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Now when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, [405] Nestor, the charioteer of Gerenia, left his couch and took his seat on the benches of white and polished marble that stood in front of his house. Here aforetime sat Neleus, peer of gods in counsel, [410] but he was now dead, and had gone to the house of Hādēs; so Nestor of Gerenia sat in his seat, scepter in hand, as guardian of the public weal. His sons as they left their rooms gathered round him, Ekhephron, Stratios, Perseus, Aretos, and Thrasymedes; [415] the sixth son was the hero Peisistratos, and when godlike Telemachus joined them they made him sit with them. Nestor then addressed them.

“My sons,” said he, “make haste to do as I shall bid you. I wish first and foremost to propitiate the great goddess Athena, [420] who manifested herself visibly to me during yesterday’s festivities. Go, then, one or other of you to the plain, tell the stockman to look me out a heifer, and come on here with it at once. [425] Another must go to great-hearted Telemachus’ ship, and invite all the crew, leaving two men only in charge of the vessel. Some one else will run and fetch Laerkeus the goldsmith to gild the horns of the heifer. The rest, stay all of you where you are; tell the maids in the house to prepare an excellent dinner, and to fetch seats, and logs of wood for a burnt offering. Tell them also to bring me some clear spring water.”

[430] Then they hurried off on their several errands. The heifer was brought in from the plain, and great-hearted Telemachus’ crew came from the ship; the goldsmith brought the anvil, hammer, and tongs, [435] with which he worked his gold, and Athena herself came to the sacrifice. Nestor, the old charioteer, gave out the gold, and the smith gilded the horns of the heifer that the goddess might have pleasure in their beauty. Then Stratios and noble Ekhephron brought her in by [440] the horns; Aretos fetched water from the house in a ewer that had a flower pattern on it, and in his other hand he held a basket of barley meal; sturdy Thrasymedes stood by with a sharp axe, ready to strike the heifer, while Perseus held a bucket. [445] Then Nestor began with washing his hands and sprinkling the barley meal, and he offered many a prayer to Athena as he threw a lock from the heifer’s head upon the fire.

Odyssey. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1898.

Current edition Experimental

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ὀδύσσεια Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), editor. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.) — 3.404 focus

ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

ὤρνυτʼ ἄρʼ ἐξ εὐνῆφι Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,

405

ἐκ δʼ ἐλθὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετʼ ἐπὶ ξεστοῖσι λίθοισιν,

οἵ οἱ ἔσαν προπάροιθε θυράων ὑψηλάων,

λευκοί, ἀποστίλβοντες ἀλείφατος· οἷς ἔπι μὲν πρὶν

Νηλεὺς ἵζεσκεν, θεόφιν μήστωρ ἀτάλαντος·

ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἤδη κηρὶ δαμεὶς Ἄϊδόσδε βεβήκει,

410

Νέστωρ αὖ τότʼ ἐφῖζε Γερήνιος, οὖρος Ἀχαιῶν,

σκῆπτρον ἔχων. περὶ δʼ υἷες ἀολλέες ἠγερέθοντο

ἐκ θαλάμων ἐλθόντες, Ἐχέφρων τε Στρατίος τε

Περσεύς τʼ Ἄρητός τε καὶ ἀντίθεος Θρασυμήδης.

τοῖσι δʼ ἔπειθʼ ἕκτος Πεισίστρατος ἤλυθεν ἥρως,

415

πὰρ δʼ ἄρα Τηλέμαχον θεοείκελον εἷσαν ἄγοντες.

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·

καρπαλίμως μοι, τέκνα φίλα, κρηήνατʼ ἐέλδωρ,

ὄφρʼ ἦ τοι πρώτιστα θεῶν ἱλάσσομʼ Ἀθήνην,

ἥ μοι ἐναργὴς ἦλθε θεοῦ ἐς δαῖτα θάλειαν.

420

ἀλλʼ ἄγʼ ὁ μὲν πεδίονδʼ ἐπὶ βοῦν, ἴτω, ὄφρα τάχιστα

ἔλθῃσιν, ἐλάσῃ δὲ βοῶν ἐπιβουκόλος ἀνήρ·

εἷς δʼ ἐπὶ Τηλεμάχου μεγαθύμου νῆα μέλαιναν

πάντας ἰὼν ἑτάρους ἀγέτω, λιπέτω δὲ δύʼ οἴους·

εἷς δʼ αὖ χρυσοχόον Λαέρκεα δεῦρο κελέσθω

425

ἐλθεῖν, ὄφρα βοὸς χρυσὸν κέρασιν περιχεύῃ.

οἱ δʼ ἄλλοι μένετʼ αὐτοῦ ἀολλέες, εἴπατε δʼ εἴσω

δμῳῇσιν κατὰ δώματʼ ἀγακλυτὰ δαῖτα πένεσθαι,

ἕδρας τε ξύλα τʼ ἀμφὶ καὶ ἀγλαὸν οἰσέμεν ὕδωρ.

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἱ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐποίπνυον. ἦλθε μὲν ἂρ βοῦς

430

ἐκ πεδίου, ἦλθον δὲ θοῆς παρὰ νηὸς ἐίσης

Τηλεμάχου ἕταροι μεγαλήτορος, ἦλθε δὲ χαλκεὺς

ὅπλʼ ἐν χερσὶν ἔχων χαλκήια, πείρατα τέχνης,

ἄκμονά τε σφῦράν τʼ ἐυποίητόν τε πυράγρην,

οἷσίν τε χρυσὸν εἰργάζετο· ἦλθε δʼ Ἀθήνη

435

ἱρῶν ἀντιόωσα. γέρων δʼ ἱππηλάτα Νέστωρ

χρυσὸν ἔδωχʼ· ὁ δʼ ἔπειτα βοὸς κέρασιν περίχευεν

ἀσκήσας, ἵνʼ ἄγαλμα θεὰ κεχάροιτο ἰδοῦσα.

βοῦν δʼ ἀγέτην κεράων Στρατίος καὶ δῖος Ἐχέφρων.

χέρνιβα δέ σφʼ Ἄρητος ἐν ἀνθεμόεντι λέβητι

440

ἤλυθεν ἐκ θαλάμοιο φέρων, ἑτέρῃ δʼ ἔχεν οὐλὰς

ἐν κανέῳ πέλεκυν δὲ μενεπτόλεμος Θρασυμήδης

ὀξὺν ἔχων ἐν χειρὶ παρίστατο βοῦν ἐπικόψων.

Περσεὺς δʼ ἀμνίον εἶχε· γέρων δʼ ἱππηλάτα Νέστωρ

χέρνιβά τʼ οὐλοχύτας τε κατήρχετο, πολλὰ δʼ Ἀθήνῃ

445

εὔχετʼ ἀπαρχόμενος, κεφαλῆς τρίχας ἐν πυρὶ βάλλων.

Translations (8)

Odyssey Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.) — 3.404 focus

Soon as early Dawn appeared, the rosy-fingered, 405 up from his bed rose the horseman, Nestor of Gerenia , and went forth and sat down on the polished stones which were before his lofty doors, white and glistening as with oil.¹ On these of old was wont to sit Neleus, the peer of the gods in counsel; 410 but he ere this had been stricken by fate and had gone to the house of Hades, and now there sat upon them in his turn Nestor of Gerenia , the warder of the Achaeans, holding a sceptre in his hands. About him his sons gathered in a throng as they came forth from their chambers, Echephron and Stratius and Perseus and Aretus and godlike Thrasymedes; 415 and to these thereafter came as the sixth the lord Peisistratus. And they led godlike Telemachus and made him sit beside them; and the horseman, Nestor of Gerenia , was first to speak among them: “Quickly, my dear children, fulfil my desire, that first of all the gods I may propitiate Athena, 420 who came to me in manifest presence to the rich feast of the god. Come now, let one go to the plain for a heifer, that she may come speedily, and that the neatherd may drive her; and let one go to the black ship of great-hearted Telemachus and bring all his comrades, and let him leave two men only; 425 and let one again bid the goldsmith Laerces come hither, that he may overlay the heifer's horns with gold. And do ye others abide here together; and bid the handmaids within to make ready a feast throughout our glorious halls, to fetch seats, and logs to set on either side of the altar, and to bring clear water.” 430 So he spoke, and they all set busily to work. The heifer came from the plain and from the swift, shapely ship came the comrades of great-hearted Telemachus; the smith came, bearing in his hands his tools of bronze, the implements of his craft, anvil and hammer and well-made tongs, 435 wherewith he wrought the gold; and Athena came to accept the sacrifice. Then the old man, Nestor, the driver of chariots, gave gold, and the smith prepared it, and overlaid therewith the horns of the heifer, that the goddess might rejoice when she beheld the offering. And Stratius and goodly Echephron led the heifer by the horns, 440 and Aretus came from the chamber, bringing them water for the hands in a basin embossed with flowers, and in the other hand he held barley grains in a basket; and Thrasymedes, steadfast in fight, stood by, holding in his hands a sharp axe, to fell the heifer; and Perseus held the bowl for the blood. Then the old man, Nestor, driver of chariots, 445 began the opening rite of hand-washing and sprinkling with barley grains, and earnestly he prayed to Athena, cutting off as first offering the hair from the head, and casting it into the fire.

Odyssey Perseus (Homer. The Odyssey: rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902, translator. Revised by Timothy Power and Gregory Nagy. London: A.C. Fifield, 1900.) — 3.418 focus

418 "My sons," said he, "make haste to do as I shall bid you. I wish first and foremost to propitiate the great goddess Athena, who manifested herself visibly to me during yesterday's festivities. Go, then, one or other of you to the plain, tell the stockman to look me out a heifer, and come on here with it at once. Another must go to Telemakhos' ship, and invite all the crew, leaving two men only in charge of the vessel. Some one else will run and fetch Laerceus the goldsmith to gild the horns of the heifer. The rest, stay all of you where you are; tell the maids in the house to prepare an excellent dinner, and to fetch seats, and logs of wood for a burnt offering. Tell them also to bring me some clear spring water."

430 On this they hurried off on their several errands. The heifer was brought in from the plain, and Telemakhos' crew came from the ship; the goldsmith brought the anvil, hammer, and tongs, with which he worked his gold, and Athena herself came to the sacrifice. Nestor gave out the gold, and the smith gilded the horns of the heifer that the goddess might have pleasure in their beauty. Then Stratios and Echephron brought her in by the horns; Aretos fetched water from the house in a ewer that had a flower pattern on it, and in his other hand he held a basket of barley meal; sturdy Thrasymedes stood by with a sharp axe, ready to strike the heifer, while Perseus held a bucket. Then Nestor began with washing his hands and sprinkling the barley meal, and he offered many a prayer to Athena as he threw a lock from the heifer's head upon the fire.

447 When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley meal Thrasymedes dealt his blow, and brought the heifer down with a stroke that cut through the tendons at the base of her neck, whereon the daughters and daughters-in-law of Nestor, and his venerable wife Eurydice (she was eldest daughter to Klymenos) screamed with delight. Then they lifted the heifer's head from off the ground, and Peisistratos cut her throat. When she had done bleeding and was quite dead, they cut her up. They cut out the thigh bones all in due course, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them; then Nestor laid them upon the wood fire and poured wine over them, while the young men stood near him with five-pronged spits in their hands. When the thighs were burned and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest of the meat up small, put the pieces on the spits and toasted them over the fire.

464 Meanwhile lovely Polykaste, Nestor's youngest daughter, washed Telemakhos. When she had washed him and anointed him with oil, she brought him a fair mantle and shirt, and he looked like a god as he came from the bath and took his seat by the side of Nestor. When the outer meats were done they drew them off the spits and sat down to dinner where they were waited upon by some worthy henchmen, who kept pouring them out their wine in cups of gold. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Nestor said, "Sons, put Telemakhos' horses to the chariot that he may start at once."

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1873)) — 3.404 focus

Soon as the daughter of the dawn appeared,

The rosy-fingered Morning, Nestor left

His bed and went abroad, and took his seat

On smooth white stones before his lofty doors,

That glistened as with oil, on which before

525

Sat Neleus, wise in council as the gods.

But he had yielded to the will of fate,

And passed into the Underworld. Now sat

Gerenian Nestor in his father's place,

The guardian of the Greeks. Around his seat,

530

Just from the chambers of their rest, his sons

Echephron, Stratius, and Aretus came,

Perseus, and Thrasymedes; after these

Came brave Peisistratus, the sixth and last.

They led Telemachus, the godlike youth,

535

And placed him near them. The Gerenian knight

Nestor began, and thus bespake his sons:

"Do quickly what I ask, dear sons, and aid

To render Pallas, first of all the gods,

Propitious, - Pallas, who has deigned to come,

540

And at a solemn feast to manifest

Herself to me. Let one of you go forth

Among the fields, and bring a heifer thence,

Led by the herdsman. To the dark-hulled ship

Of the large-souled Telemachus I bid

545

Another son repair, and bring the crew

Save only two; and let another call

Laërceus hither, skilled to work in gold,

That he may plate with gold the heifer's horns.

Let all the rest remain to bid the maids

550

Within prepare a sumptuous feast, and bring

Seats, wood, and limpid water from the fount."

He spake, and all were busy. From the field

The bullock came; from the swift-sailing bark

Came the companions of the gallant youth

555

Telemachus; with all his implements

Hammer and anvil, and well-jointed tongs -

With which he wrought, the goldsmith also came,

And to be present at the sacred rites

Pallas came likewise. Nestor, aged knight,

560

Brought forth the gold; the artisan prepared

The metal, and about the bullock's horns

Wound it, that Pallas might with pleasure see

The victim so adorned. Then Stratius grasped

The horns, and, aided by Echephron, led

565

The bullock. From his room Aretus brought

A laver filled with water in one hand,

And in the other hand a canister

Of cakes, while Thrasymedes, great in war,

Stood near with a sharp axe, about to smite

570

The victim. Perseus held a vase to catch

The blood, while Nestor, aged horseman, took

Water and cakes, and offering first a part,

And flinging the shorn forelock to the flames,

Prayed to the goddess Pallas fervently.

575

English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1726, ed. Watson, 1858)) — 3.404 focus

When now Aurora, daughter of the dawn,

With rosy lustre purpled o'er the lawn;

The old man early rose, walk'd forth, and sate

On polish'd stone before his palace-gate¹:

With unguents smooth the lucid marble shone,

520

Where ancient Neleus sate, a rustic throne;

But he descending to th' infernal shade,

Sage Nestor fill'd it, and the sceptre sway'd.

His sons around him mild obeisance pay,

And duteous take the orders of the day.

525

First Echephron and Stratius quit their bed

Then Perseus, Aretus, and Thrasymed;

The last Pisistratus arose from rest:

They came, and near him place the stranger-guest.

To these the senior thus declar'd his will :

530

NESTOR

'My sons! the dictates of your sire fulfil.

'To Pallas, first of gods, prepare the feast,

'Who graced our rites, a more than mortal guest.

'Let one, despatchful, bid some swain to lead

'A well-fed bullock from the grassy mead;
535

'One seek the harbour where the vessels moor,

'And bring thy friends, Telemachus! ashore;

'(Leave only two the galley to attend ;)

'Another to Laerceus must we send,

'Artist divine, whose skilful hands infold
540

'The victim's horn with circumfusile gold.

'The rest may here the pious duty share,

'And bid the handmaids for the feast prepare,

'The seats to range, the fragrant wood to bring,

'And limpid waters from the living spring.'
545

He said, and busy each his care bestow'd;

Already at the gates the bullock low'd,

Already came the Ithacensian crew,

The dexterous smith the tools already drew :

His ponderous hammer, and his anvil sound,

550

And the strong tongs to turn the metal round.

Nor was Minerva absent from the rite;

She view'd her honours, and enjoy'd the sight.

With reverent hand the king presents the gold,

Which round th' intorted horns the gilder roll'd,

555

So wrought, as Pallas might with pride behold.

Young Aretus from forth his bridal bower

Brought the full laver, o'er their hands to pour,

And canisters of consecrated flour.

Stratius and Echephron the victim led;

560

The axe was held by warlike Thrasymed,

In act to strike: before him Perseus stood,

The vase extending to receive the blood,

The king himself initiates to the power;

Scatters with quivering hand the sacred flour.

565

And the stream sprinkles: from the curling brows

The hair collected in the fire he throws.²

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 3.404 focus

Soon as Aurora did the day restore,

The old knight Nestor rose up from his bed,

370

And sat upon the bench before the door,

Of marble white and smooth that glistened.

His father used to sit there before,

King Neleus, but that since he was dead,

And that King Nestor now the sceptre bore,

375

There sat he now, and to him gathered

Were all his sons, Echephron, Stratius,

Perseus, Aretus, godlike Thrasymed,

Pisistratus. (Dead was Antilochus.)

Along with them Telemachus they led.

380

Then to his children Nestor spake and said :

Do quickly, sons, what you shall from me hear.

A vow I made to Pallas must be paid,

Who did to me so visibly appear.

Let one of you unto the pastures hie

385

And bid a herdsman bring a heifer home ;

One to Telemachus his ship quickly,

And bid his mates, save two, all hither come;

Another bid the gilder hither come,

To gild the sacred heifer's horns with speed;

390

The rest stay here to look to things at home,

That all things may be ready that we need,

Seats, dry wood, and fair water. So said he,

Then busy were they all. The heifer came,

And all Telemachus his company.

395

The glider came, Laerces was his name,

And every tool that to his art belongs,

And necessary is, had in his hands;

His anvil, and his hammer, and his tongs.

And Pallas also now amongst them stands.

400

Then fell the man to work on Nestor's gold,

And so elaborate it was when done,

That it might please the Goddess to behold.

Then came in Stratius and Echephron,

And by the horns they led the heifer in.

405

The basin and the ewer, and barley white,

Aretus brought; and with an axe full keen

Stood Thrasymed ready the beast to smite.

Then Nestor pray'd, and from the heifer's head

Cut off some hair, and into th' fire it threw.

410

English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1667, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 3.404 focus

The rosy-finger'd Morn no sooner shone,

But up he rose, took air, and sat upon

A seat of white and goodly polish'd stone,

That such a gloss as richest ointments wore,

550

Before his high gates; where the counsellor

That match'd the Gods (his father) used to sit,

Who now, by fate forc'd, stoop'd as low as it.

And here sat Nestor, holding in his hand

A sceptre; and about him round did stand,

555

As early up, his sons' troop; Perseus,

The god-like Thrasymed, and Aretus,

Echephron, Stratius, the sixth and last

Pisistratus, and by him (half embrac'd

Still as they came) divine Telemachus ;

560

To these spake Nestor, old Gerenius :

"Haste, loved sons, and do me a desire,

That, first of all the Gods, I may aspire

To Pallas' favour, who vouchsafed to me

At Neptune's feast her sight so openly.

565

Let one to field go, and an ox with speed

Cause hither brought, which let the herdsman lead;

Another to my dear guest's vessel go,

And all his soldiers bring, save only two;

A third the smith that works in gold command

570

(Laertius) to attend, and lend his hand,

To plate the both horns round about with gold;

The rest remain here close. But first, see told

The maids within, that they prepare a feast,

Set seats through all the court, see straight address'd

575

The purest water, and get fuel fell'd."

This said, not one but in the service held

Officious hand. The ox came led from field;

The soldiers troop'd from ship; the smith he came,

And those tools brought that serv'd the actual frame

580

His art conceiv'd, brought anvil, hammers brought,

Fair tongs, and all, with which the gold was wrought.

Minerva likewise came, to set the crown

On that kind sacrifice, and make 't her own.

Then th' old knight Nestor gave the smith the gold,

585

With which he straight did both the horns infold,

And trimm'd the offering so, the Goddess joy'd.

About which thus were Nestor's sons employ'd :

Divine Echephron, and fair Stratius,

Held both the horns. The water odorous,

590

In which they wash'd, what to the rites was vow'd,

Aretus, in a caldron all bestrow'd

With herbs and flowers, serv'd in from th' holy room

Where all were drest, and whence the rites must come.

And after him a hallow'd virgin came,

595

That brought the barley-cake, and blew the flame.

The axe, with which the ox should both be fell'd

And cut forth, Thrasymed stood by and held.

Perseus the vessel held that should retain

The purple liquor of the offering slain.

600

Then wash'd the pious father, then the cake

(Of barley, salt, and oil, made) took, and brake,

Ask'd many a boon of Pallas, and the state

Of all the offering did initiate,

In three parts cutting off the hair, and cast

605

Amidst the flame.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 3.404 focus

Gerenian Nestor issued forth, and sat

Before his palace-gate on the white stones

Resplendent as with oil, on which of old

His father Neleus had been wont to sit,

515

In council like a God; but he had sought,

By destiny dismiss'd long since, the shades.

On those stones therefore now, Nestor himself,

Achaia's guardian, sat, sceptre in hand,

Where soon his numerous sons, leaving betimes

520

The place of their repose, also appeared,

Echephron, Stratius, Perseus, Thrasymedes,

Aretus and Pisistratus. They placed

Godlike Telemachus at Nestor's side,

And the Gerenian Hero thus began.

525

Sons, be ye quick,—execute with dispatch

My purpose, that I may propitiate first

Of all the Gods Minerva, who herself

Hath honour'd manifest our hallowed feast.

Haste, one, into the field, to order thence

530

An ox, and let the herdsman drive it home.

Another, hasting to the sable bark

Of brave Telemachus, bring hither all

His friends, save two, and let a third command

Laerceus, that he come to enwrap with gold

535

The victim's horns. Abide ye here, the rest,

And bid my female train (for I intend

A banquet,) with all diligence provide

Seats, stores of wood, and water from the rock.

He said, whom instant all obey'd. The ox

540

Came from the field, and from the gallant ship

The ship-mates of the brave Telemachus ;

Next, charged with all his implements of art,

His mallet, anvil, pincers, came the smith

To give the horns their gilding; also came

545

Pallas herself to her own sacred rites.

Then Nestor, hoary warrior, furnish'd gold,

Which, hammer'd thin, the artist wrapp'd around

The victim's horns, that seeing him attired

So costly, Pallas might the more be pleased.

550

Stratius and brave Echephron introduced

The victim by his horns; Aretus brought

A laver, in one hand, with flowers emboss'd,

And in his other hand a basket stored

With cakes, while warlike Thrasymedes, arm'd

555

With his long-hafted axe, prepared to smite

The ox, and Perseus to receive the blood.

The hoary Nestor consecrated first

Both cakes and water, and with earnest prayer

To Pallas, gave the forelock to the flames.

560

English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (H. B. Cotterill, 1911)) — 3 focus

ODYSSEY BOOK III

THEN, as the sun rushed up from the beautiful lake of the ocean

Into a heaven of brass and brought back light for immortals,

Yea and for mortals that live on the earth, rich giver of harvests,

Unto the Pylian city they came, strong castle of Neleus.

Here on the shore of the ocean the people had slain as oblation

Bulls all black to the blue-haired god, Earth-shaking Poseidon.

Companies nine were there, five hundred seated in each one

Feasting, and nine of the bulls each company kept for a portion.

Busy were all with the tasting of livers and burning of thigh-bones

While to the land these bore with their well-built vessel, and straightway

Striking the canvas they brailed it aloft; and they moored her and landed.

Out of her Telemachus stept down, and before him Athene.

First then breaking the silence the grey-eyed goddess addressed him :

"Telemachus, no need is at hand, not the least, to be bashful.

Even for this thou hast traversed the ocean—to hear of thy father,

What land hideth his bones and what was the doom he encountered.

Come now, straightly address thee to Nestor, the tamer of horses,

So shall we learn what counsel he holdeth concealed in his bosom.

Come and entreat him thyself, and the whole of the truth he will tell thee

Ne'er will he speak what is false; right wise is the heart of the hero."

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer:

"Mentor, how shall I venture to go—how dare to salute him?

Never as yet was I practised at all in the art of a speaker;

Ay and a youth feels bashful to question a man that is older."

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Telemachus, some thoughts thou'lt find in the depths of thy bosom,

Some will be sent by a god, since never and never (I know it)

Save by the will of the gods thou wast born and art come to thy manhood."

These words uttered, at once went forward Pallas Athene

Hastily leading the way; and he followed the steps of the goddess.

Soon to the throng close-seated they came of the Pylian people.

Here in the midst with his sons sat Nestor; round him his comrades

Roasting or spitting the flesh were busy preparing the banquet.

These, when the strangers they saw, came hurrying eagerly forward,

Hands outstretching in welcome and bidding them both to be seated.

Foremost was Nestor's son Peisistratus; close he approached them,

Welcomed them both with the hand and gave them as seats at the banquet

Thick soft fleeces that lay on the sand of the salt sea water,

Close by the side of his sire and his brother the prince Thrasymedes.

Portions before them he set of the entrail meat, and he poured them

Wine in a goblet of gold, and he pledged them a welcome, addressing

Pallas Athena, the daughter of Zeus who beareth the aegis :

“Offer a prayer, O guest, to the King Earth-shaking Poseidon,

Since to the god of the sea is the feast that ye chance to arrive at.

Pour thy libation and offer thy prayer, as the custom ordaineth ;

Then this goblet of wine honey-sweet pass on to thy comrade

Bidding him make a libation and pray—and I doubt not that he too

Prays to the gods everlasting; for gods are needed by all men.

Younger however he seemeth—in years far rather my equal;

Wherefore first to thyself do I offer the cup of libation."

These words spoken, the goblet of wine sweet-savoured he tendered.

Much did Athena rejoice at the stripling's wisdom and judgment,

First to herself that he offered the gold-wrought cup of libation;

Fervently then did she utter a prayer to the god of the ocean :

"Hear me, Poseidaon, Earth-girdler, hear me! Refuse not

Answer to this our prayer! grant all these things a fulfilment !

Firstly to Nestor himself and his sons give glory and honour,

Then to the rest vouchsafe—to the whole of the Pylian people—

Favour and grace in requital of this their splendid oblation.

Us too grant that we safely return, when it all is accomplished,

All, for the winning of which we are come in the swift black vessel."

Thus as she prayed, of herself she was bringing it all to fulfilment.

Then from the goddess receiving the two-cupped beautiful goblet

Prayed in the selfsame manner the well-loved son of Odysseus.

Now when the outside meat they had roasted and drawn from the skewers,

All they apportioned and sat them adown to a glorious banquet,

Till, when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup,

Then he addressed them, the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor:

"Now is a moment befitting to ask and to question the strangers

Touching themselves for they now are fully contented with feasting.

Friends, come tell of yourselves. Whence sail ye the paths of the waters?

Come ye to chaffer for gain, or recklessly roaming at random

Like to the pirates and rovers that wander and rob on the ocean,

Setting their lives on the hazard in bringing disaster on others?"

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer;

Boldly he spake, for Athena herself in his bosom had planted

Courage to ask of his sire who was vanished so long from his homeland,

Yea and honour and glory to win in the land of the living:

"Nestor, Neleus' son, great glory of all the Achaeans,

Whence we arrive thou hast asked me. Behold, I will tell thee exactly.

Hither we came from the Ithacan isle 'neath Neïon's headland.

This is a quest of my own, not a matter that toucheth the people.

Following far-spread rumour I journey in search of my father,

Even of godlike Odysseus the brave, who, they tell me, aforetime

Stood at thy side in the battle and plundered the Ilian city.

Now of the rest of the heroes, as many as warred with the Trojans,

Tidings we hear, where any a pitiful doom hath encountered,

While for the fate of my sire—it is kept untold by Cronion :

None hath the power to say quite certainly where he is perished,

Whether by hostile tribes overwhelmed he was slain on the dry land,

Whether he lies in the depths mid the billows of Amphitrite.

Wherefore now to thy knees I am come, in the hope thou art willing

News of his pitiful death to impart, if perchance thou beheldst it

Even with thine own eyes, or hast heard some tale from another,

One who has wandered—for destined to ill from his birth was Odysseus.

Nor do thou shrink to offend, nor speak soft words in compassion;

Tell me exactly the truth—how far thou hast chanced to behold him.

Lo, I entreat thee if ever my father, the noble Odysseus,

Either by word or by action accomplished the thing that he promised

Where in the Trojan land ye Achaeans suffered affliction,

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This, I beseech thee, remember, and tell me the whole as it happened."

Him gave answer the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor:

"Ah, dear friend, thou recallest the sorrows that once in the distant

Trojan land we endured, the invincible sons of Achaea—

All those toils that we suffered in ships on the mist-bound ocean,

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Seeking for spoil wherever Achilles was wishful to lead us.

How too fighting in front of the strong-built city of Priam

Battle we waged. Here fell of Achaeans the best and the bravest;

Here lies Ajax, the equal of Ares; here is Achilles,

Here Patroclus, in counsel a peer of the gods everlasting;

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Here too lieth my son, my beloved, the strong and the noble

Antilochus, who with fleetness excelled in the race and the battle:

Ay and besides all this, what travail unending we suffered—

Where is the mortal on earth to be found that can fully relate it?

Even for five whole years, or for six, 'twere vain to abide here

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Asking to hear of the woes once borne by the noble Achaeans;

Ere it was told, outwearied, I ween, thou'dst sail for thy homeland.

Nine years warring at Troy did we busily scheme for its downfall,

Weaving a tissue of wiles, which Zeus scarce granted fulfilment.

There might never another with him in devices of wisdom

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Dare to compete, since far he surpassed all others in cunning,

Godlike Odysseus I mean, ay even thy father—if truly

He was thy sire; and amazement possesseth me while I behold thee,

Seeing that verily even in speech thou art like him, nor would one

Say that a man so young could speak so like to an elder.

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All these years have never myself and the godlike Odysseus

Spoken diversely at meetings of men or the councils of chieftains;

Ever we held one mind, and with counsels of prudence and wisdom

Planned for the Greeks that it all might turn to the highest advantage.

Yet, when at last we had wasted the high-built city of Priam,

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After from thence we had sailed and a god had dispersed the Achaeans,

Then in his heart did the Father a terrible homeward returning

Plot for them, seeing that neither with wisdom at all nor with justice

Most of them acted; and many encountered a doom right doleful,

Whelmed by the wrath of the grey-eyed daughter of Zeus the Almighty;

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Yea, it was she that the quarrel excited between the Atridae;

These then called to the place of assembly the host of Achaeans

Hurriedly, all in disorderly haste, when the sun was a-sinking.

Heavy with wine they collected together, the sons of Achaea.

Both then spake of the reason for which they had summoned the people;

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First Menelaus addressed him to all the Achaeans and bade them

Think of the homeward return o'er broad expanses of ocean;

Nor pleased this Agamemnon at all, for he ordered the people

Still to remain and sacred oblations of cattle to offer,

Thus to appease by atonement the terrible wrath of Athene,

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Fool that he was, not knowing she ne'er would list to persuasion,

Seeing that lightly is turned not the mind of the gods everlasting.

Thus then violent words exchanging the one with the other

Stood these two; but the host of the well-greaved sons of Achaea

Rose with a terrible din, and in twain was divided the council.

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All that night did we lie and with hearts indignant we brooded,

Angered the one with the other; for Zeus our ruin was planning;

Then, at the dawn, down dragging the ships to the vast salt ocean

Straight we embarked our spoil, deep-girdled women and chattels,

While that a half of the host hung back, and remaining encamped there

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Kept with the King Agamemnon Atrides, as sheep with a shepherd.

Thus then half of us mounted the vessels, and rowing them swiftly

Voyaged—for calmed by a god was the ocean that teemeth with monsters.

Landing on Ténedos island we made to the gods an oblation,

Yearning for home; but the Father of heaven had planned to prevent it,

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Pitiless god, who aroused once more fierce quarrels amongst us.

Some then turning again their twy-beaked galleys departed,

Even the wise and the wary Odysseus with all of his comrades,

Taking the part once more of the King Agamemnon Atrides.

Then with the rest of my ships all following closely behind me

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Thence did I flee; for I saw that a deity plotted us evil;

Fled too, rousing his mates, Tydides equal of Ares.

Following later behind us the fair-haired prince Menelaus

Found us in Lesbos arrived, and the long sea-voyage debating,

Whether to steer for the sea from the coast of precipitous Chios,

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Making the Psyrian isle, and keeping the island to larboard,

Or to the landward of Chios to hold by tempestuous Mimas;

This we entreated the god to declare by an omen, and giving

Manifest answer he bade us the midmost sea to Euboea

Boldly to cross and escape by the path that was shortest from peril.

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Then did a stern-wind shrilling arise, and it blew, and the vessels

Speedily traversed the realm of the fishes, until at Geraestus

During the night they arrived; and we offered of bulls to Poseidon

Many a thigh, since crossed was a mighty expanse of the ocean.

Four days after at Argos a part of the gallant squadron,

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Vessels of Tydeus' son, Diomedes, tamer of horses,

Anchored; but onward for Pylos I held, and the favouring stern-wind

Never was quenched from the day that a deity sent it to waft us.

Thus I arrived, dear child, not knowing what happed, and I learnt not

Aught of the rest—who safely returned, who perished returning;

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Only the rumours I hear as I sit in the hall of my palace;

These, as is right, will I tell to thee fully, and hide from thee nothing.

Safely, they say, came home the ferocious Myrmidon spearmen,

Led by the glorious son of the dauntless-hearted Achilles;

Safely returned Philoctetes, the far-famed offspring of Poias;

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Likewise Idomeneus gained Creta with all his companions,

All that escaped from the war—since none were reft by the ocean.

What was the fate of Atrides ye know, though far is your homeland—

How he returned, and his death was so cruelly planned by Aegisthus:

Ay but Aegisthus himself was repaid in a terrible manner.

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So is it always good for a son to be left when a mortal

Perisheth; even as here 'twas the son of the slain that avenged him,

Killing the crafty Aegisthus, who murdered his glorious father.

Also do thou, dear lad (as in form thou art comely and stalwart),

Show thee courageous, and win thee a name in the age that is coming.”

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Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Nestor, Neleus' son, great glory of all the Achaeans,

Grandly indeed did he wreak his revenge, and the land of Achaea

Ever shall spread his renown till it reach unborn generations.

Would that the gods might will with a strength like his to endue me

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Thus to repay these suitors for all their cruel transgressions,

All the infatuate deeds that they wickedly scheme for my ruin.

Ah but, alas, not such is the fortune that destiny spun us,

Me and my father! Whatever befalls, it is needful to bear it."

Him gave answer the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor:

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"Now that thy words, dear friend, have waked in my mind a remembrance,

Truly they tell me that suitors who woo for thy mother in numbers

Throng to thy palace and do thee despite, devising thy ruin.

Say, dost thou willingly suffer the insult? or else do the people

There in thy country dislike thee, obeying a warning from heaven ?

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Yet—who knows?— he can come and requite this iniquitous outrage,

Either appearing alone or with all of the host of Achaea.

Ah! were only the will of the grey-eyed goddess Athene

Thee such love to vouchsafe as she granted the famous Odysseus

Erst in the Trojan land, where many afflictions we suffered!

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(Never in sooth did I see such visible favour of heaven

Such as the manifest aid he was given by Pallas Athene.)

Were it but only her will such favouring love to vouchsafe thee,

Some of the suitors, methinks, would grow forgetful of wedlock."

Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

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"Sire, not yet, do I fear me, will this thou hast said be accomplished:

Great is the import thereof; awe filleth my heart, and unhoped for

Were the event, should even the gods permit it to happen."

Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene :

"Telemachus, what word by the door of thy lips hath escaped thee!

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Easily e'en from afar can a god, if he wishes, restore one.

I for myself would choose full many a toil and affliction,

Ere that I won me a day of return and arrived at my homeland,

Rather than come and be slain at my hearth, like King Agamemnon

Craftily trapped to his death by his wife and the traitor Aegisthus.

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Truly not even the gods have power, though much they may love him,

Death that is common to all to defend from a mortal, whenever

Bringing his destined doom low-laying death overtakes him."

Her sage Telemachus addressing in turn gave answer:

"Mentor, hereof let us cease to debate; let us sorrow in silence.

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Never shall this prove true; he shall never return; for already

Planned by the deathless gods is his doom; death's darkness awaits him.

Now I am wishful to turn to a theme far other and question

Nestor, who all surpasseth in wise discernment and counsel,

Since, it is said, he hath reigned through three generations of mortals;

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Yea and he seemeth indeed in appearance like an immortal.

Nestor, Neleus' son, I beseech thee, relate to me truly,

How was Atrides slain, wide-governing King Agamemnon?

Where meanwhile was the prince Menelaus? and how did Aegisthus

Use such craft as to murder a man so greatly the stronger?

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Say, was the prince not there, in Achaea and Argos, but elsewhere

Wandering over the world, when the bold foul crime was accomplished?"

Him gave answer the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor:

"Well then listen, my son, while all of the truth I relate thee.

E'en of thyself canst clearly conceive what end had befallen

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Had but the other Atrides, the fair-haired prince Menelaus,

Coming from Troy discovered Aegisthus alive in the palace:

Verily over the corse of the dead no earth had they scattered;

Dogs and the ravening fowls of the heaven had torn it to pieces,

Cast from the city afar on the plain; of the women of Argos

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None had bewailed him; for truly a terrible deed he committed.

While in a far-off land enduring so many a hardship

Troy we besieged, in his idle retreat mid the meadows of Argos

Aye with his flattering words Agamemnon's wife he was tempting.

Now at the first she rejected the shameless deed he suggested,

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Fair Clytemnestra; for good was the heart that she bare in her bosom.

Yea and moreover at court was a bard, whom King Agamemnon

Sailing for Troy had enjoined full straitly to tend on his consort.

Yet, when at last by the will of the gods was determined her ruin,

Then did Aegisthus removing the bard to a desolate island

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Leave him to furnish a spoil and a feast to the birds of the heaven:

Her to his home as a lover he led, and she willingly followed.

Many a fat ox-thigh did he burn at the shrines of immortals,

Many a rich-worked web and a treasure of gold he suspended,

Now that the deed was fulfilled that his heart ne'er ventured to hope for.

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Meantime homeward returning from Troy were sailing together

I and Atrides the king, our fleets consorted in friendship.

Sunium's cape we had reached, high hallowed headland of Athens;

Here was the pilot of prince Menelaus by Phoebus Apollo

Stricken with painless shafts which smote him and suddenly slew him,

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E'en as the rudder he held and swiftly was speeding the vessel,

Phrontis Onétorides, who surpassed all mortals as helmsman

Vessels to pilot when storms came suddenly sweeping upon them.

Thus was the prince held back, though eager to haste on the journey,

Wishing his mate to inter and with funeral rites to bewail him.

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Hence he at last set sail and, over the wine-dark ocean

Steering his hollow ships, to the mountainous cape of Malea

Straightly he ran; but a course right wretched the god of the thunder

Shaped for him then; outpouring the shrill-voiced blast of the storm-wind,

Rollers he sent upsurging aloft and enormous as mountains.

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Sundered in twain was the fleet: some drave to the island of Creta,

Where the Cydonian race by the streams of Iardanus dwelleth.

Here is a smooth and precipitous rock confronting the ocean

Out in the mist-bound deep on the uttermost borders of Gortyn,

Where, on the left of the cape, great rollers aroused by the south wind

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Sweep upon Phaestus, and small is the rock-spit barring the surges.

Hither arriving with half of the fleet were saved from destruction

Hardly the crews; while hurled on the sharp-edged crags by the rollers

Perished the ships. Five others—the rest of his blue-prow'd vessels—

Carried away by the waves and the wind were drifted to Egypt.

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Here did he gain much wealth, and a treasure of gold he collected,

Wandering thus with his ships midst nations of barbarous language.

Meanwhile plotted Aegisthus at home his iniquitous treason,

Murdered Atrides and bowed to subjection beneath him the people.

Thus seven years did he reign mid the treasures of golden Mycenae;

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Then, in the eighth, o'ertook him his doom, for the godlike Orestes

Back from the city of Athens returned and he slew the assassin,

Crafty Aegisthus, who murdered his sire, great King Agamemnon.

Now, when the slaying was done, and a funeral feast to the Argives

O'er his detestable mother he gave and the craven Aegisthus,

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Lo, on the selfsame day Menelaus good at the war-cry

Landed, and many a treasure he brought as the freight of his vessels.

Ay and, my friend, take care, nor long from thy country absent thee,

Leaving possessions behind, and strangers too in thy homestead,

Mortals outrageous as these, lest parting thy substance among them

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All of thy wealth they devour, and vain prove also thy journey.

Rather I earnestly bid and exhort that to prince Menelaus

Straight thou proceed; for a short while since he returned from a far land,

Ay from a country of men whence none might dream in his spirit

E'er to return, had the blasts of the storm once forced him to wander

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Into a sea so mighty that even the birds of the heaven

Not in a year may traverse the vast and terrible water.

Come, set forth with thy vessel at once and thy comrades; or wilt thou

Rather by land, I will lend thee a chariot gladly and horses,

Ay and my sons will be ready, I know it, as guides to escort thee

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Unto divine Lacedaemon to find fair-haired Menelaus;

Yea and thyself shalt entreat him the whole of the truth to reveal thee;

Ne'er will he speak what is false; right wise is the heart of the hero."

Ere he had ended the sun sank down and the gloom was approaching.

Then from the midst of them answered the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

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"Verily, sire, right well were all these matters related.

Now let us order the tongues to be sliced and the wine to be mingled;

So shall we unto Poseidon and all of the other immortals

Offer libation, and then shall bethink us of sleep—for 'tis bed-time;

Sunk is already the day in the gloom of the west, nor beseems it

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Longer to sit at a feast of the gods, but to think of departure."

Thus she addressed them, the daughter of Zeus. To her words they attended.

Over the hands of the feasters the water was poured by the henchmen,

While that the youths wreathed high with the foaming liquor the wine-bowls.

Then, when to each they had handed a wine-cup primed for libation,

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Casting the tongues in the flames they arose and poured it upon them.

So when at last they had poured and had drunk to their hearts' satisfaction,

Then did Athena and also the godlike son of Odysseus

Both of them wish to be gone and return to the hollow vessel ;

Nestor however with words of persuasion attempted to stay them:

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"Father Zeus and all of the gods everlasting forfend it!

Ne'er will I let you depart to the swift-winged vessel, and treat me

Like to a man whose house quite lacketh in raiment—a pauper—

One that has got no rugs in his home nor plenty of blankets

Both for the use of himself and his guests—soft bedding to sleep in.

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Nay, I possess in my house both wrappers and beautiful blankets,

Nor shall the well-loved son, by my troth, of a man as Odysseus

Sleep on the deck of a ship while yet in the land of the living

Still I exist, or a son or a daughter be left in my palace

Strangers to welcome as guests, should ever they chance to arrive here."

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Him forthwith gave answer the grey-eyed goddess Athene:

"Well is it spoken in sooth, dear father, and well it beseemeth

Telemachus to obey, since thus 'twere certainly better.

Wherefore now let him follow thee hence and repose till the morning

There in the halls of thy palace; but I to the black-hulled vessel

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Mean to return, to inspirit my mates and to bring them the tidings,

Being the one of the crew that alone might claim to be elder,

Since that the others, the striplings that follow as friends and as shipmates,

All are equals in age of the high-souled son of Odysseus.

Then I shall lay me to rest by the side of the black-hulled vessel

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Just for the night, and at dawn to the bold Cauconian people

Mean to depart, to collect me a debt now owing a long time,

Neither a trifle. But him take back to thy home, and to-morrow

Send in a car with thy son as a guide, and provide him with horses,

Even the swiftest of all of thy steeds and the best at endurance."

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These words spoken, departed the grey-eyed goddess Athene

Likened in form to an osprey; and all were filled with amazement,

Yea and the long-lived king was astonished whenas he beheld it.

Grasping the hand of the son of Odysseus he hailed and addressed him :

"Truly, my friend, thou'lt prove as a man not a coward or weakling,

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Seeing that e'en in thy youth thou'rt thus by immortals attended.

Surely was this, of the gods that inhabit Olympian mansions,

None but the daughter of Zeus, most glorious Tritogeneia,

Even the goddess that honoured thy valiant sire mid the Argives.

Grant me thy grace, O queen! Fair fame vouchsafe, I beseech thee,

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Unto myself and my sons and my honoured and well-loved consort;

So shall I offer thee, goddess, a broad-brow'd heifer, a yearling

Still unbroken nor yet brought under the yoke by the ploughman;

Such is the victim I promise to slay, and her horns shall be gilded."

Thus did he speak, and his prayer was accepted by Pallas Athene.

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Then uprising the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor

Led to his beautiful palace his sons and his daughters' husbands.

Now when at length they had come to the far-failed halls of the chieftain,

All of them sat them in order adown on the couches and armchairs,

Then by the ancient monarch was mixed for his guests in a wine-bowl

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Wine sweet-savoured: eleven the years it had stood in the store-room

Ere that the matron had opened the jar, unloosing its cover;

Such was the wine that he mixed in the crater, and making libation

Prayed to Athena, the daughter of Zeus who beareth the aegis.

So when at last they had poured and had drunk to their hearts' satisfaction,

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All of the others departed to sleep, each one to his homestead,

All save Telemachus, dear son of the godlike Odysseus:

Him gave lodgment the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor

Under the echoing porch, on a bedstead with beautiful carvings,

Next to that spearman renown'd, Peisistratus, leader of heroes,

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Sole of his sons still left an unmarried youth in the palace,

Then did he lay him to rest in the innermost room of the mansion,

Where was arrayed by the lady his wife their bedding and bedstead.

Now when the morning was newly arisen, the roseate-fingered,

Hastily roused him the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor.

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Issuing forth from his palace he sat on the polished stonework,

Where in the front of the high house-door were benches of marble

White and gleaming with unguent, whereon was accustomed aforetimes

Neleus oft to recline, that peer of immortals in counsel.

Neleus long since mastered by Fate had departed to Hades;

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Now sat there Gerenian Nestor, Achaea's defender,

Holding his sceptre, and round him his sons came thronging together

Issuing forth each one from his room, Stratius and Echephron,

Perseus and Arétus and the equal of gods Thrasymedes.

These as the sixth the heroic and young Peisistratus followed,

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Bringing the godlike Telemachus; and they set him beside them.

Then brake silence the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor :

"Haste ye, I pray, dear sons, and quickly accomplish my longing;

Firstly of all will I sue for the grace of the goddess Athene,

Since at my bountiful feast to the god she was visibly present.

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One of you go to the plain for a heifer, and see that she quickly

Hither be brought. Let a herd of the cattle be ordered to drive her.

One to the black-hulled vessel of Telemachus great-hearted

Hasten, to summon his mates, and let twain of them only remain there.

Then let another at once go order Laërces the goldsmith

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Hither to come for the purpose of gilding the horns of the heifer.

All of you others remain here closely and send to the handmaids;

Bid them to spread us a feast in the far-famed hall of the palace,

Also to hand round chairs and to bring bright water and fuel."

So when he spoke all hastened to work; soon come was the heifer

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Out of the plain; soon came from the swift-winged well-built vessel

Comrades of Telemachus great-hearted; and come was the smith too

Bearing the tools of his craft in his hands and his smithy utensils,

Even the anvil and hammer and pincers of delicate fabric,

Made for the working of gold; came also the goddess Athene,

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Fain to receive the oblation; and old Gerenian Nestor

Gave to Laërces the gold, and he gilded the horns of the heifer

Skilfully, making the goddess rejoice at the beautiful victim.

Leading the cow by the horns now came Stratius and Echephron;

Water besides for the hands in a basin with flowery carvings

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Arétus bare forth from a room; in his left was a basket

Holding the groats of the corn; Thrasymedes steadfast in battle

Stood with his sharp-edged axe by the cow, all ready to fell her;

Perseus lifted the bowl for the blood, while Nestor the aged

Opened the rites with ablution and sprinkled the grain, to Athene

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Ardently praying, and cast in the flames as an earnest the forelock.

Now when at last were ended the prayers and the barley was sprinkled,

Instantly Nestor's son, high-spirited prince Thrasymedes,

Stepping anigh smote home with the axe: on the nape it descended

Cutting the tendons, and loosened the might of the heifer; and wailing

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Rose from the women, the wives of the sons and the consort of Nestor,

Eurydice, who of prince Clymenus was the first-born daughter.

Then from the wide-way'd earth they uplifted the head of the victim

Baring the throat, and the leader of men Peisistratus cut it.

Out of it flowed black blood; from the bones departed the spirit.

455

Soon was the body dismembered, and cutting the meat from the thigh-bones

All of it duly they sliced and covered it over with caul-fat,

Making it double, and laid at the top raw chunks of the carcass.

This did the old king burn on the billets, and fiery red wine

Over it poured; and with five-pronged forks stood striplings beside him.

460

Now when the meat of the thighs was consumed and the liver was eaten,

Chopping the rest of it small on the skewers they spitted the pieces;

Then with the long sharp spits in their hands they began with the roasting.

Meantime bathed was the son of Odysseus by fair Polycaste,

Latest-born of the daughters of old Neleïan Nestor.

465

So when at length he was bathed and anointed with oil of the olive,

Round him she cast fair raiment a beautiful mantle and doublet;

Out of the bath then stepping, in semblance like an immortal,

Down by the prince of the people, the old King Nestor, he sat him.

So when the outside meat they had roasted and drawn from the skewers,

470

Sitting them down they partook of the banquet; and nobles as henchmen

Served them and carried the wine in the goblets of gold to the feasters.

Now when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup,

Thus brake silence the warrior-knight, Gerenian Nestor :

"Sons, come send for the car and the fair-maned horses, and quickly

475

Yoke them, that Telemachus may forthwith fare on his journey."

Thus did he speak, and they gave good heed to his words and obeyed him;

Unto a car they attached full quickly the fleet-paced horses,

Also provisions of bread and of wine were stowed by the house-dame,

Relishes too such food as is eaten by Zeus-loved princes.

480

Forthwith Telemachus on the beautiful chariot mounted,

Also that leader of men Peisistratus, offspring of Nestor,

Into the car upmounted beside him, and grasping the rein-straps

Whipped to a start, and the horses at once right willingly cantered

Down to the plain, soon leaving the steep-built city of Pylos,

485

Then for the whole of the day kept shaking the yoke on their shoulders,

Till, when the sun sank down and darkened was every roadway,

Unto the township of Phera they came and the house of Diocles,

Offspring of Orsilochus, who was son of the River Alphéus ;

Here did they rest for the night, and as guests he entreated them kindly.

490

Now when the morning was newly arisen, the roseate-fingered,

Straightway yoking the steeds, and the inlaid chariot mounting,

Forth of the echoing portal they drave and the gate of the courtyard.

Then did he whip to a start, and forward they willingly galloped,

First to a plain wide-waving with wheat, then further and further

495

Eager to finish their course pressed onward the fleet-paced horses,

Till, as the sun sank down and darkened was every roadway,

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

Aided by the goddess Athena, young Telemachus becomes an ideal guest for his host, the elderly Nestor. Telemachus dearly needs the diplomatic skills of Athena, since Nestor is a prime devotee of the god Poseidon, who is not only a major rival of the goddess but also a relentless antagonist of Odysseus. Nestor’s stories about the travels of the Achaeans as they try to make their way back home after the Trojan War will help connect Telemachus with the ultimate story of his father’s own homecoming.

draft js image error Nestor’s Sacrifice (1805). Engraving after John Flaxman (1755-1826). Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996. Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported).

source

Homer Odyssey 3.404

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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