The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/The Odyssey/Book 24
BOOK XXIV.[1]
ARGUMENT.
But Cyllenian Mercury called out the souls of the suitors; and he held in his hands a beautiful golden rod, with which he soothes the eyes of men whom he wishes, and upraises them again when sleeping. With this indeed he drove them, moving them on; and they gibbering[2] followed. And as when bats in the recess of a divine cave flit about gibbering, when one falls from the link[3] off the rock, and they cling to one another: so they went together gibbering, and harmless Mercury led them down the murky[4] ways. And they came near the streams of the ocean and the Leucadian rock, and they went near the gates of the Sun, and the people of dreams: and they quickly came to the meadow of Asphodel, where dwell the souls, the images of the dead. And they found the soul of Achilles, son of Peleus, and of Patroclus, and of blameless Antilochus, and of Ajax, who was the most excellent in form and person of the other Greeks, after the blameless son of Peleus. Thus they were assembled round him: but the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, came near sorrowing; and the others were assembled around him, as many as had died with him in the house of Ægisthus, and had drawn on their fate.
And him the soul of the son of Peleus addressed first: "O Atrides, we thought that thou wast all thy days beloved above heroes by thunder-rejoicing Jove, because thou didst rule over many and illustrious men, in the people of the Trojans, where we Grecians suffered griefs. But of a surety pernicious fate was destined to come upon thee first of all, [fate] which no one avoids, whoever is born. Now oughtest thou, enjoying the honour, over which thou didst rule, to have drawn on death and fate amongst the people of the Trojans: then would all the Grecians have made a tomb for thee, and thou wouldst have obtained great glory for thy son hereafter; but now it was destined for thee to be overcome by a most miserable death."
And him the soul of the son of Atreus addressed in turn: "Happy son of Peleus, O Achilles, like unto the gods! thou who didst fall at Troy, far from Argos: and around thee the other most excellent sons of the Trojans and Grecians were slain, fighting for thee: and thou didst lay mighty, and mightily extended in a whirlwind of dust, forgetful of horsemanship. But we fought during the whole day: nor should we at all have ceased from war, if Jove had not made us stop with a whirlwind. And when we had brought thee off from the war to the ships, we laid thee on a couch, cleansing thy beautiful body with lukewarm water and ointment: and around thee the Grecians shed many warm tears, and cut their hair. And thy mother, hearing the news, came from the sea with the immortal Sea-nymphs;[5] and a divine clamour arose over the sea: and a trembling seized upon all the Grecians: and now rushing forth they would have gone to the hollow ships, had not a man detained them, who knew both ancient and many things, Nestor, whose counsel before also appeared the best: who thinking well harangued and addressed them: 'Stop, O Argives, fly not, ye youths of the Grecians; this his mother comes from the sea with the immortal Nymphs of the sea, to meet her dead son.'[6] Thus he spoke; and the magnanimous Grecians were restrained in their fear. And around thee stood the daughters of the old man of the sea, lamenting miserably, and around thee they put immortal garments. And all the nine Muses, responding with a beautiful voice, lamented: there thou wouldst have perceived not one of the Grecians tearless; for so did the tuneful Muse excite them. There we mourned thee seventeen nights and days equally, both immortal gods and mortal men; but on the eighteenth day we committed thee to the fire, and around thee slew many very fat sheep and curved-horned oxen. And thou wast burnt in the clothing of the gods, and in much ointment, and in sweet honey; and many Grecian heroes clashed with their arms around the pile of you burning, both infantry and cavalry: and much clamour arose. But when the flame of Vulcan had at length consumed thee, in the morning we collected thy white bones, O Achilles, in pure wine and ointment: and thy mother gave us a golden vessel: and she said it was the gift of Bacchus, and the work of illustrious Vulcan. In this were laid thy white bones, O illustrious Achilles, and those of dead Patroclus, son of Menætius, mixed together; but separately those of Antilochus: whom we honoured chief of all thy other companions, at least after dead Patroclus. And then we, the sacred army of the warrior Grecians, heaped up a large and noble tomb around them, on a projecting shore, in the wide Hellespont:[7] so that it might be seen far off from the sea by those men, who are now born, and who shall be hereafter. But thy mother, having entreated the gods, proposed very beautiful contests in the middle of a ring to the chieftains of the Grecians. Already hast thou met with the burial of many heroes, when, a king having perished, young men are girded and prepared for the contests; but on beholding those, thou wouldst have most marvelled in thy mind, what very beautiful contests the goddess, silver-footed Thetis, made for thee; for thou wast very dear to the gods. So thou hast not even when dead lost thy name, but for thee there will ever be excellent fame, O Achilles, amongst all men; but what pleasure was this for me, when I had brought the war to a close? For on my return Jove devised miserable destruction for me under the hands of Ægisthus and my pernicious wife."
Thus they spoke such things to one another. But the messenger, the slayer of Argus, came near them, bringing the souls of the suitors who were overcome by Ulysses. But they, astonished, went straight [to meet them], when they beheld them. And the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, knew the son of Melanthius, illustrious Amphimedon: for he had been his host, inhabiting a house in Ithaca.
And him the soul of the son of Atreus first addressed: "O Amphimedon, to what suffering have ye come beneath the gloomy earth, all picked men, and of equal age? neither in any other way would [any one] choosing through a city select the best men. Whether has Neptune subdued you in ships, having stirred up difficult winds and long billows? or have hostile men by chance destroyed you on the continent whilst cutting off their bulls, and the beautiful fleeces of sheep? or fighting about a city and women? Tell me, inquiring, for I boast myself to be thy guest. Dost thou not remember when I came there to thine house, inciting Ulysses, with godlike Menelaus, to attend us to Troy, in the well-benched ships? But we passed over all the wide sea in a whole[8] month, scarcely persuading city-destroying Ulysses."
But him the soul of Amphimedon addressed in turn: "[O most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men,] I remember all these things, and will relate well and accurately the evil end of our death, what a one befell us. We wooed the wife of long absent Ulysses: and she did not refuse the hated marriage, nor did she bring it to a conclusion, devising death and black Fate for us. But she planned this other stratagem in her mind; having begun a mighty web, she wove it in the palace, slender and round; and she forthwith addressed us: 'Youths, my suitors, since divine Ulysses is dead, cease urging my marriage until I finish the robe, (lest my threads should perish in vain,) a funeral garment for the hero Laertes, for the time when the pernicious fate of long-sleeping death shall seize hold of him: lest any one of the Grecian women amongst the people should be indignant at me, if he lies without a shroud, having possessed many things.' Thus she spoke; and our noble mind was persuaded. Then during the day she wove the large web, but at night she unravelled it, when she placed the torches near her. Thus for three years she escaped notice by deceit, and persuaded the Grecians. But when the fourth year came, and the hours advanced, [the months waning, and many days were completed,] then indeed some one of the women, who knew it well, told us, and we found her unravelling the splendid web. Thus she finished it, although not willing, by necessity. When she showed the robe—having wove the mighty web, washing it, like unto the sun or the moon—then an evil deity brought Ulysses from some where or other to the extremity of the country, where the swineherd inhabited a dwelling. There came the beloved son of divine Ulysses, arriving with a black ship from sandy Pylos. And they, having contrived evil death for the suitors, came to the illustrious city; Ulysses indeed last, but Telemachus first led the way. And the swineherd brought him, having evil garments on his body, like unto a wretched beggar and an old man, [leaning upon a staff: but evil garments were put round his body]. Nor was any one of us able to know him being [present], having appeared on a sudden, not even those [of us] who were the oldest: but we chided him with evil words and with blows. And he then being beaten and chided in his own palace endured it with a patient mind; but when the counsel of Ægis-bearing Jove aroused him, with Telemachus taking the very beautiful arms, he placed them in a chamber, and fastened the bolts; and he through his great cunning ordered his wife to place the bow and hoary steel for the suitors, as a subject of contest for us, ill-fated, and a beginning of death. Nor was any one of us able to stretch the string of the sturdy bow, but we were very deficient [in strength]. But when the mighty bow came to the hands of Ulysses, then we all rebuked him with words, that he should not give him the bow, although he spoke very many things: but Telemachus alone urging commanded him. And much-enduring divine Ulysses received it in his hand, and he easily bent the bow, and sent [the shaft] through the steel. And he stood going up on the threshold, and he poured out the swift arrows, looking about terribly: and he smote king Antinous. And then he sent forth his grievous shafts against others, taking aim opposite: and they fell near one another. But it was evident that some one of the gods was an ally to him. For immediately following upon us with their might through the dwelling, they slew us upon all sides: and an unseemly groaning arose from them,[9] their heads being stricken, and the whole pavement bubbled with blood. Thus did we perish, O Agamemnon, whose bodies even now lie without funeral rites in the palace of Ulysses: for our friends do not yet know in the dwellings of each, who, having washed the black gore from our wounds, laying us down would mourn for us: for this is the honour of the dead."
And him the soul of the son of Atreus addressed in turn: "O happy son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, surely didst thou gain thy wife with great valour. How excellent was the mind of blameless Penelope, daughter of Icarus, how mindful of Ulysses, her virgin husband: unto whom the glory of his virtue shall never perish; but the immortals will make for those on earth a beautiful song for prudent Penelope. Not so did the daughter of Tyndarus contrive evil deeds, slaying her virgin husband: but [for her] there will be a hateful song amongst men; and she has given an evil fame to women, even though one be a worker of good." Thus they spoke such things to one another, standing in the houses of Pluto, under the hiding-places of the earth.
But they, when they went from the city, soon reached the beautiful-constructed farm of Laertes, which Laertes had himself acquired, since he had toiled very much: there was his house, and a shed[10] ran round it on all sides, in which his necessary servants fed, and sat, and took rest, who worked what was agreeable to him.[11] And in it there was a Sicilian old woman, who diligently took care of the old man at the farm, away from the city. Then Ulysses spoke words to his servants and his son:
"Do you now go within the well-built house; and quickly sacrifice a meal of swine, whichever is the best. But I will try my father, whether he will know me, and perceive me with his eyes, or whether he will not recognise me, having been away for a long time."
Thus having spoken, he gave his warlike arms to his servants. They then quickly came to the house; but Ulysses went near the fruitful vineyard to try [his father]: nor did he find Dolius, on going down to the great orchard, nor any of his servants or sons: but they indeed had gone to gather heaps of stones to be a fence for the vineyard: but the old man led the way for them. And he found his father alone in the well-made vineyard, hoeing a plant: and he was clad in a sordid garment, patched, unseemly: and around his thighs he had bound patched greaves of bull's hide, to avoid the tearings [of the thorns];[12] and gloves upon his hands on account of the brambles: but above he had a cap of goat-skin on his head, giving way to his grief. When then much-enduring divine Ulysses saw him wasted with old age, and having great grief in his mind, standing under a lofty pear-tree, he shed a tear. Then he meditated in his soul and in his mind, whether to kiss and embrace his father, and tell [him] every thing, how he came to and reached his paternal land; or, whether he should first inquire of him, and try him in every thing. And thus it appeared to him to be better as he considered, first to try him with reproaching words. Having this intention, divine Ulysses went straight opposite to him; he indeed, holding down his head, was digging round a plant, but standing near him his illustrious son addressed him:
"O old man, want of skill does not possess thee in managing an orchard; but thy care keeps it well; nor is there any plant at all, either fig-tree, or vine, or olive, or pear, or border in the garden destitute of care. But I tell thee something else, but do not thou lay up anger in thy mind: good care does not keep thyself, but thou hast miserable old age at the same time, and thou art evilly squalid, and art clothed in unseemly guise. Thy master does not indeed take care of you [so ill] on account of thy idleness, nor is thy form or size at all servile to behold; for thou art like unto a king. Thou art like one who ought, when he has washed and eaten, to sleep softly: for this is the right of old men. But come, tell me this, and relate it correctly, whose servant art thou? whose orchard dost thou tend? and relate this truly to me, that I may well know, if indeed I am come to Ithaca, as this man told me, who just now met me, as I was coming hither, one not very wise: since he did not endure to tell me every thing, or to listen to my word, when I inquired of him concerning my host, whether he is alive and exists, or is now dead and in the house of Pluto. For I tell thee plainly, and do thou attend, and listen to me: I once entertained a man in my dear paternal land, having come to my house, and never yet has any other mortal of foreign strangers come more welcome to my house. He boasted his race to be of Ithaca, and he said that his father was Laertes, son of Arcesias. Him I entertained well, bringing him to my house, receiving him carefully, when many were in my house, and gave him hospitable presents, such as are becoming. I gave him seven talents of well-wrought gold, and I gave him a cup all silver, embossed with flowers, twelve single cloaks and as many pieces of tapestry, and as many beautiful robes, and as many tunics added to these: besides four beautiful women, skilled in blameless works, whom he himself wished to take."
But him his father then answered, shedding a tear: "Stranger, thou indeed art come to the land, concerning which thou inquirest: but insolent and infatuated men possess it. But thou hast conferred these thy gifts in vain, giving numberless [presents]; for would that thou hadst found him alive amongst the people of Ithaca, then would he have sent thee away, having requited thee with presents and good entertainment; for it is the right [of him], whoever begins. But come, tell me this, and relate it truly, how many years is it since thou didst entertain him thine unhappy guest, my son? if he was so; wretched one, whom some where, far away from his friends and paternal land, either the fish have eaten in the sea, or he has become a prey to the beasts and birds on the shore: nor did his mother mourn him, covering him around, nor his father, we who gave him birth: nor did his well-dowered wife, prudent Penelope, wail for her dear husband in her bed, as was fitting, wasting away her eyes: for this is the honour of the dead. And tell me this truly, that I may know it well; who art thou? from whence art thou amongst men? where are thy city and thy parents? where is the swift ship stationed, which brought thee and thy godlike companions hither? or hast thou come a passenger on another man's ship, and have they gone, having landed thee on shore?"
But him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "Therefore will I tell thee these things very accurately. For I am from Alybas, where I inhabit an illustrous dwelling, the son of Apheidas, son of king Polypemon, and my name is Eperitus: but the deity made me wander so that I should come hither from Sicania, against my will: but my ship is stationed over against a field at a distance from the city. But this is now the fifth year since Ulysses went away from thence, and departed from my country, unhappy one: but there were excellent birds[13] on the right for him as he was going, in which I rejoicing sent him away, and he rejoiced as he went: and our mind still hoped to be mixed in hospitality, and to bestow glorious gifts."
Thus he spoke; and a black cloud of grief covered him: and taking up the dust of ashes in both his hands, he poured it upon his hoary head, groaning continually. But his mind was excited, and now vehement passion beat against his nostrils, as he beheld his dear father. And he kissed him, embracing him and leaping upon him, and he addressed him:
"That one himself indeed am I, O father, after whom thou inquirest, I am come in the twentieth year to my paternal land. But refrain from weeping and tearful mourning. For I tell the plainly; (but it is by all means fit to hasten;) I have slain the suitors in my palace, revenging their grievous insolence and evil deeds."
But him Laertes answered again, and addressed him: "If indeed thou art Ulysses, my son, and hast come here, tell me now some evident sign, that I may believe it."
But him much-counselling Ulysses answering addressed: "First regard the scar with thine eyes, which a boar inflicted on me with its white tusk in Parnassus, when I went there: but thou didst send me on, and my venerable mother, to Autolycus, the dear father of my mother, that I might receive the gifts, which he promised me on coming here, and declared that he would give me. Come, I will recount to thee the trees also, through the well-made vineyard, which once thou gavest me, for I asked each of thee, being a child, following thee through the garden: but we came through them, and thou didst name them and didst tell me each. Thou gavest me thirteen pear-trees, and ten apple-trees, and forty fig-trees: and thus thou saidst thou wouldst give me fifty rows of vines, and each was sown between with corn: but there are all kinds of grapes, when the seasons of Jove come heavy upon them."
Thus he spoke, but his knees and heart were loosed, as he recognised the signs, which Ulysses told him truly. And he threw his arms around his dear son: and much-enduring divine Ulysses drew him fainting to him. But when he recovered, and his mind was raised to his breast, he immediately answering addressed him:
"O father Jove, surely ye gods[14] are still in lofty Olympus, if indeed the suitors have paid for their infatuate insolence. But now I very much dread in my mind, lest all the Ithacans should soon come here, and hasten messages on all sides to the cities of the Cephallenians."
But him much-counselling Ulysses answering addressed: "Be of good cheer, let not these things be a care to thee in thy mind: but let us go to the house which lies near the orchard. For there I sent forward Telemachus and the herdsman and swineherd, that they may get ready supper as quickly as possible."
Thus having conversed, the two went to the beautiful house. But when they now reached the well-built dwelling, they found Telemachus and the herdsman and swineherd cutting up much meat, and mixing the dark wine. But in the mean time the Sicilian handmaiden washed magnanimous Laertes in his house, and anointed him with oil: and she threw a beautiful cloak around him, and Minerva standing near increased the limbs of the shepherd of the people, and made him mightier and stouter to behold than before. And he went out of the bath: but his dear son marvelled at him, when he saw him with his eyes, like unto the immortal gods to look at. And addressing him, he spoke winged words:
"O father, certainly some one of the immortal gods has made thee noble in thy form and size to behold."
The prudent Laertes answered him in turn: "For would that I, O father Jove, and Minerva, and Apollo, such as when I took Nericus a well-built citadel, a town of the continent, ruling over the Cephallenians, being such a one yesterday in our palace, having arms upon my shoulders, I had stood against and warded off the suitors: then would I have loosed the knees of many of them in the palace, and thou shouldst have rejoiced in thy mind within thee."
Thus they spoke to one another. But they, when they had ceased from their labour, and prepared the feast, sat down in order on benches and thrones: then they laid their hands on the meal: and the old man Dolius came near them, and with him the sons of the old man, labouring from their toils, for the mother, the Sicilian old woman, who nourished them, went and called them: and she diligently took care of the old man, since old age had seized upon him. But they, when they beheld Ulysses, and considered him in their mind, stood astonished in the palace; but Ulysses reproving them with gentle words, addressed them:
"O old man, sit down to the meal, and do ye forget astonishment: for we remain in the palace for a long time, eager to lay our hands upon the viands, still expecting you."
Thus he spoke; and Dolius went straight to him, stretching out both his hands; and taking the hand of Ulysses, he kissed it at the wrist, and addressing him spoke winged words:
"O dear one; since thou hast returned to us wishing [for thee], but not expecting thee, but the gods have brought thee, hail! and rejoice greatly, and may the gods give thee prosperity. And tell me this truly, that I may know it well, whether does prudent Penelope already know that thou hast returned hither, or shall we urge on a messenger?"
And him much-counselling Ulysses answering addressed: "Old man, she already knows it, what need is there for thee to care about these matters?"
Thus he spoke; and he again sat down upon the well-polished seat. In like manner the sons of Dolius saluted illustrious Ulysses with words, and took hold of his hands; and they sat down in order near Dolius their father. Thus then they prepared a meal in the palace.
Now a report swiftly went as a messenger every where through the city, telling of the hateful death and Fate of the suitors. But they, as soon as they heard it, went one one way, one another, with murmuring and groaning before the house of Ulysses: and they carried the dead bodies out of the house, and each buried them. But those from other cities they sent to fishermen to take each [to his own] home, placing them in their swift ships: and they went together to the forum, sorrowing in their heart. But when they were assembled, and were collected together, Eupithes rose up, and addressed them, for not-to-be-forgotten grief lay upon his mind for his son, Antinous, whom divine Ulyssea slew first: for whom he pouring forth tears, harangued and addressed them:
"O friends, indeed this man has done a heinous deed against the Grecians; some indeed taking in his ships, many and brave men, he has lost his hollow ships, and destroyed all[15] the people; but others he has slain on his return, far the best of the Cephallenians. But come, before this man either quickly reaches Pylos, or divine Elis, where the Epeians rule, let us go; or hereafter we shall always be ashamed. For these things indeed are a disgrace even for posterity to hear. But if we shall not be revenged on the murderers of our sons and brothers, it would not be pleasant for me in my mind to live: but dying as soon as possible, might I be amongst the deceased. But let us go, lest they anticipate us, passing over."
Thus he spoke, shedding tears, and pity seized all the Grecians. But Medon and the divine bard came near them from the palace of Ulysses, when sleep had left them. And they stood in the middle; and astonishment seized each man. And Medon, knowing prudent things, addressed them:
"Hear me now, Ithacans; for Ulysses did not devise these deeds without the will of the gods; I myself saw an immortal god, who stood near Ulysses, and he was in every thing like unto Mentor. But the immortal god at one time appeared before Ulysses, encouraging him, and at another inciting the suitors, made them rush in flight through the palace; and they fell near to one another."
Thus he spoke; and pale fear seized upon all of them. And the old hero Alitherses, son of Mastor, addressed them; for he alone saw what was past and what was to come; he, thinking well, harangued and addressed them:
"Listen now, Ithacans, to what I am going to say. These deeds, my friends, were done by your own wickedness: for ye did not obey me nor Mentor, the shepherd of the people, so as to make your sons cease from their foolish deeds; who have done a heinous deed through their evil infatuation, wasting the property and insulting the wife of an excellent man, who they thought would no more return. And now may it happen thus: obey me, according as I advise; let us not go, lest by chance some one should meet with an evil drawn upon himself."
Thus he spoke; but they rushed out with a great shout, more than half of them; but the rest remained there together. For what he said did not please them in their mind, but they obeyed Eupithes: and quickly then they rushed to arms. But when they had put the shining brass around their bodies, they were assembled together before the wide-wayed city. But Eupithes led them in their folly: and he said that he would revenge the murder of his son; nor was he destined to return back, but to draw on his fate there. But Minerva addressed Jupiter, the son of Saturn:
"O father mine, thou son of Saturn, highest of kings, tell me, asking, what does thy mind now conceal within it? whether wilt thou first cause evil war and terrible strife? or hast thou made friendship on both sides?"
But her cloud-compelling Jove answering addressed: "My child, why dost thou ask and inquire of me these things? For hast not thou thyself devised this plan, that Ulysses having returned should be revenged upon them? Do as thou wilt: but I tell thee how it is fitting. Since divine Ulysses has been revenged on the suitors, making faithful oaths, let him always reign, but let us make oblivion of the deaths of their sons and brothers; and let them love one another as before; and let there be wealth and peace in abundance."
Thus having spoken, he incited Minerva, who was before eager, and she went rushing down from the tops of Olympus. But when they had taken away the desire of sweet food, much-enduring divine Ulysses began speaking to them: "Let some one, going out, see whether they are coming near."
Thus he spoke; but a son of Dolius went out, as he desired; and going he stood on the threshold, and he saw all of them near at hand: and immediately he addressed to Ulysses winged words:
"They are now near, but let us arm ourselves quickly." Thus he spoke; but they rose up, and were clad in their arms, the four with Ulysses, and the six sons of Dolius; and with them Laertes and Dolius put on their arms, although they were hoary, warriors through necessity. But when they had put the shining brass around their bodies, they opened the gates, and went out, but Ulysses led the way. And Minerva, the daughter of Jove, came near them, likened unto Mentor both in person and voice. Much-enduring divine Ulysses rejoiced on seeing her, and he immediately addressed his dear son Telemachus:
"Telemachus, thou wilt now know this thyself, coming on, (when men are fighting, where the best are judged to be,) not to disgrace the race of your fathers, we, who before excelled over all the earth in valour and manliness."
But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "Thou shalt see if thou desirest, my dear father, in my mind, that I dishonour not the race, as thou sayest."
Thus he spoke; but Laertes rejoiced, and spoke thus: "What day now is this, my dear friends? Very much do I rejoice; my son and my grandson are having a contention about excellence."
But blue-eyed Minerva standing near addressed him: "O son of Arcesias, far dearest of all my companions, praying to the blue-eyed damsel, and father Jove, very quickly brandish, and send forth a long-shadowing spear."
Thus she spoke; and Pallas Minerva breathed into him great strength; then praying to the daughter of mighty Jove, he very quickly brandished and sent forth a long-shadowing spear, and struck Eupithes through the brazen-cheeked helm; but it did not keep off the spear, but the brass passed entirely through. And he resounded as he fell, and his arms clashed upon him. And Ulysses and his glorious son fell upon the first-fighters; and they beat them with swords and double-edged spears. And now they would have destroyed all, and deprived them of their return, had not Minerva, the daughter of Ægis-bearing Jove, cried out with her loud voice and restrained all the people: "Refrain from difficult war, O Ithacans, that without bloodshed ye may be separated as soon as possible."
Thus spoke Minerva; and pale fear seized them; and the weapons flew from the hands of the frightened, and all fell on the earth, when the goddess had uttered a sound; and they were turned towards the city, anxious for their lives. But much-enduring divine Ulysses shouted out terribly, and he rushed on, gathering himself up like a lofty-flying eagle. And then at length the son of Saturn sent forth a smouldering thunderbolt, and it fell before the blue-eyed [daughter] of an illustrious sire. And then blue-eyed Minerva addressed Ulysses:
"O noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, refrain; and check the contest of equally destructive war, lest by chance far-sounding Jove, son of Saturn, be wrath with thee."
Thus spoke Minerva; and he obeyed, and rejoiced in his mind. Afterwards Pallas Minerva, daughter of Ægis-bearing Jove, propounded oaths to both sides, likened unto Mentor, both in person and in her voice.
- ↑ The objections raised against the authenticity of this portion of the Odyssey, are carefully detailed in the notes of Clarke and Loewe.
- ↑ I am indebted to the Old Translator for this word. Eustathius well observes: ἰστέον δὲ ὅτι μυθικῶς ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἐπελέχθη τρισμός, οἵα λόγου μὲν ἐνάρθρου ἐστερημέναις, ἄλλως δὲ θορυβούσαις. A low, wailing, inarticulate sound must be understood.
- ↑ i. e. the string of bats, which they form by clinging to one another, τοῦ τῶν νυκτεριδῶν ἀθροίσματος. Hesych. s. v. ὁρμαθοῦ.
- ↑ "Situ obsita." See Gataker on Anton. iv. 6. So Hesiod. Op. 152, βῆσαν δ' εὐρώεντα δόμον κρυεροῦ ἀΐδαο. Cf. Alberti on Hesych. t. i. p. 1528.
- ↑ For this interpretation I have the authority of the Scholiast, on Il. Σ. 86. Cf. Hesych. ἁλίῃσιν, θαλαττίαις.
- ↑ Compare the similar scene at the end of the Rhesus, where the Muse appears with the body of her son Rhesus.
- ↑ viz. on the promontory of Sigeum. See Cicero pro Archia.
- ↑ In English we should say, "we were a whole month passing over the sea."
- ↑ The suitors.
- ↑ Ernesti observes that the house of Laertes stood in the middle, being surrounded by the slighter dwellings of the slaves, forming a continuous shed. See Loewe.
- ↑ These words are an epexegesis to ἀναγκαῖοι. But the Schol. Ambr. interprets ἀναγκαῖοι to mean "taken in war, captured by force."
- ↑ γραπτῦς, τὰς τῶν ἀκανθωδῶν φυτῶν καταπεριξύσεις καὶ ἀμυχάς Schol.
- ↑ i. e. omens.
- ↑ See Duport, Gnom. Hom. p. 288, sq.
- ↑ Observe the tenesis for ἀπώλεσε.