His morning meal, roast meat and Dorian bread No ploughman would a larger loaf desire; He always wore, bare to his knees, a plain attire. IDYL XXV. HERCULES, THE LION-SLAYER. ARGUMENT. Hercules, in quest of Augeias, falls in with one of the dependants of that personage. He is amazed at the sight of his herds, having no notion that even ten kings together possessed such wealth. He accompanies Augeias and his son while they inspect the stalls and the business going on there. In the morning he accompanies Phyleus to the city, and communicates to him, on the road, the particulars of his adventure with the Nemean lion, whose hide is hanging from his shoulders. The beginning, and some think the conclusion also, of this Idyl is wanting in the original. IDYL XXV. HERCULES, THE LION-SLAYER. WHEN to perform his fated lord's behest, Where the sweet waters of Alpheus glide, Seeing herds, flocks, and pastures, none might claim, But only wealthiest lord, some prince well known to fame, He asked a countryman, whose watchful care O'erlooked the grounds (his task was his delight), "Good friend! wilt tell a traveller, whose are These herds, and flocks, and pastures infinite? He is, I well may guess, the favourite Of the Olympian gods. Here should abide The work he had in hand, and courteously replied: "What thou dost ask I willingly will tell, Some pasture where Elisson glides; some, where Alpheus; at vine-clad Buprasion some; some, here: "And every flock has its particular fold. The meads throw up soft herbage, which supplies The strength of the horned kind. Beyond the shine Of the far-gliding river-turn your eyes A little to the left-their stalled inclosure lies; |