Welcome for the Strangers

3But they —the hero-youth Telemachus
And Nestor’s eminent son —were at the gate,
And standing in the entrance with their steeds.
The worthy Eteoneus, coming forth —
The trusty servant of the glorious son
Of Atreus —saw, and hastening thence to tell
The shepherd of the people, through the hall
He came to him, and spoke these winged words: —

4“O Menelaus, foster-child of Zeus,
Two strangers have arrived, two men who seem
Descended from almighty Zeus.
Shall we then loose the harness from their steeds,
Or bid them elsewhere seek a friendly host?”

5The fair-haired king indignantly replied: —
“Nay, Eteoneus, you have not been wont.
Son of Boethus, thus to play the fool.
You prate idly, like a child. Ourselves
Have sat, as guests, at generous banquets given
By other men, when journeying hitherward
In hope that Zeus might grant a respite here
From our disasters. Hasten, then, to loose
The steeds, and bring the strangers to the feast.”

6He spoke; the attendant hastened forth and called
The other trusty servitors, with charge
To follow. They unyoked the sweaty steeds,
And bound them to the stalls, and gave them oats,
With which they mingled the white barley-grains,
And close against the shining wall they placed
The car, and then they led the guests within
The sumptuous palace. Entering, these admired
The palace of the foster-child of Zeus,
For like the splendor of the sun and moon
Its glory was. They with delighted eyes
Gazed, and, descending to the polished baths,
They bathed. The attendant maids who at the bath
Had ministered, anointing them with oil,
Arrayed the stranger guests in fleecy cloaks
And tunics. Each sat down upon a throne
Near to Atrides. Now a handmaid brought
A beautiful ewer of gold, and laver wrought
Of silver, and poured water for their hands,
And spread a polished table near their seat;
The reverend matron of the household came
With bread, and set before them many a dish
Gathered from all the feast. The carver next
Brought chargers lifted high, and in them meats
Of every flavor, and before them placed
Beakers of gold. The fair-haired monarch gave
His hand to each, and then bespoke them thus: —