Heracles: an Introduction (7-8)

Thus far the Celt. And when I was debating with myself on the question of appearing here, considering whether it was proper for a man of my age, who had long ago given up lecturing in public, once more to subject himself to the verdict of so large a jury, it chanced in the nick of time that I remembered the picture. Until then I had been

afraid that some of you might think I was doing an altogether boyish thing and at my age shewing the rashness of youth; and that then some young fellow full of Homer might rebuke me by saying “Your strength is gone” and “Bitter old age has you in his clutch” and “Your squire is feeble and your steeds are slow,”[*] aiming the last quip at my feet. But when I remember that old Heracles, I am moved to undertake anything, and am not ashamed to be so bold, since I am no older than the picture.

Goodbye, then, to strength, speed, beauty and all manner of physical excellence! Let your god of love, O Tean poet, [*] glance at my grizzled chin and flit by me if he will on his gold-gleaming pinions: Hippoclides will not mind! [*] Now should certainly be the time for eloquence to flourish and flower and reach its fulness, to drag as many as it can by the ears and to let fly many arrows. At least there is no fear that its quiver will unexpectedly run short!

You see what encouragement I apply to my age and my infirmities. This it is which gave me the heart to drag my pinnace, long ago laid up, to the water, provision her as best I could and set sail on the high seas once more. Be it your part,

ye gods, to blowme fair, for now if ever do I need a breeze

that fills the sail, a good companion.

Odyss. 11,7; 12, 149. If anyone thinks me worthy, I would have him apply to me the words of Homer:

How stout a thigh the old man’s rags reveal!

Odyss. 18, 74