And he sang of the treasures of
the hills, and the hidden jewels of the mine, and the veins of fire
and metal, and the virtues of all healing herbs, and of the speech
of birds, and of prophecy, and of hidden things to come.
Then he sang of health, and strength, and manhood, and a valiant
heart; and of music, and hunting, and wrestling, and all the games
which heroes love: and of travel, and wars, and sieges, and a
noble death in fight; and then he sang of peace and plenty, and of
equal justice in the land; and as he sang the boy listened wide-
eyed, and forgot his errand in the song.
And at the last old Cheiron was silent, and called the lad with a
soft voice.
And the lad ran trembling to him, and would have laid his hands
upon his knees; but Cheiron smiled, and said, 'Call hither your
father AEson, for I know you, and all that has befallen, and saw
you both afar in the valley, even before you left the town.'
Then AEson came in sadly, and Cheiron asked him, 'Why camest you
not yourself to me, AEson the AEolid?'
And AEson said -
'I thought, Cheiron will pity the lad if he sees him come alone;
and I wished to try whether he was fearless, and dare venture like
a hero's son. But now I entreat you by Father Zeus, let the boy be
your guest till better times, and train him among the sons of the
heroes, that he may avenge his father's house.
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