Page 43 - the-odyssey

used to holding long conversations with people, and am
ashamed to begin questioning one who is so much older
than myself.’
‘Some things, Telemachus,’ answered Minerva, ‘will be
suggested to you by your own instinct, and heaven will
prompt you further; for I am assured that the gods have
been with you from the time of your birth until now.’
She then went quickly on, and Telemachus followed in
her steps till they reached the place where the guilds of the
Pylian people were assembled. There they found Nestor sit-
ting with his sons, while his company round him were busy
getting dinner ready, and putting pieces of meat on to the
spits {26} while other pieces were cooking. When they saw
the strangers they crowded round them, took them by the
hand and bade them take their places. Nestor’s son Pisis-
tratus at once offered his hand to each of them, and seated
them on some soft sheepskins that were lying on the sands
near his father and his brother Thrasymedes. Then he gave
them their portions of the inward meats and poured wine
for them into a golden cup, handing it to Minerva first, and
saluting her at the same time.
‘Offer a prayer, sir,’ said he, ‘to King Neptune, for it is his
feast that you are joining; when you have duly prayed and
made your drink offering, pass the cup to your friend that
he may do so also. I doubt not that he too lifts his hands in
prayer, for man cannot live without God in the world. Still
he is younger than you are, and is much of an age with my-
self, so I will give you the precedence.’
As he spoke he handed her the cup. Minerva thought it

The Odyssey