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THE

ILIAD

AND ODYSSEY OF

HOMER, TRANSLATED BY

WILLIAM SOTHEBY;

ILLUSTRATED BY THE DESIGNS OF FLAXMAN.

^.

VOL.

IV.

.30^

LONDON: G. AND W.NICOL, PALL-MALL;

J.

MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET.

MDCCCXXXIII.

THE THIRTEENTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

VOL.

li.

J

ARGUMENT. The Phaeacians convey

Ulysses, while sleeping, to Ithaca.

Ulysses in the cave of the the suitors.

Minerva and

Nymphs, consult and plan the destruction of

The Goddess transforms Ulysses

into a beggar.

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK He On

spake

and

:

all in silent

XIII. rapture

hung

the enchantment of Ulysses tongue '

Then, thus the monarch

:

:

'

Since beneath

my

dome,

'

My

'

Tho' thou hast much endured, thou ne'er again

'

Shalt slow-returning wander o'er the main.

'

Ye, every

'

Ye,

'

And

'

Repose the fine-wrought gold, and many a

'

All that your bounty, judges of the land,

*

Gave

'

But

'

A

high-roof 'd palace thou art haply come,

who list

to

chief,

now

to

my word

incline

here pledge the honorary wine, the bard

my

host,

:

already in the chest

by mine, your

king's

vest,

command.

— come, and, man by man, with one consent

caldron, or large tripod

now

present.

THE ODYSSEY.

4

[book

'

We, from

*

'Tis hard that one alone such charge sustain.'

the nation shall the gift regain

He spake And to their

:

And when They

all

separate

the

homes each gladly went.

morn vith

light the

world array'd.

himself in person went on board.

all in

order 'neath the benches stored,

That nought should

When The

approving gave assent.

to the ship their splendid gifts convey'd.

The king

And

they

:

e'er

impede the oary sweep

the youths toil'd incumbent o'er the deep

others on the rich repast intent.

Forth to the monarch's palace gladly went.

For them the king the

Where

He

all alike

sacrifice

prepared

the hallow'd victim shared

slew a bullock to Satumian Jove

Who The

girt

with darkness rules

all

gods above.

thighs they burnt, and fuming from the

Spread out the

feast,

and fed with keen

desire.

There, honour'd by the realm, the chiefs

The

bard,

But

oft

Bent

Demodocus,

at

fire

among

banquet sung.

Ulysses on the orb of day

his fix'd eye, impatient of delay.

Fervently longing for the sun's decline.

That the new dawn might on

his

voyage shine.

xiii.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIII.]

As when the swain

Whose yoke

all

desirous of his food.

day the fallow has subdued.

Sees with delight the westering sun retreat.

While homeward turn'd slow plod

Thus

And

'

his wearied feet.

saw the sun-beam

glad, Ulysses

rest.

thus Phaeacia's king and chiefs address'd

Great monarch

!

now, the due

my

libations o'er,

'

Send me, uninjured,

*

Ye

*

The

ship in port prepared,

*

May

gracious heaven to these, success impart

'

And

thou, most loved, thou partner of

'

Thee may

*

Safe and uninjured in

*

And you who

'

Glad those you spoused in youth, and bless your race

*

May

*

Nor aught

too farewell

He

—

I find,

all

to

now

is

on board,

safe

and

and those

richly stored.

my

my own

my

heart

friends, again

domain.

here abide, in chaste embrace

heaven each virtue

spake

native shore

in

each breast encrease,

disturb the realm's perpetual peace

!

—and by Ulysses' wisdom moved,

Phaeacia's chiefs the monarch's speech approved.

'

*

Herald,' Alcinoiis said,

*

to all

around

Administer the bowl with nectar crown'd.

'

THE ODYSSEY.

6

[book

'

That, supplicating Jove, athwart the main

'

We

xiii.

guide our guest to his ancestral reign.'

Pontonous mix'd the wine, and duly gave

Around

to each in turn the hallowing wave.

While, on their

They pour'd

heaven adored.

seats, to all in

the wine that crown'd the festive board

But, rising, in Arete's hand, their guest

A

massive goblet placed, and thus address'd

'

Farewell

queen, be thou for ever bless'd,

!

age and death shall yield thee peaceful rest

'

Till

'

I go,

*

Joy to thy realm and race and honour'd king

but—thou

here dwell in joy, and bring !

Ulysses spake, and from the palace went

The king

He

led

before his

him

way a herald

to the ship

and peaceful main

While the queen sent three

One bore One,

fit

:

virgins of her train

a mantle and a royal vest.

guard the

to

Food and

sent

gifts,

a stately chest.

rich wine the third

The seamen

and now on board

in the ship the presents stored

But on the deck, Soft cloths

:

astern, they

and linen

smoothly spread

for Ulysses' bed.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIII.]

Still sleep inviting

And on

the couch his

The rope was The

there the hero pass'd.

:

Hmbs

in silence cast.

loosen'd from the hollo w'd stone,

rowers, in their seats, at signal shown.

Bent

The

and

o'er the banks,

all

with equal stroke

flashing billows of the ocean broke.

While on

Lay Hke As when

And

his lids a wakeless

still

slumber on

sweet repose

life's

peaceful close.

swift steeds, four-yoked, scour o'er the plain.

'neath the lash, at once their vigour strain.

Raise their light

Thus

feet,

raised, the stern

and seem on

sprung bounding

While the dark billows purpling

With roar of waters

air to

all

sweep.

o'er the deep.

behind

the rushing wind.

fill'd

Fleetest of birds, on stretch of wing, in vain

The

falcon

would o'ertake

it

on the main.

Thus 'mid the parted waves the That bore the man

He who

in

wisdom

galley rode.

like a god.

such w^es, such labours had sustain'd.

Such storms confronted, and such

As

if

Lay

he ne'er had

in

When

still

battles gain'd.

felt life's bitter blast.

sleep, forgetful of the past.

shone the

star, fair

harbinger of day

That brightest beams before Aurora's That time the

Had

ship, its prosperous

gain'd Ulysses

'

isle,

ray.

voyage

o'er.

and near'd the shore.

There

A

[

THE ODYSSEY.

8 is

in Ithaca's sea-circled plain

harbour of the Ancient of the main,

Phorcys.

A

craggy

cliff,

on either side

O'er-beetling, breaks the gales,

and

stills

the tide.

Ships that within that port once entrance gain. Sleep motionless, and rest without a chain. Stretch'd o'er

its

head a broad-leaved

Near which a cave

The

its

grateful

olive bends.

gloom extends.

Naiad's grot, where sacred to their band

Their vessels, uras and stony vases stand.

There the bees hive

:

and marble

shafts arise.

Where each pure Nymph her pui-ple wonder plies. Weaving the web there many a fountain flows. And two-fold gates the sacred grot enclose :

This, to the north, by earthly footstep trod.

That, to the south, yields entrance to the God,

To man denied. The Naiads there retreat. And hold, in\asible to earth, their seat. There, mindful of the port, they boldly drove

The

By

keel half buried in the sandy cove.

their s^vift oars impell'd

—then,

forth

on land

Stepp'd from the ship, and rested on the strand

But on

his ^splendid couch, close

They'^rst Ulysses placed

With the

When

;

wrapp'd around,

in sleep

profound.

rich presents the Phasacians gave.

Pallas bade

them guide him

o'er the

wave.

xiii.

.]

THE ODYSSEY.

These, by the oUve roots, without the road

They

m

safely laid

one collected load.

Lest ere Ulysses' eye unclosed to day

Some

traveller seize

Then sought

them passing on

home.

their

His vengeance hanging

And

But

The gods

*

Since the Phseacian sons,

'

The God, and author

*

Laertes' son,

*

Would

'

For such thy promise

*

They have

'

With

*

Brass, and bright gold, and

*

More than from Troy

*

Had

*

Sire

!

me no more

honour, nor mankind adore,

I

reach at

all

head:

:

'

'

way

the Sea-God fed

o'er Ulysses'

thus to Jove complain'd

will

still

his

my

native race,

of their blood, disgrace.

deem'd, long labours

o'er,

last ^vith Hfe his native shore,

but in slumber

:

laid,

that chief to Ithaca convey'd

the

gifts

Phagacia gave her guest,

many

a tissued vest,

as his allotted spoil

crown'd at Ithaca the conqueror's

has Neptune rashly said

?

the heavenly poAvers degTade

?

What,' Jove replied,

God

*

Thee, potent

*

Rash were the aim, on

*

And

!

toil.'

*

thee, the eldest born

best of gods to hurl contemptuous scorn.

THE ODYSSEY.

10

some man

madness of his

[book

*

But

'

And

'

Vengeance

'

AVhate'er the measure of thv wrath,

'

if

insolence of

Now

is

in

power has thee

had wrought,' he

I

pride,

defied,

Go, execute thy

thine.

said,

'

will,

fulfil.'

a god's desire,

*

But that

*

Else

'

Their beauteous ship, and her returning train

*

So should they cease

*

Their to"wn a mighty mountain

'

I

I at

dread. Omnipotence, thy

ire,

once would wreck amid the main

Neptune, to

me

it

their convoys,

;

and around

fix its

bound.'

seems,' Satumius said,

*

Far better would thy vengeance be

*

If

*

The

'

Thou

*

Awhile o'er the

when

xiii.

allay'd,

Phasacia from her walls sur^'ey

glorious ship on her returning w^ay,

turn her into stone

:

then

town the mount

all its

would dread, shade outspread.'

He heard, and to Phaeacian Scheria pass'd. And when the vessel flew before the blast, Turn'd

it

to stone,

Its roots in

and

ocean while

striking, it

downward drove

tower'd above.

THE ODYSSEY.

BooKxiir.]

Then back withdrew

The

'

'

wliile,

awe-struck as they gazed.

naval nation thus their voices raised

Who has that ship, now homeward hastening, staid ? now

E'en

They

When '

:

11

it

rose

spake, but

all visibly display'd.'

knew not who

the wonder wrought

thus the king reveal'd his secret thought

Ah me

!

the ancient prophecies unfold

my

'

Those that of yore

'

That Neptune's

'

We,

'

He

*

The

'

Should perish 'mid the main before our

*

*

guides of

sire

presaging told,

wi'ath should on our race be hurl'd,

all

who

cross the watery world,

said our gallant ship that bravely bore

stranger home, returning to her shore,

And o'er our town a mountain stand like night. Lo 'tis consummated Thus spake my sire.

—

!

'

But, ye obedient, act as

*

Cease we, henceforth, from convoying

*

*

*

sight,

I

require o'er the

main,

And lead twelve chosen bulls to Neptune's fane. So may we soothe him, nor afar display'd The mountain o'er our town outspread its shade/ The

chiefs the bulls

And round

it

to the

on Neptune's

God

altar laid.

devoutly pray'd

:

THE ODYSSEY.

12

[book xui.

waking on the land that gave him birth

knew

Ulysses rose nor

So long estranged

The

:

his native earth.

for Pallas thickly

o'ershado^^^ng cloud that

tell

That none might know him, none

on

wound all

his

around.

form discern.

And that himself might first all fully learn None know him, wife, or citizen, or friend. Ere on the suitors vengeful death descend.

Hence

The

all

to

him

a different aspect wore.

public ways, the beauteous-haven'd shore.

High

rocks,

and

fruitful

bowers.

Erect he stood.

And all unconscious his loved birth-place view'd Then loudly groan'd, and smote his sounding breast. :

And

*

in

deep anguish thus his plaint express'd

Who

here inhabit

?

men

of savage mind,

*

Rude, or religious and to strangers kind

*

Where

*

^^^ould they

*

'

And Had

shall I bear these treasures,

had

hail'd

me

guest,

'

AMiere shall

'

V»'here all

*

Ah me

*

Plia^acia's cliiefs in

!

I

place

may

not

all

whither roam

lain in their Phaeacian

that another king of juster

?

home

sway

and kindly sent away.

them

?

how abandon

here

plunder, nor detection fear are wise, not

whom

I

all

?

are just

placed

my

trust,

?

.]

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

13

*

Who

vow'd to guide

'

Have

cast

'

Thou, that the impious doom'st who break thy laws,

'

Guardian of suppliants, Jove, avenge

*

But

*

If,

let

me

me

forth

me

to

my

native land,

upon a foreign

count these

gifts,

strand.

my

cause

so clearly learn

plundering me, they quicken'd their return.'

He

spake

:

and counted

all his

precious store.

Bright tripods, caldrons, robes, and golden ore

Nought

He

fail'd.

Yet, mourning for his native land

like a youthful shepherd, Pallas

Like a king's son,

all

delicate his frame,

in hand, his feet with sandals bound.

Laertes' son rejoiced, before

And '

him

press'd.

greeting, thus with courteous

Hail

!

gentle friend

nor accost

'

Hail

'

Deign these,

*

came.

cloak twice folded flow'd his shoulders round,

With spear

'

:

slowly paced along the sea-beat strand.

When,

A

!

!

my

me

!

words address'd

since thee I foremost find,

with averted mind.

treasures guard,

and me defend

To thee, as to a god, I lowly bend And gentle youth to me, a stranger, !

'

What

'

Is this

*

Of the main land

region

this,

tell

and here what natives dwell.

an island, or some stretch'd out shore that bends the billows o'er

?

;

THE ODYSSEY.

14 '

[book

xiii.

Senseless in sooth thou art/ the youth repHed,

'

Or wander'st from some region

'

Thus questioning

'

Well known of many, nor obscurely famed

'

By

'

Or where

'

Rough

'

Yet not too

*

Here golden harvests wave, there vines extend,

'

Fresh

'

Groves of

'

And

'

Hence

*

Far from Achaia to Troy's distant bounds.'

— This land

those

is

Then

is

and

\vide,

not unnamed,

the east, and south reside,

who on

thick clouds the west in darkness hide.

the

falls

soil,

unfit for steeds to race,

sterile, tho'

not wide in space

the dew, and prosperous showers descend, all

growth, and goats and herds abound,

ceaseless irrigation feeds the ground. Ithaca's

The king Of his

far

proud name,

'tis said,

resounds

rejoicing heard the gi'ateful

loved country not

unknown

spake, but not the truth

:

to

for

name

fame

still

his

:

mind

In every word some latent aim design'd.

'

my

E'en in wide Crete, o'er seas remote,

'

Has chanced the name of Ithaca

'

Now, on

'

Half with

'

Whence, when Orsilochus beneath me

'

Son of Idomeneus,

its soil,

my

with half

my

ear

to hear

wealth,

I

stand,

children on their native land.

afar

I fled,

bled, '

.]

THE ODYSSEY.

15

'

Orsilochus, whose speed, and flying feet

'

Outraced the

*

Rash

'

The

'

Gain'd at

'

And

'

Rage

'

To

' '

chief,

swiftest of the sons of Crete.

who

fain

had

reft

hard-earn'd harvest of life's

risk

me

my

of

my

spoil,

battle toil,

from Trojan warriors

slain,

dreadful perils on the storm-toss'd main.

Troy

fired his soul that I at

serve his father, but

my

disdain'd

rank maintain'd.

Gainst him, in ambush with one friend,

I cast

'

My

*

Dark gloom'd the

'

No

*

But when he

'

Implored

its

'

Her sons

to bear

'

Or where

'

But adverse tempests forced them

'

Reluctantly, not willing to betray.

*

Last night we reach'd at length this distant shore,

'

And

'

There none of food,

'

But

'

There soothing sleep

*

And

*

They from

*

And

from the

lance, as

field

night,

he homeward pass'd

no mortal view'd the deed,

eye beheld the prone insulter bleed. died, I to Phoenicia sail'd,

succour, and by gifts prevail'd

me

safe to Pylos ' sand,

the Epeans ruled the Elean land. firom their

way

scarcely gain'd the port with labouring oar.

all

tho' hungry,

rush'd forth, and

my

on the sea-beach

I

reposed,

the ship brought forth it

where

I

staid

wearied eyelids closed

while in sweet oblivion

placed

mention made,

my

gather'd store,

slumber'd on the shore.

THE ODYSSEY.

16 '

All to Sidonia, all are pass'd

'

And

here

He

stand in misery

I

spake

[book

xiii.

and gone,

left alone.'

the Goddess smiled, and clasp'd his hand.

:

And, changed

in form, before

him took her

stand,

-

Like a majestic female nobly born

And *

skill'd in all

the arts that birth adorn.

Versute,' she said,

that god,

'

and

skill'd in guiles

*

Who

'

Keen,

'

Must thou within thy realm thy

'

The man

'

Thou comest

'

Cease we of

'

Can

'

Thou,

'

First of the gods,

'

Yet knewst thou not Minerva sprung of Jove,

*

Who

'

I,

'

Thy

circumvents thee versatile,

surpassing wiles.

and pregnant

^\ith deceit,

ft-auds repeat

first

revisiting thy native shore.

We

this.

mark by

both, each rightly famed,

wit and

wisdom aim'd

:

of men, thy speech the council leads,

my

foresight

all

exceeds.

thy sake descended from above,

at thy side,

who, ever prompt

friends Phaeacia

'

Now come

'

The

'

At thy

'

That

to

to aid,

and her monarch made

weave some new design,

:

to save

treasures that her generous natives gave return.

in

?

as crafty as the youth of yore

hit the

for

^^ith

And now

I all

relate

thy palace waits thee, doom'd bv

fate.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIII.]

—but thou beneath the yoke

'

Severest woes

*

Of harsh

'

Yet not to man or woman

'

That here thou comest a wanderer

'

But bear each \\Tong

'

And

'

necessity endure the stroke.

silently

Not

17

e'er confess

in distress,

as one ignobly

bom,

submit to taunt and scorn.'

easily a

man however

wise

new

'

Can know

'

I

'

And

'

But when we plundefd Troy and

left

*

And

all

'

I ne'er

*

My toils

'

But wander'd, woe worn,

'

Till

'

Ere thou

*

Vouchsafedst to lead

'

Now

*

For

*

But other

'

And

*

'

knew

thee. Goddess, in each

when

thee,

I in

Troy Greece leagued

at

arms found favour

beheld thee, Jove-born Maid at thy sight

some kind god

by thy

this I

our host,

nor view'd

subdued

brought rehef,

words of soothing power,

me

to Phaeacia's tower.

father, Jove, I thee implore,

deem not far

:

my

paternal shore,

—methinks thou dost

deride,

tum'st me. Goddess, from the truth aside.

say, if here Is this,

VOL.

!

her coast,

in unsolaced grief,

in pity

thyself, ^\dth

for fight,

in thy sight.

heavenly wrath had scatter'd

on ocean

disguise.

II.

on Ithaca

truly say,

my

I

stand

?

native land c

?

THE ODYSSEY.

18

[book

Thy mind is still the same,' Minerva By no event, tho' unforeseen, betray'd '

'

said,

not thee unaided leave

'

Therefore

'

Thee eloquent,

'

What man,

'

But

'

But thee

'

Till cautious trial

'

Who

'

Waits day and night

'

I ne'er

'

That

—

'

But,

I

'

To

'

Who

'

Thee, Avhose

'

But come, now prove the truth by Pallas told

'

Look on thy reahn

'

flies

I will

sagacious, thus to grieve.

retm'ning back, long doom'd to roam,

to clasp his wife, his child, his it

xiii.

suits not,

by rash transport sway'd,

has thy spouse assay'd,

underneath thy

had doubt

—

roof, still

to

m

doubt and

prescience

—

thy friends

was

loth, resisting

^thou

fmy

known

wouldst return alone

Neptune's

battle with the brother of

pours on thee the

fear,

adding tear to tear.

me by

lost

fell

home ?

my

ire,

sire,

of his might,

guile deprived his son of sight.

—thy Ithaca behold.

Here, the hoar sea-god's, Phorcys' port extends, head, the broad-leaved ohve bends,

'

There,

o'er its

'

Near

behold that lovely shado^\y cave,

'

The NjTuphs'

'

The

'

Thy hecatombs

it

retreat, the

cavern, there, oft

Naiads of the wave

whose spacious roof beneath

wound

their

smoky wreath

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIII.]

'

In lionour of the

*

With

forests,

Then

Nymphs

19

and, there, o'erspread

:

Neritus uprears his head.'

as she clear'd the clouds,

and show'd the earth.

Exultant on the land that gave him birth Ulysses knelt, a

And

'

kiss impress'd.

filial

address'd

Daughters of Jove, ye Nymphs, ye Naiad

had hope

to look

*

I

'

Hail

!

now

'

Hail

!

and

*

If favouring Pallas deign

*

And

ne'er

*

Nymphs

with uphfted hands the

gifts shall

my

unto manhood

Have

on you again

propitious hear

my

trust,

my

greet

my

son's

—not thus be

*

Now

*

In the cave's depth

'

And

be thy treasured stores

plan

how

vows once more

you

life

as of yore,

defend,

day extend.'

troubled,' Pallas said, in safety laid

then, weigh

we

well the deed,

best the future shall succeed.'

She spake, and

Where

:

train,

inly passing search'd the grot

darkness hung on some o'ershadow'd spot

THE ODYSSEY.

20

Then

The

gold and silver that Phaeacia gave. in order

:

but her arm alone

the closed entrance fix'd the guardian stone.

They, ^vhere the sacred Sat,

*

olive's roots

and devised how death the

Now, prudent

chief,'

arose

suitors guilt should close.

she spake,

'

contrive the

'

How

thy just vengeance shall their deeds repay,

'

AVho

o'er

'

Woo

thy chaste wife, and strive with

'

Gain her who

*

Lures

*

On

all

still

too,

gifts to gain,

for thee perpetual grieves,

with hope, but each in turn deceives,

messages their soul suspends,

other than her word her

I

way

thy house, three years, usurping reign,

flattering

'

'

xiii.

the chief brought the robes withhi the cave.

And ranged

On

[book

beneath

my

roof,'

mind

intends.'

the chief replied,

Agamemnon

'

Had

'

Hadst thou not

*

How

'

And

*

As vhen we prostrated Troy's haughty

the dire death of

all disclosed.

But now devise

best our vengeance shall their

breathe that daring

died,

spirit in

g-uilt

my

chastise

breast crest

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIII.]

21

more thou deign thy votary

*

If thus, once

*

This arm, thou present, would a host invade.'

*

I will

not

fail

thee/ Pallas said,

'

aid

my power

*

Shall o'er thee watch at danger's trial hour,

*

And some,

'

Shall with their brains

*

Now

'

Parch thy smooth

*

Pluck from thy graceful head the golden

'

'

And And

I will

methinks,

who waste

at

\vill

thy store

and blood pollute the

render thee to skin,

all

and

floor.

unknown,

stiffen

every bone, hair,

give thee for thy garb vile rags to wear I will

dim those eyes now beaming

bright,

'

That the proud

'

Thee

*

And

'

Thus changed,

*

Where

the lone swineherd tends the entrusted breed,

*

Whose

heart

'

And

'

He, by the rock of Corax guards thy swine,

*

^Miere Arethusa feeds her fount divine,

'

And

*

On

'

There,

*

And

suitors shall

too, the partner of thy

the loved child thou to all

still

abhor thy sight

bosom shun,

left'st,

thine only son.

unknown, thou foremost speed

cleaves to thee tho' long unseen,

loves thy son, and venerates thy queen.

the herds drink that fatten where they feed

acorns gather'd from the umbrageous mead. all

search out, while on fleet wing

I soar,

Sparta, famed for female charms, explore.

THE ODYSSEY.

22

who by thy

[book

'

To

'

In search of thee, to Menelaus sped.*

'

call

thy son,

Why/

he replied,

'

glory led

since all to thee reveal'd,

Why froin Telemachus the truth Why must my son, thus grieved,

'

'

While the

'

fell

conceal'd o'er

'

?

ocean roam,

spoilers waste at will his

Grieve not for him,' she said,

'

home

?

Pallas, sent

I,

'

Thy

son to gather fame where'er he went

*

No

— He, guest

'

Where Menelaus'

'

Tho' in their

*

Bribed youths in ambush watch thy son to slay,

'

Yet

*

Close o'er the wasters that thy wealth devour.*

sufferings his.

ship,

earth's cold

greatness

on

in

all

skin's firm

peace resides

provides.

his returning

womb

way,

shall ere that fatal

Then touching with her wand, His

xiii.

hour

the Goddess dried

smoothness to a rugged hide.

His golden ringlets bared, and, withering, wound

The wrinkled Dimm'd

flesh of age his limbs around,

his bright eyes,

And mantle

rent to

I'ags,

and

o'er

him

flung a cloke

and grimed with smoke

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIII.]

Round him

23

a large long deer-skin loosely cast.

Reft of its hairs, and flapping to the blast.

Gave him a

A torn

staiF,

his shoulders

hung

patch'd scrip with twisted leather strung.

Then each

And

and from

diversely went, their council

Pallas flew to call Ulysses' son.

done

:

!

THE FOURTEENTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUJ\JEN'J\ Ulysses' hospitable reception by Eumseus.

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK As

wound

Pallas bade, Ulysses

Where

XIV.

way

his

the rough road 'mid wood-girt mountains lay.

And

sought Eumaeus, by himself preferr'd

O'er

all

Him

in his vestibule Ulysses found.

Where

the menial train to guard his herd.

rose his dwelling on conspicuous ground.

Accessible on Built

all sides,

handsome,

by himself, and form'd

to

large.

guard his charge.

His master gone, he sole that structure made.

Nor '

ask'd Laertes, nor the

Twas framed

With fence

queen to

aid.

of massive stones, and girt around

of thorns, and with an oaken

Of pales dense

fix'd.

The beds where

side

Within, twelve

by

bound

sties

enclosed

side the swine reposed.

THE ODYSSEY.

28 In each,

The

all

breeders,

females slept

males, at rest without, their station kept

Less numerous

Forced

Yet

fifty

[book xiv.

fi'om the

still

And

far, for oft

the choicest beast

swineherd spread the suitor s feast

that faithful guard the race maintain'd.

sixty

and three hundred yet remain'd.

Fierce as wild beasts, there by Eumaeus fed.

Near them, four mastives watch'd He,

their

guarded bed.

for his feet fresh sandals to provide

Cut, 'neath his porch a bullock's sable hide

While, with three herds,

The

fourth,

Eumaeus

afield,

three menials went.

to the city sent.

To drive, by harsh constraint, the fatted And swell the festive suitors' daily store.

Soon

as the dogs perceived the

unknown man

All, loudly barking, at the stranger

But the prompt Let loose

chief,

his staff,

own

fanii

ran

with keen and crafty mind

and low on earth reclined

Yet there the king had nigh In his

boar.

:

his faithful swain

endured severest pain.

Had

not Eumaeus, as in haste he threw

The

hide on earth, forth from the portal flew.

BOOK XIV.]

THE ODYSSEY.

With threatening

shout, and shower of stones, repress'd

The

'

29

mastives' rage, and thus the king address'd.

Old man, on thy torn

flesh the

dogs had fed,

my

'

And thou

'

Me whom

harsh gods and unpropitious fate

'

Have

with woes, and bow'd beneath their weight

'

I for

my

'

And

feed, perforce, for

*

While he,

*

Famish'd, in foreign realms, ^vithout a home.

'

But, follow me, and in

'

And

*

Then

'

And what

girt

Where

A

who

yet ahve,

if

thy desire

freely,

ahen is

feasts his s^^ine,

doom'd

my \^ith

to roam,

lodge recline,

food and wine,

the bm'den of thy bitter

and

head,

here repine,

whence thou camest, old man,

led the way,

relate,

fate.'

inly seating, placed

thick-strown twigs, and rushes interlaced,

to repose him,

from

his

wonted bed,

large thick goat-skin's shaggy covering spread.

The kind

And *

*

absent lord

satiate

Then

And

hadst doom'd to just reproach

thus the grateful king his thanks express'd

Thee,

On

reception cheer'd Ulysses' breast.

may

the gods, and Jove, kind host

thee, whate'er thy wish, that gift alight

!

!

requite

THE ODYSSEY.

30 '

may

I

not/ he replied,

*

[book xiv. scorn

Avith reckless

'

Treat one like thee, or one more wretched born.

'

Where'er the poor implore, the strangers rove,

'

The poor and

'

Take what

'

When

'

The gods my

'

Him who

'

And more had

'

All that kind lords can give, a

'

While by

their sers^ant's grateful toil repaid,

'

The gods

that servant's prosperous labour aid,

'

As heaven has

'

Here dwelt

'

He

'

Helen's whole race, for

*

He

'

For Agamemnon's

is

I

strangers claim the care of Jove.

give

'tis

;

sweet, tho' shght the dole

servants dread their youthful lord's controul. king's return

still

loved me, and

my

gi'anted, all that

restrain'd,

state maintain'd

gladdens

home and

prosper'd mine

!

had

life,

wife,

my

lord

how ample my reward. Would all aUke were dead

in age,

no more

too, with

Then

have long

—

Troy

whom

the heroes bled.

to war, on Phrygia's strand glorj^ left this land.'

girt his cloak,

and issued where, enclosed

AVithin their separate sties the swine reposed.

And

slaughter'd two,

Scored them, and

Then,

With

>\ith

and singed, and

fix'd their flesh

bit

by

upon the

bit spit

the fuming spits, fresh sprinkled o'er

flour, the

banquet to Ulysses bore.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK

XIV.]

And

tempering the wine that crown'd the bowl

31

Sat nigh him, face to face, and cheer'd his soul.

'

Feed on these porkers, our permitted

feast,

'

While the proud wasters gorge the

*

They, who nor reverence

'

But

'

The gods

'

Turn from unhallovVd

'

E'en fierce invaders

*

And

'

When

'

At terrour of impending vengeance

'

But

'

Have

*

Or

'

Nor they

'

But here, without constraint waste

*

Tho' sated with excess, Ulysses'

'

Long

'

They not

'

Nor

'

Tho' Uke Ulysses none such wealth obtain'd

'

Not

'

Or here

'

No

'

List, while I

feel,

bow down beneath

shall

bear,

nor pity know,

heaven's vengeful blow.

that gift the good, and bless the just, pride and lawless lust.

who

when Jove

for plunder stray,

permits, their spoil away,

fraught with rapine to their

these, assured

of

fatted beast

my

by some

home

sail,

quail

celestial

word,

long-lost lord's destruction heard,

ne'er their

wooing had

his wife abused,

to seek their realm so long refused, all,

nor spare,

heir.

as they here have Hnger'd, night

less

they

and day

alone one fatted victim slay

they

swill his wine, profusely drain'd

mightiest chiefs

who on

the mainland dwell,

in Ithaca the rest excel.

twenty chiefs such riches can recount reckon up the vast amount.

THE ODYSSEY.

32 '

'

'

Hired

[book xiv.

and natives on the mainland, keep

serfs,

Watch o'er twelve herds of beeves, twelve flocks of sheep, Twelve droves of swine and goats. And here abound where ocean

^^inds our isle around,

'

Far

'

Eleven flocks of goats that browze the plains

'

Beneath the tendance of

'

Of

'

Daily selects his

'

These are

'

And

off

his faithful swains

;

those, each guardian, for the suitors' food,

my

fattest, fairest

charge

:

brood.

these swine I guard and tend,

for their feast, perforce, the choicest send.'

Ulysses drank, and swallowing the food.

In silence feasted, for his thought was blood.

But when the banquet had

refresh'd his soul

Eumaeus gave him, crown'd with wine, the bowl

Whence he had

To

'

The

drunk.

chief the goblet press'd

his glad lip, then thus his host address'd

Say,

who

the man, thus rich, thus widely known,

*

This potent

man who bought

'

Thou

he died

'

I

'

Jove and the gods best know,

'

I

saidst

for

too perchance have

met him

in

my

thee for his own.

Agamemnon's fame

known him

wanderings

if

far

:

tell his

name.

ere descried

and

wide.'

BOOK '

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

33

None,' he replied, where'er the stranger stray 'd

'

Could, mentioning him, his wife and son persuade.

'

How

*

The wanderers here a

'

Whoe'er accosts the Ithacensian

*

Seeks with smooth

'

She kindly greets him, and the past

*

And

*

Tears such as wives in depth of misery shed

' '

a ready welcome to obtain,

oft

rmnour

flattering

tale

my

feign.

isle

mistress to beguile

:

recalls,

while minutely probed, her tear-drop

falls,

Who mourn their lords in distant regions dead. Thou too, my hiend, a cloak and vest to gain, thy tongue to some fallacious strain.

'

Wouldst

*

But now on him

'

And from

'

Or

*

His corse lay mouldering 'neath a shroud of sand.

*

So he has

'

Deep

*

Where'er

*

One Uke

*

No, not

'

The hearth

*

Not thus

*

To

view

*

As

to behold Ulysses,

*

Almost

file

dogs and birds have fed>

fierce

his fleshless

bones the

spirit fled,

the sea-fish has prey'd, ere cast on land

VOL.

died,

grief to

]I.

I

go

and

all,

I

left his friends

most deep

to

and kind

revisiting the ancestral

to

and

that rear'd me,

long, tho' longing

my

dome,

my

natal

I

my native shore, whom I fear

so that

name

D

home.

much, once more

parents on

name,

;

alone.

never more shall find

that lord, beneficent

I

me

to gi'oan

revere,

THE ODYSSEY.

34 '

For much he loved

'

Him

*

My

will I call,

me

:

[rook xiv.

and, tho' far apart,

deep-rooted in

my

heart,

elder brother/

Then

the chief replied,

'

Since thus by thee incredulous denied

*

Thy

*

But by a solemn oath the truth be known

*

He

*

Ulysses hails his hearth and native shore,

*

For

'

Which, now,

'

For

*

Who

*

First of the gods,

*

*

lord's return,

shall return

my

:

not by a word alone

and,

when

return' d, once

reward a robe and mantle give, tho' wanted, I

-will

like the gate of hell that

And And

more

dares,

ne'er receive

man

by want seduced, a He on highest Jove

hate

I

relate. I call

witness thou, thy hospitable hall great Ulysses' hearth I soon shall hail,

'

Of all, by me now

'

This year thy lord returns, so heaven ordains,

*

Ere

'

This year shall \'iew the work of vengeance done

'

On

'

'

this

month

those

utter d, nought shall

closes,

who wrong'd

Hope not

for this,'

fail.

and another reigns

and glorious

his wife

Eumaeus

Ne'er shall his palace hail

said,

agam

its

'

reward

lord.

son.'

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

35

'

Drink thou in peace, that troublous theme

*

Force

*

It

*

Whene'er

'

Leave we the oath unsworn

*

Such

'

And aged

'

The

glorious heir of thy illustrious Kne,

*

For

whom

*

Like a

*

He,

*

In beauteous person, and heroic

*

But now some mortal or immortal power

*

Mars the

*

He

*

While

'

The impious wooers

'

And

*

Cease we of him,

'

Jove, o'er him stretch thy guardian

*

But, ancient man, unerringly disclose

*

What thou

*

Who

'

What

me no more

wounds

on

to dwell

restrain,

again

it

my inmost soul, it racks my ear, my master's much-loved name I hear.

as thy wife

and

Laertes,

fair

whom

I giieve

— Come, hero

I recall

come

!

thee home,

and thy son

divine,

— He, who before my view

plant neath heaven's kind tendance grew '

deem'd would match his far-famed

I

fair

sire

fire

promise of his youthful hour.

Pylos sought, of his lost

sire to learn,

ambush, watching

in close

his return,

wait to root from earth,

nameless leave Arcesias' heavenly birth.

art

if

doom'd to 'scape or

die

arm from high

hast borne, thy individual woes

thou

?

:

whence, thy realm, thy parents

vessel bore thee o'er the billowy

'

How, and what seamen

'

For thou on

foot, I

steer'd thee to

?

say

way ? our strand

deem, ne'er gain'dst our

land.'

THE ODYSSEY.

36

[book xiv.

All shall be truly told/ the chief replied,

'

stores for us provide

'

Yet could thy ample

'

Food and sweet wine,

that

we might

'

AVhile others

nor

e'er

from labour cease,

'

I

*

All I have sufFer'd from remorseless fate.

toil,

could not then thro' twelve long

*

From

moons

far-famed Crete's extensive

my

feast in peace,

relate

isle I trace,

boasted race

'

Son of a wealthy

'

And many

a son to him was born and bred,

'

All, lawful

produce of the marriage bed,

*

But, purchased by his wealth, a harlot slave,

'

The mother, who

'

Yet with

his lawful sons alike endear'd

*

With

a father's love

*

They, when in course of time their father died,

'

Decreed by

*

But unto

*

Alone a scanty dole and dwelling gave.

'

Yet, for

'

A wife

'

Not weak

'

Guess from the straw what glorious grain

'

Now

*

all

I

to

me

:

existence gave.

me

Castor rear'd.

lot his riches to divide,

me

my

sire,

the offspring of a slave

among

worth, Crete's ancient race

chose from wealthy parents sprung. in

war

my

youth

—

bow'd by woe, but then

'tis

in

—

pass'd

arms

broke the battle by Minerva's aid

o'er—*

'tis it

bore.

array'd,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

*

And

'

When

*

Brooding on blood

'

E'er to

'

But foremost springing

'

'

God

oft the I in

my

of war led on

37

my way

ambush with my chosen

lay,

nor then in shadowy

:

fear,

thought did death's pale form appear,

When gaining on his Such my war course

forth, the foe I slew

flight

— But me

my javelin

flew.

ne'er the cultured field,

*

Household, or

*

But the

*

Bright spears and arrows, and each form of fight

'

All that to others formidable seem'd,

'

By me

'

Such was

'

Who

*

For ere Greece

*

To

foreign realms o'er ocean's distant

*

My

well-arm'd bands.

'

The

'

And more by

*

Wealth

*

But when stem Jove that

'

Where

'

I

*

There

sail'd

*

When

Greece was leagued, we dared not stand

'

So

child, to

oar'd bark

still

could pleasure yield,

swam

before

my

sight,

alone were cherish'd and esteem'd.

my

nature by the gods inclined,

guide to diverse ends each different mind sail'd to

while at \\\

fiU'd

Troy, nine times

Success

I cull'd

lot obtain'd.

my

still

I

bed

crown'd

my

toil,

the chosen spoil,

Wide spread my fame,

house, and great in Crete

my

name.

direful course decreed,

Grecia's bravest sons were

and Idomeneus, our

led

doom'd to bleed,

nation's choice,

obedient to the pubhc voice.

dire the dread of national reproof.

aloof,

THE ODYSSEY.

38

[book xiv.

*

Nine years we warr'd, the tenth, when earthward cast

'

From

plunder'd IHon,

'

The God

'

'

'

One month

'

I

'

Then on

'

With a

'

The crew was

'

Six days

'

The

'

To

'

'

Gainst

with

dispersed

me

my

home

them

relentless

;

the conquerors pass'd,

and with

Jove dire

design'd.

sons and much-loved wife remain'd. gladly steer'd for ^Egypt's coast,

I

fair

navy and

swiftly raised, nine ships prepared,

my joyful

while

illustrious host.

I oifer'd

banquet shared

friends the

many a chosen

beast

greet the gods, and spread the abundant feast.

On the seventh day from spacious And smooth om• voyage while the we

Each

'

By

the

skill'd

*

On

the

fifth

'

We

'

Then, by

my

strict

command,

'

To guard

the

fleet,

and there

'

mind

alone by household bliss detain'd,

*

'

ills

hostile

ship,

each seaman

I

we

sail'd,

north prevail'd.

sat reclined,

steersman borne before the wind.

day, where Egypt's river flow'd

came, and

And forth And from

safe,

Crete

in the

sent

my

stream at anchor rode I

at

charged

my

train

peace remain

spies to search around,

each vantage height explore the ground

'

But they

'

Wasted the ^Egyptian

'

Their wives and children seized, the natives slew,

'

Till the dire

in insolence of pride

clamour

fields

and power,

and

fruitful

thro' the city flew.

bower,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

39

'

And

*

Fill'd

*

Then thunder-joying Jove spread

*

Through

*

There many a Cretan warrior breathless bled,

'

And

'

But Jove thus moved

'

Ere worse

*

Strait

*

And

'

Before the courser of the king

*

*

'

both horse and

all,

dawn

foot, at

of day,

the whole plain with battle's brazen bray.

our host

all

those

who

were

my mind

had there

Home

first

closed

my brow my helmet I my shield and war-lance

'

drove

Gainst

me

me

fight.

led.

my

breath

unbound,

on the ground,

I knelt,

And kiss'd his knee, and strove his heart He pitied, saved, and seating in his car,

'

flight

would that death

from

cast

and

—none dared withstand the

lived to servitude

befel,

fear

weeping from the

to melt

field of

war.

their ashen spears the avengers shower'd,

*

Intent to slay, so rage their souls o'erpower'd.

*

But the king saved, who

*

The

*

Seven years

*

And from

*

There, the eighth year, a sly Phoenician came,

*

Bane of mankind,

'

Liu'ed by his tempting words I join'd his way,

'

Where

'

A

'

Revolving recommenced

fear'd the

wrath to move

guilt-avenger's, hospitable Jove. in

iEgypt peaceful

their gifts

in that

—

all

gave

I remain'd,

—

^large

treasures gain'd.

well-skill'd strange guiles to frame.

home and

realm his

year there dwelt, but

treasures lay

when another year its

due career.

THE ODYSSEY.

40

[book

'

He, meditating fraud gainst me,

*

And

'

His aim to

*

Where

'

Mid-way, off Crete, before the northern wind

'

Flew the

*

For as our bark from

*

And heaven and

'

Above the

'

'

'

'

'

I to

Lybia as his partner sell

me on

s\vift

prevail'd,

sail'd,

went perforce.

when Jove

ship

dire

woe

design'd.

less'ning Crete withdrew,

ocean met alone our view,

ship Jove

hung a

sable cloud,

And hid the deep beneath the overshadowing shroud, And fiercely thundering, through the whirlwind blast On the rent ship the flame-wdng'd lightning cast, And fill'd the wi'eck with sulphur 'mid the deep

—

'

Hurl'd from the deck by the tempestuous sweep

*

The

'

Rode on the

billows but

'

But Jove, to

me

'

A

'

'

v.

his bartering course,

tho' not suspectless,

I,

i

crew, hke gulls, their shattered ship around

mast of power

And And

*

tho* rack'd vith misery, gave to

combat with the wave,

scape destruction

work'd

no refuge found.

my way

—on

that float I clung,

the wind and waves among.

'

Nine days

'

Me, the tenth

'

There, Phidon, o'er that realm

*

Me, with unbribed benevolence

'

For when

*

His son upheld me, to his father brought.

I

I

toss'd

:

but to Thesprotia's shore

night, a rolling billow bore.

who justly

sunk, with cold and

reign'd,

detain'd toil

o'erwrought,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

*

And

*

I

'

*Twas the king

'

'

41

graced with robe and radiant tunic

—There

heard glad tidings of Laertes' heir.

Had And

me

told

that his royal

entertain'd the chief returning

me

show'd

all his

dome

home

:

wealth and gather'd store,

'

His brass, his gold, and

'

Enough

'

Such

'

Himself, he said, sought counsel of the oak

*

That

'

Sought, how, long absent, best to reach again

*

Disguised, or openly his native plain

*

And

*

All was prepared to land

'

Seamen and

*

As a Thesprotian

iron's well-\^TOUght ore,

for ten descents to serv^ his race

guarded place.

his vast wealth that stored that

in

Dodona's grove Jove's answer spoke,

libating the

gods the monarch swore

him on

That time,

ship.

ship

his shore

for

DuHchium

me

voyage fraught,

sought,

'

The king

'

To guard me

*

But, in mid ocean, their flagitious mind

*

To

'

They

*

These rags you now behold

*

Last eve to Ithaca's

'

And

'

But on the

'

Me

sell

there bade

me

to the lord

for a base

stripp'd

my

bom

ruled that land.

slave design'd,

my hmbs

fair fields

around.

they pass'd,

cordage bound

sea- beach as

their

who

and charged the band

mantle and rich robe, and wound

in the ship with

from

sail,

me

they shared the

fast.

feast,

bonds the gods with ease released.

THE ODYSSEY.

42

my brow

wrapp'd

in rags,

[book xiv.

and rashly brave,

'

I

'

Slid

*

Oar'd \nth both arms, and from their ship disjoin'd,

*

Soon

'

Then where

'I

down

left,

the helm, and lay upon the wave,

on

as

I

a thicket

me

and hid

pass'd,

swam, the crew behind its

close branches spread,

in its leafy bed.

grieving roam'd around, but dared no

more

'

They

*

On

*

But gain'd their ship, while me heaven's guardian power

'

Conceal'd at

'

Then

*

For

'

further search the unkno\Mi land explore,

within that leafy bower,

me to this lodge where wisdom to me yet length of life ordains.'

led

fate

Ah

\\ill

^vretch

!

thou mov'st

me

much,' Eumaeus

'

For thou hast much endured, and widely

'

Yet

'

'

all in

vain, thus fabhng of

know what

Of him

'

Him

*

Nor treacherous

'

Else

*

'

*

I

the gods hate

all

;

stray'd.

delusive word.

deceive

?

rightly to believe. for not the host of

fiiends at

home

Troy

could him destroy,

the Greeks had tomb'd him, and his

name

Had left his son the heritage of fame. Him have the harpies vilely snatch'd away, While, with

my

said,

my lord,

Thou wouldst persuade me with Such as thou art, why labour to

'

reigns

charge,

I

here at distance stay,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

43

*

Nor seek

*

Or some new

*

Let them attend who waste unshamed

*

Or those who sorrow

the town unless the queen requires, stranger's tale

new hope

inspires.

his board,

for their long-lost lord

no more enquire

I will

'

Since I was wrong'd by that iEtolian cheat,

'

That murderous

*

Begg'd at

'

'

'

'

'

my

I

:

who

^\T:etch

lodge,

and

:

dread deceit,

*

far

and widely

stray'd,

kind host betray 'd.

his

He said, that mth Idomeneus at Crete He saw the chief refit his storm-toss'd fleet And that in summer, or the autumnal hour He \vith encrease of wealth, in height of power, Would mth his friends return but, thou abstain,

—

'

Nor, sufferer

'

No

'

But

!

strive

flattering fictions pity,

Him

my can

by

my

guile to gain

favour

move

and just dread of hospitable

:

Jove.'

answering, thus the much-endurer said,

'

Hard

*

But

'

Who

'

If to this roof

'

That thou

'

And

*

Gather thy hinds, and bid them

*

And

'

So that henceforth no stranger dare

of belief, not oaths can thee persuade.

—be our compact in

tested

Olympus holds

send

hurl

to

me

me

by each god,

his high abode,

once more return thy king

me

a vest and tunic bring,

to Dulichiiun

:

if

he

fail,

me

assail,

from the rock, and breathless leave, deceive.'

THE ODYSSEY.

44 *

Guest/ thus Eumaeus answer'd,

now, and

*

[book xiv.

virtue,

'

If

who here my

'

Should slay thee at the very hearth that

'

How

'

But now the evening meal

*

Here

'

The

should

will

I

my

guest invited led

my prayer ? demands my care.

comrades soon return, and spread

my

grateful feast beneath

Came from their And *

fed,

then to Jove address

peaceful shed,'

While thus they commune held,

They

praise

in all future days,

For I,

my

great

'

at day's decline

range the swineherds with the swine

in their sties to rest the droves recall.

wide their clangour as they throng'd the

Select,'

Eumaeus

cried,

stall,

the fattest boar

'

*

My

guest to gladden, and our strength restore

'

We

who have

'

While some, unpunish'd,

He

A

spake,

watch'd our charge, hour after hour,

and

split

all

our

devour.'

the wood, while in they led

five-year'd boar that fattened as

And

toil

held him at the hearth

Eumaeus, ever to the gods

:

he

fed.

with pious mind

resign'd,

Pluck'd from the victim's front the hallow'd hair.

And For

cast

it

in the flame,

and pour'd

his loved lord's return

With the hard fragment of

:

his prayer

then, smiting, broke

the sphtted oak

:

BOOK

The

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

boar's bold front

:

life left

45

him where he

lay

His throat they cut, and singed his hair away.

And

piece-meal sever'd

Close wrapp'd in

fat

:

then Eumaeus' art

each raw and bleeding part

Some on the fire he laid with flour immix'd. And scored and shced the rest, and firmly fix'd on the

All

And on Then,

spits

then, nicely dress'd, withdrew.

;

the table spread before their view.

skill'd to carve,

and justly dole the meat,

Uprose the good Eumaeus from

And

portioning the whole in sevenfold shares.

At once the

One

his seat.

to the

offering

and the

feast prepares

nymphs, and Hermes, Maia's son.

He, praying, gave, and to each

feaster one.

But graced with the perpetual chine

Who *

*

his guest.

thus the gladness of his heart express'd

May

Jove watch

Thou who

o'er thee, thee

whom

I

:

revere,

hast deign'd this wretched stranger cheer.'

Ulysses spake

:

Eumaeus thus

and enjoy the banquet

*

Feast,

'

The God

at will this grants

*

Resistless

is

Then gave

And

:

his

I

replied,

provide.

and that denies,

might who rules the

skies.*

the firstlings to the powers divine,

duly libated with purple wine.

THE ODYSSEY.

46

And

gave the goblet to Ulysses' hand.

Who To

[book xiv.

by

his portion sat

amid the band.

each his dole of bread MesauUus brought.

Whom from With

Nor

the Taphians erst Emnaeus bought

own

his

wealth, nor sought Laertes' aid.

yet the queen's,

They

feasted, and,

MesauUus

when

Ulysses stray'd.

far

when, hunger now suppress'd,

clear'd the board, they

sought their

rest.

Darkness ensued, and Jove throughout the night Shower'd, and fierce blew the west wind's watery might. Ulysses then Eumaeus' heart to prove. If his free

bounty match'd

And would Or urge

to

his

word of love.

him a mantle kindly

spare.

his hinds to listen to that prayer.

Thus spake

'

ought

Eumaeus

!

and ye labourers

boast, wine pours

If

'

Wine

'

To smirk and smile and foot it in the And oft to utter an imseemly word,

*

'

Such

'

But

'

it

hear

on your ear

'

I

!

that compels the wise Uke fools to sing,

as

had better been by

all

unheard.

since I thus have brawl'd, ye all

that were

mine

my

Troy

in

'

When we

'

By Menelaus and

at

ring,

must hear.

strength in youthful year,

ambush

lay, led

on

Laertes' son.

i

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

'

And

'

"When

'

Then, arm'd, where many a thicket

'

We,

'

Chill

*

Like hoar rime

'

Glazing our shields

*

In cloaks and vests

the third

I

first

in the

we

so will'd they

:

:

47

hour

at the

reach'd the walls, and lofty tower, girt the

marsh, 'mid reeds lay couchant down.

came the

night,

and bleak the north wind blew dense the snow storm flew,

o'er us, :

beneath them, wrapp'd around

all slept in

who

my

peace profound,

'

All but myself,

'

And went

*

With

'

And when the third part of the night was And dim the stars, I, at Ulysses' side Him with my elbow touch'd, and waking,

*

'

my

town,

left

cloak behind,

unmindful of the wintry wind bright belt and buckler fenced alone

'

Soon

*

And

'

Fool'd by some god, without

'

Alone

'

At once a

*

Famed both

*

Hush

'

Then on

'

Spake

'

Hear

*

Go

*

Fresh combatants our ambush to defend.

:

flown,

cried

shall I cease to breathe, the northern gale

the keen frost

this tunic

!

!

rigid limbs assail

guards

my

my

cloak

came

I

:

freezing fi'ame.

project cross'd that hero's mind, for

war and vdsdom mid mankind.

—with low :

my

his

'

voice

—

lest others

elbow as he propp'd

Hear,

my

friends

—we are couch'd

!

—he

hear

said

his head,

a night-dream

far distant

I

from our

one, and urge Atrides' son to send

repeat fleet.

:

THE ODYSSEY.

48 '

'

'

[book xiv.

Thoas, Andraemon's heir, at once upsprung,

And And

off in haste his purple

to the

navy

mantle flung,

flew, the while I lay

*

Warm

*

If

*

Soon would some hind a cloak

'

A

*

But now these rags contempt and hatred move.'

in his vesture

now such twofold

till

the

dawn

of day.

strength, such youthful vigour mine,

gift, for

to

me

resign,

reverence and for love

:

Thy narrative, old man,' Eumaeus.said, Thou well in graceful diction hast array'd, '

*

therefore,

my

welcome

guest,

*

All rightly told

'

Thou

*

Nor ought

*

But thou

*

Not many cloaks

*

One

*

But when Ulysses' son returns again,

*

Thou

*

He

'

Will send thee safe to thy paternal dome.'

:

shalt not long in vain desire a vest,

that suits a hapless suppliant's prayer

at

morn

for each

shalt

again thy tatters wear or tunics here

man

abound

for us sufficient found.

from him a cloak and tunic gain

too, whate'er thy wish, where'er thy

Then near

the

fire

home,

prepared Ulysses' bed

With

fleeces of fair sheep

Thus

couch'd, Laertes' son his eyelids closed.

And

and goats o'erspread.

there Eumaeus, as his lord reposed

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIV.]

O'er him, his large and dense Sole change

And,

Yet

ne'er thy

mind

to rest, inclined.

arm'd himself, and went

That thus

cast.

winter's stormy blast.

hinds there slept.

Eumaeus from thy herd

He

wove mantle

when drench'd by

The king and

49

—Ulysses joy'd

that faithful friend his days employ 'd.

vatch'd the entrusted store.

in his absence,

Foremost, Eumaeus slung his shoulders

A shai*p-edged sword

:

o'er

then, doubling round him,

Fence of keen winds, the mantle's ample

roll'd.

fold.

—

And a huge shagg'd goat's skin Then grasp'd the spear To guard him issuing on his night-career. From dogs and men So took his wonted way

—

Where

'neath the rock his charge fenced from the north

wind

VOL.

II.

lay.

THE FIFTEENTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Telemachus by the advice of Pallas returns his adventures to Ulysses.

The

to Ithaca.

Eumaeus

relates

interview of Telemachus and Eumaeus.

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK

XV.

Pallas, to warn the wanderer

home

again

Pass'd forth to Lacedaemon's spacious plain

Couch'd

in the vestibule, the

Goddess found

Telemachus and Nestor's son renown'd. Sleep lay on Nestor's son, but no repose

Could

his

companion's wearied eyelid close

Deep thoughts

that mourn'd his father, bade

When

o'er

'

hanging

Not

him

w^ake.

him thus Minerva spake

rightly thus thou linger'st far

*

While the proud wasters

'

Di\dde thy wealth.

*

Thou roam

*

But

'

That thou mayst yet Penelope

'

Whom now her brethren,

*

To meet Eurymachus

in thy royal

Beware,

in fruitless

from home,

dome

lest all destroy'd

wanderings misemploy'd.

— Menelaus urge to speed thy way, in

delay,

and her

sire

wedlock band

command

THE ODYSSEY.

54

[book xv.

'

He whose

'

And more and more

'

Haste, lest thy wealth from thee thy mother bear,

*

Haste, for thou know'st the woman's wonted care,

*

Prone to augment her present husband's

'

AUke

*

As of the man now number'd with the dead,

*

Who

'

Go, and to one deserving of regard,

'

To some

'

Till

heaven thy wife

'

And

in thy

*

For thee,

'

An ambush'd band

*

To

'

But

'

Those who thy substance waste

'

Steer thy brave vessel far from either

'

And

'

A guardian god

send the favoming gale.

*

Soon as thou

thy island's nearest strand

'

Back

'

But seek thou

*^

rich gifts his rivals far excel,

store,

forgetful of the babes she bore,

first

youth enjoy'd her virgin bed.

in

fit

matron give thy

mind

first

as

select.

stores to guard,

— Now, mark my word,

indelibly record.

in Ithaca's

slay thee ere

That

the nuptial portion swell.

and Samos'

strait

of bravest wooers wait,

thou gain thy native shore

dark earth shall close the suitors

you loosen

to the

friend

*

There sleep

'

And

town thy

fi-iends

isle.

and bark command,

the guardian of thy swine,

whose heart :

thus warn'd of guile,

to the night your sail

gain'st

first

:

o'er,

still

hangs on thee and thine

but bid him to the queen repair,

safe fi'om Pylos

thy return declare.'

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.]

Thus

Pallas spake,

Staid on the

The

'

and vanishing from

Olympian eminence her

flight.

his heel his foot, and, swiftly spoke

Rise, rise Pisistratus

Yoke

!

no more delay,

to the car thy steeds,

Not

'

sight.

prince the slumber of his comrade broke,

Touch'd with

'

55

—

and speed our way.'

tho' desirous,' thus the

youth replied,

'

Attempt not 'mid dark night the steeds

'

Soon dawns the day

'

Shall with rare gifts thy pai*ting car adorn,

'

And

'

So

'

How

'

And

—

wait,

till

to guide.

the king at

morn

send thee forth, and with kind farewell greet

shall

remembrance long

as

life

repeat

the kind host received his grateful guest, hospitality Hnk'd breast to breast.'

Bright beam'd the dawn,

Where

the youths

when from

fair

communed, Menelaus

Helen's bed.

sped.

Ulysses' son perceived him, and in haste Girt his bright tunic round his graceful waist.

Cast his large mantle o'er his breadth of breast.

Sped

'

*

forth,

and near him drew, and thus address'd

Jove-nurtured Menelaus! Atreus' heir,

Guide of the nation, grant

my

earnest prayer.

THE ODYSSEY.

56 '

Now

'

Give to these longing eyes

'

Not

Thy The

'

'

me home,

send

[book xv.

and, by thy aid once

my

more

native shore.'

long, Telemachus,' the king replied,

ardent wish shall be ungratified. host

whom

blame,

I

boundless love or hate

man's equal

'

Drives to extremes

'

Alike the

'

Or

'

With open arms the present guest

'

But

'

Wait,

'

And thou

the treasures joyfully survey.

'

Wait,

the menials shall the feast prepare,

'

And

'

Glory and grace and profit wait his com'se,

'

Who, wandering

'

But

'

I will

'

For thee

'

From realm

'

And

*

Here a

'

Here a bright caldron, or two mules be

'

Or a

:

far best,

state.

the un-willing to detain

ill

force those forth desirous to remain.

aid his wishes, till

till

my

thou

his Avish to leave.

presents on thy car

thou, ere

if

if

left

my

roof, the

far, feasts his

will all

receive,

I lay,

banquet share.

recruited force.

Argos traverse

o'er,

myself attend, the way explore,

my

ne'er

coursers yoke, and at thy side to realm 'mid peopled cities guide

from these shalt thou ungifted pass

rich tripod

large goblet

wrought of burnish'd

brass,

thine,

from the golden mine.'

:

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] '

!

Great king

'

my

the youth replied,

now

'

Would

'

None, when

I

*

And much

dread, lest

'

Seeking

'

The

to

I

my

palace

sire,

return again.

of

I,

I left

all bereft,

should perish, or deplore

brightest treasure of

my

his ^vife,

plunder'd store.'

and maids prepare

royal banquet from his plenteous fare.

Then Eteoneus,

Who

I fully fain

went, no guardian there

The monarch bade The

^

57

rising

from

his bed.

near Atrides dwelt, before him sped.

And

at the royal

And

ht the

mandate heap'd the wood.

fire to

roast the fleshy food.

Meanwhile the generous son of Atreus went

Where

his rich

chamber

forth

its

fragrance sent

And beauteous Helen, where her treasures lay. And Megapenthes join'd the monarch's way. Atrides ft'om his stores a goblet brought.

And

gave his son a cup with silver ^\Tought.

Fair Helen drew from the smTOunding chests

Wove by

her hand where slept the embroider'd vests.

One, neath the '

That beam'd

the

fullest, fairest far.

in brightness like eve's lonely star.

Then back they

Whom

rest,

went, and sought their royal guest.

thus great Atreus' gold-hair'd son address'd;

THE ODYSSEY.

58 Prince

*

at thy wish

!

may

[book xv.

Juno's thundering lord,

'

Jove, guard and guide thee, to thy realm restored

*

Whate'er

'

To

'

The

*

All silver, save

'

Vulcanian work, the

'

Ruled,

'

King Phaedimus, beneath whose roof

*

Son

my

treasury boasts, the choice receive,

thee the rarest, richest

gift I give,

elaborated bowl which here

!

its

it

hold,

margin charged with gold gift

when from Sidon

be

I

of

him whose sway

pass'd

my homeward

way,

I slept

thine, in proof of friendship kept.'

Then gave

the bowl.

Next Megapenthes bore

His proffer'd goblet wrought of

silver ore.

Next, Helen, roseate-cheek'd, the robe display'd,

Drew *

nigh, and thus accosting, kindly said

I too, to thee,

loved youth, a

'

Token

*

To

'

Till

*

In her

'

Heaven guide thee

impart,

of Helen's hand, and Helen's heart,

grace thy bride at Hymen's

blissftil

hour

then thy mother shall preserve this dower

own home.

She spake, and

And

gift

And now

farewell

—once more

to regain thy native shore

in his

!

hand the treasure placed.

the prince gladden'd by

fair

Helen graced

:

THE ODYSSEY,

BOOK XV.]

There

all,

within the chariot's coffer laid.

With wondering gaze

Then

And

69

Pisistratus survey'd.

to his court Atrides led

them

on.

seated each on his conm^ial throne.

In a bright silver bowl their hands to lave

From

a gold vase a female pom^'d the wave.

And nigh each guest a polish'd table spread. Where the house guardian heap'd the food and

bread

Boetheus' son then carved the abundant fare

And gave

to every guest an equal share.

The king

himself the goblet largely

And

Now And And

fiU'd,

the guests feasted as their fancy satiate, all, the prince

's\'ill'd.

vnth urgent speed.

Nestor's son swift yoked each ready steed

seated in their cars the coursers drove

Thro' the resomiding porch, and long alcove

A

:

hand boio

Atrides follo^ring, in his right

goblet charged with nectar, to adore

The gods

at parting, then, before the

yoke

Pledged where he stood the wine, and swiftly spoke•:

'

Farewell,

my

sons

my

:

with salutation due

'

To

'

Greet him who, while the Achaeans warr'd at Troy,

*

Watch'd

Pylos' king

o'er

me

gratitude

as a father

renew

guards his boy.'

THE ODYSSEY.

60

Yes/ the prince answer'd,

'

relate whate'er

'

Will

'

Would

'

I

*

As home

'

And

all

to Ulysses I

we with wiUing mind

by thee

my

enjoin'd.

paternal seat

might thy speech repeat,

go

\vith

kindest deeds o'erdone,

treasm-es lavish'd on Ulysses' son.'

^^^hile

A

that retuni'd to

'

[book xv.

thus he spake, stretch'd o'er him, in his view,

mountain eagle

Which

hand

at his right

in his talons bore the

flew.

pamper'd prey,

A goose from forth the court-yard snatch'd away A shouting thi'ong pm'sued but on the right :

Before the steeds the eagle -wing'd his

In

all

who

vie^\-^d,

When young '

*

that

flight.

omen joy awoke.

Pisistratus thus, foremost spoke

Say, Menelaus

!

:

king, beloved of heaven,

^Miether to us, or thee, that portent given?'

^^^lile ^lenelaus, meditating,

How best '

thought

to frame his speech with 'v^isdom fraught,

Hear me,' the long-robed Helen quick Gods prompt,

what

replied,

'

'Tis the

'

As yon

*

His cloud-girt birth place, and aerial nest.

in

fierce eagle ft'om the

I say,

confide.

mountain's crest,

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] *

Has

'

Nursed by our

'

Thus

'

Ulysses,

'

E'en haply

*

Death

in his claws the

shall return,

goose domestic borne,

and from our court-yard torn,

much

And

now

to the

at

home, e'en haply now

wooers swells his thoughtful brow/

'

so perfect, Jove

my

prayer

as a goddess I will hail thee there.*

Then

And

suffering, Avandering long,

and avenge each household wrong

So,' the prince said,

'

'

care,

61

lash'd the steeds that thro' the city flew.

swiftly o'er the plain the chariot drew.

Throughout the day urged Till the

Then

their unceasing flight

path darken'd in the shade of night

to Diocleus'

dome

the travellers sped.

Son of Orsilochus, of Alpheiis bred Slept 'neath his

And yoked Drove

And

dawn

uprose.

porch each vigorous steed.

briskly lash'd their not unwilling speed

When

'

in still repose.

their chariot as the

thro' the echoing

Then on

'

welcome roof

to Pylos' lofty city press'd.

thus Ulysses' son his friend address'd

How

wilt thou, friend

We, who each

!

thy promise

:

now redeem

other hold in high esteem.

?

THE ODYSSEY.

62

[book xv.

*

Pledged by our fathers, and whose equal year,

*

And

'

'

*

'

perils of this

journey more endear.

my course beyond the fleet, But let me there my faithful comrades gi-eet, Lest Nestor's kindness me tho' loth detain, While my heart yearns to reach my realm again.' Urge

He

How

not, 1 pray,

spake his

:

and Nestor's son, revolving, thought

pledged promise might be fully wrought.

This best beseem'd.

Down

—With unabated speed

to the ship he lash'd each willing steed

There in the stem the gold and garments

The

stored,

splendid gifts of Sparta's generous lord

Then thus

advised

him

'

Swift the deck ascend,

'

And

*

Ere to the palace of the king

'

And

'

For known to

'

His generous soul

'

Here

'

Nor

timely urge on board each faithful friend,

Nestor from

will

me

my word

I

go,

the secret know.

the nature of his mind,

how

ardently inclined

he haste, and clasp thee to

his heart,

suffer thee ungifted to depart.'

Then tum'd

his steeds,

While thus the prince

and back

to Pylos scourged

his faithful followers

urged

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] *

'

Haste

And

!

—

for

quickly to

They

our quick departure its

heard, and

63 all

provide,

port the vessel guide.'

all

obey'd,

and rank by rank

Sat vvdth uplifted oars bow'd o'er the bank.

Thus the prince

And

hasten'd

nigh the stern due

That time a homicide,

One who from Argos

all,

and lonely pray'd.

rites to Pallas paid.

far

fled,

bom, drew

a noted seer.

Sprung from Melampus, who,

Amid

near.

in happier

hour

the Pylians, bless'd with wealth and power.

Dwelt, highly honour'd in his stately dome.

Then

left his

country, and his native home.

Fled from the realm where powerful Neleus reign'd.

Who

thro' the year his wealth

While bow'd by woe,

in bitter

by force

detain'd.

bondage kept

In Phylacus's house the prophet wept.

When

by Erinnys' maddening

sting possess'd.

Fell vn'ath for Neleus' daughter fired his breast

But he escaping death,

The herds from

On

to Pylos drove

Phylace's luxuriant grove.

haughty Neleus vengeance took, and led

His beauteous daughter to a brother's bed

Then came Stretch'd

to

its

Argos where

his fated

hand

just sceptre o'er the peopled land

There raised

his

Of his loved

consort, rear'd a valiant race.

dome, and from the chaste embrace

THE ODYSSEY.

64

[book xv.

Antiphates and Mantius, chiefs far famed

:

Antiphates his son Oicleus named, Oicleus gave Amphiaraiis birth.

By Jove and Phoebus

loved o'er

all

on earth,

Yet, ere old age, in Thebes the prophet died

Thro' a bribed woman's

guilt,

From him Amphilocus was

And

and tempted pride

foremost bred.

brave Alcmaeon bless'd his nuptial bed.

From

Mantius' loins, two sons of equal might,

Clytus and Polyphides sprung to

/

light.

Morn, golden-throned, enamour'd of his charms.

To heaven young

Clytus bore to bless her arms

But Polyphides, by Apollo's

When

death

o'er

aid.

Amphiaraiis cast his shade.

All seers surpassing, deeds to

But with

his father bitterly

Forsook the shelter of

And

come presaged.

enraged

his native

home.

dwelt far-famed in Hyperesia's dome.

His offspring, Theoclymenus by name. There, to Ulysses' son, a suppliant came.

And

while the prince to heaven devoutly pray'd,

And hbated '

Now,

the gods, thus smftly said

since I find thee sacrificing here,

'

By

'

By thy own

'

Who

those dread

rites,

safety,

and him

whom

all

revere,

and each trusty friend

on thy various fortune dared attend,

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] '

The

*

Who

me

truth to

thou

art

?

disclose,

whence

Hear/ he repHed,

'

*

From

'

When

Ithaca

my

'

nor aught conceal, thy parents

?

?

realm

My

— Ulysses—now no more

By

*

Hence wth my

'

In quest of him, long absent from his home.'

I

some

ruthless fate slain on

too have

;

foreign shore

friends o'er land

left

reveal.

sire

*

'

?

so satiate thy desire

origin.

once he was

65

and sea

I

roam,

my realm,' the seer replied, of my country, died.

'

By me,

*

His numerous brothers, and brave friends remain

a native

And fear'd at Argos the Achseans' reign. From these, avoiding fate and death, I fly,

'

*

my

*

Since such, henceforth, on earth

'

Take me on board, the

suppliant's prayer revere,

*

Save, or

pursuit draws near.'

I perish, their

Telemachus rephed I shall

*

Follow our

And thou

He

my

fate, I ne'er will

ship

stay,

away

thee forsake,

whate'er our island fields, partake.'

spake, and then receiving fi*om the seer

Extended on the deck

.

Here peaceful

not drive thee from

'

*

'

destiny.

II.

his

brazen spear, F

THE ODYSSEY.

66

[book xv.

Pass'd to the stern, and deign'd his guest to guide.

And

him

seated

They loosed

in safety

by

the cables, and

Arranged the tackle

Then with

with

mth

ready hand

at their chief's

In the mid space upraising

And bound,

his side.

many

command.

fix'd the

mast.

a coil of cordage,

fast.

well-twisted ropes stretch'd out the

sail.

While blue-eyed Pallas sent the favouring gale

That freshen'd

as

it

blew, and thro' the deep

Swift wing'd the ship with unrelaxing sweep.

The sun was

set,

and

thro' the darken'd

Urged on by Jove the bark nigh Phera

And And

hallow'd

the sharp

Yet doubtful,

Or

EHs where isles

if

the.

wave

drave.

Epeians reign.

main

that pinnacle the

the prince should death elude.

captured, perish by vile fraud subdued.

That time, the king, Emnaeus, and each hind That served Eumaeus,

at the

And when

their thirst

and hunger sunk

The wary

chief to prove his host essay'd.

If yet

he there would press

Or onward

'

'

join'd. allay'd.

his further stay.

to the city urge his way.

Hear me, Eumaeus

On

banquet

to the town,

!

ye, his household, hear

when mom's new

rays appear.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] '

Fain would

'

Lest

'

But deign,

'

A

I

go,

and beg

my

daily bread,

annoy you by your bounty

I

I pray, instruct

faithful leader there

my

67

fed.

me, and provide path to guide,

*

Where

'

Some may

scant dole of bread and water spare.

And And

seek Ulysses' palace gate,

'

*

I

must wander

I will

to his prudent

thro' the streets, if there

queen

my

tale relate,

'

Then, minghng wdth the haughty guests, implore

*

Some crumbs,

*

Whate'er they wish,

*

Mark what

'

*

*

'

*

'

perchance, from their superfluous store.

I utter,

*

service can afford

no vain-glorious word,

By Hermes' will, who glory gives and To every labour of the human race, None can

in useful toils with

me

grace

contend,

To cleave the arid logs, the fire to mend, To carve, to cook, with wine to crown the board, And all that slaves can do to serve their lord.' Eumaeus, thou

*

my

in rage rephedst,

'Why hast thou, such,

!

Amid

*

Whose

*

Have

guest

so rash a thought express'd

No doubt, unhappy man —

*

'

'tis

?

thy desire

the throng of suitors to expire,

daring insolence, and lav/less might

risen

from earth, and reach'd heaven's starry

height.

THE ODYSSEY.

68

[book xv.

'

Not such

*

Gay

*

Who

*

Trick their bright forms, and smooth their perfumed

their servants

vests,

theirs a youthful choir,

:

and tunics form

their rich attire.

serve their pleasure, and their feasts prepare,

hair *

And

'

Shines with choice wine and viands richly stored.

'

But

the fine polish of their festive board

—

Thy

stay.

my

presence here can ne'er molest

welcome

*

Me,

'

Wait

'

Return once more to Ithaca restored,

'

Then

'

And '

or

till

household

the son of

:

my

stay, a

guest.

high-honour'd lord

shall his vest, his tunic thee attire,

own

his sail waft thee at thy

May

Jove/ he answer'd,

made me

^

desire.'

love thee, as I love,

'

Thou who

*

No

*

Where'er he

*

Forced by dire pangs of hunger

*

Prey to mischance, without a hope or home.

*

But

*

Say of Ulysses' mother, what her

'

And

*

Weak

*

Yet

'

Or have

grief

hast

cease to

mourn and

rove.

more wretched than the wanderer's woe, strays, encreasing miseries flow,

since thou bidst

of his father,

me

far to

his return await,

whom,

of

him

state

and behold the

their souls to

Hades

?

bereft,

on the threshold of old age he

live they,

roam,

left.

light of day,

pass'd

away

?

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] '

Hear the

He

strict truth.

69

breathes the vital

*

Yet pours to Jove

'

So

*

For

*

And

'

A

*

She perish'd

*

So may no

*

While yet she

*

Sweet was to

*

For

*

The youngest daughter of her

'

Loved me and kindly

'

And when we both had

*

Won

'

She sent the maid to bless a Samian's arms

*

But me with splendid cloak and timic graced,

'

And round my

'

She sent

'

Yet seem'd

*

Her kindness

*

Has

'

air,

for death his daily prayer,

bitterly affliction's piercing dart lost Ulysses rankles in his heart, loss of her,

beloved in virgin prime,

grief that brings for

on age before

mine

lived, tho'

me

e'er lose his breath.

still

\vith grief o'ercast,

the hour in converse pass'd

matchless Ctimena she bred,

by rare

rear'd

feet,

nuptial bed

her virgin charms

with beauteous sandals laced,

guard her rural

store,

tho' absent there to love I

;

from boy-hood time,

gain'd youth's blooming prime,

gifts, in all

afield to

regret

:

me

more.

yet favouring heaven

my prosperous cares Hence I my daily food, and to

time.

her son in direst death

friend of

me mth

its

large riches given,

drink supply,

'

And

*

But there kind word nor deed now greet me more,

*

Since 'neath that roof a pest devours her store.

give the

good due hospitahty.

THE ODYSSEY.

70

[book xv.

Yet servants much

'

Those haughty

'

Their mistress to accost, and hear her voice,

'

There

*

Some

eat

'

thou wert yet a

!

and hghtens

thou

child,'

far-sever'd, left'st

me

thy parent's side

truly, did the ruthless foe

But,

'

Lay, where thy parents dwelt, the

'

Or

'

Waft

*

And

'

Sell thee for

'

care.'

the chief replied,

'

tell

rejoice

and drink, and, back-retuniing, bear

grateful gift that cheers

Ah When '

chiefs.

thee, 'mid flocks

?

unknown,

him thy honour'd lord

no inadequate reward

Since thus thou

low

and herds when wandering lone

in their ship to foreign isles

to the house of

city

ask'st,'

Eumseus

?

'

said,

my

friend,

thy vane, and pleased attend.

'

Sit silent, diink

'

Long

*

Another part

'

Seek not thy couch

'

O'er sleep immoderate steals a noxious power.

'

But

'

Go, and enjoy the hours to sleep

'

Then

'

Follow the swine, and tend their daily care,

'

While

'

Taste of sad tales the sweet and bitter proof

are these nights, sleep claims of these a share, for grateful converse spare.

—

—

^let

the rest,

rise at

o'er

if

it fits

not, ere the

grateful to their

hour

mind

resign'd,

dawn, and freshen'd with their

our cups

we

sole

fare

beneath the roof

I

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] *

For sweet to dwell on

'

Traced

and

toils

thro' the soothing veil

perils pass'd

by memory

*

But now what thou

'

All truly utter'd to thy friendly ear.

'

There

is

71

cast.

requirest, attentive hear,

a far famed island, Syria named,

*

Above Ortygia,

for a dial

'

That marks the

solar tropics

'

For

'

For herds,

'

Where

'

But Dian,

'

With

'

In that luxuriant

'

And

'

But lord of both, the king who gave

*

Ctesius Ormenides, a god on earth.

*

There with bright

'

Phoenicia's crafty sons their vessel brought

'

That time, a

'

Phoenissa named,

'

Her, as she laved, by ^\nning love seduced

*

A

'

Such the

*

And

size

famed less

:

renown'd

than for fertihty of ground, flocks, wines,

A

and wheat.

blissful place,

famine, nor disease consumes our race there,

and Phoebus

'

silver

bow

gentle aiTows lay the aged low. isle

two

cities rise,

shared by these the realm divided Hes

toys,

and many a

skilful, stately,

my

sire's

sly Phoenician flatter'd,

women,

birth,

trinket fraught

beauteous maid,

command

obey'd,

and abused

love-flatteries that sly

credulous

me

wooers weave,

e'en the wise, deceive.

THE ODYSSEY.

72

[book xv.

'

He, who she was, enquired, and where her home,

'

Nor

loth she told

him her

In Sidon, famed for brass,

'

'

From wealthy Arybas my

'

There Taphian

'

As

'

Then

sold

*

Who

for

'

Bome

*

And

'

Who *

'

'

my

boast to trace

noble race,

homeward wound

my

purchase no slight treasure gave.

once more,

said,

in our vessel, seek thy native shore

gi'eet

thy

sire's,

willingly, if all devoutly

my

hearth will

?

and mother's high-roof 'd dome,

prosperous, yet enjoy their wealthy

to

way.

to this lord, a household slave,

wouldst thou not, her lover

Most

Ye

me

I

dome

pirates seized their helpless prey

thro' the fields I

And

'

'

parental

me

home ?

swear

uninjured bear.

They, as she bade them, swore

:

then once again,

Phoenissa thus address'd the listening train

'

Be

silent, sirs,

nor yet in yonder

:

street,

'

Nor by

'

Lest the king hear, and with suspicious mind

'

His slave in painful fetters closely bind.

the font accost me,

if

we meet,

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.] '

'

And plot your And when fiill

ruin

73

but, strict caution keep,

:

fraught your vessel seeks the deep,

Be, where

I serve,

And And

bring whate'er

fain will

'

The

child

*

A boy

'

Your

*

Where'er you

*

His purchase shall enrich your roving band.

*

*

'

'

I will

can of gold,

I

have

sell

But when

fare,

rear'd, the royal heir,

who can run away

at large,

this precious charge.

him, in what distant land,

A year they staid,

She spake, and homeward went.

*

A A

whom

ship shall bear

And

'

I

pay you with a richer

sharp-witted,

'

*

the furtive message told,

to their ship the merchandize convey'd. for sail the ship

was

fully fraught,

messenger to her the signal brought, skilful

wight

who

to the palace

came

*

Bearing a necklace round whose golden frame

*

Glow'd amber studs.

'

While the queen handled

*

Proffering a price, on her a glance he cast,

'

Then quick

'

She led

'

The

'

For the

*

And

me

festive

it

at the sight

with strange delight,

returning to his vessel pass'd. forth,

and

in the fore-court

found

board with wine and victuals crown'd

king's guests,

in the

Enchanted

who now had

left

the place

forum met the assembled race.

THE ODYSSEY.

74

[book xv.

'

'Twas then Phoenissa underneath her

'

Hid, hurrying on, three bowls that served the guest.

'

I follow' d,

*

Sunk

'

We

'

Where

'

All enter'd in

*

While favouring Jove the gale propitious gave.

*

Six days

'

But when Jove brought the seventh-ascending

*

The

*

Who

'

Like a sea-coot

'

To

*

I,

*

The

'

Where king

'

And

'

void of thought

when now

:

in the twihght shade,

vest,

the day

and dimm'd the way,

to the illustrious harbour quickly sped,

the ship floated on

its

Uquid bed.

and now we cut the wave,

:

we onward

sail'd, all

day,

all

night, light,

archeress Artemis Phoenissa slew, breathless in the hold, :

down headlong,

flew

her corse they cast away

the rapacious fish and whales a prey.

lonely,

wept

;

while to this friendly shore

favouring winds and waves the vessel bore,

thus

Laertes bought

I first

me

for his

own

beheld this land unknown.*

Much thou hast grieved my heart,'

the king rejoin'd,

*

Thus dwelling on each woe by

'

Yet unto thee the lord of earth and heaven

*

Has with thy

'

For thou hast gain'd a house, whose generous lord

*

For thee a table spreads with plenty stored

lot of

ill

fate assign'd.

a blessing given,

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.]

75

roam

'

Here thou

'

O'er stranger lands without a friend or home.'

in

peace abidest, while lone

I

As thus they conversed, nor long time reposed.

morn the

The

bright-throned

The

prince's friends then

And

lower'd the mast unconscious of the gale,

Row'd

And

nigh land, the

frirl'd,

sail.

to the port the ship, the anchors cast.

on

fix'd

Then on

The

gates of heaven unclosed

earth's firm

bed the cables

fast.

the margin of the main prepared

equal banquet, and the goblet shared.

And now when thirst and hunger sunk suppress'd. The cautious prince his followers thus address'd

'

Haste to the town, there moor your bark again seek

my

shepherds, and the pastoral plain,

*

I

*

There

*

My palace

'

At morn

my

feast

'

And

full

bowl and banquet crown the

'

'

inspected, at the hour of eve

all

the

Where,

Where

shall its lord

my

once more receive.

your labour

shall repay,

day.'

loved son,' the prophet then rejoin'd,

shall I go,

where

rest

and

refrige find

?

THE ODYSSEY.

76 '

Shall I their mansions seek

'

Or straightway

*

1,

who

[book xv.

rule the state

pass within thy mother's gate

we

Would send

'

There nought would

'

When

'

Nor

'

The mourner by

'

Beneath her upper chamber's sacred roof

'

Apart in solitude

'

But boldly

'

The prudent Polybus'

*

Him

'

?'

at another time/ the prince replied,

*

'

?

I,

wilt

thee where

the lord,

fail

am

royally reside,

now

but

:

absent from

avoid that dome,

my home

thou there be welcomed by the queen,

as a

to

god

the suitors scarcely seen,

still

weaves her woof;

Eurymachus

all

repair,

illustrious heir

Ithaca reveres,

And who, high-graced beyond his proud compeers, Would fain my mother to the altar lead,

my

*

And

to the honours of

'

But

this alone

'

Crush not these wooers ere the nuptial hour.'

sire

Jove knows,

if

succeed,

death's

While thus he spake, a hawk on

fell

power

stretch of flight,

Apollo's messenger swept o'er his right.

Tore a grasp'd dove, and,

scattering, as

he

pass'd.

Betwixt the ship and prince the feathers cast

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.]

The prophet His hand in

Heaven

*

*

Soon

*

No

'

And '

as I

and joyful thus address'd

sent yon bird that pass'd thee on thy right

saw

I

knew

race hke thine

So be the

Such

*

No

'

And thou

as thy

more

royally can reign,

deed,' replied Ulysses' son,

word has

utter'd, fully

my

stinted gifts shall then

Then

be deem'd by

to Piraeus spake

'

Of all who

*

Lead

*

This honour'd guest

*

his augural flight

shall in Ithaca its state maintain.'

*

*

prince apart, and press'd

call'd the his,

sail'd

my

:

love attest,

who meet

thee, bless'd.'

Friend, truest found

'

and kindly entertain till I

he replied,

Shall 'neath

all

done

with me, to Pylos bound,

to thy house,

Prince,'

He

77

roof,

'

return again.'

tho' long thy stay, this guest

where plenty

fails

not, rest.'

spake, and climb'd the bark, and bade the

band

Ascend, and loose the cables from the land

They on

The

the benches

prince,

sat, in

meantime,

his

order placed.

beauteous sandals laced.

THE ODYSSEY.

78

And from

[book XV.

the deck his lance brass-pointed bore.

While the crew loosed the cables from the shore.

They

On

to the city

sail'd.

With

rapid pace

sped the prince to that sequester'd place

Where 'mid his countless herds Eumaeus slept. And mindful of his lords their treasure kept.

THE SIXTEENTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Telemachus

arrives at the lodge of Eurnaeus.

Uljsses, by

Pallas, discovers himself to his son.

command

of

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK Now Had And

Eumaeus and

in the lodge, at

lit

morn

XVI.

the

fire,

his lord

and spread the board.

when around

sent afield the swineherds,

Ulysses' son fawii'd each rejoicing

They

bark'd not as he came.

Who

saw them fawn, and heard

Swift to

Eumaeus

A

*

Bark not

*

And

The wary king

Eumaeus

friend of thine, or one well

him the

at

—hark — !

his steps

Stood in the porch II.

:

!

hear,

known draws

near.

dogs, but fawn around, still

loud and louder sound.'

Scarce had he spoke, when,

VOL.

his foot-step ring.

cried

^

*

hound

lo, his

much

Eumaeus onward run G

:

loved son

THE ODYSSEY.

82

From

his stretch'd

[book xvi.

hands the bowl o'erflow'd the floor

As eagerly he

rush'd the prince before.

And And

head and hands, on which he hung.

kiss'd his

his bright eyes, while tears of transport

As a fond father

A

clasps, ten years

now

pass'd,

son from distant lands returned at last.

An only son, bom in Hfe's latter years. And whose long loss had doom'd his age Eumseus

'Tw^as thus Kiss'd

'

him

as

Light of

'

my

day

Since forth thou

'

My

'

Come,

*

'

*

and

clasp'd,

o'er

scaped from death to

'

'

spnmg.

thou comest

!

sail'dst to

:

to tears

and

:

o'er

once more.

life

thee, ne'er again

Pylos' sandy plain

Come,

heart dared hope to see.

feast

my

sight

me gaze on thee with new delight, Thee 'neath my roof; for seldom seen, the swain And the fai*m lure thee to this distant plain, The

let

city

thy abode

To watch

'

;

\\ wary view

the suitors and their baleful crew.'

So should

it

be,

my

sire,'

the youth replied,

'

But now

to \isit thee I turn aside,

'

To

learn

if

*

My

mother

yet at home, by dwells, or

all

adored,

weds another

lord.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

xvr.]

83

The while the spiders o'er the unclothed bed Of lost Ulysses their thick webs outspread.'

'

'

*

Still in

thy dome,' Eumaeus thus replied,

*

Thy mother

*

Still,

*

Consuming misery wears her

victim to her woe,

Then took

The

night, all day,

the prince's lance

Kfe away.'

when

:

'

stepping o'er

door

the youth, Ulysses from his seat

Rose to resign

it,

and

his

presence greet

prince forbade

'

'

all

stony threshold of Eumseus

As came

The

an unaffianced bride,

dwells,

Our host

for

me

Rest on that

seat,'

he

cried,

another will provide.'

Down sat the king, while for the prince's bed. On the gi'een tmgs a fleece Eumaeus spread And there before them many a charger brought From

yestreen's feast with roasted viands fraught,

Heap'd

in the baskets bread,

With temper'd wine Facing the king he

They

and cheer'd

their soul

that crown'd the ivy bowl. sat,

while amply stored

gladly feasted at the rustic board.

THE ODYSSEY.

84

And now when

*

and hunger sunk suppress'd,

thirst

Eumseus thus address'd

Ulysses' son

:

Say, whence this guest, and what the race they boast,

*

The men who

*

For not on foot he came.'

steer'd this stranger to our coast,

'

Eumaeus answer'd,

'

Hear,

me

hear from

'

From

'

A

'

So doom'd by heaven

'

From

'

Found

*

Before thee, prince

'

[book xvi.

much

loved youth

the truth.

spacious Crete the stranger boasts his race,

wanderer

o'er the world, :

from place to place,

and here, beneath

a Thesprotian vessel lately shelter.

Thy word,' the

On !

doom

thy will his

shed,

depends,

the suppliant stranger bends.'

prince replied,

'

has pang'd my breast.

How

shall

'

Few

are

*

Him, who has dared

*

My

*

And

the high honours of

'

Her

lord revering, and the public voice,

*

Or on the

'

my

fled,

*

*

!'

my palace guard the invited guest ? my years, nor can my feeble hand to injure

mother wavers, whether

my

me, withstand

?

to remain,

house sustain,

noblest wooer fix her choice,

Him whose rich gifts shall for her state And lure her forth a voluntary bride.

provide,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVI.]

'

But

'

From my

*

Nor

shall a

*

Nor

to return

*

But

if

I

thy

now

him,

will give

85

thy welcomed guest,

rich stores a cloak

and beauteous

two-edged sword, and sandals

him

will,

to his realm, a

I

'

All kinds, to free thy cost.

*

The

'

Lest the insulting suitors

*

While

'

In vain the bravest

'

Superior numbers must perforce prevail.'

But turn aside

stranger from the roof where

I

.

subsistence send,

*

all

fail,

sail.

detain him, and defend,

here the clothes, and

vest,

mock

I

reside

his prayer,

but groan in unavenged despair.

may

man would

all assail,

*

Since

I

*

It

racks

my

'

These scornful

*

Wrong

'

Say, yield'st thou willingly, or warn'd of fate,

*

Heaven dooms thee victim of a

'

Or

'

We

'

fi'eely speak,'

the king replied,

heart that madden'd by their pride, suitors, in

thy palace, dare

such as thou, Ulysses' royal

heir.

nation's hate

?

dost thou blame thy brethren, on whose aid

most confide when

were

I,

direst

wars invade

?

thus disposed, to youth restored,

'

Or now

*

Or he himself return'd,

*

My head

the son of that redoubted lord,

should

fall

— such hope

I feel

beneath a stranger's

steel.

THE ODYSSEY.

86

[book xvi.

*

If in the palace of Laertes ' heir,

'

My

'

Or

'

On my own

'

Ere patiently behold such deeds unjust,

'

The

*

The supphant

'

The

*

His wine exhausted, gorged his plunder'd food,

'

And

*

rightful if

vengeance should those wasters spare.

their host should

daily

me

unaided slay

hearth, so pass

my

soul away,

growth of insolence and

lust

stranger by their scorn reviled,

females 'neath the royal roof defiled,

still

their craving passions unsubdued.'

Hear!' the prince answer'd,

'

I

vaW

all relate.

*

No

*

I

'

We

'

Jove to our race but gave one heir alone

wi'ath 'gainst

me

inflames the nation's hate

blame no brothers, on whose

most confide, when

direst

faithful aid

wars invade. :

'

Arcesias gave to light an only son

'

Laertes, firom

'

And

'

Therefore a thousand foes

'

All,

'

Dulichium, Samos, and Zacynthus' bowers,

'

And

'

These woo

'

And

I

whose

loins Ulysses rose,

from him sole-born to share his woes.

whose proud sceptres

all

my dome

defile,

rule each neighb'ring

rough Ithaca's assembled powers

riot,

my mother to the nuptial by my substance daily fed

bed,

isle,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVI.]

my

87

*

And

*

Accepts not wholly, nor at once denies,

'

They waste my

'

If

'

But, speed Eumaeus,

'

Her son

*

Here

*

Be

'

Not

'

Lurk those who would

'

while

mother these detested

wealtli,

and soon

ties

will

me

destroy,

Jove confound not their unhallow'd joy. tell

more

returns unharm'd from Pylos' shore.

await thy coming

I

the queen, once

to the

queen her

:

but alone

son's anival

known,

to the Achaeans, in their mingled throng their prince unjustly wrong.'

—

know it,' thus, Eumaeus thy reply, know thy meaning, prince on me rely. I

!

'

I

'

But

*

To him who

'

Laertes

'

For

'

And

*

Refresh'd his body with the labouring hind,

'

But

*

Since to far Pylos thee thy ship convey'd,

'

Nor

'

Lies, while the wasting flesh betrays the bone.'

!

'

*

I

on way the truth disclose

shall I not,

?

pines with

—He,

tho'

still

increasing woes,

bow'd ^dth

his lost son, sought in his still "with

bitterest grief

farm

relief,

food and drink, whene'er inchned,

ne'er has tasted food or drink,

'tis

said,

look'd abroad, but heaving groan on gi'oan,

It grieves

may

not

my

now

heart,'

his

Telemachus

replied,

soitow turn aside.

THE ODYSSEY.

88 '

Ah

'

I,

'

Speed

*

Nor

to Laertes'

*

But

to that

*

In secret by the queen's entrusted maid.'

!

[book xvi.

might our wish the accomphshment obtain,

foremost, would recall forth,

my

sire again.

then hither haste

:

avoid delay,

farm direct thy way

mourner be the word convey'd

Then urged him

forth.

Eumseus, firm and

His sandals bound, and to the

Yet from the lodge

as swiftly

fast

city pass'd.

he withdrew.

His step escaped not keen ^linerva's view.

Onward

she came, and seem'd in guise array'd

A beauteous,

skilful,

and majestic maid.

Ulysses saw her as she stood before

The

threshold of Eumseus' open'd door

But not the prince perceived her draA^ing near. ne'er the immortals deign to all appear

For

The dogs

perceived, yet bark'd not as she trod.

But, whining, fled as conscious of the God.

meaning brow

as Pallas gave the sign.

The monarch understood

And

left

the will

di\'ine.

the lodge, and pass'd beyond the wall.

Before her stood, and heard her gracious

'

'

Son of Laertes! now

To

'tis

call

time, impart

thy bra^•e son the purport of thy heart

.]

THE ODYSSEY.

89

'

So seek the town, and weave, maturely plann'd,

'

Death and destruction to that impious band.

'

I will

'

Of righteous vengeance

not long be absent

Then

A

touch'd

keen desire

:

feeds Minerva's

ire.'

him with her golden wand, and wound

radiant vest and robe his limbs around.

His heighten'd form with youth's finn vigour O'er his

fed.

cheek health's bright suffusion spread,

ftill

Curl'd round his chin his darkly-waving beard.

—

Then

high aim accomplish'd

^her

Him, entering

And

turn'd

in,

away

— disappear'd.

the prince astonish'd view'd.

his eyes

by awe subdued.

Lest he had seen a god, then thus express'd In swift-wing'd words the tumult of his breast

'

Far other now thou seem'st, than lately seen,

'

Far other now thy vesture, fonn, and mien

*

Thou

*

The

*

And

art a god.

feasts

Be

gracious, deign receive

and golden

gifts

spare thy suppliants

thy votaries gi'e,

!

'

'

I

am no

I,'

the king replied,

god, nor yet in heaven reside

THE ODYSSEY.

90

am

thy

sire, for

whom

thy heart has bled,

men

thy outraged head.'

'

I

'

Submitting to base

He

spake, and kiss'd his son, while tears bedew'd

His cheek,

The

Not thou

*

A

'

That

my

No man

None but

'

who dared not

art

who

my

thus at once confide, sire,'

replied,

flatters to deceive,

may more intensely devise by human skill,

pierced heart

*

Now Now

then by passion unsubdued.

Ulysses, thou

god thou

'

*

till

prince,

'

'

[book xvi.

could thus

a god so change the shape at

in vile rags

grieve

will,

bow'd down, with age oppress'd,

like a god, a dweller

Telemachus, not

'mid the

bless'd.'

thus,' return'd his sire,

*

Thus, beyond measure, wonder, and admire

'

Thy

*

Save me, Ulysses, shall accost his son.

'

I,

'

Of woe and wandering

'

This Pallas -^^Tought, thus changed me, such her

*

Who

could at once, whate'er her

'

Now

bow'd

'

Royally robed, in youth's unfading glov

father

such,

am

now he,

me

;

before thee

who

:

other none

in the twentieth year in

my

realm appear.

^rish,

ftilfil,

an aged mendicant, and now

will,

BOOK '

With

'

The

ease, at pleasure, heaven's

91

immortal race

sons of earth can honour or debase.'

—While

He The

THE ODYSSEY.

XVI.]

silent sat

tears of rapture sprung

prince his arms around his father flung.

Alike in both the sweet desire of grief

Mix'd

v^ith

each gushing tear a

nor

Shrill rose their cry,

Than loud lamenting Eagle or

^Tilture,

soft relief.

less incessant

heard

of the parent bird.

from whose

rifled nest

Some churl has snatch'd her brood with unfledged breast.

And

thus the sun had on the mourners closed

Had

not the prince,

'

Thee

first

speaking, interposed.

hither, sire beloved,

what

*

The seamen, who

'

For not on foot thou camest.'

?

from what

vessel brought

?

far region fraught

?

The king

replied

*

Ne'er shall the truth fi'om thee thy father hide.

*

Phaeacia's sea-skill'd race

*

Guides

*

Me

*

And

*

Rich-woven robes,

'

That by the God's advice yon caverns hold

o'er the

me

safely bore,

main of all who reach

their shore,

lock'd in sleep to Ithaca convey'd,

with the

gifts

they gave, securely brass,

laid,

and abundant gold,

THE ODYSSEY.

92 '

*

'

'

[book xvi.

And here I come, so Pallas gave command, To root mth thee those suitors fi'om our land. To me their names and numbers now disclose, That I may know how strong and who my foes

'

And

'

If

'

Alone, unaided,

'

Or seek

'

:

deeply pondering, cautiously decide

we

alone can in ourselves confide,

My

all

their

fresh succour

sire,'

power withstand,

from some friendly band.'

the prince replied,

'

the voice of fame

'

For wisdom and

*

Yet rash thy speech.

'

I

'

Not

*

List while their

*

Chiefs fifty-two, Dulichians, on whose state,

*

Selected for their

*

From Samos,

'

Achaean princes from Zacynthus' shore

*

Twelve of our island

'

The

herald Medon, and the bard divine,

'

And

skill'd

'

The

feasters praise,

'

War we

*

Vengeance

doubt

for valour vaunts thy

how two can

ten, not

name,

amazement

In deep

lost,

front so vast a host

twenty suitors

numbers

I

skill, six

—more thy

at large disclose

menials wait

four and twenty

chiefs,

by culinary

foes.

:

twenty more :

with w^hom combine

art to gain

two servants join

their train.

with these combined beneath our roof, I

fear will rue the bitter proof.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XVI.] *

Reflect

'

Whose '

—and,

if

thou canst, procure some friend

willing spirit will our right defend'

Mark what with her

'

If,

'

Say, need

I utter,'

sire,

then Ulysses

Minerva deign to

we other succour

'

aid,

These

suffice

All powerful their defence,' the prince repHes.

*

'

said,

?

'

*

93

They

When When

not long be absent from om' side

will

the keen conflict burns,' the king repHed,

•

with the suitors, underneath our roof,

'

We

'

Now

'

And

*

Me, there

*

Like an aged beggar mask'd in ragged weeds

*

And,

'

And

'

If dragg'd

*

Should foully wound me, thy just ^^ath forego,

*

Bid them by gentle words their outrage cease,

'

Tho' such

'

For

'

Mark what

and dare the

clash in arms, go,

and seek

at

battle proof.

morn thy home

again,

mingle with the wooers' haughty

if

in after

train.

hour Eumasus leads

they wrong

m e,

bid thy heart be

my inflicted ill me forth, if blow

still,

bear with patience

fate

they thrust

^vill

hangs I

on blow

ne'er their insolence appease, o'er

them.

But, thou timely taught,

say in thy retentive thought.

THE ODYSSEY.

94

[book xvi.

'

When

*

My

'

And, thou forewarn'd, where'er within the

*

A

'

And

'

*

Pallas, skill'd in counsel, deigns incline

my brow

guided mind,

martial

And And

weapon

in the if

shall give the sign

lies, collect

them

:

hall

all,

upper room securely place,

come

mistrust

o'er that guilty race,

urge enquiry, with smooth speech allure

—from the

smoke

*

Say

*

Far other now the lustre of their hght

'

Than when

'

Far as the flame has spread

*

The vapour has obscured

their radiant

'

Jove too with higher aim

lias

*

Lest ye, by wine inflamed, and passion

*

By mutual wounds the feast and courtship mar The presence of the weapon genders war.

*

soiling

I

these secure,

Ulysses join'd the Trojan fight, its

sullying steam,

me

inspired,

*

But

'

For each

*

That, inishing on, the suitors

we

'

When, awed by

Pallas, their

proud

*

Now, mark me,

if

*

If in

*

Let none beneath

*

Tell not of

*

Let not

*

Nor

leave, for our brave alike,

beam

fired,

arms alone to wield,

a sword, a lance and shield, assail spirits quail.

thou art Ulysses' son,

thy veins thy father's blood-drops run,

my

me

my

roof Ulysses know,

to soothe Laertes' woe,

household, or Eumaeus hear,

the breathed

rumour reach thy mother's ear

.]

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY. women

*

But

'

And on what men we

safely

*

Who

fears, or

*

Thee, such as thou

*

alone will

honours

My

sire,'

us,

he

the

first

and

said,

art,

*

95

may

try,

rely

holds in scorn

from Ulysses born.'

the

trial shall

impart

'

What

*

Yet ne'er

'

But thou again revolve

*

Vain,

'

While 'neath thy

'

And

'

Prove those who scorn thee, or unblamed remain.

*

Not now the

'

When

thy son's nature, and unyielding heart

deem

I

this

man by man

proof will us it,

lest

we

avail, fail.

exploring, vain that

toil,

roof, at will, the suitors spoil

waste thy wealth.

But try the female

servants prove

:

—

in after

train,

hour

signs forewarn thee of Jove's guardian

Thus they

:

power/

while tow'rds the town the vessel drew

That bore from Pylos the returning crew.

And when

gain'd the harbour's depth profound.

it

They placed

it,

firmly fix'd

on

stable ground.

The

servants took the arms,

And

the rich

But

to Ulysses' consort swiftly sent

On

gi'ateful

Charged While he

gifts to Clytius'

and naval

store.

mansion bore.

message now a herald went.

to relate that, his

by her

son's

command.

farm had sought, the bark on land

THE ODYSSEY.

96

[book xvi.

Had safe return'd, lest bow'd by causeless fear Down her pale cheek the mother pour the tear. The

herald and Eumaeus on their road

Met

in like mission

And

there the herald 'mid her female train

Exclaim'd,

But

where the queen abode.

queen

'

—

dra^^^.ng nigh,

All that the prince

Then,

Sped

all his

thy son returns again.'

Emiiasus softly told

had charged him

message

to his herds,

!

to unfold

faithfully reveal'd.

and labours of the

field.

Grief seized the suitors, who, with fear o'ercast.

Beyond the

And

wall that girt the palace, pass'd.

as they sat before the gates, the son

Of Polybus, thus

'

'

*

My friends

!

counselling,

begun

Telemachus has

:

gi'eatly

wrought

A deed, beyond his power we idly thought. Now launch our choicest vessel 'mid the deep,

'

With youths whose

'

So

*

Back

to our

oars the ocean s^riftly sweep,

ambush bear the

to then*

homes

strict

to haste,

command

and

rest

on

land.'

Scarce had he spoke the word, w^hen backward tum'd,

Amphinomus

in the port the

bark discem'd.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVI.]

was the

Furl'd

When,

sail,

97

the crew yet grasp'd the oar.

laughing, he exclaim'd,

Search

'

'

Lo

'

Or they themselves amid the

'

Beheld at distance his wide spread of

*

The

there the ship

!

or warn'd

:

while they vainly

He

spake

:

by power

divine,

billowy brine

toil'd to

sail,

catch the gale.

the suitors hast'ning sought the strand.

While the crew haled the

And

now no more,

on land.

vessel safe

as the servants forth the

arms withdrew.

Their lords impatient to the council flew

None but

themselves, none other, old or young

There entrance

'

Woe

gain'd,

—woe.'

and

Antinous

sat the chiefs

cried,

'

among.

heaven's guardian

power '

Has saved

'

Spy

'

Watch'd on the mountains

*

Nor

'

Sleep closed the eye that watch'd him on the main.

*

But while our ambush waited

*

A

this

after spy,

youth from death's impending hour. throughout the lingering day,

ere from sunset

god home guided

VOL.

II.

till it

his returning

way,

rose again

for

its

his untroubled

prey,

way.

THE ODYSSEY.

98

now

[book

'

But

*

So that

*

Methinks,

'

None

'

The

seeds of

'

Nor

is

'

Prevent him, ere he here convokes the land

'

Not

feebly will the prince our

'

But

fired

'

The death we dared

'

They

'

In other realms to rue the dire offence.

'

Prevent him, at his farm, or

'

That we may share

'

To

'

Her

royal seat, and there, new-married, reign.

'

But

if

'

The

'

Hence

'

But each by nuptial presents learn

'

*

our counsels

let

his foot if

no more evade the snare.

wisdom ripen all

in his

mind,

power withstand

by righteous rage, to

all

explain

design, but dared in vain.

abhor the deed, and drive us hence

my words

prince shall

now on way,

his substance, smftly slay. let

the queen retain

displease, live,

and ye declare

and reign

his father's heir,

your homes, his wealth no more consume,

And let the queen To him who most

He

:

to us inchned.

each his part, but

to

in vain

meditated object gain.

the nation

will

his death prepare,

he survive, we woo

shall his

xvi.

spake

:

Amphinomus

transfer her shall give,

them

his

doom,

tempted love

and heaven approve.*

all silent sat, till,

to

his

mind

thus address'd, express'd,

BOOK

The son

From

He

THE ODYSSEY.

XVI.]

of Nisiis,

famed

far

91)

o'er earth

king Aretias drew his royal birth.

led the suitors from the wheat-crown'd plains

Where

rich Dulichium's harvest glads the swains

:

His words most pleased the queen, for pure his mind

And

thus he warn'd them

:

*

would not

'

I

*

If

'

But

'

And

'

I

*

But

Not

slay the prince

:

like

most

you

inclined,

dire the

deed

by our hands the royal hneage bleed. first

consult the gods

—

if

heaven approve,

such the oracular decree of Jove,

— nay, urge you

would myself if

to slay

averse the gods, the gods obey.'

His speech prevail'd

And

all,

:

then forth the suitors went,

to Ulysses' hall their footsteps bent.

Each

to his splendid throne

— But wisdom wrouglit

In the queen's mind a deep and different thought.

She would herself before the wooers stand.

She knew the threaten'd death

their malice plann'd,

Warn'd by the herald Medon, who alone

Had

caught their counsel, and to her made known.

With her attendant

Where

train the royal

dame

the proud suitors sat, indignant came.

THE ODYSSEY.

100

And

[book xvi.

at tlie pillars of the high-roof 'd hall.

Gave

And

o'er

her glowing cheek the

veil to fall.

thus rebuked Antinous

'

Swoln with

pride,

'

Framer of ill,

'

Tho', once the boast of

'

In thought and word surpassing thy compeers,

'

Not such thou wert

'

By

'

Why

scorn the suppliants

'

Deep

is

'

Hast thou forgot that here thy father

'

A

'

Enraged that he the Taphian plunderers join'd,

'

And

'

Fain had they torn his heart, by wrath o'erpower'd,

'

And

'

But

'

Whose

'

And

'

But cease

'

'

secret

to deeds of death the guide

murder

all

:

of equal years,

—Why, madman

slay Ulysses' heir

who

!

rashly dare

?

to Jove belong

?

the guilt to plan another's wrong.

nation's

vengeance rushing on his head,

^vi'ong'd

his vast gi'eat

fled,

Thesprotia with our realm combined

wealth insatiably devour'd,

Ulysses staid them,

palace

now thou

slay'st his son, :

?

and

and bid the

still'd

spoil'st,

rack'st

and woo'st

my

rest their

Icarius' daughter! dare in

me

their strife, his wife,

heart with

aim

forego.'

confide,

Grieve not,' the son of Polybus replied.

woe

:

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVI.]

'

Free fiOm

'

None

fear thy spirit.

all

Now

JOl

on earth

breathes, and none, henceforth, shall spring to bh'th,

*

Who

'

Shall thy loved son with

'

It shall

*

Down

*

For

'

Would

seat

me on

*

E'en to

my

infant hand, the tempting food,

*

And

*

*

while

I

hve, and

be as

I

move mankind among, hand unhallow'd wrong.

speak, or soon his blood

this firm spear shall

oft

pour

its

purple flood.

thy lord, the city-wasting king, his knee,

and kindly bring

my lip embued, Therefore most loved by me of all mankind Telemachus lives rooted in my mind. with dehcious wine

'

None

'

But who, what mortal, can a god withstand V

let

him

dread, no suitor's murderous

Eurymachus thus framed While

inly bent

his fraudful breath.

on meditated death.

The queen her chamber Till Pallas seal'd

sought, her lord to

weep

her hds in soothing sleep.

At eve Eumasus reach'd

Where

hand

o'er a yearling

his lodge again.

porker freshly slain

Their supper they prepared

— The power

divine.

There Pallas went and wrought her great design.

THE ODYSSEY.

102

[book xvi.

Touch'd with gold wand the king, and, undiscern'd.

Youth

to old age,

and robes

to tatters turn'd.

Lest glad Eumaeus with o'ei-flowing heart.

Should to the queen the untimely truth impart.

The

prince

first

spake

:

'

'

What news

— what

Eumaeus, thou

bring'st thouft'om the city

Eumaeus, thou rephedst '

Such

'

One my

*

Then homeward

*

But, as

*

My

'

*

'

sole aim, the

I

:

'

As

there

home?'

went,

I

such questions cross'd not

cares,

come,

art

my

intent.

message to unfold,

quickly speed, that message told

went, a herald of thy crew

speed preventing to thy mother flew,

And all reveal'd. Yet, hear what met my sight Where towers beyond the town the Hermaean height, I saw a ship that many a warrior bore and moor on shore,

*

Descend

'

Bristling with shields

and spears that host, methought,

*

Yet knew

life

He By

into the port,

spake

I

:

not, thy

:

in

ambush

sought.'

vhile secretly the piince, unseen

kind Eumaeus, with expressive mien.

BOOK

Smiled on

Each

THE ODYSSEY.

XVI.]

his sire.

Then, as the labour ceased.

at his leisure shared the equal feast

And when keen Still rest,

thirst

and hunger sunk subdued.

and soothing sleep

their strength renew'd.

103

THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUiNJENT. summary of his expecompany with his guide

Teleuiachus, on his return, relates to his mother a dition.

Ulysses, disguised as a beggar, in

Eumseus,

is,

on

his

way, abused by the goatherd Melantheus.

recognized by his favourite dog Argus.

Eumaeus,

He

is

after an interview

with the queen and Telemachus, returns to his lodge.

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK Soon

On

as the roseate

XVII.

dawn had darkness

chased.

his fair feet the prince his sandals laced,

Grasp'd the strong spear firm-fitted to his hand.

And '

to

Eumaeus gave

Father

my

So may

'

Till

'

Nor gushing

'

But thou,

'

'

mother see her son

then her

I

command

seek the town, and leave the plain,

I

!

'

his last

again,

spirit ne'er will rest in

peace,

nor deep lamenting cease.

tears,

charge thee, to the town proceed,

And there, this wretched guest, the beggar Some one, who wills, may bread and water cannot, such

*

I

*

If this offend

'

Yet

my misery,

him,

'tis

I shall ne'er to

all

reheve

:

an added pain,

speak the truth

refrain.'

leave give

;

THE ODYSSEY.

108 '

My friend,'

Ulysses said,

'

too

I

—

[book xvii. best

'tis

*

Will seek the town, not here a burden

'

Far better in the town than

'

To beg my

'

Not such my

age, as at the farm, or stall

*

To answer

command

*

But go, the man thou badest, mil guide

*

When

fires

*

These

tatter'd

'

Far off

bread

at

—who

rest,

in the field

will,

may

a mite

the master's

yield.

call.

my way

have warm'd me, and when bright the day. garments scarce

—they say — the

my

limbs infold.

town, and keen at dawn the

cold.'

Forth n'om the lodge, the prince, impatient, went

With hasty

And now

strides,

arriving

on deeds of death intent

where before the

Tow^r'd the proud column

There

hall

at the palace wall,

fix'd his spear, then, entering,

The

stony threshold of his lofty door.

Him

first,

bounded

o'er

as o'er the seats the fleece she threw

His nurse, his Euryclea chanced to view.

And weeping All,

And

tow'rds

every maid kiss'd his

Grand

who

him

run, then, round

him came

served the royal dame.

head and front

:

then graceful seen

as Diana, fair as beauty's queen.

In haste the mother fi-om her chamber pass'd.

Round her loved son her arms entwining

cast.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

Kiss'd his bright eyes,

On

Light of

and cheek, and fondly hung

neck while tears of transport sprung.

his clasp'd

'

109

my

thou comest, yet ne'er again

life,

deem'd to see thee, since athwart the main

*

I

'

Thy

'

Thee, to search out thy much-loved father, bore.

'

What thou

sail,

unknown

to

me, to Pylos' shore

hast seen, impart.'

The '

'

*

prince replied,

Now my loved mother lay such thoughts aside, Wound not \\ memory of pass'd toils my breast, And

let

me, scaped from death, untroubled '

rest.

*

Thou, with thy maids, ascend thy upper room,

*

There bathe thy limbs, and radiant robes resume,

'

*

And vow selected hecatombs to heaven When by consenting Jove due vengeance

'

I to

the fonim speed to greet once more

'

The

guest I welcomed to

'

Whom

'

And when

'

I

'

And honour him

with I

my

my

giv^en.

native shore,

gallant friends I foremost sent,

lone,

and unattended, went,

bade Piraeus neath his roof retain, '

He

spake

Laved her

:

till I

return'd again.'

— not vain the word—the queen obey'd.

fair limbs,

and

in bright robes array'd,

THE ODYSSEY.

110

And

[book xvii.

vow'd selected hecatombs to heaven

When The

by consenting Jove due vengeance given.

prince his palace

And two O'er

him

And

all

fleet

and grasp'd

his spear.

mastives join'd his swift career.

grace Minerva cast.

celestial

the people wonder'd as he pass'd.

Round him But on

left

the suitors gather'd, smooth their tongue.

their secret souls death darkly hung.

Ulysses' son join'd not their haughty throng.

But graceful

sat his father's fiiends

Where Mentor,

And

among.

Antiphus, his council join'd.

Halitherses long to liim inclined.

They

fi'eely

question'd

him

— then, near them press'd

Piraeus leading his entrusted guest

On

As they caught

to the forum.

Not from

Piraeus first his friendly

*

Prince, from

To '

mind

my mansion

grace thy stores the

Piraeus, who,'

*

Can deeds

'

If

*

Beneath

me by

view

their presence long the prince withdrew.

But nigh them gracious stood

'

his

to

when, thus address'd,

:

express'd

bid thy females bring

gifts

Telemachus

of Sparta's king.'

replied,

come unerringly decide

?

secret guile the suitors slay

my

roof, they lot

my

wealth away

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

my

Ill

'

Far rather thou,

'

But

'

Then

to the throne of thy rejoicing king,

'

Thou

too, rejoicing, these vast treasures bring.'

by

if

He

me

friend, the gifts retain

they perish, rightly

slain,

spake, and led the stranger to his

And now when They on

home

reach'd the stately structured dome.

the seats their mantles quickly cast,

And to the bath's refreshing luxury pass'd. And when the maids had laved, and smooth'd with And richly robed them with the fleecy spoil And graceful tunic, from the bath they stepp'd. And on the banquet seats their station kept. From a gold ewer on a silver stand

A maid the water pour'd, And

and laved

their hand.

the bright table placed, which largely spread

With

various viands and abundant bread.

The female steward

served

:

and there the queen

Beside the dome's majestic columns seen

Fronting the feasters, on her throne reclined.

And At

with hght touch her spindle smoothly twined.

will

they revell'd

:

and when

thirst

had ceased.

And hunger now subdued declined the feast, My son,' she spake, I now ascend alone The widow'd couch that echoes back my gi'oan. '

'

*

oil.

THE ODYSSEY.

112 '

And by my

*

Ulysses

'

Yet ne'er hast thou,

'

If

*

Ere here yon

left it for fell Ilion's

tower

much

long to learn,

I

ought thou heardst, told of thy

sire's

return,

suitors throng.'

The

prince replied:

'

Ne'er shall thy son from thee a secret hide.

'

We

'

Who

'

And

'

Of a loved son long

'

Thus he received me, and while

'

With

*

But of Ulysses,

'

'

No He

first

to Pylos, Nestor's empire, sail'd,

in his stately

dome

his guests regaled.

more the

as a father \T.ews once reft

from

if alive

mortal had to him a rumour spread. sent

me

forth

:

his chariot sped

'Twas there the Argive Helen

'

For

*

By heaven's high will,

whom

my way

held o'er Sparta sway. I

beheld,

the Greeks and Trojans, war-impell'd sore

toil'd.

But when he sought

What urgent cause my step to Sparta brought, And I the truth unfolded, swiftly sprung This exclamation from his scornful tongue

'

'

remain'd,

or dead,

'

'

I

his brave offspring kindly entertain'd.

Where Menelaus

'

face

his embrace,

'

'

xvii.

from that hour

tears polluted

tho'

[book

Base dogs

Would

!

vile

fain find

cowards

!

ye,

:

whose worthless head

slumber on a hero's bed.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

113

'

As when a doe within a

'

Has dropp'd her

'

Then roams

'

Thro' grassy glades that wind amid the wood,

'

While the gaunt beast on

'

Springs where they sleep, and rends their limbs away

*

Thus

'

Apollo, Pallas, and thou father Jove,

*

shall

twins,

Hon's

and

left

the sucklings there,

o'er fern-clad heights, or strays for

food

his defenceless prey

he slay them

ye powers above

were he such, as when

!

lair,

in Lesbos' sight

*

He

*

And

*

So might he rush those wooing lords among

'

Brief would their courtship be, and bitter prove

'

The tempting

'

But what thou warmly woo'st me

*

That, and

*

All that the Ancient of the

*

All shall by

*

The

'

Lone

'

Slaved by the enchantress' power, his efforts vain

*

To

'

For nigh her

'

To

*

Thus spake the king

'

While favouring heaven the breeze propitious

challenged Philomelides to fight, as

Greece joy'd, on

me

—he

the wrestler flung,

fruit of ill-requited love.

much more,

seer

eartli

I will

not

to reveal,

now

conceal,

main disclosed,

be faithfully exposed.

told

me

—had thy

in Calypso's isle,

father view'd

by woe subdued,

greet his realm, his Ithaca again coast,

seaman, nor

sail,

nor oar,

waft Ulysses to his native shore.

VOL.

II.

— This heard, I

I

homeward went, sent.'

THE ODYSSEY.

114

[book

xvii.

His words intensely moved her troubled breast.

When Theoclymenus

the queen address'd

Thou, honour'd wife of great Laertes'

*

'

Truths to that king unknown hear

*

Such boldly

*

Jove

'

Hearth of Ulysses on whose

'

Be

"witness, that

'

At

rest, or

*

And

*

Such the

'

And

!

presage.

god of gods

!

— Thou

!

heir,

declare,

most adored,

— Thou, hospitable board faith I stand

Ulysses on this land,

wandering, hears these impious deeds,

meditates the course where vengeance leads. clear

augury heaven deign'd unfold,

such on voyage to thy son

Were

*

I

me

:

this

consummated,' the queen replied,

*

Thine be each

'

Then

all

I told.'

gift

that friendship can provide

should envy thee.'

Thus they— The while Before the gate, their leisure to beguile.

The

On

suitors hurl'd the lance, the discus flung

the smooth floor where oft their brawls had rung.

But, for their banquet, when, as wont, the swains

Led on the sheep from

the surrounding plains.

THE ODYSSEY.

115

BOOK

XVII.]

The

herald,

And

to administer their feast remain'd,

who

their favour chiefly gain'd,

Medon, thus spake

'

*

Youths

satiate with

!

your sport,

Pass to the hall, and leave the outer court

'

Let us prepare the

*

At times

They

And on

feast

in festive joy

— To bathe the sense

is

no

offence.'

heard, and rising up, his call obey'd. the thrones and seats their mantles laid.

Slew the choice sheep, prime goats, and shed the gore

Of the

The

feast providing.

Went

'

and many a fatted boar.

gi'azed steer,

— Then, along the

forth Ulysses,

and the

faithful swain.

Go, since thou wilt/ Eumaeus

my

'

The

'

Yet

*

Guard of the

'

But

I

*

The

master's sharp rebuke

'

Come,

'

And keen

city seek, for I

such

on

obey, his word

let

I

said,

'

now, guest,

lord's behest.

had rather thou hadst cattle

plain,

fix'd

thy stand,

this peaceful land.

duly fear 'tis

us speed, the day

s

pain to hear.

mid hour

the cutting of the evening

is

pass'd,

blast.'

THE ODYSSEY.

116 '

I

know,

I

comprehend/ the king rephed,

'

Thou

'

Lead on

*

For shppery, so

speak'st to one not senseless :

go,

my

guide,

Eumaeus gave

our onward way.'

'tis said,

his breast the tatter'd wallet flung

That on a leathern

left

:

but give a staff my foot to stay,

Then 'thwart

And The

[uook xvii.

twist

its

patches hung.

— They onvard sped.

his staff

the swains and dogs to guard the shed.

guide led on Ulysses to the town

In form a mendicant by age bow'd down.

And

leaning on his

The

rent rags flutter'd pervious to the blast.

And Where

A

staff,

while round him cast.

they pass'd along a rugged road a clear fountain nigh the city flow'd,

polish'd cistern for the public

By Neritus and king And ancient Ithacus Fed by the

From

rill,

made

Polyctor's aid. :

there circling round

a grove of alders

the high rock

down

wound.

burst the prone cascade.

And grateful travellers oft their offerings laid On the nymph's altar, that sublimely stood Crowning the

cliff

whose brow

o'erarch'd the flood.

There Dolius' son, with two attendant swains.

Led

his clioice goats the

prime of

all

the plains.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

As the

Feast for the suitors.

117

vScofFer vievv'd.

His taunts the beggar and his guide pursued,

And rough and Roused the

'

Lo

stern spirit in Ulysses' breast.

how

!

rudely his contemptuous jest

the vile/ he cried,

*

Like mates with

*

Where

like

lead'st thou,

the worthless lead

'

so Jove himself decreed.

:

swineherd, this voracious beast,

'

This beggar,

*

'

'

Nor swords nor

'

From scatter'd morsels. Swineherd, wouldst thou yield

'

This wTetch to sweep

*

Bring for

'

Superfluous flesh would soon his limbs o'erlay.

*

But

'

'

Gainst

this polluter of the feast ?

many

my

a post the wretch his back shall wear, tripods earn, but scanty fare

my

or from the field

stall,

kids fresh leaves, tho' fed on

since, intent alone

on deeds of

ill,

No work of honest labour suits his will, He tramps the streets his sluggish paunch

'

And

*

But hear what

*

This vagrant on Ulysses' hall

*

His ribs shall shatter

*

From

He

whey

to load,

craves for daily bread by chance bestow'd. shall

be done

many

—

If

rough and rude

intiTide,

a foot-stool, cast

the proud revellers at their rich repast.'

spake,

drew near, and with

insulting pride

Kick'd the king's hip, yet turn'd him not aside.

THE ODYSSEY.

:18

[book

xvii.

Ulysses stood in doubt his skull to smash

With

downward

his stout staff, or

breathless dash

But, master of his mind, repress'd his

While stern Eumaeus,

fill'd

ire.

with generous

fire.

Fiercely rebuked the wretch, and high in air

Raised his clasp'd hands, and thus pour'd forth his prayer:

*

Daughters of Jove

ye Fountain

!

Nymphs

your sacred shrine

'

If e'er Ulysses at

*

The

'

Involved with

'

Some god

'

Then, wretch

'

Then

'

Wont'st in proud insolence of heart repeat,

'

The

'

Perish the flock of the unfaithful swain.'

*

flaming thighs of kids and lambkins fat,

divine

be

now

laid,

his gifts repaid

here lead the hero in his might

still'd

!

thy pride shall quail beneath his sight

the taunts, that thou from street to street,

while, untended in the distant plain,

Dog! what thy speech

?'

Melanthius quick replied,

but in cunning, versed in nought beside.

'

Skill'd

'

Thee from

'

Thee

'

And may

'

Pierce his loved son, or

\\ill

this Ithaca

I bear,

athwart the main,

and barter thee

for gain.

the God, the silver-bow'd, this day

'

As now Ulysses from

'

Has

him the

suitors slay,

his native shore

fallen at distance to return

no more.'

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

Then

left

them pacing slow

Swift to the royal

And

but onward bent

dome Melanthius went.

with the suitors mix'd, and face to face

Sat nearest him most loved of

The proud Eurymachus With

And

:

all their

and there

his

race.

board

flesh the minist'ring attendants stored.

the dispenseress of the household, spread

His hunger to

Now But

:

119

abundant bread.

allay, the

onward came Eumaeus and the

staid the while

Of the melodious

The high-born

they heard the echoes ring

l}Te,

where rank'd among

guests the heaven-taught Phemius sung.

The monarch

how

king.

clasp'd

Eumaeus' hand, and

said,

*

Lo

'

Loftily towers 'mid

*

Part springs from part in just proportion shown,

'

The

wall and battlements the court enclose,

*

And

twofold gates

'

Guests throng the feast whose flavour

'

And, glory of the

'

From

!

Ulysses' palace stands display'd,

many

all

outward force oppose.

feast,

the god-gifted

a fabric kno\\Ti

Not

around,

sweet echoes sound

lyre.'

'

'

floats

Thou

well hast \'iew'd,

senseless thou, nor in discernment rude,'

THE ODYSSEY.

120

Eumasus thus

replied,

'

now

But,

[book xvii.

attend

*

Think how our aim may gain successful end

'

Whether thou

'

And

'

Or thou remain, while foremost

*

But

*

Lest, seeing thee without,

*

Smite thee, or thrust thee hence

*

I

first

shalt in the hall appear,

greet the guests, while I stay lonely here, I

proceed

— hnger not as doubtful of the deed,

know,

I

some scorner dare

— Thy

will declare.'

understand,' the king replied,

—Go, my guide,

*

Thou

'

Thou foremost go

*

I,

'

Patience

'

In waves and wars

*

But none the pangs of famine can endure,

*

Pangs that the wretch to baleful deeds

*

*

:

speak'st to one not senseless

—here

let

me

lone remain

:

not unused, can blows and stripes sustain

my

lot, for I :

have

suffer'd sore

be this one hardship more.

allure,

And arm the ships that sailing o'er the deep On distant foes war's sweeping vengeance heap.* While thus he spake,

his dog, his

Argus heard.

His ears upraised, and caught his master's word.

Him who had rear'd, but could not long enjoy. When call'd by Greece Ulysses sail'd to Troy. Oft had the hunter chased, by Argus led.

The

hind, and hare, and goat on mountains bred.

.] Now

THE ODYSSEY.

121

scorn'd in age, his master long away.

He, gnaw'd by vermin, on a dung-heap Ordure of mules and

The

steers that

lay.

fumed before

palace gates, ere spread the pastures

o'er.

Yet thus neglected, as on nearer view

The

He

dog

faithful

his

much

with sunk ears, and

More near

loved master knew.

tail soft

wagging, strove

to crawl, but could not nearer

move.

Struck at the sight, the monarch turn'd aside.

Wiped

'

'

It

off a tear,

moves

my

and thus address'd

\vonder

— on a dung-heap

That dog, whose beauteous form

—how

his guide

attracts

:

lies

my

'

Yet

'

His fleetness match'd his symmetry and grace

*

Or

*

Alone

'

eyes

:

affirm, that rapid in the race ?

he but hke those that haunt the board,

is

beauty valued by their lord

for

V

His was that favourite dog,' Eumaeus

said,

on foreign land now breathless

*

The

'

Were such

his

'

When

Ulysses sought far Ihon's tower,

'

Thou

'

Whether

*

Thro' the dense depths he press'd the beast on chace,

'

Or keen

chief

first

laid.

speed and strength, as in that hour

hadst his fleetness and his force admired, in forest solitudes untired

in search,

pursued the tainted trace.

^

THE ODYSSEY.

122

[book xvii.

treated now, his lord, at distance dead,

'

111

'

The \ omen

'

'Tis ever such

'

The menials

right nor decency retain

'

For half the

mtue

'

The God resumes when man becomes a

leave :

him on

when

loathsome bed.

his

lords

no longer

that the

God-head gave,

He spake, and passing thro' Went where the suitors at the Then,

Now,

The

banquet sate

Argus eyed

loved lord, he gazing on him, died.

as

Eumaeus pass'd within the

prince to

him made

sign,

Where wont

By

the sewer rest

who

call.

seat.

carved the meat.

placing nigh the prince, there shared the board

the attendant herald duly stored.

Next came

Ulysses, as with years oppress'd,

A mendicant

in vile

Propp'd on his

On

hall

and deign'd to

Eumasus look'd around, and took the

And

slave.'

the palace gate

in his twentieth year, as

much

His

reign,

staff,

and

tatter'd vest,

and bo\^^d

his wearied weight

the ash threshold of the palace gate.

And

'gainst a cypress pillar lay rechned,

Smooth'd by

fine art,

and by the hue defined.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK

XVII.]

The

prince,

From

Bear

'

And

'

Shame

as

much

as either

cried,

him

to

each guest prefer his prayer.

bid

suits

'

Go,

'

Shame

who

lord,'

all

quests his daily

he answer d,

thou, great Jove

!

'

ever bless'd,

consummate

his request.'

grasp'd with either hand, and laid the feet.

ceased the minstrel to enchant the

at Ulysses' side,

And bade him beg

feast.

all,

Minerva stood.

his bread

from

all

around.

nor with the just the unjust confound

Yet none should 'scape her wrath.

And

meat

suitors shouted, brawling o'er their food,

When, Try

fare.'

feasted while the minstrel sung, and ceased

When The

:

thy prayer.

the vile wallet stretch'd before his

Then

fare.'

prince vouchsafes to give.

pour to

not him

Be thy kind

Then

On

suits

quests his daily

there, hapless guest, receive

*

at his bidding,

to him, the poor, the old,

who

not him

:

'

Take what the gracious

And

hold,

he

*

*

hand could

this,'

Eumseus went

'

and, where he fed

call'd,

the bright basket drew a loaf of bread.

And meat '

Eumasus

123

like a

The king

obey'd.

beggar stretch'd his hand, and pray'd

THE ODYSSEY.

124 Passing from

left to right.

— Him

all

[book

xvii.

admired.

Relieved his wants, and each from each enquired, '

^Vho

—whence the man

?

•

!

Ye, who here

the bride,

Melanthius thus replied,

*

Illustrious lords

*

I

'

But know not whence, nor of what parents

'

saw him by Eumaeus hither

He

spake

—then keen

Notorious swineherd

!

spirit stmig.

why, within our

hall,

'

To mar

'

Are there not

'

jVIore

*

Guests here enough thy master to consume

*

Whence

'

the festival, this vagrant call others,

many

Great as thou

?

a beggar here,

than enough to poison

call'd this

bred.'

Antinoiis' scornful tongue

With sharp rebuke Eumaeus'

'

led,

all

our cheer

? ?

wretch to taint the banquet room V

art,'

Eumaeus thus

why me

replied,

'

Thou

'

WTio

'

Save him w^hose rare endo^^nent

all delights,

'

Artist, or seer, or leech, or bard,

whose song

'

Leads by

speak'st not well

:

thus wrongly chide ?

to the feast a stranger guest invites,

celestial

tones the heart along

?

.]

THE ODYSSEY.

125

board

'

For such,

'

But none woo him the wretch who begs

'

But thou,

'

Ulysses served,

*

Chiefly to nie

'

And

o'er all the world, the

who

to all

—

it

still

'

By

her brave son greet

*

His

'

And

force of

me

No

'

example

'

nor idly aim to reclaim.

of speech delights,

all

the rest excites.'

doubt, Antinoiis,' thus the prince begun,

me

*

Thou

*

Hence thy harsh word

*

But

'

Dole him,

*

Fear not

'

But thou thy pamper'd

*

Than

'

unkind,

with gracious mien.'

words that scorner

lip in bitterness

his

his bread.

recks not, while the queen

Silence,' the prince rejoin'd,

*

spread

to their lord inclined

haughty,

still

is

treat'st

as a father treats his son,

may Jove

ne'er

at will

:

to drive

away

this guest

accomplish thy behest I

my mother,

care not

— nay, ordain

nor her menial lust

:

train.

wouldst rather feed,

yield a morsel to another's need.'

What

hast thou utter'd, proud, unyielding soul,'

Antinoiis cried, *

Were

'

We three long

'

what words, without controul

bountiful as mine, the gifts of

months would lack

?

all,

this beggar's brawl.*

THE ODYSSEY.

126

Then took LoU'd at the

Held

And

it

feast,

and Hftmg

The

aloft.

'

o'er his seat

rest their gifts bestow'd.

in the beggar's wallet pour'd the load

— Then, where he

lay before.

to the threshold of the palace door

As the king went

He

xvii.

the stool, whereon his damty feet

Of bread and meat.

On

[book

to Antinoiis

Give,

my

to taste their bounteous fare,

first

prefen*'d his prayer

kind friend

:

thou, whose exalted mien

*

Like a proud monarch's 'mid these feast ers seen,

'

A

^

That

^

I too,

*

All strangers housed,

larger portion, than the others, give,

me, thy largess

o'er the earth, thro'

ere while, a wealthy

my

dome

at

And

was mine that men most

*

But Jove confounded

*

That

*

By wandering

^

Securely moor'd

*

Then

'

Strictly to

*

And bade my

'*

They went, but

all

:

to far /Egj^pt \\ing'd

I

distress'd,

thousand servants came

Prompt

*

all

possess'd,

and succom-'d the

''

call a

live,

costly

name

:

he sent the gale

my

pirates mann'd.

fated

sail

In ^Egj'pt's flood

my peaceful vessels stood. forewam'd my comrades, left in charge, guard the ships, nor roam at large, spies

ascend the mountain crest

reckless of their lord's behest.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

127

'

In insolence of strength, and frantic pride

*

Spoil'd ^Egypt's fruitful fields, their race defied,

'

Their children, wives, enslaved, the natives slew,

'

Till to the

'

At morn

*

Thunder'd with

*

Of horse and

'

Jove lanch'd the bolt that turn'd

'

None dared

'

'

*

'

*

town the cry of murder

their host rush'd battle,

all

the shore

from the Olympian height

my

friends to flight.

the foe, none stood their ground,

By danger and by death encompass'd round. Some by the sword were slain, some captive To earn by toil their dole of servile bread.

led

Me they consign'd to Dmetor, Jasus' heir, Who o'er the Cyprians stretch'd his scepter'd

*

From Cyprus,

'

I reach'd

your

thus by

'

Here sent thee

'

Hence, wretch

'

A

'

So

'

Sue

*

No

bitterer

!

severe depress'd

from or

What

my

fiend,

thou banquet pest

table stand aside,

now thou

view'st/

Cypms, and ^gj^ptian

Antinous

cried,

plain,

and wearisome thy

strain.

turn, their gifts will fe'eely flow

stint is theirs

The king Is

?

frontless thou, all in

woe

care.

isle.'

'

'

down, and

and the brazen roar

foot, while

assail

flew.

who

others wealth bestow.'

stepp'd back,

and

said,

'

Alas

!

thy mind

with thy outward semblance ill-combined.

THE ODYSSEY.

128

[book

'

Thou

'

In thine own house, who, at another's board

'

Where luxury

'

Enviest the vretch the crumbs that downward

He

xvir.

to the suppliant wouldst not salt afford

spake

revels in the regal hall,

when

:

fall.'

boiling in Antinoiis' breast

Burst forth the word that thus his wrath expressed

'

'

me

Since thus 'gainst

Not now

Then

rejoicing shalt thou leave this

hurl'd

on him the

His shoulder struck, but

Unbending

thy insolent reproof,

to the

The

stool.

like a stedfast

roof

forceful

shock

rock

blow Ulysses stood.

Stood mute, and shook his head, and mused on blood

Then went, and placed

his wallet

on the ground.

Sat on the threshold, and, stem-gazing round.

Spoke to the

feasters

:

Ye who

*

'

Ye, suitors of the queen, to

'

Not

*

Or

*

Man

*

For hunger

gi'eat the grief,

when

revel here,

me

give ear.

for his treasured store,

herds, or flocks that range the pastures o'er feels the

wound

oft to

ill

:

but

has

when

man

for food I pray'd

betray'd.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

'

Antinous struck me.

*

The

'

Before the nuptial hour.'

Yet,

poor, that chief to

cried,

'

heaven defend

Hades

'

Antinous

if

129

shall

descend

Cease, brawler, cease/

thy pittance gorge in peace

'

Here, or begone,

*

By

'

Thou from

lest

by these menials bound

hand, or foot, dragg'd bleeding,

wound on wound,

these walls art hurl'd.'

That menace moved

The

'

youths, and thus their voice the chief reproved

111

hast thou struck that hapless, houseless guest.

'

What

'

For

'

*

'

—

if

oft

some god,

so mask'd, thy nature test

the gods disguised at pleasure

?

roam

From town to town like men without a home, To judge the earth, and by experience prove

Who

^vrong commit, or right and justice love.'

Thus they "Wliile

—yet

their reproof

Antinous spurn'd.

with deep ^^ath the prince intensely burn'd

For that

vile

blow, yet sconi'd a tear to shed.

But mute, intent on vengeance, shook She

too, the queen, at

That shamed her VOL.

II.

his head.

rumour of that stroke

roof, thus,

'mid her maidens, spoke

THE ODYSSEY.

130 '

'

[book

So may the Archer God confound thy pride

Base wretch

!

might/ Euronyme rephed,

'

'

Might our breathed prayer consummate our

'

Yon

'

xvii.

wooers,

all,

desire,

ere day-spring, should expire.'

Yes, faithful nurse,' Penelope exclaim'd,

'

Them

^

But more than

*

Know, here a wanderer came, whose supphant breath

'

Begg'd but

'

The

rest with ready gifts his wallet swell'd,

*

But

this

'

With the

I detest, all

While

as

vile

deeds defamed,

Antinous, dark as death.

for bread,

Antinous by

by poverty compell'd

mad

pride betray 'd,

hurl'd foot-stool bruised his shoulder blade.'

in her

The queen

And

all,

by

chamber

in indignant strain

thus spoke amid her menial train.

Eumgeus hasten'd

to her call,

Ulysses feasted in the banquet

'

Go, kind Eumseus,

The wandering

hall.

faithful friend,' she cried.

stranger to

my

chamber guide.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

'

Fain would

'

If

'

Of my loved

I

ask of him

who

131

far has stray'd,

aught his ear has heard, or eye survey'd lord.'

'

Were

those/ he said,

'

at rest,

'

Those wasters mute, whose brawls the

*

Thou from

'

To

*

Three days and nights

'

For,

*

Yet ne'er throughout that time was found to

*

The unbroken

'

As when

'

Gift of the gods that leads the heart along,

'

All

'

Thus, melting me, he

'

He

'

Erewhile in Crete by Minos once possess'd

'

Thence, 'mid sore

*

And

'

Says that thy lord on rich Thesprotia's shore

*

Breathes, and with

*

'

that stranger's

word a

feast molest,

tale shouldst

hear

soothe thy heart, and stay the starting tear.

first,

hang

when

to

me

in

he

my

shed,

fled, fail

ten our of his winning tale.

in transport at the minstrel's song,

insatiate

in reliance

Him,

housed him

left his ship,

said Ulysses

Go,

I

my

kind

on the enchanting

was

stole the

lay,

hours away.

his father's guest

toils,

the wandering suppliant came,

on the voice of fame,

gifts full-fi'aught

friend,'

face to face, to

returns once more.'

Penelope replied,

commune

with me, guide.

THE ODYSSEY.

132

[book

'

Let these proud wooers

*

Or

'

They

'

Viands and wines, or feed their

'

While

'

Our

goats,

'

And

quaff at will the

'

For here no brave Ulysses mars their

'

Were he

'

And

revel in the hall, in

if

such their choice, their

own

stores remain,

ser\ile train,

banquet day succeeding day,

and sheep, and

bulls these wasters slay,

mne, and

all

destroy, joy.

retmni'd, beneath his righteous ire,

his brave son's, these spoilers

Then

would

expire.'

loudly sneezed her son, and wide around

As the roof echoed the

The queen Eumaeus '

in the court rejoice,

whose mansions

for their

xvii.

Haste

—hither

auspicious sound.

with glad smile address'd

now the welcome omen ? death is rjgh

bring, speed

guest.

'

Hear'st thou not that

'

All, in their guilt, at

*

This too be told

'

If true his word, shall grace that stranger guest.'

Eumasus

fair

once shall surely

— a robe and

swiftly

'

The queen

die.

costly vest

went

'

awaits thee

:

:

Go, aged

sire,

speed, at her desire

:

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

133

'

The mother

'

Would

fain

*

And

reward thee, a rich robe and

'

If true thy word, her favour shall attest,

'

This thy chief want her bounty shall supply,

*

But thou on others

*

As chance or choice may

to

of the prince, tho'

worn with woe,

from thee of her Ulysses know, vest,

thy bread rely

for

grant.'

The king

may

replied,

'

On me

*

Her

'

Yet much

*

Those, whose dire deeds have reach'd the Olympian

the queen

lord I

know I

:

fearlessly confide.

alike

we

suiFer'd

wrong

dread the suitors' troublous throng,

height, '

*

who but now dared me, a suppliant, And when without offence I onward pass'd, Those,

me

weapon

'

E'en while

'

Nor

*

Or other guest

'

Bid then the queen, tho' urgent, there await

'

Till the slope

*

Then

'

And

'

While, as thou know'st

^

These wretched rags scarce clothe

I

begg'd, 'gainst

a

smite,

cast

did Telemachus stretch forth his hand, Antinoiis to ^^^thstand.

sun has pass'd his western gate,

of her lord's return at will enquire,

seat

me

near her hospitable

—

for

first

fire,

to thee

my

I

came,

aged frame.'

THE ODYSSEY.

134 *

Eumcnis

'

He

left

him

cross'd the threshold,

—

Say/ exclaim'd the queen,

'

How

*

What

*

Does bashfulness

his lingering step

'

A

is

!

lead'st

thou not the invited stranger here

darts across his

bashful beggar

He

rightly spoke

Eumseus

said,

'

mind

?

— Excessive

fear

impede

?

?

?

a wretch indeed.'

what others might have thought,'

a word with wisdom fraught

'

Fain would he shun the contumelious

'

And

'

For thee,

'

To '

xvii.

and as soon as seen

:

'

'

[hook

bids thee thy

keen

'tis fitter far,

\vish

when

till

train,

night restrain.

day-light

gone

hold free converse, queen, with him alone.'

He

too,'

the queen replied,

*

Harbours no senseless

'

For never yet on

'

Were such Then

—

Eumaeus

Drew

*

whoe'er that guest

spirit in his

breast

earth's capacious

round

base wretches, such insulters found.'

to the

to the

queen

his

message thus declared,

wooers back

repair'd.

nigh the prince, and bowing o'er his ear,

Whisper'd the word, that none, save him, might hear.

BOOK '

THE ODYSSEY.

XVII.]

Friend, I depart, thy food and mine to guard,

*

Thou,

*

First save thyself,

'

Lest death ensue, what treacherous foes

'

How

*

May *

for thy safety

vast the host all

So may

it

prove

But go, and when

'

Speed to thy lodge

*

keep

strict

and ponder

! '

Fill'd

infest,

pass'd

;

ire,

!'

Telemachus rephed,

refresh'd at eventide ;

thence at the dawn of day feast convey.

To Went

in thy breast,

yet ere thou feel their

:

Thy chosen victims to the The gods will guard me.'

Eumaeus

watch and ward

by Jove's avenging wrath expire

'

'

135

his polish'd seat

and cheer'd with wine and meat

to his charge,

and

left

the court and hall

with the feasters and their ceaseless brawl

Then dance and Led on

song, that fi'om the daylight close

the revellers to their late repose.

THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Combat

l)et\veen

suitors.

Ulysses and Irus.

Penelope receives

Eurymacluis insults Ulysses.

Telemachus and Amphinomus.

A general

gifts

tura\ilt,

from the

appeased by

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK

XVIII.

It chanced, a beggar of notorious fame

For Still

his voracious

gorging,

still

stomach, onward came.

Vast his height.

insatiate.

Bulk without bone, a giant but

At

birth,

Arneeus

call'd,

but

By the nick-name of Irus The common messenger.

He came to drive And thus abused

in sight

now

alone

wholly known. There,

fi'ee

to roam.

Ulysses from his home.

'

Old man

!

that threshold leave,

'

Lest by the foot dragg'd forth thou vainly grieve.

'

And

'

Urge me

'

Up,

—

seest

lest

thou not those guests, whose winking

to drag thee forth

we

?

But

—shame

forbids.

clash in fight.'

The monarch eyed With

scornful glance the wretch,

and thus replied

lids

THE ODYSSEY.

110 '

Wretch

I

!

nor speak thee

[book

nor do thee wrong,

ill,

'

Nor envy what thou

gain'st the guests

'

Tho' large their

— This

'

Nor envy thou

*

Such

I

am, thou seem'st

'

The gods

at will their gifts

*

Be

'

And

'

Then

'

Bring on, to

'

For thou, henceforth,

'

Dome

'

as

still I,

gifts.

among,

can both contain

sill

the dole that others gain.

—provoke me

—we beg our bread, on mortals shed.

not, lest rage ensue,

thus aged, thy breast with blood embrue,

will

to-morrow with propitious ray,

me

at least, a peaceful day, this roof

^

ever shun,

of Ulysses, great Laertes' son.'

Heavens

! '

Irus cried,

'

what has

'

How

*

Slave

'

Thy broken

*

Like a corn -plundering swine's

'

That

*

With one thy

chatter'd like a !

hag

this glutton

defiled with

spoke

smoke

thee at will these hands shall sorely maul,

all

grinders from thy jaws shall

may

see us

—

but,

fall

— Now, dare engage, combat wage

junior?'

Thus they raged

The pohsh'd

before

threshold of the lofty door

Their clamorous

Who

xviii.

strife

the proud Antinoiis heard

insolently smiling spake the

word

:

?

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVIII.]

we

Ne'er hcixe

'

141

witness'd, friends, so rare a sight

'

The gods themselves vouchsafe us

*

Yon

beggars

— —

'

Urge we the

conflict

lo

!

this dehghi.

their threatening fists uprear

—

'twill

enhance our^cheer.'

All laugh'd, and round the tatter'd rivals drew.

When

the wing'd

Hear me,

'

my

wOrd from young Antmous flew

friends,

where savoury steams aspire

'

From twO goat-paunches fuming on

'

Full

*

Fit preparation for our evening food

'

Whoe'er

'

Choose out

'

And mth

'

Shall hear

with lumps of

stuff" 'd

:

fat,

and

fire,

and soak'd

shall conquer, let the his portion,

the

man

his

in blood,

at will

hunger

still,

us banquet, where the festive hall

no other beggar's troublous

All heard well pleased

:

brawl.'

when, meditating

guile,

Ulysses shrewd reply conceal'd his wile '

How with a younger can a man contend, He whom to earth both age and misery bend ? '

'

'

Yet

me

'

To

fight

'

But bind your souls that none

'

Lest by your blow

dire hunger's ceaseless

and

fall

pangs provoke

beneath the o'erpowering stroke

my

shall Irus aid,

limbs on earth be

laid.'

THE ODYSSEY.

142

Their souls the suitors bound

The

'

[book

— Then, thus

xviii.

address'd,

prince pour'd forth the fervour of his breast

Stranger

!

since thy brave heart

and

spirit

dare

'

Drive forth this troublous \vretch, no more forbear

'

Fear thou no other foe

'

With many a just avenger

*

I,

'

With me,

'

Antinous and Eurymachus.'

who

:

—who dares

offend,

shall contend.

receive the strangers, guard their right. in this at least, the chiefs unite,

All heard.

And all approved the prince's manly word. Then round his loins his rags Ulysses roll'd. And bared to sight his thighs gigantic mould And his vast shoulders, and his breadth of breast. And arms whose rising muscles swell'd confess'd. Pallas each Hmb enlarged, and greatly gave Strength to the strong, and boldness to the brave

on the mighty man,

All,

And

'

*

all

hung amazed.

loud burst forth their wonder, as they gazed

Irus, un-Irus'd,

Age from yon

soon

will spraAvl

on earth

rags bursts into giant birth.'

:

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVIII.]

Thus they

When And

:

while Irus' heart sank

143

down with

dread.

girding him, perforce the menials led.

his flesh quiver'd as with scornful look

Antinous thus pour'd forth his stern rebuke

'

Would thou wert not,

or that thou ne'er hadst been,

bulk of earth, thou dread, as soon as seen,

'

If,

*

A man

'

Wretch

'

If

*

Thou

'

To

Echetus, the king, earth's

'

He

shall cut off thy nose,

by

with weight of woe, and years oppress'd !

his

mark

my

word, that shall not idly

arm subdued, thy

rest,

efforts fail,

to Epirus shalt in fetters sail

common

and either

fear

ear,

And marring all thy manhood, cast away To gorge his dogs the mutilated prey.'

*

'

That

threat, as

When ft'ont

on they drew him,

swell'd his fright.

to front, they raised their

arms

for fight.

Ulysses doubted, him at once to slay.

Or with a blow

Then

less dire half breathless lay

curb'd his strength, lest Irus' deadly

Should to their minds Ulysses' might

They clash'd But

full

Beneath

on

:

fall

recall.

the wretch the king's right shoulder smote.

Irus' neck,

and swell of throat.

his ear the king's resistless stroke.

With crashing sound the jaw bone

inly broke.

THE ODYSSEY.

144

Gush'd from his throat the blood

Down, prone on

[book

with dreadful

:

earth, the bulk of Irus

feet.

That knew no pause, the dust beneath them toss'd their

Half dead with laughter

The

victor dragg'd

arms

at the

in

to

beat.

deep delight.

unseemly

him impotent

yell,

fell

His teeth loud chatter'd, and his quivering

While the guests

xviii.

sight.

move.

Along the vestibule and deep alcove.

Then

thro' the portal of the

outward

hall.

Placed him reclined against the enclosing wall.

And And '

toss'd his staff into the beggar's

thus at parting spake his stern

There

sit

;

of strangers king

Of beggars and

'

Vile as thou art

'

Or on thy brow thou

the

From whose

worn

and worthless

*

there be

di'aw'st severer

still,

ill.'

loose rags a cord of leather

The laughing

May

:

no more,

wallet round his shoulders flung.

Back on the threshold

'

command

from hounds and smne defend the door

'

Then

hand.

suitors,

sat,

hung

while inward press'd

and thus cheer'd their guest

Jove himself, and

Grant thee whate'er thy

all

the Olpnpian choir

^^^sh,

thy heart's desire.

:

THE ODYSSEY.

BooKxviii.] *

'

145

Thou who hast driven this glutton from our hall, And freed the public from his troublous brawl.

*

He

*

To Echetus

to Epirus soon shall

The

sail,

consign'd

the slayer of mankind.'

gi'atefril

omen

cheer'd Ulysses' soul.

The

while Antinoiis gave the promised dole.

The

prize, the larger

paunch of tempting food. and soak'd with blood

Full stuffed with lumps of

fat,

Two

before

loaves

Amphinomus

him

laid.

Pledged from a golden bowl, and kindly said

*

*

Hail

!

father, hail

Be thou

!

:

hereafter bless'd,

Tho* now by multitude of woes oppress'd.'

*

Amphinomus/ the

cautious king replied,

*

Thou

*

Such once thy

*

For wealth and virtue

'

Thou

*

Therefore weigh well the word

*

None

*

Are weaker than the race of human

'

Man

'

Gilds his fleet day, and youth and strength are given VOL.

rightly speak'st sire,

what wisdom seems to guide

:

Dulichian Nisus named, far

and widely famed.

too, methinks, art to his \irtue, heir

that exist

fears

II.

I

now

declare

:

and breathe, and crawl on earth

no future

ill,

birth.

while favouring heaven

L

THE ODYSSEY.

14G

[book xvhi.

'

But when the gods bring on the adverse hour,

'

His soul reluctant strives against their power,

'

And

'

With every changeful day by Jove

'

I

'

And

'

Therefore

'

But patient bear the

lot

*

Yet, here consuming

all,

'

Flagitious deeds,

'

The

wife of

'

And

\^dstful friends

*

Thee may the gods lead

'

When home

'

For not

'

When

mind

veers in mutability of

once was

bless'd,

and

in

my

brethren trusting, lived a let

none indulge

assign'd.

father's life

of

shame

his lawless

mind

by heaven design

d.

the suitors dare

and vrong the royal

him who nigh

now

fame

fair,

his native land,

rears the avenging hand. forth, ere

thou engage,

the hero rushes in his rage

in bloodless close the

war

will end,

here the suitors and the king contend.'

Then, ere he drank,

^^ith

wine the gods adored.

And to the chief the golden cup restored. Amphinomus onward pass'd, with giief oppress'd. And bow'd his brow reclining on his breast. Presaging

ill

:

Could not the

Thy

but his presaging mind fate that Pallas link'd unbind.

spear, Telemachus, shall hear his groan

Thus doom'd, the

:

chief sunk shuddering on his throne.

THE ODYSSEY.

BooKxvui.]

Now

Pallas

147

prompting the suggested thought

In the queen's

mmd,

another counsel wrought

Their souls to fathom, and that more and more

Her son and

*

lord revere her than before.

Euronyme !'

the smiUng queen exclaim'd,

now my

*

Tho' ne'er

till

'

Yet would

I fain

*

*

*

soul such pm-pose framed,

approach that hated race,

And my loved son admonish, face to face, To shun the suitors whose deceitful breath Drops honey while

'

What thou

their heart

hast said,'

engenders death.'

Euronyme rephed,

'

The word thou

*

Go

*

The

*

Clear from thy face each stain of tears away

*

Grief, ceaseless grief, brings

'

Look on thy son

*

Behold the bearded man, Ulysses'

'

utter'st sense

—warn thy son of

all

:

and prudence guide.

but, foremost, seek

cleansing laver, and anoint thy cheek.

:

:

premature decay.

the gods have heard thy prayer heir.'

In vain solicitous,' her mistress said,

*

Thou

*

Speak not of baths and unguents

*

Ulysses

wouldst, Euronyme, thy queen persuade.

sail'd,

heaven took

my

—

since that day

charms away.

THE ODYSSEY.

148 '

But haste, and here Hippodamia

'

And

bid Autonoe seek with

*

Not

slight the

'

To

shame 'mid

me

[hook xvm.

call,

the hall

band

that hcentious

pass alone, and vmattended stand.'

She spake

:

and

And summon'd

strait

to the

EuronjTne obey'd.

queen each

faithful

maid.

But gracious Pallas otherwise disposed.

And

in

sweet sleep the mourner's eyelid closed.

She downward sunk, and on her couch Loose hung her hmbs, by

The

sleep's soft

reclined.

touch disjoin'd

while the Goddess deign'd to her impart

Celestial

charms that fascinate the heart

Robed her

\s\Xh

:

beauty \vhose ambrosial glow

Beam'd hke the charm on Cytherea's brow.

When

the gay Goddess with fresh flowerets crown'd

AVeaves the light dance the Graces' bower around;

Gave

to her

And made Then

form a

larger, loftiei" air.

her more than sculptured ivory,

Pallas fled,

and

as the

fair.

maidens came

Their hasty step disturb'd the sleeping dame.

Roused from sweet

And '

*

rest Icarius'

daughter \voke.

brushing from her cheek the tear-drop, spoke

How

in oblivious

that Diana,

now,

slumber in

slept

such repose

my

woes

.]

THE ODYSSEY. my

149

'

Would

'

Might, slow consuming, day by day deplore,

'

In \ain regretting him,

my

'

Him

all

steal

for

Then

lite

away, that

each virtue by

I

no move

long loved lord,

Greece adored.'

her upper room, and, where she went.

left

Following the queen their steps two maidens bent.

And now

descending where the feasters sate,

Bet^veen the columns of the lofty gate.

Half hid beneath her ^eis transparent shade. Stood the

They

fair

—they loved—

look'd

Tranced All fain

My

o'er

each enchanted soul.

at her sight, a melting languor stole

had

clasp'd her charms,

The mother

'

queen, and at each side a maid.

son

when thus

address'd.

to her son her grief express'd

!

thy sense, thy judgment die away

mind

'

More

'

But now,

'

Might deem thy

birth ft-om royal lineage sprung,

*

Such thy proud

size

*

Sinks, from

'

Think of Ulysses' royal dome debased

firm thy

'

The

'

Beneath

*

If

at

in childhood's early

day

manhood's goal, when every tongue

its

and beauty, now thy mind

firm stability dechned. ;

outrage unavenged has thee disgi'aced. o\n• roof,

on the stranger

the festive guests among, light or

harm

or wrong.

THE ODYSSEY.

150

[book

xviir.

On thee hereafter rests the undying scorn, And thine the curse of mortals yet unborn/

'

'

'

Not with

thee,

mother/ the wise prince

replied,

incensed, tho' thou severely chide.

*

I feel

'

I

'

Nor, as in childhood, need their difference learn

'

But cannot

'

Thus compass'd round by

'

Men who

'

While aid or counsel none

'

But

'

can alike both good and

ill

discern,

provide,

all forecast, for all

distract

my

foes

on every

mind, and vex to

;

me

side,

my

heart,

impart.

their base will in that vile quarrel

fail'd,

Gainst Irus' bulk, the stranger's strength prevail'd.

'

'

Thou Jove

'

So might these wooers by

'

Bow down

'

Some

'

As now that mendicant,

*

With head hung down

*

Before the outer gate, too weak to

'

Or homeward

!

thou Pallas

in dust,

some

o'er the hearth,

crawl,

thou Apollo, hear

!

just

doom

severe,

in this festive hall,

but death alike on that public pest,

as

all

all,

one with wine oppress'd, rise,

impotently

While thus they conversed,

first,

Eurymachus the beauteous queen

lies.'

beyond the

address'd

:

rest,

BOOK '

*

'

'

THE ODYSSEY.

XVIII.]

Could

How

thy stature, passing

Prince,' she replied,

'

whate'er

Form, beauty,

'

When my

'

Far from his native realm to

'

Might he return, and

'

fresh

on

'

When

'

Breathed the

Loved

my

thy kind, !

once enjoy'd,

gods destroy'd fell

war

intent,

Ilion went.

direful

woes o'erpower,

lives that bitter hour,

hand he hung, and, last

mind

transcendant glory wait

on memory

Still

'

me

I

swell,

rule his household state

mom*n, such

*

on

intellect, the

loved husband, on

How would Now lone I

all

as thy form, thy matchless

'

'

Argos dwell,

in

would thy courts with crowd of wooers

Thy charms, And faultless '

who

behold thee

all

151

ere to part,

word that glows within

wife, not all

our host

my heart

:

will ere again

'

Return unwounded from Troy's

'

Fame

'

Skilfril

to lanch the spear, to

'

Mount

the wing'd steed, and guide the thundering car

'

Whose

onset soon decides the fate of war.

'

Heaven knows,

'

But thou,

'

Still

*

And

hostile plain

:

loudly vaunts the valour of our foe,

if I

o'er all

bend the bow,

return, or perish there

supreme dominion bear,

watch, as now, each aged parent

—tend them,

?

in

my

absence,

o'er,

more and more.

THE ODYSSEY.

152 '

And when thy son embrowns

'

Wed whom

thou

Thus spake

*

manly cheek,

husband

:

what he spoke

is

'

Soon

'

That drags

*

And

pours Jove's vrath on

'

But

this offends

'

This wooing that degrades the wooer's name.

*

They who

'

To

'

Or wealthy

'

Feasted her friends with

*

And

'

But ne'er unpunish'd her estate devour'd.'

loathing to the nuptial bed,

me,

this

of yore were

court no worthless

my

devoted head.

unwonted shame,

wont

in rival strife

woman

for a wife,

heiress, to obtain her love

many

Fresh consolation

'

his consort

spoke

Ulysses woke.

in

That thus she drew

a fatted drove,

the affianced beauty dower'd,

^^ith rare gifts

So spake the queen, and what

The

done.

draw nigh, the unhallow'd one,

will the night

me

xviii.

and other mansion seek.

^^ilt,

my

his

[book

their gifts,

and soothed

their mind.

while his thoughts to deeds of death inclined.

Icarius

thy

'

Be,

'

Nor thou

'

Yet

if

'

daughter will,

our

disdain

!

'

then Antinous

gifts

them

ne'er the wooers

:

said,

before thee laid

graciously receive this

mansion leave.

BOOK *

Ne'er

'

Till

return, or seek another land,

chiefs

approved

and each with Hke intent

:

herald sped his offering to present.

And

A

home

153

he who most deserves, has gain'd thy hand.'

The

A

THE ODYSSEY.

XVIII.]

strait his

herald to Antinoiis brought

robe of wondrous

Where twelve With

gi-ace, diversely

wrought,

bright clasps, each clasp of burnish'd gold.

well-fomi'd eyes secured

its

ample

fold.

Before Eurymachus his herald placed

A

golden necklace ^xah bright amber chased.

That sun-hke blazed.

From thy

recondite store,

Eurydamas, two servants onward bore

An

A

ear-ring, each,

triple

drop

And round

A

where

subtilely inlaid

^\^th brightest brilliance play'd

illumined

collar w^orthy of a

All freely gave.

all.

Pisander's slave,

monarch gave.

— The queen her chamber sought.

And the maids foUow'd with those presents fraught. Then the gay guests with dance and dulcet lay Led on the hours But when

late

They duly Three

till

Hesper closed the day.

Hesper on

their revels stole.

brought, to light afar the whole.

braziers,

each ndth

many

a log supphed,

Hard, newly spHt, and by long seasoning,

dried.

THE ODYSSEY.

154

Nor

torches

The

attendant

Ye !'

'

fail'd,

took in turn their stand.

thus the king address'd them,

'

ye,

Ye,

'

Go, and console your venerated queen

'

There best the service of the female seen.

'

There comb the wool, the

'

Be mine

'

who

restless spindle turn

to feed the flames that brightly burn

And if these revellers Unger on till morn, None shall these arms, long wont to labour,

The females

The

fair

wait,

served your absent monarch's state,

'

'

xviii.

while band succeeding band,

women

who once

[book

laugh'd,

and

in

:

scorn.'

contemptuous pride

Melantho dared the monarch chide.

Daughter of Dohus, to the queen endear'd.

Graced by her

gifts,

and

her offspring rear'd

like

Yet ne'er her mistress' woe her pity moved Alone Eurymachus the wanton loved.

'

'

'

*

Thou wretched

!

stranger

'

thus INIelantho said,

By ft-enzy or by foolishness betray 'd, Thou wilt not slumber by the smithy's Nor to the public portico retire,

fire,

'

But where the

'

Chatter'st at will, nor feel'st respect or fear

feasters mingle, rudely here ;

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVIII.]

'

Or fumes

*

Or, thou from nature, ever

*

O'er vanquish'd

'

Here one more stout than

*

Crush thy

*

Hence

of wine float round thy reeling brain,

'

vile

IiTis

I,

'

And

fierce

swagger'st thou

?

—beware

Irus shall repair, o'er,

look Ulysses sternly eyed.

Frontless woman,' thus in rage replied,

make thy

daring known,

thy hewn Hmbs this outrage shall atone.'

The women,

And The

in vain.

head, and bruising o'er and

to the prince, will

*

bravst

cast thee forth, polluted with thy gore.'

Her with And,

155

their

at this threat, in terrour fled.

knees trembled

^\'ith

foreboding dread.

while the king ^^dth unrelaxing sight,

Look'd round, and watch'd, and fed each dying

So seemingly

light.

to servile deeds resign'd

While the great work of death

fill'd all

his

mind.

But Pallas

suffer'd not the scornful train

Long time

their bitter insults to restrain.

That each

fresh outrage should fresh ire impart.

And And

sharpen vengeance in Ulysses' heart. thus Eurymachus, with cutting joke

That

jeer'd the king,

'mid bursts of laughter spoke

:

THE ODYSSEY.

156 '

Hear me,

wooers of the queen

illustrious

—not without a god,

'

No

*

Here haunts.

'

Where Then

The

[book xvm.

this

man,

I

!

ween,

torch-flame glistens from his head,

not a hair has power

its

growth to

spread.'

turning to the king, thus scornful spake,

'

Wouldst thou

'

Sell

me

'

Not

sUght,

'

There

'

Then

*

Thou

for hire,

thy service in

my

set the

—

if

my

thee

I

deign'd to take,

distant plain

friend, thy

?

recompense and

gain.

thorny fence, or plant the trees

yearly nurture should thy need appease,

shouldst be clothed, shoes too thy feet should

guard

were no reward.

*

Yet

'

Ne'er wouldst thou work, long wont to deeds of

'

But thy

'

I

these, I fear, to thee

insatiate

paunch by beggary

ill,

fill.'

would, Eurymachus,' the king repUed,

'

That we by \igorous

*

In springtide's length of day, and in our hands

*

A

'

That we might prove our strength,

*

While the blade

'

Or, urging on the steers to tame the

'

Sleek, large,

toil

were

fairly tried,

scythe, low leveUing the grassy lands

and

fail'd

till

eve, unfed,

not on the unmow'd bed

fully fed to

soil,

bear the

toil.

:

'

BOOK '

THE ODYSSEY.

XVIII.]

Steers of like age, like strength,

157

whose well match'd

force *

Paced step by

'

The

field four acres,

where, on either

*

The

glebe would

as

*

Then thou

'

Cleaves the

*

Or

'

*

*

*

if

this

step,

lie

and closed, untired,

we

side,

the plough-share guide

shouldst see how, gliding on, strait

my

yoke

furrow with continuous stroke.

day Saturnius war

excite,

And mine a buckler fitted for the fight, And mine two lances, and around my head The well-form'd helm its brazen radiance spread, Thou, in the van shouldst view me 'mid the slain,

my

'

Nor dare

of

'

But thou

art scornful, thine a

'

That deems thee

'

For thou

*

Yet

*

These

gates, thus ample,

'

When

thro' the court

—

if

And *

paunch complain.

insatiate

haughty mind

far superior to

Ulysses here return again,

would too

Wretch

!

strait

appear

thou rushest, wing'd by

thou shalt

suffer,

rashly bolted, and

fear.'

intensely burn'd.

swiftly thus the impassion'd

Thus

mankind,

consort'st with few, the weak, the vain,

Eurymachus with rage

*

their course,

word return'd

such thy daring word

by numbers heard.

THE ODYSSEY.

158

[book

xviii.

'

Wretch, void of reverence, wine has turn'd thy brain,

*

Or thou by

*

Thus ever

'

O'er vanquish'd Irus?'

native folly,

idly rail'st.

weak

— Or

as 'ain,

swells thy pride

Ere the king

The

insulter hurl'd the stool

Low

at

;

but as

replied. it

flew.

Amphinomus' knee the king withdrew

It miss'd its

aim, but struck the dexter hand

Of him who

served with wine the festive band.

The beaker with Fell, as the

The deep

man

reverberating sound. lay groaning on the ground.

alcove with clamour widely rung,

^^lile thus a voice burst forth from every tongue

*

Would

that

yon \\Tetch had died ere hither brought,

*

And

*

For him

*

Vile, vorthless brawls alone

in our

banquet such confusion wrought

this contest

— Wine nor food our souls

AVith awful grandeur that the

The

'

*

delight, excite.'

strife repress'd.

indignant prince the brawlers thus address'd

Madmen

! '

he

cried,

'

why

thus infuriate rage

Fails then the feast this tumult to assuage

?

?

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XVIII.]

'

Some

'

And

*

Go,

'

Go where you

'

I drive

159

god, no doubt, this turbulence excites,

since the banquet fully fed, at

home

now no more securely rest,

arm

will, this

none hence

dehghts,

shall

none molest,

perforce.'

All heard, and held

Sad

silence,

The

and

their heart in secret swell'd.

while they bit their

That thus the prince

lips,

their insolence reproved.

At length the son of Nisus

And

'

•'

thus admonishing

Let none,

None

my

by wonder moved

silence broke

Amphinomus spoke

fi'iends,

despitefuUy contend,

against right and reason ought defend.

*

Strike not the stranger, nor unjustly

*

Whoe'er here serves Ulysses'

'

Now,

*

That we may

*

'

:

let

train

wrong

among.

the steward round the goblet bear, hail the gods, then

home

repair.

And let the stranger, here the prince's guest, Where first he shelter found, untroubled rest.'

He And

spake

:

his counsel

soothed each haughty soul.

Mulius, tempering, crown'd with wine the bowl.

THE ODYSSEY.

160

A herald On

of Dulichium,

wont

[book

xviii.

to wait

king Amphinomus, and crown his state

Each

in his turn

he served

;

— The gods they

Rich nectar cups the revellers regaled

Then,

Each

fully feasted, at the banquet's close.

in his separate

mansion sought repose.

hail'd,

THE NINETEENTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

VOL.

II.

ARGUMENT. Ulysses, with Telemachus, removes the arms into the upper chamber. His

conference with Penelope.

him by

a scar.

Euryclea, while bathing Ulysses, discovers

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK

XIX.

Now, with Minerva, meditating Death

And

blood.

to the suitors, stern Ulysses stood.

thus his son address'd

'

No more

delay,

'

All the war-weapons from the hall convey

'

And

*

Thus answer, and elude

*

From smoke

'

Than when

*

Far as the flame has spread

'

The vapour has obscm*ed

if

the wooers should the cause enquire,

I free

their

them

:

keen desire

other

now

their

hght

Ulysses join'd the Trojan fight. its

sullying steam,

their radiant

me

'

Jove too with higher aim has

*

Lest ye by wine inflamed, and passion

'

Through mutual wounds the

*

The

sight of

;

weapons

oft

beam.

inspired,

feast

fired,

and courtship mar.

engenders war.'

THE ODYSSEY.

164

[rook xix.

He spake Telemachus his sire obey'd. And to his nurse, kind Euryclea, said :

Nurse, bid the females

'

*

That

'

My father's

'

With smoke was a

*

I

*

Yes

—

my room

within

I

chamber

in order lay

and obscured with

polluted, till

now

;

dust.

—mark thou my speech

:

range them where no smoke can reach.'

So rouse thy manly mind,' the nurse

*

stay,

arms, which in his absence rust,

child

I will

in their

replied,

To guard thy treasures, and thy household guide. But who accompanying shall bear the light,

*

—

*

Since they

*

'

This guest,' the prince replied,

None

'

who should precede must shun thy

Not

fed

by me,

The chambers where

And ranged Helms,

Then Euryclea at rest the

his son

shields,

golden lamp

Beams

bread

closed

maids reposed.

now onward

bore.

and lances, while with guiding ray

aloft,

held before their

V

shall gain,

in order all the warlike store.

The guardian Goddess

A

his

shall here untask'd remain.'

vain his word.

The monarch and

'

sight

way

that widely cast

of surpassing splendour where they pass'd.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XIX.] *

My

sire/ the prince exclaim' d,

Where'er

*

The

'

Each

*

Blaze as with flame.

*

Here present leaves awhile

I

walls, the fir-tree

beams,

my

all clearly

sight

seen,

column, and each space between

lofty

my

Silence,

a beauteous light

gaze streams wondrous on

'

*

'

165

Some god

son,' thus

that dwells on high

his native sky.'

spake the wary

sire,

*

Learn to restrain thy mind, nor more enquire.

*

The gods

'

Thou, to thy couch departing, leave

*

That

'

And

I

at times forsake their

may

to her

heavenly sphere.

me

prove thy mother and her

keen enquiries

here,

train,

all explain.'

Then, where the torches round him splendour spread,

The

prince departing sought his peaceful bed

Where slumber wont The dawn The

to soothe

him

:

there he lay

awaiting of the new-born day

while the king, with Pallas

Mused how

left

alone.

the wooers might their guilt atone.

Then from her chamber, like Diana seen. Or golden Venus, came the graceful queen. Nigh the bright hearth her throne the menials placed.

With

ivory wrought, and silver interlaced.

THE ODYSSEY.

166 Icmalius'

And

o'er

There

The

work it

[book xix.

a foot-stool stood beneath.

:

wide was spread a fleecy wreath.

as she sat,

around the royal dame

attendant menials from their chamber came,

Who And

from the

removed the bread, and board.

hall

the drain'd bowls so late with nectar stored

Then

cleansed the hearths, and raked the dust

Where on

:

away

the extinguish'd flames the embers lay.

And on them

heap'd afresh the

That round the chamber

light

billet

wood

and warmth renew'd.

There once again the queen's contemptuous maid Melantho dared her unknown lord upbraid.

Thou, wretch here

'

!

still ?

—here

lingering, as before,

'

With

'

Still

'

That wakes

*

Base wretch

*

Lest by this torch driven forth, thou writhe and

stealthy step

on

this deserted floor,

peering round with that suspicious eye to

watch our haunts,

away

!

:

—

vile

woman-spy

go, gorge, without, thy meal, reel.'

Why,' sternly eyeing her the king exclaim'd,

'

'

Why

'

Is

'

I

'

Such are the mendicants.

'

Was

it

against

me

thy soul with wrath inflamed

because in these

beg from

all

my

?

\ile tatters dress'd

bread by want oppress'd

?

—Yet wealth of yore

mine, and mine the dome, whose open door

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XIX.]

167

*

Welcomed

'

Whoe'er the

'

Mme,

'

Of those, man

'

But Jove has

all

'

Lest thy

charms

'

Should cease to lure

*

Beware

'

Thy

*

His heir, by Phoebus gi'aced, your royal lord

'

Here

'

Shall here, unnoticed, glory in her shame.'

the wanderer, and the hungry fed, stranger, or wherever bred

countless slaves, and

frail

—not

that serves the state

envies most, the rich, the great destroy'd.

slight

lord's return

:

:

—Thou,

youth

in

too, beware,

now blooming

fair

beware the offended queen

our hope, tho'

and

if

no more

No woman,

reigns.

The queen

all

now

unseen,

restored,

none of evil fame

his chast'ning heard,

and thus repUed

In wrathful words that tamed Melantho's pride

'

'

At

least,

Escape

' '

Twas

me

thou shameless not

:

clear to thee, I to thyself

My will to commune

'

Beneath

*

And,

vile

misdeeds

voth this

made known

man

alone

roof: so might I soothe

my

grief,

as I question, gain, perhaps, rehef.'

Then

A

my

thy

such guilt just vengeance breeds.

',

'

girl,

seat,

call'd

and

Euronyme,

o'er

it,

'

here quickly bring

for the stranger, fling

THE ODYSSEY.

168 '

An

'

Hear

ample all I

fleece, that

ask,

As the queen

and

Placed the bright

seat,

may there repose, me all he knows/

he

tell

spake,

[book xix.

Euronyme

obey'd.

and with a

fleece array'd

There, nigh his consort, the

much

suffering lord

Sat listening to the mourner's searching word.

'

Stranger, of thee I foremost

Whence

*

'

art

thou

—what thy

Queen,' he exclaim'd,

'

now

city

inquire

—who thy

V

no mortal, none on earth

*

Could

*

Has reach'd yon heaven

'

Guardian of law, the good and great obey,

rightly

sire

blame thee, whose resounding worth :

hke one whose godlike sway,

Whose fertile soil pours forth the golden grain, Whose groves with fruit bow'd downward,loadthe plain,

'

'

swarms with

'

Vv^hose ocean

'

And

*

But thou,

'

Nor

question what

'

Lest

memory ope

'

And

crush a wretch bow'd

'

Beneath another's roof

'

And

fish,

whose

flocks increase,

'neath whose rule a nation dwells in peace. I

pray, of other things inquire,

ceaseless

my

realm, or

who my

sire,

again each source of woe,

weep

I

o'er

down by many

may not sorrows

a blow.

groan,

all

my

own.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XIX.]

1G9

*

Lest that thy maids, or thou might'st haply say

'

Lo

*

maudhn

!

down

tear-drops

Stranger/ she spake,

the

'

the drunkard stray.'

gifts I

once enjoy'd

'

Of mind, and

*

When the

'

And

'

Might he again return, with glory crown'd,

'

Thro' him

my

'

Now

I

'

So the gods load with

'

For,

'

All

'

Each Samos

'

All

*

Hence

*

Nor

'

But sighing

*

'

Greeks

sail'd to

IHon's fatal coast,

leagued with them Ulysses led his host.

here

all

fame would more and more resound.

mourn, such

bitter

woes o'erpower,

giief each passing

hour

the rulers that Dulichium sway,

whom

Zacynthus' w^ood-girt mounts obey,

woo me I

chief,

and Ithacensian

loathing,

and

nor suppHants

bid the friend of

all

raise,

waste

lord,

my

nor guests regale,

man, the herald

for Ulysses, pine

board.

hail

away,

And while they urge the nuptials, frame delay By many a wile. And first a vest I wove

'

Beneath

'

Web

'

And '

'

and fonn, the gods destroy'd

face,

my

of the finest woof,

gods above,

and amplest

size,

thus, dissembUng, spake in specious guise

Youths,

Now

roof, so will'd the

urge

who

me

here w^oo me, since Ulysses died,

not, a forced, reluctant bride,

THE ODYSSEY.

170

[book xix.

have wrought a shroud,

'

Till for Laertes I

'

Lest these vain threads to that

*

Should waste away, ere slow approaching death

'

Shall close in age the hero's sacred breath,

'

And mine

the blame,

'

Should

unhonour'd with a funeral

'

lie

They

all

if

he,

last

voVd

duty

who much

possess'd

vest.

approved, and underneath the sun

day by day, the eternal web begun,

'

I,

'

The

'

I ravell'd

'

Three years

'

But when the circhng months the fourth renew'd,

'

The

'

Surprised

'

Thus

*

Nor can

'

No

'

And my

'

While capable of rule

*

Fair flourish, graced by Jove above his peers.

'

But

'

For not from stocks and stones thy human

'

'

eternal

my

torch's light

after night.

came, warn'd by the

me

in the fact,

now

left.

web

JVIy

unfaithflil

maid,

and dared upbraid. perforce achieved,

I 'scape their suit,

no more deceived,

parents bid

me

wed,

son views destruction widely spread,

me what

Wilt thou ne'er ^^^fe

by the

fraudiul labour I pursued,

tho' loth, the

fraud

tell

that

evermore night

suitors

I,

web

his riper years

thy race, thy native eaith,

cease,' Ulysses thus

revered of great Laertes' son.

birth.

begun,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIX.]

my

171

'

Wilt thou ne'er cease

'

Yes

*

Tho'

'

AVith woes

more numerous than

'

So must

be,

'

One,

*

Wanders from town

'

Yet

—

'

An

island, Crete,

'

Fair, fertile, rears its wave-encircled

—thou I

shalt hear,

and

bow down when

it

I

when from

like myself,

lineage to enquire satiate

thy desire,

retrace the tale I

now

bewail

his native soil

long absent, worn with to town, to

since thou wilt, thy

?

toil

want a prey

mandate

I

obey.

from forth the ocean's bed, head

;

'

There, countless numbers throng each peopled place,

*

And

*

Not one

'

The

'

Cydonians, and the Dorians'

'

And

'

There, Gnossus, spacious to^vn, where Minos reign'd,

*

Who

*

Sire of Deucalion,

*

'

'

ninety towns scarce hold the mingled race. their

tongue

—Achaeans here abound,

native Cretans there, in

arms renown'd, triple

band,

the Pelasgi claim their separate land.

for nine years a guest vith

from whose

Jove remain'd,

loins I sprung,

And king Idomeneus, who famed among The chieftains, sail'd with Atreus' sons to And left me, ^Ethon named, his youngest

'

Idomeneus the elder and the

'

There

'

With

*

A

I

boy,

best.

thy lord received, and graced

social gifts,

Troy,

my

guest

when, bound to Troy, on Crete

tempest from Malea diOve his

fleet.

[

THE ODYSSEY.

172

xix.

Amnisus, nigh Lucina's cave,

*

Drove

'

In dangerous ports scarce 'scaped the o'erwhehning

to

wave. '

Then, to the court, to greet

'

He

*

But he, that time, ten days already

'

Had

'

I

'

Whate'er was mine fi*om

*

He, and

'

Corn, wine, and bullocks from the pubHc store.

'

Twelve days the Achaean host there

'

While the

'

Chain'd up the ships, and ceaselessly prevail'd

'

The vdnd

his guest revered

sought the king by social bonds endear'd,

sail'd

from Crete to

then beneath

Thus While

his

my

;

me

the hero gain'd,

and to

feast

him more

fix'd their stand,

north wind, ravaging the land,

the next day

like the truth

at

Ilion's hostile shore.

roof thy lord detain'd,

comrades

fierce

o'er,

fell,

and

he wove a

forth they

tale untrue.

each word her tears unsolaced flew

As when by Zephyrus

sail'd.'

diffused, the

:

snow

Melts when the east wind sweeps the mountain brow.

And

melting swells the streams profusely

Thus down her cheeks Weeping her present

Wept But

swift tears

lord

:

nor

on

less

fill'd.

tears distill'd.

her lord

in his heart the wife his soul adored

like stiff horn, or steel, within his hd.

While

art

had power the flowing

to forbid.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XIX.] His eye stood

The '

tearless.

— Then,

in

173

pause of

grief.

queen, thus questioning, address'd the chief:

Stranger

I fain

!

would know by further proof

thou didst feast that lord beneath thy roof,

*

If

*

Him and

*

His comrades, who, and what his form and air?'

'

his gallant host

Full hard to

tell,'

he

:

his dress declare,

said,

'

forms long unseen

*

Twice ten long years have roU'd

'

Since thence he went.

*

How

*

His mantle, purple wool of double

'

Held by two

'

Whereon

'

Whose

*

Hung

'

All gazed in

*

How, wrought

'

And

*

Strove palpitating.

*

That round the onion gleams, so smooth,

*

His tunic like the sun's meridian light

'

Shone, while the

*

But

*

I

still

hound

a

their course between,

Yet, thou shalt truly hear

he seems before

clasps that

:

me

to appear. fold,

bound a brooch of gold,

elaborately wrought,

springing fore-feet, that

its

prey had caught,

o'er a spotted fawai, that quivering

wonder by the in gold, the

heaved

art deceived,

hound had

grasp'd

its

prey,

the fawn, struggling, strove to flee away,

—now

if

arid skin

women w onder'd

attend,

know not

As the

and

let it fix

so thin

at the sight.

thy thought

from home the hero brought

THE ODYSSEY.

174

[book xix.

*

Those garments, or some comrade of the wave,

*

Or

'

For dear to

*

He, above

'

'

to his guest

And And

some

chief the present gave

thy lord, and 'mid our host,

all

most loved, and honour'd most.

all,

too gave thy lord a brazen blade,

I

in a twofold purple robe array'd

*

That swept the ground, and when

'

I

him on way

*

I

too the herald's figure will relate,

'

Who

'

Dark hued,

his ship

he sought,

honouring escort brought.

^vith

served, scarce older than himself, his state crisp'd locks, thick shoulder'd,

such his

frame, '

'

*

And answering to Eurybates's name. To him, above the rest, thy lord inclined, For one

Down

their counsel,

her

fair

and consentient mind.'

cheek each word fresh sorrow drew.

Struck by the features of the forms she knew.

And now exhaust with woe, when soothed The consort of Ulysses thus rejoin'd ^

My

guest, thy

woe erewhile my

pity

her mind.

moved,

*

Now— welcome

'

Those beauteous robes, elaborately wrought,

'

I

from

to

my

my chamber

to

hearth, esteem'd, beloved.

my husband

brought

BOOK ' '

THE ODYSSEY.

XIX,]

Twas mine,

this

175

hand the brooch resplendent placed,

'

The

'

But never

'

Ne'er will his foot regain his native shore,

'

Foredoom'd

*

Wing'd

bright adornment that the wearer gi-aced shall I see that

to perish

when

to the accursed

Then

hero more,

the fatal gale,

town

his parting

thou queen adored

'

!

'

Ulysses cried,

'

Wife of Laertes' son, thy consort's pride

*

No more

afflict

:

thy soul, and waste thy fi-ame

'

Yet how such deep

*

Whoe'er has

'

Her

'

Such

'

And

'

Yet cease from

*

I

'

Hear what

'

What

'

Learn of him

'

From many

*

Yet when the hero

*

He

*

So

*

Whose

lost,

affliction justly

bewails her

children's sire, is

sail.'

and

blame

wedded

whom

:

?

lord,

her youth adored

thy husband, known to

all

by fame,

honour'd like the gods Ulysses' name.

would not

giief,

and mark what

—not from

thee, the truth conceal.

heard importing his return,

I

in Thesprotia's land I living, while

chanced to learn,

from shore to shore,

a realm he swells his precious store. left Trinacria's coast,

lost his storm-WTeck'd ship will'd

I reveal,

and

all

her host.

high Jove, and Phoebus' wrathful power,

bulls Ulysses'

comrades dared devour.

THE ODYSSEY.

176

perish'd in the deep

'

They

*

As the

'

The

'

Phaeacia's gifts to

:

[book xix.

but hmi on land,

keel floated, on Phseacia's strand

There, graced

billows cast.

him were

like those in

heaven,

largely given

'

Fain had they sent their guest uninjured home,

*

And

'

But that he

*

Fresh treasures gather from each foreign shore.

*

For who, hke him, such riches could obtain,

*

Or

'

Thus Pheidon, who

*

At the

*

'

here, ere

rival

him

now, the chief had

will'd,

yet wandering

dome,

hail'd his

more and more,

in arts that lead to gain

?

Thesprotia's realm controul'd,

libations in his palace, told.

He swore the crew was fix'd, and set the sail To waft him home before the favoming gale.

*

But

'

The king me foremost from Thesprotia

'

And

'

Diffusing wealth ten generations o'er

'

Himself

*

Where

'

Was

'

Disguised, or openly, his native plain.

in a ship that to

shoAv'd

me

all

Dulichium went, sent

Ulysses' countless store,

— he said—to seek the shrine of Jove,

the oak answers from Dodona's grove,

gone, inquiring

Tis thus

—thy

lord

how once more

to gain,

and soon

come,

'

'

'

And

*

Witness, thou Jove supreme, of gods the God,

*

Witness, this hearth whereon

:

hail his friends,

is

safe,

and

his ancestral

my

will

home.

foot has trod.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XIX.] *

All, as I speak, shall

'

Beneath

'

Now,

*

And

'

happen.

this

year

his roof Ulysses shall appear,

ere this less'ning

a

—Yea,

177

new

moon

shall

wholly wane,

crescent light the world again.'

Be thy word

truth,'

Penelope

know my

rejoin'd,

*

Then thou

'

Such and

my

gifts,

by

'

That they who meet,

shall,

envying,

*

But other

far the event.

*

Nor

thou hence regain thy native shore.

*

Not such the

*

As when Ulysses bade the realm obey,

*

To

*

Or with

safe

convoy waft him

'

But

now

lave

'

With shaggy

*

There

'

Then, bathed, anoint him,

at dawn's rising ray,

*

That

my

'

And

'

Then woe

'

Rage

tho'

'

Else

how

*

That

so vast

shalt

each

ye,

VOL.

fit

in

shalt

rulers

who

friendliness of

mind

all confess'd,

deem thee

He comes no

bless'd.

more,

household sway,

this

stranger kind reception gave,

my

o'er the

wave.

guest, prepare his bed,

coverings, and bright tapestry spread,

warm slumber

let

in the hall, the guest

him wait the day,

son

may

greet,

share the breakfast nigh his honour'd seat.

I in II.

to

him who dares

he may, his to thee

sense

that guest assail,

efforts all shall fail.

made known, how

all

woman-kind

rightly held

excell'd,

THE ODYSSEY.

178

[book xix.

thou in ragged garment, loathed by

'

If

*

Unwash'd and

'

Brief

*

In ruthless

'

A

'

That curse pursues him

'

But w^ho

is

'

Thro'

the world his grateful guests proclaim,

'

And name him

the

is

curse

all

foul, disgrace the festive hall.

life

of

mood on

is

all,

;

who, harsh of mind,

has ruthless deeds design'd,

his

kind,

man

life,

and

still

when dead

to his funeral bed.

and kindly

fame

feels, his

bless'd.'

'

spouse revered,' he cried,

'

Loved of Laertes'

'

Bright rugs and robes are hateful to

*

Since

*

Still let

'

Thro' sleepless nights some sony bed

'

Where

*

And

'

I

*

To

'

None, save some matron, some time-stricken dame,

'

And wretched

'

Her

first I sail'd

me

lie,

as each

son, Ulysses' pride,

my

sight

from Crete's snow-mantled height.

as oft-time laid to rest

hour slow crept,

watch'd impatiently the

I

I press'd,

wakeful lay

dawn

of day.

covet not the washing of the feet lave

I

my

limbs thy dainty train unmeet.

as myself, shall touch

my

frame

repel not.'

'

The queen

replied,

*

Thou most welcome more dear than

all

guest,*

the rest

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XIX.]

179

my home

'

Whoe'er from

'

So vase thy words, with deep discretion fraught.

'

An

'

She who

*

She who received

'

Her hand,

tho'

'

And wash

thy

'

Lave him whose years seem

*

Such

'

For woe soon turns to age the

dame here

ancient

my

'

ser\'es, for

have sought,

worth endear'd,

hapless husband nursed and reared, liim

weak,

feet.

from

womb,

his mother's

its office

shall

resume,

Rise, Euryclea, rise, to

as thy lord's, his feet, his

The nurse

And

distant realms

my

hands the same, afflicted frame.*

close-veil'd with either

as she spoke her tears

mournful eyes

hand her brow.

began to flow

Son, for thy sake giief wears

me

—on thy head>

'

Tho' righteous, Jove has bitterest misery shed.

'

For who,

*

Such flaming hecatombs, such

'

One

'

Might' st rear thy son, and glory in his prime.

'

But Jove himself bars thy returning day,

'

And

'

In foreign realms, beneath some stately roof,

'

Vile

*

As

*

Whom, justly,

still

like thee,

has on his altars laid offerings

made

?

thy prayer, that thou, soft-bow'd by time,

thee, a

women

wanderer on thy distant way,

scorn, and drive the \\Tetch aloof,

these have driven thee

:

this worthless race

thou avoiding the disgrace.

:

THE ODYSSEY.

180

But

'

Forbidst to touch thee.

*

Covets that duty by the queen's

*

Yet not

'

For anxious thoughts

*

Yes

'

Full

many

'

But

like Ulysses, ne'er this

*

One such '

this

[book xix.

wilUng hand

command

her dear sake alone, but thine,

for

my

soul to thee incline.

—mark my word—By varying misery brought, a stranger here has refuge sought,

eye has seen

as thou, in voice, in foot,

and mien.'

Yes, gracious dame,' the prudent chief return'd,

*

They

*

Struck by the features, have, like thee, declared

*

Our

all,

strict

whoe'er have both our forms discern'd,

resemblance.'

Then

the nurse prepared

The

radiant bath Ulysses' feet to lave.

And

temper'd with the cold the boiling wave

While nigh the hearth he

sat half veil'd in shade.

Lest as she touch'd him, by his scar betray'd.

The nurse should all expose. She near him drew. And as she laved her monarch, straitway knew The scar that still the deep-flesh'd wound display'd Where

When

the boar gash'd to his

him

in Parnassus' glade.

famed maternal grandsire

sent.

Forth to Autolycus the stripling went Autolycus surpassing

all

mankind

In guile and fraudful oaths

:

so

Hermes dower'd his mind

;

]

BOOK

The god

THE ODYSSEY. whom

to

his goats

181

and lambkins bled,

And whose

high power hung o'er his guarded head.

When

to Ithaca's well-peopled

first

The monarch came,

Whom,

on

his

the

ground

new born babe he

knee as Euryclea

found.

laid.

She, thus, at closing of the banquet, said,

Lo

'

*

thy child's

!

Name him whom *

Him,

new born

child

;

his

thou hast gain'd by

let his parents, as I

name

many

by many of either

sex, I came,

Since, vex'd

'

Name him

*

Let the youth seek

'

Nigh famed Parnassus, and from me receive

'

The

*

So

gifts

when

:

me

my

in

fit

to roam,

stately

dome

a gi-andsire's hand shall largely give,

joyfully depart.'

Such

The

a prayer.'

name him, name

*

Ulysses * and

declare,

gifts to

gain

stripling journey'd to Parnassus' plain.

And by

Was

Autolycus and

kindly clasp'd in

But most,

his

With many

many

'

a

race

warm embrace

mother s mother on her

breast.

a kiss his eyes and front caress'd.

* In the Greek angry.

all his

Cowper.

from the verh

!)1—Trascor,Iam

THE ODYSSEY.

182

The monarch bade

A

[book xix.

his sons prepare the feast,

five-year'd bull, a sacrificial beast

And

readily his sons the king obey'd,

Dragg'd in the five-year'd Sliced,

and

bull,

transfix'd with spits,

Skilfully roasting, sever'd part

The

guests

and slew, and

till

flay'd.

and with nice

from

art

part.

sunset joyfully regaled.

Nor aught

that cheer'd the equal banquet

And when

the darkness day's last glimmer closed.

Each on

his

couch

in peaceful sleep reposed.

At the new dawn, on sylvan

The monarch's

Now

sports intent.

sons and young Ulysses went.

hasting up Parnassus' wood-girt crest

Along the breezy windings boldly

But from the depth of the

When

press'd

soft flowing

main.

the sun cast his splendour o'er the plain.

The hunters

pass'd within a glade profound.

Led by the guidance

The

fail'd.

of the tracking

king's sons foUow'd,

and

in bold

hound advance

Ulysses cheer'd the dogs and waved his lance.

There

A

in the thicket of the

boar enormous his dark

So dense Could

Nor

its

fi"eely

mountain glade

lair

had made

growth no wind that pass the

the sun pierce

Nor tempest pour

it

fiercely

unmoving covert

blew

thro'.

with meridian beam.

^vithin its driving stream.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIX.]

So thick the covert

;

while o'er

183

all its

bed

Leaves heap'd on leaves their deep profusion shed.

Roused

8

at the

rush of hunters and of hounds

That track'd the monster

from the thicket, bristhng up

With

And

to his inmost bounds,

eyeballs flashing flame the monster press'd

stood before

them

:

first,

Raised his long spear, and

In act to

flesh

Nor

On

the savage

hung

the impetuous boar

obliquely smiting, gash'd and tore

above the knee, yet miss'd the bone

But the brave striphng

With

Ulysses sprung.

o'er

wound him, when

With tusk

The

his crest.

in his strength, alone.

his sharp lance the boar's right shoulder spear'd.

staid

till

thro' the flesh the point appear'd

earth, fierce bellowing, di'opp'd the monster, dead.

While

to the prince his

Closed with

soft

comrades onward sped.

hand the wound, and

as

it

With

incantation staunch' d the vital flood

Then

led

him

to their father.

The monarch and

his children

There, at

flow'd

rest.

nursed their guest

And when to health restored, rich presents gave. And joj^ful sent him jo}^ul o'er the wave To gi'eet his realm. There, question'd of the scar. He told his parents of that sylvan war, And how when hunting in Parnassus glade With the king's sons, the boar that wound had made. '

THE ODYSSEY.

ISl

'Twas

this, that

Her hand

as

the

to lave him, Eurj^clea

Strait as she felt

And And The

when along

it fell

down

it,

hmb

[book xix. she drew

knew.

his foot she flung.

the brazen laver rung.

suddenly beneath the weight o'erpower'd. bath on earth the o'ei'flowing water shower'd

Joy and keen

once her bosom wrung,

giief at

Tears gush'd, and stiiiggling passions chain
Then,

as she fondly clasp'd him,

my

'

Thou

'

And

*

This hand had touch'd, and

art,

thou

art,

knew

yet, in sooth I

She spake, and on

And The

fain

had

said,

^

son

!

'

thou, adored

at length restored

:

thee not, before felt

the scar once more.'

his consort fix'd her eye.

Behold thy husband

nigh.'

while the queen, nor aught discern'd or knew.

So Pallas from the scene her mind vithdrew.

The His

'

king's right

hand

his nurse's ^throat compress'd.

left close drew" her, as

he thus address'd

Why wouldst thou, nurse, destroy me hung, and

now by

I

'

Tuice ten revolving years

'

Here come

toils

revisiting

my

?

on thy breast

and woe oppress'd,

'

at length pass'd o'er,

native shore.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIX.]

'

But

'

Be thou,

known

since thus

by heavenly

to thee

lest others hear,

be

185

silent still

And mark my word that shall not pass By aid divine if I the wooers slay,

*

'

'

Tho' thou

'

When

My

'

my

nurse,

these vile

child

!

I shall

will,

away,

not spare thy age,

women meet my

righteous rage.*

what word, thus hasty, thus unkind,

'

Has 'scaped thy

*

Thou know'st my strength of mind, 'twill nought reveal,

'

Firm

*

And thou

*

If

'

I will beneath this roof the

*

Who '

hp,' the

as a solid rock, or

too

mark

my

prudent nurse

mass of speech

:

steel.

— By heavenly might

on these wooers thy just wi-ath

rightly serve, or

rejoin'd,

alight,

women

trace

who thy hearth

disgrace.'

Nurse, wherefore,' thus Laertes' son replied,

'

To me

thus point them out

'

I shall

each one observe, and

*

Be

silent thou,

Then

?

and leave the

I

want no guide

strictly

;

prove

rest to Jove.'

the prompt nurse, her master's feet to lave.

Brought in another bath, and fresher wave.

And when his hmbs were oil'd, and wash'd his The king drew nearer to the hearth his seat.

feet.

THE ODYSSEY.

18G

And

closely with the rags his scar conceal'd.

While thus her mind Penelope

'

[book xix.

Fain would

reveal'd

one question ask,

I still

:

my

guest,

'

Ere yet comes on the hour of soothing

'

How

*

In peaceful slumber find a sure reUef

'

Not such

'

That

'

While

'

And

'

But when night comes, and

all at rest, I

'

And

that

'

While

'

And

'

As when Pandareus'

'

'Mid the new leaves that blossom round her bower,

*

The

'

And wakes

'

Swift varying her melodious warbles sweet

'

That

*

Her much loved

'

Whom

'

Not

'

With my loved

who worn

sweet to those

my

state

with daily

so infinite

:

daily duties yield

me no

rest

my

grief,

woes

repose,

in perpetual tears I joy alone,

urge

my

maidens' labours and

woe a couch

load in

my

own. weep,

knows not

sleep,

deep core, unsolaced care

heart's

cureless grief

my

my

loathed existence w^ar.

child, in vernal hour,

youthful nightingale resumes her lay,

still

to breathe her soul in song away,

the dirge of Itylus repeat, son, the royal Zethus' child,

her rash fury had with blood defiled

less I fluctuate,

son,

whether yet to stay

and guard with watchful sway

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XIX.] '

My

'

Honoming

'

Or, of these wooers,

*

Him, whose

'

My

'

Was

*

But now,

'

While these

'

Now, hear

'

Twice ten

'

'

my

wealth,

household, and

its

187

ancient fame,

the people's voice, the widow's name,

him the worthiest wed,

large gifts best gain the nuptial bed.

son, while yet a child, unfit to guide,

loth that I should leave his guardless side,

manhood's might,

in

fell spoilers

attentive,

geese

fair

on

regi-ets

my

stay,

his substance prey.

my dream explain within my yard remain, and

:

On wheat and water fed and still their sight, Oft as I ^ew them, seems to yield, delight. ;

'

A wide

*

And

'

They

'

While the bird

'

I

'

While sore

*

The

*

Thus soothing me, mth human

wing'd eagle from the mountains flew,

breaking

all their

:

lay along the court-yard, heap on heap, "wing'd aloft his airy sweep.

wept and groan'd

*

necks, his victims slew

in sleep

I grieved, full

:

—

as

many

round

me came

a bright hair'd dame,

bird return' d, and on the palace crest,

Daughter of famed

*

No

*

All shall be done

'

And

voice address'd

Icarius, dare rely

dream, a real vision meets thine eye

I,

but

:

now an

the geese those wooers deem, eagle in the

dream

THE ODYSSEY.

188

husband come

'

Here

'

By me beneath *

'

as thy

He

Saw

spake

I

tis

thus decreed,

thy roof the wooers

all shall

bleed.

woke, and in their trough again

the fowl feeding on their wheaten grain.'

queen di\ane

'

'

How

'

Ulysses self

'

All

'

—

'

:

[book xix.

!

'

the prudent chief rephed,

from the truth that vision turn aside

doom'd

Dreams

its

issue deign'd relate

to death

:

not one shall

:

?

fly

from

fate.'

are inscrutable,' the queen return'd,

man

'

Nor

*

Two

are the gates of sleep, this framed of liorn,

'

The

other portal ivory plates adorn

'

The dreams

'

Their trackless way, but issue to deceive

'

But they that

'

ForeshoV the future deed, and warn the

'

But not from thence

'

Had been

'

Now mark my

'

That

shall divorce

'

I will

the iron stakes for

'

Which

that

all

to

conceives are there discem'd.

:

that thro' the ivory portal weave

thro' the polish'd

my

dream,

me and mine words

:

me

that

the fatal

horn

arise,

wise.

else, fair

shadowy

morn

ft'om Ulysses'

is

on

sight.

come

home.

trial bring,

in his palace, oft the skilful king

flight

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XIX.]

189

'

Wont

'

The

*

Thro' these, the monarch standing far apart

'

Thro'

*

Be

'

Can bend the bow, and

'

Thro' the twelve rings can wing his arrowy

'

Him

will I follow to the nuptial rite,

'

And

leave this dome, by

'

Where, a young

*

This

*

That

*

in

due order range,

props that stay

like

way

ship ere launch'd along the watery

all their

rings swift wing'd his feathery dart.

this the suitors' trial.

stateliest still

in

bride,

He, who best

skill'd

all

beyond the

that bless'd

I hail'd

my

rest, flight,

me, dear,

happiest year,

dome, o'erflowihg with dehght,

dreams

shall float before ray sight.'

Ulysses' wife revered!' thus spake the king,

'

Haste, haste, this contest to the suitors bring,

'

Or he

shall

come, ere these the bow can bend,

*

Draw back

the cord, and thro' the circles send

'

The

levell'd shaft.'

Penelope replied '

So wouldst thou here, thus seated

'

Thus cheer me,

'

But how can man

*

*

To To

all

sleep

would

ne'er

my side, my eyelid close. at

exist without repose

1

on earth, the inhabitants of heaven

every

man

his fated lot

have given.

THE ODYSSEY.

190 *

'

[book xix.

Now to my upper chamber I depart, To my lone couch, deep anguish in my bathed in

'

Still

*

To

'

There

*

Laid on the

tears, since

Ilion, the unutterable, will I lie

:

he on war

heart,

intent,

went.

but thou here rest thy head,

floor, or

where they strow thy

Then duly foUow'd by her female train. The queen ascended to her room again. There, mourning her Ulysses, woke to weep. Till Pallas closed

her Hds in soothing sleep.

bed.*

THE TWENTIETH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Ulysses, disguised, in his palace, and doubtful

how

to act,

is

counselled

and encouraged by Minerva. Jove, at his prayer, grants him propitiPallas smites the wooers at the banquet with insanity, ous omens. vhile Theoclymenus presages their imminent destruction.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK Now

in the vestibule the king at rest.

Lay on a mighty Spread

o'er it

bull's

many

Euronyme wide But

XX.

a fleece, and soft o'er

all

cast the mantling pall

sleep ne'er soothed

Death

rough hide undress'd.

him while

his vengeful

mind

to the suitors ceaselessly design'd.

Then from

their

chambers forth the maidens went

With laughter loud and wanton merriment Each

to her paramour.

AVithin his breast

Ulysses' heart burnt on his bed of rest.

Dire was his conflict, thence,

\^'ithout

To

issue forth,

woman

Or

leave

them

and each to

\'ile

consummate

delay slay.

their last sin

His heart in that dread struggle growl'd within

As when a dog,

that wheels her puppies round.

Barks at a stranger VOL.

II.

foot,

on watch to wound

194

THE ODYSSEY.

.Thus growl'd his

spirit

He

*

[book xx.

by such outrage moved.

smote his breast, and thus his heart reproved

Bear

my

this

*

That day, when

'

He

'

Till

heart

!

thou that hast worse endured,

gorged thy friends

—but thou didst

wisdom loosed thee

Thus he reproved, and While

to

and

all

sustain

fr'om death's circhng chain.'

his brave heart controul'd.

fro his restless

As when a man,

den immured,

in the Cyclops'

body

roll'd.

in haste, while flames the fire^

Intent to satiate hunger's keen desire.

Turns a swoln paunch Till the fierce heat

Thus

roll'd he,

Might wreak

He

pondering

his

veil'd

Stood

o'er

how

his single

JVIost

'

Thy And

'

hand

vengeance on that haughty band,

— Then Minerva came

her heavenly form in woman's frame.

him, and thus spake

'

'

with fat and blood

has cook'd the savoury food

lone 'gainst many.

And

thick-fill'd

wretched thou,

palace

Of all mankind

why vatch

with tortured mind

— — thy wife there this

rests above,

here thy son form'd for a father's

love.'

?

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.] '

Wise

all

Goddess,' he replied,

thy words,

'

But these soul-piercing thoughts

'

How

'

I,

'

Yet

'

By

*

Deign thou

on these wooers loose

my

my

heart divide,

vengeful hand,

numerous band

unassisted, 'mid that this

195

more deeply wounds,

if

?

these I slay

thine and Jove's consent, where turn

my way ?

advise.'

E'en in a mortal guide,

'

'

One

*

A man

'

I,

'

And

'

If fifty armies

'

All raging to destroy us, thou at will

'

Shouldst with their herds and flocks thy pastures

'

But

*

To wake

*

Thou soon

his inferior far,' the

has

I

trust.

who have

Maid

come a Goddess

saved, to save thee

thus proclaim,

if

now

here,

appear

band on gather'd band,

should our course withstand,

sleep shall sooth thee

troublous

is

replied,

—

fill.

— thro' each nightly hour

sleep,

and

rise in

power

shalt all subdue.'

Then

closed in sleep

His wearied eye, and to Olympus' steep

The Goddess

flew,

when, as

His loosen'd limbs firom

Yet

toil

his eyelids closed

and woe reposed.

ne'er throughout that night his consort slept.

But on her couch so

soft, still

woke and wept.

THE ODYSSEY.

196

And when worn Thus,

*

out with woe her tears she stay'd.

to Artemis the

first

[book xx.

Daughter of Jove,

mourner pray'd

di*ead

Goddess

!

in this heart

'

Now,

*

Let tempests whirl

'

And

'

As storms famed Pandarus' daughters swept from earth

*

When

*

Lone were the orphans

'

With curds and \\me and honey form'd

*

And Juno

*

With matchless beauty, and mth

'

Dian high stature gave, and Pallas taught

*

To weave

*

But when kind Venus

'

Sought

'

Jove, thunder-wielding God,

'

Both weal and woe that

*

Then

the

'

Each

to a Fury,

'

So may the gods destroy me, and the dart

'

Of Artemis

'

A^'hile

*

Ere one

while

I call

cast their

on thee, now^ plunge thy dart

me

thro' the ethereal plain,

burden on the boundless main

heaven had

authors of their birth.

slain the

but Venus' care

left,

graced them o'er

the

:

all

their fare,

womankind gifts

of mind,

web with wondrous beauty fraught realms above

in the

their bless'd nuptials at the throne of Jove,

fell

shall

orders

mankind

all

befall,

Harpies bore them up, and gave

doom'd

transpierce

in hell to slave

my

inmost heart

dwelling on that lord less

who

famed

call

me

I

his

close

my

wedded

Hfe, ^vife

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.]

197

when woe

*

But

'

Thro' day's long hours that forced the tear to flow,

'

In slumber rests

*

Both joy and

'

But heaven

'

Yes

'

Such

'

No

this is

:

endurable,

still

when the

for

:

eyelids close,

grief forgotten find repose.

still

racks

my couch with dreams unbless'd

one Hke him with as the hero

me had

march'd

in

nightly rest,

anned might

vision there, but ti*uth rejoiced

my

sight.*

Thus, when Aurora golden-throned arose, Ulysses heard her as she wept her woes

Rack'd by strange doubts,

She

o'er

Then

He

him

seem'd, that fully

bent, and claim'd

him

for

known

her own.

gathering up the cloak, and fleecy pall.

spread them o'er a throne within the hall.

But bore the

bull's

Pray'd, raising

*

it

Jove

!

if

up

hide forth, and thus to Jove

his

arms to heaven above

o'er earth

*

The gods have

'

May some

'

And

led

and

me

to

sea, toil

my

heap'd on

native

toil,

soil,

propitious voice beneath this roof,

portent from without

now

yield the proof

* !

Jove heard his prayer, and from the lucid brow

Of high Olympus thunder

peal'd below

:

THE ODYSSEY.

198

—and—

His heart rejoiced Burst from a

woman

a

strait

as the

com

[book xx.

sound

blissful

she ground.

Burst near him, where Ulysses' mills arose.

women

And

twice six

Still

grinding from the wheat and barley grain

The

floury

The

rest,

meal man s vigour to

the labour

Tired with the

One

'

to the king

Jove

!

who

o'er,

sustain.

and heap'd the

flour.

enjoy'd sleep's peaceful hour.

toil

—weakest —

And

toil'd till day-light close.

still

was

left

— she

staid the mill,

announced Jove's prescient

o'er

gods and

men

'

And now hast thunder'd from

'

A

'

Deign to

'

May

'

Take

'

They, who have gi-adual worn

'

Labouring their meal, be

will

hast sov'reign sway,

heaven's star-paved way,

sky mthout a cloud, to some a sign,

my

prayer, to me, a wretch, incline

these insulting lords, this day, the in Ulysses'

Stmck by

that omen,

The king foresav

Now And

dome

their sole repast,

my

strength

this their final

!

roar.

the wooers bathed in gore.

relumed the

away

day

and Jove's thunder

in Ulysses' hall the females

in the hearth

last,

came.

festive flame,

THE ODYSSEY.

COOK XX.]

199

Fresh from his couch the prince impatient sprmig.

And

his briofht

raiment round his bodv

flunoj.

His radiant sword athwart his shoulders braced.

On

his fair feet his beauteous sandals laced,

Grasp'd his brass-pointed spear, and onward press'd.

And on

'

the threshold thus his nurse address'd

Cheer'd you our guest with banquet and with bed,

'

Or couch'd

'

For

^

One

'

oft

he, disregarded, and unfed

my

mother, tho'

less deserving,

Not now,

my

respects

full A\'ise,

and the best

?

rejects.'

son,' replied the cautious

dame,

'

Reproach thy mother, and the blameless blame.

'

He

'

Ne'er, at the queen's request, the \iands

'

And when

'

The queen her maids

'

Yet he, as one to ceaseless

grief a prey,

'

On

hmbs

'

But

'

Couch'd, while

quaif'd at will the wine, and, well regaled,

he seem'd to sleep inclined, to strow his

the soft bed refused his in the outer court

The

And

at length

fail'd

couch enjoin'd

to lay,

on hides undress'd

we spread a mantle

o'er his rest.'

prince then issuing forth firm grasp'd his spear.

his fleet doijs

still

follow' d his career.

THE ODYSSEY.

200

Onward he

pass'd,

till

in the gathering

Famed

'

to the female

throng

among

Graceful he stood the forum's press

While Euryclea

[book xx.

band

Opis' daughter utter'd her

command

:

Haste, haste ye, sweep, and sprinkle ye the floor,

'

And

'

Ye, sponge the

'

And

'

Ye, to the fountain haste, and quickly bring

'

The

'

Soon

'

And

cast the purple rugs the benches o'er

tables, ye, the beakers lave,

rince the goblets in the crj^stal wave,

freshest water ^^dll

from the U\dng spring

they hasten to the banquet

hail at

She spake

And And

:

dawn

the public

hall,

festival.'

—they heard her

voice,

and

all

obey'd

twenty hasten'd where the fountain play'd, the whole household labour'd.

— Then each guest

Entering the palace to the banquet press'd.

And some now

swiftly spht the cloven

wood,

While the maids hasten'd from the U^ing

The

while Eumaeus led to feast the board

Three

Then

And

flood.

fatted swine the fattest of his hoard. left

them

in the court to graze their food,

to Ulysses spake in friendliest

mood

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.]

Say, do the Grecians

*

Or

'

now

201

regard thee more,

'neath their roof contemn thee as before

V

that the gods, Eumaeus,' he replied,

'

'

Would by just vengeance

'

They, whose

'

Nor

vile

deeds another's

feel the shghtest sense of

As thus they

And

crush their scornful pride,

dome defame,

awe and shame

spake, Melanthius near

!

them drew.

led his choicest goats to feast the crew

Beneath the porch, two swains the victims bound.

While thus Melanthius

'

What

!

— thou

still

rail'd

present with thy beggary brawl,

—hence—

'

Troubling the guests

'

We

*

Hence, wretch, to other

part not, else,

The

I

quit the banquet hall

deem, without a blow, feasts

bawl out thy woe.'

king, tho' wrathful, deign'd not yield reply.

But shook

his

brow

in sternest dignity.

The

third, Philoetius to the

And

his choice goats,

The seamen Still

with tauntino^ sound

wont

and

in their bark

to ferry all

wooers sped.

sterile heifer

led

had these convey'd.

who sought

their aid.

His goats and heifer 'neath the porch at rest; Philoetius self the

swineherd thus address'd

THE ODYSSEY.

202 '

Say,

who

this stranger, he,

who

[book xx.

lately

came,

*

His native land, his boasted race, proclaim

'

Unhappy man

'

A birth

He And

his

!

form and awful

scarce less than majesty declare.'

spake, and in his

hand the monarch's

Father, hail/ he said,

'

air

'

hail,

press'd.

reverend guest

be supremely bless'd thy future hour,

'

'

As now thou bow'st beneath

'

Relentless Jove

*

Prey of unsolaced

'

I

'

Methinks, Ulysses mask'd in such disguise,

'

Thus, in

'

If yet

*

But

'

Alas for him, that high, that honour'd head,

'

Who

'

In Cephalonia's

'

Now

*

Can

boast of such brave steers so vast a birth.

'

But

these, at their

*

Who

'

*

shudder'd as

And And

who

!

fate's

not our race

pitiest

grief,

and

dire disgi'ace

I A^ew'd, tears fill'd

vile rags far off is

doom'd

he breathe, and view the

if in

adverse power.

mine

eyes,

to stray,

light of

day

Hades realm, already dead,

me, while yet a strlphng, isle to

numberless

riot in

;

guard

me

preferr'd

his herd,

none elsewhere, none on

command,

earth,

perforce, I bring,

thy palace, injured king!

scorn thy son, and heaven's just rage deride,

proudly at their

will his

wealth divide.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.]

my

'

And

'

While thy son

*

His countless herds

'

And

'

Yes

'

For

*

But that

'

And

'

oft

soul resolves, tho' harsh the deed lives, to

—

other lands to lead

yet, harsher to remain,

fatten with his spoils their

—

I

203

haughty

train.

long since another king had sought,

misdeeds transgress

their

my

all

bounds of thought,

king shall come buoys up

my

mind,

Hke dust before the wind.'

scatter these

Herdsman,' the king replied,

'

since thee I

deem

'

No

'

But know by proof how prudence guides thy mind,

'

Hence, mark the word, which now

'

Jove

!

'

And

thou, Ulysses' hearth, whereon

'

While thou

*

Ulysses shall again his palace hail,

'

And thou

'

These

*

'

senseless mati, nor one of light esteem,

If,'

Thou

God

of gods

thou

!

such thy

it

I rest!

shall not

fail,

will, discern

lordlings bathed in blood at his return.'

he replied, too shalt

'

Jove speed that

know

blissfiil

hour,

this arm's protecting power.'

Thus too Eumaeus pray'd

To

shall bind,

social board, attest

art present here,

thyself, if

my oath

guide Ulysses to his

to every

own abode.

god

THE ODYSSEY.

204

While thus they

[book xx.

pray'd, the suitors undisguised.

Death, the dire murder of the prince, devised

When suddenly swift sailing o'er their head. An eagle high in air his wings outspread Along

And

their left the bird

in his talons grasp'd a trembling dove.

Cease, friends

'

was seen to move.

! '

Amphinomus

cried,

'

of death no

more '

Feast, let the banquet our lost joy restore.'

That counsel pleased

On

— on revelry

intent.

to the palace hall the feasters -went.

O'er the proud thrones and seats their mantles threw.

And

the large sheep, and pastured bullock slew.

Fat goats and swine

Those

:

and these the

in bright bowls the temper'd

Eumaeus served the cups,

From beauteous

entrails shared.

vnne prepared.

Philoetius spread

canisters the board with bread,

Melanthius pour'd the wine

:

and thus regaled.

The

impatient guests the tempting feast

The

prince, deep brooding his dark projects o'er.

assail'd.

Nigh the stone threshold of the palace door. Within the royal dome Ulysses placed.

By

a

mean

seat,

and slender board disgraced

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.]

Yet doled him out

And '

cheer'd

his share, the gold

thou amid the guests and drink at

Sit

While

'

Not

free to

And And

I

you, ye wooers

Lest

strife,

'

*

Awe

I their taunts, all,

:

will,

and daring outrage

still

dome,

this is Ulysses'

the heir of his ancestral home. !

from

all

wrong

abstain,

and deeds of blood the banquet

struck they bit their

Till thus

'

cup crown'd.

him thus with animating sound

'

'

205

lips,

stain.'

none, long time, spoke.

Eupitheus' son the silence broke

Tho' harsh

his

proud

dictation, bear

friends,

now impends.

'

Tho'

*

'

'

Erewhile had ceased, nor here had

fierce the threat that o'er us

it,

Tis Jove protects him, or his silenced tongue

The

prince his

word

shrilly rung.'

Now

despised.

onward sped.

The

heralds thro' the city duly led

The

hallow'd hecatombs, where 'neath the shade

Of Phoebus' grove

They

roasted

now

their

vows the Achaeans paid

the flesh, and

now

And rightly portioning, gave each his And to Ulysses his allotted share. An equal portion of the public fare.

withdrew. due.

THE ODYSSEY.

206

The

By

[book xx.

But, while yet at feast.

prince thus order'd.

wiW nor jeer nor outrage ceased

Pallas'

:

that added insult should impart

She

Fresh rage for vengeance to Ulysses' heart.

Amid

the wooers, one, whose

Of Samian

birth,

known by

life

was shame.

Ctesippus' name,

^Vho, trusting in the wealth his

sire

Dared woo the \\idow of the absent

Thus

to the suitors spake

'

His portion of the feast for

'

It is

'

That one, the

*

I

'

That from

'

Or some who

'

INIay take

too

my

stored.

lord.

:

*

not right, nor just,

had

Yon

prepared

all

when

guest has shared

others feed,

prince's guest, alone should

hospitable gift vaW give, his

hand some bather may in Ulysses'

receive,

household serve

n'om him what richly they deserve.'

Then from

a basket, from that rich repast,

Snatch'd an ox-foot, and with

fell

Against the king

it

:

Ulysses, as

fury cast

flew

Gently declining, from the stroke \^ithdrew

With glim

need

sardonic smile

The burden

— against the wall

of the blow \vas heard to

fall.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.]

At the

The

foul deed, indignant

207

and ashamed.

prince, the wretch upbraiding, thus exclaim'd

Far better now for thee, that thou hast

'

fail'd

'

Far better, that

'

Else had this spear transpierced thee, and thy

his providence prevail'd sire

Had changed thy nuptials to the funeral pyre. No more shall wrong and outrage shame this roof

'

'

know, and well can judge by

'

I

*

Both good and

*

Yet

this I see

'

My

cattle slaughter'd,

*

For how can

*

'Gainst such an host

'

*

ill

and

you here behold no

:

suffer,

battle be

and

?

lust to slay

View

*

And

my

guest stricken, and

me by

With awful wonder

struck,

*

Agelaus thus their fear

Let none

Nor

'gainst

cease,

and

my

gore

sin

no more

to injmy,

those that serve

Till

sustain'd

best at once to die,

is

*

:

cellar drain'd

spill

Than day by day submit

*

my

by one

'

child

thus despoil'd,

—But me, Or you — Death my choice 'twere if

fatal proof,

my

hearth disgraced,

your lust debased.'

all

silence held.

dispell'd

words thus

just,

sharply answering in fresh

unwisely rage,

strife

engage.

THE ODYSSEY.

208

wrong

[book xx.

not, nor offend

'

Strike not the stranger,

'

Those on Ulysses'

'

Yet

*

If

'

When

'

That

lost Ulysses

*

Then

'twas no crime the nuptials to delay,

*

Cheer'd by the hope of that auspicious day.

*

But since that chief no more

*

Let thy persuasion, prince, at

'

Bid her, no longer

'

Who

*

So shalt thou master of thy wealth remain,

*

And '

*

—

I

would

my

not

service

who

both son and mother warn,

fain

warning both too proudly scorn.

you might yet a lingering hope

retain

would return again,

his hearth shall hail, last prevail

loth, that suitor

wed

best deserves, and mostly dowers her bed,

the

new

bride another palace gain.'

Not by high Jove, not by

Who

attend

far off dies, or

Telemachus

replied,

my

*

Far

*

But counsel her to

'

Wed whom

less forbid

she

*

But from

*

By word unkind Then

'

wanders to and I

woe,

father's fro,'

nor delay,

mother's nuptial day, fix

will,

this palace

Pallas

my

the bridal hour,

or

who may mostly dower

;

her unwilling send

— such deed high Jove forefend

madden'd that unhallow'd

The unconscious laugh

!

train.

betray 'd the frenzied brain.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.]

The

A

exhaustless laughter while they gorged then• food,

immix'd with blood

festival of flesh

Tears

fill'd

When '

209

:

their eyes, their thought prefigured death.

thus the prophet spoke with prescient breath

Ah

!

wretches

!

what your doom

:

you fade from

!

sight, '

Your

*

Your outcry

*

Blood each proud

'

The

*

Hurrying

'

The sun

is

'

O'er

strange midnight horrours thickly sweep.'

face,

your form, your

in night

rages, tear-drops scald your cheeks,

and

wall,

stately

vestibule, the court, with

all,

wrapp'd

feet, all

in darkness to the

column

shadows

house of

streaks,

swell,

hell,

quench'd in heaven, and dire and deep

All heard, and lightly laugh'd to scorn the seer.

When *

thus Eur}^^[lachus dispell'd their fear

The man

'

Youths

*

Since

!

all

is

mad, so

to the forum,

lately here our guest

hence bear off this

'

Eurymachus,

'

These eyes,

*

A

VOL.

II.

pest,

seems night to him.'

The

spirit

:

I

want no

aid,

no guide,

ears, feet suffice,

prompt and

fit

seer replied,

and

in

my

to rule the rest

breast,

THE ODYSSEY.

210

me onward from

[book xx.

the rushing

woe

'

These bear

'

That none

shall

'

None who

within Ulysses' palace dare

'

Outrage the guest, and deeds of blood prepare.'

Then

And

left

scape,

no wooer shun the blow,

the royal dome, and revel train,

sought Piraeus' friendly roof again.

Meanwhile the

And

'

suitors

'gainst the prince

on each other gazed. contemptuous laughter

raised.

Jeering his guests.

'

A

haughty youth,

'

Kind

host,' thus

proudly spake

the guests that here partake

*

Your

profFer'd bounty, are disgrace to all

'

This

common

'

For meat and diink, an

'

Skill'd in

'

And

'

At once a

'

But take

'

To Sicily transport them o'er And barter them for gold.'

'

beggar wdth importunate brawl idler

nothing vorth,

no useful work, a load on earth

one, a

madman, who from

table rose

seer our ruin to disclose.

my

sound advice,

—

so reap

some

gain,

the main

All join'd the jest

But the brave prince

his rising

wrath repress'd.

:

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XX.]

In silence eyed his

sire,

211

and watch'd the time.

In their heart's blood to expiate their crime.

Now

nigh the banquet, on her stately throne

Where

sat the

queen, to her each word was known.

While laughing loud 'mid many a slaughter'd

The

revellers enjoy'd their

So sweet,

so gi'ateful

:

On

feast.

but their eve's repast.

Shall prove most bitter

Such vengeance

morning

beast.

Pallas,

—

It shall

be their

last

and the hero wrought

those whose guilt dire retribution brought.

THE TWENTY-FIRST BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Penelope bends

bow to the suitors they fail to bend it. Ulysses with ease, and passes the arrow through the twelve rings.

l)rings the it

.•

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK The

blue-eyed Goddess, with determined mind,

Icariiis'

To

XXI.

daughter to her

^^^ll

inchned.

prove the suitors by Ulysses' bow.

Their

trial,

When to

and the prelude of

their woe.

her inmost chamber's high ascent

With her attendant

train their sov'reign went.

The beauteous queen

a key resplendent bore.

Whose ivory handle graced Then sought that chamber, Brass, gold,

and

steel,

its

brazen ore,

where, \\ithdrawn from day

Ulysses' treasures lay

The

quiver there, and there the elastic bow.

And

arrows, that ere-long ^vith blood shall flow

which of yore from Lacedsemon's coast

Gifts

He

bore from Iphitus his god-like host.

They

And

in

Messenia chanced of yore to meet.

in Orsilochus's palace greet.

THE ODYSSEY.

216

[book xxi.

There, with high mission charged, Ulysses came.

An

honour'd youth, a public debt to claim.

For

pirates

Had

from

his isle,

and

o'er the

deep

with their shepherds borne three hundred sheep.

Hence, yet a youth, he on that voyage Commission'd by his

sire,

sent,

and senate, went.

But Iphitus there sought twelve mares that

"\16

stray'd,

under each a nurtured mule-foal play'd

Those mares which caused his death, when wandering on

He came

to Hercules, Jove's far-famed son,

AVho slew him 'neath

The immortal

his roof,

and dared despise

gods, and vengeance of the skies.

Nor aught revered

the table where he led

The inited

and slew the man he

guest,

The murderer kept

the mares.

fed.

While thus intent

In search of his lost steeds the hero went.

He

met, and gave to famed Laertes' heir

The ponderous bow

his father

wont

to bear,

Great Eurytus, who passing to the grave

That glorious treasure

To him

Ulysses gave a sword and spear.

Exchange and pledge But

to his offspring gave

of social love sincere

ne'er as guest with guest they gi*eeted

Ere then, the Herculean hand had shed

But

ne'er Ulysses

when he

cross'd the

:

more

his gore.

main

Bore that pledged treasure to the battle

plain.

BOOK

But

left to

And

217

witness friendship's plighted hand.

grace him honour'd in his native land

Now She

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

to that

chamber when the

sov'reign

cross'd the polish'd threshold's

Skilfully smooth'd,

and by the

—

oaken

came

fi-ame.

level placed,

Strengthen'd by posts, with radiant portals graced.

Then

loosed the cord that

Thrust

in the key,

all

securely held.

and back the

bolts repell'd

With

force opposed

Loud

as the pastured bull's far-echoing roar

:

loud crack'd each opening door.

Struck by the key that back the bolts withdrew.

Thus

Now

crack'd the doors and wide expanded flew.

way

to the lofty floor she bent her

Where

in their chests her fragi'ant raiments lay.

Then from

the nail her outstretch'd

The bow and

radiant case that hid

arm withdrew

its

view

And seated there, she placed it on her knee. And drawing forth the bow wept bitterly. Then, with long weeping

tired,

The

festive hall the rival chiefs

And And

in her

hand the bow

quiver

fill'd

she pass'd along

among.

elastic bore.

with shafts that groan'd for gore.

Her maidens took

a chest

whose depth contain'd

Rich prizes by her glorious consort gain'd.

THE ODYSSEY.

218

Much

steel

and

And now

brass.

[book xxi.

the beauteous queen

Stood at the door the stately posts between. O'er her she pass'd a veil her charms to hide.

While

'

a chaste

Hear

damsel stood

me,' she spake, ye,

*

And

'

In the king's absence

*

While here you

*

'

'

at either side.

who

this palace throng,

lead yoiu* days in ceaseless feasts along

—Ye, whose

loiter

gorged

at

sole pretence,

our expence,

To wed this hand come forth, the test The mighty bow of that renowned king. He who Ulysses' bow can easiest bend, :

I

bring,

'

And

'

Him

^

'

That

bless'd

'

Ulysses' hearth, loved seat of pure delight,

*

That

thro' the tvelve ring'd bars the

still

I follow,

in

my

and

this palace leave

youth, and to whose hearth

dreams

shall fascinate

Then bade Eumaeus

And

arrow send,

place the

my

bow

I

sight.'

she bore,

the ring'd bars of steel the chiefs before

:

Eumaeus, weeping, took them, and obey'd.

Nor At

less the tear-drops

sight of that

And mock'd

down

known bow.

Philoetius stray'd

Antinous view'd.

their tears with bitter insult rude

:

cleave,

BOOK

Ye

'

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

who

senseless boors,

219

care but for the day,

'

Why,

wretches, yield to tears unbridled sway

'

Why

pierce his consort's heart, she,

'

Has

'

Methinks, while here we daringly contend,

*

This stubborn weapon

'

For 'mid these many

'

Such

*

I

'

Tho'

ne'er

known

not one

I,

an infant

in

still

life's

thou shalt

earliest prime.*

presumptuous swell'd stand the arrowy

taste the sharpness of his

Thou, 'neath

*

*

first

his roof

who

arrowy

scorn'dst

his breast

test.

Ulysses' vengeance

And

'

found

is

recall the time,

!

*

?

as Ulysses, far o'er all renown'd

Fool

*

went

not lightly bend,

will

chiefs,

He spake, and hope To bend the bow, and

'

whose lament

solace since Ulysses

saw him once, and

And

?

feel.

steel.

him

in

thy pride.

badest the rest, like thee, their king deiide

Alas!

me

too,' Ulysses' offspring said,

Me too, Saturnian Jove has senseless My prudent mother has declared her

made.

mind

To seek another mansion, this resign'd, And I rejoice unseemly yet, arise, Come forth ye wooers, lo the matchless

—

!

prize

:

THE ODYSSEY.

220

[book xxi.

'

Not such a woman

'

Pylos, nor Argos, nor Mycene's birth,

*

No, nor yet

'

Nor dark Epirus

*

'

'

Such, such a mother's far re-echo'd praise.

'

No more by

'

Tis

to

'

distant realm contains

needs no son to raise

all, it

bend the bow, now prove your power. and

*

I

*

And

'

Not then unsolaced

'

When my

'

One

'

The games

strive,

if

the

bow

thro' the rings the unerring

yet

Then

:

vain pretexts delay the hour

gallants,

too

Achaia's earth,

Ithaca's well peopled plains,

known

,

all

^^^ll

my

bend,

I

arrow send,

spirit grieve,

loved mother shall this palace leave

is left

Ulysses to replace,

that graced the sire, the son shall grace.*

stood erect, and swiftly cast aside

His pui-ple robe, and falchion's glittering pride First fix'd the bars,

That

all

and delved one lengthen'd dyke

enclosed, and levell'd

Then round them heap'd

all alike.

the earth

— With

awe struck

mien All gazed

upon a

His graceful

sight

till

then unseen.

And now

skill.

in

manly pride

He on the threshold stood, and boldly tried To string the bow thrice strain'd his strength, and fail'd. :

Yet

still

proud hope to thread the rings

prevail'd.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

And now, But the

221

the fourth time, he had bent the

sire's signal

The bold

bow

bade the youtli forego

attempt.

Then thus

the prince exclaim'd

'

Ah

*

Or weak

'

Dares not the offender's insolence withstand

*

But

'

Come, grasp the bow, no more the

I

!

henceforth shall live a wi'etch defamed,

ye,

who

Then on

Which on

unavaihng hand

in youth, this

boast your strength o'ermastering mine,

the ground laid

test decline.'

down the bow unbent.

the polish'd wainscot softly leant

And where the horn the bow's smooth point enclosed The unused arrow peaceably reposed. And on his throne rechned. And now the son Of famed Eupitheus thus

'

*

his speech

Each, in due order, as we

now

Rise fi'om the right hand, whence

That counsel pleased Skill'd

from

He nigh He who

:

Leiodes

begun

recline,

we pour

first

the wine.*

arose,

slain beasts the future to expose.

the beaker held his inmost seat.

alone ne'er deign'd their taunts repeat.

THE ODYSSEY.

222

took, and arrow's

The bow he

shadowy length.

the threshold stood, and strain'd his strength

And on In vain

[book xxi.

:

o'erpower'd, his soft

and unworn hand

Dropp'd down, while thus he spake amid the band

Come ye That many '

'

—better

:

my force

Yet

'

Of that

'

Vainly expectant.

'

The

'

But

*

Gain by your spousal

'

And

'

Who

He

gi'eat

not

:

grasp the

bow

a chief in dust shall level low.

'

sole

avails

far to die,

aim

for

than Hve deprived

which alone we

lived,

Hope now fires your

brain

Ulysses' consort to obtain

try the proof, then, lesson'd gifts

by despair,

some other

fair,

leave the queen at will to choose her mate, proffers most,

spake, then

and most approved by

fate.'

downward placed the bow unbent,

A^'hich on the polish'd wainscot softly leant.

And where

the horn the bow's smooth tip enclosed,

With trembhng hand the

Then on

idle shaft

the throne, whence late he rose, recHned,

While thus Antinous spake

'

'

reposed

his

haughty mind

Leiodes, whence this rash, intemperate

That from thy hp indignantly

I

heard

?

word

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

*

Why

'

Because thou

'

Not thee thy mother gave

'

To bend

'

We

should this

bow

fail'st,

223

deprive of hfe the rest,

unequal to the

test

?

to view the light

the bow, and wing the aiTowy flight

best, illustrious chiefs, that trial claim.'

Then

to Melanthius spake,

'

Haste, light the flame,

'

And

*

Place, "with a fleece array'd, an ample seat,

'

Then from

'

That we, slow melting

'

And

^

Quickly, by trial-proof, the conqueror know.'

nigh the hearth, before the gathering heat,

the store-house bring a suet cake,

suppling, as

Melanthius

lit

it

the

it,

an unguent make,

melts, the anointed bow,

fire,

and near the heat

Placed, with a fleece array'd, an ample seat.

And

brought the suet

The bow they

:

then with this imbued.

suppled, and the proof renew'd

Yet none could bend the bow,

Too

their efforts, vain

:

feeble, all, that trial to sustain.

Antinoiis,

and Eurymachus alone

Abstain'd, tho' far their force the rest outshone.

Then, from the house, at once, with

That time, Eumaeus and

Philoetius

like intent

went

THE ODYSSEY.

224

[book xxi.

Ulysses view'd, and following close behind.

Beyond the outward court

And

their footsteps join'd.

kindly thus address'd

Say, friends, reveal,

'

'

'

Shall I

my

thoughts disclose, or

still

Yet —^my heart bids me speak.

'

Should bring your lord

'

Ulysses

*

Him

*

Speak your

if

:

now

If

conceal

?

here some god

before you trod

—what the purport of your mind,

to defend, or to

yon

chiefs inclined

?

resolve.'

Philoetius swift replied,

hear me, Jove

'

!

—

if

thus thy will decide,

'

That here Ulysses should once more return,

'

Thou, what

He

Once more

Thus

*

'

arm

avails, shouldst quickly learn.*

Eumgeus, pray'd to every god

too,

And when

this

to gTeet

him

in his

loved abode.

Ulysses had explored their breast.

his confiding w^ord his friends address'd

Lo

!

I

am

he,

who worn by woe and

Reach, in the twentieth year,

'

Friends of

'

I

my

heart

!

to

me

'

my

native

tis fully

toil, soil.

known

come, by you desired, and you alone.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

225

—from none, save you,

'

Of all my

*

No

'

Hear now the

'

If the

*

I will to

'

Where you

'

There

*

Friends of

'

But

'

Lo

*

The

*

That gash'd me when Parnassus drunk

train

prayer has ever breathed for

— I

!

He

and what

truth,

gods grant by

me

my

I learn

return.

speak retain,

I

the suitors slain,

each a wife, wealth, mansion give,

all

shall nigh Ulysses' palace Uve.

your days

my

shall pass in peaceful

mood,

son, like brothers of one blood

may

that your trust

firm on

me

rely,

lay bare to your discerning eye

scar, yet ^\tnessing the

tusked boar

my

gore/

spake, and back the tatter'd raiment threw.

And as the well-known scar came forth to view. They wept, and strain'd him in their close embrace. And kiss'd his shoulders and majestic face.

He

too, their master, kiss'd their

And Had

eve had closed upon the tears they shed.

not Ulysses their lament repress'd.

And, mastering

'

hands and head.

his feeling, thus address'd

Cease yom' lament,

*

And

'

But enter one by one

*

Ye

tell

the feasters

follow,

VOL.

II.

and

my

lest

those

how you :

I

who

pass, perceive,

strangely grieve

foremost lead,

sign intently heed.

Q

:

THE ODYSSEY.

226

[book xxi.

well foreknow,

'

Ne'er will the suitors yield,

*

Ne'er trust to

'

But, thou Eumaeus, passing 'mid the band,

*

Restore the weapon to Ulysses' hand:

'

'

*

me

I

the arrow and the

bow

And strictly charge the women o'er and o'er To close and bar each well-compacted door, And if perchance, if unawares their ear

'

Of those

*

Let none go

'

The

labour of her household work

'

And

thou,

*

Close lock, and with a chain firm-fasten

Then,

And

within the groan and outcry hear forth,

my

but peaceable and

still

fulfil.

brave Philoetius, guard the hall,

inly entering,

on

all.'

his seat rechned.

his friends folio w'd, as their lord enjoin'd.

Eurymachus the bow

incessant plied.

Chafed nigh the flame, and turn'd from side to

Yet

fail'd

to

bend

Thus, gi'oaning

'

Ah

!

it,

while his

bitterly, his

heaWng

side.

breast

rage express'd,

for myself, for all I sorely giieve,

—not

much

'

Yet

'

For

in this isle,

'

Full

many

'

But more

*

All powerless shrink beneath Ulysses' hand.

so

Ulysses' wife to leave,

and those that

a tempting I giieve,

fair

may

that in this

circle

round,

yet be found,

numerous band

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

bend

'

All

'

Shall load our

'

fail

to

bow

his

:

memory

—race

227

after race

with deserved disgrace.'

Eurymachus!' Eupithes' son

replied,

'

That

'

This day the nation holds a solemn feast

'

To

'

Lay down the bow,

'

And

'

For none,

*

Will to remove Ulysses marks intrude.

'

Call the cup-bearer

'

Pour

'

And

'

Bring the choice goats that best his flock adorn,

'

That

'

And we resume

ne'er shall be, thou shalt thyself decide.

now

their great god, be

let

let all

the

here

trial

ceased.

still

remain,

the trench the upright bars retain I

deem, how rash

soe'er

:

and rude,

'

to the

;

let

god the wine, lay down the bow

bid Melanthius at the rising

to the Archer

God

heralds duly

And

youths from right to

now

the thighs

may

—then with the

The

thirst

morn

came

their

satiate,

left

hands to

Deign, suitors

!

ye,

crystal

wave

lave.

the goblet bore.

and hbation

o'er.

Thus, meditating fraud, Ulysses spake

'

flame,

the bow, and end the game.'

heard well-pleased

Their

the bowl o'erflow,

who here your

:

revel

make

THE ODYSSEY.

228 '

*

And woo the illustrious queen, What my heart longs to utter,

[book xxi.

with patient ear,

deign to hear.

'

Thou,

'

The

counsel gave, that met the public choice.

'

Now

leave the bow, to heaven your hopes resign

'

The

'

Will strength impart

'

Let

'

If yet that strength endure,

'

Ere by sore famine and

chief,

Eurymachus, and thou, whose voice

whom

gods, at davn, to

me by

Rage

— but—

what

trial

seized on

all,

their wills incline, let

me

my prowess far

:

try the

bow,

know,

once justly famed,

wandering tamed.'

deep rage and dire dismay

Lest he should bend the bow, and bear away

From

all

the piize.

—And,

thus,

by passion moved

Antinous' stern rebuke the king reproved

*

Wretch

!

hast thou lost

ceased

all

sense

?

shame wholly

?

'

Wretch

'

With these high

*

^\^lere thou hast heard

'

Our high

'

Fill'd

*

Confusing others, has thy sense confused

'

The centaur thus by drunkenness abused.

!

ill-content, thus honour'd, thus to feast

chiefs

discourse.

without

stint,

!

thy portion ne'er deferr'd,

—

No

ne'er yet

by beggar heard

doubt, the tempting bowl

and drain'd without controul,

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

229

'

Eurytion, famed Pirithous' welcomed guest,

*

As the

'

Dire

ills

'

And

thro' the vestibule the

'

His ears and

'

He

*

With man and centaur hence perpetual

*

And

*

All bred of drunkenness.

'

If

'

Thou,

'

But we mil send

*

'

swill'd

wine-draught madden'd in his breast,

devised.

— The heroes onward madman

nostrils lopp'd.

flew,

drew,

—By wine

betray'd,

bore his punishment where'er he stray'd.

all

the woes that rack'd his future

thou presume,

^ile

Not

less

strife,

life,

thy woe,

wretch, to touch the bow.

in this land shalt

meet no

friend to save,

thee, fetter'd o'er the wave,

To Echetus the horrour of mankind, And there thy due reward, vile drunkard

'

Therefore in silence

'

Such

'

feast,

as thou art, with

find.

nor henceforth dare,

younger-bom compare,'

Antinoiis,' thus spake the

prudent queen,

'

'Tis not decorous,

'

Thus

to rebuke a guest beneath this

'

Who

in the prince's

*

If,

*

And

'

Deem'st thou

'

And

'tis

!

not just,

welcome

I

ween,

finds a

dome home.

trusting to his strength, he dare contend,

the great

lead

me

bow his

of famed Ulysses bend,

hand

to his

shall

home

hence

my foot-step guide,

a willing bride

?

THE ODYSSEY.

230

[book xxi.

—

'

He

'

Feast on, nor harbour thoughts dishonouring me.'

'

'

hopes

We

That

not himself

it

never deem'd

be

^that ne'er shall

—such notion were offence

his base hand, great queen, should lead thee

hence,'

Eurymachus

replied,

we

'

fear'd the scorn

'

Of man and woman,

'

Should bruit

*

Inferior to thy lord, dared

'

Yet

'

A wandering beggar,

'

'

to

fail'd

it

if

one meaner born,

forth, that

bend

his

bow

we a

worthless band,

woo thy hand, ;

when

came

hither

one without a name,

And bent the bow, and threaded every ring. To us, such bruit would shame eternal bring/

'

Eurymachus,' the queen replied again,

'

Hope ye

'

Ye,

'

Shall not such deeds your souls ^^^th

'

This guest

*

And he

'

Give him the

'

And mark my

'

If

'

He

who

a nation's favour to obtain,

a mighty hero's wealth devour

—behold

he succeed, in

shame o'erpower ?

his stature, well knit frame,

too boasts a sire of honour'd

my

bow

:

?

let

him

name

that test sustain

:

word, a word not breathed in vain if

him Apollo

aid,

glorious gifts shall stand array'd.

BOOK '

'

'

'

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

Rich robe and tunic

and

:

his

arm

231

shall v,ie\a

A spear from dogs and men his way to shield, My sword shall guard, my sandals gi-ace his feet, And my

'

bark waft him to his wish'd-for

My mother,' at

my

seat.'

thus Telemachus replied,

pleasure, will in this decide

'

I,

'

None, than myself, more powerful,

'

The bow

'

None, who

*

Or whom nigh Ehs

*

None

'

To

'

Hence

to thy chamber, there thy charge sustain,

'

Weave

the fine web, and task thy female train.

'

The bow

'

I,

to proffer, or at

shall

who

to

choose

once refuse

in Ithaca hold sceptred sway,

my

give this

is

if I

all

will, if

bow

the

isles

such

my

obey \11,

mth stand,

for ever to his hand.

man's high charge, and chiefly mine

none the sovereignty

;

resign.'

She, ave-struck, heard, and in her

mind revolved

AVhat her determined offspring had resolved

Then

to her

chamber with her damsels went.

And wept her At

lord,

till

worn with long lament.

Pallas' will, soft languor o'er her stole.

Closed her swoln

lids,

and soothed

in sleep her soul.

THE ODYSSEY.

232

[book xxr.

Eumaeus brought the bow, and loud and long

The

outcry burst the indignant guests among.

And

thus a voice exclaim'd

'

'

Why

'

The

'

Shall gorge thee,

hast thou, and for dogs,

whom

whom,

thou hast if

Why,

\^Tetch distraught,

that

weapon brought

?

amid thy swine

fed,

kind heaven to us

incline.'

Scared at their outcry, and tumultuous roar.

The hind

'

replaced the

bow upon

the floor.

Here, onward bring the bow,' the prince exclaim'd,

*

Thou

'

Haste,

lest

'

Young

as I

'

that

canst not

—

all alike

enraged

obey, unblamed.

I drive

am, thy strength

o'er all

to

mine must

who here unbidden

yield.

feed,

my strength as might their force exceed, from my palace would I drive perforce

'

Such were

'

Then,

'

Those who here brood on course

The

thee to the field

ill,

nor cease their baleful

!

suitors at his threat, vdth senseless pride,

Smiled on the prince and cast their rage

aside.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK

XXI.]

The

while Eumaeus, true to his

Placed his

Then

own weapon

'

command

in Ulysses'

hand.

Emyclea

call'd forth

'

'

233

Prudent

fiiend,

Tis the prince bids me, his behest attend

'

Haste, close the chamber's strong-compacted door,

*

And

'

Charge,

'

Of those

'

That none go

'

The

charge the

strictly if

perchance,

\vithin or

if

women

o'er

o'er,

unawares their ear

giOan or outcry hear,

forth, but peaceable

labours of the household

Then Euryclea

and

work

and

still

fulfil.'

closed the chamber door.

And strictly charged the women o'er and o'er. And silently Philcetius outward pass'd. And made the hall's strict-guarded portals fast Beneath the porch a bark's strong cordage fomid.

And

with

Then

its

added strength the portal bound

entering,

downward

His lord,

who

The bow

all o'er, lest

sat,

ceaseless touch'd,

'

Skill'd is he,

and

tm-n'd,

tried

inly pierced the horn.

used to bows,' a suitor

Such arms are haply

and

of corruption born

The engender'd worms had

'

and keenly eyed

in his

dwelUng

said,

laid.

THE ODYSSEY.

234 '

Or such he fam would frame

'

Expert in

ill

:

As strength now

Thus they

:

thus to and

fro,

that vagi-ant turns the bow.'

Another cried '

:

[book xxi.

'

Such joy on him attend

fails

his

arm the bow

to bend.*

the while the king on vengeance bent

Poised the great bov, presagefril of the event.

As when a

On

the

The

tuneful bard with easy

new

lyre

skill

draws out the chords at

will.

sheep's ^^Teath'd entrails, thus the mighty bow.

Beneath Ulysses' tension, smooth and slow

Bent without

toil,

and

at his touch, the string

Clear twang'd, and like a swallow seem'd to sing.

Awe seized the suitors, all their colom* fled. And Jove portentous thunder'd o'er their head. The king

exulting at the auspicious sign,

Hail'd in that

Then from

omen

Jove's high will divine

the table seized the outdrawn dart

That lay before him, from the

rest apart

That closed within the quiver yet remain'd.

Not long

to slmnber there with blood unstain'd

This on the centre of the

bow he

laid.

And on his seat in stern composure staid, AYhen ^th fix'd aim that swerved not fr-om his \iew He with the cord the arrow's notch home drew.

BOOK

And

THE ODYSSEY.

XXI.]

235

loosed the steel-barb'd shaft, that onward pass'd

rmg

Thro'

all,

Then

to his son exclaim'd

after ring,

from

'

first

to last

Thy

guest, at least

'

Has not disgraced thee

'

I fail'd

'

Ere bent the bow

*

Not, as they deem'd, these suitors saw

'

But now, by day, these guests the banquet

'

And

'

Grace of the

not of

mv

afterwards,

Then gave

aim :

:

this

at this princely feast.

nor long

arm

its

I strain'd

strength retain'd

my

no doubt, the song and

shame. claim,

lyre,

feast, shall satiate their desire.'

the sign.

The

prince around

him slung

The two edged sword that fi'om his shoulders swung, Grasp'd with strong arm the spear, and nigh his sire Rose an arm'd man, radiant

in

war

attire.

THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Ulysses, by the aid of Minerva, slays the suitors.

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK

XXII.

Ulysses down his ragged vesture flung.

And on

And And

the high-raised threshold boldly sprung.

held aloft his bow, and quiver'd store. the fleet an'ows pour'd his feet before

Then loud

exclaim'd

'

This arduous prize

'

Another waits that none has yet obtain'd

*

Soon

'

And Phoebus

shall I see if this shall

Then

'gainst

While the gay

crown

gain'd,

fame,

guide his votary's rightful aim.'

Antinous the keen shaft impell'd. reveller a goblet held.

Bright, golden, double ear'd, and

To

my

is

drain the nectar, o'er

its

now

intent

border bent.

THE ODYSSEY.

240

Nor thought, fond man on death !

E'er dreamt, that one, alone

[book xxii.

—For who, what guest

amid the

rest.

One, tho' for strength renown'd, would rashly brave. Plan the death-blow, and hurl him to the grave at his throat, the dart Ulysses sent

Aim'd

On He

neck directly went.

thro' his tender

droop'd aside

While

The

thro' the

—on earth the goblet rung.

channel of his nostrils

blood's dark gush,

and

sprung the guests

Each eye with

No

shield,

Thus

'

its

111

:

wild uproar

restless glance

^^ith his gore.

fill'd

the hall

swept round the wall.

no sword there shone, while eveiy tongue

deep curses on Ulysses flung

hast thou aim'd at

men

:

no future

'

Awaits thee more, but ruin manifest.

'

The

'

Hence the gorged

glory of this

isle

thy hand has

test

slain,

vultures shall thy life-blood drain.*

Thus each exclaim'd

Had

cast.

fi'om the o'ei*flowing of the feast, the floor

With wine and food stream'd mingled

Up

spnmg

as his spirit pass'd.

His quivering foot the table backward

And

?

— They deem'd,

dull fools! his blow

laid unwittingly that chieftain low.

Nor thought

that

AVhen the king,

now

o'er all

death darkly hung,

sternly lowering, loosed his tongue

BOOK '

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

241

Vile dogs, ye deem'd not that I e'er again

'

Should home return from

'

Hence ye devour'd my house, hence dared

'

And

force

my

disgi-ace

females to your vile emhrace

me

*

Hence

*

The vengeance

*

Now

dared,

Ilion's hostile plain,

woo my

lining,

ynie,

nor fear'd

of mankind, or heaven revered

death o'ershadows

all.'

All, blanch'd

Look'd round, to

:

fly

weapon

the

ere

it

by dread,

sped.

EurjTTiachus sole spake

*

If in

thy

home

'

Ulysses, Ithacensian, thou art come,

*

Just thy reproach

'

And

'

Yet he who urged the

*

Antinous,

'

He

*

Than buoy'd by

'

O'er Ithaca to hold his sceptred reign,

'

And

'

Victim of fate he

'

We

*

All that in food, in drink,

'

Each

:

the Achaean s iU have wrought,

ruin to thy lands and palace brought rest,

death,

let his

now

breathless

tis just, suffice

'

lies,

:

less soHcitous to gain the bride,

o'er

will

VOL.

thy son exult in ambush slain lies.

Thou

spare thine

own

appease thee, publicly atone

shall with II.

hopes, whose issue Jove denied,

we

reft

away,

mulct of twenty beeves repay.

R

:

THE ODYSSEY.

242 *

And

'

Till then,

'

*

'

[book xxii.

brass and gold shall satiate thy desire

we may not blame thy

righteous

ire.*

Euryraachus,' Ulysses sternly said,

Were all your sire's vast hoards before me laid, And all you now possess, yea ^more and more,

—

'

Ne'er should these hands abstain to shed your gore.

*

Now

'

Yet none

fight or fly

deem

I

if flight

:

can save your breath

:

shall 'scape the stroke of death.'

Faint at the word, their hearts within them died,

Vhen

desperate, thus

friends

*

man \11

this

!

Eurymachus rephed

bow and

ne'er his

down

hand

*

Nor

*

Nor fiOm

'

Till all

*

Then

'

Wield

'

All,

'

Rush, and invalidate his single hand.

'

If

'

And

'

The town

'

And

lay the

quiver

restrain,

again,

the threshold cease the arrowy shower

he dead beneath his ruthless power.

rouse to battle, each unsheathe his sword, to repel his shafts the banquet board,

with one

,

in

one collected band

from the thi'eshold we the murderer thro' the portal force will gather,

the last shaft

fall

our

way

drive,

ahve,

roused at our alarm,

from

his hfeless arm.'

BOOK

Then

And

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

243

forth his brazen t^^•ice-edged falchion dre\v.

with fierce outcry on Ulysses flew

But, at the moment, as he onward press'd.

The

king's preventive

Fix'd in his liver

arrow pierced his breast,

from

:

his

hand the sword

Dropp'd, as the chief sank reeUng round the board.

And writhing fell the food on earth was strow'd. From the huge bowl the wine untasted flow'd. :

His forehead struck the ground, and both his feet In quivering death-throes rock'd his ratthng seat

He

With

sank in night.

Against Ulysses bold

fiery

vengeance

Amphinomus

flush'd

rush'd,

Rush'd opposite, and drew his vengeful brand.

So might he force him from that vantage stand

But brave Telemachus,

:

his sire to save.

Flew, and his lance between his shoulders drave.

He, thundering,

The

fell

—

^his

broad front struck the floor

prince drew back, and

Left in

Amphinomus'

Lest as he drew

Some

it

left,

deep-bathed in gore.

spine the buried lance.

forth, in swift

advance

vengeful foe, should with unparried blade

Obliquely pierce him, or in

Then backward

fi'ont

invade

;

to his father swiftly ran.

Stood nigh, and thus with hurried speech began

'

'

Sire, I will bring thee arms, the

Again thy hand the warrior's lance

helm and

:

shield,

shall wield

:

THE ODYSSEY.

244 I

'

The man

myself, and either friend

thus arm'd can best his

Speed,' he replied,

'

'

arm

too will

*

Lest back they force

The

On

'

life

defend.'

while yet an arrow

me

of

left,

aid bereft.'

all

prince obey'd, and where the armour lay.

to the

Four

[book xxii.

upper chamber

shields, eight spears,

"vving'd his

way.

and fom• bright helmets bore,

AVhose crests waved terrour their high summits

Then, hast'ning back, reach'd

And And

foremost

girt

o'er

his expectant sire.

himself in war-attire.

the two friends, on watch their lord to aid.

Stood at his side in radiant arms array'd,

But he

Deep

himself, while yet a shaft remain'd.

in the suitors

In heaps they

fell

But when, death

blood

its

point distain'd.

thus daringly

assail'd.

after death, the

arrows

fail'd,

Propp'd on the column of the firm-built hall

He

leant his

The

bow

against the radiant wall.

four-fold shield

around

his shoulders braced.

On his bold brow the well-framed helmet placed. And while its horse-hair round him terrour waved, Grasp'd the two lances, and his foe-men braved.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

There was a postern

245

in the well-built wall

That nigh the threshold of the banquet

Led

to the street

strong bars

:

its

hall

door enclosed

There on Eumaeus' strength the king reposed

To guard Thus

'

that narrow passage, while appall'd.

Agelaiis to the suitors call'd

Friends,

by yon postern

'

And

'

The town would

*

And

'

'

will

none hence ascend,

bid the city timely succour send

?

quickly rouse at his alarm,

the last shaft

fall

from the murd'rer's arm.*

'Tis vain the attempt, too near the lofty gate

Of the proud

portal,

Melanthius spake,

*

and that pass too

strait,'

one guardian, brave and bold, his station hold

'

Might there against a host

'

But from the chamber

*

For, in that place alone, the waiy king

*

And

I \vill

armour

bring,

his son hid them.'

Forth Melanthius went

And

gain'd the

Twelve

chamber by

its

steep ascent

shields, twelve spears, twelve

:

brazen helmets

sought,

And

to the impatient suitors quickly brought.

THE ODYSSEY.

246

Then

first

Ulysses

felt

the sense of fear.

As on they braced the arms, and

Hard now the

When

and hazardous the

toil,

*

Mine was the

fault,'

'

None but

'

I left

'

Their spy perceived

*

But go

'

'

'

test.

of those \dle female slaves,

Or the base goat-herd has

'

grasp'd the spear.

the brave hero thus his son address'd

Or one

'

[book xxii.

myself,

son,

this evil done.'

Telemachus

shall

it

my

replied,

not be denied.

incautiously the door unbaiT'd,

my

And there And mark

it,

and none there on ward.

brave Eumaeus, close that gate, in strict if

some

Of Dolius has

this

observance vile

woman,

still

await,

or the son

deed unjustly done.'

While thus they converse

held, with

fell

intent

Again Melanthius to the chamber went In search of arms,

And '

*

— Eumaeus mark'd the man,

standing near Ulysses, thus began

Tis that pernicious man, he,

'

Now

'

Now,

if

'

Shall

I at

passes in,

—that

my arm

:

whom we

^\Tetch the

weapons brought.

o'erpower him, truly say

once that frontless

thought,

villain slay.

XXII.]

THE ODYSSEY.

*

Or bring him

to thy presence, to atone

'

For

BOOK

'

I,

ills

on

ills

my

and

247

beneath thy palace done

son/ he said,

'

?'

howe'er they rage,

'

Will with the suitors here the contest wage

'

While ye

*

Cast down that

—

his

feet

behind him bound,

this

guarded ground

hands and

on

villain

'

Then

'

Where

'

Close to the beams, that

'

The

and draw him, chain'd on high,

close the gates,

the proud pillar rises

loftily,

may

life

torture due to insolence

They

swift obey'd

:

:

and

The wretch no watcher

as

yet prolong

and wrong."

he back return'd.

of his path discem'd

But where the armour stood

in order stored

Against the column, the recess explored.

The watchers

And when And,

at

each side their station kept

Melanthius o'er the threshold stept.

in this

hand, a beauteous helmet bore.

In that, a shield, broad, ancient, rusted o'er Laertes' shield, guard of his youth, in fight.

Now

loosed the seams that once had braced

On him

they sprung, and by the hair held

its

might

fast,

Dragg'd him along, and on the pavement cast

And

as divine Ulysses

had

Bound with harsh cord

his

enjoin'd.

hands and

feet

behind

THE ODYSSEY.

248

Then

to a lofty column,

him

Left

[book xxii.

drawn on high.

to groan in lingering agony.

In stem derision then Emiiaeus spake, '

Thou

*

In a soft couch, as suits thee well, repose,

'

Nor when

*

Shall golden-throned Aurora 'scape thy view,

*

When

shalt at length Melanthius nightly wake,

They

Then These

the portals of the day unclose

forth

left

thou

him

lead'st

thy kids to feast yon crew.*

there, stretch'd

on that ruthless cord.

closed the gates, and sought in arms their lord. four,

upon the

threshold's vantage ground.

Stood in their strength, their foes

fierce raging

round.

—

Many and valiant then Minerva came. And mask'd like Mentor, changed her heavenly frame Bold exultation

As

*

*

fill'd

Ulysses breast. '

the confiding chief her thus address'd

Now

aid

Oft have

He The

I

:

on thee

aided thee

I call :

by

:

friendship's claim

our years the same.'

spake, not doubting there Minerva stood.

while the suitors raved in furious

mood

And Agelaiis, brave Damastor's son The Goddess thus reproving, first begun.

:

BOOK '

*

'

'

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

Mentor

Thee

!

beware

let

!

249

not that chief persuade

to contend with us, or yield

him

aid.

Mark thou the event when these our arms have And here the sire and son both dead remain, :

slain,

'

Thou too

with them

*

Wretch

on thy head the self-drawn vengeance Hes

'

And when thou fall'st,

'

All that thy palace holds, or fertile fields,

'

We

'

None

!

:

such deeds thou dared'st devise

the stores thy treasury yields,

mingle with the monarch's

:

shall inherit their paternal place

*

Nor

'

Shall ne'er in Ithaca prolong her

son, nor daughter,

But

Pallas,

Not now

;

and thy widow'd

\vife,

life.'

more and more with passion moved.

Thus with indignant speech

*

of thy race

the king reproved

as once, thy heart, not

Troy nine years thou

now thy

:

might,

'

As when

'

Didst in pei-petual slaughter onward

'

For beauteous Helen, born of highest Jove,

'

When

'

And

'

But when thy wealth and palace thee demand,

'

'

'

at

stood'st the fight

move

by thy counsel Troy was doom'd

to

fall,

the vile dust strew'd Ilion's prostrate wall.

Thou Come

to thy spoilers yield'st thy feeble hand. forth, stand

by me, and behold the deed,

Behold how Mentor

in the

hour of need,

^

:

:

THE ODYSSEY.

250

now repay

'

The son

'

'Mid foes the kindness of thy foraier

of Alcimus, shall

[book xxii.

day.'

But Pallas gave not victory too secure

But would by farther proof the hearts assure

Of him and

his brave son

then sprung aloof.

:

And sat a swallow on the topmost roof. Then Agelaus, brave Damastor's son. Urged

Amphimedon,

to the conflict bold

Euronymus, and Polybus the

sage.

And Demoptolemus

the war to wage.

These,

preeminently brave.

With

o'er the rest

desperate fuiy fought their lives to save.

The bow and arrows had

When

'

the rest subdued.

Agelaiis thus his speech renewed:

This man,

my friends,

'

Mentor

*

These

'

Hence, not at once

'

Your weapons

*

So Jove

'

Ulysses

'

Easy the labour

is

vanished,

will

all his

soon from war abstain,

boasts were vain.

at the foremost gate unaided stand

may fall

:

all

:

with unwary hand

rashly shower

;

but six alone

:

grant that by our power o'erthrown

and

if

Ulysses

fall,

to o'ermaster

all.'

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

Then, as he bade, each lanch'd

But

Pallas turn'd

them on

251

his well-aim'd spear.

their wing'd career.

This struck the post, that bounded from the gate. This on the wall iniix'd

brazen weight

its

But when the weapons of the wooers

At

stern Ulysses'

*

Now, be on

word

fail'd.

their spirits quail'd.

these, brave friends

!

your weapons

'

Who

ill-content with their vile deeds forepast

'

Long

for

our

lives.'

They

And

fix'd their

The king

weapons

hurl'd at once their darts.

in the suitor's hearts.

himself, Ulysses' well-aim'd blow.

Laid Demoptolemus before him low His son's dire stroke Eurybates subdued, Pisander's blood Philoetius' lance embrued.

His spear thro' Elatus Eumaeus thrust.

Prone

The

all

confusedly

fell

and gnaw'd the

dust.

suitors to the dark recesses flew.

While from the dead

their

arms the

victors drew.

The

suitors then

once more hurl'd spear on spear.

But

Pallas turn'd

them on

their wing'd career.

This struck the post, that bounded on the gate. This on the wall

infix'd its

But keen Amphimedon's

The

cast,

prince's wrist,

its

brazen weight

that lightly gi'azed

fleshy surface raised

THE ODYSSEY.

252

[book xxii.

Ctesippus' lance scarce drew Eumaeus' gore.

His shoulder touch'd, and glanced his buckler

Then

fell

on

But round

earth.

His friends against the Their lances hurl'd Fix'd in

The

Eurydamas

prince's lance

their monarch's stand

suitors' gather'd

—the

o'er.

band

city-wasting king

his death-barb'd sting

Amphimedon

laid low.

Sank Polybus beneath Eumaeus' blow, Philoetius struck Ctesippus

And

'

as

on the breast.

he bled exultantly address'd

Vile joker

!

ne'er again in boastful pride

'

Betray thy

'

This hospitable

*

That ox-hoof which thou

'

A

wanderer

folly

:

let

heaven's power decide.

gift for

thine receive, deign'st Ulysses give,

in his palace.'

With

Thy

lance, Ulysses, levell'd on the

Damastor s

son.

The

Thro' rash Leiocritus

Then

ground

prince in bold advance

ti'ansfix'd his lance.

His navel pierced, and thro' his Full on his front he

wound

close

fell,

entrails thrust

and gnaw'd the

ft'om the roof Minerva's vengeful

Shook her dread ^gis

o'er the guilty

dust.

hand

band

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

All cower'd distraught,

As

and

herds, at spring-time,

Rush from the

253

thro' the palace fled.

maddening

gad-fly, 'neath

in their dread.

whose whizzing wing

The

bellowing glades, and forests shrilly ring.

But

these, like crook'd-beak'd

From

ultures,

the high mountains dart upon their prey

The innumerous

birds that to the snare

Fly in their

fear,

and

No

refrige,

no

rest,

The

who on way

flutter to

and

below

fro.

vhile with keen delight

fowler on their capture feasts his sight

Not otherwise the avengers Slew them

at \\\,

as they fled.

and crush'd each prostrate head

Dire burst the groan the mangled wretches

And

all

the pavement floated,

fill'd

with gore.

Then

at Ulysses'

With

voice of suppliant prayer his heart to

'

Now

o'er.

knee Leiodes strove

move

while I kneel before thee, pity deign

:

abused, ne'er wrong'd thy female train

'

I ne'er

'

By word or deed, but o'er and o'er repress'd From words impure, and lawless deeds, the rest,

'

my

voice was heard those chiefs among,

'

Yet

'

Therefore they justly perish'd in their wrong.

'

I

'

ill

am a blameless seer, if such thou slay, No kind return will e'er kind deeds repay.'

:

THE ODYSSEY.

254 '

If

[book xxii.

thou/ the king rejoin'd with voice severe,

thou 'mid these didst boast thyself a

'

If

'

How

'

Would

*

So thou,

*

Therefore

He

seer,

must thou have wish'd that Ungering

oft

me

long detain

from

my

fate

palace gate,

bless'd seer, mightst clasp Ulysses' wife

said,

all

hope resign to scape with '

life.'

and grasp'd the sword that nigh him

lay.

By Agelaus cast in death away. And drove it thro' his neck while yet he spoke The last word minghng mth the vengeful stroke. Then Phemdus shuddering The '

bard,

Mid

the

who

at the

approach of death.

forced to waste his heavenly breath

nigh the postern door

fell suitors,

Stood, while his hand the harp celestial bore.

Stood doubtful, whether rushing from the hall

To

gain,

where rose before the palace

Great Jove's Hercaean

altar, at

wall.

whose shrine

Laertes and his son 'mid rites divine

Their hecatombs had burnt, or there remain. Clasp the king's knee, and soothe

Yet to

his wavering

At the

king's

Then

soft

he

mind he deem'd

knee to urge laid his

The beaker and

^vith plaintive strain. it

best

his last request.

harp on earth to lean

the silver throne between.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

255

Moved on, and closely clasp'd Ulysses' knee. And sought to melt his soul imploringly '

Thee

I

beseech, Ulysses

'

Hereafter thou wilt grieve

'

If scorn'd the bard,

'

'

!

if

deign to hear, scorn'd

and hush'd

my

tear,

in death the voice,

Whose melodies both gods and men rejoice, The self-taught bard, whose power makes known

to

earth, '

All changeflu harmonies of heavenly birth

'

To

'

Will

rise, if

'

Thy

son too, thy loved heir, bid him proclaim

*

That to thy house not

'

No

*

But powerful men here led, and force detain'd me

thee, as to a god,

*

;

grateful strain

thou from Phemius' blood

^rilhngly I

refrain.

came,

craving bard the suitors' feast to cheer,

Thus

And

my

here.'

as he pray'd, the prince the minstrel heard.

check'd Ulysses by preventive word

—wound

Hold

head

him not

strike

not his blameless

:

'

Nor

\vith

'

He,

in om* palace, in

'

Hung

the herald

o'er,

—

and

Medon

swell the dead.

my tender year, watch'd me with a father's

fear.

THE ODYSSEY.

256

[book

he breathe, nor by our followers

'

If yet

'

Nor met thee

in

slain,

thy wrath, from him abstain.'

The wary Medon heard him, where

He

xxir.

alone

prostrate lay beneath the banquet throne.

And round him roll'd, of instant death afraid. The hide yet fuming of a bull new flay'd. Swift from the throne he sprung, cast off the hide.

Close clasp'd the prince's knee, and suppliant cried

'

I, I

am

here

'

And check

'

Enraged

'

Nor

friend

restrain thine ire,

the vengeance of thy slaughtering

at those

who wasted

deign'd a thought on

Ulysses smiling said

my

!

:

'

sire,

all his store,

him they deem'd no

Thy

more.'

heart resume,

son stands between thee, and thy

doom

'

Since

'

But thou, and yon famed bard,

this slaughter leave

*

Haste to the outer court, while

I achieve

*

Here, in these walls,

They went, and

fear'd,

fated

work

assign'd.'

at the altar's base reclined

Of the Hercaean Jove

And

my

:

yet gazed around.

where'er they gazed, a coming wound.

:

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

Then round

the hall the

257

monarch turn'd

his sight.

Lest some lone fugitive yet saw the light

But

all,

he

Wallowing Like

fishes,

all

beheld, the numerous train.

in

blood and dust, confusedly

whom

slain.

the seamen on the strand

With many a meshed net have

cast

on land,

Dragg'd from the hoary main, there heap on heap

They

flounce athirst to taste the briny deep.

While high

Draws out

The

o'er

head the sunbeam's scorching ray

at every gasp their strength away.

suitors thus, confusedly as they died

Lay on each

other.

'

*

Haste

— Euryclea

*

Will,

what

He

spake

Son,' Ulysses cried,

call

my mind :

:

her faithful ear

suggests, attentive hear.'

Teiemachus

his sire obey'd.

Shook Euryclea's door, and

'

swiftly said

Come forth, time-honour'd nurse, whose watchful eye

*

O'er

'

My

all

the females rules attentively,

sire awaits thee.'

At her

lord's

command

She oped the door with no reluctant hand. VOL.

II.

s

THE ODYSSEY.

258

The

prince led on her step

[book xxii.

—and now they found

Ulysses by the dead encircled round,

Dappled Like a

wth

fell

The avenger

gore and dust.

lion

stood

gorged with recent blood

Slow stalking from the His cheeks on either

stall, his bristling crest.

side, his

foaming breast.

Horrific to behold, distilUng gore.

From head Thus

to foot with slaughter crimson'd o'er

in the strength of his o'erpowering might.

The

stern avenger stood before her sight.

And And

as she view'd, bathed in their blood, the dead.

the great

Loud

of vengeance perfected.

burst the exultation of her breast.

When '

work

thus the king her shout of joy repress'd

Be glad

at heart

;

but this wild joy restrain

*

We may not rightly triumph

'

Them their vile deeds,and heaven's justwratho'erthrew:

o'er the slain.

'

They who

of

*

The good,

the bad, ahke, whoever

'

Therefore they perish'd in their deeds of shame.

'

But unto me the females now record,

'

Those who disgraced or

'

'

human

kind no reverence knew,

came

rightly served their lord.'

Yes, thou shalt hear the truth,' the nurse replied,

Full

fifty

females 'neath thy roof abide

BOOK '

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

These we have taught

to toil, the

259

wool to comb,

'

And

*

But twelve of these beyond the bounds of shame,

'

Mine, and the queen's commands alike disclaim.

'

Thy

'

Forbade to rule

'

But

*

Where soothed by heaven '

*

bear the yoke that binds the slave to

son, in

let

No

me

home

manhood's prime, the queen's command at will the female band.

seek her room, and

—wake her

not,'

he

she

all disclose,

lies in

said,

'

sweet repose.'

but hither send

Those whose disgraceful deeds the gods

offend.'

Forth from the chamber Euryclea went.

And

to their lord the

summon'd females

Meanwhile the monarch

And *

'

'

to his faithful band.

his loved son thus utter'd his

Haste

sent.

command

—bid these women —bear aid

forth the slain

And from the seats and tables sponge each And when within all ranged, in order all,

stain

*

Lead them

*

And 'mid

'

With your keen weapons gash with many a wound,

*

Till

*

The

ye

reluctant from the stately hall,

the scullery and the court-yard bound,

let loose their souls,

last

and death remove

remembrance of their shameful

love.'

THE ODYSSEY.

260

He Shed

spake

the

:

bitter tears,

women came

[book xxii.

confusedly on.

and mingled groan with groan.

First they brought forth the dead,

and sorrowing flung

Where

shadow hung

o'er the

heap the porch

Ulysses urged their

They bore Then

toil,

its

while forced and faint

the bodies out by harsh constraint

to their former purity restored.

Sponged the bright thrones, and laved each festive board.

The

prince and his associates, o'er and o'er.

With

The maids They

And

besoms cleansed the stony

restless

bore out the

soil.

women from

led the

Thus

floor

order'd

all.

the well-based hall.

'mid the dome and court, in narrowest room

Thrust them, close pent, where none might 'scape their

doom.

The

prince then spake

'

Will

*

These who

'

And

He

A

I deprive

oft

Could

'

Not with a noble death

these wretches of their breath,

heap'd their insults on

my

head,

scorn'd the queen, and shared the suitors' bed.'

spake,

and from a

ship's strong cord,

Drew

:

it aloft,

and

stately

column wound

girt the

dome around.

that none, thus high upraised.

^vith stretch 'd foot

the gromid have lightly grazed.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXII.]

261

As doves or broad wing'd thrushes, who, on

Amid

flight

the thickets, in a net ahght,

resting find, thus these together strung.

111

In wretchedest of deaths suspended

And now

in

life's

Quiver'd their

Now

last throb, as

feet,

thro' the hall

then

hung

ceased the breathy

—-motionless in

death.

and porch the avengers drew

Melanthius forth, and, mutilating, slew,

away

Sheer'd off his ears and nose, and pluck'd

His manly parts, and cast to dogs a prey.

Then cleansed from

And

recent gore their hands and feet.

to the hall return'd the king to greet.

All

was consummated, when thus

To

faithful

*

'

*

*

Haste

!

their lord.

Euryclea, spake the word

fire

and sulphur bring, that

May

purify the house from death

And And

bid Penelope

'

now meet me

with their sovereign

all

and royal robes that

Fit vest

'

Not

in these rags

'

The

state

be seen

;

once more

and gore.

here,

her train appear.'

'Tis right,' the nurse repHed,

'

I

'

I

too will bring

suit the king.

not thus disgrace

and splendour of thy ancient

race.'

THE ODYSSEY.

262 •

''

Here foremost bring the

First

be the palace duly

The

fire/ the

The

.

king rephed,

purified.'

nurse, obedient to her king's desire.

The sulphur brought and fumigating But he

[book

himself, intent,

hall,

from side to

fire

:

side.

the court, and palace purified,

AVhile Euryclea bade the maids obey.

And

to Ulysses' presence urged their way.

With torches

in their

hand, they onward sped,

Hail'd their loved lord,

and

Soft gi-ief o'ercame him,

Pregnant with

all

kiss'd his

hand and head

and a tear of woe

the past, was seen to flow.

THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Tnc

interview of Ulysses and Penelope

:

tliey

recount

during their long separation.

all that

intervened

THE ODYSSEY. BOOK The

To

nurse, exultant, sought the upper floor

tell

the queen her lord was there once more.

Her knees new

The '

strength assmned, nor feebly

moved

foot of age to greet her child beloved.

Arise/ she cried,

'

On

'

Tho'

'

Lord of

'

All

'

And, scornful

'

XXIII.

^

Penelope

him, for ever long'd late,

who

Ulysses

is

!

for, fix

arise,

thine eyes.

return'd again,

his palace, all the suitors slain, his

house

Kind nurse

despoil'd, his wealth devour'd,

in their strength, his son o'eiiDower'd.'

'

the

^vise

'

The

'

\\'ho stupify the wise,

*

Give \\dsdom to the

Penelope replied,

gods, no doubt, have turn'd thy brain aside,

and

soft

if

inchned

and simple mind

THE ODYSSEY.

2GG

[1200K xxiii.

'

So heaven has wrong'd thee, once

'

Why

*

Relating such untruths

'

From

*

Such

*

When

*

But now descend, back to thy room again

*

Know

*

Such

*

My

'

Back

'

Thy

'

niock'st

thou

me

in deepest ?

for sense renown'd.

misery drown'd,

why wake

the sweet solace of

weep

to

unwonted

sleep

as I ne'er enjoy'd since that fell

?

hour

arm'd Ulysses sought that nameless tower.

too,

tales

if

one, save thou, of

had

all

my

train,

and robb'd of sleep

told,

:

my

bed,

rage had sorely lighted on her head,

I

I

my sight away deeds my Avrath allay.'

had sent her from

age and former

mock

thee not, loved child,' the nurse replied,

a god his guide,

^

Here now, beneath

*

Ulysses

*

That beggar scorn'd of

*

The

^

But kept the

*

That righteous vengeance might

*

And

is

return'd.

prince his

at

this roof,

sire's

'

Embraced her

all,

the public gest.

retimi has long-time known,

secret in his breast alone,

due time the

The queen

Tis he, that g-uest,

rejoiced,

suitors'

its

plan mature,

death assure.'

and darting from her bed.

nurse, and tears of transport shed

.] '

'

'

'

THE ODYSSEY. queen

If true/ the

Ulysses breatlie,

How How

*

me

tell

'

if

o'er

here once more

and

o'er

could his strength defeat that shameless band, slay such

saw not

I

replied,

267

my

numbers ^nth

his sins^le

—none inform'd me,' she

hand

?

replied,

*

But

'

In our room's deep recess, we, troubled, staid,

'

ear caught their giOaning as they died.

And

the doors closely barr'd our step delay'd,

*

Till

thy son

*

I

'

And found

'

They on the

'

Thou wouldst have

*

That blood-bathed

'

In the fore-court they

*

The

*

He

*

That ye may

*

To

'

Your utmost wish

'

On

'

And him who

'

Beneath

*

The

me

call'd

hasten'd to the

forth

summons

—At

his desire

of his

sire,

Ulysses standing 'mid the dead: floor stretch'd out,

joy'd that slaughter to behold, lion 'mid the

avenger's torch

mutual,

frill

suitors

all

purifies the

:

room.

follow where I lead,

your hearts, from misery freed,

—

'Tis complete

in his paternal seat

he breathes, and thee has found,

a father's hope has cro\vn'd

dome by

:

murder'd fold

—^\th sulphurous fume

enjoyment.

his ow-w hearth

his

lie.

now

waits thy coming yield

head heap'd on head.

his

:

and

in his outraged hall

vengeance perish'd,

all.'

THE ODYSSEY.

268

[hook

nurse belo\-ed/ the prudent queen replied,

'

'

Not

*

Thou

*

And most

thus, too joyful, cast all doubt aside.

know'st

how

glad to

all his

presence here,

me, and him we joy'd to

to

rear.

— Some god has

'

But

*

In wrath for their misdeeds that impious train.

'tis

not as thou

'

None they

*

The good and bad

*

For

'

Returns

'

revered

say'st.

on

:

all

their scornful

slain

shame,

whoever came.

alike,

their vile deeds they died

:

but he no more

death holds him on a foreign shore.'

;

Why,' the nurse answer'd, ' whence

*

Why

'

No more

'

Hear me, nor

*

The

*

Now,

*

Fain had

*

And on

*

But follow

'

Be mine the

'

xxiii.

dost thou

deem

returns

this

hasty word

that here thy li\ing lord

incredulous thy breast.

?

disbelieve the certain test

by that boar-tusk so deeply made,

scar,

as I laved his limbs, thy lord betray'd.

Wise

told thee, but

I

wasdom

his

as

:

my

The

'

But haste we

*

The

pledged

lip

he closed,

peace reposed. life

to thee I leave

bitterest death if I deceive.'

thou

'

I in

my

art,'

Penelope retum'd,

counsels of the gods thou hast not leam'd. to

my

suitors slain,

son, at once to view

and him who greatly

slew.'

?

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXIII.]

269

Then, from her room pass'd down

and much her

:

heart

Waver'd, to question her loved lord apart.

Or

clasp at once his hand,

Thus

and

kiss his head.

entering in, she o'er the threshold sped.

And opposite Ulysses fix'd her throne. Where from the hearth the blazing fire-flame

He

'gainst a lofty

column

shone.

sat reclined.

Cast do^\^l his eyes, and with expectant mind

Waited what word might haply

When

first his

gi'eet his

peerless vaie beheld

Long mute, amazement

all

him

near.

her soul subdued.

Now, gazing on him, twas himself she '

Now knew him

ear

not, thus clothed.

view'd.

—At

length, sore

moved,

Telemachus

'

*

'

Ah

Why Why

!

his

mother thus reproved

hapless mother

my

shun

father

!

^\'ith

unbending mind

—wherefore thus

disjoin

d?

not accost him, and the truth explore,

*

Nor ask

'

Who

'

Could from her toil-woni husband stand apart

*

Who home

*

Thy

a thousand questions o'er

and

but thyself, obdurate as thou

art,

heart

returns the twentieth year

is

o'er

now

?

?

gone.

harder than the unfeeling stone.'

THE ODYSSEY.

270

My

*

[book

xxiii.

son/ the sage Penelope rejoin'd,

'

Awe and

'

I

*

Look on

'

But

'

And

'

We

'

Signs from

astonishment have stun

d

my

mind.

cannot speak, nor question him, nor dare

if

his face,

not

false, if

and what

I feel

declare.

true what I discern,

here Ulysses to his house return,

each other know, when once reveal'd

shall

all

others, save ourselves, conceal'd.'

Pleased at her word, divine Ulysses smiled.

And '

much-loved child

swiftly thus address'd his

Nay,

let

thy mother try me, prove at

:

,

'

Then

shall

*

Now,

since these shameful rags her sight deceive,

*

She

*

But w^igh we what

'

He who

*

Tho' few the avengers of

*

Far from

*

But we the noblest

'

Then what thy '

*

mature conviction

fears to

Do

has

own, nor dares her sense is

Speak what

best

reft of life

his kindred

thou

all fulfil.

now

timely plan

one single man,

and

his his

death

arise,

country

flies

of the isle have slain

counsel, fearlessly explain.'

thyself,' is

:

believe.

best

Telemachus

replied,

—do thou alone

decide.

:

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXIII.]

'

Thy wisdom

*

'Tis widely echo'd, passes all

*

We gladly follow

'

If valour

'

can

What most

'

First, bathe,

'

Then be

And And

*

let

transcends, thy prudent

and

:

assist,

Hear then,

*

'

all

271

my

we

if

mankind:

force avail,

shall not

son,' the

accords with

mind

fail.'

prudent chief rejoin'd,

my

revohing mind

and robe yourself with

festive vest,

the females in gay garments dress'd,

the minstrel sweep the heavenly lyre,

prelude to the dance the joyful choir,

'

That whosoe'er may chance the

*

Shall

*

Spread not abroad a rumour of the

*

Till

*

There we

'

If Jove,

deem

we

that nuptial revels

revisit

will

my

strain to hear,

charm the ear slain,

well planted plain

ponder what

what best may

may

profit,

profit best,

deign suggest.'

Ulysses spake, they willingly obey'd.

Bathed, and in radiant robes themselves array'd

Robed were

And

the

the females in their lich attire.

skill'd

minstrel sweetly swept the lyre

That woke the wish, and led the choir along

To weave the dance, and swell the harmonious And the roof rung re-echoing to the beat Of youths and maidens' dance-immingled

feet.

song.

THE ODYSSEY.

272

And '

thus the passers spoke

New

[book

who heard

xxiii.

the sound

nuptial chains, the queen, long woo'd, have

bound. *

Ah

*

Nor, for the lord that clasp'd her youth, remains.'

she no more her former state sustains,

!

Thus they unconscious.

While with pleasing

Euronyme bathed, and smooth'd with Ulysses'

Umbs

:

fragrant

toil

oil

then gracefully around

His freshen'd frame a robe and tunic wound. Pallas with grace divine his

head

array'd.

And all his form more large, more lofty, made. And hke the hyacinthian flowrets roU'd His clustering locks in many a waving fold. As the famed workman, and Vulcan deign

Pallas

Round

to

whose peerless

art

their skill impart.

burnish'd silver pours the flowing gold,

And works

achieves

Thus beam'd

all

his face

wondrous

to behold.

and form, when forth he trod

Fresh from the bath in likeness of a god.

Then

To '

'

seated on a throne to hers opposed

his loved consort thus his

Surely the gods, o'er

Have

steel'd thee

all

mind

of

disclosed

womankind,

with the impenetrable mind.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXIII.]

273

'

No

'

Would from

'

Thus stand apart from him who worn with

*

Regains, t\nce ten years pass'd, his native

'

But, nurse

'

Since hard as iron her unfeelinsr breast.'

'

other wife, but thou, but thou alone,

her consort, as from one unknown,

prepare

!

Nay,' she replied,

my

'

couch

:

there let

toil,

soil.

me

nought too highly deem,

I

*

Nor hghtly

*

Nor

*

What once thou

'

But go,

*

Without the chamber by

'

There

'

Fine fleeces, and bright rugs of radiant glow.'

below

rate

just esteem,

its

senselessly admire.

my

wert

I

when

yet retain cross'd

by thee the main.

nurse, and be his couch his labour

bed prepare, and

his soft

now laid made

o'er it

throw

—her cautious speech Ulysses

She spake

When

tried.

thus her lord indignantly replied

woman

^

rest,

!

thou a bitter word hast

'

Who

'

'

'

Alone could move

in a different place that

Twere hard

'

No

*

Could from

liiing

VOL.

II.

for

one well it

man, not its

from

skill'd its

in youth's

seat that

bed has

said.

laid

?

—A heavenly hand

former stand.

utmost

force,

bed with ease divorce

THE ODYSSEY.

274 '

For

'

Resides

'

A

*

'

'

*

*

in that labour'd :

made

I

broad leaved

it,

[book

bed a mighty sign

and no hand but mine.

olive in the court up-grew,

And as a stately column tower'd on view Round this, with stones on stones, an ample I built

my

nuptial bower, and roof 'd

And with glued portals hung then The broad leaved foliage from each :

it

'

I

*

Strait

*

I

'

Thence, polishing the bed,

*

Plates of bright silver, ivory, and gold,

'

And

'

Such

'

Unmoved,

*

Some hand has

down, with

away

olive spray.

Then

to the root cut

store,

o'er,

lopp'd

'

skilful art

smooth'd the trunk, and fashion'd every part

by the guiding

with the auger

He

line

all in

:

the base thus wrought,

order brought. I

round

it

roll'd

laced with cordage bright with purple stain. is

the sign

spake

I

:

;

know

but

if

that bed remain

not, or,

now

forced away,

cut the root, whereon

his wife

it

lay.'

each well known sign

Her

soul dissolves away, she faints, she

Her

tears gush'd forth, at once she

recalls

falls

upward sprung,

Clasp'd him, and on his neck in transport hung.

And

kiss'd

him

o'er

and

o'er

:

'

'

xxiii.

With eye unkind

look not on me, wisest of mankind

:

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXIII.]

'

The gods

*

From youth

'

Be not indignant

'

I clasp'd

'

For ceaselessly a horrour iced

'

Lest

'

Lest some deluder should

'

For many are the tongues that falsehood weave.

'

No, not the Argive Helen born of Jove,

'

*

*

'

I

thus

will'd,

who

275

in

sweet union bless'd

to age here envied us to rest.

when

that

first I

view'd,

thee not, by fear awhile subdued

should

fall

my

heart

a prey to guileful art,

my

soul deceive

Had yielded to a stranger's pleaded love, Had she but known that Grecia's sons in arms Would league to rescue her unhappy charms. Some god her guilt aroused hence sprung the thought Whose evil first on us affliction brought. :

*

*

Now —since

'

Of our loved couch from

'

Known

'

My

*

Loved Actoris the guardian of our

'

Now, on thy bosom melts my

by thee most clear each sign reveal'd

Her speech as

As when

but us conceal'd,

but to us, and one entrusted maid,

father's gift,

Which

all

he

yet

who

here her charge convey'd,

more

clasp'd her

to those,

rest,

iron breast.'

his tears of transport

moved

bathed that breast beloved.

who, 'mid the billows'

roar.

Cleave the dark waves, appears the neighbouring shore.

THE ODYSSEY.

276

When

And

their vessel in the tempest's sweep.

few, long stniggUng, 'scape at length to land.

the brine crusts

Thus on her on

Had

them

shivering on the strand

lord she gazed, nor ere

Her white arms

Now

xxiii.

the Sea-God beneath the o'ersurging deep

Has wreck'd

When

[book

closely clasp'd his

their tears the

dawn had

unbound

neck around. daylight brought.

not another plan INIinerva ^vrought

Check'd, ere yet reach'd the goal, the westering night.

And

in the

Nor

suiFer'd the s^^ft steeds that

deep detain'd the gold-throned

Lampus and Phaeton

wife

'

Then, thus

addi'ess'd.

with the partner of his breast

not yet

!

day awoke,

to bear the yoke,

Relimiining the earth.

He communed

we touch

woe's utmost goal,

'

A load

'

Dire

'

The dread

'

When

'

I to

the house of Hades boldly went

'

But

to our

'

There

*

'

of misery yet weighs do^vn

toils I

on

must endm*e. injunction on

my

light.

my

soul,

Tiresias' shade

my

friends' return,

spirit laid,

and mine,

intent,

couch now come, there sink to

ia each others

The couch

arms supremely

rest,

bless'd.'

awaits thee,' the fair queen rejoin'd,

Whene'er most grateful

to thy wiUing mind.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXIII.]

277

*

Since heaven has sent thee to possess again

'

Thy

'

But

*

Doom'd by the

'

And

'

I

stately palace

and ancestral

as thy speech has glanced at future

gods, the dangers

since the truth hereafter

Why

bidst thou

me

disclose

it ?'

Yet ne'er

^vill

*

But thou

wilt not rejoice to hear

'

Nor

*

Tiresias bade

*

And

'

So wander on, nor turn

'

Till reach'd a race

*

Who know

*

Of oars

'

'

disclose,

must be known,

'

*

now

woes

better shall sustain the fate foreshown.'

*

'

reign.

I fi'om

he rephed,

thee a secret hide.

my

fate,

shall I joy the sequel to relate.

me many

my

bear, where'er

not

a realm explore,

way, a well made oar,

my

course aside,

unconscious of the

salt,

nor

e'er

tide,

have seen the sweep

that wing the vessel thro' the deep.

Now hear the sign, from thee 1 hide it not, When I shall meet on that predestined spot A wanderer, who beholding me declares The oar a winnow that my shoulder bears, must plant

*

There

'

To

'

A

'

And hecatombs

I

the great

ram, a

it

in the earth,

God whose

bull,

and boar in

:

and slay

voice the waves obey,

then

home

return,

solemn order burn

THE ODYSSEY.

278

[book

then slow approaching death

*

To

'

Shall far from ocean steal

*

In the soft lapse of age, while round

'

My *

'

all

the gods

:

He

subjects bless'd.

Yes,' she replied,

'

if

away

my

breath

me

dwell

spake, and bade farewell.'

heaven thus bless thy age,

Life's peaceful close shall every

While thus they converse

And

ill

assuage.'

held, their favourite

maid

the aged nurse their nuptial couch array'd

Beneath the torches'

blaze.

The couch now

The nurse

retiring sought her peaceful bed.

Euronyme

alone prepared their way.

And led them by her Then back return'd :

their loved son,

while they in love's delight,

and either

Ceased from the dance, and All peaceful slept.

spread.

flambeau's guiding ray,

Enjoy'd as once their bed's connubial

But

xxiii.

rite.

faithful

still'd

swain

the female train.

And now when

love had rest.

And satiate joy had tranquillized their breast, Then o'er and o'er Ulysses and his queen Told

in sweet converse all that pass'd

Their parting, and return

On

between

— She dwelt again

the proud wooers and their wasteful train.

How,

courting her, his flocks and herds they slew.

And from

his cells the

wine profusely drew.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXIII.]

279

Ulysses told what battles he had gain'd.

What

toils

endured, what miseries sustain'd.

She heard enchanted, and,

till all

exposed.

Ne'er the soft hand of sleep his eyelid closed.

He told how first he slew Ciconia's host. And how he reach'd the Lotophagian coast Told what the Cyclops wrought, and how Blinded the wretch

How

he

in i^olus'

who gorged ahve

hand

band

his

dome found welcome

his

rest,

Who kindly greeted, and sent forth his guest How then not fated to regain his shore. But

toss'd

by tempests the dark ocean

He

told of Laestrj^gonians,

His

fleet destroy'd,

How

he alone escaped

Of tempting

Circe,

Told how he

From

How

and

all his

fell

crew

comrades slew.

then told the wiles

and her various

sail'd to hell's

guiles

honific gloom.

sage Tiresias' shade to learn his all his

friends there view'd,

The mother on whose Told how he

And The

:

whose

o'er.

doom

and those among

breast his childhood

listen'd to the

Syren

pass'd the rocks that clash

hung

strain,

amid the main

hoiTour of Charybdis, Scylla's roar.

Rocks which Told how

And how

his

ne'er

man unharm'd had

pass'd before

crew the Sun's own herd had

Jove's bolt

had

split his

slain.

ship in twain.

THE ODYSSEY.

280

[book

xxiii.

How all his friends, together, perish'd, all. When he alone survived to mourn their fall Then

of Ogygia, and Calypso's charms.

Who

sweetly woo'd him to her wedded arms.

Held

in

her cave, and with enticing breath,

Vow'd he should But

fail'd to

live for ever, free

win his heart

:

from death.

then dwelt on

toil

And perils ere he reach'd Phaeacia's soil How, like a god, they honour'd him, and gave

A

him homeward

ship to waft

With many a Brass, and

gift,

much

o'er the

wave.

bright raiments richly stored.

gold, the inestimable hoard.

This, the last tale, his long adventures closed.

When

sleep

came down, and

all his

Now, when Minerva deem'd

And

satiate love

cares reposed.

sleep's soft controul.

had calm'd Ulysses'

soul.

The Goddess roused from ocean's peaceful bed The gold-throned morn her light o'er earth to shed Then

And '

rose Ulysses from his couch of rest.

to his

much

loved wife these words address'd

Relentless misery long has rack'd our heart,

'

Long

'

While Jove and

'

And

hast thou wept thy husband far apart,

with dire

all

toils

the gods

my

my

course restrain'd,

wish'd return detain'd.

BOOK

THE ODYSSEY.

XXIII.]

281

*

Now,

*

Guard what

*

The herds and

*

Part shall by

'

Part shall the Achseans wiUingly restore,

*

Till all

'

But now

'

To my

'

Yet ere we

*

Thee vhose

'

AVith the

'

Of those beneath

*

Then

'

There

He

we

since

my

thus have met in bliss once more, of

is left

me by

plunder be resumed,

my

some

sire

part,

thick-planted

field,

solace yet to peld

previously advise

I

self-counsel

new dawn

my

to thy uppev rest,

consumed,

are crowded as of yore.

haste to

loved

pateraal store.

flocks those wasteful guests

stalls

I

my

might alone

suffice

the bruit will swiftly spread

vengeance lately dead,

room, loved

wiie, retire,

nor gaze abroad, nor aught enquire.'

spake, and, brightly arm'd, at da\\Ti of day

Drove from

his son

And bade them arm

and friends :

soft sleep

they arm'd, and swiftly sped

Where'er the way their monarch onward

And when day

away.

led.

beam'd, Minerva's guardian might

Forth from the city led them hid in night.

THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK OF

THE ODYSSEY.

ARGUMENT. Hermes conducts

the souls of the suitors to Hades.

Laertes and Ulysses.

The recognition of

Ulysses, by the assistance of ^linerva, defeats the

people of Ithaca wlio had risen in arras to avenge the slaughter of their chiefs.

The Goddess

reconciles the king and people.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK Now The

Mercury,

Cylleiie's

guardian god.

suitors* souls evoking,

The beauteous golden The hds With

he led them.

waved the

rod, of

in sleep, or raise

this

XXIV.

rod.

power to

from

still

close

repose

:

— They, where'er he went

Shrill-shrieking foUow'd.

As

in darkness

pent

In the deep cave's recess, the bats on flight Shrill-squeak,

One from Fall

when haply from

the rocky height

their cluster falls, then all the rest

on each other clinging breast to breast

Thus they together

shrilly-shrieking flow'd

Where Hermes

them

They

led

to their last abode

:

pass'd the rock Leucadian, ocean's streams.

And the Sun's gate, and peopled realm of dreams And soon they reach'd the Asphodehan plain. Where souls, the shadows of the dead, remain.

THE ODYSSEY.

286

[book xxiv.

And

there before them, an impassive shade.

The

spirit

of Pehdes tower'd display'd,

Antilochus, Patrochis, and the might

Of Ajax,

first

in majesty of height

Save Peleus' son, the goddess-born renown'd;

And where

came gathering

Achilles tower'd the rest

round. Atrides mournful came, and with their lord

Shades of the murder'd in that house abhorr d, ii^gisthus'

Pelides

'

dome

first

Atrides

*

We

*

When

!

;

and as he onward

press'd,

the mournful shade address'd

thee, all heroes far above

deem'd most honour'd by protecting Jove 'neath thy sway, that brave, that numerous

band '

Fought while we labour'd on Troy's

*

Yet

*

That none escape once warm'd by

'

Would

'

In

'

Then

*

And on

'

Not such thy doom

'

That thou by death most

first

all

to thee

hostile land

was doom'd pernicious death

that in Troy, in

all

\atal breath.

thy regal pride,

thy glory thou hadst nobly died, all

the Greeks thy honour'd

tomb had

raised,

thy son transmitted glory blazed. '

;

twas fatally decreed vile

shouldst basely bleed.'

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.] '

287

Bless'd son of Peleus,' Atreus' son replied,

'

Thou,

*

Who

*

And round

'

Striving for thee, while 'neath war's dusty storm

'

Lay

'

Regardless of the battle.

'

We

'

Save by the bolt of Jove.

'

We

'

Then

laid thee laved,

'

With

odoriferous unguent, cleansed from gore

'

On

'

And

*

Thy mother heard

*

Rose with the sea-nymphs

*

O'er the wide waves a mighty clamour spread,

'

And

'

'

guard and guide,

like the gods, Achaia's

far

from Argos diedst on

Ilion's plain,

thee either host's high leaders slain

in large space, stretch' d out, thy large-Umb'd form,

— All that day

fought, nor ere had ceased the unyielding fray

bore thee to our

fleet,

From

and strow*d thy bed,

and bathing

o'er

and

o'er

shear'd their locks to decorate thy bier.

thy

fate,

and from the main

to

lament the

slain

army shook uith dread,

all

the Grecian

all

up-rushing had their vessels gain'd

not the experienced chief the host detain'd,

*

Nestor, whose sense and counsel

*

And

'

dead

thee the Grecians pour'd a nation's tear,

And Had

'

forth the

all excell'd,

thus advising, their deep fear dispell'd

Stay

At the

—

lo

first

!

the mother from the ocean

rumour of her

offspring's

:

womb,

doom

THE ODYSSEY.

288

[book xxiv.

—As he spoke

'

Emerges with the sea-nymphs.

*

The Grecians

*

The daughters

'

Thee with ambrosial raiment

'

Robed, while they wept

'

All the nine

'

And none

*

So sweet the muse that sorrow'd

'

For seventeen days,

'

Both gods and men mourn'd thee who senseless lay

*

The

eighteenth day bright flamed thy funeral bed,

*

And

sheep and beeves innumerous round thee bled,

'

While

'

Thou wert in fragrant oil and honey laid. And many a Grecian chief in war attire

'

staid,

and from

their fear

awoke.

of the Ancient of the sea

:

splendidly

and with alternate

Muses mourn'd the hero

strain

slain,

so harsh that fail'd to shed the tear, o'er

thro' every night

in the raiment of the

thy bier

!

and day

gods array'd

*

Clash'd in the contest round thy burning pyre,

*

Horsemen and

'

'

foot,

and loud the clamour rose

And when the flame now languish'd to its close, At dawn we gather'd thy white bones, and placed, pure wine, and with rich unguents graced,

'

Bathed

'

In a bright vase elaborate in gold,

'

That Thetis gave thy

'

The

*

With

*

There thy white bones are

*

Thy

in

gift all

last

remains to hold,

of Bacchus, and divinely wiOught that Vulcan to perfection brought. laid,

and there with thine

loved Patroclus' last remains combine.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

289

And there Antilochus's rest apart, Who, when Patroclus died, most shared

'

'

thy heart.

'

O'er both thus laid, the Argives sacred host

*

On

'

Piled a vast

*

A

'

Then, by the gods' consent, thy mother placed

'

In the throng'd circus

*

Oft at the funerals of the mighty dead

'

Or on the

*

Where

'

Gifts of rare

'

But those the

'

To add

'

Far above

'

For thou by

'

Thus death

'

And

'

But what

'

But what

'

Jove doom'd

'

By

the broad Hellespont's projecting coast

mound, a monument sublime,

sea-mark seen afar by

bier

all

succeeding time.

gifts that

heroes graced.

where lay a monarch's head,

the zoned youths contending for the prize,

worth have

fix'd

my

ivondering eyes,

silver-footed Thetis gave,

high honour to thy glorious grave, all

my

all

moved

admiration

the gods wert most beloved.

ne'er injured thy immortal

name,

times unborn shall swell Achilles' fame.

vile

my joy, dire war's long labours o'er ? my welcome to my native shore ?

Led on the II.

there to close a toil-worn

life

iEgisthus, and the accursed wife.'

Thus they

VOL.

me

—while Hermes

suitors

to hell's dark

by Ulysses

slain.

domain

THE ODYSSEY.

290

[book xxiv.

Both, wondering, tow'rds them drew, when Atreus* son

Knew,

Of

as

he view'd

old in Ithaca his

And *

far

famed Amphhnedon,

welcomed

guest,

thus Atrides' shade the chief address'd

By what

mischance,

and

why

tread this nether earth,

of equal birth

'

Selected

*

None, were the prime di'awn out from

'

Could from the nation

*

Did Neptune hurl you to untimely graves

*

By stormy

'

Or valorous foemen on

'

Driving the herds, and fleecy flocks away

'

Or

*

To me, your

'

Dost thou forget that to thy hearth

'

With Menelaus

'

'

'

*

fell

all,

you

all

:

?

cull a nobler

all

the land,

band.

tempests, and the war of waves

for

?

the mainland slay

your wives and children

?

slain

?

guest of yore, the truth explain.

to avenge his

I

came

shame,

And rouse Ulysses with his naval host To join the assembled Greeks on Ilion's coast, And when we scarcely could the hero gain,

A *

month Most

pass'd o'er us traversing the

glorious chief,'

*

Atrides, king of

*

I all

*

Our death how

Amphimedon

men, the nation

remember, and

will

now

s,

main

?

replied,

Grecia's guide,

relate

destined by remorseless fate

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.] '

We

'

Who

^

Our death

'

She wove

*

Web

of the subtlest thread, and largest size,

'

And

thus dissembling, spake in specious guise

*

1

291

the

fair wife

nor our

Youths,

of lost Ulysses woo'd,

suit accepted,

demising, while

nor vithstood,

from us aloof

in secresy a treacherous woof,

who

here

woo me,

since Ulysses died,

*

Not

'

Till I

'

Lest incomplete

*

Shroud of Laertes, when long lingering death

'

Shall close at last that hero's sacred breath

*

Lest 'mid the people each Achaean

'

Hurl on

'

If

'

Should he entomb'd without a faneral

'

We

'

Her hand each day

'

That web which ever by the

'

Her hand

*

Three years the treacherous labour she pursued,

*

But when the fourth the

'

AVam'd by a maiden conscious of her

'

We

to fresh nuptials urge the un^villing bride,

have duly perfected the

my

former labour

fail,

dame

head not undeserved blame,

he who long

all

my

veil,

in life

approved

still

:

such wealth possess'd vest.

and underneath the sun the eternal

web begun,

torch's

hght

ravell'd night succeeding night.

went and caught her

circling

in

moons renew'd, guile,

her secret wile

THE ODYSSEY.

292

[book xxiv.

And thus by harsh necessity compeird The work was wrought that every web excell'd, And shone, fresh laved within the crystal stream,

'

'

'

'

Bright as the moon, or sun's meridian beam.

'

Then some

*

Where dwelt Eumaeus on our

'

And

'

O'er ocean

'

They

'

Death

'

First

'

As one bow'd down by

'

Slow, leaning on his

'

Like a mean beggar, mask'd in

'

None

'

No, not an elder knew Laertes'

'

With many a blow, and

'

We

'

While thus reproved, thus

'

The king beneath

*

But,

'

With

*

And And

'

stern

god Ulysses brought again furthest plain

there his son from Pylos' sandy shore sail'd,

and gain'd

realm once more.

his

to the city, with revengeftil

aim

to the wooers meditating, came.

came the

son, then,

by Eumaeus

led,

age, with hoary head,

the

staff,

unknown

sire

vile attire.

then, as thus he enter'd unaware, heir.

insolent reproof

wrong'd the chief beneath his palace

chamber

bow'd

mind

resign'd.

Jove, Ulysses bore

his brave son the

in the

struck, with patient

his palace

when aroused by

roof,

arms collected

store,

at his will disposed,

with strong bolts the portals firmly closed,

'

His was the counsel, his the subtle art

'

That bade the partner of his house and heart

1

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

293

*

Before us place the bars, and

'

Test of our strength, and prelude of our woe.

*

Not

'

And

'

But when the weapon

*

Eumaeus

'

Bade him

'

All but the

'

Then, firmly

*

Bent the huge bow, and threaded every ring

'

Then on

'

And, sternly gazing, pierced Antinotis' heart,

*

And

fatal

bow,

the vigour of our youth prevail'd,

all

every ahn to stretch the bow-string to its master's

arm

alarm

profFer'd, all with wild

refuse

fail'd.

to his earnest prayer,

it

unknown gi'asp'd,

chief's consenting heir.

with graceful ease the king

the threshold leapt, pour'd forth each dart,

with sure aim, on

all,

the arrows shower'd,

heaps confusedly

o'erpower'd.

*

Till all in

'

'

*

As rush'd the

'

Rush'd, slaying

'

Head

*

We

'

Now

*

Within the palace.

'

Has heard the rumour of our

'

None wash'd our wounds, and mourning

*

Gave the

Twas

*

'

manifest,

clash'd

fell

some god the avengers

\Tictors

them

where the at will

on head, the

perish'd thus, lie

:

and

:

led,

suitors fied,

dire

rung the roar

hall o'erflow'd with gore.

in that reeking flood

neglected weltering in our blood

Thrice

last

domestic friend hapless end,

—a

honour to the dead

bless'd,'

Thou whose

No

Atrides said,

'

o'er the bier

tear.'

Laertes' son,

surpassing worth thy wife hast won.

THE ODYSSEY.

294

[book xxiv.

'

Thrice bless'd Icarius' child, whose faithful mind

'

Ne'er the remembrance of her lord resign'd,

'

Her

*

Shall ne'er obHvion

'

The gods

'

And

'

For not

'

She dared her

'

A hateful

'

And

virgin youth's loved lord

know in

:

her deathless praise

after days.

the song of glory shall inspire,

times unborn Penelope admire like

Tyndarus' daughter, versed in virgin youth's clasp'd

ill,

bridegroom

kill.

song her outrage shall proclaim,

virtuous wives share Clytemnestra's shame.'

The

spirits

thus beneath earth's peopled ground

Their converse held in Hades' gloom profound.

Meantime, the king,

his son,

and either swain

Pass'd from the city to the distant plain.

Where

old Laertes' sweat

Bought by

A

his wealth,

manured the

and cultured by

shed ran round his house on every

soil

his toil.

side,

'Neath which the labourers that

his

Eat, sat, and slept

faithful crone.

An

aged

Sicilian

:

and there a

wants supplied

tended him alone.

Go ye,' Ulysses to his much loved son. And faithful followers thus his speech begun, '

'

Enter the well

*

The

built

mansion, and prepare

choicest swine to serve our evening fare

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

295

my sire, and clearly learn recognizing, me his eye discern,

'

I haste to try

'

If,

'

Or

'

I

if,

year after year, so long apart,

come unknown, nor move a

Then bade them

father's heart.'

take his weapons

—They

Nor

lingering long without the mansion staid.

The

while the king, to try his sire intent,

Down

to his fruitful garden swiftly

went

But

there, within that orchard's

Nor

Dolius, nor his sons, nor servants found

They, where

their father first

obey'd.

ample ground.

had led them on.

Gathering the thorns to fence the grove were gone.

He

saw

in that well labour'd grove his sire

Lone digging round a plant

in

mean

attire,

Patch'd here and there, and on his legs were bound Patch'd leathern greaves to ward the briar's wound.

And gloves on either hand to guard the thorn. And on his brow a goatskin covering borne Thus toil'd the woe worn man thus clothed, thus view'd.

—

When the He 'neath

by age subdued.

son saw his

sire

a lofty pear

tree's sheltering

Stood, as the gushing tears

adown him

shade stray'd.

Conflicting doubts his anxious heart possess'd.

To

run, to clasp, and kiss his father's breast.

THE ODYSSEY.

296

[book xxiv.

And his whole tale relate, or first enquire. And by the trial test his answering sire ;

This best beseem'd, by cutting speech to move.

And thus, as one unknown, Laertes prove. On went the chief, while bending down his The

'

sire

dug round the

Old man,' he

said,

'

plant,

and

head.

clear'd its bed.

not thine the want of

skill

*

The

'

Fair flourishes thy culture,

'

Nor

plant, nor

*

Nor

pear, nor

'

Yet

'

Thou

'

By

'

'Tis not for sloth thou meet'st thy lord's disgrace,

'

Thy form and

'

Far rather

'

Presses, as age requires, a royal bed.

'

But answer

'

Whose garden labourest thou for daily hire ? And truly tell me what this stranger land, If now indeed on Ithaca I stand,

'

'

garden's varying labours to

—

I

fig,

all

fulfil,

around

nor \me, nor ohve found,

bed uncultured,

far or

near

must speak, nor thou indignant hear,

solely art neglected, thus oppress'd

time's sore load, thus foul, thus vilely dress'd.

stature

mark no

like a king,

truly

whom

what

'

As

'

Told me, then hurried

he,

late I

servile race,

who, laved and

I

now

fed,

require,

met, not over wise, off in barbarous guise.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.] '

Nor heard me

'

If living yet, or dead,

'

For thou must know, that

'

I entertain'd

*

One more beloved by me than

'

Who

'

He

'

His

'

'

my

to

a

297

as I ask'd, nor deign'd unfold

man

hearth

my

guest of old in

my

native earth

of foreign birth,

e'er

all

the rest

came a welcome

guest.

high chiefs among,

said, that Ithaca's

Laertes from Arcesias sprung.

sire

Him to my hospitable home I bore, And freely gave of my abundant store,

'

Seven talents beaming with elaborate gold,

'

A

'

Twelve

'

Twelve beauteous robes, with each a radiant

'

And

'

Such

bowl round which wrought flowerets

silver

His

roll'd,

single cloaks, twelve carpets richly dress'd, vest,

four fair damsels, skill'd in every art, as his choice

sire replied,

had mark'd, and placed

down

big tears gush'd

apart.'

the while,

*

Thy

*

But

*

Where

'

Hadst thou him

'

His hospitality had thine retm^nd,

'

All that thou gavest from thine abundant board,

*

And more

foot vile

now

treads on Ithaca's

and scornful

all

chiefs here

thy countless

than

gifts

living in his

all his

famed

isle

hold their reign,

no welcome gain realm discem'd,

kindness had restored.

THE ODYSSEY.

298

what

interval has pass'd

'

But

'

Since thy inviting roof received

'

Him, thy unhappy guest

'

Who

*

'

truly say,

lone has

left

[book xxiv.

me

him

last,

—my son—once mine,

in

life's

sad decline,

And from his friends and country far away, To unknown monsters of the main a prey, and famish'd

'

Or

*

Gives, as they gorge, a

'

O'er him, the mother, on whose breast he slept,

'

Shrouding his corse, nor

'

Nor on

'

Penelope's last touch his eyelid closed,

'

Honouring the dead

*

Who

'

Where moor'd the ship that brought thee and thy train ?

*

Or camest thou

'

In a hired vessel, and that convoy

'

Have they who here

to the insatiate bird,

momentary

I,

art

Yes,'

feast.

his sire,

have wept,

the bed where her loved lord reposed,

—yet

*

beast,

truly

thou ? what thy race

he

as a

merchant

late

'

rejoin'd,

?

now

thy city Avhere

o'er the

main

left

the shore

shall truly

speak

'

All that thy questions from a stranger seek

'

From Alybas

'

My

'

Eperitus

'

Me

sire

I

came,

o'er

whose domain

Apheidas holds ancestral reign,

my name some :

?

o'er,

bore thee,

my word

declare

power above

here unwilling from Sicania drove.

V

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.] '

Far from the to^vn

*

And,

*

This the

*

When joyful

'

And he

'

Once more

my

299

anchor bites the strand,

since Ulysses left

my

native land,

Yet birds with omens

fifth year.

fair

I dismiss'd him, wing'd the air,

too joy'd while hope illmned om- breast,

He spake

:

to remiite us, guest with guest.'

with grief's dark cloud encompass'd round,

Laertes grasp'd the dust that strow'd the ground.

And on

his forehead, deeply groaning, flung.

Sore yearn'd Ulysses

The

;

in his nostrils

he

bitterness of passion as

Kiss'd his hoar head,

flew,

and round

His clasping arms, and cried

his father

'Tis

I

'

I,

'

Cease from vain

*

Hear

*

Has

*

'

twenty years

now

my

pass'd,

tears,

my

sire!

'neath our roof slain

Art thou

Lo

!

Where

my

country hail

no more

—hear—haste urges—

Show me '

I,

thy son, thy heart's, thy soul's desire.

'

'

threw

:

'

am

sprung

this

all

my

loss bewail.

avenging hand

that shameful band/

son Ulysses,' he repUed,

a sign in which

to thy sight,'

he

the boar gash'd

I

dare confide.'

said,

me

'

the scar display'd,

in Parnassus' shade.

THE ODYSSEY.

300

my

[book xxiv.

'

When

*

I to

'

His promised

*

AVhile

'

The

trees,

'

And

as they blossom'd

'

The

while a boy

'

I

'

Thro' these we pass'd, and thou each one didst name,

'

And

*

Figs forty, and didst promise

'

All duly planted in well order'd lines,

*

With

'

When

forth,

by thee and by

mother

sent,

Autolycus, her father, went,

I

Further hear

gifts to challenge.

the trees recomit,

doubts to clear,

all

each one that in thy garden grew,

I

on

my

bounded

begg'd from thee, nor was

badest

me

wistful view,

at thy side,

my

suit

denied

thirteen pears, ten apples claim,

gi'apes, all sorts,

fifty

vines

w^hence richest nectar flow'd

Jove's kind season

bows the autumnal load/

Laertes' heart dissolved, his knees sunk down.

Acknowledging the signs thus

He

clasp'd his neck,

clearly

and swoon'd, vith

While the son drew him

'

lip

bliss oppress'd,

closer to his breast

Then, as reviving sense once more Burst from his

shown

return'd.

the words that inly

bum'd

Father of heaven and earth, all-mighty Jove

'

Yes, there are deities that dwell above,

'

Since the vile suitors by untimely death

'

Have paid

the forfeit of their impious breath.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

my

*

But now

'

Lest Ithaca's throng'd sons assemble here,

soul

is

sad, I greatly fear

And far and wide where'er To Cephalonia's race their

'

*

*

Fear

not,'

Ulysses to his

'

Nor

*

Now

'

The banquet

'

My

'

All to prepare.'

vainly vex thy soul

haste

we

—

the realms extend, heralds send.'

sire replied,

in

me

confide

to thy house, not far the way,

to enjoy without delay

son and his brave friends

Then

Where

301

his loved son

and

I

there foresent

forth they gladly went. faithful

comrades stood

Tempering the wine, and cutting up the food. There

to her lord the old Sicilian slave

Came

to anoint his

Then

richly robed, while Pallas standing near.

Larger and

loftier

hmbs and

freshly lave.

made each limb

Forth from the bath he stepp'd

As on a god upon

Then thus

Sire,

the son amazed.

his flither gazed.

exclaim'd

'

'

:

appear.

Some god has graced thy mien,

more than mortal,

larger, loftier seen.'

THE ODYSSEY.

302 Hear/ he

'

replied,

'

Would

'

I

'

Took

'

Such had

'

Been cased

'

Then hadst thou

*

Bathed

had been

I

[book xxiv.

Jove, Pallas, Phoebus, hear

'

when,

as

in youthful year,

proudly leading Cephalonia's powers, Nericus, and

all

I yesterday, in

in the

armour

her stately towers.

beneath

my

roof,

for dire battle proof,

gladly \iew'd this vengeful hand,

blood of that injurious band.'

While thus they conversed, from the toil released. They whose skill'd service had prepared the feast. Sat in due order on their station'd seat.

And

eagerly

hung

o'er the alluring

meat

Then aged

Dolius, and each labouring son

Came from

their

For the

Had

Sicilian

call'd

The kind

day work,

^^^th

long

toil

o'erdone.

dame who spread the board

them

to the

Sicilian

And tended hoar

who

banquet of their

lord.

his children fed.

with age their father's head.

These, as they saw, and knew Ulysses, stood.

Now

by amaze and awe subdued But the king kindly hail'd them ' Time-worn entering,

:

'

—cease

Dra\v nearer

to

—

wonder and admire

'

Come,

'

Expecting your return, forbore the

:

for tho' wistful, each impatient guest feast.'

sire

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

He

spake

:

with outstretcli'd arms on Dolius press'd,

and fervently address'd

Kiss'd his lord's hands,

'

Since thou art thus, most loved, most honour'd lord,

'

Thus

*

Some god thy

'

Bliss

'

Yet

*

Or

*

*

303

to our prayers,

beyond

all

hope, restored,

guide, be health, ye powers divine

without bound, and heaven's high favour, thine.

—

tell

shall

Old

me

—knows the queen thy

from us the

friend,

'tis all

blissful

message learn V

reveal'd,' the

Not with such needless

late return,

king rejoin'd,

cares disturb thy mind.'

Thus spake the monarch, and resumed

When And

Dolius' sons drew near their lord to greet.

gladly hail'd, and

Then

his seat.

hung upon

his hand.

to their sire returning '& took their stand.

Thus they

at feast

Throughout the All heard,

city

:

meanwhile fame's

circling breath

spread the suitor's death.

and here and there, from every home,

Gather'd, loud groaning, round Ulysses' dome.

Drew

forth,

Each

to his native

and tomb'd the dead, and

Then sought

Was

isle,

the forum

o'er the

main.

convey'd the slain :

and when

all

the place

throng'd by Ithaca's lamenting race,

'

THE ODYSSEY.

304

[book xxiv.

Eupithes rose, deep anguish rack'd his heart.

For his loved son pierced by Ulysses' His foremost

-sdctim

fast

:

dart.

gush'd forth his tear

Pouring his misery on the pubUc ear

friends

'

what deeds

!

this

man

has vilely wrought,

'

AVho with our bravest race

*

Then

'

And now

the chiefs of Cephalonia slew.

'

But haste

— ere yet the mm'derer Pylos gain,

'

Or sacred

'

Haste

'

Times yet

*

If

*

Our

'

Ne'er

may

*

Haste

—

all

—

has

lost,

Elis

^lest

boVd down by

to

come va\h

ignominious shame

insult

brand our name.

those that are no more,

sons, our brethren, I

numerous crew,

all their

where the Epeians reign

we avenge not

He

with

his vessels fraught,

life's last

joy

is

breathe to curse another day.

ere his flight prevent our Hngering way.'

weeping spake

compassion

:

fill'd

AVhen Medon and the minstrel onward

They Stood

o'er

rose from sleep

;

they

in the midst, while

left

each breast press'd.

Ulysses' hall.

wonder

fell

on

all

As thus the experienced Medon spake

'

*

Ye

chiefs of Ithaca, attentive hear

Give ear,

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

305

*

Not without highest heaven's consenting

'

The deed was done which

'

I witness'd

*

Who, mask'd hke Mentor,

'

At times, encouraging, before him

'

At times

*

Wither'd their hearts, and chasing thro' the hall

'

Beheld them, corse on corse, confusedly

—

I

myself

I

aid

myself survey'd.

—the present god nigh Ulysses trod, pass'd,

strange horrour on the suitors cast,

fall.'

Fear blanch'd their cheeks, and all their souls possess'd.

When

Halitherses thus the throng address'd

The time-graced

The '

whose experienced mind

hero,

past and future equally combined.

Hear Ithacensians

!

from your baleful deeds,

'

From your own

'

Nor mine, nor Mentor's counsel could persuade

*

We

'

They gorged

'

And

*

'

*

Go not— nor heap by

guilt this

punishment proceeds

bade you curb your sons

Tis

He

:

ye disobey'd.

the wealth, disgraced Ulysses' wife,

vainly deem'd the chief bereft of all

accomphsh'd

spake

:

now^ obey

my

on

ill.'

folly

ill

life.

will,

—with wild uproar the assembly rose

Part, Halitherses, part, Eupithes, chose.

VOL.

II.

X

THE ODYSSEY.

306 These rush'd

to arms,

and

in bright brass array'd

Before the spacious city firmly

Them,

[book xxiv.

in his frenzy, fierce

staid.

Eupithes

led.

Fired by rash vengeance for Antinous dead

He

went, but ne'er return'd

AVhen

*

:

—death met him

there,

Pallas thus to Jove prefen-'d her prayer

Saturnius

!

king of gods

!

all-mighty sire

'

Let thy loved child what thy intent enquire

'

Wilst thou 'mid these that var and discord rage

'

Or mutual

'

Why

leagues their hearts in peace engage

dost thou ask,

my

child,'

the

God

'

Hast thou not, thou

'

That the avenger should the

*

Do

'

Since gi'eat Ulysses has the wooers slain,

'

O'er the leagued

'

We from their memory wholly will

'

How

'

So

'

And

as

thou

wilt

perish'd,

shall

:

thyself, the

?

rejoin'd,

whole design'd

?

suitors slay

yet let Jove's counsel sway

kingdom

let

him justly

reign.

efface

bathed in blood, their kindred race

they mix in friendship as before,

peace and plenty bless them evermore.'

That speech more ardent made Minerva's breast

As do\m she darted from Olympus'

crest.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

The Thus

if

they approach'

allay'd.

—And Dolius' son

execute his bidding swiftly run.

But on the threshold Stood, and exclaim'd '

now

to his faithful friends Ulysses said

Go, mark

*

To

pleasures of the banquet

307

Arm we

! '

as

he view'd them near.

They haste, Ulysses hear

'

:

— They arm'd—

their

monarch four defend

Six sons of Dolius on their sire attend

And

Dolius, and Laertes, hoar with age.

Their armour braced, thus forced the war to wage

And now when

all in

brazen splendour shone.

They foUow'd where Ulysses Nigh them, her voice

The

led

them

like Mentor's,

on.

such her frame.

virgin child of Jove, Minerva, came.

Ulysses saw, joy swell'd his conscious breast.

When *

thus the king Telemachus address'd

Now, thou

shalt see,

thou shalt thyself behold

'

Where

*

There shame thou not thy proud ancestral

'

In strength and valour far renown'd o'er earth.'

*

clash in

Thou

arms the boldest of the bold

too shalt

such thy

see,'

Telemachus

by thee

this

replied,

day descried,

'

If

'

If in the press of battle I disgrace

*

The matchless fame

will,

!

!

of thv illustrious race.'

birth,

THE ODYSSEY.

308

[book xxiv.

Their ardour made Laertes' heart rejoice.

And from

How

*

his

burning breast burst forth the voice

bless'd

a day, ye gods

*

The son and grandson

'

For glory

of Arcesias' hne

Then Son of Arcesias,'

'

To

'

And wing

to

dear,

dire death

from thy long-shadowing

lance.'

to Jove's martial child Laertes pray'd.

— vibrated his lance

And smote fail'd

:

the

to guard

:

the point pass'd thro' the wound.

o'er his fall far clang'd his sire

all

weapon sped.

the casque that graced Eupithes' head.

arms around.

and son then rushing on the van

With sword and spear vnae

And

me most

strengthen'd by the Goddess' guardian aid.

Fierce

And The

cried,

Pallas standing near, *

Jove, to Pallas pray, then bold advance

Then

But

what transport mine

strive.'

'

And

!

had

slain,

strow'd them,

man on man.

had not Minerva's shout

Forbade, and stay'd them as they thinn'd the rout.

'

*

Cease Ithacensians

!

give the contest o'er,

That bloodless you may meet

in

peace once more.

THE ODYSSEY.

BOOK XXIV.]

At once confounding teiTour

At once on earth At once,

They

on

all.

arms were heard to

fall.

at Pallas' shout, with writhing dread

turn'd,

and tow'rds the town

While the king Sprung

their

seized

309

like

Jove then

for safety fled.

fiercely shouting in his might.

an eagle from the mountain height.

in rage

from

his cloud-compass'd seat

Hurl'd his fork'd bolt before Minerva's feet

Not

*

'

reckless of the sign, the martial maid,

Son of

Nor

Laertes,' cried,

'

be slaughter

staid.

Jove's dread wrath arouse.'

Ulysses heard. Rejoiced, and ceased obedient to her word.

Minerva then, with Mentor's voice and mien.

The solemn union bound their king and realm between.

THE END OF THE ODYSSEY.

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