78
BALAUSTION'S ADVENTURE.
Till the king's cheek winced at the thick rough gold;And then strode off, with who had care of him,To the remote guest-chamber: glad to givePoor flesh and blood their respite and reliefIn the interval 'twixt fight and fight again—All for the world's sake. Our eyes followed him,Be sure, till those mid-doors shut us outside.The king, too, watched great Herakles go offAll faith, love, and obedience to a friend.
And when they questioned him, the simple ones,"What dost thou? Such calamity to face,Lies full before thee—and thou art so boldAs play the host, Admetos? Hast thy wits?"He replied calmly to each chiding tongue:"But if from house and home I forced awayA coming guest, would'st thou have praised me more?
