He chose among the people twenty men, The bravest, whom he stationed out of sight, And gave command that others should prepare A banquet. Then with chariots and with steeds, And with a deadly purpose in his heart, He went, and, meeting Agamemnon, bade The shepherd of the people to the feast, And slew him at the board as men might slay A bullock at the crib. Of all who went With Agamemnon thither, none survived, And of the followers of Aegisthus none, But all were slaughtered in the banquet-hall’
“He spake; my heart was breaking, and I wept, While sitting on the sand, nor in my heart Cared I to live, or longer to behold The sweet light of the sun. But when there came Respite from tears and writhing on the ground, The Ancient of the Deep, who ne’er deceives, Spake yet again: ‘Atrides, lose no time In tears; they profit nothing. Rather seek The means by which thou mayst the soonest reach Thy native land. There thou perchance mayst find Aegisthus yet alive, or haply first Orestes may have slain him, and thyself Arrive to see the funeral rites performed.’
“He spake, and though afflicted still, my heart Was somewhat comforted; my spirit rose, And thus I answered him with winged words:—
“ ‘These men I know; name now the third, who still Is kept from his return afar within The mighty main—alive, perchance, or dead; For, though I dread to hear, I long to know.’
“I spake, and Proteus answered me again:— > ‘It is Laertes’ son, whose dwelling stands In Ithaca. I saw him in an isle, And in the cavern-palace of the nymph Calypso, weeping bitterly, for she Constrains his stay. He cannot leave the isle For his own country; ship arrayed with oars And seamen has he none to bear him o’er