The Odyssey 1732 Studios

Ancient Greek · The Wanderings

Ὀδυσσείας θ

Book 8. The Phaeacian Games and the Songs of Demodocus

The Phaeacians hold games for their guest. Demodocus sings of Troy, and the stranger weeps. Alcinous asks him who he is.

586 lines · 111 notes

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    Now when early-born, rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,

    ἦμοςwhenἦμος · adverbsubordinating conjunction
    δandδέ · particleemphasizing particle
    ἠριγένειαearly-bornἠριγένεια · nominative singular feminine nounmodifies Ἠώς

    Fixed epithet of Dawn, always paired with ῥοδοδάκτυλος in this formula.

    φάνηappearedφαίνω · aorist passive indicative, 3rd singular verbadverbial to ἦμος

    Aorist passive of φαίνω used intransitively: 'came to light/appeared'.

    ῥοδοδάκτυλοςrosy-fingeredῥοδοδάκτυλος · nominative singular feminine adjectivemodifies Ἠώς

    Homer's most famous formulaic epithet, describing Dawn's rays.

    ἨώςDawnἠώς · nominative singular feminine nounsubject of φάνη
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    the sacred force of Alcinous rose up from his bed,

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    and up rose Zeus-born Odysseus, sacker of cities.

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    And the sacred force of Alcinous led them on

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    to the Phaeacians' meeting-place, which was built for them beside the ships.

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    When they arrived they sat down on the polished stones

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    side by side. But Pallas Athena went through the town

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    in the likeness of a herald of wise Alcinous,

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    devising a homecoming for great-hearted Odysseus,

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    and standing beside each man she spoke her word:

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    "Come now, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians,

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    go to the assembly, so you may learn about the stranger

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    who has just come to the house of wise Alcinous

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    after wandering over the sea, like the immortals in build."

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    Speaking so, she stirred the force and spirit of each man.

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    Quickly the meeting-grounds and the seats filled with men

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    as they gathered; and many marveled when they saw

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    the wise son of Laertes; for upon him Athena

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    poured a marvelous grace over his head and shoulders,

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    and made him taller and stouter to look upon,

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    so that he might be welcome to all the Phaeacians,

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    formidable and respected, and might carry off the contests,

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    the many with which the Phaeacians would test Odysseus.

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    But when they had gathered and were assembled together,

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    Alcinous addressed them and spoke among them:

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    "Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians,

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    that I may say what the heart in my breast commands.

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    This stranger here—I do not know who—came wandering to my house,

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    whether from the peoples of the east or of the west.

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    He urges an escort, and begs that it be made certain.

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    Let us, as in the past, speed his escort onward.

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    For no one else either, whoever comes to my house,

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    stays here long, grieving for want of an escort.

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    But come, let us drag a black ship down to the bright sea,

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    one sailing for the first time, and let two and fifty young men

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    be chosen throughout the land, all who are best.

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    When you have all lashed the oars well to the thole-pins,

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    step ashore; then afterward make ready a swift feast

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    coming to my house; I will provide well for all.

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    These are my orders to the young men. But you others,

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    scepter-bearing kings, come to my fine house

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    so that we may entertain the stranger in the halls,

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    and let no one refuse. And summon the divine singer,

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    Demodocus; for to him the god granted song above others,

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    to give delight, in whatever way his heart stirs him to sing."

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    So speaking he led the way, and they followed with him,

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    the scepter-bearers; and a herald went after the divine singer.

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    And the two and fifty chosen young men

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    went, as he ordered, to the shore of the barren sea.

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    But when they had gone down to the ship and the sea,

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    they dragged the black ship into the deep water,

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    set the mast and the sails in the black ship,

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    fitted the oars in their leather loops,

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    all in due order, and spread the white sails wide.

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    They moored her high up in the deep water; and then

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    they set out to go to the great house of wise Alcinous.

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    The porticoes and courtyards and rooms filled with men

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    as they gathered; many there were, both young and old.

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    For them Alcinous sacrificed twelve sheep,

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    eight white-tusked boars, and two shambling oxen;

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    these they flayed and dressed, and made ready a lovely feast.

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    And the herald came near, leading the trusty singer,

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    whom the Muse loved above others, and gave both good and ill:

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    she robbed him of his eyes, but gave him sweet song.

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    For him Pontonous set a silver-studded chair

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    in the midst of the banqueters, leaning it against a tall pillar;

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    and the herald hung the clear-toned lyre from a peg

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    just above his head, and showed him how to reach it with his hands,

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    the herald; and he set beside him a basket and a fine table,

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    and a cup of wine, to drink whenever his heart bade him.

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    Then they reached out their hands to the good things laid ready before them.

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    But when they had put away their desire for drink and food,

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    the Muse stirred the singer to sing the glorious deeds of men,

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    from a lay whose fame in that day reached the wide heaven:

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    the quarrel of Odysseus and Achilles, son of Peleus,

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    how once they contended at a rich feast of the gods

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    with terrible words; and Agamemnon, lord of men,

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    rejoiced in his heart that the best of the Achaeans were quarreling.

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    For so Phoebus Apollo had foretold him in prophecy

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    in holy Pytho, when he crossed the stone threshold

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    to consult the oracle; for then the beginning of woe was rolling onward

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    upon Trojans and Danaans alike, through the plans of great Zeus.

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    These things the far-famed singer sang; but Odysseus,

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    taking up his great purple cloak in his strong hands,

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    drew it down over his head, and hid his handsome face;

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    for he was ashamed before the Phaeacians to let tears fall from his eyes.

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    Indeed, whenever the divine singer left off singing,

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    he would wipe away the tears and take the cloak from his head

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    and, lifting the two-handled cup, pour libation to the gods.

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    But whenever the singer began again, and the noblest

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    of the Phaeacians urged him to sing, since they delighted in his words,

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    Odysseus would cover his head again and weep.

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    There he escaped the notice of all the others as he shed his tears,

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    but Alcinous alone noticed and was aware of him,

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    sitting near him, and heard him groaning heavily.

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    At once he spoke among the oar-loving Phaeacians:

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    "Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians.

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    By now we have satisfied our hearts with the equal feast

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    and the lyre, which is the companion of the rich feast.

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    Now let us go out and make trial of the contests,

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    all of them, so that the stranger may tell his friends,

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    when he has returned home, how far we surpass others

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    in boxing and wrestling and jumping and in running."

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    So speaking he led the way, and they followed with him.

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    The herald hung the clear-toned lyre on its peg,

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    took Demodocus by the hand, and led him out of the hall,

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    the herald; and he guided him along the same road that the others took,

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    the noblest of the Phaeacians, to marvel at the contests.

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    They set out to go to the assembly, and a great crowd followed with them,

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    thousands; and many fine young men stood up.

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    Up rose Akroneos and Okyalos and Elatreus,

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    Nauteus and Prymneus and Anchialos and Eretmeus,

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    and Ponteus and Proreus, Thoon and Anabesineos,

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    and Amphialos, son of Polyneos son of Tekton.

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    And up rose Euryalos too, the equal of man-destroying Ares,

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    son of Naubolos, who was the best in looks and build

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    of all the Phaeacians after blameless Laodamas.

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    Up too stood the three sons of blameless Alkinoos,

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    Laodamas and Halios and godlike Clytoneus.

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    First of all they made their trial in the footrace.

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    For them the track was stretched out from the starting-line, and all together

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    they flew swiftly, raising the dust across the plain.

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    Far the best of them at running was blameless Clytoneus:

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    as far as the range of a span of mules in fallow ground,

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    by such a margin he outstripped the people, while the others fell behind.

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    Then they made trial of the painful sport of wrestling,

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    and there in turn Euryalos surpassed all the best men.

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    In the jump Amphialos was foremost of them all,

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    and at the discus by far the strongest of all was Elatreus,

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    and at boxing Laodamas, the good son of Alkinoos.

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    But when they had all delighted their hearts with the contests,

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    Laodamas, son of Alkinoos, spoke among them:

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    "Come, friends, let us ask the stranger whether he knows

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    and has learned any sport. In build he is no weakling—

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    his thighs and calves, and both his hands above,

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    his sturdy neck and great strength. Nor does he lack

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    youth at all, but he is broken by many hardships;

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    for I say there is nothing worse than the sea

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    for breaking a man, however very strong he may be."

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    Then Euryalos answered him and said:

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    "Laodamas, this word you have spoken is very fitting.

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    Go yourself now and challenge him, and make your meaning plain."

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    Now when the good son of Alkinoos heard this,

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    he went and stood in the middle and spoke to Odysseus:

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    "Come here, you too, good father stranger, and try the games,

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    if perhaps you have learned any. It is fitting you know the sports;

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    for there is no greater glory for a man, while he lives,

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    than what he achieves with his own feet and hands.

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    Come then, try, and scatter the cares from your heart.

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    Your journey will not be put off much longer now; already for you

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    the ship is hauled down and the crew stand ready."

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    Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him:

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    "Laodamas, why do you all order me this, mocking me?

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    Cares are more in my mind than contests,

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    I who before have suffered much and toiled at much,

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    and now I sit in your assembly, longing for my homecoming,

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    begging the king and all the people."

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    Then Euryalos answered him and reviled him to his face:

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    "No, stranger, I do not liken you to a man skilled

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    in contests, of the many kinds there are among men,

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    but rather to one who, plying his many-benched ship,

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    is a captain of sailors who are traders,

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    one mindful of his freight and overseer of his wares

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    and of greedily-snatched gains. You look like no athlete."

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    Then, with a dark look, Odysseus of many wiles addressed him:

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    "Stranger, you have not spoken well; you are like a reckless man.

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    So it is: the gods do not give pleasing gifts to all

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    men alike—not build, nor sense, nor skill in speech.

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    For one man may be rather poor in looks,

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    but a god crowns his words with grace, and people gaze at him

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    with delight; and he speaks on without faltering,

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    with winning modesty, and stands out among the gathered men,

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    and as he goes through the town they look on him as a god.

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    Another again may be in looks like the immortals,

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    but no grace is set as a crown around his words,

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    just as in your case your looks are striking—not even a god

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    could shape them otherwise—but in mind you are worthless.

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    You have stirred the heart in my breast

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    by speaking improperly. I am no novice at contests,

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    as you claim, but I think I was among the foremost

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    while I could trust in my youth and my hands.

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    But now I am gripped by hardship and griefs; for I have endured much,

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    passing through wars of men and the painful waves.

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    Yet even so, though I have suffered much, I will try the contests;

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    for your word bites the heart, and you have provoked me by speaking."

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    He spoke, and leaping up, cloak and all, seized a discus

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    larger and thicker, not a little heavier

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    than the one the Phaeacians threw among themselves.

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    Whirling it round, he let it fly from his sturdy hand,

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    and the stone hummed; down they cowered to the ground,

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    the Phaeacians of the long oars, men famed for their ships,

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    beneath the stone's rush; but it flew past all the marks,

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    speeding swiftly from his hand. And Athena set the mark

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    in the likeness of a man, and she spoke and addressed him:

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    "Even a blind man, stranger, could pick out your mark

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    by groping, since it is not at all mixed in with the crowd,

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    but far the first. Take heart about this contest:

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    none of the Phaeacians will reach this throw, let alone pass it."

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    So she spoke, and much-enduring noble Odysseus rejoiced,

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    glad that he saw a kindly comrade in the contest.

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    And then he spoke more lightly among the Phaeacians:

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    "Reach that now, young men. Soon, I think, I shall throw another

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    as far, or even farther still.

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    Of the rest, whomever his heart and spirit urge,

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    come here and let him try, since you have angered me too much—

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    at boxing, or wrestling, or even running; I begrudge it not at all—

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    any of all the Phaeacians, except Laodamas himself.

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    For he is my host. Who would fight a man who befriends him?

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    Foolish indeed and worthless is that man

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    who offers a quarrel of contests to his host

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    in a foreign land: he only cuts down all his own standing.

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    But of the others I refuse none and slight none,

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    rather I am willing to know them and test them face to face.

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    For I am not bad at all in the contests men engage in.

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    I know well how to handle the polished bow:

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    I would be the first to strike a man, shooting into the throng

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    of enemy men, even if very many comrades

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    stood close beside me and shot at the foe.

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    Philoctetes alone surpassed me with the bow

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    in the land of the Trojans, when we Achaeans shot.

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    But over all other men I declare myself far the better,

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    of all the mortals now on earth who eat bread.

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    But with men of former times I will not be willing to contend,

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    neither with Herakles nor with Eurytus of Oechalia,

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    who would contend even with the immortals over archery.

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    And so great Eurytus died suddenly, nor did he reach old age

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    in his halls; for Apollo in anger

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    killed him, because he had challenged him to a contest with the bow.

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    With the spear I cast as far as no other man can with an arrow.

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    Only in running do I fear some Phaeacian might pass me,

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    for I was beaten down shamefully and hard

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    amid many waves, since there was no steady provision

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    aboard the ship; and so my dear limbs are loosened."

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    So he spoke, and they all fell silent, hushed and still.

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    Alkinoos alone answered him and said:

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    "Stranger, since what you say among us is not ungracious,

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    but you wish to show the excellence that goes with you,

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    angry because this man, standing beside you in the contest,

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    insulted you — no mortal would belittle your excellence

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    who knew in his own mind how to speak fittingly —

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    but come now, mark my word, so that to another too

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    you may tell it, among the heroes, when in your own halls

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    you feast beside your wife and your children,

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    remembering our excellence — what deeds even to us

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    Zeus has set as our work, continually, ever since our fathers' day.

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    For we are not flawless boxers, nor wrestlers,

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    but we run swiftly on foot and are the best with ships,

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    and always dear to us are the feast, the lyre, and the dances,

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    changes of clothing, warm baths, and beds.

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    But come now, you dancers of the Phaeacians, all the best of you,

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    make sport, so that the stranger may tell his friends,

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    when he returns home, how far we surpass others

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    in seamanship, in running, in dancing, and in song.

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    And let someone go quickly and bring for Demodokos the clear-toned lyre

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    that lies somewhere in our halls."

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    So spoke Alkinoos, godlike, and the herald rose

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    to bring the hollow lyre from the king's house.

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    And the nine chosen umpires all stood up,

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    public men, who managed each thing well in the contests,

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    and they smoothed the dancing-floor and widened a fine ring.

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    The herald came near, carrying the clear-toned lyre

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    for Demodokos; and he then went into the middle, and around him the young men,

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    in the first bloom of youth, stood — skilled in the dance —

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    and they struck the wondrous dancing-floor with their feet. And Odysseus

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    watched the twinkling of their feet, and marveled in his heart.

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    Then, playing the lyre, he struck up a fine song

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    about the love of Ares and fair-crowned Aphrodite,

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    how first they lay together in the house of Hephaestus

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    in secret; and Ares gave many gifts, and shamed the marriage bed

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    of lord Hephaestus. At once a messenger came to him,

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    Helios, who had seen them joined in love.

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    And Hephaestus, when he heard the heart-grieving tale,

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    went to his forge, brooding evil deep in his heart,

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    and set the great anvil on its block, and forged bonds,

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    unbreakable, unloosable, so they might stay fast in place.

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    But when he had made the snare, in his anger against Ares,

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    he went to the bedchamber where his own dear bed lay,

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    and around the bedposts he poured the bonds in a circle, on every side,

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    and many too were hung from above, down from the roof-beam,

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    fine as spider's webs, such as no one could even see,

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    not even the blessed gods; for it was wrought full of cunning.

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    But when he had poured all the snare about the bed,

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    he made as if to set off for Lemnos, the well-built city,

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    which is by far the dearest of all lands to him.

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    Nor did Ares of the golden reins keep a blind watch,

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    when he saw Hephaestus the famed craftsman going away;

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    he set off for the house of glorious Hephaestus,

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    longing for the love of fair-crowned Cytherea.

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    She, lately come from her father, the mighty son of Cronus,

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    had just sat down; and he went inside the house,

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    and clasped her hand, and spoke, and called her by name:

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    "Come, my love, let us go to bed and take our delight,

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    for Hephaestus is no longer here at home, but by now, I think,

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    he is gone to Lemnos, to the Sintians of savage speech."

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    So he spoke, and to her it seemed welcome to lie down.

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    The two went to the bed and lay down; and around them the bonds

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    of skilled Hephaestus poured close, cunningly made,

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    and it was not possible to move a limb or lift one.

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    And then indeed they knew that there was no more escaping.

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    Near them came the glorious one with crooked legs,

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    having turned back again before reaching the land of Lemnos;

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    for Helios kept watch for him and told him the tale.

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    He went toward his house, grieved at heart,

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    and stood in the doorway, and fierce anger seized him;

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    he shouted terribly, and called out to all the gods:

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    "Father Zeus, and you other blessed gods who live forever,

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    come here, that you may see deeds laughable and not to be borne,

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    how Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, dishonors me

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    always, because I am lame, and loves destructive Ares,

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    because he is handsome and sound of foot, while I

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    was born a weakling. Yet no other is to blame for that,

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    but my two parents, who ought never to have begotten me.

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    But come and see where the two of them sleep in love,

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    gone up into my bed; and I, looking on, am grieved.

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    Yet I do not think they will want to lie like this even a little while longer,

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    for all their great love; soon the two of them will not wish

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    to sleep; but the snare and the bond will hold them fast,

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    until her father gives me back every bride-gift,

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    all that I handed over for the sake of his dog-faced daughter,

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    because his daughter is beautiful, but cannot govern her desire."

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    So he spoke, and the gods gathered to the bronze-floored house;

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    Poseidon came, the earth-encircler, and Hermes came, the bringer of luck,

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    Hermes, and lord Apollo who works from afar came too.

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    But the goddesses stayed each at home for shame.

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    The gods, givers of good things, stood in the doorway;

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    and unquenchable laughter rose up among the blessed gods

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    as they looked on the contrivances of skilled Hephaestus.

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    And thus one would say, looking at his neighbor nearby:

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    "Evil deeds do not prosper; the slow one catches the swift,

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    as even now Hephaestus, slow as he is, has caught Ares,

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    though he was the swiftest of the gods who hold Olympus,

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    Hephaestus, lame as he is, caught him by his craft; so Ares owes the adulterer's fine."

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    So they spoke such things to one another;

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    but lord Apollo, son of Zeus, said to Hermes:

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    "Hermes, son of Zeus, guide and giver of good things,

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    would you really be willing, pressed tight in strong chains,

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    to sleep in bed beside golden Aphrodite?"

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    Then the guide, slayer of Argus, answered him:

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    "If only this could happen, lord Apollo who shoots from afar:

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    let three times as many endless chains hold me fast,

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    and you gods look on, and all the goddesses too,

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    and still I would sleep beside golden Aphrodite."

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    So he spoke, and laughter rose among the immortal gods.

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    But laughter did not hold Poseidon; he kept begging

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    Hephaestus, the famous craftsman, to set Ares free.

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    And speaking out, he addressed him with winged words:

  347. 347

    "Let him go; and I promise you myself, just as you require,

  348. 348

    that he will pay all that is fitting before the immortal gods."

  349. 349

    Then the famous lame god answered him in turn:

  350. 350

    "Do not, Poseidon who girds the earth, ask this of me.

  351. 351

    Wretched are the pledges one pledges for wretched men.

  352. 352

    How could I bind you before the immortal gods,

  353. 353

    if Ares should go off, escaping his debt and the chains?"

  354. 354

    Then Poseidon the earth-shaker answered him in turn:

  355. 355

    "Hephaestus, even if Ares does dodge his debt

  356. 356

    and goes off in flight, I myself will pay you this."

  357. 357

    Then the famous lame god answered him:

  358. 358

    "It is not possible, nor right, to refuse your word."

  359. 359

    So speaking, the strength of Hephaestus loosed the chain.

  360. 360

    And when the two were freed from the chain, strong as it was,

  361. 361

    at once they sprang up, and the one went off to Thrace,

  362. 362

    while she, laughter-loving Aphrodite, came to Cyprus,

  363. 363

    to Paphos, where she has a sacred precinct and a fragrant altar.

  364. 364

    There the Graces bathed her and anointed her with oil,

  365. 365

    the immortal oil that shines upon the gods who live forever,

  366. 366

    and they dressed her in lovely garments, a wonder to behold.

  367. 367

    So the famous bard sang; and Odysseus

  368. 368

    delighted in his heart as he listened, and so did the others,

  369. 369

    the Phaeacians with their long oars, men famed for their ships.

  370. 370

    Then Alcinous told Halius and Laodamas

  371. 371

    to dance alone, since no one could rival them.

  372. 372

    So when they had taken a fine ball in their hands,

  373. 373

    a purple one, which skilled Polybus had made for them,

  374. 374

    the one would fling it up toward the shadowy clouds,

  375. 375

    bending backward, and the other, leaping high from the ground,

  376. 376

    would catch it easily before his feet touched the earth again.

  377. 377

    And when they had tried the ball thrown straight upward,

  378. 378

    they danced then upon the bountiful earth,

  379. 379

    trading places again and again; and the other young men

  380. 380

    standing in the ring kept time, and a great din rose up.

  381. 381

    Then noble Odysseus said to Alcinous:

  382. 382

    "Lord Alcinous, most renowned of all the people,

  383. 383

    you boasted that your dancers were the best,

  384. 384

    and so it has proved true: awe holds me as I watch."

  385. 385

    So he spoke, and the sacred strength of Alcinous rejoiced,

  386. 386

    and at once he spoke among the oar-loving Phaeacians:

  387. 387

    "Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians.

  388. 388

    This stranger seems to me a man of much good sense.

  389. 389

    Come then, let us give him a guest-gift, as is fitting.

  390. 390

    For twelve distinguished kings throughout the land

  391. 391

    rule as chiefs, and I myself am the thirteenth.

  392. 392

    Let each of you bring him a clean cloak and a tunic

  393. 393

    and a talent of precious gold.

  394. 394

    Let us quickly bring it all together, so that in his hands

  395. 395

    the stranger may hold it and go to supper glad at heart.

  396. 396

    And Euryalus must make amends to him with words

  397. 397

    and a gift, since he spoke a word that was out of place."

  398. 398

    So he spoke, and they all approved and urged it on,

  399. 399

    and each sent his herald to bring the gifts.

  400. 400

    Then Euryalus answered him and spoke:

  401. 401

    "Lord Alcinous, most renowned of all the people,

  402. 402

    I will indeed make amends to the stranger, as you bid.

  403. 403

    I will give him this sword, all of bronze, whose hilt

  404. 404

    is of silver, and the scabbard of fresh-sawn ivory

  405. 405

    is fitted around it; it will be worth much to him."

  406. 406

    So speaking, he placed the silver-studded sword in his hands

  407. 407

    and, raising his voice, addressed him with winged words:

  408. 408

    "Farewell, father stranger; and if some harsh word

  409. 409

    has been spoken, may the storm-winds snatch it up and carry it off.

  410. 410

    And may the gods grant you to see your wife and reach

  411. 411

    your homeland, since long away from your loved ones you suffer pains."

  412. 412

    Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him:

  413. 413

    "Farewell to you too, friend, and may the gods grant you blessings.

  414. 414

    And may you never afterward feel the lack of this sword

  415. 415

    you have given me, making amends with your words."

  416. 416

    He spoke, and slung the silver-studded sword about his shoulders.

  417. 417

    The sun went down, and the splendid gifts were brought to him.

  418. 418

    Noble heralds carried them to the house of Alcinous,

  419. 419

    and the sons of blameless Alcinous received them

  420. 420

    and set the beautiful gifts beside their honored mother.

  421. 421

    The sacred strength of Alcinous led the way for them,

  422. 422

    and when they came in they sat down on high seats.

  423. 423

    Then the strength of Alcinous spoke to Arete:

  424. 424

    "Come, wife, bring out a fine chest, the very best you have,

  425. 425

    and put in it yourself a clean cloak and a tunic.

  426. 426

    Heat a cauldron of bronze over the fire for him, and warm water,

  427. 427

    so that, when he has bathed and seen all neatly laid out,

  428. 428

    the gifts the blameless Phaeacians have brought him here,

  429. 429

    he may delight in the feast and in hearing the song's strains.

  430. 430

    And I will give him this lovely cup of my own,

  431. 431

    of gold, so that, remembering me all his days,

  432. 432

    he may pour libations in his hall to Zeus and the other gods."

  433. 433

    So he spoke, and Arete told her serving women

  434. 434

    to set a great tripod over the fire as fast as they could.

  435. 435

    And they set a tripod for heating bath-water over the blazing fire,

  436. 436

    poured water into it, and took up wood and kindled it beneath.

  437. 437

    The fire wrapped the belly of the tripod, and the water grew warm.

  438. 438

    Meanwhile Arete brought out for the stranger a beautiful chest

  439. 439

    from the chamber, and laid in it the splendid gifts,

  440. 440

    the clothing and the gold, which the Phaeacians had given him.

  441. 441

    and she herself laid in it a fine cloak and tunic,

  442. 442

    and she spoke to him, addressing him with winged words:

  443. 443

    "See to the lid yourself now, and quickly throw a binding over it,

  444. 444

    so that no one may harm you on the way, when later

  445. 445

    you sleep sweet sleep as you travel in the black ship."

  446. 446

    Now when much-enduring noble Odysseus heard this,

  447. 447

    at once he fitted the lid on, and quickly threw over it a binding,

  448. 448

    an intricate one, which once the lady Circe had taught him in his mind.

  449. 449

    Then the housekeeper bade him go straightway to bathe,

  450. 450

    and he stepped into the tub; and gladly he saw in his heart

  451. 451

    the warm baths, since he had not often been so tended,

  452. 452

    ever since he had left the home of fair-haired Calypso.

  453. 453

    All that while his care had been constant, as for a god.

  454. 454

    Now when the handmaids had washed him and anointed him with oil,

  455. 455

    and had thrown a fine cloak about him and a tunic,

  456. 456

    he stepped out of the tub and went toward the men who were drinking wine.

  457. 457

    And Nausicaa, holding beauty given by the gods,

  458. 458

    stood by the doorpost of the strongly-built hall,

  459. 459

    and she marveled at Odysseus, gazing at him with her eyes,

  460. 460

    and she spoke to him, addressing him with winged words:

  461. 461

    "Farewell, stranger, so that one day, when you are in your native land,

  462. 462

    you may remember me, since to me first you owe the price of your life."

  463. 463

    Answering her, Odysseus of many counsels said:

  464. 464

    "Nausicaa, daughter of great-hearted Alkinoos,

  465. 465

    may Zeus so grant it now, the loud-thundering husband of Hera,

  466. 466

    that I reach home and see the day of my return;

  467. 467

    then there too I would pray to you as to a goddess

  468. 468

    always, all my days; for you gave me back my life, maiden."

  469. 469

    He spoke, and sat down on a chair beside King Alkinoos.

  470. 470

    And by now they were portioning out the meat and mixing the wine.

  471. 471

    A herald came near leading the trusty bard,

  472. 472

    Demodokos, honored by the people; and he set him

  473. 473

    in the midst of the banqueters, propping him against a tall pillar.

  474. 474

    Then Odysseus of many counsels spoke to the herald,

  475. 475

    cutting off a slice from the chine, with the greater part still left,

  476. 476

    from a white-tusked boar, and rich fat was on both sides of it:

  477. 477

    "Herald, come, hand this meat over, so that he may eat,

  478. 478

    to Demodokos; and I will greet him warmly, grieved though I am.

  479. 479

    For among all men who live upon the earth the bards

  480. 480

    have their share of honor and respect, because the Muse

  481. 481

    has taught them paths of song, and she loves the tribe of bards."

  482. 482

    So he spoke, and the herald carried it and put it in the hands

  483. 483

    of the hero Demodokos; and he received it, and rejoiced in his heart.

  484. 484

    Then they reached out their hands to the good things lying ready before them.

  485. 485

    But when they had put away their desire for drink and food,

  486. 486

    then Odysseus of many counsels spoke to Demodokos:

  487. 487

    "Demodokos, beyond all mortals I praise you.

  488. 488

    Either the Muse, daughter of Zeus, taught you, or Apollo;

  489. 489

    for in fitting order you sing the doom of the Achaeans,

  490. 490

    all that the Achaeans did and suffered, and all the toils they endured,

  491. 491

    as though somehow you had been there yourself, or heard it from another.

  492. 492

    But come now, change your theme and sing of the building of the horse,

  493. 493

    the wooden one, which Epeios made with Athena's help,

  494. 494

    which once noble Odysseus brought as a trick up to the citadel,

  495. 495

    having filled it with the men who then sacked Ilion.

  496. 496

    If you recount these things for me in fitting order,

  497. 497

    at once I will tell among all men

  498. 498

    how a gracious god has granted you inspired song."

  499. 499

    So he spoke, and the bard, stirred by the god, began, and let his song shine out,

  500. 500

    taking it up from where the Argives boarded their well-benched ships

  501. 501

    and sailed away, after setting fire to their huts,

  502. 502

    the Argives, while the others, around glorious Odysseus,

  503. 503

    sat in the assembly-place of the Trojans, hidden within the horse;

  504. 504

    for the Trojans themselves had dragged it up to the citadel.

  505. 505

    So it stood there, while they argued much without end,

  506. 506

    sitting around it; and a threefold plan pleased them:

  507. 507

    either to split the hollow timber with pitiless bronze,

  508. 508

    or to drag it to the heights and hurl it down from the rocks,

  509. 509

    or to let it stand as a great offering to charm the gods,

  510. 510

    which indeed was how it was destined to end in the end;

  511. 511

    for it was their fate to perish, once the city should enclose

  512. 512

    the great wooden horse, where all the best men were sitting,

  513. 513

    the Argives, bringing slaughter and death to the Trojans.

  514. 514

    And he sang how the sons of the Achaeans sacked the city,

  515. 515

    pouring out from the horse, leaving the hollow ambush.

  516. 516

    He sang how one here, another there, laid waste the steep city,

  517. 517

    but how Odysseus went to the house of Deiphobos,

  518. 518

    like Ares, together with godlike Menelaus.

  519. 519

    There, he said, Odysseus dared the most terrible battle

  520. 520

    and then won it, through great-hearted Athena.

  521. 521

    These things the renowned bard sang; but Odysseus

  522. 522

    melted, and the tears wet his cheeks beneath his eyelids.

  523. 523

    As a woman weeps, flinging herself upon her dear husband,

  524. 524

    who has fallen before his city and his people,

  525. 525

    warding off the pitiless day from his town and his children;

  526. 526

    she, seeing him dying and gasping for breath,

  527. 527

    pours herself around him and wails shrilly; but behind her

  528. 528

    the enemy, beating her back and shoulders with their spears,

  529. 529

    lead her up into slavery, to have toil and misery;

  530. 530

    and her cheeks waste away with the most pitiful grief:

  531. 531

    so did Odysseus shed a pitiful tear beneath his brows.

  532. 532

    There he escaped the notice of all the others as he shed tears,

  533. 533

    but Alkinoos alone marked him and took note,

  534. 534

    sitting near him, and heard him groaning heavily.

  535. 535

    At once he spoke among the oar-loving Phaeacians:

  536. 536

    "Hear me, leaders and counselors of the Phaeacians,

  537. 537

    let Demodokos now hold back his clear-toned lyre;

  538. 538

    for he does not in any way please everyone by singing these things.

  539. 539

    Ever since we began to dine and the divine bard arose,

  540. 540

    from that time the stranger has never ceased from grievous lament;

  541. 541

    some great sorrow, I think, has settled all about his heart.

  542. 542

    But come, let him hold back, so that we may all alike take delight,

  543. 543

    hosts and guest, since this way is far better;

  544. 544

    for it is all arranged for the sake of the honored guest,

  545. 545

    the escort and the kind gifts, which we give him in friendship.

  546. 546

    A guest and a suppliant stand in place of a brother

  547. 547

    to a man who touches even a little upon understanding.

  548. 548

    So now do not you either conceal with crafty thoughts

  549. 549

    whatever I may ask you; it is better that you speak.

  550. 550

    Tell the name by which there at home your mother and father called you,

  551. 551

    and others who live throughout the city and round about it.

  552. 552

    For no man among human beings is altogether nameless,

  553. 553

    neither base nor noble, once he has first been born,

  554. 554

    but parents set a name on all once they have given them birth.

  555. 555

    Tell me too your land, your people, and your city,

  556. 556

    so that the ships may carry you there, aiming with their minds;

  557. 557

    for the Phaeacians have no steersmen,

  558. 558

    nor any steering-oars such as other ships possess;

  559. 559

    rather they themselves know the thoughts and minds of men,

  560. 560

    and they know the cities and rich fields of all

  561. 561

    peoples, and swiftly they cross the gulf of the sea,

  562. 562

    shrouded in mist and cloud; and never for them

  563. 563

    is there any fear of being harmed or of perishing.

  564. 564

    But here is a thing I once heard my father say,

  565. 565

    Nausithous, who used to say that Poseidon held a grudge

  566. 566

    against us, because we are safe escorts for everyone.

  567. 567

    He said that one day a well-built ship of Phaeacian men,

  568. 568

    as it returned from an escort over the misty sea,

  569. 569

    the god would shatter, and would bury our city under a great mountain.

  570. 570

    So the old man declared; but these things a god may either bring to pass

  571. 571

    or leave unfulfilled, however it please his heart.

  572. 572

    But come now, tell me this, and recount it truly:

  573. 573

    where you were driven off course, and what lands you reached

  574. 574

    of men, both the people themselves and their well-settled cities,

  575. 575

    those who are harsh and savage and without justice,

  576. 576

    and those who love strangers and have a god-fearing mind.

  577. 577

    Tell me too why you weep and grieve in your heart within

  578. 578

    when you hear the doom of the Argive Danaans and of Ilium.

  579. 579

    That doom the gods themselves contrived, and they spun out destruction

  580. 580

    for men, so that there might be song even for those yet to be.

  581. 581

    Did some kinsman of yours perish before Ilium,

  582. 582

    a noble man, a son-in-law or a father-in-law, those who are most of all

  583. 583

    dearest after one's own blood and kin?

  584. 584

    Or was it perhaps some comrade, a man knowing things pleasing to you,

  585. 585

    a noble one? For no whit lesser than a brother

  586. 586

    is a comrade who, being a comrade, knows wise and prudent things.

The particulars

The text
Ὀδύσσεια, Homer. The Wanderings.
Translation
Public-domain Greek (Homer, ancient; text via the Perseus Digital Library). English translation © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC.
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Digital narration in reconstructed pronunciation, shaped to the hexameter. The complete audiobook.
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Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.