Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/578

570 Who art thou, stranger? Whence hast thou arrived On this our border, and who gave thee birth? Beware thou trespass not against the truth; Lye not! for should I find thy merit such As claims my love, I will conduct thee hence To my abode, where gifts thou shalt receive Lib'ral and large, with hospitable fare. I am the King Physignathus, revered By the inhabitants of all this pool, Chief of the frogs for ever. Me, long since, Peleus begat, embracing on the banks Of the Eridanus my mother fair, Hydromedusa. Nor thee less than King Or leader bold in sight thy form proclaims, Stout as it is, and beautiful.—Dispatch— Speak, therefore, and declare thy pedigree. He ceas'd, to whom Psycharpax thus replied, Illustrious sir! wherefore hast thou enquired My derivation, known to all, alike To Gods and men, and to the fowls of heav'n? I am Psycharpax, and the dauntless Chief Troxartes is my sire, whose beauteous spouse Daughter of Pternotroctes brought me forth, Lichomyle by name. A cave of earth My cradle was, and, in my youngling state,