Part 10 (1/2)

_Lacon._ Sluggards, how now I Have you not been to gaze upon the sight?

To see the n.o.ble king cast off the gift Which he erewhile so earnestly did crave[?]

_Asph._ I am so tired with the weight of gold I bore to-day I could not budge a foot To see the finest sight Jove could display.

But tell us, Lacon, what he did and said.

_Lac._ Although he'd fain have run[,] his golden dress And heavy sandals made the poor king limp As leaning upon mine and the high priest's arm, He hastened to Pactolus. When he saw The stream--”Thanks to the G.o.ds!” he cried aloud In joy; then having cast aside his robes He leaped into the waves, and with his palm Throwing the waters high--”This is not gold,” [62]

He cried, ”I'm free, I have got rid of gold.”

And then he drank, and seizing with delight A little leaf that floated down the stream, ”Thou art not gold,” he said--

_Zopyr._ But all this time-- Did you behold?--Did he take off his crown?--

_Lacon._ No:--It was strange to see him as he plunged Hold tight his crown with his left hand the while.

_Zopyr._ (_aside_) Alas, my fate! I thought they had been seen.

_Lac._ He ordered garments to the river side Of coa.r.s.est texture;--those that erst he wore He would not touch, for they were trimmed with gold.

_Zopyr._ And yet he did not throw away his crown?

_Lac._ He ever held it tight as if he thought Some charm attached to its remaining there.

Perhaps he is right;--know you, Zopyrion, If that strange voice this morning spoke the truth?

_Zopyr._ Nay guess;--think of what pa.s.sed & you can judge.

I dare not--I know nothing of his ears.

_Lac._ I am resolved some night when he sleeps sound To get a peep.--No more,'tis he that comes.

He has now lost the boon that Bacchus gave, Having bestowed it on the limpid waves.

Now over golden sands Pactolus runs, [63]

And as it flows creates a mine of wealth.