to swear, all that I promise to you in the event of your
prosperous return, shall remain in its fulness assured to
your mother and your house.” This he says weeping, and 35
unbelts from his shoulder a gilded sword wrought with
rare art by Lycaon of Crete, and fitted for use with a scabbard
of ivory. To Nisus Mnestheus gives a skin, a lion’s
shaggy spoils: Aletes, true of heart, makes an exchange
of helmets. Their arming done they march along; and
as they go, the whole band of nobles, young and old, escorts
them to the gate with prayers for their safety. There too