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?'

'I would gladly have horse's hoofs like you, if I could sing such
songs as yours.'

And Cheiron laughed, and said, 'Sit here by me till sundown, when
your playfellows will come home, and you shall learn like them to
be a king, worthy to rule over gallant men.'

Then he turned to AEson, and said, 'Go back in peace, and bend
before the storm like a prudent man. This boy shall not cross the