of heaven 430
  The Argicide delay’d, but bound in haste
  His undecaying sandals to his feet,
  Golden, divine, which waft him o’er the floods
  Swift as the wind, and o’er the boundless earth. 
  He took his rod with which he charms to sleep 435
  All eyes, and theirs who sleep opens again. 
  Arm’d with that rod, forth flew the Argicide. 
  At Ilium and the Hellespontic shores
  Arriving sudden, a king’s son he seem’d,
  Now clothing first his ruddy cheek with down, 440
  Which is youth’s loveliest season; so disguised,
  His progress he began.  They now (the tomb
  Magnificent of Ilus past) beside
  The river stay’d the mules and steeds to drink,
  For twilight dimm’d the fields.  Idaeus first 445
  Perceived him near, and Priam thus bespake. 
    Think, son of Dardanus! for we have need
  Of our best thought.  I see a warrior.  Now,
  Now we shall die; I know it.  Turn we quick
  Our steeds to flight; or let us clasp his knees 450
  And his compassion suppliant essay. 
    Terror and consternation at that sound
  The mind of Priam felt; erect the hair
  Bristled his limbs, and with amaze he stood
  Motionless.  But the God, meantime, approach’d, 455
  And, seizing ancient Priam’s hand, inquired. 
    Whither, my father! in the dewy night
  Drivest thou thy mules and steeds, while others sleep? 
  And fear’st thou not the fiery host of Greece,
  Thy foes implacable, so nigh at hand? 460
  Of whom should any, through the shadow dun
  Of flitting night, discern thee bearing forth
  So rich a charge, then what wouldst thou expect? 
  Thou art not young thyself, nor with the aid
  Of this thine ancient servant, strong enough 465
  Force to repulse, should any threaten force. 
  But injury fear none or harm from me;
  I rather much from harm by other hands
  Would save thee, thou resemblest so my sire. 
    Whom answer’d godlike Priam, hoar with age. 470
  My son! well spoken.  Thou hast judged aright. 
  Yet even me some Deity protects
  Thus far; to whom I owe it that I meet
  So seasonably one like thee, in form
  So admirable, and in mind discreet 475
  As thou art beautiful.  Blest parents, thine! 
    To whom the messenger of heaven again,
  The Argicide.  Oh ancient and revered! 
  Thou hast well spoken all.  Yet this declare,
  And with sincerity; bear’st thou away 480
  Into some foreign country, for the sake
  Of safer custody, this precious charge? 
  Or, urged by fear, forsake ye all alike
  Troy’s sacred towers! since he whom thou hast lost,
  Thy noble son, was of excelling worth 485