“Now to this place there came some cunning trad-master’s pigs out when he has done breakfast in ers from Phoenicia (for the Phoenicians are great the morning. We two will sit here eating and drink-mariners) in a ship which they had freighted with ing in the hut, and telling one another stories about gewgaws of all kinds. There happened to be a our misfortunes; for when a man has suffered much, Phoenician woman in my father’s house, very tall and been buffeted about in the world, he takes plea-and comely, and an excellent servant; these scoun-sure in recalling the memory of sorrows that have drels got hold of her one day when she was washing long gone by. As regards your question, then, my near their ship, seduced her, and cajoled her in ways tale is as follows:
that no woman can resist, no matter how good she
“You may have heard of an island called Syra that may be by nature. The man who had seduced her lies over above Ortygia, where the land begins to asked her who she was and where she came from, turn round and look in another direction. It is not and on this she told him her father’s name. ‘I come 190
The Odyssey – Book XV
from Sidon,’ said she, ‘and am daughter to Arybas, as fast as you can, and send me word when you a man rolling in wealth. One day as I was coming have done loading. I will bring as much gold as I into the town from the country some Taphian pi-can lay my hands on, and there is something else rates seized me and took me here over the sea, where also that I can do towards paying my fare. I am they sold me to the man who owns this house, and nurse to the son of the good man of the house, a he gave them their price for me.’
funny little fellow just able to run about. I will carry
“The man who had seduced her then said, ‘Would him off in your ship, and you will get a great deal of you like to come along with us to see the house of money for him if you take him and sell him in for-your parents and your parents themselves? They eign parts.’
are both alive and are said to be well off.’
“On this she went back to the house. The
“‘I will do so gladly,’ answered she, ‘if you men Phoenicians stayed a whole year till they had loaded will first swear me a solemn oath that you will do their ship with much precious merchandise, and then, me no harm by the way.’
when they had got freight enough, they sent to tell
“They all swore as she told them, and when they the woman. Their messenger, a very cunning fellow, had completed their oath the woman said, ‘Hush; came to my father’s house bringing a necklace of and if any of your men meets me in the street or at gold with amber beads strung among it; and while the well, do not let him speak to me, for fear some my mother and the servants had it in their hands one should go and tell my master, in which case he admiring it and bargaining about it, he made a sign would suspect something. He would put me in quietly to the woman and then went back to the prison, and would have all of you murdered; keep ship, whereon she took me by the hand and led me your own counsel therefore; buy your merchandise out of the house. In the fore part of the house she 191
The Odyssey – Book XV
saw the tables set with the cups of guests who had story of your misfortunes with the most lively in-been feasting with my father, as being in attendance terest and pity, but Jove has given you good as well on him; these were now all gone to a meeting of the as evil, for in spite of everything you have a good public assembly, so she snatched up three cups and master, who sees that you always have enough to eat carried them off in the bosom of her dress, while I and drink; and you lead a good life, whereas I am followed her, for I knew no better. The sun was now still going about begging my way from city to city.” set, and darkness was over all the land, so we hur-Thus did they converse, and they had only a very ried on as fast as we could till we reached the harbour, little time left for sleep, for it was soon daybreak.
where the Phoenician ship was lying. When they had In the meantime Telemachus and his crew were got on board they sailed their ways over the sea, tak-nearing land, so they loosed the sails, took down ing us with them, and Jove sent then a fair wind; six the mast, and rowed the ship into the harbour. They days did we sail both night and day, but on the sev-cast out their mooring stones and made fast the enth day Diana struck the woman and she fell heavily hawsers; they then got out upon the sea shore, mixed down into the ship’s hold as though she were a sea their wine, and got dinner ready. As soon as they gull alighting on the water; so they threw her over-had had enough to eat and drink Telemachus said, board to the seals and fishes, and I was left all sor-
“Take the ship on to the town, but leave me here, rowful and alone. Presently the winds and waves took for I want to look after the herdsmen on one of my the ship to Ithaca, where Laertes gave sundry of his farms. In the evening, when I have seen all I want, chattels for me, and thus it was that ever I came to I will come down to the city, and to-morrow morn-set eyes upon this country.” ing in return for your trouble I will give you all a Ulysses answered, “Eumaeus, I have heard the good dinner with meat and wine.” 192
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Then Theoclymenus said, ‘And what, my dear hand—a hawk, Apollo’s messenger. It held a dove young friend, is to become of me? To whose house, in its talons, and the feathers, as it tore them off, among all your chief men, am I to repair? or shall I fell to the ground midway between Telemachus and go straight to your own house and to your mother?” the ship. On this Theoclymenus called him apart
“At any other time,” replied Telemachus, “I should and caught him by the hand. “Telemachus,” said have bidden you go to my own house, for you would he, “that bird did not fly on your right hand with-find no want of hospitality; at the present moment, out having been sent there by some god. As soon as however, you would not be comfortable there, for I I saw it I knew it was an omen; it means that you shall be away, and my mother will not see you; she will remain powerful and that there will be no house does not often show herself even to the suitors, but in Ithaca more royal than your own.” sits at her loom weaving in an upper chamber, out
“I wish it may prove so,” answered Telemachus.
of their way; but I can tell you a man whose house
“If it does, I will show you so much good will and you can go to- I mean Eurymachus the son of give you so many presents that all who meet you Polybus, who is held in the highest estimation by will congratulate you.”
every one in Ithaca. He is much the best man and Then he said to his friend Piraeus, “Piraeus, son the most persistent wooer, of all those who are pay-of Clytius, you have throughout shown yourself the ing court to my mother and trying to take Ulysses’
most willing to serve me of all those who have ac-place. Jove, however, in heaven alone knows whether companied me to Pylos; I wish you would take this or no they will come to a bad end before the mar-stranger to your own house and entertain him hos-riage takes place.”
pitably till I can come for him.” As he was speaking a bird flew by upon his right And Piraeus answered, “Telemachus, you may stay 193
The Odyssey – Book XVI away as long as you please, but I will look after him bark, but fawned upon him, so Ulysses, hearing the for you, and he shall find no lack of hospitality.” sound of feet and noticing that the dogs did not As he spoke he went on board, and bade the oth-bark, said to Eumaeus:
ers do so also and loose the hawsers, so they took
“Eumaeus, I hear footsteps; I suppose one of your their places in the ship. But Telemachus bound on men or some one of your acquaintance is coming here, his sandals, and took a long and doughty spear with for the dogs are fawning urn him and not barking.” a head of sharpened bronze from the deck of the The words were hardly out of his mouth before ship. Then they loosed the hawsers, thrust the ship his son stood at the door. Eumaeus sprang to his off from land, and made on towards the city as they feet, and the bowls in which he was mixing wine had been told to do, while Telemachus strode on as fell from his hands, as he made towards his master.
fast as he could, till he reached the homestead where He kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes, and his countless herds of swine were feeding, and where wept for joy. A father could not be more delighted dwelt the excellent swineherd, who was so devoted at the return of an only son, the child of his old a servant to his master.
age, after ten years’ absence in a foreign country and after having gone through much hardship. He BOOK XVI
embraced him, kissed him all over as though he had come back from the dead, and spoke fondly to MEANWHILE ULYSSES and the swineherd had lit a fire him saying:
in the hut and were were getting breakfast ready at
“So you are come, Telemachus, light of my eyes daybreak for they had sent the men out with the that you are. When I heard you had gone to Pylos pigs. When Telemachus came up, the dogs did not I made sure I was never going to see you any more.
194
The Odyssey – Book XVI Come in, my dear child, and sit down, that I may strewed some green brushwood on the floor and have a good look at you now you are home again; it threw a sheepskin on top of it for Telemachus to sit is not very often you come into the country to see upon. Then the swineherd brought them platters us herdsmen; you stick pretty close to the town of cold meat, the remains from what they had eaten generally. I suppose you think it better to keep an the day before, and he filled the bread baskets with eye on what the suitors are doing.” bread as fast as he could. He mixed wine also in
“So be it, old friend,” answered Telemachus, “but I bowls of ivy-wood, and took his seat facing Ulysses.
am come now because I want to see you, and to learn Then they laid their hands on the good things that whether my mother is still at her old home or whether were before them, and as soon as they had had some one else has married her, so that the bed of enough to eat and drink Telemachus said to Ulysses is without bedding and covered with cobwebs.” Eumaeus, “Old friend, where does this stranger come
“She is still at the house,” replied Eumaeus, “griev-from? How did his crew bring him to Ithaca, and ing and breaking her heart, and doing nothing but who were they?—for assuredly he did not come here weep, both night and day continually.” by land”’
As spoke he took Telemachus’ spear, whereon he To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaeus, “My crossed the stone threshold and came inside. Ulysses son, I will tell you the real truth. He says he is a rose from his seat to give him place as he entered, Cretan, and that he has been a great traveller. At but Telemachus checked him; “Sit down, stranger.” this moment he is running away from a Thesprotian said he, “I can easily find another seat, and there is ship, and has refuge at my station, so I will put him one here who will lay it for me.” into your hands. Do whatever you like with him, Ulysses went back to his own place, and Eumaeus only remember that he is your suppliant.” 195
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“I am very much distressed,” said Telemachus, “by Then Ulysses said, “Sir, it is right that I should what you have just told me. How can I take this say something myself. I am much shocked about stranger into my house? I am as yet young, and am what you have said about the insolent way in which not strong enough to hold my own if any man at-the suitors are behaving in despite of such a man as tacks me. My mother cannot make up her mind you are. Tell me, do you submit to such treatment whether to stay where she is and look after the house tamely, or has some god set your people against you?
out of respect for public opinion and the memory of May you not complain of your brothers—for it is her husband, or whether the time is now come for to these that a man may look for support, however her to take the best man of those who are wooing great his quarrel may be? I wish I were as young as her, and the one who will make her the most advan-you are and in my present mind; if I were son to tageous offer; still, as the stranger has come to your Ulysses, or, indeed, Ulysses himself, I would rather station I will find him a cloak and shirt of good wear, some one came and cut my head off, but I would go with a sword and sandals, and will send him wher-to the house and be the bane of every one of these ever he wants to go. Or if you like you can keep him men. If they were too many for me—I being single-here at the station, and I will send him clothes and handed- I would rather die fighting in my own house food that he may be no burden on you and on your than see such disgraceful sights day after day, strang-men; but I will not have him go near the suitors, for ers grossly maltreated, and men dragging the women they are very insolent, and are sure to ill-treat him in servants about the house in an unseemly way, wine a way that would greatly grieve me; no matter how drawn recklessly, and bread wasted all to no pur-valiant a man may be he can do nothing against num-pose for an end that shall never be accomplished.” bers, for they will be too strong for him.” And Telemachus answered, “I will tell you truly 196
The Odyssey – Book XVI everything. There is no emnity between me and my ting any one else know, for there are many who are people, nor can I complain of brothers, to whom a plotting mischief against me.” man may look for support however great his quar-
“I understand and heed you,” replied Eumaeus; rel may be. Jove has made us a race of only sons.
“you need instruct me no further, only I am going Laertes was the only son of Arceisius, and Ulysses that way say whether I had not better let poor only son of Laertes. I am myself the only son of Laertes know that you are returned. He used to Ulysses who left me behind him when he went away, superintend the work on his farm in spite of his so that I have never been of any use to him. Hence bitter sorrow about Ulysses, and he would eat and it comes that my house is in the hands of number-drink at will along with his servants; but they tell less marauders; for the chiefs from all the me that from the day on which you set out for Pylos neighbouring islands, Dulichium, Same, Zacynthus, he has neither eaten nor drunk as he ought to do, as also all the principal men of Ithaca itself, are eat-nor does he look after his farm, but sits weeping ing up my house under the pretext of paying court and wasting the flesh from off his bones.” to my mother, who will neither say point blank that
“More’s the pity,” answered Telemachus, “I am she will not marry, nor yet bring matters to an end, sorry for him, but we must leave him to himself so they are making havoc of my estate, and before just now. If people could have everything their own long will do so with myself into the bargain. The way, the first thing I should choose would be the issue, however, rests with heaven. But do you, old return of my father; but go, and give your message; friend Eumaeus, go at once and tell Penelope that I then make haste back again, and do not turn out of am safe and have returned from Pylos. Tell it to your way to tell Laertes. Tell my mother to send herself alone, and then come back here without let-one of her women secretly with the news at once, 197
The Odyssey – Book XVI and let him hear it from her.” As she spoke she touched him with her golden Thus did he urge the swineherd; Eumaeus, there-wand. First she threw a fair clean shirt and cloak fore, took his sandals, bound them to his feet, and about his shoulders; then she made him younger started for the town. Minerva watched him well off and of more imposing presence; she gave him back the station, and then came up to it in the form of a his colour, filled out his cheeks, and let his beard woman- fair, stately, and wise. She stood against become dark again. Then she went away and Ulysses the side of the entry, and revealed herself to Ulysses, came back inside the hut. His son was astounded but Telemachus could not see her, and knew not when he saw him, and turned his eyes away for fear that she was there, for the gods do not let them-he might be looking upon a god.
selves be seen by everybody. Ulysses saw her, and
“Stranger,” said he, “how suddenly you have so did the dogs, for they did not bark, but went changed from what you were a moment or two ago.
scared and whining off to the other side of the yards.
You are dressed differently and your colour is not She nodded her head and motioned to Ulysses with the same. Are you some one or other of the gods her eyebrows; whereon he left the hut and stood that live in heaven? If so, be propitious to me till I before her outside the main wall of the yards. Then can make you due sacrifice and offerings of wrought she said to him:
gold. Have mercy upon me.”
“Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, it is now time for And Ulysses said, “I am no god, why should you you to tell your son: do not keep him in the dark any take me for one? I am your father, on whose ac-longer, but lay your plans for the destruction of the count you grieve and suffer so much at the hands suitors, and then make for the town. I will not be long of lawless men.”
in joining you, for I too am eager for the fray.” As he spoke he kissed his son, and a tear fell from 198
The Odyssey – Book XVI his cheek on to the ground, for he had restrained man with good clothes on my back; it is an easy all tears till now. but Telemachus could not yet be-matter for the gods who live in heaven to make any lieve that it was his father, and said: man look either rich or poor.”
“You are not my father, but some god is flattering As he spoke he sat down, and Telemachus threw me with vain hopes that I may grieve the more here-his arms about his father and wept. They were both after; no mortal man could of himself contrive to so much moved that they cried aloud like eagles or do as you have been doing, and make yourself old vultures with crooked talons that have been robbed and young at a moment’s notice, unless a god were of their half fledged young by peasants. Thus pite-with him. A second ago you were old and all in ously did they weep, and the sun would have gone rags, and now you are like some god come down down upon their mourning if Telemachus had not from heaven.”
suddenly said, “In what ship, my dear father, did Ulysses answered, “Telemachus, you ought not your crew bring you to Ithaca? Of what nation did to be so immeasurably astonished at my being re-they declare themselves to be—for you cannot have ally here. There is no other Ulysses who will come come by land?”
hereafter. Such as I am, it is I, who after long wan-
“I will tell you the truth, my son,” replied Ulysses.
dering and much hardship have got home in the
“It was the Phaeacians who brought me here. They twentieth year to my own country. What you won-are great sailors, and are in the habit of giving es-der at is the work of the redoubtable goddess corts to any one who reaches their coasts. They took Minerva, who does with me whatever she will, for me over the sea while I was fast asleep, and landed she can do what she pleases. At one moment she me in Ithaca, after giving me many presents in makes me like a beggar, and the next I am a young bronze, gold, and raiment. These things by heaven’s 199
The Odyssey – Book XVI mercy are lying concealed in a cave, and I am now a bard, and two men who can carve at table. If we come here on the suggestion of Minerva that we face such numbers as this, you may have bitter cause may consult about killing our enemies. First, there-to rue your coming, and your revenge. See whether fore, give me a list of the suitors, with their num-you cannot think of some one who would be will-ber, that I may learn who, and how many, they are.
ing to come and help us.”
I can then turn the matter over in my mind, and
“Listen to me,” replied Ulysses, “and think see whether we two can fight the whole body of whether Minerva and her father Jove may seem them ourselves, or whether we must find others to sufficient, or whether I am to try and find some help us.”
one else as well.”
To this Telemachus answered, “Father, I have al-
“Those whom you have named,” answered ways heard of your renown both in the field and in Telemachus, “are a couple of good allies, for though council, but the task you talk of is a very great one: they dwell high up among the clouds they have I am awed at the mere thought of it; two men can-power over both gods and men.” not stand against many and brave ones. There are
“These two,” continued Ulysses, “will not keep not ten suitors only, nor twice ten, but ten many long out of the fray, when the suitors and we join times over; you shall learn their number at once.
fight in my house. Now, therefore, return home early There are fifty-two chosen youths from Dulichium, to-morrow morning, and go about among the suit-and they have six servants; from Same there are ors as before. Later on the swineherd will bring me twenty-four; twenty young Achaeans from to the city disguised as a miserable old beggar. If Zacynthus, and twelve from Ithaca itself, all of them you see them ill-treating me, steel your heart against well born. They have with them a servant Medon, my sufferings; even though they drag me feet fore-200
The Odyssey – Book XVI most out of the house, or throw things at me, look and Minerva will then soon quiet these people.
on and do nothing beyond gently trying to make There is also another matter; if you are indeed my them behave more reasonably; but they will not lis-son and my blood runs in your veins, let no one ten to you, for the day of their reckoning is at hand.
know that Ulysses is within the house—neither Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart, Laertes, nor yet the swineherd, nor any of the ser-when Minerva shall put it in my mind, I will nod vants, nor even Penelope herself. Let you and me my head to you, and on seeing me do this you must exploit the women alone, and let us also make trial collect all the armour that is in the house and hide of some other of the men servants, to see who is on it in the strong store room. Make some excuse when our side and whose hand is against us.” the suitors ask you why you are removing it; say
“Father,” replied Telemachus, “you will come to that you have taken it to be out of the way of the know me by and by, and when you do you will find smoke, inasmuch as it is no longer what it was when that I can keep your counsel. I do not think, how-Ulysses went away, but has become soiled and be-ever, the plan you propose will turn out well for grimed with soot. Add to this more particularly that either of us. Think it over. It will take us a long you are afraid Jove may set them on to quarrel over time to go the round of the farms and exploit the their wine, and that they may do each other some men, and all the time the suitors will be wasting harm which may disgrace both banquet and woo-your estate with impunity and without compunc-ing, for the sight of arms sometimes tempts people tion. Prove the women by all means, to see who are to use them. But leave a sword and a spear apiece disloyal and who guiltless, but I am not in favour for yourself and me, and a couple oxhide shields so of going round and trying the men. We can attend that we can snatch them up at any moment; Jove to that later on, if you really have some sign from 201
The Odyssey – Book XVI Jove that he will support you.” The suitors were surprised and angry at what had Thus did they converse, and meanwhile the ship happened, so they went outside the great wall that which had brought Telemachus and his crew from ran round the outer court, and held a council near Pylos had reached the town of Ithaca. When they the main entrance. Eurymachus, son of Polybus, had come inside the harbour they drew the ship on was the first to speak.
to the land; their servants came and took their
“My friends,” said he, “this voyage of armour from them, and they left all the presents at Telemachus’s is a very serious matter; we had made the house of Clytius. Then they sent a servant to sure that it would come to nothing. Now, however, tell Penelope that Telemachus had gone into the let us draw a ship into the water, and get a crew country, but had sent the ship to the town to pre-together to send after the others and tell them to vent her from being alarmed and made unhappy.
come back as fast as they can.” This servant and Eumaeus happened to meet when He had hardly done speaking when Amphinomus they were both on the same errand of going to tell turned in his place and saw the ship inside the Penelope. When they reached the House, the ser-harbour, with the crew lowering her sails, and put-vant stood up and said to the queen in the presence ting by their oars; so he laughed, and said to the of the waiting women, “Your son, Madam, is now others, “We need not send them any message, for returned from Pylos”; but Eumaeus went close up they are here. Some god must have told them, or to Penelope, and said privately that her son had else they saw the ship go by, and could not over-given bidden him tell her. When he had given his take her.
message he left the house with its outbuildings and On this they rose and went to the water side. The went back to his pigs again.
crew then drew the ship on shore; their servants 202
The Odyssey – Book XVI took their armour from them, and they went up in our own country into exile. Let us try and lay hold a body to the place of assembly, but they would not of him either on his farm away from the town, or let any one old or young sit along with them, and on the road hither. Then we can divide up his prop-Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spoke first.
erty amongst us, and let his mother and the man
“Good heavens,” said he, “see how the gods have who marries her have the house. If this does not saved this man from destruction. We kept a succes-please you, and you wish Telemachus to live on and sion of scouts upon the headlands all day long, and hold his father’s property, then we must not gather when the sun was down we never went on shore to here and eat up his goods in this way, but must sleep, but waited in the ship all night till morning make our offers to Penelope each from his own in the hope of capturing and killing him; but some house, and she can marry the man who will give god has conveyed him home in spite of us. Let us the most for her, and whose lot it is to win her.” consider how we can make an end of him. He must They all held their peace until Amphinomus rose not escape us; our affair is never likely to come off to speak. He was the son of Nisus, who was son to while is alive, for he is very shrewd, and public feel-king Aretias, and he was foremost among all the ing is by no means all on our side. We must make suitors from the wheat-growing and well grassed haste before he can call the Achaeans in assembly; island of Dulichium; his conversation, moreover, was he will lose no time in doing so, for he will be furi-more agreeable to Penelope than that of any of the ous with us, and will tell all the world how we plot-other for he was a man of good natural disposition.
ted to kill him, but failed to take him. The people
“My friends,” said he, speaking to them plainly and will not like this when they come to know of it; we in all honestly, “I am not in favour of killing must see that they do us no hurt, nor drive us from Telemachus. It is a heinous thing to kill one who is 203
The Odyssey – Book XVI of noble blood. Let us first take counsel of the gods, death of Telemachus, and take no heed of suppli-and if the oracles of Jove advise it, I will both help ants, whose witness is Jove himself? It is not right to kill him myself, and will urge everyone else to do for you to plot thus against one another. Do you so; but if they dissuade us, I would have you hold not remember how your father fled to this house in your hands.”
fear of the people, who were enraged against him Thus did he speak, and his words pleased them for having gone with some Taphian pirates and plun-well, so they rose forthwith and went to the house dered the Thesprotians who were at peace with us?
of Ulysses where they took their accustomed seats.
They wanted to tear him in pieces and eat up ev-Then Penelope resolved that she would show her-erything he had, but Ulysses stayed their hands al-self to the suitors. She knew of the plot against though they were infuriated, and now you devour Telemachus, for the servant Medon had overheard his property without paying for it, and break my their counsels and had told her; she went down heart by his wooing his wife and trying to kill his therefore to the court attended by her maidens, and son. Leave off doing so, and stop the others also.” when she reached the suitors she stood by one of To this Eurymachus son of Polybus answered, the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the clois-
“Take heart, Queen Penelope daughter of Icarius, ter holding a veil before her face, and rebuked and do not trouble yourself about these matters.
Antinous saying:
The man is not yet born, nor never will be, who
“Antinous, insolent and wicked schemer, they say