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Complete Works of Homer Page 449

by Homer


  The skin, flew to Telemachus, embraced

  His knees, and in wing'd accents thus exclaim'd.

  Prince! I am here--oh, pity me! repress

  Thine own, and pacify thy father's wrath,

  That he destroy not me, through fierce revenge

  Of their iniquities who have consumed 430

  His wealth, and, in their folly scorn'd his son.

  To whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied,

  Smiling complacent. Fear not; my own son

  Hath pleaded for thee. Therefore (taught thyself

  That truth) teach others the superior worth

  Of benefits with injuries compared.

  But go ye forth, thou and the sacred bard,

  That ye may sit distant in yonder court

  From all this carnage, while I give command,

  Myself, concerning it, to those within. 440

  He ceas'd; they going forth, took each his seat

  Beside Jove's altar, but with careful looks

  Suspicious, dreading without cease the sword.

  Meantime Ulysses search'd his hall, in quest

  Of living foes, if any still survived

  Unpunish'd; but he found them all alike

  Welt'ring in dust and blood; num'rous they lay

  Like fishes when they strew the sinuous shore

  Of Ocean, from the grey gulph drawn aground

  In nets of many a mesh; they on the sands 450

  Lie spread, athirst for the salt wave, till hot

  The gazing sun dries all their life away;

  So lay the suitors heap'd, and thus at length

  The prudent Chief gave order to his son.

  Telemachus! bid Euryclea come

  Quickly, the nurse, to whom I would impart

  The purpose which now occupies me most.

  He said; obedient to his sire, the Prince

  Smote on the door, and summon'd loud the nurse.

  Arise thou ancient governess of all 460

  Our female menials, and come forth; attend

  My father; he hath somewhat for thine ear.

  So he; nor flew his words useless away,

  For, throwing wide the portal, forth she came,

  And, by Telemachus conducted, found

  Ere long Ulysses amid all the slain,

  With blood defiled and dust; dread he appear'd

  As from the pastur'd ox newly-devoured

  The lion stalking back; his ample chest

  With gory drops and his broad cheeks are hung, 470

  Tremendous spectacle! such seem'd the Chief,

  Blood-stain'd all over. She, the carnage spread

  On all sides seeing, and the pools of blood,

  Felt impulse forcible to publish loud

  That wond'rous triumph; but her Lord repress'd

  The shout of rapture ere it burst abroad,

  And in wing'd accents thus his will enforced.

  Silent exult, O ancient matron dear!

  Shout not, be still. Unholy is the voice

  Of loud thanksgiving over slaughter'd men. 480

  Their own atrocious deeds and the Gods' will

  Have slain all these; for whether noble guest

  Arrived or base, they scoff'd at all alike,

  And for their wickedness have, therefore, died.

  But say; of my domestic women, who

  Have scorn'd me, and whom find'st thou innocent?

  To whom good Euryclea thus replied.

  My son! I will declare the truth; thou keep'st

  Female domestics fifty in thy house,

  Whom we have made intelligent to comb 490

  The fleece, and to perform whatever task.

  Of these, twice six have overpass'd the bounds

  Of modesty, respecting neither me,

  Nor yet the Queen; and thy own son, adult

  So lately, no permission had from her

  To regulate the women of her train.

  But I am gone, I fly with what hath pass'd

  To the Queen's ear, who nought suspects, so sound

  She sleeps, by some divinity composed.

  Then answer, thus, Ulysses wise returned. 500

  Hush, and disturb her not. Go. Summon first

  Those wantons, who have long deserved to die.

  He ceas'd; then issued forth the ancient dame

  To summon those bad women, and, meantime,

  Calling his son, Philœtius, and Eumæus,

  Ulysses in wing'd accents thus began.

  Bestir ye, and remove the dead; command

  Those women also to your help; then cleanse

  With bibulous sponges and with water all

  The seats and tables; when ye shall have thus 510

  Set all in order, lead those women forth,

  And in the centre of the spacious court,

  Between the scull'ry and the outer-wall

  Smite them with your broad faulchions till they lose

  In death the mem'ry of their secret loves

  Indulged with wretches lawless as themselves.

  He ended, and the damsels came at once

  All forth, lamenting, and with tepid tears

  Show'ring the ground; with mutual labour, first,

  Bearing the bodies forth into the court, 520

  They lodged them in the portico; meantime

  Ulysses, stern, enjoin'd them haste, and, urged

  By sad necessity, they bore all out.

  With sponges and with water, next, they cleansed

  The thrones and tables, while Telemachus

  Beesom'd the floor, Eumæus in that work

  Aiding him and the keeper of the beeves,

  And those twelve damsels bearing forth the soil.

  Thus, order giv'n to all within, they, next,

  Led forth the women, whom they shut between 530

  The scull'ry and the outer-wall in close

  Durance, from which no pris'ner could escape,

  And thus Telemachus discrete began.

  An honourable death is not for these

  By my advice, who have so often heap'd

  Reproach on mine and on my mother's head,

  And held lewd commerce with the suitor-train.

  He said, and noosing a strong galley-rope

  To an huge column, led the cord around

  The spacious dome, suspended so aloft 540

  That none with quiv'ring feet might reach the floor.

  As when a flight of doves ent'ring the copse,

  Or broad-wing'd thrushes, strike against the net

  Within, ill rest, entangled, there they find,

  So they, suspended by the neck, expired

  All in one line together. Death abhorr'd!

  With restless feet awhile they beat the air,

  Then ceas'd. And now through vestibule and hall

  They led Melanthius forth. With ruthless steel

  They pared away his ears and nose, pluck'd forth 550

  His parts of shame, destin'd to feed the dogs,

  And, still indignant, lopp'd his hands and feet.

  Then, laving each his feet and hands, they sought

  Again Ulysses; all their work was done,

  And thus the Chief to Euryclea spake.

  Bring blast-averting sulphur, nurse, bring fire!

  That I may fumigate my walls; then bid

  Penelope with her attendants down,

  And summon all the women of her train.

  But Euryclea, thus, his nurse, replied. 560

  My son! thou hast well said; yet will I first

  Serve thee with vest and mantle. Stand not here

  In thy own palace cloath'd with tatters foul

  And beggarly--she will abhor the sight.

  Then answer thus Ulysses wise return'd.

  Not so. Bring fire for fumigation first.

  He said; nor Euryclea his lov'd nurse

  Longer delay'd, but sulphur brought and fire,

  When he with purifyi
ng steams, himself,

  Visited ev'ry part, the banquet-room, 570

  The vestibule, the court. Ranging meantime

  His house magnificent, the matron call'd

  The women to attend their Lord in haste,

  And they attended, bearing each a torch.

  Then gather'd they around him all, sincere

  Welcoming his return; with close embrace

  Enfolding him, each kiss'd his brows, and each

  His shoulders, and his hands lock'd fast in hers.

  He, irresistible the impulse felt

  To sigh and weep, well recognizing all. 580

  FOOTNOTES:

  If the ancients found it difficult to ascertain clearly the

  situation of this ορτοθυρη, well may we. The Translator has given it the

  position which to him appeared most probable.--There seem to have been

  two of these posterns, one leading to a part from which the town might be

  alarmed, the other to the chamber to which Telemachus went for armour.

  There was one, perhaps, on each side of the portal, and they appear to

  have been at some height above the floor.

  At which Ulysses stood.

  The deviation of three only is described, which must be understood,

  therefore, as instances of the ill success of all.

  In this simile we seem to have a curious account of the ancient

  manner of fowling. The nets (for νεφεα is used in that sense by

  Aristophanes) were spread on a plain; on an adjoining rising ground were

  stationed they who had charge of the vultures (such Homer calls them)

  which were trained to the sport. The alarm being given to the birds

  below, the vultures were loosed, when if any of them escaped their

  talons, the nets were ready to enclose them. _See_ Eustathius Dacier.

  Clarke.

  So called because he was worshipped within the Ἐρκος or wall that

  surrounded the court.

  BOOK XXIII

  ARGUMENT

  Ulysses with some difficulty, convinces Penelope of his identity, who at

  length, overcome by force of evidence, receives him to her arms with

  transport. He entertains her with a recital of his adventures, and in his

  narration the principal events of the poem are recapitulated. In the

  morning, Ulysses, Telemachus, the herdsman and the swine-herd depart into

  the country.

  And now, with exultation loud the nurse

  Again ascended, eager to apprize

  The Queen of her Ulysses' safe return;

  Joy braced her knees, with nimbleness of youth

  She stepp'd, and at her ear, her thus bespake.

  Arise, Penelope! dear daughter, see

  With thy own eyes thy daily wish fulfill'd.

  Ulysses is arrived; hath reach'd at last

  His native home, and all those suitors proud

  Hath slaughter'd, who his family distress'd, 10

  His substance wasted, and controul'd his son.

  To whom Penelope discrete replied.

  Dear nurse! the Gods have surely ta'en away

  Thy judgment; they transform the wise to fools,

  And fools conduct to wisdom, and have marr'd

  Thy intellect, who wast discrete before.

  Why wilt thou mock me, wretched as I am,

  With tales extravagant? and why disturb

  Those slumbers sweet that seal'd so fast mine eyes?

  For such sweet slumbers have I never known 20

  Since my Ulysses on his voyage sail'd

  To that bad city never to be named.

  Down instant to thy place again--begone--

  For had another of my maidens dared

  Disturb my sleep with tidings wild as these,

  I had dismiss'd her down into the house

  More roughly; but thine age excuses _thee_.

  To whom the venerable matron thus.

  I mock thee not, my child; no--he is come--

  Himself, Ulysses, even as I say, 30

  That stranger, object of the scorn of all.

  Telemachus well knew his sire arrived,

  But prudently conceal'd the tidings, so

  To insure the more the suitors' punishment.

  So Euryclea she transported heard,

  And springing from the bed, wrapp'd in her arms

  The ancient woman shedding tears of joy,

  And in wing'd accents ardent thus replied.

  Ah then, dear nurse inform me! tell me true!

  Hath he indeed arriv'd as thou declar'st? 40

  How dared he to assail alone that band

  Of shameless ones, for ever swarming here?

  Then Euryclea, thus, matron belov'd.

  I nothing saw or knew; but only heard

  Groans of the wounded; in th' interior house

  We trembling sat, and ev'ry door was fast.

  Thus all remain'd till by his father sent,

  Thy own son call'd me forth. Going, I found

  Ulysses compass'd by the slaughter'd dead.

  They cover'd wide the pavement, heaps on heaps. 50

  It would have cheer'd thy heart to have beheld

  Thy husband lion-like with crimson stains

  Of slaughter and of dust all dappled o'er;

  Heap'd in the portal, at this moment, lie

  Their bodies, and he fumigates, meantime,

  The house with sulphur and with flames of fire,

  And hath, himself, sent me to bid thee down.

  Follow me, then, that ye may give your hearts

  To gladness, both, for ye have much endured;

  But the event, so long your soul's desire, 60

  Is come; himself hath to his household Gods

  Alive return'd, thee and his son he finds

  Unharm'd and at your home, nor hath he left

  Unpunish'd one of all his enemies.

  Her answer'd, then, Penelope discrete.

  Ah dearest nurse! indulge not to excess

  This dang'rous triumph. Thou art well apprized

  How welcome his appearance here would prove

  To all, but chief, to me, and to his son,

  Fruit of our love. But these things are not so; 70

  Some God, resentful of their evil deeds,

  And of their biting contumely severe,

  Hath slain those proud; for whether noble guest

  Arrived or base, alike they scoff'd at all,

  And for their wickedness have therefore died.

  But my Ulysses distant far, I know,

  From Greece hath perish'd, and returns no more.

  To whom thus Euryclea, nurse belov'd.

  What word my daughter had escaped thy lips,

  Who thus affirm'st thy husband, now within 80

  And at his own hearth-side, for ever lost?

  Canst thou be thus incredulous? Hear again--

  I give thee yet proof past dispute, his scar

  Imprinted by a wild-boar's iv'ry tusk.

  Laving him I remark'd it, and desired,

  Myself, to tell thee, but he, ever-wise,

  Compressing with both hands my lips, forbad.

  Come, follow me. My life shall be the pledge.

  If I deceive thee, kill me as thou wilt.

  To whom Penelope, discrete, replied. 90

  Ah, dearest nurse, sagacious as thou art,

  Thou little know'st to scan the counsels wise

  Of the eternal Gods. But let us seek

  My son, however, that I may behold

  The suitors dead, and him by whom they died.

  So saying, she left her chamber, musing much

  In her descent, whether to interrogate

  Her Lord apart, or whether to imprint,

  At once, his hands with kisses and his brows.

  O'erpassing light the portal-step of stone 100
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  She enter'd. He sat opposite, illumed

  By the hearth's sprightly blaze, and close before

  A pillar of the dome, waiting with eyes

  Downcast, till viewing him, his noble spouse

  Should speak to him; but she sat silent long,

  Her faculties in mute amazement held.

  By turns she riveted her eyes on his,

  And, seeing him so foul attired, by turns

  She recognized him not; then spake her son

  Telemachus, and her silence thus reprov'd. 110

  My mother! ah my hapless and my most

  Obdurate mother! wherefore thus aloof

  Shunn'st thou my father, neither at his side

  Sitting affectionate, nor utt'ring word?

  Another wife lives not who could endure

  Such distance from her husband new-return'd

  To his own country in the twentieth year,

  After much hardship; but thy heart is still

  As ever, less impressible than stone,

  To whom Penelope, discrete, replied. 120

  I am all wonder, O my son; my soul

  Is stunn'd within me; pow'r to speak to him

  Or to interrogate him have I none,

  Or ev'n to look on him; but if indeed

  He be Ulysses, and have reach'd his home,

  I shall believe it soon, by proof convinced

  Of signs known only to himself and me.

  She said; then smiled the Hero toil-inured,

  And in wing'd accents thus spake to his son.

  Leave thou, Telemachus, thy mother here 130

  To sift and prove me; she will know me soon

  More certainly; she sees me ill-attired

  And squalid now; therefore she shews me scorn,

  And no belief hath yet that I am he.

  But we have need, thou and myself, of deep

  Deliberation. If a man have slain

  One only citizen, who leaves behind

  Few interested to avenge his death,

  Yet, flying, he forsakes both friends and home;

  But we have slain the noblest Princes far 140

  Of Ithaca, on whom our city most

  Depended; therefore, I advise thee, think!

  Him, prudent, then answer'd Telemachus.

  Be that thy care, my father! for report

  Proclaims _thee_ shrewdest of mankind, with whom

  In ingenuity may none compare.

  Lead thou; to follow thee shall be our part

  With prompt alacrity; nor shall, I judge,

  Courage be wanting to our utmost force.

  Thus then replied Ulysses, ever-wise. 150

  To me the safest counsel and the best

  Seems this. First wash yourselves, and put ye on

 

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