Page 253 - the-odyssey

is not back already and hatching mischief for the suitors.’
‘May Jove so grant it,’ replied Telemachus, ‘if it should
prove to be so, I will make vows to you as though you were
a god, even when I am at home.’
As he spoke he lashed his horses and they started off at
full speed through the town towards the open country. They
swayed the yoke upon their necks and travelled the whole
day long till the sun set and darkness was over all the land.
Then they reached Pherae, where Diocles lived who was
son of Ortilochus, the son of Alpheus. There they passed
the night and were treated hospitably. When the child of
morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared, they again yoked
their horses and their places in the chariot. They drove out
through the inner gateway and under the echoing gate-
house of the outer court. Then Pisistratus lashed his horses
on and they flew forward nothing loath; ere long they came
to Pylos, and then Telemachus said:
‘Pisistratus, I hope you will promise to do what I am go-
ing to ask you. You know our fathers were old friends before
us; moreover, we are both of an age, and this journey has
brought us together still more closely; do not, therefore,
take me past my ship, but leave me there, for if I go to your
father’s house he will try to keep me in the warmth of his
good will towards me, and I must go home at once.’
Pisistratus thought how he should do as he was asked,
and in the end he deemed it best to turn his horses towards
the ship, and put Menelaus’s beautiful presents of gold and
raiment in the stern of the vessel. Then he said, ‘Go on board
at once and tell your men to do so also before I can reach

The Odyssey