Long he stood on the brink, till his eyes dazzled from the sun-stricken foam.

His mind was blasted with shame; he could not hold his head erect.

In sorry effort to recover self-respect he reasoned inwardly thus: 'Where Basil may be I know not.

If he is still at Asculum many days must pass before a summons from me could bring him hither.

He may already be on his way to join the king, as I bade him in my last message.