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6He spoke, and quickly on her car of gold
Appeared Eos. Then Menelaus came,
The great in battle, from his couch beside
The fair-haired Helen. When Telemachus
Knew of the king’s approach, the hero threw
In haste his tunic over his noble form,
And over his broad shoulders flung a cloak
Of ample folds. Then, going forth, the son
Of great Odysseus met the king and said: —

7“Atrides Menelaus, loved of Zeus
And sovereign of the people, send me hence,
I pray, to the dear country of my birth,
For earnestly I long to be at home.”

8And Menelaus, great in war, replied:
“Telemachus, I will not keep you long,
Since you so much desire to return.
I am displeased with him who as a host
Is lavish of his love, for he will hate
Beyond due measure; best it is to take
The middle way. It is alike a wrong
To thrust the unwilling stranger out of doors,
And to detain him when he longs to go.
While he is with us we should cherish him,
And, when he wishes, help him to depart.
Remain until I bring you worthy gifts
And place them in your chariot, that your eyes
May look on them; and I will give command
That in the palace here the women spread
A liberal feast from stores that lie within.
But if, in turning from your course, you choose
To pass through Hellas and the midland tract
Of Argos, I will yoke my steeds and go
With you, and show the cities thronged with men;
Nor will they send us empty-handed thence,
But bring us gifts which we may bear away —
Tripod, perchance, or cauldron wrought of brass,
Perchance a pair of mules or golden cup.”

9Then spoke discreet Telemachus in turn:
“Atrides Menelaus, loved of Zeus
And sovereign of the people, rather far
Would I return to my own home; for there
Is no man left in charge of what is mine,
And I must go, lest, while I vainly seek
My father, I may perish, or may lose
Some valued treasure from my palace rooms.”