Thus he spake, but Phineus replied to him with downcast look: "Son of
Aeson, that is past recall, nor is there any remedy hereafter, for
blasted are my sightless eyes. But instead of that, may the god grant me
death at once, and after death I shall take my share in perfect bliss."

Then they two returned answering speech, each to other, and soon in the
midst of their converse early dawn appeared; and round Phineus were
gathered the neighbours who used to come thither aforetime day by day
and constantly bring a portion of their food. To all alike, however poor
he was that came, the aged man gave his oracles with good will, and
freed many from their woes by his prophetic art; wherefore they visited
and tended him. And with them came Paraebius, who was dearest to him,
and gladly did he perceive these strangers in the house. For long ere
now the seer himself had said that a band of chieftains, faring from
Hellas to the city of Aeetes, would make fast their hawsers to the
Thynian land, and by Zeus' will would check the approach of the Harpies.
The rest the old man pleased with words of wisdom and let them go;
Paraebius only he bade remain there with the chiefs; and straightway he
sent him and bade him bring back the choicest of his sheep. And when he
had left the hall Phineus spake gently amid the throng of oarsmen:

"O my friends, not all men are arrogant, it seems, nor unmindful of
benefits. Even as this man, loyal as he is, came hither to learn his
fate. For when he laboured the most and toiled the most, then the needs
of life, ever growing more and more, would waste him, and day after day
ever dawned more wretched, nor was there any respite to his toil. But he
was paying the sad penalty of his father's sin. For he when alone on the
mountains, felling trees, once slighted the prayers of a Hamadryad, who
wept and sought to soften him with plaintive words, not to cut down the