hen I ruled among the Thracians, by my bridal gifts
I brought home their sister Cleopatra to be my wife."

(ll. 240-243) So spake Agenor's son; and deep sorrow seized each of the
heroes, and especially the two sons of Boreas. And brushing away a tear
they drew nigh, and Zetes spake as follows, taking in his own the hand
of the grief-worn sire:

(ll. 244-253) "Unhappy one, none other of men is more wretched than
thou, methinks. Why upon thee is laid the burden of so many sorrows?
Hast thou with baneful folly sinned against the gods through thy skill
in prophecy? For this are they greatly wroth with thee? Yet our spirit
is dismayed within us for all our desire to aid thee, if indeed the god
has granted this privilege to us two. For plain to discern to men of
earth are the reproofs of the immortals. And we will never check the
Harpies when they come, for all our desire, until thou hast sworn that
for this we shall not lose the favour of heaven."

(ll. 254-255) Thus he spake; and towards him the aged sire opened his
sightless eyes, and lifted them up and replied with these words:

(ll. 256-261) "Be silent, store not up such thoughts in thy heart, my
child. Let the son of Leto be my witness, he who of his gracious will
taught me the lore of prophecy, and be witness the ill-starred doom
which possesses me and this dark cloud upon my eyes, and the gods of the
underworld--and may their curse be upon me if I die perjured thus--no
wrath from heaven will fall upon you two for your help to me."

(ll. 262-287) Then were those two eager to help him because of the oath.
And quickly the younger heroes prepared a feast for the aged man, a last
prey for the Harpies; and both stood near him, to smite with the sword
those pests when they swooped down. Scarcely had the aged man touched
the food when they forthwith, like bitter blasts or flashes of
lightning, suddenly darted from the clouds, and swooped down with a
yell, fiercely craving for food; and the heroes beheld them and shouted
in the midst of their onrush; but they at the cry devoured everything
and sped away over the sea after; and an intolerable stench remained.
And behind them the two sons of Boreas raising their swords rushed in
pursuit. For Zeus imparted to them tireless strength; but without Zeus
they could not have followed, for the Harpies used ever to outstrip the
blasts of the west wind when they came to Phineus and when they left
him. And as when, upon the mountain-si