"A grandson of Dardanus was Ilus, famous in song and story, and to him
was born Laomedon, who in his old age became my father. He, though my
sire, did many unwise things, and brought sore distress upon the people
of this land.

"One day Apollo and Poseidon came to Troy, disguised as humble
wayfarers seeking some employment. This they did because so ordered by
mighty Zeus.

"'What can you do?' asked my father, when the two had told their wishes.

"Poseidon answered, 'I am a builder of walls.'

"And Apollo answered, 'I am a shepherd, and a tender of herds.'

"'It is well,' answered Laomedon. 'The wall-builder shall build a wall
around this Troy so high and strong that no enemy can pass it. The
shepherd shall tend my herds of crook-horned kine on the wooded slopes
of Ida. If at the end of a twelvemonth, the wall be built, and if the
cattle thrive without loss of one, then I will pay you your hire: a
talent of gold, two tripods of silver, rich robes, and armor such as
heroes wear.'

"So the two served my father through the year for the hire which he had
promised. Poseidon built a wall, high and fair, around the city; and
Apollo tended the shambling kine, and lost not one. But when they
claimed their hire, Laomedon drove them away with threats, telling them
that he would bind their feet and hands together, and sell them as
slaves into some distant land, having first sheared off their ears with
his sharp sword. And they went away with angry hearts, planning in