Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 58: To Pour Out Shimmering Wine For the Deathless Gods

Lines 462-70
καῖε δ' ἐπὶ σχίζῃς ὁ γέρων, ἐπὶ δ'αἴθοπα οἶον
λεῖβε· έοι δὲ παρ' αὐτὸν ἔχον πεμπώβολα χερσίν.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μῆρα κάη καὶ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο,
μίστυλλον τ' ἄρα τἆλλα καὶ ἀμφ' ὀβελοῖσιν ἔπειραν,
ὤπτησάν τε περιφραραδέως, ἐρύσαντο τε πάντα.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ παύσαντο πόνου τετύκαντό τε δαῖτα
δαίνυντ', οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐίσης.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,
κοῦροι μὲν κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο,

Then the old man burned them on split wood,
And poured out shimmering wine as libation;
Then the youths held forks in hand alongside him.
So when the thighs were consumed they fed on the organs,
They sliced them up and pierced both ends of the spit,
Then they roasted them with great care, and drew them all up.
But when they ceased their work and the banquet was made
They feasted, nor did any spirt want for this well portioned feast.
But when they stayed the desire for food and drink
The young men filled the mixing bowls full of drink,


A beautiful portait of an ancient feast. Two former enemies making peace with the god as a witness and devouring meat and drinking wine together at table. A bit of relaxation ensues after the tragedy between Achilles and Agamemnon.

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