💡 This is a chapter from The Wanderings of Odysseus, by C. Witt & F. Younghusband ← Go there to read the full book free online; it is also available in paperback and Kindle editions.
With a heart full of trouble, Telemachus went down to a solitary place on the shore and, when he had washed his hands in the sea, he prayed, saying, “Hear me, oh, thou who didst yesterday encourage me to go to Pylos and to Sparta! In vain have been my efforts, for I have been thwarted by the suitors.”
Scarcely had he spoken these words, when Mentor, the friend of his father, came towards him with a friendly countenance — that is to say, the appearance was that of Mentor, but in reality it was Athena who came to his help. “Free thyself from care,” she said. “I will provide thee with a suitable vessel, ready-manned, and will also accompany thee on thy journey. Go to thy home and bid them give thee food and wine, as much as will be needed.”
Telemachus hastened home and went at once to the store chamber. It was under the charge of the old nurse Eurycleia, and in it were heaps of gold and silver, clothes in abundance laid by in wooden chests, jars of sweetly scented oil standing side by side, and, all around the wall, great earthen vessels full of wine.
“Mother,” said Telemachus to the old woman, “fill me some jars of sweet wine, of the best next to that which thou holdest in reserve for Odysseus. Fill twelve of the jars that have handles, and close them up with tightly fitting stoppers. Pour also twelve measures of barley into leather bags and place all together. In the evening, when my mother has gone to bed, I will return and fetch them, for I am going to Pylos and to Sparta to seek for tidings of Odysseus.”
Eurycleia was frightened and exclaimed, sobbing, “How came this into thy mind? Art thou, the only comfort of thy mother, about to sail alone over the wide sea? Odysseus is certainly dead: in some strange land he has perished, far away from his home, and now the suitors will lay snares for thee also and kill thee by craft. Nay, trust not thyself upon the treacherous sea!”
Telemachus answered her with reassuring words. “Be not fearful, mother,” he said, “for the gods are gracious to me and have put this into my mind. Swear to me that thou wilt not tell my mother of my journey until I have been gone ten or twelve days, unless she should enquire concerning me, for I would not add to her sorrow.” Eurycleia swore to do as Telemachus wished and busied herself in preparing everything that he required.
Meanwhile, Athena, in the form of Mentor, went through the city and, wherever she met with a strong-looking youth, she invited him to join the expedition of Telemachus and to meet the rest at the harbor at sundown. Then she went to a wealthy citizen, Noemon by name, and begged him to supply Telemachus with a ship. To this, Noemon willingly agreed, and soon the ship was pushed out to sea, with rudder, sails, and everything else, complete.
When it was dark and the suitors had all gone away, Telemachus brought some of the men to his house to carry away the provisions. This they did with all secrecy, and then Athena and Telemachus, followed by the crew, entered the ship and sailed away.
Athena sat at the helm, and Telemachus next to her. A favorable wind filled the sails, and the ship sped fast on its way. There was no need for toilsome rowing; the shipmen set the sails in order and then sat around the great drinking vessel which was filled with wine to the brim. Thus they spent the beautiful night in merriment and good fellowship, and many drink offerings they poured out to the gods, but most of all to the goddess Athena.