Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/130

Rh was entirely faithful to his employer, and moreover, possessed an hundred eyes. The nobleman despatched a messenger to Argus to request his attendance without delay. On his arrival, he said, "I commit to your custody my cow with golden horns; and if you guard it securely I will liberally remunerate you. But if you permit her horns to be stolen, you shall die." Argus accordingly received the cow under his charge; and every day attended her to the pasture, and watched her with unremitting care. At night, he drove her home. But there dwelt in these days a certain avaricious knave called Mercury, whose skill in music was surpassing. He had a great desire to possess the animal, so narrowly watched; and he went frequently to her keeper, in the hope of prevailing with him by prayers or promises to deliver her up. But Argus, being an ingenious wight, fixed a shepherd's staff, which he held, firmly in the ground; and addressed it in the person of his master :