“Before the sons of Greece went up to Troy I was nine times chosen captain of an armed band to make war in the land of strangers, and came back laden with booty, so that my name was known and dreaded in Crete.  And when the summons went round in all the coasts of Greece to follow the banner of Agamemnon, who but I was chosen by the common voice to share the command with Idomeneus?  I was fain to renounce that hard and perilous service, but it might not be; so for nine years I fought at Troy, and after our return to Crete I abode but one month with my wife and children, for at the end of that time my spirit called me to Egypt.  I manned nine ships, and on the fifth day the north wind brought me safe with all my company to the land of Nile.

“Then I sent out a few chosen men to explore the country, and kept myself close with the rest of my force until they should bring back their report.  But my scouts forgot their duty, and carried away by lust of plunder began to harry and ravage the fields of the Egyptians.  Quickly the hue and cry went round, and an armed multitude, both horse and foot, came suddenly upon us, breathing fury and vengeance.  We could make no stand against such a host, and all my comrades were speedily slain or taken captive.  When I saw that all was lost I threw away helmet and shield, dropped my spear, and falling on my knees before the chief captain of the Egyptians begged him to spare my life.  He heard my petition, set me on his chariot, and brought me to his home.  There I remained seven years and gathered much wealth; for I had found favour in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they gave me freely of their possessions.

“In the eighth year there came a certain Phoenician to Egypt, a crafty and covetous rogue, and he persuaded me to go with him to Phoenicia.  So I went, and abode with him a whole year, and when the spring came round again I sailed with him to Africa, whither he was bound with a freight of merchandise.  His purpose was to sell me in Africa as a slave for a great price; but Zeus willed it otherwise, for as we sailed southwards from Crete a great storm arose, and the ship went down with all her men, while I escaped by clinging to the mast, and after nine days was carried by the winds and the waves to Thesprotia, where I was kindly entreated by the king of that country.

“There I had news of Odysseus, who had touched at that coast on his voyage to Ithaca, and stayed as a guest in that same house.  This I heard from the king’s own lips, and he showed me all the treasure which Odysseus had left in his charge, while he himself went on a journey to Dodona, to inquire of the oracle concerning the manner of his return.  Thou wouldst wonder to behold all the wealth which thy lord had gathered, an exceeding great store.