56
Orion.
[Book II.
Away now to our work." Autarces rose.
"This we accept," he said, "for brief is life
Of man—and insecure. But further thought
Should prompt us rather choose Encolyon
As guiding minister and staid high priest,
While Akinetos rule as Chios' king."
"This we accept," he said, "for brief is life
Of man—and insecure. But further thought
Should prompt us rather choose Encolyon
As guiding minister and staid high priest,
While Akinetos rule as Chios' king."
At mention of the name so reverenced,
Silently all assented. "See, the light
Of day spreads warmly down the valley slopes!"
Orion cried. Now Phoibos through the cave
Sent a broad ray! Harpax arose, and then,—
Pondering on rules for safest monarchy,—
Encolyon heavily. The solar beam
Filled the great cave with radiance equable,
And not a cranny held one speck of shade.
A moony halo round Orion came,
As of some pure protecting influence,
While with intense light glared the walls and roof,
The heat increasing. The three giants stood
With glazing eyes, fixed. Terribly the light
Beat on the dazzled stone, and the cave hummed
With reddening heat, till the red hair and beard
Of Harpax shewed no difference from the rest,
Silently all assented. "See, the light
Of day spreads warmly down the valley slopes!"
Orion cried. Now Phoibos through the cave
Sent a broad ray! Harpax arose, and then,—
Pondering on rules for safest monarchy,—
Encolyon heavily. The solar beam
Filled the great cave with radiance equable,
And not a cranny held one speck of shade.
A moony halo round Orion came,
As of some pure protecting influence,
While with intense light glared the walls and roof,
The heat increasing. The three giants stood
With glazing eyes, fixed. Terribly the light
Beat on the dazzled stone, and the cave hummed
With reddening heat, till the red hair and beard
Of Harpax shewed no difference from the rest,
