Adventures of Telemachus

Front matter

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Book I

Telemachus, conducted by Minerva under the likeness of Mentor, lands, after having suffered shipwreck, upon the island of the goddess Calypso, who is still regretting the departure of Ulysses. The goddess receives him favorably, conceives a passion for him, offers him immortality, and inquires after his adventures. He recounts his voyage to Pylos and Lacedaemon ; his shipwreck on the coast of Sicily; the danger he was in of heing offered as a sacrifice to the manes of Anchises ; the assistance which Mentor and he gave Acestes against an incursion of barbarians, and the gratitude of the king, who, to reward their service, gave them a Tyrian vessel, that they might return to their country 149

Book II

Telemachus relates his being taken in the Tyrian vessel by the fleet of Sesostris, and carried captive into Egypt. He describes the beauty of the country, and the wise government of its king. He relates also that Mentor was sent a slave into Ethiopia ; that he was himself reduced to keep sheep in the deserts of Oasis; that in this state he was comforted by Termosiris, a priest of Apollo, who taught him to imitate that god, who had once been the shepherd of Admetus ; that Sesostris, having at length heard with astonishment what his influence and example had effected among the shepherds, determined to see him, and being convinced of his innocence, promised to send him to Ithaca, but that the death of Sesostris overwhelmed him with new calamities; and that he was imprisoned in a tower which overlooked the sea, from whence he saw Bocchoris, the new king, slain in a battle against part of his subjects, who had revolted, and had called in the Tyrians to their assistance. 166

Book III

Telemachus relates that, the successor of Bocchoris releasing all the Tyrian prisoners, he was himself sent to Tyre, on board the vessel of Narbal, who had commanded the Tyrian fleet ; that Narbal gave him a description of Pygmalion their king, and expressed apprehensions of danger from the cruelty of his avarice; that he afterwards instructed him in the commercial regulations of Tyre ; and that, being about to embark in a Cyprian vessel, in order to proceed by the isle of Cyprus to Ithaca, Pygmalion discovered that he was a stranger, and ordered him to be seized ; that his life was thus brought into the most imminent danger, but that he had been preserved by the tyrant's mistress Astarbe, that she might, in his stead, destroy a young Lyctian of whom she had been enamored, but who rejected her for another ; that he finally embarked in a Cyprian vessel, to return to Ithaca by the way of Cyprus 185

Book IV

Calypso interrupts Telemachus in his relation, that he may retire to rest. Mentor privately reproves him for having undertaken the recital of his adventures; but as he has begun, advises him to proceed. Telemachus relates that during his voyage from Tyre to Cyprus, he dreamed that he was protected from Venus and Cupid by Minerva; that he afterwards imagined he saw Mentor, who exhorted him to fly from the isle of Cyprus ; that when he awaked, the vessel would have perished in a Btorm if he had not himself taken the helm, the Cyprians being all intoxicated with wine; that when he arrived on the island, he saw, with horror, the most contagious examples of debauchery; but that Ilazael, the Syrian, to whom Mentor had been sold, happening to be at Cyprus at the same time, brought the two friends together, and took them on board his vessel that was bound to Crete; that during the voyage, he had seen Amphitrite drawn in her chariot by sea-horses — a sight infinitely entertaining and magnificent 204

Book V

Telemachus relates, that when he arrived at Crete, he learnt that Idomeneue, the king of that island, had, in consequence of a rash vow, sacri-

Jiced his only son ; that the Cretans, to revenge the muider, had driven him out of the country ; that after long uncertainty they were then assembled to elect a new sovereign ; that he was admitted into the assembly ; that he obtained the prize in various exercises ; having also resolved the questions that had been recorded by Minos in the book of his laws, the sages, who were judges of the contest, and all the people, seeing his wisdom, would have made him king ; that he refused the royalty of Crete to return to Ithaca; that he proposed Mentor, but that Mentor also refused to be king; that the Cretans then pressing Mentor to appoint a king for them, he relates to them what he heard of the virtues of Aristodemus, whom they immediately proclaimed ; that Mentor and Telemachus having embarked for Italy, Neptune, to gratify the resentment of Venus, shipwrecked them on the island of Calypso, where the goddess received them with hospitality and kindness.... 221

Book VI

Calypso admires Telemachus for his adventures, and exerts all her power to detain him in her island, by inciting him to return her passion ; but he is sustained by the wisdom and friendship of Mentor, as well against her artifices as against the power of Cupid, whom Venus sends to her assistance. Telemachus, however, and Eucharis become mutually enamored of each other, which provokes Calypso first to jealousy, and then to rage. She swears, by the Styx, that Telemachus shall leave her island, and engages Mentor to build a ship to take him back to Ithaca. She is consoled by Cupid, who excites the nymphs to burn the vessel which had been built by Mentor, while Mentor was laboring to get Telemachus On board. Telemachus is touched with a secret joy at this event. Mentor, who perceives it, throws him from a rock into the sea, and leaps after him, that they may swim to another vessel which appeared not far distant from the shore 251

Book VII. >

The vessel proves to be a Tyrian, commanded by Adoam, the brother of Narbal, by whom the adventurers are kindly received. Adoam recollects Telemachus, and relates the tragical death of Pygmalion and Astarbe, and the accession of Baleazar, whom the tyrant his father had disgraced at her instigation. During a banquet which he prepares for his guests, Achitoas entertains them with music, which brings the Tritons, the Nereids, and other divinities of the sea, in crowds around the vessel. Mentor, taking up a lyre, plays much better than Achitoas. Adoam relates the wonders of Boetica: he describes the soft temperature of the air, and the beauties of the country, where the utmost simplicity of manners secures to the people uninterrupted tranquillity. 274

Book VIII

Venus, still incensed against Telemachus, requests of Jupiter that he rnaj perish ; hut this not being permitted by the Fates, the goddess consults with Neptune how his return to Ithaca, whither Adoam is conducting him, may be prevented. They employ an illusive divinity to deceive A cam as the pilot, who, supposing the land before him to be Ithaca, enters full sail into the port of Salentum. Telemachus is kindly received by Idomeneus in his new city, where he is preparing a sacrifice to Jupiter, that he maybe successful in a war against the Mandurians. The entrails of the victims being consulted by the priest, he perceives the omens to be happy, but declares that Idomeneus will owe his good fortune to his guests 297

Book IX

Idomeneus acquaints Mentor with the cause of the war: he tells hirr that the Mandurians ceded to him the coast of Ilesperia, where he had founded his new city as soon as he arrived ; that they withdrew to the neighboring mountains, where having been ill-treated by some of his people, they had sent deputies with whom he had settled articles of peace; and that after a breach of that treaty, on the part of Idomeneus, by some hunters who knew nothing of it, the Mandurians prepared to attack him. During this recital, the Mandurians, having already taken arms, appear at the gates of Salentum. Nestor, Philoetetes, and Phalanthus, whom Idomeneus supposed to be neuter, appear to have joined them with their forces. Mentor goes out of Salentum alone, and proposes new conditions of peace. Telemachus seeing Mentor in the midst of the allies, is impatient to know what passes between them. lie causes the gates of Salentum to be opened, and joins his friend. II is presence inclines the allies to accept the terms that Mentor has offered on the part of Idomeneus. The allies enter Salentum as friends. Idomeneus confirms the propositions of Mentor ; hostages are reciprocally given ; and all parties assist at a sacrifice between the city and the camp, as a solemn ratification of the treaty 814

Book X

Nestor, in the name of the allies, demands succors of Idomeneus against their enemies the Daunians. Mentor, who is desirous to establish proper regulations for the internal government of Salentum, and to employ the people in agriculture, finds means to satisfy them with a hundred noble Cretans, under the command of Telemachus. After their departure, Mentor proceeds to a minute examination of the city and the port; and, having acquainted himself with every particular, lie prevails upon Idomeneus to institute new principles of government and commerce, — to divide his people into seven classes, distinguishing them with respect to their rank and quality by different habits,— to retrench luxurj and unnecessary arts, and to employ the artificers in husbandry, which lie brings into just reputation 339

BOOK XL

Idomeneus relates to Mentor his confidence in Protesilaus, and the artifices of that favorite, in concert with Timocrates, to betray him and destroy Philocles. lie confesses, that being prejudiced against him by these confederates, he sent Timocrates to kill him while he was abroad with the command of a fleet upon a dangerous expedition. Timocrates having failed in his attempt, Philocles forbore to avenge himself by taking his life, but, resigning the command of the fleet to Polymenes, who had been appointed to succeed him in the written orders for his death, he retired to the isle of Samos. Idomeneus adds that he at length discovered the perfidy of Protesilaus, but that, even then, he could not shake off his influence. Mentor prevails upon Idomeneus to banish Protesilaus and Timocrates to the island of Samos, and recall Philocles to his confidence and councils. Ilegesippus, who is charged with this order, executes it with joy. lie arrives with his prisoners at Samos, where he finds his friend Philocles in great indigence and obscurity, but content. He at first refuses to return, but the gods having signified it to be their pleasure, he embarks with Ilegesippus, and arrives at Salentum, where Idomeneus, who now sustains a new character, receives him with great friendship 366

Book XII

Telemachus, in the camp of the allies, gains the friendship of Philoctetes, who was not at first favorably disposed to him, on his father's account. Philoctetes relates his adventures, and introduces a particular account of the death of Hercules by the poisoned garment which the centaur Nessus had given to Dejanira. He relates how he obtained from that hero his poisoned arrows, without which the city of Troy could not have been taken ; how he was punished for betraying his secret, by various Bufferings, in the island of Lemnos ; and how Ulysses employed Neoptolemus to engage him in the expedition against Troy, where he was cured of his wound 396

Book XIII

Telemachus quarrels with Phalanthus about some prisoners, to which eacli of them lays claim : he fights and vanquishes Hippias, who, despising his youtn, had seized the prisoners in question for his brother; but being afterwards ashamed of his victory, he laments in secret his rashness and indiscretion, for which he is very desirous to atone. At the same time Adrastus, king oftheDaunians, being informed that the allies were wholly taken up in reconciling Telemachus and Hippias, marches to attack them by surprise. After having seized a hundred of their vessels to transport his own troops to their camp, he first sets it on fire, and then falls upon Phalanthus 1 quarters. Phalanthus himself is desperately wounded, and his brother Hippias slain. Telemachus, having put on his divine armor, runs to the assistance of Phalanthus; he kills Iphicles, the son of Adrastus, repulses the victorious enemy, and would have put an end to the war if a tempest had not intervened. Telemachus orders the wounded to be carried off, and takes great care of them, particularly of Phalanthus. He performs the solemnities of the funeral of Hippias himself, and having collected his ashes in a golden urn, presents them to his brother 413

Book XIV

Telemachus being persuaded, by several dreams, that his father Ulysses was no longer alive, executes his design of seekinsr him among the dead. He retires from the camp, and is followed by two Cretans as far as a temple near the celebrated cavern ot Acherontia. He enters it, and descends through the gloom to the borders of the Styx, where Charon takes him into his boat. He presents himself before Pluto, who, in obedience to superior powers, permits him to seek his father. He passes through Tartarus, and is witness to the torments that are inflicted upon ingratitude, perjury, impiety, hypocrisy, and above all upon bad kings. He then enters the Elysian Fields, where he is known by his great grandfather, Arcesius, who assures him that Ulysses is still alive, that lie shall see him in Ithaca, and succeed to his throne. Arcesius describes the felicity of the just, especially of good kings, who have reverenced the "rods and given happiness to their people. He makes Telemachus observe that heroes, tho*e who have excelled only in the arts of destruction, have a much less glorious reward, and are allotted a separate district by themselves. Telemachus receives some general instructions, and then returns back to the camp 443

Book XV

Venusium havingr been left as a deposit by both parties in the hands of the Lucanians, Telemachus declares against seizing it in an assembly of the chiefs, and persuades them to be of his opinion. He discovers great penetration and sagacity with respect to two deserters, one of whom, Acanthus, had undertaken to poison him ; and the other, Dioscorus, had offered to bring him Adrastus' head. In the battle which soon after follows, Telemachus strews the field with dead in search of Adrastus.

Adrastu?., who is also in search of Telemachus, engraves and kills Pisistratns, the son of Nestor; 1'hiloctetes comes up, and, at the moment when he is about to pierce Adrastus, is himself wounded, and obliged to retire. Telemachus, alarmed by the cry of his friends, among whom Adrastus is making a terrible slaughter, rushes to their assistance. He engayes Adrastus, and prescribes conditions upon which he gives him his life. Adrastus, rising from the ground, attempts treacherously to kill his conqueror by surprise, who engages him a second time, and kills him 474

Book XVI

The chiefs assemble to deliberate upon the demand of the Daunians, that one of their own nation may be given them for a king. Nestor, being inconsolable for the loss of his son, absents himself from the assembly of the chiefs, where some are of opinion that the conquered lands should be divided among them, and allot the territory of Arpi to Telemachus. Telemachus rejects this offer, and convinces the chiefs that it is their common interest to appoint Polydamas king of the Daunians, and leave them in possession of their country. He afterwards persuades the Daunians to bestow Arpi upon Diomedes, who had accidentally landed upon their coast. Hostilities being now at an end, the allies separate, and every one returns to his country 496

Book XVII

Telemachus, on his return to Salentum, is surprised to see the country so well cultivated, and to find so little appearance of magnificence in the city. Mentor accounts for these alterations, and points out the principal causes that prevent national prosperity. He proposes the conduct and government of Idomener.s as a model. Telemachus discovers to Mentor his desire to marry the daughter of Idomeneus, Antiope. Mentor approves of the choice, and assures him that she is designed for him by the gods ; but that at present he should think only of returning to Ithaca, and delivering Penelope from her suitors. Idomeneus, fearing the departure of his guests, proposes several embarrassing affairs to Mentor, and assures him that without his assistance they cannot be adjusted. Mentor lays down general principles for his conduct, but continues steady in his purpose of departing with Telemachus for Ithaca. Idomeneus tries another expedient to detain them : he encourages the passion of Telemachus for Antiope, and engages him and Mentor in a hunting party with his daughter. She is in the utmcst danger from a wild boar, but is delivered by Telemachus. He feels great reluctance to leave her, and has not fortitude to bid Idomeneus farewell. Being encouraged by Mentor, he surmounts his difficulties, and embarks for his country 510