Grief Set Aside

19“O son of Atreus! aged Nestor says,
When in his palace we discourse of you
And ask each other’s thought, that you are wise
Beyond all other men. Now, if you may,
Indulge me, for not willingly I weep
Thus at the evening feast, and soon will Eos,
Child of the dawn, appear. I do not blame
This sorrow for whoever meets his fate
And dies; the only honors we can pay
To those unhappy mortals is to shred
Our locks away, and wet our cheeks with tears.
I lost a brother, not the least in worth
Among the Argives, whom you must have seen.
I knew him not: I never saw his face;
Yet is it said Antilochus excelled
The others; swift of foot, and brave in war.”

20The fair-haired Menelaus answered him: —
“Since you my friend have spoken thus, as one
Discreet in word and deed, of riper years
Than you, might speak and act —for you are born
Of such a father, and your words are wise —
And easy is it to discern the son
Of one on whom Cronion has bestowed
Both at the birth-hour and in wedded life
His blessing; as he gives to Nestor now
A calm old age that lapses pleasantly,
Within his palace-halls, from day to day,
And sons wise-minded, mighty with the spear —
Then let us lay aside this sudden grief
That has overtaken us, and only think
Of banqueting. Let water now be poured
Upon our hands; there will be time enough
Tomorrow for discourse; Telemachus
And I will then engage in mutual talk.”