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must I say or hide, Ο master dear,

In a strange land, myself a stranger here,

To one who looks askance

With shy, suspecting glance?

Ever his skill excels

The counsel and the skill of other men,

With whom the sceptre dwells

That Zeus bestows from Heaven on those that reign.

And now on thee, Ο boy,

Comes all this might of venerable days;

Tell me then what employ

Thou bid'st me serve in, tending all thy ways.

Perchance thou fain would'st know

Where he in that remotest corner lies:

Take courage then, and hither turn thine eyes;

But when he comes, that traveller, with his bow

Waking our fear,

Then, from this cavern drawing back,

As helper still be near,

And strive to serve me so that nothing lack.