And in these five years young Odysseus had become a man. He had grown not so much in stature4 as in wisdom, nor yet so much in size of limb and body as in strength of bone and muscle. There was nothing in his face or figure that could be called handsome, and yet he was the pride of Ithaca. For, in all the deeds and feats5 most worthy6 of men, he was without a peer. In wrestling and leaping, in rowing and swimming, in shooting with the bow, and in handling the heavy spear, there was no one that could equal him. He was a very master of words; and when his speech warmed into earnestness, the dullest hearer was spell-bound by his eloquence7. Even to the Achaian mainland and among the islands of the sea, he was famed for his far-reaching shrewdness. Indeed, his craftiness8 oftentimes outweighed9 his sense of honor; for, in that early day, to outwit one's fellows even by fraud was thought to be praiseworthy.
One evening in summer, four strange ships, with long black hulls10, sailed into the harbor at Ithaca, and were moored11 in the deep water close to the shore. They were found to be manned by crews of seafarers from the low-lying shores of Messene; and their captain brought greetings from Orsilochus their king, and offered to barter12 silver and merchandise for Ithacan wool and long-horned sheep. Laertes welcomed the strangers warmly; and as the night was near, he advised that early on the morrow they should bring their wares13 ashore14, and allow his people to bargain for what they needed most. And soon darkness covered all the ways, and Ithaca was wrapped in slumber16.
When the gray dawn peeped into his chamber17, and awakened18 him, the king arose, and looked out towards the harbor. Not one of the black-hulled ships could he see. They had silently cast their moorings, and had stolen away through the darkness. While the king looked and wondered, an old shepherd with frightened face and gestures of alarm came running in breathless haste to the palace. In a few words he told what strange things had happened. By the light of the waning19 moon, the sea rovers from Messene had sailed around to a little cove15 where the pastures slope down to the water's edge. There they had landed, and without much ado had driven a whole flock of sheep aboard their ships,--three hundred long-wooled ewes and bleating20 lambs, the choicest of the fields. And they had carried away not only these, but the six sleepy shepherds whose duty it had been to guard them.
An alarm was quickly sounded, and the news was passed from mouth to mouth until it was known to all. The bravest men of Ithaca hastened to the shore, where stood Odysseus and his father, ready to direct them. Their fleetest vessels21, lying high upon the beach, were cleared ready to be launched. Five ships with vermilion prows23 were pushed into the waves; and each was manned by a score of lusty rowers, and headed towards the open sea. The long oars25 dipped into the water, as if all were moved by a single hand; and the vessels sped out upon their errand, like dogs of the chase intent upon a fleeing victim.
The sky was clear. The waves danced merrily in the sunlight. The wind blew gently from the shore. The crews of the Ithacan ships bent to the oars like practised seamen26; but when they rounded the headlands at the foot of the bay, and came out upon the open sea, they saw no trace of the pirate fleet, nor even a single sail upon the laughing face of the deep. Whether the men of Messene had pushed straight homeward with their plunder27, or whether they had put into some other cove or inlet farther down the coast, no one could guess. All that their pursuers could do was to sail close along the shore, southward towards Cephallenia, peering behind every jutting28 headland, and into every sheltered nook, in hopes of coming upon them.
Five days afterward29, the red-prowed ships returned to Ithaca. Nothing had been seen of the sea robbers: nothing had been heard of the stolen flocks.
What was to be done? The robbers were known to be men of Messene, the subjects of Orsilochus. It was no secret, that much of the wealth of Messene had been gotten by the plunder and pillage30 of foreign coasts; but were the pirates of that country to be allowed thus to rob their near neighbors and kinsfolk? Laertes called together a council of the chiefs and elders, and asked them what it was best to do.
"We are a peaceful, home-loving people," said some of the older men, "and it would neither be wise nor pleasant to entangle31 ourselves in a war with a strong king like Orsilochus. The loss of three hundred sheep is not much where there are so many, and it is not likely that the sea robbers will ever trouble us again. Let us go quietly back to our fields and homes, and leave well enough alone."
But the young men would not listen to a plan so tame and spiritless. They were eager, if they could not recover what was their own, to take at least what was of equal value from the Messenians. It would be easy, they said, for a few stanch32 ships with well-chosen crews to cross the sea-ways, and land by night upon the rich coast of Messene; there they could fill the roomy holds of their vessels with fruit and grain; and before any one could hinder, they would sail safely back to Ithaca laden33 with wealth far greater than three hundred sheep.
Then Odysseus, though a mere34 youth among bearded men, stood up before them, and said,--
"My good friends, I like neither the one plan nor the other. It is but the part of a slave to suffer wrong without striking back. It is but the part of a coward to strike in the dark, as if fearing the enemy's face. Why not send boldly to Messene, and demand either the stolen sheep, or a fair price for them? I myself will undertake the business, and I promise you that I will bring back to Ithaca gifts and goods worth twice as much as the flock that has been taken."
The elders listened with favor to the young man's words; and, after further talk, it was settled that he should go forthwith across the sea to claim the debt which was due from the people of Messene.
The goodliest ship of all the Ithacan galleys35 was made ready for Odysseus. The needed stores of food and drink were brought on board, and placed in the vessel22's hold. The young hero, with his friend and tutor Phemius, climbed over the vessel's side, and sat down in the prow24. The long-haired seamen cast loose the moorings; they plied36 their oars, and the swift ship was soon far out upon the waters. A steady north wind filled the sail, and the vessel sped swiftly on her way, cleaving37 the white foam38 with her keel. By and by the sun went down, and night wrapped the world in her sober mantle39; but the ship still held its course, being guided by the moon's pale light, and the steadfast40 star of the north.
The next day they sailed within sight of the low-lying coast of Elis, which stretched northward41 and southward farther than their eyes could reach. Yet they turned not to the shore, but sailed straight on; for Odysseus, advised by Pallas Athené, wished first to visit Pylos, where wise old Nestor ruled with his father, the ancient Neleus. This Neleus was the uncle of Jason, chief of the Argonauts, and had been driven from Iolcos by Pelias the usurper42. Long time had he wandered, an exile in strange lands, until Aphareus of Arene gave him leave to build a city on the sandy plain close by the sea. There he had reared a noble palace; and there he still dwelt, having outlived three generations of men. But he had given up his kingdom, many years before, to his son Nestor, himself a sage43 old man.
It was not until late on the third day that the voyagers turned their ship's prow into the harbor of Pylos. It touched the shore, and Odysseus with his tutor sprang out upon the sands. They found the people of the city offering sacrifices there to Poseidon, ruler of the deep. Upon nine long seats they were sitting, five hundred or more on each seat; and the priest stood up before them, pouring out libations and offering sacrifices. Nine coal-black heifers he offered to Poseidon.
King Nestor sat upon a lofty seat while the elders of the city stood around him, or plied their several duties at the feast. Some of them were busy cutting choice bits of flesh from the slaughtered44 beeves; others fixed45 these bits upon spits, and roasted them over heaps of glowing coals; and still others handed the smoking food to the waiting people who sat hungry in their places. When Nestor saw Odysseus and the bard46, two strangers, standing47 upon the shore, he arose and went down to meet them. He gave to each a hand, and leading them to the feast he seated them upon soft skins spread on piles of yielding sand. Then he brought to them, in his own hands, choicest pieces of well-cooked and well-flavored food; and when they had eaten as much as they liked, he poured rich wine into a golden goblet48, and as he offered it first to the noble bard, he said, "Right welcome are you, stranger, whoever you may be, to this our midsummer festival. I give this golden goblet to you first, you being the older man, that you may pray as beseemeth you to great Poseidon. When you have made your prayer, hand then the cup to the young man who is with you, that he too may pour out a libation; for all men have need to pray."
Then the bard took the goblet, and pouring out a rich libation, lifted up his eyes and prayed, "Great Poseidon, thou who dost hold the earth in thy strong arms, hear now the prayer of thy suppliant49. Prolong still the life of our aged50 host, and add to Nestor with each circling year new honors and greater wealth. To the folk of Pylos give rich contentment and that peace which is the befitting prize of those who are mindful of life's varied51 duties. And lastly, grant that this young man may find that which he seeks, and then return rejoicing to his home and friends."
When he had thus spoken, he gave the goblet to Odysseus, and he in like manner poured out libations, and prayed to great Poseidon.
Then said Nestor as he took again the goblet, "Strangers, you do wisely thus to offer prayers to the gods; for they are far above us in virtue53, strength, and honor. When men have failed to do aright, and have broken Heaven's just laws, they may still, by humble54 vows55 and supplications, turn aside from evil-doing, and soften56 the wrath57 of the ever-living powers."
"Yes, truly," answered Phemius, "by prayers we do honor both ourselves and those to whom we pray. There is an ancient saying, which no doubt you oft have heard, that prayers are the feeble-sighted daughters of Father Zeus, and wrinkled and lame58 they follow in misfortune's track. But misfortune, strong and swift, out-runs them often, and brings distress59 upon the sons of men; then these blessed prayers, following after, kindly60 heal the hurts and bind61 up the aching wounds which have been made. And for this reason the man who is wont62 to pray feels less the strokes of fortune than does he who lives forgetful of the gods."[1]
[1] See Note 10 at the end of this volume.
The feast being soon ended, Nestor turned again to the strangers, and said, "Behold63 now, the day is well-nigh gone, and all have paid their vows to the ever-living gods. The time has come when we may ask our stranger-guests their names and errand. Who are you who come thus unheralded to the sandy shores of Pylos? Is your visit one of peace, and shall we welcome you as friends? Or do you come as spies, to find out what there may be of wealth or of weakness in our city?"
Odysseus answered: "O noble Nestor, we will speak the truth, and hide nothing from you. I am Odysseus of Ithaca; my father is King Laertes, who was once your comrade when you sailed on the Argo to golden Colchis. Ten days ago, there came to our island seafaring men from Messene, whom we welcomed as friends and neighbors. But under cover of the night they landed on our shores; they seized three hundred of our long-wooled sheep, together with the shepherds, and bore them across the sea to some one of the pirate harbors of Messene. I now am on my way to King Orsilochus, to bid him send back the stolen flock; and if he will not hearken to my words, then I shall either gain by guile64 or take by force double the value of the sheep. But I have come first to Pylos, that you, my father's old-time friend, might know my errand, and, if need be, lend me your aid."
"You have spoken well," answered Nestor; "and for your father's sake you are thrice welcome to the lofty halls of Pylos. Abide65 with me for one night, and in the morning I will give you a car and steeds, and a trustworthy guide, to take you by the straightest road to Pherae, where the king of Messene dwells. Orsilochus must learn from me, that, though his pirate-crews may plunder foreign shores, they must not molest66 the flocks and goods of our home-staying neighbors."
Having thus spoken, he led the way to the fair palace, which his father Neleus erstwhile had built. There they found that aged chieftain sitting in the great hall, upon a soft couch spread with purple coverings. His hair and his long beard were white as the driven snow, and his hands trembled from very feebleness, for he was exceeding old. He spoke52 kindly to Odysseus, and asked many questions about his father Laertes, and his home in Ithaca; but he seemed most pleased when the young man told him of his visit, when a boy, to Iolcos and Mount Pelion. For Iolcos had been the home of Neleus in his youth; and he it was who had helped Pelias drive ?son from the kingdom which was his by right. But Nemesis67 had followed him, and punished him for the deed.
Soon the shades of night began to darken the fair hall, and the chiefs and elders went each one to his own house. But Nestor led Odysseus and the bard to an upper chamber, where a fair, soft couch was spread upon a jointed68 bedstead. There he left them for the night, and there they soon found rest in soothing69 slumber.
As soon as the light of day began to streak70 the eastern sky, the aged Neleus, as was his wont, arose from his couch, and, leaning on the arm of Nestor, went feebly out, and took his seat upon a smooth white stone before the palace gate. Then every one who had aught of grievance71, or had suffered any wrong, came and told his story, and made his plea; and the old hero weighed the matter with an even hand, and gave judgment72 for the right.
"What shall be done to aid the son of Laertes, that so his journey into Messene shall prosper73?" asked Nestor. "Thou knowest that King Orsilochus has ever been our friend and ally; yet shall we allow his lawless men thus to despoil74 our neighbors and old-time comrades?"
"Send to Pherae, with the young man, a trusty messenger who shall speak for him," answered old Neleus. "Send them both in thy own chariot, and ask Orsilochus, in the name of a friend, to deal justly with the son of Laertes."
By this time Odysseus and the bard had awakened from their slumber. They arose; and when they had bathed, and had been anointed with soft oil, they clothed themselves in robes of noble texture75, and went down into the banquet hall. There they found King Nestor waiting; and they sat down with him at the table, and willing servants waited on them, bringing choice food and pouring sweet wine into golden goblets76.
When the meal was finished, the bard bade his host farewell; and, praying that the gods would speed Odysseus on his errand, he went down to the red-prowed ship which was waiting by the shore. And as soon as he stepped on board, the sailors loosed the moorings, and set the sail; and a brisk wind bore them swiftly back towards Ithaca.
But Nestor spoke to the young men about him, "Bring out my finest horses, and yoke77 them forthwith to my lightest car. They shall carry Odysseus on his journey across the plain to Pherae; and my son Antilochus shall bear him company, and be my messenger to the Messenian king."
Soon the car was ready. The young men took their places; and Antilochus touching78 the restive79 horses with his whip, they sped across the dusty plain. It was a rough and tiresome80 journey, along unbroken ways, and roads scarcely marked with tracks of wheels or horses' hoofs81; and night had begun to fall ere they came to the river Nedon and the high walls of Pherae where dwelt Orsilochus, the king of Messene.
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1
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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4
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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craftiness
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| 狡猾，狡诈 | |
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outweighed
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| v.在重量上超过( outweigh的过去式和过去分词 )；在重要性或价值方面超过 | |
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hulls
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| 船体( hull的名词复数 )； 船身； 外壳； 豆荚 | |
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moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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12
barter
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| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
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wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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19
waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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prows
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| n.船首( prow的名词复数 ) | |
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prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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entangle
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| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
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stanch
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| v.止住（血等）；adj.坚固的；坚定的 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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cleaving
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| v.劈开，剁开，割开( cleave的现在分词 ) | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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39
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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40
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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41
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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42
usurper
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| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
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43
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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44
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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46
bard
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| n.吟游诗人 | |
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47
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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49
suppliant
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| adj.哀恳的；n.恳求者，哀求者 | |
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50
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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51
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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52
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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53
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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54
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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55
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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56
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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57
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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58
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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59
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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61
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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62
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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63
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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64
guile
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| n.诈术 | |
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65
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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66
molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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67
nemesis
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| n.给以报应者，复仇者，难以对付的敌手 | |
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68
jointed
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| 有接缝的 | |
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69
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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70
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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71
grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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72
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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73
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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74
despoil
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| v.夺取，抢夺 | |
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75
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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76
goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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77
yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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78
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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79
restive
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| adj.不安宁的，不安静的 | |
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80
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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81
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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