lowers few: the flocks and herds
That journey'd with him, just without the walls,
In a dark vale were left. When the first grant
T'approach the monarch was obtain'd, he rais'd
The olive in his suppliant hand; then told
His name, and lineage, but his crime conceal'd.
His cause of flight dissembling, next he beg'd,
For him and his, some pastures and a town.
Then thus Trachinia's king with friendly brow:
"To all, the very meanest of mankind,
"Are our possessions free; nor do I rule
"A realm inhospitable: add to these
"Inducements strong, thine own illustrious name,
"And grandsire Jove. In praying lose not time.
"Whate'er thou wouldst, thou shalt receive; and all,
"Such as it is, with me most freely share;
"Would it were better." Speaking thus, he wept:
His cause of grief to Peleus and his friends,
Anxious enquiring, then the monarch told.

"Perchance this bird, which by fierce rapine lives,
"Dread of the feather'd tribe, you think still wings
"Possess'd. Once man, he bore a noble soul;
"Though stern, and rough in war, and fond of blood.
"His name Daedalion: from the sire produc'd
"Who calls Aurora forth, and last of stars
"Relinquishes the sky. Peace my delight;
"Peace to preserve was still my care: my joys
"I shar'd in Hymen's bonds. Fierce wars alone,
"My brother pleas'd. His valor then o'erthrew
"Monarchs and nations, who, in alter'd form,
"Drives now Thisbaean pigeons through the air.
"His daughter Chione, in beauty rich,
"For marriage ripe, now fourteen years had seen;
"And numerous suitors with her charms were fir'd.
"It chanc'd that Phoebus once, and Maiae's son,
"Returning from his favorite Delphos this,
"That from Cyllene's top, together saw
"The nymph,--together felt the amorous flame.
"Apollo his warm hopes till night defers;
"But Hermes brooks delay not: with his rod,
"Compelling sleep, he strokes the virgin's face;
"Beneath the potent touch she sinks, and yields
"Without resistance to his amorous force.
"Night spread o'er heaven the stars, when Phoebus took
"A matron's form, and seiz'd fore-tasted joys.
"When its full time the womb matur'd had seen,
"Autolycus was born; the crafty seed
"Of the wing'd-footed god; acute of thought
"To every shade of theft; from his sire's art
"Degenerate nought; white he was wont to make
"Appear as black; and black from white produce.
"Philammon, famous with the