Athena Urges Boldness

2“Telemachus, there now is no excuse,
Not even the least, for shamefaced backwardness.
You have come hither over the deep to ask
For tidings of your father —what far land
Conceals him, what the fate that he has met.
Go then at once to Nestor, the renowned
In horsemanship, and we shall see what plan
He has in mind for you. Entreat him there
That frankly he declare it. He will speak
No word of falsehood; he is truly wise.”

3And thus discreet Telemachus replied: —
“O Mentor, how shall I approach the chief,
And with what salutation? Little skill
Have I in courtly phrase, and shame becomes
A youth in questioning an aged man.”

4Athena, the blue-eyed goddess, spoke again: —
“In part your mind will prompt your speech; in part
A god will put the words into your mouth —
For well I deem that you were neither born
Nor trained without the favor of the gods.”