hall. Much did they marvel at the sight, for there was a gleam as
of the sun or moon in the palace of Menelaus. And when they had
gazed their fill, they bathed them in the polished baths. After
that they sat them down by the side of Menelaus. Then a handmaid
bare water in a pitcher of gold, and poured it over a basin of
silver that they might wash their hands. Afterwards she drew a
polished table to their side, and a dame brought food, and set it
by them, laying many dainties on the board, and a carver placed by
them platters of flesh, and set near them golden bowls.

Then said Menelaus: "Eat and be glad; afterwards I will ask you
who ye are, for ye seem like to the sons of kings."

And when they had ended the meal, Telemachus, looking round at the
hall, said to his companion:--

"See the gold and the amber, and the silver and the ivory. This is
like the hall of Zeus."

This he spake with his face close to his comrade's ear, but
Menelaus heard him and said:--

"With the halls of the gods nothing mortal may compare. And among
men also there may be the match of these things. Yet I have
wandered far, and got many possessions in many lands. But woe is
me! Would that I had but the third part of this wealth of mine,
and that they who perished at Troy were alive again! And most of
all I mourn for the great Ulysses, for whether he be alive or dead
no man knows."