And when all this is fully brought to pass, Take counsel with thy spirit and thy heart How to destroy the suitor crew that haunt Thy palace, whether by a secret snare Or open force. No longer shouldst thou act As if thou wert a boy; thou hast outgrown The age of childish sports. Hast thou not heard What honor the divine Orestes gained With all men, when he slew the murderer, The crafty wretch Aegisthus, by whose hand The illustrious father of Orestes died? And then, my friend—for I perceive that thou Art of a manly and a stately growth— Be also bold, that men hereafter born May give thee praise. And now must I depart To my good ship, and to my friends who wait, Too anxiously perhaps, for my return. Act wisely now, and bear my words in mind.”
The prudent youth Telemachus rejoined:—
“Well hast thou spoken, and with kind intent, O stranger! like a father to a son; And ne’er shall I forget what thou hast said. Yet stay, I pray thee, though in haste, and bathe And be refreshed, and take to thy good ship Some gift with thee, such as may please thee well, Precious and rare, which thou mayst ever keep In memory of me—a gift like those Which friendly hosts bestow upon their guests.”
Then spake the blue-eyed Pallas:
“Stay me not, For now would I depart. Whatever gift Thy heart may prompt thee to bestow, reserve Till I come back, that I may bear it home, And thou shalt take some precious thing in turn.”
So spake the blue-eyed Pallas, and withdrew, Ascending like a bird. She filled his heart With strength and courage, waking vividly His father’s memory. Then the noble youth Went forth among the suitors. Silent all They sat and listened to the illustrious bard, Who sang of the calamitous return Of the Greek host from Troy, at the command Of Pallas. From