# The Odyssey, Book 2: The Assembly at Ithaca; Telemachus Sets Sail

Ὀδύσσεια · Homer · The Telemachy

Telemachus calls the first assembly in twenty years and asks the suitors to go. They mock him. Athena finds him a ship, and he sails by night.

Source: https://1732studios.com/books/odyssey/2. Data: https://1732studios.com/books/odyssey/2.json. Audio: https://audio.1732studios.com/odyssey/<line id>.m4a.

**1** ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,  
When early-born Dawn appeared, rosy-fingered,
> Standard dawn-formula: This whole line is a recurring formulaic verse opening a new day. 'Rosy-fingered Dawn' is a fixed epithet-noun pairing.

**2** ὤρνυτʼ ἄρʼ ἐξ εὐνῆφιν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱὸς  
the dear son of Odysseus rose from his bed,

**3** εἵματα ἑσσάμενος, περὶ δὲ ξίφος ὀξὺ θέτʼ ὤμῳ,  
put on his clothes, and slung his sharp sword over his shoulder,

**4** ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,  
and beneath his shining feet bound his fine sandals,

**5** βῆ δʼ ἴμεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο θεῷ ἐναλίγκιος ἄντην.  
and went out from his chamber, in face like a god.

**6** αἶψα δὲ κηρύκεσσι λιγυφθόγγοισι κέλευσε  
At once he ordered the clear-voiced heralds

**7** κηρύσσειν ἀγορήνδε κάρη κομόωντας Ἀχαιούς.  
to summon the long-haired Achaeans to assembly.

**8** οἱ μὲν ἐκήρυσσον, τοὶ δʼ ἠγείροντο μάλʼ ὦκα.  
They made the summons, and the people gathered very quickly.
> men ... de contrast: The particles set 'they (the heralds)' against 'the others (the people)', a balanced 'on the one hand / on the other' structure common in Homer.

**9** αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τʼ ἐγένοντο,  
But when they had assembled and were gathered together,

**10** βῆ ῥʼ ἴμεν εἰς ἀγορήν, παλάμῃ δʼ ἔχε χάλκεον ἔγχος,  
he set out to go to the assembly, holding a bronze spear in his hand,

**11** οὐκ οἶος, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω κύνες ἀργοὶ ἕποντο.  
not alone: two swift hounds followed along with him.

**12** θεσπεσίην δʼ ἄρα τῷ γε χάριν κατέχευεν Ἀθήνη.  
And Athena poured a marvelous grace over him.
> Aorist of pouring grace: The verb is aorist (a completed past action), a vivid image of divine grace poured down over Telemachus like a liquid.

**13** τὸν δʼ ἄρα πάντες λαοὶ ἐπερχόμενον θηεῦντο·  
All the people gazed in wonder at him as he came;

**14** ἕζετο δʼ ἐν πατρὸς θώκῳ, εἶξαν δὲ γέροντες.  
he sat in his father's seat, and the elders made way.

**15** τοῖσι δʼ ἔπειθʼ ἥρως Αἰγύπτιος ἦρχʼ ἀγορεύειν,  
Then the hero Aegyptius was first among them to speak,

**16** ὃς δὴ γήραϊ κυφὸς ἔην καὶ μυρία ᾔδη.  
a man bent with age, who knew countless things.

**17** καὶ γὰρ τοῦ φίλος υἱὸς ἅμʼ ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆι  
For his own dear son had gone with godlike Odysseus

**18** Ἴλιον εἰς ἐύπωλον ἔβη κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσίν,  
to Ilium of fine horses, in the hollow ships,

**19** Ἄντιφος αἰχμητής· τὸν δʼ ἄγριος ἔκτανε Κύκλωψ  
the spearman Antiphus; the savage Cyclops killed him

**20** ἐν σπῆι γλαφυρῷ, πύματον δʼ ὡπλίσσατο δόρπον.  
in the hollow cave, and made him his last supper.

**21** τρεῖς δέ οἱ ἄλλοι ἔσαν, καὶ ὁ μὲν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμίλει,  
He had three other sons, and one kept company with the suitors,

**22** Εὐρύνομος, δύο δʼ αἰὲν ἔχον πατρώια ἔργα.  
Eurynomus, while two always worked their father's lands.

**23** ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὣς τοῦ λήθετʼ ὀδυρόμενος καὶ ἀχεύων.  
Yet even so he did not forget that one, mourning and grieving.

**24** τοῦ ὅ γε δάκρυ χέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·  
Shedding tears for him, he spoke up and addressed them:
> Participle of manner: 'Shedding a tear' is a present participle describing how he speaks, a typical Homeric way of layering an attendant action onto the main verb.

**25** κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν
                     εἴπω·  
"Hear me now, men of Ithaca, whatever I shall say.
> Reduplicated imperative: An aorist imperative with reduplication, a solemn poetic command form: 'hear me!' It opens many public speeches in the Odyssey.

**26** οὔτε ποθʼ ἡμετέρη ἀγορὴ γένετʼ οὔτε θόωκος  
Never has there been an assembly of ours or a session

**27** ἐξ οὗ Ὀδυσσεὺς δῖος ἔβη κοίλῃς ἐνὶ νηυσί.  
since godlike Odysseus departed in the hollow ships.

**28** νῦν δὲ τίς ὧδʼ ἤγειρε; τίνα χρειὼ τόσον ἵκει  
Who has now called us together so? What such need has come

**29** ἠὲ νέων ἀνδρῶν ἢ οἳ προγενέστεροί εἰσιν;  
upon any of the young men, or upon those who are older?

**30** ἠέ τινʼ ἀγγελίην στρατοῦ ἔκλυεν ἐρχομένοιο,  
Has he heard some report of an army on the march,

**31** ἥν χʼ ἡμῖν σάφα εἴποι, ὅτε πρότερός γε πύθοιτο;  
which he might tell us clearly, since he learned of it first?
> Optatives of possibility: Both verbs are optative, expressing a hypothetical 'might tell / had learned' rather than a fact.

**32** ἦέ τι δήμιον ἄλλο πιφαύσκεται ἠδʼ ἀγορεύει;  
Or is there some other public matter he means to declare and speak of?

**33** ἐσθλός μοι δοκεῖ εἶναι, ὀνήμενος. εἴθε οἱ αὐτῷ  
He seems to me a good man, and blessed. May Zeus

**34** Ζεὺς ἀγαθὸν τελέσειεν, ὅτι φρεσὶν ᾗσι μενοινᾷ.  
bring to fulfillment for him the good that he intends in his heart."
> Optative of wish: The aorist optative here expresses a prayer or wish: 'may Zeus accomplish.' The optative is Homer's standard mood for blessings.

**35** ὣς φάτο, χαῖρε δὲ φήμῃ Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός,  
So he spoke, and the dear son of Odysseus rejoiced at the omen,

**36** οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴν ἧστο, μενοίνησεν δʼ ἀγορεύειν,  
and no longer sat still, but was eager to speak.

**37** στῆ δὲ μέσῃ ἀγορῇ· σκῆπτρον δέ οἱ ἔμβαλε χειρὶ  
He stood up in the middle of the assembly; the herald put the staff

**38** κῆρυξ Πεισήνωρ πεπνυμένα μήδεα εἰδώς.  
into his hand, Pisenor, who knew wise counsels.

**39** πρῶτον ἔπειτα γέροντα καθαπτόμενος προσέειπεν·  
First, then, addressing the old man, he said:

**40** ὦ γέρον, οὐχ ἑκὰς οὗτος ἀνήρ, τάχα δʼ εἴσεαι
                     αὐτός,  
"Old man, that man is not far off—you yourself will soon know him—

**41** ὃς λαὸν ἤγειρα· μάλιστα δέ μʼ ἄλγος ἱκάνει.  
who called the people together: it is I, on whom grief most weighs.

**42** οὔτε τινʼ ἀγγελίην στρατοῦ ἔκλυον ἐρχομένοιο,  
I have not heard any report of an army on the march

**43** ἥν χʼ ὑμῖν σάφα εἴπω, ὅτε πρότερός γε πυθοίμην,  
which I might tell you clearly, having learned of it first,

**44** οὔτε τι δήμιον ἄλλο πιφαύσκομαι οὐδʼ ἀγορεύω,  
nor do I declare or speak of any other public matter,

**45** ἀλλʼ ἐμὸν αὐτοῦ χρεῖος, ὅ μοι κακὰ ἔμπεσεν οἴκῳ  
but of my own need, the evil that has fallen on my house—

**46** δοιά· τὸ μὲν πατέρʼ ἐσθλὸν ἀπώλεσα, ὅς ποτʼ ἐν ὑμῖν  
twofold: first, I have lost my noble father, who once among you

**47** τοίσδεσσιν βασίλευε, πατὴρ δʼ ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν·  
here was king, and was gentle as a father;
> Homeric verb form: ἦεν is the Homeric form of the imperfect 'was' (later ἦν). Such archaic forms are a regular feature of epic diction.

**48** νῦν δʼ αὖ καὶ πολὺ μεῖζον, ὃ δὴ τάχα οἶκον ἅπαντα  
and now, again, a far greater thing, which soon will utterly

**49** πάγχυ διαρραίσει, βίοτον δʼ ἀπὸ πάμπαν ὀλέσσει.  
shatter my whole house and destroy my living altogether.

**50** μητέρι μοι μνηστῆρες ἐπέχραον οὐκ ἐθελούσῃ,  
Suitors press upon my mother against her will,

**51** τῶν ἀνδρῶν φίλοι υἷες, οἳ ἐνθάδε γʼ εἰσὶν ἄριστοι,  
the dear sons of those men who are the noblest here,

**52** οἳ πατρὸς μὲν ἐς οἶκον ἀπερρίγασι νέεσθαι  
who shrink from going to the house of her father

**53** Ἰκαρίου, ὥς κʼ αὐτὸς ἐεδνώσαιτο θύγατρα,  
Icarius, so that he himself might dower his daughter

**54** δοίη δʼ ᾧ κʼ ἐθέλοι καί οἱ κεχαρισμένος ἔλθοι·  
and give her to whom he wished, whoever came pleasing to him.

**55** οἱ δʼ εἰς ἡμέτερον πωλεύμενοι ἤματα πάντα,  
Instead they keep coming to our house, day after day,

**56** βοῦς ἱερεύοντες καὶ ὄις καὶ πίονας αἶγας  
slaughtering our oxen and sheep and fat goats,

**57** εἰλαπινάζουσιν πίνουσί τε αἴθοπα οἶνον  
they feast and drink the gleaming wine

**58** μαψιδίως· τὰ δὲ πολλὰ κατάνεται. οὐ γὰρ ἔπʼ ἀνήρ,  
recklessly; and much is consumed. For there is no man,

**59** οἷος Ὀδυσσεὺς ἔσκεν, ἀρὴν ἀπὸ οἴκου ἀμῦναι.  
such as Odysseus was, to ward off ruin from the house.

**60** ἡμεῖς δʼ οὔ νύ τι τοῖοι ἀμυνέμεν· ἦ καὶ ἔπειτα  
We are not such as to fend it off; and even hereafter

**61** λευγαλέοι τʼ ἐσόμεσθα καὶ οὐ δεδαηκότες ἀλκήν.  
we shall be wretched and untrained in defense.

**62** ἦ τʼ ἂν ἀμυναίμην, εἴ μοι δύναμίς γε παρείη.  
Truly I would defend myself, if only the power were in me.
> Future less vivid condition: The optatives with ἄν mark a remote or hypothetical condition: Telemachus imagines what he would do if only the power were his — without asserting that it definitely is not. εἰ + optative (παρείη) with optative + ἄν (ἀμυναίμην) in the apodosis is the standard Greek future less vivid (remote hypothetical) condition, not a present contrary-to-fact.

**63** οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ ἀνσχετὰ ἔργα τετεύχαται, οὐδʼ ἔτι καλῶς  
For deeds no longer bearable have been done, and no longer well

**64** οἶκος ἐμὸς διόλωλε. νεμεσσήθητε καὶ αὐτοί,  
has my house been ruined. Feel indignation yourselves,
> Aorist passive imperative: An aorist imperative with passive form, a strong appeal: 'be filled with indignation!' Telemachus calls the people to moral outrage.

**65** ἄλλους τʼ αἰδέσθητε περικτίονας ἀνθρώπους,  
and have shame before the other neighboring peoples

**66** οἳ περιναιετάουσι· θεῶν δʼ ὑποδείσατε μῆνιν,  
who dwell around us; and dread the wrath of the gods,

**67** μή τι μεταστρέψωσιν ἀγασσάμενοι κακὰ ἔργα.  
lest they turn things around in anger at evil deeds.

**68** λίσσομαι ἠμὲν Ζηνὸς Ὀλυμπίου ἠδὲ Θέμιστος,  
I implore you, by Olympian Zeus and by Themis,

**69** ἥ τʼ ἀνδρῶν ἀγορὰς ἠμὲν λύει ἠδὲ καθίζει·  
who both dissolves the assemblies of men and seats them:

**70** σχέσθε, φίλοι, καί μʼ οἶον ἐάσατε πένθεϊ λυγρῷ  
hold back, friends, and leave me alone to waste away

**71** τείρεσθʼ, εἰ μή πού τι πατὴρ ἐμὸς ἐσθλὸς Ὀδυσσεὺς  
in bitter grief—unless somehow my noble father Odysseus

**72** δυσμενέων κάκʼ ἔρεξεν ἐυκνήμιδας Ἀχαιούς,  
in enmity did evil to the well-greaved Achaeans,
> Well-greaved Achaeans: A standing epithet: the Greeks are 'well-greaved,' wearing fine leg-armor. Such epithets fill out the metrical line.

**73** τῶν μʼ ἀποτινύμενοι κακὰ ῥέζετε δυσμενέοντες,  
for which you now do evil to me in return, in enmity,

**74** τούτους ὀτρύνοντες. ἐμοὶ δέ κε κέρδιον εἴη  
urging these men on. It would be better for me

**75** ὑμέας ἐσθέμεναι κειμήλιά τε πρόβασίν τε.  
that you yourselves devour my treasures and my livestock.

**76** εἴ χʼ ὑμεῖς γε φάγοιτε, τάχʼ ἄν ποτε καὶ τίσις εἴη·  
If you were to eat them, there might one day be recompense;

**77** τόφρα γὰρ ἂν κατὰ ἄστυ ποτιπτυσσοίμεθα μύθῳ  
for then through the town I would press my plea with words,

**78** χρήματʼ ἀπαιτίζοντες, ἕως κʼ ἀπὸ πάντα δοθείη·  
demanding back my goods, until all were repaid.

**79** νῦν δέ μοι ἀπρήκτους ὀδύνας ἐμβάλλετε θυμῷ.  
But now you cast upon my heart sorrows past remedy."

**80** ὣς φάτο χωόμενος, ποτὶ δὲ σκῆπτρον βάλε γαίῃ  
So he spoke in anger, and dashed the staff to the ground,

**81** δάκρυʼ ἀναπρήσας· οἶκτος δʼ ἕλε λαὸν ἅπαντα.  
bursting into tears; and pity seized all the people.

**82** ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἀκὴν ἔσαν, οὐδέ τις ἔτλη  
Then all the others were silent, and no one dared

**83** Τηλέμαχον μύθοισιν ἀμείψασθαι χαλεποῖσιν·  
to answer Telemachus with harsh words;

**84** Ἀντίνοος δέ μιν οἶος ἀμειβόμενος προσέειπε·  
only Antinous answered him, saying:

**85** Τηλέμαχʼ ὑψαγόρη, μένος ἄσχετε, ποῖον ἔειπες  
"Telemachus, loud talker, uncontrolled in spirit, what a thing you have said,
> Loud talker: A mocking address, literally 'lofty-speaker,' meaning one who talks big in assembly. Antinous uses it sneeringly.

**86** ἡμέας αἰσχύνων· ἐθέλοις δέ κε μῶμον ἀνάψαι.  
shaming us! You would fasten blame upon us.

**87** σοὶ δʼ οὔ τι μνηστῆρες Ἀχαιῶν αἴτιοί εἰσιν,  
But the suitors of the Achaeans are in no way to blame for you;

**88** ἀλλὰ φίλη μήτηρ, ἥ τοι πέρι κέρδεα οἶδεν.  
it is your own dear mother, who beyond all knows her cunning.

**89** ἤδη γὰρ τρίτον ἐστὶν ἔτος, τάχα δʼ εἶσι τέταρτον,  
For it is now the third year, and the fourth will soon come,

**90** ἐξ οὗ ἀτέμβει θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν.  
since she has been thwarting the heart in the breasts of the Achaeans.

**91** πάντας μέν ῥʼ ἔλπει καὶ ὑπίσχεται ἀνδρὶ ἑκάστῳ  
She gives all of them hope, and makes promises to each man,

**92** ἀγγελίας προϊεῖσα, νόος δέ οἱ ἄλλα μενοινᾷ.  
sending out messages, but her mind intends other things.
> Present participle: 'Sending out' is a present participle showing the ongoing action accompanying her promising. Penelope's words and intent are deliberately split.

**93** ἡ δὲ δόλον τόνδʼ ἄλλον ἐνὶ φρεσὶ μερμήριξε·  
And she devised in her mind this other trick:

**94** στησαμένη μέγαν ἱστὸν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ὕφαινε,  
she set up a great loom in the halls and began to weave,

**95** λεπτὸν καὶ περίμετρον· ἄφαρ δʼ ἡμῖν μετέειπε·  
a fine web of vast extent; and at once she said to us:

**96** κοῦροι ἐμοὶ μνηστῆρες, ἐπεὶ θάνε δῖος
                        Ὀδυσσεύς,  
'Young men, my suitors, since godlike Odysseus is dead,

**97** μίμνετʼ ἐπειγόμενοι τὸν ἐμὸν γάμον, εἰς ὅ κε φᾶρος  
be patient, though eager for my marriage, until I finish

**98** ἐκτελέσω, μή μοι μεταμώνια νήματʼ ὄληται,  
this cloth—so that my spinning not be wasted in vain—

**99** Λαέρτῃ ἥρωι ταφήιον, εἰς ὅτε κέν μιν  
a shroud for the hero Laertes, for the time when

**100** μοῖρʼ ὀλοὴ καθέλῃσι τανηλεγέος θανάτοιο,  
the ruinous doom of grievous death shall lay him low,

**101** μή τίς μοι κατὰ δῆμον Ἀχαιϊάδων νεμεσήσῃ.  
lest some Achaean woman of the land blame me,

**102** αἴ κεν ἄτερ σπείρου κεῖται πολλὰ κτεατίσσας.  
if he should lie without a shroud, who had won so much.'

**103** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, ἡμῖν δʼ αὖτʼ ἐπεπείθετο θυμὸς
                     ἀγήνωρ.  
So she spoke, and our proud hearts were persuaded.

**104** ἔνθα καὶ ἠματίη μὲν ὑφαίνεσκεν μέγαν ἱστόν,  
Then by day she would weave at the great loom,
> Iterative imperfect: The -σκ- suffix marks a repeated, habitual past action: 'she used to weave' day after day, paired with 'she used to unravel' by night in the next line.

**105** νύκτας δʼ ἀλλύεσκεν, ἐπεὶ δαΐδας παραθεῖτο.  
but at night she would unravel it, once she set torches by.

**106** ὣς τρίετες μὲν ἔληθε δόλῳ καὶ ἔπειθεν Ἀχαιούς·  
So for three years she escaped notice by the trick and won the Achaeans' trust;

**107** ἀλλʼ ὅτε τέτρατον ἦλθεν ἔτος καὶ ἐπήλυθον ὧραι,  
but when the fourth year came and the seasons returned,

**108** καὶ τότε δή τις ἔειπε γυναικῶν, ἣ σάφα ᾔδη,  
then one of the women, who knew clearly, told us,

**109** καὶ τήν γʼ ἀλλύουσαν ἐφεύρομεν ἀγλαὸν ἱστόν.  
and we caught her unraveling the splendid web.

**110** ὣς τὸ μὲν ἐξετέλεσσε καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλουσʼ ὑπʼ ἀνάγκης·  
So she finished it, against her will, under compulsion.
> Participle of concession: 'Not willing' is a present participle used concessively: she completed the weaving 'though unwilling,' forced by necessity.

**111** σοὶ δʼ ὧδε μνηστῆρες ὑποκρίνονται, ἵνʼ εἰδῇς  
So this is the answer the suitors give you, that you may know it
> give answer: The verb means to reply or interpret. Here Antinous reports the suitors' formal response to Telemachus.

**112** αὐτὸς σῷ θυμῷ, εἰδῶσι δὲ πάντες Ἀχαιοί·  
yourself in your own heart, and that all the Achaeans may know it too:

**113** μητέρα σὴν ἀπόπεμψον, ἄνωχθι δέ μιν γαμέεσθαι  
send your mother away, and command her to marry
> imperative command: ἄνωχθι is a perfect imperative of ἄνωγα, used with present force: "order" or "command." Antinous gives Telemachus a blunt directive.

**114** τῷ ὅτεῴ τε πατὴρ κέλεται καὶ ἁνδάνει αὐτῇ.  
whomever her father bids and whoever pleases her.

**115** εἰ δʼ ἔτʼ ἀνιήσει γε πολὺν χρόνον υἷας Ἀχαιῶν,  
But if she keeps on vexing the sons of the Achaeans for a long time,

**116** τὰ φρονέουσʼ ἀνὰ θυμόν, ὅ οἱ πέρι δῶκεν Ἀθήνη  
intent in her heart on the gifts that Athena granted her above all others—

**117** ἔργα τʼ ἐπίστασθαι περικαλλέα καὶ φρένας ἐσθλὰς  
skill in surpassingly beautiful handiwork, and a noble mind,

**118** κέρδεά θʼ, οἷʼ οὔ πώ τινʼ ἀκούομεν οὐδὲ παλαιῶν,  
and cunning wiles such as we never heard of even among the women of old,

**119** τάων αἳ πάρος ἦσαν ἐυπλοκαμῖδες Ἀχαιαί,  
among those who lived before, the fair-haired Achaean women,

**120** Τυρώ τʼ Ἀλκμήνη τε ἐυστέφανός τε Μυκήνη·  
Tyro and Alcmene and Mycene of the lovely crown—

**121** τάων οὔ τις ὁμοῖα νοήματα Πηνελοπείῃ  
of these not one had thoughts to match Penelope's;

**122** ᾔδη· ἀτὰρ μὲν τοῦτό γʼ ἐναίσιμον οὐκ ἐνόησε.  
yet in this one thing her scheming was not fitting.

**123** τόφρα γὰρ οὖν βίοτόν τε τεὸν καὶ κτήματʼ ἔδονται,  
For just so long will they devour your livelihood and your goods,

**124** ὄφρα κε κείνη τοῦτον ἔχῃ νόον, ὅν τινά οἱ νῦν  
as long as she keeps this purpose that the gods are now

**125** ἐν στήθεσσι τιθεῖσι θεοί. μέγα μὲν κλέος αὐτῇ  
putting in her breast. Great glory she wins
> kleos, glory: κλέος is fame won through report and remembered in song—a central value in Homeric culture. Here Penelope gains it through her cunning, at the cost of her son's estate.

**126** ποιεῖτʼ, αὐτὰρ σοί γε ποθὴν πολέος βιότοιο.  
for herself, but for you only the longing for much substance lost.

**127** ἡμεῖς δʼ οὔτʼ ἐπὶ ἔργα πάρος γʼ ἴμεν οὔτε πῃ ἄλλῃ,  
We will not go off to our own work nor anywhere else

**128** πρίν γʼ αὐτὴν γήμασθαι Ἀχαιῶν ᾧ κʼ ἐθέλῃσι.  
until she marries the one of the Achaeans she chooses.

**129** τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then wise Telemachus answered him in turn:
> perfect participle as epithet: πεπνυμένος, "wise, prudent," is a perfect middle participle functioning as a fixed epithet for Telemachus. The perfect denotes a settled state—his having-become-wise.

**130** Ἀντίνοʼ, οὔ πως ἔστι δόμων ἀέκουσαν ἀπῶσαι  
"Antinous, there is no way I can thrust from my house against her will

**131** ἥ μʼ ἔτεχʼ, ἥ μʼ ἔθρεψε· πατὴρ δʼ ἐμὸς ἄλλοθι γαίης,  
the one who bore me, who reared me. My father is somewhere far off in the world,

**132** ζώει ὅ γʼ ἦ τέθνηκε· κακὸν δέ με πόλλʼ ἀποτίνειν  
alive or dead; and it would be hard to pay back so much

**133** Ἰκαρίῳ, αἴ κʼ αὐτὸς ἑκὼν ἀπὸ μητέρα πέμψω.  
to Icarius, if of my own accord I send my mother away.

**134** ἐκ γὰρ τοῦ πατρὸς κακὰ πείσομαι, ἄλλα δὲ δαίμων  
For from her father I will suffer evils, and a god will send

**135** δώσει, ἐπεὶ μήτηρ στυγερὰς ἀρήσετʼ ἐρινῦς  
others, since my mother will call down the hateful Furies

**136** οἴκου ἀπερχομένη· νέμεσις δέ μοι ἐξ ἀνθρώπων  
as she leaves the house; and from men there will be indignation

**137** ἔσσεται· ὣς οὐ τοῦτον ἐγώ ποτε μῦθον ἐνίψω.  
against me. So I will never speak that word.

**138** ὑμέτερος δʼ εἰ μὲν θυμὸς νεμεσίζεται αὐτῶν,  
But if your own hearts feel any indignation at this,

**139** ἔξιτέ μοι μεγάρων, ἄλλας δʼ ἀλεγύνετε δαῖτας  
get out of my halls, and busy yourselves with other feasts,
> imperative: get out: ἔξιτε is a present imperative of ἔξειμι, "go out." Telemachus commands the suitors to leave his halls.

**140** ὑμὰ κτήματʼ ἔδοντες ἀμειβόμενοι κατὰ οἴκους.  
eating your own goods, taking turns from house to house.

**141** εἰ δʼ ὑμῖν δοκέει τόδε λωίτερον καὶ ἄμεινον  
But if this seems to you more profitable and better—

**142** ἔμμεναι, ἀνδρὸς ἑνὸς βίοτον νήποινον ὀλέσθαι,  
to ruin one man's livelihood without recompense—

**143** κείρετʼ· ἐγὼ δὲ θεοὺς ἐπιβώσομαι αἰὲν ἐόντας,  
then waste it; but I will cry out to the gods who live forever,

**144** αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς δῷσι παλίντιτα ἔργα γενέσθαι.  
in hope that Zeus may grant deeds of requital to be done.
> deeds of requital: παλίντιτα means "paid back, requited"—from πάλιν (back) and τίνω (pay). Telemachus prays that the suitors' crimes be repaid in kind.

**145** νήποινοί κεν ἔπειτα δόμων ἔντοσθεν ὄλοισθε.  
Then without recompense you would perish inside this house."

**146** ὣς φάτο Τηλέμαχος, τῷ δʼ αἰετὼ εὐρύοπα Ζεὺς  
So spoke Telemachus, and for him far-seeing Zeus sent two eagles
> the dual: two eagles: αἰετώ is dual, marking exactly two eagles—a number Greek inflects distinctly from the plural. Homer uses the dual often for natural pairs.

**147** ὑψόθεν ἐκ κορυφῆς ὄρεος προέηκε πέτεσθαι.  
flying down from on high, from a mountain peak.

**148** τὼ δʼ ἕως μέν ῥʼ ἐπέτοντο μετὰ πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο  
For a while the two flew on with the breath of the wind,

**149** πλησίω ἀλλήλοισι τιταινομένω πτερύγεσσιν·  
close to each other, wings spread wide;

**150** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μέσσην ἀγορὴν πολύφημον ἱκέσθην,  
but when they reached the middle of the loud-voiced assembly,

**151** ἔνθʼ ἐπιδινηθέντε τιναξάσθην πτερὰ πυκνά,  
there they wheeled about and shook their thick-feathered wings,

**152** ἐς δʼ ἰδέτην πάντων κεφαλάς, ὄσσοντο δʼ ὄλεθρον·  
and looked down on the heads of all, and their gaze foretold destruction;

**153** δρυψαμένω δʼ ὀνύχεσσι παρειὰς ἀμφί τε δειρὰς  
and tearing with their talons at each other's cheeks and necks

**154** δεξιὼ ἤιξαν διά τʼ οἰκία καὶ πόλιν αὐτῶν.  
they darted to the right, across the houses and the city of the people.

**155** θάμβησαν δʼ ὄρνιθας, ἐπεὶ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσιν·  
They marveled at the birds when they saw them with their eyes,

**156** ὥρμηναν δʼ ἀνὰ θυμὸν ἅ περ τελέεσθαι ἔμελλον.  
and pondered in their hearts what these things were destined to bring about.

**157** τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε γέρων ἥρως Ἁλιθέρσης  
Then the old hero Halitherses spoke among them,

**158** Μαστορίδης· ὁ γὰρ οἶος ὁμηλικίην ἐκέκαστο  
son of Mastor; for he alone of his generation excelled

**159** ὄρνιθας γνῶναι καὶ ἐναίσιμα μυθήσασθαι·  
in knowing birds and declaring what was fated;

**160** ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπε·  
with good intent toward them he addressed the assembly and spoke:

**161** κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν
                     εἴπω·  
"Hear me now, men of Ithaca, in what I have to say;
> Reduplicated perfect imperative: κέκλυτε, "hear!", is a reduplicated perfect imperative (2nd pl.) of κλύω — a solemn formulaic call to attention. The reduplication κε- is the hallmark of the perfect system, not the aorist.

**162** μνηστῆρσιν δὲ μάλιστα πιφαυσκόμενος τάδε εἴρω·  
and to the suitors above all I declare and speak these things:

**163** τοῖσιν γὰρ μέγα πῆμα κυλίνδεται· οὐ γὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς  
for upon them a great calamity rolls down; for Odysseus

**164** δὴν ἀπάνευθε φίλων ὧν ἔσσεται, ἀλλά που ἤδη  
will not be far from his own much longer, but already somewhere

**165** ἐγγὺς ἐὼν τοῖσδεσσι φόνον καὶ κῆρα φυτεύει  
being near, he is sowing murder and death for all of them;

**166** πάντεσσιν· πολέσιν δὲ καὶ ἄλλοισιν κακὸν ἔσται,  
and there will be evil for many others too

**167** οἳ νεμόμεσθʼ Ἰθάκην ἐυδείελον. ἀλλὰ πολὺ πρὶν  
of us who dwell in clear-skied Ithaca. But long before that

**168** φραζώμεσθʼ, ὥς κεν καταπαύσομεν· οἱ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ  
let us take thought how we may put a stop to them; let them also of their own accord

**169** παυέσθων· καὶ γάρ σφιν ἄφαρ τόδε λώιόν ἐστιν.  
cease; for this is at once the better course for them.

**170** οὐ γὰρ ἀπείρητος μαντεύομαι, ἀλλʼ ἐὺ εἰδώς·  
For I do not prophesy untried, but with sure knowledge:

**171** καὶ γὰρ κείνῳ φημὶ τελευτηθῆναι ἅπαντα,  
indeed for that man I say all has been fulfilled

**172** ὥς οἱ ἐμυθεόμην, ὅτε Ἴλιον εἰσανέβαινον  
just as I foretold to him, when the Argives were embarking

**173** Ἀργεῖοι, μετὰ δέ σφιν ἔβη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς.  
for Ilion, and resourceful Odysseus went among them.
> epithet: of many devices: πολύμητις, "of many counsels, resourceful," is Odysseus's signature epithet. Such fixed formulaic epithets are a hallmark of Homeric oral style.

**174** φῆν κακὰ πολλὰ παθόντʼ, ὀλέσαντʼ ἄπο πάντας ἑταίρους,  
I said that after suffering many evils, having lost all his companions,

**175** ἄγνωστον πάντεσσιν ἐεικοστῷ ἐνιαυτῷ  
unknown to all, in the twentieth year

**176** οἴκαδʼ ἐλεύσεσθαι· τὰ δὲ δὴ νῦν πάντα τελεῖται.  
he would come home; and now all this is being fulfilled."

**177** τὸν δʼ αὖτʼ Εὐρύμαχος Πολύβου πάϊς ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered him in turn:

**178** ὦ γέρον, εἰ δʼ ἄγε νῦν μαντεύεο σοῖσι τέκεσσιν  
"Old man, come now, go home and prophesy to your own children,

**179** οἴκαδʼ ἰών, μή πού τι κακὸν πάσχωσιν ὀπίσσω·  
lest somehow they suffer harm hereafter;

**180** ταῦτα δʼ ἐγὼ σέο πολλὸν ἀμείνων μαντεύεσθαι.  
in these things I am a far better prophet than you.

**181** ὄρνιθες δέ τε πολλοὶ ὑπʼ αὐγὰς ἠελίοιο  
Many birds range about beneath the sun's rays,

**182** φοιτῶσʼ, οὐδέ τε πάντες ἐναίσιμοι· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς  
but not all are meaningful. As for Odysseus,

**183** ὤλετο τῆλʼ, ὡς καὶ σὺ καταφθίσθαι σὺν ἐκείνῳ  
he has perished far away, as you too should have perished with him—

**184** ὤφελες. οὐκ ἂν τόσσα θεοπροπέων ἀγόρευες,  
would you had! Then you would not be spouting so much prophecy,
> unfulfilled wish: ὤφελες ("you ought to have") with an infinitive expresses an impossible past wish: "would that you had perished." It is a bitter, contrary-to-fact retort.

**185** οὐδέ κε Τηλέμαχον κεχολωμένον ὧδʼ ἀνιείης,  
nor would you be inciting Telemachus in his anger,

**186** σῷ οἴκῳ δῶρον ποτιδέγμενος, αἴ κε πόρῃσιν.  
expecting some gift for your house, if he should give one.

**187** ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·  
But I will speak out to you, and this will surely come to pass:

**188** αἴ κε νεώτερον ἄνδρα παλαιά τε πολλά τε εἰδὼς  
if you, who know much of old and ancient things,

**189** παρφάμενος ἐπέεσσιν ἐποτρύνῃς χαλεπαίνειν,  
beguiling a younger man with your words, urge him to be harsh,

**190** αὐτῷ μέν οἱ πρῶτον ἀνιηρέστερον ἔσται,  
first of all it will be the more grievous for him,

**191** πρῆξαι δʼ ἔμπης οὔ τι δυνήσεται εἵνεκα τῶνδε·  
and he will be able to accomplish nothing at all on account of these men;

**192** σοὶ δέ, γέρον, θωὴν ἐπιθήσομεν, ἥν κʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ  
and on you, old man, we will lay a fine, that in your heart

**193** τίνων ἀσχάλλῃς· χαλεπὸν δέ τοι ἔσσεται ἄλγος.  
you may grieve to pay; and the pain will be hard for you.

**194** Τηλεμάχῳ δʼ ἐν πᾶσιν ἐγὼν ὑποθήσομαι αὐτός·  
And to Telemachus, before you all, I myself give this counsel:

**195** μητέρα ἣν ἐς πατρὸς ἀνωγέτω ἀπονέεσθαι·  
let him bid his mother go back to her father's house;

**196** οἱ δὲ γάμον τεύξουσι καὶ ἀρτυνέουσιν ἔεδνα  
and they will arrange the marriage and provide the bridal gifts,

**197** πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε φίλης ἐπὶ παιδὸς ἕπεσθαι.  
very many, such as should go with a beloved daughter.

**198** οὐ γὰρ πρὶν παύσεσθαι ὀίομαι υἷας Ἀχαιῶν  
For I do not think the sons of the Achaeans will cease before then

**199** μνηστύος ἀργαλέης, ἐπεὶ οὔ τινα δείδιμεν ἔμπης,  
from their grievous wooing, since we fear no one at all,

**200** οὔτʼ οὖν Τηλέμαχον μάλα περ πολύμυθον ἐόντα,  
neither Telemachus, for all his flood of words,

**201** οὔτε θεοπροπίης ἐμπαζόμεθʼ, ἣν σύ, γεραιέ,  
nor do we heed the prophecy that you, old man,

**202** μυθέαι ἀκράαντον, ἀπεχθάνεαι δʼ ἔτι μᾶλλον.  
utter to no purpose—and you grow more hateful still.

**203** χρήματα δʼ αὖτε κακῶς βεβρώσεται, οὐδέ ποτʼ ἶσα  
His goods will be wickedly devoured, and there will never be

**204** ἔσσεται, ὄφρα κεν ἥ γε διατρίβῃσιν Ἀχαιοὺς  
requital, so long as she keeps the Achaeans waiting on

**205** ὃν γάμον· ἡμεῖς δʼ αὖ ποτιδέγμενοι ἤματα πάντα  
her marriage; and we, awaiting it day after day,

**206** εἵνεκα τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐριδαίνομεν, οὐδὲ μετʼ ἄλλας  
contend with one another for the sake of her excellence, nor do we go after other women
> aretê here: ἀρετή usually means "excellence" or "virtue"; here it points to Penelope's surpassing worth as a bride. The suitors compete for it as a prize.

**207** ἐρχόμεθʼ, ἃς ἐπιεικὲς ὀπυιέμεν ἐστὶν ἑκάστῳ.  
whom it would be fitting for each of us to marry."

**208** τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then wise Telemachus answered him in turn:

**209** Εὐρύμαχʼ ἠδὲ καὶ ἄλλοι, ὅσοι μνηστῆρες ἀγαυοί,  
"Eurymachus, and you others, all you proud suitors,

**210** ταῦτα μὲν οὐχ ὑμέας ἔτι λίσσομαι οὐδʼ ἀγορεύω·  
of these things I no longer entreat you nor make speeches;

**211** ἤδη γὰρ τὰ ἴσασι θεοὶ καὶ πάντες Ἀχαιοί.  
for now the gods know them, and all the Achaeans.

**212** ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι δότε νῆα θοὴν καὶ εἴκοσʼ ἑταίρους,  
But come, give me a swift ship and twenty companions,

**213** οἵ κέ μοι ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα διαπρήσσωσι κέλευθον.  
who may accomplish my voyage for me this way and that.

**214** εἶμι γὰρ ἐς Σπάρτην τε καὶ ἐς Πύλον ἠμαθόεντα  
For I will go to Sparta and to sandy Pylos
> sandy Pylos: ἠμαθόεις ("sandy") is a stock epithet for Pylos, modifying it in the accusative as the goal of motion. Place-epithets are part of the formulaic diction.

**215** νόστον πευσόμενος πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο,  
to learn of the homecoming of my father, long gone away,
> nostos, homecoming: νόστος is the return home from war or wandering—the governing theme of the whole poem. Telemachus seeks news of his father's nostos.

**216** ἤν τίς μοι εἴπῃσι βροτῶν ἢ ὄσσαν ἀκούσω  
in case some mortal may tell me, or I may hear a rumor

**217** ἐκ Διός, ἥ τε μάλιστα φέρει κλέος ἀνθρώποισιν·  
from Zeus, which above all brings men tidings of fame.

**218** εἰ μέν κεν πατρὸς βίοτον καὶ νόστον ἀκούσω,  
If I hear that my father is alive and homeward bound,

**219** ἦ τʼ ἄν, τρυχόμενός περ, ἔτι τλαίην ἐνιαυτόν·  
then, worn down though I am, I would still endure for a year;

**220** εἰ δέ κε τεθνηῶτος ἀκούσω μηδʼ ἔτʼ ἐόντος,  
but if I hear that he is dead and no longer living,

**221** νοστήσας δὴ ἔπειτα φίλην ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν  
then, returning home to my dear native land,

**222** σῆμά τέ οἱ χεύω καὶ ἐπὶ κτέρεα κτερεΐξω  
I will heap up a grave-mound for him and pay the funeral rites due him,

**223** πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα ἔοικε, καὶ ἀνέρι μητέρα δώσω.  
many of them, as is fitting, and I will give my mother to a husband.

**224** ἦ τοι ὅ γʼ ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο, τοῖσι δʼ
                  ἀνέστη  
When he had spoken so, he sat down, and among them rose up

**225** Μέντωρ, ὅς ῥʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀμύμονος ἦεν ἑταῖρος,  
Mentor, who was the companion of blameless Odysseus,

**226** καί οἱ ἰὼν ἐν νηυσὶν ἐπέτρεπεν οἶκον ἅπαντα,  
and to whom, as he sailed away in his ships, he had entrusted his whole house,

**227** πείθεσθαί τε γέροντι καὶ ἔμπεδα πάντα φυλάσσειν·  
to obey the old man and to keep everything safe and sound.
> Infinitives of charge: The two infinitives spell out the instructions Odysseus gave: to obey and to guard. They depend on the entrusting in the previous line.

**228** ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·  
He, with good will toward them, addressed the assembly and spoke:

**229** κέκλυτε δὴ νῦν μευ, Ἰθακήσιοι, ὅττι κεν
                     εἴπω·  
"Hear me now, men of Ithaca, in what I have to say.

**230** μή τις ἔτι πρόφρων ἀγανὸς καὶ ἤπιος ἔστω  
Let no sceptered king from now on be kindly, gentle, and mild,

**231** σκηπτοῦχος βασιλεύς, μηδὲ φρεσὶν αἴσιμα εἰδώς,  
nor mindful in his heart of what is right,
> Sceptre-bearing: An epithet of kings: the sceptre is the visible token of authority granted by Zeus.

**232** ἀλλʼ αἰεὶ χαλεπός τʼ εἴη καὶ αἴσυλα ῥέζοι·  
but let him always be harsh and do what is wicked,
> Optatives of wish: Mentor uses optatives to frame a bitter wish: since the people forget good kings, let them have only cruel ones. The mood marks the unreal, sarcastic prayer.

**233** ὡς οὔ τις μέμνηται Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο  
since no one remembers godlike Odysseus

**234** λαῶν οἷσιν ἄνασσε, πατὴρ δʼ ὣς ἤπιος ἦεν.  
among the people he ruled, though he was gentle as a father.

**235** ἀλλʼ ἦ τοι μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας οὔ τι μεγαίρω  
Yet I do not so much begrudge the proud suitors

**236** ἔρδειν ἔργα βίαια κακορραφίῃσι νόοιο·  
for doing their violent deeds in the malice of their minds;

**237** σφὰς γὰρ παρθέμενοι κεφαλὰς κατέδουσι βιαίως  
for it is their own heads they stake when they devour by force
> Staking their heads: A gambling image: the suitors wager their own lives that Odysseus will never return. Mentor warns they will lose the bet.

**238** οἶκον Ὀδυσσῆος, τὸν δʼ οὐκέτι φασὶ νέεσθαι.  
the house of Odysseus, whom they say will come home no more.

**239** νῦν δʼ ἄλλῳ δήμῳ νεμεσίζομαι, οἷον ἅπαντες  
But now I am indignant at the rest of the people, how you all
> Righteous indignation: Nemesis is the proper anger felt at conduct that violates what is fitting. Mentor turns it not on the suitors but on the silent bystanders.

**240** ἧσθʼ ἄνεῳ, ἀτὰρ οὔ τι καθαπτόμενοι ἐπέεσσι  
sit in silence, and never with words of rebuke

**241** παύρους μνηστῆρας καταπαύετε πολλοὶ ἐόντες.  
do you restrain the few suitors, though you are many."
> Few against many: The contrast between 'few suitors' and 'you being many' is pointed: the participle clause underscores that the people have the numbers to act and do not.

**242** τὸν δʼ Εὐηνορίδης Λειώκριτος ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then Leiocritus son of Euenor answered him:

**243** Μέντορ ἀταρτηρέ, φρένας ἠλεέ, ποῖον ἔειπες  
"Mentor, you mischief-maker, out of your wits, what a thing to say,

**244** ἡμέας ὀτρύνων καταπαυέμεν. ἀργαλέον δὲ  
urging them to hold us back! It is a hard thing

**245** ἀνδράσι καὶ πλεόνεσσι μαχήσασθαι περὶ δαιτί.  
to fight over a feast against men who are even more in number.

**246** εἴ περ γάρ κʼ Ὀδυσεὺς Ἰθακήσιος αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼν  
For even if Odysseus of Ithaca himself were to come
> Future-less-vivid condition: The protasis uses the optative to imagine an unlikely case: even supposing Odysseus came and set his heart on driving them out. It sets up Leiocritus' boast that he would still die.

**247** δαινυμένους κατὰ δῶμα ἑὸν μνηστῆρας ἀγαυοὺς  
and long in his heart to drive out of the hall the proud suitors

**248** ἐξελάσαι μεγάροιο μενοινήσειʼ ἐνὶ θυμῷ,  
feasting throughout his house,

**249** οὔ κέν οἱ κεχάροιτο γυνή, μάλα περ χατέουσα,  
his wife would take no joy in his coming, however much she longed for him,

**250** ἐλθόντʼ, ἀλλά κεν αὐτοῦ ἀεικέα πότμον ἐπίσποι,  
but right there he would meet an unseemly death,
> Unseemly death: A death without honor or proper rites — Leiocritus' arrogant claim that the returning master would be cut down in his own home.

**251** εἰ πλεόνεσσι μάχοιτο· σὺ δʼ οὐ κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.  
if he fought against numbers. You have not spoken as is fitting.
> As is fitting: The phrase 'according to one's portion' means rightly, in due measure — the standard Homeric praise for fitting speech, here denied to Mentor.

**252** ἀλλʼ ἄγε, λαοὶ μὲν σκίδνασθʼ ἐπὶ ἔργα ἕκαστος,  
But come, let the people scatter, each to his own work,

**253** τούτῳ δʼ ὀτρυνέει Μέντωρ ὁδὸν ἠδʼ Ἁλιθέρσης,  
and Mentor and Halitherses can speed this fellow on his journey,

**254** οἵ τέ οἱ ἐξ ἀρχῆς πατρώιοί εἰσιν ἑταῖροι.  
they who from the first are his father's companions.

**255** ἀλλʼ ὀίω, καὶ δηθὰ καθήμενος ἀγγελιάων  
But I think that, sitting still a long while, he will wait for news

**256** πεύσεται εἰν Ἰθάκῃ, τελέει δʼ ὁδὸν οὔ ποτε ταύτην.  
here in Ithaca, and will never accomplish this voyage."

**257** ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, λῦσεν δʼ ἀγορὴν αἰψηρήν.  
So he spoke, and quickly broke up the assembly.

**258** οἱ μὲν ἄρʼ ἐσκίδναντο ἑὰ πρὸς δώμαθʼ ἕκαστος,  
They scattered then, each to his own home,

**259** μνηστῆρες δʼ ἐς δώματʼ ἴσαν θείου Ὀδυσῆος.  
and the suitors went to the house of godlike Odysseus.

**260** Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἀπάνευθε κιὼν ἐπὶ θῖνα θαλάσσης,  
But Telemachus, walking off alone to the shore of the sea,

**261** χεῖρας νιψάμενος πολιῆς ἁλὸς εὔχετʼ Ἀθήνῃ·  
washed his hands in the gray brine and prayed to Athena:
> Genitive after washing: The genitive 'of the gray sea' marks the source from which he washes — a partitive sense, drawing water from it. 'Gray sea' is a standard Homeric color-epithet.

**262** κλῦθί μευ, ὃ χθιζὸς θεὸς ἤλυθες ἡμέτερον δῶ  
"Hear me, you god who came yesterday to our house

**263** καί μʼ ἐν νηὶ κέλευσας ἐπʼ ἠεροειδέα πόντον  
and bade me go in a ship over the misty sea

**264** νόστον πευσόμενον πατρὸς δὴν οἰχομένοιο  
to seek news of the homecoming of my father, long gone away —
> Nostos (homecoming): The return home is the central theme of the whole poem; the noun nostos names both the journey and its goal.

**265** ἔρχεσθαι· τὰ δὲ πάντα διατρίβουσιν Ἀχαιοί,  
all this the Achaeans hinder,

**266** μνηστῆρες δὲ μάλιστα κακῶς ὑπερηνορέοντες.  
and most of all the suitors in their wicked arrogance."

**267** ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, σχεδόθεν δέ οἱ ἦλθεν Ἀθήνη,  
So he spoke in prayer, and Athena came near to him,

**268** Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν,  
in the likeness of Mentor both in form and in voice,
> Disguise in the dative: The participle 'likening herself' takes a dative of the one she resembles. Athena's habit of disguise drives much of the book's action.

**269** καί μιν φωνήσασʼ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
and she spoke and addressed him with winged words:
> Winged words: One of Homer's most frequent formulas, marking the start of direct speech — words that fly from speaker to hearer.

**270** Τηλέμαχʼ, οὐδʼ ὄπιθεν κακὸς ἔσσεαι οὐδʼ
                     ἀνοήμων,  
"Telemachus, you will be neither base nor witless in the days to come,

**271** εἰ δή τοι σοῦ πατρὸς ἐνέστακται μένος ἠύ,  
if indeed your father's noble strength is instilled in you,

**272** οἷος κεῖνος ἔην τελέσαι ἔργον τε ἔπος τε·  
such a man as he was, to accomplish both deed and word;
> Deed and word: A formulaic pairing praising the complete hero who is effective in both action and speech.

**273** οὔ τοι ἔπειθʼ ἁλίη ὁδὸς ἔσσεται οὐδʼ ἀτέλεστος.  
then this journey of yours will be neither vain nor unfulfilled.

**274** εἰ δʼ οὐ κείνου γʼ ἐσσὶ γόνος καὶ Πηνελοπείης,  
But if you are not the offspring of him and of Penelope,

**275** οὐ σέ γʼ ἔπειτα ἔολπα τελευτήσειν, ἃ μενοινᾷς.  
then I have no hope you will accomplish what you long for.

**276** παῦροι γάρ τοι παῖδες ὁμοῖοι πατρὶ πέλονται,  
For few are the sons who turn out equal to their fathers;

**277** οἱ πλέονες κακίους, παῦροι δέ τε πατρὸς ἀρείους.  
most are worse, and few are better than their father.
> Comparatives weighed: The men-de balance sets 'worse' against 'better,' a maxim on the rarity of sons surpassing their fathers.

**278** ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ οὐδʼ ὄπιθεν κακὸς ἔσσεαι οὐδʼ ἀνοήμων,  
But since you will be neither base nor witless in the days to come,

**279** οὐδέ σε πάγχυ γε μῆτις Ὀδυσσῆος προλέλοιπεν,  
and the cunning of Odysseus has not wholly failed you,
> Mêtis (cunning): The shrewd, resourceful intelligence that defines Odysseus. Athena sees a measure of it surviving in his son.

**280** ἐλπωρή τοι ἔπειτα τελευτῆσαι τάδε ἔργα.  
there is hope, then, that you will accomplish these deeds.

**281** τῶ νῦν μνηστήρων μὲν ἔα βουλήν τε νόον τε  
So now let go the plan and purpose of the suitors,

**282** ἀφραδέων, ἐπεὶ οὔ τι νοήμονες οὐδὲ δίκαιοι·  
the senseless ones, for they are neither prudent nor just;

**283** οὐδέ τι ἴσασιν θάνατον καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν,  
they have no knowledge of death and the black doom,
> Black doom: The kêr is the death-spirit, the personified fate of dying; 'black' is its constant grim epithet.

**284** ὃς δή σφι σχεδόν ἐστιν, ἐπʼ ἤματι πάντας ὀλέσθαι.  
which is now close upon them, to perish all in a single day.

**285** σοὶ δʼ ὁδὸς οὐκέτι δηρὸν ἀπέσσεται ἣν σὺ μενοινᾷς·  
The journey you long for will not long be delayed;

**286** τοῖος γάρ τοι ἑταῖρος ἐγὼ πατρώιός εἰμι,  
for I am such a friend of your father's house,

**287** ὅς τοι νῆα θοὴν στελέω καὶ ἅμʼ ἕψομαι αὐτός.  
I who will fit out a swift ship for you and come along myself.

**288** ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν πρὸς δώματʼ ἰὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμίλει,  
But go now to the house and mingle with the suitors,

**289** ὅπλισσόν τʼ ἤια καὶ ἄγγεσιν ἄρσον ἅπαντα,  
and make ready provisions, and stow everything in vessels —

**290** οἶνον ἐν ἀμφιφορεῦσι, καὶ ἄλφιτα, μυελὸν ἀνδρῶν,  
wine in two-handled jars, and barley meal, the marrow of men,
> Marrow of men: A vivid metaphor for barley meal as the strength-giving staple of life, the 'marrow' that sustains men.

**291** δέρμασιν ἐν πυκινοῖσιν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἀνὰ δῆμον ἑταίρους  
in close-sewn skins. And I will go through the land and gather

**292** αἶψʼ ἐθελοντῆρας συλλέξομαι. εἰσὶ δὲ νῆες  
volunteer companions quickly. There are many ships

**293** πολλαὶ ἐν ἀμφιάλῳ Ἰθάκῃ, νέαι ἠδὲ παλαιαί·  
in sea-girt Ithaca, both new and old;
> Sea-girt: Literally 'sea on both sides,' a standing epithet for the island of Ithaca.

**294** τάων μέν τοι ἐγὼν ἐπιόψομαι ἥ τις ἀρίστη,  
of these I will pick out for you the one that is best,

**295** ὦκα δʼ ἐφοπλίσσαντες ἐνήσομεν εὐρέι πόντῳ.  
and quickly making her ready we will launch her on the broad sea."

**296** ὣς φάτʼ Ἀθηναίη κούρη Διός· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴν  
So spoke Athena, daughter of Zeus. And Telemachus no longer

**297** Τηλέμαχος παρέμιμνεν, ἐπεὶ θεοῦ ἔκλυεν αὐδήν.  
lingered, once he had heard the voice of the goddess.

**298** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι πρὸς δῶμα, φίλον τετιημένος ἦτορ,  
He set out for the house, his dear heart heavy with grief,
> Heart grieved: An accusative of respect — grieved 'as to his heart' — a formula for inward distress carried beneath outward composure.

**299** εὗρε δʼ ἄρα μνηστῆρας ἀγήνορας ἐν μεγάροισιν,  
and there he found the proud suitors in the halls,

**300** αἶγας ἀνιεμένους σιάλους θʼ εὕοντας ἐν αὐλῇ.  
flaying goats and singeing fat hogs in the court.

**301** Ἀντίνοος δʼ ἰθὺς γελάσας κίε Τηλεμάχοιο,  
Antinous came straight up to Telemachus, laughing,

**302** ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρί, ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·  
and clasped his hand, and spoke and called him by name:
> Grew into his hand: The aorist phrasing 'grew onto him by the hand' is the vivid Homeric idiom for grasping someone's hand warmly — here a false friendliness.

**303** Τηλέμαχʼ ὑψαγόρη, μένος ἄσχετε, μή τί τοι
                     ἄλλο  
"Telemachus, you windy talker, unbridled in your rage, let no other
> High-talker: A mocking epithet Antinous throws at Telemachus: a 'lofty speechmaker,' all bold words and no substance in the suitors' eyes.

**304** ἐν στήθεσσι κακὸν μελέτω ἔργον τε ἔπος τε,  
wicked deed or word be brewing in your breast,

**305** ἀλλά μοι ἐσθιέμεν καὶ πινέμεν, ὡς τὸ πάρος περ.  
but eat and drink with me, as you used to do before.

**306** ταῦτα δέ τοι μάλα πάντα τελευτήσουσιν Ἀχαιοί,  
All these things the Achaeans will surely accomplish for you —

**307** νῆα καὶ ἐξαίτους ἐρέτας, ἵνα θᾶσσον ἵκηαι  
a ship and chosen oarsmen, so that you may come the sooner

**308** ἐς Πύλον ἠγαθέην μετʼ ἀγαυοῦ πατρὸς ἀκουήν.  
to sacred Pylos, after news of your noble father."

**309** τὸν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then wise Telemachus answered him in turn:
> Wise (epithet): A perfect participle used as a fixed epithet of Telemachus, 'having understanding' — prudent, shrewd. It recurs throughout his speeches.

**310** Ἀντίνοʼ, οὔ πως ἔστιν ὑπερφιάλοισι μεθʼ ὑμῖν  
"Antinous, there is no way, among you overbearing men,

**311** δαίνυσθαί τʼ ἀκέοντα καὶ εὐφραίνεσθαι ἕκηλον.  
to feast in silence and take my ease in peace.

**312** ἦ οὐχ ἅλις ὡς τὸ πάροιθεν ἐκείρετε πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλὰ  
Is it not enough that before this you wasted much fine

**313** κτήματʼ ἐμά, μνηστῆρες, ἐγὼ δʼ ἔτι νήπιος ἦα;  
property of mine, you suitors, while I was still a child?
> A child still: Nêpios means an infant or one too young to act — Telemachus marks the turning point from helpless boyhood to a man who can resist.

**314** νῦν δʼ ὅτε δὴ μέγας εἰμὶ καὶ ἄλλων μῦθον ἀκούων  
But now that I am grown, and by listening to others' words

**315** πυνθάνομαι, καὶ δή μοι ἀέξεται ἔνδοθι θυμός,  
I learn the truth, and the spirit swells within me,

**316** πειρήσω, ὥς κʼ ὔμμι κακὰς ἐπὶ κῆρας ἰήλω,  
I will try to hurl evil dooms upon you,
> Purpose clause: The subjunctive after 'so that' expresses Telemachus' aim: to bring the death-spirits down on the suitors. The threat is deliberate, not idle.

**317** ἠὲ Πύλονδʼ ἐλθών, ἢ αὐτοῦ τῷδʼ ἐνὶ δήμῳ.  
whether I go to Pylos, or stay here among this people.

**318** εἶμι μέν, οὐδʼ ἁλίη ὁδὸς ἔσσεται ἣν ἀγορεύω,  
Go I will — and the voyage I speak of will not be in vain —

**319** ἔμπορος· οὐ γὰρ νηὸς ἐπήβολος οὐδʼ ἐρετάων  
as a passenger; for I have command of neither ship nor oarsmen
> Passenger: An emporos here is one who travels aboard another's ship, not its master — Telemachus admits he must sail on borrowed terms.

**320** γίγνομαι· ὥς νύ που ὔμμιν ἐείσατο κέρδιον εἶναι.  
of my own; so, I suppose, it seemed more to your advantage."

**321** ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς χεῖρα σπάσατʼ Ἀντινόοιο  
He spoke, and snatched his hand out of the hand of Antinous,

**322** ῥεῖα· μνηστῆρες δὲ δόμον κάτα δαῖτα πένοντο.  
easily; and the suitors busied themselves with the feast throughout the house.

**323** οἱ δʼ ἐπελώβευον καὶ ἐκερτόμεον ἐπέεσσιν.  
And they mocked and taunted him with their words.

**324** ὧδε δέ τις εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·  
And thus would one of the overbearing young men speak:

**325** ἦ μάλα Τηλέμαχος φόνον ἡμῖν μερμηρίζει.  
"Surely Telemachus is plotting murder against us;
> Iterative imperfect: The -σκ- suffix marks repeated past action: 'one would say, again and again.' Homer uses it for habitual or typical behavior, here the suitors' running mockery.

**326** ἤ τινας ἐκ Πύλου ἄξει ἀμύντορας ἠμαθόεντος  
he means to bring helpers from sandy Pylos,

**327** ἢ ὅ γε καὶ Σπάρτηθεν, ἐπεί νύ περ ἵεται αἰνῶς·  
or even from Sparta, so terribly does he long to go;

**328** ἠὲ καὶ εἰς Ἐφύρην ἐθέλει, πίειραν ἄρουραν,  
or he means to go to Ephyra, that rich land,

**329** ἐλθεῖν, ὄφρʼ ἔνθεν θυμοφθόρα φάρμακʼ ἐνείκῃ,  
to bring back from there a life-destroying drug,

**330** ἐν δὲ βάλῃ κρητῆρι καὶ ἡμέας πάντας ὀλέσσῃ.  
and cast it into the wine-bowl and kill us all."

**331** ἄλλος δʼ αὖτʼ εἴπεσκε νέων ὑπερηνορεόντων·  
And another of the arrogant young men would say in turn:

**332** τίς δʼ οἶδʼ, εἴ κε καὶ αὐτὸς ἰὼν κοίλης ἐπὶ νηὸς  
"Who knows whether he too, sailing off in his hollow ship,

**333** τῆλε φίλων ἀπόληται ἀλώμενος ὥς περ Ὀδυσσεύς;  
may perish far from his friends, wandering, just as Odysseus did?
> wandering: The participle ἀλώμενος, 'wandering, roaming as a vagrant,' is the same image used throughout for Odysseus's own homeless drifting; the suitors apply it mockingly to Telemachus.

**334** οὕτω κεν καὶ μᾶλλον ὀφέλλειεν πόνον ἄμμιν·  
That way he would only add still more to our trouble,

**335** κτήματα γάρ κεν πάντα δασαίμεθα, οἰκία δʼ αὖτε  
for then we would divide all his goods among us, and his house

**336** τούτου μητέρι δοῖμεν ἔχειν ἠδʼ ὅς τις ὀπυίοι.  
we would give to his mother to keep, and to whoever married her."

**337** ὣς φάν, ὁ δʼ ὑψόροφον θάλαμον κατεβήσετο πατρὸς  
So they spoke. But he went down into his father's high-roofed storeroom,

**338** εὐρύν, ὅθι νητὸς χρυσὸς καὶ χαλκὸς ἔκειτο  
a broad chamber where gold and bronze lay heaped,

**339** ἐσθής τʼ ἐν χηλοῖσιν ἅλις τʼ ἐυῶδες ἔλαιον·  
and clothing in chests, and a plentiful store of fragrant olive oil;

**340** ἐν δὲ πίθοι οἴνοιο παλαιοῦ ἡδυπότοιο  
and there stood jars of old, sweet-tasting wine,

**341** ἕστασαν, ἄκρητον θεῖον ποτὸν ἐντὸς ἔχοντες,  
holding within them an unmixed, godlike drink,
> unmixed wine: ἄκρητον means wine 'unmixed' with water. Greeks normally diluted their wine; undiluted wine was reserved for the strongest, most precious vintages, here fit for a god.

**342** ἑξείης ποτὶ τοῖχον ἀρηρότες, εἴ ποτʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς  
set in a row against the wall, in case Odysseus

**343** οἴκαδε νοστήσειε καὶ ἄλγεα πολλὰ μογήσας.  
should ever come home again, after suffering many hardships.

**344** κληισταὶ δʼ ἔπεσαν σανίδες πυκινῶς ἀραρυῖαι,  
Double doors, close-fitted and tightly joined, were shut upon it,

**345** δικλίδες· ἐν δὲ γυνὴ ταμίη νύκτας τε καὶ ἦμαρ  
folding doors; and within, a housekeeper, night and day,

**346** ἔσχʼ, ἣ πάντʼ ἐφύλασσε νόου πολυϊδρείῃσιν,  
guarded everything with the cunning shrewdness of her mind,

**347** Εὐρύκλειʼ, Ὦπος θυγάτηρ Πεισηνορίδαο.  
Eurycleia, daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor.

**348** τὴν τότε Τηλέμαχος προσέφη θαλαμόνδε καλέσσας·  
Telemachus called her into the storeroom and spoke to her:

**349** μαῖʼ, ἄγε δή μοι οἶνον ἐν ἀμφιφορεῦσιν
                     ἄφυσσον  
"Nurse, come now, draw me off sweet wine into jars,

**350** ἡδύν, ὅτις μετὰ τὸν λαρώτατος ὃν σὺ φυλάσσεις  
the most delicious, next to that which you keep in reserve

**351** κεῖνον ὀιομένη τὸν κάμμορον, εἴ ποθεν ἔλθοι  
thinking of that ill-fated man, in case he should come from somewhere,

**352** διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς θάνατον καὶ κῆρας ἀλύξας.  
Zeus-born Odysseus, having escaped death and the fates.

**353** δώδεκα δʼ ἔμπλησον καὶ πώμασιν ἄρσον ἅπαντας.  
Fill twelve of them, and fit them all with lids.

**354** ἐν δέ μοι ἄλφιτα χεῦον ἐϋρραφέεσσι δοροῖσιν·  
And pour me barley meal into well-stitched leather bags;

**355** εἴκοσι δʼ ἔστω μέτρα μυληφάτου ἀλφίτου ἀκτῆς.  
let there be twenty measures of ground barley meal.

**356** αὐτὴ δʼ οἴη ἴσθι· τὰ δʼ ἁθρόα πάντα τετύχθω·  
Let only you yourself know of it; have all of it gathered together,

**357** ἑσπέριος γὰρ ἐγὼν αἱρήσομαι, ὁππότε κεν δὴ  
for in the evening I will fetch it, at the moment when

**358** μήτηρ εἰς ὑπερῷʼ ἀναβῇ κοίτου τε μέδηται.  
my mother has gone up to her room and turned her thoughts to sleep.

**359** εἶμι γὰρ ἐς Σπάρτην τε καὶ ἐς Πύλον ἠμαθόεντα  
For I am going to Sparta and to sandy Pylos
> sandy Pylos: ἠμαθόεις, 'sandy,' is the standard fixed epithet for Pylos, recalling its location on the sandy western coast of the Peloponnese.

**360** νόστον πευσόμενος πατρὸς φίλου, ἤν που ἀκούσω.  
to learn of the homecoming of my dear father, if somehow I may hear of it."
> nostos (homecoming): νόστος, 'homecoming, return,' is the central theme of the whole poem. Telemachus's journey seeks news of his father's nostos.

**361** ὣς φάτο, κώκυσεν δὲ φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια,  
So he spoke, and his dear nurse Eurycleia cried aloud,

**362** καί ῥʼ ὀλοφυρομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
and wailing, she addressed him with winged words:
> winged words formula: 'Winged words' (ἔπεα πτερόεντα) is one of Homer's most common epithet-formulas for speech. The verb προσηύδα is imperfect, the standard tense for introducing direct speech in narrative.

**363** τίπτε δέ τοι, φίλε τέκνον, ἐνὶ φρεσὶ τοῦτο νόημα  
"Why, dear child, has this thought come into your mind?

**364** ἔπλετο; πῇ δʼ ἐθέλεις ἰέναι πολλὴν ἐπὶ γαῖαν  
Where do you wish to go, over so much of the earth,

**365** μοῦνος ἐὼν ἀγαπητός; ὁ δʼ ὤλετο τηλόθι πάτρης  
being our only beloved son? He has perished far from his homeland,

**366** διογενὴς Ὀδυσεὺς ἀλλογνώτῳ ἐνὶ δήμῳ.  
Zeus-born Odysseus, in a land of strangers.

**367** οἱ δέ τοι αὐτίκʼ ἰόντι κακὰ φράσσονται ὀπίσσω,  
And these men, the moment you go, will plot evil against you afterward,

**368** ὥς κε δόλῳ φθίῃς, τάδε δʼ αὐτοὶ πάντα δάσονται.  
so that you may die by treachery, and they will divide all this among themselves.

**369** ἀλλὰ μένʼ αὖθʼ ἐπὶ σοῖσι καθήμενος· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ  
No, stay here, sitting upon your own; there is no need for you

**370** πόντον ἐπʼ ἀτρύγετον κακὰ πάσχειν οὐδʼ ἀλάλησθαι.  
to suffer hardship over the barren sea, nor to wander."
> barren sea: ἀτρύγετος, traditionally 'barren, unharvested,' is a fixed epithet of the sea, marking it as a wasteland that yields no crops, unlike the tilled land.

**371** τὴν δʼ αὖ Τηλέμαχος πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·  
Then thoughtful Telemachus answered her in turn:

**372** θάρσει, μαῖʼ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι ἄνευ θεοῦ ἥδε γε βουλή.  
"Take heart, nurse, since this plan is not without a god's will.

**373** ἀλλʼ ὄμοσον μὴ μητρὶ φίλῃ τάδε μυθήσασθαι,  
But swear that you will not tell this to my dear mother,

**374** πρίν γʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἑνδεκάτη τε δυωδεκάτη τε γένηται,  
until the eleventh or twelfth day has come,

**375** ἢ αὐτὴν ποθέσαι καὶ ἀφορμηθέντος ἀκοῦσαι,  
or until she herself misses me and hears that I have set out,

**376** ὡς ἂν μὴ κλαίουσα κατὰ χρόα καλὸν ἰάπτῃ.  
so that she may not mar her lovely skin with weeping."

**377** ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη, γρῆυς δὲ θεῶν μέγαν ὅρκον ἀπώμνυ.  
So he spoke, and the old woman swore the gods' great oath.

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

**379** αὐτίκʼ ἔπειτά οἱ οἶνον ἐν ἀμφιφορεῦσιν ἄφυσσεν,  
at once then she drew off the wine for him into jars,

**380** ἐν δέ οἱ ἄλφιτα χεῦεν ἐϋρραφέεσσι δοροῖσι.  
and poured barley meal for him into well-stitched leather bags.

**381** Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἐς δώματʼ ἰὼν μνηστῆρσιν ὁμίλει.  
And Telemachus, going into the hall, mingled with the suitors.

**382** ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.  
Then the goddess, gray-eyed Athena, thought of another thing.
> gray-eyed Athena: γλαυκῶπις, 'gray-eyed' or 'bright-eyed,' is Athena's defining epithet. The word γλαυκός suggests a gleaming, piercing quality of the eyes, like an owl's, the bird sacred to her.

**383** Τηλεμάχῳ ἐικυῖα κατὰ πτόλιν ᾤχετο πάντῃ,  
Likening herself to Telemachus, she went everywhere through the city,

**384** καί ῥα ἑκάστῳ φωτὶ παρισταμένη φάτο μῦθον,  
and standing beside each man she spoke her word,

**385** ἑσπερίους δʼ ἐπὶ νῆα θοὴν ἀγέρεσθαι ἀνώγει.  
bidding them gather at the swift ship in the evening.

**386** ἡ δʼ αὖτε Φρονίοιο Νοήμονα φαίδιμον υἱὸν  
And from Noemon, the illustrious son of Phronius,

**387** ᾔτεε νῆα θοήν· ὁ δέ οἱ πρόφρων ὑπέδεκτο.  
she asked a swift ship; and he readily promised it to her.

**388** δύσετό τʼ ἠέλιος σκιόωντό τε πᾶσαι ἀγυιαί,  
The sun went down and all the ways grew dark,

**389** καὶ τότε νῆα θοὴν ἅλαδʼ εἴρυσε, πάντα δʼ ἐν αὐτῇ  
and then she dragged the swift ship down to the sea, and into it

**390** ὅπλʼ ἐτίθει, τά τε νῆες ἐύσσελμοι φορέουσι.  
she put all the gear that well-benched ships carry.

**391** στῆσε δʼ ἐπʼ ἐσχατιῇ λιμένος, περὶ δʼ ἐσθλοὶ ἑταῖροι  
She moored it at the harbor's edge, and around it the loyal companions

**392** ἁθρόοι ἠγερέθοντο· θεὰ δʼ ὤτρυνεν ἕκαστον.  
gathered in a throng; and the goddess urged on each man.

**393** ἔνθʼ αὖτʼ ἄλλʼ ἐνόησε θεά, γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.  
Then the goddess, gray-eyed Athena, thought of another thing.

**394** βῆ ῤʼ ἰέναι πρὸς δώματʼ Ὀδυσσῆος θείοιο·  
She made her way to the house of godlike Odysseus.

**395** ἔνθα μνηστήρεσσιν ἐπὶ γλυκὺν ὕπνον ἔχευε,  
There she poured sweet sleep over the suitors,

**396** πλάζε δὲ πίνοντας, χειρῶν δʼ ἔκβαλλε κύπελλα.  
and dazed them as they drank, and struck the cups from their hands.

**397** οἱ δʼ εὕδειν ὤρνυντο κατὰ πτόλιν, οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔτι δὴν  
They roused themselves to sleep throughout the city, and no longer

**398** ἥατʼ, ἐπεί σφισιν ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἔπιπτεν.  
sat there, since sleep was falling upon their eyelids.

**399** αὐτὰρ Τηλέμαχον προσέφη γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη  
Then gray-eyed Athena spoke to Telemachus,

**400** ἐκπροκαλεσσαμένη μεγάρων ἐὺ ναιεταόντων,  
having called him out from the well-built halls,

**401** Μέντορι εἰδομένη ἠμὲν δέμας ἠδὲ καὶ αὐδήν·  
likened to Mentor both in form and in voice:

**402** Τηλέμαχʼ, ἤδη μέν τοι ἐυκνήμιδες ἑταῖροι  
"Telemachus, already now your well-greaved companions
> well-greaved: ἐυκνήμιδες, 'well-greaved,' is a stock epithet for warriors, referring to the bronze greaves that protected the shins. Here it dignifies Telemachus's crew with heroic coloring.

**403** ἥατʼ ἐπήρετμοι τὴν σὴν ποτιδέγμενοι ὁρμήν·  
sit at their oars, awaiting your setting out.

**404** ἀλλʼ ἴομεν, μὴ δηθὰ διατρίβωμεν ὁδοῖο.  
Come, let us go, and not delay long upon the journey."

**405** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασʼ ἡγήσατο Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη  
So speaking, Pallas Athena led the way

**406** καρπαλίμως· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα μετʼ ἴχνια βαῖνε θεοῖο.  
swiftly; and he then walked behind in the footsteps of the goddess.

**407** αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἐπὶ νῆα κατήλυθον ἠδὲ θάλασσαν,  
But when they had come down to the ship and the sea,

**408** εὗρον ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ θινὶ κάρη κομόωντας ἑταίρους.  
they found there on the shore the long-haired companions.
> long-haired Achaeans: 'Long-haired' (κάρη κομόωντας) is a recurring epithet, especially of the Achaeans, marking their warrior pride in flowing hair. Here it is transferred to Telemachus's crew.

**409** τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειφʼ ἱερὴ ἲς Τηλεμάχοιο·  
And among them spoke the sacred might of Telemachus:
> the sacred might of Telemachus: 'The sacred might of Telemachus' is a periphrasis (a noun-phrase standing for the man himself), a Homeric mannerism that lends grandeur. Τηλεμάχοιο is genitive, the Homeric -οιο ending of the second declension.

**410** δεῦτε, φίλοι, ἤια φερώμεθα· πάντα γὰρ ἤδη  
"Come, friends, let us fetch the provisions; for everything is already

**411** ἁθρόʼ ἐνὶ μεγάρῳ. μήτηρ δʼ ἐμὴ οὔ τι πέπυσται,  
gathered together in the hall. My mother knows nothing of it,

**412** οὐδʼ ἄλλαι δμωαί, μία δʼ οἴη μῦθον ἄκουσεν.  
nor do the other handmaids; one alone has heard the plan."

**413** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἡγήσατο, τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο.  
So speaking, he led the way, and they went along with him.

**414** οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντα φέροντες ἐυσσέλμῳ ἐπὶ νηὶ  
And they, carrying everything, set it down on the well-benched ship,

**415** κάτθεσαν, ὡς ἐκέλευσεν Ὀδυσσῆος φίλος υἱός.  
as the dear son of Odysseus commanded.

**416** ἂν δʼ ἄρα Τηλέμαχος νηὸς βαῖνʼ, ἦρχε δʼ Ἀθήνη,  
Then Telemachus went aboard the ship, and Athena led the way,

**417** νηὶ δʼ ἐνὶ πρυμνῇ κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο· ἄγχι δʼ ἄρʼ αὐτῆς  
and she sat down at the stern of the ship; and close beside her

**418** ἕζετο Τηλέμαχος. τοὶ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔλυσαν,  
Telemachus sat. And the men loosed the stern cables,

**419** ἂν δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βάντες ἐπὶ κληῖσι καθῖζον.  
and they too went aboard and sat down at the oarlocks.

**420** τοῖσιν δʼ ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,  
Gray-eyed Athena sent them a favorable wind,

**421** ἀκραῆ Ζέφυρον, κελάδοντʼ ἐπὶ οἴνοπα πόντον.  
a fresh West Wind, singing over the wine-dark sea.
> wine-dark sea: οἶνοψ πόντος, 'wine-faced' or 'wine-dark sea,' is one of Homer's most famous epithets. It evokes the deep, gleaming color of the open water, likened to dark wine.

**422** Τηλέμαχος δʼ ἑτάροισιν ἐποτρύνας ἐκέλευσεν  
And Telemachus, urging on his companions, commanded them

**423** ὅπλων ἅπτεσθαι· τοὶ δʼ ὀτρύνοντος ἄκουσαν.  
to lay hold of the tackle; and they heard him as he urged them.

**424** ἱστὸν δʼ εἰλάτινον κοίλης ἔντοσθε μεσόδμης  
The mast of fir they set up within the hollow mast-box,

**425** στῆσαν ἀείραντες, κατὰ δὲ προτόνοισιν ἔδησαν,  
raising it high, and made it fast with the forestays,

**426** ἕλκον δʼ ἱστία λευκὰ ἐυστρέπτοισι βοεῦσιν.  
and hauled up the white sails with well-twisted ropes of oxhide.

**427** ἔπρησεν δʼ ἄνεμος μέσον ἱστίον, ἀμφὶ δὲ κῦμα  
The wind filled the belly of the sail, and around the prow

**428** στείρῃ πορφύρεον μεγάλʼ ἴαχε νηὸς ἰούσης·  
the dark wave hissed loudly as the ship moved on,
> the dark, surging wave: πορφύρεον describes the sea's churning, dark-gleaming color and motion, related to the swelling of deep water. The word later means 'purple,' but here it captures the heaving, glinting surface.

**429** ἡ δʼ ἔθεεν κατὰ κῦμα διαπρήσσουσα κέλευθον.  
and she ran over the wave, cutting her way along her path.

**430** δησάμενοι δʼ ἄρα ὅπλα θοὴν ἀνὰ νῆα μέλαιναν  
Having made fast the tackle throughout the swift black ship,

**431** στήσαντο κρητῆρας ἐπιστεφέας οἴνοιο,  
they set up mixing-bowls brimming with wine,

**432** λεῖβον δʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖς αἰειγενέτῃσιν,  
and poured libations to the immortal gods who live forever,

**433** ἐκ πάντων δὲ μάλιστα Διὸς γλαυκώπιδι κούρῃ.  
and above all to the gray-eyed daughter of Zeus.

**434** παννυχίη μέν ῥʼ ἥ γε καὶ ἠῶ πεῖρε κέλευθον.  
All night long and into the dawn she cut her way along her path.

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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.