BALAUSTION'S ADVENTURE.
23
And slew those forgers of the thunderboltWherewith Zeus blazed the life from out the breastOf Phoibos' son Asklepios (I surmise,Because he brought the dead to life again)And so, for punishment, must needs go slaveGod as he was, with a mere mortal lord:—Told how he came to King Admetos' land,And played the ministrant, was herdsman there,Warding from him and his all harm awayTill now; "For, holy as I am," said he,"The lord I chanced upon was holy too:Whence I deceived the Moirai, drew from deathMy master, this same son of Pheres,—ay,The Goddesses conceded him escapeFrom Hades, when the fated day should fall,Could he exchange lives, find some friendly oneReady, for his sake, to content the grave.
