The Odyssey in Plain English · Homer · openearbooks.com
Book Ten
AEOLUS, THE LAESTRYGONIANS, CIRCE.
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
“Thence we went on to the Aeolian island where lives Aeolus son of Hippotas, dear to the immortal gods. It is an island that floats (as it were) upon the sea, iron bound with a wall that girds it. Now, Aeolus has six daughters and six lusty sons, so he made the sons marry the daughters, and they all live with their dear father and mother, feasting and enjoying every conceivable kind of luxury. All day long the atmosphere of the house is loaded with the savour of roasting meats till it groans again, yard and all; but by night they sleep on their well made bedsteads, each with his own wife between the blankets. These were the people among whom we had now come.
Plain English · 1
"From there we went on to the Aeolian island, where Aeolus lives, the son of Hippotas, who is dear to the immortal gods. It is an island that floats, as it were, on the sea, ringed round with a wall of iron. Aeolus has six daughters and six strong sons, so he made the sons marry the daughters. They all live with their dear father and mother, feasting and enjoying every luxury you can imagine. All day long the house is heavy with the smell of roasting meat, and the whole place hums with it, yard and all. At night they sleep on their well-made beds, each man with his own wife under the blankets. These were the people we had come among.
The classic translation · 2
“Aeolus entertained me for a whole month asking me questions all the time about Troy, the Achaean fleet, and the return of the Achaeans. I told him exactly how everything had happened, and when I said I must go, and asked him to further me on my way, he made no sort of difficulty, but set about doing so at once. Moreover, he flayed me a prime ox-hide to hold the ways of the roaring winds, which he shut up in the hide as in a sack—for Zeus had made him captain over the winds, and he could stir or still each one of them according to his own pleasure. He put the sack in the ship and bound the mouth so tightly with a silver thread that not even a breath of a side-wind could blow from any quarter. The West wind which was fair for us did he alone let blow as it chose; but it all came to nothing, for we were lost through our own folly.
Plain English · 2
"Aeolus entertained me for a whole month, asking me questions the whole time about Troy, the Achaean fleet, and the journey home. I told him exactly how everything had happened. When I said I must go, and asked him to help me on my way, he made no difficulty at all, but set about it at once. He skinned me a prime ox-hide to hold the paths of the roaring winds, and shut them up in the hide like a sack. Zeus had made him master of the winds, and he could stir up any one of them or still it as he pleased. He put the sack in the ship and tied its mouth so tightly with a silver thread that not a breath of a side wind could get out from any quarter. The west wind was fair for us, and that one alone he let blow as it liked. But it all came to nothing, because we were ruined by our own foolishness.
The classic translation · 3
“Nine days and nine nights did we sail, and on the tenth day our native land showed on the horizon. We got so close in that we could see the stubble fires burning, and I, being then dead beat, fell into a light sleep, for I had never let the rudder out of my own hands, that we might get home the faster. On this the men fell to talking among themselves, and said I was bringing back gold and silver in the sack that Aeolus had given me. ‘Bless my heart,’ would one turn to his neighbour, saying, ‘how this man gets honoured and makes friends to whatever city or country he may go. See what fine prizes he is taking home from Troy, while we, who have travelled just as far as he has, come back with hands as empty as we set out with—and now Aeolus has given him ever so much more. Quick—let us see what it all is, and how much gold and silver there is in the sack he gave him.’
Plain English · 3
"For nine days and nine nights we sailed, and on the tenth day our own land came up on the horizon. We got so close in that we could see the stubble fires burning. I was dead beat by then, and fell into a light sleep. I had never let the rudder out of my own hands, so that we would get home the faster. At that the men began talking among themselves. They said I was bringing back gold and silver in the sack Aeolus had given me. 'Bless my heart,' one would say, turning to his neighbor, 'how this man gets honored and makes friends in every city and country he goes to. Look at the fine prizes he is taking home from Troy, while we, who have traveled just as far as he has, come back with our hands as empty as when we set out. And now Aeolus has given him a great deal more. Quick, let us see what it is, and how much gold and silver there is in the sack he gave him.'
The classic translation · 4
“Thus they talked and evil counsels prevailed. They loosed the sack, whereupon the winds flew howling forth and raised a storm that carried us weeping out to sea and away from our own country. Then I awoke, and knew not whether to throw myself into the sea or to live on and make the best of it; but I bore it, covered myself up, and lay down in the ship, while the men lamented bitterly as the fierce winds bore our fleet back to the Aeolian island.
Plain English · 4
"So they talked, and bad advice won. They loosed the sack, and the wind flew howling out and raised a storm that carried us out to sea in tears, away from our own country. Then I woke up. I did not know whether to throw myself into the sea or to live on and make the best of it. But I bore it. I covered myself up and lay down in the ship, while the men wept bitterly as the fierce winds carried our fleet back to the Aeolian island.
The classic translation · 5
“When we reached it we went ashore to take in water, and dined hard by the ships. Immediately after dinner I took a herald and one of my men and went straight to the house of Aeolus, where I found him feasting with his wife and family; so we sat down as suppliants on the threshold. They were astounded when they saw us and said, ‘Odysseus, what brings you here? What god has been ill-treating you? We took great pains to further you on your way home to Ithaca, or wherever it was that you wanted to go to.’
Plain English · 5
"When we got there we went ashore to take on water, and dined near the ships. Straight after dinner I took a herald and one of my men and went to the house of Aeolus, where I found him feasting with his wife and family. We sat down as beggars on the threshold. They were astounded when they saw us. 'Odysseus,' they said, 'what brings you here? What god has been ill-treating you? We took great pains to send you on your way home to Ithaca, or wherever it was you wanted to go.'
The classic translation · 6
“Thus did they speak, but I answered sorrowfully, ‘My men have undone me; they, and cruel sleep, have ruined me. My friends, mend me this mischief, for you can if you will.’
Plain English · 6
"That is what they said, and I answered sadly, 'My men have undone me. They, and cruel sleep, have ruined me. Mend this for me, my friends, because you can if you will.'
The classic translation · 7
“I spoke as movingly as I could, but they said nothing, till their father answered, ‘Vilest of mankind, get you gone at once out of the island; him whom heaven hates will I in no wise help. Be off, for you come here as one abhorred of heaven.’ And with these words he sent me sorrowing from his door.
Plain English · 7
"I spoke as movingly as I could, but they said nothing, until their father answered. 'Get off this island at once, you vilest of men,' he said. 'I will not help a man heaven hates. Be off. You come here as a man the gods detest.' And with that he sent me away from his door, grieving.
The classic translation · 8
“Thence we sailed sadly on till the men were worn out with long and fruitless rowing, for there was no longer any wind to help them. Six days, night and day did we toil, and on the seventh day we reached the rocky stronghold of Lamus—Telepylus, the city of the Laestrygonians, where the shepherd who is driving in his sheep and goats to be milked salutes him who is driving out his flock to feed and this last answers the salute. In that country a man who could do without sleep might earn double wages, one as a herdsman of cattle, and another as a shepherd, for they work much the same by night as they do by day.
Plain English · 8
"From there we sailed sadly on, until the men were worn out with long, fruitless rowing. There was no wind left to help them. For six days, night and day, we labored, and on the seventh we reached the rocky stronghold of Lamus, Telepylus, the city of the Laestrygonians. There the shepherd driving his sheep and goats in to be milked greets the shepherd driving his flock out to feed, and that one greets him back. In that country a man who could do without sleep could earn double wages, one as a cattle herder and one as a shepherd, because they work as much by night as they do by day.
The classic translation · 9
“When we reached the harbour we found it land-locked under steep cliffs, with a narrow entrance between two headlands. My captains took all their ships inside, and made them fast close to one another, for there was never so much as a breath of wind inside, but it was always dead calm. I kept my own ship outside, and moored it to a rock at the very end of the point; then I climbed a high rock to reconnoitre, but could see no sign neither of man nor cattle, only some smoke rising from the ground. So I sent two of my company with an attendant to find out what sort of people the inhabitants were.
Plain English · 9
"When we reached the harbor we found it closed in under steep cliffs, with a narrow entrance between two headlands. My captains took all their ships inside and moored them close to one another. There was never so much as a breath of wind in there. It was always dead calm. I kept my own ship outside, and moored it to a rock at the very end of the point. Then I climbed a high rock to look around. I could see no sign of man or cattle, only some smoke rising from the ground. So I sent two of my company, with a servant, to find out what kind of people lived there.
The classic translation · 10
“The men when they got on shore followed a level road by which the people draw their firewood from the mountains into the town, till presently they met a young woman who had come outside to fetch water, and who was daughter to a Laestrygonian named Antiphates. She was going to the fountain Artacia from which the people bring in their water, and when my men had come close up to her, they asked her who the king of that country might be, and over what kind of people he ruled; so she directed them to her father’s house, but when they got there they found his wife to be a giantess as huge as a mountain, and they were horrified at the sight of her.
Plain English · 10
"When the men got ashore they followed a level road, the one the people use to bring their firewood down from the mountains into the town. Presently they met a young woman who had come out to fetch water. She was the daughter of a Laestrygonian named Antiphates. She was going to the spring at Artacia, where the people get their water. When my men came up to her they asked her who the king of the country was, and what sort of people he ruled. She directed them to her father's house. But when they got there they found his wife was a giantess as huge as a mountain, and they were horrified at the sight of her.
The classic translation · 11
“She at once called her husband Antiphates from the place of assembly, and forthwith he set about killing my men. He snatched up one of them, and began to make his dinner off him then and there, whereon the other two ran back to the ships as fast as ever they could. But Antiphates raised a hue-and-cry after them, and thousands of sturdy Laestrygonians sprang up from every quarter—ogres, not men. They threw vast rocks at us from the cliffs as though they had been mere stones, and I heard the horrid sound of the ships crunching up against one another, and the death cries of my men, as the Laestrygonians speared them like fishes and took them home to eat them. While they were thus killing my men within the harbour I drew my sword, cut the cable of my own ship, and told my men to row with all their might if they too would not fare like the rest; so they laid out for their lives, and we were thankful enough when we got into open water out of reach of the rocks they hurled at us. As for the others there was not one of them left.
Plain English · 11
"She called her husband Antiphates in from the meeting place at once, and he set about killing my men. He snatched up one of them and began making his dinner off him then and there. The other two ran back to the ships as fast as they could. But Antiphates raised the alarm after them, and thousands of sturdy Laestrygonians sprang up from every direction. They were ogres, not men. They threw huge rocks at us from the cliffs as if they were pebbles. I heard the horrible sound of the ships crunching against one another, and the death cries of my men, as the Laestrygonians speared them like fish and carried them home to eat. While they were killing my men inside the harbor I drew my sword, cut my own ship's cable, and told my men to row for their lives if they did not want to go the same way. They laid out for their lives, and we were thankful enough when we got into open water, out of range of the rocks they were hurling. As for the others, not one of them was left.
The classic translation · 12
“Thence we sailed sadly on, glad to have escaped death, though we had lost our comrades, and came to the Aeaean island, where Circe lives—a great and cunning goddess who is own sister to the magician Aeetes—for they are both children of the sun by Perse, who is daughter to Oceanus. We brought our ship into a safe harbour without a word, for some god guided us thither, and having landed we lay there for two days and two nights, worn out in body and mind. When the morning of the third day came I took my spear and my sword, and went away from the ship to reconnoitre, and see if I could discover signs of human handiwork, or hear the sound of voices. Climbing to the top of a high look-out I espied the smoke of Circe’s house rising upwards amid a dense forest of trees, and when I saw this I doubted whether, having seen the smoke, I would not go on at once and find out more, but in the end I deemed it best to go back to the ship, give the men their dinners, and send some of them instead of going myself.
Plain English · 12
"From there we sailed sadly on, glad to have escaped death, though we had lost our comrades. We came to the island of Aeaea, where Circe lives. She is a great and cunning goddess, and own sister to the magician Aeetes. They are both children of the sun by Perse, the daughter of Ocean. We brought our ship into a safe harbor without a word, because some god guided us there. We landed and lay there two days and two nights, worn out in body and mind. On the morning of the third day I took my spear and my sword and went away from the ship to look around, to see whether I could find any sign of people's work, or hear voices. Climbing to the top of a high lookout, I spotted the smoke of Circe's house rising up out of a dense forest. When I saw it I wondered whether to go straight on and find out more. In the end I decided it was better to go back to the ship, give the men their dinners, and send some of them instead of going myself.
The classic translation · 13
“When I had nearly got back to the ship some god took pity upon my solitude, and sent a fine antlered stag right into the middle of my path. He was coming down from his pasture in the forest to drink of the river, for the heat of the sun drove him, and as he passed I struck him in the middle of the back; the bronze point of the spear went clean through him, and he lay groaning in the dust until the life went out of him. Then I set my foot upon him, drew my spear from the wound, and laid it down; I also gathered rough grass and rushes and twisted them into a fathom or so of good stout rope, with which I bound the four feet of the noble creature together; having so done I hung him round my neck and walked back to the ship leaning upon my spear, for the stag was much too big for me to be able to carry him on my shoulder, steadying him with one hand. As I threw him down in front of the ship, I called the men and spoke cheeringly man by man to each of them. ‘Look here my friends,’ said I, ‘we are not going to die so much before our time after all, and at any rate we will not starve so long as we have got something to eat and drink on board.’ On this they uncovered their heads upon the sea shore and admired the stag, for he was indeed a splendid fellow. Then, when they had feasted their eyes upon him sufficiently, they washed their hands and began to cook him for dinner.
Plain English · 13
"When I had nearly got back to the ship, some god took pity on my loneliness and sent a fine antlered stag right into my path. He was coming down from his pasture in the forest to drink at the river, driven by the heat of the sun. As he passed I struck him in the middle of the back. The bronze point of the spear went clean through him, and he lay groaning in the dust until the life went out of him. Then I put my foot on him, drew the spear out of the wound and laid it down. I gathered rough grass and rushes and twisted them into six feet or so of good stout rope, and tied the noble creature's four feet together. Then I hung him round my neck and walked back to the ship, leaning on my spear. He was far too big for me to carry on one shoulder, steadying him with one hand. I threw him down in front of the ship, called the men, and spoke cheerfully to each of them in turn. 'Look here, my friends,' I said, 'we are not going to die before our time after all. At any rate we shall not starve while we have something to eat and drink on board.' At that they uncovered their heads on the shore and admired the stag, because he really was a splendid animal. When they had feasted their eyes on him enough, they washed their hands and set about cooking him for dinner.
The classic translation · 14
“Thus through the livelong day to the going down of the sun we stayed there eating and drinking our fill, but when the sun went down and it came on dark, we camped upon the sea shore. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, I called a council and said, ‘My friends, we are in very great difficulties; listen therefore to me. We have no idea where the sun either sets or rises, so that we do not even know East from West. I see no way out of it; nevertheless, we must try and find one. We are certainly on an island, for I went as high as I could this morning, and saw the sea reaching all round it to the horizon; it lies low, but towards the middle I saw smoke rising from out of a thick forest of trees.’
Plain English · 14
"So all day long until sunset we stayed there, eating and drinking our fill. When the sun went down and darkness came on, we camped on the shore. When Dawn, the rosy-fingered child of morning, appeared, I called a meeting. 'My friends,' I said, 'we are in very great difficulty. Listen to me. We have no idea where the sun sets or where it rises, so we do not even know east from west. I can see no way out of it. All the same, we must try to find one. We are certainly on an island. I climbed as high as I could this morning and saw the sea reaching all round it to the horizon. It lies low, but toward the middle I saw smoke rising out of a thick forest.'
The classic translation · 15
“Their hearts sank as they heard me, for they remembered how they had been treated by the Laestrygonian Antiphates, and by the savage ogre Polyphemus. They wept bitterly in their dismay, but there was nothing to be got by crying, so I divided them into two companies and set a captain over each; I gave one company to Eurylochus, while I took command of the other myself. Then we cast lots in a helmet, and the lot fell upon Eurylochus; so he set out with his twenty-two men, and they wept, as also did we who were left behind.
Plain English · 15
"Their hearts sank as they heard me. They remembered how the Laestrygonian Antiphates had treated them, and the savage ogre Polyphemus. They wept bitterly in their dismay, but there was nothing to be got by crying. So I divided them into two companies and put a captain over each. I gave one company to Eurylochus and took command of the other myself. Then we shook lots in a helmet, and the lot fell to Eurylochus. So he set out with his twenty-two men, and they wept as they went, and so did we who were left behind.
The classic translation · 16
“When they reached Circe’s house they found it built of cut stones, on a site that could be seen from far, in the middle of the forest. There were wild mountain wolves and lions prowling all round it—poor bewitched creatures whom she had tamed by her enchantments and drugged into subjection. They did not attack my men, but wagged their great tails, fawned upon them, and rubbed their noses lovingly against them. As hounds crowd round their master when they see him coming from dinner—for they know he will bring them something—even so did these wolves and lions with their great claws fawn upon my men, but the men were terribly frightened at seeing such strange creatures. Presently they reached the gates of the goddess’s house, and as they stood there they could hear Circe within, singing most beautifully as she worked at her loom, making a web so fine, so soft, and of such dazzling colours as no one but a goddess could weave. On this Polites, whom I valued and trusted more than any other of my men, said, ‘There is some one inside working at a loom and singing most beautifully; the whole place resounds with it, let us call her and see whether she is woman or goddess.’
Plain English · 16
"When they reached Circe's house they found it built of cut stones, on a site you could see from a long way off, in the middle of the forest. There were wild mountain wolves and lions prowling all round it. They were poor bewitched creatures whom she had tamed with her spells and drugged into submission. They did not attack my men, but wagged their great tails, fawned on them, and rubbed their noses lovingly against them. Hounds crowd round their master when they see him coming from dinner, because they know he will bring them something. That was how these wolves and lions fawned on my men with their great claws. But the men were terrified at the sight of such strange creatures. Presently they reached the gates of the goddess's house, and as they stood there they could hear Circe inside, singing beautifully as she worked at her loom. She was making a web so fine, so soft, and of such dazzling colors that only a goddess could have woven it. Then Polites, whom I valued and trusted more than any other of my men, said, 'There is somebody inside working at a loom and singing beautifully. The whole place rings with it. Let us call her and see whether she is a woman or a goddess.'
The classic translation · 17
“They called her and she came down, unfastened the door, and bade them enter. They, thinking no evil, followed her, all except Eurylochus, who suspected mischief and staid outside. When she had got them into her house, she set them upon benches and seats and mixed them a mess with cheese, honey, meal, and Pramnian wine, but she drugged it with wicked poisons to make them forget their homes, and when they had drunk she turned them into pigs by a stroke of her wand, and shut them up in her pig-styes. They were like pigs—head, hair, and all, and they grunted just as pigs do; but their senses were the same as before, and they remembered everything.
Plain English · 17
"They called her, and she came down, unbolted the door, and asked them in. They followed her, thinking no harm, all except Eurylochus, who suspected mischief and stayed outside. When she had got them into her house she sat them on benches and chairs and mixed them a dish of cheese, honey, meal and Pramnian wine. But she drugged it with wicked poisons, to make them forget their homes. When they had drunk it she struck them with her wand and turned them into pigs, and shut them up in her pigsties. They were pigs in head and hair and everything, and they grunted just as pigs do. But their minds were the same as before, and they remembered everything.
The classic translation · 18
“Thus then were they shut up squealing, and Circe threw them some acorns and beech mast such as pigs eat, but Eurylochus hurried back to tell me about the sad fate of our comrades. He was so overcome with dismay that though he tried to speak he could find no words to do so; his eyes filled with tears and he could only sob and sigh, till at last we forced his story out of him, and he told us what had happened to the others.
Plain English · 18
"So there they were, shut up and squealing, and Circe threw them acorns and beech mast, the sort of thing pigs eat. But Eurylochus hurried back to tell me about the sad fate of our comrades. He was so overcome with dismay that he tried to speak and could not find the words. His eyes filled with tears and all he could do was sob and sigh. At last we forced the story out of him, and he told us what had happened to the others.
The classic translation · 19
“‘We went,’ said he, ‘as you told us, through the forest, and in the middle of it there was a fine house built with cut stones in a place that could be seen from far. There we found a woman, or else she was a goddess, working at her loom and singing sweetly; so the men shouted to her and called her, whereon she at once came down, opened the door, and invited us in. The others did not suspect any mischief so they followed her into the house, but I staid where I was, for I thought there might be some treachery. From that moment I saw them no more, for not one of them ever came out, though I sat a long time watching for them.’
Plain English · 19
"'We went through the forest as you told us,' he said, 'and in the middle of it there was a fine house built of cut stone, in a place you could see from a long way off. There we found a woman, or perhaps she was a goddess, working at her loom and singing sweetly. The men shouted to her and called her, and she came straight down, opened the door, and invited us in. The others suspected no harm, so they followed her into the house. I stayed where I was, because I thought there might be treachery. From that moment I saw them no more. Not one of them ever came out, though I sat watching for them a long time.'
The classic translation · 20
“Then I took my sword of bronze and slung it over my shoulders; I also took my bow, and told Eurylochus to come back with me and shew me the way. But he laid hold of me with both his hands and spoke piteously, saying, ‘Sir, do not force me to go with you, but let me stay here, for I know you will not bring one of them back with you, nor even return alive yourself; let us rather see if we cannot escape at any rate with the few that are left us, for we may still save our lives.’
Plain English · 20
"Then I took my bronze sword and slung it over my shoulders. I took my bow as well, and told Eurylochus to come back with me and show me the way. But he caught hold of me with both hands and spoke pitifully. 'Sir,' he said, 'do not force me to go with you. Let me stay here. I know you will not bring one of them back with you, and you will not come back alive yourself. Let us see instead whether we can get away with the few of us who are left. We may still save our lives.'
The classic translation · 21
“‘Stay where you are, then,’ answered I, ‘eating and drinking at the ship, but I must go, for I am most urgently bound to do so.’
Plain English · 21
"'Stay here, then,' I answered, 'eating and drinking at the ship. But I must go. I am under the strongest obligation to go.'
The classic translation · 22
“With this I left the ship and went up inland. When I got through the charmed grove, and was near the great house of the enchantress Circe, I met Hermes with his golden wand, disguised as a young man in the hey-day of his youth and beauty with the down just coming upon his face. He came up to me and took my hand within his own, saying, ‘My poor unhappy man, whither are you going over this mountain top, alone and without knowing the way? Your men are shut up in Circe’s pigstyes, like so many wild boars in their lairs. You surely do not fancy that you can set them free? I can tell you that you will never get back and will have to stay there with the rest of them. But never mind, I will protect you and get you out of your difficulty. Take this herb, which is one of great virtue, and keep it about you when you go to Circe’s house, it will be a talisman to you against every kind of mischief.
Plain English · 22
"With that I left the ship and went inland. When I had got through the enchanted grove and was near the great house of the witch Circe, I met Hermes with his golden wand. He was disguised as a young man in the first bloom of his youth and beauty, with the down just coming on his face. He came up to me and took my hand in his own. 'My poor unhappy man,' he said, 'where are you going over this mountain top, alone and not knowing the way? Your men are shut up in Circe's pigsties, like so many wild boars in their dens. You surely do not imagine you can set them free? I can tell you that you will never get back. You will have to stay there with the rest of them. But never mind. I will protect you and get you out of your trouble. Take this herb. It has great power. Keep it about you when you go to Circe's house, and it will be a charm against every kind of mischief.
The classic translation · 23
“‘And I will tell you of all the wicked witchcraft that Circe will try to practice upon you. She will mix a mess for you to drink, and she will drug the meal with which she makes it, but she will not be able to charm you, for the virtue of the herb that I shall give you will prevent her spells from working. I will tell you all about it. When Circe strikes you with her wand, draw your sword and spring upon her as though you were going to kill her. She will then be frightened, and will desire you to go to bed with her; on this you must not point blank refuse her, for you want her to set your companions free, and to take good care also of yourself, but you must make her swear solemnly by all the blessed gods that she will plot no further mischief against you, or else when she has got you naked she will unman you and make you fit for nothing.’
Plain English · 23
"'And I will tell you all the wicked witchcraft Circe will try on you. She will mix you a dish to drink, and she will drug the meal she makes it with. But she will not be able to charm you, because the power of the herb I am giving you will stop her spells from working. I will tell you the whole of it. When Circe strikes you with her wand, draw your sword and spring at her as though you meant to kill her. She will be frightened then, and will want you to go to bed with her. You must not refuse her outright, because you want her to set your companions free and to take good care of you as well. But you must make her swear a solemn oath by all the blessed gods that she will plot no further harm against you. Otherwise, once she has you undressed, she will strip you of your strength and leave you good for nothing.'
The classic translation · 24
“As he spoke he pulled the herb out of the ground and shewed me what it was like. The root was black, while the flower was as white as milk; the gods call it Moly, and mortal men cannot uproot it, but the gods can do whatever they like.
Plain English · 24
"As he spoke he pulled the herb out of the ground and showed me what it was like. The root was black and the flower was as white as milk. The gods call it Moly, and mortal men cannot pull it up. But the gods can do whatever they like.
The classic translation · 25
“Then Hermes went back to high Olympus passing over the wooded island; but I fared onward to the house of Circe, and my heart was clouded with care as I walked along. When I got to the gates I stood there and called the goddess, and as soon as she heard me she came down, opened the door, and asked me to come in; so I followed her—much troubled in my mind. She set me on a richly decorated seat inlaid with silver, there was a footstool also under my feet, and she mixed a mess in a golden goblet for me to drink; but she drugged it, for she meant me mischief. When she had given it me, and I had drunk it without its charming me, she struck me with her wand. ‘There now,’ she cried, ‘be off to the pigstye, and make your lair with the rest of them.’
Plain English · 25
"Then Hermes went back to high Olympus, passing over the wooded island, and I went on to the house of Circe with my heart clouded with worry as I walked. When I got to the gates I stood there and called the goddess. As soon as she heard me she came down, opened the door, and asked me to come in. So I followed her, much troubled in my mind. She sat me on a richly decorated seat inlaid with silver, with a footstool under my feet, and mixed me a dish in a golden goblet to drink. But she drugged it, because she meant me harm. When she had given it to me and I had drunk it, and it had not charmed me, she struck me with her wand. 'There now,' she cried, 'off you go to the pigsty, and make your bed with the rest of them.'
The classic translation · 26
“But I rushed at her with my sword drawn as though I would kill her, whereon she fell with a loud scream, clasped my knees, and spoke piteously, saying, ‘Who and whence are you? from what place and people have you come? How can it be that my drugs have no power to charm you? Never yet was any man able to stand so much as a taste of the herb I gave you; you must be spell-proof; surely you can be none other than the bold hero Odysseus, who Hermes always said would come here some day with his ship while on his way home from Troy; so be it then; sheathe your sword and let us go to bed, that we may make friends and learn to trust each other.’
Plain English · 26
"But I rushed at her with my sword drawn as though I meant to kill her. She fell with a loud scream, took hold of my knees, and spoke pitifully. 'Who are you, and where do you come from?' she said. 'What place and what people do you come from? How can it be that my drugs have no power to charm you? No man has ever been able to stand so much as a taste of the herb I gave you. You must be proof against spells. Surely you can be nobody but the bold hero Odysseus, who Hermes always said would come here one day in his ship, on his way home from Troy. So be it, then. Put up your sword and let us go to bed, so that we can make friends and learn to trust each other.'
The classic translation · 27
“And I answered, ‘Circe, how can you expect me to be friendly with you when you have just been turning all my men into pigs? And now that you have got me here myself, you mean me mischief when you ask me to go to bed with you, and will unman me and make me fit for nothing. I shall certainly not consent to go to bed with you unless you will first take your solemn oath to plot no further harm against me.’
Plain English · 27
"And I answered, 'Circe, how can you expect me to be friendly with you, when you have just turned all my men into pigs? And now you have got me here yourself, you mean me harm when you ask me to go to bed with you. You will strip me of my strength and leave me good for nothing. I shall certainly not agree to go to bed with you unless you first swear a solemn oath to plot no further harm against me.'
The classic translation · 28
“So she swore at once as I had told her, and when she had completed her oath then I went to bed with her.
Plain English · 28
"So she swore at once, as I had told her, and when she had finished her oath I went to bed with her.
The classic translation · 29
“Meanwhile her four servants, who are her housemaids, set about their work. They are the children of the groves and fountains, and of the holy waters that run down into the sea. One of them spread a fair purple cloth over a seat, and laid a carpet underneath it. Another brought tables of silver up to the seats, and set them with baskets of gold. A third mixed some sweet wine with water in a silver bowl and put golden cups upon the tables, while the fourth brought in water and set it to boil in a large cauldron over a good fire which she had lighted. When the water in the cauldron was boiling, she poured cold into it till it was just as I liked it, and then she set me in a bath and began washing me from the cauldron about the head and shoulders, to take the tire and stiffness out of my limbs. As soon as she had done washing me and anointing me with oil, she arrayed me in a good cloak and shirt and led me to a richly decorated seat inlaid with silver; there was a footstool also under my feet. A maid servant then brought me water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for me to wash my hands, and she drew a clean table beside me; an upper servant brought me bread and offered me many good things of what there was in the house, and then Circe bade me eat, but I would not, and sat without heeding what was before me, still moody and suspicious.
Plain English · 29
"Meanwhile her four servants, who are her housemaids, set about their work. They are the children of the groves and springs, and of the holy waters that run down to the sea. One of them spread a fine purple cloth over a seat and laid a carpet underneath it. Another brought silver tables up to the seats and set them with baskets of gold. A third mixed sweet wine with water in a silver bowl and put golden cups on the tables. The fourth brought water and set it to boil in a large cauldron over a good fire she had lit. When the water in the cauldron was boiling, she poured cold water into it until it was just as I liked it. Then she set me in a bath and began washing me from the cauldron, about the head and shoulders, to take the ache and stiffness out of my limbs. When she had finished washing me and rubbing me with oil, she dressed me in a good cloak and shirt and led me to a richly decorated seat inlaid with silver, with a footstool under my feet. A maid brought me water in a beautiful gold jug and poured it into a silver basin for me to wash my hands, and drew a clean table up beside me. A senior servant brought me bread and offered me many of the good things in the house. Then Circe told me to eat. But I would not. I sat there taking no notice of what was in front of me, still moody and suspicious.
The classic translation · 30
“When Circe saw me sitting there without eating, and in great grief, she came to me and said, ‘Odysseus, why do you sit like that as though you were dumb, gnawing at your own heart, and refusing both meat and drink? Is it that you are still suspicious? You ought not to be, for I have already sworn solemnly that I will not hurt you.’
Plain English · 30
"When Circe saw me sitting there without eating, and in great grief, she came over to me. 'Odysseus,' she said, 'why do you sit like that as though you were dumb, gnawing at your own heart, and refusing both food and drink? Are you still suspicious? You ought not to be. I have already sworn a solemn oath that I will not hurt you.'
The classic translation · 31
“And I said, ‘Circe, no man with any sense of what is right can think of either eating or drinking in your house until you have set his friends free and let him see them. If you want me to eat and drink, you must free my men and bring them to me that I may see them with my own eyes.’
Plain English · 31
"And I said, 'Circe, no man with any sense of what is right could think of eating or drinking in your house until you have set his friends free and let him see them. If you want me to eat and drink, free my men and bring them to me, so that I can see them with my own eyes.'
The classic translation · 32
“When I had said this she went straight through the court with her wand in her hand and opened the pigstye doors. My men came out like so many prime hogs and stood looking at her, but she went about among them and anointed each with a second drug, whereon the bristles that the bad drug had given them fell off, and they became men again, younger than they were before, and much taller and better looking. They knew me at once, seized me each of them by the hand, and wept for joy till the whole house was filled with the sound of their halloa-ballooing, and Circe herself was so sorry for them that she came up to me and said, ‘Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, go back at once to the sea where you have left your ship, and first draw it on to the land. Then, hide all your ship’s gear and property in some cave, and come back here with your men.’
Plain English · 32
"When I had said that, she went straight through the court with her wand in her hand and opened the pigsty doors. My men came out like so many prime hogs and stood looking at her. She went round among them and rubbed each one with a second drug, and the bristles the bad drug had given them fell off. They became men again, younger than they had been before, and much taller and better-looking. They knew me at once, and each of them seized me by the hand, and they wept for joy until the whole house rang with the noise of it. Circe herself was so sorry for them that she came up to me. 'Odysseus, noble son of Laertes,' she said, 'go back now to the sea where you left your ship, and first of all draw it up on the land. Then hide all your ship's gear and property in some cave, and come back here with your men.'
The classic translation · 33
“I agreed to this, so I went back to the sea shore, and found the men at the ship weeping and wailing most piteously. When they saw me the silly blubbering fellows began frisking round me as calves break out and gambol round their mothers, when they see them coming home to be milked after they have been feeding all day, and the homestead resounds with their lowing. They seemed as glad to see me as though they had got back to their own rugged Ithaca, where they had been born and bred. ‘Sir,’ said the affectionate creatures, ‘we are as glad to see you back as though we had got safe home to Ithaca; but tell us all about the fate of our comrades.’
Plain English · 33
"I agreed to that, so I went back to the shore, and found the men at the ship weeping and wailing pitifully. When they saw me the silly blubbering fellows began frisking round me. Calves break out and gambol round their mothers like that, when they see them coming home to be milked after feeding all day, and the whole farmyard rings with their lowing. They seemed as glad to see me as if they had got back to their own rugged Ithaca, where they had been born and brought up. 'Sir,' the affectionate creatures said, 'we are as glad to see you back as if we had got safely home to Ithaca. But tell us what happened to our comrades.'
The classic translation · 34
“I spoke comfortingly to them and said, ‘We must draw our ship on to the land, and hide the ship’s gear with all our property in some cave; then come with me all of you as fast as you can to Circe’s house, where you will find your comrades eating and drinking in the midst of great abundance.’
Plain English · 34
"I spoke comfortingly to them. 'We must draw our ship up on the land,' I said, 'and hide the ship's gear and all our property in some cave. Then come with me, all of you, as fast as you can, to Circe's house, where you will find your comrades eating and drinking in the middle of great plenty.'
The classic translation · 35
“On this the men would have come with me at once, but Eurylochus tried to hold them back and said, ‘Alas, poor wretches that we are, what will become of us? Rush not on your ruin by going to the house of Circe, who will turn us all into pigs or wolves or lions, and we shall have to keep guard over her house. Remember how the Cyclops treated us when our comrades went inside his cave, and Odysseus with them. It was all through his sheer folly that those men lost their lives.’
Plain English · 35
"The men would have come with me at once, but Eurylochus tried to hold them back. 'Poor wretches that we are,' he said, 'what will become of us? Do not rush on your own ruin by going to the house of Circe. She will turn us all into pigs or wolves or lions, and we shall have to keep guard over her house. Remember how the Cyclops treated us when our comrades went inside his cave, and Odysseus with them. It was all through his sheer foolishness that those men lost their lives.'
The classic translation · 36
“When I heard him I was in two minds whether or no to draw the keen blade that hung by my sturdy thigh and cut his head off in spite of his being a near relation of my own; but the men interceded for him and said, ‘Sir, if it may so be, let this fellow stay here and mind the ship, but take the rest of us with you to Circe’s house.’
Plain English · 36
"When I heard that I was in two minds whether to draw the keen blade that hung at my sturdy thigh and cut his head off, near relation of mine though he was. But the men interceded for him. 'Sir,' they said, 'if it may be so, let this fellow stay here and mind the ship, but take the rest of us with you to Circe's house.'
The classic translation · 37
“On this we all went inland, and Eurylochus was not left behind after all, but came on too, for he was frightened by the severe reprimand that I had given him.
Plain English · 37
"So we all went inland, and Eurylochus was not left behind after all. He came too, because he was frightened by the severe telling-off I had given him.
The classic translation · 38
“Meanwhile Circe had been seeing that the men who had been left behind were washed and anointed with olive oil; she had also given them woollen cloaks and shirts, and when we came we found them all comfortably at dinner in her house. As soon as the men saw each other face to face and knew one another, they wept for joy and cried aloud till the whole palace rang again. Thereon Circe came up to me and said, ‘Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, tell your men to leave off crying; I know how much you have all of you suffered at sea, and how ill you have fared among cruel savages on the mainland, but that is over now, so stay here, and eat and drink till you are once more as strong and hearty as you were when you left Ithaca; for at present you are weakened both in body and mind; you keep all the time thinking of the hardships you have suffered during your travels, so that you have no more cheerfulness left in you.’
Plain English · 38
"Meanwhile Circe had seen to it that the men who had been left behind were washed and rubbed with olive oil. She had given them woolen cloaks and shirts too, and when we came we found them all comfortably at dinner in her house. As soon as the men saw one another face to face and knew each other, they wept for joy and cried aloud until the whole palace rang again. Then Circe came up to me. 'Odysseus, noble son of Laertes,' she said, 'tell your men to stop crying. I know how much you have all suffered at sea, and how badly you have fared among cruel savages on the mainland. But that is over now. Stay here, and eat and drink until you are as strong and hearty as you were when you left Ithaca. At present you are weakened in body and mind. You keep thinking all the time about the hardships you suffered on your travels, so there is no cheerfulness left in you.'
The classic translation · 39
“Thus did she speak and we assented. We stayed with Circe for a whole twelvemonth feasting upon an untold quantity both of meat and wine. But when the year had passed in the waning of moons and the long days had come round, my men called me apart and said, ‘Sir, it is time you began to think about going home, if so be you are to be spared to see your house and native country at all.’
Plain English · 39
"So she spoke, and we agreed. We stayed with Circe a whole year, feasting on an untold quantity of meat and drink. But when the year had gone by, with the moons waning and the long days coming round again, my men called me aside. 'Sir,' they said, 'it is time you began thinking about going home, if you are ever to be spared to see your house and your native country at all.'
The classic translation · 40
“Thus did they speak and I assented. Thereon through the livelong day to the going down of the sun we feasted our fill on meat and wine, but when the sun went down and it came on dark the men laid themselves down to sleep in the covered cloisters. I, however, after I had got into bed with Circe, besought her by her knees, and the goddess listened to what I had got to say. ‘Circe,’ said I, ‘please to keep the promise you made me about furthering me on my homeward voyage. I want to get back and so do my men, they are always pestering me with their complaints as soon as ever your back is turned.’
Plain English · 40
"So they spoke, and I agreed. All that day until sunset we feasted our fill on meat and drink. When the sun went down and darkness came on, the men lay down to sleep in the covered walkway. But I got into bed with Circe, and took hold of her knees and begged her, and the goddess listened to what I had to say. 'Circe,' I said, 'please keep the promise you made me about sending me on my way home. I want to get back and so do my men. They are always pestering me with their complaints the moment your back is turned.'
The classic translation · 41
“And the goddess answered, ‘Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, you shall none of you stay here any longer if you do not want to, but there is another journey which you have got to take before you can sail homewards. You must go to the house of Hades and of dread Persephone to consult the ghost of the blind Theban prophet Teiresias, whose reason is still unshaken. To him alone has Persephone left his understanding even in death, but the other ghosts flit about aimlessly.’
Plain English · 41
"And the goddess answered, 'Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, none of you shall stay here any longer if you do not want to. But there is another journey you have to make before you can sail for home. You must go to the house of Hades and dread Persephone, to consult the ghost of the blind Theban prophet Teiresias, whose mind is still unshaken. Persephone has left him his understanding, and him alone, even in death. The other ghosts flit about without purpose.'
The classic translation · 42
“I was dismayed when I heard this. I sat up in bed and wept, and would gladly have lived no longer to see the light of the sun, but presently when I was tired of weeping and tossing myself about, I said, ‘And who shall guide me upon this voyage—for the house of Hades is a port that no ship can reach.’
Plain English · 42
"I was dismayed when I heard that. I sat up in bed and wept, and would gladly have stopped living and seeing the light of the sun. But when I was tired of weeping and tossing about, I said, 'And who is to guide me on this voyage? The house of Hades is a port no ship can reach.'
The classic translation · 43
“‘You will want no guide,’ she answered; ‘raise your mast, set your white sails, sit quite still, and the North Wind will blow you there of itself. When your ship has traversed the waters of Oceanus, you will reach the fertile shore of Persephone’s country with its groves of tall poplars and willows that shed their fruit untimely; here beach your ship upon the shore of Oceanus, and go straight on to the dark abode of Hades. You will find it near the place where the rivers Pyriphlegethon and Cocytus (which is a branch of the river Styx) flow into Acheron, and you will see a rock near it, just where the two roaring rivers run into one another.
Plain English · 43
"'You will want no guide,' she answered. 'Raise your mast, set your white sails, sit quite still, and the north wind will blow you there by itself. When your ship has crossed the waters of Ocean, you will reach the fertile shore of Persephone's country, with its groves of tall poplars and willows that drop their fruit before it ripens. Beach your ship there on the shore of Ocean, and go straight on to the dark house of Hades. You will find it near the place where the rivers Pyriphlegethon and Cocytus, which is a branch of the Styx, flow into Acheron. You will see a rock near it, just where the two roaring rivers run together.
The classic translation · 44
“‘When you have reached this spot, as I now tell you, dig a trench a cubit or so in length, breadth, and depth, and pour into it as a drink-offering to all the dead, first, honey mixed with milk, then wine, and in the third place water—sprinkling white barley meal over the whole. Moreover you must offer many prayers to the poor feeble ghosts, and promise them that when you get back to Ithaca you will sacrifice a barren heifer to them, the best you have, and will load the pyre with good things. More particularly you must promise that Teiresias shall have a black sheep all to himself, the finest in all your flocks.
Plain English · 44
"'When you have reached that spot, as I am telling you, dig a trench about eighteen inches each way. Pour into it a drink-offering to all the dead: first honey mixed with milk, then wine, and in the third place water. Sprinkle white barley meal over the whole of it. You must offer many prayers to the poor feeble ghosts as well. Promise them that when you get back to Ithaca you will sacrifice a barren heifer to them, the best you have, and pile the fire with good things. More particularly, you must promise that Teiresias shall have a black sheep all to himself, the finest in all your flocks.
The classic translation · 45
“‘When you shall have thus besought the ghosts with your prayers, offer them a ram and a black ewe, bending their heads towards Erebus; but yourself turn away from them as though you would make towards the river. On this, many dead men’s ghosts will come to you, and you must tell your men to skin the two sheep that you have just killed, and offer them as a burnt sacrifice with prayers to Hades and to Persephone. Then draw your sword and sit there, so as to prevent any other poor ghost from coming near the spilt blood before Teiresias shall have answered your questions. The seer will presently come to you, and will tell you about your voyage—what stages you are to make, and how you are to sail the sea so as to reach your home.’
Plain English · 45
"'When you have begged the ghosts with your prayers, offer them a ram and a black ewe, bending their heads toward Erebus. But turn away from them yourself, as though you were making for the river. Many dead men's ghosts will come to you then, and you must tell your men to skin the two sheep you have just killed and offer them as a burnt sacrifice, with prayers to Hades and to Persephone. Then draw your sword and sit there, to stop any other poor ghost coming near the spilled blood before Teiresias has answered your questions. The seer will come to you presently, and will tell you about your voyage: what stages you are to make, and how to sail the sea and reach your home.'
The classic translation · 46
“It was day-break by the time she had done speaking, so she dressed me in my shirt and cloak. As for herself she threw a beautiful light gossamer fabric over her shoulders, fastening it with a golden girdle round her waist, and she covered her head with a mantle. Then I went about among the men everywhere all over the house, and spoke kindly to each of them man by man: ‘You must not lie sleeping here any longer,’ said I to them, ‘we must be going, for Circe has told me all about it.’ And on this they did as I bade them.
Plain English · 46
"It was daybreak by the time she had finished speaking, so she dressed me in my shirt and cloak. For herself she threw a beautiful light gauzy fabric over her shoulders, fastened it with a golden belt round her waist, and covered her head with a veil. Then I went round among the men, all over the house, and spoke kindly to each of them man by man. 'You must not lie sleeping here any longer,' I said. 'We must be going. Circe has told me all about it.' And they did as I told them.
The classic translation · 47
“Even so, however, I did not get them away without misadventure. We had with us a certain youth named Elpenor, not very remarkable for sense or courage, who had got drunk and was lying on the house-top away from the rest of the men, to sleep off his liquor in the cool. When he heard the noise of the men bustling about, he jumped up on a sudden and forgot all about coming down by the main staircase, so he tumbled right off the roof and broke his neck, and his soul went down to the house of Hades.
Plain English · 47
"Even so, I did not get them away without mishap. We had with us a young man named Elpenor, not remarkable for sense or courage, who had got drunk and was lying on the house-top away from the rest of the men, sleeping it off in the cool. When he heard the noise of the men bustling about, he jumped up suddenly and forgot all about coming down by the main staircase. He fell right off the roof and broke his neck, and his soul went down to the house of Hades.
The classic translation · 48
“When I had got the men together I said to them, ‘You think you are about to start home again, but Circe has explained to me that instead of this, we have got to go to the house of Hades and Persephone to consult the ghost of the Theban prophet Teiresias.’
Plain English · 48
"When I had got the men together I said to them, 'You think you are about to start home again. But Circe has explained to me that instead of that, we have to go to the house of Hades and Persephone, to consult the ghost of the Theban prophet Teiresias.'
The classic translation · 49
“The men were broken-hearted as they heard me, and threw themselves on the ground groaning and tearing their hair, but they did not mend matters by crying. When we reached the sea shore, weeping and lamenting our fate, Circe brought the ram and the ewe, and we made them fast hard by the ship. She passed through the midst of us without our knowing it, for who can see the comings and goings of a god, if the god does not wish to be seen?
Plain English · 49
"The men were heartbroken when they heard me. They threw themselves on the ground, groaning and tearing their hair. But they did not improve matters by crying. When we reached the shore, weeping and lamenting our fate, Circe brought the ram and the ewe and tied them up close to the ship. She passed through the middle of us without our knowing it. Who can see the comings and goings of a god, if the god does not wish to be seen?
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