It happened that on that day the Arcadian monarch

was performing a yearly sacrifice to Amphitryon’s mighty

child[250] and the heavenly brotherhood in a grove before the

city. With him his son Pallas, with him all the prime of 10

his warriors and his unambitious senate were offering incense,

and the new-shed blood was steaming warm on the

altar. Soon as they saw tall ships gliding toward them

through the shadowy trees, and plying the oar in silence,

alarmed by the sudden apparition, each and all start up 15

from the sacrificial board. Pallas, bolder than the rest,