden ewer, 
 poured it over a silver caldron, to wash in; and near them 
 she spread a polished table. And the venerable housekeeper 
 bringing food set it near them, placing on it many kinds of 
 meat, gratifying them as well as she could out of what Was 
 present. But his mother sat opposite [to him], near a col¬ 
 umn of the palace, reclining on a bench, twisting her slender 
 distaff. And they stretched forth their hands to the food ly¬ 
 ing ready before them. But when they had taken away the 
 desire of drinking and eating, prudent Penelope began speak¬ 
 ing to them; 
 
 “ O Telemachus, I indeed ascending to the upper room, 
 will lie down on my bed, which to me has become mourn¬ 
 ful, ever being bedewed with my tears, since Ulysses went 
 with the Atruhe to Ilium: nor hast thou endured, before the 
 haughty suitors came to this house, to tell me clearly con- 
 
107—149.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 233 
 
 cerning the return of thy father, whether thou Iiast any where 
 heard of him.*’ 
 
 And her prudent Telemachus answered jin turn: ‘‘There¬ 
 fore I will tell thee, mother, the truth. We went to Pylos, 
 and to Nestor, the shepherd of the people; and he, having 
 received me in his lofty house, entertained me heartily, as a 
 father does a son who has just come from elsewhere after a 
 long season ; so diligently did he take care of me, with his 
 renowned sons. But he said that he had not heard of wretch¬ 
 ed Ulysses, alive or dead, from any one of men upon the earth; 
 but he sent me on with horses, and a compact chariot, to 
 spear-renowned INIenelaus, son of Atreus. There I beheld Ar- 
 give Helen, on whose account the Argives and Trojans toiled 
 much, through the will of the gods. Immediately then Men- 
 elaus, gallant in the din of battle, inquired, what wishing, I 
 had come to divine Lacedaemon. But I told him the whole 
 truth. And then indeed answering me with words, he ad¬ 
 dressed me : ‘ Alas ! surely indeed they being weak have wish¬ 
 ed to sleep in the bed of a noble-minded man. As when a 
 stag having put to sleep her new-born suckling kids in the den 
 of a strong lion, tracks out the slopes and grassy vales, seeking 
 pasture ; but he has quickly entered into his lair, and upon 
 both of them has brought unseemly fate : so will Ulysses bring 
 unseemly fate upon them. May he, O father Jove, and Mi¬ 
 nerva, and Apollo, being such, as once in well-built Lesbos, 
 having risen up, he wrestled in contest with Philomelides, and 
 threw him nobly, and all the Grecians rejoiced : [would that], 
 being such, Ulysses may engage with the suitors: all would 
 then be quick-fated, and bitterly married. But as to these 
 things, which thou askest and entreatest of me, I will not tell 
 thee otlier things out of the way, turning aside, nor will I de¬ 
 ceive thee: but the things which the true-speaking old man 
 of the sea told me, of these 1 will not conceal or hide a word. 
 He said that he beheld him in an island having violent griefs, 
 in the palace of the nymph Calypso, who detains him by ne¬ 
 cessity; but he can not come to his paternal land; for there 
 are not ships v/ith oars for him, and companions who may 
 escort him over the wide back of the sea.’ Thus spoke spear- 
 renowned Menelaus, son of Atreus. Having finished these 
 things, I returned: and the immortals, who sent me quickly 
 to my dear country, gave me a prosperous gale.” 
 
234 ODYSSEY. XVII. [150—188. 
 
 Thus he spoke, and he moved her mind in her breast. But 
 godlike Theoclymeniis addressed them : 
 
 “ O venerable wife of Ulysses, son of Laertes: he indeed 
 does not know it clearly; but do thou regard my discourse; 
 for I will prophesy accurately to thee, nor will I conceal it. 
 Now let Jove, first of the gods, be witness, and thine hospi¬ 
 table table, and the hearth of blameless Ulysses, to which I 
 come, that Ulysses indeed is now sitting in his paternal land, 
 or walking, inquiring concerning these evil deeds, but he is 
 planting evil for all the suitors. Such augury I beheld, sit¬ 
 ting on the well-benched ship, and I called out to Telema- 
 chus.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn . “ I wish, O 
 stranger, this word may be accomplislied, then wouldst thou 
 speedily experience my friendship, and [receive] many gifts 
 from me, so that any one meeting with thee w'ould give thee 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another. But the suitors before 
 the palace of Ulysses were delighted with quoits, and hurl¬ 
 ing with javelins on the wrought pavement, where even be¬ 
 fore they practiced their insolence. But when it was now 
 supper-time, and the cattle came from the country on all 
 sides, and they brought them, who before [used to bring 
 them]: then indeed did Medon address them, for he most 
 pleased them of the heralds, and with them w^as present at 
 the feast: 
 
 “ O youths, since ye have all been delighted in your mind 
 wdth contests, come to the house, that we may make ready a 
 feast, for it is by no means bad to take supper at the proper 
 season.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, but they rising up went, and obeyed his 
 word. Ikit when they came to the well-built dwelling, they 
 laid their cloaks down on the benches and thrones, and sacri¬ 
 ficed large sheep and fat goats : and they sacrificed fatted 
 swine, and a cow from the herd, making ready a feast: but 
 Ulysses and the divine swine-herd hastened to go from tlie 
 country to the city. But to them the swine-herd, chief of 
 men, began discourse : 
 
 “ O stranger, since thou indeed desirest to go to-day to the 
 city, as my master ordered, (go); certairdy 1 should wish thee 
 to be here a guardian of the stalls; but I reverence and fear 
 
i88—219.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIL 
 
 235 
 
 him, lest afterward he should be wroth with me: now the 
 chidings of masters are severe. l>ut come now, let us go; 
 for the day is now almost gone by,^ but soon indeed toward 
 evening it will be more chilly.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: “I 
 know it, 1 am aware of it; thou commandest these things to 
 one who understands. But let us go: do thou then lead the 
 way throughout. But give me, if thou by chance hast one 
 cut, a staff to lean upon, since thou saycst that it is a slippery 
 way.” 
 
 lie spoke; and around his shoulders threw an unseemly 
 satchel, densely ragged ; but there Avas a twisted cord‘ to hold 
 it. But Eumseus gave him a mind-delighting staff. They 
 twain Avent along: but the dogs and herdsmen remaining be¬ 
 hind, defended the stall: and he led his master to the city, 
 like unto a squalid beggar and an old man, leaning on a staff: 
 and miserable garments Avere put upon his body. lUit Avhen 
 now treading the rugged Avay they Averc near the city, and 
 reached the beautiful-flowing fountain, Avrought by men’s 
 hands,^ from Avhcncc the citizens drcAv Avater, Avhich Ithacus 
 and Neritus and Polyctor made: and around there Avas a 
 grove of water-nurtured poplars circular on all sides, and cold 
 Avater flowed doAvn from a rock from on high ; and there Avas 
 an altar of the Nymphs built above it, Avhere all travelers 
 made offerings. There Mclanthius, son of Dolius, found them, 
 bringing those goats Avhicfi surpassed all the flocks, as a sup¬ 
 per for the suitors: and tAVo attendants folloAved him. But 
 seeing [tliem], he chided them, and spoke and addressed them 
 in a violent and unseemly manner; and he roused tlic heart 
 of Ulysses [by saying thus]: 
 
 “Noav indeed by all means the vile leads the vile; so the 
 deity ever brings the like to the like.*' Wlicre, O unenvied 
 
 ’ Observe the perfect /.uiujSXioKe from /SXwrr/cw. 
 
 * arpixpoQ (lopTi'if) is what wo should call in English “a bracer,” or 
 “suspender.” Ilesych. cioprevr (pop^vQ rou ^i(pov(j. aoprppfQ, oi ava(po- 
 pttt; Tov ^i(l>ov(j. Cf. Alberti, t. i. p. 417, s(p, and liekker, Anecdot. ii. 
 p. 414, V. doprt'ip. 
 
 ’ TVKrpV. 
 
 ® Aristot. Eth. viii. 1. dOev tov dpowv (paaiv log dpoiov, Kcii koXoiov 
 TT or'i KoXoidv. Ithet. i. 11. d9tv kui ai irupoiplai f"tpi]VTai, ojg I/Xiku 
 TfpTTfi. Cf. Plato Phajdr. p. 842, 13. Theoj)hrast. Char. xxix. Aristajiiet. 
 Ej). i. 10; Cicer. do Scncct. 8. 
 
236 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVir. 
 
 [220—2^7, 
 
 swine-herd, dost thou lead this hungry fellow, a wretched 
 beggar, a destroyer of feasts: who, standing near many door¬ 
 posts, will rub his shoulders, begging morsels, not tripods or 
 caldrons?^ If thou wouldst give him to me to bo a guard of 
 my stalls, and to be a sweeper of the folds, and to carry a 
 branch [of herbs] for the kids,® then drinking whey, he would 
 render his thisfhs stout. But since then he indeed has learned 
 evil works, he will not be willing to go to work,® but crouch¬ 
 ing among the people, he prefers^® asking alms to feed his in¬ 
 satiable belly. But I tell thee plainly,'^ and this shall be 
 accomplished, if he comes to the dwelling of divine Ulysses, 
 the sides of him being pelted through the house will wear 
 out ^2 many foot-stools [thrown] about his head from the hands 
 of men.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and going by him, he in his foolishness 
 leaped upon his haunch with his heel; nor did he thrust him 
 out of the path, but he remained without stumbling ; and Ulys¬ 
 ses meditated, whether rushing swiftly upon him, he should 
 take away his life with a club, or should dash his head against 
 the earth, raising him on the ground. But ho endured it, and 
 he refrained in his mind : but the swine-herd chided him, look¬ 
 ing at him : and uplifting his hands, he prayed aloud : 
 
 “ O fountain Nymphs, ye daughters of Jove, if ever Ulysses 
 has burned thighs for you, covering them with the rich fat, 
 of lambs or kids, accomplish this work for me, that that man 
 may come, and the deity may bring him: then would he dis¬ 
 perse all the boasting, which you now insulting bear, wander¬ 
 ing ever throughout the city: but evil herdsmen destroy tljo 
 cattle.”’® 
 
 But him Melanthius the goat-herd in turn addressed: “ O 
 
 i. c. who does not enter the lists in the public contests, of which such 
 gifts were the customary rewards. See Eustathius. 
 
 ® This appears to be an allusion to the custom of holding out a branch 
 of herbs or fodder, in order to lure the cattle homeward. The projKJf 
 Greek phrase is irpoatitv OaWuv. See Kuhnk. on Tim. v. OaWogy p. 
 13G, sqq. 
 
 ® Or “set about work.” 
 
 On the ditfercnce between (^ouXopai and tOsXio, sec Buttm. LexiL 
 p. lot sqq. 
 
 “ tK seems to answer to our phrase “to speak out.” 
 
 Literally, “ rub away.” 
 
 Cf. Theocrit. iv. 13. deiXaXai y’ aurai, tov (3ovk6Xov <1)C kcikov tvpo* 
 See Plato Theaitet. p. 128, A. ed. Lam. 
 
248—283.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 237 
 
 gods, wliat lias the dog, who kens evil things, uttered? him 
 Avhom I some time will remove far from Ithaca, in a well- 
 benched black ship, that he may gain much livelihood for me. 
 For may silver-bowed Apollo strike Telemachus to-day in 
 the palace, or may ho be subdued under the suitors, as the 
 day of return is lost to Ulysses afar off.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he left them there going slowly, but 
 he went on, and very quickly reached the dwelling of the 
 king. And he immediately went in, and sat down among the 
 suitors, opposite Eurymachus: for he loved him very much. 
 Those who ministered placed near him his share of food, and 
 the venerable housekeeper bringing bread, set it near him to 
 eat: and Ulysses and ,the divine swine-herd coming stood 
 near; and the sound of the hollow lyre came about them ; for 
 Uhemius struck up to sing; but he, taking the sw'ine-herd by 
 the hand, [thus] addressed him : 
 
 “ Eumaius, of a truth this dwelling,of Ulysses is very beau¬ 
 tiful and easy to distinguish, even to behold among many.’ 
 There is one [story] above another; and the court is orna¬ 
 mented with a wall and battlements, and there are well-clos¬ 
 ing^ ‘ folding-doors; no man would scoff at it.^® But I per¬ 
 ceive that many men are making a banquet in it; since the 
 smoke of the fat*^ rises up, and the lyre speaks within, which 
 the gods have made a companion to the feast.” 
 
 But him thou didst address in answer, O swine-herd Eu- 
 mceus: “ Thou knowest it well; since as to other things thou 
 art not unintelligent: but come, let us now consider how 
 these thinss Avill be. Either do thou first enter the well- 
 built house, and go among the suitors, and I will remain be¬ 
 hind here: but if thou wilt, remain, and I will go before: 
 nor do thou delay, lest some one seeing thee without, should 
 either strike [thee] or drive thee away ; I exhort thee to con¬ 
 sider these things.” 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses then answered: 
 
 I know it; I am aware of it; thou commandest these things 
 to one Avho understands. But do thou go before, and I will 
 remain here: for I am not at all inexperienced in stripes or 
 
 i. e. safe. Cf. Hcsych. s. v. 
 
 15 ()j. u an-ogant contempt,” Ihittin. Lexil. j). .^>20, Avhere 
 
 he justly ridicules the old explanation “to take by force of arms.” 
 
 Hesych. Ki’idu, dT/ib^, Kain'o^ tCjv BimiiLv. 
 
238 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIL 
 
 [ 284 — 325 . 
 
 blows; my mind is daring, since I have suffered many evils 
 on the waves, and in war: and let this happen after these. 
 But it is not possible to conceal a craving belly, pernicious, 
 which gives many evils to men : on account of this even well- 
 yoked ships are fitted out for the barren sea, bringing evils 
 to the hostile.” 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another. Ibit Argus, the dog of 
 patient Ulysses, lying down, held up his head and ears, [the 
 dog] which he himself formerly nourished, nor did he enjoy 
 the use [of him]; but he previously went away to sacred 
 Ilium: but young men had before led him against wild goats, 
 and harts, and hares. There he lay cast out, his master hav¬ 
 ing gone away, among much dung of mules and oxen, which 
 was spread before the doors in great quantities: until the 
 servants of Ulysses should take it away to manure the extens¬ 
 ive ground: there lay the dog Argus, full of vermin. Then, 
 when he saw Ulysses uear, he fawned with his tail, and laid 
 down both his ears: but he could no more come nearer his 
 master; but he beholding him at a distance wiped away a 
 tear, easily escaping the notice of Eumaius: but he inquired 
 of him immediately: 
 
 “ O Euma3us, it is indeed a wonder; this dog lies in the 
 manure; he is beautiful as to his body, but this I do not well 
 know, whether besides his beauty of form he was swift to 
 run, or uselessly, as are the dogs at the tables of men, his 
 masters take care of him for the sake of ornament.” 
 
 But him thou didst address in answer, O swine-herd Eu- 
 ma 3 Lis : “ This indeed is the dog of a man who has died far 
 ofi‘. If he were such, both in body and in feats, as Ulysses 
 left him, when going to Troy, thou wouldst soon be surprised, 
 beholding his swiftness and courage. For he did not fly from 
 any monster that he had pursued in the thickets of the deep 
 wood : and ho was well acquainted with their tracks : but he 
 is now possessed by misfortune: and his master has perished 
 elsewhere away from his country; and the neglectful women 
 do not take care of him. But servants, when their masters 
 no longer rule over them, are then no longer willing to do prop¬ 
 er things : for loud-sounding Jove takes away half the excel¬ 
 lence of a man, when the day of slavery seizes hold of him.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he entered the well-built house: and 
 he went straight through the palace to the illastrious suitors. 
 
32G—3G3.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 239 
 
 lint the fate of black death laid hold of Argus immediately 
 when he saw Ulysses in the twentieth year. Jjut godlike Te- 
 lemachus much the first beheld the swine-herd coming to the 
 house: and then he quickly nodded calling [him] to him : but 
 he looking about took a seat that lay there, where the carver 
 sat, distributing much meat to the suitors, who were feasting 
 in the palace. Taking it, he set it down at the table of Te- 
 lemachus opposite to him: and there he himself sat down: 
 and the herald, taking a share, gave it to him, and lifted 
 bread out of the basket. And Ulysses entered the house 
 soon after him, like unto a poor beggar and an aged man, 
 leaning upon a staff: and sad garments were put around his 
 body: and he sat down on the ashen threshold within the 
 doors, leaning against a pillar of cypress wood, which former¬ 
 ly an artificer had polished skillfully, and had straightened 
 according to a plumb-line.^^ But Telemachus, calling the 
 swine-herd to him, addressed him, taking also a whole loaf 
 from the beautiful basket, and meat, as much as his hands 
 were extended when he put them round it: 
 
 “ Give these to the stranger, bearing [them to him]: and 
 order him to beg, going about to all the suitors ; shame is not 
 good for a beggar in need.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the swine-herd went, when he heard 
 what was said, and standing near addressed to him winged 
 words: “ O stranger, Telemachus gives thee this, and orders 
 thee to beg, going about to all the suitors: and he says that 
 shame is not good for a beggar.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer : “ O 
 king Jove, that Telemachus may be happy among men, and 
 may all things succeed for him, whatever he meditates in his 
 mind.” 
 
 He spoke, and received it in both [his hands], and laid it 
 down there, before his feet, on his unseemly satchel. And he 
 ate while the bard was singing in the palace; but when he 
 had done feasting, the divine bard ceased. And the suitors 
 made a clamor in the palace; but Minerva, standing near, in¬ 
 cited Ulysses, the son of Laertes, that he might collect meal- 
 cakes among the suitors, and that he might know who were 
 just, and who lawless. But not even thus was she about to 
 
 1 Ilesych. ardO^t], airdprog, tv y ciTropOovciv ol TtKTOveQ. See also 
 the Sclioi. on. 11. O. 410, and Suiclas, s. v. 
 
240 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 [3G4—403. 
 
 free any one from evil.’® And he set ont on the right liaud 
 to beg of every man, stretching out his hand every where, as 
 if he were a beggar of old. But thej", pitying him, bestowed 
 on him, and were astonished at him *, and asked of one anoth¬ 
 er, who he was, and whence he came. But them Melanthiu.", 
 the goat-herd, [thus] addressed : 
 
 “Hear me, ye suitors of the illustrious queen, with regard 
 to this stranger: for I have seen him before. The SAvine-herd 
 forsooth brought him hither; but I do not dearly know him- 
 from whence he boasts his race to be.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but Antinous rebuked the swine-herd with 
 words: “O notorious SAvine-herd, why didst thou bring him 
 to the city ? have Ave not enough of Avanderers, and other sor¬ 
 did beggars, the destroyers of banquets ? dost thou profit at 
 all, that assembled here they consume the property of th}' 
 master ? and from Avhence didst thou invite him V* 
 
 But him thou didst address in ansAA^er, O SAvine-lierd Eu' 
 mceus: “O Antinous, although thou art good, thou dost not 
 speak honorable things: for Avho, Avhen he himself come? 
 from elscAvliere, invites another stranger, except [one] of thosor 
 Avho are public officers? a prophet, or curer of ills, or car' 
 penter of planks, or even a divine bard, Avho may delight 
 them, singing? for these mortals OA’er the boundless earth are 
 invited no one Avould invite a beggar, Avho Avill devour him 
 himself But thou art ahvays, above all the suitors, severe tc> 
 the sei’A^ants of Ulysses, and especially to me; but I care not, 
 so long as prudent Penelope and godlike Telemachus live iif 
 the palace.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus ansAvered in turn : “Be si 
 lent, do not ansAA^cr him much Avith AA^ords. But Antinous i? 
 ever accustomed to contend evilly Avith bitter avoixIs, and he 
 encourages others also.” 
 
 He spoke, and to Antinous addressed Avinged Avords : “ (? 
 Antinous, thou takest good care of me, as a father of Ids son. 
 thou Avho commandest me to send a stranger from the palace 
 by a violent speech ; may not the deity bring this to pass, 
 d'ake and give to him : I grudge it not: for 1 advise it. Nor 
 in this regard my mother, nor any other of the servants, Avho 
 arr ill the house of divine Ulysses. But thou liast no such 
 
 i. e. from the death that awaited them. 
 
 i. e. Avelcome. Cf. Plato, Symj)Os. ]». 115, G. 
 
ioa—442.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIE 
 
 241 
 
 thought in thy breast; for thou desirest thyself to eat, much 
 rather than to give to another.” 
 
 But him Anlinous addressed in answer: “ Telemachus, 
 thou lofty speaker, intolerable in might, what hast thou said ? 
 if all the suitors were to bestow so much on him, the house 
 would keep him at a distance even for three months. 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and taking a footstool lying under the table, 
 he showed it, upon which he placed his soft feet, when ban¬ 
 queting. But all the others. gave [to him], and filled his 
 satchel with bread and meat: and Ulysses, again going to the 
 threshold, was now about to taste the bounty of the Greeks; 
 but he stood near Antinous, and addressed discourse to him: 
 
 “ Give, O friend; thou dost not appear to me to be the 
 worst of the Grecians, but the best, since thou art like unto a 
 king: therefore it behooves thee to give something better than 
 the others, [something better] than bread: and I would cele¬ 
 brate thee over the boundless earth. For I also once happy 
 inhabited an opulent house among men, and oftentimes gave 
 to such a wanderer, whatever kind of man ho might be, and 
 whatever he came in need of. And I had great numbers of 
 servants, and other things, by which men live well, and are 
 called opulent: but Jove, the son of Saturn, was my ruin (for 
 he somehow willed it), who sent mo with much-wandering 
 robbers to go to Egypt, a long journey, that I might perish: 
 but I stationed in the river Egyptus the ships rowed on both 
 sides. Then indeed I bade my beloved companions remain 
 there near the shi[)S, and draw up the ships; and I urged 
 watches to go to places of looking out. But they, yielding to 
 insolence, and drawn on by their own spirit, very quickly laid 
 waste the most beautiful fields of the Egyptians, and took 
 away their wives, and infant clijldren, and slew them : but an 
 alarm soon reached the city; and they, hearing the clamor, 
 came together with the shining morn; and the whole plain 
 was filled with foot and horse, and the glittering of brass: 
 but thunder-rejoicing Jove infused evil panic into my com¬ 
 panions ; nor did any one dare to remain opposed to them; 
 for evils stood around them on every side. There they slew 
 many of us with the sharp brass, and led some away alive, to 
 
 i. 0. he \YOuld get such a beating, that he would be afraid to come 
 egain. Eust. Or, as one Schol. says, “ He would get enough good 
 living to kee]) him from the house for lliree months.” 
 
242 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 [44.3—4 
 
 work for ll'.cm by necessity. But me they gave to a stranger 
 who met tliem [to take to] Cyprus, Uemctor, son of lasus, 
 who reigned by his might over Cyprus. From thence 1 am 
 now come hither to this place, suffering harm.” 
 
 But him Antinous answered and addressed in turn : “ AVliat 
 deity brought this pest to [us], a trouble ol our feast? Stand 
 out, then, in the middle far off* from my table, lest soon thou 
 shouldst reach a bitter Egypt and Cyprus: since thou art 
 some daring and shameless beggar. Thou standest near all 
 Ill their turn ; but they foolishly give to thee: since there is 
 no restraint, nor commiseration to give of another’s property, 
 since each has much.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses, or. retiring, addressed: 
 “Alas! thou hast not a mind in addition to thy beauty of 
 form : thou wouldst not give even a grain of salt from thine 
 house to thine own suppliant, thou, who now sitting down at 
 another man’s [table], hast not had the heart to give some 
 bread to mo, taking it away: but thou hast much before thee.” 
 
 Thus ho spoke; but Antinous was still more wrathful at 
 lieart, and looking sternly upon him, he addressed to him 
 winded words: “Now indeed I no longer think that thou 
 wilt retire well through out of the palace, since thou now 
 speakest reproachful things.” 
 
 Thus he spoke: and taking a foot-stool, he struck his (Ulys¬ 
 ses's) right shoulder at the bottom, on the back : but he stood 
 firm, as a rock ; nor did the weapon of Antinous cause him 
 to stumble, but in silence lie moved his head, deeply devising 
 evils; and going back to the threshold, lie sat down, and put 
 down his well-iilled satchel; and addressed the suitors: 
 
 “ Hear me, ye suitors of the illustrious cpieen, while I speak 
 the things which the mind in liiy breast commands me. There 
 is no sorrow in one’s mind, nor grief at all, when a man fight¬ 
 ing for his own possessions is stricken, either for his oxen, or 
 white sheep: but Antinous struck me on account of my sad 
 belly, pernicious, which gives many evils to men. But if 
 there are any where gods and Erinnyes of ])Oor men, may the 
 end of death reach him before his marriage.” 
 
 But him Antinous, son of Eupithes, addressed in turn : “ P?at 
 quiet, O stranger, sitting down, or go away elsewhere; lest 
 young men drag thee through the house (such things thou speak¬ 
 est !) either by the foot, or by the hand, and Hay thee entirely.” 
 
481—522.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 243 
 
 Thus he spoke: but they were all excessively indignant; 
 and thus some one of the proud youths spoke : “ Antinous, not 
 well didst thou hurl at the wretched wanderer, O thou doomed 
 to destruction, if there is any god in heaven. For the gods, like 
 unto foreign strangers, being [seen] in all forms, go about cit¬ 
 ies, looking into the insolence and the good 'conduct of men.” 
 
 Thus spoke the suitors, but he heeded not their words. And 
 Telemachus cherished ^reat grief in his heart for him that 
 was stricken, nor did he shed a tear from his eyelids on the 
 ground, but he moved his head in silence, deeply devising evils. 
 
 When then prudent Penelope heard of him that was 
 stricken in the palace, she spoke to her handmaidens: “ So 
 may bow-renowned Apollo strike thee thyself.” But her the 
 housekeeper Eurynome addressed in turn: 
 
 Ay, if an end were made to our prayers, no one of these 
 W'ould reach the beautiful-throned morn.” 
 
 But her prudent Penelope addressed in turn: “Nurse, 
 they are all hateful, since they contrive evils: but Antinous 
 is especially like unto black Fate. Some unhappy stranger 
 is wandei'ing thi-ough the house, asking alms of the men ; 
 (for need ordered him ;) there all the others filled [his satch¬ 
 el] and gave to him ; but he'^^ with a foot-stool struck his 
 right shoulder at the bottom.” 
 
 Thus she spoke among her women servants, sitting in the 
 chamber; but divine Ulysses feasted: and she having called 
 the divine swine-herd to her, addressed him : 
 
 “ Come, O divine Eumceus, going desire the stranger to come, 
 that I may converse somewhat with him, and inquire, wheth¬ 
 er he has eitljer heard of patient Ulysses, or beheld him with 
 his eyes: for he is like unto one who has wandered much.” 
 
 But her thou didst address in answer, O swine-herd Eumm- 
 us: “If indeed, O queen, the Grecians would be silent, such 
 things as he relates would soothe thy dear heart. For I had 
 him for three nights, and detained him three days in my lodge 
 (for he came to me first, having escaped from the ship); but 
 lie has not yet finished relating his misfortunes. And as when 
 a man looks upon a bard, wdio from the gods skillfully sings 
 verses delightful to mortals, and they desire to hear his voice 
 without ceasing, when he sings; so he, sitting near me in my 
 house, soothed me. And he says that he is an ancestral friend 
 
 ** i. c. Antinous. 
 
244 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVII. 
 
 [522—5G8. 
 
 of Ulysse.s, dwelling in Crete, where is the race of Minos. 
 He now indeed came hither from tlience, suffering harm, roll¬ 
 ing onward from plaee to place and he persists in (say¬ 
 ing) that he heard of Ulysses being alive, in a rich people 
 near the Thesprotians; and he brings many treasures home.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn : “ Come, call 
 him hither, that he himself may speak in my presence. But 
 let these, either sitting at the doors, or here in the house, de¬ 
 light themselves; since their mind is glad. For their pos¬ 
 sessions lie uninjured in their houses, bread and sweet wine, 
 these their servants eat: but they, frequenting our house all 
 their days, sacrificing oxen and sheep, and fat goats, are 
 feasting and drinking dark wine vainly : and many things 
 are consumed; for there is no man present, such as Ulysses 
 was, to ward off hostility from the house. But if Ulysses 
 should come and reach his paternal land, soon would he with 
 his .son be revenged upon the violence of men.” 
 
 Thus she spoke, but Telemachus sneezed loudly, and the 
 house resounded violently around : but- l^enelope laughed, 
 and quickly to Eummus addressed winged words: 
 
 Come, call the stranger hither to my presence. Dost 
 thou not see, that my son has sneezed to all my words? 
 Therefore may there be no imperfect death to all the suitors, 
 nor may any one escape death and the Fates. But I tell 
 thee something else, and do thou lay it up in thy mind, if I 
 know that he speaks all things true, I will put a cloak on 
 him, and a tunic, beautiful garments.” 
 
 Thus she spoke; and the swine-herd w'ent, w'hcn he heard 
 her discourse: and standing near him, addressed winged 
 words: 
 
 “ O father stranger, prudent Penelope, the mother of Te¬ 
 lemachus, calls thee; her mind exhorts her to make some in¬ 
 quiries concerning her husband, although she suffers griefs. 
 But if she knows that thou speakest all things true, she will 
 put a cloak on thee, and a tunic, of which thou art most in 
 need ; and begging bread throughout the people, thou wilt 
 feed thy belly; and whoever chooses will give to thee.” 
 
 But him much-enduring divine Ulysses addressed in turn : 
 
 O Fimumus, soon will 1 tell all things true to prudent Pe¬ 
 nelope, daughter of Icarus. For I know well concerning him, 
 
 See Scholiast. 
 
564—COl.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVir. 
 
 245 
 
 and we have undergone the same toil. But I dread the crowd 
 of cruel suitors, whose insolence and violence reaches the steely 
 heaven. For even now when this man striking me, as I was 
 going through the house, Avhen 1 had done no harm, gave me 
 pain, neither did Telemachus nor any other ward off this. 
 Now therefore desire Penelope to remain in the palace, al¬ 
 though anxious, until sunset: and then let her ask me con¬ 
 cerning the return of her husband, having made me sit down 
 nearer before the fire ; for I have had sad garments; and thou 
 thyself knowest it, since I first entreated thee.” 
 
 Thus he spoke. And the swine-herd went, when he heard 
 his discourse, and Penelope addressed him as he was going 
 over the threshold: 
 
 “Dost thou not bring him, O Eumaeus? what is this the 
 wanderer has thought of? whether fearing any one greatly ? 
 or in any other way has he awe in the palace? but bad is a 
 modest beegar.” 
 
 But her tliou didst address in answer, O swine-herd Eu* 
 maeus: “ He speaks rightly, as another also would think, 
 
 shunning the insolence of haughty men. But he desires thee 
 to wait until sunset. And thus it is much better for thyself, 
 O queen, to speak to the stranger alone, and to listen to him.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn : “ Tlie stran¬ 
 ger docs not appear to be foolish, whoever he may be; for 
 not any where do any men among mortal men thus insolent 
 contrive infatuate deeds.” 
 
 Thus she spoke ; and the divine swine-herd went to the 
 crowd of suitors, when he had informed [lier of] all things. 
 And lie immediately to Telemachus addressed winged words, 
 holding hirt head near him, that the others might not hear: 
 
 “ O friend, I am going away, to guard the swine and other 
 things, yours and my livelihood : but let all things here be thy 
 care. First preserve thyself, and consider in thy mind, that 
 thou dost not suffer any thing : for many of the Grecians devise 
 evil things; whom may Jove destroy, before harm befall us.” 
 
 But him prudent d'elemachus answered in turn : “ So shall 
 it be, father; but do thou go when thou hast spent the after¬ 
 noon here;23 but in the morning come, and bring beautiful 
 sacrifices, but all these things shall be a care to me and the 
 immortals.” 
 
 I am indebted to Buttm. Lexil. p. 229, sq. and the Schol. 
 
246 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. [002—GOG. xviii. 1—16. 
 
 Tims lie spoke; and he sat down again on a well-polished 
 seat, and having satiated his mind with eating and drinking, 
 he went to the swine : and he left the inclosures and the pal¬ 
 ace full of feasters; but they were delighted with the danca 
 and the song; for afternoon"'^^ had now coiue on. 
 
 BOOK X y I I I. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 While Ulysses is bep;ging among the suitors, another beggar named Inis 
 comes ; they fight, and the latter is conquered by a single blow. Hav¬ 
 ing cast out Irus, Ulysses threatens Amphinomus with vengeance, as¬ 
 serting that the king will shortly appear. Penelope comes to the suit¬ 
 ors, and reminds them of the presents she ought to receive from each; 
 and they accordingly send their servants for presents. Eurymachus 
 casts a stool at Ulysses, which hits the cup-bearer; a confusion ensues, 
 and the suitors depart to their own dwellings. 
 
 And there also^ came a public beggar, who begged through 
 the city of Ithaca, and he surpassed others- in his raving bel¬ 
 ly, to eat and drink without ceasing:^ nor had he might or 
 force ; but he was very hirge in form to behold. And Amar¬ 
 us was his name ; for this his venerable mother gave him from 
 his birth: but all the young men called him Irus, because he 
 went as a messenger,'^ whenever any one ordered him any 
 where. Who coming wished to drive Ulysses from his own 
 house, and chiding him, he spoke winged words: 
 
 “Go, old man, from the portico, lest thou soon be drawn 
 by the foot: dost not thou perceive that all are winking at 
 me, and desire me to drag thee out? but I however am 
 ashamed. Hut rise, lest soon between us there be contention 
 even with our hands.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses regarding, sternly ad¬ 
 dressed ; “ Sirrah, 1 neither do nor speak any evil to thee, 
 nor do I grudge that any^ one should give to thee, although 
 
 See Buttm. ibid. * IttI = besides Ulvsses. 
 
 •> 
 
 “ The notion of “others” is implied in ptro. 
 
 ’ Ilesych. dnivtKEQ, aduiXeiirrov. Tlie word also means dr^, 
 
 parched. Cf. Alberti, t. i. ]). 119, intpp. on Apoll. Khod. ii. 99. 
 
 * “ Verte : quia pro nuncio ibat. Irus ergo sonat nuncium, atque Iris 
 ergo nunciam.” Erncsti. Cf. Alberti on Hcsych. t. ii. p. 71. 
 
17—49.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 247 
 
 thou receivest much. Tliis threshold will contain us both; 
 nor is it fit that thou shouldst grudge what belongs to others ; 
 but thou seemest to me to be a wanderer, even as I; but the 
 gods have the power to bestow wealth.^ But do not challenge 
 me too much to [strife of] hands, lest thou shouldst make 
 me wroth, lest, although being aged, I shall defile thy breast 
 and lips with blood ; and to-morrow there would be still more 
 quiet for me : for I do not at all think that thou wilt return 
 a second time to the house of Ulysses, son of Laertes.’’ 
 
 But him the wanderer Irus enraged addressed: “O gods! 
 how glibly this gluttonous fellow harangues, like unto an 
 old woman covered with sootagainst whom I would devise 
 evil, smiting him with both [hands], and would drive all the 
 teeth out of his jaws iq^on the ground, as of a swine that eats 
 the wheat in the field. Now gird thyself, that all these may 
 behold us fighting; but how wouldst thou contend with a 
 younger man V’ 
 
 Thus they before the lofty gates on the polished threshold 
 were irritated [each other] with all their mind. And the 
 sacred might of Antinous set them twain together, and laugh' 
 ing out pleasantly, he addressed the suitors: 
 
 “O friends, such a thing has never before been done: 
 what a delight has the deity brought to this house I The 
 strano-er and Irus are contending with one another, so as to 
 come to blows with their hands; and we will soon set them 
 together.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and they all rose up laughing; and they 
 formed a ring round the ill-clad beggars. And them Anti- 
 nous, son of Eupithes, addressed : 
 
 “ Hear me, noble suitors, while I say something. These 
 paunches of goats are cooking on the fire ; and having filled 
 them with fat and blood, we lay them aside for supper: but 
 whichever conquers, and is the superior, let him, rising up, 
 take whichever of them he chooses; and afterward he shall 
 always feast among us, nor will wc suffer any other beggar 
 to come among us to ask alms.’’ 
 
 ® This seems the best way of expressing fdWovenv ottu^elv. INIr. 
 Diirges would render it, “delay to give,” quoting Orest. 420, MeXXft ra 
 dtXov y t(TTL roiovrov (pvaei. 
 
 ® Perhai)s, “an old cinder-wench.” See Eustathius, with Ilesych. t 
 i. p. 858, and t. ii. }). 132. 
 
248 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 [50—85. 
 
 Thus spoke Aiilinous; and liis discourse pleased them. 
 15ut them much-planning Ulysses, thinking cunningly, ad¬ 
 dressed : , 
 
 “ 0 friends, it is not possible for an old man, spent with 
 toil, to fight with a younger man ; but my ill-working belly 
 excites me, that I should be subdued by blows. But come 
 now, all of you swear a strong oath to me, that no one grati¬ 
 fying Irus will wickedly strike me with his stout hand, and 
 violently subdue me for him.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and they all swore that they would not 
 [do so], as he desired them. But when they had sworn, and 
 had concluded the oath, them the sacred might of Tclema- 
 chus addressed in turn : 
 
 ‘‘ O stranger, if thy heart and noble mind incites thee to 
 drive him out, do not fear any one else of the Grecians: 
 since whoever strikes thee will contend with greater num¬ 
 bers. I am the host, and the kings Eurymachus and Anti- 
 nous, both prudent men, agree with me.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and they all approved : but Ulysses gird¬ 
 ed his middle around with rags, and showed his beautiful and 
 large thighs; and his broad shoulders, and breast, and strong 
 arms appeared: but Minerva, standing near him, increased 
 the limbs of the shepherd of the people. And all the suitors 
 were excessively astonished, and thus some one said, looking 
 to another near him: 
 
 “ Soon indeed will Irus, unhappily so called," have evil 
 drawn on himself, such a thigh does the old man show from 
 out his rags.” 
 
 Thus they spoke; but the mind of Irus was sadly moved, 
 but even so the attendants, having girded him, brought him 
 by force, although afraid: and his flesh trembled on his 
 limbs. But Antinous chided him, and spoke and said: 
 
 Now, O mighty boaster,® inayest thou no longer live, or 
 exist, if indeed thou tremblest at and greatly fearest this old 
 man, overcome with the toil wdiich comes upon him. But I 
 tell thee plainly, and this shall be accomplished ; if he con¬ 
 quers thee, and is superior to thee, I will send thee to Epirus, 
 
 ’ Literally, “Irus no-Irus.” 
 
 ® From I3ovq = great, large (see note on JEsclu Ag. p. 9(>, n. 7, ctl. 
 Bolin), and yaiio or yuio = to boast, brag. Cf. Apollon. Lex. s. v. .and 
 Ilesycli. jSovyaiov, fucyaXuig i<p’ tavn^ yavpiiovra. 
 
81—120.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 240 
 
 casting you into a black ship, to king Echetus, the injurer of 
 all mortals; who will cut off thy nose and ears with the cruel 
 brass, and drawing out tliy privy parts, will give them raw 
 to the dogs to feed upon.” 
 
 Thus he spoke : but trembling still more seized upon his 
 limbs: and they brought him into a middle spot, and both 
 held up their hands. Then much-enduring divine Ulysses 
 meditated, whether he should strike him so that life should 
 leave him falling there ; or should strike him lightly, and pros¬ 
 trate him on the earth. And thus to him considering it seemed 
 to be better to strike him lightly, that the Grecians might not 
 have any notion of liim.^ Then both uplifting [their hands], 
 Irus struck him on his right shoulder ; but he struck his neck 
 under the ear, and broke his bones within : and the purple 
 blood immediately came through his mouth, and he fell stretch¬ 
 ed in the dust groaning, and gnashed his teeth together, kick¬ 
 ing the earth with his feet: but the noble suitors lifting up 
 their hands were ready to die with laughter; but Ulysses, tak¬ 
 ing him by the foot, dragged him through out of ihe portico, 
 until he reached the court and the doors of the portico; and 
 he set him down, reclining him against the fence of the court; 
 and he put his staff in his hand, and addressing him, spoke 
 winged words: 
 
 “Sit now here, and keep off the dogs and swine; nor do 
 thou, being a pitiful W’retch, be the prince of strangers and beg*^ 
 gars, lest by chance thou shouldst reap some even greater evil.’’ 
 
 He spoke; and threw his unseemly satchel around his 
 shoulders, very tattered ; and there wais a twisted cord to hold 
 it.’® And going back to the threshold, he sat down ; but they 
 went within laughing pleasantly, and greeted him with wmrds: 
 
 “May Jove and the other immortal gods grant thee, O 
 stranger, wdiatever thou most desirest, and is dear to thy 
 mind, thou, wdio hast made this insatiable fellow cease to beg 
 among the people; for avc wall soon take him over to Epirus, 
 to king Echetus, the injurer of all mortals.” 
 
 Thus they spoke ; but divine Ulysses rejoiced in the omen; 
 and Antinous placed a large paunch near him, full of fat and 
 blood ; and Amphinornus, taking tw^o loaves out of a basket, 
 placed them near him, and pledged him with a golden cup, 
 and spoke: 
 
 ® i. c. guess who he really W'as. 
 
 L 2 
 
 ° See on xvii. 190. 
 
2oO 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 [121—150. 
 
 ‘‘ Hail, father stranger! may there be happiness for thee 
 hereafter, but now thou art ]) 0 ssessed by many ills.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: “O 
 Amphinoinus, thou seemest to me to be very prudent: for 
 [thou art] of such a sire: since 1 have heard his excellent re¬ 
 nown, that he is Dulichian Nisus, both brave and opulent: 
 from him they say that thou art born; but thou art like unto 
 an eloquent man. Therefore I tell thee ; and do thou consid¬ 
 er it, and listen to me. The earth nourishes nothing weaker 
 than man, of all the things, whatever breathe and creep upon 
 the earth. For he says that he shall never suffer any ill here¬ 
 after, while the gods give him excellence, and his knees move; 
 but when the blessed gods bring to pass grievous things also, 
 then he bears them too, unwillingly, with a suffering mind. 
 For such is the mind of men upon the earth, as is the day 
 which the father of men and of "ods brings on.^^ For I once 
 was prosperous among men, and did many infatuate things, 
 yielding to violence and strength, trusting in my father and 
 my brothers. Tlierefore let not any man be at all lawless, but 
 let him in silence keep the gifts of the gods, wliatever they 
 give him. What impious things I perceive the suitors de¬ 
 vising, wasting tlie possessions and dishonoring the wife of a 
 man, whom I do not think will be lon^ absent from his friends 
 and his paternal land; but [he is] very near! yet may the 
 deity take thee out away homeward in secret, nor inayest 
 thou meet him, when he returns to his dear paternal land; 
 for I do not think that the suitors and he will separate with¬ 
 out blood, when he comes under the roof.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and having poured out a libation, he drank 
 sweet wine: and again he placed the cup in the hands of the 
 leader of the people. But he went through the house, griev¬ 
 ing in his dear heart, nodding with his head: for his mind 
 already foreboded. But not thus did he escape Fate; for 
 Minerva bound him, so that he should bo bravely overcome 
 by the hand and spear of Telemachus. And he sat down 
 again on the throne from whence ho rose. But the bluo- 
 
 “• Thus translated by Cfcero apud August, de Civ. Dei, v. 8: 
 
 “Tales sunt hominura mentals, qualis pater ipse 
 Jupiter auctiferus lustravit lumine terras.” 
 
 Cf. ^lax. Tyr. Diss. i. ]>. 0, and Duport, Gnom. Horn. p. 252, sq. 
 
ir>7—197.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 251 
 
 eyed goddess IMiiicrva put it in the mind of the daugliter of 
 Icarus, prudent Penelope' to appear to the suitors, that as 
 much as possible she might lay open the mind of the suitors, 
 and be more honored by her husband and son, than she was 
 before. And she laughed feignedly, and spoke and said : 
 
 Eurynome, my mind desires, though [it did not] before, to 
 appear to the suitors, however detested. But I would speak 
 a word to my son, which would be better, not altogether to 
 associate with the overbearing suitors, who speak well indeed, 
 but intend evilly afterward.'’ 
 
 But her the housekeeper Eurynome addressed in turn : 
 “ Of a truth indeed, my child, thou hast spoken all these 
 things rightly; but go, and tell thy son, nor conceal it, 
 having washed thy body and anointed thy cheeks. Do not 
 go thus, defded as to tliy lace with tears; since it is worse 
 to grieve forever without ceasing. For now thy son is of 
 such an age, as thou especially didst pray to the immor¬ 
 tals, when he was born, that thou shouldst see him Avith a 
 beard.” 
 
 j “ But her prudent Penelope addressed in turn : O Eury¬ 
 nome, do not advise me this, although anxious for mo, to 
 Avash my body and anoint myself Avith oil: for the gods Avho 
 possess 01ym})us, have destroj’ed my beauty, since he depart¬ 
 ed in his holloAv ships. But command Autonoe and Ilippo- 
 damia to come to me, that they may stand near me in the 
 palace, for I Avill not go alone among men ; for I am ashamed.” 
 
 Thus she spoke; and the old Avoman Avent through out of 
 the ])alace, to bear Avord to the Avomen, and to urge them to 
 return. Then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva meditated some¬ 
 thing else; she shed sweet sleej) upon the daughter of Ica¬ 
 rus, and lying down she slumbered, and all her limbs Avere 
 loosed tliere in the coucli: in the mean time the divine one 
 of goddesses gave her immortal gifts, that the Grecians miglit 
 admire her: first she anointed her beauteous fiice Avith am¬ 
 brosial loveliness, such as that Avith Avhich beautiful-croAvned 
 Venus is anointed, Avhen she goes to the deliglitful chorus of 
 the Graces. And she made her taller and larger to look 
 upon: and she made her Avhiter than saAvn ivory. The di¬ 
 vine one of goddesses tlius having done, departed. And the 
 white-armed handmaidens came from the palace, talking as 
 
252 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 [108 
 
 -Jo;). 
 
 tliey came but sweet sleep left her, and she wiped her 
 cheeks with her hands, and spoke : 
 
 “Truly a very soft slumber has covered me who suffer 
 grievous things; would that chaste Diana would now imme¬ 
 diately give me as soft a death, that no longer lamenting in 
 my mind, I might waste away my life, regretting the various 
 excellence of a dear husband: since he was conspicuous 
 among the Grecians.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she descended from the splendid’^ up¬ 
 per rooms, not alone: [for] two handmaidens followed with 
 her. But when the divine one of women reached the suitors, 
 she stood near the pillar of the strong-made roof, holding up 
 a slender vail before her cheeks: and a prudent handmaiden 
 stood on each side of her. And their knees were loosed, and 
 their minds were soothed with love ; and all desired to lie 
 near her on her couch. 
 
 But she then addressed her dear son Telemachus : “ O Te- 
 lemachus, no longer is thy mind firm, nor thy counsel: when 
 thou wert still a child, thou didst even more meditate what 
 was profitable in thy mind: but now, when thou art large, 
 and hast reached the measure of youth, and a foreign man 
 w'ould say, that thou art the offspring of a happy man, look¬ 
 ing at thy size and beauty; thy mind and thy counsel are no 
 longer proper. What a deed is this which has now been done 
 in the palace, thou who hast suffered a stranger to be treated 
 tlius in an unseemly way? How now? if any stranger sit¬ 
 ting in our house, thus suffer from terrible violence, it would 
 be a shame and disgrace to thee amono; men.” 
 
 But her prudent dYlemachus addressed in answer: “jMy 
 mother, I am not indignant that thou shouldst be angry; but 
 I consider and know every thing in my mind, both what is 
 good and what is worse; (but before I was still a babe :) but 
 I can not perceive all things that are prudent; for these 
 astound me, meditating evils, sitting one with another; and I 
 have no assistants. The conflict however between the stran¬ 
 ger and Irus was not made by the will of the suitors; but he 
 was superior in strength. Would that, O father Jove, and JNIi- 
 nerva, and Apollo, the suitors may now thus nod their heads, 
 
 Literally, “coining ivith talking.” 
 
 See note on xvi. 445. 
 
23G—280.1 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVin. 
 
 253 
 
 overcome in our palace, some in the court, anti some within 
 the house, and the limbs of each were loosed; as now that 
 Irus sits at the court gates nodding with his head, like unto 
 a drunken man, nor can he stand upright on his feet, nor re¬ 
 turn home, wherever he has to return : since his limbs arc 
 loosed.” 
 
 Thus then they spoke to one another, but Eurymachus ad¬ 
 dressed Penelope in words: 
 
 “O prudent Penelope, daughter of Icarus, if all the Gre¬ 
 cians in lasian Argos should behold thee, more suitors would 
 feast in thine house in the morning, since thou excellest wo- 
 men, in form and size, and equal mind within.” 
 
 Put him prudent Penelope then answered : ‘‘ O Eurym- 
 achus, the immortals indeed destroyed my excellence, and 
 form, and person, when the Grecians embarked for Troy : and 
 among them was my husband Ulysses. If he should come 
 and manage my household, so would my fame be greater and 
 more noble; but now I am grieved, for so many evils has the 
 deity made to rush upon me. AVhen indeed he went away, 
 leaving his paternal land, taking my right hand by the wrist, 
 he addressed me: ‘ O lady, I think not that all the well- 
 greaved Greeks will return from Troy unharmed, for'they 
 say that the Trojans are warriors, both javelin-men, and 
 drawers of arrows, and mounters on swift-footed steeds, who 
 would very soon determine the great contest of equal war. 
 Therefore I know not, whether God will let me return, or 
 whether I shall be taken there in Troy: but let all things 
 here be a care to thee, lie mindful of my father and mother 
 in the palace, as now, or still more, when I am away. But 
 when thou seest our son with a beard, marry whom thou wilt, 
 leaving him in thine house.’ Thus he spoke ; but all these 
 things are now accomplished. It shall be night when hate¬ 
 ful marriage shall meet with me undone ; from whom Jove 
 has taken away fortune. But this severe grief comes upon 
 my heart and mind : nor was this the usual custom of suitors 
 hitherto, who wisli to woo a good wife, and the daughter of a 
 rich man, and contend with each other: they indeed bring 
 oxen and rich sheep, as a feast for the friends of the damsel, 
 and give glorious gifts; but do not consume the livelihood of 
 others with impunity.” 
 
 Thus she s})oke; and much-enduring divine Ulysses ro 
 
254 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 [281-^320. 
 
 joiccd, because slic drew gifts from them, and soothed tlicir 
 mind with mild words; but his‘^ thoughts meditated other 
 things. 
 
 But her Antinous, son of Eupithes, addressed in turn: “ 0 
 prudent Benelope, daughter of Icarus, receive gifts from who¬ 
 ever of the Greeks chooses to bring them hither; for it is 
 not well to refuse a present. But we will neither go to our 
 employments, or any where else, before thou art wedded to 
 whoever is the best of the Grecians.” 
 
 Thus spoke Antinous, and his discourse pleased them : and 
 each sent a herald to bring presents. For Ai^tinous indeed, 
 he brought a large, beautiful, variegated robe; and there 
 were twelve golden clasps in all upon it, fitted with well-bent 
 eyes. And for Eurymachus, he immediately brought a much- 
 variegated necklace of gold set with amber, like as the sun. 
 And two servants brought ear-rings for Eurydamus, set with 
 triple eye-like drops, beautifully wrought, and much beauty 
 shone from them. And the servants of Fisander, tlie king, son 
 of Folyctor, brought a collar, a very beautiful ornament. And 
 ditferent of the Grecians brought different handsome gifts 
 The divine one of women then ascended to the upper rooms; 
 and with her the handmaidens carried the very beautiful pres¬ 
 ents. But they turning themselves to the dance and lovely 
 song were deliglited ; and they remained until evening came: 
 and black evening came over them while being delighted. 
 Immediately they placed three braziers’^ in the palace, that 
 they might give light: and they ])ut dry wood around, dried 
 some time ago, very arid, lately cleft with brass: and they 
 mixed brands with them : and the women-servants of patient 
 Ulysses lit them up by turns; but the noble much-planning 
 Ulysses himself addressed them : 
 
 “Ye w'omen-servants of Ulysses, the long-absent king, go 
 to the house, where is the venerable queen : and near her turn 
 the distaff*; and sitting in the palace, delight her, or comb the 
 wool with your hands. But I will give light to all these. 
 For even if they desire ’to wait till beautiful-throned morn, 
 they shall not overcome me : for I am able to endure much.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they laughed, and looked at one am 
 other. But fair-cheeked Melantho chided him shamefullys 
 
 It is doubtful whether the voog refers to Penelo])e or Ulysses. 
 
 See Loewe. \af.nrTripar, taxapag ptTtoipovg. Scholiast. 
 
321—355.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 255 
 
 her Dolius indeed begot, but Penelope brought lier up, And 
 nurtured her as her own child, and gave her playthings to de- 
 light her mind : but not even thus did she possess the grief of 
 Penelope in her breast. Put she was mingled with Euryma- 
 chus and loved him; she then chided Ulysses with reproach' 
 ful words : 
 
 “ Wretched stranger, thou art some one stricken out of thy 
 senses : thou dost not wish to sleep, going to a brazier's 
 house, or to the public meeting-place; but here thou [boldly 
 speakest much among many men ; nor dost thou fear at all in 
 thy mind: either wine has laid hold of thine understanding, 
 or thou hast always such a disposition, thou who utterest 
 vain words]. Dost thou exult vainly, because thou hast con¬ 
 quered the vagrant Irus ? [Take care], lest some other bet¬ 
 ter than Irus should soon rise up, who, cutting thee about th.e 
 head with his sturdy hands, will send thee out of the house, 
 besmearing thee with much blood.” 
 
 Put hir much-planning Ulysses, sternly beholding, address¬ 
 ed : “ Surely I will soon go thither, impudent one, and tell 
 Telemachus, what things thou speakest, that he may forth¬ 
 with cut thee up limb by limb.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he terrified^’ the women with his 
 words : and they went through the house ; and the limbs of 
 each were loosed under them through fear; for they said 
 [within themselves] that he spoke truly. Put he stood look¬ 
 ing upon all, giving light near to the burning hearths: more¬ 
 over his heart meditated in his breast things which were not 
 to be unaccomplished. Put Minerva did not suffer the haugh¬ 
 ty suitors altogether to refrain from their mind-paining inso¬ 
 lence, that grief might still more come upon the heart of Ulys¬ 
 ses, son of Laertes. And Eurymachus, son of Polybus, be¬ 
 gan to speak to them, scotfing at Ulysses ; and he causcvi 
 laughter among his companions. 
 
 Hear me, ye suitors of the illustrious queen, while [ speak 
 the things which the mind in my breast commands me. This 
 man does not come to the house of Ulysses without the will 
 of some god : to me however the tlame of the torches seems 
 to be from him, and his head; since he has no hair, not even 
 a little.” 
 
 He spoke, and at the same time addressed city-destroying 
 
 ” Literally, ‘fluttered.’' 
 
256 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 [356—302. 
 
 Ulysses : “ Stranger, art thou willing to serve, if I would take 
 thee, at the extreme part of the country (but thou shalt have 
 sufficient pay), collecting heaps of stones, and planting tall 
 trees There indeed 1 would supply thee with food for a 
 whole year, and would put garments on thee, and would give 
 thee sandals for thy feet. J>ut since indeed thou hast learned 
 evil works, thou wilt not be willing to hasten to work ; but 
 thou desirest to beg through the people, until thou hast where¬ 
 with to feed thine insatiable belly.” 
 
 Ilut him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 “ Eurymachus, if there were to be a contention of work be¬ 
 tween us in the spring season, when the days are long, in the 
 grass, and I had a well-bent sickle, and thou also hadst such 
 an one, that we might make trial of our work, fasting until 
 dark, and there was grass at hand ; or if agjiin there wci'e 
 oxen to drive, which arc the best, sleek, large, both well fed 
 with grass, of equal age, bearing equal burdens, whose strength 
 was not weak, and there was a field of four acres, and the 
 glebe yielded to the plow, then thou wouldst see me, if 1 
 would cut through continual furrows. If again the son of 
 Saturn should to-day raise up war from any place, but I had 
 a shield and two spears, and a helmet, all brass, fitted upon 
 my temples; then thou shouldst see me mixed among the 
 first fore-fighters; nor wouldst thou speak, reproaching my 
 belly. But thou insultest me very much, and thy mind is 
 cruel; and thou thinkest that thou art some great and mighty 
 person, because thou dost associate with few, and those not 
 excellent: but if Ulysses should come and reach his paternal 
 land, soon the gates, although they are very wide, would be 
 narrow for thee when flying out of doors through the por¬ 
 tico.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but Eurymachus was more wroth at 
 heart, and sternly regarding him, he addressed to him winged 
 words: 
 
 “Ah! wretched one, surely I will soon accomplish some 
 evil upon thee, such things dost thou speak boldly among 
 men ; nor dost thou at all fear in thy mind; wine in truth 
 has laid hold of thine understanding, or thou hast always 
 such a disposition, thou who uttcrest vain words. [Dost 
 thou exult vainly, because thou hast conquered the wanderau 
 Irus'?”l 
 
393—427.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XVIII. 
 
 257 
 
 Tims having spoken, lie took a stool: but Ulysses sat down 
 at the knees of Dulichian A.mphinomus, fearing Eurymachus : 
 and he struck the cup-bearer on his right hand ; and the 
 bowl, falling on the ground, resounded; but he, groaning, 
 fell supine in the dust. And the suitors made a tumult in 
 the dark palace; and thus some one said, looking to another 
 near him : 
 
 “Would that the stranger, wandering, had perished else¬ 
 where, before he came [here] ; then would he not have caused 
 so great a tumult. But now we are contending about a beg¬ 
 gar ; nor will there be any delight in an excellent banquet, 
 since the worst things prevail.*’ 
 
 Then the sacred niigiit of Telemachus addressed them: 
 “ Sirs, ye are mad, and no longer eat and drink in quiet: 
 some one of the gods irritates you. But having feasted well, 
 go home, and lie down, when your mind commands you; but 
 1 drive no one away.”^® 
 
 Thus he spoke; and they all biting their lips with their 
 teeth, marveled at Telemachus for what he boldly spoke. But 
 Amphinornus, the illustrious son of king Nisus, son of Aretias, 
 harangued and addressed them : 
 
 “ ]\Iy friends, no one surely attacking [him] with hostile 
 words, would be angry with what has been spoken justly. 
 Neither insult the stranger any more, nor any other of the 
 servants who are in the house of divine Ulysses. But come, 
 let the cup-bearer make the first offerings with the cups, that 
 having made libations, "we going home may lie down: and 
 let us leave the stranger in the palace of Ulysses for Telema¬ 
 chus to take care of: for he has come to his kind house.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and he spoke words pleasing to all of them. 
 And the hero Mulius, the Dulichian herald, mixed a bowl for 
 them ; but he was the servant of Amphinornus ; and he dis¬ 
 tributed to all in succession : and they having made libations 
 to the blessed gods, drank sweet wine. But when they had 
 made libations, and drunk as much as their mind wished, 
 sach went to his own home to lie down to rest. 
 
 i. e. go when you choose. 
 
258 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 [1—20. 
 
 BOOK XIX. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 During the night Ulysses nncl Telcmachus remove the arms from the 
 hall to an upper chamber. Ulysses then gives a feigned account of 
 himself to Tenelope. Euryclea, while Avashing his feet, recognizes 
 him by a scar on his knee; then follows an account of the Avay in 
 which he was wounded by a boar while hunting in Parnassus. 
 
 But divine Ulysses was left in the palace, meditating de¬ 
 struction for the suitors with Minerva. And he immediately 
 addressed to Telemachus winged words: 
 
 “ Telemachus, it behooves [thee] to lay up all the warlike 
 arms within ; but to deceive the suitors with mild words, when 
 desiring them they inquire of thee; [saying], I have placed 
 them out of the smoke; since they are no longer like unto 
 those which Ulysses once left, when going to Troy, but are 
 become soiled, as much as the vapor of fire has reached them. 
 But the deity has put this still greater matter in my mind, 
 lest by chance intoxicated, having made a quarrel among 
 you, ye should wound one another, and disgrace the feast, 
 and the wooing; for the steel itself draws on a man.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and Telemachus obeyed his dear father: 
 and calling out the nurse Euryclea, he addressed her: 
 
 “Nurse, come now, shut the women in the palace, while I 
 lay up the beautiful arms of my sire in the chamber, which 
 the smoke besmears, not taken care of in the hou.se, while my 
 sire is absent: but I was yet a child ; but now I wish to lay 
 them up, where the vapor of fire will not reach them.” 
 
 But him the dear nurse Euryclea addressed in turn: 
 “Would that, my child, thou wouldst at lengtli assume pru¬ 
 dence to tliyself, to take care of thy house, and to guard all 
 tliy possessions. But come, who then going with thee, shall 
 carry a light? Thou dost not suffer the handmaidens, who 
 would have given light, to come forward.” 
 
 But her ])rudent Telemachus answei’ed in turn: “This 
 stranger [will]: for I will not allow him to be without em¬ 
 ployment, Avhoever touches my food,’ although having come 
 from afar.” 
 
 * Xolvi'i is properly a measure eontaining two sextarii; and from 
 thenee signifies any thing that is measured, or, as it is here used, ybod 
 in general. See Eustathius. 
 
30—G 7.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 259 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the word was unwinged and she 
 shut the gates of tlie well-built palace. But Ulysses and his 
 glorious son hastening, carried in the helmets, and embossed 
 shields, and sharp spears : and Pallas Minerva before [them], 
 holding a golden lamp, gave a very beautiful light. Then 
 Tclemaehus quickly addressed his sire: 
 
 “ O father, truly I behold this a great marvel with mine 
 eyes: the walls of the palace, and the beautiful intercolumnia- 
 tions,^ and the fir-tree beams, and the lofty columns, shine al¬ 
 together before mine eyes, as with burning fire. Certainly 
 some god is within, [of those] who possess the wide heaven.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 “Be silent; and restrain thy thoughts, nor maUe inquiries: 
 this indeed is the right of the gods who possess Olympus. 
 But do thou go and lie down ; and I will remain here, that I 
 may still excite the handmaidens and tiiy mother: but she 
 mourning will ask me concerning every thing.’’ 
 
 Thus he spoke; and Telemachus went through out of the 
 palace to his chamber to lie down (shining under the light of 
 torches), where he before lay down, when sweet sleep came 
 j upon him. There indeed he at that time also lay down, and 
 , waited for divine morn. But divine Ulysses was left in the 
 i ])alace meditating destruction for the suitors, with Minerva. 
 
 1 And prudent Penelope came from her chamber, like unto 
 Diana, and golden Venus: for her indeed they placed a seat 
 near the fire, upon which she sat, turned with ivory and sil¬ 
 ver ; which formerly the artificer Icmalius wrought, and un¬ 
 der it he put a foot-stool for the feet, joined to it, upon which 
 a large fleece was spread. There then prudent Penelope sat 
 down. And white-armed handmaidens came from the pal¬ 
 ace : and they took away much bread, and the tables, and 
 the cups, from which the over-violent men drank. And they 
 threw the lire from the hearths upon the ground ; and heaped 
 up much other wood upon them, to be a light and to give 
 warmth. And Melantho a second time chided Ulysses: 
 
 “ O stranger, still wilt thou trouble us here, ranging through 
 the house in the night? and wilt thou watch the women? 
 
 * See on xvii. 57. 
 
 I * I jjrefer this interpretation, but the student may take choice among 
 . Tu fitra^v rojv doKwp, or dia<ppdyixaTa ?/ ^laarppaTa jxtTu'iv ruiv KiuviJtv. 
 Etistaih. 
 
2C0 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 [08—lOG. 
 
 But depart out of doors, wretched one, and enjoy tliy meal: 
 or soon, ay, stiicken witli a torch, thou shalt go out of doors.’’ 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses, sternly regarding, address¬ 
 ed : ‘‘Impudent woman, why dost thou thus press Upon me 
 with angered mind is it because I am squalid, and am clothed 
 on my body in bad garments? and beg through the people? 
 for necessity presses upon mo. But such are beggars and 
 wanderers. For I also, once wealthy, inhabited an opulent 
 house among men, and I often gave to such a wanderer, who¬ 
 ever ho might be, and whatever he came Avanting. And I 
 had innumerable servants, and many other things, by which 
 men live well and are called opulent: but Jove, the son of 
 Saturn, destroyed me; for he somehow 'willed [to do so]. 
 Therefore, woman, [beware] lest thou lose all thy beauty, 
 with which thou art now adorned among the women-servants, 
 for fear thy mistress, enraged with thee, should be wroth, or 
 Ulysses should return: for there is still some share of hope. 
 But even if he has perished, and is no longer able to return, 
 yet by the will of Apollo he has noAv such a son, Telema- 
 chus; and no one of the women acting impiously in the pal¬ 
 ace will escape him : since he is no longer of such an age.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but prudent Penelope heard him ; and she 
 chided her handmaiden, and spoke, and addressed her: 
 
 “ In no Avise, O bold, O shameless one, shalt thou escape 
 me, doing a heinous deed, Avhich thou shalt atone Avith thine 
 head. For thou kneAvest full Avell, since thou didst hear 
 from me myself, that I intend to inquire of the stranger in 
 my palace concerning my husband, since I am continually 
 grieved.” 
 
 She spoke, and addressed the housekeeper, Eurynome: 
 
 “ O Eurynome, bring a seat and [spread] a skin upon it, 
 that the stranger sitting down may tell me, and hear from 
 me ; for I Avish to inquire of him.” 
 
 Thus she spoke ; and she A^ery quickly bringing a Avell- 
 polished seat, set it doAvn, and spread a skin upon it: there 
 then much-enduring divine Ulysses sat doAvn. And to them 
 prudent Penelope began discourse : 
 
 “ O stranger, I myself will first ask of thee, aaTo art thou? I 
 from Avhence art thou among men? Avhere are thy city and 
 parents ?” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer; 
 
107—147.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 261 
 
 “O lady, no one of mortals over the boundless earth would 
 find fault with thee; for thy fame reaches the wide heaven, 
 as of some blameless king, who, godlike, ruling over many and 
 mighty men, upholds equity: and the dark earth produces 
 wheat and barley, and the trees are heavy laden with fruit; 
 and it brings forth strong sheep, and the sea furnishes fish on 
 account of his good government; and the people are virtuous 
 under him. Now therefore inquire of me the other things 
 in thine house: but do not ask my race and paternal land, 
 lest thou shouldst the more fill my mind with pains, as I call 
 things to my recollection : but I am a man of much grief; 
 nor is it at all fit that I should sit in another person’s house 
 mourning and wailing; since it is worse to grieve forever 
 without ceasing; for fear any one of the servants should 
 blame me, or even thou thyself; and should say that I in¬ 
 crease my tears, having my mind heavy with Avine.” 
 
 Dut him ])rudent Penelope thus answered: “Stranger, of 
 a truth the immortals destroyed my excellence, and form, and 
 person, Avhen the Grecians embarked for Ilium ; and among 
 tliem was my husband Illjsses. If he indeed coming should 
 manage my property, so would my fame be greater and more 
 honorable: but now I am grieved ; for the deity has made so 
 many evils rush upon me. [For as many chiefs as rule over 
 the islands, Dulichium, and Samos, and woody Zacynthus, 
 and those who govern in western Ithaca itself, these avoo me 
 against my Avill, and Avaste aAvay mine house.] Therefore I 
 have no regard for strangers, or for sup])liants, or at all for 
 heralds, Avho are public officers: but regretting Ulysses I am 
 melted aAvay in my dear heart. And they hasten on my mar¬ 
 riage; but I Avind^ deceits: first of all the deity inspired my 
 mind to Aveave a large garment in the palace, having begun^ 
 a large Aveb, slender and round; but I straightAvay addressed 
 them : ‘Youths, my suitors, since divine Ulysses has died, do 
 ye remain, urging my marriage; until I shall finish this gar¬ 
 ment (that my threads may not perish in vain), a shroud for 
 the hero Laertes, for the time Avhen the destructive fate of 
 long-sleeping death shall seize on him. Lest some one of the 
 Grecian Avomen among the people should be indignant Avith 
 me, if he, Avho having })ossesscd many things, should lie Avitli- 
 
 ‘ i. c. plan, devise. 
 
 * Literally, “having set nj).” 
 
262 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 [148—18C. 
 
 out a shroud.’ Thus I spoke ; and their liaughty mind was 
 persuaded. Then during the day I wove the large web, but 
 at night, when I had set the torches near me, I unraveled 
 it. Thus for three years I escaped them, and persuaded the 
 Grecians: but when the fourth year came, and the hours ad¬ 
 vanced, [the montlis waning, and many days were complet¬ 
 ed,] then they caught me, coming upon me through means of 
 the women servants, careless creatures! and chided me with 
 words. So I linished it, although against my will, by neces¬ 
 sity ; but now I neither can escape marriage, nor do 1 discov¬ 
 er any other counsel: and my parents very much exhort me 
 to marry: and my son grieves at their consuming his proper¬ 
 ty, knowing [that they are doing so] : for now he is a man 
 by all means able to take care of the house, to whom Jove 
 gives renown. But even so tell me thy race, from whence 
 thou art: for thou art not born of an old-fabled oak, or from 
 a rock.” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 “ O venerable wife of Ulysses, son of Laertes, wilt thou not 
 yet cease inquiring my race'? But I will tell thee; thou wilt 
 iiideed give me up to more griefs, than [those] by which 1 
 am already possessed: for this is the Avont, Avhen a man is ab¬ 
 sent from his country so long a time, as I now am, wandering 
 over many cities of mortals, suffering griefs: but even so I 
 Avill tell thee that which thou askest and inquirest of me. 
 There is a certain land, Crete, in the middle of the dark sea, 
 beautiful and rich, surrounded with water; and in it there 
 are many men, numberless, and ninety cities. And there is a 
 different language of different men, mixed together ; there arc 
 in it Achaians, and magnanimous Eteocretans, and Cydonians, 
 and crest-shaking^ Dorians, and divine Belasgians. And 
 among them is a large city, Cnossus: there iSIinos reigned, 
 who every nine years" conversed with mighty Jove, the fa¬ 
 ther of my sire, magnanimous Deucalion. And Deucalion 
 
 ® Or, “inhabiting three cities;” for some inhabited Eiiboca, others 
 Peloponnesus, and otliers Crete. Others say, “having three crests.” 
 Others, “shaking their crests in battle.” See Eustathius. 
 
 ’ This is evidently the correct inter])retation, as we may learn from 
 Idato de Legg. i. }>. 5G5, Licm., tov JNlhVw ^oiTMvrog Trpdi; Tt)v rou 7ra- 
 rpbg tKiKTTOTi avvovalaik ivvarov trove, t al tcard T('tQ Trap’ tictivoit 
 ({v'lHaij raiij TToXtenv i'pip Otvrbi- rove vbpovc ; See. also ^liuos, p. 4G, 
 Dion. Clirysost. Or. i. j). 5G; Ciccr. Tusc. t/ ii. 
 
180—213.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 2G3 
 
 begot me, and king Idomeneus ; but be went in the crooked 
 .ships to Ilium, together with the sons of Atreus: and my 
 renowned name is A'dlion, the youngest in birth ; but he was 
 first and best. Tliere I saw Ulysses, and gave him hospitable 
 gifts. For the strength of the wind drove him to Crete, as 
 he was making for Troy, making him to wander from the 
 JNIaleans ; and placed him in Amnisus (where too is the cave 
 of Iiytheia), in a dangerous haven ; and he scarcely escaped 
 the storms. But immediately coming up to the city, he in¬ 
 quired for Idomeneus; for he said that he was a dear and 
 venerable guest of his. And he had now set out about ten 
 or eleven days with, his crooked ships for Troy. I however 
 leading him to my abode, treated him well, entertaining him 
 heartily, having many things in my house : and I gave to him, 
 and to his other companions, who followed with him, meal 
 from the public stores, and dark wine, having collected it, 
 and beeves to sacrifice ; that they might satiate their mind. 
 There the divine Grecians remained for twelve days; for a 
 great North wind drifted them, nor suffered them to stand 
 even on land; for some evil deity raised it; but on the thir¬ 
 teenth day the wind fell; and they weighed anchor.” 
 
 lie stopped,® telling many falsehoods like unto truths : and 
 the tears flowed down from her, hearing it, and her body 
 wasted away. And as the snow has melted on the lofty 
 mountains, ivliich the East wind has melted,® when Zephyr 
 poured it upon them, and the rivers as they flow are filled by 
 it melting; so were her fair cheeks melted, as she shed tears, 
 bewailing her husband, who was .sitting near her; and Ulys¬ 
 ses indeed pitied in his mind his grieving ivife, but his eyes 
 stood [firm] as horn or steel, without trembling in his eyelids: 
 and by artifice he concealed his tears. When then she was 
 
 * See Biittmann, Lexil. p. 275-279, and on Od. xxii. 31, who would 
 almost j)refer "laTvtv to laKtr, the true meaning of which is very difficult 
 to settle. For my own part, I feel inclined to change the punctuation, 
 joining Xkyojv kTVfxoKTii^ ofioia, and rendering, “lie [thus] counterfeited 
 many false things, speaking words like unto truth.” This does least 
 Tiolence to the proper meaning of irryt. 
 
 ® Observe the continued rejietition, t!]kito — KararfiKtro — Karirri^tv. 
 Cf. II. i. 251, sqq. v. 200, sqq.; Hesiod, 0pp. 27, sq. 97, sq.; Pseud-Or- 
 pheus Org. 717, sq.; Theocrit. xxvii. GG, sqc^. Such in.stanees are 
 chielly found in heroic verse. 
 
2G4 
 
 odyssey. XIX. [214—248. 
 
 satiated with tearful mourning, she straightway in answer 
 addressed him: 
 
 Now indeed, O stranger, I think that I will put thee to the 
 test, if in truth, as thou sayest, thou liast entertained my hus¬ 
 band with his godlike companions in thy palace. Tell me wdiat 
 kind of garments were put around his body, and himself, what 
 kind of a man he was, and his companions who followed him.” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: “ 0 
 lady, ditficult it is to tell, when so long a time has elapsed be- 
 tw'een: for it is now the twentieth year since he went thence, 
 and departed from my country; but even so I will tell thee, 
 as my heart makes it seem^^ to me. Divine Ulysses had a 
 purple woolen cloak, double; but there was a clasp of gold 
 made for it with two fastenings and in front it was varie¬ 
 gated : a dog held in its fore feet a spotted fawn, enjoying it^^ 
 panting; and all marveled at it, how' they being of gold, the 
 one strangling tlie kid was enjoying it, but the other, eager 
 to escai) 0 , was convulsively struggling with its feet. That 
 beautiful garment I perceived around liis body, like as the 
 rind of a slender onion. So soft was it, and it was shining 
 as the sun: many w^oincn indeed gazed upon it. But 1 will 
 tell thee something else, and do thou lay it up in tliy mind; 
 1 know not wdiether Ulysses put these garments on his body 
 at home, or whether some one of his companions gave them 
 to him, as he was going in the swift ship, or perhaps some 
 stranger; since Ulysses was dear to many; for there were 
 few of the Grecians like unto him. And 1 gave to him a 
 brazen sword, and a beautiful, purple, double cloak, and a 
 garment reaching to his feet; and I sent him away honorably, 
 on a well-benched ship. And a herald, a little older than 
 liimself, followed him ; and I will tell thee concerni I'j him, 
 what kind of a man he was ; round-shouldered, dark-colored, 
 with curly hair, and his name was Eurybates: but Ulysses 
 honored him chief among his companions, because he knew in 
 his mind what was proper.” 
 
 lies. ’Iv^aXXtraj, unoiovrai, ^aivtrai, toKti, eroxii^trai. TiniuJiis 
 Lex. (pavra’Ctrai. See Ixuhnk. ]>. 150. 
 
 Some call av\h£, the rin<; cf a clnsj); but the Scholiast says it i.s, 
 Straight ])ii)e or channel, in which the clasp w as shut up. Old Transl 
 
 Cf. Alberti on llesych. v. Xdwv, t. ii. p. 407.. 
 
249—289.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 2G5 
 
 Thus he spoke, and still more encouraged the desire of 
 grief in her, recog!iizing the signs, which Ulysses told her 
 plainly. She therefore, after she was satiated with tearful 
 aiourning, then indeed addressed him in answer: 
 
 “ Now indeed, O stranger, although thou wast before an 
 objxrct of pity in my palace, thou slialt be dear and revered: 
 for I mySelf gave him these garments, which thou dost men¬ 
 tion, having folded them up from my chamber: and I put the 
 shining clasp upon them, to be an ornament for him : but him 
 I shall not receive again, returning home to his dear country. 
 Therefore Ulysses went by evil fate in the hollow ship, to see 
 that ill-Troy, not to be named.” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: “ O 
 venerable wdfe of Ulysses, son of Laertes, now no longer waste 
 thy beauteous person, nor consume thy mind, mourning for 
 thy husband: however, I could not be angry with thee at 
 all: for any woman, having lost her lawful husband (to whcr.i 
 she has borne children, and having been mingled with him in 
 love), though inferior to Ulysses, whom they say is like unto 
 the gods, laments for him. But cease from thy grief, and at¬ 
 tend to what I say : for I will tell thee truly, nor will 1 con¬ 
 ceal it, that I lately heard of the return of Ulysses, of his being 
 alive, in a rich people near the Thesprotians : but he brings 
 much and excellent treasure, begging it through the people ; 
 but he has lost his beloved companions and his hollow ship, 
 in the dark sea, as he was going from the island of Trinacria : 
 for Jove and the Sun were wrath with him, for his compan¬ 
 ions slew the oxen [of the Sun]. All of them perished in the 
 boisterous sea ; but the wave drove him up on the keel of 
 the ship to the shore, to the land of the Bhasacians, wdio are 
 near to the gods. But him they honored exceedingly, like as 
 a god, and gave him many things, and themselves wished to 
 escort him home unharmed ; and Ulysses would have been 
 here some time ago ; but it seemed to him in his mind to be 
 better to go over much land and collect possessions; since 
 Ulysses knew many means of gain above mortal men : nor 
 would any other mortal contend with him, as Bheidon, king 
 of the Thesprotians, told me. And he swore to me myself, 
 pouring out a libation in the house, that the ship was drawn 
 down, and lliat companions were ready, who would at length 
 
 M 
 
2C6 
 
 ODTSSEY. XIX. 
 
 [ 290 — 330 . 
 
 escort him to his clear paternal land. But me he sent away 
 first; for a ship of the Thesprotians happened to be com¬ 
 ing: to wheat-abounding' Dulichium. And to me he showed 
 the possessions, whatsoever Ulysses had collected ; and they 
 would support another man even to the tenth generation, 
 so many treasures of his lie in the palace of the king. And 
 he said that he was gone to Dodona, that he might ask the 
 counsel of God from the lofty-tressed oak of Jove, in wiiat 
 ■<vay he should return to his dear paternal land, having been 
 now a long time absent, whether openly or secretly. So ho 
 is thus safe, and will come now very near, nor any more will 
 he for a long time bo far away from his friends and paternal 
 land; however I will plight thee an oath : now let Jove first 
 be witness, the highest and most excellent of the gods, and 
 the hearth of blameless Ulysses, to which I am come, all these 
 things shall surely be brought to pass, as I relate them : Ulys¬ 
 ses will come hero in this same year, when this month wanes, 
 and the next begins.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn: “Would tlvat, 
 O stranger, this word might bo accomplished : then shouldst 
 thou soon experience my friendsliip, and [receive] many gifts 
 from me ; so that any one who met thee would congratulate 
 thee. But thus does it appear to mo in my mind, even as it 
 will be : neither will Ulysses any more come home, nor will 
 thou obtain an escort: since there are not masters in the 
 house, such as was Ulysses among men (if ever he was), to 
 send away and to receive venerable strangers. But w'ash him, 
 handmaidens, and place a bed for him, couches and cloaks, 
 and beautiful rugs, that being well warmed he may reach the 
 golden-throned Morn. But very early in the morning wash 
 and anoint him, that sitting witliiii near Telemachus he may 
 take care of his meal: but it shall be more sad for him, who¬ 
 ever of them afliicting him in mind causes him soitoav, and lie 
 shall no more effect any work here, although exceedingly en¬ 
 raged. For how, stranger, wilt thou knoAV of me, Avhethcr I 
 excel other Avomen at all in thought, or prudent counsel, if 
 thou feastest in the palace, squalid, ill-clad? but men are 
 short-liA'ed. Whoever is himself cruel, and knoAvs Avhat is 
 cruel, upon him all mortals imprecate griefs hereafter Avhen 
 alive; but all scoff at him when dead: but whoever is him- 
 
331—372.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 2G7 
 
 self blameless, and knows v/liat is blameless, his fame stran¬ 
 gers bear far and wide among all men: and many call him 
 excellent.” 
 
 But her mueh-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: “O 
 venerable wife of Ulysses, son of Laertes, cloaks and beauti¬ 
 ful rugs are indeed a burden to me, since I was first separa¬ 
 ted from the snowy mountains of Crete, going in a long-oared 
 ship. But I will lie, as I have hitherto rested during the 
 sleepless nights. For already have I lain many nights in an 
 unseemly bed, and have waited for beautiful-throned divine 
 morning. Nor are foot-baths for my feet at all agreeable to 
 my mind; nor shall any of the women, who are servants in 
 thy house, touch my foot, unless there is some old woman, 
 who kens what is prudent, who has endured so many things 
 in her mind, as I have, I would not grudge that she should 
 touch my feet.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in answer: “ Dear 
 stranger ! for not yet has any foreign stranger come, thus 
 prudent, or more welcome to my house, so very skillfully dost 
 thou speak all things that are prudent: I have an old woman, 
 who possesses ]>rudent counsels in her mind, who nurtured 
 Avell and brought up him, wretched one, having received him 
 in her hands, when his mother first brought him forth, she 
 will wash thy feet, althougli having but little strength. But 
 come now, O prudent Euryclea, rising up, wash one who is 
 of equal age with thy master: sueh perhaps is Ulysses now 
 as to feet and hands. For quickly do mortals grow old in 
 misfortune.” 
 
 Thus she sj)oke: but the old woman covered her face with 
 lier hands, and shed w^arm tears; and she uttered a mournful 
 W'ord : 
 
 “ Alas for me! child, I know not what to do on thine ac¬ 
 count; surely Jove hates thee above men, thee "who didst pos¬ 
 sess a codlike mind. For no one of mortals has ever burned 
 so many rich thighs to thunder-rejoicing Jove, nor chosen 
 hecatombs, as thou hast given him, praying that thou might- 
 est reach a quiet old age, and rnightest bring up thine illustri¬ 
 ous son: but now ho has thus altogether taken aw'^ay from 
 thee the day of return. So })erchance the women of foreign 
 hosts mock at him, when he comes under thc-ir illustrious 
 dwellings, as these impudent ones all mock at thee; sFuii- 
 
268 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 [373—410. 
 
 ning whose insolence and many reproaches, thou dost not suf¬ 
 fer them to wash thee ; but the daughter of Icarius, prudent 
 Penelope, desires me who am not unwilling. Therefore I 
 will wash thy feet, both for Penelope’s sake and thine: since 
 my mind is troubled within with cares: but now understand 
 the word which 1 say, many wretched strangers have already 
 come here, but I do not think that I have ever seen any one 
 thus like, as thou art like unto Ulysses, both in body and 
 voice and feet.” 
 
 But her much-counseling Ulysses addressed in answer: “ O 
 old woman, so they say; as many as have beheld both of us 
 with their eyes, that we are very like one another; as thou 
 thyself wisely sayest.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but the old woman took a shining caldron, 
 in which she washed his feet, and into it she poured mucli 
 cold water; and then she mixed warm with it: but Ulysses 
 sat on the hearth, but he quickly turned toward a dark place: 
 for he immediately reflected in his mind, that she, finding the 
 scar, would discover him, and that his deeds would become 
 manifest. And she, going near her master, washed him ; and 
 she immediately recognized the scar; wliieh once a boar had 
 infli-eted upon him with its white tusk, as he was going to 
 Parnassus with Autolycus and his sons, the excellent sire of 
 his mother, who surpassed men in deceitfulness and in oaths: 
 but to him the god Mercury himself gave [this gift]: for to 
 him he burned the acceptable thighs of lambs and kids; but 
 he willingly accompanied him. But Autolycus coming to 
 the rich people of Ithaca, found the son of his daughter lately 
 born ; him Euryclea placed on his dear knees when he ceased 
 from supper; and she spoke and said: 
 
 “ Autolycus, do thou now thyself find out a name, which 
 thou mayest give to the dear son of thy daughter; for by 
 many prayers has he been obtained.” 
 
 But her Autolycus answered and addressed in turn : “ Do 
 ye, my son-in-law and my daughter, give him the name 
 which I mention : since I have come hither, hated by many 
 men and women, through the many-feeding earth, therefore 
 let the name given to him be Ulysses but I, wluin he, be¬ 
 ing grown up, comes to Parnassus, to his great maternal house, 
 
 'OdvcTivi, from the Tcrl) o^vaau), to be wroth. Sec Euatathius. 
 
1—455.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 5^69 
 
 where are my possessions, will give him some of them, and 
 will sejid him away rejoicing.” 
 
 On account of tliese things came Ulysses, that he might, 
 give to him handsome presents. Autolycus, and the sons of 
 Autolycus, welcomed him with their hands and with mild 
 words. But his maternal grandmother Ainphithea, embracing 
 Ulysses, kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes. And 
 Autolycus commanded his glorious sons to make ready a ban¬ 
 quet; and they heard him inciting them. And they immedi¬ 
 ately brought a male beeve of five years old : they skinned it, 
 and handled it, and severed it all. And they cut it up skillful¬ 
 ly, and fixed it on spits, and roasted it cleverly, and divided 
 the shares. Thus then they feasted during the whole day until 
 sunset; nor did the mind at all want an equal feast. But 
 Avhen the sun set, and darkness came on, then they lay down to 
 rest, and took the gift of sleep. But when the mother of dawn, 
 rosy-fingered morning, appeared, they set out to the hunt, both 
 the dogs, and the sons of Autolycus ; and divine Ulysses went 
 with them : and they came to the lofty mountain of Parnas¬ 
 sus, clad in wood; and they soon reached the windy heights. 
 The sun had just then struck upon the fields from the gen¬ 
 tle-flowing, deep-streamed ocean ; and the huntsmen came to 
 the dell; and the dogs went before them, searching out their 
 tracks; but behind came the sons of Autolycus, and with 
 them divine Ulysses, near the dogs, brandishing a long-shad¬ 
 owing spear. There a large boar lay down in a dense thick¬ 
 et ; which neither the force of the moist-blowing winds breath¬ 
 ed through, nor did the shining sun strike it with its beams, 
 nor did the shower penetrate through it; so thick was it, 
 but there was a great mass of dry leaves shed in it. And 
 around him came the sound of the feet of men and dogs, as 
 they came driving on ; but he opposite, out of the woody lair, 
 bristling well his neck, and looking fire with his eyes, stood 
 near them; but Ulysses rushed on much the first, holding up 
 his long spear with his strong hand, eager to wound him ; but 
 the boar anticipating him, struck him over the knee; and he 
 tore out much flesh with his tusk, rushing obliquely, nor did 
 he reach the bone of the man. But him Ulysses wounded, 
 hittinjr him on the ri^lit shoulder, and straight throimh him 
 the point of the shining spear passed ; and he fell groaning in 
 the dust: and life flew from him. Him however the kind 
 
270 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 [455—404. 
 
 sons of Autolycus took care of, and tliey skillfully bound the 
 wound of godlike blameless Ulysses: and they stopped the 
 black blood by a spell, and quickly reached the house of their 
 dear sire. Autolycus then, and the sons of Autolycus, hav¬ 
 ing healed him well, and having given him splendid gifts, 
 quickly rejoicing, sent him rejoicing to dear Ithaca: but on 
 his return his father and venerable mother rejoiced, and in¬ 
 quired every thing of him, as to the scar, what he suffered; 
 but he related it well to them, how the boar struck him with 
 his white tusk as he was hunting, having come to Parnassus 
 with the sons of Autolycus. 
 
 But the old woman, taking it^^ in her hands placed flat, 
 and wiping it, recognized it: and she let his foot fall; and 
 his leg fell in the caldron ; and the brass resounded, and was 
 turned on one side: and the water was poured out on the 
 ground. And joy and grief possessed her mind at the same 
 time; and her eyes were filled with tears : and her warm 
 voice was choked. And touching Ulysses by the beard, she 
 addressed him: 
 
 “ Certainly, my dear child, thou art Ulysses: nor did I 
 know thee before I had handled my master all round.” 
 
 She spoke, and looked at Penelope with her eyes, wishing 
 to tell her that her dear husband was within. But she was 
 neither able to look opposite to her, nor to perceive her; for 
 Minerva turned aw'ay her thoughts: but Ulysses holding out 
 his hand, took her by the throat with his right hand; and 
 with the other he himself drew her near and addressed her: 
 
 “Nurse, why dost thou wish to destroy mel thou thyself 
 didst nourish me at thy breast, but now, having endured 
 many toils I am returned in the twentieth year to my pa¬ 
 ternal land. But since thou hast perceived me, and God has 
 put it in thy mind, bo silent, lest any other in the palace 
 should hear it. For thus 1 tell thee, and this shall be accom¬ 
 plished, if God shall subdue the proud suitors under me, I 
 shall not spare thee, [dthough thou art my nur.se, Avhen I slay 
 the other w^omen servants in my palace.” 
 
 But him prudent Euryclea addressed in turn : “ My child, 
 Avhat Avord hast thou uttered? thou knowest hoAA^ firm my 
 mind is, that it does not yield; but I Avill keep like as some 
 hard rock, or steel: and I Avill tell thee something else, and 
 
 i. e. the wouiulcd foot. 
 
*95—532.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 271 
 
 do thou lay it up in thy mind ; if God shall subdue the proud 
 suitors under thee, then will I enumerate to thee the women 
 in the palace, who dislionor thee, and who are innocent.” 
 
 But her mucli - planning Ulysses addressed in answer: 
 “Nurse, why shouldst thou point them out*? it is not at all- 
 requisite that thou shouldst: I myself can tell them well, and 
 shall know each one. But hold thy peace iii silence, and com¬ 
 mit it to the gods.” 
 
 Thus he spoke: and the old woman went through out of 
 the palace, to bring a foot-bath ; for all the first was poured 
 out. But wdien she had washed, and anointed him with the 
 smooth oil, Ulysses again drew his seat nearer the fire to 
 warm himself, but he covered the scar with rags. And pru¬ 
 dent Penelope began speaking to them : 
 
 “O stranger, 1 myself will ask this of thee for a little lon¬ 
 ger ; for soon it will be time for delightful sleep, [for] whom¬ 
 soever sweet sleep lays hold of, although in trouble. But to 
 me the deity has given immeasurable grief; for I am delighted 
 during the days mourning, grieving, looking to my works and 
 those of my handmaidens in the house : but when night comes, 
 and bed receives all, I lie down on my couch, and constant, 
 sharp cares about my heart irritate me, lamenting continually. 
 As when the daughter of Pandarus, the swarthy nightingale, 
 sings beautifully when the spring newly begins, sitting in the 
 thick branches of trees, and she frequently changing, pours 
 forth her much-sounding voice, lamenting her dear Itylus 
 (whom once she slew with the brass tlirough ignorance),the 
 offspring of the king Zethus : so also two ways is my mind ex¬ 
 cited on one side and tl>e other, whether I should remain with 
 my son, and guard all things firmly, my property, and my serv¬ 
 ants, and my large lofty-roofed house, reverencing the bed of 
 my sj)ouse, and the voice of the people; or whether I should 
 follow him that is the best of the Grecians, who woos me, in 
 the palace, and gives me infinite bridal gifts. But my son, as 
 long as he Avas still a child, and weak-minded, did not sufier 
 me to marry, leaving him in the house of my husband; but 
 now when he is full grown, and arrived at the age of manhood. 
 
 She intended to slay the son of her husband’s brother Am])hion, 
 incited to it by the envy of his wife, who liad six children, while herself 
 liad only two, but through mistake slie slew her son Itylus, and for her 
 punishment Avas transformed by Jupiter into a nightingale. Cowper. 
 
272 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 he begs of me to go away from the palace, angry on account 
 of the wealth, which tlie Grecians are consuming for him. 
 But come, expound a dream for me, and hearken to it: twen¬ 
 ty geese in my house ate wheat out of the water, and I was 
 .delighted, looking at them ; but a large crooked-beaked eagle 
 coming from a mountain, broke the necks of all of them, and 
 slew them; and they were strewn together in tlie palace, but 
 he was lifted up into the divine air. But I wept and wailed, 
 although in a dream, and the fair-haired Grecian women were 
 assembled around me complaining piteously, that the eagle 
 had killed my geese. ‘ l^ut coming back he sat down on the 
 projecting roof; and restrained me with a mortal voice, and 
 spoke: ‘Be of good cheer, O daughter of far-famed Icaiius; 
 it is not a dream, but an excellent vision,^® which shall be 
 brought to pass. The geese are the suitors ; and I before was 
 an eagle, but now am come, thy husband, who will bring un¬ 
 seemly fate upon all the suitors.’ Thus he spoke ; and sweet 
 sleep left me. And looking about, I saw the geese in the 
 palace, eating wheat near the trough, where they before [ate 
 it].” 
 
 But her much-counseling Ulysses addressed in answer: “ O 
 lady, it is not possible to expound the dream turning in any 
 other way; since Ulysses himself told thee how it would be 
 performed; but destruction has appeared to all the suitors; 
 nor will any one escape death and fate.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addres.sed in turn : “ Stranger, 
 dreams are indeed uncertain, and speak things which can not 
 be determined, nor are all brought to pass for men. For 
 there are two portals of unsubstantial dreams; these are 
 made of horn, and those of ivory ; whichever of them^'^ comes 
 through the sawn ivory, they deceive, bringing promises 
 which will never be fulfilled; but those which come out of 
 doors through the polished horn, accomplish what is true, 
 when any one of mortals sees them. But I think not that the 
 terrible dream came to me from thence ; so it would be de¬ 
 lightful for me and for my son. But 1 will tell tliee some¬ 
 thing els^, and do thou lay it up in thy mind : this is now the 
 
 •® Tills distinction between uvap and virap is illustrated by Blomf. on 
 JEsch. Trom. 482; Valckeu. on Ammon, p. 217, 218; Alberti on llesycli. 
 s. V, virap. 
 
 Of dreams. 
 
571—604.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XIX. 
 
 273 
 
 hateful morning which will take me away from the house of 
 Ulysses; for now I will propose as a contest the pole-axes 
 which he used to ])lace in order in his palace, like the ribs of 
 a ship,^® twelve in all, and he, standing a great way off, shot 
 the arrow through them. Now I will propose this contest to 
 the suitors; whoever shall most easily stretch the bow in his 
 hands, and shoot the arrow through all the twelve hatchets, 
 him will I follow, leaving this house, which I entered when a 
 virgin, very beautiful, full of wealth ; which I think I shall 
 some time or other remember, even in a dream.” 
 
 Hut her much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer : “ O 
 venerable wife of Ulysses, son of Laertes, no longer now’ put 
 off'this contest in the house ; for much-planning Ulysses will 
 come here before they, handling this well-polished bow, stretch 
 the string, and shoot the arrow through the steel.” 
 
 Hut liim prudent Penelope addressed in turn: “If thou 
 wast willing, O stranger, sitting by me in the palace to de¬ 
 light me, sleep would not be shed over my eyelids. Hut it is 
 not possible for men to be always without sleep; for in every 
 thing the immortals have given their lot to mortals over the 
 fruitful plain. Hut 1 indeed, going to the upper room, Avill 
 lie down on my bed, which has become sad to me, ever moist¬ 
 ened with my tears, from the time when Ulysses went to be¬ 
 hold ill-Troy, Avhich ought not to be named. There will I lie 
 down ; but do thou lie in this house, eitlier strewing [a bed] 
 upon the ground, or let them lay down a couch for thee.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she ascended to the beautiful upper 
 rooms, not alone : [for] other handmaidens also went with 
 her. And having ascended to tlie upper room with her wo¬ 
 men attendants, she then W'ept for Ulysses, her dear husband ; 
 until blue-eyed Minerva cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids. 
 
 Twelve stakes (rather, pole-axes) were fixed in the earth, each 
 havinpj a ring at the top ; the order in which they stood were so exact, 
 that an arrow sent with an even hand through the first ring, would pass 
 them all. Cowper. I have followed the explanation of Liddell and 
 Scott, V. Spvoxoi. 
 
 M 2 
 
274 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 r.i—2G. 
 
 BOOK XX. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Ulysses is reassured by a vision of Minerva, but upon waking he hesi¬ 
 tates whether or not to destroy the women servants; he however re¬ 
 solves to spai'e them for the present. The suitors, who had been med¬ 
 itating fresh plots against Telemachus, while feasting are struck by a 
 panic; from whence Theoclymenus foretells their ruin, but they de¬ 
 ride his prophecy. 
 
 But divine Ulysses slept in the vestibule; he strewed upon 
 the ground an undressed bull’s hide, but above it many skins 
 of sheep, which the Grecians had sacrificed. And Eurynome 
 threw a cloak over him when he lay down. There Ulysses 
 meditating evil in his mind against the suitors, lay awake; 
 and the women, who were before mingled with the suitors, 
 went out of the palace, furnishing laughter and merriment to 
 each other. And his mind was excited in his breast; and 
 much he meditated in his soul and in his mind, whether, rush¬ 
 ing upon them, he should cause death to each of them, or 
 should still suffer them to be mingled with the overbearing 
 suitors for tlie last and latest time: and his heart was great¬ 
 ly disturbed^ within him. And as a bitch going about her 
 tender whelps, growls at a man when she knows [him] not, 
 and is eager to fight with him; so his heart growled within 
 him, marveling at their evil deeds. And smiting his breast, 
 he chided his heart in words: 
 
 “Endure it now, my heart; iliou once didst endure some¬ 
 thing else even more severe, in that day when the Cyclops, 
 intolerable in might, ate thy stout companions, but thou didst 
 endure it, until stratagem took ihce out of the cave, when 
 thou thoughtest that thou wouldst die.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, rebuking the dear heart in his breast: and 
 his heart remained at rest,^ unceasingly enduring it; but he 
 turned himself on one side and the other. As when a man, 
 wliile a large fire is blazing, turns a paunch full of fat and 
 
 ^ Literally, “barked.” Cf. Stat. Sylv. ii. 1, 12, “ stat j>ectore de- 
 inens Luctus, ct admoto latrant pracordia tactu.” 
 
 * This is somewhat a free translation of Iv tcpa^ltj pivi, which 
 
 properly means, “remained at anchor,” Trtiaij signifying “a cable.” 
 Cf. Ilesych. Treitry, TreifrpaTi Kai Alberti on T. i. p. 1265, v. 
 
 iv TTuay, where this interpretation is fully confirmed. 
 
—05.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 275 
 
 blood, from side to side, and is anxious that it should be} 
 roasted very quickly; so did ho roll himself on one side and 
 the other, meditating how he might lay his hands upon the 
 shameless suitors, being alone among many; but Minerva 
 came near to him, descending from heaven : and in her per 
 son she was like unto a woman, and she stood over his head, 
 and addressed him in words: 
 
 ‘‘ Why dost thou still watch, thou who art ill-fated above 
 all mortals? this is thy house, and this is thy wife in the 
 house, and thy son, such an one as any one desires his son to 
 be/’ 
 
 l>ut her much-})lanning Ulysses addressed in answer; 
 “ Of a truth, O goddess, thou hast rightly spoken all these 
 things. But my mind meditates this in my breast, in what 
 way I, being alone, shall lay my hands upon the shameless 
 suitors; but they are always collected together within. And 
 besides I meditate this also a greater thing in my mind, if I 
 should slay them, by Jove’s and thy will, how should I es¬ 
 cape out of the way? I entreat thee to consider this.” 
 
 But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva in turn addressed: 
 “ Wretched one, a person would obey even a worse compan¬ 
 ion, who is even a mortal, and who kens not so many coun¬ 
 sels : but I am a deity, who guard thee throughout in all thy 
 labors ; and I will tell thee openly; even if fifty bands of ar¬ 
 ticulately-speaking men should surround us, anxious to slay 
 us iu’the fight, even so shouldst thou drive away their beeves 
 and rich sheep. But let sleep take liold of thee: even to 
 watch all night awake is a sorrow; but thou Avilt soon es¬ 
 cape from misfortunes.” 
 
 Thus she spoke and shed sleep over his eyelids; and the 
 divine one of goddesses herself Avent back to Olympus, Avhen 
 sleep seized upon him, loosing the cares of his mind, relaxing 
 his limbs: but his Avlfe knowing prudent things Avas aAvake: 
 and sitting on her soft couch, she Avept; but Avhen she Avas 
 satiated in her mind with AV'ceping, the divine one of Avomen 
 first of all prayed to Diana: 
 
 “O Diana, A^enerable goddess, daughter of Joa’c, Avould that 
 thou, noAV striking an arroAv into my breast, Avouldst take HAvay 
 my life immediately: or that a tempest snatching me away 
 Avould speedily go, and bear me to the dark Avays, and cast 
 me in the mouths of the black-floAving ocean. As Avhen the 
 
276 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 [G6—107. 
 
 tempests took away the daughters of Pandarus, whose parents 
 the gods liad destroyed : but they were left orphans in the 
 palace, and divine Venus nurtured them with cheese, and 
 sweet honey, and pleasant wine: and Juno gave them beauty 
 and prudence above all women, and chaste Diana gave them 
 stature, and Minerva taught them to work excellent works. 
 When divine Venus went to high Olympus, to beg for the 
 damsels the accomplishment of flourishing marriage, to thun¬ 
 der-rejoicing Jove (for he well kens every thing, the happi¬ 
 ness and unhappiness of mortal men): in the mean time the 
 Harpies snatched away the damsels, and gave them to the 
 hateful Furies, to serve them: so may those who possess the 
 Olympian dwellings destroy me, or may fair-haired Diana 
 strike me, that eying Ulysses, I may even come under the 
 hateful earth, nor may I at all delight the mind of a worse 
 man. But this evil is even to be borne, when any one weeps 
 during the day, continually sorrowing in his heart, and sleep 
 possesses him during the nights (for he becomes unmindful 
 of all things, good and evil, when it covers his eyelids around) : 
 but upon me the deity has also made evil dreams rush. For 
 during this night one lay near to me like unto him, such as 
 he was when he went with the army; but my heart rejoiced, 
 since I did not think it was a dream, but now a real vision.” 
 
 Thus she spoke ; and golden-throncd Morn immediately 
 came. And divine Ulysses heard the voice of her weeping; 
 then he doubled, for she seemed to him in his mind,* now 
 knowing him, to stand near his head. J'hcn taking up the 
 cloak and skins on which he slept, he placed them on a throne 
 in the palace ; but taking the bull’s hide, lie put it out of 
 doors: and holding up his hands he prayed to Jove: 
 
 “ O father Jove, thou hast brought me willingly over the 
 dry and the moist to mine own land, since thou hast afllictcd 
 me very much, let some one of the men who are awake with¬ 
 in speak an omen to me: and let some other sign appear 
 from without from Jove.” 
 
 Thus he spoke praying; and provident Jupiter heard him: 
 and he immediately thundered from shining Olympus, on high 
 from the clouds: and divine Ulysses rejoiced. And a mill- 
 woman near [him] uttered a word of good omen from the 
 house, where were the mills of the shepherd of the people; 
 and twelve women in all were constantly working at them. 
 
ICf8—145.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 277 
 
 making meal of barley and wheat, the maiTow of men. The 
 rest indeed were sleeping, when they had ground their wheat: 
 but she alone had not yet ceased, for she was the weakest: 
 she then, stopping the mill, spoke a word, a sign to her mas- 
 ter: 
 
 “ O father Jove, who rulest over gods and men, thou indeed 
 hast thundered very loudly from the starry heaven, nor is 
 there a cloud any where ; thou showest this as a sign to some 
 one: perform even now for wretched me a request, which I 
 crave: may the suitors for the last and latest time on this 
 day take a delightful banquet in the palace of Ulysses: they 
 who have now loosed my knees with grievous toil, grinding 
 their meal; now may they feast for the last time.” 
 
 Til us she spoke, and divine Ulysses rejoiced in the omen, 
 and in the thunder of Jove; for he thought that he should be 
 revenged on the sinners. But the other handmaidens in the 
 beautiful house of Ulysses waking, lighted an unwearied fire 
 upon the hearth. And Telemachus, godlike man, arose from 
 his bed, having put on his garments; and around his shoul¬ 
 der he girt a sharp sword : and he bound beautiful sandals 
 under his smooth feet, and he took a strong spear tipped with 
 sharp brass. And going to the threshold he stood there, and 
 addressed Euryclea: 
 
 “ Dear nurse, how hast thou honored the stranger in the 
 house with a bed and food? or does he lie where he can, un¬ 
 cared for? for such is my mother, although prudent; she 
 foolishly honors one of articulately-speaking men, who is 
 worse, and sends away a better, having neglected [him].” 
 
 But him prudent Euryclea addressed in turn: “Thou 
 shouldst not, my child, blame one that is blameless. For sit¬ 
 ting down he drank wine, as long as he listed; and he said 
 that he no longer hungered for bread; for it was asked of 
 him. But when she was now mindful of rest and sleep, she 
 desired the handmaidens to strew a couch [for him]; but he, 
 as one altogether overcome with toil, and ill-fated, did not 
 wish to sleep on a bed and in rugs, but lay down in the ves¬ 
 tibule on an undressed bull's hide and skins of sheep : stud we 
 put a cloak over him.” 
 
 / Thus she spoke; and Telemachus went through out of the 
 palace, holding his spear: and swift-footed dogs followed him. 
 And he went to the forum among the well-grcaved Grecians, 
 
278 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 [146—1^5. 
 
 aiul the divine one of 'women, Enryclca, danglitcr of Ops, so?, 
 of Pisenor, exhorted the handmaidens: 
 
 “Assemble yourselves together, do some of you, busying 
 yourselves, sweep the house, and sprinkle it; and lay the 
 purple tapestry on the well-made thrones; and do others 
 ' wipe all the tables with sponges, and clean the cups, and the 
 embossed round bowls: and others of you going to the fount¬ 
 ain for water, bring it quickly: for the suitors will not be a 
 long time away from the palace, but they return very early, 
 since there is a feast for all.”^ 
 
 Thus she spoke ; and they heard her very well, and obeyed 
 her. Twenty went to the black-water fountain ; and others 
 labored skillfully there in the house. And the servants of 
 the Greeks came; they then cleft wood well and skillfully; 
 and the women came from the fountain ; and the swine-herd 
 came to them, bringing three fatted swine, which were the 
 best among all. And them he left to pasture in the beauti¬ 
 ful courts, and himself addressed Ulysses in mild [words]: 
 
 “Stranger, do the Grecians now regard thee more, or do 
 they dishonor thee in the palace, even as before?” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer : 
 “Would that indeed, O Eumceus, the gods would revenge the 
 insolence with which they, insulting, contrive disgraceful 
 things in another man’s house, nor have they a particle of 
 shame.” 
 
 Thus they discoursed to one another. And near them 
 came Melanthius the goat-herd, bringing goats, which sur¬ 
 passed all the flocks, as a feast for the suitors; and two at¬ 
 tendants'followed him, and he bound them^ under the re¬ 
 sounding portico, and himself then addressed Ulysses with 
 scoffing words: 
 
 “ Stranger, wilt thou still now give trouble here in the 
 house, begging alms of the men ? and wilt not thou go out 
 of doors? I no longer think that we shall at all settle our 
 quarrel, before we try our hands; since thou beggest not 
 rightly; there are also other feasts of the Grecians.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but much-planning Ulysses did not ad¬ 
 dress him at all, but moved his head in silence, deeply de¬ 
 vising evils. And after them Phila^tius, chief of men, came 
 
 ^ i. e. n public feast to Apollo. Sec Scholiast, 
 
 * The goats. 
 
180—227.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 279 
 
 tliiRl, bringing a licilbr aiul fat goats for tlic suitors. (I>nt 
 ferryineii brought them over, who also conduct other men, 
 whoever comes to them :) and he bound them safely under the 
 resounding portico, and himself then inquired of the swine¬ 
 herd, standing near him: 
 
 “What stranger is this, O swine-herd, that has lately come 
 to our house? from what men does he boast himself to be? 
 where are his race and paternal country? unhappy one, he is 
 indeed in his person like unto a king. But the gods inflict 
 much-wandering men with woe; when they destine toil even 
 for kings.” 
 
 He spoke; and standing near him, welcomed him with his 
 hand, and 'addressing him spoke winged words: “ Hail, O 
 father stranger, mayest thou have happiness hereafter: but 
 now thou art possessed with many ills. O father Jove, no 
 other one of the gods is more destructive than thou ; then 
 pitiest not men, when thou hast begotten them thyself, but 
 dost mix them up in misfortune and sad griefs. 1 sweat 
 when I behold him, and mine eyes wept as I remembered 
 Ulysses; since I think that he, having such garments, is wan¬ 
 dering among men, if he is any where still alive, and beholds 
 the light of the sun. But if he is now' dead, and in the house 
 of Pluto, alas! then for blameless Ulysses, who set me over 
 his beeves wdien I "was still little, in the people of the Cephale- 
 nians: but now they are numberless, nor in any other way 
 would the race of broad-foreheaded beeves increase under a 
 man: them others desire me to bring for themselves to eat: 
 nor care they at all for his son in the palace, nor do they fear 
 the vengeance of the gods ; for they are now' anxious to divide 
 the possessions of the long-absent king. But my mind often* 
 revolves this in my dear breast: it is very wicked, when the 
 son is alive, going to another people w'ith the cattle them¬ 
 selves, to take them to foreign men: but this is more sad, re¬ 
 maining here and sitting over another man’s beeves, to suffer 
 griefs. I indeed would long ago have fled and gone to some 
 other proud king; since these things are no longer to be 
 borne, but still 1 think of him, wretched one, if coming from 
 any w’here he should make a dispersir.g of the suitors to their 
 houses.” 
 
 But him much.-planning ITlysses addressed in answ'er: “O 
 herdsman, since '-iiou art not like unto an evil or a foolish 
 
280 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 [228—207. 
 
 man, but I myself also know that prudence reaches thy mind, 
 therefore I will tell thee, and swear a great oath besides. 
 Now let Jove, first of the gods, be witness, and the hospitable 
 table, and the hearth of blameless Ulysses, to which 1 am 
 come, Ulysses will certainly come home while thou art here; 
 and if thou desirest, thou wilt with thine eyes behold the suit¬ 
 ors being slain, who reign here.” 
 
 But him the man, herdsman over the oxen, addressed in 
 turn : “ Would that, O stranger, the son of Saturn may bring 
 this word to pass: thou shouldst know what my power and 
 hands are.” 
 
 In like manner Eumoeus prayed to all the gods, that wise 
 Ulysses should return to his own home. 
 
 Thus they spoke such things to one another. But the 
 suitors were preparing death and fate for Telemachus; but a 
 bird flew on their left hand, a high-flying eagle, and it held 
 a timid dove. But Amphinomus harangued and addressed 
 them: 
 
 “ O friends, this plan, the death of Telemachus, will not 
 succeed for us ; but let us be mindful of the feast.” 
 
 Thus spoke Amphinomus; and his words pleased them. 
 But coming to the house of divine Ulysses, they spread cloaks 
 upon the benches and the thrones: and they sacrificed large 
 sheep and fat goats, and they sacrificed fatted swine and a 
 cow from the herd: and having roasted the entrails, they dis¬ 
 tributed them: but they mixed wine in the bowls; and the 
 swine-herd distributed the cups. I'lien Philoitius, chief of 
 men, distributed bread to them in beautiful baskets; and 
 Melanthius poured out wine. But they stretched forth their 
 hands to the food lying ready before them. And Telema¬ 
 chus, considering what was profitable, placed Ulysses within 
 the well-built palace, near the stone threshold, putting an un¬ 
 seemly seat near, and a small table; and near him he placed 
 a share of the entrails, and poured wine in a golden cup, and 
 addressed discourse to him : 
 
 “ Sit here now, drinking wine among the men ; but I will 
 ward off from thee the scoffings and the hands of all the suit¬ 
 ors ; since this house is by no means public, but belonging to 
 Ulysses: and he obtained it for me. But do ye, O suitors, 
 restrain your mind and hands from offending, lest some strife 
 and contention should arise.” 
 
2G8—30G.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 281 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they all gnashing -with their teeth in 
 their lips, marveled at Telemachus, for that he boldly spoke. 
 And Aritinous, son of Eupithes, addressed them: 
 
 “ Let us put up witli the language of Telemachus, O Gre¬ 
 cians, although it is severe: he speaks, threatening us very 
 much. For Jove, the son of Saturn, did not suffer us, other- 
 u’ise we should already have stopped him in the palace, al¬ 
 though he is a sharp speaker.” 
 
 Thus spoke Antinous ; but he did not regard his words. 
 And the heralds brought a sacred hecatomb of the gods 
 through the city; and the long-haired Grecians Averc assem¬ 
 bled under the shady grove of far-darting Apollo: but Avheii 
 they had roasted the upper flesh, and had drawn it out, hav¬ 
 ing divided the shares they made a most delightful feast. 
 And those who served, set an equal share near to Ulysses, 
 as they themselves Avere allotted: for so Telemachus, dear 
 son of divine Ulysses, commanded them. But Minerva did 
 not suffer the haughty suitors altogether to refrain from 
 mind-grieving insolence: that sorroAv might still more come 
 upon Ulysses, son of Laertes, in his heart. And there Avas 
 a certain man among the suitors, Avho was acquainted Avith 
 hxAvless deeds, his name Avas Ctesippus, and he inhabited a 
 house in Samos; avIio, trusting in the possessions of his fa¬ 
 ther, Avooed the Avife of long-absent Ulysses: he then ad¬ 
 dressed the OA’C.rbearing suitors: 
 
 “ Hear me, noble suitors, Avhile I speak something: the 
 stranger, forsooth, of old has an equal share, as it seems; 
 for it is not honorable or just to sadden the guests of Telem¬ 
 achus, Avhoever comes to this house. But come, I also Avill 
 giv^e him a hospitable pi-esent; that he himself also may give 
 a reAvard either to the bath-keeper, or to any other of the 
 servants, Avho are in the house of divine Ulysses.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, Avith his strong hand he throAV the 
 foot of an ox, Avhich Avas lying near, taking it from the bask¬ 
 et : but Ulysses avoided it, gently bending his head: and he 
 smiled in his mind Avith a very Sardonic smile; but he 
 struck the AA^ell-built Avail: and Telemachus chided Ctesippus 
 in Avords: 
 
 “ O Ctesippus, truly this was A'ery much better for thee in 
 tliy mind; [that] thou didst not hit the stranger: for he 
 avoided the bloAv; for I Avould certainly haA^e struck thee in 
 
282 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 [30 G—345 
 
 the middle with a sharp spear, and thy father would have 
 been occupied about burial here for thee instead of marriage: 
 therefore let not any one show unseemly behavior to me in 
 mine house; for I now understand and know every thing, 
 both good and bad: but before I was still a child. But, 
 however, we have endured to see these things, when our 
 sheep were killed, and our wine drunk, and our bread [ate]:^ 
 for it is difficult for one to hinder many. But come, no more 
 do evil things to me, being hostile to me; but if thou now 
 desirest to slay me myself with the brass, I would even wish 
 it, and it would be 'much better to die, than for ever to be¬ 
 hold these unseemly deeds, strangers treated disgracefully, and 
 men dragging women-servants in an unseemly w'ay through 
 the beautiful palace.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they w’ere all mute in silence. But 
 Agelaus, son of Damastor, at length addressed them: 
 
 “ My friends, no one surely, chiding with opposing words, 
 would be angry with w’hat has been justly spoken. Neither 
 insult the stranger any more, nor any other of the servants, 
 who are in the house of divine Ulysses. But I would fain 
 speak a kind word to Telemachus and his mother, if it would 
 please them both in their hearts. As long as our mind expect¬ 
 ed in our breasts that wise Ulysses would return to his own 
 home, so long there was no blame for her to remain, and re¬ 
 strain the suitors in the house (since this was better, if Ulysses 
 returned, and on his return reached his house) : but this is 
 now evident, that he is no longer able to return. But come, sit¬ 
 ting near thy mother, tell her this, to marry whatsoever m.an 
 is best, and will give her the most [bridal presents] : that thou 
 rejoicing mayest manage all thy paternal property, eating and 
 di inking: and she may come to the house of another.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “No, ly 
 Jove, O Agelaus, and the griefs of my father, who has either 
 perished or is wandering somewhere far away from Jthaca, 
 1 do not delay the marriage of my mother; but I order her 
 to marry whomsoever she chooses, and who gives her abund¬ 
 ant presents. But I am ashamed to thrust her from the pal¬ 
 ace against her will with a violent word; may not God biing 
 this to pass.” * 
 
 Thus spoke Telemachus; but Balias IMinerva raised in- 
 
 ® Observe the zeugma. 
 
.* 34 : 0 — 380 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XX. 
 
 283 
 
 extinguishablc laughter among the suitors, and made theii* 
 thoughts wander. And they now laughed with other men's 
 jaws and they ate meat polluted with blood: and their eyes 
 were filled with tears; and their mind thought of grief. And 
 godlike Theoclymenus addressed them: 
 
 “ Ah wretched ones; what evil is this ye are suffering ? 
 your heads and faces and knees below are involved in night. 
 And mourning has burst forth ; and your cheeks are wet with 
 tears: and the walls and beautiful intercolumniations are be¬ 
 sprinkled with blood. And the portico is full, and the hall 
 also is full of images, that are going under darkness to Ere¬ 
 bus : and the sun has died away from heaven, and evil murk¬ 
 iness has run around us.’’ 
 
 Tlius he spoke ; but they all laughed pleasantly at him, 
 but Eurymachus, son of Eolybus, began to address them: 
 
 “ Tlie stranger is silly, having lately come from elsewhere: 
 but, O youths, send liim quickly out of the house through the 
 door to go to the forum; since he likens these things to the 
 night.”'^ 
 
 C7 _ 
 
 But him godlike Theoclymenus addressed in turn : “ O Eu¬ 
 rymachus, I by no means desire thee to give me conductors: 
 I have eyes, and ears, and both my feet, and a mind made not 
 at all unseemly in ray breast: with tliesc will I go out of 
 doors, since I perceive that evil is coming on you, which no 
 one of the suitors will escape or avoid, [of you,] who insulting 
 men, in the house of godlike TJlysse.s, arc contriving impious 
 things.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he went out of the well-built house: 
 and he came to Piraius, who willingly received him. But all 
 the suitors, looking at one another, irritated Telemachus, 
 laughing at the strangers; and thus some one of the haughty 
 youths spoke: 
 
 “ O Telemachus, there is no one else that has worse guests 
 than thou : what a begging^ vagabond this is whom thou hast, 
 in want of bread and wine: not at all skilled in works, nor 
 strong, and to no purpose a burden of the earth. This other 
 
 ® i. c. not ■with an honest, liearty laugh, but with a laugh that seemed 
 to forebode their fate. See Eustathius and Loewe. 
 
 ’ I must confess that I am hardly satisfied with this passage, 
 
 ® It is worth while to observe, that this word occurs nowhere else in 
 Homer: the same may be observed of KaTuvTi](yT^v,\. 387. Old Transl 
 
284 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. [;381—394. xxi. 1—11. 
 
 one too rose up to prophesy, liut if thou wouldst obey me, 
 this would be much better: putting the strangers in a many-' 
 benched ship, let us send them to the Sicilians, whence one 
 could gain a fit price.” 
 
 Thus spoke the suitors ; but he did not regard their words ; 
 blit silently looked toward his father, always expecting, when 
 he should at length lay his hands upon the shameless suitors. 
 But prudent Penelope, daughter of Icarus, placing a very 
 beautiful seat opposite, heard the words of each of the men in 
 the palace. They hov/ever laughing, prepared a feast, pleas¬ 
 ant, and gratifying to the mind, since they had sacrificed very 
 many things : but there could not be another more ungrateful 
 feast, [than that] which the goddess and the noble man were 
 soon about to make ; for they first contrived unseemly things. 
 
 BOOK XXI. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Penelope proposes to the suitors to contend for her hand witli the bow 
 and arrows of Ulysses. They make vain attempts to bend the bow, 
 but Ulysses, calling Eumseus and Philsetius aside, orders them to shut 
 the doors, and desires Eumajus to give the bow to liim. After some 
 opposition from the suitors, he obtains it, and shoots an arrow tlu'ough 
 the twelve rings erected for the occasion. 
 
 And then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva put it in the mind 
 of prudent Penelope, daughter of Icarus, to place the bow 
 and the hoary steel for the suitors in the palace of Ulysses, 
 as a subject of contest and a beginning of slaughter.^ And 
 she ascended the lofty stairs of the house ; and in her plump^ 
 hand took a well-bent key, beautiful, of brass: and upon it 
 was a handle of ivory: and she hastened to the farthest 
 chamber with her women attendants ; where lay the treasures 
 of the king, both brass, and gold, and much-wrought steel. 
 There lay the unstrung^ bow, and an arrow-containing quiver, 
 
 ^ “Not so from the design of Penelope, but of Minerva, ut indeJierei 
 cicdis occasio et initium." Ernesti. 
 
 ® Not “thick” or “crassa,” but “plump, well-fleshed,” in opposition 
 to “ macilenta.” See Ernesti. 
 
 ^ Literally, “bent li^ck,” i. e. by the relaxation of the string. 
 
f!» -54 J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. 
 
 285 
 
 and there were many grievous shafts in it: presents, which a 
 stranger meeting him in Lacedoemon gave him, Iphitns, son 
 of Eurytiis, like unto the immortals. But they met one an¬ 
 other in Messene, in the house of warlike Orsilochus : Ulysses 
 indeed came after a debt, which the whole people owed to 
 him: for Messenian men had taken away from Ithaca three 
 hundred sheep, and their shepherds, in rnany-benched ships. 
 On account of these Ulys-ses came a long voyage, on a public 
 mission,'* being yet a boy : for his father and the other chiefs 
 sent him on. But Iphitns [came] to seek the horses Avhich 
 he had lost, twelve mares, and under them hard-working 
 mules, which soon became death and fate for him: since he 
 came to the noble-minded son of Jove, the hero Hercules, 
 skilled in mighty deeds; who slew him, although being his 
 guest in his own house; wretched one, nor did he reverence 
 the anger of the gods, nor the table, which he placed near 
 him: but afterward he also killed himself: and himself kept 
 the solid-hoofed steeds in his palace. Asking for them he 
 met Ulysses, and gave him a bow which mighty Eurytus be¬ 
 fore bore, but he, dying in his lofty house, left it to his son. 
 But to him Ulysses gave a sharp sword and a strong spear, 
 a beginning of kindly hospitality, nor did they know one an¬ 
 other’s table: for the son of Jove first slew Iphitus, son of 
 Eurytus, like unto the immortals ; he gave him the bow; but 
 divine Ulysses did not take it, when going to the Avar on the 
 black ships; but there it lay as a memorial of the kind 
 stranger in the palace: and he carried it over his OAvn land. 
 
 But Avhen the divine one of women now reached the cham¬ 
 ber, and came to the oaken threshold, Avhich once an artificer 
 polished skillfully, and made straight according to the rule, 
 and in it fitted pillars, and upon it placed shining doors: im¬ 
 mediately then she quickly loosed the thong of the ring, and 
 put in the key, and struck back the bolts of the door, taking 
 aim opposite to them: and they resounded, like as a bull pas¬ 
 turing in a meadoAv: so many beautiful doors stricken with 
 the key resounded, and they Avere quickly opened to her. And 
 she then AA'ent upon the lofty floor, Avlierc stood the chests, 
 and in them lay perfumed garments. From thence stretching 
 out, she took doAvn the boAV from the peg, Avith the boAV-ca.se 
 
 * lltaia, 7 ) SjjiAoaia 7rpe(7(3tla, Eustathius, Avlio compares t^ecriQ in IIo- 
 roUotus, A'. 40. Cl'. Alberti 011 llesych. i. p. 1280. 
 
286 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. 
 
 [54—89. 
 
 itself, which shining surrounded it. And then sitting down 
 there, placing it on her knees, she wept very shrilly; and she 
 took out the bow of the king. But when she was satiated 
 with tearful grief, she proceeded to the palace, to the illustri¬ 
 ous suitors, holding the unstrung bow in her hand, and the 
 arrow-containing quiver; and in it there were many griev¬ 
 ous shafts. And her handmaidens brought a chest with her; 
 wherein lay much steel and brass, prizes of her king. But 
 when the divine one of women came to the suitors, she stood 
 near the pillar of the stoutly-made roof, holding up a slender 
 vail before her cheeks : [and a prudent handmaiden stood near 
 her on each side :] and she immediately addressed the suitors, 
 and spoke: ' 
 
 “ Hear me, ye noble suitors, who press heavily upon this 
 house to eat and drink without ceasing, my husband be¬ 
 ing absent for a long time; nor have ye been able to make 
 any other pretext for your sedition,^ but as desiring to marry 
 me, and make me your wife. But come, suitors, since this 
 contest has appeared; for I will put down the great bow of 
 divine Ulysses, and whoever shall most easily stretch the bow 
 in his hands, and shall dart an arrow through the whole 
 twelve hatchets, him will I follow, leaving this house which 
 I entered when a virgin, very beautiful, full of the means of 
 livelihood: which I think I shall sometime remember, even 
 in a dream.” 
 
 Thus she spoke; and she ordered the divine swine-herd, 
 Eummus, to place the bow and the hoary steel for the suitors. 
 15ut weeping Eummus received it and laid it down : and the 
 herdsman wept from the other side, when he beheld the bow 
 of his master, but Antinous chided [them], and spoke and ad¬ 
 dressed them: 
 
 “Foolish countrymen, who think upon things of a day, ye 
 wretched pair, why now do ye shed a tear, and excite the 
 lady’s mind in her breast ? whose mind even otherwise lies in 
 grief, since she has lost her dear husband. But feast in silence, 
 
 ® I am umvilling to desert the authority of Eustathius, Apoll. Lex. p. 
 404, Ilesych. t. ii. ]). 028, Etym. Magn. s. v. fivOog, Cyrill. Lex. MS. 
 (quoted by Alberti on Ilesych. v. fiv9i]T)]peg, aTaaiaarai). and the Scho¬ 
 liast, in interpreting puOog in this i)assage. I am, however, willing to 
 admit, with Loewo, that Barnes’s exiilanation, making /xvOog hero equiv¬ 
 alent to TTpaypa, is more simple. 
 
89—127.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. 
 
 287 
 
 sitting down, or going out of doors, weep, leaving the bow 
 there, no despicable^ contest for the suitors; for 1 do not 
 tliink they will easily stretch this well-polished bow. For 
 there is not such a man among all these, as Ulysses was ; and 
 I myself saw him,—for I am able to remember,—but I was 
 still a child.” j 
 
 Thus he spoke; but his mind hoped in his breast, that he 
 would [be able to] stretch the string, and dart an arrow 
 through the steel. He however was the first to taste the ar¬ 
 row from the hands of'blameless Ulysses, whom he once dis¬ 
 honored, sitting in the palace, and excited all his companions 
 against him. And the sacred might of Telemachus addressed 
 them : 
 
 “Alas! truly hath Jove, the son of Saturn, made me fool¬ 
 ish. My dear mother, although she is prudent, says, that she 
 will follow another, leaving this house : but I laugh, and am 
 delighted in my foolish mind. But come, suitors, since this 
 contest has appeared, there is not such a woman now in the 
 Grecian land, nor in sacred Pylos, nor in Argos, nor Mycenc, 
 [nor Ithaca itself, nor black Epirus,] and ye yourselves know 
 this ; why need I praise my mother? But come, do not draw 
 aside with pretext, nor turn any more away a long time from 
 the stretching of the bow, that Ave may see you. And I my¬ 
 self would try the boAV; but if I shall stretch it, and dart 
 an arrow through the steel, my venerable mother, going with 
 another, should not leave this house for me sorrowing, when 
 I am left behind, able even now to obtain the glorious piizcs 
 of my sire.” 
 
 lie spoke ; and rushing upright, he put his purple cloak off 
 his shoulders ; and put his sharp sword from off his shoulders. 
 First indeed he placed the hatchets, digging one long trench 
 for all, and he directed it according to a rule ; and he stamped 
 in' the earth about them: but astonishment possessed all, 
 seeing how orderly he placed them; and he never before had 
 seen them. And he stood, going upon the threshold, and 
 tried the bow: thrice he bent it, anxious to draw it, but thrice 
 he let go the boAv, hoping this in his mind, that he Avould [bo 
 able to] stretch the string, and dart an arrow through the 
 
 ® I have followed Bnttmann, Lexil. p. 4, 7, Avliose discussion of the 
 nieaiiings of (hatroc deserves the utteiitiou of the student. 
 
 ’ fc>«e I'ji iiesti. 
 
 * 
 
28S 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. 
 
 [128—1G7, 
 
 steel. And now he would have stretched it by force, drawing 
 it a fourth time, but Ulysses nodded to restrain him, although 
 eager. And the sacred might of Telemachus addressed them : 
 
 “ Alas ! I shall either hereafter be a coward and weak, or 
 I am younger, and do not yet trust in my hands to ward oil' 
 a man, vvdien any one first provokes me. But come, you wlio 
 are better than me in strength, try the bow, and let us end tlio 
 contest.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, lie laid the bow from him upon the 
 ground, reclining it against the well-polished glued panels.* 
 and he reclined the swift weapon there against its beautiful 
 tip.® And he sat down again on the throne, from whence he 
 arose. But Antinous, son of Eupithes, addressed them : 
 
 “Eise in order to the right, all of you, beginning from the 
 place from whence the wine-pourer begins.” 
 
 Thus spoke Antinous, and his words pleased them. But 
 Lciodes, son of ^nops, rose first, who was their soothsayer, 
 and sat always inmost near the golden bowl: but wicked 
 deeds were hateful to liim alone, and he was indignant at all 
 the suitors: he then first took the bow and the sharp shaft; 
 and he stood, going on the threshold, and tried the bow; nor 
 did he stretch it; for he first wearied his hands, drawing it, 
 they being unpracticed and tender, and he addressed the suit¬ 
 ors : 
 
 “O friends, I can not stretch it; but let another also taker 
 it; for this bow will deprive many chieftains of their mind 
 and soul: since it is much better to die, than living to fail of 
 [the prize], on account of which we are always assembled 
 here, waiting all our days. Now indeed some one hopes in 
 his mind and meditates to marry Penelope, the wife of Ulys¬ 
 ses, but when he shall try the bow, and see it, then let him 
 woo some other of the well-clad Grecian women, seeking her 
 with bridal gifts; and let her then marry whoever gives her 
 most [bridal gifts], and comes destined to her.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, and placed the bow from him, reclining it 
 against the well-polished glued panels, and he reclined the 
 swift weapon there against its beautiful tip; and he sat down 
 again on his seat, from whence he arose. But Antinous 
 cliided him, and spoke a word and addressed him : 
 
 “ Eustatliius interprets Kpwvr], either by to too tCKou dupov, or to Ttjg 
 Ovpu(; ixianaoTpot], j)rcferring, l)ow«vcr, the former. 
 
iG8—20S.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. 
 
 289 
 
 “ O Leiodes, what word has escaped tliy lips, terrible and 
 grievous ? I am indignant at hearing it, if this bow shall in 
 truth de[)rive the chieftains of their mind and soul; since thou 
 canst not stretch it. For thy venerable mother did not bring 
 thee forth such an one as to be a drawer of the bow and ar¬ 
 rows ; but other noble suitors will soon stretch it.” 
 
 Tims he spoke; and he commanded Melanthius the gorit- 
 herd : “ Hasten now, light a fire in the palace, O Melanthius, 
 and neai^ it place both a large seat, and skins upon it, and 
 bring out a large roll of suet, which is Avithin, that Ave young 
 men, Avarming it,^ anointing it Avith fat, may try the boAV, and 
 end the contest.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and Melanthius immediately lighted the 
 unwearied fire; and bringing a seat, he placed it near, and 
 skins upon it, and he brought out a large roll of suet, Avhich 
 Avas Avithin, Avitli Avhich the young men, having Avarmed it, 
 tried it: nor could they stretch it, for they Avere very defi¬ 
 cient in strength. But Antinous still persisted, and godlike 
 Euryinachus, chiefs among the suitors : and they AA^ere far the 
 best in excellence. But tlie herdsman and the SAvine-herd of 
 divine Ulysses AA^ent out of the house, both going together. 
 And after them di\ine Ulysses Avent out of the house. But 
 Avhen they Avere now out of the gates, and the court, address¬ 
 ing them he spoke to them in mild Avords: 
 
 “ O herdsman, and thou, swine-herd, shall I tell some neAvs, 
 or shall I myself conceal it ? but my mind incites me to speak. 
 What kind of men Avould ye be to defend Ulysses, if he should 
 come from any Avhere A'ery suddenly, and some god should 
 bring liiiii ? Avould ye assist the suitors of Ulysses ? Tell me, 
 in Avhat AAmy your heart and mind commands you.” 
 
 But him the herdsman of oxen addressed in turn : O fa¬ 
 ther Jove, Avould tluit thou Avouldst accomplish this Avish, so 
 should that man come, and the deity should bring him, thou 
 shouldst knoAV Avhat my power and hands are,” 
 
 In like manner Euma3us pi’ayed to all the gods, that Aviso 
 Ulysses should return to his OAvn home. But Avhen he knoAv 
 their true disposition, immediately anSAA^ering them Avith words, 
 he addressed them: 
 
 “ Within indeed here am I myself, having sufiered many 
 evils, I have come in the tAventieth year to my paternal land. 
 
 ® i. e. tlic boAv. 
 
 N 
 
290 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXL 
 
 [209—247. 
 
 And I know how I am come welcome to you only of the serv¬ 
 ants : but I have not heard any one of the others praying that 
 I should again come returning home. But to you I will tell 
 ihe truth, how it shall be. If God subdues the noble suitors 
 under me, I will bring waves for both of you, and Avill bestow 
 possessions, and houses built near mine; and afterward ye 
 shall be the two companions and brothers of Telemachus. 
 Come, I wall now show' you some other plain sign (that yo 
 may know me w'ell, and be confirmed by a testimony in yoin 
 mind), the scar which once a boar inflicted on me with its 
 white tusk, wdien I w^ent to Barnassus, wath the sons of Au- 
 tolychus.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he drew^ back the rags from the great 
 scar. But they, w'hen they had beheld it, and had w'ell ascer¬ 
 tained every thing, w'ept, throw’ing their hands around wise 
 Ulysses, and embracing him, they kissed both his head and 
 shoulders. In like manner Ulysses kissed their heads and 
 hands. And the sun would have set wdiile they w^ere Aveep- 
 ing, had not Ulysses himself restrained them and spoke: 
 
 “ Cease from Aveeping and mourning; lest any one coming 
 out of the palace should see us, and should tell it also Avith- 
 in. But enter one after another, not all together; first I, 
 and afterAvard you : but let this sign be made ; all the others 
 indeed, as many as are noble suitors, Avill not suffer you to 
 give me the boAV and quiver ; but do thou, O divine Eumasus, 
 bringing the boAv through the palace, place it for mo in my 
 hands: and tell the Avomen to lock the closely-fitted doors 
 of the palace. But if any one should hear either a groan- 
 iim or a noise Avithin, of the men in our courts, let them not 
 advance out of doors, but remain there in silence at then* 
 Avork. But to thee, O divine Bhilcetius, I give in charge to 
 lock Avith a key the gates of the court, and quickly put the 
 chain over it.’’^^ 
 
 Thus having spoken, ho entered the AA'ell-built liouso: then 
 he AA'ont and sat doAvn upon the seat, from Avhenco he had 
 arisen : and the servants of divine Ulysses also Avent in. But 
 Kurymachus Avas noAv moving the boAv about in his hands, 
 Avarniing it on both sides Avith the llame of fire; but even so 
 
 “The seems to Inwe been a strap designed to close the onlt 
 
 aperture by which the bolt could be displaced, and the door ojH^iied,” 
 Cow per. 
 
247—28G.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. 
 
 291 
 
 he could not stretch it; and his glory-seeking heart groaned 
 greatly, and mourning he then spoke and said : 
 
 “ Alas ! truly there is grief for me both about myself, and 
 about all: I do not so much lament concerning the marriage, 
 although sorrowing: there are also many other Grecian wo¬ 
 men, both in sea-girt Ithaca itself, and in other cities ; but if 
 we are indeed so much inferior in strength to godlike Ulys¬ 
 ses, that we can not stretch the bow; a disgrace even for pos¬ 
 terity to hear.” 
 
 But him Antinous, son of Eupithes, addressed in turn: 
 “O Eurymachus, it will not be so; and thou thyself also know- 
 est it. For now there is a holy feast of the god^^ among the 
 people ; and Avho could stretch the bow ? but lay it aside 
 quietly: and let us also su^er all the hatchets to stand, for 
 1 think not that any one Avill take them away, entering the 
 palace of Ulysses, son of Laertes. But come, let the Avine- 
 pourer make the first ofierings Avith the cups, that having 
 made libations Ave may lay aside the crooked bow. But in 
 the morning desire Melanthius the goat-herd, to bring goats, 
 fur the best in all the fiocks, that ofiering thighs to boAv-re- 
 nowned Apollo, avc may try the boAV, and end the contest.” 
 
 Thus spoke Antinous; and his discourse pleased them. 
 And the heralds poured Avater upon their hands, and youths 
 croAvned the boAvls Avith Avine; and they distributed to all, 
 having made the first ofierings Avith the cups. But when 
 they had made libations, and drunk as much as their mind 
 Avished, much-planning Ulysses, devising a stratagem, address¬ 
 ed them : 
 
 “ Hear me, ye suitors of the illustrious queen, [Avhile 1 
 speak the things Avhich the mind in my breast desires me]. 
 But I especially beseech Eurymachus and godlike Antinous, 
 since he has spoken this Avord rightly-: noAv indeed cease from 
 the boAV, and commit it to the gods : but in the morning the 
 deity will giv’e strength to Avhom he is Avilling. But come, 
 give me the Avell-polished boAv, that I may try my hands and 
 strength Avith you, if I Iuiao still the strength, such as I be¬ 
 fore had in my bending limbs, or Avhether noAv my AA^andering 
 and Avant of care has destroyed it for me.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but they all Avere exceedingly indignant, 
 dreading lest he should stretch the Avell-polished boAV. And 
 
 Apollo. 
 
292 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXI. 
 
 [287—32.5 
 
 Anti nous chided him, and spoke a word, and addressed 
 him : 
 
 “ Ah wretched one of strangers ! tliou hast not even a little 
 understanding ; art thou not content, that thou feastest quiet¬ 
 ly among us most^- noble men? nor art thou at all deprived 
 of the banquet, but thou hearest our words and conversation : 
 nor does any other stranger and beggar hear our discourse. 
 Sweet wine hurts thee, which harms others also, whoever 
 takes it too abundantly, nor drinks properly. AVine also in¬ 
 spired the illustrious Centaur Eurytion in the palace of mag¬ 
 nanimous Pirithous, when he came to the Lapithm: but he, 
 when he had injured his mind with wine, in madness did 
 wicked deeds in the house of Pirithous : but grief seized upon 
 the heroo-s, and rushing upon them, they dragged them out 
 of doors through the vestibule, having cut off their ears and 
 nostrils with the sharp brass ; but he, injured in his feelings, 
 went about, enduring that calamity with a frantic mind, 
 from whence there was strife between the Centaurs and men, 
 for overcome with wine he brought the evil upon himself 
 first. So also I declare great mischief to thee, if thou stretch- 
 est the bow : for thou wilt not meet with any defense in our 
 house, but we will soon send thee in a black ship to king 
 Echetus, who injures all mortals; and thou wilt not be saved 
 from thence. But drink quietly, nor contend with younger 
 men.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn: O Anti- 
 nous, it is not indeed honorable or just to vex the guests of 
 Telemachus, whoever comes to this house. Dost thou expect, 
 if the stranger should bend the great bow of Ulysses, trusting 
 in his hands and his own might, that he would lead me home, 
 and make me his wife ? lie did not himself ever hope this in 
 his breast. Nor lot any one of you, on that account grieving 
 his mind, banquet here ; since indeed it is not tit.” 
 
 But her Eurymachu.s, son of Polybus, answered in turn : 
 ‘‘O jwudent Penelope, daughter of Icarus, we do not think 
 that he will carry thee home; nor is it likely : but being 
 ashamed of the rumor of men and women, lest at some time 
 some other of the Grecians who is worse should say. Very 
 inferior men indeed woo the wife of a blameless man; since 
 
 “ Observe this sense of CTrsp^taXetat. Sec Bnttiu. Lex. p. 414. 
 
32G—3G4.1 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXL 
 
 293 
 
 tliey can not bend the well-polished bow. But some other 
 beggar man coming as a wanderer, easily bent the bow, and 
 sent [the arrow] through the steel. Thus they will speak; 
 but tliese things would be reproaches to us.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn : “ O Euryma- 
 chus, it is not possible that they should be glorious among 
 the people, who consume the property of an excellent man, 
 doing him wrong. Why do ye bring these reproaches upon 
 yourselves ? But this stranger is very mighty [in stature] 
 and well compacted, and in race he boasts himself to be the 
 son of a good man. But come, give to him the well-polished 
 bow, that we may see: for thus I tell you, and this shall be 
 performed; if he should bend it, and Apollo should give him 
 glory, I will put a cloak ou him, and a tunic, beautiful gar¬ 
 ments. And I will give to him a sharp javelin, to ward off 
 dogs and men, and a double-edged sword: and I will give 
 him sandals under his feet, and will send him, wherever his 
 heart and mind desires him.” 
 
 But her prudent Telemachus answered in turn : O my 
 mother, no one of the Grecians is better than me, to give and 
 refuse the bow, to whom I am willing : neither as 'many as rule 
 over rugged Ithaca, nor as many as [rule] in the islands of 
 horse-feeding Elis. Of these no one shall force me against 
 my will, if I choose even to give the bow altogether to tlie 
 stranger, to take awjiy. But going into the house, take care 
 of thine own works, the web, and the distaff, and desire tliy 
 handmaidens to hasten their work : but the bow shall be a 
 care to all men, but especially mine: for the power in the 
 house is mine.'’ 
 
 She indeed astonished went back again into the house; for 
 she laid up in her mind the prudent discourse of her son. 
 And ascending to the upper room, Avith her women attend¬ 
 ants, she then bewailed Ulysses, her dear husband; until 
 blue-eyed Minerva shed sweet sleep over her eyelids. But 
 the divine swine-herd taking the bow, carried it; and all the 
 suitors in the palace chided him ; and thus some one of the 
 proud youths spoke: 
 
 ‘AVhere now art thou bearing the crooked bow, O unen¬ 
 viable swine-herd, Avanderinn; felloAv ? The swift dogs Avhich 
 thou hast nourished over thy SAvine shall soon consume thee 
 
ODYSSEY. XXL 
 
 294 
 
 [365—401. 
 
 away from men, if ApoWo and tli3 other immortal gods are 
 propitious to us.” 
 
 Thus they spoke ; but he taking them, laid them in their 
 place, fearing, because many in the palace chided him, Dut 
 Telemaclius from the other side cried out threatening: 
 
 “ Friend, bear the bow forward ; (perchance thou wilt not 
 obey all with advantage;) lest I, although younger, slmuld 
 drive you to the country, pelting thee with stones ; for I am 
 thy superior in strength. For would that I were so much 
 superior to all the suitors, as many as are in the house, in 
 my hands and strength ; then would I soon send some one in 
 a sad way to depart from my house ; since they devise evil 
 things.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, but all the suitors laughed pleasantly at 
 him ; and relaxed their severe anger against Telemachus: but 
 the swine-herd taking the bow through the house, standing 
 near to warlike Ulysses, placed it in his hands. And calling 
 her aside he addressed the nurse Euryclea: 
 
 ‘‘Telemachus desires thee, O prudent Euryclea, to lock the 
 closely-htted doors of the palace. And if any one should 
 hear a groahing or a noise within in our courts, let them 
 not advance out of doors, but keej^ there in silence at their 
 work.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but the Avord Avas uuAvinged: and she 
 ^ locked the doors of the Avell-built palace. And Phila^tlus 
 leaped out of doors in silence from the house, and then he 
 locked the gates of the AA-ell-inclosed court. Ilut there lay 
 under the portico a rope of a ship roAA-ed on both sides, made 
 of the tree Byblos, Avith Avhich he secured the gates, and him¬ 
 self Avent in. Then going he sat down upon the seat from 
 Avhence he had arisen, looking at Ulysses: but he Avas noAv 
 handling the boAv, turning it up on all sides, trying it on one 
 side and the other, for fear Avorms had eaten the horn, Avhile 
 the kin" AA^as absent. And thus some one said, lookiri" at 
 another near him: 
 
 “ Surely he is some admirer or stealer of boAA'S, or he has 
 such an one of his oavu at home, or he desires to make it: so 
 much does the Avanderer, skilled in evils, turn it in his hands 
 on this side and that.” 
 
 But another of the proud youths spoke in turn : “ Would 
 
402—434.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXL 
 
 295 
 
 that he may meet with so much profit, as he will some time 
 or other be able to bend this.”^'^ 
 
 Thus spoke the suitors ; but much-planning Ulysses, as soon 
 as he handled the large bow, and looked at it upon all sides, 
 as when a man skilled in the harp and in song easily stretches 
 a cord upon a new pin, joining on both sides the well-twisted 
 entrail of a sheep; so did Ulysses bend the great bow without 
 difficulty. l>ut with his riglit he laid hold of the string and 
 tried it; and it twanged beautifully, like unto a swallow in 
 voice. But great grief came upon the suitors, and the color 
 of all changed: but Jove thundered loudly, showing forth 
 signs. Then much-enduring divine Ulysses rejoiced, because 
 the son of wily-counseling Saturn had sent him an omen. 
 And he took a swift arrow, which lay near him on the table, 
 naked; but the others lay within the hollow quiver, which 
 the Grecians were soon about to experience. Taking it upon 
 his elbow, he drew the string, and the notch [of the arrow], 
 from thence, sitting on his seat; and he sent forth the arrow, 
 aiming opposite; but he did not miss all the hatchets from 
 the first ring,^^ and the brass-tipped arrow came entirely 
 through the door; but he addressed Telernachus: 
 
 ‘‘O Telemachus, the stranger sitting in the palace does not 
 disgrace thee; I have not at all missed the mark, nor did I 
 labor for a long time stretching the bow: still is my strength 
 firm ; not even thus do the suitors, dishonoring me, blame me. 
 But now it is time for the Grecians to prepare a supfoer in the 
 light, but then also to be otherwise rejoiced^^ with the song 
 and harp : for these are the adornments of a feast.” 
 
 He spoke, and nodded with his brows ; but Telernachus, the 
 dear son of divine Ulysses, girt his sharp sword around him: 
 and he threw his hand round his spear; and stood by him 
 near his seat, armed with shining brass. 
 
 i. c. as tlicre is cliancc of his doing so, spoken ironically. 
 
 ^TtLXtu) signifies that ])art of a hatchet in which the handle is in-, 
 sorted, and through which the arrow was then to bo shot. Old Transl. 
 
 * But see Eustathius apud Loewc. 
 
296 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 ri—2(1 
 
 BOOK XXII. 
 
 ARGUMP-NT. 
 
 Ulysses, with the aid of Telemachus, Eumoins, and Philoetius, slays all 
 the suitors: and twelve of the female servants who had had intercourse 
 with the suitors, are hanged by Telemachus and the herdsman. Me- 
 lanthius is also killed with greater torments. The herald Medon and 
 the bard Phemius only are saved. 
 
 But much-planning Ulysses stripped himself of his rags,^ 
 and leaped upon the large threshold, holding the bow, and 
 the quiver full of arrows: and he poured out the swift ar¬ 
 rows there before his feet; and addressed the suitors: 
 
 “ This decisive^ contest has at length been accomplished: 
 but now I will see whether I can hit^ another mark, which 
 no man as yet has struck, but may Apollo give me glory.” 
 
 lie spoke, and directed the bitter arrow against Antinous. 
 He indeed was about to take up a beautiful cup, golden, with 
 two ears; and he was now handling it with his hands, that 
 he might drink of wine : but slaughter was not a care to him 
 in his mind; (who, forsooth, would think among men ban¬ 
 queting, that one alone among greater numbers, although very 
 strong, would prepare evil death and black fate for him ?) 
 But Ulysses catching him on the throat, struck him with the 
 shaft: and the point came right through his tender neck. 
 And he was rolled to the other side, and the cup fell from the 
 hand of him stricken : and immediately a thick channel of 
 human gore came through his nostrils; and quickly he thrust 
 the table from him, striking it with his foot, and he poured 
 the viands to the ground; both bread and roasted flesh w'cre 
 polluted. But the suitors made a tumult in the house, when 
 they beheld the man fallen. And they leaped out of their 
 thrones, aroused throughout the house, looking about on all 
 
 sides to the well-built walls : nor was there auv where a 
 
 •/ 
 
 shield, or doughty spear, to lay hold of. And they chided 
 Ulysses witli wrathful words: 
 
 ^ It is most easy to translate yvfiv(^9ri as if it were the middle voice. 
 
 ‘ See Fishlake on Bnttm. l^exil. ]). 4, note. 
 
 “ I have construed these words as cquivalcut to eicrofiai al ics Tvx^ficu 
 cr.coTrov dWov. 
 
27—G3.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 297 
 
 “ Stranger, evilly dost thou shoot thine arrow at men: no 
 more wilt thou meet with other contests; now bitter ciesxruc- 
 tion is safe for thee. For thou hast just now slain a man, 
 who is far the best of the youths in Ithaca; therefore shall 
 the vultures eat thee here.” 
 
 Each man reflected,^ since they said that he did not will¬ 
 ingly slay the man ; but this, fools! they did not perceive, 
 how the limits of destruction were closely touching them, even 
 all [of them]. But much-planning Ulysses regarding them 
 sternly, addressed them: 
 
 ‘‘ O dogs, you no longer thought that I should come return¬ 
 ing home from the people of the Trojans, wherefore ye con¬ 
 sume my property, and lie perforce with my women-servants, 
 and woo my wife, I myself being alive, neither dreading the 
 gods, who possess the wide heaven, nor [fearing] that there 
 will bo any vengeance from men hereafter. Is'ow the limits 
 of destruction have closely touched you, even all [of you].” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and pale fear seized all of them ; [and each 
 looked about, where he might escape bitter destruction.] But 
 Eurymachus alone answering addressed him: 
 
 “ If indeed thou, the Ithacan Ulysses, hast come, thou hast 
 spoken these things rightly, how many things the Greeks have 
 done, many wicked deeds in the palace, and many in the 
 country. But he now lies down, who was the cause of all, 
 Antinous: for ho brought together these deeds; by no means 
 so much desiring or craving marriage, but thinking of other 
 things, which the son of Saturn has not accomplished : that 
 he might himself reign over the people of well-inhabited Ith¬ 
 aca, and having insnared thy son he would have slain him. 
 But he is now slain in fate; and do thou spare thy people *. 
 but "we afterward appeasing thee throughout the people, [as 
 to] Avhatever has been drunk and eaten in the palace, each 
 bringing as payment twenty beeves, will give both brass and 
 gold, until tliy heart is glad: but before there Avas no cause 
 of reproach for thy being angry.” 
 
 But him much-counseling Ulysses sternly regarding, ad¬ 
 dressed; “O Eurymachus, even if thou Avouldst give me all 
 your paternal property, Avhatever thou now hast, and should 
 add otlier things from any where, not even thus would I stop 
 
 * Sec Battm. Lexil. v- 270, sqq. The interi)retaticn of laKi is very 
 doubtful. 
 
 N 2 
 
298 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIL 
 
 [G4—9G. 
 
 mine hands from slaughter, before I had revenged all their 
 overbearing conduct upon the suitors. Ye now liave the 
 choice, either to fight against me, or to fly, whoever can es¬ 
 cape death and the Fates. But I do not think any one will 
 escape bitter destruction.*’ 
 
 Thus he spoke; and there their knees and heart were 
 loosed. But Eurymachus again a second time addressed 
 them: 
 
 “ O friends, for’" this man will not restrain his invincible 
 hands; but since he has taken the well-polished bow, and the 
 quiver, he will shoot arrows from the polished threshold, until 
 he has slain all of us: but lot us be mindful of battle: and 
 do ye draw your swords, and hold up the tables against the 
 quick-fated arrows ; and let us all hold together against him, 
 if we can thrust him out from the threshold and the door. 
 But let us go through the city, and let an alarm be raised as 
 quickly as possible. Then will this man soon shoot an ar¬ 
 row for the last time.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he drew his sharp sword of brass, 
 sharpened on both sides; and he leaped against him, shout¬ 
 ing dreadfully: but at the same time divine Ulysses sending 
 forth a shaft, struck him upon the breast, near the nipple, and 
 he fixed the swift weapon in his liver; and he threw his sword 
 upon the ground from his hand, and rushing round the table^’ 
 he fell staggering; and he poured the viands on the ground^ 
 and the round cup: and he smote the ground with his fore¬ 
 head, sorrowing in mind; and he shook his throne, kicking it 
 with both his feet: and darkness was shed over his eyes. 
 And Amphinomus came against glorious Ulysses rushing upon 
 him: and he drew his sharp sword, in case he might give 
 way from the door : but Telemachus anticipated him, striking 
 him from behind with a brass-pointed spear between the 
 shoulders, and he drove it through his breast: and he re¬ 
 sounded as he fell, and struck the ground with his whole fore¬ 
 head. But Telemachus rushed away, leaving the long spear 
 there in Amphinomus; for he very much feared, that some 
 
 ’ It is somcwliat clitTicult to express the force of yap in this i)assagc. 
 Ernesti renders it by enimvero, observing, “habet ttcWoiuj tptpaaiv, aj)- 
 tans Imic loco. Eniinvcro, ut hie se cornparat ct loquitur, non ccssabit 
 vim facere.’' 
 
 * i. c. the table where he sat. 
 
97—12G.j 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 299 
 
 one of the Grecians, as he was drawing out the long spear, 
 would either rush upon him and pierce him with a sword, or 
 strike him with a downward [blow]."^ But he went running; 
 and quickly came to his dear father; and standing near liim 
 he addressed to him winged words: ^ 
 
 “ O my father, now will I bring thee a shield and two 
 spears, and a brazen helmet, fitted to thy temples, and I my¬ 
 self will go and clothe myself; and I will give others to the 
 swine-herd and to the herdsman ; for it is better to be armed,” 
 
 lint him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: 
 “Bun, bring them, while I have arrows to defend myself, 
 lest they move me, being alone, away from the door.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and Telernachus obeyed his dear father. 
 And he went to the cliamber, where his illustrious arms lay. 
 From thence he took out four shields, and eight speai’s, and 
 four brazen helmets dense Avith horse-hair plumes; and he 
 went, carrying them, and very quickly he came to his dear 
 father. But he first of all put on brass around his body; and 
 in like manner the two servants put on beautiful arms, and 
 stood around wise, various-planning Ulysses. But he, as long 
 as he had arrows to ward them off, so long did ho still strike 
 one of the suitors in his own house, aiming at him, and they 
 fell near to each other. But when the arrows failed the king 
 shooting, he reclined his bow to stand against a pillar of the 
 well-built palace, against the all-shining walls: and he girt a 
 four-fold shield around his shoulders, and on his illustrious 
 head he placed a Avell-made helmet with a horse-hair plume, 
 and a terrible crest nodded from above; and he took two 
 strong spears tipped with brass. 
 
 Now there was a certain high-raised door^ in the well-built 
 
 ^ Supply a cognate substantive from rvipaQ. 
 
 ® Few })assages in the Odyssey present greater difficulties than the 
 present one. The ancient critics were quite uncertain, as will be evi¬ 
 dent from the following remarks. Eustathius observes, “ ’OpaoQvpr) here 
 t^ignifies some conspicuous entrance, having a high ai)j)roach, which 
 no one could reach without using a ladder, or jumping and leaj)ing uj) 
 to it, whence it was called opaoOvpi], i. e. Ovpa euj i]v opwrai tic, wish¬ 
 ing to sec out from thence.” The same etymology is given in Etym. 
 Magn. s. V. fob 13G, A. 2, Ilesych. t. ii. p. 780, di 57 c tanv opovaat Ka- 
 rafiaivovTa, and Apoll. Lex. Horn. s. v. Follux, i. 8 , 2, makes the 6pao~ 
 dvpa the same as the ap(pt9upoc, o])posite to which, as Kulin there ob- 
 eerves, another entrance (avriOvpoi') stood. The kSchol. on Eur. IVIed. 
 13d, explains dpcpiTruXov to mean rd txov ivo TrvXa£ ical tiaudevg, ptaif 
 
300 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 [127—137. 
 
 wall: and near the farthest threshold of the well-reared pal¬ 
 ace was a way to a narrow street, hut well-fitted doors 
 inclosed it: this Ulysses desired the swine-herd to guartl, 
 standing near it; for it was the only approach. Ilut Agc- 
 laus addressed them, speaking the Avord to all: 
 
 ‘‘O friends, will not some one go up to the high-raised 
 door, and tell the people? and there would A’ery quickly be 
 an alarm : then perchance this man will shoot an arrow for 
 the last time.” 
 
 . But him JMelanthius, the goat-herd, addressed in turn . “ It 
 is not possible, O Jove-nurtured Agelaus; for very near are 
 the beautiful doors of the hall, and difficult is the mouth of the 
 
 fi'ev T)p' avBevTiKi'jV, Lrspav i,v"Oiii]poQ Xtyn cpao£vpr]v. As none of 
 the commentators appear satisfied on the point, I will projjose my own 
 explanation. The particle ct in vs. 127, is used adversatively, and shov s 
 that the b£u£ tiQ 'Kavppv, was distinct from the dpaoOvpp. Enma;ns {ewi 
 v(popl3<'g in vs. 129) is ordered to guard the former way, while the suit, 
 ors, especially Agelaus, sought to reach the dpaoOvpi], which led to the 
 armory-chamber, to which JMelanthius afterward ascended (vs. 142), 
 and there met his death (174, sqq.). The expression pwyag ptyapoio, 
 in vs. 143, appears to be identical -with the cpaoGvpri, especially if we 
 compare dvsjiaive in vs. 142, with di>' cpaoGvpyjv dvaftaii] in vs. 132. 
 Now, although the alarm might be given from the chamber, to which the 
 opooBvpp led (vss. 133, sq.), yet there was but one entrance {pia i<popprj, 
 vs. 130), by which the pcoj)le could liave rushed to the assistance of the 
 suitors, and defeated the j)urj)osc cf Ulysses (vs. 134). But JMelanthius 
 objects that it was no use to give the alarm, because the door of the hall 
 was close by, and the entrance to the Xavpa was difficult (i.* e. narrow, 
 hard of access). It appears to me that the chief difficulty arises from 
 misunderstanding the sense of Aoi'pa, Avhich tlie grammarians (see Alberti 
 on Hesych. t. ii. j). 434, and I’ollux, ix. 5) unite in interjircting “a nar¬ 
 row street,” bi tjg a Xadc tlaipx^Tai, or aTivtoTrog. Ilesychius is jierbaps 
 nearest the truth, when he also says, rvTrog 7rp<)g viroxwpiiciv dvtiptvog, 
 the cxedra of the Latins (cf. Vitruv. v. 11), or the TrapaardXxg of Bollux, 
 vii. 27. But I believe that Xavpriv here = KOTrputva, or ittiwv (cf. Bollux, 
 V. 14), “a jakes” or “draught.” So it is used by Aristoj)h. I’ac. ir)7, 
 TToi TrapaKXivftg Tevg puKvi'ipog Trpbg rdg Xavpag. Nor am I quite with¬ 
 out ancient authority for this su))position; for Tlipponax, according to 
 the Etym. JMagn. s. v. ubog, fol. 132, A. 2, understood it in the same 
 sense. If we compare the house of Sallust discovered at Boinjieii (see 
 Library of Entertaining Knowledge, Bompeii, vol. ii. pp. 109, 121), we 
 shall find that the Xavpa was situated very near the avX)}, as well as that 
 it Avas closely connected with the private apartments; we may therefore 
 fairly understand the mention of the avXt] in vs. 137, as well as the dif¬ 
 ficulty of entrance {dpyaXiov cropa Xai'ppg), of which JMelanthius speaks. 
 1 have how'cver translated the ])assagc according to the old interpreta¬ 
 tion, leaving this new exjjlanation to the consideration of other scholars 
 
138—17G.] 
 
 OX)YSSEY. XXII. 
 
 301 
 
 narrow road; and even one man, who is valiant, would hin¬ 
 der us all. Ikit come, I will bring you arms from the cham¬ 
 ber wherewith to be equipped: for within, I think, nor any 
 where else have Ulysses and his illustrious son laid up the 
 arms.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, Melanthius the goat-herd ascended to 
 the chambers of Ulysses, through the narrow parts of the 
 palace: from thence he took out twelve shields, and so many 
 spears, and so many brazen helmets, dense with horse-hair; 
 and he went, and quickly carrying them, gave them to the 
 suitors. Then the knees and heart of Ulysses were loosed, 
 when ho beheld them putting on the arms, and shaking the 
 long spears in their hands; but it appeared to him a dread¬ 
 ful deed. And quickly he addressed to Telemachus winged 
 words: 
 
 “ O Telemachus, certainly some one of the women in the 
 palace, or JNlelanthius, excites an evil war against us.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : “ O father, 
 I myself erred in this (nor is any one else the cause), who 
 having opened the closely-fitted door of the chamber left it: 
 but their spy was better. But come, divine Eumreus, shut 
 the door of the chamber, and see if it is any one of the women 
 who does these things, or Melanthius, son of Dolius, whom I 
 think [it is].” 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another. But IMelanthius the goat¬ 
 herd went again to the chamber, to bring the beautiful arms: 
 but the divine swine-herd perceived him, and immediately ad 
 dressed Ulysses being near : 
 
 ‘‘ O noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, again is 
 that wicked^ man, whom we ourselves suspected, going to the 
 chamber: but do thoii tell me plainly, whether I shall kill 
 him, if indeed I should be superior [to him]; or bring him 
 here for thee, that thou mayest be revenged for the many oveiv 
 bearing deeds which he has devised in thine house.” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: “I 
 myself and Telemachus will keep off the noble suitors within 
 the palace, although very eager: but do ye two turning back 
 his feet and hands above, throw him into the chamber, and 
 fasten the doors behind you ; and binding a twisted rope from 
 him, draw him up a lofty pillar, and make him draw nigh, ta 
 ® On dt57]\oc see Buttm. Lexil. p. 47, sqq. 
 
302 ODYSSEY. XXII. [177—213. 
 
 tliG rafters, that for a long time, being alive, he may sutfer 
 severe griefs.’’ 
 
 Thus he spoke; but they indeed heard him, and obeyed: 
 and they went to the chamber; and they escaped the notice 
 of him who was within. Pie indeed was searching for arms 
 in the recess of the chamber: but they stood on each side re¬ 
 maining near to the pillars. AVhen Melanthius, the goat-herd, 
 came over the threshold, in one hand indeed bearing a beau¬ 
 tiful helmet, but in the other a wide shield, old, "spoiled with 
 dryness, belonging to the hero Laertes, which he had carried 
 when a youth: at that time it lay aside, and the sewings of 
 the thongs were loosed. But they rushing upon him seized 
 him, and dragged him within by the hair: and they cast liiiii 
 down on the pavement sorrowing in his heart. And they 
 bound his hands and feet together with a mind-grieving bond, 
 having turned them very well entirely back, as the much-en¬ 
 during son of Laertes, divine Ulysses, had commanded them. 
 And binding a twisted rope from him, they drew him up a 
 lofty pillar, and made him draw near to the rafters. But him 
 thou didst with gibing address, O swine-herd PAimmus: 
 
 “ Now, O Melanthius, shalt thou watch during the whole 
 night, lying down upon a soft bed, as becomes thee: nor will 
 the mother of dawn coming upon thee in her golden throne, 
 from the streams of the ocean, escape thee, when thou drivest 
 goats for the suitors to the house, to get ready a feast.” 
 
 Thus was he left there, stretched in a woeful bond. But 
 they, having put on arms, and shut the shining door, went to 
 wise, crafty Ulysses. There they stood breathing fortli might; 
 those who Avere upon the threshold, four in number; but 
 those within the Iiouse, many and brave.. But jNiinerva, daugh¬ 
 ter of Jove, came near them, likened unto INIentor both in per¬ 
 son and voice. And Ulysses rejoiced on seeing her, and spoke 
 thus: 
 
 “ IMentor, ward olf the fight, and remember me a dear com¬ 
 panion, who have done thee good, and thou art of the same 
 age with me.*’ 
 
 Thus he spoke, thinking that it Avas IMinerva, the defender 
 of the people. But the suitors from the other side Avere 
 threatening in the palace; first indeed Agelaus, son of l)a- 
 mustor, chided her: 
 
 “■Mentor, let not Ulysses wrongly persuade thcQ Avith, 
 
214—251.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 S03 
 
 words to against the suitors, and to defend him himself. 
 For thus I deem tliat our counsel will be accomplished ; wlien 
 we have slain them, both father and son, then thou wilt be 
 slain among them, such things dost thou meditate to do in 
 the palace; and thou wilt atone for them with thy own head. 
 Ilut when we shall have taken away thy strength with the 
 brass, thy possessions, whatever thou hast, both those within, 
 and those out of doors, we will mix with the possessions of Ulys¬ 
 ses: nor will we suffer thy sons or daughters to dwell in thy 
 palaces, nor thy prudent wife to abide in the city of Ithaca.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but Minerva was more enraged at heart, 
 and she chided Ulysses with wrathful words: 
 
 “ No longer is thy strength firm, O Ulysses, nor hast thou 
 any courage, such as Avhen thou foughtest after nine years 
 with the Trojans, over, without ceasing, for white-armed, ro- 
 ble-born Ileleny and many men didst thou slay in terrible 
 strife, and by thy counsel was the wide-wayed city of Troy 
 taken. How now then, when thou art come to thine own 
 house and possessions, dost thou fail in being valiant’® against 
 the suitors ? But come hither, my soft friend, stand near me, 
 and behold a deed, that thou mayest see, what an one Mentor 
 Alcimedes is among hostile men, to requite benefits.” 
 
 She spoke; and did not yet altogether give them a decided” 
 victory, but still tried the strength and courage both of Ulys¬ 
 ses and of his glory-seeking son. But rushing up to the roof 
 of the shining palace, she sat down, like unto a swallow to be¬ 
 hold. But Agelaus, son of Damastor, incited the suitors as 
 also [did] Euryriomus, and Arnphirnedon, and Demoptolemus, 
 and Ifisander, son of Folyctor, and warlike Polybus; for in 
 valor they were far the best of the suitors, as many as were 
 still alive, and they fought for their lives: but the others the 
 bow and the fleet arrows had already subdued. And Agelaus 
 spoke to them, addressing discourse to all: 
 
 ” O friends, now will this man restrain his invincible hands; 
 even Mentor has gone, having spoken vain prayers for him, 
 and they are left alone at the first gates. Now therefore do 
 
 d\o(pvpeai. Schol. (XTrodeiXulc, V7roicf'h’:p, vTro^dcTTepog y'ivy. 
 
 ” Cf. yEscIi. Pers. 1)5G, and Alberti on ilesycli. t. ii. p. 1481. The 
 more literal meaniiifx would be, “she did not yet give them a victory 
 that overcame the other side.” The word appears to be here used act¬ 
 ively =“ conquering the other side.” It is generally the reverse. 
 
304 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIL 
 
 [251—21);5. 
 
 not all at the same time send forth your long spears ; but 
 come, six of you hurl first, if Jove Avill grant that Ulysses 
 may be wounded, and that we obtain renown : but for the 
 others there is no care, when he at least shall have fallen.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and tliey all eager hurled their javelins, 
 as he commanded ; but Minerva made them all vain. One 
 of them struck the pillar of the Avell-reared palace, another 
 the closely-fitted door ; and the ashen shaft of another, heavy 
 with brass, fell in the wall. But when they had avoided the 
 spears of the suitors, to them much-enduring divine Ulysses 
 began discourse: 
 
 “ O friends, now would I say that we should hurl our jav¬ 
 elins into the crowd of the suitors, who desire to slay us in 
 addition to the former evils.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and they all hurled their sharp spears, 
 aiming opposite : Ulysses slew Demoptolemus, and Telema- 
 chus Euryades, and the swine-herd Elatus, and the herdsman 
 of oxen slew Pisander: then all of them bit the immense floor 
 with their teeth. But the suitors retreated to the recess of 
 the palace: but they rushed upon them, and took out the 
 spears from the dead. And the suitors again eager hurled 
 their sharp spears; but Minerva made many of them vain. 
 One of them struck the pillar of the well-reared palace, an¬ 
 other the closely-fitted door; and the ash of another, heavy 
 with brass, fell in the wall. But Arnphimedon struck Telem- 
 achus on the hand at the wrist, so as to graze, and the brass 
 hurt the surface of the skin. But Ctesipjius grazed Eumasus 
 upon the shoulder over his shield, with his long spear, but it 
 flew over and fell to the ground. But they again with wise, 
 crafty Ulysses, hurled their sharp spears into the crowd of 
 suitors; then city-destroying Ulysses struck Eiirydamus, and 
 Telemachus Arnphimedon, and the swine-herd Polybus; then 
 the herdsman of oxen struck Ctesippus on the breast; and 
 boasting over him, addressed him : 
 
 “ O son of Polytherses, lover of gibing, do not, yielding to 
 thy folly, altogether speak bigly, but leave words to the gods; 
 since they are much superior. This is an hospitable gift for 
 thee in turn for the foot which thou once gavest godlike Ub-s- 
 ses, while beoMn" throuo-h the house.” 
 
 Jdie herdsman of curved-horned oxen spoke ; but Ulysses 
 vvounded the son of Damastor hand to hand with a long spear; 
 
21)4—329.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 305 
 
 and Telemachus wounded Leiocritus, son of Evenor, with a 
 spear, in the middle of the belly, and he drove the brass en¬ 
 tirely through ; and he fell on his face, and smote the earth 
 with his whole forehead. Then Minerva held up her man- 
 destroying MCgis on high from the roof; and their minds were 
 buttered. And they fled through the palace, like herding 
 cattle, upon which a swift gad-fly has rushed, and thrown 
 into confusion, in the spring-time, when the days are long. 
 'J'hey, like as crooked-clawed, bow-beaked^^ vultures, coming 
 from the mountains, pounce upon the birds which go along, 
 crouching at the nets in the plain, but they, leaping upon 
 them, destroy them, nor is there any defense, or escape ; and 
 men rejoice in the prey: so they, rushing upon the suitors in* 
 the house, struck them upon all sides; and there arose an 
 unseemly mourning from them, while their heads were strick¬ 
 en ; and the whole pavement bubbled with gore. And Leio- 
 des rushing seized the knees of Ulysses, and supplicating him, 
 spoke winged words: 
 
 “I implore thee, O Ulysses; and do thou reverence me, 
 and pity me; for I do not think that to any of the women in 
 the palace I have spoken or done any thing wicked: but I 
 even restrained the other suitors, whoever did such things. 
 l>ut they did not obey me, so as to keep off their hands from 
 evil deeds. Therefore through their wickedness they have 
 ilrawn on an unseemly fate, lint I, a soothsayer among 
 them, having done nothing, will fall. Thus are there no 
 thanks hereafter for good deeds.” 
 
 Ilut him much-counseling Ulysses sternly regarding, ad¬ 
 dressed : “ If indeed thou dost profess to be a soothsayer 
 among them, oftentimes then thou must have prayed in the 
 palace, that the end of a sweet return might be far from me, 
 and that my dear wife might follow thee, and bring forth 
 children [to thee]: therefore shalt thou not escape sad-slum- 
 bering death.” 
 
 'J'hus having spoken, he took in his strong hand a sword, 
 lying down, which Agelaus, when slain, threw from him upon 
 the ground; with this he smote him in the middle of the 
 neck. And the head of him crying out was mixed in the dust. 
 
 i Cf. Yirg. Georg, iii. 14G, sqq. ; .Apollon. Rhod. i. 12G5, sqq. with 
 
 I the Scholiast. 
 
 “ So Cowper. 
 
30G 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 [330—370. 
 
 But Phemius, son of Terpius, the bard, avoided black Fate, 
 who indeed had sung among the suitors through compulsion ; 
 and he stood holding the clear-toned harp in his hands, near 
 the high gate: and he meditated two Avays in his mind, 
 whether, going out of the palace, he should sit at the Avell- 
 built altar of mighty Hercaean Jove, where Laertes and Ulys¬ 
 ses burned many thighs of oxen ; or rushing to Ulysses, should 
 supplicate him at his knees. And thus to him considering 
 it seemed to be better to take hold of the knees of Ulysses, 
 son of Laertes. He indeed placed the hollow harp upon the 
 ground, betAveen the cup and the silver-studded throne: but 
 he himself then rushing to Ulysses, laid hold of his knees, 
 'and supplicating him, spoke Avinged Avords: 
 
 “ I entreat thee, O Ulysses; and do thou re\'erc me and 
 pity me: there Avill be sorroAv to thee thyself hereafter, if 
 thou slayest me, a bard, Avho sing to gods and men. But I 
 am self-taught; and God has breathed into my mind all 
 kinds of songs; and I am able to sing to thee as to a god; 
 therefore dp not be desirous to cut off my head. Even Telem- 
 achus, thy beloved son, Avould say thus, hoAV neither Avilling- 
 ly, nor desiring [to do so], I have resorted to thy house, to 
 sing at feasts to the suitors, but many more and superior men 
 brought me by compulsion.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and the sacred might of Telemachus heard 
 him, and he immediately addressed his father, Avho Avas near: 
 
 “ lie strain thyself, nor by any means Avound this blameless 
 man Avith the brass. And Ave Avill save the herald Medon, 
 Avho always took care of me in our house, Avhile I Avas a child ; 
 
 V if indeed Philmtius, or the SAvine-herd, have not already slain 
 him, or he has met Avith thee Avhen aroused in the house.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but Medon, Avho kenned prudent things, 
 heard him ; for he lay crouching under a throne, and a neAvly" 
 flayed skin of an oxAvas put around him, avoiding black Fate. 
 And he immediately arose from the throne, and quickly put 
 off tlie ox hide, then rushing to Telemachus, he laid hold of 
 his knees, and supplicating him, spoke Avinged Avords: 
 
 “ O friend, I indeed am here ; but do thou restrain thyself; 
 and speak to thy father, lest, being excessively powerful, he 
 destroy me Avith the shar}) brass, enraged against the suitors, 
 Avho haA’e AA'asted his Avealth in the palace, but, fools! did not 
 honor thee.” 
 
371—113.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 307 
 
 But much-planning Ulysses, smiling on him, addressed him : 
 “ Be confident, since he has freed thee and saved thee, that 
 thou mayest know in thy mind, and mayest also tell to an' 
 other, how far better doing good is than doing evil. But go¬ 
 ing out of the palace into the hall, sit out of doors, away from 
 the slaughter, thou and the much-voiced bard, while I labor 
 in the house, what I have need.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and they two went out, going from the 
 palace. Tlien they sat at the altar of mighty Jove, looking 
 about on all sides, continually expecting death. But Ulysses 
 looked about in his bouse, whether any one of men still alive 
 was concealed, avoiding black Fate. And he saw them all 
 fallen in blood and dust, in great numbers, as fish, which the 
 fishermen have drawn upon the hollow beach out from the 
 hoary sea with a net of many holes: and they all regretting 
 the waves of the sea have been poured out upon the sands, 
 but their life the shining Sun has taken away: thus then the 
 suitors were poured over one another. Then at length much- 
 planning Ulys.ses addressed Telemachus : 
 
 “ Telemachus, come, call to me the nurse Euryclea, that 1 
 may tell her something which is in my mind.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and Telemachus obeyed his dear father; 
 and moving the door, he addressed the nurse Euryclea: “Now 
 arise [to come] hither, O ancient old woman, thou who art the 
 overseer of our women-servants in the palace : come; my fa¬ 
 ther calls thee, that he may tell thee something.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and to her the word was unwinged ; and 
 she opened the gates of the well-inhabited palace, and hasten¬ 
 ed to go : but Telemachus first led the way. She then found 
 Ulysses among the slain and dead, besmeared with blood and 
 gore ; like as a lion who comes, having devoured a field-dwell¬ 
 ing ox, and all his breast, and his cheeks on both sides arc 
 bloody; and he is terrible in his visage to behold: thus was 
 Ulysses besmeared as to his feet and hands above. But slie, 
 when she beheld the corses, and the immense (juantity of 
 blood, proceeded to shout out, since she beheld a terrible 
 deed ; but Ulysses restrained and hindered her, although ea¬ 
 ger, and addressing her, he spoke winged words : 
 
 “Rejoice, O aged woman, in thy mind, and restrain thyself, 
 nor shout out; it is not holy to boast over slain men. But 
 the fate of the gods has subdued the.,c, and their foolish deeds; 
 
308 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 [414—454. 
 
 for they respected no one of mortal men, either wicked or good, 
 whoever came to them ; therefore through their infatuation 
 they have drawn on an unseemly fate. But come, do thou 
 enumerate to me the women in the palace, both who dishonor 
 me, and who are innocent.” 
 
 But him the dear nurse Euryclca addressed in turn: 
 “Therefore, my child, will I tell thee the truth. Thou hast 
 fifty women-servants in the palace, which we have taught to 
 work works,to card fleeces, and to endure servitude: of 
 these twelve have trod the path of shamelessness, neither I’e- 
 specting me nor Penelope herself. But Telemachus has but 
 lately grown up, nor did his mother suffer him to give direc¬ 
 tions to the women-servants. But come, ascending to the 
 beautiful upper room, I will tell thy wife, upon whom some 
 god has brought on sleep.” 
 
 But her much - planning Ulysses answering addressed : 
 “ Do not yet rouse her up; but do thou bid the women come 
 hither, who have before devised disgraceful deeds.” 
 
 Thus^ he spoke; and the old woman went through tlie pal- 
 aee to tell the women, and to incite them to return. But he, 
 calling Telemachus and the herdsman and swine-herd to him, 
 spoke winged words : 
 
 “Now begin to carry away the dead, and bid the women 
 [do soj ; and then clean the very beautiful thrones and tables 
 with water and much-perforated sponges. But when ye have 
 arranged all things in the house, takino; the handmaidens out 
 of the well-reared palace, strike them with long-pointed swords 
 between the dome and the spotless court of the hall, until 
 ye have taken away the lives of all of them, and they have 
 forgotten Venus, whom they enjoyed with the suitors, and 
 ■were mingled secretly [in love].” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and the Avomen came all together, lament¬ 
 ing sadly, shedding the Avarm tear. First indeed then they 
 carried aAvay the dead corses, and they placed them under the 
 portico of the Avell-inclosed court, resting against each other:^^ 
 and Ulysses himself gave directions, hastening them : and they 
 carried them out even by compulsion. But Avlien they had 
 clejinsed the very beautiful thrones and tables, Avith Avater, and 
 much-perforated sponges. But Telemachus and the herds- 
 
 Observe the ancient pleonastic form of expression. 
 
 '* In order to support the weight. 
 
f54—487.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXII. 
 
 309 
 
 man and s\vine-lierd polished the pavement of the stout-built 
 house with scrapers; and the handmaidens carried away [the 
 dirt], and put it out of doors. But Avhen they had put in or¬ 
 der the whole palace throughout, leading out the handmaid¬ 
 ens from the well-made palace, between the dome, and the 
 spotless court of the hall, they shut them up in a narrow pal¬ 
 ace, from w'hence it was not possible to escape. And pru¬ 
 dent Teleinachus began to address them : 
 
 “ I would not indeed take away the life of these [w'omen] 
 with a pure death,these, who have poured reproaches upon 
 my head, and upon my mother, and have slept wnth the suit¬ 
 ors.” 
 
 Tlius he spoke ; and fastening the cable of an azure-prowed 
 ship to a tall column, he threw it round the dome, stretching 
 it out on high, that no one might reach the ground with her 
 feet. But as wdien cither broad-winged thrushes or doves 
 strike against a net, which stood in a thicket, as they are en¬ 
 tering their nest, and a hateful bed has received them : so 
 they held their heads in order, and around all their necks were 
 cords, that they might die as miserably as possible. And they 
 struggled convulsively with their feet for a little while, not 
 very long. And they brought Melanthius out through the 
 vestibule and the hall; his nostrils and cars they cut off with 
 the cruel brass; and his secret parts they drew out, for the 
 dogs to eat raw, and they lopped off his hands and feet, W'itli 
 wrathful mind. They then having washed their hands and 
 feet, went to the house, to Ulysses: and the work was com¬ 
 pleted. But he addressed the dear nurse Euryclea: 
 
 “Bring sulphur, O old woman, as a remedy for ills,^” and 
 bi-ing me lire, that I may fumigate the palace: and do thou 
 desire Penelope to come hither, 'with her women attendants: 
 and order all the handmaidens in the house to come.” 
 
 But him the dear nurse Euryclea addressed in turn : “ Of 
 a truth, indeed, my child, hast thou spoken these things right¬ 
 ly. But come, I will bring thee garments, both a cloak and 
 
 Eustathius observes, Ka9apbg pev u bid ^i(pov£ tboKti OdvaTog, piapog 
 b't 6 dyxovipaTog. Nevertheless, hanging, in later days, was the favorite 
 death with the heroines of tragedy. 
 
 It was customary 40 make a lustration in a house in which murder 
 or slaughter had been eommitted. The student will find illustrations in 
 Lomcier de Lustration, § xxx. 
 
310 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. [488—501. xxiii. 1—12. 
 
 tunic : nor do thou stand thus in the palace, having thy broad 
 slioulders covered with rags: it would be matter for indigna¬ 
 tion.” 
 
 But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: 
 “ First of all now let me have fire in the palace.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; nor did the dear nurse Furyclea disobey 
 him, and she brought fire and sulphur: and Ulysses Avell fu¬ 
 migated the palace, and tlie house, and the hall. The old. 
 woman then went up through the beautiful house of Ulysses, 
 to tell the women, and to urge them to come: and they came 
 from the palace, holding a torch in their hands. They in¬ 
 deed were poured around him, and greeted Ulysses, and em¬ 
 bracing him, they kissed his head and shoulders, laying hold 
 of his hands: but a sweet desire of wailing and mourning 
 possessed him ; for he knew them all in his mind. 
 
 BOOK XXIII. 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Penelope, after some hesitation, recognizes Ulysses, and he gives satis¬ 
 factory proofs of his return. lie gives a brief narrative of his adven¬ 
 tures. In the morning Ulysses, Telemachus, Eumteus, and Philsetius, 
 leave the city in order to go to Laertes. 
 
 And the old woman went up to the upper room exulting, 
 to tell her mistress that her dear husband wtis within ; and 
 her knees were strengthened, tuid her feet hastened on and 
 she stood over her head, and tiddressed her: 
 
 “ Arise, Penelope, dear child, that thou mayest behold with 
 thine eyes, things which thou desirest all thy dtiys: Ulys.ses 
 has arrived, and has reached home, although having come 
 late. And he has slain the liaughty suitoi’s, who injured his 
 liousc, and consumed his wealth, and treated his son with vi¬ 
 olence.” 
 
 But her ])rudent Penelope addressed in turn: “ Dear 
 nurse, the gods have driven thee frantic; who indeed are able 
 to make one foolish, although one be very wise, and have 
 
 * 'YTTtpiKTaii'ovTo (from tKTaf)),=tKtvovvTo. Lex. ^IS. apud Alberti 
 uu Ilcsycli. t. ii. p. 1451), “jtcilcs cito commovebat propter liutitium.” 
 
13-54.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 311 
 
 changed a vain-minded person to prudence ; they have hurt 
 even thee; but before thou wast right in tliy understanding. 
 Wliy dost thou taunt me, who have a much-sorrowing mind, 
 speaking these out-of-the-way things'? and wliy hast thou 
 upraised me from pleasant sleep, which bound me, covering 
 around my dear eyelids 1 . For never have I slept such a slce[), 
 since Ulysses went to see ill-Troy, not to be named. But 
 come, descend now, and go back to the palace. For if any 
 one else of the women, whom 1 have, had come telling me 
 these things, and had raised me up from sleep, then would I 
 soon have sent her back severely, to return again within the 
 palace ; but in this thy old age will profit thee.” 
 
 But her the dear nurse Euryclea addressed in turn: “I do 
 not taunt thee, dear child; but Ulysses truly is come, and has 
 reached home, as I say, the stranger, whom all dishonored in 
 the palace; but Telemachus some time since knew him, being 
 within, but by his prudence he concealed his knowledge of his 
 father, that he might be revenged on the violence of haughty 
 men.” 
 
 Thus she spoke; but she rejoiced, and leaping from her 
 bed, embraced the old woman, and from her eyelids sent forth 
 a tear; and addressing her, she spoke winged words: 
 
 “ Come, dear nurse, tell me truly, if he indeed has reached 
 home, as thou sayest, how did he lay hands upon the shame¬ 
 less suitors, being alone, while they always remained together 
 within.” 
 
 But her the dear nurse Euryclea addressed in turn : “ I did 
 not sec, nor did 1 impure, but I heard only the groaning of 
 them being slain ; but we, atirighted, sat in the recess of the 
 well-built chambers, and the well-fitted doors held fast; before 
 that thy son Telemachus called me from the palace: for his 
 father sent him on to call me. Then I found Ulysses stand¬ 
 ing among the slain corses; but they around him possessing 
 the stone-paved ground, lay upon one another: thou Avouldst 
 have rejoiced in thy mind, beholding him [bedaubed witli blood 
 and gore, like a lion]. Now indeed they ai-c all together at 
 the court gates: but he is fumigating the most beautiful 
 house, having kindled a great lire: but he sent me on to call 
 thee. But follow, that both of you may obtain delight in 
 your dear hearts; since ye have suflered many evils. Jbit 
 now ut length this long hope is accom[)lished. lie himself 
 
312 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 [55-^89. 
 
 lias come alive to the hearth, and he has found thee, and his 
 son in the palace; but the suitors who treated him evilly, he 
 has revenged himself upon .all of them in his own house.” 
 
 But her prudent Penelope addressed in turn : “ O dear 
 nurse, do not by any means boast greatly, exulting; for thou 
 knowest how Avelcomc he would appear to all in the palace, 
 but especially to me, and to my son, to whom we gave life. 
 But this is not a true tale, as thou tellest it; but some one 
 of the immortals has slain the noble suitors, beino; indignant 
 at their mind-grieving insolence and evil deeds: for they hon¬ 
 ored no one of mortal men, either bad or good, whoever came 
 to them; wherefore through their infatuation have they suf¬ 
 fered ill: but Ulysses has lost his return, far away from 
 Achaia, and has himself perished.” 
 
 But her the dear nurse Euryclea then answered: “ IMy 
 child, what word has escaped thy lips? didst thou never think 
 that thy husband, who was within at the hearth, Avould never 
 come home? but thy mind is ever incredulous. But come, I 
 will tell thee some other very plain sign ; the scar, which once 
 a boar inflicted upon him with his white tusk, this I perceived 
 while washing him: and I wished to tell thee thyself; but 
 he, taking hold of mo upon the mouth with his hands, did 
 not allow me to tell thee, through the great knowledge of his 
 mind. But follow^; and I’ w’ill lay dowm a pledge for my- 
 self,3 j deceive thee, that thou shalt kill me by a most 
 grievous destruction.” 
 
 But her prudent Penelope then answ’ored: “Dear nurse, it 
 is diflicult for thee to know' the counsels of the gods, who are 
 forever, although thou art very skillful; but, however, let us 
 go to my son, that I may see the dead suitors, and him who 
 slew them.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she w'ent dowm from the upper room; 
 but much did iier heart meditate, whether she should inquire 
 of her dear husband afar off, or standing near him, should 
 kiss his head, taking hold of his hands. But wdien she enter¬ 
 ed and passed over the stone threshold, then she sat opposite 
 
 ^ The full force of avTup seems to bo, “ and I, for my part, will,” etc. 
 
 ^ Cf. II. X. 254, Oeovg tTrifwpfOa, “let us give the gods as icitnesses.” \ 
 See Thiersch, p. 481, sq. xj/. 485, rpiTro^og Trfpidio/ufOa 7/e XejSr/Tog. | 
 Ilesychius, Trepidiocopai, avvBr/KOTvou/aopai, i. e. “1 will make this stip¬ 
 ulation Avith thee.” See Alberti on v. irepictbpeOu. 
 
89—130.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 313 
 
 Ulysses in the light of the fire, against the other wall: but 
 he sat against a tall pillar, looking down, expecting, whether 
 his noble wife would speak to him, when she beheld him with 
 her eyes. But she sat in silence for a long time, and aston¬ 
 ishment came upon her heart. At one moment indeed she 
 looked face to face at him with her eyes, but at another mo¬ 
 ment she knew him not, having evil garments on his body. 
 But Telemachus chided her, and spoke, and addressed her: 
 
 “ O mother mine, ill-mother, who hast a cruel mind, why 
 dost thou thus keep away from my father, nor sitting near 
 him, dost question [him] with words, or inquire? No other 
 woman indeed would thus with hardy mind have stood away 
 from her husband, who, having suffered many ills, had reached 
 his paternal land in the twentieth year: but thy heart is hard¬ 
 er than stone.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn: “My child, 
 my mind in my breast is astonished; neither can I speak any 
 word to him, nor inquire of him, nor regard his face opposite; 
 but if indeed it is Ulysses, and he has reached home, even bet¬ 
 ter shall we know one another; for there arc signs between 
 us, which we know, secreted from others.” 
 
 Thus she spoke ; but much-enduring divine Ulysses smiled, 
 and he immediately addressed to Telemachus winged words: 
 
 “Telemachus, suffer then thy mother in the palace to try 
 me; and soon she will-know me more certainly. But now, 
 because I am squalid, and am clothed with evil garments 
 around my body, therefore does she disregard me, and does 
 not yet account that I am he. But let us consider, how it 
 will be best. For a man having slain one man among a peo¬ 
 ple, who has not many avengers hereafter, flies, leaving his 
 relations and his paternal land: but we have slain the defense 
 of a city, those who are far the best of the youths in Ithaca; 
 therefore I beg of thee to consider.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: “Dost 
 thou look to these things, my dear father; for they say that 
 thy plan is the best among men, nor would any other man 
 among mortal men contend wdth thee. But we eagerly will 
 follow with thee, nor do I think that we shall at all want 
 tourage, whatever power we have.” 
 
 But him much-counseling Ulysses answering addressed: 
 ‘‘Therefore will 1 say, as it seems to me to be best. First 
 
 O 
 
314 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 [ 131 — 170 . 
 
 then wash yourselves, and put on tunics, and order the hand¬ 
 maidens in the palace to take their garments; and let the di¬ 
 vine bard, having the tuneful harp, lead for us the sport-lov¬ 
 ing dance, that any one may say it is a marriage, hearing it 
 from without, either going along the w'ay, or [if he be of those] 
 who dwell around: lest the wide rumor of the slaughter of 
 the suitors should arise throughout the city, before we go out 
 to our much-wooded farm : there then will we consider, what 
 gain Jove will vouchsafe us.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and they heard him well, and obeyed : first 
 then they washed themselves, and put on tunics; and the wo¬ 
 men made themselves ready, and the divine bard took the hol¬ 
 low harp, and stirred up among them the desire of the sw'eet 
 song, and the harmless dance. And the great house resound¬ 
 ed around with the feet of men and beautiful-girded women, 
 sporting. And thus some one said, hearing it from without 
 the dwelling: 
 
 “ Of a truth, indeed, some one has married the much-wooed 
 queen: foolish woman! nor has she endured to guard the 
 large house of her virgin husband continually, until that he 
 should come.” 
 
 Thus indeed some one said; but they knew not these 
 things, how they were done. And the housekeeper, Euryn- 
 ome, washed magnanimous Ulysses in his own house, and 
 anointed him with oil; and she threw a beautiful robe around 
 him, and a tunic. But Minerva shed much beauty down from 
 his head, [and made him]^ taller and larger to behold: and 
 from his head she sent down curled hair, like unto an hyacin- 
 thine flower. As when some skillful man pours gold around 
 silver, whom Vulcan and Pallas Minerva have taught all kinds 
 of art, and he executes graceful works: so around his head 
 and shoulders did she pour grace. And he went out of the 
 bath in person like unto the immortals: and he sat down 
 again on the throne, from whence he arose, opposite his wife, 
 and addressed her in words: 
 
 “Honored lady, they who possess the Olympian houses 
 have given thee a heart Iiard above female women: no other 
 woman indeed would thus, with enduring mind, have stood 
 away from her husband, who having sutfered many ills, had 
 reached his paternal land in the twentieth year. But com®, 
 
 * Ubjsorve the zeiigtiia in 
 
171 — 210 .] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 315 
 
 nurse, strew a bed for me, that I may lie down by myself: for 
 surely her mind is of steel in her breast.” 
 
 Ilut him prudent Penelope addressed in turn: “ Sir, I 
 neither magnify thee at all, nor disregard thee, nor do I very 
 much wonder at thee: but I very well know, what an one 
 tliou wast, when thou didst depart from Ithaca in a long- 
 oared ship. But come, Euryclea, strew a dense bed for him 
 without the well-reared chamber, which he himself made. 
 There place for him a thick bed, and throw clothing on it, 
 fleeces, and cloaks, and beautiful rugs.” 
 
 Thus indeed she spoke, trying her husband; but Ulysses 
 grieving addressed his wife, who knew prudent things: 
 
 “ O lady; very grievous indeed is this word thou hast ut¬ 
 tered. Who has placed my bed elsewhere^ difficult would it 
 be even for one who is very skillful, except the deity himself, 
 coming, were with ease, if he wished it, to put it in another 
 place. No living mortal among men alive, even if he were in 
 the vigor of youth, would easily move it away; since a great 
 sign is wrought in the well-worked bed ; which I labored, nor 
 any one else. There was a thick-leaved shrub of olive with¬ 
 in the court, in full vigor, and flourishing; and it was thick, 
 like as a pillar: I, putting a chamber round this, built it, un¬ 
 til I finished it with close-set stones, and roofed it well above: 
 and I placed on it glued doors, closely fitted. And then I 
 cut off* the leaves of the thick-leaved olive; and lopping off* 
 the trunk from the root, I polished it round with brass, well 
 and skillfully, and straightened it according to a rule, work¬ 
 ing out a bed-post; and I bored all with a wimble. And be¬ 
 ginning from this I polished the bed until I finished it, varie¬ 
 gating it with gold and silver and ivory, and I stretched out 
 the thong of an ox shining with purple. Thus I show thee 
 this sign ; nor do I at all know, lady, whether the bed is still 
 firm, or some one of men has now placed it elsewhere, cutting 
 off* the root of the olive.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but her knees and dear heart were loosed, 
 as she recognized the signs which Ulysses told her evidently. 
 Then weeping she ran straight forward, and threw her hands 
 around the neck of Ulysses, and kissed his head, and address¬ 
 ed him: 
 
 “Lour not upon me, O Ulysses, since in other things in¬ 
 deed thou art especially prudent among men; but the gods 
 
31G 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 [ 211 — 253 . 
 
 Iiave given thee toil, who envied that we, remaining near one 
 another, should be delighted with youth, and reach the thresh¬ 
 old of old age. But do not now be angry with me for this, 
 nor indignant, that I did not at first thus embrace thee, when 
 I beheld thee; for my mind always shudders in my breast, 
 for fear some one of mortals coming should deceive me with 
 words, for many devise evil means of gain. Nor would Ar- 
 give Helen, born of Jove, have been mingled with a foreigner 
 in love and in the couch, if she had known that the warlike 
 sons of the Grecians were about to bring her home again to 
 her dear country. But her the deity indeed excited to do an 
 unseemly work: but she did not before lay up in her mind 
 the sad calamity, from which grief first came also upon us. 
 But now, since thou hast told me evident signs of our bed, 
 which no other mortal has beheld, but only thou and I, and 
 one handmaiden only, Actoris (whom my father gave to me 
 coming hither, who kept for us the door of the close cham¬ 
 ber), now thou persuadest my mind, although it is very diffi¬ 
 cult [to be persuaded].” 
 
 Thus she spoke, and in him excited still more the desire of 
 grief; but he wept, holding his delightful wife, who knew 
 prudent things. And as when the land has appeared welcome 
 to [men] swimming, whose well-built ship Neptune has wreck¬ 
 ed in the sea, urged by the wind, and the dark billows, but 
 few have escaped from the hoary sea, swimming to the shore, 
 and much brine has incrusted round their body, but they glad¬ 
 ly have stepped upon the land, escaping evil; so her husband 
 was welcome to her beholding him: but she had not yet alto¬ 
 gether let go her white arms from his neck. And now the 
 rosy-fingered morning would have appeared while they were 
 weeping, had not blue-eyed Minerva thought of other things. 
 She detained the long night toward the end, and still kept the 
 golden-throncd Morn in the ocean, nor did she suffer her to 
 yoke her swift-footed horses, that bear light to men, Lampus 
 and Phaethon, steeds that lead the Morn. And then indeed 
 much-planning Ulysses addressed his wife : 
 
 “ O wife, we have not yet arrived at the end of all our toils, 
 but still there will be an immeasurable labor behind, great 
 and difficult, all which it behooves me to accomplish. For 
 thus the soul of Tircsias foretold to me on that day, when I 
 went down to the house of Pluto, seeking for a return for my 
 
253—294.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 317 
 
 companions and myself. Bui come, wife, let us go to bed, 
 that even now going to rest, we may be delighted with sweet 
 sleep.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn: “A bed in¬ 
 deed tlien tliere shall be for thee, whenever thou desirest it in 
 thine own mind; since the gods have made thee reach thy 
 well-built house, and thy paternal land. But since thou hast 
 mentioned it, and God has put it in thy mind, come, tell me 
 the toil; since I think I shall hear it afterward: but it is not 
 worse to hear it immediately.” 
 
 But her much-counseling Ulysses answering addressed: 
 ‘‘ Unhappy one! why indeed dost thou again desire me to 
 speak, urging me very much ? but I will relate [my adven¬ 
 tures], nor will I conceal them. Thy mind indeed will not 
 rejoice; for neither do I myself rejoice; since he has desired 
 me to go to very many cities of mortals, having in my hands 
 a well-fitted oar; until I come to those men, who know not 
 the sea, and who do not eat food mixed with salt, they indeed 
 neither know the purple-cheeked ships, nor the well-fitted 
 oars, which arc wings for ships. But he told me this plain 
 sign ; (nor will I conceal it from thee ;) when indeed another 
 traveler meeting me should say that I have a winnowing-fan^ 
 upon my glorious shoulder, then he desired me, having fixed 
 an oar in the earth, and having offered excellent sacrifices to 
 king Neptune, a ram, and a bull, and a boar, the mate of 
 swine, to go away home, and to offer up sacred hecatombs to 
 the immortal gods, who possess the wide heaven, to all in or¬ 
 der : but death will come upon me away from the sea, gentle, 
 such an one as will kill me overcome by happy old age: and 
 around me the people will be prosperous; all these things, he 
 said, would be performed.” 
 
 But him prudent Penelope addressed in turn : “ If of a 
 truth the gods make for thee a better old age, then indeed 
 there is hope that there will be a refuge from ills.” 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another; but in the mean time 
 Kurynome and the'nurse prepared a bed of soft cloth¬ 
 ing, by the light of shining torches, busying themselves. 
 And when they had strewed the thick bed, the old woman 
 went back to the house to lie down. But the chambermaid 
 Eurynome led them going to bed, holding a torch in her 
 
 ® Sec xi. 127. 
 
318 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 [295—332. 
 
 hands ; and having conducted them into the chamber, she went 
 away again : they then gladly came to the rites of their an¬ 
 cient bed.° But Telemachus and the herdsman and swine¬ 
 herd stopped their feet from dancing, and made the women 
 stop: and they slept in the shady palace. But when they 
 twain were satiated with agreeable love, they were delighted 
 telling to one another with words, she indeed, divine one of 
 women, what things she had endured in the palace, beholding 
 the destructive company of suitors; who on her account slew 
 many [cattle], oxen and fat sheep, and [by whom] much wine 
 was drawn from the casks. But Jove-sprung Ulysses, [re¬ 
 lating] what cares he had brought upon men, and what he 
 himself sulfering had toiled through, told all; she then was 
 delighted hearing it, nor did sleep fall upon her eyelids, before 
 lie had related all. And he began, hoAV first he subdued the 
 Ciconians, but then came to the fruitful land of the men I^o- 
 tophagi; and how many deeds the Cyclops did, and how he 
 avenged the destruction of his doughty companions, whom he 
 ate,”^ nor did he pity tliem ; and how he came to AKolus, who 
 kindly received him and sent him away; nor yet was it hitcd 
 for him to reach his paternal land; but the tempest snatching 
 him away again, bore him mourning heavily over the fishy 
 sea; and how he came to Laistrigonia to Telephilus, who® de¬ 
 stroyed his ships, and his well-greaved companions [all; but 
 Ulysses alone escaped in a black ship] and he related the 
 deceit and the various contrivance of Circe ; and how he came 
 into the spacious dwelling of Bluto, in a many-benched ship, 
 to consult the soul of Theban Tiresias, and saw all his com¬ 
 panions, and his mother, who brought him forth and nourished 
 him, being little: and how he heard the voice of the assem¬ 
 bled Sirens; and how he came to the wandering rocks, and to 
 terrible Charybdis and Scylla, which men had never escaped 
 unharmed: and how his companions slew the beeves of the 
 Sun, and how high-thundering Jove struck the swift ship with 
 smouldering thunder: and all his excellent companions perished 
 together, but he himself escaped from the evil Fates : and how 
 
 ® According to Eustathius, the grammarians, Aristachus and Aris¬ 
 tophanes, terminated the Odyssey at this line, considering the suhso' 
 quent portion as spurious. But see Clarke. 
 
 ^ The Cyclops. ® ot, scilicet, oi AaiaTpvyovtQ. 
 
 ® A doubtful verse. 
 
333—372.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIII. 
 
 319 
 
 he came to the island Ogygia, and the nymph Calypso, who 
 indeed detained him, desiring him to be her husband, In her 
 liollow grot, and nourished him, and said that she would make 
 him immortal and free from old age all his days: but she did 
 not by any means persuade his mind in his breast: and how 
 he came to the Phaeacians, having toiled much, who honored 
 him in their heart as a god, and escorted him with a ship to 
 his dear paternal land, giving him brass and gold in abund¬ 
 ance, and garments. This was the last word he said, when 
 sweet sleep loosing his limbs rushed upon him, relaxing the 
 cares of his mind. But the blue-eyed goddess Minerva again 
 thought of other things : when she now expected that Ulysses 
 was satiated in his mind with the bed of his wife and with 
 sleep, she immediately excited the golden-throned mother of 
 dawn from the ocean, that she might give light to mortals: 
 but Ulysses arose from his soft bed, and enjoined a command 
 to his wife : 
 
 “ O wife, we are now both of us satiated with many la- 
 bars; thou indeed weeping for my toil-fraught return: but 
 Jove and the other gods bound me anxious from my paternal 
 land. But now, since both of us have reached our much- 
 wished-for bed, take care of the possessions which I have in 
 the palace: but as to the sheep, which the overbearing suitors 
 iiave consumed, I myself will seize many as booty, and the 
 Greeks shall give others, until they fill all my stalls. But I 
 indeed am going to the well-wooded farm, to see my excellent 
 sire, who is continually grieved for me. But to thee, O wife, 
 I enjoin these things, although thou art prudent: for forth¬ 
 with with the rising sun a rumor will go [abroad] concerning 
 the suitors whom I have slain in the palace. Going to the 
 upper room, with your women attendants, sit down, nor look 
 out or inquire of any one.” 
 
 He spoke, and around his shoulders he girt his beautiful 
 arms; and he roused Telernachus and the herdsman and 
 swine-herd, and desired all to take their warlike weapons in 
 their hands. And they did not disobey him: but they were 
 armed with brass, and they opened the doors and went out: 
 but Ulysses led the way. Now indeed light was upon the 
 earth; but Minerva concealing them in night, led them 
 quickly out of the city. 
 
320 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 Cl—22. 
 
 BOOK X X I V.^ 
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Mercury escorts the souls of tlic slaiu suitors down to Hades. Ulyssee 
 discovers himself to his father Laertes. By the aid of Minerva they 
 quell an insurrection of the people, who attempt to revenge tlic 
 slaughter of the suitors. Eupeithes, their leader, is slain by Ulysses. 
 
 But Cylleiiian Mercury culled out the souls of the suitors; 
 and he held in his hands a beautiful golden rod, with which 
 he soothes the eyes of men whom he wishes, and upraises 
 them again when sleeping. With this indeed he drove them, 
 moving them on; and they gibbering- followed. And as 
 when bats in the recess of a divine cave flit about gibbering, 
 when one falls from the link^ off the rock, and they cling to 
 one another: so they went together gibbering, and harmless 
 Mercury led them down the murky ^ ways. And they came 
 near the streams of the ocean and the Leucadian rock, and 
 they went near the gates of the Sun, and the people of 
 dreams: and they quickly came to the meadow of Asphodel, 
 where dwell the souls, the images of the dead. And they 
 found the soul of Achilles, son of Beleus, and of l^atroclus, 
 and of blameless Antilochus, and of Ajax, Avho was tlic most 
 excellent in form and person of the other Greeks, after tlu; 
 blameless son of Peleus. Thus they were' assembled round 
 him: but the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, came near 
 sorrowing; and the others Avere assembled around him, as 
 many as had died Avith him in the house of A£gisthus, and 
 had draAvn on their fate. 
 
 ^ The objections raised against the authenticity of this portion of the 
 Odyssey, are carefully detailed in the notes of Clarke and Loewe. 
 
 ^ I am indebted to the Old Translator for this word. Eustathius well 
 observes: iarkov Se ort fivOiKuxj raXg \pvx(ii^ tireXtxO)] Tpiafiuc, out Xoyov 
 fuv kvcipOpov L(TT£pi]psvaiQ, dXXuQ St 9opvl3ovaai£. A low. Availing, in¬ 
 articulate sound must be understood. 
 
 ^ i. e. the string of bats, AA’hich they form by clinging to one another, 
 Tov ruiv vvKTtpwuiv dQpo'uTparog. Ilesych. s. a". oppaOov. 
 
 * “Situ obsita.” Sec Gataker on Anton, iv*. G. So Hesiod. Op. 152, 
 ftrjcav 6’ (upwtvra doptov Kpvtpov diSao. Cf. Alberti on Hesych. t. i. p. 
 1528. 
 
23—58.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 321 
 
 And him the soul of the son of Peleus addressed first: “ O 
 Atrides, we thought that thou wast all thy days beloved above 
 heroes by thunder-rejoicing Jove, because thou didst rule 
 over many and illustrious men, in the people of the Trojans, 
 where we Grecians suffered griefs. But of a surety perni¬ 
 cious fate was destined to come upon thee first of all, [fate] 
 which no one avoids, whoever is born. Now oughtest thou, 
 enjoying the honor, over which thou didst rule, to have drawn 
 on death and fate among the people of the Trojans: then 
 would all the Grecians have made a tomb for thee, and thou 
 wouldst have obtained great glory for thy son hereafter; but 
 now it was destined for thee to bo overcome by a most miser¬ 
 able death.” 
 
 And him the soul of the son of Atreus addressed in turn: 
 “ Happy son of Peleus, O Achilles, like unto the gods ! thou 
 who didst fall at Troy, far from Argos: and around thee the 
 other most excellent sons of the Trojans and Grecians were 
 slain, fighting for thee : and thou didst lay mighty, and might¬ 
 ily extended in a whirlwind of dust, forgetful of horsemanship. 
 But we fought during the whole day: nor should we at all 
 have ceased from war, if Jove had not made us stop with a 
 whirlwind. And when we had brought thee off from the war 
 to the ships, we laid thee on a couch, cleansing thy beautiful 
 body with lukewarm water and ointment: and around thee 
 the Grecians shed many warm tears, and cut their hair. 
 And thy mother, hearing the news, came from the sea with 
 the immortal Sea-nymphs and a divine clamor arose over 
 the sea: and a trembling seized upon all the Grecians: and 
 now rushing forth they would have gone to the hollow ships, 
 had not a man detained them, who knew both ancient and 
 many things, Nestor, whose counsel before also appeared the 
 best: who thinking well, harangued and addressed them : 
 ‘Stop, O Argives, fly not, ye youths of the Grecians; this 
 his mother comes from the sea with the immortal Nymphs of 
 the sea, to meet her dead son.’® Thus he spoke; and the 
 magnanimous Grecians were restrained in their fear. And 
 around thee stood the daughters of the old man of the sea, 
 
 ^ For this interpretation I have the authority of the Scholiast, on II, 
 2 . 8G. (•!*. Ilesych. aXiyaiv, OaXaTTiaig. 
 
 ® Compare the similar scene at the end of the Rhesus, where the 
 Muse aj)pears with the body of her son Rhesus. 
 
 O 2 
 
322 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 [59—08. 
 
 lamenting miserably, and around thee they put immortal gar¬ 
 ments. And all the nine jMuses, responding with a beautiful 
 voice, lamented: there thou wouldst have perceived not one 
 of the Grecians tearless; for so did the tuneful Muse excite 
 them. There we mourned thee seventeen nights and days 
 ociually, both immortal gods and mortal men; but on the 
 eighteenth day we committed thee to the fire, and around thee 
 slew many very fat sheep and curved-horned oxen. And thou 
 wast burned in the clothing of the gods, and in much oint¬ 
 ment, and in sweet honey; and many Grecian heroes clashed 
 with their arms around the pile of you burning, both infantry 
 and cavalry: and much clamor arose. But when the flame 
 of Vulcan had at length consumed thee, in the morning we 
 collected thy white bones, O Achilles, in pure Avinc and oint¬ 
 ment : and thy mother gave us a golden vessel: and she 
 said it was the gift of Bacchus, and the Avork of illustrious 
 Vulcan. In this Avere laid thy Avhitc bones, O illustrious 
 Achilles, and those of dead Batroclus, son of Menoetius, mixed 
 together; but separately those of Antilochus : Avhom Ave hon¬ 
 ored chief of all thy other companions, at least after dead Pa- 
 troclus. And then we, the sacred army of the Avarrior Gre¬ 
 cians, heaped up a large and noble tomb around them, on a 
 projecting shore, in the Avide Hellespont so that it might 
 be seen far otf from the sea by those men, Avho are noAV born, 
 and who shall be hereafter. But thy mother, having entreat¬ 
 ed the gods, proposed very beautiful contests in the middle 
 of a ring to the chieftains of the Grecians. Already hast 
 thou met Avith the burial of many heroes, Avhen, a king liaving 
 perished, young men are girded and prepared for the contests; 
 but on beholding those, thou AA'ouldst have most marveled in 
 thy mind, Avhat very beautiful contests the goddess, silver¬ 
 footed Thetis, made for tliee; for thou Avast A’ery dear to the 
 gods. So thou hast not even Avhen dead lost tliy name, but 
 for thee there Avill eA'er be excellent fame, O Achilles, among 
 all men ; but Avhat pleasure A\'as this for me, Avhen I had 
 brought the Avar to a close? For on my return Jove devised 
 miserable destruction for me under the hands of YF^isthus and 
 my pernicious Avife.” 
 
 Thus tiiey spoke such things to one another. But the 
 
 ’ viz. on the promontory of Sigeum. See Cicero pro Archia. 
 
99—139. J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 323 
 
 messenger, the shiyer of Argus, came near tliem, bringing the 
 souls of the suitors who were overcome by Ulysses. J3ut 
 they, astonished, went straight [to meet them], when they 
 beheld them. And the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, 
 knew the son of Melaneus, illustrious Amphimedon : for he 
 had been his host, inhabiting a house in Ithaca. 
 
 And him the soul of the son of Atreus firs't addressed: “O 
 Amphimedon, to wliat suffering have ye come beneath the 
 gloomy earth, all picked men, and of equal age? neither in 
 any other way would [any one] choosing through a city select 
 the best men. Whetlier has Neptune subdued you in ships, 
 having stirred up dillicult winds and long billows? or have 
 hostile men by chance destroyed you on the continent while 
 cutting off* their bulls, and the beautiful Hocks of sheep ? or 
 fighting about a city and women ? Tell me, inquiring, for I 
 boast myself to be thy guest. ,Dost thou not remember when 
 I came there to thine house, inciting Ulysses, with godlike 
 Menelaus, to attend us to Troy, in the well-benched ships? 
 But we passed over all the wide sea in a whole^ month, 
 scarcely persuading city-destroying Ulysses.” 
 
 But him the soul of Amphimedon addressed in turn : “[O 
 most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men,] I re¬ 
 member all these things, and will relate well and accurately 
 the evil end of our death, what an one befell us. AVe wooed 
 the wife of long-absent Ulysses: and she did not refuse the 
 hated marriage, nor did she bring it to a conclusion, devising 
 deatli and black Fate for us. But she planned this other 
 stratagem in her mind; having begun a mighty web, she 
 wove it in the palace, slender and round ; and she forthwitli 
 addressed us: ‘ YAuths, my suitors, since divine Ulysses is 
 dead, cease urging my marriage until 1 finish the robe (lest 
 my threads should perish in vain), a funeral garment for the 
 hero Laertes, for the time when the pernicious fate of long- 
 sleeping death shall seize hold of him : lest any one of the 
 Grecian women among the people should be indignant at me, 
 if he lies without a shroud, having possessed many things.’ 
 Thus she spoke ; and our noble mind was persuaded. Then 
 during the day she wove the large web, but at night she un¬ 
 raveled it, when she placed the torches near her. Thus for 
 
 * In English we should say, “we were a whole moutli passing over 
 the sea.” 
 
324 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 [140—182. 
 
 three years she escaped notice by deceit, and persuaded the 
 Grecians. But when the fourth year came, and the hours 
 advanced, [the months waning, and many days were com¬ 
 pleted,] then indeed some one of the women, who knew it 
 well, told us, and we found her unraveling the splendid web. 
 Thus she finished it, although not willing, by necessity. 
 When she showed the robe—having wove the mighty web, 
 washing it, like unto the sun or the moon—then an evil deity 
 brought Ulysses from somewhere or other to the extremity 
 of the country, where the swine-herd inhabited a dwelling. 
 There came the beloved son of divine Ulysses, arriving with a 
 black ship from sandy Bylos. And they, having contrived 
 evil death for the suitors, came to the illustrious city; Ulys¬ 
 ses indeed last, but Telemachus first led the way. And the 
 swine-herd brought him, having evil garments on his body, 
 like unto a wretched beggar and an old man, [leaning upon a 
 staff: but evil garments were put round his body]. Nor was 
 any one of us able to know him being [present], having ap¬ 
 peared on a sudden, not even those [of us] who were the 
 oldest: but we chided him with evil words and with blows. 
 And he then being beaten and chided in his own palace en¬ 
 dured it with a patient mind ; but when the counsel of Aiigis- 
 bearing Jove aroused him, with Telennichus taking the very 
 beautiful arms, he placed them in a chamber, and fastened the 
 bolts ; and he through his great cunning ordered his wife to 
 place the bow and hoary steel for the suitors, as a subject of 
 contest for us, ill-fated, and a beginning of death. Nor was 
 any one of us able to stretch the string of the sturdy bow, 
 but we were very deficient [in strength]. But when the 
 mighty bow came to the hands of Ulysses, then we all rebuked 
 him with words, that he should not give him the bow, although 
 he spoke very many things: but Telemachus alone urging 
 commanded him. And much-enduring divine Ulysses received 
 it in 1)TS hand, and he easily bent the bow, and sent [the shaft] 
 through the steel. And he stood going up on the threshold, 
 and lie poured out the swift arrows, looking about terribly: 
 and he smote king Antinous. And then he sent forth his 
 grievous shafts against others, taking aim opposite : and they 
 fell near one another. But it was evident that some one 
 of the gods was an ally to him. For immediately following 
 upon us with their might through the dwelling, they slew us 
 
183—219.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 325 
 
 upon all sides: and an unseemly groaning arose from them,^ 
 their heads being stricken, and the whole pavement bubbled 
 with blood. Thus did we perish, O Agamemnon, whose bodies 
 even now lie without funeral rites in the palace of Ulysses: for 
 our friends do not yet know in the dwellings of each, who, 
 liaving washed the black gore from our wounds, laying us 
 down would mourn for us: for this is the honor of the dead.” 
 
 And hiiii the soul of the son of Atreus addressed in turn : 
 “ O happy son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, surely 
 didst thou gain thy wife with great valor. Plow excellent 
 was the mind of blameless Penelope, daughter of Icarus, how 
 mindful of Ulysses, her virgin husband: unto whom the glo¬ 
 ry of his virtue shall never perish; but the immortals will 
 make for those on earth a beautiful song for prudent Penelo¬ 
 pe. Not so did the daughter of Tyndarus contrive evil deeds, 
 slaying her virgin husband: but [for her] there will be a 
 hateful song among men; and she has given an evil fame to 
 women, even though one be a worker of good.” Thus they 
 spoke such things to one another, standing in the houses of 
 Pluto, under the hiding-places of the earth. 
 
 Put they, when they went from the city, soon reached the 
 beautiful-constructed farm of Laertes, which Laertes had him¬ 
 self acquired, since he had toiled very much : there was his 
 house, and a shed**^ ran round it on all sides, in which his 
 necessary servants fed, and sat, and took rest, who worked 
 . what was agreeable to him.^^ And in it there was a Sicilian 
 old woman, who diligently took care of the old man at the 
 farm, away from the city. Then Ulysses spoke words to his 
 servants and his son : 
 
 “ Do you now go within the well-built house ; and quickly 
 sacrifice a meal of swine, whichever is the best. Put I will 
 try my father, whether he will know me, and perceive me 
 with his eyes, or whether he will not recognize me, having 
 been away for a long time.” 
 
 Th us having spoken, he gave his warlike arms to his serv¬ 
 ants. They then quickly came to the house; but Ulysses 
 
 ® The suitors. 
 
 Ernesti observes that the house of Laertes stood in the middle, be¬ 
 ing surrounded by the slighter dwellings of the slaves, forming a con¬ 
 tinuous shed. See Loewe, 
 
 “ These words are an epexegesis to dpayKoloL. But the Schol. Ambr. 
 intei'prets dvayKaloi to mean “taken in war, captured by force.” 
 
326 
 
 ODYSSEY. :S\IY. 
 
 r?26—2G1. 
 
 went nenr the fruilful vineyard to ti-y [liii lather]: nor did 
 lie find Dolius, on going clown to the great orchard, nor any 
 of his servants or sons: but they indeed had gone to gather 
 heaps of stones to be a fence for the vineyard ; but the old 
 man led the way lor them. And he found his father alone in 
 the well-made vineyard, hoeing a plant: and he was clad in 
 a sordid garment, patched, unseemly: and around his thighs 
 he had bomid patched greaves of bull’s hide, to avoid the tear- 
 ings [of ilie thorns] and gloves upon his hands on account 
 of the orambles: but above he had a cap of goat-skin on liis 
 heacl, giving way to his grief. When then much-enduring di¬ 
 vine Ulysses saw him wasted with old age, and having great 
 gviei in his mind, standing under a lofty pear-tree, he shed a 
 tear. Then he meditated in his soul and in his mind, whether 
 to kiss and embrace his father, and tell [him] every thing, hoiv 
 he came to^and reached his paternal land; or, whether he 
 idiould first inquire of him, and try him in every thing. And 
 ihus it appeared to him to be better as he considered, first to 
 try him with reproaching words. Having this intention, di¬ 
 vine Ulysses went straight opposite to him ; he indeed, hold¬ 
 ing down his head, was digging round a plant, but standing 
 m-ar him his illustrious son addressed him : 
 
 “O old man, want of skill does not possess thee in man- 
 uging an orchard ; but thy care keeps it well; nor is there any 
 plant at all, cither fig-tree, or vine, or olive, or pear, or bord¬ 
 er in the garden destitute of care. But I tell thee something 
 else, but do not thou lay up anger in thy mind : good care does 
 not keep thyself, but tliou hast miserable old age at the same 
 time, and thou art evilly squalid, and art clothed in unseemly 
 guise. Thy master docs not indeed take cai’e of you [so ill] 
 on account of thy idleness, nor is thy form or size at all ser¬ 
 vile to behold; for thou art like unto a king. Thou art like 
 one who ought, when he has washed and eaten, to sleep softly: 
 for this is the right of old men. But come, tell me this, and 
 relate it correctly, w’hosc servant art thou ? whose orchard 
 dost thou tend ? and relate this truly to me, that 1 may well 
 know, if indeed 1 am come to Ithaca, as this man told me, who 
 just now met me, as I was coming hither, one not very wise: 
 since he did not endure to tell me every thing, or to listen to 
 
 ypaTiTve, Tag rwv aKcivQujdwv (pvriijv Karanepi^vatig koi apv\ag 
 Scliol. 
 
2()2—302.J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 327 
 
 niy word, when I inquired of him concerning my host, wheth¬ 
 er he is alive and exists, or is now dead and in the house of 
 Pluto. For I tell thee plainly, and do thou attend, and listen 
 to me: 1 once entertained a man in my dear paternal land, 
 having come to my house, and never yet has any other mor¬ 
 tal of foreign strangers come more welcome to my house. He 
 boasted his race to be of Ithaca, and he said that his father 
 was Laertes, son of Arcesias. Him I entertained well, bring¬ 
 ing him to my house, receiving him carefully, when many 
 were in my house, and gave him hospitable presents, such as 
 are becoming. I gave him seven talents of well-wrought 
 gold, and I gave him a cup all silver, embossed with flowers, 
 twelve single cloaks and as many pieces of tapestry, and as 
 many beautiful robes, and as many tunics added to these: 
 besides four beautiful Avomen, skilled in blameless Avoiks, 
 Avhom he himself Avished to take.” ^ 
 
 But him his father then ansAvered, shedding a tear: 
 
 Stranger, thou indeed art come to the land, concerning 
 Avhich thou inquirest: but insolent and infatuated men possess 
 it. But thou hast conferred these thy gifts in vain, giving 
 numberless [presents] ; for Avould that thou hadst found him 
 alive among the people of Ithaca, then Avould he have sent 
 thee aAvay, having requited thee Avith presents and good en¬ 
 tertainment; for it is the right [of him], Avhoevcr begins. 
 But come, tell me this, and relate it truly, hoAv many years is 
 it since thou didst entertain him thine unhappy guest, my son ? 
 if he Avas so; AATetched one, Avhora somewhere, far aAvay from 
 his friends and paternal land, either the fish have eaten in the 
 sea, or he has become a prey to the beasts and birds on the 
 shore: nor did his mother mourn him, covering him around, 
 nor his father, aa'C avIio gave him birth : nor did his Avell- 
 doAA'ered Avife, prudent Penelope, Avail for her dear husband in 
 her bed, as A\ms fitting, Avasting aAvay her eyes: for this is the 
 honor of the dead. And tell mo this truly, that I may knoAv 
 it Avell; Avho art thou"? from Avhence art thou among men? 
 Avhere are thy city and thy parents? Avhere is the SAvift ship 
 stationed, Avhich brought thee and tl y godlike companions 
 hither? or hast thou come a passenger on another man's 
 ship, and haA'O they gone, having landed thee on shore?” 
 
 But him much-planning Ulysses ansAvering addressed: 
 “Therefore Avill I tell thee these things very accurately. For 
 
328 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 [303—341. 
 
 I am from Alybas, where I inhabit an illustrious dwelling, 
 the son of Apheidas, son of king Polypemon, and my name is 
 Eperitus: but the deity made me wander so that I should 
 come hither from Sicania, against my will: but my sliip is 
 stationed over against a field at a distance from the city. 
 But this is now the fifth year since Ulysses went away from 
 thence, and departed from my country, unhappy one: but 
 there were excellent birds^^ on the right for him as he was 
 going, in which I rejoicing sent him away, and he rejoiced as 
 he went: and our mind still hoped to be mixed in hospitality, 
 and to bestow glorious gifts.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; and a black cloud of grief covered him : 
 and taking up the dust of ashes in botli his hands, he poured 
 it upon his lioary head, groaning continually. But his mind 
 was excited, and now vehement passion beat against his nos¬ 
 trils, as he beheld his dear father. And lie kissed him, em¬ 
 bracing him and leaping upon him, and he addressed him : 
 
 “ That one himself indeed am I, O father, after whom thou 
 inquirest, I am come in the twentieth year to my paternal 
 land. But refrain from weeping and tearful mourning. For 
 I tell thee plainly (but it is by all means fit to hasten); I 
 have slain the suitors in my palace, revenging their grievous 
 insolence and evil deeds.” 
 
 But him Laertes answered again, and addressed him: “ If 
 indeed thou art Ulysses, my son, and hast come here, tell me 
 now some evident sign, that I may believe it.” 
 
 But him much-counseling Ulysses answering addressed: 
 “ First regard the scar with thine eyes, which a boar inflicted 
 on me with its white tusk in Parnassus, when I went there : 
 but thou didst send me on, and my venerable mother, to Au- 
 tolycus, the dear father of my mother, that I might receive the 
 gifts, which he promised me on coming here, and declared 
 that he would give me. Come, I will recount to thee the trees 
 also, through the well-made vineyard, which once thou gavest 
 me, for I asked each of thee, being a child, following thee 
 through the garden: but we came through them, and thou 
 didst name them and didst tell me each. Thou gavest me 
 thirteen pear-trees, and ten apple-trec3, and forty fig-trees: 
 and thus thou saidst thou wouldst give me fifty row’s of vines, 
 
 i. e. omens. 
 
342—380.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 329 
 
 and each was sown between with corn : but there are all kinds 
 of grapes, when the seasons of Jove come heavy upon them.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, but his knees and heart were loosed, as he 
 recognized the signs, whicli Ulysses told him truly. And,lie 
 threw his arms around his dear son : and much-enduring di¬ 
 vine Ulysses drew him fainting to him. But when he recov¬ 
 ered, and his mind was raised to his breast, he immediately 
 answering addressed him: 
 
 “ O father Jove, surely ye gods’^ are still in lofty Olympus, 
 if indeed the suitors have paid for their infatuate insolence. 
 But now I very much dread in my mind, lest all the Ithacans 
 should soon come here, and hasten messages on all sides to 
 the cities of the Cephallenians.” 
 
 But him much-counseling Ulysses ansAvering addressed: 
 “Be of good cheer, let not these things be a car^ to thee in 
 thy mind: but let us go to the house Avhich lies near the 
 orchard. For there I sent forward Telemachus and the herds¬ 
 man and swine-herd, that they may get ready supper as quick¬ 
 ly as possible.” 
 
 Thus having conversed, the two went to tlie beautiful house. 
 But when they now reached the well-built dwelling, they 
 found Telemachus and the herdsman and swine-herd cutting 
 up much meat, and mixing the dark wine. But in the mean 
 time the Sicilian handmaiden washed magnanimous Laertes 
 in his house, and anointed him Avith oil: and she throAv a 
 beautiful cloak around him, and Minerva standing near in¬ 
 creased the limbs of the shepherd of the people, and made 
 him mightier and stouter to behold than belbre. And he 
 went out of the bath : but his dear son marveled at him, Avheii 
 he saw him with his eyes, like unto the immortal god^j to look 
 at. And addressing him, he spoke winged Avords: 
 
 “ O father, certainly some one of the immortal gods has 
 made thee noble in thy form and size to behold.” 
 
 The prudent Laertes anSAA^ered him in turn: “For Avould 
 that I, O father Jove, and ]\Iinerva, and Apollo, such as Avhcn 
 I took Nericus a Avcll-built citadel, a toAvn of the continent, 
 ruling OA'er the Cephallenians, being such an one yesterday 
 in our palace, having arms upon my shoulders, I had stood 
 against and Avarded off the suitors : then would I have loosed 
 
 See Dnport, Gnom. Horn. p. 288, sq. 
 
330 ODYSSEY. XXIV. [381—418. 
 
 the knees of many of them in the palace, and thou shouldst 
 liave rejoiced in thy mind within thee.’’ 
 
 Thus they spoke to one another. Dnt they, when they had 
 ceased from their labor, and prepared the feast, sat down in 
 order on benches and thrones : then they laid their hands on 
 the meal: and the old man Dolius came near them, and with 
 him the sons of the old man, laboring from their toils, for 
 the mother, the Sicilian old woman, who nourished them, went 
 and called them : and she diligently took care of the old man, 
 since old age had seized upon him. But they, when they be¬ 
 held Ulysses, and considered him in their mind, stood aston¬ 
 ished in the palace; but Ulysses reproving them with gentle 
 words, addressed them: 
 
 ‘‘ O old man, sit down to the meal, and do ye forget aston¬ 
 ishment : for w'e remain in the palace for a long time, eager 
 to lay our hands upon the viands, still expecting you.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and Dolius went straight to him, stretch-^ 
 ing out both his hands; and taking the hand of Ulysses, he 
 . kissed it at the wrist, and addressing him S})oke winged words : 
 
 “O dear one; since thou hast returned to us wishing [for 
 thee], but not expecting thee, but the gods have brought thee, 
 hail! and rejoice greatly, and may the gods give thee prosper¬ 
 ity. And tell me this truly, that I may know it well, wheth¬ 
 er does prudent Penelope already know that thou hast re¬ 
 turned hither, or shall we urge on a messenger V 
 
 And him much-counseling Ulysses answering addressed: 
 “ Old man, she already knows it, what need is there for thee 
 to care about these matters 
 
 Tlius he spoke; and he again sat down upon the well-pol¬ 
 ished seat. In like manner the sons of Dolius saluted illus¬ 
 trious Ulysses with words, and took hold of his hands ; and 
 they sat down in order near Dolius their father. Thus then 
 they prepared a meal in the palace. 
 
 Now a report swiftly went as a messenger every Avhere 
 through the city, telling of the hateful death and Fate of the 
 suitors. But they, as soon as they heard it, Avent one one 
 Avay, one another, Avith murmuring and groaning before the 
 house of Ulysses : and they carried the dead bodies out of the 
 house, and each buried them. But those from other cities 
 they sent to fishermen to take each [to his OAvn] home, plac¬ 
 ing them in their SAvift ships:,and they Avent together to the 
 
419—459.] 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 331 
 
 forum, sorrowing in their heart. But when they were assem¬ 
 bled, and were collected together, Eupithes rose up, and ad¬ 
 dressed them, for not-to-be-forgotten grief lay upon his mind 
 for his son, Antinous, whom divine Ulysses slew first: for 
 whom he pouring forth tears, harangued and addressed them : 
 
 “ O friends, indeed this man has done a heinous deed 
 against the Grecians; some indeed taking in his ships, many 
 and brave men, he has lost his hollow ships, and destroyed 
 all'^ the people ; but others he has slain on his return, far the 
 best of the Cephallenians. But come, before this man either 
 quickly reaches Bylos, or divine Elis, where the Epeians rule, 
 let us go; or hereafter we shall always be ashamed. For 
 these things indeed are a disgrace even for posterity to hear. 
 But if we shall not be revenged on the murderers of our sons 
 and brothers, it would not be pleasant for me in my mind to 
 live: but dying as soon as possible, might I be among the de¬ 
 ceased. But let us go, lest they anticipate us, passing over.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, shedding tears, and pity seized all the 
 Grecians. But Medon and the divine bard came near them 
 fi’om the palace of Ulysses, when sleep had left them. And 
 they stood in the middle ; and astonishment seized each man. 
 And Medon, knowing prudent things, addressed them: 
 
 “ Hear me now, Ithacans; for Ulysses did not devise these 
 deeds without the will of the gods ; I myself saw an immor¬ 
 tal god, who stood near Ulysses, and he was in every thing 
 like unto Mentor. But the immortal god at one time appear¬ 
 ed before Ulysses, encouraging him, and at another inciting 
 the suitors, made them rush in flight through the palace ; and 
 they fell near to one another.” 
 
 Thus he spoke ; and pale fear seized upon all of them. And 
 the old hero Alitherses, son of IMastor, addressed them; for 
 he alone saw what was past and what was to come; he, think¬ 
 ing well, harangued and addressed them : 
 
 “ Listen now, Ithacans, to what I am going to say. The.sc 
 deeds, my friends, were done by your own wickedness : lor 
 ye did not obey me nor Mentor, the shepherd of the people, so 
 as to make your sons cease from their foolish deeds ; who have 
 done a heinous deed through their evil infatuation, wasting 
 the property and insulting the wife of an excellent man, who 
 
 Observ'e the tenesis for d-rrdjXiae. 
 
332 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 [459—499. 
 
 they thought would no more return. And now may it hap¬ 
 pen thus : obey me, according as I advise ; let us not go, lest 
 by chance some one should meet with an evil drawn upo’^^. 
 himself.*’ 
 
 Thus he spoke ; but they rushed out witli a great shout, 
 more than half of them ; but the rest remained there together. 
 For what he said did not please them in their mind, but they 
 obeyed Eupithes ; and quickly then they rushed to arms. But 
 when they had put the shining brass around their bodies, they 
 were assembled together before the Avide-wayed city. But 
 Eupithes led them in their folly: and he said that he would 
 revenge the murder of his son ; nor was he destined to return 
 back, but to draw on his fate there. But Minerva addressed 
 Jupiter, the son of Saturn : 
 
 “ O father mine, thou son of Saturn, highest of kings, tell 
 me, asking, what does thy mind now conceal within it? wheth¬ 
 er Avilt thou first cause evil Avar and terrible strife ? or hast 
 thou made friendship on both sides?” 
 
 But her cloud-compelling Jove ansAvering addressed : “My 
 child, Avhy dost thou ask and inquire of me these things ? 
 For hast not thou thyself devised this plan, that Ulysses haA*- 
 ing returned should be revenged upon them? Do as thou, 
 wilt: but I tell thee how it is fitting. Since divine Ulysses 
 has been revenged on the suitors, making faithful oaths, letj 
 him ahvays reign, but let us make oblivion of the deaths of ! 
 their sons and brothers; and let them love one another as) 
 before; and let there be Avealth and peace in abundance.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he incited Minciwa, Avho Avas before] 
 eager, and she Avent rushing down from the tops of Olympus.j 
 But Avhen they had taken aAvay the desire of SAveet food, much- 
 enduring divine Ulysses began speaking to them : “ Let some] 
 one, going out, see Avhether they are coming near.” 
 
 Tims he spoke; but a son of Dolius Avent out, as he de¬ 
 sired ; and going he stood on the threshold, and he saw all! 
 of them near at hand : and immediately he addressed to Ulys-] 
 ses Avinged Avords : 
 
 “ They are now near, but let us arm ourseh^es quickly.”i 
 Thus he spoke ; but they rose up, and Averc clad in their arms,l 
 the four Avith Ulysses, and the six sons of Dolius ; and AvithJ 
 them Laertes and Dolius put on their arms, although they! 
 Avere hoary, Avari iors through necessity. But Avhen they hacU 
 
499—537. J 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV. 
 
 333 
 
 put the shining brass around their bodies, they opened the 
 gates, and went out, but Ulysses led the way. And Minerva, 
 the daughter of Jove, came near them, likened unto Mentor 
 both in person and voice. Much-enduring divine Ulysses re¬ 
 joiced on seeing lier, and he immediately addressed his dear 
 son Telemachus: j 
 
 “Telemachus, thou wilt now know this thyself, coming on 
 (when men are fighting, where the best are judged to be), not 
 to disgrace the race of your fathers, we, who before excelled 
 over all the earth in valor and manliness.” 
 
 But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn : “ Thou 
 shalt see if thou desirest, my dear father, in my mind, that I 
 dishonor not the race, as thou sayest.” 
 
 Thus he spoke; but Laertes rejoiced, and spoke thus: 
 “What day now is this, my dear friends'? Very much do I 
 rejoice; -my son and my grandson are having a contention 
 about excellence.” 
 
 But blue-eyed Minerva standing near addressed him: “ O 
 son of Arcesias, far dearest of all my companions, praying to 
 the blue-eyed damsel, and father Jove, very quickly brandish, 
 and send forth a long-shadowing spear.” 
 
 Tlius she spoke; and Balias Minerva breathed into him 
 great strength ; then praying to the daughter of mighty Jove, 
 he very quickly brandished and sent forth a long-shadowing 
 spear, and struck Eupithes through the brazen-cheeked helm; 
 but it did not keep off the spear, but the brass passed entire¬ 
 ly through. And he resounded as he fell, and his arms 
 clashed upon him. And Ulysses and his glorious son fell 
 upon the first-fighters; and they beat them with swords and 
 double-edged spears. And now they would have destroyed 
 all, and deprived them of their return, had not Minerva, tho 
 daughter of AEgis-bearing Jove, cried out with her loud voice 
 and restrained all the people : “ Eefrain from difficult war, () 
 Itliacans, that without bloodshed ye may be separated as soon 
 as possible.” 
 
 Thus spoke Minerva; and pale fear seized them; and the 
 weapons flew from the hands of the frightened, and all fell on 
 the earth, when the goddess had uttered a sound; and they 
 were turned toward the city, anxious for their lives. But 
 much-enduring divine Ulysses shouted out terribly, and he 
 rushed on, gathering himself up like a lofty-flying eagle. 
 
334 
 
 ODYSSEY. XXIV, 
 
 [538—547. 
 
 And then at length the son of Saturn sent forth a smoulder¬ 
 ing thunder-bolt, and it fell before the blue-eyed [daughter] 
 of an illustrious sire. And then blue-eyed Minerva address¬ 
 ed Ulysses: 
 
 “ O noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, refrain ; 
 and check the contest of equally destructive war, lest by 
 chance far-sounding Jove, son of Saturn, be wrath with thee.” 
 
 Thus spoke Minerva; and he obeyed, and rejoiced in his 
 mind. Afterward Pallas Minerva, daughter of ^Ugis-bearing 
 Jove, propounded oaths to both sides, likened unto Mentor, 
 both in person and in her voice. 
 
«p 
 
 .1 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO 
 
 THE BATTLE OF THE FROGS AND MICE. 
 
 Whoever be the author of this little poem, it is replete? 
 with legitimate humor, and evinces no ordinary taste for par¬ 
 ody. I can not give a better sketch of its contents than in 
 the words of Coleridge, Avhose analysis is as follows: 
 
 A mouse, Psicharphax (Crumb-Filcher), exhausted with 
 flying from a weasel, came to a pool to drink; a Avanton frog, 
 Physignathus (Puff-Cheek?f, having apparently never seen 
 such a wild-fowl before, enters into conversation Avith him, 
 ^the result of Avhich is that the mouse mounts upon frog’s 
 back, and goes to sea. It should seem that frog meant to be 
 honest, but a Avater-snake lifting up his head at no great dis¬ 
 tance, he is so frightened, that, forgetful of his poor landsman, 
 doAvn he diA’es to the bottom. Crumb-Filchcr struggles, sput¬ 
 ters, makes a speech denouncing his perfidious betrayer to the 
 vengeance of every feeling mouse, and then sinks among the 
 bulrushes. The deceased Avas son and heir of the king of 
 the mice (a AA'casel and a gin had bereaved him of tAvo broth¬ 
 ers), and his father, by his influence, induces every mouse 
 in the field to take arms and avenge him of the injurious frog. 
 The frogs perceive the bustle; and, arming themselves, are fool¬ 
 ish enough to leaAe their more jiroper clement, and meet tlieir 
 assailants on dry land. INleantinie -Jupiter holds a council 
 
336 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 on the subject, but at the suggestion of Minerva—who, though 
 extremely angry Avith the mice for nibbling one of her petti¬ 
 coats into rags, is still so incensed with the frogs for depriv¬ 
 ing her of sleep, that she will assist neither party—it is re¬ 
 solved that the gods shall be passive spectators of the contest. 
 The battle begins: great prowess is displayed on either side ; 
 but at length the mice get the better, and the entire race of 
 frogs is on the very point of extermination, Avhen Jupiter in¬ 
 terferes with lightning and thunder. The mice, however, pay 
 no attention to these hints of the divine will, and are pursuing 
 their advantage, when Jupiter, as a last resource, orders a 
 detachment of crabs to make an e'chelon movement upon the 
 victors. This manoeuvre effectually checks the mice, who, 
 some with their tails, and some with legs bitten off, retire to 
 their holes, and leave the remnant of the frogs to croak dole¬ 
 fully over their defeat and loss.” 
 
BATTLE OF THE FBOGS AND MICE. 
 
 
 NAMES OF THE 
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS EXPLAINED. 
 
 MICE. 
 
 PsiCHARPHAX, crumh-filclier. 
 Troxartes, hread-muncher. 
 Lichomyle, lick-vieal. 
 Pternotroctas, chaw-bacon. 
 Lichopinax, lick-dish. 
 Embasichytros, pot-stalkcr. 
 Lichexor, lick-man. 
 Troglodytes, one loho runs into 
 holes. 
 
 Artopiiagus, bread-eater. 
 Ttroglypiius, cheese-scooper. 
 Pternopiiagus, bacon-eater. 
 Cnissodioctes, one who follows the 
 steam of the kitchen. 
 SiTOPiiAGUS, wheat-eater. 
 Meridaprax, one who plunders his 
 share. 
 
 FROGS. 
 
 Physignatiius, puff-cheeks. 
 Peleus, the muddy. 
 Hydromeduse, water-queen. 
 Hypsiboas, loud-bawler. 
 
 Pelion, the muddy. 
 
 TEUTLiEus, beet-man. 
 PoLYPHONUs, great-talker. 
 Limnociiaris, lake-rejoicing. 
 Crambopiiagus, cabhage-eate>, 
 Limnisius, of the lake. 
 Calamintiiius, of the reed. 
 
 HYDROCnARis, ivater-rejoidng, 
 Borbokocoetes, lying in the nrud, 
 Prassopiiagus, garlic-eater. 
 Pf.ldsius, the muddy. 
 
 P E lob axes, mud-walking. 
 Prass^us, garlic. 
 
 Craugasides, croaking. 
 
 On commencing,^ I first implore tlie qxiire of the muses to 
 descend from Helicon into mine heart, for the sake of the souir 
 ■which I now commit to tablets [placed] upon my knees,^ a 
 
 * Chapman renders this, “entering the fields,” where there seems to 
 be a typographical error for “field.” ’ApxoptvoQ is generally joined 
 with some other word, as in Apoll. Rhod. i. 1, <tso flwXih. So Ik 
 Ai6(; dpxwptcOa, Aratus, Phocn. i. The old paraj)hrase runs thus, dpxpv 
 TToiovptvoQ Kurapxdg tK tov opovg tov 'EXirinvog tXtvaeaOaL tig Tt'iv ipi'iu 
 I tvxpv Troiovpai rpg TroiijjJtojg ijurii'a doidijv ftitSXi.og iOijKa. 
 
 ^ Join ipolg yovvacL, and compare Hi])])Ocrat. Ep, ad Damag. }>, 12, 
 
 ! (> AppoKpiTog tix^^ Tdiv jovvdroiv fiifiXlov b iypacptv iyKtiptvog. 
 Maittairc. 
 
 r 
 
338 
 
 THE BATTLE OF 
 
 [4—35. 
 
 boundless strife, a, war-clattering deed of Mars, desiring all 
 men to receive it into their ears—how that the mice went 
 victorious against the frogs, imitating the deeds of the earth- 
 born hero giants, as was the report among men. Now it had 
 such an origin. 
 
 Once on a time a thirsting mouse having escaped danger 
 from a weasel,^ dipped his smooth^ beard into a lake near at 
 hand, delighting himself with the sweet water. But him a 
 talkative, lake-rejoicing [frog] beheld, and addressed him 
 thus: 
 
 Stranger, who art thou ? Whence comcst thou to the 
 shore*? And who begat thee? Speak all things truly, lest I 
 catch thee telling falsehoods. For if I perceive thee to be a 
 proper friend, I will lead thee to my dwelling, and will give 
 thee gifts of hospitality, numerous and good. Now 1 am king 
 Puff-Cheeks, who am honored throughout the marsh, through 
 all days ruling over the frogs. And IMuddy, my sire, of erst 
 gave me birth, mingling in embrace^ with Water-Queen by 
 the banks of Eridanus. And I perceive that thou too art 
 handsome and valiant above other [mice], a sceptre-wielding 
 king, and a warrior in battles.^ But come, quickly detail thy 
 pedigree.” 
 
 But him Crumb-Filchcr answered and addressed: 
 
 “Why askest thou concerning my race, which is well 
 known to all, both men, and gods, and birds of the sky? I 
 am hight Crumb-Filcher, but I am the son of my great- 
 souled sire Bread-Muncher, and my mother indeed is Lick- 
 iMeal, daughter of king Chaw-Bacon. But she brought me 
 forth in a hut, and nurtured me with viands, with figs, and 
 nuts, and all sorts of eatables. But how canst thou make me 
 a friend, who am no ways like [thee] in nature? For thy 
 sustenance is in the waters, but it is my wont to feed upon 
 as many things as arc among men. Nor docs the short-baked^ 
 
 ^ Not a cat, for “in agris mures non timent felcs, sed mnstclas.” 
 Maittaire compares Arist. Hist. An. vi. [juuat;] ai yctAoT at dypiai pd- 
 \i(TTa dvaipovai, and Pliaedr. fab. i. 22. 
 
 * Xlxvov, the reading of the Oxford MS. seems more recherche than 
 ctTraXov. 
 
 * “Mix’d in nuptial knot.” Chapman. 
 
 ® A seeming imitation of II. iii. 171), dp<puT(pov jSacnXtvc r dyaBbi;, 
 KpartpoQ T alxprjTpQ. 
 
 ■' This is probably the sense, though not the exact meaning of rpioKO- 
 
3G—60.] 
 
 THE FROGS AND MICE. 
 
 339 
 
 loaf escape me in the well-rounded basket, nor tlie large flat® 
 cake, having plenty of sesame cheese, nor a slice of ham, nor 
 white-vested tripe, nor cheese newly pressed from sweet milk, 
 nor nice honey-cake, which even the blessed [gods] long for, 
 nor [in short] as many things as cooks prepare for the ban¬ 
 quets of men, decking the dishes with all kinds of dainties. 
 Never have I fled from the sad cry in war, but going straight 
 forward to the fight, I have mingled with the foremost com¬ 
 batants. I dread not man, although possessing a mighty 
 frame, but going to his bed, I nibble the tip of his finger, and 
 catch him by the heel, nor does pain attack the man, nor'-^ 
 does sweet sleep leave him, when I bite. But there are two 
 [creatures alone] which I dread very much throughout the 
 whole earth, the hawk^^ and the weasel, who bring great 
 grief upon me, and the lamentable trap, where there is death 
 by stratagem. But above all 1 dread the weasel, which is 
 excellent [in cunning], which even in my hole hunts [me ] 
 out, when taking refuge in my hole.’^ I do not eat radishes, 
 nor cabbages, nor gourds, nor do I feed upon fresh beets, nor 
 parsley, for these arc the viands of you who [dwell] in the 
 marsh.” 
 
 To this Puff-Cheeks, smiling, answered thus: “O stranger, 
 thou boastest too much of the belly. Among us, also, both 
 in the marsh, and on the land, there are- very many wonders 
 to behold. For unto the frogs hath the son of Saturn grant¬ 
 ed a two-lived sustenance, to leap along the earth, and to hide 
 
 7 ruvi< 7 TOQ, to the same purpose as Ilorapollo, Ilieroglypli. § 47, ]). 30, ccl. 
 Cassin., says that if tliere is a great choice of bread, the mouse always 
 selects Tov KaOapwTcirov. Chapman translates, 
 
 “Thrice boulted, kneaded and subdued in paste, 
 
 In clean round kimmels.” 
 
 ® If TavvTrtTvXoQ be correct, it must simply mean large, stretched out 
 on all sides, like a modern seaman’s biscuit. But I think we should read 
 TavvTTtTrKov, referring it to arjaanowpov, i, c. “ having a thick paste (cf. 
 Liddell, s. v. TupoQ.) of sesame spread all over it like a robe.” The 
 metaphor is very humorously expressed by Chapman, “That crusty- 
 weeds wear, large as ladies’ trains.” 
 
 ® One would almost expect ov o’ aTrk(pwy vttvoc, but I have some 
 doubts whether oe^e may take the second place in the sentence. 
 
 10 “ Js'igiit-hawk.” Chapman. 
 
 “For by that hole, that hope says, I shall ’scape. 
 
 At that hole ever she commits my rape.” Chapman. 
 
340 
 
 THE BATTLE OF 
 
 [Gl—88. 
 
 our bodies beneath the waters, [to dwell in houses placed 
 apart in two elements.]^^ if thou art willing to learn 
 
 these things also, it is easy. Get upon iny back, and take 
 hold of me, lest thou perish, so that, rejoicing, thou mayest 
 come to mine home. 
 
 Thus then he spake, and presented his back, and he mount¬ 
 ed very quickly, putting his hands round his smooth neck, 
 with a nimble leap. And at first he rejoiced, when he beheld 
 the harbors near at hand, delighting himself with the swim¬ 
 ming of Puflf-Cheeks. But when he was now buried under 
 the purple waves, weeping much, he lamented with too-late 
 repentance, and plucked out his hairs, and drew up his feet 
 to his belly,^^ and his heart palpitated unusually,^^ and he 
 longed to reach the land. And dreadfully he groaned under 
 the pressure of chill fear. But there suddenly appeared a 
 water-serpent, a dreadful sight to both, and raised his neck 
 straight up above the water. Seeing him, Puff-Cheeks dived 
 down, in no wise reflecting what a companion he was about 
 to leave to perish. And he went to the depth of the marsh, 
 and avoided black fate; but he (the mouse), immediately he 
 was let go, fell on his back in the water, and he cramped up 
 his hands, and perishing, squeaked. Oftentimes indeed he sank 
 beneath the water, and oftentimes again he came to the sur¬ 
 face, kicking about, but it was not permitted him to avoid his 
 destiny. First he stretched his tail over the waters, drawing 
 it along like an oar, and, beseeching the gods that he might 
 reach the land, he was washed away by the purple waves. 
 And much he clamored, and spake such a discourse, and ha¬ 
 rangued with his voice: 
 
 “ Not thus^^ did a bull bear the burden of love on his 
 shoulders (when he carried Europa through the waves to 
 Crete), as this frog, swimming, hatli carried me home on his 
 
 Ernesti with reason rejects this line as spurious. 
 
 )3 “'With his feet fetch’d up to his belly.” Chapman. 
 
 ’■* Or “through inexperience,” i. e. dread at the unusual attempt ho 
 was making. IMattaire well compares Lucian, Dial., inrb cttjGtiaQ im- 
 j.^aaa ox^JHarog irapabo^ov Karsirtcrtv tg to TrkXayog. Chapman, “for 
 the insolent plight in which his state did stand.” 
 
 From Chapman’s translation, he a}>])ears to have read verses 82-89 
 after vs. 71. But he was jjrobably misled by sujiposing that the phrase 
 ovx olirw was used in ])iaise and boasting, not in complaint. 
 
89—ill.J 
 
 THE FROGS AND MICE. 
 
 341 
 
 back, having stretched out liis pallid body on the white 
 stream.” But his moistened hairs drew a very great weight 
 upon him, and at length, perishing, he spoke such words: 
 
 “Thou shalt not escape notice, O Puti-Cheeks, having done 
 these things deceitfully, having cast [me] shipwrecked from 
 thy body, as from a rock.^^ On the earth, O basest one, thou 
 wast not my better in the pancratium, nor in wrestling, nor 
 the coursed^ But having deluded me, thou hast cast me into 
 the water. God has an avenging eye, who, forsooth, will 
 straightway requite a just punishment^® and revenge (with 
 which indeed the army of the mice .shall punish thee, nor 
 shalt thou escape).” 
 
 Having spoken thus, he breathed his last in the water, but 
 him Lick-Dish perceived, as he sat upon the soft banks (and 
 he truly went to the mice, a most swift messenger of his fate), 
 and he uttered a dreadful cry, and ran and told it to the mice.^'*^ 
 
 But when they heard [their eornpanion’s] fate, bitter wrath 
 entered them all, and they then gave orders to their heralds, 
 at dawn to summon a council to the house of Bread-Muncher, 
 the unhappy sire of Crumb-Filcher, who was floating on his 
 back in the marsh, a lifeless corse, nor was unhappy he any 
 longer near the banks, but was swimming in the middle of the 
 stream. But when they hastening came at dawn, first arose 
 Bread-jMuncher, enraged on account of his son, and spoke thus: 
 
 “ O friends,^*^ although I alone among the frogs have suf¬ 
 fered many ills, yet evil fate is the appointed destiny of all. 
 But I am now an object of pity, since 1 have lost three sons. 
 
 One would ratlier expect tTrl Trirp^, “shipwrecked upon a rock.” 
 Mattaire, liowever, thinks that Trirpa here signifies '•’•rupes sive scopii- 
 lus in mari.” 
 
 Tims paraphrased by Parnell: 
 
 “At land thy strength could never c( sial mine, 
 
 At sea to conquer, and by craft, was thine. 
 
 Hut heaven has gods, and gods have searcliing eyes; 
 
 Ye mice, ye mice, my great avengers, rise!” 
 
 ® This passage has rather the characteristics of a Christian writer 
 See Erne.sti. 
 
 This is a strange tautology. Verse 09 must be an interpolation, 
 as Ernesti suspected. 
 
 •® “ O friends, though I alone may seem to bear 
 
 All the infortune; yet may all met here 
 Account it their case. But ’tis true, I am 
 In chief unhap})y—” 
 
 Chapman. 
 
342 
 
 THE BATTLE OF 
 
 [112—137. 
 
 For the first, indeed, a most hateful weasel slew, liaving 
 snatched liim away, catching him outside his hole. Hut an¬ 
 other, in turn, ruthless men brought to liis doom, having, by 
 a new art, discovered a wooden engine, wliich they call a 
 trap, being a destruction to mice. The third Avas beloved by 
 me and his revered mother—him has I’ufi-Cheeks sutfocated, 
 leading him into the deep. Hut come, let us be armed, and 
 go forth against them, having equipped our bodies in varie¬ 
 gated arms. 
 
 Thus having spoken, he persuaded them all to be armed, 
 and them did Mars, avIio has a care for war, urge on [to the 
 fight]. First indeed they placed greaves around their shins, 
 having broken off, and deftly worked, green bean [shells], 
 Avhich^i they themselves, coming by night, had devoured. 
 And they had breast-plates made of reed-strengthened skins, 
 which, having stripped a Aveasel, they had skillfully made. 
 Hut their shield Avas the boss of a lamp, Avhile their spear Avas 
 a good long needle, the all-brazen Avork of JMars. Hut the 
 helmet on their foreheads Avas the shell of a nut. 
 
 Thus indeed Avere the mice armed ; but Avhen the frogs per¬ 
 ceived [it], they SAvarn up out of the Avater, and coming into 
 one "place, they assembled a couneil concerning evil Avar. 
 Hut Avhile they AA^ere considering whence [Avas] the tumult, 
 and Avhat the gathering, a herald came near, bearing a staff 
 in his hands, Pot-Stalker, the son of great-souled Cheese- 
 Scooper, bearing neAvs of the evil report of Avar, and he spoke 
 thus: 
 
 i. e. the beans, for Kvapovg must be taken both for the shell and 
 the beau. Compare Chapman’s version : 
 
 “First on each leg the green shales of a l)ean 
 They closed for boots, that sat exceeding clean; 
 
 The shales they broke ope, but chaling by night, 
 
 And ate the beans; their jacks, art exquisite 
 Had shoAvn in tliem, being cats’ skins, cveiy ^vhere 
 Quilted Avith quills: their fenceful bucklers Avere, 
 
 The middle rounds of can’ sticks; but their spear 
 A huge long needle Avas—” 
 
 Ernesti Avonders hoAV the mice could have got at the Aveasel skin, and 
 liOAv one skin Avould suffice for so many. Hence liOAvould read Ovpawv, 
 “ intelligens caw/t\s in qua significatione Ovpaog scribi, Eustathius tradit. 
 Caules ])lantarum demorsos stramineis vinculis junxere.” He Avould 
 then omit the foIloAving verse. I must confess that even Chapman’s in¬ 
 genious translation fails to satisfy me as to tcaXapo(yTs<ptiuv (Svpcrujy. 
 
138 — 175 .] 
 
 THE FROGS AND MICE. 
 
 343 
 
 “ O frogs, the mice, threatening you, have sent [me] to bid 
 you be armed for war and battle. For in the water they 
 have seen Crumb-Filcher, whom your king Fuff-Checks slew. 
 But light, ye, who among the frogs are most valiant.” 
 
 Thus having spoken he declared [the matter], but the 
 speech of the mice, entering into their cars, disturbed the 
 minds of the haughty frogs. And, as they complained, Puff- 
 Cheeks arose and said: 
 
 “ O friends, I did not slay the mouse, nor did 1 behold him 
 perishing. He must needs have been suffocated, playing near 
 the marsh, imitating the swimmings of the frogs, but these 
 most base ones now charge me who am innocent. But comCj 
 let us seek counsel, how we may utterly destroy these deceit¬ 
 ful mice. Wherefore I will speak, as seems to me to be best. 
 Having arrayed our bodies in arms, let us all make a stand 
 near the furthermost brinks, where the land is precipitous. 
 But when making an onslaught against us, they come out, 
 having seized them by the helmets, whosoever shall come 
 near against us, let us hurl them straight into the marsh with 
 them.For thus having choked in the waters these creat¬ 
 ures who can not swim, we may here, with a good courage, up¬ 
 raise a trophy over the slain mice.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he clad them all in arms. With the 
 leaves of mallows indeed they surrounded their shins, and 
 they had breast-plates made from wide, fresh beets, and they 
 had well prepared the leaves of cabbages for shields, and a 
 long sharp reed was fitted to each as a spear, and helmets of 
 light cockle-shells encircled their heads with a defense. And 
 having armed themselves, they stood upon the high banks, 
 brandishing their spears, and were each filled with wrath. 
 
 But Jove, having summoned the gods to the starry heaven, 
 and having pointed out the forces of war, and the valiant 
 combatants, both numerous and mighty, and bearing long 
 spears, such an army as comes of the centaurs and giants— 
 smiling pleasantly, he asked, who of the immortals would bo 
 allies to the frogs, or to the mice, and addressed Minerva: 
 
 “O daughter, goest thou in order to bear aid to the mice? 
 For of a truth they are all continually leaping about thy tem¬ 
 ple, where they are delighted with the steam and delicacies 
 from the offerings.” 
 
 See Ernesli. 
 
344 
 
 THE BATTLE OF 
 
 [17G—198. 
 
 Thus spake the son of Saturn, but him Minerva addressed: 
 
 “ O father, never will I come as an assistant to the mice in 
 trouble, since they have done me many ills, liaving befouled 
 my garlands, and lamps, for the sake of the oil. Ikit this 
 thing, such as they have done, has particularly eaten into my 
 soul, they have nibbled away a garment, which I had Avorked 
 with mine own toil, of delicate thread, and I wove a delicate 
 web, and they have made holes in it. But the fweaver^* press, 
 es me, and demands usury of me, [and] on this account I am 
 Avorn out. For having borrowed,! I Avorked it, and have not 
 the wherewithal to pay back. But even thus I shall not be 
 Avilling to aid the frogs. For neither are they discreet in 
 mind, but yesterday, Avhen I Avas returning from battle, Avhen 
 I Avas A^ery tired, and Avanted to sleep, they, making a noise, 
 Avould not suffer me to close my eyes eA^en for a minute,^^ and. 
 I lay sleepless Avith a headache, until the cock croAved. But 
 come, let us gods avoid aiding these, lest some one of us be 
 Avounded by a sharp dart, [and lest any one be stricken as to 
 his body Avith a spear or a SAvord :]2® for they are going to fight 
 hand to hand, ev^en if a god Avere to come against them, and 
 let us all be amused, beholding the strife from heaA’en.” 
 
 Thus then she spoke, and her the other gods all obeyed. 
 But they all at once came together into one place, and Iavo 
 heralds, bearing the portent^'^ of Avar, and then [Avith them] 
 
 Chapman renders j/Trjjrz/c, a darner. But there is much difficulty 
 in the whole passage. Coleridge, Introduction, p. 282, says, “I do not 
 ])retend to understand this passage exactly; there is evidently some con¬ 
 fusion in the text. If rrpdaati pe ruKovg, exacts usury of me, is genuine, 
 is it possible to reconcile such an allusion to the Homeric age ?” Far- 
 nell’s Aversion is very Avitty, but it is not to the sense: 
 
 “For Avhich vile earthly duns thy daughter gricA’e ; 
 
 The gods, that use no coin, liaA'C none to giA’e.” 
 
 Coleridge considers that j/ttz/tj/c means “ the man of Avhom Minerva got 
 the stuff;” but Chapman’s translation is confirmed by Phrynichus, Avho 
 compares it Avith dKeari'/g. Ernesti Avould read ‘x^piiarpv, creditorem. 
 The Leipsic MS. reads mi ttoXc pe irpaaoH, Avhich certainly gets rid of 
 some of the difficulty; but the j)assagc is by no means satisfactory. 
 
 old’ oXiyov, 
 
 “ nor Avould stay 
 
 Till one Avink seized mine eyes.” Chapman. 
 
 Justly regarded as spurious by Ernesti. 
 
 “Belli signum,” Virg. iEn. A'iii. 1. Cf. II. xi. 4. The A'erse Iioaa'- 
 ever is Avanting in tAvo MSS., and since Jupiter is said to liaA’c given the 
 
100—225.] 
 
 345 
 
 THE FROGS AND MICE. 
 
 gnats, Iniving large trumpets, sounded tlie dreadful signal of 
 war, and Jove, the son of Saturn, looking down from heaven, 
 thundered a portent of evil war. 
 
 Then first Loud-Hoarer wounded Lick-Man with his spear, 
 Avhile standing among the foremost combatants, on the belly, 
 in the middle of the liver, and he fell prone, and defded his 
 tender hairs in the dust. [And falling, he gave a crash, and 
 his arms resounded upon him.]-® But after him Ilole-Crcepcr 
 took aim at Mud-Son, and he fixed the sturdy spear in his 
 breast, and black death seized him as he fell, and the soul flew 
 from his limbs. But Beet-!Man then slew Pot-Stalker, having 
 smote him to the heart. And Bread-Munch struck Loud- 
 Talker on the belly, and he fell prone, and the soul fled from 
 Ids limbs. But when Love-Marsh beheld Loud-Talker per¬ 
 ishing, he wounded Ilole-Creeper with a mill-stone, coming 
 upon him unawares, in the middle of the neck; but him dark¬ 
 ness shadowed as to his eyes ; [but^® grief posses|;ed Ocimides, 
 and he let fly with a sharp bulrush. But he di’^^w the sword 
 of him who had made the attack upon himself, nor did he 
 draw out the sword, but fell immediately before.]®® But 
 Lick-Man took aim at him with his shining spear, and smote 
 him (nor did he miss) in the liver. But when Cabbage-Eater 
 perceived this, he leaped down the deep banks in flight. But 
 even thus he escaped not in the waters, for he (Lick-Man) 
 smote him, and he fell, nor breathed again, and the marsh was 
 stained with purple gore, and he himself was stretched out 
 near the bank, swelling with the fat intestines [round] his 
 flank. But lie [also] slev/ Cheese-Scooper upon the very 
 banks, and Peedy, perceiving Chaw-Bacon, fell into dis¬ 
 may, and leaped into the lake in flight, having cast away 
 his shield. ILit Love-^Yater also slew king Chaw-Bacon, 
 liaving smote liim upon the forepart of the head with a stone, 
 
 n'gnal by thunder (vs. 201), as in Od. xxi. 101. I think that it miglit 
 be well spared. 
 
 A doubtful insertion from the Iliad. 
 
 These three lines are very awkward, and are apparently wanting in 
 the MSS. The student must consult Mattaire’s notes, where the cen- 
 tones of the Iliad and Odyssey, out of which this description of the bat¬ 
 tle seems chielly composed, are diligently collected. The name, O/ct- 
 seems to be derived from tbe herb ocimus, the jSaaiXtiog Ot tha 
 Greeks. See Casaub. on Fers. Sat. iv. 21. 
 
 The confusion of ])ersons in these lines is inextricable. 
 
 P 2 
 
346 
 
 
 [22G—255. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF 
 
 and the brain trickled out from bis nostrils, and the earth was 
 defiled with gore. But faultless Mud-Bed slew Litraeus,^^ and 
 Lick-Dish killed faultless Mud-Bed, rushing at him with his 
 spear, but darkness vailed him as to his eyes. And Munch- 
 Garlick, perceiving [him], dragged Savour-Hunter by the 
 foot, and choked him in the marsh, having seized him by the 
 tendon of his foot. But Crumb-Filcher came to the aid of 
 his slain companions, and smote Munch-Garlick on the belly, 
 in the midst of the liver. And he fell before him, and his 
 soul went to lie,des-ward.But Mud-Stalker looking on, 
 hurled a handful of mud against him, and befouled his fore¬ 
 head, and within a little blinded him. And he then was en¬ 
 raged, and taking in his sturdy hand a stone which lay on the 
 plain, a heavy burden of the field, with it smote IVIud-Stalkcr 
 beneath the knees, and the whole of his right shin was broken, 
 and he fell supine in the dust. But Croak-Son came to his 
 aid, and went in turn against liim, and smote him in the mid¬ 
 dle of the belly; and the sharp bulrush went right through 
 him, and on the ground were poured out all his entrails, as the 
 spear was drawn out by the sturdy hand. And Wheat-Eater, 
 as he perceived it on the banks of the river, limping gave back 
 from the fight, and was grievously pained. And he leaped 
 into the ditch, in order that he might escape utter destruction. 
 But Munch-Bread smote Swell-Cheeks on the tip of the foot, 
 and pained, he swiftly leaped into the marsh in flight.But 
 when IMunch-Bread perceived him fallen in, yet half alive, 
 he forthwith ran up, longing to put an end to him. But 
 when Garlick saw him fallen in, yet half alive, he came 
 through the foremost combatants, and took aim with a sliarp 
 bulrush. Nor did he break his shield, for the point of the 
 spear was detained in it. [But noble Origanum, imitating 
 Mars himself, smote him on the four-potted^*^ blameless hel- 
 
 ^ This nams was restored by Barnes, in lieu of <^tTpaiov. 
 
 I ani unwillim; to lose tin full force of dWuads. 
 
 ^ Evidently an interjnlated line. For how, asks Ernesti, could the 
 mouse attack him, when he had leaped into the lake? The whole pas¬ 
 sage is omitted more or less in the ]MSS., and is in a most unjn-omising 
 state of mutilation. 
 
 A hopeless e])ithet. Ernesti conjectures rerpapdXrjpov. But as wo 
 read above, vs. 130, /; ck Kopvg to XsTrvpov IttI KpoTiKpoo; /capi;o«o, that tho 
 helmet of the mice consisted of a nut-shell; is it not likely that the lost 
 word is to be thus replaced: dpvpova, reTpaXtxupoi’, of four thicknesses 
 
25G-278.] 
 
 THE FliOGS AND MICE. 
 
 347 
 
 met, who alone among the frogs fought gallantly in the crowd. 
 And they rushed upon him, but he, when he perceived, await¬ 
 ed not the valiant heroes, but dived beneath the depths of the 
 marsh.]^^ 
 
 Xow^® among the mice there was a certain young one, sur¬ 
 passing the others, a fighter hand to hand, the beloved son of 
 blameless Bread-Plotter, a general, showing himself a very 
 Mars, valiant Share-Snatcher, who alone among the mice was 
 surpassing in the fight. And he stood beside the marsh, ex¬ 
 ulting alone, apart from the rest; and he had determined to 
 lay waste the race of warrior frogs. And he would certainly 
 have accomplished it, since mighty was his strength, had not 
 the father of men and gods quickly perceived. And the son 
 of Saturn then took pity on the perishing frogs, and having 
 moved his head, he uttered such a speech: 
 
 “ O gods! surely ’tis a great deed I behold with mine eyes. 
 Kot a little has Share - Snatcher astounded me, raging to 
 slaughter the frogs in the marsh.But let us with all haste 
 dispatch war-clattering Pallas, and Mars, who may restrain 
 him from the figlit, although being valiant.” 
 
 Thus indeed spake the son of Saturn, but Mars replied in 
 words : “Neither the might of Minerva, nor indeed of Mars, 
 will be able to avert utter destruction from the frogs. But 
 come, let us all go as assistants, or let thy mighty weapon, 
 Titan-slaying, of mighty deeds, be moved, [the weapon] by 
 which thou didst slay far the best of all the Titans, [with 
 which too thou didst once slay Capaneus, a mighty hero,]^® 
 and didst chain down Enceladus, and the wild tribe of giants, 
 [let it be moved, for thus will he be taken, whoever is best.] 
 
 Thus indeed he spoke, and the son of Saturn hurled his 
 smouldering bolt. First indeed he thundered, and shook 
 mighty Olympus, and then, brandishing, he sent his dreadful 
 
 of nnt-slicll ?” Such a compound is, T think, well suited to the bombast 
 of tliis quasi-epic ])oem. Tlie corruption is easily accounted for 
 
 These lines are found only in the edition of Lycius, and partly in 
 the MSS. See Ernesti. 
 
 Cf. II. V. 0, sqq. 
 
 The comma after XlfivTjv must be removed, r.nd we must join 
 fiarp. Kara XIpvrjv. 
 
 This line is most awkwardly interposed between the mention of the 
 Titans and Enceladus, and as it is omitted in some MSS. it may well be 
 jj)arod. I’erhaps vs. 273 should also be omitted. 
 
848 the battle of the frogs and mice. [279—294. 
 
 bolt, the weapon of Jove, and it flew down from the hand of 
 the king. Having hurled it, he terrified all,^^ both frogs and 
 mice. Hut not even thus did the army of the mice rest, but 
 still the more desired to lay waste the race of warrior frogs; 
 unless the son of Saturn had compassionated the frogs, [look¬ 
 ing down] from Olympus, who indeed then forthwith sent ah 
 lies to the frogs. And they came anvil-backed, curve-claw¬ 
 ed, sidelong in gait, squinting, their mouths armed witli pin¬ 
 cers, shell-clad, boii}^, wide-backed, shining on the shoulders, 
 crook-kneed, with outstretched hands, having sight in their 
 breasts, eight-footed, two-headed, not to be handled, and they 
 are called Crabs, who indeed with their mouths clipped otf 
 the tails, and feet, and hands of the mice, and their spears 
 were bent. These too the timid mice dreaded, nor awaited 
 them; but they turned to flight, and the sun now set, and the 
 end of the war was brought to pass in one day. 
 
 Cf. Hor. Ocl. i. 2, 2, “et rubentc Fulmine sacras juculatus arces, 
 lerruit urbem ; tevruit gentcs.” 
 
 Compare Cowper’s spirited version: 
 
 “-Sudden thev came. Broad-back’d 
 
 They were, and smooth like anvils, sickle-claw’d, 
 
 Sideling in gait, their mouths with pincers arm’d, 
 
 Shell-clad, crook-kneed, protruding far before. 
 
 Long hands and claws, with eye-holes in the breast, 
 
 Legs in quaternion ranged on either side,— 
 
 And Crabs their name.” 
 
HYMNS. 
 
 I. TO ATOLLO.' 
 
 I WILL call to mind, nor will I be forgetful of far-darting 
 Apollo, whom even the gods dread as he goes through the 
 house of Jove, and all rise up from their seats, as he comes 
 near, when he stretches his glorious bow.^ But Latona alone 
 remains by the side of thunder-rejoicing Jove, who both re¬ 
 laxes his bow, and shuts up his quiver, and taking with her 
 hands the bow from his mighty shoulders, hangs it up against 
 a column of her sire’s, from a golden peg, and conducting, 
 seats him on a throne. And unto him his sire gives nectar in 
 a golden goblet, receiving his dear son,^ and then the other gods 
 
 ^ On the antiquity of this hymn, as attested by Thucydides, see Mul¬ 
 ler, Gk. Lit. V. § 1, and vii. § 3; and for an elegant analysis of its con¬ 
 tents, Coleridge, p. 284-291. Miiller thinks that “a large portion of 
 it has been lost, which contained the beginning of the narration, the true 
 ground of the wanderings of Latona.” This ho conjectured to have been 
 “the announcement, probably made by Here, that Latona would pro¬ 
 duce a terrible and mighty son: of which a contradiction is meant to be 
 implied in Apollo’s first words, where he calls the cithera his favorite in¬ 
 strument, as well as the bow, and declares his chief office to be the pro¬ 
 mulgation of the counsels of Zeus.” See Herm. on vs. 29. Coleridge 
 thinks that two distinct hymns, the second commencing at line 178, have 
 been joined together, the first b.eing “a distinct hymn to the Delian Apol¬ 
 lo, prefixed without much skill to another hymn to the Tythian.” Tlio 
 same idea has been adopted by Grote, Hist, of Greece, vol. i. p. Gl, sqq., 
 Avhere he has amply discussed the matter of this hymn. The beginning 
 is imitated by Callimachus in Del. vs. 8. 
 
 ^ “Foeta initio universe reverentiam describens, quarn dii prajstent 
 Apollini, ipsum deum eo habitu, auditoribus ostendit, quo ille maxinie 
 est admirabilis.” Ilerm. • 
 
 ^ i. e. acknowledging his immortality by offering the drink of the gods. 
 Ilor. Od. iii. 3, 12, “ Quos inter Augustus recumbens ihirpureo bibit oro 
 nectar.” Cf. Virg. Eel. iv. G3, iEn. i. 83. and Ilernsterhus. on Lucian, 
 Dial. Deor. vol. ii. p. 2.59, ed. Bii)ont. llelladius apud Phot. j). 8GG, 
 v'tKTap ov flip i<TTi dvpardp toi(^ OpijTOiQ touHcti toiq KTHPOfikpoi<^ fiCTua-' 
 XtTp. 
 
350 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [12—43. 
 
 sit down here, and venerable Latona rejoices, for tliat she lias 
 borne a bo\v-bcai‘ino: and valiant son. Hail! O blest Lato- 
 na, since thou hast brought forth glorious children, both king 
 Apollo, and shaft-delighting Diana, her indeed in Ortygia, 
 but him in rugged Delos,reclining against the long mount- 
 ain and the hill of Cynthus, near a palm-tree, beneath the 
 streams of Inopus. For how shall I hymn thee, who art al¬ 
 together worthy to be hymned, for by thee, O Phoebus, in 
 every strain of song allotted,^ both through the calf-nurturing 
 main land and through the isles. And all the high watches 
 and lofty summits of towering mountains please thee, and the 
 rivers which run onward into the ocean, [ind the shores 
 stretched down to the sea, and the harbors of the sea. Shall 
 I sing how first Latona bore thee, a delight to mortals, having 
 reclined against mount Cynthus in a rugged isle, in sea-girt 
 Delos; while on both sides the dark billow went forth against 
 the land with clear-breathing winds. Starting from hence,^ 
 thou rulest over all mortals, as many as Crete contains with¬ 
 in, and the people of Athens, and the island of Hilgina, and 
 ship-renowned Euboea, and .iEgas,'^ and Iresim, and Peparethus 
 near the sea, and Thracian Athos, and the lofty heads of Pe- 
 lion, and Thracian Samos, and the shadowy mountains of Ida, 
 Scyrus, and Phocoea, and the high mountain of Autocanc, 
 and well-built Imbrus, and Lemnos destitute of harbor, and 
 divine Lesbos, the dwelling of Macar the son of H^lolus, and 
 Chios, which lies in the sea, the richest of isles, and irregular® 
 hlimas, and the lofty heads of Corycus, and splendid Claros, 
 and the high mountain of JEsagea,® and watery Samos, and 
 the lofty heads of JMycale, and Miletus, and Cos, the city of 
 articulate-speaking^® men, and lofty Cnidus, and windy Car- 
 
 * Sec Spanl). on Ciillim. in Apoll. GO, in Del. 2r)5. 
 
 ^ But Hermann reads doid>}g . . . voixoq. 
 
 ® After vs. 29, there is probably a lacuna. 
 
 ’ Hermann shows that this is the Achaian JEgx, mentioned in II. 
 viii. 203, not the'city of Euboea. 
 
 “ Hermann renders TranraXotig “tortuosus,” and says that it is so 
 called “ a multiplici littorum flexu.” 
 
 “ Bnhnken would read ’Aiyayh]£, which is a mountain in Asia. The 
 other name is found nowhere. 
 
 But Holstcnius on Steph. p. 18G, G, considers fiepoTrujv as a proper 
 name. Ijf so, translate, “the city of the Mcropcs.’ 
 
44—72.] 
 
 I. TO APOLLO. 
 
 351 
 
 pathus, and Naxos, and Paros, and rocky Klienea. Over so^’ 
 great [an extent of country] went Latona, about to bring 
 forth the P^ar-Darter, [seeking] whether any one Avas willing 
 to afford a dwelling to her, a chikP" of the earth. But these 
 [lands] trembled much, and dreaded, nor 'did any one dare to 
 receive Phoebus, although being very fertile, until that vener¬ 
 able Latona came to Delos, and questioning her,^^ spoke wing¬ 
 ed words: 
 
 “O Delos, if thou art not willing^^ to be the dAvelling of 
 my son Phoebus Apollo, and to erect a wealthy temple, no 
 other shall ever touch, nor entyeat^^ thee, nor do I think that 
 thou wilt be rich in beeves, nor in sheep, nor wilt thou bear 
 a harvest, nor produce countless plants. But if thou wilt 
 possess a temple of far-darting Apollo, all men, assembling 
 hither, shall escort to thee hecatombs, and to thee shall there 
 ever be a mighty savor, [if thou wilt long’° cherish thy king, 
 and the gods shall preserve thee from the hands of others, 
 since thou hast not a fertile soil.]” 
 
 Thus she spoke, and Delos rejoiced, and ansAvering address¬ 
 ed her: “Latona, most glorious, daughter of mighty Cronus, 
 joyfully indeed Avould I receive the birth of the far-darting 
 king, for I indeed have too ill a report among men, but thus 
 I should become greatly honored. But this thing I dread, O 
 Latona, nor Avill I conceal it from thee. P'or they say that 
 Apollo Avill be A’ery haughty, and Avill lord it greatly over the 
 immortals, and ov’cr mortal men upon the bounteous earth. 
 AVherefore I greatly dread in my mind and soul, lest, Avhen 
 he first beholds the light of the sun, he Avill despise the island, 
 
 This is Barnes’s excellent emendation. 
 
 The order is IttI rCaaov 
 
 'iKiTO. 
 
 I ean not sec how this term applies to Latona. Hermann’s reading 
 yaisujv tOiXoi vii does not remoA'e the difficulty. Perhaps avc should 
 read tiq ol yadujv vib(j GiXoi oIksu OiaOai. 
 
 Delos is here personified. 
 
 I have translated Ernesti’s emendation ft y ovk WeXuc, but am 
 hardly yet satisfied. Hermann reads u yap k WiXoic, but a negative is 
 evidently required by what follows. 
 
 Ituhnken would read ovds a arlaasi, contemnet. Ernesti prefers 
 rim “nee te honorc, bencficio adficict.” This seems probable, as the 
 mistake might easily arise from the duplication of the a. 
 
 Any thing more frigid than the phrase b7]pov can not be imagined. 
 Perhaps IXifXip is the true reading, agreeing with rot in the preceding 
 line. Hermann has bracketed both this and the following verse. 
 
[72—98. 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 HYMJs^S. 
 
 because 1 am of a rugged soil, and, having overturned it with 
 his feet, spurn it into the billows of the deep, where me, in¬ 
 deed, the mighty wave will ever wash over the head; but he 
 will go to another land, which may please him to build a tem¬ 
 ple and foliaged grove. But in me the polypuses and black 
 sea-calves will make their unpleasing abodes, through lack of 
 people. But if, O goddess, thou wouldst endure to swear 
 unto me a*mighty oath, that he will here first erect a bcfiutc- 
 ous tcm})le, to be a place of oracles for men, but afterward 
 among all men, since he is of many nanies.”^’^ 
 
 Thus she spoke ; and Latona swore the mighty oath of the 
 gods [thus]: “ Now may the earth and wide heaven above 
 be witness to these things, and the down-flowing water of the 
 Styx (which is the mightiest and most dreadful oath to the 
 blessed gods), truly here shall there always be an incense-altar 
 and inclosure of Phoebus, and he shall honor thee above all.” 
 But when indeed she had sworn, and had ended the oath, De¬ 
 los rejoiced much at the birth^® of the far-darting king. But 
 Latona for nine days and nine nights was pierced with unex¬ 
 pected throes, and all the goddesses Avere within^^ [with her], 
 as many as were best, both Dione, and Rhea, and lchna?an‘“^^ 
 Themis, and loud-resounding Amphitrite, and the other im¬ 
 mortals save only white-armed Juno; for she sat in the pal¬ 
 ace of cloud-compelling Jove, and birth-presiding Ilythia 
 alone^^ had not known [of her labor]. For she Avas sitting 
 
 Ernesti understands “ turn ego utique to libenter, rcccperiin,” from 
 A'ss. G2, 63. Hermann thinks there is a lacuna. 
 
 i. e. at the prospect of being liis birth-idace, for he was not yet born. 
 Hermann reads tvOade for tvdoOi. The latter ])hrase could be un¬ 
 derstood, if Latona had been regularly brought to bed in a palace or 
 dwelling, and, in my oi)inion, it is metaphorically used, as though such 
 were really the case. Chapman has well expressed the idea: 
 
 “Latona, thou nine days and nights did fall 
 In hopeless labor, at xvhose birth were all 
 Heaven’s most supreme and worthy goddesses.” 
 
 The reader will perhaps call to mind the delivery of Sabra in the “ Sev- 
 en Champions,” where there is a similar attendance of heathen goddess¬ 
 es, amusingly brought to the aid of the Christian knight’s lady. 
 
 So called from the city lchna;a. Steph. Hyz. s. j). 340, ed. Pined. 
 iXvaia i) Oifiuj' ei(OKoi.iLrt] -yap i'tto too Aibi;, KaTtXticpOi] tv rohj ruiv 
 ’ixraiojv tottoiq. Kai (itto tov dioJxOijvat tear ujvopuaOt}. See 
 
 Alberti on Hesych. t. ii. p. 88, and Muller, Dor. a'oI. i. j). 471, note, 
 Append, i. § 5. 
 
 There is much inelegance in vua^iv \. "Hrjr/c and povvtj ovit 
 
 21 
 
98—120.] 
 
 I. TO APOLLO. 
 
 353 
 
 beneath the golden clouds on lofty Olympus, through the de¬ 
 vices of white-armed Juno, who kept her back^^ through 
 envy, because fair-haired Latona was then about to bring 
 forth a blameless and mighty son. Hut they sent Iris from the 
 well-built island, to bring Ilithyia, promising [to her as a gift] 
 a mighty necklace woven with golden threads, nine cubits [in 
 length]. But they ordered [Iiis] to call her apart from white- 
 .armed Juno, lest she should then by words divert her from 
 going. But when Iris, with feet swift as the wind, heard this, 
 she set out to run, and swiftly passed through all the midst. 
 But when she reached the dwelling of the gods, lofty Olym¬ 
 pus, straightway having called Ilithyia out of doors from the 
 ' house, she addressed [to her] winged words, in all exactly as 
 the possessors of the Olympian dwellings had enjoined. And 
 she persuaded her mind within her breast, and they both set 
 out, like in step to timid does. But when Ilithyia, who pre¬ 
 sides over labor, reached Delos, then indeed labor seized [La¬ 
 tona], and she was ready to bring forth. And she threw her 
 arms around the palin,^^ and rested her knees on the soft 
 ineadow, and the earth smiled beneath. And he leaped forth 
 into the light, and all the goddesses gave a shout.^^ There, 
 O archer ITimbus, the goddesses washed thee^^ in the fair 
 
 tTreTTvcxTo, K. r. X. I can not help thinking that ?}(Tro yap tv ptyapoan 
 Aibg vttptXpytTtpdo is a clumsy addition by a sciolist who thought it 
 necessary to state where Juno was. At all events vs. 99 renders it 'ut¬ 
 terly redundant and pointless, 
 
 i. e. prevented her attending upon Latona. 
 
 The reason of this is not badly explained by the Schol. on Apollon. 
 Ilh. i. 1131, tUog icri raXg Kvovaaig tCjv 7rapaKup.tvu)V XapfidvtoQaij 
 Kal cnroKov(p'iZ,HV tavrdg tujv dXyijdovwv' I'og Kai A?]r(b iXdjJero rov 
 ^on'LKog. lleference is also made to the present passage in Theognis, 5, 
 <poX(ii dva^, ore p'tv at Otd rtKt TVOTVia A?;r(u i>o'iviicog paSivrjg 
 i^a-^apivp ; and Callim. in Del. 208, Avaaro St ^ujvrjv, aTro d’ tKXiOT} 
 tfiiraXiv wpoig fpolviKog ttoti Trptpvov, dppxavhjg vtto Xvyppg Ttipopsvp. 
 The same tree is mentioned in Odvss. vi. 1G2, and was said to be in ex- 
 istence in the time of Plinv, Hist, Nat. xiv. 44. 
 
 Job xxxviii. 7, “When the morning stars sang together, and all 
 the sous of God shouted for joy.” 
 
 “And thee, O archer Plioebus, with waves clear 
 Wash’d sweetly ov'er, swaddled with sincere 
 And spotless swath-l)ands ; and made them to flow 
 About thy breast, a mantle, white as snow; 
 
 Fine, and new made; and cast a vail of gold 
 Over thy foreliead.” 
 
 Chapman. 
 
354 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [ 121 — 150 . 
 
 5fater purely and liolily, and swaddled thee in a white robe, 
 fine, beautiful, and around they put on a golden roller.^^ xSor 
 in truth did his mother suckle gold-falchioned Apollo, but 
 Themis with her immortal hands oftered him nectar and 
 pleasant ambrosia, and Latona rejoiced, because she had 
 brought forth a bow-bearing and valiant son. Hut when, O 
 Thoebus, thou hadst tasted the immortal food, no longer did 
 the golden swaddling-clothes hold thee panting, nor did the 
 bandage keep thee, but all the restraints were broken. And 
 straightway Phoebus Apollo spake among the immortals: 
 “ May a lyre and bending bow be mine, and I will declare to 
 men the unerring counsel of Jove.”^'? 
 
 Having spoken thus, Phoebus the far-darting, with unshorn 
 locks, went from the wide-wayed earth, and all the immortal 
 goddesses were terrified.But then all Delos became heavy 
 with gold,2^ beholding the offspring of Jove and Latona; re¬ 
 joicing, because the god had chosen it out of the islands and 
 the main land, to settle [in it] his dwelling, and had loved it 
 more from his heart.^'^ It flourished, as when the summit of 
 a mountain [flourishes] with the blossoms of the wood. But 
 thou thyself, O thou of the silver bow, far-darting king Apollo, 
 sometimes indeed didst walk on rocky Cynthus, and sometimes 
 thou wouldst flee to the islands and their inhabitants Thine 
 are full many temples and foliaged groves, and all the high 
 rocks are dear [to thee], and the lofty summits of towering 
 mountains, and the rivers that flow on into the sea. But thou, 
 O Phoebus, art chiefly delighted in heart at Delos. Tliere 
 the long-trained lonians are assembled in honor of thee, with 
 their children^^ respected wives. But they, mindful, de¬ 
 light thee with boxing, and dancing, and song, when they be- 
 
 i. c. a swath-band decked or woven with gold. 
 
 Cf. A^sch. Eum. 19, with Stanley’s note. So in Callimachus in 
 Dian. G, Diana claims her prerogative from her father Zeus. On these 
 offices of Apollo, cf. pseud-Orpheus, hymn, xxxiv. p. 295, cd. Ilerm. 
 
 Cf. vs. 2, and Muller, Dorians, Bk. ii. ch. G, p. 315. In the pre¬ 
 ceding line Matthim riglitly reads Ini for n7ro. 
 
 This is expressed by Callimachus in his usual exaggerated style, in 
 Del. vs. 2GO, sqq. 
 
 Call. ibid. 2G9, Ai'jXiog ’Att6\\u)v KtK\r,<TeTai, oiids Tig aWt] Faiciujy- 
 Toaaoi’Os df(p 7r(^i\))(TtTcu dAXfp. 
 
 liut Hermann on Vig. p. 718, and Ilgen, understand dvtpag of the 
 inliabitants of the main land, in contradistinction to vijirovg. 
 
 Hermann riglitlv reads cwToiaiv Traidtaci. 
 
 O n 
 
151—179.] 
 
 I. TO APOLLO. 
 
 355 
 
 gin the contest. A man would say that they were immortal 
 and without age, the lonians who are then assembled I oppo- 
 sitef thec.'"^ For he would perceive the pleasure of all, and 
 would be delighted in inijid, both contemplating the men, and 
 the well-girt women, and the swift ships, and their many pos¬ 
 sessions. And besides these, this mighty marvel, the glory of 
 which shall never perish, the Delian girls, the servants^^ of 
 the Far-Darter, who, after they have first chanted Apollo in 
 liymns, and then Latona and shaft-rejoicing Diana, calling to 
 mind the heroes and heroines of old, sing a hymn, and charm 
 tlie crowds of men. And they ken how to imitate the voices 
 and modulations^ of all men. And each single man would 
 say that he himself spoke, so beautiful a song is contrived by 
 them. But come now, O Latona, and Apollo, with Diana, 
 and hail all of you And be mindful of me hereafter also, 
 when any one of earthly men, coming hither as a sad stranger, 
 shall ask : “ O virgins, what man among you dwells here, the 
 sweetest of bards, and in whom do ye take most delight?’’ 
 But do ye all answer, “ [He is] of us, a blind man, and he 
 dwells at rocky Chios, whose songs shall all hereafter excel. 
 But we'^'^ shall bear our own renown [with us], how far so¬ 
 ever over the earth we shall visit the well-inhabited cities of 
 men.” And they will be persuaded, since it is also true. 
 But I will not cease hymning far-darting Apollo of the silver 
 bow, whom fair-haired Latona bore. 
 
 O king,^^ thou who possesscst both Lycia, and pleasant Ma3- 
 
 Hermann, after Ilgen, reads oc tot iiravTicwti, or ’laovfQ ciOpooi 
 fltv, wiiich seems the most satisfactory reading yet })ro])osed. 
 
 Cf. Callim. in Del. 290, sqq. See Ernesti. 
 
 The following translation of these beautiful lines is given in Cole¬ 
 ridge, p. 280: 
 
 “ Virgins ! farewell—and oh ! remember me 
 Hereafter, when some stranger from the sea, 
 
 A hapless wanderer, may your isle explore. 
 
 And ask you, maids, of all the bards you boast. 
 
 Who sings the sweetest, and delights you most— 
 
 O ! answer all —‘A blind old man and ])Oor— 
 
 Sweetest he sings—and dwells on Chios’ rocky shore !”’ 
 
 These lines are quoted by Thucydides, iii. 104. 
 
 Huhnken would omit these four verses, which Hermann, I think, 
 vainly defends. 
 
 Here begins the hymn to the Pythian Apollo, of which IMiiller, Gk. 
 Lit. vii. § 4, observes, “it belongs to a time when the Pythian sanctuary 
 was still in the territory of Crissa: of the hostility between the Pythian 
 
356 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [180--210. 
 
 onia, and Miletus, a maritime, pleasant city, and who also^^ 
 rulest mightily over sea-washed Delos. But the son of all-re¬ 
 nowned Latona goes to rocky Pytho, playing on his hollow 
 harp, wearing immortal incense-scented garments, while liis 
 harp beneath the golden quilP*^ utters a pleasant twang. But 
 hence from the earth he goes to lieaven, when [he has] the 
 mind, to the house of Jove, after the assemblage of the other 
 gods; and straightway the harp and song are a care to mor¬ 
 tals. The muses indeed, all at once answering with beauteous 
 voice, sing the immortal gifts of the gods, and the sufferings of 
 men, as many things as they possessing at the hands of the 
 immortal gods, live destitute of counseP^ and resources, nor 
 are able to find a remedy for death and a defense against age. 
 But the fair-tressed Graces, and the wise Hours, and Har¬ 
 mony, and Hebe, and Venus, the daughter of Jove, dance, 
 holding each others’ hands by the wrist. To them no mean 
 nor triviaP^ [songstress] plays, but shaft-rejoicing Dian, the 
 foster-sister of Apollo, most mighty to behold, and in aspect 
 wondrous. Here again with them sport Mars and well-watch¬ 
 ing Mercury, but Phcebus Apollo strikes the harp, taking 
 grand and lofty steps, and a shining haze surrounds him, and 
 glittering of feet, and of his well-fitted tunic. And both 
 golden-tressed Latona and deep-planning Jove are delighted 
 at it, as they perceive his mighty mind, their darling son 
 sporting among the immortal gods. 
 
 How then shall I hymn thee who art altogether worthy to 
 be hymned ? Shall I sing of thee among suitors and love, 
 how once on a time, wooing,thou didst approach the Aza- 
 nian girl, in company with godlike Ischys, the son of Elation, 
 
 priests and the Crissreans, whieh afterward led to the war of tlie Am])hic- 
 tyons against the city of Crissa (in Olymp. 47), there is no trace; a 
 })assage also sliows that horse-races had not as yet been introduced at 
 the Pytliian games, which began immediately after the Crisstean war: 
 the ancient Pythian contests had been confined to music.” 
 
 Hermann says that abrog is ideas. 
 
 The plectrum, with which the strings of the lyre were struck. Pol¬ 
 lux, iv. 9, 3. The modern mandolin is played in the same manner. 
 
 Barnes rightly reads 
 
 Head ovT kXdx^ict with Barnes, as in Od. ix. 110, etc. 
 
 Hermann reads brnror dyau)iitvog, observing, “ indignatum coro- 
 nidi Apollinem constat.” So Horn. Od. xx. 10, dyaiojiivob kukii ipya. 
 This certainly approaches the vestiges of the old reading, di^cjufuvog. 
 The present one, adoj)ted by Ernesti, is due to Bernard Martin. 
 
211—23G.] 
 
 I. TO APOLLO. 
 
 357 
 
 of noble steeds, or with Pliorbas, son of Tropiis,'^*^ or with 
 Ereutheus, or with Leucippus, and the wife of Leucippus, 
 [thou] on foot, but he with steeds? fNor yet was Triopus 
 Avanting.f Or [shall I sing] how first seeking an oracle for 
 men, thou didst traverse the earth, O far-darting Apollo ? 
 Eor thou first wentest down from Olympus in Fieria, and 
 didst pass over sandy Lecton,'^^ and the Magnesians, and 
 through the Perrha3bians. And quickly didst thou reach 
 lolcus, and come to Cenceum in ship-renowned Euboea. And 
 thou didst stand upon the Lelantian plain, which pleased not 
 thy mind so that thou shouldst [there] erect a temple and 
 foliaged wood. But from hence, O far-darting Apollo, hav¬ 
 ing crossed the Euripus, thou, divine one, wentest over the 
 verdant mountain,^^ and quickly earnest from it to Mycales- 
 sus and grassy-couched Teumessus. And thou earnest to the 
 land of Thebe clad with woods; for not yet did any one of 
 mortals dwell in sacred Tliebe, nor were there as yet any 
 roads or ways through the wheat-bearing plain of Thebe, but it 
 was overgrown with wood.'*" }>ut from hence, O far-darting 
 Apollo, thou wentest onward, and didst reach Onchestus, the 
 splendid wood of Xeptune, where a newly-broken foal breathes 
 again, laden as he is,'*® dragging the handsome chariot, and 
 the driver, though skillful, falling from the chariot to the 
 ground, goes on his way. But they so long indeed rattle 
 along the chariot, having cast off their ruler. But if indeed 
 he guides his chariot into the foliaged grove,'*® they rub down 
 
 Read TptoTrfw yh^o^ with Ilgen. Hermann transposes vss. 211, 212, 
 and thinks, with reason, tliat there is a lacuna after vs. 212, and also 
 after vs. 214, the next line probably commencing with vid£, depending 
 on TpiOTTOQ. 
 
 But Ilgen and Matthias read ’HpaQlrjv re Trapecrrixf^g y)d’ 'Eviijvag. 
 For Asktov Hermann reads Avjkov, which was a city near Einathia. 
 
 Hermann marks a lacuna after vs. 222. The mountain was Mes- 
 sapius in Boeotia. 
 
 v\r], Barnes’s correction, seems necessary to the sense. But the 
 whole line appears to me a clumsy repetition from vs. 225. 
 
 Ilgen reads Kpp = “p^iiued to the soul,” which is approved by Her¬ 
 mann. But there is no occasion to alter the old reading, if we translate 
 dvaTTvsH “recovers his spirits,” i. e. does not give way. So Chapman, 
 
 “Where new-tamed horse bred, nourish nerves so rare 
 That still they frolic, though they travail’d arc 
 Never so sore—” 
 
 ** I um more inclined to siqipose something wanting here. 
 
358 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [23G-2GG. 
 
 their steeds, but leave the chariots, having tilted them.^*^ 
 For thus at the first was the religious custom; but they pray 
 to king [Apollo], and then the destiny of the gods saves the 
 chariot. But from hence thou wentest onward, O far-dart¬ 
 ing Apollo, and thou didst next reach fair-streamed Cephisus, 
 which pours forth fair-flowing water from Lilasum. Hav¬ 
 ing passed over tliis, O Far-Darter, and over well-turreted 
 Ocalea, thou earnest from thence to grassy Ilaliartus. And 
 thou wentest on to Delphusa,^^ whore the harmless country 
 pleased thee, that thou shouldst erect a temple and foliaged 
 grove. And thou stoodest very near her and addressed her 
 in words: 
 
 “Delphusa, here indeed I design to build a very beautiful 
 temple, as a shrine for men, who in my honor shall ever bring 
 perfect hecatombs hither, ay, as many [men] as possess rich 
 Peloponnesus, and as many as [dwell in] Europe and the sea¬ 
 girt isles, in quest of oracles. But to them all will I declare 
 unerring counsel, giving responses in my rich temple.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, Phoebus Apollo began to lay down 
 the foundations, wide, and very long in extent. But Dclphu- 
 sa, perceiving, was wroth at heart, and spake thus: 
 
 “ Phoebus ! far-darting king, what word shall I speak to thy 
 mind ? since thou designest to build here a very beautiful tem¬ 
 ple, to be a shrine for men, who indeed shall always bring 
 hither to thee perfect hecatombs. But I will speak out to 
 thee, and do thou cast it in thy mind ; the noise of fleet steeds 
 shall ever harass thee, and the [noise of the] mules coming 
 to water from my sacred fountains. Here any one of men 
 will ratlicr wish to behold the well-wrought chariots of men, 
 and the rattling of swift-footed steeds,*^ than a great temple 
 
 50 “ Currus solutis equis reclinatos rclinquimt,” Ernesti. If we con¬ 
 sider the light make of the old Grecian chariots, and that they had but 
 two wheels, this operation will appear easy. 
 
 51 Q^. I’elphusa,” which orthography is followed by Hermann, Grote, 
 and others. 
 
 52 “While seeking a site for a temple in Bceotia, Apollo is recom¬ 
 mended by a water-goddess, Tilphussa or Dclphussa, to ])lace it in the 
 territory of Crissa, in the ravine of rarnassus: her advice being prompt¬ 
 ed by the malicious hoi)e that a dangerous serpent, which abode there, 
 would destroy the youthful god. Apollo accepts her counsel, but frus¬ 
 trates her intent: he founds his temi)lc in this solitary glen, slays the 
 dragon, and then punishes Tilphussa by stopping up her fountain.” 
 Muller, Gk. Lit. 1. c. § 4. 
 
2GG—305.] 
 
 I. TO APOLLO. 
 
 359 
 
 and many possessions within it. But if thou wilt be per¬ 
 suaded (but thou art greater and braver, O king, than I am, 
 and thy strength is mightiest), erect for thyself [a temple] in 
 Crissa, beneath the folds of Parnassus, where neither are the 
 handsome chariots shaken along, nor will there be a noise of 
 swift-footed steeds around thy well-built altar. And even 
 tlius the glorious tribes of men will bring offerings to lo-Pasan, 
 and do thou, rejoicing in thy mind, receive the fair offerings 
 of the neighboring men.” 
 
 Thus speaking, she persuaded the mind of the Far-Darter, 
 that to Delphusa there should be her own renown o’er the 
 earth, and not that of the Far-Darter. But from hence thou 
 wentest onward, O far-darting Apollo, and thou earnest into 
 the city of the insolent Plegyan men, who, caring not for Jove, 
 dwelt upon the earth in a beauteous dell, near the lake of 
 Cephissus. From hence thou swiftly earnest rushing^^ to the 
 rock, and thou didst reach Crissa,®^ below snowy Parnassus, 
 turned at its base toward the west, but above the rock is sus¬ 
 pended aloft, and a rugged, hollow cave runs below, flere 
 king Phoebus Apollo resolved to construct a pleasant temple, 
 and thus he spoke: ‘‘Here indeed I design to build a very 
 beautiful temple, to be a shrine of cracles for mea who shall 
 always bring hither to me perfect hecatombs, ay, as many 
 [men] as possess rich Peloponnesue, and as many as [dwell 
 in] Europe^'*’ and the sea-girt isles, coming in quest of oracles. 
 But to them all will I declare unerring counsel, giving re- 
 S 2 :)onses in my rich temple.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, Phoebus Apoifo began to lay down the 
 foundations, wide, and very long in extent. And upon them 
 Trophonius and Agamedes, the sons of Erginus, dear to tho 
 immortal gods, laid a stone threshold. But innumerable 
 troops of men built the temple around with hewn stones, so 
 that it should ever be a subject of song. And near it [is] the 
 fair-flowing fountain, where the royal son of Jove, with his 
 strong bow, slew the serpent, a stoutly-nourished, mighty, a 
 savage portent, which did many ills to men upon the earth, 
 many to themselves, and many to their long-footed sheejv 
 since it was a blood-thirsty bane. jAnd once on a time hav* 
 
 But Ilerniann reads 9tlojv for Ovmv. 
 
 ISec Muller, Dorians, vol. i. p. 238, sqq. 
 
 On this early mention of Europe as a territory, sec Perm. 
 
3G0 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [305—335. 
 
 ing received from golden-throned, dreadful, and grievous 
 Typhaon, a bane to mortals,!^® whom once Juno brought 
 forth, enraged against father Jove, when indeed the son of 
 Saturn begat glorious Minerva in the top of his head, and 
 hallowed Juno was enraged, and she also spoke among the 
 assembled immortals: “ Hear me both all ye gods and all ye 
 goddesses, how cloud-compelling Jove begins to insult me first, 
 since he made me his wife, knowing prudent things. And 
 now apart from me has he given birth to dark-eyed Minerva, 
 who is conspicuous among all the blessed immortals. But 
 my son Vulcan has been rendered lame among all the gods, 
 being halt as to his feet, whom I myself hurled down, seizing 
 him with my hands, and cast into the wide sea.^"^ But him 
 Thetis, the silver-footed daughter of Nereus, received, and 
 led to her own sisters. tWould that she might grant anoth¬ 
 er favor to the blessed godslf^® Wretch! crafty-planncr 1 
 what else dost thou now devise? How daredst thou alone 
 produce dark-eyed Minerva? I have not become a mother, 
 and yet I have been called thy [wife] among the immortals, 
 who possess the wide heaven. And now,t therefore, will I 
 try some device, so tliat a son may be mine,®^ who may excel 
 among the immortal gods, neither dishonoring thy sacred 
 couch, nor mine own. Nor will I go to the couch with thee, 
 but being far away from thee, I will be among the immortal 
 gods.’’*"*^ 
 
 Thus speaking, she went far away from the gods, enraged 
 as she was,®^ and straightway large-eyed venerable Venus 
 prayed, and with pressed-down hand she smote the earth, 
 and said: “ Hear now me, earth, and wide heaven above, 
 and ye Titan gods,®-^' who dwelling beneath the earth faround 
 
 Itiilinken would omit these two lines, and with reason. 
 
 See my note on 11. xviii. 395, sqcp 
 
 This line is far from satisfactory. 
 
 Hermann well renders, “ut mens aliquis nascatur filiiis.” 
 
 This seems a contradiction to vs. 331, uTro voafi Otuiv. I have little 
 doubt that Otolai iitTtaaofiai dOavaTOimv is copied from Gtoiai /nera- 
 TrpsTToi udavuToioiv in vs. 327, and has thus suj)planted the genuine 
 reading. 
 
 I certainly prefer Ywo/tnu/ K-i/p with Barnes. Virg. iEn. i. 54. 
 “Talia tlanimato sccum dea corde voliitans.” Aristoj)h. Lysistr. 9, 
 Kcio/^iai Ti)v Kapdiav. 
 
 ** Observe the anacoluthon. As there is much awkwardness in the 
 
33G—363.J 
 
 I. TO APOLLO, 
 
 361 
 
 mighty Tartarus, from whomf are men and gods. Hear me 
 now, all of you, and give me offspring without Jove, naught 
 inferior to him in might; but let him be as much better, as 
 wide-seeing Jove [is better] than Saturn.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she smote the earth with her strong 
 hand, and the life-bearing earth was moved. But she, per¬ 
 ceiving it, was delighted in her mind, for she thought that the 
 thing was accomplished. And from this time for a full year 
 she never went to the bed of deep-planning Jove, nor, sitting 
 by him on his various-decked throne as before, did she delib¬ 
 erate prudent counsels. But large-eyed, hallowed Juno, re 
 maining in her prayer-fraught^^ temples, was delighted with 
 her own rites. But when now the nights*^^ and days were 
 accomplished, the year being again rolled round, and the sea¬ 
 son came, she brought forth dreadful and grievous Typhon, 
 like neither unto gods nor mortals, a bane to men. And*'^ 
 immediately large-eyed hallowed Juno received him, then 
 bearing him, she gave evil to evil.^^ But she received him, 
 fwho did many evils to the glorious tribes of men.f Whoev¬ 
 er met her, him the fatal day carried off, before that the far- 
 darting king, Apollo, had aimed his strong shaft at him. But 
 she [now] lay tortured with bitter pains, panting greatly, roll¬ 
 ing about on the ground. And a wondrous, boundless noise 
 arose. But she kept continually rolling here and there in the 
 wood, and gave up her life, breathing forth gore. But over 
 her Bhcjebus Apollo vaunted : “ Here now rot upon the man- 
 
 passage as it stands, I am strongly inclined to read vito x^ovl vaitraovai, 
 omitting the next line. 
 
 Barnes’s rendering, “multis votis freqncntatis,’’ or Chapman’s, 
 “vow-frequented,” seems better than Ernesti’s “optatissimis.” 
 
 Herm. /xi/vec rt kuI I'l/x. 
 
 Kuhnken would omit vss. 353, 354, 35G, which arc certainly very 
 awkwardly placed. “Sed ita de Typhaone erunt accipienda, quas ad 
 draconem pertinere, indicat tota sequeiis oratio,” observes Ernesti, who 
 would merely omit vs. 355. 
 
 i. e. adding a new monster to the serpent already born. See Barnes. 
 Chapman *, 
 
 “-which, received to hand 
 
 By Juno, instantly she gave command 
 (111 to ill adding) that the dragoness 
 Should bring it up ; who took, and did oppress 
 With many a misery, to maintain th’ excess 
 Of that inhuman monster, all the race 
 Of men, that were of all the world the grace.” 
 
 Q 
 
362 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [3G4-^39G. 
 
 feedin" earth. No lonofer shalt thou be an evil destruction to 
 
 o o 
 
 living mortals, who, eating the fruit of the much-nurturing 
 earth, bring hither perfect hecatombs. Nor shall Typho, nor 
 Chimoera, of ill-omened name, avert death from thee, but here 
 shall the black earth and rouser^' Hyperion rot thee.” 
 
 Thus he spoke, vaunting, but darkness vailed her eyes, and 
 the sacred might of the sun caused her [carcass] to putrefy 
 there, from whence he is now called Pytho, but they call him 
 the Pythian king with reason, because there the might of the 
 piercing sun rotted^^ the monster. And then indeed Phoebus 
 Apollo perceived in his mind that the fair-flowing fountain 
 had deceived Iiim. And enraged he went to Delphusa, and 
 quickly reached her, and stood very near her, and addressed 
 her in words: 
 
 ‘‘Delphusa, tliou wast not destined to deceive my mind, 
 possessing a pleasant country to senel forth^^ hdr-flow- 
 
 ing water. Here then sliall my renown also be, not tliine 
 only.” He spoke, and the far-darting king, Apollo, pushed 
 the summit into fthe water-streaming rocks,and hid the 
 streams, and made a temple in the foliaged wood, very near 
 the fair-flowing fountain. But here all pay vows to the king, 
 Dclphusian by surname, because he defiled the streams of sa¬ 
 cred Delphusa. And then indeed Phoebus Apollo bethought 
 him in mind, what men he should lead in as ministers of his 
 rites, who do him service in rocky Pytho. Deliberating on 
 these things,lie perceived on the dark sea a swift ship, and 
 in it were men both many and good,,Cretans‘2 from Minoian 
 Cnossus, who indeed both perform sacred rites to the king, 
 and proclaim the laws of Phoebus Apollo of tlie golden sword, 
 whatsoever he may say, uttering in oracle from the laurel. 
 
 Compare the epithet j/XfK-rp/c given to the moon in the ])seuil-Orf)hic 
 liymns, ix. G, ed. Ilerm. Cf. II. xix. 398, witli Ileracl. Identic. Alleg. ' 
 liom. p. 4G9, ed. Gale, and Alberti on Ilesych. t. i. p. 1G21, sq. 
 
 Kuhnken is by no means favorable to the retention of this passage, 
 but Ernesti and Hermann witli reason defend it, des])ite its absurdity. 
 
 I read Trpoxstiv, with Barnes. ^ 
 
 “Locum petra}, ubi profundcrctur aqua c rujic prosiliente,” is I 
 Ernesti’s interpretation, who compares the imitation of the passage in 
 Callim. in Del. 133, dX\d ot Hajyaiov TrpoOiXvfiva KciptjaTu pLX~ 
 
 Xtv, deipag ’Ei.ij3aX(eiv civr}(Tn>, inroKpv-^HV H pseOpa. 
 
 This ])assage is terribly misi)laced. Hermann rightly places vs. 394 
 after 390, and vs. 391 after 39G, marking a hicuna after ui>uict\.. 
 
 Cf. Grote, Hist, of Greece, vol. i. p. Go. 
 
39G—430.] 
 
 I. TO APOLLO. 
 
 363 
 
 beneath the valleys of Parnassus. They indeed were sailing 
 into sandy Pylos, and the Pylian-sprung men for trafnc 
 and business in a dark ship, but Phoebus Apollo met them. 
 And into the sea he made a spring, in body likened to a dol¬ 
 phin,"'^ into the swift ship, and he lay a mighty and dreadful 
 monster. And no one of them in his mind could regard or 
 observe''^ him, * ^ ^ be moved in all directions, and shook 
 
 the timbers of the ship. But they in silence sat in the ship, 
 in dread, nor did they loose the cables throughout the hollow 
 black ship, nor did they loose the sail of the black-prowed 
 ship; but as they who first set to work with [ropes of] bull 
 hides, so they sailed, and the light south wind ffrom behind 
 pressed oiv^ the swift ship.f And they first passed by Malea, 
 and came to the Lacedsemonian land, the sea-girt city, and 
 Taenarus, the country of the inortal-rejoicing sun, where the 
 dense-fieeced sheep of the king Sun ever feed, and possess a 
 pleasant country. They indeed here wished to stop the ship, 
 and, disembarking, to observe and behold with their eyes the 
 mighty marvel, whether the monster would remain on the 
 plain [decks] of the hollow ship, or would make a spring into 
 the fishy wave of the sea around. But the well-built ship 
 obeyed not the rudders, but keeping rich Peloponnesus at its 
 side, it went on its way. And by the wind Apollo, the far- 
 darting king, easily directed it; and she, making her way, 
 came to Arene, and pleasant Argyphea, and Thryum, the ford 
 of Alpheus, and handsome -Tlpy, and sandy Pylos, and the 
 Pylos-born men. And he went past Crunii, and Chalcis, and 
 by Dyme, and by divine Elis, where the Epeians rule. And 
 she reached PheraD,''^ rejoicing in the gale of Jove. And to 
 them out from the clouds appeared the lofty crag of Ithaca, 
 and Dulichium, and Same, and woody Zacynthus. And it 
 indeed passed by over"" all Peloponnesus, and when now the 
 
 “This, I imagine, was not the dolphin of modern times, which is a 
 slender, elegant, and comj)aratively small fish; but, as seems clear from 
 the descriptions in the classic poets generally, nothing more or less than 
 the porpoise.” Coleridge, p. 290. 
 
 I read rCjv d’ ovtiq Kara Ov/xuv iTrt^pdoar ovS' tvorjaev, with 
 Matth. and Ilerm., placing a mark of lacuna after the line. 
 
 I read tTreiyt, with liuhnken, instead of tyape. Cf. Od. xii. 167, 
 tirttye yap ovpocj (XTn'jpiov. 
 
 Cf. Od. XV. 295. 
 
 Hermann has changed to t-rri, which he says is “ adverbialitci 
 dc supcrlicic dictum,” as in II. xvii. G50, pd\ij d’ tTri Truaa (padv()t}. 
 
364 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 ri31—4G2. 
 
 boundless bosom of Crissa appeared, which divides off rich 
 Peloponnesus, there came a mighty west wind, clear, from 
 the will of Jove, vehement, blowing briskly from the clear 
 sky, that with all speed the ship might make its way, running 
 along the briny wave of the sea. And backward they then 
 sailed toward the morn and the sun; and king Apollo-, the 
 son of Jove, was leader. And they came into western Crissa 
 abounding in vines, into the port; but the sea-traversing ship 
 drew nigli to the sands. Here the far-darting king, Apollo, 
 bounded from the ship, like unto a star at mid-day, but from 
 it flitted many sparks, and the brilliancy reached to heaven,"'® 
 and he went into his recess through the high-valued tripods. 
 And then he kindled a flame, showing forth his shafts,"*^ and 
 the gleam occupied all Crissa. But the wives and fair-gir¬ 
 dled daughters of the Crissa;ans raised a shout, under the in¬ 
 fluence of Phoebus's shock, for a mighty fear seized each. 
 Here again, like thought, he leaped in flight to the ship, lik¬ 
 ened unto a youthful and vigorous man just reached puberty, 
 enwrapping Ids broad shoulders in his hair, and addressing 
 them, he spoke winged words: 
 
 “O strangers, who are ye ? Whence do ye sail o’er the 
 watery ways ? Is it for traffic, or do ye wander at random, 
 like pirates, over the seas, who indeed wander, risking their 
 lives, bearing evil to men of other lands?®® Why stand ye 
 thus astounded, and do not disembark upon the land, nor stow 
 the cables in the black ship? For this indeed is the business 
 of adventurous men, when, worn out with toil, they have 
 come in the dark ship from the sea to land, but straightway 
 love of pleasant food seizes them in their minds.” 
 
 Tims he spake, and set boldness in their breasts. And 
 
 Chapman: 
 
 “-And tlien forth brake 
 
 The far-shot kin<», like to a star that shows 
 llis glorious forehead, where tlie mid-day glows, 
 
 That all in sparkles did his state attire. 
 
 Whose lustre leap’d up to the sphere of fire.” 
 
 Barnes compares II. xii. 280. The following translation is given 
 In Coleridge, p. 291 : 
 
 “-right through the tripods ho 
 
 Pass’d to his secret fane, and there in Haines 
 Burn’d visible with terrors manifest.” 
 
 Cf. Od. iii, 71, sqip, with my note. 
 
463—495. j 
 
 I. TO APOLLO. 
 
 365 
 
 him the ruler of the Cretans, answering, addressed in ttirn; 
 “ Stranger, since thou art not indeed by any means like®^ unto 
 mortals, neither in body, nor in stature, but to the immortal 
 gods,®- hail! and liail greatly! and may the gods give thee 
 prosperity. And do thou tell me this truly, that I may well 
 know ; what people, what land, what mortals gave thee birth ? 
 For with our minds another way have we sailed o’er the 
 mighty wave, into Fylos, from Crete, where we boast our race 
 to be. But now we have come hither witli the ship, not wish- 
 ing [to do so], longing for our return, by another way, another 
 path. But some one of the immortals has led us hither against 
 our will.” 
 
 But them far-darting Apollo answering addressed : ‘‘ Stran¬ 
 gers, who before dwelt around rich - foliaged Cnossus, but 
 [who] shall now never return back each to your pleasant city 
 and handsome dwellings, and to your dear wives, but ye shall 
 here keep my rich temple', honored®® among many men. But 
 I am the son of Jove, and I boast to be Apollo; and I have 
 led you hither o’er the mighty wave of the sea, having no evil 
 design, but here ye shall keep my rich temple, much honored 
 among all men, and ye shall ken the counsels of men, by 
 whose will ye shall ever be honored throughout all your days. 
 But come, as I say, with all haste obey. First let down the 
 sails, having loosed the [cables of] bull hides, and then haul 
 the swift®^ ship upon the main land, and take the stowage and 
 tackle out of the equal ship, and make an altar upon the shore 
 of the sea, kindling a fire, and sacrificing upon it white wheat, 
 and afterward pray, standing around the altar. As I indeed 
 first, in the shadowy sea, leaped upon the swift ship, likened 
 unto a dolphin, so pray ye to me under the title of Delphin, 
 
 I am scai’cely satisfied with the accumulation in Irrei ov /.itv yap rt, 
 and Hermann’s apolojiy, “dictum negligenter, ut in sermone commu- 
 ni,” I don’t understand. 
 
 Matthiai thinks that some such verse as the following has been lost j 
 "IXtjO’' d ok TIC tcrai KaraOvrjTajv avQpdirijJV., 
 which seems not improbable. 
 
 I read Ttriixtvoi with Hermann, who says that tliis epitlict is always 
 applied to men, not things, referring to II. xx. 426 ; xxiv, 533 ; Od. viii, 
 472; xiii. 28. 
 
 But Matthiaj reads tTrara fikXaivav, Itt’ i)~dpov, to avoid the hia* 
 
 tus. 
 
366 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [ 495 — 529 . 
 
 and the altar itself shall be Delphian^® and ever an object to 
 be seen. And afterward take repast near the swift dark ship, 
 and make a libation to the blessed gods, who possess Olympus. 
 But when ye have dismissed the desire of sweet food, come 
 together with me, and sing lo-Psean, until ye come to the 
 place where ye shall keep [myjricli temple.’’ 
 
 Thus he spoke, but they willingly heard him, and obeyed. 
 They first let down the sails, and loosed the [cables of] bulls’ 
 hides, and let down the mast to its receptacle, lowering it by 
 the main-stays. And they themselves got out upon the shore 
 of the sea, and from the sea drew up the swift ship upon the 
 main land, high upon the sands, and by it stretched out the 
 long props.®® And tliey made an altar upon the shore of the 
 sea, and kindling tire upon it, and sacrificing white wheat, 
 they prayed as he bade them, standing by, around the altar. 
 They then took repast near the swift dark ship, and made li¬ 
 bations to the blessed gods, who possess Olympus. But when 
 they had dismissed the desire of drink and food, they set out 
 to go, and king Apollo, the son of Jove, led the way, having 
 his lyre in his hands, playing wondrously, taking stately .and 
 lofty steps. But the Cretans, with reverential dread, followed 
 [him] to Fytho, and chanted lo-Pman, like as the Picans of 
 the Cretans, and [of them], into whose breasts the goddess 
 Muse has implanted sweet-voiced song. And untired they 
 reached the hill with their feet, and quickly reached Parnas¬ 
 sus and the pleasant country, where he was about to dwell, 
 honored by many men. And leading [them] here, he pointed 
 out his inclosed plain, and rich temple. But the mind in their 
 breasts was aroused, and him the leader of the Cretans, ques¬ 
 tioning, addressed: 
 
 “ O king, since thou hast led [us] far away from our friends 
 and father-land (for thus it somehow seemed good to thy 
 mind), how shall we now live—this we exhort thee to con¬ 
 sider. This [country] is neitlier pleasant®^ in bearing vines. 
 
 But Ilgen and Hermann elegantly read avTiK dp' d<pvticg Kai iir. 
 
 Mattliiffi reads inrb 5’ 'ippara. Hermann says, “videntnr trabcs 
 vel lapides ab utraque parte navibxis suppositi fuisse, ut naves sola ca- 
 rina, non latere arenam contingerent.” 
 
 But Hermann reads y tVt paxig, “adjacet jugum mentis Bar- 
 nassi, nee fragum neque lierbarum ferax.” Tliis seems to me very un- 
 poetical. 
 
529—546. II. 1, 2.] II. TO MERC UK Y. 
 
 367 
 
 nor of good pasturage, so that from it we should be able both 
 to live well, and to do service to men.” 
 
 But them Apollo, the son of Jove, smiling, answered: 
 “ Infant-like men, of sad cares, who wish for anxiety, and 
 grievous toils, and groans in your mind, I will tell you an 
 easy word, and set it in your minds. Let each of you, having 
 a cutlass in his right hand, always slay sheep (but they shall 
 be at hand in all abundance), as many as the renowned tribes 
 of men bring to me. And guard my temple, and receive the 
 tribes of men assembled hither, and regulate my banquet, as 
 to if there be any vain word or deed, or injury, as is the wont 
 of mortal men.®^ And hereafter there will be other govern¬ 
 ors among you, under whose control ye will be restrained all 
 your days.” 
 
 All things are spoken unto thee, but do thou keep them in 
 thy mind. And thou, indeed, hail! O son of Jove and La- 
 tona, and I will be mindful of thee and of another song.®^ 
 
 II. TO MERCURY.i 
 
 O Muse, praise Mercury, the son of Jove and Maia, who 
 rules over Cyllene, and sheep-abounding Arcadia, the bene- 
 
 There is evitlently something lost after this line, as Hermann well 
 observes: “ Excidit conditio, qua minabatur Apollo malum Cretensibus : 
 7iisi feceritis, qitodjussi, dui'os nanciscemini dominos." 
 
 Chapman: 
 
 “ Both thee and others of th’ immortal state, 
 
 My song shall memorize to endless date.” 
 
 ’ Coleridge, p. 292, observes that “in this hymn Hermes is gifted with 
 the character of a perfect Spanish Picaro, a sort of Lazarillo de Tormes 
 among the gods, stealing their goods, playing them tricks, and telling 
 such enormous, such immortal lies, to screen himself from detection, that 
 certainly no human thief could ever have the vanity to think of rivaling 
 them on earth.” On the importance of this hymn as showing the con¬ 
 nection between the rites and attributes of Apollo and Mercury with 
 each other, see Grote, vol. i. p. 83. The remarks of Muller, avIio has 
 called its antiquity into question, are important. “ A considerably later 
 age is indicated by the circumstance tliat the lyre or the cithara—for the 
 poet treats these two instruments as identical, though distinguished in 
 
368 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 CP—28. 
 
 ficial messenger of the immortals, whom IVIaia brought forth, 
 a fair-tressed, hallowed nymph, mingled with Jove in love. 
 And she shunned the company of the blessed gods, dwelling^ 
 within a shady cave, where the son of Saturn was mingled 
 with the fair-tressed nymph in the depth of night, while 
 sweet sleep held white-armed Juno,^ unknown to the im¬ 
 mortal gods and mortal men. But when now the counsel of 
 mighty Jove was on the point of fulfillment, and to her the 
 tenth month was now fixed^ in the heaven, she led him into 
 the light, and remarkable deeds were wrought* and she there 
 brought forth her cunnii g son, of fair speech, a thief, a 
 stealer of cattle, an escorter of dreams, a looker-out for night,^ 
 a gate-keeper, who was quickly about to show forth glorious 
 deeds among the immortal gods. Born at dawn, he played 
 the lyre at mid-day, in the evening he stole the cows of fai’- 
 darting Apollo, on the fourth day of the month, on which his 
 mother Maia gave him birth. Who also, when he had leaped 
 from the immortal limbs of his mother, did not long remain 
 lying in the sacred cradle,^ but he indeed, leaping forth, sought 
 the cowSl of Apollo, crossing the threshold of the high-roofed 
 cave, where finding a tortoise, he acquired immense wealtli. 
 [Hermes indeed first devised the musical tortoise,J which 
 fell to his notice at the doors of the court, feeding on the 
 well-grown grass before the house, walking slowly on its feet. 
 
 more precise Language—is described as having been at the very first pro¬ 
 vided with seven strings; yet the words of Terpander are stili extant in 
 which he boasts of having introduced the seven-stringed cithara in the 
 place of the four-stringed.” Hist, of Gk. Lit. vii. 5. 
 
 * But Valck. on Bhccn. 727, justly finds fault with taio being used for 
 tvSov, and hence Hermann has well proposed dvrpov tauj dvvovaa, com¬ 
 paring Od. xiii. 3GG, xi. 578. 
 
 ^ “ Cum nympha concubuit, donee Juno dormiret.” Ilerm. 
 
 * Cf. Arat. Bhoen. 10, aoTog yap rays aijpar iv ovpav(p iart'ipi^tv. 
 
 ^ Because adapted for thievish purposes. The thefts of Mercury arc 
 amusingly described by Lucian, Dial. Deor. vii. 2, 3, who observes ovriog 
 
 O^VXfip tOTI KuOaTTSp IV T7J yUCTTpl tKptXtTtjaag Tt)v KXtTTTlKpi'. 
 
 “ “The basket in which the infimt (Bacchus) is carried is of twigs in¬ 
 terwoven, of that sort called Xikvov, used by the Greeks for the two 
 purposes of winnowing corn and cradling children.” Libr. of Entertain¬ 
 ing Knowledge, Townley Gallery, vol. i. p. 125, 12G, to which 1 must 
 refer the reader for some excellent information. 8ce also Spanh. ou 
 CaFlim. in Jov. 48, Gesuer on Orph. Hymn, xlvi. cd. llerm. 
 
 ’ A doubtful line. 
 
28—48.] 
 
 II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 8G9 
 
 But the beneficial son of Jove, beholding it, laughed, and 
 straightway spoke thus; 
 
 “ A very useful godsend® [art thou] for me now, I will 
 not disdain thee. Hail! thou pleasant by nature, choir-re¬ 
 sounding, companion of the feast, who hast luckily made thy 
 appearance. Whence is this beautiful plaything? thou art the 
 varied shell, the tortoise that dwells on the mountains. But 
 I will take and bear thee to my dwelling; thou wilt be of 
 some use to me, nor will I despise thee, but thou first shalt’ 
 benefit me. It is better to be at home, since out-of-doors is 
 hurtful.® For living, thou wilt certainly be a defense against 
 the baleful attack, but if thou diest, thou wilt then sing very 
 beautifully.” 
 
 Thus then he spoke, and having taken [it] up in both 
 hands, he straightway went back to his dwelling, beaiing the 
 pleasant plaything. Here having deceitfully scooped it out^^' 
 with a scalpel of hoary steel, he extinguished the life of the 
 mountain tortoise. And as when the swift rhought passes 
 through the breast of a man, whom frequent cares occupy, or 
 when flashes^ ^ are rolled from the eyes, so at once, word and 
 deed, did glorious Mercury devise. And cutting them in duo 
 
 ® i. e. an omen of a discovery that will prove useful. Shelley venders : 
 
 “ A useful godsend are you to me now, 
 
 King of the dance, companion of the feast, 
 
 Lovely in all your nature!” 
 
 ® Chapman: “ ’Tis best to be at home; harm lurks abroad.” 
 
 The word dvaTrtjXrjcrag can not be right. Barnes would read dva- 
 irridfjaaQ ; Stephens, dvairtiptivag from vs. 48. Ernesti prefers dvacpi}^ 
 X))(xag : “ deceptai vitam scalpro exterebravit.” Hermann reads dvaTriXi]* 
 (Tat;, “constipans.” I ean not decide. The following is Chapman’s version; 
 
 “Where, giving to the mountain tortoise, vents 
 Of life and motion, with fit instruments 
 Forged of bright steel, he straight informed a lute. 
 
 Rut neck, and frets to it; of which a suit 
 He made of splitted quills, in equal space 
 Imposed upon the neck, and did embrace 
 Both back and bosom.” 
 
 “Or as the frequent twinklings of an eye.” Chapm .i 
 
 “ not swifter wheel 
 The flashes of its torture and unrest. 
 
 Out of the dizzy eyes—than Maia’s son 
 All that he did devise liatli featlr done.” 
 
 Q2 
 
 Shelley, 
 
370 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [48—81. 
 
 measure, he fixed cut joints of reed, having pierced through 
 the back of the stone-shelled tortoise. And around by his 
 own skill he stretched the hide of a bull, and put the arms, 
 and upon both he fixed the bridge. And he stretched out 
 seven concordant strings'^ Qf sheep. Ikit when he had formed 
 it, bearing his pleasant plaything, with a quill he tried it 
 note by note, and it sounded deeply beneatli his hands, and 
 the god sang beautifully beneath it, making an extempora¬ 
 neous attempt, like as full-grown boys at feasts scoff at each 
 other in turn. [He sang] of Jove the son of Saturn, and 
 fiir-slippered Main, how they were formerly wont to dally in 
 stealthy love, and his own birth, naming his renowned name. 
 And he celebrated the attendants and the glorious gifts of the 
 nymph, and the tripods and durable caldrons in the house. 
 And these things indeed he sang, but he thought of others in 
 his mind, and putting down his hollow lyre, which he bore in 
 the sacred cradle, he, in quest of meat, ran from the sweet- 
 scented dwelling to the mountain, devising a mighty stratagem 
 in his mind, such an one as thieves are wont to plan at the 
 season of dark night. The sun indeed was setting beneath 
 the earth toward the ocean, with his horses and chariot, but 
 Mercury came running to the shady mountains of Pieria, 
 where the immortal cattle of the blessed gods possessed their 
 stalls, pasturing on pure, pleasant meadows. From the flock 
 of them then the watchful son of Maia, the slayer of Argus, 
 cut off fifty loud-lowing heifers, and drove them, wandering, 
 through the sandy country, having reversed their footsteps, 
 for he was not forgetful of his cunning art, having bent con¬ 
 trariwise the fore hoofs, backw^ard, and the back ones, for¬ 
 ward. And he himself walked backward, and immediately 
 cast his sandals upon the sands of the sea. lie devised an 
 unmentioned and unthought-of marvelous work, mingling to- 
 
 O 7 0 0 
 
 gether tamarisks and tamarisk-like boughs, of them he then 
 bound together a small bundle of leafy wood, and [thus] with- 
 
 Literally, “ intestines.” But Antigonus Caiyst. § 7, seems to quote 
 
 f7rr« OyjXvTspiov ottov ir. 
 
 ^ The same stratagem was afterward pursued hy Cacus. Virg. Ain. 
 viii. 211. 
 
 “ Atquc hos, nequa forent pedibus vestigia recti», 
 
 Cauda in spel uncam tractos, versisque viarum 
 Indiciis rajjtos, saxo occultabat opaco, 
 
 Qiuercutem nulla ad speluncam signa ferebaut.” 
 
82—I04.J 
 
 II. TO MERCUKY. 
 
 371 
 
 out harni^^ lie bound the light sandals beneath his feet, leaves 
 and all, which the renowned slayer of Argus had plucked, 
 avoiding tke way of a traveler’^ from Pieria, inasmuch as 
 he was pressing on a long journey, roughly equipped.But 
 him an old man, who was tending a sun-basking vineyard, 
 perceived seeking the field through grassy Onchestus. Him 
 the son of glorious Maia first addressed: 
 
 “O old man, who with bent shoulders art grubbing these 
 stumps, surely thou Avilt have journeyed far, when all these 
 things shall bear fruit.But seeing, see not, and hearing, 
 [be thouj, mute, and keep silence, since naught of thine is 
 
 hurt.”^8 
 
 Having spoken thus much, he smote the stout heads of the 
 cows, and glorious Mercury drove them through many shadowy 
 mountains, and resounding ravines, and flowering plains. But 
 gloomy divine night, his ally, had well-nigh passed away, and 
 morn, arousing the people to work, chanced to be arising ; but 
 the divine moon, the daughter of king Pallas, son of Mega- 
 medes, had just gone into her Avatch-tower.’^ Then to the 
 riv'er Alpheus the valiant son of Jove drove the wide-fronted 
 cows of Phoebus Apollo, and untired he came into the lofty 
 stall, and to the troughs in front of the beautiful meadoAV. 
 
 i. c. w ithout the likelihood of being discoA'ered. This is well ex- 
 l)ressed by Chapman: 
 
 “and then fear’d no eyes 
 That could affect his feet’s discoveries.” 
 
 ** “Mercurius cavissc dicitnr, ne pedibus ut viator ingredcretur, et 
 ita vestigia j)edum relinqueret.” Ilenn. 
 
 “ Ut in procinctu.” Ernesti. Hermann would vead di^rtrop/io-wj/. 
 After vs. 91, Hermann puts a mark of lacuna, reading TroXvoivi'iaeujf 
 “thou wilt reap a rich vintage, Avhen all these bear fruit.” 
 
 The sense seems to require, “lest aught of thine be injured.” But 
 Chapman has well rendered : 
 
 “But sec not thou, whatever thou dost see ; 
 
 Nor hear, though hear; but all, as touching me, 
 
 Conceal, since naught it can endamage thee.” 
 
 This old man was Battus. Sec Ovid, IMet. ii. fab. 7, and Antoninus 
 Liberalis, § 23. 
 
 Chapman: 
 
 “and in her watch-tower shone 
 King Pallas-Megamede’s seed (the moon).” 
 
 The passage is not very satisfactory as regards mythology. See Barnes 
 
372 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [105—130 
 
 Here when he had well fed the loud-lowing cows with grass, 
 and had driven them together in flocks into the shed, having 
 cropped the lotus and dewy rush-grass, he then brought to¬ 
 gether much wood, and sought out the art of [producing] 
 fire,20 having taken a splendid branch of laurel, he pared it 
 with the steel, having rubbed it in his hand, and upward the 
 warm vapor breathed'^’ forth. Mercury then first bestowed 
 fire implements and fire. And having taken together many 
 dry fagots, he placed them abundantly in a low trench, and 
 the flame shone forth, sending afar the crackling^^ of a much- 
 burning fire. But w'hile the might of glorious Vulcan was 
 kindling, he meantime drew two lowing heifers with crumple 
 horns out of doors, near to the fire, for mighty was his power. 
 But he threw them both panting to the ground, on their backs, 
 and he rolled them over and over, bending down, and boring 
 out their lives. And he wrought toil upon toil,^^ cutting their 
 flesh together with the rich fat, and he roasted it being pierced 
 through with the wooden spits, both the flesh and the well- 
 prized backs, and the-black blood kept within the intestines, 
 but they lay there upon the ground. And he stretched out 
 the skins upon a rough rock, do we^^ still cut up those 
 
 which have been born for a long time, a long and incalculable 
 time after this.f But then rejoicing IMercury drew off the fat 
 spoils upon a smooth plane, and cut them into tw^elve parts, 
 distributed by lot, and he offered the perfect honor to each 
 [of the twelve gods]. Here glorious Mercury longed for the 
 
 But Hermann reads rsxvijVj illustrating the construction of fiaioj.iai 
 with a genitive, from 11. x. 401; Od. v. 344. 
 
 Ernesti prefers raxct di.nrvi>TO. 
 
 For which the laurel (vs. 100) was remarkable. Cf. Virg. Eel. viii. 
 82; Nemesian. Eel. iv. G5. 
 
 Cf. Theoerit. Id. xv. 20, ttIvts ttokcoq tXaj3' tx^tf.', uirav pvTroQ, 
 ipyov Itt tpytp. 
 
 “And thus were these now all in pieces shred. 
 
 And undistinguish’d from earth’s common herd : 
 
 Though born for long date, and to heaven endear’d; 
 
 And now must ever live in dead event.” Chapman. 
 
 I am but half satisfied respecting these two lines, nor does Hermann 
 seem quite settled as to their correction. His text has TupteT atro-a 
 TToXoxpovioi, but in the notes he proposes rdwO' uaaa iroXvxpopia tt., 
 giving the following explanation of uKpirov, “quemadmodum nunc quo* 
 que, multo post, tenduntur, quai uatura ad diiiturnitatem, facta suiiL*' 
 
130—1G2.] 
 
 II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 373 
 
 sacrifice of flesh,for the savor now struck^® him, although 
 being immortal, but not even thus did his noble mind give 
 way, although greatly longing to convey [the banquet] down 
 his sacred throat! But these indeed he placed in the lofty 
 shed, the fat and abundant flesh. And he forthwith piled 
 them aloft, as a sign of the recent slaughter,and having 
 raised dry fagots upon them, he consumed the whole feet and 
 heads in the vapor of fire. But when the gods had accom- 
 plished all things rightly, he cast his sandals into eddying Al- 
 pheus, and throughout the night he quenched the coals, and 
 trampled them to black dust; but beauteous shone the light 
 of the moon. But he again came forthwith to the divine 
 heights of Cyllene, at dawn, nor did any one meet him dur¬ 
 ing the long journey, neither of the blessed gods, nor of mor¬ 
 tal men, nor did the dogs bark. But Mercury, the beneficial 
 [son] of Jove, bending himself up, slipped through the key¬ 
 hole of the house, like unto an autumnal breeze, like unto a 
 vapor. And he came straight through the rich temple of the 
 cave, stepping onward on tip-toe, for he made no noise, as if 
 [he were walking] on the earth. And glorious Mercury came 
 hastily to his cradle, having wrapped his swaddling-clothes 
 around his shoulders, like an infant child, playing with the 
 coverlet with his [right] hand on his knees, and holding his 
 beloved lyre in the left. But god as he was, he escaped not 
 the notice of his goddess mother, and she spake thus: 
 
 ‘AVhy, whence comest thou hither, O cunning plotter, at 
 this time of night, clad in impudence 1 Now I think that 
 thou, having fetters round thy sides, from which there is no 
 escape, wilt shortly pass from the vestibule under the hands 
 of Apollo, or that thou wilt elude him even wdiile holding 
 thee in his arms. Away witli thee ! a great care hath thy 
 sire begotten thee to mortal men and immortal gods.” 
 
 But her Mercury answered w'ith cunning words : “ Mother-^ 
 
 i. e. he was first possessed with the desire of being lionored, as a 
 god, with sacred rites. 
 
 Ernesti well compares Siicton. Claud. 33, “ nidore prandii ictus.” 
 
 Hermann prefers aijfia vsr}Q and dyeipaQ (with Ilgen), i. e. 
 
 “ raising them up as a trojihy of his first theft.” The old reading was 
 virig (pavpc, altered to vtoaipayhjg by Ruhnken. Hermann seems right 
 
 ‘ Dear mother,’ 
 
 Replied sly Hermes, ‘ wher-efore scold and bother ? 
 
 As if I were like other babes as old. 
 
374 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [1G3—202. 
 
 mine, why dost thou scold me like an infant child, who knows 
 very few fitting things in his mind, timid, and [who] dreads 
 his mother’s scoldings. But I will make use of a scheme, 
 which is most excellent, considering for myself and thee. Nor 
 among the immortal gods will we endure to remain here gift¬ 
 less, and without food, as you would have. It is better to a.s- 
 sociate with the immortals all one’s days, being rich, opulent, 
 with abundant spoil, than to sit at home in a shadowy cave, 
 I also, will aim at the sacred honor which Apollo [claims]. 
 But if indeed my father will not give it, surely I will make 
 the attempt, [and] I am equal to being the captain of thieves. 
 But if the son of glorious Latona shall trace me out, I think 
 that I shall make some other and greater attempt against him. 
 For I will go to Pytho, in order to break into his great dwell¬ 
 ing, where I will pillage enough of beauteous tripods, and cal¬ 
 drons, and gold, and enough of shining iron, and much appar¬ 
 el ; and thou mayest see me if thou wilt.” 
 
 Thus they indeed discoursed with each other in words.^ 
 both the son of Aigis-bearing Jove, and hallowed Maia. But 
 Morn, tlie mother of dawn, bearing light to mortals, arose 
 from the deep-flowing ocean. 3Fit Apollo came to Onches- 
 tus, going to the pleasant and pure grove of the heavy-roar- 
 ing Earth-Shaker, where he found the toothless"^ old man 
 forming the hedge of his vineyard along the way-side, whom 
 first the son of glorious Latona addressed : 
 
 ‘‘ O old man, hedge-pruner of grassy Onchestus, I come 
 hither, seeking heifers from Pieria, all females, all with 
 crumpled horns, [stolen] from my herd, but the black bull 
 was pasturing alone, away from the rest, and four savage dogs 
 followed in the rear, like men of one mind. They indeed, 
 the dogs and the bull, were left (which indeed is a great mar¬ 
 vel), but they [the heifers] have left the soft meadow, just as 
 the sun was setting, from tlie sweet pasture. Concerning 
 these tell me, O ancient-born old man, if any where tliou hast 
 seen a man making his Avay to these cattle.” 
 
 But him the old man, answering in words, addressed: “ O 
 friend, it is difiicult indeed to tell all things which one has 
 
 And nnderstood nothinf; of what i.s what; 
 
 And cared at all to hear iny mother scold.’ ” Shelley. 
 
 I can not see any objection to this epithet. Hermann would read 
 vta^aXor, i, e. pdOv/aoc, 
 
II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 375 
 
 203—238.] 
 
 beheld ^vith one’s eyes,* for many travelers make their way, 
 of whom some having many evil designs, but others very good, 
 go along; but it is difficult to learn each one. But through¬ 
 out the whole day till sunset I have been digging around the 
 hill of the vineyard; but, O best one, I thought I saw—but 
 I know not how to distinguish clearly—a boy, which infant 
 boy was following with fair-horned cows. And he had a staff, 
 and walked in a wavering manner, and urged them from be¬ 
 hind, and kept their heads opposite to himself.” 
 
 The old man spake, and Phoebus Apollo Avent quicker on 
 his way. Put he saw [the truth like asj a wing-stretching 
 bird of augury, and forthwith perceived that the thief Avas 
 the son of Saturnian Jove. But the son of Joat, Apollo, 
 quickly entered divine Pylos, seeking the bent-footed heifers, 
 having concealed his broad shoulders in a purple mist. And 
 the Par-Darter perceived the footprints, and spake thus: 
 
 “ O gods ! surely I behold tliis a mighty marvel Avith mine 
 eyes. These indeed are the footsteps of straight-horned heif¬ 
 ers, but they are turned backAvard tOAvard the meadoAv of as¬ 
 phodel. And these are the steps neither of man nor Avoman, 
 nor of hoary Avolves, nor bears, nor lions, nor are they like 
 [those] of a shaggy-necked centaur, Avhoever Avalks thus ter¬ 
 ribly Avith his SAvift feet, heavily on this side of the Avay, and 
 heavier on that side of the Avay.”3o 
 
 Thus having spoken, king Apollo, the son of Jove, Avent 
 on, and came to the Avood-clad mountain of Cyllene, into the 
 heavy-shaded lair of the rock, Avhere also the immortal nymph 
 brought forth the son of Saturnian Jove. But a pleasant sa¬ 
 vor AA’-as scattered througli the divine mountain,and many long¬ 
 footed sheep Avere broAvsing on the grass. Here then hasten¬ 
 ing, far-darting holy^^ Apollo descended the stony ground, 
 into the murky caA'e. But Avhen the son of Jove and Maia 
 perceived him, far-darting Apollo, enraged about his heifers, 
 he got Avithin his incense-scented SAvaddling-clothes, like as 
 the cinder of Avood^-^ has enveloped much ash of boughs, so 
 
 Ernesti well observes that this repetition is dramatic, tlie speaker 
 being supposed to point Avith his hand to each side of the road as he 
 walks along. 
 
 For avTog Hermann elegantly reads ayjwQ 'AttoAXwv. 
 
 I have some doubts whether vX7](j should be joined with irptfivior 
 or with airo^oQ. 
 
376 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [239—2GI. 
 
 did Mercury, perceiving the Far-Darter, draw himself away.^^ 
 And in a small place he gathered up his head, and hands, and 
 feet, because just washed, seeking sweet sleep after hunting, 
 and he held the nevv-formed^^ lyre under his shoulder. 13ut 
 the son of Jove and Latona recognized, nor failed to perceive 
 the all-beauteous mountain nymph and her dear son, a little 
 boy, swathed up in crafty tricks. And having looked around 
 every cranny of the large dwelling, taking a shining key, he 
 opened three recesses full of nectar and delightful ambrosia. 
 And much gold and silver lay within, and many purple and 
 white-woven garments of the nymph, such as the sacred dwell¬ 
 ings of the blessed gods contain within. Here, after the son 
 of Latona had searched out the crannies of the large dwell¬ 
 ing, he addressed glorious Mercury in words: 
 
 “ O boy, who reclinest in a cradle, at once tell me where 
 my bulls are, since we shall otherwise quarrel not fittingly. 
 For I will hurl thee into murky Tartarus, into sorrowful and 
 inextricable darkness; nor shall thy mother nor thy sire bring 
 thee forth into the light, but beneath the earth shalt thou per¬ 
 ish, acting as leader*^ over a few men.” 
 
 But him Mercury answered with crafty words: “ O son^® 
 of I^atona, what hard word is this thou hast said ? And why 
 
 Quasi se sihi subtraxU, se fugit,” Ernesti. Hermann, however, 
 more rightly reads dXsEive, t aurbv. 
 
 But Herm. reads typiinffiov trsov ye xeXvv vtt. 
 
 Matthiaj, however, reads y'jTrepoTreviov, and Hermann doXioiaiv t> 
 di>dp, which produces an amusing meaning. 
 
 I can not refrain from quoting Shelley’s eloquent paraphrase: 
 
 “ Son 
 
 Of great Latona, what a speech is this! 
 
 Why come you here to ask me what is done 
 With the wild oxen which it seems yon miss? 
 
 I have not seen them, nor from anv one 
 Have heard a word of the whole business; 
 
 If you should ]n*oniisc an immense reward, 
 
 I could not tell yon more than you now have heard. 
 
 An ox-stealer should be both tall and strong, 
 
 And I am but a little new-born thing. 
 
 Who, yet at least, can think of nothing wrong 
 My business is to suck, and slcej), and fling 
 The cradle-clothes about me all day long,— 
 
 Or half asleep, hear my sweet mother sing. 
 
 And to be wash’d in Avater clean and warm. 
 
 And hush’d, and kiss’d, and kej)t secure from harm.” 
 
2G2—295.J 
 
 II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 377 
 
 comest thou hither, seeking field-dwelling lieifers ? I have 
 not seen [them], nor learned [about them], nor heard report 
 from another. I can not tell, 1 could not receive a reward for 
 intelligence. Nor am I [myself] like unto a driver away of 
 cows, a strong man. This is not a Avork for [such as] me, 
 and hitherto other things have been my care. Sleep, and my 
 mother's milk are my care, and to Avear SAvaddling-clothes 
 about my shoulders, and a Avarm bath. Let no one learn 
 this, Avhence this quarrel has arisen. For truly it Avould be 
 a mighty marvel among the immortals, that a boy just born 
 should pass through the vestibule Avith field-dwelling heifers. 
 And this thou speakest not beseemingly. I Avas born [but] 
 yesterday, and my feet are tender, but the ground beneath is 
 rugged. But if thou Avilt, I Avill swear by the head of my 
 sire, a mighty oath, neither do I myself confess to be guilty, 
 nor have I perceived any one else the stealer of your cattle, 
 Avhoever these heifers be, for I have heard the report only.” 
 
 Thus then he spake, and Avinking frequently from his eye¬ 
 lids, he rapidly moved AAuth his brows, glancing hither and 
 thither, Avhistling to a long distance, as though hearing a vain 
 story.But him far-darting Apollo, gently smiling, ad¬ 
 dressed : 
 
 “ O soft young cheat, deviser of tricks, truly I deem that 
 thou, often breaking into Avell-built dwellings, Avilt by night 
 leave not one man only bare upon the ground,filching noise¬ 
 lessly throughout the house ; such things dost thou say. But 
 many field-dwelling^^ shepherds wilt thou annoy in the ravines 
 of a mountain, Avhen, longing for fiesh, thou shalt meet Avith 
 herds of coaa'S and fiocks of sheep. But come, [take heed] 
 lest thou enjoy tliy last and final sleep, come out of thy cra¬ 
 dle, thou comrade of black night. For this honor shalt thou 
 hereafter possess among the immortals, thou shalt be called 
 the captain of thiev'es all thy days.” 
 
 Thus then he spake, and Phoebus Apollo took up and car¬ 
 ried the boy, but then the brave slayer of Argus, taking coun¬ 
 sel, as he was lifted up in his arms, sent forth an augury into 
 • 
 
 Hermann reads liXiov tov fivQou from II. A'. 715, “As if he idle 
 thought Apollo’s s])ell.” Chapman. 
 
 A proverbial phrase, like oKpciTicrov iiri ^rjpolai KaOi^oi in Theocrit. 
 i. 51. 
 
 See my note on II. 
 
378 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [296—323. 
 
 his hands, a sad report from his belly, an impudent messen- 
 ger. And quickly after it he sneezed.'’*^ But Apollo heard 
 it, and cast glorious Mercury from his hands upon the ground. 
 (But hc“ sat down before [him], although hastening on his 
 way), reproaching Mercury, and addressed him in words: 
 
 “Be of good courage, thou enswaddled son of Jove and 
 Maia ; 1 will hereafter find my stout heads of heifers by these 
 omens, but well shalt thou hereafter be leader of the way.” 
 
 Thus he spake, but Cyllenian Mercury again leaped up 
 quickly, going in haste. But with his hands he pulled tlie 
 swaddlings, with which he was enwrapped^^ as to his shoul¬ 
 ders, around his ears also, and spoke thus : 
 
 “ Whether bearest thou me, O Far-Darter, most powerful 
 of all the gods? Surely thou art thus teasing*^ me, enraged 
 on account of these heifers. O gods! may the race of cows 
 perish! For I did not steal your cows, nor saw I another, 
 whoever these cows are, for I hear the report alone. But 
 give and receive^^ justice^^ in presence of Saturnian Jove.” 
 
 But after vagrant Mercury and the glorious son of Latona 
 had said these things openly, having their mind in different 
 ways, for the latter indeed clemanded a true confession,'*® not 
 satisfaction for the cows, from renowned Mercury, but he of 
 Cyllene by wiles and cunning speeches wished to deceive him 
 of the silver bow. But when he, being cunning in counsel, 
 met with one of many devices, then quickly he walked through 
 the sand before, but the son of Jove at Latona behind. And 
 soon they came to the heights of incense-fraught Olympus, to 
 the Saturnian sire, they the beauteous children of Jove (for 
 
 See Hermann’s explanation of these amusing omens. 
 
 Mereury. I have put the line in an inelosure. Cf. vs. 304. 
 
 Hermann reads kXi-dvog from eod. Moscov, observing, “quo exj)e- 
 ditior incederet Mercurius, fascias, quibus humeri erant eonstricti, suv- 
 sum versus aures trudebat.” 
 
 See Blomf. gloss, on iEseh. Pers. 10. See Ernesti. 
 
 “ as for Phoebus, he 
 
 Sought not revenge; but only information, 
 
 And Hermes tried with lies and roguery 
 To eheat A])ollo.—But when no evasion 
 SeiTed—for the cunning one his match had found— 
 
 He })aced on first over the sandy ground.” Shelley. 
 
 But Hermann more coiTCctly reads (piovtiv, “jure,” inquit, “Apollo 
 comprehenderat propter boves Mercurium, is ut vera dieeret.” I am not 
 satisfied with the text as it stands. 
 
324—356.] 
 
 II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 379 
 
 there the balance of justice lay for both.) And music^^ pos¬ 
 sessed snowy Olympus, and the undying^® immortals were 
 assembled into the recesses of Olympus. But Mercury and 
 silver-bowed Apollo stood before the knees of Jove. But 
 high-thundering Jove questioned his glorious son, and ad¬ 
 dressed him in words: 
 
 “ O Phoebus, whence drivest thou this gentle prey, a new¬ 
 born boy, possessing the mien of a herald ? This is an im¬ 
 portant subject which has come to the assembly of the gods.'’ 
 
 But him the far-darting king Apollo in turn addressed: 
 
 “ O sire, soon indeed shalt thou hear no trivial story, re¬ 
 buking me [as thou art wont], as if 1 alone were a lover 
 of plunder. I have caught this boy, an open thief, on the 
 mountains of Cyllene,—having passed over much country,— 
 an abusive fellow, such another as I have not seen among 
 gods nor men, as many as are cheats upon earth. But having 
 stolen my cows from the meadow, he at even-tide went away, 
 driving them along the coast of the much-resounding sea, and 
 driving straight to the ford, but there are mighty double foot¬ 
 steps, such as to cause astonishment, and the work of an 
 illustrious deity. For the dark dust appeared to have the 
 footprints of the cows turned toward tlie asphodel meadow 
 [whence they came]. But this fellow alone, besides [them],'^^ 
 is incomprehensible, for he came through the sandy country 
 neither on his feet nor his hands, but having some other 
 stratagem, he passed on his way. Such marvels [were his 
 footsteps], as though some one should walk in slender oak- 
 toppings.^*^ As long, then, as he passed through the sandy 
 country, all his footsteps were easily extinguishablc in tho 
 dust; but when he had passed over the great tract of sand, 
 forthwitli the track of the bulls, and of himself, became im¬ 
 perceptible, through the hardness of the soil, but a mortal man 
 perceived him driving the race of wide-fronted cows on to 
 Pylos. But after he had sacrificed them in quiet, and had 
 
 I read eixfxsXir], “ music,” as in Diodor. iv. 84, or rather tfifieXh], 
 from Pollux, iv. 57; Plato, legg. vii. 816. Herm. 
 
 A somewhat useless pleonasm, which Groddeck and Hermann re¬ 
 move by reading dOpooL, “together.” 
 
 I have my doubts about tKToc, which Ruhnken elegantly corrected 
 to dprjxavog. But see Hermann’s note. 
 
 On account of the buskins which JMercury had platted for himself 
 Cf. vss. 80, sqq. 
 
380 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [357—388. 
 
 scattered the [ashes of the] fire^^ all about the way, some 
 here, some there, he lay in his cradle, like unto black night, 
 in the darkness of the murky cave; nor would even a shar[)- 
 seeing eagle have perceived him, and much he rubbed his 
 eyes with his hands, thinking of wiles. But he himself spoke 
 out a speech at once: I did not see, I learned not, I heard 
 not report from another, nor could I tell, not even if I re¬ 
 ceived a price for intelligence.’’ 
 
 Thus then ^2 speaking, Phoebus Apollo sat down. But 
 Mercury, on the other side, making answer, spoke, and di¬ 
 rected [his discourse] to the Saturnian ruler over all the 
 gods: 
 
 ‘‘O father Jove, surely I will tell thee the truth. For 1 
 am unerring, and know not how to lie. [This god] came to 
 our dwelling, seeking his bent-footed cows, this day, when the 
 sun had just arisen, nor did he bring any witnesses or behold¬ 
 ers from among the blessed gods, but under much compulsion 
 bade me give information. And much he threatened me, that 
 he would hurl me into wide Tartarus, because he, forsooth, 
 possesses the flower of glory-loving youth, but I was born 
 [but] yesterday (but this he himself also knows), nor [am] I 
 like to a strong driver-away of cows. Be persuaded (for tru¬ 
 ly thou boastest to bo my dear father) that I did not drive the 
 cows home (so may I be blest!), nor went I across the thresh¬ 
 old. But this I spake truly; I both venerate the sun and 
 the other gods, and I love thee, and cherish this one; thou 
 also thyself knowest that I am not guilty. But I add^^ a 
 mighty oath. No, by these well-adorned vestibules of the 
 gods [I did net do it], and at some time I will repay him for 
 liis cruel speech.®^ But do thou aid the younger party.” 
 
 Thus spake Argus-slaying Cyllenius, winking, and he held 
 his swaddling-band on his arm, nor did he cast it away. But 
 
 So Ernesti. But the cod. Mosc. gives 7rvp 7ra\apr]atv, whence 
 Ilgen and Hermann read TrvpiraXafitiaev, “quum multa hie illic in via 
 callide machinatus esset.” 
 
 Barnes wislied to read yroL oy from II. i. G7, but as Hermann ob¬ 
 serves, this is rendered unnecessary by the immediate mention of Apol- 
 \o by name. 
 
 This meaning of iiri^aiouai, although approved by Ernesti, is very 
 uncertain. Barnes reads iTnC^xropai, with the approbation of Hermana 
 Cf. Eustath. on II. x. 254, and Hesych. t. i. p. 1350. 
 
 But Hermann reads ^ojprjv from cod. Mosc. 
 
380—421.] 
 
 II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 381 
 
 Jove laughed greatly, seeing the evil-plotting boy lying well 
 and skillfully about the heifers. And he ordered them both, 
 having a concordant mind, to go in search, and messenger 
 Mercury to lead the way, and to show the place with inno¬ 
 cence of mind, where he had hidden the stout heads of cattle. 
 And the son of Saturn beckoned [to him] with a nod, and 
 glorious Mercury obeyed, for the mind of Aigis-bearing Jove 
 easily persuaded. And these two beauteous children of Jove 
 hastened to sandy Pylos, to the ford^^ of Alpheus, and they 
 reached the fields and lofty shed, where wealth, forsooth, was 
 increased daring night-time. Here then Mercury, indeed, 
 going to^® the stone cave, drove the strong heads of cattle 
 into the light, and the son of Latona looking aside, perceived 
 the skins of the cows upon a lofty rock, and quickly he asked 
 glorious Mercury: 
 
 “ How wast thou able, O cunning cheat, to cut the throats 
 of two cows, being thus new-born and infantine? I myself 
 shall hereafter dread^”^ thy power. It does not behoove thee 
 to grow very much, O Cyllenian son of Maia.” 
 
 Thus then he spoke, and with his hands he threw around 
 him strong bands of withy, but they beneath his feet were 
 forthwith fastened^® upon the earth, although strongly en¬ 
 twined in each other, and [the same thing took place] easily 
 with all the field-dwelling cows, by the devices of deceitful 
 Mercury, but Apollo, beholding, marveled. But then the 
 strong slayer of Argus kept looking about the place, frequently 
 darting his eyes, desiring to hide himself. But he very easily 
 appeased the far-darting son of glorious Latona, as he himself 
 wished, although being valiant. But taking [his lyre] in his 
 left hand,^^ he tried it with the quill, note by note, and it ut¬ 
 tered a powerful sound beneath his hand; and Phoebus Apollo 
 laughed, rejoicing, and the pleasing voice of the divine song 
 penetrated through his soul, and sweet love possessed him in 
 
 I read tg UvXov 7]fia96evra, tir ’AX^ftow, witli Ilerm. 
 
 I prefer Ig \aivov dvrpoi', with cod. Mosc. 
 
 ’’ Hermann has conjecturally restored the almost obsolete verb 6ap- 
 (Salvio, found also in one MS. of the hymn to Venus, vs. 84. 
 
 Hermann defends (pvovro, which Bernard Martin had changed to 
 \vovTO, but in vs. 412 he would read pu dyvoi 7rd(r7jcnv, which he thus 
 explains: “Apollo bobns injecit, vincula vimiiiea, ilia autem ita, ut con- 
 torta erant, in omnibus bobus statim sub corum pedibus solo inhasserunt.” 
 
 Hermann with reason su])poscs there is a lacuna after vs. 418. 
 
382 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [422—450. 
 
 liis mind as he heard it.^° And the son of Maia, playing 
 pleasantly on the lyre, stood boldly at the left hand of Phoe¬ 
 bus Apollo. And soon after, playing clearly on the lyre, he 
 sang with uplifted voice (for a pleasing voice accompanied 
 him), celebrating*^^ the immortal gods, and the murky earth, 
 how they were tirst born, and how each obtained his share by 
 lot. Mnemosyne indeed, the mother of the IMuses, he honor¬ 
 ed first of the goddesses in song, for she had obtained the son 
 of Maia, and the glorious son of Jove honored the other im¬ 
 mortal gods according to age, and as each had been born, 
 speaking all things in order, striking the lyre in his arms. 
 Hut insatiable sweetness possessed the mind in his breast, 
 and having addressed him, he spoke winged words: 
 
 ‘‘Cow-slayer, crafty-plotter, laboring^'^ comrade of the 
 feast, thou hast devised these things worth fifty cows. I 
 think that our strife will now be easily settled. Hut come 
 now, tell me this, O cunning son of IMaia; did these marvel¬ 
 ous works accompany thee from thy birth, or did some one of 
 the immortals, or of mortal man, bestow the glorious gift, and 
 teach divine song. For I hear this wondrous new voice, 
 which I say that no one ever learned, neither of men, nor of 
 the immortals who possess the Olympian dwellings, save thee, 
 O thief, son of Jove and Maia. What art, what muse, wliat 
 study [is there which assuages] difficult cares? for truly all 
 these three are present at once, so that one may take joy, and 
 love, and sweet sleep. And truly I am a follower of the 
 Olympian jMuses, to whom the quire and the glorious path*"^ 
 of song are a care, and flourishing song, and the pleasant noise 
 of pipes. Hut never yet was any other thing thus a care*’^ in 
 my mind, such performances as are suited to the banquet of 
 youths. I marvel at these, O son of Jove, so pleasantly dost 
 thou play. Hut now since, although being little, thou know- 
 est glorious arts, sit down, dear one, and praise the discourse 
 
 The verse OenTisrrhjg tVoTTz/c, Kal {.uv yXvKvg 'i/.iepog i'lpet, is added 
 from cod. Mosc. 
 
 Kpaivouv can not have this meaning, and Hermann seems riglitlv to 
 read kXsIuiv. For Ernesti compares tiie Latin ‘-sublata 
 
 voce.” 
 
 I have removed the comma after Trovtvfitvt. 
 
 'the cod. Mosc. has lyivog doictig. 
 
 ** Hermann, from the vestiges of cod. Mosc., reads dXA’ octw t'i p.ot 
 uAXo/itn't ippKTtv wliich 1 have followed. 
 
457—48G.] 
 
 II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 383 
 
 of thine elders, for now glory slnill be thine nmong the im¬ 
 mortal gods,^^^ both to thyself and to thy mother. But I Avill 
 tell this truly: yea by this cornel javelin, I will lead thee 
 among the immortals, glorious and prosperous, and will give 
 thee splendid gifts, and in the fulfillment [of my promise 
 will not deceive thee.” 
 
 But him Mercury answered with cunning words: “ Thou « 
 askest me wisely, O Far-Darter; but I envy not that thou 
 shouldst make an attempt at my art. This day shalt tliou 
 know; but I wish to be gentle toward thee in counsel and in 
 words, but thou in thy mind well knowest all things. For 
 thou, O son of Jove, sittest first among the immortals, both 
 noble and valiant; and counseling Jove loves thee in all jus¬ 
 tice, and has given thee glorious gifts. And they say that 
 thou hast learned thy prerogative®' from the voice of Jove, and 
 oracles, O Far-Darter, from Jove, all things fated. And now 
 I myself recognize [his] wealthy®^ son. But ’tis thine prompt¬ 
 ly to learn whatever thou desirest. And since then thy mind 
 desires to touch the lyre, sing, and strike the lyre, and prac¬ 
 tice deliglits, having received [tlie power] from me, and do 
 you, my friend, render me glory. Chant, having this sweet¬ 
 voiced comrade in thy hands, w hich skillfully know’S®® how to 
 sound well and in due order. Then quietly bear joy'® to the 
 pleasant banquet, and the delightful dance, and the laughter- 
 loving"^ revel, both by night and day. Whoever indeed, being 
 well learned in art and wisdom, shall inquire of it, uttering, 
 it teaches all pleasant things to the mind, sporting easily in 
 gentle intercourse,avoiding grievous toil. But whoever, 
 being unskillful, first inquires violently [of it], vainly after^ 
 ward babbles vain things. But Tis thine promptly to learn 
 
 These two verses are from cod. Mosc. Sec Ilerm. 
 
 “ Nec, quod ad cffectionem ])romissorum attinet, te fallam.” Henn. 
 
 On this meaning of riyauc see Monk on Eur. Alcest. oO. But Mar¬ 
 tin ])laces the stop after v/yi/ac, which Ilermami follows, reading ae Ss 
 (paai. This certainly gets rid of much harshness. On the oracles re¬ 
 ceived by Apollo from Jove, see Jfroukhus. on Tibull. iii. 4, 47. 
 
 Although the wealth of the Delphian temple may account for this 
 epithet, still there is much greater aptitude and elegance in llermann’a 
 reading, Travon^aXov. 
 
 Read tmcrru/Ai-’j/r', with Barnes. 
 
 Join (pipdv with tixppoavvtiv. 
 
 ■’* (piXopttSfu, Cod. Ihir. B. C. Ivuhnk. Ilerrn, ' ' 
 
 But see llermann. 
 
384 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [48G—517 
 
 ■whatever thou dcsirest. And I will give this to thee, O glo¬ 
 rious son of Jove. Hut we in turn, O Far-Darter, will attend 
 to the pasturage of the field-dwelling cow^s both through the 
 mountain and the horse-pasturing plain. Hence will our cows, 
 mingling with the bulls, bring forth enough, both females and 
 males promiscuously, nor need thou, although fond of gain, be 
 * very wrathfully angered.” 
 
 Thus speaking, he stretched forth [the lyre], and Phoebus 
 Apollo received it, and to Mercury he intrusted his shining 
 goad, and committed [to him] the care of the herds. But the 
 son of Maia received it joyfully. Then the glorious son of 
 Maia, far-darting Apollo, taking the lyre in his left hand, 
 tried it with the quill note by note, and it gave a clear sound 
 beneath his hand,"^ and to it the god sang beautifully. Flere 
 they twain indeed turned the cows’^^ toward the divine mead¬ 
 ow, but the beauteous descendants of Jove themselves "went 
 back toward snowy Olympus, delighted -with the lyre, and 
 counseling Jove rejoiced, and brought both of them together 
 into friendship. And Mercury indeed loved the son of Lato- 
 na thoroughly, as [he] now also [loves him],'^ as a pledge then 
 [Mercury] gave the pleasant lyre to the Far-Darter, but he, 
 having learned it,"^^ played on it under his arm. And he him¬ 
 self in turn contrived a trick of another kind of skill: he 
 made the far-sounding voice of the syrinx. And then the 
 son of Latona addressed Mercury in words: 
 
 “I fear, O son of IMercury, cunning-plotting messenger, 
 lest thou rob''^ me of my lyre and bent bow. For thou hast 
 the prerogative from Jove, to arrange all craft among men 
 throughout the bounteous earth. But if thou wilt endure to 
 swear me the mighty oath of the gods, either nodding with thy 
 head or [swearing] by'® the dreadful w^ater of the Styx, that 
 thou wilt do"® all that is joyful and pleasant to my mind—” 
 
 TIeiniann reads ^ viro vipQsv. '* (36ag cod. Mosc. for /3dfc. 
 
 This is very tame and trivial. Hermann ingeniously reads dia/.imp(g 
 Vikn Kfivov, referring to Apollon. Rh. ii. 782, iv. 430; II. ix. lOG; Od. 
 viii. 245. Cf. Ilesych. t. i. p. 1288. 
 
 But the old editions join {fifprijv deSaujg, 6 S’ vtt., which Hermann 
 follows. 
 
 ’’ The cod. Mosc. reads llpa KXixpjjg. 
 
 For ?) tiri Hermann reads t)L 
 
 Bead fpStiv with Hermann, and for the want of apodosis compare 
 hymn, Apoll. 70. 
 
518—550.] 
 
 II. TO MERCURY. 
 
 385 
 
 And then the son of Maia assented, promising that he 
 would ne\er steal any thing that the Far-Darter possessed, 
 nor ever approach his well-built dwelling. But Apollo, the 
 son of Latona, assented to agreement and friendship, that no 
 other descendant of Jove, neither god nor man, should bo 
 dearer [to him] among the immortals. “ But, [said he,] I will 
 make a perfect pledge^*^ among the immortals, and among all,^^ 
 faithful and precious to my soul. But then I will give [thee] 
 a most beauteous rod of wealth and riches, of gold, of three 
 leaves, perfect, which shall protect thee, having power over all 
 the gods,®'-^ in all good words and deeds, as many as I profess 
 to have learned from the voice of Jove. But the divination 
 after which thou seekest, O best one, it is not lawful for tliee, 
 nor any other of the iinmortals, to understand; for this the 
 mind of Jove [alone] kens; and when I w'as intrusted with 
 the gift, I assented, and swore a mighty oath, that no other 
 of the ever-existing gods, but me, should know the deep-coui - 
 seling will of Jove. Nor do thou, O brother with the golden 
 wand, bid me proclaim the destinies, as many as far-seeing 
 Jove devises. But I will hurt one man, and benefit another, 
 going about many tribes of mighty men. And he indeed shall 
 be benefited by my voices, whoever shall come with the voice 
 and wings of perfect birds.He shall be benefited by my 
 voice, nor will I deceive [him].®^ But he who, relying on 
 vain-speaking birds, shall wish to learn an oracle contrary to 
 my mind, and to understand more than the gods who are for 
 aye, he, I say, shall go a vain journey, but 1 will receive his 
 gifts nevertheless.®^ But I tell thee another thing, O son of 
 the gods Maia and 7Egis-bearing Jove, thou beneficial deity. 
 There are a certain three Thrians,^® virgin sisters born, cxult- 
 
 i. e. a pledge that shall he ratified. 
 
 I am searcely satisfied respecting this passage. 
 
 Here the reading is manifestly absurd. Hermann well reads tiri- 
 Kpalvova ol/xovc tTrsiov, k. t. X. 
 
 Understand 7n0t](Tag from vs. 542. 
 
 This line is, with reason, condemned by Erncsti. 
 
 “That man shall sea-ways tread that leave no tracts, 
 
 And false, and no guide find for all his facts. 
 
 And yet will I his gifts accept as well 
 
 As Ids to whom the simple truth I tell.” Chapman. 
 
 I have ado])ted this masterly restitution of Hermann’s, in lieu of 
 the common reading Mo7pai, and cod. Mosc. (jfpvcu. He refers to Apol- 
 
 R 
 
38G 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 (|.*)oO— o 1 7. 
 
 ing in their swift pinions, and with their heads strewed with 
 hoary wheat, wlio dwell in habitations beneath the dell of 
 Parnassus, teachers of prophecy [dwelling] apart, which, 
 while a boy with the herds, I studied, but my father cared not. 
 From thence, then, flying each in different ways, they feed on 
 honey, and bring all things to pass. But wlien indeed they 
 wander about, feeding on the fresh honey, they are willing 
 to tell the truth promptly. But if they are deprived of the 
 sweet food of the gods, they then endeavor to lead one out 
 of the way. These will I afterward give to thee, but do thou, 
 accurately inquiring, delight thy own mind; land if thou 
 knowest a mortal man, often Avill he hear thy voice, if he 
 chance, Possess this, O son of Maia, and attend to the 
 field-dwelling crumpled-horn cows, and the horses, and hard- 
 toiling mules: and that thou, glorious IMercury, shalt rule 
 over dreadful lions, and white-tusked boars, and dogs, and 
 sheep, and over all cattle, as many as the wide earth nourish¬ 
 es, and that thou alone shalt be the perfect messenger into 
 Hades, and, although not a giver, shalt give not the least of 
 gifts.” 
 
 Thus did king Apollo cherish the son of IMaia with all 
 manner of affection, but Saturnian [Jove] gave good-will. 
 And he associates with all mortals and immortals; little, in¬ 
 deed, does he benefit, but countlessly deceives the tribes of 
 mortal man through the gloomy night. And do thou then 
 hail! O son of Jove and Maia, but I will be mindful of thee 
 and of another song. 
 
 lodor. iii. 10, 2; Zenob. Prov. Cent. v. 75; Etym. IMagn. p. 455, 34; 
 Schol. Callim. in Apoll. 45. Compare Hesych. t. i. p, 1732, Opiai ai 
 TrpiojxuvTHQ (so Berkel. on Stepli. s. v. 9p^^^), See Pinedo on Stepb. Byz. 
 p. 340. 
 
 Of this line I can make nothing, and Ernesti has come to the same 
 conclusion, obsendng, “sensus videtur requirere: si mortales juveris sc. 
 praidictiouibus tuis, turn utique scepc te consilient.” 
 
1—23.3 
 
 III. VENUS. 
 
 387 
 
 III. TO VENUS. 1 
 
 Sing to me, O Muse, the deeds of golden Cyprian Venus, 
 who both has excited sweet love among the gods, and has 
 subdued the tribes of mortal men, and the heaven-descended 
 birds, and all beasts, as many indeed as the main land, and as 
 many as the sea^ cherish in great numbers. But to all of 
 them the occupations of elegantly-crowned Cytherea are a 
 care. But three minds she is unable to persuade or deceive, 
 [namely] the daughter of -3^gis - bearing Jove, dark-eyed 
 Minerva; for her the occupations of golden Venus deliglit 
 not, but wars and the deeds of Mars please her, and conflictr, 
 and battles, and to practice renowned deeds. Pie first taught 
 mortaP workmen to make wagons and various chariots in 
 brass, and she taught soft-fleshed virgins splendid works in 
 their dwellings, setting them in the mind of each. Nor does 
 smile-loving Venus overcome in dalliance resounding Artemis 
 of the golden distaff. P^or to her the bow is pleasant,"^ and to 
 slay beasts o’er mountains, and lyres, and choirs, and piercing 
 shouts, and shadowy woods, and a city of just men. Nor in¬ 
 deed do the occupations of Venus please the hallowed virgin, 
 Vesta, to whom first wily Saturn gave birth, and last again,^ 
 
 ^ An elegant para])hrase of this hymn, which Coleridge (p. 299) con¬ 
 siders as “conceived in an older, more Homeric spirit, than any of the 
 other hymns,” will be found in the second volume of Congreve’s works. 
 Muller, Lit. of Greece, vii. ( 1 , says, “ it is an obvious conjecture that this 
 liymn (tlie tone and expression of which has much of the genuine Homer) 
 was sung in honor of j)rinces of the family of TEneas, in some town of 
 the range of Ida, where the same line continued lo reign even until the 
 Pelo})onnesian war.” Grotc, vol. i. p. 73, rather thinks that it was 
 “probably sung at one of the festivals of Ajjhrodite in Cyi)rus.” 
 
 ^ Cf. Euri]). Hip])ol. 2 , sqq., and 447, (poira S’ ov aiOip’, tern S’ iv 
 QciXadaitp \Lv7rpiQ, TrdvTU S’ tK Tavrpg ’i<pv. Lucret. i. 17, “ De- 
 
 nique per maria ac mentis, fluviosque rapacis. Erundiferasque domes 
 avium, camposque virentis, Omnibus incutiens blandum per pectora 
 amorem, Efficis, ut cu])ide generatim secla propagent.” 
 
 ^ Hermann prefers t 7 r/y 6 'oj^/otc,*joining it with Troitjcrai. 
 
 * Compare the i)rayer of Artemis to her father Jove, in Callimach. in 
 Dian. G, Sog pot TrapOtviijv alwviov, uTnra, ^vXdaativ . . . Sog S’ ievr ^:ai 
 Tu^a, K. T. X. 
 
 ^ “Nemo, quod sciam, liunc locum cxi)lioare conatus, Vestain newpe 
 
588 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [23—55. 
 
 by the counsel of JEgis-bearing Jove, liallowed Neptune and 
 Apollo wooed; but she was altogether unwilling, and vehe¬ 
 mently refused. And the divine of goddesses swore a mighty 
 oath, which indeed Avas accomplished, touching the head of 
 her sire, A^^gis-bearing Jove, [to the effect] that she Avould 
 be a virgin all her days. But to her her father granted a 
 fair gift instead of marriage, for she sat down in the midst 
 of the dwelling,*^ enjoying the savor. And she possesses hon¬ 
 or in all the temples of the gods, and among all mortals is 
 the most honored of the gods. Of these [three] she is un¬ 
 able to persuade or beguile the minds, but of others there 
 is naught that can escape Venus, neither among the blessed 
 gods, nor mortal men. Nay, she even turns aside the mind 
 of thunder-rejoicing Jove,~ Avho is both mightiest, and has 
 been allotted the mightiest honor; and having beguiled his 
 mind, when she wishes, she easily mingles him with mortal 
 dames, escaping the notice of his sister-wife, who is much the 
 most beauteous in form among the immortal goddesses. For 
 Avily Saturn and her mother llhea brought forth her most 
 glorious, but Jove, Avho kens imperishable counsels, made her 
 his hallowed Avife, knowing good things. But into [Venus] 
 herself Jove cast SAveet desire in her mind, that she should 
 enjoy the embraces of a mortal man, that Avith all speed she 
 herself might not be excluded from the mortal couch, and 
 smile-loving Venus, sweetly smiling, might at some time 
 boast among all the gods, Iioav that she had mingled the gods 
 Avith mortal Avomen, and mortals had borne® [children] to im¬ 
 mortals, and how she had mingled the goddesses Avith mortal 
 men. And he infused into her mind SAA-eet fondness for 
 Anchises, Avho then on the lofty mountains of many-rilled 
 Ida,® Avas pasturing his herds, like unto the immortals in 
 
 jtriniam Saturno genitam, lioc cst seniorem; et tamen ultimam- 
 
 (jue; cinn sunt Juno et Ceres, pviores. Ij)se tamen ]ioeta inox cxjilicat 
 quoilaininoclo, ubi Ttpoiry kciI Trofianj 'Ear/y OTrindtoOai \eyei, xxviii. vs. 
 5.” Barnes. 
 
 * Alluding to the ])lacc Avhere Venus was supposed to preside. Fir- 
 
 inicus do Err, Prof. Rel. j). 19. “ Vesta autem (piid sit discite, ne putc- 
 
 tis antiquum aliquid, ant cum summo terrore inventum. Ignis est do- 
 mesticus, qui in focis quotidianis nsibus servit.” Albricus de Deor. 
 Imagg.§ 17, “crat enim tcmplum (Vestce) latum et spatiosum, cum ara 
 i:i medio." Cf. Serv. on Virg. .i'En. ii. 290. 
 
 ’ Cf. Eur. Ilipp. 453, sqq. “ Bead rtKov Avitb Hermann. 
 
 * Cf. Coleridge, p. 299. 
 
5G-92.] 
 
 III. TO VENUS. 
 
 389 
 
 frame. Him then when smile-loving Venus had beheld, she 
 loved, and violently did love seize her in mind, and coming 
 into Cyprus, she entered her incense-fraught temple at Pa¬ 
 phos, where she has a temple and an incense-fraught altar. 
 Here she entering, put to the shining doors, and here the 
 Graces^^^ washed her, and anointed her witli ambrosial oil, 
 such as blossoms on the gods who arc forever, ambrosial, 
 precious, which was offered in honor of her. And smile-lov¬ 
 ing Venus, when she had put on all her beauteous garments 
 around her form, being adorned with gold, set out to Troy, 
 quitting sweet-scented Cyprus, swiftly making her way through 
 the clouds on high. And she reached many-rilled Ida, the 
 mother of Avild beasts, and went straight through the mount¬ 
 ain to the stall, and after her fawning went the hoary Avolves 
 and savage lions, the bears and swift pards, insatiate after the 
 hinds. Put she was delighted in mind, as she perceived 
 [them], and into their breasts inspired lovc.^^ And they all 
 in pairs retired to rest in the shadowy recesses. But she her¬ 
 self came into the well-built huts, and found the hero Anchises 
 left in the stalls, apart from the rest, possessing beauty from 
 the gods. But they all Avere following the herds through the 
 grassy ])asturcs, but he, left alone from the rest in the stalls, 
 Avas i)acing to and fro, clearly stidking the lyre. And near 
 before him stood Venus, the daughter of Jove, like in height 
 and figurc^2 uiiAvedded virgin, lest he should be terrified 
 
 on perceiving her. But Anchises, Avhen he beheld, reflected 
 and marveled at her form, and height, and splendid garments. 
 For she had put on a robe more shining than the dame of 
 fire, and she had bended circlets and shining pendent drops, 
 and there Avere most beautiful necklaces around her neck, 
 beautiful, golden, all-variegated, and cround her smooth breast 
 slie shone like tlic moon, a marvel to behold. But Ioa'C seized 
 Anchises, and he addressed her in Avords; 
 
 “ Hail, O queen, Avhoever thou art of tlie blest that coraesf 
 
 Cf. Odyss. 9. 3G2, sqq., where these lines '.k’so cccur. 
 
 Cf. Lucret. above quoted. 
 
 “For every glance slie gives, soft fire imparts, 
 
 Enkindling sweet desire in savage hearts. 
 
 ' InHallied with love all single out their mates, 
 
 And to their shady dens each pair retreats.” Congreve. 
 
 12 “ Virginis os habitumquc gcrens.” Virg. iEn. i. 315. 
 
 “ I am in some doubt about the meaning ot' i:aXvKar. 
 
390 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [93—127. 
 
 to this dwelling, Diana, or Latona,^^ or golden Venus, or well¬ 
 born Tliemis, or dark-eyed Minerva, or whether thou hast 
 come hither [being] one of the Graces, who associate with all 
 the gods, and are called immortal, or one of the nymphs who 
 inhabit beautiful woods, or of the nymphs who dwell on this 
 beautiful mountain,and the fountains of rivers and the gras¬ 
 sy valleys. But unto thee I will make an altar on a lofty 
 rock, in a conspicuous place, and I Avill oflrer thee beautiful 
 victims at all liours. But do thou, having a well-wishing 
 disposition, grant tliat I may be a conspicuous hero^® among 
 the Trojans, and make my progeny hereafter flourishing, but 
 [grant] that I myself may live well and long, and behold the 
 light of the sun, blest among the people, and may reach the 
 threshold of old age.” 
 
 But him Venus, the daughter of Jove, then answered: 
 
 Anchises, most glorious of men born upon the earth, I am 
 no god indeed; why dost thou equal me with the immortals'? 
 But [I am] both mortal, and a woman mother gave me birth. 
 But my father is renowned Atreus, if perchance thou hast 
 heard his name, who rules over all Avell-fortified Phrygia. 
 But I know your language and our own clearly, for a Trojan^" 
 nurse cherished me in my home, and she trained up me, a 
 little girl, having received me from my mother. Thus there¬ 
 fore I well understand your language also. But now the 
 golden-wanded slayer of Argus has snatched me away out of 
 the choir of golden-distaifed, resounding Diana. For we, 
 a number of nymphs and Alphesiboean virgins, were at play, 
 and a countless multitude crown-like surrounded us; whence 
 the golden-wanded slayer of Argus snatched me away. And 
 he led me to many works of mortal men, and also to much un- 
 •allotted and unbuilt [country], through which flesh-devour¬ 
 ing wild beasts make their way in shady recesses, nor did I 
 seem to touch the life-breathing earth with my feet. But he 
 said that I should be called a wedded wife at tlic bed of An¬ 
 chises, and should bear thee glorious children. But after he 
 
 Compare the similar address of JEncas in Virg. iEn. i. 332: “O 
 dea certe ; An Phmbi soror, an nympharum sanguinis una?” Cf. Ile- 
 liodor. Etluop. i. 2, Chariton, i. p. 1, with D’Orville’s notes. 
 
 I agree with Kuhnken in condemning this line as a frigid interpo^ 
 lation. 
 
 But Hermann reads alei instead of av^pa, and with reason. 
 
 ” Erncsti’s emendation is confirmed by cod. Mosc. 
 
128—IGL] 
 
 III. TO VENUS. 
 
 391 
 
 had shown and spoken this, straightway the potent slayer of 
 Argus went back to the tribes of the gods. But I have come 
 to thee, and there was a strong necessity for me [to do so]. 
 But I beseech thee by Jove and by thy excellent parents (for 
 no mean pair could have produced such an one [as thee]), 
 leading me, untouched, and unskilled in love, show me to thy 
 father, and to thy mother who is skilled in prudence, and to 
 tliy sisters, who-are of the same race to them. I Avill not be 
 an unworthy daughter-in-law to them, but such as is meet. 
 Whether I shall in aught be an unworthy woman, or not so.^® 
 And send a messenger quickly to the swift-horsed Phrygians, 
 to tell my sire and my mother, anxious as she must be. But 
 they will send enough both of gold and of woven vesture ; but 
 do thou receive the many and glorious gifts. But doing this, 
 celebrate the pleasant feast of nuptials honorable to men and 
 to tlie immortal gods.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the goddess instilled sweet desire into 
 liii mind, and love seized Anchises, and he spoke, and ad¬ 
 dressed her : If indeed thou art mortal, and a mortal mother 
 bjre thee, and thy illustrious father is bight Atreus, as th6u 
 saj^est, and thou hast come hither at the behest of the im¬ 
 mortal messenger Mercury, and thou slialt be called my wife 
 all my day.s, then no one neither of gods nor of mortal men 
 shall here restrain me, before I forthwith bo mingled in thine 
 embrace; no, not if far-darting Apollo himself let fly the 
 irrievous shafts from his silver bow. I would then be willine:, 
 O woman like unto the goddesses, having ascended thy couch, 
 to enter within the dwelling of Hades.” 
 
 Thus saying, he took her hand, and smile-loving Venus 
 turning round, went, casting down her beauteous eyes, to the 
 well-spread couch, which before was spread for the king 
 with soft garments, but above there lay the skins of bears, 
 and loud-voiced lions, which he himself had slain on the 
 
 This isliopeless nonsense, as tlie text now stands. Ruhnken seems 
 rif^ht in considering^ tliis verse as an awkward con]])ound of two others, 
 but I can find no satisfactory emendation. 
 
 ” “Nor should Apollo with his silver how 
 
 Shoot me to instant death, would I forbear 
 To do a deed so full of cause so dear. 
 
 For with a heaven sweet woman I will lie; 
 
 Though straight I stoop the house of Dis, and die.” 
 
 Chapman , 
 
892 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [102—189. 
 
 lofty mountains. But when they liad ascended the well- 
 wrought couc'h, lie first took the shining ornaments otf lier 
 body, the brooches, and bended circlets, and tlie pendent 
 drops and necklaces. And Ancliiscs loosed her girdle, and 
 stripped off her splendid garments, and jilaced !ier on the gold- 
 studded throne. But he then, under the behest and destiny 
 of the gods, was couched with the immortal goddess, not 
 clearly knowing it. But when the shepherds again return 
 back into the stall, and the cows and sturdy-® sheep from the 
 flowery pastures, then indeed she breathed sweet sleep into 
 Anchises, painless, but she herself put beautiful garments 
 around her body. And when the divine one of goddesses had 
 put on all [her garments] around her body, she stood by the 
 couch of* the well-made dwelling, she raised her head, and 
 immortal beauty shone from her cheeks, such as is [the beau¬ 
 ty] of beautifully-crowned Cytherea. And she aroused him 
 from slumber and spoke, and addressed him : 
 
 “ Arise, son of Dardanus, why slecpest thou an unwakeful 
 sleep'? and say, whether I seem to be at all like what thou 
 at first didst perceive me with thine eyes. ”21 
 
 Thus she spoke, but he heard very briskly from his sleep, 
 but when he beheld the neck and beauteous eyes of Venus, he 
 dreaded, and turned his eyes another way. And again he 
 hid his fair face in his garment, and beseeching her, he spoke 
 winged words: “ Immediately, O goddess, that I first beheld 
 thee with mine eyes, I perceived that thou wast a goddess; 
 but thou didst not speak the truth. But, I implore thee by 
 JEgis-bcaring Jove, leave me not to live weak^-^ among mor- 
 
 Perhaps answering to the “])Ctulci” of Virgil; “fat and frofic 
 shec]),” is Chapman’s version. 
 
 •* “-Anchises, wake; 
 
 Thy fond repose and lethargy forsake: 
 
 Look on the nymph wdio late from Phrygia came, 
 
 Behold me well—say, if 1 seem the same.” Congreve. 
 
 Anchises seems to have been subsequently punished by paralysis 
 caused by a flash of lightning. Cf. Serviiis on JEn. ii. Gt9, “Cum inter 
 tequales exultaret Anchises, gloriatus traditnr de concubitu Veneris : 
 quod cum Jovi Venus questa esset, emeruit ut in Anchisem fulmina mit- 
 terentur; sed Venus cum cum fulmine posse vidisset interimi, miscrata 
 juventas; in aliam })artem detorsit; Anchises tamen afflatus igne cce- 
 lesti, semper debilis vixit.” llesych., a/xevrivd, doBtvriy Kard (jrepTjaiv Tijg 
 dvvdptiog. 
 
190—232,] 
 
 III. TO VENUS. 
 
 393 
 
 tals, since that man is not long-lived, who couches with the 
 immortal goddesses.” 
 
 But him Venus, the daughter of Jove, then answered; 
 “ Ancliises, most glorious of mortal men, be of good cheer, 
 and fear not overmuch in thy mind. For there is no fear 
 that thou Avilt suffer evil from me at least, nor from the other 
 blessed gods, since thou art dear to the gods. And thou shalt 
 have a beloved son who shall rule over the Trojans, and chil¬ 
 dren shall be born to [his] children throughout. But his 
 name shall be ^neas, since sad“^ grief possessed me, because 
 I liad fallen into the bed of a mortal man. But from thy 
 race the gods shall ever be most near to mortal men both in 
 form and mien. Thus counseling Jove snatched away yel¬ 
 low-haired Ganymede on account of his beauty, that he might 
 dwell with the immortals, and in the house of Jove he is cup¬ 
 bearer to the gods, a marvel to behold, honored among all the 
 immortals, pouring ruby nectar from a golden cup. But un¬ 
 ceasing grief possessed the mind of Tros, nor knew he whith¬ 
 er the heaven-sent whirlwind had snatched away his beloved 
 son. Him then he mourned continually throughout all days. 
 And Jove pitied him, and gave him rewards instead of his 
 son, swift-footed steeds, which bear along the immortals. 
 Them he gave to him as a gift, and the messenger, the slayer 
 of Argus, told him each matter, at the behest of Jove, that he 
 should be immortal and free from old age all his days. But 
 when he heard the messages of Jove, he no longer groaned, 
 but rejoiced within his mind, and rejoicing was carried by his 
 swift-footed steeds. And in like manner golden-throned Morn 
 snatched away Tithonus [sprung] from your race, like unto 
 tlie immortals. But she went to beseech the black-clouded 
 sw'.i of Saturn, that iie n'llght be immortal and live all days; 
 and to her Jove assented, and fulfilled her request. Foolish 
 slie ! nor did revered Morn think in her mind to ask for youth 
 [for him], and to rub off })ernicious old age. So as long as 
 much-loved youth })ossessed him, delighting himself with gold- 
 cn-throned Morn, the mother of day, he dwelt at tlie stream 
 of ocean, at the boundaries of the garth. But wdien the first 
 white hairs Avere poured from his beautiful head and noble 
 beard, then indeed revered Morn abstained from liis bed, but 
 nurtured him in turn, keeping him in her dAvellings, Avith 
 
 A pun on aivbc, prief, and ^Eneas- 
 
 ll 2 
 
394 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [233—261. 
 
 food, and ambrosia, and giving him beauteous garments. But 
 when hateful old age was completely pressing on, and he was 
 not able to move or raise his limbs, then this seemed to her 
 in her mind the best plan : she placed him in a bedchamber 
 and put shining doors to it. His voice indeed flows^^ over 
 talkatively, nor is there any longer such strength in his flex¬ 
 ile members as [there was] before. I would not choose thee 
 to be such among the immortals, to be immortal, and to live 
 all days. But if indeed, being such in form and hgure, thou 
 couldst live, and be called my husband, grief would not then 
 surround my deep thoughts. But now old age, equal [to all], 
 will quickly surround thee, merciless! which afterward comes 
 upon men, destructive, toilsome, which the gods hate. But 
 to me will there be great reproach all days on account of 
 thee, among the gods, who hitherto dreaded my converse and 
 devices, by which I have at some time mingled all the im¬ 
 mortals with mortal women. For my device has subdued all. 
 IFit now indeed no longer will my mouth be opened^^ to men¬ 
 tion this among immortals, since I am .much hurt, hardly, un¬ 
 bearably, and have wandered in mind, and, couched with a 
 mortal, have conceived a son beneath my zone. Plim indeed, 
 as soon as he shall first behold the light of the sun, shall the 
 mountain-dwelling, deep-bosomed nymphs nourish, Avho in¬ 
 habit this mighty and divine mountain, who indeed are neither 
 mortals nor immortals.Long,^'^ indeed, they live, and cat 
 
 But Ilgen reads rpei denrerov^ from II. xvii. 332, meaning, I sup¬ 
 pose, to express the indistinct accents of a person wlio speaks undev the 
 influence of fear. Ilesycli. rptiv (pofSeiaQai, (^tvyeiv. 
 
 “All pow’rs so quite decay’d, that -when he spake, 
 
 Ilis voice no perceptible accent brake.” Chapman. 
 
 “Of youth, of vigor, and of voice bereft.” Congreve. 
 
 I have adopted x^iaeTai, Martin’s conjecture, with Ernesti ami Her¬ 
 mann. 
 
 *® Hermann rightly explains this sense of iirovrai, “qua; neque in 
 mortalibus neque in immortalibus numerantiir.” Congreve has well 
 expressed this : 
 
 “They nor of mortal, nor immortal seed. 
 
 Are said to spring, yet on ambrosia feed.” 
 
 The reader will find some good illustrations of this fable in Barnes, 
 but I can not help transcribing the following quaint remarks from a note 
 on Congreve’s Translation, vol. ii. p. 476. “Ausonius, from Hesiod, 
 computes the life of a man at ninety-six years ; a crow, he says, lives 
 
201—21) 4.] 
 
 III. TO VENUS. 
 
 395 
 
 ambrosial food, and the immortals raise up the beauteous quire. 
 And. with them the Sileni and the sharp scout, the slayer of 
 AJtgus, were mingled in love, in a recess of the pleasant caves. 
 But together with them at their birth were born either beech- 
 trees or high-crested oaks upon the bounteous earth, beaute¬ 
 ous, standing exposed to the sun in lofty mountains, but they 
 call them the groves of the immortals, Avhich mortals never 
 crop with the steel; but when the destiny of death is now at 
 liand, the beauteous trees are first dried up upon the earth, 
 and the bark perishes round them, and the boughs fall olf, 
 and at the same ^time their life quits the light of the sun. 
 They indeed shall cherish my son, having him with them. 
 And when pleasant youth first possesses him, the goddesses 
 will lead him hither to thee, and show thy son. And unto 
 thee—that I may pass over all these matters in my mind—I 
 will come after five years, bringing thy son. But when thou 
 slialt first behold this branch with thine eyes, thou wilt rejoice 
 at the sight, for he will be very godlike, and thou wilt straight¬ 
 way lead him to wind-swept Thurii. But if any one of mor¬ 
 tal men shall ask thee what mother conceived a dear son for 
 thee beneath her girdle, to him be thou mindful to say, as I 
 bid thee, [thus:] They say,^® that lie is the offspring of the 
 nymph Calycopis, who inhabit this mountain clad in wood. 
 But if indeed thou shalt speak out and boast with foolish 
 mind, that thou Avast mingled in dalliance Avith well-croA\med 
 Cytherea, Joa’C, enraged, shall smite thee with the smoulder¬ 
 ing lightning. All is told to thee, but do thou, understand¬ 
 ing in thy mind, restrain thyself, nor mention my name. But 
 guard against the AAU'ath of the gods.’’ 
 
 Thus having spoken, she leaped forth toAvard the Avindy 
 heaven. Hail, O goddess, ruling OA’cr Avcll-built Cyprus, and 
 I, beginning from thee, Avill pass on to another hymn. 
 
 iiin3 times as long; a deer four times as long as a crow; a raven three 
 times as long as a deer; the ])lioenix ten times as long as a raven; and 
 these llamadryades live ten times as long as the phomix. But the most 
 received opinion was, that they lived just as long as their trees. There¬ 
 fore, this from Ausonius, seems rather to refer to the Dryades, and the 
 duration of a whole wood; for there are frequent instances where they 
 were indifferenl»ly called Dryades and llamadryades by the ancient j)oets. 
 They were very sensible of good oliices, and grateful to them who at 
 any time preserved their trees.” 
 
 But Matthiaj and Hermann, Avith reason, read 0na0at, “say that 
 he is,” etc. 
 
396 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [iv. V. 1—3. 
 
 IV. TO THE SAME.2» 
 
 I WILL sing hallowed, golden-crowned, beauteous Venus, 
 who has obtained the fortresses of all maritime Cyprus, where 
 the force of gentle-breathing Zephyr bore her o’er the wave 
 of the much-resounding sea, on the soft foam. But her the 
 golden-frontleted Honrs joyfully received, and put on her im¬ 
 mortal garments, and upon her immortal head they put a well- 
 wrought crown, beauteous, golden, and in her perforated ears 
 a gift of oricholchum and precious gold. And they decked 
 her tender neck and white bosom around with golden carca- 
 nets, with which also the Hours themselves, with golden front- 
 lets, were adorned, whenever they went to the pleasant dance 
 of the gods and the dwelling of their sire. But after they 
 had put the whole ornaments around her form, they led her 
 to the immortals; but they, when they beheld, saluted her, 
 and welcomed her with their right hands, and wished each 
 that she might be his wedded wife, and to lead her home, 
 marveling at the form of violet-crowned Cytherea. Hail! 
 thou eye-winker, sweet-voiced one, and grant that 1 may bear 
 otF the victory in this contest, and aid my song. But 1 will 
 be mindful of thee and another song. 
 
 V. BACCHUS, OK THE ITKATES. 
 
 Concerning^ Bacchus, the son of glorious Semele, I will 
 make mention, how he appeared on the shore of the unfruitful 
 sea, upon a jutting beach," like unto a young man in the lirst 
 
 These minor hymns are considered by Coleridjjjc to be “mere pre¬ 
 ludes or short preparatory addresses to, or eulopes of, the divinity at 
 wlioso festival the rhapsode was ])resent, and was about to recite some 
 ])oem of greater length.” Introd. j). 285. The brief mythological notes 
 of Barnes may prove useful to the student. 
 
 ^ This formula of commencing a hymn is well illustrated by Barnes 
 from Aristoph. Nub. 50.5, and Suidas, v. 
 
 ^ But Ernesti would read aKpy, comparing Nonnus xlr. p. 11G4, 
 
4—35.] 
 
 V. BACCHUS, OR THE PIRATES. 
 
 397 
 
 bloom of youth, while his beauteous dark tresses were sbaken 
 around, and he wore a purple mantle about his sturdy shoul¬ 
 ders. But quickly came Tyrrhenian pirates from the well- 
 benched ship upon the dark sea, and evil fate led it on. But 
 they, perceiving [him], beckoned to one another, and quickly 
 leaped out, and speedily having seized him, they seated him 
 in their ship, rejoicing at heart. E'er they said that he was a 
 son of Jove-nurtured princes, and wished to bind him in griev¬ 
 ous fetters. But him the fetters restrained not, and the withy 
 bands fell far otf from his hands and feet; and he sat smiling 
 with his dark eyes, but the pilot, perceiving, straightway gave 
 orders to his comrades, and addressed them. 
 
 “ Miserable men ! who is this powerful god who ye, having 
 seized, have bound ? Nor is the well-constructed sliip able to 
 bear him. P''or either he is Jove, or silver-bowed Apollo, or 
 Neptune; since he is not like unto mortal men, but to the 
 gods who possess the Olympian dwellings. But come, let us 
 forthwith leave him upon the dark main land, nor lay your 
 hands upon him, lest, being at all enraged, he stir up trouble¬ 
 some gales and a mighty whirlwind.” 
 
 Thus he spake, but him the captain rebuked with bitter 
 speech: “ My good man, look to the prosperous gale, and at 
 the same time draw up the sail of the ship, having made full 
 tackle. But this one shall be a care to men. I hope that he 
 will come or to Egypt, or to Cyprus, or to the Hyperboreans, 
 or yet farther, and that he will at last declare both his friends, 
 and all his j)ossessions, and his brethren; since fortune has 
 presented liim to us^” 
 
 Tlius having spoken, he drew up the mast and sail of the 
 ship, and the wind breathed upon the middle of the sail, and 
 around it they stretched out the cordage. But quickly to 
 them appeared wondrous deeds.^ First indeed sweet-scented 
 
 aiyiaXoio Trap’ o<ppvaiv. He for{];ot Od. xxiv. 82, ojcry tTvi Trpovxovmj^ 
 which Hesych. t. i. p. 212, intei'ijrcts, tv np iKsxovri p,kpH tov aiyiaXov. 
 The same grammarian also explains it by TrapaOaXdaauic totto^. There 
 is the same distinction between our words “ shore” and “ beach.” More¬ 
 over, that ukd) means the projecting rocky parts of the sliorc, which art- 
 most beaten by the waves, but Olveg the sandy, is evident from the Schol. 
 on II. ii. 395, on Soph. Aj. 414, and Aminonius, p. 9, where see Valck. 
 
 ^ Cf. Seneca, Q^d. 449. “Te Tyrrhena piier ra])uit manns, Et tu. 
 midum Nereus posuit marc, Cocrula cum pratis mutat freta. Huic ver- 
 nus plataims folio viret, Et Phoebo hiiirus carum nemus, Garrula p«v ra- 
 
398 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 \_35—59. 
 
 wine bubbled througli the swift black ship, and an ambrosial 
 savor arose, and dread seized all the sailors as they beheld. 
 And straightway a vine was stretched out by the highest top 
 of the sail, on this side and that, and many clusters hung 
 down. And around the mast the dark ivy, flourishing in 
 blossoms, was entwined, and the pleasant fruit sprang forth, 
 and all the thongs [of the oars] w^ere furnished with crowns. 
 But they perceiving it, then bade Medides,'^ their pilot, put to 
 land. But he in their sight became a dreadful lion within the 
 ship, upon its summit, and he roared mightily, and in the 
 middle [of the ship] he made a shaggy-necked bear, showing 
 forth marvels. And he arose eagerly, but dreadful'’ was the 
 lion upon the top of the bench, scowling savagely, but they 
 fled terrified to the poop, and stood astounded around the pi¬ 
 lot who [alone] possessed a prudent mind. But he*’ hastily 
 making an onslaught, seized the captain, and they, shunning 
 evil fate, all at once leaped out, when they beheld him, into 
 the boundless sea, and became dolphins. But pitying the pi¬ 
 lot, [Bacchus] restrained him, and rendered him all fortunate, 
 and spake thus: 
 
 “ Be of good cheer, noble pilot,most grateful to my mind. 
 But I am Bacchus the loud-sounding, whom a Cadmeian 
 mother Semele bore, mingling in the embrace of Jove.” 
 
 Hail! son of fair-faced Semele; never is it possible, for¬ 
 getting thee, to adorn the sweet song.® 
 
 mos avis obstrepit, vivaccs ederns ramus tenet, Summa ligat vitis car- 
 chesia, ideeus prora fremuit leo,” etc. Of. Propert. iii. 17, ?5 ; Ovid. 
 Met. iii. GOG, sqq.; Hygin. Fab. cxxxiv.; Lactant. Placid. Arg.; Ovid. 
 Met. iii. fob. 9, 10. 
 
 ^ In other authors he is called Acmtcs. I myself think, witli Ilermanm 
 that an accusative is Avanting. lie ingeniously reads vTf fjSt). 
 
 ® This must be the sense, as diivuv vTrodpa can hardly be joined. 
 
 ‘ Bacchus, in his lion’s form. 
 
 '' This word is very doubtful. Sec Hermann. 
 
 “And thus, all excellence of grace to thee, 
 
 Son of sweet-count’nance-carrying Semele. 
 
 I must not thee forget, in least degree; 
 
 But pray thy s})irit to render so my song, 
 
 Sweet, and all wavs in order’d fury strong.” 
 
 Chapman. 
 
VI. 1—17. vii. 1—1. J 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 399 
 
 VI. TO MARS.^ 
 
 Most mighty Mars, weigher-down of chariots, gold-casqued, 
 great-minded, shield-bearing, city - preserver, brass-equipped, 
 strong-handed, untired, powerful in the spear, bulwark of 
 Olympus, father of well-warred victory, aider of justice, tyrant 
 over opponents, leader of most upright men, chieftain of valor, 
 revolving thy fiery circle in ether among the seven wandei ing 
 stars,2 where thy flaming steeds ever uplift thee above the 
 third chariot.^ Hear, O helper of mortals, giver of daring 
 youth, gently pouring down a gleam^ from on high for our 
 livelihood, and martial valor, that I may be able to ward off 
 bitter evil from mine head, and in my thoughts subdue the 
 deceitful inclination of my soul, and also restrain the sharp 
 wrath 'of anger, Avhich incites me to enter on the chill battle. 
 But do thou, O blest one, give courage, and [grant] me to re¬ 
 main in the harmless laws of peof'e, escaping the conflict and 
 violent fate of hostile men. 
 
 VII. TO DIANA. 
 
 Sing, Muse, Diana, the foster-sister of far-darting Apollo, 
 the shaft-rejoicing virgin, who, having washed her steeds in 
 deep-rushed JMeles,-** swiftly di-ivcs*^ on her all-golden chariot 
 
 ' This hymn is rightly rcgor‘lc<l .os Or])hic, net Homeric, hy Ruhrken, 
 and Hermann has accordingly published it among his Orphic.a, ]). .'toB. 
 A comparison with a similar hymn to Mars, p. 384, will show liow cor¬ 
 rect this view is. 
 
 ^ Not the Pleiades, .as Chapman supposed, but the jdancts. Cf. Hy- 
 gin. Poet. Astron. ii. 4'Ji; iv. PJ. But Eur. Iph. Aid. 7, has tTn-airopov 
 UXt'ia^oQ. 
 
 ^ '•'•Teriio loco inter planetas cqui te vchunt, nempe initio nnmerandi 
 superne facto ah Saturno.” Ernesti. 
 
 * It must be remembered th.at the star of Mars was called irvplnr 
 on account of its superior brilliancy, “(pda igidtis fulgorum ardoribus 
 sanguinolentus, et minaci luminis coruscatiiaie terribilis est,” says did. 
 Firmicus, Astron. 5. 2. 
 
 * A river near Smyrna, whence Homer took his surname of Mc- 
 esigenes. 
 
 * Cf. Aisch. Pers. 84, Hvpiov 9’ uppa tiwKiov. 
 
400 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [5—9. VIII.—X. 
 
 through Smyrna into vine-bearing Clarus, where silver-bowed 
 Apollo sits awaiting the far-darting [maidj wdic rejoices in 
 arrows. And do tiiou thus hail—and wdth thee all the god¬ 
 desses—in song ! But I indeed will both first begin from 
 thee' to sing, and, having began from thee, will pass on to am 
 other hymn. 
 
 VIII. TO VENUS. 
 
 I WILL sing Cyprus-sprung Cytherea, who both gives pleas¬ 
 ant gifts® to mortals, and with pleasant visage is ever smiling, 
 and bears a lovely flower [of beauty]. Hail! goddess, ruling 
 over well-built Salamis and all Cyprus,® and grant [me] 
 pleasant song, but I will be mindful of thee, and of another 
 song. 
 
 IX. TO MINERVA. 
 
 I BEGIN to sing Balias Minerva, the dread guardian of cit¬ 
 ies, to whom, in company with Mars, warlike deeds are a 
 care, and cities overthrown, and the din of w'ars.^® fAnd 
 she also guards the people both on going and returning.|^^ 
 Hail! goddess, and grant to us fortune and prosperity. 
 
 X. TO JUNO. 
 
 I SING golden-throned Juno, whom Rhea brought forth, the 
 immortal queen, possessing surpassing beauty, both sister and 
 glorious wdfe^2 of loud-resounding Jove, whom all the gods 
 through long Olympus venerating honor equally with thum 
 der-rejoicing Jove. 
 
 ’ See my note on the Battle of the Froj^s and ^lice, vs. 1. 
 
 ® Cf. Pindar, 01. i. 120, (p'lXia ^ujpa Kvnpiac. Hesiod. Sent. Here. 
 npiropivoQ SCjpoiai TcoXv^pvaov ’AppodiTpg. Sec int. pp. on Virg. j-En. 
 iv. 33. 
 
 ® In the cod. Mosc. there are evidently two versions of this hymn 
 mixed up together, the following lines being added in Hermann’s ed.; 
 Xat/OE p-aKaipa, KvQtjprjg kVKTip.tvr]g ptdiovaa, 
 
 ’EivaXbig ts KVTrpov dug d’ Iptpotcraav aoidpv. 
 
 Observe the hendiadys. 
 
 Evidently an interpolation : viaaopai can not bear such a meaning 
 
 Cf. II xvii. 35G, with my note. 
 
XI.— XIV.J 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 401 
 
 XI. TO CERES. 
 
 I BEGIN to sing fair-liairecl Ceres, a venerable goddess, her¬ 
 self and her most beauteous daughter Proserpine. Hail! god¬ 
 dess, and preserve this city,^^^ and direct my song. 
 
 XII. TO THE MOTHER OF THE GODS. 
 
 Sing to me, sweet^^ Muse, daughter of mighty Jove, the 
 mother both of all gods and all men, to whom the noise of 
 cymbals and drums,and with it the drone of pipes is pleas¬ 
 ant, and the howling of wolves and terrible lions, and the 
 echoing mountains, and woody recesses. And do thou thus 
 hail, and with thee all the goddesses, in song. 
 
 XIH. TO LION-HEARTED HERCULES. 
 
 I >viLL sing Hercules the son of Jove, whom Alcmene bore, 
 the most valiant of earthly beings, in Thebes of beauteous 
 quires, having been embraced by dark-clouded Jove. Who 
 in days of yore, w'andering o’er boundless earth and sea, at 
 the behest of king Eurystheus, himself both did and suffered 
 many grievous deeds.^*' But now he dwells delighted on the 
 fair seat of snowy Olympus, and possesses fair-ankled Hebe. 
 Hail! O king, son of Jove, and give valor and prosperity. 
 
 XIV. TO AESCULAPIUS. 
 
 I begin to sing the healer of diseases, JEsculapius, tlie son 
 of Apollo, whom divine Coronis bore in the Dotian^' field, the 
 
 Barnes well compares Callim. in Cer. 135. 
 
 Cf. Aleman, fragm. i. 1, cd. Welcker. 
 
 On tliis miscellaneous musical taste, cf. Lucret. ii. G18, sqq., Catull. 
 Ixi. 28, sqq., and Lilius Gyraldus de Diis, Synt. iv, p. 140, ed. Amst. 
 
 Here there is another similar interpolation to the one in Hymn vir*. 
 See Hermann. 
 
 In Thessaly. See Barnes. 
 
402 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [xv. —XVII. 1—4. 
 
 daughter of king Phlegyas, a great joy to men, an appeaser of 
 evil pangs. And do thou thus hail, O king! but I implore 
 thee in song. 
 
 XV. TO CASTOR AND POLLUX.’^ 
 
 •» 
 
 Sing, O sweet Muse, Castor and Pollux, the sons of Tyn- 
 darus, who were sprung from Olympian Jove, whom hallowed 
 Leda brought forth beneath the height of Taygetus, being 
 stealthily overcome by the dark-clouded son of Saturn. Hail I 
 ye sons of Tyndarus, mounters of fleet steeds. 
 
 XVI. TO MERCURY. 
 
 I SING Cyllenian Mercury, the slayer of Argus, who rules 
 over Cyllene and Arcadia rich in flocks, the beneflcial mes¬ 
 senger of the immortals, whom hallow'ed Main, the daughter 
 of Atlas, brought forth, mingling in the embrace of Jove. 
 But she shunned the company of the blessed gods, dwelling 
 in a shady cave, where the son of Saturn mingled with the 
 fair-haired nymph in the depth of night, Avhen sweet sleep 
 possessed wdiite-armed Juno.^^ And she escaped the notice 
 both of the immortal gods and mortal men. And do thou 
 thus hail, son of Jove and Maia. But commencing from thee, 
 I will pass on to another hymn. Hail! IMercury, thou giver 
 of joys, messenger, giver of good things. 
 
 XVH. TO PAN. 
 
 Sing to me, O IMuse, concerning the dear son of Mercu¬ 
 ry, goat-footed, two-horned, lover of the dance,^® who goes 
 through Avoody Pisa in company Avith the nymphs Avho arc 
 accustomed to the dance, Avho also step along the tracks^’ of 
 
 See beloAv, ITvinn xxxi. 
 
 “ AYhen golden sleep shut Juno's jealous eye.” Chapman. 
 
 Chaj)inan is more literal; “amorous of noise.” 
 
 I read KiXevOa from a MS. Avith Hermann. 
 
6—30.] 
 
 XVII. TO PAN. 
 
 403 
 
 the lofty rock, calling upon Pan, the god of shepherds, with 
 beauteous hair, [yet] squalid,who has been allotted every 
 snow-capped height, and the summits and rocky heads of 
 mountains. And he goes hither and thither through the 
 dense thickets, sometimes allured by the gentle streams, but 
 sometimes again he passes over the sun-traversed mountains, 
 ascending the loftiest height that overlooks the flocks, and 
 oftentimes he runs over the long hoary mountain ranges, and 
 oftentimes he passes through the feet of the hills, slaying wild 
 beasts, looking sharply about. And then he drives his sheep 
 into their cavc,^^ returning from the chase, playing a sweet 
 song on the reeds. Him not even the bird, which pouring 
 forth her song among the leaves of flowery spring, pours forth 
 a sweet lay, would surpass in song. And with hini-^^ then the 
 sweet-songed mountain nymphs, coming frequently on foot to 
 the dark-watered fountain, raise the song, and the echo sounds 
 around the height of the mountain. And tlie god going 
 hither and thither in the midst of the dances, moves frequent¬ 
 ly with his feet. But on his back he wears the blood-stained 
 skin of a lynx, delighting his mind with sweet lays in the 
 soft meadow, where the crocus and fragrant hyacinth flour¬ 
 ishing are mingled with abundant grass. And they hymn the 
 blessed gods and mighty Olympus, as,^'’ for instance, benefi¬ 
 cial IMcrcury above all, how he is the swift messenger of all 
 the gods. And he indeed came into many-rilled Arcadia, the 
 
 “On Pan, the briglit-hair’d god of pastoral, 
 
 Wlio yet is lean and loveless.” Chapman. 
 
 : 3 
 
 This is partly the emendation of Bernard Martin, partly of Ruhnken. 
 But Hermann prefers rare d’ tenrepog tKXayev oior, “ circa vesperam solus 
 fistula canit Pan, a venatione redux; ibi conveniunt deinde nymphre.” 
 This certainly seems almost rc(piired by the following words, SovaKujp 
 vTTo fxovaav dOvpcov. And the solitude of Pan well agrees with the words 
 of Tlieocritus, i. IG, Toj^ Wdva dadotKap.eg, yap dir dypag Taviica kik- 
 puK.'og dpTraveraf ivri TriKpog, Kai ol del IpiptXa ttoti pivi tcdOprai. 
 
 For descrijaions of Pan, see Moll, on Longus Past. ii. 17. Lucian Diall. 
 Dcorr, 4, and 22, and Lilius Gyrald. Syntagm. xv. p. 451, s(p ed. Amst. 
 “Artists of modern times evidently took their idea for the graphic rep¬ 
 resentation of the devil frt)m the ancient figures of Pan.” Townley Mar¬ 
 bles, vol. i. p. 211. 
 
 i. e. Pan, trcpiv being here the singular number. Sec Herm. on 
 Orph. p. 792, 797. 
 
 ** Surely we should read olor, 
 
 “Mercury alone above otliers.” 
 
404 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [31—49. xviii 
 
 mother of sheep, where there is a temple of Cyllenius^® in his 
 honor. Here lie, although a god, tended shabby-fleeced sheep 
 with^"^ a mortal man. For soft desire, which had come upon 
 him, flourished, that he should mingle in love Avith the fair- 
 haired nymph Dryope. And he accomplished joyful nup¬ 
 tials, and in her dwelling she bore a dear son to Mercury, 
 a marvel to behold forthwith, goat-footed, two-horned, fond 
 of the dance, sweetly laughing. And she fled, leaping up, 
 and the nurse left the child ; for she was smitten with dread*^ 
 as she beheld his unpleasant, hairy visage. But him, benefi¬ 
 cial Mercury, having received, took in his arms, and the god 
 rejoiced greatly in his mind. And swiftly lie went to tlio 
 dwellings of the immortals, having covered flic boy in the 
 thick skins of a mountain hare. And lie seated him Avith 
 Jove and the other immortals, and shoAA'ed his son. But all 
 the immortals Avere delighted in mind, and above others Bac¬ 
 chus Dionysus. And they called him Ban, because he de¬ 
 lighted the minds of all.^^ And do thou thus hail, O kinjr, 
 and I Avill beseech thee in song. But I Avill be mindful of 
 thee and of another song. 
 
 XVIII. TO VULCAN. 
 
 Sing, SAveet IMusc, Mercury the rcnoAvncd artificer, who Avith 
 dark-eyed Minerva taught glorious Avorks. to men upon the 
 earth, Avho before dAvelt in caves^" mountains, like Avild 
 
 beasts, but noAV being instructed in Avorks by Vulcan the re- 
 noAvned artificer, they easily in security pass through life, tlie 
 
 KvWriv'iov is the elegant reading of three Paris MSS. Cf. in Cer. 
 37, and Ilerm. on Orph. p. 801. 
 
 ITapd rather means, “in the serA’ice of a mortal man.” 
 
 A customaiy euphemism Avhere the gallantries of the gods are de¬ 
 scribed. 
 
 i. e. from his A^ery birth. TrpoaOev is used in nearly the same man¬ 
 ner in Hymn xxiA'. 7, of the birth of Minerva. 
 
 Probably as much terrified as the mother of IMothcr Shij)ton is tri' 
 ditionally re])orted to liaA'e been on a similar occasion. 
 
 This etymology is, if ])ossible, nearly as bad as any to he found in 
 Plato’s Cratylus. It is, at all events, quite as frigid. 
 
 See my notes on yEsch. Prom. 
 
XIX.—XXII. J 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 405 
 
 whole year through, in tlieir own dwellings. But be propi¬ 
 tious, O Vulcan, and grant excellence and prosperity. 
 
 XIX. TO APOLLO. 
 
 O PiicEBUs, thee indeed the swan also sings sweetly, flap¬ 
 ping its wiiigs,^*^ leaping upon the bank by the eddying river 
 Peneus, but thee the sweet-voiced bard, having his clear-toned 
 lyre, ever sings both first and last. And do thou thus hail, 
 but I appease thee by song. 
 
 XX. TO NEPTUNE.34 
 
 CoNCKPtXiNG Neptune, a mighty god, I begin to sing, the 
 stirrer of the earth and unfruitful sea, marine, who possesses 
 both Helicon and wide JEgod. A two-fold honor have the 
 gods granted thee, O earth-shaker, to be both a tamer of 
 steeds, and a preserver of ships. Hail! earth-encircling Nep¬ 
 tune, with dark locks, and do thou, blessed one, having a 
 kindly disposition, give aid to voyagers. 
 
 XXL TO JOVE. 
 
 I WILL sing Jove, the best and mightiest of gods, far-sound¬ 
 ing, ruling, bringing things to pa.ss, wlio also holds prudent 
 converse witli Tliemis as she sits reclining. Be propitious, 
 O far-sounding son of Saturn, most glorious, most great. 
 
 XXH. TO VESTA. 
 
 O Vesta, who tendest the sacred dwelling of the far-dart¬ 
 ing king, Apollo, at divine Delphi, ever does the fluid oil 
 
 Not “sub nlis,” but “cum plansu alarum, applaudens cantui,” says 
 Lrnesti. Cf. Virg. JEn. i. 411, “ Ut reduces illi (cycni) ludunt strideii- 
 tibus alls .... cantusque dedere.” 
 
 liuhnken regards this hymn as Orphic in its character, not IIo* 
 meric. 
 
406 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [xxiii. —XXV. 1—3. 
 
 stream clown from tliy locks."fCome to this dwelling, come, 
 having thy mind,f with counseling Jove, and also grant grace 
 to my song. 
 
 XXIII. TO THE MUSES AND APOLLO. 
 
 From the Muses^® I commence, and from Apollo and Jove, 
 for from the Muse and far-darting Apollo are bards and min¬ 
 strels upon the earth, and from Jove are kings. But blessed 
 is he whom the Muses love! sweet flows the voice from his 
 mouth. Hail! children of Jove, and honor my song; but I 
 will be mindful of you and of another song. 
 
 XXIY. TO BACCHUS. 
 
 1 BEGIN to sing ivy-crowned, roving Bacchus, the glorious 
 son of Jove and renowned Sernele, whom the fair-haired 
 nymphs, receiving him from his royal sire in their bosoms, 
 nurtured, and brought up assiduously in the valleys of Nyssa. 
 But he grew up under the care of his sire in a fragrant-smell- 
 insr cave, being numbered among the immortals. But when 
 the goddesses had trained up him of much renown, then indeed 
 lie used to go through the woody recesses, thickly crowned 
 with ivy and laurel; but the nymphs followed with him, and 
 he led the way, and noisy possessed the mighty^'* wood. 
 And do thou thus hail, O many-clustered Bacchus, and grant 
 that we rejoicing may again come round to the seasons, and 
 from the seasons again to many years. 
 
 XXV. TO DIANA. 
 
 I SING Diana, of the golden distaff, mistress of the cry,^® 
 the hallowed virgin, striker of stags, rejoicing in arrows, own 
 sister of golden-sworded Apollo ; who, delighting in the chase, 
 
 There must surely be a lacuna here. The next line is hoj^less. 
 These first four verses are from Hesiod, Theog. 94, sqq. 
 
 I should ])refer reading da-rrerog, referring the epithet to Bfiuuoi:. 
 
 V. e of the chase. 
 
4—22. XXVI.] 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 407 
 
 stretches her bow, sending forth deadly slmfts o’er the shad¬ 
 owy mountains and wind-swept summits. And the heads of 
 lofty mountains tremble, and the shady wood re-echoes dread¬ 
 fully from the noise of beasts,^^ and the earth and fishy sea 
 are stricken with terror. But she, having a valiant heart, 
 turns in all directions, destroying the offspring of wild beasts. 
 But when the arrow-rejoicing watcher of wild beasts has re¬ 
 joiced herself, and is gladdened in mind, relaxing her well- 
 bent bow, she comes into the mighty dwelling of her dear 
 brother, Phoebus Apollo, into the rich abode of Delphi, hav¬ 
 ing equipped the beauteous quire of muses and graces. Here 
 having hung up her bending bow and arrows, she takes the 
 lead, having beauteous ornaments about her form, leading the 
 dance. But they, emitting an ambrosial voice,^^ hymn fair- 
 ankled Latona, how' she brouiijht forth children amono: the im- 
 mortals, far the best both in counsel and in deeds. Hail! 
 children of Jove, and fair-haired Latona. But I will be mind¬ 
 ful of you and of another song. 
 
 XXVI. TO MINERVA. 
 
 I BEGIN to sing Pallas Minerva, a renowned goddess, dark . 
 eyed, of much counsel, possessing an unsoftened heart, a hal¬ 
 lowed virgin, guardian of cities, valiant, Tritogenia, whom 
 counseling Jove himself begat from his reverend head, pos¬ 
 sessing warlike arms of gold, all-gleaming. And reverence 
 seized all the immortals as they beheld; but she hastily 
 leaped fortli”^^ from tlie immortal head of Ailgis-bearing Jove, 
 brandishing a sharp spear. And mighty Olympus trembled 
 fearfully under the dread dark-eyed [maid], and the cartli 
 around shrieked fearfully, and the sea was stirred, troubled 
 with its purple waves. But the brine stood still forthwith, and 
 the glorious son of Hyperon stopped his fleet-footed steeds a 
 long time till the virgin, Pallas Minerva, had taken off her god¬ 
 like arms from her immortal shoulders; and counseling Jove 
 
 Ruhnken elefrantly reads vtvpiov, i. e. “ nt the noi.se other bow.” 
 
 The true reading is probably at b’ dfi[3poTov oaaav luaai, from He¬ 
 siod, Theog. 43. Hermann. 
 
 *'■ But TrpoffOiv contains the idea of haste and celerity. Cf. Lucian, 
 Dial. Doorr 8, p. 27, ed. Bij)., with the note of Ilemstcrhusius. 
 
408 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [xxvii. XXVIII. 1—9. 
 
 rejoiced. And do thou indeed thus hail, child of A£gis-hear- 
 ing Jove; but I will be mindful of thee and of another song. 
 
 XXVII. TO VESTA AND MEKCUKY. 
 
 O Vesta, who hast obtained an immortal seat in the lofty 
 dwellings of all, both immortal gods and earth-traversing men, 
 an honor due to age,^^-*- possessing a fair pi-ivilege and honor. 
 For without thee [are there] no banquets for mortals, where 
 [the host] beginning [the libations], pours out sweet wine to 
 Vesta not first nor last. lAnd thou, for me, O slayer of Ar¬ 
 gus, son of Jove and Main, messenger of the blest, bearer of 
 a golden wand, giver of good things, fye dwell in beauteous 
 abodes, dear to each other in your minds.f Do thou, being 
 propitious, give aid, with hallowed and beloved Vesta; for ye 
 both, knowing good works, accompany the mind and youth 
 of men upon the earth. Hail, daughter of Saturn, both thou 
 and golden-wanded Mercury; but I will be mindful both of 
 you and of another song. 
 
 XXVIII. TO [EARTH],THE MOTHER OF ALL. 
 
 I WILE sing Earth, the mother of all, with well-laid foun¬ 
 dations, most ancient, who feeds all things,^^ as many as are 
 upon the earth, and as many as traverse the boundless earth, 
 and as many as [inhabit] the sea, and as many as tly, these 
 are fed out of thy riches. And from thee, hallowed one, are 
 [men] ricli in children and fruitful, and on thee it depends to 
 bestow life, and take it away from mortal men. Rut blest 
 is he, whom thou indeed shalt willingly honor in thy mind, 
 and to him are all things in abundance. To 111111“*^* the life- 
 
 This is the only interpretation of Trpta^rfi^a at all agreeable to the 
 sense. Ernesti would read yalav for Tijxpv. Vss. 4, r>, G, are condemned 
 by Ilgen as spurious, and vs. 9 put after vs. 11, by Martin and Matthiae. 
 To me there appears to be a mixture of two hymns, 
 is added in edd. Elor. Aldd. 
 
 Cf. -®sch. Sejit. e. Th. IG, yrj rt pr]Tpi, (pCKranj rpvcprj t) yap vkovq 
 'ipiTOVTaQ ivptvH TTiZip''A—avra TTuveoKovaa Traict'iaq orAor, "EOpixl/ar. 
 
 a<piv is here the singular number. The enallage of number com¬ 
 mences with avToi o' d'v, in vs. 11 
 
10—19. XXIX. J 
 
 iimNs. 
 
 400 
 
 bearing harvest grows heavy, and in the fields he is rich in 
 beasts of burden, and his house is filled with good things. 
 And they themselves rule under good laws through the city 
 of fair dames, and much prosperity and riches follows [them], 
 ^'id their cliildren exult in juvenile joy, and their virgins with 
 joyous mind leap sportingly^^ in the fiowery circle o’er the 
 soft blossoms of the grass, they whom thou, forsooth, dost 
 honor, unstinting^’^ goddess ! Hail! mother of the gods, wife 
 of the starry heaven, and willingly award me a pleasant life 
 in reward for my song: but I will be mindful of thee and of 
 another song. 
 
 ■ XXIX. TO THE SUN. 
 
 O Calliope, child of Jove, again begin to hymn the shin¬ 
 ing Sun, whom large-eyed Euryphaessa bore to the son c f 
 the earth and the starry heaven. For Hyperion wedded his 
 own sister, Euryphaessa all-renowned, who bore him beau¬ 
 teous children, both rosy-fingered Morn, and the fair-haired 
 Moon, and the unwearied Sun, like unto tlie immortals, who 
 shines unto mortals and to the immortal gods, mounting his 
 steeds. And dreadfully with his eyes he glances from his gold- 
 en casque, and from him the bright rays Hash splendidly, and 
 down from his temples the cheek-plates^® [of his helmet], 
 shining from his head, guard his beauteous face, shining afar, 
 and with the gale of the Avinds his beauteous garments glitter 
 around his form, and his male steeds beneath. Here indeed, 
 at even,^® he, having stojiped his golden-yoked chariot and 
 steeds, sends them through heaven toward the ocean. Hail! 
 O king, and willingly grant a pleasant life; and commencing 
 from thee, I will celebrate the race of articulate-voiced men, 
 demigods, avIiosc deeds the gods have shown forth unto mor¬ 
 tals. 
 
 I read TraiCovam oTraipovai with Ruhnken, and tvavdkaiv with Her¬ 
 mann. By xopoif tlie latter scholar rightly understands “locos, in qni- 
 bus choreoi ducuntur.” 
 
 Matthice would read d^OiTt. Ivuhnkcn condemns this line, but 
 Hermann defends it. 
 
 ■*® Sec Hermann, who however can not find any example of this signi¬ 
 fication. Pearson would read irtpl KpoTiKpoim t tOeipai. 
 
 This is Ituhnken’s elegant emendation for dtaTrlmos;. 
 
 S 
 
410 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [xxx. XXXI. 1—7. 
 
 XXX. TO THE MOON. 
 
 Come, sing the wing-stretching Moon, ye IMuses, sweet¬ 
 voiced daughters of Jove the son of Saturn, skilled in song, 
 [of the Moon,] whose heaven-shown gleam surrounds the 
 earth, her gleam shining fortli,!'’^ and the dark night is illu¬ 
 mined by her golden crown, and her rays'^^ are diffused around, 
 when that, having laved her fair form in Ocean, the divine 
 Moon, having put on her far-shining garments, having yoked 
 her stout-necked, glittering foals, swiftly drives her fair-haired 
 steeds onward, at even, at the middle of the month, when 
 her great orb is full, and the rays of her then increasing are 
 most brilliant in heaven, and she is a mark and a sign to 
 mortals. With her the son of Saturn once mingled in love 
 and the couch, and she, becoming pregnant, brought forth 
 a daughter, Pandeia,^^ possessing surpassing beauty among 
 the immortal gods. Hail! white-armed queen goddess, di¬ 
 vine Moon, benignant, fair-haired; and commencing from 
 thee, I will sing the praises of demigod heroes, whose deeds 
 bards, the servants of the Muses, celebrate, from their pleas¬ 
 ant voices. 
 
 XXXI. TO CASTOR AND POLLUX. 
 
 Sing, Muses, concerning the sons of Jove, the sons of Tyn- 
 darus, the glorious children of fiiir-anklcd Leda, both horse- 
 breaking^^ Castor and blameless l^ollux, whom she, beneath 
 the height of the mighty mountain of Taygetus, mingling in 
 love with the dark-clouded son of Saturn, brought forth, her 
 sons, the saviors of men^^ upon the earth, and of swift-jour- 
 
 Hermann’s text has yjg alyXi] Trepi ycnav t\iaafTai ovpavohiKTOQ. 
 In the next line Ituhnken wonld read ariXlSei d' tTriXapTrerotj dt'ip, Her¬ 
 mann aTToXaf^TTSTog, taking otto for a jirivative, and referring to Koen 
 on Gregor, p. 250. 
 
 Head aKriveg with Barnes. See Barnes. 
 
 Cf. II. iii. 237, and Or])li. Arg. 050, Kaaropa 9' tinrucapoi' kciI ttj'I 
 dyaObv lloXvbevicea. Hor. Od. i. 12, 25,—“ i)ueros(pic Leda; Ilunc equis, 
 ilium superare ])ugnis nobilem.” 
 
 ** Cf. Theoerit. Id. xxii. (I, d}’9pd)7r»ji’ erwri/put’ ^7r( ^epov f;tri tovTUJV. 
 
7—10. XXXII. 1—3.J 
 
 TO CERES. 
 
 411 
 
 neying ships, when the wintry tempests wax violent on the 
 unsoftened sea. But they, making vows from their ships, 
 invoke the sons of mighty Jove with [otferings of] white 
 lambs, having ascended the heights of the poop, which the 
 mighty wind and the billow of the sea have brought below 
 the weaves. But they forthwith appear,flitting through the 
 sky on their swarthy wings. And straightway they appease 
 the eddyings of troubling winds, and smoothly spread the 
 waves and the billows of the white sea for the sailors, fair 
 signs of toil for their sake; but they perceiving it, rejoice, 
 and cease from their grievous toil.^*^ Hail! sons of Tyndarus, 
 mounters of swift steeds: but I will be mindful of you and of 
 another song. 
 
 XXXir. TO CEKES.s-^ 
 
 I BEGIN to sing fair-haired Ceres, a hallowed goddess, her¬ 
 self and her long-ankled daughter, whom Pluto snatched away 
 (but heavily-thundering, far-seeing^® Jove gave her) from gold- 
 
 Tlieocrit. 1. c. 19, sqq. ; llor. 1. c. : 
 
 “quorum simul alba nautis 
 Stella refulsit, 
 
 Defluit saxis agitatus humor, 
 
 Concidunt venti, fugiimtque nubes, 
 
 Et minax—quod sic voluere, ponto 
 Unda recumbit.” 
 
 ** But Matthiie and Hermann read ttXuov, and the latter scholar 
 thinks this hymn should end at vs. 15. 
 
 1 have placed this hymn, and the fragment of the hymn to Bacchus, 
 at the end of the rest, in order to ])revent any difficulty of reference to 
 the ordinary editions of Homer. The student Avill, I think, find this 
 hymn immeasurably superior to the rest both in interest, variety, and 
 poetic spirit. Grote, vol. i. p. 55, after an admirable analysis of its con¬ 
 tents, elegantly observes: “It is interesting not less as a picture of the 
 Mater Dolorosa (in the mouth of an Athenian, Demeter and Persephone 
 were always The Mother and Daughter, by excellence), first an agonized 
 sufferer, and then finally glorified,—the weal and woe of men being de¬ 
 pendent upon her kindly feeling,—than as an illustration of the nature 
 and growth of Grecian legend generally. Though wo now read this 
 hymn as pleasing poetry, to the Eleusinians, for whom it was composed, 
 if was genuine and sacred history. They believed in the visit of Deme¬ 
 ter to Eleusis, and in the mysteries as a revelation from her, as implicit¬ 
 ly as they believed in her existence and jiower as a goddess.” 
 
 58 Or “far-sounding.” Hesych. t. ii. j). 1528, 7/ rov fxeydXiog i^opCov' 
 ra' o\ Tuv peyaXovg t/xovg diroTtXovi'Ta, du'i tCuu jSpovrwv. 
 
41.2 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 n ^ 38 . 
 
 en-sworded^^ Ceres, renowned for fruits, as she was sporting 
 with the deep-bosomed daugliters of Oceaniis, and culling 
 flowers through the soft meadow, roses, and crocus, and 
 beauteous violets, and iris, and hyacinths, and narcissus, 
 which earth, at the behest of Jove, brought forth as a snare 
 to the virgin, favoring the Many-receiver,^^’ wondrously flour¬ 
 ishing, a marvel then for all to behold, both immortal gods 
 and mortal men. And from its root a hundred heads sprang 
 forth, and the whole wide heaven above was scented with its 
 fragrance, and the whole earth laughed, and the briny wave 
 of the sea. But she, astonished, stretched out both her hands 
 to seize the pretty plaything; but the wide-wayed earth gaped 
 in the Mysian plain, where the many-receiving king, the 
 many-named son of Saturn, leaped forth with his immortal 
 steeds, and having snatched away her unwilling in his golden 
 chariot, he led her away weeping, and she shrieked aloud 
 with her voice, calling upon her supreme and best sire, the 
 son of Saturn. But no one of the immortals nor of mortal 
 men heard her voice, no, nor the olives with their rich fruit,®^ 
 save only the daughter of Perseus, mild in spirit, light-vailed 
 Hecate, who heard her from her cave, and the king Sun, the 
 glorious son of Hyperion, [heard] the girl calling on her Sat¬ 
 urn-descended sire. But he said apart, away from the gods, 
 in his well-fastened temple, receiving beauteous offerings from 
 mortal men. But her father’s brother, the JMany-receiver, 
 who rules over many, the many-named son of Saturn, bore 
 her away against her will with his immortal steeds. Now 
 as long as the goddess beheld the earth and the starry heav¬ 
 en, and the much-flowing fishy sea, and the rays of the sun, 
 and still hoped to behold her careful motlier, and the tribes 
 of the gods who are forever, so long did hoi)c soften lier 
 mighty mind, although grieving. But the heights of the 
 
 This cpitliet lias given rise to much doubt, and llnhnken seems to 
 be riglit in reading xp(^(^o9pdvov. Lucas translates: 
 
 “-who widely wields 
 
 Her golden sceptre o’er the fruitful fields.” 
 
 Pluto or Hades. 
 
 Kuhnken is very dissatisfied with the mention of olives here, and, 
 considering that an animate object ought to be mentioned, he w'ould read 
 ohd’ dy\a6i.iop(l>oi tTcilpai. Lucas defends it, observing, “ nothing is more 
 common with poets than to feign an attention in mountains, w'oods, riv¬ 
 ers, etc., to persons singing or bewailing.” He compares Virg. Eel. x. 8, 
 
38—75.] 
 
 XXXII. TO CERES. 
 
 413 
 
 mountains and the depths of the sea resounded with her im¬ 
 mortal voice, and her revered mother heard her. And quick¬ 
 ly grief seized her mind, and with her hands she rent the vail 
 above her ambrosial locks, and cast the dark-blue raiment 
 from both her shoulders, and she rushed, like a bird, o’er dry 
 and wet,®’-^ seeking her; but to her no one either of gods or 
 mortal men was willing to tell the truth, nor did any one of 
 birds [of augury] come to her as a true messenger. Then for 
 nine days did hallowed Ceres perambulate the earth, bearing 
 blazing torches in her hands, nor ever did she, grieving, taste 
 ambrosia or sweet-drinking nectar, nor lave her form in the 
 bath. But when indeed to her the tenth shining morn had 
 come, Hecate met her, bearing a light in her hands, and bring¬ 
 ing news, spoke to and addressed her. 
 
 “■ Kevered Ceres, bearer of seasons, giver of glorious things, 
 who of the heavenly gods or mortal men has snatched away 
 Proserpine, and grieved thy dear mind? For I heard her 
 voice, but I perceived not with mine eyes who it was. But 
 quickly could he tell thee all truly^^ » ^ ^ ^ 
 
 Thus then spake Hecate, but her the daughter of fair- 
 haired Khea answered not in words, but quickly sped forth 
 with her, bearing lighted torches in her hands. And they 
 went to the Sun, the surveyor both of men and gods, and they 
 stood in front of his steeds, and the divine one of goddesses 
 asked [him]: 
 
 “O Sun, compassionate me on behalf of a goddess,if ever 
 either by word or deed I have gratified thy heart and mind. 
 ]\Iy daughter whom I bore, a sweet blossom, beauteous in 
 form, whose frequent eries I have heard through the unfruit¬ 
 ful air, as though she were being forced away, but I have not 
 beheld her with mine eyes—but do thou (for thou from the 
 divine ether dost look down with thy rays upon all the earth 
 and sea) tell me truly, dear son, if thou hast anywhere seen 
 him, of the gods or mortal men, who, without my consent, 
 has seized her perforce, and carried her off.” 
 
 Thus she spoke, but her the sou of Hyperion answered in 
 discourse: “Daughter of fair-haired llhea, queen Ceres, thou 
 
 ®- i. e. land and sea. Cf. llittcrsh. on Oppian. Cyn. i. 11. 
 
 Hermann thinks tliat the lacuna should j)robablv be filled up thus; 
 
 (Toi S’ wKci Xayoi iravTa 'HsXtor, Tictvr ttpopa Kcd -jravT iiraKOvti. 
 
 *4 • ’ ’ ' .. .1 
 
 i. e. her daughter. See Hermann. 
 
414 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [7G— loa 
 
 shall know ; for I indeed grieve for and pity thee much, sor¬ 
 rowing for thy slender-ankled daughter. But no other of the 
 immortals is guilty, save only cloud-compelling Jove, Avho has 
 given her to his own brother Hades, to be called his blooming 
 wife. And he, having snatched her away with his steeds, 
 lias led her, loudly shrieking, beneath the murky darkness. 
 But come, O goddess, cease thy great Avrath.®^ It in no Avise 
 behooves thee vainly to entertain boundless Avrath. I’luto, 
 Avho rules over many, is by no means an unseemly kinsman 
 [to have] among the immortals, thine OAvn brother and of the 
 same seed. And he has moreoA^er obtained a prerogatiA’e, 
 Avhen division Avas first made three-fold by lot; he dwells 
 among those of Avhom he is appointed master by lot.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, he cheered on his steeds, and they, at 
 his exhortation, swiftly bore along the fleet chariot, like Aving- 
 expanding birds. But upon her mind a more sad and ruder 
 grief fell, and then, enraged at the dark-clouded son of Saturn, 
 going apart from the council of the gods and mighty Olympus, 
 she Avent to the cities and rich fields of men, obscuring her 
 form for a long time. Nor did any one of men or deep-bosomed 
 Avomen, seeing, recognize her, before that she came to the 
 dAvelling of prudent Celeus, Avho was at that time the ruler of 
 SAveet-scented Eleusis. And she sat near the way-side, sad¬ 
 dened at heart, by the Parthenian Avell,®® Avhence the citizens 
 drew their AA’ater, in the shade (but above her there Avas an 
 olive-tree), like unto an aged old Avoman, avIio is shut off both 
 from child-birth, and from the gifts of croAvn-loving Venus, 
 such as are the nurses of the children of laAv-administering 
 kings, and housekeepers in their echoing dwellings. But 
 the daughters of Eleusinian Celeus perceived her as they 
 Avere coming for clear-flowing Avater, that they might bear it 
 in golden eAvers®'^ to the beloA'cd dAvellings of their sire,*^® four 
 [ill number], like goddesses, possessing the floAver of youth, 
 
 Hermann well reads, xo/Xor- for yuor, observing, “verba ovde n ae 
 Xpi) semper apiul Ilomerum ])ra‘grcssam orationem rcpetunt.” II. xix. 
 G7 ; vii. 209, 492, etc. This somewhat resembles the parallelism of the 
 Hebrew poetry. See Ilengstenberg in Barnes’s Preface to his Notes on 
 Isaiah, 8, p. 54, sqq. ed. Gumming. 
 
 The beautiful simplicity of this narrative justifies a comparison with 
 Genes, xxiv. 11, sqq. 
 
 Cf. luir. Ilippol. 121, sqq. 
 
 Matthia; AA’ould read (ptXov, without necessity. 
 
109—145.] 
 
 XXXII. TO CERES. 
 
 415 
 
 Callidice, and Clisidice, and lovely Demo, and Callithoe, who 
 was the eldest of them all. But they knew her not, for diffi¬ 
 cult are the gods for mortals to behold; but standing near, 
 they addressed [to her] winged words: 
 
 ‘‘ Who, whence art thou, old woman, among ancient-born 
 men? And why hast thou walked far away from the city, 
 nor dost approach the dwellings, where there are women of 
 thine own age in the shady abodes, even as thou art, and 
 younger ones also, who, forsooth, may receive thee kindly in 
 word and deed . 
 
 Thus they spoke, but she, hallowed one of goddesses, an¬ 
 swered in words: ‘‘Dear children, whoever ye are^® of the 
 sex of women, hail! But I will tell my story to you. It is 
 by no means unfitting to tell the truth to you who ask. My 
 name indeed is Dos,"^^ for this my revered brother gave me. 
 But now have I come not willingly upon the wide back of the 
 sea, but pirates by compulsion led me away unwilling. They 
 then put to at Thoricus in their swift ship, where numerous 
 women disembarked upon the main lahd,'^ and they themselves 
 made ready supper near the hawsers of the ship. But my mind 
 cared not for the pleasant feast, but privily setting out through 
 the dark main land, I fled from my overbearing masters, that 
 they might not enjoy my price, having sold me [purchased] 
 for nothing.’^^ Thus have I come hither, wandering, nor 
 know I aught what land this is, and who are its inhabitants. 
 But to you may all those who possess the Olympian dwell¬ 
 ings grant blooming husbands, and to bring forth children, as 
 parents are wont to wish ! But take pity on me, ye damsels, 
 kindly, dear children, until I reach the dwelling of a man and 
 woman, that I may willingly work for them in such things 
 as are the business of an aged woman. And truly I could 
 nicely nurse a young infant, having him in mine arms, and 
 could take care of the house, and could spread my master’s 
 bed in the recess of the well-built chambers, and could man- 
 aae*'3 the works of woman.” The goddess spoke, but her 
 
 I read 0(\' ainveg, with La Fontaine. 
 
 See Ruhnken. 
 
 '' Hermann says there is a lacuna : “ nam ipsos nautos dixisset navem 
 reliquisse antequam cibuni caperent, ut Od. ix. 85 ; x. 5G ; xv. 498.” 
 
 This seems to be the sense of aTrpiuTriv. 
 
 But I am strongly prepossessed in fiivor of the elegant emendation 
 of Voss, tpya didacrKpcraifxi. 
 
416 HYMNS. [145—177. 
 
 the untouched virgin Callidice, most beauteous in form of the 
 daughters of Celeus, fortliwith answered : 
 
 "‘O nurse, we mortals must needs endure the lot given'^ 
 us by the gods, although grieving, for they indeed are much 
 more powerful [than we]. Hut this will I clearly suggest to 
 thee, and will name the men to whom there is here great 
 power of dignity, and who take the lead among the people, 
 and by counsels and upi;ight judgments guard the battlements 
 of the city. There is shrewd-counseling Triptolemus,'^ and 
 Diodes, and Polyxeines, and blameless Eumolpus, and Doli- 
 chus, and our noble sire, all whose wives tend their houses; 
 not one of whom at first sight despising thy jippearance, would 
 dismiss thee from her dwellings, but they will receive thee, 
 for truly thou art godlike. But if thou wilt, remain, that we 
 may go to the abode of our sire, and tell all these matters 
 thoroughly to our deep-bosomed mother jMetaneira, if per¬ 
 chance she will bid thee come to our dwelling and not seek 
 for the house of another. And a darling son is nurtured by 
 her in the well-built house, a subject of many prayers, and be¬ 
 loved. If thou couldst train him up, and he should reach the 
 measure of youth, with reason indeed would any one of the 
 race of women, seeing, envy thee ; such great rewards for thy 
 nursing would he give thee.” Thus she spoke, but [the god¬ 
 dess] nodded assent; and they, having filled the vessels with 
 water, bore them rejoicing. And quickly they reached the 
 great house of their sire, and soon told their mother what 
 they had both seen and heard. But she immediately bade 
 them go and call her with [a promise of] boundless hire. 
 And they, like as hinds or heifers gambol through the mead¬ 
 ow in the season of spring, having satiated their mind with 
 food,"^ so they, uplifting the folds of their beauteous robes, sped 
 
 SCjpa Oewv is not liere used in a pood sense, as in Plato, Tim. p. 
 533; D. Liem. Jamblich. V. P. 0. p. 23; Siinplic. in Epictet. 21). p. 125 ; 
 'riieodor. Melit. apnd Fabric. Bibl. Gr. t. ix. p. 199 ; Sotadis apnd Stob. 
 43, p. 151, 49 ; Athenag. de Kesurr. p. 23. It rather means “qiiidquid 
 divinitus fit.” 
 
 For the sake of avoiding baldness, I have turned these into nomin¬ 
 atives. They however depend upon Kpdrog rinpr, “ taiKpiam si dixisset 
 (jjv tari Kpdrog tpQdde rtyuj/c.” llerm. 
 
 Hermann compares Lueret. i. 259,—“hinc nova j)roles Artibus 
 infirmis teneras lasciva i)er herbas Ludit, lacte mero mentes percussa 
 novellas.” 
 
177—217.] 
 
 XXXII. TO CERES. 
 
 417 
 
 along the wagon-furrowed way, and about their shoulders their 
 curls, like unto the crocus flower, sported. And near the 
 way they found tlie renowned goddess, where they had left 
 her before. But then they led her to the dwelling of their 
 sire, and she, sorrowing at heart, followed behind them, with 
 her head vailed, and the dark robe shook loosely around the 
 tender feet of the goddess. And quickly they reached the 
 house of Jove-nurtured Celeus, and went through the portico, 
 where their hallowed mother awaited them by the lintel of the 
 well-built tenement, having her son, a young otf-shoot, at her 
 bosom. But they ran up to her, and she came to the threshold 
 on her feet, and truly she reached the top of the dwelling, 
 and tilled the doors with divine light. But admiration, and 
 wonder, and pallid fear possessed her, and she yielded up her 
 seat, and bade her be seated. But season-bearing Ceres, of 
 glorious gifts, was not willing to be seated on the shining seat, 
 but she remained silent, casting down her beauteous eyes, 
 until at length lambe, knowing prudent things, offered her a 
 compact seat, and above it spread a silver-woven fleece. Here 
 sitting down, she stretched fortli her vail [over her face] with 
 her hands, and for a long time sat speechless, grieving, in her 
 seat, nor did she apply herself to any word or deed, but with¬ 
 out a smile, unfed or by food or drink, she sat, wasting away 
 with longing for her deep - bosomed daughter; until that 
 lambe, knowing prudent things, much joking her with ban- 
 terings, turned the hallowed, holy [goddess] to smile, and to 
 laugh, and to have an appeased mind. Here, in after-times 
 also, she pleased her with orgies. And to her Metaneira gave 
 a cup of sweet wine, having tilled it; but she refused it, “ for,” 
 said she, “it was not lawful for her to drink the ruby wine 
 but she bade her, having mixed wheat and water with pound¬ 
 ed pennyroyal, give it her to drink. But she, having made 
 the mixture, gave it to the goddess, as she commanded, and 
 adl-hallowed Ceres, having received it, obtained'^ the sacred 
 honor. But to them well-girt IMetaneira began discourse: 
 
 “Hail! lady, since I deem that thou art not from mean 
 ])arents, but good ones, since modesty and grace are con- 
 S})icuous in thy countenance, like as [among the descendants] 
 of law-administering kings. But we men must needs endure 
 the lot given by the gods, although giieving ; for the yoke lies 
 
 ’’ I read ucrirjc tirtfit], witli Voss. 
 
418 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [218—248. 
 
 upon our neck. And now, since thou hast come hither, thine 
 shall be whatever is mine. But cherish for me this boy, whom 
 born late, and unhoped-for, tlie immortals have bestowed [on 
 us], and to me he is a subject of many prayers. If thou wilt 
 train him up, and he reach the measure of youth, with rea¬ 
 son will any one of womankind, seeing, envy thee, such great 
 gifts will 1'^ give thee for his nursing.” But her in turn 
 well-crowned Ceres addressed : 
 
 “ And thou too, lady, all hail! and may the gods grant thee 
 good things. But 1 will willingly receive thy boy, as thou 
 biddest me, to nurture,'^ nor, I trust, will charms harm him, 
 nor [deadly] plant,®® through the carelessness of his nurse. 
 For 1 know a remedy much inore efficacious fthan wood-cut 
 ting,I and I know an excellent antidote for baleful spells.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, she received him in her fragrant 
 bosom and immortal hands, and his mother rejoiced in mind. 
 Thus she indeed trained up in the palace Demophoon, the 
 glorious son of prudent Celeus, whom well-girt Metaneira 
 bore. But he grew up like unto a god, neither eating food 
 nor sucking.®^ But Ceres anointed him with ambrosia, as 
 tliough sprung from a god, breathing sweetly upon him, and 
 havinrj; him in her bosom. But at ni^ht she concealed him 
 in the might of lire, like a brand, without the knowledge of 
 his dear parents. But to them he was a great marvel, how 
 bloomingly he sprang up, and was like unto the gods in per¬ 
 son. And truly she would have rendered him free from old 
 age, and immortal,®- unless well-girt IMetaneira, in her folly, 
 watching by night, had looked out from her perfumed cham¬ 
 ber, and shrieked, and smitten both her thighs, fearing for 
 her son, and slie was greatly disturbed in mind, and bewail¬ 
 ing, she addressed winged words: “My child Demophoon, the 
 
 Perhaps Soit) would be better. But see Hermann. 
 
 I read 6ps\f/ai, with Herm., who compares Hesiod, Theog. 479. 
 
 1 can make nothing of ov^’ vTroTa/nyuv, nor can Kubnken. I have 
 followed Liddell’s interpretation, “plant cut olf at the root for magical 
 purj)oses,” but am by no means satisfied. 
 
 See Hermann. 
 
 Apollodorus, i. 5, says that he actually j)crished in the fire. “The 
 same story is told in regard to the infant Acliilles. His mother Thetis 
 was taking similar measures to render him immortal, when his father 
 Peleus interfered and prevented the consummation. Thetis immediate' 
 ly left him in great wratli (Apollon. Khod. iv. 86G).” Grote, p. 53. 
 
248—284.] 
 
 XXXII. TO CERES. 
 
 419 
 
 strange woman is concealing thee in a great fire, but to me 
 she causes groans and grievous sorrows.” Thus she spoke, 
 weeping, and the divine one of goddesses heard her. But 
 fair-crowned Ceres, enraged with her, put from her to the 
 ground with her immortal hands the dear son, whom, un¬ 
 hoped-for, she had brought forth in the palace, having taken 
 him out of the fire, being very wrathful in mind, and at the 
 same time she addressed well-girt Metancira: 
 
 “ Ignorant and unwise men, who neither foresee the desti¬ 
 ny of coming good nor evil! And thou, too, by thy folly hast 
 erred most greatly. For let the pledge of the gods bear wit¬ 
 ness, the water of the Styx that yields no forgiveness, I would 
 have, made thy dear son immortal and free from age for 
 all days, and would have afforded him unperishing honor. 
 But now it is not possible for him to escape death and the 
 Fates; but unperishing honor shall always be his, because he 
 has sat upon my knees, and slept in mine arms. But when 
 he is of age, in revolving 3 "ears, the sons of the Eleusinians 
 will ever throughout all days stir up®^ battle and grievous 
 conflict among each other. But I am honored Ceres, who 
 is the greatest benefit and joy to immortals and mortals. But 
 come, let all the people build for mo a great temple, and un¬ 
 der it an altar, below the city and the lofty wall, above Cal- 
 lichorus, upon the jutting hill. But I myself will teach my 
 orgies, so that hereafter, performing them holily, ye may ap¬ 
 pease my mind.” 
 
 Thus having spoken, the goddess changed her magnitude 
 and mien, having put off old age, and beauty was breathed 
 around her, and a pleasant odor was scattered from her scent¬ 
 ed robe.s,®^ and far gleamed the light from the immortal flesh 
 of the goddess, and her yellow curls flourislfed on her shoul¬ 
 ders, and the close dwelling was filled with the sheen, as of 
 lightning. And she went out from the palace. But straight¬ 
 way the knees [of Metaneira] were relaxed, and for a long¬ 
 time she became speechless, nor did she at all bethink her 
 of her darling son, to take liim up from the ground. But 
 his sisters heard his piteous voice, and they leaped up from 
 their well-spread couches. One then, taking up the boy in 
 
 ” Hermann reads ewd^ova, and places a mark of lacuna after this 
 verse. 
 
 Cf. Virg. ^n. i. 40G, sqq. 
 
420 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [285—32C. 
 
 her hands, placed him in her bosom, but another kindled the 
 lire, and another ran with her tender feet to raise up her 
 mother from the fragrant chamber. And gathering around 
 him, they washed him, tending him yet panting, but his mind 
 was not comforted, for inferior nurses and attendants now 
 possessed him. They indeed, trembling with fear, kept ap¬ 
 peasing the renowned goddess throughout the night, but tO' 
 gether with the dawn appearing they told truly to Celeus of 
 wide power, how the goddess, fair-crowned Ceres, had com¬ 
 manded. But he, having summoned the numerous people into 
 council, ordered them to erect a rich temple to fair-hah'ed Ce¬ 
 res, and an altar, upon the jutting hill. But they immediate¬ 
 ly obeyed, and hearkened to him speaking, and they built, as 
 he commanded ; but he^^ kept increasing by the will of the 
 deity. But when they had finished, and rested from their toil, 
 they went each one homeward. ]^ut yellow-haired Ceres, sit¬ 
 ting down here, far apart from all the blessed gods, remained, 
 wasting away with longing for her deep-bosomed daughter. 
 And she rendered that year a most grievous and cruel one for 
 men upon the many-nurturing earth, nor did the earth give 
 forth any seed, for well-crowned Ceres concealed it. And 
 the steers dragged many bent plows over the fields to no 
 purpose, and much white barley fell upon the earth in vain. 
 And she indeed would have destroyed the whole race of ar¬ 
 ticulate-voiced men by grievous famine, and would have de¬ 
 prived those possessing the Olympian dwellings of the glorious 
 honor of gifts and sacrifices, had not Jove perceived, and taken 
 counsel in his mind. And he first sent golden-pinioned Iris 
 to call fair-haired Ceres, possessing a most lovely appearance. 
 Thus he spake ; but she obeyed dark-clouded Jove, the son 
 of Saturn, and swiftly ran through the midway with her feet. 
 And she reached the city of incense-fraught Eleusis, and found 
 dark-robed Ceres in the temple, and having addressed her, 
 spoke winged words: 
 
 “ O Ceres, thy father Jove, knowing imperishable [coun¬ 
 sels], calls thee to come to the tribes of the gods who are for¬ 
 ever. But come, nor let my message from Jove be unaccom¬ 
 plished. Thus she spoke ; but her mind was not persuaded. 
 Again then [Jove] sent on all the blessed ever-existing gods. 
 And they, coining one after another, called her, and gave 
 
 The son of Celeus. 
 
327—361.] 
 
 XXXIL TO CERES. 
 
 421 
 
 many beauteous gifts and honors, whatever she wished to 
 choose among the immortals. But no one was able to per¬ 
 suade her mind and inclination, wrathful in mind; but she 
 obstinately rejected their discourse. “For never,” said she, 
 “ would she step upon incense-fraught Olympus, nor let forth 
 the fruit of the earth, before she should behold her fair-faced 
 daughter with her eyes.” But when heavy-thundering, far- 
 seeing Jove heard this, he sent the golden-wanded slayer of 
 Argus down into Erebus, in order that, having beguiled Hades 
 by soft words, he might lead away chaste Proserpine from the 
 murky darkness to the gods, that her mother, having beheld 
 her, might cease from her wrath. But Mercury was not dis¬ 
 obedient, but straightway sped briskly beneath the earth, hav¬ 
 ing left the dwelling of Olympus. And he found the king 
 within his abode, sitting on a couch with his chaste spouse, 
 who was grieving much through longing for her mother; but 
 she, on account of the shameful deeds of the gods, devised a 
 destructive counsel.®® 
 
 Then the bold slayer of Argus, standing near, addressed 
 him: “ Dark-haired Hades, who rulest over the dead, the 
 sire, Jove, bids thee lead forth noble Proserpine from Erebus 
 to their®^ company, that her mother, having beheld her, may 
 cease®® from her wrath and bitter ano-er against the immor- 
 
 O D 
 
 tals; since she devises a dreadful deed, to destroy the weak¬ 
 ly tribes of earth-born men, concealing the seed beneath the 
 ground, and wasting away the honors of the immortals. But 
 she cherishes grievous wrath, and does not associate with the 
 gods, but sits afar off within her incen.se-fraught temple, pos¬ 
 sessing the rocky city of Eleusis.” Thus he spoke, but Pluto, 
 king of the dead, smiled from beneath his eyebrows, and did 
 not disobey the behe.st of king Jove. And quickly he bade 
 prudent Proserpine [thus]: “ Go, Proserpine, to thy dark- 
 robed mother, having a mild spirit and disposition in thy 
 
 i. e. in withholding the fruits of the earth. I have adopted Her¬ 
 mann’s emendation, i) d’ tir aXdaToiQ “Epyotertv [xaKdpuiv 6Xo?)v /jtjritTo 
 fSovXrjv. lie compares Ilesych. aXuara' drXijTa. In a copy of Ruhn- 
 ken’s edition in the Britisli Museum, the late Charles Burnev hai^ con- 
 jectured, y) y’ tTrl tpyoig ArXpToicn Otwu TrvKivpv i^p. (iovXriv. 
 
 i. e. to the assembly of the other ^^ods. 
 
 Read Xp^euv, with Hermann, and Burney in note MS. 
 
422 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [362—398. 
 
 breast, nor do thou give way to sadness excessively beyond 
 others: In no wise sliall I be an unseemly consort among 
 tlie immortals, [being] own brother of sire Jove. Coming 
 hither, thou shalt be mistress of all beings, as many as live 
 and walk, and thou shalt ever possess®^ the greatest honors 
 among the immortals. And there shall for all days be judg¬ 
 ment upon those who have done injury, who do not appease 
 thy power with sacrifices, piously performing them, ofiering 
 suitable gifts.”^*^ 
 
 Thus he spoke, but prudent Proserpine rejoiced, and quick¬ 
 ly leaped forth through joy. But he had privily given her 
 the sweet grain of a pomegranate to eat, offering it her in pri¬ 
 vate,that she might not remain all days above with hallowed 
 Ceres, of dark robes. And Pluto, who rules over many, yoked 
 his steeds in front beneath the golden chariot, and she mount¬ 
 ed the chariot, and by her the strong slayer of Argus, seizing 
 the bridles and scourge in his hands, drove [the steeds] straight 
 out from the abodes, and they twain flew along not unwill¬ 
 ingly. And swiftly they passed o’er the long tracks, nor did 
 the sea, nor the water of rivers, nor the grassy valleys, nor 
 the heights, restrain the rush of the immortal steeds, but 
 they cut through the deep darkness above them,^^ 
 went. And he stopped driving them, where well-crowned 
 Ceres stood, before the incense-fraught temple. But she, per¬ 
 ceiving, leaped forward, like a nicenad on the shaded mount¬ 
 ain of a wood.®® * * * * * 
 
 * * * * ^ * 
 
 “ And thou shalt dwell with me and thy sire, the dark-cloud¬ 
 
 ed son of Saturn, honored by all the immortals. But if thou 
 hast tasted®^ [aught], again going beneath the hiding-places 
 
 Hermann reads rifiag S’ aitv txnoBa, observing, “si genuina est 
 codicis scriptura (i. c. Tiiiaq Se axijai]aQa), exemplum habemus futuri 
 conjunctivi, contra grammaticorum sententiam.” 
 
 Read avry, with Voss. 
 
 I have done my best with Hermann’s correction, a^cplQ vtt)fiT](TaQ, 
 but am by no means satisfied. 
 
 Burney, in note MS., would read avpdojv for avTciojv. 
 
 Here the MS. is mutilated : the meeting of the mother and daugh¬ 
 ter, and the inquiries of the former, whether Proserpine, by eating any 
 thing, had rendered herself subject to the dominion of the shades, form¬ 
 ed tlie missing portion. 
 
 Read d S' traVw, with Wyttenb., Ruhnk., Hcrm. 
 
399—428.] 
 
 XXXU. TO CERES. 
 
 423 
 
 of the earth, thou wilt dwell the third part of the year^^ 
 
 * * , but tlie [other] two with me and the other immortals. 
 But when the earth flourishes with all kinds of sweet-scented 
 spring flowers,^® then again shalt thou return back Com the 
 murky darkness, a mighty marvel to gods and mortal men.'-^^ 
 
 * * * * And by what stratagem did the strong Many- 
 
 receiver beguile thee?” But her beauteous Proserpine ad¬ 
 dressed in turn: “Therefore will’I tell thee all things truly, 
 mother. When beneficial Mercury, the swift messenger, 
 came from the Saturnian sire and the other gods, then he led^® 
 me out from Erebus, that thou, having beheld me with thine 
 eyes, mightest cease from thy wrath and grievous anger 
 against the immortals, but I leaped forth for joy. But [my 
 husband] privily threw to me the grain of a pomegranate, 
 pleasant to eat, and compelled me perforce, against my will, to 
 taste it.^^ But how, having snatched me away through the 
 cunning device of my sire, the son of Saturn, he went bearing 
 me beneath the hiding-places of the earth, I will speak out, 
 and detail all things, as thou askest. We indeed were ail 
 at play in the pleasant meadow, Leucippe, and Phoeno, and 
 Electra, and lanthe, and Melite, and lacche, and Rhoea, and 
 Callirrhoe, and Melobate, and Tyche, and rosy Ocyrrhoe, and 
 Chryseis, and laneira, and Acaste, and Admcta, and Rhodope, 
 and Pluto,and lovely Calypso, and Styx, and Urania, and 
 lovely Galaxyre, and battle-rousing Pallas, and arrow-rejoicing 
 Diana, and were plucking the pleasant flowers with our hands, 
 the beauteous crocus,^ and the iris, and liyacintK and the rose¬ 
 buds, and the lilies, a marvel to behold, and tlie narcissus, 
 which, like the crocus,^ the wide earth produced. But I was 
 
 For conjectures as to the supplying of this line, sec Ruhnken and 
 Hermann. 
 
 I prefer elapoc lopy, with La Fontaine. 
 
 Here there is evidently a lacuna, as Ruhnken observes, to whom 
 Ttpi a k^aTranim is due. 
 
 Read j/ye p,’ ’EptlStvr, 'iva //', with Ilerm. 
 
 But see Hermann. 
 
 A nymph, not Hades. 
 
 * Read piySa KpoKov t ayavov, with Voss. 
 
 ^ This is very tame. Hermann reads wairtp koviv, “abundant as the 
 dust,” comparing II. ix. 385, ov6’ ft yot rocra Soh], uaa \papa9og n kovlz 
 T s. Burney, in note MS., proposes ov t^vaev ivxpoov. 
 
424 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 [429—470. 
 
 plucking them with joy, when the earth yawned beneath and 
 out leaped the strong king, the Many-receiver, and went bear¬ 
 ing me beneath the earth in his golden chariot, grieving much, 
 and I cried aloud with my voice. These things have I told 
 thee all truly, although grieving.” 
 
 Thus then indeed they, having a concordant mind, mutually 
 fondling each other, greatly appeased the heart and mind of 
 each other, and the mind [’of both] was rested from sorrows. 
 And they received and gave delights^ mutually. But near to 
 them came delicately-vailed Idecate, and much she fondled the 
 chaste daughter of Ceres, because the queen had been her at¬ 
 tendant and servant.^ But to them loud-thundering, far-see¬ 
 ing Jove sent a messenger, fair-haired Rhea, to bring dark- 
 robed Ceres to the tribes of the gods, and he pledged himself 
 to give her honors, whatever she might choose among the im¬ 
 mortal gods. And he granted to her that her daughter should 
 pass the third part of the revolving year under the murky 
 darkness, but the two [other parts] with her mother and the 
 otlier immortals. Thus he spake, nor did the goddess disobey 
 the message of Jove, but she quickly sprang forth from the 
 heights of Olympus, and she came to the Rarian® [plain], 
 heretofore the life-bearing uclder of corn-land, but then no 
 longer atfording sustenance, but it remained idle and leafless, 
 and concealed the white barley, by the contrivance of fair- 
 ankled Ceres; but it was then destined forthwith to bloom 
 with long ears, as the spring advanced, and the rich furrows® 
 to abound in ears, and there to be bound in bundles. Here 
 she first descended from the unfruitful air. But gladly they 
 beheld each other, and rejoiced in mind; and her fair-vailed 
 Rhea first addressed: “Hither child, loud-thundering, far- 
 seeing Jove calls thee to come to the tribes of the gods, and 
 he has pledged himself to give thee honor, whatsoever thou 
 mayest choose among the immortal gods. And he has con¬ 
 sented that thy daughter [shall pass] the third part of the 
 
 ^ Read yrjOocrvvag — tdiSov t(, with Rulinken. 
 
 ^ I scarcely understand tliis line. 
 
 ^ It is im])ortant for the student to remember that ’Pd| 0 <oc is the only 
 Greek word beginning with p, that is not aspirated. See Schol. Venet. 
 on II. i. 50. 
 
 ® Hermann says that oy/ioi is “de segete demessa intelligendum.” 
 
470—500.] 
 
 XXXII. TO CERES. 
 
 425 
 
 revolving year beneath the murky darkness, but the [other] 
 two with thee and the other immortals,^ ^ ^ come, 
 child, and obey, nor be thou too immoderately wrathful against 
 the dark-clouded son of Saturn. And straightway increase 
 the life-bearing fruit for men.” 
 
 Thus she spoke, nor did well-crowned Ceres disobey ; but 
 slie straightway sent forth the fruit from the rich-soiled fields. 
 And all the wide earth was weighed down with leaves and 
 flowers; and she went to the law-administering kings, Trip- 
 tolemus, and horse-goading Diodes, and the might of Eumol- 
 pus, and Celeus, leader of the people, and showed® [them] 
 the performance of her sacred rites, and she appointed her 
 hallowed orgies for all, for Triptolemus, and Polyxenius, and 
 moreover, Diodes, wliich it is in no wise lawful either to neg¬ 
 lect, or to inquire into, or mention, for a mighty reverence 
 of tlie gods restrains the voice. Blest is he of mortal men 
 who has behold these, for he who is initiated, and he who 
 partakes not^® in these rites, have by no means the same for¬ 
 tune, although dead, beneath the murky darkness. But when 
 the divine one of goddesses had suggested all, they set out to 
 go to Olympus, to the assembly of the other gods. And here 
 ihey dwell by thunder-rejoicing Jove, both venerable and re¬ 
 vered. Greatly blessed is he, whomsoever of mortal men, 
 they love with a kindly mind, and straightway they sent to 
 the hearth of his noble dwelling Plutus, who affords riches to 
 mortal men. 
 
 But come,^^ ye wlio possess the state of incense-fraught 
 Eleusis, and sea-girt Paros, and rocky Antron, hallowed, the 
 giver of glorious gifts, bearer of seasons, queen Ceres, thyself, 
 and thy all-beauteous daughter Proserpine, willingly grant 
 me a pleasant life for my song. But I will be mindful of 
 thee and of another song. 
 
 ’ I follow Hermann’s supplement from vs. 447. The next fragments 
 of lines are a mistaken interpolation from 448-450, as tlic same scholar 
 observes. But sec his wliole note. 
 
 • Read dttKtv for tlire, from Pausanias, Corinth. 14. See Ruhnken. 
 
 ® I read ovts with Hgcn, and Burney, note MS., and d'yoc, 
 
 with Valckenaer. 
 
 I read og 5' driXiig Upiop, og t ippopog, “ dispar conditio initiatorum 
 est et non initiatorum,” with Ilerinami. 
 
 “ R«ad dXX’ ay', with Ruhnken. 
 
426 
 
 HYMNS. 
 
 FRAGMENT OF THE HYMN TO BACCHUSJ2 
 
 “ And they shall raise up many images to him in temples, 
 and as^2 men thrice always offer to thee perfect hecatombs at 
 three-year periods.” The son of Saturn spoke,and nodded 
 with his dark-blue brows, and the ambrosial curls shook down 
 from the immortal head of the king, and he made great Olym¬ 
 pus tremble. Thus speaking, counseling Jove nodded^^ with 
 his head. Be propitious, O thou sewn [formerly in the thigh 
 of Jove],^*^ woman-mad. But we bards sing thee both com¬ 
 mencing and ending,^" nor is it possible to be mindful of sa¬ 
 cred song, forgetting thee. And do thou thus hail, O thigh- 
 sewn Bacchus, with thy mother Semele, whom they call Thy- 
 one. 
 
 This is apparently a cento made np from different passages, but ic 
 partly preserved by Diodorus Siculus. See Ruhnken’s note. 
 
 I can not understand this line. 
 
 These three lines are from II. i. 528, sqq. 
 
 Read t7rsvtv(js, with Ruhnken. 
 
 Cf. Rorphyr. de Abst. iii. p. 287, and Hesych. t. i. p. 1112. 
 
 ” See Ruhnken. 
 
EPIGRAMS.* 
 
 I. TO THE CUMJEANS. 
 
 Respect one who is in want of hospitable gifts and a home, 
 ye who inhabit the lofty city Cyme, beauteous maid,^ the ex- * 
 treme foot of high-foliaged Sardene, drinking the ambrosial 
 water of the divine river of eddying Hermus, whom immortal 
 Jove begat. 
 
 11. ON RETURNING TO CUMA. 
 
 Swiftly may my feet bear me to the city of merciful men, 
 for their mind is willing and their prudence excellent. 
 
 III. ON MIDE.3 
 
 I AM a brazen virgin, and am placed upon the sepulchre of 
 Midas. And as long as water flows, and the lofty trees 
 flourish, and the rising sun gives light, and the shining moon, 
 fand the rivers overflow, and the sea inundates,remaining 
 here upon the mournful tomb, I will inform the passers-by, 
 that Midas is buried here. 
 
 ' “Under the title of Epigrams are classed a fetv verses on different 
 subjects, chiedy addressed to cities or private individuals.” Coleridge, 
 p. 317. Mr. Justice Talfourd rightly observes that the authenticity of 
 these Fragments depends upon that of the pseud-Herodotean life of Ho¬ 
 mer, from which they are taken. (See Lit. of Greece, p. 38, in the En- 
 cycl. Metropol.) If so, their authenticity is as doubtful as their poetical 
 value. I shall enter but little into the hopeless obscurity and corruption 
 of some of them, as there is little to repay the trouble. 
 
 * From whom the city took its name. ^ See Barnes. 
 
 * This line may lx? well dispensed with, and is wanting in some copies. 
 
428 
 
 EPIGRAMS. 
 
 [iv.—VI. 
 
 IV. HE LAMENTS HIS BLINDNESS TO THE 
 
 cuma^:ans. 
 
 To what a fate did the father Jove give me to become a 
 sport, when he nurtured me an infant upon the knees of my 
 revered mother! [The city^’ which the people of Pliricon 
 once fortified at the advice of Aigis-bearing Jove, the valiant 
 mounters of swift steeds, contending in the contest of savage 
 fire, AColian Smyrna, neighboring on the sea, lashed by the 
 waves,® and through which the clear water of sacred Melos 
 passes—hence setting out, the daughters of Jove, glorious 
 children, wished to celebrate the divine earth and city of men. 
 But they rejected the divine voice, the song, I say, through 
 folly. Of whom some one having liad experience,’' will, here¬ 
 after, bethink him, because he has brought a rebuke forever 
 upon them through my fate.® fBut I will endure the fate, 
 which the god gave to me at my birth, bearing * * with 
 resolute mind. Nor do my limbs desire to remain in the sa¬ 
 cred streets of Cuma3, but my mighty mind urges me, al¬ 
 though weak, to go to another people. 
 
 V. BEGINNING OF THE LITTLE ILIAD. 
 
 I STNG Ilium and Dardania renowned for steeds, on account 
 of which the Greeks, the servants of Mars, suffered much. 
 
 VI. TO THE SON OF THESTOB. 
 
 Son of Thestor, although there are many things obscure to 
 
 ® There is an awkward hyperbaton. The construction must be taken 
 as if it were ttoXiq iariv i)v tzot . tvQtv, k. t. X. 
 
 ® I read TrovrorivaKTOv, Avith Pearson. 
 
 '' I read d(t)padi7j, witli Ilgen, and u a(piv dvticog taaitv tpcv cla pyctaTO 
 xor/<oa^, with Hermann, wlio interi)rcts it, ‘'intelliget se ]) 0 })ularibus sui.s 
 propter nieam sortem ajternum ])eperisse opprobrium, ” taking o for ’6ti. 
 
 “ i. e. through liis neglect of me. 
 
 • The word diepdavTa is unintelligible: 
 
 “The fate which God allotted at my birth, 
 
 XVith patient heart will I endure on earth.” Coleridge. 
 
VII.— X.J 
 
 EPIGRAMS. 
 
 429 
 
 mortals, yet nothing is more obscure to men than [their own] 
 mind. 
 
 VII. TO NEPTUNE. 
 
 Heak, O Neptune, of mighty strength, Earth-Shaker, rul¬ 
 ing over wide and yellow^^ Helicon, and grant a favorable 
 breeze, and to obtain a safe journey, to the sailors, who are 
 the guides and pilots of the ship. And grant that I, coming 
 to the foot of lofty-cragged Mimas, may meet with merciful 
 and holy mortals.And may I be avenged on the man, who 
 having deceived my mind, injured hospitable Jove and the 
 guests’ table. 
 
 VIIl. TO THE CITY EEYTHKAEA. 
 
 Hallowed earth, giver of all, giver of agreeable wealth, 
 how fruitful indeed hast thou proved to some men ! but to 
 some, with whom thou wast wrathful, how disagreeable and 
 hard a soil! 
 
 IX. TO SAILORS. 
 
 Sea-traversing sailors, likc^^ unto hateful fate, having a 
 life that unhappily emulates the timid coots, reverence the dei¬ 
 ty of hospitable Jove who rules on high, for dreadful is the aft¬ 
 er-vengeance of hospitable Jove [upon] whoever offends.^^ 
 
 X. TO A PINE. 
 
 Another tree sends forth better fruit than thou, O Pine, 
 on the heights of many-recessed, wind-swept Ida. There shall 
 
 But read ^aOkov divine, witli Hermann. 
 
 * aicoiiov — ucriujvTe. Hermann. 
 
 One would expect some other word like “exj)osed to,” “oppressed 
 by.” But perhaps the phrase may be understood from dva’OjXov in the 
 next line. 
 
 “ After this epigram, Hermann has elieited the following distich from 
 the prose of the Life of Homer: 
 
 'Y/iisaij, w dvs/uoc \cij3ev dvriog tXOwv, 
 
 dX\’ tTTi vvp kcu q TrXoog taaerai v/jiiv. 
 
430 EPIGRAMS. [xi.—xin. 
 
 tlie sword of Mars fall upon earthly men, when the Cebrio- 
 nian men possess it. 
 
 XI. TO GLAUCUS. 
 
 Glaucus, overseer of herds, what word shalP^ I suggest to 
 thy mind ? First indeed give the supper to tliy dogs before 
 the gates of the hall; for thus it is better, since the dog first 
 perceives when a man is coming, or a beast entering tlie in- 
 closure.^^ 
 
 XII. ON THE SAMIAN PRIESTESS. 
 
 Heau me praying, O Apollo,and grant that this woman 
 may reject the love and nuptials of the youths, but let her 
 be delighted with hoary-headed sages, whose vigor indeed is 
 blunted, but [whose] mind is eager. 
 
 XIII. TO THE HOUSE OF THE PHRATRIES. 
 
 Children indeed are the glory of a man, but fortifications, 
 of a city ; and houses are the glory of the plain, but ships, of 
 the sea. And money increases a house, but august kings, 
 when they sit in the council, are a glory to each other’® to 
 behold. But a house is much more honorable to liehold 
 than blazing fire, in the winter-time, when the son of Saturn 
 snows. 
 
 Read tiros ri roi tv (^pta'i 0t)<T(t), with Hermann. 
 
 i. e. they will keep off all comers. 
 
 “ KovpoTp6(pos Aj)ollo dicebatur, cui adolescentes capillos primum 
 attondebant. ” Lilius Gyrald. Syntagm. 7, p. 222. It was an epithet 
 of several of the gods. Cf. Spanh. on Callim. in Del. 2; Alberti on 
 llesych. t. ii. p. 334 ; Lindenbrog. on Censorin. de Die Nat. § 1. Chap 
 man has utterly mistaken the meaning. 
 
 ” “Whose powers are passing coy ; whose wills would fain.” 
 
 Chapmaxx. 
 
 I prefer, however, Kocfiog Xaoiaiv, with Rulmken. 
 
XIV. XV.] 
 
 EPIGRAMS. 
 
 431 
 
 XIV. THE FURNACE, OR THE POT.i^ 
 
 If ye will give payment, I will sing, O potters. Come 
 hither, Minerva, and uplift thy hand in defense of the furnace. 
 But may the cups blacken well,^^ and all the vessels be well 
 baked, and fetch a good price, many being sold in the mark¬ 
 et-place, and many in the streets, and may they gain much, 
 fbut we are friendly to them-t'^^ But if, turning to shame¬ 
 lessness, ye tell falsehoods,^-^ I will then call together the de¬ 
 stroyers of the pot, Syntrips,^'^ and Smaragus, and Asbetus, 
 and Sabactes, and Omodamus, who bring many ills upon this 
 art. Destroy the furnace^^ and the dwelling, and let the whole 
 furnace be thrown into confusion, while the pots shriek loudly. 
 As the horse’s cheek snorts, so may the furnace snort, making 
 all the vessels ashes within it. Hither also, daughter of the 
 Sun, Circe of many spells, bring cruel drugs, and injure them 
 and their works. And hither also let Chiron lead his many 
 centaurs, both those who escaped the hands of Hercules, and 
 who perished. Let them be evilly beaten for these works, 
 and let the furnace fall, and themselves wailing behold the 
 evil deeds. But I will rejoice, beholding their unhappy art. 
 But whoever shall look too closely, may all his face be 
 scorched with fire, that all may learn to do what is right. 
 
 XV. THE OLIVE BRANCH. 
 
 AVe approach the house of a man who possesses great pow¬ 
 er, who has great influence, and is ever very hauglity in his 
 wealth.Ye gates, open of yourselves, for much wealth 
 enters, and witli wealth also flourishing joy, and agreeable 
 peace. But may all the vessels, as many as there are, be 
 
 The poet is supposed to be called inbv potters, to give them a song. 
 
 But see Ernesti. 
 
 So Ernesti. I can make nothing cither of this line, or of the con¬ 
 jectures upon it. 
 
 i. e. try to cheat me of my reward. 
 
 These names might characteristically be rendered, “ Smashei*, 
 Crasher,” etc. 
 
 I read TrvpaiOovanv. See Hermann. 
 
 Brobably a sj)urious line, as Ernesti thinks. 
 
432 
 
 •EPIGRAMS. 
 
 [xvi. XVII. 
 
 
 full, and do thou, fire, ever approach the kneading-trough, 
 that there may be a barley cake, of goodly appearance, mixed 
 with sesame. But the wife of your son shall be carried in a 
 chariot, and stamping-footed mules shall lead her to this dwell¬ 
 ing. But may she herself, seated on amber, weave a web. I 
 will return, I will return every year, like a swallow. I stand 
 at the vestibule, fand if thou wilt give aught; but if not, I 
 will not stand still, for w^e have not come to live here.l^? 
 
 XVI. TO FISHERMEN. 
 
 For from the blood of such fathers are ye descended [as 
 are] neither rich in lands, nor feeding countless flocks. 
 
 XVH. MARGITES.28 
 
 Many things he knew, but ill he knew them all. 
 
 Him the gods had made neither a digger nor a plow^man. 
 nor otherwise wise in aught; but he failed in every art. 
 
 See Hermann’s notes. 
 
 This epigram is so hopelessly corrupt, that I can only refer ihc 
 reader to the notes of Barnes and Ilcrmann. 
 
 See Coleridge, p. 270, sq. 
 
 THE ENDo 
 
 
T . 
 
date due 
 
 rrn ! ni 11'^ 
 
 
 
 
 -ixB 1 Q-p 
 
 MAR ' $ 
 
 1999 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * no In 19nniil 
 
 
 
 -P^PtV-+ 
 
 
 
 
 ~ 1 
 
 
 
 
 --- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 UNIVERSITY PRODUCTS. INU. ff859-5503 
 
I 
 
 BOSTON COLLEGE 
 
 3 903 
 
 1239542 2 
 
 I