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What follows is a reconstruction of Callimachus' Hecale, with the fragments from the assignment page placed in narrative sequence—so far as we can determine.

The fragments are identified by the numbers given in the assignment.  Numbers in parentheses correspond to the edition of A. S. Hollis (Oxford 1990), whose gathering, analysis, and discussion of the remains have opened up new windows on this late, great work.

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Proem.

20 (1). Once on a hill of Erechtheus there lived a woman of Attica.

• Probably the opening line of the poem.  Note the Athenian flavor from the start (Erechtheus, Attica).  The first two words in Greek are Aktaie tis, which means "woman of Attica."  Compare this to the Homeric openers menin and andra.  What kind of epic are we in store for?

1 (2). All wayfarers honored her for her hospitality, for she kept her house open.

• Further information about Hecale.

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Athens.
 

Diegesis: Theseus, avoiding the plot of Medea, was kept under close watch by his father, Aegeus, seeing that the lad was brought back to him suddenly and contrary to his expectations. Yet Theseus, wishing to go forth against the Bull that was causing trouble around the deme of Marathon in order to subdue it, and even though he was kept under guard...

11 (4). She understood that it was the son of Aegeus.

• Description of Medea recognizing Jason before Aegeus.  Theseus had come to Athens anonymously, seeking his birthright.  Medea contrives a plot to get rid of him, telling Aegeus to offer the stranger a cup of poison.

37 (9-10). For in Troezen, he put it under a hollow stone together with the boots.  [...]  whenever the child should be strong enough to lift up with his arms the hollow stone.  Having seized the sword of Aedepsos...and the boots, which the abundant rotting mold had not ruined.

• A "flashback" to Troezen, and the circumstances of Theseus' birth.  Aegeus notices the sword and sandals (or boots, as they are here called).  Callimachus then recounts how Aegeus left these tokens for Aethra's child to find and bring to Athens.

17 (7). Hold back, child, do not drink.

• Just after Aegeus' recognition of Theseus, before he dashes the cup from his son's hands.  Medea's conspiracy is unmasked, and she flees Athens.

28 (8). You have come unexpectedly.

• Aegeus to Theseus, describing his son's return.

26 (16). [...] where it did harmful deeds.

• Description of the Bull of Marathon.  Theseus of course wishes to capture the monster, but Aegeus, who nearly lost his son once, wants to keep him safe.

23 (17). Therefore, father, let me go; you would again receive me alive and well.

• Theseus to Aegeus, asking for permission to go to Marathon.

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To Marathon.
 

Diegesis: ...he departed, setting out in secret from the house at nightfall. Yet when a storm broke unexpectedly, after catching sight of a cottage at the foot of a mountain, which belonged to an old woman named Hecale...

42 (18). While it was still midday, and the earth was warm, for so long the brilliant sky was clearer than glass, not was a wisp of vapor to be seen, and cloudless stretched the heavens [...] But when to their mother...(the daughters) ask for the evening meal, and take their hands from work, then [...] First over Parnes, and then farther forward and larger on the summit of thyme-covered Aegaleos, stood (the cloud?) bringing much rain [...] and thereupon a double [...] of rugged Hymettus [...] and lightning was flashing [...] as when [...] on the Ausonian Sea [...] and the swift northern squall from Merithus fell upon the clouds.

• A description of the storm that Theseus encounters on the way to Marathon.  Note the learned geographical references.

34 (65). [...] the wide hat, stretching out beyond the head, a shepherd’s felt headgear, suited her, and in her hand a stick.

• This seems to be a description of Hecale, although it is uncertain at what point in the poem it appears.  If here, then it shows Theseus' first glimpse of the old woman.

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Hecale's house.  Note how the Diegesis glosses over what was probably the longest section of the poem.

The three major events of Theseus' stay with Hecale, the xenia scene, the conversation, and the morning, are treated below.

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Xenia.  The following fragments show Callimachus following the Homeric hospitality type scene.  Many of fragments recall Odyssey 14, in which Odysseus is received by the swineherd Eumaeus.

15 (28). He cast off his wet garment.

• Theseus has just entered Hecale's cottage.

21 (29). She made him sit on the humble couch.
12 (30). [...] having at once snatched a small tattered garment from the bed.

• Hecale offers Theseus a blanket of sorts.

4 (31). She took down wood stored away a long time ago.
7 (32). [...] dry wood [...] to cut.
14 (33). She swiftly took off the hollow, boiling pot.
25 (34). She emptied the tub, and then she drew another mixed draught.

• Hecale builds a fire and prepares water for washing.

30 (35). From the bread box she took and served loaves in abundance, such as women put away for herdsmen.
32 (36). [...] olives which grew ripe on the tree, and wild olives, and the light colored ones, which in autumn she had put to swim in brine.
8 (38). [...] fennel [...]
24 (39). [...] thistles [...]

Food served by Hecale to Theseus.  Note that is is all vegetarian fare, as far as we can tell.  This is significant—even in Odyssey 14 Odysseus gets meat.  Hecale is both poorer than Eumaeus, but also (in a poetic sense) purer and simpler.

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Conversation.  After the meal it is customary to ask the stranger questions.  The conversation must have begun with Hecale asking Theseus who he was.

40 (40). I go down to Marathon, so that [...] and (Pallas) leads the way. (You have thus learned from me) what you asked me. And you, good mother, (tell me, for I also) wish to hear you for a while (speaking) [...] you live an old woman in a lonely [...]

• Theseus' response to Hecale.  His answer seems to be very brief.  He then asks Hecale for her story, which she relates in great detail.

18 (50). I marvel (as I look upon you).

• The Greek here is very Homeric.  In the Telemacheia this phrase is uttered by Nestor and Helen as they compare Telemachus to his father.  Perhaps Hecale does the same, if Thesus has mentioned that he is Aegeus' son.

38 (42). They guarded my threshing floor, trod in a circle by the oxen. Horses (brought) him from Aphidnae, looking like [...] and who were Zeus’ sons [...] I remember the beautiful [...] mantle held by golden brooches, a work of spiders [...]

• Here Hecale recalls a handsome man, perhaps her husband, or the man she worked for, or perhaps even Aegeus, Theseus' father.  Again, the comparing of fathers and sons is very Homeric.

31 (41). For poverty was not in my family, nor was I a pauper from my grandparents.  O that I, O that I had a third of [...]
29 (53). We miserable paupers suffer; and at home all our belongings have been divided out.

• Two remarks by Hecale on her poverty.  Although the specifics are unclear, it seems that she was not always poor.

10 (51). From the deme of Colonae a man brought me to live in the same house.

• At some point Hecale seems to have served as a Nurse for another family.  Whether this had always been her job or she took it after some disaster befell her own family is impossible to say,

36 (48). These two I brought up on dainties, nor did anybody else in such a manner [...] abundantly rich [...] they should be drenched in a warm bath [...] carrying the children [...] these two of mine sprang up like aspens, which in a ravine [...]

• Hecale describes the two boys she nursed.

35 (49). [...] was I refusing to hear death calling me for a long time ago, that I might soon tear my garments over you too (dead) [...]

• Hecale recalls the death of somebody, perhaps one of her nursling boys.

41 (49). (Cercyon) [...] wrestlings [...] city, who fled from Arcadia and took up residence near us, a bad neighbor [...] may I pierce his impudent eyes with thorns while he is still alive, and if it is not a sin, eat him raw [...] to bring horses from the Eurotas plentiful in mint [...] the wave [...] for they unloosened the cables under the wings of the sea-gull. With this omen may I neither myself (set sail), not a person who has (undertaken a commission?) for me.

• The second part of the fragment is obscure.  But in the first it seems clear that one of Hecale's boys was killed by the bandit Cercyon.  Note her rage, which recalls that of Hecuba toward Achilles in the Iliad.

2 (57). A salt tear fell from her.

• This fragment could belong anywhere in Hecale's mournful account.

6 (60). But tell me into what vessel am I to pour the water for the feet, and from where.

• The mention of Cercyon doubtless prompts Theseus to mention that the bandit is dead, for Theseus had slain him on the way from Troezen.  If he recounted his adventures on that road for Hecale, he would have mentioned Sciron, the man who asked wayfarers to wash his feet.  This fragment seems to belong to such an account, in which Theseus, playing along with the bandit, asks him what he might use for a foot pan.  Some authors tell us that when Sciron gave Theseus his special golden foot pan, the hero bashed him over the head with it.

22 (58). The lips of an old woman are never at rest.

• Perhaps an observation by the narrator, perhaps one by Hecale herself.  In any event, Hecale seems to dominate the after dinner conversation.

19 (63). I will sleep in a corner (of my hut).  A couch is ready for me.

• Hecale offers Theseus the good bed.

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Morning.
 

Diegesis: ...Arising at dawn...

5 (64). [...] as she saw him also getting up.

• Theseus gets up early head out against the bull.  Hecale probably gives him one more meal, while he promises to return once his mission is over.

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Marathon.  This section of the poem may have been brief.  The fragments are self-explanatory.  Note that Theseus captures the bull alive.
 

Diegesis: ...he went out into the countryside, and having subdued the Bull...

13 (67). [...] having bent to the earth the terrible horns of the beast.

16 (68). He was dragging (the bull), and it was following, a sluggish wayfarer.

44 (69). The other (strap) he fastened and put in his sword [...] when they saw it they all trembled and shrank from looking face to face on the great hero and the monstrous beast, until Theseus called to them from afar: "Have courage and stay, and let the swiftest go to the city to bear this message to my father Aegeus—for he shall relieve him from many cares: ‘Theseus is close at hand, bringing the bull alive from Marathon rich in water.’ " Thus he spoke, and when they heard, they all cried out "Hurrah!" and stayed there. The south wind does not shed so great a fall of leaves, nor the north wind, even in the month of falling leaves, as those which in that hour the country folk threw all around and over Theseus, the country folk who [...] encircled him, while the women [...] crowned him with belts [...]

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The Birds.  This is the strangest section of the poem.  Callimachus appears to have covered the transition between the day that Theseus captured the bull and the day of his return to Hecale by focusing in on a crow and another bird, and their conversation.

3 (76). [...] and the avenging stork was journeying with us.

43 (70). But Pallas left him, the seed of Hephaestus, long within (the chest), until for the sons of Cecrops [...] the rock [...] secret, unutterable, but I neither knew, nor learned whence he was by descent, but a report (spread) among the primeval bird that Earth herself bore him to Hephaestus. Then she, that she might set up a guardian for her land, which she had newly obtained by vote of Zeus and the twelve other immortals, and by witness of the snake, was coming to Pellene in Achaea. Meanwhile, the maidens that watched the chest planned to do an evil deed [...] undoing the fastenings (of the chest) [...]

• Here Callimachus taps into a central Athenian myth, the story of Erichthonius, who was born when Hephaestus' semen hit the earth.  A story about Athens is appropriate in a poem about Theseus, who was Athens' favorite son.  Furthermore, it was the Crow who told Athena about the daughters of Cecrops, who were in charge of guarding the chest that contained the baby Erichthonius.

39 (73). Thus she rejected our (race), nor [...] but may you never fall from her favor. The anger of Athena is ever grievous. But I was present as a little one, for this is my eighth generation, but [...] the tenth for my parents.

• After telling Athena about the Cecropidae, the crow, which had been Athena's favorite bird, was demoted, and the owl promoted in its place.

45 (74). "May I have (this) alone as protection for my belly against evil hunger [...] and barley groats, that dripped from the brew upon the earth [...] messenger of bad news [...] O that you were still alive then to know this: how the nymphs inspire the old crow. [...] Yes by my old shriveled skin, yes by this tree though dry, all the suns have not yet disappeared in the West with a broken pole and axle. But it shall be evening, or night, or noon, or dawn, when the raven, which now might vie in color even with swans, or with milk, or with the finest cream of the wave, shall put on a sad plumage, black as pitch, the reward that Phoebus will one day give him for his message, when he learns terrible tidings of Coronis, daughter Phlegyas, that she has gone with Ischys, the driver of horses."  While she spoke thus, sleep seized her and her hearer. They fell asleep, but not for long. For soon the frosty early dawn came, when the hands of thieves are no longer seeking for prey. For already the lamps of dawn are shining. Many a gatherer of water is singing the Song of the Well, and the axle creaking under the wagons wakes him who has his house beside the highway, while many a blacksmith slave, with hearing deafened, torments the ear [...]

• Callimachus captures the garrulousness of the old bird—very much like Hecale herself in this respect.  Note that the story of the raven is mentioned here, the bird that fell out of favor with Apollo.  This fragment also seems to transition to the next day, when Theseus returns to Hecale.

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Funeral.
 

Diegesis: ...he went back to Hecale. But upon finding her dead unexpectedly, and after lamenting how he was cheated of what he had expected, he undertook to repay her for her hospitality [xenia] after death.  He founded the deme that he named after her, and established the sacred precinct of Zeus Hecaleos.

27 (79). [...] whose tomb is this you are building?

• Theseus questions Hecale's neighbors, who found the old woman dead.

33 (80). Go, gentle woman, the way which heart gnawing worries do not traverse.  [...]  Often, good mother [...] we will remember your hospitable hut, for it was a common shelter for all.

• Theseus' eulogy for Hecale.

9 (81). [...] for that is what the neighbors around called her.

• Perhaps one of the last lines in the poem.  It seems to be an aition (explanation) for the name of the deme Hecale:  it was named after the old woman, "for that is what her neighbors..."