ODYSSEY 20

But godlike Odysseus made his bed in the forecourt; he spread upon the ground an untanned oxhide, and over it many fleeces from the sheep the Achaeans were wont to sacrifice; and Eurynome cast a cloak over him as he lay down. There Odysseus, devising evils for the suitors in his heart, lay wide awake; and from the great hall came the women, those who had formerly lain with the suitors, making laughter and merriment amongst themselves. And the spirit was roused within his own breast; and he pondered long in his mind and in his soul, whether to spring upon them and bring death to each one, or to let them lie with the arrogant suitors one last and final time. And his heart barked within him. As a bitch standing guard over her tender pups will growl at a man she does not know, and is eager to fight, so did his own heart growl within him, indignant at their evil deeds. And he struck his chest and rebuked his heart with a word:

"Endure this now, my heart! You have endured a more shameless thing before, on that day when the Cyclops, with his unbridled might, devoured my valiant comrades. Yet you held fast, until my cunning led you from that cave, when you thought to die."

So he spoke, chiding the dear heart within his breast; and his heart, thus tethered, remained steadfastly patient and without cease; but he himself tossed from side to side. As when a man over a great blazing fire turns a paunch, filled with fat and with blood, this way and that, and is most eager for it to be swiftly roasted, so did Odysseus toss from side to side, pondering how he might lay his hands upon the shameless suitors, he alone against so many. And close beside him came Athena, descending from the heavens, in the likeness of a woman. She stood above his head and spoke a word to him:

"Why are you still awake, most ill-fated of all men? This is your own house, and your wife is here in the house, and your son, such a son as any man would wish to have."

And answering her, Odysseus of many wiles replied: "Yes, all that you say, goddess, is true and just; but my heart within my breast ponders this: how I might lay my hands upon the shameless suitors, I who am alone, while they are always gathered here within. And beyond that, I ponder this even greater matter in my mind: if, by the will of Zeus and of you, I should slay them, where could I flee for safety? I bid you consider this."

And in turn the bright-eyed goddess Athena addressed him: "Obstinate man! Another might well put his trust in a lesser comrade, one who is mortal and knows not so many devices; but I am a goddess, who guards you through and through in all your trials. And I will tell you this plainly: even if fifty companies of mortal men were to stand around us, eager to slay us in the fury of war, even then you could drive off their cattle and their sturdy sheep. But let sleep take you now. It is a weariness to keep watch all the night through, and soon you shall emerge from your troubles."

So she spoke, and shed sleep upon his eyelids, and she herself, brightest of goddesses, departed again for Olympus. When sleep seized him, loosing the cares of his soul, that loosener of limbs, his wife, she of the prudent heart, awoke, and sitting up in her soft bed, she began to weep. But when she had wept to her heart's content, that most noble of women prayed first of all to Artemis:

"Artemis, revered goddess, daughter of Zeus, if only you would cast your arrow into my breast and take my life away this very moment, or else that a storm-wind might snatch me up and carry me away along the misty paths, and cast me down at the mouth of the backward-flowing Ocean. Just as when storm-winds seized the daughters of Pandareus: the gods had destroyed their parents, and they were left as orphans in the great hall, but bright Aphrodite nurtured them with cheese and sweet honey and pleasant wine, while Hera gave them, beyond all other women, beauty and wisdom, and chaste Artemis granted them stature, and Athena taught them to fashion glorious handiwork. But when bright Aphrodite went to high Olympus to ask for the fulfillment of a blossoming marriage for the maidens, from Zeus who delights in thunder—for he knows all things well, both the fortunate and the unfortunate lot of mortal men— in that very hour the Harpies snatched the maidens away and gave them to the hateful Furies to be their handmaids. So may they who hold the Olympian halls make me vanish, or may fair-tressed Artemis strike me down, so that with Odysseus in my mind's eye I might pass even beneath the hateful earth, and never gladden the heart of a lesser man. This evil, at least, can be borne, when a man weeps throughout the days, his heart pierced by constant sorrow, but at night is held by sleep—for sleep brings oblivion to all things, both good and evil, once it has veiled the eyelids;— but to me a divine power has sent evil dreams as well. For this very night there lay beside me one in his very likeness, just as he was when he went forth with the army; and my own heart rejoiced, for I did not think it was a dream, but a waking reality."

So she spoke, and at once golden-throned Dawn arrived. And godlike Odysseus took note of the sound of her weeping; and he pondered then, and it seemed to him in his heart that she stood already at his head, having recognized him. Gathering up the cloak and the fleeces on which he had slept, he placed them on a chair in the great hall, but the oxhide he carried out of doors, and raising his hands, he prayed to Zeus:

"Father Zeus, if it was by your will that you brought me over land and sea to my own country, after you had afflicted me so sorely, let some one of the waking people speak a word of omen from within, and let another sign from Zeus appear without."

So he spoke in prayer, and Zeus the counselor heard him, and at once he thundered from radiant Olympus, from high among the clouds; and godlike Odysseus rejoiced. And a woman grinding at the mill sent forth a word of omen from the house, from nearby, where the hand-mills for the shepherd of the people were set. A full twelve women toiled at these mills, making barley and wheat flour, the marrow of men. Now the others were sleeping, for they had ground their portion of grain, but this one had not yet finished, for she was the weakest of them all. She stopped her mill and spoke a word, a sign for her master:

"Father Zeus, you who are lord over gods and men, truly you have thundered loud from a starry heaven, though there is not a cloud to be seen. This must be a sign you show to someone. Fulfill now for me, wretched as I am, the word that I shall speak: may the suitors, on this day, for the last and final time, take their delightful feast in the halls of Odysseus; they who with heart-grieving labor have broken my knees as I make their flour. Now let them dine their last."

So she spoke, and godlike Odysseus rejoiced in the omen of her words and in the thunder of Zeus; for he thought that he would have his vengeance on the transgressors.

Now the other serving-women in the fair halls of Odysseus awoke and kindled the unwearying fire upon the hearth. And Telemachus, a man like a god, arose from his bed, put on his garments, and slung his sharp sword about his shoulder. Beneath his shining feet he bound the fair sandals, and took up a stout spear tipped with sharp bronze.

He went and stood upon the threshold, and spoke to Eurycleia:

"Dear nurse, how have you honored our guest in the house, with bed and with food, or does he lie uncared-for, just as he is? For such is the way of my mother, wise though she is: in her rashness she honors one mortal man who is of lesser worth, and sends a better man away dishonored."

And in turn wise Eurycleia replied to him: "My child, you should not now blame her who is blameless. For he sat and drank wine for as long as he himself wished, but said he was no longer hungry for bread; for she asked him. But when they turned their thoughts to rest and sleep, she ordered the serving-women to spread bedding for him, but he, like one utterly wretched and ill-fated, would not consent to sleep on a bedstead or under blankets, but on an untanned oxhide and the fleeces of sheep he slept in the forecourt; and we put a cloak upon him."

So she spoke, and Telemachus went forth through the great hall, his spear in hand; and with him went two swift-footed hounds. He went his way to the place of assembly, to join the well-greaved Achaeans. But she, that most noble of women, called out to the serving-maids, Eurycleia, daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor:

"Come, some of you bustle about and sweep the house, and sprinkle it, and on the well-wrought chairs throw the purple coverings. Others, wipe down all the tables with sponges, and clean the mixing bowls and the finely crafted two-handled cups. And the rest of you, go for water from the spring, and bring it back with all speed. For the suitors will not be long away from the great hall, but will return very early, since for all it is a feast-day."

So she spoke, and they listened to her words well and obeyed. Twenty of them went to the dark-watered spring, while the others toiled skillfully there within the house.

And in came the haughty serving-men. They then split firewood well and skillfully, and the women returned from the spring. After them came the swineherd, leading three fatted hogs, the best among all his herd. And he let these browse in the fair courtyard, and then spoke to Odysseus with gentle words:

"Stranger, are the Achaeans looking upon you with any more respect, or do they dishonor you in the halls as they did before?"

And answering him, Odysseus of many wiles replied: "Ah, Eumaeus, if only the gods would avenge the outrage which these men in their insolence devise with wicked hearts in the house of another, and have no portion of shame."

While they were speaking such things to one another, there came near to them Melanthius, the goatherd, leading the goats that were pre-eminent in all his flocks, as a feast for the suitors; and two herdsmen followed with him. And he tethered the goats under the echoing portico, and then spoke to Odysseus with taunting words:

"Stranger, will you still be a nuisance here in the house, begging from men? Will you not get out of doors? In any case, I do not think we two will part company before we have a taste of each other's fists, since you beg in a manner that is not proper. And there are other feasts of the Achaeans elsewhere."

So he spoke, but Odysseus of many wiles said nothing to him, but in silence shook his head, plotting evils in the depths of his mind.

And after them a third man came, Philoetius, a leader of men, bringing a barren heifer for the suitors and some fat goats. Ferrymen had brought them across, the same who ferry other people over, whoever may come to them. And he tethered the animals securely under the echoing portico, and then drew near the swineherd and questioned him:

"Who is this stranger, swineherd, who has newly come to our house? Of what people does he claim to be? Where are his kin and his ancestral land? Poor man! In his form he is like a royal lord; but the gods bring misery upon wandering men, when they spin out a thread of suffering even for kings."

He spoke, and stepping forward, greeted him with his right hand, and lifting up his voice, he spoke winged words to him:

"Greetings, father and stranger. May good fortune be yours in time to come, though for now you are beset by many troubles. Father Zeus, no other god is more ruinous than you; you have no pity for men, though you yourself are their begetter, plunging them into misery and grievous pains. I broke into a sweat when I saw him, and my eyes filled with tears at the memory of Odysseus, for I imagine that he too, clad in such rags, is wandering among men, if he is still alive somewhere and sees the light of the sun. But if he is already dead and in the halls of Hades, then woe is me for blameless Odysseus, who set me over his cattle when I was just a boy, in the land of the Cephallenians. And now they have grown past counting, nor could the stock of wide-browed cattle thrive more for any other man. But other men command me to bring these herds for them to devour, and they have no regard for the son in the halls, nor do they tremble at the vengeance of the gods. For they are already eager to divide the possessions of the long-absent master. But the heart in my own breast turns over this thought again and again: while the son is still alive, it would be a foul thing to go with these very cattle to the land of another people, to foreign men; yet it is more dreadful still to remain here, suffering pains as I watch over cattle that belong to others. And indeed I would have fled long ago and gone to serve some other mighty king, for matters here are no longer bearable; but I still dream of that unfortunate man, that he might come from somewhere and make a scattering of the suitors throughout these halls."

And answering him, Odysseus of many wiles replied: "Herdsman, since you seem neither a bad man nor a foolish one, and I myself can see that wisdom has entered your mind, for that reason I will tell you this, and swear a great oath upon it: let Zeus be my witness first, highest and best of gods, and the hearth of blameless Odysseus, to which I have come: truly, while you are still here, Odysseus will return to his home, and with your own eyes you shall see, if you wish, the slaughter of the suitors who lord it here."

And in turn the master herdsman of the cattle replied: "Ah, stranger, if only the son of Cronos would fulfill this word! Then you would know what strength is mine and how my hands would follow."

And in the same way Eumaeus prayed to all the gods that wise Odysseus might return to his own home.

While they were speaking such things to one another, the suitors, for their part, were plotting death and doom for Telemachus. But a bird of omen appeared to them on the left, an eagle flying high, clutching a trembling dove. Then Amphinomus spoke in their assembly and addressed them:

"My friends, this plan of ours will not run a smooth course, the murder of Telemachus. Instead, let us turn our minds to the feast."

So spoke Amphinomus, and his words were pleasing to them. They went into the palace of godlike Odysseus and laid aside their cloaks upon the chairs and high seats, and then they sacrificed great sheep and fat goats, and they sacrificed fatted hogs and a heifer from the herd. They roasted the entrails and served them out, and mixed wine in the mixing bowls; and the swineherd distributed the cups. Philoetius, that leader of men, served bread to them in fair baskets, and Melantheus poured the wine. And they put forth their hands to the good cheer that lay ready before them.

Then Telemachus, with cunning purpose, seated Odysseus within the well-built hall, beside the stone threshold, setting for him a wretched stool and a small table. Beside him he placed a portion of the entrails, and poured wine into a golden cup, and spoke a word to him:

"Sit here now among the men and drink your wine. I myself will ward off from you the taunts and blows of all the suitors, for this is no public house, but the house of Odysseus, and he won it for me. And you, suitors, restrain your hearts from insults and your hands, so that no quarrel or strife may arise."

So he spoke, and they all bit their lips and marveled at Telemachus, that he spoke so boldly. And Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spoke among them:

"Hard though it may be to accept, Achaeans, let us take the word of Telemachus. He threatens us with great menace.

For Zeus, son of Cronos, did not allow it; else we would already have silenced him in the halls, clear-voiced though he is as an orator."

So spoke Antinous; but Telemachus paid no heed to his words. And now the heralds were leading the sacred hecatomb of the gods through the city, and the long-haired Achaeans were gathered together under the shady grove of Apollo the Far-Darter.

When the men had roasted the outer flesh and drawn it from the spits, they divided the portions and feasted a glorious feast. And beside Odysseus they placed a portion, those who were serving, an equal share, just as they themselves received; for so Telemachus commanded, the dear son of godlike Odysseus.

But Athena would not allow the proud suitors to restrain themselves entirely from heart-stinging insults, so that still more pain might sink into the heart of Odysseus, son of Laertes. There was a man among the suitors who knew lawless ways; Ctesippus was his name, and he had his home in Same. Trusting in his father's wealth, he wooed the wife of long-absent Odysseus. He it was who then spoke among the arrogant suitors:

"Hear me, you proud suitors, that I may say something. The stranger has long had his portion, as is fitting, an equal share; for it is neither fair nor just to slight the guests of Telemachus, whoever may come to this house. But come, let me also give him a guest-gift, so that he in turn may give a prize to the bath-pourer or to some other of the servants in the house of godlike Odysseus."

So saying, he picked up an ox-hoof from the basket where it lay and hurled it with his stout hand. But Odysseus avoided it with a slight tilt of his head, and smiled in his heart a most sardonic smile; and the hoof struck the well-built wall. Then Telemachus rebuked Ctesippus with a word:

"Ctesippus, it was truly better for your own soul that this happened. You did not strike the stranger, for he dodged the missile himself. For had you struck him, I would have run you through the middle with my sharp spear, and your father would be busied with a funeral here instead of a wedding. So let no one show me any more insolence in my own house. For now I perceive and know each thing, both the good and the bad; before, I was still a child. But still, we have endured the sight of these things, the slaughtering of sheep, the drinking of wine, and the consuming of bread; for it is hard for one man to restrain many. But come, do not act with ill will and work me harm any longer. If, however, you are already eager to slay me myself with the bronze, I would even wish for that, and it would be far better to be dead than to watch these shameful deeds forever: guests being struck and serving-women being dragged shamefully through the beautiful halls."

So he spoke, and they were all hushed in silence. And after a long while, Agelaus son of Damastor spoke among them:

"My friends, no one should answer what has been justly spoken with contrary words, lashing out in anger. Do not strike the stranger or any other of the servants in the house of godlike Odysseus. But to Telemachus and to his mother I would say a gentle word, if it should please the hearts of them both. So long as the hope in your breasts was set on wise Odysseus returning to this home of his, there was no cause for blame that you should wait and hold back the suitors in the halls, for that would have been the better course, if Odysseus had returned and come back to his home. But now this much is clear: that he is no longer to return. So come, sit beside your mother and declare this to her: that she should marry whichever man is the best and offers the most, so that you may enjoy all your father's property in peace, eating and drinking, while she tends to the house of another."

And in answer to him, prudent Telemachus spoke: "No, by Zeus, Agelaus, and by the sorrows of my father, who somewhere far from Ithaca has either perished or is wandering, I am in no way delaying my mother's marriage; on the contrary, I urge her to marry whomever she wishes, and I offer countless gifts besides. But I am ashamed to drive her from the hall against her will with a word of compulsion. May a god never bring such a thing to pass."

So spoke Telemachus; but Pallas Athena stirred up unquenchable laughter among the suitors, and drove their wits astray. And now they were laughing with jaws that were not their own, and they ate meat that was befouled with blood; and their eyes filled with tears, and their hearts were set on lamentation. And among them spoke the godlike Theoclymenus:

"Ah, wretched men, what evil is this that you suffer? Your heads and your faces and your knees below are shrouded in night, and a wailing blazes up, and your cheeks are wet with tears, and the walls and the fair pillars are spattered with blood. The porch is full of phantoms, and the courtyard is full, all hastening down to Erebus beneath the gloom. And the sun has perished from the sky, and an evil mist has overspread the world."

So he spoke, and they all laughed sweetly at him. And Eurymachus, son of Polybus, began to speak among them:

"The stranger newly come from elsewhere is out of his mind. Come now, young men, escort him out of the house and on his way to the marketplace, since he thinks it is night in here."

And in turn the godlike Theoclymenus replied: "Eurymachus, I do not ask you to provide me with an escort. I have eyes and ears and both my feet, and a mind in my breast that is fashioned in no unseemly way. With these I will go out of doors, for I perceive the evil that is coming upon you, which not one of you will escape or avoid, you suitors, who in the house of godlike Odysseus do violence to men and devise wicked deeds."

So saying, he went forth from the well-ordered halls and went to Peiraeus, who received him with a kindly heart. And all the suitors then began to look at one another, provoking Telemachus and laughing at his guests. And one of the arrogant young men would speak in this way:

"Telemachus, no one is more unfortunate in his guests than you. Look what a hanger-on you have here, this vagabond, always in want of food and wine, with no skill in deeds of labor or of strength, but simply a burden on the earth. And then this other one stands up to play the prophet. But if you would listen to me, it would be much for the better: let us put these guests aboard a many-benched ship and send them to the Sicilians, where they might fetch you a worthy price."

So spoke the suitors, but he paid no heed to their words; instead, in silence he kept his eyes upon his father, waiting ever for the moment when he would lay his hands upon the shameless suitors.

And opposite them, having set her beautiful chair in place, the daughter of Icarius, prudent Penelope, listened to the words of each man in the great hall. For they, with laughter, had prepared the midday meal, a sweet and hearty meal, since they had sacrificed so many beasts. But as for their supper, no meal could prove more graceless, such as a goddess and a mighty man were soon about to set before them; for they had been the first to devise their shameful deeds.

ὈΔΎΣΣΕΙΑ 20

Αὐτὰρ ὁ ἐν προδόμῳ εὐνάζετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·
κὰμ μὲν ἀδέψητον βοέην στόρεσ', αὐτὰρ ὕπερθεν
κώεα πόλλ' ὀΐων, τοὺς ἱρεύεσκον Ἀχαιοί·
Εὐρυνόμη δ' ἄρ' ἐπὶ χλαῖναν βάλε κοιμηθέντι.
ἔνθ' Ὀδυσεὺς μνηστῆρσι κακὰ φρονέων ἐνὶ θυμῷ
κεῖτ' ἐγρηγορόων· ταὶ δ' ἐκ μεγάροιο γυναῖκες
ἤϊσαν, αἳ μνηστῆρσιν ἐμισγέσκοντο πάρος περ,
ἀλλήλῃσι γέλω τε καὶ εὐφροσύνην παρέχουσαι.
τοῦ δ' ὠρίνετο θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι·
πολλὰ δὲ μερμήριζε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,
ἠὲ μεταΐξας θάνατον τεύξειεν ἑκάστῃ,
ἦ ἔτ' ἐῷ μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μιγῆναι
ὕστατα καὶ πύματα· κραδίη δέ οἱ ἔνδον ὑλάκτει.
ὡς δὲ κύων ἀμαλῇσι περὶ σκυλάκεσσι βεβῶσα
ἄνδρ' ἀγνοιήσασ' ὑλάει μέμονέν τε μάχεσθαι,
ὥς ῥα τοῦ ἔνδον ὑλάκτει ἀγαιομένου κακὰ ἔργα.
στῆθος δὲ πλήξας κραδίην ἠνίπαπε μύθῳ·

«τέτλαθι δή, κραδίη· καὶ κύντερον ἄλλο ποτ' ἔτλης,
ἤματι τῷ, ὅτε μοι μένος ἄσχετος ἤσθιε Κύκλωψ
ἰφθίμους ἑτάρους· σὺ δ' ἐτόλμας, ὄφρα σε μῆτις
ἐξάγαγ' ἐξ ἄντροιο ὀϊόμενον θανέεσθαι.»

ὣς ἔφατ', ἐν στήθεσσι καθαπτόμενος φίλον ἦτορ·
τῷ δὲ μάλ' ἐν πείσῃ κραδίη μένε τετληυῖα
νωλεμέως· ἀτὰρ αὐτὸς ἑλίσσετο ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα.
ὡς δ' ὅτε γαστέρ' ἀνὴρ πολέος πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο,
ἐμπλείην κνίσης τε καὶ αἵματος, ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα
αἰόλλῃ, μάλα δ' ὦκα λιλαίεται ὀπτηθῆναι,
ὣς ἄρ' ὅ γ' ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα ἑλίσσετο μερμηρίζων,
ὅππως δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφήσει,
μοῦνος ἐὼν πολέσι. σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη
οὐρανόθεν καταβᾶσα, δέμας δ' ἤϊκτο γυναικί·
στῆ δ' ἄρ' ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·

«τίπτ' αὖτ' ἐγρήσσεις, πάντων περὶ κάμμορε φωτῶν;
οἶκος μέν τοι ὅδ' ἐστί, γυνὴ δέ τοι ἥδ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
καὶ πάϊς, οἷόν πού τις ἐέλδεται ἔμμεναι υἷα.»

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
«ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα, θεά, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες·
ἀλλά τί μοι τόδε θυμὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζει,
ὅππως δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφήσω,
μοῦνος ἐών· οἱ δ' αἰὲν ἀολλέες ἔνδον ἔασι.
πρὸς δ' ἔτι καὶ τόδε μεῖζον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμηρίζω·
εἴ περ γὰρ κτείναιμι Διός τε σέθεν τε ἕκητι,
πῇ κεν ὑπεκπροφύγοιμι; τά σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.»

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·
«σχέτλιε, καὶ μέν τίς τε χερείονι πείθεθ' ἑταίρῳ,
ὅς περ θνητός τ' ἐστὶ καὶ οὐ τόσα μήδεα οἶδεν·
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ θεός εἰμι, διαμπερὲς ἥ σε φυλάσσω
ἐν πάντεσσι πόνοισ'. ἐρέω δέ τοι ἐξαναφανδόν·
εἴ περ πεντήκοντα λόχοι μερόπων ἀνθρώπων
νῶϊ περισταῖεν, κτεῖναι μεμαῶτες Ἄρηϊ,
καί κεν τῶν ἐλάσαιο βόας καὶ ἴφια μῆλα.
ἀλλ' ἑλέτω σε καὶ ὕπνος· ἀνίη καὶ τὸ φυλάσσειν
πάννυχον ἐγρήσσοντα, κακῶν δ' ὑποδύσεαι ἤδη.»

ὣς φάτο, καί ῥά οἱ ὕπνον ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔχευεν,
αὐτὴ δ' ἂψ ἐς Ὄλυμπον ἀπέστιχε δῖα θεάων.
εὖτε τὸν ὕπνος ἔμαρπτε, λύων μελεδήματα θυμοῦ,
λυσιμελής, ἄλοχος δ' ἄρ' ἐπέγρετο κεδνὰ ἰδυῖα,
κλαῖεν δ' ἐν λέκτροισι καθεζομένη μαλακοῖσιν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κλαίουσα κορέσσατο ὃν κατὰ θυμόν,
Ἀρτέμιδι πρώτιστον ἐπεύξατο δῖα γυναικῶν·

«Ἄρτεμι, πότνα θεά, θύγατερ Διός, αἴθε μοι ἤδη
ἰὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι βαλοῦσ' ἐκ θυμὸν ἕλοιο
αὐτίκα νῦν, ἢ ἔπειτά μ' ἀναρπάξασα θύελλα
οἴχοιτο προφέρουσα κατ' ἠερόεντα κέλευθα,
ἐν προχοῇς δὲ βάλοι ἀψοῤῥόου Ὠκεανοῖο.
ὡς δ' ὅτε Πανδαρέου κούρας ἀνέλοντο θύελλαι·
τῇσι τοκῆας μὲν φθεῖσαν θεοί, αἱ δ' ἐλίποντο
ὀρφαναὶ ἐν μεγάροισι, κόμισσε δὲ δῖ' Ἀφροδίτη
τυρῷ καὶ μέλιτι γλυκερῷ καὶ ἡδέϊ οἴνῳ·
Ἥρη δ' αὐτῇσιν περὶ πασέων δῶκε γυναικῶν
εἶδος καὶ πινυτήν, μῆκος δ' ἔπορ' Ἄρτεμις ἁγνή,
ἔργα δ' Ἀθηναίη δέδαε κλυτὰ ἐργάζεσθαι.
εὖτ' Ἀφροδίτη δῖα προσέστιχε μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,
κούρῃσ' αἰτήσουσα τέλος θαλεροῖο γάμοιο,
ἐς Δία τερπικέραυνον, - ὁ γάρ τ' ἐῢ οἶδεν ἅπαντα,
μοῖράν τ' ἀμμορίην τε καταθνητῶν ἀνθρώπων, -
τόφρα δὲ τὰς κούρας Ἅρπυιαι ἀνηρέψαντο
καί ῥ' ἔδοσαν στυγερῇσιν Ἐρινύσιν ἀμφιπολεύειν·
ὣς ἔμ' ἀϊστώσειαν Ὀλύμπια δώματ' ἔχοντες,
ἠέ μ' ἐϋπλόκαμος βάλοι Ἄρτεμις, ὄφρ' Ὀδυσῆα
ὀσσομένη καὶ γαῖαν ὕπο στυγερὴν ἀφικοίμην,
μηδέ τι χείρονος ἀνδρὸς ἐϋφραίνοιμι νόημα.
ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν καὶ ἀνεκτὸν ἔχει κακόν, ὁππότε κέν τις
ἤματα μὲν κλαίῃ, πυκινῶς ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ,
νύκτας δ' ὕπνος ἔχῃσιν, - ὁ γάρ τ' ἐπέλησεν ἁπάντων,
ἐσθλῶν ἠδὲ κακῶν, ἐπεὶ ἂρ βλέφαρ' ἀμφικαλύψῃ· -
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ καὶ ὀνείρατ' ἐπέσσευεν κακὰ δαίμων.
τῇδε γὰρ αὖ μοι νυκτὶ παρέδραθεν εἴκελος αὐτῷ,
τοῖος ἐὼν, οἷος ᾖεν ἅμα στρατῷ· αὐτὰρ ἐμὸν κῆρ
χαῖρ', ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἐφάμην ὄναρ ἔμμεναι, ἀλλ' ὕπαρ ἤδη.»

ὣς ἔφατ', αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.
τῆς δ' ἄρα κλαιούσης ὄπα σύνθετο δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·
μερμήριξε δ' ἔπειτα, δόκησε δέ οἱ κατὰ θυμὸν
ἤδη γινώσκουσα παρεστάμεναι κεφαλῆφι.
χλαῖναν μὲν συνελὼν καὶ κώεα, τοῖσιν ἐνεῦδεν,
ἐς μέγαρον κατέθηκεν ἐπὶ θρόνου, ἐκ δὲ βοείην
θῆκε θύραζε φέρων, Διὶ δ' εὔξατο χεῖρας ἀνασχών·

«Ζεῦ πάτερ, εἴ μ' ἐθέλοντες ἐπὶ τραφερήν τε καὶ ὑγρὴν
ἤγετ' ἐμὴν ἐς γαῖαν, ἐπεί μ' ἐκακώσατε λίην,
φήμην τίς μοι φάσθω ἐγειρομένων ἀνθρώπων
ἔνδοθεν, ἔκτοσθεν δὲ Διὸς τέρας ἄλλο φανήτω.»

ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος· τοῦ δ' ἔκλυε μητίετα Ζεύς,
αὐτίκα δ' ἐβρόντησεν ἀπ' αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου,
ὑψόθεν ἐκ νεφέων· γήθησε δὲ δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς.
φήμην δ' ἐξ οἴκοιο γυνὴ προέηκεν ἀλετρὶς
πλησίον, ἔνθ' ἄρα οἱ μύλαι εἵατο ποιμένι λαῶν.
τῇσιν δώδεκα πᾶσαι ἐπεῤῥώοντο γυναῖκες
ἄλφιτα τεύχουσαι καὶ ἀλείατα, μυελὸν ἀνδρῶν·
αἱ μὲν ἄρ' ἄλλαι εὗδον, ἐπεὶ κατὰ πυρὸν ἄλεσσαν,
ἡ δὲ μί' οὔ πω παύετ', ἀφαυροτάτη δὲ τέτυκτο·
ἥ ῥα μύλην στήσασα ἔπος φάτο, σῆμα ἄνακτι·

«Ζεῦ πάτερ, ὅς τε θεοῖσι καὶ ἀνθρώποισιν ἀνάσσεις,
ἦ μεγάλ' ἐβρόντησας ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος,
οὐδέ ποθι νέφος ἐστί· τέρας νύ τεῳ τόδε φαίνεις.
κρῆνον νῦν καὶ ἐμοὶ δειλῇ ἔπος, ὅττι κεν εἴπω·
μνηστῆρες πύματόν τε καὶ ὕστατον ἤματι τῷδε
ἐν μεγάροισ' Ὀδυσῆος ἑλοίατο δαῖτ' ἐρατεινήν,
οἳ δή μοι καμάτῳ θυμαλγέϊ γούνατ' ἔλυσαν
ἄλφιτα τευχούσῃ· νῦν ὕστατα δειπνήσειαν.»

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, χαῖρεν δὲ κλεηδόνι δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
Ζηνός τε βροντῇ· φάτο γὰρ τείσασθαι ἀλείτας.

αἱ δ' ἄλλαι δμῳαὶ κατὰ δώματα κάλ' Ὀδυσῆος
ἐγρόμεναι ἀνέκαιον ἐπ' ἐσχάρῃ ἀκάματον πῦρ.
Τηλέμαχος δ' εὐνῆθεν ἀνίστατο, ἰσόθεος φώς,
εἵματα ἑσσάμενος, περὶ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτ' ὤμῳ,
ποσσὶ δ' ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,
εἵλετο δ' ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἀκαχμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ.

στῆ δ' ἄρ' ἐπ' οὐδὸν ἰών, πρὸς δ' Εὐρύκλειαν ἔειπε·

«μαῖα φίλη, πῶς ξεῖνον ἐτιμήσασθ' ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
εὐνῇ καὶ σίτῳ, ἦ αὔτως κεῖται ἀκηδής;
τοιαύτη γὰρ ἐμὴ μήτηρ, πινυτή περ ἐοῦσα·
ἐμπλήγδην ἕτερόν γε τίει μερόπων ἀνθρώπων
χείρονα, τὸν δέ τ' ἀρείον' ἀτιμήσασ' ἀποπέμπει.»

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε περίφρων Εὐρύκλεια·
«οὐκ ἄν μιν νῦν, τέκνον, ἀναίτιον αἰτιόῳο.
οἶνον μὲν γὰρ πῖνε καθήμενος, ὄφρ' ἔθελ' αὐτός,
σίτου δ' οὐκέτ' ἔφη πεινήμεναι· εἴρετο γάρ μιν.
ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ κοίτοιο καὶ ὕπνου μιμνῄσκοντο,
ἡ μὲν δέμνι' ἄνωγεν ὑποστορέσαι δμῳῇσιν,
αὐτὰρ ὅ γ', ὥς τις πάμπαν ὀϊζυρὸς καὶ ἄποτμος,
οὐκ ἔθελ' ἐν λέκτροισι καὶ ἐν ῥήγεσσι καθεύδειν,
ἀλλ' ἐν ἀδεψήτῳ βοέῃ καὶ κώεσιν οἰῶν
ἔδραθ' ἐνὶ προδόμῳ· χλαῖναν δ' ἐπιέσσαμεν ἡμεῖς.»

ὣς φάτο, Τηλέμαχος δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκει
ἔγχος ἔχων· ἅμα τῷ γε κύνες πόδας ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.
βῆ δ' ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορὴν μετ' ἐϋκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς.
ἡ δ' αὖτε δμῳῇσιν ἐκέκλετο δῖα γυναικῶν,
Εὐρύκλει', Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο·

«ἄγρειθ', αἱ μὲν δῶμα κορήσατε ποιπνύσασαι
ῥάσσατέ τ' ἔν τε θρόνοισ' εὐποιήτοισι τάπητας
βάλλετε πορφυρέους· αἱ δὲ σπόγγοισι τραπέζας
πάσας ἀμφιμάσασθε, καθήρατε δὲ κρητῆρας
καὶ δέπα ἀμφικύπελλα τετυγμένα· ταὶ δὲ μεθ' ὕδωρ
ἔρχεσθε κρήνηνδε καὶ οἴσετε θᾶσσον ἰοῦσαι.
οὐ γὰρ δὴν μνηστῆρες ἀπέσσονται μεγάροιο,
ἀλλὰ μάλ' ἦρι νέονται, ἐπεὶ καὶ πᾶσιν ἑορτή.»

ὣς ἔφαθ', αἱ δ' ἄρα τῆς μάλα μὲν κλύον ἠδ' ἐπίθοντο.
αἱ μὲν ἐείκοσι βῆσαν ἐπὶ κρήνην μελάνυδρον,
αἱ δ' αὐτοῦ κατὰ δώματ' ἐπισταμένως πονέοντο.

ἐς δ' ἦλθον δρηστῆρες ἀγήνορες· οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα
εὖ καὶ ἐπισταμένως κέασαν ξύλα, ταὶ δὲ γυναῖκες
ἦλθον ἀπὸ κρήνης. ἐπὶ δέ σφισιν ἦλθε συβώτης
τρεῖς σιάλους κατάγων, οἳ ἔσαν μετὰ πᾶσιν ἄριστοι.
καὶ τοὺς μέν ῥ' εἴασε καθ' ἕρκεα καλὰ νέμεσθαι,
αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' Ὀδυσῆα προσηύδα μειλιχίοισι·

«ξεῖν', ἦ ἄρ τί σε μᾶλλον Ἀχαιοὶ εἰσορόωσιν,
ἦέ σ' ἀτιμάζουσι κατὰ μέγαρ' ὡς τὸ πάρος περ;»

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
«αἲ γὰρ δή, Εὔμαιε, θεοὶ τεισαίατο λώβην,
ἣν οἵδ' ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανόωνται
οἴκῳ ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ, οὐδ' αἰδοῦς μοῖραν ἔχουσιν.»

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·
ἀγχίμολον δέ σφ' ἦλθε Μελάνθιος, αἰπόλος αἰγῶν,
αἶγας ἄγων, αἳ πᾶσι μετέπρεπον αἰπολίοισι,
δεῖπνον μνηστήρεσσι· δύω δ' ἅμ' ἕποντο νομῆες.
καὶ τὰς μὲν κατέδησαν ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ,
αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' Ὀδυσῆα προσηύδα κερτομίοισι·

«ξεῖν', ἔτι καὶ νῦν ἐνθάδ' ἀνιήσεις κατὰ δῶμα
ἀνέρας αἰτίζων, ἀτὰρ οὐκ ἔξεισθα θύραζε;
πάντως οὐκέτι νῶϊ διακρινέεσθαι ὀΐω
πρὶν χειρῶν γεύσασθαι, ἐπεὶ σύ περ οὐ κατὰ κόσμον
αἰτίζεις· εἰσὶν δὲ καὶ ἄλλοθι δαῖτες Ἀχαιῶν.»

ὣς φάτο, τὸν δ' οὔ τι προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,
ἀλλ' ἀκέων κίνησε κάρη, κακὰ βυσσοδομεύων.

τοῖσι δ' ἐπὶ τρίτος ἦλθε Φιλοίτιος, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν,
βοῦν στεῖραν μνηστῆρσιν ἄγων καὶ πίονας αἶγας.
πορθμῆες δ' ἄρα τούς γε διήγαγον, οἵ τε καὶ ἄλλους
ἀνθρώπους πέμπουσιν, ὅτίς σφεας εἰσαφίκηται.
καὶ τὰ μὲν εὖ κατέδησεν ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ ἐριδούπῳ,
αὐτὸς δ' αὖτ' ἐρέεινε συβώτην ἄγχι παραστάς·

«τίς δὴ ὅδε ξεῖνος νέον εἰλήλουθε, συβῶτα,
ἡμέτερον πρὸς δῶμα; τέων δ' ἒξ εὔχεται εἶναι
ἀνδρῶν; ποῦ δέ νύ οἱ γενεὴ καὶ πατρὶς ἄρουρα;
δύσμορος· ἦ τε ἔοικε δέμας βασιλῆϊ ἄνακτι·
ἀλλὰ θεοὶ δυόωσι πολυπλάγκτους ἀνθρώπους,
ὁππότε καὶ βασιλεῦσιν ἐπικλώσωνται ὀϊζύν.»

ἦ, καὶ δεξιτερῇ δειδίσκετο χειρὶ παραστὰς
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

«χαῖρε, πάτερ ὦ ξεῖνε· γένοιτό τοι ἔς περ ὀπίσσω
ὄλβος· ἀτὰρ μὲν νῦν γε κακοῖσ' ἔχεαι πολέεσσι.
Ζεῦ πάτερ, οὔ τις σεῖο θεῶν ὀλοώτερος ἄλλος·
οὐκ ἐλεαίρεις ἄνδρας, ἐπὴν δὴ γείνεαι αὐτός,
μισγέμεναι κακότητι καὶ ἄλγεσι λευγαλέοισιν.
ἴδιον, ὡς ἐνόησα, δεδάκρυνται δέ μοι ὄσσε
μνησαμένῳ Ὀδυσῆος, ἐπεὶ καὶ κεῖνον ὀΐω
τοιάδε λαίφε' ἔχοντα κατ' ἀνθρώπους ἀλάλησθαι,
εἴ που ἔτι ζώει καὶ ὁρᾷ φάος ἠελίοιο.
εἰ δ' ἤδη τέθνηκε καὶ εἰν Ἀΐδαο δόμοισιν,
ὤ μοι ἔπειτ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ὅς μ' ἐπὶ βουσὶν
εἷσ' ἔτι τυτθὸν ἐόντα Κεφαλλήνων ἐνὶ δήμῳ.
νῦν δ' αἱ μὲν γίνονται ἀθέσφατοι, οὐδέ κεν ἄλλως
ἀνδρί γ' ὑποσταχύοιτο βοῶν γένος εὐρυμετώπων·
τὰς δ' ἄλλοι με κέλονται ἀγινέμεναι σφίσιν αὐτοῖς
ἔδμεναι· οὐδέ τι παιδὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισ' ἀλέγουσιν,
οὐδ' ὄπιδα τρομέουσι θεῶν· μεμάασι γὰρ ἤδη
κτήματα δάσσασθαι δὴν οἰχομένοιο ἄνακτος.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ τόδε θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι
πόλλ' ἐπιδινεῖται· μάλα μὲν κακὸν υἷος ἐόντος
ἄλλων δῆμον ἱκέσθαι ἰόντ' αὐτῇσι βόεσσιν
ἄνδρας ἐς ἀλλοδαπούς· τὸ δὲ ῥίγιον αὖθι μένοντα
βουσὶν ἐπ' ἀλλοτρίῃσι καθήμενον ἄλγεα πάσχειν.
καί κεν δὴ πάλαι ἄλλον ὑπερμενέων βασιλήων
ἐξικόμην φεύγων, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτ' ἀνεκτὰ πέλονται·
ἀλλ' ἔτι τὸν δύστηνον ὀΐομαι, εἴ ποθεν ἐλθὼν
ἀνδρῶν μνηστήρων σκέδασιν κατὰ δώματα θείη.»

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·
«βουκόλ', ἐπεὶ οὔτε κακῷ οὔτ' ἄφρονι φωτὶ ἔοικας,
γινώσκω δὲ καὶ αὐτός, ὅ τοι πινυτὴ φρένας ἵκει,
τοὔνεκά τοι ἐρέω καὶ ἐπὶ μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμοῦμαι·
ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς πρῶτα, θεῶν ὕπατος καὶ ἄριστος,
ἱστίη τ' Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος, ἣν ἀφικάνω·
ἦ σέθεν ἐνθάδ' ἐόντος ἐλεύσεται οἴκαδ' Ὀδυσσεύς·
σοῖσιν δ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἐπόψεαι, αἴ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα,
κτεινομένους μνηστῆρας, οἳ ἐνθάδε κοιρανέουσι.»

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ·
«αἲ γὰρ τοῦτο, ξεῖνε, ἔπος τελέσειε Κρονίων·
γνοίης χ', οἵη ἐμὴ δύναμις καὶ χεῖρες ἕπονται.»

ὣς δ' αὔτως Εὔμαιος ἐπεύξατο πᾶσι θεοῖσι
νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε.

ὣς οἱ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον·
μνηστῆρες δ' ἄρα Τηλεμάχῳ θάνατόν τε μόρον τε
ἤρτυον· αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσιν ἀριστερὸς ἤλυθεν ὄρνις,
αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτης, ἔχε δὲ τρήρωνα πέλειαν.
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀμφίνομος ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·

«ὦ φίλοι, οὐχ ἥμιν συνθεύσεται ἥδε γε βουλή,
Τηλεμάχοιο φόνος· ἀλλὰ μνησώμεθα δαιτός.»

ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀμφίνομος, τοῖσιν δ' ἐπιήνδανε μῦθος.
ἐλθόντες δ' ἐς δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο
χλαίνας μὲν κατέθεντο κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,
οἱ δ' ἱέρευον ὄϊς μεγάλους καὶ πίονας αἶγας,
ἵρευον δὲ σύας σιάλους καὶ βοῦν ἀγελαίην·
σπλάγχνα δ' ἄρ' ὀπτήσαντες ἐνώμων, ἐν δέ τε οἶνον
κρητῆρσιν κερόωντο· κύπελλα δὲ νεῖμε συβώτης.
σῖτον δέ σφ' ἐπένειμε Φιλοίτιος, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν,
καλοῖσ' ἐν κανέοισιν, ἐοινοχόει δὲ Μελανθεύς.
οἱ δ' ἐπ' ὀνείαθ' ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

Τηλέμαχος δ' Ὀδυσῆα καθίδρυε, κέρδεα νωμῶν,
ἐντὸς ἐϋσταθέος μεγάρου, παρὰ λάϊνον οὐδόν,
δίφρον ἀεικέλιον καταθεὶς ὀλίγην τε τράπεζαν·
πὰρ δ' ἐτίθει σπλάγχνων μοίρας, ἐν δ' οἶνον ἔχευεν
ἐν δέπαϊ χρυσέῳ, καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν·

«ἐνταυθοῖ νῦν ἧσο μετ' ἀνδράσιν οἰνοποτάζων·
κερτομίας δέ τοι αὐτὸς ἐγὼ καὶ χεῖρας ἀφέξω
πάντων μνηστήρων, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι δήμιός ἐστιν
οἶκος ὅδ', ἀλλ' Ὀδυσῆος, ἐμοὶ δ' ἐκτήσατο κεῖνος.
ὑμεῖς δέ, μνηστῆρες, ἐπίσχετε θυμὸν ἐνιπῆς
καὶ χειρῶν, ἵνα μή τις ἔρις καὶ νεῖκος ὄρηται.»

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ὀδὰξ ἐν χείλεσι φύντες
Τηλέμαχον θαύμαζον, ὃ θαρσαλέως ἀγόρευε.
τοῖσιν δ' Ἀντίνοος μετέφη, Εὐπείθεος υἱός·

«καὶ χαλεπόν περ ἐόντα δεχώμεθα μῦθον, Ἀχαιοί,
Τηλεμάχου· μάλα δ' ἧμιν ἀπειλήσας ἀγορεύει.

οὐ γὰρ Ζεὺς εἴασε Κρονίων· τῶ κέ μιν ἤδη
παύσαμεν ἐν μεγάροισι, λιγύν περ ἐόντ' ἀγορητήν.»

ὣς ἔφατ' Ἀντίνοος· ὁ δ' ἄρ' οὐκ ἐμπάζετο μύθων.
κήρυκες δ' ἀνὰ ἄστυ θεῶν ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην
ἦγον· τοὶ δ' ἀγέροντο κάρη κομόωντες Ἀχαιοὶ
ἄλσος ὕπο σκιερὸν ἑκατηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος.

οἱ δ' ἐπεὶ ὤπτησαν κρέ' ὑπέρτερα καὶ ἑρύσαντο,
μοίρας δασσάμενοι δαίνυντ' ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα.
πὰρ δ' ἄρ' Ὀδυσσῆϊ μοῖραν θέσαν, οἳ πονέοντο,
ἴσην, ὡς αὐτοί περ ἐλάγχανον· ὣς γὰρ ἀνώγει
Τηλέμαχος, φίλος υἱὸς Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.

μνηστῆρας δ' οὐ πάμπαν ἀγήνορας εἴα Ἀθήνη
λώβης ἴσχεσθαι θυμαλγέος, ὄφρ' ἔτι μᾶλλον
δύη ἄχος κραδίην Λαερτιάδεω Ὀδυσῆος.
ἦν δέ τις ἐν μνηστῆρσιν ἀνὴρ ἀθεμίστια εἰδώς,
Κτήσιππος δ' ὄνομ' ἔσκε, Σάμῃ δ' ἐνὶ οἰκία ναῖεν·
ὃς δή τοι κτεάτεσσι πεποιθὼς πατρὸς ἑοῖο
μνάσκετ' Ὀδυσσῆος δὴν οἰχομένοιο δάμαρτα.
ὅς ῥα τότε μνηστῆρσιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μετηύδα·

«κέκλυτέ μευ, μνηστῆρες ἀγήνορες, ὄφρα τι εἴπω·
μοῖραν μὲν δὴ ξεῖνος ἔχει πάλαι, ὡς ἐπέοικεν,
ἴσην· οὐ γὰρ καλὸν ἀτέμβειν οὐδὲ δίκαιον
ξείνους Τηλεμάχου, ὅς κεν τάδε δώμαθ' ἵκηται.
ἀλλ' ἄγε οἱ καὶ ἐγὼ δῶ ξείνιον, ὄφρα καὶ αὐτὸς
ἠὲ λοετροχόῳ δώῃ γέρας ἠέ τῳ ἄλλῳ
δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.»

ὣς εἰπὼν ἔῤῥιψε βοὸς πόδα χειρὶ παχείῃ,
κείμενον ἐκ κανέοιο λαβών· ὁ δ' ἀλεύατ' Ὀδυσσεὺς
ἦκα παρακλίνας κεφαλήν, μείδησε δὲ θυμῷ
σαρδάνιον μάλα τοῖον· ὁ δ' εὔδμητον βάλε τοῖχον.
Κτήσιππον δ' ἄρα Τηλέμαχος ἠνίπαπε μύθῳ·

«Κτήσιππ', ἦ μάλα τοι τόδε κέρδιον ἔπλετο θυμῷ·
οὐκ ἔβαλες τὸν ξεῖνον· ἀλεύατο γὰρ βέλος αὐτός.
ἦ γάρ κέν σε μέσον βάλον ἔγχεϊ ὀξυόεντι,
καί κέ τοι ἀντὶ γάμοιο πατὴρ τάφον ἀμφεπονεῖτο
ἐνθάδε. τῶ μή τίς μοι ἀεικείας ἐνὶ οἴκῳ
φαινέτω· ἤδη γὰρ νοέω καὶ οἶδα ἕκαστα,
ἐσθλά τε καὶ τὰ χέρεια· πάρος δ' ἔτι νήπιος ἦα.
ἀλλ' ἔμπης τάδε μὲν καὶ τέτλαμεν εἰσορόωντες,
μήλων σφαζομένων οἴνοιό τε πινομένοιο
καὶ σίτου· χαλεπὸν γὰρ ἐρυκακέειν ἕνα πολλούς.
ἀλλ' ἄγε μηκέτι μοι κακὰ ῥέζετε δυσμενέοντες·
εἰ δ' ἤδη μ' αὐτὸν κτεῖναι μενεαίνετε χαλκῷ,
καί κε τὸ βουλοίμην, καί κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη
τεθνάμεν ἢ τάδε γ' αἰὲν ἀεικέα ἔργ' ὁράασθαι,
ξείνους τε στυφελιζομένους δμῳάς τε γυναῖκας
ῥυστάζοντας ἀεικελίως κατὰ δώματα καλά.»

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.
ὀψὲ δὲ δὴ μετέειπε Δαμαστορίδης Ἀγέλαος·

«ὦ φίλοι, οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἐπὶ ῥηθέντι δικαίῳ
ἀντιβίοισ' ἐπέεσσι καθαπτόμενος χαλεπαίνοι·
μήτε τι τὸν ξεῖνον στυφελίζετε μήτε τιν' ἄλλον
δμώων, οἳ κατὰ δώματ' Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο.
Τηλεμάχῳ δέ κε μῦθον ἐγὼ καὶ μητέρι φαίην
ἤπιον, εἴ σφωϊν κραδίῃ ἅδοι ἀμφοτέροιϊν.
ὄφρα μὲν ὕμιν θυμὸς ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐώλπει
νοστῆσαι Ὀδυσῆα πολύφρονα ὅνδε δόμονδε,
τόφρ' οὔ τις νέμεσις μενέμεν τ' ἦν ἰσχέμεναί τε
μνηστῆρας κατὰ δώματ', ἐπεὶ τόδε κέρδιον ἦεν,
εἰ νόστησ' Ὀδυσεὺς καὶ ὑπότροπος ἵκετο δῶμα·
νῦν δ' ἤδη τόδε δῆλον, ὅ τ' οὐκέτι νόστιμός ἐστιν.
ἀλλ' ἄγε σῇ τάδε μητρὶ παρεζόμενος κατάλεξον,
γήμασθ' ὅς τις ἄριστος ἀνὴρ καὶ πλεῖστα πόρῃσιν,
ὄφρα σὺ μὲν χαίρων πατρώϊα πάντα νέμηαι,
ἔσθων καὶ πίνων, ἡ δ' ἄλλου δῶμα κομίζῃ.»

τὸν δ' αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·
«οὐ μὰ Ζῆν', Ἀγέλαε, καὶ ἄλγεα πατρὸς ἐμοῖο,
ὅς που τῆλ' Ἰθάκης ἢ ἔφθιται ἢ ἀλάληται,
οὔ τι διατρίβω μητρὸς γάμον, ἀλλὰ κελεύω
γήμασθ' ᾧ κ' ἐθέλῃ, ποτὶ δ' ἄσπετα δῶρα δίδωμι·
αἰδέομαι δ' ἀέκουσαν ἀπὸ μεγάροιο δίεσθαι
μύθῳ ἀναγκαίῳ· μὴ τοῦτο θεὸς τελέσειεν.»

ὣς φάτο Τηλέμαχος· μνηστῆρσι δὲ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη
ἄσβεστον γέλω ὦρσε, παρέπλαγξεν δὲ νόημα.
οἱ δ' ἤδη γναθμοῖσι γελώων ἀλλοτρίοισιν,
αἱμοφόρυκτα δὲ δὴ κρέα ἤσθιον· ὄσσε δ' ἄρα σφέων
δακρυόφιν πίμπλαντο, γόον δ' ὠΐετο θυμός.
τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής·

«ἆ δειλοί, τί κακὸν τόδε πάσχετε; νυκτὶ μὲν ὑμέων
εἰλύαται κεφαλαί τε πρόσωπά τε νέρθε τε γοῦνα,
οἰμωγὴ δὲ δέδηε, δεδάκρυνται δὲ παρειαί,
αἵματι δ' ἐῤῥάδαται τοῖχοι καλαί τε μεσόδμαι·
εἰδώλων δὲ πλέον πρόθυρον, πλείη δὲ καὶ αὐλή,
ἱεμένων Ἔρεβόσδε ὑπὸ ζόφον· ἠέλιος δὲ
οὐρανοῦ ἐξαπόλωλε, κακὴ δ' ἐπιδέδρομεν ἀχλύς.»

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἱ δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐπ' αὐτῷ ἡδὺ γέλασσαν.
τοῖσιν δ' Εὐρύμαχος, Πολύβου πάϊς, ἦρχ' ἀγορεύειν·

«ἀφραίνει ξεῖνος νέον ἄλλοθεν εἰληλουθώς.
ἀλλά μιν αἶψα, νέοι, δόμου ἐκπέμψασθε θύραζε
εἰς ἀγορὴν ἔρχεσθαι, ἐπεὶ τάδε νυκτὶ ἐΐσκει.»

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε Θεοκλύμενος θεοειδής·
«Εὐρύμαχ', οὔ τί σ' ἄνωγα ἐμοὶ πομπῆας ὀπάζειν.
εἰσί μοι ὀφθαλμοί τε καὶ οὔατα καὶ πόδες ἄμφω
καὶ νόος ἐν στήθεσσι τετυγμένος, οὐδὲν ἀεικής·
τοῖσ' ἔξειμι θύραζε, ἐπεὶ νοέω κακὸν ὔμμιν
ἐρχόμενον, τό κεν οὔ τις ὑπεκφύγοι οὐδ' ἀλέαιτο
μνηστήρων, οἳ δῶμα κατ' ἀντιθέου Ὀδυσῆος
ἀνέρας ὑβρίζοντες ἀτάσθαλα μηχανάασθε.»

ὣς εἰπὼν ἐξῆλθε δόμων ἐῢ ναιεταόντων,
ἵκετο δ' ἐς Πείραιον, ὅ μιν πρόφρων ὑπέδεκτο.
μνηστῆρες δ' ἄρα πάντες ἐς ἀλλήλους ὁρόωντες
Τηλέμαχον ἐρέθιζον, ἐπὶ ξείνοις γελόωντες.
ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·

«Τηλέμαχ', οὔ τις σεῖο κακοξεινώτερος ἄλλος,
οἷον μέν τινα τοῦτον ἔχεις ἐπίμαστον ἀλήτην,
σίτου καὶ οἴνου κεχρημένον, οὐδέ τι ἔργων
ἔμπαιον οὐδὲ βίης, ἀλλ' αὔτως ἄχθος ἀρούρης·
ἄλλος δ' αὖτέ τις οὗτος ἀνέστη μαντεύεσθαι.
ἀλλ' εἴ μοί τι πίθοιο, τό κεν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη·
τοὺς ξείνους ἐν νηῒ πολυκλήϊδι βαλόντες
ἐς Σικελοὺς πέμψωμεν, ὅθεν κέ τοι ἄξιον ἄλφοι.»

ὣς ἔφασαν μνηστῆρες· ὁ δ' οὐκ ἐμπάζετο μύθων,
ἀλλ' ἀκέων πατέρα προσεδέρκετο, δέγμενος αἰεί,
ὁππότε δὴ μνηστῆρσιν ἀναιδέσι χεῖρας ἐφήσει.

ἡ δὲ κατ' ἄντηστιν θεμένη περικαλλέα δίφρον
κούρη Ἰκαρίοιο, περίφρων Πηνελόπεια,
ἀνδρῶν ἐν μεγάροισιν ἑκάστου μῦθον ἄκουε.
δεῖπνον μὲν γὰρ τοί γε γελώοντες τετύκοντο
ἡδύ τε καὶ μενοεικές, ἐπεὶ μάλα πόλλ' ἱέρευσαν·
δόρπου δ' οὐκ ἄν πως ἀχαρίστερον ἄλλο γένοιτο,
οἷον δὴ τάχ' ἔμελλε θεὰ καὶ καρτερὸς ἀνὴρ
θησέμεναι· πρότεροι γὰρ ἀεικέα μηχανόωντο.


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