A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

82 The Epic or Homeric Age
expounding to the people, but the other denied him and
would take naught; and both were fain to receive judgment
at the hands of an arbiter. And the folk were cheering
both, as they took part on either side. And heralds kept
order among the folk, while the elders on polished stones
were sitting in the sacred circle, and holding in their hands
staves from the loud-voiced heralds. Then before the
The talent people they rose up and gave judgment each in turn. And
tioned was a in the midst lay two talents of gold, to be given unto him
small weight,
^^lo should plead among them most righteously.
A siege. But around the other city were two armies in siege
with glittering arms. And two counsels found favor among
them, either to sack the town or to share all with the townsfolk
even whatsoever substance the fair city held within.
But the besieged were not yet yielding, but arming for
an ambushment. On the wall there stood to guard it their
dear wives and infant children, and with these the old
men; but the rest went forth, and their leaders were Ares
and Pallas Athena, both wrought in gold, and golden was
the vesture they had on. Goodly and great were they
in their armor, even as gods, far seen around, and the folk
at their feet were smaller.
An ambush. And when they came where it seemed good to them to
lay ambush, in a river bed where there was a common
watering-place of herds, there they set them, clad in ghttering
bronze. And two scouts were posted by them afar
off to spy the coming of flocks and of oxen with crooked
horns. And presently came the cattle, and with them
two herdsmen playing on pipes, that took no thought of
the guile. Then the others when they beheld these ran
upon them and quickly cut off the herds of oxen and fair
flocks of white sheep, and slew the shepherds withal.
But
the besiegers as they sat before the speech-places and heard