“Are you working, dear Master, do I disturb you?” asked M. Goubin, entering M. Bergeret’s study. “Not at all,” replied the professor. “I was amusing myself by translating a Greek text of the Alexandrine period, discovered in a tomb at PhilÆ.” “I should be very glad if you would read me your translation, dear Master,” said M. Goubin. “With pleasure,” replied M. Bergeret, and he began: Concerning Hercules Atimos. Deeds are commonly ascribed to the one and only Hercules which in reality have been accomplished by other heroes bearing the same name. That which Orpheus teaches us concerning the Thracian Hercules relates to the god rather than to the hero. I will not dwell upon this. The Tyrians tell of another Hercules to whom they attribute labours so prodigious that they are difficult to accept. What is less known is that What I know of him I have learned from an inhabitant of Eleusis, a wise and prudent man who has collected together many ancient legends. This is what he told me: Hercules Atimos, the son of Amphitryon, when nearing manhood, received from his father a bow and arrows, forged by Vulcan, which dealt certain death to any creature whom they struck. Now one day, when shooting wild cranes on the slopes of CithÆron, he met a herdsman who addressed him thus: “Son of Amphitryon, there is an evil man who daily steals some of our cattle. Thou art full of youth and vigour. If thou canst find the thief and strike him with one of thy magic arrows, thou wilt gain great praise. But he is not easy of approach, for his feet are larger than the feet of other men, and he is very fleet.” Atimos promised the herdsman that he would punish the brigand, and went upon his way. Hiding “Divine son of Amphitryon, the man thou hast killed was not a stealer of cattle, but a good man. The guilty man is easily recognized by the print of his feet in the dust, for they are larger than those of other men. The dead man’s conduct was irreproachable, and his life a life of innocence. Therefore shalt thou pray with tears to the divine Apollo to restore him to life. Apollo will not refuse thy request if thou pleadest with outstretched supplicating hands.” Full of anger, however, Atimos replied: “I have punished this man for his wickedness. Dost thou think, old man, that I know not what I do and strike at random? Peace! Get thee gone, thou madman, or thou shalt repent thy audacity.” Some young shepherds who were gambolling with their goats upon the slopes of CithÆron hearing the words of Atimos, received them with such shouts of praise that the mountain resounded Atimos, however, had resumed his journey, and soon found himself upon the tracks of the cattle-thief, whom he could see at a little distance ahead. He recognized him quite easily by his footprints in the sand, for they were much greater than those of other men. Then thought the hero to himself, “It is necessary that men believe in the innocence of this man, so that they may believe I have slain the guilty one, and that my glory be made known among men.” With this thought in his mind, he called the man and said to him: “Friend, I honour thee because thou art good and thy thoughts just.” Then, drawing from his quiver one of the arrows made by Vulcan, he gave it to the man with these words, “Take this arrow made by Vulcan. All those who see thee with it will honour thee, and thou wilt be judged worthy of the friendship of a hero.” Thus spoke he. The thief took the arrow and went away. And divine Athene, the bright-eyed goddess, descended from snowy Olympus. She disguised herself as a gentle shepherd, and, coming up to Atimos, said: “Son of Amphitryon, in absolving the guilty man thou hast killed the But Atimos did not recognize the goddess, and believing her to be a shepherd, he cried in fury: “Chicken-heart, vain babbler, dog, I will tear out thy soul!” And he lifted against Pallas Athene his bow, the wood of which was harder than the iron of the arrows forged by Vulcan. “The rest is missing,” said M. Bergeret, replacing the papers upon his table. “What a pity!” said M. Goubin. “It is a pity,” said M. Bergeret. “I have been much interested in translating this Greek text; one must have a change sometimes from everyday affairs.” |