The Odyssey, Page 65

  150-253: Theoklymenos then said: He [Telemachos] lacks true understanding! Listen to me, and I'll make you a true prophecy! Odysseus is here already, learning what the suitors are up to and planning their downfall! I saw a clear bird-omen on Telemachos' ship, and so told him. Penelope said: Would that what you say were fulfilled! You'd soon know my gratitude and kindness then (150-65). Meanwhile the suitors were sporting with quoits and javelins. But when it was mealtime and the flocks came home, Medon the herald said to them: Now you've had your sport, come in and eat. Punctuality at meals is a good thing. They obeyed him, went in, and set about slaughtering sheep, goats, hogs, and a heifer (170-82).

  Now Odysseus and Eumaios were preparing to go into town. The swineherd said: Me, I'd rather have left you here to watch the farmstead; but you want to go in, and so my master commanded, and his word is dangerous to disregard. So, let's go! It's late in the day, and the evenings can get cold. Got it, said Odysseus, and you show me the way. If you have a staff cut, could I borrow it to lean on? You said the road was rough. Eumaios found him a staff, and they set out, leaving the farmhands and dogs behind (183-203). When they were near town, by the spring, they met Melanthios, driving his she-goats in for the suitors' dinner, with two herdsmen. He started insulting them, infuriating Odysseus: Here's one no-good leading another! You wretched swineherd, where are you taking this dirty greedy-guts of a beggar? He could do real work for me, but oh no, he'd rather slouch round begging food to fill his ravenous belly! I tell you, if he shows up at Odysseus' house, he'll be pelted with footstools (204-32). As he passed Odysseus, he kicked him. Odysseus thought of killing him, but restrained himself. The swineherd prayed aloud for some god to bring his master back--then he'd fix your insolence! Melanthios sneered: How he talks big! One day I'll ship him out and get a good price for him! Oh, would that Apollo, or the suitors, were to slay Telemachos, as surely as Odysseus' day of return's been lost in a distant land! (233-53)

  254-327: Melanthios went on ahead of them, entered the hall, sat down by Eurymachos, and was served food. Phemios, the minstrel, was beginning to play. Odysseus and Eumaios followed. Odysseus said: This fine place must be Odysseus' house, and there's a feast with music going on. Eumaios said: Correct! Either you go in first, and I'll follow, or I'll go first and you come afterwards. But don't linger outside too long, or someone may assault you or throw something at you. Odysseus said: You go first, I'll follow. I'm used to hard knocks, I can endure much. Hunger drives men implacably (254-89). Now there lay on the dung heap an old dog, Argos, that Odysseus had bred for hunting before he left for Troy, its good hunting days now long past, its strength gone. But at the sight of Odysseus it pricked up its ears. Odysseus shed a surreptitious tear, and said: This is, was, a fine-bodied dog! Was it a hunter, or just a pet? Eumaios said: It was Odysseus' dog, a fine hunter and tracker. But he's long absent, and the women have neglected the dog now it's old. Then he went in. But the dog, Argos, died after seeing Odysseus again in the twentieth year (290-327).

  328-408: Telemachos saw Eumaios, and beckoned to him. Eumaios took a stool and joined him. A herald brought him food. Then in came Odysseus, as an old ill-clad beggar leaning on a staff, and paused at the threshold. Telemachos gave Eumaios a loaf and two fistfuls of meat, and said: Give this to the stranger. Tell him to go round and beg from all the suitors. Embarrassment doesn't suit a beggar. Eumaios did so. Odysseus said: Zeus grant to Telemachos blessed prosperity! He took the food, and set it on his bag. Then he ate while the minstrel sang. When he stopped, and a roar of conversation started, Athene went to Odysseus and put it into his head to go round the suitors begging and find out which of them were decent and which lawless. So he began, stretching out his hand like a beggar born. So they pitied and gave, wondering who he was (328-68). Melanthios said: I've seen him before: the swineherd brought him here. Antinoos rebuked Eumaios, saying: Why bring him into town? Don't we have enough beggars already to ruin our meals? Eumaios said: Who ever seeks out and invites anyone from abroad, except an expert of some sort--seer, physician, builder, minstrel? Such men are sought after worldwide. No one would invite a beggar, to burden himself! But you're always harsh to Odysseus' servants, me in particular. But I don't care so long as Penelope and Telemachos are still here. Telemachos said: Don't waste words on this man! Antinoos is always making harsh remarks to provoke dissension, and encouraging others to do the same (369-95). To Antinoos he added: You really care for me like a father, telling me to throw a stranger out! No, you give him something! I don't grudge it him. Don't mind my mother or Odysseus' servants. But what you're really thinking is you prefer stuffing yourself to giving to someone else. Antinoos replied: Oh, bravely said! If the other suitors give him what I would, you won't see him around here for three months (396-408).

  409-91: With that he grabbed the footstool from under the table. But the others filled the beggar's bag with bread and meat. On his way out Odysseus stopped by Antinoos and said: Friend, give me something! You look like a king, so you should give more than the others! I too was once a rich man in a splendid house, with many servants, and gave to wandering strangers. But Zeus ruined me, sent me with pirates to Egypt. I sent out scouts, and told my comrades to guard the ships. But they laid the fields waste and began robbing and raping and killing. So a strong force came out from the city, killed many, took the rest prisoner. But me they gave to a friend, to take to Cyprus, and from there I made my way here, much distressed. Antinoos said: What god brought this pest here to bother our feast? Get away from my table, you shameless beggar, or you'll come to a bitter Egypt and Cyprus! You dun everyone, and they give--no reason not to give other men's food, when it's plentiful (409-52). Odysseus said: Your brains don't match your looks. You wouldn't give a suppliant so much as a grain of salt, and here you won't spare even a crust of bread, though there's plenty. Antinoos, angered, said: You complain? You won't get out unscathed! With that he threw the footstool, and it hit Odysseus at the juncture of neck and shoulder. Odysseus stood firm, just shook his head and pondered trouble. Then he sat at the threshold, put down his full bag, and addressed the suitors, saying: There's no grief or heartache when a man's hit while defending his possessions. But Antinoos has struck me because of my hungry belly. If beggars have gods, may they slay him before his marriage! Antinoos replied: Sit still and eat, or get out! Otherwise the young men here will haul you out and flay you! At this they grew indignant, and told him he was wrong to strike the wanderer. Suppose this was a god from heaven? Gods do visit cities in disguise, noting the offenses of mortals! But Antinoos ignored them. And Telemachos, much offended that his father had been struck, nevertheless shook his head, said nothing, and brooded on trouble (453-91).

  492-550: When Penelope heard about the beggar being struck, she apostrophized Antinoos, saying, among her handmaids: So may you yourself be struck down by Apollo! Eurynome the housekeeper said to her: If our prayers were granted, not one of these men would survive till tomorrow! Penelope said: They're all bad, but Antinoos is worse: there's some stranger going round the suitors begging, and the rest gave him food, but Antinoos threw a stool at him, hit his shoulder. So she spoke, while Odysseus was eating his dinner. To Eumaios she then said: Tell the stranger to come here to me: I want to ask him if he's had word of Odysseus, or even seen him. He looks as though he's wandered widely (492-511). Eumaios replied: He's a real charmer, the way he talks. I had him three days and nights in my hut after he'd escaped from a ship, and he still hadn't ended his tale of hardship! He enchanted me the way a minstrel does. He's an old friend of Odysseus, he says. He's come here from Krete on his wanderings. He's heard that Odysseus is alive, and near, in Thesprotia, and is bringing much treasure home. Penelope said: Call him here! I want him to tell me this himself. As for these suitors, let them enjoy themselves here--their servants are scoffing their own food and wine at home, while they slaughter our beasts and swill our wine! Unchecked, because there's no man like Odysseus here to stop them. If only Odysseus could come home, then he and his
son would soon be revenged on them! At this Telemachos sneezed loudly. Penelope said, laughing, An omen! My son sneezed at what I just said! Death will overtake all these suitors! If the stranger speaks truly, I'll give him a fine mantle and tunic (512-50).

  551-606: Hearing this, the swineherd went to Odysseus, and told him Penelope wanted to ask him about her husband, and of the reward she'd give him if he proved to be telling the truth, and her permit for him to beg anywhere in the land. Odysseus answered: Eumaios, I'll tell her the truth about Odysseus. I know him well, and we've suffered through similar hardships. But I'm afraid of these violent wanton suitors. When I was in the hall, doing no harm, one of them struck me, and neither your son nor anyone else stopped him. So tell Penelope to wait till after sundown to ask me about her husband, and then to seat me near the fire, because of my threadbare rags (551-72). Eumaios went back to Penelope, who said: You didn't bring him! Is he afraid of something or someone? It's no use a beggar being shy! Eumaios replied: Actually, he's right. It's better for you, too, to hear what he has to say when you're both alone. Penelope said: So, he's no fool: he knows how things can be. I daresay there are no more wickedly aggressive men than these. Eumaios then left her, and went to Telemachos and the suitors. He whispered privately to Telemachos: I'm off to guard the pigs. You look after everything here--above all, take care of yourself! Watch out that you don't run into trouble. There are many evildoers about, may Zeus finish them before they harm us! Telemachos said: Off with you when you've eaten! Bring fine beasts in tomorrow morning. I--and the gods--will look after things here. Eumaios ate, then returned to the pigs, leaving the suitors to their merrymaking.

  BOOK 18

  1-87: A public beggar now showed up, a bulky glutton known as Iros, because he ran errands for anyone, all set to drive Odysseus from his own house, saying: Shift it, old man! Out of the doorway if you don't want to be dragged out! They're all winking at me to do that, but I'm ashamed to! So move, or we may come to blows! Odysseus stared angrily, saying: I haven't troubled you, and I don't mind people giving you handouts, even big ones! This threshold's big enough for both of us, you don't need to be jealous. You seem to be a vagrant like me, and the gods will see that we prosper. But be careful how you challenge me: old I may be, but if I get angry, I'll bloody your mouth! That'd give me peace; I don't think you'd come back for second round (1-26). Iros said, angrily: See how this dirty fatso runs on, like a kitchen maid! I'll punch him up and knock out his teeth! You, gird yourself, let these men see how we fight! But how could you face a younger man? So they spoke to each other, and Antinoos, laughing, called out: Here's something new! The stranger and Iros are at each other! Let's set up a match! So they all gathered round, and Antinoos said: Whoever wins the bout can choose one of these hot goat paunches that we filled with fat and blood! And he can always feast with us, the only beggar we'll let join us. They all agreed (27-49). Odysseus then said: A sad old man can't match a younger one, but hunger drives me on! And will you all swear that none of you will hit me a foul blow, and so let Iros win? They so swore, and Telemachos then said: Stranger, if you're determined to fight this fellow, you needn't worry about anyone else! If anyone hits you, he'll have to fight me, your host! The princes are agreed! Odysseus then stripped down, showing a fine muscular physique, despite his age. And Athene buffed up his sinews, so that the suitors were amazed, and said Iros was asking for trouble. Iros quaked, but the servants tucked up his clothes and led him out by force, scared and trembling. Antinoos reproved him, saying: Well, braggart, if you're scared of this broken old man, you're in for trouble! If he beats you, I'm going to ship you out to King Echetos, who'll cut off your nose and ears and rip out your genitals and give them, raw, to the dogs as food (50-87).

  88-157: At this Iros trembled even more. Odysseus debated whether to knock him out flat, or to give him a light blow, and decided on the second, so as not to attract too much attention. But he hit him below the ear, crushed in the bones, and he fell, bleeding and kicking. The suitors nearly died laughing. Odysseus dragged him out, sat him against the courtyard wall with a staff, and said: Now scare off pigs and dogs, and stop messing with strangers and beggars. He then sat down at the threshold (88-110). The suitors greeted him saying: Zeus grant you your wishes! Thanks for stopping this braggart. We'll ship him out to King Echetos! Antinoos gave him the great paunch. Amphinomos added two loaves, and pledged him, saying: Good luck in the future, however downtrodden you are now! Odysseus said: Amphinomos, you seem a sensible man, like your father. So listen to this. There's nothing weaker on earth than a man. He thinks, as long as the gods smile on him and he's young and healthy, he'll never have trouble. Even when the gods turn against him, he bears it patiently. I too was once prosperous and valiant, trusting my kin. So, let no man ever be lawless! These suitors are wanton and reckless. But the man whose wife they insult won't be long absent, he's very near! So may some god take you home, so as not to meet him when he comes, because his coming will mean bloodshed. Odysseus then poured a libation and drank the wine. Amphinomos went back through the hall uneasy, mind anticipating trouble, and sat down. But Athene ensured he was killed by Telemachos (110-57).

  158-242: Athene then prompted Penelope to make herself look attractive to the suitors and win more renown than before from her husband and son. With an awkward laugh, she said to the housekeeper: Eurynome, my heart impels me to show myself to the suitors, much though I detest them. And I need to tell Telemachos not to consort with them so much--they feign respect, but are plotting his downfall. Eurynome said: Yes, good. Tell your son this. But wash and clean your face first. Don't go round tear-stained. Your son is now what you prayed for, a grown man. Penelope said: You may love me, but don't soft-talk me into washing and using oil! Any beauty I had I lost when Odysseus sailed to Troy. Just tell my two handmaids to come, I'd be embarrassed to face all those men alone. The housekeeper went out and did so (158-86). But Athene put Penelope to sleep, relaxed her, made her taller, more beautiful, and left. Then the chatter of her maids woke her, and she thought: Would that Artemis might kill me now, I'd no longer waste my life bemoaning the absence of my incomparable husband! With that she went to the hall, and stood in the doorway with her maids, veiled. The suitors were enchanted, all hoped to bed her (187-214).

  215-303: To Telemachos she said: You're not as sensible as you were! Even as a child you behaved better--you'd be called a prosperous man's son only by some stranger who judged you just by your good looks! Look at the way you let this stranger be abused! Suppose he were to be manhandled? You'd be disgraced. Telemachos replied: Mother, I don't blame you for being cross. I know what's good and bad; it was before that I behaved childishly. And the fight with Iros didn't turn out as the suitors expected: the stranger won! How I wish they were all like Iros is now--dazed, head lolling, unable to walk or go home (215-42). Eurymachos said: Penelope, if all the Achaians in Argos could see you now, you'd have even more suitors, you're so beautiful and clever! Penelope said: Any beauty I had I lost when Odysseus sailed for Troy. If he could now come and care for me, my fame would be more and fairer. Before he left he clasped my hand and said: I don't think all Achaians will make it back from Troy. The Trojans are famous warriors. So, you must take care of everything here, including my parents. But if I'm not back by the time my son's a bearded adult, then you're free to remarry and leave this house (243-70). Well, now all that's happening! I'll yet have to face that loathsome wedding night! And suitors never used to court like this: they competed with gifts and banquets, they didn't freeload off the prospective bride. Odysseus noted with pleasure the way she beguiled them into gift-giving and confused them, while her mind was directed elsewhere. Antinoos said to her: Any gifts that are brought here you should take: it's not proper to refuse them. But we're not going to shift from here until you marry the best candidate. They all liked this, and each suitor sent off for gifts. Antinoos ordered a fine robe with brooches; Eurymachos, a gold and amber chain; Eurydamas, triple-drop earrings; Peisandros, an e
legant necklace. All the suitors gave something. She went back upstairs, and her handmaids carried the gifts (271-303).

  304-45: The suitors danced and sang till it was dark, and then set up three braziers with firewood, and torches in between them, and the handmaids kindled the flames. To them Odysseus now said: You maids, go join your mistress, and I'll take care of the light. Even if they stay up till dawn, they won't outlast me! I can endure a lot. The maids looked at each other and giggled. Then Melantho, reared by Penelope, and now sleeping with Eurymachos, said to Odysseus: Why aren't you out of here, dossing down in a smithy or somewhere? Here you stay instead, chattering away in the company of gentlemen, not at all embarrassed! You must be drunk, or maybe you're always like this, talking nonsense! Are you getting above yourself because you downed Iros? You'd better look out that someone tougher doesn't beat you bloody and throw you out! Odysseus stared at her wrathfully and said: I'll soon go to Telemachos, you bitch, and tell him what you're saying. He'll cut you into bits! At this the women fled, thinking he meant what he said. Odysseus stood there by the flaming braziers, pondering things that would be fulfilled (304-45).