of the city while persevering in our hunting, and
have made acquaintance with the whole river’s course.”
Then spoke Aletes, weighty with years and ripe of understanding:
“Gods of our fathers, whose constant presence
watches over Troy, not yet in spite of all do ye purpose to 15
make an utter end of us Teucrians, when such are the
spirits and so steadfast the hearts ye breed in our youth.”
As he said this, he kept embracing the necks and hands of
both, and bathing his cheeks in floods of tears. “What
guerdons, gallant men, what can I fancy of worth enough 20