Awed by the Palace

7“Now taste our banquet and rejoice, and when
You are refreshed with food we will inquire
Who you may be; for you are not of those
Whose race degenerates, you are surely born
Of sceptred kings, the favorites of Zeus.
Ignoble men have never sons like you.”

8Thus having said, and taking in his hands
A fatling bullock’s chine, which menials brought
Roasted, and placed beside the king in sign
Of honor, this he laid before his guests.
And they put forth their hands and banqueted;
And when the calls of hunger and of thirst
At length were stilled, Telemachus inclined
His head toward Nestor’s son, that no one else
Might listen to his words, and thus he said: —

9“See, son of Nestor, my beloved friend,
In all these echoing rooms the sheen of brass,
Of gold, of amber, and of ivory;
Such is the palace of Olympian Zeus
Within its walls. How many things are here
Of priceless worth! I wonder as I gaze.”