1 “But when we had come down to the ship and to the sea, first of all we drew the ship down to the bright sea, and set the mast and sail in the black ship, and took the sheep and put them aboard, 5 and ourselves embarked, sorrowing, and shedding big tears. And for our aid in the wake of our dark-prowed ship a fair wind that filled the sail, a fine comrade, was sent by fair-tressed Circe, dread goddess of human speech. So when we had made fast all the tackling throughout the ship, 10 we sat down, and the wind and the helmsman kept her course straight. All the day long her sail was stretched as she sped over the sea; and the sun set and all the ways grew dark. “She came to deep-flowing Oceanus, that bounds the Earth, where the land and city of the Cimmerians lie, 15 wrapped in mist and cloud. Never does the bright sun look down on them with his rays either when he mounts the starry heaven or when he turns again to earth from heaven, but deadly night is spread over wretched mortals. 20 There we came and beached our ship, and took out the sheep, and ourselves went beside the stream of Oceanus until we came to the place of which Circe had told us. “Here Perimedes and Eurylochus held the victims, while I drew my sharp sword from beside my thigh, 25 and dug a pit of a cubit's length this way and that, and around it poured a libation to all the dead, first with milk and honey, then with sweet wine, and in the third place with water, and I sprinkled white barley meal over it. And I earnestly entreated the powerless heads of the dead, 30 vowing that when I came to Ithaca I would sacrifice in my halls a barren heifer, the best I had, and pile the altar with fine gifts, and to Teiresias alone would sacrifice separately a ram, wholly black, the finest of my flocks. But when with vows and prayers 35 I had made supplication to the tribes of the dead, I took the sheep and cut their throats over the pit, and the dark blood ran forth. Then there gathered from out of Erebus the spirits of those that are dead, brides, and unwedded youths, and toil-worn old men, and tender maidens with hearts still new to sorrow, 40 and many, too, that had been wounded with bronze-tipped spears, men slain in fight, wearing their blood-stained armour. These came thronging in crowds about the pit from every side, with a wondrous cry; and pale fear seized me. Then I called to my comrades and ordered them to flay and burn 45 the sheep that lay there slain with the pitiless bronze, and to make prayer to the gods, to mighty Hades and dread Persephone. And I myself drew my sharp sword from beside my thigh and sat there, and would not allow the powerless heads of the dead 50 to draw near to the blood until I had inquired of Teiresias. “The first to come was the spirit of my comrade Elpenor. Not yet had he been buried beneath the broad-wayed earth, for we had left his corpse behind us in the hall of Circe, unwept and unburied, since another task was then urging us on. 55 When I saw him I wept, and my heart had compassion on him; and I spoke and addressed him with winged words: “‘Elpenor, how did you come beneath the murky darkness? You, coming on foot, have outstripped me in my black ship.’ “So I spoke, and with a groan he answered me and said: 60 ‘Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, an evil doom of some god was my undoing, and measureless wine. When I had lain down to sleep in the house of Circe I did not think to go to the long ladder so that I might come down again, but fell headlong from the roof, and my neck 65 was broken away from the spine and my spirit went down to the house of Hades. Now I beseech you by those whom we left behind, who are not present with us, by your wife and your father who reared you when a babe, and by Telemachus whom you left an only son in your halls; for I know that as you go from here, from the house of Hades, 70 you will touch at the Aeaean isle with your well-built ship. There, then, O prince, I bid you remember me. Do not leave me behind you unwept and unburied as you go from there, and do not turn away from me, lest I bring the wrath of the gods upon you. No, burn me with my armour, all that is mine, 75 and heap up a mound for me on the shore of the grey sea, in memory of an unhappy man, that men yet to be may learn of me. Fulfil this my prayer, and fix upon the mound my oar with which I rowed in life when I was among my comrades.’ “So he spoke, and I answered and said: 80 ‘All this, unhappy man, I will perform and do.’ “So we two sat and held sad talk with one another, I on one side holding my sword over the blood, while on the other side the phantom of my comrade spoke at length. “Then there came up the spirit of my dead mother, 85 Anticleia, the daughter of great-hearted Autolycus, whom I had left alive when I departed for sacred Ilios. At sight of her I wept, and my heart had compassion on her, but even so I would not allow her to come near the blood, for all my great sorrow, until I had inquired of Teiresias. 90 “Then there came up the spirit of the Theban Teiresias, bearing his golden staff in his hand, and he knew me and spoke to me: ‘Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, what now, hapless man? Why have you left the light of the sun and come here to behold the dead and a region where there is no joy? 95 No, move back from the pit and draw back your sharp sword, so that I may drink of the blood and tell you the truth.’ “So he spoke, and I moved back and thrust my silver-studded sword into its sheath, and when he had drunk the dark blood, then the blameless prophet spoke to me and said: 100 “‘You ask about your honey-sweet return, glorious Odysseus, but a god shall make this grievous for you; for I do not think that you will elude the Earth-shaker, seeing that he has laid up wrath in his heart against you, angered that you blinded his dear son. Yet even so you may reach home, though in evil plight, 105 if you will curb your own spirit and that of your comrades, as soon as you bring your well-built ship to the island Thrinacia, escaping from the violet sea, and you find grazing there the cattle and fine flocks of Helios, who oversees and overhears all things. 110 If you leave these unharmed and keep your mind on your homeward way, truly you may yet reach Ithaca, though in evil plight. But if you harm them, then I foresee ruin for your ship and your comrades, and even if you yourself escape, you will come home late and in evil case, after losing all your comrades, 115 in a ship that is another's, and you will find woes in your house—proud men that devour your livelihood, wooing your godlike wife, and offering suitors' gifts. Yet truly you will take vengeance on their violent deeds when you come. But when you have slain the suitors in your halls, 120 whether by guile or openly with the sharp sword, then go forth, taking a shapely oar, until you come to men that know nothing of the sea and do not eat food mingled with salt, yes, and they know nothing of ships with purple cheeks, 125 or of shapely oars that are as wings to ships. And I will tell you a sign quite plain, which will not escape you. When another wayfarer, on meeting you, says that you have a winnowing-fan on your stout shoulder, then fix your shapely oar in the earth 130 and make fine offerings to lord Poseidon—a ram, and a bull, and a boar that mates with sows—and depart for your home and offer sacred hecatombs to the immortal gods who hold broad heaven, to each one in due order. And death shall come to you yourself far from the sea, 135 a death so gentle, that shall lay you low when you are overcome with sleek old age, and your people shall dwell in prosperity around you. In this I have told you the truth.’ “So he spoke, and I answered and said: ‘Teiresias, all this, I think, the gods themselves have spun the thread. 140 But come, tell me this, and declare it truly. I see here the spirit of my dead mother; she sits in silence near the blood, and does not deign to look upon the face of her own son or to speak to him. Tell me, prince, how she may recognize that I am he?’ 145 “So I spoke, and he at once answered and said: ‘Easy is the word that I shall say and put in your mind. Whomever of those that are dead and gone you allow to draw near the blood, he will tell you the truth; but whomever you refuse, he surely will go back again.’ 150 “So saying the spirit of the prince, Teiresias, went back into the house of Hades, when he had declared his prophecies; but I remained there steadfastly until my mother came up and drank the dark blood. At once then she knew me, and with wailing she spoke to me winged words: 155 “‘My child, how did you come beneath the murky darkness, being still alive? It is hard for those that live to behold these realms, for between are great rivers and dread streams; Oceanus first, which one can in no way cross on foot, but only if one has a well-built ship. 160 Have you only now come here from Troy after long wanderings with your ship and your companions? and have you not yet reached Ithaca, nor seen your wife in your halls?’ “So she spoke, and I answered and said: ‘My mother, necessity brought me down to the house of Hades, 165 to seek prophecy from the spirit of Theban Teiresias. For not yet have I come near to the shore of Achaea, nor have I as yet set foot on my own land, but have always been wandering, laden with woe, from the day when I first went with noble Agamemnon to Ilios, famed for its horses, to fight with the Trojans. 170 But come, tell me this, and declare it truly. What fate of grievous death overcame you? Was it long disease, or did the archer, Artemis, assail you with her gentle shafts, and slay you? And tell me of my father and my son, whom I left behind me. 175 Does the honor that was mine still abide with them, or does some other man now possess it, and do they say that I shall return no more? And tell me of my wedded wife, of her purpose and of her mind. Does she remain with her son, and keep all things safe? or has one already wedded her, whoever is best of the Achaeans?’ 180 “So I spoke, and my honored mother at once answered: ‘Yes, truly she remains with steadfast heart in your halls, and always sorrowfully for her the nights and the days wane, as she weeps. But the fair honor that was yours no man yet possesses, 185 but Telemachus holds your estate unharassed, and feasts at equal banquets, such as it is fitting that one who deals judgment should share, for all men invite him. But your father remains there in the tilled land, and does not come to the city, nor does he have, for bedding, bed and cloaks and bright coverlets, 190 but through the winter he sleeps in the house, where the slaves sleep, in the ashes by the fire, and wears poor clothing on his body. But when summer comes and rich autumn, then all about the slope of his vineyard plot are strewn his lowly beds of fallen leaves. 195 There he lies sorrowing, and nurses his great grief in his heart, in longing for your return, and heavy old age has come upon him. Even so did I too perish and meet my fate. Neither did the keen-sighted archer goddess assail me in my halls with her gentle shafts, and slay me, 200 nor did any disease come upon me, such as most often through grievous wasting takes the spirit from the limbs; no, it was longing for you, and for your counsels, glorious Odysseus, and for your tender-heartedness, that robbed me of honey-sweet life.’ “So she spoke, and I pondered in heart, and longed 205 to clasp the spirit of my dead mother. Three times I sprang towards her, and my heart urged me to clasp her, and three times she flitted from my arms like a shadow or a dream, and pain grew ever sharper at my heart. And I spoke and addressed her with winged words: 210 “‘My mother, why do you not stay for me, who am eager to clasp you, so that even in the house of Hades we two may cast our arms each about the other, and take our fill of chill lamenting. Is this only a phantom that august Persephone has sent me, so that I may lament and groan the more?’ 215 “So I spoke, and my honored mother at once answered: ‘Ah, my child, ill-fated above all men, in no way does Persephone, the daughter of Zeus, deceive you, but this is the appointed way with mortals when one dies. For the sinews no longer hold the flesh and the bones together, 220 but the strong might of blazing fire destroys these, as soon as the life leaves the white bones, and the spirit, like a dream, flits away, and hovers to and fro. But hurry to the light with what speed you can, and bear all these things in mind, so that you may later tell them to your wife.’ 225 “So we two talked with one another; and the women came, for august Persephone sent them forth, all those that had been the wives and the daughters of chieftains. These flocked in throngs about the dark blood, and I considered how I might question each; 230 and this seemed to my mind the best counsel. I drew my long sword from beside my stout thigh, and would not allow them to drink of the dark blood all at one time. So they drew near, one after the other, and each declared her birth, and I questioned them all. 235 “Then indeed the first that I saw was high-born Tyro, who said that she was the daughter of noble Salmoneus, and declared herself to be the wife of Cretheus, son of Aeolus. She fell in love with the river, divine Enipeus, who is far the fairest of rivers that send forth their streams upon the earth, 240 and she used to go to the fair waters of Enipeus. But the Enfolder and Shaker of the earth took his form, and lay with her at the mouths of the eddying river. And the dark wave stood about them like a mountain, vaulted-over, and hid the god and the mortal woman. 245 And he loosed her maiden girdle, and shed sleep upon her. But when the god had ended his work of love, he clasped her hand, and spoke, and addressed her: “‘Be glad, woman, in our love, and as the year goes on its course you shall bear glorious children, for not weak are the embraces 250 of a god. Tend and rear these. But now go to your house, and hold your peace, and tell no man; but know that I am Poseidon, the shaker of the earth.’ “So saying, he plunged beneath the surging sea. But she conceived and bore Pelias and Neleus, 255 who both became strong servants of great Zeus; and Pelias dwelt in spacious Iolcus, and was rich in flocks, and the other dwelt in sandy Pylos. But her other children she, the queenly among women, bore to Cretheus, namely Aeson, and Pheres, and Amythaon, who fought from chariots. 260 “And after her I saw Antiope, daughter of Asopus, who boasted that she had slept even in the arms of Zeus, and she bore two sons, Amphion and Zethus, who first established the seat of seven-gated Thebe, and fenced it in with walls, for they could not 265 dwell in spacious Thebe unfenced, however mighty they were. “And after her I saw Alcmene, wife of Amphitryon, who lay in the arms of great Zeus, and bore Heracles, staunch in fight, the lion-hearted. And Megara I saw, daughter of Creon, high-of-heart, 270 whom the son of Amphitryon, ever stubborn in might, had as his wife. “And I saw the mother of Oedipodes, fair Epicaste, who wrought a monstrous deed in ignorance of mind, in that she wedded her own son, and he, when he had slain his own father, wedded her, and at once the gods made these things known among men. 275 Yet he remained as lord of the Cadmeans in lovely Thebe, suffering woes through the deadly counsels of the gods, but she went down to the house of Hades, the strong warder. She made fast a noose on high from a lofty beam, overpowered by her sorrow, but for him she left behind woes 280 very many, all that the Avengers of a mother bring to pass. “And I saw beautiful Chloris, whom Neleus once wedded because of her beauty, when he had brought countless gifts of wooing. Youngest daughter was she of Amphion, son of Iasus, who once ruled mightily in Orchomenus of the Minyae. 285 And she was queen of Pylos, and bore to her husband glorious children, Nestor, and Chromius, and lordly Periclymenus, and besides these she bore noble Pero, a wonder to men. All that dwelt around sought her in marriage, but Neleus would give her to no man, except to him who 290 should drive from Phylace the cattle of mighty Iphicles, sleek and broad of brow; and hard they were to drive. These the blameless prophet alone undertook to drive off; but a grievous fate of the gods ensnared him, hard bonds and the herdsmen of the field. 295 But when at length the months and the days were being brought to fulfillment, as the year rolled round, and the seasons came on, then indeed mighty Iphicles released him, when he had told all the oracles; and the will of Zeus was fulfilled. “And I saw Lede, the wife of Tyndareus, who bore to Tyndareus two sons, stout of heart, 300 Castor the tamer of horses, and the boxer Polydeuces. These two the earth, the giver of life, covers, although alive, and even in the world below they have honor from Zeus. One day they live in turn, and one day they are dead; and they have won honor like that of the gods. 305 “And after her I saw Iphimedeia, wife of Aloeus, who declared that she had lain with Poseidon. She bore two sons, but short of life were they, godlike Otus, and far-famed Ephialtes—men whom the earth, the giver of grain, reared as the tallest, 310 and far the handsomest, after the famous Orion. For at nine years they were nine cubits in breadth and in height nine fathoms. Indeed, they threatened to raise the din of furious war against the immortals in Olympus. 315 They were eager to pile Ossa on Olympus, and Pelion, with its waving forests, on Ossa, so that heaven might be scaled. And this they would have accomplished, if they had reached the measure of manhood; but the son of Zeus, whom fair-haired Leto bore, slew them both before 320 the down blossomed beneath their temples and covered their chins with a full growth of beard. “And Phaedra and Procris I saw, and fair Ariadne, the daughter of Minos of deadly mind, whom Theseus once wished to bear from Crete to the hill of sacred Athens; but he had no joy of her, for before that, Artemis slew her 325 in sea-girt Dia because of the witness of Dionysus. “And Maera and Clymene I saw, and hateful Eriphyle, who took precious gold as the price of the life of her own lord. But I cannot tell or name all the wives and daughters of heroes that I saw; 330 before that, immortal night would wane. No, it is now time to sleep, either when I have gone to the swift ship and the crew, or here. My sending shall rest with the gods, and with you.” So he spoke, and they were all hushed in silence, and were held spell-bound throughout the shadowy halls. 335 Then among them white-armed Arete was the first to speak: “Phaeacians, how does this man seem to you for beauty and stature, and for the balanced spirit within him? And moreover he is my guest, though each of you has a share in this honor. So do not be in haste to send him away, nor 340 stint your gifts to one in such need; for many are the treasures which lie stored in your halls by the favour of the gods.” Then among them spoke also the old lord Echeneus, who was an elder among the Phaeacians: “Friends, truly not wide of the mark or of our own thought 345 are the words of our wise queen. Yes, give heed to them. Yet it is on Alcinous here that deed and word depend.” Then again Alcinous answered him and said: “This word of hers shall surely hold, as surely as I live and am lord over the Phaeacians, lovers of the oar. 350 But let our guest, for all his great longing to return, nevertheless endure to remain until tomorrow, till I make all our gift complete. His sending shall rest with the men, with all, but most of all with me; for mine is the control in the land.” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him and said: 355 “Lord Alcinous, renowned above all men, if you should ask me to remain here even for a year, and should further my sending, and give glorious gifts, even that I would choose; and it would be far better to come with a fuller hand to my dear native land. 360 Yes, and I should win more respect and love from all men who should see me when I had returned to Ithaca.” Then again Alcinous answered and said: “Odysseus, in no way as we look on you do we judge this of you, that you are a cheat and a dissembler, such as are many 365 whom the dark earth breeds scattered far and wide, men that fashion lies out of what no man can even see. But upon you is grace of words, and within you is a heart of wisdom, and you have told your tale with skill, as a minstrel does, the grievous woes of all the Argives and of your own self. 370 But come, tell me this, and declare it truly, whether you saw any of your godlike comrades, who went to Ilios together with you, and there met their fate. The night is before us, long, yes, wondrously long, and it is not yet the time for sleep in the hall. Tell on, I beg you, the tale of these wondrous deeds. 375 Truly I could stay until bright dawn, if you would be willing to tell in the hall of these woes of yours.” Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him and said: “Lord Alcinous, renowned above all men, there is a time for many words and there is a time also for sleep. 380 But if you are eager still to listen, I would not begrudge to tell you of other things more pitiful still than these, the woes of my comrades, who perished afterward, who escaped from the dread battle-cry of the Trojans, but perished on their return through the will of an evil woman. 385 “When then holy Persephone had scattered this way and that the spirits of the women, there came up the spirit of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, sorrowing; and round about him others were gathered, spirits of all those who were slain with him in the house of Aegisthus, and met their fate. 390 He knew me at once, when he had drunk the dark blood, and he wept aloud, and shed big tears, and stretched forth his hands toward me eager to reach me. But no longer had he anything of strength or might remaining such as of old was in his supple limbs. 395 “When I saw him I wept, and my heart had compassion on him, and I spoke, and addressed him with winged words: ‘Most glorious son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, what fate of grievous death overcame you? Did Poseidon strike you on board your ships, 400 when he had roused a furious blast of cruel winds? Or did enemies do you harm on the land, while you were cutting off their cattle and fair flocks of sheep, or were fighting to win their city and their women?’ “So I spoke, and he at once answered and said: 405 ‘Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, neither did Poseidon strike me on board my ships, when he had roused a furious blast of cruel winds, nor did enemies do me harm on the land, but Aegisthus wrought for me death and fate, 410 and slew me with the aid of my accursed wife, when he had invited me to his house and made me a feast, as one slays an ox at the stall. So I died by a most pitiful death, and round about me the rest of my comrades were slain unceasingly like white-tusked swine, which are slaughtered in the house of a rich man of great might 415 at a marriage feast, or a joint meal, or a rich drinking-bout. Before now you have been present at the slaying of many men, killed in single combat or in the press of the fight, but in heart you would have felt most pity had you seen that sight, how about the mixing bowl and the laden tables 420 we lay in the hall, and the floor all swam with blood. But the most piteous cry that I heard was that of the daughter of Priam, Cassandra, whom guileful Clytemnestra slew by my side. And I sought to raise my hands and strike down the murderess, dying though I was, pierced through with the sword. But she, the shameless one, 425 turned her back upon me, and even though I was going to the house of Hades did not deign to draw down my eyelids with her fingers or to close my mouth. So true is it that there is nothing more dread or more shameless than a woman who puts into her heart such deeds, as she too devised a monstrous thing, 430 contriving death for her wedded husband. Truly I thought that I should come home welcome to my children and to my slaves; but she, with her heart set on utter wickedness, has shed shame on herself and on women yet to be, even upon her that does uprightly.’ 435 “So he spoke, and I answered and said: ‘Ah, truly has Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, visited wondrous hatred on the race of Atreus from the first because of the counsels of women. For Helen's sake many of us perished, and against you Clytemnestra spread a snare while you were far away.’ 440 “So I spoke, and he at once answered and said: ‘So in your own case never be gentle even to your wife. Do not declare to her all the thoughts of your heart, but tell her something, and let something also be hidden. Yet not upon you, Odysseus, shall death come from your wife, 445 for very prudent and of an understanding heart is the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope. Truly we left her a bride newly wed, when we went to the war, and a boy was at her breast, a babe, who now, I think, sits in the ranks of men, 450 happy in that his dear father will behold him when he comes, and he will greet his father as is fitting. But my wife did not let me sate my eyes even with sight of my own son. No, before that she slew even me, her husband. And another thing I will tell you, and lay it to heart: 455 in secret and not openly bring your ship to the shore of your dear native land; for no longer is there faith in women. But, come, tell me this, and declare it truly, whether perhaps you hear of my son as yet alive in Orchomenus it may be, or in sandy Pylos, 460 or else with Menelaus in wide Sparta; for not yet has noble Orestes perished on the earth.’ “So he spoke, and I answered and said: ‘Son of Atreus, why do you question me about this? I do not know at all whether he is alive or dead, and it is an ill thing to speak words vain as wind.’ 465 “So we two stood and held sad talk with one another, sorrowing and shedding big tears; and there came up the spirit of Achilles, son of Peleus, and those of Patroclus and of peerless Antilochus and of Aias, who in beauty and form was the finest 470 of all the Danaans after the peerless son of Peleus. And the spirit of the swift-footed son of Aeacus recognized me, and weeping, spoke to me winged words: “Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, rash man, what deed yet greater than this will you devise in your heart? 475 How did you dare to come down to Hades, where dwell the unheeding dead, the phantoms of men outworn.’ “‘So he spoke, and I answered and said:‘Achilles, son of Peleus, far the mightiest of the Achaeans, I came through need of Teiresias, in the hope that 480 he would tell me some plan by which I might reach rugged Ithaca. For not yet have I come near to the land of Achaea, nor have I as yet set foot on my own country, but am always suffering woes; whereas than you, Achilles, no man before was more blessed nor shall ever be hereafter. For of old, when you were alive, we Argives honored you as the gods, 485 and now that you are here, you rule mightily among the dead. So do not grieve at all that you are dead, Achilles.’ “So I spoke, and he at once answered and said: ‘No, do not seek to speak soothingly to me of death, glorious Odysseus. I should choose, if I might live on earth, to serve as the hireling of another, 490 of some portionless man whose livelihood was only small, rather than to be lord over all the dead that have perished. But come, tell me news of my son, that lordly youth, whether or not he followed to the war to be a leader. And tell me of noble Peleus, if you have heard anything, 495 whether he still has honor among the host of the Myrmidons, or whether men do him dishonor throughout Hellas and Phthia, because old age binds him hand and foot. For I am not there to bear him aid beneath the rays of the sun in such strength as once was mine in wide Troy, 500 when I slew the best of the host in defence of the Argives. If only in such strength I could come, were it only for an hour, to my father's house, I would make many a one of those who do him violence and keep him from his honor rue my strength and my invincible hands.’ “So he spoke, and I answered and said: 505 ‘Truly of noble Peleus I have heard nothing, but as touching your dear son, Neoptolemus, I will tell you all the truth, as you ask me. It was I, myself, who brought him from Scyros in my shapely, hollow ship to join the host of the well-greaved Achaeans. 510 And truly, as often as we took counsel around the city of Troy, he was always the first to speak, and made no miss of words; godlike Nestor and I alone surpassed him. But as often as we fought with the bronze on the Trojan plain, he would never remain behind in the throng or press of men, 515 but would always run forth far to the front, yielding to none in his might; and many men he slew in dread combat. All of them I could not tell or name, all the host that he slew in defence of the Argives; but what a warrior was that son of Telephus whom he slew with the sword, 520 the prince Eurypylus! Yes, and many of his comrades, the Ceteians, were slain about him, because of gifts a woman craved. He truly was the handsomest man I saw, next to noble Memnon. And again, when we, the best of the Argives, were about to go down into the horse which Epeus made, and the command of all was laid upon me, 525 both to open and to close the door of our stout-built ambush, then the other leaders and counsellors of the Danaans would wipe away tears from their eyes, and each man's limbs shook beneath him, but never did my eyes see his fair face grow pale at all, nor see him 530 wiping tears from his cheeks; but he earnestly begged me to let him go forth from the horse, and kept handling his sword-hilt and his spear heavy with bronze, and was eager to work harm to the Trojans. But after we had sacked the lofty city of Priam, he went on board his ship with his share of the spoil and a fine prize— 535 all unscathed he was, neither struck with the sharp spear nor wounded in close fight, as often happens in war; for Ares rages confusedly.’ “So I spoke, and the spirit of the son of Aeacus departed with long strides over the field of asphodel, 540 joyful in that I said that his son was preeminent. “And other spirits of those dead and gone stood sorrowing, and each asked of those dear to him. Alone of them all the spirit of Aias, son of Telamon, stood apart, still full of wrath for the victory 545 that I had won over him in the contest by the ships for the arms of Achilles, whose honored mother had set them for a prize; and the judges were the sons of the Trojans and Pallas Athena. I wish that I had never won in the contest for such a prize, over so noble a head did the earth close because of those arms, 550 over Aias, who in beauty and in deeds of war was above all the other Achaeans, next to the peerless son of Peleus. To him I spoke with soothing words: “‘Aias, son of peerless Telamon, were you then not even in death to forget your wrath against me because of 555 those accursed arms? Surely the gods set them to be a bane to the Argives: such a tower of strength was lost to them in you; and for you in death we Achaeans sorrow unceasingly, as for the life of Achilles, son of Peleus. Yet no other is to blame but Zeus, 560 who bore terrible hatred against the host of Danaan spearmen, and brought your doom on you. No, come here, prince, so that you may hear my word and my speech; and subdue your wrath and your proud spirit.’ “So I spoke, but he did not answer me a word, but went his way to Erebus to join the other spirits of those dead and gone. 565 Then he would nevertheless have spoken to me for all his wrath, or I to him, but the heart in my breast was eager to see the spirits of those others that are dead. “There then I saw Minos, the glorious son of Zeus, golden sceptre in hand, giving judgment to the dead 570 from his seat, while they sat and stood about the king through the wide-gated house of Hades, and asked him for judgment. “And after him I marked huge Orion driving together over the field of asphodel wild beasts which he himself had slain on the lonely hills, 575 and in his hands he held a club all of bronze, ever unbroken. “And I saw Tityos, son of glorious Gaea, lying on the ground.⁠a Over nine roods he stretched, and two vultures sat, one on either side, and tore his liver, plunging their beaks into his bowels, nor could he beat them off with his hands. 580 For he had offered violence to Leto, the glorious wife of Zeus, as she went toward Pytho through Panopeus with its lovely lawns. “Yes, and I saw Tantalus in violent torment, standing in a pool, and the water came near to his chin. He seemed like one thirsty, but could not take and drink; 585 for as often as that old man stooped down, eager to drink, so often would the water be swallowed up and vanish away, and at his feet the black earth would appear, for some god made all dry. And trees, high and leafy, let their fruits stream above his head, pears, and pomegranates, and apple trees with their bright fruit, 590 and sweet figs, and luxuriant olives. But as often as that old man would reach out toward these, to clutch them with his hands, the wind would toss them to the shadowy clouds. “Yes, and I saw Sisyphus in violent torment, seeking to raise a monstrous stone with both his hands. 595 Truly he would brace himself with hands and feet, and thrust the stone toward the crest of a hill, but as often as he was about to heave it over the top, the weight would turn it back, and then down again to the plain would come rolling the ruthless stone. But he would strain again and thrust it back, and the sweat 600 flowed down from his limbs, and dust rose up from his head. “And after him I marked the mighty Heracles—his phantom; for he himself among the immortal gods takes his joy in the feast, and has as his wife Hebe, of the fair ankles, daughter of great Zeus and of Hera, of the golden sandals. 605 About him rose a clamor from the dead, as of birds flying everywhere in terror; and he like dark night, with his bow bare and with arrow on the string, glared about him terribly, like one about to shoot. Awful was the belt about his breast, 610 a baldric of gold, on which wondrous things were fashioned, bears and wild boars, and lions with flashing eyes, and conflicts, and battles, and murders, and slayings of men. May he never have designed, or hereafter design such another, he who stored up in his craft the device of that belt. 615 He in turn knew me when his eyes beheld me, and weeping spoke to me winged words: “‘Son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, ah, wretched man, do you, too, drag out an evil lot such as I once bore beneath the rays of the sun? 620 I was the son of Zeus, son of Cronos, but I had woe beyond measure; for to a man far worse than I was I made subject, and he laid on me hard labours. Indeed, he once sent me here to fetch the hound of Hades, for he could devise for me no other task mightier than this. 625 The hound I carried off and led forth from the house of Hades; and Hermes was my guide, and flashing-eyed Athena.’ “So saying, he went his way again into the house of Hades, but I remained there steadfastly, in the hope that some other might still come forth of the warrior heroes who died in the days of old. 630 And I should have seen yet others of the men of former time, whom I longed to behold, Theseus and Peirithous, glorious children of the gods, but before that the myriad tribes of the dead came thronging up with a wondrous cry, and pale fear seized me, lest 635 august Persephone might send forth upon me from out of the house of Hades the head of the Gorgon, that awful monster. “At once then I went to the ship and ordered my comrades themselves to embark, and to loose the stern cables. So they went on board quickly and sat down upon the benches. And the ship was borne down the stream Oceanus by the swelling flood, 640 first with our rowing, and afterwards the wind was fair.