and the seals came forth in troops from the brine, and then they couched them all orderly by the sea-beach.  And at high day the ancient one came forth from out of the brine, and found his fatted seals, yea and he went along their line and told their tale; and first among the sea-beasts he reckoned us, and guessed not that there was guile, and afterward he too laid him down.  Then we rushed upon him with a cry, and cast our hands about him, nor did that ancient one forget his cunning.  Now behold, at the first he turned into a bearded lion, and thereafter into a snake, and a pard, and a huge boar; then he took the shape of running water, and of a tall and flowering tree.  We the while held him close with steadfast heart.  But when now that ancient one of the magic arts was aweary, then at last he questioned me and spake unto me, saying: 

’"Which of the gods was it, son of Atreus, that aided thee with his counsel, that thou mightest waylay and take me perforce?  What wouldest thou thereby?”

’Even so he spake, but I answered him saying; “Old man, thou knowest all, wherefore dost thou question me thereof with crooked words?  For lo, I am holden long time in this isle, neither can I find any issue therefrom, and my heart faileth within me.  Howbeit do thou tell me—­for the gods know all things—­which of the immortals it is that bindeth me here, and hath hindered me from my way; and declare as touching my returning, how I may go over the teeming deep.”

’Even so I spake, and he straightway answered me, saying:  “Nay, surely thou shouldest have done goodly sacrifice to Zeus and the other gods ere thine embarking, that with most speed thou mightst reach thy country, sailing over the wine-dark deep.  For it is not thy fate to see thy friends, and come to thy stablished house and thine own country, till thou hast passed yet again within the waters of Aegyptus, the heaven-fed stream, and offered holy hecatombs to the deathless gods who keep the wide heaven.  So shall the gods grant thee the path which thou desirest.”

’So spake he, but my spirit within me was broken, for that he bade me again to go to Aegyptus over the misty deep, a long and grievous way.

’Yet even so I answered him saying:  “Old man, all this will I do, according to thy word.  But come, declare me this, and tell it all plainly.  Did all those Achaeans return safe with their ships, all whom Nestor and I left as we went from Troy, or perished any by a shameful death aboard his own ship, or in the arms of his friends, after he had wound up the clew of war?”

’So spake I, and anon he answered me, saying:  “Son of Atreus, why dost thou straitly question me hereof?  Nay, it is not for thy good to know or learn my thought; for I tell thee thou shalt not long be tearless, when thou hast heard it all aright.  For many of these were taken, and many were left; but two only of the leaders of the mail-coated Achaeans perished in returning; as for the battle, thou thyself