hand had gone
apart from the throng, seeking the sacred flow of a fountain, that he
might be quick in drawing water for the evening meal and actively make
all things ready in due order against his lord's return. For in such
ways did Heracles nurture him from his first childhood when he had
carried him off from the house of his father, goodly Theiodamas, whom
the hero pitilessly slew among the Dryopians because he withstood him
about an ox for the plough. Theiodamas was cleaving with his plough the
soil of fallow land when he was smitten with the curse; and Heracles
bade him give up the ploughing ox against his will. For he desired to
find some pretext for war against the Dryopians for their bane, since
they dwelt there reckless of right. But these tales would lead me far
astray from my song. And quickly Hylas came to the spring which the
people who dwell thereabouts call Pegae. And the dances of the nymphs
were just now being held there; for it was the care of all the nymphs
that haunted that lovely headland ever to hymn Artemis in songs by
night. All who held the mountain peaks or glens, all they were ranged
far off guarding the woods; but one, a water-nymph was just rising from
the fair-flowing spring; and the boy she perceived close at hand with
the rosy flush of his beauty and sweet grace. For the full moon beaming
from the sky smote him. And Cypris made her heart faint, and in her
confusion she could scarcely gather her spirit back to her. But as soon
as he dipped the pitcher in the stream, leaning to one side, and the
brimming water rang loud as it poured against the sounding bronze,
straightway she laid her left arm above upon his neck yearning to kiss
his tender mouth; and with her right hand she drew down his elbow, and
plunged him into the midst of the eddy.

(ll. 1240-1256) Alone of his comrades the hero Polyphemus, son of
Eilatus, as he went forward on the path, heard the boy's cry, for he
expected the return of mighty Heracles. And he rushed after the cry,
near Pegae, like some beast of the wild wood whom the bleating of sheep
has reached from afar, and burning with hunger he follows, but does not
fall in with the flocks; for the shepherds beforehand have penned them
in the fold, but he groans and roars vehemently until he is weary.
Thus vehemently at that time did the son of Eilatus groan and wandered
shouting round the spot; and his voice rang piteous. Then quickly
drawing his great sword he started in pu