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Tell me, Muse , of that ingenious hero who traveled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy . Many cities did he visit, and many were the nations with whose manners and customs he was acquainted; moreover he suffered much by sea while trying to save his own life and bring his men safely home; but whatever he did could not save his men, for they perished through their own sheer stupidity.So now all who escaped death in battle or by shipwreck had got safely home except Odysseus , and he, though he was longing to 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 then, however, when he was among his own people, his troubles 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 enjoy a festival; but the other gods met in the house of Zeus , and the father of gods and men spoke first.
“See now, how men lay blame upon us gods for what is after all nothing but their own stupidity.”
Then Athena said, “Father, King of kings, it is for Odysseus that my heart bleeds, when I think of his sufferings in that lonely island, far away, poor man, from all his friends. You, sir,take no notice of this. Why should you keep on being so angry with him?”
And Zeus said, “My child, what are you talking about? How can I forget Odysseus than whom there is no more capable man on earth, nor more liberal in his offerings to the immortal gods that live in heaven? Bear in mind, however, that Poseidon is still furious with Odysseus for having blinded an eye of Polyphemus king of the Cyclopes . Still, let us lay our heads together and see how we can help him to return. Poseidon will then be calmed,for if we are all of a mind he can hardly stand out against us.”
And Athena said, “Father, King of kings, if, then, the gods now mean that Odysseus should get home, we should first send Hermes to the Ogygian island to tell Calypso we have made up our minds and that he is to return. In the meantime, I will go to Ithaca to put heart into Odysseus’s son Telemachus ; I will encourage him to call the Achaeans in assembly, and speak out to the men who want to marry his mother Penelope ; I will also conduct him to Sparta and to Pylos to see if he can hear anything about the return of his dear father — for this will make people speak well of him.”
So saying she bound on her glittering golden sandals , and down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus . Soon she was in Ithaca at the gateway of Odysseus’s house, disguised as a visitor, Mentes , chief of the Taphians . Telemachus saw her long before anyone else did. He was sitting moodily among the men who want to marry his mother, thinking about his brave father,and how he would send them flying out of the house, if he were to come to his own home again and be honored as in days gone by. Thus brooding as he sat among them, when he caught sight of Athena and went straight to the gate. He took her right hand in his own, “Welcome,” said he, “to our house, and when you have partaken of food you shall tell us what you have come for.”
He led the way as he spoke, and Athena followed him.
Then the men who want to marry Penelope came in and took their places on the benches and seats. Telemachus spoke low to Athena, with his head close to hers so that no man might hear.
“I hope, sir,” said he, “that you will not be offended with what I am going to say. If these men were to see my father come back to Ithaca they would pray for longer legs rather than a longer purse, for money would not serve them; but he has fallen on an ill fate, and even when people do sometimes say that he is coming, we no longer pay attention to them; we shall never see him again. And now, sir, tell me and tell me true, who you are and where do you come from? Tell me also truly, for I want to know, are you a stranger to this house, or have you been here in my father’s time? In the old days we had many visitors for my father went about much himself.”
And Athena answered, “I will tell you truly and particularly all about it. I am Mentes, son of Anchialus, and I am King of the Taphians. Our fathers were friends before us, as old Laertes will tell you, if you will go and ask him. They told me your father was at home again, and that was why I came, but it seems the gods are still keeping him back, for he is not dead yet not on the mainland. It is more likely he is on some island in mid ocean,or a prisoner among savages who are detaining him against his will. I am no prophet , and know very little about signs, but I speak as it is borne in upon me from heaven, and assure you that he will not be away much longer; for he is a man of such resources that even though he were in chains of iron he would find some means of getting home again. But tell me, and tell me true, can Odysseus really have such a fine looking fellow for a son? You are indeed wonderfully like him about the head and eyes.”
“My mother,” answered Telemachus, “tells me I am son to Odysseus, but it is a wise child that knows his own father. Would that I were son to one who had grown old upon his own estates,for, since you ask me, there is no more illstarred man under heaven than he who they tell me is my father.”
And Athena said, “There is no fear of your race dying out yet, for Penelope has such a fine son as you are. But tell me,and tell me true, what is the meaning of all this feasting , and who are these people? And the guests — how terribly they are behaving; what riot they make over the whole house; it is enough to disgust any respectable person who comes near them.”
“Sir,” said Telemachus, “as regards your question, so long as my father was here it was well with us and with the house,but the gods in their displeasure have willed it otherwise, and have hidden him away more closely than mortal man was ever yet hidden. I could have borne it better even though he were dead, if he had fallen with his men before Troy, or had died with friends around him when the days of his fighting were done;for then the Achaeans would have built a mound over his ashes,and I should myself have been heir to his renown ; but now the storm-winds have spirited him away we know not where; he is gone without leaving so much as a trace behind him, and I inherit nothing but dismay . Nor does the matter end simply with grief for the loss of my father; heaven has laid sorrows upon me of yet another kind; for the chiefs from all our islands, as also all the principal men of Ithaca, are eating up my house under the pretext of paying their court to my mother, who will neither point blank say that she will not marry, nor yet bring matters to an end; so they are making havoc of my estate, and before long will do so also with myself.”
“Is that so?” exclaimed Athena, “then you do indeed want Odysseus home again. Give him his helmet, shield, and a couple of swords, and if he is the man he was when I first knew him in our house, drinking and making merry, he would soon lay his hands about these wicked men, were he to stand once more upon his own threshold . If Odysseus is the man he then was, these men who want to marry his wife will have a sorry wedding. But there! It rests with heaven to determine whether he is to return, and take his revenge in his own house or not. I would, however, urge you to set about trying to get rid of these men at once. Take my advice, call the Achaean heroes in assembly tomorrow — lay your case before them, and call heaven to bear you witness. Bid the men who want to marry Penelope take themselves off, each to his own place, and if your mother’s mind is set on marrying again, let her go back to her father, who will find her a husband and provide her with all the marriage gifts that so dear a daughter may expect. As for yourself, let me prevail upon you to take the best ship you can get, with a crew of twenty men, and go in quest of your father who has so long been missing. First go to Pylos to ask Nestor ,then go on to Sparta and visit Menelaus , for he got home last of all the Achaeans; if you hear that your father is alive and on his way home, you can put up with the waste these men who want to marry your mother will make for yet another twelve months. If on the other hand you hear of his death, come home at once, celebrate his funeral ceremony with all due display,build a grave to his memory, and make your mother marry again. Then, having done all this, think it well over in your mind how, by fair means or foul , you may kill these men in your own house. You are a fine, smart looking fellow; show your courage,then, and make yourself a name in story. Now, however, I must go back to my ship and to my crew, who will be impatient if I keep them waiting longer. Think the matter over for yourself,and remember what I have said to you.”
With these words Athena flew away like a bird into the air,but she had given Telemachus courage, and had made him think more than ever about his father. He felt the change, wondered at it, and knew that the stranger had been a god, so he went straight to where the men were sitting.
Then Telemachus spoke; “ Shameless ,” he cried, “and rude men, let us feast at our pleasure now, and let there be no brawling , but in the morning meet me in full assembly so that I may give you formal notice to depart, and feast at one another’s houses, turn and turn about, at your own cost. If, on the other hand, you choose to persist in using one man, heaven will help me. But Zeus shall reckon with you in full, and when you fall in my father’s house there shall be no man to avenge you.”
The men bit their lips as they heard him, and marveled at the boldness of his speech. Then, Antinous , son of Eupeithes ,said, “The gods seem to have given you lessons in threatening and tall talking; may Zeus never grant you to be chief in Ithaca as your father was before you.”
Telemachus answered, “Antinous, do not argue with me,but, god willing, I will be chief too if I can. Is this the worst fate you can think of for me? It is no bad thing to be a chief, for it brings both riches and honor. Still, now that Odysseus is dead,there are many great men in Ithaca old and young, and some other may take the lead among them; nevertheless, I will be chief in my own house, and will rule those whom Odysseus has won for me.”
Then Eurymachus , son of Polybus , answered,“It rests with heaven to decide who shall be chief among us, but you shall be master in your own house and over your own possessions; no one, while there is a man in Ithaca, may do you violence or rob you. And now, my good fellow, I want to know about this stranger. What country does he come from? Of what family is he, and where is his estate? Has he brought you news about the return of your father, or was he on business of his own?”
“My father is dead and gone,” answered Telemachus, “and even if some rumor reaches me, I put no more faith in it now.My mother does indeed sometimes send for a prophet and question him, but I give his predictions no notice. As for the stranger, he was Mentes, chief of Tophians, son of Anchialus,an old friend of my father.” But in his heart he knew that it had been the goddess.
The suitors then returned to their singing and dancing until the evening; but when night fell upon their pleasuring ,they went home to bed each in his own house. But Telemachus,as he lay covered with a woolen blanket, kept thinking all night through of his intended voyage of the counsel that Athena had given him.
Muse 缪斯，文艺女神
ingenious /ɪnˈdʒi:njəs/ adj. 机敏的，足智多谋的
Troy 特洛伊城
perish / ˈperɪʃ/ vi. 灭亡，死去
shipwreck / ˈʃɪprek/ n. 船只失事，船难
Odysseus 奥德修斯，伊塔卡王，希腊远征特洛伊的主要将领之一
detain /dɪˈteɪn/ vt. 拘留，扣押
goddess / ˈɡɒdɪs/ n. 女神
Calypso 卡吕普索，女神
Ithaca 伊塔卡，奥德修斯的故乡
Poseidon 波塞冬，海神，宙斯的兄弟
persecute / ˈpɜ:sɪkju:t/ vt. 迫害，为难
Ethiopian 埃塞俄比亚人
Zeus 宙斯，希腊神话中的主神，推翻其父克罗诺斯的统治后与兄弟波塞冬、哈得斯三分天下，波塞冬掌管大海，哈得斯掌管冥间，宙斯掌管神界
the father of gods and men 指宙斯，他被称为众神和凡人的父亲
Athena 雅典娜，宙斯的女儿
offering / ˈɒfərɪŋ/ n . 祭品
immortal /ɪˈmɔ:təl/ adj . 不朽的
furious / ˈfjʊərɪəs/ adj. 怀恨在心的，愤怒的
Polyphemus 波吕斐摩斯，波塞冬之子
Cyclopes 库克罗普斯人
Hermes 赫尔墨斯，宙斯的儿子，神的使者
Ogygian 奥古吉埃，卡吕普索的居住地
Telemachus 特勒马科斯，奥德修斯的儿子
Achaean 阿开奥斯人，古希腊人
Penelope 佩涅洛佩，奥德修斯的妻子
Sparta 斯巴达，古代希腊城邦之一
Pylos 皮洛斯，涅斯托尔的辖地
glittering / ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/ adj. 闪闪发亮的，精美的，华丽的
sandal / ˈsændəl/ n . 便鞋
dart /dɑ:t/ vi. 飞奔
topmost / ˈtɒpməʊst/ adj. 最高的，最上面的
Olympus 奥林波斯，传说中的以宙斯为主的众神的居住地
gateway / ˈɡeɪtweɪ/ n . 门口
Mentes 门特斯，塔福斯岛的首领
Taphians 塔福斯，希腊西部海岛
moodily / ˈmu:dɪlɪ/ adv . 忧郁地
brood /bru:d/ vi. 盘算，细想
partake /pɑ:ˈteɪk/ vi . 同吃（或喝）
Anchialus 安基阿洛斯，门特斯的父亲
Laertes 拉埃尔特斯，奥德修斯的父亲
mid /mɪd/ adj. 中部的，中间的
prophet / ˈprɒfɪt/ n . 预言家
would that 但愿，要是……多好
feast /fi:st/ vi. 盛宴
displeasure /dɪsˈpleʒə/ n. 不愉快，不满意
mortal / ˈmɔ:təl/ adj. 凡人的，世间的
mound /maʊnd/ n. 土堆，坟丘
renown /rɪˈnaʊn/ n . 名望，声誉
spirit / ˈspɪrɪt/ vt. 迅速而神秘地带走，拐走
dismay /dɪsˈmeɪ/ n . 灰心，沮丧
pretext / ˈpri:tekst/ n . 借口，托词
havoc / ˈhævək/ n . 破坏，耗费
threshold / ˈθreʃhəʊld/ n . 门槛
revenge /rɪˈvendʒ/ n . 报复
prevail upon 劝说，说服；
prevail upon somebody to accept an invitation 劝说某人接受邀请
Nestor 涅斯托尔，皮洛斯王
Menelaus 墨涅拉奥斯，斯巴达王
foul /faʊl/ adj. 不正当的
shameless / ˈʃeɪmlɪs/ adj . 无耻的
brawl /brɔ:l/ vi. 打斗；争吵
reckon with 跟……算账
avenge /əˈvendʒ/ vt. 替……报仇，为……雪耻
marvel / ˈmɑ:vəl/ vi. 对……感到诧异
Antinous 安提诺奥斯，求婚者之一
Eupeithes 欧佩特斯，安提诺奥斯的父亲
Eurymachus 欧律马科斯，求婚者之一
Polybus 波吕博斯，欧律马科斯的父亲
prediction /prɪˈdɪkʃən/ n . 预言
suitor / ˈsju:tə/ n. 求婚者
pleasure / ˈpleʒə/ vi . 享乐
counsel / ˈkaʊnsəl/ n. 建议
告诉我，缪斯，在攻陷了著名的特洛伊城堡之后，那位机敏的英雄浪迹四方的经历。他到过许多城邦，体验过很多地方的人民的生活方式和风俗习惯；为了挽救自己的生命，并把他的伙伴们安全地带回家中，他在大海上经历了许多苦难；但无论如何努力，他都无法挽救他的伙伴。因为他们死于自己的愚蠢。现在那些没有在战争中牺牲，或者躲过了船难的人，除了奥德修斯之外，都已安全地回到了自己的家乡。而他虽然也急切地想回到自己妻子的身边，回到自己的家乡，却被女神卡吕普索扣留了起来。她把他关在一个大洞穴里，并想嫁给他。但是，随着时间的流逝，众神同意了他返回伊塔卡的想法，然而，即使他在自己的亲人之中，他的磨难依然没有结束；不过现在众神都开始怜悯他了，除了波塞冬，他依然在不停地迫害他，不肯放他回家。
现在波塞冬去造访埃塞俄比亚人了，埃塞俄比亚人居住在世界的两端，一部分朝西，另外一部分朝东。
他去那儿是为了享受一个盛宴；其他的天神则聚集在宙斯的大厅中，众神和人类的父亲首先说道：
“现在可以看到，凡人因他们自己的愚蠢而责怪我们众神。”
接着，雅典娜说：“父亲，众神之王，当我想到可怜的奥德修斯在孤独的、远离朋友的岛上所遭受的苦难时，我的心就会滴血。先生，您，对此却没有在意。您为何还是生他的气呢？”
宙斯接着说道：“我的孩子，你说的是什么话啊？我怎能忘掉奥德修斯，一个在人世间最有才能的人呢？还有谁能比他更慷慨地给天上的神仙提供祭品呢？不过，请记住：由于奥德修斯捅瞎了库克罗普斯人的国王波吕斐摩斯的眼睛，所以波塞冬对奥德修斯依然怀恨在心。现在，让我们一起想想我们如何助他返回故乡。波塞冬会冷静下来的，因为如果我们团结一心，他不可能反对我们。”
接着雅典娜说：“父亲，众神之王，既然众神同意奥德修斯返回故乡，我们应该先派赫尔墨斯去奥古吉埃海岛，让他告诉卡吕普索我们已经决定让他返回故乡。同时，我要去伊塔卡给奥德修斯的儿子特勒马科斯鼓鼓劲；我还要鼓励他召集阿开奥斯人开会，并对所有想娶他妈妈佩涅洛佩的人发话；我还要带他到斯巴达和皮洛斯打听他亲爱的父亲返回家乡的消息，这将使人们都赞扬他。”
说完，她穿上精美的金色便鞋，从奥林波斯峰巅飞奔而下。很快她就来到了伊塔卡，来到了奥德修斯的家门口。她装扮成一个拜访者——塔福斯人的首领门特斯。特勒马科斯比其他人先看到雅典娜。他坐在他母亲的求婚者中间，郁郁寡欢，思念着他勇敢的父亲，想着如果他回到家乡，重享荣耀，那他会如何使这些人滚出自己的房子。正当他坐在求婚人中间忧心忡忡地盘算着的时候，他忽然看见了雅典娜。于是，他径直走到门口，握住她的右手，说：“欢迎到我们家里来，请先吃饭吧，吃完饭后再告诉我们您有什么需求。”
他一边说着，一边在前面带路，雅典娜在后面跟着。
随后，那些求婚者走进来并在板凳和座椅上坐下。为了不被其他人听到，特勒马科斯把头贴近雅典娜的头，低声说：
“先生，我希望您不会对我要说的话感到气愤。如果这些人看到我的父亲回到伊塔卡，他们会希望自己的腿更长点而不是希望自己的钱包更鼓点，因为到那时钱就没有用了。但是他却遭到厄运，即使有时有人说他要回来了，我们也不会在意了；因为我们永远也见不到他了。现在请您告诉我，告诉我实话，你是谁，从哪里来？请说实话，因为我想知道，您是第一次来这里吗？还是说我父亲在的时候来过？过去我们有很多拜访者，因为我父亲也经常去拜访他们。”
雅典娜说：“我会把事实全部告诉你的。我是门特斯，是安基阿洛斯的儿子。我是塔福斯人的国王。在我们见面之前我们的父亲就是世交。年迈的拉埃尔特斯会告诉你的，如果你愿意去问他的话。他们告诉我你的父亲又回到了家里，这就是我来这里的原因。谁知众神却依然不让他回来，他还没有死，但也没有在大陆上。他很有可能在大海中央的某个岛屿上，或者被一群野蛮人羁绊着，被迫在那里留驻。我不是预言家，对预言也知之甚少。但因为上天把它赋予我心中，所以我向你保证他很快就不会再远离自己的家乡了。他是一个机敏的人，即使他被铁链锁住，也能设法回到家里。但请你告诉我，要说真话，奥德修斯真的有这样一个英俊的儿子吗？你的头和眼睛太像他了。”
“我的母亲，”特勒马科斯回答道，“告诉我，我是奥德修斯的儿子。知道自己父亲是谁的孩子一定是个聪明的孩子。既然你问我，我真希望我是一个能享用自己的财产颐养天年的人的儿子，因为天底下没有第二个人有像他——别人说他是我的父亲——那样悲惨的命运。”
雅典娜说：“你没有必要担心你的家族会消亡，因为佩涅洛佩有你这样的好儿子。但请你说实话，这是什么盛宴，这些人是谁？这些客人——他们如此放肆，他们使整个屋子变得乌烟瘴气，这足以使任何一个靠近他们的正派人都感到非常气愤。”
“先生，”特勒马科斯说，“关于你说的这个问题，只要我父亲在这儿，我们就能生活得很好，并且整个屋子也会井然有序。但是众神因为个人的不愉快而另有想法，他们让他在凡人中间杳无音信。即使我的父亲死了，倘若他和他的同伴战死在特洛伊城，或是战斗后和他周围的人一同牺牲，也比他音信全无要好；因为那时阿开奥斯人会在他的尸骨上修建坟茔，我也可以继承他的传世英名。但那场风暴把他给卷走了，我们一点也不知道他的踪影；他无影无踪地去了，留给我的只有悲伤。悲痛并没有因为我父亲的离去而结束，上天又把另外一种悲痛降到我的身上。因为来自岛上所有的贵族首领和来自伊塔卡本地的王贵们都打着向我母亲求婚的旗号，来耗费我的家产。母亲不能直截了当地拒绝他们的求婚，也无法结束这场混乱。他们正在吞噬我的家财，很快我也会惨遭他们的毒手。
“果真如此吗？”雅典娜大声说，“你的确希望奥德修斯重新回到家乡。给他头盔、盾和几把长剑，如果他是我在我们家里初次相识的那个喝着酒、给人带来无限快乐的男人，他很快就会向这些卑鄙小人发动攻击，假如他能再次回家的话。如果奥德修斯还和过去一样，这些求婚者将有一个悲惨的婚礼。不过，他能否回到他的家里报复这些求婚者，要由上天来决定。不过，我急切需要你马上着手去把这些人赶走。请听我的劝告，明天把阿开奥斯所有的英雄们都召集起来，说出你的情况，请上天给你作证。叫那些想娶佩涅洛佩的人自动离开，各回各的家。如果你的母亲决定再嫁的话，让她回到她的父亲那里。他会为她找一个丈夫，并为她筹备一个待出嫁的女儿所期待的丰厚的嫁妆。至于你自己，我建议你去乘坐一条你能找到的最好的船只，带上二十个船员去寻找你失踪多年的父亲。先去皮洛斯询问涅斯托尔，然后去斯巴达拜访墨涅拉奥斯，因为他是最后一个归来的阿开奥斯人；如果你听说你的父亲还活着，并且正在回家的路上，你就可以再忍受这些求婚者耗费你的家产一年。假如你听说你父亲死了，你就马上回家为他举办隆重的葬礼，给他立一座丰碑，并且让你的母亲再嫁。完成这一切以后，你好好想想是用正当的手段还是用不正当的方法在你的家里杀死这些求婚者。你是一个机智、英俊的小伙子，勇敢起来，在历史上留下英名吧！现在我要回到我的船上找我的船员了，如果我让他们等得太久，他们会不耐烦的。你自己好好考虑一下这件事情，记住我说的话。”
说完这些话，雅典娜就像鸟儿一样飞向了空中。但她已经给了特勒马科斯勇气和胆量，并使他更加思念他的父亲。他感觉到了变化，对此也感到惊奇。而且他知道这个陌生人是一个神，于是他径直向那些人坐的地方走去。
特勒马科斯说道：“无耻的、傲慢的人们，让我们享受当下宴会的快乐吧。不要吵嚷不休，明天早晨我们一起开个会，到时我要正式地通知你们离开这里。你们可以在你们的房子里，花费自己的财产，轮流筹办宴席。不过，如果你们坚持要消耗一个人的财产，上天会帮我的。宙斯会惩罚你们所有人。当你们死在这所房子里时，没有人会为你们报仇的。”
这些人听完他的话后都咬着嘴唇，对特勒马科斯大胆的话语感到诧异。后来，安提诺奥斯（欧佩特斯的儿子）说：“众神把你训练成一个善于威胁和吹牛的人，但愿宙斯不会同意你像你父亲一样成为伊塔卡的统治者。”
特勒马科斯回答道：“安提诺奥斯，不要和我争吵。这是上天的旨意，如果我能够胜任的话，我也会成为伊塔卡的首领。你是否认为这对我来说是最坏的命运呢？成为一个首领并不是一件坏事，因为它能带来财富和荣耀。不过既然奥德修斯已经死了，在伊塔卡的老年和青年中还有许多伟大的人物，他们当中有人会成为伊塔卡的首领。然而，我会成为我家的主人，统治奥德修斯为我赢来的仆人。”
接着，波吕博斯的儿子欧律马科斯说：“上天会决定我们当中谁将成为伊塔卡的首领；而你会成为你家的主人，管好你的财产；不过只要伊塔卡还有人，就没有人会用暴力来掠夺你的财产或者伤害你。现在，我的好朋友，我想了解一下这位陌生人的情况。他来自哪个国度？他有何家庭背景？他的地产在何方？他是带来了关于你父亲回归的消息，还是来这里办自己的事情？”
“我的父亲已经死了，”特勒马科斯说，“即使有传言说他回来了，我现在也不会相信的。我母亲有时会请个预言者询问情况，但我不会相信他的预言。至于那个陌生人，他是门特斯，塔福斯人的首领，我父亲的一个老朋友——安基阿洛斯的儿子。”但他心里明白她是一位女神。
那些求婚者又去唱歌、跳舞了，直到夜幕降临这些人才结束享乐，回到了自己家休息。特勒马科斯盖上羊毛毯躺着，但整个晚上他一直在想着雅典娜给他指出的（外出寻父的）旅途。