“Farewell, and prosper, youths! let Nestor know What grateful thoughts still in this bosom glow, For all the proofs of his paternal care, Through the long dangers of the ten years’ war.” “Ah! doubt not our report (the prince rejoin’d) Of all the virtues of thy generous mind. And oh! return’d might we Ulysses meet! To him thy presents show, thy words repeat: How will each speech his grateful wonder raise! How will each gift indulge us in thy praise!” Scarce ended thus the prince, when on the right Advanced the bird of Jove: auspicious sight! A milk-white fowl his clinching talons bore, With care domestic pampered at the floor. Peasants in vain with threatening cries pursue, In solemn speed the bird majestic flew Full dexter to the car; the prosperous sight Fill’d every breast with wonder and delight. But Nestor’s son the cheerful silence broke, And in these words the Spartan chief bespoke: “Say if to us the gods these omens send, Or fates peculiar to thyself portend?” Whilst yet the monarch paused, with doubts oppress’d The beauteous queen relieved his labouring breast: “Hear me (she cried), to whom the gods have given To read this sign, and mystic sense of heaven, As thus the plumy sovereign of the air Left on the mountain’s brow his callow care, And wander’d through the wide ethereal way To pour his wrath on yon luxurious prey; So shall thy godlike father, toss’d in vain Through all the dangers of the boundless main, Arrive (or if perchance already come) From slaughter’d gluttons to release the dome.” “Oh! if this promised bliss by thundering Jove (The prince replied) stand fix’d in fate above; To thee, as to some god, I’ll temples raise. And crown thy altars with the costly blaze.” He said; and bending o’er his chariot, flung Athwart the fiery steeds the smarting thong; The bounding shafts upon the harness play, Till night descending intercepts the way. To Diocles at Pherae they repair, Whose boasted sire was sacred Alpheus’ heir; With him all night the youthful stranger stay’d, Nor found the hospitable rites unpaid, But soon as morning from her orient bed Had tinged the mountains with her earliest red, They join’d the steeds, and on the chariot sprung, The brazen portals in their passage rung. To Pylos soon they came; when thus begun To Nestor’s heir Ulysses’ godlike son: “Let not Pisistratus in vain be press’d, Nor unconsenting hear his friend’s request; His friend by long hereditary claim, In toils his equal, and in years the same. No farther from our vessel, I implore, The coursers drive; but lash them to the shore. Too long thy father would his friend detain; I dread his proffer’d kindness urged in vain.”