Odyssey's Adventures

Translation from Czech:

Long ago, all the recs who fought at Troy were DOMA, only one has not yet returned. He was King Odysseus. After the end of the Trojan War, he still wandered all over the country for several years, and had so many joyous and pitiful events in that time that his fame filled the world. He set sail from Troy with his company on 12 ships, looking forward to soon being reunited with his dear father, his beloved wife, his son Télemache, and his old father, Laerte. He had no idea he was looking forward to it in vain. From the start, all the obstacles got in his way. By the time he got home, he had lost all his ships and all his comrades, and all the prey he carried had dropped to the seabed. He only saved his bare life.

When they set sail from Troy, the wind carried them to the Kikons, unfriendly and inhospitable people. Odysseus had to conquer their city to reach land. The Kikons used a ruse. They fled ostensibly, gaining help from their neighbours, and turned against Odyssey and his comrades. They could fight excellently and they used war wagons. They gathered at night, and they were on the coast like ants.

Battle has begun. If it was dark, Odysseus won, but as dawn dawned and then even by day, hostile Kikons prevailed. By evening, the small Odyssey army had to retreat to save at least some. Six men from each ship were killed and the others rescued by escape. They then bemoaned the loss of the fallen species late on, regretting that the Odysseus had disobeyed when he warned them not to linger on land. Sadness dejected both Odysseus and his comrades that the journey home began so unhappily. They all boarded the ship sadly and set off on their next journey.

Then, when they were out to sea again, a terrible storm raged. The whole sky was covered in dark clouds, and a black night spread across the sea. Strong winds tore at the sails and drove the ships to their doom. The swimmers managed only with the greatest effort to reach the shore and so save themselves. They had to stay there for two days and two nights, and it was only on the third morning that they set sail for the next journey. They were no longer far from their homeland. But they wanted to avoid dangerous pitfalls, and that was fatal to them. The sea stormed again, and powerful waves carried ships away from land to the wide sea.

For nine days they were driven by strong winds and carried to another unknown territory. When they came ashore, Odysseus sent three fearless men to investigate what people lived in that landscape, and if there was no danger from there. But the inhabitants of that outpost were peaceful and kind, honoring each with a delicious fruit they called lotus. The fruits of Lotus were so sweet that anyone who had tasted them once never thought of returning to their homeland. He stayed with the lucky people so he could still enjoy that sweet fruit.

It was strange to Odyssey that the scouts sent were not returning for long. I followed them and found out what magic was keeping them there. They wept and moaned as he led them back to the ships with force, and he had much to do to keep them from escaping him in the end. That's why he had the mlsouny tied under the ship's catwalks and ordered the others to get in and sail away as quickly as possible so they wouldn't want a sweet lotus again.

By evening they had reached a low island where they had stayed overnight. In the morning, Odysseus summoned all the men and said: "Friends, I will now sail away with my company to explore that rocky land from where the smoke rises. I'll see what kind of people live there and see if we can visit them. Meanwhile, you stay here and wait for us.’

Then he filled his voluminous bellows with the most delicious wine, took food as well, boarded a boat and sailed toward that nearby land. He suspected there was some surprise waiting for him there, which was why he had stocked up like this. Who knows what good it will do. It soon became clear that his foresight wasn't really detrimental. Wild, savage giants, violent and arrogant, lived in that country. They were called Cyclópove.They were herding and that was their livelihood. They didn't plow, they didn't saddle, they couldn't build ships, and they had no laws and orders. Each lived alone with his wife and children in a large cave on the tops of high mountains, and did not care for his neighbors. These giants had only one great eye in the middle of their foreheads, a voice like the roar of thunder and a mind prone to crimes.

Odyssey's ship landed off their coast and everyone got off it. Already from the sea, a spacious cave could be seen on the edge of the high shore. Odysseus decided to look there. He chose the top 12 men and ordered the others to remain at the ship's guard. He took the wine and food and they went. In a little while they entered the cave. Her terrible housekeeper was not caught in it; he was still grazing with the herds. There were lots of hazelnuts in the cave, with heavy loaves of cheese, containers of sour milk, milking pits, and lambs and kids everywhere. Comrades of the Odysseus begged the dynasts to collect their cheeses, drive away their herds and sail away quickly. But even this time, Odysseus would not be asked.

He wanted to see the giant that lived in that cave. His name was Polyfémos. So they made a fire, sat around him, and ate and drank from Polyphem's supplies. Suddenly the cave became dark as the giant giant blocked the entire entrance with his body. He walked in overgrown and dirty, dropping a huge sprinkle of dry wood to the ground. They all jumped back in horror at the thunderous rumble and crouched in corners of the cave. The giant didn't even stop. He drove goats and sheep into the cave to milk them. He left the rams and goats outside in a vast courtyard that was surrounded by a solid, high wall. Then he grabbed a large rock, carried it like a feather, and blocked its entrance to the cave. Then he lit a pile of firewood and lit up the entire cave. Suddenly he noticed unexpected visitors and roared:

"AJ, AJ, we've got some guests! Where did you come from and what do you want here, miserable worms?’ There was a little soul in them all. Only Odysseus regained his composure and replied in a trembling voice to the giant: "We return from the Trojan War. The storm drove us here. We've been trudging through the world for a long time, and instead of going home, we got here. We come to you asking that you take us kindly and treat us and give us some gift in memory. The mighty Zeus is the protector of guests and pleaders, bear that in mind!’ The giant straightened menacingly, folded his hands on his hips and warmed: "Where do you come from, stray, to talk to me about gods?! We don't care about the gods, we're stronger than them. If I wanted to kill you, nothing would help you with your Zeus or all the gods together. You better tell me where your ship is moored.’

He didn't come up with such a tricky question about the clever Odysseus. He had recovered from the fright, and fearlessly replied to the giant: "My ship was sunk by a sea ruler in waves, and I only saved myself with these species. The others perished.’ The giant said nothing but leapt to his feet, grasping two men from Odyssey's company with long hands and beating them to the ground like puppies, their brains spraying over the walls of the cave. Then he tore them apart and prepared dinner of them. He ate devouringly like a hungry wolf. He swallowed them full, crushing even the bones in his terrible teeth.

Both Odysseus and his guides stared in horror at the spectacle. In desperation, they clasped hands and begged the gods for help. When the giant was fed, he drank his milk, stretched out on the ground among the sheep, and rested happily. Odyssey thought that now would be a good time to leap up to him and stab him with a sword. But he immediately realized it would mean some doom for everyone. They wouldn't roll that rock away from the entrance even if they tore themselves apart. And so, in despair and lamentation, they endured all night, and no one slept. In the morning, Polyfémos lit a pile of wood again, milked and treated the herds, and again, as yesterday, grabbed two of Odyssey's comrades and ate them for breakfast. Then he pushed slightly away from the rock door, driving all the large brass except the cubs to pasture, and immediately behind the last sheep he closed the entrance with that boulder again. Everyone was relieved when the giant left.

Odysseus immediately began to wonder how he would have matured on the brute and saved himself and his comrades. Then he noticed that a trunk of a large tree stood in a corner of the cave, which Polyphoremos had cut off to make a club of it. The ship's mast could be made of it -- so big it was. Odysseus hacked a piece off it, the others immediately scraped the bark, smoothed it, and Odysseus then sharpened it nicely at one end. When the stake was thus prepared, Odysseus revealed to his comrades what he intended to do. When the giant falls asleep, that stake will burn his eye out. He immediately lit it up in the fire and covered it with dry dung to slowly smoulder. Then they drew lots to see which of them would take part in the revenge on Polypho. Los Angeles fell to four of the fittest rivers, joined by Odysseus as fifth. Then they sat down, giving each other courage, waiting for the giant to return.

Evening finally approached, and Polyphomos entered the cave. Everything was repeating like it was yesterday. Only this time he left not a single piece outside the cave, driving rams and goats inside as well. Then he milked the sheep and goats and grabbed two of the wretches again and prepared a terrible dinner of them. Again, there was a little soul in them all. Only Odysseus suppressed all fear and terror, poured a good deal of wine into the container, approached the giant and said: "On, Kyklóp, taste what delicious mok I have brought you as a gift to kindly host us and then help us return to our homeland. And you're going on a rampage like that! That's the second time none of the people will visit you if you're that bad!’

The giant reached out and drank the wine at once. He tasted great. He asked for another sip. Odysseus gladly agreed. Polyphemus turned the other jug over into his bottomless belly and groaned:

"If you have such excellent wine, tell me your name so that I can make you a nice gift. Know that I am the strongest of all Cyclops and they call me Polyphemus. "

Instead of answering, Odysseus refilled the container again, the giant drank it again at once - and then the second and third ones. When his senses became dark, Odysseus spoke flatteringly to him, "So I will tell you my name, but you also give me your gift, as you promised me a moment ago. Listen, Polyphemus, my name is Nobody. "

Then the giant stammered with a heavy tongue, “You want a banquet? So here you have it: Polyphemus eats everyone else first and leaves Nobody for last. You wouldn't get a better gift anywhere. ”He staggered, fell on his back, and snored for a moment until the cave shook. But after a while he choked and started vomiting. Wine with chunks of human flesh sprang from his throat, but he didn't wake up either. He slept on, exhausted by the intoxicating drink.

It was a good time for Odysseus to take his revenge and punish the terrible cannibal for his crime. I grabbed a hidden sharpened stake and shoved it into the fire to make a hot charcoal on it. The others stood around Odysseus ready to act. When he had almost caught the stake, they quickly pulled it out, jumped on the giant, and stabbed him in the eye. Odysseus leaned against him from above and turned it as if drilling heaven. It hissed like a blacksmith dipping hot iron in water. Hot foamy blood flowed around the stake. Polyphemus's long, thick lashes ignited in the flame, and it still hissed and cracked in his eye until it completely scorched, leaving only a large hole. Polyphemus roared in pain until their ears rested. Everyone jumped in horror. The giant snatched the hot stake from the eye, covered in blood, hurled it angrily in front of him, waved his arms wildly, and shouted with all his might at the other Cyclops. He called them for help. His screams echoed in the silence of the night far and wide.
The giants heard him, and immediately they began to descend from the surrounding hills to his cave, and excitedly asked him, "What happened to you, Polyphemus, that you are screaming and waking us from sleep? Who's hurting you? Who wants to kill you by force? ”
"Nobody!" The giant shouted painfully. "Nobody, Nobody!"

If no one is hurting you and you are alone in the cave, then how can we help you? If you are ill, ask your father Poseidon for help! ”

With those words, they left again angrily that they had frightened unnecessarily. Odysseus's heart jumped with joy.
Polyphemus continued to moan terribly, writhing in pain, feeling his arms around him and reaching for the opening to the cave. He rolled the stone, sat down at the entrance, and reached out to catch the poor human worms if they wanted to escape the cave among the sheep. Odysseus stopped rejoicing and began to wonder what to do next. What to do to avoid the terrible devastation that was still around. But it wouldn't be Odysseus not to deal with everything in the end.
He quietly grabbed the largest rams, covered with thick wool, and tied them together in threes. He always tied one of his kind under the middle of them. He chose the largest ram of all, but only one, crouched under his bushy belly and held on tightly with the tufts of his thick, overhanging wool.
It was morning. The sheep roared because they were not milked. Polyphemus felt them and let them out of the cave. As the herd ram approached the entrance, Odysseus had just as little soul at that moment as everyone who passed before him in this way. He didn't even breathe. Polyphemus reached for this ram and spoke to him as if he had reason. He complained to him that Nobody had lost his sight, and he said angrily:

"But the wicked Nobody has not yet perished! If I only knew where he was hiding! If only you, Ram, could talk and tell me about him! His brain would spray on the walls as I would beat him to the ground. ”He spoke like this, moaning in pain as he let go of the last ram out of the barn.

When they were a few steps from the cave, Odysseus set out and untied his companions. Then they picked the fattest sheep and drove them to the boat. There they met other species and rejoiced at the reunion. But then they all cried for those whom Polyphemus had escorted out of the world in such a terrible way. However, Odysseus silently signaled to be quiet if they did not want to perish at the last moment. So they hurried the sheep to the boat, boarded them, and bounced off the shore. The rowers were rowing with all their might and soon they were a nice piece from the giant dwelling.
Then Odysseus stood in the direction of the cave and exclaimed, "Cyclops, you have been punished for behaving so cruelly towards your guests."
The giant heard it and became extremely angry. He grabbed the top of the mountain and hurled it to the side where he heard a voice. Just so he didn't sink their ship. The oarsmen leaned all the more into the oars, for they were afraid that the furious man would break their heads and ships. As they were far from the mainland, Odysseus called again, "If someone, Cyclops, asked you who blinded you, tell him it was Odysseus, the king of the island of Ithaca."
Polyphemus heard it and thundered terribly, "That I was not a fool! One seer once warned me that one day Odysseus would deprive me of sight. But I thought it would be a giant like me and not such a shrimp! But come back, Odyssee, I will ask my father Poseidon to help you get home. He will help me and regain my sight if it is his will. "

Then Polyphemus grabbed an even bigger rock than before, circled it like a ball, and threw it behind the boat. But Odysseus' ship happily escaped danger. A moment later, he landed at the island where the others of Odysseus's party were waiting, and they were already afraid if they would see their ruler return.

It was a happy reunion. They immediately drove the beautiful sheep and rams ashore, and Odysseus divided them equally. Then he made a sacrifice to Zeus, but Zeus did not accept it.
When they had eaten enough and drank the delicious wine, they lay down on the shore to sleep. In the morning they set out for the next journey, but distress filled their hearts. They wished for the loss of their fellows and feared the wrath of the gods, especially Poseidon, the father of the blinded Cyclops.
Without an accident, they sailed to a strange island that was mobile. It was surrounded by a high metal wall and a beautiful palace stood out in the middle of it. Aiolos, the ruler of the winds, the darling of the gods, lived in the palace with his wife and twelve children.
Every day his whole family sat at rich tables and they all feasted together.
Aiolos received Odysseus and his companions very kindly and listened with interest to the story of the Trojan War and the return of the Greeks. He hosted them for a whole month and took care of their well-being. When Odysseus begged him to help them return to their homeland, he gave them a special gift instead of a guide: a large bellows, into which he enclosed all unfavorable winds and tightened it with a silver lace so that neither could escape. And when the guests boarded the ships, a gentle westerly wind [3] sent behind them to lean on their sails and drive them home. The rowers did not have to touch the oars.
For nine days and nights the wind carried them across the calm surface, and on the tenth day their homeland appeared on the horizon. They were already so close to the goal! Odysseus himself held the sail ropes, directing the direction of the ship himself to see home as soon as possible. But suddenly he was overcome by fatigue after so many sleepless nights, and Odysseus fell asleep. As the others noticed, they began to speculate about what was in the bag. All the while, they kept their eyes on him and just imagined what treasures of gold and silver were probably hidden in him. And here the most curious ones suggested: "Let's go and see what's in it!"
They grabbed the bag, untied it and then frrr! - and the winds flew. The bellows collapsed, empty. They hadn't even closed their mouths in astonishment and startle when suddenly a violent storm and storm broke out. All the winds merged into a mighty hurricane, which captivated the ships, spun them on the waves and drove them in the opposite direction. After a while, they found themselves on the high seas, far from their homeland.
Then Odysseus awoke. When he saw what had happened, he was on the verge of despair. He was about to plunge into the sea and end all his misery at once. Fortunately, his manly spirit soon won him again and he began to think about salvation. His companions lamented bitterly over themselves, and they regretted so badly that they were so curious. Meanwhile, the ships were approaching Aiol Island again. The sailors disembarked, strengthened with food and drink, and Odysseus and two other species went to Aiol to ask for his forgiveness and new help.
They entered the palace and remained grievous at the door. As soon as the recent hosts saw them, tatam was their kindness. "What do you want here?" They asked angrily. "We sent you so carefully that you could return to your homeland effortlessly, and you're here again!"
Odysseus plucked up his courage and wanted to explain the evil accident to them: "Don't be angry, friends, and help us once again! I have fallen asleep and curious swimmers ... "But King Aiolos did not even allow him to speak and scolded him," Whether you are gone with your damnation! You have rebelled against the gods, get out of here! ”

Odysseus sighed and mourned loudly, but Aiolos was adamant. His house closed for them forever. All they had to do was board the ships and set out for an unknown fate. The swimmers soon tasted the fruits of their curiosity. They had to row until there was sweat, because the wind was no longer favorable.

They sailed for six days and six nights until they reached the land of the wild giant man-eaters far to the west. Their names were Laistrýgon. [4] They sailed into a narrow, long bay, surrounded on all sides by steep rocks. Odysseus tied his ship to a rock, a short distance from the other ships. Then he climbed the rock and looked around. However, he saw nowhere cultivated fields or gardens, only in the distance he saw smoke. And there he sent two swimmers with a herald for reconnaissance.
They set off immediately. In front of the city, they met a girl who was at a water well. She was the daughter of the local king. The messengers approached her and asked her who the king was and where she lived. "My father is king here," the girl said, leading them to her father's palace.
When they entered, they froze in horror. The woman stood there like a mountain, and when she saw them, she sent for her husband. The king returned from the assembly, but did not welcome the guests, did not say a word, but grabbed one of them and ate it. As the other two recovered from their fright, they put their feet on their shoulders and crept toward the ships.
Meanwhile, the cannibal king ran into the city, calling to the other giants with a terrible roar. A whole cloud of them, those terrible giants, rushed like an avalanche to the shore. They broke pieces of rock and began throwing them down into the harbor, where Odysseus' anchors were moored. Terrible thunder, screams and horror reigned in all the ships that shattered under the weight of the boulders. The giants stabbed swimmers with long spears and handed them to the bloody throws.
Odysseus quickly cut the rope of his ship and loudly commanded all the species to immediately sit by the oars and save themselves from destruction. They did so immediately, but the giants were faster. Only Odysseus' ship and its crew escaped the devastation, all the others, including the swimmers, ended up on the seabed. Deep sorrow filled the hearts of Odysseus and his companions over the painful loss. They were far out to sea, far from the land of the raw giants, and they still had tears, and they all seemed to be dumb.
They sailed and sailed as they approached another island on which they had ascended. They spent two days and two nights there, tired and sad, and it was not until the third day that Odysseus himself went on a reconnaissance mission. He took his sword and spear and walked up the path to look around. He climbed a steep rock and thought he saw smoke. It really was smoke. He came from the house where the powerful witch Kirke lived. [5] Otherwise there were no living souls on that island. I went back to his companions to discuss with them what to do. Suddenly, a stout deer emerged from the thicket and walked slowly to the pasture. Odysseus drew his spear and knocked down the deer with one blow. He tied him with a rope made of wicker, slung it over his shoulders, and happily headed for the boat.

There he was greeted with great joy. Everyone gathered around him, and Odysseus encouraged them, "Keep your head up, friends, as long as we have something to eat and drink. With the help of the immortal gods, we will overcome all the miseries that await us. ”Then they roasted delicious meat on skewers, ate and drank until evening, and then went to bed. In the morning, Odysseus summoned them and said, "This island seems to be surrounded by the sea all around, the ends of which cannot be seen. But I saw smoke through the trees, we have to go find out who lives here. "

They all burst into tears as they remembered the one-eyed Cyclops and the giants of the cannibal, and feared what awaited them. But crying is a bad helper. Therefore, Odysseus divided all the remaining swimmers into two equal groups and immediately threw a lot, which of them will go on scouts. The lot fell on a squadron led by Odysseus' relative Eurylochos. Then the two divisions said goodbye, and Eurylochos set out with his twenty-two men. The witch Kirka's house was easy to find. It was beautifully built of smooth stones in a forest valley. But around him - horror terrifying! - lions and wolves themselves. Unnecessarily, however, the scouts were frightened, the beasts were not evil and did not harm anyone. They were enchanted by Kirc's spells. They made sense, as if they were still human. They ran around, licking like dogs and looking sad. If only they could talk and warn the strangers not to come in!
However, they had already come to the door of Kirka's residence and stopped for a moment. There was a beautiful singing from inside. Kirk sang it while diligently weaving beautiful fabrics. One of the swimmers then shouted loudly for the witch to hear. She went out immediately and invited them inside. Everyone went after her, except for Eurylochos. He knew a trick, so he stayed out. Kirke led the guests to one of the rooms, invited them to sit down, and brought them delicious food and wine. But first she mixed harmful spells into everything. When they ate and drank, she swung a magic wand at each of them, and they all turned into grunting bristle pigs.

Kirke locked them in a pigsty and poured them into the troughs of acorns and beeches.

As soon as Eurylochos noticed what had happened, he flew like a wind to the ship to tell the others. He ran short of breath to Odysseus, but he couldn't say a word. He choked on grief and crying. Odysseus kept urging him to let go of lamentation, preferring to say what had happened. When Eurylochos calmed down a bit, he told them what he had seen. Odysseus didn't think long. He grabbed his sword, bow, and arrows and called on Euryloch to lead him to the witch. But Eurylochos fell to his knees, begging for everything in the world not to take him with him, and advised everyone to leave quickly if they did not want to experience a similar fate. So Odysseus did not force him and went alone.
He was already descending into the sacred valley, and he could see Kir's house in front of him. Suddenly, where he got married, he walked against him, others walking with a gold bar. He was the god Hermes in the form of a charming young man. He shook Odysseus' hand and said:
"Are you going so alone, unhappy man?" Your companions are in Kirka's house in a pigsty and they are pigs. Do you want to help them? I don't think you'd come back from there in your human form. But I will protect you from any disaster. Take this magical herb, which is more effective than Kirka's spells. When Kirke hands you an enchanted drink and hits you with a twig, draw your sword and pounce on her as if you want to kill her. Nothing will happen to you, and you will easily overcome it. ”As soon as he said that, he disappeared like a breeze.
In a moment, Odysseus stood fearlessly in front of Kirk's residence and shouted loudly. Kirke came, opened it, and invited him inside. She offered him a chair adorned with silver and poured him a glass of wine mixed with magic into a golden glass. When Odysseus drank, she whipped him with a wand and called out, "Go to the pigsty and lie down to your companions!" Kirke cried out in horror, fell to the ground, hugged his legs [7], and spoke with a moved mind without concealing astonishment:
"Stranger, what kind of strange man are you that my magic drink doesn't affect you? Such a guest has not been with me yet. Aren't you the clever Odysseus? The god Hermes once told me that Odysseus would come here when he returned from Troy. But hide the sword now, don't worry, I won't hurt you. "
But Odysseus wanted to be sure, so he called on Kirk to confirm her words by swearing. Only then did he trust her and hide the sword. Kirke then had the bath prepared so that Odysseus could refresh himself and her helper, the charming fairies, bring an abundance of food and drink to the table. However, Odysseus was very sad and did not touch anything. When Kirké wondered why he did not eat and sat dumb, Odysseus told her:
"How can I rejoice and eat when my friends have been affected by such an accident? Get rid of the disaster, let me see them again as human beings, and then we will all rejoice together. "
The witch complied with his request. She left the room, unlocked the shed, and let the pig out. Then she walked between them and painted a special spell on everyone. Their bristles immediately fell, lost their animal form and became human again. They were more beautiful and shapely than before. They entered the room where Odysseus was waiting, and the cheers of the happy reunion did not end. They cried with joy, hugged and couldn't help themselves to the transformation. Kirke then urged Odysseus to go to shore, pull the ship ashore, hide the spoils of war and ship's tools, and then return and bring other species.
Odysseus immediately got up and headed for the shore. As the comrades saw him, the same cheers and joy broke out as if they were already at home. They surrounded Odysseus and longed to know how other friends had perished. "Pull out the ship, and then you will see them," Odysseus said cheerfully, "they are in Kirka's house, eating and drinking whatever their throats want."

When they were done, Odysseus led them to Kir's house, where they were convinced that the ruler had not comforted them. They met happily with those who had already mourned. Now they were drowning in immense joy. Throughout the year, they ate, drank, and rejoiced in the house of the divine sorceress, forgetting all the sorrows they had experienced before. After a year, they themselves reminded Odysseus that it was necessary to think of returning. Odysseus gladly acknowledged this and asked Kirk not to delay them any longer, and to take them home, that everyone was longing for her precious homeland.

Kirke didn't stop them. She just told Odysseus what else awaited him: "Before you leave here, you must go to the underworld and ask the famous Thebanian seer Teiresius for another fate. When you deal with this blind old man, then you will set out on the return journey and I will give you everything you need. "
Odysseus was startled to hear of the underworld. He didn't even know where to get there. "Don't worry about it," Kirke comforted him, "you'll get on the boat and the wind will carry you there. You will make a sacrifice to the underworld gods, and then you will meet a seer and he will tell you when and how you will get home. ”
In the morning, Odysseus called his entire retinue and told her what Kirké had told him. They all wept and lamented in vain, for they were afraid of the way. Odysseus gave them courage and rejoiced that he would descend into the underworld alone. Kirke gave them a black scapegoat and a black lamb. Then they all boarded the ship and set sail. Only one man was missing in full force, not too brave and little far-sighted Elpénór. He fell off the roof, where he rested after drinking a lot of wine, and killed himself. His soul had already entered the gloomy realm of the dead, where Odysseus was about to go.
They sailed comfortably all day, and in the evening they approached the entrance to the underworld. [8] A thick fog hung everywhere, never penetrated by the sun's rays, sadness and longing for the wheels. Odysseus descended into the underworld and performed the sacrifice, as Kirke advised. He dug a hole in the ground and filled it with the blood of sacrificial animals. As he did so, crowds of souls began to gather there, terrifying that Odysseus was terrified and chilled. The soul of the slain rower approached first, begging Odysseus to bury his dead body when he returned to Kir's Island. Odysseus willingly promised the dead species, and the soul withdrew again.
Then she approached the hole with the blood of Odysseus' mother's soul, but Odysseus had to repel her with regret and speak first with the Theban seer. After all, his spirit was already coming. He carried a golden scepter and headed for Odysseus. He recognized him, drank the dark blood, and addressed him as follows:
"Did you, unfortunate man, come to these mournful places where the living do not enter? Do you long to return to your sweet homeland? Many, many more to try. The god Poseidon is angry with you for blinding his son. But you could still happily return home if none of your kind touched the sacred herds of Helium. Those adorable herds graze on the island you are sailing to. God Helios sees and hears everything from heaven, he cannot be deceived, remember it well and warn his friends in time. If any of you hurt those herds, then your return is over. You will all perish with the ship, and if you alone escape destruction, you will return home late and in a deplorable state, on a foreign ship and at home you will see terrible destruction. Your house will be full of arrogant men who will steal your property, destroy everything, and severely torment your faithful wife Penelope to marry one of them. You will then punish them properly and live to a long, happy age, but what else can you try! But everything will be different if you heed my warnings. "

Then the seer walked away, and his mother's soul came to Odysseus. She drank blood to remember her past life, then immediately recognized her son and said in joyful cries:

"How did you get here, my son? Are you only now returning from the Trojan War? Haven't you been home yet and talked to your wife? ”
Then Odysseus replied, "Dear mother, I have not been home yet. I have been wandering the world for a long time, and I have visited these places to ask the seer for my return. And what was your death like? And is my father still alive? And what about my son Telemachus? Are they still waiting for my return? ”
"They are waiting, dear son, everyone is longingly waiting for you to return, and most of all your faithful wife. He thinks only of you, he remembers and cries. Your son is healthy and your father, poor thing, too, but he's not going anywhere. He works in the vineyard from spring to winter, but he doesn't like anything and he's just worried that you won't be back for so long. And I - I died of longing for you. Come home soon and tell them everything! ”
Odysseus was extremely moved by what his mother's soul told him. He wanted to hug her and press her to his heart, but she gasped. Then more and more souls came to tell him their destinies. However, he was most surprised to see the souls of the fallen heroes he fought at Troy. He talked to them for a long time and was not surprised.
Then he saw Sisyphus and Tantalus and the other convicts, and trembled with terror. He hurried away from those mournful places and hurried to his companions, who were already waiting for him. They boarded the boat, and as soon as they bounced off the shore, a favorable wind drove them to Kircha's island. They got out there at dusk, went to bed, and buried the slain friend in the morning, as Odysseus had promised his soul.
Soon, Kirke and her assistants came ashore and brought them plenty of food and wine. She went to say goodbye to them, because the rivers were due to leave tomorrow morning. They feasted and drank all day, and as they lay down in the evening to strengthen themselves with their sleep on the road, Kirke took Odysseus's hand and led him a little further. They sat there, and Odysseus told her how he had marched in the underworld. The divine sorceress listened to him intently, then said,
"Remember well what the seer Teiresias told you, but I also want to give you some good advice: When you leave here, you will soon hear a beautiful singing. But woe to you if you could be seduced and come closer to those seductive singers! They are cunningly dangerous Seirenas who, with their singing, intoxicate everyone and then kill them. After all, there is a pile of white bones and the remains of human skin on that flowery meadow on their island. Stick all your swimmers' ears as you sail around, but you can listen to their singing if you want. Command your companions to tie you tightly to the mast, and if you ask them the most to loosen you, let them tighten the ropes!

Once you escape this danger, you won't have won. I want to advise you to get away with healthy skin. First, you approach two high overhanging rocks, which are hit by a terrible sea wave. No ship sails there without disaster. The planks of broken ships and the corpses of sailors then toss in the immense surf whenever a swimmer dares to pass through. Avoid the surf!

Then you will see two other rocks. One reaches up to the stars, the other is lower. Inside the high rocky mountain high above the sea is a large cave, in and around it there is a thick fog, and in that cave lives a terrible monster, the fear of all creation. Her name is Skylla. [9] Even the gods tremble when they see it. He barks in a horrible voice like a dog, whines and howls disgustingly, and is evil, worse than the most terrible sleigh. He has six pairs of legs, six long-necked necks, at the end of each neck he has a huge head with an open mouth and three rows of thick, large teeth in his mouth. The Black Death looks out of them and indescribable horror. Skylla is hidden in the cave and only her heads protrude. He shines with eyes, hunting dolphins, seals and whales, and then crushing them in those terrible teeth. When a boat happens to float around her cave, she stretches out all her long necks and captures one swimmer with each of her mouths.
The lower rock is not far from it and there lives an underwater monster that absorbs a huge amount of water three times a day. He drinks almost half the sea and spouts the drunk water three times a day. The monster is called Charybdis. If there is a ship nearby, when Charybdis begins to drink water, then not even the sea god Poseidon will save him. In her bottomless maw, the whole ship and all the swimmers disappear. Therefore, it will be better if you drive your ship near Skylla than around Charybda. It is better to lose only six species than to lose them all at once. "
When Odysseus heard this advice, he thought for a long moment. He wondered how he would do it to avoid Charybda and defend Skylle. And he asked Kirka, "Tell me, goddess, wouldn't it be possible to fight Scylla?"
Kirke replied:

"You speak too boldly, Odyssee, Skylla is an immortal being, terrible, invincible, resistance to her would only harm you. If you were late at her cave, you would be captivated by six other swimmers, six after them, and soon you would all end up in her stomach. That's why it's best to run away. Lean with all your might into the oars and quickly get away from her! One of those monsters can be avoided, but not both. You better avoid Charybdis!

Then you arrive at the island, where Helium's herds graze. There are as many shiny cows as there are days in the year, and as many sheep as there are nights in the year. Those herds do not decrease or reproduce. The seer in the underworld has already told you about them. If you want to see your homeland, you must not even touch them. And even so, great misery will await you. ”
They didn't even notice that morning was approaching. After all, Kirke had already told Odyssee everything she had on her mind. She said goodbye to him and returned to her home.
Odysseus woke the swimmers, and they all boarded the ship and took their oars. As they bounced off the shore, Kirke sent a favorable wind behind them. The ship roamed a slightly calm surface. Then Odysseus stood up and told them in a tight voice what awaited them on the way back. He first told them about the island of the poor Seiren, for they were already approaching it.
Odysseus quickly grabbed a large disk of wax, sliced ​​it into small pieces, and kneaded it with his hands to soften and be pliable. Then he sealed the ears of all the swimmers and tied himself tightly to the mast. It was a supreme time, for the honeyed voice of the magical Seirens was already above the clear, calm surface. Only Odysseus heard their seductive song:

Get closer to us, stranger, come,

stop your ship fast
listen, listen to us!
Any of the people will hear us,
they will hurry after our singing,
let him sail with species, let him alone!
The pleasures of full return
the level of calm waves
wiser than he was before.
We know what's going on anywhere
nobody hurts here,
hurry to see the wonder!

This was just the beginning of their magical singing, and Odysseus was already giving his eyes a signal to the species to release him and head for the island of the singers. But as if unaffected, they leaned in the oars and, tilted forward, propelled the ship to safety. Then two of them jumped up to him and pulled the ropes on him even tighter. They were saved. After a while, they removed the wax from their ears and freed Odysseus from voluntary bondage.

Suddenly they saw a terrible wave. The waves roared, steam billowing above them like clouds of smoke, and the rocks around them screamed menacingly. Frost ran down the swimmers' backs and the oars fell out of their hands with a start. Then Odysseus rose again, encouraging them to row quickly and avoid the place where the couples were coming out. He ordered the helmsman to lead the ship near the rock so that the terrible surf would not shatter them. The helmsman obeyed and used all his skill to save the ship. He did it. Everyone breathed deeply as they sailed back to the calm surface.

But the most difficult part of the journey awaited them, the predatory Skylla and the voracious Charybdis. Odysseus preferred not to mention the monsters. Swimmers would certainly be petrified with fear. However, he himself stared intently at the rock where Skylla lived. He ignored Kirc's warning. He grabbed two long spears and crossed to the front of the ship to resist Skylle. His eyes faded as he looked intently at the rock, but saw nothing in the mist. Instead, the swimmers turned their gaze to the lower rock, from which there was a terrible rumble. The water sighed, hummed, foam sprayed up to the top of the rock, and as it fell with the water back, it sprinkled both rocks. Suddenly, Charybdis began to drink water. In the cavities of the rock, it screamed and noisily, a huge vortex formed, visible to the bottom of the sea. Everyone was terrified.

And as they trembled and marveled, Skylla suddenly threw out her long-necked necks and grabbed six swimmers from Odysseus's ship. The other companions saw only their legs and arms above their heads and heard their desperate cries. They fluttered like fish on a fishing rod, calling the poor to help Odysseus, who stared helplessly at them with wide eyes and couldn't help them. They raised their hands to him in vain. After a while, Skylla could be heard crushing them in her lair with her terrible teeth. Neither Odysseus nor his companions had seen anything more terrible in their lives.

For a long time, everyone was desperate and just moaned in pain. Meanwhile, they were approaching that beautiful island where Helium's divine flocks were grazing. The roar of cows and the roar of sheep could be heard from the sea. Odysseus immediately remembered the wary warning of the seer Teiresius and the witch Kirka that no one would touch them. And he commanded the swimmers to row, and to avoid the island.

But the rebellious Eurylochos gathered all the men around him and persuaded them to resist Odysseus and sail nowhere for the night. He easily persuaded them, for they were tired and frightened by all the horrors and wanted to rest. Odysseus recognized that everyone was dashing to perdition, but he did nothing. So at least he begged them to swear an oath that they wouldn't hurt Helium's herds, and that they would only take from the food Kirké gave them. They promised and swore. They went ashore, strengthened themselves with food and drink, and went to bed.
But in the morning a fierce storm arose with a terrible storm, and black clouds covered the sky and the earth. The swimmers quickly hid the ship in a safe cave. Odysseus again commanded them to eat and drink only from their own supplies and not dare to kill a single piece from the flocks of the sun-god who sees and hears everything. And perhaps they would have complied with the ban. But the storm raged for a month, they could not dare to set sail, and supplies of food and drink ran out. Swimmers drove away hunger by hunting birds and fish, but that was far from enough.
As their stomach grew hungry, Odysseus went a little farther to the island, where he prayed in a quiet corner to the gods for help to quell the storm and allow them to set sail. But the gods sent him a sweet sleep, and he fell asleep in prayer.
Meanwhile, Eurylochos reassembled the swimmers and spoke to them as follows: "Every death is terrible, but the worst of all is starvation. Let's go and kill the best pieces from Helium's herds. When we return home, we will build a temple for God and ask him for mercy. But if he is angry with us now and kills us at sea, it is better to die at once than to die so slowly. "
They all found him right and did as he advised. They brought in the best pieces of cattle, prayed, then killed them and prepared a sacrifice for Helius. Then they roasted meat on a spit and ate. Meanwhile, Odysseus awoke to smell the smoke and smell of flesh. He choked painfully, begged the gods for mercy, and hurried to the lost species. But before his request reached heaven, Helios was already at the almighty Zeus, complaining about the crime and threatening not to continue to shine on people or the gods unless Zeus punished the stupid, criminal men. Zeus promised him that he would smash their ships with lightning and sink them into the depths of the sea.
What could Odysseus have done when Helium's sacred beasts had already been killed? What were valid agreements and remorse? He was sure that the willful act would not go unpunished. Even bad signs foretold it: raw meat and meat roasted on skewers mourned miserably, and the skinned skin moved alive. Horror look! For six days the swimmers enjoyed the sacred flesh in this way, and it was not until the seventh day, when the wind died down, that they sailed out to sea.
They were far from the coast, the island was no longer visible when the sky suddenly darkened and the sea darkened. A strong wind spun the ship, tore all the ropes, and the high mast jumped. He landed on the helmsman and smashed his head. He flew down from the deck and was immediately dead. Suddenly the sky lit up, thundered, and a zigzag lightning struck the ship. He split it like a shell. The swimmers fell out, tossing in the waves for a while longer, but none of them escaped the black death.
Only Odysseus grabbed the ship's keel, sat on it, and the winds carried him wherever they pleased. He sailed like this all night, death was still within reach, and when the sun came up in the morning he was horrified, he did not let his soul out: he was near Skylla and Charybda. The underwater monster Charybdis had just begun to draw in. At that moment, Odysseus rose to the tree that grew from the rock and hung there like a bat until the danger passed. Then, when Charybdis threw the mast and the keel again, Odysseus jumped into the water, sat down on his barge again, and bounced with his hands.

For nine days and nine nights he was carried away by the wind, and on the tenth night he approached the great lonely island on which he ascended. The nymph Calypso, a powerful goddess, lived on that island. This beautiful fairy still lived there alone, none of the gods or people visited her. When the castaway Odysseus came to her, she received him as kindly as possible. She gave him a beautiful robe, brought him plenty of food and drink, hosted him, and cared for him carefully. She soon became so fond of him that she longed for him to be her husband. She promised him that he would be young forever and that he would make him immortal if he stayed with her and did not think of returning home.

But Odysseus often left the nymph's cozy mansion, followed by vines with large grapes, and in front of which were four wells of crystal water and meadows full of fragrant violets and other flowers. He left the cave, protected by a lush forest full of birdsong, and hurried daily to the seashore, where he wept and wept. He remembered home, his wife, his son, his old father Laert, and he longed to see the smoke from his dear homeland.
He had been on the shores of the island for seven years, sitting on a rock all day, looking with tears in his eyes at the side where his native Ithaca was. So he mourned painfully there, lamenting that he was sorry for the gods, and most of all for the goddess Athena. At her intercession, Zeus sent Hermes to the nymph Calypse, telling her not to delay Odysseus anymore and sent him on his way home.
Hermes flew over distant lands and wide seas and descended in front of the dwelling of a noble fairy. He went inside and handled Dio's message to her. Calypso was horrified by his words, and her heart trembled at the thought of Odysseus leaving her. She bitterly complained to Herm about the cruelty of the gods:
"I saved him from certain death, I took care of him and wished he would become my husband. Even if I submit to Zeus' will with pain in my heart, I can't give him a ship or a guide, just good advice. "
"And that's enough for him," Hermes assured her, "he is an extremely clever man and will take your advice wisely."
And the divine nymph obeyed Calypso and submitted to Zeus. She followed Odyssey to the seashore and told him:
"Don't worry anymore, Odyssee, and get ready to go. Take an ax, cut down trees and make a solid vessel. Then I will give you enough food and drink with you so that you do not have a shortage, and I will send a favorable wind behind you to sail comfortably. "

Odysseus' face suddenly brightened and he set to work with gusto. He was done with work in four days. Calypso remembered him with a magnificent robe, supplied him with all his necessities, and said goodbye to him. Odysseus set sail and happily sailed out to sea.

He had been sailing for seventeen days and nothing bad had happened to him. Suddenly he cheered as he saw the ground nearby. But on the eighteenth day, Poseidon saw him returning from a feast from his beloved mourners. [10] He was extremely angry that the other gods wanted to help Odyssee behind him and allow him to return home after so many years. He immediately gathered all the clouds together, encouraged the raging winds to meet each other, and stirred up the sea with his mighty trident. Darkness enveloped the sky and the sea.
Suddenly, a great wave rolled in, spinning Odysseus' boat like a shell, the wind leaning against the sails, tearing them apart, breaking the mast and shattering the ship to pieces. Odysseus disappeared into the waves. His eyes darkened. He had seen before him a terrible ending at the bottom of the sea. He barely lifted his head from the waves, spat out salt water from his mouth, and went after the wreckage of his boat. At the last moment, he caught them desperately and tossed on the turbulent surface where the wind carried him. When the sea goddess Leukothea [11] saw him, she came down to him and said:
"Poor Odyssey, why is the god Poseidon so angry with you? But don't be afraid, it can't kill you if it's not the will of other gods. Take off the water-soaked clothing that weighs you down, jump into the water and bounce off your hands like a swimmer. Take this veil, wrap it around your chest and the sea won't hurt you in any way. When you reach the mainland, throw it back into the water. ”Then the goddess plunged into the waves and disappeared. Odysseus did as she commanded.
Again, the god Poseidon saw him struggling with the waves, and he thought, "Well, you will experience something before you reach land, but be, I will not notice you yet." And he went to his palace. At that moment, Athena calmed all the turbulent winds and calmed the sea. She let only the wind blow, which carried Odysseus to the mainland. But he still suffered a lot in the two days and two nights he relied on his arms. Then on the third day he finally saw the earth. He rejoiced immensely and sailed as fast as he could to escape the sea.
However, he was terrified when he suddenly heard a terrible roar at the coastal rocks. There the waves crashed against the cliffs; he drove them to a strong surf and threatened Odysseh to throw him on a rock, where he would break his head. The sea was boiling with a roar, and there was no place to get out. He was already completely exhausted and fainted, and that was the only way he kept on the waves. The sea in those places was deep and rocky. At that moment, a new powerful wave seized him and drove him violently to the cliff.
Then Odysseus would have perished if Athena had not held her protective hand over him and had given him the saving thought of still floating near the rocks when he found a place where he could ascend to the mainland. So he sailed on and reached the mouth of the river that flowed into the sea. He stepped ashore. He was shaking all over and falling exhausted.
He lay dead. His hair was full of sea sludge, and water flowed from his nose and mouth. When he regained consciousness and strength returned to his hands and feet, he threw the magic veil that protected him from drowning, and the goddess took it again. Then, full of gratitude and happiness, he kissed the ground and went to find some shelter where he would sleep safely. He climbed into the thick bushes near the water, piled up a lot of leaves in his hiding place, and lay down to sleep. He fell asleep quickly and hard after such exhaustion and after so many horrors.
The Faiaks lived on the island, far from all the people. [12] They were peaceful swimmers and had miracle ships. Their ships had human reason, knew all the lands and cities, and hit themselves everywhere, without a helmsman. Only the oarsmen drove them with the oars. They only sailed at night and were so fast that not even the fastest bird would be enough for them. The gods had great love for the Faiaks and went to feasts for them. The king of this blissful nation was named Alkinoos. He was very wise, powerful and famous. He had a beautiful daughter Nausikau.
The goddess Athena appeared to her in a dream and invited her to go to the river in the morning to do her laundry. Nausikaa obeyed, and as dawn broke, she rode with her companions to the water. When they were done with the laundry, they spread it out in the sun and enjoyed playing with the ball. Suddenly the ball flew into the water. The girls shouted, and Odysseus, who was sleeping nearby, woke up.
He couldn't remember for a long time where he was and what had happened to him. But the scream was the voice of some girls. So he decided to go with his own eyes to see where he was going. He broke a large leafy branch to cover himself a little and not walk naked. When the girls saw him, they immediately fled, because he thought he was terrible. It was disfigured by sea mud, swollen and scratched like a stimulus. Only Nausikaá remained on the lawn.

Odysseus was amazed at her beauty. He didn't know if there was a mortal woman or a goddess standing in front of him. Therefore, he was embarrassed if he should kneel in front of her or beg her only from a distance to give him a dress and give him food. He was terribly hungry. He decided it was better not to go to her so that she wouldn't run away. And he stood a little farther, and said thus to her,

"Hear me, madam, whether you are a goddess or a mortal woman! For nineteen days I had been stalking the sea more dead than alive, and it was not until the twentieth day that I reached the mainland. I don't even know where I am. Give me some clothes and show me the way to the city to ask for help in returning home. You are so noble and beautiful! A happy man who will get you for a wife one day. May the gods fulfill all your wishes and may you be happy all your life! ”
Nausikaá replied, "Don't be afraid, stranger! Every petitioner who comes to us will receive what he asks for. You came among the Faiians who live at the very end of the world. I will show you the way to the city so that you can visit my father, who is the king of this country. "
Then she called the other girls so they wouldn't be afraid and came to her. As they ran, she told them, "This poor guy is wandering the world, we have to take him. After all, guests and beggars are sent by Zeus himself. Take him to a sheltered place by the river so that he can take a bath, and prepare food and drink for him to eat. "
The girls immediately obeyed. They led Odysseus to the river and brought him clothes and oil so he could paint after a bath. When he washed away all the sludge and dirt and got dressed, Athena endowed him with the beauty and charm of youth. As he returned from the river, Nausikaá exclaimed in astonishment at her companions, "Just look at how the stranger has changed! He was ugly a while ago, and now he's beautiful as a god. I wish he stayed here forever - how I would like to! But now go and let him eat and drink! ”
Odysseus ate like a wolf, for he had not had a bite in his mouth for so many days. Meanwhile, Nausikaá hitched up the car, loaded the laundry, and invited Odyssey:
"Now hear what I tell you. In my father's house you will meet the leading men of our nation. Keep following my chariot, and when we get to the city, you will wait there in the sacred grove in front of the walls. I don't want bad talk and slander about me, as is often the case when people see a single girl going with a man. They would immediately say that I am having a groom. That's why you'll wait a while to get home, and then you'll enter the city. Every child will tell you where King Alkino's palace is. When you enter it, go quickly through the men's rooms, don't stop and go to my mother first. You will see her sitting by the fireplace and weaving beautiful robes. Her father is sitting by her side. But in the meantime, you'll miss it and fall at my mother's feet first. If you win her favor, then you will get everything and you no longer have to worry about returning home. "
Odysseus was happy to promise that he would be happy to do as she wished. As they approached the city, the sun was setting. Odysseus entered the sacred grove and prayed to the goddess Athena to get happily among the Faiians and arouse in them compassion and love. Athena heard him. As he entered the city, she covered him with a thick fog so that no one could see him. Then she took on the form of a young girl, carried a watering can in her hand and came to meet him. Odysseus went to her and begged her:
"Girl, would you show me where King Alkinoos lives? I am a foreigner prosecuted by misfortune and I do not know anyone here. "
The girl nodded and led him to the royal palace. Then she said to him, "Go and seek the queen first. She is very kind and everyone loves her. ”Then she disappeared.
Odysseus opened the golden door and stepped inside. Everything there shone with gold and silver. He had never seen such splendor. The king's chambers were guarded by golden and silver dogs, immortal, eternally young. They were made by the divine artist Hephaestus. For a long time, he also marveled at the beautiful boys (they were also made of gold), who held flaming torches in their hands and lit the guests for the journey as they met for an evening in the evening. Around the palace were charming gardens where fruit was ripe all year round, and behind them a pleasant vineyard where wine was still ripening.
Recovering in amazement at the unique spectacle, Odysseus hurried through the house to find the queen. As he entered the banquet hall, Athena dispelled the mist in which he was still shrouded. All the assembled guests fell silent when they saw the stranger, and looked at him curiously. At that moment, Odysseus fell at the queen's feet and begged her:
"Noble Queen, I come with a request to your wife and to your precious guests. I have been wandering the world for a long time, experiencing terrible hardships, and I would like to return to my homeland. Give me a ship and a guide and put an end to my suffering. For this, may the favor and blessings of the gods accompany you throughout your life! ”
When he had finished, he sat down by the fire. [13] But the king immediately took him by the hand, lifted him, and seated him in a magnificent chair beside him, where the ruler's beloved son sat. By the time Odysseus recovered, the servants were already bringing an abundance of food and drink to honor the troubled guest, whom everyone immediately trusted. As Odysseus ate, the king urged his counselors and city leaders to disperse to their homes. "Then tomorrow we will convene a meeting and consult as I should.

"Alkinoos said goodbye to them."

The guests left, leaving only Odysseus and the king and queen in the room. The queen immediately recognized the familiar skirt, and the cloak Odysseus was wearing, wondering where she had it from, so she asked him, "Tell us, dear guest, where are you coming from and who gave you the dress?"
Odysseus thought about it and said, "It would take a long time, Queen, to describe what I have experienced. None of the mortals experienced more misery and trouble than I did. I lived on the island of Ogygia for seven years, where I was cared for by the noble nymph Kalypsó. She accepted me as a poor castaway. Zeus smashed my ship and sank with it all my kind. The waves carried me to the ship's beam to her island. The fairy liked me and wanted me to stay with her. She promised me immortality when I became her husband. However, I was dying of homesickness and my faithful wife. Nymph Kalypso didn't want to let me go, but in the end she had to say goodbye to me. Perhaps the gods commanded her. I made a new boat and returned home. Nothing bad has happened to me for seventeen days. But what I have experienced in the following days cannot be said. Poseidon broke my ship and I just escaped with my life. Rather dead than alive, I caught a wave of sea waves on a river, and there I went ashore. I fell tired. Then I found a sheltered place to sleep and fell asleep hard. I don't even know how long I slept until I was suddenly awakened by a girl's cry.
I went by the voice and there on the shore I met your noble daughter. At first I thought she was a goddess. When I asked her for help, she took me in, fed me and lent me this dress. I would never have believed that such a girl would do as sensibly and bravely as your daughter did at that moment. So I told you in at least a few words how I got to your country. "
King Alkinoos kept his eyes on the Odyssey. He also wished in his mind that Odysseus would not leave them again. How he would like to give such a man his daughter as a wife!
Then he turned to Odysseus and said, "Tomorrow we will discuss your return, unless you give otherwise and do not want to stay with us - you would be here as if among your own. But we must not hold you back against your will. Our ships will then take you home, and you will sleep peacefully. When you wake up, you'll be home. But now is the time to strengthen yourself with sleep. "
The queen ordered the maids to make Odysseus a bed. How gladly Odysseus went to bed! He was overjoyed and warmly thanked the gods for seeing home soon.
In the morning, the king called a meeting of the people, at which crowds of citizens came. Everyone enthusiastically agreed with his proposal to transport the unknown stranger to their homeland and give him wonderful gifts in memory. The king ordered the swimmers to prepare the ship and invited the others to come to the palace for a banquet. And there were men in the hive, and they filled the court and all the rooms within. They also called for the blind singer to come and please them with his divine art. His name was Demodokos.
The blind man grabbed the lute and accompanied his singing through the play. He sang about the fighting at Troy, about the suffering of the Greeks and their return. He described everything as vividly as if he were there alone. Odysseus could not control his crying. And he closed his face inconspicuously, wiping away secret tears and sobbing painfully. No one noticed, only the king. So he motioned for the singer to stop and said, "We've had enough of music and singing, now let's go and test our strength in racing games!"
He went ahead himself and the others followed. Odysseus watched carefully discus throwing, javelin throwing, archery, fist wrestling, running and jumping, and finally the masterful dances of the Thai artists. And not just watching. He also took part in the races, won them and gained the admiration and respect of everyone. The Faiaks brought him many wonderful gifts to the royal palace.
When the games were over, all the guests went to the palace again. The sun had already set. The king had a beautiful chest brought in and the gifts of the Faiian nobles inserted into it. The queen added a beautiful skirt and cloak to them, and the king gave Odysseus a golden cup in memory. Then the queen ordered a bath to be prepared so that Odysseus could refresh himself and apply fragrant oil after the races. When he washed and put on a beautiful robe, he returned to the banquet hall. Princess Nausikaá saw him here. Astonished at his beauty, she said goodbye, "Hail, dear guest, and when you come home, remember me someday!"
Odysseus replied, "Noble Nausikao, if I return home, I will worship you every day with my prayer as a goddess, for you have saved my life."
Then he went to sit in his chair. The announcer was already bringing the blind musician inside. Odysseus turned to him and praised him for his beautiful account of the hardships of the Trojan battles and the painful return of the heroes, and begged him to sing about the wooden horse that had helped the Greeks conquer Troy. The blind man complied, tuned the strings and sang. He also sang about Odysseus demolishing the Trojan houses. Odysseus could no longer overcome it, a stream of tears welled up in his eyes and he barked and lamented as if he were experiencing the horrors again.

And the king arose, and said,

"Ever since the divine singer began to sing to us, our guest sighs and sheds tears. He feels like he was unspeakable. So let the singer be silent so that we can all rejoice in one another. Everyone must respect guests and petitioners and not cause them to cry. And you, guest, finally tell us your name and tell us where your homeland is so that our ships can take you there. And also tell us why you wept when our singer sang about the Trojan War. Did a relative or even a brother fall there? And where did you wander everywhere and what did you experience? Tell us! ”
Odysseus replied, "Famous king and special guests, I will no longer hide anything from you. I am the Odysseus, famous all over the world for his cleverness and suffering. After all, even your divine singer knows my name and sang about me. My birthplace is poor Ithaca, where I was king. I have experienced a lot and I have seen a lot, but I can tell you that there is nothing sweeter in the world than my homeland, my lovely fatherland and my parents. All the treasures of the world are not against it. That's why I long to see my home shores! But now I will tell you everything I have experienced from the first day after the conquest of Troy. "
There was a grave silence in the room as Odysseus described how he punished the raw Cyclops, how he was the guest of Aiola, the king of the winds, and how he then got to other giant cannibals. No one even breathed when he spoke of the witch Kirc, the journey into the underworld, the touching encounter with his dead mother, the seductive Seirenes, the terrible Skylle and Charybda, the herds of Helium, the sinking of the ship and the deaths of their kind, and finally when he remembered the miserable the journey from the nymph Calypsy and the arrival to the land of the Faiians, their last hosts.
The silence that prevailed as he narrated long after it was over. So everyone was moved by his fate. After a while, the king said, "But now you will not wander and see your homeland tomorrow. All the precious robes and golden gems that our noble men have remembered, you have already put together in a beautiful chest, and tomorrow you will have all those things and new gifts on the ship, and then you will sail home at night. ”Then they all left for their homes and went to sleep.
The next day the servants brought all the gifts into the ship, and the king himself oversaw it. Then he held a farewell party. Odysseus thanked for all the blessings and called the blessings of the gods on the king and his family, and then with joy in his heart he went with the swimmers to the harbor. He already had a bed on the ship, and he lay down and slept. In the morning, a miraculous Fai ship arrived on the shores of Odysseus's homeland. The sailors also carried Odysseus out of the ship with a bed and carefully laid him ashore so that he would not wake up. Then they brought out a treasure chest and all the other gifts. They straightened them a short distance from the road so that no one of the travelers could take them away from him. They returned home immediately.
But Poseidon did not forget his anger this time either. He was annoyed that Odysseus had comfortably and safely reached his homeland and escaped all the troubles he still had in store for him. When he could no longer hit him, he punished at least the Faiaks. He turned their speedboat into a rock near their island, making it clear that they would never transport any of the aliens again. But the divine sufferer Odysseus was already at home, and the power of Poseidon could no longer harm him.

When Odysseus woke up, he couldn't believe he was home, in his homeland. Everything seemed quite different to him in those twenty years than it stuck in his memory. He was already angry at the Faiaks for taking him to some foreign land. But then Athena appeared to him in the form of a young shepherd, and she convinced him that he was indeed in his homeland. Odysseus fell to his knees and kissed the expensive, sweet land warmly. Athena turned into a beautiful woman, she was known and said:

"First we will hide in the cave the gifts that the Faiák gave to you of my own free will, and then I will tell you what awaits you at home. For three years now, every day, domestic nobles from the wider area have come to your house and eat your property. They eat and drink, dance and rejoice and force your faithful wife Pénelope to marry one of them. However, she believes in your return and cleverly avoids fulfilling their will. I couldn't look at the intrusion of those intruders any longer.
That is why I recently visited your son Telemach, I put courage in his heart and urged him to put an end to their arrogance. At my command, Telemachus convened an assembly, told the poor people what they thought of them, and made it clear to them that they should go and eat someone else's property. He threatened them with a day of retribution. I raised in his heart the hope that you would certainly return, and I persuaded him to go out into the world and inquire of you. This will only gain fame for all people. Right now, he is late in Sparta with your devoted friend King Menelaus. He also recently returned home. I'll go to Sparta and remind Telemach to get ready for the return trip. Those criminals will be lurking in the strait to kill him, but don't worry, nothing will happen to him. I also reassured your wife not to worry about her son. I appeared to her in a dream as her sister and pleased her in her grief. I'll help you until the end until you punish all the scoundrels as they should. But now I will turn you into a beggar so that no one will recognize you. You will go to the old shepherd Eumai, who is the most faithful of all of you, and then you will meet your son with him. "
Then Athena left for Sparta, and Odysseus was traveling through the wooded area up to the shepherd's hut Eumaia. He really looked like a beggar: he had wrinkles on his forehead, withered cheeks, sunken eyes, disheveled grays, torn dirty lines instead of his previous clothes, he was leaning on a cane, and a leaky bag was swinging around his side. [14]
However, the shepherd's dogs also welcomed him! They let out a loud roar and pounced on him like angry people. Eumaios hardly soothed them and drove them away. Then he spoke kindly to the beggar:

"Old man, you see, they would almost have bitten you, and I would have a new pain. As if I didn't have enough trouble on my own! But let's go to the cottage now, strengthen yourself with food and drink, and then tell me about your sufferings. ”

Odysseus rejoiced greatly that the shepherd had received him so nicely. Eumaios then went out, killed two piglets and baked them on a spit. As he carried this delicacy to the beggar, he lamented:
"Take, dear guest, what a poor servant can honor you with. We must send the best fattened pieces from all the herds to the feasts of the criminal men who are now feasting in my master's house and stealing his property. They believe that he died somewhere long ago, and perhaps that is the case. After all, everyone has returned, only he has not. I take care of him and protect him as much as I can, but what can an old man do against so many rapists? I wish my lord returned, I would die, old man, with joy. And now I have a new concern for his son. Poor man, he went out into the world to look for his father, and now the rapists who are seeking his mother are grazing after him and wanting to kill him. If my master lived and he was here, we wouldn't have such trouble. May the gods protect him if he doesn't end up somewhere on the seabed. But now tell me where you are from, where you have wandered everywhere and what you have experienced. "
Odysseus's heart pounded at the old shepherd's loyalty and devotion, he would gladly hug him and tell him who he was, but he didn't want to reveal himself yet. So he had to make up all sorts of stories about his travels around the world and about his miseries, but he hadn't told him the truth yet. He also mentioned that Odysseus had met him, but the shepherd did not believe it. "You should not lie, old man," the shepherd scolded him, "my lord must be long dead. I'm sorry for what you've been through, but you can't lie to me. "
At that moment the other shepherds were heard bringing the flocks out of the pasture. Eumaios called to them, "Friends, we have a guest here. Choose the best piece in his honor, so that we too can get along with him one day! After all, the strangers in our master's house are still the only ones from our calluses. "
The shepherds immediately obeyed, and Eumaios went to prepare a great feast. After dinner, he made Odysseus a bed by the fire to keep him cool. He himself came out of the cottage and went to bed with the pigs to protect them and take care of them if necessary.
Odysseus was happy to be convinced of Eumai's allegiance. He saw it as a good sign for the future, which posed a great task for him. And that's why he fell asleep contentedly, perhaps most happily in all those long years.
When he awoke in the morning, he got up and helped Eumai prepare breakfast so that the shepherds could eat and leave with their flocks. Soon after they left, Odysseus suddenly heard the joyful whining of dogs and quick footsteps in the yard. He immediately announced it to the shepherd: "Eumaie, someone known to visit is probably coming here, because the dogs don't bark, they crawl towards him ..."

Before he had finished speaking, the door of the porch was opened, and Telemachus the son of Odysseus came in. The old shepherd stood in surprise, the vessels falling from his hands and tears welling up in his eyes. As if after many years, he welcomed his own son. "You, my sweet son, I thought I would not see you again. Come quickly to the living room, sit down and you will tell me everything, let me cover my old heart. "

"Grandpa, you tell me first if my mother is still in the palace or if she has already married one of those naughty grooms. I was not home yet, I come to you first. "The shepherd rejoiced that Telemachus had come to him first, and immediately replied," Your mother is still at home, but she cries all day and night. But let's go inside! ”
Telemachus noticed that the old man had a guest. "Where did the stranger come from, old man?" Eumaia asked. Eumaios replied in a few words about Odysseus' wandering, adding, "I will give it to you now. It is not proper for a servant to beg for a beggar when the master has returned. "
Telemachus replied excitedly, "That's not possible, old man! Old man!" I can't bring a guest to my house. I'm still young and I don't have the strength to defend him until he's hurt. Leave this stranger alone, I'll give him a skirt and a cloak to change, and then we'll send him where he wants. But if you want, keep him with you, I'll send you food for him so he doesn't eat you. He would be sick to me. They would laugh at him and insult him, and they could commit violence against him. They are very rude. "
Odysseus listened with emotion as Telemachus took care of him, the poor beggar, and did not want anyone to harm him. And he turned to him, and fought not to reveal himself, and asked him,
"Friend, my heart is pounding when I hear what's going on in your house. After all, you are so strong and brave, why don't you drive out those scornful grooms? If I were as young as you, they would burn you so that the door wouldn't be enough for them! And even if I were alone against them and even fell, it would be better than keeping an eye on them and watching their crimes. ”
"Stranger, you don't even know how many enemies there are! Everyone goes to see my mother there and waste my father's property. The mother resists marriage, but in the end she will have to consent, because they would have robbed us quite a bit. They threatened not to leave until he married one of them. And you, Eumaie, go to my mother now and tell her that I have returned healthily. But make sure no one else hears it, and come back right away! ”
Pastucha prepared without hesitation, only asking, "Shouldn't I stop by your grandfather's Laert, too?" Ever since you left, he's been on the verge of a grave. She doesn't eat, she doesn't sleep, she doesn't even go to the vineyard anymore and she just cries for you. "
"Don't go there alone," Telemachus commanded, "but tell my mother to tell him secretly." Then the shepherd put on his clothes and left for the city.
As soon as he came out, the goddess Athena approached the hut in the form of a beautiful woman and motioned for Odysseus to come out. She led him aside so that no one could see them, and said,
"Now is the time for you to tell everything to your son and not hide anything from him. Arrange with him how to punish the naughty men, and go to the city at once. I will help you until the end. "
As she said this, she touched Odysseus with a gold wand, and at that moment the ugly, ragged beggar became a beautiful, strong man, shapely, with a black beard and hair and a sparkling eye. Athena disappeared and Odysseus returned to the hut.
Telemachus was astonished. He averted his eyes, frightened that a god had appeared to him. And he stretched forth his hands toward him, and desired mercy. Odysseus couldn't hold on any longer. With open arms, he lunged at his son and said in tears, "I am not a god, dear son, I am Odysseus, your father." He could not speak for tears. But Telemachus did not want to believe. After all, no human could transform from an old man into a young man! "Surely you are one of the celestials who can work miracles."
"Don't be afraid, dear son, and believe me! The goddess Athena transforms me in this way, right into an old man, right into a young man. It's really me - your father - returning home after twenty years. Don't worry, another Odysseus will never come here again. "

Only now did Telemachus believe and weep and throw himself into his father's arms. And perhaps they would cry until luck in the evening. But Telemachus was anxious to know all about his father, so he begged him to tell him what he had been through. But Odysseus also longed to know all about his son. After all, when he left home, Telemachus was still in the cradle.

Therefore, in just a few words, he described to him how he had gotten here from the island of the Faiians, how his miraculous ship had transported him at night, and begged Telemach to tell him first. "I will be able to talk to you about myself, my dear son, for example, all year when we are in our house. Now let's talk briefly, because we have a big task ahead of us. Well, start the ones that made you go out into the world to look for me. "
They sat down and Telemachus said:
"Your old friend visited us once. Now I know that it was the goddess Athena in human form. I was just thinking about you, imagining what you would do if you suddenly came back and saw what was happening. The sudden guest interrupted me at the thought, sat down next to me and talked to me. He told me that I was no longer a child and that I should show those intruders that I was the master of the house. So the guest persuaded me to convene a meeting and complain to the people about my and my mother's suffering and to expel the grooms from the house. If they do not obey me, threatening them with retribution for their wrongdoings and going out into the world in search of you.
I left without my mother's knowledge. The poor man, in order to protect herself from them and at least get rid of them for a while, promised them that she would marry one of them when she made a funeral shroud for her father Láert. But what she weaved during the day she tore apart at night and thus deceived them for a long time. However, this was revealed and they pushed her all the more and forced her to marry. So I rented a boat and secretly went to Pollen [15] to old Nestor, if he knew anything about you.
He knew nothing. He sent me to ask Menela in Sparta that he might know something about you. Menelaus accepted me as a son, hosted me magnificently, but told me nothing but that you were on an island with a fairy, that you were moaning there and longing for home, but that you could not return because you did not have a ship. King Menelaus loves you very much. He still remembers you, and he would give half his life for it if he reunited with you. Well, I stayed with him.
But one night Athena appeared to me in a dream and urged me to come back. She warned me to be careful and taught me how to sail that the criminals were waiting for me and wanted to kill me. And so I said goodbye to the king and his beautiful wife Helena and returned home with many beautiful gifts. I did it as Athena advised me. I sent the boatman to the city first, and I myself went here first to the shepherd Eumaius, the most faithful of all your servants. Well, now I've sent Eumaia to my mother, saying that I have returned healthily — you know that. ”He finished and smiled at his father, who almost devoured his every word.
After a moment of silence, Odysseus said:
"Thank God we met so happily! Now is the last difficult match. And we have to prepare well for that. You will return home tomorrow and join the rapists, as if nothing had happened. Eumaios will take me there a little later. I'll look like a run-down, poor beggar again. When they blunt and insult me, or if they hurt me, you have to put up with it and you can't take action against them. However, they will not insult me ​​for a long time! When I give you a sign, you will take all the weapons from the banquet hall and store them secretly in a suitable place. If they ask why you are doing this, tell them that you mean their well-being so that they do not fight each other when they are drunk with wine. Leave only two spears, two swords and two shields. But you must not tell anyone a word about what is going on, not even to your mother. Well, and then it starts. Are you saying there are more than a hundred? But the mighty Athena will help us, and whoever has the gods as his allies will triumph against the superiority of the enemy. "
What the apologies for, the Penelope had already learned that Telemachus had returned alive and well. The two lucky messengers met there - one of the rowers and the shepherd Eumaios - while bringing the good news. When the grooms found out, they were angry with each other. So in vain did they prepare Telemachim's plots! "Perhaps he was protected by a god," said Antinoos, the worst of them all. So he called everyone to a secret meeting and said:
"He escaped us, but now he must not escape! It must not exceed the birth threshold! We'll kill him no matter what! Surely he already knew we were waiting for him, and we would be sick when he called a meeting and betrayed it. Therefore, quickly to the guard, and whoever sees him first, let him be knocked down on the spot! ”
However, Pénelopé immediately learned of their cruel intentions. The faithful announcer, Medón, overheard their conspiratorial conversation, and his heart led him to Penelope to tell her. Then came Penelope out of her chamber, and came in the sight of the insidious villains, and was angry with Antinoa.

to all the crimes you commit here? I advise you to stop and tame the others, too ... ”She didn't finish to cry and went to the bedroom ...

In the evening, Eumaios returned to his cottage. Before he entered, Athena turned Odysseus back into a beggar so that Eumaios would not recognize him and gladly tell Penelope.
"Welcome, Eumaia," Telemachus exclaimed happily. "Do grooms do? Have they returned yet, or are they still lurking? ”
"I don't even know," Eumaios replied, "when I handled your message, I hurried home."
"All right, Grandpa," Telemachus added.
Then they had dinner and went to bed.
In the morning, Telemachus set out for home. The old foster mother Eurykleia hugged him with joy that he had returned alive and well, and even more so Queen Penelope. Telemachus told her what he had learned about his father in Sparta. Meanwhile, the grooms were preparing a great feast again. The smell of roast meat spread everywhere, cheerful voices could be heard, and then the lute and the singer's song were heard. This was at the very moment when the shepherd Eumaios was coming with the Odyssey to the palace.
"Oh, it's certainly the ruler's house, see, old man, and those voices, it's certainly the cries of those rapists," Odysseus said. Eumaios nodded and asked, “Which of us will go first? Will we both enter at once? ”Odysseus decided to enter the shepherd first.
Odysseus noticed an old dog talking about each other. Until then, he lay indifferent on the manure, old and poorly cared for. But when he heard the call, he raised his head and straightened his ears. He knew his master. Odysseus trained him before he went to war. He was a beautiful, fast and smart dog. But how pathetic he was now! Odysseus watched him with tears in his eyes, whining happily and wanting to get up, but he couldn't, so he was exhausted. Suddenly he reached out and it was over. Odysseus wiped away his tears. So he was moved by the fate of the faithful dog, who did not see his master return. Poor Argos!

Odysseus stood in the courtyard for a moment, then entered the banquet hall. He sat on the doorstep and looked at all the feasters. Everything was as the shepherd and son told him. There was extravagance, arrogance, and ruthlessness. Telemachus noticed that his father had arrived. He immediately sent him food and drink after Eumaius and told him to go around all the grooms and ask them for a gift. Odysseus ate and then approached each of the suitors. He raised his palm and begged for alms as if he were a true and experienced beggar. At the same time, he wanted to see who had a heart.

Everyone gave him some food, only the lord Antinoos sneered at him what he wanted and didn't give him anything. However, Odysseus did not give up, he begged further and reminded him that he was giving it from a stranger, not from his own. That made Antinoa very annoyed. He bent down, grabbed a chair, and punched the beggar in the back.

Odysseus didn't move, as if he didn't feel the strong blow. He just nodded silently, thinking of revenge. Then he went to the doorway again and complained aloud, "If the beggars have their gods, then let Antinoos die before he celebrates the marriage!"
Both Telemachus and Penelope felt the pain that their guest had been dishonored in this way and that Antinoos had harmed him. The queen told Eumai to bring the beggar to her, asking him if he knew anything about Odysseus. "O queen, he can tell!" Rejoiced the shepherd. "He was in my hut for three days and three nights, and I listened to him from morning till night. He said he was a little related to our ruler, and said that Odysseus must live and also know where. "
Penelope was all the more eager for the beggar to come to her and tell her everything himself. But Odysseus did not grant her request. He was afraid that he would provoke Antinoa and the other grooms against himself again, so he told the shepherd that he would come to the queen in the evening. Penelope acknowledged it and praised his wisdom. The descent of those ruthless nobles was really great and they could hurt him again.
In the evening, the shepherd said goodbye to Telemach and headed home. So far, there has been an unprecedented theater in Odysseus' house. Another beggar, whom everyone in the city knew, visited the banquet hall. It was called Íros (= Messenger). [18] He liked to go everywhere and proved this service to everyone. When Iros saw another beggar on the doorstep, he said to him, "Get out of here, old man, and I will cast you out! Here is my place! ”
Odysseus fixed his eyes on him in anger and said:
"Why are you teasing me? I'm not doing you any harm! You are a beggar like me, dependent on the mercy of others. And we'll both fit in well here. But if you do not give me peace, you will know my fist, even if you curse my grandfathers. "
But Iros was very irritable: "You want to fight me, you filthy? Just try it if you want to lose your teeth. You'll see how younger and stronger I am. "
Antinoos heard their quarrel and watched them stare at each other. He laughed all round and shouted:
"Friends, it hasn't been here yet! The gods themselves prepared this fun for us. Let's see, both beggars want to get involved. Let's see and see who wins. The winner will then receive a large gut from us, he will always sit with us at the table, and no other beggar will be allowed to enter here. ”Antino's proposal was welcomed with cheers.
As Odysseus dropped his begging garment and girded himself for the match, they marveled at how strong and powerful he was. Irish also noticed this and shook with fear. He would have liked to back down, but Antinoos attacked him:
"What, you coward? First you brag, and now you're scared? Just no delays! Remember: If you lose, it will be bad for you! ”
The frightened Irish shook even more. But Antinoos grabbed him, placed him in front of Odysseus, and the other grooms surrounded them.
Odysseus wondered for a moment whether to knock Ireland down with one blow or knock him down. He decided not to kill him. He struck him only weakly, but it was enough for Iros to jump. He grunted and gritted his teeth in pain. Blood flowed from his mouth. The grooms did not burst out laughing as Odysseus dragged the defeated beggar into the courtyard. There he leaned against the wall, pressed a stick into his hand, and said, "Then sit here and watch the pigs. And be careful not to make it worse for you! ”
Odysseus then received the promised reward and an abundance of drinking. Then the grooms continued to talk until the evening, as they were used to. They blunted Odysseus, mocked his bald head, and one of them offered to accept him as his servant. Insult after insult prosecuted the divine sufferer Odysseus, and some of the maids also lamented and threatened him. When he called to defend himself, one of the grooms got angry by grabbing a chair and hurling it at him. However, Odysseus dodged and the chair struck the waiter, who immediately fell to the ground.
Then Telemachus no longer ruled and shouted, "What are you doing? Are you crazy? You can see that you ate and drank too much! It's time for you to break up and go to bed. "
Telemach's speech surprised them greatly. They couldn't explain where he had the courage to talk to them like that. They gritted their teeth and soon broke up. Only Odysseus and Telemach remained in the banquet hall. They agreed to take all weapons to the armory. They immediately took over. The goddess Athena came to see how she was doing. She walked in front of them, carrying a golden candlestick and shining on their way. When they were done carrying away, Odysseus sent Telemacha to sleep so he could talk to Penelope himself.
The queen had just descended from her room and heard one of the maids, the bravest, snap at Odysseus, "What are you still hanging out with, dirty stranger? Pull or I'll hit you with a log! ”
Pénelopé was furious and threatened, "What do you dare? Have you forgotten that I invited this guest to tell me about my husband and please me in sorrow? You will not be punished for your actions. "
Then she invited another maid to bring Odysseus a chair. As Odysseus sat down, Pénelopé addressed him, "I want to ask you, dear guest, where you come from and where your home is."
"Don't ask, my noble queen, my home. It would hurt me to tell you about it tell. And it's not good to keep grieving and crying. "
"You speak sensibly, dear stranger, but you should still tell me something about yourself. After all, I also have an extremely difficult life here, and that is why I can understand the pain of others. "
When Odysseus was convinced that Pénelopé was eager to know his fate, he began to tell. But he was not telling the truth. He invented various incidents and portrayed them as if he had experienced them. He finally mentioned that he had hosted Odysseus in his house when he went to war. But even with this fictional story, he barely managed to keep from crying. However, the queen did not believe his words and wanted to see if that was the way he said.
"Then tell me," she tried, "what was Odysseus's dress, and who accompanied him when he visited you?"
"It's been a long time, Queen, it's been twenty years, but I'll tell you. He had a double purple cloak and a beautiful gold needle on it. A dog was engraved on it, as it wanted to suffocate a fawn. Everyone stared at the creation in astonishment. "
Penelope was astonished. Everything matched, even what he said about Odysseus' announcer. And when he added that Odysseus would surely return soon, she began to cry. When she calmed down, she said to Odysseus in tears, "From now on, dear guest, you will feel at home here. I'll give you a new skirt and coat and you won't be in any need. "
Then she called the maids to wash his feet and make him a bed. But Odysseus was afraid that some would bother him again, so he begged Penelope, "If you may, Queen, send me an old woman, experienced in life and wise, that she may not harm me in the washing of my feet."
"I'll be happy to accommodate you, dear guest! I have the old woman you want here. She is already bent to the ground and weak, but she will wash your feet. She once cared for the famous Odyssey as a nanny, growing up in her arms and in her care from birth. And then, just as conscientiously, she raised Odysseus' son Telemachus. I'll call her right away. "
In a moment the old woman came. Odysseus recognized her immediately. It was his foster mother Eurykleia. But even to Euryklej, the beggar seemed familiar to her. She looked him in the face and said, "Many foreigners have already come to us, but none were as similar to our ruler as you. Figure, age, voice - as if it were him. "
"Dear old woman, says everyone who knew us both. We are said to be brothers. Well, that's what people sometimes look like. "
Eurykleia then poured water into a bowl, and Odysseus waited anxiously if the old nanny did not recognize him by the great scar he had above his knee. Once on a hunt, a boar stabbed him with his tusk and snatched a piece of meat from him. He guessed right. How could Eurykleia not have noticed the striking scar! Frightened, she let go of the beggar's leg as she saw the old wound. The bowl overturned and water spilled on the ground. The old woman's eyes filled with tears and her throat tightened. She couldn't even speak. Suddenly she whispered, "My son, you're back!" And she immediately turned to the side where Penelope was sitting to tell her the good news.
But Odysseus quickly squeezed the old woman's throat and whispered, "Shut up, mother, shut up! Shut up!" You must not betray me in a word! The time has not yet come. "
"I'll be silent like a grave if you don't want to," the old woman assured him, going for new water. When she washed his feet, Odysseus took a chair and sat closer to the fire. Pénelopé was already waiting for him and immediately asked him:
"Tell me more, dear guest, how would you explain this strange dream to me: It seemed to me that I was looking at our fattened geese in the yard, twenty of them were a pleasure to look at. Suddenly an eagle flew in and twisted their necks. When he killed them all - and there was a nice pile of them - he flew away again. I started crying. Then the eagle returned, sat down on a beam, and comforted me with a human voice: It was not a dream, it is a fact. Geese - these are debauched grooms, and I am not an eagle, I am Odysseus. I return home to prepare a disgraceful death for all those adventurers. "Then I woke up."
Odysseus smiled and said, "That's right, Queen! It was not a dream, it is a fact. Odysseus showed you how to do it. "
"Stranger, how I wish you were right," Pénelopé sighed, "but I don't believe it. But you are wise, tell me: the day is coming when I must marry one of them. I want to challenge them to a match. There's an Odyssey bow. Whoever strains him most easily and pierces the ear with the ear of twelve axes, as Odysseus did, I will take it. I hate to leave this beloved house, but I can no longer bear this suffering. Or what should I do? ”
"Do so, Queen, and do not postpone the shooting! Your Odysseus will return before any of them can complete the task. "
"Oh, you can comfort! I wouldn't even want to sleep, I would still listen to you. But it's too late. I will go upstairs and you will lie down either on the bed or on the floor as you wish. The maids will take you there. "
Then she left. But she cried for a long, long time before falling asleep. Even Odysseus could not sleep. He thought of punishing the intruders. But the fear crept into his heart that there were too many. Then the goddess Athena appeared to him and said, "Why don't you sleep and rest? If I'm with you, not even the whole army will defeat us. Don't worry! After all, you are already at home, you have all your loved ones and br

Then all your hardships will end. ”Then she put a delicious sleep on his eyes and disappeared.

The next morning, when Odysseus-the Beggar awoke, he went out into the courtyard. There he met a shepherd who was just as faithful and devoted to him as Eumaios. His name was Filoitios. When he saw the stranger in the torn robe, he stopped and looked at him for a long time. How he resembles our King Odysseus, the shepherd wondered. Then he went to him, shook his hand, and greeted him, "Hello, guest! Guest!" May Zeus give you an abundance of happiness! ”
And as he thought of Odysseus, who, for example, wandered the world in such rags, tears welled up. He kept his eyes on the beggar and said, "Dear stranger, it is strange how you resemble my master! Poor man, where is he, if he still lives? Oh, if only he would come back! Those rapists rob him of his property every day and attack his wife. It is painful to look at their cruelty and arrogance. If the lord came like that, he would drive them! ”
Odysseus rejoiced in his heart that he had a new faithful ally. And he said to the shepherd, “Pastor, as I see it, you are a wise and good man. Believe that you will soon see Odysseus punishing the grooms with your own eyes. "
"I wish you were right," the shepherd sighed. "You would know how much strength I still have in my hands!" He could no longer speak, as the intruders rushed in with noise and laughter and rushed into the banquet hall. The cheeky and raw shepherd Melantheus immediately poured them wine. Telemachus also came and brought Odysseus inside. He set him a table and a chair by the door, and Odysseus sat there. Then Telemachus admonished the grooms:
“Don't you dare blunt our guest and lead as rampant as yesterday! Behave like a ruler's house! ”
Everyone looked at him in amazement and wondered if he dared to talk to them like that. However, Antinoos did not hesitate to show his displeasure and anger: “How did you come at us! But he's lucky! If the gods had not protected him, we would have closed his mouth long ago - forever! "
Then a shameless and rude Ktésippos arose and exclaimed, “Listen, friends! The bum has already received his share of food and drink, but I'll add a present. Look! ”He grabbed the oxen and hurled it at Odysseus. However, he dodged and hit the wall.
"You're lucky, Ktésippe," Telemachus shouted, "if you hit him, I'd stab you on the spot."
There was a dead silence. However, after a while, another of the grooms interrupted them and turned to Telemacha: "Arrange for your mother to marry one of us, and it will be annoying."
"I do not oppose her, I advise her to do it myself," Telemachus defended himself, "but I will not drive her out of the house, what a son I would be!"
Then the grooms laughed loudly, as if insane. They mocked Telemach and blunted Odysseus again and again. Only one of them suggested that they load the tramp on a ship and sell him into slavery so that he could at least be somewhere useful. Telemachus defeated himself and remained silent. He just kept looking at his father, when he would give a sign to retaliate and punish the shameless people. They had no idea and were preparing a great lunch feast. They didn't think they wouldn't have dinner at Odysseus' house anymore ...
After lunch, Pénelopé entered the chamber, where Odysseus' memorial bow hung, with axes and arrows in the chest. She cried as she scanned him against the wall. Then she commanded the maids to bring the things into the hall to the grooms. She went with them herself. And when they were come in, the staff said,
"Listen to me, groom! Now you have a match for my hand. Here is Odysseus' bow. Whoever of you strains him and puts the holes of the twelve axes, I will take him as my husband and leave this house. ”The two faithful shepherds began to weep as they handed the bow and axes to the grooms. Antinoos badly scolded them for crying.
Then Telemachus dug a groove in the ground, lined up all the axes, and stuffed the clay around them to keep them from moving. He then grabbed the bow himself to tighten it. He tried in vain three times until the fourth time he might have succeeded, but Odysseus winked at him to put down his bow. Telemachus obeyed and handed it to the grooms. Antinoos determined the order in which they would race. The first of them had already left the line and was trying his luck. He struggled, no wonder his tendons did not crack, sweat dripped from him, but he did not buy anything. "Oh, it's going to be a tough match," he sighed, handing the bow to another.
Antinoos mocked his weak strength, but to be sure, he called the cheeky Melanthe and ordered him to start a fire quickly and bring a disk of tallow. As soon as he did, the eager grooms immediately heated the bow and painted it with fat to make it more pliable. Time and time again they tried to stretch him, but vanity over vanity. Nobody succeeded. There were only two left, Antinoos and Eurymachos, both chiefs and foremost of all the nobles. They advised how to make one of them win.
Meanwhile, both faithful shepherds came out, and Odysseus disappeared behind them. He walked over to them, took their hands, and spoke softly to them, "Would you, friends, go with the master if he returned suddenly and appeared before you, or would you help the grooms? Tell me honestly! ”
The shepherds exclaimed joyfully, almost both at once, “Oh, that he would return! He would know how much strength we still have! ”
"Well - Odysseus is at home - he is standing in front of you - I am! I sensed that only you two would p

they shouted for me to come back, the others only mean crimes. I will reward you properly for your loyalty. ”

Then he pulled back his shabby clothes so that they could see the scar above their knees and believe him. When the shepherds saw her, they began to weep. They hugged and kissed Odysseus and could not even talk with joy. Perhaps they would shed tears until the evening - tears of joy, but Odysseus remembered them:
"Don't cry so no one can see us. We'll go inside again, first me, then you. And you, Eumaie, then give me a bow and don't be afraid, even if they burn you the most. Then you will go quickly and close the door to the women's hall tightly. And you, Filoitia, go and close the gate! ”
Then Odysseus came in and sat back in his chair. Eurymachos still had a bow in his hands, reheated and painted it again, and then tried to tighten it. In vain. And he was incensed, and cried,
"It is not so much the hand of the beautiful, wise Penelope, we have enough other women to choose from, but if our descendants know how weak we are, we will have eternal shame and shame."
"It's not that bad, friends," Antinoos interrupted. "There is a party in Foib today in the city, [19] let's postpone this match until tomorrow - we will have more luck tomorrow." His proposal was accepted with joy. Then Odysseus rose from his chair and said:
"You're right, dear grooms, put it off until tomorrow. But I would also just try if I still have the strength I used to have. But that eternal wandering of the world will not add strength to anyone. "
The suitors were angry with each other. They were afraid that the ragged beggar would strain the bow. What a shame it would be for them! "Be glad, I urge you, to eat and drink with us," Antinoos snapped, "and don't ask us! If you tightened the bow, you would soon say goodbye to life! ”
Then Queen Penelope said, "It's not nice of you to hurt our guest in this way. Do you think he would take me home as his wife if he was lucky? Of course, he doesn't have such hope himself. "
"We know, noble queen," Eurymachos agreed, "that this immigrant cannot marry you. But consider how we would be spoken of if he really drew the bow! Someone would say, "Laughter, how weak are they, when such a poor beggar could do more than they did?"
"You are afraid of such shame," Pénelopé rebuked them, "but do you not make a bad conscience out of it, how do you behave here and how do you eat Odysseus' property without shame? Just give a bow to this stranger too! If he tightens it and covers the ears of the axes, I will give him a beautiful new skirt and cloak and make sure that he is not in need. "
Telemachus rejoiced at his mother's speech and exclaimed, "I am the master here, and I can give the bow whom I want."
Penelope and her guides walked away. She took refuge in the bedroom and began to cry. She mourned for a long time, finally falling asleep in a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, the two shepherds closed the door to the women's room and the gate to the courtyard and sat back in their chairs. They looked at Odysseus, who already had a bow in his hand, turned it over, and looked at it closely from all sides. The women made fun of him, what a bow expert he must be, and that he wants to make a similar one when he looks at him for so long.
Suddenly they froze in horror, no wonder their eyes didn't pop out. Odysseus playfully tensed his bow and tried the string. She shivered and made a clear sound. The women turned pale with anger and fear, for suddenly there was a thundering thunder. Bad sign!
Odysseus did not cry out in joy, for he saw the instruction of the gods in the thunder. He grabbed a bow, placed a sharp arrow on the string, and fired. The arrow flew through the holes of all the twelve axes at once, none of which was missing. Then Odysseus turned to his son and said:
"You see, Telemach, your guest is not ashamed. Only your feasters still dumb and insult me. For that, we have to prepare a delicious dinner for them. "
In the blink of an eye, he signaled to Telemach that the moment of reckoning was near. Telemachus girded himself with his sword, grabbed his shield and spear, and jumped up to Odysseus. Odysseus dropped the dirty lines, grabbed his bow, emptied his quiver arrows at his feet, and shouted:
"The first round of the match is over, now comes the second, more serious one!" He aimed his forged arrow at Antino. He had just lifted a golden cup to his lips to drink. And as he leaned over and strained his neck, an arrow flew through his throat. Antinoos jumped, and a stream of blood splattered the tables and the ground.
The women paled in terror. They jumped up and rushed to the wall for weapons. But she wasn't the only one anywhere. In boundless anger, they attacked Odysseus, "What have you done, you poor thing! You'll do this! Vultures and beasts of prey will eat you in no time! ”
But Odysseus was not intimidated by the threats. He fixed his eyes on them, burning with righteous anger, and shouted, "You dogs, did you think I would not return ?! Not me, but you will pay for everything you have done to me here in so many years! None of you will run away from me! ”
Then Eurymachus said, frightened: "If you are really Odysseus, the local king, you hear: You are rightly rebuking our actions. But when Antinoos, the perpetrator of everything who longed to rule in your place and who wanted to kill your son, has fallen, spare us, we will compensate you for all damages. "
Odysseus measured him from head to toe and shouted:

if you give me all your possessions, you can't escape punishment! And now enough words! ”

The grooms have already known that the ruler's anger is irreconcilable and that they are fighting for life and death. And so Chief Eurymachos gave them courage:
"Draw your swords, raise your tables instead of shields, and protect yourself against bullets." Then he lunged at Odysseus with a piercing scream. But Odysseus's arrow was faster and penetrated deep into his chest. Eurymachos bent in half, sank, and pounded his heels into the ground in a deadly struggle. Even Telemachus was not idle. He pierced many of those enemies with his spear.
Then he ran outside to bring new weapons and arm both shepherds. When Odysseus fired all the arrows, he also took a spear and continued the bloody work. However, the treacherous shepherd Melantheus escaped into the arsenal and brought twelve shields and many weapons from there to the grooms. When Odysseus saw this, he trembled with terror and anger. He immediately decided that it was necessary to punish the traitor Melanthe first and prevent him from continuing to carry his weapon inside. That happened right away. Both shepherds lurked at him and attacked him when he was in the armory again. They tied him tightly and pulled him up to the ceiling on a rope. He then hung there until morning, waiting for his final destiny.
Then the shepherds returned, and the unequal struggle gained in intensity and strength. Four individuals stood against the whole crowd. But the father and son were fearless and able warriors to help Athena. And it decided. Their righteous anger gave them indomitable strength. One of the shepherds pierced the spear of the shameless Ktésipp and cheered:
"That's your bullfight for the divine ruler when you still thought he was a wandering beggar."
At that moment, the goddess Athena, who took part in the battle, raised her shield and aroused indescribable terror in her enemies. They ran like mad through the room, searching in vain for some shelter to save themselves. Soon the dead lay on the ground in pools of blood, and the piles of their corpses grew. All the criminals had already fallen, leaving only the singer Fémios and the announcer Medón alive. But both Odysseus and Telemachus spared them. Fémios sang and played not of his own free will, but of coercion, and otherwise did nothing wrong. And Medon took care of Telemah when he was a child, and warned Penelope with anxiety in his heart when the grooms wanted to kill him. Odysseus praised his nobility and said to both of them, "Go to the court for now and wait there."
Then Odysseus searched every corner to see if any of the villains were still hiding somewhere. But he didn't find anyone. He then called the foster mother Eurykleia. When she came and saw Odysseus, she was terrified of what he looked like. His arms were covered in blood, his legs and face like a lion that was tearing a bull, his eyes still burning with anger. And that blood on the ground and on the walls and those corpses everywhere! The old woman then breathed contentedly, almost happily, that the suffering would be over. Odysseus looked at her sternly and said,
"Rejoice, Mother, in your heart, but we must not rejoice aloud over dead men, even if they are criminal. It would not be pious. The gods have punished them with our hands for their arrogance and the evil they have done, but neither our thoughts nor our hands must go beyond the gates of death. Now tell me which of the women have sinned and deserved of punishment. "
Eurykleia named twelve of them, who insulted her and the queen. "Go and send them to me!" The ruler ordered briefly.
When they arrived, he ordered them to help remove the corpses and then to clean the entire banquet hall, as well as the chairs and tables. As soon as they were done with everything and took out all the sludge, they took all twelve to the court and hanged them in the nooks and crannies, for they were not worthy of honorable death. Eventually, they escorted from the world the treacherous, disgusting shepherd Melanthe, who helped his enemies against Odysseus to the last breath. And it came to pass, as soon as the men washed clean, that Odysseus fetched brimstone and fire to burn the whole house and the court. He washed himself and sent for Penelope. Eurykleia ran as old as she would allow her to wake her up as soon as possible, announcing the good news that the divine Odysseus was home and that he had punished all the intruders. But Penelope did not want to believe the words of the lovely old woman.
"You're crazy, Mother, when you talk like that. Are you mocking my sorrow and waking me up to worry again? I've never slept as well as I do today, you shouldn't have woken me. "
"Dear child," the old woman whispered happily, "believe me, Odysseus has indeed returned. Your son and I knew it for a long time, but we weren't allowed to tell you sooner. "
Then Penelope fell into the old woman's arms and began to cry, "How did he overcome them, alone — and so many of them? Tell me! ”
"I didn't see it myself, but I heard the moans of the men being killed. We all sat in the corner and didn't even breathe in horror. The master didn't call me until it was over, but even that was awful what it looked like in the room. Now everything is washed and all right, come down, the lord sent me for you. Come, let yourself be pleased after so many sad years. He came - he is alive - he found you and his son - your warmest wish has come true. Come and see him for yourself! ”
The old woman accompanied her as she longed to see the two fit into each other warmly after so many years

"AND if you give me all your possessions, you can't escape punishment! And now enough words! ”

The grooms have already known that the ruler's anger is irreconcilable and that they are fighting for life and death. And so Chief Eurymachos gave them courage:
"Draw your swords, raise your tables instead of shields, and protect yourself against bullets." Then he lunged at Odysseus with a piercing scream. But Odysseus's arrow was faster and penetrated deep into his chest. Eurymachos bent in half, sank, and pounded his heels into the ground in a deadly struggle. Even Telemachus was not idle. He pierced many of those enemies with his spear.
Then he ran outside to bring new weapons and arm both shepherds. When Odysseus fired all the arrows, he also took a spear and continued the bloody work. However, the treacherous shepherd Melantheus escaped into the arsenal and brought twelve shields and many weapons from there to the grooms. When Odysseus saw this, he trembled with terror and anger. He immediately decided that it was necessary to punish the traitor Melanthe first and prevent him from continuing to carry his weapon inside. That happened right away. Both shepherds lurked at him and attacked him when he was in the armory again. They tied him tightly and pulled him up to the ceiling on a rope. He then hung there until morning, waiting for his final destiny.
Then the shepherds returned, and the unequal struggle gained in intensity and strength. Four individuals stood against the whole crowd. But the father and son were fearless and able warriors to help Athena. And it decided. Their righteous anger gave them indomitable strength. One of the shepherds pierced the spear of the shameless Ktésipp and cheered:
"That's your bullfight for the divine ruler when you still thought he was a wandering beggar."
At that moment, the goddess Athena, who took part in the battle, raised her shield and aroused indescribable terror in her enemies. They ran like mad through the room, searching in vain for some shelter to save themselves. Soon the dead lay on the ground in pools of blood, and the piles of their corpses grew. All the criminals had already fallen, leaving only the singer Fémios and the announcer Medón alive. But both Odysseus and Telemachus spared them. Fémios sang and played not of his own free will, but of coercion, and otherwise did nothing wrong. And Medon took care of Telemah when he was a child, and warned Penelope with anxiety in his heart when the grooms wanted to kill him. Odysseus praised his nobility and said to both of them, "Go to the court for now and wait there."
Then Odysseus searched every corner to see if any of the villains were still hiding somewhere. But he didn't find anyone. He then called the foster mother Eurykleia. When she came and saw Odysseus, she was terrified of what he looked like. His arms were covered in blood, his legs and face like a lion that was tearing a bull, his eyes still burning with anger. And that blood on the ground and on the walls and those corpses everywhere! The old woman then breathed contentedly, almost happily, that the suffering would be over. Odysseus looked at her sternly and said,
"Rejoice, Mother, in your heart, but we must not rejoice aloud over dead men, even if they are criminal. It would not be pious. The gods have punished them with our hands for their arrogance and the evil they have done, but neither our thoughts nor our hands must go beyond the gates of death. Now tell me which of the women have sinned and deserved of punishment. "
Eurykleia named twelve of them, who insulted her and the queen. "Go and send them to me!" The ruler ordered briefly.
When they arrived, he ordered them to help remove the corpses and then to clean the entire banquet hall, as well as the chairs and tables. As soon as they were done with everything and took out all the sludge, they took all twelve to the court and hanged them in the nooks and crannies, for they were not worthy of honorable death. Eventually, they escorted from the world the treacherous, disgusting shepherd Melanthe, who helped his enemies against Odysseus to the last breath. And it came to pass, as soon as the men washed clean, that Odysseus fetched brimstone and fire to burn the whole house and the court. He washed himself and sent for Penelope. Eurykleia ran as old as she would allow her to wake her up as soon as possible, announcing the good news that the divine Odysseus was home and that he had punished all the intruders. But Penelope did not want to believe the words of the lovely old woman.
"You're crazy, Mother, when you talk like that. Are you mocking my sorrow and waking me up to worry again? I've never slept as well as I do today, you shouldn't have woken me. "
"Dear child," the old woman whispered happily, "believe me, Odysseus has indeed returned. Your son and I knew it for a long time, but we weren't allowed to tell you sooner. "
Then Penelope fell into the old woman's arms and began to cry, "How did he overcome them, alone — and so many of them? Tell me! ”
"I didn't see it myself, but I heard the moans of the men being killed. We all sat in the corner and didn't even breathe in horror. The master didn't call me until it was over, but even that was awful what it looked like in the room. Now everything is washed and all right, come down, the lord sent me for you. Come, let yourself be pleased after so many sad years. He came - he is alive - he found you and his son - your warmest wish has come true. Come and see him for yourself! ”
The old woman accompanied her as she longed to see the two fit into each other warmly after so many years arms. But Penelope still did not believe. She was afraid that she would be deceived by some cunning man, many of whom walk the world. At times it seemed to her that the beggar resembled her husband, at times she was unsure.
Meanwhile, Odysseus disappeared from the room and went to wash and disguise himself. When he returned, he shone with beauty like a god. Here again, Pépole seemed younger and taller than he used to be, so she could recognize him all the less. Telemachus was already angry with her, embracing her with remorse for not having a heart in her body. And so did Odysseus. He sat down in a chair opposite her and said angrily angrily:
"There is no crueler woman in the world. The man will return to her after twenty years, and she does not want to report to him. "
As Pénelopé sat thoughtfully, she remembered Odysseus's bed. Only the two of them knew about his peculiarity. He would be sure to see if Odysseus had really returned. And she turned to Euryklela and said, "Let the maids take the firm bed out of the master's bedroom and prepare it for the dear guest to sleep in!" She kept her eyes on the Odyssey. The trick worked. Odysseus rose sharply, frowned, and exclaimed angrily.
"What? Can my bed be moved? Who destroyed it for me? Who cut the olive trunk I cut myself and turned it into the leg of the bed? No one could move him, unless he had to cut off the stump by the ground. It had roots deep in the ground. And who broke into my bedroom, which I built around that bed? ”
As soon as he finished, the queen's legs trembled and her voice caught in her throat. Crying, she ran to Odysseus, fell around his neck, and barked in tears:
"Don't be angry, Odyssee! I was afraid to believe in happiness when I had been in so much pain and thought that all those troubles would end in death. "
Odysseus embraced his faithful, wise wife, and they both wept with happiness and unspeakable joy that they had met again after twenty years. When they cried, they told each other what they had been through. There was so much they wanted to say. But they had all night ...
The next day, Odysseus and Telemach and the two shepherds went to visit their old father, Laert. He knew he would probably find him in the garden, and he followed him there and did find him there. The old man was tilted as he loosened the soil around the apple tree. Odysseus was startled by how he looked down and worried and how he had fallen into disrepair over the years. He was wearing dirty, patched clothing and broken shoes on his feet. He cried over him as he felt sorry for him.
When he overcame himself and wiped away his tears, he went to the poor old man, hugged him, kissed him fervently, and said in tears, "Daddy, don't you know me? It's me - your son Odysseus - returning home after twenty years. Well, look to make you believe it's really me! ”And showed him the scar above his knee. "I can also calculate the trees you gave me before I sailed to Troy, and which are still here in the garden."
The old man did not have the strength to endure the joyous, unexpected event. Fainting tried him. Odysseus caught him, pressed him to his chest, and kissed his father's gray, precious head again. Then he told him how he had punished even the stupid intruders.
When the old man recovered, he deeply regretted that he, too, had not been charged with seeing with his own eyes how they cried for their crimes. Then they went to the old man's house to strengthen themselves with food. The old king feared that the parents and relatives of the slain grooms would rise and that a new struggle would break out. And indeed it would have ignited. But Zeus and Athena reconciled both sides and made peace and tranquility in the kingdom of Odysseus.
The whole country flourished again in happiness and prosperity, when its wise ruler, after so much suffering and suffering, finally returned and lovingly took over its administration. And the glory of Odysseus and his faithful wife Penelope continues to this day.