Quoted By:
With Helios descending towards the western sea, Teukros and yourself bid the Salaminians farewell – as commoners, they will not be attending dinner tonight within King Anios’ tent. The atmosphere of the island is charged, the air swimming with power – the divinity within your blood seems to sing out in recognition of this, and your mood is buoyant – you catch yourself wearing a contented smile as you breathe in the scents of countless flowers in bloom along the hedges of the pathway. You join with Castor and Pollux on the hillside, and walk together for the remainder of the journey – Pollux seems to be even more greatly influenced by the environs by yourself, his steps light on the earth, humming to himself absentmindedly rather than his typical boisterous chatter – a half-step out of sync with the realm of mortals. You catch Castor examining your own loose strides and pleased demeanor, a knowing gleam in his eye.
Time stretches strangely – the hike up the hillside seems to take hours, but the assembling of your diplomatic party takes place in a flash. You are suddenly being passed well-mixed kylixes of wine at the feast table, under the billowing sails of Anios’ tent – Teukros to your left and Odysseus to your right. All is well – you have no trepidation being seated next to Odysseus, who delights the table with charming anecdotes. Time flashes again, and Anios, son of Apollo, is standing in robes of palest yellow, delivering a benediction in ringing tones:
<span class="mu-b">How, then, shall I sing of you
who in all ways are a worthy theme of song?
For everywhere, O Phoebus,
the whole range of song is fallen to you,
both over the mainland that rears heifers
and over the isles. All mountain-peaks
and high headlands of lofty hills
and rivers flowing out to the deep
and beaches sloping seawards
and havens of the sea are your delight.
Shall I sing how at the first Leto bare you to be the joy of men,
as she rested against Mount Cynthus on this rocky isle,
of sea-girt Delos –
while on either hand a dark wave
rolled on landwards driven by shrill winds –
whence arising you rule over all mortal men?</span>
>cont
