The Odyssey in Plain English · Homer · openearbooks.com
Book Sixteen
ODYSSEUS REVEALS HIMSELF TO TELEMACHUS.
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
Meanwhile Odysseus and the swineherd had lit a fire in the hut and were getting breakfast ready at daybreak, for they had sent the men out with the pigs. When Telemachus came up, the dogs did not bark but fawned upon him, so Odysseus, hearing the sound of feet and noticing that the dogs did not bark, said to Eumaeus:
Plain English · 1
Meanwhile Odysseus and the swineherd had lit a fire in the hut and were getting breakfast ready at daybreak, because they had sent the men out with the pigs. When Telemachus came up, the dogs did not bark but fawned on him. Odysseus heard the sound of feet and noticed that the dogs were not barking, and he said to Eumaeus:
The classic translation · 2
“Eumaeus, I hear footsteps; I suppose one of your men or some one of your acquaintance is coming here, for the dogs are fawning upon him and not barking.”
Plain English · 2
"Eumaeus, I hear footsteps. I suppose one of your men, or somebody you know, is coming here, because the dogs are fawning on him and not barking."
The classic translation · 3
The words were hardly out of his mouth before his son stood at the door. Eumaeus sprang to his feet, and the bowls in which he was mixing wine fell from his hands, as he made towards his master. He kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes, and wept for joy. A father could not be more delighted at the return of an only son, the child of his old age, after ten years’ absence in a foreign country and after having gone through much hardship. He embraced him, kissed him all over as though he had come back from the dead, and spoke fondly to him saying:
Plain English · 3
The words were hardly out of his mouth before his son stood in the doorway. Eumaeus sprang to his feet, and the bowls he was mixing wine in fell out of his hands as he went toward his master. He kissed his head and both his beautiful eyes, and wept for joy. A father could not be more delighted at the return of an only son, the child of his old age, after ten years abroad and much hardship. He hugged him and kissed him all over as though he had come back from the dead, and spoke fondly to him, saying:
The classic translation · 4
“So you are come, Telemachus, light of my eyes that you are. When I heard you had gone to Pylos I made sure I was never going to see you any more. Come in, my dear child, and sit down, that I may have a good look at you now you are home again; it is not very often you come into the country to see us herdsmen; you stick pretty close to the town generally. I suppose you think it better to keep an eye on what the suitors are doing.”
Plain English · 4
"So you have come, Telemachus, light of my eyes. When I heard you had gone to Pylos I made sure I would never see you again. Come in, my dear child, and sit down, so that I can have a good look at you now you are home. You do not often come into the country to see us herdsmen. You generally stick pretty close to the town. I suppose you think it better to keep an eye on what the suitors are doing."
The classic translation · 5
“So be it, old friend,” answered Telemachus, “but I am come now because I want to see you, and to learn whether my mother is still at her old home or whether some one else has married her, so that the bed of Odysseus is without bedding and covered with cobwebs.”
Plain English · 5
"So be it, old friend," Telemachus answered. "But I have come now because I want to see you, and to find out whether my mother is still at her old home. Perhaps somebody else has married her, and the bed of Odysseus stands without bedding and covered with cobwebs."
The classic translation · 6
“She is still at the house,” replied Eumaeus, “grieving and breaking her heart, and doing nothing but weep, both night and day continually.”
Plain English · 6
"She is still at the house," Eumaeus replied, "grieving and breaking her heart, and doing nothing but weep, night and day without stopping."
The classic translation · 7
As he spoke he took Telemachus’ spear, whereon he crossed the stone threshold and came inside. Odysseus rose from his seat to give him place as he entered, but Telemachus checked him; “Sit down, stranger,” said he, “I can easily find another seat, and there is one here who will lay it for me.”
Plain English · 7
As he spoke he took Telemachus's spear, and Telemachus crossed the stone threshold and came inside. Odysseus rose from his seat to give him room as he entered, but Telemachus stopped him. "Sit down, stranger," he said. "I can easily find another seat, and there is a man here who will lay it for me."
The classic translation · 8
Odysseus went back to his own place, and Eumaeus strewed some green brushwood on the floor and threw a sheepskin on top of it for Telemachus to sit upon. Then the swineherd brought them platters of cold meat, the remains from what they had eaten the day before, and he filled the bread baskets with bread as fast as he could. He mixed wine also in bowls of ivy-wood, and took his seat facing Odysseus. Then they laid their hands on the good things that were before them, and as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Telemachus said to Eumaeus, “Old friend, where does this stranger come from? How did his crew bring him to Ithaca, and who were they?—for assuredly he did not come here by land.”
Plain English · 8
Odysseus went back to his own place, and Eumaeus spread some green brushwood on the floor and threw a sheepskin on top of it for Telemachus to sit on. Then the swineherd brought them platters of cold meat, left over from what they had eaten the day before, and he filled the bread baskets with bread as fast as he could. He mixed wine too, in bowls of ivy wood, and took his seat facing Odysseus. Then they laid their hands on the good things in front of them. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Telemachus said to Eumaeus, "Old friend, where does this stranger come from? How did his crew bring him to Ithaca, and who were they? He certainly did not come here by land."
The classic translation · 9
To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaeus, “My son, I will tell you the real truth. He says he is a Cretan, and that he has been a great traveller. At this moment he is running away from a Thesprotian ship, and has taken refuge at my station, so I will put him into your hands. Do whatever you like with him, only remember that he is your suppliant.”
Plain English · 9
And you answered him, swineherd Eumaeus, "My son, I will tell you the plain truth. He says he is a Cretan, and that he has been a great traveler. At this moment he is running away from a Thesprotian ship, and has taken refuge at my station. So I will put him into your hands. Do whatever you like with him, only remember that he has come to you begging for protection."
The classic translation · 10
“I am very much distressed,” said Telemachus, “by what you have just told me. How can I take this stranger into my house? I am as yet young, and am not strong enough to hold my own if any man attacks me. My mother cannot make up her mind whether to stay where she is and look after the house out of respect for public opinion and the memory of her husband, or whether the time is now come for her to take the best man of those who are wooing her, and the one who will make her the most advantageous offer; still, as the stranger has come to your station I will find him a cloak and shirt of good wear, with a sword and sandals, and will send him wherever he wants to go. Or if you like you can keep him here at the station, and I will send him clothes and food that he may be no burden on you and on your men; but I will not have him go near the suitors, for they are very insolent, and are sure to ill treat him in a way that would greatly grieve me; no matter how valiant a man may be he can do nothing against numbers, for they will be too strong for him.”
Plain English · 10
"I am very much distressed," said Telemachus, "by what you have just told me. How can I take this stranger into my house? I am still young, and not strong enough to hold my own if any man attacks me. My mother cannot make up her mind. She does not know whether to stay where she is and look after the house, out of respect for what people will say and for the memory of her husband. Or perhaps the time has now come to take the best man of those courting her, the one who will make her the best offer. Still, since the stranger has come to your station, I will find him a good cloak and shirt, with a sword and sandals, and will send him wherever he wants to go. Or if you like, you can keep him here at the station, and I will send him clothes and food, so that he is no burden on you or your men. But I will not have him go near the suitors. They are very insolent, and they would be sure to ill-treat him in a way that would grieve me deeply. However brave a man may be, he can do nothing against numbers, because they will be too strong for him."
The classic translation · 11
Then Odysseus said, “Sir, it is right that I should say something myself. I am much shocked by what you have said about the insolent way in which the suitors are behaving in despite of such a man as you are. Tell me, do you submit to such treatment tamely, or has some god set your people against you? May you not complain of your brothers—for it is to these that a man may look for support, however great his quarrel may be? I wish I were as young as you are and in my present mind; if I were son to Odysseus, or, indeed, Odysseus himself, I would rather some one came and cut my head off, but I would go to the house and be the bane of every one of these men. If they were too many for me—I being single-handed—I would rather die fighting in my own house than see such disgraceful sights day after day, strangers grossly maltreated, and men dragging the women servants about the house in an unseemly way, wine drawn recklessly, and bread wasted all to no purpose for an end that shall never be accomplished.”
Plain English · 11
Then Odysseus said, "Sir, it is right that I should say something myself. I am much shocked by what you say about the insolent way the suitors are behaving, in defiance of a man like you. Tell me, do you put up with such treatment tamely, or has some god set your people against you? Have you no reason to complain of your brothers? A man may look to his brothers for support, however great his quarrel may be. I wish I were as young as you are and in my present mind. If I were the son of Odysseus, or Odysseus himself, I would rather somebody came and cut my head off than not go to that house and be the ruin of every one of those men. And if they were too many for me, one man against many, I would still rather die fighting in my own house than see such disgraceful sights day after day. Strangers are grossly ill-treated. Men drag the women servants about the house in a shameful way. Wine is drawn recklessly, and bread wasted for nothing, for an end that will never be reached."
The classic translation · 12
And Telemachus answered, “I will tell you truly everything. There is no enmity between me and my people, nor can I complain of brothers, to whom a man may look for support however great his quarrel may be. Zeus has made us a race of only sons. Laertes was the only son of Arceisius, and Odysseus only son of Laertes. I am myself the only son of Odysseus who left me behind him when he went away, so that I have never been of any use to him. Hence it comes that my house is in the hands of numberless marauders; for the chiefs from all the neighbouring islands, Dulichium, Same, Zacynthus, as also all the principal men of Ithaca itself, are eating up my house under the pretext of paying court to my mother, who will neither say point blank that she will not marry, nor yet bring matters to an end, so they are making havoc of my estate, and before long will do so with myself into the bargain. The issue, however, rests with heaven. But do you, old friend Eumaeus, go at once and tell Penelope that I am safe and have returned from Pylos. Tell it to herself alone, and then come back here without letting any one else know, for there are many who are plotting mischief against me.”
Plain English · 12
And Telemachus answered, "I will tell you the whole truth. There is no bad feeling between me and my people, and I cannot complain of brothers, whom a man may look to for support however great his quarrel may be. Zeus has made us a family of only sons. Laertes was the only son of Arceisius, and Odysseus the only son of Laertes. I am myself the only son of Odysseus, who left me behind him when he went away, so I have never been any use to him. That is why my house is in the hands of countless raiders. The chiefs from all the neighboring islands, Dulichium, Same and Zacynthus, and all the leading men of Ithaca itself, are eating up my house on the pretext of courting my mother. She will not say point blank that she will not marry, and she will not bring matters to an end either. So they are wrecking my estate, and before long they will wreck me along with it. But the outcome rests with heaven. Now, old friend Eumaeus, go at once and tell Penelope that I am safe and back from Pylos. Tell her alone, and then come back here without letting anyone else know, because there are many who are plotting harm against me."
The classic translation · 13
“I understand and heed you,” replied Eumaeus; “you need instruct me no further, only as I am going that way say whether I had not better let poor Laertes know that you are returned. He used to superintend the work on his farm in spite of his bitter sorrow about Odysseus, and he would eat and drink at will along with his servants; but they tell me that from the day on which you set out for Pylos he has neither eaten nor drunk as he ought to do, nor does he look after his farm, but sits weeping and wasting the flesh from off his bones.”
Plain English · 13
"I understand you and I will do it," Eumaeus replied. "You need not instruct me any further. But since I am going that way, say whether I had better let poor Laertes know that you are back. He used to oversee the work on his farm, in spite of his bitter grief about Odysseus, and he would eat and drink as he pleased along with his servants. But they tell me that from the day you set out for Pylos he has neither eaten nor drunk as he should, and does not look after his farm, but sits weeping, with the flesh wasting off his bones."
The classic translation · 14
“More’s the pity,” answered Telemachus, “I am sorry for him, but we must leave him to himself just now. If people could have everything their own way, the first thing I should choose would be the return of my father; but go, and give your message; then make haste back again, and do not turn out of your way to tell Laertes. Tell my mother to send one of her women secretly with the news at once, and let him hear it from her.”
Plain English · 14
"More's the pity," Telemachus answered. "I am sorry for him, but we must leave him to himself just now. If people could have everything their own way, the first thing I would choose would be my father's return. But go and give your message, then hurry back again, and do not turn out of your way to tell Laertes. Tell my mother to send one of her women secretly with the news at once, and let him hear it from her."
The classic translation · 15
Thus did he urge the swineherd; Eumaeus, therefore, took his sandals, bound them to his feet, and started for the town. Athena watched him well off the station, and then came up to it in the form of a woman—fair, stately, and wise. She stood against the side of the entry, and revealed herself to Odysseus, but Telemachus could not see her, and knew not that she was there, for the gods do not let themselves be seen by everybody. Odysseus saw her, and so did the dogs, for they did not bark, but went scared and whining off to the other side of the yards. She nodded her head and motioned to Odysseus with her eyebrows; whereon he left the hut and stood before her outside the main wall of the yards. Then she said to him:
Plain English · 15
So he urged the swineherd on, and Eumaeus took his sandals, bound them to his feet, and set out for the town. Athena watched him well clear of the station, and then came up to it in the form of a woman, beautiful, stately and wise. She stood against the side of the entrance and showed herself to Odysseus. Telemachus could not see her and did not know she was there, because the gods do not let themselves be seen by everybody. Odysseus saw her, and so did the dogs, because they did not bark but went off frightened and whining to the other side of the yards. She nodded her head and signaled to Odysseus with her eyebrows, and he left the hut and stood in front of her outside the main wall of the yards. Then she said to him:
The classic translation · 16
“Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, it is now time for you to tell your son: do not keep him in the dark any longer, but lay your plans for the destruction of the suitors, and then make for the town. I will not be long in joining you, for I too am eager for the fray.”
Plain English · 16
"Odysseus, noble son of Laertes, it is time now for you to tell your son. Do not keep him in the dark any longer. Lay your plans for the destruction of the suitors, and then make for the town. I will not be long in joining you, because I am eager for the fight myself."
The classic translation · 17
As she spoke she touched him with her golden wand. First she threw a fair clean shirt and cloak about his shoulders; then she made him younger and of more imposing presence; she gave him back his colour, filled out his cheeks, and let his beard become dark again. Then she went away and Odysseus came back inside the hut. His son was astounded when he saw him, and turned his eyes away for fear he might be looking upon a god.
Plain English · 17
As she spoke she touched him with her golden wand. First she threw a clean, fine shirt and cloak about his shoulders. Then she made him younger and more imposing to look at. She gave him back his color, filled out his cheeks, and let his beard grow dark again. Then she went away, and Odysseus came back inside the hut. His son was astonished when he saw him, and turned his eyes away, afraid he might be looking at a god.
The classic translation · 18
“Stranger,” said he, “how suddenly you have changed from what you were a moment or two ago. You are dressed differently and your colour is not the same. Are you some one or other of the gods that live in heaven? If so, be propitious to me till I can make you due sacrifice and offerings of wrought gold. Have mercy upon me.”
Plain English · 18
"Stranger," he said, "how suddenly you have changed from what you were a moment ago. You are dressed differently and your color is not the same. Are you one of the gods that live in heaven? If you are, be kind to me until I can make you proper sacrifices and offerings of worked gold. Have mercy on me."
The classic translation · 19
And Odysseus said, “I am no god, why should you take me for one? I am your father, on whose account you grieve and suffer so much at the hands of lawless men.”
Plain English · 19
And Odysseus said, "I am no god. Why should you take me for one? I am your father, the man you grieve for, and for whose sake you suffer so much at the hands of lawless men."
The classic translation · 20
As he spoke he kissed his son, and a tear fell from his cheek on to the ground, for he had restrained all tears till now. But Telemachus could not yet believe that it was his father, and said:
Plain English · 20
As he spoke he kissed his son, and a tear fell from his cheek onto the ground, because he had held back all his tears until now. But Telemachus still could not believe it was his father, and said:
The classic translation · 21
“You are not my father, but some god is flattering me with vain hopes that I may grieve the more hereafter; no mortal man could of himself contrive to do as you have been doing, and make yourself old and young at a moment’s notice, unless a god were with him. A second ago you were old and all in rags, and now you are like some god come down from heaven.”
Plain English · 21
"You are not my father. You are some god flattering me with empty hopes, so that I may grieve all the more afterward. No mortal man could manage by himself to do what you have been doing, and make himself old and young in a moment, unless a god were with him. A second ago you were old and all in rags, and now you are like some god come down from heaven."
The classic translation · 22
Odysseus answered, “Telemachus, you ought not to be so immeasurably astonished at my being really here. There is no other Odysseus who will come hereafter. Such as I am, it is I, who after long wandering and much hardship have got home in the twentieth year to my own country. What you wonder at is the work of the redoubtable goddess Athena, who does with me whatever she will, for she can do what she pleases. At one moment she makes me like a beggar, and the next I am a young man with good clothes on my back; it is an easy matter for the gods who live in heaven to make any man look either rich or poor.”
Plain English · 22
Odysseus answered, "Telemachus, you ought not to be so completely astonished that I am really here. There is no other Odysseus who will come after me. Such as I am, it is me, and after long wandering and much hardship I have got home to my own country in the twentieth year. What you are wondering at is the work of the mighty goddess Athena, who does what she likes with me, because she can do whatever she pleases. One moment she makes me look like a beggar, and the next I am a young man with good clothes on my back. It is an easy matter for the gods who live in heaven to make any man look rich or poor."
The classic translation · 23
As he spoke he sat down, and Telemachus threw his arms about his father and wept. They were both so much moved that they cried aloud like eagles or vultures with crooked talons that have been robbed of their half fledged young by peasants. Thus piteously did they weep, and the sun would have gone down upon their mourning if Telemachus had not suddenly said, “In what ship, my dear father, did your crew bring you to Ithaca? Of what nation did they declare themselves to be—for you cannot have come by land?”
Plain English · 23
As he spoke he sat down, and Telemachus threw his arms about his father and wept. They were both so moved that they cried aloud, like eagles or vultures with crooked talons that have been robbed of their half-fledged young by farmers. So pitifully did they weep, and the sun would have gone down on their mourning, if Telemachus had not suddenly said, "In what ship, my dear father, did your crew bring you to Ithaca? What nation did they say they came from? You cannot have come by land."
The classic translation · 24
“I will tell you the truth, my son,” replied Odysseus. “It was the Phaeacians who brought me here. They are great sailors, and are in the habit of giving escorts to any one who reaches their coasts. They took me over the sea while I was fast asleep, and landed me in Ithaca, after giving me many presents in bronze, gold, and raiment. These things by heaven’s mercy are lying concealed in a cave, and I am now come here on the suggestion of Athena that we may consult about killing our enemies. First, therefore, give me a list of the suitors, with their number, that I may learn who, and how many, they are. I can then turn the matter over in my mind, and see whether we two can fight the whole body of them ourselves, or whether we must find others to help us.”
Plain English · 24
"I will tell you the truth, my son," Odysseus replied. "It was the Phaeacians who brought me here. They are great sailors, and they make a habit of giving an escort to anyone who reaches their coast. They took me over the sea while I was fast asleep, and landed me in Ithaca, after giving me many presents in bronze and gold and clothing. By heaven's mercy those things are lying hidden in a cave, and I have come here on Athena's suggestion, so that we may plan how to kill our enemies. First, then, give me a list of the suitors and their number, so that I may learn who they are and how many. Then I can turn the matter over in my mind and see whether the two of us can fight the whole body of them ourselves, or whether we must find others to help us."
The classic translation · 25
To this Telemachus answered, “Father, I have always heard of your renown both in the field and in council, but the task you talk of is a very great one: I am awed at the mere thought of it; two men cannot stand against many and brave ones. There are not ten suitors only, nor twice ten, but ten many times over; you shall learn their number at once. There are fifty-two chosen youths from Dulichium, and they have six servants; from Same there are twenty-four; twenty young Achaeans from Zacynthus, and twelve from Ithaca itself, all of them well born. They have with them a servant Medon, a bard, and two men who can carve at table. If we face such numbers as this, you may have bitter cause to rue your coming, and your revenge. See whether you cannot think of some one who would be willing to come and help us.”
Plain English · 25
Telemachus answered, "Father, I have always heard of your fame, both in battle and in giving advice. But the task you talk of is a very great one. I am awed at the mere thought of it. Two men cannot stand against many brave ones. There are not ten suitors only, or twice ten, but ten many times over. You shall learn their number at once. There are fifty-two chosen young men from Dulichium, and they have six servants. From Same there are twenty-four. There are twenty young Achaeans from Zacynthus, and twelve from Ithaca itself, all of them well born. They have with them a servant, Medon, and a singer, and two men who can carve at table. If we face numbers like that, you may have bitter cause to regret your coming and your revenge. See whether you cannot think of somebody who would be willing to come and help us."
The classic translation · 26
“Listen to me,” replied Odysseus, “and think whether Athena and her father Zeus may seem sufficient, or whether I am to try and find some one else as well.”
Plain English · 26
"Listen to me," Odysseus replied, "and think whether Athena and her father Zeus may be enough, or whether I am to try to find somebody else as well."
The classic translation · 27
“Those whom you have named,” answered Telemachus, “are a couple of good allies, for though they dwell high up among the clouds they have power over both gods and men.”
Plain English · 27
"The two you have named," Telemachus answered, "are a fine pair of allies. They live high up among the clouds, but they have power over both gods and men."
The classic translation · 28
“These two,” continued Odysseus, “will not keep long out of the fray, when the suitors and we join fight in my house. Now, therefore, return home early tomorrow morning, and go about among the suitors as before. Later on the swineherd will bring me to the city disguised as a miserable old beggar. If you see them ill treating me, steel your heart against my sufferings; even though they drag me feet foremost out of the house, or throw things at me, look on and do nothing beyond gently trying to make them behave more reasonably; but they will not listen to you, for the day of their reckoning is at hand. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart; when Athena shall put it in my mind, I will nod my head to you, and on seeing me do this you must collect all the armour that is in the house and hide it in the strong store room. Make some excuse when the suitors ask you why you are removing it; say that you have taken it to be out of the way of the smoke, inasmuch as it is no longer what it was when Odysseus went away, but has become soiled and begrimed with soot. Add to this more particularly that you are afraid Zeus may set them on to quarrel over their wine, and that they may do each other some harm which may disgrace both banquet and wooing, for the sight of arms sometimes tempts people to use them. But leave a sword and a spear apiece for yourself and me, and a couple of oxhide shields so that we can snatch them up at any moment; Zeus and Athena will then soon quiet these people. There is also another matter; if you are indeed my son and my blood runs in your veins, let no one know that Odysseus is within the house—neither Laertes, nor yet the swineherd, nor any of the servants, nor even Penelope herself. Let you and me exploit the women alone, and let us also make trial of some other of the men servants, to see who is on our side and whose hand is against us.”
Plain English · 28
"Those two," Odysseus went on, "will not keep out of the fight for long, once the suitors and we join battle in my house. Now, then, go home early tomorrow morning and go about among the suitors as before. Later on the swineherd will bring me to the city disguised as a miserable old beggar. If you see them ill-treating me, steel your heart against my suffering. Even if they drag me feet first out of the house, or throw things at me, look on and do nothing, beyond gently trying to make them behave more reasonably. They will not listen to you, because the day of their reckoning is at hand. And here is something more, so lay it to your heart. When Athena puts it into my mind, I will nod my head to you. When you see me do that, collect all the armor in the house and hide it in the strong storeroom. Make some excuse when the suitors ask why you are moving it. Say you have taken it out of the way of the smoke, since it is no longer what it was when Odysseus went away, but has become dirty and blackened with soot. Add particularly that you are afraid Zeus may set them quarreling over their wine. They may do each other some harm that would disgrace both the feasting and the courting. The sight of weapons sometimes tempts people to use them. But leave a sword and a spear each for you and me, and a couple of oxhide shields, so that we can snatch them up at any moment. Zeus and Athena will soon quiet these people then. And there is one more thing. If you are really my son and my blood runs in your veins, let nobody know Odysseus is in the house: not Laertes, not the swineherd, not any of the servants, not even Penelope herself. You and I will test the women by ourselves, and let us try some of the men servants too, to see who is on our side and whose hand is against us."
The classic translation · 29
“Father,” replied Telemachus, “you will come to know me by and by, and when you do you will find that I can keep your counsel. I do not think, however, the plan you propose will turn out well for either of us. Think it over. It will take us a long time to go the round of the farms and exploit the men, and all the time the suitors will be wasting your estate with impunity and without compunction. Prove the women by all means, to see who are disloyal and who guiltless, but I am not in favour of going round and trying the men. We can attend to that later on, if you really have some sign from Zeus that he will support you.”
Plain English · 29
"Father," Telemachus replied, "you will come to know me in time, and when you do you will find that I can keep your counsel. But I do not think the plan you propose will turn out well for either of us. Think it over. It will take us a long time to go round the farms and test the men, and all that time the suitors will be wasting your estate, and nobody will stop them or make them sorry for it. Test the women by all means, to see which are disloyal and which are innocent. But I am not in favor of going round and trying the men. We can attend to that later, if you really have some sign from Zeus that he will support you."
The classic translation · 30
Thus did they converse, and meanwhile the ship which had brought Telemachus and his crew from Pylos had reached the town of Ithaca. When they had come inside the harbour they drew the ship on to the land; their servants came and took their armour from them, and they left all the presents at the house of Clytius. Then they sent a servant to tell Penelope that Telemachus had gone into the country, but had sent the ship to the town to prevent her from being alarmed and made unhappy. This servant and Eumaeus happened to meet when they were both on the same errand of going to tell Penelope. When they reached the House, the servant stood up and said to the queen in the presence of the waiting women, “Your son, Madam, is now returned from Pylos”; but Eumaeus went close up to Penelope, and said privately all that her son had bidden him tell her. When he had given his message he left the house with its outbuildings and went back to his pigs again.
Plain English · 30
So they talked, and meanwhile the ship that had brought Telemachus and his crew from Pylos had reached the town of Ithaca. When they had come inside the harbor they drew the ship up onto the land. Their servants came and took their armor from them, and they left all the presents at the house of Clytius. Then they sent a servant to tell Penelope that Telemachus had gone into the country, but had sent the ship to the town so that she should not be alarmed and made unhappy. This servant and Eumaeus happened to meet, both on the same errand of going to tell Penelope. When they reached the house, the servant stood up and said to the queen in front of the waiting women, "Your son, madam, is now back from Pylos." But Eumaeus went close up to Penelope and told her privately everything her son had told him to say. When he had given his message he left the house and its outbuildings and went back to his pigs.
The classic translation · 31
The suitors were surprised and angry at what had happened, so they went outside the great wall that ran round the outer court, and held a council near the main entrance. Eurymachus, son of Polybus, was the first to speak.
Plain English · 31
The suitors were surprised and angry at what had happened, so they went outside the great wall that ran round the outer court, and held a meeting near the main entrance. Eurymachus, son of Polybus, was the first to speak.
The classic translation · 32
“My friends,” said he, “this voyage of Telemachus’s is a very serious matter; we had made sure that it would come to nothing. Now, however, let us draw a ship into the water, and get a crew together to send after the others and tell them to come back as fast as they can.”
Plain English · 32
"My friends," he said, "this voyage of Telemachus's is a very serious matter. We had made sure it would come to nothing. Now, though, let us draw a ship into the water and get a crew together, to send after the others and tell them to come back as fast as they can."
The classic translation · 33
He had hardly done speaking when Amphinomus turned in his place and saw the ship inside the harbour, with the crew lowering her sails, and putting by their oars; so he laughed, and said to the others, “We need not send them any message, for they are here. Some god must have told them, or else they saw the ship go by, and could not overtake her.”
Plain English · 33
He had hardly finished speaking when Amphinomus turned in his place and saw the ship inside the harbor, with the crew lowering her sails and stowing their oars. So he laughed, and said to the others, "We need not send them any message. They are here. Some god must have told them, or else they saw the ship go by and could not catch her."
The classic translation · 34
On this they rose and went to the water side. The crew then drew the ship on shore; their servants took their armour from them, and they went up in a body to the place of assembly, but they would not let any one old or young sit along with them, and Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spoke first.
Plain English · 34
At this they got up and went down to the water. The crew drew the ship onto the shore, and their servants took their armor from them. Then they went up in a body to the meeting place, but they would not let anyone else, old or young, sit with them. Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spoke first.
The classic translation · 35
“Good heavens,” said he, “see how the gods have saved this man from destruction. We kept a succession of scouts upon the headlands all day long, and when the sun was down we never went on shore to sleep, but waited in the ship all night till morning in the hope of capturing and killing him; but some god has convoyed him home in spite of us. Let us consider how we can make an end of him. He must not escape us; our affair is never likely to come off while he is alive, for he is very shrewd, and public feeling is by no means all on our side. We must make haste before he can call the Achaeans in assembly; he will lose no time in doing so, for he will be furious with us, and will tell all the world how we plotted to kill him, but failed to take him. The people will not like this when they come to know of it; we must see that they do us no hurt, nor drive us from our own country into exile. Let us try and lay hold of him either on his farm away from the town, or on the road hither. Then we can divide up his property amongst us, and let his mother and the man who marries her have the house. If this does not please you, and you wish Telemachus to live on and hold his father’s property, then we must not gather here and eat up his goods in this way, but must make our offers to Penelope each from his own house, and she can marry the man who will give the most for her, and whose lot it is to win her.”
Plain English · 35
"Good heavens," he said, "look how the gods have saved this man from destruction. We kept scouts one after another on the headlands all day long, and when the sun was down we never went ashore to sleep, but waited in the ship all night till morning, hoping to catch him and kill him. And some god has carried him home in spite of us. Let us think how we can make an end of him. He must not escape us. Our business will never come off while he is alive, because he is very shrewd, and public feeling is by no means all on our side. We must be quick, before he can call the Achaeans to a meeting. He will lose no time in doing it, because he will be furious with us, and will tell the whole world how we plotted to kill him and failed to catch him. The people will not like that when they hear of it. We must see that they do us no harm, and do not drive us out of our own country into exile. Let us try to lay hold of him, either on his farm away from the town or on the road here. Then we can divide his property among us, and let his mother and the man who marries her have the house. If that does not please you, and you want Telemachus to live on and hold his father's property, then we must stop gathering here and eating up his goods this way. We must each make our offer to Penelope from his own house, and she can marry the man who gives the most for her, and whose luck it is to win her."
The classic translation · 36
They all held their peace until Amphinomus rose to speak. He was the son of Nisus, who was son to king Aretias, and he was foremost among all the suitors from the wheat-growing and well grassed island of Dulichium; his conversation, moreover, was more agreeable to Penelope than that of any of the other suitors, for he was a man of good natural disposition. “My friends,” said he, speaking to them plainly and in all honesty, “I am not in favour of killing Telemachus. It is a heinous thing to kill one who is of noble blood. Let us first take counsel of the gods, and if the oracles of Zeus advise it, I will both help to kill him myself, and will urge everyone else to do so; but if they dissuade us, I would have you hold your hands.”
Plain English · 36
They all kept quiet until Amphinomus rose to speak. He was the son of Nisus, who was the son of king Aretias, and he was the leading man among all the suitors from the wheat-growing, well-grassed island of Dulichium. Penelope also found his conversation more agreeable than that of any of the other suitors, because he had a good nature. "My friends," he said, speaking to them plainly and honestly, "I am not in favor of killing Telemachus. It is a terrible thing to kill a man of noble blood. Let us take the gods' advice first, and if the oracles of Zeus advise it, I will help to kill him myself and will urge everyone else to do it. But if they advise against it, I would have you hold your hands."
The classic translation · 37
Thus did he speak, and his words pleased them well, so they rose forthwith and went to the house of Odysseus, where they took their accustomed seats.
Plain English · 37
So he spoke, and his words pleased them well, so they got up at once and went to the house of Odysseus, where they took their usual seats.
The classic translation · 38
Then Penelope resolved that she would show herself to the suitors. She knew of the plot against Telemachus, for the servant Medon had overheard their counsels and had told her; she went down therefore to the court attended by her maidens, and when she reached the suitors she stood by one of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the cloister holding a veil before her face, and rebuked Antinous saying:
Plain English · 38
Then Penelope decided she would show herself to the suitors. She knew about the plot against Telemachus, because the servant Medon had overheard their plans and had told her. So she went down to the court with her maids. When she reached the suitors she stood by one of the posts that hold up the roof of the covered walkway, holding a veil in front of her face, and she rebuked Antinous, saying:
The classic translation · 39
“Antinous, insolent and wicked schemer, they say you are the best speaker and counsellor of any man your own age in Ithaca, but you are nothing of the kind. Madman, why should you try to compass the death of Telemachus, and take no heed of suppliants, whose witness is Zeus himself? It is not right for you to plot thus against one another. Do you not remember how your father fled to this house in fear of the people, who were enraged against him for having gone with some Taphian pirates and plundered the Thesprotians who were at peace with us? They wanted to tear him in pieces and eat up everything he had, but Odysseus stayed their hands although they were infuriated, and now you devour his property without paying for it, and break my heart by wooing his wife and trying to kill his son. Leave off doing so, and stop the others also.”
Plain English · 39
"Antinous, you insolent and wicked schemer, they say you are the best speaker and adviser of any man your age in Ithaca, but you are nothing of the kind. Madman, why should you plan the death of Telemachus, and pay no attention to men who come begging for protection, when Zeus himself is their witness? It is not right for you to plot against one another like this. Do you not remember how your father fled to this house in fear of the people? They were enraged with him for going off with some Taphian pirates and plundering the Thesprotians, who were at peace with us. They wanted to tear him in pieces and eat up everything he had, but Odysseus held their hands, furious as they were. And now you devour his property without paying for it, and break my heart by courting his wife and trying to kill his son. Stop doing it, and make the others stop as well."
The classic translation · 40
To this Eurymachus son of Polybus answered, “Take heart, Queen Penelope daughter of Icarius, and do not trouble yourself about these matters. The man is not yet born, nor never will be, who shall lay hands upon your son Telemachus, while I yet live to look upon the face of the earth. I say—and it shall surely be—that my spear shall be reddened with his blood; for many a time has Odysseus taken me on his knees, held wine up to my lips to drink, and put pieces of meat into my hands. Therefore Telemachus is much the dearest friend I have, and has nothing to fear from the hands of us suitors. Of course, if death comes to him from the gods, he cannot escape it.” He said this to quiet her, but in reality he was plotting against Telemachus.
Plain English · 40
Eurymachus son of Polybus answered her, "Take heart, Queen Penelope, daughter of Icarius, and do not trouble yourself about these matters. The man is not yet born, and never will be, who will lay hands on your son Telemachus while I live to look upon the face of the earth. I say this, and it will surely happen: my spear shall be red with his blood. Many a time Odysseus took me on his knees, held wine up to my lips to drink, and put pieces of meat into my hands. So Telemachus is much the dearest friend I have, and he has nothing to fear from the hands of us suitors. Of course, if death comes to him from the gods, he cannot escape it." He said this to quiet her, but in reality he was plotting against Telemachus.
The classic translation · 41
Then Penelope went upstairs again and mourned her husband till Athena shed sleep over her eyes. In the evening Eumaeus got back to Odysseus and his son, who had just sacrificed a young pig of a year old and were helping one another to get supper ready; Athena therefore came up to Odysseus, turned him into an old man with a stroke of her wand, and clad him in his old clothes again, for fear that the swineherd might recognise him and not keep the secret, but go and tell Penelope.
Plain English · 41
Then Penelope went upstairs again and mourned her husband until Athena shed sleep over her eyes. In the evening Eumaeus got back to Odysseus and his son, who had just sacrificed a year-old pig and were helping each other get supper ready. So Athena came up to Odysseus, turned him into an old man with a stroke of her wand, and dressed him in his old clothes again. She did it in case the swineherd recognized him and did not keep the secret, but went and told Penelope.
The classic translation · 42
Telemachus was the first to speak. “So you have got back, Eumaeus,” said he. “What is the news of the town? Have the suitors returned, or are they still waiting over yonder, to take me on my way home?”
Plain English · 42
Telemachus was the first to speak. "So you have got back, Eumaeus," he said. "What is the news in the town? Have the suitors returned, or are they still waiting over there to take me on my way home?"
The classic translation · 43
“I did not think of asking about that,” replied Eumaeus, “when I was in the town. I thought I would give my message and come back as soon as I could. I met a man sent by those who had gone with you to Pylos, and he was the first to tell the news to your mother, but I can say what I saw with my own eyes; I had just got on to the crest of the hill of Hermes above the town when I saw a ship coming into harbour with a number of men in her. They had many shields and spears, and I thought it was the suitors, but I cannot be sure.”
Plain English · 43
"I did not think of asking about that," Eumaeus replied, "when I was in the town. I thought I would give my message and come back as soon as I could. I met a man sent by those who had gone with you to Pylos, and he was the first to tell your mother the news. But I can tell you what I saw with my own eyes. I had just got to the top of the hill of Hermes above the town when I saw a ship coming into harbor with a number of men in her. They had many shields and spears, and I thought it was the suitors, but I cannot be sure."
The classic translation · 44
On hearing this Telemachus smiled to his father, but so that Eumaeus could not see him.
Plain English · 44
When he heard this, Telemachus smiled at his father, but in a way that Eumaeus could not see.
The classic translation · 45
Then, when they had finished their work and the meal was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, they laid down to rest and enjoyed the boon of sleep.
Plain English · 45
Then, when they had finished their work and the meal was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, they lay down to rest and enjoyed the gift of sleep.
Reading text: plain text file. Published under CC BY 4.0, reproduced as recorded.
Want a copy for your bookshelf?
Enjoyed this audiobook? Add a printed copy to your personal library, or share the experience by gifting one to a friend or family member.
Open Ear Books earns a commission on purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. Open Ear Books is also the publisher of this paperback edition. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.