- Then, Telemachus, who was thoughtful, answered her and said.
307 "Guest, you truly speak to me with concern."
Like a father speaking to his child, I will never forget those words.
Even though it is 3:09, perhaps you are in a hurry to start your journey, but please wait for a little while longer.
310 After washing your body and relaxing to your heart's content,
With a gift of 311, and with a joyful heart, you can head towards the ship.
312 The precious and beautiful commemorative items that remain with you,
313 I want to give it from me. It's a kind of item that close guests exchange with each other.
314 Then, Athena, the goddess with shining eyes, answered him.
315 "Please, don't try to stop me anymore. I am in a hurry to travel."
316 If your heart desires to give me a gift,
317 Please give this to me when I leave, and allow me to take it home.
318. "Please choose something very beautiful. It will be a gift worthy of you."
319 Thus, Athena, with her shining eyes, departed.
320 Like a bird, it soared high into the sky. In Telema's heart,
321 gave me strength and courage, and reminded me of my father.
322 More than ever before. He clearly realized the identity of his opponent,
323 I was surprised in my heart. It was because I thought she was a goddess.
Immediately, she approached the suitors with a figure that resembled a goddess.
325 For the suitors, a famous singer sang, and they remained silent.
326. I was listening. The singer was singing about the return of the Akaiia forces.
327. The pain of returning from Troy, which Pallas Athena inflicted upon them.
328. Penelope, the daughter of Icarus, a thoughtful woman, was in the upper room.
329 I listened to that divine song and kept it in my heart.
330 She came down from a high staircase in her own room.
331. I was not alone. Two maids were with me.
332 Among the women, when she who shines approaches the suitors,
333 stood next to a well-made pillar supporting the roof.
334 She held a shimmering veil in front of her cheek,
Three hundred and thirty-five loyal maids stood, one on each side.
336 Then, she shed tears and said to the divine singer.
337 "Phemius, you know many other songs that entertain people's hearts."
338 Songs that praise stories of humans and gods.
339 One of them, everyone silently.
While you are drinking, please sit here and sing. But please do not sing that song.
341 This sad song always stays in my heart.
342 It erodes. Unforgettable sadness overwhelmed me more than anything else.
343 I always think about that person.
344 Such a husband. His fame has spread throughout all of Greece and as far as Argos."
345. Then, Telemachus, being thoughtful, answered his mother and said.
346 "Mother, why does a talented singer prevent people from enjoying themselves?"
347 Please let them sing according to their own hearts' desires. The singers...
348 It is not bad. Zeus, who gives people their fate, is the one to be blamed.
349 For each of the working people who live, Zeus grants them whatever they desire.
350 Even if this person sings about the tragic fate of the Danaoi people, there is no reason to blame them.
351 people most praise:
352 is a song that will reach the ears of listeners in a new way.
353 Please listen to your mother, keep a strong heart, and maintain your composure.
In Troy, Odysseus lost his way home.
It's not just 355 people who died. Many other men also died.
356 Now, please return to your own rooms and do your work.
357 Weaving machines and yarn reels. Also for the ladies-in-waiting.
358 Please instruct them to start working. The task of speaking is for all the men.
359 More than anything else, I possess it. The authority in this house belongs to me.”
360 She was surprised, and then she returned to her own room.
It was because I remembered my son's thoughtful words.
362 female servants accompanied me to an upper floor room.
363. She was thinking of her beloved husband, Odysseus, and crying. Soon,
364 The Athena with shining eyes brought a sweet sleep to her eyelids.
Simple Japanese.
| Telemachus replied, "Guest, you speak of me as a father would to his son. I will not forget your words. I understand that you are in a hurry on your journey, but please stay here for a little longer. Wash yourself and relax to your heart's content, then take gifts from me and depart with a joyful spirit. I have something very precious and beautiful to give you. It is a gift meant to be kept by close friends."
Athena replied, "Please don't hold me back any longer. If you have a gift to give, please let me choose it when I return. Choose something very beautiful that I can take home with me. If you do that, it will be a fitting reward for you." Thus, Athena departed. She flew away into the sky like a bird. Strength and courage welled up in Telemachus's heart, and he remembered his father more strongly than before. He realized who she was, thought that she was a goddess, and was surprised. Then, appearing in the form of a god, she went towards the suitors. The suitors sat silently, listening to the famous singer. The singer was singing about the hardships of the Achaeans' return from Troy, as imposed by Pallas Athena. The song reached the ears of Penelope, the thoughtful daughter of Icarius, who was in an upper room. She descended the high staircase with two handmaidens and came before the suitors. With a veil held before her face, she had loyal handmaidens on either side. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she pleaded with the singer: "Phemius, you know many other songs that singers praise, songs that delight the hearts of people. Sing one of those. Sit here while everyone is quietly drinking wine. Stop singing this sad song that always troubles my heart. Unforgettable grief has overwhelmed me above all else. I am constantly thinking about him. That husband, who spread his fame throughout Greece and to the middle of Argos." Telemachus answered his mother. "Mother, why do you prevent a skilled singer from entertaining people as they please? It is not the fault of the singer. Zeus, who gives destiny to people, is to blame. Each person who works and lives has what Zeus grants them. This man cannot be blamed for singing about the hardships of the Danaoi. People praise songs that bring something new to their ears. Please listen with a strong heart. It was not only Odysseus who failed to return from Troy; many other men died there. Go back to your room and do your own work. Weave or spin, and tell the maids to start working as well. The duty of speaking belongs to all men, especially me. I have authority in this house." Penelope was astonished, and she returned to her own room. She kept her son's thoughtful words in her heart. Together with two handmaidens, she went upstairs and continued to cry for her beloved husband, Odysseus. Soon, Athena, with her shining eyes, brought a sweet sleep to her eyelids. |
Translation note.
| Words and phrases. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| In the middle of Greece and Argos. | Penelope says that her husband's fame is widely known. This phrase does not necessarily specify strict geographical boundaries, and it can also be interpreted as "throughout every corner of Greece." |
| Words and phrases. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| Lines 356-359. | These four lines are a scene where Telemachus tells Penelope to return to her room and says, "I am the one who has authority in this house." In the original text, these lines are included in the main body of the text, but the ancient editor Aristarchus excluded them. Later scholars have had differing opinions on whether or not to include them in the main text, and many editors indicate them with parentheses. This note indicates that there is disagreement about whether this statement belongs to the main narrative of the story. In this article, we follow the original text and retain these four lines in the translation. |