7 Ερκος οδοντων. Prior, alluding to this expression, ludicrously renders it—

      “When words like these in vocal breath

       Burst from his twofold hedge of teeth.”

8 It is said to have been customary in the days of Homer, when the Greeks retired from a banquet to their beds, to cut out the tongues of the victims, and offer them to the Gods in particular who presided over conversation.

BOOK IV

       Table of Contents

ARGUMENT

       Table of Contents

      Telemachus, with Pisistratus, arrives at the palace of Menelaus, from whom he receives some fresh information concerning the return of the Greecians, and is in particular told on the authority of Proteus, that his father is detained by Calypso. The suitors, plotting against the life of Telemachus, lie in wait to intercept him in his return to Ithaca. Penelope being informed of his departure, and of their designs to slay him, becomes inconsolable, but is relieved by a dream sent to her from Minerva.

      In hollow Lacedæmon’s spacious vale

       Arriving, to the house they drove direct

       Of royal Menelaus; him they found

       In his own palace, all his num’rous friends

       Regaling at a nuptial banquet giv’n

       Both for his daughter and the prince his son.

       His daughter to renown’d Achilles’ heir

       He sent, to whom he had at Troy engaged

       To give her, and the Gods now made her his.

       With chariots and with steeds he sent her forth 10

       To the illustrious city where the prince,

       Achilles’ offspring, ruled the Myrmidons.

       But to his son he gave a Spartan fair,

       Alector’s daughter; from an handmaid sprang

       That son to Menelaus in his age,

       Brave Megapenthes; for the Gods no child

       To Helen gave, made mother, once, of her

       Who vied in perfect loveliness of form

       With golden Venus’ self, Hermione.

       Thus all the neighbour princes and the friends 20

       Of noble Menelaus, feasting sat

       Within his spacious palace, among whom

       A sacred bard sang sweetly to his harp,

       While, in the midst, two dancers smote the ground

       With measur’d steps responsive to his song.

       And now the Heroes, Nestor’s noble son

       And young Telemachus arrived within

       The vestibule, whom, issuing from the hall,

       The noble Eteoneus of the train

       Of Menelaus, saw; at once he ran 30

       Across the palace to report the news

       To his Lord’s ear, and, standing at his side,

       In accents wing’d with haste thus greeted him.

       Oh Menelaus! Heav’n descended Chief!

       Two guests arrive, both strangers, but the race

       Of Jove supreme resembling each in form.

       Say, shall we loose, ourselves, their rapid steeds,

       Or hence dismiss them to some other host?

       But Menelaus, Hero golden-hair’d,

       Indignant answer’d him. Boethe’s son! 40

       Thou wast not, Eteoneus, heretofore,

       A babbler, who now pratest as a child.

       We have ourselves arrived indebted much

       To hospitality of other men,

       If Jove shall, even here, some pause at last

       Of woe afford us. Therefore loose, at once,

       Their steeds, and introduce them to the feast.

       He said, and, issuing, Eteoneus call’d

       The brisk attendants to his aid, with whom

       He loos’d their foaming coursers from the yoke. 50

       Them first they bound to mangers, which with oats

       And mingled barley they supplied, then thrust

The chariot sidelong to the splendid wall.9 Themselves he, next, into the royal house Conducted, who survey’d, wond’ring, the abode Of the heav’n-favour’d King; for on all sides As with the splendour of the sun or moon The lofty dome of Menelaus blazed. Satiate, at length, with wonder at that sight, They enter’d each a bath, and by the hands 60 Of maidens laved, and oil’d, and cloath’d again With shaggy mantles and resplendent vests, Sat both enthroned at Menelaus’ side. And now a maiden charged with golden ew’r, And with an argent laver, pouring first Pure water on their hands, supplied them next With a bright table, which the maiden, chief In office, furnish’d plenteously with bread And dainties, remnants of the last regale. Then came the sew’r, who with delicious meats 70 Dish after dish, served them, and placed beside The chargers cups magnificent of gold, When Menelaus grasp’d their hands, and said. Eat and rejoice, and when ye shall have shared Our nuptial banquet, we will then inquire Who are ye both, for, certain, not from those Whose generation perishes are ye, But rather of some race of sceptred Chiefs Heav’n-born; the base have never sons like you. So saying, he from the board lifted his own 80 Distinguish’d portion, and the fatted chine Gave to his guests; the sav’ry viands they With outstretch’d hands assail’d, and when the force No longer now of appetite they felt, Telemachus, inclining