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, a cunning man, Came to my father’s house, and brought with him A golden necklace set with amber beads. The palace maidens and the gracious queen, My mother, took it in their hands, and gazed Upon it, and debated of its price. Meantime the bearer gave the sign, and soon Departed to the ship.
The woman took My hand and led me forth. Within the hall She found upon the tables ready placed The goblets for my father’s guests, his peers; But they were absent, and in council yet Amid a great assembly. She concealed Three goblets in her bosom, and bore off The theft. I followed thoughtlessly. The sun Went down, and darkness brooded o’er the ways. Briskly we walked, and reached the famous port And the fast-sailing ship. They took us both On board, and sailed.
Along its ocean path The vessel ran, and Jupiter bestowed A favorable wind. Six days we sailed, Both night and day; but when Saturnian Jove Brought the seventh day, Diana, archer-queen, Struck down the woman, and with sudden noise Headlong she plunged into the hold, as dives A seagull. But the seamen cast her forth To fishes and to sea-calves.