BOOK XV. The Argument. THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS. The goddess Minerva commands Telemachus in a vision to return to Ithaca. Pisistratus and he take leave of Menelaüs, and arrive at Pylos: where they part; and Telemachus sets sail, after having received on board Theoclymenus the soothsayer. The scene then changes to the cottage of Eumæus, who entertains Ulysses with a recital of his adventures. In the meantime Telemachus arrives on the coast; and, sending the vessel to the town, proceeds by himself to the lodge of Eumæus. Now had Minerva reach'd those ample plains, Hence to Atrides; and his leave implore Thus spoke the goddess; and resumed her flight To the pure regions of eternal light. Meanwhile Pisistratus he gently shakes, And with these words the slumbering youth awakes 'Rise, son of Nestor! for the road prepare, And join the harness'd coursers to the car.' 'What cause (he cried) can justify our flight, To tempt the dangers of forbidding night? Here wait we rather, till approaching day Shall prompt our speed, and point the ready way. Nor think of flight before the Spartan king Shall bid farewell, and bounteous presents bring; Gifts, which, to distant ages safely stored, The sacred act of friendship shall record.' Thus he. But when the dawn bestreak'd the east, The king from Helen rose, and sought his guest. As soon as his approach the hero knew, The splendid mantle round him first he threw, Then 'o'er his ample shoulders whirl'd the cloak, Respectful met the monarch, and bespoke 6 Hail, great Atrides, favour'd of high Jove! Let not thy friends in vain for licence move. Swift let us measure back the watery way, Nor check our speed, impatient of delay.' If with desire so strong thy bosom glows, Ill (said the king) should I thy wish oppose; For oft in others freely I reprove The ill-timed efforts of officious love; Who love too much, hate in the like extreme, And both the golden mean alike condemn. Alike he thwarts the hospitable end, Who drives the free, or stays the hasty, friend; True friendship's laws are by this rule express'd, 'O monarch, care of Heaven! thy people's pride! No friend in Ithaca my place supplies; No powerful hands are there, no watchful eyes: His purpose when the generous warrior heard, He charged the household cates to be prepared. Now with the dawn, from his adjoining home, Was Boethodes Eteoneus come; Swift as the word he forms the rising blaze, And o'er the coals the smoking fragments lays. Meantime the king, his son, and Helen, went Where the rich wardrobe breathed a costly scent. : The king selected from the glittering rows Like radiant Hesper o'er the gems of night. 'Since fix'd are thy resolves, may thundering With happiest omens thy desires approve! [Jove This silver bowl, whose costly margins shine Enchased with gold, this valued gift be thine : To me this present, of Vulcanian frame, From Sidon's hospitable monarch came; To thee we now consign the precious load, The pride of kings, and labour of a god.' Then gave the cup; while Megapenthes brought The silver vase with living sculpture wrought. The beauteous queen, advancing next, display'd The shining veil, and thus endearing said— 6 Accept, dear youth, this monument of love, Long since, in better days, by Helen wove: Safe in thy mother's care the vesture lay, To deck thy pride, and grace thy nuptial day. Meantime mayst thou with happiest speed regain Thy stately palace, and thy wide domain.' She said, and gave the veil :-with grateful look The prince the variegated present took. [pass'd, And now, when through the royal dome they High on a throne the king each stranger placed. A golden ewer the' attendant damsel brings, Replete with water from the crystal springs; |