Then, rising from the ivory chair, withdrew
Tiresias, and bent with years was he.
But Hercules with his fond mother grew,
As grows a young plant in a fruitful lea,

And still Amphitryon's boy was thought to be.
Linus, Apollo's son, heroic name !

Instructed him in letters carefully.

And Eurytus, who from rich parents came, Taught him to bend the bow and take unerring aim.

To move his fingers on the harp with ease,

And to the music minstrelsy to sing,

Him taught Eumoplus Philammonides;

And with what sleights the men of Argos fling
Each other, wrestling fiercely in the ring,
And every sort of pugilistic sleight,

Him taught the son of the Cyllenian king,
Harpalicus, whose dreadful blow did fright
Men from afar, that few would dare with him to fight

To drive the chariot, and impel, control
The rapid-bounding steeds, and how to shun
Dashing his axle-nave against the goal,
He was instructed by Amphitryon,
Who willingly did teach his hopeful son.
In Argos oft, whose praises are far-spoken

For

generous steeds, himself had prizes won;

And of his skill there was this certain token,

Tho' time had marred the reins his chariot was unbroken.

In stationary fight to aim the lance,

Shielding himself; to bide swords flashing round;
To draw his battle out, and bid advance
The cavalry, to scan the foeman's ground,
While to the charge the troops impetuous bound,-
He learned from Castor, who, till he was old,
Of demigods was warrior most renowned,
Exiled from Argos then, which Tydeus bold
With all the vine-land broad did from Adrastus hold.

Alcmena thus had taught her Hercules.

His sleeping-place was near his father's bed;
And, what did most of all his fancy please,
For the bold boy a lion's hide was spread.
His morning meal, roast meat and Dorian bread—

No ploughman would a larger loaf desire;
His evening meal (the day already sped)
Was very light, nor such as needed fire.

He always wore, bare to his knees, a plain attire.

IDYL XXV.

HERCULES, THE LION-SLAYER.

that personage.

ARGUMENT.

Hercules, in quest of Augeias, falls in with one of the dependants of He is amazed at the sight of his herds, having no notion that even ten kings together possessed such wealth. He accompanies Augeias and his son while they inspect the stalls and the business going on there. In the morning he accompanies Phyleus to the city, and communicates to him, on the road, the particulars of his adventure with the Nemean lion, whose hide is hanging from his shoulders. The beginning, and some think the conclusion also, of this Idyl is wanting in the original Greek, as we now have it