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The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839-45). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Author: Homer
Translator: Thomas Hobbes
Editor: Sir William Molesworth

Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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To the Reader, Concerning the Virtues of an Heroic Poem.
The Life of Homer, Collected and Written By J. Wallim.
Homer’s Iliads. Translated Out of Greek By Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury.
Lib. I.
Lib. II.
Lib. III.
Lib. IV.
Lib. V.
Lib. VI.
Lib. VII.
Lib. VIII.
Lib. IX.
Lib. X.
Lib. XI.
Lib. XII.
Lib. XIII.
Lib. XIV.
Lib. XV.
Lib. XVI.
Lib. XVII.
Lib. XVIII.
Lib. XIX.
Lib. XX.
Lib. XXI.
Lib. XXII.
Lib. XXIII.
Lib. XXIV.
Homer’s Odysses. Translated Out of Greek By Thomas Hobbes, of Malmesbury.
Lib. I.
Lib. II.
Lib. III.
Lib. IV.
Lib. V.
Lib. VI.
Lib. VII.
Lib. VIII.
Lib. IX.
Lib. X.
Lib. XI.
Lib. XII.
Lib. XIII.
Lib. XIV.
Lib. XV.
Lib. XVI.
Lib. XVII.
Lib. XVIII.
Lib. XIX.
Lib. XX.
Lib. XXI.
Lib. XXII.
Lib. XXIII.
Lib. XXIV.

HOMER’S ODYSSES.
translated out of greek by THOMAS HOBBES, OF MALMESBURY.

LIB. I.

In a council of the Gods (Neptune absent) Pallas procureth an order for the restitution of Ulysses, and appearing to his son Telemachus in human shape, adviseth him to complain of the suitors before the council of the Lords, and then to go to Pylus and Sparta to enquire about his father.

Tell me, O Muse, th’ adventures of the man
That having sack’d the sacred town of Troy,
Wander’d so long at sea; what course he ran
By winds and tempests driven from his way:
5That saw the cities, and the fashions knew

Of many men, but suffer’d grievous pain
To save his own life, and bring home his crew;
Though for his crew, all he could do was vain,
They lost themselves by their own insolence,
10Feeding, like fools, on the Sun’s sacred kine;

Which did the splendid deity incense
To their dire fate. Begin, O Muse divine.
The Greeks from Troy were all returned home,
All that the war and winds had spar’d, except
15The discontent Ulysses only; whom

In hollow caves the nymph Calypso kept.
But when the years and days were come about,
Wherein was woven his return by fate
To Ithaca (but neither there without
20Great pain), the Gods then pitied his estate,

All saving Neptune; who did never cease
To hinder him from reaching his own shore,
And persecute him still upon the seas
Till he got home, then troubled him no more.
25Neptune was now far off in Black-moor land;

The Black-moors are the utmost of mankind,
As far as east and west asunder stand,
So far the Black-moors’ borders are disjoin’d.
Invited there to feast on ram and bull,
30There sat he merry. Th’ other Gods were then

Met on Olympus in a synod full,
In th’ house of Jove, father of Gods and men.
And first spake Jove, whose thoughts were now upon
Ægistus’ death, which he but then first knew,
35By th’ hand of Agamemnon’s valiant son,

Who to revenge his father’s blood him slew.
Ha! how dare mortals tax the Gods, and say,
Their harms do all proceed from our decree,
And by our setting; when by their crimes they
40Against our wills make their own destiny?

As now Ægistus did Atrides kill
Newly come home, and married his wife;
Although he knew it was against my will,
And that it would cost him one day his life.
45Sent we not Hermes to him to forbid

The murder, and the marriage of the wife;
And tell him if the contrary he did
Orestes should revenge it on his life?
All this said Hermes, as we bade him. But
50Ægistus, for all this, was not afraid

His lust in execution to put.
And therefore now has dearly for it paid.
Then Pallas moved on Ulysses’ part,
And said, O Father Jove, the king of kings,
55Ægistus’ fate was fit for his desert,

So let them perish all that do such things.
’Tis for Ulysses that I live in pain,
Poor man, long absent from his friends, forlorn,
In a small isle, the centre of the main;
60Kept from his home, doth nought but grieve and mourn.

The isle is beautified with goodly trees,
And in it dwells a nymph. Her father’s name
Atlas, that all the depths of the ocean sees,
And beareth up the pillars of the same,
65And heaven and earth to boot. His daughter ’tis

That with fair words and gentle courtesy
Detains Ulysses. And her meaning is
For ever there to have his company.
Whilst he, alas! e’en dies for very grief.
70To see the smoke of Ithaca he wishes,

And would take that for some, though small relief.
And yet you are not mov’d. Were not Ulysses
His sacrifices on the Trojan shore
Both free and bountiful? They were, you know:
75In th’ Argive camp, I dare say, no man’s more.

Why, therefore, Father, should you hate him so?
To her the mighty Jove made this reply.
Child, what a word is this that you let fall?
Do I neglect Ulysses, or do I
80Ulysses hate, that amongst mortals all

For wisdom and for piety excels?
Neptune, that backs and shakes the earth, ’tis he
Whose breast with anger and revenge still swells
Against him, for his son’s calamity,
85The godlike Polypheme, Cyclops the great,

Whom on Thoosa, Phorcys’ daughter brave,
Neptune the king of waters did beget,
Embracing her within a hollow cave;
And him Ulysses has depriv’d of sight.
90For which, though Neptune do not him destroy,

He crosses him with dangers day and night,
And drives him up and down out of his way.
But well, let us that are assembled now
Bethink us how to bring him home. ’Tis odds
95’Twill cool his rage. He has not strength enough

T’ oppose the power of all the other Gods.
Then Pallas said, O Jove, of kings the king,
Since the blest Gods have thought good, and decreed
Ulysses to his native soil to bring,
100Let’s Hermes send unto the nymph with speed,

In th’ isle Ogygia, to let her know
Our sentence, that she may the same obey.
And I to Ithaca meanwhile will go,
And cause his son to call without delay
105The common council; and to make him bold,

To warn his mother’s suitors to be gone,
And feast no longer on his herd and fold,
As they before had insolently done.
To Sparta too I’ll send him, and to Pyle
110T’ inquire about his father’s navigation,

That in the world, by travel for a while,
He may acquire a greater reputation.
This said, upon her feet her shoes she binds,
Ambrosian golden shoes, that do her bear
115On land and water swiftly as the winds,

And takes in hand her brazen-headed spear;
A heavy, massy, and strong spear, the same
Wherewith, when angry, she the armed bands
Of mighty men of war does eas’ly tame.
120That was the spear she carried in her hands.

Then from the high Olympus leapt she down
T’ Ulysses’ house, and stood in the hall-door
I’ th’ shape of Mentes, that possess’d the crown
O’ th’ Taphian people, whom he reigned o’er.
125And thence beheld the suitors in the court,

Sitting upon the hides of beeves, which they
Themselves had kill’d, and, wanting other sport,
Playing at chess they pass’d their time away.
Meanwhile their officers and serving-men
130Were busy mingling water with the wine,

Others the meat divide, others make clean,
Set up and rub the tables till they shine.
Telemachus now with the suitors sat,
Fancying, in case his father should appear,
135Brought home by the Gods or by some lucky fate,

How then these knaves would slink away for fear;
And he again recover his estate,
And in his own land rule without a peer.
He was the first that spied the Goddess, and
140Then presently he hast’ned to the door;

Receives her spear and takes her by the hand,
And both go in, she after, he before.
You shall, said he, stranger be welcome here:
But first let’s sup, and afterwards we’ll find
145Sufficient time both for me to inquire,

And you to tell your business and your mind.
When they were come into the stately hall,
Her spear within a case he sets upright,
T’ a pillar, in which case the spears were all
150His father left behind going to fight.

Then led her to a chair which stood upon
A dainty carpet curiously wrought,
And put t’ her feet a stool to rest upon,
And for himself a handsome stool he brought:
155Then did a maid, in a fine golden ewer,

Bring water for their hands, and pours it on
Over a bason large of silver pure,
And set a table to them, for both one:
From others’ seats remoter than to fear
160Their rudeness might offend her, or that they

Might peradventure listening overhear
What he and she did of Ulysses say.
Another sets on bread and other things
To eat, such as in her charge were at home.
165But flesh of many sorts the carver brings,

And the cup-bearers often go and come.
Then came the suitors in, and took their places
All in a row. To each a table stands,
And golden bowl, one way look all their faces,
170The waiters bring in water for their hands.

The maids in baskets bring both bread and meat,
On which they lay their hands with great good will,
And heartily and hastily they eat,
And to the brim their cups the servants fill.
175When they of hunger had pluck’d out the sting,

The lusty suitors’ thoughts converted were
To dancing, and to hear the minstrel sing,
Sports these are consecrated to good cheer.
To Phemius, the minstrel, that was by,
180Unwillingly, forc’d by th’ unruly throng,

They brought a cittern, and he presently
Began to play, and then to sing a song.
But to the Goddess Pallas, in her ear
Telemachus began to speak his mind,
185Not being willing any else should hear.

Excuse me, friend, that I say what I find.
You see the care of these men what it is,
Singing and dancing. And no wonder, since
That which they spend is not their own, but his
190Whose bones lie somewhere naked far from hence,

Unburied, it may be, on the ground,
There rotting as he lies i’ th’ dew and rain;
Or else at sea, perhaps, if he be drown’d,
The waves his body roll upon the main.
195If him at home the best of them should meet

Safely arriv’d in Ithaca, he would
Much rather wish, I think, for nimble feet,
Than to be rich in garment or in gold.
But, oh! he’s dead, and of some cruel death;
200And though some tell us he is coming home,

’Tis comfortless, for he’s bereav’d of breath.
To Ithaca I ne’er shall see him come.
But let this pass, and tell me truly now
Your own, your father’s, and your country’s name.
205And further, I desire you’ll let me know,

Whence are the mariners that with you came
Unto this town? and tell me this likewise,
Where rideth the good ship that brought you to’t;
For verily I can no way devise
210How you should come on horseback or on foot?

And tell me, were you never here before,
Nor saw my father whilst he here abode?
For strangers came to visit him good store,
As having much convers’d with men abroad.
215I’ll clearly speak, said Pallas, t’ every thing.

My father was Anchialus, and I
Mentes, my city Taphos, and I king;
My people to the oar themselves apply.
At present bound I am to Temisa
220For brass; and iron I carry with me thither.

Under Mount Neion, not near Ithaca,
My ship at Reithrus rideth safe from weather.
As for your father, we were mutual guests
(Ask the old lord Laertes) from our youth.
225With one old maid alone his meat to dress,

He lives at’s country house, he’ll tell you truth.
There creeps he in his vineyard up and down.
And I came hither now, ’cause I was told
By some, his son Ulysses was in town.
230But ’tis not so. The Gods do him withhold

From his dear wife, and native country still
Within an island, where the savage men
By force detain him much against his will:
But all in vain, he shall return again.
235For I presage, and come it shall to pass,

That am no prophet, nor birds understand;
Though he were tied there with chains of brass,
He shall get loose and see his native land.
But say, are you indeed, that are so grown,
240His son? Your heads and eyes are like, I mark,

For we were well to one another known;
But ’twas before he did for Troy embark
With other princes of the Argive youth;
But never saw him since. That I’m his son,
245Said he, my mother says. But who in truth

Knoweth who ’twas that got him? I think none.
If I might choose my father, I would be
His son that groweth old on’s own estate.
But whom they tell me is my father, he
250Of all men is the most unfortunate.

Then said the Goddess, Howsoe’er that be,
The Gods will never nameless leave your kind,
That are the son of fair Penelope,
And so well fram’d in body and in mind.
255But say, What feast is this, and who these be?

You have no cause to feast. Their conversation
Pleases me not. ’Tis rude, unmannerly.
What! is’t a wedding, or is’t a collation?
Friend, since you ask, said he, take the whole story.
260This house was rich, my father being here,

But th’ unkind Gods have taken hence that glory:
For where he is, a word we cannot hear.
Less had I griev’d, if he his life had lost
With other Argive lords under Troy wall,
265Or, the war done, ’mongst those that love him most.

Then had he had a noble funeral,
At which th’ Achæan princes would have been,
And the honour had redounded to his son.
But now, alas! devour’d by harpies keen,
270Unheard-of and unask’d-for he is gone,

Leaving me here behind to sigh and groan.
Besides, the Gods have giv’n me other care,
Bitter enough. ’Tis not for him alone
My heart is rent. There other mischiefs are.
275How many lords within these isles do sway!

Samé, Dulichium, Ithaca, and Zant;
So many suitors duly every day
For marriage with my mother the house haunt.
Whilst she can none put off, and will none marry,
280They spend my corn and wine, and cattle kill,

And eating here and drinking still they tarry,
And me perhaps at last they murder will.
Then Pallas said, Is’t so? ’Tis time indeed
Your father hither were come back again,
285Having so long been absent hence, with speed

To lay his hands upon these shameless men.
Oh! that just now within the gates he stood
Of th’ outer court, I would desire no more,
Arm’d with two spears, buckler, and helmet good,
290Such now, as I have seen him heretofore.

From Ephyré he took our house in’s way,
Where first I saw him merry drinking wine.
For he had been with Ilus, him to pray
To give him for his shafts a medicine,
295Wherewith to make them all they wound to kill.

But he refus’d, fearing the powers above.
And ’twas my father gave’t him for good will:
For why, he did him very dearly love.
If, such as then, Ulysses should appear
300Amongst the suitors now, short liv’d I trow

They’d be, and have but bitter wedding cheer.
But when he shall come home, Gods only know,
Or whether you shall see him any more.
Meanwhile consider by what means you may
305Get the unruly suitors out of door,

That so oppress you, and your house annoy.
And first observe what I shall you advise.
Convoke the people to the market-place;
Protest the Gods against their injuries,
310And let the whole assembly know your case.

Say, if they needs will wed her, let her go
Back to her father, who the match should make,
And offer for her what is fit; and so
Which of them she likes best, him let her take.
315And for yourself, I think it your best way,

In a good bark of twenty oars abroad
T’ inquire what men can of your father say,
Or what some lucky sign from Jove may bode.
Go first to Pyle, inquire of Nestor; then
320To Sparta. Ask of Menelaus, whom

Of all which had at Troy commanded men
The Gods t’ Achaia brought the latest home.
If of his safety and return you hear,
How much soever they waste your estate,
325Endure their riot yet another year.

If dead, come back, and fairly celebrate
His rites, and give your mother whom she will
For husband. Then bethink you, how you may
By open force, or howsoever kill
330These shameless suitors that your means destroy.

Be fool’d no more. You’re now at man’s estate.
Ægistus slew Orestes’ father. He
Ægistus slew. Who does not this relate
With honour to Orestes’ memory?
335And you, my friend, you are a goodly man.

Take heart. Gain honour. I must now be gone;
My crew with patience no longer can
Stay for me, therefore think what’s to be done.
Your counsel, said Telemachus, is such
340As might become a father to his son.

I’ll not forget it. Though your haste be much,
Stay yet awhile; be not so quickly gone.
Wash and take food, and then go merrily;
And with you a fair present from me take,
345Whereby to keep me in your memory;

Such as kind friends to one another make.
Then said the Goddess, Now I cannot stay.
As for your present I will not deny it,
But take it at my coming back this way,
350How much soe’er you mean t’ oblige me by it.

This said, she mounted from him to the sky
In likeness of an eagle, to his wonder,
Who thought it was some God, and grew thereby
Bolder, and on his father more did ponder.
355And straightway to the suitors went, who were

Now come again into the house, and seated,
A song which Phemius then sung to hear,
Containing how the Grecians retreated
Unfortunately from the Trojan shore
360By Pallas’ doings, whom they had offended.

Penelope that heard it, and was more
Concerned than they all, straightway descended.
She ent’red not, but in the door did stand,
Veil’d with a scarf which on her head she wore,
365Having a waiting-woman on each hand;

And to the singer thus said, weeping sore:
Phemius, y’ have better songs, why sing you then
This sad one? Fitter ’twere the deeds to tell
Of mighty Gods, and mighty deeds of men,
370Which sure would please the company as well.

Sing one of those, and let them hear and drink;
Give over this. You touch my interest,
And wound my heart in forcing me to think
Upon my husband, of all Greeks the best.
375Then said Telemachus, Good mother, why

Should not the singer choose what song to sing,
Whose part it is to please the company?
It is not he that does the evil bring.
’Tis none of Phemius’ fault, but th’ act of Jove,
380Who deals to all men all things as he please.

Should he not sing the songs that men most love,
The new’st? The Greeks’ sad passage o’er the seas?
Be patient, many more besides Ulysses,
Come short from Troy by one fate or another,
385Nor are you the only wife her husband misses.

Many men else are lost. Therefore, good mother,
Go to your work again above, and see
Your maids do theirs, leave censuring of songs
Unto us men, and specially to me,
390To whom the greatest power here belongs.

Then to her chamber up she went again,
With her two maids, and there began to weep,
Being for her dear husband in great pain,
And wept till Pallas clos’d her eyes with sleep.
395Meanwhile the suitors into clusters ran,

And one t’ another his thoughts uttered
With noise enough. But there was not a man
That did not wish to have her in his bed.
Then to them spake Telemachus: D’ye hear,
400Proud suitors of my mother, let’s, I pray,

Give ear unto the singer, and forbear
Clamour. To-morrow is the council day,
There I shall warn you publicly, no more
To haunt my house, but each man home to go,
405And there to feast by turns on your own store;

And if you be not willing to do so,
But your own means to spare, shall think it best
To feast yourselves on one man’s substance all,
And ruin his estate, go on and feast,
410While I upon the Gods for vengeance call.

O that the mighty Jove would so ordain,
That all men’s actions might be repaid
As they deserve! Then should you all be slain
Within my doors. After he this had said,
415The suitors bit their lips, and silent mused

At the strange boldness of Telemachus,
And at the language which the young man used,
To which none answer’d but Antinous.
The Gods, quoth he, have taught you a high strain
420Of language, and undaunted oratory;

But if their meaning were that you should reign
Here, o’er us all, I should be very sorry.
Telemachus replied, Think what you will;
If Jove consent, why should not I be king?
425What harm is it with wealth my house to fill,

Besides the honour it will with it bring?
In Ithaca there many princes be,
You’ll say, would be as glad to rule as I.
No matter, whosoe’er be king, not he,
430But I am king in my own family.

Who, said Eurymachus, shall have the hap
To reign in Ithaca is hard to guess,
It lies yet folded up within Jove’s lap.
None shall, Telemachus, you dispossess
435Of house, or land, or goods, by violence,

As long as there in Ithaca be men.
But tell me who that was, that now went hence;
Where he was born, and where he dwells, and then
His errand, whether business of his own,
440Or some news from Ulysses, brought perchance,

And went so soon away, t’ avoid being known?
He was no mean man by his countenance.
Then said Telemachus, My father’s dead,
We never shall again see one another;
445With messengers I trouble not my head,

Nor soothsayers, that do but soothe my mother.
The man my father’s old acquaintance was,
Mentes Anchialides, and his town
Taphos, and he thereof the ruling has;
450His people for their trade by sea well known.

Thus said he, though he doubted not at all
But ’twas some God. Meanwhile the suitors staying
For th’ evening’s coming on, to dancing fall,
Or listen to the minstrel’s song and playing.
455The evening came, the suitors went away;

Telemachus went also to his bed,
In a warm stately chamber, where he lay
Ranging the many cares he had in’s head;
Euryclea a torch before him bore,
460Daughter of Ops, now old, but at the time

Laertes did her purchase, herotofore,
For twenty oxen, she was in her prime.
He honour’d her as if she’d been his wife,
But from her bed perpetually forbore,
465T’ avoid suspicion, and domestic strife.

She’d nurs’d Telemachus, and lov’d him more
Than did the other maids, and now she stands
To light him. He unlocks the door, goes in,
Takes off his coat, puts it into her hands,
470She foldeth, brusheth, hangs it on a pin.

Then forth she went, and by a silver ring
Pulls to the door. And there all night he lay
Rememb’ring Pallas’ words, and pondering
Upon the business of the following day.

LIB. II.

Telemachus complains in vain, and borrowing a ship goes secretly to

Soon as the rosy morning did appear,
Telemachus himself array’d and shod,
Puts on his sword, and takes in hand his spear
And out he went appearing like a God.

Pyle by night, and how he was there received.

5And straight unto the criers gave command,

To call the people to the public place.
The people met. And then with spear in hand
He to them takes his way; and followed was
By two white dogs. Then takes his father’s throne;
10His elders gave him way; all on him gaze.

For why; the Goddess Pallas of her own
Had set authority upon his face.
The first that spake was old Ægyptius,
Stooping with age, of great experience:
15One son of his, whose name was Antiphus,

Went to the siege of Troy, but coming thence
He died in the savage Cyclops’ jaws,
When with Ulysses he was in his den:
Euronymus one of the suitors was,
20The others with their father dwelled then.

But still he grieved was for Antiphus.
The tears ran down his cheeks, and weeping he
Rose up and said unto th’ assembly thus:
Ye men of Ithaca, I pray hear me;
25Since we to Troy Ulysses sent with ships,

We ne’er convoked were to Parliament,
What need have young or old men of our lips?
And who is he that now doth us convent?
Has he informed been of some invasion,
30And unto us the same would first report?

Or on some other public great occasion
Would give us counsel? The Gods bless him for’t.
Telemachus then presently upstands,
Though well contented with his father’s praise.
35The crier puts the sceptre in his hands.

And to Ægyptius first he speaks, and says,
Here am I, that the people have convok’d.
Nor do I any news or counsel bring,
But by my private suff’rings am provok’d;
40Which here I offer t’ your considering.

Is it not grief enough, my father’s loss,
That ruled like a father to us all,
But that I must yet bear a greater cross,
To see his house to utter ruin fall?
45My mother’s house the suitors daily fill,

And of the best of you they children are.
She wedded must be with her father’s will,
But to her father go they do not dare.
But in my house continually they stay,
50And sacrifice my beeves, and goats, and sheep,

My wine exhaust, and much they cast away.
For why, Ulysses lost is on the deep,
And I myself unable to defend.
But shall I so be still, or once be able

Telemachus goes secretly to Pyle, &c.

55To bring upon these men unjust their end,

Whose injuries no more are tolerable?
Take it to heart. Think how ’twill taken be
By other states. Fear from the Gods some change,
That are not pleas’d with such iniquity,
60And may in closer order make you range.

By Jove I you adjure, and Themis, who
Convokes assemblies, and revokes again,
Forbear these evil deeds yourselves to do,
And of your sons the liberty restrain.
65Leave me to suffer misery alone.

Hurt none but me. Unless my father have
In hatred of you some great evil done,
And for revenge these men such power you gave.
But better ’twere for me, that you than they
70Should spend my treasure and my comings in.

For if among so many men it lay,
Begging I might from them the value win.
But for my case no help can now be found.
So said Telemachus in choler high,
75And from him threw the sceptre to the ground.

Nor could forbear to let fall tears and sigh.
The people pitied him, but silent sat;
None but Antinous durst answer make.
Telemachus, said he, too passionate
80You are, and too much liberty you take.

The people’s hatred you would very fain
Draw to the suitors, and procure them shame.
But from your mother cometh all your pain;
And therefore her, not us, you ought to blame.
85Three years are gone and past, the fourth is this,

Since she her suitors baffled has with art,
Putting each one in hopes by messages,
And promises that he had gain’d her heart.
Moreover, setting up a beam to weave,
90Suitors, said she, since dead Ulysses is,

Stay yet a little while, and give me leave
To make an end but of one business.
I must for old Laertes make a cloth,
Which in his sepulchre he is to wear.
95T’ offend the wives of Greece I should be loth;

For to accuse me they will not forbear,
But say I very hasty was to wed,
If I go hence and not provide a shroud
Wherein Laertes may be buried
100Out of such wealth, that might have been allow’d.

Her suitors all were well content. And then
All day she wove, but ere she went to bed,
What she had wov’n, she ravell’d out again.
Three years her suitors thus she frustrated,
105In the fourth year her woman her betrayed,

And in we came, whilst she the web undid,
And then to end it she could not avoid,
Since now her purpose could no more be hid.
To your complaint the suitors answer thus;
110Take notice of it, you and all the rest:

Send back your mother to Icarius,
There let her marry whom they both think best.
But if she think to vex us longer yet,
Caring for nothing but for Pallas’ gifts,
115To have the reputation for wit,

And skilfulness in curious work and shifts,
Wherein th’ Achæan wives she doth excel,
Both old and young, Tiro, Alcmen’, Micen’,
Although with us she hath not dealed well;
120But if to use us so she longer mean,

So much the longer with you we shall eat,
Which to Penelope will be a glory.
But we consume shall so much of your meat,
If long we stay there, that you will be sorry.
125For so long as she dodges with us thus,

No whither from your house will we depart.
Then to him answered Telemachus:
Antinous, I ne’er shall have the heart
To send my mother hence against her will.
130Abroad my father is, alive or dead.

That I her father should repay, were ill,
For forcing her to leave her husband’s bed.
And from the Furies I shall suffer worse,
For if I force her from my house to go,
135Whether she will or not, she will me curse,

And men will of me be revenged too.
If it displease you that she stayeth here,
You have your remedy; you may go home,
And ev’ry one make all the rest good cheer
140By turns, and into my house never come.

But if you needs will feed on me alone,
I can but to the Gods for vengeance call,
And reparation for what is done,
Which may enough be to destroy you all.
145This said, two eagles coming were in sight,

And when they were the market-place just o’er,
Th’ assembled heads surveying, stopp’d their flight,
And on their broad and levell’d wings they soar;
Then, having torn themselves both neck and cheek,
150They to their right wing rise and fly away.

What this should mean th’ assembly was to seek,
And to them thus did Alitherses say:
Hear me, ye men of Ithaca, said he,
And you, the suitors, that are most concern’d.
155Destruction is rolling toward ye,

Although it be not by yourselves discern’d.
Ulysses from his friends will not be long,
And now from Ithaca far off is not,
Seeing what daily done is in the throng,
160And how to kill the suitors lays his plot;

Nay, many more besides the suitors may
Of their misfortune chance to have their part,
If they desist not soon, and come away.
I speak not this at random, but on art;
165For all must come to pass I told him then,

When with the Argive lords he went to Troy:
That after twenty years he should again
Return with pain, his men all cast away.
Then said Eurymachus, Old man, go home,
170And there to your own children prophecy,

Lest to them any harm hereafter come;
A better prophet for these things am I.
Under the sun be many birds that fly,
And yet not all of them do fortunes tell;
175Ulysses, far hence, dead is certainly,

I know not where. I would thou wert as well,
For then you would give over to inflame
Telemachus, who but too angry is;
In hope to get some present for the same,
180If he will give it. But I tell you this.

If any old man, with his wisdom, dare
To set against us any young man here,
He shall be sure himself the worse to fare,
And when ’tis done he shall be ne’er the near;
185We’ll set a fine upon your head so wise,

Which you to pay will not be well content.
I myself will Telemachus advise
His mother may be to her father sent
To make the match, and on the dower agree,
190Such as becomes him, to his daughter dear;

Till that be done, no hope at all I see
The suitors should desist. For they not fear
Telemachus, as haughty as he is,
And full of words; and much less do they care
195For such deceitful prophecies as this,

For which you only the more hated are.
Meanwhile Telemachus his goods decay,
And he shall never make them up again,
While she persists her suitors to delay,
200And makes us all expect her love in vain.

And ’tis her virtue makes us thus to strive
Amongst ourselves who shall her favour win;
For many other ladies we could wive,
And be sufficiently delighted in.
205Then said Telemachus, No more will I

This matter to you press, or to the woo’rs.
You and the Gods know all I do not lie;
But I demand a bark of twenty oars,
For I intend to travel for awhile,
210To hear what men can of my father say.

To Lacedæmon I will go, and Pyle,
Or seek from Jove some notice of his way,
And if alive he be, and coming home,
Though to my cost, I’ll stay another year.
215If dead he be, then back again I’ll come,

And rites of burial will give him here,
Splendid, and well becoming his estate,
And let my mother her own liking take.
Having thus spoken, down again he sate.
220And then Ulysses’ old friend Mentor spake,

With whom Ulysses left his house in trust.
Hear me, ye Ithacesians, said he;
Let no king ever be hereafter just,
Nor to his people soft and gentle be,
225Since you Ulysses have so soon forgot,

That ever rul’d us like a father kind.
But I the suitors so much accuse not,
Although on force and fraud they set their mind,
(For ’gainst Ulysses’ goods, which they devour,
230They stake their heads in hope he’ll ne’er come home)

And you that many are, and have the power
To check them, sit as if you all were dumb.
And then rose up Leocritus and spake:
Mentor, said he, more busy much than wise,
235That would about a supper quarrel make,

Ulysses, were he here, I’d not advise
To seek by force the suitors to remove.
For though he much be wish’d for by his wife,
She would not of his coming well approve,
240But he the sooner be depriv’d of life.

And you, the people, now may hence retire;
Mentor and Alitherses will provide
A bark for what place ever he’ll desire;
And if at Ithaca he mean t’ abide,
245No news he will hear of him a great while.

But never t’ Ithaca shall come again,
If he to Lacedæmon go, or Pyle.
This said, dismiss’d and scatter’d were the men;
And to Ulysses’ house the suitors went,
250Telemachus to the sea-side, and pray’d:

O God, that gavest me commandement
To pass the seas, canst not now be obey’d,
I am both by the town and woo’rs delay’d.
Then in the form of Mentor, Pallas came,
255And standing by Telemachus, she said,

With such a voice as Mentor’s seem’d the same,
If in you you retain the spirit brave
Your father had, to make his word his deed,
Then also the assurance I shall have,
260To tell you in your voyage you shall speed;

But if Ulysses’ son you be not right,
For aught I know you may this labour spare;
Few sons exceed or reach their father’s might,
But commonly inferior they are.
265But since in you I see your father’s wit,

I hope your voyage shall have good success;
Therefore, no more with th’ woo’rs in council sit,
Expect from fools to have no more redress,
That see not their own end that is so nigh.
270Nor shall you long be forced here to stay,

For with a good ship furnish you will I,
And with you will myself go all the way.
Meanwhile go you into your house again,
And put up store of wine, and of cold meat,
275And good bread, which the marrow is of men;

I’ll for you mariners together get.
In Ithaca are good ships, old and new,
Good store, of which I will go choose you one,
The best of all that come within my view,
280And make it ready, that we may be gone.

This said, to th’ house return’d Telemachus.
The woo’rs in killing cattle were employ’d,
And straight unto him went Antinous,
And laughing, took him by the hand, and said,
285Telemachus, bold and brave orator,

Fear from us neither evil word nor deed;
Eat and drink merrily as heretofore,
We’ll see you furnished with what you need,
Both ship and men, and see you soon convey’d
290To Pyle, that of your father you may hear.

Telemachus then answered, and said,
Antinous, can I be merry here?
D’ye think that yet too little was the wrong
The suitors did me, my estate to waste,
295When I perceiv’d it not, as being young;

But since I grown am, and my childhood past,
And somewhat know, and more hear others say,
I’ll do my best to bring them to their end,
Whether I go to Pyle, or here do stay.
300And yet to go to Pyle I do intend,

And think my passage will not be in vain;
For I go like a merchant, not a guest,
As if to me no ship did appertain.
It must be so; the suitors think it best.
305This said, his hand from his hand he snatch’d out;

And then the suitors that were in the court,
Some give him evil words, and others flout,
And one another with him made good sport.
He’ll come from Pyle with succours, God knows what,
310Said one, or Sparta, which shall on us fall,

Or poison bring from Ephiré; and that
Put in the temperer shall kill us all.
Who knows, then said another, if he go,
But he his father’s fate may also have,
315Whilst seeking him he wanders to and fro,

Which would to us no little trouble save;
His goods amongst us we should soon divide,
And to his mother leave his houses free,
And him she chooses to lie by her side.
320Thus they derided him. Then down went he

Into a large and high-roof’d room, where lay,
In chests pack’d up, great store of cloth of gold,
And garments very many, rich and gay,
And many barrels of sweet wine and old,
325Which for Ulysses were preserved there,

When he returned to his native soil.
In the same room many brass vessels were,
And many barrels of sweet smelling oil,
And double were the locks upon the door,
330Whereof the nurse, Euryclea, had the key.

Telemachus call’d for her, and says to her,
Come, nurse, this night I am to go away.
Fill me of wine twelve pitchers of the best,
Next to that which you for my father save;
335And fine flour, twenty measures at the least,

In good thick leather satchels let me have,
Quickly. For when my mother is a-bed,
To Lacedæmon and to Pyle I go,
That of my father, if alive or dead,
340There any news be, I the same may know.

Euryclea then wept and sobb’d, and said,
Dear child, why will you go from hence so far
Alone? Your mother you will make afraid,
Of whom so dearly you beloved are.
345Your father far off is already dead,

And by the way the suitors seek to kill you,
And share your goods amongst them by the head.
I pray stay here, and do not go. Why will you?
Nurse, said Telemachus, be of good cheer;
350’Tis by the counsel of a God I go,

And I require you solemnly to swear
You’ll not my going let my mother know.
Telemachus to the suitors went again,
And Pallas, in his likeness, to the town,
355For his transporting to procure him men,

From house to house she goeth up and down,
And of Noemon borrowed a bark,
Who not unwillingly it to him lent.
And now the sun was down, the streets were dark,
360And down to the sea-side the Goddess went,

And the good ship into the sea they haul,
And in it stow all that was needful for’t;
The mariners were there together all,
And tied the ship at far end of the port.
365Meanwhile the suitors merrily carouse,

And Pallas then, their fancies to confound,
From the sea-side went back into the house,
And from their hands the cups threw to the ground,
And with the love of sleep possess’d their eyes,
370And made them nod, and let their eye-lids down;

And not long after from their seats they rise,
And for that night took lodging in the town.
Then, like to Mentor both in form and voice,
Telemachus she called out of doors.
375Your men are ready at the port, she says,

There they expecting you sit with their oars.
Then out they went, and Pallas led the way,
And found the rowers ready on the beach.
Telemachus then said, Come back, I pray,
380To th’ house with me, our victual thence to fetch,

Which, well put up, I there have ready laid;
But nothing of it does my mother know,
Nor any else but I and one old maid.
Then with Telemachus to th’ house they go,
385And to the ships at once bring all away,

And stow it as Telemachus thought fit.
Pallas and he embark without delay,
And at the stern they both together sit.
And now the mariners their tackle ply;
390First, in the midst they set the mast upright,

And it unto the ship with strong ropes tie,
And then their sails they hoist up to their height,
Which Pallas, with a lusty gale from west,
Kept full all night. The ship the sea then gores;
395The water, swiftly running from her breast

By both her sides, wounded and broken roars.
And then unto the Gods they offer wine,
And to them all were praying for awhile,
But specially unto their guide divine;
400Then sail’d all night, and were next morn at Pyle.

LIB. III.

Nestor entertains him at Pyle, and tells him how the Greeks departed from Troy; and sends him for further information to Sparta.

Up from the sea the sun leapt to the sky,
To hold the light up before Gods and men;
Telemachus, with all his company,
Unto the town of Pyle arrived then.
5Then Nestor had a sacrifice in hand

To Neptune, and upon the sea-side stood,
And with him store of people on the sand.
Black bulls he eighty-one had to him vow’d:
Nine seats there were, five hundred to each seat,
10And to the same nine bulls appointed were;

The entrails, broil’d upon the coals they eat,
The thighs to Neptune burnt to ashes were.
The ship then came within the port to land,
And disembark’d, upon the shore they staid;
15With furled sails the ship did by them stand.

Then Pallas to Telemachus thus said:
Telemachus, by no means bashful be;
For wherefore did you undertake this task,
But of your father to hear certainty?
20To Nestor then directly go, and ask

If of Ulysses anything he know.
He’ll tell you truly. He’s too wise to lie.
Mentor, said he, I’m young, and know not how
With one so old to answer and reply.
25Telemachus, said Pallas, do not fear,

You’ll somewhat prompted be by your own breast
(You never by the Gods neglected were),
The God that loves you will supply the rest.
Then up to Nestor they directly went,
30And Pallas foremost. All about him there

They found upon the sacrifice intent.
His sons and lords, to hasten the good cheer,
Some broaching, and some roasting were of meat,
And presently about the strangers come,
35And with their hands salute them, and entreat

To sit. And then Pisistratus went to’em,
Saluted them, and took them both by th’ hands,
And for them (since there was no empty seat)
Laid sheepskins, with the wool upon the sands;
40And of the entrails gave them part to eat,

And to her hand held up a cup of wine.
To Neptune, said he, offer up your vow,
For he expressly is the pow’r divine,
That we to worship be assembled now.
45And having drunk, give it to this man’s hand,

That he may also give the Gods their due;
For all men of the Gods in need do stand,
And I thought fit to give it first to you,
’Cause you are th’ elder, th’ other young as I.
50Then Pallas from his hand receiv’d the cup,

And pleased was to see his equity,
And then to Neptune sent her prayers up.
Neptune, said she, have to my prayer regard;
First Nestor and his sons with honour bless,
55And of his people th’ hecatomb reward,

And give Telemachus and me success.
Thus prayed she, and gave for what she prayed,
And to Telemachus then gave the cup,
And he to Neptune the same prayer said.
60The meat being ready now and taken up,

And into messes cut, themselves they feast,
And when of hunger extinct was the force,
Then to his guests Nestor his speech address’d:
Friends, said he, now we time have to discourse,
65Tell me, Who are you? whence d’ye cross the main?

Is it for traffic? Or d’ye pleasure take,
As pirates walk at sea, to and again,
Others to spoil to set your lives at stake?
To this, Telemachus with confidence
70(Which into him the Goddess did inspire,

The better to obtain intelligence,
And reputation to himself acquire)
Answer’d: O Nestor Nelëiades,
The glory of the Greeks, we hither came
75From Ithaca on no state-business,

But of my father to seek news from Fame,
Unbless’d Ulysses, who at Ilium
Together with you fought before the town.
Of th’ other chiefs we hear what is become,
80But where Ulysses died is still unknown,

Whether at land he slain were by the foe,
Or by the sea devoured he hath been;
But at your knees we hither come to know,
What you since then have heard of him or seen,
85Wand’ring about, born to calamity.

Let no respect, or pity mitigate
Your story, howsoever sad it be.
Nothing but naked truth to me relate.
And I beseech you, for my father’s sake,
90If he before the town of Troy did well

Perform the service he did undertake,
That nothing but the very truth you tell.
O friend, said Nestor, since you bring again
To memory our miseries at Troy,
95Under Achilles first by sea, what pain

We suffer’d then; and after, when we lay
And fought before King Priam’s royal seat,
What we endured, what great men we lost;
The doughty Ajax, and Achilles great,
100That were the chief of all the Argive host;

The valiant Patroclus, and my son
Antilochus, both valiant in fight,
And if an enemy were put to run
Before him, he could hardly ’scape by flight.
105But numberless were our sad chances there;

No mortal man can count them one by one,
And if you five or six years should stay here,
You’d weary be of asking, and be gone.
Nine years we plots contriv’d to take the town,
110Which Jove made prosperous with much ado.

Ulysses had for plotting the renown,
For none compar’d himself your father to:
If it be true you are Ulysses’ son,
And I confess, hearing you speak your mind,
115And steadfastly your person looking on,

Much respect for you in myself I find.
While we together were at Troy, we never
In council or assembly disagreed,
But what was for the Argives’ good, we ever
120Endeavour’d what we could to get decreed.

But when of Troy we had destroy’d the town,
And back unto our ships again were come,
Then Jove upon the Greeks began to frown,
Intending to them ill returning home,
125For few there were amongst them just or wise,

But on themselves they drew down their own fate,
Which made the Goddess Pallas to devise
To set the two Atrides at debate.
Then of the people they a meeting call
130At almost sunset, and the people came

(Having their heads with wine disorder’d all)
Th’ Atrides told them why they call’d the same,
Where Menelaus votes to cross the seas,
And each man to his country to repass.
135But this advice his brother did not please,

To stay there yet awhile his counsel was,
And first a hecatomb to sacrifice,
The Goddess Pallas’ anger to appease.
But Agamemnon therein was not wise,
140Men cannot change the will o’ th’ Gods with ease.

While they contending were with words unmeet,
One part arose, resolv’d to stay all night,
And in the morn to go aboard the fleet,
And each one tow’rds his home to take his flight.
145And shipp’d our captive women, and our prey,

One half we were, and came to Tenedus;
The other half with Agamemnon stay.
And Pallas then again divided us;
And one part back to Agamemnon went,
150But I, with all my own ships, homeward fled,

Knowing that Jove to the Greeks evil meant;
So did the son of Tideus, Diomed.
At Lesbos to us Menelaus came,
Where we, which way to go, consulting staid,
155Chius within, or else without the same,

And for direction to the Gods we pray’d.
O’er the wide sea t’ Eubœa they bid sail,
That we in safety be the sooner might;
And sent us therewithal a lusty gale,
160Which brought us to Gerestus when ’twas night,

And there to Neptune we burnt many thighs.
On the fourth day the ships of Diomed
To Argos came. The same wind staid i’ th’ skies
Till I at Pyle was safe delivered.
165So came I home, sweet child, and cannot tell

Which of the Greeks came safe home, and which not.
But what has since been told me I know well,
And so far as is reason, you shall know’t.
The Myrmidons, they say, came safely home,
170Conducted by stout Neoptolemus.

And Philoctetes very well did come
Unto his father’s house, Pallantius.
Idomeneus to Crete brought all his men
That were not slain at Ilium in fight.
175How Agamemnon, when come home again,

Was butchered, I need not to recite;
Nor how he came, nor of Ægistus’ plot,
Nor yet how bitterly he smarted for’t.
’Tis good, you see, to have a son begot,
180That can revenge his father in that sort.

And you, my friend, that tall are and well made,
Be valiant, and get ’mongst men good fame.
Telemachus then answered, and said:
O Nestor, but my case is not the same.
185Sharp the revenge was of Atrides’ son,

And far and wide will matter be for songs,
But from the Gods such power I have none,
To be revenged of the suitors’ wrongs.
O friend, said Nestor, since I have been told
190That many who your mother seek to marry,

Without your leave, do with your house make bold,
And spending of your substance daily tarry,
Is it because you are therewith content?
Or are you forc’d to bear such injury
195Because your people are against you bent,

Provok’d thereto by some divinity?
But who knows but at last they may be paid
For all the injuries which they have done,
And insolence, by the Achæans’ aid,
200Or peradventure by yourself alone?

For if of you Pallas as careful were,
As carefully she did your father guide
At Troy (a God to man ne’er did appear
So plainly as she there stood by his side.)
205If Pallas were so kind to you, you’d see

The suitors quickly would forget to woo.
Then said Telemachus, ’Twill never be,
Although the Gods should give consent thereto.
Telemachus, said Pallas, what a word
210Have you let fall? A man may be with ease,

Though far off, to his native soil restor’d
By any of the Gods, if so he please.
And I at home would rather lose my life
Fighting than sitting, as Atrides died,
215Slain by Ægistus and his own bad wife,

Basely by them in whom he did confide.
And yet the Gods unable are to save
A man from death, although he be a friend,
Whose end the cruel Fates determin’d have.
220Then said Telemachus, Let’s make an end

Of this discourse. Ulysses’ latest day
Determin’d by the Gods already is,
And I to Nestor somewhat else will say;
For three men’s ages do but equal his.
225O Nestor, I would fain informed be

How Agamemnon was of life depriv’d.
And Menelaus, where meanwhile was he?
And how Ægistus had the plot contriv’d.
Was it that Menelaus too long stay’d,
230Ægistus ventur’d on a better wight?

I’ll tell you all the truth, then Nestor said,
And yet what you yourself have guess’d is right.
For why, if Menelaus coming home
Ægistus in the house alive had found,
235He never had at Argos had a tomb,

But eaten been by dogs above the ground,
And fowls of prey. Nor had he had the pity
Of the Argive women, nor lamented been,
But lain had i’ th’ fields far from the city.
240For why, a viler act was never seen.

For when at Troy we ended had the strife,
Long time it was before we came away;
Then siege laid he to Agamemnon’s wife,
And secretly hidden in Argos lay,
245And she at first refus’d, and counsel took

Of a learn’d man, whom Agamemnon left
Going to Troy his wife to overlook,
But soon Ægistus him of life bereft;
For in a desert island he him kill’d,
250And left him for a booty to the kites.

And then unto Ægistus she did yield,
And richly were perform’d the wedding rites.
Then on the altars many thighs they burn,
And with them rich men’s baubles, and gold stuff,
255For why, for so unhop’d-for a good turn,

They thought they could not thank the Gods enough.
Now coming Menelaus was and I,
And were as far come as to Sunium,
When Phrontis, his good steersman, chanc’d to die,
260The best that in a storm ere ship brought home,

And hindrance of his coming this was some
To bury him. But when he put to sea,
And was with all his ships in safety come
Under the windy mountain of Malea,
265Then an ill passage for them Jove provided;

The wind then whistled, and the water danced,
And into two parts was the fleet divided;
And one part to the coast of Crete advanced,
Where Cydons dwell, near Jardan river’s mouth.
270There in the sea standeth a stone upright,

That breaks the water when it rolls from south,
So that it comes to Phæstus without might;
And there the men came in and sav’d their lives,
But all the ships upon the rock were split.
275The other part the wind to Egypt drives

With Menelaus. Five ships were in it.
Whilst Menelaus did in Egypt stay,
And visit princes and their gifts receiv’d;
Ægistus made the Argives him obey,
280And Agamemnon of his life bereav’d;

And sev’n years in Mycene reigned he.
But then Orestes came, whom they not knew,
From Athens to them unexpectedly,
And there the slayer of his father slew,
285And feasted th’ Argives at the funeral

Of him and her. That very day did come
King Menelaus, his ships laden all,
From Egypt, with his costly presents home.
And you, my friend, take heed you do not stay
290Too long abroad, leaving your goods among

So many knaves that waste them ev’ry day,
And will consume them utterly ere long;
But go to Menelaus, who came last,
And wand’ring has among much people been.
295A bird could hardly so much sea have pass’d

In a year’s time, as wand’ring he has seen.
Therefore to Sparta go with ship and crew,
Or if by land, my coach is ready for ye.
Also my son shall go along with you,
300And ask of Menelaus all his story.

He’s wise. Besides the truth he’ll nothing say.
This said, the sun was down, and dark the sky.
Nestor, said Pallas, you before us lay
That to which we have nothing to reply.
305Now slit the tongues, and let wine temper’d be,

That we may offer to th’ immortals all;
The light is gone, and need of sleep have we.
So Pallas said, and they to offering fall.
The waiters then brought water for their hands,
310And young men to them all brought temper’d wine.

The tongues lay on the fire, each one upstands
And offers wine unto the powers divine.
And when the offering was at an end,
Telemachus and Pallas were about
315To go aboard, and there the night to spend.

But Nestor on the other side cried out,
The Gods forbid that you should lie aboard,
As if I were a man so rude or poor
As not good bedding for a friend t’ afford.
320Since then I have of rugs and bedding store,

And many sons alive with me at home,
That able are my friends to entertain,
And ’tis Ulysses’ son that’s to me come,
Surely this night he shall with me remain.
325O Nestor, then said Pallas, that is right,

And at your house to lodge for him ’tis best.
But at the ship I needs must lie this night,
His purpose to make known to all the rest.
Amongst them there no old man is but I,
330The company t’ encourage that expect

Telemachus. Not with authority,
But my advice they’ll follow for respect.
The next day with the Caucons I must be,
About an old and not a little debt.
335And then that he may Menelaus see,

With strong swift horses on his way him set.
This said, the Goddess Pallas went away,
In likeness of an eagle to the skies.
The people star’d, and knew not what to say,
340And Nestor wond’ring saw it with his eyes,

And took Telemachus by th’ hand, and said,
A good man you will be, Telemachus,
And valiant, that are by a God convoy’d;
And this same God that guided you to us,
345Is none but Pallas, daughter of great Jove,

That did at Troy your father always guide.
Let me and mine, O Goddess, have your love,
And amongst men a noble fame and wide;
A heifer on your altar shall be laid
350That ne’er bare yoke, a yearling from the field;

And gilt shall be her horns. So Nestor pray’d.
And Pallas hearing, to his prayer did yield.
And Nestor to his house then led them all,
Both sons and sons-in-law, and being there,
355They sat on chairs and couches in the hall;

Then Nestor bids one fill the temperer
With wine that aged was eleven year,
From out a vessel first uncover’d then.
And when the wine and water mixed were,
360Then Nestor pray’d and offered. And when

The off’rings to the Goddess ended were,
The rest unto their lodgings went away.
Telemachus by Nestor stay’d was there,
And in a soft and costly bed he lay;
365And near unto him lay Pisistratus,

Who of the sons of Nestor was the last.
And Nestor in the inmost part of th’ house,
Where, by the queen his wife, his bed was plac’d.
Soon as Aurora did the day restore,
370The old knight Nestor rose up from his bed,

And sat upon the bench before the door,
Of marble white and smooth that glistened.
His father used to sit there before,
King Neleus, but that since he was dead,
375And that King Nestor now the sceptre bore,

There sat he now, and to him gathered
Were all his sons, Echephron, Stratius,
Perseus, Aretus, godlike Thrasymed,
Pisistratus. (Dead was Antilochus.)
380Along with them Telemachus they led.

Then to his children Nestor spake and said:
Do quickly, sons, what you shall from me hear.
A vow I made to Pallas must be paid,
Who did to me so visibly appear.
385Let one of you unto the pastures hie

And bid a herdsman bring a heifer home;
One to Telemachus his ship quickly,
And bid his mates, save two, all hither come;
Another bid the gilder hither come,
390To gild the sacred heifer’s horns with speed;

The rest stay here to look to things at home,
That all things may be ready that we need,
Seats, dry wood, and fair water. So said he,
Then busy were they all. The heifer came,
395And all Telemachus his company.

The gilder came, Laerces was his name,
And every tool that to his art belongs,
And necessary is, had in his hands;
His anvil, and his hammer, and his tongs.
400And Pallas also now amongst them stands.

Then fell the man to work on Nestor’s gold,
And so elaborate it was when done,
That it might please the Goddess to behold.
Then came in Stratius and Echephron,
405And by the horns they led the heifer in.

The basin and the ewer, and barley white,
Aretus brought; and with an axe full keen
Stood Thrasymed ready the beast to smite.
Then Nestor pray’d, and from the heifer’s head
410Cut off some hair, and into th’ fire it threw.

Then prayed the rest; and barley sprinkled
Upon the fire, and Thrasymed then slew
The heifer with his axe, and cut in twain
The tendons of the neck, and down she fell;
415And Nestor’s wife and daughters shout amain

To see the sacred act performed well.
Pisistratus then cuts the victim’s throat,
And up they held it to let out the blood
Into a pail which Perseus thither brought,
420And to that purpose ready with it stood.

The life together with the blood outflies.
Then from the body they the bowels draw,
And next cut off the shoulders and the thighs,
As is of sacrifice the ritual law;
425And them slit into two parts they display,

And cover them all over with sweet fat,
Shoulder on shoulder, thigh on thigh they lay,
And Nestor on the altar burneth that;
And with it on the fire black wine he poured.
430By him a spit was ready with five points.

The fire the thighs, the men th’ entrails devoured,
The rest divided was in smaller joints,
To roast on spits. Telemachus the while
Into the bath retired, and was there
435Well bathed, and anointed with sweet oil

By Polycaste, Nestor’s daughter dear,
And in a robe and coat clad gloriously,
And came, as if no mortal he had been,
Into the hall, and sat down Nestor by.
440The meat now ready straightway was brought in.

Then in the young men came to fill them wine.
When they with flesh and wine were satisfied,
Then to his sons said Nestor, Children mine,
The horses to the coach see quickly tied.
445Away they go, and to the coach they set

The horses swift; and in it bread and wine
A maid laid in, and with it choicest meat,
Which none but god-fed kings eat when they dine.
Up to the seat then went Telemachus
450(The seat was large and capable of two)

And after him went up Pisistratus,
And whip and reins he took his hands into.
Touch’d with the whip, the horses take the way,
And all the day long made their harness shake.
455The sun went down, dark were the streets. Then they

At Pheræ were. And there their rest they take.
There Diocles, Orsilochus his son,
Son of Alphæus them did entertain,
And with fair gifts presented them each one.
460But soon as morning did appear again,

Their horses to the coach again they tie,
And from the porch drive them into the way,
Touch’d with the whip again away they fly.
The sun now down, and ended was the day.

LIB. IV.

His entertainment in Sparta, where Menelaus tells him what befel many of the Greeks in their return; that Ulysses was with Calypso in the isle Ogygia, as he was told by Proteus.

And then to Lacedæmon come were they,
And drove up to the house of Menelaus.
At home they found him, for there on that day
A double wedding celebrated was.
5One of his daughters, fair Hermione,

Whom he before at Troy had promised
Of Neoptolemus the wife should be,
And on this day the same accomplished,
And her he sent unto the Myrmidons,
10Where reigned he. To Pthia she was brought.

And then the second wedding was his son’s,
Whom on a bond-woman he had begot,
And Megapenthes nam’d (for Helen’s bed
Fruitless was after fair Hermione);
15And he Alector’s daughter married,

Of Lacedæmon citizen was he.
And now they merry sat that bidden were,
Making good cheer, and hearing voice and fiddle,
And wond’ring at two tumblers that were there,

His entertainment at Sparta by Menelaus,&c.

20That moving to the time stood in the middle.

Meanwhile by th’ horses, th’ utter gate without,
Telemachus stood and Pisistratus.
Then Eteoneus by chance came out,
A careful servant of Menelaus.
25And, having seen them, in he went again,

And being near to where his master sate,
O king, said he, there are without two men,
Like great men’s sons, with their coach at the gate;
Shall I take out their horses, or shall I
30Tell them where they may lodged be elsewhere?

At this, Atrides, grieved, made reply:
Eteoneus, sure once you wiser were;
Have we not oft by strangers heretofore,
In our necessity relieved been?
35And I pray God it may be so no more.

Go, loose the horses, and the men bring in.
This said, he went again, with servants more,
Takes out the horses, ties them to the mangers,
And throws before them provender good store;
40Sets up the coach, and then brings in the strangers,

Who at the beauty of the house amazed,
(For bright it shined as the moon or sun).
And when they had sufficiently gazed,
To where the bathing-room was, walked on.
45After they were well washed and anointed,

And clothed with soft nappy cloak and coat,
That they should near him sit the king appointed,
And near unto his throne their chairs were brought.
A maid the golden bason and the ewer
50To wash their hands, over a cauldron brings.

(The cauldron also was of silver pure);
Another on the table laid good things,
Another bread. The carver also cuts
Of every sort of meat the choicest bits,
55And them on trenchers on the table puts.

And Menelaus, pointing to it, sits,
And heartily invites them to fall to.
Eat now, said he, we shall have time enough
When you have supp’d, to ask you where and who?
60Your ancestors are not obscure I know,

Such children are not got by wretched men.
And as he spake he took from his own mess
As much as both his hands could comprehend
Of good chine-beef, and gave it to these guests,
65And then they laid their hands upon their meat.

But when their hunger and their thirst was gone,
Telemachus, that near sat to his seat,
Whisper’d Pisistratus, You, Nestor’s son,
Do you not mark the splendour in this house,
70Of brass, gold, amber, silver, ivory?

Such sure the house is of Olympius,
So many and so glorious things I see.
But Menelaus heard him. Let, said he,
No mortal man with Jupiter compare;
75His house decays not, nor goods wasted be.

What men compare with me I do not care;
For why, my goods I paid for very dear,
With pain and peril in my coming home,
And wand’ring up and down at sea eight year,
80Before I could into my country come.

I was in Cyprus and Phœnicia,
Came to the Cydons and Erembians,
To Egypt, and to Ethiopia,
And to the fertile ground o’ th’ Libyans,
85Where ev’ry year the sheep three times do breed,

And all the lambs fall horned from the dam;
Nor master nor his man there stands in need
Of cheese or milk, or tender flesh of lamb.
While I my goods amongst them wand’ring got,
90I lost my brother, by his wife betray’d,

And therefore in my riches glory not.
And all this to you have your fathers said.
Absent, I lost my house, and much rich stuff;
Had I my fellows sav’d I led to Troy,
95I’d been content with the third part thereof.

So, all to all, I’ve little cause of joy:
For all my friends at Troy lost griev’d was I,
And sometimes wept, yet sometimes also not,
For quick of tears is the satiety.
100But one there is, when he is in my thought,

I neither food nor sleep desire to take;
For all the while we were besieging Troy,
None suffer’d so much for the Argives’ sake
As did Ulysses, nor so oft did pray.
105And more, perhaps, he is to suffer yet;

Long stays he, and whether alive or dead
He be, I can from no man notice get,
Nor from my sorrow be delivered.
Meanwhile, as for a son of life bereft,
110Laertes weeps; so does Penelope.

Telemachus, whom young Ulysses left,
Spends his best age in pain and misery.
This said, Telemachus before his eyes
Held up his purple robe, the tears to hide,
115Drawn from him by his father’s miseries.

And Menelaus, when he that espied,
Consider’d whether best it were or no
To tell him first what he had heard or seen
About his father, or what he would know
120To let him ask. But Helen then came in,

Like to Diana in great majesty.
Adreste came in with her, with a chair;
Alcippe a soft carpet layed nigh;
Her basket brought in was by Phylo fair.
125At Thebes, in Egypt, it was given her

By Polybus his wife, Alcandre, when
King Menelaus travelling was there;
And Polybus gave to him talents ten
Of gold, and lavers two of silver fine,
130And two three-footed cauldrons of good brass.

Then by Alcandre t’ Helena divine,
A silver-brim gilt basket given was,
With fine and curiously-spun thread press’d full,
With distaff on it, more thread yet to spin,
135Ready invested with soft purple wool.

This was the basket Phylo then brought in.
Then Helen sat, and by her husband told
What hitherto had pass’d: I know, said she,
King Menelaus, now I them behold,
140The guests that are come to you, who they be.

But shall I tell you what I think, or no?
I’ll tell you true. I never yet saw one
So like another, as this man is to
Telemachus, Ulysses’ only son,
145Whom, when with other Greeks to Ilium

He went, to fetch away this monkey, me,
By bloody war, he left a child at home.
Then Menelaus spake: Since you, said he,
Have put it in my mind, I think so too.
150His eyes, his feet, his hands, his head, his hair,

Are like Ulysses’, who I’d tell now you
What misery for me he suffer’d there,
But that it makes him weep, and hide his eyes.
Then to Atrides said Pisistratus,
155The truth to you, O king, I’ll not disguise;

This is Ulysses’ son, Telemachus,
But jealous of his tongue, and fearful is,
Before a man experienc’d and wise,
Lest he should say something at first amiss,
160And lay his weakness open to your eyes.

Nestor sent me along with him for guide,
Because he so much longed you to see,
And hear what of his father was betide,
And by you holpen and instructed be.
165Unhappy is the child whose father’s gone,

And this is now Telemachus his case;
For of Ulysses news he can hear none,
Who to defend him left none in his place.
How, how! then said Atrides, I have here
170The son of one that I esteemed most,

And for my sake suffer’d and did more there
Than any other in the Argive host;
To whom I meant, had we come safely home,
To shew more kindness than to any one
175Of all the Greeks? As soon as we were come,

I had to Argos brought him and his son,
Built them a city, made both but one state,
And laid the cities round about us waste;
And often there with one another sate,
180And only death our friendship had displac’d.

But by the Gods these thoughts are render’d vain;
They have Ulysses from his country kept.
This said, they could from tears no more abstain.
Jove’s daughter, Argive Helena, then wept,
185And Menelaus and Telemachus;

Nor could Pisistratus his tears restrain,
But on his brother thought, Antilochus,
That by the fair Aurora’s son was slain,
And him rememb’ring, to Atrides spake:
190Atrides, oft have I heard Nestor tell,

(As oft as we did of you mention make)
That you ’mongst men in wisdom do excel.
I pray you think not I take any pleasure
To act at supper-time the rites of mourning;
195For that another time we shall have leisure,

Unless we look no more to see the morning.
Not that I weeping for the dead condemn,
Or cutting off of hair. It is a debt
We owe to our dead friends. And one of them
200My brother is, whom I cannot forget.

He was not of the Greeks the meanest man;
For swift he was of foot, and bold in fight,
(Which you than I much better witness can)
To kill his foe in battle or in flight.
205Dear friend, Atrides answer’d, you have said

What might an older man have well beseemed
To say and do; and Nestor’s stock bewray’d,
Whose wisdom is of all men’s most esteemed.
’Tis easy to discern the race of one
210To whom a happy life the Gods shall grant,

As unto noble Nestor they have done,
Long life, and sons discreet and valiant.
Let’s put off for the present tales of sorrow,
And to our meat again our minds apply.
215Bring water for our hands. Betimes to-morrow

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HOMER’S ODYSSES. translated out of greek by THOMAS HOBBES, OF MALMESBURY. - Homer, The English Works, vol. X (Iliad and Odyssey) [1839]

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