His purpose when the generous warrior heard, He charged the household cates to be prepared. Now with the dawn, from his adjoining home, Was Boethoedes Eteoneus come; Swift at the word he forms the rising blaze, And o’er the coals the smoking fragments lays. Meantime the king, his son, and Helen went Where the rich wardrobe breathed a costly scent; The king selected from the glittering rows A bowl; the prince a silver beaker chose. The beauteous queen revolved with careful eyes Her various textures of unnumber’d dyes, And chose the largest; with no vulgar art Her own fair hands embroider’d every part; Beneath the rest it lay divinely bright, Like radiant Hesper o’er the gems of night, Then with each gift they hasten’d to their guest, And thus the king Ulysses’ heir address’d: “Since fix’d are thy resolves, may thundering Jove With happiest omens thy desires approve! This silver bowl, whose costly margins shine Enchased with gold, this valued gift be thine; To me this present, of Vulcanian frame, From Sidon’s hospitable monarch came; To thee we now consign the precious load, The pride of kings, and labour of a god.” Then gave the cup, while Megapenthe brought The silver vase with living sculpture wrought. The beauteous queen, advancing next, display’d The shining veil, and thus endearing said: “Accept, dear youth, this monument of love, Long since, in better days, by Helen wove: Safe in thy mother’s care the vesture lay, To deck thy bride and grace thy nuptial day. Meantime may’st thou with happiest speed regain Thy stately palace, and thy wide domain.” She said, and gave the veil; with grateful look The prince the variegated present took. And now, when through the royal dome they pass’d, High on a throne the king each stranger placed. A golden ewer the attendant damsel brings, Replete with water from the crystal springs; With copious streams the shining vase supplies A silver layer of capacious size. They wash. The tables in fair order spread, The glittering canisters are crown’d with bread; Viands of various kinds allure the taste, Of choicest sort and savour; rich repast! Whilst Eteoneus portions out the shares Atrides’ son the purple draught prepares, And now (each sated with the genial feast, And the short rage of thirst and hunger ceased) Ulysses’ son, with his illustrious friend, The horses join, the polish’d car ascend, Along the court the fiery steeds rebound, And the wide portal echoes to the sound. The king precedes; a bowl with fragrant wine (Libation destined to the powers divine) His right hand held: before the steed he stands, Then, mix’d with prayers, he utters these commands: