Eagle and Prophecy

15“Now fare you well, young men, and when you come
To Nestor, shepherd of the people, give
Greetings from me; for he was kind to me
As if he were a father, when the sons
Of Greece were warring in the realm of Troy.”

16Then spoke in turn discreet Telemachus:
“Assuredly I shall relate to him,
As soon as I am with him, all that you,
foster-child of Zeus, have bid me say;
And would to heaven I might as surely tell
Odysseus in his palace, when again
I come to Ithaca, how welcome you
Have made me here, and how I came away
With treasures rich and many from your court.”

17As thus he spoke, an eagle to the right
Appeared, that, flying, bore a large white goose,
Clutched from the tame flock in the palace court;
And men and women ran the way he flew,
And shouted after him. Before the steeds
Of the young men, and still on the right hand,
The bird went sweeping on. They saw well pleased,
And every heart was gladdened. To the rest
Peisistratus, the son of Nestor, said: —

18“Now tell me, Menelaus, loved of Zeus,
Prince of the people! does the god who sends
This portent mean the sign for us or you?”

19He spoke; and Menelaus, dear to Ares,
Paused, thinking how to answer him aright,
When thus the long-robed Helen interposed: —

20“Listen to me, and I will prophesy
As the gods prompt me, and as I believe
The event will be. Just as this eagle came
From the wild hills, his birthplace and his haunt,
And seized and bore away the waterfowl
Reared near our halls, so will Odysseus come,
After much hardship and long wanderings,
To his own home, to be avenged: perchance
Already is at home, and meditates
An evil end to all the suitor crew.”

21Then spoke discreet Telemachus in turn:
“May Hera’s husband, Zeus the Thunderer,
So order the event, and I will there
Make vows to you as to a deity.”