Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/245

263—297. truly who am inquiring of thee, nor conceal it. Who art thou? from whence art thou amongst men? Where are thy city, and thy parents?"

But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "Therefore I will tell thee very accurately, O stranger. I am from Ithaca by race, and my father is Ulysses, if he ever was alive: but now he has perished by a miserable death. Therefore now taking companions and a black ship, I have come to inquire after my long-absent sire."

But him godlike Theoclymenus addressed in turn: "So also am I indeed away from my country, having slain a kindred man: but he had many brothers and friends in horse-pasturing Argos, and the Grecians have great power. Avoiding death and black fate at their hands, I fly; since it is now destiny for me to wander amongst men. But put me on board thy ship, since flying I have besought thee, lest they should slay me: for I think that they are pursuing."

But him prudent Telemachus answered in turn: "I will not certainly reject thee from my equal ship, if thou art desirous [of going]; but follow, and there thou shalt be entertained with such things as we have."

Thus having spoken, he received from him his brazen spear, and extended it on the deck of the ship rowed on both sides: and he himself embarked in the sea-traversing ship. And then he sat down in the stern; and he seated Theoclymenus near himself: and they (the sailors) loosed the halsers. And Telemachus exhorting his companions, bade them make ready the tackle; and they eagerly obeyed. And raising the pine mast, they placed it within the hollow mast hole, and bound it down with cables; and they hoisted the white sails with well-twisted bull-hides. And to them blue-eyed Minerva sent a favourable gale, blowing sharply upon them through the air, that the ship running along might very quickly make its way over the briny water of the sea. [And they came to Crouni, and to fair-streamed Chalcis.] But the sun set, and all the ways were overshadowed. And it reached Pheræ, driven on by a favourable gale from Jove; and to divine Elis,