Us too grant that we safely return, when it all is accomplished.
All, for the winning of which we are come in the swift black vessel."
Thus as she prayed, of herself she was bringing it all to fulfilment.
Then from the goddess receiving the two-cupped beautiful goblet
Prayed in the selfsame manner the well-loved son of Odysseus.
Now when the outside meat they had roasted and drawn from the skewers.
All they apportioned and sat them adown to a glorious banquet.
Till, when at last they had lost all longing for meat and the wine-cup.
Then he addressed them, the warrior-knight Gerenian Nestor :
"Now is a moment befitting to ask and to question the strangers
Touching themselves — for they now are fully contented with feasting.
Friends, come tell of yourselves. Whence sail ye the paths of the waters ?
Come ye to chaffer for gain, or recklessly roaming at random
Like to the pirates and rovers that wander and rob on the ocean.
Setting their lives on the hazard in bringing disaster on others ? "
Him sage Telemachus addressing in turn made answer ;
Boldly he spake, for Athena herself in his bosom had planted
26



Courage to ask of his sire who was vanished so long from his homeland, Odyssey

Yea and honour and glory to win in the land of the living : m

" Nestor, Neleus' son, great glory of all the Achaeans, 77 - 117

Whence we arrive thou hast asked me. Behold, I will tell thee exactly.
Hither we came from the Ithacan isle 'neath Neion's headland. '

This is a quest of my own, not a matter that toucheth the people.
Following far-spread rumour I journey in search of my father.
