a son, who was his only consolation and the support of his advanced years—a brave youth, but so poor that he had nothing wherewith to keep his father, except his hunting spear and a strong right arm. The injustice of the robbery of this Nabal excited his revenge, and he prepared himself to repel force by force; but the positive orders of the careful father, unwilling to expose the life of his son to any danger, disarmed the young man. As, however, he continued from time to time to return to his project, insisting upon vengeance, his father once called him, and addressed him thus:—“Go, my son, and see the sage Krokus, or the clever maids, his daughters, and ask their advice, to know if the gods approve of thy undertaking, and if thou mayest expect a happy result. If so, gird on thy sword, take thy spear in hand, and fight for thy patrimony; but if not, remain here till thou hast closed my eyes, and then act as thou mayest think proper.”
The young man departed, and arrived first at the palace of Bela, which resembled a temple inhabited by a goddess. He knocked, and asked for admission; but when the porter saw that the stranger arrived with empty hands, he sent him away like a beggar, and slammed the door in his face.