The Songs of a Poet
Soon Dawn appeared and touched the sky with roses.
Majestic, holy King Alcinous leapt out of bed, as did Odysseus,
the city-sacker. Then the blessed king, mighty Alcinous, led out his guest
to the Phaeacian council by the ships.
They sat there side by side on polished stones. Meanwhile, Athena walked all through the town, appearing like the royal messenger.
To help Odysseus’ journey home, 10
she stood beside each man in turn and said,
“My lord, come to the meeting place, to learn about the visitor to our king’s home.
Despite his wanderings by sea, he looks like an immortal god.”
So she roused up the hearts and minds of each, and soon the seats of council were filled up; the men assembled.
Seeing Laertes’ clever son, the crowd marveled. Athena poured unearthly charm
upon his head and shoulders, and she made him 20
taller and sturdier, so these Phaeacians
would welcome and respect him, when he managed the many trials of skill that they would set
to test him. When the people were assembled, Alcinous addressed them.
“Hear me, leaders and chieftains of Phaeacia. I will tell you
the promptings of my heart. This foreigner— I do not know his name—came wandering from west or east and showed up at my house.
He begs and prays for help to travel on. 30
Let us assist him, as we have before with other guests: no visitor has ever
been forced to linger in my house. We always give them safe passage home. Now let us launch a ship for her maiden voyage on the water,
and choose a crew of fifty-two, the men selected as the best, and lash the oars beside the benches. Then return to shore,
and come to my house. Let the young men hurry to cook a feast. I will provide supplies, 40
plenty for everyone. And I invite
you also, lords, to welcome him with me. Do not refuse! We also must invite Demodocus, the poet. Gods inspire him, so any song he chooses to perform
is wonderful to hear.”
He led the way.
The lords went with him, and the house boy fetched the bard. The fifty-two select young men
went to the shore, just as the king commanded.
They reached the restless salty sea, and launched 50
the black ship on the depths, set up the mast and sails, and fastened in the oars, by tying each to its leather thole-strap, all in order.
They spread the white sails wide, and moored the ship out in the water. Then the men walked up
towards the mighty palace of the king.
The halls and porticoes were thronged with people, both old and young. To feed his many guests Alcinous killed twelve sheep, and eight boars
with silver tusks, and two slow-lumbering cows. 60
Skinning the animals, they cooked a feast.
The house boy brought the poet, whom the Muse adored. She gave him two gifts, good and bad: she took his sight away, but gave sweet song.
The wine boy brought a silver-studded chair and propped it by a pillar, in the middle
of all the guests, and by a peg he hung
the poet’s lyre above his head and helped him to reach it, and he set a table by him,
and a bread basket and a cup of wine 70
to drink whenever he desired. They all
took food. When they were satisfied, the Muse prompted the bard to sing of famous actions, an episode whose fame has touched the sky: Achilles’ and Odysseus’ quarrel—
how at a splendid sacrificial feast, they argued bitterly, and Agamemnon
was glad because the best of the Achaeans were quarreling, since when he had consulted the oracle at Pytho, crossing over 80
the entry stone, Apollo had foretold that this would be the start of suffering
for Greeks and Trojans, through the plans of Zeus.
So sang the famous bard. Odysseus
with his strong hands picked up his heavy cloak of purple, and he covered up his face.
He was ashamed to let them see him cry.
Each time the singer paused, Odysseus
wiped tears, drew down the cloak and poured a splash of wine out of his goblet, for the gods. 90
But each time, the Phaeacian nobles urged the bard to sing again—they loved his songs.
So he would start again; Odysseus
would moan and hide his head beneath his cloak. Only Alcinous could see his tears,
since he was sitting next to him, and heard his sobbing. So he quickly spoke.
“My lords!
We have already satisfied our wish
for feasting, and the lyre, the feast’s companion. Now let us go outside and set up contests 100
in every sport, so when our guest goes home he can tell all his friends we are the best
at boxing, wrestling, high-jumping, and sprinting.”
With that he led the way; the others followed.
The boy took down the lyre from its peg and took Demodocus’ hand to lead him
out with the crowd who went to watch the games. Many young athletes stood there: Acroneüs, Ocyalus, Elatreus, Nauteus,
Thoön, Anchialus, Eretmeus, 110
Anabesineus and Ponteus, Prymneus, Proreus, Amphialus, the son of Polynaus, son of Tecton, and Naubolus’ son, Euryalus,
like Ares, cause of ruin. In his looks
and strength, he was the best in all Phaeacia, after Laodamas. Three sons of great Alcinous stood up: Laodamas,
godlike Clytoneus, and Halius.
First came the footrace. They lined up, then dashed 120
all in an instant, right around the track
so fast they raised the dust up from the field. Clytoneus was the best by far at sprinting: he raced past all the others by the length
of a field plowed by mules, and reached the crowd. Next came the brutal sport of wrestling,
in which Euryalus was best. In jumping, Amphialus excelled. And at the discus, by far the best of all was Elatreus.
The prince Laodamas excelled at boxing. 130
They all enjoyed the games. When they were over, Laodamas, Alcinous’ son,
said,
“Now my friends, we ought to ask the stranger if he plays any sports. His build is strong;
his legs and arms and neck are very sturdy, and he is in his prime, though he has been broken by suffering. No pain can shake
a man as badly as the sea, however strong he once was.”
Euryalus replied,
“You are quite right, Laodamas. Why not 140
call out to challenge him yourself?”
The noble
son of Alcinous agreed with him.
He stood up in the middle of them all and called Odysseus.
“Come here!” he said. “Now you, sir! You should try our games as well, if you know any sports; it seems you would.
Nothing can be more glorious for a man, in a whole lifetime, than what he achieves with hands and feet. So try, set care aside.
Soon you will travel, since your ship is launched. 150
The crew is standing by.”
Odysseus thought carefully—he had a plan. He answered, “Laodamas, why mock me with this challenge? My heart is set on sorrow, not on games,
since I have suffered and endured so much that now I only want to get back home.
I sit here praying to your king and people to grant my wish.”
with outright taunting.
Euryalus responded
“Stranger, I suppose
you must be ignorant of all athletics. 160
I know your type. The captain of a crew of merchant sailors, you roam round at sea
and only care about your freight and cargo, keeping close watch on your ill-gotten gains. You are no athlete.”
With a scowl, he answered, “What crazy arrogance from you, you stranger!
The gods do not bless everyone the same, with equal gifts of body, mind, or speech.
One man is weak, but gods may crown his words with loveliness. Men gladly look to him; 170
his speech is steady, with calm dignity.
He stands out from his audience, and when
he walks through town, the people look at him as if he were a god. Another man
has godlike looks but no grace in his words. Like you—you look impressive, and a god could not improve your body. But your mind is crippled. You have stirred my heart to anger with these outrageous comments. I am not
lacking experience of sports and games. 180
When I was young, I trusted my strong arms
and was among the first. Now pain has crushed me. I have endured the agonies of war,
and struggled through the dangers of the sea. But you have challenged me and stung my heart. Despite my suffering, I will compete.”
With that he leapt up, cloak and all, and seized a massive discus, heavier than that
used by the others. He spun around, drew back
his arm and from his brawny hand he hurled. 190
The stone went humming. The Phaeacians, known for rowing, ducked down cowering beneath
its arc; it flew beyond the other pegs. Athena marked the spot. In human guise she spoke.
“A blind man, stranger, could discern this mark by groping. It is far ahead
of all the others. You can celebrate!
You won this round, and none of them will ever throw further—or as far!”
Odysseus
was thrilled to realize he had a friend 200
to take his side, and with a lighter heart, he told the young Phaeacians,
“Try to match this!
If you can do it, I will throw another,
as far or farther. You have made me angry, so I will take you on in any sport.
Come on! In boxing, wrestling, or sprinting, I will compete with anyone, except Laodamas: he is my host. Who would
fight with a friend? A man who challenges
those who have welcomed him in a strange land 210
is worthless and a fool; he spites himself. But I will challenge any of you others.
Test my ability, let me know yours.
I am not weak at any sport men practice. I know the way to hold a polished bow.
I always was the first to hit my man
out of a horde of enemies, though many comrades stood by me, arrows taking aim. At Troy, when the Achaeans shot their bows, the only one superior to me 220
was Philoctetes. Other men who eat
their bread on earth are all worse shots than me. But I will not compete with super-archers,
with Heracles or Eurytus, who risked competing with the gods at archery. Apollo was enraged at him and killed him as soon as he proposed it. He died young and did not reach old age in his own home.
And I can throw a spear beyond the shots
that others reach with arrows. I am only 230
concerned that one of you may win the footrace:
I lost my stamina and my legs weakened during my time at sea, upon the raft;
I could not do my exercise routine.”
The crowd was silent, but Alcinous
said, “Sir, you have expressed, with fine good manners, your wish to show your talents, and your anger
at that man who stood up in this arena
and mocked you, as no one who understands
how to speak properly would ever do. 240
Now listen carefully, so you may tell
your own fine friends at home when you are feasting beside your wife and children, and remember
our skill in all the deeds we have accomplished from our forefathers’ time till now. We are
not brilliant at wrestling or boxing,
but we are quick at sprinting, and with ships we are the best. We love the feast, the lyre, dancing and varied clothes, hot baths and bed.
But now let the best dancers of Phaeacia 250
perform, so that our guest may tell his friends when he gets home, how excellent we are
at seafaring, at running, and at dancing
and song. Let someone bring the well-tuned lyre from inside for Demodocus—go quickly!”
So spoke the king. The house boy brought the lyre.
The people chose nine referees to check
the games were fair. They leveled out a floor for dancing, with a fine wide ring around.
The house boy gave Demodocus the lyre. 260
He walked into the middle, flanked by boys,
young and well trained, who tapped their feet performing the holy dance, their quick legs bright with speed.
Odysseus was wonder-struck to see it.
The poet strummed and sang a charming song about the love of fair-crowned Aphrodite
for Ares, who gave lavish gifts to her
and shamed the bed of Lord Hephaestus, where they secretly had sex. The Sun God saw them,
and told Hephaestus—bitter news for him. 270
He marched into his forge to get revenge, and set the mighty anvil on its block,
and hammered chains so strong that they could never be broken or undone. He was so angry
at Ares. When his trap was made, he went inside the room of his beloved bed,
and twined the mass of cables all around
the bedposts, and then hung them from the ceiling, like slender spiderwebs, so finely made
that nobody could see them, even gods: 280
the craftsmanship was so ingenious. When he had set that trap across the bed,
he traveled to the cultured town of Lemnos, which was his favorite place in all the world. Ares the golden rider had kept watch.
He saw Hephaestus, famous wonder-worker, leaving his house, and went inside himself; he wanted to make love with Aphrodite.
She had returned from visiting her father,
the mighty son of Cronus; there she sat. 290
Then Ares took her hand and said to her,
“My darling, let us go to bed. Hephaestus
is out of town; he must have gone to Lemnos to see the Sintians whose speech is strange.”
She was excited to lie down with him; they went to bed together. But the chains ingenious Hephaestus had created
wrapped tight around them, so they could not move or get up. Then they knew that they were trapped.
The limping god drew near—before he reached 300
the land of Lemnos, he had turned back home. Troubled at heart, he came towards his house. Standing there in the doorway, he was seized by savage rage. He gave a mighty shout, calling to all the gods,
“O Father Zeus, and all you blessed gods who live forever, look! You may laugh, but it is hard to bear. See how my Aphrodite, child of Zeus,
is disrespecting me for being lame.
She loves destructive Ares, who is strong 310
and handsome. I am weak. I blame my parents. If only I had not been born! But come,
see where those two are sleeping in my bed, as lovers. I am horrified to see it.
But I predict they will not want to lie longer like that, however great their love.
Soon they will want to wake up, but my trap and chains will hold them fast, until her father pays back the price I gave him for his daughter.
Her eyes stare at me like a dog. She is 320
so beautiful, but lacking self-control.”
The gods assembled at his house: Poseidon, Earth-Shaker, helpful Hermes, and Apollo. The goddesses stayed home, from modesty.
The blessed gods who give good things were standing inside the doorway, and they burst out laughing,
at what a clever trap Hephaestus set.
And as they looked, they said to one another,
“Crime does not pay! The slow can beat the quick,
as now Hephaestus, who is lame and slow, 330
has used his skill to catch the fastest sprinter of all those on Olympus. Ares owes
the price for his adultery.” They gossiped.
Apollo, son of Zeus, then said to Hermes, “Hermes my brother, would you like to sleep with golden Aphrodite, in her bed,
even weighed down by mighty chains?”
And Hermes the sharp-eyed messenger replied, “Ah, brother,
Apollo lord of archery: if only!
I would be bound three times as tight or more 340
and let you gods and all your wives look on, if only I could sleep with Aphrodite.”
Then laughter rose among the deathless gods.
Only Poseidon did not laugh. He begged and pleaded with Hephaestus to release Ares. He told the wonder-working god,
“Now let him go! I promise he will pay the penalty in full among the gods,
just as you ask.”
The famous limping god replied, “Poseidon, do not ask me this. 350
It is disgusting, bailing scoundrels out.
How could I bind you, while the gods look on, if Ares should escape his bonds and debts?”
Poseidon, Lord of Earthquakes, answered him, “Hephaestus, if he tries to dodge this debt,
I promise I will pay.”
The limping god said, “Then, in courtesy to you, I must
do as you ask.” So using all his strength,
Hephaestus loosed the chains. The pair of lovers
were free from their constraints, and both jumped up. 360
Ares went off to Thrace, while Aphrodite smiled as she went to Cyprus, to the island of Paphos, where she had a fragrant altar and sanctuary. The Graces washed her there, and rubbed her with the magic oil that glows upon immortals, and they dressed her up
in gorgeous clothes. She looked astonishing.
That was the poet’s song. Odysseus was happy listening; so were they all.
And then Alcinous told Halius 370
to dance with Laodamas; no one danced as well as them. They took a purple ball which Polybus the artisan had made them.
One boy would leap and toss it to the clouds; the other would jump up, feet off the ground, and catch it easily before he landed.
After they practiced throwing it straight upwards, they danced across the fertile earth, crisscrossing, constantly trading places. Other boys
who stood around the field were beating time 380
with noisy stomping. Then Odysseus said,
“King of many citizens, great lord, you boasted that your dancers are the best, and it is true. I feel amazed to see
this marvelous show.”
That pleased the reverend king.
He spoke at once to his seafaring people. “Hear me, Phaeacian leaders, lords and nobles. The stranger seems extremely wise to me.
So let us give him gifts, as hosts should do
to guests in friendship. Twelve lords rule our people, 390
with me as thirteenth lord. Let us each bring
a pound of precious gold and laundered clothes, a tunic and a cloak. Then pile them up,
and let our guest take all these gifts, and go to dinner with them, happy in his heart.
Euryalus should tell him he is sorry,
and give a special gift, since what he said was inappropriate.”
They all agreed, and each sent back a deputy to fetch
the presents. And Euryalus spoke out. 400
“My lord Alcinous, great king of kings, I will apologize, as you command.
And I will give him this bronze sword which has a silver handle, and a scabbard carved
of ivory—a precious gift for him.”
With that he put the silver-studded sword into Odysseus’ hands; his words
flew out.
“I welcome you, sir. Be our guest.
If something rude of any kind was said,
let the winds take it. May the gods allow you 410
to reach your home and see your wife again, since you have suffered so long, far away from those who love you.”
And Odysseus
said, “Friend, I wish you well. May gods protect you, and may you never miss the sword you gave me.”
With that, he strapped the silver-studded sword across his back, and as the sun went down
the precious gifts were brought to him. The slaves took them inside Alcinous’ house.
The princes piled the lovely things beside 420
the queen, their mother. King Alcinous led everyone inside and had them sit on upright chairs. He told Arete,
“Wife, bring out our finest chest, and put inside it
a tunic and a freshly laundered cloak. Set a bronze cauldron on the fire to boil, so he can take a bath. Then let him see
the precious gifts our noblemen have brought, and then enjoy the banquet and the song.
I also have a gift: a splendid cup 430
of gold. I hope he always thinks of me whenever he pours offerings to Zeus and other gods.”
Arete told her slaves to quickly set a mighty pot to warm,
for washing. So upon the blazing flames they set the cauldron and poured water in, and heaped up wood. The fire licked around the belly of the tub and warmed the water.
Arete brought from her own room a chest
to give the guest, and packed the gifts inside— 440
the clothes and gold that they had given him; and she herself put in a cloak and tunic.
She told him,
“Watch the lid, and tie it closed, so nobody can rob you as you travel,
when you are lulled to sleep on your black ship.”
Odysseus, experienced in loss,
took careful note. He shut the lid and tied
a cunning knot that he had learned from Circe.
Then right away the slave girl led him off
towards the bath to wash. He was delighted 450
to see hot water. He had not been bathed since he had left the home of curly-haired Calypso, who had taken care of him
as if he were a god. The slave girls washed him, rubbed oil on him and dressed him in a tunic and fine wool mantle. Freshly bathed, he joined the men at wine. And there stood Nausicaa, divinely beautiful, beside a pillar
that held the palace roof. She was amazed
to see Odysseus. Her words flew fast. 460
“Good-bye then, stranger, but remember me when you reach home, because you owe your life to me. I helped you first.”
Odysseus replied politely, “Nausicaa, may Zeus, husband of Hera, mighty Lord of Thunder, allow me to go back and see my home.
There I shall pray to you as to a god, forever, princess, since you saved my life.” With that he went to sit beside the king.
Now they were serving out the food and pouring 470
wine, and the steward led out to the center Demodocus, the well-respected poet.
He sat him in the middle of the banquet, against a pillar. Then Odysseus
thought fast, and sliced a helping from the pig, all richly laced with fat. The plate of meat
had plenty left. He told the boy,
“Go take
this meat and give it to Demodocus.
Despite my grief, I would be glad to meet him. Poets are honored by all those who live 480
on earth. The Muse has taught them how to sing; she loves the race of poets.”
So the house boy handed it to Demodocus. He took it
gladly; and everybody took their food. When they had had enough to eat and drink, the clever mastermind of many schemes said,
“You are wonderful, Demodocus!
I praise you more than anyone; Apollo,
or else the Muse, the child of Zeus, has taught you. You tell so accurately what the Greeks 490
achieved, and what they suffered, there at Troy, as if you had been there, or heard about it
from somebody who was. So sing the story about the Wooden Horse, which Epeius built with Athena’s help. Odysseus dragged it inside and to the citadel,
filled up with men to sack the town. If you can tell that as it happened, I will say
that you truly are blessed with inspiration.”
A god inspired the bard to sing. He started 500
with how the Greeks set fire to their camp
and then embarked and sailed away. Meanwhile,
Odysseus brought in a gang of men into the heart of Troy, inside the horse.
The Trojans pulled the thing up to the summit, and sat around discussing what to do.
Some said, “We ought to strike the wood with swords!”
Others said, “Drag it higher up and hurl it
down from the rocks!” But some said they should leave it to pacify the gods. So it would be. 510
The town was doomed to ruin when it took that horse, chock-full of fighters bringing death to Trojans. And he sang how the Achaeans
poured from the horse, in ambush from the hollow, and sacked the city; how they scattered out, destroying every neighborhood. Like Ares,
Odysseus, with Menelaus, rushed to find Deiphobus’ house, and there
he won at last, through dreadful violence, thanks to Athena. So the poet sang. 520
Odysseus was melting into tears;
his cheeks were wet with weeping, as a woman weeps, as she falls to wrap her arms around her husband, fallen fighting for his home
and children. She is watching as he gasps
and dies. She shrieks, a clear high wail, collapsing upon his corpse. The men are right behind.
They hit her shoulders with their spears and lead her to slavery, hard labor, and a life
of pain. Her face is marked with her despair. 530
In that same desperate way, Odysseus was crying. No one noticed that his eyes were wet with tears, except Alcinous,
who sat right next to him and heard his sobs. Quickly he spoke to his seafaring people.
“Listen, my lords and nobles of Phaeacia!
Demodocus should stop and set aside
the lyre, since what he sings does not give pleasure to everyone. Throughout this heavenly song,
since dinnertime, our guest has been in pain, 540
grieving. A heavy burden weighs his heart. Let the song end, so we can all be happy,
both guest and hosts. That would be best by far. This send-off party and these precious gifts, which we give out of friendship, are for him, our guest of honor. Any man of sense
will treat a guest in need like his own brother. Stranger, now answer all my questions clearly, not with evasion; frankness would be best.
What did your parents name you? With what name 550
are you known to your people? Surely no one in all the world is nameless, poor or noble, since parents give a name to every child
at birth. And also tell me of your country, your people, and your city, so our ships,
steered by their own good sense, may take you there.
Phaeacians have no need of men at helm nor rudders, as in other ships. Our boats intuit what is in the minds of men,
and know all human towns and fertile fields. 560
They rush at full tilt right across the gulf of salty sea, concealed in mist and clouds. They have no fear of damages or loss.
But once I heard Nausithous, my father, say that Poseidon hates us for the help we give to take our guests across the sea,
and that one day a ship of ours would suffer shipwreck on its return; a mighty mountain would block our town from sight. So Father said.
Perhaps the god will bring these things to pass 570
or not, as is his will. But come now, tell me about your wanderings: describe the places,
the people, and the cities you have seen.
Which ones were wild and cruel, unwelcoming, and which were kind to visitors, respecting
the gods? And please explain why you were crying, sobbing your heart out when you heard him sing what happened to the Greeks at Troy. The gods devised and measured out this devastation,
to make a song for those in times to come. 580
Did you lose somebody at Troy? A man from your wife’s family, perhaps her father or brother? Ties of marriage are the closest after the bonds of blood. Or else perhaps
you lost the friend who knew you best of all? A friend can be as close as any brother.”
