# The Odyssey, Book 10: Aeolus, the Laestrygonians, and Circe

Ὀδύσσεια · Homer · The Wanderings

Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag of winds, and his crew opens it in sight of Ithaca. The Laestrygonians sink eleven ships. Circe turns his men into pigs.

Source: https://1732studios.com/books/odyssey/10. Data: https://1732studios.com/books/odyssey/10.json. Audio: https://audio.1732studios.com/odyssey/<line id>.m4a.

**1** Αἰολίην δʼ ἐς νῆσον ἀφικόμεθʼ· ἔνθα δʼ ἔναιεν  
Then we came to the Aeolian island; there dwelt

**2** Αἴολος Ἱπποτάδης, φίλος ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν,  
Aeolus son of Hippotas, dear to the immortal gods,

**3** πλωτῇ ἐνὶ νήσῳ· πᾶσαν δέ τέ μιν πέρι τεῖχος  
on a floating island; and all around it ran a wall

**4** χάλκεον ἄρρηκτον, λισσὴ δʼ ἀναδέδρομε πέτρη.  
of unbreakable bronze, and a sheer cliff rose up.

**5** τοῦ καὶ δώδεκα παῖδες ἐνὶ μεγάροις γεγάασιν,  
Twelve children of his are born in the halls,

**6** ἓξ μὲν θυγατέρες, ἓξ δʼ υἱέες ἡβώοντες·  
six daughters and six sons in the bloom of youth;

**7** ἔνθʼ ὅ γε θυγατέρας πόρεν υἱάσιν εἶναι ἀκοίτις.  
and there he gave his daughters to his sons to be their wives.

**8** οἱ δʼ αἰεὶ παρὰ πατρὶ φίλῳ καὶ μητέρι κεδνῇ  
Always beside their dear father and honored mother

**9** δαίνυνται, παρὰ δέ σφιν ὀνείατα μυρία κεῖται,  
they feast, and countless good things lie before them,

**10** κνισῆεν δέ τε δῶμα περιστεναχίζεται αὐλῇ  
and by day the house, fragrant with roasting meat, echoes through the court

**11** ἤματα· νύκτας δʼ αὖτε παρʼ αἰδοίῃς ἀλόχοισιν  
with its din; but at night, beside their modest wives,

**12** εὕδουσʼ ἔν τε τάπησι καὶ ἐν τρητοῖσι λέχεσσι.  
they sleep on coverlets and on corded bedsteads.

**13** καὶ μὲν τῶν ἱκόμεσθα πόλιν καὶ δώματα καλά.  
To their city and fair halls, then, we came.

**14** μῆνα δὲ πάντα φίλει με καὶ ἐξερέεινεν ἕκαστα,  
For a whole month he welcomed me and asked about everything,

**15** Ἴλιον Ἀργείων τε νέας καὶ νόστον Ἀχαιῶν·  
Ilium and the ships of the Argives and the return of the Achaeans;
> nostos: the homecoming: Nostos means the journey home, the great theme of the Odyssey. The whole poem turns on Odysseus's nostos.

**16** καὶ μὲν ἐγὼ τῷ πάντα κατὰ μοῖραν κατέλεξα.  
and I told him all of it in due order.

**17** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ καὶ ἐγὼν ὁδὸν ᾔτεον ἠδʼ ἐκέλευον  
But when at last I asked for passage and bade him

**18** πεμπέμεν, οὐδέ τι κεῖνος ἀνήνατο, τεῦχε δὲ πομπήν.  
send me on, he did not refuse, but arranged my journey.

**19** δῶκε δέ μʼ ἐκδείρας ἀσκὸν βοὸς ἐννεώροιο,  
He flayed the hide of a nine-year-old ox and gave it to me as a sack,

**20** ἔνθα δὲ βυκτάων ἀνέμων κατέδησε κέλευθα·  
and in it he bound fast the paths of the blustering winds;

**21** κεῖνον γὰρ ταμίην ἀνέμων ποίησε Κρονίων,  
for the son of Cronos had made him steward of the winds,

**22** ἠμὲν παυέμεναι ἠδʼ ὀρνύμεν, ὅν κʼ ἐθέλῃσι.  
to still them or to rouse whichever he wished.

**23** νηὶ δʼ ἐνὶ γλαφυρῇ κατέδει μέρμιθι φαεινῇ  
In the hollow ship he tied it down with a shining cord,

**24** ἀργυρέῃ, ἵνα μή τι παραπνεύσῃ ὀλίγον περ·  
of silver, so that not even a little might leak out;

**25** αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ πνοιὴν Ζεφύρου προέηκεν ἀῆναι,  
but for me he sent forth the breath of the West Wind to blow,

**26** ὄφρα φέροι νῆάς τε καὶ αὐτούς· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλεν  
to carry the ships and us along; yet it was not meant

**27** ἐκτελέειν· αὐτῶν γὰρ ἀπωλόμεθʼ ἀφραδίῃσιν.  
to be fulfilled, for by our own folly we were undone.
> By our own folly: A recurring Odyssean theme: men ruined not by fate alone but by their own thoughtlessness. The dative plural names the cause.

**28** ἐννῆμαρ μὲν ὁμῶς πλέομεν νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ,  
For nine days alike we sailed, by night and by day,

**29** τῇ δεκάτῃ δʼ ἤδη ἀνεφαίνετο πατρὶς ἄρουρα,  
and on the tenth our native land at last came into view,

**30** καὶ δὴ πυρπολέοντας ἐλεύσσομεν ἐγγὺς ἐόντες·  
and being near we could see men tending their fires.

**31** ἔνθʼ ἐμὲ μὲν γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἐπήλυθε κεκμηῶτα,  
Then sweet sleep came over me, worn out as I was,

**32** αἰεὶ γὰρ πόδα νηὸς ἐνώμων, οὐδέ τῳ ἄλλῳ  
for I had always worked the ship's sheet and given it to no one

**33** δῶχʼ ἑτάρων, ἵνα θᾶσσον ἱκοίμεθα πατρίδα γαῖαν·  
else of my comrades, so we might reach our native land the sooner;

**34** οἱ δʼ ἕταροι ἐπέεσσι πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον,  
but my comrades were talking with one another,

**35** καί μʼ ἔφασαν χρυσόν τε καὶ ἄργυρον οἴκαδʼ ἄγεσθαι  
and said I was carrying home gold and silver,

**36** δῶρα παρʼ Αἰόλου μεγαλήτορος Ἱπποτάδαο.  
gifts from great-hearted Aeolus son of Hippotas.

**37** ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκεν ἰδὼν ἐς πλησίον ἄλλον·  
And one would speak, glancing at his neighbor:

**38** ὦ πόποι, ὡς ὅδε πᾶσι φίλος καὶ τίμιός
                        ἐστιν  
"Now look how this man is loved and honored by all

**39** ἀνθρώποις, ὅτεών τε πόλιν καὶ γαῖαν ἵκηται.  
people, whatever city and land he comes to.

**40** πολλὰ μὲν ἐκ Τροίης ἄγεται κειμήλια καλὰ  
Many fine treasures he carries off from Troy,

**41** ληίδος, ἡμεῖς δʼ αὖτε ὁμὴν ὁδὸν ἐκτελέσαντες  
out of the spoils, while we, having traveled the same road,

**42** οἴκαδε νισσόμεθα κενεὰς σὺν χεῖρας ἔχοντες·  
are coming home with empty hands;

**43** καὶ νῦν οἱ τάδʼ ἔδωκε χαριζόμενος φιλότητι  
and now Aeolus has given him these things, in his kindness

**44** Αἴολος. ἀλλʼ ἄγε θᾶσσον ἰδώμεθα ὅττι τάδʼ ἐστίν,  
and friendship. Come, let us quickly see what they are,

**45** ὅσσος τις χρυσός τε καὶ ἄργυρος ἀσκῷ ἔνεστιν.  
how much gold and silver is in the sack."

**46** ὣς ἔφασαν, βουλὴ δὲ κακὴ νίκησεν ἑταίρων·  
So they spoke, and the evil counsel of my comrades prevailed;

**47** ἀσκὸν μὲν λῦσαν, ἄνεμοι δʼ ἐκ πάντες ὄρουσαν.  
they loosed the sack, and all the winds rushed out.

**48** τοὺς δʼ αἶψʼ ἁρπάξασα φέρεν πόντονδε θύελλα  
At once the storm seized them and bore them out to sea,

**49** κλαίοντας, γαίης ἄπο πατρίδος. αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε  
weeping, away from their native land. But as for me,

**50** ἐγρόμενος κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονα μερμήριξα,  
I awoke and pondered in my noble heart

**51** ἠὲ πεσὼν ἐκ νηὸς ἀποφθίμην ἐνὶ πόντῳ,  
whether to fling myself from the ship and perish in the sea,

**52** ἦ ἀκέων τλαίην καὶ ἔτι ζωοῖσι μετείην.  
or to bear it in silence and still remain among the living.

**53** ἀλλʼ ἔτλην καὶ ἔμεινα, καλυψάμενος δʼ ἐνὶ νηὶ  
But I endured and stayed, and covering my head I lay

**54** κείμην. αἱ δʼ ἐφέροντο κακῇ ἀνέμοιο θυέλλῃ  
down in the ship. The ships were borne by the cruel blast of wind

**55** αὖτις ἐπʼ Αἰολίην νῆσον, στενάχοντο δʼ ἑταῖροι.  
back to the Aeolian island, and my comrades groaned.

**56** ἔνθα δʼ ἐπʼ ἠπείρου βῆμεν καὶ ἀφυσσάμεθʼ
                     ὕδωρ,  
There we stepped onto the mainland and drew water,

**57** αἶψα δὲ δεῖπνον ἕλοντο θοῇς παρὰ νηυσὶν ἑταῖροι.  
and at once my comrades took their meal beside the swift ships.

**58** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ σίτοιό τʼ ἐπασσάμεθʼ ἠδὲ ποτῆτος,  
But when we had tasted food and drink,

**59** δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼ κήρυκά τʼ ὀπασσάμενος καὶ ἑταῖρον  
then taking a herald and a comrade with me

**60** βῆν εἰς Αἰόλου κλυτὰ δώματα· τὸν δʼ ἐκίχανον  
I went to the glorious halls of Aeolus; and I found him

**61** δαινύμενον παρὰ ᾗ τʼ ἀλόχῳ καὶ οἷσι τέκεσσιν.  
feasting beside his wife and his children.

**62** ἐλθόντες δʼ ἐς δῶμα παρὰ σταθμοῖσιν ἐπʼ οὐδοῦ  
Coming into the house, by the doorposts on the threshold

**63** ἑζόμεθʼ· οἱ δʼ ἀνὰ θυμὸν ἐθάμβεον ἔκ τʼ ἐρέοντο·  
we sat down; and they marveled in their hearts and asked:

**64** πῶς ἦλθες, Ὀδυσεῦ; τίς τοι κακὸς ἔχραε
                        δαίμων;  
"How have you come, Odysseus? What evil power has assailed you?
> Vocative of address: Odysseus's name appears in the vocative case, the form used to call out to or address someone directly.

**65** ἦ μέν σʼ ἐνδυκέως ἀπεπέμπομεν, ὄφρʼ ἀφίκοιο  
Surely we sent you off with care, that you might reach

**66** πατρίδα σὴν καὶ δῶμα καὶ εἴ πού τοι φίλον ἐστίν.  
your native land and home, and wherever else is dear to you."

**67** ὣς φάσαν, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ μετεφώνεον ἀχνύμενος
                     κῆρ·  
So they spoke, but I answered with grieving heart:

**68** ἄασάν μʼ ἕταροί τε κακοὶ πρὸς τοῖσί τε ὕπνος  
"My evil comrades ruined me, and along with them cruel

**69** σχέτλιος. ἀλλʼ ἀκέσασθε, φίλοι· δύναμις γὰρ ἐν ὑμῖν.  
sleep. But mend this, my friends, for the power is in you."

**70** ὣς ἐφάμην μαλακοῖσι καθαπτόμενος ἐπέεσσιν,  
So I spoke, appealing to them with gentle words,

**71** οἱ δʼ ἄνεῳ ἐγένοντο· πατὴρ δʼ ἠμείβετο μύθῳ·  
but they fell silent; and the father answered with a word:

**72** ἔρρʼ ἐκ νήσου θᾶσσον, ἐλέγχιστε ζωόντων·  
"Begone from the island at once, vilest of living men!
> Imperative: begone: Aeolus drives Odysseus off with a curt command. The imperative mood gives a direct order.

**73** οὐ γάρ μοι θέμις ἐστὶ κομιζέμεν οὐδʼ ἀποπέμπειν  
It is not right for me to help or send on his way

**74** ἄνδρα τόν, ὅς κε θεοῖσιν ἀπέχθηται μακάρεσσιν·  
a man who is hated by the blessed gods;

**75** ἔρρε, ἐπεὶ ἄρα θεοῖσιν ἀπεχθόμενος τόδʼ ἱκάνεις.  
begone, since you come here hated by the gods."

**76** ὣς εἰπὼν ἀπέπεμπε δόμων βαρέα στενάχοντα.  
So saying, he sent me from his house, groaning heavily.

**77** ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρω πλέομεν ἀκαχήμενοι ἦτορ.  
From there we sailed onward, grieving in our hearts.

**78** τείρετο δʼ ἀνδρῶν θυμὸς ὑπʼ εἰρεσίης ἀλεγεινῆς  
And the men's spirit was worn down by the painful rowing,

**79** ἡμετέρῃ ματίῃ, ἐπεὶ οὐκέτι φαίνετο πομπή.  
through our own folly, since no fair passage showed any longer.

**80** ἑξῆμαρ μὲν ὁμῶς πλέομεν νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ,  
For six days alike we sailed, by night and by day,

**81** ἑβδομάτῃ δʼ ἱκόμεσθα Λάμου αἰπὺ πτολίεθρον,  
and on the seventh we came to the steep citadel of Lamos,

**82** Τηλέπυλον Λαιστρυγονίην, ὅθι ποιμένα ποιμὴν  
Telepylus of the Laestrygonians, where herdsman to herdsman

**83** ἠπύει εἰσελάων, ὁ δέ τʼ ἐξελάων ὑπακούει.  
calls as he drives in, and the other, driving out, answers him.

**84** ἔνθα κʼ ἄυπνος ἀνὴρ δοιοὺς ἐξήρατο μισθούς,  
There a man who needed no sleep could earn a double wage,

**85** τὸν μὲν βουκολέων, τὸν δʼ ἄργυφα μῆλα νομεύων·  
one for herding cattle, one for pasturing the white sheep;

**86** ἐγγὺς γὰρ νυκτός τε καὶ ἤματός εἰσι κέλευθοι.  
for the paths of night and day lie close together.

**87** ἔνθʼ ἐπεὶ ἐς λιμένα κλυτὸν ἤλθομεν, ὃν πέρι πέτρη  
There, when we came to the famous harbor, around which a cliff

**88** ἠλίβατος τετύχηκε διαμπερὲς ἀμφοτέρωθεν,  
rises sheer, unbroken on both sides,

**89** ἀκταὶ δὲ προβλῆτες ἐναντίαι ἀλλήλῃσιν  
and jutting headlands facing one another

**90** ἐν στόματι προύχουσιν, ἀραιὴ δʼ εἴσοδός ἐστιν,  
stand out at the mouth, and the entrance is narrow,

**91** ἔνθʼ οἵ γʼ εἴσω πάντες ἔχον νέας ἀμφιελίσσας.  
there the others all brought their curved ships inside.

**92** αἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἔντοσθεν λιμένος κοίλοιο δέδεντο  
These were moored within the hollow harbor,

**93** πλησίαι· οὐ μὲν γάρ ποτʼ ἀέξετο κῦμά γʼ ἐν αὐτῷ,  
close together; for never did a wave rise within it,

**94** οὔτε μέγʼ οὔτʼ ὀλίγον, λευκὴ δʼ ἦν ἀμφὶ γαλήνη·  
neither great nor small, but a clear calm lay all around;

**95** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν οἶος σχέθον ἔξω νῆα μέλαιναν,  
but I alone held my black ship outside,
> Odysseus stands apart: The nominative adjective "alone" (oios) marks Odysseus's caution: he keeps his ship outside the trap that will doom the others.

**96** αὐτοῦ ἐπʼ ἐσχατιῇ, πέτρης ἐκ πείσματα δήσας·  
there at the very edge, fastening the cables to a rock;

**97** ἔστην δὲ σκοπιὴν ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἀνελθών.  
and I climbed up to a rugged lookout and stood.

**98** ἔνθα μὲν οὔτε βοῶν οὔτʼ ἀνδρῶν φαίνετο ἔργα,  
There no works of oxen or of men appeared,

**99** καπνὸν δʼ οἶον ὁρῶμεν ἀπὸ χθονὸς ἀίσσοντα.  
only smoke we saw rising up from the earth.

**100** δὴ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἑτάρους προΐειν πεύθεσθαι ἰόντας,  
Then I sent comrades ahead to go and learn

**101** οἵ τινες ἀνέρες εἶεν ἐπὶ χθονὶ σῖτον ἔδοντες,  
what manner of men, eating bread, dwelt on that land,
> Bread-eating men: "Eaters of bread" is a Homeric way of saying ordinary, civilized humans, as opposed to monsters or the gods.

**102** ἄνδρε δύω κρίνας, τρίτατον κήρυχʼ ἅμʼ ὀπάσσας.  
choosing two men, and sending a herald as a third.
> The dual number: "Two men" uses the dual, a special grammatical number Homer keeps for natural pairs. Greek has singular, dual, and plural.

**103** οἱ δʼ ἴσαν ἐκβάντες λείην ὁδόν, ᾗ περ ἄμαξαι  
They went, stepping out onto a smooth road by which wagons

**104** ἄστυδʼ ἀφʼ ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων καταγίνεον ὕλην,  
brought down timber to the town from the high mountains,

**105** κούρῃ δὲ ξύμβληντο πρὸ ἄστεος ὑδρευούσῃ,  
and before the town they met a girl drawing water,

**106** θυγατέρʼ ἰφθίμῃ Λαιστρυγόνος Ἀντιφάταο.  
the strong daughter of the Laestrygonian Antiphates.

**107** ἡ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐς κρήνην κατεβήσετο καλλιρέεθρον  
She had gone down to the fair-flowing spring,

**108** Ἀρτακίην· ἔνθεν γὰρ ὕδωρ προτὶ ἄστυ φέρεσκον·  
Artacia; for from there they carried water to the town.

**109** οἱ δὲ παριστάμενοι προσεφώνεον ἔκ τʼ ἐρέοντο  
Standing beside her they spoke and asked

**110** ὅς τις τῶνδʼ εἴη βασιλεὺς καὶ οἷσιν ἀνάσσοι·  
who was the king of these people and over whom he ruled;

**111** ἡ δὲ μάλʼ αὐτίκα πατρὸς ἐπέφραδεν ὑψερεφὲς δῶ.  
And at once she pointed out her father's high-roofed house.

**112** οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ εἰσῆλθον κλυτὰ δώματα, τὴν δὲ γυναῖκα  
But when they entered the glorious halls, they found his wife,

**113** εὗρον, ὅσην τʼ ὄρεος κορυφήν, κατὰ δʼ ἔστυγον αὐτήν.  
huge as a mountain peak, and they were filled with horror at her.
> shuddered with loathing: The verb στυγέω conveys not mere fear but revulsion and dread, the same root that gives the river Styx its name.

**114** ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξ ἀγορῆς ἐκάλει κλυτὸν Ἀντιφατῆα,  
She at once called out from the assembly her famous Antiphates,

**115** ὃν πόσιν, ὃς δὴ τοῖσιν ἐμήσατο λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον.  
her husband, who then plotted a grim destruction for them.

**116** αὐτίχʼ ἕνα μάρψας ἑτάρων ὡπλίσσατο δεῖπνον·  
Straightaway he seized one of my comrades and made him his meal;

**117** τὼ δὲ δύʼ ἀίξαντε φυγῇ ἐπὶ νῆας ἱκέσθην.  
but the other two leapt up and fled, and reached the ships.
> dual verb for the two men: The ending -σθην is third-person dual aorist: Homer keeps the two surviving scouts grammatically paired throughout the line.

**118** αὐτὰρ ὁ τεῦχε βοὴν διὰ ἄστεος· οἱ δʼ ἀίοντες  
Then he raised a war-cry through the town, and hearing it

**119** φοίτων ἴφθιμοι Λαιστρυγόνες ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος,  
the mighty Laestrygonians came thronging from every side,

**120** μυρίοι, οὐκ ἄνδρεσσιν ἐοικότες, ἀλλὰ Γίγασιν.  
countless, not like men but like Giants.

**121** οἵ ῥʼ ἀπὸ πετράων ἀνδραχθέσι χερμαδίοισιν  
They hurled down from the cliffs boulders a man could barely lift,
> man-burdening stones: ἀνδραχθής literally means "a load for a man" — rocks so heavy that one man could scarcely carry a single one.

**122** βάλλον· ἄφαρ δὲ κακὸς κόναβος κατὰ νῆας ὀρώρει  
and at once a hideous din arose among the ships,

**123** ἀνδρῶν τʼ ὀλλυμένων νηῶν θʼ ἅμα ἀγνυμενάων·  
of men being killed and of ships being smashed together;
> genitive present participles: Both participles are genitive plural, describing the men and ships whose dying and shattering make the din. The present tense pictures the action as ongoing.

**124** ἰχθῦς δʼ ὣς πείροντες ἀτερπέα δαῖτα φέροντο.  
and spearing them like fish they carried them off, a grim feast.

**125** ὄφρʼ οἱ τοὺς ὄλεκον λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντός,  
While they were destroying my men inside the deep harbor,

**126** τόφρα δʼ ἐγὼ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ  
meanwhile I drew the sharp sword from beside my thigh

**127** τῷ ἀπὸ πείσματʼ ἔκοψα νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο.  
and with it cut the cables of my dark-prowed ship.
> dark-prowed: A standing epithet for ships, "with prow of dark blue," referring to the painted or pitch-coated bow.

**128** αἶψα δʼ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσα  
At once I urged on my comrades and commanded them

**129** ἐμβαλέειν κώπῃς, ἵνʼ ὑπὲκ κακότητα φύγοιμεν·  
to fall to the oars, so we might escape from disaster;

**130** οἱ δʼ ἅλα πάντες ἀνέρριψαν, δείσαντες ὄλεθρον.  
and they all churned up the sea, fearing destruction.

**131** ἀσπασίως δʼ ἐς πόντον ἐπηρεφέας φύγε πέτρας  
Gladly out to the open sea, away from the overhanging rocks,

**132** νηῦς ἐμή· αὐτὰρ αἱ ἄλλαι ἀολλέες αὐτόθʼ ὄλοντο.  
fled my ship; but all the rest were destroyed together there.
> aorist middle of perishing: ὄλοντο is aorist middle, here intransitive: "they perished." The middle voice expresses the ships and men undergoing their own destruction.

**133** ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρω πλέομεν ἀκαχήμενοι ἦτορ,  
From there we sailed onward, grieving at heart,

**134** ἄσμενοι ἐκ θανάτοιο, φίλους ὀλέσαντες ἑταίρους.  
glad to be alive past death, but having lost dear comrades.

**135** Αἰαίην δʼ ἐς νῆσον ἀφικόμεθʼ· ἔνθα δʼ ἔναιε  
We came to the island of Aeaea; and there dwelt

**136** Κίρκη ἐυπλόκαμος, δεινὴ θεὸς αὐδήεσσα,  
Circe of the lovely braids, dread goddess of human speech,
> speaking with human voice: αὐδήεσσα marks a divine being who speaks in mortal language, a recurring epithet for goddesses like Circe and Calypso who interact directly with men.

**137** αὐτοκασιγνήτη ὀλοόφρονος Αἰήταο·  
own sister of Aeetes, whose mind is set on ruin;

**138** ἄμφω δʼ ἐκγεγάτην φαεσιμβρότου Ἠελίοιο  
both were born of the Sun who gives light to mortals
> dual perfect of birth: ἐκγεγάτην is third-person dual perfect: "the two of them were born," keeping Circe and Aeetes paired as a sibling pair.

**139** μητρός τʼ ἐκ Πέρσης, τὴν Ὠκεανὸς τέκε παῖδα.  
and of their mother Perse, whom Ocean fathered as his child.

**140** ἔνθα δʼ ἐπʼ ἀκτῆς νηὶ κατηγαγόμεσθα σιωπῇ  
There we brought our ship to land along the shore in silence,

**141** ναύλοχον ἐς λιμένα, καί τις θεὸς ἡγεμόνευεν.  
into a sheltering harbor, and some god guided us.

**142** ἔνθα τότʼ ἐκβάντες δύο τʼ ἤματα καὶ δύο νύκτας  
There then, having disembarked, for two days and two nights

**143** κείμεθʼ ὁμοῦ καμάτῳ τε καὶ ἄλγεσι θυμὸν ἔδοντες.  
we lay still, eating our hearts with weariness and pains.
> eating one's heart: A vivid Homeric idiom: grief is figured as inwardly devouring the spirit. The image of consuming sorrow is literal in the Greek.

**144** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τρίτον ἦμαρ ἐυπλόκαμος τέλεσʼ Ἠώς,  
But when fair-braided Dawn brought the third day to its close,

**145** καὶ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἐμὸν ἔγχος ἑλὼν καὶ φάσγανον ὀξὺ  
then I took up my spear and my sharp sword

**146** καρπαλίμως παρὰ νηὸς ἀνήιον ἐς περιωπήν,  
and went swiftly up from the ship to a lookout point,

**147** εἴ πως ἔργα ἴδοιμι βροτῶν ἐνοπήν τε πυθοίμην.  
in hope I might see the works of men and hear their voices.
> optatives of purpose: Both verbs are aorist optatives after εἴ πως, expressing the purpose Odysseus hoped for: "if somehow I might see and learn."

**148** ἔστην δὲ σκοπιὴν ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἀνελθών,  
I stood, having climbed up to a rugged lookout,

**149** καί μοι ἐείσατο καπνὸς ἀπὸ χθονὸς εὐρυοδείης,  
and smoke appeared to me, rising from the broad-pathed earth,

**150** Κίρκης ἐν μεγάροισι, διὰ δρυμὰ πυκνὰ καὶ ὕλην.  
in Circe's halls, through the dense thickets and the woods.

**151** μερμήριξα δʼ ἔπειτα κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμὸν  
Then I pondered in my mind and heart

**152** ἐλθεῖν ἠδὲ πυθέσθαι, ἐπεὶ ἴδον αἴθοπα καπνόν.  
whether to go and inquire, since I had seen the flickering smoke.

**153** ὧδε δέ μοι φρονέοντι δοάσσατο κέρδιον εἶναι,  
And as I thought it over, this seemed the better course:
> the more profitable course: κέρδιον is the comparative of the adjective tied to κέρδος, "gain": Odysseus weighs what is most advantageous, a hallmark of his calculating mind.

**154** πρῶτʼ ἐλθόντʼ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης  
to go first to the swift ship and the shore of the sea,

**155** δεῖπνον ἑταίροισιν δόμεναι προέμεν τε πυθέσθαι.  
to give my comrades their meal and send some ahead to inquire.

**156** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦα κιὼν νεὸς ἀμφιελίσσης,  
But when, going on, I was near the curved ship,

**157** καὶ τότε τίς με θεῶν ὀλοφύρατο μοῦνον ἐόντα,  
then some god took pity on me as I went alone,

**158** ὅς ῥά μοι ὑψίκερων ἔλαφον μέγαν εἰς ὁδὸν αὐτὴν  
who sent a great high-antlered stag right into my path.

**159** ἧκεν. ὁ μὲν ποταμόνδε κατήιεν ἐκ νομοῦ ὕλης  
It was coming down toward the river from its woodland pasture

**160** πιόμενος· δὴ γάρ μιν ἔχεν μένος ἠελίοιο.  
to drink, for the sun's heat had taken hold of it.

**161** τὸν δʼ ἐγὼ ἐκβαίνοντα κατʼ ἄκνηστιν μέσα νῶτα  
As it came out, I struck it along the spine, in the middle of the back;

**162** πλῆξα· τὸ δʼ ἀντικρὺ δόρυ χάλκεον ἐξεπέρησε,  
the bronze spear passed straight through it,

**163** κὰδ δʼ ἔπεσʼ ἐν κονίῃσι μακών, ἀπὸ δʼ ἔπτατο θυμός.  
and it fell with a bleat in the dust, and the life flew from it.
> tmesis: the spirit flew off: The preverb ἀπό is split from its verb (ἔπτατο, aorist of πέτομαι), a Homeric construction called tmesis. The life literally "flies away" from the dying animal.

**164** τῷ δʼ ἐγὼ ἐμβαίνων δόρυ χάλκεον ἐξ ὠτειλῆς  
Setting my foot on it, I drew the bronze spear from the wound

**165** εἰρυσάμην· τὸ μὲν αὖθι κατακλίνας ἐπὶ γαίῃ  
and pulled it out; then I laid the spear down on the ground

**166** εἴασʼ· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ σπασάμην ῥῶπάς τε λύγους τε,  
and left it there; meanwhile I plucked twigs and withies,

**167** πεῖσμα δʼ, ὅσον τʼ ὄργυιαν, ἐυστρεφὲς ἀμφοτέρωθεν  
and a rope about a fathom long, well-twisted at both ends,

**168** πλεξάμενος συνέδησα πόδας δεινοῖο πελώρου,  
I plaited, and bound together the feet of the monstrous beast,

**169** βῆν δὲ καταλοφάδεια φέρων ἐπὶ νῆα μέλαιναν  
and went, carrying it slung round my neck, toward the dark ship,

**170** ἔγχει ἐρειδόμενος, ἐπεὶ οὔ πως ἦεν ἐπʼ ὤμου  
leaning on my spear, since there was no way to bear it on my shoulder

**171** χειρὶ φέρειν ἑτέρῃ· μάλα γὰρ μέγα θηρίον ἦεν.  
with the other hand; for it was a very great beast.

**172** κὰδʼ δʼ ἔβαλον προπάροιθε νεός, ἀνέγειρα δʼ ἑταίρους  
I threw it down before the ship, and roused my comrades

**173** μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρασταδὸν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον·  
with gentle words, standing beside each man:

**174** ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γάρ πω καταδυσόμεθʼ ἀχνύμενοί
                        περ  
"Friends, for all our grief we will not yet go down

**175** εἰς Ἀίδαο δόμους, πρὶν μόρσιμον ἦμαρ ἐπέλθῃ·  
into the house of Hades before our fated day arrives.
> the fated day: μόρσιμον ("appointed by fate") with ἦμαρ marks the destined day of death. The image of a fixed day allotted to each life is central to Homeric thought.

**176** ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ, ὄφρʼ ἐν νηὶ θοῇ βρῶσίς τε πόσις τε,  
Come then, while there is food and drink in the swift ship,

**177** μνησόμεθα βρώμης, μηδὲ τρυχώμεθα λιμῷ.  
let us think of eating, and not waste away with hunger."

**178** ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δʼ ὦκα ἐμοῖς ἐπέεσσι πίθοντο,  
So I spoke, and they quickly obeyed my words,

**179** ἐκ δὲ καλυψάμενοι παρὰ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο  
and uncovering their heads along the shore of the barren sea
> the barren sea: ἀτρύγετος, a fixed epithet of the sea, means "unharvested" or "fruitless" — the sea yields no crop to those who cross it.

**180** θηήσαντʼ ἔλαφον· μάλα γὰρ μέγα θηρίον ἦεν.  
they marveled at the stag; for it was a very great beast.

**181** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τάρπησαν ὁρώμενοι ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,  
But when they had taken their fill of gazing with their eyes,

**182** χεῖρας νιψάμενοι τεύχοντʼ ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα.  
they washed their hands and prepared a glorious feast.

**183** ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα  
So then all day long until the setting of the sun

**184** ἥμεθα δαινύμενοι κρέα τʼ ἄσπετα καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ·  
we sat feasting on abundant meat and sweet wine.

**185** ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθε,  
But when the sun went down and darkness came on,

**186** δὴ τότε κοιμήθημεν ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης.  
then we lay down to sleep on the breaking surf of the sea.

**187** ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,  
And when early-born, rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,
> rosy-fingered Dawn: The most famous of Homer's formulaic epithets, marking daybreak. Such fixed phrases fit the dactylic hexameter and recur identically throughout the poems.

**188** καὶ τότʼ ἐγὼν ἀγορὴν θέμενος μετὰ πᾶσιν ἔειπον·  
then I called an assembly and spoke among them all:

**189** κέκλυτέ μευ μύθων, κακά περ πάσχοντες
                        ἑταῖροι·  
"Hear my words, comrades, for all the evils you have suffered.

**190** ὦ φίλοι, οὐ γάρ τʼ ἴδμεν, ὅπῃ ζόφος οὐδʼ ὅπῃ ἠώς,  
Friends, we do not know where the darkness lies, nor where the dawn,

**191** οὐδʼ ὅπῃ ἠέλιος φαεσίμβροτος εἶσʼ ὑπὸ γαῖαν,  
nor where the sun that gives light to mortals goes beneath the earth,

**192** οὐδʼ ὅπῃ ἀννεῖται· ἀλλὰ φραζώμεθα θᾶσσον  
nor where it rises; but let us consider quickly

**193** εἴ τις ἔτʼ ἔσται μῆτις. ἐγὼ δʼ οὔκ οἴομαι εἶναι.  
whether any plan is still left. I think there is none.
> cunning plan: μῆτις denotes resourceful cunning, the quality that defines Odysseus (polymētis). Even he admits here that no clever scheme presents itself.

**194** εἶδον γὰρ σκοπιὴν ἐς παιπαλόεσσαν ἀνελθὼν  
For I saw, having climbed up to a rugged lookout,

**195** νῆσον, τὴν πέρι πόντος ἀπείριτος ἐστεφάνωται·  
an island, around which the boundless sea lies like a crown;
> wreathed around: The verb (perfect of στεφανόω, "to crown") pictures the sea as a garland encircling the low-lying island.

**196** αὐτὴ δὲ χθαμαλὴ κεῖται· καπνὸν δʼ ἐνὶ μέσσῃ  
and it lies low; and smoke in the middle of it

**197** ἔδρακον ὀφθαλμοῖσι διὰ δρυμὰ πυκνὰ καὶ ὕλην.  
I saw with my eyes, through dense thickets and woods."

**198** ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δὲ κατεκλάσθη φίλον ἦτορ  
So I spoke, and their dear hearts were broken within them,

**199** μνησαμένοις ἔργων Λαιστρυγόνος Ἀντιφάταο  
remembering the deeds of the Laestrygonian Antiphates

**200** Κύκλωπός τε βίης μεγαλήτορος, ἀνδροφάγοιο.  
and the violence of the great-hearted, man-eating Cyclops.

**201** κλαῖον δὲ λιγέως θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες·  
They wept shrilly, shedding swelling tears;

**202** ἀλλʼ οὐ γάρ τις πρῆξις ἐγίγνετο μυρομένοισιν.  
but no good came of their lamenting.

**203** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ δίχα πάντας ἐυκνήμιδας ἑταίρους  
Then I divided all my well-greaved comrades
> well-greaved: ἐυκνήμις, "with fine greaves," is a standard epithet for the Achaeans, referring to the bronze shin-guards of their armor.

**204** ἠρίθμεον, ἀρχὸν δὲ μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν ὄπασσα·  
into two groups, and I gave a leader to each;

**205** τῶν μὲν ἐγὼν ἦρχον, τῶν δʼ Εὐρύλοχος θεοειδής.  
of the one I myself was leader, and of the other godlike Eurylochus.

**206** κλήρους δʼ ἐν κυνέῃ χαλκήρεϊ πάλλομεν ὦκα·  
Quickly we shook the lots in a bronze-fitted helmet,

**207** ἐκ δʼ ἔθορε κλῆρος μεγαλήτορος Εὐρυλόχοιο.  
and out leapt the lot of great-hearted Eurylochus.

**208** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω καὶ εἴκοσʼ ἑταῖροι  
He set out to go, and with him twenty-two comrades,

**209** κλαίοντες· κατὰ δʼ ἄμμε λίπον γοόωντας ὄπισθεν.  
weeping; and they left us behind, wailing.

**210** εὗρον δʼ ἐν βήσσῃσι τετυγμένα δώματα Κίρκης  
In the glades they found the well-built halls of Circe,

**211** ξεστοῖσιν λάεσσι, περισκέπτῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ·  
made of polished stones, in a place open to view all round;

**212** ἀμφὶ δέ μιν λύκοι ἦσαν ὀρέστεροι ἠδὲ λέοντες,  
around it were mountain wolves and lions,

**213** τοὺς αὐτὴ κατέθελξεν, ἐπεὶ κακὰ φάρμακʼ ἔδωκεν.  
which she herself had bewitched, since she gave them evil drugs.
> bewitched, charmed: θέλγω is the verb of magical enchantment that pervades the Circe episode, used of spells that subdue both beasts and men.

**214** οὐδʼ οἵ γʼ ὡρμήθησαν ἐπʼ ἀνδράσιν, ἀλλʼ ἄρα τοί γε  
These did not rush upon the men, but instead

**215** οὐρῇσιν μακρῇσι περισσαίνοντες ἀνέσταν.  
stood up, fawning with their long tails.

**216** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἀμφὶ ἄνακτα κύνες δαίτηθεν ἰόντα  
As when dogs fawn about their master coming from a feast,
> epic simile marker: ὡς δʼ ὅτε ("as when") with the subjunctive introduces a Homeric simile, here likening the tame beasts to dogs greeting their returning master.

**217** σαίνωσʼ, αἰεὶ γάρ τε φέρει μειλίγματα θυμοῦ,  
for he always brings them tidbits to please their hearts,

**218** ὣς τοὺς ἀμφὶ λύκοι κρατερώνυχες ἠδὲ λέοντες  
so the strong-clawed wolves and lions fawned about my men;

**219** σαῖνον· τοὶ δʼ ἔδεισαν, ἐπεὶ ἴδον αἰνὰ πέλωρα.  
but they were afraid, when they saw the dreadful monsters.

**220** ἔσταν δʼ ἐν προθύροισι θεᾶς καλλιπλοκάμοιο,  
They stood in the forecourt of the lovely-braided goddess,

**221** Κίρκης δʼ ἔνδον ἄκουον ἀειδούσης ὀπὶ καλῇ,  
And within they heard Circe singing in a lovely voice,
> Genitive participle: The present participle 'singing' is genitive, agreeing with Circe, the source of the sound they heard. Verbs of hearing often take a genitive of the thing heard.

**222** ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένης μέγαν ἄμβροτον, οἷα θεάων  
as she paced before her great immortal loom, such webs as goddesses make,

**223** λεπτά τε καὶ χαρίεντα καὶ ἀγλαὰ ἔργα πέλονται.  
delicate and graceful and gleaming work.

**224** τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Πολίτης ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν,  
Polites was first among them to speak, a leader of men,

**225** ὅς μοι κήδιστος ἑτάρων ἦν κεδνότατός τε·  
who was dearest to me of my companions and most trustworthy:

**226** ὦ φίλοι, ἔνδον γάρ τις ἐποιχομένη μέγαν
                        ἱστὸν  
"Friends, inside someone pacing at a great loom

**227** καλὸν ἀοιδιάει, δάπεδον δʼ ἅπαν ἀμφιμέμυκεν,  
is singing sweetly, and the whole floor echoes with it,

**228** ἢ θεὸς ἠὲ γυνή· ἀλλὰ φθεγγώμεθα θᾶσσον.  
a goddess or a woman. Come, let us call out at once."
> Hortatory subjunctive: The first-person plural subjunctive 'let us call out' is used to urge a shared action. The particle θᾶσσον ('quickly') sharpens the urging.

**229** ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, τοὶ δὲ φθέγγοντο καλεῦντες.  
So he spoke, and they called out, raising their voices.

**230** ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξελθοῦσα θύρας ὤιξε φαεινὰς  
At once she came out, opened the shining doors,

**231** καὶ κάλει· οἱ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἀιδρείῃσιν ἕποντο·  
and called them in; and they all followed, foolishly;
> Through ignorance: The dative plural 'in their ignorance' marks the men's fatal cluelessness; they have no idea what awaits them. The poet underscores the contrast with cautious Eurylochus in the next line.

**232** Εὐρύλοχος δʼ ὑπέμεινεν, ὀισάμενος δόλον εἶναι.  
but Eurylochus held back, suspecting it was a trap.

**233** εἷσεν δʼ εἰσαγαγοῦσα κατὰ κλισμούς τε θρόνους τε,  
She led them in and seated them on chairs and high seats,

**234** ἐν δέ σφιν τυρόν τε καὶ ἄλφιτα καὶ μέλι χλωρὸν  
and for them she stirred up cheese and barley meal and pale honey

**235** οἴνῳ Πραμνείῳ ἐκύκα· ἀνέμισγε δὲ σίτῳ  
into Pramnian wine; but into the food she mixed

**236** φάρμακα λύγρʼ, ἵνα πάγχυ λαθοίατο πατρίδος αἴης.  
baleful drugs, so that they might wholly forget their native land.

**237** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δῶκέν τε καὶ ἔκπιον, αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτα  
But after she had given it and they drank it down, at once

**238** ῥάβδῳ πεπληγυῖα κατὰ συφεοῖσιν ἐέργνυ.  
she struck them with her wand and penned them in the pigsties.
> Perfect participle: πεπληγυῖα is a perfect participle 'having struck,' formed with reduplication of the stem. It marks the completed blow whose effect (their transformation) now holds.

**239** οἱ δὲ συῶν μὲν ἔχον κεφαλὰς φωνήν τε τρίχας τε  
They had the heads of pigs, the voice, the bristles,

**240** καὶ δέμας, αὐτὰρ νοῦς ἦν ἔμπεδος, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ.  
and the body, but their mind stayed firm, as it was before.
> Mind unchanged: The horror of the spell is that their noos (mind, awareness) remains human and intact inside the animal body. The same word recurs at line 329 of Odysseus's 'unenchantable' mind.

**241** ὣς οἱ μὲν κλαίοντες ἐέρχατο, τοῖσι δὲ Κίρκη  
So they were penned in, weeping, and Circe threw before them

**242** πάρ ῥʼ ἄκυλον βάλανόν τε βάλεν καρπόν τε κρανείης  
acorns and ilex-mast and cornel fruit

**243** ἔδμεναι, οἷα σύες χαμαιευνάδες αἰὲν ἔδουσιν.  
to eat, such as ground-bedded swine always feed on.

**244** Εὐρύλοχος δʼ αἶψʼ ἦλθε θοὴν ἐπὶ νῆα μέλαιναν  
Eurylochus came back at once to the swift black ship

**245** ἀγγελίην ἑτάρων ἐρέων καὶ ἀδευκέα πότμον.  
to bring word of his companions and their bitter fate.

**246** οὐδέ τι ἐκφάσθαι δύνατο ἔπος ἱέμενός περ,  
But he could not utter a single word, though he longed to,

**247** κῆρ ἄχεϊ μεγάλῳ βεβολημένος· ἐν δέ οἱ ὄσσε  
stricken in his heart by great anguish; and his eyes

**248** δακρυόφιν πίμπλαντο, γόον δʼ ὠίετο θυμός.  
filled with tears, and his spirit was set on wailing.

**249** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή μιν πάντες ἀγασσάμεθʼ ἐξερέοντες,  
But when we had all questioned him in our amazement,

**250** καὶ τότε τῶν ἄλλων ἑτάρων κατέλεξεν ὄλεθρον·  
then at last he told the destruction of the other companions:

**251** ἤιομεν, ὡς ἐκέλευες, ἀνὰ δρυμά, φαίδιμʼ
                        Ὀδυσσεῦ·  
"We went, as you ordered, through the thickets, glorious Odysseus,

**252** εὕρομεν ἐν βήσσῃσι τετυγμένα δώματα καλὰ  
and we found in the glens a fine house, well-built

**253** ξεστοῖσιν λάεσσι, περισκέπτῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ.  
of polished stones, in a place open to view.

**254** ἔνθα δέ τις μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένη λίγʼ ἄειδεν,  
There someone, pacing at a great loom, was singing clearly,

**255** ἢ θεὸς ἠὲ γυνή· τοὶ δὲ φθέγγοντο καλεῦντες.  
a goddess or a woman; and they called out, raising their voices.

**256** ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξελθοῦσα θύρας ὤιξε φαεινὰς  
At once she came out, opened the shining doors,

**257** καὶ κάλει· οἱ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἀιδρείῃσιν ἕποντο·  
and called them in; and they all followed, foolishly;

**258** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ὑπέμεινα, ὀισάμενος δόλον εἶναι.  
but I held back, suspecting it was a trap.

**259** οἱ δʼ ἅμʼ ἀιστώθησαν ἀολλέες, οὐδέ τις αὐτῶν  
Then they all vanished together, and not one of them

**260** ἐξεφάνη· δηρὸν δὲ καθήμενος ἐσκοπίαζον.  
came back out; and I sat watching a long while."

**261** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ περὶ μὲν ξίφος
                     ἀργυρόηλον  
So he spoke; and I slung my silver-studded sword

**262** ὤμοιιν βαλόμην, μέγα χάλκεον, ἀμφὶ δὲ τόξα·  
over my shoulders, a great bronze blade, and my bow as well;

**263** τὸν δʼ ἂψ ἠνώγεα αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ἡγήσασθαι.  
and I ordered him to lead me back by that same road.

**264** αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἀμφοτέρῃσι λαβὼν ἐλλίσσετο γούνων  
But he clasped my knees with both his hands and begged,

**265** καί μʼ ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
and weeping he spoke to me winged words:
> Winged words: This formulaic epithet for speech, 'winged words,' recurs throughout Homer. The image is of words flying swiftly from speaker to hearer.

**266** μή μʼ ἄγε κεῖσʼ ἀέκοντα, διοτρεφές, ἀλλὰ λίπʼ
                        αὐτοῦ.  
"Do not lead me there against my will, god-nurtured one, but leave me here.

**267** οἶδα γάρ, ὡς οὔτʼ αὐτὸς ἐλεύσεαι οὔτε τινʼ ἄλλον  
For I know that you will neither come back yourself nor bring any other

**268** ἄξεις σῶν ἑτάρων. ἀλλὰ ξὺν τοίσδεσι θᾶσσον  
of your companions. No, with these men here, quickly

**269** φεύγωμεν· ἔτι γάρ κεν ἀλύξαιμεν κακὸν ἦμαρ.  
let us flee; for we might still escape the day of doom."

**270** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος
                     προσέειπον·  
So he spoke; but I answered him and said:

**271** Εὐρύλοχʼ, ἦ τοι μὲν σὺ μένʼ αὐτοῦ τῷδʼ ἐνὶ χώρῳ  
"Eurylochus, you may stay right here in this place,

**272** ἔσθων καὶ πίνων κοίλῃ παρὰ νηὶ μελαίνῃ·  
eating and drinking beside the hollow black ship;

**273** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν εἶμι, κρατερὴ δέ μοι ἔπλετʼ ἀνάγκη.  
but I will go, for hard necessity is upon me."

**274** ὣς εἰπὼν παρὰ νηὸς ἀνήιον ἠδὲ θαλάσσης.  
So saying I went up from the ship and the sea.

**275** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἄρʼ ἔμελλον ἰὼν ἱερὰς ἀνὰ βήσσας  
But when, on my way, I was about to come up through the sacred glens

**276** Κίρκης ἵξεσθαι πολυφαρμάκου ἐς μέγα δῶμα,  
and reach the great house of Circe, rich in drugs,

**277** ἔνθα μοι Ἑρμείας χρυσόρραπις ἀντεβόλησεν  
there Hermes of the golden wand met me

**278** ἐρχομένῳ πρὸς δῶμα, νεηνίῃ ἀνδρὶ ἐοικώς,  
as I went toward the house, looking like a young man,

**279** πρῶτον ὑπηνήτῃ, τοῦ περ χαριεστάτη ἥβη·  
in the first down of his beard, with the loveliest grace of youth.

**280** ἔν τʼ ἄρα μοι φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·  
He took my hand and clasped it, spoke and called me by name:

**281** πῇ δὴ αὖτʼ, ὦ δύστηνε, διʼ ἄκριας ἔρχεαι
                        οἶος,  
"Where now again, poor wretch, are you going alone through the hilltops,

**282** χώρου ἄιδρις ἐών; ἕταροι δέ τοι οἵδʼ ἐνὶ Κίρκης  
ignorant of the land? Your companions, there in Circe's house,

**283** ἔρχαται ὥς τε σύες πυκινοὺς κευθμῶνας ἔχοντες.  
are penned like swine, holding their close-built lairs.

**284** ἦ τοὺς λυσόμενος δεῦρʼ ἔρχεαι; οὐδέ σέ φημι  
Have you come here to set them free? I tell you, you will not

**285** αὐτὸν νοστήσειν, μενέεις δὲ σύ γʼ, ἔνθα περ ἄλλοι.  
return yourself either; you will stay right where the others are.

**286** ἀλλʼ ἄγε δή σε κακῶν ἐκλύσομαι ἠδὲ σαώσω.  
But come, I will deliver you from these evils and save you.

**287** τῆ, τόδε φάρμακον ἐσθλὸν ἔχων ἐς δώματα Κίρκης  
Here, take this potent drug and go into Circe's house
> Homeric 'here, take it!': τῆ is an old interjection used when handing something over, equivalent to 'here!' It belongs to the elevated, archaic register of Homeric speech.

**288** ἔρχευ, ὅ κέν τοι κρατὸς ἀλάλκῃσιν κακὸν ἦμαρ.  
with it: it will ward off the day of doom from your head.

**289** πάντα δέ τοι ἐρέω ὀλοφώια δήνεα Κίρκης.  
And I will tell you all the deadly schemes of Circe.

**290** τεύξει τοι κυκεῶ, βαλέει δʼ ἐν φάρμακα σίτῳ.  
She will mix you a potion and put drugs in the food;

**291** ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς θέλξαι σε δυνήσεται· οὐ γὰρ ἐάσει  
but even so she will not be able to bewitch you, for it will not allow it,

**292** φάρμακον ἐσθλόν, ὅ τοι δώσω, ἐρέω δὲ ἕκαστα.  
this potent drug I will give you. And I will tell you each thing.

**293** ὁππότε κεν Κίρκη σʼ ἐλάσῃ περιμήκεϊ ῥάβδῳ,  
When Circe strikes at you with her long wand,
> Indefinite temporal clause: 'Whenever she strikes' uses the subjunctive with κεν to mark a future, conditional event. Greek regularly uses the subjunctive for an anticipated 'when' that has not yet happened.

**294** δὴ τότε σὺ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ  
then draw your sharp sword from beside your thigh

**295** Κίρκῃ ἐπαῖξαι, ὥς τε κτάμεναι μενεαίνων.  
and rush at Circe as though eager to kill her.

**296** ἡ δέ σʼ ὑποδείσασα κελήσεται εὐνηθῆναι·  
She, in terror, will then invite you to her bed;

**297** ἔνθα σὺ μηκέτʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπανήνασθαι θεοῦ εὐνήν,  
and do not at that point refuse the goddess's bed,
> Infinitive as command: Homer uses the infinitive 'to refuse' with a negative as a forceful instruction: 'do not refuse.' The infinitive frequently stands in for an imperative in such directives.

**298** ὄφρα κέ τοι λύσῃ θʼ ἑτάρους αὐτόν τε κομίσσῃ·  
so that she may free your companions and care for you yourself.

**299** ἀλλὰ κέλεσθαί μιν μακάρων μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμόσσαι,  
But bid her swear the great oath of the blessed gods,

**300** μή τί τοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο,  
that she will plot no other evil harm against you,

**301** μή σʼ ἀπογυμνωθέντα κακὸν καὶ ἀνήνορα θήῃ.  
lest, stripping you bare, she make you a coward and unmanned."

**302** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας πόρε φάρμακον ἀργεϊφόντης  
So speaking, the Slayer of Argos handed me the drug,
> Slayer of Argos: This is a standing epithet of Hermes; the traditional sense is 'Argos-slayer,' after the many-eyed guardian Argos he killed. It is used here in place of his name.

**303** ἐκ γαίης ἐρύσας, καί μοι φύσιν αὐτοῦ ἔδειξε.  
pulling it out of the ground, and showed me its nature.

**304** ῥίζῃ μὲν μέλαν ἔσκε, γάλακτι δὲ εἴκελον ἄνθος·  
At the root it was black, but its flower was like milk.

**305** μῶλυ δέ μιν καλέουσι θεοί· χαλεπὸν δέ τʼ ὀρύσσειν  
The gods call it moly; and it is hard to dig up
> Moly: Moly is the magical plant Hermes gives Odysseus as protection against Circe's drugs. Its 'divine' name and milk-white flower mark it as no ordinary herb.

**306** ἀνδράσι γε θνητοῖσι, θεοὶ δέ τε πάντα δύνανται.  
for mortal men, at least; but the gods can do all things.

**307** Ἑρμείας μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον  
Then Hermes departed to high Olympus

**308** νῆσον ἀνʼ ὑλήεσσαν, ἐγὼ δʼ ἐς δώματα Κίρκης  
over the wooded island, and I went on toward Circe's house;

**309** ἤια, πολλὰ δέ μοι κραδίη πόρφυρε κιόντι.  
and as I walked my heart darkened with many thoughts.
> A churning heart: The verb porphyro literally evokes the dark heaving of the sea; applied to the heart it means it surged and brooded with anxious thought.

**310** ἔστην δʼ εἰνὶ θύρῃσι θεᾶς καλλιπλοκάμοιο·  
I stood at the doors of the fair-haired goddess;

**311** ἔνθα στὰς ἐβόησα, θεὰ δέ μευ ἔκλυεν αὐδῆς.  
standing there I called out, and the goddess heard my voice.

**312** ἡ δʼ αἶψʼ ἐξελθοῦσα θύρας ὤιξε φαεινὰς  
At once she came out, opened the shining doors,

**313** καὶ κάλει· αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἑπόμην ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ.  
and called me in; and I followed, grieved in my heart.

**314** εἷσε δέ μʼ εἰσαγαγοῦσα ἐπὶ θρόνου ἀργυροήλου  
She led me in and seated me on a silver-studded chair,

**315** καλοῦ δαιδαλέου· ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν·  
a fine, intricately wrought one, with a footstool beneath my feet;

**316** τεῦχε δέ μοι κυκεῶ χρυσέῳ δέπαι, ὄφρα πίοιμι,  
and she made me a potion in a golden cup, for me to drink,

**317** ἐν δέ τε φάρμακον ἧκε, κακὰ φρονέουσʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ.  
and into it she put a drug, scheming evil in her heart.

**318** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δῶκέν τε καὶ ἔκπιον, οὐδέ μʼ ἔθελξε,  
But after she had given it and I drank it down, and it did not bewitch me,

**319** ῥάβδῳ πεπληγυῖα ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζεν·  
she struck me with her wand, spoke, and called me by name:

**320** ἔρχεο νῦν συφεόνδε, μετʼ ἄλλων λέξο ἑταίρων.  
"Off to the pigsty now! Lie down with the rest of your companions!"

**321** ὣς φάτʼ, ἐγὼ δʼ ἄορ ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ
                     μηροῦ  
So she spoke; but I drew my sharp sword from beside my thigh

**322** Κίρκῃ ἐπήιξα ὥς τε κτάμεναι μενεαίνων.  
and rushed at Circe as though eager to kill her.

**323** ἡ δὲ μέγα ἰάχουσα ὑπέδραμε καὶ λάβε γούνων,  
But she, shrieking loudly, ran beneath the stroke and clasped my knees,

**324** καί μʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
and weeping she spoke to me winged words:

**325** τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν; πόθι τοι πόλις ἠδὲ
                        τοκῆες;  
"Who are you, and from where among men? Where is your city, and your parents?

**326** θαῦμά μʼ ἔχει ὡς οὔ τι πιὼν τάδε φάρμακʼ ἐθέλχθης·  
Amazement holds me, that you drank these drugs and were not bewitched.

**327** οὐδὲ γὰρ οὐδέ τις ἄλλος ἀνὴρ τάδε φάρμακʼ ἀνέτλη,  
For no other man at all has withstood these drugs

**328** ὅς κε πίῃ καὶ πρῶτον ἀμείψεται ἕρκος ὀδόντων.  
once he drank and they passed the barrier of his teeth.
> The fence of the teeth: 'The barrier of the teeth' is a recurring Homeric phrase for the mouth, the line that words or drink cross. Here it marks the point past which Circe's potion always wins, but did not with Odysseus.

**329** σοὶ δέ τις ἐν στήθεσσιν ἀκήλητος νόος ἐστίν.  
But in your breast there is a mind that cannot be enchanted.

**330** ἦ σύ γʼ Ὀδυσσεύς ἐσσι πολύτροπος, ὅν τέ μοι αἰεὶ  
Surely you are Odysseus of many turns, whom always
> Of many turns: polytropos, the famous opening epithet of Odysseus, means both 'much-traveled' and 'of many shifts/wiles.' Circe recognizes him by exactly the cunning that defeated her magic.

**331** φάσκεν ἐλεύσεσθαι χρυσόρραπις ἀργεϊφόντης,  
would come here, said Hermes of the golden wand, the slayer of Argus,
> Future infinitive: ἐλεύσεσθαι is the future infinitive of ἔρχομαι, in indirect statement after φάσκεν: Hermes kept saying that Odysseus would come.

**332** ἐκ Τροίης ἀνιόντα θοῇ σὺν νηὶ μελαίνῃ.  
coming back from Troy with his swift black ship.

**333** ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ κολεῷ μὲν ἄορ θέο, νῶι δʼ ἔπειτα  
But come now, put your sword back in its sheath, and let the two of us then
> Dual pronoun: νῶι is the dual of the first-person pronoun, 'we two', matching μιγέντε below: Circe speaks of herself and Odysseus as a pair.

**334** εὐνῆς ἡμετέρης ἐπιβείομεν, ὄφρα μιγέντε  
go up into our bed, so that, once joined
> Dual aorist participle: μιγέντε is a dual aorist passive participle of μίγνυμι, 'the two of us having been joined'; the dual carries through Circe's invitation.

**335** εὐνῇ καὶ φιλότητι πεποίθομεν ἀλλήλοισιν.  
in love and the bed, we may trust each other.

**336** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος
                     προσέειπον·  
So she spoke, but answering her I said:

**337** ὦ Κίρκη, πῶς γάρ με κέλεαι σοὶ ἤπιον εἶναι,  
Circe, how can you ask me to be gentle with you,

**338** ἥ μοι σῦς μὲν ἔθηκας ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἑταίρους,  
you who turned my comrades into swine in your halls,

**339** αὐτὸν δʼ ἐνθάδʼ ἔχουσα δολοφρονέουσα κελεύεις  
and now, holding me here, with treachery in mind you bid me
> Participle of intent: δολοφρονέουσα, 'plotting guile / with treachery in mind', is a present participle describing Circe's manner as she gives the command (κελεύεις).

**340** ἐς θάλαμόν τʼ ἰέναι καὶ σῆς ἐπιβήμεναι εὐνῆς,  
go into your chamber and climb into your bed,

**341** ὄφρα με γυμνωθέντα κακὸν καὶ ἀνήνορα θήῃς.  
so that, once you have me stripped, you may make me a coward and unmanned.

**342** οὐδʼ ἂν ἐγώ γʼ ἐθέλοιμι τεῆς ἐπιβήμεναι εὐνῆς,  
No, I would not be willing to climb into your bed,
> Potential optative: ἐθέλοιμι with ἂν is a potential optative: 'I would not be willing'. Homer uses the optative to frame a refusal hedged on a condition.

**343** εἰ μή μοι τλαίης γε, θεά, μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμόσσαι  
unless you would consent, goddess, to swear me a great oath

**344** μή τί μοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο.  
that you will plot no other evil harm against me.

**345** ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀπώμνυεν, ὡς
                     ἐκέλευον.  
So I spoke, and at once she swore the oath, as I demanded.

**346** αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ὄμοσέν τε τελεύτησέν τε τὸν ὅρκον,  
Then, when she had sworn and completed the oath,

**347** καὶ τότʼ ἐγὼ Κίρκης ἐπέβην περικαλλέος εὐνῆς.  
I climbed at last into Circe's surpassingly beautiful bed.

**348** ἀμφίπολοι δʼ ἄρα τέως μὲν ἐνὶ μεγάροισι
                     πένοντο  
Meanwhile four handmaids busied themselves in the halls,

**349** τέσσαρες, αἵ οἱ δῶμα κάτα δρήστειραι ἔασι·  
the ones who are her serving-women throughout the house;

**350** γίγνονται δʼ ἄρα ταί γʼ ἔκ τε κρηνέων ἀπό τʼ ἀλσέων  
they are born from the springs and from the groves

**351** ἔκ θʼ ἱερῶν ποταμῶν, οἵ τʼ εἰς ἅλαδε προρέουσι.  
and from the sacred rivers that flow down to the sea.

**352** τάων ἡ μὲν ἔβαλλε θρόνοις ἔνι ῥήγεα καλὰ  
One of them threw fine coverings over the chairs,

**353** πορφύρεα καθύπερθʼ, ὑπένερθε δὲ λῖθʼ ὑπέβαλλεν·  
purple ones on top, and beneath she spread linen cloths;

**354** ἡ δʼ ἑτέρη προπάροιθε θρόνων ἐτίταινε τραπέζας  
another drew up silver tables before the chairs

**355** ἀργυρέας, ἐπὶ δέ σφι τίθει χρύσεια κάνεια·  
and set golden baskets upon them;

**356** ἡ δὲ τρίτη κρητῆρι μελίφρονα οἶνον ἐκίρνα  
a third mixed honey-sweet wine in a silver

**357** ἡδὺν ἐν ἀργυρέῳ, νέμε δὲ χρύσεια κύπελλα·  
mixing-bowl, the sweet wine, and dealt out golden cups;

**358** ἡ δὲ τετάρτη ὕδωρ ἐφόρει καὶ πῦρ ἀνέκαιε  
the fourth brought water and kindled a great fire

**359** πολλὸν ὑπὸ τρίποδι μεγάλῳ· ἰαίνετο δʼ ὕδωρ.  
under a large tripod, and the water grew warm.

**360** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ δὴ ζέσσεν ὕδωρ ἐνὶ ἤνοπι χαλκῷ,  
Then, when the water boiled in the gleaming bronze,

**361** ἔς ῥʼ ἀσάμινθον ἕσασα λόʼ ἐκ τρίποδος μεγάλοιο,  
she sat me in a bath and washed me from the great tripod,

**362** θυμῆρες κεράσασα, κατὰ κρατός τε καὶ ὤμων,  
mixing it to a pleasant warmth, over my head and shoulders,

**363** ὄφρα μοι ἐκ κάματον θυμοφθόρον εἵλετο γυίων.  
until she had taken the spirit-wasting weariness from my limbs.
> Spirit-wasting: θυμοφθόρος literally means 'destroying the thumos (life-spirit)'; here it characterizes a weariness so deep it wears down the heart, not only the body.

**364** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ λοῦσέν τε καὶ ἔχρισεν λίπʼ ἐλαίῳ,  
And when she had bathed me and anointed me richly with oil,

**365** ἀμφὶ δέ με χλαῖναν καλὴν βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,  
she threw a fine cloak about me, and a tunic,

**366** εἷσε δέ μʼ εἰσαγαγοῦσα ἐπὶ θρόνου ἀργυροήλου  
and led me in and sat me on a silver-studded chair,

**367** καλοῦ δαιδαλέου, ὑπὸ δὲ θρῆνυς ποσὶν ἦεν·  
beautiful and intricately wrought, with a footstool for my feet;

**368** χέρνιβα δʼ ἀμφίπολος προχόῳ ἐπέχευε φέρουσα  
a handmaid brought water for washing in a pitcher,

**369** καλῇ χρυσείῃ, ὑπὲρ ἀργυρέοιο λέβητος,  
a beautiful golden one, and poured it over a silver basin,

**370** νίψασθαι· παρὰ δὲ ξεστὴν ἐτάνυσσε τράπεζαν.  
for me to wash; and she drew up a polished table beside me.

**371** σῖτον δʼ αἰδοίη ταμίη παρέθηκε φέρουσα,  
The honored housekeeper brought bread and set it by me,

**372** εἴδατα πόλλʼ ἐπιθεῖσα, χαριζομένη παρεόντων.  
laying out many dishes, freely giving of her store.

**373** ἐσθέμεναι δʼ ἐκέλευεν· ἐμῷ δʼ οὐχ ἥνδανε θυμῷ,  
She urged me to eat, but it did not please my heart;
> Imperfect of ἁνδάνω: ἥνδανε is the imperfect of ἁνδάνω ('to please'), describing Odysseus's lasting state of mind: eating 'kept not pleasing' him.

**374** ἀλλʼ ἥμην ἀλλοφρονέων, κακὰ δʼ ὄσσετο θυμός.  
instead I sat with my mind elsewhere, and my heart foreboded evil.

**375** Κίρκη δʼ ὡς ἐνόησεν ἔμʼ ἥμενον οὐδʼ ἐπὶ σίτῳ  
When Circe noticed me sitting there, not laying

**376** χεῖρας ἰάλλοντα, κρατερὸν δέ με πένθος ἔχοντα,  
my hands on the food, but held by heavy grief,
> Penthos (grief): πένθος is deep, settled grief or mourning, stronger than passing sorrow; here it grips Odysseus as he refuses to eat.

**377** ἄγχι παρισταμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
she came and stood near me and spoke winged words:

**378** τίφθʼ οὕτως, Ὀδυσεῦ, κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζεαι ἶσος
                        ἀναύδῳ,  
Why, Odysseus, do you sit like this, as if you were speechless,

**379** θυμὸν ἔδων, βρώμης δʼ οὐχ ἅπτεαι οὐδὲ ποτῆτος;  
eating at your own heart, and touch neither food nor drink?
> Eating one's heart: The image θυμὸν ἔδων, 'devouring the thumos', is a Homeric idiom for brooding misery, consuming oneself with sorrow.

**380** ἦ τινά που δόλον ἄλλον ὀίεαι· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ  
Do you suspect some other trick? You have no need

**381** δειδίμεν· ἤδη γάρ τοι ἀπώμοσα καρτερὸν ὅρκον.  
to be afraid; for already I have sworn you a binding oath.

**382** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ μιν ἀμειβόμενος
                     προσέειπον·  
So she spoke, but answering her I said:

**383** ὦ Κίρκη, τίς γάρ κεν ἀνήρ, ὃς ἐναίσιμος εἴη,  
Circe, what man who has any sense of right
> Right-minded: ἐναίσιμος describes a man who is fitting, just, and decent, one who keeps to what is right (αἶσα). Odysseus appeals to common standards of conduct.

**384** πρὶν τλαίη πάσσασθαι ἐδητύος ἠδὲ ποτῆτος,  
could bear to taste food and drink

**385** πρὶν λύσασθʼ ἑτάρους καὶ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδέσθαι;  
before he had freed his comrades and seen them with his eyes?

**386** ἀλλʼ εἰ δὴ πρόφρασσα πιεῖν φαγέμεν τε κελεύεις,  
But if in good will you urge me to drink and eat,

**387** λῦσον, ἵνʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδω ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους.  
set them free, so that with my eyes I may see my trusty comrades.

**388** ὣς ἐφάμην, Κίρκη δὲ διὲκ μεγάροιο βεβήκει  
So I spoke, and Circe went out through the hall

**389** ῥάβδον ἔχουσʼ ἐν χειρί, θύρας δʼ ἀνέῳξε συφειοῦ,  
with the wand in her hand, and opened the doors of the pigsty,

**390** ἐκ δʼ ἔλασεν σιάλοισιν ἐοικότας ἐννεώροισιν.  
and drove them out, looking like nine-year-old fattened hogs.

**391** οἱ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἔστησαν ἐναντίοι, ἡ δὲ διʼ αὐτῶν  
Then they stood facing her, and she went among them

**392** ἐρχομένη προσάλειφεν ἑκάστῳ φάρμακον ἄλλο.  
and anointed each one with another drug.

**393** τῶν δʼ ἐκ μὲν μελέων τρίχες ἔρρεον, ἃς πρὶν ἔφυσε  
From their limbs the bristles fell away, which earlier had been grown by

**394** φάρμακον οὐλόμενον, τό σφιν πόρε πότνια Κίρκη·  
the ruinous drug that queenly Circe had given them;

**395** ἄνδρες δʼ ἂψ ἐγένοντο νεώτεροι ἢ πάρος ἦσαν,  
and they became men again, younger than they were before,

**396** καὶ πολὺ καλλίονες καὶ μείζονες εἰσοράασθαι.  
and far handsomer and taller to look upon.

**397** ἔγνωσαν δέ μʼ ἐκεῖνοι ἔφυν τʼ ἐν χερσὶν ἕκαστος.  
They recognized me, and each one clung to my hands.

**398** πᾶσιν δʼ ἱμερόεις ὑπέδυ γόος, ἀμφὶ δὲ δῶμα  
Over all of them came a longing to weep, and around the house

**399** σμερδαλέον κονάβιζε· θεὰ δʼ ἐλέαιρε καὶ αὐτή.  
rang a fearful sound; even the goddess herself took pity.

**400** ἡ δέ μευ ἄγχι στᾶσα προσηύδα δῖα θεάων·  
She came and stood near me, that bright one among goddesses, and said:

**401** διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,  
Zeus-born son of Laertes, resourceful Odysseus,
> Vocative of address: διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη ... Ὀδυσσεῦ are all vocatives, the case of direct address; this full formula of titles is how gods and heroes hail Odysseus.

**402** ἔρχεο νῦν ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης.  
go now to your swift ship and the shore of the sea.

**403** νῆα μὲν ἂρ πάμπρωτον ἐρύσσατε ἤπειρόνδε,  
First of all, draw your ship up onto the land,

**404** κτήματα δʼ ἐν σπήεσσι πελάσσατε ὅπλα τε πάντα·  
and store your goods and all your gear in the caves;

**405** αὐτὸς δʼ ἂψ ἰέναι καὶ ἄγειν ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους.  
then come back yourself and bring your trusty comrades.

**406** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
                     ἀγήνωρ,  
So she spoke, and my proud spirit was persuaded,

**407** βῆν δʼ ἰέναι ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης.  
and I set off to go to the swift ship and the shore of the sea.

**408** εὗρον ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ νηὶ θοῇ ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους  
There at the swift ship I found my trusty comrades,

**409** οἴκτρʼ ὀλοφυρομένους, θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντας.  
piteously lamenting, shedding warm tears.

**410** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἄγραυλοι πόριες περὶ βοῦς ἀγελαίας,  
As when farmyard calves around the herd of cows,
> Epic simile: ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ('as when') opens a Homeric simile; the picture of calves leaping toward their mothers runs through several lines before returning to the men.

**411** ἐλθούσας ἐς κόπρον, ἐπὴν βοτάνης κορέσωνται,  
when they come to the farmyard after grazing their fill of grass,

**412** πᾶσαι ἅμα σκαίρουσιν ἐναντίαι· οὐδʼ ἔτι σηκοὶ  
all together frisk to meet them; and the pens no longer

**413** ἴσχουσʼ, ἀλλʼ ἁδινὸν μυκώμεναι ἀμφιθέουσι·  
hold them in, but lowing without ceasing they run about

**414** μητέρας· ὣς ἔμʼ ἐκεῖνοι ἐπεὶ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι,  
their mothers; so those men, when they saw me with their eyes,

**415** δακρυόεντες ἔχυντο· δόκησε δʼ ἄρα σφίσι θυμὸς  
thronged about me in tears; and to their hearts it seemed

**416** ὣς ἔμεν, ὡς εἰ πατρίδʼ ἱκοίατο καὶ πόλιν αὐτὴν  
as if they had reached their homeland and the very city

**417** τρηχείης Ἰθάκης, ἵνα τʼ ἔτραφεν ἠδʼ ἐγένοντο.  
of rugged Ithaca, where they were bred and born.

**418** καί μʼ ὀλοφυρόμενοι ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·  
And lamenting they spoke winged words to me:

**419** σοὶ μὲν νοστήσαντι, διοτρεφές, ὣς
                        ἐχάρημεν,  
At your homecoming, Zeus-nurtured one, we rejoiced
> Nostos (homecoming): νοστήσαντι is from νοστέω, the verb behind nostos, 'homecoming', the central theme of the Odyssey. The men greet Odysseus's return as if it were the longed-for return home.

**420** ὡς εἴ τʼ εἰς Ἰθάκην ἀφικοίμεθα πατρίδα γαῖαν·  
as if we had come back to Ithaca, our native land;

**421** ἀλλʼ ἄγε, τῶν ἄλλων ἑτάρων κατάλεξον ὄλεθρον.  
but come, tell us of the death of the rest of our comrades.

**422** ὣς ἔφαν, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ προσέφην μαλακοῖς
                     ἐπέεσσι·  
So they spoke, and I answered them with gentle words:

**423** νῆα μὲν ἂρ πάμπρωτον ἐρύσσομεν ἤπειρόνδε,  
First of all let us draw the ship up onto the land,

**424** κτήματα δʼ ἐν σπήεσσι πελάσσομεν ὅπλα τε πάντα·  
and store our goods and all our gear in the caves;

**425** αὐτοὶ δʼ ὀτρύνεσθε ἐμοὶ ἅμα πάντες ἕπεσθαι,  
then rouse yourselves, all of you, to follow me,

**426** ὄφρα ἴδηθʼ ἑτάρους ἱεροῖς ἐν δώμασι Κίρκης  
so that you may see your comrades in the sacred halls of Circe

**427** πίνοντας καὶ ἔδοντας· ἐπηετανὸν γὰρ ἔχουσιν.  
drinking and eating; for they have abundance without end.

**428** ὣς ἐφάμην, οἱ δʼ ὦκα ἐμοῖς ἐπέεσσι πίθοντο.  
So I spoke, and quickly they obeyed my words.

**429** Εὐρύλοχος δέ μοι οἶος ἐρύκανε πάντας ἑταίρους·  
But Eurylochus alone tried to hold all the comrades back,

**430** καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
and lifting his voice he spoke winged words to them:

**431** ἆ δειλοί, πόσʼ ἴμεν; τί κακῶν ἱμείρετε
                        τούτων;  
Ah, wretched men, where are we going? Why do you crave these evils,

**432** Κίρκης ἐς μέγαρον καταβήμεναι, ἥ κεν ἅπαντας  
to go down into Circe's hall, who will turn us all

**433** ἢ σῦς ἠὲ λύκους ποιήσεται ἠὲ λέοντας,  
into swine, or wolves, or lions,

**434** οἵ κέν οἱ μέγα δῶμα φυλάσσοιμεν καὶ ἀνάγκῃ,  
so that under compulsion we would guard her great house,
> Optative in relative clause: φυλάσσοιμεν is a potential/future-leaning optative ('we would guard'), expressing the dreaded outcome Eurylochus imagines if they go to Circe.

**435** ὥς περ Κύκλωψ ἔρξʼ, ὅτε οἱ μέσσαυλον ἵκοντο  
just as the Cyclops did, when our comrades came

**436** ἡμέτεροι ἕταροι, σὺν δʼ ὁ θρασὺς εἵπετʼ Ὀδυσσεύς·  
into his courtyard, and bold Odysseus went with them;

**437** τούτου γὰρ καὶ κεῖνοι ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο.  
for it was through his recklessness that those men too perished.
> Reckless folly: ἀτασθαλίη is wanton, presumptuous recklessness, the same fault the poem condemns elsewhere. Eurylochus throws it in Odysseus's face as the cause of the men's deaths.

**438** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγώ γε μετὰ φρεσὶ μερμήριξα,  
So he spoke, and I pondered within my heart

**439** σπασσάμενος τανύηκες ἄορ παχέος παρὰ μηροῦ,  
whether to draw the long-edged sword from beside my stout thigh,

**440** τῷ οἱ ἀποπλήξας κεφαλὴν οὖδάσδε πελάσσαι,  
and with it strike off his head and bring it to the ground,

**441** καὶ πηῷ περ ἐόντι μάλα σχεδόν· ἀλλά μʼ ἑταῖροι  
close kin though he was. But my companions,

**442** μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσιν ἐρήτυον ἄλλοθεν ἄλλος·  
one from this side, one from that, held me back with soothing words:

**443** διογενές, τοῦτον μὲν ἐάσομεν, εἰ σὺ
                        κελεύεις,  
"Sprung from Zeus, this man we will let be, if you command it,
> Vocative epithet: diogenés ('sprung from Zeus') is in the vocative, addressing Odysseus directly. It is a recurring honorific epithet for heroes.

**444** αὐτοῦ πὰρ νηί τε μένειν καὶ νῆα ἔρυσθαι·  
to stay here by the ship and guard it;

**445** ἡμῖν δʼ ἡγεμόνευʼ ἱερὰ πρὸς δώματα Κίρκης.  
but lead us on to the sacred house of Circe."

**446** ὣς φάμενοι παρὰ νηὸς ἀνήιον ἠδὲ θαλάσσης.  
So they spoke, and we went up from the ship and the sea.

**447** οὐδὲ μὲν Εὐρύλοχος κοίλῃ παρὰ νηὶ λέλειπτο,  
Nor was Eurylochus left behind by the hollow ship,

**448** ἀλλʼ ἕπετʼ· ἔδεισεν γὰρ ἐμὴν ἔκπαγλον ἐνιπήν.  
but he followed, for he feared my fierce rebuke.

**449** τόφρα δὲ τοὺς ἄλλους ἑτάρους ἐν δώμασι Κίρκη  
Meanwhile, in her halls, Circe had bathed the rest of my companions

**450** ἐνδυκέως λοῦσέν τε καὶ ἔχρισεν λίπʼ ἐλαίῳ,  
with kindly care and anointed them richly with oil,

**451** ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα χλαίνας οὔλας βάλεν ἠδὲ χιτῶνας·  
and cast about them thick wool cloaks and tunics;

**452** δαινυμένους δʼ ἐὺ πάντας ἐφεύρομεν ἐν μεγάροισιν.  
we found them all feasting well in the halls.

**453** οἱ δʼ ἐπεὶ ἀλλήλους εἶδον φράσσαντό τʼ ἐσάντα,  
And when they saw and recognized one another face to face,

**454** κλαῖον ὀδυρόμενοι, περὶ δὲ στεναχίζετο δῶμα.  
they wept aloud in grief, and the house rang around with their lament.

**455** ἡ δέ μευ ἄγχι στᾶσα προσηύδα δῖα θεάων·  
Then she who is bright among goddesses stood near me and spoke:
> Bright among goddesses: dia theaon, 'bright (or radiant) one among goddesses,' is a formulaic epithet here for Circe.

**457** μηκέτι νῦν θαλερὸν γόον ὄρνυτε· οἶδα καὶ
                        αὐτὴ  
"No longer now raise this swelling lament. I myself know

**458** ἠμὲν ὅσʼ ἐν πόντῳ πάθετʼ ἄλγεα ἰχθυόεντι,  
both all the sufferings you have endured on the fish-filled sea,

**459** ἠδʼ ὅσʼ ἀνάρσιοι ἄνδρες ἐδηλήσαντʼ ἐπὶ χέρσου.  
and all the harm hostile men have done you on dry land.

**460** ἀλλʼ ἄγετʼ ἐσθίετε βρώμην καὶ πίνετε οἶνον,  
But come now, eat your food and drink your wine,

**461** εἰς ὅ κεν αὖτις θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι λάβητε,  
until you take heart again within your breasts,

**462** οἷον ὅτε πρώτιστον ἐλείπετε πατρίδα γαῖαν  
as when you first left your native land,

**463** τρηχείης Ἰθάκης. νῦν δʼ ἀσκελέες καὶ ἄθυμοι,  
rugged Ithaca. Now you are worn out and dispirited,

**464** αἰὲν ἄλης χαλεπῆς μεμνημένοι, οὐδέ ποθʼ ὕμιν  
forever brooding on your harsh wandering, and never is your

**465** θυμὸς ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ, ἐπεὶ ἦ μάλα πολλὰ πέποσθε.  
heart in good cheer, since truly you have suffered very much."

**466** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, ἡμῖν δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
                     ἀγήνωρ.  
So she spoke, and our proud spirit was persuaded.
> Proud spirit: thymos agenor, the 'proud' or 'manly spirit,' is a formulaic phrase for the inner seat of feeling and will.

**467** ἔνθα μὲν ἤματα πάντα τελεσφόρον εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν  
There then, day after day for a full year,

**468** ἥμεθα δαινύμενοι κρέα τʼ ἄσπετα καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ·  
we sat feasting on abundant meat and sweet wine.

**469** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐνιαυτὸς ἔην, περὶ δʼ ἔτραπον ὧραι  
But when a year had passed and the seasons came round again

**470** μηνῶν φθινόντων, περὶ δʼ ἤματα μακρὰ τελέσθη,  
as the months waned and the long days were completed,

**471** καὶ τότε μʼ ἐκκαλέσαντες ἔφαν ἐρίηρες ἑταῖροι·  
then my trusty companions called me out and said:

**472** δαιμόνιʼ, ἤδη νῦν μιμνήσκεο πατρίδος
                        αἴης,  
"Strange man, now at last remember your native land,
> daimonie as address: daimonie literally means 'one driven by a daimon'; in address it is an affectionate or remonstrating 'my good sir / strange man,' tone depending on context.

**473** εἴ τοι θέσφατόν ἐστι σαωθῆναι καὶ ἱκέσθαι  
if it is fated for you to be saved and to reach

**474** οἶκον ἐς ὑψόροφον καὶ σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν.  
your high-roofed home and your native land."

**475** ὣς ἔφαν, αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
                     ἀγήνωρ.  
So they spoke, and my proud spirit was persuaded.

**476** ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα  
So then for the whole day, until the sun went down,

**477** ἥμεθα, δαινύμενοι κρέα τʼ ἄσπετα καὶ μέθυ ἡδύ·  
we sat feasting on abundant meat and sweet wine.

**478** ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθεν,  
But when the sun set and darkness came on,

**479** οἱ μὲν κοιμήσαντο κατὰ μέγαρα σκιόεντα.  
they lay down to sleep throughout the shadowy halls.

**480** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Κίρκης ἐπιβὰς περικαλλέος εὐνῆς  
But I, climbing into Circe's lovely bed,

**481** γούνων ἐλλιτάνευσα, θεὰ δέ μευ ἔκλυεν αὐδῆς·  
implored her by her knees, and the goddess heard my voice;

**482** καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδων·  
and speaking out, I addressed her with winged words:
> Winged words: epea pteroenta, 'winged words,' is among the most frequent Homeric formulas introducing direct speech.

**483** ὢ Κίρκη, τέλεσόν μοι ὑπόσχεσιν ἥν περ
                        ὑπέστης,  
"Circe, fulfill for me the promise you gave,

**484** οἴκαδε πεμψέμεναι· θυμὸς δέ μοι ἔσσυται ἤδη,  
to send me homeward; my heart now urges me on,

**485** ἠδʼ ἄλλων ἑτάρων, οἵ μευ φθινύθουσι φίλον κῆρ  
and the hearts of my companions, who wear away my dear spirit

**486** ἀμφʼ ἔμʼ ὀδυρόμενοι, ὅτε που σύ γε νόσφι γένηαι.  
with their grieving around me, whenever you happen to be away."

**487** ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων·  
So I spoke, and at once she who is bright among goddesses answered:

**488** διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,  
"Sprung from Zeus, son of Laertes, resourceful Odysseus,
> Resourceful Odysseus: polymechanos, 'of many devices, resourceful,' is the standing epithet for Odysseus, here in the vocative as direct address.

**489** μηκέτι νῦν ἀέκοντες ἐμῷ ἐνὶ μίμνετε οἴκῳ.  
no longer now stay unwilling in my house.

**490** ἀλλʼ ἄλλην χρὴ πρῶτον ὁδὸν τελέσαι καὶ ἱκέσθαι  
But first you must complete another journey, and reach

**491** εἰς Ἀίδαο δόμους καὶ ἐπαινῆς Περσεφονείης,  
the house of Hades and dread Persephone,

**492** ψυχῇ χρησομένους Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο,  
to consult the spirit of Theban Tiresias,
> psyche as departed spirit: psyche here is the disembodied 'shade' or ghost of the dead, the spirit that survives in Hades, not the living breath-soul.

**493** μάντηος ἀλαοῦ, τοῦ τε φρένες ἔμπεδοί εἰσι·  
the blind seer, whose mind stays unshaken;

**494** τῷ καὶ τεθνηῶτι νόον πόρε Περσεφόνεια,  
to him alone, even in death, Persephone has granted understanding,

**495** οἴῳ πεπνῦσθαι, τοὶ δὲ σκιαὶ ἀίσσουσιν.  
to keep his wits, while the others flit about as shadows."

**496** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐμοί γε κατεκλάσθη φίλον
                     ἦτορ·  
So she spoke, and my dear heart was crushed within me;

**497** κλαῖον δʼ ἐν λεχέεσσι καθήμενος, οὐδέ νύ μοι κῆρ  
I wept, sitting on the bed, nor did my heart

**498** ἤθελʼ ἔτι ζώειν καὶ ὁρᾶν φάος ἠελίοιο.  
wish to live any longer and look on the light of the sun.

**499** αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κλαίων τε κυλινδόμενος τʼ ἐκορέσθην,  
But when I had had my fill of weeping and writhing,

**500** καὶ τότε δή μιν ἔπεσσιν ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπον·  
then at last I answered her and said:

**501** ὢ Κίρκη, τίς γὰρ ταύτην ὁδὸν ἡγεμονεύσει;  
"Circe, who then will guide me on this journey?

**502** εἰς Ἄϊδος δʼ οὔ πώ τις ἀφίκετο νηὶ μελαίνῃ.  
No one has ever yet reached Hades in a black ship."

**503** ὣς ἐφάμην, ἡ δʼ αὐτίκʼ ἀμείβετο δῖα θεάων·  
So I spoke, and at once she who is bright among goddesses answered:

**504** διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ,  
"Sprung from Zeus, son of Laertes, resourceful Odysseus,

**505** μή τί τοι ἡγεμόνος γε ποθὴ παρὰ νηὶ μελέσθω,  
let no longing for a guide at your ship trouble you,

**506** ἱστὸν δὲ στήσας, ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λευκὰ πετάσσας  
but set up the mast, spread the white sails,

**507** ἧσθαι· τὴν δέ κέ τοι πνοιὴ Βορέαο φέρῃσιν.  
and sit still; the breath of the North Wind will carry her on.
> Boreas, the North Wind: Boreas is the North Wind, here personified as the divine force driving the ship across Ocean to the land of the dead.

**508** ἀλλʼ ὁπότʼ ἂν δὴ νηὶ διʼ Ὠκεανοῖο περήσῃς,  
But when you have crossed through Ocean in your ship,

**509** ἔνθʼ ἀκτή τε λάχεια καὶ ἄλσεα Περσεφονείης,  
where there is a low shore and the groves of Persephone,

**510** μακραί τʼ αἴγειροι καὶ ἰτέαι ὠλεσίκαρποι,  
tall poplars and willows that let their fruit fall too soon,

**511** νῆα μὲν αὐτοῦ κέλσαι ἐπʼ Ὠκεανῷ βαθυδίνῃ,  
there beach your ship beside deep-eddying Ocean,

**512** αὐτὸς δʼ εἰς Ἀίδεω ἰέναι δόμον εὐρώεντα.  
and go yourself to the dank house of Hades.

**513** ἔνθα μὲν εἰς Ἀχέροντα Πυριφλεγέθων τε ῥέουσιν  
There Pyriphlegethon and Cocytus flow into Acheron,

**514** Κώκυτός θʼ, ὃς δὴ Στυγὸς ὕδατός ἐστιν ἀπορρώξ,  
Cocytus, which is a branch of the water of the Styx,

**515** πέτρη τε ξύνεσίς τε δύω ποταμῶν ἐριδούπων·  
and there is a rock, and the meeting of the two roaring rivers.

**516** ἔνθα δʼ ἔπειθʼ, ἥρως, χριμφθεὶς πέλας, ὥς σε κελεύω,  
There then, hero, drawing close to the spot, as I bid you,

**517** βόθρον ὀρύξαι, ὅσον τε πυγούσιον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα,  
dig a pit, about a cubit each way,

**518** ἀμφʼ αὐτῷ δὲ χοὴν χεῖσθαι πᾶσιν νεκύεσσιν,  
and around it pour a drink-offering to all the dead:

**519** πρῶτα μελικρήτῳ, μετέπειτα δὲ ἡδέι οἴνῳ,  
first with honey mixed with milk, then with sweet wine,

**520** τὸ τρίτον αὖθʼ ὕδατι· ἐπὶ δʼ ἄλφιτα λευκὰ παλύνειν.  
and a third time with water; and sprinkle white barley meal over it.

**521** πολλὰ δὲ γουνοῦσθαι νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα,  
And earnestly entreat the strengthless heads of the dead,
> Strengthless heads: amenena karena, 'feeble, strengthless heads,' is Homer's image of the powerless dead, who lack the vigor of the living.

**522** ἐλθὼν εἰς Ἰθάκην στεῖραν βοῦν, ἥ τις ἀρίστη,  
vowing that when you come to Ithaca you will sacrifice a barren heifer,

**523** ῥέξειν ἐν μεγάροισι πυρήν τʼ ἐμπλησέμεν ἐσθλῶν,  
the best you have, in your halls, and heap the pyre with fine offerings,

**524** Τειρεσίῃ δʼ ἀπάνευθεν ὄιν ἱερευσέμεν οἴῳ  
and that to Tiresias apart you will sacrifice a ram by itself,

**525** παμμέλανʼ, ὃς μήλοισι μεταπρέπει ὑμετέροισιν.  
an all-black one, that stands out among your flocks.

**526** αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν εὐχῇσι λίσῃ κλυτὰ ἔθνεα νεκρῶν,  
But when with prayers you have entreated the famous tribes of the dead,

**527** ἔνθʼ ὄιν ἀρνειὸν ῥέζειν θῆλύν τε μέλαιναν  
then sacrifice a ram and a black ewe,

**528** εἰς Ἔρεβος στρέψας, αὐτὸς δʼ ἀπονόσφι τραπέσθαι  
turning them toward Erebus, but yourself turn away,
> Erebus: Erebos is the place of darkness in the underworld; turning the victims toward it directs the offering to the powers below.

**529** ἱέμενος ποταμοῖο ῥοάων· ἔνθα δὲ πολλαὶ  
facing toward the streams of the river. There many

**530** ψυχαὶ ἐλεύσονται νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.  
spirits of the dead who have perished will come.

**531** δὴ τότʼ ἔπειθʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρῦναι καὶ ἀνῶξαι  
Then at once urge and command your companions

**532** μῆλα, τὰ δὴ κατάκειτʼ ἐσφαγμένα νηλέι χαλκῷ,  
to flay the sheep that lie there slaughtered by the pitiless bronze,

**533** δείραντας κατακῆαι, ἐπεύξασθαι δὲ θεοῖσιν,  
and to burn them, and to pray to the gods,

**534** ἰφθίμῳ τʼ Ἀίδῃ καὶ ἐπαινῇ Περσεφονείῃ·  
to mighty Hades and dread Persephone.

**535** αὐτὸς δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ  
But you yourself, drawing the sharp sword from your thigh,

**536** ἧσθαι, μηδὲ ἐᾶν νεκύων ἀμενηνὰ κάρηνα  
sit there, and do not let the strengthless heads of the dead

**537** αἵματος ἆσσον ἴμεν, πρὶν Τειρεσίαο πυθέσθαι.  
come near the blood, before you have questioned Tiresias.

**538** ἔνθα τοι αὐτίκα μάντις ἐλεύσεται, ὄρχαμε λαῶν,  
There the seer will come to you at once, leader of men,

**539** ὅς κέν τοι εἴπῃσιν ὁδὸν καὶ μέτρα κελεύθου  
who will tell you your route and the measures of your way,

**540** νόστον θʼ, ὡς ἐπὶ πόντον ἐλεύσεαι ἰχθυόεντα.  
and your homecoming, how you will travel over the fish-filled sea."
> nostos, the homecoming: nostos is the 'homecoming' or 'return,' the central theme of the Odyssey and the goal of Odysseus's whole journey.

**541** ὣς ἔφατʼ, αὐτίκα δὲ χρυσόθρονος ἤλυθεν Ἠώς.  
So she spoke, and at once Dawn came on her golden throne.
> Golden-throned Dawn: chrysothronos, 'golden-throned,' is one of the standing epithets of Dawn (Eos), part of Homer's formulaic system for marking daybreak.

**542** ἀμφὶ δέ με χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματα ἕσσεν·  
She clothed me about with cloak and tunic for garments;

**543** αὐτὴ δʼ ἀργύφεον φᾶρος μέγα ἕννυτο νύμφη,  
and the nymph herself put on a great silvery robe,

**544** λεπτὸν καὶ χαρίεν, περὶ δὲ ζώνην βάλετʼ ἰξυῖ  
fine and graceful, and around her waist she cast a girdle,

**545** καλὴν χρυσείην, κεφαλῇ δʼ ἐπέθηκε καλύπτρην.  
a beautiful golden one, and on her head she set a veil.

**546** αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ διὰ δώματʼ ἰὼν ὤτρυνον ἑταίρους  
But I, going through the halls, roused my companions

**547** μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι παρασταδὸν ἄνδρα ἕκαστον·  
with soothing words, standing beside each man:

**548** μηκέτι νῦν εὕδοντες ἀωτεῖτε γλυκὺν ὕπνον,  
"No longer now lie sleeping in sweet slumber,

**549** ἀλλʼ ἴομεν· δὴ γάρ μοι ἐπέφραδε πότνια Κίρκη.  
but let us go; for queenly Circe has told me the way."

**550** ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
                     ἀγήνωρ.  
So I spoke, and their proud spirit was persuaded.

**551** οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδʼ ἔνθεν περ ἀπήμονας ἦγον ἑταίρους.  
Yet not even from there did I lead my companions away unharmed.
> Predicate accusative: The adjective "unharmed" agrees with the accusative "companions" but functions predicatively: he led them not-unharmed, i.e. some came to grief.

**552** Ἐλπήνωρ δέ τις ἔσκε νεώτατος, οὔτε τι λίην  
There was a certain Elpenor, the youngest of us, not overly

**553** ἄλκιμος ἐν πολέμῳ οὔτε φρεσὶν ᾗσιν ἀρηρώς·  
brave in war nor sound in his wits;

**554** ὅς μοι ἄνευθʼ ἑτάρων ἱεροῖς ἐν δώμασι Κίρκης,  
he, apart from the others, in the sacred halls of Circe,

**555** ψύχεος ἱμείρων, κατελέξατο οἰνοβαρείων.  
craving the cool air, had lain down heavy with wine.
> Heavy with wine: A vivid compound participle, literally "being weighed down by wine" — drunk. It marks Elpenor's folly that will cost him his life.

**556** κινυμένων δʼ ἑτάρων ὅμαδον καὶ δοῦπον ἀκούσας  
Hearing the din and tramp of his companions stirring about,

**557** ἐξαπίνης ἀνόρουσε καὶ ἐκλάθετο φρεσὶν ᾗσιν  
he leapt up all at once and forgot in his mind

**558** ἄψορρον καταβῆναι ἰὼν ἐς κλίμακα μακρήν,  
to go back down again by the long ladder,

**559** ἀλλὰ καταντικρὺ τέγεος πέσεν· ἐκ δέ οἱ αὐχὴν  
but fell headlong straight from the roof; and his neck

**560** ἀστραγάλων ἐάγη, ψυχὴ δʼ Ἄϊδόσδε κατῆλθεν.  
was broken from its vertebrae, and his soul went down to Hades.

**561** ἐρχομένοισι δὲ τοῖσιν ἐγὼ μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπον·  
To the men, as they were setting out, I spoke this word:

**562** φάσθε νύ που οἶκόνδε φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν  
"You suppose, no doubt, that you are going home, to your dear native land;

**563** ἔρχεσθʼ· ἄλλην δʼ ἧμιν ὁδὸν τεκμήρατο Κίρκη,  
but Circe has marked out another road for us,

**564** εἰς Ἀίδαο δόμους καὶ ἐπαινῆς Περσεφονείης  
to the house of Hades and dread Persephone,

**565** ψυχῇ χρησομένους Θηβαίου Τειρεσίαο.  
to consult the soul of Theban Tiresias."
> Future participle of purpose: The future participle "to consult" expresses purpose: they go in order to consult the seer's soul. Such future participles regularly mark intention in Homer.

**566** ὣς ἐφάμην, τοῖσιν δὲ κατεκλάσθη φίλον ἦτορ,  
So I spoke, and their dear hearts were crushed within them,

**567** ἑζόμενοι δὲ κατʼ αὖθι γόων τίλλοντό τε χαίτας·  
and sitting down right there they wailed and tore their hair;

**568** ἀλλʼ οὐ γάρ τις πρῆξις ἐγίγνετο μυρομένοισιν.  
but no good came of their lamenting.

**569** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν καὶ θῖνα
                     θαλάσσης  
But when at last to the swift ship and the shore of the sea

**570** ᾔομεν ἀχνύμενοι θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυ χέοντες,  
we went, grieving, shedding warm tears,

**571** τόφρα δʼ ἄρʼ οἰχομένη Κίρκη παρὰ νηὶ μελαίνῃ  
meanwhile Circe had gone down beside the black ship

**572** ἀρνειὸν κατέδησεν ὄιν θῆλύν τε μέλαιναν,  
and tethered a ram and a black ewe,

**573** ῥεῖα παρεξελθοῦσα· τίς ἂν θεὸν οὐκ ἐθέλοντα  
passing easily by us. Who with his eyes could behold a god

**574** ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδοιτʼ ἢ ἔνθʼ ἢ ἔνθα κιόντα;  
going this way or that, if the god does not wish it?

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Source text: public domain (Homer, ancient; Greek per the Murray/Allen text via the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 3.0). English translation: © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC — original line-aligned draft, pending editorial review. Word-by-word morphology and syntax derived from the Perseus Ancient Greek Dependency Treebank (CC BY-SA 3.0); English glosses and notes © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC.