we can, building an altar on the shore; and if hereafter
he shall grant us a safe return to the Haemonian land, then will we lay
on his altar the thighs of horned goats. And now I bid you propitiate
him with the steam of sacrifice and libations. Be gracious, O king, be
gracious in thy appearing."

Thus he spake, and they straightway built up an altar with shingle; and
over the island they wandered, seeking if haply they could get a glimpse
of a fawn or a wild goat, that often seek their pasture in the deep
wood. And for them Leto's son provided a quarry; and with pious rites
they wrapped in fat the thigh bones of them all and burnt them on the
sacred altar, celebrating Apollo, Lord of Dawn. And round the burning
sacrifice they set up a broad dancing-ring, singing, "All hail, fair god
of healing, Phoebus, all hail," and with them Oeagrus' goodly son began
a clear lay on his Bistonian lyre; how once beneath the rocky ridge of
Parnassus he slew with his bow the monster Delphyne, he, still young and
beardless, still rejoicing in his long tresses. Mayst thou be gracious!
Ever, O king, be thy locks unshorn, ever unravaged; for so is it right.
And none but Leto, daughter of Coeus, strokes them with her dear hands.
And often the Corycian nymphs, daughters of Pleistus, took up the
cheering strain crying "Healer"; hence arose this lovely refrain of the
hymn to Phoebus.

Now when they had celebrated him with dance and song they took an oath
with holy libations, that they would ever help each other with concord
of heart, touching the sacrifice as they swore; and even now there
stands there a temple to gracious Concord, which the heroes themselves
reared, paying honour at that time to the glorious goddess.

Now when the third morning came, with a fresh west wind they left the
lofty island. Next, on the opposite side they saw and passed the mouth
of the river Sangarius and the fertile land of the Mariandyni, and the
stream of Lycus and the Anthemoeisian lake; and beneath the breeze the
ropes and all the tackling quivered as they sped onward. During the
night the wind ceased and at dawn they gladly reached the haven of the
Acherusian headland. It rises aloft with steep cliffs, looking towards
the Bithynian sea; and beneath it smooth rocks, ever washed by the sea,
stand rooted firm; and round them the wave rolls and thunders loud, but
above, wide-spreading plane trees grow on the topmost point. And from it
towards the land a hollow