Ancient Greek · The Homecoming
Ὀδυσσείας ψ
Book 23. Penelope Knows Her Husband; The Secret of the Bed
Penelope will not believe the news. She tests the stranger with the secret of their bed, built around a living olive tree, and he passes.
Tap a line to open its words. The mark beside it plays it.
- 1
The old woman went up to the upper room, laughing aloud,
Metre
γρηῢςεἰςὑπερῷ‖ἀνεβήσετοκαγχαλόωσα
γρηῢςthe old womanγραῦς · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἀνεβήσετογρηῦς, the aged nurse Eurycleia, unmarked epic term for an old woman
δandδέ · particlecoordinating wordεἰςto, intoεἰς · prepositionprepositionὑπερῷupper roomὑπερῷον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of εἰςὑπερῷον = the women's chamber upstairs, where Penelope sleeps
ἀνεβήσετοwent upἀναβαίνω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbaorist middle of ἀναβαίνω 'go up' — middle voice marks self-propelled motion
καγχαλόωσαlaughing aloudκαγχαλάω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἀνεβήσετο - 2
to tell her mistress that her dear husband was within;
Metre
δεσποίνῃἐρέουσα‖φίλονπόσινἔνδονἐόντα
δεσποίνῃto her mistressδέσποινα · dative singular feminine nounobject of ἐρέουσαἐρέουσαto tellἐρῶ · future active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἀνεβήσετοfuture participle expressing purpose: 'in order to tell'
φίλονdearφίλος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies πόσινπόσινhusbandπόσις · accusative singular masculine nounsubject of ἐόνταἔνδονinside, withinἔνδον · adverbadverbial to ἐόνταἐόνταbeingεἰμί · present active participle, accusative singular masculineobject of ἐρέουσα - 3
her knees moved fast, and her feet stumbled with haste.
γούναταher kneesγόνυ · nominative plural neuter nounsubject of ἐρρώσαντοδandδέ · particlesentence particleἐρρώσαντοmoved fastῥώομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbῥώομαι 'stir quickly' — vivid physical image of excited hurrying
πόδεςher feetπούς · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ὑπερικταίνοντοδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordὑπερικταίνοντοstumbled in hasteὑπερικταίνομαι · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verb - 4
She stood above her head and spoke a word to her:
Metre
στῆἄρὑπὲρκεφαλῆς‖καίμινπρὸςμῦθονἔειπεν
στῆshe stoodἵστημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδandδέ · particlesentence particleἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleὑπὲρaboveὑπέρ · prepositionprepositionκεφαλῆςher headκεφαλή · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ὑπὲρστῆ ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς is a stock formula for standing over a sleeper to wake or address them
καίandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordμινherμιν · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἔειπενπρὸςtoπρός · prepositionemphasizing particleμῦθονa wordμῦθος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔειπενἔειπενspokeεἶπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν, the formulaic epic phrase for 'addressed her'
- 5
"Wake up, Penelope, dear child, so that you may see
Metre
ἔγρεοΠηνελόπεια‖φίλοντέκοςὄφραἴδηαι
ἔγρεοwake upἐγείρω · aorist middle imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbaorist middle imperative of ἐγείρω, an urgent command form
ΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headφίλονdearφίλος · vocative singular neuter adjectivemodifies τέκοςτέκοςchildτέκος · vocative singular neuter noungoverned by an elided headτέκος, an affectionate vocative the old nurse uses for Penelope
ὄφραso thatὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἴδηαιyou may seeεἶδον · aorist medio-passive subjunctive, 2nd singular verbadverbial to ὄφρα - 6
with your own eyes what you have longed for all your days.
Metre
ὀφθαλμοῖσιτεοῖσι‖τάἔλδεαιἤματαπάντα
ὀφθαλμοῖσιwith your eyesὀφθαλμός · dative plural masculine nounadverbial to ἴδηαιτεοῖσιyour ownτεός · dative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ὀφθαλμοῖσιτάwhatὁ · accusative plural neuter pronounobject of ἔλδεαιτandτε · particlesentence particleἔλδεαιyou long forἔλδομαι · present medio-passive indicative, 2nd singular verbobject of ἴδηαιἤματαdaysἦμαρ · accusative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἔλδεαιπάνταallπᾶς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἤματα - 7
Odysseus has come, he has reached his home, late though he comes.
Metre
ἦλθὈδυσεὺςκαὶοἶκον‖ἱκάνεταιὀψέπερἐλθών
ἦλθhas comeἔρχομαι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbaorist ἦλθε here carries present-perfect force, 'has come'; a blunt announcement of the news
ὈδυσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordοἶκονhomeοἶκος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἱκάνεταιἱκάνεταιhas reachedἱκάνω · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὀψέlateὀψέ · adverbadverbial to ἐλθώνπερthoughπέρ · particleemphasizing particleπερ concessive: 'though he comes late'
ἐλθώνhaving comeἔρχομαι · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to καὶ - 8
He has killed the proud suitors, who used to trouble his house,
Metre
μνηστῆραςἔκτεινεν‖ἀγήνοραςοἵἑὸνοἶκον
μνηστῆραςthe suitorsμνηστήρ · accusative plural masculine nounobject of ἔκτεινενδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἔκτεινενhe killedκτείνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἀγήνοραςproud, overbearingἀγήρωρ · accusative plural masculine adjectivemodifies μνηστῆραςἀγήνωρ, a standard epithet marking the suitors' arrogance
οἵwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of τεθandτε · particlesentence particleἑὸνhis ownἑός · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies οἶκονοἶκονhouseοἶκος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of κήδεσκον - 9
and devour his goods, and bully his son."
Metre
κήδεσκονκαὶκτήματ‖ἔδονβιόωντότεπαῖδα
κήδεσκονkept troublingκήδω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing τεκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleκτήματhis goodsκτῆμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἔδονἔδονdevouredἔδω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing τεiterative imperfect: 'kept eating up' his stores, habitual suitor abuse
βιόωντόbulliedβιάω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing τετεandτε · particlecoordinating wordπαῖδαhis sonπαῖς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of βιόωντό - 10
Then wise Penelope answered her in turn:
Metre
τὴναὖτεπροσέειπε‖περίφρωνΠηνελόπεια
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of προσέειπεδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπερίφρωνwise, prudentπερίφρων · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Πηνελόπειαπερίφρων, Penelope's recurring epithet marking her famous good sense
ΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 11
"Dear nurse, the gods have made you mad — they who can
Metre
μαῖαφίλημάργην‖σεθεοὶθέσανοἵτεδύνανται
μαῖαnurseμαῖα · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headμαῖα, affectionate address 'dear nurse/granny' used for Eurycleia
φίληdearφίλος · vocative singular feminine adjectivemodifies μαῖαμάργηνmadμάργος · accusative singular feminine adjectivecomplement of θέσανμάργην, predicate adjective: 'made you crazy/reckless'
σεyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of θέσανθεοὶthe godsθεός · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of θέσανθέσανmadeτίθημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbοἵwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of καίτεandτε · particlesentence particleδύνανταιcan, are ableδύναμαι · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing καί - 12
make foolish even one who is very prudent,
Metre
ἄφροναποιῆσαι‖καὶἐπίφρονάπερμάλἐόντα
ἄφροναfoolishἄφρων · accusative singular masculine adjectivecomplement of ποιῆσαιποιῆσαιmakeποιέω · aorist active infinitiveobject of δύνανταικαὶevenκαί · adverbemphasizing particleἐπίφρονάwise, prudent oneἐπίφρων · accusative singular masculine nounpredicate nounironic pairing: the gods can make even the ἐπίφρων 'sensible one' foolish
περthoughπέρ · particleemphasizing particleμάλveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleἐόνταbeingεἰμί · present active participle, accusative singular masculineobject of ποιῆσαι - 13
and set the feeble-minded on the path of good sense;
Metre
καίτεχαλιφρονέοντα‖σαοφροσύνηςἐπέβησαν
καίandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordτεandτε · particlesentence particleχαλιφρονέονταone thinking foolishlyχαλιφρονέω · present active participle, accusative singular masculineobject of ἐπέβησανσαοφροσύνηςgood senseσαοφροσύνη · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐπέβησανσαοφροσύνης, genitive of the goal after ἐπιβαίνω 'set foot on/upon'
ἐπέβησανset upon, brought toἐπιβαίνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing καί - 14
it is they who have hurt you, for before your wits were sound.
Metre
οἵσέπερἔβλαψαν‖πρὶνδὲφρέναςαἰσίμηἦσθα
οἵtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἔβλαψανσέyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of ἔβλαψανπερindeedπέρ · particleemphasizing particleἔβλαψανharmedβλάπτω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbπρὶνbeforeπρίν · adverbadverbial to ἦσθαδὲbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordφρέναςin your witsφρήν · accusative plural feminine nounadverbial to ἦσθαφρένας, accusative of respect: 'sound in your wits'
αἰσίμηsound, saneαἴσιμος · nominative singular feminine adjectivepredicate nounἦσθαyou wereεἰμί · imperfect active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 15
Why do you mock me, when my heart is full of grief,
Metre
τίπτεμελωβεύεις‖πολυπενθέαθυμὸνἔχουσαν
τίπτεwhyτίπτε · adverbadverbial to καὶμεmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of λωβεύειςλωβεύειςdo you mockλωβεύω · present active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verbπολυπενθέαgrief-ladenπολυπενθής · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θυμὸνπολυπενθής, compound adjective 'full of much grief', modifying θυμὸν
θυμὸνheartθυμός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔχουσανἔχουσανhavingἔχω · present active participle, accusative singular femininecircumstantial complement - 16
telling me this wild tale, and rousing me from sleep,
Metre
ταῦταπαρὲξἐρέουσα‖καὶἐξὕπνουἀνεγείρεις
ταῦταthese thingsοὗτος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἐρέουσαπαρὲξidly, wildlyπαρέξ · adverbadverbial to ἐρέουσαἐρέουσαtellingἐρῶ · future active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to λωβεύειςκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἐξout ofἐκ · prepositionprepositionὕπνουsleepὕπνος · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἐξμmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἀνεγείρειςἀνεγείρειςyou rouseἀνεγείρω · present active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 17
sweet sleep, that bound me and wrapped close my dear eyelids?
ἡδέοςsweetἡδύς · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὕπνουἡδέος modifies ὕπνου from the previous line, delayed genitive across the line break
ὅςthatὅς · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἐπέδησεμmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἐπέδησεἐπέδησεboundπεδάω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ὕπνουπεδάω 'fetter', vivid metaphor of sleep as chains
φίλαmy dearφίλος · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies βλέφαρ᾽βλέφαρeyelidsβλέφαρον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἀμφικαλύψαςἀμφικαλύψαςhaving covered overἀμφικαλύπτω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἐπέδησε - 18
Never have I slept so soundly since Odysseus
Metre
οὐγάρπωτοιόνδε‖κατέδραθονἐξοὗὈδυσσεὺς
οὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleγάρforγάρ · particlesentence particleπωever yetπω · particlesentence particleτοιόνδεso soundlyτοιόσδε · accusative singular neuter pronounadverbial to κατέδραθονκατέδραθονI sleptκαταδαρθάνω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἐξsinceἐκ · prepositionprepositionοὗwhichὅς · genitive singular masculine pronounadverbial to ἐξὈδυσσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ᾤχετ᾽ - 19
went away to see that evil Ilion, not to be named.
Metre
ᾤχετἐποψόμενος‖Κακοΐλιονοὐκὀνομαστήν
ᾤχετwent awayοἴχομαι · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to κατέδραθονἐποψόμενοςto look uponἐφοράω · future middle participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ᾤχετ᾽Κακοΐλιονevil IlionΚακοίλιος · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐποψόμενοςΚακοίλιος, bitter wordplay coining 'Ilion-of-evil' instead of the usual name
οὐκnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleὀνομαστήνto be namedὀνομαστός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Κακοΐλιον - 20
Come now, go back down and away into the hall.
Metre
ἀλλἄγενῦνκατάβηθι‖καὶἂψἔρχευμέγαρόνδε
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἄγεcome nowἄγε · adverbsentence particleνῦνnowνῦν · adverbadverbial to καὶκατάβηθιgo downκαταβαίνω · aorist active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbaorist imperative, brisk command to leave the upper room
καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἂψbackἄψ · adverbadverbial to ἔρχευἔρχευgoἔρχομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbμέγαρόνδεto the hallμέγαρόνδε · adverbobject of ἔρχευμέγαρόνδε, directional -δε suffix 'to/into the hall'
- 21
For if any other of the women who serve me
Metre
εἰγάρτίςἄλλη‖γεγυναικῶναἵμοιἔασι
εἰifεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionγάρforγάρ · particlesentence particleτίςsomeoneτις · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of καὶμmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of καὶἄλληotherἄλλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies τίςγεindeedγε · particleemphasizing particleγυναικῶνof the womenγυνή · genitive plural feminine nounmodifies τίςαἵwhoὅς · nominative plural feminine pronounsubject of ἔασιμοιto meἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of ἔασιἔασιare, serveεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing γυναικῶν - 22
had come and told me this and roused me out of sleep,
Metre
ταῦτἐλθοῦσἤγγειλε‖καὶἐξὕπνουἀνέγειρεν
ταῦτthese thingsοὗτος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἤγγειλεἐλθοῦσhaving comeἔρχομαι · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἤγγειλεἤγγειλεannouncedἀγγέλλω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἐξout ofἐκ · prepositionprepositionὕπνουsleepὕπνος · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἐξἀνέγειρενrousedἀνεγείρω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to καὶ - 23
I would soon have sent her packing in bitter disgrace
Metre
τῷκετάχαστυγερῶς‖μινἐγὼνἀπέπεμψανέεσθαι
τῷthen, thereforeτῷ · adverbadverbial to ἀπέπεμψακεwould (particle)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleκε with the aorist ἀπέπεμψα forms a past unreal-conditional 'would have sent'
τάχαquicklyτάχα · adverbadverbial to ἀπέπεμψαστυγερῶςin disgrace, harshlyστυγερός · adverbadverbial to ἀπέπεμψαμινherμιν · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἀπέπεμψαἐγὼνIἐγώ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of ἀπέπεμψαἀπέπεμψαsent awayἀποπέμπω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbνέεσθαιto go backνέομαι · present medio-passive infinitiveadverbial to ἀπέπεμψα - 24
back into the hall; but this time your age will save you."
Metre
αὖτιςἔσωμέγαρον‖σὲδὲτοῦτόγεγῆραςὀνήσει
αὖτιςback againαὖθις · adverbadverbial to νέεσθαιἔσωintoἔσω · prepositionprepositionμέγαρονthe hallμέγαρον · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔσωσὲyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of ὀνήσειδὲbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordτοῦτόthisοὗτος · accusative singular neuter adjectiveobject of ὀνήσειγεat leastγε · particleemphasizing particleγῆραςold ageγῆρας · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ὀνήσειγῆρας personified as the subject that 'will save' the old nurse from punishment
ὀνήσειwill save, benefitὀνίνημι · future active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 25
Then the dear nurse Eurycleia answered her:
Metre
τὴναὖτεπροσέειπε‖φίλητροφὸςΕὐρύκλεια
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of προσέειπεδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbφίληdearφίλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies τροφὸςτροφὸςnurseτροφός · nominative singular feminine nounmodifies ΕὐρύκλειαΕὐρύκλειαEurycleiaΕὐρύκλεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 26
"I am not mocking you at all, dear child; truly
Metre
οὔτίσελωβεύω‖τέκνονφίλονἀλλἔτυμόντοι
οὔnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleτίat allτις · accusative singular neuter pronounemphasizing particleσεyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of λωβεύωλωβεύωI mockλωβεύω · present active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbτέκνονchildτέκνον · vocative singular neuter noungoverned by an elided headφίλονdearφίλος · vocative singular neuter adjectivemodifies τέκνονἀλλbutἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordἔτυμόνtruly, in truthἔτυμος · accusative singular neuter adjectiveadverbial to καὶἔτυμον, emphatic adverbial accusative reinforcing her sincerity
τοιindeed (particle)τοι · particlesentence particle - 27
Odysseus has come, he has reached his home, as I tell you —
Metre
ἦλθὈδυσεὺςκαὶοἶκον‖ἱκάνεταιὡςἀγορεύω
ἦλθhas comeἔρχομαι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὈδυσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ,καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordοἶκονhomeοἶκος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἱκάνεταιἱκάνεταιhas reachedἱκάνω · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἀγορεύωI say, tellἀγορεύω · present active indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to καὶ - 28
the stranger whom they all dishonored in the hall.
Metre
ὁξεῖνοςτὸνπάντες‖ἀτίμωνἐνμεγάροισι
ὁtheὁ · nominative singular masculine articlemodifies ξεῖνοςξεῖνοςstrangerξένος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ,ξεῖνος — the disguised beggar the suitors mocked, now revealed as Odysseus
τὸνwhomὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ἀτίμωνπάντεςallπᾶς · nominative plural masculine adjectivesubject of ἀτίμωνἀτίμωνdishonoredἀτιμάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing ξεῖνοςἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισιthe hallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἐν - 29
Telemachus has long known that he was within,
ΤηλέμαχοςTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἀλλὰδand/butδέ · particlesentence particleἄραthen, indeedἄρα · particlesentence particleμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ᾔδεενπάλαιlong agoπάλαι · adverbadverbial to ᾔδεενᾔδεενhad knownοἶδα · pluperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbPluperfect of οἶδα ('had come to know') gives 'has long known' — a perfect-stem verb with present sense, past-of-that sense here.
ἔνδονwithinἔνδον · adverbadverbial to ἐόνταἐόνταbeingεἰμί · present active participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complementParticiple of εἰμί completes ᾔδεεν...ἐόντα, 'knew (him) being within' — indirect statement via participle, typical Homeric syntax.
- 30
but in his prudence he kept his father's plans hidden,
Metre
ἀλλὰσαοφροσύνῃσι‖νοήματαπατρὸςἔκευθεν
ἀλλὰbutἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordσαοφροσύνῃσιin prudenceσαοφροσύνη · dative plural feminine nounadverbial to ἔκευθενDative plural of manner σαοφροσύνῃσι, an epic variant spelling of σωφροσύνη.
νοήματαthoughts, plansνόημα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἔκευθενπατρὸςof his fatherπατήρ · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies νοήματαἔκευθενkept hiddenκεύθω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 31
so that he might punish the violence of those overbearing men."
Metre
ὄφρἀνδρῶντίσαιτο‖βίηνὑπερηνορεόντων
ὄφρso thatὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἀνδρῶνof the menἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies βίηντίσαιτοmight punishτίνω · aorist middle optative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ὄφρ᾽Aorist middle optative expressing purpose after ὄφρα — 'so that he might take vengeance for.'
βίηνviolenceβία · accusative singular feminine nounobject of τίσαιτοὑπερηνορεόντωνoverbearingὑπερηνορέων · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἀνδρῶν - 32
So she spoke, and Penelope rejoiced, and leaping from her bed
ὣςso, thusὡς · adverbadverbial to ἔφαθ᾽ἔφαθshe spokeφημί · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἡsheὁ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of καὶδandδέ · particlesentence particleἐχάρηrejoicedχαίρω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἀπὸfromἀπό · prepositionprepositionλέκτροιοthe bedλέκτρον · genitive singular neuter nounobject of ἀπὸθοροῦσαleaping upθρῴσκω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to περιπλέχθηAorist participle θοροῦσα ('having leapt') vividly frames the main verb's action, a common Homeric technique of scene-setting with an aorist participle.
- 33
she threw her arms around the old woman, and let a tear fall from her eyes;
Metre
γρηῒπεριπλέχθη‖βλεφάρωνἀπὸδάκρυονἧκεν
γρηῒthe old womanγραῦς · dative singular feminine nounobject of περιπλέχθηπεριπλέχθηembracedπεριπλέκω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbPassive περιπλέχθη used with a near-reflexive/reciprocal sense, 'was wound around' = 'threw her arms around.'
βλεφάρωνfrom her eyesβλέφαρον · genitive plural neuter nounobject of ἀπὸδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἀπὸdown fromἀπό · prepositionprepositionδάκρυονa tearδάκρυον · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἧκενἧκενlet fallἵημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 34
and she spoke to her and addressed her with winged words:
Metre
καίμινφωνήσασ‖ἔπεαπτερόενταπροσηύδα
καίandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordμινherμιν · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of προσηύδαφωνήσασcalling outφωνέω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to προσηύδαἔπεαwordsἔπος · accusative plural neuter nounobject of προσηύδαπτερόενταwingedπτερόεις · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἔπεαἔπεα πτερόεντα, 'winged words' — a stock Homeric formula introducing direct speech, appears dozens of times in the epics.
προσηύδαaddressedπροσαυδάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 35
"Come now, dear nurse, tell me truly:
Metre
εἰἄγεδήμοιμαῖα‖φίληνημερτὲςἐνίσπες
εἰcomeεἰ · exclamationsentence particleδnowδέ · particlecoordinating wordἄγεcome nowἄγε · adverbsentence particleεἰ δ᾽ ἄγε, 'come now' — a fossilized exhortation formula, not a real conditional 'if.'
δήindeedδή · particlesentence particleμοιto meἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of ἐνίσπεςμαῖαnurseμαῖα · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headφίληdearφίλος · vocative singular feminine adjectivemodifies μαῖανημερτὲςtrulyνημερτής · accusative singular neuter adjectiveadverbial to ἐνίσπεςἐνίσπεςtellἐνέπω · aorist active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 36
if he has really reached his home, as you say,
Metre
εἰἐτεὸνδὴοἶκον‖ἱκάνεταιὡςἀγορεύεις
εἰifεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἐτεὸνtrulyἐτεός · accusative singular neuter adjectiveadverbial to ἱκάνεταιδὴindeedδή · particlesentence particleοἶκονhomeοἶκος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἱκάνεταιἱκάνεταιhas reachedἱκάνω · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to εἰἀγορεύειςyou sayἀγορεύω · present active indicative, 2nd singular verbadverbial to ἱκάνεται - 37
how then did he lay his hands on the shameless suitors,
Metre
ὅππωςδὴμνηστῆρσιν‖ἀναιδέσιχεῖραςἐφῆκε
ὅππωςhowὅπως · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionδὴindeedδή · particlesentence particleμνηστῆρσινon the suitorsμνηστήρ · dative plural masculine nounobject of ἐφῆκεἀναιδέσιshamelessἀναιδής · dative plural masculine adjectivemodifies μνηστῆρσινχεῖραςhis handsχείρ · accusative plural feminine nounobject of ἐφῆκεἐφῆκεlaid, let looseἐφίημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to δ᾽ἐφίημι + χεῖρας, 'set hands upon' — idiom for launching a violent attack.
- 38
being alone, while they always stayed gathered within?"
Metre
μοῦνοςἐώνοἱαἰὲν‖ἀολλέεςἔνδονἔμιμνον
μοῦνοςaloneμόνος · nominative singular masculine adjectivepredicate nounἐώνbeingεἰμί · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἐφῆκεοἱtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἔμιμνονδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαἰὲνalwaysἀεί · adverbadverbial to ἔμιμνονἀολλέεςgathered togetherἀολλής · nominative plural masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἔνδονwithinἔνδον · adverbadverbial to ἔμιμνονἔμιμνονremainedμίμνω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbadverbial to δ᾽Contrast μοῦνος ('alone') with ἀολλέες ('massed together') — Penelope's disbelief at one man against many is built into the word choice.
- 39
Then the dear nurse Eurycleia answered her:
Metre
τὴναὖτεπροσέειπε‖φίλητροφὸςΕὐρύκλεια
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of προσέειπεδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbφίληdearφίλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies τροφὸςτροφὸςnurseτροφός · nominative singular feminine nounmodifies ΕὐρύκλειαΕὐρύκλειαEurycleiaΕὐρύκλεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 40
"I did not see it, I did not learn it, I only heard the groaning
Metre
οὐκἴδονοὐπυθόμην‖ἀλλὰστόνονοἶονἄκουσα
οὐκnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleἴδονI sawεἶδον · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbοὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleπυθόμηνI learnedπυνθάνομαι · aorist middle indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἀλλὰbutἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordστόνονgroaningστόνος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἄκουσαοἶονonlyοἶος · accusative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἄκουσαI heardἀκούω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbAnaphora οὐκ...οὐ..., piling up negatives for emphasis before the single positive ἄκουσα — a classic Homeric rhetorical build.
- 41
of men being killed; we sat in a corner of the strong-built chambers,
Metre
κτεινομένωνἡμεῖς‖δὲμυχῷθαλάμωνεὐπήκτων
κτεινομένωνbeing slainκτείνω · present medio-passive participle, genitive plural masculinemodifies στόνονἡμεῖςweἐγώ · nominative plural feminine pronounsubject of ἥμεθ᾽δὲandδέ · particlesentence particleμυχῷin a cornerμυχός · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἥμεθ᾽θαλάμωνof the chambersθάλαμος · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies μυχῷεὐπήκτωνwell-builtεὔπηκτος · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies θαλάμων - 42
cowering in fear, and the close-fitted doors held us fast,
ἥμεθwe satἧμαι · pluperfect middle indicative, 1st plural verbmain verbPluperfect ἥμεθα with imperfect force, 'we were sitting' — common in Homer for the perfect-stem verb ἧμαι.
ἀτυζόμεναιcowering in fearἀτύζω · present medio-passive participle, nominative plural feminineadverbial to ἥμεθ᾽σανίδεςthe doorsσανίς · nominative plural feminine nounsubject of ἔχονδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἔχονheldἔχω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbεὖwell, tightlyεὖ · adverbadverbial to ἀραρυῖαιἀραρυῖαιclose-fittedἀραρίσκω · perfect active participle, nominative plural femininemodifies σανίδες - 43
until your son called me out from the hall —
πρίνuntilπρίν · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionγindeedγε · particleemphasizing particleὅτεwhenὅτε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionδήindeedδή · particlesentence particleμεmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of κάλεσσεσὸςyourσός · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies υἱὸςυἱὸςsonυἱός · nominative singular masculine nounsubjectἀπὸfromἀπό · prepositionprepositionμεγάροιοthe hallμέγαρον · genitive singular neuter nounobject of ἀπὸκάλεσσεcalledκαλέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ὅτε - 44
Telemachus; for his father had sent him to call me.
Metre
Τηλέμαχοςτὸνγάρ‖ῥαπατὴρπροέηκεκαλέσσαι
ΤηλέμαχοςTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · nominative singular masculine nounsubjectτὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of προέηκεγάρforγάρ · particlesentence particleῥαindeedἄρα · particlesentence particleπατὴρhis fatherπατήρ · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of προέηκεπροέηκεhad sentπροίημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbκαλέσσαιto callκαλέω · aorist active infinitiveadverbial to προέηκε - 45
Then I found Odysseus among the slaughtered corpses,
Metre
εὗρονἔπειτὈδυσῆα‖μετὰκταμένοισινέκυσσιν
εὗρονI foundεὑρίσκω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἔπειτthenἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to εὗρονὈδυσῆαOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of εὗρονμετὰamongμετά · prepositionprepositionκταμένοισιslainκτείνω · aorist middle participle, dative plural masculinemodifies νέκυσσιννέκυσσινcorpsesνέκυς · dative plural masculine nounobject of μετὰ - 46
standing; and around him, covering the hard-packed floor,
Metre
ἑσταόθοἱδέμινἀμφί‖κραταίπεδονοὖδαςἔχοντες
ἑσταόθstandingἵστημι · perfect active participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complementPerfect participle ἑσταότα, 'having taken a stand' = standing firm — perfect stem used for a present-resulting-state.
οἱtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of κείατ᾽δέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordμινaround himμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounadverbial to ἀμφίἀμφίaroundἀμφί · prepositionprepositionκραταίπεδονhard-packedκραταίπεδος · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies οὖδαςοὖδαςgroundοὖδας · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔχοντεςἔχοντεςcoveringἔχω · present active participle, nominative plural masculineadverbial to κείατ᾽ - 47
they lay one upon another; you would have warmed your heart to see him.
Metre
κείατἐπἀλλήλοισιν‖ἰδοῦσάκεθυμὸνἰάνθης
κείατthey layκεῖμαι · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbἐπuponἐπί · prepositionprepositionἀλλήλοισινone anotherἀλλήλων · dative plural masculine adjectiveobject of ἐπ᾽ἰδοῦσάseeingεἶδον · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἰάνθηςκεwould (have)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleκε + aorist indicative ἰάνθης = past potential, 'you would have been warmed' — irrealis condition without εἰ, standard Homeric idiom.
θυμὸνheartθυμός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἰάνθηςἰάνθηςbeen warmedἰαίνω · aorist passive indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 48
But now they are all together at the courtyard gates,
Metre
νῦνοἱμὲνδὴπάντες‖ἐπαὐλείῃσιθύρῃσιν
νῦνnowνῦν · adverbadverbialδbutδέ · particlesentence particleοἱtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubjectμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleδὴindeedδή · particlesentence particleπάντεςallπᾶς · nominative plural masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἐπatἐπί · prepositionprepositionαὐλείῃσιcourtyardαὔλειος · dative plural feminine adjectivemodifies θύρῃσινθύρῃσινgatesθύρα · dative plural feminine nounadverbial - 50
in a heap, while he is fumigating the lovely house,
Metre
ἀθρόοιαὐτὰρὁδῶμα‖θεειοῦταιπερικαλλές
ἀθρόοιheaped togetherἀθρόος · nominative plural masculine adjectivepredicate nounαὐτὰρbutἀτάρ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὁheὁ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of θεειοῦταιδῶμαhouseδῶμα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of θεειοῦταιθεειοῦταιis fumigatingθεειόω · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbθεειόω, 'to purify with sulfur smoke' — ritual cleansing after bloodshed, a specific cultural practice worth flagging.
περικαλλέςvery lovelyπερικαλλής · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies δῶμα - 51
having kindled a great fire; and he sent me to call you.
Metre
πῦρμέγακηάμενος‖σὲδέμεπροέηκεκαλέσσαι
πῦρfireπῦρ · accusative singular neuter nounobject of κηάμενοςμέγαgreatμέγας · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies πῦρκηάμενοςhaving kindledκαίω · aorist middle participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to θεειοῦταισὲyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of καλέσσαιδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordμεmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of προέηκεπροέηκεsentπροίημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbκαλέσσαιto callκαλέω · aorist active infinitiveadverbial to προέηκε - 52
So come, that you both may enter into joy
Metre
ἀλλἕπευὄφρασφῶϊν‖ἐϋφροσύνηςἐπιβῆτον
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἕπευfollowἕπομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbὄφραso thatὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionσφῶϊνyou twoσύ · dative dual pronounmodifies ἦτορDual pronoun σφῶϊν — Homeric Greek preserves the dual number for exactly two people, here Odysseus and Penelope.
ἐϋφροσύνηςof joyεὐφροσύνη · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐπιβῆτονἐπιβῆτονmay enterἐπιβαίνω · aorist active subjunctive, 2nd dual verbadverbial to ὄφραDual verb ending -τον (ἐπιβῆτον) agrees with the dual σφῶϊν, 'you two may step into.'
- 53
in your two dear hearts, since you have suffered many evils.
Metre
ἀμφοτέρωφίλονἦτορ‖ἐπεὶκακὰπολλὰπέποσθε
ἀμφοτέρωof you bothἀμφότερος · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἦτορφίλονdearφίλος · nominative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἦτορἦτορheartἦτορ · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ἐπιβῆτονἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκακὰevilsκακός · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of πέποσθεπολλὰmanyπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies κακὰπέποσθεyou have sufferedπάσχω · perfect active indicative, 2nd plural verbadverbial to ἐπεὶ - 54
Now at last this long-cherished wish has been fulfilled:
Metre
νῦνἤδητόδεμακρὸν‖ἐέλδωρἐκτετέλεσται
νῦνnowνῦν · adverbadverbial to ἐκτετέλεσταιδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordἤδηnow, alreadyἤδη · adverbadverbial to ἐκτετέλεσταιτόδεthisὅδε · nominative singular neuter pronounmodifies ἐέλδωρμακρὸνlong-cherishedμακρός · nominative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἐέλδωρἐέλδωρwishἔλδωρ · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ἐκτετέλεσταιἐκτετέλεσταιhas been fulfilledἐκτελέω · perfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 55
he has come alive himself to his own hearth, and found both you
Metre
ἦλθεμὲναὐτὸςζωὸς‖ἐφέστιοςεὗρεδὲκαὶσὲ
ἦλθεhe cameἔρχομαι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleαὐτὸςhimselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementζωὸςaliveζωός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἐφέστιοςto his own hearthἐφέστιος · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementεὗρεhe foundεὑρίσκω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordκαὶalsoκαί · conjunctionsentence particleσὲyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of καὶ - 56
and his son in the halls; and those who did him wrong,
Metre
καὶπαῖδἐνμεγάροισι‖κακῶςοἵπέρμινἔρεζον
καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordπαῖδhis sonπαῖς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of καὶἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισιthe hallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἐνκακῶςbadly, wrongfullyκακός · adverbadverbial to ἔρεζονδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordοἵthose whoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubjectπέρindeedπέρ · particleemphasizing particleμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ἔρεζονἔρεζονtreatedῥέζω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing τοὺςκακῶς ἔρεζον, 'did (things) badly to him' — a relative clause identifying the suitors, resolved by the noun in the next line (enjambment).
- 57
the suitors — he has paid them all back in his own house."
Metre
μνηστῆρεςτοὺςπάντας‖ἐτίσατοᾧἐνὶοἴκῳ
μνηστῆρεςthe suitorsμνηστήρ · nominative plural masculine nounsubjectτοὺςthemὁ · accusative plural masculine pronounobject of ἐτίσατοπάνταςallπᾶς · accusative plural masculine adjectivemodifies τοὺςἐτίσατοpaid backτίνω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbMiddle voice ἐτίσατο, 'exacted payment for himself' — the middle underscores Odysseus acting in his own interest/vengeance.
ᾧhis ownἑός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies οἴκῳἐνὶinἐν · prepositionprepositionοἴκῳhouseοἶκος · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἐνὶ - 58
Then wise Penelope answered her in turn:
Metre
τὴναὖτεπροσέειπε‖περίφρωνΠηνελόπεια
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of προσέειπεδthenδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπροσεῖπον is a suppletive aorist 'spoke to'; this formulaic answering-line recurs verbatim through the poem.
περίφρωνwiseπερίφρων · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Πηνελόπειαπερίφρων 'circumspect' is Penelope's stock epithet, always paired with her name.
ΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 59
"Dear nurse, do not yet exult and laugh aloud too soon.
Metre
μαῖαφίλημήπω‖μέγἐπεύχεοκαγχαλόωσα
μαῖαnurseμαῖα · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headVocative μαῖα 'nurse/mother' with no verb of address stated — vocatives often stand with an implied 'I say to you'.
φίληdearφίλος · vocative singular feminine adjectivemodifies μαῖαμήnotμή · adverbemphasizing particleπωyetπω · particlesentence particleμέγgreatlyμέγας · accusative singular neuter adjectiveadverbial to ἐπεύχεοNeuter accusative μέγα used adverbially, 'greatly' — a common Homeric adverbial accusative with verbs of emotion.
ἐπεύχεοexultἐπεύχομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbκαγχαλόωσαlaughing loudκαγχαλάω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἐπεύχεο - 60
You know how welcome he would appear in these halls
Metre
οἶσθαγὰρὥςἀσπαστὸς‖ἐνὶμεγάροισιφανείη
οἶσθαyou knowοἶδα · perfect active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verbοἶδα is a perfect form with present meaning, 'I know' — one of Greek's classic perfect-as-present verbs.
γὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleὥςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκ(would)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleἀσπαστὸςwelcomeἀσπαστός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἐνὶinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισιhallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἐνὶφανείηwould appearφαίνω · aorist passive optative, 3rd singular verbobject of ὥςAorist passive optative with κε = potential 'would appear', a common Homeric future-less-vivid construction.
- 61
to all, and most of all to me and to the son we bore;
Metre
πᾶσιμάλισταἐμοί‖τεκαὶυἱέϊτὸντεκόμεσθα
πᾶσιto allπᾶς · dative plural masculine adjectiveobject of δ᾽μάλισταmost of allμάλιστα · adverbemphasizing particleδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐμοίto meἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of καὶτεandτε · particlesentence particleκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordυἱέϊto the sonυἱός · dative singular masculine nounobject of καὶτὸνwhomὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of τεκόμεσθατεκόμεσθαwe boreτίκτω · aorist middle indicative, 1st plural verbverb of a clause describing υἱέϊτεκόμεσθα, 1st plural aorist middle of τίκτω — the middle voice underscores the couple's shared act of bearing the child.
- 62
but this is not a true account, the way you tell it.
Metre
ἀλλοὐκἔσθὅδεμῦθος‖ἐτήτυμοςὡςἀγορεύεις
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleοὐκnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleἔσθisεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὅδεthisὅδε · nominative singular masculine pronounmodifies μῦθοςμῦθοςtaleμῦθος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔσθ᾽ἐτήτυμοςtrueἐτήτυμος · nominative singular masculine adjectivepredicate nounὡςasὡς · adverbadverbial to ἔσθ᾽ἀγορεύειςyou tell itἀγορεύω · present active indicative, 2nd singular verbverb of a clause describing μῦθος - 63
Rather, some immortal has killed the proud suitors,
Metre
ἀλλάτιςἀθανάτων‖κτεῖνεμνηστῆραςἀγαυούς
ἀλλάbut ratherἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordτιςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of κτεῖνεἀθανάτωνof the immortalsἀθάνατος · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies τιςPartitive genitive ἀθανάτων with τις — 'one of the immortals', typical epic vagueness about which god acted.
κτεῖνεkilledκτείνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbμνηστῆραςsuitorsμνηστήρ · accusative plural masculine nounobject of κτεῖνεἀγαυούςproudἀγαυός · accusative plural masculine adjectivemodifies μνηστῆρας - 64
in outrage at their heart-grieving insolence and evil deeds.
Metre
ὕβρινἀγασσάμενος‖θυμαλγέακαὶκακὰἔργα
ὕβρινoutrageὕβρις · accusative singular feminine nounobject of καὶἀγασσάμενοςresentingἄγαμαι · aorist middle participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to κτεῖνεἀγασσάμενος from ἄγαμαι, 'feeling indignation at' — a middle participle expressing the god's inner reaction, causal to the killing.
θυμαλγέαheart-grievingθυμαλγής · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ὕβρινκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordκακὰevilκακός · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἔργαἔργαdeedsἔργον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of καὶ - 65
For they honored no one of men who walk the earth,
Metre
οὔτιναγὰρτίεσκον‖ἐπιχθονίωνἀνθρώπων
οὔno oneοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleτιναanyoneτις · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of τίεσκονγὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleτίεσκονhonoredτίω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbτίεσκον is an iterative imperfect in -σκον, marking repeated/habitual past action: 'they used to honor'.
ἐπιχθονίωνearthlyἐπιχθόνιος · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἀνθρώπωνἀνθρώπωνof menἄνθρωπος · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies τινα - 66
neither base nor noble, whoever came among them;
Metre
οὐκακὸνοὐδὲμὲνἐσθλόν‖ὅτιςσφέαςεἰσαφίκοιτο
οὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleκακὸνbaseκακός · accusative singular masculine adjectiveobjectμὲνnor indeedμέν · particleemphasizing particleἐσθλόνnobleἐσθλός · accusative singular masculine adjectiveobjectὅτιςwhoeverὅστις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of εἰσαφίκοιτοσφέαςthemσφεῖς · accusative plural masculine pronounobject of εἰσαφίκοιτοεἰσαφίκοιτοcame amongεἰσαφικνέομαι · aorist middle optative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing τιναεἰσαφίκοιτο, aorist middle optative in a general relative clause — the optative of indefinite frequency, 'whoever might come'.
- 67
so through their own recklessness they suffered evil. But Odysseus
Metre
τῷδιἀτασθαλίας‖ἔπαθονκακόναὐτὰρὈδυσσεὺς
τῷthereforeτῷ · adverbadverbial to ἔπαθονδιthroughδιά · prepositionprepositionἀτασθαλίαςrecklessnessἀτασθαλία · accusative plural feminine nounadverbial to δι᾽ἔπαθονsufferedπάσχω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbκακόνevilκακός · accusative singular neuter adjectiveobject of ἔπαθοναὐτὰρbutἀτάρ · particlesentence particleὈδυσσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of δ᾽ - 68
has lost his return from Achaea, far away, and is himself lost."
Metre
ὤλεσετηλοῦνόστον‖Ἀχαιΐδοςὤλετοαὐτός
ὤλεσεlostὄλλυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὤλεσε (active, transitive 'destroyed/lost') vs. ὤλετο below (middle, intransitive 'perished') — same root, sharp voice contrast in one line.
τηλοῦfar awayτηλοῦ · adverbadverbial to ὤλεσενόστονreturnνόστος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ὤλεσεἈχαιΐδοςfrom AchaeaἈχαιίς · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies νόστονὤλετοperishedὄλλυμι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὐτόςhimselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complement - 69
Then the dear nurse Eurycleia answered her:
Metre
τὴνἠμείβετἔπειτα‖φίλητροφὸςΕὐρύκλεια
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἠμείβετ᾽δthenδέ · particlecoordinating wordἠμείβετansweredἀμείβω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔπειταthenἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to ἠμείβετ᾽φίληdearφίλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies τροφὸςτροφὸςnurseτροφός · nominative singular feminine nounmodifies ΕὐρύκλειαΕὐρύκλειαEurycleiaΕὐρύκλεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἠμείβετ᾽ - 70
"My child, what a word has escaped the barrier of your teeth,
Metre
τέκνονἐμόνποῖόν‖σεἔποςφύγενἕρκοςὀδόντων
τέκνονchildτέκνον · vocative singular neuter noungoverned by an elided headἐμόνmyἐμός · vocative singular neuter adjectivemodifies τέκνονποῖόνwhat sort ofποῖος · nominative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἔποςσεyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of φύγενἔποςwordἔπος · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of φύγενφύγενescapedφεύγω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbφύγεν, root aorist of φεύγω — the vivid idiom 'a word fled the barrier of your teeth' for 'you blurted something out'.
ἕρκοςbarrierἕρκος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of φύγενὀδόντωνof teethὀδούς · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἕρκος - 71
you who said your husband would never come home,
Metre
ἣπόσινἔνδονἐόντα‖παρἐσχάρῃοὔποτἔφησθα
ἣyou whoὅς · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of ἔφησθαπόσινhusbandπόσις · accusative singular masculine nounsubject of ἐλεύσεσθαιἔνδονwithinἔνδον · adverbadverbial to ἐόνταἐόνταbeingεἰμί · present active participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complementπαρbesideπαρά · prepositionprepositionἐσχάρῃhearthἐσχάρα · dative singular feminine nounadverbial to παρ᾽οὔneverοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleποτeverποτέ · particlesentence particleἔφησθαyou kept sayingφημί · imperfect active indicative, 2nd singular verbverb of a clause describing σεἔφησθα, 2nd singular imperfect of φημί, 'you kept saying/insisting' — imperfect for a repeated stubborn claim.
- 72
though he is here within, beside the hearth; but your heart is always doubting.
Metre
οἴκαδἐλεύσεσθαι‖θυμὸςδέτοιαἰὲνἄπιστος
οἴκαδhomeοἴκαδε · adverbobject of ἐλεύσεσθαιἐλεύσεσθαιwould comeἔρχομαι · future middle infinitiveobject of ἔφησθαθυμὸςheartθυμός · nominative singular masculine nounsubjectδέbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordτοιyourσύ · dative singular pronounmodifies θυμὸςαἰὲνalwaysἀεί · adverbadverbial to δέἄπιστοςdoubtingἄπιστος · nominative singular masculine adjectivepredicate noun - 73
Come, let me tell you yet another clear and certain sign:
Metre
ἀλλἄγετοικαὶσῆμα‖ἀριφραδὲςἄλλοτιεἴπω
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἄγεcomeἄγε · adverbsentence particleἄγε, frozen imperative of ἄγω used as a discourse particle 'come now', common to introduce a new point.
τοιto youσύ · dative singular pronounobject of εἴπωκαὶalsoκαί · adverbemphasizing particleσῆμαsignσῆμα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ,ἀριφραδὲςclearἀριφραδής · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies σῆμαἄλλοanotherἄλλος · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies σῆματιsomeτις · accusative singular neuter pronounmodifies σῆμαεἴπωlet me tellεἶπον · aorist active subjunctive, 1st singular verbmain verb - 74
the scar that long ago a boar dealt him with its white tusk.
Metre
οὐλήντήνποτέμιν‖σῦςἤλασελευκῷὀδόντι
οὐλήνscarοὐλή · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ,οὐλή, 'scar' — the famous scar-of-Odysseus token, central recognition motif of Book 19 recalled here.
τήνthatὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἤλασεποτέonceποτέ · particleadverbial to ἤλασεμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ἤλασεσῦςboarὗς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἤλασεἤλασεgaveἐλαύνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing οὐλήνλευκῷwhiteλευκός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὀδόντιὀδόντιtuskὀδούς · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἤλασε - 75
I noticed it while washing him, and I wanted to tell you,
Metre
τὴνἀπονίζουσα‖φρασάμηνἔθελονδὲσοὶαὐτῇ
τὴνitὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of φρασάμηνἀπονίζουσαwashingἀπονίζω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to φρασάμηνφρασάμηνI noticedφράζω · aorist middle indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἔθελονI wantedἐθέλω · imperfect active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordσοὶto youσύ · dative singular pronounobject of εἰπέμεναὐτῇyourselfαὐτός · dative singular feminine adjectivemodifies σοὶ - 76
yes, you yourself; but he, gripping my mouth with his hands,
Metre
εἰπέμενἀλλάμεκεῖνος‖ἑλὼνἐπὶμάστακαχερσὶν
εἰπέμενto tellεἶπον · aorist active infinitiveobject of ἔθελονἀλλάbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleμεmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounsubject of εἰπέμεναικεῖνοςthat oneκεῖνος · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἔακεῖνος, deictic 'that man there' — the emphatic distal demonstrative marking Odysseus even before he's named.
ἑλὼνseizingαἱρέω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἔαἐπὶatἐπί · prepositionprepositionμάστακαmouthμάσταξ · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐπὶχερσὶνwith handsχείρ · dative plural feminine nounadverbial to ἑλὼν - 77
would not let me speak, in the great cunning of his mind.
Metre
οὐκἔαεἰπέμεναι‖πολυϊδρείῃσινόοιο
οὐκnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleἔαletἐάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbεἰπέμεναιspeakεἶπον · aorist active infinitiveobject of ἔαπολυϊδρείῃσιin the shrewdnessπολυιδρεία · dative plural feminine nounadverbial to ἔανόοιοof mindνόος · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies πολυϊδρείῃσιπολυϊδρείῃσι νόοιο, 'by the great cunning of his mind' — praises Odysseus's characteristic μῆτις even in Eurycleia's complaint.
- 78
So come with me; and I will wager my own self on it:
Metre
ἀλλἕπευαὐτὰρἐγὼν‖ἐμέθενπεριδώσομαιαὐτῆς
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἕπευfollowἕπομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbἕπευ, imperative 'come along with me' — Eurycleia takes the lead, urging Penelope downstairs.
αὐτὰρandἀτάρ · particlesentence particleἐγὼνIἐγώ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of περιδώσομαιἐμέθενmy ownἐγώ · genitive singular feminine pronounobject of περιδώσομαιπεριδώσομαιwill stakeπεριδίδομαι · future middle indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbαὐτῆςmy own selfαὐτός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἐμέθεν - 79
if I am deceiving you, kill me by the most wretched death."
αἴifεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκέν(indeed)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleσyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of ἐξαπάφωἐξαπάφωdeceiveἐξαπαφίσκω · aorist active subjunctive, 1st singular verbadverbial to αἴκτεῖναίkillκτείνω · aorist active infinitiveobject of περιδώσομαικτεῖναί, aorist infinitive used as a bold imperative 'kill me!' — a vivid oath formula staking her own life.
μmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of κτεῖναίοἰκτίστῳmost wretchedοἴκτιστος · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὀλέθρῳὀλέθρῳdeathὄλεθρος · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to κτεῖναί - 80
Then wise Penelope answered her in turn:
Metre
τὴνἠμείβετἔπειτα‖περίφρωνΠηνελόπεια
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἠμείβετ᾽δthenδέ · particlecoordinating wordἠμείβετansweredἀμείβω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔπειταthenἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to ἠμείβετ᾽περίφρωνwiseπερίφρων · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ΠηνελόπειαΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἠμείβετ᾽ - 81
"Dear nurse, it is hard for you to trace the designs
Metre
μαῖαφίληχαλεπόν‖σεθεῶναἰειγενετάων
μαῖαnurseμαῖα · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headφίληdearφίλος · vocative singular feminine adjectivemodifies μαῖαχαλεπόνhardχαλεπός · nominative singular neuter adjectivepredicate nounσεfor youσύ · accusative singular pronounsubject of εἴρυσθαιθεῶνof the godsθεός · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies δήνεααἰειγενετάωνeverlastingαἰειγενέτης · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies θεῶναἰειγενέτης, 'ever-born/eternal', an epic-only compound epithet applied to the gods, echoing their timeless power over mortal knowledge.
- 82
of the gods who live forever, however shrewd you are.
Metre
δήνεαεἴρυσθαι‖μὰλαπερπολύϊδρινἐοῦσαν
δήνεαdesignsδῆνος · accusative plural neuter nounobject of εἴρυσθαιδήνεα, 'plans, counsels' — a rare poetic word almost exclusively for divine or deeply cunning schemes.
εἴρυσθαιto traceἐρύω · present middle infinitivesubjectμὰλαveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleπερthoughπέρ · particlesentence particleπολύϊδρινshrewdπολύιδρις · accusative singular feminine nounpredicate nounἐοῦσανbeingεἰμί · present active participle, accusative singular femininecircumstantial complement - 83
But all the same let us go to my son, so that I may see
Metre
ἀλλἔμπηςἴομεν‖μετὰπαῖδἐμόνὄφραἴδωμαι
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἔμπηςall the sameἔμπας · adverbsentence particleἴομενlet us goεἶμι · present active subjunctive, 1st plural verbmain verbμετὰtoμετά · prepositionprepositionπαῖδsonπαῖς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of μετὰἐμόνmyἐμός · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies παῖδ᾽ὄφραso thatὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἴδωμαιI may seeεἶδον · aorist medio-passive subjunctive, 1st singular verbadverbial to ὄφρα - 84
the suitors lying dead, and the man who killed them."
Metre
ἄνδραςμνηστῆρας‖τεθνηόταςἠδὃςἔπεφνεν
ἄνδραςmenἀνήρ · accusative plural masculine nounobject of ἠδ᾽μνηστῆραςsuitorsμνηστήρ · accusative plural masculine nounmodifies ἄνδραςτεθνηόταςlying deadθνήσκω · perfect active participle, accusative plural masculinemodifies ἄνδραςἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὃςwhoὅς · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἔπεφνενἔπεφνενkilledθείνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of ἠδ᾽ἔπεφνεν, an old root aorist of θείνω ('slay') distinct from the ordinary present — a poetic, almost archaic-sounding verb of killing.
- 85
So saying she went down from the upper room; and much her heart
Metre
ὣςφαμένηκατέβαιν‖ὑπερώϊαπολλὰδέοἱκῆρ
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to φαμένηφαμένηspeakingφημί · present middle participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to κατέβαιν᾽κατέβαινwent downκαταβαίνω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὑπερώϊαupper roomὑπερῷον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of κατέβαιν᾽πολλὰmuchπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectiveadverbial to ὥρμαιν᾽δέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordοἱherἕ · dative singular feminine pronounmodifies κῆρκῆρheartκῆρ · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ὥρμαιν᾽κῆρ 'heart' begins the enjambed thought completed next line — a suspended subject typical of Homeric run-on syntax.
- 86
debated, whether to question her dear husband from a distance,
Metre
ὥρμαινἢἀπάνευθε‖φίλονπόσινἐξερεείνοι
ὥρμαινdebatedὁρμαίνω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbIterative-feeling imperfect: she kept turning the question over in her mind.
ἢwhetherἤ · conjunctionsentence particleἀπάνευθεfrom a distanceἀπάνευθε · adverbadverbial to ἐξερεείνοιφίλονdearφίλος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies πόσινπόσινhusbandπόσις · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἐξερεείνοιἐξερεείνοιquestionἐξερεείνω · present active optative, 3rd singular verbobject of ἦOptative in an indirect deliberative question: 'whether she should question him.'
- 87
or to stand beside him and kiss his head and take his hands.
Metre
ἦπαρστᾶσακύσειε‖κάρηκαὶχεῖρελαβοῦσα
ἦorἤ · conjunctioncoordinating wordπαρστᾶσαstanding besideπαρίστημι · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to κύσειεAorist participle παρίστημι: single decisive act of stepping up to him, prior to the kiss.
κύσειεkissκυνέω · aorist active optative, 3rd singular verbobject of ἦκάρηheadκάρα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordχεῖρεhandsχείρ · accusative dual feminine nounobject of καὶDual form χεῖρε: Homeric Greek still marks 'two hands' grammatically, not just plural.
λαβοῦσαtakingλαμβάνω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to κύσειε - 88
But when she had entered and crossed the stone threshold,
Metre
ἡἐπεὶεἰσῆλθεν‖καὶὑπέρβηλάϊνονοὐδόν
ἡsheὁ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of ἕζετ᾽δbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐπεὶwhenἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionεἰσῆλθενenteredεἰσέρχομαι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordὑπέρβηcrossedὑπερβαίνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to καὶλάϊνονstoneλάινος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies οὐδόνλάϊνον οὐδόν 'stone threshold' is a stock Homeric formula marking entry into the hall.
οὐδόνthresholdοὐδός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ὑπέρβη - 89
she sat down across from Odysseus, in the firelight,
Metre
ἕζετἔπειτὈδυσῆος‖ἐναντίηἐνπυρὸςαὐγῇ
ἕζετsat downἕζομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔπειτthenἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to ἕζετ᾽ὈδυσῆοςOdysseus'Ὀδυσσεύς · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies ἐναντίηἐναντίηacross fromἐναντίος · nominative singular feminine adjectivecircumstantial complementἐναντίη 'facing' governs the genitive Ὀδυσῆος: 'opposite Odysseus.'
ἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionπυρὸςof the fireπῦρ · genitive singular neuter nounmodifies αὐγῇαὐγῇlightαὐγή · dative singular feminine nounadverbial to ἐν - 90
by the far wall; and he sat against a tall pillar,
Metre
τοίχουτοῦἑτέρου‖ὁἄραπρὸςκίοναμακρὴν
τοίχουwallτοῖχος · genitive singular masculine nounadverbial to ἕζετ᾽τοῦtheὁ · genitive singular masculine articlemodifies ἑτέρουἑτέρουfar, otherἕτερος · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies τοίχουὁheὁ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἧστοδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἄραthenἄρα · particlesentence particleπρὸςagainstπρός · prepositionprepositionκίοναpillarκίων · accusative singular feminine nounadverbial to πρὸςκίονα is feminine in Homer though the noun looks masculine-declined; note for learners expecting κίων=masc.
μακρὴνtallμακρός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies κίονα - 91
looking down, waiting to see whether his noble wife
Metre
ἧστοκάτωὁρόων‖ποτιδέγμενοςεἴτίμινεἴποι
ἧστοsatἧμαι · pluperfect middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbPluperfect ἧστο used with imperfect force: 'he was sitting,' typical of this verb in Homer.
κάτωdownκάτω · adverbadverbial to ὁρόωνὁρόωνlookingὁράω · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἧστοποτιδέγμενοςwaitingπροσδέχομαι · aorist medio-passive participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἧστοεἴwhetherεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionτίanythingτις · accusative singular neuter pronounobject of εἴποιμινto himμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of εἴποιεἴποιwould sayεἶπον · aorist active optative, 3rd singular verbobject of εἴOptative in a future-indirect question after a verb of waiting/expecting.
- 92
would say something to him, now that she saw him with her eyes.
Metre
ἰφθίμηπαράκοιτις‖ἐπεὶἴδενὀφθαλμοῖσιν
ἰφθίμηnobleἴφθιμος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies παράκοιτιςπαράκοιτιςwifeπαράκοιτις · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of εἴποιπαράκοιτις 'bedmate, wife' — an epic-register word, more elevated than γυνή.
ἐπεὶnow thatἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἴδενsawεἶδον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ἐπεὶὀφθαλμοῖσινwith her eyesὀφθαλμός · dative plural masculine nounadverbial to ἴδεν - 93
But she sat a long time in silence, and astonishment came over her heart;
Metre
ἡἄνεωδὴνἧστο‖τάφοςδέοἱἦτορἵκανεν
ἡsheὁ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of ἧστοδandδέ · particlesentence particleἄνεωin silenceἄνεω · adverbadverbial to ἧστοδὴνlongδήν · adverbadverbial to ἧστοἧστοsatἧμαι · pluperfect middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbτάφοςastonishmentτάφος · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ἵκανεντάφος 'amazement, stupor' — vivid word for the shock that grips her heart.
δέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordοἱherἕ · dative singular feminine pronounmodifies ἦτορἦτορheartἦτορ · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἵκανενἵκανενcame overἱκάνω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 94
at one moment she would gaze straight into his face,
Metre
ὄψειἄλλοτεμέν‖μινἐνωπαδίωςἐσίδεσκεν
ὄψειwith a glanceὄψις · dative singular feminine nounobject of ἐσίδεσκενInstrumental dative ὄψει 'with her look/gaze,' set up against the ἄλλοτε...ἄλλοτε 'now...now' contrast in these two lines.
δandδέ · particlesentence particleἄλλοτεat one momentἄλλοτε · adverbadverbial to ἐσίδεσκενμένon the one handμέν · particlesentence particleμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ἐσίδεσκενἐνωπαδίωςface to faceἐνωπαδίως · adverbadverbial to ἐσίδεσκενἐσίδεσκενgazed atεἰσοράω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 95
and at another she failed to know him in the poor clothes he wore.
Metre
ἄλλοτεἀγνώσασκε‖κακὰχροῒεἵματἔχοντα
ἄλλοτεat anotherἄλλοτε · adverbadverbial to ἀγνώσασκεδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordἀγνώσασκεfailed to knowἀγνοέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbIterative -σκε suffix (ἀγνώσασκε) marks repeated action: 'she kept failing to recognize him.'
κακὰpoorκακός · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies εἵματ᾽χροῒon his skinχρώς · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἔχονταεἵματclothesεἷμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἔχονταἔχονταwearingἔχω · present active participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complement - 96
Then Telemachus rebuked her, and spoke and called her by name:
ΤηλέμαχοςTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of τ᾽δandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐνένιπενrebukedἐνίπτω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔποςwordἔπος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔφατ᾽τandτε · particlesentence particleἔφατspokeφημί · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔκoutἐκ · prepositionemphasizing particleἔκ...ὀνόμαζε is a split (tmesis) compound 'called out by name' — the preposition ἐκ separated from its verb, common in Homer.
τandτε · particlecoordinating word - 97
"Mother of mine, cruel mother, with your unfeeling heart,
Metre
μῆτερἐμήδύσμητερ‖ἀπηνέαθυμὸνἔχουσα
μῆτερmotherμήτηρ · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headἐμήmyἐμός · vocative singular feminine adjectivemodifies μῆτερδύσμητερcruel motherδυσμήτηρ · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headδύσμητερ is a nonce coinage (δυσ- 'bad' + μήτηρ) found only here — Telemachus inventing a bitter epithet.
ἀπηνέαunfeelingἀπηνής · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θυμὸνθυμὸνheartθυμός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔχουσαἔχουσαhavingἔχω · present active participle, vocative singular femininemodifies , - 98
why do you hold yourself so far from my father? Why not sit
Metre
τίφθοὕτωπατρὸς‖νοσφίζεαιοὐδὲπαραὐτὸν
τίφθwhyτίπτε · pronounadverbial to δὲοὕτωsoοὕτως · adverbadverbial to νοσφίζεαιπατρὸςfrom fatherπατήρ · genitive singular masculine nounobject of νοσφίζεαινοσφίζεαιhold yourself apartνοσφίζομαι · present medio-passive indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verbνοσφίζεαι 'keep aloof from' governs the genitive πατρὸς: 'stand off from father.'
παρbesideπαρά · prepositionprepositionαὐτὸνhimαὐτός · accusative singular masculine adjectiveobject of παρ᾽ - 99
beside him, and ask him questions and inquire?
Metre
ἑζομένημύθοισιν‖ἀνείρεαιοὐδὲμεταλλᾷς
ἑζομένηsittingἕζομαι · present medio-passive participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to δὲμύθοισινwith wordsμῦθος · dative plural masculine nounadverbial to ἀνείρεαιἀνείρεαιaskἀνέρομαι · present medio-passive indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verbμεταλλᾷςinquireμεταλλάω · present active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 100
No other woman would stand off like this, with stubborn heart,
οὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleμένindeedμέν · particlesentence particleκwouldἄν · particleemphasizing particleκ(ε) + optative = potential mood: 'no other woman would...'
ἄλληotherἄλλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γυνὴγat leastγε · particleemphasizing particleὧδεlike thisὧδε · adverbadverbial to ἀφεσταίηγυνὴwomanγυνή · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἀφεσταίητετληότιstubbornτλάω · perfect active participle, dative singular masculinemodifies θυμῷθυμῷheartθυμός · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἀφεσταίη - 101
from her husband, who after suffering many hardships for her
ἀνδρὸςhusbandἀνήρ · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἀφεσταίηἀφεσταίηstand apart fromἀφίστημι · perfect active optative, 3rd singular verbmain verbPerfect optative ἀφεσταίη with potential force: 'would keep herself away.'
ὅςwhoὅς · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἔλθοιοἱfor herἕ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of ἔλθοικακὰhardshipsκακός · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of μογήσαςπολλὰmanyπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies κακὰμογήσαςhaving sufferedμογέω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἔλθοι - 102
had come in the twentieth year to his native land;
Metre
ἔλθοιἐεικοστῷ‖ἔτεϊἐςπατρίδαγαῖαν
ἔλθοιcameἔρχομαι · aorist active optative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ἀνδρὸςἐεικοστῷtwentiethεἰκοστός · dative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἔτεϊἔτεϊyearἔτος · dative singular neuter nounadverbial to ἔλθοιἐεικοστῷ ἔτεϊ: the famous 'twentieth year' formula marking the full span of Odysseus' absence.
ἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionπατρίδαnativeπατρίς · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γαῖανγαῖανlandγαῖα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐς - 103
but your heart is always harder than a stone."
Metre
σοὶαἰεὶκραδίη‖στερεωτέρηἐστὶλίθοιο
σοὶyourσύ · dative singular pronounmodifies κραδίηδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordαἰεὶalwaysἀεί · adverbadverbial to ἐστὶκραδίηheartκαρδία · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἐστὶστερεωτέρηharderστερεός · nominative singular feminine comparative adjectivepredicate nounστερεωτέρη + genitive λίθοιο: comparative 'harder' takes a genitive of comparison, 'harder than stone.'
ἐστὶisεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbλίθοιοthan a stoneλίθος · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies στερεωτέρη - 104
Then wise Penelope answered him in turn:
τὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of προσέειπεδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπερίφρωνwiseπερίφρων · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Πηνελόπειαπερίφρων Πηνελόπεια is Penelope's standing epithet — 'circumspect/very wise' — used whenever she speaks.
ΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 105
"My child, the heart within my breast is stunned,
Metre
τέκνονἐμόνθυμός‖μοιἐνὶστήθεσσιτέθηπεν
τέκνονchildτέκνον · vocative singular neuter noungoverned by an elided headἐμόνmyἐμός · vocative singular neuter adjectivemodifies τέκνονθυμόςheartθυμός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of τέθηπενμοιmyἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounmodifies θυμόςἐνὶwithinἐν · prepositionprepositionστήθεσσιbreastστῆθος · dative plural neuter nounmodifies ἐνὶτέθηπενis stunnedτέθηπα · perfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbPerfect τέθηπεν of an archaic root: state of amazed paralysis, not a completed single action.
- 106
and I am unable to say a word to him or to ask anything,
Metre
οὐδέτιπροσφάσθαι‖δύναμαιἔποςοὐδἐρέεσθαι
οὐδέand notοὐδέ · adverbsentence particleτιat allτις · accusative singular neuter pronounemphasizing particleπροσφάσθαιto speak to himπρόσφημι · present middle infinitiveobject of δ᾽δύναμαιI am ableδύναμαι · present medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἔποςa wordἔπος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of προσφάσθαιοὐδnorοὐδέ · adverbsentence particleἐρέεσθαιto askἔρομαι · present middle infinitiveobject - 107
nor even to look him in the face. But if truly
Metre
οὐδεἰςὦπαἰδέσθαι‖ἐναντίονεἰἐτεὸνδὴ
εἰςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionὦπαfaceὤψ · accusative singular feminine nounobject of εἰςἰδέσθαιto lookεἶδον · aorist middle infinitiveobjectἐναντίονface to faceἐναντίον · adverbadverbial to ἰδέσθαιεἰifεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐτεὸνtrulyἐτεός · accusative singular neuter adjectiveadverbial to καὶδὴindeedδή · particlesentence particle - 108
this is Odysseus, and he has reached his home, then surely we two
Metre
ἔστὈδυσεὺςκαὶοἶκον‖ἱκάνεταιἦμάλανῶϊ
ἔστisεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to καὶἔστ(ι) here is emphatic existential 'he really is/exists as' Odysseus, not just copula.
ὈδυσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounpredicate nounκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordοἶκονhomeοἶκος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἱκάνεταιἱκάνεταιhas reachedἱκάνω · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to καὶἦsurelyἦ · adverbsentence particleμάλαindeedμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleνῶϊwe twoἐγώ · nominative dual masculine pronounsubject of γνωσόμεθ᾽Dual νῶϊ: Penelope and Odysseus as a pair, set apart grammatically from everyone else.
- 109
shall know each other, and the better for it; for we have
Metre
γνωσόμεθἀλλήλων‖καὶλώϊονἔστιγὰρἡμῖν
γνωσόμεθshall knowγιγνώσκω · future middle indicative, 1st plural verbmain verbFuture middle γνωσόμεθα with reciprocal ἀλλήλων: 'we shall recognize each other.'
ἀλλήλωνeach otherἀλλήλων · genitive plural masculine adjectiveobject of γνωσόμεθ᾽καὶevenκαί · adverbemphasizing particleλώϊονbetterλωίων · accusative singular neuter comparative adjectiveadverbial to γνωσόμεθ᾽ἔστιthere isεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbγὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleἡμῖνto usἐγώ · dative plural masculine pronounobject of ἔστι - 110
signs, secret ones, that the two of us know, hidden from all others."
Metre
σήμαθἃδὴκαὶνῶϊ‖κεκρυμμέναἴδμενἀπἄλλων
σήμαθsignsσῆμα · nominative plural neuter nounsubject of ἔστιἃwhichὅς · accusative plural neuter pronounobject of ἴδμενδὴindeedδή · particlesentence particleκαὶalsoκαί · adverbemphasizing particleνῶϊwe twoἐγώ · nominative dual masculine pronounsubject of ἴδμενDual νῶϊ again — the private, shared knowledge of the couple, echoing l108.
κεκρυμμέναhiddenκρύπτω · perfect medio-passive participle, accusative plural neutermodifies ἃἴδμενknowοἶδα · perfect active indicative, 1st plural verbverb of a clause describing σήμαθ᾽Perfect ἴδμεν of οἶδα used as present: 'we know.'
ἀπfromἀπό · prepositionprepositionἄλλωνothersἄλλος · genitive plural masculine adjectiveobject of ἀπ᾽ - 111
So she spoke, and much-enduring noble Odysseus smiled,
Metre
ὣςφάτομείδησεν‖δὲπολύτλαςδῖοςὈδυσσεύς
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to φάτοφάτοspokeφημί · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbμείδησενsmiledμειδάω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδὲandδέ · particlesentence particleπολύτλαςmuch-enduringπολύτλας · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies Ὀδυσσεύςπολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς: stacked epithets, a full-line formula marking a significant character beat.
δῖοςnobleδῖος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὈδυσσεύςὈδυσσεύςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of μείδησεν - 112
and at once spoke winged words to Telemachus:
αἶψαat onceαἶψα · adverbadverbial to προσηύδαδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordΤηλέμαχονTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of προσηύδαἔπεαwordsἔπος · accusative plural neuter nounobject of προσηύδαπτερόενταwingedπτερόεις · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἔπεαἔπεα πτερόεντα 'winged words' — one of Homer's most famous formulas, introducing direct speech.
προσηύδαaddressedπροσαυδάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 113
"Telemachus, leave your mother there in the halls
Metre
Τηλέμαχἦτοιμητέρ‖ἐνὶμεγάροισινἔασον
ΤηλέμαχTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · vocative singular masculine noungoverned by an elided headἦindeedἦ · adverbsentence particleτοιsurelyτοι · particlesentence particleμητέρmotherμήτηρ · accusative singular feminine nounsubject of πειράζεινἐνὶinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισινhallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἐνὶἔασονleave, letἐάω · aorist active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 114
to test me; soon she will recognize me even better.
Metre
πειράζεινἐμέθεν‖τάχαδὲφράσεταικαὶἄρειον
πειράζεινto testπειράζω · present active infinitiveobject of ἔασονπειράζειν ἐμέθεν 'to put me to the test' — infinitive of purpose after ἔασον, governing genitive ἐμέθεν.
ἐμέθενmeἐγώ · genitive singular masculine pronounobject of πειράζειντάχαsoonτάχα · adverbadverbial to φράσεταιδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordφράσεταιwill discernφράζω · future middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbκαὶevenκαί · adverbemphasizing particleἄρειονbetterἀρείων · accusative singular neuter comparative adjectiveadverbial to φράσεται - 115
For now I am filthy, and wear poor clothes on my body,
Metre
νῦνὅττιῥυπόω‖κακὰδὲχροῒεἵματαεἷμαι
νῦνnowνῦν · adverbadverbial to καὶδbutδέ · particlesentence particleὅττιbecauseὅτι · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionῥυπόωI am filthyῥυπάω · present active indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to δὲκακὰpoorκακός · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies εἵματαδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordχροῒon my bodyχρώς · dative singular masculine nounobject of εἷμαιχρώς 'skin/body' as dative of place-where, no preposition needed
εἵματαclothesεἷμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of εἷμαιεἷμαιI wearἕννυμι · perfect passive indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to δὲperfect εἷμαι from ἕννυμι has present force: 'I am clad in'
- 116
and for that reason she scorns me and does not yet say I am he.
Metre
τοὔνεκἀτιμάζει‖μεκαὶοὔπωφησὶτὸνεἶναι
τοὔνεκfor that reasonτοὔνεκα · adverbadverbial to ἀτιμάζειἀτιμάζειshe scornsἀτιμάζω · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbμεmeἐγώ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ἀτιμάζεικαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordοὔnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleπωyetπω · particleemphasizing particleφησὶshe saysφημί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbτὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounpredicate nounτόν here is the pronoun 'that man,' object of εἶναι, not the article
εἶναιto beεἰμί · present active infinitiveobject of φησὶ - 117
But let us consider how things may turn out best by far.
Metre
ἡμεῖςδὲφραζώμεθ‖ὅπωςὄχἄρισταγένηται
ἡμεῖςweἐγώ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of φραζώμεθ᾽δὲbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordφραζώμεθlet us considerφράζω · present medio-passive subjunctive, 1st plural verbmain verbhortatory subjunctive, 1st plural: 'let us plan'
ὅπωςhowὅπως · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionὄχby farὄχα · adverbemphasizing particleἄρισταbestἄριστος · nominative plural neuter adjectivesubject of γένηταιγένηταιmay turn outγίγνομαι · aorist middle subjunctive, 3rd singular verbobject of ὅπως - 118
For even when a man has killed a single person among his people,
Metre
καὶγάρτίςἕναφῶτα‖κατακτείναςἐνὶδήμῳ
καὶevenκαί · adverbsentence particleγάρforγάρ · particlesentence particleτίςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of φεύγειθ[indeed]τε · particlesentence particleἕναa singleεἷς · accusative singular masculine nounmodifies φῶταφῶταpersonφώς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of κατακτείναςφώς, epic word for 'man, mortal,' distinct from the everyday ἀνήρ used later in this passage
κατακτείναςhaving killedκατακτείνω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to φεύγειἐνὶamongἐν · prepositionprepositionδήμῳhis peopleδῆμος · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἐνὶ - 119
one who leaves behind no great host of avengers,
Metre
ᾧμὴπολλοὶἔωσιν‖ἀοσσητῆρεςὀπίσσω
ᾧwhomὅς · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἔωσινdative ᾧ picks up the killer of l118, 'for whom'
μὴnotμή · particleemphasizing particleπολλοὶmanyπολύς · nominative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἀοσσητῆρεςἔωσινthere areεἰμί · present active subjunctive, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing φῶταἀοσσητῆρεςavengersἀοσσητήρ · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ἔωσινὀπίσσωbehind, hereafterὀπίσω · adverbadverbial to ἔωσιν - 120
he flees, abandoning his kinsmen and his native land;
Metre
φεύγειπηούςτε‖προλιπὼνκαὶπατρίδαγαῖαν
φεύγειhe fleesφεύγω · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπηούςkinsmenπηός · accusative plural masculine nounobject of καὶτεandτε · particlesentence particleπρολιπὼνleaving behindπρολείπω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to φεύγεικαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordπατρίδαnativeπατρίς · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γαῖανγαῖανlandγαῖα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of καὶ - 121
but we have killed the bulwark of the city, the very best
Metre
ἡμεῖςἕρμαπόληος‖ἀπέκταμενοἳμέγἄριστοι
ἡμεῖςweἐγώ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἀπέκταμενδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordἕρμαthe bulwarkἕρμα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἀπέκταμενἕρμα literally 'prop, stay' — vivid metaphor for the city's defenders
πόληοςof the cityπόλις · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies ἕρμαἀπέκταμενhave killedἀποκτείνω · perfect active indicative, 1st plural verbmain verbοἳwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubjectμέγby farμέγας · accusative singular neuter adjectiveemphasizing particleἄριστοιthe bestἄριστος · nominative plural masculine adjectivepredicate noun - 122
of the young men in Ithaca; this I urge you to weigh."
Metre
κούρωνεἰνἸθάκῃ‖τὰδέσεφράζεσθαιἄνωγα
κούρωνof the young menκόρος · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἄριστοιεἰνinἐν · prepositionprepositionἸθάκῃIthacaἸθάκη · dative singular feminine nounmodifies εἰντὰthisὁ · accusative plural neuter pronounobject of φράζεσθαιτά picks up 'this matter' as object of φράζεσθαι, fronted for emphasis
δέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordσεyouσύ · accusative singular pronounsubject of φράζεσθαιφράζεσθαιto weigh, considerφράζω · present medio-passive infinitiveobject of ἄνωγαἄνωγαI urgeἄνωγα · perfect active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb - 123
Then wise Telemachus answered him in turn:
τὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ηὔδαδthenδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖin turnαὖ · adverbsentence particleΤηλέμαχοςTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ηὔδαπεπνυμένοςwiseπέπνυμαι · perfect medio-passive participle, nominative singular masculinemodifies Τηλέμαχοςπεπνυμένος, stock epithet 'of sound mind,' regularly paired with Telemachus
ἀντίονin answerἀντίον · accusative singular neuter nounadverbial to ηὔδαηὔδαspokeαὐδάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 124
"See to this yourself, dear father; for they say your counsel is the best
Metre
αὐτὸςταῦτάγελεῦσσε‖πάτερφίλεσὴνγὰρἀρίστην
αὐτὸςyou yourselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementταῦτάthisοὗτος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of λεῦσσεγεindeedγε · particleemphasizing particleλεῦσσεsee toλεύσσω · present active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbπάτερfatherπατήρ · vocative singular masculine noungoverned by an elided headφίλεdearφίλος · vocative singular masculine adjectivemodifies πάτερσὴνyourσός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies μῆτινσήν modifies μῆτιν in the next line, split across the line-break (hyperbaton)
γὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleἀρίστηνbestἄριστος · accusative singular feminine adjectivepredicate noun - 125
among men, and no other man
Metre
μῆτινἐπἀνθρώπους‖φάσἔμμεναιοὐδέκέτίςτοι
μῆτινcounselμῆτις · accusative singular feminine nounsubject of ἔμμεναιμῆτις, the very word tied to Odysseus's epithet πολύμητις later in this passage
ἐπamongἐπί · prepositionprepositionἀνθρώπουςmenἄνθρωπος · accusative plural masculine nounmodifies ἐπ᾽φάσthey sayφημί · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbἔμμεναιto beεἰμί · present active infinitiveobject of φάσ᾽κέ[would]ἄν · particleemphasizing particleτίςanyoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounmodifies ἀνὴρτοιwith youσύ · dative singular pronounobject of ἐρίσειε - 126
of mortal men could rival you.
Metre
ἄλλοςἀνὴρἐρίσειε‖καταθνητῶνἀνθρώπων
ἄλλοςotherἄλλος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀνὴρἀνὴρmanἀνήρ · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἐρίσειεἐρίσειεcould rivalἐρίζω · aorist active optative, 3rd singular verbmain verbaorist optative with κε = potential optative, 'no man would rival'
καταθνητῶνmortalκαταθνητός · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἀνθρώπωνἀνθρώπωνof menἄνθρωπος · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies τίς - 127
We will follow eagerly at your side, and I think we will not
Metre
ἡμεῖςἐμμεμαῶτες‖ἅμἑψόμεθοὐδέτίφημι
ἡμεῖςweἐγώ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἑψόμεθ᾽δandδέ · particlesentence particleἐμμεμαῶτεςeagerἐμμεμαώς · perfect active participle, nominative plural masculineadverbial to ἑψόμεθ᾽ἐμμεμαῶτες, perfect participle with present force, 'straining forward'
ἅμtogetherἅμα · adverbadverbial to ἑψόμεθ᾽ἑψόμεθwe will followἕπομαι · future middle indicative, 1st plural verbmain verbτίat allτις · accusative singular neuter pronounemphasizing particleφημιI sayφημί · present active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb - 128
fall short in courage, so far as our strength holds out."
Metre
ἀλκῆςδευήσεσθαι‖ὅσηδύναμίςγεπάρεστιν
ἀλκῆςin courageἀλκή · genitive singular feminine nounobject of δευήσεσθαιδευήσεσθαιwe will fall shortδεύω · future middle infinitiveobject of φημιὅσηas far asὅσος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies δύναμίςδύναμίςstrengthδύναμις · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of πάρεστινγεindeedγε · particleemphasizing particleπάρεστινholds outπάρειμι · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to δευήσεσθαι - 129
Then Odysseus of many devices answered him and said:
τὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of προσέφηδthenδέ · particlecoordinating wordἀπαμειβόμενοςansweringἀπαμείβομαι · present medio-passive participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to προσέφηπροσέφηspoke toπρόσφημι · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπολύμητιςof many devicesπολύμητις · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies Ὀδυσσεύςπολύμητις, Odysseus's signature epithet, echoing μῆτιν from Telemachus's speech
ὈδυσσεύςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of προσέφη - 130
"Then I will tell you how it seems to me to be best.
Metre
τοιγὰρἐγὼνἐρέω‖ὥςμοιδοκεῖεἶναιἄριστα
τοιγὰρwell thenτοιγάρ · particlesentence particleἐγὼνIἐγώ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἐρέωἐρέωwill tellἐρῶ · future active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbὥςhowὡς · adverbadverbial to δοκεῖμοιto meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of δοκεῖδοκεῖit seemsδοκέω · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ἐρέωεἶναιto beεἰμί · present active infinitiveobject of δοκεῖἄρισταbestἄριστος · accusative plural neuter adjectivepredicate noun - 131
First wash yourselves and put on your tunics,
Metre
πρῶταμὲνἂρλούσασθε‖καὶἀμφιέσασθεχιτῶνας
πρῶταfirstπρῶτος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveadverbial to καὶμὲν[then]μέν · particlesentence particleἂρ[indeed]ἄρα · particlesentence particleλούσασθεwash yourselvesλούω · aorist middle imperative, 2nd plural verbmain verbaorist middle imperative, 2nd plural: command for immediate action
καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἀμφιέσασθεput onἀμφιάζω · aorist middle imperative, 2nd plural verbmain verbχιτῶναςtunicsχιτών · accusative plural masculine nounobject of ἀμφιέσασθε - 132
and bid the serving-women in the halls to take up their garments;
Metre
δμῳὰςἐνμεγάροισιν‖ἀνώγετεεἵμαθἑλέσθαι
δμῳὰςserving-womenδμωή · accusative plural feminine nounsubject of ἑλέσθαιδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισινthe hallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounmodifies ἐνἀνώγετεbidἄνωγα · present active imperative, 2nd plural verbmain verbεἵμαθgarmentsεἷμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἑλέσθαιἑλέσθαιto take upαἱρέω · aorist middle infinitiveobject of ἀνώγετε - 133
and let the divine singer with his clear-toned lyre
Metre
αὐτὰρθεῖοςἀοιδὸς‖ἔχωνφόρμιγγαλίγειαν
αὐτὰρandἀτάρ · particlesentence particleθεῖοςdivineθεῖος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀοιδὸςἀοιδὸςsingerἀοιδός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἡγείσθωἔχωνholdingἔχω · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἡγείσθωφόρμιγγαlyreφόρμιγξ · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἔχωνλίγειανclear-tonedλιγύς · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies φόρμιγγα - 134
lead off for us a merry dance,
Metre
ἡμῖνἡγείσθω‖φιλοπαίγμονοςὀρχηθμοῖο
ἡμῖνfor usἐγώ · dative plural masculine pronounobject of ἡγείσθωἡγείσθωlet him leadἡγέομαι · present middle imperative, 3rd singular verbmain verbφιλοπαίγμονοςmerryφιλοπαίγμων · genitive singular adjectivemodifies ὀρχηθμοῖοὀρχηθμοῖοdanceὀρχηθμός · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἡγείσθωa false wedding-feast as cover story, staged to fool the neighbors after the suitors' slaughter
- 135
so that anyone hearing from outside might say there is a wedding,
Metre
ὥςκέντιςφαίη‖γάμονἔμμεναιἐκτὸςἀκούων
ὥςso thatὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκέν[would]ἄν · particlesentence particleτιςanyoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of φαίηφαίηmight sayφημί · present active optative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ὥςγάμονa weddingγάμος · accusative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔμμεναιἔμμεναιthere isεἰμί · present active infinitiveobject of φαίηἐκτὸςoutsideἐκτός · adverbadverbial to ἀκούωνἀκούωνhearingἀκούω · present active participle, nominative singular masculinecircumstantial complement - 136
whether passing along the road, or among those who dwell nearby;
Metre
ἢἀνὁδὸνστείχων‖ἢοἳπεριναιετάουσι
ἢeitherἤ · conjunctionsentence particleἀνalongἀνά · prepositionprepositionὁδὸνthe roadὁδός · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἀν᾽στείχωνpassingστείχω · present active participle, nominative singular masculinemodifies ἢἢorἤ · conjunctioncoordinating wordοἳthose whoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of περιναιετάουσιπεριναιετάουσιdwell nearbyπεριναιετάω · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing ἢ - 137
so that no wide rumor of the slaughter spreads through the town
Metre
μὴπρόσθεκλέοςεὐρὺ‖φόνουκατὰἄστυγένηται
μὴ[not]μή · particleemphasizing particleμὴ + subjunctive γένηται here expresses purpose: 'so that ... may not spread'
πρόσθεbefore, aheadπρόσθεν · adverbadverbial to γένηταικλέοςrumorκλέος · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of γένηταιεὐρὺwideεὐρύς · nominative singular neuter adjectivemodifies κλέοςφόνουof the slaughterφόνος · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies κλέοςκατὰthroughκατά · prepositionprepositionἄστυthe townἄστυ · accusative singular neuter nounadverbial to κατὰγένηταιspreadsγίγνομαι · aorist middle subjunctive, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 138
of the suitors, before we have gone out
Metre
ἀνδρῶνμνηστήρων‖πρίνἡμέαςἐλθέμενἔξω
ἀνδρῶνof the menἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies φόνουμνηστήρωνsuitorsμνηστήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἀνδρῶνπρίνbeforeπρίν · adverbsubordinating conjunctionγ[indeed]γε · particleemphasizing particleἡμέαςweἐγώ · accusative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἐλθέμενἐλθέμενhave goneἔρχομαι · aorist active infinitiveadverbial to πρίνἔξωoutἔξω · adverbobject of ἐλθέμεν - 139
to our farm with its many trees; and there afterward
Metre
ἀγρὸνἐςἡμέτερον‖πολυδένδρεονἔνθαἔπειτα
ἀγρὸνfarmἀγρός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἐςἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionἡμέτερονourἡμέτερος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀγρὸνπολυδένδρεονwith many treesπολύδενδρος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀγρὸνἔνθαthereἔνθα · adverbadverbial to φρασσόμεθ᾽δandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἔπειταafterwardἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to φρασσόμεθ᾽ - 140
we will consider whatever advantage the Olympian may grant us."
Metre
φρασσόμεθὅττικεκέρδος‖Ὀλύμπιοςἐγγυαλίξῃ
φρασσόμεθwe will considerφράζω · future middle indicative, 1st plural verbmain verbὅττιwhateverὅστις · accusative singular neuter pronounmodifies κέρδοςκε[would]ἄν · particleemphasizing particleκέρδοςadvantageκέρδος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἐγγυαλίξῃὈλύμπιοςthe OlympianὈλύμπιος · nominative singular masculine adjectivesubject of ἐγγυαλίξῃepic epithet standing alone for Zeus, 'the one of Olympus'
ἐγγυαλίξῃmay grantἐγγυαλίζω · aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular verbobject of φρασσόμεθ᾽ - 141
So he spoke, and they listened well to him and obeyed.
Metre
ὣςἔφαθοἱἄρατοῦ‖μάλαμὲνκλύονἠδἐπίθοντο
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to ἔφαθ᾽ἔφαθhe spokeφημί · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbοἱtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἠδ᾽δandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἄραthenἄρα · particlesentence particleτοῦto himὁ · genitive singular masculine pronounobject of κλύονμάλαwellμάλα · adverbadverbial to κλύονμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleκλύονlistenedκλύω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordἐπίθοντοobeyedπείθω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbκλύον...ἐπίθοντο pairs hearing and obeying, a common formulaic doublet of instant compliance
- 142
First, then, they washed and put on their tunics,
Metre
πρῶταμὲνοὖνλούσαντο‖καὶἀμφιέσαντοχιτῶνας
πρῶταfirstπρῶτος · accusative plural neuter adjectivemain verbμὲν[then]μέν · particlesentence particleοὖνso, thenοὖν · particlesentence particleλούσαντοthey washedλούω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἀμφιέσαντοput onἀμφιέννυμι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbχιτῶναςtunicsχιτών · accusative plural masculine nounobject of ἀμφιέσαντοline nearly repeats l131's command verbatim, now fulfilled in narrated action
- 143
and the women dressed; and the divine singer took up
Metre
ὅπλισθενδὲγυναῖκες‖ὁεἵλετοθεῖοςἀοιδὸς
ὅπλισθενwere arrayedὁπλίζω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbPassive of ὁπλίζω 'equip' used for dressing/adorning — the maids 'were got ready'.
δὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordγυναῖκεςthe womenγυνή · nominative plural feminine nounsubject of ὅπλισθενὁtheὁ · articlemodifies ἀοιδὸςδandδέ · particlesentence particleεἵλετοtook upαἱρέω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbMiddle voice εἵλετο: took up (the lyre) for himself, marking personal engagement.
θεῖοςdivineθεῖος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀοιδὸςἀοιδὸςsingerἀοιδός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of εἵλετοθεῖος ἀοιδός, formulaic epithet for the bard — poets are semi-sacred figures in Homer.
- 144
his hollow lyre, and stirred in them the desire
Metre
φόρμιγγαγλαφυρήν‖ἐνδέσφισινἵμερονὦρσε
φόρμιγγαthe lyreφόρμιγξ · accusative singular feminine nounobject of εἵλετογλαφυρήνhollowγλαφυρός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies φόρμιγγαἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordσφισινin themσφεῖς · dative plural masculine pronounadverbial to ἐνἵμερονdesireἵμερος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ὦρσεὦρσεstirred upὄρνυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὄρνυμι 'rouse, stir' — vivid verb for inciting an urge, here the desire to dance.
- 145
for sweet song and for the faultless dance.
Metre
μολπῆςτεγλυκερῆς‖καὶἀμύμονοςὀρχηθμοῖο
μολπῆςof songμολπή · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies καὶτεandτε · particlesentence particleγλυκερῆςsweetγλυκερός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies μολπῆςκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἀμύμονοςfaultlessἀμύμων · genitive singular adjectivemodifies ὀρχηθμοῖοὀρχηθμοῖοof dancingὀρχηθμός · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies καὶὀρχηθμός 'dance' — paired with μολπή 'song' as the two arts the bard incites.
- 146
And the great house resounded all around with the feet
τοῖσινwith themὁ · dative plural masculine pronounadverbial to περιστεναχίζετοδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordμέγαgreatμέγας · nominative singular neuter adjectivemodifies δῶμαδῶμαhouseδῶμα · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of περιστεναχίζετοπεριστεναχίζετοresounded aroundπεριστεναχίζομαι · imperfect middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπερι- prefix 'all around' + στεναχίζομαι 'groan/resound' — the house reverberates with dancing feet.
ποσσὶνwith feetπούς · dative plural masculine nounadverbial to περιστεναχίζετο - 147
of dancing men and fair-girdled women.
Metre
ἀνδρῶνπαιζόντων‖καλλιζώνωντεγυναικῶν
ἀνδρῶνof menἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies τεπαιζόντωνdancingπαίζω · present active participle, genitive plural masculinecircumstantial complementκαλλιζώνωνfair-girdledκαλλίζωνος · genitive plural feminine nounmodifies γυναικῶνκαλλίζωνος, a stock feminine epithet 'beautiful-girdled' — formulaic praise of women's dress/figure.
τεandτε · particlecoordinating wordγυναικῶνof womenγυνή · genitive plural feminine nounmodifies τε - 148
And thus would one say, hearing it from outside the house:
Metre
ὧδεδέτιςεἴπεσκε‖δόμωνἔκτοσθενἀκούων
ὧδεthusὧδε · adverbadverbial to εἴπεσκεδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordτιςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of εἴπεσκεεἴπεσκεwould sayεἶπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbIterative -σκ- suffix (εἴπεσκε) marks repeated/habitual past action: 'kept saying', not a single utterance.
δόμωνof the houseδόμος · genitive plural masculine nounadverbial to ἔκτοσθενἔκτοσθενfrom outsideἔκτοσθε · adverbprepositionἀκούωνhearingἀκούω · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to εἴπεσκε - 149
"Truly someone has married the queen with her many suitors.
Metre
ἦμάλαδήτιςἔγημε‖πολυμνήστηνβασίλειαν
ἦtrulyἦ · adverbsentence particleμάλαindeedμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleδήsurelyδή · particlesentence particleτιςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἔγημεἔγημεhas marriedγαμέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπολυμνήστηνmuch-wooedπολυμνήστη · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies βασίλειανπολυμνήστη 'wooed by many' — a pointed epithet for Penelope given by the outside gossips, ironic since it's really Odysseus.
βασίλειανthe queenβασίλεια · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἔγημε - 150
Hard-hearted woman, she could not bear, for her wedded husband,
σχετλίηhard-hearted womanσχέτλιος · nominative singular feminine adjectivegoverned by an elided headσχετλίη, vocative-like exclamation of blame — the bystander's mistaken assumption that Penelope remarried.
ἔτληenduredτλάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπόσιοςof husbandπόσις · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies δῶμαοὗher ownἑός · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies πόσιοςκουριδίοιοweddedκουρίδιος · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies πόσιος - 151
to guard the great house to the end, until he should come."
Metre
εἴρυσθαιμέγαδῶμα‖διαμπερέςἧοςἵκοιτο
εἴρυσθαιto guardἐρύω · present middle infinitiveobject of ἔτλημέγαgreatμέγας · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies δῶμαδῶμαhouseδῶμα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of εἴρυσθαιδιαμπερέςsteadfastlyδιαμπερές · adverbadverbial to εἴρυσθαιδιαμπερές 'right through, to the end' — stresses Penelope's unbroken constancy, which the gossip wrongly doubts.
ἧοςuntilἕως · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἵκοιτοhe should comeἱκνέομαι · aorist middle optative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ἧος - 152
So one would say, but they did not know how things truly stood.
Metre
ὣςἄρατιςεἴπεσκε‖τὰοὐκἴσανὡςἐτέτυκτο
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to εἴπεσκεἄραthenἄρα · particlesentence particleτιςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of εἴπεσκεεἴπεσκεwould sayεἶπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbIterative again — the poet frames the gossip as recurring chatter contrasted with the truth in the next clause.
τὰthese thingsὁ · nominative plural neuter pronounobjectδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordοὐκnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleἴσανknewοἶδα · pluperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbὡςhowὡς · adverbsubordinating conjunctionἐτέτυκτοtruly stoodτεύχω · pluperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectἐτέτυκτο, pluperfect of τεύχω 'was wrought/was the case' — idiom for 'how things really were'.
- 153
Meanwhile great-hearted Odysseus, in his own house,
Metre
αὐτὰρὈδυσσῆα‖μεγαλήτοραᾧἐνὶοἴκῳ
αὐτὰρbutἀτάρ · particlesentence particleὈδυσσῆαOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of καὶμεγαλήτοραgreat-heartedμεγαλήτωρ · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies Ὀδυσσῆαμεγαλήτωρ, standard heroic epithet 'great-hearted', marking Odysseus's stature as the scene shifts to him.
ᾧhis ownἑός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies οἴκῳἐνὶinἐν · prepositionprepositionοἴκῳhouseοἶκος · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἐνὶ - 154
was bathed by Eurynome the housekeeper and anointed with oil,
Metre
Εὐρυνόμηταμίη‖λοῦσενκαὶχρῖσενἐλαίῳ
ΕὐρυνόμηEurynomeΕὐρυνόμη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of δέταμίηhousekeeperταμία · nominative singular feminine nounmodifies Εὐρυνόμηλοῦσενbathedλούω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordχρῖσενanointedχρίω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἐλαίῳwith oilἔλαιον · dative singular neuter nounadverbial to χρῖσεν - 155
and she cast about him a fair cloak and a tunic;
Metre
ἀμφὶδέμινφᾶρος‖καλὸνβάλενἠδὲχιτῶνα
ἀμφὶaroundἀμφί · prepositionprepositionδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ἀμφὶφᾶροςcloakφᾶρος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἠδὲκαλὸνfairκαλός · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies φᾶροςβάλενcast aboutβάλλω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbβάλεν 'threw' used for dressing — she 'threw' the cloak and tunic around him.
ἠδὲandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordχιτῶναtunicχιτών · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἠδὲ - 156
and over his head Athena poured down great beauty,
Metre
αὐτὰρκὰκκεφαλῆς‖κάλλοςπολὺχεῦενἈθήνη
αὐτὰρandἀτάρ · particlesentence particleκὰκdown overκατά · prepositionprepositionκὰκ = κατά elided/assimilated before κ — 'down along/over' his head.
κεφαλῆςhis headκεφαλή · genitive singular feminine nounobject of κὰκκάλλοςbeautyκάλλος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of χεῦενπολὺgreatπολύς · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies κάλλοςχεῦενpouredχέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἈθήνηAthenaἈθήνη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of χεῦενAthena's divine beautification of Odysseus mirrors her earlier transformations of him — a recurring epic motif.
- 157
making him taller and broader to look upon; and from his head
Metre
μείζονάεἰσιδέειν‖καὶπάσσονακὰδδὲκάρητος
μείζονάtallerμέγας · accusative singular masculine comparative adjectivecomplementτandτε · particlesentence particleεἰσιδέεινto look uponεἰσείδω · aorist active infinitivemodifies καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordπάσσοναbroaderπάσσων · accusative singular masculine comparative adjectivecomplementκὰδdown fromκατά · prepositionprepositionκὰδ = κατά before δ, 'down from' his head, echoing κὰκ above — a formulaic prepositional variant.
δὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordκάρητοςhis headκάρα · genitive singular neuter nounobject of κὰδ - 158
she let his curling locks fall, like the hyacinth flower.
Metre
οὔλαςἧκεκόμας‖ὑακινθίνῳἄνθειὁμοίας
οὔλαςcurlingοὖλος · accusative plural feminine adjectivemodifies ,ἧκεlet fallἵημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbκόμαςlocksκόμη · accusative plural feminine nounobject of ἧκεὑακινθίνῳhyacinth-likeὑακίνθινος · dative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἄνθειἄνθειflowerἄνθος · dative singular neuter nounmodifies ὁμοίαςὁμοίαςlikeὁμοῖος · accusative plural feminine adjectivemodifies κόμαςSimile comparing his curling hair to the hyacinth flower — a rare floral image for a hero's beauty.
- 159
As when a man pours gold over silver,
Metre
ὡςὅτετιςχρυσὸν‖περιχεύεταιἀργύρῳἀνὴρ
ὡςasὡς · conjunctionadverbialδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordὅτεwhenὅτε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionτιςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounmodifies ἀνὴρχρυσὸνgoldχρυσός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of περιχεύεταιπεριχεύεταιoverlaysπεριχέω · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbialπεριχεύεται 'pours around' — technical image of gold-plating silver, an extended Homeric simile for divine adornment.
ἀργύρῳsilverἄργυρος · dative singular masculine nounobject of περιχεύεταιἀνὴρa manἀνήρ · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of περιχεύεται - 160
a skilled man whom Hephaestus and Pallas Athena have taught
Metre
ἴδριςὃνἭφαιστος‖δέδαενκαὶΠαλλὰςἈθήνη
ἴδριςskilledἴδρις · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀνὴρἴδρις 'knowing, skilled' — describes the craftsman of the simile, taught by two gods.
ὃνwhomὅς · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of δέδαενἭφαιστοςHephaestusἭφαιστος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of καὶδέδαενhas taughtδάω · perfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ἀνὴρκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordΠαλλὰςPallasΠαλλάς · nominative singular feminine nounmodifies ἈθήνηἈθήνηAthenaἈθήνη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of καὶ - 161
every kind of craft, and he completes graceful works;
Metre
τέχνηνπαντοίην‖χαρίενταδὲἔργατελείει
τέχνηνcraftτέχνη · accusative singular feminine nounobject of δέδαενπαντοίηνevery kind ofπαντοῖος · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies τέχνηνχαρίενταgracefulχαρίεις · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἔργαδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἔργαworksἔργον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of τελείειτελείειcompletesτελέω · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial - 162
so she poured grace over his head and shoulders.
Metre
ὣςμὲντῷπερίχευε‖χάρινκεφαλῇτεκαὶὤμοις
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to περίχευεμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleτῷon himὁ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of περίχευεπερίχευεpouredπεριχέω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπερίχευε echoes περιχεύεται from the simile (l159), closing the comparison — Athena as the divine craftsman.
χάρινgraceχάρις · accusative singular feminine nounobject of περίχευεκεφαλῇon headκεφαλή · dative singular feminine nounobject of καὶτεandτε · particlesentence particleκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordὤμοιςshouldersὦμος · dative plural masculine nounobject of καὶ - 163
He stepped out of the bath, in body like the immortals;
ἐκout ofἐκ · prepositionprepositionδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἀσαμίνθουthe bathἀσάμινθος · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐκβῆsteppedβαίνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδέμαςin bodyδέμας · accusative singular neuter nounmodifies ὁμοῖοςἀθανάτοισινto the immortalsἀθάνατος · dative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ὁμοῖοςὁμοῖοςlikeὅμοιος · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementδέμας ἀθανάτοισιν ὁμοῖος, a formulaic phrase 'in form like the immortals' marking heroic transformation.
- 164
and he sat down again on the chair from which he had risen,
Metre
ἂψαὖτιςκατἄρἕζετ‖ἐπὶθρόνουἔνθενἀνέστη
ἂψbackἄψ · adverbemphasizing particleδandδέ · particlesentence particleαὖτιςagainαὖθις · adverbadverbial to ἕζετ᾽κατdownκατά · prepositionemphasizing particleἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleἕζετsat downἕζομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἐπὶonἐπί · prepositionprepositionθρόνουthe chairθρόνος · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἐπὶἔνθενfrom whereἔνθεν · adverbobject of ἀνέστηἀνέστηhe had risenἀνίστημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing θρόνουRing-composition detail — he returns to the exact seat he left, framing the bathing/transformation scene.
- 165
facing his wife, and he spoke a word to her:
Metre
ἀντίονἧςἀλόχου‖καίμινπρὸςμῦθονἔειπε
ἀντίονfacingἀντίον · accusative singular neuter nounprepositionἧςhis ownἑός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἀλόχουἀλόχουwifeἄλοχος · genitive singular feminine nounadverbial to ἀντίονκαίandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordμινherμιν · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of πρὸςπρὸςtoπρός · prepositionprepositionμῦθονa wordμῦθος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔειπεἔειπεspokeεἶπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 166
"Strange woman, beyond all soft women
Metre
δαιμονίηπερίσοί‖γεγυναικῶνθηλυτεράων
δαιμονίηstrange womanδαιμόνιος · vocative singular feminine adjectivegoverned by an elided headδαιμονίη, an exasperated address ('you strange/possessed woman') — Odysseus's mild reproach opening his speech.
περίbeyondπερί · prepositionprepositionσοίyouσύ · dative singular pronounobject of ἔθηκανγεindeedγε · particleemphasizing particleγυναικῶνof womenγυνή · genitive plural feminine nounadverbial to περίθηλυτεράωνsofterθῆλυς · genitive plural feminine adjectivemodifies γυναικῶν - 167
the dwellers on Olympus have given you an unyielding heart;
Metre
κῆρἀτέραμνονἔθηκαν‖Ὀλύμπιαδώματἔχοντες
κῆρheartκῆρ · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔθηκανἀτέραμνονunyieldingἀτέραμνος · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies κῆρἔθηκανgaveτίθημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbτίθημι here 'made/placed' — idiomatic for 'gave her' an unyielding heart, i.e. made her this way.
ὈλύμπιαOlympianὈλύμπιος · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies δώματ᾽δώματhomesδῶμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἔχοντεςἔχοντεςholdingἔχω · present active participle, nominative plural masculinesubject of ἔθηκανὈλύμπια δώματ' ἔχοντες, formulaic epithet for the gods, 'holding Olympian homes'.
- 168
no other woman would hold herself apart, with such a steadfast heart,
οὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleμένindeedμέν · particlesentence particleκwouldἄν · particleemphasizing particleἄλληotherἄλλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γυνὴγat leastγε · particleemphasizing particleὧδεthusὧδε · adverbadverbial to ἀφεσταίηγυνὴwomanγυνή · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἀφεσταίητετληότιsteadfastτλάω · perfect active participle, dative singular masculinemodifies θυμῷτετληότι θυμῷ 'with an enduring heart' — perfect participle of τλάω, echoing Odysseus's own epithet πολύτλας.
θυμῷheartθυμός · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἀφεσταίη - 169
from her husband, who after suffering many hardships
ἀνδρὸςher husbandἀνήρ · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἀφεσταίηἀφεσταίηwould hold apartἀφίστημι · perfect active optative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὅςwhoὅς · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἔλθοιοἱto herἕ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of ἔλθοικακὰevilsκακός · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of μογήσαςπολλὰmanyπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies κακὰμογήσαςhaving toiledμογέω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἔλθοιμογήσας, aorist participle 'having suffered/toiled' — sums up Odysseus's twenty years of hardship in one word.
- 170
comes home in the twentieth year to his native land.
Metre
ἔλθοιἐεικοστῷ‖ἔτεϊἐςπατρίδαγαῖαν
ἔλθοιcomesἔρχομαι · aorist active optative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ἀνδρὸςἐεικοστῷtwentiethεἰκοστός · dative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἔτεϊἔτεϊin yearἔτος · dative singular neuter nounadverbial to ἔλθοιἐεικοστῷ ἔτεϊ 'in the twentieth year' — the epic's own reckoning of the length of Odysseus's absence.
ἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionπατρίδαnativeπατρίς · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γαῖανγαῖανlandγαῖα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐς - 171
But come, nurse, spread me a bed, so that I myself
Metre
ἀλλἄγεμοιμαῖα‖στόρεσονλέχοςὄφρακαὶαὐτὸς
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἄγεcome nowἄγε · adverbsentence particleἄγε: fossilized 2nd-sg imperative used as an interjection, 'come!'
μοιfor meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounadverbial to στόρεσονμαῖαnurseμαῖα · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headστόρεσονspreadστορέννυμι · aorist active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbστόρεσον: aorist imperative from στορέννυμι, 'strew/make up' a bed
λέχοςa bedλέχος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of στόρεσονὄφραso thatὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκαὶevenκαί · adverbemphasizing particleαὐτὸςI myselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complement - 172
may lie down; for surely the heart in her breast is of iron."
Metre
λέξομαιἦγὰρτῇ‖γεσιδήρεονἐνφρεσὶἦτορ
λέξομαιmay lie downλέγω · aorist middle subjunctive, 1st singular verbadverbial to ὄφραλέξομαι: aorist middle subjunctive of λέγω 'lay,' here 'lie down to sleep,' answering ὄφρα
ἦtrulyἦ · adverbsentence particleγὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleτῇherὁ · dative singular feminine pronounmodifies ἦτορτῇ: demonstrative pronoun used for 'she/her,' Homeric use of ὁ/ἡ as pronoun
γεindeedγε · particleemphasizing particleσιδήρεονironσιδήρεος · nominative singular neuter adjectivepredicate nounἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionφρεσὶbreastφρήν · dative plural nounmodifies ἐνἦτορheartἦτορ · nominative singular neuter nounsubjectἦτορ: poetic word for heart/spirit, common Homeric formula 'iron heart'
- 173
Then wise Penelope answered him in turn:
τὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of προσέειπεδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπερίφρωνwiseπερίφρων · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Πηνελόπειαπερίφρων: standing epithet of Penelope, 'circumspect, prudent'
ΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 174
"Strange man, I am neither setting myself above you nor making light of you,
Metre
δαιμόνιοὔτἄρτι‖μεγαλίζομαιοὔτἀθερίζω
δαιμόνιʼstrange manδαιμόνιος · vocative singular masculine adjectivegoverned by an elided headPenelope addresses Odysseus. Masculine vocative (elided from δαιμόνιε), 'sir,' 'strange one.'
οὔτʼneitherοὔτε · conjunctioncoordinating wordἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleτιat allτις · accusative singular neuter pronounadverbial to μεγαλίζομαιμεγαλίζομαιI set myself above, exalt myselfμεγαλίζομαι · present middle indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbοὔτʼnorοὔτε · conjunctioncoordinating wordἀθερίζωI disdain, make light ofἀθερίζω · present active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb - 175
nor am I overly amazed; I know very well what kind of man you were
Metre
οὔτελίηνἄγαμαι‖μάλαεὖοἶδοἷοςἔησθα
λίηνoverlyλίαν · adverbadverbial to ἄγαμαιἄγαμαιam amazedἄγαμαι · present medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἄγαμαι: middle voice, 'marvel at, be awed'
μάλαveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordεὖwellεὖ · adverbadverbial to οἶδ᾽οἶδI knowοἶδα · perfect active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbοἶδα: perfect with present meaning, 'I know'
οἷοςwhat kindοἷος · nominative singular masculine adjectivepredicate nounἔησθαyou wereεἰμί · imperfect active indicative, 2nd singular verbobject of οἶδ᾽ἔησθα: Homeric imperfect 2nd-sg of εἰμί (Attic ἦσθα)
- 176
when you went away from Ithaca on the long-oared ship.
Metre
ἐξἸθάκηςἐπὶνηὸς‖ἰὼνδολιχηρέτμοιο
ἐξfromἐκ · prepositionprepositionἸθάκηςIthacaἸθάκη · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐξἐπὶonἐπί · prepositionprepositionνηὸςa shipναῦς · genitive singular feminine nounadverbial to ἐπὶἰὼνgoingεἶμι · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἔησθαδολιχηρέτμοιοlong-oaredδολιχήρετμος · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies νηὸςδολιχηρέτμοιο: compound epithet, 'long-oared,' Homeric ship formula
- 177
But come, Eurykleia, spread for him the well-made bed,
Metre
ἀλλἄγεοἱστόρεσον‖πυκινὸνλέχοςΕὐρύκλεια
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἄγεcome nowἄγε · adverbsentence particleοἱfor himἕ · dative singular masculine pronounadverbial to στόρεσονστόρεσονspreadστορέννυμι · aorist active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbπυκινὸνwell-madeπυκινός · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies λέχοςλέχοςa bedλέχος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of στόρεσονΕὐρύκλειαEurykleiaΕὐρύκλεια · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headline echoes l171 almost verbatim, a Homeric repeated-command formula
- 178
outside the well-built bedchamber that he made himself;
ἐκτὸςoutsideἐκτός · prepositionprepositionἐϋσταθέοςwell-builtεὐσταθής · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies θαλάμουθαλάμουbedchamberθάλαμος · genitive singular masculine nounadverbial to ἐκτὸςτόνthat (which)ὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of ἐποίειῥindeedἄρα · particlesentence particleαὐτὸςhimselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementαὐτὸς: emphatic, Odysseus stresses he built it with his own hands
ἐποίειmadeποιέω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing θαλάμου - 179
there set out the strong bedstead for him and throw bedding upon it,
Metre
ἔνθαοἱἐκθεῖσαι‖πυκινὸνλέχοςἐμβάλετεὐνήν
ἔνθαthereἔνθα · adverbadverbial to ἐκθεῖσαιοἱfor himἕ · dative singular masculine pronounadverbial to ἐκθεῖσαιἐκθεῖσαιsetting outἐκτίθημι · aorist active participle, nominative plural feminineadverbial to ἐμβάλετ᾽ἐκθεῖσαι: aorist participle, feminine plural, agrees with the maidservants implied as addressees
πυκινὸνstrongπυκινός · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies λέχοςλέχοςbedsteadλέχος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἐκθεῖσαιἐμβάλετthrow onἐμβάλλω · aorist active imperative, 2nd plural verbmain verbἐμβάλετ᾽: aorist imperative 2nd plural, addressed to the serving women
εὐνήνbeddingεὐνή · accusative singular feminine nounobject of , - 180
fleeces and cloaks and glossy coverlets."
Metre
κώεακαὶχλαίνας‖καὶῥήγεασιγαλόεντα
κώεαfleecesκῶας · accusative plural neuter nounobject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleχλαίναςcloaksχλαῖνα · accusative plural feminine nounobject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordῥήγεαcoverletsῥῆγος · accusative plural neuter nounobject of καὶσιγαλόενταglossyσιγαλόεις · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ῥήγεα - 181
So she spoke, testing her husband; but Odysseus,
Metre
ὣςἄρἔφηπόσιος‖πειρωμένηαὐτὰρὈδυσσεὺς
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to ἔφηἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleἔφηshe spokeφημί · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπόσιοςher husbandπόσις · genitive singular masculine nounobject of πειρωμένηπειρωμένηtestingπειράω · present medio-passive participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἔφηπειρωμένη: present participle, key word — Penelope is deliberately testing Odysseus with a false command
αὐτὰρbutἀτάρ · particlesentence particleὈδυσσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of προσεφώνεε - 182
in anger, spoke to his wife, who knew careful thoughts:
Metre
ὀχθήσαςἄλοχον‖προσεφώνεεκεδνὰἰδυῖαν
ὀχθήσαςvexedὀχθέω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to προσεφώνεεὀχθήσας: aorist participle, 'having become angry/troubled,' a Homeric formula introducing an emotional reply
ἄλοχονhis wifeἄλοχος · accusative singular feminine nounobject of προσεφώνεεπροσεφώνεεspoke toπροσφωνέω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbκεδνὰcareful (things)κεδνός · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἰδυῖανἰδυῖανwho knewοἶδα · perfect active participle, accusative singular femininemodifies ἄλοχονκεδνὰ ἰδυῖαν: formulaic epithet, 'knowing careful/prudent things,' i.e. sensible
- 183
"Woman, truly this is a word that pains the heart, that you have spoken!
Metre
ὦγύναιἦμάλατοῦτο‖ἔποςθυμαλγὲςἔειπες
ὦoὦ · exclamationemphasizing particleγύναιwomanγυνή · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headἦtrulyἦ · adverbsentence particleμάλαveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleτοῦτοthisοὗτος · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἔποςἔποςwordἔπος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔειπεςθυμαλγὲςheart-painingθυμαλγής · accusative singular neuter adjectivecircumstantial complementθυμαλγὲς: compound adjective 'grieving the θυμός,' emphasizes how wounding her words are
ἔειπεςyou spokeεἶπον · aorist active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 184
Who has set my bed elsewhere? It would be hard,
Metre
τίςδέμοιἄλλοσεθῆκε‖λέχοςχαλεπὸνδέκενεἴη
τίςwhoτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of θῆκεδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordμοιmyἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounmodifies λέχοςἄλλοσεelsewhereἄλλοσε · adverbobject of θῆκεθῆκεsetτίθημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbλέχοςbedλέχος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of θῆκεχαλεπὸνhardχαλεπός · nominative singular neuter adjectivepredicate nounδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordκενwould (be)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleεἴηit would beεἰμί · present active optative, 3rd singular verbmain verbεἴη: optative of εἰμί expressing potential, 'it would be' — sets up the impossibility argument
- 185
even for one very skilled, unless a god himself came
Metre
καὶμάλἐπισταμένῳ‖ὅτεμὴθεὸςαὐτὸςἐπελθὼν
καὶevenκαί · adverbemphasizing particleμάλveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleἐπισταμένῳskilledἐπίσταμαι · present medio-passive participle, dative singular masculineobject of εἴηἐπισταμένῳ: dative participle, 'for one who knows (how),' concessive
ὅτεunlessὅτε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionμὴnotμή · particleemphasizing particleθεὸςa godθεός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of θείηαὐτὸςhimselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἐπελθὼνcomingἐπέρχομαι · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to θείη - 186
and easily, if he wished, set it in another place.
Metre
ῥηϊδίωςἐθέλων‖θείηἄλλῃἐνὶχώρῃ
ῥηϊδίωςeasilyῥᾴδιος · adverbadverbial to θείηἐθέλωνwillingἐθέλω · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to θείηθείηcould setτίθημι · aorist active optative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ὅτεθείη: aorist optative of τίθημι, apodosis of the unreal condition begun with ὅτε μὴ...θεὸς
ἄλλῃanotherἄλλος · dative singular feminine adjectivemodifies χώρῃἐνὶinἐν · prepositionprepositionχώρῃplaceχώρα · dative singular feminine nounobject of ἐνὶ - 187
But of living men no mortal, not even one in his prime,
Metre
ἀνδρῶνοὔκέντις‖ζωὸςβροτόςοὐδὲμάλἡβῶν
ἀνδρῶνof menἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies βροτόςδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordοὔnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleκένwouldἄν · particleemphasizing particleτιςanyτις · nominative singular masculine pronounmodifies βροτόςζωὸςlivingζωός · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies βροτόςβροτόςmortalβροτός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of δὲμάλevenμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleἡβῶνin his primeἡβάω · present active participle, nominative singular masculinemodifiesἡβῶν: 'being in youthful vigor,' stresses that not even strength could move the bed
- 188
could easily pry it loose, since a great token is built
Metre
ῥεῖαμετοχλίσσειεν‖ἐπεὶμέγασῆματέτυκται
ῥεῖαeasilyῥεῖα · adverbadverbial to μετοχλίσσειενμετοχλίσσειενcould pry looseμετοχλίζω · aorist active optative, 3rd singular verbmain verbμετοχλίσσειεν: rare compound verb, 'lever/wrench away,' vivid for the bed's immovability
ἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionμέγαa greatμέγας · nominative singular neuter adjectivemodifies σῆμασῆμαtokenσῆμα · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of τέτυκταισῆμα: 'sign, token' — the bed itself is the secret proof of identity, key plot word
τέτυκταιis builtτεύχω · perfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ἐπεὶ - 189
into the well-made bed; I worked it, and no one else.
Metre
ἐνλέχειἀσκητῷ‖τὸἐγὼκάμονοὐδέτιςἄλλος
ἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionλέχειthe bedλέχος · dative singular neuter nounadverbial to ἐνἀσκητῷwell-craftedἀσκητός · dative singular neuter adjectivemodifies λέχειτὸitὁ · accusative singular neuter pronounobject of κάμονδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐγὼIἐγώ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of δέκάμονworkedκάμνω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbκάμον: 'toiled at, fashioned' — Odysseus proving unique knowledge only he could have
τιςanyoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of δέἄλλοςelseἄλλος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies τις - 190
A long-leafed olive tree grew inside the courtyard,
Metre
θάμνοςἔφυτανύφυλλος‖ἐλαίηςἕρκεοςἐντός
θάμνοςa bush/treeθάμνος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔφυἔφυgrewφύω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbτανύφυλλοςlong-leafedτανύφυλλος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θάμνοςτανύφυλλος: compound epithet for the olive tree, repeated at l195
ἐλαίηςoliveἐλαία · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies θάμνοςἕρκεοςof the courtyardἕρκος · genitive singular neuter nounadverbial to ἐντόςἐντόςinsideἐντός · prepositionpreposition - 191
in full flourish, thick as a pillar.
ἀκμηνὸςfull-grownἀκμηνός · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifiesθαλέθωνflourishingθαλέθω · present active participle, nominative singular masculinemodifiesπάχετοςthickπάχετος · nominative singular feminine adjectivepredicate nounδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἦνwasεἰμί · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἠΰτεasἠύτε · particlesubordinating conjunctionκίωνa pillarκίων · nominative singular feminine nounadverbial to πάχετοςκίων: simile comparing the olive trunk's girth to a column
- 192
Around it I built my bedchamber, until I finished it,
Metre
τῷἐγὼἀμφιβαλὼν‖θάλαμονδέμονὄφρἐτέλεσσα
τῷaround itὁ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἀμφιβαλὼνδandδέ · particlesentence particleἐγὼIἐγώ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of δ᾽ἀμφιβαλὼνbuilding aroundἀμφιβάλλω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to δέμονἀμφιβαλὼν: 'throwing walls around,' i.e. enclosing the tree within the room's walls
θάλαμονbedchamberθάλαμος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of δέμονδέμονI builtδέμω · imperfect active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbὄφρuntilὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἐτέλεσσαI finishedτελέω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to ὄφρ᾽ - 193
with close-set stones, and I roofed it over well,
Metre
πυκνῇσινλιθάδεσσι‖καὶεὖκαθύπερθενἔρεψα
πυκνῇσινclose-setπυκνός · dative plural feminine adjectivemodifies λιθάδεσσιλιθάδεσσιstonesλιθάς · dative plural feminine nounadverbial to δέμονκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleεὖwellεὖ · adverbadverbial to ἔρεψακαθύπερθενaboveκαθύπερθε · adverbadverbial to ἔρεψαἔρεψαI roofedἐρέφω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb - 194
and added jointed doors, closely fitted.
Metre
κολλητὰςἐπέθηκα‖θύραςπυκινῶςἀραρυίας
κολλητὰςjointedκολλητός · accusative plural feminine adjectivemodifies θύραςδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐπέθηκαI addedἐπιτίθημι · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbθύραςdoorsθύρα · accusative plural feminine nounobject of ἐπέθηκαπυκινῶςcloselyπυκινός · adverbadverbial to ἀραρυίαςἀραρυίαςfittedἀραρίσκω · perfect active participle, accusative plural femininemodifies θύραςἀραρυίας: perfect participle of ἀραρίσκω, 'fitted together,' stresses careful craftsmanship
- 195
And then I cut away the crown of the long-leafed olive,
Metre
καὶτότἔπειτἀπέκοψα‖κόμηντανυφύλλουἐλαίης
καὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleτότthenτότε · adverbadverbial to ἀπέκοψαἔπειτnextἔπειτα · adverbsentence particleἀπέκοψαI cut offἀποκόπτω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbκόμηνthe crownκόμη · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἀπέκοψακόμην: literally 'hair/foliage,' the leafy top of the tree
τανυφύλλουlong-leafedτανύφυλλος · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἐλαίηςἐλαίηςof the oliveἐλαία · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies κόμην - 196
and trimming the trunk up from the root, I smoothed it with bronze
κορμὸνtrunkκορμός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of προταμὼνδandδέ · particlesentence particleἐκfromἐκ · prepositionprepositionῥίζηςthe rootῥίζα · genitive singular feminine nounadverbial to ἐκπροταμὼνcutting offπροτέμνω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἀμφέξεσαπροταμὼν: aorist participle, 'trimming off in front,' technical carpentry term
ἀμφέξεσαI smoothedἀμφιξέω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbχαλκῷwith bronzeχαλκός · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἀμφέξεσα - 197
well and skillfully, and made it true to the line,
Metre
εὖκαὶἐπισταμένως‖καὶἐπὶστάθμηνἴθυνα
εὖwellεὖ · adverbadverbial to καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἐπισταμένωςskillfullyἐπισταμένως · adverbadverbial to καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleἐπὶtoἐπί · prepositionprepositionστάθμηνthe lineστάθμη · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐπὶστάθμην: carpenter's chalk-line, 'made it straight to the line'
ἴθυναI made straightἰθύνω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb - 198
fashioning the bedpost, and I bored it all through with an auger.
Metre
ἑρμῖνἀσκήσας‖τέτρηναδὲπάντατερέτρῳ
ἑρμῖνbedpostἑρμίς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἀσκήσαςἀσκήσαςfashioningἀσκέω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἴθυνατέτρηναI bored throughτετραίνω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbτέτρηνα: aorist of τετραίνω, 'drilled,' with the auger τερέτρῳ
δὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordπάνταallπᾶς · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of τέτρηνατερέτρῳwith an augerτέρετρον · dative singular neuter nounadverbial to τέτρηνα - 199
Beginning from this, I planed the bed until I finished it,
Metre
ἐκδὲτοῦἀρχόμενος‖λέχοςἔξεονὄφρἐτέλεσσα
ἐκfromἐκ · prepositionprepositionδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordτοῦthatὁ · genitive singular neuter pronounobject of ἐκἀρχόμενοςbeginningἄρχω · present medio-passive participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἔξεονλέχοςthe bedλέχος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔξεονἔξεονI planedξέω · imperfect active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἔξεον: imperfect of ξέω, 'scraped/planed smooth,' final step of the construction narrative
ὄφρuntilὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἐτέλεσσαI finishedτελέω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to ὄφρ᾽ - 200
inlaying it with gold and silver and ivory;
Metre
δαιδάλλωνχρυσῷ‖τεκαὶἀργύρῳἠδἐλέφαντι
δαιδάλλωνinlaying, adorningδαιδάλλω · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἔξεονPresent participle describing ongoing craft work while Odysseus builds the bed.
χρυσῷwith goldχρυσός · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἠδ᾽τεandτε · particlesentence particleκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleἀργύρῳwith silverἄργυρος · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἠδ᾽ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordἐλέφαντιwith ivoryἐλέφας · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἠδ᾽Triple dative list (gold, silver, ivory) shows Homeric love of cataloguing precious materials.
- 201
and I stretched across it an oxhide thong, bright with crimson.
ἐκacross, outἐκ · prepositionemphasizing particleδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐτάνυσσαI stretchedτανύω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb1st-sg aorist: Odysseus himself narrates building the marriage bed, the story's key proof-token.
ἱμάνταa thongἱμάς · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἐτάνυσσαβοὸςof oxhideβοῦς · genitive singular nounmodifies ἱμάνταφοίνικιcrimsonφοῖνιξ · dative singular masculine nounmodifies φαεινόνφαεινόνbright, gleamingφαεινός · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἱμάντα - 202
So I declare this token to you; but I do not know,
Metre
οὕτωτοιτόδεσῆμα‖πιφαύσκομαιοὐδέτιοἶδα
οὕτωthus, soοὕτως · adverbadverbial to πιφαύσκομαιτοιto youσύ · dative singular pronounobject of πιφαύσκομαιτόδεthisὅδε · accusative singular neuter pronounmodifies σῆμασῆμαtoken, signσῆμα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of πιφαύσκομαισῆμα 'sign' is the poem's key word here: the secret bed is Penelope's test of identity.
πιφαύσκομαιI declareπιφαύσκω · present medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbτιanythingτις · accusative singular neuter pronounemphasizing particleοἶδαI knowοἶδα · perfect active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbPerfect οἶδα with present sense ('I know'), a common Greek irregular perfect.
- 203
woman, whether my bed is still fixed in place, or whether by now some
Metre
ἤμοιἔτἔμπεδόνἐστι‖γύναιλέχοςἦέτιςἤδη
ἤwhetherἤ · conjunctionsentence particleμοιfor meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounadverbial to ἐστιἔτstillἔτι · adverbadverbial to ἐστιἔμπεδόνfixed, in placeἔμπεδος · nominative singular neuter adjectivepredicate nounἐστιisεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of ἦέγύναιwomanγυνή · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headVocative addressing Penelope directly, softening the anxious question about the bed.
λέχοςbedλέχος · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ἐστιἦέorἤ · conjunctioncoordinating wordτιςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of θῆκεἤδηalready, by nowἤδη · adverbadverbial to θῆκε - 204
man has set it elsewhere, cutting through the olive's base."
Metre
ἀνδρῶνἄλλοσεθῆκε‖ταμὼνὕποπυθμένἐλαίης
ἀνδρῶνof menἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies τιςἄλλοσεelsewhereἄλλοσε · adverbobject of θῆκεθῆκεhas setτίθημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of ἦέGnomic aorist θῆκε used for a hypothetical past act — 'has (perhaps) set it.'
ταμὼνcuttingτέμνω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to θῆκεὕποunder, belowὑπό · prepositionemphasizing particleπυθμένthe trunk, baseπυθμήν · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ταμὼνἐλαίηςof the olive treeἐλαία · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies πυθμέν᾽The bed was built around a living olive-tree trunk — this is the secret proof only Odysseus could know.
- 205
So he spoke, and on the spot her knees and dear heart went slack,
Metre
ὣςφάτοτῆςαὐτοῦ‖λύτογούνατακαὶφίλονἦτορ
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to φάτοφάτοhe spokeφημί · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbτῆςherὁ · genitive singular feminine pronounmodifies καὶδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὐτοῦon the spotαὐτοῦ · adverbadverbial to λύτολύτοgave way, meltedλύω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbλύτο γούνατα, 'her knees were loosed' — a stock Homeric formula for overwhelming emotion/recognition.
γούναταkneesγόνυ · nominative plural neuter nounsubject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordφίλονdearφίλος · nominative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἦτορἦτορheartἦτορ · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of καὶ - 206
as she recognized the sure tokens Odysseus showed her.
Metre
σήματἀναγνούσῃ‖τάοἱἔμπεδαπέφραδὈδυσσεύς
σήματtokens, signsσῆμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἀναγνούσῃἀναγνούσῃrecognizingἀναγιγνώσκω · aorist active participle, dative singular femininecircumstantial complementτάwhichὁ · accusative plural neuter pronounobject of πέφραδ᾽οἱto herἕ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of πέφραδ᾽ἔμπεδαsure, certainἔμπεδος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveadverbial to πέφραδ᾽πέφραδdeclared, showedφράζω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing σήματ᾽φράζω here means 'point out, reveal' — Odysseus proves himself by describing the bed.
ὈδυσσεύςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of πέφραδ᾽ - 207
Then weeping she ran straight to him, and around his neck
Metre
δακρύσασαἔπειτ‖ἰθὺςδράμενἀμφὶδὲχεῖρας
δακρύσασαweepingδακρύω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to δράμενδandδέ · particlesentence particleἔπειτthenἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to δράμενἰθὺςstraightἰθύς · adverbadverbial to δράμενδράμενshe ranτρέχω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἀμφὶaroundἀμφί · prepositionemphasizing particleδὲandδέ · particlesentence particleχεῖραςarms, handsχείρ · accusative plural feminine nounobject of βάλλ᾽ - 208
she threw her arms, and kissed his head, and spoke:
Metre
δειρῇβάλλὈδυσῆϊ‖κάρηἔκυσἠδὲπροσηύδα
δειρῇaround the neckδειρή · dative singular feminine nounobject of βάλλ᾽δειρῇ βάλλ᾽: 'threw (her arms) around his neck' — object χεῖρας split off in previous line, a common Homeric enjambment.
βάλλthrew, castβάλλω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὈδυσῆϊOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · dative singular masculine nounmodifies δειρῇκάρηheadκάρα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔκυσ᾽δandδέ · particlesentence particleἔκυσkissedκυνέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἠδὲandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordπροσηύδαspoke to himπροσαυδάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 209
"Do not be angry with me, Odysseus, since in all else you were
Metre
μήμοιὈδυσσεῦσκύζευ‖ἐπεὶτάπερἄλλαμάλιστα
μήnot, do notμή · adverbemphasizing particleμοιwith meἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of σκύζευὈδυσσεῦOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · vocative singular masculine noungoverned by an elided headσκύζευbe angryσκύζομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbPresent imperative μή + σκύζευ: a direct plea, 'don't be angry with me.'
ἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionτάthe thingsὁ · accusative plural neuter pronounadverbial to πέπνυσοπερindeedπέρ · particleemphasizing particleἄλλαotherἄλλος · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies τάμάλισταmostμάλιστα · adverbadverbial to πέπνυσο - 210
the most understanding of men; the gods gave us misery,
Metre
ἀνθρώπωνπέπνυσο‖θεοὶὤπαζονὀϊζύν
ἀνθρώπωνof menἄνθρωπος · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies μάλισταπέπνυσοyou were wiseπέπνυμαι · pluperfect medio-passive indicative, 2nd singular verbadverbial to ἐπεὶPluperfect πέπνυσο, 'you have always been (and are) understanding' — a superlative compliment to Odysseus's cunning mind.
θεοὶthe godsθεός · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ὤπαζονδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordὤπαζονgave, sentὀπάζω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbὀϊζύνmisery, sufferingὀιζύς · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ὤπαζον - 211
they who begrudged us that we should stay beside each other
οἳwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἀγάσαντονῶϊνus twoἐγώ · dative dual masculine pronounobject of ἀγάσαντοἀγάσαντοbegrudgedἄγαμαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing θεοὶἄγαμαι here means 'envy, resent' — the gods begrudged the couple a life together.
παρbesideπαρά · prepositionprepositionἀλλήλοισιeach otherἀλλήλων · dative plural masculine adjectiveobject of παρ᾽μένοντεremaining, stayingμένω · present active participle, accusative dual masculinesubject of καὶDual participle μένοντε agrees with 'we two' — dual number marks the couple as a pair.
- 212
and take our joy in youth, and reach the threshold of old age.
Metre
ἥβηςταρπῆναι‖καὶγήραοςοὐδὸνἱκέσθαι
ἥβηςof youthἥβη · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ταρπῆναιταρπῆναιto take joy inτέρπω · aorist passive infinitiveobject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordγήραοςof old ageγῆρας · genitive singular neuter nounmodifies οὐδὸνοὐδὸνthresholdοὐδός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἱκέσθαιἱκέσθαιto reachἱκνέομαι · aorist middle infinitiveobject of καὶ - 213
But now do not be angry with me for this, nor resentful,
Metre
αὐτὰρμὴνῦνμοι‖τόδεχώεομηδὲνεμέσσα
αὐτὰρbutἀτάρ · particlesentence particleμὴnot, do notμή · particleemphasizing particleνῦνnowνῦν · adverbadverbial to δὲμοιwith meἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of χώεοτόδεthisὅδε · accusative singular neuter pronounobject of χώεοχώεοbe angryχώομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbνεμέσσαbe resentfulνεμεσάω · present active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 214
that I did not greet you so lovingly the moment I first saw you.
Metre
οὕνεκάοὐτὸπρῶτον‖ἐπεὶἴδονὧδἀγάπησα
οὕνεκάbecauseοὕνεκα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionσyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of ἀγάπησαοὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleτὸtheὁ · accusative singular neuter articlemodifies πρῶτονπρῶτονfirst, at onceπρῶτος · accusative singular neuter adjectiveadverbial to ἀγάπησατὸ πρῶτον, adverbial accusative: 'the first (moment)' — explains her initial cool reserve.
ἐπεὶwhenἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἴδονI sawεἶδον · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to ἐπεὶὧδso, thusὧδε · adverbadverbial to ἀγάπησαἀγάπησαI embraced, welcomedἀγαπάω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to οὕνεκά - 215
For always the heart in my own breast
Metre
αἰεὶγάρμοιθυμὸς‖ἐνὶστήθεσσιφίλοισιν
αἰεὶalwaysἀεί · adverbadverbial to ἐρρίγειγάρforγάρ · particlesentence particleμοιmyἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounmodifies θυμὸςθυμὸςheart, spiritθυμός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἐρρίγειἐνὶinἐν · prepositionprepositionστήθεσσιbreastστῆθος · dative plural neuter nounmodifies ἐνὶφίλοισινown, dearφίλος · dative plural neuter adjectivemodifies στήθεσσι - 216
was shuddering, lest some mortal should deceive me with his words,
Metre
ἐρρίγειμήτίς‖μεβροτῶνἀπάφοιτοἔπεσσιν
ἐρρίγειwas shudderingῥιγέω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbῥιγέω 'to shudder/dread' vividly conveys Penelope's persistent fear of being deceived.
μήlestμή · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionτίςsomeoneτις · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἀπάφοιτομεmeἐγώ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἀπάφοιτοβροτῶνof mortalsβροτός · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies τίςἀπάφοιτοmight deceiveἀπαφίσκω · aorist middle optative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to μήἔπεσσινwith wordsἔπος · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἀπάφοιτο - 217
coming here; for many men plot wicked gains.
Metre
ἐλθώνπολλοὶγὰρ‖κακὰκέρδεαβουλεύουσιν
ἐλθώνcomingἔρχομαι · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἀπάφοιτοπολλοὶmanyπολύς · nominative plural masculine adjectivesubject of βουλεύουσινγὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleκακὰevil, wickedκακός · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies κέρδεακέρδεαgains, profitsκέρδος · accusative plural neuter nounobject of βουλεύουσινβουλεύουσινplot, schemeβουλεύω · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbGnomic present: a general maxim justifying Penelope's caution — 'many men plot wicked gains.'
- 218
Not even Argive Helen, born of Zeus,
Metre
οὐδέκενἈργείη‖ἙλένηΔιὸςἐκγεγαυῖα
κενwould (have)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleἈργείηArgiveἈργεῖος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἙλένηἙλένηHelenἙλένη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ,Penelope invokes Helen as the mythic counter-example of a wife who was deceived/unfaithful.
Διὸςof ZeusΖεύς · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies ἐκγεγαυῖαἐκγεγαυῖαbornἐκγίγνομαι · perfect active participle, nominative singular femininesubject of , - 219
would have joined a foreign man in love and bed,
Metre
ἀνδρὶπαρἀλλοδαπῷ‖ἐμίγηφιλότητικαὶεὐνῇ
ἀνδρὶwith a manἀνήρ · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to παρ᾽παρwithπαρά · prepositionprepositionἀλλοδαπῷforeignἀλλοδαπός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀνδρὶἐμίγηjoined, unitedμίγνυμι · aorist passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbφιλότητιin loveφιλότης · dative singular feminine nounobject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordεὐνῇand bedεὐνή · dative singular feminine nounobject of καὶ - 220
had she known that the warlike sons of the Achaeans
Metre
εἰᾔδηὅμιναὖτις‖ἀρήϊοιυἷεςἈχαιῶν
εἰifεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionᾔδηshe had knownοἶδα · pluperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to εἰὅthatὅς · accusative singular neuter pronounsubordinating conjunctionμινherμιν · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἀξέμεναιαὖτιςagain, backαὖθις · adverbadverbial to ἀξέμεναιἀρήϊοιwarlikeἄρειος · nominative plural masculine adjectivemodifies υἷεςυἷεςsonsυἱός · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ἔμελλονἈχαιῶνof the AchaeansἈχαιός · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies υἷες - 221
would bring her back home, to her own dear native land.
Metre
ἀξέμεναιοἶκόνδε‖φίληνἐςπατρίδἔμελλον
ἀξέμεναιto bringἄγω · future active infinitiveobject of ἔμελλονοἶκόνδεhomewardοἶκόνδε · adverbobject of ἀξέμεναιφίληνdear, ownφίλος · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies πατρίδ᾽ἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionπατρίδnative landπατρίς · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐςἔμελλονwere about to, wouldμέλλω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbobject of ὅ - 222
It was a god that drove her to commit that shameful deed;
Metre
τὴνἦτοιῥέξαι‖θεὸςὤρορενἔργονἀεικές
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounsubject of ῥέξαιδindeedδέ · particlecoordinating wordἦtrulyἦ · adverbsentence particleτοιindeedτοι · particlesentence particleῥέξαιto do, commitῥέζω · aorist active infinitiveobject of ὤρορενθεὸςa godθεός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ὤρορενPenelope's excuse for Helen: divine compulsion, not free will, drove the shameful act.
ὤρορενstirred, droveὄρνυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔργονdeedἔργον · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ῥέξαιἀεικέςshamefulἀεικής · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἔργον - 223
and she had not stored up in her own heart, before that,
Metre
τὴνἄτηνοὐπρόσθεν‖ἑῷἐγκάτθετοθυμῷ
τὴνtheὁ · accusative singular feminine articlemodifies ἄτηνδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἄτηνfolly, ruinἄτη · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐγκάτθετοἄτη — the Homeric concept of blind, god-sent delusion leading to disaster, here applied to Helen.
οὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleπρόσθενbeforeπρόσθεν · adverbadverbial to ἐγκάτθετοἑῷher ownἑός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θυμῷἐγκάτθετοlaid up, storedἐγκατατίθεμαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbθυμῷheartθυμός · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἐγκάτθετο - 224
that grievous blindness, from which sorrow first came upon us too.
Metre
λυγρήνἐξἧςπρῶτα‖καὶἡμέαςἵκετοπένθος
λυγρήνgrievous, banefulλυγρός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ,ἐξfromἐκ · prepositionprepositionἧςwhichὅς · genitive singular feminine pronounadverbial to ἐξπρῶταfirstπρῶτος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveadverbial to ἵκετοκαὶalsoκαί · adverbemphasizing particleἡμέαςusἐγώ · accusative plural masculine pronounobject of ἵκετοἵκετοcameἱκνέομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ,πένθοςgrief, sorrowπένθος · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ἵκετο - 225
But now, since you have recounted the unmistakable signs
Metre
νῦνἐπεὶἤδησήματ‖ἀριφραδέακατέλεξας
νῦνnowνῦν · adverbadverbial to πείθειςδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἤδηalreadyἤδη · adverbadverbial to κατέλεξαςσήματtokens, signsσῆμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of κατέλεξαςἀριφραδέαunmistakable, clearἀριφραδής · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies σήματ᾽κατέλεξαςyou have told, recountedκαταλέγω · aorist active indicative, 2nd singular verbadverbial to ἐπεὶ - 226
of our marriage-bed, which no other mortal has ever seen,
Metre
εὐνῆςἡμετέρης‖ἣνοὐβροτὸςἄλλοςὀπώπει
εὐνῆςof the bedεὐνή · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies σήματ᾽ἡμετέρηςourἡμέτερος · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies εὐνῆςἣνwhichὅς · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἀλλ᾽οὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleβροτὸςmortalβροτός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ὀπώπειἄλλοςotherἄλλος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies βροτὸςὀπώπειhad seenὁράω · pluperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ἀλλ᾽Pluperfect ὀπώπει stresses no one had ever seen the bed — the ultimate proof of Odysseus's identity.
- 227
but you and I alone, and one single handmaid,
Metre
ἀλλοἶοισύἐγώ‖τεκαὶἀμφίπολοςμίαμούνη
ἀλλbutἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordοἶοιaloneοἶος · nominative plural masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementσύyouσύ · nominative singular pronounsubjectτandτε · particlesentence particleἐγώIἐγώ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubjectτεandτε · particlecoordinating wordκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἀμφίπολοςhandmaidἀμφίπολος · nominative singular feminine adjectivesubjectμίαone, singleεἷς · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἀμφίπολοςμούνηonly, aloneμόνος · nominative singular feminine adjectivecircumstantial complementTriple emphasis (οἶοι...μία μούνη) on the tiny circle who knew the bed's secret.
- 228
Aktoris, whom my father gave me when I came here,
Metre
Ἀκτορίςἥνμοιδῶκε‖πατὴρἔτιδεῦροκιούσῃ
ἈκτορίςAktorisἈκτορίς · nominative singular feminine nounsubjectἥνwhomὅς · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of δῶκεRelative pronoun ὅς referring back to Aktoris, object of δῶκε.
μοιto meἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of δῶκεδῶκεgaveδίδωμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ,πατὴρfatherπατήρ · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of δῶκεἔτιstillἔτι · adverbadverbial to κιούσῃδεῦροhereδεῦρο · adverbobject of κιούσῃκιούσῃcomingκίω · present active participle, dative singular femininecircumstantial complementκιούσῃ from κίω agrees with an implied 'me' (dative), 'when I came here'.
- 229
who kept the doors of our close-built bedchamber for us both,
ἣwhoὅς · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of εἴρυτονῶϊνfor us bothἐγώ · dative dual masculine pronounadverbial to εἴρυτοDual dative νῶϊν — Homer's dual number for 'the two of us', Penelope and Odysseus.
εἴρυτοguardedἐρύω · aorist medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ,θύραςdoorsθύρα · accusative plural feminine nounobject of εἴρυτοπυκινοῦclose-builtπυκινός · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies θαλάμοιοθαλάμοιοbedchamberθάλαμος · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies θύρας - 230
you do indeed convince my heart, hard though it has been.
Metre
πείθειςδήμευθυμόν‖ἀπηνέαπερμάλἐόντα
πείθειςyou persuadeπείθω · present active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verbδήindeedδή · particlesentence particleμευmyἐγώ · genitive singular feminine pronounmodifies θυμόνθυμόνheartθυμός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of πείθειςἀπηνέαhardἀπηνής · accusative singular masculine adjectivepredicate nounἀπηνέα predicate adjective: 'my heart, hard though it is'.
περthoughπέρ · particleemphasizing particleμάλveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleἐόνταbeingεἰμί · present active participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complementConcessive participle ἐόντα with περ: 'although being very hard'.
- 231
So she spoke, and in him she stirred still more the longing for tears;
Metre
ὣςφάτοτῷἔτιμᾶλλον‖ὑφἵμερονὦρσεγόοιο
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to φάτοφάτοshe spokeφημί · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbτῷin himὁ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ὦρσεδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἔτιstillἔτι · adverbemphasizing particleμᾶλλονmoreμᾶλλον · adverbadverbial to ὦρσεὑφunderὑπό · prepositionemphasizing particleὑπό here intensifies ὦρσε ('stirred up from beneath'), a common Homeric verb-prefix-like usage.
ἵμερονlongingἵμερος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ὦρσεὦρσεstirredὄρνυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbγόοιοfor weepingγόος · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies ἵμερον - 232
and he wept, holding his heart's-delight wife, who knew his loyal mind.
Metre
κλαῖεἔχωνἄλοχον‖θυμαρέακεδνὰἰδυῖαν
κλαῖεhe weptκλαίω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἔχωνholdingἔχω · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to κλαῖεἄλοχονwifeἄλοχος · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἔχωνθυμαρέαheart's-delightθυμαρής · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ,θυμαρής, 'pleasing to the θυμός', a formulaic epic epithet for a beloved spouse.
κεδνὰloyal thingsκεδνός · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἰδυῖανἰδυῖανknowingοἶδα · perfect active participle, accusative singular femininemodifies ,ἰδυῖαν, perfect participle of οἶδα used adjectivally: 'knowing/wise in loyal things'.
- 233
As when land appears, welcome, to men swimming for it,
Metre
ὡςὅτἂνἀσπάσιος‖γῆνηχομένοισιφανήῃ
δandδέ · particlecoordinating wordὅτwhenὅτι · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἂνeverἄν · particleemphasizing particleἀσπάσιοςwelcomeἀσπάσιος · nominative singular feminine adjectivecircumstantial complementγῆlandγῆ · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of φανήῃνηχομένοισιto swimmersνήχω · present medio-passive participle, dative plural masculineobject of φανήῃνηχομένοισι, dative participle 'to men swimming', begins the famous shipwreck simile.
φανήῃappearsφαίνω · aorist passive subjunctive, 3rd singular verbadverbial - 234
whose well-built ship, out on the deep, Poseidon
Metre
ὧντεΠοσειδάων‖εὐεργέανῆἐνὶπόντῳ
ὧνwhoseὅς · genitive plural masculine pronounmodifies νῆ᾽τεandτε · particlesentence particleΠοσειδάωνPoseidonΠοσειδεών · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ῥαίσῃεὐεργέαwell-builtεὐεργής · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies νῆ᾽νῆshipναῦς · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ῥαίσῃἐνὶinἐν · prepositionprepositionπόντῳthe seaπόντος · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἐνὶ - 235
has smashed, as it was driven on by wind and swollen wave;
Metre
ῥαίσῃἐπειγομένην‖ἀνέμῳκαὶκύματιπηγῷ
ῥαίσῃsmashedῥαίω · aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing νηχομένοισιῥαίσῃ, subjunctive of general condition ('whenever Poseidon smashes...'), matching ὅτ᾽ ἄν in l233.
ἐπειγομένηνdriven onἐπείγω · present medio-passive participle, accusative singular femininecircumstantial complementἀνέμῳby windἄνεμος · dative singular masculine nounobject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordκύματιby waveκῦμα · dative singular neuter nounobject of καὶπηγῷswollenπηγός · dative singular neuter adjectivemodifies κύματι - 236
few have escaped the grey sea, swimming toward the shore,
Metre
παῦροιἐξέφυγον‖πολιῆςἁλὸςἤπειρόνδε
παῦροιfewπαῦρος · nominative plural masculine adjectivesubject of ἐξέφυγονδandδέ · particlesentence particleἐξέφυγονescapedἐκφεύγω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbadverbialπολιῆςgreyπολιός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἁλὸςἁλὸςseaἅλς · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐξέφυγονἤπειρόνδεto the shoreἤπειρόνδε · adverbobject of νηχόμενοι-δε suffix on ἤπειρόνδε marks motion toward, 'shoreward' — a common Homeric directional ending.
- 237
and thick is the brine crusted all over their skin,
Metre
νηχόμενοιπολλὴ‖δὲπερὶχροῒτέτροφενἅλμη
νηχόμενοιswimmingνήχω · present medio-passive participle, nominative plural masculineadverbial to ἐξέφυγονπολλὴmuchπολύς · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἅλμηδὲandδέ · particlesentence particleπερὶaroundπερί · prepositionprepositionχροῒskinχρώς · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to περὶτέτροφενhas crustedτρέφω · pluperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbadverbialτέτροφεν, pluperfect used with present force: 'brine stands thick on their skin'.
ἅλμηbrineἅλμη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of τέτροφεν - 238
and gladly they set foot on land, having fled disaster;
Metre
ἀσπάσιοιἐπέβαν‖γαίηςκακότηταφυγόντες
ἀσπάσιοιgladlyἀσπάσιος · nominative plural masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐπέβανsteppedἐπιβαίνω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbadverbialγαίηςonto landγαῖα · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐπέβανκακότηταdisasterκακότης · accusative singular feminine nounobject of φυγόντεςφυγόντεςhaving fledφεύγω · aorist active participle, nominative plural masculineadverbial to ἐπέβαν - 239
so welcome to her was her husband as she gazed upon him,
Metre
ὣςἄρατῇἀσπαστὸς‖ἔηνπόσιςεἰσοροώσῃ
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to ἔηνὣς...ὣς frames the full simile: as shipwreck survivors welcome land, so welcome was Odysseus to Penelope.
ἄραthenἄρα · particlesentence particleτῇto herὁ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of ἔηνἀσπαστὸςwelcomeἀσπαστός · nominative singular masculine adjectivepredicate nounἔηνwasεἰμί · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπόσιςhusbandπόσις · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔηνεἰσοροώσῃgazing upon himεἰσοράω · present active participle, dative singular femininecircumstantial complement - 240
and her white arms she would not at all let go from his neck.
Metre
δειρῆςοὔπωπάμπαν‖ἀφίετοπήχεελευκώ
δειρῆςneckδειρή · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἀφίετοδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordοὔnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleπωyetπω · particlesentence particleπάμπανat allπάμπαν · adverbadverbial to ἀφίετοἀφίετοlet goἀφίημι · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπήχεεher two armsπῆχυς · accusative dual masculine nounobject of ἀφίετοπήχεε λευκώ, dual forms — the archaic dual highlights the pair of arms clasped around his neck.
λευκώwhiteλευκός · accusative dual masculine adjectivemodifies πήχεε - 241
And now rosy-fingered Dawn would have shone upon them weeping,
Metre
καίνύὀδυρομένοισι‖φάνηῥοδοδάκτυλοςἨώς
καίandκαί · adverbsentence particleνύnowνῦν · adverbadverbial to φάνηκwould haveἄν · particleemphasizing particleὀδυρομένοισιto the weeping pairὀδύρομαι · present medio-passive participle, dative plural masculineobject of φάνηφάνηshoneφαίνω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbῥοδοδάκτυλοςrosy-fingeredῥοδοδάκτυλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Ἠώςῥοδοδάκτυλος, the classic Homeric epithet formula for Dawn (Ἠώς).
ἨώςDawnἠώς · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of φάνη - 242
had not the goddess, grey-eyed Athena, devised otherwise.
Metre
εἰμὴἄρἄλλἐνόησε‖θεὰγλαυκῶπιςἈθήνη
εἰifεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionμὴnotμή · particleemphasizing particleἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleἄλλotherwiseἄλλος · accusative singular neuter adjectiveobject of ἐνόησεἐνόησεdevisedνοέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to εἰθεὰgoddessθεά · nominative singular feminine nounsubjectγλαυκῶπιςgrey-eyedγλαυκῶπις · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Ἀθήνηγλαυκῶπις, standing epithet for Athena, always paired with her name in formula.
ἈθήνηAthenaἈθήνη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject - 243
The long night she held back at its setting, and Dawn in turn
Metre
νύκταμὲνἐνπεράτῃ‖δολιχὴνσχέθενἨῶαὖτε
νύκταnightνύξ · accusative singular feminine nounobject of σχέθενμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleἐνatἐν · prepositionprepositionπεράτῃits settingπεράτη · dative singular feminine nounobject of ἐνδολιχὴνlongδολιχός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies νύκτασχέθενheld backἔχω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἨῶDawnἠώς · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ῥύσατ᾽δandδέ · particlesentence particleαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particle - 244
she stayed at Ocean, the golden-throned, nor let her yoke the horses
Metre
ῥύσατἐπὨκεανῷ‖χρυσόθρονονοὐδἔαἵππους
ῥύσατstayedῥύομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbῥύσατ᾽ (ῥύομαι) here means 'held back, restrained', not its usual 'rescued' — Athena literally delays Dawn.
ἐπatἐπί · prepositionprepositionὨκεανῷOceanὨκεανός · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἐπ᾽χρυσόθρονονgolden-thronedχρυσόθρονος · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Ἠῶἔαlet, allowedἐάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἵππουςhorsesἵππος · accusative plural masculine nounobject of , - 245
the swift-footed, that bring the light to mortals,
Metre
ζεύγνυσθὠκύποδας‖φάοςἀνθρώποισιφέροντας
ζεύγνυσθbe yokedζεύγνυμι · present medio-passive infinitiveobject of ἔαὠκύποδαςswift-footedὠκύπους · accusative plural masculine nounmodifies ἵππουςφάοςlightφάος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of φέρονταςἀνθρώποισιto mortalsἄνθρωπος · dative plural masculine nounobject of φέρονταςφέρονταςbringingφέρω · present active participle, accusative plural masculinemodifies ἵππους - 246
Lampos and Phaethon, the colts that draw the Dawn.
ΛάμπονLamposΛάμπος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of καὶLampos and Phaethon, the named horses of Dawn's chariot — a rare bit of Homeric equine mythology.
καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordΦαέθονθPhaethonΦαέθων · accusative singular masculine nounobject of καὶοἵwhichὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἄγουσιτindeedτε · particlesentence particleἨῶDawnἠώς · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἄγουσιπῶλοιcoltsπῶλος · nominative plural masculine nouncircumstantial complementἄγουσιdrawἄγω · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing καὶ - 247
And then to his wife spoke Odysseus of many counsels:
Metre
καὶτότἄρἣνἄλοχον‖προσέφηπολύμητιςὈδυσσεύς
καὶandκαί · adverbsentence particleτότthenτότε · adverbsentence particleἄρindeedἄρα · particlesentence particleἣνhisἑός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἄλοχονἄλοχονwifeἄλοχος · accusative singular feminine nounobject of προσέφηπροσέφηspoke toπρόσφημι · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπολύμητιςof many counselsπολύμητις · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies Ὀδυσσεύςπολύμητις, Odysseus's recurring epithet marking his cunning intelligence.
ὈδυσσεύςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of προσέφη - 248
"Wife, we have not yet come to the end of all our trials;
Metre
ὦγύναιοὐγάρπω‖πάντωνἐπὶπείρατἀέθλων
ὦOὦ · exclamationemphasizing particleγύναιwifeγυνή · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headοὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleγάρforγάρ · particlesentence particleπωyetπω · particlesentence particleπάντωνof allπᾶς · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἀέθλωνἐπὶtoἐπί · prepositionprepositionπείρατlimitsπεῖραρ · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἐπὶπείρατα, 'ends/limits', governs the genitive ἀέθλων: 'the ends of all our trials'.
ἀέθλωνof trialsἆθλος · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies πείρατ᾽ - 249
but there will still be ahead of us toil beyond measure,
Metre
ἤλθομενἀλλἔτὄπισθεν‖ἀμέτρητοςπόνοςἔσται
ἤλθομενwe cameἔρχομαι · aorist active indicative, 1st plural verbmain verbἀλλbutἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordἔτstillἔτι · adverbadverbial to ἔσταιὄπισθενaheadὄπισθεν · adverbadverbial to ἔσταιἀμέτρητοςimmeasurableἀμέτρητος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies πόνοςπόνοςtoilπόνος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔσταιἔσταιwill beεἰμί · future indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 250
much and hard, all of which I must carry through to the end.
Metre
πολλὸςκαὶχαλεπός‖τὸνἐμὲχρὴπάντατελέσσαι
πολλὸςmuchπολύς · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordχαλεπόςhardχαλεπός · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies καὶτὸνwhichὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of τελέσσαιἐμὲIἐγώ · accusative singular masculine pronounsubject of τελέσσαιχρὴmustχρή · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ,χρή takes an accusative subject (ἐμὲ) plus infinitive, the standard impersonal construction 'it is necessary that I...'.
πάνταallπᾶς · accusative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementτελέσσαιaccomplishτελέω · aorist active infinitiveobject of χρὴ - 251
For so the spirit of Teiresias foretold to me
Metre
ὣςγάρμοιψυχὴ‖μαντεύσατοΤειρεσίαο
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to μαντεύσατογάρforγάρ · particlesentence particleμοιto meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of μαντεύσατοψυχὴspiritψυχή · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of μαντεύσατομαντεύσατοforetoldμαντεύομαι · aorist medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbΤειρεσίαοof TeiresiasΤειρεσίης · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies ψυχὴ - 252
on that day when I went down into the house of Hades,
Metre
ἤματιτῷὅτεδὴ‖κατέβηνδόμονἌϊδοςεἴσω
ἤματιon the dayἦμαρ · dative singular neuter nounadverbial to μαντεύσατοτῷthatὁ · dative singular neuter pronounmodifies ἤματιὅτεwhenὅτε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionδὴindeedδή · particlesentence particleκατέβηνI went downκαταβαίνω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbverb of a clause describing ὅτεδόμονhouseδόμος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of εἴσωἌϊδοςof HadesἈίδης · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies δόμονεἴσωintoεἴσω · prepositionprepositionεἴσω as postposed preposition governing δόμον, common in Homeric word order.
- 253
seeking a way home for my companions and for myself.
Metre
νόστονἑταίροισιν‖διζήμενοςἠδἐμοὶαὐτῷ
νόστονa way homeνόστος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of διζήμενοςἑταίροισινfor companionsἑταῖρος · dative plural masculine nounadverbial to ἠδ᾽διζήμενοςseekingδίζημαι · present medio-passive participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to κατέβηνἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordἐμοὶfor myselfἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounadverbial to ἠδ᾽αὐτῷselfαὐτός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἐμοὶ - 254
But come, let us go to bed, wife, so that now at last
Metre
ἀλλἔρχευλέκτρονδ‖ἴομενγύναιὄφρακαὶἤδη
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbemphasizing particleἔρχευcomeἔρχομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbλέκτρονδto bedλέκτρον · adverbobject of ἴομενλέκτρονδ᾽, again the directional -δε suffix, 'bedward'.
ἴομενlet us goεἶμι · present active subjunctive, 1st plural verbmain verbγύναιwifeγυνή · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headὄφραso thatὄφρα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκαὶevenκαί · adverbemphasizing particleἤδηnowἤδη · adverbadverbial to ταρπώμεθα - 255
we may take our delight beneath sweet sleep, lying down together."
Metre
ὕπνῳὕπογλυκερῷ‖ταρπώμεθακοιμηθέντε
ὕπνῳsleepὕπνος · dative singular masculine nounobject of ὕποὕποbeneathὑπό · prepositionprepositionγλυκερῷsweetγλυκερός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὕπνῳταρπώμεθαwe may delightτέρπω · aorist medio-passive subjunctive, 1st plural verbadverbial to ὄφρακοιμηθέντεlying down togetherκοιμάω · aorist passive participle, nominative dual masculineadverbial to ταρπώμεθακοιμηθέντε, dual participle — the poem's final dual form, closing the reunion scene on the pair united.
- 256
Then wise Penelope answered him in turn:
τὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of προσέειπεδand, thenδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπροσεῖπον is a suppletive aorist 'spoke to' used as the standard Homeric verb of address.
περίφρωνwise, circumspectπερίφρων · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Πηνελόπειαπερίφρων 'very-minded' is Penelope's fixed epithet, always paired with her name in this formula line.
ΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 257
"Your bed shall be ready for you at whatever time
Metre
εὐνὴμὲνδήσοί‖γετότἔσσεταιὁππότεθυμῷ
εὐνὴbedεὐνή · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἔσσεταιμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleδήsurelyδή · particlesentence particleσοίfor youσύ · dative singular pronounobject of ἔσσεταιγεat leastγε · particleemphasizing particleτότthenτότε · adverbadverbial to ἔσσεταιἔσσεταιwill beεἰμί · future middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔσσεται is the epic future of εἰμί, built on the older ἐσ- stem instead of Attic ἔσται.
ὁππότεwheneverὁπότε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionθυμῷin heartθυμός · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἐθέλῃς - 258
your heart desires, now that the gods have brought you back
Metre
σῷἐθέλῃςἐπεὶἄρ‖σεθεοὶποίησανἱκέσθαι
σῷyourσός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θυμῷἐθέλῃςyou wishἐθέλω · present active subjunctive, 2nd singular verbverb of a clause describing ὁππότεsubjunctive with ὁππότε gives a general 'whenever you wish' clause, no ἄν needed after κε-type particles in Homer.
ἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἄρindeedἄρα · particlesentence particleσεyouσύ · accusative singular pronounsubject of ἱκέσθαιθεοὶthe godsθεός · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ποίησανποίησανcaused, madeποιέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbadverbial to ἐπεὶἱκέσθαιto arriveἱκνέομαι · aorist middle infinitiveobject of ποίησανποιέω + infinitive 'made (you) come' - causative construction, θεοὶ ... ποίησαν ἱκέσθαι.
- 259
to your well-built house and to your own native land.
Metre
οἶκονἐϋκτίμενον‖καὶσὴνἐςπατρίδαγαῖαν
οἶκονhouseοἶκος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of καὶἐϋκτίμενονwell-builtἐυκτίμενος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies οἶκονκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordσὴνyour ownσός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γαῖανἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionπατρίδαnativeπατρίς · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γαῖανγαῖανlandγαῖα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐς - 260
But since you have spoken of it, and a god has put it in your heart,
Metre
ἀλλἐπεὶἐφράσθης‖καίτοιθεὸςἔμβαλεθυμῷ
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἐφράσθηςyou spoke of itφράζω · aorist passive indicative, 2nd singular verbadverbial to καίaorist passive of φράζω, 'you were made to think of/mention it' - i.e. brought it up yourself.
καίandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordτοιto youσύ · dative singular pronounmodifies θυμῷθεὸςa godθεός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔμβαλεἔμβαλεput, castἐμβάλλω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to καίθυμῷin your heartθυμός · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἔμβαλεἐμβάλλω θυμῷ 'throw into the heart' - stock Homeric idiom for a god implanting an impulse.
- 261
come, tell me of this trial, since later, I think,
Metre
εἴπἄγεμοιτὸνἄεθλον‖ἐπεὶκαὶὄπισθενὀΐω
εἴπtellεἶπον · aorist active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbεἶπον's imperative εἰπέ elides to εἴπ᾽ before the following vowel-initial ἄγε.
ἄγεcomeἄγε · adverbsentence particleμοιmeἐγώ · dative singular feminine pronounobject of εἴπ᾽τὸνtheὁ · accusative singular masculine articlemodifies ἄεθλονἄεθλονtrial, ordealἆθλος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of εἴπ᾽ἆθλος here refers to the oar-planting task Teiresias set Odysseus - the story he's about to reveal.
ἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκαὶevenκαί · adverbemphasizing particleὄπισθενlater, hereafterὄπισθεν · adverbadverbial to πεύσομαιὀΐωI thinkοἴομαι · present active indicative, 1st singular verbgoverned by an elided head - 262
I shall learn of it, and it is no worse to know it at once."
Metre
πεύσομαιαὐτίκαἐστὶ‖δαήμεναιοὔτιχέρειον
πεύσομαιI will learnπυνθάνομαι · future middle indicative, 1st singular verbadverbial to δ᾽αὐτίκαat onceαὐτίκα · adverbadverbial to δαήμεναιδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐστὶit isεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to δ᾽δαήμεναιto knowδάω · aorist active infinitivesubject of ἐστὶδαήμεναι is an epic athematic infinitive of δάω 'to learn/know', archaic -μεναι ending.
οὔnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleτιat allτις · accusative singular neuter pronounemphasizing particleχέρειονworseχερείων · nominative singular neuter adjectivepredicate noun - 263
Then Odysseus of many counsels answered her:
Metre
τὴνἀπαμειβόμενος‖προσέφηπολύμητιςὈδυσσεύς
τὴνherὁ · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of προσέφηδand, thenδέ · particlecoordinating wordἀπαμειβόμενοςansweringἀπαμείβομαι · present medio-passive participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to προσέφηπροσέφηsaid, spokeπρόσφημι · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπρόσφημι, an epic-only verb of address, imperfect προσέφη used narratively like an aorist.
πολύμητιςresourceful, of many wilesπολύμητις · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies Ὀδυσσεύςπολύμητις is Odysseus's fixed epithet, 'of many devices,' anchoring the verse-end formula with his name.
ὈδυσσεύςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of προσέφη - 264
"Strange woman, why do you so urgently press me
Metre
δαιμονίητίἄραὖ‖μεμάλὀτρύνουσακελεύεις
δαιμονίηstrange oneδαιμόνιος · vocative singular feminine adjectivegoverned by an elided headδαιμονίη is a wondering, half-exasperated vocative Homeric heroes use for someone acting oddly - not literally 'demonic.'
τίwhyτις · accusative singular neuter pronounadverbial to κελεύειςτthenτε · particlesentence particleἄρindeedἄρα · particlesentence particleαὖagainαὖ · adverbadverbial to εἰπέμενμεmeἐγώ · accusative singular masculine pronounsubject of εἰπέμενμάλvery muchμάλα · adverbadverbial to ὀτρύνουσαὀτρύνουσαurgingὀτρύνω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to κελεύειςκελεύειςbid, pressκελεύω · present active indicative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 265
to tell it? Still, I will speak out and hide nothing.
Metre
εἰπέμεναὐτὰρἐγὼ‖μυθήσομαιοὐδἐπικεύσω
εἰπέμενto tellεἶπον · aorist active infinitiveobject of κελεύειςαὐτὰρyet, butἀτάρ · particlesentence particleἐγὼIἐγώ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of δ᾽μυθήσομαιwill speak outμυθέομαι · future medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἐπικεύσωI will hideἐπικεύθω · future active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἐπικεύθω (fut. of ἐπικεύθω/ἐπικεύσω) - Odysseus promises full disclosure, echoing his own epithet as a man of concealment doing the opposite.
- 266
Yet your heart will take no joy in it; nor do I myself
Metre
οὐμέντοιθυμὸς‖κεχαρήσεταιοὐδὲγὰραὐτὸς
οὐnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleμένindeedμέν · particlesentence particleτοιyourσύ · dative singular pronounmodifies θυμὸςθυμὸςheartθυμός · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of κεχαρήσεταικεχαρήσεταιwill rejoiceχαίρω · future perfect middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbfuture perfect middle of χαίρω used with future sense - Homeric reduplicated future stressing the resulting state.
γὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleαὐτὸςI myselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complement - 267
rejoice, since he bade me go to very many cities of men,
Metre
χαίρωἐπεὶμάλαπολλὰ‖βροτῶνἐπὶἄστεἄνωγεν
χαίρωrejoiceχαίρω · present active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionμάλαveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleπολλὰmanyπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἄστε᾽βροτῶνof mortalsβροτός · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἄστε᾽ἐπὶtoἐπί · prepositionprepositionἄστεcitiesἄστυ · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἐπὶἄνωγενhe bade, orderedἄνωγα · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ἐπεὶἄνωγα is a perfect form with present/imperfect meaning, 'he commands/commanded' - Teiresias's original instruction.
- 268
carrying in my hands a well-balanced oar,
Metre
ἐλθεῖνἐνχείρεσσιν‖ἔχοντεὐῆρεςἐρετμόν
ἐλθεῖνto goἔρχομαι · aorist active infinitiveobject of ἄνωγενἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionχείρεσσινhandsχείρ · dative plural feminine nounobject of ἐνἔχοντholdingἔχω · present active participle, accusative singular masculineadverbial to ἐλθεῖνεὐῆρεςwell-balancedεὐήρης · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἐρετμόνἐρετμόνoarἐρετμόν · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔχοντ᾽ - 269
until I come to those men who know nothing of the sea
εἰςuntilεἰς · prepositionprepositionὅ(point) whichὅς · accusative singular neuter pronounadverbial to εἰςκε(modal particle)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleτοὺςthoseὁ · accusative plural masculine pronounobject of ἀφίκωμαιἀφίκωμαιI arrive atἀφικνέομαι · aorist medio-passive subjunctive, 1st singular verbadverbial to ἐλθεῖνaorist subjunctive with εἰς ὅ κε 'until,' the standard Homeric temporal-limit construction.
οἳwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubjectοὐκnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleἴσασιthey knowοἶδα · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing δέθάλασσανthe seaθάλασσα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἴσασι - 270
and eat no food mixed with salt;
Metre
ἀνέρεςοὐδέἅλεσσι‖μεμιγμένονεἶδαρἔδουσιν
ἀνέρεςmenἀνήρ · nominative plural masculine nounsubjectθnorτε · particlesentence particleἅλεσσιwith saltἅλς · dative plural masculine nounobject of μεμιγμένονἅλεσσι is an old epic dative plural of ἅλς - salt as the mark of coastal, sea-going peoples.
μεμιγμένονmixedμίγνυμι · perfect medio-passive participle, accusative singular neutermodifies εἶδαρεἶδαρfoodεἶδαρ · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔδουσινἔδουσινeatἔδω · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing δέ - 271
nor do they know of ships with crimson-painted cheeks,
ἄραthen, indeedἄρα · particlesentence particleτοίtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of δ᾽γat leastγε · particleemphasizing particleἴσασιknowοἶδα · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbνέαςshipsναῦς · accusative plural feminine nounobject of ἴσασιφοινικοπαρῄουςcrimson-cheekedφοινικοπάρῃος · accusative plural feminine adjectivemodifies νέαςφοινικοπάρῃος 'red-cheeked' describes the painted bows of Homeric ships - a formulaic maritime epithet.
- 272
nor of well-balanced oars, which are the wings of ships.
Metre
οὐδεὐήρεἐρετμά‖τάτεπτερὰνηυσὶπέλονται
εὐήρεwell-balancedεὐήρης · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἐρετμάἐρετμάoarsἐρετμόν · accusative plural neuter nounobjectτάwhichὁ · nominative plural neuter pronounsubject of πέλονταιτε(enclitic particle)τε · particlesentence particleπτερὰwingsπτερόν · nominative plural neuter nounpredicate nounπτερὰ νηυσί 'wings for ships' - a striking Homeric metaphor comparing oars to feathers.
νηυσὶfor shipsναῦς · dative plural feminine nounmodifies πτερὰπέλονταιare, serve asπέλω · present medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing ἐρετμά - 273
And he told me this unmistakable sign — I will not hide it from you:
Metre
σῆμαδέμοιτόδἔειπεν‖ἀριφραδέςοὐδέσεκεύσω
σῆμαsign, tokenσῆμα · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔειπενδέandδέ · particlesentence particleμοιto meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἔειπεντόδthisὅδε · accusative singular neuter pronounmodifies σῆμαἔειπενtold, saidεἶπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἀριφραδέςunmistakableἀριφραδής · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies σῆμασεyouσύ · accusative singular pronounobject of κεύσωκεύσωI will hideκεύθω · future active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb - 274
when another traveler, meeting me,
Metre
ὁππότεκενδήμοι‖ξυμβλήμενοςἄλλοςὁδίτης
ὁππότεwhenὁπότε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκεν(modal particle)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleδήindeedδή · particlesentence particleμοιmeἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ξυμβλήμενοςξυμβλήμενοςmeetingσυμβάλλω · aorist middle participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to φήῃξυμβλήμενος = συμβλήμενος, aorist middle participle of συμβάλλω with the epic assimilated ξυν- form.
ἄλλοςanotherἄλλος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὁδίτηςὁδίτηςtravelerὁδίτης · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of φήῃ - 275
says I have a winnowing-fan on my shining shoulder,
Metre
φήῃἀθηρηλοιγὸν‖ἔχεινἀνὰφαιδίμῳὤμῳ
φήῃsaysφημί · present active subjunctive, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ὁππότεφήῃ, present subjunctive of φημί, governs the indirect statement ἀθηρηλοιγὸν ἔχειν, 'says (that) I have a winnowing-fan.'
ἀθηρηλοιγὸνwinnowing-fanἀθηρηλοιγός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔχεινἀθηρηλοιγός, a hapax-like coinage meaning 'chaff-destroyer' - the traveler mistakes the oar for a farm tool, the sign Teiresias foretold.
ἔχεινto haveἔχω · present active infinitiveobject of φήῃἀνὰon, uponἀνά · prepositionprepositionφαιδίμῳshiningφαίδιμος · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὤμῳὤμῳshoulderὦμος · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἀνὰ - 276
then he bade me fix my oar in the earth
Metre
καὶτότεἐνγαίῃ‖πήξαντἐκέλευενἐρετμόν
καὶandκαί · adverbemphasizing particleτότεthenτότε · adverbadverbial to θ᾽μmeἐγώ · accusative singular masculine pronounsubject of θ᾽ἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionγαίῃearthγαῖα · dative singular feminine nounobject of ἐνπήξαντplantingπήγνυμι · aorist active participle, accusative singular masculineadverbial to ,aorist participle of πήγνυμι, 'having fixed/planted' the oar upright in the ground.
ἐκέλευενbade, orderedκελεύω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἐρετμόνoarἐρετμόν · accusative singular neuter nounobject of πήξαντ᾽ - 277
and make fine offerings to lord Poseidon,
Metre
ἔρξανθἱερὰκαλὰ‖Ποσειδάωνιἄνακτι
ἔρξανθperforming, makingἔρδω · aorist active participle, accusative singular masculineadverbial to ,ἱερὰsacred offeringsἱερόν · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ,καλὰfine, goodlyκαλός · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἱερὰΠοσειδάωνιto PoseidonΠοσειδεών · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἔρξανθ᾽ἄνακτιlordἄναξ · dative singular masculine nounmodifies Ποσειδάωνιἄναξ 'lord' in apposition to Ποσειδάωνι - honorific address to the sea-god whose wrath drove Odysseus's wanderings.
- 278
a ram, a bull, and a boar that mounts the sows,
Metre
ἀρνειὸνταῦρόν‖τεσυῶνἐπιβήτορακάπρον
ἀρνειὸνramἀρνειός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of τ᾽ταῦρόνbullταῦρος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of τ᾽τεandτε · particlesentence particleσυῶνof sowsὗς · genitive plural feminine nounobject of ἐπιβήτορατandτε · particlecoordinating wordἐπιβήτοραmounter, breederἐπιβήτωρ · accusative singular masculine nounmodifies κάπρονἐπιβήτωρ 'one who mounts' as a term for a breeding boar — a vivid agricultural epithet.
κάπρονboarκάπρος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of τ᾽ - 279
and then to set off home and offer sacred hecatombs
Metre
οἴκαδἀποστείχειν‖ἔρδεινἱερὰςἑκατόμβας
οἴκαδhomewardοἴκαδε · adverbobject of ἀποστείχεινἀποστείχεινto go backἀποστείχω · present active infinitiveobject of θ᾽ἔρδεινto offer, performἔρδω · present active infinitiveobject of θ᾽θandτε · particlecoordinating wordἱερὰςsacredἱερός · accusative plural feminine adjectivemodifies ἑκατόμβαςἑκατόμβαςhecatombsἑκατόμβη · accusative plural feminine nounobject of ἔρδεινἑκατόμβη, literally 'hundred-ox sacrifice,' a grand ritual offering owed to all the gods.
- 280
to the immortal gods who hold the wide heaven,
Metre
ἀθανάτοισιθεοῖσι‖τοὶοὐρανὸνεὐρὺνἔχουσι
ἀθανάτοισιimmortalἀθάνατος · dative plural masculine adjectivemodifies θεοῖσιθεοῖσιgodsθεός · dative plural masculine nounobject of ἔρδειντοὶwhoὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἔχουσιοὐρανὸνheavenοὐρανός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔχουσιεὐρὺνwideεὐρύς · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies οὐρανὸνἔχουσιholdἔχω · present active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing θεοῖσι - 281
to all in due order; and for me death from the sea
Metre
πᾶσιμάλἑξείης‖θάνατοςδέμοιἐξἁλὸςαὐτῷ
πᾶσιto allπᾶς · dative plural masculine adjectivemodifies θεοῖσιμάλvery muchμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleἑξείηςin orderἑξείης · adverbadverbial to ἔρδεινἑξείης 'in due sequence' - each god honored in proper turn, a formulaic ritual phrase.
θάνατοςdeathθάνατος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἐλεύσεταιδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordμοιfor meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἐλεύσεταιἐξfromἐκ · prepositionprepositionἁλὸςthe seaἅλς · genitive singular feminine nounadverbial to ἐξαὐτῷmyselfαὐτός · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies μοι - 282
will come, a death so gentle, that will slay me
Metre
ἀβληχρὸςμάλατοῖος‖ἐλεύσεταιὅςκέμεπέφνῃ
ἀβληχρὸςgentleἀβληχρός · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θάνατοςμάλαveryμάλα · adverbemphasizing particleτοῖοςsuchτοῖος · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θάνατοςἐλεύσεταιwill comeἔρχομαι · future middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὅςwhichὅς · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of πέφνῃκέ(modal particle)ἄν · particleemphasizing particleμεmeἐγώ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of πέφνῃπέφνῃwill slayθείνω · aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing θάνατοςπέφνῃ is a rare reduplicated aorist subjunctive of θείνω 'to strike/slay' - archaic root surviving only in a handful of Homeric forms.
- 283
worn out by sleek old age; and around me my people
Metre
γήραὕπολιπαρῷ‖ἀρημένονἀμφὶδὲλαοὶ
ὕποunder, fromὑπό · prepositionprepositionλιπαρῷsleek, comfortableλιπαρός · dative singular neuter adjectivemodifies γήραςλιπαρός 'sleek/glistening' describes an easeful old age, unusual praise for something normally dreaded.
ἀρημένονworn outἀράω · perfect medio-passive participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complementἀμφὶaroundἀμφί · adverbadverbial to ἔσσονταιδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordλαοὶpeopleλαός · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ἔσσονται - 284
will be prosperous. All this, he said, would come to pass."
Metre
ὄλβιοιἔσσονται‖τὰδέμοιφάτοπάντατελεῖσθαι
ὄλβιοιprosperousὄλβιος · nominative plural masculine adjectivemodifies λαοὶἔσσονταιwill beεἰμί · future middle indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbτὰthese thingsὁ · accusative plural neuter pronounsubject of τελεῖσθαιτὰ...πάντα split by the verb φάτο in hyperbaton, framing the promise.
δέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordμοιto meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounadverbial to τελεῖσθαιφάτοsaidφημί · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbφάτο, middle of φημί, common epic 'said/spoke' in narration.
πάνταallπᾶς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies τὰτελεῖσθαιcome to passτελέω · future middle infinitiveobject of φάτο - 285
Then wise Penelope answered him in turn:
τὸνhimὁ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of προσέειπεδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτεin turnαὖτε · adverbsentence particleπροσέειπεansweredπροσεῖπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπροσέειπε is the formulaic epic verb introducing direct speech.
περίφρωνwiseπερίφρων · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Πηνελόπειαπερίφρων is Penelope's standing epithet, 'circumspect/prudent.'
ΠηνελόπειαPenelopeΠηνελόπεια · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of προσέειπε - 286
"If the gods are bringing to pass a better old age,
Metre
εἰμὲνδὴγῆράς‖γεθεοὶτελέουσινἄρειον
εἰifεἰ · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleδὴindeedδή · particlesentence particleγῆράςold ageγῆρας · accusative singular neuter nounobject of τελέουσινγεat leastγε · particleemphasizing particleθεοὶgodsθεός · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of τελέουσιντελέουσινbring to passτελέω · future active indicative, 3rd plural verbadverbial to εἰἄρειονbetterἀρείων · accusative singular neuter comparative adjectivemodifies γῆράςἄρειον, comparative of ἀγαθός, agreeing with neuter γῆρας.
- 287
then there is hope that there will be an escape from troubles."
Metre
ἐλπωρήτοιἔπειτα‖κακῶνὑπάλυξινἔσεσθαι
ἐλπωρήhopeἐλπωρή · nominative singular feminine nounsubjectἐλπωρή is a rare epic noun for 'hope,' used only a few times in Homer.
τοιfor youσύ · dative singular pronounadverbial to ἔσεσθαιἔπειταthenἔπειτα · adverbsentence particleκακῶνof troublesκακός · genitive plural neuter adjectivemodifies ὑπάλυξινὑπάλυξινescapeὑπάλυξις · accusative singular feminine nounsubject of ἔσεσθαιἔσεσθαιwill beεἰμί · future middle infinitiveobject - 288
So they spoke such things to one another;
Metre
ὣςοἱμὲντοιαῦτα‖πρὸςἀλλήλουςἀγόρευον
ὣςsoὡς · adverbadverbial to ἀγόρευονοἱtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἀγόρευονμὲνon one handμέν · particlesentence particleτοιαῦταsuch thingsτοιοῦτος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἀγόρευονπρὸςtoπρός · prepositionprepositionἀλλήλουςone anotherἀλλήλων · accusative plural masculine adjectiveobject of πρὸςἀγόρευονspokeἀγορεύω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbimperfect ἀγόρευον marks ongoing conversation, not a single utterance.
- 289
meanwhile Eurynome and the nurse were making ready the bed
Metre
τόφραἄρΕὐρυνόμη‖τεἰδὲτροφὸςἔντυονεὐνὴν
τόφραmeanwhileτόφρα · adverbadverbial to ἔντυονδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleΕὐρυνόμηEurynomeΕὐρυνόμη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἰδὲτεandτε · particlesentence particleἰδὲandἰδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordτροφὸςnurseτροφός · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἰδὲἔντυονwere preparingἐντύω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbimperfect ἔντυον, the domestic bed-making happening in parallel to the dialogue above.
εὐνὴνbedεὐνή · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἔντυον - 290
with soft bedding, by the light of blazing torches.
Metre
ἐσθῆτοςμαλακῆς‖δαΐδωνὕπολαμπομενάων
ἐσθῆτοςof beddingἐσθής · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies εὐνὴνμαλακῆςsoftμαλακός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἐσθῆτοςδαΐδωνof torchesδαίς · genitive plural feminine nounadverbial to ὕποὕποbyὑπό · prepositionprepositionλαμπομενάωνblazingλάμπω · present medio-passive participle, genitive plural femininemodifies δαΐδωνλαμπομενάων, genitive plural participle agreeing with δαΐδων, 'shining/blazing.'
- 291
But when they had busily spread the close-built bed,
Metre
αὐτὰρἐπεὶστόρεσαν‖πυκινὸνλέχοςἐγκονέουσαι
αὐτὰρbutἀτάρ · particlesentence particleἐπεὶwhenἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionστόρεσανspreadστορέννυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbadverbial to ἐπεὶπυκινὸνclose-builtπυκνός · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies λέχοςλέχοςbedλέχος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of στόρεσανἐγκονέουσαιbusily workingἐγκονέω · present active participle, nominative plural feminineadverbial to στόρεσανἐγκονέουσαι, present participle stressing eager haste while spreading the bed.
- 292
the old woman went back to her own room to lie down,
Metre
γρηῢςμὲνκείουσα‖πάλινοἶκόνδεβεβήκει
γρηῢςold womanγραῦς · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of βεβήκειμὲνon the one handμέν · particlesentence particleκείουσαto lie downκείω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to βεβήκεικείουσα, desiderative-flavored participle, 'intending to sleep.'
πάλινbackπάλιν · adverbadverbial to βεβήκειοἶκόνδεhomewardοἶκόνδε · adverbobject of βεβήκειοἶκόνδε, directional -δε suffix meaning 'to/toward home.'
βεβήκειhad goneβαίνω · pluperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 293
and Eurynome the chambermaid led the way for them,
Metre
τοῖσινΕὐρυνόμη‖θαλαμηπόλοςἡγεμόνευεν
τοῖσινfor themὁ · dative plural masculine pronounobject of ἡγεμόνευενδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordΕὐρυνόμηEurynomeΕὐρυνόμη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἡγεμόνευενθαλαμηπόλοςchambermaidθαλαμηπόλος · nominative singular feminine nounmodifies Εὐρυνόμηἡγεμόνευενled the wayἡγεμονεύω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verb - 294
as they went to bed, holding a torch in her hands;
Metre
ἐρχομένοισιλέχοσδε‖δάοςμετὰχερσὶνἔχουσα
ἐρχομένοισιgoingἔρχομαι · present medio-passive participle, dative plural masculinecircumstantial complementλέχοσδεto bedλέχοσδε · adverbobject of ἐρχομένοισιλέχοσδε, directional -δε suffix, 'toward the bed.'
δάοςtorchδάος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of ἔχουσαμετὰinμετά · prepositionprepositionχερσὶνhandsχείρ · dative plural feminine nounadverbial to μετὰἔχουσαholdingἔχω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἡγεμόνευεν - 295
and when she had brought them to the chamber she went back. They then,
ἐςintoεἰς · prepositionprepositionθάλαμονchamberθάλαμος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἐςδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἀγαγοῦσαhaving ledἄγω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to κίενπάλινbackπάλιν · adverbobject of κίενκίενwentκίω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbοἱtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἵκοντομὲνon the one handμέν · particlesentence particleἔπειταthenἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to ἵκοντο - 296
gladly, came to the place of their old bed, its custom established.
Metre
ἀσπάσιοιλέκτροιο‖παλαιοῦθεσμὸνἵκοντο
ἀσπάσιοιgladlyἀσπάσιος · nominative plural masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἀσπάσιοι agrees with the implied subjects (Odysseus and Penelope), 'welcome/glad.'
λέκτροιοof bedλέκτρον · genitive singular neuter nounmodifies θεσμὸνπαλαιοῦoldπαλαιός · genitive singular neuter adjectivemodifies λέκτροιοθεσμὸνcustomθεσμός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἵκοντοθεσμόν λέχους, 'the rite/custom of the bed' — their marriage bed itself is the recognition token.
ἵκοντοcame toἱκνέομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verb - 297
Meanwhile Telemachus and the herdsman and the swineherd
Metre
αὐτὰρΤηλέμαχος‖καὶβουκόλοςἠδὲσυβώτης
αὐτὰρmeanwhileἀτάρ · particlesentence particleΤηλέμαχοςTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἠδὲκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleβουκόλοςherdsmanβουκόλος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἠδὲἠδὲandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordσυβώτηςswineherdσυβώτης · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἠδὲ - 298
stayed their feet from the dance, and made the women stay too,
Metre
παῦσανἄρὀρχηθμοῖο‖πόδαςπαῦσανδὲγυναῖκας
παῦσανstoppedπαύω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbπαῦσαν repeated (anaphora): 'stopped...stopped', stressing the household settling for the night.
ἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleὀρχηθμοῖοfrom dancingὀρχηθμός · genitive singular masculine nounobject of παῦσανπόδαςfeetπούς · accusative plural masculine nounobject of παῦσανπαῦσανstoppedπαύω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbδὲandδέ · particlesentence particleγυναῖκαςwomenγυνή · accusative plural feminine nounobject of παῦσαν - 299
and they themselves lay down to sleep throughout the shadowy halls.
Metre
αὐτοὶεὐνάζοντο‖κατὰμέγαρασκιόεντα
αὐτοὶthey themselvesαὐτός · nominative plural masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordεὐνάζοντοlay down to sleepεὐνάζω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbκατὰthroughoutκατά · prepositionprepositionμέγαραhallsμέγαρον · accusative plural neuter nounadverbial to κατὰσκιόενταshadowyσκιόεις · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies μέγαρασκιόεντα, formulaic epithet for the dim, torch-lit halls at night.
- 300
But when the two had taken their delight in lovely love,
Metre
τὼἐπεὶοὖνφιλότητος‖ἐταρπήτηνἐρατεινῆς
τὼthe two of themὁ · nominative dual masculine pronounsubject of τερπέσθηντὼ, dual number, marking Odysseus and Penelope as a pair.
δbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐπεὶwhenἐπεί · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionοὖνthenοὖν · particlesentence particleφιλότητοςof loveφιλότης · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐταρπήτηνἐταρπήτηνhad delightedτέρπω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd dual verbadverbial to ἐπεὶἐταρπήτην, dual aorist passive, matching τὼ — grammar itself enacts the couple's reunion.
ἐρατεινῆςlovelyἐρατεινός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies φιλότητος - 301
they took delight in talk, telling each other their stories,
Metre
τερπέσθηνμύθοισι‖πρὸςἀλλήλουςἐνέποντε
τερπέσθηνdelightedτέρπω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd dual verbmain verbdual τερπέσθην again, echoing l300's ἐταρπήτην — the pleasure of talk mirrors that of love.
μύθοισιin talkμῦθος · dative plural masculine nounobject of τερπέσθηνπρὸςtoπρός · prepositionprepositionἀλλήλουςone anotherἀλλήλων · accusative plural masculine adjectiveobject of πρὸςἐνέποντεtellingἐνέπω · present active participle, nominative dual masculineadverbial to τερπέσθην - 302
she, the queenly woman, all she had endured in the halls,
Metre
ἡμὲνὅσἐνμεγάροισιν‖ἀνέσχετοδῖαγυναικῶν
ἡsheὁ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubjectμὲνon the one handμέν · particlesentence particleὅσas much asὅσος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἀνέσχετοἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισινhallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἐνἀνέσχετοenduredἀνέχω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectδῖαqueenlyδῖος · nominative singular feminine adjectivesubject of ἀνέσχετοδῖα γυναικῶν, 'shining among women,' a standard epithet formula for Penelope.
γυναικῶνof womenγυνή · genitive plural feminine nounmodifies δῖα - 303
looking upon the ruinous throng of the suitors,
Metre
ἀνδρῶνμνηστήρων‖ἐσορῶσἀΐδηλονὅμιλον
ἀνδρῶνof menἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ὅμιλονμνηστήρωνsuitorsμνηστήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἀνδρῶνἐσορῶσwatchingεἰσοράω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἀνέσχετοἀΐδηλονruinousἀίδηλος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὅμιλονἀΐδηλον, 'destructive/unseen-making,' a strong epic word branding the suitors as a blight.
ὅμιλονthrongὅμιλος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἐσορῶσ᾽ - 304
who for her sake slaughtered many cattle and fat sheep,
οἳwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ἔσφαζονἕθενfor her sakeἕ · genitive singular feminine pronounadverbial to εἵνεκαἕθεν εἵνεκα, archaic genitive pronoun + preposition, 'because of her.'
εἵνεκαfor the sake ofἕνεκα · prepositionprepositionπολλάmanyπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ,βόαςcattleβοῦς · accusative plural feminine nounobject of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἴφιαfatἴφιος · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies μῆλαμῆλαsheepμῆλον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of καὶ - 305
and much wine was drawn from the jars;
Metre
ἔσφαζονπολλὸς‖δὲπίθωνἠφύσσετοοἶνος
ἔσφαζονslaughteredσφάζω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing δὲπολλὸςmuchπολύς · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies οἶνοςδὲandδέ · particlecoordinating wordπίθωνof jarsπίθος · genitive plural masculine nounobject of ἠφύσσετοἠφύσσετοwas drawnἀφύσσω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing δὲἠφύσσετο, imperfect passive of ἀφύσσω 'draw/ladle out,' used of wine from storage jars.
οἶνοςwineοἶνος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἠφύσσετο - 306
and Zeus-born Odysseus, all the woes he had brought
Metre
αὐτὰρὁδιογενὴς‖Ὀδυσεὺςὅσακήδεἔθηκεν
αὐτὰρbutἀτάρ · particlesentence particleὁtheὁ · nominative singular masculine articlemodifies ὈδυσεὺςδιογενὴςZeus-bornδιογενής · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies Ὀδυσεὺςδιογενής, formulaic heroic epithet, 'sprung from Zeus.'
ὈδυσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔλεγ᾽ὅσαas many asὅσος · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies κήδε᾽κήδεwoesκῆδος · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἔθηκενἔθηκενbroughtτίθημι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of τ᾽ - 307
upon men, and all that he himself had toiled through in misery,
Metre
ἀνθρώποιςὅσααὐτὸς‖ὀϊζύσαςἐμόγησε
ἀνθρώποιςupon menἄνθρωπος · dative plural masculine nounobject of ἔθηκενὅσαas many asὅσος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἐμόγησετandτε · particlecoordinating wordαὐτὸςhimselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementὀϊζύσαςsuffering griefὀιζύω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἐμόγησεἐμόγησεtoiled throughμογέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of τ᾽ - 308
he told it all; and she rejoiced to listen, nor did sleep
Metre
πάντἔλεγἡἄρἐτέρπετ‖ἀκούουσοὐδέοἱὕπνος
πάντallπάντῃ · adverbadverbial to ἔλεγ᾽ἔλεγtoldλέγω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἡsheὁ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of ἐτέρπετ᾽δandδέ · particlesentence particleἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleἐτέρπετrejoicedτέρπω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἐτέρπετ᾽, imperfect, ongoing delight as she listens to his tale.
ἀκούουσlisteningἀκούω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἐτέρπετ᾽οἱupon herἕ · dative singular feminine pronounadverbial to πῖπτενὕπνοςsleepὕπνος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of πῖπτεν - 309
fall upon her eyelids before he had recounted everything.
Metre
πῖπτενἐπὶβλεφάροισι‖πάροςκαταλέξαιἅπαντα
πῖπτενfellπίπτω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπῖπτεν, imperfect describing sleep's approach delayed until the tale is finished.
ἐπὶuponἐπί · prepositionprepositionβλεφάροισιeyelidsβλέφαρον · dative plural neuter nounobject of ἐπὶπάροςbeforeπάρος · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionκαταλέξαιrecountingκαταλέγω · aorist active infinitiveadverbial to πάροςἅπανταeverythingἅπας · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of καταλέξαι - 310
He began with how he first overcame the Kikones, and then
Metre
ἤρξατοὡςπρῶτον‖Κίκοναςδάμασαὐτὰρἔπειτα
ἤρξατοbeganἄρχω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionπρῶτονfirstπρῶτος · accusative singular neuter adjectiveadverbial to δάμασ᾽ΚίκοναςKikonesΚίκονες · accusative plural masculine nounobject of δάμασ᾽the first tribe Odysseus raids after leaving Troy, opening his wandering narrative.
δάμασovercameδαμάζω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of αὐτὰραὐτὰρand thenἀτάρ · particlecoordinating wordἔπειταthenἔπειτα · adverbadverbial to ἦλθ᾽ - 311
how he came to the rich land of the Lotus-eaters;
Metre
ἦλθἐςΛωτοφάγων‖ἀνδρῶνπίειρανἄρουραν
ἦλθcameἔρχομαι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of αὐτὰρἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionΛωτοφάγωνof Lotus-eatersΛωτοφάγοι · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἀνδρῶνΛωτοφάγοι, the fabled land whose fruit made men forget their homecoming.
ἀνδρῶνmenἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἄρουρανπίειρανrichπίων · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἄρουρανἄρουρανlandἄρουρα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐς - 312
and all that the Cyclops did, and how he made him pay the penalty
Metre
ἠδὅσαΚύκλωψἔρξε‖καὶὡςἀπετίσατοποινὴν
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctionsentence particleὅσαall thatὅσος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἔρξεὅσος 'as much as' introduces the relative clause of things recounted.
ΚύκλωψCyclopsΚύκλωψ · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔρξεἔρξεdidἔρδω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἀπετίσατοexactedἀποτίνω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectἀποτίνω middle = 'made pay back for oneself,' i.e. got repaid/avenged.
ποινὴνpenaltyποινή · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἀπετίσατο - 313
for his strong companions, whom he ate and showed no pity;
Metre
ἰφθίμωνἑτάρων‖οὓςἤσθιενοὐδἐλέαιρεν
ἰφθίμωνstrongἴφθιμος · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἑτάρωνἴφθιμος is a stock epic epithet for warriors/companions, formulaic filler for the line.
ἑτάρωνcompanionsἑταῖρος · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ποινὴνοὓςwhomὅς · accusative plural masculine pronounobject of δ᾽ἤσθιενhe was eatingἐσθίω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing δ᾽ἐλέαιρενpitiedἐλεαίρω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing δ᾽ἐλέαιρεν with negative οὐδ᾽ = 'showed no pity,' imperfect for ongoing cruelty.
- 314
and how he came to Aeolus, who received him kindly
Metre
ἠδὡςΑἴολονἵκεθ‖ὅμινπρόφρωνὑπέδεκτο
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionΑἴολονAeolusΑἴολος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἵκεθ᾽ἵκεθcame toἱκνέομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectὅwhoὁ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of καὶμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of καὶπρόφρωνkindlyπρόφρων · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementπρόφρων 'eager/kindly-minded,' adverbial predicate describing manner of receiving.
ὑπέδεκτοreceivedὑποδέχομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing καὶ - 315
and sent him on; but it was not yet his fate to reach
Metre
καὶπέμποὐδέπωαἶσα‖φίληνἐςπατρίδἱκέσθαι
καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordπέμπsent him offπέμπω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing καὶπωyetπω · particlesentence particleαἶσαfateαἶσα · nominative singular feminine nounpredicate nounαἶσα as predicate noun with infinitive ἱκέσθαι: 'it was not fate for him to reach...'
φίληνdearφίλος · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies πατρίδ᾽ἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionπατρίδnative landπατρίς · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐςἱκέσθαιto reachἱκνέομαι · aorist middle infinitivesubject of ἤην - 316
his dear native land, for a storm-gust snatched him up again
Metre
ἤηνἀλλάμιναὖτις‖ἀναρπάξασαθύελλα
ἤηνit wasεἰμί · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectἤην is an epic/Ionic imperfect of εἰμί, alternate to ἦν.
ἀλλάbutἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of φέρεναὖτιςagainαὖθις · adverbadverbial to φέρενἀναρπάξασαsnatching upἀναρπάζω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to φέρενaorist participle ἀναρπάξασα agrees with θύελλα (fem.), the storm as agent.
θύελλαstorm-gustθύελλα · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of φέρεν - 317
and bore him over the fish-filled sea, groaning heavily;
Metre
πόντονἐπἰχθυόεντα‖φέρενβαρέαστενάχοντα
πόντονseaπόντος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἐπ᾽ἐπoverἐπί · prepositionprepositionἰχθυόενταfish-filledἰχθυόεις · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies πόντονἰχθυόεις, a Homeric compound epithet formed for the meter, 'teeming with fish.'
φέρενbore himφέρω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectβαρέαheavilyβαρύς · accusative plural neuter adjectiveadverbial to στενάχονταστενάχονταgroaningστενάχω · present active participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complement - 318
and how he came to Telepylos of the Laestrygonians,
Metre
ἠδὡςΤηλέπυλον‖Λαιστρυγονίηνἀφίκανεν
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionΤηλέπυλονTelepylosΤηλέπυλος · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἀφίκανενΛαιστρυγονίηνLaestrygonianΛαιστρυγονίη · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Τηλέπυλονἀφίκανενreachedἀφικάνω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject - 319
who destroyed his ships and his well-greaved companions
Metre
οἳνῆάςὄλεσαν‖καὶἐϋκνήμιδαςἑταίρους
οἳwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of ὄλεσαννῆάςshipsναῦς · accusative plural feminine nounobject of καὶτandτε · particlesentence particleὄλεσανdestroyedὄλλυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing Λαιστρυγονίηνκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἐϋκνήμιδαςwell-greavedἐυκνήμις · accusative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἑταίρουςἐυκνήμις, a standard Homeric epithet for Achaean warriors, describes their leg-armor.
ἑταίρουςcompanionsἑταῖρος · accusative plural masculine nounobject of καὶ - 320
all of them; Odysseus alone escaped in his black ship;
Metre
πάνταςὈδυσσεὺςοἶος‖ὑπέκφυγενηῒμελαίνῃ
πάνταςallπᾶς · accusative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἑταίρουςὈδυσσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ὑπέκφυγεδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordοἶοςaloneοἶος · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementοἶος 'alone' stresses Odysseus as the sole survivor, key theme of the recap.
ὑπέκφυγεescapedὑπεκφεύγω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectνηῒin shipναῦς · dative singular feminine nounadverbial to ὑπέκφυγεμελαίνῃblackμέλας · dative singular feminine adjectivemodifies νηῒ - 321
and he told of Circe's guile and her many wiles,
Metre
καὶΚίρκηςκατέλεξε‖δόλονπολυμηχανίηντε
καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordΚίρκηςCirce'sΚίρκη · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies τεκατέλεξεtold ofκαταλέγω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδόλονtrickeryδόλος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of τεπολυμηχανίηνcunning wilesπολυμηχανία · accusative singular feminine nounobject of τεπολυμηχανία 'much-deviceness,' an abstract noun echoing Odysseus's own epithet πολυμήχανος.
τεandτε · particlecoordinating word - 322
and how he went to the dank house of Hades
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionεἰςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionἈΐδεωHades'ᾍδης · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies δόμονδόμονhouseδόμος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of εἰςἤλυθενwentἔρχομαι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of καὶεὐρώενταdankεὐρώεις · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies δόμονεὐρώεις 'moldy/dank,' a formulaic epithet for the house of Hades.
- 323
to consult the spirit of Theban Teiresias,
Metre
ψυχῇχρησόμενος‖ΘηβαίουΤειρεσίαο
ψυχῇspiritψυχή · dative singular feminine nounobject of χρησόμενοςχρησόμενοςto consultχράω · future middle participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἤλυθενχράομαι + dative, future participle of purpose: 'in order to consult.'
ΘηβαίουThebanΘηβαῖος · genitive singular masculine adjectivemodifies ΤειρεσίαοΤειρεσίαοTeiresiasΤειρεσίης · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies ψυχῇ - 324
in his many-oared ship, and saw all his companions
νηῒin shipναῦς · dative singular feminine nounadverbial to ἤλυθενπολυκλήϊδιmany-oaredπολυκλήις · dative singular feminine nounmodifies νηῒκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordεἴσιδεsawεἰσοράω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject of καὶπάνταςallπᾶς · accusative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἑταίρουςἑταίρουςcompanionsἑταῖρος · accusative plural masculine nounobject of θ᾽ - 325
and his mother, who bore him and reared him when he was little;
Metre
μητέραἥμινἔτικτε‖καὶἔτρεφετυτθὸνἐόντα
μητέραmotherμήτηρ · accusative singular feminine nounobject of θ᾽θandτε · particlecoordinating wordἥwhoὅς · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of καὶμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of καὶἔτικτεboreτίκτω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἔτρεφεrearedτρέφω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing καὶτυτθὸνlittleτυτθός · accusative singular masculine adjectivepredicate nounτυτθόν 'small,' predicate adjective with participle ἐόντα: 'being little.'
ἐόνταbeingεἰμί · present active participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complement - 326
and how he heard the voice of the thronging Sirens,
Metre
ἠδὡςΣειρήνων‖ἁδινάωνφθόγγονἄκουσεν
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionΣειρήνωνSirens'Σειρήν · genitive plural feminine nounmodifies φθόγγονἁδινάωνthrongingἀδινός · genitive plural feminine adjectivemodifies Σειρήνωνἀδινός 'dense/throbbing,' vivid epithet for the massed, insistent sound of the Sirens' song.
φθόγγονvoiceφθόγγος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἄκουσενἄκουσενheardἀκούω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject - 327
and how he came to the Wandering Rocks and dread Charybdis
Metre
ὥςἵκετοΠλαγκτὰς‖πέτραςδεινήντεΧάρυβδιν
ὥςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionθandτε · particlecoordinating wordἵκετοcame toἱκνέομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectΠλαγκτὰςWanderingΠλαγκταί · accusative plural feminine nounmodifies πέτραςΠλαγκταί 'the Wandering (Rocks),' a substantivized adjective naming the moving crags.
πέτραςrocksπέτρα · accusative plural feminine nounobject of θ᾽δεινήνdreadδεινός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Χάρυβδιντεandτε · particlesentence particleΧάρυβδινCharybdisΧάρυβδις · accusative singular feminine nounobject of θ᾽ - 328
and Scylla, whom no men have ever escaped unscathed;
Metre
Σκύλληνἣνοὔπώ‖ποτἀκήριοιἄνδρεςἄλυξαν
ΣκύλληνScyllaΣκύλλα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of θ᾽θandτε · particlecoordinating wordἣνwhomὅς · accusative singular feminine pronounobject of ἄλυξανοὔneverοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleπώyetπω · particlesentence particleποτeverποτέ · particlesentence particleἀκήριοιunscathedἀκήριος · nominative plural masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἀκήριος 'without harm,' predicate adjective describing the state men would need to be in to escape.
ἄνδρεςmenἀνήρ · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ἄλυξανἄλυξανescapedἀλύσσω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing Σκύλλην - 329
and how his companions slew the cattle of the Sun;
Metre
ἠδὡςἨελίοιο‖βόαςκατέπεφνονἑταῖροι
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἨελίοιοSun'sἠέλιος · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies βόαςἨέλιος, the sun-god Helios, genitive marking possession of the sacred cattle.
βόαςcattleβοῦς · accusative plural feminine nounobject of κατέπεφνονκατέπεφνονslewκατέπεφνον · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbobjectἑταῖροιcompanionsἑταῖρος · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of κατέπεφνον - 330
and how Zeus the high-thunderer struck the swift ship with a smoking bolt,
Metre
ἠδὡςνῆαθοὴν‖ἔβαλεψολόεντικεραυνῷ
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionνῆαshipναῦς · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἔβαλεθοὴνswiftθοός · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies νῆαἔβαλεstruckβάλλω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectψολόεντιsmokingψολόεις · dative singular masculine adjectivemodifies κεραυνῷψολόεις 'smoky/sooty,' epithet for Zeus's thunderbolt describing its scorched trail.
κεραυνῷthunderboltκεραυνός · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἔβαλε - 331
Zeus the high-thunderer, and his brave companions perished,
Metre
Ζεὺςὑψιβρεμέτης‖ἀπὸἔφθιθενἐσθλοὶἑταῖροι
ΖεὺςZeusΖεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἔβαλεὑψιβρεμέτηςhigh-thundererὑψιβρεμέτης · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies Ζεὺςὑψιβρεμέτης, a grand cult epithet of Zeus, 'thundering on high.'
ἀπὸawayἀπό · prepositionemphasizing particleδandδέ · particlesentence particleἔφθιθενperishedφθίω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd plural verbobjectἐσθλοὶbraveἐσθλός · nominative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἑταῖροιἑταῖροιcompanionsἑταῖρος · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of ἔφθιθεν - 332
all alike, while he alone escaped the cruel fates of death;
Metre
πάντεςὁμῶςαὐτὸς‖δὲκακὰςὑπὸκῆραςἄλυξεν
πάντεςallπᾶς · nominative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἑταῖροιὁμῶςalikeὁμῶς · adverbadverbial to ἔφθιθεναὐτὸςhe himselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivesubject of ἄλυξεναὐτός contrasts Odysseus alone against πάντες ὁμῶς, 'all the rest alike' who died.
δὲbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordκακὰςcruelκακός · accusative plural feminine adjectivemodifies κῆραςὑπὸfromὑπό · prepositionemphasizing particleκῆραςfates of deathκήρ · accusative plural feminine nounobject of ἄλυξενἄλυξενescapedἀλύσσω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject - 333
and how he came to the island of Ogygia and the nymph Calypso,
Metre
ὥςἵκετὨγυγίην‖νῆσοννύμφηντεΚαλυψώ
ὥςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionθandτε · particlecoordinating wordἵκετcame toἱκνέομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectὨγυγίηνOgygiaὨγυγία · accusative singular feminine nounmodifies νῆσοννῆσονislandνῆσος · accusative singular feminine nounobject of τενύμφηνnymphνύμφη · accusative singular feminine nounmodifies Καλυψώτεandτε · particlecoordinating wordΚαλυψώCalypsoΚαλυψώ · accusative singular feminine nounobject of τε - 334
who held him back, longing for him to be her husband,
Metre
ἣδήμινκατέρυκε‖λιλαιομένηπόσινεἶναι
ἣwhoὅς · nominative singular feminine pronounsubject of ἠδὲδήindeedδή · particlesentence particleδή adds emphasis: 'who indeed held him back,' underscoring Calypso's persistent detention.
μινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of κατέρυκεκατέρυκεheld backκατερύκω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ἠδὲλιλαιομένηlongingλιλαίομαι · present middle participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to κατέρυκεπόσινhusbandπόσις · accusative singular masculine nounpredicate nounεἶναιto beεἰμί · present active infinitiveobject of λιλαιομένη - 335
in her hollow caves, and fed him, and kept promising
Metre
ἐνσπέσσιγλαφυροῖσι‖καὶἔτρεφενἠδὲἔφασκε
ἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionσπέσσιcavesσπέος · dative plural neuter nounobject of ἐνγλαφυροῖσιhollowγλαφυρός · dative plural neuter adjectivemodifies σπέσσικαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleἔτρεφενfed himτρέφω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ἠδὲἠδὲandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordἔφασκεkept promisingφάσκω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing ἠδὲ - 336
to make him immortal and ageless for all his days;
Metre
θήσεινἀθάνατον‖καὶἀγήραονἤματαπάντα
θήσεινto makeτίθημι · future active infinitiveobject of ἔφασκεfuture infinitive θήσειν after ἔφασκε, standard for reported future promises.
ἀθάνατονimmortalἀθάνατος · accusative singular masculine adjectivecomplement of καὶκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordἀγήραονagelessἀγήραος · accusative singular masculine adjectivecomplement of καὶἤματαdaysἦμαρ · accusative plural neuter nounadverbial to καὶπάνταallπᾶς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἤματα - 337
but never did she persuade the heart within his breast.
Metre
ἀλλὰτοῦοὔποτεθυμὸν‖ἐνὶστήθεσσινἔπειθεν
ἀλλὰbutἀλλά · conjunctioncoordinating wordτοῦhisὁ · genitive singular masculine pronounmodifies θυμὸντοῦ, genitive of possession pointing back to Odysseus, 'the heart of him.'
οὔneverοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleποτεeverποτέ · particlesentence particleθυμὸνheartθυμός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔπειθενἐνὶwithinἐν · prepositionprepositionστήθεσσινbreastστῆθος · dative plural neuter nounmodifies ἐνὶἔπειθενpersuadedπείθω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbobject - 338
And how he came to the Phaeacians after much suffering,
Metre
ἠδὡςἐςΦαίηκας‖ἀφίκετοπολλὰμογήσας
ἠδandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordὡςhowὡς · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionΦαίηκαςPhaeaciansΦαίαξ · accusative plural masculine nounobject of ἐςἀφίκετοcame toἀφικνέομαι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbobjectπολλὰmuchπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of μογήσαςμογήσαςsufferingμογέω · aorist active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἀφίκετοaorist participle μογήσας, 'having toiled/suffered much,' sums up the whole wandering.
- 339
who honored him in their hearts like a god
οἳwhoὅς · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of καὶδήindeedδή · particlesentence particleμινhimμιν · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of καὶπερὶinπερί · prepositionprepositionκῆριheartκῆρ · dative singular neuter nounadverbial to περὶθεὸνa godθεός · accusative singular masculine nounadverbialὣςasὡς · adverbadverbialθεὸν ὣς, anastrophe of ὡς 'as/like,' a common Homeric comparison formula.
τιμήσαντοhonoredτιμάω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing καὶ - 340
and sent him by ship to his own dear native land,
Metre
καὶπέμψανσὺννηῒ‖φίληνἐςπατρίδαγαῖαν
καὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordπέμψανsentπέμπω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing καὶ3rd pl aorist ‘they sent’ — the Phaeacians, unnamed subject carried from context.
σὺνbyσύν · prepositionprepositionνηῒshipναῦς · dative singular feminine nounadverbial to σὺνφίληνdearφίλος · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γαῖανφίλην ‘dear’ modifies γαῖαν — epic formula ‘dear native land,’ not literally ‘his own.’
ἐςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionπατρίδαnativeπατρίς · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies γαῖανγαῖανlandγαῖα · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἐς - 341
giving him bronze and gold and clothing in abundance.
Metre
χαλκόντεχρυσόν‖τεἅλιςἐσθῆτάτεδόντες
χαλκόνbronzeχαλκός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of τετεandτε · particlesentence particleχρυσόνgoldχρυσός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of τετεandτε · particlesentence particleἅλιςabundantlyἅλις · adverbadverbial to δόντεςἅλις ‘in heaps/abundance,’ an old adverb of quantity, common in gift-giving scenes.
ἐσθῆτάclothingἐσθής · accusative singular feminine nounobject of τετεandτε · particlecoordinating wordδόντεςgivingδίδωμι · aorist active participle, nominative plural masculineadverbial to πέμψανδόντες, nom. pl. participle agreeing with the unstated ‘they’ of πέμψαν — describes how they sent him.
- 342
This was the last word he spoke, when sweet sleep,
τοῦτthisοὗτος · accusative singular neuter adjectivemodifies ἔποςἄραthenἄρα · particlesentence particleδεύτατονlastδεύτατος · accusative singular neuter adjectivecircumstantial complementδεύτατον ‘last of all’ — superlative adverbial accusative, stressing this was the final word before sleep took him.
εἶπενspokeεἶπον · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔποςwordἔπος · accusative singular neuter nounobject of εἶπενὅτεwhenὅτε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionοἱhimἕ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἐπόρουσεγλυκὺςsweetγλυκύς · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὕπνοςγλυκὺς ὕπνος ‘sweet sleep’ — a fixed Homeric collocation for the onset of sleep.
ὕπνοςsleepὕπνος · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἐπόρουσε - 343
loosener of limbs, fell upon him, releasing the cares of his heart.
Metre
λυσιμελὴςἐπόρουσε‖λύωνμελεδήματαθυμοῦ
λυσιμελὴςlimb-looseningλυσιμελής · nominative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ὕπνοςλυσιμελής, epithet of sleep/death/desire — ‘that loosens the limbs,’ a striking compound epithet.
ἐπόρουσεfell uponἐπορούω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ὅτεἐπόρουσε ‘rushed/sprang upon’ — vivid verb personifying sleep as an attacker.
λύωνreleasingλύω · present active participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἐπόρουσεμελεδήματαcaresμελέδημα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of λύωνθυμοῦof heartθυμός · genitive singular masculine nounmodifies μελεδήματα - 344
Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athena, thought of another thing.
Metre
ἡαὖτἄλλἐνόησε‖θεὰγλαυκῶπιςἈθήνη
ἡsheὁ · nominative singular feminine pronounsubjectδthenδέ · particlecoordinating wordαὖτagainαὖτε · adverbsentence particleαὖτε ‘again, in turn’ — marks a new episode beginning, common transition particle in Homer.
ἄλλanother thingἄλλος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of ἐνόησεἐνόησεthought ofνοέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbθεὰgoddessθεά · nominative singular feminine nounsubjectγλαυκῶπιςgrey-eyedγλαυκῶπις · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Ἀθήνηγλαυκῶπις, Athena's standing epithet ‘bright/owl-eyed,’ almost always paired with her name in formula.
ἈθήνηAthenaἈθήνη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject - 345
When she judged that Odysseus had in his heart
Metre
ὁππότεδήὈδυσῆα‖ἐέλπετοὃνκατὰθυμὸν
ὁππότεwhenὁπότε · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionδήindeedδή · particlesentence particleῥthenἄρα · particlesentence particleὈδυσῆαOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · accusative singular masculine nounsubject of ταρπήμεναιἐέλπετοjudgedἔλπω · imperfect middle indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ὁππότεἐέλπετο, imperfect middle of ἔλπω ‘hope/expect’ — reduplicated epic form, ‘she supposed.’
ὃνhis ownἑός · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies θυμὸνκατὰinκατά · prepositionprepositionθυμὸνheartθυμός · accusative singular masculine nounadverbial to κατὰ - 346
taken his fill of his wife's bed and of sleep,
Metre
εὐνῆςἧςἀλόχου‖ταρπήμεναιἠδὲκαὶὕπνου
εὐνῆςbedεὐνή · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἠδὲἧςhisἑός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἀλόχουἀλόχουwife'sἄλοχος · genitive singular feminine nounmodifies εὐνῆςταρπήμεναιtaken his fillτέρπω · aorist passive infinitiveobject of ἐέλπετοταρπήμεναι, aorist passive infinitive of τέρπω ‘delight’ — ‘to have had his fill of delight,’ epic infinitive ending -μεναι.
ἠδὲandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordκαὶalsoκαί · adverbemphasizing particleὕπνουof sleepὕπνος · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἠδὲ - 347
at once from Ocean she roused gold-enthroned Dawn,
Metre
αὐτίκἀπὨκεανοῦ‖χρυσόθρονονἠριγένειαν
αὐτίκat onceαὐτίκα · adverbadverbial to ὦρσενἀπfromἀπό · prepositionprepositionὨκεανοῦOceanὨκεανός · genitive singular masculine nounobject of ἀπ᾽Ὠκεανός, the river encircling the world in Homeric cosmology, from which Dawn rises each day.
χρυσόθρονονgold-thronedχρυσόθρονος · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies ἠριγένειανχρυσόθρονος, standing epithet of Dawn/Hera — formulaic compound adjective.
ἠριγένειανearly-born Dawnἠριγένεια · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ὦρσεν - 348
the early-born, to bring light to humankind; and Odysseus rose
Metre
ὦρσενἵνἀνθρώποισι‖φόωςφέροιὦρτοὈδυσσεὺς
ὦρσενrousedὄρνυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἵνso thatἵνα · conjunctionsubordinating conjunctionἀνθρώποισιto mankindἄνθρωπος · dative plural masculine nounobject of φέροιφόωςlightφόως · accusative singular neuter nounobject of φέροιφέροιmight bringφέρω · present active optative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ἵν᾽φέροι, present optative in a purpose clause after ἵνα — optative of purpose in a past-time narrative.
ὦρτοroseὄρνυμι · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbὦρτο, aorist middle of ὄρνυμι, intransitive ‘arose’ — contrasts with active ὦρσεν ‘roused (someone else)’ just before.
δandδέ · particlesentence particleὈδυσσεὺςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of δ᾽ - 349
from the soft bed, and laid a charge upon his wife:
Metre
εὐνῆςἐκμαλακῆς‖ἀλόχῳἐπὶμῦθονἔτελλεν
εὐνῆςbedεὐνή · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐκἐκfromἐκ · prepositionprepositionμαλακῆςsoftμαλακός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies εὐνῆςἀλόχῳto wifeἄλοχος · dative singular feminine nounobject of ἐπὶδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἐπὶuponἐπί · prepositionprepositionμῦθονchargeμῦθος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔτελλενἔτελλενlaidτέλλω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἔτελλεν, imperfect of τέλλω ‘command, enjoin’ — same command-root as ἐπιτέλλω in line 361.
- 350
"Wife, by now we have had our fill of many trials,
Metre
ὦγύναιἤδημὲν‖πολέωνκεκορήμεθἀέθλων
ὦOὦ · exclamationemphasizing particleὦ, vocative exclamation opening direct speech, typical Homeric address marker.
γύναιwifeγυνή · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headἤδηnowἤδη · adverbadverbial to κεκορήμεθ᾽μὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleπολέωνof manyπολύς · genitive plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἀέθλωνκεκορήμεθhad our fillκορέννυμι · perfect medio-passive indicative, 1st plural verbmain verbκεκορήμεθα, perfect middle ‘we are sated’ — perfect stresses the lasting state after long toil.
ἀέθλωνtrialsἆθλος · genitive plural masculine nounobject of κεκορήμεθ᾽ - 351
both of us: you here weeping over my grief-laden return,
Metre
ἀμφοτέρωσὺμὲνἐνθάδ‖ἐμὸνπολυκηδέανόστον
ἀμφοτέρωbothἀμφότερος · nominative dual masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementσὺyouσύ · nominative singular pronounsubject of κλαίουσ᾽μὲνon one handμέν · particlesentence particleἐνθάδhereἐνθάδε · adverbadverbial to κλαίουσ᾽ἐμὸνmyἐμός · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies νόστονπολυκηδέαgrief-ladenπολυκηδής · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies νόστονπολυκηδής, compound epithet ‘full of many cares,’ describing his hard-won return.
νόστονreturnνόστος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of κλαίουσ᾽ - 352
while Zeus and the other gods kept fettering me with sorrows
Metre
κλαίουσαὐτὰρἐμὲ‖Ζεὺςἄλγεσικαὶθεοὶἄλλοι
κλαίουσweepingκλαίω · present active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to κεκορήμεθ᾽αὐτὰρwhileἀτάρ · particlesentence particleἐμὲmeἐγώ · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of πεδάασκονΖεὺςZeusΖεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of καὶἄλγεσιwith sorrowsἄλγος · dative plural neuter nounobject of πεδάασκονκαὶandκαί · conjunctioncoordinating wordθεοὶgodsθεός · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of καὶἄλλοιotherἄλλος · nominative plural masculine adjectivemodifies θεοὶ - 353
as I yearned to return, far from my native land.
Metre
ἱέμενονπεδάασκον‖ἐμῆςἀπὸπατρίδοςαἴης
ἱέμενονyearningἵημι · present middle participle, accusative singular masculinecircumstantial complementἱέμενον, present participle of ἵημι ‘long for,’ agrees with ἐμὲ — ‘me, though yearning.’
πεδάασκονkept fetteringπεδάω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbπεδάασκον, iterative imperfect ‘kept binding/hindering’ — the -σκ- suffix marks repeated past action, epic dialect feature.
ἐμῆςmyἐμός · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies αἴηςἀπὸfromἀπό · prepositionprepositionπατρίδοςnativeπατρίς · genitive singular feminine adjectivemodifies αἴηςαἴηςlandαἶα · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἀπὸ - 354
But now that we have both come to the bed we longed for,
Metre
νῦνἐπεὶἀμφοτέρω‖πολυήρατονἱκόμεθεὐνήν
νῦνnowνῦν · adverbadverbial to κομιζέμενδbutδέ · particlesentence particleἐπεὶsinceἐπεί · conjunctionprepositionἀμφοτέρωbothἀμφότερος · nominative dual masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementπολυήρατονmuch-longed-forπολυήρατος · accusative singular feminine adjectivemodifies εὐνήνπολυήρατος, compound epithet ‘much beloved/desired,’ vivid for the marriage bed after twenty years.
ἱκόμεθwe have comeἱκνέομαι · aorist middle indicative, 1st plural verbadverbial to ἐπεὶεὐνήνto bedεὐνή · accusative singular feminine nounobject of ἱκόμεθ᾽ - 355
take care of the property that is mine here in the halls.
Metre
κτήματαμὲντάμοιἔστι‖κομιζέμενἐνμεγάροισι
κτήματαpropertyκτῆμα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of κομιζέμενμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleτάthatὁ · nominative plural neuter pronounsubject of ἔστιμοιis mineἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἔστιἔστιisεἰμί · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing κτήματακομιζέμενtake care ofκομίζω · present active infinitivemain verbκομιζέμεν, epic infinitive (-μεν) used as an imperative, giving a command ‘see to/manage.’
ἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισιhallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἐν - 356
As for the flocks the overbearing suitors have ravaged,
Metre
μῆλαἅμοιμνηστῆρες‖ὑπερφίαλοικατέκειραν
μῆλαflocksμῆλον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ληΐσσομαιδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἅwhichὅς · accusative plural neuter pronounobject of κατέκειρανμοιfrom meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounadverbial to κατέκειρανμνηστῆρεςsuitorsμνηστήρ · nominative plural masculine nounsubject of κατέκειρανὑπερφίαλοιoverbearingὑπερφίαλος · nominative plural masculine adjectivemodifies μνηστῆρεςὑπερφίαλος, recurring epithet of the suitors throughout the poem — ‘arrogant, overweening.’
κατέκειρανravagedκατακείρω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbverb of a clause describing μῆλα - 357
many I will plunder back myself, and others the Achaeans
Metre
πολλὰμὲναὐτὸςἐγὼ‖ληΐσσομαιἄλλαἈχαιοὶ
πολλὰmanyπολύς · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies μῆλαμὲνon one handμέν · particlesentence particleαὐτὸςmyselfαὐτός · nominative singular masculine adjectivecircumstantial complementἐγὼIἐγώ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ληΐσσομαιληΐσσομαιwill plunder backληίζομαι · future medio-passive indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbληΐσσομαι, future middle ‘I will take as plunder for myself’ — Odysseus plans raids to replenish stock, a raw Bronze-Age economic detail.
ἄλλαothersἄλλος · accusative plural neuter adjectiveobject of δώσουσ᾽δandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἈχαιοὶAchaeansἈχαιός · nominative plural masculine adjectivesubject of δώσουσ᾽ - 358
will give, until they have filled all my pens again.
Metre
δώσουσεἰςὅκεπάντας‖ἐνιπλήσωσινἐπαύλους
δώσουσwill giveδίδωμι · future active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbεἰςuntilεἰς · prepositionprepositionὅthatὁ · accusative singular neuter pronounadverbial to ἐνιπλήσωσινκε[modal particle]ἄν · particleemphasizing particleπάνταςallπᾶς · accusative plural masculine adjectivemodifies ἐπαύλουςἐνιπλήσωσινhave filledἐμπίπλημι · aorist active subjunctive, 3rd plural verbadverbial to εἰςἐνιπλήσωσιν, aorist subjunctive with κε/εἰς ὅ — indefinite temporal clause, ‘until such time as they fill.’
ἐπαύλουςpensἔπαυλος · accusative plural masculine nounobject of ἐνιπλήσωσιν - 359
But now I am going to the well-wooded farm
Metre
ἀλλἦτοιμὲνἐγὼ‖πολυδένδρεονἀγρὸνἔπειμι
ἀλλbutἀλλά · adverbsentence particleἦtrulyἦ · adverbsentence particleτοιindeedτοι · particlesentence particleμὲνon my partμέν · particlesentence particleἐγὼIἐγώ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἔπειμιπολυδένδρεονwell-woodedπολύδενδρος · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies ἀγρὸνπολυδένδρεος, compound epithet ‘rich in trees,’ describing Laertes' rustic farm.
ἀγρὸνfarmἀγρός · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἔπειμιἔπειμιam goingἔπειμι · present active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verb - 360
to see my noble father, who grieves bitterly for me.
Metre
ὀψόμενοςπατέρἐσθλόν‖ὅμοιπυκινῶςἀκάχηται
ὀψόμενοςto seeὁράω · future middle participle, nominative singular masculineadverbial to ἔπειμιὀψόμενος, future participle expressing purpose — ‘going in order to see.’
πατέρfatherπατήρ · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ὀψόμενοςἐσθλόνnobleἐσθλός · accusative singular masculine adjectivemodifies πατέρ᾽ὅwhoὁ · nominative singular masculine pronounsubject of ἀκάχηταιμοιfor meἐγώ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἀκάχηταιπυκινῶςbitterlyπυκνός · adverbadverbial to ἀκάχηταιἀκάχηταιgrievesἀχεύω · present passive indicative, 3rd singular verbverb of a clause describing πατέρ᾽ἀκάχηται, from the same root as ἄχος ‘grief’ — expresses a lasting state of sorrow, here Laertes grieving over Odysseus.
- 361
And to you, wife, I give this charge, though you are prudent:
Metre
σοὶδέγύναιτάδἐπιτέλλω‖πινυτῇπερἐούσῃ
σοὶto youσύ · dative singular pronounobject of ἐπιτέλλωδέandδέ · particlecoordinating wordγύναιwifeγυνή · vocative singular feminine noungoverned by an elided headτάδthisὅδε · accusative plural neuter pronounobject of ἐπιτέλλωἐπιτέλλωI chargeἐπιτέλλω · present active indicative, 1st singular verbmain verbἐπιτέλλω, related to ἔτελλεν above — the same command root repeated, framing his instructions to Penelope.
πινυτῇprudentπινυτός · dative singular feminine adjectivepredicate nounπερalthoughπέρ · particlesentence particleἐούσῃbeingεἰμί · present active participle, dative singular femininecircumstantial complementπερ ἐούσῃ ‘though you are [prudent]’ — concessive use of περ with the participle, ‘even though wise, still heed this.’
- 362
for at once, with the rising of the sun, word will spread
Metre
αὐτίκαγὰρφάτιςεἶσιν‖ἅμἠελίῳἀνιόντι
αὐτίκαat onceαὐτίκα · adverbadverbial to εἶσινγὰρforγάρ · particlesentence particleφάτιςwordφάτις · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of εἶσινφάτις ‘rumor, report’ — news of the suitors' deaths will spread fast; Odysseus fears reprisal.
εἶσινwill spreadεἶμι · present active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἅμwithἅμα · prepositionprepositionἠελίῳsunἠέλιος · dative singular masculine nounadverbial to ἅμ᾽ἀνιόντιrisingἄνειμι · present active participle, dative singular masculinecircumstantial complement - 363
about the suitors whom I killed in the halls;
Metre
ἀνδρῶνμνηστήρων‖οὓςἔκτανονἐνμεγάροισιν
ἀνδρῶνof menἀνήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies φάτιςμνηστήρωνsuitorsμνηστήρ · genitive plural masculine nounmodifies ἀνδρῶνοὓςwhomὅς · accusative plural masculine pronounobject of ἔκτανονἔκτανονI killedκτείνω · aorist active indicative, 1st singular verbverb of a clause describing μνηστήρωνἐνinἐν · prepositionprepositionμεγάροισινhallsμέγαρον · dative plural neuter nounadverbial to ἐν - 364
go up to your upper room with your serving women
Metre
εἰςὑπερῷἀναβᾶσα‖σὺνἀμφιπόλοισιγυναιξὶν
εἰςtoεἰς · prepositionprepositionὑπερῷupper roomὑπερῷον · accusative plural neuter nounobject of εἰςὑπερῷον, the women's quarters upstairs — where Odysseus tells Penelope to retreat and stay quiet.
ἀναβᾶσαhaving gone upἀναβαίνω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἧσθαισὺνwithσύν · prepositionprepositionἀμφιπόλοισιattendantἀμφίπολος · dative plural feminine adjectivemodifies γυναιξὶνγυναιξὶνwomenγυνή · dative plural feminine nounadverbial to σὺν - 365
and sit there; look at no one and ask no questions."
Metre
ἧσθαιμηδέτινα‖προτιόσσεομηδἐρέεινε
ἧσθαιsitἧμαι · perfect middle infinitivemain verbμηδέand notμηδέ · adverbsentence particleτιναanyoneτις · accusative singular masculine pronounobject of προτιόσσεοπροτιόσσεοlook atπροτιόσσομαι · present medio-passive imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verbμηδnorμηδέ · adverbcoordinating wordἐρέεινεquestionἐρεείνω · present active imperative, 2nd singular verbmain verb - 366
He spoke, and around his shoulders he put on his fine armor,
Metre
ἦῥακαὶἀμφὤμοισιν‖ἐδύσετοτεύχεακαλά
ἦhe spokeἠμί · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἦ, archaic 3rd sg. of ἠμί ‘said/spoke,’ formulaic verb closing direct speech before narrative resumes.
ῥαthenἄρα · particlesentence particleκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleἀμφaroundἀμφί · prepositionprepositionὤμοισινshouldersὦμος · dative plural masculine nounobject of ἀμφ᾽ἐδύσετοput onδύω · aorist middle indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἐδύσετο, aorist middle of δύω ‘don/enter into’ — middle voice marks he arms himself.
τεύχεαarmorτεῦχος · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἐδύσετοκαλάfineκαλός · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies τεύχεα - 367
and roused Telemachus and the cowherd and the swineherd,
Metre
ὦρσεδὲΤηλέμαχον‖καὶβουκόλονἠδὲσυβώτην
ὦρσεrousedὄρνυμι · aorist active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδὲandδέ · particlesentence particleΤηλέμαχονTelemachusΤηλέμαχος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἠδὲκαὶandκαί · conjunctionsentence particleβουκόλονcowherdβουκόλος · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἠδὲἠδὲandἠδέ · conjunctioncoordinating wordσυβώτηνswineherdσυβώτης · accusative singular masculine nounobject of ἠδὲσυβώτης, epithet-title for the loyal Eumaeus, one of Odysseus' key allies in the vengeance plot.
- 368
and bade them all take their war-gear in their hands.
Metre
πάνταςἔντεἄνωγεν‖ἀρήϊαχερσὶνἑλέσθαι
πάνταςallπᾶς · accusative plural masculine adjectivesubject of ἑλέσθαιδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἔντεwar-gearἔντεα · accusative plural neuter nounobject of ἑλέσθαιἄνωγενbadeἄνωγα · perfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἄνωγεν, perfect with present meaning ‘commands/bids’ — common defective-perfect verb of command in Homer.
ἀρήϊαmartialἄρειος · accusative plural neuter adjectivemodifies ἔντε᾽χερσὶνin handsχείρ · dative plural feminine nounadverbial to ἑλέσθαιἑλέσθαιtake upαἱρέω · aorist middle infinitiveobject of ἄνωγεν - 369
They did not disobey him, but armed themselves in bronze,
Metre
οἱδέοἱοὐκἀπίθησαν‖ἐθωρήσσοντοδὲχαλκῷ
οἱtheyὁ · nominative plural masculine pronounsubject of δ᾽δέandδέ · particlesentence particleδέ links clauses, not adversative here—'and' not 'but'
οἱhimἕ · dative singular masculine pronounobject of ἀπίθησανοἱ = enclitic dat. of ἕ 'him', distinct from the nom. οἱ 'they' just before it
οὐκnotοὐ · adverbemphasizing particleἀπίθησανdisobeyedἀπιθέω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbἀπιθέω governs the dative οἱ 'disobeyed him'
ἐθωρήσσοντοarmed themselvesθωρήσσω · imperfect medio-passive indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbimperfect middle: put armor on themselves, ongoing action
δὲandδέ · particlesentence particleχαλκῷin bronzeχαλκός · dative singular masculine nounobject of ἐθωρήσσοντο - 370
and opened the doors and went out; Odysseus led the way.
ὤϊξανopenedοἴγω · aorist active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbὤϊξαν, epic aorist of οἴγω/οἴγνυμι 'open'
δὲandδέ · particlesentence particleθύραςthe doorsθύρα · accusative plural feminine nounobject of ὤϊξανἐκoutἐκ · prepositionemphasizing particleἐκ...ἤϊον is a tmesis: preposition split from its verb, 'went out'
δandδέ · particlecoordinating wordἤϊονwentεἶμι · imperfect active indicative, 3rd plural verbmain verbimperfect of εἶμι 'go', paired with ἐκ in tmesis to mean 'went out'
ἦρχεledἄρχω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbδandδέ · particlecoordinating wordὈδυσσεύςOdysseusὈδυσσεύς · nominative singular masculine nounsubject of ἦρχε - 371
By now there was light over the earth, but Athena
Metre
ἤδημὲνφάοςἦεν‖ἐπὶχθόνατοὺςἄρἈθήνη
ἤδηalreadyἤδη · adverbadverbial to ἦενμὲνindeedμέν · particlesentence particleμέν sets up a contrast answered by δʼ later in the line
φάοςdaylightφάος · nominative singular neuter nounsubject of ἦενἦενwasεἰμί · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbἐπὶoverἐπί · prepositionprepositionχθόναthe earthχθών · accusative singular feminine nounadverbial to ἐπὶχθόνα, accusative of χθών ‘earth, ground’ — object of ἐπί, ‘over the earth.’
τοὺςthemὁ · accusative plural masculine pronounobject of ἐξῆγεδbutδέ · particlecoordinating wordἄρthenἄρα · particlesentence particleἈθήνηAthenaἈθήνη · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of ἐξῆγεline breaks off mid-sentence; Athena is subject of a verb (e.g. 'led out') completed in the next line
- 372
hid them in night and swiftly led them out of the city.
Metre
νυκτὶκατακρύψασα‖θοῶςἐξῆγεπόληος
νυκτὶin nightνύξ · dative singular feminine nounobject of κατακρύψασακατακρύψασαhaving hidden themκατακρύπτω · aorist active participle, nominative singular feminineadverbial to ἐξῆγεθοῶςswiftlyθοός · adverbadverbial to ἐξῆγεἐξῆγεled them outἐξάγω · imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular verbmain verbπόληοςof the cityπόλις · genitive singular feminine nounobject of ἐξῆγε
The particulars
- The text
- Ὀδύσσεια, Homer. The Homecoming.
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- Public-domain Greek (Homer, ancient; text via the Perseus Digital Library). English translation © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC.
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