The wind stops and some divinity calms the waves.
My shipmates row on the white sea foam.
Then, I cut small bits of wax and press them.
*Wax was used to block cracks in ships hull*
One shipmate after the other, I seal their ears.
I knew we were near the island of the Sirens.
*some of the islands between the Naples bay and the Messina strait*
If he blocks our ears, how shall we hear his commands?
I don't know for sure Odysseus, are there any Sirens,..
..but if there are, I hope you'll hear their song..
..and throw youself into the sea.
Your shipmates don't believe in you. They think you are out of your mind.
My mind is sane and I'll prove that to you:
What you want to hear, I'll hear and stay alive!
That's my place.
Follow me, as we don't have much time.
*Kirka:* "Hear what I say unto you, goddess Kirka, and remember that.."
"..even I won't tell or show you everything."
"I'm not saying which one of the two ways is correct."
"You must decide that by your own wisdom."
Tie here, strong, with that rope, and very tight.
And remember: however much I beg you, or give you signs with my eyes..
..to untie me, don't listen..
..but on the contrary, tighten me even more.
We are close now. You may hear them.
*Sirens:* Odysseus, Odysseus, glory of all Ahaya,..
..stop your ship, hear our voice.
*Homer mention two, but later poets three Sirens*
*It was believed they had a bird body, a female head and all knowledge of the world*
*Sirens:* Your place is here.
Come to us who gives glory to the people.
Drop your ties, release your body.
RELEASE YOURSELF!
Come, and you'll know the things of the past and the future..
..you'll know all the glory of man, and cities gone and more to come.
Leave your friends and that pointless voyage,..
..and all the years of sufferings! COME!
Leave your friends and that pointless voyage,..
..come to us, grasp the power, all you have desired for years.
Don't be a coward! DONT BE A COWARD!
- Untie me! - Be powerful!
- C'mon, untie me, untie me, help! - Don't be a coward. Come!!
I've come to my end. My destiny is fulfilled here.
I've suffered, I've suffered too much! I wish to die, I'm sick
I wish to die, my mind is fading.
The horrible sound gone as a breath..
..and stop tearing apart my mind. I come to myself fatique and wounded.
I believed I was a victim of a nightmare..
..with plenty of bones of other victims which whiten on the rocks of the Sirens island.
And the shipmates saw sceletons, and pressed hard on the oars..
..to escape the awfull sight.
*By Homer, after Sirens island, Odysseus chose between two ways:*
*..through Planktes (Wandering or floating) rocks or near Scilla and Charibdes.*
The sky became again serene and clear..
..and the song we heared comes from the birds, high in the sky. I was happy again.
We are distancing by now. Feel it?
No, I do not feel.
Kirka was wrong. I heared the Sirens and survived.
Even man can overcome the diwine forces.
Euriloch, we still can be saved.
We'll avoid the rocks, taking the longer path.
Only be patient. We musn't give up, understood?
We won't stop till we come to Ithaca, no matter the reason.
We'll be safe if we avoid the island of Sun *Helios*.
Anounce to the comrades. Go, tell them!
But they didn't obey. They didn't tell me a word..
..not even Euriloch. For them I was crazy.
We arrived at the island. They disembarked and I couldn't stop them.
I just prayed this isn't the island of Sun.
It was our last stop. If we just had avoided it!
*Kirka:* "You'll come to the island of Trinakia" *Sicily*
"There is a pasture of cattle whose horns are like crescent Moon, and which Sun..
..Hyperion trusted to two nymphs, his daughters. They are beget by Nera..
..and send them to guard the herd of their father."
"You want see the nymphs, but don't insult them.."
..but leave the black herd untouched and think about your return only."
"But you and your shipmates will get hungry and fall into temptation."
"This is your last temptation Odysseus. Do not fail."
- Lets go out of here. - Wait for the winds to blow.
Hear me.
If you still admit to my authority, you must swear to me.
What's in the ship, eat and drink.
I decided to disclose you a secret which haunts me:
..Look at these cows. That's the Sun cattle.
Don't touch them, don't even think to touch them.
I say to you that this is last test we must pass.
But if we fail, the prophecy of Tiresias from Hades will fulfill.
No one will see his home again.
It doesn't matter if you don't trust me. Just swear it.
On your knees, all of you!
*Kirka*: "Ah,misfortuned, you always think about combat and fight."
The whole month the absence of the wind prevented our sailing..
..and my shipmates, as long as there was food on the boat, kept their oath.
They avoid the herd.
And then the hunger started to torment them. They searched for food but in vain.
And the Sun cattle stood there, inert and tempting.
*Kirka:* "You'll get hungry and you'll loose all your hope. You'll be tempted..
..by insubordination, and you'll fail the last temptation."
*Kirka:* "You'll get hungry and you'll loose all your hope. You'll be tempted..
...by insubordination,and you'll fail the last temptation."
I begin to pray:
Father Zeus and you the blessed immortal gods,..
..restore to me the trust of my friends. I don't want to see them dying..
..nor loose my mind and all what is dear to me.
Better, take my life.
Should we drop dead by hunger because of some oath to Odysseus?
He everywhere sees magic since his aledged return from Hades!
Look at these cows. What can be diwine with them?
Well, Odysseus says so, but should we trust him?
All deaths are gruesome, but none as death by famine.
Wait a minute. If Odysseus is sensible may be the cattle is divine?
Even if they belong to Sun, maybe we should care?
I don't. I'll rather loose my life..
..among the waves than on this island from starvation!
Eurilochus is right. Eat once and for ever!
*Kirka:* "I want to tell you everything."
"You'll must decide by yourself."
I come to late..
..and thats better, because at least I didn't see.
I tell them nothing.
They feast all night.
In the morning we sailed at sea, and I looked at my friend with pity..
..and I heared again the voice of Tiresias: "You'll loose them all."
[Narrator: *seeing slaughtered cattle* Sun said: I'll decent..]
[..into the house of Hades and shine on the dead.]
Sun was blotted out suddenly. Odysseus, what's happening?
In a moment, the darkness enveloped the concaves of the ship..
..and the sea took the colour of the night.
Drop the sail! Filetor, quick!
All was true! In vain Odysseus,..
..this is the vengeance from the god, we are finished!
We are not finished as long as we alive!
What are you doing? Row! Quick! *dramatic music*
Don't give up!
Struck by the last wave, the ship inclined.
I felt the stench of sulphur *from lightning*. We all fall into the sea.
I watched my friend driven by the waves.
Nine days I fought with the currents, on the 10th Calypso saved me..
..and hold me for seven years. Then she give me a raft..
..and thus I come here.
This man hasn't delivered himself by his own strenght,..
..nor by his great cleverness, nor by the urge to return,..
..but by will which is uncomprehendable,..
..even to you Odysseus.
Not even he will understand why his destiny was to return alone.
Thus noble Feaciams, we'll give him a ship and help,..
..and accept the danger of the *Poseidon* wrath.
The ship will be prepared for you Odysseus by the morning.
Don't forget that I also saved your life.
Once in Delos, in the Apollo sanctuary I saw a young palm.
I was delighted by her appearance, just as I'm now with yours.
Are you sure that your wife still waits for you? How much time has passed?
Maybe there is some other king on Ithaca?
Maybe others got use to what was yours.
Be happy at your home, beside your family, and don't forget me.
[Narrator: the ship arrived at the coast of Ithaca,..]
[..where two sharp cliffs distract the waves send by the winds.]
[Here Odysseus landed in his homeland.]
[He can already see the tops of his palace.]
[But everything looks so different. He was absent for too long.]
[Suddenly, like fear attacked him, he decide not to go into the town..]
[..but to go on the fields.]
*goats*
Friend,you are the first one I found here. Please, tell me where am I?
Is this the island or the main land?
From where do you come that you don't know? This is a small country but famous.
Rugged, lovely, rocky, but rich in olives and wine.
Unknown, yet her name reached to Troy.
- Ithaca stranger. - Ithaca...
Ah yes. I've heared that name.
I came from Egypt, the land of the Pharaos, where I lead twenty big ships..
..but they catch me... and... throw in a dungeon for seven years..
..and my companions were killed by the soldiers.
*Homer here describes the real attacks "sea people" on Egypt in 12th century BC.*
Reprobrate. Insolent. Liar! Don't you change even at your home?
In front of your cunning even a god should be aware.
I know you deceiver. You are Odysseus, The greatest bluffer!
You don't know me? It's me Athena.
I'm here as always to help you.
To recognize you? Who can, when you appearance is always different?
I know you protect me in Troy during combat.
But you were more the observer than the protector!
And you blame me for defending myself with lies, after so many years of danger?
You are always the same, and that's why I like you.
Someone else would overcome his pain, and would jump into his wife's and his son's bosom..
..but not you. You know that no one know for you..
..and that's why I want to help you.
I'll transform you into an old beggar, and no one will recognize you if you don't wish that.
[Narrator: and thus Athena went,..]
[..rucked his skin and made him look old,..]
[..and giving him an old smoked rag.]
*Athena:* First go to Eumeus, the faithful swineherd..
..who is dear to your son and Penelope.
[Narrator: He try to recall where Eumeus is,..]
[..the cabin where he from birth guarded his herd.]
*bark*
You are lucky stranger. They could bite you. Come, go inside.
[Narrator: Odysseus surprised watched the fence and how..]
[..it was big and steadily built. It didn't exist there earlier..]
[..but Eumeus built it in the absence of his master..]
[..so that he may better guard the flock and the herd entrusted to him.]
[He was a loyal servant and Odysseus was pleased to see that.]
Come, take some bread and wine. Than tell me who you are.
Let Zeus protect you, who guard your guests.
Let Zeus save you, Zeus hospitable!
[Narrator: Odysseus rejoiced again. Even his appearance..]
[..was so poor that he would convince everyone of his misery..]
[..Eumeus accepted him kindly and with respect.]
Tonight we'll talk more, but now you must refresh.
I only have some cheese. It was different with my master.
Then I could offer you more... but he..
..with others went to Troy and didn't return.
Take it. He was a great king.
[Narrator: Telemachus, son of Odysseus, left Sparta..]
[..and found his boat on the shores of Pylos.]
[His voyage was useless. No one has news about his father.]
[He only got the advice to return home asap.]
My friend, I beg you, for your life's sake..
..and your friends, take me with your boat, in the name of Zeus!
I killed a man in self defence, so I can't dwell in the city anymore.
Friends and family of the dead, searched for me to kill me.
- Who are you? - Teoclimen is my name.
I'm a magician. I know you are Telemachus and you have enemyes at home.
When you return, don't go between the strait of Same and Ithaca.
They lurk for you to throw you on the bay rocks..
..if you don't go around.
Land on the oposite side of Ithaca, and go through the villages!
- Come, get on deck. - Thank you. May Zeus bless you.
I'm feeding these porks, to preserve something for my master.
They say he's dead, but if he shows up I would tell him:
.."I knew always you'll return"..
.."and proof is these porks that the enemy didn't devour".
-Enemy? What enemy? -From where do you fall?
You don't know how we live here? Or are you with those bullies?
But that can't be. You are miserable like me and we can't trick even ourselves.
If you don't know, I'll tell you what's going on here on Ithaca,..
..so you know something and then I can go to work.
[Narrator: Thus the night falls. And after that they eat some meat..]
[..from the pig Eumeus prepared, then they go to sleep.]
If your master returns, should he recognize Ithaca?
-I think he won't unfortunately. -Unfortunately? He is a king returning..
..to his people. The folk would rejoice!
The folk would probably like it, but I told you what is happening at his court.
If Odysseus returns, according to me, its better to have him disguise himself as a beggar.
I see. But at the court there is still a queen. And his son.
No, Telemachus went to search for his father, and no one knows where.
And regarding the queen, I don't know about her. I didn't see her for a long time.
So my master only lives im my memory and that gives me strenght.
My master likes me, and he would give me a wife to marry..
..as reward for my work.
[Narrator: the rosy fingered dawn comes swiftly.]
[In his cabin, Eumeus was already on his fits.]
[He lit the fire and made breakfast.]
[Other shepherds came and joined.]
- Do you want some olives? - No, thanks.
Today you pasture the flock. I stay with the stranger.
-Good, we are going. -Good work. - Thanks.
You know the prun tree, even you don't have the hands of a peasant.
You are right. I'm not peasant. I commanded an army and a fleet.
The moment arrived when I must go to Troy..
..and leave my homeland which was like this land.
Twenty years ago.
Do you want me to understand something? That this is a land you have left?
No. Did you see a wineyard? I think the master left him there deliberately..
..knowing that the winds from the sea don't blow there.
Correct. It was Odysseus.
Continue to talk. You don't know what joy your word gives me.
- Did you finish pruning? - What? No, not yet.
You are right, it's no time for talking. Let's continue working.
You know there are many other ways to prun a tree...
Like these!
[Narrator: The same evening Telemachus returns to Ithaca..]
[..and Teoclimen the magician told him to get patient with his return to the court.]
You go to the harbour, and I'm going to Eumeus.
[Narrator: He awoke at night and saw Eumeus outside.]
[He heared steps and the barking of dogs who..]
[..were exited like they saw someone familiar.]
Telemachus, Telemachus, you've returned, you've returned my son.
Come. We worry for you. Did your mother see you?
I've come here first, before I go to the court.
What happened during my absence? Did my mother choose a new husband?
No, nothing happened. Come!
- Who's that? - I don't know. He said he is seaman.
- I trust him with your hospitality. - Me? In my own home I can't..
..defend myself from insults. Now I can't even..
..protect myself. Do you know who I am?
It's better for me to disappear at sea now that I'm scared to go to my own home.
I'm afraid Eumeus, that's why I'm here..
..and I think its better that my mother gave up and marry again.
[Narrator: Athena then comes to Odysseus,..]
[..visible only to him, standing in the middle of the cabin and told him:]
[..Oh son of Laertes, now you see your son,..]
[..don't hide from him anymore.]
Young prince, let me tell you something:
..not about your mother, you wouldn't let me, but about you.
I've heard what is happening in your house. Is it because of you?
Don't they have their property or don't you have brothers to help you?
Ah, if I'm strong like you and that son of Odysseus is by my side..
..we would wait for his return together. Or don't you believe you'll see him?
Guest, it's true..it's not the folk that is against me, in fact:
..Ithacians love me, but I don't have brothers, I'm the only son..
..like he was the only son of Laertes.
And if my enemies manage to eliminate me,..
..our line will disappear. Eumeus, who's this stranger..
..who is allowed to speak with me like he is my father--
1000 times it's better for me to die in my own home defending it..
..than to suffer the tyrany of usurpers!
- For heaven's sake,who are you? - Odysseus, your father.
Master, I didn't recognize you immediately and give you due honour.
You recognized me and you knew to honor me in silence.
My son, I know your heart is in amazement now.
I look so differently than you imagined me,..
..but I don't think it's easier for me to hug you.
I also have never seen you.. and I imagined you for so long.
Let me look at you.
No, Eumeus, stay with us.
[Narrator: And thus Telemachus finally believed..]
[..and hugged his father.]
[From the bottom of their hearts they both wished to cry.]
[As a cuckoo..]
[..or a bend clawed hawk, whom peasants..]
[..take away youngs before they can fly.]
[Lets prepare to return to the court and the return of Odysseus:..]
[..only tell me, is it enough that Athena is with us..]
[..or shall I search for more allies among us and the pretenders..]
[..which will execute wrath with their swords.]
You alone will return to Ithaca.
They'll ask you for those who had gone with you twenty years ago,..
..you'll must convince the assembly. - I know, but I won't convince them.
Assembly is always with those that are the strongest. Who are those pretenders?
- Worst are Antionous and Eurimach. - But they are only kids!
- Yes, they were 20 years earlier. -You are right. And the rest? -Melantius,Amfinomus --
- Ctesipus. - and Amfimedont, son of Melanus.
- I see. How much in total? - Only from Samos, a dosen.
- Too much Odysseus, too much. - None of them knows about my return.
- And my mother? - No, not even her.
[Narrator: In the mean time, the ship that the pretenders send..]
[..returned to Ithaca without interception at sea.]
He goes the other route. He was lucky to be informed.
Yes. Get rid of him before he summons another assembly.
-To the village. To the village to kill him there. -It's not enough anymore just to plunder his wealth.
[Narrator: penelope heared that the pretenders are on their way..]
[..to court. he lead them into the court room..]
[..where she takes her place near the kings throne..]
[..to listen to their words.]
*dramatic music*
- What did you do to my son? - Your son?
- His ship is in the harbour. Didn't he arrive? - I ask you where he is?
I don't know. I'm not his tutor.
- I know your intentions Antino�s. - You are badly informed.
Your father once fell on his knees in this very room begging Odysseus. For protection!
Odysseus saved his life and you now conspired against his son!
Coward, you are like your father!
I don't have pretensions on the sanctity of your son's life!
In fact, as long as I live, I guarantee for his life.
Telemachus! Telemachus has arrived!
[Narrator: She jumped and hugged her beloved son.]
[She kissed him on the head and both his dark eyes:]
[..you've come Telemachus, my sunshine. Than the prophet Teoclimen enters..]
[..whom Telemachus took from Pylos, to be washed and annoited.]
*woshing and anoiting wasn't just a matter of cleaning but a sacral act as well*
You've come back and changed. More resolved and quiet. I'm very happy.
More than happy. I wish I could afford you a better welcome.
When your father went to war, do you know what he told me?
"If I don't return, I will trust you with everything: home, servants, elders *ie judges*,..
..and my son. As soon as the first beard appears, give him regency."
That means mother, that he didn't tell you: "Marry again."?
- You know this stranger? - You tell me that his name is Teoclimen.
He's from Argos. In Pylos he asked me for protection. He killed a man.
Why you bring me a murderer into my house?
He's foretelling the future. He advised me to change the course.
- Maybe I owe him a life. - Many strangers in this house,..
..speak about the future, but no one tells anything about your father.
You go on a very dangerous road. Was there any news?
In Pylos Nestor welcomed me warmly, but..
..he didn't have any news.
In Sparta I met Helen and Menelaus. To them I told..
..what is happening on Ithaca, and they say..
..that your fidelity shall be rewarded, but they also didn't know anything about my father.
Faithful lady of Odysseus, what can Menelaus tell your son?
Why don't you ask me when I am a fortuneteller?
I'm not looking at people, but into heavenly signs.
I would tell you that you must endure and trick the pretenders a little bit more!
Your husband you know, wouldn't do any different and you know that.
- What was he? - Who? - When you married him, what was he?
Odysseus...what was he? He was the last man who came to take me as wife.
My father didn't like him. He wasn't rich nor daring.
When my father said 'no', he looked to ground with his eyes..
..he went outside not even turning around. I followed him,..
..and when he looked at me he already packed his cart. He didn't say anything.
And sat next to him and we went. My father stood..
..before the horse and said: "I order you to get off."..
..but I took my veil and covered my face.
Odysseus whipped the horse.. And we went.
[Narrator: Odysseus and Eumeus in the mean time came to the city.]
[The swineherd gives his master a stab and a sack also,..]
[..making him to look as a beggar even more.]
[And the people they met said: Really, that man is with those..]
[..that look most like him. Look at the swineherd leading the beggar."]
asterisk@krstarica.com corrected by info@wiseoldgoat.com