The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/The Odyssey/Book 13

by Homer

 

BOOK XIII.

 

ARGUMENT.

Having concluded his narrative, Ulysses is carried asleep to Ithaca by the Phæacians, and put on shore with the presents he had received from them. Neptune, as had been foretold, transforms the ship into a rock just before its arrival in Phæacia. Minerva meets Ulysses and converses with him respecting the destruction of the suitors; she then hides his treasures in a cave, and transforms Ulysses into an old man.

Thus he spoke; but they all became still in silence, and were possessed with soothing delight in the shady palace. But him Alcinous answered in turn, and addressed [him]:

"O Ulysses, since thou hast come to my brazen-founded, lofty-roofed house, therefore I think that thou wilt return back, not wandering at all back again, although thou hast suffered very many things. But to each man of you I speak these things, charging you, as many of you as constantly drink the dark honorary^[1] wine in my palace, and listen to the bard: there already lie garments for the stranger in a well-polished chest, and much-wrought gold, and all other presents, whatever the senators of the Phæacians have brought here; but come, let us give to him a large tripod and cauldron, each man;^[2] but we again will pay it back, being assembled among^[3] the people, for it is a difficult thing for one to give as a present."^[4]

Thus spoke Alcinous; and his words pleased them. And each of them went home about to sleep. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, appeared, they hastened to the ship, and brought man-strengthening brass; and the sacred might of Alcinous arranged these things well, he himself going through the ship under the benches, lest they should hurt any of his companions who were driving on, when they hastened with their oars. But they went to Alcinous's,^[5] and made ready a feast. And the sacred might of Alcinous sacrificed an ox for them to Jove, the dark-clouded son of Saturn, who rules over all. And burning the thighs, they banqueted a glorious banquet, delighting themselves: and amongst them the divine bard sang, Demodocus, honoured by the people: but Ulysses frequently turned his head towards the shining sun, anxious for it to go down; for now he desired to return. And as when a man is longing for his supper, for whom during the whole day two dun steers have drawn the compact plough through a fallow, and welcome to him the light of the sun is setting, that he may go to supper, and his knees are hurt as he goes: so welcome to Ulysses did the light of the sun set. And he immediately conversed with the oar-loving Phæacians, and addressing Alcinous especially, he spoke words:

"O King Alcinous, most glorious of all the people, having made libations, do ye send me unharmed,^[6] and yourselves farewell: for now are the things completed which my dear mind wished, an escort and friendly gifts, which may the heavenly gods make prosperous for me: and returning, may I find my spotless wife at home, with my friends, in safety. But do ye, remaining here, delight your virgin-wedded wives and children; and may the gods accord them every kind of virtue; and may there be no public evil."

Thus he spoke, and they all approved, and ordered them to send the stranger, since he had spoken rightly. And then Alcinous addressed the herald:

"O Pontonous, having mixed a cup, distribute wine to all in the palace: that having prayed to father Jove, we may send the stranger to his paternal land."

Thus he spoke; but Pontonous mixed the sweet wine, and distributed it to all in succession;^[7] but they made libations to the blessed gods who possess the wide heaven, in the same place from their seats; and divine Ulysses rose up, and he placed the round cup in the hands of Arete, and addressing her, spoke winged words:

"Farewell, O queen, continually, until old age comes, and death, which happen to men. But I am going, and do thou be delighted in this house with thy children, and the people, and king Alcinous."

Thus speaking, divine Ulysses went over the threshold; but with him the strength of Alcinous sent forward a herald, to conduct him to the swift ship and the shore of the sea. And Arete sent women servants with him; one having a well-washed robe, and garment, and another she sent with him to carry a heavy coffer: and another carried both bread and red wine. But when they came to the ship and the sea, his illustrious conductors immediately receiving the things, placed them in the hollow ship, all the drink and meat: and then they strewed a rug and linen for Ulysses, on the deck of the hollow ship, that he might sleep without waking,^[8] at the stern; but he himself embarked and laid down in silence; and each of them sat on the benches in order; and they loosed the cable from the perforated stone:^[9] there they, reclining, threw up the sea with the oar, and sweet sleep fell upon his eyelids, unwakeful, most pleasant, the nearest like death. But it,^[10] like as four-yoked male horses in the plain, all incited together by the blows of the scourge, lifting themselves on high, swiftly pass over the way; so its prow indeed lifted itself up, and the mighty purple billow of the much-rolling sea rushed behind. And very safely it ran, steadily: nor could a falcon-hawk, swiftest of birds, have followed it close. So it running swiftly cut the waves of the sea, bearing a man who possessed counsels equal to the gods: who before had suffered very many griefs in his mind, both wars of men, and passing the terrible waves: then indeed he slept fearlessly, forgetting whatever things he had suffered.

When a very shining star arose, which especially comes announcing the light of the morning, the mother of day; at that time then the ship that passes over the sea neared the island.

Now there is a certain haven of Phorcys, the old man of the sea, amongst the people of Ithaca; and there are two abrupt projecting shores in it, inclining towards the port,^[11] which swell from the great wave^[12] of hard blowing winds from without; but within well-benched ships remain without a chain, when they reach the goal of the mooring-station. But at the head of the port there is a large-leafed olive; and near it a delightful cave, shaded, sacred to the Nymphs, who are called Naïds. And there are stone cups and casks in it; and there then the bees stow away their honey.^[13] And in it there are stone distaffs of a great length, and there the Nymphs^[14] weave their sea-purple robes, a marvel to behold. And in it there are perpetual flowing waters;^[15] and it has two doors: these to the North to be descended by men, but those on the other hand, to the South, are more sacred; nor do men enter at all by that way; but it is the way of the immortals.

There they drove in, being before acquainted with it; it^[16] indeed ran ashore more than half its length, hastening; for by the hands of such rowers was it urged on. And they disembarking from the well-yoked ship to the shore, first lifted Ulysses out of the hollow ship, with his very linen and beautiful rug, and placed him, overcome with sleep, on the sand. And they took out the property which the illustrious Phæacians gave him when returning home, by means of magnanimous Minerva. And they placed the things together near the root of the olive-tree, out of the way, lest by chance any one of way-faring men coming should do them harm before Ulysses awoke. And they themselves went home again; nor did Neptune forget the threats with which he first threatened godlike Ulysses; but he asked the counsel of Jove:

"O father Jove, no longer shall I be honoured amongst the immortal gods, since mortals do not honour me, the Phæacians, who are however of my race. For I just now said that Ulysses should come home, having suffered many ills; but I by no means took away his return altogether, since thou first didst promise and grant it. But they, having taken him asleep over the sea in a swift ship, have placed him in Ithaca, and given him abundance of gifts, plenty of brass and gold, and a woven garment, as many things as Ulysses would never have taken from Troy, if he had returned unharmed, having obtained by lot his share of the booty."

But him cloud-compelling Jove answering addressed: "Alas! powerful Neptune, what hast thou said? the gods by no means dishonour thee; difficult would it be to aim at the oldest and most excellent with insults. But if any one of men, yielding to violence and strength, does not honour thee, thou hast always the means of revenge hereafter. Do as thou wilt, and as is dear to thy mind."

But him earth-shaking Neptune immediately answered: "I would quickly do as thou advise, O thou black-clouded one: but thy wrath I always hold in awe and avoid. Now then I wish to destroy the beautiful ship of the Phæacians, returning from the escort [of Ulysses] on the misty sea, that now they may abstain and cease from the escort of men: and that a mighty mountain should cover their city around."

But him cloud-compelling Jove answering addressed: "My friend, thus indeed to my mind it seems to be best. When all the people from the city are now looking to it driving along, place a stone near the land like unto a swift ship, that all men may marvel; and that a great mountain may cover their city around."

But when earth-shaking Neptune heard this, he hastened to Scheria, where the Phæacians are born, he remained there; and the sea-traversing ship came very near, swiftly making its way: and the Earth-shaker came near it, who made it a stone, and rooted it below, striking it with his hand laid flat^[17] downwards; and he went to a distance. But they, the long-oared Phæacians, men illustrious at sea, spoke winged words to one another. And thus some one said, looking to another near him:

"Alas, who has bound the swift ship in the sea while driving home? just now it all appeared before us." Thus some one said; but they knew not how these things were done. And Alcinous harangued and addressed them:

"Alas,^[18] surely now upon me are come the oracles uttered of old by my sire, who said that Neptune would be wrath with us, because we are safe conductors of all men. He said that some time or other he would destroy a very beautiful ship of the Phæacian men when returning home from an escort in the misty sea, and that a great mountain should cover the city around. Thus the old man spoke, and all these things are now accomplished. But come, let us all obey, as I command. Cease from the conduct of men, when any one comes to our city; and we will sacrifice twelve chosen bulls to Neptune, if he would pity us, and a great mountain may not cover our city around."

Thus he spoke; and they feared, and got ready the bulls. Thus the leaders and chiefs of the people of the Phæacians prayed to king Neptune, standing near the altar. But divine Ulysses awoke sleeping on his paternal land: nor did he know it, having been a long time absent; for the deity, Pallas Minerva, the daughter of Jove, shed a mist around him; that she might make him unknown, and might tell him every thing, that his wife might not know him, and his citizens and friends, before he had taken revenge for all their transgression upon the suitors. Therefore all things appeared of a different form to the king, both the long roads, and all-sheltering ports, and the sun-traversed rocks, and flourishing trees.

And he stood, having risen up in haste, and beheld his paternal land; and then he mourned, and struck his thighs with his hands laid flat downwards; and lamenting spoke thus:

"Woe is me! to the land of what mortals am I come? are they indeed injurious and fierce, nor just? or are they kind to strangers, and is their mind godlike? Where now shall I bear these many possessions? and where do I myself wander? would that I had remained there with the Phæacians; I indeed might have come to some other powerful king, who would have entertained me, and escorted me so as to return. But now I know not where to place them; I will not indeed leave them here, lest they become a booty to others. Alas! the leaders and chiefs of the Phæacians were not wise nor just in every thing, who have taken me away to another land; they said in truth that they would take me to western^[19] Ithaca,^[20] but have not performed [their promise]. May suppliant Jove exact vengeance on them, who also regards other men, and punishes whoever errs. But come, I will now count the possessions, and see whether they have gone, taking away any thing in the hollow ship."

Having thus spoken, he numbered the beautiful tripods and cauldrons, and the gold, and the beautiful woven garments; of these he missed none; but he lamented his paternal land, creeping along the shore of the much-rolling sea, bewailing much. But Minerva came near him, like in person unto a young man, a shepherd of sheep, very delicate, and as are the sons of kings, having a double well-wrought cloak about her shoulders; and she had sandals under her soft feet, and a javelin in her hand: Ulysses rejoiced seeing her, and came to meet her, and addressing her, spoke winged words:

"O friend, since I meet thee first in this country, hail, and do not thou meet me at all with an evil mind; but preserve these things, and preserve me; for I entreat thee, as a god, and come to thy dear knees. And tell me these things truly, that I may be well informed, what land is this? what people? what men are born here? is it some western island? or does some shore of the very fruitful continent lie inclined towards the sea?"

But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed in turn: "Thou art foolish, O stranger, or thou hast come from a distance, if indeed thou inquirest of this land: it is not by any means so nameless; but very many know it, both as many as dwell towards the East and the Sun, and as many as [dwell] behind towards the misty darkness. It is rough indeed, not fit for driving horses, yet not very barren, but it is not spacious. For in it there is abundance of wheat, and there is wine; and still the shower and flourishing dew possess it. It is excellent for feeding goats and oxen; there is every kind of wood, and there are perpetual irrigations in it. Therefore indeed, O stranger, the name of Ithaca would reach even to Troy, which they say is far from the Grecian land."

Thus he spoke; but much-enduring divine Ulysses was glad, rejoicing in his own paternal land, as Pallas Minerva, the daughter of Ægis-bearing Jove, told him. And addressing her, he spoke winged words, nor did he say what was true, but he took up discourse the contrary way, even revolving crafty design in his breast.

"I heard of Ithaca even in spacious Crete, far over the sea; but now I am myself come with these chattels: but I am flying away, having left as many things for my children, since I have slain the dear son of Idomeneus, swift-footed Orsilochus, who in spacious Crete excelled enterprising men with his swift feet: because he wished to deprive me of all my Trojan booty, on account of which I suffered griefs in my mind, both wars of men, and passing over the terrible waves, because I did not serve his father amongst the people of the Trojans, gratifying him, but I ruled over other companions. Him indeed I struck with a brazen spear, as he was coming home from the country, lying in wait for him near the road with a companion. But very dark night possessed heaven, nor did any one of men perceive us; but I escaped his notice, taking away his mind.^[21] But when I had slain him with the sharp brass, I immediately going in a ship to the illustrious Phæacians, besought them, and gave them booty gratifying their mind. Them I requested to carry me, and place me at Pylos, or to divine Elis, where the Epeans rule. But in truth the force of the wind thrust them from thence, much against their will; nor did they wish to deceive [me]. But wandering from thence we came here by night; and with exertion we rowed into the port, nor to us was there any mention of supper, although much wanting to obtain it: but all of us going out of the ship at random^[22] laid down. Here sweet sleep came upon me wearied. But they, taking my chattels out of the hollow ship, laid them down, even where I myself was lying on the sands: and they embarking went to well-inhabited Sidonia; but I was left, sorrowing at heart."

Thus he spoke: but the blue-eyed goddess Minerva smiled, and stroked him down with the hand; but she became in her person like a woman, both fair, and large, and skilled in splendid works; and addressing him she spoke winged words:

"Cunning would he be and deceitful, whoever should surpass thee in all kinds of craft, even if a god should meet thee. O thou hard one, various in plans, insatiable in deceit, thou wert not about, even when in thine own land, to cease from thy deceits, and crafty words, which are dear to thee from thy birth.^[23] But come, let us no longer speak of these things, since we are both skilled in cunning; for thou art the best of all mortals in counsel and words; but I am celebrated amongst all the gods for my judgment and cunning; didst thou not know Pallas Minerva, the daughter of Jove, [me] who always stand by thee in all labours, and guard thee, and have made thee dear unto all the Phæacians? But now I am come here that I may weave some counsel with thee, and may hide the possessions, whatsoever the illustrious Phæacians have given thee, returning home by my counsel and mind. And that I may tell thee what sorrows it is fated for thee to endure in thy built house; but do thou endure them even by necessity, nor tell any one, either of all men or women, that thou hast come wandering; but in silence suffer many griefs, sustaining the violence of men."

But her much-planning Ulysses in answer addressed: "It is difficult, O goddess, for a man who meets thee to know thee, although he be very skilful; for thou makest thyself like unto every one. But I know this well, that thou wert before kind to me, while we sons of the Grecians fought in Troy. But when we had destroyed the lofty city of Priam, and embarked in our ships, and the deity dispersed the Grecians, I did not afterwards behold thee, nor did I perceive thee embarking on my ship, that thou mightest avert any grief from me. [But I was continually wandering, having my heart overcome in my mind, until the gods freed me from mischiefs; before thou didst encourage me with thy words in the rich people of the Phæacians, and thyself didst conduct me to the city.] But now, by thy father, I entreat thee, for I do not think that I am come to western Ithaca, but am now in some other land: but I think that thou sayest these things, mocking me, that thou mayest deceive my mind. Tell me if in truth I am come to my dear country."

But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva immediately answered: "Thou hast ever such a thought in thy breast: therefore I cannot leave thee, who art unhappy, because thou art a man of words, and shrewd, and prudent. For any other man gladly returning from wandering would desire to see his children and wife in his palace; but it is not yet agreeable for thee to know or inquire, before thou shalt make some trial of thy wife, who in vain sits in thy palace, but unto her mourning the nights and days always waste away. But I never mistrusted this, but knew in my mind that thou wouldst return, having lost all thy companions. But I did not wish to contend with my uncle Neptune, who had set wrath against thee in his mind, enraged, because thou didst blind his dear son. But come, I will show thee the seat of Ithaca, that thou mayest believe. This is the port of Phorcys, the old man of the sea: and this is the large-leafed olive at the head of the port, [and near it there is a delightful shadowy cave, sacred to the Nymphs who are called Naïds]. But this is the wide-covered cave, where thou didst sacrifice many perfect hecatombs to the Nymphs: and this is Neritos, a mountain clothed with wood."

Thus having spoken, the goddess dispersed the mist; and the earth appeared: and much-enduring divine Ulysses was then glad, rejoicing in his own land: and he kissed the bounteous plain. And immediately uplifting his hands, he prayed to the Nymphs.

"O Naïd Nymphs, ye daughters of Jove, I never thought that I should behold you; but now I salute you with mild prayers: but we will also give gifts, even as before, if the daughter of Jove, the huntress, will willingly permit both myself to live, and will make my dear son increase."

But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed in turn: "Be confident, let not these things be a care to thee in thy mind. But come, let us now straightway put the chattels in the recess of the divine cave, that even these may remain here safe: and let us then consult, in what way things may best be done."

Thus having spoken, the goddess descended the dark cave, seeking hiding-places through the cave; but Ulysses carried all the things near, the gold, and the brass not worn down, and the well-made garments, which the Phæacians had given him. And he set them well in order; and Pallas Minerva, daughter of Ægis-bearing Jove, placed a stone against the door. And they sitting down near the roots of the sacred olive, plotted destruction against the overbearing suitors. And the blue-eyed goddess Minerva began a discourse to him:

"O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-planning Ulysses, consider how thou mayest lay thy hands upon the shameless suitors, who now for three years are lording it over thy palace, wooing thy godlike wife, and giving her bridal gifts. But she, ever lamenting in her mind for thy return, gives hopes to all, and makes promises to each man, sending forth messages to them; but her mind meditates other things."

But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "O gods, surely I was now about to perish in my palace, after the evil fate of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, hadst not thou, O goddess, told me every thing rightly. But come, weave a counsel, how I may be revenged on them: and do thou thyself stand near me, putting confident courage within me, such as when we destroyed the noble head-gear^[24] of Troy. If thou wouldst stand near me thus eager, O blue-eyed one, I would fight even with three hundred men, together with thee, O venerable goddess, when thou wouldst readily assist me."

But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva then answered: "I indeed will be present with thee, nor shalt thou escape my notice, when indeed we shall have prepared these things, and I think that some one of the suitors, who are consuming thy property, will pollute the vast pavement with his blood and brains. But come, I will make thee unknown to all mortals; I will wither thy beautiful skin on thy bent limbs, and will destroy the auburn hairs from thine head, and will put a cloak around thee, which a man would loathe seeing one wear it. And I will blear thine eyes, which before were beautiful, that thou mayest appear unseemly to all the suitors, and to thy wife and son, whom thou didst leave in thy palace. But do thou first go to the swineherd, who is the guardian of thy swine; but however he is kindly disposed towards thee, and loves thy son, and prudent Penelope. Thou wilt find him sitting with the swine: and they are pastured near the rock of Corax, and at the fountain Arethusa, eating strength-giving acorns, and drinking muddy water, which things nourish the flourishing fat in swine. Remain there, and sitting near him, inquire all things of him, while I go to Sparta of fair women, to call Telemachus, thy dear son, O Ulysses, who is gone to Lacedæmon with wide grounds, to Menelaus, to inquire for tidings of thee, if thou still art any where in existence."

But her much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: "Why didst thou not tell him, since thou knowest all things in thy mind? was it that he wandering over the barren sea might suffer griefs? but others consume his livelihood."

But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva then answered: "Let not him indeed be too much in thy thoughts; I myself conducted him, that going there he might obtain excellent renown: but he has not any labour; but he sits quiet in the house of the son of Atreus, and abundance lies near him. Young men indeed lie in ambush for him with a black ship, desiring to kill him, before he reaches his paternal land. But I do not think these things [will happen], before the earth detains some one [of the suitors, who are consuming thy property]."

Thus having spoken, Minerva touched him with a rod; and withered his beautiful skin on his bent limbs, and destroyed the auburn hairs from his head, and put around all his limbs the skin of an aged old man. And she bleared his eyes, which before were beautiful. And she put around him another evil, a ragged garment, and a cloak, torn, sordid, begrimed with foul smoke. And she put around him a large bare skin of a swift stag; and she gave him a staff and an unseemly satchel, ragged in many places; and there was a twisted thong in it to hold it up.

When they twain had thus consulted, they separated; she indeed then went to divine Lacedæmon for the son of Ulysses.

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1. γερούσιον οἶνον, "the best, richest wine," served up to the senators, and people of distinction. ὁ ἐν τῷ τῶν γερόντων ἤτοι ἐντίμων συμποσίῳ πινόμενος. Eustath.
2. ἀνδρακάς κατ' ἄνδρα ἕνα ἕκαστον. Hesych. It is originally a substantive, (as in Nicander, Ther. 642,) but is used adverbially by Homer.
3. Notwithstanding Clarke's observation that ἀγείρομαι is always used passively in Homer, the old prose translator has utterly mistaken the passage, rendering it, "we will again repay ourselves, making a collection through the people." An Homeric sentiment, forsooth!
4. Literally, "for nothing," genitive of προΐξ, a gift. See Thiersch, Gk. Gr. p. 398.
5. I have imitated the ellipse in the original.
6. Where the former prose translator got the words "as you have promised," I cannot tell. His version appears, at times, to have been made without looking at the text.
7. Hesychius gives several interpretations of this word, ἐφεστηκώς, ἤ προστασία; ἤ κατὰ τὸ ἑξῆς. Cf. Od. xii. 392, and Apoll. Rhod. i. 293, ἀμφίπολοι γοάασκον ἐπισταδὸν, where the Scholiast explains it by ἐφεστηκυῖαι, but Hoelzlinus more correctly, ex ordine. See also Buttmann, Lexil. p. 170.
8. λείπει τὸ ὕπνον. Eustath.
9. Which served as a kind of land anchor. Hesych. εἰώθασιν ἐπὶ τῶν λιμένων τρυπᾶν λίθους, ἵνα ἐξ αὐτῶν τὰ ἀπόγεια σχοινία ἐξαπτωσιν οἱ ναοται.
10. The ship.
11. So Ernesti, with the Schol. ἔσω νενευκυῖαι, deriving it from προσπετάννυμι, not from προσπίπτω.
12. Clarke's Latin, "a ventis defendunt raucis magnum fluctum extra," is not suited to the sense. Κῦμα I think is here equivalent to "swelling mass." See Alberti on Hesych, s. v. κῦμα ὕδατος.
13. Or, "make their honey." Hesych. ἐναποτίθενται, ἀποθησαυρίζουσι τὴν τροφὴν αἱ μέλιτται. Porphyr. de antro Nymph. p. 259, τὸ τιθέναι τὴν βόσιν. Βόσις δὲ καὶ τροφὴ τὸ μέλι ταῖς μελίσσαις. Cf. Apollon. Lex. It is akin to τροφὴ, τιθάσος, τρέφειν, &c. See Liddell and Scott, s. v. The allegorical meanings of honey are somewhat whimsically discussed by Porphyry, ibid. p. 260, sqq.
14. If we may believe the statement of Artemidorus Ephesius apud Porphyr. de Nymph. antr. p. 252, there was really a port at Ithaca, named Phorcys, and a cave sacred to the Nymphs.
15. Because the nymphs ναμάτων καὶ πηγῶν προεστῶσι, being hence called Pegææ and Naides. Porphyr. ib. p. 258.
16. The ship.
17. On the contracted form καταπρηνεῖ see Thiersch, Gk. Gr. p. 384, 30.
18. See my note on i. 32.
19. Or "sunny." Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 224, &c.
20. See Stanl. on Æsch. Suppl. 1. Hemstech. on Lucian. Tim. sub init.
21. i. e. his life.
22. Hesych. ἅυτως, μάτην.
23. Literally, "from the plain," a metaphor derived from plants. See the Schol. and Eustath. Hesychius interprets it, ἀρχῆθεν, ἐκ ῥίζης, ἀπὸ γενέσεως, ἐκ παίδων.
24. Properly, "a head-dress," but here used metaphorically for turrets.