“To this the woman answered: ‘I consent If first ye take an oath—ye mariners— And pledge your faith to bear me safely home.’
“She spake, and they complied, and when the oath Was duly taken, thus the woman said:—
“ ‘Now hold your peace; let none of all the crew Speak to me more, in meeting on the road Or at the fountain, lest someone should tell The old man at the house, and he suspect Some fraud and bind me fast, and plot your death. Lock up your words within your breast; make haste To buy supplies, and when the ship is full Of all things needful, let a messenger Come to me at the palace with all speed; And I will bring with me whatever gold My hands may find, and something else to pay My passage. I am nurse to the young heir Of the good man who dwells in yonder halls— A shrewd boy for his years, who oft goes out With me—and I will lead him to the ship, And he will bring, in any foreign land To which ye carry him, a liberal price.’
“The woman spake, and to our fair abode Departed. The Phoenician crew remained Until the twelvemonth’s end, and filled their ship With many things, and, when its roomy hull Was fully laden, sent a messenger To tell the woman. He,