The Odyssey, Page 63

  BOOK 13

  1-69: Odysseus stopped speaking, and all were silent. Alkinoos then said: I don't think you're going to be driven back here! [Then, to the Phaiakians:] Clothing, gold, and suchlike already awaits the stranger. But I suggest that we also each give him a tripod and cauldron, and recoup the cost with a public levy. This would be too expensive if we were not reimbursed! They agreed. All then retired to bed. Early next morning, each brought the bronze, which Alkinoos stowed carefully himself so as not to interfere with the rowing. Then they turned to feasting again. Odysseus, like a weary plowman, was impatient for sunset, so that he could be on his way. Finally, he made a farewell speech of thanks--hint, hint--to Alkinoos (1-46), who still first wanted wine poured for a final libation. This was done, and when Odysseus got the cup, he offered special thanks and parting good wishes to the queen, Arete. Then he was escorted to the ship waiting for him by a herald, with servants carrying his remaining gifts (47-69). The goods were stowed. A bed was spread for Odysseus on the afterdeck. They put out to sea, and Odysseus slept soundly. The ship sped as fast as a four-horse chariot. They reached Ithake just before dawn, and put in at the harbor of Phorkys, with its safe mooring, olive tree, and roomy cave, sacred to the Naiads. They ran the ship ashore, lifted Odysseus, still sleeping, and put him on the beach, then grouped the gifts under the olive tree, and set off back home (70-125).

  125-87: Poseidon did not forget his threats to Odysseus. He now addressed Zeus: I know you promised him eventual return, and I bow to that ruling, but I promised him a rough passage, and here he is being ferried home asleep, by men who are our kin, with more and better gifts than he'd have gotten had he stayed in Troy! This is bringing me into disrespect! Zeus said: The gods aren't showing you disrespect: you're our oldest and best! But if you think these men are insulting you, do what you like to them. I would have done so already, said Poseidon, except I'm always afraid of your wrath! I have it in mind to smite this Phaiakian ship as it goes home and hide their city with a huge mountain. Zeus says: Yes. What I think is, turn that ship to stone, where they can always see it, but no, don't hide their city with a huge mountain (125-58). So Poseidon went and did just that to the Phaiakian ship. The Phaiakians were astonished. Alkinoos said: There's an old oracle, that Poseidon would be angry because we gave conveyance to all and sundry, and would smite one of our ships returning home and hide our city! Well, there goes the ship! We should stop escorting travelers and make lavish sacrifice to Poseidon, in the hope that he won't hide our city with a mountain! Fear-stricken, the Phaiakians at once did what he suggested (159-87).

  187-286: Odysseus woke, but didn't recognize Ithake. Athene also made him unrecognizable to everybody, including his wife, till the suitors had been paid out for their crimes. To himself he said: Where am I? Not home! Curse the Phaiakians, for not keeping their word, for dumping me in a strange country! Where can I store all my rich gifts? Let me count them, make sure the crew didn't pilfer some of them! He then did, but found nothing missing. He now met Athene in the likeness of a well-bred young herdsman. To her he said: Friend, I supplicate you as the first-met here! Help me save my treasure! And tell me where I am! Island or mainland? (187-235) Athene said: You're either ignorant or from far away, stranger! It's too rugged for chariots, but good for grain and vines and pasturage, with never-failing springs. That's why the name of Ithake has reached Troy! Odysseus was glad, but cautiously told her a cover story, not the truth. He said: I heard of Ithake even in Krete. I fled from there after killing Idomeneus' son, who planned to rob me of my booty from Troy, because I wouldn't play squire to his father! So I killed him one dark night, and shipped out with some Phoenicians, hoping to be put off at Pylos. But a gale blew us on to here, and they left me sleeping, and sailed on to Sidon (235-86).

  287-328: Athene smiled, changed herself to the likeness of a tall handsome woman, stroked him, said: A man would need to be really cunning to outsmart you in deceitful tales! But enough of this! You're the craftiest of men, and I'm the wisest and wiliest deity! Yet you didn't know me--Pallas Athene, I'm always at your side, your guardian! I made all the Phaiakians love you! Now I'm here to plan with you how to deal with the suitors! So don't tell a soul you're back! (287-311). Odysseus replied: You can take whatever shape you like, so it's hard for a mortal to keep up with you! You were always kind to me at Troy. But after we sacked Troy and started for home I never saw you, in my ship or wherever, till you comforted me on Scheria, and led me to the Phaiakians' city. But now--I think you're mocking me saying this is Ithake--tell me where I really am! (288-328).

  329-440: Athene said: You're so careful and subtle! Any other man would have gone straight home, but you need to test your wife further, however much she's missed you! But I knew you'd make it back! Still, I'm not going to argue with Poseidon, whose son you blinded. Now to convince you: I'll show you Ithake. Here is the harbor, and the olive tree, and the cave of the nymphs. So saying, she dispersed the mist, and Odysseus recognized his own land, rejoiced, and prayed to the nymphs, saying: I never thought I'd see you again, but now I greet you! And I'll give you gifts, as before, if Zeus' daughter lets me live, and my son come to manhood! (329-60). Athene said: Cheer up, don't worry!

  Let's now stow your stuff safely in the back of the cave here, and plan to make all turn out for the best. Athene now entered the cave and looked for good hiding places, and Odysseus brought all his goods in and stored them. Then they sat down and planned death for the suitors. Athene said: You need to think how you'll lay hands on them. For three years they've been squandering your property and courting your wife. She offers hopes to them all, but is mourning and longing for you. Odysseus said: I'd have died like Agamemnon had you not told me all! Now work out a plan for me to requite the suitors, and stand by me yourself, as you did at Troy! Do that, and I'd face three hundred of them! (360-91). Athene replied: I'll be with you, and many a suitor will pay with his blood! Now I'll make you old and shriveled, in filthy, mean clothes, unrecognizable to everyone. First, go to the swineherd, and stay with him, question him about everything, while I go to Sparta to fetch your son, Telemachos. Odysseus said: You know everything, why didn't you tell him before? Did you want more sorrow for him? Athene said: I told him to go there and be well thought of for doing so! He's enjoying himself in Menelaos' domain. There's a plan to waylay and kill him, but that won't come to anything. She then touched Odysseus with her wand, and made him into an aged beggar in mean, threadbare clothes, with a tattered leather bag. They then parted, and she went to Sparta to fetch Odysseus' son.

  BOOK 14

  1-108: Odysseus made his way to the hut of the swineherd Eumaios, as Athene had instructed him to do. He found Eumaios sitting outside his house, in the courtyard that he'd built himself, along with the pigsties, without telling Penelope or Laertes. The courtyard wall was of large stones with oak stakes and a thorn coping. There were a dozen pigsties, with fifty sows in each: the boars whose meat the suitors ate slept outside. There were three hundred and sixty of them, guarded by four savage watchdogs. Three of the four hands were out with the droves of pigs; the fourth was taking that day's fatted hog into town. The swineherd was cutting up oxhide to make himself a pair of sandals. When Odysseus approached, the dogs went for him, barking. Odysseus sat down, and Eumaios called the dogs off, showering them with stones. Eumaios said: Old man, the dogs could have torn you to pieces--another reproach for me! As it is, I grieve for my absent master, who--if he's still alive--may be wandering and hungry, while I fatten hogs for other men to eat. So come in with me, and eat, and then tell me about yourself and your troubles (1-47). So he took Odysseus in, and spread his own goatskin for him, and Odysseus thanked him. Eumaios said: Strangers are from Zeus, and must be welcomed, however poor our resources. Even a poor gift helps. We servants go in fear of young masters. The gods have hindered the return of my true master, who would have treated me generously: he went to Ilion with Agamemnon to fight the Trojans. With that Eumaios fetched two piglets from the sties, kille
d, dressed, spitted, and roasted them. Offering Odysseus the meat to eat and wine to drink (48-79), he said: This is what we servants eat, the suitors get the fatted hogs! Even enemies and pirates have some respect for the gods, but these men waste my master's property, his pigs and wine, without restraint! He was wealthy, too: endless herds of goats, droves of pigs, both here and on the mainland! (80-108).

  109-90: Odysseus ate and drank gratefully, then asked: who was this wealthy man who bought you? You say he died serving with Agamemnon. Maybe I knew him, or have news of him. I've traveled widely. Eumaios said: His wife and son aren't going to believe anyone now! Every wanderer who shows up here goes to my mistress with a lying tale in hope of reward! You too, old man, would do so if it'd win you a cloak and tunic! No, he's dead, for sure, and eaten by dogs and birds of prey. I'll never find another master as kind as he was! It's him I mourn for, more even than for my own parents (109-47). Odysseus said: I tell you, on oath, Odysseus will return! Reward me when he does, but not before: I hate a man who lies out of poverty. I swear to you, this very month he will come back, and take revenge on these suitors! Eumaios said: I won't reward you, and Odysseus won't return. So sit and drink, and talk about other things: when I'm reminded of him I get so sad!

  Well, may he return, as we all hope: me, Penelope, Laertes, Telemachos! It's Telemachos I worry about: he's off at Pylos after news of his father, and they're lying in wait for him when he returns, planning to kill him! But never mind about him now: tell me about yourself: who are you, and how did you come here? (148-90).

  191-320: Odysseus then said: Were I to tell you all my troubles, we could sit here for a year! I'm from Krete, son of a rich man by his concubine, but he honored me like his legitimate offspring. However, he died, and I got a small share only. Then I married an heiress, winning her by my valor as a soldier, though that strength is now gone. I had no time for farming. I preferred warfare, and got much booty that way. I went to Troy with Idomeneus and fought there for nine years. Then, after a month only back home I went on an expedition to Egypt (191-247). While I was sending out scouts, the comrades I'd left to guard the ships began raiding, raping, and killing. A strong Egyptian force came out against us, and we were defeated. I surrendered as a suppliant to the king, who saved and looked after me well (258-84). I stayed there seven years and acquired much wealth. But then I went with a cunning Phoenician merchant, who put me on board a ship for Libya, saying I was to convey the cargo, but in fact planning to sell me for a good price. The ship was destroyed, however, by a great storm. I escaped on the mast and was washed ashore among the Thesprotians, where I was rescued by the king's son (285-320).

  321-408: There I heard about Odysseus. The king said he'd stayed there on his way home, and he showed me all the treasure he'd left stored there. Odysseus, he said, had gone to consult the oracle of Zeus at Dodone: should he, after being away so long, go home openly or in secret? The ship to convey him was ready. But he put me aboard a ship first, that was sailing to Doulichion. When we were well out to sea, the crew overpowered me, stripped me of my clothes, leaving me the rags I'm wearing now. At evening they reached Ithake, tied me up, and went ashore for their supper. I got loose, swam ashore away from them, and hid in a thicket. When they couldn't find me, they sailed on, and the gods brought me here to you (321-59). Eumaios said: I'm sorry for your suffering! But I'm not convinced by your tale about Odysseus. Why lie to no purpose? The gods hated him: they didn't let him die in Troy after the victory, when his friends would have raised him a proper burial mound. As it is, he was swept away by some storm: no name, no glory. So, I stay out here with the pigs, I don't go in to town, unless Penelope asks me to do so, when she gets news, and people question the informant. But I've given up that, ever since I was conned by an Aitolian, on the run after killing a man, who said he'd seen Odysseus at Idomeneus' house, repairing his ships after a storm. Back by summer or autumn he'd be, I was told, with a lot of treasure. So don't you try to win me over with that kind of story! I treat you with kindness out of pity for you, and respect for Zeus, as the god of strangers (359-89). Odysseus replied: You're incredulous, even when faced with an oath! Look: the gods be my witness! If your master returns, clothe me and send me to Doulichion. If he doesn't, have me flung off the cliff as a warning to other lying beggars. Eumaios said: A fine reputation I'd get, if I first gave you hospitality and then killed you! Come, it's near supper time. My herders will soon be back, and we'll have a good meal (390-408).

  409-533: The herdsmen returned with the droves of pigs and shut the noisy sows in their sties. Eumaios told them: Bring in the best hog for slaughter to feed the stranger and ourselves. We've worked long hours, while those others have freeloaded! They brought in a fat hog, and Eumaios killed it, praying that Odysseus might return. After offerings they cut up, spitted, and roasted the hog. Eumaios carved, gave a portion to the nymphs, and the chine to Odysseus, who thanked him gratefully. Eat and enjoy! said Eumaios. It's the god who gives, as he chooses. After libations, the cup passed to Odysseus. Eumaios' own slave served them. After eating and drinking their fill, they retired to sleep (409-56). With night there came a gale and rainstorm. Odysseus wanted to see if Eumaios would give him his cloak, or tell one of the hands to do so. He said: Wine prompts me to tell a boastful story! Once when I was strong we were planning an ambush outside Troy's walls, led by Odysseus, Menelaos, and myself. It was cold and frosty outside. The rest had cloaks, but I'd come without mine. Late in the night I whispered to Odysseus that the cold was killing me. Odysseus then said to the rest: I've had a dream. We're too far from the ships. Will someone go to Agamemnon and ask for reinforcements? (456-98). So Thoas got up, stripped off his cloak, and ran to the ships, and I lay in his cloak till morning. Would that I were as strong as I was then! One of your hands would give me a cloak out of kindness and respect. But as it is they despise me for my mean and ragged attire. Eumaios said: Fairly spoken! For this night you'll lack no cloak, a suppliant's due. But tomorrow you'll have to go back to your rags: here each man has only one cloak! Still, when Odysseus returns, he'll give you clothes and send you wherever you want. He then laid hides by the fire for Odysseus to sleep on, and covered him with a thick cloak he kept for bad weather. So Odysseus slept warm. But Eumaios himself went out to sleep in a sheltered spot close to his hogs (499-533).

  BOOK 15

  1-181: Athene went to Sparta to tell Telemachos it was time to be going home. She found him lying wakeful in Menelaos' colonnade, while Peisistratos still slept. She said: You've been away too long! These suitors will soon have devoured all your resources! Tell Menelaos you need to be off to be sure of finding your mother still at home--her father and brothers are urging her to marry Eurymachos, who's upping the bride-price and making the most generous gifts! You need to be careful, too, that she doesn't leave and take some of your property with her! You should put your most trustworthy maidservant in charge of all your possessions, until you yourself marry. Oh, and the pick of the suitors are planning to ambush and kill you in the strait between Ithake and Same, though I don't think they'll succeed. So sail well away from the islands, and when you reach the nearest coast of Ithake, send the others on to town, but stay with the swineherd yourself, and tell him to inform Penelope that you're back safe! With that she left for Olympos (1-43). Telemachos now kicked Peisistratos awake, telling him to yoke up the chariot, it was time for them to be off. Peisistratos said: It's still dark! We can't go yet, however much you want to. And wait till Menelaos brings out gifts for you, and wishes you a kind farewell! Dawn came not long after, and with it, bright and early, Menelaos. Telemachos hurriedly dressed, and approached Menelaos, saying: Menelaos, let me go home now, I really need to. Menelaos said: I shan't keep you any longer than you want, and I'd blame anybody who did! Just hang on till I put gifts in the chariot for you and have the women make you a last meal! A traveler needs to eat before starting out. And if you plan to go by way of Argos, I'll come with you, and supply horses, and we'll stay with people who'll
give us good presents (44-85). Telemachos said: I'd rather leave at once--there's no one watching over my property! I'm afraid that my quest for my father is going to cost me my possessions, even maybe my life! On hearing this, Menelaos at once told his wife and her maids to prepare a meal, and his squire Eteoneus to light a fire and roast some meat. He then went with her and a son to his storeroom, and chose a two-handled cup, while Helen selected a splendid robe that she'd made herself. Then they met Telemachos, and Menelaos said: May Zeus grant you the homecoming you want! And I shall give you a truly precious gift, a silver mixing-bowl, the work of Hephaistos. He put the cup in Telemachos' hands, and told his son to bring the mixing-bowl. Then Helen brought the robe, and told Telemachos it was a bridal dress for his future wife, but till that day it should be stored away in his mother's keeping. Peisistratos now took the gifts, admiringly, and stowed them in the chariot (86-132). Then Menelaos led them inside for the meal that awaited them. When it was over Telemachos and Peisistratos mounted the chariot and drove to the gateway. Menelaos had wine brought for libations. He stood by the horses and told them: My greetings to Nestor, who was like a kind father to me at Troy. Telemachos said: We'll be sure to tell him! And how I wish I could find my father at home, to tell him how kind you've been to me! At this point an eagle flew by on the right, clutching a large white tame goose. And Peisistratos said: well, Menelaos, was the omen for us or for you? While Menelaos pondered, Helen said: As the eagle came from the mountain, and snatched the house-bred goose, so shall Odysseus return and exact his vengeance--he may even be home already! Said Telemachos: May Zeus grant this, and I'll pray to you as a god! (133-81).