"Now then it is more proper to ask and inquire of the strangers, who they are, since they are satisfied with food. O strangers, who are ye? from whence do ye sail over the moist ways?[1] Do ye wander on account of some business or at random, as pirates over the sea? who wander exposing their lives, bearing ills to strangers?"
Prudent Telemachus in turn answered him, taking confidence; for Minerva herself had infused confidence into his mind, that he might inquire of him concerning his absent father, [and that he might obtain great glory amongst men.][2]
"O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Grecians, thou askest from whence we are; and I will tell thee. We have come from Ithaca, [situate] under Neïus, and this is a private, not a public business, which I mention. I come [to inquire] after the wide renown of my father, if I should any where hear of him, godlike, patient Ulysses: whom they say, some time ago, fighting together with thee, sacked the city of the Trojans. For all the others, as many as made war with the Trojans, we have heard of, [as to] where each perished in sad destruction: but his death the son of Saturn has made unheard of. For no one can tell clearly where he has perished: whether he has been subdued on the continent by hostile men, or whether in the sea amongst the waves of Amphitrite.[3] Wherefore I now come to [beseech thee by] thy knees, if thou art willing to tell of his mournful death, if thou hast any where beheld it with thine eyes, or hast heard the tale of any one else wandering: for his mother brought him forth exceedingly calamitous. Nor by any means reverencing me soothe me, nor pitying me, but tell me plainly, as thou hast happened to witness it;[4] I beseech thee, if ever my father, the good Ulysses, has performed any word or deed for thee, having promised it, amongst the people of the Trojans, where you Greeks suffered ills, be mindful of these things now, and tell me truly."
- ↑ It must be remembered that piracy was not esteemed dishonourable in the heroic ages. See Thucyd. i. 5. The same feeling prevailed among the Lacedæmonians and the ancient Germans, (cf. Davis on Cæs. B. G. vi. 23,) the Danes (Steph. on Saxo Grammat. ii. p. 69). Compare Mallet's Northern Antiquities, ix. p. 173, sqq. ed. Bohn.
- ↑ A doubtful verse.
- ↑ The wife of Neptune, here put for the sea.
- ↑ Literally, "as you have met the sight [of it]."
