The Taking of Helen by John Masefield — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

12 THE TAKING OF HELEN old, fat officer known as Wisdom. He announced Nireus to the King. ‘Nireus,’ the King said, “they tell me that you run long distances. I have betted on your running twelve furlongs, to-morrow morning, against the Stag- footed, the grandson of Aktor. Will you do this?” “Lord, I will try, but he is a better runner than I. Where shall we run?” “In the running-place at Port-of-Maidens.”’ “That is fifteen miles to the south of this?” ‘Does that dismay you? We shall go there to- night.” | “To-night ?” “When the north wind rises. You, an islander, do not mind the sea? It will not affect your running? I have betted much upon you, because I hear that you outran Prince Paris.’’ “Only in the longer courses, lord.”’ “Yes,” the heavy man answered, “Prince Paris will not stay for the longer courses.’’ ‘There was some- thing very puffy, and slow, and grey-in-the-face about the heavy man, but there was beauty too. He wore the Blood Axe, as a sign, upon his vestments. ‘“Lord,’’ Nireus said, ‘‘since we sail at midnight, may I go to prepare?”’ “My men will do that for you,” the King said. “In fact have done it. We will eat a little fruit and so aboard. You run only the longer distances? Ah, CORNICLOOKS»EO