“Telemachus, whatever be our haste, It were not well in darkness to begin Our journey, and the morn will soon be here. Remain till Menelaus, Atreus’ son, The hero mighty with the spear, shall come, And bring his gifts, and place them in our car, And send us on our way with kindly words. Well does a guest remember all his days The generous host who shows himself his friend.”
He spake, and quickly on her car of gold Appeared the Morn. Then Menelaus came, The great in battle, from his couch beside The fair-haired Helen. When Telemachus Knew of the king’s approach, the hero threw In haste his tunic o’er his noble form, And over his broad shoulders flung a cloak Of ample folds. Then, going forth, the son Of great Ulysses met the king and said:—
“Atrides Menelaus, loved of Jove And sovereign of the people, send me hence, I pray, to the dear country of my birth, For earnestly I long to be at home.”
And Menelaus, great in war, replied: “Telemachus, I will not keep thee long, Since thou so much desirest to return. I am displeased with him who as a host Is lavish of his love, for he will hate Beyond due measure; best it is to take The middle way. It is alike a wrong To thrust the unwilling stranger out of doors, And to detain him when he longs to go. While he is with us we should cherish him, And, when he wishes, help him to depart. Remain until I bring thee worthy gifts And place them in thy chariot, that thine eyes May look on them; and I will give command That in the palace here the women spread A liberal feast from stores that lie within. But if, in turning from thy course, thou choose To pass