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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 Oicleu