Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/413

262—293. comest thou hither, seeking field-dwelling heifers? I have not seen [them], nor learnt [about them], nor heard report from another. I cannot tell, I could not receive a reward for intelligence. Nor am I [myself] like unto a driver away of cows, a strong man. This is not a work for [such as] me, and hitherto other things have been my care. Sleep, and my mother's milk are my care, and to wear swaddling-clothes about my shoulders, and a warm bath. Let no one learn this, whence this quarrel has arisen. For truly it would be a mighty marvel among the immortals, that a boy just born should pass through the vestibule with field-dwelling heifers. And this thou speakest not beseemingly. I was born [but] yesterday, and my feet are tender, but the ground beneath is rugged. But if thou wilt, I will swear by the head of my sire, a mighty oath, neither do I myself confess to be guilty, nor have I perceived any one else the stealer of your cattle, whoever these heifers be, for I have heard the report only."

Thus then he spake, and winking frequently from his eyelids, he rapidly moved with his brows, glancing hither and thither, whistling to a long distance, as though hearing a vain story. But him far-darting Apollo, gently smiling, addressed:

"O soft young cheat, deviser of tricks, truly I deem that thou, often breaking into well-built dwellings, wilt by night leave not one man only bare upon the ground, filching noiselessly throughout the house; such things dost thou say. But many field-dwelling shepherds wilt thou annoy in the ravines of a mountain, when, longing for flesh, thou shalt meet with herds of cows and flocks of sheep. But come, [take heed] lest thou enjoy thy last and final sleep, come out of thy cradle, thou comrade of black night. For this honour shalt thou hereafter possess among the immortals, thou shalt be called the captain of thieves all thy days."

Thus then he spake, and Phœbus Apollo took up and carried the boy, but then the brave slayer of Argus, taking counsel, as he was lifted up in his arms, sent forth an augury into