Complete Works of Homer

by Homer

  With pow'rs of song delectable, unmatch'd

  By any, when his genius once is fired.

  He ceas'd, and led the way, whom follow'd all

  The sceptred senators, while to the house

  An herald hasted of the bard divine.

  Then, fifty mariners and two, from all

  The rest selected, to the coast repair'd,

  And, from her station on the sea-bank, launched 60

  The galley down into the sacred Deep.

  They placed the canvas and the mast on board,

  Arranged the oars, unfurl'd the shining sail,

  And, leaving her in depth of water moor'd,

  All sought the palace of Alcinoüs.

  There, soon, the portico, the court, the hall

  Were fill'd with multitudes of young and old,

  For whose regale the mighty monarch slew

  Two beeves, twelve sheep, and twice four fatted brawns.

  They slay'd them first, then busily their task 70

  Administ'ring, prepared the joyous feast.

  And now the herald came, leading with care

  The tuneful bard; dear to the muse was he,

  Who yet appointed him both good and ill;

  Took from him sight, but gave him strains divine.

  For him, Pontonoüs in the midst disposed

  An argent-studded throne, thrusting it close

  To a tall column, where he hung his lyre

  Above his head, and taught him where it hung.

  He set before him, next, a polish'd board 80

  And basket, and a goblet fill'd with wine

  For his own use, and at his own command.

  Then, all assail'd at once the ready feast,

  And when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt,

  Then came the muse, and roused the bard to sing

  Exploits of men renown'd; it was a song,

  In that day, to the highest heav'n extoll'd.

  He sang of a dispute kindled between

  The son of Peleus, and Laertes' son,

  Both seated at a feast held to the Gods. 90

  That contest Agamemnon, King of men,

  Between the noblest of Achaia's host

  Hearing, rejoiced; for when in Pytho erst

  He pass'd the marble threshold to consult

  The oracle of Apollo, such dispute

  The voice divine had to his ear announced;

  For then it was that, first, the storm of war

  Came rolling on, ordain'd long time to afflict

  Troy and the Greecians, by the will of Jove.

  So sang the bard illustrious; then his robe 100

  Of purple dye with both hands o'er his head

  Ulysses drew, behind its ample folds

  Veiling his face, through fear to be observed

  By the Phæacians weeping at the song;

  And ever as the bard harmonious ceased,

  He wiped his tears, and, drawing from his brows

  The mantle, pour'd libation to the Gods.

  But when the Chiefs (for they delighted heard

  Those sounds) solicited again the bard,

  And he renew'd the strain, then cov'ring close 110

  His count'nance, as before, Ulysses wept.

  Thus, unperceiv'd by all, the Hero mourn'd,

  Save by Alcinoüs; he alone his tears,

  (Beside him seated) mark'd, and his deep sighs

  O'erhearing, the Phæacians thus bespake.

  Phæacia's Chiefs and Senators, attend!

  We have regaled sufficient, and the harp

  Heard to satiety, companion sweet

  And seasonable of the festive hour.

  Now go we forth for honourable proof 120

  Of our address in games of ev'ry kind,

  That this our guest may to his friends report,

  At home arriv'd, that none like us have learn'd

  To leap, to box, to wrestle, and to run.

  So saying, he led them forth, whose steps the guests

  All follow'd, and the herald hanging high

  The sprightly lyre, took by his hand the bard

  Demodocus, whom he the self-same way

  Conducted forth, by which the Chiefs had gone

  Themselves, for that great spectacle prepared. 130

  They sought the forum; countless swarm'd the throng

  Behind them as they went, and many a youth

  Strong and courageous to the strife arose.

  Upstood Acroneus and Ocyalus,

  Elatreus, Nauteus, Prymneus, after whom

  Anchialus with Anabeesineus

  Arose, Eretmeus, Ponteus, Proreus bold,

  Amphialus and Thöon. Then arose,

  In aspect dread as homicidal Mars,

  Euryalus, and for his graceful form 140

  (After Laodamas) distinguish'd most

  Of all Phæacia's sons, Naubolides.

  Three also from Alcinoüs sprung, arose,

  Laodamas, his eldest; Halius, next,

  His second-born; and godlike Clytoneus.

  Of these, some started for the runner's prize.

  They gave the race its limits. All at once

  Along the dusty champaign swift they flew.

  But Clytoneus, illustrious youth, outstripp'd

  All competition; far as mules surpass 150

  Slow oxen furrowing the fallow ground,

  So far before all others he arrived

  Victorious, where the throng'd spectators stood.

  Some tried the wrestler's toil severe, in which

  Euryalus superior proved to all.

  In the long leap Amphialus prevail'd;

  Elatreus most successful hurled the quoit,

  And at the cestus, last, the noble son

  Of Scheria's King, Laodamas excell'd.

  When thus with contemplation of the games 160

  All had been gratified, Alcinoüs' son

  Laodamas, arising, then address'd.

  Friends! ask we now the stranger, if he boast

  Proficiency in aught. His figure seems

  Not ill; in thighs, and legs, and arms he shews

  Much strength, and in his brawny neck; nor youth

  Hath left him yet, though batter'd he appears

  With num'rous troubles, and misfortune-flaw'd.

  Nor know I hardships in the world so sure

  To break the strongest down, as those by sea. 170

  Then answer thus Euryalus return'd.

  Thou hast well said, Laodamas; thyself

  Approaching, speak to him, and call him forth.

  Which when Alcinoüs' noble offspring heard,

  Advancing from his seat, amid them all

  He stood, and to Ulysses thus began.

  Stand forth, oh guest, thou also; prove thy skill

  (If any such thou hast) in games like ours,

  Which, likeliest, thou hast learn'd; for greater praise

  Hath no man, while he lives, than that he know 180

  His feet to exercise and hands aright.

  Come then; make trial; scatter wide thy cares,

  We will not hold thee long; the ship is launch'd

  Already, and the crew stand all prepared.

  To whom replied the wily Chief renown'd

  Wherefore, as in derision, have ye call'd

  Me forth, Laodamas, to these exploits?

  No games have I, but many a grief, at heart,

  And with far other struggles worn, here sit

  Desirous only of conveyance home, 190

  For which both King and people I implore.

  Then him Euryalus aloud reproach'd.

  I well believ'd it, friend! in thee the guise

  I see not of a man expert in feats

  Athletic, of which various are perform'd

  In ev'ry land; thou rather seem'st with ships

  Familiar; one, accustom'd to controul

  Some crew of trading mariners; well-learn'd

  In s
towage, pilotage, and wealth acquired

  By rapine, but of no gymnastic pow'rs. 200

  To whom Ulysses, frowning dark, replied.

  Thou hast ill spoken, sir, and like a man

  Regardless whom he wrongs. Therefore the Gods

  Give not endowments graceful in each kind,

  Of body, mind, and utt'rance, all to one.

  This man in figure less excels, yet Jove

  Crowns him with eloquence; his hearers charm'd

  Behold him, while with modest confidence

  He bears the prize of fluent speech from all,

  And in the streets is gazed on as a God! 210

  Another, in his form the Pow'rs above

  Resembles, but no grace around his words

  Twines itself elegant. So, thou in form

  Hast excellence to boast; a God, employ'd

  To make a master-piece in human shape,

  Could but produce proportions such as thine;

  Yet hast thou an untutor'd intellect.

  Thou much hast moved me; thy unhandsome phrase

  Hath roused my wrath; I am not, as thou say'st,

  A novice in these sports, but took the lead 220

  In all, while youth and strength were on my side.

  But I am now in bands of sorrow held,

  And of misfortune, having much endured

  In war, and buffeting the boist'rous waves.

  Yet, though with mis'ry worn, I will essay

  My strength among you; for thy words had teeth

  Whose bite hath pinch'd and pain'd me to the proof.

  He said; and mantled as he was, a quoit

  Upstarting, seized, in bulk and weight all those

  Transcending far, by the Phæacians used. 230

  Swiftly he swung, and from his vig'rous hand

  Sent it. Loud sang the stone, and as it flew

  The maritime Phæacians low inclined

  Their heads beneath it; over all the marks,

  And far beyond them, sped the flying rock.

  Minerva, in a human form, the cast

  Prodigious measur'd, and aloud exclaim'd.

  Stranger! the blind himself might with his hands

  Feel out the 'vantage here. Thy quoit disdains

  Fellowship with a crowd, borne far beyond. 240

  Fear not a losing game; Phæacian none

  Will reach thy measure, much less overcast.

  She ceased; Ulysses, hardy Chief, rejoiced

  That in the circus he had found a judge

  So favorable, and with brisker tone,

  As less in wrath, the multitude address'd.

  Young men, reach this, and I will quickly heave

  Another such, or yet a heavier quoit.

  Then, come the man whose courage prompts him forth

  To box, to wrestle with me, or to run; 250

  For ye have chafed me much, and I decline

  No strife with any here, but challenge all

  Phæacia, save Laodamas alone.

  He is mine host. Who combats with his friend?

  To call to proof of hardiment the man

  Who entertains him in a foreign land,

  Would but evince the challenger a fool,

  Who, so, would cripple his own interest there.

  As for the rest, I none refuse, scorn none,

  But wish for trial of you, and to match 260

  In opposition fair my force with yours.

  There is no game athletic in the use

  Of all mankind, too difficult for me;

  I handle well the polish'd bow, and first

  Amid a thousand foes strike whom I mark,

  Although a throng of warriors at my side

  Imbattled, speed their shafts at the same time.

  Of all Achaia's sons who erst at Troy

  Drew bow, the sole who bore the prize from me

  Was Philoctetes; I resign it else 270

  To none now nourish'd with the fruits of earth.

  Yet mean I no comparison of myself

  With men of antient times, with Hercules,

  Or with Oechalian Eurytus, who, both,

  The Gods themselves in archery defied.

  Soon, therefore, died huge Eurytus, ere yet

  Old age he reach'd; him, angry to be call'd

  To proof of archership, Apollo slew.

  But if ye name the spear, mine flies a length

  By no man's arrow reach'd; I fear no foil 280

  From the Phæacians, save in speed alone;

  For I have suffer'd hardships, dash'd and drench'd

  By many a wave, nor had I food on board

  At all times, therefore I am much unstrung.

  He spake; and silent the Phæacians sat,

  Of whom alone Alcinoüs thus replied.

  Since, stranger, not ungraceful is thy speech,

  Who hast but vindicated in our ears

  Thy question'd prowess, angry that this youth

  Reproach'd thee in the presence of us all, 290

  That no man qualified to give his voice

  In public, might affront thy courage more;

  Now mark me, therefore, that in time to come,

  While feasting with thy children and thy spouse,

  Thou may'st inform the Heroes of thy land

  Even of our proficiency in arts

  By Jove enjoin'd us in our father's days.

  We boast not much the boxer's skill, nor yet

  The wrestler's; but light-footed in the race

  Are we, and navigators well-inform'd. 300

  Our pleasures are the feast, the harp, the dance,

  Garments for change; the tepid bath; the bed.

  Come, ye Phæacians, beyond others skill'd

  To tread the circus with harmonious steps,

  Come, play before us; that our guest, arrived

  In his own country, may inform his friends

  How far in seamanship we all excel,

  In running, in the dance, and in the song.

  Haste! bring ye to Demodocus his lyre

  Clear-toned, left somewhere in our hall at home. 310

  So spake the godlike King, at whose command

  The herald to the palace quick return'd

  To seek the charming lyre. Meantime arose

  Nine arbiters, appointed to intend

  The whole arrangement of the public games,

  To smooth the circus floor, and give the ring

  Its compass, widening the attentive throng.

  Ere long the herald came, bearing the harp,

  With which Demodocus supplied, advanced

  Into the middle area, around whom 320

  Stood blooming youths, all skilful in the dance.

  With footsteps justly timed all smote at once

  The sacred floor; Ulysses wonder-fixt,

  The ceaseless play of twinkling feet admired.

  Then, tuning his sweet chords, Demodocus

  A jocund strain began, his theme, the loves

  Of Mars and Cytherea chaplet-crown'd;

  How first, clandestine, they embraced beneath

  The roof of Vulcan, her, by many a gift

  Seduced, Mars won, and with adult'rous lust 330

  The bed dishonour'd of the King of fire.

  The sun, a witness of their amorous sport,

  Bore swift the tale to Vulcan; he, apprized

  Of that foul deed, at once his smithy sought,

  In secret darkness of his inmost soul

  Contriving vengeance; to the stock he heav'd

  His anvil huge, on which he forged a snare

  Of bands indissoluble, by no art

  To be untied, durance for ever firm.

  The net prepared, he bore it, fiery-wroth, 340

  To his own chamber and his nuptial couch,

  Where, stretching them from post to post, he wrapp'd

  With those fine meshes all his bed around,

  And hung them num'rous from the roof, diffusedr />
  Like spiders' filaments, which not the Gods

  Themselves could see, so subtle were the toils.

  When thus he had encircled all his bed

  On ev'ry side, he feign'd a journey thence

  To Lemnos, of all cities that adorn

  The earth, the city that he favours most. 350

  Nor kept the God of the resplendent reins

  Mars, drowsy watch, but seeing that the famed

  Artificer of heav'n had left his home,

  Flew to the house of Vulcan, hot to enjoy

  The Goddess with the wreath-encircled brows.

  She, newly from her potent Sire return'd

  The son of Saturn, sat. Mars, ent'ring, seiz'd

  Her hand, hung on it, and thus urg'd his suit.

  To bed, my fair, and let us love! for lo!

  Thine husband is from home, to Lemnos gone, 360

  And to the Sintians, men of barb'rous speech.

  He spake, nor she was loth, but bedward too

  Like him inclined; so then, to bed they went,

  And as they lay'd them down, down stream'd the net

  Around them, labour exquisite of hands

  By ingenuity divine inform'd.

  Small room they found, so prison'd; not a limb

  Could either lift, or move, but felt at once

  Entanglement from which was no escape.

  And now the glorious artist, ere he yet 370

  Had reach'd the Lemnian isle, limping, return'd

  From his feign'd journey, for his spy the sun

  Had told him all. With aching heart he sought

  His home, and, standing in the vestibule,

  Frantic with indignation roar'd to heav'n,

  And roar'd again, summoning all the Gods.--

  Oh Jove! and all ye Pow'rs for ever blest!

  Here; hither look, that ye may view a sight

  Ludicrous, yet too monstrous to be borne,

  How Venus always with dishonour loads 380

  Her cripple spouse, doating on fiery Mars!

  And wherefore? for that he is fair in form

  And sound of foot, I ricket-boned and weak.

  Whose fault is this? Their fault, and theirs alone

  Who gave me being; ill-employ'd were they

  Begetting me, one, better far unborn.

  See where they couch together on my bed

  Lascivious! ah, sight hateful to my eyes!

  Yet cooler wishes will they feel, I ween,

  To press my bed hereafter; here to sleep 390

  Will little please them, fondly as they love.

  But these my toils and tangles will suffice

  To hold them here, till Jove shall yield me back

  Complete, the sum of all my nuptial gifts

  Paid to him for the shameless strumpet's sake

  His daughter, as incontinent as fair.

  He said, and in the brazen-floor'd abode

  Of Jove the Gods assembled. Neptune came