provide for all men, when I have such pain in my heart.

  If this makes our guest very angry, so much the worse

  for him; speaking the plain truth is much my preferred way.’15

  Then in answer Odysseus of many wiles addressed him:

  ‘My friend, I too have no great wish to be detained here.

  It is far better for a beggar to cadge his supper in the city than

  in the country; anyone who wishes will offer me something, for

  I am no longer of an age to spend my time on a farm, to follow20

  the bidding of some overseer in whatever he orders me to do.

  Off you go; this man will take me as you instructed, as soon as

  I have warmed myself at the fire, and the sun has grown hot.

  These clothes I wear are terribly poor, and I fear the dawn

  frost will be too much for me; and you say the city is far away.’25

  So he spoke, and Telemachus set off through the farmyard,

  striding out at a swift pace, and sowing the seeds of ruin for

  the suitors. When he arrived at the pleasantly ordered palace

  he took his spear and propped it against a tall pillar, and

  himself stepped over the stone threshold and went inside.30

  Easily the first to see him was the nurse Eurycleia, who

  was spreading fleeces over the cunningly worked chairs.

  Bursting into tears she made straight for him, and the other

  maidservants of patient-spirited Odysseus gathered round,

  greeting him warmly and kissing his head and shoulders.35

  Now circumspect Penelope came down from her chamber,

  looking like Artemis or golden Aphrodite, and threw

  her arms around her dear son, weeping all the while,

  and kissed his head and both his handsome eyes, and

  in melancholy tones addressed winged words to him: 40

  ‘So you have returned, Telemachus, sweet light! I thought

  I would never see you again after you left in your ship for

  Pylos—in secret, against my wishes—to find news of your

  father. Come now, give me a full account of what you saw.’

  Then in turn thoughtful Telemachus addressed her: 45

  ‘Mother, do not move me to weeping, or trouble the heart

  in my breast, when I have just escaped sheer destruction.

  Rather, go and wash yourself and put on clean clothes, and

  go up into your rooms with your women servants, and

  vow an offering of unblemished hecatombs to all the gods, 50

  in the hope that Zeus will bring about requital on our behalf.

  I am going to the meeting-place, where I will welcome as

  a guest someone* who has accompanied me on my voyage

  from Pylos. I sent this man ahead with my godlike crew,

  and I instructed Peiraeus to take him to his home and to 55

  treat him with kindness and honour until I should come.’

  So he spoke, and his words flew quickly to their mark.

  Penelope went and washed herself and put on clean clothes,

  and vowed unblemished hecatombs to all the gods, in the

  hope that Zeus would bring about requital on their behalf. 60

  Now Telemachus went striding through and out of the hall,

  gripping his spear, and two swift dogs went along with him.

  All over him Athena poured an astonishing grace, and

  all the people gazed in wonder at him as he approached.

  The proud suitors flocked around him with noble speeches, 65

  but deep in their minds they were turning over evil schemes.

  Telemachus avoided the great throng of them, and went

  over to where Mentor and Antiphus and Halitherses,

  longstanding companions of his father, were sitting; he sat

  with them, and they questioned him about everything. 70

  Peiraeus, renowned with the spear, drew near, bringing the

  stranger through the city to the meeting-place; and Telemachus

  did not ignore his guest for long, but came to meet him.

  Peiraeus was the first of them to speak, and addressed him:

  ‘Telemachus, dispatch some women to my house without delay,75

  so that I may send on the gifts that Menelaus gave you.’

  Then in turn thoughtful Telemachus addressed him:

  ‘Not so, Peiraeus; we do not know how all this will fall out.

  If the proud suitors are going to kill me by stealth in my own

  halls and share out my ancestral wealth, I would rather you80

  yourself kept and enjoyed them, or any of these men here;

  but if I can sow the seeds of death and doom for them,

  bring them to my house, and both of us will enjoy them.’

  So he spoke, and led his sorely tried guest into the house.

  When they reached the pleasantly ordered palace, they85

  laid aside their cloaks on the chairs and benches, and

  stepped into well-polished bath-tubs and had their bath.

  Then, when maidservants had bathed and rubbed them with

  oil, and put tunics and thick woollen cloaks around them,

  they stepped out of the baths and took their places on chairs.90

  A maidservant brought water in a beautiful golden pitcher

  and poured it into a silver bowl for them to wash their hands,

  and drew up a polished table to stand beside them.

  A respected housekeeper brought bread and set it before them,

  and added a heap of delicacies, giving freely from her store.95

  Telemachus’ mother sat opposite them, by a pillar of the hall,

  leaning back in her chair and twisting fine wool on her distaff.

  They reached out for the good things lying before them,

  and when they had put away the desire for food and drink

  circumspect Penelope was the first of them to speak:100

  ‘Telemachus, I am going up to my rooms, where I shall lie

  on my bed, my bed that is so full of misery, for ever

  soaked by my tears since the time Odysseus went away to

  Ilium, along with the sons of Atreus. You could not bring

  yourself to tell me, before the proud suitors come back to the house,105

  if you have heard any sure news of your father’s return.’

  Then in turn thoughtful Telemachus addressed her:

  ‘Very well, mother, I shall now give you a full account.

  We went to Pylos, to see Nestor, shepherd of his people,

  and he received me in his lofty palace and treated me110

  in a kindly fashion, like a father welcoming his son

  newly returned from foreign parts after a long absence.

  So kindly did he entertain me, along with his famous sons.

  But he said he had heard nothing about Odysseus of the

  enduring spirit, whether alive or dead, from anyone on 115

  this earth. Instead he gave me horses and a close-jointed

  chariot and sent me on to Atreus’ son, spear-famed Menelaus.

  There I saw Argive Helen, for whose sake both Argives

  and Trojans suffered so much, all by the will of the gods.

  While there Menelaus master of the war-cry asked me 120

  what was the object of my search in coming to splendid

  Lacedaemon, and so I gave him a full and truthful account.

  He then replied, addressing me in these words: “How

  dreadful! For sure it was a strong-hearted man’s bed they

  hoped to sleep in, though they themselves are cowards. 125

  As when a hind settles her newly born fawns who are still

  drinking her milk to sleep in the woodland den of a mighty lion,

  and herself goes out to scour the foothills and grassy hollows

  in search of grazing—but the lion returns to his lair

  and unleashes an ugly death on both hind and fawns— 130

  so will Odysseus unleash an ugly death on those men.

  Father Zeus and Athena and Apollo, I wish he could now be

  the same man who once on well-founded Lesbos stood up

  and wrestled Philomeleides* for a challenge, and threw

  him violently down, and all the Achaeans were delighted! 135

  I wish Odysseus could come like that among the suitors; it

  would mean quick deaths and bitter marriage-hopes for them all.

  As for your question and entreaty, I will not sidestep

  the matter and answer you crookedly, nor will I deceive you.

  And the tale the truth-telling Old Man of the Sea told me— 140

  that story I shall not keep back or conceal from you.

  He said he had seen Odysseus on an island, in the grip of

  harsh suffering, in the halls of the nymph Calypso, who

  holds him there by compulsion; he cannot return to his own

  land, because he has no oared ships nor any companions 145

  who might convey him over the broad back of the sea.”

  ‘This is what Atreus’ son, spear-famed Menelaus, told me.

  When I had finished my task, I set out for home, and the gods

  sent me a breeze and brought me quickly to my own land.’

  So he spoke, and stirred the heart in Penelope’s breast. 150

  Then the godlike Theoclymenus addressed them both:

  ‘Lady, respected wife of Odysseus son of Laertes:

  it must be that Menelaus does not understand clearly; mark

  my words, for I shall prophesy truthfully, hiding nothing.

  May Zeus, first of gods, be my witness, and your hospitable155

  table, and blameless Odysseus’ hearth, to which I have come,

  that Odysseus is actually in his native land, even now,

  at rest or moving around, finding out about these evil deeds;

  he is here, sowing seeds of destruction for all the suitors.

  Such is the bird-omen I interpreted as I was sitting in the160

  well-benched ship, and declared it aloud to Telemachus.’

  Then in turn circumspect Penelope addressed him:

  ‘Stranger, may these words of yours turn out to be true!

  If so, you will soon meet with kindness from me, and many

  a gift, so that anyone encountering you will call you blessed.’165

  So they conversed, one with another, in this way.

  Now the suitors were amusing themselves on level ground

  in front of Odysseus’ hall, throwing discuses and spears,

  filled with the same arrogance that they had shown before.

  But when it was time for supper, and sheep had arrived from170

  the fields round about, driven by the same men as always,

  then Medon spoke to them. He was the most popular herald

  with the suitors, and he used to wait on them at their feasts:

  ‘Young lords, now that you have enjoyed yourselves with

  sports, go into the palace, so that we can prepare your feast.175

  It is no bad thing to eat one’s supper at the right time.’

  So he spoke, and they rose and set off, and did what he said.

  When they reached the pleasantly ordered palace,

  they laid their cloaks aside on chairs and seats, and

  set about slaughtering some huge sheep and fat goats,180

  and killed some fatted swine and a heifer from the herd,

  ready for the feast. Meanwhile Odysseus and the good

  swineherd were getting ready to leave the country for the

  city. First to speak was the swineherd, captain of men:

  ‘My guest, you are clearly impatient to set out for the city185

  today, as my master instructed you. For my part, I would

  have preferred you to stay here and look after the farm; but

  I respect and fear him, troubled that he may hereafter take

  me to task—and the rebukes of masters are hard to bear.

  So let us go now; the greater part of the day is now gone,190

  and as evening comes on you may well find it colder.’

  Then in answer Odysseus of many wiles addressed him:

  ‘I understand very well. Your advice falls on receptive ears.

  Let us go, then; and you must be my guide all the way.

  And, if you have anywhere a staff already cut, give it to me 195

  to lean on; you did say that the way was very slippery.’

  So he spoke, and hung round his shoulder the shabby satchel,

  full of holes, which had a twisted cord to hold it up,

  and Eumaeus gave him a stick that suited his needs.

  So the pair of them set off, and dogs and herdsmen stayed 200

  behind to protect the farm. Off to the city went Eumaeus,

  leading his lord in the guise of a wretched beggar, an old

  man, leaning on a stick and dressed in miserable garments.

  Their way lay along a rock-strewn path, and when they

  were close to the city they came upon a clear-flowing, 205

  well-made fountain, from which the citizens used to fetch

  water. Ithacus had built it, with Neritus and Polyctor, and

  around it was a copse of alders, trees that thrive on water,

  set all in a circle; and a chill stream flowed into it, down

  from a high rock. Above it an altar had been built to the 210

  nymphs, and there all passers-by would make offerings.

  Here Melanthius, Dolius’ son, chanced to meet them, as

  he was driving the finest nanny-goats in all his flocks to

  make the suitors’ supper; and two herdsmen were with him.

  Seeing them he hailed them jeeringly in tones of shameful, 215

  violent abuse, which roused Odysseus’ heart to anger:

  ‘Well, look! Here is one utter scoundrel leading another!

  It’s true that gods always bring like together with like.

  Miserable swineherd, where can you be taking this empty-

  bellied wretch, this tiresome beggar, this licker of plates— 220

  the kind who is always hanging around, rubbing his shoulders

  on doorposts, begging for scraps, never for swords or cauldrons?

  If you would but give him to me, to watch over my farm and

  muck out my byres and bring in green fodder for the kids, he

  could drink some whey and build up the muscles on his thigh. 225

  But since it is obvious that all he knows is how to make

  trouble, he will not want to work hard, preferring to go

  begging round the town after food to fill his insatiable belly.

  I tell you this plainly, and I believe it will be fulfilled:

  if he comes anywhere near the palace of godlike Odysseus230

  he will be thrashed through the house, and many a stool

  flung from men’s hands at his head will break about his ribs.’

  So he spoke, and as he went past Odysseus kicked him, fool

  that he was, on the hip; but he could not force him off the path,

  for Odysseus firmly stood his ground. He pondered whether to235

  rush at Melanthius and take the life from him with his stick,

  or lift him by the waist and smash his head on the ground.

  But he held himself in check, and endured. The swineherd

  stared at Melanthius and rebuked him; lifting his hands

  he prayed: ‘Nymphs of the spring, Zeus’ daughters, if ever240

  Odysseus wrapped thigh-bones in rich fat and made you a

  burnt offering of lambs or of kids, then fulfil this wish for me:

  grant that the man may return home, with a god guiding him.

  Then, Melanthius, he would chase away all these fancy airs

  that you now so insolently put on, loafing all the time245

  about the city while worthless herdsmen ruin your flocks.’

  Then in turn Melanthius, herdsman of goats, addressed him:

  ‘Dear me—how this slippery-minded dog can talk! One day

  I shall put him in a well-benched black ship and take him

  far from Ithaca, somewhere he could fetch me a good profit.250

  I pray that Apollo of the silver bow may shoot Telemachus

  today in his halls, or that the suitors may beat him down,

  as surely as Odysseus, far away, has lost his day of return!’

  So he spoke, and left them to continue their quiet journey,

  and himself went on, and quickly reached his master’s house.255

  He went straight inside and sat down among the suitors,

  opposite Eurymachus, who always showed him particular favour.

  Industrious servants set before him a portion of meat, and

  a respected housekeeper brought bread and put it by him to eat.

  By now Odysseus and the good swineherd had arrived and260

  were standing near the palace; around them stole the sound

  of the hollow lyre, for Phemius was striking up a prelude to his

  song. Odysseus took the swineherd’s hand and addressed him:

  ‘Eumaeus, this must surely be the splendid palace of Odysseus.

  It is easy to make out and identify even among many others;265

  one building joins on to another, its courtyard is furnished

  with a wall and coping-stones, and the double doors provide

  a secure defence. No one could take it by storm. And I can

  tell that many men are holding a feast inside, for the savour of

  cooking is in the air, and there is inside the sound of the lyre, 270

  which the gods have created to be the companion of a feast.’

  Then in answer you addressed him, swineherd Eumaeus:

  ‘You recognized it easily, for in other things too you are not

  without wits. But let us consider now what to do next:

  either you should be the first to enter this well-ordered palace 275

  and mingle with the suitors, while I remain outside; or,

  if you prefer it, stay out here and I will go in before you.

  But do not loiter here, in case someone sees you outside and

  throws something at you or chases you away. Do be careful.’

  Then much-enduring glorious Odysseus answered him: 280

  ‘I understand very well. Your orders fall on receptive ears.

  Now: you should go in before me, and I will wait here.

 

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