Simple Japanese
The sun rose, and leaving the beautiful lake behind, it ascended into the bronze sky. It illuminated the immortal gods and also shone upon the humans who lived in the fertile land. They arrived at Pylos, a well-built city of Nestor. The people were on the seashore, offering black bulls with blue-black hair to Poseidon, the god who shook the earth. There were nine groups, each consisting of five hundred people, and each group offered nine bulls.
| Words and phrases. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| Pyuros. | This is a land ruled by King Nestor. Here, Telemachus and Athena arrive at the scene of the banquet. |
| Poseidon. | It is a god related to the sea and earthquakes. In this scene, the people of Pyrrhus are holding a banquet. |
While they were savoring the entrails and roasting thigh meat for the gods, the others steered the ship straight towards the shore. They lowered and furled the sails, moored the boat, and everyone disembarked from the ship. Telemachus also disembarked, and Athena walked ahead.
Athena spoke to Telemachus. "You have nothing to be ashamed of. You have crossed the sea to learn about your father and find out where he is and what fate has befallen him. Go directly to Nestor, who tends the horses. Ask him what thoughts are in his heart. Entreat him to tell you the truth. He is a thoughtful man, so he will not lie."
The thoughtful Telemachus replied, "Mentor, how should I proceed? How should I greet them? I am not yet accustomed to witty conversation. It is daunting for me to ask questions of those older than myself." Athena said, "There are things you can figure out on your own, and there will be things that the gods will teach you. You were born and raised with the help of the gods." With that, Pallas Athena quickly stepped forward, and Telemachus followed after the goddess.
When the two arrived at the gathering of the people of Pylos and took their seats, Nestor sat down with his sons, and the companions were preparing the meal. They were grilling meat, and skewering other pieces of meat. When they noticed the guests, everyone gathered around, taking their hands to welcome them and urging them to sit. Peisistratos, one of Nestor's sons who came forward first, took their hands and led them to the banquet table. He had a fur laid out on the sand by the seashore and seated them next to his brother Thrasymedes and his father Nestor. He offered them portions of the entrails and poured wine into golden cups, offering a prayer to Pallas Athena.
| Words and phrases. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| Nestor. | He is King Pyrrhus, an old general who returned from the Trojan War. Telemachus came to inquire about his father's whereabouts. |
"Guest, please pray to Poseidon. When you arrived, he was holding a feast. If you offer wine and pray, then pass this cup to my friend. He will also pray to the immortal gods. Everyone needs the help of the gods. However, this person is still young, about the same age as me. So, I will first give you this golden cup."