ἦλθον ἐγὼ παύσουσα τὸ σὸν μένος , αἴ κε πίθηαι ,
οὐρανόθεν : πρὸ δέ μ᾽ ἧκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη
ἄμφω ὁμῶς θυμῷ φιλέουσά τε κηδομένη τε :
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε λῆγ᾽ ἔριδος , μηδὲ ξίφος ἕλκεο χειρί :
ἀλλ᾽ ἤτοι ἔπεσιν μὲν ὀνείδισον ὡς ἔσεταί περ :
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω , τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται :
καί ποτέ τοι τρὶς τόσσα παρέσσεται ἀγλαὰ δῶρα
ὕβριος εἵνεκα τῆσδε : σὺ δ᾽ ἴσχεο , πείθεο δ᾽ ἡμῖν .

" I come from heaven , if you will hear me , to bid you stay your anger .
Hera has sent me , who cares for both of you alike .
Cease , then , this brawling , and do not draw your sword ; rail at him if you will , and your railing will not be vain , for I tell you - and it shall surely be - that you shall hereafter receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult . Hold , therefore , and obey . "

" I have come from heaven to stay your anger , if you will obey , The goddess white-armed Hera sent me forth , for in her heart she loves and cares for both of you . But come , cease from strife , and do not grasp the sword with your hand . With words indeed taunt him , telling him how it shall be . For thus will I speak , and this thing shall truly be brought to pass . Hereafter three times as many glorious gifts shall be yours on account of this arrogance . But refrain , and obey us . "

ἄγε λῆγ᾽ ἔριδος , μηδὲ ξίφος ἕλκεο χειρί :
ἀλλ᾽ ἤτοι ἔπεσιν μὲν ὀνείδισον ὡς ἔσεταί περ :
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω , τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται :
καί ποτέ τοι τρὶς τόσσα παρέσσεται ἀγλαὰ δῶρα
ὕβριος εἵνεκα τῆσδε : σὺ δ᾽ ἴσχεο , πείθεο δ᾽ ἡμῖν .

Cease , then , this brawling , and do not draw your sword ; rail at him if you will , and your railing will not be vain , for I tell you - and it shall surely be - that you shall hereafter receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult . Hold , therefore , and obey . "

Come , end this
quarrel , and sheathe your sword . Taunt him with words of prophecy ; for I
say , and it shall come to pass , that three times as many glorious gifts shall
be yours one day for this insult . Restrain yourself , now , and obey . ’

τῆς γὰρ πέφυκα μητρός : οἱ δὲ συγγενεῖς
μῆνές με μικρὸν καὶ μέγαν διώρισαν .
τοιόσδε δ᾽ ἐκφὺς οὐκ ἂν ἐξέλθοιμ᾽ ἔτι
ποτ᾽ ἄλλος , ὥστε μὴ ' κμαθεῖν τοὐμὸν γένος .

She is the mother from whom I spring , and the months , my kinsmen , have marked me sometimes lowly , sometimes great . Such being my heritage , never more can I prove false to it , or keep from searching out the secret of my birth .

Ella es la madre de la que brote , y los meses , mis parientes , me han marcado a veces humildemente , a veces genial . Tal siendo mi herencia , nunca más puedo probar que es falsa , o parar de buscar el secreto de mi nacimiento .

μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
οὐλομένην , ἣ μυρί᾽ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγε᾽ ἔθηκε ,
πολλὰς δ᾽ ἰφθίμους ψυχὰς Ἄϊδι προΐαψεν
ἡρώων , αὐτοὺς δὲ ἑλώρια τεῦχε κύνεσσιν
οἰωνοῖσί τε πᾶσι , Διὸς δ᾽ ἐτελείετο βουλή ,
ἐξ οὗ δὴ τὰ πρῶτα διαστήτην ἐρίσαντε
Ἀτρεΐδης τε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν καὶ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς .
τίς τ᾽ ἄρ σφωε θεῶν ἔριδι ξυνέηκε μάχεσθαι ;
Λητοῦς καὶ Διὸς υἱός : ὃ γὰρ βασιλῆϊ χολωθεὶς
νοῦσον ἀνὰ στρατὸν ὄρσε κακήν , ὀλέκοντο δὲ λαοί ,
οὕνεκα τὸν Χρύσην ἠτίμασεν ἀρητῆρα
Ἀτρεΐδης

Sing , O goddess , the anger of Achilles son of Peleus , that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans . Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades , and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs
and vultures , for so was the will of Zeus fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus , king of men , and great Achilles , first fell out with one another . And which of the gods was it that set them on to quarrel ? It was the son of Zeus and Leto ; for he was angry with the king
and sent a pestilence upon the host to plague the people , because the son of Atreus had dishonored Chryses his priest .

The wrath sing , goddess , of Peleus ' son , Achilles , that destructive wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeans , and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of heroes , and made them themselves spoil for dogs and every bird ; thus the plan of Zeus came to fulfillment , from the time when first they parted in strife Atreus ' son , king of men , and brilliant Achilles . Who then of the gods was it that brought these two together to contend ? The son of Leto and Zeus ; for he in anger against the king roused throughout the host an evil pestilence , and the people began to perish , because upon the priest Chryses the son of Atreus had wrought dishonour .

μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
οὐλομένην , ἣ μυρί᾽ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγε᾽ ἔθηκε ,
πολλὰς δ᾽ ἰφθίμους ψυχὰς Ἄϊδι προΐαψεν
ἡρώων , αὐτοὺς δὲ ἑλώρια τεῦχε κύνεσσιν
οἰωνοῖσί τε πᾶσι , Διὸς δ᾽ ἐτελείετο βουλή ,
ἐξ οὗ δὴ τὰ πρῶτα διαστήτην ἐρίσαντε
Ἀτρεΐδης τε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν καὶ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς .
τίς τ᾽ ἄρ σφωε θεῶν ἔριδι ξυνέηκε μάχεσθαι ;
Λητοῦς καὶ Διὸς υἱός : ὃ γὰρ βασιλῆϊ χολωθεὶς
νοῦσον ἀνὰ στρατὸν ὄρσε κακήν , ὀλέκοντο δὲ λαοί ,

Anger be now your song , immortal one ,
Akhilleus’ anger , doomed and ruinous ,
That caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
And crowded brave souls into the undergloom ,
Leaving so many dead men – carrion
for dogs and birds ; and the will of Zeus was done .
Begin it when the two men first contending
Broke with one another – the lord Marshal
Agamemnon , Atreus’ son , and Prince Akhilleus .
Among the gods , who brought this quarrel on ?
The son of Zeus by Leto . Agamemnon
Angered him , so he made a burning wind
Of plague rise in the army : rank and file

The wrath sing , goddess , of Peleus ' son , Achilles , that destructive wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeans , and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of heroes , and made them themselves spoil for dogs and every bird ; thus the plan of Zeus came to fulfillment , from the time when1 first they parted in strife Atreus ' son , king of men , and brilliant Achilles . Who then of the gods was it that brought these two together to contend ? The son of Leto and Zeus ; for he in anger against the king roused throughout the host an evil pestilence , and the people began to perish , because upon the priest Chryses the son of Atreus had wrought dishonour .

ἄνδρα μοι ἔννεπε , μοῦσα , πολύτροπον , ὃς μάλα πολλὰ
πλάγχθη , ἐπεὶ Τροίης ἱερὸν πτολίεθρον ἔπερσεν :
πολλῶν δ᾽ ἀνθρώπων ἴδεν ἄστεα καὶ νόον ἔγνω ,
πολλὰ δ᾽ ὅ γ᾽ ἐν πόντῳ πάθεν ἄλγεα ὃν κατὰ θυμόν ,
ἀρνύμενος ἥν τε ψυχὴν καὶ νόστον ἑταίρων .
ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ὣς ἑτάρους ἐρρύσατο , ἱέμενός περ :
αὐτῶν γὰρ σφετέρῃσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο ,
νήπιοι , οἳ κατὰ βοῦς Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιο
ἤσθιον : αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσιν ἀφείλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ .
τῶν ἁμόθεν γε , θεά , θύγατερ Διός , εἰπὲ καὶ ἡμῖν .

Tell me about a complicated man .
Muse , tell me how he wandered and was lost
when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy ,
and where he went , and who he met , the pain
he suffered in the storms at sea , and how
he worked to save his life and bring his men
back home . He failed to keep them safe ; poor fools ,
they ate the Sun God ' s cattle , and the god
kept them from home . Now goddess , child of Zeus ,
tell the old story for our modern times .
Find the beginning .

O DIVINE POESY
GODDESS-DAUGHTER OF ZEUS
SUSTAIN FOR ME
THIS SONG OF THE VARIOUS-MINDED MAN
WHO AFTER HE HAD PLUNDERED
THE INNERMOST CITADEL OF HALLOWED TROY
WAS MADE TO STRAY GRIEVOUSLY
ABOUT THE COASTS OF MEN
THE SPORT OF THEIR CUSTOMS GOOD OR BAD
WHILE HIS HEART
THROUGH ALL THE SEA-FARING
ACHED IN AN AGONY TO REDEEM HIMSELF
AND BRING HIS COMPANY SAFE HOME

VAIN HOPE—FOR THEM
FOR HIS FELLOWS HE STROVE IN VAIN
THEIR OWN WITLESSNESS CAST THEM AWAY
THE FOOLS
TO DESTROY FOR MEAT
THE OXEN OF THE MOST EXALTED SUN
WHEREFORE THE SUN-GOD BLOTTED OUT
THE DAY OF THEIR RETURN
MAKE THE TALE LIVE FOR US
IN ALL ITS MANY BEARINGS
O MUSE

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες , ὅσοι φύγον αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον ,
οἴκοι ἔσαν , πόλεμόν τε πεφευγότες ἠδὲ θάλασσαν ·
τὸν δʼ οἶον νόστου κεχρημένον ἠδὲ γυναικὸς
νύμφη πότνιʼ ἔρυκε Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάων
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι , λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι .
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ἔτος ἦλθε περιπλομένων ἐνιαυτῶν ,
τῷ οἱ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι
εἰς Ἰθάκην , οὐδʼ ἔνθα πεφυγμένος ἦεν ἀέθλων
καὶ μετὰ οἷσι φίλοισι . θεοὶ δʼ ἐλέαιρον ἅπαντες
νόσφι Ποσειδάωνος · ὁ δʼ ἀσπερχὲς μενέαινεν
ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆι πάρος ἣν γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι .

Of these things , goddess , daughter of Zeus , beginning where thou wilt , tell thou even unto us . Now all the rest , as many as had escaped sheer destruction , were at home , safe from both war and sea , but Odysseus alone , filled with longing for his return and for his wife , did the queenly nymph Calypso , that bright goddess ,
keep back in her hollow caves , yearning that he should be her husband . But when , as the seasons revolved , the year came in which the gods had ordained that he should return home to Ithaca , not even there was he free from toils , even among his own folk . And all the gods pitied him

So now all who escaped death in battle or by shipwreck had got safely home except Odysseus , and he , though he was longing for his return to his wife and country , was detained by the goddess Calypso , who had got him into a large cave and wanted to marry him . But as years went by , there came a time when the gods settled that he should go back to Ithaca ; even then , however , when he was among his own people , his trials were not yet over ; nevertheless all the gods had now begun to pity him except Poseidon , who still persecuted him without ceasing and would not let him get home .

ἔνθ᾽ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες , ὅσοι φύγον αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον ,
οἴκοι ἔσαν , πόλεμόν τε πεφευγότες ἠδὲ θάλασσαν :
τὸν δ᾽ οἶον νόστου κεχρημένον ἠδὲ γυναικὸς
νύμφη πότνι᾽ ἔρυκε Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάων
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι , λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι .
ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε δὴ ἔτος ἦλθε περιπλομένων ἐνιαυτῶν ,
τῷ οἱ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι
εἰς Ἰθάκην , οὐδ᾽ ἔνθα πεφυγμένος ἦεν ἀέθλων
καὶ μετὰ οἷσι φίλοισι . θεοὶ δ᾽ ἐλέαιρον ἅπαντες
νόσφι Ποσειδάωνος : ὁ δ᾽ ἀσπερχὲς μενέαινεν
ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆι πάρος ἣν γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι .

Now all the rest , as many as had escaped sheer destruction , were at home , safe from both war and sea , but Odysseus alone , filled with longing for his return and for his wife , did the queenly nymph Calypso , that bright goddess , keep back in her hollow caves , yearning that he should be her husband . But when , as the seasons revolved , the year came in which the gods had ordained that he should return home to Ithaca , not even there was he free from toils , even among his own folk . And all the gods pitied him save Poseidon ; but he continued to rage unceasingly against godlike Odysseus until at length he reached his own land

So now all who escaped death in battle or by shipwreck had got safely home except Odysseus , and he , though he was longing for his return to his wife and country , was detained by the goddess Calypso , who had got him into a large cave and wanted to marry him . But as years went by , there came a time when the gods settled that he should go back to Ithaca ; even then , however , when he was among his own people , his trials were not yet over ; nevertheless all the gods had now begun to pity him except Poseidon , who still persecuted him without ceasing and would not let him get home .
Now Poseidon had gone off to the Ethiopians , who are at the world ' s end , and lie in two halves , the one looking West and the other East . He had gone there to accept a hecatomb of sheep and oxen , and was enjoying himself at his festival ; but the other gods met in the house of Olympian Zeus , and the sire of gods and men spoke first . At that moment he was thinking of Aigisthos , who had been killed by Agamemnon ' s son Orestes ; so he said to the other gods :

ἀλλ᾽ ὁ μὲν Αἰθίοπας μετεκίαθε τηλόθ᾽ ἐόντας ,
Αἰθίοπας τοὶ διχθὰ δεδαίαται , ἔσχατοι ἀνδρῶν ,
οἱ μὲν δυσομένου Ὑπερίονος οἱ δ᾽ ἀνιόντος ,
ἀντιόων ταύρων τε καὶ ἀρνειῶν ἑκατόμβης .
ἔνθ᾽ ὅ γ᾽ ἐτέρπετο δαιτὶ παρήμενος : οἱ δὲ δὴ ἄλλοι
Ζηνὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν Ὀλυμπίου ἁθρόοι ἦσαν .
τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε :
μνήσατο γὰρ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀμύμονος Αἰγίσθοιο ,
τόν ῥ᾽ Ἀγαμεμνονίδης τηλεκλυτὸς ἔκταν᾽ Ὀρέστης :
τοῦ ὅ γ᾽ ἐπιμνησθεὶς ἔπε᾽ ἀθανάτοισι μετηύδα :

Howbeit Poseidon had gone among the far-off Ethiopians—the Ethiopians who dwell sundered in twain , the farthermost of men , some where Hyperion sets and some where he rises , there to receive a hecatomb of bulls and rams , and there he was taking his joy , sitting at the feast ; but the other gods were gathered together in the halls of Olympian Zeus . Among them the father of gods and men was first to speak , for in his heart he thought of noble Aegisthus , whom far-famed Orestes , Agamemnon ' s son , had slain . Thinking on him he spoke among the immortals , and said :

Now Poseidon had gone off to the Ethiopians , who are at the world ' s end , and lie in two halves , the one looking West and the other East . He had gone there to accept a hecatomb of sheep and oxen , and was enjoying himself at his festival ; but the other gods met in the house of Olympian Zeus , and the sire of gods and men spoke first . At that moment he was thinking of Aigisthos , who had been killed by Agamemnon ' s son Orestes ; so he said to the other gods :

Ἑλληνική Transliterate

English

ἄνδρα μοι ἔννεπε , μοῦσα , πολύτροπον , ὃς μάλα πολλὰ
πλάγχθη , ἐπεὶ Τροίης ἱερὸν πτολίεθρον ἔπερσεν :
πολλῶν δ᾽ ἀνθρώπων ἴδεν ἄστεα καὶ νόον ἔγνω ,
πολλὰ δ᾽ ὅ γ᾽ ἐν πόντῳ πάθεν ἄλγεα ὃν κατὰ θυμόν ,
ἀρνύμενος ἥν τε ψυχὴν καὶ νόστον ἑταίρων .
ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ὣς ἑτάρους ἐρρύσατο , ἱέμενός περ :
αὐτῶν γὰρ σφετέρῃσιν ἀτασθαλίῃσιν ὄλοντο ,
νήπιοι , οἳ κατὰ βοῦς Ὑπερίονος Ἠελίοιο
ἤσθιον : αὐτὰρ ὁ τοῖσιν ἀφείλετο νόστιμον ἦμαρ .
τῶν ἁμόθεν γε , θεά , θύγατερ Διός , εἰπὲ καὶ ἡμῖν
ἔνθ᾽ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες , ὅσοι φύγον αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον ,
οἴκοι ἔσαν , πόλεμόν τε πεφευγότες ἠδὲ θάλασσαν :
τὸν δ᾽ οἶον νόστου κεχρημένον ἠδὲ γυναικὸς
νύμφη πότνι᾽ ἔρυκε Καλυψὼ δῖα θεάων
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι , λιλαιομένη πόσιν εἶναι .
ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε δὴ ἔτος ἦλθε περιπλομένων ἐνιαυτῶν ,
τῷ οἱ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι
εἰς Ἰθάκην , οὐδ᾽ ἔνθα πεφυγμένος ἦεν ἀέθλων
καὶ μετὰ οἷσι φίλοισι . θεοὶ δ᾽ ἐλέαιρον ἅπαντες
νόσφι Ποσειδάωνος : ὁ δ᾽ ἀσπερχὲς μενέαινεν
ἀντιθέῳ Ὀδυσῆι πάρος ἣν γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι .