I
While these important events were happening in Ithaca, Telemachus was
living as an honoured guest in the house of Menelaus. One night, while
he lay between sleeping and waking, full of anxious thought, Athene
appeared to him in her own person, and addressed him thus: "Thou
lingerest too long here, Telemachus. It is time for thee to return and
keep an eye on thy goods, lest thou be stripped of all in thy absence.
Thy mother's kinsmen are urgent with her to wed Eurymachus, the
wealthiest of the wooers; and, if she yield, it may be that she will
take of thy heritage to increase the house of the man who wins her.
Therefore make haste and get thee home, that thou mayest be at hand to
defend thy rights. Know also that the wooers are lying in wait for
thee in the strait between Ithaca and Samos, with intent to slay thee;
take heed then that thou shun that passage, and sail home by another
way. And when thou art come to Ithaca, go straight to the dwelling of
Eumæus, and send him down to Penelope with news of thy return."
Such a message, brought by such a messenger, was not to be neglected.
Telemachus at once roused Pisistratus, the son of Nestor, who was
sleeping near, and declared his intention of starting at once; but
when Pisistratus pointed out how displeasing such conduct would be to
their princely host he consented to wait till morning.
Accordingly, when day was come, he went to Menelaus, and asked leave
to depart at once. Menelaus consented, only insisting that he should
remain for the morning meal. While this was preparing, the generous
prince went to his treasure chamber, and returned laden with a
splendid silver bowl, the work of Phoenician artists, which he had
received when he visited the King of Sidon on his voyage from Troy.
And Helen brought an embroidered robe, the work of her own fair hands,
as a wedding gift for his future bride.
As soon as they had eaten they mounted the chariot, and drove slowly
through the outer gate of the courtyard, Menelaus and Helen following
on foot Here they drew up to say farewell, and Menelaus pledged them
in a bowl of wine, wishing them god-speed. "And forget not," he added,
"to greet Nestor for me when ye come to Pylos, for he was ever gentle
to me as a father when we sojourned in the land of Troy."
"I will not forget to carry thy message," answered Telemachus; "would
that I were as sure to see my father when I come to Ithaca, that I
might tell him of thy noble hospitality, and show him thy gifts."
Hardly had the words been uttered when a clamour of voices was heard,
and a crowd of men and women ran past, pursuing with loud cries an
eagle, which had just seized a great white goose from the courtyard,
and was carrying her off in his talons. Straight over the chariot he
flew, and with a scream of triumph sped away to the mountains with his
booty. "Consider now, my prince," said Pisistratus, "whether this omen
was sent to us or to thee."
Menelaus, who was somewhat slow of wit, paused to deliberate; but
before he could frame an answer, the quick brain of Helen was ready
with an interpretation. "The eagle is thy father, Odysseus," she said
to Telemachus, "and the meaning of the omen is that he is already in
Ithaca, or close at hand, bringing death and doom to his foes."
Thus encouraged by fair portents, they took leave of their kind hosts,
and started on their way to Pylos, where they arrived on the following
day. As they drew near to the house of Nestor, Telemachus begged his
friend to drive straight down to the sea. "For I know," he said, "that
thy father will constrain me to abide with him, and will take no
denial; and I wish to embark for Ithaca without further delay."
Pisistratus agreed, and avoiding the house of Nestor they passed on to
the place where the ship lay moored.
Having summoned his crew, Telemachus was preparing to embark, when a
man armed and equipped as a traveller approached the vessel, and
inquired who he was and whither he was bound. Having received an
answer, he requested Telemachus to carry him to Ithaca. "My name," he
said, "is Theoclymenus, and I am descended from Melampus, the famous
seer, from whom I have inherited the prophetic gift. I am an exile
from my native land of Argos, for I have slain a man of my own tribe,
and am flying from the avenger of blood. Set me, I pray thee, on thy
ship, and take me with you, for sore is my need."
"Heaven forbid," answered Telemachus, "that I should deny thee, seeing
that thy very life is at stake. Make haste, and come on board"; and he
made room for the stranger to sit by him in the stern of the vessel.
After a quick and prosperous voyage they sighted the coast of Ithaca,
and landed on a deserted part of the coast within easy reach of the
swineherd's dwelling. Here Telemachus dismissed his company, bidding
them take the galley round to the harbour of Ithaca, and promising to
reward them for their good service. He was just about to depart when
Theoclymenus detained him and asked where he was to find shelter.
Telemachus answered in some embarrassment. "'Twere no friendly act,"
he said, "to send thee to my house, for my mother lives apart in her
own chamber and sees no man, and I fear lest thou suffer some harm
from the lawless men who riot in my halls. Therefore I advise thee to
go to Eurymachus, who is now the most powerful man in Ithaca, and
hopes to sit in my father's seat; but perchance Zeus will send him
another issue of his wooing."
Just as he spoke a rushing of wings was heard on the right, and they
saw a falcon passing close at hand with a dove clutched in his talons,
and tearing his prey so that the feathers fluttered down at their
feet. Then Theoclymenus, who was deeply skilled in augury, drew
Telemachus apart and said: "It is a manifest sign of victory to thee
and to thy house." "May Heaven fulfil thy prophecy," answered
Telemachus, "and if thy words prove true I will load thee with
benefits, and give thee cause to bless this hour." Being now convinced
that he had found a friend, he called Peiræus, in whom he had full
confidence, and bade him take Theoclymenus under his care until he
himself returned to the town. Peiræus readily undertook the charge,
and this point being settled they thrust out from the shore and rowed
away in the direction of the harbour, while Telemachus strode off with
rapid footsteps along the path which led to the swineherd's hut.