There were many to whom the Epeans owed chattels, for we men of Pylus were few and had been oppressed with wrong; in former years Hercules had come, and had laid his hand heavy upon us, so that all our best men had perished.

Neleus had had twelve sons, but I alone was left; the others had all been killed.

The Epeans presuming upon all this had looked down upon us and had done us much evil.

My father chose a herd of cattle and a great flock of sheep--three hundred in all--and he took their shepherds with him, for there was a great debt due to him in Elis, to wit four horses, winners of prizes.

They and their chariots with them had gone to the games and were to run for a tripod, but King Augeas took them, and sent back their driver grieving for the loss of his horses.