run for a tripod; but Augeas, king of men, detained them there,
and dismissed the charioteer, grieved on account of his steeds. At which
words and deeds the old man, being wroth, chose out for himself mighty
numbers, and gave the rest to the people to divide, that no one might go
away defrauded by him of his just proportion. We indeed accomplished
each of these things, and were performing sacrifices to the gods through
the city, when on the third day they all came at once, both the citizens
themselves and their solid-hoofed steeds, in full force: and with them
were armed the two Molions, being still youths, nor as yet very skilled
in impetuous might. There is a certain city, a lofty hill, Thryoessa,
far away at the Alpheus, the last of sandy Pylus; this they invested,
eager to overthrow it. But when they had crossed the whole plain,
Minerva, hastening from Olympus, came to us by night as a messenger,
that we should be armed; nor did she assemble an unwilling people at
Pylus, but one very eager to fight. Still Neieus would not allow me to
be armed, but concealed my horses, for he said that I was not at all
acquainted with warlike deeds. Yet even thus was I conspicuous amongst
our cavalry, even although being on foot; for thus did Minerva conduct
me to battle. There is a certain river, Minyeius, emptying itself into
the sea near Arena, where we, the Pylian horsemen, awaited divine Morn,
whilst the swarms of infantry poured in. Thence in full force, equipped
in armour, we came at mid-day to the sacred stream of Alpheus. There
having offered fair victims to almighty Jove, a bull to the Alpheus, and
a bull to Neptune, but an untrained heifer to blue-eyed Minerva, we then
took supper through the army by troops; and we each slept in our arms
along the river's stream. In the meantime the magnanimous Epeans stood
around, desirous to lay waste the city; but a mighty work of Mars first
appeared to them: for as soon as the splendid sun was elevated above the
earth, we were engaged in the battle, praying to Jove and to Minerva.
But when now the battle of the Pylians and Eleans began, I first slew a
man, the warrior Molion, and bore away his solid-hoofed steeds: he was
the son-in-law of Augeas, and possessed his eldest daughter,
yellow-haired Agamede, who well understood as many drugs as the wide
earth nourishes. Him advancing against [me], I smote with my brazen
spear. He fell in the dust, and springing into his chariot, I then stood