Page 57 - the-odyssey

to dinner where they were waited upon by some worthy
henchmen, who kept pouring them out their wine in cups
of gold. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink
Nestor said, ‘Sons, put Telemachus’s horses to the chariot
that he may start at once.’
Thus did he speak, and they did even as he had said, and
yoked the fleet horses to the chariot. The housekeeper packed
them up a provision of bread, wine, and sweet meats fit for
the sons of princes. Then Telemachus got into the chariot,
while Pisistratus gathered up the reins and took his seat be-
side him. He lashed the horses on and they flew forward
nothing loth into the open country, leaving the high citadel
of Pylos behind them. All that day did they travel, swaying
the yoke upon their necks till the sun went down and dark-
ness was over all the land. Then they reached Pherae where
Diocles lived, who was son to Ortilochus and grandson to
Alpheus. Here they passed the night and Diocles entertained
them hospitably. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered
Dawn, appeared, they again yoked their horses and drove
out through the gateway under the echoing gatehouse. {34}
Pisistratus lashed the horses on and they flew forward noth-
ing loth; presently they came to the corn lands of the open
country, and in the course of time completed their journey,
so well did their steeds take them. {35}
Now when the sun had set and darkness was over the
land,

The Odyssey