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The perennial human predicament, if the passage turns on one. 0-2 per passage.
It begins with commentary excerpts and then introduces SURA XXVI “The Poets,” set “MECCA,” describing Muhammad’s warnings to Meccan unbelievers and Moses’ confrontation with Pharaoh using staff-and-hand miracles.
dimmed. The Arabians have a great aversion to blue and grey eyes as characteristic of their enemies the Greeks. The word, however, may also mean blind. Comp. v. 124, 5. 24 Lit. the most excellent or just of them in his way: dignitate, Mar. But Kam. in Freyt. (iii. 150) justissimus eorum, simillimus veracibus. The sense of the last clause is, "Yes have not tarried even so much as ten days, such, now that we look back…
Quotations stress that betrayal and disobedience bring humiliation, distinguish between righteous and infidels, warn against alliances with outsiders, and recount battles such as Badr with angelic aid.
They will never inflict on you but a trifling damage; and if they do battle with you, they shall turn their backs to you: then they shall not be succoured. Shame shall be stamped upon them36 wherever found, unless they ally them with God and men! And the wrath of God will they incur, and poverty shall be stamped upon them! This-for that they believed not in the signs of God, and slew the prophets unjustly: This-beca…
It introduces Qur’anic commands about “immunity” to polytheist Arab allies, postponing fighting for four sacred months, then ordering warfare and mercy conditional on conversion, including rules about sacred pilgrimage and sanctuary asylum.
Only the faithful are brethren; wherefore make peace between your brethren; and fear God, that ye may obtain mercy. O Believers! let not men laugh men to scorn who haply may be better than themselves; neither let women laugh women to scorn who may haply be better than themselves!6 Neither defame one another, nor call one another by nicknames. Bad is it to be called wicked after having professed the faith:7 and whoso…
It continues pilgrimage rules (fishing vs land hunting), affirms the Caaba’s sacred role, condemns questioning needless matters, rejects certain pagan customs, and prescribes witness procedures at death.
the ill consequence of his deed. God forgiveth what is past; but whoever doth it again, God will take vengeance on him; for God is mighty and vengeance is His. It is lawful for you to fish in the sea, and to eat fish, as provision for you and for those who travel; but it is unlawful for you to hunt by land while ye are still on pilgrimage: fear ye God, therefore, before whom ye shall be assembled. God hath appointe…
With rain ruining the King’s City spectacle, Pepys walks through Whitehall, meets court secretaries, visits the Admiralty and Park, and ends the day in despair when he hears Barlow is in town.
that we hope to have. My patent has cost me a great deal of money; about 40l. In the afternoon to Henry the Seventh's Chapel, where I heard a Sermon. 17th. This morning (as indeed all the mornings now-a-days) much business at my Lord's. There come to my house before I went out Mr. Barlow, an old consumptive man, and fair conditioned. After much talk, I did grant, him what he asked, viz. 50l. per annum, if my sala…
Pepys continues his coronation-night observations, including a firebrand injuring a woman’s eye, and then concludes that he has seen the grandest state spectacle and does not expect to see such things again.
1666.] and rode in the cavalcade with Maynard, to whom people wish the same fortune. [John Maynard, an eminent lawyer; made Serjeant to Cromwell in 1653, and afterwards King's Serjeant by Charles II., who knighted him. In 1661 he was chosen Member for Berealston, and sat in every Parliament till the Revolution. Ob. 1690, aged 88.] There was also this night in King-streete, a woman had her eye put out by a boy's fli…
Pepys attends Mass at York House as the Spanish Ambassador’s affair, dines and socializes, then recounts a dangerous frolic by Capt. Ferrers who jumps through open balcony windows and is badly injured before recovering.
the Hall in the condition it is now, with the Judges on the benches at the further end of it, which I had not seen all this terme till now. 19th (Lord's day). I walked in the morning towards Westminster, and, seeing many people at York House, I went down and found them at masse, it being the Spanish Ambassador's; and so I got into one of the gallerys, and there heard two masses done, I think, not in so much state a…
Pepys closes the first two-year run of the diary, then continues in early July with plague news, arranging fleet command structure under Sandwich and others, secret financial trouble involving Alderman Backewell, and ongoing restrictions and house shut-ins.
is mightily liked of by the King and the Duke of York. Sir G. Lawson was buried late last night at St. Dunstan's by us, without any company at all. 4th. I hear this day the Duke and Prince Rupert are both come back from sea, and neither of them go back again. Mr. Coventry tells me how matters are ordered in the fleet: my Lord Sandwich goes Admiral; under him Sir G. Ascue, and Sir T. Teddiman: Vice Admiral, Sir W…
At the year’s start and into January 1666, Pepys travels with the Duke of Albemarle to hear plague declines, then returns to London in a lively coach and observes urban reopening and river encroachments.
the story of the several Archbishops of Canterbury, engrossed in vellum, to hang up in Canterbury Cathedrall in tables, in lieu of the old ones, which are almost worn out. 30th. All the afternoon to my accounts; and there find myself, to my great joy, a great deal worth above 4000l. for which the Lord be praised! and is principally occasioned by my getting 500l. of Cocke, for my profit in his bargains of prize goo…
Pepys ends the year by reviewing his finances and then reports national disorder—mutinous seamen, failed expectations for fleets, poor trade, and Parliament and the court’s negligence—followed by January’s fresh worries about the French and Irish threats.
examining Accounts, wherein the House of Lords their proceedings in petitioning the King for doing it by Commission, are in great heat voted by the Commons, after the conference, unparliamentary. 4th. Comes our company to dinner; my Lord Brouncker, Sir W. Pen, his lady, and Peg, [Their daughter.] and her servant, Mr. Lowther [[Anthony Lowther, Esq., of Marske, Co. York, Ob. 1692.]. At night to sup, and then to car…
Pepys attends court as Captain Cocke discusses peace negotiations involving Amsterdam, Lord Arlington, and De Witt, while Pepys remarks on Sunday leisure at the Queen’s side.
each name, might be very, pretty. One wonder I observed to-day, that there was no musique in the morning to call up our new-married people; which is very mean methinks. 17th. Staid till the council was up, and attended the King and Duke of York round the Park, and was asked several questions by both; but I was in pain lest they should ask me what I could not answer; as the Duke of York did the value of the hull of …
After Court and Commons tensions, Pepys describes Henry Hall and the Queen’s Christmas chapel night, watches a Catholic Mass, drinks at the Rose Tavern, and ends up home.
are suspended: and a cloud upon the Archbishop ever since the late business in the House of Lords; and I believe it will be a heavy blow to the Clergy. 24th. By coach to St. James's, it being about six at night; my design being to see the ceremonys, this night being the eve of Christmas, at the Queene's chapel. I got in almost up to the rail, and with a good deal of patience staid from nine at night to two in the …
Pepys begins work at the Durham Yard commissioners for accounts, hears complaints from seamen about tickets, describes the commissioners’ method and staff, then later records business disputes and extensive administrative duties, including Tangier accounts.
standing as there were taverns left standing in the rest of the City that was not burned, being, I think, thirteen in all of each: which is pretty to observe. FEBRUARY 1, 1667-8. To the office till past two o'clock; where at the Board some high words passed between Sir W. Pen and I, begun by me, and yielded to by him, I being in the right in finding fault with him for his neglect of duty. Home, my head mighty full…
Pepys travels to Petersfield with Fitzgerald and Sir Thomas Allen to advise Sir Thomas Allen on instructions about Sir Thomas Allen’s voyage, then continues through Gilford and reports court and navy-related expectations.
the coach with us; but got thither with great fear of being out of our way, it being ten at night. Here good, honest people; and after supper to bed. 7th. To coach, and with a guide to Petersfield, where I find Sir Thomas Allen and Mr. Tippets [John Tippet, a Surveyor of the Navy; afterwards knighted.] come; the first about the business the latter only in respect to me; as also Fitzgerald, who came post all last n…
On the 19th–20th Pepys manages lodging permissions for his Lord, hosts and attends a turkey dinner and a Goal Feast, visits the Coffee Club, and notes political ceremonies and fears as three citizens go out to meet General Monk.
the surgeon, and husband of pretty Mrs. Pierce. After the Restoration James Pearse or Pierce became Surgeon to the Duke of York, and he was also Surgeon-General of the Fleet.] so at the Harp and Ball drank our morning draft and so to Whitehall where I met with Sir Ant. Cooper and did give him some answer from my Lord and he did give us leave to keep the lodgings still. And so we did determine thereupon that Mr. She…
After the allied vote for war, Sparta delays only for preparations, then sends embassies to Athens seeking excuses, beginning with an order to drive out the curse tied to Cylon’s failed Acropolis seizure at the Diaseia.
to be no delay. And indeed, in spite of the time occupied with the necessary arrangements, less than a year elapsed before Attica was invaded, and the war openly begun. This interval was spent in sending embassies to Athens charged with complaints, in order to obtain as good a pretext for war as possible, in the event of her paying no attention to them. The first Lacedaemonian embassy was to order the Athenians to d…
As Athenians crowd into Athens, some cannot find space and occupy temples and wall-towers; they confront an oracle’s curse about the Pelasgian parcel, while Archidamus assaults Oenoe on the border, delaying before breaking camp to invade Attica.
houses and the hereditary temples of the ancient constitution, and at having to change their habits of life and to bid farewell to what each regarded as his native city. When they arrived at Athens, though a few had houses of their own to go to, or could find an asylum with friends or relatives, by far the greater number had to take up their dwelling in the parts of the city that were not built over and in the templ…
Thucydides explains how the plague disrupts daily life: despair weakens victims, nursing spreads infection, refugees crowd into Athens, burial rites collapse, and people adopt lawless spending.
about the bodies, or indeed to be seen at all. But of course the effects which I have mentioned could best be studied in a domestic animal like the dog. Such then, if we pass over the varieties of particular cases which were many and peculiar, were the general features of the distemper. Meanwhile the town enjoyed an immunity from all the ordinary disorders; or if any case occurred, it ended in this. Some died in neg…
The Corcyraean revolution begins with returned prisoners encouraging a break with Athens; after a trial and killings in the senate, both sides fight, appeal to slaves, parley, and exchange embassies that end with envoys sent to Aegina.
where a revolution had broken out, so as to arrive there before the twelve Athenian ships at Naupactus could be reinforced from Athens. Brasidas and Alcidas began to prepare accordingly. The Corcyraean revolution began with the return of the prisoners taken in the sea-fights off Epidamnus. These the Corinthians had released, nominally upon the security of eight hundred talents given by their proxeni, but in reality …
Lacedaemonian ambassadors appeal in Athens’ senate and attempt to retrieve Pylos for Panactum, while Alcibiades uses a deception about “full powers” to incite popular anger, and Nicias’ efforts to preserve friendship fail, leading to adjournment and renewed calls.
Argos, but a sister democracy and very powerful at sea. They accordingly at once sent ambassadors to Athens to treat for an alliance, accompanied by others from Elis and Mantinea. At the same time arrived in haste from Lacedaemon an embassy consisting of persons reputed well disposed towards the Athenians—Philocharidas, Leon, and Endius—for fear that the Athenians in their irritation might conclude alliance with the…
Athenagoras develops his argument into a defense of democracy: he says the word demos means the whole state, that many can judge and decide best, and that oligarchy keeps profit while giving the many the danger.
with only a camp pitched from the ships, and composed of tents and bare necessaries, from which they would not be able to stir far for fear of our cavalry. “But the Athenians see this as I tell you, and as I have reason to know are looking after their possessions at home, while persons here invent stories that neither are true nor ever will be. Nor is this the first time that I see these persons, when they cannot re…
The charter protects due process and mobility: merchants get safe conduct and toll exemptions, people may leave and return on policy grounds, noble estates and Welsh disputes are regulated, and officials must know and follow the law.
40. To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice. 41. All merchants shall have safe and secure exit from England, and entry to England, with the right to tarry there and to move about as well by land as by water, for buying and selling by the ancient and right customs, quit from all evil tolls, except (in time of war) such merchants as are of the land at war with us. And if such are fo…
Clauses 40-51 guarantee justice without sale or delay, protect merchants’ movement, regulate travel and wartime exceptions, restore wrongfully held property, reform forest abuses, and expel certain foreigners after peace.
40. To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice. 41. All merchants shall have safe and secure exit from England, and entry to England, with the right to tarry there and to move about as well by land as by water, for buying and selling by the ancient and right customs, quit from all evil tolls, except (in time of war) such merchants as are of the land at war with us. And if such are fo…
At sunset, Minerva orders drink offerings and bedtime, and Nestor insists Telemachus and Minerva should stay for the night; Minerva then departs, and she appears to Telemachus as an eagle.
sons who can escort you to Lacedaemon where Menelaus lives. Beg of him to speak the truth, and he will tell you no lies, for he is an excellent person.” As he spoke the sun set and it came on dark, whereon Minerva said, “Sir, all that you have said is well; now, however, order the tongues of the victims to be cut, and mix wine that we may make drink-offerings to Neptune, and the other immortals, and then go to bed, …
Minerva visits the Phaeacians: the people live in Scheria under King Alcinous, and Minerva disguises herself to wake Nausicaa and urge a washing trip for upcoming marriage and social reputation.
THE MEETING BETWEEN NAUSICAA AND ULYSSES. So here Ulysses slept, overcome by sleep and toil; but Minerva went off to the country and city of the Phaeacians—a people who used to live in the fair town of Hypereia, near the lawless Cyclopes. Now the Cyclopes were stronger than they and plundered them, so their king Nausithous moved them thence and settled them in Scheria, far from all other people. He surrounded the ci…
At daybreak Nausicaa’s family arranges wagons, mules, and supplies; the women wash clothes at cisterns by the water, bathe and anoint with oil, play, and set up a plan to encounter Ulysses after he awakens.
the other three are good looking bachelors; you know they always like to have clean linen when they go to a dance, and I have been thinking about all this.” She did not say a word about her own wedding, for she did not like to, but her father knew and said, “You shall have the mules, my love, and whatever else you have a mind for. Be off with you, and the men shall get you a good strong waggon with a body to it that…
Minerva inspires Nausicaa to throw a ball that draws Ulysses out of hiding; Ulysses, still naked and filthy, approaches Nausicaa, who stays, listens, and provides aid while deciding he will be protected.
and meadows of green grass. At any rate I am among a race of men and women. Let me try if I cannot manage to get a look at them.” As he said this he crept from under his bush, and broke off a bough covered with thick leaves to hide his nakedness. He looked like some lion of the wilderness that stalks about exulting in his strength and defying both wind and rain; his eyes glare as he prowls in quest of oxen, sheep, o…
After Ulysses washes and is dressed, Minerva improves his appearance; Nausicaa feeds him and then leads him back toward Scheria, explaining the city’s layout, sea-focused industries, and guarding against gossip.
a drop of oil upon it. I cannot wash as long as you all keep standing there. I am ashamed to strip56 before a number of good looking young women.” Then they stood on one side and went to tell the girl, while Ulysses washed himself in the stream and scrubbed the brine from his back and from his broad shoulders. When he had thoroughly washed himself, and had got the brine out of his hair, he anointed himself with oil,…
Ulysses prepares to wait at Minerva’s grove outside town while Nausicaa returns home; she instructs him to ask for Alcinous’s house, then win her mother’s favor to secure an escort.
archers; they know nothing about bows and arrows, but are a sea-faring folk, and pride themselves on their masts, oars, and ships, with which they travel far over the sea. “I am afraid of the gossip and scandal that may be set on foot against me later on; for the people here are very ill-natured, and some low fellow, if he met us, might say, ‘Who is this fine-looking stranger that is going about with Nausicaa? Where…
Nausicaa’s servant-maid mission brings Ulysses toward King Alcinous’s palace at Scheria, while Minerva disguises him and guides him silently to meet Queen Arete and Alcinous.
RECEPTION OF ULYSSES AT THE PALACE OF KING ALCINOUS. Thus, then, did Ulysses wait and pray; but the girl drove on to the town. When she reached her father’s house she drew up at the gateway, and her brothers—comely as the gods—gathered round her, took the mules out of the waggon, and carried the clothes into the house, while she went to her own room, where an old servant, Eurymedusa of Apeira, lit the fire for her. …
At Alcinous’s hearth, Ulysses asks Queen Arete and her household for help to return home, and the Phaeacians respond with ritual offerings, a banquet, and planning an escort.
the miraculous darkness fell away from him and he became visible. Every one was speechless with surprise at seeing a man there, but Ulysses began at once with his petition. “Queen Arete,” he exclaimed, “daughter of great Rhexenor, in my distress I humbly pray you, as also your husband and these your guests (whom may heaven prosper with long life and happiness, and may they leave their possessions to their children, …
Ulysses continues his account: he survives storms and shipwreck, sleeps in leaves, meets Nausicaa’s maid servants, receives clothing and food, and Alcinous offers marriage and travel home by ship.
keep to my raft, which went to pieces under the fury of the gale, and I had to swim for it, till wind and current brought me to your shores. “There I tried to land, but could not, for it was a bad place and the waves dashed me against the rocks, so I again took to the sea and swam on till I came to a river that seemed the most likely landing place, for there were no rocks and it was sheltered from the wind. Here, th…
At dawn in Scheria, Minerva summons citizens to a public assembly where Alcinous formally arranges a ship escort and a feast, including Demodocus’s performance and the start of athletic games.
BANQUET IN THE HOUSE OF ALCINOUS—THE GAMES. Now when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Alcinous and Ulysses both rose, and Alcinous led the way to the Phaeacian place of assembly, which was near the ships. When they got there they sat down side by side on a seat of polished stone, while Minerva took the form of one of Alcinous’ servants, and went round the town in order to help Ulysses to get home.…
In the games, Clytoneus wins the footrace, Euryalus wrestling, Amphialus jumping, Elatreus disc-throwing, and Laodamas boxing, and then Ulysses is urged to compete.
Euryalus son of Naubolus, who was like Mars himself, and was the best looking man among the Phaeacians except Laodamas. Three sons of Alcinous, Laodamas, Halios, and Clytoneus, competed also. The foot races came first. The course was set out for them from the starting post, and they raised a dust upon the plain as they all flew forward at the same moment. Clytoneus came in first by a long way; he left every one else…
Odysseus reassures the watching Phaeacians that he will compete in athletics, claims exceptional skill in discus, archery, and combat, and explains he may be slower in running and weakened by past sea hardship.
for it—it is so far ahead of any other. You may make your mind easy about this contest, for no Phaeacian can come near to such a throw as yours.” Ulysses was glad when he found he had a friend among the lookers-on, so he began to speak more pleasantly. “Young men,” said he, “come up to that throw if you can, and I will throw another disc as heavy or even heavier. If anyone wants to have a bout with me let him come o…
At King Alcinous’ palace, servants set up space for dancers, Demodocus performs the myth of Mars and Venus trapped by Vulcan’s chains, then Odysseus and the guests admire Phaeacian dancing.
all other nations as sailors, runners, dancers, and minstrels. Demodocus has left his lyre at my house, so run some one or other of you and fetch it for him.” On this a servant hurried off to bring the lyre from the king’s house, and the nine men who had been chosen as stewards stood forward. It was their business to manage everything connected with the sports, so they made the ground smooth and marked a wide space …
Odysseus receives Nausicaa’s farewell plea for remembrance, washes for supper, honors Demodocus with a pork portion, and asks the bard to sing about the wooden horse and Troy’s fall.
to the lid yourself, and have the whole bound round at once, for fear any one should rob you by the way when you are asleep in your ship.” 72 When Ulysses heard this he put the lid on the chest and made it fast with a bond that Circe had taught him. He had done so before an upper servant told him to come to the bath and wash himself. He was very glad of a warm bath, for he had had no one to wait upon him ever since …
Polyphemus returns, blocks the cave with an enormous stone, herds and milks his goats and sheep, questions the strangers, and threatens them despite Odysseus’s appeal to Zeus and visitor-right.
wanted to see the owner himself, in the hope that he might give me a present. When, however, we saw him my poor men found him ill to deal with. “We lit a fire, offered some of the cheeses in sacrifice, ate others of them, and then sat waiting till the Cyclops should come in with his sheep. When he came, he brought in with him a huge load of dry firewood to light the fire for his supper, and this he flung with such a…
Ulysses travels to Eumaeus’s hut, finds a well-kept pig yard and sties, the swineherd warns him about fierce dogs, and Ulysses is welcomed and fed while Eumaeus explains his role and the suitors’ ongoing eating.
ULYSSES IN THE HUT WITH EUMAEUS. Ulysses now left the haven, and took the rough track up through the wooded country and over the crest of the mountain till he reached the place where Minerva had said that he would find the swineherd, who was the most thrifty servant he had. He found him sitting in front of his hut, which was by the yards that he had built on a site which could be seen from far. He had made them spac…
Minerva tells Telemachus at Lacedaemon to return home immediately, warns the suitors plan to kill him between Ithaca and Samos, and orders him to stay with the swineherd Eumaeus for the night.
MINERVA SUMMONS TELEMACHUS FROM LACEDAEMON—HE MEETS WITH THEOCLYMENUS AT PYLOS AND BRINGS HIM TO ITHACA—ON LANDING HE GOES TO THE HUT OF EUMAEUS. But Minerva went to the fair city of Lacedaemon to tell Ulysses’ son that he was to return at once. She found him and Pisistratus sleeping in the forecourt of Menelaus’s house; Pisistratus was fast asleep, but Telemachus could get no rest all night for thinking of his unha…
Telemachus invites the fugitive Theoclymenus aboard, promises Ithacan hospitality, sails past Crouni and Chalcis with a Minerva-blessed wind, while Ulysses reassures the swineherd and asks to beg in the city and reach Penelope’s house.
own head and by those of your followers tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. Who and whence are you? Tell me also of your town and parents.” Telemachus said, “I will answer you quite truly. I am from Ithaca, and my father is Ulysses, as surely as that he ever lived. But he has come to some miserable end. Therefore I have taken this ship and got my crew together to see if I can hear any news of him, for he ha…
At dawn Telemachus goes to town, instructing his father-disguised as a beggar to request food, and reunites emotionally with Penelope; later he and Eumaeus discuss the town’s news and Telemachus proceeds toward the assembly.
TELEMACHUS AND HIS MOTHER MEET—ULYSSES AND EUMAEUS COME DOWN TO THE TOWN, AND ULYSSES IS INSULTED BY MELANTHIUS—HE IS RECOGNISED BY THE DOG ARGOS—HE IS INSULTED AND PRESENTLY STRUCK BY ANTINOUS WITH A STOOL—PENELOPE DESIRES THAT HE SHALL BE SENT TO HER. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, Telemachus bound on his sandals and took a strong spear that suited his hands, for he wanted to go into the …
Ulysses, disguised as a beggar, eats and walks among Penelope’s suitors, while Minerva goads him to test their character and the swineherd Eumaeus and Telemachus defend him against Antinous’s insults.
Ulysses answered, “May King Jove grant all happiness to Telemachus, and fulfil the desire of his heart.” Then with both hands he took what Telemachus had sent him, and laid it on the dirty old wallet at his feet. He went on eating it while the bard was singing, and had just finished his dinner as he left off. The suitors applauded the bard, whereon Minerva went up to Ulysses and prompted him to beg pieces of bread f…
After Antinous threatens Ulysses with violence, the other suitors warn him they might be facing a god in disguise, while Penelope learns her “beggar” has been struck and calls for Eumaeus to bring him to her.
always getting people into trouble. Still, if the poor have gods and avenging deities at all, I pray them that Antinous may come to a bad end before his marriage.” “Sit where you are, and eat your victuals in silence, or be off elsewhere,” shouted Antinous. “If you say more I will have you dragged hand and foot through the courts, and the servants shall flay you alive.” The other suitors were much displeased at thi…
Ulysses tells the women to go inside and he holds the light by the braziers, while Melantho insults him and Ulysses threatens to report her; Eurymachus then mocks his appearance and offers him farm labor work, condemning his begging.
which glistened most beautifully; while king Pisander son of Polyctor gave her a necklace of the rarest workmanship, and every one else brought her a beautiful present of some kind. Then the queen went back to her room upstairs, and her maids brought the presents after her. Meanwhile the suitors took to singing and dancing, and stayed till evening came. They danced and sang till it grew dark; they then brought in th…
Penelope questions the disguised Ulysses about his identity and parents, and he praises her fame while refusing to give his real lineage and warning against dwelling on grief.
and as soon as Ulysses had sat down Penelope began by saying, “Stranger, I shall first ask you who and whence are you? Tell me of your town and parents.” “Madam,” answered Ulysses, “who on the face of the whole earth can dare to chide with you? Your fame reaches the firmament of heaven itself; you are like some blameless king, who upholds righteousness, as the monarch over a great and valiant nation: the earth yield…
Ulysses gives Penelope a false Cretan genealogy and story of hospitality to a traveler, says he met Ulysses in Crete, and then she tests him by asking what Ulysses looked like and wore.
who you are and where you come from—for you must have had father and mother of some sort; you cannot be the son of an oak or of a rock.” Then Ulysses answered, “Madam, wife of Ulysses, since you persist in asking me about my family, I will answer, no matter what it costs me: people must expect to be pained when they have been exiles as long as I have, and suffered as much among as many peoples. Nevertheless, as rega…
Athene appears in Ithaca disguised as Mentes at the palace entrance, where she finds the wooers feasting and arranging entertainments; Telemachus welcomes her as a stranger while the household prepares the meal.
and to sandy Pylos to seek tidings of his dear father’s return, if peradventure he may hear thereof and that so he may be had in good report among men.” She spake and bound beneath her feet her lovely golden sandals that wax not old, and bare her alike over the wet sea and over the limitless land, swift as the breath of the wind. And she seized her doughty spear, shod with sharp bronze, weighty and huge and strong, …
Telemachus returns to the hall despite wooers’ mockery, declares his intent to sail on a borrowed ship, stores provisions in the treasure chamber with Eurycleia’s help, and makes her swear secrecy until he departs.
So spake he in prayer, and Athene drew nigh him in the likeness of Mentor, in fashion and in voice, and she spake and hailed him in winged words: “Telemachus, even hereafter thou shalt not be craven or witless, if indeed thou hast a drop of thy father’s blood and a portion of his spirit; such an one was he to fulfil both word and work. Nor, if this be so, shall thy voyage be vain or unfulfilled. But if thou art not …
At the river, Nausicaa and her maids wash and dry garments, eat, and play ball; then Athene prompts Odysseus to wake by making Nausicaa’s ball fall into the current, leading Odysseus to wonder about local manners and hospitality.
a clatter of hoofs, and on they strained without flagging, with their load of the raiment and the maiden. Not alone did she go, for her attendants followed with her. Now when they were come to the beautiful stream of the river, where truly were the unfailing cisterns, and bright water welled up free from beneath, and flowed past, enough to wash the foulest garments clean, there the girls unharnessed the mules from u…
Odysseus hides his nakedness after emerging from hiding, moves toward Nausicaa and her attendants, and she stands her ground while he decides how to approach and request help.
hill-tops, and the river-springs, and the grassy water meadows! It must be, methinks, that I am near men of human speech. Go to, I myself will make trial and see.” Therewith the goodly Odysseus crept out from under the coppice, having broken with his strong hand a leafy bough from the thick wood, to hold athwart his body, that it might hide his nakedness withal. And forth he sallied like a lion mountain-bred, trusti…
After Odysseus eats, Nausicaa prepares to take him to her father Alcinous, instructing him how to behave in public and where to wait, then Odysseus prays to Athena at a sacred grove.
ready ear and hearkened, and set beside Odysseus meat and drink, and the steadfast goodly Odysseus did eat and drink eagerly, for it was long since he had tasted food. Now Nausicaa of the white arms had another thought. She folded the raiment and stored it in the goodly wain, and yoked the mules strong of hoof, and herself climbed into the car. Then she called on Odysseus, and spake and hailed him: “Up now, stranger…
Alcinous stops Demodocus’s lament because the stranger keeps weeping, and asks Odysseus his name, homeland, route, and why he mourns the Trojan tale.
but Alcinous alone noted it, and was ware thereof, as he sat nigh him and heard him groaning heavily. And presently he spake among the Phaeacians, masters of the oar: “Hearken, ye captains and counsellors of the Phaeacians, and now let Demodocus hold his hand from the loud lyre, for this song of his is nowise pleasing alike to all. From the time that we began to sup, and that the divine minstrel was moved to sing, e…
Athene, disguised as a young herdsman, tells Odysseus his land is Ithaca and describes its fertility, prompting Odysseus to boast misleadingly and recount a fabricated voyage from Crete and Phoenicia.
had sandals bound, and a javelin in her hands. And Odysseus rejoiced as he saw her, and came over against her, and uttering his voice spake to her winged words: “Friend, since thou art the first that I have chanced on in this land, hail to thee, and with no ill-will mayest thou meet me! Nay, save this my substance and save me too, for to thee as to a god I make prayer, and to thy dear knees have I come. And herein t…
Disguised Odysseus travels to Eumaeus’s swine courtyard, is nearly attacked by dogs, and is welcomed by Eumaeus, who describes his master Odysseus as missing and mourning with loyalty to the household.
Odysseus, in the form of a beggar, goes to Eumaeus, the master of his swine, where he is well used and tells a feigned story, and informs himself of the behaviour of the wooers. But Odysseus fared forth from the haven by the rough track, up the wooded country and through the heights, where Athene had showed him that he should find the goodly swineherd, who cared most for his substance of all the thralls that goodly …
Eumaeus argues it is impious to slight a stranger because beggars come from Zeus, explains Odysseus’s lost household, and recounts the wooers’ consumption and their attack on Odysseus’s property.
“May Zeus, O stranger, and all the other deathless gods grant thee thy dearest wish, since thou hast received me heartily!” Then, O swineherd Eumaeus, didst thou answer him, saying: “Guest of mine, it were an impious thing for me to slight a stranger, even if there came a meaner man than thou; for from Zeus are all strangers and beggars; and a little gift from such as we, is dear; for this is the way with thralls, w…
Telemachus and his crew prepare and sail a black ship as Telemachus prays and meets the soothsayer Theoclymenus of Argos lineage, who asks who he is and where his home lies.
“Set ye the gear in order, my friends, in the black ship, and let us climb aboard that we may make way upon our course.” So spake he, and they gave good heed and hearkened. Then straightway they embarked and sat upon the benches. Thus was he busy hereat and praying and making burnt-offering to Athene, by the stern of the ship, when there drew nigh him one from a far country, that had slain his man and was fleeing f…
Telemachus and Theoclymenus reach Ithaca’s coast after sailing, Telemachus sends Theoclymenus toward his best neighbor Eurymachus, while Telemachus goes to the fields to inspect his lands.
“So spake she, and they all swore thereto as she bade them. Now when they had sworn and done that oath, again the woman spake among them and answered, saying: “‘Hold your peace now, and let none of your fellows speak to me and greet me, if they meet me in the street, or even at the well, lest one go and tell it to the old man at home, and he suspect somewhat and bind me in hard bonds and devise death for all of you.…
Telemachus reaches the hall and meets the wooers without conflict, then takes the stranger Piraeus toward the house and bathes and feasts guests, while Penelope asks for clear reports of Odysseus and a seer claims Odysseus is already in Ithaca.
water, and took to her fresh raiment, and vowed to all the gods an acceptable sacrifice of hecatombs, if haply Zeus might grant that deeds of requital should be made. Now Telemachus went out through the hall with the spear in his hand: and two swift hounds bare him company. And Athene shed on him a wondrous grace, and all the people marvelled at him as he came. And the lordly wooers gathered about him with fair word…
Melantho insults Odysseus and Odysseus threatens to report her to Telemachus, while Eurymachus and Odysseus exchange taunts that involve farm labor and war, escalating to violence when Eurymachus strikes a servant.
thou art, or yet more than now, while I am far away. But when thou seest thy son a bearded man, marry whom thou wilt and leave thine own house.’ “Even so did he speak, and now all these things have an end. The night shall come when a hateful marriage shall find me out, me most luckless, whose good hap Zeus has taken away. But furthermore this sore trouble has come on my heart and soul; for this was not the manner of…