We forag’d, as proclaiméd foes, a wondrous wealthy boot, And he, in rescue of his herds, fell breathless at my foot. All the dorp boors with terror fled. Our prey was rich and great; Twice five and twenty flocks of sheep; as many herds of neat; As many goats, and nasty swine; an hundred fifty mares, All sorrel, most with sucking foals. And these soon-monied wares We drave into Neleius’ town, fair Pylos, all by night. My father’s heart was glad to see so much good fortune quite The forward mind of his young son, that us’d my youth in deeds, And would not smother it in moods. Now drew the Sun’s bright steeds Light from the hills; our heralds now accited all that were Endamag’d by the Elians; our princes did appear; Our boot was parted; many men th’ Epeians much did owe, That, being our neighbours, they did spoil; afflictions did so flow On us poor Pylians, though but few. In brake great Hercules To our sad confines of late years, and wholly did suppress Our hapless princes. Twice-six Sons renown’d Neleius bred, Only myself am left of all, the rest subdu’d and dead. And this was it that made so proud the base Epeian bands, On their near neighbours, being oppress’d, to lay injurious hands. A herd of oxen for himself, a mighty flock of sheep, My sire selected, and made choice of shepherds for their keep; And from the gen’ral spoil he cull’d three hundred of the best. The Elians ought him infinite, most plagu’d of all the rest. Four wager-winning horse he lost, and chariots intervented, Being led to an appointed race; the prize that was presented Was a religious three-foot urn; Augeas was the king That did detain them, and dismiss’d their keeper sorrowing For his lov’d charge lost with foul words. Then both for words and deeds My sire being worthily incens’d, thus justly he proceeds To satisfaction, in first choice of all our wealthy prise; And, as he shar’d much, much he left his subjects to suffice, That none might be oppress’d with pow’r, or want his portion due. Thus for the public good we shar’d. Then we to temples drew Our cómplete city, and to heav’n we thankful rites did burn For our rich conquest. The third day ensuing our return The Elians flew on us in heaps; their gen’ral leaders were The two Moliones, two boys, untrainéd in the fear Of horrid war, or use of strength. A certain city shines Upon a lofty prominent, and in th’ extreme confines Of sandy Pylos, seated where Alpheus’ flood doth run, And call’d Thryessa; this they sieg’d, and gladly would have won, But, having pass’d through all our fields, Minerva as our spy Fell from Olympus in the night, and arm’d us instantly; Nor muster’d she unwilling men, nor unprepar’d for force. My sire yet would not let me arm, but hid away my horse, Esteeming me no soldier yet; yet shin’d I nothing less Amongst our gallants, though on foot; Minerva’s mightiness Led me to fight, and made me bear a soldier’s worthy name. There is a flood falls into sea, and his crook’d course doth frame