., [Greek: pyesthai, lotrosasthai].]

But him the slayer of Argus again addressed: "Old man, thou triest me,
[being] younger; nor wilt thou now persuade me; thou who orderest me to
accept thy gifts unknown to Achilles; whom indeed I dread, and scruple
in my heart to plunder, lest some evil should afterwards come upon me.
Yet would I go as a conductor to thee even to renowned Argos,
sedulously, in a swift ship, or accompanying thee on foot; nor, indeed,
would any one contend with thee, despising thy guide."

Mercury spoke, and, leaping upon the chariot and horses, quickly took
the scourge and the reins in his hands, and breathed bold vigour into
the horses and mules. But when they had now reached the ramparts and
trench of the ships, then the guards were just employed about their
feast, and the messenger, the slayer of Argus, poured sleep upon them
all; and immediately he opened the gates and pushed back the bars, and
led in Priam, and the splendid gifts upon the car. But when they reached
the lofty tent of Achilles which the Myrmidons had reared for their
king, lopping fir timbers; and they roofed it over with a thatched roof,
mowing it from the mead, and made a great fence around, with thick-set
stakes, for their king: one bar only of fir held the door, which,
indeed, three Greeks used to fasten, and three used to open the great
fastening of the gates; but Achilles even alone used to shoot it. Then,
indeed, profitable Mercury opened it for the old man, and led in the
splendid presents to swift-footed Achilles; then he descended to the
ground, from the chariot, and said:

"O old man, I indeed come, an immortal god, Mercury, to thee; for to
thee my father sent me as companion. Yet shall I return indeed, nor be
present before the eyes of Achilles; for it would indeed be invidious
for an immortal god so openly to aid mortals. But do thou, entering,
clasp the knees of the son of Peleus, and supplicate him by his father,
and fair-haired mother, and his son; that thou mayest effect his mind."

Thus, indeed, having spoken, Mercury went to lofty Olympus; and Priam
leaped from his chariot to the ground, and left Idaeus there: but he
remained, guarding the steeds and mules; while the old man went straight
into the tent, where Achilles, dear to Jove, was sitting. Himself he
found within; but his companions sat apart; but two alone, the hero
Automedon, and Alcimus, a branch of Mars, standing near, were
ministering to him (for, e