Classic Audiobook Collection - The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Padraic Colum ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tales of Troy By Parak Colum Part 1 How Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, was moved to go on a voyage in search of his father, and how he heard from Manilaeus and Helen the tale of Troy. Chapter 1 This is the story of Odysseus, the most renowned of all the heroes the Greek poets have told us of, of Odysseus, his wars and his wanderings. And this story of Odysseus begins with his son,

Starting point is 00:00:36 the youth who was called Telemachus. It was when Telemachus was a child of a month old, that a messenger came from Agamemnon the great king, bidding Odysseus betake himself to the war against Troy that the kings and princes of Greece were about to wage. The wise Odysseus, foreseeing the disasters that would befall all that entered that war, was loath to go. And so, when Agamemnon's messenger came to the island of Ithaca, where he was king, Odysseus pretended to be mad. And that the messenger, Palamedes, might believe he was mad indeed, he did a thing that no man ever saw being done before. He took an ass and an ox and yoked them together to the same plough, and began to plow a field. And when he had ploughed

Starting point is 00:01:26 a furrow, he sowed it, not with seeds that would grow, but with salt. When Palamedes saw him doing this, he was nearly persuaded that Odysseus was mad. But, to test him, he took the child to Lemachus, and laid him down in the field in the way of the plough. Odysseus, when he came near to where the child lay, turned the plough aside, and thereby showed that he was not a madman. Then had he to take King Agamemnon's summons. And Agamemnon's word was that Odysseus should go to Aulis, where the ships of the kings and princes of Greece were being gathered. But first he was to go into another country, to seek the hero Achilles, and persuade him

Starting point is 00:02:12 also to enter the war against Troy. And so Odysseus bade good-bye to his infant son, Telemachus, and to his young wife, Penelope, and to his father, old Laertes, and he bade good-bye to his house and his lands, and to the island of Ithaca where he was king. He summoned a council of the chief men of Ithaca, and commended to their care his wife and his child, and all his household, and thereafter he took his sailors and his fighting men with him, and he sailed away. The years went by, and Odysseus did not return. After ten years the city was taken by the kings and princes of Greece, and the threat of war was wound up. But still Odysseus did not return. And now minstrels came to Ithaca

Starting point is 00:03:02 with word of the deaths or the homecomings of the heroes who had fought in the war against Troy. But no minstrel brought any word of Odysseus, of his death or of his appearance in any land known to men. Ten more years went by. And now that infant son whom he had left behind, Telemachus, had grown up, and was a young man of strength and purpose. Chapter 2 One day, as he sat sad and disconsolate in the house of his father, the youth Telemachus saw a stranger come to the outer gate. There were many in the court outside, but no one went to receive the newcomer. Then, because he would never let a stranger stand at the gate without hurrying out to welcome him,

Starting point is 00:03:48 and because, too, he had hopes that some day such a one would bring him tidings of his father, Telemachus rose up from where he was sitting, and went down the hall and through the court, and to the gate at which the stranger stood. "'Welcome to the house of Odysseus,' said Telemachus, giving him his hand. The stranger clasped it with a friendly clasp. "'I thank you, Telemachus,' he said, "'for your welcome, and glad I am to enter the house of your father, the renowned Odysseus.' The stranger looked like one who would be a captain among soldiers.

Starting point is 00:04:23 His eyes were grey and clear and shone wonderfully. In his hand he carried a great bronze spear. He and Delemachus went together through the court and into the hall. And when the stranger left his spear within the spear-stand, Delemachus took him to a high chair and put a footstool under his feet. He had brought him to a place in the hall where the crowd would not come. There were many in the court outside, and Telemachus would not have his guest disturbed by questions or clamors.

Starting point is 00:04:53 A handmaid brought water for the washing of his hands, and poured it over them from a golden ewer into a silver basin. A polished table was left at his side. Then the house-dame brought wheat and bread and many dainties. Other servants set down dishes of meat with golden cups, and afterwards the maids came into the hall and filled up the cups with wine. But the servants who waited on Telemachus and his guest were disturbed by the crowd of men who now came into the hall.

Starting point is 00:05:21 They seated themselves at tables and shouted out their orders. Great dishes of meat were brought to them and bowls of wine, and the men ate and drank and talked loudly to each other, and did not refrain even from staring at the stranger who sat with Telemachus. Is there a wedding feast in the house? The stranger asked. Or do the men of your clan meet here to drink with each other? A flush of shame came to the face of Telemachus.

Starting point is 00:05:48 "'There is no wedding-feast here,' he said. "'Nor do the men of our clan meet here to drink with each other. Listen to me, my guest. Because you look so wise, and because you seem so friendly to my father's name, I will tell you who these men are and why they trouble this house.' Thereupon Telemachus told the stranger how his father had not returned from the war of Troy, it was now ten years since the city was taken by those with whom he went. Alas, Telemachus said, he must have died on his way back to us, and I must think that

Starting point is 00:06:23 his bones lie under some nameless strait or channel of the ocean. Woody had died in the fight at Troy. Then the kings and princes would have made him a burial mound worthy of his name and his deeds. His memory would have been reverenced amongst men, and I his son would have a name, and would not be imposed upon by such men as he would. see here, men who were feasting and giving orders in my father's house, and wasting the substance that he gathered."

Starting point is 00:06:50 "'How come they to be here?' asked the stranger. Telemachus told him about this also. When seven years had gone by from the fall of Troy, and still Odysseus did not return, there were those who thought he was dead, and would never be seen more in the land of Ithaca. Then many of the young lords of the land wanted Penelope, Telemachus' mother, to marry one of them. They came to the house to woo her for marriage. But she, mourning for the absence of Odysseus, and ever hoping that he would return, would give no answer to them. For three years now they were coming to the house of Odysseus to woo the wife whom he had left behind him.

Starting point is 00:07:31 They want to put my lady-mother between two dread difficulties," said Telemachus, either to promise to wed one of them or to see the substance of our house wasted by them. Here They come and eat the bread of our fields, and slay the beasts of our flocks and herds, and drink the wine that in the old days my father laid up, and weary our servants with their orders." When he had told him all this, Telemachus raised his head and looked at the stranger. "'Oh, my guest,' he said, "'wisdom and power shine out of your eyes. Speak now to me, and tell me what I should do to save the house of Odysseus from ruin.

Starting point is 00:08:10 And tell me, too, if you think it possible that my father should still be in life." The stranger looked at him with his gray, clear, wonderfully shining eyes. "'Art thou verily the son of Odysseus?' said he. "'Verely, I am the son of Odysseus,' said Telemachus. "'As I look at you,' said the stranger, "'I mark your head and eyes, and I know they are such a head and such eyes as Odysseus had. Well, being the son of such a man and of such a woman as the Lady Penelope, your spirit surely shall find a way of destroying those wooers who would destroy your house.

Starting point is 00:08:48 "'Already,' said Telemachus, "'your gaze and your speech make me feel equal to the task of dealing with them.' "'I think,' said the stranger, "'that Odysseus, your father, has not perished from the earth. He may yet win home through labours and perils. But you should seek for tidings of him. Harken to me now, and I shall tell you what to do. Tomorrow, summon a council of all the chief men of the land of Ithaca, and stand up in that council and declare that the time has come for the wooers who waste your substance to scatter each man to his own home. And after the council has been held, I would have you voyage to find

Starting point is 00:09:29 out tidings of your father, whether he still lives, and where he might be. Go to Pylos first, to the home of Nestor, that old king who was with your father in the war of Troy. Beg Nestor to give you whatever tidings he has of Odysseus. And from Pylos go to Sparta, to the home of Menelaus and Helen, and beg tidings of your father from them too. And if you get news of his being alive, return. It will be easy for you then to endure for another year the wasting of your substance

Starting point is 00:10:00 by those wooers. But if you learn that your first of your first of your first time, you will be able to be able to be father, the renowned Odysseus, is indeed dead and gone, then come back, and in your own country raise a great funeral mound to his memory, and over it pay all funeral rights. Then let your mother choose a good man to be her husband, and let her marry him, knowing for a certainty that Odysseus will never come back to his own house. After that something will remain for you to do. You will have to punish those wooers who destroy the goods your father gathered, and who

Starting point is 00:10:31 insult his house by their presence. And when all these things have been done, you, Telemachus, will be free to seek out your own fortune. You will rise to fame, for I mark that you are handsome and strong, and most likely to be a wise and valiant man. But now I must fare on my journey. The stranger rose up from where he sat, and went with Telemachus from the hall, and through the court to the outer gate. Telemachus said, What you have told me I shall not forget. I know you have spoken out of a wise and a friendly heart, and as a father to his son. The stranger clasped his hands and went through the gate. And then, as he looked after him, Telemachus saw the stranger change in his form. He became

Starting point is 00:11:20 first as a woman, tall, with fair hair and a spear of bronze in her hand. And then the form of a woman changed too. It changed into a great sea-egal that on wide wings rose up and flew high through the air. Telemachus knew then that his visitor was an immortal, and none other than the goddess Athena, who had been his father's friend. End of Section 1. Section 2 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Elizabeth Clet.

Starting point is 00:11:58 The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 1. Chapter 3 When Telemachus went back to the hall, those who were feasting there had put the wine cups from them, and were calling out for Femius, the minstrel, to come and sing some tale to delight them. And as he went amongst them, one of the wooers said to another, the guest who was with him is told Delemachus something that has changed his bearing. Never before did I see him hold himself so proudly.

Starting point is 00:12:32 Mayhab he has spoken to him of the return of his father, the renowned Odysseus. Femius came, and the wooers called upon him to sing them a tale. And the minstrel, in flowing verse, began the tale of the return of the kings and princes from Troy, and of how some god or goddess put a trouble upon them as they left the city they had taken. And as the minstrel began the tale, Penelope, Telemachus's lady-mother, was coming down the stairs with two handmaids beside her. She heard the words he sang, and she stood still in her grief and drew her veil across her face. "'Oh, Femius!' she cried, cease from that story that ever wastes my heart, the story that has brought me sorrow, and that leaves me comfortless

Starting point is 00:13:17 all my days. O Femius, do you not know other tales of men and gods that you might sing in this hall for the delight of my noble wooers? The minstrel would have ceased when Penelope spoke thus to him, but Telemachus went to the stairway where his lady-mother stood and addressed her. "'My lady-mother,' said he, "'why should you not let the minstrel delight the company with such songs as the spirit moves him to give us? It is no blame to him if he sings of that which is sorrowful to us. As for you, my mother, you must learn to endure that story, for long will it be sung and far and wide, and you are not the only one who is bereaved. Many another man besides Odysseus

Starting point is 00:14:00 lost the happy day of his home-coming in the war of Troy. Penelope, his lady mother, looked in surprise at the youth who spoke to her so wisely. Was this indeed Telemachus who before had hardly lifted his head? And as she looked at him again she saw that he carried to him. his head—that head of his that was so like Odysseus's—high and proudly. She saw that her son was now indeed a man. Penelope spoke no word to him, for a new thought had come into her mind. She turned round on the stairs and went back with her handmaids to the chamber where her loom and her distaff were, and as she went up the stairway and away from them,

Starting point is 00:14:40 her wooers muttered one to the other that she would soon have to choose one of them for her husband. Telemachus turned to those who were standing at the tables and addressed them. "'Woers of my mother,' he said, "'I have a word to say to you.' "'By the gods, youth,' said one of the wooers, "'you must tell us first who he is that has made you so high and proud of speech.' "'Surely,' said another, "'he who has done that as the stranger who was with him,

Starting point is 00:15:08 "'who is he? Why did he come here, and of what land has he declared himself to be?' Why did he not stay, so that we might look at him and speak to him?" said another of the wooers. These are the words I would say to you. Let us feast now in peace, without any brawling amongst us, and listen to the tale that the minstrel sings to us, said Telemachus. But to-morrow, let us have a council made up of the chief men of this land of Ithaca.

Starting point is 00:15:38 I shall go to the council and speak there. I shall ask that you leave this house of mine, and feast on goods that you yourselves have gathered. Let the chief men judge whether I speak in fairness to you or not. If you do not heed what I will say openly at the council before all the chief men of our land, then let it be on your own heads what will befall you." All the wooers marveled that Telemachus spoke so boldly, and one said, "'Because his father Odysseus was king, this youth thinks he should be king by inheritance.

Starting point is 00:16:11 But may Zeus the God never grant that he be king." Then said Telemachus, "'If the God Zeus grant that I be king, I am ready to take up the kingship of the land of Ithaca with all its toils and all its dangers. And when Telemachus said that he looked like a young king indeed. But they sat in peace and listened to what the minstrel sang. And when evening came the wooers left the hall and went each to his own house. Telemachus rose and went to his chamber. Before him there went an ancient woman who had nursed him as a child.

Starting point is 00:16:48 Euryclea was her name. She carried burning torches to light his way. And when they were in his chamber, Telemachus took off his soft doublet and put it in Euryclea's hands, and she smoothed it out and hung it on the pin at his bedside. Then she went out and she closed the door behind with its handle of silver, and she pulled the thong that bolted the door on the other side. And all night long Telemachus lay wrapped in his fleece of wool, and thought on what he would say at the council the next day, and on the goddess Athena, and what she had put into his heart to do, and on the journey that was before him to Nestor and Pylos, and to Menelaus and Helen, in Sparta. End of Section 2.

Starting point is 00:17:31 Section 3 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. recording by Elizabeth Clette The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 1 Chapter 4 As soon as it was dawn

Starting point is 00:17:56 Telemachus rose from his bed He put on his raiment bound his sandals on his feet hung his sharp sword across his shoulder And took in his hand a spear of bronze Then he went forth to where the council was being held in the open air and two swift hounds went beside him.

Starting point is 00:18:15 The chief men of the land of Ithaca had been gathered already for the council. When it was plain that all were there, the man who was oldest amongst them, the Lord Egyptus, rose up and spoke. He had sons, and two of them were with him yet, tending his fields. But one, Euronomous, by name, kept company with the wooers of Telemachus' mother, and Egyptus had another son. He had gone in Odysseus's ship to the war of Troy, and Egyptus knew he had perished on his way back. He constantly mourned for this son, and thinking upon him as he spoke, Egyptus

Starting point is 00:18:52 had tears in his eyes. Never since Odysseus summoned us together before he took ship for the war of Troy have we met in council, said he, Why have we been brought together now? Has someone heard tidings of the return of Odysseus? If it be so, may the war of Godis'is. May the war of the war of Caesar? If it be so, May the God Zeus give luck to him who tells us of such good fortune." Telemachus was glad because of the kindly speech of the old man. He rose up to speak, and the herald put a staff into his hands as a sign that he was to be listened to with reverence. Telemachus then spoke, addressing the old Lord Egyptus.

Starting point is 00:19:30 "'I will tell you who it is,' he said, who has called the men of Ithaca together in council, and for what purpose. Revered Lord Egyptus, I have called you together, but not because I have had tidings of the return of my father, the renowned Odysseus, nor because I would speak to you about some affair of our country. No, I would speak to you all because I suffer, and because I am at a loss, I whose father was king over you, praised by you all. Odysseus is long away from Ithaca, and I deem that he will never return. You have lost your king.

Starting point is 00:20:07 But you can put another king to rule over you. I have lost my father, and I can have no other father in all my days. And that is not all my loss, as I will show you now, Men of Ithaca. For three years now my mother has been beset by men who come to woo her to be the wife for one of them. Day after day they come to our house and kill and devour our beasts and waste the wine that was laid up against my father's return. They waste our goods and our wealth.

Starting point is 00:20:36 If I were near a manhood I would defend my house against them. But as yet I am not able to do it, and so I have to stand by and see our house and substance being destroyed." So Telemachus spoke, and when his speech was ended, Antinous, who was one of the wooers, rose up. "'Telemachus,' said he, "'why do you try to put us to shame in this way? I tell all here that it is not we but your mother who was to blame. We, knowing her husband Odysseus, is no longer in life, have asked her to become the wife of one

Starting point is 00:21:10 of us. She gives us no honest answer. Instead she has given her mind to a device to keep us still waiting. I will tell you of the Council what this device is. The Lady Penelope set up a great loom in her house and began to weave a wide web of cloth. To each of us she sent a message saying that when the web she was working at was woven, She would choose a husband from amongst us. Laertes, the father of Odysseus, is alone with none to care for him living or dead," said

Starting point is 00:21:41 she to us. I must weave a shroud for him against the time which cannot now be far off when old Laertes dies. Trouble me not while I do this. For if he should die and there be no winding-sheet to wrap round him, all the women of the land would blame me greatly. We were not oppressive, and we left the Lady Penelope to weave the web, and the months have gone by, and still the web is not woven.

Starting point is 00:22:06 But even now we have heard from one of her maids how Penelope tries to finish her task. What she weaves in the daytime she unravels at night. Never then can the web be finished, and so does she try to cheat us. She has gained praise from the people for doing this. How wise is Penelope, they say, with her devices? Let her be satisfied with her praise, then, and leave us alone. We too have our devices. We will live at her house, and eat and drink there, and give orders to her servants,

Starting point is 00:22:38 and we shall see which will satisfy her best, to give an answer, or to let the wealth of her house be wasted." As for you, Telemachus, I have these words to say to you. Lead your mother from your father's house and to the house of her father, Acharius. Tell Eccarius to give her in marriage to the one she chooses from amongst us. Do this, and no more goods will be wasted in the house that will be yours. Then Telemachus rose and said, "'Never will I lead my mother out of a house that my father brought her into.

Starting point is 00:23:11 Quit my father's house, or as I tell you now the day may come when a doom will fall upon you there for your insolence in it.' And even as Telemachus spoke, two eagles from a mountain crest flew over the place where the council was being held. They wheeled above and flapped their wings, and looked down upon the crowd with destruction in their gaze. They tore each other with their talons, and then flew away across the city. An old man who was there, Halitherses by name, a man skilled in the signs made by birds, told those who were around what was foreshone by the combat of the eagles in the air. Odysseus, he said, is not far from his friends. He will return, and his return will mean affliction for those who insult his house. Now let them make an end of their mischief."

Starting point is 00:24:04 But the wooers only laughed at the old man, telling him he should go home and prophesy to his children. Then arose another old man whose name was Mentor, and he was one who had been a friend and companion of Odysseus. He spoke to the council, saying, "'Never again need a king be gentle in his heart, for kind and gentle to you all was your king, Odysseus, And now his son asks you for help, and you do not hurry to give it to him. It is not so much an affliction to me that these wooers waste his goods as that you do not rise up to forbid it. But let them persist in doing it on the hazard of their own heads.

Starting point is 00:24:44 For a doom will come on them, I say. And I say again to you of the council, You are many and the wooers are few. Why then do you not put them away from the house of Odysseus? But no one in the council took the side of Telemachus and Halithersesies and mentor. So powerful were the wooers, and so fearful of them were the men of the council. The wooers looked at Telemachus and his friends with mockery. Then for the last time Telemachus rose up and spoke to the council. I have spoken in the council, and the men of Ithaca know, and the gods know the rights

Starting point is 00:25:20 and wrongs of my case. All I ask of you now is that you give me a swift ship, with twenty-two thousand twenty youths to be my crew, so that I may go to Pylos and to Sparta to seek tidings of my father. If I find that he is alive and that he is returning, then I can endure to wait another year in the house and submit to what you do there." Even at this speech they mocked, said one of them, Leocritus by name, Though Odysseus be alive and should one day come into his own hall, that would not affright us.

Starting point is 00:25:52 He is one, and we are many, and if he should strive to be alive and he should strive to be alive and he strive with those who outnumber him, why then let his doom be on his own head? And now, men of the council, scatter yourselves, and go each to his own home, and let Mentor and Haletherses help Telemachus to get a ship and a crew." Leocritus said that, knowing that Mentor and Hallatherses were old and had few friends, and that they could do nothing to help Telemachus to get a ship. The Council broke up, and those who were in it scattered. But the wooers went together back to the House of Odysseus.

Starting point is 00:26:30 End of Section 3. Section 4 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum. Part 1. Chapter 5 Telemachus went apart, and going by himself, came to the shore of the sea.

Starting point is 00:27:00 He dipped his hands into the seawater and prayed, saying, O goddess Athena, You who did come to my father's hall yesterday, I have tried to do as you bade me, but still the wooers of my mother hinder me from taking ship to seek tidings of my father. He spoke in prayer, and then he saw one who had the likeness of the old man mentor coming towards him.

Starting point is 00:27:24 But by the grey, clear, wonderfully shining eyes, he knew that the figure was none other than the goddess Athena. Telemachus, said she, If you have indeed one drop of your father's blood in you, or one portion of his spirit, if you are as he was, one ready to fulfill both word and work, your voyage shall not be in vain.

Starting point is 00:27:49 If you are different from what he was, I have no hope that you will accomplish your desire. But I have seen in you something of the wisdom demand the courage of Odysseus. Hear my counsel, then, and do as I direct you. Go back to your father's house, and be with the wooers for a time, and get together corn and barley-flower and wine and jars. And while you are doing all this I will gather together a crew for your ship.

Starting point is 00:28:17 There are many ships in sea-girt Ithaca, and I shall choose the best for you, and we will rig her quickly and launch her on the wide deep." When Telemachus heard her counsel, he tarried no more, but went back to the house and stood amongst the wooers, and when he had spoken with them he went down into the treasure-vault. It was a spacious room filled with gold and bronze and chests of raiment and casks of wine. The doors of that vault were closed night and day, and Euryclea, the dame who had been the nurse of Telemachus when he was little, guarded the place. She came to him and he spoke to her.

Starting point is 00:28:55 "'My nurse,' said he, "'none but yourself must know what I would do now, and you must swear not to speak of it to my lady-mother until twelve days from this. Fill twelve jars with wine for me now, and pour twelve measures of barley-meal into well-sown skins. Leave them all together for me, and when my mother goes into the upper chamber I shall have them carried away. "'Lo, nurse, I go to Pylos and to Sparta to seek tidings from Nestor and Menelaus of Odysseus, my father. When she heard him say this, the nurse Euryclia lamented,

Starting point is 00:29:30 "'Ah, wherefore, dear child?' she cried. "'Has such a thought risen in your mind? How could you fare over wide seas and through strange lands? You who were never from your home! Stay here where you are well-beloved! As for your father, he has long since perished among strangers. Why should you put yourself in danger to find out that he is no more? Nay, do not go, Telemachus, my fosterling, but stay in your own house and in your own well-beloved country." Telemachus said, "'Dear Nurse, it has been shown to me that I should go by a goddess. Is not that enough for you and for me?

Starting point is 00:30:12 Now make all ready for me as I have asked you, and swear to me that you will say nothing of it to my mother until twelve days from this, or until she shall miss me herself.' Sworn as he asked her, the nurse Euryclea drew the wine into jars and put the barley meal into the well-sown skins. Telemachus left the vault and went back again into the hall. He sat with the wooers and listened to the minstrel Femius, sing about the going forth of Odysseus to the wars of Troy. And while these things were happening, the goddess Athena went through the town and the likeness

Starting point is 00:30:46 of Telemachus. She went to this youth and that youth, and told them of the voyage, and asked them to make ready and go down to the beach where the boat would be. And then she went to a man called Noamon, and begged him for a swift ship, and Noamon gave it her. When the sun sank, and when the ways were darkened, Athena dragged the ship to where it should be launched, and brought the tackling to it. The youths whom Athena had summoned, they were all of the age of Telemachus, came, and Athena aroused them with talk of the voyage. And when the ship was ready she went to the house of Odysseus. Upon the wooers who were still in the hall she caused sleep to fall.

Starting point is 00:31:27 They laid their heads upon the tables and slumbered beside the wine-cups. But Athena sent a whisper through the hall, and Telemachus heard, and he rose up and came to where she stood. Now she had on the likeness of old Mentor, the friend of his father Odysseus. "'Come,' said she, "'your friends are already at the oars. We must not delay them.' But some of the youths had come with the one whom they thought was Old Mentor. They carried with Telemachus the skins of corn and the casks of wine. They came to the ship, and Telemachus with a cheer climbed into it. Then the youths loosed the ropes and sat down at the benches to pull the oars,

Starting point is 00:32:08 and Athena, in the likeness of old Mentor, sat at the helm. And now they set up the mast of pine, and they made it fast with forestays, and they hauled up the sails with ropes of twisted ox-hine. And a wind came and filled out the sails, and the youths pulled at the oars, and the ship dashed away. All night long Telemachus and his friends sat at the oars and under the sails, and felt the ship bearing them swiftly onward through the dark water. Femius the minstrel was with them, and as the night went by, he sang to them of Troy, and of the heroes that had waged war against it.

Starting point is 00:32:47 Chapter 6 Troy, the minstrel sang, was the greatest of the cities of men. It had been built when the demigods walked the earth. Its walls were so strong and so high that enemies could not break nor scale them. Troy had high towers and great gates. In its citadels there were strong men well armed, and in its treasuries there were stores of gold and silver. And the king of Troy was Priam. He was old now, but he had sons that were good captains. the chief of them all was Hector. Hector, the minstrel sang, was a match for any warrior the nations could send against Troy.

Starting point is 00:33:27 Because he was noble and generous as well as brave, the people were devoted to him. And Hector, Priam's son, was commander in the city. But Priam had another son who was not counted among the captains. Paris was his name. Now when Paris was in his infancy, a soothsayer told King Priam that, he would bring trouble upon Troy. Then King Priam had sent the child away from the city. Paris was reared amongst country people, and when he was a youth he herded sheep. Then the minstrel sang of Pellius, the king of Phithia, and of his marriage to the river

Starting point is 00:34:05 nymph Thetis. All the gods and goddesses came to their wedding feast. Only one of the immortals was not invited, Erys, who was discord. She came, however. At the games that followed the wedding feast, she threw a golden apple amongst the guests, and on the apple was written, for the fairest. Each of the three goddesses who was there wished to be known as the fairest, and each claimed the golden apple, Aphrodite who inspired love, Athena who gave wisdom, and Hera, who was the wife of Zeus, the greatest of the gods. But no one at the wedding would judge between the goddesses, and say which was the fairest. And then the shepherd Paris came by, and and him the guests asked to give judgment.

Starting point is 00:34:51 Said Hera to Paris, award the apple to me, and I will give you a great kingship. Said Athena, award the golden apple to me, and I will make you the wisest of men. And Aphrodite came to him and whispered, Paris, dear Paris, let me be called the fairest, and I will make you beautiful, and the fairest the best woman in the world will be your wife." Paris looked on Aphrodite, and in his eyes she was the fairest. To her he gave the golden apple, and ever afterward she was his friend. But Hera and Athena departed from the company in wrath.

Starting point is 00:35:32 The minstrel sang how Paris went back to his father's city, and was made a prince of Troy. Through the favor of Aphrodite he was the most beautiful of youths. Then Paris went out of the city again. Sent by his father he went to Tyre, and coming back to Troy from Tyre, he went through Greece. Now the fairest woman in the world was in Greece. She was Helen, and she was married to King Menelaus. Paris saw her and loved her for her beauty, and Aphrodite inspired Helen to fall in love with Paris.

Starting point is 00:36:05 He stole her from the house of Menelaus, and brought her into Troy. King Menelaus sent to Troy, and demanded that his wife be given back to him. But the people of Troy, thinking no king in the world could shake them, and wanting to boast that the fairest woman in the world was in their city, were not willing that Menelaus be given back his wife. Priam and his son, Hector, knew that a wrong had been done, and knew that Helen and all that she had brought with her should be given back. But in the council there were vain men who went against the word of Priam and Hector, declaring

Starting point is 00:36:40 that for no little king of Greece would they give up Helen the fairest woman in all the world. Then the minstrel sang of Agamemnon. He was king of rich Mycenae, and his name was so high and his deeds were so renowned that all the kings of Greece looked to him. Now Agamemnon, seeing Menelaus, his brother, flouted by the Trojans, vowed to injure Troy, and he spoke to the kings and princes of Greece, saying that if they all united their strength they would be able to take the great city of Troy and avenge the slight put upon menelaus and win great glory and riches for themselves. And when they had come together and

Starting point is 00:37:19 had taken note of their strength, the kings and princes of Greece thought well of the word of Agamemnon and were eager to make war upon Troy. They bound themselves by a vow to take the city. Then Agamemnon sent messages to the heroes whose lands were far away, to Odysseus and to Achilles, who was the son of Pellius and Thetis, bidding them also enter the war. In two years the ships of all the kings and princes were gathered into Aulis, and the Greeks, with their leaders, Agamemnon, Ayas, Diomedes, Nestor, Idomeneus, Achilles, and Odysseus, sailed for the coast of Troy. One hero after another subdued the cities and nations that were the allies of the Trojans,

Starting point is 00:38:05 but Troy they did not take. And the minstrel sang to Telemachus and his fellow voyagers how year after year went by, and and how the host of Greeks still remained between their ships and the walls of the city, and how in the ninth year there came a plague that smote with death more men than the Trojans killed. So the ship went on through the dark water, very swiftly, with the goddess Athena, in the likeness of old Mentor, guiding it, and with the youths listening to the song that Femius the minstrel sang. End of Part 4 Section 5 of the Adventures of Odysseus

Starting point is 00:38:49 This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clatt The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy By Parac Colum Part 1, Chapter 7 The sun rose, and Telemachus and his fellow voyagers drew near to the shore of Pylos and to the steep citadel built by Nilius, the father of Nestor, the famous king.

Starting point is 00:39:16 They saw on the shore men in companies making sacrificial to Poseidon, the dark-haired god of the sea. There were nine companies there, and each company had nine black oxen for the sacrifice, and the number of men in each company was five hundred. They slew the oxen, and they laid parts to burn on the altars of the god, and the men sat down to feast. The voyagers brought their ship to the shore, and Telemachus sprang from it. But before him went the goddess, gray-eyed Athena, in the likeness of the old man, Mentor, and the goddess told Telemachus that Nestor, the king whom he had come to seek, was on the shore.

Starting point is 00:39:57 She bade him now go forward with a good heart, and ask Nestor for tidings of his father, Odysseus. But Telemachus said to her, "'Mentor, how can I bring myself to speak to one who is so reverenced? How should I greet him? And how can I, a young man, question such a one as Nestor, the old king?' the goddess, gray-eyed Athena, encouraged him. The right words, she said, would come. So Telemachus went forward with his divine companion. Nestor was seated on the shore with his sons around him, and when they saw the two strangers approach the sons of Nestor rose up to greet them. One, Pius distratus, took the hand of Telemachus and the hand of the goddess,

Starting point is 00:40:41 and led them both to where Nestor was. A golden cup was put into the hand of each, and wine was poured into the cups, and Nestor's son, Piusistratus, asked Telemachus and the goddess to pray that the sacrifice they were making to Poseidon, the god of the sea, would bring good to them and to their people. Then the goddess Athena, in the likeness of old Mentor, held the cup in her hand and prayed. "'Hear me, Poseidon, shaker of the earth. First to Nestor and his sons grant renown, then grant to the people of Pylos recompense for the sacrifice of oxen they have made. grant, too, that Telemachus and I may return safely when what we have come in our swift ship to seek has been one.

Starting point is 00:41:25 Telemachus prayed in the words of the goddess, and then the sons of Nestor made them both sit on the fleeces that were spread on the shore, and dishes of meat were brought to them, and cups of wine, and when they had eaten and drunk the old king Nestor spoke to them. "'Until they have partaken of food and drink, it is not courteous,' he said, to ask of strangers who they are and whither they go. But now, my guests, I will ask of you what your land is and what your quest, and what names you bear." Then Telemachus said, "'Nester, renowned king, glory of the Greeks, we have come out of Ithaca and we seek tidings of my father, of Odysseus, who long ago fought by your side in the war of Troy.

Starting point is 00:42:11 With you, men say, he sacked the great city of the Trojans. But no further story about him has been told. And I have come to your knees, O King, to beg you to give me tidings of him. Whether he died and you saw his death, or whether you heard of his death from another. And if you should answer me, speak not, I pray you in pity for me, but tell me all that you know or have heard. Ah, if ever my father helped you in the land of the Trojans, by the memory of what help he I pray you speak in truth to me, his son."

Starting point is 00:42:45 Then said Nestor the old king, "'Varily, my son, you bring sorrow to my mind. Ah, where are they who were with me in our war against the mighty city of Troy? Where is Ayas and Achilles and Patroclus, and my own dear son, Antilochus, who was so noble and so strong? And where is Agamemnon now? He returned to his own land, to be killed in his own hall by a most a most treacherous foeman.

Starting point is 00:43:13 And now you ask me of Odysseus, the man who was dearer to me than any of the others—odysius, who was always of the one mind with me. Never did we two speak diversely in the assembly, nor in the council. You say to me that you are the son of Odysseus— Surely you are! Amazement comes over me as I look on you and listen to you, for you look as he looked, you speak as he spoke. But I would have you speak further to me, and tell me of your homeland, and of how things

Starting point is 00:43:46 fair in Ithaca." Then he told the old king of the evil deeds worked by the wooers of his mother, and when he had told of them, Telemachus cried out, "'Oh, that the gods would give me such strength that I might take vengeance on them for their many transgressions.' Then said old Nestor, "'Who knows what Odysseus will win home and requite the the violence of these suitors and the insults they have offered to your house. The goddess Athena might bring this to pass. Well was she inclined to your father, and never did the gods show such favor to a mortal as the grey-eyed goddess showed to Odysseus your father."

Starting point is 00:44:24 But Telemachus answered, "'In no wise can your word be accomplished, King.' Then Athena, in the likeness of old Mentor, spoke to him and said, "'What word has crossed your lips, Telemachus. If it should please them, any one of the gods could bring a man home from afar. Only this the gods may not do. Avert death from a man who has been doomed to it. Telemachus answered her and said, "'Mentor no longer let us talk of these things. Nestor, the renowned king, has been very gracious to me, but he has nothing to tell me of my father. I deem now that Odysseus will never return.' "'Go to Menelaus,' said Nassaheus,' said Nassus.

Starting point is 00:45:07 Nestor. Go to Menelaus and Sparta. Lately has come from afar and a strange country, and it may be that he has heard of Odysseus and his wanderings. You can go to Sparta in your ship. But if you have a mind to fare by land, then I will give you a chariot and horses, and my son will go with you to be a guide for you into Sparta." Then Telemachus, with Athena the grey-eyed goddess and the likeness of old Mentor, would

Starting point is 00:45:32 have gone back to their ship. But Nestor the king said, "'Zoose for forbid that you should go back to the ship to take your rest while there is guest-room in my hall. Come with me to a place where you can lie softly. Never shall it be said that a son of Odysseus, my dear friend, lay on the hard deck of a ship while I am alive, and while children of mine are left in my hall. Come with me now."

Starting point is 00:45:57 Then the goddess Athena in the likeness of old Mentor said, "'You have spoken as becomes you, renowned king. Delemachus should hearken to your word and go with you. But it is meet that the young men who came for the love of him should have an elder with them on the ship to-night. I shall abide with them. So speaking, the goddess, grey-eyed Athena, in the likeness of old Mentor, went from the shore, and Telemachus went with Nestor and his sons to the high citadel of Nellius. And there he was given a bath, and the maiden Pollycaste, the youngest daughter of King Nestor, attended him.

Starting point is 00:46:33 She gave him new raiment to wear a goodly mantle and doublet. He slept in a room with Piusistratus, the youngest of Nestor's sons. In the morning they feasted and did sacrifice, and when he had given judgments to the people, the old King Nestor spoke to his sons. Lo, now my sons! Yoke Fortilemachus the horses to the chariot, that he may go on his way to Sparta. The sons of Nestor gave heed, and they yoked the swift horses to the chariot, and the house dame came from the hall and placed within the chariot

Starting point is 00:47:06 wine and dainties. Telemachus went into the chariot, and Piusistratus sat before him. Then Piusistratus touched the horses with the whip, and they sprang forward, and the chariot went swiftly over the plain. Soon they left behind them the steep citadel of Nellius and the land of Pylos. And when the sun sank and the ways were darkened, they came to Feri, and to the house of Diocles, and there they rested for the night. In the morning as soon as the sun rose, They yoked the horses and they mounted the chariot, and for another day they journeyed across the plain. They had gone far, and the ways were again darkened around them. End of Section 5

Starting point is 00:47:49 Section 6 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 1 Chapter 8 They came to Sparta, to a country lying low amongst the hills, and they stayed the chariot

Starting point is 00:48:22 outside the gate of the king's dwelling. Now upon that day Menelaus was sending his daughter into Phithia, with horses and chariots, as a bride for Achilles' son. And, for Megapenthe's his own son, a bride was being brought into the house. house. Because of these two marriages, there was a feasting in the palace, and kinsmen and neighbors were gathered there. A minstrel was singing to the guests, and two tumblers were whirling round the high hall to divert them. To the king in this high hall came Etionis, the steward. Renowned Menelaus, said Etyonus, there are two strangers outside, men with the looks of heroes.

Starting point is 00:49:06 What would you have me do with them? Shall I have the horses unyoked, bidding them enter the palace, or shall I let them fare on to another dwelling?" "'Why do you ask such a question, Etionis?' said Menelaus in anger. "'Have we not eaten the bread of other men on our wanderings, and have we not rested ourselves in other men's houses? Knowing this you have no right to ask whether you should bid strangers enter, or let them go past the gate of my dwelling. Go now and bid them enter and feast with us. Then Etionis went from the hall, and while he had servants unyoke the horses from their chariot, he led Telemachus and Piusistratus into the palace.

Starting point is 00:49:48 First they were brought to the bath, and when they had come from the bath refreshed, they were given new cloaks and mantles. When they had dressed themselves they were led into the king's high hall. They seated themselves there, and a maid brought water in a golden ewer, and poured it over their hands into a silver basin. a polished table was put beside them, and the house dame placed bread and meat and wine upon it so that they might eat. Menelaus came to where they sat, and said to Telemachus and Pius Estratus,

Starting point is 00:50:22 By your looks I know you to be the line of kings. Eat now, and when you have refreshed yourselves I will ask who you are and from what place you come. But before they had finished their meal, and while yet Menelaus the king was showing them the treasures that were near, the lady Helen came into the high hall, Helen, for whom the kings and princes of Greece had gone to war. Her maids were with her, and they set a chair for her near where Manilaeus was, and they put a rug of soft wool under her feet. Then one brought to her a silver basket filled with coloured yarn, and Helen sat in her high chair, and took the distaff

Starting point is 00:51:03 in her hands and worked the yarn. She questioned Manilaeus about the things that had happened, during the day, and as she did she watched Telemachus. Then the Lady Helen left the distaff down, and said, Manilaeus, I am minded to tell you who one of these strangers is. No one was ever more like another than this youth is like great-hearted Odysseus. I know that he is no other than Telemachus, whom Odysseus left as a child, when for my sake the Greeks began their war against Troy. Then said Manilaeus, I too mark his likeness to Odysseus, the shape of his head, the glance of his eye remind me of Odysseus, but can it indeed be that Telemachus has come into my house? Renowned Manilaus, said Pius Estratus, this is indeed the son of Odysseus, and I avowal myself to be

Starting point is 00:51:59 the son of another comrade of yours, of Nestor, who was with you at the war of Troy. I have been sent with Telemachus to be his guide to your house." Menelaus rose up and clasped the hand of Telemachus. "'Never did there come to my house,' said he, a youth more welcome. For my sake did Odysseus endure much toil and many adventures. Had he come to my country I would have given him a city to rule over, and I think that nothing would have parted us from one from the other.

Starting point is 00:52:30 But Odysseus, I know, has not returned to his own land of Ithaca. Then Telemachus, thinking upon his father, dead or wandering through the world, wept. Helen, too, shed tears, remembering things that had happened. And Manilaeus, thinking upon Odysseus and on all his toils, was silent and sad, and sad and silent too was Piusestratus, thinking upon Antilicus his brother, who had perished in the war of Troy. But Helen, wishing to turn their minds to other. their thoughts, cast into the wine a drug that lulled pain and brought forgetfulness, a drug which

Starting point is 00:53:10 had been given to her in Egypt, by Pollydamna, the wife of King Theon. And when they had drunk the wine, their sorrowful memories went from them, and they spoke to each other without regretfulness. Thereafter, King Manilaeus told of his adventure with the ancient one of the sea, the adventure that had brought to him the last tidings of Odysseus. Chapter 9 Said Menelaus Over against the river that flows out of Egypt There is an island that men call pharaoh

Starting point is 00:53:43 And to that island I came with my ships When we, the heroes who had fought at Troy, Were separated one from the other. There I was held day after day By the will of the gods. Our provision of corn was spent And my men were in danger of perishing of hunger. Then one day while my companions were striving desperately to get fish out of the sea, I met on the shore one who had pity for our plight.

Starting point is 00:54:12 She was an immortal, Idothier, a daughter of the ancient one of the sea. I craved of her to tell me how we might get away from that place, and she counseled me to take by an ambush her father, the ancient one of the sea, who was also called Proteus. You can make him tell you, said she, for he knows all things. things, what you must do to get away from this island of pharaoh. Moreover, he can declare to you what happened to the heroes you have been separated from, and what has taken place in your own hall. Then said I, to that kind nymph, Idothier, show me how I may take by an ambush your immortal father, the ancient one of the sea. Said Idothier, My father Proteus comes out of the sea when the sun is highest in the heavens. Then would he lie down to sleep in the caves that are along the shore. But before he goes to sleep he counts, as a shepherd counts

Starting point is 00:55:07 his flock, the seals that come up out of the ocean and lie round where he lies. If there be one too many, or one less than there should be, he will not go to sleep in the cave. But I will show you how you and certain of your companions may be near without the ancient one of the sea being aware of your presence. Take three of your men, the three you trust above all the others, and as soon as it is dawn to-morrow meet me by the edge of the sea. So saying, the nymph Ido-e-eufe-e-plunched into the sea, and I went from that place anxious, but with hope in my heart. Now, as soon as the dawn had come, I walked by the seashore, and with me came the three

Starting point is 00:55:49 that I trusted above all my companions. The daughter of the ancient one of the sea, I-Dothier, came to us. In her arm she had the skins of seals newly slothier. plain, one for each of us. And at the cave where the seals lay, she scooped holes in the sand, and bade us lie there, covering ourselves with the skins. Then she spoke to me and said, When my father, the ancient one of the sea, comes here to sleep, lay hands upon him, and hold him with all the strength you have. He will change himself into many shapes, but do not you let go your hold upon him. When he changes back into the shape he had at first, you may let go

Starting point is 00:56:30 your holds. Question him then as to how you may leave this place, or question him as to any other matter that may be on your mind, and he will answer you, speaking the truth. We lay down in the holes she had scooped in the sand, and she covered each of us with one of the skins she had brought. Then the seals came out of the sea and lay all around us. The smell that came from those beasts of the sea afflicted us, and it was then that our adventure became terrible. We could not have endured it, if Idothier had not helped us in this also. She took ambrosia and set it beneath each man's nostril, so that what came to us was not the smell of the sea-beasts, but a divine savor. Then the nymph went back to the sea. We lay there with steadfast hearts

Starting point is 00:57:15 amongst the herd of seals, until the sun was at its highest in the heavens. The ancient one of the sea came out of the ocean depths. He went amongst the seals and counted them, and us four men he reckoned amongst his herd. Then in great contentment he laid himself down to sleep. We rushed upon him with a cry, and laid hold on him with the strength of our hands. But we had no sooner grasped him, than his shape changed. He became a lion and faced us. Yet we did not let go of our grasp. He became a serpent, yet we still held him. He became a leopard, and then a mighty bore. He became a stream of water, and then a flowering tree. Yet still We held to him with all our might, and our hearts were not daunted by the shapes he changed

Starting point is 00:58:02 to before our eyes. Then, seeing that he could not make us loose our hold, the ancient one of the sea, who was called Proteus, ceased in his changes, and became as we had seen him first. "'Sun of Atreus,' said he, speaking to me, "'who was it showed you how to lay this ambush for me?' "'It is for you who know all things,' said I, to make answer to us. Tell me now, why is it that I am held on this island? Which of the gods holds me here, and for what reason?

Starting point is 00:58:34 Then the ancient one of the sea answered me, speaking truth. Zeus, the greatest of the gods, holds you here. You neglected to make sacrifice to the gods, and for that reason you are held on this island. Then, said I, what must I do to win back the favor of the gods? He told me, speaking truth, Before setting sail for your own land, he said, you must return to the river Egyptus that flows out of Africa, and offer sacrifice there to the gods.

Starting point is 00:59:04 When he said this, my spirit was broken with grief. A long and grievous way would I have to sail to make that sacrifice, turning back from my own land. Yet the will of the gods would have to be done. Again I was moved to question the ancient one of the sea, and to ask him for tidings of the men who work my companions. in the wars of Troy. Ah, son of Odysseus,

Starting point is 00:59:28 more broken than ever was my spirit with grief when he told me of their fates. Then I heard how my brother, great Agamemnon, reached his own land and was glad in his heart. But his wife had hatred for him, and in his own hall she and Aegisthus had him slain. I sat and wept on the sands,

Starting point is 00:59:47 but still I questioned the ancient one of the sea. But he told me of strong Ayas and how he was killed by the falling wrong, after he had boasted that Poseidon the god of the sea could afflict him no more and of your father the renowned Odysseus the ancient one had a tale to tell then and even now it may be Odysseus was on an island away from all mankind there he abides in the hall of the nymph calypso the ancient one of the sea told me I saw him shed great tears because he could not go from that place but he has no ship and no companions and the

Starting point is 01:00:24 Nymph Calypso holds him there, and always he longs to return to his own country, to the land of Ithaca. And after he had spoken to me of Odysseus, he went from us and plunged into the sea. Thereafter I went back to the River Egyptus, and moored my ships and made pious sacrifice to the gods. A fair wind came to us, and we set out for our own country. Swiftly we came to it, And now you see me the happiest of all those who set out to wage war against Troy. And now, dear son of Odysseus, you know what an immortal told of your father, how he is still in life, but how he is held from returning to his own home. Thus from Menelaus the youth Telemachus got tiding of his father.

Starting point is 01:01:11 When the king ceased to speak, they went from the hall with torches in their hands, and came to the vestibule, where Helen's handmaids had prepared beds for Telemachus. and Pius Estratus. And as he lay there under purple blankets and soft coverlets, the son of Odysseus thought upon his father, still in life, but held in that unknown island by the nymph calypso. End of Section 6. Section 7 of the Adventures of Odysseus.

Starting point is 01:01:46 This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Kolo. Part 1 Chapter 10 His ship and his fellow voyagers waited at Pylos, but for a while longer Telemachus bided in Sparta, for he would fain hear from Menelaus and from Helen the tale of Troy. Many days he stayed, and on the first day Menelaus told him of Achilles, the greatest of the heroes who had fought against Troy, and on another day the Lady Helen told him of Hector, the noblest of all the men who defended King Priam's city.

Starting point is 01:02:29 Achilles, said King Menelaus, was sprung of a race that was favored by the immortals. Pellius, the father of Achilles, had for his friend, Chiron, the wisest of the centaurs, of those immortals who were half men and half horse. Chiron it was who gave to Pellius his great spear. And when Pellius desired to wed an immortal, Zeus the greatest of the gods, upon the nymph Thetis to marry him, although marriage with a mortal was against her will. To the wedding of Thetis and Pellius all the gods came. And for wedding gifts Zeus gave such armor as no mortal had ever worn before, armor wonderfully bright and wonderfully strong, and he

Starting point is 01:03:12 also gave two immortal horses. Achilles was the child of Thetis and Pellius, of an immortal woman married to a mortal hero. He grew up most strong in the world. and fleet of foot. When he was grown to be a youth, he was sent to Chiron, and his father's friend instructed him in all the ways of war. He became the greatest of spearmen, and on the mountain with the centaur he gained in strength and in fleetness of foot. Now after he returned to his father's hall, the war against Troy began to be prepared for. Agamemnon the king wanted Achilles to join the host. But Thetis, knowing that great disaster, would befall those who went to that war, feared for Achilles. She resolved to hide him, so

Starting point is 01:04:00 that no word from King Agamemnon might reach him. And how did the nymph Thetis hide her son? She sent him to King like Comedes, and prayed the King to hide Achilles amongst his daughters. So the youth Achilles was dressed as a maiden, and stayed with the daughters of the King. The messengers of Agamemnon searched everywhere for him. Many of them came to the court of king like comedies, but not finding one like Achilles amongst the king's sons, they went away. Odysseus, by Agamemnon's order, came to seek Achilles. He knew that the youth was not amongst the king's sons. He saw the king's daughters in their father's orchard, but could not tell of Achilles was amongst them, for all were veiled and dressed alike. Then Odysseus went away,

Starting point is 01:04:47 and returned as a peddler, carrying in his pack such things as maidens admire, veils and ornaments and brazen mirrors. But under the veils and ornaments and mirrors, the wise Odysseus left a gleaming sword. When he came before the maidens in the king's orchard, he laid down his peddler's pack. The mirrors and veils and ornaments were taken up and examined eagerly. But one of the company took up the gleaming sword and looked at it with flashing eyes. Odysseus knew that this was Achilles, King Pellius's son. He gave the youth the summons of King Agamemnon, bidding him join the war that the kings and princes of Greece were about to wage against Troy, and Achilles was glad to get the summons and glad

Starting point is 01:05:34 to go. He returned to Phithia to his father's citadel. There did he make ready to go to to Owlis where the ships were being gathered. He took with him his father's famous warriors, the Mermedons who were never beaten in battle. And his father bestowed on him the armor and the horses that had been the gift of Zeus, the two immortal horses, Xanthos and Ballyos. But what rejoiced Achilles more than the gift of marvelous armor and immortal steeds was that of his dear comrade, Petroclos, was to be with him as his mate in war. Patroclus had come into Phithia and into the hall of Pellius when he was a young boy. In his own country he had killed another boy by mischance over a game of dice. His father, to save him from the penalty,

Starting point is 01:06:20 fled with him to King Pellius, and Achilles' father gave them refuge, and took Patroclus into his house, and reared him up as his own son. Later he made him squire to Achilles. These two grew up together, and more than brothers they loved each other. Achilles bade good-bye to Phithia, and to his hero father and his immortal mother, and he and Patroclus with the Mermodens went over the sea to Owlis, and joined the host of the kings and princes, who had made a vow not to refrain from war until they had taken King Priam's famous city. Chapter 11

Starting point is 01:06:57 Achilles became the most renowned of all the heroes who strove against Troy in the years the fighting went on. Before the sight of him, clad in the flashing armor that was the gift of Zeus, and standing in the chariot drawn by the immortal horses, the Trojan ranks would break, and the Trojan men would flee back to the gate of their city. And many lesser cities and towns around Troy did the host with the help of Achilles take. Now because of two maidens taken captive from some of these cities, a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon grew up. One of the maidens was called Chrysaeus, and the other Briseus. Chrysaeus was given to Agamemnon and Prisius to

Starting point is 01:07:41 Achilles. The father of Chrysais was a priest of Apollo, and when the maiden his daughter was not given back to him, he went and prayed to the God to avenge him on the host. Apollo listened to his prayer, and straightway the God left his mountain peak with his bow of silver in his hands. He stood behind the ships, and shot his arrows into the host. Terrible was the clanging of his silver bow. He smote the beasts of the camp first, the dogs and the mules and the horses, And then he smote the men, and those whom his arrows smote were stricken by the plague. The warriors began to die, and every day more perished by the plague than were killed by the spears and swords and arrows of the Trojans.

Starting point is 01:08:25 Now a council was summoned, and the chiefs debated what was to be done to save the host. At the council there was a soothsayer named Calchas. He stood up and declared that he knew the cause of the plague, and he knew too how the remainder of the host might be saved from it. It was because of the anger of Apollo, Calchas said, and that anger could only be averted by Agamemdon sending back to his father, the priest of Apollo, the maiden Chrysais. Then was Agamemnon roth exceedingly. Thou seer of evil things, said he to Calchas. Never didst thou se aught of good for me or mine. The maiden given to me, Chrysias, I greatly prize. Yet rather than my folk should perish,

Starting point is 01:09:08 I shall let her be taken from me. But this let you, of all the council, know, some other prize must be given to me than the whole host may know that Agamemnon is not slighted." Then, said Achilles, "'Agamemnon, of all kings you are the most covetous. The best of us toil and battle that you may come and take what part of the spoil may please you. Be covetous no more. Let this maiden go back to her father, and afterwards we will give you some other prize.' said Agamemnon, the council here must bind itself to give me recompense. Still you speak of recompense, Agamemnon, answered Achilles. No one gains more than you gain. I had no quarrel with the men of Troy, and yet I have

Starting point is 01:09:55 come here, and my hands spare the brunt of the war. You who are captains must give me a recompense, said Agamemnon, or else I shall go to the tent of Achilles and take away the maiden given to him, Bressaeus of the fair cheeks. "'I am wearied of making war for you,' answered Achilles. "'Though I am always in the strife, but little of the spoil comes to my tent. Now will I depart to my own land, to Phithia, for I am not minded to stay here and be dishonoured by you, O king.' "'Go,' said Achilles, "'if your soul be set upon fleeing, go. But do not think that there are

Starting point is 01:10:32 not captains and heroes here who can make war without you. Go and lord it amongst your Mermedons, never shall we seek your aid. And that all may know that I am greater than you, Achilles, I shall go to your tent, and take away the maiden Briseus. When he heard Agamemnon's speech, the heart within Achilles' breast was divided, and he knew not whether he should remain still and silent in his anger, or thrusting the council aside, go up to Agamemnon and slay him with the sword. His hand was upon the sword-hilt, when an immortal appeared to him, the goddess Athena. No one in the company but Achilles was aware of her presence. "'Draw not the sword upon Agamemnon,' she said,

Starting point is 01:11:15 "'for equally dear to the gods are you both?' Then Achilles drew back and thrust his heavy sword into its sheath again. But although he held his hand, he did not refrain from angry and bitter words. He threw down on the ground the staff that had been put into his hands as a sign that he was to be listened to in the council. By this staff that no more shall bear leaf or blossom, he said. I swear that longing for Achilles' aid shall come upon the host of Agamemnon, but that no Achilles shall come to their help. I swear that I shall let Hector triumph over you.

Starting point is 01:11:49 Then the council broke up, and Achilles with Petroclos, his dear comrade, went back to their tent. A ship was launched, and the maiden Chrysaius was put aboard, and Odysseus was placed in command. The ship set out for Chrysey. There on the beach they found the priest of Apollo, and Odysseus placed his daughter in the old man's arms. They made sacrifice to Apollo, and thereafter the plague was averted from the host. But to Achilles' tent there came the messengers of the king, and they took Bressaeus of the

Starting point is 01:12:22 fair cheeks and led her away. Achilles in bitter anger sat by the sea, hard in his resolve not to help Agamemnon's men, no matter what defeat great Hector inflicted upon them. End of Section 7. Section 8 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clette The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy

Starting point is 01:12:58 by Parak Colum Part 1, Chapter 12 Such was the quarrel, dear son, between Agamemnon, King of Men, and Great Achilles. Ah, because of that quarrel, many brave men and great captains whom I remember went down to their deaths. But Agamemnon before long relented, and he sent three envoys to make friendship between himself and Achilles. The envoys were Odysseus and Ius, and the old man, phoenix, who had been a foster-father to Achilles. Now when these three went into his hut, they found Achilles.

Starting point is 01:13:37 Ely's sitting with a liar in his hands, singing to the music he made. His song was of what Thetis, his goddess mother, had told him concerning his own fate. How if he remained in the war against Troy, he should win for himself imperishable renown, but would soon lose his life. And how if he left the war, his years in his own land should be long, although no great renown would be his. Petrochus, his dear friend, listened to what Achilles sang, and alexe, and a little bit of his own And Achilles sang of what royal state would be his if he gave up the war against the Trojans and went back to his father's halls. Old Pellius would welcome him, and he would seek a bride for him from amongst the loveliest of the Greek maidens. In three days he sang,

Starting point is 01:14:23 Can Poseidon, God of the sea, bring me to my own land and to my father's royal castle? Well dost thou sing, Achilles, said Odysseus to him, and pleasant would it be to hear thy song, if our hearts were not filled up with great griefs. But have not nine years passed away since we came here to make war on Troy? And now are not our ship's timbers rotted, and their tacklings loosed? And do not many of our warriors think in their hearts how their wives and children have long been waiting for their return? And still the walls of Troy rise up before us, as high and unconquerable as ever. No wonder our hearts are filled up with griefs. And now, Achilles, the greatest of our heroes, and the Mermedons, the best of our

Starting point is 01:15:13 warriors, have left us and gone out of the fight. Even today did great Hector turn back our battalions that were led by Agamemnon and Ayas and Diomedes, driving us to the wall that we have built around our ships. Behind the wall we halted, and called one to the other to find out who had escaped and who had fallen in the onslaught Hector made. Only way of the world we were When he had driven us behind our wall, did Hector turn back his chariot and draw off his men. But Hector has not gone through the gates of the city. Look now, Achilles, his chariots remain on the plain. Lo now his watch-fires!

Starting point is 01:15:53 A thousand fires thou canst see, and beside each sits fifty warriors with their horses loose beside their chariots champing barley. Eagerly they wait for the light of the dawn, when they will come against us again. hoping this time to overthrow the wall we have built, and come to our ships and burn them with fire, and so destroy all hope of our return. We are all stricken with grief and fear. Even Agamemnon weeps.

Starting point is 01:16:20 We have seen him standing before us like unto a dark fountain breaking from some beetling cliff. How else could he but weep tears? Tomorrow it may be he shall have to bid the host draw the ships to the water and depart from the coast of Troy. Then will his name for ever be dishonoured because of defeat and the loss of so many warriors. Deems thou I grieve for Agamemnon's griefs, Odysseus? said Achilles.

Starting point is 01:16:49 But although thou dost speak of Acomemnon, thou art welcome, thou and thy companions. Even in my wrath you three are dear to me. He brought them within the hut, and bade a feast be prepared for them. To Odysseus, Ayas, and Feinix wine-cups were handed. And when they had feasted and drunk wine, Odysseus turned to where Achilles sat on his bench in the light of the fire, and said, "'No, Achilles, that we three are here as envoys from King Agamemnon. He would make a friendship with thee again.

Starting point is 01:17:23 He has injured and has offended thee, but all that a man can do he will do to make amends. The maiden Briseus he will let go back. many gifts will he give thee two Achilles. He will give thee seven tripods and twenty caldrons and ten talents of gold. Yes, and besides, twelve royal horses, each one of which is triumphed in some race. He who possesses these horses will never lack for wealth as long as prizes are to be won by swiftness, and hearken to what more Agamemnon bade us say to thee. If we win Troy, he will let thee load your ship with spoil of the city. city, with gold and bronze and precious stuffs. And thereafter, if we win to our homes, he will treat thee as his own royal son, and will give thee seven cities to rule over. And if thou wilt wed, there are three daughters in his hall, three of the fairest maidens of the Greeks, and the one thou wilt choose he will give thee for thy wife, Chrysothymus, or Laodice, or

Starting point is 01:18:27 Afi Annasa. So Odysseus spoke, and then Ayas said, Think, Achilles, and abandon now thy wrath. If Agamemnon be hateful to thee, and if thou despiseth his gifts, Think upon thy friends and thy companions and have pity upon them. Even for our sakes, Achilles, arise now and go into battle, and stay the onslaught of the terrible Hector. Achilles did not answer. His lion's eyes were fixed upon those who had spoken,

Starting point is 01:18:57 and his look did not change at all for all that was said. then the old man foinek who had nurtured him went over to him he could not speak for tears had burst from him but at last holding achilles hands he said in thy father's house did i not rear thee to greatness even thee most noble achilles with me and with none other wouldst thou go into the feast-hall and as a child thou wouldst stay at my knee and eat the morsel i gave and drink from the cup that i put to thy lips I reared thee, and I suffered and toiled much that thou mightst have strength and skill and quickness. Be thou merciful in thy heart, Achilles, be not wrathful any more. Cast aside thine anger now and save the host. Come now, the gifts Agamemnon would give thee are very great, and no king nor prince could despise them.

Starting point is 01:19:56 But if without gifts thou wouldst enter the battle, then above all heroes the host would honour thee. Achilles answered Foynex gently and said, "'The honour the host would bestow upon me I have no need of, for I am honoured in the judgment of Zeus, the greatest of the gods, and while breath remains with me, that honour cannot pass away. But do thou, Foynex, stay with me, and many things I shall bestow upon thee, even the half of my kingdom. Ah, but urge me not to help Agamemnon, for if thou dost I shall look upon thee as a friend

Starting point is 01:20:31 to Agamemnon, and I shall hate thee, my foster-father, even as I hate him. Then to Odysseus Achilles spoke and said, Son of Laertes, wisest of men, hearken now to what I shall say to thee. Here I should have stayed, and won that imperishable renown that my goddess mother told me of, even at the cost of my young life, if Agamemnon had not roused the wrath that now possesses me. Know that my soul is implacable towards him. How often did I watch out sleepless nights? How often did I spend my days in bloody battle

Starting point is 01:21:06 For the sake of Agamemnon's and his brother's cause? Why are we here, if not, because of lovely Helen? And yet one whom I cherished as Menelaus cherished Helen Has been taken from me by the order of this king. He would let her go her way now. But no, I do not desire to see Bressaeus ever again, For everything that comes from Agamemnon's hand is hateful to me. hateful are all the gifts he would bestow upon me, and him and his treasures I hold it a straw's worth.

Starting point is 01:21:34 I have chosen. Tomorrow I shall have my mermon and draw my ships out to the sea, and I shall depart from Troy for my own land. Said Ayas, have the gods Achilles put into your breast a spirit implacable and proud above all men's spirits? Yea, Ayas, said Achilles, a spirit cannot contain my wrath. Agamemnon has treated me, not as a leader of armies who won many battles for him, but as a vile sojourner in his camp. Go now and declare my will to him. Never again shall I take thought of his war.

Starting point is 01:22:10 So he spoke, and each man took up a two-handled cup and poured out wine as an offering to the gods. Then Odysseus and Ayas and sadness left the hut. But Phoenix remained, and for him Petroclis, the dear friend of Achilles, spread a couch of fleeces and rugs. Odysseus and Ayas went along the shore of the sea, and by the line of the ships, and they came to where Agamemnon was with the greatest of the warriors of the host.

Starting point is 01:22:38 Odysseus told them that by no means would Achilles join in the battle, and they were all made silent with grief. Then Diomedes, the great horseman, rose up and said, Let Achilles stay or go, fight or not fight, as it pleases him. But it is for us who have made a man. vow to take Priam City to fight on. Let us take food and rest now, and tomorrow let us go against Hector's host, and you, Agamemnon, take the foremost place in the battle. So Diomedes spoke, and the warriors applauded what he said, and they all poured out libations of wine to the gods,

Starting point is 01:23:14 and thereafter they went to their huts and slept. But for Agamemnon the king, there was no sleep that night. Before his eyes was the blaze of Hector's thousand watchers'-washed. fires, and in his ears were the sound of pipes and flutes that made war music for the Trojan host encamped upon the plain. End of Section 8 Section 9 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clatt The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum

Starting point is 01:23:57 Part 1 Chapter 13 When dawn came, the king arrayed himself for the battle, putting on his great breastplate and his helmet that had a high plume of horsehair, fastening about his legs greaves filled with ankle clasps of silver, and hanging round his shoulders a great sword that shone with studs of gold, a sword that had a silver scabbard fitted with golden chains. Over his shoulders he cast a great lion's skin, and he took upon his arm a shield that covered the whole of a man. Next he took in his hand two strong spears of bronze, and so arrayed and

Starting point is 01:24:38 so armed he was ready to take the foremost place in the battle. He cried aloud and bade the Greeks arm themselves, and straightway they did so, and poured from behind the wall that guarded their ships into the Trojan plain. Then the chiefs mounted their chariots, and their charioteers turned the horses towards the place of battle. Now on the high ground before them the Trojans had gathered in their battalions, and the figure of great Hector was plain to Agamemnon and his men. Like a star that now and then was hidden by a cloud, so he appeared as he went through the battalions, all covered with shining bronze. Spears and arrows fell upon both sides. Footmen kept slaying footmen, and horsemen kept slaying horsemen with the

Starting point is 01:25:25 sword, and the dust of the plain rose up, stirred by the thundering hooves of the horses. From dawn till morning, and from morning till noon the battle raged. But at midday the Greeks broke through the Trojan lines. Then Agamemnon and his chariot rushed through a gap in the line. Two men did he instantly slay, and dashing onward he slew two warriors who were sons of King Priam. Like fire falling upon a wood and burning up the underwood, went King Agamemnon through the Trojan ranks, and when he passed many strong-necked horses rattled

Starting point is 01:26:01 empty chariots, leaving on the earth the slain warriors that had been in them. And through the press of men and up to the high walls of Troy did Agamemnon go, slaying Trojan warriors with his spear. Hector did not go nigh him, for the gods had warned Hector not to lead any onslaught until Agamemnon had turned back from battle. But a Trojan warrior smote King Agamemnon on the mid-arm below the elbow, and the point of his spear went clean through. He went through the ranks of the Trojans, slaying with spear and sword. And then the blood dried upon his wound, and a sharp pain came upon him, and he cried out, "'O friends and captains, it is not possible for me to war forever against the Trojans,

Starting point is 01:26:48 but do you fight on to keep the battle from our ships?' His charioteer turned his horses, and they all covered with foam and grimed with dust, dashed back across the plain, bearing the wounded king from that. day's battle. Then Hector sprang to the onslaught. Leaping into his chariot he led the Trojans on. Nine captains of the Greeks he slew in the first onset. Now their ranks would have been broken, and the Greeks would have fled back to their ships, if Odysseus had not been on that wing of the battle with Diomedes, the great horseman. Odysseus cried out, Come hither Diomedes, or verily Hector will sweep us across the plain and bring the battle down

Starting point is 01:27:31 to our ships. Then these two forced themselves through the press of battle, and held back the onset of Hector till the Greeks had their chance to rally. Hector spied them, and swept in his chariot towards them. Diomedes lifted his great spear and flung it full at Hector. The bronze of the spear struck the bronze of his helmet, and bronze by bronze was turned. The blow tolled upon Hector. But he, springing from his chariot and stayed amongst the press of warriors, resting himself on his hands and knees. Darkness was before his eyes for a while, but he got breath again, and leaping back into his chariot, drove away from that dangerous place. Then Diomedes himself received a bitterer wound, for Paris, sheltering himself

Starting point is 01:28:19 behind a pillar on the plain, let fly an arrow at him. It went clean through his right foot. Odysseus put his shield before his friend and comrade, and Diomedes was able to draw the arrow from his flesh. But Diomedes was fain to get back into his chariot and to command his charioteer to drive from the battle. Now Odysseus was the only one of the captains who stayed on that side of the battle, and the ranks of the Trojans came on and hemmed him round. One warrior struck at the center of his shield, and through the shield the strong Trojan spear passed and wounded the flesh of Odysseus. He slew the warrior who had wounded him, and he drew the spear from his flesh, but he had to give ground. But loudly as ever man ever cried, Odysseus cried out to the

Starting point is 01:29:06 other captains, and strong Ayas heard him and drew near, bearing his famous shield that was like a tower. The Trojan warriors that were round him drew back at the coming of Ias and Odysseus went from the press of battle, and mounting his chariot, drove away. Where Ayas fought the Trojans gave way, and on that side of the battle they were being driven back towards the city. But suddenly upon Ayas there fell an unaccountable dread. He cast behind him his great shield, and he stood in a maze, like a wild bull turning this way and that, and slowly retreating before those who pressed towards him. But now and then his valour would come back, and he would stand steadily, and with his great shield hold at bay the Trojans

Starting point is 01:29:53 who were pressing toward the ships. Arrows fell thick upon his shield, confusing his mind, and Ius might have perished beneath the arrows of his comrades had not drawn him to where they stood, with shield sloping for a shelter, and so saved him. All this time, Hector was fighting on the left wing of the battle against the Greeks, who were led by Nestor and Idomenius, and on this side, Paris let fly an arrow that brought trouble to the enemies of his father's city. He struck Macaeon, who was the most skilled healer of wounds in the whole of the host, and those who were around Macaon were fearful that the Trojans would seize the stricken man and bear him away.

Starting point is 01:30:35 Then said Edomeneus, Nestor, arise, get Macaon into your chariot and drive swiftly from the press of battle. A healer such as he is worth the lives of many men. Save him alive so that we may still have him to draw the arrows from our flesh and put medicaments into our wounds. Then did Nestor lift the healer into his chariot, and the charioteer turned the horses, and they too drove from the press of battle and towards the hollow ships. End of Section 9. Section 10 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clett

Starting point is 01:31:21 The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parick Colum Part 1 Chapter 14 Achilles standing by the stern of his great ship saw the battle as it went this way and that way but his heart was not at all moved with pity for the destruction wrought upon the Greeks he saw the chariot of Nestor go dashing by

Starting point is 01:31:46 dragged by sweating horses and he knew that a wounded man was in the chariote. When it had passed, he spoke to his dear friend Patroclus. "'Go now, Patroclus,' he said, and ask of Nestor who it is that he is born away from the battle. "'I go, Achilles,' Patroclus said, and even as he spoke he started to run along the line of the ships and to the hut of Nestor. He stood before the door, and when old Nestor beheld him, he bade him enter.

Starting point is 01:32:18 "'Achelis sent me to you, revered Nestor. said Petroclos, to ask who it was you bore out of the battle wounded. But I need not ask, for I see that it is none other than Macaon, the best of our healers. Why should Achilles concern himself with those who are wounded in the fight with Hector? said Old Nestor. He does not care at all what evil befalls the Greeks. But thou, Patroclus, wilt be grieved to know that Diomedes and Odysseus have been wounded, and that sore wounded is Macaon whom thou seeth.

Starting point is 01:32:51 seeest here. Ah, but Achilles will have cause to lament when the host perishes beside our burning ships, and when Hector triumphs over all the Greeks. Then the old man rose up, and taking Petrochus by the hand, led him within the hut, and brought him to a bench beside which lay Macaeon, the wounded man. Petroclis, said Nestor, speak thou to Achilles. Nay, but thy father bade thee speak words of counsel to thy friends. Did he not say to thee, turn Achilles from harsh courses by gentle words? Remember now the words of thy father, Patroclus, and if ever thou did speak to Achilles with gentle wisdom, speak to him now? Who knows but thy words might stir up his spirit to take part in the battle we have to fight with Hector? Nay, nay, old man,

Starting point is 01:33:45 said Patroclus. I may not speak to Achilles to ask for. such a thing. "'Then,' said Nestor, "'do thou thyself enter the war and bring Achilles' Mermedans with thee, then might we who are wearied with fighting take breath, and beg of Achilles to give you his armour that you may wear it in the battle. If thou wouldst appear clad in Achilles' bronze, the Trojans would think that he had entered the war again, and they would not force the fight upon us.' What old Nestor had said seemed good to Petroclis, and he left the hut and went back along the ships. And on his way he met Eurypolis, a sorely wounded man, dragging himself from the battle,

Starting point is 01:34:28 and Patroclus helped him back to his hut, and cheered him with his discourse and laid healing herbs upon his wounds. And even as he left old Nestor's hut, Hector was before the wall the Greeks had built to guard their ships. On came the Trojans against that wall, holding their shields of bull-hers'-hirt. hides before them. From the towers that were along the wall the Greeks flung great stones upon the attackers. Over the host an eagle flew, holding in its talons a blood-red serpent. The serpent struggled with the eagle, and the eagle with the serpent, and both had sorely wounded each other.

Starting point is 01:35:09 But as they flew over the host of Greeks and Trojans, the serpent struck at the eagle with his fangs, and the eagle, wounded in the breast, dropped the serpent. Then were the Trojans in dread, seeing the blood-red serpent across their path, for they thought it was an omen from Zeus. They would have turned back from the wall and fear for this omen, had not Hector pressed them on. "'One omen is best, I know,' he cried, "'is to fight a good fight for our country. forward then and bring the battle to those ships that came to our coast against the will of the gods. So Hector spoke. Then he lifted up a stone, such a stone as not two of the best of men now living could as much as raise from the ground, and he flung this stone full at the strongly set gate. It broke the hinges and the bars,

Starting point is 01:36:03 and the great gate fell under the weight of the tremendous stone. Then Hector leaped across it with two, spears in his hands. No warrior could withstand him now. And as the Trojans scaled the walls and poured across the broken gate, the Greeks fled to their ships in terror and dismay. Patroclus saw the gate go down, and the Trojans pour towards the ships in a mass that was like a great rock rolling down a cliff. Idomenius and Ayas led the Greeks who fought to hold them back. Hector cast a spear at Ayas and struck him where the belt of his shield and the belt of his sword crossed. Ius was not wounded by the stroke. Then Ius casted Hector a great stone that was used to prop a ship. He struck him on the breast, just over the rim of his shield.

Starting point is 01:36:52 Under the weight of that blow great Hector spun round like a top. The spear fell from his hands, and the bronze of his shield, and helmet rang as he fell on the ground. Then the Greeks dashed up to where Hector lay, hoping to drag him amongst them. But his comrades, Placreds placed their shields around him and drove back the warriors that were pressing round. They lifted Hector onto his chariot, and his charioteer drove him from the place of battle, groaning heavily from the hurt of that terrible blow. Now the Greeks rallied and came on with a shout, driving the Trojans back before them. The swift horses under Hector's chariot brought him out on the plain.

Starting point is 01:37:33 They who were with him lifted him out, and Hector lay gasping for breath, and with black blood gushing from him. And then as he lay there stricken, he heard the voice of a God, even of Apollo, saying, Hector, son of Priam, why dost thou lie fainting apart from the host? Does thou not know that the battle is desperate? Take up thy spirit again, bid thy charioteer drive thee towards the ships of the Greeks. Then Hector rose and went amongst the ranks of his men, and roused up their spirits, and led them back to the wall. And when the Greeks saw Hector in fighting trim again, going up and down the ranks of his men, they were affrighted.

Starting point is 01:38:19 He mounted his chariot and he shouted to the others, and the Trojan charioteers lashed their horses and they came on like a great wave. They crossed the broken wall again and came near the ships. Then many of the Greeks got into their ships and struck at those who came near with long pikes. And all around the ships, companies of Greek warriors stood like rocks that the sea breaks against in vain. Nestor cried out to the Greeks, bidding them fight like heroes, or else lose in the burning ships all hope of return to their native land. Ayas, a long

Starting point is 01:38:52 pike in his hand, drove multitudes of Trojans back, while in a loud voice he put courage into the Greeks. Hector fought his way forward, crying to the Trojans to bring fire to the ships that had come to their coast against the will of the gods. he came to the first of the ships and laid his hand upon its stern many fought against him there swords and spears and armor fell on the ground some from the hands some off the shoulders of warring men and the black earth was red with blood but hector was not driven away from the ship and he shouted bring fire that we may burn the ships that have brought the enemy to our land the woes we have suffered were because of the cowardice of the elders of the city They would not let me bring my warriors here and bring battle down to the ships when first they came to our beach. Do not let us return to the city, until we have burned the ships with fire. But whoever brought fire near the ship was stricken by strong Ayas, who stood there with a long pike in his hands.

Starting point is 01:39:58 Now all this time Petrochus sat in the hut of Eurypolis, the wounded man he had succored, cheering him with discourse and laying healing herbs on his wounds. But when he saw fire being brought to the ships, he rose up and said, Euripolis, no longer may I stay here, although great is your need of attendance. I must get aid for our warriors. Straightway he ran from the hut and came to where Achilles was. If thy heart Achilles, he said, is still hard against the Greeks, and if thou wilt not come to their aid, let me go into the fight,

Starting point is 01:40:33 and let me take with me thy company of Mermedins. And, oh, Achilles, grant me another thing. Let me wear thine armor and thy helmet, so that the Trojans will believe for a while that Achilles has come back into the battle. Then they would flee before me, and our warriors would be given a breathing time. Said Achilles,

Starting point is 01:40:53 I have declared that I shall not cease from my wrath until the Trojans come to my own ships. But thou, Petrochus, dear friend, mayst go into the battle. All thou hast asked shall be freely given to thee, my Mervidens to lead and my armor to wear, and even my chariot and my immortal horses. Drive the Trojans from the ships. But when thou hast driven them from the ships, return to this hut. Do not go near the city. Return, I bid thee, Petroclis, when the Trojans are no longer around the ships, and leave it to others to battle on the plain. Then Petroclos put on the

Starting point is 01:41:31 armor that Zeus had given to Achilles' father, Pellius. Round his shoulders he cast the sort of bronze with its studs of silver, and upon his head he put the helmet with its high horsehair crest, the terrible helmet of Achilles. Then Achilles bade the charioteer yoke the horses to the chariotes, the horses, Xanthos and Balios, that were also gifts from the gods. And while all this was being done, Achilles went amongst the mermedons, making them ready for the battle, and bidding them remember all the threats they had uttered against the Trojans in the time when they had been kept from the fight. Then he went back to his hut, and opening the chest that his mother Thetis had given him, he took from it a four-handled cup, a cup that no one drank out of but Achilles

Starting point is 01:42:17 himself. Then pouring wine into this cup, and holding it towards heaven, Achilles prayed to Zeus, the greatest of the gods. My comrade I sent to the war, O far-seeing Zeus, mayst strengthen his heart, O Zeus, that all triumph be his. But when from the ships he hath driven the spear of our foes, out of the turmoil of battle may he to me return, scathless, with arms and his comrades who fight hand to hand. So Achilles prayed, and the Mermedons besides their ships shouted in their eagerness to join in the battle. End of Section 10. Section 11 of the Adventures of Odysseus.

Starting point is 01:43:09 This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clatt The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy By Parak Colum Part 1, Chapter 15 Who was the first of the great Trojan champions to go down before the onset of Patroclus? The first was Sarpidon,

Starting point is 01:43:32 who had come with an army to help Hector from a city beyond Troy. He saw the mermidens fight round the ship, and break the ranks of the Trojans, and quench the fire on the half-burnt ship. He saw that the warrior who had the appearance of Achilles affrighted the Trojans, so that they turned their horse's head towards the city. The Mermedon swept on with Petrochus at their head. Now when he saw him rushing down from the ships, Sarpedon threw a dart at Petroclis. The dart did not strike him.

Starting point is 01:44:05 Then Petroclis flung a spear, and struck Sarpedon even. at the heart. He fell dead from his chariot, and there began a battle for his body. The Trojans would have carried it into the city, so that they might bury with all honour the man who had helped them, and the Greeks would have carried it away, so that having his body and his armour, the slaying of Sarpedon might be more of a triumph for them. So a battle for his body went on. Now Sarpedon's comrade, Glaucos, sought out Hector, who was fighting in another part of the battlefield, and he spoke to him reproachfully. Hector, he said,

Starting point is 01:44:43 art thou utterly forgetful of those who came from their own country to help thee to protect thy father's city? Sarpidon has fallen, and Achilles' mermidons would strip him of his armor and bring his body to the ships, that their triumph over him may be greater still.

Starting point is 01:44:58 Disgraceful will it be to thee, Hector, if they win that triumph? Hector, when this was said to him, did not delay, but came straight to the spot where Sarpidon had been slain. The Greek who had laid hands upon the body he instantly slew. But as he fought on, it suddenly seemed to Hector that the gods had resolved to give victory

Starting point is 01:45:18 to the Greeks, and his spirit grew weary and hopeless within him. He turned his horse's heads towards the city and galloped from the press of battle. Then the Trojans who were fighting round it fled from the body of Sarbadon, and the Greeks took it and stripped it of its armor and carried the body to their ships. It was then that Petroclos forgot the command of Achilles, the command that he was not to bring the battle beyond the ships, and that he was to return when the Trojans were beaten towards their city. Petroclos forgot all that, and he shouted to the immortal horses, Xanthos and Balios that

Starting point is 01:45:56 drew his chariot, and slaying warrior after warrior he swept across the plain and came to the very gates of Troy. Now Hector was within the gates, and had not yet left his chariot. Then there came and stood before him one who was thought to be the God Apollo, but who then had the likeness of a mortal man. Hector, said he, why hast thou ceased from the fight? Behold, Patroclus is without the gate of thy father's city. Turn thy horses against him now, and strive to slay him, and may the gods give thee glory.

Starting point is 01:46:31 Then Hector bade his charioteer drive his horses through the gate and into the press of battle. He drew near to Petrochus, and Petroclos, leaping down from his chariot, seized a great stone and flung it at Hector's charioteer. It struck him on the brow, and hurled him from the chariot. Hector, too, leaped from the chariot and took his sword in hand. Their men joined Petroclis, and joined Hector, and the battle began beside the body of Hector's charioteer. Three times did Petroclis rush against the ranks of the Trojans, and nine warriors did he slay. at each onset. But the doom of Patroclus was nigh. A warrior smote him in the back, and struck the helmet from his head. With its high horsehair crest, it rolled beneath the hooves of the horses.

Starting point is 01:47:21 Who was it smote Prince Petroclis then? Men said it was the God Apollo, who would have not had the sacred city of Troy taken, until the time the gods had willed it to fall. The spear fell from his hands, the great shield that Achilles had given him dropped on the ground, and all in a maze Petrochus stood. He gave ground, and retreated towards his comrades. Then did Hector deal him the stroke that slew. With his great spear he struck, and drove it through the body of Patroclus. Then did Hector exult, crying, Petroclis, thou didst swear that thou wouldst sack our sacred city, and thou wouldst take from our people their day of freedom. Now thou hast fallen, and our city need not dread thee ever any more.

Starting point is 01:48:12 Then said Petroclos, Thou mayest boast now, Hector, although it was not thy stroke that slew me. Apollo's stroke it was that sent me down. Boast of my slaying is thou wilt, but hear my saying and keep it in thy heart. Thy fate is measured, and thee Achilles will slay. But Hector did not heed with the dying Patroclus said. He took from his body the armor of Achilles that had been a gift from the gods. The body, too, he would have brought within

Starting point is 01:48:44 the city that his triumph might be greater. But now Ius came to where Patroclus had fallen, and over the body he placed his great shield. The fight went on, and Hector, withdrawing himself to the plain, put upon himself the armor he had stripped off the body of Patroclus. The armor fitted every limb and joint, and as he put it on, more courage and strength than ever yet he had felt came into the soul of Hector. And the immortal steeds that Patroclus had driven, having galloped from the battle, stood apart and would not move, for all that their charioteer would do. They stood apart with their heads bowed, and tears flowed from their eyes down on the ground. And Zeus, the greatest of the gods, saw them and had peeringer. pity upon them, and spoke to himself, saying,

Starting point is 01:49:34 Ah, immortal steeds, why did I give ye to King Pellius, whose generations die while ye remain young and undying? Was it that ye should know the sorrows that befall mortal men? Pitiful indeed is the lot of all men upon the earth. Even Hector now, who boasteth in the armour that the gods once gave, will shortly go down to his death, and the city he defendeth will be burned with fire. So saying he put courage into the hearts of the immortal steeds, and they went where the charioteer would have them go, and they came safely out of the battle.

Starting point is 01:50:10 Now Hector, with the armour of Achilles upon him, gathered his companies together, and brought them up to the battle to win and carry away the body of Patroclus. But each one who laid hands upon that body was instantly slain by Ayas. All day the battle went on, for the Greeks would say to each other, "'Comrades, let the earth yawn and swallow us rather than let the Trojans carry off the body of Petroclos. And on their side the Trojans would say, "'Friends rather let us all be slain together beside this man than let one of us go backward now.' Now Nestor's son, Antilochus, who was fighting on the left of the battlefield, heard of the slaying of Petroclos.

Starting point is 01:50:53 His eyes filled with tears, and his voice was choked with grief, and he dashed out of the battle to bring the grievous tidings to the hut of Achilles. Fallen as Petrochus, he cried, and Greeks and Trojans are fighting around his body, and his body is naked now, poor Hector has stripped the armor from it. Then Achilles fainted away, and his head lay in the ashes of his hut. He woke again and moaned terribly. His goddess mother heard the sound of his grief as she sat within the depths of the ocean. She came to him as he was still moaning terribly.

Starting point is 01:51:29 She took his hand and clasped it and said, "'My child, why weepsst thou?' Achilles ceased his moaning and answered, "'Patroclos, my dear friend, has been slain. Now I shall have no joy in my life save the joy of slaying Hector who slew my friend.' Thetis, his goddess mother, wept when she heard such speech from Achilles.

Starting point is 01:51:51 "'Short-lived you will be my son,' she said, for it is appointed by the gods that after the death of Hector your death will come. Straight way then let me die, said Achilles, since I let my friend die without giving him help. Oh, that I had not let my wrath overcome my spirit! Here I stayed a useless burden on the earth, while my comrades and my own dear friend fought for their country. Here I stayed, I, who am the best of all the Greeks. But now let me go into the battle and let the Trojans know that Achilles has come back, although he tarried long. But thine armour, my son, said Thetis, thou hast no armour now to protect thee in the battle.

Starting point is 01:52:34 Go not into it until thou seest me again. In the morning I shall return, and I shall bring the armour that Hephaestus, the smith of the gods, shall make for thee. So she spoke, and she turned from her son, and she went to Olympus where the gods have their dwellings. Now darkness had come down on those who battled round the body of Patroclus, and in that darkness more Greeks than Trojans were slain. It seemed to the Greeks that Zeus had resolved to give the victory to the Trojans and not to them, and they were dismayed. But four Greek heroes lifted up the body, and put it on their shoulders, and Ias and his brother stood facing the Trojans, holding them back while the four tried to bear the body away. The Trojans pressed on, striking with swords and axes, but like a wooded ridge that stretches across a plain and holds back a mighty flood, Ius and his brother held their ground.

Starting point is 01:53:30 Achilles still lay in his hut, moaning in his grief, and the servants raised loud lamentations outside the hut. The day wore on, and the battle went on, and Hector strove against Ias and his brother. Then the figure of a goddess appeared before Achilles as he lay on the ground. Rouse thee, Achilles, she said, or Hector will drag into Troy the body of thy friend Petrocles, said Achilles. Goddess Iris, how may I go into the battle, since the Trojans hold the armor that should protect me?

Starting point is 01:54:05 Said Iris, the messenger of the gods, go down to the wall as thou art, and show thyself to the men of Troy, and it may be that they will shrink back on seeing thee and hearing thy voice, and so give those who defend the body of Petroclos a breathing spell. So she said and departed. Then Achilles arose and went down to the wall that had been built around the ships. He stood upon the wall and shouted across the trench, and friends and foes saw him and heard his voice. Around his head a flame of fire arose, such as was never seen before around the head of a mortal man. And seeing the flame of fire around his head, and hearing his terrible voice, the Trojans were affrighted and stood still.

Starting point is 01:54:48 Then the Greeks took up the body of Petrochus, and laid it on a litter, and bore it out of the battle. End of Section 11. Section 12 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy. By Paric Colum. Part 1. Chapter 16

Starting point is 01:55:20 Now Thetis, the mother of Achilles, went to Olympus where the gods have their dwellings, and to the house of Hephaestus, the smith of the gods. That house shone above all the houses on Olympus, because Ephesus himself had made it of shining bronze. And inside the house there were wonders, handmaidens that were not living, but that were made out of gold, and made with such wondrous skill, that they waited upon Hephaestus and served and helped him, as though they were living maids. Hephaestus was lame and crooked afoot, and went limping. He and Thetis were friends from old time, for when his mother would have forsaken him because of his crooked foot, Thetis and her sister

Starting point is 01:56:06 reared him within one of the ocean's caves, and it was while he was with them that he began to work in metals. So the lame God was pleased to see Thetis in his dwelling, and he welcomed her, and clasped her hand, and asked of her what she would have him do for her. Then Thetis, weeping, told him of her son Achilles, how he had lost his dear friend, and how he was moved to go into the battle to fight with Hector, and how he was without armour to protect his life, seeing that the armour that the gods had once given his father was now in the hands of his foe. And Thetis besought Hephaestus to make new armour for her son, that he might go into battle.

Starting point is 01:56:46 She no sooner finished speaking, then Hephaestus went to his workbench and set his bellows, twenty there were, working, and the twenty bellows blew into the crucibles and made bright and hot fires. Then Hephaestos threw into the fires bronze and tin and silver and gold. He set on the anvil stand a great anvil, and took in one hand his hammer, and in the other hand his tongs. For the armor of Achilles he first made a shield, and then a corslet that gleamed like fire. And he made a strong helmet to go on the head, and shining greaves to wear on the ankles. The shield was made with five folds, one fold of metal upon the other, so that it was strong and thick that no spear or arrow could pierce it, and upon this shield he hammered out

Starting point is 01:57:38 images that were a wonder to men. The first were images of the sun and the moon, and of the stars that the shepherds and the seamen watch, the Pleiades and the Hyads and Orion and the Bear, that is also called Wayne. And below he hammered out the images of two cities. In one there were people going to feasts and playing music, and dancing and giving judgments in the marketplace. The other was a city besieged. There were warriors on the walls, and there was an army marching out of the gate to give battle to those that besieged them. And below the images of the cities he made a picture of a ploughed field,

Starting point is 01:58:16 with ploughmen driving their yokes of oxen along the furrows, and with men bringing them cups of wine. And he made a picture of another field, where men were reaping, and boys were gathering the corn, where there was a servant beneath an oak-tree making ready a feast, and women making ready barley for a supper for the men who were reaping, and a king standing apart and watching all, holding a staff in his hands, and rejoicing at all he saw. And another image he made of a vineyard, with clusters of grapes that showed black, and with the vines hanging from silver poles, and he showed maidens and youths in the vineyard, gathering the grapes into baskets, and one amongst them, a boy who played on the vial. Beside the image of the vineyard he made images of cattle,

Starting point is 01:59:05 with herdsmen and with nine dogs guarding them. But he showed two lions that had come up and had seized the bull of the herd, and the dogs and men strove to drive them away, but were affrighted. And beside the image of the oxen he made the image of a pasture-land, with sheep in it, and sheepfolds and roofed huts. He made yet another picture, a dancing place with youths and maidens dancing, their hands upon each other's hands,

Starting point is 01:59:33 beautiful dresses and wreaths of flowers the maidens had on and the youths had daggers of gold hanging from their silver belts a great company stood around those who were dancing and amongst them there was a minstrel who played on the lyre then all around the rim of the shield hephestos the lame god set an image of ocean whose stream goes round the world not long was he in making the shield and the other wonderful pieces of armor and as soon as the armor was the armor was ready, Thetis put her hands upon it, and flying down from Olympus like a hawk, brought it to the feet of Achilles her son. And Achilles, when he saw the splendid armor that Hephaestos the lame god had made for him, rose up from where he lay, and took the wonderfully wrought peace in his hands, and he began to put the armor upon him, and none of the mermedins who were around could bear to look upon it, because it shone with such brightness, and because it had all the marks of being the work of a god.

Starting point is 02:00:37 Chapter 17. Then Achilles put his shining armor upon him, and it fitted him as though it were wings. He put the wonderful shield before him, and he took in his hand the great spear that Chiron the centaur had given to Pelias his father, the spear that no one else but Achilles could wield. He bade his charioteer, harness the immortal horses, Xanthos and Bollyos. Then, as he mounted his chariot, Achilles spoke to the horses. Zanthos and Balios, he said, This time bring the hero that goes with you back safely to the ships, and do not leave him dead on the plain, as he left the hero, Patroclus.

Starting point is 02:01:19 Then Zanthos the immortal steed spoke, answering for himself and his comrade. Achilles, he said, with his head bowed and his mane touching the ground. Achilles, for this time we will bring these six. safely back from the battle. But a day will come when we shall not bring thee back, when thou too shalt lie with the dead before the walls of Troy. Then was Achilles troubled, and he said, Xanthos, my steed, why dost thou remind me by thy prophecies of what I know already, that my death too was appointed, and that I am to perish here, far from my father and my mother

Starting point is 02:01:57 and my own land? Then he drove his immortal horses into the battle. The Trojans were affrighted when they saw Achilles himself in the fight, blazing in the armor that Ephesus had made for him. They went backward before his onset, and Achilles shouted to the captain of the Greeks, No longer stand apart from the men of Troy, but go with me into the battle and let each man throw his whole soul into the fight. And on the Trojan side, Hector cried to his captains and said, Do not let Achilles drive you before him, even though his hands are as irresistible as fire, and

Starting point is 02:02:32 and his fierceness as terrible as flashing steel, I shall go against him and face him with my spear.' But Achilles went on, and captain after captain of the Trojans went down before him. Now amongst the warriors whom he caught sight of in the fight was Polydorus, the brother of Hector, and the youngest of all King Priam's sons. Priam forbade him ever to go into the battle, because he loved him as he would love a little child. But Polidoros had gone in this day, trusting to his fleetnesses. afoot to escape with his life. Achilles saw him, and pursued him, and slew him with his spear. Hector saw the death of his brother. Then he could no longer endure to stand aside to order the

Starting point is 02:03:15 battle. He came straight up to where Achilles was brandishing his great spear. And when Achilles saw Hector before him he cried out, "'Here is the man who most deeply wounded my soul, who slew my dear friend Patroclus. Now shall we two fight each other, and and Patroclus shall be avenged by me." And he shouted to Hector, "'Now, Hector, the day of thy triumph and the day of thy life is at its end.' But Hector answered him without fear, "'Not with words, Achilles, can you affright me?

Starting point is 02:03:49 Yet I know that thou art a man of might and a stronger man than I. But the fight between us depends upon the will of the gods. I shall do my best against thee, and my spear before this has been found to have a danger. edge. He spoke, and lifted up his spear and flung it at Achilles. Then the breath of a god turned Hector's spear aside, for it was not appointed that either he or Achilles should be then slain. Achilles darted at Hector to slay him with his spear, but a god hid Hector from Achilles in a thick mist. Then in a rage Achilles drove his chariot into the ranks of the war, and many great captains he slew. He came to Scamandro,

Starting point is 02:04:32 the river that flows across the plain before the city of Troy. And so many men did he slay in it, that the river rose in anger against him for choking its waters with the bodies of men. Then on towards the city he went like a fire raging through a glen that had been parched with heat. Now on a tower of the walls of Troy, Priam the old king stood,

Starting point is 02:04:55 and he saw the Trojans coming in a rout towards the city, and he saw Achilles in his armor blazing like a star, like a star that is seen at harvest time and is called Orion's dog, the star that is the brightest of all stars, but yet is a sign of evil. And the old man Priam sorrowed greatly as he stood upon the tower and watched Achilles, because he knew in his heart whom this man would slay, Hector, his son, the protector of his city. End of Section 12. Section 13 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet

Starting point is 02:05:43 The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 1, Chapter 18 So much of the story of Achilles did Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, hear from the lips of King Menelaus as he sat with his comrade, Piusstratus, in the king's feasting hall. And more would Menelaus have told them. them, then if Helen his wife had not been seen to weep."

Starting point is 02:06:12 "'Why weeps thou, Helen?' said Menelaus. "'Ah, surely I know. It is because the words that tell of the death of Hector are sorrowful to thee.' And Helen, the lovely lady, said, "'Never did Prince Hector speak a harsh or hard word to me in all the years I was in his father's house. And if any one upbraided me he would come and speak gentle words to me. Ah, greatly did I lament for for the death of noble Hector. After his wife and his mother I wept the most for him, and when one speaks of his slaying I cannot help but weep," said Menelaus, we leave your heart of its

Starting point is 02:06:51 sorrow, Helen, by praising Hector to this youth and by telling your memories of him. "'Tomorrow I shall do so,' said the Lady Helen. She went with her maids from the hall, and the servants took Telemachus and Piusestratus to their sleeping-places. The next day They sat in the banqueting hall, King Menelaus and Telemachus and Pius Estratus, and the Lady Helen came amongst them. Her handmaidens brought into the hall her silver work-basket that had wheels beneath it with rims of gold, and her golden distaff, that with the basket had been presents from the wife of the King of Egypt.

Starting point is 02:07:28 And Helen sat in her chair and took the distaff in her hands and worked on the violet-coloured wool that was in her basket. And as she worked she told Telemachus of true. Troy, and of its guardian, Hector," said Helen. The old men were at the gate of the city talking over many things, and King Priam was amongst them. It was in the days when Achilles first quarrelled with King Agamemnon. "'Come hither, my daughter,' said King Priam to me, "'and sit by me and tell me who the warriors

Starting point is 02:07:59 are who now come out upon the plain. You have seen them all before, and I would like to have you tell me who such and such a one is. Who is yon hero who seems so mighty? I have seen men who were more tall than he by a head, but I have never seen a man who looked more royal. I said to King Priam, the hero whom you look upon is the leader of the host of the Greeks. He is the renowned King Agamemnon. He looks indeed a king, said Priam. Tell me now who the other warrior is who is shorter by a head than King Agamemnon, but who is broader of chest and shoulder. He is Odysseusia. He is Odysseus, I said, who was reared in rugged Ithaca, but who was wise above all kings. And an old man,

Starting point is 02:08:43 Antinor, who was by us, said, That indeed is Odysseus. I remember that he and Menelaus came on an embassy to the assembly of the Trojans. When they both stood up, Menelaus seemed the greater man, but when they sat down, Odysseus seemed by far the most stately. When they spoke in the assembly, Menelaus was ready and skillful of speech. Odysseus, when he spoke, held his staff stiffly in his hands and fixed his eyes upon the ground. We thought by the look of him that he was a man of no understanding. But when he began to speak we saw that no one could match Odysseus. His words came like snowflakes in winter, and his voice was very resonant. And Priam said, And who is that huge warrior? I think he is taller and broader than any of the

Starting point is 02:09:30 rest. He is great Ayas, said I, who is as a bulwark for the Greeks. And, besiems. And Beside him stands Idomenius, who has come from the island of Crete. Around him stand the Cretan captains. So I spoke, but my heart was searching for a sight of my own two brothers. I did not see them in any of the companies. Had they come with the host, I wondered, and were they ashamed to be seen with the warriors on account of my wrongdoing? I wondered as I looked for them.

Starting point is 02:10:00 I did not know that even then my two dear brothers were dead, and that the earth of their own dear land held them. Hector came to the gate, and the wives and the daughters of the Trojans came running to him, asking for news of their husbands or sons or brothers, whether they were killed or whether they were coming back from the battle. He spoke to the mall and went to his own house. But Andromache his wife was not there, and the house dame told him that she had gone to the great tower by the wall of the city to watch the battle, and that the nurse had gone with her, bringing their infant child. So Hector went down the street and came to the gate where we were, and Andromache his wife

Starting point is 02:10:41 came to meet him. With her was the nurse who carried the little child that the folk of the city named Astyanax, calling him king of the city, because his father was their city's protector. Hector stretched out his arms to the little boy whom the nurse carried, but the child shrank away from him because he was frightened by the great helmet on his father's head with its horsehair crest. Then Hector laughed, and Andromachy laughed with him, and Hector took off his great helmet, and laid it on the ground. Then he took up his little son, and dandled him in his arms, and prayed, O Zeus, greatest of the gods, grant that this son of mine may become valiant, and that like me he may be protector of the city, and thereafter a great king, so that men may

Starting point is 02:11:29 say of him as he returns from battle, far greater is he than was Hector. his father. Saying this, he left the child back in the nurse's arms, and to Andromache his wife, who was that day very fearful, he said, Dear one, do not be oversawroful. You urge me not to go every day into the battle, but some days to stay behind the walls. But my own spirit forbids me to stay away from battle, for always I have taught myself to be valiant and to fight in the forefront. So he said, and he put on his helmet again and went to order his men, and his wife went towards the house, looking back at him often, and letting her tears fall down. Thou knowest from Menelaus' story what triumphs Hector had thereafter, how he drove the Greeks

Starting point is 02:12:17 back to their ships, and affrighted them with his thousand watch-fires upon the plain, how he drove back the host that Agamemnon led, when Diomedes and Odysseus and Maccaon the healer were wounded, how he broke through the wall that the Greeks had built, and brought fire to their ships, and how he slew Petroclos in the armor of Achilles. Chapter 19 King Priam on his tower saw Achilles come raging across the plain, and he cried out to Hector, Hector, beloved son, do not await this man's onset, but come within the city's walls, come within that thou mayest live and be a protection to the men and women of Troy, and come within that thou mayest save thy father who must perish if thou art slain. But Hector would not

Starting point is 02:13:04 come within the walls of the city. He stood holding his shield against a jutting tower in the wall, and all around him were the Trojans, who came pouring in through the gate without waiting to speak to each other to ask who were yet living and who were slain. And as he stood there, he was saying in his heart, The fault is mine that the Trojans have been defeated upon the plain. I kept them from entering the city last night against the council of a wise man, for in my pride I thought it would be easy to drive Achilles and the Greeks back again and defeat them utterly and destroy their hopes of return. Now are the Trojans defeated and dishonored, and many have lost their lives through my pride. Now the women of Troy will say, Hector, by trusting to his own might, was brought destruction upon the whole host, and our husbands and sons and brothers have perished because of him. Rather than hear them say this, I shall face Achilles and slay him, and save the city,

Starting point is 02:14:01 or if it must be, perish by his spear. When Achilles came near him, Hector spoke to him and said, My heart bids me stand against thee, although thou art a mightier man than I. But before we go into battle, let us take pledges one from the other, with the gods to witness, that if I should slay thee, I shall strip thee of thine armor, but I shall not carry thy body into the city, but give it to thine own friends to treat with all honour, and that if thou should slay me, thou shalt give my body to my friends. But Achilles said, Between me and thee there can be no pledges. Fight, and fight with all thy soldiership,

Starting point is 02:14:41 for now I shall strive to make thee pay for all the sorrow thou hast brought to me, because of the slaying of Petrochus, my friend. He spoke, and raised his spear, and flung it, but with his quickness Hector avoided Achilles' spear, and he raised his own, saying, Thou hast missed me, and not yet is the hour of my doom. Now is thy turn to stand before my spear. He flung it, but the wonderful shield of Achilles turned Hector's spear and it fell on the ground. Then was Hector downcast, for he had no other spear. He drew his sword and sprang at Achilles. But the helmet and shield of Achilles let none of Hector's great strokes touch his body. And Achilles got back into his hands his own great spear, and he stood guarding

Starting point is 02:15:27 himself with his shield, and watching Hector for a spot to strike him on. Now in the armor that Hector wore, the armor that he had stripped off Patroclus, there was a point at the neck where there was an opening. As Hector came on, Achilles drove at his neck with his spear, and struck him, and Hector fell in the dust. Then Achilles stripped from him the armor that Petroclis had worn. The other captains of the Greeks came up and looked at Hector where he lay, and all marvelled at his sighs and strength and goodliness, and Achilles dragged the body at his chariot, and drove away towards the ships. Hector's mother, standing on the tower on the wall, saw all that was done, and she broke into a great cry, and all the women of Troy took up the cry and wailed

Starting point is 02:16:14 for Prince Hector who had guarded them and theirs from the foe. Andromache, his wife, did not know the terrible thing that it happened. She was in an inner chamber of Hector's house, weaving a great web of cloth and embroidering it with flowers, and she had ordered her handmaidens to heat water for the bath, so that Hector might refresh himself when he came in from the fight. But now she heard the wail of the women of Troy. Fear came upon her, for she knew that such wailing was for the best of their warriors. She ran from her chamber and out into the street, and came to the battlements where the people stood watching. She saw the moment. She saw the the chariot of Achilles dashing off towards the ships, and she knew that it dragged the dead

Starting point is 02:16:54 body of Hector. Then darkness came before her eyes, and she fainted away. Her husband's sisters and his brother's wives thronged round her, and lifted her up. And at last her life came back to her, and she wailed for Hector. "'Oh, my husband!' she cried. "'For misery were we two born. Now thou hast been slain by Achilles, and I am left husbandless. Ah, woe for our young child! Hard-hearted strangers shall oppress him when he lives amongst people that care not for him or his, and he will come weeping to me his widowed mother, who will live for ever sorrowful, thinking upon where thou liest, Hector, by the ships of those who slew thee. So Andromachy spoke, and all the women of

Starting point is 02:17:41 Troy joined in her grief, and wept for great Hector, who had protected. their city. End of Section 13. Section 14 of The Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clette. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parich Colum. Part 1, Chapter 20. Now that Hector was dead, King Priam, his father, had only one thought in his mind, and that was to get his body from Achilles and bring it into the city, so that it might be treated with the honour befitting the man who had been the guardian of Troy. And while he sat in his grief, thinking of his noble son lying so far from those who would have wept over him, behold, there appeared before him Iris, the messenger of Zeus, the greatest

Starting point is 02:18:44 of the gods. Iris said to him, King, thou mayest ransom from Achilles the body of Hector, thy noble son. Go thou thyself to the hut of Achilles, and bring with thee great gifts to offer him. Take with thee a wagon that thou mayest bring back in at the body, and let only one old henchman go with thee to drive the mules. Then Priam, when he heard this, arose and went into his treasure-chamber, and and took out of his chests twelve beautiful robes, twelve bright-colored cloaks, twelve

Starting point is 02:19:20 soft coverlets, and ten talents of gold. He took two, four caldrons and two tripods, and a wonderful goblet that the men of Thrace had given him when they had come on an embassy to his city. Then he called upon his sons, and he bade them make ready the wagon, and load it with the treasures he had brought out of his treasure-chamber. When the wagon was loaded and the mules were yoked under it, and when Priam and his henchmen had mounted the seats, Hecabee, the queen, Priam's wife and the mother of Hector, came with wine and with a golden cup that they might pour out an offering to the gods before they went on their journey, that they might know whether the gods indeed

Starting point is 02:20:04 favored it, or whether Priam himself was not going into danger. King Priam took the cup from his wife, and he poured out wine from it, and looking towards heaven, he prayed, O Father Zeus, grant that I may find welcome under Achilles' roof, and send, if thou wilt, a bird of omen, so that seeing it with mine own eyes I may go on my way, trusting that no harm will befall me. He prayed, and straightway a great eagle was seen with wide wings, spread out above the city. And when they saw the eagle, the hearts of the people were to be able.

Starting point is 02:20:40 were glad, for they knew that their king would come back safely, and with the body of Prince Hector, who had guarded Troy. Now Priam and his henchmen drove across the plain of Troy, and came to the river that flowed across, and there they let their mules drink. They were greatly troubled, for dark night was coming down, and they knew not the way to the hut of Achilles. They were in fear, too, that some company of armed men would come upon them, and slay them for the sake of the treasures they had in the wagon.

Starting point is 02:21:13 The henchmen saw a young man coming towards them, and when he reached them, he spoke to them kindly, and offered to guide them through the camp and to the hut of Achilles. He mounted the wagon, and took the reins in his hands and drove the mules. He brought them to the hut of Achilles, and helped Priam from the wagon, and carried the gifts they had brought with them. No, King Priam, he said, that I am not a mortal, but that I am one sent by Zeus to help and companion thee upon the way. Go now within the hut,

Starting point is 02:21:45 and speak to Achilles, and ask him for his father's sake, to restore to thee the body of Hector, thy son. So he spoke and departed, and King Priam went inside the hut. There great Achilles was sitting, and King Priam went to him and knelt before him, and clasped the hands of the man who had slain his son. And Achilles wondered when he saw him there, for he did not know how one could have come to his hut and entered it without being seen. He knew then that it was one of the gods who had guided this man. Priam spoke to him and said, "'Bethink thee Achilles upon thine own father. He is now of an age with me, and perhaps even now in thy faraway country

Starting point is 02:22:29 there are those who make him suffer pain and misery. But however great the pain and misery he may suffer, he is happy compared to me, for he knows that thou his son art alive still. But I no longer have him who is the best of my sons. Now for thy father's sake have I come to the exact, Achilles to ask for the body of Hector, my son. I am more pitiable than thy father or any man, for I have come through dangers to take in my hand the hand that slew my son."

Starting point is 02:23:01 Achilles remembered his father, and felt sorrow for the old man who knelt before him. He took King Priam by the hand, and raised him up and seated him on the bench beside him, and he wept, remembering old Pellius his father. He called his handmaids, and he bade them take the body of Hector, and wash it, and wrap it in two of the robes that Priam had brought. When they had done all this he took up the body of Hector, and laid it himself upon the wagon. Then he came and said to King Priam, "'Thy son is laid upon a beer, and at the break of day thou mayest bring him back to the city. But now eat, and rest here for this night.' King Priam ate, and he looked at Achilles, and he saw how great and how goodly he was.

Starting point is 02:23:49 And Achilles looked at Priam, and he saw how noble and how kingly he looked. And this was the first time that Achilles and Priam, the king of Troy, really saw each other. When they gazed on each other, King Priam said, When thou goest to lie down, Lord Achilles, permit me to lie down also. Not once have my eyelids closed in sleep since my son Hector lost his life. life. And now I have tasted bread and meat and wine for the first time since, and I could sleep." Achilles ordered that a bed be made in the portico for King Priam and his henchmen, but before they went Achilles said, "'Tell me, King, and tell me truly, for how many days dost thou desire

Starting point is 02:24:32 to make a funeral for Hector? For so many days' days' space I will keep back the battle from the city, so that thou mayest make the funeral in peace. For nine days we would watch beside Hector's body and lament for him. On the tenth day we would have the funeral. On the eleventh day we would make a barrow over him, and on the twelfth day we would fight, King Priam said. Even for twelve days I will hold the battle back from the city, said Achilles. Then Priam and his henchmen went to rest,

Starting point is 02:25:06 but in the middle of the night the young man who had guided him to the hut of Achilles, the god Hermes he was, appeared before his bed, and bade him rise and go to the wagon, and yoke the mules and drive back to the city with the body of Hector. Priam aroused his henchmen and they went out, and yoked the mules and mounted the wagon, and with Hermes to guide them, they drove back to the city. And Achilles on his bed, thought of his own fate, how he too would die in battle, and how for him there would be no father to make lament. But he would be laid where he had asked his friends to lay him, beside Patroclus,

Starting point is 02:25:45 and over them both the Greeks would raise a barrow that would be wondered at in after-times. So, Achilles thought, and afterwards the arrow fired by Paris struck him as he fought before the gate of the city, and he was slain even on the place where he slew Hector. But the Greeks carried off his body and his armour, and brought them back to the ships. And Achilles was lamented over, though not by old Pellius his father. From the depths of the sea came Thetis, his goddess mother, and with her came the maidens of the sea. They covered the body of Achilles with wonderful raiment, and over it they lamented for seventeen days and seventeen nights.

Starting point is 02:26:27 On the eighteenth day he was laid in the grave beside Patroclus, his dear friend, and over them both the Greeks raised a barrow that was wondered at in the aftertimes. Chapter XXI Now Hector's sister was the first to see her father coming in the dawn across the plain of Troy, with the wagon upon which his body was laid. She came down to the city, and she cried through the streets, O men and women of Troy, ye who often went to the gates to meet Hector coming back with victory, come now to the gates to receive Hector dead. Then every man and woman in the city took themselves outside the gate. and they brought in the wagon upon which Hector was laid, and all day from the early dawn

Starting point is 02:27:13 to the going down of the sun they wailed for him who had been the guardian of their city. His father took the body to the house where Hector had lived, and he laid it upon his bed. Then Hector's wife, Andromachy, went to the bed and cried over the body. "'Husband!' she cried. "'Thou art gone from life, and thou hast left me a widow in thy house. Our child is yet little, And he shall not grow to manhood In the halls that were thine,

Starting point is 02:27:41 For long before that the city will be taken and destroyed. How can it stand, When thou, who wert its best guardian, hast perished? The folk lament thee, Hector. But for me and for thy little son, doomed to grow up amongst strangers And men unfriendly to him, The pain for thy death will ever abide.

Starting point is 02:28:04 And Hacabee, Hector's son, Hector's mother went to the bed and cried, "'Of all my children, thou Hector, Wirt the dearest. Thou wert slain because it was not thy way to play the coward. Ever wert thou championing the men and women of Troy without thought of taking shelter or flight, and for that thou wert slain, my son.' And I, Helen, went to the bed too,

Starting point is 02:28:28 to lament for noble Hector. Of all the friends I had in Troy, thou wert the dearest Hector. I cried. Never did I hear one harsh word from thee to me, who brought wars and trouble to thy city. In every way thou wert a brother to me. Therefore I bewail thee with pain at my heart, for in all Troy there is no one now who is friendly to me. Then did the king and the folk of the city prepare for Hector's funeral. On the tenth day, weeping most bitter tears, they bore brave Hector away. And they made a grave for him, and over the grave they put close-set stones, and over at all they raised a great barrow. On the eleventh day they

Starting point is 02:29:11 feasted at King Priam's house, and on the twelfth day the battle began anew. End of Section 14. Section 15 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 1 Chapter 22 For many days Telemachus and his comrade Pius Estratus

Starting point is 02:29:48 stayed in the house of King Menelaus On the evening before he departed Menelaus spoke to him of the famous deeds of his father, Odysseus. Now Achilles was dead, said Menelaus, and his glorious armor was offered as a prize for the warrior whom the Greeks thought the most of. Two men strove.

Starting point is 02:30:08 for the prize, Odysseus and his friend Ayas. To Odysseus the armour of Achilles was given, but he was in no way glad of the prize, for his getting it had wounded the proud spirit of great Ayas. It was fitting that Odysseus should have been given Achilles' armor, for no warrior and the host had done better than he. But Odysseus was to do still greater things for us. He knew that only one man could wield a bow better than Paris, Paris who had shot with an arrow Achilles, and who after that had slain many of our chiefs. That man was Philictetes. He had come with Agamemnon's host to Troy. But Philictetes had been bitten by a water-snake, and the wound given him was so terrible that none of our warriors could bear to be near him. He was left on the

Starting point is 02:30:57 island of Lemnos, and the host lost memory of him. But Odysseus remembered, and he took ship to Lemnos, and brought Philictetes back. With his great bow and with the arrows of Hercules that were his, Philictetes shot at Paris upon the wall of Troy, and slew him with an arrow. And then Odysseus defised the means by which we took Priam's city at last. He made us build a great wooden horse. We built it and left it upon the plain of Troy, and the Trojans wondered at it greatly. And Odysseus had counseled us to bring our ships down to the water, and to burn our stores and make it seem in every way that we were going to depart from Troy in weariness. This we did, and the Trojans saw the great host sail away from before their city.

Starting point is 02:31:46 But they did not know that a company of the best of our warriors was within the hollow of the wooden horse, nor did they know that we had left a spy behind to make a signal for our return. The Trojans wondered why the great wooden horse had been left behind, and there were some who considered that it had been left there as an offering to the goddess, Palace Athena, and they thought that it should be brought within the city. Others were wiser, and would have left the wooden horse alone. But those who considered that it should be brought within prevailed, and as the horse was too great to bring through the gate, they flung down part of the wall that they might bring it through. The wooden horse was brought

Starting point is 02:32:24 within the walls, and left upon the streets of the city, and the darkness of the night fell. Now Helen, my wife, came down to where the wooden horse was, and she, suspecting there were armed men within, walked around it three times, calling to every captain of the Greeks who might be within in his own wife's voice. And when the sound of a voice that had not been heard for so many years came to him, each of the captains started up to answer. But Odysseus put his hands across the mouth of each, and so prevented them from being discovered. We had left a spy hidden between the beach and the city. Now when the wooden horse

Starting point is 02:33:03 had been brought within the walls and night had fallen, the spy lighted a great fire that was a signal to the ships that had sailed away. They returned with the host before the day broke. Then we who were within the wooden horse broke through the boards and came out on the city with our spears and swords in our hands. The guards beside the gates we slew and made a citadel of the wooden horse and fought around it. The warriors from the ships crossed the wall where it was broken down, and we swept through the streets and came to the citadel of the king. Thus we took Priam's City and all its treasures, and thus I won back my own wife, the lovely Helen. But after we had taken and sacked King Priam's city, great troubles came upon us. Some of us sailed

Starting point is 02:33:50 away, and some of us remained on the shore at the bidding of King Agamemnon to make sacrifice to the gods. We separated, and the doom of death came to many of us. Nestor I saw at Lesbos, but none other of our friends have I ever since seen. Agamemnon, my own brother, came to his own land. But ah, it would have been happier for him if he had died on the plain of Troy, and if we had left a great barrow heaped above him, for he was slain in his own house, and by one who had married the wife he had left behind. When the Ancient One of the Sea told me of my brother's doom, I sat down upon the sand and wept, and I was minded to live no more, nor to see the light of the sun.

Starting point is 02:34:36 And of thy father, Telemachus, I have told thee what I myself know, and what was told me of him by the Ancient One of the Sea, how he stays on an island where the nymph Calypso holds him against his will. But where that island lies I do not know. Oedysius is there, and he cannot win back to his own country, seeing that he has no ship and no companions to help him to make his way across the sea. But Odysseus was ever master of devices, and also he is greatly favored by the goddess Pallas Athena. For these reasons, Telemachus, be hopeful that your father will yet reach his own home and country.

Starting point is 02:35:19 Chapter 23 Now the goddess, Pallas Athena, had thought for Telemachus, and she came to him where he lay in the vestibule of Menelaus house. His comrade Piusestratus was asleep, but Telemachus was wakeful, thinking upon his father. Athena stood before him and said to him, Telemachus, no longer shouldst thou wander abroad, for the time has come when thou shouldst return. Come! Rouse Menelaus, and let me him send thee upon thy way." Then Telemachus woke Pius Estratus out of his sleep, and told him that it was best that they should be going on their journey.

Starting point is 02:36:00 But Piusestratus said, "'Tarry, until it is dawn, Telemachus, when Menelaus will come to us and send us on our way.' Then when it was light King Menelaus came to them. When he heard that they would depart, he told the Lady Helen to bid the maids prepare a meal for them. He himself, with Helen his wife, and Megapenthes his son, went down into his treasure-chamber, and brought forth gifts to Telemachus, a two-handled cup and a great mixing-bowl of silver, and Helen took out of a chest a beautiful robe that she herself had made and embroidered.

Starting point is 02:36:36 They came to Telemachus where he stood by the chariot, with Piusistratus ready to depart. Then Menelaus gave him the beautiful two-handled cup that had been a gift to himself from the king of the Sedonians. Megapenthes brought up the great bowl of silver and put it in the chariot, and beautiful Helen came to him, holding the embroidered robe. "'I too have a gift, dear child, for thee,' she said. "'Bring this robe home and leave it in thy mother's keeping. I want thee to have it to give to thy bride, when thou bringest her into thy father's halls.' Then were the horses yoked to the chariot, and Telemachus and Piasistratus bade farewell to Menelaus and Helen, who had treated them so kindly. As they were ready to go,

Starting point is 02:37:23 Menelaus poured out of a golden cup wine as an offering to the gods. And as Menelaus poured it out, Telemachus prayed that he might find Odysseus his father in his home. Now as he prayed a bird flew from the right hand and over the horse's heads. It was an eagle, and it bore in its claws a goose that belonged to the farmyard. Telemachus asked Menelaus, was this not a sign from Zeus the greatest of the gods? Then said Helen, hear me now, for I will prophesy from this sign to you. Even as yonder eagle has flown down from the mountain and killed a goose of the farmyard, so will Odysseus come from far to his home and kill the wooers who were there. May Zeus grant that it be so, said Telemachus. He spoke,

Starting point is 02:38:13 and lashed the horses, and they sped across the plain. When they came near the city of Pylos, Telemachus spoke to his comrade Piusistratus, and said, Do not take me past my ship, son of Nestor. Thy good father expects me to return to his house, but I fear that if I should, he, out of friendliness, would be anxious to make me stay many days, but I know that I should now return to Ithaca. The son of Nestor turned the horses towards the sea, and they drove the chariot to where Telemachus' ship was anchored.

Starting point is 02:38:47 Then Telemachus gathered his followers, and he bade them take on board the presents that Menelaus and Helen had given him. They did this, and they raised the mast and the sails, and the rowers took their seats on the benches. A breeze came, and the sails took it, and Telemachus and his companions sailed towards home. all unknown to the youth, his father Odysseus, was even then nearing his home. End of Part 1. End of Section 15.

Starting point is 02:39:27 Section 16 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum. Part 2. How Odysseus is in the tale of Troy. Cusius left Calypso's island, and came to the land of the Fyatians. How he told he fared with the Cyclops, and went past the terrible Silla and Carybdis, and came to the island of Thranacea,

Starting point is 02:39:57 where his men slaughtered the cattle of the sun, how he was given a ship by the Fyatians and came to his own land, how he overthrew the wooers who wasted his substance, and came to reign again as king of Ithaca. ever mindful was palace athena of odysseus although she might not help him openly because of a wrong he had done besideon the god of the sea but she spoke at the council of the gods and she won from zeus a pledge that odysseus would now be permitted to return to his own land on that day she went to ithaca and appearing to telemachus moved him as has been told to go on the voyage in search of his father and on that day too hermes by the will of zeus went to ojidia to that island where as the ancient one of the sea had shown menelaus odysseus was held by the nymph calypso beautiful indeed was that island All round the cave where Calypso lived was a blossoming wood, alder, poplar, and cypress trees were there, and on their branches roosted long-winged birds, falcons and owls and chattering sea-crows.

Starting point is 02:41:14 Before the cave was a soft meadow, in which thousands of violets bloomed, and with four fountains that gushed out of the ground and made clear streams through the grass. Across the cave grew a straggling vine, heavy with clusters of grapes. Calypso was within the cave, and as Hermes came near, he heard her singing one of her magic songs. She was before a loom weaving the threads with a golden shuttle. Now she knew Hermes, and was pleased to see him on her island. But as soon as he spoke of Odysseus and how it was the will of Zeus that he should be permitted to leave the island, her song ceased, and the golden shuttle fell from her hand.

Starting point is 02:41:56 "'Woe to me!' she said. and woe to any immortal who loves immortal, for the gods are always jealous of their love. I do not hold him here because I hate Odysseus, but because I love him greatly, and would have him dwell with me here. More than this, Hermes, I would make him an immortal, so that he would know neither old age nor death. He does not desire to be freed from old age and death, said Hermes. He desires to return to his own land, and to live with his dear wife Penelope. and his son Telemachus, and Zeus, the greatest of the gods, command that you let him go upon his way.

Starting point is 02:42:35 "'I have no ship to give him,' said Calypso, and I have no company of men to help him cross the sea. He must leave the island and cross the sea. Zeus commands it,' Hermes said. "'I must help him to make his way across the sea if it must be so,' Calypso said. Then she bowed her head, and Hermes went from her. Straightway Calypso left her cave and went down to the sea. By the shore Odysseus stayed, looking across the wide sea with tears in his eyes.

Starting point is 02:43:09 She came to him, and she said, Be not sorrowful any more, Odysseus. The time has come when thou mayst depart from my island. Come now, I will show how I can help thee on thy way. She brought him to the side of the island where great trees grew, and she put in his hands a double-edged axe and an ad's. Then Odysseus started to hew down the timber. Twenty trees he felled with his axe of bronze,

Starting point is 02:43:38 and he smoothed them and made straight the line. Calypso came to him at the dawn of the next day. She brought augurs for boring, and he made the beams fast. He built a raft, making it very broad, and set a mast upon it and fixed a rudder to guide it. To make it more secure, he wove out of osier rods a fence that went from stem to stern as a bulwark against the waves, and he strengthened the bulwark with wood placed behind. Calypso wove him a web of cloth for sails, and these he made very skillfully. Then he fastened the braces and the halliards and sheets, and he pushed the raft with levers down to the sea.

Starting point is 02:44:20 That was on the fourth day. On the fifth, Calypso gave him garments for the journey and brought provision down to the raft, two skins of wine and a great skin of water, corn and many dainties. She showed Odysseus how to guide his course by the star that some call the bear and others the wane, and she bade farewell to him. He took his place on the raft and set his sail to the breeze, and he sailed away from Ogegia, the island where Calypso had held him for so long. But not easily or safely did he make his way across the sea.

Starting point is 02:44:57 The winds blew upon his raft and the waves dashed against it. A fierce blast came and broke the mast in the middle. The sail and the arm-yard fell into the deep. Then Odysseus was flung down on the bottom of the raft. For a long time he lay there overwhelmed by the water that broke over him. The winds drove the raft to and fro. The south wind tossed it to the north to bear. along, and the east wind tossed it to the west to chase. In the depths of the sea there

Starting point is 02:45:28 was a nymph who saw his toils and his troubles, and who had pity on him. I know was her name. She rose from the waves in the likeness of a seagull, and she sat upon the raft, and she spoke to Odysseus in words. Hapless man, she said. Poseidon, the god of the sea is still wroth with thee. It may be that the waters will destroy the raft upon which thou sailest. Then there would be no hope for thee. But do what I bid thee, and thou shalt yet escape. Strip off thy garments, and take this veil from me and wind it around thy breast.

Starting point is 02:46:03 As long as it is upon thee thou can't not drown. But when thou reachest the mainland, loose the veil and cast it into the sea, so that it may come back to me. She gave him the veil, and then in the likeness of a seagull she dived into the sea, and the waves closed over her. Odysseus took the veil and wound it around his breast, but he would not leave the raft as long as its timbers held together. Then a great wave came and shattered the raft. He held himself on a single beam as one holds himself on a horse, and then with the veil bound

Starting point is 02:46:38 across his breast he threw himself into the waves. For two days and two nights he was tossed about on the waters. When on the third day the dawn came and the winds fell, he saw, saw land very near. He swam eagerly towards it. But when he drew nearer he heard the crash of waves as they struck against rocks that were all covered with foam. Then indeed was Odysseus afraid. A great wave took hold of him and flung him towards the shore. Now would his bones have been broken upon the rocks if he had not been ready-minded enough to rush towards a rock and to cling to it with both hands until the wave dashed by. Its backward drag took him and carried

Starting point is 02:47:20 him back to the deep with the skin stripped from his hands. The waves closed over him. When he rose again he swam round looking for a place where there might be, not rocks, but some easy opening into the land. At last he saw the mouth of a river. He swam towards it until he felt its stream flowing through the water of the sea. Then in his heart he prayed to the river. "'Hear me, oh, river,' was what he said. "'I am come to thee as a suppliant, fleeing from the anger of Poseidon, God of the sea. Even by the gods is the man pity who comes to them as a wanderer and a hapless man. I am thy suppliant, O river, pity me and help me in my need. Now the river-water was smooth for his swimming, and he came safely to

Starting point is 02:48:08 its mouth. He came to a place where he might land, but with his flesh swollen and streams of salt water gushing from his mouth and nostrils. He lay on the ground without breath or speech, swooning with the terrible weariness that was upon him. But in a while his breath came back to him, and his courage rose. He remembered the veil that the sea-nymph had given him, and he loosened it, and let it fall back into the flowing river. A wave came and bore it back to Inau, who caught it in her hands. But Odysseus was still fearful, and he said in his heart, "'Ah, me! What is to befall me now? Here am I naked and forlorn. and I know not amongst what people I am come. And what shall I do with myself when night comes on?

Starting point is 02:48:57 If I lie by the river in the frost and dew I may perish of the cold, and if I climb up yonder to the woods and seek refuge in the thickets, I may become the prey of wild beasts. He went from the cold of the river up to the woods, and he found two olive trees growing side by side, twining together so that they made a shelter against the winds. He went and lay between them upon a bed of leaves, and with leaves he covered himself over. There, in that shelter, and with that warmth he lay, and sleep came on him, and at last he rested from perils and toils. End of Section 16. Section 17 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy

Starting point is 02:49:54 by Parak Colum Part 2 Chapter 2 And while he rested The goddess Palace Athena went to the city of the Fiatians To whose land Odysseus had now come She came to the palace of the king

Starting point is 02:50:11 And passing through all the doors Came to the chamber where the king's daughter, Nossica, slept. She entered into Nossikia's dream, appearing to her in it as one of her girl comrades, and in the dream she spoke to the princess. Nossikia, she said, the garments of your household are all uncared for, and the time is near when, more than ever, you have need to have much and beautiful raiment.

Starting point is 02:50:39 Your marriage day will be soon. You will have to have many garments ready by that time, garments to bring with you to your husband's house, and garments to give to those who will attend you at your wedding. There is much to be done, Nossikia. Be ready at the break of your house. of day and take your maidens with you and bring the garments of your household to the river to be washed. I will be your mate in the toil. Beg your father to give you a wagon with mules to carry all the garments that we have need to wash. So, in her dream, Palace Athena spoke to the princess in the likeness of her girlfriend. Having put the task of washing into her mind, the goddess left the palace of the king and the country of the feations.

Starting point is 02:51:20 Nossikia, when she rose, thought upon her dream, and she went through the palace and found her father. He was going to the assembly of the Fyatians. She came to him, but she was shy about speaking of that which had been in her dream, her marriage day, since her parents had not spoken to her about such a thing. Saying that she was going to the river to wash the garments of the household, she asked for a wagon and for mules. So many garments have I lying soiled, She said, "'Yes, and thou too, my father, should have fresh raiment when you go forth to the assembly of the the theeations, and in our house are the two unwedded youths, my brothers, who are always eager for new washed garments wherein to go to dances.' Her father smiled on her and said, "'The mules and wagon thou mayst have, Norsikia, and the servant shall get them ready for thee now.' He called to the servants and bade them get ready the mules and the wagon. Then Nossikia gathered her maids together.

Starting point is 02:52:20 and they brought the soiled garments of the household to the wagon. And her mother, so that Norsicaea and her maids might eat while they were from home, put in a basket filled with dainties and a skin of wine. Also she gave them a jar of olive oil that they might rub themselves with oil when bathing in the river. Young Nossikia herself drove the wagon. She mounted it and took the whip in her hands and started the mules, and they went through fields and by farms and came to the river bank. The girls brought the garments to the stream, and leaving them in the shallow parts, trod them with their bare feet. The wagon was unharnessed, and the mules were left to graze along the riverside. Now when they had washed the garments, they took them to the seashore,

Starting point is 02:53:05 and left them on the clean pebbles to dry in the sun. Then Nossackia and her companions went into the river, and bathed and sported in the water. When they had bathed, they sat down and ate the meal that had been put on the wagon for them. The garments were not yet dried, and Nalsiccia called her companions to play. Straightway they took a ball, and threw it from one to the other, each singing a song that went with the game. And as they played on the meadow, they made a lovely company, and the Princess Nalsicchio was the tallest and fairest and noblest of them all. Before they left the Riverside to load the wagon they played a last game. The The princess threw the ball, and the girl whose turn it was to catch missed it.

Starting point is 02:53:51 The ball went into the river and was carried down the stream. At that they all raised a cry. It was this cry that woke up Odysseus, who covered over with leaves, was then sleeping in the shelter of the two olive trees. He crept out from under the thicket, covering his nakedness with leafy boughs that he broke off the trees. And when he saw the girls in the meadow he wanted to go to them to beg for their help. But when they looked on him they were terribly frightened, and they ran this way and that way

Starting point is 02:54:21 and hid themselves. Only Nossikia stood still, for Pallas Athena had taken fear from her mind. Odysseus stood a little way from her, and spoke to her in a beseeching voice. I supplicate thee, lady, to help me in my bitter need. I would kneel to thee and clasp thy knees, only I fear thine anger. Have pity on me. Yesterday was the twentieth day that I was upon the sea. see, driven hither and thither by the waves and the winds.

Starting point is 02:54:50 And still Nossikius stood, and Odysseus looking upon her was filled with reverence for her, so noble she seemed. I know not as I look upon thee, he said, whether thou art a goddess or a mortal maiden. If thou art a mortal maiden, happy must thy father be and thy mother and thy brothers. Surely they must be proud and glad to see thee in the dance, for thou art the very flower of maidens. And happy above all will be he who will lead thee home to his bride. Never have my eyes beheld one who had such beauty and such nobleness. I think thou art like to the young palm tree I once saw springing up by the altar of Apollo in Delos, the tree that many marvelled

Starting point is 02:55:33 to look at. O lady, after many and sore trials, to thee first of all the people have I come. I know that thou wilt be gracious to me. Show me the way to the town. give me an old garment to cast about me, and may the gods grant thee thy wish and thy heart's desire, a noble husband who will cherish thee." She spoke to him as a princess should, seeing that in spite of the evil plight he was in, he was a man of worth. "'Strager,' she said, "'since thou hast come to our land, thou shalt not lack for raiment, nor aught else that has given to a suppliant. I will show thee the way to the town also.' he asked what land he was in this stranger she said is the land of the fiatians and alcinois is king over them and i am the king's daughter nausicaea

Starting point is 02:56:26 then she called to her companions do not hide yourselves she said this is not an enemy but a helpless and an unfriended man we must befriend him for it is well said that the stranger and the beggar are from god The girls came back, and they brought Odysseus to a sheltered place, and they made him sit down and laid a garment beside him. One brought the jar of olive oil that he might clean himself when he bathed in the river, and Odysseus was very glad to get this oil for his back and shoulders were all crusted over with flakes of brine. He went into the river and bathed and rubbed himself with the oil. Then he put on the garment that had been brought him. So well he looked that when he came towards them again the princess said to the maids, "'Look now on the man who a while ago seemed so terrifying. He is most handsome and stately.

Starting point is 02:57:20 Would that we might see more of him. Now, my maidens, bring the stranger meat and drink.' They came to him, and they served him with meat and drink, and he ate and drank eagerly, for it was long since he had tasted food. And while he ate, Norsicaia and her companions went down to the seashore and gathered the garments that were now dried, singing songs the while. They harnessed the mules and folded the garments and left them on the wagon. When they were ready to go, Nossikia went to Odysseus and said to him, "'Strager, if thou wouldst make thy way into the city, come with us now, so that we may guide thee. But first listen to what I would say, while we are going through the fields and by the farms,

Starting point is 02:58:05 walk thou behind, keeping near the wagon. But when we enter the ways of the city, go no further with us. People might speak unkindly of me if they saw me with a stranger such as thou. They might say, Who does Nossikia bring to her father's house? Someone she would like to make her husband most likely. So that we may not meet with such rudeness, I would have thee come alone to my father's house. Listen now, and I will tell thee how thou mayest do this. There is a grove kept for the goddess Palace Athena within a man's shout of the city. In that grove is a spring, and when we come near I would have thee go and rest thyself by it. Then when thou dost think we have come to my father's house, enter the city, and ask thy way to the palace of the king.

Starting point is 02:58:51 When thou hast come to it, pass quickly through the court and through the great chamber, and come to where my mother sits weaving yarn by the light of the fire. My father will be sitting near, drinking his wine in the evening. Pass by his seat and come to my mother, and clasp your hands about her knees and ask for her aid. If she become friendly to thee, thou wilt be helped by our people, and wilt be given the means of returning to thine own land. So Nossikia bade him. Then she touched the mules with the whip, and the wagon went on. Odysseus walked with the maids behind.

Starting point is 02:59:27 As the sunset they came to the grove that was outside the city, the grove of Palis Athena. Odysseus went into it and sat by the spring, and while he was in her grove he prayed to the goddess. Hear me, Palis Athena, and grant that I may come before the king of this land as one well worthy of his pity and his help. End of Section 17. Section 18 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clette The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy

Starting point is 03:00:11 By Paric Colum Part 2, Chapter 3 About the time that the maiden Nossica had come to her father's house, Odysseus rose up from where he sat by the spring in the grove of Palace Athena and went into the city. There he met one who showed him the world. way to the palace of King Alcinous. The doors of that palace were golden, and the door-posts were of silver. And there was a garden by the great door filled with fruitful trees, pear-trees and

Starting point is 03:00:44 pomegranates, apple-trees, and trees bearing figs and olives. Below it was a vineyard showing clusters of grapes. That orchard and that vineyard were marvels, for in them never fruit fell or was gathered, but other fruit ripened to take its place. From season to season there was fruit for the gathering in the king's close. Odysseus stood before the threshold of bronze, and many thoughts were in his mind. But at last, with a prayer to Zeus, he crossed the threshold and went through the great hall. Now on that evening the captains and the counselors of the feations sat drinking wine with the king. Odysseus passed by them, and stayed in not at the king's chair, but went where Arete, the queen sat. And he knelt before her, and clasped

Starting point is 03:01:35 her knees with his hands, and spoke to her in supplication. Arete, queen. After many toils and perils, I am come to thee and to thy husband, and to these thy guests. May the gods give all who are here a happy life, and may each see his children in safe possession of his halls. I have come to thee to beg that thou wouldst put me on my way to my own land, for long have I suffered sore affliction far from my friends. Then, having spoken, Odysseus went and sat down in the ashes of the hearth with his head bowed. No one spoke for long. Then an aged counsellor who was there spoke to the king. "'Oh, Alcinous,' he said, "'it is not right that a stranger should sit in the ashes by thy hearth.

Starting point is 03:02:26 Bid the stranger rise now, and let a chair be given him, and supper set before him. Then Alcinuus took Odysseus by the hand, and raised him from where he sat, and bade his son, Laidamus, give place to him. He sat on a chair inlaid with silver, and the house dame brought him bread and wine and dainties. He ate, and King Alcinuus spoke to the company, and said, "'Tomorrow I shall call you together, and we will entertain this stranger with a feast in our halls, and we shall take counsel to see in what way we can convoy him to his own land.' The captains and counsellors assented to this, and then each one arose and went to his own house. Odysseus was left alone in the hall with the king and the queen.

Starting point is 03:03:14 Now Arete, looking closely at Odysseus, recognized the mantle he wore, for she herself had wrought it with her handmaids. And when all the company had gone, she spoke to Odysseus, and said, "'Strager, who art thou? Didst thou not speak of coming to us from across the deep? And if thou didst come that way, who gave thee the raiment that thou hast on?' said Odysseus. "'Lady, for seven and ten days I sailed across the deep, and on the eighteenth day I sighted the hills of thy land. But my woes were not yet ended. The storm winds shattered my raft, and when I strove to land the waves o'erwhelmed me and dashed me against great rocks in a desolate place. At length I came to a river, and I swam through its mouth, and I found a shelter from the wind.

Starting point is 03:04:05 There I lay amongst the leaves all the night long, and from dawn to midday. Then came thy daughter down to the river. I was aware of her playing with her friends, and And to her I made my supplication. She gave me bread and wine, and she bestowed these garments upon me, and she showed an understanding that was far beyond her years. Then said Alcinous the King, Our daughter did not do well when she did not bring thee straight to our house. Odysseus said, My lord do not blame the maiden.

Starting point is 03:04:40 She bade me follow with her company, and she was only careful that no one should have cause to make ill-judged remarks upon the stranger whom she found. Then Alcinous the king praised Odysseus, and said that he should like such a man to abide in his house, and that he would give him land and wealth in the country of the Feations. But if it is not thy will to abide with us, he said, I shall give thee a ship and a company of men to take thee to thine own land, even if that land be as far as Eubia, which our men say is the farthest of all lands. As he said this, Odysseus uttered a prayer in his heart,

Starting point is 03:05:17 O Father Zeus, grant that Alcinuus the king may fulfill all that he is promised, and for that may his fame never be quenched, and that I may come to my own land. Arete now bade the maids prepare a bed for Odysseus. This they did, casting warm coverlets and purple blankets upon it. And when Odysseus came to the bed and lay in it, after the tossing of the waves, lives, rest in it seemed wonderfully good. At dawn of day he went with the king to the assembly of the Feations. When the princes and captains and councillors were gathered together, Alcinous spoke to

Starting point is 03:05:56 them, saying, Princes and captains and councillors of the Feations, This stranger has come to my house and his wanderings, and he desires us to give him a ship and a company of men, so that he may cross the sea and come to his own land. Let us, as in time's past we have done for others, help him in his journey. Nay, let us even now draw down a black ship to the sea, and put two and fifty of our noblest youths upon it, and let us make it ready for the voyage. But before he departs from amongst us, come all of you to a feast that I shall give to this stranger in my house, and, moreover, let us take with us the minstrel of our land, blind Demodocus, that his songs may make us glad at the feast. So the king spoke,

Starting point is 03:06:43 And the princes, captains, and councillors of the Feations went with him to the palace, and at the same time two and fifty youths went down to the shore of the sea, and drew down a ship and placed the masts and sails upon it, and left the oars in their leathern loops. Having done all this they went to the palace, where the feast was being given, and where many men had gathered. The henchmen led in the minstrel, blind Demodocus. To him the gods had given a good and an evil fortune, the gift of song with the lack of sight. The henchman led him through the company, and placed him on a seat inlaid with silver, and hung his lyre on the pillar above his seat. When the guests and the minstrel had feasted, blind Demodocus took down the lyre, and sang

Starting point is 03:07:30 of things that were already famous, of the deeds of Achilles and Odysseus. Now when he heard the words that the minstrel uttered, Odysseus caught up his purple cloak and drew it over his head. Tears were falling down his cheeks, and he was ashamed of their being seen. No one marked his weeping except the king, and the king wondered why his guest should be so moved by what the minstrel related. When they had feasted and the minstrel had sung to them, Elsinous said, Let us go forth now and engage in games and sports, so that our stranger guest may tell his friends when he is amongst them what our young men can do." went out from the palace to the place where the games were played. There was a foot-race,

Starting point is 03:08:15 and there was a boxing match, and there was wrestling and weight-throwing. All the youths present went into the games. And when the sports were ending, Laidamus, the son of King Alcinuas, said to his friends, "'Come, my friends, and let us ask the stranger whether he is skilled or practised in any sport.' And saying this he went to Odysseus and said, friend and stranger, come now and try thy skill in the games. Cast care away from thee, for thy journey shall not be long delayed. Even now the ship is drawn down to the sea, and we have with us the company of youths that is ready to help thee to thine own land."

Starting point is 03:08:53 Said Odysseus, Sorrow is nearer to my heart than sport, for much have I endured in times that are not far past. Then a youth who was with Laidamus, Uriolus, who was with Lydomus, who, who had won in the wrestling bout, said insolently, "'Leodamus is surely mistaken in thinking that thou shouldst be proficient in sports. As I look at thee I think that thou art one who makes voyages for gain, a trader whose only thought is for his cargo and his gains.' Then said Odysseus with anger, "'Thou hast not spoken well, young man. Thou hast beauty surely, but thou hast not grace of manner nor speech. And thou hast stirred the spirit in my breast by

Starting point is 03:09:35 speaking to me in such words." Thereupon, clad as he was in his mantle, Odysseus sprang up and took a weight that was larger than any yet lifted, and with one whirl he flung it from his hands. Beyond all marks it flew, and one who was standing far off cried out, "'Even a blind man stranger might know that thy weight need not be confused with the others, but lies far beyond them. In this bout none of the fiatians can surpass thee.' And Odysseus turning to the youths said, Let who will pass that throw?

Starting point is 03:10:09 And if any of you would try with me in boxing or wrestling, or even in the foot-race, let him stand forward. Anyone except Laidamus, for he is of the house that has befriended me. A rude man he would surely be who would strive with his host. All kept silent. Then Alcinous the king said, So that thou shalt have something to tell thy friends when thou art in thine own land, we shall show thee the games in which we are most skilful, for wefeations are not perfect boxers or wrestlers, but we excel all in running and in dancing, and in pulling with the o'er. Lo, now, ye dancers, come forward and show your nimbleness, so that the stranger may tell

Starting point is 03:10:51 his friends when he is amongst them how far we surpass all men in dancing, as well as in seamanship and speed afoot. A place was levelled for the dance, and the blind minstrel Demodocus took the lyre in his hands and made music, while youths skilled in the dance struck the ground with their feet. Odysseus, as he watched them, marvelled at their grace and their spirit. When the dance was ended he said to the king, My lord Alcinuas, thou didst boast thy dancers to be the best in the world, and thy word is not to be denied. I wonder as I look upon them. At the end of the day Alcinous spoke to his people and said, This stranger in all that he does and says, shows himself to be a wise and a mighty man. Let each of us now give him the stranger's gift.

Starting point is 03:11:39 Here there are twelve princes of the Fyatians, and I am the thirteenth. Let each of us give him a worthy gift, and then let us go back to my house and sit down to supper. As for Uriolus, let him make amends to the stranger for his rudeness of speech as he offers him his gift. All assented to the king's words, and Uriolus went to Odysseus and said, "'Stranger, if I have spoken aught that offended thee, "'may the storm-winds snatch it and bear it away. "'May the gods grant that thou shalt see thy wife "'and come to thine own country.

Starting point is 03:12:12 "'Too long hast thou endured afflictions away from thy friends.' "'So saying, Euryalus gave Odysseus a sword of bronze "'with a silver hilt and a sheath of ivory. "'Odysseus took it and said, "'And to you, my friend, may the gods grant happiness, "'and mayest thou never miss the sword that thou hast given me. Thy gracious speech had made full amends." Each of the twelve princes gave gifts to Odysseus, and the gifts were brought to the palace

Starting point is 03:12:40 and left by the side of the queen. And Arete herself gave Odysseus a beautiful coffer with raiment and gold in it, and Alcinous the king gave him a beautiful cup, all of gold. In the palace the bath was prepared for Odysseus, and he entered it and was glad of the warm water, for not since he had left the island of Calypso did he have a warm bath. He came from the bath and put on the beautiful raiment that had been given him, and he walked through the hall, looking a king amongst men. Now the maiden, Nossikia, stood by a pillar as he passed, and she knew that she had

Starting point is 03:13:15 never looked upon a man who was more splendid. She had thought that the stranger whom she had saved would have stayed in her father's house, and that one day he would be her husband. But now she knew that by no means would he abide in the land of the Fyatians. As he passed by she spoke to him and said, Farewell, O stranger, and when thou art in thine own country, think sometimes of me, Norsechia, who helped thee. Odysseus took her hand and said to her, Farewell, daughter of King Alcinous, May Zeus grant that I may return to my own land. There every day shall I pay homage to my memory of thee, to whom I owe my life.

Starting point is 03:13:57 He passed on and he came to where the princes and captains and counsellor of the fiatians sat. His seat was beside the kings. Then the henchmen brought in the minstrel, blind Demodocus, and placed him on a seat by a pillar. And when supper was served, Odysseus sent to Demodocus a portion of his own meat. He spoke too in praise of the minstrel, saying, Right well dost thou sing of the Greeks, and all they wrought and suffered, as well methinks as if thou hadst been present at the war of Troy. I would ask if thou canst thou canst sing of the wooden horse that brought destruction to the Trojans. If thou canst, I shall be a witness amongst all men how the gods have surely given thee

Starting point is 03:14:40 the gift of song." Demodicus took down the lyre and sang. His song told how one part of the Greek sailed away in their ships, and how others with Odysseus to lead them, were now in the center of Priam City, all hidden in the great wooden horse, which the Trojans themselves had dragged across their broken wall. So the wooden horse stood, and the people gathered around talked of what should be done with so wonderful a thing, whether to break open its timbers, or drag it to a steep hill, and hurl it down on the rocks, or leave it there as an offering to the gods.

Starting point is 03:15:16 As an offering to the gods it was left at last. Then the minstrel sang how Odysseus and his comrades poured forth from the hollow of the horse, and took the city. As the minstrel sang, the heart of Odysseus melted within him. and tears fell down his cheeks. None of the company saw him weeping except Alcinous the king. But the king cried out to the company, saying, Let the menstrual cease, for there is one amongst us to whom his song is not pleasing.

Starting point is 03:15:45 Ever since it began the stranger here has wept with tears flowing down his cheeks. The menstrual ceased, and all the company looked in surprise at Odysseus, who sat with his head bowed and his mantle wrapped around his head. Why did he weep, each man asked. No one had asked of him his name, for each thought it was more noble to serve a stranger without knowing his name. Said the king, speaking again, In a brother's place stands the stranger and the suppliant, and as a brother art thou

Starting point is 03:16:17 to us, O unknown guest. But wilt thou not be brotherly to us? Tell us by what name they call thee in thine own land. Tell us, too, of thy land and thy city. And tell us, too, where thou wert born on thy wanderings, and to what lands and peoples thou earnest. And as a brother, tell us why thou wast weep and mourn in spirit over the tale of the going forth of the Greeks to the war of Troy.

Starting point is 03:16:42 Didst thou have a kinsman who fell before Priam City, a daughter's husband, or a wife's father, or someone nearer by blood? Or didst thou have a loving friend who fell there, one with an understanding heart who wast to thee as a brother? Such questions the king asked, and Odysseus, taking the mantle from around his head, turned round to the company. End of Section 18. Section 19 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 03:17:21 Recording by Elizabeth Clet The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 2, Chapter 4. Then Odysseus spoke before the company and said, Oh, Alcinous, famous king, It is good to listen to a minstrel such as Demodicus is. And as for me, I know of no greater delight Than when men feast together with open hearts,

Starting point is 03:17:51 When tables are plentifully spread, When wine-bearers pour out good wine into cups, And when a minstrel sings to them noble songs. This seems to me to be happiness indeed. But thou hast asked me to speak of my wanderings and my toils. Ah, where can I begin that tale? For the gods have given me more woes than a man can speak of. But first I will declare to you my name and my country.

Starting point is 03:18:21 I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, and my land is Ithaca, an island around which many islands lie. ithaca is a rugged isle but a good nurse of hardy men and i for one have found that there is no place fairer than a man's own land but now i will tell thee king and tell the princes and captains and counsellors of the fiatians the tale of my wanderings the wind bore my ships from the coast of troy and with our white sails hoisted we came to the cape that is called malaya now if we had been able to double this cape we should soon have come to our own country all unhurt. But the North Wind came, and swept us from our course, and drove us wandering past Cythera. Then for nine days we were born onwards by terrible winds, and away from all known lands. On the tenth day we came to a strange country. Many of my men landed there. The people of that land were harmless and friendly, but the land itself was most

Starting point is 03:19:26 dangerous. For there grew there the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus that makes all men forgetful of their past and neglectful of their future. And those of my men who ate the lotus that the dwellers of that land offered became forgetful of their country and of the way before them. They wanted to abide forever in the land of the lotus. They wept when they thought of all the toils before them and of all they had endured. I led them back to the ships, and I had to place them beneath the benches and leave them in bonds. And I commanded those who had ate of the lotus to go at once aboard the ships. Then, when I had got all my men upon the ships, we made haste to sail away.

Starting point is 03:20:11 Later we came to the land of the Cyclops, a giant people. There is a waste island outside the harbour of their land, and on it there is a well of bright water that has poplars growing round it. We came to that empty island, and we be able to that empty island, and we beached our ships and took down our sails. As soon as the dawn came, we went through the empty island, starting the wild goats that were there in flocks, and shooting them with our arrows.

Starting point is 03:20:38 We killed so many wild goats there that we had nine for each ship. Afterwards we looked across to the land of the Cyclops, and we heard the sound of voices, and saw the smoke of fires, and heard the bleating of flocks of sheep and goats. I called my companions together, and I said, It would be well for some of us to go to that other island. With my own ship, and with the company that is on it, I shall go there.

Starting point is 03:21:03 The rest of you abide here. I will find out what manner of men live there, and whether they will treat us kindly and give us gifts that are due to strangers, gifts of provision for our voyage. We embarked, and we came to land. There was a cave near the sea, and round the cave there were mighty flocks of sheep. and goats. I took twelve men with me, and I left the rest to guard the ship. We went into

Starting point is 03:21:29 the cave and found no man there. There were baskets filled with cheeses, and vessels of way, and pails and bowls of milk. My men wanted me to take some of the cheeses and drive off some of the lambs and kids and come away. But this I would not do, for I would rather that he who owned the stores would give us of his own free will the offerings that were due to strangers. While we were in the cave, he whose dwelling it was returned to it. He carried on his shoulder a great pile of wood for his fire. Never in our lives did we see a creature so frightful as this cyclops was. He was a giant in size, and what made him terrible to behold, he had but one eye, and that single eye was in his forehead. He cast down on the ground

Starting point is 03:22:18 the pile of wood that he carried, making such a doubt. in that we fled in terror into the corners and recesses of the cave. Next he drove his flocks into the cave, and began to milk his ewes and goats, and when he had the flocks within, he took up a stone that not all our strengths could move, and set it as a door to the mouth of the cave. The cyclops kindled his fire, and when it blazed up he saw us in the corners and recesses. He spoke to us. We knew not what he said, but our hearts were. We were were shaken with terror at the sound of his deep voice. I spoke to him, saying that we were Agamemnon's men on our way home from King Priam's city, and I begged him to deal with us kindly, for the sake of

Starting point is 03:23:03 Zeus who was ever in the company of strangers and suppliants. But he answered me, saying, We cyclops pay no heed to Zeus, nor to any of the gods. In our strength and our power we deem that we are mightier than they. I will not spare thee. Neither will I give the aught for the sake of Zeus, but only as my own spirit bids me. And first I would have thee tell me how you came to our land. I knew it would be better not to let the Cyclops know that my ship and my companions were at the harbor of the island. Therefore I spoke to him guilefully, telling him that my ship had been broken on the rocks, and that I and the men who were with me were the only one so

Starting point is 03:23:45 had escaped utter doom. I begged again that he would deal with us as just men dealt with strangers and suppliants. But he, without saying a word, laid hands upon two of my men, and swinging them by the legs, dashed their brains out on the earth. He cut them to pieces and ate them before our very eyes. We wept and we prayed to Zeus as we witnessed a deed so terrible. Next the cyclop stretched himself amongst his sheep and went to sleep beside the fire. Then I debated whether I should take my sharp sword in my hand and feeling where his heart was, stab him there. But second thoughts held me back from doing this. I might be able to kill him when he slept, but not even with my companions could I roll away the great stone

Starting point is 03:24:31 that closed the mouth of the cave. Dawn came, and the Cyclops awakened, kindled his fire, and milked his flocks. Then he seized two others of my men and made ready for his midday meal, and now he rolled away the great stone and drove his flocks out of the cave. I had pondered on a way of escape, and I had thought of something that might be done to baffle the cyclops. I had with me a great skin of sweet wine, and I thought that if I could make him drunken with wine, I and my companions might be able for him. But there were other preparations to be made first. On the floor of the cave there was a great beam of olive wood which the cyclops had cut to make a club when the wood should be seasoned. It was yet green. I and my

Starting point is 03:25:17 companions went and cut off a fathom's length of the wood, and sharpened it to a point, and took it to the fire, and hardened it in the glow. Then I hid the beam in the recesses of the cave. The Cyclops came back in the evening, and opening up the cave drove in his flocks. Then he closed the cave again with the stone, and went and milked his ewes, and his goats. Again he seized two of my companions. I went to the terrible creature with a bowl of wine in my hands. He took it and drank it and cried out, "'Give me another bowl of this, and tell me thy name that I may give thee gifts for bringing me this honey-tasting drink.' Again I spoke to him guilefully, and I said, "'No man is my name. No man my father and

Starting point is 03:26:05 mother call me. "'Give me more of the drink, no man,' he shouted, and the gift that I shall give to thee is that I shall make thee the last of thy fellows to be eaten.' I gave him wine again, and when he had taken the third bowl he sank backwards with his face upturned, and sleep came upon him. Then I, with four companions, took that beam of olive-wood, now made into a hard and pointed stake, and thrust it into the ashes of the fire. When the pointed end began to glow we drew it out of the flame.

Starting point is 03:26:39 Then my companions laid hold on the great stake, and dashing at the cyclops thrust it into his eye. He raised a terrible cry that made the rocks ring, and we dashed away into the recesses of the cave. His cries brought other cyclops to the mouth of the cave, and they, naming him as Polyphemus, called out and asked him what ailed him to cry. "'No man!' he shrieked out. "'No man is slaying me by guile!' they answered him, saying, "'If no man is slaying thee, there is nothing we can do for thee, Polyphemus. What ails thee has been sent to thee by the gods." Saying this they went away from the mouth of the cave, without attempting to move away

Starting point is 03:27:19 the stone. Polyphemus then, groaning with pain, rolled away the stone and sat before the mouth of the cave with his hands outstretched, thinking that he would catch us as we dashed out. I showed my companions how he might pass by him. I laid hands on certain rams of the flock, and I lashed three of them together with supple rods. Then, on the middle ram, I put a man of my company. Thus every three rams carried a man. As soon as the dawn had come, the rams hastened out to the pasture, and as they passed, Polyphemus laid hands on the first and the third of each three that went by. They passed out, and Polyphemus did not guess that

Starting point is 03:27:59 a ram that he did not touch carried out a man. For myself, I took a ram that was the strongest and fleeciest of the whole flock, and I placed myself under him. clinging to the wool of his belly. As this ram the best of all his flock went by, Polyphemus, laying his hands upon him, said, "'Would that you the best of my flock were endowed with speech, so that you might tell me where no man who has blinded me has hidden himself?' The ram went by him, and when he had gone a little way from the cave I loosed myself from him and went and set my companions free. We gathered together many of Polyphemus sheep, and we drove them down to our

Starting point is 03:28:39 ship. The men we had left behind would have wept when they heard what happened to six of their companions. But I bade them take on board the sheep we had brought and pull the ship away from that land. Then when we had drawn a certain distance from the shore, I could not forbear to shout my taunts into the cave of Polyphemus. "'Cyclops!' I cried. You thought that you had the company of a fool and a weakling to eat. But you have been worsted by me, and your evil deeds have been punished. So I shouted, and Polyphemus came to the mouth of the cave with great anger in his heart. He took up rocks and cast them at the ship, and they fell before the prow. The men bent to the oars and pulled the ship away, or it would have been broken by the rocks he cast. And when we

Starting point is 03:29:24 were further away I shouted to him, Cyclops, if any man should ask who it was set his mark upon you, say that he was Odysseus, the son of Laertes. Then I heard Polyphemus cry out, I call upon Poseidon the God of the sea, whose son I am, to avenge me upon you, Odysseus. I call upon Poseidon to grant that you, Odysseus, may never come to your home, or if the gods have ordained your return, that you come to it after much toil and suffering, in an evil plight, and in a stranger's ship, to find sorrow in your home. So Polyphemus prayed, and to my evil fortune, Poseidon heard his prayer. But we went on in our ship rejoicing at our escape.

Starting point is 03:30:10 We came to the waste island where my other ships were. All the company rejoiced to see us, although they had to mourn for their six companions slain by Polyphemus. We divided amongst the ships the sheep we had taken from Polyphemus flock, and we sacrificed to the gods. At the dawn of the next day we raised the sails on each ship, and we sailed away. of section nineteen section twenty of the adventures of odysseus this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by elizabeth clatt the adventures of odysseus and the tale of troy by parac colum part two chapter five we came to the island where eilus the lord of the winds he who can give mariners a good or bad wind has his dwelling with his six sons and his six sons and his six daughters, Eilis lives on a floating island that has all around it a wall of bronze. And when we came

Starting point is 03:31:15 to his island, the Lord of the Winds treated us kindly, and kept us at his dwelling for a month. Now when the time came for us to leave, Eilis did not try to hold us on the island. And to me, when I was going down to the ships, he gave a bag made from the hide of an ox, and in that bag were all the winds that blow. He made the mouth of the bag fast with the a silver thong, so that no wind might drive us from our course could escape. Then he sent the west wind to blow on our sails, that we might reach our own land as quickly as a ship might go. For nine days we sailed with the west wind driving us, and on the tenth day we came in sight of Ithaca our own land. We saw its coast, and the beacon fires upon the coast,

Starting point is 03:32:01 and the people tending the fires. Then I thought that the curse of the Cyclops was vain, and could bring no harm to us. Sleep that I had kept from me for long I let weigh me down, and I no longer kept watch. Then even as I slept, the misfortune that I had watched against fell upon me. For now my men spoke together and said, There is our native land,

Starting point is 03:32:25 and we come back to it after ten years' struggles and toils with empty hands. Different it is with our Lord Odysseus. He brings gold and silver from Priam's treasure-chamber in Troy, And Eilus, too, has given him a treasure in an ox-hide bag. But let us take something out of that bag while he sleeps. So they spoke, and they unloosed the mouth of the bag. And behold, all the winds that were tied in it burst out. Then the winds drove our ship towards the high seas and away from our land.

Starting point is 03:32:58 What became of the other ships I know not. I awoke and I found that we were being driven here and there by the winds. I did not know whether I should spring into the sea and so end all my troubles, or whether I should endure this terrible misfortune. I muffled my head in my cloak, and lay on the deck of my ship. The winds brought us back again to the floating island. We landed, and I went to the dwelling of the Lord of the Winds. I sat by the pillars of his threshold, and he came out and spoke to me.

Starting point is 03:33:29 "'How now, Odysseus?' said he. "'How is it thou hast returned so soon? Did I not give thee a fair wind To take thee to thine own country And did I not tie up all the winds That might be contrary to thee? My evil companions, I said, Have been my bane.

Starting point is 03:33:47 They have undone all the good That thou didst for me, O king of the winds. They opened the bag and let all the winds fly out. And now help me, O Lord Eilis once again. But Eilis said to me, Far be it from me to help such a man as thou, a man surely accursed by the gods. Go from my island, for I will do nothing for thee.

Starting point is 03:34:09 Then I went from his dwelling, and took my way down to the ship. We sailed away from the island of Eilis with heavy hearts. Next we came to the E.E.an Island, where we met with Circe, the Enchantress. For two days and two nights we were on that island without seeing the sign of a habitation. On the third day I saw smoke rising up from some hearth. I spoke of it to my men, and it seemed good to us that part of our company should go to see were there people who might help us. We drew lots to find out who should go, and it fell to the lot of Eurylicus to go with part of the company while I remained with the other part.

Starting point is 03:34:47 So Eurylicus went with two and twenty men. In the forest glades they came upon a house built of polished stones. All round that house wild beasts roamed, wolves and lions. But these beasts were not fierce. As Eurylicus and his men went towards the house, the lions and wolves spawned upon them like house-dogs. But the men were affrighted and stood round the outer gate of the court. They heard a voice within the house singing, and it seemed to them to be the voice of a woman, singing as she went to and fro before a web she was weaving on a loom. The men shouted, and she who had been singing opened the polished doors and came out of the dwelling. She was very fair to see. As she opened the doors of the house, she asked the men

Starting point is 03:35:34 to come within, and they went into her halls. But Eurylicus tarried behind. He watched the woman, and he saw her give food to the men. But he saw that she mixed a drug with what she gave them to eat, and with the wine she gave them to drink. No sooner had they eaten the food and drunk the wine than she struck them with a wand. And behold, the men turned into swine. Then the woman drove them out of the house, and put them in the swine-pens, and gave them acorns, and mast and the fruit of the cornal tree to eat. Eurylicus, when he saw these happenings, ran back through the forest and told me all. Then I cast about my shoulder my good sword of bronze, and bidding Erylicus stay by the ships, I went through the forest and came to the house of the

Starting point is 03:36:22 Enchantress. I stood at the outer court and called out. Then Cercy the Enchantress flung wide the shining doors, and called to me to come within. I entered her dwelling, and she brought me to a chair and put a footstool under my feet. Then she brought me in a golden cup the wine into which she had cast a harmful drug. As she handed me the cup, I drew my sword and sprang at her as one eager to slay her. She shrank back from me and cried out, Who art thou, who art able to guess at my enchantments? Verily thou art Odysseus, of whom Hermes told me. Nay, put up thy sword, and let us to be friendly to each other.

Starting point is 03:37:02 In all things I will treat thee kindly. But I said to her, Nay, Circy, you must swear to me first that thou wilt not treat me guilefully. She swore by the gods that she would not treat me guilefully, and I put up my sword. Then the handmaidens of Circe prepared a bath, and I bathed and rubbed myself with olive oil, and Circe gave me a new mantle and doublet. The handmaidens brought out silver tables, and on them set golden baskets with bread and

Starting point is 03:37:30 meat in them, and others brought cups of honey-tasting wine. I sat before a silver table, but I had no pleasure in the food before me. When Circe saw me sitting silent and troubled, she said, Why, Odysseus, does thou sit like a speechless man? Does thou think there is a drug in this food? But I have sworn that I will not treat thee guilefully, and that oath I shall keep." And I said to her, O Circe, Enchantress, what man of good heart could take meat and drink while his companions are as swine in swine-pens? If thou wouldst have me eat and drink,

Starting point is 03:38:05 first let me see my companions in their own forms. Circe, when she heard me say this, went to the swine-pen and anointed each of the swine that was there with a charm. As she did, the bristles dropped away. and the limbs of the man were seen. My companions became men again, and were even taller and handsomer than they had been before. After that we lived on Circe's island in friendship with the Enchantress. She did not treat us guilefully again, and we feasted in her home for a year. But in all of us there was a longing to return to our own land, and my men came to me and craved that I should ask Circe to let us go on our homeward way. She gave us leave to go, and she told us,

Starting point is 03:38:48 of the many dangers we should meet on our voyage. End of Section 20. Chapter 21 of The Adventures of Odysseus. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clett. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 2, Chapter 6

Starting point is 03:39:17 When the sun sank and darkness came on, my men went to lie by the hawsers of the ship. Then Circe the enchantress took my hand, and making me sit down by her, told me of the voyage that was before us. To the sirens first you shall come, said she, to the sirens, who sit in their field of flowers and bewitch all men who come near them. He who comes near the sirens without knowing their ways and hears the sounds of their voices, never again shall that man see wife, orch child, or have joy of his home-coming. All round where the sirens sit are great heaps of the bones of men. But I will tell thee, Odysseus, how thou mayest pass them.

Starting point is 03:40:04 When thou comest near, put wax over the ears of thy company, lest any of them hear the siren's song. But if thou thyself art minded to hear, let thy company bind thee hand and foot to the mast. And if thou shalt beseech them to loose thee, they must bind thee with time, with tighter bonds. When thy companions have driven the ship past where the sirens sing, thou canst be unbound. Past where the sirens sit there is a dangerous place indeed. On one side there are great rocks which the gods call the rocks wandering. No ship ever escapes that goes that way. And round these rocks the planks of ships and the bodies of men are tossed by the waves of the sea and storms of fire. One ship only ever passed that way, Jason's ship, the Argo,

Starting point is 03:40:54 and that ship would have been broken on the rocks if Hera the goddess had not helped it to pass because of her love for the hero Jason. On the other side of the rocks wandering are two peaks through which thou wilt have to take thy ship. One peak is smooth and sheer and goes up to the clouds of heaven. In the middle of it there is a cave, and that cave, and that cave is the den of a monster named Silla. This monster has six necks, and on each neck there is a hideous head. She holds her heads over the gulf, seeking for prey and yelping horribly. No ship has ever passed that way without Silla seizing and carrying off in each mouth of her six heads the body of a man. The other peak is near. Thou couldst send an arrow across to it from Silla's den.

Starting point is 03:41:42 Out of the peak a fig tree grows, and below that fig tree, Caribdis has her den. She sits there, sucking down the water and spouting it forth. Mayst thou not be near when she sucks the water down, for then nothing could save thee. Keep nearer to Sillas than to Caribdus's rock. It is better to lose six of your company than to lose thy ship and all thy company. Keep near Silla's rock, and drive right on. If thou shouldst win past the deadly rocks guarded by Silla and Carybdis, thou wilt come to the island of Thranatia. There the cattle of the sun graze with immortal nymphs to guard them. If thou comest to that island, do no hurt to those herds. If thou dost hurt to them I foresee ruin for thy ship and thy men, even though thou thyself

Starting point is 03:42:35 shouldst escape. So, Cersie spoke to me, and having to talk to me, and having to be aft of told me such things she took her way up the island. Then I went to the ship and roused my men. Speedily they went aboard, and having taken their seats upon the benches, struck the water with their oars. Then the sails were hoisted and a breeze came and we sailed away from the Isle of Circe, the Enchantress. I told my companions what Searcy had told me about the sirens in their field of flowers. I took a great piece of wax and broke it and kneaded it until it was soft. Then I covered the ears of my men, and they bowed me upright to the mast of the ship. The wind dropped, and the sea became calm, as though a god had stilled the waters.

Starting point is 03:43:20 My company took their oars and pulled away. When the ship was within a man's shout from the land we had come near, the sirens espied us and raised their song. "'Come hither, come hither, O Odysseus,' the siren sang. Stay thy bark and listen to our song. None hath ever gone this way in his ship, until he hath heard from our own lips the voice, Sweet as honeycomb, and hath joy of it, And gone on his way a wiser man.

Starting point is 03:43:50 We know all things, All the travail the Greeks had in the wars of Troy, And we know all that hereafter shall be upon the earth. Odysseus, Odysseus, come to our field of flowers, and hear the song that we shall sing to thee. My heart was mad to listen to the sirens. I nodded my head to the company, commanding them to unloose me, but they bound me tighter, and bent to their oars and rode on.

Starting point is 03:44:19 When we had gone past the place of the sirens, the men took the wax from off their ears and loosed me from the mast. But no sooner had we passed the island than I saw smoke arising, and heard the roaring of the sea. My company threw down their oars in terror. I went amongst them to harden them, and I made them remember how my device we had escaped from the cave of the Cyclops. I told them nothing of the monster Silla, lest the fear of her should break their hearts.

Starting point is 03:44:49 And now we began to drive through that narrow strait, on one side was Silla and the other Charybdis. Fear gripped the men when they saw Carybdis gulping down the sea. But as we drove by the monster Silla seized six. of my company, the hardiest of the men who were with me. As they were lifted up in the mouths of her six heads they called to me in their agony, but I could do nothing to aid them. They were carried up to be devoured in the monster's den. Of all the sights I have seen on the ways of the water, that sight was the most pitiful. Having passed the rocks of Silla and Carybdis, we came

Starting point is 03:45:26 to the island of Thranatia. While we were yet on the ship I heard the lowing of the cattle of the sun. I spoke to my company and told them that we should drive past that island, and not venture to go upon it. The hearts of my men were broken within them at that sentence, and Eurylicus answered me, speaking sadly. It is easy for thee, Oedysius, to speak like that, for thou art never weary, and thou hast strength beyond measure. But is thy heart, too, of iron, that thou wilt not suffer thy companions to set foot upon shore, where they may rest? themselves from the sea and prepare their supper at their ease?"

Starting point is 03:46:06 So Eurylicus spoke, and the rest of the company joined in what he said. Their force was greater than mine. Then said I, "'Swear to me a mighty oath, one and all of you, that if we go upon this island none of you will slay the cattle out of any herd.' They swore the oath that I gave them. We brought our ship to a harbor, and landed near a spring of fresh water, and the men got their supper ready. Having eaten their supper they fell to weeping, for they thought upon their comrades that Silla had devoured. Then they slept. The dawn came, but we found that we could not

Starting point is 03:46:42 take our ship out of the harbor, for the north wind and the east wind blew a hurricane. So we stayed upon the island, and the days and weeks went by. When the corn we had brought in the ship was all eaten, the men went through the island fishing and hunting. Little they got to stay their hunger. One day while I slept, Eurylicus gave the men a most evil counsel. Every death, he said, is hateful to man, but death by hunger is far the worst. Rather than die of hunger, let us drive off the best cattle from the herds of the sun. Then, if the gods would wreck us on the sea for deceit, let them do it. I would rather perish on the waves than die in the pangs of hunger.

Starting point is 03:47:25 So he spoke, and the rest of the men approved of what he said. They slaughtered them and roasted their flesh. It was then that I awakened from my sleep. As I came down to the ship the smell of the roasting flesh came to me. Then I knew that a terrible deed had been committed, and that a dreadful thing would befall all of us. For six days my company feasted on the best of the cattle. On the seventh day the wind ceased to blow.

Starting point is 03:47:53 Then we went to the ship and set up the mast and the sails and fared out again on the deep. But having left that island, no other land appeared, only sky and sea were to be seen. A cloud stayed always above our ship, and beneath that cloud the sea was darkened. The west wind came in a rush, and the mast broke, and in breaking struck off the head of the pilot, and he fell straight down into the sea. A thunderbolt struck the ship, and the men were swept from the deck. Never a man of my company did I see again. The west wind ceased to blow, but the south

Starting point is 03:48:30 wind came and it drove the ship back on its course. It rushed towards the terrible rocks of Silla and Carbdis. All night long was I borne on, and at the rising of the sun I found myself near Carybdis. My ship was sucked down. But I caught the branches of the fig tree that grew out of the rock and hung to it like a bat. There I stayed until the timbers of my ship were cast up again by Carybdis. I dropped down on them. Sitting on the boards I rode with my hands and and passed the rock of Silla without the monster seeing me. Then for nine days I was born along by the waves, and on the tenth day I came to O'Gidia, where the nymph Calypso dwells.

Starting point is 03:49:12 She took me to her dwelling and treated me kindly. But why tell the remainder of my toils? To thee, O king, and to thy noble wife I told how I came from Calypso's island, and I am not one to repeat a plain-told tale. Section 22 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum

Starting point is 03:49:49 Part 2, Chapter 7 Odysseus finished, and the company in the hall sat silent like men enchanted. Then King Alcinuas spoke and said, Never, as far as we feations are concerned, wilt thou Odysseus be driven from thy homeward way. Tomorrow we will give thee a ship and an escort, and we will land thee in Ithaca, thine own country. The princes, captains and counsellors, marvelling that they had met the renowned Odysseus, went each to his own home. When the dawn had come, each carried down to the ship on which Odysseus was to sail, gifts for him.

Starting point is 03:50:30 When the sun was near its setting, they all came back to the king's hall to take farewell of him. The king poured out a great bowl of wine as an offering to the gods. Then Odysseus rose up and placed in the queen's hands a two-handled cup, and he said, Farewell to thee, O queen. Mayest thou long rejoice in thy house and thy children, and in thy husband, Alcinuus, the renowned king. He passed over the threshold of the king's house, and he went down to the ship. He went aboard and lay down on the deck on a sheet and rug that had been spread for him. Straight away the mariners took to their oars and hoisted their sails, and the ship sped on like a strong sea-bird.

Starting point is 03:51:13 Odysseus slept, and lightly the ship sped on, bearing that man who had suffered so much sorrow of heart in passing through wars of men and through troublous seas. The ship sped on, and he slept, and was forgetful of all that he had passed through. When the dawn came the ship was near to the island of Ithaca. The mariners drove to a harbor near which there was a great cave. They ran the ship ashore and lifted out Odysseus, wrapped in the sheet and the rugs, and still sleeping. They left him on the sandy shore of his own land. Then they took the gifts which the king and queen, the princes, captains and counsellors of the feations had given him, and they set them by an olive-tree, a little apart from the road, so that no wandering person

Starting point is 03:52:00 might come upon them before Odysseus had awakened. Then they went back to their ship and departed from Ithaca, for their own land. Odysseus awakened on to the beach of his own land. A mist lay over all, and he did not know what land he had come to. He thought that the Fyacians had left him forsaken on a strange shore. As he looked around him in his bewilderment, he saw one who was like a king's son approaching. Now the one who came near him was not a young man, but a goddess, Pallas Athena, who had made herself look like a young man. Odysseus arose and questioned her as to the land he had come to. The goddess answered him and said, "'This is Ithaca, a land good for goats and cattle, a land of woods and wells.'

Starting point is 03:52:48 Even as she spoke she changed from the semblance of a young man, and was seen by Odysseus as a woman, tall and fair. "'Does thou not know me? Palis Athena?' "'the daughter of Zeus who has always helped thee?' the goddess said. "'I would have been more often by thy side, only I did not want to go openly against my brother Poseidon, the god of the sea, whose son, Polyphemus, thou didst blind.' As the goddess spoke, the mist that lay on the land scattered, and Odysseus saw that he was indeed in Ithaca, his own country.

Starting point is 03:53:24 He knew the harbor and the cave, and hill Neryton all covered with its forest. and knowing them he knelt on the ground and kissed the earth of his country then the goddess helped him to lay his goods within the cave the gold and the bronze and the woven raiment that the fiatians had given him she made him sit beside her under the olive-tree while she told him of the things that were happening in his house there is trouble in thy halls odysseus she said and it would be well for thee not to make thyself known for a time harden thy heart that thou mayest endure for all while longer ill-treatment at the hands of men. She told him about the wooers of his wife, who filled his halls all day and wasted his substance, and who would slay him, lest he should punish them for their insolence. So that the doom of Agamemnon shall not befall thee, thy slaying within thine own halls, I will change thine appearance that no man shall know thee, the goddess said. Then she made a change in his appearance, that would have been evil, but that it was to last

Starting point is 03:54:29 for a while only. She made his skin wither, and she dimmed his shining eyes. She made his yellow hair grey and scanty. Then she changed his raiment to a beggar's wrap, torn and stained with smoke. Over his shoulder she cast the hide of a deer, and she put into his hands a beggar's staff, with a tattered bag and a cord to hang it by. And when she had made this change in his appearance, the goddess left Odysseus and went from Ithaca. It was then that she came to Telemachus in Sparta, and counseled him to leave the house of Menelaus and Helen, and it has been told how he went with Pius Estratus, the son of Nestor, and came to his own ship. His ship was hailed by a man who was flying from those who would slay him, and this man

Starting point is 03:55:15 Telemachus took aboard. The stranger's name was Theocliminus, and he was a soothsayer and a second-sighted man. And Telemachus, returning to Ithaca, was in peril of his life. The wooers of his mother had discovered that he had gone from Ithaca in a ship. Two of the wooers, Antinous and Eremicus, were greatly angered at the daring act of the youth. He has gone to Sparta for help, Antinuas said, and if he finds that there are those who will help him, we will not be able to stand against his pride. He will make us suffer for what we have wasted in his house. But let us too act. I will take a ship with twenty men, and lion wait for him in a strait between Ithaca and Samos, and put an end to his search for

Starting point is 03:55:59 his father. Thereupon Antinuas took twenty men to a ship, and fixing mast and sails they went over the sea. There is a little isle between Ithaca and Samos, Astairest it is called, and in the harbour of that isle, he and his men lay in wait for Telemachus. End of Section 22. Section 23 of the Adventures of Odysseus. this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by elizabeth clet the adventures of odysseus and the tale of troy my paroch column part two chapter eight near the place where odysseus had landed there lived an old man who was a faithful servant in his house eumas was his name and he was a swineherd he had made for himself a dwelling in the wildest part of the island and had built a wall round it and had made for the swine pens in the courtyard twelve pens, and in each pen there were fifty swine. Old Eumaeus lived in this place tending the swine with three young men to help him.

Starting point is 03:57:12 The swine pens were guarded by four dogs that were as fierce as the beasts of the forest. As he came near the dogs dashed at him, yelping and snapping, and Odysseus might have suffered foul hurt if the swineherd had not run out of the courtyard and driven the fierce dogs away. Seeing before him one who looked an ancient beggar, Eumaeus said, Old man, it is well that my dogs did not tear thee, for they might have brought upon me the shame of thy death. I have grief and pains enough the gods know without such a happening. Here I sit mourning for my noble master and fattening hogs for others to eat, while he mayhap is wandering in hunger through some friendless city.

Starting point is 03:57:56 But come in, old man, I have bread and wine to give him. give thee." The swine-herd led the seeming beggar into the courtyard, and he let him sit down on a heap of brushwood, and spread for him a shaggy goat-skin. Odysseus was glad of his servant's welcome, and he said, May Zeus and all the other gods grant thee thy heart's dearest wish for the welcome that thou hast given to me. Said Eumaeus the swineherd, A good man looks on all strangers and beggars as being from Zeus himself, And my heart's dearest wish is that my master Odysseus should return.

Starting point is 03:58:32 Ah, if Odysseus were here, he would give me something which I could hold as mine own, a piece of ground to till, and a wife to comfort me. But my master will not return, and we thralls must go in fear when young lords come to rule it over them. He went to the swine-pens and brought out two sucking pigs. He slaughtered them and cut them small and roasted the meat. When all was cooked he brought portions to Odysseus sprinkled with barley-meal, and he brought him to wine in a deep bowl of ivy wood. And when Odysseus had eaten and drunk,

Starting point is 03:59:07 Eumias the swineherd said to him, old man, no wanderer ever comes to this land, but that our Lady Penelope sends for him and gives him entertainment, hoping that he will have something to tell her of her Lord Odysseus. They all do as thou wouldst do if thou earnest to her, tell her a tale of having seen or having heard of her lord to win her ear. But as for Odysseus, no matter what wanderers or vagrants say, he will never return. Dogs or wild birds or the fishes of the deep have devoured his body ere this. Never again shall I find so good a lord, nor would I find one so kind even if I were back in my own land and saw the faces of my father and mother. But not so much for them do I mourn, as for the loss of my master's.

Starting point is 03:59:53 Master." Said Odysseus, Thou sayest that thy master will never return, but I notice that thou art slow to believe thine own words. Now I tell thee that Odysseus will return, and in this same year, and as sure as the old moon wanes and the young moon is born, he will take vengeance on those whom you have spoken of, those who eat his substance and dishonor his wife and son. I say that, and I swear it with an oath. I do not heed thine oath, said Eumias the swineherd.

Starting point is 04:00:26 I do not listen to vagrant's tales about my master, since a stranger came here and cheated us with a story. He told us that he had seen Odysseus in the land of the Cretans, in the house of the hero Idomenius, mending his ships that had been broken by the storm, and that he would be here by summer or by harvest time, bringing with him much wealth. As they were speaking the younger swineherds came back from the woods, bringing the drove of swine into the courtyard. There was a mighty din whilst the swine were being put into their pens. Supper time came on, and Eumaeus and O'Dysseus and the younger swine-herd sat down to a meal.

Starting point is 04:01:03 Eumaeus carved the swine flesh, giving the best portion to Odysseus, whom he treated as the guest of honour. And Odysseus said, Eumaeus, surely thou art counselled by Zeus, seeing thou dost give the best of the meat even to such a one as I. And Eumias, thinking Odysseus, was praising him for treating a stranger kindly, said, "'Eat stranger, and make merry with such fair as is here.' The night came on cold with rain. Then Odysseus to test the kindliness of the swineherd said, "'Oh, that I were young and could endure this bitter night! Oh, that I were better off! Then would one of you swineherds give me a rap to cover myself from the wind and rain? But now, Verily I am an outcast because of my sorry raiment.

Starting point is 04:01:51 Then Eumaeus sprang up and made a bed for Odysseus near the fire. Odysseus laid down and the swine-herd covered him with a mantle he kept for covering when great storms should arise. Then that he might better guard the swine, Eumaeus wrapping himself up in a cloak and taking with him a sword and javelin to drive off wild beasts should they come near, went to lie nearer to the pens. When morning came, Odysseus said, I am going to the town to beg, so that I need take nothing more from thee.

Starting point is 04:02:22 Send someone with me to be a guide. I would go to the house of Odysseus, and see if I can earn a little from the wooers who were there. Right well could I serve them if they would take me on. There could be no better serving man than I when it comes to splitting fagots and kindling a fire and carving meat. Nay, nay, said Eumias, do not go there, stranger. None here at a loss by thy presence.

Starting point is 04:02:45 Stay until the son of Odysseus, Telemachus, returns, and he will do something for thee. Go not near the wooers. It is not such a one as thee that they would have to serve them. Stay this day with us." Odysseus did not go to the town, but stayed all day with Eumaeus. And at night when he and Eumaeus and the younger swineherds were seated at the fire, Odysseus said, Thou too, Eumaeus has wandered far and has had many sorrows. Tell us how there cameest to be a slave and a swineherd.

Starting point is 04:03:15 the story of eumaeus the swineherd there is said eumaeus a certain island over against ortegia that island has two cities and my father was king over them both there came to the city where my father dwelt a ship with merchants from the land of the phoenicians i was a child then and there was in my father's house a phoenician slave-woman who nursed me once when she was washing gloaths one of the sailors from the phoenician ship spoke to her and asked her would she like to go back with them to their own land. She spoke to that sailor and told him her story. I am from Cedon in the Phoenician land, she said, and my father was named Artibus, and was famous for his riches. Sea-robbers caught me one day as I was crossing the fields, and they stole me away and brought me here,

Starting point is 04:04:06 and sold me to the master of yonder house. Then, said the sailor to her, your father and mother are still alive, I know, and they have lost none of their wealth. Will thou not come with us and see them again? Then the woman made the sailors swear that they would bring her safely to the city of Cedon. She told them that when their ship was ready she would come down to it, and that she would bring what gold she could lay her hands on away from her master's house, and that she would also bring the child whom he nursed.

Starting point is 04:04:36 He is a wise child, she said, and you can sell him for a slave when you get to a foreign land. When the Phoenician ship was ready to depart, they sent a message to the woman. The sailor who had brought the message brought to a chain of gold with amber beads strung here and there for my mother to buy. And while my mother and her handmaids were handling the chain, the sailor nodded to the woman, and she went out, taking with her three cups of gold and leading me by the hand. The sun sank, and all the ways were darkened. But the Phoenician woman went down to the harbor and came to the ship and went aboard it. And when the sailor who had gone to my father's house came back, they raised the mast and sails, and took the oars in their hands,

Starting point is 04:05:19 and drew the ship away from our land. We sailed away, and I was left stricken at heart. For six days we sailed over the sea, and on the seventh day the woman died and her body was cast into the deep. The wind and the waves bore us to Ithaca, and there the merchants sold me to Laertes, the father of Odysseus. The wife of Laertes streared me kindly, and I grew up with the youngest of her daughters, the lovely Stetamey. But Stetamey went to Samey, and was married to one of the princes of that land. Afterwards Laertes' lady sent me to work in the fields. But always she treated me kindly. Now Laertie's lady is dead. She wasted away from grief when she heard no tidings of her only son, Odysseus. Laertes yet lives.

Starting point is 04:06:07 but since the death of his noble wife he never leaves his house all day he sits by his fire they say and thinks upon his son's doom and how his son's substance is being wasted and how his son's son will have little to inherit so odysseus passed part of the night eumas telling him of his wanderings and his sorrows and while they were speaking telemachus the son of odysseus came to withica in his good ship antinous had lain in wait for him and had posted sentinels to watch for his ship nevertheless telemachus had passed by without being seen by his enemies and having come to ithaca he bade one of his comrades bring the ship into the wharf of the city while he himself went to another place leaving the ship he came to the dwelling of the servant he most trusted to the dwelling of eumaeus the swineherd end of section twenty three section twenty three section twenty of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum. Part 2, Chapter 9 On the morning of his fourth day in Ithaca, as he and the swineherd were eating a meal together,

Starting point is 04:07:32 Odysseus heard the sound of footsteps approaching the hut. The fierce dogs were outside, and he expected to hear them yelping in his house. against the stranger's approach. No sound came from them. Then he saw a young man come to the entrance of the courtyard, the swineherd's dogs fawning upon him. When Eumias saw this young man he let fall the vessels he was carrying, and running to him, kissed his head and his eyes and his hands. While he was kissing and weeping over him, Odysseus heard the swineherd saying, "'Tolemachus, art thou come back to us? Like a light in the darkness thou hast appeared.' I thought that never again should I see thee when I heard thou hadst taken a ship to Pylos.

Starting point is 04:08:15 Come in, dear son, come in, that I may see thee once again in mine own house." Odysseus raised his head, and looked at his son. As a lion might look over his cub, so he looked over Telemachus. But neither the swineherd nor Telemachus was aware of Odysseus's gaze. "'I have come to see thee, friend Eumias,' said Telemachus, for before I go into the city, I would know whether my mother is still in the house of Odysseus, or whether one of the wooers has at last taken her as a wife to his own house. "'Thy mother is still in thy father's house,' Eumaeus answered.

Starting point is 04:08:53 Then Telemachus came within the courtyard. Odysseus, in the guise of the old beggar, rose from his seat, but the young man said to him courteously, "'Be seated, friend, another seat can be found for me.' Eumaeus strewed green brushwood and spread a fleece upon it, and Telemachus seated himself. Next Eumaeus fetched a meal for him, Oaten cakes and swine flesh and wine. While they were eating, the swineherd said, We have here a stranger who has wandered through many countries, and who has come to my house as a suppliant.

Starting point is 04:09:26 Wilt thou take him for thy man, Telemachus? Said Telemachus, How can I support any man? I have not the strength of hand to defend mine own house. But for this stranger I will do what I can. I will give him a mantle and doublet, with shoes for his feet and a sword to defend himself, and I will send him on whatever way he wants to go. But, Eumias, I would not have him go near my father's house. The wooers grow more insolent each day, and they might mock the stranger if he went amongst them. Then, said Odysseus, speaking for the first time,

Starting point is 04:10:00 Young sir, what thou hast said seems strange to me. Does thou willingly submit to insolence in thine own father's house? But perhaps it is that the people of the city hate thee, and will not help thee against thine enemies. Ah, if I had such youth as I have spirit, or if I were the son of Odysseus, I should go amongst them this very day and make myself the bane of each of them. I would rather die in mine own halls than see such shame as is reported, strangers mocked at, and servants injured, and wine and food wasted." said Telemachus, People of the city do not hate me, and they would help me if they could. But the wooers of my mother are powerful men, men to make the city folk afraid. And if I should oppose them,

Starting point is 04:10:45 I would assuredly be slain in my father's house, for how can I hope to overcome so many? What wouldst thou have me do for thee, Telemachus?" said the swineherd. "'I would have thee go to my mother, friend Eumaeus,' Telemachus said, and let her know that I am safe return from Pylos. Eumaeus at once put sandals upon his feet and took his staff in his hands. He begged Telemachus to rest himself in the hut, and then he left the courtyard and went towards the city. Telemachus lay down on his seat, and closed his eyes in weariness.

Starting point is 04:11:19 He saw, while thinking that he only dreamt it, a woman come to the gate of the courtyard. She was fair and tall and splendid, and the dog shrank away from her presence with a wine. touched the beggar with a golden wand. As she did, the marks of age and beggary fell from him, and the man stood up as tall and noble-looking. "'Who art thou?' cried Telemachus, starting up. Even a moment ago thou didst look aged and a beggar. Now thou dost look a chief of men. Art thou one of the divine ones?" Odysseus looked upon him and said, "'My son, do not speak so to me. I am Odysseus, thy father,

Starting point is 04:12:00 father. After much suffering and much wandering I have come to my own country. He kissed his son with tears flowing down his cheeks, and Telemachus threw his arms around his father's neck, but scarce believing that the father he had searched for was indeed before him. But no doubt was left as Odysseus talked to him, and told him how he had come to Ithaca in a ship given him by the Feations, and how he had brought with him gifts of bronze and raiment that were hidden in the cave, and told him too how Pallas Athena had changed his appearance into that of an old beggar. And when his own story was finished he said, Come, my son, tell me of the wooers who waste the substance of our house,

Starting point is 04:12:42 tell me how many they number, and who they are, so that we may prepare a way of dealing with them. Even though thou art a great warrior, my father, thou and I cannot hope to deal with them. They have come not from Ithaca alone but from all the islands around, from Dulichium and Same and Xasynthos. We too cannot deal with such a throng. Said Odysseus, I shall make a plan to deal with them.

Starting point is 04:13:09 Go thou home and keep company with the wooers. Later in the day this wine-herd will lead me into the city, and I shall go into the house in the likeness of an old beggar. And if thou shouldst see any of the wooers ill-treat me, harden thine heart to endure it. Even if they drag me by the feet to the door of the house, Keep quiet thou. And let no one, not even thy mother Penelope, nor my father Laertes, know that Odysseus has returned. Telemachus said, My father, thou shalt soon learn what spirit is in me and what wisdom I have.

Starting point is 04:13:44 While they talked together, the ship that Antinous had taken, when he went to lie in wait for Telemachus, returned. The wooers assembled and debated whether they should kill Telemachus, for now there was danger that he would draw the people to his side, and so make up a force that could drive the wooers out of Ithaca. But they did not agree to kill him, for there was one amongst them who was against the deed. Eummius brought the news to Telemachus and Odysseus of the return of Antinuus's ship. He came back to the hut in the afternoon. Pallas Athena had again given Odysseus the appearance of an ancient beggar-man, and the swine-herd saw no change in his guest. section twenty five of the adventures of odysseus this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by elizabeth clatt the adventures of odysseus and the tale of troy by paroch colum part two chapter ten

Starting point is 04:14:46 it was time for telemachus to go into the city he put his sandals on his feet and took his spear in his hand and then speaking to the swineherd he said van du meas i am now going into the city to show myself to my mother mother, and to let her hear from my own lips the tale of my journey, and I have an order to leave with thee. Take this stranger into the city, that he may go about as he desires, asking alms from the people." Odysseus in the guise of a beggar said, "'I thank thee, Lord Telemachus. I would not stay here, for I am not of an age to wait about a hut and courtyard, obeying the orders of a master, even if that master be as good a man as thy swineherd. Go thy way, Lord Telemachus. and Eumias, as thou hast bidden him, will lead me into the city.

Starting point is 04:15:34 Telemachus then passed out of the courtyard, and went the ways until he came into the city. When he went into the house, the first person he saw was his nurse, old Euryclea, who welcomed him with joy. To Euryclea he spoke of the guest who had come on his ship, the Ecliminus. He told her that this guest would be in the house that day, and that he was to be treated with all honor and reverence. The wooers came into the hall and crowded around. him with fair words in their mouths. Then they all sat down at tables, and Euryclea brought wheaten bread and wine and dainties. Just at that time Odysseus and Eumias were journeying towards the city. Odysseus, in the guise of a beggar, had a ragged bag across his shoulders, and he carried

Starting point is 04:16:18 a staff that the swineherd had given him to help him over the slippery ground. They went by a rugged path, and they came to a place where a spring flowed into a basin made for its water, and where there was an altar to the nymphs, at which men made offerings. As Eumaeus and Odysseus were resting at the spring, a servant from Odysseus's house came along. He was a goat-herd, and Melanthius was his name. He was leading a flock of goats for the wooers to kill, and when he saw the swineherd with the seeming beggar he cried out, "'Now we see the vile leading the vial. "'Say, Swineherd, whither art thou leading this wretch. "'It is easy to see the sort of fellow he is.

Starting point is 04:17:00 "'He is the sort to rub shoulders against many door-posts, begging for scraps. "'Nothing else is he good for. "'But if thou wouldst give him to me, Swineherd, I would make him watch my fields, "'and sweep out my stalls and carry fresh water to the kids. "'He'd have his dish of way from me. "'But a fellow like this doesn't want an honest job. "'He wants to lounge through the country, filling his belly without doing anything for the people who feed him up.

Starting point is 04:17:25 If he goes to the house of Odysseus, I pray that he be pelted from the door. He said all this as he came up to them with his flock of goats, and as he went by, he gave a kick to Odysseus. Odysseus took thought whether he should strike the fellow with his staff or fling him upon the ground. But in the end he hardened his heart to endure the insult, and let the goat-herd go on his way. But turning to the altar that was by the spring he prayed, Nymphs of the well.

Starting point is 04:17:56 If ever Odysseus made offerings to you, fulfill for me this wish, that he, even Odysseus, may come to his own home and have power to chastise the insolence that gathers round his house. They journeyed on, and when they came near they heard the sound of the lyre within the house. The wooers were now feasting, and Phemius the minstrel was singing to them.

Starting point is 04:18:20 And when Odysseus came before his own house, he caught the swineherd by the hand suddenly, and with a hard grip, and he said, "'Low now, I who have wandered in many lands and have walked in pain through many cities, have at last come to the house of Odysseus. There it is, standing as of old, with building beyond building, with its walls and its battlements, its courts and its doors, the house of Odysseus verily. And lo! unwelcome men keep a revel within it, and the smoke of their feast rises up, and the sound of the lyre is heard playing for them.

Starting point is 04:18:59 Said Eumaeus, What wilt thou have me do for thee, friend? Shall I bring thee into the hall and before the company of wooers, whilst I remain here, or which thou have me go in before thee? I would have thee go in before me, Odysseus said. Now as they went through the courtyard, a thing happened that doubted, dashed Odysseus's eyes with tears. A hound lay in the dirt of the yard, a hound that was very old. All uncared for he lay in the dirt, old and feeble. But he had been a famous

Starting point is 04:19:30 hound, and Odysseus himself had trained him before he went to the wars of Troy. Argos was his name. Now as Odysseus came near, the hound Argos knew him, and stood up before him and whined and dropped his ears, but had no strength to come near him. Odysseus knew the hound and stopped and gazed at him. "'A good hound lies there,' said he to Eumias. "'Once I think he was so swift that no beast in the deep places of the wood could flee from him. Then he went on, and the hound Argos lay down in the dirt of the yard, and that same day the life passed from him.

Starting point is 04:20:10 Behind Eumias the swineherd he came into his own hall in the appearance of a beggar, wretchedly clad and leaning on an old man's staff. Odysseus looked upon the young lords who wooed his wife, and then he sat down upon the threshold and went no further into the hall. Telemachus was there. Seeing Eumias he called to him and gave this wine-herd bread and meat and said, Take these and give them to the stranger at the doorway, and tell him that he may go amongst the company and crave an alms from each. Odysseus ate while the minstrel was finishing his song. When it was finished he rose up and went into the hall, craving in alms from each of the wooers. Seeing him, Antinous, the most

Starting point is 04:20:52 insolent of the wooers, cried out, "'Oh, notorious swineherd, why didst thou bring this fellow here? Have we not enough, vagabonds? Is it nothing to thee that the worthless fellows come here and devour thy master's substance?' Hearing such a speech from Antinous, Telemachus had to say, "'Antinous, I see that thou hast good care for me and mine. I marvel that thou hast thou had past such good care. But wouldst thou have me drive a stranger from the door? The gods forbid that I should do such a thing. Nay, Antinous, give the stranger something for the sake of the house. If all the company gives him as much as I, he will have something to keep him from beggary for a three-month space, said Antinous, meaning by that that he would work some hurt upon the beggar.

Starting point is 04:21:39 Odysseus came before him. They say that thou art the noblest of all the wooers, he said. And for that reason thou shouldst give me a better thing than any of the others have given me. Look upon me. I too had a house of mine own, and was accounted wealthy amongst men, and I had servants to wait upon me. And many a time would I make welcome the wanderer and give him something from my store. Stand far away from my table, thou wretched fellow, said Antinous. Then, said Odysseus, Thou hast beauty, Lord Antinous, but thou hast beauty, Lord Antinous,

Starting point is 04:22:15 but thou hast not wisdom. Out of thine own house thou wouldst not give a grain of salt to a suppliant, and even whilst thou dost sit at another man's table, thou dost not find it in thy heart to give something out of the plenty that is before thee. So Odysseus spoke, and Antinous became terribly angered.

Starting point is 04:22:35 He caught up a footstool, and with it he struck Odysseus in the back, at the base of the right shoulder. Such a blow would have knocked another man over, but Odysseus stood steadfast under it. He gave one look at Antinous, and then without a word he went over and sat down again upon the threshold. Telemachus had in his heart a mighty rage for the stroke that had been given his father,

Starting point is 04:23:00 but he let no tear fall from his eyes, and he sat very still, brooding in his heart evil for the wooers. Odysseus, after a while, lifted his head and spoke. "'Wewers of the renowned queen,' he said, "'here what the spirit within me bids me say to you. "'There is neither pain nor shame in the blow that a man may get in battle. "'But in the blow that Antinous has given me, "'a blow aimed at a beggar, there is pain and there is shame. "'And now I call upon that God who is the avenger of the insult to the poor

Starting point is 04:23:34 "'to bring not a wedding to Antinous, but the issue of death. "'Sit there and eat thy meatin' quiet,' Antenuas called out, "'or else thou wilt be dragged through the house by thy heels, "'and the flesh will be stripped off thy bones.' And now the Lady Penelope had come into the hall. Hearing that a stranger was there, she sent for Eumaeus and bade the swineherd bring him to her, that she might question him as to what he had heard about Odysseus.

Starting point is 04:24:03 Eumaeus came and told him of Penelope's request. But Odysseus said, Eumias, right willing am I to tell the truth about Odysseus to the fair and wise Penelope, but now I may not speak to her. Go to her and tell her that when the wooers have gone I will speak to her, and ask her to give me a seat near the fire, that I may sit and warm myself as I speak, for the clothes I wear are comfortless.

Starting point is 04:24:28 As Eumias gave the message to the Lady Penelope, one who was there, Fiaecliminus, the guest who had come in Telemachus's ships, said, O wife of the renowned Odysseus, be sure that thy lord will return to his house. As I came here on the ship of Telemachus, thy son, I saw a happening that is an omen of the return of Odysseus. A bird flew out on the right, a hawk. In his talons he held a dove, and plucked her and shed the feathers down on the ship. By that omen I know that the lord of this high house will return, and strike here in his anger." Penelope left the hall and went to

Starting point is 04:25:06 back to her own chamber. Next Eumias went away to look after his swine, but still the wooers continued to feast, and still Odysseus sat in the guise of a beggar on the threshold of his own house. End of Section 25. Section 26 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum.

Starting point is 04:25:40 Part 2 Chapter 11 There was an Ithaca a common beggar. He was a most greedy fellow, and he was nicknamed Iris, because he used to run errands for the servants of Odysseus's house. He came in the evening, and seeing a seeming beggar seated on the threshold, he flew into a rage and shouted at him. "'Get away from here, old fellow, lest you be dragged away by the hand or foot! Look you!

Starting point is 04:26:07 The lords within the house are giving me the wink to turn you at you. out. But I can't demean myself by touching the like of you. Get up now and go while I'm easy with you." Odysseus looked at the fellow and said, "'I have not harmed you in deed or word, and I do not grudge you anything of what you may get in this house. The threshold I sit on is wide enough for the two of us.' "'What words this fellow has?' said Iris the beggar. "'He talks like an old sit by the fire. I'll not waste any more words on him. Get up now, heavy paunch and strip for the fight, for I'm going to show all the lords that I can keep the door

Starting point is 04:26:44 for them. "'Do not provoke me,' said Odysseus. "'Old as I seem, I may be able to draw your blood.' But Iris kept on shouting, "'I'll knock the teeth out of your jaws. I'll trounce you.' Antinous, the most insolent of the wooers, saw the squabble, and he laughed to see the pair defying each other. "'Friends,' said he, "'the gods are good to us and don't fail to us amusement. The strange beggar and our own Iris are threatening each other. Let us see that they don't draw back from the fight. Let us match one against the other."

Starting point is 04:27:20 All the wooers trooped to the threshold and stood round the ragged men. Antinous thought of something to make the game more merry. "'There are two great puddings in the larder,' he said. Let us offer them for a prize to these pugilists. Come, Iris, come stranger, a choice of puddings for whichever of you wins the match. "'Aye, and more than that, "'whever wind shall have leave to eat "'every day in this hall, "'and no other beggar shall be let come near the house.

Starting point is 04:27:47 "'Go to it now, you mighty men.' "'All the wooers crowded round "'and clapped the men on to the fight. "'Odiceus said, "'Friends, an old man like me "'c cannot fight one who was younger and abler.' "'But they cried to him, "'go on, go on, get into the fight,

Starting point is 04:28:05 "'or else take stripes upon your body.' "'Then,' said, said Odysseus, "'Swear to me all of you, that none of you will show favor to Iris nor deal me a foul blow.' All the wooers cried out that none would favor Iris or deal his opponent a foul blow, and Telemachus, who was there, said, "'The man who strikes thee stranger will have to take reckoning from me.' Straightway Odysseus girt up his rags.

Starting point is 04:28:31 When his great arms and shoulders and thighs were seen, the wooers were amazed and Iris was frightened. He would have slipped away if Antinous had not caught him and said to him, "'You lubber, you! If you do not stand up before this man I will have you flung on my ship and sent over to King Ectetus, who will cut off your nose and ears and give your flesh to his dogs to eat.' He took hold of Iris and dragged him into the ring. The fighters faced each other.

Starting point is 04:28:57 But Odysseus with his hands upraised stood for long without striking, for he was pondering whether he should strike Iris a hard or a light blow. It seemed to him better to strike lightly, so that his strength should not be made a matter for the wooers to note and wonder at. Iris struck first. He struck Odysseus on the shoulder. Then Odysseus aimed a blow at his neck, just below the ear, and the beggar fell to the ground, with the blood gushing from his mouth and nose.

Starting point is 04:29:26 The wooers were not sorry for Iris. They laughed until they were ready to fall backwards. Then Odysseus seized Iris by the feet and dragged him out of the house, and to the gate to the courtyard. He lifted him up and put him standing against the wall. Placing the staff in the beggar's hands, he said, Sit there, and scare off the dogs and swine, and do not let such a one as you lorded over strangers. A worse thing might have befallen you. Then back he went to the hall, with his beggar's bag on his shoulder, and his clothes more ragged than ever. Back he went, and when the wooers saw him they burst into peals of laughter and shouted out,

Starting point is 04:30:06 May Zeus, O stranger, give thee thy dearest wish and thy heart's desire. Thou only shalt be beggar in Ithaca. They laughed and laughed again when Antinous brought out the great pudding that was the prize. Odysseus took it from him, and another of the wooers pledged him in a golden cup, saying, May you come to your own, O beggar, and may happiness be yours in times to come. While these things were happening, the wife of Odysseus, the lady Penelope, called to Euryclea and said, This evening I will go into the hall of our house and speak to my son, Telemachus. Bid my two handmaidens make ready to come with me, for I shrink from going among the wooers alone.

Starting point is 04:30:47 Euraclia went to tell the handmaidens, and Penelope washed off her cheeks the traces of the tears that she had wept that day. Then she sat down to wait for the handmaidens to come to her. As she waited she fell into a deep sleep. And as she slept, the goddess Palis Athena bathed her face in the water of beauty, and took all weariness away from her body, and restored all her youthfulness to her. The sound of the handmaidens' voices as they came in awakened her, and Penelope rose up to go into the hall. Now when she came amongst them with her two handmaidens, one standing on each side of her,

Starting point is 04:31:23 the wooers were amazed, for they had never seen one so beautiful. The hearts of all were enchanted with love for her, and each prayed that he might have her for his wife. Penelope did not look on any of the wooers, but she went to her son Telemachus and spoke to him. Telemachus, she said, I have heard that a stranger has been ill-treated in this house. How, my child, does thou permit such a thing to happen? Telemachus said, My lady mother, thou hast no right to be angered at what took place in this hall. So they spoke to one another, mother and son.

Starting point is 04:31:57 Now one of the wooers, Eurymachus by name, spoke to Penelope, saying, Lady, if any more than we beheld thee in the beauty thou hast now, by so many more wouldst thou have wooers to-morrow. Speak not so to me, Lord Eremicus, said Penelope, speak not of my beauty, which departed in the grief I felt when my lord went to the wars of Troy. Odysseus stood up, and gazed upon his wife who was standing amongst her wooers. Eurymachus noted him, and going to him, said, "'Stranger wouldst thou be my hireling?

Starting point is 04:32:29 If thou wouldst work on my upland farm, I should give thee food and clothes. But I think thou art practised only in shifts and dodges, and that thou wouldst prefer to go begging thy way through the country.' Odysseus, standing there, said to that proud wooer, "'Lord Eremicus, if there might be a trial of labour between us too, I know which of us would come out the better man. I would that we two stood together, a scythe in the hands of each, and a good swath of meadow to be moan.

Starting point is 04:32:58 Then would I match with thee, fasting from dawn until evening's dark. Or that we were set ploughing together. Then thou shouldst see who would plough the longest and the best furrow. Or would that we too were in the ways of war. Then shouldst thou see who would be in the front rank of battle. Thou dost think thyself a great man. But if Odysseus should return, that door would be in the first of war. For wide as it is, would be too narrow for thy flight."

Starting point is 04:33:26 So angry was Eurymachus at this speech that he would have struck Odysseus if Telemachus had not come amongst the wooers, saying, That man must not be struck again in this hall. Sirs, if you have finished feasting, and if the time has come for you, go to your own homes. Go in peace, I pray you." All were astonished that Telemachus should speak so boldly. No one answered him back, for one said to the other, What he is said is proper. We have nothing to say against it. To misuse a stranger in the house of Odysseus is a shame. Now let us pour out a libation of wine to the gods, and then let each man go to his home.

Starting point is 04:34:03 The wine was poured out, and the wooers departed. Then Penelope and her handmaidens went to her own chamber, and Telemachus was left with his father, Odysseus. End of Section 26. Section 27 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elizabeth Clet The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy By Parak Colum

Starting point is 04:34:34 Part 2 Chapter 12 To Telemachus, Odysseus said My son we must now get the weapons out of the hall Take them down from the walls Telemachus and his father took down the helmets and shields and sharp-pointed spears Then said Odysseus as they carried them out, "'Tomorrow when the wooers miss the weapons and say,

Starting point is 04:34:59 "'Why have they been taken?' "'Answer them, saying, "'The smoke of the fire dulled them, "'and they no longer looked the weapons "'that my father left behind him "'when he went to the wars of Troy. "'Besides, I am fearful lest some day "'the company in the hall come to a quarrel,

Starting point is 04:35:16 "'one with the other, "'and snatch the weapons in anger. "'Strive has come here already, and iron draws iron men say. Telemachus carried the armor and weapons out of the hall and hid them in the women's apartment. Then when the hall was cleared, he went to his own chamber. It was then that Penelope came back to the hall to speak to the stranger.

Starting point is 04:35:39 One of her handmaidens, Melantho by name, was there, and she was speaking angrily to him. Now this Melantho was proud and hard of heart, because Antinous often conversed with her. as penelope came near she was saying stranger art thou still here prying things out and spying on the servants be thankful for the supper thou hast gotten and betake thyself out of this odysseus looking fiercely at her said why shouldst thou speak to me in such a way if i go in ragged clothes and beg through the land it is because of my necessity once i had a house with servants and with much substance and the stranger who came there was not abused. The Lady Penelope called to the handmaiden and said,

Starting point is 04:36:27 Thou, Melantho, didst hear it from mine own lips that I was minded to speak to this stranger and ask him if he had tidings of my lord. Therefore it does not become thee to revile him. She spoke to the old nurse who had come with her, and said, Euryclea, bring to the fire a bench with a fleece upon it, that this stranger may sit and tell me his story. Euryclea brought over the bench, and Odysseus sat down near the fire. Then said the Lady Penelope,

Starting point is 04:36:58 "'First, stranger, wilt thou tell me who thou art, and what is thy name, and thy race and country?' said Odysseus. Ask me all thou wilt, lady, but inquire not concerning my name or race or country, lest thou shouldst fill my heart with more pains than I am able to endure. Verily I am a man of grief. But hast thou no tale to tell me? We know of thee, Penelope, for thy fame goes up to heaven, and no one of mortal men can find fault with thee. Then said Penelope, What excellence I had of face or form departed from me when my lord Odysseus went from this hall to the wars of Troy.

Starting point is 04:37:38 And since he went, a host of ills has beset me. Ah, would that he were here to watch over my life! The lords of all the islands around! Dulichium and Sameh and Zysynthas, and the lords of the land of Ithaca, have come here and are wooing me against my will. They devour the substance of this house, and my son is being impoverished. Long ago a God put into my mind a device to keep marriage with them away from me. I set up a great web upon my loom, and I spoke to the wooers, saying, "'Odysius is assuredly dead,

Starting point is 04:38:13 "'but I crave that you be not eager "'to speed on this marriage with me. "'Wait until I finish the web I am weaving. "'It is a shroud for Odysseus's father, "'and I make it against the day when death shall come to him. "'There will be no woman to care for Laertes "'when I have left his son's house, "'and I would not have such a hero lie without a shroud,

Starting point is 04:38:33 "'lest the women of our land should blame me "'for neglect of my husband's father in his last days.' "'So I spoke. and they agreed to wait until the web was woven. In the daytime I wove it, but at night I unravelled the web. So three years passed away. Then the fourth year came, and my wooers were hard to deal with. My treacherous handmaidens brought them upon me as I was unraveling the web.

Starting point is 04:39:00 And now I cannot devise any other plan to keep the marriage away from me. My parents command me to marry one of my wooers. My son cannot long endure to see the substance of this house. house and field being wasted, and the wealth that should be his destroyed. He too would wish that I would marry. And there is no reason why I should not be wet again, for surely Odysseus my lord is dead." Said Odysseus, "'Thy lord was known to me. On his way to Troy he came to my land, for the wind blew him out of his course, sending him wandering past Malaya. For twelve days he stayed in my city, and I gave him good entertainment, and saw that he lacked for nothing in cattle

Starting point is 04:39:42 or wine or barley-meal. When Odysseus was spoken of, the heart of Penelope melted, and tears ran down her cheeks. Odysseus had pity for his wife when he saw her weeping for the man who was even then sitting by her. Tears would have run down his own cheeks, only that he was strong enough to hold them back. Said Penelope, "'Strager, I cannot help but question thee about Odysse,' Odysseus. What raiment had he on when thou didst see him, and what men were with him?" Said Odysseus. Lady, it is hard for one so long parted from him to tell thee what thou has asked. It is now twenty years since I saw Odysseus. He wore a purple mantle that was fastened with a brooch, and this brooch had on it the image of a hound holding a fawn between

Starting point is 04:40:30 its forepaws. All the people marveled at this brooch, for it was of gold, and the fawn and the were done to the life. And I remember that there was a henchman with Odysseus. He was a man somewhat older than his master, round-shouldered and black-skinned and curly-headed. His name was Euribbates, and Odysseus honoured him above the rest of his company. When he spoke, giving such tokens of Odysseus, Penelope wept again. And when she had wept for a long time, she said, "'Stranger, thou wert made welcome, "'but now thou shalt be honoured in this hall. "'Thou dost speak of the garments that Odysseus wore.

Starting point is 04:41:09 "'It was I who gave him these garments, "'folding them myself and bringing them out of the chamber, "'and it was I who gave him the brooch thou hast described. "'Ah, it was an evil fate that took him from me, "'bringing him to Troy, that place too evil to be named by me.' "'Odysius leaned towards her and said, "'Do not waste thy heart with endless weeping, lady. Cease from lamentation, and lay up in thy mind the word I give thee. Odysseus is near.

Starting point is 04:41:38 He has lost all his companions, and he knows not how to come into this house, whether openly or by stealth. I swear it. By the hearth of Odysseus to which I am come, I swear that Odysseus himself will stand up here before the old moon wanes and the new moon is born. "'Ah, no,' said Penelope. "'Oftain before have wanderers told me such comfortable things, and I believed them. I know now that thy word cannot be accomplished. But it is time for thee to rest thyself, stranger. My handmaidens will make a bed for thee in the vestibule, and then come to thee and bathe thy feet. Said Odysseus, thy handmaidens would be loath to touch the feet of a wanderer such as I, but if there is in the house some old wife who is born such troubles as I have born,

Starting point is 04:42:25 I would have my feet bathed by her. Said Penelope, here is an ancient woman. Here is an ancient woman. woman who nursed and tended that hapless man Odysseus. She took him in her arms in the very hour he was born. Euryclea, wash the feet of this man, who knew thy lord and mine. Thereupon the nurse, old Euryclea, fetched water, both hot and cold, and brought the bath to the hearth. And standing before Odysseus in the flickering light of the fire, she said, I will wash thy feet, both for Penelope's sake and for thine own. The heart with me is moved at the sight of thee. Many strangers have come into this hall, but I have never seen one that was so like as thou art to Odysseus,' said Odysseus.

Starting point is 04:43:11 "'Many people have said that Odysseus and I favor each other. His feet were in the water, and she put her hand upon one of them. As she did so, Odysseus turned his face away to the darkness, for it suddenly came into his mind that his nurse, old Euryclea, might recognize the scar that was upon that foot. How came it there that scar? It had been made long ago when a boar's tusk had ripped up the flesh of his foot. Odysseus was then a youth, and he had gone to the mountain Parnassus to visit there his mother's father. One morning with his uncles, young Odysseus went up the slope of the mountain Parnassus to hunt with hounds. In a thick lair a mighty boar was lying. When the sound of the men's trampling came near him, he sprang

Starting point is 04:43:59 up with gleaming eyes and stood before them all. Odysseus, holding his spear in his hands, rushed upon him. But before he could strike him, the boar charged, ripping deep into his flesh with his tusk. Then Odysseus speared him through the shoulder and the bore was slain. His uncle stanched the wound and he stayed with them on the mountain Parnassus in his grandfather's house until the wound was healed. And now, as Euryclea, his old nurse, passed her hands along the leg, she let his foot drop suddenly. His knee struck against the bath, and the vessel of water was overturned. The nurse touched the chin of Odysseus, and she said, "'Thou art Odysseus!' She looked to where Penelope was sitting, so that she might make a sign

Starting point is 04:44:45 to her. But Penelope had her eyes turned away. Odysseus put his hand on Euryclia's mouth, and with the other he drew her to him. "'Woman,' he whispered, "'say nothing. Be silent.' Lest mine enemies learn what thou knowest." "'Silent I'll be,' said the nurse, Euryclia. "'Thou knowest me? Firm and unyielding I am, and by no sign will I let anyone know that thou hast come under this roof.' So saying she went out of the hall to fetch water in the place of that which had been spilled.

Starting point is 04:45:18 She came back and finished bathing his feet. Then Odysseus arranged the rags around his leg to hide the scar, and he drew the bench closer to the fire. Penelope turned to him again. "'Wise thou art, my guest,' she said, "'and it may be that thou art just such a man as can interpret a dream that comes to me constantly. "'I have twenty geese in the yard outside. In my dream I see them, and then a great eagle flies down "'from the mountains and breaks their necks and kills them all, and lays them in a heap in this hall. I weep and lament for my geese, but then the eagle comes back, and perching on a beam of the roof speaks to me in the voice of a man.

Starting point is 04:46:01 Take heart, O wife of Odysseus, the eagle says. This is no dream but a true vision, for the geese that thou hast seen are thy wooers, and I that appeared as an eagle am thy husband, who will swiftly bring death to the wooers. Then the dream goes, and I waken and look out on the daylight, and see my geese the courtyard pecking at the wheat in the trough. Canst thou interpret this dream? Lady, said Odysseus, the dream interprets itself. All will come about as thou hast dreamed. Ah, said Penelope, it cannot now, for the day of my woe is at hand. I am being forced by my parents to choose a husband from the wooers, and depart from the house of Odysseus.

Starting point is 04:46:47 And how wilt thou choose from amongst them? said Odysseus. "'In this way will I make choice,' said Penelope. "'My husband's great bow is still in the house. The one who can bend that bow, and shoot an arrow through the holes in the backs of twelve axes set one behind the other. Him will I choose for my husband.' "'Said Odysseus.

Starting point is 04:47:08 "'Thy device is good, Penelope, and some God hath instructed thee to do this. But delay no longer the contest of the bow. Let it be to-morrow.' "'Is that thy counsel, O stranger?' said Penelope. It is my counsel, said Odysseus. I thank thee for thy counsel, she said, and now farewell, for I must go to my rest,

Starting point is 04:47:32 and do thou lie down in the vestibule in the bed that has been made for thee. So Penelope spoke, and then she went to her chamber with her handmaidens, and in her bed she thought over all the stranger had told her of Odysseus, and she wept again for him. End of Section 27

Starting point is 04:47:52 Section 28 of the Adventures of Odysseus This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain Recording by Elizabeth Clatt The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy By Parak Colum Part 2, Chapter 13 All night Odysseus lay awake, tossing this side and that as he pondered on how he might slay the wooers

Starting point is 04:48:23 and save his house from them. As soon as the dawn came, he went into the open air, and lifting up his hands, prayed to Zeus the greatest of the gods, that he might be shown some sign as to whether he would win victory or meet with defeat. And then, as he was going within the house, he heard the voice of a woman who ground barley-meal between stones. She was one of twelve, but the other women had fallen asleep by the kernstones. She was an ancient, wretched woman, covered in.

Starting point is 04:48:53 all over with the dust of the grain, and as Odysseus came near her, she lifted up her hands and prayed in a weak voice. O Zeus, even for miserable me, fulfill a prayer. May this be the last day that the wooers make their feast in the house of Odysseus. They have loosened my knees with the cruel toil they have made me undergo, grinding for them the barley for the bread they eat. O Zeus, may they today sup their last. Thus the Kernwoman said.

Starting point is 04:49:23 spoke, as Odysseus crossed his threshold. He was glad of her speech, for it seemed to him her words were an omen from Zeus, and that vengeance would be soon wrought upon the proud and hard-hearted men who wasted the goods of the house and oppressed the servants. And now the maids came into the hall from the women's apartment, and some cleaned the tables, and others took pitchers and went to the well for water. The men-servants came in and split the faggots for the fire. Other servants came into the courtyard. Eumaeus, the swine-herd, driving fatted swine the best of his drove, and Philotius, the cattle-herd, bringing a calf. The goat-herd, Melanthius, him whom Odysseus and Eumas had met on the road the day before, also came, bringing the best

Starting point is 04:50:11 goats of his flock to be killed for the wooer's feast. When the cattle-herd, Philotius saw a stranger in the guise of a beggar, he called out as he tethered the calf in the yard. "'Hale, stranger, friend, my eyes fill with tears as I look on thee. For even now, clad as thou art in rags, dost thou make me think of my master Odysseus, who may be a wander such as thou in friendless lands? Ah, that he might return and make a scattering of the wooers in this hall!' Eumias the swineherd came up to Philotius and made the same prayer. These two, and the ancient woman at the quern, were the only ones of his servants whom he heard prey for his return. And now the wooers came into the hall. Philotius the cattle-herd,

Starting point is 04:50:57 and Melanthius the evil goat-herd went amongst them, handing them bread and meat and wine. Odysseus stood outside the hall, until Telemachus went to him and brought him within. Now there was amongst the wooers a man named Stestippus, and he was the rudest and the roughest of them all. When he saw Telemachus bringing Odysseus within, he shouted out, Here is a guest of Telemachus to whom some gift is due from us. It will be unseemly if he should get nothing to-day. Therefore I will bestow this upon him as a token. Saying this, Stasippus took up the foot of a slaughtered ox and flung it full at Odysseus.

Starting point is 04:51:37 Odysseus drew back and the ox's foot struck the wall. Then did Odysseus smile grimly upon the wooers. Said Telemachus, Verily, Stasippus, the cast turned out happily for thyself. For if thou shouldst have struck my guest, there would have been a funeral feast instead of a wedding banquet in thy father's house. Assuredly, I should have driven my spear through thee." All the wooers were silent when Telemachus spoke these bold words, but they soon fell laughing at something one of their number said. The guest from

Starting point is 04:52:10 Telemachus' ship, Theeclimus was there, and he started up and went to leave the hall. "'Why dost thou go, my guest?' said Telemachus. I see the walls and beams of the roofs sprinkled with blood, said Thea Climinus, the second-sighted man. I hear the voice of wailing. I see cheeks wet with tears. The men before me have shrouds upon them. The courtyard is filled with ghosts. So Thee-Climinus spoke, and all the wooers laughed at the second-sighted man, for he stumbled about the hall as if it were in darkness. Then said one of the wooers, "'lead that man out of the house.' for surely he cannot tell day from night."

Starting point is 04:52:52 "'I will go from the place,' said Theocliminus. I see death approaching. Not one of the company before me will be able to avoid it." So saying the second-sighted man went out of the hall, the wooers looked at each other again, and laughed, and one of them said, "'Tilemachus has no luck in his guests. One is a dirty beggar who thinks of nothing but what he could put from his hand into his mouth, the other wants to stand up here and play the seer?' So the wooers spoke in mockery, but neither Telemachus nor Odysseus paid heed to their words, for their minds were bent

Starting point is 04:53:28 upon the time when they should take vengeance upon them. Chapter 14 In the treasure-chamber of the house Odysseus's great bow was kept. That bow had been given to him by a hero named Iphethyst long ago. Odysseus had not taken it with him when he went to the wars of Troy. To the treasure-chamber Penelope went. She carried in her hand the great key that opened the doors, a key all of bronze with the handle of ivory.

Starting point is 04:53:58 Now as she thrust the key into the locks, the doors groaned as a bull groans. She went within, and saw the great bow upon its peg. She took it down and laid it upon her knees, and thought long upon the man who had bent it. Beside the bow was its quiver full of bronze-weighted arrows. The servant took the quiver, and Penelope took the bow, and they went from the treasure-chamber and into the hall where the

Starting point is 04:54:23 wooers were. When she came in she spoke to the company and said, "'Lords of Ithaca and of the islands around, you have each come here, desiring that I should wed him. Now the time has come for me to make of choice from amongst you. Here is how I shall make my choice. This is the bow of Odysseus, my lord who is no more. Whosoever amongst you can bend this bow and shoot an arrow from it through the holes in the back. of twelve axes which I shall have set up. Him will I wed, and to his house I will go, forsaking the house of my wedlock, this house so filled with treasure and substance, this house which I shall remember in my dreams."

Starting point is 04:55:04 As she spoke, Telemachus took the twelve axes and set them upright in an even line, so that one could shoot an arrow through the hole that was in the back of each axe-head. Then Eumias, the old swineherd, took the bow of Odysseus, and laid it before the wood. wooers. One of the wooers took up the bow and tried to bend it, but he could not bend it, and he laid it down at the doorway with the arrow beside it. The others took up the bow and warmed it at the fire, and rubbed it with lard to make it more pliable. As they were doing this, Eumaeus the swineherd and Philotius the cattleherd passed out of the hall. Odysseus followed them into the courtyard. He laid a hand on each and said, Swineherd and cattleherd, I have a word to say to

Starting point is 04:55:48 you, but will you keep it to yourselves the word I say? And first, what would you do to help Odysseus if he should return? Would you stand on his side or on the side of the wooers? Answer me now from your hearts." Said Philotius the cattle-herd, May Zeus fulfill my wish and bring Odysseus back, then thou shouldst know on whose side I would stand. And Eumaeus said, If Odysseus should return I would be on his side, and with all the strength that is in me.

Starting point is 04:56:18 they said this," Odysseus declared himself. Lifting up his hand to heaven, he said, "'I am your master, Odysseus. After twenty years I have come back to my own country, and I find that of all my servants by you two alone is my homecoming desired. If you need see a token that I am indeed Odysseus, look down on my foot. See there the mark that the wild boar left on me in the days of my youth.' Straightway he drew the rags from the scar, and the swineherd and the cattle-hurstead. heard saw it and marked it well. Knowing that it was indeed Odysseus who stood before them,

Starting point is 04:56:53 they cast their arms around him and kissed him on the head and shoulders. And Odysseus was moved by their tears, and he kissed their heads and their hands. As they went back to the hall, he told Eumaeus to bring the bow to him as he was bearing it through the hall. He told him, too, to order Euryclea, the faithful nurse, to bar the doors of the women's apartment at the end of the hall, and to bid the women—even if they heard a groaning and at din, not to come into the hall. And he charged the cattle-herd-herd Philotius to bar the gates of the courtyard. As he went into the hall, one of the wooers Eurymachus was striving to bend the bow. As he struggled to do so he groaned aloud. Not because I may not marry

Starting point is 04:57:35 Penelope do I groan, but because we youths of to-day are shown to be weaklings beside Odysseus, whose bow we can in no way bend. Then Antinous the proudest of the wooers made answer and said, why should we strive to bend the bow today? Nay, lay beside the bow, Eurymachus, and let the wine-bears pour us out a cupful each. In the morning let us make sacrifice to the archer-god, and pray that the bow be fitted to some of our hands. Then Odysseus came forward and said, "'Sir, you do well to lay the bow aside for today. But will you not put the bow into my hands, that I may try to bend it, and judge for myself whether I have any of the strength that once was mine. All the wooers were angry that a seeming beggar should attempt to bend the bow

Starting point is 04:58:20 that none of their company were able to bend. Antinawas spoke to him sharply and said, "'Thou wretched beggar! It is it not enough that thou art led into this high hall to pick up scraps, but thou must listen to our speech and join in our conversation? If thou shouldst bend that bow we will make short shrift of thee, I promise. We will put thee on a ship, and send thee over to King Ectetus, who will cut thee to pieces and give thy flogethers, and give thy to his hounds." Old Eumaeus had taken up the bow. As he went with it to Odysseus, some of them shouted to him.

Starting point is 04:58:54 Where art thou going with the bow, thou crazy fellow? Put it down! Eumaeus was confused by their shouts, and he put down the bow. Then Telemachus spoke to him and said, "'Eumas, beware of being the man who served many masters.' Eumias, hearing these words, took it up again and brought it to Odysseus, and put the bow into his hands. As Odysseus stood in the doorway of the hall the bow in his hands, and with the arrows scattered at his feet, Eumias went to Euryclea, and told her to bar the door

Starting point is 04:59:25 of the women's apartment at the back. Then Philotius, the cattle-herd, went out of the hall and barred the gates leading out of the courtyard. For long, Odysseus stood with the bow in his hands, handling it as a minstrel handles a lyre when he stretches a cord or tightens a peg. Then he bent the great bow. He bent it without an effort, and at his touch the bow-string made a sound that was like the cry of a swallow. The wooers, seeing him bend that mighty bow, felt, every man of them, a sharp pain at the heart. They saw Odysseus take up an arrow and fit it to the string. He held the notch, he drew the string, and he shot the bronze-weighted arrow straight through the holes in the back of the axe-heads. Then as Eumias took up the axes,

Starting point is 05:00:12 and brought them outside, he said, "'Thou seest, Lord Telemachus, that thy guest does not shame thee through foolish boasting. I have bent the bow of Odysseus, and I have shot the arrow aright. But now it is time to provide the feast for the lords who woo thy lady mother.

Starting point is 05:00:30 While it is yet light, the feast must be served to them, and with the feast they must have music and the dance. Saying this he nodded to Telemachus, bending his terrible brows. Telemachus instantly girt his sword upon him and took his spear in his hand. Outside was heard the thunder of Zeus, and now Odysseus had stripped his rags from him and was standing upright, looking a master of men.

Starting point is 05:00:56 The mighty bow was in his hands, and at his feet were scattered many bronze-weighted arrows. End of Section 28. Section 29 of the Adventures of Odysseus. This Libravox recording is in the public domain, recording by Elizabeth Clet. The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Parak Colum. Part 2, Chapter 15 It is ended, Odysseus said. My trial is ended.

Starting point is 05:01:33 Now will I have another mark. Saying this, he put the bronze-weighted arrow against the string of the bow and shot at the first of his enemies. It was at Antinous, he pointed the arrow, at Antinous who was even then lifting up a golden cup filled with wine, and who was smiling, with death far from his thoughts. Odysseus aimed at him, and smote him with the arrow in the throat, and the point passed out clean through his neck. The wine-cup fell from his hands, and Antinuas fell dead across the table. Then did all the wooers raise a shout, threatening Odysseus for sending an arrow

Starting point is 05:02:13 astray. It did not come into their minds that this stranger beggar had aimed to kill Antinous. But Odysseus shouted back to them, Ye dogs, ye that said in your hearts that Odysseus would never return to his home, ye that wasted my substance and troubled my wife and injured my servants, ye who showed no fear of heaven, nor of the just judgments of men, behold, Odysseus returned, and know what death is being loosed on you. Then Eurimachus shouted out, "'Friends, this man will not hold his hands, "'nor cease from shooting with the bow until all of us are slain.

Starting point is 05:02:52 "'Now must we enter into the battle with him. "'Draw your swords and hold up the tables before you for shields and advance upon him.' "'But even as he spoke, Odysseus with a terrible cry, "'loosed an arrow at him and shot Eremicus through the breast. "'He let the sword fall from his hand, and he too fell dead upon the floor.' one of the band rushed straight at odysseus with his sword and hand but telemachus was at hand and drove his spear through this man's shoulders then telemachus ran quickly to a chamber where there were weapons and armor lying the swineherd and cattleherd joined him and all three put armor upon them odysseus as long as he had arrows to defend himself kept shooting at and smiting the wooers when all the arrows were gone he put the helmet on his head and took up the shield that telemachus had brought and the two great spears.

Starting point is 05:03:46 But now Melanthius, the goat-herd, he who was the enemy of Odysseus, got into the chamber where the arms were kept, and brought out spears and shields and helmets and gave them to the wooers. Seeing the goat-herd go back for more arms, Telemachus and Eumaeus dashed into the chamber, and caught him and bound him with a rope,

Starting point is 05:04:05 and dragged him up near the roof-beams and left him hanging there. Then they closed and bolted the door, and stood on guard. Many of the wooers lay dead upon the floor of the hall. Now one who was called Agilaus stood forward, and directed the wooers to cast spears at Odysseus. But not one of the spears they cast struck him, for Odysseus was able to avoid them all. And now he directed Telemachus and Eumaus and Philotius to cast their spears. When they cast them with Odysseus, each one struck a man, and four of the

Starting point is 05:04:40 wooers fell down. And again Odysseus directed his following to cast their spears, and again they cast them and slew their men. They drove those who remained from one end of the hall to the other, and slew them all. Straightway the doors of the women's apartment were flung open, and Euryclia appeared. She saw Odysseus amongst the bodies of the dead, all stained with blood. She would have cried out in triumph if Odysseus had not restrained her. Rejoice within thine own heart, he said. but do not cry aloud, for it is an unholy thing to triumph over men lying dead. These men the gods themselves have overcome, because of their own hard and unjust hearts.

Starting point is 05:05:22 As he spoke the women came out of their chambers carrying torches in their hands. They fell upon Odysseus and embraced him and clasped and kissed his hands. A longing came over him to weep, for he remembered them from of old, every one of the servants who were there. Chapter 16 Euryclia, the old nurse, went to the upper chamber where Penelope lay in her bed. She bent over her and called out, "'Awake, Penelope, dear child, come down and see with thine own eyes what hath happened.

Starting point is 05:05:56 The wooers are overthrown, and he whom thou hast ever longed to see hath come back. Odysseus thy husband hath returned. He hath slain the proud wooers who have troubled thee for so much. long. But Penelope only looked at the nurse, for she thought that her brain had been turned. Still Euroclia kept on saying, "'In very deed Odysseus is here. He is that guest whom all the wooers dishonor in the hall.' Then hearing Euroclia say these words, Penelope sprang out of bed and put her arms round the nurse's neck, "'Oh, tell me, if what thou sayest be true, tell me how this stranger slew the wooers who were so many."

Starting point is 05:06:40 "'I did not see the slaying,' said Euryclia, "'but I heard the groaning of the men as they were slain. And then I found Odysseus standing amongst many dead men, and it comforted my heart to see him standing there like a lion aroused. Come with me now, lady, that you may both enter into your heart's delight—you that have suffered so much of affliction! Thy lord hath come alive to his own hearth, and he hath found his wife and his son alive and well."

Starting point is 05:07:08 "'Ah, no,' said Penelope. "'Ah, no, Odysseus hath not returned. He who hath slain the wooers is one of the deathless gods come down to punish them for their injustice and their hard-heartedness. Odysseus long ago lost the way of his returning, and he is lying dead in some far-off land.' "'No, no,' said Euryclia, "'I can show thee that it is Odysseus indeed who was in the hall. On the foot is the scar that the tusk of a boar gave him in the old days. I spied it when

Starting point is 05:07:39 I was washing his feet last night, and I would have told thee of it, but he clapped a hand across my mouth to stop my speech. Lo, I stake my life that it is Odysseus, and none other who was in the hall below. Saying this, she took Penelope by the hand, and led her from the upper chamber into the hall. Odysseus was standing by a tall pillar. He waited there for his wife to come and speak to him. But Penelope stood still, and gazed long upon him, and made no step towards him. Then said Telemachus, "'Mother, can it be that thy heart is so hard? Here is my father, and thou wilt not go to him, nor question him at all?' said Penelope. My mind is amazed, and I have no strength to speak, nor to ask him ought, nor even to look

Starting point is 05:08:28 on him face to face. If this is indeed Odysseus who hath come home, A place has to be prepared for him." Then Odysseus spoke to Telemachus and said, "'Go now to the bath and make thyself clean of the stains of battle. I will stay and speak with thy lady-mother.' "'Strange lady,' said he to Penelope, "'is thy heart indeed so hard? No other woman in the world, I think, would stand so aloof from her husband, who, after so much toil and so many trials, has come back after twenty years to his own hearth.

Starting point is 05:09:01 Is there no place for me here, and must I again sleep in the stranger's bed?' said Penelope. In no stranger's bed wilt thou lie, my lord. Come, Euryclea, set up for him his own bedstead outside his bed-chamber. Then Odysseus said to her, speaking in anger, How comes it that my bed can be moved to this place and that? Not a bed of that kind was the bed I built for myself. Knowest thou not how I built my bed?

Starting point is 05:09:30 First there grew up in the courtyard an olive-tree. Round that olive-tree I built a chamber, and I roofed it well, and I set doors to it. Then I sheared off all the light wood on the growing olive-tree, and I rough-hued the trunk with the ads, and I made the tree into a bed-post. Beginning with this bed-post I wrought a bed-stead, and when I finished it I inlaid it with silver and ivory. Such was the bed I built for myself, and such a bed could not be moved to this place or that. Then did Penelope know assuredly that the man who stood before her was indeed her husband, the steadfast Odysseus.

Starting point is 05:10:07 None other knew of where the bed was placed and how it had been built. Penelope fell a weeping, and she put her arms round his neck. "'Oh, Odysseus, my lord,' she said, "'be not angry with thy wife? Always the fear was in my heart that some guileful stranger should come here professing to be Odysseus, and that I should take him to me as my husband. How terrible such a thing would be! But now my heart is freed from all doubts.

Starting point is 05:10:35 Be not angry with me, Odysseus, for not throwing myself on thy neck as the women of the house did. Then husband and wife wept together, and Penelope said, It was the gods did this to us, Odysseus, the gods who grudged that we should have joy of the days of our youth. Next, they told each other of things that happened in the twenty years they were apart. odysseus speaking of his own toils and sorrows and penelope telling what she had endured at the hands of the wooers and as they told tales one to the other slumber came upon them and the dawn found them sleeping side by side

Starting point is 05:11:12 end of section twenty nine section thirty of the adventures of odysseus this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by elizabeth clatt the adventures of odysseus Odysseus and the tale of Troy by Parak Colum Part 2 Chapter 17 And still many dangers had to be faced. The wooers whom Odysseus had slain were the richest and the most powerful of the lords of Ithaca and the islands. All of them had fathers and brothers who would fain avenge themselves upon their slayer. Now before anyone in the city knew that he had returned, Odysseus went forth to the farm that Laertes, his orleans. old father, stayed at. As he drew near he saw an old man working in the vineyard, digging round a plant. When he came to him he saw that this old man was not a slave or a servant,

Starting point is 05:12:12 but Laertes his own father. When he saw him, wasted with age and all uncared for, Odysseus stood still, leaning his hand against a pear-tree, and sorrowing in his heart. Old Laertes kept his head down as he stood digging at the plant, and he did not see Odysseus and until he stood before him and said, "'Old man, thou dost care for this garden well, and all things here are flourishing, fig-tree and vine and olive and pear. But if a stranger may say it,

Starting point is 05:12:44 thine own self is not cared for well.' "'Who art thou that dost speak to me like this?' Old Laertie said, lifting his head. "'I am a stranger in Ithaca,' said Odysseus. I seek a man whom I once kindly treated, a man whose name was Odysseus. A stranger he came to me, and he declared that he was of Ithaca, and that one day he would give me entertainment for the entertainment I had given him. I know not if this man be still alive. Old Laertes wept before Odysseus.

Starting point is 05:13:19 Ah, said he, if thou hadst been able to find him here, the gifts you gave him would not have been bestowed in vain. True hospitality thou wouldst have received from Odysseus, my son. But he has perished, far from his country's soil he has perished, the hapless man, and his mother wept not over him, nor his wife, nor me his father. So he spake, and then with his hands he took up the dust of the ground, and he strewed it over his head in his sorrow. The heart of Odysseus was moved with grief. He sprang forth. forward and fell on his father's neck, and he kissed him, saying, "'Behold, I am here, even I, my father. I, Odysseus, have come back to

Starting point is 05:14:06 mine own country. Cease thy lamentation until I tell thee of the things that have happened. I have slain the wooers in mine hall, and I have avenged all their injuries and all their wrongful doings. "'Does thou not believe this, my father?' Then look on what I will show thee. Behold on my foot the mark of the boar's tusk. There it is, the days of my youth. Laertes looked down on the bare foot, and he saw the scar. But still his mind was clouded by doubt. But then Odysseus took him through the garden, and he told him of the fruit trees that Laertes had set for him, when he Odysseus was a little child, following his father about the garden, thirteen pear trees and ten apple trees, and forty fig trees.

Starting point is 05:14:51 When Odysseus showed him these, Laertes knew that it was indeed his son. who stood before him. His son come back after twenty years wandering. He cast his arms around his neck, and Odysseus caught him fainting to his breast, and led him into the house. Within the house were Telemachus and Eumaeus the swineherd, and Philotius the cattle-herd. They all clasped the hand of Laertes, and their words raised his spirits. Then he was bathed, and when he came from the bath, rubbed with olive oil, he looked hail and strong. Odysseus said, to him, "'Father, surely one of the gods has made thee goodlier and greater than thou were't a while ago,' said the old hero Laertes, "'Ah, my son, would that I had such

Starting point is 05:15:39 might as when, long before thou wert born, I took the castle of Nersius there upon the foreland. Would that in such might, and with such mail upon my shoulders, I stood with thee yesterday when thou didst fight with the wooers. While they were speaking in this way, the rumour of the slaying of the wooers went through the city. Then those who were related to the men slain went into the courtyard of Odysseus's house and brought forth the bodies. Those who belonged to Ithaca they buried, and those who belonged to the island they put upon ships, and sent them with fisher-folk, each to his own home. Many were wroth with Odysseus for the slaying of a friend. He who was the most

Starting point is 05:16:22 wroth was Euripethus, the father of Antinous. There was an assembly of the men of the country, and Ereepithus spake in it, and all who were there pitied him. He told how Odysseus had led away the best of the men of Ithaca, and how he had lost them in his ships, and he told them how, when he returned, he slew the noblest of the men of Ithaca and the islands in his own hall. He called upon them to slay Odysseus, saying, If we avenge not ourselves on the slayer of our kin, we will be scorned for all time as weak and cowardly men. As for me, life will be no more sweet to me. I would rather die straightway and be with the departed. Up now and let us attack Odysseus and his followers before they take ship and escape across the sea. Many and that assembly put on

Starting point is 05:17:10 their armor, and went out with old Eupythius. And as they went through the town, they met with Odysseus and his following as they were coming from the house of Laertes. Now as the two bands came close to each other, Odysseus with Telemachus and Laertes, with the swineherd and the cattle-herd, with Dolius, Laertie's servant, and with the six sons of Dolius, and Eupithius with his friends, a great figure came between. It was the figure of a tall, fair, and splendid woman. Odysseus knew her for the goddess, palace and Athena. "'Hold your hands from fierce fighting, ye men of Ithaca,' the goddess called out in a terrible voice. "'Hold your hands!' Straightway the arms fell from each man's hands. Then the goddess

Starting point is 05:18:00 called them together, and she made them enter into a covenant that all bloodshed and wrong would be forgotten, and that Odysseus would be left to rule Ithaca as a king in peace. So end the story of Odysseus, who went with King Agamemnon to the wars of Troy, who made the plan of the wooden horse by which Priam City was taken at last, who missed the way of his return, and came to the land of the lotus-eaters, who came to the country of the dread cyclops, to the island of Eulis, and to the house of Circe the Enchantress, who heard the song of the sirens, and came to the rocks wandering, and to the terrible coroner. Ribdis and Ticilla, past whom no other man had one scaethless, who landed on the island where the cattle of the sun grazed, and who stayed upon Ogegia, the home of the nymph Calypso. So end the story of Odysseus, who would have been made deathless and ageless by Calypso, if he had not yearned always to come back to his own hearth and his own land. And spite of all his troubles and his toils, he was fortunate, for he had been made.

Starting point is 05:19:11 found a constant wife and a dutiful son and a father still alive to weep over him end of section thirty end of the adventures of odysseus and the tale of troy by paroch

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