With troubled brow and anxious heart, Menelaus sat in Nestor's halls,
and told the story of his wrongs. Behind him stood his brother,
Agamemnon, tall and strong, and with eye and forehead like mighty Zeus.
Before him, seated on a fair embroidered couch, was the aged Nestor,
listening with eager ears. Close by his feet two heroes sat: on this
side, Antilochus, the valiant son of Nestor; and on that, sage
Palamedes, prince of Euboea's distant shores. The last had just
arrived, and had not learned the errand that had brought Menelaus
hither.
"Tell again the story of your visit to Troy," said Nestor. "Our guest,
good Palamedes, would fain hear it; and I doubt not that he may be of
service in your cause. Tell us the whole story, for we would all know
more about the famous city and its kingly rulers."
Then Menelaus began once more at the beginning.