Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/82

46 I would wish having even the third part to dwell in my house, and that the men should be safe who then perished in spacious Troy far from horse-pasturing Argos. But however mourning and grieving for all, ofttimes sitting in my palace, sometimes I am delighted in my mind with grief, at other times again I rest; but the satiety of chilly grief is quick. I do not so much lament for all these, although saddened, as for one, who makes my sleep and my food hateful to me, when I call him to mind; since no one of the Grecians laboured so much, as Ulysses laboured and endured; but for him indeed it was fated that there should be sad cares, but to me grief never to be forgotten on account of him, since indeed he is a long time absent, nor do we know at all whether he is alive or dead. Old Laertes, and prudent Penelope, and Telemachus whom he left lately born in his house, are now some where mourning for him."

Thus he spoke; and he excited in him the desire of grief on account of his sire. And he shed tears from his eyelids on the ground, hearing of his father, holding up a purple mantle before his eyes with both his hands. And Menelaus perceived him, and then he meditated in his thoughts and in his mind, whether he should leave him to make mention of his father, or should ask him first, and inquire of him every thing.

Whilst he meditated these things in his thoughts and in his mind, Helen came out of the sweet-smelling, lofty-roofed chamber, like unto Diana of the golden distaff. For her Adrasta immediately placed a well-made seat; and Alcippe brought tapestry of soft wool; and Phylo brought a silver basket, which Alcandra the wife of Polybus gave her, who dwelt in Egyptian Thebes, where very many possessions lie in his house: who gave to Menelaus two silver baths, and two tripods, and ten talents of gold; and his wife moreover gave beautiful gifts to Helen; she presented a golden distaff, and a round basket, silver, but the lips were finished with gold. This indeed the handmaid Phylo brought and placed near her, filled with well-dressed thread; and upon it the distaff was stretched, containing violet-coloured wool. And she sat on the seat, and a foot-stool was under her feet: and she straightway inquired every thing of her husband with words:

"Do we know, O thou Jove-nurtured Menelaus, what