But Minerva went to the fair city of Lacedaemon to tell
Ulysses'
son that he was to return at once. She found him and Pisistratus
sleeping
in the forecourt of Menelaus's house; Pisistratus was fast
asleep,
but Telemachus could get no rest all night for thinking of his
unhappy
father, so Minerva went close up to him and said:
"Telemachus, you should not remain so far away from home any
longer,
nor leave your property with such dangerous people in your
house;
they will eat up everything you have among them, and you will
have
been on a fool's errand. Ask Menelaus to send you home at once
if
you wish to find your excellent mother still there when you get
back.
Her father and brothers are already urging her to marry
Eurymachus,
who has given her more than any of the others, and has been
greatly
increasing his wedding presents. I hope nothing valuable may
have
been taken from the house in spite of you, but you know what
women
are- they always want to do the best they can for the man who
marries
them, and never give another thought to the children of their
first
husband, nor to their father either when he is dead and done
with.
Go home, therefore, and put everything in charge of the most
respectable
woman servant that you have, until it shall please heaven to
send
you a wife of your own. Let me tell you also of another matter
which
you had better attend to. The chief men among the suitors are
lying
in wait for you in the Strait between Ithaca and Samos, and they
mean
to kill you before you can reach home. I do not much think they
will
succeed; it is more likely that some of those who are now eating
up
your property will find a grave themselves. Sail night and day,
and
keep your ship well away from the islands; the god who watches
over
you and protects you will send you a fair wind. As soon as you
get
to Ithaca send your ship and men on to the town, but yourself go
straight
to the swineherd who has charge your pigs; he is well disposed
towards
you, stay with him, therefore, for the night, and then send him
to
Penelope to tell her that you have got back safe from Pylos."
Then she went back to Olympus; but Telemachus stirred
Pisistratus
with his heel to rouse him, and said, "Wake up Pisistratus, and
yoke
the horses to the chariot, for we must set off home."
But Pisistratus said, "No matter what hurry we are in we cannot
drive
in the dark. It will be morning soon; wait till Menelaus has
brought
his presents and put them in the chariot for us; and let him say
good-bye
to us in the usual way. So long as he lives a guest should never
forget
a host who has shown him kindness."
As he spoke day began to break, and Menelaus, who had already
risen,
leaving Helen in bed, came towards them. When Telemachus saw him
he
put on his shirt as fast as he could, threw a great cloak over
his
shoulders, and went out to meet him. "Menelaus," said he, "let
me
go back now to my own country, for I want to get home."
And Menelaus answered, "Telemachus, if you insist on going I
will
not detain you. not like to see a host either too fond of his
guest
or too rude to him. Moderation is best in all things, and not
letting
a man go when he wants to do so is as bad as telling him to go
if
he would like to stay. One should treat a guest well as long as
he
is in the house and speed him when he wants to leave it. Wait,
then,
till I can get your beautiful presents into your chariot, and
till
you have yourself seen them. I will tell the women to prepare a
sufficient
dinner for you of what there may be in the house; it will be at
once
more proper and cheaper for you to get your dinner before
setting
out on such a long journey. If, moreover, you have a fancy for
making
a tour in Hellas or in the Peloponnese, I will yoke my horses,
and
will conduct you myself through all our principal cities. No one
will
send us away empty handed; every one will give us something- a
bronze
tripod, a couple of mules, or a gold cup."
"Menelaus," replied Telemachus, "I want to go home at once, for
when
I came away I left my property without protection, and fear that
while
looking for my father I shall come to ruin myself, or find that
something
valuable has been stolen during my absence."
When Menelaus heard this he immediately told his wife and
servants
to prepare a sufficient dinner from what there might be in the
house.
At this moment Eteoneus joined him, for he lived close by and
had
just got up; so Menelaus told him to light the fire and cook
some
meat, which he at once did. Then Menelaus went down into his
fragrant
store room, not alone, but Helen went too, with Megapenthes.
When
he reached the place where the treasures of his house were kept,
he
selected a double cup, and told his son Megapenthes to bring
also
a silver mixing-bowl. Meanwhile Helen went to the chest where
she
kept the lovely dresses which she had made with her own hands,
and
took out one that was largest and most beautifully enriched with
embroidery;
it glittered like a star, and lay at the very bottom of the
chest.
Then they all came back through the house again till they got to
Telemachus,
and Menelaus said, "Telemachus, may Jove, the mighty husband of
Juno,
bring you safely home according to your desire. I will now
present
you with the finest and most precious piece of plate in all my
house.
It is a mixing-bowl of pure silver, except the rim, which is
inlaid
with gold, and it is the work of Vulcan. Phaedimus king of the
Sidonians
made me a present of it in the course of a visit that I paid him
while
I was on my return home. I should like to give it to you."
With these words he placed the double cup in the hands of
Telemachus,
while Megapenthes brought the beautiful mixing-bowl and set it
before
him. Hard by stood lovely Helen with the robe ready in her
hand.
"I too, my son," said she, "have something for you as a keepsake
from
the hand of Helen; it is for your bride to wear upon her wedding
day.
Till then, get your dear mother to keep it for you; thus may you
go
back rejoicing to your own country and to your home."
So saying she gave the robe over to him and he received it
gladly.
Then Pisistratus put the presents into the chariot, and admired
them
all as he did so. Presently Menelaus took Telemachus and
Pisistratus
into the house, and they both of them sat down to table. A maid
servant
brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer, and poured it
into
a silver basin for them to wash their hands, and she drew a
clean
table beside them; an upper servant brought them bread and
offered
them many good things of what there was in the house. Eteoneus
carved
the meat and gave them each their portions, while Megapenthes
poured
out the wine. Then they laid their hands upon the good things
that
were before them, but as soon as they had had had enough to eat
and
drink Telemachus and Pisistratus yoked the horses, and took
their
places in the chariot. They drove out through the inner gateway
and
under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court, and Menelaus
came
after them with a golden goblet of wine in his right hand that
they
might make a drink-offering before they set out. He stood in
front
of the horses and pledged them, saying, "Farewell to both of
you;
see that you tell Nestor how I have treated you, for he was as
kind
to me as any father could be while we Achaeans were fighting
before
Troy."
"We will be sure, sir," answered Telemachus, "to tell him
everything
as soon as we see him. I wish I were as certain of finding
Ulysses
returned when I get back to Ithaca, that I might tell him of the
very
great kindness you have shown me and of the many beautiful
presents
I am taking with me."
As he was thus speaking a bird flew on his right hand- an eagle
with
a great white goose in its talons which it had carried off from
the
farm yard- and all the men and women were running after it and
shouting.
It came quite close up to them and flew away on their right
hands
in front of the horses. When they saw it they were glad, and
their
hearts took comfort within them, whereon Pisistratus said, "Tell
me,
Menelaus, has heaven sent this omen for us or for you?"
Menelaus was thinking what would be the most proper answer for
him
to make, but Helen was too quick for him and said, "I will read
this
matter as heaven has put it in my heart, and as I doubt not that
it
will come to pass. The eagle came from the mountain where it was
bred
and has its nest, and in like manner Ulysses, after having
travelled
far and suffered much, will return to take his revenge- if
indeed
he is not back already and hatching mischief for the suitors."
"May Jove so grant it," replied Telemachus; "if it should prove
to
be so, I will make vows to you as though you were a god, even
when
I am at home."
As he spoke he lashed his horses and they started off at full
speed
through the town towards the open country. They swayed the yoke
upon
their necks and travelled the whole day long till the sun set
and
darkness was over all the land. Then they reached Pherae, where
Diocles
lived who was son of Ortilochus, the son of Alpheus. There they
passed
the night and were treated hospitably. When the child of
morning,
rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, they again yoked their horses and
their
places in the chariot. They drove out through the inner gateway
and
under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court. Then Pisistratus
lashed
his horses on and they flew forward nothing loath; ere long they
came
to Pylos, and then Telemachus said:
"Pisistratus, I hope you will promise to do what I am going to
ask
you. You know our fathers were old friends before us; moreover,
we
are both of an age, and this journey has brought us together
still
more closely; do not, therefore, take me past my ship, but leave
me
there, for if I go to your father's house he will try to keep me
in
the warmth of his good will towards me, and I must go home at
once."
Pisistratus thought how he should do as he was asked, and in the
end
he deemed it best to turn his horses towards the ship, and put
Menelaus's
beautiful presents of gold and raiment in the stern of the
vessel.
Then he said, "Go on board at once and tell your men to do so
also
before I can reach home to tell my father. I know how obstinate
he
is, and am sure he will not let you go; he will come down here
to
fetch you, and he will not go back without you. But he will be
very
angry."
With this he drove his goodly steeds back to the city of the
Pylians
and soon reached his home, but Telemachus called the men
together
and gave his orders. "Now, my men," said he, "get everything in
order
on board the ship, and let us set out home."
Thus did he speak, and they went on board even as he had said.
But
as Telemachus was thus busied, praying also and sacrificing to
Minerva
in the ship's stern, there came to him a man from a distant
country,
a seer, who was flying from Argos because he had killed a man.
He
was descended from Melampus, who used to live in Pylos, the land
of
sheep; he was rich and owned a great house, but he was driven
into
exile by the great and powerful king Neleus. Neleus seized his
goods
and held them for a whole year, during which he was a close
prisoner
in the house of king Phylacus, and in much distress of mind both
on
account of the daughter of Neleus and because he was haunted by
a
great sorrow that dread Erinyes had laid upon him. In the end,
however,
he escaped with his life, drove the cattle from Phylace to
Pylos,
avenged the wrong that had been done him, and gave the daughter
of
Neleus to his brother. Then he left the country and went to
Argos,
where it was ordained that he should reign over much people.
There
he married, established himself, and had two famous sons
Antiphates
and Mantius. Antiphates became father of Oicleus, and Oicleus of
Amphiaraus,
who was dearly loved both by Jove and by Apollo, but he did not
live
to old age, for he was killed in Thebes by reason of a woman's
gifts.
His sons were Alcmaeon and Amphilochus. Mantius, the other son
of
Melampus, was father to Polypheides and Cleitus. Aurora, throned
in
gold, carried off Cleitus for his beauty's sake, that he might
dwell
among the immortals, but Apollo made Polypheides the greatest
seer
in the whole world now that Amphiaraus was dead. He quarrelled
with
his father and went to live in Hyperesia, where he remained and
prophesied
for all men.
His son, Theoclymenus, it was who now came up to Telemachus as
he
was making drink-offerings and praying in his ship. "Friend'"
said
he, "now that I find you sacrificing in this place, I beseech
you
by your sacrifices themselves, and by the god to whom you make
them,
I pray you also by your own head and by those of your followers,
tell
me the truth and nothing but the truth. Who and whence are you?
Tell
me also of your town and parents."
Telemachus said, "I will answer you quite truly. I am from
Ithaca,
and my father is 'Ulysses, as surely as that he ever lived. But
he
has come to some miserable end. Therefore I have taken this ship
and
got my crew together to see if I can hear any news of him, for
he
has been away a long time."
"I too," answered Theoclymenus, am an exile, for I have killed a
man
of my own race. He has many brothers and kinsmen in Argos, and
they
have great power among the Argives. I am flying to escape death
at
their hands, and am thus doomed to be a wanderer on the face of
the
earth. I am your suppliant; take me, therefore, on board your
ship
that they may not kill me, for I know they are in pursuit."
"I will not refuse you," replied Telemachus, "if you wish to
join
us. Come, therefore, and in Ithaca we will treat you hospitably
according
to what we have."
On this he received Theoclymenus' spear and laid it down on the
deck
of the ship. He went on board and sat in the stern, bidding
Theoclymenus
sit beside him; then the men let go the hawsers. Telemachus told
them
to catch hold of the ropes, and they made all haste to do so.
They
set the mast in its socket in the cross plank, raised it and
made
it fast with the forestays, and they hoisted their white sails
with
sheets of twisted ox hide. Minerva sent them a fair wind that
blew
fresh and strong to take the ship on her course as fast as
possible.
Thus then they passed by Crouni and Chalcis.
Presently the sun set and darkness was over all the land. The
vessel
made a quick pass sage to Pheae and thence on to Elis, where the
Epeans
rule. Telemachus then headed her for the flying islands,
wondering
within himself whether he should escape death or should be taken
prisoner.
Meanwhile Ulysses and the swineherd were eating their supper in
the
hut, and the men supped with them. As soon as they had had to
eat
and drink, Ulysses began trying to prove the swineherd and see
whether
he would continue to treat him kindly, and ask him to stay on at
the
station or pack him off to the city; so he said:
"Eumaeus, and all of you, to-morrow I want to go away and begin
begging
about the town, so as to be no more trouble to you or to your
men.
Give me your advice therefore, and let me have a good guide to
go
with me and show me the way. I will go the round of the city
begging
as I needs must, to see if any one will give me a drink and a
piece
of bread. I should like also to go to the house of Ulysses and
bring
news of her husband to queen Penelope. I could then go about
among
the suitors and see if out of all their abundance they will give
me
a dinner. I should soon make them an excellent servant in all
sorts
of ways. Listen and believe when I tell you that by the blessing
of
Mercury who gives grace and good name to the works of all men,
there
is no one living who would make a more handy servant than I
should-
to put fresh wood on the fire, chop fuel, carve, cook, pour out
wine,
and do all those services that poor men have to do for their
betters."
The swineherd was very much disturbed when he heard this.
"Heaven
help me," he exclaimed, "what ever can have put such a notion as
that
into your head? If you go near the suitors you will be undone to
a
certainty, for their pride and insolence reach the very heavens.
They
would never think of taking a man like you for a servant. Their
servants
are all young men, well dressed, wearing good cloaks and shirts,
with
well looking faces and their hair always tidy, the tables are
kept
quite clean and are loaded with bread, meat, and wine. Stay
where
you are, then; you are not in anybody's way; I do not mind your
being
here, no more do any of the others, and when Telemachus comes
home
he will give you a shirt and cloak and will send you wherever
you
want to go."
Ulysses answered, "I hope you may be as dear to the gods as you
are
to me, for having saved me from going about and getting into
trouble;
there is nothing worse than being always ways on the tramp;
still,
when men have once got low down in the world they will go
through
a great deal on behalf of their miserable bellies. Since however
you
press me to stay here and await the return of Telemachus, tell
about
Ulysses' mother, and his father whom he left on the threshold of
old
age when he set out for Troy. Are they still living or are they
already
dead and in the house of Hades?"
"I will tell you all about them," replied Eumaeus, "Laertes is
still
living and prays heaven to let him depart peacefully his own
house,
for he is terribly distressed about the absence of his son, and
also
about the death of his wife, which grieved him greatly and aged
him
more than anything else did. She came to an unhappy end through
sorrow
for her son: may no friend or neighbour who has dealt kindly by
me
come to such an end as she did. As long as she was still living,
though
she was always grieving, I used to like seeing her and asking
her
how she did, for she brought me up along with her daughter
Ctimene,
the youngest of her children; we were boy and girl together, and
she
made little difference between us. When, however, we both grew
up,
they sent Ctimene to Same and received a splendid dowry for her.
As
for me, my mistress gave me a good shirt and cloak with a pair
of
sandals for my feet, and sent me off into the country, but she
was
just as fond of me as ever. This is all over now. Still it has
pleased
heaven to prosper my work in the situation which I now hold. I
have
enough to eat and drink, and can find something for any
respectable
stranger who comes here; but there is no getting a kind word or
deed
out of my mistress, for the house has fallen into the hands of
wicked
people. Servants want sometimes to see their mistress and have a
talk
with her; they like to have something to eat and drink at the
house,
and something too to take back with them into the country. This
is
what will keep servants in a good humour."
Ulysses answered, "Then you must have been a very little fellow,
Eumaeus,
when you were taken so far away from your home and parents. Tell
me,
and tell me true, was the city in which your father and mother
lived
sacked and pillaged, or did some enemies carry you off when you
were
alone tending sheep or cattle, ship you off here, and sell you
for
whatever your master gave them?"
"Stranger," replied Eumaeus, "as regards your question: sit
still,
make yourself comfortable, drink your wine, and listen to me.
The
nights are now at their longest; there is plenty of time both
for
sleeping and sitting up talking together; you ought not to go to
bed
till bed time, too much sleep is as bad as too little; if any
one
of the others wishes to go to bed let him leave us and do so; he
can
then take my master's pigs out when he has done breakfast in the
morning.
We two will sit here eating and drinking in the hut, and telling
one
another stories about our misfortunes; for when a man has
suffered
much, and been buffeted about in the world, he takes pleasure in
recalling
the memory of sorrows that have long gone by. As regards your
question,
then, my tale is as follows:
"You may have heard of an island called Syra that lies over
above
Ortygia, where the land begins to turn round and look in another
direction.
It is not very thickly peopled, but the soil is good, with much
pasture
fit for cattle and sheep, and it abounds with wine and wheat.
Dearth
never comes there, nor are the people plagued by any sickness,
but
when they grow old Apollo comes with Diana and kills them with
his
painless shafts. It contains two communities, and the whole
country
is divided between these two. My father Ctesius son of Ormenus,
a
man comparable to the gods, reigned over both.
"Now to this place there came some cunning traders from
Phoenicia
(for the Phoenicians are great mariners) in a ship which they
had
freighted with gewgaws of all kinds. There happened to be a
Phoenician
woman in my father's house, very tall and comely, and an
excellent
servant; these scoundrels got hold of her one day when she was
washing
near their ship, seduced her, and cajoled her in ways that no
woman
can resist, no matter how good she may be by nature. The man who
had
seduced her asked her who she was and where she came from, and
on
this she told him her father's name. 'I come from Sidon,' said
she,
'and am daughter to Arybas, a man rolling in wealth. One day as
I
was coming into the town from the country some Taphian pirates
seized
me and took me here over the sea, where they sold me to the man
who
owns this house, and he gave them their price for me.'
"The man who had seduced her then said, 'Would you like to come
along
with us to see the house of your parents and your parents
themselves?
They are both alive and are said to be well off.'
"'I will do so gladly,' answered she, 'if you men will first
swear
me a solemn oath that you will do me no harm by the way.'
"They all swore as she told them, and when they had completed
their
oath the woman said, 'Hush; and if any of your men meets me in
the
street or at the well, do not let him speak to me, for fear some
one
should go and tell my master, in which case he would suspect
something.
He would put me in prison, and would have all of you murdered;
keep
your own counsel therefore; buy your merchandise as fast as you
can,
and send me word when you have done loading. I will bring as
much
gold as I can lay my hands on, and there is something else also
that
I can do towards paying my fare. I am nurse to the son of the
good
man of the house, a funny little fellow just able to run about.
I
will carry him off in your ship, and you will get a great deal
of
money for him if you take him and sell him in foreign parts.'
"On this she went back to the house. The Phoenicians stayed a
whole
year till they had loaded their ship with much precious
merchandise,
and then, when they had got freight enough, they sent to tell
the
woman. Their messenger, a very cunning fellow, came to my
father's
house bringing a necklace of gold with amber beads strung among
it;
and while my mother and the servants had it in their hands
admiring
it and bargaining about it, he made a sign quietly to the woman
and
then went back to the ship, whereon she took me by the hand and
led
me out of the house. In the fore part of the house she saw the
tables
set with the cups of guests who had been feasting with my
father,
as being in attendance on him; these were now all gone to a
meeting
of the public assembly, so she snatched up three cups and
carried
them off in the bosom of her dress, while I followed her, for I
knew
no better. The sun was now set, and darkness was over all the
land,
so we hurried on as fast as we could till we reached the
harbour,
where the Phoenician ship was lying. When they had got on board
they
sailed their ways over the sea, taking us with them, and Jove
sent
then a fair wind; six days did we sail both night and day, but
on
the seventh day Diana struck the woman and she fell heavily down
into
the ship's hold as though she were a sea gull alighting on the
water;
so they threw her overboard to the seals and fishes, and I was
left
all sorrowful and alone. Presently the winds and waves took the
ship
to Ithaca, where Laertes gave sundry of his chattels for me, and
thus
it was that ever I came to set eyes upon this country."
Ulysses answered, "Eumaeus, I have heard the story of your
misfortunes
with the most lively interest and pity, but Jove has given you
good
as well as evil, for in spite of everything you have a good
master,
who sees that you always have enough to eat and drink; and you
lead
a good life, whereas I am still going about begging my way from
city
to city."
Thus did they converse, and they had only a very little time
left
for sleep, for it was soon daybreak. In the meantime Telemachus
and
his crew were nearing land, so they loosed the sails, took down
the
mast, and rowed the ship into the harbour. They cast out their
mooring
stones and made fast the hawsers; they then got out upon the sea
shore,
mixed their wine, and got dinner ready. As soon as they had had
enough
to eat and drink Telemachus said, "Take the ship on to the town,
but
leave me here, for I want to look after the herdsmen on one of
my
farms. In the evening, when I have seen all I want, I will come
down
to the city, and to-morrow morning in return for your trouble I
will
give you all a good dinner with meat and wine."
Then Theoclymenus said, 'And what, my dear young friend, is to
become
of me? To whose house, among all your chief men, am I to repair?
or
shall I go straight to your own house and to your mother?"
"At any other time," replied Telemachus, "I should have bidden
you
go to my own house, for you would find no want of hospitality;
at
the present moment, however, you would not be comfortable there,
for
I shall be away, and my mother will not see you; she does not
often
show herself even to the suitors, but sits at her loom weaving
in
an upper chamber, out of their way; but I can tell you a man
whose
house you can go to- I mean Eurymachus the son of Polybus, who
is
held in the highest estimation by every one in Ithaca. He is
much
the best man and the most persistent wooer, of all those who are
paying
court to my mother and trying to take Ulysses' place. Jove,
however,
in heaven alone knows whether or no they will come to a bad end
before
the marriage takes place."
As he was speaking a bird flew by upon his right hand- a hawk,
Apollo's
messenger. It held a dove in its talons, and the feathers, as it
tore
them off, fell to the ground midway between Telemachus and the
ship.
On this Theoclymenus called him apart and caught him by the
hand.
"Telemachus," said he, "that bird did not fly on your right hand
without
having been sent there by some god. As soon as I saw it I knew
it
was an omen; it means that you will remain powerful and that
there
will be no house in Ithaca more royal than your own."
"I wish it may prove so," answered Telemachus. "If it does, I
will
show you so much good will and give you so many presents that
all
who meet you will congratulate you."
Then he said to his friend Piraeus, "Piraeus, son of Clytius,
you
have throughout shown yourself the most willing to serve me of
all
those who have accompanied me to Pylos; I wish you would take
this
stranger to your own house and entertain him hospitably till I
can
come for him."
And Piraeus answered, "Telemachus, you may stay away as long as
you
please, but I will look after him for you, and he shall find no
lack
of hospitality."
As he spoke he went on board, and bade the others do so also and
loose
the hawsers, so they took their places in the ship. But
Telemachus
bound on his sandals, and took a long and doughty spear with a
head
of sharpened bronze from the deck of the ship. Then they loosed
the
hawsers, thrust the ship off from land, and made on towards the
city
as they had been told to do, while Telemachus strode on as fast
as
he could, till he reached the homestead where his countless
herds
of swine were feeding, and where dwelt the excellent swineherd,
who
was so devoted a servant to his master.