After the battle at Salamis. (b)

Translation

  1. And Philip said: Did you not stop the war after suffering such a disaster?
    But the sailor replied: Not in the least: for nothing could reduce the spirit of us Athenians. And so Cimon soon led our fleet to Cyprus and defeated the Persians again, but he himself died while laying siege to a city. And so grieving we sailed away homeward bound. The following year our people made a peace treaty with the [Persian] king. And so we accomplished such a lot fighting the barbarians. And therefore a very great challenge lies in front of you, my boy: for you must become worthy of your ancestors.
  2. And Philip said: You speak the truth, old man: if god is propitious, I shall endeavour to become a good man, worthy of my ancestors. But you, what did you do in peace[time]?
  3. And the old man said: I wasn't a young man any longer, nor did I enjoy [use] as much strength as to row in our fleet. And so, hiring myself out, I sailed around in merchant ships to many parts of the earth. For I went to Sicily, where I saw Mount Etna belching forth rivers of fire towards heaven, and I sailed to Scythia where in winter the frosts are such that even the sea freezes (in Greek: for even the sea to freeze). But now, being very old, I make some short voyages around the islands, and I await death contented[ly].
  4. And Philip said: You did see a lot, old man, in your long life, and you also suffered a lot. For even Odysseus didn't wander any further than you.
  5. But the old man, having looked toward land, got up and said: Look, we're already arriving into the harbour. And so, good-bye. For I've got to hurry and help the othe sailors. Having spoken in this manner he went off to the bow [of the ship], while they remained [there] thinking about all he had said.
  6. And when they arrived inside the very deep harbour,
    they took down the sails and put [them] into the black ship
    quickly, and with the oars rowed it [the black ship] forward into anchorage.
  7. And so, when the ship was moored at the pier, the people got ou