despatch from yonder sky Thy sacred bird, celestial augury! Let the strong sovereign of the plumy race Tower on the right of yon ethereal space; So shall thy suppliant, strengthen'd from above, Fearless pursue the journey mark'd by Jove." Jove heard his prayer, and from the throne on high, Despatch'd his bird, celestial augury! The swift-wing'd chaser of the feather'd game, And known to gods by Percnos' lofty name. Wide as appears some palace-gate display'd. So broad, his pinions stretch'd their ample shade, As stooping dexter with resounding wings The imperial bird descends in airy rings. A dawn of joy in every face appears: The mourning matron dries her timorous tears: Swift on his car the impatient monarch sprung; The brazen portal in his passage rung; The mules preceding draw the loaded wain, Charged with the gifts: Idaeus holds the rein: The king himself his gentle steeds controls, And through surrounding friends the chariot rolls. On his slow wheels the following people wait, Mourn at each step, and give him up to fate; With hands uplifted eye him as he pass'd, And gaze upon him as they gazed their last. Now forward fares the father on his way, Through the lone fields, and back to Ilion they. Great Jove beheld him as he cross'd the plain, And felt the woes of miserable man. Then thus to Hermes: "Thou whose constant cares Still succour mortals, and attend their prayers; Behold an object to thy charge consign'd: If ever pity touch'd thee for mankind, Go, guard the sire: the observing foe prevent, And safe conduct him to Achilles' tent." The god obeys, his golden pinions binds,(294) And mounts incumbent on the wings of winds, That high, through fields of air, his flight sustain, O'er the wide earth, and o'er the boundless main; Then grasps the wand that causes sleep to fly, Or in soft slumbers seals the wakeful eye: Thus arm'd, swift Hermes steers his airy way, And stoops on