31) Homer Odyssey 3.51

   So he spoke, and placed in her hand the cup of sweet wine. 
   But Pallas Athena rejoiced at the man's wisdom and judgment, in that to her first he gave the golden cup; and straightway she prayed earnestly to the lord Poseidon: 
   - [55] Hear me, Poseidon, you Earth-enfolder, and be not resentfully in answer to our prayer to bring these deeds to fulfillment. 
   To Nestor, first of all, and to his sons condescend to grant renown, and then do you grant to the rest gracious repay for this glorious hecatomb, even to all the men of Pylos; [60] and grant furthermore that Telemachus and I may return when we have accomplished all that for which we came to this place with our quick black ship.
   Thus she prayed, and was herself fulfilling all. 
   Then she gave Telemachus the fair two-handled cup, and in like manner the dear son of Ulysses prayed. 

   [75] Then wise Telemachus took courage, and made answer, for Athena herself put courage in his heart, that he might ask about his father that was gone, and that good report might be his among men: 

   Then in truth Menelaus bade all the Achaeans think of their return over the large back of the sea, but in no wise did he please Agamemnon, for he was willing under the circumstances to hold back the host and to offer holy hecatombs, [145] that he might appease the dread wrath of Athena,--fool! nor knew he this, that with her was to be no listening; for the mind of the Gods that are forever is not quickly turned. 

   [210] Then the horseman, Nestor of Gerenia, answered him: 
   -Friend, since you called this to my mind and did speak of it, they say that many pretenders for the hand of your mother devise evils in your living room in your despite. 
   Tell me, are you willingly thus oppressed, or do the people [215] throughout the land hate you, following the voice of a God? 
   Who knows but Ulysses may some day come and take vengeance on them for their violent deeds,--he alone, it may be, or even all the host of the Achaeans?
   Ah, would that bright-eyed Athena might choose to love you even as then she cared exceedingly for glorious Ulysses [220] in the land of the Trojans, where we Achaeans suffered bitter griefs.

   For never yet have I seen the Gods so manifestly showing love, as Pallas Athena did to him, standing manifest by his side. 
   If she would be pleased to love you in such wise and would care for you at heart, then would many a one of them completely forget marriage.

   Then the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, spoke to him, and said: 
   - [230] Telemachus, what a word has escaped the barrier of your teeth! Easily might a God who willed it bring a man safe home, even from afar. 
   But for myself, I had rather endure many severe dangers before I reached home and saw the day of my returning, than after my return be slain at my hearth, as Agamemnon [235] was slain by the treachery of Aegisthus and of his own wife.
   But of a truth death that is common to all the Gods themselves cannot guard from a man they love, when the terrible fate of severe death shall strike him down. 

   Then wise Telemachus answered her: 
   - [240] Mentor, no longer let us tell of these things despite our grief. For him no return can ever more be brought to pass; no, before this the immortals have devised for him death and black fate. 

   [330] Then among them spoke the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena: 
   -Old man, of a truth you have told this tale rightly. But come, cut out the tongues of the victims and mix the wine, that when we have poured libations to Poseidon and the other immortals, we may bethink us of sleep; for it is the time to that. 
   [335] Even now has the light gone down beneath the darkness, and it is not fitting to sit long at the feast of the Gods, but to go our way." 

   So spoke the daughter of Zeus, and they listened to her voice. 

   Heralds poured water over their hands, and youths filled the bowls brim full of drink, [340] and served out to all, pouring first drops for libation into the cups. 
   Then they cast the tongues upon the fire, and, rising up, poured libations upon them. 
   But when they had poured libations and had drunk to their heart's content, then truly Athena and godlike Telemachus were both willing to return to the hollow ship; 

   Then the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, answered him: 
   -Well indeed have you spoken in this, old friend, and it were fitting for Telemachus to listen to you, since it is far better this way. 
   But while he shall now follow with you, that he may sleep [360] in your living rooms, I for my part will go to the black ship, that I may hearten my comrades and tell them all.
   For alone among them I declare that I am an older man; the others are younger who follow in friendship, all of them of like age with great-hearted Telemachus. 
   [365] There will I lay me down by the hollow black ship this night, but in the morning I will go to the great-hearted Cauconians, where a debt is owing to me, in no wise new or small. 
   But do you send this man on his way with a chariot and with your son, since he has come to your house, and give him horses, [370] the quickest you host in running and the best in strength.

   So spoke the Goddess, bright-eyed Athena, and she departed in the likeness of a sea-eagle; and amazement fell upon all at the sight, and the old man marveled, when his eyes beheld it.