The Odyssey · Homer · openearbooks.com
Book Two
ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE OF ITHACA. SPEECHES OF TELEMACHUS AND OF THE SUITORS. TELEMACHUS MAKES HIS PREPARATIONS AND STARTS FOR PYLOS WITH ATHENA DISGUISED AS MENTOR.
Butler used the Roman names common in his day, and we have restored the Greek ones Homer used, so this is Odysseus and Athena rather than Ulysses and Minerva.
Butler's translation is unabridged. His text is the 1900 revision, checked against an independent transcription of the 1898 printing, which found three errors and corrected them.
The classic translation · 1
Now when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared Telemachus rose and dressed himself. He bound his sandals on to his comely feet, girded his sword about his shoulder, and left his room looking like an immortal god. He at once sent the criers round to call the people in assembly, so they called them and the people gathered thereon; then, when they were got together, he went to the place of assembly spear in hand—not alone, for his two hounds went with him. Athena endowed him with a presence of such divine comeliness that all marvelled at him as he went by, and when he took his place in his father’s seat even the oldest councillors made way for him.
Plain English · 1
When Dawn, the rosy-fingered child of morning, appeared, Telemachus got up and dressed. He tied his sandals on his fine feet, slung his sword over his shoulder, and left his room looking like a god. He sent the messengers round at once to call the people to a meeting, and they called them, and the people gathered. When they were all together, he came to the meeting place with his spear in his hand. He was not alone: his two dogs came with him. Athena gave him such a look of divine beauty that everyone stared as he went by, and when he took his place in his father's seat, even the oldest men there made room for him.
The classic translation · 2
Aegyptius, a man bent double with age, and of infinite experience, was the first to speak. His son Antiphus had gone with Odysseus to Ilius, land of noble steeds, but the savage Cyclops had killed him when they were all shut up in the cave, and had cooked his last dinner for him. He had three sons left, of whom two still worked on their father’s land, while the third, Eurynomus, was one of the suitors; nevertheless their father could not get over the loss of Antiphus, and was still weeping for him when he began his speech.
Plain English · 2
Aegyptius spoke first. He was bent double with age, and there was nothing he had not seen. His son Antiphus had gone with Odysseus to Troy, the land of fine horses, and the savage Cyclops had killed him in the cave and made his last meal of him. He had three sons left. Two of them still worked on his land, and the third, Eurynomus, was one of the suitors. Even so, their father could not get over losing Antiphus, and he was still weeping for him when he began to speak.
The classic translation · 3
“Men of Ithaca,” he said, “hear my words. From the day Odysseus left us there has been no meeting of our councillors until now; who then can it be, whether old or young, that finds it so necessary to convene us? Has he got wind of some host approaching, and does he wish to warn us, or would he speak upon some other matter of public moment? I am sure he is an excellent person, and I hope Zeus will grant him his heart’s desire.”
Plain English · 3
"Men of Ithaca," he said, "hear me. There has been no meeting of our chiefs since the day Odysseus left us. So who has called us together now, young or old, and why did he think it so urgent? Has he heard that an army is coming, and does he want to warn us? Or is there some other matter that concerns us all? He must be a good man, whoever he is, and I hope Zeus gives him what his heart wants."
The classic translation · 4
Telemachus took this speech as of good omen and rose at once, for he was bursting with what he had to say. He stood in the middle of the assembly and the good herald Pisenor brought him his staff. Then, turning to Aegyptius, “Sir,” said he, “it is I, as you will shortly learn, who have convened you, for it is I who am the most aggrieved. I have not got wind of any host approaching about which I would warn you, nor is there any matter of public moment on which I would speak. My grievance is purely personal, and turns on two great misfortunes which have fallen upon my house. The first of these is the loss of my excellent father, who was chief among all you here present, and was like a father to every one of you; the second is much more serious, and ere long will be the utter ruin of my estate. The sons of all the chief men among you are pestering my mother to marry them against her will. They are afraid to go to her father Icarius, asking him to choose the one he likes best, and to provide marriage gifts for his daughter, but day by day they keep hanging about my father’s house, sacrificing our oxen, sheep, and fat goats for their banquets, and never giving so much as a thought to the quantity of wine they drink. No estate can stand such recklessness; we have now no Odysseus to ward off harm from our doors, and I cannot hold my own against them. I shall never all my days be as good a man as he was, still I would indeed defend myself if I had power to do so, for I cannot stand such treatment any longer; my house is being disgraced and ruined. Have respect, therefore, to your own consciences and to public opinion. Fear, too, the wrath of heaven, lest the gods should be displeased and turn upon you. I pray you by Zeus and Themis, who is the beginning and the end of councils, do not hold back, my friends, and leave me singlehanded—unless it be that my brave father Odysseus did some wrong to the Achaeans which you would now avenge on me, by aiding and abetting these suitors. Moreover, if I am to be eaten out of house and home at all, I had rather you did the eating yourselves, for I could then take action against you to some purpose, and serve you with notices from house to house till I got paid in full, whereas now I have no remedy.”
Plain English · 4
Telemachus took this as a good sign and stood up at once, because he was bursting with what he had to say. He stood in the middle of the meeting, and the good herald Pisenor brought him his staff. Then he turned to Aegyptius. "Sir," he said, "it was I who called you together, as you will hear in a moment, and I am the one who has been wronged most. I have not heard that any army is coming, so that is not my warning. There is no public matter I want to raise either. My trouble is my own. Two great misfortunes have fallen on my house. The first is that I have lost my father, who was chief among all of you here, and who was like a father to every one of you. The second is far worse, and before long it will ruin my estate completely. The sons of all your leading men are pestering my mother to marry them, against her will. They are afraid to go to her father Icarius and ask him to choose the one he likes best and provide the wedding gifts for his daughter. Instead they hang about my father's house day after day, killing our oxen, our sheep and our fat goats for their feasts, and never sparing a thought for how much wine they drink. No estate can survive that. We have no Odysseus now to keep harm from our doors, and I cannot stand against them myself. I shall never be the man he was, not as long as I live. Still, I would defend myself if I had the strength, because I cannot put up with this any longer. My house is being disgraced and ruined. Think of your own consciences, then, and of what people will say. Fear the anger of heaven too, in case the gods turn on you. I beg you, by Zeus and by Themis, who opens and closes every meeting: do not hold back, my friends, and leave me standing alone. Unless it is that my brave father Odysseus did the Achaeans some wrong, and you mean to pay me back for it by helping these suitors. And if my whole household is to be eaten up anyway, I would rather you did the eating yourselves. Then at least I could go after you one by one and get paid back. As it is, no single one of you is to blame, so there is nobody I can make pay."
The classic translation · 5
With this Telemachus dashed his staff to the ground and burst into tears. Every one was very sorry for him, but they all sat still and no one ventured to make him an angry answer, save only Antinous, who spoke thus:
Plain English · 5
With that Telemachus threw his staff on the ground and burst into tears. Everyone felt sorry for him. They all sat still, and nobody dared answer him angrily, except Antinous, who said:
The classic translation · 6
“Telemachus, insolent braggart that you are, how dare you try to throw the blame upon us suitors? It is your mother’s fault not ours, for she is a very artful woman. This three years past, and close on four, she has been driving us out of our minds, by encouraging each one of us, and sending him messages without meaning one word of what she says. And then there was that other trick she played us. She set up a great tambour frame in her room, and began to work on an enormous piece of fine needlework. ‘Sweet hearts,’ said she, ‘Odysseus is indeed dead, still do not press me to marry again immediately, wait—for I would not have my skill in needlework perish unrecorded—till I have completed a pall for the hero Laertes, to be in readiness against the time when death shall take him. He is very rich, and the women of the place will talk if he is laid out without a pall.’
Plain English · 6
"Telemachus, you insolent, boastful boy, how dare you try to put the blame on us suitors? It is your mother's fault, not ours. She is a very cunning woman. For three years now, and getting on for four, she has been driving us out of our minds. She encourages each one of us, and sends him messages, and means not one word of what she says. And then there was that other trick she played on us. She set up a great frame in her room and began weaving an enormous piece of fine cloth. 'My dears,' she said, 'Odysseus is dead, it is true. Still, do not press me to marry again straight away. Wait until I have finished this burial cloth for the hero Laertes, ready for the day death takes him. He is a rich man. I do not want the women of Ithaca saying I let him go to his grave without a shroud.'
The classic translation · 7
“This was what she said, and we assented; whereon we could see her working on her great web all day long, but at night she would unpick the stitches again by torchlight. She fooled us in this way for three years and we never found her out, but as time wore on and she was now in her fourth year, one of her maids who knew what she was doing told us, and we caught her in the act of undoing her work, so she had to finish it whether she would or no. The suitors, therefore, make you this answer, that both you and the Achaeans may understand—‘Send your mother away, and bid her marry the man of her own and of her father’s choice’; for I do not know what will happen if she goes on plaguing us much longer with the airs she gives herself on the score of the accomplishments Athena has taught her, and because she is so clever. We never yet heard of such a woman; we know all about Tyro, Alcmena, Mycene, and the famous women of old, but they were nothing to your mother any one of them. It was not fair of her to treat us in that way, and as long as she continues in the mind with which heaven has now endowed her, so long shall we go on eating up your estate; and I do not see why she should change, for she gets all the honour and glory, and it is you who pay for it, not she. Understand, then, that we will not go back to our lands, neither here nor elsewhere, till she has made her choice and married some one or other of us.”
Plain English · 7
"That is what she said, and we agreed to it. So we watched her working at her great web all day long, and at night she would unpick the stitches again by torchlight. She fooled us this way for three years and we never found her out. But time wore on, and in the fourth year one of her maids, who knew what she was doing, told us. We caught her in the act of undoing her work, and she had to finish it then, whether she liked it or not. So here is the suitors' answer to you, and you and all the Achaeans may as well understand it: send your mother away, and tell her to marry the man her father chooses and she chooses too. I do not know what will happen if she goes on tormenting us much longer. She gives herself airs about the skills Athena has taught her, and about how clever she is. We never heard of a woman like her. We know all about Tyro, Alcmena and Mycene, and the famous women of long ago, but not one of them was a match for your mother. It was not fair of her to treat us like this. And as long as heaven keeps her in her present mind, we shall go on eating up your estate. I do not see why she should change, either. She gets all the honor and the glory, and it is you who pay for it, not her. So understand this: we will not go back to our own lands, here or anywhere else, until she has made her choice and married one of us."
The classic translation · 8
Telemachus answered, “Antinous, how can I drive the mother who bore me from my father’s house? My father is abroad and we do not know whether he is alive or dead. It will be hard on me if I have to pay Icarius the large sum which I must give him if I insist on sending his daughter back to him. Not only will he deal rigorously with me, but heaven will also punish me; for my mother when she leaves the house will call on the Erinyes to avenge her; besides, it would not be a creditable thing to do, and I will have nothing to say to it. If you choose to take offence at this, leave the house and feast elsewhere at one another’s houses at your own cost turn and turn about. If, on the other hand, you elect to persist in spunging upon one man, heaven help me, but Zeus shall reckon with you in full, and when you fall in my father’s house there shall be no man to avenge you.”
Plain English · 8
Telemachus answered, "Antinous, how can I drive out the mother who bore me from my father's house? My father is abroad, and we do not know whether he is alive or dead. It will go hard with me if I have to pay Icarius the great sum I would owe him for sending his daughter back. He will deal harshly with me, and heaven will punish me as well, because my mother will call down the Furies on me as she leaves the house. It would be a shameful thing to do, and I will have nothing to do with it. If that offends you, then leave my house and feast somewhere else, in one another's houses, each in turn, at your own cost. If you choose instead to go on living off one man, heaven help me, but Zeus will settle the account with you. When you fall in my father's house, there will be nobody to avenge you."
The classic translation · 9
As he spoke Zeus sent two eagles from the top of the mountain, and they flew on and on with the wind, sailing side by side in their own lordly flight. When they were right over the middle of the assembly they wheeled and circled about, beating the air with their wings and glaring death into the eyes of them that were below; then, fighting fiercely and tearing at one another, they flew off towards the right over the town. The people wondered as they saw them, and asked each other what all this might be; whereon Halitherses, who was the best prophet and reader of omens among them, spoke to them plainly and in all honesty, saying:
Plain English · 9
As he spoke, Zeus sent two eagles from the mountain top. They flew on and on with the wind, gliding side by side. When they were right over the middle of the meeting they wheeled and circled, beating the air with their wings and glaring down with death in their eyes. Then they tore at each other, fighting fiercely, and flew off to the right over the town. The people watched in wonder and asked one another what it meant. Then Halitherses, who was the best prophet and reader of omens among them, spoke to them plainly and honestly:
The classic translation · 10
“Hear me, men of Ithaca, and I speak more particularly to the suitors, for I see mischief brewing for them. Odysseus is not going to be away much longer; indeed he is close at hand to deal out death and destruction, not on them alone, but on many another of us who live in Ithaca. Let us then be wise in time, and put a stop to this wickedness before he comes. Let the suitors do so of their own accord; it will be better for them, for I am not prophesying without due knowledge; everything has happened to Odysseus as I foretold when the Achaeans set out for Troy, and he with them. I said that after going through much hardship and losing all his men he should come home again in the twentieth year and that no one would know him; and now all this is coming true.”
Plain English · 10
"Hear me, men of Ithaca, and I speak to the suitors above all, because I see trouble coming for them. Odysseus will not be away much longer. He is close by, in fact, and he will deal out death and destruction, not to them alone but to many of us who live in Ithaca. Let us be wise while there is time, and put a stop to this wickedness before he comes. Let the suitors stop of their own accord. It will be better for them. I am not prophesying blindly. Everything has happened to Odysseus just as I said it would, when the Achaeans set out for Troy and he went with them. I said he would go through great hardship, lose all his men, and come home in the twentieth year with nobody knowing him. And now it is all coming true."
The classic translation · 11
Eurymachus son of Polybus then said, “Go home, old man, and prophesy to your own children, or it may be worse for them. I can read these omens myself much better than you can; birds are always flying about in the sunshine somewhere or other, but they seldom mean anything. Odysseus has died in a far country, and it is a pity you are not dead along with him, instead of prating here about omens and adding fuel to the anger of Telemachus which is fierce enough as it is. I suppose you think he will give you something for your family, but I tell you—and it shall surely be—when an old man like you, who should know better, talks a young one over till he becomes troublesome, in the first place his young friend will only fare so much the worse—he will take nothing by it, for the suitors will prevent this—and in the next, we will lay a heavier fine, sir, upon yourself than you will at all like paying, for it will bear hardly upon you. As for Telemachus, I warn him in the presence of you all to send his mother back to her father, who will find her a husband and provide her with all the marriage gifts so dear a daughter may expect. Till then we shall go on harassing him with our suit; for we fear no man, and care neither for him, with all his fine speeches, nor for any fortune-telling of yours. You may preach as much as you please, but we shall only hate you the more. We shall go back and continue to eat up Telemachus’s estate without paying him, till such time as his mother leaves off tormenting us by keeping us day after day on the tiptoe of expectation, each vying with the other in his suit for a prize of such rare perfection. Besides we cannot go after the other women whom we should marry in due course, but for the way in which she treats us.”
Plain English · 11
Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, said, "Go home, old man, and prophesy to your own children, or it may go badly for them. I can read these signs better than you can. Birds are always flying about in the sunshine somewhere, and they usually mean nothing. Odysseus has died in a far country, and it is a pity you did not die with him, instead of standing here talking about omens and feeding the anger of Telemachus, which is fierce enough already. I suppose you think he will give your family something for it. Well, let me tell you, and it will happen: when an old man who should know better talks a young one round until he becomes a nuisance, it is the young man who comes off worse. He will get nothing out of it, because we suitors will see to that. And you, sir, we will fine so heavily that paying it will hurt. As for Telemachus, I warn him in front of all of you: send your mother back to her father, who will find her a husband and give her all the wedding gifts a much-loved daughter can expect. Until then we shall go on pressing our suit and troubling him. We are afraid of no man. We care nothing for him and his fine speeches, or for any fortune-telling of yours. Preach as much as you like: we shall only hate you the more. We shall go back and go on eating up the estate of Telemachus without paying him a thing, until his mother stops tormenting us. She keeps us waiting day after day, each of us competing with the rest for a prize as fine as she is. Besides, we cannot go courting the other women we ought to be marrying."
The classic translation · 12
Then Telemachus said, “Eurymachus, and you other suitors, I shall say no more, and entreat you no further, for the gods and the people of Ithaca now know my story. Give me, then, a ship and a crew of twenty men to take me hither and thither, and I will go to Sparta and to Pylos in quest of my father who has so long been missing. Some one may tell me something, or (and people often hear things in this way) some heaven-sent message may direct me. If I can hear of him as alive and on his way home I will put up with the waste you suitors will make for yet another twelve months. If on the other hand I hear of his death, I will return at once, celebrate his funeral rites with all due pomp, build a barrow to his memory, and make my mother marry again.”
Plain English · 12
Then Telemachus said, "Eurymachus, and the rest of you suitors, I will say no more and beg you no further. The gods and the people of Ithaca know my story now. Give me a ship and a crew of twenty men to take me where I need to go, and I will sail to Sparta and to Pylos to look for my father, who has been missing so long. Somebody may tell me something, or heaven may send me a sign. People often hear things that way. If I hear that he is alive and on his way home, I will put up with the waste you suitors make for another twelve months. If I hear instead that he is dead, I will come home at once, give him a proper funeral, build a burial mound in his memory, and let my mother marry again."
The classic translation · 13
With these words he sat down, and Mentor who had been a friend of Odysseus, and had been left in charge of everything with full authority over the servants, rose to speak. He, then, plainly and in all honesty addressed them thus:
Plain English · 13
With those words he sat down. Then Mentor stood up to speak. He had been a friend of Odysseus, who had left him in charge of everything, with full authority over the servants. He spoke to them plainly and honestly:
The classic translation · 14
“Hear me, men of Ithaca, I hope that you may never have a kind and well-disposed ruler any more, nor one who will govern you equitably; I hope that all your chiefs henceforward may be cruel and unjust, for there is not one of you but has forgotten Odysseus, who ruled you as though he were your father. I am not half so angry with the suitors, for if they choose to do violence in the naughtiness of their hearts, and wager their heads that Odysseus will not return, they can take the high hand and eat up his estate, but as for you others I am shocked at the way in which you all sit still without even trying to stop such scandalous goings on—which you could do if you chose, for you are many and they are few.”
Plain English · 14
"Hear me, men of Ithaca. I hope you never again have a kind and generous ruler, or one who governs you fairly. I hope every chief you have from now on is cruel and unjust. Not one of you has remembered Odysseus, who ruled you as though he were your father. I am not half so angry with the suitors. If they choose to do violence out of sheer wickedness, and stake their lives on Odysseus never coming back, then let them take what they can and eat up his estate. But you others shock me. You all sit still without even trying to stop this scandal, and you could stop it if you chose. There are many of you and few of them."
The classic translation · 15
Leiocritus, son of Evenor, answered him saying, “Mentor, what folly is all this, that you should set the people to stay us? It is a hard thing for one man to fight with many about his victuals. Even though Odysseus himself were to set upon us while we are feasting in his house, and do his best to oust us, his wife, who wants him back so very badly, would have small cause for rejoicing, and his blood would be upon his own head if he fought against such great odds. There is no sense in what you have been saying. Now, therefore, do you people go about your business, and let his father’s old friends, Mentor and Halitherses, speed this boy on his journey, if he goes at all—which I do not think he will, for he is more likely to stay where he is till some one comes and tells him something.”
Plain English · 15
Leiocritus, son of Evenor, answered him. "Mentor, what nonsense is this, trying to set the people on us? It is a hard thing for one man to fight a crowd over his dinner. Even if Odysseus himself walked in on us while we were feasting in his house, and did his best to throw us out, his wife would have little to celebrate, however badly she wants him back. He would bring his own death on himself, fighting against odds like that. There is no sense in anything you have said. So all of you, go about your business. Let his father's old friends, Mentor and Halitherses, help this boy on his way, if he goes at all. I do not think he will. He is more likely to stay where he is until somebody comes and tells him something."
The classic translation · 16
On this he broke up the assembly, and every man went back to his own abode, while the suitors returned to the house of Odysseus.
Plain English · 16
With that he broke up the meeting. Every man went back to his own house, and the suitors returned to the house of Odysseus.
The classic translation · 17
Then Telemachus went all alone by the sea side, washed his hands in the grey waves, and prayed to Athena.
Plain English · 17
Then Telemachus went off alone along the shore. He washed his hands in the gray sea and prayed to Athena.
The classic translation · 18
“Hear me,” he cried, “you god who visited me yesterday, and bade me sail the seas in search of my father who has so long been missing. I would obey you, but the Achaeans, and more particularly the wicked suitors, are hindering me that I cannot do so.”
Plain English · 18
"Hear me," he cried, "you god who came to me yesterday and told me to sail the seas in search of my father, who has been missing so long. I would obey you, but the Achaeans are stopping me, and the wicked suitors most of all."
The classic translation · 19
As he thus prayed, Athena came close up to him in the likeness and with the voice of Mentor. “Telemachus,” said she, “if you are made of the same stuff as your father you will be neither fool nor coward henceforward, for Odysseus never broke his word nor left his work half done. If, then, you take after him, your voyage will not be fruitless, but unless you have the blood of Odysseus and of Penelope in your veins I see no likelihood of your succeeding. Sons are seldom as good men as their fathers; they are generally worse, not better; still, as you are not going to be either fool or coward henceforward, and are not entirely without some share of your father’s wise discernment, I look with hope upon your undertaking. But mind you never make common cause with any of those foolish suitors, for they have neither sense nor virtue, and give no thought to death and to the doom that will shortly fall on one and all of them, so that they shall perish on the same day. As for your voyage, it shall not be long delayed; your father was such an old friend of mine that I will find you a ship, and will come with you myself. Now, however, return home, and go about among the suitors; begin getting provisions ready for your voyage; see everything well stowed, the wine in jars, and the barley meal, which is the staff of life, in leathern bags, while I go round the town and beat up volunteers at once. There are many ships in Ithaca both old and new; I will run my eye over them for you and will choose the best; we will get her ready and will put out to sea without delay.”
Plain English · 19
As he prayed, Athena came up close to him, looking like Mentor and speaking with his voice. "Telemachus," she said, "if you are made of the same stuff as your father, you will be no fool and no coward from now on. Odysseus never broke his word or left a job half done. If you take after him, this voyage of yours will not be wasted. But if you do not have the blood of Odysseus and Penelope in you, I see little chance of your succeeding. Sons are seldom as good as their fathers. Usually they are worse. Still, you are not going to be a fool or a coward from now on, and you have some share of your father's good sense, so I have hopes of what you are setting out to do. But never take the side of any of those foolish suitors. They have no sense and no decency. They never give a thought to death, or to the fate that will fall on every one of them, so that they all die on the same day. As for your voyage, it will not be held up long. Your father was such an old friend of mine that I will find you a ship and come with you myself. Go home now, and go about among the suitors. Start getting supplies ready for the voyage. See that everything is properly stowed, the wine in jars and the barley meal in strong leather bags. Barley meal is what keeps a man alive. While you do that, I will go round the town and find volunteers straight away. There are many ships in Ithaca, old and new. I will look them over for you and pick the best. We will get her ready and put out to sea without delay."
The classic translation · 20
Thus spoke Athena daughter of Zeus, and Telemachus lost no time in doing as the goddess told him. He went moodily home, and found the suitors flaying goats and singeing pigs in the outer court. Antinous came up to him at once and laughed as he took his hand in his own, saying, “Telemachus, my fine fire-eater, bear no more ill blood neither in word nor deed, but eat and drink with us as you used to do. The Achaeans will find you in everything—a ship and a picked crew to boot—so that you can set sail for Pylos at once and get news of your noble father.”
Plain English · 20
So spoke Athena, daughter of Zeus, and Telemachus lost no time in doing as she told him. He went home unhappy, and found the suitors in the outer court, skinning goats and singeing pigs. Antinous came straight up to him, laughing, and took his hand. "Telemachus, my fine fire-eater," he said, "no more hard feelings, in word or deed. Eat and drink with us as you used to. The Achaeans will get you everything you need, a ship and a picked crew as well, so that you can sail for Pylos at once and get news of your noble father."
The classic translation · 21
“Antinous,” answered Telemachus, “I cannot eat in peace, nor take pleasure of any kind with such men as you are. Was it not enough that you should waste so much good property of mine while I was yet a boy? Now that I am older and know more about it, I am also stronger, and whether here among this people, or by going to Pylos, I will do you all the harm I can. I shall go, and my going will not be in vain—though, thanks to you suitors, I have neither ship nor crew of my own, and must be passenger not captain.”
Plain English · 21
"Antinous," Telemachus answered, "I cannot eat in peace or take any pleasure among men like you. Was it not enough that you wasted so much of my property while I was still a boy? Now that I am older and understand it, and stronger too, I will do you all the harm I can, whether from here among these people or by going to Pylos. And I shall go, and my going will not be for nothing. Though thanks to you suitors I have no ship and no crew of my own, and must travel as a passenger and not as captain."
The classic translation · 22
As he spoke he snatched his hand from that of Antinous. Meanwhile the others went on getting dinner ready about the buildings, jeering at him tauntingly as they did so.
Plain English · 22
As he spoke he snatched his hand out of Antinous's. Meanwhile the others went on getting dinner ready about the buildings, jeering at him as they worked.
The classic translation · 23
“Telemachus,” said one youngster, “means to be the death of us; I suppose he thinks he can bring friends to help him from Pylos, or again from Sparta, where he seems bent on going. Or will he go to Ephyra as well, for poison to put in our wine and kill us?”
Plain English · 23
"Telemachus means to be the death of us," said one young man. "I suppose he thinks he can bring back friends to help him from Pylos, or from Sparta, since he seems set on going. Or will he go to Ephyra as well, for poison to put in our wine and kill us?"
The classic translation · 24
Another said, “Perhaps if Telemachus goes on board ship, he will be like his father and perish far from his friends. In this case we should have plenty to do, for we could then divide up his property amongst us: as for the house we can let his mother and the man who marries her have that.”
Plain English · 24
Another said, "Perhaps if Telemachus goes on board a ship he will be like his father and die far from his friends. That would give us plenty to do, because we could divide his property among us. As for the house, we can let his mother and the man who marries her have that."
The classic translation · 25
This was how they talked. But Telemachus went down into the lofty and spacious store-room where his father’s treasure of gold and bronze lay heaped up upon the floor, and where the linen and spare clothes were kept in oaken chests. Here, too, there was a store of fragrant olive oil, while casks of old, well-ripened wine, unblended and fit for a god to drink, were ranged against the wall in case Odysseus should come home again after all. The room was closed with well-made doors opening in the middle; moreover the faithful old house-keeper Euryclea, daughter of Ops the son of Pisenor, was in charge of everything both night and day. Telemachus called her to the store-room and said:
Plain English · 25
That was how they talked. But Telemachus had gone down into his father's storeroom, a high, wide room where the treasure of gold and bronze lay heaped on the floor, and the linen and the spare clothes were kept in oaken chests. There was a store of sweet-smelling olive oil there too, and casks of old wine ranged along the wall, undiluted and fit for a god to drink, kept in case Odysseus should come home after all. The room was closed by well-made double doors. The faithful old housekeeper, Euryclea, daughter of Ops the son of Pisenor, was in charge of everything there, day and night. Telemachus called her into the storeroom and said:
The classic translation · 26
“Nurse, draw me off some of the best wine you have, after what you are keeping for my father’s own drinking, in case, poor man, he should escape death, and find his way home again after all. Let me have twelve jars, and see that they all have lids; also fill me some well-sewn leathern bags with barley meal—about twenty measures in all. Get these things put together at once, and say nothing about it. I will take everything away this evening as soon as my mother has gone upstairs for the night. I am going to Sparta and to Pylos to see if I can hear anything about the return of my dear father.”
Plain English · 26
"Nurse, draw me off some of the best wine you have, after the wine you are keeping for my father himself, in case the poor man escapes death and finds his way home after all. Let me have twelve jars, and see that they all have lids. Fill some strong leather bags with barley meal as well, about twenty measures in all. Get it all put together now, and say nothing about it. I will take everything away this evening, as soon as my mother has gone upstairs for the night. I am going to Sparta and to Pylos to see if I can hear anything about my dear father coming home."
The classic translation · 27
When Euryclea heard this she began to cry, and spoke fondly to him, saying, “My dear child, what ever can have put such a notion as that into your head? Where in the world do you want to go to—you, who are the one hope of the house? Your poor father is dead and gone in some foreign country nobody knows where, and as soon as your back is turned these wicked ones here will be scheming to get you put out of the way, and will share all your possessions among themselves; stay where you are among your own people, and do not go wandering and worrying your life out on the barren ocean.”
Plain English · 27
When Euryclea heard this she began to cry, and spoke to him fondly. "My dear child," she said, "whatever put such an idea into your head? Where in the world do you want to go, when you are the one hope of this house? Your poor father is dead and gone in some foreign country, nobody knows where. The moment your back is turned, these wicked men here will be scheming to get you out of the way and share out everything you own. Stay here among your own people. Do not go wandering off and wearing your life away on the empty sea."
The classic translation · 28
“Fear not, nurse,” answered Telemachus, “my scheme is not without heaven’s sanction; but swear that you will say nothing about all this to my mother, till I have been away some ten or twelve days, unless she hears of my having gone, and asks you; for I do not want her to spoil her beauty by crying.”
Plain English · 28
"Do not be afraid, nurse," Telemachus answered. "There is a god behind this plan of mine. But swear to me that you will say nothing about it to my mother for ten or twelve days, unless she hears I have gone and asks you herself. I do not want her spoiling her looks with crying."
The classic translation · 29
The old woman swore most solemnly that she would not, and when she had completed her oath, she began drawing off the wine into jars, and getting the barley meal into the bags, while Telemachus went back to the suitors.
Plain English · 29
The old woman swore a solemn oath. When she had finished it, she began drawing off the wine into jars and getting the barley meal into the bags, while Telemachus went back to the suitors.
The classic translation · 30
Then Athena bethought her of another matter. She took his shape, and went round the town to each one of the crew, telling them to meet at the ship by sundown. She went also to Noemon son of Phronius, and asked him to let her have a ship—which he was very ready to do. When the sun had set and darkness was over all the land, she got the ship into the water, put all the tackle on board her that ships generally carry, and stationed her at the end of the harbour. Presently the crew came up, and the goddess spoke encouragingly to each of them.
Plain English · 30
Then Athena thought of something else. She took the shape of Telemachus and went round the town to each of the crew, telling them to meet at the ship by sundown. She went to Noemon, son of Phronius, as well, and asked him to lend her a ship, which he was very willing to do. When the sun had set and darkness lay over the land, she got the ship into the water and put aboard all the gear that ships usually carry, and moored her at the end of the harbor. Soon the crew came up, and the goddess spoke encouragingly to each of them.
The classic translation · 31
Furthermore she went to the house of Odysseus, and threw the suitors into a deep slumber. She caused their drink to fuddle them, and made them drop their cups from their hands, so that instead of sitting over their wine, they went back into the town to sleep, with their eyes heavy and full of drowsiness. Then she took the form and voice of Mentor, and called Telemachus to come outside.
Plain English · 31
Then she went to the house of Odysseus and sent the suitors into a deep sleep. She made their drink go to their heads until they dropped their cups from their hands, so that instead of sitting over their wine they went off into the town to sleep, their eyes heavy and drowsy. Then she took Mentor's shape and voice again, and called Telemachus outside.
The classic translation · 32
“Telemachus,” said she, “the men are on board and at their oars, waiting for you to give your orders, so make haste and let us be off.”
Plain English · 32
"Telemachus," she said, "your men are on board and at their oars, waiting for your orders. Hurry, and let us be off."
The classic translation · 33
On this she led the way, while Telemachus followed in her steps. When they got to the ship they found the crew waiting by the water side, and Telemachus said, “Now my men, help me to get the stores on board; they are all put together in the cloister, and my mother does not know anything about it, nor any of the maid servants except one.”
Plain English · 33
With that she led the way, and Telemachus followed her. When they reached the ship they found the crew waiting by the water's edge, and Telemachus said, "Now then, men, help me get the stores on board. They are all stacked together in the covered walkway, and my mother knows nothing about it, nor do any of the maids except one."
The classic translation · 34
With these words he led the way and the others followed after. When they had brought the things as he told them, Telemachus went on board, Athena going before him and taking her seat in the stern of the vessel, while Telemachus sat beside her. Then the men loosed the hawsers and took their places on the benches. Athena sent them a fair wind from the West, that whistled over the deep blue waves whereon Telemachus told them to catch hold of the ropes and hoist sail, and they did as he told them. They set the mast in its socket in the cross plank, raised it, and made it fast with the forestays; then they hoisted their white sails aloft with ropes of twisted ox hide. As the sail bellied out with the wind, the ship flew through the deep blue water, and the foam hissed against her bows as she sped onward. Then they made all fast throughout the ship, filled the mixing bowls to the brim, and made drink offerings to the immortal gods that are from everlasting, but more particularly to the grey-eyed daughter of Zeus.
Plain English · 34
With those words he led the way and the others followed. When they had brought the things down as he told them, Telemachus went on board. Athena went ahead of him and took her seat in the stern, and Telemachus sat beside her. Then the men cast off the ropes and took their places on the benches. Athena sent them a fair wind from the west, whistling over the deep blue water. Telemachus told the men to catch hold of the ropes and hoist the sail, and they did as he said. They set the mast in its socket in the cross plank, raised it, and made it fast with the forestays. Then they hauled the white sail up with ropes of twisted ox hide. The sail bellied out in the wind, and the ship flew through the deep blue water with the foam hissing against her bows as she went. Then they made everything fast throughout the ship, filled the mixing bowls to the brim, and made drink-offerings to the immortal gods who live for ever, and above all to the gray-eyed daughter of Zeus.
The classic translation · 35
Thus, then, the ship sped on her way through the watches of the night from dark till dawn.
Plain English · 35
So the ship sped on her way all through the night, from dark till dawn.
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