their hands, And spread a polished table near their seat; The reverend matron of the household came With bread, and set before them many a dish Gathered from all the feast. The carver next Brought chargers lifted high, and in them meats Of every flavor, and before them placed Beakers of gold. The fair-haired monarch gave His hand to each, and then bespake them thus:—
“Now taste our banquet and rejoice, and when Ye are refreshed with food we will inquire Who ye may be; for ye are not of those Whose race degenerates, ye are surely born Of sceptred kings, the favorites of Jove. Ignoble men have never sons like you.”
Thus having said, and taking in his hands A fatling bullock’s chine, which menials brought Roasted, and placed beside the king in sign Of honor, this he laid before his guests.
And they put forth their hands and banqueted; And when the calls of hunger and of thirst At length were stilled, Telemachus inclined His head toward Nestor’s son, that no one else Might listen to his words, and thus he said:—
“See, son of Nestor, my beloved friend, In all these echoing rooms the sheen of brass, Of gold, of amber, and of ivory; Such is the palace of Olympian Jove Within its walls. How many things are here Of priceless worth! I wonder as I gaze.”
The fair-haired Menelaus heard him speak, And thus accosted both with winged words:—
“Dear sons, no mortal man may vie with Jove, Whose palace and possessions never know Decay, but other men may vie or not In wealth with me. ’Twas after suffering And wandering long that in my fleet I brought My wealth with me, and landed on this coast In the eighth year. For I had roamed afar To Cyprus and to Phoenicè, and where The