Page:The Story of the Iliad.djvu/342

298 left, masters of lying words, and skilful in the dance, and mighty to drink wine. But go, yoke the mules to the wagon." So they yoked the mules to the wagon. But the horses for his chariot Priam, with the herald, yoked himself. Then Hecuba came near, and bade a woman-servant come and pour water on his hands. And when she had poured, King Priam took a great cup from the hands of his wife, and made a libation to Zeus, and prayed:— "Hear me, Father Zeus, and grant that Achilles may pity me. And do thou send me now a lucky sign, that I may go with a good heart to the ships of the Greeks." And Zeus heard him, and sent an eagle, a mighty bird, whose wings spread out on either side as wide as is the door of some spacious chamber in a rich man's house. On his right hand it flew high above the city; and all rejoiced when they saw the sign. Then the old man mounted his chariot in haste, and drove forth from the palace. Before him the mules drew the four-wheeled wagon,