As he was thus speaking a bird
flew on his right hand - an eagle with a great white goose in its
talons which it had carried off from the farm yard - and all the men
and women were running after it and shouting. It came quite close up
to them and flew away on their right hands in front of the horses.
When they saw it they were glad, and their hearts took comfort within
them, whereon Peisistratos said, "Tell me, Menelaos, has heaven sent
this omen for us or for you?"
Menelaos was thinking what would
be the most proper answer for him to make, but Helen was too quick
for him and said, "I will read this matter as heaven has put it in my
heart, and as I doubt not that it will come to pass. The eagle came
from the mountain where it was bred and has its nest, and in like
manner Odysseus, after having traveled far and suffered much, will
return to take his revenge - if indeed he is not back already and
hatching mischief for the suitors."
"May Zeus so grant it," replied
Telemakhos; "if it should prove to be so, I will make vows to you as
though you were a god, even when I am at home."
As he spoke he lashed his horses
and they started off at full speed through the town towards the open
country. They swayed the yoke upon their necks and traveled the whole
day long till the sun set and darkness was over all the land. Then
they reached Pherai, where Diokles lived who was son of Ortilokhos,
the son of Alpheus. There they passed the night and were treated
hospitably. When the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared,
they again yoked their horses and their places in the chariot. They
drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse
of the outer court. Then Peisistratos lashed his horses on and they
flew forward nothing loath; ere long they came to Pylos, and then
Telemakhos said:
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