Mentos predicts Odysseus's return.

178 The goddess, Athena with her shining eyes, answered him.

179 "In that case, I will speak frankly about this."

180 I am a child of the wise Ankiaros,

181. He calls himself Mentos, who rules over the Tapos people who love oars.

182 Now, I have come here with a ship and my companions.

183. Sailing across a dark, wine-colored sea, towards people who speak different languages.

184 I am heading towards Temese to obtain copper. I have shining iron with me.

185 My ship is anchored in a field, far from the city.

186 At the foot of Mount Neion, where forests flourish, and in the port of Leatron.

187 We have been calling each other "friends of guests" since our ancestors' time.

188 You should go to the old hero Laertes and ask him.

189 People say that he will no longer go to town.

190 Perhaps he is experiencing hardship in a distant rural area.

191 An old woman is accompanying, and she is offering food and drinks.

192 When fatigue gathers in your hands and feet,

193 To him, who moves along the hillside of vineyards like a crawling creature.

194. Well, I have arrived. When I heard that your father is in our hometown,

195 It was because people were saying so. But, the gods are obstructing his path.

196 Odysseus, who was like a god, did not die on earth.

197 It is still alive somewhere, but it is being held back in a vast ocean.

198. On an island surrounded by the sea. Rough people are holding him captive.

199 Savage people are keeping him there against his will.

200 But now, I will prophesy to you – within your heart,

201 What the immortal gods say, and what I believe will be realized.

202 I am neither a prophet, nor someone who can clearly understand signs from birds.

203 He has not been away from his beloved homeland for very long.

204 Even if you were connected by iron chains.

205 He will figure out a way to return. Because he is a person with clever strategies."

Simple Japanese

Athena introduces herself and says that she is traveling in search of copper. Odysseus says that he has not died, but is being held captive by rough people on an island, and predicts that he will soon return using his cunning.

Translation note:

• Ankiaros: A person whom Mentos refers to as his father.
• Tapos people: The inhabitants of the Itake region. Mentos introduces himself as their ruler.
• Temese: A place name that Mentos mentions as a destination where he is going to obtain copper.
• Leitron: A port located far from the town of Itake, mentioned in the text.
• Neion Mountain: A forest-covered mountain near the port of Leitron.
• Guest's friend: A close relationship based on mutual hospitality that has continued since the ancestors' time. Mentos uses this connection as a basis to advise Telemachus to inquire about something from Laertes.
• Laertes: The father of Odysseus. Mentos says he lives in seclusion, living in the countryside.
• Bird signs: Omens read from the behavior of birds and other things, used for divination. Athena states that she makes prophecies, but does not explicitly claim to be a clear interpreter of those omens.