The Odyssey Riverton 2023

Test. Testing, 1, 2, 3.

Singin' me, Muse, and through me— Singin' me, Muse— Singin' me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled and always consenting, the wanderer hurried for years on end after he plundered his stronghold on the proud height of Troy. Sing to me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of campaigning, the wanderer Heracles, who plundered the stronghold of the proud men of Troy. He saw the town lands and learned the minds of many different men, and met with many bitter knights, and saved in his sea-faring sea, while he fought only to save his shipmates and his Greek shipping home. Of these adventures, Muse, daughter of Zeus, tell us another time. This is the greatest song Try again. Up on Mount Olympus, where the home of the gods stands firm and unmoving forever, they say, not scattered or fraying, nor ever piled under snow, but where the bright shining clouds stretch out below and the white light rests upon them, there the gods are all at home.

All but Poseidon. Poseidon, lord of the ocean, who went off to visit the Ethiopians. I find it lamentable that men should blame the gods for everything they bring upon themselves, for their own failings. Take that passage in You stole Agamemnon's wife and then killed him the day he returned from Troy. And yet the gods warned you, sent down Hermes, almost a servant destiny, to say, "Do not kill the man, do not touch his wife, or face a reckoning for the rest of us." Brilliant advice, but what a distance it takes us. Now he is dead, as he said he would be.

O father Zeus, You like Prometheus?

It is only Poseidon compared to Father Michael Rush. Since he took that guy at Cyclops, Poseidon's son, naturally the god, after some fighting, only punted him away from home. But come now, my child, my brother Jonah from Ethiopia must take up the matter of Prometheus' return. Poseidon won't relent. Being quarrelsome gets you nowhere.

O father of us all, if it now please you, send the wayfinder Hermes to Calypso's isle. Let him tell the nymph that she must let Odysseus go.

We shall do it.

We must act soon. There is a whole pack of suitors at Odysseus' door, harassing his wife Penelope for her hand, tearing up his house and destroying his property. His son Telemachus can do nothing against them. That's no good. 'All go to Ithaca, stir up Telemachus, and send him to the mainland to Sparta, for he was with his father. In this way he may earn his own renown about the world.' 'An excellent plan. Farewell, my child.' Athena bends to tie her beautiful sandals on, and rode away in golden shoes. She goes in disguise towards Ithaca, home of the lost Odysseus, where his son awaits Nautilus, and his wife Penelope is harassed by Welcome, stranger. Welcome to my house. I am the veteran. The old man, I presume? No, please, come in and sit before you tell me why you're here. Come this way.

I apologize, but them, they have an easy life living off the livestock of another.

Come sit.

Where do you come from?

Is Githith a new word to you, or Who are you, a guest here in the old day? My name is Cananeus. I am the captain of the ship. You don't remember, but years ago my family and yours were friends. As for my sailing here, the tale was that Odysseus had come home. Therefore I came. I see the gods playing. Don't say delight, my friend. He is lost.

There is no help, and no one will come home.

But never is alone. So Odysseus dead, bound in a chain somewhere on the wide sea with wild islanders. Savages they must be to hold him captive. Sir, rest assured, you shall have my hospitality. Listen to me, old man. I am what the forecast has for you, for the gods have a strong feeling in me. Odysseus will not now be delayed. Even if he is in chains, he'll scheme a way to come.

He can do it.

You're very kind, sir. Oh yes, I can see you are Odysseus's boy, the way your head is shaped, your fine eyes, and your suspicions. Yes, they say I am Odysseus's son, but I say I wish I hadn't instead been some simple, happy man growing old here in his own home. Who are these men? They seem so arrogant, speaking things of themselves. To your father's house. A sensible man would blush to be among them. They are the lords of the other islands, here courting my mother.

Mother wanted no suitors, but we are far too outnumbered. We cannot resist them.

Here is my forecast: soon one of them will kill me, they'll destroy everything you have, and one of them will take my mother. Perhaps it is well that you receive this delay. His heart will break to hear you speak like this. He is gone, my friend.

The world is ours.

At daybreak, call the islanders to the assembly. Then here's the course for you. Go abroad for news of your father. Get a sound ship afloat with 20 oars. Then go ask King Menelaus and his lady Helen of Troy. They are both now back in town. But I— If you should learn our father is alive and unharmed, you could hold out for another year. But if you should learn that he is dead and gone, disperse with these men. Come home and raise a mound for him. Give your mother time to mourn him. Then decide how to avenge yourself on all these, how to kill them, outright or with guile. But I haven't the ability to. I must straightway to my ship. My crew grumbles when I keep them waiting. You will be back to sea, I'm sure, but not in such a galestorm. Phineus! I know he must know the song. Sing no more the spirit's tale, and open to me again the winged flock we ever remembered. Mother, why do you think Rob Bagley can hear Phineus with his joy of song, wherever his thought may be? The poets are not to blame, but Zeus, who gives what fates he wills to adventurous men.

But we must be brave, Mother.

Try to listen. Who's speaking? My son? I would have thought it was Odysseus returned. Your voice is very unfamiliar. Eurymilus, Columbus is right. Sing what you will, I am satisfied. You! You!

Suitors of my mother! It's a broken dark. Time for you to go on home.

At daybreak we shall sit down in assembly, and I shall tell you— take it as you will— If you were to leave this hall, go feasting elsewhere.

Telemachus, let not the gods have touched you in this high and mighty manner, as whose forbid you should be king of Ithaca.

Patroclus, you may not like my answer, but I would gladly be a king. A king would be respected, and his house would flourish.

Telemachus, who knows who will be king of Ithaca? But keep your property and rule your house, and let no man intrude upon your possessions. Now a question or two, my good stranger. Who is your guest from above? I heed some message of your father's coming. This is so good. He left so quickly that I had little time to meet him, but he seemed a gentleman. Now, Ned, you all know that there is no hope for my father.

I didn't trust the message's worth taking, nor any prophet my mother would invite into our home. My guest was a Khmer, an old family friend. So let me guess, in his heart he knew his guest had been immortal. He was lying, and like his father, he did it well. But now the suitors turned to play again, then half asleep each left for his home. You're right here. Ah, nurse! Before me, you nursed my father, and I think you know him best of all. Tell me, could you think he could still come home? Oh, I cannot tell fortunes, dear son, I guess. If so happy before, —as the gods have taught. But if Hammy starts to praise him, his growl will commence. His heart belongs for you. Remember when they came to take him to the fields of joy?

He pretended he was mad. I know, I know.

He pretended he was mad by going to the fields and suing them assault. Oh, but then they found you, oh, the precious baby that you were, and placed you right at the bow of his plow, and he turned the plow aside. Yes, yes, he tried to possess you, 'For your sake, like this.' And then they knew he was not mad, and off he had to go. Good night, my sweet. Stood up, drew on his tunic, and left his room. A god's brilliance upon him. The crier's call sang out, and the men came streaming on to the assembly. Athena allows Longinus the sunlit grace of healing. Longinus, tell us why you have gathered us here. Do you have any news from our army? Have they returned from Troy? No, I have no news of our returning from battle, nor any public business to propose. Only my issue, and the issue of my house. My home and all I have are being plundered. Mother watched those suitors, but like a cat, they came. Where is our power to expel them all alone? Did my father Odysseus ever do you injury? How did these dogs ruin it?

What rhetoric, Telemachus, no holding you! You want to shame us and humiliate us, yet you know the suitors are not to blame, but your daring the terrible mother, the Queen of Cunningham. For 3 years now, and it will soon be 4, she's been breaking the hearts of Achaeans, holding out hope to all, answering to none. Her lying tricks and strategies have all stopped for now. Here's the suitors' demand, burn it in your minds: dismiss your mother from her house, or send her to her father's, to make her marry the man he names.

Antinous, I will not dismiss my own mother from her home. Find your dinner Now Zeus, who views the wide world, sent a sign, launching a pair of eagles from a mountain. They wheeled above the assembly, tearing at each other, and their feathers floated down.

Fellow Athenians, I am old enough to know a sign when I see one, and I say, Oscar the pastor of Theseus' knife will pull. He will be home. He's even— Enough, old man! Go home and read ovens to your children. There's words like a plenty in the sunny air, not all is insignificant. Here, let me interpret. Odysseus is dead. I wish you were with him, and we'd be spared this divination. Telemachus, send your mother to her father's to make her marry the mighty Aeneas.

Andromachus, I'm done. I am done.

Thank the gods for that. We'll see you soon at home.

More than for a word, I mean to make a trip to start the same tonight in secret. Can you help me?

I'm only his father.

We're best of friends, I know. Can you do it?

I believe in your mentorship and courage. I'll see what I can do. Thank you, friend.

Go home to make provisions. Meet me at midnight at the docks.

Shoot! Shoot! You're right! You're right!

Get 2 hangers of wrapping paper and fill them with wine for the second day. And, um, get 20 bushels of barley. Yes, fill the leather bags with them.

Oh, now keep this to yourself!

I'm off to Sparta to see what news there is of Paul. You child, whatever comes to your head— Think how many words would direct this letter, what to kill you. Take partners. There is a plot behind this plan, and you must swear to keep it from my mother for 11 days. For 12.

For 12 days. You— until she misses me.

No, until she hears I'm gone. She must not care, or it'll be skewed the letters. The Grey Angler roams the town disguised as Helenicus, gathering sailors and leading a ship of the Orient. She found that the poor mentor and cast him into her deathless, then took his form to meet Helenicus. Come, Captain, your ship is waiting. The sun rose on the flawless brimming sea. Here they put in, furled the sail, and beached the ship. Already in the distance they could see the incomparable palace of King Menelaus and his lady Helen of Troy. Menelaus, how do I do it?

How do I approach you?

Helenicus, no shame. You came across the open sea to us. But what do I say? Reason and the gods will give you words, and the gods will give you others. I guarantee they are not indifferent to your life. Lord Menelaus, Lady Helen, two men are here, two strangers though they appear, newly born. Shall we bring them in or send them on?

You would know any age before us, Aeneas. What's happened? Could we have made it back from Troy and would the men have not fed and given us lodging?

Strangers, you are welcome. Please, follow me. My friend, can you believe your eyes? All the bronze, gold infused with silver, ivory!

This is where the court of Zeus must lurk, I'm sure. Young friend, no mortal man can vie with Zeus. His house and his possessions are forever. As for men and his troops, you have no time. My lord Marshal Menelaus, how fortunate you are! Fortune? While I was off in Troy and Cyprus in Egypt gathering all this, a stranger killed my brother in cold blood, and many of my companions perished on sea. What joy now, when I take in all these costly things!

My lord, shall I say what I think? Please, my lady. Never anywhere have I seen so great a likeness, but it is truly strange. This boy You must be the son of Odysseus, Telemachus, the child he left at home when he here yet came, host made war on Troy, daring all for the wanton that I was. This is that hero's son, as you surmise, and I am his good friend and lord mentor.

Odysseus' son, in my house?

I would know him anywhere. Do you remember, lord, how Odysseus would feed himself, dressed in rags, and slipped into the Trojan city as flat-footed as any But I knew him. Even as he was, I knew him, and questioned him.

How shrewdly he put me off! In my life I have met in many countries many brilliant men, but never one like Odysseus.

Well, here's the reason I am here with you. I have come to see what news you have of father. Tell me of his death, sir, if perhaps you witnessed it. Spare me no part of her. Kindness sake.

I'll tell you everything I know. I saw him weeping on an island, no hope of getting home. He just stares out to the barren sea, watching his sweet life drift away.

Now all the company grew sad to hear this tale. Then it entered into Lady Helen's mind to draw into the wine an anodyne, mild magic of forgetfulness. Whoever should drink would be incapable of tears or sorrow, though they should lose mother and father or his child.

Pulled by the swelling tide of sleep, they drifted off in the mansion under the glistening stars. Servants. Did you give the ship to him? Did he force it from you? I gave it to him freely. He's truly among the best men on the island. Aside from yourself, I saw no people aboard. Oh, I don't know, it could have been some other god that looked like Lord Bentham, or the strange things I saw mentioned yesterday at dawn. Although they did sail 5 days ago from Sparta. Ow! So you're finding stories to try What will he do next? Just find me a fashion consultant. Or just step into the street. He'll find his father underneath the sea. You make any good bets?

He had no need to go off on a broad raft of the sea. What was he thinking? Why did he go? Must he too be lost in the world? Perhaps the God moved him, who knows? Or his own heart took him to Sparta. I might have seen that sail one time at sea. He should have stayed. I also longed he'd stayed, but let me die with the great man. You knew the hour he would take the rapture of the sea.

Why did you wake him, sweet mistress?

How imperfect Cut that person down and bring him back. If you make me swear, I pray no, for I do not make false oaths in spite, or take a proof of it yourself. Who is afraid that you proceed in meditation with me? Come, come, it is in the hands of the gods and time is fleeting, how can I stop it? Lie down and sleep. Lie down and sleep. Are you sleeping, sorrowing Penelope? The gods came up here to see you cry. Your son was too much murdered, he's You look so far away under the ceiling. Have you heard what has happened? My lord, my lion, carried on a ship, and I haven't seen him since. And now my son has just left me all alone. Lift up your hope and don't be afraid. Pallas Athena is with your son and loves him. It is she who sent me here to tell you this. You will truly have a second miracle. The voice of a god can tell me. Tell me, please! Is my husband alive or dead? Is he ever coming home? Of Odysseus I may not speak. Hermes! How came you here? Where are you ever from? Come inside and say what's on your mind. If I can, I'll help.

I was sent. Do you think I'd come otherwise? Who would come over all that water? Someone! Who would make it? Not a single city on the way, no mortals to make sacrifices, nothing to do. Oh, and Zeus.

That's fine. Zeus? What does he want?

He says he has some man might up with Troy. 10 years ago, he did something to offend Poseidon, and now has seen Athena lost her home in Zeus' Greece. We have to send him on his way and do a transport. What monsters you are! Excuse me?

You gods who live up in the sky can't bear to see a goddess with a man, even if she lives in the middle of the ocean with no one else for company. You're pretty slack yourselves with the earthy girls, but when it comes to us— It was I who saved him when all his troops were lost. His good companion, the wind and current, washed him here to me. I fed him, loved him, said he would not die in your hands. More problems than all the days to come. But there's no excuse to spoil it for him, sis. Doesn't, sis. Surely I did not send him. He has to build his own boat if he wants to help. All right, fine, help him build. Go on, get out of my face. Go on. Dionysus! I'm happy you're here.

Let us go, please. Not that.

I don't want anything from you. Odysseus, your happiness is suspended. You're going home.

I'm keeping the tree, though. You're going home.

No need to plead. No need to fill your life with fumes here. I have pondered it, and I shall help you go. Come, look out the bedroom window. Build a raft. Come along.

After all these years of helping man to build a raft to cross the western ocean, rough waters then unknown, brilliant ships like glory and God's wind could never cross it. I'll take no raft you brush out to sea unless you give me a great oath that you'll serve no more enchantments in my barn. What a dog you are to think of such a thing!

My religion bends to earth and sky. I have no belief For 17 nights and days, Epiphanes sailed the open sea without incident. But on the 18th, the dark shore of Phaeacia appeared. Poseidon, storming home with his thunderclouds and stolen his head. Here's a pretty proof!

So, I only went to Ethiopia to get the gods to change their minds about Batman.

Still, I can give him a rough ride in it. Next clue.

You go, Odysseus!

Sleep well, Odysseus. You are safe with the Phaeacians.

So the long-suffering, brave Odysseus sleeps exhausted in this place as Athena makes her way to the city of the Phaeacians. In days gone by, these men lived in Hyperia next to the Cyclops, but Cyclops are too overbearing, being greater in strength and the Phaeacians were forced to migrate here, to Scyria, where they are now ruled by King Alcinous. It is to this king's house Athena goes.

Full of plans to get Odysseus home.

She finds a painted bedchamber where a young girl lies fast asleep. This is the daughter of Alcinous, the princess Nausicaa. On either side, looking like embraces, her companions are sleeping with her.

Wake up! Wake up! Nastya! Look at your clothes, Emily! How could you let everything get so dirty? Leaving your clothes on care for Nastya when you need a whole store of marriage linen, and soon you'll need a wedding dress, and here you are with dirty clothes. Let's go wash them by the river. Go and ask your father if you can go. Go on. Dear Papa, you must let me take our things and take them to get rustled and crumpled. Everything is nice about all 30 of them. You should have dressed all these young men counsel with the first councilors of the realm. And remember, your 5 sons, although 3 of them are married, 2 of them are still bachelors, and they should have fresh clothing and go dancing. See that, Uncle Jacob?

You must let me go, you child of the wild! Enough, enough, my child. I'm certain to your desire. Go along now, the ghouls will bring your wagon with the pretty wheels. Come on, it's the journey. Down by our lower shores where Nausicaä is going, there are running pools of water that no dirt can withstand. And when the young girls go down there, do you know how they wash their clothes? They dance on them. The two of them both thought, human or divine? You seem somewhat— like a god.

But also like— a drowned cat.

This is for you, goddess or girl. If you are a goddess, then you are Artemis, and there is grace in flame. But if you are a girl, how lucky your father and your gentle mother. How lucky your brothers. I have been on the sea for 19 days, and yet—

Hush, sir! It's proven you have no evil in you. You've come to the land of the Phaeacians, and I have Daughter, come out here. The longing of your parents will fade with care of others. Stop me! Why are you running away? How can you take this poor stranger as an enemy? He's just a poor castaway. We must take care of him. Treat our strangers as we treat ourselves. Now, come along. Here's how we must do it. While we go through the countryside, stay with us. But while we go through the town, The soldiers are fall back. There are plenty of older men there that can already match one of them saying, who is this giant mental stranger not to go after her foe? Where did she pick it up? Her future has been no doubt a real pudding of murder.

This is how they would make like.

Now, if one of Fall back and give us time to reach the palace. You'll be able to find your way. And remember, when you meet my parents, don't be afraid. I need your command to test any enterprise. Come on now, come on, let's go!

And so this The princess goes with the laundry and the wagon and the girls toward the fighting city. I give you the indulgence of your company. Permit me passage to my fatherland? Oh, my good friends! My friends, lords and ladies of Phoenicia, our guest and new friend, nameless to me still, comes to my house after long wandering. He appeals to us for conveyance home. As is our custom, therefore, let us provide passage, and quickly, no matter how far his land may be. What do you say? Who agrees? Friends, how lucky we are! The gods have blessed us with a guest to entertain and to serve. Or who knows, perhaps he's a god himself. You may set your mind at rest, O friends. A very unlikely god am I, being of mortal nature. I can tell you all concepts of sorrow, but all I wish is to be fed, to rest, and to be taken home.

You are right. But may I ask you, stranger, just one question? Thank you. Where, friend, did you get those I've been on the sea for 22 days.

When I washed upon your shore, I fell asleep, and when I awoke, I saw your daughter playing with the maids. I begged for her assistance, and she kindly gave me clothes from the laundry and directions to find you. Nastya, is this how I have raised you? Your good judgment failed in this, not to have brought him home to my cave and shown him the way. Why did you make me come alone? Kostya, you should not blame the princess. She did ask me to come with her. I felt a shame inside me. Get a black ship afloat on the noble ocean and pick our fastest sailor. Draft a crew from among our younger men who have made a name at sea. Loot ores, velagera, gold pins, glass, then leave the ship and come straight back. I propose that we should have competitions now, so that when our guest is home alone with his friends, he may tell them what champions we are at javelin, foot racing, boxing, Who will compete? Name off. Our children will have seaside names.

Ready, go!

He's no cripple and not old. You're right! Don't do that! This is one of my sons, Leobis. Friends, Excellency, come join our competition. I have been on the sea for 32 days. Oh, watch it, travel agent. The reason being is I see, friend, you have no talent in the sports of fighting men, middlemen, and skiplap scrap. That's coming from port to port, looking for gold. It's a shame that God don't give more than one gift at a time.

You, for example, are a good looking, but your head is full of seashells. Going, Scraps! Even a blind man could judge this feeling with his fingers. One spear all along, beyond the breast.

Come on, throw that one, Miles, and I'll throw the next one farther. Anyone else I'm after for competition? Friends, friends, we take no exception to what you say, for this man has angered and affronted you here at our peaceful games. When you are at home with your wife and children beside you, talk, friends, to the Phaeacians and tell them this: the things in which we take the most delight are feasting, music, the grace of dancing choirs, having clean linen, hot baths, and our beds. Let us go to the palace now to present our guests with gifts, a piece of cloth or some jewel or a bar of gold, and then we shall have supper and entertainment.

As they sped away and all went up to the palace, they ate and drank till hunger and thirst were no more, but always still when someone who entered the hall Who is this?

This is our singer, Demodocus. He knows the good of life and evil, but she who gave him sweetness also made him blind. Demodocus, where is your muse leading you? Let us hear. Tonight, my lord, I feel in my heart songs of the Achaeans and Troy, and of Apollo, of Odysseus.

And sing as well! Sing this for me.

Music is the flower of life. He sailed on his flagship to the land of the Trojans, and he hid himself inside the great fort and conquered all of the Trojans. 20 years he's not seen his home, King of Bees lies there waiting. Whoa! How many days will you wander on? How many nights you'll be waiting? How many nights— I'd like to sing and stop. It isn't pleasing everybody. Dear guests, since our poet began, you have not left off weeping. You must not be secretive any longer. Come in fairness, tell us your name. We need sailing directions for our ships, you know. Listen to this. My father once said that Lord Poseidon holds it against us that our deep-sea ships travel so fast and light upon the waves. He said that one day, one of our cutters, traveling alone over the cloudy sea after having provided passage to a wayward that it would be wrecked by the gods, and a range of hills thrown round our city. But this old threat, terrible as it is, has not forced us from our custom. So you see, nothing you can say about yourself can dissuade us. We will take you home. What shall I say first? What shall I keep with me till the end? The gods have tried me in a thousand ways. I am Odysseus! My home is on the sea-marked isle of Ithaca, never on this world's shore. Shall I see a place more dear, though I've been detained to the smooth caves of Circe and the halls of Calypso. But what am I sailing at this shore? The wind that blew west from Ilium brought me to Iseros, a strong point on the far side of the Simonese. I stormed that place and killed the men that fought. Plunder we took, equal shares to all, but on the spot I told my men, back and quickly out to sea. I never saw the sea again. My men were mutinous fools on scores of lines. Sheep by sheep they pushed me by the surf and kept on beating me, while fugitives went inland, falling to the main force of the stormy sea. We made a fight of it, backed on the ships while holding our beach, although so far outnumbered. But one by one we gave way. 6 benches were left empty on every ship that evening when we pulled away from deck. And this is your brief, We bore with us our precious lives we had, but not our friends. We put up our masts and let the breeze take over, but as we came around the bend to Malia, the current took us out to sea. For 9 days we drifted, and upon the 10th we came to the land of the lotus-eaters. Men drowsed all day upon this flower. They had no will to do No person alive but those who taste of this honey plant will forget mother and child and wish to stay forever in the presence of it. Not knowing this, I sent my men to explore, and they soon fell to the Lord's ears. I drove these rats from the place. Still wailing, we drove from the place. Come on, men, get the sweet song out of your hearts. We made it to the ship. We set sail, and after 3 days of rowing, the seaplane drifted into a cloud. Out upon the sea. We could barely see the bows in the dense fog around us. No lookout, no one saw the island dead ahead. We disembarked at the lower of the throat, not knowing we had reached the land of the Cyclops. This is the man who loves me. I'll pay for his watch. Now, Cyclops are giants. Last without Allah to bless them. They neither sow nor plow by hand. They dwell alone in lonely caves. They have no meetings and no consultations. And each one has but one great eye in the center of his forehead. I do not know this man. Shipmates, friends, let's go and do the native song. Will they make you wild savages or God-fearing hospitable men? Bring water and his dog!

Odysseus gave this last command because in his bones he knew some towering brutes would be among them soon.

We climbed a cliff and crept inside a cave. My men grew uneasy.

Captain, let's take his shoes, drag him to the ship, and then just climb up with the owner of the prince. Let's steal their sheep!

No, I wish to be the owner of this cave. It's clear he's a shepherd out tending his flocks. I had hoped that we might collect some friendly gifts. The gods will smile on us and— Men? Men? What are you doing in my home? Are you wandering rogues who cast your lives like dice and now go forth by sea? We are aliens, homewreckers from Troy. Do not harm us! For Zeus will avenge the unoffending guest. Little man, you must come from the other end of nowhere, telling me to mind the gods. We Cyclops are stronger than the gods. Who cares for them anyway? Tell me, where is it you moored your ship? Down the shore or around the point? My ship? Poseidon drove it on the rocks that you land at. We are survivors, these two men and I. Come closer, my daughter. You will have a ticket closer look. Don't go!

Stay back! Stay back!

Oh, that was good. Your skins are divine. With that, the Cyclops threw a boulder into the cave's mouth and fell asleep. Odysseus, now is your chance!

Take your spear and stab him!

Don't you understand? If we kill him now, we'll never leave this cave. All of us together can move that boulder aside.

All that night he prayed to Athena to grant him some idea. In the morning, the Cyclops stirred, grabbed two more men for breakfast, and departed with his small eatbox. Or this gives you something!

Men, take this olive branch and scrape down the 6th section. Make a stake with the pointed end.

All night they held it in the fire's heart and turned it, toughening it, then hid it well back in the cavern under one of the dung piles in the confusion there.

At evening came the shepherd with his woolly flock. Cyclops, have some wine!

Here's some liquor to wash down your scraps of men. Imagine it as an offering, if you were dumb and slow.

Ooh, go on, I'll have another. Thank you kindly. Tell me, how is it you're called? I'll let you choose. Cyclops, you ask my honorable name, and if you remember the gift you have promised me, I shall tell you. My name is Nobody. Mother, family, and friends, everyone calls me Nobody. Nobody! No! No! Well, here's your view. I'll eat you last after all of your friends. Men, now's our chance! May the gods help us!

Forward they sprinted, lifted the olive branch, and rammed it in his cranium. Eyelid and eyelash were seared. The pierced ball hissed and the roots popped.

What aileth you, Polyphemus?

Why do you cry so sore in the starry night depriving us of sleep?

Does a robber come steal away your sheep? Is somebody trying to kill or ruin you? Nobody! Nobody's tricked me! Nobody's wronged me! Ah, well, nobody has played you foul down your lonely bed, you mighty stick!

Nobody! Nobody!

Sickness comes over the troops and it cannot be helped.

Praise your father, Lord Poseidon! Odysseus laughed to see how like a charm his trick worked.

What now happens, hero? That's it! Odysseus is defeated! You think that idiot can defeat me? Deaths are too huge, but my wits are greater.

Odysseus took the sheep from their pen and secured them together. Then underneath each he tied an end. At evening came the shepherd with his woolly cloth. He never felt the men below, their coats of raw sheep and sheepskin for an iron bed.

Last but least, my rampage, weighted down by my wool and my meditation. Sweet ground, why linger so in the night here? You never lied by life before, but praised before them all. Do we grieve in your vaster thigh? I want Nobody will make it out alive, I swear! No! No, I can prove it! At least tell me where he is now! Tortured all night, fury, blasted by the sun, backs against the rock wall, his brain went stew across the floor, till the arm reached over and it worked on me. We took the Cyclops' precious secret, ran to the ship. You're well enough to set sail. I shall be back in my absence, sir. Cyclops, would you please start me and my companions? You and your lion came in defense?

God save Captain White!

Don't delay any further! Let's go! Nobody knows where we're going! You cannibals! Forget the steering of your straddles!

You'll smash our timbers and our Together!

Cyclops, if ever a mortal man inquired why you were put to shame, tell them Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye. Odysseus? Oh, it was foretold to me that one day Odysseus would take my great eye. I imagined some giant army, giant horse, would do this. But you, small pitiful two-legged sheep, Get out! Look how bad Ophicius is! I'll treat you well. Pray to my father Poseidon to treat you well. He is my father. He can treat me on his mood. If I could take it all off, I would, and hurl you down to hell! Poseidon cannot do you that. Oh, hear me! Father Lord Poseidon, see that Ophicius' jealousy resolves. See that Ophicius return under straight sail to Phoenicia. And in these words he prayed, and the gods heard him. This is why I have not seen my wife, my son, in all these years. I took this lobster's only eye, and then I said my name. My men and I rode for days on end until we came to the land of Aeolus. Though men of Aeolia hesitated, Aeolus, king of the winds, both mild and violent. Now I must tell you, this king has 12 children, 6 daughters and 6 lusty sons, and he gave girls to the boys to be their gentle brides. He gave me one goal, to tell of Troy, and at the conclusion, I asked for his help. Ah, Odysseus, for all you will tell of Troy, we'll stint you for nothing, we'll give you provisions and gear. Here are all our most boisterous storm winds sewn up in a sack, wedged on your aft deck, secured with burnished wire because this flight is easy, and you shall have first access to them. Thank you, friend. With that, we got up a breeze from the west. For 9 days we sailed without incident. I manned the tiller alone, and on the 10th Hit the top! Hit the top! Our homeland came into view. Men, I bind my weary to the boat. Bring the ship on home. So what do we take to the bag? Present from Aeolus. Salt racking and gold. It never fails. This is the blood of every Hail to the captain, how's it going, Mr. McArthur? What did you all get in Troy?

Nothing. Nothing? I got this!

This has got a lot of— Well, he is the captain. Yeah, that's true. Alright, let's hear it for the man!

Yes!

Then what have you got? Every wind was blowing into the hurricane. We were blown all the way back to my old days. Way back again, Elizabeth Smith. What's keeping you in your past? Did you not send Will enough off for home? It was my wrath on the crew, and a fatal nap. Please make good my lost years. Get out of here! There was no more creepy thing on this ark than you were just yet! Out! You're going to just curse my heaven! He drove us from the place. Comfortless we went. For 6 indistinguishable days and nights we rode, until we came the island of Aea. Some god must have guided us in, for we came into that rocky port without a sound. We disembarked, and I climbed the rocky peak and saw a wisp of smoke coming from some woodland hall. I sent half my men to explore, but late that day, only one returned. Let us shift! Warrior commanders, our friends are lost! Oh my God! Tell me, friend, what happened? We made our way through the forest where you sent us until we found a palace. There lay a marvelous stone house on open ground. In the entrance lay wolves and mountain lions and animals of all kinds, but none attacked. Oh, we were afraid that time. They pawed at us with their mighty paws. They switched their large tails like hounds who look up when their master comes and lie beneath a table. But then there was a woman inside.

She called to us. Welcome, dear strangers, sailors by your looks. Come in, come in, poor tired men.

They did it!

They did it!

Oh, it's all good, my sheep. Oh, now it's a great thing outside by the ocean.

Oh, you big, poor, sad, tired, tired, big, poor men. What hard work that must be rowing those big, big ships. That must be so It's so hard! How ever do you do it all day long? Drink up.

Thank you, dear lady. We salute you. You are the utmost essence of hospitality. Your animals seem kind. They seem almost—

almost— Lopza? Have something for me to say? What's the matter, dear? Speak up. Cat got your tongue? Sue me! Sue me! Sue me!

None of our friends came out of that house. I've been outside for hours and we slammed the door. Quick, take me back to where you came from. No, not back there! My lord, oh please leave me here. I see nothing for it but to go. You stay here then. I left him and went to find that subtle witch, but on my way, Bergen fed him with his golden wand.

"Okay, we asked!

What do you think you're doing wandering all alone on this strange island? Your friends have turned to pigs and Circe's house will be too if you don't listen." "What should I do?" "Her charm is her golden penny and mine. Take this and answer her. When she sees you are Kirby's true self, she won't go to bed." "I might be able to do it." I walked into the forest, my heart beating hard from excitement. Welcome, dear stranger.

Welcome to my home. Come in, come in. Don't mind the slime. Why, thank you. May I offer you some golden green wine? Yes, thank you kindly. Drink up. I will. Down with the slime and snore with the rest! I said, down with the slime and snore with the rest!

Release my madness instant, or else I'll kill you! What about this very throne of yours?

How did you resist my spell? You can't be immortal. This will not occur with one god kicking this way to another.

I assure you, lady, I am human. As human as my men. Or as they will be when you release them. Are those his?

I was told they had come for the queen. Hermes said your flesh should bring you here. Touch her by my knitted sheet, you overeager tender. I mean you shall kneel upon her bed and sit down in a box to sleep.

How soft and doting are you now, when here in this place you have turned my man to swine! I'll mount no better to upon it unless you serve me a great oath, that you'll release my man and serve no more enchantments who are harm.

I swear. With their bodies enveloped in her bluish swimming robes, figuring vessels in the sea.

I could not help but consent, so day by day we lingered until the year grew fat. Until one day, in the pause of summer, my men summoned me and said, "Captain, cast out these illusions and think of home!" "Go away, Theseus, master mariner.

You shall not stay against your will, but listen to me now. You will never go back to you will not return to your home on Epica Bay unless you take a strange way round. What way is that? You must go down to the cold and crumbling home of Calypso beneath, down to the underworld. There, the funny ghosts will find Theseus himself.

So Circe spoke, and my heart felt like stone. I went down to my men and told them the sorry news, but I was not to take them off of Circe's island that time. —But the onions helped him. No man's day in a fight more very clever. This one, having climbed the sushi's roots to taste the sweet night, fell asleep with wine. Waked by our warning voices, he got me down but slipped and fell that height headlong. His neck snapped and his ghost fled through the darkness. I was outside talking with my friends. Well, this seems— why did you stop us? Please tell us, did you in truth go down into the underworld, or did you meet him up Alcides, king in admiration of men, there's a time for storytelling, there's a time for rest. Odysseus, we will resume after the refreshment.

So the good Odysseus, after all his struggles, sleeps. Oh, Alcides lays down for the night with Reineke, who makes and shares his bed. We set sail on the fast-moving sun-resting sea, and by night we made towards the ocean's edge, past where the men of winter live hidden in mist and cloud.

We made our way along the river Arches to the place foretold by Circe. There I dug a pit and poured in the blood of a black ram. The spirits came wailing up to drink, their eager faces flickering in the dark. The last to die was the first to greet me, and this is how I, a living man, went into the underworld.

Ruth, you could not see the long steam bath of water coming down my neckbones. Up remember, snap, and my spirit from this low dark. Now hear the grace I pray for those back in the world, not here, their light, their only social energy, long ago left at home. When you make sail, no more should light dome on sister's island. They are no more in memory, I say. Do not abandon them. Unwet, unburied, their tentacles must be He is such a fool, so proud and false, and all scary eyes, and though it seems to be above the breakers, and unknown sailors want to come, he will open out his axe and plunge upon the oars and the life capsizes.

Now when he spoke, I knew we had lost him, unwet, unburied, and I called out to him and cried out for pity, but his faint, unhappy image left me, and another rose to take his place. This is Tiresias, whom Circe foretold would give me trouble. Great Haplius, fair witness of many my good former market deeds, but anguish my last. You will find yourself on Thonacia, the island of Helios, the sun. There, your best guess will bring you to earth. Your shipmates touch but one of them and see destruction from afar. You will survive alone, lost for years. Now, when you are home, take an oar on your shoulder, walk so far inland and find men who have never seen the sea. One day a passerby will ask, And once that's my shoulder span, you will stop, plant the bow in the ground, and make a sacrifice for Poseidon. Do this and see more death stop at this hand of the nation. It shall come upon you before you are weary of your miserable age. For the countryman will bless it peace around you, and all this shall be under power. Knowing these spoke, Tyreusius retired bodily through the halls, like that. But then I saw a figure crouching in the dark, and when she turned, I saw it was my mother. Mother, are you here alone, or is father here too? What of Penelope? Is she here, or is she at home?

Still with her child she is, poor heart, still in the castle. For long her nights and days go by, for what use of them do we need? But no man thinks you are honored, Prince.

And what of father?

There he owns no bedding, rugs, or fleecy mantles, but lies down with the hinds among the shepherds, rolled in old clothes he's put running in the rain. But when the heat comes at the end of summer, he follows thee to this minuscule stead. He lies there even now with aching heart, longing for your return, Robin. So I too, kind Prince, would ask the crown. My loneliness for you always is, took my breath away.

I tried 3 times to embrace her, but each she went slipping through my arms, impalpable as shadows are, wavering and dreaming. Mother, cannot we stay even in this place of death, that we might embrace and touch with love?

Oh, how my child, you must be craving so much.

I pressed you to go on, but then I thought, perhaps some things should not be told. Also, it is your preference to go on, and now I must. Let me conclude my tale. I returned to Circe's island and sent my men to fetch the body of Elpenor so we could give him the proper rites of burial, as he begged me to do.

Come, Mother Mercy, you went down alive to the house of death. Most men are satisfied twice, but yield this for twice. How long will this last him? Square in the ship's path are sirens, singing to be rich men coasting by. Woe to the innocent that hears that sound! He will never get to see his home or family again. The sirens will lure his mind away. All his possessions are rotting in a pile beside him.

I don't know if you tried to wait and hear that song, yet escaped the danger.

Menace fears to face, but after binding you to the mast, how can she both free and tie you? Your menace is going to twist more line around you until the seer whizzes to faint. Well then. One of two courses you must take, and you yourself must make them. You will pass between Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla is a monster with 12 heads and 6 arms. She takes from every ship that passes her, one head for each mouth. Yet, if you steer right of her, you may come home without a and she can keep the whole ship down.

Oh, come on, it's only instructive. How about I surpass Travis and fire off silver when she tries to raid my crew?

There is no fighting her. Give in to her. Better more than 6 men than lose the whole ship. Oh, God, I can't— Enough! Now tell me, what did you learn from the blind cretins? What did he forecast?

Strange thing. He said if I ever make it I should, when I am old, take an oar upon my shoulder and watch so far inland to a place where men have never seen the sea. There I should plant the oar if I wished a peaceful death.

Heave to him, Odysseus, and all these before whom thou also deservest ease. Remember me.

I raised my head on the ship, following him to the rowlocks. We headed out to sea and set sail, but soon the sea went calm and the breeze went silent. Pluck up your ears and tie them down, men! The sirens have begun.

Mmm. Everything you do is so important. Oh, would you please stop that cursed siren, siren, siren! Oh, you snap our tires, fireman. You clearly snap your tires, fireman. Oh, you snap fast, fireman. Everything you say just fills me up. My face, my face is nothing but a mirror. My arms, my arms are nothing but a cradle. Myself, my myself is nothing. This way, O friend, we bow, as all the world bows, more and more. My face, my face is nothing but a mirror. We couple ears, we sing those notes I only see fear, what clear vents for your eyes are your hair. My arms, my arms are nothing but a cradle fleeced by each herd of milk like honey swarming from the throat in my throat. Fool I think I am. My face, my face is nothing but a mirror. My arms, my arms You are nothing but a cradle. Myself. Myself is nothing. Woman. Definition. Noun. Woman. She. Female. Hurt. Petty book. Small frog. Your life is bigger than mine. Feminality. Femininity. Feminine. Womanhood. Feminism. Gynecology. Right. You order her to stay the way you are. Don't you change. Woman first. Mr. Respect. Stop respect. Put his staff aside. Be respectful. Dame. Madam. Madam. Miss. I love it when you ignore me. Mrs. Lady. Menschliche. Frau. Senora. Senora. Donna, Belle, Matron, Dowager, Good Again, Good Woman, Good Wife, Fois, Wife, Matronhood, Matronage, Venus, Nymph, Wench, Rosette, Little Bit of Fluff, Girl, etc., Inamorata, Love, etc., Courtesan, etc., Spacer, Virgin, Bachelorette, new woman, Amazon. See also girl, girl, noun, one, a young unmarried female person, i.e., higher form of maidensmaid. Synonyms: damsel, gal, lass, lassie, maid, maiden, miss, missy, quail, quiff, quench, tomboy, gal, debutante, subject, subjectant. Mummy, hospital, schoolgirl, Gary, to do, sit in, see, made, to, three, sit, see, girlfriend. No, don't get up. I'll take care of it. No, don't get up. I'll take care of it. No, don't get up.

I'll take care of it. No, don't get up.

I'll take care of it. No, don't get up. I'll take care of it. No, don't get up. I'll take care of it.

My ship slowly rose past the sirens until they disappeared below the ocean's rim and their singing dwindled away. My men peeled off the wax we laid thick in their ears and they released me. But not long after the island had faded into blue air, for I caught smoke and steam and heard the sound of water from two holes. I stopped my men from it, and it terrified them. I knew now we were on the strait between the whirlpool's darkness and the sea monster's shore. Look down, Captain! What is there to tell you? Men, we must follow my orders as I give them. Row hard past the whirlpool towards the cliffs on the other side. That is just what they do. Is that all she said? Yes, that is all she said. I told them nothing. That they could do nothing. They would have dropped their oars and paddles and jumped under the rowlocks for protection. Row hard, men! North to cliffs! The captain! Captain Steve, tell me something now to calm me down. My heart is clamoring and I don't know why. Captain, help me! Look at me, friends. Look at me. Have we never been in danger before? This Remember the Cyclops? How huge he was, what power he had.

But didn't I use my wisdom to save you then?

Look at me, friends. Look at me! It was the worst I had ever questioned the strange passes of the sea. My faithful company rowed, exhausted at their oars and falling asleep, but soon we came around the bend to the island of Helios. Now from the ship I heard the lowing of cattle and the bleating of sheep, and in my heart too I heard the warning of Tiresias and Circe. Who forbade you the island of the sun? Shipmates, friends, I had a forewarning that we should shun this island, put the land astern, and head out to sea. Are you flesh and blood, Odysseus, and endure more than a man? Do you never tire? Look at you, iron is what you're made of. Here we are, half dead and rowing.

You're spoiling the speech, brother, don't worry.

And you say no landing, no firm earth where we can make a quiet supper. No, you say, pull out to sea. Upon the wandering navies of foreign lands, sudden storms come out of the night, swamp us without trade. I say I am alone, outmatched. Let this whole company swear me an oath, that any flock of sheep or herd of cattle we come across shall go untouched. Do you swear? Yes, I swear. All hands ashore. The next day the knights, the lord had decided, had not forgotten me. He turned the sea to glass. No breeze or currents to help us on our way. So for a month we lingered where we never should have come. Long days where my men's bellies thinned, our bread and liquor gone. Shipmates, friends, I must go inland and perform a sacrifice to the gods. Remember your oath to me. [NOISE] When I came down, the savoring odor of burnt fat hanging around me. Grief took a hold of me. The silken bird was dead. The gods made strange signs appear. Cowhides began to crawl, and beef, both roasted and raw, ended on the smiths as if it were alive. We made for the ship, but held our course briefly. But soon, squall struck from the west. Strike after strike of thunder, till Zeus let go a bolt, a direct hit on the ship, and all my men were flung into the waves. No more seafaring days for these. No sweet day of return. The God had turned his face from them. I clambered onto the single flipper, and all that night I drifted until I came across a big A fig tree, mid-sea. I sprang for it, catching on, and oh, how long I waited. Day by day I drifted on the sea till at last that pole reared from the ocean. I let go with both hands and feet and plunged into the foam, making landfall on Calypso's island. For 8 years she kept me as her horse for life, but in my heart I never gave consent. At last, one day, sir, will we speak, and the currents brought me here to you. For this is true, however painful all the past, you'll have clear sailing now. You came under my tall roof seeking passage home. This is our joint act of ransom.

Now here, sir, before you go, you must be suffocated, so that you will have to make an offering to my good friend, the shark.

Great queen, be blessed for all your days, —still aids those who find me. Come, Captain, your ship is waiting.

Farewell, Odysseus. Remember me and your men who met and saved you. I will dwell in your thoughts.

Daughter of Alcides and Alcimedon, man both godlike and a goddess, the princess is for my own wife.

The ship pulled out and the sailors caught the sea as one man. Hour after hour they flew across the water, but slumber soft and deep went on the wanderer.

Father of gods, will the bright immortals ever pay respect to me again if these mortals do not? I warned those Phaeacians long ago not to take any passengers on their black ships, and now they ship Odysseus homeward, putting his honor to trial, asleep with gifts of gold and What do you want? Little brother, why do you grumble so? The immortal gods will show you no less esteem for this. Some mortal captain, overcome by pride and strength, cuts or spies you. Are you not always free to think, my lord? Action is a rather quieter thing, as you will know.

Then I'll wreck this ship within their sight!

Destroy. A tyrant's ship, like a ship off the coast of Old Faith. Let them take it. That's good for the generation.

Little brother.

Papa, I see the ship. This present doom upon the ship, on me, I prophesy it. Friends, we must give up hope of taking in our ship's poor castaways and pray to the Lord beside it that we must pass into the sea.

When does the sea swell? The landscape looks strange, unearthly strange to the Lord of the Seas.

Alas, lords and captains of the Aesir! Were not these decent men who promised to take me to Aethergand did not? What is this place? Did they rob me of my gifts as well? My child, advise me. What land have I come to? Where am I?

Stranger, you must be from the other end of nowhere, else you are a great idiot having to ask where this place is.

My child, please.

No one could use this ground for training horses. It's too broken. There's nothing poor about the soil.

If you could just—

The heel of a crane is one and drinks too, with wine and gingerbread and some salt. There's cows fawns all year round. For these blessings, friends, Ithaca is well known.

Ithaca? Oh yes, I have heard of this place, far away in Crete where I was born. To realize my fortune, I gave myself to the sea.

You bottomless bag of tricks! Here in your own country you cannot give up your dissembling for one instant? In Greece, no more! Haven't you guessed that I am Athena, daughter of Zeus? I am always with you in times of trial.

Once you were fond of me, I'm sure of that, years ago in Troy, but since then I've never seen you by my side. You made that speech to him often.

Am I, in truth, on Ithaca? Here, I shall make you see the shape of Ithaca. There is the sea cove, and the olive branch spreading out her leaves over the inner bay, and there Mount Melon with his forest on his back.

I thought to never see this land again.

Odysseus, not every Nothing here is right. There's a crowd of crazy men playing master of your house, courting your lovely wife. And she? Forever grieving. She's allowed to suit herself, but if she falls for a fix from you—

I'm gonna pledge death if I don't call my daddy. Stay by my side.

I shall never leave you. You'll look forward unto my arrival in the coming months. I foresee your vast force in its blood. Now, for a while, I shall transform you. This clear skin on your arms and legs, all dirty. Your chestnut hair, all gone. Your body dressed in rags. And the eyes that were once so brilliant, dirty. No one will know you. For now, we'll hide your treasure. Seek out Earl Swinebury and question him.

Farewell, son of Leartes. Trouble enough already, by the gods! What trouble have the gods given you? Said my master, your king that he was. I am here to make peace with his English friends. Come to the cabin. You must eat something, drink some wine. Tell me where you are from and your hard times and steeds. May the gods smile on you and give you your heart's delight for your hospitality, friend of mine. Tush, friend, all wanderers and beggars are confused. What we can give is a slice of the well-messed, soggy bread. I told you this long ago, but God hindered our work together. He saved me. He would have pensioned me with land of my own, a house, a white horse, horses and admiral's last command. Tell me, who is this Lord you speak so highly of? Perhaps I have seen him. I have wandered this world for so long. Brethren, neither his mistress, nor his son, nor I will put any stock in word of him brought back by any wandering sailor. No, every time some traveller comes ashore, he has to tell my mistress pretty tales. And a wild dog who carried Rob Bagley laid bare the truth on land.

Was perhaps the first quick fishes the human kingdom did see.

Or this is, I mean, —For all who is a warrior, and hot with malice. Let me tell you this. Let me not speak of others, friend, but swear to you. Any will be avenged who dishonors his wife and son. I swear, I— Ah! He's another to be concerned about. I guess he's his son, friend. Oh? Yes. Someone with God on that made him upset, so he sailed away to Sparta. Is he on the way? The news of the storm? Yes. On the way to Sparta? Yes, most likely. Still, that's very brave. Come now, let us talk of other things. No more of that. Making me petty-hearted. Tell me, how did you come to get together? I doubt you came walking by sea.

To this the master of improvisation answered: Oh, my swineherd, how he was born illegitimately in Greece, how he accidentally killed a man before he was kidnapped by pirates and brought to Lesbosia, where in the gates I heard news of the Lord Odysseus passing by on his way home with the keys. And Odysseus went on, as evening fell, to describe how Lesbosia caught him as he was going home and threw him overboard, and how he swam to Well, you may stand with your light corporation, but forget about this kid being alive, though you might despair of it.

You'll never get me to believe that. That's corrosion. A black heart bleeds in you surely, friend. Promise me, if you find out another like you, you'll cast me down into some hiding place until the next poor man walks by. A friend? Should I agree to that? If I should open myself to the world for goodness, how confidently after that should I kneel down to pray?

Light on us. I'm ready for a bad level tonight. I think it's just the girl with the case. Night came on, Ralph, with no moon. Honeyed sleep took Odysseus, but Athena, ever sleepless, flew to his side to guide him home from Menelaus. Thus they sailed past Phtharka, from Cronae and Caucas with its lovely streams. With Athena disguised as Mentor at the helm, they fixed their way through darkness as she guided them far from the treacherous straits where the suitors lay in ambush. When dawn arose, they found themselves near Ithaca.

Good morning, friends! Good morning, Eumaeus. Eumaeus, I would be very grateful if you would show me the way to town. Perhaps all the way to the Hall of Odysseus, where I can tell the queen my news. Or perhaps I should slip in among the suitors. Hey, how can you let these imaginations take hold of you? You'll fling away your life and nothing less if you wish to mingle among that company. Reckless, violent, dangerous.

You're the real pedant.

It would be dear to Zeus if you watched me for telling you his dream. Take the ship around from point to town.

You'll see me here to walk in with, if Lord Bentworth is by. Later on this evening I'll meet you in the city.

Fair enough. I hear footsteps. Some friend with a dog's head will be in trouble. How rare you come to visit me in your woods and pastures.

I am with you now, Eumaeus. I wanted to see you first to ask if mother has stayed at home, or is she married, or did she suspend her destiny?

Eurymachus, you know your mother is not married. She will never marry again. Now come inside.

Oh, keep your seat, friend. I'm sure I can sit on the ground. So, you may ask, what's your friend's home port? How did he come to be picked up?

I doubt he came walking over sea. Well, his home is Crete, but he's knocked about the world. Just now he drove away a shipload of desperadoes to reach my hut. I place him into my hands. He desires fortune.

You may ask, my protection? It's impossible to let him stand among those suitors and pay my interest.

My princess, it might be fitting for me to speak a word. These fellows riding roughshod over you in your own house? How is this possible? Are the townsmen stirred up against you? Are you resigned to being led?

No, there's no great war in the town against me, but the suitors are too many, too powerful, and united in their cause.

As to brothers, single sons are the rule of my family.

Laertes had but one, and Odysseus had none. Oh, you may escape. Please go down at once and tell the Lady Penelope that I am back, but take care not to let the suitors know. They have a mind to do me harm.

Should I not call on Euridice? Euridice? My father's nurse, mine as well. She's still alive?

Yes? At once, please.

I'll be back before nightfall. Oh, dear prince, I believe I have something I forgot to tell our friend. Oh, please, go on.

Odysseus, the time has come. Assemble to your son, Olober. Tell him how you two together will bring suitors over town. I will make you wise and young again, restore your bright eyes and hair. Now go. And eager for the fight.

Stranger, you are not what you were just now.

Your clothes is new, even your skin.

You are one of the gods that rule over men. Have mercy on us. No god. Why would you mistake me for a god? It is only I, your father. I am Odysseus, Come back! You, you cannot be my father.

Menly spirits have contrived this trick to twist the knife in me.

I swear you are not like a prince to wander in the presence of his father. Don't laugh! There is no other distance coming. He and I are one. This wandering And fortunes are mine, the same. I am the one you have suffered for in childhood. 20 years gone and back in my own country. As for my change, that was the use of Athena. She has the knack of making me a beggar man sometimes, and sometimes young, with finer clothes about me. It is no strange thing for a god to change the appearance of a man.

Now from the well of longing in both men Christ came up. —so helplessly they cried, and would have gone into the nightfall, had not Telemachus said: Father! What kind of vessel put you ashore in Ithaca?

I doubt you came walking on the sea. Oh, be true, shall I tell you, son? Wonder will have to wait. The goddess Athena herself has instructed me to plot with you how we should kill the suitors.

Father! All my days, your worth as a fighting man has But what you say is a staggering thing beyond imagining. How can the two of us defeat a house full of men at their prime?

It's true we only have two allies, but their names are Zeus and Athena. Now, here's your plan. At daybreak, go mingle among the Mycenaeans. The swineherd will bring you their laborer, a beggar by my looks. If they injure me or harm me, do nothing, but should bridge cage up your springing buck, then At nightfall, gather all of the weapons, leave none in the great hall. And one more thing: if you are in truth my son, let no man know I am about, not the swineherd nor Penelope herself.

So they talked around, while back at the palace the suitors had now returned.

There he is! How can we face him? All day we have looked out for fortune, and every hour fresh terror mounts. I guide him in this foolish world, and that's all the open war he lets else on. Meanwhile, some spirit raises Oedipus, will have this company land in destruction, and leave him no way out.

Madman! How dare you plot against my son in his own house? Have you no pride? In Italy they say you are the best of your generation in mind and speech. Not so. You never were. How can you forget that your own father, the He came not to us when the realm was up in arms against him. Only Odysseus took him in, and yet is Odysseus' house now consumed, his son you kill, or try to kill, and me, who rouse now and breathe. I call upon you to make an end of it.

Penelope, dismiss these terrors from your mind. I say that man does not exist, nor will, who dares lay hands upon your son while I live. He is mine as the moth to the egg. When I was young, this has been the oftenest tidbit in Red Warriors. Tell the boy he must not tremble for his life, at least not so long as he can ensue this his company. If Heaven wills his death by our means, well, nothing can be done.

Nonsense. It's growing dark. Get out! Fair love, and once more I thank you. Sweet dreams. Mother! Mother! What happened? You're supposed to be sleeping so late. I thought you were still here after last night. My heart already aches. What happened? I went to the palace of Menelaus. Mother, you should see it. And I met Helen there. Helen? Who is this? Is he mine? I've been telling everything I heard. Menelaus says he heard it from an ancient of the sea.

Come. Reverend, I brought you to the hall of Odysseus as my princely man. God alone knows why. But I must ask you one last time. Wouldn't you rather go back into the countryside and let me make a farmhand out of you? Thank you, Your Grace, but I'm curious to see the place. Please, please, please.

Look at this! One scurvy town Leaving another, a glob of hair off every time. Hey, spider!

Where are you taking your new cave? How many doorposts have you rubbed your fat tongue on fighting for garbage? What courtly ways have you! No, to the master attorney, he'll teach you how to speak! Look how the dog can snap! Odysseus is dead. He died at sea.

As he spoke, an old dog lying nearby lifted up his ears and pricked up his muzzle. This was Argos, trained as a puppy by Odysseus, but never taken on a hunt before his master sailed for Troy. Treated as rubbish now, Argos lay in the filth for 40 days, abandoned and half destroyed by the floods. But when he heard Odysseus is going He did his best to wag his tail, nose down, with flattened ears, though he lacked the strength to move. And even the gods could not despair.

Mantis, it is very sad to see a dog like this. He would have been a fine dog from the looks of him. Though I can't tell his speed and strength in his youth, but he has the build of a hunting dog, not like one that would have been discarded. Now I can assure you before me gathers the Lord of this ship to Troy, that King Smith is gone. You know the strong brain he sat in sleeping from Spain to Egypt. How misery has released him. For this master's eye has seen, and no one here has yet. He was frightened.

With this, you made us wince into the grave thoughts. But death and darkness Darness in that instant closed the eyes of Argos, who had seen his master Odysseus after 20 years.

Give this to him and tell him to go among the suitors on his own.

Silence is no access to a hungry man.

Friend, our princess pleases to give you this, but she commands that you go out among the suitors and try— Oh look, the breeder of pigs! May his mighty breakfast find him silent when You don't like the gorgers, beggars, and rats. You find their combination slowly eating your roasted pig, so you bring the scarecrow in. Accident! You are well-born, but that was not well said. You are a odd man, obviously. Obviously. All alone with this piece of people and me. But you made it.

Don't thank for this, man.

Antinous!

I appreciate your fatherly concern and your anxiety that I should dismiss a poor stranger from my house. God forbid such a thing! No! I call on you to give and spare your qualms as to my mother's loss and mine. But there's no such idea in your head, is there?

So let me get your head and heart run away with you. If every man gave as much as I'd like to, this manor would be kept for nuns, kept out of sight. No, no, no, sir. I take you for the richest here, for you look like a king. But no, I too sat well with men once. I gave alms to poor beggars like the one you see before you often. But the God of evil may be doing this pest. That you might keep a will, you know all that. It's a shame to see you have no heart. You sit here, fat on another man's meat, and you can't even run into the bread for a poor beggar man. Now go on, you think you'll shuffle off and get around with that bundle of rags and lice? Oh no, you don't.

Anthony, you were wrong to strike this man's head. Let the other men go.

You know they go and die like strangers.

Demonstrates to me. Gentlemen, it's growing dark.

Time for you to go on home.

Good enough again? You can begin tomorrow.

My friend, I'll teach you a prayer. There is a lady in the hall. She will shelter you tonight.

My friends, I must go home to look after my mistress.

Both of you be gentle to the captain. Your wish is mine.

Amen. You're ready, huh? Yes. Oh yes, come. And shuffling from their quarters while my ship's father's armor has been to the inner room. I want them shielded from the draft of smoke. It is time, child, you take interest in such things. I believe thee, sir. Father! I'll leave you alone. O Father, what if the gods of heaven have been in this place? Though bolts and roofbeams are blowing as the lit fire, a fire blazing near.

Be still, but remember it. Now go clear the hall of all weapons, then off to bed. Your mother will be down soon. Until tomorrow.

Stranger, are you still here? Salt-free, hanging around late night looking for women? Go on, you old goat, get out! What impresses you like this?

It's because of my wet bags. Get out!

Off, doggone doggone! Shameless! Shameless little— I think you'd be blind. Blind to your conduct. You knew everything. You heard me say it. Waited to see any question given about my guilt. Go on with you. I'll see you. Please leave a letter for our guests. I shall ask them to read it.

So I do tell fortunes. I am afraid I do not have that talent. If I have in my lifetime, perhaps made up stories, though not usual for you knights.

Well, I can deal with it. I would ask you directly of who you are and where you come from, of what country and parents you were born of.

My lady, may never a man find fault with you here, for your name has gone out under heaven like that of some great ruler, a king who rules so fair, so wise, all his men for war. But I can tell you a long tale of sorrow from my life, so let it suffice me to ask you of other matters, not of my own land or bloodline, but of other things. I do not wish to be found here weeping in another's home.

Stranger, ask your praise of me. My looks, my face, my carriage were destroyed in my haphazard process of patrol. If he returned, if he would take care of me, I might have achieved plenty, but— Heaven sent him to me instead. He stood as you see around the hall, in a swinging tassel, all the while pressing me against him.

How did he get along?

At first, tricks served my turn for all the time, and the happy thought set a weeping and close-grinning about that weeping and howling. I said to them that day, "Young men, my suitors, now my voice strength up, let me finish my weaving before I end, else my dreadful spine faint. This shroud I weave for Odysseus' father, for when cold death comes to my companion, in country where I was born, he and his honor, he with all misfortune may unstruggle." I touched their hearts that way and they agreed, so every day I wove in the great room, and every night with my torchlight I hung the weave, and so for 3 years I I perceive thee in peace. And when seasons grow unfortunate, as if my sinking mates are leaving me, and I have no resource but mercy, as matters stand, at last I have no strength left to make a change. I can find no worthy way. My parents plead upon me. My son cannot stand by while they yield to poverty. But, my insist— confide in me. Tell me of your ancestors.

Now, ladies, you may not be satisfied till I tell you my pedigree. No. Well then, I shall tell you. One of the great islands in the Dead Sea, known as Crete.

Now, all these lies he made appear so truthful that as she listened, Penelope began to weep. The pale skin on her face grew moist, the way snow softens and glistens on the mountains, and as snow melts, mountain streams run cold. So her cheeks were wet by these tears shed for your lord Odysseus, sitting by your side. Stranger, I must say, if you truly saw my lord, then give me some proof. Tell me how he looked. Give me some particularity.

My lady, so long a time ago— Give me some particularity. He wore a brooch with a work of art on its face of a hunting dog with a spotted pelt. Jesus woke up.

My own hands had connected him.

I was supposed to let him sleep. That may be true, it may, but even if it is, it is still with you. It is not lost.

My Lord is dead.

I have something to tell you, something true. I heard news of your Lord's return. He's sailing on a scrotion, you see. The ship went down, but he survived. He's making landfall Indeed, he is very close.

A little stranger, if I could say where the truth, but my heart tells me I must speak. Odysseus will not come to me. There will be no ship prepared for you, no master good to receive and furnish a guest such as he was. Is there an ending? Come, friend, we dare go back home.

No, I have no desire for it, good friend. I do not like to be touched by one of your younger maids. But there's an old one. When one has gone through the trials of life as I have, I will not be opposed.

There is that hope. Eurythea, please prepare a foot bath for our guest. Your guest, no friend, man, or sympathetic has ever come to my house. No guest more likely, so Brian Hunter means to say. Here is an old maidservant who nursed my boy. The queen bids me, so let me make haste to serve my lady and serve him too. I must say, my heart frequently stirs, strange as it come, to ring it through the ears, but no one ever seemed so much like Odysseus, body, voice, and limbs, as you do.

Yes, all who have seen Odysseus, watch out!

The snore, your snore! What's this? Nurse? What's this? Nurse? It's you! I came right here!

They will come, mother Zeus, I warn you, and I mean it too.

I'll kill you, nurse or not, I'll kill you. Child, who do you think you're talking to? Who do you think you are to speak to me this way? I'll be as silent as a stone.

Sit down, be quiet, and wash your filthy hands.

Friend, I know the time for sleep is coming soon, but I must ask, it seems so close. Shall I stand by my son and honor my lord's bed when I best bring fortunes to the city?

Is it time for that? My lady, I—

No, no, thank you, it's what I shall do. Tomorrow I shall create a contest for the day. We have 12 assets. In this time, my lord can line them all up at intervals like a ship's rigging, then back the ways off and look near our port. Now I will I'll post this trail on the suitors, and whoever can most easily bend, string, and shoot the bow, I will marry, and look my last on this, my first love, and never look at another. But all that is, I want to bring you home.

This is an excellent plan. You'll return long before any of those suitors can manage to bring back the bow.

Friend, if you were here to sit with me and comfort me, you'd know that I have sleepless nights, but morals count for me, so I I go then to my single bed. You can lie there for us, Samantha. So she went to her chamber, softly late, accompanied by Eurycleia, and the house grew still. But Odysseus could not sleep. He rocked himself, rolling from side to side, to see how he alone could defeat his enemies. Life still lay before him. Years were before Is there a life more lengthy than yours, son of a swine-smoking witch?

Oh goddess, how can I defeat all of the suitors? And even if I do, where should I go for safety?

Their fathers and brothers will rise against me. What touching faith! Another man who trusts a villainous mortal with no race, why don't you trust me? Oh goddess, I'm warning you— See you, Odysseus! Gentlemen, this is not a public house, but a house of omniscience. My inheritance Today you will treat my friends and my family with respect. If not, I'll force you with a salamander kiss. Here, let me give you your best guess.

You better take this fungus and your father will have a funeral here instead of a wedding. You other I will suffer no more viciousness against a guest.

I know what is honorable and what is not. My childhood is over.

At this, Athena touched off in the suitors an uncontrollable fit of laughter. She drove them into a nightmare.

They laughed with jaws no longer theirs while blood splattered their leaves and blurring tears flooded their eyes. Oh, you lost, sad men! What terror is this you suffer? I sprout at your knees, your heads, your faces. Indeed, you have come into this house to feast and drink in day and night. You have no justification for yourselves. None. Except you must marry me. Very well then, here I am. Come forward, gentlemen, and ask in our contest for the prize. Here is my lord Odysseus' hunting bow. Whoever can bend its string and shoot an arrow through the sockets of 12 axes, I will marry the Lady Demace forever. Demace, please give my rosebud to the sweetest lord of this mistress's home. Take it, sweet Demace.

Come now, gentlemen, contend for your prize.

There is not a woman like her in all of Ithaca, nor in all the mainland. Come down to I need that.

One man at a time to go forward and try to float. You got this. You got this. Friends, I cannot.

Let the next man handle it.

Here is a bow to break the heart and spirit of many strong men. I, deathless, thus bid. What a preposterous speech! You cannot string the bow, so you say, "Here is a bow to break the hearts of men." Crushing thoughts! You were not born, you never had an aim to string this bow, let an arrow fly. Who's next? You may. Would you be so kind? If you came out and I were to stand by Odysseus as he came back, say he dropped out of thin air, a cyclone, or one of the gods let him return, would you bear arms for him? Ah, let the master return, lest he would stop to see me and how my hands are. Do you believe a goddess can change the appearance of a man any way she wants? I do not, sir, no. I know you may answer, Odysseus is back, but I am he. Look, there is a scar from the hunting trip when we were went on Sister Adam. You remember. I did see you. How? No time. Here's your part. I need you to go out, drift outside, and hold the outer gate. Then drift back in, holding the gate behind you.

Yes, yes. No time.

We cannot be freed of them! How will we be spoken to in times to come? Keep your head. You know this is a holy day, no day that's not worth boasting. Keep the boat. Let us celebrate. We'll keep the boat safe over night until our enemies come. Friends, perhaps I can try my hand at it. See if I can Blessed, grant me the strength to bend that bow, or my world will be lies and fraud today. You bleary-jerkin vagabond, are you insane? Aren't you caught here enough taking meat of gentlemen, your betters, and talking to us as Rob Bagley has done? Don't touch this bow, I warn you.

Handsome? His courtesy is never handsome. Why is he so friendly? Suppose this exile manages to string the bow, could he then take He came from out of Nashville. How can you? Don't look for off-label dinner hands. Just give the man a try. Can I let the igniter off the car, boss?

We're not even a fantasy, but think of it. A beggar I know competing with us? What are our reputations?

You have no reputation left in this realm, Antinous, nor any hope of ever getting it again. Why do you guys argue for using another man's house for years? I'd say he's a big man, walks in Paxton's place, he is noble blood. I'd give him the bow, but how about— Mother, as for the bow and who may handle it, no man has more authority than I. Return to your room, Mother. Come on, miss. Return to your room and lock the door. Take your spindle and your needle.

You may.

Please give this man Odysseus's hunting bow. And for his bravery, I award him my father's old cloak. Since I now know he's never coming back.

Where do you think you're going with that, you smite slave?

We're throwing back a bunch of pigs to their old dogsies.

Oh look, a lover of bows. Maybe you have He probably owns some mango himself, being a fortune growing each and every inch.

But the man, skilled in all ways of contending, satisfied by the bow's brave looking head, like a musician draws a sweet new string upon the peg, so effortlessly Odysseus strung the bow in one motion.

—Our weapons are mine! —But yet you know what those! You've done enough to make us back to Troy, and you take the peace from my wife and I, and I die? Content to throw your hat for what men think of you? Content to throw your hat from where you sat with the gods?

Odysseus stood at one end of the hall, Athena at the other, and the slaughter began. I tell you, he has come. That stranger you were greeting was Jesus, the one you saw 3 days ago. If he had come to you in secret, as you say, then how could he have engaged in sin again? They were all down there, every one. I didn't see it. I only heard the drums and the hymns. That doesn't let me escape my door. Then I did not consult. This is what the dead bodies littering the floor are saying now. This is your burial, your passion, your resurrection. Hate this rejoicing. You know how splendid that day will be, but it is impossible. If the suitors are dead, then it is a god, children, a god, sick of their arrogance. Lord Theseus himself? He lost his home, he died for a winter cut. Paco fuses downstairs by the fire. Come down, I say, for my fullness. Let me die an ideal am I. Then she heard, at the end of the stairs, her heart in tumult. Had she better keep her distance and question him, her husband? Should she run to him now, take his hands and kiss them? Crossing the door, she sat still against the room. Across the room from the Lord of the Seas, there sat the man, never lifted his eyes.

Never press yourself on me.

Mother, cruel mother, why do you keep yourself this way from Father? I am stunned, child. I cannot greet him, I cannot question him, I cannot even raise my eyes to his face. If he truly is Odysseus, truly home, then ye two shall know each other better than ye before knew. And so it is said. Now that this is— Go on again.

Strange woman. The time I have been away has made you hard. Harder than any. For who else would keep aloof from her husband at such a time?

Strange man, and standing water. There's no pride on my part, no scorn, not even a bunch of it. I know so well how he appeared when he's just a child, but I'll listen. I'll have the writing be up, make your bed, but outside in the hall.

Woman, have you betrayed me? My bed cannot be moved into the hall. I built our bedroom with great trouble. A tree I grew on the floorpan. I inlaid it with gold and silver, carved the bedpost with my hands. I built a room around it. I begged it not to be moved into the hall.

No one's ever seen it since. Stop this! I'm starting to think you're a collector of old art matters. It's you. You don't read to me, but I cannot walk from you without insight. I arm myself against the throes of any imposters in my company.

You have known me.

Then from his breast into his eyes the ache of longing mounted, and he wept at last. His wife appeared faithful in his arms, longed for in joy, in joy, knowing the abyss behind. And she too wept, her gaze upon him, her hand in his until forever.

My daughter, the fresh dawn is stirring. She begs you to come forward from the long tailing of shoes.

Hold her back this once. Let this night linger. There are battling and loveless stories. She will not rest until she has heard all still. O soul, enlighten me. The fathers and brothers of all those suitors slaughtered are gathering with many intentions against Odysseus. What is your secret will? More and more coercion, more of it? Or can you not impose a pact on the world?

My child, did you not plan this action by yourself? Did you wish that Odysseus, on his homecoming, should have no blood? Do with it as you will. There is one proper way, if I may say so, where at least his honor would be satisfied. Let him be made king of Israel by a sworn pact forever, and we, for our part, will blot out the memory of sons and brothers slain.

Let Benavides and the Moors be friends. Prosperity enough and peace attend them. Excellent plan, my father. What was that noise you're hearing, sir? A fan?