All 22 Uses of
menial
in
The Odyssey by Homer - (translated by: Pope)
- Attending nigh, A menial train the flowing bowl supply.†
Book 1 *
- The seneschal, rebuked, in haste withdrew; With equal haste a menial train pursue: Part led the coursers, from the car enlarged, Each to a crib with choicest grain surcharged; Part in a portico, profusely graced With rich magnificence, the chariot placed; Then to the dome the friendly pair invite, Who eye the dazzling roofs with vast delight; Resplendent as the blaze of summer noon, Or the pale radiance of the midnight moon.†
Book 4
- He ceased; the menial fair that round her wait, At Helen's beck prepare the room of state; Beneath an ample portico they spread The downy fleece to form the slumberous bed; And o'er soft palls of purple grain unfold Rich tapestry, stiff with interwoven gold: Then, through the illumined dome, to balmy rest The obsequious herald guides each princely guest; While to his regal bower the king ascends, And beauteous Helen on her lord attends.†
Book 4
- Thus they alternate; while, with artful care, The menial train the regal feast prepare.†
Book 4
- Around their sovereign wept the menial fair, To whom she thus address'd her deep despair: "Behold a wretch whom all the gods consign To woe!†
Book 4
- But with severe rebuke Antinous cried: "These empty vaunts will make the voyage vain: Alarm not with discourse the menial train: The great event with silent hope attend, Our deeds alone our counsel must commend."†
Book 4
- Thence to the queen: "O partner of our reign, O sole beloved! command thy menial train A polish'd chest and stately robes to bear, And healing waters for the bath prepare; That, bathed, our guest may bid his sorrows cease, Hear the sweet song, and taste the feast in peace.†
Book 8
- Six are their menial train: twice twelve the boast Of Samos; twenty from Zacynthus' coast: And twelve our country's pride; to these belong Medon and Phemius, skill'd in heavenly song.†
Book 16
- One care remains, to note the loyal few Whose faith yet lasts among the menial crew; And noting, ere we rise in vengeance, prove Who love his prince; for sure you merit love.†
Book 16
- What length of time must we consume in vain, Too curious to explore the menial train!†
Book 16
- An ivory seat with silver ringlets graced, By famed Icmalius wrought, the menials placed: With ivory silver'd thick the footstool shone, O'er which the panther's various hide was thrown.†
Book 19
- The menial fair obeys with duteous haste: A seat adorn'd with furry spoils she placed: Due-distant for discourse the hero sate; When thus the sovereign from her chair of state: "Reveal, obsequious to my first demand, Thy name, thy lineage, and thy natal land."†
Book 19
- — Your other task, ye menial train forbear: Now wash the stranger, and the bed prepare: With splendid palls the downy fleece adorn: Uprising early with the purple morn.†
Book 19
- When Heaven, auspicious to thy right avow'd, Shall prostrate to thy sword the suitor-crowd, The deeds I'll blazon of the menial fair; The lewd to death devote, the virtuous spare."†
Book 19
- My menials, and domestic cares employ; And, unattended by sincere repose, The night assists my ever-wakeful woes; When nature's hush'd beneath her brooding shade, My echoing griefs the starry vault invade.†
Book 19
- Now, wavering doubt succeeds to long despair; Shall I my virgin nuptial vow revere; And, joining to my son's my menial train, Partake his counsels, and assist his reign?†
Book 19
- Meantime instructed is the menial tribe Your couch to fashion as yourself prescribe.†
Book 19
- Meantime the menial train with unctious wood Heap'd high the genial hearth, Vulcanian food: When, early dress'd, advanced the royal heir; With manly grasp he waved a martial spear; A radiant sabre graced his purple zone, And on his foot the golden sandal shone.†
Book 20
- Without delay The dame divides the labour of the day; Thus urging to the toil the menial train; "What marks of luxury the marble stain Its wonted lustre let the floor regain; The seats with purple clothe in order due; And let the abstersive sponge the board renew; Let some refresh the vase's sullied mould; Some bid the goblets boast their native gold; Some to the spring, with each a jar, repair, And copious waters pure for bathing bear; Dispatch! for soon the suitors will essay The…†
Book 20
- Observant of the prince's high behest, His menial train attend the stranger-guest; Whom Pallas with unpardoning fury fired, By lordly pride and keen reproach inspired.†
Book 20
- …than the rest Of vice, who teem'd with many a dead-born jest; And urged, for title to a consort queen, Unnumber'd acres arable and green (Otesippus named); this lord Ulysses eyed, And thus burst out the imposthumate with pride: "The sentence I propose, ye peers, attend: Since due regard must wait the prince's friend, Let each a token of esteem bestow: This gift acquits the dear respect I owe; With which he nobly may discharge his seat, And pay the menials for a master's treat."†
Book 20
- A long cessation of discourse ensued, By gentler Agelaus thus renew'd: "A just reproof, ye peers! your rage restrain From the protected guest, and menial train: And, prince! to stop the source of future ill, Assent yourself, and gain the royal will.†
Book 20
Definition:
-
(menial) of work: unskilled and uninteresting