Return of Telemachus
Appearance of Pallas in a dream to Telemachus, warning him to return to Ithaca—His departure from Lacedaemon, and arrival at Pylos—Theoclymenus, an augur, taken on board by him at Pylos—The story of Eumaeus related by him to Ulysses—Arrival of Telemachus at the coast of Ithaca—The ship sent forward to the city, while Telemachus, having committed Theoclymenus to the care of his friend Piraeus, goes to the lodge of Eumaeus.
Then Pallas, hastening to the mighty realm Of Lacedaemon, sought the illustrious son Of great Ulysses, to remind the youth Of home, and bid him think of his return. She found Telemachus and Nestor’s son Upon their couches in the portico Of Menelaus, the renowned. Deep sleep Held Nestor’s son; but to Telemachus The welcome slumber came not, for his thoughts Uneasily through all the quiet night Dwelt on his father. Now beside his bed The blue-eyed Pallas took her stand and spake:—
“Telemachus, it is no longer well That thou shouldst wander from thy home, and leave All thy possessions, and those arrogant men That crowd thy halls. Beware, lest they devour Thy substance utterly, dividing all Among them, and this journey be for naught. Make suit to Menelaus, great in war, Quickly to send thee home, that thou mayst join Thy blameless mother in thy halls; for now Her father and her brothers counsel her To wed Eurymachus, whose gifts exceed Those of the other suitors, and besides He offers a yet richer bridal dower. It were not hard without thy leave to take Wealth from a palace. What a wife will do Thou knowest. ’Tis her pleasure to increase The riches of the man whom she has wed. Care of her former children has she none, Nor memory of the