Penelope bringeth forth her husband’s bow, which the suitors could not bend, but was bent by Odysseus.
佩内洛普拿出了她丈夫的弓，求婚者们无法拉开，但奥德修斯却成功弯曲了它。

Now the goddess, grey-eyed Athene, put it into the heart of the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, to set the bow and the axes of grey iron, for the wooers in the halls of Odysseus, to be the weapons of the contest, and the beginning of death. —
而眼明手快的女神雅典娜却启发了伊卡里奥斯的女儿智慧的佩内洛普，让她在奥德修斯的大厅里为求婚者们准备了这弓和铁斧，作为比赛的武器和死亡的开始。 —

So she descended the tall staircase of her chamber, and took the well-bent key in her strong hand, a goodly key of bronze, whereon was a handle of ivory. —
于是她走下了她房间里的高高楼梯，手握着一把铜制的优美钥匙，上面镶嵌着象牙的把手。 —

And she betook her, with her handmaidens, to the treasure-chamber in the uttermost part of the house, where lay the treasures of her lord, bronze and gold and well-wrought iron. —
她带着她的使女走向房子最里面的储藏室，那里堆放着她的主人奥德修斯的财宝，有青铜和黄金以及精美的铁器。 —

And there lay the back-bent bow and the quiver for the arrows, and many shafts were therein, winged for death, gifts of a friend of Odysseus, that met with him in Lacedaemon, Iphitus son of Eurytus, a man like to the gods. —
那里有那弯曲的弓和箭矢袋，里面装满了箭矢，都是奥德修斯的朋友送给他的，因为他们在拉塞那遇到了对方，是欧律提士之子伊菲托斯送给他的，他是一位足以与神相比的男人。 —

These twain fell in with one another in Messene, in the house of wise Ortilochus. —
这两人在摩西内相遇，在明智的奥尔廖高斯家中。 —

Now Odysseus had gone thither to recover somewhat that was owing to him from all the people, for the men of Messene had lifted three hundred sheep in benched ships from out of Ithaca, with the shepherds of the flock. —
当时奥德修斯去那里是为了追回一些被人民抢劫的东西，因为摩西内人把三百只羊用有座椅的船从伊萨卡岛运走了，羊群的牧羊人也一同被掳去。 —

In quest of these it was that Odysseus went on a far embassy, being yet a lad; —
正是为了这事，年轻时的奥德修斯前往远方办事； —

for his father and the other elders sent him forth. —
因为他的父亲和其他长者派他出去。 —

Moreover, Iphitus came thither in his search for twelve brood mares, which he had lost, with sturdy mules at the teat. —
此外，伊菲托斯来那里是为了寻找失踪的十二匹雌马，还有正在哺乳的健壮的骡马。 —

These same it was that brought him death and destiny in the latter end, when he came to the child of Zeus, hardy of heart, the man Heracles, that had knowledge of great adventures, who smote Iphitus though his guest in his house, in his frowardness, and had no regard for the vengeance of the gods, nor for the table which he spread before him; —
正是这些事情导致了他在最后走上了身到终的死与命运，因为他遇到了宙斯之子、胆大心细的大英雄赫拉克勒斯，这位了不起的冒险家毫不畏惧地杀死了他，虽然他是他的客人，他不顾神祇的复仇，也不留意他摆在他面前的饭菜； —

for after the meal he slew him, his guest though he was, and kept for himself in the halls the horses strong of hoof. —
因为在他吃完饭之后，虽然他是他的客人，他还是杀了他，并且在府邸里留下那些强壮的马儿。 —

After these was Iphitus asking, when he met with Odysseus, and he gave him the bow, which of old great Eurytus bare and had left at his death to his son in his lofty house. —
当奥德修斯遇见伊菲托斯时，他给了他那把弓，这把曾经伟大的欧律提士所持有，后来死后留给他儿子的。 —

And Odysseus gave Iphitus a sharp sword and a mighty spear, for the beginning of a loving friendship; —
奥德修斯给了伊菲托斯一把锋利的剑和一枝强大的长矛，作为友谊的开始； —

but never had they acquaintance one of another at the board; —
但他们在餐桌上却从未见过彼此。 —

ere that might be, the son of Zeus slew Iphitus son of Eurytus, a man like to the immortals, the same that gave Odysseus the bow. —
在那个时候，宙斯的儿子杀死了伊菲托斯，尤里图斯之子，一个像不朽神明一样的人，那位曾经把弓箭交给奥德修斯的人。 —

But goodly Odysseus would never take it with him on the black ships, as he went to the wars, but the bow was laid by at home in the halls as a memorial of a dear guest, and he carried it on his own land.
但是好心的奥德修斯永远不会带着弓箭随身携带在黑船上去参加战争，相反，这支弓箭被留在家中的大厅里，作为一位敬爱客人的纪念品，他带着它在自己的土地上。

Now when the fair lady had come even to the treasure-chamber, and had stept upon the threshold of oak, which the carpenter had on a time planed cunningly, and over it had made straight the line — doorposts also had he fitted thereby, whereon he set shining doors — anon she quickly loosed the strap from the handle of the door, and thrust in the key, and with a straight aim shot back the bolts. —
当这位美丽的女士走到财宝室，踏上了橡木的门槛，一个木匠曾经精心修整过，并且沿着直线做好，门柱也已放置好，上面安着闪亮的门——她迅速地解下门把手上的皮带，插入钥匙，准确地将门闩拨开。 —

And even as a bull roars that is grazing in a meadow, so mightily roared the fair doors smitten by the key; —
就像一头在草地上吃草的公牛在吼叫一样，门被钥匙敲击后发出巨大声响； —

and speedily they flew open before her. Then she stept on to the high floor, where the coffers stood, wherein the fragrant raiment was stored. —
门迅速在她面前敞开。于是她走上高地板，那里摆放着装满芬芳衣物的箱子。 —

Thence she stretched forth her hand, and took the bow from off the pin, all in the bright case which sheathed it around. —
她伸手拿起弓箭架上的弓，所有闪闪发光的外套都包裹在里面。 —

And there she sat down, and set the case upon her knees, and cried aloud and wept, and took out the bow of her lord. —
她坐下来，把盒子放在膝盖上，放声大哭，取出她主人的弓。 —

Now when she had her fill of tearful lament, she set forth to go to the hall to the company of the proud wooers, with the back-bent bow in her hands, and the quiver for the arrows, and many shafts were therein winged for death. —
当她泪流满面后，她准备走向宴会厅，与这些骄傲的求婚者们一起，手持着弯曲的弓和箭筒，并且箭筒里有多支箭，尖锐如死神之翼。 —

And her maidens along with her bare a chest, wherein lay much store of iron and bronze, the gear of combat of their lord. —
她的侍女们也跟着，提着一只箱子，其中装有大量铁和青铜，乃是她们主人的作战装备。 —

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，站在那精心修建的屋顶柱子旁边，用亮闪闪的头巾遮住她的脸； —

and a faithful maiden stood on either side of her, and straightway she spake out among the wooers and declared her word, saying:
一个忠诚的侍女站在她的每一边，并立即在求婚者中间开口说话，宣布她的意愿，说道：

‘Hear me, ye lordly wooers, who have vexed this house, that ye might eat and drink here evermore, forasmuch as the master is long gone, nor could ye find any other mark 34 for your speech, but all your desire was to wed me and take me to wife. —
“请听我说，尊贵的求婚者们，你们已经困扰这所房子，以便可以永远在这里吃喝，因为主人已经久别，但你们找不到其他话题，唯一的欲望就是娶妻，娶我为妻。 —

Nay come now, ye wooers, seeing that this is the prize that is put before you. —
现在来吧，诸位求婚者，看这是摆在你们面前的奖品。 —

I will set forth for you the great bow of divine Odysseus, and whoso shall most easily string the bow in his hands, and shoot through all twelve axes, with him will I go and forsake this house, this house of my wedlock, so fair and filled with all livelihood, which methinks I shall yet remember, aye, in a dream.’
我将展示伟大的奥德修斯神的弓箭，谁能最容易地拉紧弓弦，并且把箭射穿所有十二个靶子，我就去跟随他，离开这个家，这个我婚姻之家，如此美好，到处都是养料，我想我将永远铭记，是的，在梦中。”

34 The accepted interpretation of Greek is ‘pretext’; —
这儿的‘[Greek]’被接受的解释是‘借口’； —

but this does not agree with any of the meanings of the verb from which the noun is derived. —
她这样说，命令牧猪人尤米乌斯为求婚者们安放弓箭和灰铁斧。 —

The usage of [Greek] in Od. xix. 71, xxii. 75, of [Greek] in Il. xvii. —
尤米乌斯含泪接过它们，放在一边； —

465, and of [Greek] in Od. xxii. 15, suggests rather for [Greek] the idea of ‘aiming at a mark.’}
此刻，看到他主人的弓，放牛人也在别处流泪。

So spake she, and commanded Eumaeus, the goodly swineherd, to set the bow for the wooers and the axes of grey iron. —
安提诺斯则责备他们，说道并招呼他们： —

And Eumaeus took them with tears, and laid them down; —
“愚蠢的农夫，你们的思维只在今日，啊，可怜的二人，你们何故现在流泪，激起她心中的哀伤呢，因为她已经因失去亲爱的主人而伤心？ —

and otherwhere the neatherd wept, when he beheld the bow of his lord. —
坐下，安静地享受饮食，否则你们可以离去并哭泣，把弓留下来，给求婚者们带来可怕的竞赛，因为我觉得这把抛光的弓不会轻易让人拉开。 —

Then Antinous rebuked them, and spake and hailed them:
在场的所有人中都没有一个像奥德修斯那样的人，我亲眼看到了他，是的我记得清楚，尽管那时我还是个孩子。”

‘Foolish boors, whose thoughts look not beyond the day, ah, wretched pair, wherefore now do ye shed tears, and stir the soul of the lady within her, when her heart already lies low in pain, for that she has lost her dear lord? —
安提诺斯这样说了，但他内心希望他可以拉开弓，并射穿铁器。然而，他将是第一个尝到贵族奥德修斯之箭的人，他不久以前还在大厅里侮辱他，并在鼓动其他人做同样的事。 —

Nay sit, and feast in silence, or else get ye forth and weep, and leave the bow here behind, to be a terrible contest for the wooers, for methinks that this polished bow does not lightly yield itself to be strung. —
那么雄壮的王子忒勒玛科斯在他们中间说道： —

For there is no man among all these present such as Odysseus was, and I myself saw him, yea I remember it well, though I was still but a child.’
“看吧，克罗尼翁确实让我失去了理智！

So spake he, but his heart within him hoped that he would string the bow, and shoot through the iron. Yet verily, he was to be the first that should taste the arrow at the hands of the noble Odysseus, whom but late he was dishonouring as he sat in the halls, and was inciting all his fellows to do likewise.
我聪明的母亲说，她要跟一个陌生人离开这个家；

Then the mighty prince Telemachus spake among them, saying: —
然而我在愚蠢的心中笑了，我感到高兴。 —

‘Lo now, in very truth, Cronion has robbed me of my wits! —
Now look, verily, Cronion has bereft me of my senses! —

My dear mother, wise as she is, declares that she will go with a stranger and forsake this house; —
My prudent mother, though she be, declares she will go off with a stranger and leave this house; —

yet I laugh and in my silly heart I am glad. —
and I smile and am glad in my heart of hearts. —

Nay come now, ye wooers, seeing that this is the prize which is set before you, a lady, the like of whom there is not now in the Achaean land, neither in sacred Pylos, nor in Argos, nor in Mycenae, nor yet in Ithaca, nor in the dark mainland. —
不要前来，休尓，看看面前这个奖品，一个在阿查埃人的土地上找不到的女士，即使在圣派洛斯，也不在阿尔戈斯，或密剑愎凯，也不在伊萨卡，或在黑暗的内陆地带。 —

Nay but ye know all this yourselves — why need I praise my mother? —
不用我赞美我妈，你们自己都知道这一点。 —

Come therefore, delay not the issue with excuses, nor hold much longer aloof from the drawing of the bow, that we may see the thing that is to be. —
所以，请不要再找借口拖延，也不要再远离射箭，让我们看到结果。 —

Yea and I myself would make trial of this bow. —
是的，我也想试试这支弓。 —

If I shall string it, and shoot through the iron, then should I not sorrow if my lady mother were to quit these halls and go with a stranger, seeing that I should be left behind, well able now to lift my father’s goodly gear of combat.’
如果我能上弦，并射穿铁器，那样的话，如果我亲爱的母亲愿意离开这间大厅跟一个陌生人走，我不会伤心，因为我留在这里，已经能力非凡，可以拿起我父亲那些漂亮的战具。

Therewith he cast from off his neck his cloak of scarlet, and sprang to his full height, and put away the sword from his shoulders. —
他从脖子上摘下红色披风，站起来，将剑从肩上取下。 —

First he dug a good trench and set up the axes, one long trench for them all, and over it he made straight the line and round about stamped in the earth. —
他首先挖了一个好沟，将斧子放置在一条长沟里，然后使它们整齐排列，围绕着踩平土地。 —

And amazement fell on all that beheld how orderly he set the axes, though never before had he seen it so. —
看到他如此有条理地摆放斧头，所有看到的人都感到惊讶，尽管以前从未见过这样做。 —

Then he went and stood by the threshold and began to prove the bow. —
然后他走到门槛旁，开始尝试弓箭。 —

Thrice he made it to tremble in his great desire to draw it, and thrice he rested from his effort, though still he hoped in his heart to string the bow, and shoot through the iron. —
他三次努力拉开弓弦，三次放松努力，尽管他心中仍希望能上弦，并射穿铁器。 —

And now at last he might have strung it, mightily straining thereat for the fourth time, but Odysseus nodded frowning and stayed him, for all his eagerness. —
最后，他或许能够上弦，第四次努力地紧张拉开，但奥德修斯皱着眉头摇了摇头，阻止了他的急切。 —

Then the strong prince Telemachus spake among them again:
然后，勇士特勒马科斯再次在他们中间说道：

‘Lo you now, even to the end of my days I shall be a coward and a weakling, or it may be I am too young, and have as yet no trust in my hands to defend me from such an one as does violence without a cause. —
“你看，即使到我生命的尽头，我也会是一个懦夫和软弱者，或者可能我还太年轻，至今没有足够的信心用我的双手保护自己免受无故施暴者的伤害。” —

But come now, ye who are mightier men than I, essay the bow and let us make an end of the contest.’
但是现在，比我更强大的人啊，尝试这支弓，让我们结束这个比赛吧。

Therewith he put the bow from him on the ground, leaning it against the smooth and well-compacted doors, and the swift shaft he propped hard by against the fair bow-tip, and then he sat down once more on the high seat, whence he had risen.
说完，他将弓放在地上，靠在光滑而结实的大门上，将快速的箭支紧靠在漂亮的弓尖旁边，然后再次坐回他起身的高座位上。

Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, spake among them, saying: —
这时，欧佩忒斯之子安提诺斯发言，说道： —

‘Rise up in order, all my friends, beginning from the left, even from the place whence the wine is poured.’
‘朋友们，请按着次序站起来，从左边开始，从倒酒的位置开始。’

So spake Antinous, and the saying pleased them well. —
安提诺斯的话得到了大家的赞同。 —

Then first stood up Leiodes, son of Oenops, who was their soothsayer and ever sat by the fair mixing bowl at the extremity of the hall; —
于是先站起来了奥诺普斯之子利奥德斯，他是他们的预言家，常常坐在大厅尽头那个漂亮的混合碗旁； —

he alone hated their infatuate deeds and was indignant with all the wooers. —
他独自憎恨着他们这些狂妄的行为，对所有求婚者都感到愤慨。 —

He now first took the bow and the swift shaft, and he went and stood by the threshold, and began to prove the bow; —
他拿起弓和快箭，走到门槛处，开始尝试拉弓； —

but he could not bend it; or ever that might be, his hands grew weary with the straining, his unworn, delicate hands; —
但他无法拉动，不论怎样努力，他未经锻炼的纤细手已经疲惫不堪； —

so he spake among the wooers, saying:
于是他在求婚者们中间说道：

‘Friends, of a truth I cannot bend it, let some other take it. —
‘朋友们，我实在不能拉动，让别人试试看。 —

Ah, many of our bravest shall this bow rob of spirit and of life, since truly it is far better for us to die, than to live on and to fail of that for which we assemble evermore in this place, day by day expecting the prize. —
啊，这支弓将夺去我们多少勇敢者的气势和生命，以至于我们宁可死去，也不愿在这里每天聚集，只为了那样一个奖品。 —

Many there be even now that hope in their hearts and desire to wed Penelope, the bedfellow of Odysseus: —
现在有很多人心怀希望，渴望迎娶奥德修斯的妻子潘洛普， —

but when such an one shall make trial of the bow and see the issue, thereafter let him woo some other fair-robed Achaean woman with his bridal gifts and seek to win her. —
但当其中一位试过这支弓，看到结果之后，让他去向别的美衣带来的阿喀琉斯女子求婚吧，用他的聘礼争取她。 —

So may our lady wed the man that gives most gifts, and comes as the chosen of fate.’
这样我们的女主人就能嫁给送出最多礼物的人，那位被命运选中的人。’

So he spake, and put from him the bow leaning it against the smooth and well-compacted doors, and the swift shaft he propped hard by against the fair bow-tip, and then he sat down once more on the high seat, whence he had risen.
他说完，便将弓放下，斜靠在光滑结实的门上，矫捷的箭托靠在弓尾边，然后又坐回了他刚才离开的高位上。

But Antinous rebuked him, and spake and hailed him: —
但安提诺斯加以责骂，说道并呼唤他： —

‘Leiodes, what word hath escaped the door of thy lips; a hard word, and a grievous? —
‘雷奥德斯，你的嘴唇已经溜走了什么样的词语; 一个艰难的词语，一个痛苦的词语？ —

Nay, it angers me to hear it, and to think that a bow such as this shall rob our bravest of spirit and of life, and all because thou canst not draw it. —
不，听到这个词让我很生气，想到这么一支弓将夺走我们最勇敢的人的斗志和生命，都是因为你不能拉开它。 —

For I tell thee that thy lady mother bare thee not of such might as to draw a bow and shoot arrows: —
因此我告诉你，你的母亲生你并不是为了拉弓射箭这样的力量： —

but there be others of the proud wooers that shall draw it soon.’
但有其他的自负求婚者很快就会拉开它。”

So he spake, and commanded Melanthius, the goatherd, saying: —
于是他说道，并命令牧羊人梅兰修斯说： —

‘Up now, light a fire in the halls, Melanthius; —
“现在起来，在大厅里点火，梅兰修斯; —

and place a great settle by the fire and a fleece thereon, and bring forth a great ball of lard that is within, that we young men may warm and anoint the bow therewith and prove it, and make an end of the contest.’
在火旁放一个大长凳和上面的一张绒毯，拿出里面的一团大猪油，并让我们这些年轻人来抹并测试这支弓，并结束这场比赛。”

So he spake, and Melanthius soon kindled the never-resting fire, and drew up a settle and placed it near, and put a fleece thereon, and he brought forth a great ball of lard that was within. —
于是他说完，梅兰修斯很快点起那不停歇的火，拉了一把长椅放在旁边，上面放上一块绒毯，并拿出里面的一团大猪油。 —

Therewith the young men warmed the bow, and made essay, but could not string it, for they were greatly lacking of such might. —
于是年轻人们温暖了弓，并测试了，但他们无法拉开，因为他们明显缺乏那种力量。 —

And Antinous still held to the task and godlike Eurymachus, chief men among the wooers, who were far the most excellent of all.
安提诺斯仍然坚持完成任务，还有似神一般的尤里马库斯，这些是所有求婚者中最杰出的。

But those other twain went forth both together from the house, the neatherd and the swineherd of godlike Odysseus; —
但另外那两个人一同离开了屋子，奥德修斯那神一样的牧人和猪倌； —

and Odysseus passed out after them. But when they were now gotten without the gates and the courtyard, he uttered his voice and spake to them in gentle words:
奥德修斯跟在他们身后。但当他们走出大门和院子时，他轻声对他们说道：

‘Neatherd and thou swineherd, shall I say somewhat or keep it to myself? —
“牧人和猪倌，我应该说点什么还是保持沉默？ —

Nay, my spirit bids me declare it. What manner of men would ye be to help Odysseus, if he should come thus suddenly, I know not whence, and some god were to bring him? —
不，我的内心告诉我要说出来。如果奥德修斯突然出现，我不知道从哪里来，某个神明带领他来，你们会是怎样一个人，去帮助奥德修斯？ —

Would ye stand on the side of the wooers or of Odysseus? —
你们会站在求婚者的一边还是奥德修斯的一边？” —

Tell me even as your heart and spirit bid you.’
请告诉我，就像你的心灵和精神吩咐你的那样。

Then the neatherd answered him, saying: ‘Father Zeus, if but thou wouldst fulfil this wish: —
然后牧人回答说：“宙斯之父啊，如果你愿意实现这个愿望： —

35— oh, that that man might come, and some god lead him hither! —
35 —哦，愿那个人能来，愿某位神祇引领他来到这里！ —

So shouldest thou know what my might is, and how my hands follow to obey.’
这样你就会知道我的能力，以及我的手如何遵循服从。”

35 Placing a colon at [Greek]}
35 在【希腊文】后加一个冒号

In like manner Eumaeus prayed to all the gods that wise Odysseus might return to his own home.
同样，尤蜜乌斯祈祷所有的神灵，希望智慧的奥德修斯能重返自己的家园。

Now when he knew for a surety what spirit they were of, once more he answered and spake to them, saying:
现在他已经确定了他们的精神所属之后，再次回答并对他们说：

‘Behold, home am I come, even I; after much travail and sore am I come in the twentieth year to mine own country. —
“看哪，我回来了，就是我；经历了许多艰难，痛苦之后，在第二十年我回到了自己的国家。 —

And I know how that my coming is desired by you alone of all my thralls, for from none besides have I heard a prayer that I might return once more to my home. —
我知道，你们中唯有你们希望我重回家园，因为我没听到其他人对我有过这样的祈祷。 —

And now I will tell you all the truth, even as it shall come to pass. —
现在我会告诉你们全部真相，就像事情将会发生的那样。 —

If the god shall subdue the proud wooers to my hands, I will bring you each one a wife, and will give you a heritage of your own and a house builded near to me, and ye twain shall be thereafter in mine eyes as the brethren and companions of Telemachus. —
如果神灵能使那傲慢的求婚者屈服在我的手中，我会为你们每个人找到一个妻子，给你们自己的产业和房屋，就在我附近建造，此后你们两人在我眼中将如同忒勒玛科斯的兄弟和伙伴一般。 —

But behold, I will likewise show you a most manifest token, that ye may know me well and be certified in heart, even the wound that the boar dealt me with his white tusk long ago, when I went to Parnassus with the sons of Autolycus.’
但是，请看，我也将展示给你们一个明显的标记，让你们认识我，内心得到确认，就是那只野猪长时间前在帕尔纳索斯山上使我受伤时留下的伤痕，当时我与奥托立库斯的儿子们一起去的。”

Therewith he drew aside the rags from the great scar. —
说完，他拉开了伤疤上的绷带。 —

And when the twain had beheld it and marked it well, they cast their arms about the wise Odysseus, and fell a weeping; —
当这两人看到并仔细查看后，他们拥抱着睿智的奥德修斯，开始哭泣； —

and kissed him lovingly on head and shoulders. —
并亲吻他头部和肩膀上爱抚地。 —

And in like manner Odysseus too kissed their heads and hands. —
同样，奥德修斯也亲吻了他们的头和手。 —

And now would the sunlight have gone down upon their sorrowing, had not Odysseus himself stayed them saying:
如果不是奥德修斯亲自阻止，此时太阳将已经照在他们悲伤的身上。

‘Cease ye from weeping and lamentation, lest some one come forth from the hall and see us, and tell it likewise in the house. —
‘停止哭泣和悲伤，免得有人从大厅出来看见我们，然后也告诉大厅里的人。 —

Nay, go ye within one by one and not both together, I first and you following, and let this be the token between us. —
不，你们一个接一个地进去，不要一起进，我先进去，你们跟着，这将是我们之间的暗号。 —

All the rest, as many as are proud wooers, will not suffer that I should be given the bow and quiver; —
其他所有骄傲的求婚者，不会允许我拿弓箭； —

do thou then, goodly Eumaeus, as thou bearest the bow through the hall, set it in my hands and speak to the women that they bar the well-fitting doors of their chamber. —
所以你，可爱的尤莫斯，当你拿着弓穿过大厅时，把它交到我手中，并告诉女人们把他们的房门好好关上。 —

And if any of them hear the sound of groaning or the din of men within our walls, let them not run forth but abide where they are in silence at their work. —
如果有人听见我们墙内的呻吟声或人声，不要跑出去，而是在原地静静地继续他们的工作。 —

But on thee, goodly Philoetius, I lay this charge, to bolt and bar the outer gate of the court and swiftly to tie the knot.’
而你，可爱的斐洛伊提俄斯，我让你负责，闩上院子的外门，迅速系好绳结。

Therewith he passed within the fair-lying halls, and went and sat upon the settle whence he had risen. —
于是他走进那美丽的大厅，坐在他曾经起身的长凳上。 —

And likewise the two thralls of divine Odysseus went within.
奥德修斯那两个奴隶也进去了。

And now Eurymachus was handling the bow, warming it on this side and on that at the light of the fire; —
此时欧瑞马库斯正在摩擦弓，让它在火光中转动； —

yet even so he could not string it, and in his great heart he groaned mightily; —
但即使这样，他也无法上弦，他的心情极度沉重； —

and in heaviness of spirit he spake and called aloud, saying:
他闷闷不乐地说话，并大声呼喊道：

‘Lo you now, truly am I grieved for myself and for you all! —
‘看吧，我真为自己和为你们所有人感到悲伤！ —

Not for the marriage do I mourn so greatly, afflicted though I be; —
我为自己感到悲伤并不仅仅是因为这场婚礼，我是如此痛苦；’ —

there are many Achaean women besides, some in sea-begirt Ithaca itself and some in other cities. —
除了四面环海的伊斯特卡岛上的女人外，还有许多阿查人的女人生活在其他城市。 —

Nay, but I grieve, if indeed we are so far worse than godlike Odysseus in might, seeing that we cannot bend the bow. —
不，我很懊恼，如果我们在力量上真的比不上像神一样的奥德修斯。 —

It will be a shame even for men unborn to hear thereof.’
将来的人会听到这件事是耻辱。

Then Antinous, son of Eupeithes, answered him: —
然后尤皮忒斯的儿子安提诺斯回答道： —

‘Eurymachus, this shall not be so, and thou thyself too knowest it. —
欧力马科斯，不会这样的，你自己也知道。 —

For today the feast of the archer god is held in the land, a holy feast. —
因为今天是在这片土地举行射手神的节日，一个神圣的节日。 —

Who at such a time would be bending bows? Nay, set it quietly by; —
在这个时候谁会去弯曲弓呢？不如就静静放下， —

what and if we should let the axes all stand as they are? —
如果我们也让斧头都保持原状呢？ —

None methinks will come to the hall of Odysseus, son of Laertes, and carry them away. —
我认为不会有人来到拉耳特斯的儿子奥德修斯的大厅，然后将它们带走。 —

Go to now, let the wine-bearer pour for libation into each cup in turn, that after the drink-offering we may set down the curved bow. —
现在行动起来，让斟酒人依次向每只杯子中倒祭酒，喝完祭酒后，我们可以放下弯曲的弓。 —

And in the morning bid Melanthius, the goatherd, to lead hither the very best goats in all his herds, that we may lay pieces of the thighs on the altar of Apollo the archer, and assay the bow and make an end of the contest.’
并且在早晨让放羊人梅兰修斯将他所有牧群中最好的山羊领来，以便我们可以在弓箭神阿波罗的祭坛上放上大腿肉，试验弓，结束竞赛。

So spake Antinous, and the saying pleased them well. —
安提诺斯这样说，这番话使他们欣喜。 —

Then the henchmen poured water on their hands, and pages crowned the mixing-bowls with drink, and served out the wine to all, when they had poured for libation into each cup in turn. —
然后侍从们为他们洗手，侍从拿着拿酒的器皿，端上酒，等他们依次倒祭酒后就开始饮酒。 —

But when they had poured forth and had drunken to their hearts’ desire, Odysseus of many counsels spake among them out of a crafty heart, saying:
但当他们倒完酒，尽情畅饮后，众多智者中的奥德修斯以狡猾的心对他们说：

‘Hear me, ye wooers of the renowned queen, that I may say that which my heart within me bids. —
“倾听我说，著名王后的追求者们，让我说出我内心所感受到的。” —

And mainly to Eurymachus I make my prayer and to the godlike Antinous, forasmuch as he has spoken even this word aright, namely, that for this present ye cease from your archery and leave the issue to the gods; —
我主要是向尤里马科斯和像神一样的安提诺斯祈祷，因为他说得对，就是现在你们停止射箭，把结果交给神明； —

and in the morning the god will give the victory to whomsoever he will. —
在早晨，神明会将胜利赐予他所选择的人。 —

Come therefore, give me the polished bow, that in your presence I may prove my hands and strength, whether I have yet any force such as once was in my supple limbs, or whether my wanderings and needy fare have even now destroyed it.’
所以请把抛光的弓给我，让我在你们面前展示我的手腕和力量，看看我是否还保留着曾经那种灵活的身体能力，还是我的漂泊和贫囧的生活已经摧毁了它。

So spake he and they all were exceeding wroth, for fear lest he should string the polished bow. —
他这样说话，他们都非常愤怒，因为他们担心他会拉弓。 —

And Antinous rebuked him, and spake and hailed him:
安提诺斯斥责他，立刻对他说：

‘Wretched stranger, thou hast no wit, nay never so little. —
可怜的陌生人，你一点智慧都没有，甚至一点点也没有。 —

Art thou not content to feast at ease in our high company, and to lack not thy share of the banquet, but to listen to our speech and our discourse, while no guest and beggar beside thee hears our speech? —
你难道不满足于在我们的高贵聚会上悠闲享受美食吗？难道不满足于宴席中没有你的份额吗？但你竟然要偷听我们的谈话和交谈，而我们旁边的这位客人和乞丐都听不到我们的谈话？ —

Wine it is that wounds thee, honey sweet wine, that is the bane of others too, even of all who take great draughts and drink out of measure. —
酒让你中伤，那甘蜜的葡萄酒，是其他人的祸根，甚至所有饮得过多、酗酒的人都如此。 —

Wine it was that darkened the mind even of the Centaur, renowned Eurytion, in the hall of high-hearted Peirithous, when he went to the Lapithae; —
葡萄酒让著名的半人马尤里提翁在高心的皮里托斯家的大堂中心智昏迷，当他前往拉皮特人时也是如此； —

and after that his heart was darkened with wine, he wrought foul deeds in his frenzy, in the house of Peirithous. —
之后，他被酒迷晕的心，在疯狂之中做出了丑恶的行为，在皮里托斯的房屋中； —

Then wrath fell on all the heroes, and they leaped up and dragged him forth through the porch, when they had shorn off his ears and nostrils with the pitiless sword, and then with darkened mind he bare about with him the burden of his sin in foolishness of heart. —
接着，所有英雄都愤怒起来，他们一齐跳起，用无情的剑削去他的耳朵和鼻孔，然后他胡乱四处走动，心智昏昏地承受着他犯下罪孽的重压。 —

Thence was the feud begun between the Centaurs and mankind; —
从那时起，半人马和人类之间的仇恨开始了； —

but first for himself gat he hurt, being heavy with wine. —
但他却先自食恶果，被酒灌醉。 —

And even so I declare great mischief unto thee if thou shalt string the bow, for thou shalt find no courtesy at the hand of anyone in our land, and anon we will send thee in a black ship to Echetus, the maimer of all men, and thence thou shalt not be saved alive. —
我告诉你，如果你拉弓，将会遭遇极大的不幸，因为在我们的土地上，你将得不到任何人的恩待，很快我们将把你送到厄刻忒斯那里，那个残害所有人的人，而你将在那里无法活命。 —

Nay then, drink at thine ease, and strive not still with men that are younger than thou.’
那么，请尽情饮酒，不要与比你年轻的人争斗。

Then wise Penelope answered him: ‘Antinous, truly it is not fair nor just to rob the guests of Telemachus of their due, whosoever he may be that comes to this house. —
智慧的佩内洛普回答他说：“安提诺斯，确实抢夺提勒马科斯的客人应得的财物，无论来者为何，都是不公平的，也不合适。” —

Dost thou think if yonder stranger strings the great bow of Odysseus, in the pride of his might and of his strength of arm, that he will lead me to his home and make me his wife? —
你认为如果那位陌生人拉弓了奥德修斯的弓，以他的力量和臂力为傲，他就会把我带到他家里娶我吗？ —

Nay he himself, methinks, has no such hope in his breast; —
不，我自己觉得，他心中并没有这样的希望； —

so, as for that, let not any of you fret himself while feasting in this place; —
所以，在这个地方宴会的时候，让你们中的任何人都不要为此烦恼； —

that were indeed unmeet.’
那样确实是不合适的。”

Then Eurymachus, son of Polybus, answered her, saying: —
接着，波利博斯之子尤利马库斯回答她说： —

‘Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, it is not that we deem that he will lead thee to his home — far be such a thought from us — but we dread the speech of men and women, lest some day one of the baser sort among the Achaeans say: —
“智慧的伊卡里奥斯的女儿佩内洛普，我们并不是认为他会把你带到他家去 — — 绝不会有这样的想法 — — 但我们担心人们的谈论，恐怕终有一天，阿喀琉斯诸侯之中的某个下等之人会说： —

“Truly men far too mean are wooing the wife of one that is noble, nor can they string the polished bow. —
‘“确实，有些太低微的男人正在追求一位贵族之妻，却无法拉开那抛光的弓。 —

But a stranger and a beggar came in his wanderings, and lightly strung the bow, and shot through the iron. —
但却有一个在流浪中到来的陌生人和乞丐，轻而易举地拉开了弓，射穿了铁。 —

” Thus will they speak, and this will turn to our reproach.’
”他们会这样说，而这将成为我们的耻辱。”

Then wise Penelope answered him: ‘Eurymachus, never can there be fair fame in the land for those that devour and dishonour the house of a prince, but why make ye this thing into a reproach? —
然后，智慧的佩内洛普回答他说：“尤利马库斯，并不能为那些吞噬和诋毁一个王子家族的人在这个国家争得好名声，但为什么你们要把这件事变成一种耻辱？ —

But, behold, our guest is great of growth and well-knit, and avows him to be born the son of a good father. —
然而，看哪，我们的客人身材高大结实，并声称是一个出身良好父亲的儿子。 —

Come then, give ye him the polished bow, that we may see that which is to be. —
那么，来吧，给他那抛光的弓，让我们看看将会发生什么。 —

For thus will I declare my saying, and it shall surely come to pass. —
因为我将宣布我的话，这绝对会实现。 —

If he shall string the bow and Apollo grant him renown, I will clothe him in a mantle and a doublet, goodly raiment, and I will give him a sharp javelin to defend him against dogs and men, and a two-edged sword and sandals to bind beneath his feet, and I will send him whithersoever his heart and spirit bid him go.’
如果他能拉开弓，而阿波罗赐予他声誉，我将用一件斗篷和内衣装他，美好的服饰，我将给他一支锐利的标枪来防御狗和人，一柄双刃剑和绑在脚下的凉鞋，我将送他去他的心灵和精神所向之地。”

Then wise Telemachus answered her, saying: —
然后聪明的泰勒马科斯回答她说： —

‘My mother, as for the bow, no Achaean is mightier than I to give or to deny it to whomso I will, neither as many as are lords in rocky Ithaca nor in the isles on the side of Elis, the pastureland of horses. —
‘母亲，至于这弓，没有一个希腊人比我更有权力把它给或拒绝给任何人，无论是在多石的伊萨卡还是在以利斯牧马的岛屿上的领主们。 —

Not one of these shall force me in mine own despite, if I choose to give this bow, yea once and for all, to the stranger to bear away with him. —
如果我选择把这弓一次性永远地给陌生人带走，包括多石的伊萨卡领主和以利斯牧马的岛屿上的所有人，没有一个人能迫使我做出这个决定。 —

But do thou go to thine own chamber and mind thine own housewiferies, the loom and distaff, and bid thine handmaids ply their tasks. —
但是你去你自己的房间，顾好你自己的家务，织布机和纺锤，让你的女仆们继续做她们的工作。 —

But the bow shall be for men, for all, but for me in chief, for mine is the lordship in the house.’
但这弓将属于男人，所有人，但以我为主，因为我在这个家里才是主人。’

Then in amaze she went back to her chamber, for she laid up the wise saying of her son in her heart. —
然后她惊讶地回到她的卧室，因为她把她儿子的智慧之言记在心里。 —

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.
她与她的女仆们一起上了楼，然后一直为她心爱的丈夫奥德修斯哀叹，直到智慧女神雅典娜让她的眼皮沉进甜蜜的睡意。

Now the goodly swineherd had taken the curved bow, and was bearing it, when the wooers all cried out upon him in the halls. —
现在善良的猪倌已经拿起了这弓，正要携带它，当时寄宿者们都在大厅里对他大声喊叫。 —

And thus some one of the haughty youths would speak: —
然后一些傲慢的年轻人会说道： —

‘Whither now art thou bearing the curved bow, thou wretched swineherd, crazed in thy wits? —
‘可怜的猪倌，你这发狂的蠢货，你到底要把这条弓带到哪里去？ —

Lo, soon shall the swift hounds of thine own breeding eat thee hard by thy swine, alone and away from men, if Apollo will be gracious to us and the other deathless gods.’
瞧，如果阿波罗对我们仁慈，其他永生神也一样，很快你自己饲养的快速猎犬会在你的猪旁边把你吃掉，孤独而远离人群。

Even so they spake, and he took and set down the bow in that very place, being affrighted because many cried out on him in the halls. —
他们说完后，他们把这弓果真放在了那个地方，因为很多人在大厅里对他大声喊叫，他受到了惊吓。 —

Then Telemachus from the other side spake threateningly, and called aloud:
然后泰勒马科斯从另一边威胁性地发言，并大声喊道：

‘Father, bring hither the bow, soon shalt thou rue it that thou servest many masters. —
‘父亲，把弓带过来，你很快就会后悔你伺候这么多主人。 —

Take heed, lest I that am younger than thou pursue thee to the field, and pelt thee with stones, for in might I am the better. —
当心，免得我这个比你年幼的人追着你到田野上，用石头砸你，因为在力量上我更胜一筹。’ —

If only I were so much mightier in strength of arm than all the wooers that are in the halls, soon would I send many an one forth on a woeful way from out our house, for they imagine mischief against us.’
但愿我肌肉更强壮，比宴客厅里所有的人还要强壮，那么很快我就会把许多人赶出我们的房子，因为他们对我们心怀恶意。

So he spake, and all the wooers laughed sweetly at him, and ceased now from their cruel anger toward Telemachus. —
于是他说完，所有的宴客们都甜美地笑了，对忒勒玛科斯的残酷怒火也消退了。 —

Then the swineherd bare the bow through the hall, and went up to wise Odysseus, and set it in his hands. —
于是牧猪人把弓拿到了大厅，走到聪明的奥德修斯面前，把它放在他手里。 —

And he called forth the nurse Eurycleia from the chamber and spake to her:
他叫护士欧瑞克莉亚从房间出来，对她说道：

‘Wise Eurycleia, Telemachus bids thee bar the well-fitting doors of thy chamber, and if any of the women hear the sound of groaning or the din of men within our walls, let them not go forth, but abide where they are in silence at their work.’
“聪明的欧瑞克莉亚，忒勒玛科斯叫你锁上你房间合适的门，如果有任何女人听到房子里哼哼声或男人的喧哗声，让她们不要出去，而是静静地待在原地继续工作。”

So he spake, and wingless her speech remained, and she barred the doors of the fair-lying chambers.
他说完，她的话被压住了，她锁上了漂亮的卧室的门。

Then Philoetius hasted forth silently from the house, and barred the outer gates of the fenced court. Now there lay beneath the gallery the cable of a curved ship, fashioned of the byblus plant, wherewith he made fast the gates, and then himself passed within. —
然后菲洛伊提乌斯安静地走出屋子，锁上了围场的外门。那里铺着一根弯曲船绳的织物，由比布鲁斯植物制成，他用它将门扎牢，然后自己走了进去。 —

Then he went and sat on the settle whence he had risen, and gazed upon Odysseus. —
然后他走回去坐在他离开时的座位上，凝视着奥德修斯。 —

He already was handling the bow, turning it every way about, and proving it on this side and on that, lest the worms might have eaten the horns when the lord of the bow was away. —
他已经拿起了弓，把它各个方向转了一圈，检查这一边和那一边，以防主人不在时虫子咬食到角角。 —

And thus men spake looking each one to his neighbour:
人们这样说着，每个人都看向邻居：

‘Verily he has a good eye, and a shrewd turn for a bow! —
“真的，他有很好的眼力，对弓有独到的见解！ —

Either, methinks, he himself has such a bow lying by at home or else he is set on making one, in such wise does he turn it hither and thither in his hands, this evil-witted beggar.’
我想，要不他自己家里也有一样的弓，要不就是他想要做一个，因为他这样把它在手里左右转动，这个恶毒的乞丐。”

And another again of the haughty youths would say: —
另一个高傲的青年又说： —

‘Would that the fellow may have profit thereof, just so surely as he shall ever prevail to bend this bow!’
“但愿这家伙能从中得益，只要他能屈弓拉开！”

So spake the wooers, but Odysseus of many counsels had lifted the great bow and viewed it on every side, and even as when a man that is skilled in the lyre and in minstrelsy, easily stretches a cord about a new peg, after tying at either end the twisted sheep-gut, even so Odysseus straightway bent the great bow, all without effort, and took it in his right hand and proved the bow-string, which rang sweetly at the touch, in tone like a swallow. —
宴客们这样说着，而多谋略的奥德修斯已经举起了这把大弓，各个角度查看，正如一个精通琴弦和歌唱的人，轻易地绕上一个新的木钉，在每端系上扭转的羊肠线，奥德修斯轻松地拉开了大弓，拿在右手里，检查弓弦，弦鸣声甜美动听，如燕鸟般的音调。 —

Then great grief came upon the wooers, and the colour of their countenance was changed, and Zeus thundered loud showing forth his tokens. —
然后悲伤袭击了求婚者，他们的脸色变了，宙斯打雷，显现出他的预兆。 —

And the steadfast goodly Odysseus was glad thereat, in that the son of deep-counselling Cronos had sent him a sign. —
坚定而英俊的奥德修斯因此感到高兴，因为智谋深远的克洛诺斯之子给了他一个信号。 —

Then he caught up a swift arrow which lay by his table, bare, but the other shafts were stored within the hollow quiver, those whereof the Achaeans were soon to taste. —
然后他拾起了一支快箭，那支箭就躺在桌子旁边，赤裸无垢，但其他箭矢则储存在空心箭袋里，希腊人很快就要尝到这些箭矢。 —

He took and laid it on the bridge of the bow, and held the notch and drew the string, even from the settle whereon he sat, and with straight aim shot the shaft and missed not one of the axes, beginning from the first axe-handle, and the bronze-weighted shaft passed clean through and out at the last. —
他拿起箭放在弓弦上，拉弓，并从坐在的靠背上向着第一个斧柄开始直射箭矢，那支镶着铜重的箭矢贯穿了所有斧头。 —

Then he spake to Telemachus, saying:
然后他对泰勒玛科斯说：

‘Telemachus, thy guest that sits in the halls does thee no shame. —
“泰勒玛科斯，坐在大厅里的客人没有伤害你。 —

In nowise did I miss my mark, nor was I wearied with long bending of the bow. —
我绝不会失误，也没有因为长时间弯弓而感到疲倦。 —

Still is my might steadfast — not as the wooers say scornfully to slight me. —
我的力量仍然稳定—不像求婚者们轻蔑地说搪塞我。 —

But now is it time that supper too be got ready for the Achaeans, while it is yet light, and thereafter must we make other sport with the dance and the lyre, for these are the crown of the feast.’
但现在该为希腊人准备晚餐了，在天仍然亮的时候，之后我们要用舞蹈和琴来共度宴会的最后时光，因为这些是宴会的巅峰。”

Therewith he nodded with bent brows, and Telemachus, the dear son of divine Odysseus, girt his sharp sword about him and took the spear in his grasp, and stood by his high seat at his father’s side, armed with the gleaming bronze.
他皱着眉头点了点头，于是至爱的奥德修斯之子泰勒玛科斯佩剑围腰，手握长矛，站在他父亲身边的高座旁，手持闪闪发光的青铜。