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 METAMORPHOSES BOOK VII Myrmidons,1 nor did I cheat the name of its origin. You have seen their bodies; the habits which thev had before they still keep, a thrifty race, inured to toil, keen in pursuit of gain and keeping what the get. These men will follow you to the wars well matched in years and courage, as soon as the east wind which brought you so fortunately hither"for the east wind it was that brought him-“shall have changed to the south." With such and other talk they filled the lingering day. The last hours of the day were given to feasting, the night to sleep. When the golden sun had shown his light, the east wind was still blowing and kept . The sons of the sails from the homeward voyage Pallas came to Cephalus, who was the older, an Cephalus with the sons of Pallas went together to the king. But deep sleep still held the king. Phocus, son of Aeacus, received them at the threshold; for Telamon and his brother were marshalling the men for war. Into the inner court and beautiful apart- ments Phocus conducted the Athenians, and there they sat them down together. There Phocus noticed that Cephalus carried in his hand a javelin with a golden head, and a shaft made of some strange wood. After some talk, he said abruptly: "I am devoted to the woods and the hunting of wild beasts. Still, I have for some time been wondering from what wood that weapon you hold is made. Surely if it were of ash it would be of deep yellow hue; if it were of cornel-wood there would be knots upon it. What wood it is made of 1 cannot tell; but my eyes have never seen a javelin for throwing more beautiful than that" And one of the Athenian brothers replied: "You will admire the weapon's use more 1 Fancifully derived from μύρμηξ, an ant. 389