the swift
bird, thy messenger, which is the most agreeable of birds to thee, and
whose strength is very great, on my right hand; that I myself,
perceiving him with my eyes, may go, relying on him, to the ships of the
fleet-horsed Greeks."

Thus he spoke, praying; but to him provident Jove hearkened, and
immediately sent an eagle, the Black Hunter, the most certain augury of
birds, which they also call Percnos.[788] As large as the well-bolted,
closely-fitted door of the lofty-roofed chamber of a wealthy man, so
great were its wings on each side; and it appeared to them, rushing on
the right hand over the city. But they, having seen it, rejoiced, and
the soul was overjoyed in their bosoms. Then the old man, hastening,
mounted his polished car, and drove out of the vestibule and
much-echoing porch. Before, indeed, the mules drew the four-wheeled car,
which prudent Idaeus drove; but after [came] the horses, which the old
man cheered on, driving briskly through the city with his lash; but all
his friends accompanied, greatly weeping for him, as if going to death.
But when they had descended from the city, and reached the plain, his
sons and sons-in-law then returned to Ilium. Nor did these two,
advancing on the plain, escape the notice of far-seeing Jove; but,
seeing the old man, he pitied him, and straightway addressed his beloved
son:

[Footnote 788: See Alberti on Hesych. t. ii. pp. 622, 941;
Villois on Apoll. Lex. p. 556.]

"O Mercury (for to thee it is peculiarly grateful to associate with man,
and thou hearest whomsoever thou art willing), go now, and so convey
Priam to the hollow ships of the Greeks, that neither any one may see
him, nor indeed any of the other Greeks perceive him until he reach the
son of Peleus."

Thus he spoke; nor did the messenger, the son of Argus. disobey.[789]
Immediately then he fastened under his feet his beautiful sandals,
ambrosial, golden, which carry him as well over the sea, as over the
boundless earth, with the blasts of the wind. He also took his rod, with
which he soothes the eyes of those men whom he wishes, and again excites
others who are asleep; holding this in his hands, the powerful slayer of
Argus flew along. But he immediately reached the Troad and the
Hellespont, and hastened to go, like unto a princely youth, first
springing into youth, whose youth is very graceful. And they, when they
had driven by the great tomb of Ilus, stopped their mules and horses,
that