You will thus see how much my ships excel all others, and what magnificent oarsmen my sailors are.” NOW WHEN THE CHILD of morning, rosy-fingered Then was Ulysses glad and prayed aloud saying, Dawn, appeared, Alcinous and Ulysses both rose,
“Father Jove, grant that Alcinous may do all as he and Alcinous led the way to the Phaecian place of has said, for so he will win an imperishable name assembly, which was near the ships. When they got among mankind, and at the same time I shall re-there they sat down side by side on a seat of pol-turn to my country.”
ished stone, while Minerva took the form of one of Thus did they converse. Then Arete told her maids Alcinous’ servants, and went round the town in to set a bed in the room that was in the gatehouse, order to help Ulysses to get home. She went up to and make it with good red rugs, and to spread cov-the citizens, man by man, and said, “Aldermen and erlets on the top of them with woollen cloaks for town councillors of the Phaeacians, come to the 86
The Odyssey – Book VIII assembly all of you and listen to the stranger who indeed, no one who ever yet came to my house has has just come off a long voyage to the house of King been able to complain of me for not speeding on Alcinous; he looks like an immortal god.” his way soon enough. Let us draw a ship into the With these words she made them all want to sea- one that has never yet made a voyage—and come, and they flocked to the assembly till seats man her with two and fifty of our smartest young and standing room were alike crowded. Every one sailors. Then when you have made fast your oars was struck with the appearance of Ulysses, for each by his own seat, leave the ship and come to Minerva had beautified him about the head and my house to prepare a feast. I will find you in ev-shoulders, making him look taller and stouter than erything. I am giving will these instructions to the he really was, that he might impress the Phaecians young men who will form the crew, for as regards favourably as being a very remarkable man, and you aldermen and town councillors, you will join might come off well in the many trials of skill to me in entertaining our guest in the cloisters. I can which they would challenge him. Then, when they take no excuses, and we will have Demodocus to were got together, Alcinous spoke: sing to us; for there is no bard like him whatever he
“Hear me,” said he, “aldermen and town council-may choose to sing about.”
lors of the Phaeacians, that I may speak even as I Alcinous then led the way, and the others followed am minded. This stranger, whoever he may be, has after, while a servant went to fetch Demodocus. The found his way to my house from somewhere or other fifty-two picked oarsmen went to the sea shore as either East or West. He wants an escort and wishes they had been told, and when they got there they to have the matter settled. Let us then get one ready drew the ship into the water, got her mast and sails for him, as we have done for others before him; inside her, bound the oars to the thole-pins with 87
The Odyssey – Book VIII twisted thongs of leather, all in due course, and spread The company then laid their hands upon the good the white sails aloft. They moored the vessel a little things that were before them, but as soon as they way out from land, and then came on shore and went had had enough to eat and drink, the muse inspired to the house of King Alcinous. The outhouses, yards, Demodocus to sing the feats of heroes, and more and all the precincts were filled with crowds of men especially a matter that was then in the mouths of in great multitudes both old and young; and Alcinous all men, to wit, the quarrel between Ulysses and killed them a dozen sheep, eight full grown pigs, and Achilles, and the fierce words that they heaped on two oxen. These they skinned and dressed so as to one another as they gat together at a banquet. But provide a magnificent banquet.
Agamemnon was glad when he heard his chieftains A servant presently led in the famous bard quarrelling with one another, for Apollo had fore-Demodocus, whom the muse had dearly loved, but told him this at Pytho when he crossed the stone to whom she had given both good and evil, for floor to consult the oracle. Here was the beginning though she had endowed him with a divine gift of of the evil that by the will of Jove fell both Danaans song, she had robbed him of his eyesight. Pontonous and Trojans.
set a seat for him among the guests, leaning it up Thus sang the bard, but Ulysses drew his purple against a bearing-post. He hung the lyre for him on mantle over his head and covered his face, for he a peg over his head, and showed him where he was was ashamed to let the Phaeacians see that he was to feel for it with his hands. He also set a fair table weeping. When the bard left off singing he wiped with a basket of victuals by his side, and a cup of the tears from his eyes, uncovered his face, and, wine from which he might drink whenever he was taking his cup, made a drink-offering to the gods; so disposed.
but when the Phaeacians pressed Demodocus to 88
The Odyssey – Book VIII sing further, for they delighted in his lays, then Ponteus, Proreus, Thoon, Anabesineus, and Ulysses again drew his mantle over his head and Amphialus son of Polyneus son of Tecton. There wept bitterly. No one noticed his distress except was also Euryalus son of Naubolus, who was like Alcinous, who was sitting near him, and heard the Mars himself, and was the best looking man among heavy sighs that he was heaving. So he at once said, the Phaecians except Laodamas. Three sons of
“Aldermen and town councillors of the Phaeacians, Alcinous, Laodamas, Halios, and Clytoneus, com-we have had enough now, both of the feast, and of peted also.
the minstrelsy that is its due accompaniment; let The foot races came first. The course was set out us proceed therefore to the athletic sports, so that for them from the starting post, and they raised a our guest on his return home may be able to tell his dust upon the plain as they all flew forward at the friends how much we surpass all other nations as same moment. Clytoneus came in first by a long boxers, wrestlers, jumpers, and runners.” way; he left every one else behind him by the length With these words he led the way, and the others of the furrow that a couple of mules can plough in followed after. A servant hung Demodocus’s lyre a fallow field. They then turned to the painful art on its peg for him, led him out of the cloister, and of wrestling, and here Euryalus proved to be the set him on the same way as that along which all the best man. Amphialus excelled all the others in jump-chief men of the Phaeacians were going to see the ing, while at throwing the disc there was no one sports; a crowd of several thousands of people fol-who could approach Elatreus. Alcinous’s son lowed them, and there were many excellent com-Laodamas was the best boxer, and he it was who petitors for all the prizes. Acroneos, Ocyalus, presently said, when they had all been diverted with Elatreus, Nauteus, Prymneus, Anchialus, Eretmeus, the games, “Let us ask the stranger whether he ex-89
The Odyssey – Book VIII cels in any of these sports; he seems very power-Ulysses answered, “Laodamas, why do you taunt fully built; his thighs, claves, hands, and neck are me in this way? my mind is set rather on cares than of prodigious strength, nor is he at all old, but he contests; I have been through infinite trouble, and has suffered much lately, and there is nothing like am come among you now as a suppliant, praying your the sea for making havoc with a man, no matter king and people to further me on my return home.” how strong he is.”
Then Euryalus reviled him outright and said, “I
“You are quite right, Laodamas,” replied Euryalus, gather, then, that you are unskilled in any of the
“go up to your guest and speak to him about it many sports that men generally delight in. I sup-yourself.”
pose you are one of those grasping traders that go When Laodamas heard this he made his way into about in ships as captains or merchants, and who the middle of the crowd and said to Ulysses, “I hope, think of nothing but of their outward freights and Sir, that you will enter yourself for some one or homeward cargoes. There does not seem to be much other of our competitions if you are skilled in any of the athlete about you.”
of them—and you must have gone in for many a
“For shame, Sir,” answered Ulysses, fiercely, “you one before now. There is nothing that does any one are an insolent fellow—so true is it that the gods do so much credit all his life long as the showing him-not grace all men alike in speech, person, and un-self a proper man with his hands and feet. Have a derstanding. One man may be of weak presence, try therefore at something, and banish all sorrow but heaven has adorned this with such a good con-from your mind. Your return home will not be long versation that he charms every one who sees him; delayed, for the ship is already drawn into the wa-his honeyed moderation carries his hearers with him ter, and the crew is found.” so that he is leader in all assemblies of his fellows, 90
The Odyssey – Book VIII and wherever he goes he is looked up to. Another as it sped gracefully from his hand, and flew be-may be as handsome as a god, but his good looks yond any mark that had been made yet. Minerva, are not crowned with discretion. This is your case.
in the form of a man, came and marked the place No god could make a finer looking fellow than you where it had fallen. “A blind man, Sir,” said she, are, but you are a fool. Your ill-judged remarks have
“could easily tell your mark by groping for it- it is made me exceedingly angry, and you are quite mis-so far ahead of any other. You may make your mind taken, for I excel in a great many athletic exercises; easy about this contest, for no Phaeacian can come indeed, so long as I had youth and strength, I was near to such a throw as yours.” among the first athletes of the age. Now, however, I Ulysses was glad when he found he had a friend am worn out by labour and sorrow, for I have gone among the lookers-on, so he began to speak more through much both on the field of battle and by pleasantly. “Young men,” said he, “come up to that the waves of the weary sea; still, in spite of all this throw if you can, and I will throw another disc as I will compete, for your taunts have stung me to heavy or even heavier. If anyone wants to have a the quick.”
bout with me let him come on, for I am exceedingly So he hurried up without even taking his cloak angry; I will box, wrestle, or run, I do not care what off, and seized a disc, larger, more massive and much it is, with any man of you all except Laodamas, but heavier than those used by the Phaeacians when not with him because I am his guest, and one can-disc-throwing among themselves. Then, swinging it not compete with one’s own personal friend. At least back, he threw it from his brawny hand, and it made I do not think it a prudent or a sensible thing for a a humming sound in the air as he did so. The guest to challenge his host’s family at any game, Phaeacians quailed beneath the rushing of its flight especially when he is in a foreign country. He will 91
The Odyssey – Book VIII cut the ground from under his own feet if he does; Phaecians might beat me, for I have been brought but I make no exception as regards any one else, for down very low at sea; my provisions ran short, and I want to have the matter out and know which is therefore I am still weak.”
the best man. I am a good hand at every kind of They all held their peace except King Alcinous, athletic sport known among mankind. I am an ex-who began, “Sir, we have had much pleasure in hear-cellent archer. In battle I am always the first to bring ing all that you have told us, from which I undera man down with my arrow, no matter how many stand that you are willing to show your prowess, as more are taking aim at him alongside of me.
having been displeased with some insolent remarks Philoctetes was the only man who could shoot bet-that have been made to you by one of our athletes, ter than I could when we Achaeans were before Troy and which could never have been uttered by any and in practice. I far excel every one else in the one who knows how to talk with propriety. I hope whole world, of those who still eat bread upon the you will apprehend my meaning, and will explain face of the earth, but I should not like to shoot to any be one of your chief men who may be dining against the mighty dead, such as Hercules, or with yourself and your family when you get home, Eurytus the Cechalian-men who could shoot against that we have an hereditary aptitude for accomplish-the gods themselves. This in fact was how Eurytus ments of all kinds. We are not particularly remark-came prematurely by his end, for Apollo was angry able for our boxing, nor yet as wrestlers, but we are with him and killed him because he challenged him singularly fleet of foot and are excellent sailors. We as an archer. I can throw a dart farther than any are extremely fond of good dinners, music, and danc-one else can shoot an arrow. Running is the only ing; we also like frequent changes of linen, warm point in respect of which I am afraid some of the baths, and good beds, so now, please, some of you 92
The Odyssey – Book VIII who are the best dancers set about dancing, that bed, so the sun, who saw what they were about, our guest on his return home may be able to tell his told Vulcan. Vulcan was very angry when he heard friends how much we surpass all other nations as such dreadful news, so he went to his smithy brood-sailors, runners, dancers, minstrels. Demodocus has ing mischief, got his great anvil into its place, and left his lyre at my house, so run some one or other began to forge some chains which none could ei-of you and fetch it for him.” ther unloose or break, so that they might stay there On this a servant hurried off to bring the lyre in that place. When he had finished his snare he from the king’s house, and the nine men who had went into his bedroom and festooned the bed-posts been chosen as stewards stood forward. It was their all over with chains like cobwebs; he also let many business to manage everything connected with the hang down from the great beam of the ceiling. Not sports, so they made the ground smooth and marked even a god could see them, so fine and subtle were a wide space for the dancers. Presently the servant they. As soon as he had spread the chains all over came back with Demodocus’s lyre, and he took his the bed, he made as though he were setting out for place in the midst of them, whereon the best young the fair state of Lemnos, which of all places in the dancers in the town began to foot and trip it so world was the one he was most fond of. But Mars nimbly that Ulysses was delighted with the merry kept no blind look out, and as soon as he saw him twinkling of their feet.
start, hurried off to his house, burning with love Meanwhile the bard began to sing the loves of for Venus.
Mars and Venus, and how they first began their Now Venus was just come in from a visit to her intrigue in the house of Vulcan. Mars made Venus father Jove, and was about sitting down when Mars many presents, and defiled King Vulcan’s marriage came inside the house, an said as he took her hand 93
The Odyssey – Book VIII in his own, “Let us go to the couch of Vulcan: he is the pair together asleep on my bed. It makes me not at home, but is gone off to Lemnos among the furious to look at them. They are very fond of one Sintians, whose speech is barbarous.” another, but I do not think they will lie there longer She was nothing loth, so they went to the couch than they can help, nor do I think that they will to take their rest, whereon they were caught in the sleep much; there, however, they shall stay till her toils which cunning Vulcan had spread for them, father has repaid me the sum I gave him for his and could neither get up nor stir hand or foot, but baggage of a daughter, who is fair but not honest.” found too late that they were in a trap. Then Vulcan On this the gods gathered to the house of Vulcan.
came up to them, for he had turned back before Earth-encircling Neptune came, and Mercury the reaching Lemnos, when his scout the sun told him bringer of luck, and King Apollo, but the goddesses what was going on. He was in a furious passion, stayed at home all of them for shame. Then the giv-and stood in the vestibule making a dreadful noise ers of all good things stood in the doorway, and the as he shouted to all the gods.
blessed gods roared with inextinguishable laughter,
“Father Jove,” he cried, “and all you other blessed as they saw how cunning Vulcan had been, whereon gods who live for ever, come here and see the ri-one would turn towards his neighbour saying: diculous and disgraceful sight that I will show you.
“Ill deeds do not prosper, and the weak confound Jove’s daughter Venus is always dishonouring me the strong. See how limping Vulcan, lame as he is, because I am lame. She is in love with Mars, who is has caught Mars who is the fleetest god in heaven; handsome and clean built, whereas I am a cripple-and now Mars will be cast in heavy damages.” but my parents are to blame for that, not I; they Thus did they converse, but King Apollo said to ought never to have begotten me. Come and see Mercury, “Messenger Mercury, giver of good things, 94
The Odyssey – Book VIII you would not care how strong the chains were, Thereon he loosed the bonds that bound them, would you, if you could sleep with Venus?” and as soon as they were free they scampered off,
“King Apollo,” answered Mercury, “I only wish Mars to Thrace and laughter-loving Venus to Cyprus I might get the chance, though there were three and to Paphos, where is her grove and her altar fra-times as many chains—and you might look on, grant with burnt offerings. Here the Graces hathed all of you, gods and goddesses, but would sleep her, and anointed her with oil of ambrosia such as with her if I could.”
the immortal gods make use of, and they clothed The immortal gods burst out laughing as they her in raiment of the most enchanting beauty.
heard him, but Neptune took it all seriously, and Thus sang the bard, and both Ulysses and the kept on imploring Vulcan to set Mars free again.
seafaring Phaeacians were charmed as they heard
“Let him go,” he cried, “and I will undertake, as him.
you require, that he shall pay you all the damages Then Alcinous told Laodamas and Halius to dance that are held reasonable among the immortal gods.” alone, for there was no one to compete with them.
“Do not,” replied Vulcan, “ask me to do this; a So they took a red ball which Polybus had made for bad man’s bond is bad security; what remedy could them, and one of them bent himself backwards and I enforce against you if Mars should go away and threw it up towards the clouds, while the other leave his debts behind him along with his chains?” jumped from off the ground and caught it with ease
“Vulcan,” said Neptune, “if Mars goes away with-before it came down again. When they had done out paying his damages, I will pay you myself.” So throwing the ball straight up into the air they be-Vulcan answered, “In this case I cannot and must gan to dance, and at the same time kept on throw-not refuse you.”
ing it backwards and forwards to one another, while 95
The Odyssey – Book VIII all the young men in the ring applauded and made will give the stranger all the satisfaction you require.
a great stamping with their feet. Then Ulysses said: He shall have sword, which is of bronze, all but the
“King Alcinous, you said your people were the hilt, which is of silver. I will also give him the scab-nimblest dancers in the world, and indeed they have bard of newly sawn ivory into which it fits. It will proved themselves to be so. I was astonished as I be worth a great deal to him.” saw them.”
As he spoke he placed the sword in the hands of The king was delighted at this, and exclaimed to Ulysses and said, “Good luck to you, father stranger; the Phaecians “Aldermen and town councillors, our if anything has been said amiss may the winds blow guest seems to be a person of singular judgement; it away with them, and may heaven grant you a let us give him such proof of our hospitality as he safe return, for I understand you have been long away may reasonably expect. There are twelve chief men from home, and have gone through much hardship.” among you, and counting myself there are thirteen; To which Ulysses answered, “Good luck to you contribute, each of you, a clean cloak, a shirt, and a too my friend, and may the gods grant you every talent of fine gold; let us give him all this in a lump happiness. I hope you will not miss the sword you down at once, so that when he gets his supper he have given me along with your apology.” may do so with a light heart. As for Euryalus he With these words he girded the sword about his will have to make a formal apology and a present shoulders and towards sundown the presents be-too, for he has been rude.”
gan to make their appearance, as the servants of Thus did he speak. The others all of them ap-the donors kept bringing them to the house of King plauded his saying, and sent their servants to fetch Alcinous; here his sons received them, and placed the presents. Then Euryalus said, “King Alcinous, I them under their mother’s charge. Then Alcinous 96
The Odyssey – Book VIII led the way to the house and bade his guests take the beautiful presents of gold and raiment which their seats.
the Phaeacians had brought. Lastly she added a
“Wife,” said he, turning to Queen Arete, “Go, cloak and a good shirt from Alcinous, and said to fetch the best chest we have, and put a clean cloak Ulysses:
and shirt in it. Also, set a copper on the fire and
“See to the lid yourself, and have the whole bound heat some water; our guest will take a warm bath; round at once, for fear any one should rob you by see also to the careful packing of the presents that the way when you are asleep in your ship.” the noble Phaeacians have made him; he will thus When Ulysses heard this he put the lid on the better enjoy both his supper and the singing that chest and made it fast with a bond that Circe had will follow. I shall myself give him this golden gob-taught him. He had done so before an upper ser-let—which is of exquisite workmanship—that he vant told him to come to the bath and wash him-may be reminded of me for the rest of his life when-self. He was very glad of a warm bath, for he had ever he makes a drink-offering to Jove, or to any of had no one to wait upon him ever since he left the the gods.”
house of Calypso, who as long as he remained with Then Arete told her maids to set a large tripod her had taken as good care of him as though he had upon the fire as fast as they could, whereon they been a god. When the servants had done washing set a tripod full of bath water on to a clear fire; they and anointing him with oil, and had given him a threw on sticks to make it blaze, and the water be-clean cloak and shirt, he left the bath room and came hot as the flame played about the belly of the joined the guests who were sitting over their wine.
tripod. Meanwhile Arete brought a magnificent Lovely Nausicaa stood by one of the bearing-posts chest her own room, and inside it she packed all supporting the roof if the cloister, and admired him 97
The Odyssey – Book VIII as she saw him pass. “Farewell stranger,” said she, the world, for the muse teaches them their songs
“do not forget me when you are safe at home again, and loves them.”
for it is to me first that you owe a ransom for hav-The servant carried the pork in his fingers over ing saved your life.”
to Demodocus, who took it and was very much And Ulysses said, “Nausicaa, daughter of great pleased. They then laid their hands on the good Alcinous, may Jove the mighty husband of Juno, things that were before them, and as soon as they grant that I may reach my home; so shall I bless had had to eat and drink, Ulysses said to you as my guardian angel all my days, for it was Demodocus, “Demodocus, there is no one in the you who saved me.”
world whom I admire more than I do you. You must When he had said this, he seated himself beside have studied under the Muse, Jove’s daughter, and Alcinous. Supper was then served, and the wine was under Apollo, so accurately do you sing the return mixed for drinking. A servant led in the favourite of the Achaeans with all their sufferings and adven-bard Demodocus, and set him in the midst of the tures. If you were not there yourself, you must have company, near one of the bearing-posts supporting heard it all from some one who was. Now, however, the cloister, that he might lean against it. Then change your song and tell us of the wooden horse Ulysses cut off a piece of roast pork with plenty of which Epeus made with the assistance of Minerva, fat (for there was abundance left on the joint) and and which Ulysses got by stratagem into the fort of said to a servant, “Take this piece of pork over to Troy after freighting it with the men who afterwards Demodocus and tell him to eat it; for all the pain sacked the city. If you will sing this tale aright I will his lays may cause me I will salute him none the tell all the world how magnificently heaven has less; bards are honoured and respected throughout endowed you.”
98
The Odyssey – Book VIII The bard inspired of heaven took up the story at raging like Mars along with Menelaus to the house the point where some of the Argives set fire to their of Deiphobus. It was there that the fight raged most tents and sailed away while others, hidden within furiously, nevertheless by Minerva’s help he was the horse, were waiting with Ulysses in the Trojan victorious.
place of assembly. For the Trojans themselves had All this he told, but Ulysses was overcome as he drawn the horse into their fortress, and it stood there heard him, and his cheeks were wet with tears. He while they sat in council round it, and were in three wept as a woman weeps when she throws herself on minds as to what they should do. Some were for the body of her husband who has fallen before his breaking it up then and there; others would have it own city and people, fighting bravely in defence of dragged to the top of the rock on which the fortress his home and children. She screams aloud and flings stood, and then thrown down the precipice; while her arms about him as he lies gasping for breath yet others were for letting it remain as an offering and dying, but her enemies beat her from behind and propitiation for the gods. And this was how about the back and shoulders, and carry her off they settled it in the end, for the city was doomed into slavery, to a life of labour and sorrow, and the when it took in that horse, within which were all beauty fades from her cheeks—even so piteously the bravest of the Argives waiting to bring death did Ulysses weep, but none of those present per-and destruction on the Trojans. Anon he sang how ceived his tears except Alcinous, who was sitting the sons of the Achaeans issued from the horse, and near him, and could hear the sobs and sighs that he sacked the town, breaking out from their ambus-was heaving. The king, therefore, at once rose and cade. He sang how they over ran the city hither said:
and thither and ravaged it, and how Ulysses went
“Aldermen and town councillors of the Phaeacians, 99
The Odyssey – Book VIII let Demodocus cease his song, for there are those name whatever, for people’s fathers and mothers present who do not seem to like it. From the mo-give them names as soon as they are born. Tell me ment that we had done supper and Demodocus be-also your country, nation, and city, that our ships gan to sing, our guest has been all the time groaning may shape their purpose accordingly and take you and lamenting. He is evidently in great trouble, so there. For the Phaeacians have no pilots; their ves-let the bard leave off, that we may all enjoy oursels have no rudders as those of other nations have, selves, hosts and guest alike. This will be much more but the ships themselves understand what it is that as it should be, for all these festivities, with the es-we are thinking about and want; they know all the cort and the presents that we are making with so cities and countries in the whole world, and can much good will, are wholly in his honour, and any traverse the sea just as well even when it is covered one with even a moderate amount of right feeling with mist and cloud, so that there is no danger of knows that he ought to treat a guest and a suppliant being wrecked or coming to any harm. Still I do as though he were his own brother.
remember hearing my father say that Neptune was
“Therefore, Sir, do you on your part affect no more angry with us for being too easy-going in the mat-concealment nor reserve in the matter about which ter of giving people escorts. He said that one of I shall ask you; it will be more polite in you to give these days he should wreck a ship of ours as it was me a plain answer; tell me the name by which your returning from having escorted some one, and bury father and mother over yonder used to call you, our city under a high mountain. This is what my and by which you were known among your used to say, but whether the god will carry out his neighbours and fellow-citizens. There is no one, threat or no is a matter which he will decide for neither rich nor poor, who is absolutely without any himself.
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The Odyssey – Book IX
“And now, tell me and tell me true. Where have man has. There is nothing better or more delightful you been wandering, and in what countries have than when a whole people make merry together, you travell