Simple Japanese

The rider from Gereneia, Nestor, replied: "My child, let us speak the truth. You too would have thought that if Menelaus had returned from Troy and found Aigisthus alive in the palace, this is what would have happened. No grave would have been made for Aigisthus, and his body, lying far from the city, would be devoured by dogs and birds, and no woman of the Achaeans would weep for him. For he had committed a terrible evil. While we endured many hardships in Troy, he lived peacefully in Argos, confusing Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, with his words. At first, she refused to engage in shameful acts because she was thoughtful. When Agamemnon set out for Troy, he instructed the singers to protect his wife. But when divine fate forced her to submit, Aigisthus left the singers on a deserted island and fed them to birds. And then, with their consent, he brought Clytemnestra to his own house. Having accomplished this great deed and achieved what was once unimaginable, they sacrificed thigh meat at the altars of the gods and offered many gifts, including textiles and gold."

"When we were returning from Troy, I, along with Menelaus, son of Atreus, was sailing together in a friendly manner. When we reached the promontory of Athens, the sacred Cape Sounion, Apollo shot and killed Menelaus' helmsman, Phrontis, with an arrow. Phrontis was outstanding among people in his skill at steering ships when strong winds blew. Menelaus was eager to continue his journey, but he stopped there to bury his companion and offer sacrifices at the grave. Later, as we sailed on a hollow ship through wine-dark waters towards Cape Malea, Zeus ordained hardship for him and sent a fierce wind onto the deck. The waves rose up like mountains. Zeus scattered the fleet, driving some of it towards Crete, where the Cydonians lived, near the river Iardanos. On the outskirts of Gortyn, facing the misty sea, there is a smooth and rugged rocky shore. A south wind pushed large waves against the promontory on the left, directing them towards Phaistos. Small rocks were blocking those large waves. The people on the ship that arrived there quickly avoided death, but the ship was struck by the waves and shattered on the reefs. Five ships with black prows were carried away by the wind and waves to Egypt."

"Menelaus gathered many treasures and gold there, and traveled with his ships to the lands of people who spoke different languages. Meanwhile, in his homeland, Aegisthus was advancing his schemes. He killed Agamemnon and ruled Mycenae for seven years, dominating the people. In the eighth year, Agamemnon's son Orestes returned from Athens and killed Aegisthus, the man who had murdered his father. After avenging his father's death, Orestes summoned the people of Argos and held a funeral feast for his mother Clytemnestra and cowardly Aegisthus. On that very day, Menelaus returned to him with many treasures that could be loaded onto ships."

Nestor continued, "My friend, you must not wander far from the estate. You are leaving behind your possessions and the men within these walls. Those arrogant men will divide up your wealth and consume it entirely, and what may be left for you is only a fruitless journey. But I advise you to go to Menelaus. He has recently returned from distant lands. If the winds carry you there, it is across a vast and terrifying sea, so far that no one believes they can return. It is such a wide and frightening sea that even birds cannot cross it in a year. Now, set sail with your ship and companions. If the roads are favorable, I will lend you chariots and horses. My sons will also serve as guides, leading you to Lacedaemon, where the noble Menelaus with golden hair resides. Ask him yourself to tell you the truth. He is a thoughtful man, so he will not lie."