He spake, and then the son of Nestor mused How what his friend desired might best be done. And this seemed wisest after careful thought: He turned the chariot to the ship and shore, And taking out the garments and the gold— Beautiful gifts which Menelaus gave— He put them in the galley’s stern, and thus Bespake Telemachus with winged words:—
“Embark in haste, and summon all thy crew On board before I reach my home and tell The aged king. I know how vehement His temper is; he will not let thee go, But hastening hither to enforce thy stay, At Pylos, will not, I am sure, go back Without thee; his displeasure will be great.”
He spake, and toward the Pylian city turned His steeds with flowing manes, and quickly reached His home. Meantime Telemachus held forth To his companions, thus exhorting them:—
“My friends, make ready all things in our ship And mount the deck, for we must now set sail.”
He spake, they hearkened and obeyed, and leaped On board and manned the benches. While he thus Was hastening his departure, offering prayer And pouring wine to Pallas at the stern, A stranger came, a seer, a fugitive From Argos, where his hand had slain a man. Melampus was his ancestor, who dwelt Some time in Pylos, mother of fair flocks— Rich, and inhabiting a sumptuous house Among the Pylians. Afterward he joined Another people, fleeing from his home And from the mighty Neleus, haughtiest Of living men, who, seizing his large wealth, Held it a year by force. Melampus lay Meantime within the house of Phylacus Fast bound, and suffering greatly, both because Of Neleus’ daughter, and of his own mind Distempered by the unapproachable Erinnys. Yet did he escape from death, And drove the lowing herds to Phylace And Pylos, and avenged his cruel wrong On Neleus, carrying off his child to be A consort for his brother. Then he came Into the realm of Argos, famed for