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