From their assembly hastily, and took His place where Mentor sat with Antiphus, And Halitherses—all his father’s friends And his from the beginning. While they asked Of all that he had seen, Piraeus came, The famous spearman, bringing through the town The stranger with him to the marketplace. Nor long Telemachus delayed, but came To meet his guest, and then Piraeus said:—
“Telemachus, despatch to where I dwell Thy serving-women; I would send to thee, At once, the gifts which Menelaus gave.”
And then discreet Telemachus replied: “We know not yet, Piraeus, what may be The event; and if the suitors privily Should slay me in the palace, and divide The inheritance among them, I prefer That thou, instead of them, shouldst have the gifts; But should they meet the fate which I have planned, And be cut off, then shalt thou gladly bring The treasures, which I gladly will receive.”
So spake the prince, and to the palace led The unhappy man, his guest. When now they reached The stately pile, they both laid down their cloaks Upon the benches, and betook themselves To the well-polished baths. The attendant maids There ministered and smoothed their limbs with oil, And each received a tunic at their hands, And fleecy mantle. Then they left the baths And took their seats. A damsel came, and poured Water from a fair ewer wrought of gold Into a silver basin for their hands, And spread a polished table near their seats; And there the matron of the household placed Bread, and the many dishes which her stores Supplied. The queen was seated opposite, Beside a column of the pile, and twirled A slender spindle, while the son and guest Put forth their hands and shared the meal prepared. And when the calls of hunger and of thirst Had ceased, thus spake the sage Penelope:—
“Telemachus, when I again go up Into my chamber, I shall lay me down Upon the couch which, since Ulysses sailed For Troy with Atreus’ sons,