65. 
’I swear by these most gloriously-wrought portals
(It is, you will allow, an oath of might)
Through which the multitude of the Immortals
Pass and repass forever, day and night, 510
Devising schemes for the affairs of mortals—­
I am guiltless; and I will requite,
Although mine enemy be great and strong,
His cruel threat—­do thou defend the young!’

66. 
So speaking, the Cyllenian Argiphont 515
Winked, as if now his adversary was fitted:—­
And Jupiter, according to his wont,
Laughed heartily to hear the subtle-witted
Infant give such a plausible account,
And every word a lie.  But he remitted 520
Judgement at present—­and his exhortation
Was, to compose the affair by arbitration.

67. 
And they by mighty Jupiter were bidden
To go forth with a single purpose both,
Neither the other chiding nor yet chidden:  525
And Mercury with innocence and truth
To lead the way, and show where he had hidden
The mighty heifers.—­Hermes, nothing loth,
Obeyed the Aegis-bearer’s will—­for he
Is able to persuade all easily. 530

68. 
These lovely children of Heaven’s highest Lord
Hastened to Pylos and the pastures wide
And lofty stalls by the Alphean ford,
Where wealth in the mute night is multiplied
With silent growth.  Whilst Hermes drove the herd 535
Out of the stony cavern, Phoebus spied
The hides of those the little babe had slain,
Stretched on the precipice above the plain.

69. 
‘How was it possible,’ then Phoebus said,
’That you, a little child, born yesterday, 540
A thing on mother’s milk and kisses fed,
Could two prodigious heifers ever flay? 
Even I myself may well hereafter dread
Your prowess, offspring of Cyllenian May,
When you grow strong and tall.’—­He spoke, and bound 545
Stiff withy bands the infant’s wrists around.

70. 
He might as well have bound the oxen wild;
The withy bands, though starkly interknit,
Fell at the feet of the immortal child,
Loosened by some device of his quick wit. 550
Phoebus perceived himself again beguiled,
And stared—­while Hermes sought some hole or pit,
Looking askance and winking fast as thought,
Where he might hide himself and not be caught.

71. 
Sudden he changed his plan, and with strange skill 555
Subdued the strong Latonian, by the might
Of winning music, to his mightier will;
His left hand held the lyre, and in his right
The plectrum struck the chords—­unconquerable
Up from beneath his hand in circling flight 560
The gathering music rose—­and sweet as Love
The penetrating notes did live and move