counted among them, and perceived not our device; and after that
he laid him down to sleep. Then we rushed upon him with a cry, and
held him fast; nor did he forget his cunning, for he became a
bearded lion, and a snake, and a leopard, and a great wild boar.
Also he took the shape of running water, and of a flowering tree.
And all the while we held him fast. When at last he was weary, he
said, 'Which of the gods, son of Atreus [Footnote: A'-treus.],
bade thee thus waylay me?' But I answered him: 'Wherefore dost
thou beguile me, old man, with crooked words? I am held fast in
this isle, and can find no escape therefrom. Tell me now which of
the gods hindereth me, and how I may return across the sea?' The
old man made reply: 'Thou shouldst have done sacrifice to Zeus and
the other gods before embarking, if thou wouldst have reached thy
native country with speed. But now thou must go again to the river
AEgyptus, and make offerings to the gods; then they will grant
that which thou desirest.' Then was my spirit broken within me,
when I heard that I must cross again this weary way, but I said:
'Old man, I will do all thy bidding. But tell me now, I pray thee,
did the other Greeks, whom Nestor and I left behind us in Troy,
return safe to their homes, or perished any by an evil death on
board of his ship or among his friends?' To this the old man made
reply: 'Thou doest ill to ask such things, for thou wilt weep to
hear them. Thy brother indeed escaped from the fates of the sea;
but the storm-wind carried him to the land where Aegisthus dwelt.
And when Agamemnon [Footnote: Ag-a-mem'-non.]set foot upon his
native land, he kissed it, weeping hot tears, so glad was he to
see it again. And Aegisthus set an ambush for him, and slew him
and all his companions.' Then I wept sore, caring not to live any
more. But the old man said: 'Weep not, son of Atreus, for there is
no help in tears. Rather make haste to return, that thou mayest