54  ODYSSEY  JV,  i^i-'Zil,

Howsoever,  the  god  himself,  methinks,  must  have  been  jealous
hereof,  who  from  that  hapless  man  alone  cut  off  his  returning/

So  spake  he,  and  in  the  hearts  of  all  he  stirred  the  desire
of  lamentation.  She  wept,  even  Argive  Helen  the  daughter  of
Zeus,  and  Telemachus  wept,  and  Menelaus  the  son  of  Atreus ;
nay,  nor  did  the  son  of  Nestor  keep  tearless  eyes.  For  he
bethought  him  in  his  heart  of  noble  Antilochus,  whom  the
glorious  son  of  the  bright  Dawn  had  slain.  Thinking  upon
him  he  spake  winged  words :

*  Son  of  Atreus,  the  ancient  Nestor  in  his  own  halls  was
ever  wont  to  say  that  thou  wert  wise  beyond  man's  wisdom,
whensoever  we  made  mention  of  thee  and  asked  one  another
concerning  thee.  And  now,  if  it  be  possible,  be  persuaded
by  me,  who  for  one  have  no  pleasure  in  weeping  at  supper
time — the  new-born  day  will  right  soon  be  upon  us  *.  Not
indeed  that  I  deem  it  blame  at  all  to  weep  for  any  mortal
who  hath  died  and  met  his  fate.  Lo,  this  is  now  the  only  due
we  pay  to  miserable  men,  to  cut  the  hair  and  let  the  tear  fall
from  the  cheek.  For  I  too  have  a  brother  dead,  nowise  the
meanest  of  the  Argives,  and  thou  art  like  to  have  known
him,  for  as  for  me  I  never  encountered  him,  never  beheld
him.  But  men  say  that  Antilochus  outdid  all,  being  excellent
in  speed  of  foot  and  in  the  fight/

And  Menelaus  of  the  fair  hair  answered  him,  and  said:
*  My  friend,  lo,  thou  hast  said  all  that  a  wise  man  might  say
or  do,  yea,  and  an  elder  than  thou ; — for  from  such  a  sire
too  thou  art  sprung,  wherefore  thou  dost  even  speak  wisely.
