Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/75

III. Unsated, thus Gerenian Nestor spake. My sons, arise, lead forth the sprightly steeds, And yoke them, that Telemachus may go. So spake the Chief, to whose commands his sons, Obedient, yoked in haste the rapid steeds, And the intendant matron of the stores Disposed meantime within the chariot, bread And wine, and dainties, such as princes eat. Telemachus into the chariot first Ascended, and beside him, next, his place Pisistratus the son of Nestor took, Then seiz'd the reins, and lash'd the coursers on. They, nothing loth, into the open plain Flew, leaving lofty Pylus soon afar. Thus, journeying, they shook on either side The yoke all day, and now the setting sun To dusky evening had resign'd the roads, When they to Pheræ came, and the abode Reach'd of Diocles, whose illustrious Sire Orsilochus from Alpheus drew his birth, And there, with kindness entertain'd, they slept. But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, Look'd rosy from the East, yoking the steeds, They in their sumptuous chariot sat again. The son of Nestor plied the lash, and forth Through vestibule and sounding portico The royal coursers, not unwilling, flew.