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Then he sang of health, and strength, and manhood, and a
valiant heart; and of music, and hunting, and wrestling, and
all the games which heroes love: and of travel, and wars,
and sieges, and a noble death in fight; and then he sang of
peace and plenty, and of equal justice in the land; and as he
sang the boy listened wide-eyed, and forgot his errand in the
song.
And at the last old Cheiron was silent, and called the lad
with a soft voice.
And the lad ran trembling to him, and would have laid his
hands upon his knees; but Cheiron smiled, and said, 'Call
hither your father AEson, for I know you, and all that has
befallen, and saw you both afar in the valley, even before
you left the town.'
Then AEson came in sadly, and Cheiron asked him, 'Why camest
you not yourself to me, AEson the AEolid?'
And AEson said -
'I thought, Cheiron will pity the lad if he sees him come
alone; and I wished to try whether he was fearless, and dare
venture like a hero's son. But now I entreat you by Father
Zeus, let the boy be your guest till better times, and train
him among the sons of the heroes, that he may avenge his
father's house.'
Then Cheiron smiled, and drew the lad to him, and laid his
hand upon his golden locks, and said, 'Are you afraid of my
horse's hoofs, fair boy, or will you be my pupil from this
day?'
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