Note (return) — BOOK THE TWENTY-FOURTH.

“Take, 787 offer a libation to father Jove, and pray that thou mayest return home again from the hostile men; since indeed thy mind urges thee to the ships, I at least not being willing. But do thou pray now to the dark, cloud-compelling Idæan son of Saturn, who looks down upon all Troy; but seek the fleet bird, his messenger, which to him is the most pleasing of birds, and whose strength is very great, on thy right hand, so that, marking him thyself with thine eyes, thou mayest go, relying on him, to the ships of the fleet-horsed Greeks. But if wide-viewing Jove will not give thee his own messenger, I would not at all then, urging, advise thee to go to the ships of the Greeks, though very eager.”