536As the Pylian told of these battles between the Lapiths and the half-human Centaurs, Tlepolemus could not bear, with a silent mouth, his pain at Alcides being passed over, and says: 'It is strange, old man, that you have forgotten the glory of Hercules! 540Certainly my father used often to tell me that the cloud-born ones had been tamed by him.' 542Sadly the Pylian replied to this: 'Why do you force me to remember wrongs, and to tear open griefs long scarred over, and to confess my hatred and grievances against your father? 545He indeed, ye gods, achieved things beyond belief, 545and filled the world with his services, which I would rather be able to deny: but we do not praise Deiphobus, nor Polydamas, nor Hector himself — for who would praise an enemy?
549That father of yours once laid low the walls of Messene, and destroyed innocent cities, Elis and Pylos, and drove sword and flame into my own home, and, to say nothing of others whom he killed, we were twice six sons of Neleus, a conspicuous band of youth: twice six fell, all but me alone, to the might of Hercules; 555and that the others could be conquered must be borne: but strange was the death of Periclymenus, to whom Neptune, founder of the blood of Neleus, had given the power to take whatever shapes he wished and to put them off again once taken. 559When he had changed in vain into every form, he is turned into the shape of the bird that carries thunderbolts in its curved feet, the most beloved of the king of the gods; 562using the strength of a bird, with wings and hooked beak and curved talons he had torn the hero's face: the Tirynthian bends against him his all too unerring bow, and strikes him as he carries his limbs aloft among the clouds and hangs there, where the wing joins the side; 567nor was the wound serious, but the sinews, severed by the wound, fail and deny him movement and the strength to fly.
569He fell to earth, his weakened wings no longer catching the air, and the arrow, which had stuck lightly in the wing, was driven in by the weight of the body pinned to it, and was forced through the top of his side and out at the left of his throat. 573Now do I seem bound to proclaim the deeds of your Hercules, most handsome commander of the Rhodian fleet? 575Yet I avenge my brothers no further than by keeping silent about his brave deeds: my friendship with you is firm.' 577After the son of Neleus had uttered this with his sweet voice, the gift of Bacchus was passed round again after the old man's talk, and they rose from their couches: the rest of the night was given to sleep.