The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/The Odyssey/Book 7

by Homer

 

BOOK VII.

 

ARGUMENT.

Nausicaa reaches the city; but Ulysses on his way thither is met by Minerva, who shows him the house of Alcinous; arriving at which, he throws himself at the feet of Arete, the wife of Alcinous, and entreats her to send him home to his own country. Alcinous bids him rise, and gives him food to eat. But Arete, recognising his garments, inquires of him whence he got them: upon which he relates the history of his voyage and wreck, and his meeting with Nausicaa.

Thus then much-enduring divine Ulysses prayed there, but the strength of the mules carried the damsel to the city. But when she at length arrived at the illustrious house of her father, she then stood in the portico; and her brothers stood around her, like unto the immortals; and they loosed the mules from the chariot, and carried her garments within. But she herself went to her chamber; and for her an old woman of Epirus lighted a fire, the chambermaid Eurymedusa, whom formerly ships rowed on both sides brought from Epirus; but they chose her out as a prize for Alcinous, because he was ruler over all the Phæacians, and the people listened to him, as to a god; who nurtured white-armed Nausicaa in the palace; and who kindled her fire, and set out supper within. And then Ulysses started to go towards the city, and Minerva, having a friendly disposition towards Ulysses, shed much darkness around him, lest any one of the high-minded Phæacians, meeting him, should both reproach him with words, and inquire of him who he was. But when he was about to enter the lovely city, then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva met him, likened unto a virgin young woman bearing a pitcher; and she stood before him, and divine Ulysses inquired of her:

"O child, couldst thou not lead me to the house of the man Alcinous, who reigns amongst these men? For I am come hither a stranger from afar,^[1] having experienced labour, far off from a distant^[2] land: wherefore I know none of the men who possess this city and fields."^[3]

But him the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed in turn: "I will show thee then, O father stranger, the house which thou desirest me; since he dwells near my illustrious sire. But go thus in silence; and I will lead the way. Nor do thou look at, nor inquire of any man; for they do not easily tolerate strange men, nor loving one who comes from elsewhere, do they receive him in a friendly manner. Trusting in their swift ships, they pass over the mighty gulf, since Neptune has granted that to them; their ships are swift as a bird or a thought."^[4]

Thus having spoken, Pallas Minerva quickly led the way; but he went immediately after the steps of the goddess. But the sea-famed Phæacians did not perceive him coming through the city amongst them: for fair-haired Minerva did not permit them, shrewd goddess, who indeed shed a divine cloud about him, counselling kind things in her mind. But Ulysses marvelled at the havens and the equal ships, and the forms of the heroes themselves, and the long walls, lofty, fitted with stakes, a wonder to behold. But when they came to the illustrious palace of the king, the blue-eyed goddess Minerva began to address him:^[5]

"This then, O father stranger, is the house which thou badest me show thee; and thou wilt find the Jove-nurtured kings banqueting at a feast: but do thou go within, nor fear at all in thy mind; for a bold man is better in all affairs, even if he comes from some where else. First, indeed, thou wilt find the queen in the palace, and her surname is Arete: and she is from the same ancestors who gave birth to king Alcinous. Nausithoüs first earth-shaking Neptune begat, and Peribæa, in form the finest of women, youngest daughter of strong-hearted Eurymedon, who formerly reigned over the haughty giants: but he destroyed the impious people, and

himself was destroyed. But with her Neptune had intercourse, and begat a strong-hearted son, Nausithoüs, who reigned amongst the Phæacians. But Nausithoüs begat Rexenor and Alcinous. The former silver-bowed Apollo smote, being without male offspring, a bridegroom in the palace, leaving only one daughter, Arete: but her Alcinous made his wife, and honoured her as no other [woman] is honoured on the earth, whatsoever women at least now keep house under husbands, as she has been honoured in heart and is still, both by her dear children and by Alcinous himself, and the people, who, looking upon her as a goddess, welcome her with words, when she goes through the city. For she herself is by no means in want of good understanding, and she settles disputes amongst men, to whom she wishes well. If then indeed she shall be kindly disposed towards thee in her mind, there is a hope for thee hereafter to behold thy friends, and come to thy lofty-roofed house, and thine own paternal land."

Thus having spoken, blue-eyed Minerva departed over the barren sea; and left lovely Scheria: and she came to Marathon, and wide-stretched Athens, and she entered the compact house of Erectheus. But Ulysses went to the illustrious dwellings of Alcinous; and his heart meditated many things, as he stood before he arrived at the brazen threshold: for it was as the shining of the sun or moon, through the lofty-roofed house of strong-hearted Alcinous. For brazen walls were firmly built^[6] each way, to the recess from the threshold; and around it a cornice of blue colour; and golden doors enclosed the firm house within; and silver pillars stood on the brazen threshold, and there was a silver lintel over it, and a golden ring.^[7] And on each side there were golden and silver dogs, which Vulcan made with his skilful mind, to guard the house of magnanimous Alcinous, being immortal^[8] and free from old age all their days. But within thrones were firmly set here and there around the wall, throughout, from the threshold to the recess: there were thrown over them slender well-woven mantles, the works of women. Here the leaders of the Phæacians sat drinking and eating; for they held it all the year. But golden youths stood upon the well-built pedestals, holding in their hands burning torches, which shone during the night to the banqueters through the house. And there were fifty women servants in the house; some grind apple-coloured corn in the mill, others weave the webs, and whirl the spindles as they sit, like as the leaves of a tall poplar; and moist oil drips from the well-woven linen. As much as the Phæacians are skilled above all men to guide a swift ship in the sea, so are the women in weaving the web: for Minerva granted them exceedingly to be acquainted with beautiful works, and [endowed them with] a good understanding. But without the hall there is a large garden, near the gates, of four acres; but around it a hedge was extended on both sides. And there tall flourishing trees grew, pears, and pomegranates, and apple-trees producing beautiful fruit, and sweet figs, and flourishing olives. Of these the fruit never perishes, nor does it fail in winter or summer, lasting throughout the whole year; but the west wind ever blowing makes some bud forth, and ripens others. Pear grows old after pear, apple after apple, grape also after grape, and fig after fig. There a fruitful vineyard was planted: one part of this ground, exposed to the sun in a wide place, is dried by the sun; and some [grapes] they are gathering, and others they are treading, and further on are unripe grapes, having thrown off the flower, and others are slightly changing colour. And there are all kinds of beds laid out in order to the furthest part of the ground, flourishing throughout the whole year: and in it are two fountains, one is spread through the whole garden, but the other on the other side goes under the threshold of the hall to the lofty house, from whence the citizens are wont to draw water. Such indeed were the glorious gifts of the gods in the house of Alcinous. There much-enduring divine Ulysses standing admired it. But when he had admired all things in his mind, he quickly passed over the threshold within the house. And he found the leaders and chieftains of the Phæacians making libations in their cups to the watchful Argus-slayer, to whom they last made libations, when they were thinking of bed. But much-enduring divine Ulysses went through the house, having a heavy mist, which Minerva shed around him, until he came to Arete and king Alcinous, when Ulysses threw his hands around the knees of Arete. And then indeed the divine mist was again dispersed from him. But they became speechless in the house on beholding the man, and seeing him they marvelled; and Ulysses besought her:

"O Arete, daughter of godlike Rexenor, I come to thy husband and to thy knees, having gone through many toils, and to these guests, to whom may the gods grant to live happily, and may each hand down to his children the possessions in his palace, and whatever honour the people has given him. But for me prepare ye an escort, that I quickly reach my paternal land; since for a long time I suffer griefs away from my friends."

Thus having spoken, he sat down on the hearth in the dust near the fire; but they were all speechless in silence. At length however the aged hero Echeneus addressed them, who was the oldest of the Phæacians, and surpassed in speaking, being acquainted with both many and ancient things. He, thinking well, harangued and addressed them:

"O Alcinous, this is not more honourable^[9] for thee, nor is it seemly, that a stranger should sit on the ground on the hearth in the dust; but these restrain themselves, awaiting thy command. But come now, raise up the stranger and set him on a silver-studded throne; and do thou command the heralds to mix additional wine, that we may make libations to thunder-rejoicing Jove, who attends venerable suppliants: but let the housekeeper give a meal to the stranger from the things that are within."

And forthwith when the sacred might of Alcinous^[10] heard this, taking the prudent Ulysses, cunning in counsel, by the hand, he raised him from the hearth, and set him on a shining throne, removing his son, Laodamas beloved of men, who sat near him, and loved him especially. And a handmaiden bringing water in a beautiful golden ewer, to wash in, poured it over a silver cauldron; and near him she spread a polished table: and the venerable housekeeper, bringing food, placed it near him, putting upon it many dainties, gratifying him out of the means present: but much-enduring divine Ulysses drank and eat. And then the mighty Alcinous addressed the herald:

"O Pontonous, having mixed a cup, distribute wine to all throughout the palace, that we may make libations to thunder-rejoicing Jove, and who attends upon venerable suppliants."

Thus he spoke; and Pontonous mixed the grateful wine; and distributed to all, having first begun with the cups.^[11] But when they had made libations, and drunk as much as their mind wished, Alcinous harangued and addressed them:

"Hear me, ye leaders and rulers over the Phæacians, that I may speak the things which my mind commands me in my breast. Now, indeed, having feasted ye may go home and sleep; but in the morning convoking more old men, we will entertain the stranger in the palace, and will offer fitting sacrifices to the gods: and afterwards we will be mindful of his escort, that the stranger may return rejoicing to his own paternal land without labour and affliction under our escort, quickly, although he is very far off: nor in the mean time may he suffer any evil and calamity, before he steps upon his own land. There then he will suffer whatever things Fate and the heavy Destinies spun with the thread for him at his birth, when his mother brought him forth. But if any one indeed of the immortals has come from heaven, then this is something else which the gods are contriving: for always hitherto the gods appear manifest unto us, when we offer up illustrious hecatombs, and they feast sitting with us where we are. But if even any traveller going alone has met them, they by no means conceal themselves; since we are close unto them, like as the Cyclops^[12] and the savage tribes of Giants [are like one another]."

But him the much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: "O Alcinous, let something else be a care in thy mind; for I am not like unto the immortals, who possess the wide heaven, either in my person or my nature, but unto mortal men, whomever of mankind thou knowest especially enduring toil; to these indeed I should liken myself in my griefs: and I could relate to you even more evils, all the labours indeed which I have suffered by the will of the gods. But permit me, although grieved, to take my supper. For there is not any thing more shameless at the time of a hateful belly,^[13] which commands one to be mindful of itself by its necessity, although one is much afflicted, and has grief in one's mind. Thus too I indeed have grief in my mind, but it always exhorts me to eat and drink; and it makes me forget all things, as many as I have suffered, and commands me to fill myself. But do thou hasten, as soon as morning appears, that thou mayest place me, wretched one, in mine own country, although I have suffered many things; and may even life leave me on beholding my possession, and my servants and lofty-roofed large house."

Thus he spoke, but they all approved and advised to conduct the stranger, since he had spoken rightly. But when they had made libations, and drunk as much as their mind wished, they, each of them, went home about to sleep; but divine Ulysses was left behind in the palace, and near him sat Arete, and godlike Alcinous; and the handmaidens took away the preparations of the feast. But white-armed Arete began speaking to them, for she knew the veil and the tunic, when she beheld the beautiful garments, which she herself had wrought with her women attendants; and addressing him, she spoke winged words:

"O stranger, I will myself first ask thee this, who art thou? from whence art thou amongst men? who gave thee these garments? Surely thou dost not say that thou camest here wandering over the sea?"

But her the much-planning divine Ulysses addressed in answer: "It is difficult, O queen, to relate my griefs entirely through, since the heavenly gods have given me many; but I will tell thee this which thou askest, and inquirest of me. A certain island, Ogygia, lies far off in the sea, where deceitful Calypso, daughter of Atlas, a fair-haired crafty goddess, dwells: nor with her does any one of gods or mortal men associate; but fortune led me alone, unhappy one, to her hearth, when Jupiter, having struck my swift ship with white thunder, cleft it in the middle of the dark sea. There all the others my excellent companions perished; but I, laying hold of the keel of the ship rowed on both sides, with my arms, was borne along for nine days; but in the tenth black night the gods made me approach the island Ogygia, where Calypso, the fair-haired crafty goddess, dwells. She taking me loved me earnestly, and nurtured me, and said that she would render me immortal, and free from old age all my days; but she did not at all persuade the mind in my breast. There I remained continually for seven years, and ever bedewed with tears the garments which, not mortal-like, Calypso gave to me; but when at length the eighth revolving year came, then indeed she commanded me, inciting me to return, through a message from Jove, or else her own mind was turned; and she sent me on a raft bound with many chains; and she gave me many things, bread and sweet wine, and put immortal garments on me: and she sent forth a harmless and gentle wind. For seventeen days indeed I sailed, passing over the sea, but on the eighteenth the shady mountains of thy land appeared; and the dear heart of me, ill-fated one, rejoiced; for still was I about to be conversant with much calamity, which earth-shaking Neptune raised up against me; who, having aroused the winds against me, hampered my journey, and troubled the immense sea: nor did the wave at all permit me mourning ceaselessly to be borne on the raft: this then indeed the storm scattered; but I cut through this gulf swimming; until the wind and the water carrying me, made me approach thy land. There, as I was going out, a billow forced me upon the shore, dashing me against mighty rocks and an unpleasant place; but retiring back I swam again, until I came to the river, where there appeared to me [to be] the best place, smooth from rocks; and there was also a shelter from the wind. And I came out, collecting my senses:^[14] and ambrosial night came on; but I, going out at a distance away from the Jove-replenished river, slept among the thickets; and drew leaves about me; and a deity poured abundant sleep upon me. Here indeed amongst the leaves I slept all night, sorrowing in my heart, even until morn, and mid-day, and the sun set;^[15] and sweet sleep left me.^[16] And I perceived the handmaidens of thy daughter, playing on the shore; and amongst them she herself was like unto goddesses. I supplicated her. And she by no means failed of an excellent disposition, (so as thou wouldst not expect a younger one meeting you would do; for the younger are ever foolish,) who gave to me plenty of food and dark wine, and washed me in the river, and gave me these garments. Thus, although grieving, I have told thee the truth."

But him Alcinous answered and addressed in turn: "O guest, certainly my daughter did not consider this properly, because she by no means brought thee to my house with her women attendants; thou, however, didst supplicate her first."

But him much-planning Ulysses addressed in answer: "Hero, do not on that account reprove thy spotless daughter: for she commanded me to follow with her women attendants. But I was not willing, fearing and being ashamed, lest by chance thy mind should be angered when thou didst behold me: for we tribes of men upon the earth are suspicious."

But him Alcinous answered and addressed in turn: "Guest, I have not such a heart within my breast, so as to be wrath in vain; but all things that are proper are better. Would that, O father Jove, and Minerva, and Apollo, being such a one as thou art, and thinking the things which I do, thou wouldst have my daughter, and be called my son-in-law, remaining here; and I would give thee both a house and possessions, if thou wouldst remain willingly; but no one of the Phæacians shall detain thee against thy will; let not this be acceptable to father Jove. But as to this I intend thy voyage to-morrow, that thou mayest be well assured; but until then thou mayest lie down overcome with sleep; and they will quietly row thee, until thou comest to thy country, and house, and if it is any where else agreeable to thee: although it is a great deal farther than Eubœa; for they, who of our people saw it, when they conducted auburn-haired Rhadamanthus to see Tityus, the son of Earth, say that it is most distant: and they arrived from hence, and accomplished it without labour in the same day, and brought him back home. And thou wilt thyself know how much my ships and youths are the best, to cast up the sea with the blade of the oar."

Thus he spoke; and much-enduring divine Ulysses rejoiced; and then praying he spoke and said a word, and called [on Jove] by name: "O father Jove, may Alcinous perform all the things, whatever he has said! then indeed his glory would be inextinguishable over the bounteous earth, and I should reach my country."

Thus they spoke to one another. But white-armed Arete had commanded her handmaidens to place couches under the portico, and to throw upon them beautiful purple rugs, and to strew tapestry above, and to place woollen cloaks upon them, to spread over him. And they went from the palace, holding a torch in their hands; but when they had strewn the thick bed, hastening,^[17] they urged Ulysses with words, standing near him: "Rise to go to rest, O stranger; thy bed is made."

Thus they spoke; and it appeared to him delightful to go to rest. Thus much-enduring divine Ulysses slept there in the compact beds, under the sounding portico. But Alcinous lay down in the recess of the lofty house; and near him his wife the queen prepared a couch and bed.

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1. On the meaning of ταλαπείριος see my note on vi. 193.
2. The student must bear in mind that this epithet in Homer does not designate the Peloponnesus, but is simply equivalent to τῆς ἀλλοδαπῆς, καὶ μακρὰν ἀπεχούσης γῆς, as in Eustath., Apoll., Hesych., &c. See Buttm. Lexil. p. 154, and Loewe's note.
3. I consider myself justified in rendering ἔργα, fields, tilled lands, from the similar use of the word in other passages. So also Oppian. ii. 151. πάντη δ' ἔργα βοῶν. Virg. Georg. i. 325, "et pluvia ingenti sata læta boumque labores. Cf. Hesych. ἔργα, ποτὲ μὲν τὰ κατὰ τὴν γεωργίαν. It may however mean, "buildings," "structures." See Baehr. on Herodot. i. Introd. And this view is somewhat favoured by vs. 43, sqq, and Virg. Æn. i. 425, sqq.
4. "Themistius, Or. 6, alludes to this passage, θᾶττον πτεροῦ καὶ νοήματος. And πτερὸν and νόημα are fitly joined, since πτερὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου λογισμὸς αὐτοῦ, Chrys. Hom. ii. περὶ τῶν Ἀνδρ." Duport, Gnom. Hom. p. 180, sq.
5. I am still dissatisfied with τοῖσι.
6. The reading ἐρηρέδατ' for ἐληλάδατ' is now fully established. See Ernesti and Loewe.
7. Or fastening. Cf. i. 441, θύρην δ' ἐπερυσσε κορώνῃ Ἀργυρέῃ. See Pollux. vii. 26. Hesych. ὁ κρίκος τῆς θύρας.
8. i. e. the dogs.
9. κάλλιον = καλόν.
10. See my note on ii. 409.
11. i. e. having first made the due libations.
12. The Scholiast explains the passage thus: "We resemble the gods in righteousness as much as the Cyclops and Giants resembled each other in impiety. But in this sense of it there is something intricate and contrary to Homer's manner. We have seen that they derived themselves from Neptune, which sufficiently justifies the above interpretation." Cowper. I have followed the Scholiast, with Loewe.
13. The student must beware of regarding this as = στυγερῆς γαστέρος. It rather means "tempore ventris esurientis, i. e. esurienti cuique nihil molestius est (sc. ea ipsa)." Loewe. Translate therefore, "There is nothing more shameless than hunger, when the stomach craves for food." Cf. Oppian. Hal. iii. 399, ὡς οὐδὲν λιμοῖο κακώτερον οὐδὲ βαρείης Γαστέρος, ἣ κρατέει μὲν ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἀπηνὴς, καὶ χαλεπὴ δέσποινα συνέστιος.
14. συνάγων καὶ ἀνακτώμενος ψυχήν, Eustath. "gathering strength, reviving," Thiersch, Gk. Gr. p. 485.
15. Observe that δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος refers to εὗδον παννύχιος, the intermediate words describing the time during which he slept. See the following note.
16. I have punctuated this passage to agree with Loewe's explanation. He well remarks, that although the sun had set, yet extreme darkness might not have yet come on, so that it was still necessary for Minerva to envelope him in a shade (cf. vii. 14). He also cautions us against joining the words δύσετό τ' ἠέλιος with the following ones, as being repugnant to vi. 110, sqq.
17. Literally, "stirring up the dust," a metaphor derived from the racecourse. See Blomfield on Æsch. S. Th. 60.