Page 53 - the-odyssey

as he was minded, Minerva and Telemachus were for going
on board their ship, but Nestor caught them up at once and
stayed them.
‘Heaven and the immortal gods,’ he exclaimed, ‘forbid
that you should leave my house to go on board of a ship. Do
you think I am so poor and short of clothes, or that I have so
few cloaks and as to be unable to find comfortable beds both
for myself and for my guests? Let me tell you I have store
both of rugs and cloaks, and shall not permit the son of my
old friend Ulysses to camp down on the deck of a ship—not
while I live—nor yet will my sons after me, but they will
keep open house as I have done.’
Then Minerva answered, ‘Sir, you have spoken well, and
it will be much better that Telemachus should do as you
have said; he, therefore, shall return with you and sleep at
your house, but I must go back to give orders to my crew,
and keep them in good heart. I am the only older person
among them; the rest are all young men of Telemachus’ own
age, who have taken this voyage out of friendship; so I must
return to the ship and sleep there. Moreover to-morrow I
must go to the Cauconians where I have a large sum of mon-
ey long owing to me. As for Telemachus, now that he is your
guest, send him to Lacedaemon in a chariot, and let one of
your sons go with him. Be pleased to also provide him with
your best and fleetest horses.’
When she had thus spoken, she flew away in the form
of an eagle, and all marvelled as they beheld it. Nestor was
astonished, and took Telemachus by the hand. ‘My friend,’
said he, ‘I see that you are going to be a great hero some

The Odyssey