rsuit, in fear lest the boy
should be the prey of wild beasts, or men should have lain in ambush for
him faring all alone, and be carrying him off, an easy prey. Hereupon as
he brandished his bare sword in his hand he met Heracles himself on
the path, and well he knew him as he hastened to the ship through the
darkness. And straightway he told the wretched calamity while his heart
laboured with his panting breath.

(ll. 1257-1260) "My poor friend, I shall be the first to bring thee
tidings of bitter woe. Hylas has gone to the well and has not returned
safe, but robbers have attacked and are carrying him off, or beasts are
tearing him to pieces; I heard his cry."

(ll. 1261-1272) Thus he spake; and when Heracles heard his words, sweat
in abundance poured down from his temples and the black blood boiled
beneath his heart. And in wrath he hurled the pine to the ground and
hurried along the path whither his feet bore on his impetuous soul. And
as when a bull stung by a gadfly tears along, leaving the meadows and
the marsh land, and recks not of herdsmen or herd, but presses on, now
without cheek, now standing still, and raising his broad neck he bellows
loudly, stung by the maddening fly; so he in his frenzy now would ply
his swift knees unresting, now again would cease from toil and shout
afar with loud pealing cry.

(ll. 1273-1289) But straightway the morning star rose above the topmost
peaks and the breeze swept down; and quickly did Tiphys urge them to
go aboard and avail themselves of the wind. And they embarked eagerly
forthwith; and they drew up the ship's anchors and hauled the ropes
astern. And the sails were bellied out by the wind, and far from the
coast were they joyfully borne past the Posideian headland. But at the
hour when gladsome dawn shines from heaven, rising from the east, and
the paths stand out clearly, and the dewy plains shine with a bright
gleam, then at length they were aware that unwittingly they had
abandoned those men. And a fierce quarrel fell upon them, and violent
tumult, for that they had sailed and left behind the bravest of their
comrades. And Aeson's son, bewildered by their hapless plight, said
never a word, good or bad; but sat with his heavy load of grief, eating
out his heart. And wrath seized Telamon, and thus he spake:

(ll. 1290-1295) "Sit there at thy ease, for it was fitting for thee to
leave Heracles behind; from thee the project arose, so that his glory
throughout Hellas s