’Menelaus, son of Atreus, fosterling of Zeus, leader of the people, even now do thou speed me hence, to mine own dear country; for even now my heart is fain to come home again.’

Then Menelaus, of the loud war cry, answered him:  ’Telemachus, as for me, I will not hold thee a long time here, that art eager to return; nay, I think it shame even in another host, who loves overmuch or hates overmuch.  Measure is best in all things.  He does equal wrong who speeds a guest that would fain abide, and stays one who is in haste to be gone.  Men should lovingly entreat the present guest and speed the parting.  But abide till I bring fair gifts and set them on the car and thine own eyes behold them, and I bid the women to prepare the midday meal in the halls, out of the good store they have within.  Honour and glory it is for us, and gain withal for thee, that ye should have eaten well ere ye go on your way, over vast and limitless lands.  What and if thou art minded to pass through Hellas and mid Argos?  So shall I too go with thee, and yoke thee horses and lead thee to the towns of men, and none shall send us empty away, but will give us some one thing to take with us, either a tripod of goodly bronze or a cauldron, or two mules or a golden chalice.’

Then wise Telemachus answered him saying:  ’Menelaus, son of Atreus, fosterling of Zeus, leader of the people, rather would I return even now to mine own land, for I left none behind to watch over my goods when I departed.  I would not that I myself should perish on the quest of my godlike father, nor that any good heir-loom should be lost from my halls.’

Now when Menelaus, of the loud war cry, heard this saying, straightway he bade his wife and maids to prepare the midday meal in the halls, out of the good store they had by them.  Then Eteoneus, son of Boethous, came nigh him, just risen from his bed, for he abode not far from him.  Him Menelaus of the loud war cry bade kindle the fire and roast of the flesh; and he hearkened and obeyed.  Then the prince went down into the fragrant treasure chamber, not alone, for Helen went with him, and Megapenthes.  Now, when they came to the place where the treasures were stored, then Atrides took a two-handled cup, and bade his son Megapenthes to bear a mixing bowl of silver.  And Helen stood by the coffers, wherein were her robes of curious needlework which she herself had wrought.  Then Helen, the fair lady, lifted one and brought it out, the widest and most beautifully embroidered of all, and it shone like a star, and lay far beneath the rest.

Then they went forth through the house till they came to Telemachus; and Menelaus, of the fair hair, spake to him saying: 

’Telemachus, may Zeus the thunderer, and the lord of Here, in very truth bring about thy return according to the desire of thy heart.  And of the gifts, such as are treasures stored in my house, I will give thee the goodliest and greatest of price.  I will give thee a mixing bowl beautifully wrought; it is all of silver and the lips thereof are finished with gold, the work of Hephaestus; and the hero Phaedimus the king of the Sidonians, gave it to me when his house sheltered me, on my coming thither.  This cup I would give to thee.’