The Taking of Helen by John Masefield — page 105: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE TAKING OF HELEN 93 it less hard for those, and in trying we sometimes make it harder; as I have done for you, my dear. But if I made it harsher for you, it has been all glorious for myself, so that I thank the gods that I have lived near the light all my days and seen it grow the brighter as the clouds came. Iwasa queen once, and it was noth- ing; but ever since then I have been with the kingly, and it has been all the world, my dear.” “There, there,’ the blind man said. ‘““Madam,’ Myrtle said to Helen, “the wind is be- ginning to sound in the trees. If you were to set out soon you would be at your ship before it really sets in, and before the moon is up.”’ “Yes,” Paris said, “the wind is rising. It will be fresh off shore in an hour from now.”’ “We will start, then,’’ Helen said, ‘if you are ready.” ‘“T am ready,’’ Nireus said. “T will set you on your way,” Myrtle said; “it is a long mile to the rocks and the young bulls may be loose on the pasture.” “T will come with you,” The Sightless said, “‘ because you are my guests, and the darkness is my daylight.”’ ‘And you must take some honey and wine and the apples, and the new bread if it has set,’’ the old lady said. “These little baskets that I make will be so handy for you to carry. And some woollens from the wool store, Myrtle, because they do not know how cold it is at night, on the sea, when the wind sets in to blow.” CconnicaooKs (CO)