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