And we will never check the Harpies when they come, for all our desire, until thou hast sworn that for this we shall not lose the favour of heaven." Thus he spake; and towards him the aged sire opened his sightless eyes, and lifted them up and replied with these words: "Be silent, store not up such thoughts in thy heart, my child.

Let the son of Leto be my witness, he who of his gracious will taught me the lore of prophecy, and be witness the ill-starred doom which possesses me and this dark cloud upon my eyes, and the gods of the underworld--and may their curse be upon me if I die perjured thus--no wrath from heaven will fall upon you two for your help to me." Then were those two eager to help him because of the oath.

And quickly the younger heroes prepared a feast for the aged man, a last prey for the Harpies; and both stood near him, to smite with the sword those pests when they swooped down.

Scarcely had the aged man touched the food when they forthwith, like bitter blasts or flashes of lightning, suddenly darted from the clouds, and swooped down with a yell, fiercely craving for food; and the heroes beheld them and shouted in the midst of their onrush; but they at the cry devoured everything and sped away over the sea afar; and an intolerable stench remained.

And behind them the two sons of Boreas raising their swords rushed in pursuit.