The fighting at fists of Odysseus with Irus. His admonitions to Amphinomus. —
奥德修斯与艾洛斯的搏斗。他对安菲诺默斯的忠告。 —

Penelope appears before the wooers, and draws presents from them.
佩内洛普出现在追求者面前，并从他们那里收取礼物。

Then up came a common beggar, who was wont to beg through the town of Ithaca, one that was known among all men for ravening greed, for his endless eating and drinking, yet he had no force or might, though he was bulky enough to look on. —
然后来了一个常见的乞丐，他在伊萨卡镇乞食，众人皆知他因贪婪的食量而闻名，尽管他很庞大，却毫无力量，虽然看起来很结实。 —

Arnaeus was his name, for so had his good mother given it him at his birth, but all the young men called him Irus, because he ran on errands, whensoever any might bid him. —
他的名字叫阿纳尤斯，因为他出生时他的母亲给他起的，但所有年轻人都叫他艾罗斯，因为他常常奔走在跑腿之间。 —

So now he came, and would have driven Odysseus from his own house, and began reviling him, and spake winged words:
于是他走了过来，并试图赶走奥德修斯，开始谩骂他，说出了尖酸的话。

‘Get thee hence, old man, from the doorway, lest thou be even haled out soon by the foot. —
‘老人，离开门口，免得不久之后被脚拖出去。 —

Seest thou not that all are now giving me the wink, and bidding me drag thee forth? —
你难道不看见现在所有人都在跟我眨眼，示意我把你拉出去吗? —

Nevertheless, I feel shame of the task. Nay get thee up, lest our quarrel soon pass even to blows.’
然而，我对这个任务感到羞耻。现在走开，免得我们的争端很快就变成打斗。’

Then Odysseus of many counsels looked fiercely on him, and spake saying: —
然后，多谋士奥德修斯怒视他，说道： —

‘Sir, neither in deed nor word do I harm thee, nor do I grudge that any should give to thee, yea though it were a good handful. —
先生，我对你无论是行为还是言语都没有伤害，也不会嫉妒别人给你的东西，即使是一大把也无妨。 —

But this threshold will hold us both, and thou hast no need to be jealous for the sake of other men’s goods. —
但这个门槛可以容纳我们两个，你无需为他人的物品嫉妒。 —

Thou seemest to me to be a wanderer, even as I am, and the gods it is that are like to give us gain. Only provoke me not overmuch to buffeting, lest thou anger me, and old though I be I defile thy breast and lips with blood. —
你对我看起来像是一个流浪者，正如我一样，并且神灵可能会给予我们收获。只是不要激怒我太过，以免激怒我，老虽然老了，却会让你的胸口和嘴唇沾满鲜血。 —

Thereby should I have the greater quiet tomorrow, for methinks that thou shalt never again come to the hall of Odysseus, son of Laertes’.
这样明天我会更加安静，因为我觉得你再也不会来到奥德修斯，来瑙提斯之子拉耳提斯大厅了。

Then the beggar Irus spake unto him in anger: —
然后乞丐艾罗斯怒气冲冲地对他说： —

‘Lo now, how trippingly and like an old cinder-wife this glutton speaks, on whom I will work my evil will, and smite him right and left, and drive all the teeth from his jaws to the ground, like the tusks of a swine that spoils the corn. —
‘看，这个贪吃的人说话如此顺畅，就像一个老灰妇，我将对他施加我的恶意，左右开弓地打他，将他牙齿都从嘴里打到地上，就像破坏玉米的猪的獠牙一样。’ —

Gird thyself now, that even these men all may know our mettle in fight. —
包裹好自己，让这些人都知道我们在战斗中的能力。 —

Nay, how shouldst thou do battle with a younger man than thou?’
哪里有可能和比你年轻的人战斗？’

Thus did they whet each the other’s rage right manfully before the lofty doors upon the polished threshold. —
于是他们在光滑的门槛前，勉励彼此的愤怒。 —

And the mighty prince Antinous heard the twain, and sweetly he laughed out, and spake among the wooers:
伟大的王子安提诺斯听到了这两个人，甜美地笑出声来，在追求者中说道：

‘Friends, never before has there been such a thing; —
‘朋友们，从未有过这样的事情； —

such goodly game has a god brought to this house. —
一个神带来了这样优秀的游戏到这座房子。 —

The stranger yonder and Irus are bidding each other to buffets. —
那位陌生人和艾罗鲁斯正在互相挑战。 —

Quick, let us match them one against the other.’
快，让我们把他们两个比拼一下吧.’

Then all at the word leaped up laughing, and gathered round the ragged beggars, and Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spake among them saying: —
于是听到这话的追求者们立刻笑着跳起来，围在那两位破烂乞丐身边，欧底修斯，多智多谋者，诡计多端地在他们中间说话： —

‘Hear me, ye lordly wooers, and I will say somewhat. —
‘听我说，尊贵的追求者们，我要说些话。 —

Here are goats’ bellies lying at the fire, that we laid by at supper-time and filled with fat and blood. —
这里有羊肚子放在火上，我们在晚餐时放在那里，里面装满了脂肪和血液。 —

Now whichsoever of the twain wins, and shows himself the better man, let him stand up and take his choice of these puddings. —
现在两人中哪个成功，表现得更好，就让他站起来，挑选这些布丁中的一种。 —

And further, he shall always eat at our feasts, nor will we suffer any other beggar to come among us and ask for alms.’
而且，他将永远在我们的宴会上就餐，我们也不会允许其他的乞丐来请求施舍.’

So spake Antinous, and the saying pleased them well. —
安提诺斯如此说完，大家都很赞同这个提议。 —

Then Odysseus of many counsels spake among them craftily:
那时，多智多谋的欧底修斯在他们中间诡计地说道：

‘Friends, an old man and foredone with travail may in no wise fight with a younger. —
‘朋友们,一位年老且已疲惫之人绝对不应与年轻人争斗。 —

But my belly’s call is urgent on me, that evil-worker, to the end that I may be subdued with stripes. —
但我的肚子忽然又急又饿，这个恶人，为了我能受到责罚而被击败。 —

But come now, swear me all of you a strong oath, so that none, for the sake of shewing a favour to Irus, may strike me a foul blow with heavy hand and subdue me by violence to my foe.’
但是现在，来吧，你们所有人向我发誓，以便没有人为了照顾伊洛斯而用重手猛击我，用暴力压迫我给我的敌人。

So he spake, and they all swore not to strike him, as he bade them. —
于是他说完，并且他们都发誓不打他，就像他们要求的那样。 —

Now when they had sworn and done that oath, the mighty prince Telemachus once more spake among them:
当他们发誓并完成誓言后，伟大的王子泰勒玛考斯再次在他们中间说话：

‘Stranger, if thy heart and lordly spirit urge thee to rid thee of this fellow, then fear not any other of the Achaeans, for whoso strikes thee shall have to fight with many. —
‘陌生人，如果你的心和权威精神驱使你摆脱这个家伙，不要害怕其他的阿伽伊人，因为有的会对你投掷许多人。 —

Thy host am I, and the princes consent with me, Antinous and Eurymachus, men of wisdom both.’
我是你的东道主，众王子同意我的意见，安提诺斯和欧雷马库斯，两个有智慧的人。

So spake he and they all consented thereto. —
他这样说，他们都同意了。 —

Then Odysseus girt his rags about his loins, and let his thighs be seen, goodly and great, and his broad shoulders and breast and mighty arms were manifest. —
然后奥德修斯束紧了他的破烂衣服，露出他的大腿，英俊而宏伟，他的宽阔肩膀和胸部以及强壮的臂膀都显而易见。 —

And Athene came nigh and made greater the limbs of the shepherd of the people. —
雅典娜走近一步，使这位人民牧羊人的肢体更加强壮。 —

Then the wooers were exceedingly amazed, and thus would one speak looking to his neighbour:
那么寻求者们都非常惊讶，于是一个人会这样对着他的邻居说：

‘Right soon will Irus, unIrused, have a bane of his own bringing, such a thigh as that old man shows from out his rags!’
‘没有被恶毒折磨过的伊拉斯将很快招致自己的灭亡，老人从他的破烂衣服里展示出这样一条腿!’

So they spake, and the mind of Irus was pitifully stirred; —
他们这样说，伊洛斯的心被可怜地激动起来； —

but even so the servants girded him and led him out perforce in great fear, his flesh trembling on his limbs. —
但即便如此，仆人们还是把他束紧，用极大的恐惧强行带他出去，他的肉在身上颤抖。 —

Then Antinous chid him, and spake and hailed him:
然后安提诺斯责骂他，说道并向他打招呼：’

‘Thou lubber, better for thee that thou wert not now, nor ever hadst been born, if indeed thou tremblest before this man, and art so terribly afraid; —
‘你这懦夫，对你来说最好是你现在根本不存在，或者从未出生过，如果你竟然在这个人面前发抖，并感到如此可怕的恐惧； —

an old man too he is, and foredone with the travail that is come upon him. —
他还是个老人，被工作折磨得筋疲力尽。 —

But I will tell thee plainly, and it shall surely be accomplished. —
但我会直言不讳地告诉你，这件事一定会发生。 —

If this man prevail against thee and prove thy master, I will cast thee into a black ship, and send thee to the mainland to Echetus the king, the maimer of all mankind, who will cut off thy nose and ears with the pitiless steel, and draw out thy vitals and give them raw to dogs to rend.’
如果这个人战胜了你，成为你的主人，我会把你扔进一艘黑船，送到大陆上的国王埃刻托斯那里，他是割掉一切人类的肢体的人，他会用无情的钢刀割下你的鼻子和耳朵，拽出你的内脏生生喂狗撕碎。’

So he spake, and yet greater trembling gat hold of the limbs of Irus, and they led him into the ring, and the twain put up their hands. —
他说完，爱鲁斯的四肢更加发抖，他们把他领到擂台边，两人举起了手。 —

Then the steadfast goodly Odysseus mused in himself whether he should smite him in such wise that his life should leave his body, even there where he fell, or whether he should strike him lightly, and stretch him on the earth. —
然后那位坚定而高贵的奥德修斯在心里考虑着，是应该重重地击败他，让他当场丧命，还是轻轻地敲打他，然后把他推到地上。 —

And as he thought thereon, this seemed to him the better way, to strike lightly, that the Achaeans might not take note of him, who he was. —
经过思考，他觉得轻轻地打击是更好的选择，这样阿奎亚人不会察觉到他是谁。 —

Then the twain put up their hands, and Irus struck at the right shoulder, but the other smote him on his neck beneath the ear, and crushed in the bones, and straightway the red blood gushed up through his mouth, and with a moan he fell in the dust, and drave together his teeth as he kicked the ground. —
然后两人举起了手，爱鲁斯击中奥德修斯的右肩，而奥德修斯打中他的颈下耳朵，击碎了骨头，鲜血立刻从他嘴中涌出，他抱头痛苦地倒在尘土里，碰地时咬牙切齿。 —

But the proud wooers threw up their hands, and died outright for laughter. —
但自负的求婚者们却捧腹大笑，死于笑声之中。 —

Then Odysseus seized him by the foot, and dragged him forth through the doorway, till he came to the courtyard and the gates of the gallery, and he set him down and rested him against the courtyard wall, and put his staff in his hands, and uttering his voice spake to him winged words:
奥德修斯抓住他的脚，拖着他走出门口，直到来到庭院和长廊的大门，他把他放在那里，靠在庭院的墙边，把手杖放在他手中，然后开口对他说：

‘Sit thou there now, and scare off swine and dogs, and let not such an one as thou be lord over strangers and beggars, pitiful as thou art, lest haply some worse thing befal thee.’
‘你就坐在那里吓走猪和狗吧，像你这样可怜的人不要当陌生人和乞丐的主宰，免得你被降得更惨。’

Thus he spake, and cast about his shoulders his mean scrip all tattered, and the cord therewith to hang it, and he gat him back to the threshold, and sat him down there again. —
他说完，把自己破烂的小包和挂着的绳子披在肩上，然后回到门口，再次坐下。 —

Now the wooers went within laughing sweetly, and greeted him, saying:
求婚者们开心地走进去，笑着向他打招呼，说：

‘May Zeus, stranger, and all the other deathless gods give thee thy dearest wish, even all thy heart’s desire, seeing that thou hast made that insatiate one to cease from his begging in the land! —
‘陌生人，愿宙斯和其他永生神赐予你最美好的愿望，让你心之所愿，因为你让那个贪求无厌的人在这片土地上停止了乞讨！ —

Soon will we take him over to the mainland, to Echetus the king, the maimer of all mankind.’
我们很快就会把他带到大陆，送到人类的割肢者埃刻托斯那里。’

So they spake, and goodly Odysseus rejoiced in the omen of the words. —
如此说着，聪明的奥德修斯因这些话而欣喜。 —

And Antinous set by him the great pudding, stuffed with fat and blood, and Amphinomus took up two loaves from the basket, and set them by him and pledged him in a golden cup, and spake saying:
安提诺斯把一大块内有脂肪和血的布丁放在他旁边，安菲诺默斯从篮子里拿起两个面包，放在他旁边，用一个金杯向他祝酒，并说道：

‘Father and stranger, hail! may happiness be thine in the time to come; —
‘父亲和陌生人，你好！愿你未来幸福； —

but as now, thou art fast holden in many sorrows.’
但此刻，你陷入了许多忧伤之中。’

And Odysseus of many counsels answered him saying: —
多智慧的奥德修斯回答说： —

‘Amphinomus, verily thou seemest to me a prudent man enough; —
‘安菲诺默斯，实在你看起来是个相当聪明的人； —

for such too was the father of whom thou art sprung, for I have heard the fair fame of him, how that Nisus of Dulichium was a good man and a rich, and his son they say thou art, and thou seemest a man of understanding. —
因为你所出自的父亲也是这样一个善良且富有的人，我听说过他的美名，你似乎就是他的儿子，而且你看起来是个富有理解力的人。 —

Wherefore I will tell thee, and do thou mark and listen to me. —
因此我要告诉你，你要仔细听： —

Nought feebler doth the earth nurture than man, of all the creatures that breathe and move upon the face of the earth. —
地球上没有比人类更脆弱的生物，他们呼吸和在地球表面上运动； —

Lo, he thinks that he shall never suffer evil in time to come, while the gods give him happiness, and his limbs move lightly. —
看哪，当神灵赐予他幸福且身体轻盈时，他会认为自己永远不会遭受邪恶。 —

But when again the blessed gods have wrought for him sorrow, even so he bears it, as he must, with a steadfast heart. —
但当再次神灵给他带来痛苦时，他将必须坚定地忍受。 —

For the spirit of men upon the earth is even as their day, that comes upon them from the father of gods and men. —
因为人的精神在地球上就如同他们从世界之父得来的一天一样。 —

Yea, and I too once was like to have been prosperous among men, but many an infatuate deed I did, giving place to mine own hardihood and strength, and trusting to my father and my brethren. —
是的，我曾经也几乎享受过在人群中的繁荣，但我做了许多愚蠢的事，听从着我自己的勇气和力量，相信着我父亲和我的兄弟。 —

Wherefore let no man for ever be lawless any more, but keep quietly the gifts of the gods, whatsoever they may give. —
因此，让人永远不要再无法无天，而是安静地保持神灵赐予的礼物。 —

Such infatuate deeds do I see the wooers devising, as they waste the wealth, and hold in no regard the wife of a man, who, methinks, will not much longer be far from his friends and his own land; —
我看到求婚者正在设计的如此愚蠢的举动，他们挥霍着财富，对一个男人的妻子毫不尊重，我想，这个男人离开他的朋友和自己的土地可能不会太久了。’ —

nay he is very near. But for thee, may some god withdraw thee hence to thy home, and mayst thou not meet him in the day when he returns to his own dear country! —
不，他离得很近。但愿某神将你带回家，让你不会在他回到自己心爱的国家时遇到他！ —

For not without blood, as I deem, will they be sundered, the wooers and Odysseus, when once he shall have come beneath his own roof.’
我认为，奥德修斯和求婚者们之间不会没有流血的分离，当他一旦回到自己的家中时。

Thus he spake, and poured an offering and then drank of the honey-sweet wine, and again set the cup in the hands of the arrayer of the people. —
他这样说完后，倒了一杯祭品，喝了一口甜蜜的蜜酒，然后再把杯子交回给人民的布置者。 —

But the other went back through the hall, sad at heart and bowing his head; —
但另一个人悲伤地低着头走回了大厅； —

for verily his soul boded evil. Yet even so he avoided not his fate, for Athene had bound him likewise to be slain outright at the hands and by the spear of Telemachus. —
因为他的灵魂确实感到不祥。即使是这样，他也无法避免自己的命运，因为雅典娜也使他被提勒马科斯刺杀。 —

So he sat down again on the high seat whence he had arisen.
于是他再次坐回那高座上。

Now the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, put it into the heart of the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, to show herself to the wooers, that she might make their heart all flutter with hope, and that she might win yet more worship from her lord and her son than heretofore. —
现在，灵巧的智慧女神雅典娜，激起了伊卡利欧斯的女儿聪明的佩内洛普的心，要她向求婚者们露面，激起他们的希望，赢得比之前更多的尊敬，尤其是从她的丈夫和儿子那里。 —

To she laughed an idle laugh, and spake to the nurse, and hailed her, saying:
她发出一个轻蔑的笑声，向保姆说话，招呼她，说道：

‘Eurynome, my heart yearns, though before I had no such desire, to show myself to the wooers, hateful as they are. —
“尤里诺梅，尽管我以前并没有这样的愿望，但我的内心渴望向那些令人讨厌的求婚者们展示自己。 —

I would also say a word to my son, that will be for his weal, namely, that he should not for ever consort with the proud wooers, who speak friendly with their lips, but imagine evil in the latter end.’
我还想对我的儿子说一句话，这对他有益，即他不要永远和那些傲慢的求婚者在一起，他们口中说得很友好，但最终却心怀恶念。”

Then the housewife, Eurynome, spake to her saying: —
然后管家婆尤里诺梅对她说： —

‘Yea my child, all this thou hast spoken as is meet. —
“是的，我的孩子，你所说的一切都是合适的。 —

Go then, and declare thy word to thy son and hide it not, but first wash thee and anoint thy face, and go not as thou art with thy cheeks all stained with tears. —
去吧，把你的话告诉你的儿子，不要隐瞒，但先洗脸擦油，不要带着满脸的泪痕去。 —

Go, for it is little good to sorrow always, and never cease. —
前去吧，哀悼总是没什么好处，永无止尽。 —

And lo, thy son is now of an age to hear thee, he whom thou hast above all things prayed the gods that thou mightest see with a beard upon his chin.’
你的儿子现在已经到了能听从你讲话的年纪，你曾最祈求神明能见到他有胡须的样子。”

Then wise Penelope answered her, saying: ‘Eurynome, speak not thus comfortably to me, for all thy love, bidding me to wash and be anointed with ointment. —
然后聪明的彭诺洛底回答她说：“尤里诺梅，不要对我说这般安慰的话，尽管你深爱我，让我洗澡，抹上香膏。 —

For the gods that keep Olympus destroyed my bloom, since the day that he departed in the hollow ships. —
因为守护奥林匹斯的众神毁灭了我的容颜，自从他乘着空船离去的那一天起。 —

But bid Autonoe and Hippodameia come to me, to stand by my side in the halls. Alone I will not go among men, for I am ashamed.’
但让奥托诺埃和希波达梅亚前来，站在我的身边。我不愿单独走向众人，因为我感到羞耻。”

So she spake, and the old woman passed through the chamber to tell the maidens, and hasten their coming.
她说完后，老女仆走过房间去告知侍女们，催促她们快点过来。

Thereon the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, had another thought. —
灰眼睛的女神雅典娜另有一番打算。 —

She shed a sweet slumber over the daughter of Icarius, who sank back in sleep, and all her joints were loosened as she lay in the chair, and the fair goddess the while was giving her gifts immortal, that all the Achaeans might marvel at her. —
她让伊卡里俄的女儿陷入了甜美的熟睡中，她在椅子上躺着的时候，她的关节都变得松软，而公正的女神则赋予她永恒的礼物，让所有的阿喀琉斯人都惊叹不已。 —

Her fair face first she steeped with beauty imperishable, such as that wherewith the crowned Cytherea is anointed, when she goes to the lovely dances of the Graces. —
她首先用永久的美丽沐浴了她美丽的面容，就像爱神措瓦特丽亚涂抹的那种，当她去美丽的格雷斯女神的舞会时。 —

And she made her taller and greater to behold, and made her whiter than new-sawn ivory. —
她让她更高大，更动人。让她比新锯出的象牙更白皙。 —

Now when she had wrought thus, that fair goddess departed, and the white-armed handmaidens came forth from the chamber and drew nigh with a sound of voices. —
当她完成了这一切，那位美丽的女神离开了，白皙的女仆们从房间里出来，声音响亮。 —

Then sweet sleep left hold of Penelope, and she rubbed her cheeks with her hands, and said:
然后甜美的睡意离开了彭诺洛底，她用手搓着自己的脸颊，说：

‘Surely soft slumber wrapped me round, most wretched though I be. Oh! —
“尽管我很不幸，柔软的睡意包围着我。哦！ —

that pure Artemis would give me so soft a death even now, that I might no more waste my life in sorrow of heart, and longing for the manifold excellence of my dear lord, for that he was foremost of the Achaeans.’
纯洁的阿耳忒弥斯啊，愿你现在给我如此柔软的死亡，使我不再在心灵的悲伤和对我亲爱的领主无数卓越之处的渴望中虚度残生，因为他是所有阿喀琉斯人中的佼佼者。”

With this word she went down from the shining upper chamber, not alone, for two handmaidens likewise bare her company. —
她说完这话后，从明亮的楼上房间走了出来，不是独自一人，还有两位女仆陪伴着。 —

But when the fair lady had now come to the wooers, she stood by the pillar of the well-builded roof, holding her glistening tire before her face, and on either side of her stood a faithful handmaid. —
当这位美丽的女士来到求婚者们面前时，她站在盖满烦恼的头巾面前，她的脸。她的两侧各站着一位忠实的女仆。 —

And straightway the knees of the wooers were loosened, and their hearts were enchanted with love, and each one uttered a prayer that he might be her bed-fellow. —
求婚者们的双膝立即软弱无力，他们的心被爱情所迷惑，每个人都祈祷能成为她的床伴。 —

But she spake to Telemachus, her dear son:
但她与忒勒玛查谈话，她亲爱的儿子:

‘Telemachus, thy mind and thy thoughts are no longer stable as they were. —
“忒勒玛查，你的心智和思想已不如以往稳定。 —

While thou wast still a child, thou hadst a yet quicker and more crafty wit, but now that thou art great of growth, and art come to the measure of manhood, and a stranger looking to thy stature and thy beauty might say that thou must be some rich man’s son, thy mind and thy thoughts are no longer right as of old. —
当你还是个孩子的时候，你的机智更快更狡猾，但现在你已经长大，成为一个男子汉，一个陌生人看着你的身材和美丽可能会说你一定是某个富人的儿子，你的心智和思想不再像以前一样正确。 —

For lo, what manner of deed has been done in these halls, in that thou hast suffered thy guest to be thus shamefully dealt with. —
因为看哪，这间大厅里发生了怎样的事，就是你让我们的客人这样受到可耻的对待。 —

How would it be now, if the stranger sitting thus in our house, were to come to some harm all through this evil handling? —
现在，假如这个陌生人在我们家里这样坐着，要是因这般羞辱而遭受损害会怎样？ —

Shame and disgrace would be thine henceforth among men.’
从此你在人们中间将遭受耻辱和羞辱。”

Then wise Telemachus answered her: ‘Mother mine, as to this matter I count it no blame that thou art angered. —
聪明的忒勒玛查回答她：“我母亲，关于这件事，我并不认为你生气是有错。 —

Yet have I knowledge and understanding of each thing, of the good and of the evil; —
但我对每一件事都有知识和理解，无论是好是坏； —

but heretofore I was a child. Howbeit I cannot devise all things according to wisdom, for these men in their evil counsel drive me from my wits, on this side and on that, and there is none to aid me. —
但以前我还是个孩子。然而我无法以智慧来策划所有事情，因为这些人在他们邪恶的策略中让我困惑不已，时而这样时而那样，而没有人来帮助我。 —

Howsoever this battle between Irus and the stranger did not fall out as the wooers would have had it, but the stranger proved the better man. —
然而这场依拉斯与那个陌生人之间的争斗并非如求婚者所愿，而陌生人证明了自己更胜一筹。 —

Would to Father Zeus and Athene and Apollo, that the wooers in our halls were even now thus vanquished, and wagging their heads, some in the court, and some within the house, and that the limbs of each man were loosened in such fashion as Irus yonder sits now, by the courtyard gates wagging his head, like a drunken man, and cannot stand upright on his feet, nor yet get him home to his own place, seeing that his limbs are loosened!’
但愿宙斯之父、雅典娜和阿波罗，我们大厅里的求婚者此刻正如伊留士和那个陌生人一样被击败，摇摆着头，有的在庭院里，有的在屋里，而且每个人的四肢都像伊留士那样松弛，他坐在庭院门口摇着头，像个醉汉，无法稳地立在腿上，也无法回到自己的地方，因为他的四肢松弛！”

Thus they spake one to another. But Eurymachus spake to Penelope, saying:
他们互相说着。但尤里马科斯对彭洛佩说：

‘Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, if all the Achaeans in Iasian Argos could behold thee, even a greater press of wooers would feast in your halls from tomorrow’s dawn, since thou dost surpass all women in beauty and stature, and within in wisdom of mind.’
“伊卡忒的女儿，睿智的彭洛佩，如果所有阿伽伦在依阿西亚的阿尔戈斯都能看到你，明天早晨会有更多的求婚者在你的大厅里欢宴，因为你在美貌和身材方面都超出所有女人，而且智慧上也是如此。”

Then wise Penelope answered him: ‘Eurymachus, surely my excellence, both of face and form, the gods destroyed in the day when the Argives embarked for Ilios, and with them went my lord Odysseus. —
而聪明的彭洛佩回答他：“尤里马科斯，的确，我的优越性，无论是外表还是身姿，都在当阿伽伦们起航前去伊利乌斯的那天被神毁灭了，我的丈夫奥德修斯与他们一同去了。 —

If but he might come and watch over this my life, greater thus would be my fame and fairer! —
如果他能回来看守我的生活，我的名誉将更加辉煌而更加美丽！” —

But now am I in sorrow; such a host of ills some god has sent against me. —
但现在我悲伤欲绝；是某位神明派来了如此多的灾难降临在我身上。 —

Ah, well do I remember, when he set forth and left his own country, how he took me by the right hand at the wrist and spake, saying:
啊，我清楚地记得，当他出发离开自己的国家时，他握住我的右手腕，说道：

‘“Lady, methinks that all the goodly-greaved Achaeans will not win a safe return from Troy; —
“夫人，我觉得所有那些身披壮丽铠甲的阿伽门农人都不会平安地从特洛伊返回； —

for the Trojans too, they say, are good men at arms, as spearsmen, and bowmen, and drivers of fleet horses, such as ever most swiftly determine the great strife of equal battle. —
因为人们都说，特洛伊人也是优秀的武士，他们善于用枪，射箭，驰骋快马，最擅长决定平衡战斗的伟大争斗。 —

Wherefore I know not if the gods will suffer me to return, or whether I shall be cut off there in Troy; —
因此，我不知道神明是否会让我回家，或者我是否会在特洛伊丧生； —

so do thou have a care for all these things. —
所以你要留心这一切。 —

Be mindful of my father and my mother in the halls, even as now thou art, or yet more than now, while I am far away. —
在我的远行期间，你要像现在一样关心我的父母在宫中，甚至更多，或者比现在更多。” —

But when thou seest thy son a bearded man, marry whom thou wilt and leave thine own house.”
但当你看到你儿子已经是一个有胡须的男子时，嫁给你想嫁的人，离开你自己的家。

‘Even so did he speak, and now all these things have an end. —
‘他确实是这样说的，现在所有这些事情都结束了。 —

The night shall come when a hateful marriage shall find me out, me most luckless, whose good hap Zeus has taken away. —
黑夜将会降临，一个可恨的婚姻将找到我，我这个最不幸的人，相信上帝已经带走了我的好运。 —

But furthermore this sore trouble has come on my heart and soul; —
但此外，这种严重的困扰降临在我的心灵上； —

for this was not the manner of wooers in time past. —
因为过去的求婚者并非如此。 —

Whoso wish to woo a good lady and the daughter of a rich man, and vie one with another, themselves bring with them oxen of their own and goodly flocks, a banquet for the friends of the bride, and they give the lady splendid gifts, but do not devour another’s livelihood without atonement.’
无论谁想向一个好女士（贵族之女）求婚，以及向一个富裕男子的女儿求婚，并争取彼此的心，他们自己会带来自己的牛群和良好羊群，为新娘的朋友们举办宴会，他们会给女士华丽的礼品，但是不会无赔抵债地消耗别人的生计。

Thus she spake, and the steadfast goodly Odysseus rejoiced because she drew from them gifts, and beguiled their souls with soothing words, while her heart was set on other things.
她这样说，稳重而美好的奥德修斯听到因为她从他们那里获得礼物，并用安慰人心的话迷惑他们的灵魂，而她的心却想着其他事情。

Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered her again: —
然后欧底修斯之子安提诺乌斯回答她说： —

‘Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, the gifts which any of the Achaeans may choose to bring hither, do thou take; —
‘聪慧的伊卡利奥之女，慧眼的潘洛佩，任何希腊人选来的礼物，请你收下； —

for it were ill to withhold a gift. But we for our part will neither go to our lands nor otherwhere, before thou art wedded to the best man of the Achaeans.’
因为不给予礼物是不好的。但是我们(求婚者)会等到你嫁给希腊最优秀的男人之前，我们既不会回到我们的土地，也不会去别处。

So spake Antinous, and the saying pleased them well, and each man sent a henchman to bring his gifts. For Antinous his henchman bare a broidered robe, great and very fair, wherein were golden brooches, twelve in all, fitted with well bent clasps. —
安提诺乌斯如此说，这句话让他们心情极好，并且每个人都派人去带来他们的礼物。因为安提诺乌斯的仆人拿了一件编织的长袍，非常大而非常漂亮，上面配有十二个黄金胸针，装有弯曲的扣环。 —

And the henchman straightway bare Eurymachus a golden chain of curious work, strung with amber beads, shining like the sun. —
欧里马柯斯的仆人立刻拿来了一条金色项链，上面串着琥珀珠，熠熠生辉，如同太阳。 —

And his squires bare for Eurydamas a pair of ear-rings, with three drops well wrought, and much grace shone from them. —
而他的侍从带来了一对耳环，三颗精美的滴坠，极具韵味。 —

And out of the house of Peisander the prince, the son of Polyctor, the squire brought a necklet, a very lovely jewel. —
来自Polyctor之子、王子Peisander之屋的仆人带来了一条项链，一枚非常可爱的宝石。 —

And likewise the Achaeans brought each one some other beautiful gift.
同样的，希腊人每个人都带来了另一些美丽的礼物。

Then the fair lady went aloft to her upper chamber, and her attendant maidens bare for her the lovely gifts, while the wooers turned to dancing and the delight of song, and therein took their pleasure, and awaited the coming of eventide. —
然后美丽的贵妇人上楼到她的房间，她的侍女们为她送去了可爱的礼物，而求爱者们则开始跳舞、享受歌曲的愉悦，他们等待着黄昏的到来。 —

And dark evening came on them at their pastime. —
黑暗的夜晚降临在他们的娱乐活动中。 —

Anon they set up three braziers in the halls, to give them light, and on these they laid firewood all around, faggots seasoned long since and sere, and new split with the axe. —
然后他们在大厅里竖起了三个火盆，给他们照明，周围放上锯过的、早已干燥的柴薪。 —

And midway by the braziers they placed torches, and the maids of Odysseus, of the hardy heart, held up the lights in turn. —
在火盆的中间他们放上火把，而奥德修斯的女仆们交替举起着灯光。 —

Then the prince Odysseus of many counsels himself spake among them saying:
随后多谋略的奥德修斯王子自己在他们中间讲话说：

‘Ye maidens of Odysseus, the lord so long afar, get ye into the chambers where the honoured queen abides, and twist the yarn at her side, and gladden her heart as ye sit in the chamber, or card the wools with your hands; —
“奥德修斯的女仆们，那位久远在外的王，你们到他妻子的房间去，一边在她身边纺线，一边高兴地坐在房间里，或者用手纱羊毛； —

but I will minister light to all these that are here. —
但我会在这里为大家提供照明。 —

For even if they are minded to wait the throned Dawn, they shall not outstay me, so long enduring am I.’
即使他们打算等到坐着的黎明，也不会比我更坚持，我是如此地能忍受。”

So he spake, but they laughed and looked one at the other. —
于是他说完，她们都笑了，相互看着。 —

And the fair Melantho chid him shamefully, Melantho that Dolius begat, but Penelope reared, and entreated her tenderly as she had been her own child, and gave her playthings to her heart’s desire. —
美丽的梅兰索用责骂的话责骂他，梅兰索是多利乌斯生的，但是彭洛普把她抚养长大，并且宠爱她，给她她心里渴望的玩具。 —

Yet, for all that, sorrow for Penelope touched not her heart, but she loved Eurymachus and was his paramour. —
然而，尽管如此，对彭洛普的悲伤并没有触动她的心，而她爱着欧瑞马科斯，并成为了他的情妇。 —

Now she chid Odysseus with railing words:
现在她用辱骂的话责备奥德修斯：

‘Wretched guest, surely thou art some brain-struck man, seeing that thou dost not choose to go and sleep at a smithy, or at some place of common resort, but here thou pratest much and boldly among many lords and hast no fear at heart. —
“可怜的客人，你一定是个脑子坏掉的人，看你竟然不愿意去铁匠铺或其他公共场所睡觉，却在这里在许多领主中大言不惭地说话，心里毫无畏惧。 —

Verily wine has got about thy wits, or perchance thou art always of this mind, and so thou dost babble idly. —
你是因为欢乐而兴奋吗，因为你打败了乞丐艾鲁斯？ —

Art thou beside thyself for joy, because thou hast beaten the beggar Irus? —
难道你因为欢乐而发狂，或者你总是这么想，所以胡言乱语。 —

Take heed lest a better man than Irus rise up presently against thee, to lay his mighty hands about thy head and bedabble thee with blood, and send thee hence from the house.’
细心些，免得比爱鲁斯更好的人立即起来反对你，用他强有力的双手环绕你的头部，用血染红你，将你送离这座屋子。

Then Odysseus of many counsels looked fiercely on her, and said: —
多谋略的奥德修斯严厉地看着她，说道： —

‘Yea, straight will I go yonder and tell Telemachus hereof, thou shameless thing, for this thy speech, that forthwith he may cut thee limb from limb.’
“是的，我会立刻去找忒勒玛科斯告诉他这件事，你这个无耻的家伙，这样他就能立刻把你肢解了。”

So he spake, and with his saying scared away the women, who fled through the hall, and the knees of each were loosened for fear, for they deemed that his words were true. —
他说完，随着他的话吓跑了那些女仆们，她们逃离大厅，每个人的膝盖因恐惧而软弱，因为她们认为他的话是真的。 —

But Odysseus took his stand by the burning braziers, tending the lights, and gazed on all the men: —
但奥德修斯站在燃烧的火盆旁，照料着灯光，凝视着所有的男人。 —

but far other matters he pondered in his heart, things not to be unfulfilled.
但他的心中所思之事却完全不同，那是不可或缺的事情。

Now Athene would in no wise suffer the lordly wooers to abstain from biting scorn, that the pain might sink yet the deeper into the heart of Odysseus, son of Laertes. —
如今雅典娜绝不允许高贵的求婚者们放弃嘲讽，这样痛苦就会更深入奥德修斯的心中。 —

So Eurymachus, son of Polybus, began to speak among them, girding at Odysseus, and so made mirth for his friends:
因此波利班的儿子欧里马科斯开始在他们中间说话，嘲笑奥德修斯，给他的朋友们带来了欢乐。

‘Hear me ye wooers of the queen renowned, that I may say that which my spirit within me bids me. —
“听着，闻名遐迩的皇后的求婚者们，让我说出我内心所促使我的话。 —

Not without the gods’ will has this man come to the house of Odysseus; —
这个男人来到奥德修斯的家绝不是无神之意； —

methinks at least that the torchlight flares forth from 31 that head of his, for there are no hairs on it, nay never so thin.’
我至少觉得从他的头上闪出的火光证明了这一点，因为他的头上没有一根头发，就算是细小的头发也没有。”

31 Accepting the conjecture [Greek] = [Greek] for the MSS. [Greek]}
(接受了[希腊语]=[希腊语]的猜测，MSS中没有[希腊语])

He spake and withal addressed Odysseus, waster of cities: —
他说着又对着奥德修斯，毁灭城市的人说： —

‘Stranger, wouldest thou indeed be my hireling, if I would take thee for my man, at an upland farm, and thy wages shall be assured thee, and there shalt thou gather stones for walls and plant tall trees? —
“陌生人，如果我雇佣你，你会不会成为我的长工，在一处高地农场，你的工资将得到保障，并且你将在那里搬石头筑墙，种植高大树木？ —

There would I provide thee bread continual, and clothe thee with raiment, and give thee shoes for thy feet. —
我会提供你持续的面包，给你衣服，给你鞋子穿在脚上。” —

Howbeit, since thou art practised only in evil, thou wilt not care to go to the labours of the field, but wilt choose rather to go louting through the land, that thou mayst have wherewithal to feed thine insatiate belly.’
然而，由于你只擅长于邪恶，你不会愿意去田地劳作，而是选择在整个国家里漫游，这样你就有东西可以填饱你那贪婪的肚子。

Then Odysseus of many counsels answered him and said: —
欧德修斯，多谋略的人回答说: —

‘Eurymachus, would that there might be a trial of labour between us twain, in the season of spring, when the long days begin! —
在春季长日到来时，艾礼玛考斯啊，但愿我们能进行劳动的比赛！ —

In the deep grass might it be, and I should have a crooked scythe, and thou another like it, that we might try each the other in the matter of labour, fasting till late eventide, and grass there should be in plenty. —
在深草间，我将拿着一个弯曲的镰刀，你也拿一个相似的，我们可以在劳动中互相较量，直到夜幕降临，草场上草多得很。 —

Or would again, that there were oxen to drive, the best there may be, large and tawny, both well filled with fodder, of equal age and force to bear the yoke and of strength untiring! —
或者还是但愿有牛可以赶驱，最好是体型巨大而褐色的牛，饲料充足，同龄且力量匹敌，扛犁耕耘，力道不衰！ —

And it should be a field of four ploughgates, and the clod should yield before the ploughshare. —
田地应该是四耦的，犁铧在犁头前应该翻椎而开圃。 —

Then shouldest thou see me, whether or no I would cut a clean furrow unbroken before me. —
那时你将看到我，是否能在我面前一气呵成地犁出干净的犁沟。 —

Or would that this very day Cronion might waken war whence he would, and that I had a shield and two spears, and a helmet all of bronze, close fitting on my temples! —
但愿今天克罗尼翁可以挑起战事，我有盾牌和两支长矛，还有一顶全由青铜制成的头盔，贴合我的太阳穴！ —

Then shouldest thou see me mingling in the forefront of the battle, nor speak and taunt me with this my belly. —
那时你会看到我，无论如何，我会勇往直前，无所畏惧。 —

Nay, thou art exceeding wanton and thy heart is hard, and thou thinkest thyself some great one and mighty, because thou consortest with few men and feeble. —
不，你是极其放肆的，心硬到了极点，自以为是一位伟大而强大的人，因为你只与几个软弱的人交往。 —

Ah, if Odysseus might but return and come to his own country, right soon would yonder doors full wide as they are, prove all too strait for thee in thy flight through the doorway!’
啊，如果奥德修斯能够返回并回到他的故土，那么这扇大门，即使它很宽敞，也会在你逃离时变得对你来说太窄！’

Thus he spake, and Eurymachus waxed yet the more wroth at heart, and looking fiercely on him spake to him winged words:
他这样说着，艾礼玛考斯心中更加愤怒，怒视着他，对他说话：

‘Ah, wretch that thou art, right soon will I work thee mischief, so boldly thou pratest among many lords, and hast no fear at heart. —
‘啊，你这个可恶的家伙，我很快就会加害于你，因为你如此大胆地在众多领主中侃侃而谈，内心毫无恐惧。 —

Verily wine has got about thy wits, or perchance thou art always of this mind, and so thou dost babble idly. —
确实，酒使你失去理智，或许你一直都这样想，所以你在胡言乱语。 —

Art thou beside thyself for joy, because thou hast beaten the beggar Irus?’
你是因为击败了乞丐伊鲁斯而感到高兴到失去了理智吗？’

Therewith he caught up a footstool, but Odysseus sat him down at the knees of Amphinomus of Dulichium, in dread of Eurymachus. —
于是他拿起一个脚凳，但是奥德修斯把他坐在了杜利克姆的安芬努摩斯的膝盖上，害怕欧吕马库斯。 —

And Eurymachus cast and smote the cup-bearer on the right hand, and the ladle cup dropped to the ground with a clang, while the young man groaned and fell backwards in the dust. —
欧吕马库斯抓起杯差并击中了杯差的右手，那个勺子掉在地上发出了一声铿锵，年轻人呻吟着倒在地上。 —

Then the wooers clamoured through the shadowy halls, and thus one would say looking to his neighbour:
然后求爱者们在阴森的大厅里喧哗起来，就这样一个向他的邻居说：

‘Would that our wandering guest had perished otherwhere, or ever he came hither; —
‘但愿我们的客人早在别的地方丧生，或者他永远不会来到这里； —

so should he never have made all this tumult in our midst! —
这样他就永远不会在我们中间制造这一切混乱！ —

But now we are all at strife about beggars, and there will be no more joy of the good feast, for worse things have their way.’
但现在我们都为了乞丐而纷争，这场盛宴再也不能带来欢乐了，因为更糟糕的事情正在发生。

Then the mighty prince Telemachus spake among them:
那时权力显赫的泰勒玛科斯在他们中间讲话：

‘Sirs, ye are mad; now doth your mood betray that ye have eaten and drunken; —
“先生们，你们疯了；现在你们的情绪暴露了你们吃喝过量； —

some one of the gods is surely moving you. —
明显是某位神灵在操纵你们。 —

Nay, now that ye have feasted well, go home and lay you to rest, since your spirit so bids; —
不，现在你们已经吃得很饱，回家休息吧，因为你们的精神是这样命令的； —

for as for me, I drive no man hence.’
至于我，我不会把任何人赶走。”

Thus he spake, and they all bit their lips and marvelled at Telemachus, in that he spake boldly. —
他这样说，他们都咬着嘴唇，对泰勒玛科斯大为惊讶，因为他大胆地讲话。 —

Then Amphinomus made harangue, and spake among them, Amphinomus, the famous son of Nisus the prince, the son of Aretias:
然后安芬努摩斯发表了演说，他在他们中间讲话，安芬努摩斯，有名的阿雷提亚斯之子尼修斯的儿子：

‘Friends, when a righteous word has been spoken, none surely would rebuke another with hard speech and be angry. —
‘朋友们，当说了一句正义的话后，毫无疑问不会用尖刻的言语责备他人并生气。 —

Misuse ye not this stranger, neither any of the thralls that are in the house of godlike Odysseus. —
不要虐待这个陌生人，也不要虐待奥德修斯的家中的任何奴隶们。’ —

But come, let the wine-bearer pour for libation into each cup in turn, that after the drink-offering we may get us home to bed. —
但是来吧，让斟酒者依次倒满每个杯子，这样在献祭饮酒之后，我们就可以回家去睡觉。 —

But the stranger let us leave in the halls of Odysseus for a charge to Telemachus: —
但是我们要把这位陌生人留在奥德修斯的大厅里，作为对忒勒玛科斯的赠礼： —

for to his home has he come.’
因为他已经来到了他的家里。

Thus he spake, and his word was well-pleasing to them all. —
他这番话讨得了大家的欢心。 —

Then the lord Mulius mixed for them the bowl, the henchman out of Dulichium, who was squire of Amphinomus. —
接着姆利厄斯领主为他们调和了酒碗，他是杜利基亚的仆从，也是安非诺默斯的侍从。 —

And he stood by all and served it to them in their turn; —
他站在他们身旁，依次为他们倒酒； —

and they poured forth before the blessed gods, and drank the honey-sweet wine. —
他们在众神面前倾倒酒祭，品尝着甜蜜的蜂蜜酒。 —

Now when they had poured forth and had drunken to their hearts’ content, they departed to lie down, each one to his own house.
当他们倾酒畅饮之后，各自回到自己的家中去休息。