《奥德赛·卷24》第11节
Therewith he roused Athene to yet greater eagerness, and from the peaks of Olympus she came glancing down. Now when they had put from them the desire of honey-sweet food, the steadfast goodly Odysseus began to speak among them, saying: “Let one go forth and see, lest the people be already drawing near against us.” So he spake, and the son of Dolius went forth at his bidding, and stood on the outer threshold and saw them all close at hand. Then straightway he spake to Odysseus winged words: “Here they be, close upon us! Quick, let us to arms!” Thereon they rose up and arrayed them in their harness, Odysseus and his men being four, and the six sons of Dolius, and likewise Laertes and Dolius did on their armour, grey-headed as they were, warriors through stress of need. Now when they had clad them in shining mail, they opened the gates and went forth and Odysseus led them. Then Athene, daughter of Zeus, drew near them in the likeness of Mentor, in fashion and in voice. And the steadfast goodly Odysseus beheld her and was glad, and straightway he spake to Telemachus his dear son: “Telemachus, soon shalt thou learn this, when thou thyself art got to the place of the battle where the best men try the issue,—namely, not to bring shame on thy father’s house, on us who in time past have been eminent for might and hardihood over all the world.” Then wise Telemachus answered him, saying: “Thou shalt see me, if thou wilt, dear father, in this my mood no whit disgracing thy line, according to thy word.” So spake he, and Laertes was glad and spake, saying: “What a day has dawned for me, kind gods; yea, a glad man am I! My son and my son’s son are vying with one another in valour.” Then grey-eyed Athene stood beside Laertes, and spake to him: “O son of Arceisius that art far the dearest of all my friends, pray first to the grey-eyed maid and to father Zeus, then swing thy long spear aloft and hurl its straightway.” Therewith Pallas Athene breathed into him great strength. Then he prayed to the daughter of mighty Zeus, and straightway swung his long spear aloft and hurled it, and smote Eupeithes through his casque with the cheek-piece of bronze. The armour kept not out the spear that went clean through, and he fell with a crash, and his arms rattled about his body. Then Odysseus and his renowned son fell on the fore-fighters, and smote them with swords and two-headed spears. And now would they have slain them all and cut off their return, had not Athene called aloud, the daughter of Zeus lord of the aegis, and stayed all the host of the enemy, saying:
注释摘要
这段叙述将故事从奥德修斯农庄的团聚场景，迅速推向了最后一场对峙。此前，求婚人的亲族已经在广场上听了欧佩忒斯——被杀的求婚者安提诺俄斯之父——的鼓动，大多数人拿起武器，集结在城外。宙斯刚刚向雅典娜定下了基调：让双方立约，让奥德修斯继续为王，并让众人忘却杀子杀兄之仇。雅典娜于是从奥林波斯峰巅飞掠而下。 田庄这边，奥德修斯等人刚刚用完餐。奥德修斯警觉地让人出去察…