In a Council of the Gods, Poseidon absent, Pallas procureth an order for the restitution of Odysseus; and appearing to his son Telemachus, in human shape, adviseth him to complain of the Wooers before the Council of the people, and then go to Pylos and Sparta to inquire about his father.
在众神议会中，波塞冬缺席，帕拉斯争取命令将奥德修斯归还；并以人类形态出现在他的儿子忒勒玛科斯面前，建议他向人民议会抱怨寄生者，然后前去拜洛斯和斯巴达打听他父亲的消息。

Tell me, Muse, of that man, so ready at need, who wandered far and wide, after he had sacked the sacred citadel of Troy, and many were the men whose towns he saw and whose mind he learnt, yea, and many the woes he suffered in his heart upon the deep, striving to win his own life and the return of his company. —
告诉我吧，缅思女神，关于那个在需要时身手矫健的男子，他在洗劫特洛伊圣城之后，漫游天涯，见过许多城市，了解过许多人心，经历了许多苦难，他在海中竭力争取自己的生命和同伴的归来。 —

Nay, but even so he saved not his company, though he desired it sore. —
然而，即便如此，他也没能救回同伴，虽然他非常渴望。 —

For through the blindness of their own hearts they perished, fools, who devoured the oxen of Helios Hyperion: —
因为由于他们自身心灵的短视愚蠢，他们因此丧生，愚者，吞食了太阳神赫利俄斯的牛群： —

but the god took from them their day of returning. —
但神却夺去了他们的归途。 —

Of these things, goddess, daughter of Zeus, whencesoever thou hast heard thereof, declare thou even unto us.
这些事情，宙斯之女，无论你从何听闻，都请告诉我们。

Now all the rest, as many as fled from sheer destruction, were at home, and had escaped both war and sea, but Odysseus only, craving for his wife and for his homeward path, the lady nymph Calypso held, that fair goddess, in her hollow caves, longing to have him for her lord. —
现在其余所有逃离灭亡之人，都已抵达家园，避过了战争和风浪，只有奥德修斯，渴望与妻子团聚，回家的路，被美丽女神卡吕普索留住，那位令人着迷的女神，在她的山洞里，渴望将他变为自己的丈夫。 —

But when now the year had come in the courses of the seasons, wherein the gods had ordained that he should return home to Ithaca, not even there was he quit of labours, not even among his own; —
然而当岁月轮回至那个神灵规定他该回到伊斯塔卡的年代时，他在自己的家乡也没能摆脱艰辛， —

but all the gods had pity on him save Poseidon, who raged continually against godlike Odysseus, till he came to his own country. —
所有众神怜悯他，唯独波塞冬在气神般地反对英俊的奥德修斯，直到他回到自己的国家。 —

Howbeit Poseidon had now departed for the distant Ethiopians, the Ethiopians that are sundered in twain, the uttermost of men, abiding some where Hyperion sinks and some where he rises. —
然而波塞冬现在已经远去，前往遥远的埃提阿俄底亚，居住在两分之一之地的埃提阿俄底亚，这是人类的极端，有些地方太阳神沉落，有些地方太阳神升起。 —

There he looked to receive his hecatomb of bulls and rams, there he made merry sitting at the feast, but the other gods were gathered in the halls of Olympian Zeus. Then among them the father of gods and men began to speak, for he bethought him in his heart of noble Aegisthus, whom the son of Agamemnon, far-famed Orestes, slew. —
他在那里期待着获得牯牛和公羊的祭品，在那里欢宴，而其他众神则聚集在奥林匹亚宙斯的大厅中。那时，众神之父开始讲话，他心中想起了高贵的埃吉斯修斯，阿伽门农之子，著名的俄瑞斯特斯所杀。 —

Thinking upon him he spake out among the Immortals:
想到他，他在诸神中说出来：

‘Lo you now, how vainly mortal men do blame the gods! —
“看吧，如今世人多么毫无根据地责难众神！ —

For of us they say comes evil, whereas they even of themselves, through the blindness of their own hearts, have sorrows beyond that which is ordained. —
因为他们责怪我们带来了灾祸，然而他们自己，因为自身心灵的盲目，所受的悲伤远远超出命运的安排。 —

Even as of late Aegisthus, beyond that which was ordained, took to him the wedded wife of the son of Atreus, and killed her lord on his return, and that with sheer doom before his eyes, since we had warned him by the embassy of Hermes the keen-sighted, the slayer of Argos, that he should neither kill the man, nor woo his wife. —
就像最近埃吉斯修斯，超越了命运的安排，夺取了亚特勒斯之子的妻子，并在他归来时杀害她的丈夫，这是在他明知下的真正厄运，因为我们曾通过视线敏锐的赫尔墨斯的使者警告过他，不要杀害这个男人，也不要取悦他的妻子。” —

For the son of Atreus shall be avenged at the hand of Orestes, so soon as he shall come to man’s estate and long for his own country. —
阿特勒斯之子奥瑞斯特将在他变成成年人并渴望回到故乡时复仇。 —

So spake Hermes, yet he prevailed not on the heart of Aegisthus, for all his good will; —
赫尔墨斯如此说道，然而他并未能打动埃吉斯特斯的心，尽管他心存善意; —

but now hath he paid one price for all.’
然而他现在已经为这一切付出了代价。

And the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, answered him, saying: —
而那位灰眼女神雅典娜回答他说： —

‘O father, our father Cronides, throned in the highest; —
“父亲，我们的父亲，执掌至高王座的克罗尼德斯； —

that man assuredly lies in a death that is his due; so perish likewise all who work such deeds! —
那个人确实正遭受他应得的死亡；做出这种行为的人同样应该消亡！ —

But my heart is rent for wise Odysseus, that hapless one, who far from his friends this long while suffereth affliction in a seagirt isle, where is the navel of the sea, a woodland isle, and therein a goddess hath her habitation, the daughter of the wizard Atlas, who knows the depths of every sea, and himself upholds the tall pillars which keep earth and sky asunder. —
但是我的心为智慧的奥德修斯而痛苦，那个不幸的人，远离朋友，在一个海湾所环绕的岛屿上受苦，那里是海洋的中心，一个林木茂盛的小岛，岛上住着一个女神，是巫师阿特拉斯的女儿，她了解每个海洋的深度，并且自己撑起维系大地和天空的高柱。 —

His daughter it is that holds the hapless man in sorrow: —
她的女儿正是那个让这个不幸的人痛苦的缘故。 —

and ever with soft and guileful tales she is wooing him to forgetfulness of Ithaca. —
她总是用柔和而诡计多端的故事引诱他忘记伊萨卡。 —

But Odysseus yearning to see if it were but the smoke leap upwards from his own land, hath a desire to die. —
但是奥德修斯渴望看见属于自己的土地的烟雾升腾，他渴望死亡。 —

As for thee, thine heart regardeth it not at all, Olympian! What! —
至于你，奥林匹安，你的心根本不关心，是吗！什么！ —

did not Odysseus by the ships of the Argives make thee free offering of sacrifice in the wide Trojan land? —
岂不是奥德修斯在阿尔戈人的船只上在广阔的特洛伊土地上给你献过祭？ —

Wherefore wast thou then so wroth with him, O Zeus?’
那么，为什么你对他如此愤怒，宙斯？”

And Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered her, and said, ‘My child, what word hath escaped the door of thy lips? —
云集者宙斯回答她说：“我的孩子，你口中所说的话是怎么脱口而出的？ —

Yea, how should I forget divine Odysseus, who in understanding is beyond mortals and beyond all men hath done sacrifice to the deathless gods, who keep the wide heaven? —
嗯，我怎么会忘记神圣的奥德修斯呢，他的理智超越凡人，在全人类中他向众神奉献了祭祀，那些保持广阔天空的不朽神灵？” —

Nay, but it is Poseidon, the girdler of the earth, that hath been wroth continually with quenchless anger for the Cyclops’ sake whom he blinded of his eye, even godlike Polyphemus whose power is mightiest amongst all the Cyclopes. —
不是波塞冬生气，而是因为他为了匹俄利摩斯而连续发怒，甚至失明了他的眼睛，这位伟大的波吕士，他是所有环眼人中最强大的。 —

His mother was the nymph Thoosa, daughter of Phorcys, lord of the unharvested sea, and in the hollow caves she lay with Poseidon. —
他的母亲是水族女神索萨，是深海之神福耳克斯的女儿，在洞穴中她与波塞冬结合。 —

From that day forth Poseidon the earth-shaker doth not indeed slay Odysseus, but driveth him wandering from his own country. —
从那一天起，大地震荡者波塞冬并没有确实杀死奥德修斯，但却把他驱赶远离自己的国家。 —

But come, let us here one and all take good counsel as touching his returning, that he may be got home; —
来吧，让我们大家一起好好商议关于他回家的事情，这样他就能回家了； —

so shall Poseidon let go his displeasure, for he will in no wise be able to strive alone against all, in despite of all the deathless gods.’
这样波塞冬也会释放他的不悦，因为他无论如何也无法独自与所有人对抗，尽管他是不朽的众神中的一个。

Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, answered him, and said: —
然后，智慧女神蓝眼女神雅典娜回答说： —

‘O father, our father Cronides, throned in the highest, if indeed this thing is now well pleasing to the blessed gods, that wise Odysseus should return to his own home, let us then speed Hermes the Messenger, the slayer of Argos, to the island of Ogygia. —
‘哦父亲，我们的父亲——高高在上的克罗尼德斯，如果这件事现在对众神是悦人的，那么让我们云迅速送走宙斯之信使赫尔墨斯，杀虎之者，前往奥吉吉亚的岛屿。 —

There with all speed let him declare to the lady of the braided tresses our unerring counsel, even the return of the patient Odysseus, that so he may come to his home. —
以最快的速度告诉那位发蜂巢辫的女人我们的无误建议，即耐心的奥德修斯的归来，这样他就能回到家里来。 —

But as for me I will go to Ithaca that I may rouse his son yet the more, planting might in his heart, to call an assembly of the long-haired Achaeans and speak out to all the wooers who slaughter continually the sheep of his thronging flocks, and his kine with trailing feet and shambling gait. —
至于我，我将前往伊斯卡，植入他的心灵力量，调动他來召集长发阿齐安人的会议，并向不断屠杀其群群牧羊和牛的求爱者们表明。 —

And I will guide him to Sparta and to sandy Pylos to seek tidings of his dear father’s return, if peradventure he may hear thereof and that so he may be had in good report among men.’
我将护送他前往斯巴达和沙地派洛斯，去寻找有关他亲爱父亲归来的消息，以便他可能听到，并因此在人们中享有好名声。

She spake and bound beneath her feet her lovely golden sandals that wax not old, and bare her alike over the wet sea and over the limitless land, swift as the breath of the wind. —
她说完，脚下绑着可爱的金色凉鞋，不会老化，她赶紧在湿海和无边的陆地上迅速走动，如同风的呼吸。 —

And she seized her doughty spear, shod with sharp bronze, weighty and huge and strong, wherewith she quells the ranks of heroes with whomsoever she is wroth, the daughter of the mighty sire. —
她抓住了自己强悍的、铁青色的长矛，覆盖着锋利的青铜，重而巨大而坚强，她用这长矛平息她所发怒的英雄们的队伍，她是伟大的父亲的女儿。 —

Then from the heights of Olympus she came glancing down, and she stood in the land of Ithaca, at the entry of the gate of Odysseus, on the threshold of the courtyard, holding in her hand the spear of bronze, in the semblance of a stranger, Mentes the captain of the Taphians. —
然后，她从奥林匹斯山高处朝下飞落，站在伊斯卡地，站在奥德修斯的门口，围场的门槛上，手持青铜长矛，在陶非安船长门泰斯的模样中。 —

And there she found the lordly wooers: now they were taking their pleasure at draughts in front of the doors, sitting on hides of oxen, which themselves had slain. —
在那里她发现了尊贵的求爱者： 此时他们正在门前的门口玩象棋，坐在自家所杀的牛皮上。 —

And of the henchmen and the ready squires, some were mixing for them wine and water in bowls, and some again were washing the tables with porous sponges and were setting them forth, and others were carving flesh in plenty.
臣仆和准备好的侍从们有些为他们混合酒水在碗中，有些则用多孔的海绵洗净桌子，并摆放出来，还有些则大量切肉。

And godlike Telemachus was far the first to descry her, for he was sitting with a heavy heart among the wooers dreaming on his good father, if haply he might come somewhence, and make a scattering of the wooers there throughout the palace, and himself get honour and bear rule among his own possessions. —
而像神一般的忒勒玛库斯最先看到了她，因为他坐在求婚者中心事沉思着他的好父亲，如果可能的话，他希望他父亲能从某个地方来，把宫殿里的求婚者驱散，并赢得尊荣，在自己的财产中掌权。 —

Thinking thereupon, as he sat among wooers, he saw Athene — and he went straight to the outer porch, for he thought it blame in his heart that a stranger should stand long at the gates: —
当他坐在求婚者中思考时，他看到了雅典娜 — 他直接走到外廊，因为他心里觉得一个陌生人在门口待得太久是不礼貌的。 —

and halting nigh her he clasped her right hand and took from her the spear of bronze, and uttered his voice and spake unto her winged words:
并在她身边停下来，握住她的右手，拿走了她手中的青铜矛，开口对她说道：

‘Hail, stranger, with us thou shalt be kindly entreated, and thereafter, when thou hast tasted meat, thou shalt tell us that whereof thou hast need.’
“你好，陌生人，你会受到我们的热情款待，之后，当你已品尝过食物，你就会告诉我们你所需要的。”

Therewith he led the way, and Pallas Athene followed. —
说完，他率先走去，雅典娜跟着进来。 —

And when they were now within the lofty house, he set her spear that he bore against a tall pillar, within the polished spear-stand, where stood many spears besides, even those of Odysseus of the hardy heart; —
当他们进入高高的房屋时，他把她的矛放在一个高大的圆柱旁的光滑矛架上，那里还有许多其他矛，包括坚毅心灵的奥德修斯的矛； —

and he led the goddess and seated her on a goodly carven chair, and spread a linen cloth thereunder, and beneath was a footstool for the feet. —
然后，他领着女神，让她坐在一把精美雕刻的椅子上，铺上一块亚麻布，下面是一个脚凳供脚踏。 —

For himself he placed an inlaid seat hard by, apart from the company of the wooers, lest the stranger should be disquieted by the noise and should have a loathing for the meal, being come among overweening men, and also that he might ask him about his father that was gone from his home.
他自己则在一边摆放了一个镶嵌座位，远离求婚者的聚集，免得陌生人因噪音而感到不安，对这顿饭产生厌恶，毕竟他是来到这些狂妄自大的人之间，也为了问及已经离家的父亲。

Then a handmaid bare water for the washing of hands in a goodly golden ewer, and poured it forth over a silver basin to wash withal, and drew to their side a polished table. —
接着，一位侍女拿来了水，以金壶为客人洗手，倒在一只银盆中洗净，并拉到他们身边一张抛光桌子。 —

And a grave dame bare wheaten bread and set it by them, and laid on the board many dainties, giving freely of such things as she had by her. —
一位严肃的女仆端来了小麦面包，并把它放在他们身旁，把许多美味的食物放在桌子上，尽量拿出现有的东西。 —

And a carver lifted and placed by them platters of divers kinds of flesh, and nigh them he set golden bowls, and a henchman walked to and fro pouring out to them the wine.
一个切肉工（侍者）把各种肉类放在他们旁边的盘子上，他们身旁还放了金碗，一名服务生来回走动，向他们倒酒。

Then in came the lordly wooers; and they sat them down in rows on chairs, and on high seats, and henchmen poured water on their hands, and maidservants piled wheaten bread by them in baskets, and pages crowned the bowls with drink; —
然后，高贵的求婚者们进来了；他们在椅子上和高位上成行坐下，侍者给他们洗手，侍女们在篮子里堆放小麦面包，侍从们为酒杯加上了盖子； —

and they stretched forth their hands upon the good cheer spread before them. —
他们伸手拿起面前的美食。 —

Now when the wooers had put from them the desire of meat and drink, they minded them of other things, even of the song and dance: —
当求婚者们吃喝过后，他们又想起了其他事情，包括歌唱和舞蹈： —

for these are the crown of the feast. And a henchman placed a beauteous lyre in the hands of Phemius, who was minstrel to the wooers despite his will. —
因为这是宴会的压轴节目。一个侍者把一把美丽的琴交给非密厄斯，他是求婚者们迫使他担任表演的吟游诗人。 —

Yea and as he touched the lyre he lifted up his voice in sweet songs.1
当他触摸琴弦的时候，他高声唱起美妙的歌曲。

1 Or, according to the ordinary interpretation of [Greek]: —
或者，根据普通的解释： —

So he touched the chords in prelude to his sweet singing.}
所以他在开始他美妙的歌唱之前触摸了琴弦。

But Telemachus spake unto grey-eyed Athene, holding his head close to her that those others might not hear: —
但忒勒玛科斯对着明眸女神雅典娜说话，他的头靠近她，以便其他人听不见： —

‘Dear stranger, wilt thou of a truth be wroth at the word that I shall say? —
“亲爱的陌生人，你真的会因我将要说的话而生气吗？ —

Yonder men verily care for such things as these, the lyre and song, lightly, as they that devour the livelihood of another without atonement, of that man whose white bones, it may be, lie wasting in the rain upon the mainland, or the billow rolls them in the brine. —
那些人确实轻视这类事物，琴声和歌曲，就像是那些在没有赔偿的情况下吞并他人生计的人，也许他们白骨躺在大陆上无人关注，或者被波浪卷入海中。 —

Were but these men to see him returned to Ithaca, they all would pray rather for greater speed of foot than for gain of gold and raiment. —
如果这些人看到他重返伊萨卡，他们都会更希望他们的步伐能够更快，而不是渴望金钱和服饰的增加。 —

But now he hath perished, even so, an evil doom, and for us is no comfort, no, not though any of earthly men should say that he will come again. —
但是现在他已经灭亡，命运凶恶，我们没有任何安慰，即使地上的任何人说他会回来也没有。 —

Gone is the day of his returning! But come declare me this, and tell me all plainly: —
他归来的日子已经过去了！但告诉我这个，明确告诉我： —

Who art thou of the sons of men, and whence? Where is thy city, where are they that begat thee? —
你是人类的哪一个，来自哪里？你的城市在哪里，生你的人在哪里？ —

Say, on what manner of ship didst thou come, and how did sailors bring thee to Ithaca, and who did they avow themselves to be, for in nowise do I deem that thou camest hither by land. —
告诉我，你是乘坐什么样的船来的，水手们是如何把你带到伊萨卡的，他们是谁，因为我完全不觉得你是陆路来的。 —

And herein tell me true, that I may know for a surety whether thou art a newcomer, or whether thou art a guest of the house, seeing that many were the strangers that came to our home, for that HE too had voyaged much among men.’
并且诚实地告诉我这一点，让我确实知道你是新来的，还是这房子的客人，因为许多陌生人来过我们的家，因为他曾在人间航行过。

Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, answered him: ‘Yea now, I will plainly tell thee all. —
那么，明眼的女神雅典娜回答他说：“是的，我会明确告诉你一切。 —

I avow me to be Mentes, son of wise Anchialus, and I bear rule among the Taphians, lovers of the oar. —
我是睿智的安奇阿卢斯之子门特斯，我在爱桨者之中掌权。 —

And now am I come to shore, as thou seest, with ship and crew, sailing over the wine-dark sea, unto men of strange speech, even to Temesa, 2 in quest of copper, and my cargo is shining iron. —
现在我带着船和船员，穿过葡萄酒深蓝的海洋，来到陌生言语的人们这里，来到特梅萨，寻找铜矿，并且我的货物是闪亮的铁。 —

And there my ship is lying toward the upland, away from the city, in the harbour of Rheithron beneath wooded Neion: —
我的船就停泊在内安港的里斯龙港，远离城市，紧靠阴郁的涅翁之下， —

and we declare ourselves to be friends one of the other, and of houses friendly, from of old. —
我们彼此宣称我们是朋友，是从古以来友好的家族。 —

Nay, if thou wouldest be assured, go ask the old man, the hero Laertes, who they say no more comes to the city, but far away toward the upland suffers affliction, with an ancient woman for his handmaid, who sets by him meat and drink, whensoever weariness takes hold of his limbs, as he creeps along the knoll of his vineyard plot. —
如果你想要确定，去问老人，英雄拉尔特斯，他们说他不再来到城市，而是在离城市遥远的内地受着痛苦，身边有一个老妇人作他的仆人，他爬着葡萄园土台时，老妇人为他端上吃喝。 —

And now am I come; for verily they said that HE, thy father, was among his people; —
而现在我来到这里；他们确实说过，你的父亲在自己的人民之中； —

but lo, the gods withhold him from his way. For goodly Odysseus hath not yet perished on the earth; —
但是啊，神们让他远离了自己的路。因为英俊的奥德修斯并没有在地球上灭亡； —

but still, methinks, he lives and is kept on the wide deep in a seagirt isle, and hard men constrain him, wild folk that hold him, it may be, sore against his will. —
但我觉得，他仍然活着，并且被囚禁在大海之上的一个被海水围绕的小岛上，野蛮的人把他囚禁着，也许是完全违背他的意愿。 —

But now of a truth will I utter my word of prophecy, as the Immortals bring it into my heart and as I deem it will be accomplished, though no soothsayer am I, nor skilled in the signs of birds. —
但现在，我要说出我的预言，这是不朽者植入我心中的，并且我认为将会实现，虽然我不是占卜者，也不懂鸟的征兆。 —

Henceforth indeed for no long while shall he be far from his own dear country, not though bonds of iron bind him; —
这样，他离开自己亲爱的国家也不会有很长时间，即使铁链束缚着他； —

he will advise him of a way to return, for he is a man of many devices. —
他会告诉他一条回家的路，因为他是一个多才多艺的人。 —

But come, declare me this, and tell me all plainly, whether indeed, so tall as thou art, thou art sprung from the loins of Odysseus. —
但是请告诉我，坦率地告诉我这个，你确实，像你这么高大，是不是来自于奥德修斯的腹中。 —

Thy head surely and they beauteous eyes are wondrous like to his, since full many a time have we held converse together ere he embarked for Troy, whither the others, aye the bravest of the Argives, went in hollow ships. —
你的头和你美丽的眼睛确实很像他，因为我们曾多次共同交谈，他起程去特洛伊之前，那里其他人，即阿尔戈英勇的人，乘着空船前往。 —

From that day forth neither have I seen Odysseus, nor he me.’
从那一天起，我既没有见过奥德修斯，他也没有见过我。’

2 Tamasia, in the mountainous centre of Cyprus.}
{2 Tamasia，在塞浦路斯山区的中心。}

Then wise Telemachus answered her, and said: ‘Yea, sir, now will I plainly tell thee all. —
然后，聪明的泰勒马科回答她说：‘是的，先生，我现在将坦率地告诉你一切。 —

My mother verily saith that I am his; for myself I know not, for never man yet knew of himself his own descent. —
我的母亲确实说我是他的儿子；至于我自己，我不知道，因为从来没有人知道自己的血统。 —

O that I had been the son of some blessed man, whom old age overtook among his own possessions! —
但愿我是某个幸运之人的儿子，老年在自己的领地中迎接他！ —

But now of him that is the most hapless of mortal men, his son they say that I am, since thou dost question me hereof.’
但如今，他是众人中最不幸福的人，他们说我是他的儿子，因为你在这里询问我这件事。’

Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, spake unto him, and said: —
然后，智慧的灰眼女神雅典娜对他说： —

‘Surely no nameless lineage have the gods ordained for thee in days to come, since Penelope bore thee so goodly a man. —
‘在未来的日子里，神明为你安排了一个不可名状的世系，因为佩内洛普生了你这么英俊的男子。 —

But come, declare me this, and tell it all plainly. What feast, nay, what rout is this? —
但请告诉我，坦率地告诉我。这是什么宴会，不，这是什么酒会？ —

What hast thou to do therewith? Is it a clan drinking, or a wedding feast, for here we have no banquet where each man brings his share? —
你和这有什么关系？这是一个家族聚会，还是一个婚礼盛宴？因为在这里，我们没有每个人带来一份的宴会。 —

In such wise, flown with insolence, do they seem to me to revel wantonly through the house: —
在我看来，他们似乎是狂欢地在房子里尽情作乐，被放纵冲昏了头脑。’ —

and well might any man be wroth to see so many deeds of shame, whatso wise man came among them.’
任何人看到这么多的耻辱行为都会感到愤怒，无论是什么样的智者深入其中。

Then wise Telemachus answered her, and said: —
然后，聪明的泰勒马科斯回答她，说： —

‘Sir, forasmuch as thou questionest me of these things and inquirest thereof, our house was once like to have been rich and honourable, while yet that man was among his people. —
“先生，你询问这些事情并对此进行询问，我们的家曾经很富有和尊贵，只要那个人还在他的人民中。 —

But now the gods willed it otherwise, in evil purpose, who have made him pass utterly out of sight as no man ever before. —
但是现在，神明另有用意，将他完全使消失如同从未有过一般。 —

Truly I would not even for his death make so great sorrow, had he fallen among his fellows in the land of the Trojans, or in the arms of his friends when he had wound up the clew of war. —
我真的甚至不会因为他的死而如此悲伤，如果他倒在特洛伊人的土地上，或者当他结束战争的混乱时，他陷入朋友的怀抱。 —

Then would the whole Achaean host have builded him a barrow, and even for his son would he have won great glory in the after days. —
那时整个阿伽埃同盟会为他建立一座坟墓，而他的儿子也会在日后赢得伟大的荣耀。 —

But now the spirits of the storm have swept him away inglorious. —
但是现在，风暴的幽灵吹走了他的荣耀。 —

He is gone, lost to sight and hearsay, but for me hath he left anguish and lamentation; —
他已经离去，消失在视线中，对我而言，他给我留下了痛苦和悲伤； —

nor henceforth is it for him alone that I mourn and weep, since the gods have wrought for me other sore distress. —
现在不仅是为他我哀伤和哭泣，因为神明给我带来了其他的苦难。 —

For all the noblest that are princes in the isles, in Dulichium and Same and wooded Zacynthus, and as many as lord it in rocky Ithaca, all these woo my mother and waste my house. —
对于那些在岛上是王子，如杜利西亚、萨米和长满树木的扎辛苏斯的统治者们，以及在岩石伊萨卡统治者们，他们都向我母亲求爱，并毁坏我的住宅。 —

But as for her she neither refuseth the hated bridal, nor hath the heart to make an end: —
但是她既不拒绝厌恶的婚礼，也没有决心结束： —

so they devour and minish my house, and ere long will they make havoc likewise of myself.’
所以他们吞噬并减少我的家，不久之后他们也将毁坏我自己。”

Then in heavy displeasure spake unto him Pallas Athene: ‘God help thee! —
随后，帕拉斯·雅典娜沮丧地对他说：“愿神帮助你！ —

thou art surely sore in need of Odysseus that is afar, to stretch forth his hands upon the shameless wooers. —
你确实非常需要远在异乡的奥德修斯，伸出他的手对付无耻的求婚者。 —

If he could but come now and stand at the entering in of the gate, with helmet and shield and lances twain, as mighty a man as when first I marked him in our house drinking and making merry what time he came up out of Ephyra from Ilus son of Mermerus! —
如果他现在能够来到门口，并站在那里，带着头盔、盾牌和两支长矛，像我第一次在我们家里见到他那样强大，那是他从伊卢斯的梅尔墨洛斯之子那里出来时，喝得高兴的时候！” —

For even thither had Odysseus gone on his swift ship to seek a deadly drug, that he might have wherewithal to smear his bronze-shod arrows: —
甚至奥德修斯也曾乘坐他的快速船前往那里寻找一种致命的药物，以便涂抹他那带有铜制箭头的箭矢： —

but Ilus would in nowise give it to him, for he had in awe the everliving gods. —
但伊勒斯绝不会将其给他，因为他对永生神感到敬畏。 —

But my father gave it him, for he bare him wondrous love. —
但我父亲给了他，因为他对他怀有奇异的爱。 —

O that Odysseus might in such strength consort with the wooers: —
愿奥德修斯能够与求婚者们有这样的力量相伴： —

so should they all have swift fate and bitter wedlock! —
那么他们都会有迅速的命运和痛苦的婚姻！ —

Howbeit these things surely lie on the knees of the gods, whether he shall return or not, and take vengeance in his halls. —
然而这些事情固然掌握在众神的手中，他是否会回来，并在他的大厅里报仇。 —

But I charge thee to take counsel how thou mayest thrust forth the wooers from the hall. —
但我要求你要考虑一下如何将求婚者们从大厅中赶走。 —

Come now, mark and take heed unto my words. —
来吧，听从我的话并留心。 —

On the morrow call the Achaean lords to the assembly, and declare thy saying to all, and take the gods to witness. —
明天召集阿查人首领到大会上，并向所有人宣布你的话，并让众神作证。 —

As for the wooers bid them scatter them each one to his own, and for thy mother, if her heart is moved to marriage, let her go back to the hall of that mighty man her father, and her kinsfolk will furnish a wedding feast, and array the gifts of wooing exceeding many, all that should go back with a daughter dearly beloved. —
至于求婚者们，告诉他们各自散去，至于你的母亲，如果她的心动了结婚，让她回到她父亲那位伟大男人的大厅，她的亲戚们将提供婚礼盛宴，并准备极多的结婚礼物，所有这些都应该送回一位深爱的女儿。 —

And to thyself I will give a word of wise counsel, if perchance thou wilt hearken. —
而对于你自己，我将给你一条明智的忠告，如果你愿意听从的话。 —

Fit out a ship, the best thou hast, with twenty oarsmen, and go to inquire concerning thy father that is long afar, if perchance any man shall tell thee aught, or if thou mayest hear the voice from Zeus, which chiefly brings tidings to men. —
装备一艘你最好的船，配备二十名划手，前往远方打探你的父亲的情况，如果有人告诉你什么，或者如果你听到宙斯的声音，他是为人类带来消息的主要渠道。 —

Get thee first to Pylos and inquire of goodly Nestor, and from thence to Sparta to Menelaus of the fair hair, for he came home the last of the mail-coated Achaeans. —
首先去派洛斯打听好人内斯托的消息，然后去斯巴达拜访金发的墨涅拉俄斯，因为他是最后一位回到家园的穿着锁子甲的阿迦门人。 —

If thou shalt hear news of the life and the returning of thy father, then verily thou mayest endure the wasting for yet a year. —
如果你听到关于你父亲的生活和归来的消息，那么你可以忍受再多一年的等待。 —

But if thou shalt hear that he is dead and gone, return then to thine own dear country and pile his mound, and over it pay burial rites, full many as is due, and give thy mother to a husband. —
但如果你听说他已经去世，回到你心爱的国家，为他筑坟，举行尽职的葬礼，给你的母亲找一个丈夫。 —

But when thou hast done this and made an end, thereafter take counsel in thy mind and heart, how thou mayest slay the wooers in thy halls, whether by guile or openly; —
但当你完成这一切并了结之后，在心中深思熟虑，如何在你的大厅里杀死求婚者，无论是通过诡计还是公开； —

for thou shouldest not carry childish thoughts, being no longer of years thereto. —
因为你不应该再怀有孩子般的想法，你已经不是那个年纪了。 —

Or hast thou not heard what renown the goodly Orestes gat him among all men in that he slew the slayer of his father, guileful Aegisthus, who killed his famous sire? —
或者你难道没有听说过，英俊的奥瑞斯特斯因为杀死他父亲的凶手而获得了众人的赞誉，阴险的埃吉斯特斯，杀害了他著名的父亲吗？ —

And thou, too, my friend, for I see that thou art very comely and tall, be valiant, that even men unborn may praise thee. —
而你，我的朋友，我看到你十分英俊高大，要勇敢起来，这样甚至连未出生的人也会称赞你。 —

But I will now go down to the swift ship and to my men, who methinks chafe much at tarrying for me; —
但我现在要去快船和我的人那里，他们多半正在急不可耐地等着我； —

and do thou thyself take heed and give ear unto my words.’
你要自己注意听从我的话.’

Then wise Telemachus answered her, saying: —
聪明的泰勒玛考斯回答说： —

‘Sir, verily thou speakest these things out of a friendly heart, as a father to his son, and never will I forget them. —
‘先生，你所说的这些都是出于友好之心，如同父亲对儿子的谆谆教诲，我永远不会忘记它们。 —

But now I pray thee abide here, though eager to be gone, to the end that after thou hast bathed and had all thy heart’s desire, thou mayest wend to the ship joyful in spirit, with a costly gift and very goodly, to be an heirloom of my giving, such as dear friends give to friends.’
但现在请你留在这里，虽然渴望离去，为了在你洗澡和尽情愉快之后，你可以心满意足地去船上，带着一份昂贵而极为美好的礼物，作为我送给你的传家宝，就像亲密的朋友送给朋友的那样.’

Then the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, answered him: —
随后，灰眼睛的女神雅典娜回答他： —

‘Hold me now no longer, that am eager for the way. —
‘不要再拦着我，我渴望启程。 —

But whatsoever gift thine heart shall bid thee give me, when I am on my way back let it be mine to carry home: —
无论你的心灵告诉你要给我什么礼物，等我归来时，让我带着它回家： —

bear from thy stores a gift right goodly, and it shall bring thee the worth thereof in return.’
从你的储藏中拿出一份极好的礼物，我会还以相当价值的回报.’

So spake she and departed, the grey-eyed Athene, and like an eagle of the sea she flew away, but in his spirit she planted might and courage, and put him in mind of his father yet more than heretofore. —
这样说完，灰眼睛的雅典娜就离开了，犹如海鹰一般飞走了，但她装在他脑海里的力量和勇气，让他更加记挂着他的父亲。 —

And he marked the thing and was amazed, for he deemed that it was a god; —
他留意到了这件事并感到惊讶，因为他认为那是一个神明。 —

and anon he went among the wooers, a godlike man.
他进入了求婚者中间，并像一个似神一般的男人一样。

Now the renowned minstrel was singing to the wooers, and they sat listening in silence; —
如今，著名的吟游诗人正在向求婚者们演唱着，他们静静地坐着听着； —

and his song was of the pitiful return of the Achaeans, that Pallas Athene laid on them as they came forth from Troy. And from her upper chamber the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, caught the glorious strain, and she went down the high stairs from her chamber, not alone, for two of her handmaids bare her company. —
他的歌曲讲述的是帕拉斯·雅典娜对他们从特洛伊出发的迅猛返回所带来的哀伤。智慧的伊卡里奥斯的女儿彭洛普从她的楼上房间听到了这美妙的旋律，于是她和两个女仆一起走下了高楼的楼梯。 —

Now when the fair lady had come unto the wooers, she stood by the pillar of the well-builded roof holding up her glistening tire before her face; —
当这位美丽的女士走到求婚者面前时，她站在精美建造的屋顶柱子旁，将闪亮的头巾遮住她的脸； —

and a faithful maiden stood on either side her. —
两名忠实的女仆站在她两旁。 —

Then she fell a weeping, and spake unto the divine minstrel:
然后她开始哭泣，并对那位神圣的吟游诗人说道：

‘Phemius, since thou knowest many other charms for mortals, deeds of men and gods, which bards rehearse, some one of these do thou sing as thou sittest by them, and let them drink their wine in silence; —
“菲米斯，既然你懂得许多其他能让凡人享乐的歌谣，讲述的是人类和众神的事迹，那么请你唱一首其他的歌谣给他们听，让他们安静地喝酒； —

but cease from this pitiful strain, that ever wastes my heart within my breast, since to me above all women hath come a sorrow comfortless. —
但请停止这首令我心如刀绞的悲伤之歌，它在我胸中永远地消磨着我的心灵，因为对于我而言，比所有女人都更受到无尽的悲伤。 —

So dear a head do I long for in constant memory, namely, that man whose fame is noised abroad from Hellas to mid Argos.’
我的心渴望着一位至爱之人，尤其是那位从希腊传到中阿尔戈斯的名人。”

Then wise Telemachus answered her, and said: —
智者忒勒玛科斯回答她说： —

‘O my mother, why then dost thou grudge the sweet minstrel to gladden us as his spirit moves him? —
“哦，我的母亲，那么你为什么要阻止甜蜜的吟游诗人根据他的灵感使我们愉悦呢？ —

It is not minstrels who are in fault, but Zeus, methinks, is in fault, who gives to men, that live by bread, to each one as he will. —
我认为，罪不在吟游诗人，而在于宙斯，他给吃饭的人赋予了他所愿意的一切。 —

As for him it is no blame if he sings the ill-faring of the Danaans; —
对于他来说，如果他歌颂了迦太基人的不幸，这并不是错误； —

for men always prize that song the most, which rings newest in their ears. —
因为人们总是最珍视那些最新鲜的歌曲，最令他们耳目一新的歌曲。 —

But let thy heart and mind endure to listen, for not Odysseus only lost in Troy the day of his returning, but many another likewise perished. —
但要让你的心灵和思想忍受着倾听，因为不仅仅是奥德修斯在特洛伊失去了回家的那一天，还有许多其他人也同样丧命。” —

Howbeit go to thy chamber and mind thine own housewiferies, the loom and distaff, and bid thy handmaids ply their tasks. —
不过，你去你的房间，管好你自己的家务琐事，梭和纺锤，让你的使女们继续做她们的工作。 —

But speech shall be for men, for all, but for me in chief; —
但言语应留给男人，对所有人而言，但对我来说更重要； —

for mine is the lordship in the house.’
因为在这房子里，我是当家的人。

Then in amaze she went back to her chamber, for she laid up the wise saying of her son in her heart. —
她惊讶地回到她的房间，因为她将儿子的睿智之言记在心中。 —

She ascended to her upper chamber with the women her handmaids, and then was bewailing Odysseus, her dear lord, till grey-eyed Athene cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.
她和自己的使女们上楼，然后哀悼着她亲爱的丈夫奥德修斯，直到智者雅典娜给她的眼皮带来甜美的睡意。

Now the wooers clamoured throughout the shadowy halls, and each one uttered a prayer to be her bedfellow. —
现在求婚者们在影影绰绰的大厅里喧哗着，每个人都祈求成为她的床伴。 —

And wise Telemachus first spake among them:
智者忒勒玛科斯率先在他们中间发言：

‘Wooers of my mother, men despiteful out of measure, let us feast now and make merry and let there be no brawling; —
“求婚者们，你们这些无比恶劣的男人，让我们现在设宴欢乐，不要吵闹； —

for, lo, it is a good thing to list to a minstrel such as him, like to the gods in voice. —
因为，听像他这样的诗人唱歌，嗓音堪比众神，这是一件美好的事。 —

But in the morning let us all go to the assembly and sit us down, that I may declare my saying outright, to wit that ye leave these halls: —
但明日让我们一起去集会，坐下来，我可以明确地表达我的意见，即你们离开这些大厅： —

and busy yourselves with other feasts, eating your own substance, going in turn from house to house. But if ye deem this a likelier and a better thing, that one man’s goods should perish without atonement, then waste ye as ye will; —
自个儿贫困地日子也好，从一个家去另一个家享用食物也罢。如果你们认为，让一个人的财产毫无弥补地毁灭更合理更好，那么任你们挥霍； —

and I will call upon the everlasting gods, if haply Zeus may grant that acts of recompense be made: —
我会呼唤永恒的众神，假使宙斯可以让补偿行为变为现实： —

so should ye hereafter perish within the halls without atonement.’
那么将来你们在这些大厅内不得不无法弥补地灭亡。”

So spake he, and all that heard him bit their lips and marvelled at Telemachus, in that he spake boldly.
他说完，所有听到他的人都咬紧了嘴唇，对忒勒玛科斯敢言如此感到惊奇。

Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered him: —
然后欧佩忒斯的儿子安提努斯回答他说： —

‘Telemachus, in very truth the gods themselves instruct thee to be proud of speech and boldly to harangue. —
梯勒玛科斯，诚然众神亲自指导你大胆吐辞，放心地演讲。 —

Never may Cronion make thee king in seagirt Ithaca, which thing is of inheritance thy right!’
克罗尼恩永远不会让你成为坐拥海岛伊斯特卡的国王，这是你的合法继承权！

Then wise Telemachus answered him, and said: —
聪明的梯勒玛科斯回答他说： —

‘Antinous, wilt thou indeed be wroth at the word that I shall say? —
安提努斯，你会因我即将说出的话而生气吗？ —

Yea, at the hand of Zeus would I be fain to take even this thing upon me. —
是的，哪怕是从宙斯手里，我也愿意承担这件事。 —

Sayest thou that this is the worst hap that can befal a man? —
你说这是一个人可能遭遇的最坏的事情吗？ —

Nay, verily, it is no ill thing to be a king: —
不，确实成为国王并不是件坏事： —

the house of such an one quickly waxeth rich and himself is held in greater honour. —
这样一个人的家很快就会变得富有，他自己也会受到更高的尊重。 —

Howsoever there are many other kings of the Achaeans in seagirt Ithaca, kings young and old; —
尽管海岛伊斯特卡有许多其他阿凯亚人的国王，年轻的和年老的； —

someone of them shall surely have this kingship since goodly Odysseus is dead. —
既然美丽的奥德修斯已经去世，他们中肯定会有人担任国王。 —

But as for me, I will be lord of our own house and thralls, that goodly Odysseus gat me with his spear.’
但至于我，我将成为我们家庭和奴隶的主人，好武士奥德修斯用他的长矛得到过的。

Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered him, saying: —
接着，波吕波斯之子欧利马库斯回答他说： —

‘Telemachus, on the knees of the gods it surely lies, what man is to be king over the Achaeans in seagirt Ithaca. —
梯勒玛科斯，究竟是由众神决定，谁将成为掌握海岛伊斯特卡的阿凯亚人之王。 —

But mayest thou keep thine own possessions and be lord in thine own house! —
愿你能保有自己的财产，在自己的家中称霸！ —

Never may that man come, who shall wrest from thee thy substance violently in thine own despite while Ithaca yet stands. —
在伊斯特卡还屹立之际，永远不会有人来，以强暴的手段从你手中夺取你的财产。 —

But I would ask thee, friend, concerning the stranger — whence he is, and of what land he avows him to be? —
但我要问你，朋友，关于那个陌生人——他从哪里来，他声称自己是哪个国家的人？ —

Where are his kin and his native fields? —
他的亲戚和故土在哪里？ —

Doth he bear some tidings of thy father on his road, or cometh he thus to speed some matter of his own? —
他是不是带着你父亲的消息在路上，还是他是为了自己的事来的？ —

In such wise did he start up, and lo, he was gone, nor tarried he that we should know him; —
他突然起身，就这样消失了，也不等我们认识他； —

— and yet he seemed no mean man to look upon.’ 3
——然而看起来他似乎并不普通。」

3 The [Greek] explains the expression of surprise at the sudden departure of the stranger.}
{[希腊人] 解释了对陌生人突然离去的惊讶表达。}

Then wise Telemachus answered him, and said: —
然后睿智的泰勒马科斯回答他说： —

‘Eurymachus, surely the day of my father’s returning hath gone by. —
「欧里马科斯，我父亲归来的日子已经过去了。 —

Therefore no more do I put faith in tidings, whencesoever they may come, neither have I regard unto any divination, whereof my mother may inquire at the lips of a diviner, when she hath bidden him to the hall. —
所以从来不会相信不管从哪里传来的消息，也不会在我母亲召唤预言家到大厅询问卜卦时关注任何预言。 —

But as for that man, he is a friend of my house from Taphos, and he avows him to be Mentes, son of wise Anchialus, and he hath lordship among the Taphians, lovers of the oar.’
至于那个人，他是我家的朋友，来自塔福斯，他自称是智慧安基阿卢斯之子门泰斯，他在爱划船的塔菲安人中占有统治地位。」

So spake Telemachus, but in his heart he knew the deathless goddess. —
泰勒马科斯这样说，但在心里他知道那位不朽的女神。 —

Now the wooers turned them to the dance and the delightsome song, and made merry, and waited till evening should come on. —
此时求婚者们转向跳舞和欢快的歌曲，快乐起来，等待着夜幕降临。 —

And as they made merry, dusk evening came upon them. —
当他们享乐时，黄昏降临了。 —

Then they went each one to his own house to lie down to rest.
然后他们各自回家休息去了。

But Telemachus, where his chamber was builded high up in the fair court, in a place with wide prospect, thither betook him to his bed, pondering many thoughts in his mind; —
但泰勒马科斯的卧室建在宽阔庭院中高处，视野开阔的地方，他去那里沉思着许多念头躺下； —

and with him went trusty Eurycleia, and bare for him torches burning. —
而忠实的欧克勒雅跟着他，手持着燃烧的火炬。 —

She was the daughter of Ops, son of Peisenor, and Laertes bought her on a time with his wealth, while as yet she was in her first youth, and gave for her the worth of twenty oxen. —
她是Opis的女儿，Peisenor的儿子，莱尔提斯曾用他的财富购买了她，那时她还是个年轻姑娘，为她花费了价值二十头牛的代价。 —

And he honoured her even as he honoured his dear wife in the halls, but he never lay with her, for he shunned the wrath of his lady. —
他如同对待他心爱的妻子一样尊重她在宫殿里，但他从未与她同床共枕，因为他害怕自己夫人的愤怒。 —

She went with Telemachus and bare for him the burning torches: —
她跟随泰勒玛科斯一起，手持着燃烧的火炬： —

and of all the women of the household she loved him most, and she had nursed him when a little one. —
在家中所有的女仆中，她最爱他，她曾经在他还是个小孩的时候照料过他。 —

Then he opened the doors of the well-builded chamber and sat him on the bed and took off his soft doublet, and put it in the wise old woman’s hands. —
他打开了精心修建的卧室的门，坐在床上，脱下他柔软的内衣，交给老女仆。 —

So she folded the doublet and smoothed it, and hung it on a pin by the jointed bedstead, and went forth on her way from the room, and pulled to the door with the silver handle, and drew home the bar with the thong. —
她把内衣叠好平整，挂在联接床架的一个挂钩上，然后走出房间，拉上镶银手柄的门，并用皮带拉上门闩。 —

There, all night through, wrapped in a fleece of wool, he meditated in his heart upon the journey that Athene had showed him.
整晚，他裹着羊毛毯子，心里想着雅典娜向他展示的旅程。