LX.

I found that in the dark he quietly

Had sacrificed some cows, and before light Had thrown the ashes all dispersedly

About the road-then, still as gloomy night, Had crept into his cradle, either eye

Rubbing, and cogitating some new sleight.
No eagle could have seen him as he lay
Hid in his cavern from the peering day.

LXI.

"I taxed him with the fact, when he averred Most solemnly that he did neither see

Nor even had in any manner heard

Of

my

lost cows, whatever things cows be; Nor could he tell, though offered a reward, Not even who could tell of them to me." So speaking, Phoebus sat; and Hermes then Addressed the Supreme Lord of Gods and Men

LXII.

"Great Father, you know clearly beforehand That all which I shall say to you is sooth; I am a most veracious person, and

Totally unacquainted with untruth.

At sunrise Phoebus came, but with no band
Of gods to bear him witness, in great wrath
To my abode, seeking his heifers there,

And saying that I must show him where they

are,

LXIII.

"Or he would hurl me down the dark abyss. I know that every Apollonian limb

Is clothed with speed and might and manliness, As a green bank with flowers-but unlike him I was born yesterday, and you may guess

He well knew this when he indulged the whim Of bullying a poor little new-born thing That slept, and never thought of cow-driving.

LXIV.

"Am I like a strong fellow who steals kine?
Believe me, dearest Father, (such you are,)
This driving of the herds is none of mine;
Across my threshold did I wander ne'er,—
So may I thrive! I reverence the divine

Sun and the gods, and I love you, and care
Even for this hard accuser-who must know
I am as innocent as they or you.

LXV.

"I swear by these most gloriously-wrought por tals,

(It is, you will allow, an oath of might), Through which the multitude of the Immortals Pass and repass for ever, day and night, Devising schemes for the affairs of mortals— That I am guiltless; and I will requite, Although mine enemy be great and strong, His cruel threat-do thou defend the young!"

LXVI.

So speaking, the Cyllenian Argiphont

Winked, as if now his adversary was fitted; And Jupiter, according to his wont,

Laughed heartily to hear the subtle-witted Infant give such a plausible account,

And every word a lie. But he remitted Judgment at present-and his exhortation Was, to compose the affair by arbitration.

LXVII.

And they by mighty Jupiter were bidden
To go forth with a single purpose both,
Neither the other chiding nor yet chidden :
And Mercury with innocence and truth
To lead the way, and show where he had hidden
The mighty heifers.-Hermes, nothing loth,
Obeyed the Ægis-bearer's will-for he

Is able to persuade all easily.

LXVIII.

These lovely children of Heaven's highest Lord Hastened to Pylos and the pastures wide

And lofty stalls by the Alphean ford,

Where wealth in the mute night is multiplied With silent growth. Whilst Hermes drove the herd

Out of the stony cavern, Phoebus spied The hides of those the little babe had slain, Stretched on the precipice above the plain.

LXIX.

"How was it possible," then Phoebus said, "That you, a little child, born yesterday, A thing on mother's milk and kisses fed, Could two prodigious heifers ever flay? E'en I myself may well hereafter dread

Your prowess, offspring of Cyllenian May, When you grow strong and tall."—He spoke, and

bound

Stiff withy bands the infant's wrists around.

LXX.

He might as well have bound the oxen wild;
The withy bands, though starkly interknit,
Fell at the feet of the immortal child,

Loosened by some device of his quick wit. Phoebus perceived himself again beguiled, [or pit, And stared-while Hermes sought some hole Looking askance and winking fast as thought, Where he might hide himself, and not be caught.

LXXI.

Sudden he changed his plan, and with strange skill Subdued the strong Latonian, by the might

Of winning music, to his mightier will;

His left hand held the lyre, and in his right The plectrum struck the chords-unconquerable Up from beneath his hand in circling flight The gathering music rose-and sweet as love The penetrating notes did live and move

LXXII.

Within the heart of great Apollo-he

Listened with all his soul, and laughed for pleasure.

Close to his side stood harping fearlessly

The unabashed boy; and to the measure Of the sweet lyre, there followed load and free His joyous voice; for he unlocked the treasure Of his deep song, illustrating the birth. Of the bright gods and the dark desert Earth:

LXXIII.

And how to the Immortals every one
A portion was assigned of all that is;
But chief Mnemosyne did Maia's son
Clothe in the light of his loud melodies;
And, as each god was born or had begun,
He in their order due and fit degrees
Sung of his birth and being-and did move
Apollo to unutterable love.

LXXIV.

These words were winged with his swift delight: "You heifer-stealing schemer, well do you Deserve that fifty oxen should requite

Such minstrelsies as I have heard even now. Comrade of feasts, little contriving wight,

One of your secrets I would gladly know,

Whether the glorious power you now show forth Was folded up within you at your birth,