Had eager friends; the herald held the crowd

In check; the elders, upon polished stones,

Sat in a sacred circle. Each one took

In turn a herald’s sceptre in his hand,

And rising gave his sentence. In the midst

Two talents lay in gold, to be the meed

Of him whose juster judgment should prevail.

Bryant.

[121]. Iliad xviii. 509–540.

[122]. See Appendix, note 41.