The Odyssey | Progressive Translation Books for French A1 Students

The Odyssey | Progressive Translation Books for French A1 Students

Unlock the potential of this modern translation approach, designed to enhance your language learning experience. By allowing you to choose your difficulty level, it guarantees a personalized challenge that's suited to your progress. This method promotes comprehension by encouraging you to infer the meaning of new words from context, rather than relying heavily on direct translations. Though some translations are obscured to stimulate guessing, it's perfectly fine to consult a dictionary when needed. This technique combines challenge and support, making language learning fun and effective. Explore these translated classics to enjoy literature while advancing your language skills.

BOOKI
THEGODSINCOUNCIL—MINERVA’SVISITTOITHACA—THECHALLENGEFROMTELEMACHUSTOTHESUITORS.
Tell
moi
me
,OMuse,ofthatingeniousherowhotravelled
loin
far
andwideafterhe
avoir
had
sackedthefamoustownofTroy.
Manycitiesdidhevisit,
et
and
manywerethenationswithwhosemanners
et
and
customshewasacquainted;
moreoverhesuffered
beaucoup
much
byseawhiletryingto
sauver
save
hisownlifeand
ramener
bring
hismensafelyhome;
mais
but
dowhathemighthe
put
could
notsavehismen,fortheyperished
par
through
theirownsheerfollyin
mangeant
eating
thecattleoftheSun-godHyperion;
sothe
dieu
god
preventedthemfromeverreachinghome.
Tell
moi
me
,too,aboutallthesethings,oh
fille
daughter
ofJove,fromwhatsoeversourceyou
puisses
may
knowthem.
Sonow
tous
all
whoescapeddeathinbattle
ou
or
byshipwreckhadgotsafelyhomeexceptUlysses,
et
and
he,thoughhewaslongingto
retourner
return
tohiswifeand
pays
country
,wasdetainedbythegoddessCalypso,
qui
who
hadgothiminto
une
a
largecaveandwantedtomarry
lui
him
.
Butasyearswentby,there
venu
came
atimewhenthegodssettledthathe
devrait
should
gobacktoIthaca;
même
even
then,however,whenhewasamonghis
propre
own
people,histroubleswerenotyetover;
nevertheless
tous
all
thegodshadnowbeguntopityhimexceptNeptune,
qui
who
stillpersecutedhimwithoutceasing
et
and
wouldnotlethimgethome.
Maintenant
Now
Neptunehadgoneoffto
les
the
Ethiopians,whoareat
les
the
world’send,andliein
deux
two
halves,theonelookingWest
et
and
theotherEast.[1]Hehadgonetheretoacceptahecatombofsheep
et
and
oxen,andwasenjoyinghimselfathisfestival;
mais
but
theothergodsmetinthe
maison
house
ofOlympianJove,andthesireofgods
et
and
menspokefirst.
Atthatmomenthewas
pensait
thinking
ofAegisthus,whohadbeen
tué
killed
byAgamemnon’ssonOrestes;
sohe
dit
said
totheothergods:.
“See
maintenant
now
,howmenlayblameuponusgodsforwhatis
après
after
allnothingbuttheir
propre
own
folly.
LookatAegisthus;
he
doit
must
needsmakelovetoAgamemnon’s
femme
wife
unrighteouslyandthenkillAgamemnon,thoughhe
sache
knew
itwouldbethe
mort
death
ofhim;
forI
envoyé
sent
Mercurytowarnhimnotto
faire
do
eitherofthesethings,inasmuchasOrestes
voudrait
would
besuretotakehisrevenge
quand
when
hegrewupand
voudrait
wanted
toreturnhome.
Mercury
dit
told
himthisinallgood
volonté
will
buthewouldnotlisten,
et
and
nowhehaspaidforeverythinginfull.”
ThenMinerva
dit
said
,“Father,sonofSaturn,
Roi
King
ofkings,itservedAegisthus
droit
right
,andsoitwouldanyoneelse
qui
who
doesashedid;
mais
but
Aegisthusisneitherherenorthere;
itisforUlysses
que
that
myheartbleeds,whenI
pense
think
ofhissufferingsin
que
that
lonelysea-girtisland,faraway,
pauvre
poor
man,fromallhisfriends.
Itisanislandcoveredwithforest,intheverymiddleofthesea,
et
and
agoddesslivesthere,
fille
daughter
ofthemagicianAtlas,wholooksafterthebottomoftheocean,
et
and
carriesthegreatcolumnsthatkeepheaven
et
and
earthasunder.
ThisdaughterofAtlashasgotholdof
pauvre
poor
unhappyUlysses,andkeepstryingbyevery
sorte
kind
ofblandishmenttomakehim
oublier
forget
hishome,sothatheistiredof
vie
life
,andthinksofnothingbuthowhemayonce
plus
more
seethesmokeofhisownchimneys.
You,
monsieur
sir
,takenoheedofthis,
et
and
yetwhenUlysseswas
devant
before
Troydidhenotpropitiateyou
avec
with
manyaburntsacrifice?
Pourquoi
Why
thenshouldyoukeeponbeingsoangrywithhim?”
Et
And
Jovesaid,“Mychild,whatareyou
parles
talking
about?
HowcanI
oublier
forget
Ulyssesthanwhomthereis
pas
no
morecapablemanon
terre
earth
,normoreliberalinhisofferingsto
le
the
immortalgodsthatliveinheaven?
Bearinmind,however,
que
that
NeptuneisstillfuriouswithUlyssesfor
avoir
having
blindedaneyeofPolyphemus
roi
king
oftheCyclopes.
Polyphemusis
fils
son
toNeptunebythenymphThoosa,
fille
daughter
tothesea-kingPhorcys;
thereforethoughhewillnot
tue
kill
Ulyssesoutright,hetormentshimbypreventinghimfromgettinghome.
Still,letuslayourheads
ensemble
together
andseehowwe
pouvons
can
helphimtoreturn;
Neptune
sera
will
thenbepacified,for
si
if
weareallofa
esprit
mind
hecanhardlystandout
contre
against
us.”
AndMinervasaid,“Father,
fils
son
ofSaturn,Kingofkings,
si
if
,then,thegodsnowmean
que
that
Ulyssesshouldgethome,weshouldfirst
envoyer
send
MercurytotheOgygianislandto
dire
tell
Calypsothatwehavemadeupourminds
et
and
thatheisto
revenir
return
.
InthemeantimeIwill
aller
go
toIthaca,toputheartintoUlysses’
fils
son
Telemachus;
Iwillemboldenhimtocall
les
the
Achaeansinassembly,and
parler
speak
outtothesuitorsofhis
mère
mother
Penelope,whopersistineatingup
n'importe quel
any
numberofhissheep
et
and
oxen;
IwillalsoconducthimtoSparta
et
and
toPylos,toseeifhe
peut
can
hearanythingaboutthe
retour
return
ofhisdearfather—for
cela
this
willmakepeoplespeak
bien
well
ofhim.”
Sosayingsheboundonherglitteringgoldensandals,imperishable,
avec
with
whichshecanfly
comme
like
thewindoverland
ou
or
sea;
shegraspedtheredoubtablebronze-shodspear,sostout
et
and
sturdyandstrong,wherewithshequellstheranksofheroes
qui
who
havedispleasedher,anddownshedartedfromthetopmostsummitsofOlympus,whereonforthwithshewasinIthaca,atthegatewayofUlysses’
maison
house
,disguisedasavisitor,Mentes,chiefoftheTaphians,
et
and
sheheldabronzespearinher
main
hand
.
Thereshefoundthelordlysuitorsseatedonhidesoftheoxenwhichthey
devant
had
killedandeaten,and
jouant
playing
draughtsinfrontofthe
maison
house
.
Men-servantsandpageswerebustlingabouttowaituponthem,
certains
some
mixingwinewithwaterinthemixing-bowls,
certains
some
cleaningdownthetables
avec
with
wetspongesandlayingthemout
nouveau
again
,andsomecuttingupgreatquantitiesofmeat.
Telemachussawherlong
avant
before
anyoneelsedid.
Hewas
assis
sitting
moodilyamongthesuitors
pensant
thinking
abouthisbravefather,
et
and
howhewouldsendthemflying
hors
out
ofthehouse,ifhewereto
venir
come
tohisownagain
et
and
behonouredasindays
passés
gone
by.
Thusbroodingashe
assis
sat
amongthem,hecaughtsightofMinerva
et
and
wentstraighttothegate,forhewasvexedthatastranger
doive
should
bekeptwaitingforadmittance.
He
prit
took
herrighthandinhisown,
et
and
badehergivehimherspear.
“Welcome,”said
il
he
,“toourhouse,and
quand
when
youhavepartakenoffoodyoushalltelluswhatyouhavecomefor.”
Heled
la
the
wayashespoke,
et
and
Minervafollowedhim.
Whentheywerewithinhetookherspear
et
and
setitinthespear-stand
contre
against
astrongbearing-postalong
avec
with
themanyotherspearsofhisunhappy
père
father
,andheconductedherto
un
a
richlydecoratedseatunderwhichhethrew
un
a
clothofdamask.
Therewas
un
a
footstoolalsoforherfeet,[2]
et
and
hesetanotherseatnearherforhimself,
loin
away
fromthesuitors,thatshe
puisse
might
notbeannoyedwhile
mangeant
eating
bytheirnoiseandinsolence,
et
and
thathemightaskher
plus
more
freelyabouthisfather.
Amaidservantthen
apporta
brought
themwaterina
belle
beautiful
goldenewerandpoureditintoasilverbasinforthemtowashtheirhands,
et
and
shedrewacleantablebesidethem.
Anupperservant
apportait
brought
thembread,andofferedthem
beaucoup
many
goodthingsofwhattherewasinthe
maison
house
,thecarverfetchedthemplatesof
toutes
all
mannerofmeatsandsetcupsofgoldbytheirside,
et
and
amanservantbroughtthemwine
et
and
poureditoutforthem.
Thenthesuitorscamein
et
and
tooktheirplacesonthebenches
et
and
seats.[3]Forthwithmenservantspouredwaterovertheirhands,maidswentround
avec
with
thebread-baskets,pagesfilledthemixing-bowls
avec
with
wineandwater,andtheylaidtheirhandsuponthegoodthings
qui
that
werebeforethem.
Assoonastheyhadhadenoughto
mangé
eat
anddrinktheywanted
musique
music
anddancing,whicharethecrowningembellishmentsofabanquet,soaservant
apporta
brought
alyretoPhemius,whomtheycompelledperforceto
chanter
sing
tothem.
Assoonashe
touché
touched
hislyreandbeganto
chanter
sing
TelemachusspokelowtoMinerva,
avec
with
hisheadclosetohersthatnoman
pouvait
might
hear.
“Ihope,sir,”said
il
he
,“thatyouwillnotbeoffendedwithwhatIam
vais
going
tosay.
Singingcomescheapto
ceux
those
whodonotpayforit,
et
and
allthisisdoneatthecostof
un
one
whoseboneslierottinginsomewilderness
ou
or
grindingtopowderinthesurf.
Si
If
thesemenwereto
voir
see
myfathercomebacktoIthacatheywouldprayforlongerlegsratherthanalongerpurse,formoneywouldnotserve
leur
them
;
buthe,alas,has
tombé
fallen
onanillfate,
et
and
evenwhenpeopledo
parfois
sometimes
saythatheis
vient
coming
,wenolongerheed
les
them
;
weshallneverseehimagain.
Et
And
now,sir,tellme
et
and
tellmetrue,whoyouare
et
and
whereyoucomefrom.
Raconte
Tell
meofyourtown
et
and
parents,whatmannerofshipyou
venu
came
in,howyourcrew
amené
brought
youtoIthaca,andofwhatnationtheydeclaredthemselvestobe—foryoucannothave
venu
come
byland.
Tellme
aussi
also
truly,forIwantto
savoir
know
,areyouastrangerto
cette
this
house,orhaveyoubeen
ici
here
inmyfather’stime?
Intheolddayswehadmanyvisitorsformy
père
father
wentaboutmuchhimself.”
Et
And
Minervaanswered,“Iwilltellyoutruly
et
and
particularlyallaboutit.
IamMentes,
fils
son
ofAnchialus,andIam
Roi
King
oftheTaphians.
Ihavecome
ici
here
withmyshipandcrew,on
une
a
voyagetomenof
une
a
foreigntonguebeingboundforTemesa[4]
avec
with
acargoofiron,
et
and
Ishallbringbackcopper.
Asformyship,itliesoveryonderofftheopen
campagne
country
awayfromthetown,intheharbourRheithron[5]
sous
under
thewoodedmountainNeritum.[6]Ourfatherswerefriends
avant
before
us,asoldLaerteswill
dira
tell
you,ifyouwill
aller
go
andaskhim.
They
disent
say
,however,thathenever
vient
comes
totownnow,andlivesbyhimselfin
la
the
country,faringhardly,with
une
an
oldwomantolookafterhim
et
and
gethisdinnerfor
lui
him
,whenhecomesintiredfrompottering
sur
about
hisvineyard.
Theytoldmeyour
père
father
wasathomeagain,
et
and
thatwaswhyIcame,
mais
but
itseemsthegodsare
toujours
still
keepinghimback,forheisnot
mort
dead
yetnotonthemainland.
Itis
plus
more
likelyheisonsomesea-girtislandinmidocean,
ou
or
aprisoneramongsavages
qui
who
aredetaininghimagainsthis
volonté
will
.
Iamnoprophet,
et
and
knowverylittleaboutomens,
mais
but
Ispeakasitisborneinuponmefromheaven,
et
and
assureyouthathe
sera
will
notbeawaymuchlonger;
forheis
un
a
manofsuchresource
que
that
eventhoughhewereinchainsofironhewould
trouverait
find
somemeansofgetting
maison
home
again.
Buttellme,
et
and
tellmetrue,canUlysses
vraiment
really
havesuchafinelookingfellowfor
un
a
son?
Youareindeedwonderfullylikehimaboutthe
tête
head
andeyes,forwewereclosefriends
avant
before
hesetsailforTroy
where
theflowerofalltheArgives
allée
went
also.
Sincethattimewehave
jamais
never
eitherofusseentheother.”
“Mymother,”
répondit
answered
Telemachus,“tellsmeIam
fils
son
toUlysses,butitis
un
a
wisechildthatknowshis
propre
own
father.
WouldthatIwere
fils
son
toonewhohadgrownolduponhisownestates,for,
puisque
since
youaskme,thereis
pas
no
moreill-starredmanunderheaventhanhewhothey
dit
tell
meismyfather.”
Et
And
Minervasaid,“Thereis
pas
no
fearofyourracedyingoutyet,whilePenelopehassuch
un
a
finesonasyouare.
Mais
But
tellme,andtellmetrue,whatisthemeaningof
tout
all
thisfeasting,andwhoare
ces
these
people?
Whatisitallabout?
Haveyousomebanquet,
ou
or
isthereaweddingin
la
the
family—fornooneseemstobe
apporter
bringing
anyprovisionsofhisown?
Et
And
theguests—howatrociouslytheyarebehaving;
whatriotthey
font
make
overthewholehouse;
itisenoughtodisgust
toute
any
respectablepersonwhocomesnearthem.”
“Sir,”
dit
said
Telemachus,“asregardsyour
question
question
,solongasmy
père
father
washereitwas
bien
well
withusandwiththe
maison
house
,butthegodsintheirdispleasurehavewilleditotherwise,
et
and
havehiddenhimaway
plus
more
closelythanmortalmanwaseveryethidden.
I
pu
could
haveborneitbetter
même
even
thoughheweredead,ifhe
devant
had
fallenwithhismen
devant
before
Troy,orhaddied
avec
with
friendsaroundhimwhenthedaysofhis
combat
fighting
weredone;
forthen
les
the
Achaeanswouldhavebuilt
un
a
moundoverhisashes,
et
and
Ishouldmyselfhavebeenheirtohisrenown;
mais
but
nowthestorm-windshavespiritedhim
loin
away
weknownotwhither;
heis
parti
gone
withoutleavingsomuchas
une
a
tracebehindhim,andIinheritnothingbutdismay.
Nordoesthe
question
matter
endsimplywithgriefforthelossofmy
père
father
;
heavenhaslaidsorrowsuponmeofyet
autre
another
kind;
forthechiefsfromallourislands,Dulichium,
Même
Same
,andthewoodlandislandofZacynthus,asalsoalltheprincipalmenofIthacaitself,areeatingupmy
maison
house
underthepretextof
payer
paying
theircourttomy
mère
mother
,whowillneitherpointblank
dira
say
thatshewillnotmarry,[7]noryetbringmatterstoan
fin
end
;
sotheyaremakinghavocofmyestate,
et
and
beforelongwilldoso
aussi
also
withmyself.”
“Isthatso?”
exclaimedMinerva,“thenyoudoindeed
voulez
want
Ulysseshomeagain.
Givehimhishelmet,shield,
et
and
acoupleoflances,
et
and
ifheisthemanhewas
quand
when
Ifirstknewhiminour
maison
house
,drinkingandmakingmerry,hewould
bientôt
soon
layhishandsabout
ces
these
rascallysuitors,wereheto
tenait
stand
oncemoreuponhis
propre
own
threshold.
HewasthencomingfromEphyra,
where
hehadbeentobegpoisonforhisarrowsfromIlus,
fils
son
ofMermerus.
Ilusfeared
les
the
ever-livinggodsandwouldnotgivehimany,
mais
but
myfatherlethimhavesome,forhewasveryfondof
lui
him
.
IfUlyssesisthemanhethenwas
ces
these
suitorswillhaveashortshrift
et
and
asorrywedding.
“But
il
there
!
Itrestswithheaventodeterminewhetherheisto
revenir
return
,andtakehisrevengeinhis
propre
own
houseorno;
Iwould,however,urgeyoutosetabout
essayer
trying
togetridof
ces
these
suitorsatonce.
Takemyadvice,
appelez
call
theAchaeanheroesinassembly
demain
to-morrow
morning—layyourcasebeforethem,
et
and
callheaventobearyouwitness.
Bidthesuitorstakethemselvesoff,
chacun
each
tohisownplace,
et
and
ifyourmother’smindissetonmarryingagain,
laisse
let
hergobacktoher
père
father
,whowillfindher
un
a
husbandandprovideherwith
tous
all
themarriagegiftsthatso
chère
dear
adaughtermayexpect.
Asforyourself,
laissez
let
meprevailuponyouto
prendre
take
thebestshipyou
puissiez
can
get,withacrewoftwentymen,
et
and
goinquestofyour
père
father
whohassolongbeenmissing.
Some
un
one
maytellyousomething,
ou
or
(andpeopleoftenhearthingsin
cette
this
way)someheaven-sentmessage
peut
may
directyou.
FirstgotoPylos
et
and
askNestor;
thencegoontoSparta
et
and
visitMenelaus,forhegot
maison
home
lastofalltheAchaeans;
si
if
youhearthatyour
père
father
isaliveandonhiswayhome,you
pourrez
can
putupwiththewaste
ces
these
suitorswillmakeforyetanothertwelvemonths.
Si
If
ontheotherhandyou
entendez
hear
ofhisdeath,comehomeatonce,celebratehisfuneralrites
avec
with
allduepomp,build
une
a
barrowtohismemory,
et
and
makeyourmothermarryagain.
Then,
avoir
having
doneallthis,thinkit
bien
well
overinyourmindhow,byfairmeans
ou
or
foul,youmaykill
ces
these
suitorsinyourown
maison
house
.
Youaretoooldtopleadinfancyanylonger;
avoir
have
younotheardhow
gens
people
aresingingOrestes’praisesfor
avoir
having
killedhisfather’smurdererAegisthus?
Youare
un
a
fine,smartlookingfellow;
montre
show
yourmettle,then,and
fais
make
yourselfanameinstory.
Maintenant
Now
,however,Imustgobacktomyship
et
and
tomycrew,whowillbeimpatient
si
if
Ikeepthemwaitinglonger;
réfléchissez
think
thematteroverforyourself,
et
and
rememberwhatIhave
dit
said
toyou.”
“Sir,”answeredTelemachus,“ithasbeen
très
very
kindofyouto
parler
talk
tomeinthis
façon
way
,asthoughIwereyour
propre
own
son,andIwill
ferai
do
allyoutellme;
I
sais
know
youwanttobegettingonwithyourvoyage,
mais
but
stayalittlelongertillyouhave
pris
taken
abathandrefreshedyourself.
Iwillthen
donnerai
give
youapresent,andyoushall
partirez
go
onyourwayrejoicing;
Iwillgiveyou
un
one
ofgreatbeautyandvalue—akeepsakesuchasonlydearfriendsgiveto
un
one
another.”
Minervaanswered,“Donottrytokeep
me
me
,forIwouldbeonmy
chemin
way
atonce.
Asfor
n'importe quel
any
presentyoumaybedisposedto
faire
make
me,keepittillIcomeagain,
et
and
Iwilltakeit
maison
home
withme.
Youshallgivemea
très
very
goodone,andIwillgiveyouoneof
non
no
lessvalueinreturn.”
Avec
With
thesewordssheflewaway
comme
like
abirdintotheair,
mais
but
shehadgivenTelemachuscourage,
et
and
hadmadehimthink
plus
more
thaneverabouthis
père
father
.
Hefeltthechange,wonderedatit,
et
and
knewthatthestrangerhadbeen
un
a
god,sohewentstraightto
where
thesuitorsweresitting.
Phemiuswasstill
chantait
singing
,andhishearerssatraptinsilenceashe
racontait
told
thesadtaleofthe
retour
return
fromTroy,andtheillsMinervahadlaidupontheAchaeans.
Penelope,
fille
daughter
ofIcarius,heardhissongfromherroomupstairs,
et
and
camedownbythe
grand
great
staircase,notalone,butattendedby
deux
two
ofherhandmaids.
Whenshereachedthesuitorsshestoodbyoneofthebearingposts
qui
that
supportedtheroofofthecloisters[8]
avec
with
astaidmaidenoneither
côté
side
ofher.
Sheheld
un
a
veil,moreover,beforeher
visage
face
,andwasweepingbitterly.
“Phemius,”shecried,“you
connaissez
know
manyanotherfeatofgods
et
and
heroes,suchaspoets
aiment
love
tocelebrate.
Singthesuitorssomeoneof
ces
these
,andletthemdrinktheirwineinsilence,
mais
but
ceasethissadtale,forit
brise
breaks
mysorrowfulheart,andremindsmeofmy
perdu
lost
husbandwhomImournever
sans
without
ceasing,andwhosenamewas
grand
great
overallHellasandmiddleArgos.”[9].
“Mother,”
répondit
answered
Telemachus,“letthebard
chanter
sing
whathehasamindto;
bards
ne
do
notmaketheillsthey
chantent
sing
of;
itisJove,notthey,
qui
who
makesthem,andwho
envoie
sends
wealorwoeuponmankindaccordingtohisown
bon
good
pleasure.
Thisfellowmeans
pas
no
harmbysingingtheill-fated
retour
return
oftheDanaans,for
gens
people
alwaysapplaudthelatestsongs
plus
most
warmly.
Makeupyourmindtoit
et
and
bearit;
Ulyssesisnot
le
the
onlymanwhonevercamebackfromTroy,
mais
but
manyanotherwentdownas
bien
well
ashe.
Go,then,within
la
the
houseandbusyyourselfwithyourdailyduties,yourloom,yourdistaff,
et
and
theorderingofyourservants;
forspeechisman’smatter,
et
and
mineaboveallothers[10]—foritisI
qui
who
ammasterhere.”
Shewentwonderingbackinto
la
the
house,andlaidherson’ssayinginher
cœur
heart
.
Then,goingupstairswithherhandmaidsintoherroom,shemournedher
cher
dear
husbandtillMinervashed
doux
sweet
sleepoverhereyes.
Mais
But
thesuitorswereclamorousthroughout
les
the
coveredcloisters[11],andprayed
chacun
each
onethathemightbeher
lit
bed
fellow.
ThenTelemachusspoke,“Shameless,”hecried,“andinsolentsuitors,letusfeastatourpleasure
maintenant
now
,andlettherebe
pas
no
brawling,foritisararethingtoheara
homme
man
withsuchadivinevoiceasPhemiushas;
mais
but
inthemorningmeetmeinfullassemblythatImay
donnerai
give
youformalnoticetodepart,
et
and
feastatoneanother’shouses,turn
et
and
turnabout,atyourowncost.
Si
If
ontheotherhandyouchoosetopersistinspungingupon
un
one
man,heavenhelpme,
mais
but
Joveshallreckonwithyouinfull,
et
and
whenyoufallinmyfather’s
maison
house
thereshallbeno
homme
man
toavengeyou.”
Thesuitorsbittheirlipsastheyheardhim,
et
and
marvelledattheboldnessofhisspeech.
Then,Antinous,
fils
son
ofEupeithes,said,“Thegodsseemto
avoir
have
givenyoulessonsinbluster
et
and
talltalking;
mayJove
jamais
never
grantyoutobechiefinIthacaasyour
père
father
wasbeforeyou.”
Telemachus
répondit
answered
,“Antinous,donotchidewith
me
me
,but,godwilling,I
veut
will
bechieftooifI
peux
can
.
Isthistheworstfateyou
puissiez
can
thinkofforme?
Itis
pas
no
badthingtobe
un
a
chief,foritbrings
fois
both
richesandhonour.
Still,
maintenant
now
thatUlyssesisdeadthereare
beaucoup
many
greatmeninIthacaboth
vieux
old
andyoung,andsomeother
peuvent
may
taketheleadamong
eux
them
;
neverthelessIwillbechiefinmy
propre
own
house,andwillrule
ceux
those
whomUlysseshaswonforme.”
ThenEurymachus,
fils
son
ofPolybus,answered,“Itrestswithheaventodecide
qui
who
shallbechiefamong
nous
us
,butyoushallbe
maître
master
inyourownhouse
et
and
overyourownpossessions;
noonewhile
y
there
isamaninIthacashall
ne
do
youviolencenorrobyou.
Et
And
now,mygoodfellow,I
veux
want
toknowaboutthisstranger.
What
pays
country
doeshecomefrom?
Ofwhat
famille
family
ishe,andwhereishisestate?
Hashe
apporté
brought
younewsaboutthe
retour
return
ofyourfather,orwasheon
affaires
business
ofhisown?
Heseemed
un
a
welltodoman,
mais
but
hehurriedoffsosuddenly
que
that
hewasgonein
un
a
momentbeforewecouldgetto
connaître
know
him.”
“Myfatheris
mort
dead
andgone,”answeredTelemachus,“and
même
even
ifsomerumourreachesmeIputno
plus
more
faithinitnow.
My
mère
mother
doesindeedsometimessendfor
un
a
soothsayerandquestionhim,
mais
but
Igivehisprophecyingsnoheed.
Asforthestranger,hewasMentes,
fils
son
ofAnchialus,chiefoftheTaphians,
un
an
oldfriendofmyfather’s.”
Mais
But
inhishearthe
savait
knew
thatithadbeen
la
the
goddess.
Thesuitorsthen
retournés
returned
totheirsingingand
danses
dancing
untiltheevening;
but
quand
when
nightfellupontheirpleasuringtheywenthometo
lit
bed
eachinhisownabode.[12]Telemachus’sroomwas
haut
high
upinatower[13]
qui
that
lookedontotheoutercourt;
hither,then,hehied,brooding
et
and
fullofthought.
Agoodold
femme
woman
,Euryclea,daughterofOps,the
fils
son
ofPisenor,wentbeforehim
avec
with
acoupleofblazingtorches.
Laerteshadboughther
avec
with
hisownmoneywhenshewasquite
jeune
young
;
hegavetheworthoftwentyoxenforher,
et
and
shewedasmuchrespecttoherinhishouseholdashe
fait
did
tohisownwedded
femme
wife
,buthedidnottakehertohis
lit
bed
forhefearedhiswife’sresentment.[14]Sheitwas
qui
who
nowlightedTelemachustohisroom,
et
and
shelovedhimbetterthananyofthe
autre
other
womeninthehouse
fait
did
,forshehadnursedhim
quand
when
hewasababy.
He
ouvrit
opened
thedoorofhis
lit
bed
roomandsatdownuponthe
lit
bed
;
BOOKII
ASSEMBLYOFTHE
Peuple
PEOPLE
OFITHACA—SPEECHESOFTELEMACHUS
Et
AND
OFTHESUITORS—TELEMACHUSMAKESHISPREPARATIONS
Et
AND
STARTSFORPYLOSWITHMINERVADISGUISEDASMENTOR.
Maintenant
Now
whenthechildof
matin
morning
,rosy-fingeredDawn,appearedTelemachusrose
et
and
dressedhimself.
Heboundhissandalsontohiscomelyfeet,girdedhisswordabouthisshoulder,
et
and
lefthisroomlookinglike
un
an
immortalgod.
Heatonce
envoya
sent
thecriersroundto
appeler
call
thepeopleinassembly,sotheycalledthem
et
and
thepeoplegatheredthereon;
then,
quand
when
theyweregottogether,hewentto
la
the
placeofassemblyspearinhand—not
seul
alone
,forhistwohoundswent
avec
with
him.
Minervaendowedhimwith
une
a
presenceofsuchdivinecomelinessthat
tout
all
marvelledathimashe
passait
went
by,andwhenhe
prit
took
hisplaceinhisfather’sseat
même
even
theoldestcouncillorsmadewayforhim.
Aegyptius,
un
a
manbentdoublewithage,
et
and
ofinfiniteexperience,was
le
the
firsttospeak.
His
fils
son
AntiphushadgonewithUlyssestoIlius,landofnoblesteeds,
mais
but
thesavageCyclopshad
tué
killed
himwhentheywere
tous
all
shutupinthecave,
et
and
hadcookedhislast
dîner
dinner
forhim.[17]Hehad
trois
three
sonsleft,ofwhom
deux
two
stillworkedontheirfather’sland,
tandis que
while
thethird,Eurynomus,wasoneofthesuitors;
neverthelesstheir
père
father
couldnotgetover
la
the
lossofAntiphus,andwasstillweepingforhim
quand
when
hebeganhisspeech.
“MenofIthaca,”he
dit
said
,“hearmywords.
From
le
the
dayUlyssesleftus
il
there
hasbeennomeetingofourcouncillors
jusqu'à
until
now;
whothencanitbe,whether
vieux
old
oryoung,thatfindsitsonecessarytoconvene
nous
us
?
Hashegotwindofsomehostapproaching,
et
and
doeshewishtowarn
nous
us
,orwouldhespeakuponsome
autre
other
matterofpublicmoment?
Iam
sûr
sure
heisanexcellent
personne
person
,andIhopeJove
suis
will
granthimhisheart’sdesire.”
Telemachus
prit
took
thisspeechasof
bon
good
omenandroseatonce,forhewasburstingwithwhathehadto
dire
say
.
Hestoodinthemiddleoftheassembly
et
and
thegoodheraldPisenor
apporta
brought
himhisstaff.
Then,
tournant
turning
toAegyptius,“Sir,”saidhe,“itisI,asyou
suis
will
shortlylearn,whohaveconvenedyou,foritisI
qui
who
amthemostaggrieved.
I
eu
have
notgotwindofanyhostapproachingaboutwhichI
voudrais
would
warnyou,noris
il
there
anymatterofpublicmomentonwhichI
voudrais
would
speak.
Mygrievanceispurelypersonal,
et
and
turnsontwogreatmisfortunes
qui
which
havefallenuponmy
maison
house
.
Thefirstoftheseisthelossofmyexcellent
père
father
,whowaschiefamongallyou
ici
here
present,andwaslikea
père
father
toeveryoneofyou;
la
the
secondismuchmore
grave
serious
,anderelongwillbe
la
the
utterruinofmyestate.
Thesonsof
tous
all
thechiefmenamongyouarepesteringmy
mère
mother
tomarrythemagainsther
volonté
will
.
Theyareafraidtogotoher
père
father
Icarius,askinghimtochoosetheonehe
aime
likes
best,andtoprovidemarriagegiftsforhis
fille
daughter
,butdaybydaythey
continuent
keep
hangingaboutmyfather’s
maison
house
,sacrificingouroxen,sheep,
et
and
fatgoatsfortheirbanquets,
et
and
nevergivingsomuchasa
pensant
thought
tothequantityofwinethey
boivent
drink
.
Noestatecanstandsuchrecklessness;
wehavenow
pas
no
Ulyssestowardoffharmfromourdoors,
et
and
Icannotholdmyown
contre
against
them.