  In the meanwhile Athene had not ceased planning for her favorites. That same night she went to Menelaus’ palace in Sparta to admonish Telemachus to return home and to warn him of the dangers lying in wait for him. “When thou art near the shores of Ithaca,” she said, “let thy companions row immediately to the city, but do thou go alone to the hut of old EumÆus, who is honestly devoted to thee, to spend the night. Let him hasten to the city to tell Penelope of thy safe arrival.” With these words the goddess disappeared. When morning dawned Telemachus arose and met Menelaus, who was also abroad, and immediately begged to be allowed to depart. “Far be it from me, dear youth, to keep thee here against thy will,” answered Menelaus. “But wait at least until I can give thee parting gifts and have the women prepare a good meal, that thou mayest set out strengthened and refreshed.” Menelaus bade the maids prepare a repast in haste and himself went into the treasury to select a gift for the departing guests. Helen also opened her chest, which held beautifully embroidered garments worked by her own hands. She took out the largest and finest one for Telemachus. Menelaus followed her with a golden goblet and a silver pitcher. He presented them, saying: “May Jupiter grant thee a prosperous voyage. Behold I am giving thee the most valuable thing that I possess. It was a present from the Sidonian king when I passed through Phoenicia. Truly it is as cunning a piece of work as though made by HephÆstos himself.” “I, too, desire to make thee a present,” said Helen, holding out the magnificent robe. “Let it adorn the bride on thy wedding day. Until then let thy worthy mother keep it in her chest. Fare thee well, and return in peace to thy stately palace and land of thy fathers.” Telemachus received the splendid gifts with gratitude and gave them to Pisistratus, who in silent admiration stowed them away in the chariot. Then they all went into the hall and sat down to the banquet. As soon as it was over, the two youths hastened to depart, and Menelaus accompanied them to their chariot with a goblet of wine, drinking to their health and giving them a final hand clasp with the words: “Farewell, youths. Bear my greeting to father Nestor who truly loved me like a father when we were fighting before Troy.” After taking leave of their fathers’ friends the two youths travelled rapidly until they reached Pylos. Then Telemachus said to Pisistratus: “I wish thou wouldst grant a request, good host. Drive me directly to my ship on the beach, so that the venerable Nestor may not detain me with his kindly hospitality; for I am in great haste.” Pisistratus agreed to this, and Telemachus’ companions were overjoyed to see him again and at once prepared for departure. When all was ready, Telemachus placed himself at the rudder and with a silent prayer poured a libation to Athene into the sea, and they rowed away into the silent night. In the meanwhile the beggar Ulysses sat in the hut of good EumÆus partaking of his humble fare. “Listen, EumÆus,” he began. “I have been a burden to thee long enough, and intend to go into town early to-morrow morning. All I ask is that thou wilt give me a guide to show me the way to Ulysses’ palace. I desire to bring tidings to Penelope and to mix with the suitors and see whether they are inclined to treat me kindly.” “What art thou thinking of, old man?” cried EumÆus angrily. “Thou wouldst fare ill shouldst thou fall among that company, whose high-handed manners are beyond belief. Thou art not in my way. Wait at least until Ulysses’ son comes back, and he will doubtless give thee a good cloak and coat and provide a vessel to take thee where thou wishest to go.” “Excellent swineherd,” answered the crafty Ulysses, “may Jupiter love thee as I do for giving me rest and shelter in thy hut after all my sorrows. If I am to stay, then tell me somewhat of the mother of the famous Ulysses; also of his aged father.” Upon this the old man began to talk of Laertes and the good mother, who had long ago succumbed to sorrow and been laid in the grave. The servants had long since betaken themselves to rest, and when midnight came the host said: “Now we too will sleep a little. But it is sweet to pour out one’s troubles, and thou art a sensible man to whom it is a pleasure to talk. There is always time enough for sleep.” During this same night the ship which carried Telemachus had approached the island in safety, having escaped the vigilance of the spies, and landed on the northern coast. With the first rays of the rising sun Telemachus disembarked with his companions and offered sacrifice. The good youth little suspected how near his father was. He bound on the shining sandals and took the heavy lance, prepared to separate from his companions whom he ordered to row to the city. He appointed a meeting the next day in his father’s palace to offer them the journey’s meed—a stately banquet of meat and wine. Telemachus had but one more care. In Pylos a soothsayer from Argos, Theoclymenus, had joined his company and requested passage in the ship. They had gladly brought him to Ithaca, but he wanted to go farther, and Telemachus was so afraid of the suitors that he scarcely dared bring a guest with him to his house. They therefore consulted together as to where the stranger should be entertained. Telemachus proposed Eurymachus, the most insolent of the suitors, as host, as he was the most important man on the island and could best entertain and send him on his way. “He is now, as my father is away,” he continued, “almost the supreme ruler here and is determined to marry my mother, so that he may acquire, together with the property of my family, also the title of king and the principal seat in the folks’ assembly, which of right belongs to our house. Now Jupiter only knows whether or not he will gain his ends.” As he said this, behold, to their right a vulture, holding a dove in its talons, flew past. It was tearing the dove in its flight, so that its feathers fell to the earth between Telemachus and his ship. Then Theoclymenus took the youth quickly aside and said softly: “Friend, what thou hast just spoken shall never be fulfilled. This token of the gods tells me that rule over the princes of Ithaca shall always remain with thy house.” The heart of Telemachus was filled with joy at this prophecy. He bade the stranger farewell, and one of his men conducted him to the dwelling of Eurymachus, while Telemachus went to the hut of the swineherd, as Athene had commanded him. |
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