The Story of the Odyssey | Page 3

that he go to Sparta and to
Pylos [Footnote: Py'-los.], seeking tidings of his father. So shall the
youth win good report among men."
So she went to Ithaca, and there she took upon her the form of Mentes
[Footnote: Men'-tes.], who was chief of the Taphians. [Footnote:
Ta'-phi-ans.]
Now there were gathered in the house of Ulysses many princes from
the islands, suitors of the Queen Penelope [Footnote: Pe-nel'-o- pe.], for
they said that Ulysses was dead, and that she should choose another
husband. These were gathered together, and were sitting playing
draughts [Footnote: draughts, checkers.] and feasting. And Telemachus
sat among them, vexed at heart, for they wasted his substance; neither
was he master in his house. But when he saw the guest at the door, he
rose from his place, and welcomed him, and made him sit down, and
commanded that they should give him food and wine. And when he
had ended his meal, Telemachus asked him his business.
Thereupon the false Mentes said: "My name is Mentes, and I am King
of the Taphians, and I am sailing to Cyprus for copper, taking iron in
exchange. Now I have been long time the friend of this house, of thy
father and thy father's father, and I came trusting to see thy father, for
they told me that he was here. But now I see that some god hath
hindered his return, for that he is yet alive I know full well. But tell me,
who are these that I see? Is this the gathering of a clan, or a wedding
feast?"
Telemachus made answer: "O sir, while my father was yet alive, our
house was rich and honoured; but now that he is gone, things are not
well with me. I would not grieve so much had he fallen in battle before
Troy; for then the Greeks would have builded a great burial mound for

him, and he would thus have won great renown, even for his son. But
now the storms of the sea have swept him away, and I am left in sore
distress. For these whom thou seest are the princes of the islands that
come here to woo my mother. She neither refuseth nor accepteth; and
meanwhile they sit here, and waste my substance."
Then said the false Mentes: "Now may the gods help thee! Thou art
indeed in sore need of Ulysses. But now hearken to my counsel. First
call an assembly of the people. Bid the suitors go back, each man to his
home; and as for thy mother, if she be moved to wed, let her return to
her father's house, that her kinsfolk may furnish a wedding feast, and
prepare gifts such as a well-beloved daughter should have. Afterwards
do thou fit up a ship with twenty oars, and go, inquire concerning thy
father; perhaps some man may give thee tidings of him; or, may be,
thou wilt hear a voice from Zeus concerning him. Go to Pylos first, and
afterwards to Sparta, where Menelaus [Footnote: Me-ne-la'-us.]
dwelleth, who of all the Greeks came back the last to his home. If thou
shouldest hear that he is dead, then come back hither, and raise a
mound for him, and give thy mother to a husband. And when thou hast
made an end of all these things, then plan how thou mayest slay the
suitors by force or craft, for it is time for thee to have the thoughts of a
man."
Then said Telemachus: "Thou speakest these things out of a friendly
heart, as a father might speak to his son, nor will I ever forget them.
But now, I pray thee, abide here for a space, that I may give thee a
goodly gift, such as friends give to friends, to be an heirloom in thy
house."
But the false Mentes said, "Keep me no longer, for I am eager to depart;
give me thy gift when I shall return."
So the goddess departed; like to an eagle of the sea was she as she flew.
And Telemachus knew her to be a goddess as she went.
Meanwhile Phemius [Footnote: Phe'-mi-us.] the minstrel sang to the
suitors, and his song was of the unhappy return of the Greeks from
Troy.

When Penelope heard the song, she came down from the upper
chamber where she sat, and two handmaids bare her company. And
when she came to where the suitors sat, she stood by the gate of the hall,
holding her shining veil before her face. Then spake she to the minstrel,
weeping, and said: "Phemius, thou knowest many songs concerning the
deeds of gods and men; sing, therefore, one of these, and let the guests
drink the wine in silence. But stay this pitiful strain, for it breaketh