[477] Thus did he speak, and they did
even as he had said, and yoked the fleet horses to the chariot. The
housekeeper packed them up a provision of bread, wine, and sweetmeats
fit for the sons of princes. Then Telemakhos got into the chariot,
while Peisistratos gathered up the reins and took his seat beside
him. He lashed the horses on and they flew forward nothing loath into
the open country, leaving the high citadel of Pylos behind them. All
that day did they travel, swaying the yoke upon their necks till the
sun went down and darkness was over all the land. Then they reached
Pherai where Diokles lived, who was son to Ortilokhos and grandson to
Alpheus. Here they passed the night and Diokles entertained them
hospitably. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn; appeared,
they again yoked their horses and drove out through the gateway under
the echoing gatehouse. Peisistratos lashed the horses on and they
flew forward nothing loath; presently they came to the wheat lands of
the open country, and in the course of time completed their journey,
so well did their steeds take them.
[497] Now when the sun had set and
darkness was over the land,
Book 4
Scroll 4
[1] They reached the low lying city of
Lacedaemon, where they drove straight to the halls of Menelaos. They
found him in his own house, feasting with his many clansmen in honor
of the wedding of his son, and also of his daughter, whom he was
marrying to the son of that valiant warrior Achilles. He had given
his consent and promised her to him while he was still at Troy, and
now the gods were bringing the marriage about; so he was sending her
with chariots and horses to the city of the Myrmidons over whom
Achilles son was reigning. For his only son he had found a
bride from Sparta, daughter of Alektor. This son, Megapenthes, was
born to him of a bondwoman, for heaven granted Helen no more children
after she had borne Hermione, who was fair as golden Aphrodite
herself.
[15] So the neighbors and kinsmen of
Menelaos were feasting and making merry in his house. There was a
singer also to sing to them and play his lyre, while two tumblers
went about performing in the midst of them when the man struck up
with his tune.
[20] Telemakhos and the son of Nestor
stayed their horses at the gate, whereon Eteoneus servant to Menelaos
came out, and as soon as he saw them ran hurrying back into the house
to tell his Master. He went close up to him and said, "Menelaos,
there are some strangers come here, two men, who look like sons of
Zeus. What are we to do? Shall we take their horses out, or tell them
to find friends elsewhere as they best can?"
[30] Menelaos was very angry and said,
"Eteoneus, son of Boethoos, you never used to be a fool, but now you
talk like a simpleton. Take their horses out, of course, and show the
strangers in that they may have supper; you and I have stayed often
enough at other people's houses before we got back here, where
heaven grant that we may rest in peace henceforward."