Athena gave Telemachus courage to ask about his father and win a good name. Nestor son of Neleus, honor to the Achaean name — we come from Ithaca under Neritum on a private matter. I seek news of my unhappy father Odysseus, who sacked Troy with you. We know what fate befell the other heroes; of Odysseus heaven has hidden even whether he is dead.
Tell me of his end, whether you saw it or heard it from some traveler. Do not soften out of pity. If ever he did you loyal service among the Trojans, remember it now and tell me truly.”
“My friend,” said Nestor, “you recall much sorrow. The Achaeans suffered at sea under Achilles and fighting before Priam’s city. Our best fell there — Aias, Achilles, Patroclus peer of gods in counsel, and my own dear son Antilochus, fleet of foot and brave in fight. What mortal tongue could tell the whole? Stay five years, or six, and you would turn home weary before I finished.”
“Nine years we tried every stratagem, and heaven was against us. In that time no one compared with your father in subtlety — if you are his son; I can hardly believe my eyes; you talk just like him. He and I never differed in camp or council; we advised the Argives how all might be ordered for the best.”
“When we had sacked Priam’s city and were setting sail, Zeus vexed the Argives on the homeward voyage. Athena’s anger brought a quarrel between the two sons of Atreus at a sunset meeting when the Achaeans were heavy with wine. Menelaus was for sailing home at once; Agamemnon thought we should wait and offer hecatombs to appease Athena. Fool — the gods do not change their minds lightly. The two bandied hard words; the Achaeans sprang up with a cry and were of two minds.”
That night we rested. In the morning about half of us drew our ships into the water with our goods and women; the rest stayed with Agamemnon. We who sailed went well, for heaven had smoothed the sea. At Tenedos we offered sacrifice; but Zeus raised a second quarrel. Some turned back under Odysseus to make peace with Agamemnon.
I and all my ships pressed forward — I saw mischief brewing. Diomedes went with me. Later Menelaus joined us at Lesbos while we debated our course. A sign from heaven sent us across the open sea to Euboea. Four days later Diomedes stationed his ships in Argos; I held on for Pylos, and the wind never fell light.”
“So I came home without news of the others. They say the Myrmidons returned under Achilles’ son Neoptolemus; so did Philoctetes. Idomeneus lost no men at sea and got home to Crete. You will have heard of Agamemnon’s bad end at Aegisthus’s hands — and a fearful reckoning Aegisthus paid. See what a good thing it is for a man to leave a son behind him, as Orestes did. You too — a tall, fine-looking fellow — show your mettle and make yourself a name.”