Speaker 1: The twenty first Book of the Odyssees of Homer. This
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LibriVox dot org. Recording by Phil Schamp, The twenty first
Book of the Odyssees of Homer, translated by George Chapman.
The argument Penelope proposeth now to him that draws ulysses
boat her instant nuptials Ithacus, Eumus and Philetius gives charge
for guarding of the gates, and he his shaft shoots
through the plates. Another argument five, the nuptial vow and
game rehearsed drawn is the beau. The steels are pierced. Pallas,
the goddess with the sparkling eyes, excites Penelope to object
the prize the beau and bright steals to the war's strength.
And here began the strife and blood it length. She
first ascended by a lofty stare her utmost chamber, of
whose door her fair and half transparent hand received the key,
bright brazen bitted, passing curiously, and at it hung a
knob of ivory. And this did lead her where was
strongly kept the treasure royal, in whose store lay heaped gold,
brass and steel, engraven with infinite art. The crooked bow
and arrow we quiver part of that rich magazine. In
the quiver were arrows of number, sharp and sighing gear.
The bow was given by kind euridities Ifhetus fashioned like
the deities to young Ulysses, when within the roof of
Wise or Silicus, their pass had proof of mutual meeting
and Messina, where Ulysses claimed a debt to whose pay
were the whole Messinian people bound, Since they from Ithaca
had forced a wealthy prey of sheep and shepherds in
their ships, they thrust three hundred sheep together, for whose
just and instant rendery Old Laerti sent Ulysses his ambassador,
that went a long way in the embassy, yet then
bore but the foremost prime of youngest men, his father's
sending first to that affair, his gravest counselors, and then
his heir. Iphatus made his way there, having lost twelve
female horse and mules, commended most for use of burthen,
which were after cause of death and fate to him
for past all laws of hospitality. Jove's mighty son, skilled
in great acts, was his confusion close by his house,
though at that time his guest, respecting neither the opposed
feast and hospitable table that in love he set before him,
nor the voice of Jove, but seizing first his mares,
he after slew his host himself from those mares. Search
now grew Ulysses, known to Iphetus, who that beau, at
their encounter, did in love bestow which great Eurytuses had
and had borne before. Iphatus's father, who at death's sad
door in his steep turrets, left it to his son.
Ulysses gave him a keen falchion and mighty lance, and
thus began they there their fatal loves. For after never
were their mutual tables to each other known, because Jove's son,
the unworthy part, had shown of slaughtering this godlike loving man,
Euytus's son, who with that bow began and ended love
to Ulysses, who so dear a gift, esteemed it that
he would not bear in his black fleet that guest
right to the war, but in fit memory of one
so far in his affection, brought it home and kept
his treasure with it, where till now it slept, And
now the Queen of women had intent to give it use,
and therefore made a cent up all the stairs height
to the chamber door, whose shining leaves two bright pilasters
bore to such a close, when together went it would
resist the air. In their consent the ring she took then,
and did draw aside a bar that ran within, and
then implied the key into the lock, which gave a sound.
The bolt, then, shooting as in pasture ground a bull
doth low and make the valley's ring so loud the
lock hummed when it loosed the spring, and ope the
doors flew in. She went along the lofty chamber that
was boarded strong with heart of oak, which many years
ago the architect did smooth and polish, so that now
as then he made it freshly shine, and tried the
eveness of it with a line. There stood in this
room presses that enclosed robes odoriferous, by which reposed the
bow upon pins. Nor from it far hung the round quiver,
glittering like a star, both which her white extended hand
took down. Then sat she low and made her lap
a crown of both these relics, which she wept to see,
and cried quite out with loving memory of her dear
lif to who's worth paying, then kind debts an ow
she left, and to the men a vowed to her
wooing brought the crooked bow and shaft, receiving quiver that
did flow with arrows beating sighs up where they fell,
then with another chest replete as well with games won
by the king of steel and brass. Her maids attended
past whom, making pass to where her wooers were, she
made her stay amidst the fair haul door, and kept
the ray of her bright countenance, hid with veils so
thin that though they seemed to expose, they let love in.
Her maids on both sides stood, And thus she spake.
Hear me, ye wooers, that a pleasure take to do
me sorrow, and my house invade to eat and drink,
as if it were only made to serve your rapines.
My lord long away, and you allowed no color for
your stay, but his still absence striving who shall frame
me for his wife? And since tis made a game,
I proposed divine ulysses bow for that great masterpiece to
which ye vow he that can draw it with least
show to strive, and through these twelve axe heads and
arrow drive him. Will I follow? And this house forego
that nourished me a maid, now furnish show with all
things fit, and which I so esteem that I shall
still live in it in my dream this said she
made Eumieus give it them. He took and laid it by,
and wept for woe, And like him wept for Letius.
When the bow of which is king was bare. He
beheld their tears, and Tenous's manhood much refelled, and said, ye,
rustic fools, that still each day your minds give over
to this vain dismay. Why weep ye wretches. And the
widow's eyes tempt with renewed thought that would otherwise dispose
her sorrows. Since her lord is dead and tears are idle,
Sit and eat your breadth, nor whisper more a word,
Or get ye gone, and weep without doors. Let this
bow alone to our outmet contention, For I fear the
bow will scarce, yeld draft to any here here. No
such man lives as Leert's son amongst us. All I
knew him thought puts on his looks sight now methinks,
though then a child thus showed his words doubt. Yet
his hopes instilled his strength. The stretcher of Ulysses string,
and his steels piercer, But his shaft must sing through
his pierced pallet. First, whom he so wronged in his
free roof, and made the rest ill tongued against his virtues.
Then the sacred heat that inspired his son did further
set their confidence on fire, And said, O, friends, job
hath bereft my wits? The queen intends, though I must
grant her wise ere long to leave Ulysses court and
to her bed receive some other lord. Yet notwithstanding I
am forced to lie, laugh and set my pleasures hide
like one mad sick. But woors, since ye have an
object for your trials, now so brave as all the
broad Acaean earth exceeds, as sacred pylos, as the argive breeds,
as black a pyrus, as my Sena's birth, and as
the more famed Ethochensian earth, all which yourselves well know
and oft have said. For what need hath my mother
of my aid in her advancement? Tender no excuse for
least delay, nor too much time, profuse in stay to
draw this bow. But draw it straight, shoot, and the
steel's pierce. Make all see how slight you make these
poor bars to so rich a prize. No eagerer. Yet come,
all my faculty shall try the bow's strength and the
pierced steel. I will not, for my reverend mother feel
the sorrows that I know will seize my heart to
see her follow any and depart from her so long
held home. But first extend the bow and arrow to
her tender de end. For I am only to succeed
my sire and guard of his games, and let none
aspire to their besides possession. This said his purple robe
he cast off by he laid his well edged sword,
and first a several pit he digged for every axe,
and strengthened it with earth, close rammed about it on
a roue, he set them of one height by a
line he drew along the whole twelve, and so orderly
did every deed belonging. Yet his eye never before beholding,
how twas done that in a maze stood all his
lookers on. Then stood he near the door, and proved
to draw the stubborn bow. Thrice tried and thrice gave
law to his uncrowned attempts. The fourth assay with all
force offering which a sign gave stay given by his father,
though he showed a mine as if he stood right
heartily inclined to perfect them exploit. When all was done
in only drift. To set the wooers on his weakness.
Yet confessed, he said, O shame, I either shall be
ever of no name but prove a wretch, or else
I am too young and must not now presume on
power so strong as sinews yet more growing man graft
to turn a man quite over with a shaft. Besides
to men whose nerves are best prepared, All great adventures,
at first proof are hard. But come, you, stronger men,
attempt this bow, and let us end our labor. Thus
below a well joined board he laid it, and close
by the brightly headed shaft, then throned his thigh amidst
his late left seat, and tinawas then bade all arise,
But first who did sustain the cup's state ever, and
did sacrifice before they ate? Still, and that man bade rise,
since on the other's right hand he was placed, because
as he held the right hands, rising graced with best success.
Still this discretion won supreme applause, and first rose Enops's son, Liodes,
that was priest to all. The rest sat lowest with
the cup still, and their jest could never like. But
ever was the man that checked their follies. And he
now began to taste the bow. The sharp shaft took,
tugged hard, and held aloft until he quite had marred
His delicate tender fingers could not stir the churlish string,
who therefore did refer the game to others, saying that
the same bow, in his presage, would prove the overthrow
of many a chief man. There, nor thought the fate
was any wit austere, since death's short date were much
the better taken than long life without the object of
their amorous strife, from whom they had burned out so
many days to find still other nothing but delays obtaining
in them, and affirm that now hope to have her.
But when that tough bow they all had tried and
seen the utmost done, they must rest please to cease.
And now some one of all their other fair veiled
Grecian dames with gifts and dour and high mineal flames
let her love light to him that most will give,
and whom the nuptial destiny did drive. Thus laid he
on the well, joined, polish'd board the bow, and bright
piled shaft, and then restored his seat his right to him.
Antinomus gave bitter language and reproved him. Thus what words
lyodes pass thy speeches guard that tis a work to bear,
and set so hard they set up my disdain. This
bow must end the best of us, since thy arms
cannot lend the string least motion. Thy mother's throes brought
never forth thy arms to draft of bows or knitting
shafts off. Though thou canst not draw the sturdy plant.
Thou art to us no law Ballanthius, light a fire
and set thereat a chair in cushions, and that mass
of fat that lies within, bring out that we may
set our pages to this bow, to see it at
het and suppled with the suet, and then we may
give it draft and pay this great decree utmost performance.
He a mighty fire, gave instant flame, put into act
the entire command, laid on him, chair and cushions set
laid on the bow, which straked the page's het chafed,
suppled with the suet to their most, and still was
all their unctuous labor lost, All woo Were's strengths, too
indigent and poor to draw that bow and Tinous's arms
it tore, and great eurymicuses theo both clear best. Yet
both it tired and made them glad to rest. Forth.
Then went both the swains, and after them divine Ulysses,
when being past the extreme of all the gates, with
winning words, he tried their love, and this asked, shall
my counsels hide their depths from you? My mind would
gladly know if suddenly Ulysses had his vow made good
for home, and had some God to guide his steps
and strokes to wreak these Wooer's pride, would your aides
join on his part or with theirs? How stand your
hearts affected? They made prayers that some god would please
to return their lord. He then should see how far
they would afford their lives for his. He, seeing their truth, replied,
I am your Lord. Though many a sufferances tried arrive
now here, whom twenty years have held from forth my country,
Yet are not conceal'd from my sure knowledge Your desires
to see my safe return. Of all the company now
serving here, besides not one but you mine ears hath witnessed,
willing to bestow their wishes of my life, so long
held dead. I therefore vow, which shall be perfected, that
have go God, please beneath my hand, to leave these
wars lifeless. Ye shall both receive wives from that hand
and means, and near to me have houses built to you,
and both shall be as friends and brothers to my
only son. And that ye may well know me and
be one to that assurance the infallible sign. The white
toothed boar gave this marked knee of mine, when in
Parnassus he was held in chase by me and by
my famous grandsire's race. I'll let you see, thus severed
he his weed, from that his wound, and every word
had deed in their sure knowledges, which made them cast
their arms about him. His broad breast embraced his neck,
and shoulders kissed, and him as well did those true
powers of human love compel to kiss their heads and hands,
and to their moan had sent the free light of
the cheerful sun, had not ulysses broke the ruth and said,
cease tears and sorrows, lest we prove displayed by some
that issue from the house, and they relate to those within.
Take each his way, not altogether in but one by one.
First I, then you, and then see this be done
the envious wooer's will by no means give the offer
of the bow an arrow leave to come at me
spite then their pride, do thou, my good Eumaeus, bring
both shaft and bow to my hands proof and charge
the maids. Before that, Instantly they shut every door that
they themselves. If any tumult rise beneath my roofs by
any that envies my will to undertake the game may
gain no passage forth, but close at work contain with
all free quiet, or at least constrain'd. And therefore my
feletius see maintained. When close the gates are shut, their
closure fast to which end be it thy soul work
to cast their chains before them. This said in he
led took for his seat, and then they seconded his
entry with their own. Then took in hand Eurymicus the bow,
made close his stand aside the fire, at whose heat
here and there he warmed and suppled it yet could
not steer to any draft the string with all his art,
and therefore swell'd in him his glorious heart, affirming that
himself and all his friends had cause to grieve, not
only that their ends they missed in marriage, since enough
besides kind Grecian dames there lived to be their brides
in Ithaca and other bordering towns, but that to all
time's future their renowns would stand disparaged. If Ulysses bow
they could not draw, and yet his wife would woo.
And Tinamus answered that there could n't sue no shame
at all to them, for well he knew that this
day was kept wholly to the sun by all the city,
and there should be done no such profane act. Therefore
bade lay by the bow for that day, but the
mastery of axes that were set up still might stand,
since that no labor was nor any hand would offer
to invade ulysses house to take or touch with surreptitious
or violent hand what there was left for use. He
therefore bade the cup bear infuse wine to the bowls,
that so with sacrifice they might let rest the shooting
exercise and in the morning make Melanthius bring the chief
goats of his herd, that to the king of bows
and archers they might burn the thighs for good success,
and then attempt the prize. The rest sat pleased with this,
the herald strait poured water on their hands. Each page
did wait with his crowned cup of wine, served every
man till all were satisfied, and then began ulysses plot
of his close purpose. Thus hear me, ye much renowned
Euremicus and King Antinous in chief, who dwell and with
Decorum's sacred doth compel this day's observance, and to let
down the bow all this light giving gods their own,
the morning's labor, God the more will bless and strength
bestow where he himself shall please. Against which time, let
me presume to pray your favors with the rest, that
this essay may my old arms prove trying if there
lie in my poor powers the same activity that long
since crown them, or if needy fare and desolate wanderings
have the web worn bear of my life's thread at
all parts, that no more can furnish these affairs as
heretofore this het their spleens past measure blown with fear,
lest his loathe temples would the garland wear of that
bow's draft. An tenous using speech to this sour purpose,
Thou most erret wretch of all guess, breathing in no
least degree graced with a human soul. It serves not
THEE to feast in peace with us, take equal share
of what we reach to sit, and all things here
that we speak freely, which no begging guests did ever yet.
But thou must make request to mix with us in
merit of the Queen. But wine inflames thee that hath
ever been the bane of men, whoever yet would take
the excess it offers, and the mean forsake wine spoiled
the centaur great Urisi in guest rights with a mighty
minded son of boldic Scion, in his way to war
against the Lapithies, who driven as far as madness with
the bold effects of wine, did outrage to his kind host,
and declined other heroes from him. Feasted there with so
much anger that they left their cheer and dragged him
forth the forecourt. Slit his nose, cropped both his ears,
and in the ill disposed his mind, then suffered drew
the fatal day on his head with his host. For
thence the fray between the Centaurs and the Lapithies had
moral act. But he, for his excess in spoil of wine,
fared worse himself as thou for thy law arge cups,
if thy arms draw the bow, my mind foretells, shall fear.
For not a man of all our consort, that in
wisdom can boast any fit share will take prayers. Then,
but to ekeathus, the most stern of men, a black
sail freight with thee whose worst of ill be sure
is past all ransom set. Then still drink temperately, and
never more contend with men your youngers. This the queen
did end with her defense of him, and told his
foe it was not fair nor equal to overcrow the
poorest guests. Her son pleased to entertain in his free
turrets with so proud a strain of threats and bravings,
asking if he thought that if the stranger to his
arms had brought the stubborn bow down, he should marry
her and bear her home, And said himself should air
in no such hope, nor of them all the best
that grieved at any good, she did her guests should
banquet there, since it in no sort showed no blessed
in them, nor paid her what she owed her own
free rule there. This Eurymicus confirmed and said, nor feeds
it hope in us I Carrius's daughter to solemnize rights
of nuptials with thee nor in noblest sights it can
show comely. But to our respects the rumor, both of
sexes and of sects amongst the people would breed shame
and fear lest any worst. Greek said, see, men that
were of mean deservings will presume to aspire to his
wife's bed, whom all men did admire for fame and
merit could not draw his bow, and yet his wife
had foolish pride to woo when strait and aerond beggar
comes and draws the bow with ease, performing all the
laws the game besides contained. And this would thus prove
both in dignity and shame to us. The queen replied,
the fame of men I see bears much price in
your great supposed degree. Yet who can prove amongst the
people great that of one so esteemed of them? The
seat doth so to fame and ruin and beside, with
what right is this guest thus vilified in your high censures,
when the man in blood is well composed and great,
his parents good, And therefore give the bow to him
to try his birth and breeding by his chivalry. If
his arms draw it, and that Phoebus stands so great
a glory to his strength, my hands shall add this,
girden every sort of weed, a two edged sword and lance,
to keep him freed from dogs and men hereafter, and
dismiss his worth. To what place tends that heart of
his Her son gave answer that it was a wrong
to his free sway in all things that belonged to
guard of that house, to demand the bow of any war,
and the use bestow upon the stranger, For the bow
was his to give or to withhold, no masteries of
her proposing giving any power to impair his right in things,
for any war, or any that rough ithach afford any
that elis, of which no man's words nor powers should
curb him. Stood, he so inclined to see the beau
in absolute gift, resign to that his guest to bear
and use at will, And therefore bade his mother keep
her still amongst her women at her rock and loom
bows were for men, and this bou did become past
all men's his disposure, since his sire left it to him,
and all the house entire. She stood dismayed at this,
and in her mind his wide's words laid up standing
so inclined as he had willed, with all her women,
going up to her chamber, there her tears bestowing, as
every night she did on her loved lord, till sleep
and pallace. Her fit rest restored the beau Eumius took
and bore away, which up in tumult and almost in frey,
put all the wars. One inquiring, thus, whither rogue abject
wilt thou bear from us that beau propose lay down?
Or I protest thy dog shall eat thee that thou
nourishest to guard thy swine amongst whom left of all
thy life shall leave thee. If the festival we now
observe to Phoebus, may our zeals grace with his aid,
and all the deities else. This threat made good Ubius
yield the bow to his late place, not knowing what
might grow from such a multitude, and then fell on
Telemachus with threats, and said sit gone that bow. Yet
further tis no servant's part to serve too many masters.
Raise your heart and bear it off, lest though you're younger,
yet with stones, I pelt you to the field with it.
If you and I close, I shall prove too strong.
I wish as much too hard for all this throng
the gods would make me. I should quickly send some
after with just sorrow to their end. They waste my victuals,
so and ply my cup, and do me such shrewd
turned still. This put up the woers all in laugh,
and put down their angers to him, that so late
were grown so grave and bloody. Which resolved that fear
of good Eumaeus, who did take and bear the king
the bow, called nurse and bade her make the doors
all sure, that if men's tumults take the ears of
some within, they may not fly, but keep at work still.
Close and silently these words put wings to her, and
close she put the chamber door. The court gates then
were shut by kind Peletius, who straight did go out
from the hall, and in the portico found laid the
gable of a ship composed of spongy bow rushes, with
which he closed in winding round about them. The court
Gates then took his place again to view the fates
that quickly followed. When he came he saw Ulysses viewing ere.
He tried to draw the famous bow, which every way
he moved up and down, turning it, in which he
proved the plight It was in fearing, chiefly lest the
horns we eat with worms in so long rest. But
what his thoughts intended turning so and keeping such a
search about the bow? The war's little knowing fell to jest,
and said, pass doubt, he is a man professed in
bowyer's craft, and seize quite through the wood or something
certain to be understood. There is in this his turning
of it still a cunning rogue. He is at any ill,
then spake another proud one would to heaven, I might
at will get gold, till he hath given that bow
his draft. With these sharp jests, did these delightsome wooers
their fatal humors please? But when the wise Ulysses once
had laid his fingers on it, and to proof surveyed
the still sound of plight, it held as one of
skill in song and of the harp, doth at his will,
in tuning of his instrument, extend a string out with
his pen, touch all, and lend to every well wreathed
string his perfect sound. Struck altogether with such ease, drew
round the king the bow. Then twanged he up the string, that,
as a swallow in the air doth sing with no
continued tune, but pausing still twinks out her scattered voice
in accent shrill, so sharp the string sung when he
gave it touch, once, having bent and drawn it, which
so much amazed the wars that their colors went and
came most grievously. And then Jove rent the air with thunder,
which at heart did cheer the now enough sustaining traveler,
that Jove again would his attempt enable. Then took he
into hand from off the table the first drawn arrow,
and a number more spent shortly on the wars. But
this one he measured by his arm, as if not
known the length were to him. Knocked it then and drew,
and through the axes at first hole flew the steel
charged arrow, which, when he had done, he thus bespake
the Prince. You have not one disgrace yet, by your guest,
for I have struck the mark I shot at, and
no such toil took in wearying the bow with fat
and fire, as did the wooers, yet reserved entire Thank Heaven,
my strength is, and myself am tried. No man to
be so basely vilified as these men please to think me.
But free way take that and all their pleasures. And
while day holds her torch to you, and the hour
of feast hath now full date, give banquet, and the
rest poem and harp that grace a well filled board.
This said he beckoned to his son, whose sword he
straight girt to him, took to his hand his lance,
and complete armed did to his sire advance. End of
the twenty first book